The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C E R T IF IC A T E
This publication is issued pursuant to th e
provisions o f the sundry civil act (41 Stats.
1430) approved M arch 4 , 1921.
A D D IT IO N A L C O P IE S
OF THIS PUBLICATION MAT BE PROCURED FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
AT
15 C E N T S P E R C O PY
U nited
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Subscription P rice P er Y ear
States, C anada, M exico, $1.50; Other C ountries, $2.25
C ontents
Special articles:
Page
1-10
Prevalence of 5-day week in American in d u stry . _____ . ___________
The 5-day week in th e Ford plants_______________________________ 10-14
A ttitude of organized labor tow ard th e shorter work week_________ 14-16
A ttitude of certain em ployers to 5-day week______________________ 16, 17
The municipal m arket system of Norfolk, Va______________________ 17-27
Productivity of la b o r:
Productivity of labor in th e rubber tire and the iron and steel (re
vised) industries_______________________________________________ 28-34
P roductivity of labor in w heat farm ing_____ ______________________ 34-36
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
British coal mining dispute________________________________________37-45
Labor turnover and plan t policy_________________________________
46
Minimum w age:
M assachusetts— Minimum wage report___________________________ 47, 48
Saskatchewan— Increases in m inim um wage rate s_________________
48
Uruguay— M inimum wage law for agricultural w orkers____________ 48, 49
Industrial accidents and hygiene:
Accident experience of th e iron and steel industry to th e end of 1925_ 50-60
60
Building construction w ithout accident— _________________________
Safety work in th e shipping in d u stry _____________________________ 60, 61
Physical exam inations of street-railw ay employees-------------------------- 61-63
Eye conservation in industry_____________________________________ 63, 64
F atalities in th e California petroleum in d u stry ------------------------------65
F atal accidents in various countries_______ _______________________ 65, 66
G reat B ritain—
English lim itations on weight lifting by hand in th e woolen in
d u stry ___________________________________________________
67
Industrial poisons and diseases in British factories_____________ 67-70
New Zealand— Factory accidents, 1925----------------------------------------- 70, 71
Sweden— Prohibition of th e use of w hite lead in pain tin g ----------------71
Workmen’s com pensation and social insurance:
Missouri w orkm en’s com pensation law adopted on referendum -------- 72, 73
Compensation for injury received during period of perm anent to ta l
disability_____________________________________________________
73
A nthrax as a compensable accident----------------------------------------------74
Infection of open sore as a compensable in ju ry ------------------------------74
Longshoremen classed as seamen-------------------------------------------------- 75, 76
W orkmen’s com pensation problem s in relation to hospitals-------------- 76, 77
New York w orkm en’s com pensation rep o rt------------------------------------ 77, 78
Sickness insurance in various countries------------------------------------------ 79, 80
Argentina—Pension law suspended----------------------------------------------- 80, 81
France—Amendm ents to w orkm en’s com pensation law s------------------81, 82
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hi
IY
CONTENTS
Cooperation:
Page
Consumers’ Cooperative Congress of 1926________________________ 83-87
Cooperation in foreign countries—
A ustria-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 87, 88
88
Czechoslovakia_____________________________________________
D enm ark__________________________________________________
88
Russia-------- ------------------------------ :_________ _____________ _
88,89
Sweden------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 89, 90
Labor congresses:
Convention of th e American Federation of Labor, 1926______________ 91-96
Canada— Annual meeting of the Trades and Labor Congress, 1926__ 96, 97
England— Trades-Union Congress of 1926_________________________ 97-99
W elfare:
M iners’ welfare work in G reat Britain during the coal strike_____ 100, 101
Women in industry:
S tatus of women in th e G overnm ent service in 1925__ _______ ____102-104
Labor laws and court decisions:
C onstitutionality of sta tu te prohibiting illegal strikes____________ 105, 106
Liability for action of S tate police acting as strike guard__ ______ 106, 107
Argentine Sunday rest law ______________________________________
107
In d u strial d isp u te s:
Strikes and lockouts in the U nited States, October, 1926__________ 108-111
Conciliation work of th e D epartm ent of Labor in October, 1926__ 111-113
Wages and hours of la b o r:
Wages and hours in th e English pottery industry ________________ 114-129
Wages in th e G erm an p o ttery industry_________________________ 129-143
E ntrance wage rates for common labor, October, 1926___________ 144, 145
International com parison of real wages___________________________
146
Chile— T rend of wages, 1917 to 1926_____________________________
147
Colombia— Wages in C artagena________________________________ 147, 148
G ermany— Wage rates in H am burg______________________________
148
Portugal— Working hours in Governm ent offices__________________
148
Trend of em ploym ent:
E m ploym ent in selected industries in October, 1926_____________ 149-167
Changes in em ploym ent from 1914_____________________________ 168-174
E m ploym ent and earnings of railroad employees, September, 1925, and
August an d September, 1926_________________________________ 174, 175
S tate reports on em ploym ent—
California________________________________________________ 175, 176
Illinois___________________________________________________ 177, 178
Iow a_______________________________________________________
179
M aryland__________________________________________________
180
M assachusetts______________________________________________
181
New Y ork__________________________________________________
182
Oklahom a__________________________________________________
183
Wisconsin________________________________________________ 183, 184
Chile— E xtent of unem ploym ent.________
185
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the U nited S tates_______________________ 186-208
Retail prices of coal in the U nited S tates_______________________ 208-211
Index num bers of wholesale prices in October, 1926______________ 211, 212
Wholesale prices in th e U nited S tates and foreign countries, 1913 to
September, 1926__________________________________
212-214
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CONTENTS
V
Prices and cost of living—Continued.
Page
Trend of cotton prices__________________ - ____________________ 215-219
Food habits of farm and city families____________- _____________ 219, 220
la b o r agreem ents, awards, and decisions:
L abor agreem ents—
Cloth h a t and cap workers— New York C ity____ ___________ 221, 222
D ining-car cooks and w aiters— New York, New H aven & H a rt
ford R ailroad___________________________________________ 222, 223
F ur workers— Chicago____________________________________ 223-225
Mailers— New York C ity__________________________________ 225-227
Street railways— Connecticut______________________________ 227-229
Window glass industry— N ational agreem ent_______________ 229-231
Awards and decisions—
Clothing industry— Chicago_________________________________
231
Clothing industry— New York C ity___________
232
E astern M assachusetts Street Railw ay_____________________ 232, 233
Railw ay conductors— Decision of T rain Service Board of A djust
233
m ent for th e W estern Region______________________________
Stereotypers— D etroit_____________________________________ 234-236
Im m igration and em igration:
Statistics of im m igration for September, 1926___________________ 237-243
Mexico—
Restriction on im m igration__________________________________
243
The Mexican im m igration problem ___________________________
244
Activities of State labor b u re a u s:
California, Illinois, Iowa, M aryland, M assachusetts, New York, Okla
homa, Wisconsin______________________________________________
245
Publications relating to labor:
Official— U nited S tates________________________________________ 246, 247
Official— Foreign countries_____________________________________ 247-249
Unofficial_______
249,250
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T h is is s u e in B rief
The 5-day week is not as uncommon in American industry as the
current discussion of the subject would suggest. Thus, in the m en ’s
clothing industry 45 per cent of the establishm ents covered by the
B ureau of Labor S ta tistics’ survey were working on a 5-day week
schedule. Among several of the building trades the 5-day week is
fairly well established. In foundries and machine shops, about 3.5
per cent of those covered by the b u re a u ’s studies had a 5-day week.
Even in the iron and steel industry, the 5-day, or 5-turn, week exists
for certain workers. An article on page 1 brings together all the
inform ation available to the bureau regarding the prevalence of the
5-day week.
The public market system oj Norfolk, Va., includes a modern and
extremely well-equipped m arket building, and a system of outside
or farm ers’ m arkets. Originally, the public m arket was essen
tially a place where producer and consumer came together. In
m odern cities, however, the trend has been for the central m arkets
to be more in the nature of an aggregation of retail dealers, who
buy their products from wholesale dealers. Page 17.
The productivity oj labor in the manufacture of rubber tires has
increased a t a very rapid rate during the last 10 years, as is shown
by the fact th a t the output of the workers per m an-hour in this
industry in 1925 was over three times th a t in 1914. This great
increase in ou tp u t per worker can be p artly explained by the rapid
growth of the industry, since the to tal o u tp u t of rubber tires in 1925
exceeded the o u tp u t in 1914 nearly six times. Page 28.
A revised index oj productivity jo r the iron and steel industry shows
th a t the o utput per m an-hour in the industry as a whole increased
about 60 per cent between 1914 and 1925, and in the la tte r year it
was nearly three times the ou tp u t per m an-hour in 1899. The
construction of separate productivity indexes for blast furnaces and
for steel works and rolling mills brings to light considerable difference
between these two branches of the industry. The ou tp u t per m an
hour in blast-furnace work nearly doubled from 1899 to 1909, and
then almost doubled again between 1909 and 1923 ; the trend upward
was fairly constant. In steel works and rolling mills, however, the
increase in productivity is somewhat smaller— about two and onehalf times greater in 1925 than in 1899— and the developm ent has
not been a t all regular. Page 28.
Accident rates in the iron and steel industry declined from 192Jf to
1925. This decline has been almost continuous for the last 16
years. In the plants where safety work has been emphasized the
reduction in accident frequency since 1913 has been about 86 per
cent, as compared w ith only 15 per cent in plants where safety work
has not been so m arked. Page 50.
The fatal accident rate in the United States is very m uch larger than
the rates in other countries of the world. In 1924, in the registra
tion S tates alone there were 76.2 fatal accidents per 100,000 popula
tion, while in England and Wales, for instance, the rate was only
34.1, in Scotland 45.2, and in A ustralia 48. Page 65.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
VII
V III
M O N TH LY LABOE REVIEW
A workmen's compensation law has a t last, by referendum, been
adopted in M issouri, thus ending the struggle for such legislation,
begun in 1910. Page 72.
,
The fifth congress of the Cooperative League of America was held in
M inneapolis, Novem ber 4-6, 1926. An account of the congress is
given on page 83.
The recent convention of the American Federation of Labor condemned
the company union, favored a progressive shortening of the hours of
labor, declared for an organization campaign in the automobile,
industry, indorsed union-m anagem ent cooperation, and cautioned
workers against employee stock ownership plans. Page 91.
M inim um wage standards are generally accepted by the employers
in M assachusetts, in spite of the fact th a t compliance is dependent
upon the pressure of public opinion. This is shown by the report of
the division of m inimum wage of the M assachusetts D epartm ent of
Labor and Industries reviewed on page 47.
The average wholesale price of cotton has ju st completed a cycle
which beginning at 12.8 cents per pound in 1913 has after m any
fluctuations returned to the same price in November, 1926. D a ta
and a chart showing the relation between the price of cotton and the
production and consumption of cotton, the num ber of spindles in
place and in active operation, and population are given on page 215.
Wage rates for common labor on October 1, 1926, ranged from 15
cents to $1.125 per hour. The highest rates in m ost districts were
paid by general contractors. The average rate for all industries
was 43.4 cents. Page 144.
Wages in English and German pottery industries, for certain occu
pations, are shown on pages 114 and 129. The d a ta were obtained
by a representative of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The British coal-mining dispute, after about seven m onths’ duration,
is being term inated w ithout formal settlem ent. The miners in
certain sections have returned to work w ith only local agreements,
b u t in other sections it is expected th a t mining m ay be tied up for
weeks longer. A resume of the struggle is given on page 37.
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MONT HL Y LABOR R E V I E W
v o l . x x iil n o
.6
W ASHINGTON
D e c e m b e r , 1926
P revalen ce of th e 5-D ay W eek in A m erica n In d u stry
H E recent announcem ent by M r. H enry Ford regarding the
establishm ent of the 5-day week in the enterprises w ith which
he is associated has aroused considerable interest as to the
extent to which the 5-day week is a t present in operation as a regular
working practice.
No general survey of the subject has ever been made, b u t consider
able inform ation thereon is available in the m aterial obtained by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in its recent surveys of wages and hours of
labor in various industries, in its studies of collective agreements
among the organized trades, and in various items from trade journals,
etc. An analysis of this m aterial has been made w ith the following
results:
T
Summary
T H E larger industries in the country, the re g u la r full-time
5-day week is m ost prevalent in the m anufacture of m en’s
clothing. Here, according to the recent study by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, no less than 45 per cent of the establishments
covered, and almost one-third of the employees, were working a
5-day week. The 40-hour week, however, was not common, the
average hours being 44.3 per week.
The 5-day week has also m ade considerable progress in recent years
in certain other branches of the clothing trades. Thus, under recent
agreements, m ost of the fur workers (an industry employing about
14,000 persons) are working on a 5-day 40-hour week basis, bu t with
provision for some Saturday work in the busy fall season. Similarly,
the organized workers in the cloth h a t and cap industry in New York
and Philadelphia have agreements calling for a 5-day 44-hour week, to
be reduced to a flat 40-hour week in 1927. The organized cloak,
skirt, and dressmakers, of Boston; waterproof garm ent workers,
cutters, pressers, and buttonhole makers of New York; the cloak,
skirt, dress, and reefer m akers’ unions of New York; and the ladies’
tailors and custom dressmakers’ local, also of New York— all have the
5-day week and in m ost cases the flat 40-hour week.
Among some of the building trades the 5-day week is fairly well
established, more than 6 per cent of the union membership in all the
trades covered by the bureau’s 1926 study working on a flat 5-day
week basis, the trades m ost affected thereby being lathers, painters,
and plasterers. In addition, the 5-day week for p a rt of the year
occurs not infrequently among the granite and stone trades.
I 11 the printing and publishing of newspapers, especially those
in foreign languages, a working week of 40 hours or less, b u t worked
variously in five or six days, is quite frequent. In total, about 5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1153]
1
o£.J
MOInTHLY
la b o r r e v ie w
per cent of all the newspaper printing trades covered by the bureau’s
1926 study were found to be on a working basis of not over 40 hours
a week. In the book and job branch of the printing industry, the
5-day 40-hour-or-less week was infrequent, b u t was found to occur
in a few cities.
Other organized trades covered by the bureau’s recent study in
wdiich the 5-day week existed to a greater or less extent w ere: Bakers,
1.4 per cent of those covered by the study, and laundry workers,
7.8 per cent of those covered by the study.
In the large m anufacturing industries covered by the regular wages
and hours surveys of the bureau the 5-day week as a regular working
practice wras found, to a greater or less extent, in the paper boxboard industry, in foundries and machine shops, and in the iron and
steel industry. In the paper box-board industry the bureau’s study
m ade in the spring of 1925 found th a t in 60 per cent of the establish
m ents, employing about tw o-thirds of the total working force can
vassed, the productive forces were working on a regular 5-day-week
basis.
In the foundries and machine shops covered by the bureau’s study
3.8 per cent of the plants, employing 3.5 per cent of the working
force, had a regular 5-day week. In addition, about 1 per cent of
the plants and employees covered alternated between a 5-day wreek
and a full 6-day week as the prevailing working basis for the m ajority
of the employees. The actual weekly hours wmre usually in excess of
40, although a few plants lim ited their working tim e to a flat 5-day
40-hour week.
The iron and steel industry as a whole still has m any employees
on rath er long hours, b u t the 5-day week exists in certain occupations
in certain plants. Thus, the 1926 survey by the bureau found th a t
2.1 per cent of all the employees covered worked a regular 5-day or
5-night week. M ost of the 5-turn workers were in the bar mills
(13 per cent of the to tal employees therein) and in the puddling
mills (6 per cent of the to tal employees therein).
In addition to the adoption of the 5-day week as a regular practice
in certain industrial establishments, as described above, there has
been, of recent years, a significant extension of the practice of S atur
day closing in the summ er m onths. The practice is m ost extensive
in retail stores and offices, b u t is known to exist also in other lines of
business, although no very satisfactory data are available on this
subject.
O ther instances of the 5-day week of which the bureau has record
are more or less isolated. The following pages include references to
these as wrell as giving in somewhat greater detail the data upon
wdiich the above sum m ary is based.
Bakeries, Building Trades, Laundries, and Printing and Publishing
'T T I E Bureau of Labor Statistics m akes an annual survey of wage
* rates and hours among organized wTage earners in various indus
trial communities. The study is lim ited to trades in which pay
m ent is by time rates or, if by piece rates, by some simple measure
such as “ em s” in the case of printers. Organized trades wrorking on
a more or less complicated piecework system are om itted from the
annual survey.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1154]
PREVALENCE OE 5-DAY W EEK IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY
3
The 1926 survey covered 66 cities and 824,313 union members, for
764,596 of whom regular working hours were obtainable, the street
railway employees having such variable hours of labor th a t they were
not included in the tabulations on this point. The trades covered
were: Bakery; building; chauffeurs, team sters, and drivers; granite
and stone; laundry workers; linemen; longshoremen; printing and
publishing—book and job, and newspaper.
Of the total of 764,596 members it was found th a t 35,689, or 4.7
per cent, had a regular working week of only 5 days during the whole
year; 3,670, or 0.5 per cent, had a regular working week of 5 days for
a p a rt of the year; and 1,063, or 0.2 per cent, had a schedule which
called for 6 days b u t n o t over 40 hours per week. In the aggregate,
therefore, there were 40,422, or 5.3 per cent of the total, who worked
5 days or 40 hours or less per week for the whole or a p a rt of the year.
Table 1 shows the percentage of the total membership of each trade
group, so far as canvassed, falling into each of three classes: (1)
W orking 5 days per week the whole year, (2) working 5 days p a rt of
the year, and (3) working 6 days b u t 40 hours or less per week. For
each of these three classifications Table 2 gives in detail, by city and
trade, for each union working on the 5-day or 40-hour-or-less week
basis, the exact hours worked on M onday to Friday, on Saturday,
and on Sunday.
T able 1 .—P E R C E N T O F T R A D E -U N IO N M E M B E R S W O R K IN G A 5-DAY OR 40-HOUR,O R -LESS W E E K , B Y T R A D E G R O U P S
Per cent of total num ber reported
in each tra d e group w orking—
T rade group
5 days per
week
whole of
year
B akers:
W orking 40 hours or less____________ _______ _____________ ___
W orking over 40 h o u rs,-................................ ........................... .............
T o t a l.............
5 days per
week p a rt
of year
.
1.4
................... ................................................................
1.4
B uilding trades:
W orking 40 hours or le s s ..................... ..............................................
W orking over 40 hours______________________ _______________
6.6
0.6
T o tal........ ............................................................................................
6.6
.6
G ranite and stone trades:
W orking 40 hours or less_________________ _______ __________
W orking over 40 hours________________________ ____ _________
1.0
5.9
T o ta l.............................................................................................. .........
1.0
5.9
L a u n d ry workers:
W orking 40 hours or l e s s _________________________________
“W orking over 40 hours................................ ............................. .........
7.8
T o ta l................................... ......................................................... .
P rin tin g and publishing, book and job:
W orking 40 hours or less......................................................
W orking over 40 hours......................................................
T o t a l......................................... ..................................................
6 days b u t
40 hours or
less per
week
7.8
.1
0.1
0)
.1
.1
P rin tin g and publishing, new spaper:
W orking 40 hours or less . .
________ . .
W orking over 40 hours................. ......................
1.0
4.9
T otal............................ ......................................
1.0
4.9
1 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent;
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1155]
4
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 2 .—U N IO N T R A D E S I N W H IC H T H E 5-DAY W E E K OR 40-H O U R-O R-LESS W E E K
P R E V A IL
H ours of unions working—
5 days per week
whole of year
5 days per week 6 days b u t 40 hours
p a rt of year
or less per week
C ity and trad e
M on
M on
M on
day Sat Sun day Sat Sun day Sat
Sun
to urday day
to
to urd ay day
F ri
F ri urday day
F ri
day
day
day
Bakers
Bench m en: Brooklyn, N . Y _________ ______
Oven m en: Brooklyn, N . Y ................... ...............
m
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
Building trades
Asbestos w orkers: Seattle, W ash .......................
Bricklayers: Philadelphia, P a __ _____ _______
B ricklayers, sewer, td n n ei, an d caisson: P h il
adelphia, P a ..... .....
................................ .
C arpenters—p a rq u e try floor layers:
Portland, O reg_________________________
Seattle, W ashI .......... .......................................
C em ent finishers: P o rtlan d , O r e g ...................
Inside wirem en:
Philadelphia, P a _____________________
P o rtland, Oreg_________________________
Seattle, W ash . _____
_______
__
Inside w irem en, fixture hangers: Po rtlan d ,
O ie g ......................... ................................. ...............
L athers:
Boston, M ass.__________ _______ ________
Buffalo, N . Y - ______________ __________
C olum bus, Ohio___ ____ ________________
P ittsb u rg h , P a _________________________
Seattle, W ash . ________________________
M arble setters: P hiladelphia, P a .......... .............
P ainters:
Boston, M a s s __________________ _____ _
B ridgeport, C onn _________ _________ _
N ew ark, N . J _____________ ___________
N ew Y ork, N . Y ___________________ ____
P o rtland, Oreg_____ ________ ______ _____
Scranton, P a ___________________________
Seattle, W ash . ________ ____ __________ _
Springfield, M ass____________ ______ ____
Painters, fresco:
Boston, M ass________________________ _
New York, N . Y ____________ _________
P o rtland, Oreg____ _____________________
Painters, sign:
Chicago, 111.......................... ..............................
Philadelphia, P a -------------------------- --------Plasterers:
Boston, M a s s ________ ____ ____________
Buffalo, N . Y _________________________
C olum bus, Ohio......................................... .......
N ew Y ork, N . Y . . . ............................. .............
Philadelphia, P a ___ _____ _______ _____
Pittsb u rg h , P a. ............................... .................
P o rtlan d , O r e g .......................................... .......
Providence, R. I ________________________
Seattle, W ash ______ ___________________
Plasterers, laborers:
Boston, M ass _________________________
N ew Y ork, N . Y ______ ________________
Portland, Öreg_________________________
Seattle, W ash . ________________________
Plum bers a n d gas fitters: P o rtlan d , Oreg_____
Steam an d sprinkler fitters: P o rtland, O reg__
Steam fitters: Seattle, W ash____ _______ ___
Steam a n d sprinkler fitters, helpers:
Portland, Oreg
Seattle, W ash
.
. ___________
i F our hours October to M ay, inclusive.
3 F our hours Septem ber to M ay, inclusive
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
8
8
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
o
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
0
0
0
0
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
8
0
0
0
0
8
(>)
0
8
(>)
0
8
(*)
0
(2)
0
(B
0
8
8
3 F our hours M arch to N ovem ber, inclusive.
[1156]
PREVALENCE OF 5-DAY W EEK IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY
5
T able 2 —U N IO N T R A D E S IN W H IC H T H E 5-DAY W E E K OR 40-H O U R-O R-LESS W E E K
PREY AIL—Continued
H ours of unions working—
5 days per week
whole of year
5 days per week
p a rt of year
6 days b u t 40 hours
or less per week
C ity and trad e
M on
M on
M on
day S at Sun day Sat Sun day
S at Sun
to urday day
to urday
to
day
F ri
F ri
F ri u rday day
day
day
day
Granite and stone trades
G ranite c u tte rs:
Bridgeport, Conn --------------------------------Buffalo, N . Y __________________________
Chicago, 111____
_
....................... .........
C incinnati, Ohio _____________________
G ranite cutters:
C leveland, Ohio______ _______ _____ ____
D allas, T e x ___________________________
Des M oines, Io w a______________________
Fall R iver, M ass_____________ __________
N ew ark, N . J ___ _____ ________________
Providence, R . I ____________ __ ______
Toledo, O hio............ .............. ............................
0
8
0
8
8
8
8
(4)
(<)
(«)
(<)
0
0
0
0
8
8
8
8
(4)
(4)
(4)
(S)
0
0
0
0
8
8
(4)
(4)
0
0
Laundry workers
Shirt ironers (women): D etroit, M ich ________
69
9
0
8
8
0
0
0
0
8
8
0
0
0
0
9H
0
0
78
78
78
8
78
7m
0
78
7 7%
0
78
7 1%
n y 2 ■VA
7 7)4
8 7%
87n
8 ry„
6 7)1
8 7%
87'Ü
88
88
88
Printing and publishing: Book and job
Compositors:
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (G erm an)_____________
Philadelphia, Pa. (G erm an)_____________
M achine operators:
Chicago, 111. (P olish)____________________
N ew Y ork N . Y . (G e rm a n )..
P hiladelphia, P a. (G erm an )_____________
Pressm en, cylinder:
Philadelphia, Pa, (2 flat-bed presses)_____
0
6'A
Printing and publishing: Newspaper
Compositors, dayw ork:
Chicago, 111. (B ohem ian)...............................
Chicago, 111. (G erm an ). . _______________
Chicago, 111. (H ebrew) . ______________
C incinnati, Ohio (G erm an)___ _____
D etroit, M ich. (G erm an). _____
N ew ark, N .J . (G erm an )___
N ew York', N . Y . (B ohem ian)..................
N ew York.JSl. Y . (G erm an)
N ew Y ork. N . Y . (Hebrew) ___________
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (H e lle n ic )..__________
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (H u n g arian )_____ ____ _
Compositors, nightw ork:
Chicago, 111. (H eb rew ). _______________
N ew ark, N . J . (G erm an)
New Y ork, N . Y . (German)
New Y ork, N . Y . (H ebrew )___________ .
New Y ork, N . Y . (Italian) _____________
Philadelphia, Pa. (G erm an), _
Philadelphia, Pa. (H ebrew ]_________
M achine operators, dayw ork:
Chicago, 111. (Bohemian) ________ ___
iHhipq.go, Til. (H ebrew )__
Dallas, Tex
___________________
78
78
78
8
0
0
78
78
7m
78
7 7H
'P A
7 7H
7 7H
New Y ork, N . Y . (Bohemian)
N ew Y ork, N Y . (Hebrew)
N ew Y ork, N . Y. (H ellenic)_____________
i P our hours A pril to October, inclusive.
« Four hours M arch 16 to October 15.
6 Do no t w ork on M ondays.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
6
6
0
6
6
0
7
3M
0
6
7
6
6
4A
6
0
0
0
0
4H
ey2
4V2
6H
0
0
6
6
0
6
6
0
6
6
0
6
6
0
7
3A
0
6
7
6
4 lA
0
0
7 Tw o days oil per week, irregular.
8 Tw o nights off per week, irregular.
[1157]
6
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
T able 2 .—U N IO N T R A D E S IN W H IC H T H E 5-DAY W E E K O R 40-H O U R-O R-LESS W E E K .
P R E V A IL —C ontin u ed
Hours of unions working—
5 days per week
whole of year
5 days per week
p a rt of year
6 days b u t 40 hours
or less per week
C ity and trade
MonM on
M on
day S at Sun d ay
S at Sun day
Sat Sun
to
to
to
F ri urd ay day
F ri urday day F ri urday day
day
day
day
Printing and publishing: Newspaper—Con.
M achine operators, davw ork—C ontinued
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (H ungarian) _ ________
P hiladelphia, P a. (G erm an )_____________
P hiladelphia, P a. (H eb rew )_____________
Providence, R . I . _ .......................... .............
M achine operators, nightw ork:
Chicago, 111. (H ebrew )__________________
D allas, T ex ____ ________________________
N ew ark, N . J. (G e rm a n )________________
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (G e rm a n ).._________ .
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (H eb rew )_____________
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (H ellenic)___________ .
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (H ungarian) _________
N ew Y ork, N . Y . (Ita lia n )______________
Philadelphia, P a. (G e rm a n )___________
P h iladelphia, P a. (H eb rew )_____________
Providence, R . I .
___ _ _ _ ... _ ...
St. Louis, M o. (G erm an) _ _ _______
M achine tenders (m achinists), dayw ork:
Chicago, 111. (H e b re w )................... ......... . _ _
M achine tenders (m achinists), nightw ork:
Philadelphia, P a. (H ebrew )___________ __ _
M achinist operators, dayw ork: Chicago, 111.
(B ohem ian)___________ ____ _____ ________
Photo-engravers, n ig h tw o rk :
B altim ore, M d . ........ .............. ...................
D allas, T ex_________ ________
Des M oines, Iow a (first sh ift)___ _______
Des M oines, Iow a (second shift) . . . ..............
M ilw aukee, W is________________ . . . . _
N ew ark, N . J ______________ _ . .............
N ew Y ork, N . Y __________
. . . . ._
R ichm ond. V a_______ .
Rochester, N . Y _______
W ashington, D . C .....................
Pressm en, w eb, nightw ork:
Boston, M a s s ......................
B ridgeport, C o n n ....................... .
N ew ark, N . J ________
P hiladelphia, P a ________________
Stereotypers, nightw ork:
Boston. M ass.— ____________
B ridgeport, C o n n ._____ _______ _
Chicago, 111. (shops B ) _____ . . . .
Jacksonville, F la ...................
N ew ark, N . J „ _______
N ew H aven, C o n n _______
N ew Y ork, N . Y . _________
8
D7%
9 "}4
0
0
» 7%
«7H
* 7%
8 7lk
«8
*8
88
« 7H
10
0
..........
......
—
—
..........
—
.......... !
!
i
1
..........
i
.......... i
6
6
0
6
6
6K
0
0
4y .
6 ~
414
6 "
0
0
41^
§y2
6 ~
6Vi
4y%
31g
6
ey2
0
0
0
0
6
0H
6
6a
0
0
6
6
0
6
6
0
6
6
0
6'24
i
(S)
62^
('M
6%
&/z
6%
6%
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
0
0
5'
0
(0)
(»)
C)%
0
0
fi2^
0
0
6%
0
6V3
0
6
6
8
8
0
0
0
0
6
6
6
9
(>
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
6 Do n o t w ork on M ondays.
6 T w o nights off p e r week, irregular.
8 H ours v ary b u t to tal 36 p er week.
The detailed figures in Table 2 indicate th a t the straight 5-day
week is m ost frequent among the building trades, especially the
painters and plasterers. Among the granite and stone trades the
short work week is rath er frequent for p a rt of the year, b u t w ith the
provision th a t 4 hours on Saturday m ay be worked from M arch or
April to October. The laundry union, reported as having a 5-day
week, has a 9~hour day, and the day off is M onday instead of S atur
day as in m ost of the trades. The short week in the printing and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1158]
PREVALENCE O F 5-DAY W EEK IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY
7
publishing industry occurs chiefly b u t not entirely among the foreignlanguage newspapers, the total weekly hours in a num ber of cases
being under 40.
Men’s Clothing Industry
'"THE bureau’s study of wages, hours, and earnings in the m en’s cloth1 ing industry has ju st been completed. I t covers 10 of the larger
cities and. a group of several small cities. The d a ta were gathered in
the summ er of 1926 and were taken from the pay rolls of 198 estab
lishm ents operating 359 shops and employing 33,659 wage earners.
Ninety-seven of these establishm ents, or 45.5 per cent, w ith 10,872
workers, or 32.3 per cent of all the workers included in the survey,
had a regular or custom ary working time of 5 days a week. The
proportion of males having the 5-day week was 39.6 per cent of all
males employed, and of females 24.8 per cent of all females employed
in the shops covered by the study.
As between the four principal departm ents of the m en’s clothing
industry, the proportion of workers having the 5-day week varied as
follows: C utting, 26.8 per cent; coat, 32.7 per cent; pants, 32.8
per çent; vest, 34.5 per cent; the to tal being 32.3 per cent, as above
noted.
Table 3 shows these facts in greater detail, by cities:
T able 3 .—N U M B E R A N D P R O P O R T IO N O F E M P L O Y E E S W O R K IN G A 5-D A Y W E E K
IN M E N ’S C L O T H IN G IN D U S T R Y , 1926
Wage earners having a 5-day week
T o tal wage earners
included in stu d y
M ale
Female
T otal
City
M ale
Fe
male
um
Total Nber
Bf ltim ore..
B oston___
Buffalo___
Chicago___
C incinnatiC leveland..
1,078
807
241
3,856
689
519
1,912
649
499
3,547
1,271
1,681
2,990
1,456
740
7,403
1,960
2,200
New Y ork.
6,876
2, 461
9, 337 5,036
812
10
316
31
Per N u m Per
cent ber cent
M on
day F ri Per
N u m Per
ber
cent T hto
u rs day week
day
75.3
1,436
1.2
45.9
624
12
32.6
1.8
22
48.0
1. 5
558
90
43.9
5.4
874
121
44.6
5.5
73. 2 1, 512
61.7
6, 548
70.1
6.0
9
8%
P h ila d e lp h ia ,.._______
1,121
878
1,999
28
2.5
23
2.6
51
2.6
1,152
2,143
3,295
284
24.7
738
34.4
1 ,022
31.0
St. L o u is.........................
401
726
1,127
90
22.4
139
19.1
229
20.3
Eastern Pennsylvania 3
308
844
1,152
142
46. 1
427
50.6
569
49.4
24.8 10,872
32.3
T o tal______ ____ 17,048 16,611 33, 659 6,749
39.6 4,123
1 M onday to W ednesday, 8% hours; T h u rsd ay , 9 hours.
2 Tuesday a n d T h u rsd ay , 9 hours; Saturday, 8% hours.
3 Exclusive of Philadelphia.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1159]
44
43%
8
40
35
44
44
44
44
44
44
8%
7
8%
8H
8«/i
Rochester_________
8
8
8
9
8 %.
sy3
44%
9
8%
H
gy 89%
8% 8H
8r
9
9M
10
10
44
44
48
44
44
45
48%
50
8
M O N TH LY LABOE KEVIEW
Iron and Steel Industry
A LT H O U G Ii the iron and steel industry operates continuously
and still has m any employees on rath er long shifts, the 5-day
week exists in certain employments in certain mills. Thus, the 1926
survey of wages and hours by the B ureau of Labor Statistics in the
iron and steel industry showed th a t 2.1 per cent of all the employees
covered worked only 5 working turns a week, about one-half working
solely on the day tu rn and the other half working either on the night
turn or on alternating night and day turns. M ost of the 5-day
workers were in the bar mills, where 13 per cent of the to tal employees
worked a 5-turn week, and in the puddling mills, where 6 per cent
of all the employees worked a 5-turn week.
Paper Box-Board Industry
IN T H E spring of 1925 the Bureau of Labor Statistics made a study
* of hours and wages in the paper box-board industry. The study
covered 70 establishm ents, which employed alm ost 10,000 employees.
In 42 of these 70 plants, or 60 per cent, the productive employees
worked a 5-day week. These 42 plants employed a total of 6,721,
or about tw o-thirds of all employees covered. A t the tim e of this
study the paper box-board industry was in a period of transition as
regards the m atte r of the length of the working week.
Foundries and Machine Shops
'"THE 1925 survey m ade by the bureau of wages and hours in foundries and machine shops covered 413 foundries w ith 40,393
workers and 511 machine shops w ith 86,274 workers. Analysis of the
data obtained shows th a t the 5-day week for the m ajority of the
employees prevailed in 35 of the 924 foundries and machine shops
combined, or 3.8 per cent; the num ber of employees working in
establishm ents where the 5-day week prevailed was 4,417, or 3.5
per cent of the to tal num ber of employees in the plants covered. In
addition, 9 plants w ith 1,082 employees (or 0.9 per cent of the total
employees covered), alternated between a 5-day and a 6-day week,
this practice growing out of arrangem ents by which one full day
S aturday every other week is preferred to a half day every Saturday.
Other Trades and industries
T N T H E other industries covered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
A periodic surveys of hours of labor, wages, and earnings, the regular
full-time 5-day or 40-hour week was either not reported a t all or was
reported only in such exceptional cases as to be of negligible im por
tance. These industries were: Lum ber, pottery, coal and m etal
mining, woolen and worsted, hosiery and underwear, slaughtering
and m eat packing, cotton goods, paper and pulp, and automobiles.
Other clothing trades.—In various branches of the clothing trades,
other than m en’s clothing, the 5-day week has m ade considerable
progress of recent years, as indicated by the collective agreements in
force. Although the bureau does not have a complete file of these
agreements, the following summ ary of those available is of interest:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1160]
PREVALENCE OF 5-DAY W EEK IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY
9
Fur workers in organized shops in New York, Chicago, Boston, and
several other cities are now working under agreements which call for
the 5-day 40-hour week for the greater p a rt of the year, provision
being m ade for some Saturday work in the rush fall season. The
proportion of employees in the industry covered by this arrangem ent
is not available b u t is known to be very large.
Cloth hat and cap industry.—W orkers in organized shops in this
industry have the 5-day 44-hour week in New York, and Philadelphia,
the hours to be reduced to 40, beginning July 1, 1927.
Cloak, skirt, and dress makers of Boston in organized shops have a
5-day 42-hour week.
Waterproof workers, cutters, pressers, and buttonhole makers, in the
organized shops of New York City have a 5-day 40-hour week.
Cloak, skirt, dress, and reefer makers in the organized shops of New
York C ity have a 5-day 40-hour week.
Ladies’ Tailors and Custom Dressmakers, Local No. 38 of the
International Ladies’ G arm ent W orkers’ Union, New York City, have
recently obtained the 40-hour week, according to the union journal.
Optional 5-Day Week
agreements provide for a regular week of more than 40
liuurs, divided into 5 working-days, b u t perm it modification
under certain conditions. Thus, the agreement between the cut
sole workers’ local of the Shoe W orkers’ Protective Union and certain
employers of Haverhill, M ass., fixes a regular 5-day 45-hour week,
b u t authorizes the agent of the local union to perm it overtime a t the
regular rate if he deems overtime work necessary, and provides th at
any dispute on this point may be arbitrated.
Five-Day Week Without Reduction in Total Hours
R type of 5-day week is th a t where, by arrangem ent
uBiwBBii the employees and m anagem ent of an establishment,
the old hours per week are retained b u t are spread over 5 days
instead of 6, thus m aking Saturday a holiday. There is here no
question of a shortened work week, b u t simply of a rearrangem ent of
working hours so as to give two consecutive free days each week end.
An example of this type is referred to in the Railway Age of October
23, 1926 (p. 786).
The shop of Jenkins Bros., valve m anufacturers, Bridgeport, Conn., has
worked a 5-day week, as recently discussed by H enry Ford, since M ay 22, 1922.
The plan t employs about 700 men. Both proprietors and employees are said to
be enthusiastic in praise of the arrangem ent. The employees work 48 hours a
week, the same as they did when the week was spread over 6 days, b u t they have
all day Saturday, as well as Sunday, to themselves. The usual schedule is 9Us
hours a day for four days and 10 hours on the fifth day. The plan, having been
under discussion for some time, was finally subm itted to a vote of th e employees
in th e m onth above named, and the favorable vote was almost unanimous.
The 5-Day Week in Summer
r of business concerns the 5-day week for two or three
summ er m onths has become custom ary. The practice is probably
m ost extensive among retail stores and offices, bu t exists in other
2035S0—26t---- 2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[11611
10
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
lines of business. À report of tbe M erchants’ Association of New
York on “ Holiday practices of offices, stores, and factories in New
York C ity ,” published in 19.25, reports one or more instances of
regular Saturday closing in sum m er among m anufacturing concerns,
printing and publishing, a railroad office and a railroad shop, and
retail stores in the city of New York.
T h e 5 -D a y W ee k in t h e F o r d P l a n t s
M
R. H E N R Y F O R D ’S statem ent of his reasons for instituting
the 5-day week in the various Ford plants is set forth as
follows in an authorized interview by M r. Samuel Crowthers
appearing in the W orld’s W ork for O ctober,A 926:
“ We have,” M r. Ford said, ‘-decided upon and a t once p u t into
effect through all the branches of our industries the 5-day week.
H ereafter there will be no more work with us on Saturdays and
Sundays. These wall be free days, b u t the men, according to" m erit,
will receive the same pay equivalent as for a full 6-day week. A
day will continue to be 8 hours, w ith no overtime.
“ F o r the present this will not apply to the railroad, and of course
it can n o t apply to watchm en or the men on certain jobs where the
processes m ust be continuous. Some of these men will have to
work Saturdays and Sundays, b u t they constitute less th an 1 per
cent of our working force, and each of them will have two consecutive
days off some time during the week. In short, we have changed our
calendar and now count a week as 5 days, or 40 hours.
“ The actual work week of the factories as distinguished from the
work week of the men will also be cut to 5 days. For, of course, an
8-hour m an-day is not the same as an 8-hour factory-day. In order
to make the full use of our plants we shall as before work the men
in shifts. We found long ago, however, th a t it does n o t pay to p u t
men a t work, excepting in continuous operations, from m idnight
until morning. As a p a rt of low-cost production—and only low-cost
production can pay high wages—one m ust have a big investm ent
in m achinery and power plants. Expensive tools can not remain
idle. They ought to work 24 hours a day, b u t here the hum an
elem ent comes in, for although m any men like to work all night
and have p a rt of their day free, they do n o t work so well, and hence
it is n o t economical, or a t least th a t is our experience, to go through
the full 24 hours. B u t a modern factory has to work more than 8
hours a day. I t can not be idle two-thirds of the time, else it will
be costly.
“ This decision to p u t into effect the short work week is not sudden.
We have been going toward it for three or four years. We have
been feeling our way. We have during m uch of this tim e operated
on a 5-day basis. B u t we have paid only for 5 days and not for 6.
And whenever a departm ent w as especially rushed it w ent back to
6 days— to 48 hours. Now we know from our experience in chang
ing from 6 to 5 days and back again th a t we can get a t least as great
production in 5 days as wre can in 6, and we shall probably get a
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1162 ]
T H E 5-DAY W EEK IK T H E FOSD PLANTS
11
greater, for the pressure will bring better methods. A full week’s
wage for a short week’s work will pay.
“ Does this m ea n ,” I asked, “ th a t your present m inimum wage of
$6 a day will become a fraction over $7 a day—th a t is, the m inimum
for 5 days’ work will still be $36, ju st as it was for 6 days?”
“ We are now working out the wage schedules,” answered M r.
Ford. “ We have stopped thinking in term s of a minimum wage.
T h a t belongs to yesterday, before we quite knew w h at paying high
wages m eant. Now so few people get the m inimum wage th a t we
do n o t bother about it a t all. We try to pay a m an w hat he is
worth, and we are not inclined to keep a m an who is no t w orth more
th an the m inimum wage.
“ The country is ready for the 5-day week. I t is bound to come
through all industry. In adopting it ourselves, we are p utting it
into effect in about 50 industries, for we are coal miners, iron miners,
lumbermen, and so on. The short week is bound to come, because
w ithout it the country will not be able to absorb its production and
stay prosperous.
“ The harder we crowd business for tim e the more efficient it
becomes. The more well-paid leisure workmen get the greater
become their wants. These w ants soon become needs. Wellm anaged business pays high wages and sells a t low prices. Its
workmen have the leisure to enjoy life and the wherewithal w ith
which to finance th a t enjoyment.
“ The industry of this country could no t long exist if factories
generally w ent back to the 10-hour day, because the people would
n o t have the tim e to consume the goods produced, For instance, a
workm an would have little use for an automobile if he had to be in
the shops from dawn until dusk. And th a t would react in countless
directions, for the automobile, by enabling people to get about
quickly and easily, gives them a chance to find out w hat is going
on in the wor ld—which leads them to a larger life th a t requires
more food, more and better goods, more books, more music—more
of everything. The benefits of travel are n o t confined to those who
can take an expensive foreign trip. There is more to learn in this
country th an there is abroad.
“ Ju st as the 8-hour day opened our way to prosperity, so the
5-day week will open our way to a still greater prosperity.
“ Of course, there is a hum anitarian side to the shorter day and the
shorter week, b u t dwelling on th a t side is likely to get one into
trouble, for then leisure m ay be p u t before work instead of after
work—where it belongs. Tw enty years ago, introducing the 8-hour
day generally would have m ade for poverty and n o t for wealth.
Five years ago, introducing the 5-day week would have had the
same result. The hours of labor are regulated by the organization
of work and by nothing else. I t is the rise of the great corporation
w ith its ability to use power, to use accurately designed m achinery,
and generally to lessen the wastes in time, m aterial, and hum an
energy th a t m ade it possible to bring in the 8-hour day. Then,
also, there is the saving through accurate workmanship. Unless
parts are all m ade accurately, the benefits of quan tity production
will be lost—for the parts will not fit together and the economy of
m aking will be lost in the assembling. F urther progress along the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1163]
12
M O N TH LY LABOB EEVIEW
same lines has m ade it possible to bring in the 5-day week. The
progression has been a natural one.
‘‘The 8-hour day law to-day only confirms w hat industry had
already discovered. If it were otherwise, then the law would make
for poverty instead of for wealth. A m an can not be paid a wage in
excess of his production. In the old days, before we had m anage
m ent and power, a m an had to work through a long day in order to
get a bare living. Now the long day would retard both production
and consumption. A t the present tim e the fixing by law of a 5-day
week would be unwise, because all industry is n o t ready for it, b u t a
great p a rt of industry is ready, and within a com paratively short
tim e I believe the practice will be so general in industry th a t it can
be m ade universal.
“ I t is high tim e to rid ourselves of the notion th a t leisure for
workmen is either ‘lost tim e ’ or a class privilege.
“ M ature fixed the first lim its of labor, need the next, m an’s in
hum anity to m an had something to do with it for a long time, b u t
now we m ay say th a t economic law will finish the job.
“ Old-fashioned employers used to object to the num ber of holidays
in this country. They said th a t people only abused leisure and would
be b etter off w ithout so much of it.
“ Only lately a French professor accounted for the increased con
sum ption of alcohol by pointing to the 8-hour day, which he de
nounced as a device which gives workingmen more tim e to drink.
“ I t will be generally granted th a t if men are to drink their families
into poverty and themselves into degeneracy, the less spare tim e
they have to devote to it the better. B u t this does not hold, for the
U nited States. We are ready for leisure. The prohibition law,
through the greater p a rt of the country, has m ade it possible for
men and their families really to enjoy leisure. A day off is no longer
a day drunk. And also a day off is not something so rare th a t it
has to be celebrated.
“ This is not to say th a t leisure m ay not be dangerous. E verything
th a t is good is also dangerous—when mishandled. W hen we p u t our
$5 m inim um wage for an 8-hour day into effect some years ago we
had to w atch m any of our men to see w hat use they m ade of their
spare tim e and money. We found a few m en taking on extra jobs—
some worked the day shift w ith us and the night shift in another
factory. Some of the men drank their extra pay. Others banked
the surplus money and went on living ju st as they had lived before.
B u t in a few years all adjusted themselves and we withdrew m ost
of our supervision as unnecessary.
“ I t is n o t necessary to bring in sentim ent a t all in this whole
question of leisure for workers. Sentim ent has no place in industry.
In the olden days those who thought th a t leisure was harm ful usually
had an interest in the products of industry. The mill owner seldom
saw the benefit of leisure tim e for his employees, unless he could
work up his emotions. Now we can look a t leisure as a cold business
fact.
“ I t is not easy so to look at leisure, for age-old custom viewed
leisure as ‘lost time ’— time taken out of production. I t was a sus
pension of the proper business of the world. The thought about
leisure usually w ent no further than th a t here were hard-driven
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T H E 5-DAY W EEK IK T H E FOED PLANTS
13
working people who should have a little surcease from their labors.
The m otive was purely humane. There was nothing practical
about it. The leisure was a loss—which a good employer m ight
take from his profits.
“ T h a t the devil finds work for idle hands to do is probably true.
B ut there is a profound difference between leisure and idleness. We
m ust no t confound leisure w ith shiftlessness. Our people are per
fectly capable of using to good advantage the tim e th a t they have
off—-after work. T h a t has already been dem onstrated to us by our
experiments during the last several years. We find th a t the men
come back after a 2-day holiday so fresh and keen th a t they are
able to p u t their minds as well as their hands into their work.
“ Perhaps they do not use their spare tim e to the best advantage.
T h a t is not for us to say, provided their work is better than it was
when they did not have spare time. We are not of those who claim
to be able to tell people how to use their tim e out of the shops. We
have faith th a t the average m an will find his own best way—even
though th a t way m ay not exactly fit into the program s of the social
reformers. We do know th a t m any of the men have been building
houses for themselves, and to m eet their dem and for good and cheap
lum ber we have established a lum ber yard where they can buy wood
from our own forests. The men help each other out in this building
and thus are meeting for themselves one of the problems in the high
cost of living.
“ We think th a t, given the chance, people will become more and
more expert in the effective use of leisure. And we are giving the
chance.
“ B ut it is the influence of leisure on consumption which makes the
short day and the short week so necessary. The people who con
sume the bulk of goods are the people who m ake them . T h a t is a
fact we m ust never forget—th a t is the secret of our prosperity.
“ The economic value of leisure has not found its way into the
thought of industrial leaders to any great extent. While the old
idea of *'lost time ’ has departed, and it is no longer believed th a t the
reduction of the labor day from 12 hours to 8 hours has decreased
production, still the positive industrial value— the dollars and cents
value—of leisure, is not understood.
“ The hours of the labor day were increased in Germ any under
the delusion th a t thus the production m ight be increased. I t is
quite possibly being decreased. W ith the decrease of the length of
the working-day in the United States an increase of production has
come, because better m ethods of disposing of m en’s tim e have been
accompanied by better m ethods of disposing of their energy. And
thus one good thing has brought on another.
“ These angles are quite familiar. There is another angle, however,
which we m ust largely reckon w ith— the positive industrial value of
leisure, because it increases consumption.
“ Where people work longest and with least leisure, they buy the
fewest goods. No towns were so poor as those of England where
the people, from children up, worked 15 and 16 hours a day. They
were poor because these overworked people soon^ wore out— they
became less and less valuable as workers. Therefore, they earned
less and less and could buy less and less.
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“ Business is the exchange of goods. Goods are bought only as
they m eet needs. Needs are filled only as they are felt. They make
themselves felt largely in leisure hours. The m an who worked 15
and 16 hours a day desired only a corner to lie in and a hunk of food.
He had no tim e to cultivate new needs. No industry could ever be
built up by filling his needs, because he had none b u t the m ost
prim itive.
“ Think how restricted business-is in those lands where both men
and women still work all day long! T hey have no time to let the
needs of their lives be felt. They have no leisure to buy. They do
n o t expand.
“ W hen, in American industry, women were released from the
necessity of factory work and became the buyers for the family,
business began to expand. The American wife, as household purchas
ing agent, has both leisure and money, and the first has been ju st as
im portant as the second in the developm ent of American business.
“ The 5-day week sim ply carries this thought farther.
“ The people w ith a 5-day week will consume more goods than
the people w ith a 6-day week. People who have more leisure m ust
have more clothes. They m ust have a greater variety of food.
The}?" m ust have more transportation facilities. They naturally
m ust have more service of various kinds.
“ This increased consum ption will require greater production than
we now have. Instead of business being slowed up because the
people are ‘off w ork,’ it will be speeded up, because the people con
sume more in their leisure than in their working time. Tins will
lead to more work. And this to more profits. And this to more
wages. The result of more leisure will he the exact opposite of w hat
m ost people m ight suppose it to be.
“ M anagem ent m ust keep pace with this new dem and— arid it will.
I t is the introduction of power and m achinery in the hands of m anage
m ent which has m ade the shorter day and the shorter week possible.
T h a t is a fact which it is well not to forget.
“ N aturally, services can not go on the 5-day basis. Some m ust
be continuous and others are not y et so organized th a t they can
arrange for 5 days a week. B u t if the task is set of getting more
done in 5 days than we now do in 6, then m anagem ent will find the
way.
“ The 5-day week is not the ultim ate, and neither is the 8-hour
day. I t is enough to m anage w hat we are equipped to m anage and
to let the future take care of itself. I t will anyway. T h a t is its
habit. B u t probably the next move will be in the direction of
shortening the day rath er than the week.”
A t t i t u d e o f O rg a n iz e d L a b o r T o w a rd t h e S h o r te r W o rk
W eek
RESO LU TIO N adopted by the forty-sixth annual m eeting of
the American Federation of Labor in October, 1926, formally
approves of a policy of progressively shortening the working
hours and working-days per week, b u t does n o t atte m p t to establish
A
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ATTITUDE OU LABOR TOWARD SHORTER WORK W EEK
a specific schedule of hours or days.
follows:
15
The resolution in full is as
Whereas under present methods of m odern m achine'industry th e workers are
continually subject to the strain of mechanized processes which sap th eir vitality;
and
W hereas if compelled to work for long hours under modern processes of pro
duction, th e vitality, health, and very life of the workers is p u t in serious jeopardy;
R e s o lv e d , T h at this convention place itself on record as favoring a progressive
shortening of th e hours of labor an d th e days per week an d th a t th e executive
council be requested to inaugurate a cam paign of education and organization to
th e end th a t th e purpose of this resolution shall be placed in to effect.
M r. William Green, president of the American Federation of
Labor, comments upon the federation’s policy of a shorter work
week in a statem ent published in the New York Times of October 17,
1926:
Unless American workers keep pace w ith m aterial progress, our whole civiliza
tion will fall down upon our efforts. We are living in an age of great technical
progress and industrial developm ent. Silently, unnoticed by th e mass of th e
people, there are forces working tow ard specialization and mass production.
Industries are revolutionizing th e ir whole procedure, w ith resu ltan t greater
p roductivity of th e worker because of higher and higher industrial efficiency.
This dynam ic, ever-changing characteristic which distinguishes modern industry
calls for constant adjustm ent, so th a t our social an d hum an values m ay n o t be
overwhelmed in th e general machinizing process an d th e lives of th e workers
m ay n o t be merged w ith th eir machines until they, too, become mechanical.
In th is i t is for th e organized labor m ovem ent to safeguard our hum an values.
As th e w orker’s productivity increase's, his wages first of all m ust increase in pro
portion, in order th a t th ey shall help to absorb th is increased o u tp u t. Secondly
there m ust be a progressive reduction of th e hours of labor, so th a t men and
women m ay have tim e to rebuild exhausted physical energies. This is more th a n
ever im portant in th e highly specialized processes of modern in dustry, where
speed and m onotony ta x physical resistance to th e utm ost. W ith these two
safeguards th e physical resistance of th e workers can be conserved an d th e founda
tio n laid for th e higher developm ent of spiritual and intellectual powers.
America lias h ad repeated experience w ith industrial depressions to which wage
reductions have contributed. We have been often confronted w ith th e challeng
ing situation of workers clamoring for work on one hand, an d on th e o th er hand
m anufacturing establishm ents, equipped for work and w ith m aterials in supply,
b u t no orders because there was no purchasing dem and. In th e face of this
situation, wage reductions seem to indicate lam entable intellectual inadequacy.
B ut in th e p ast decade a different policy has been proving itself. America
is now known as th e land of high wages and industrial efficiency. I t should also
be known as th e land of short hours, for short hours and efficiency go together
wherever th e rig h t adjustm ent has been made.
The American labor m ovem ent is strongly in favor of th e 5-day work week,
w herever it is possible. We will work for progressive reduction of hours, wherever
th is m ay be accomplished w ithout retarding industrial progress.
M r. Sydney Hillm an, president of the Am algam ated Clothing
W orkers of America, in which organization the 5-day week has made
considerable progress, is quoted as follows in the New York Times
of October 17, 1926:
The whole achievem ent of organized labor has been to improve th e quality
of living of th e great masses of workingmen, to help them share in th e improve
m ents of industry and to give them th e leisure required in a dem ocratic society
for effectively assuming th e duties of a free citizenship. The 5-day week is
another step in th is program of progress. When achieved th roughout th e land
it will be added to those great hum anitarian gains of th e la st half century which
sought to lim it th e labor of children and women an d to p rotect th e victim s of
industrial accidents.
American industry is unquestionably in a position to yield its workers a 5-day
week. The introduction of m achinery, constantly adding to th e o u tp u t of
workingmen, is in this country a m atter of alm ost hourly occurrence. Produc
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
tion is here daily rising to heights th a t would a decade ago have been regarded
as unimaginable. The speed and strain of industry are always greater. In no
way can th e efficiency of both American workers and American industry be
b etter protected and furthered th a n by a general reduction in th e work week.
Such a m ovem ent is also bound to have even more far-reaching and fundamental^ effects. The addition of leisure to th e great bulk of th e population
means im provem ent in th e standard of living, th e creation of a dem and for new
goods and services, and th e widening of th e American m arket for th is vastly
increased product of American industry. This country alone, w ith its higher
standard of living, has avoided in the past years th e severe industrial depressions
which have been so common in every other industrial country.
A t t i t u d e o f C e r ta in E m p lo y e rs to 5 -D ay W eek
U D G E E lbert II. Gary, chairm an of the board of directors of
the U nited S tates Steel Corporation, contributes the following
opinion on the shorter week in a statem ent published in the
New York Times of October 17, 1926:
J
I don’t thin k the workers would favor it unless they should receive th e same
com pensation for the 5-day week th a t they now receive for 6 days, and th a t
th e employer can’t afford to pay. The employer would have to carrv th e added
expense to th e purchaser and consumer and they wouldn’t stand for i t and
o ught n o t to be m ade to.
M ost of these questions involving expenses are essentially between th e workers
and th e consuming public. The 5-day week is im practical in th e steel business,
and I don’t believe it is practicable in any other business. Com petition w ith
European industry would be out of the question if American labor worked only
5 days,_ while they worked 6 days a week abroad. We couldn’t stand up under it.
In tim es of great business activity, as a t present, th e productive capacity of
our industries would not m eet th e dem ands of th e consuming public if they
were operated only 5 days a week. The only way to m eet this lack is by increas
ing p la n t capacity, b u t th a t would add millions of dollars to th e expense, for th e
cost of construction is up and is going higher and th a t additional expense would
have to be c a rrie d b y th e consuming public. All th e things th a t increase th e
cost of production increase the cost to the consumer and th a t also works to the
prejudice of th e employee p a rt of the general public not engaged in th e particular
industry concerned.
I t is illogical to work only 5 days a week and get paid for 6. M ost people
work 6 days, and it isn’t fair for half of the com m unity to work only 5 days and
th e other half 6 days.
The com m andm ent says, “ Six days shaft thou labor and do all th y work.”
The reason it didn’t say 7 days is th a t the seventh is a day of rest and th a t’s
enough.
A_ collection of statem ents regarding the 5-day week from the
presidents of various large industrial establishm ents is published in
the October, 1926, num ber of the Pocket Bulletin of the N ational
Association of M anufacturers. Among the m anufacturers giving
their objections in some detail, the following m ay be quoted as
fairly typical:
^ Air. Charles Cheney, president of Cheney Bros., South M an
chester, Conn.:
I do not thin k th a t th e argum ent th a t industry will produce as much or more
in 5 days of 8 hours each as it does now in 5^2 or 6 days can be taken seriously
by a sober-minded man.
I think th a t it is very unsafe to establish basic principles regulating th e opera
tion of industry upon a short experience in a tim e of unusual prosperity. Cer
tainly as th e world becomes b etter balanced and as th e equilibrium between
America and Europe is reestablished, we shall get back to a basis of com petition
in which it will be m ost difficult to m aintain present margins. W hen th e nations
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of th e world settle down to a real steady com petitive contest, th a t one which
produces m ost efficiently will hold the leadership. America has a great handicap
a t present over th e rest of th e world, b u t it can easily sacrifice th a t handicap by
letting down upon its productive efficiency.
To m y m ind nothing could be more unsound th a n th e policy of th e American
Federation of Labor in seeking to reduce output. T h at philosophy strikes a t
the very root of America’s prosperity. The rest of th e world is now eagerly
scanning American m ethods of production to learn why we are outstripping
them and they are answering their own questions by statin g th a t we succeed by
making it possible to produce freely, w ithout being dom inated by ham pering
restrictions. The labor union policy of restricting o u tp u t has G reat Britain on
its back, and if they can not cut loose from it th e ultim ate result will be the
elimination of G reat B ritain in its struggle to m aintain its place in th e world
commerce. The final result will be th e breakdown of th e British Empire.
If we w ant to initiate a policy founded upon th a t philosophy th e 5-day week
is a good way to begin.
M r. F ayette R. Plumb, president of F ayette R. Plumb (Inc.),
Philadelphia and St. Louis:
Looking a t the question of a 5-day week from the standpoint of the worker
rath er than th a t of the employer, it appears to me th a t he m ust decide first
w hether he w ants a lower standard of living w ith less work or to keep on raising
his standard by sharing in the benefits of increased production, brought about
by im provem ents in mechanical processes and management. If th e m ovem ent
from a 48-hour week to a 40-hour week should be gradual, im provem ents in th e
m anufacturing and distribution processes m ight so offset th e loss of “ manpower
h o u rs” as not to cause any actual decline from th e present standard of living;
b u t it would keep the standard from rising as it otherwise would.
The only condition under Avhich this would not be so would be if the total
production per m an per week would be as great in 40 hours as in 48 hours, all
other conditions being th e same. As a m atter of fact a uniform work week for
all industries is a fallacy.
In some industries a m an m ay very well reach his maximum productive capa
city working 40 hours per week on account of the severe physical or nervous
strain involved. In another industry a m an may work 60 hours a week w ith
no more nervous or physical expenditure of energy. If th e work week of such
latter industry were reduced to 40 hours, the public as a whole which means prin
cipally th e workers, industrial and agricultural, would pay for th e 20 hours of
idleness.
If, for instance, workers in shoe factories now working 48 hours per week and
th e hours are reduced to 40 hours w ith a consequent reduction in th e weekly
o u tp u t of each m an and no reduction in his weekly wages, th e cost per pair of
shoes is increased.
Who buys the shoes? They pay th e shoe workers for 8
hours they do not work.
T h e M u n ic ip a l M a r k e t S y s te m o f N o rfo lk , V a,
N its system of public m arkets Norfolk has a modern and extremely
well equipped m arket building, and in addition one large farm ers’
or curb m arket and two smaller curb m arkets.
The public m arket was originally a place where producer and
consumer were brought together. However, the tendency in modern
cities apparently has been to relegate this service to the street or
curb m arkets and to use the m arket building proper for retail dealers
who, for the m ost p a rt a t least, are not producers of the articles
they sell.
This is true of the Norfolk m arket system. The large m arket
building is occupied largely by retail m erchants, some of whom do a
wholesale business, and in m any instances furnish services th a t were
usually unknown in a strictly producers’ m arket, such as giving credit,
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
delivering purchases, and m aintaining a telephone. The purpose of
the m arket is set forth in an inscription over the portal of the Norfolk
m arket: “ T h a t pure food m ay be kept in the best m anner and sold
a t a fair price, this building is erected by the city of N orfolk.” In
the m arket building the housewife can purchase her supplies, know
ing th a t careful and constant supervision insures th a t the food is
displayed under the m ost sanitary conditions. Here, too, she is
able to find a wide variety of choice and to compare prices of the
different dealers. Prices seem, on the whole, to vary little from those
in stores. In the curb m arkets the farm er sells his produce directly
to the consumer, and the prices are somewhat lower than prices in the
m arket building.
The m arket building is situated in the down-town section, close to
the shopping district, very easy of access by street car or bus from
every p a rt of the city. In addition to a population of 115,777 in the
city proper, according to the 1920 census, there are a num ber of people
living in outlying towns who can reach the m arket easily by bus or
street car.
T he present m odern, sanitary, well-equipped m arket building of
Norfolk is the result of the efforts of the women of the city, led by the
Housewives’ League, and ably supported by the director of public
welfare, under whose jurisdiction the m arket comes. The people of
Norfolk who purchased food a t the m arket had been continually
complaining th a t the old m arket was dilapidated, unspeakably
filthy, and w ithout any modern conveniences; the tenants of the
open-shed m arket had been constantly reporting the loss of food
stuffs from the depredations of rats th a t infested the place. After
a publicity campaign on the p a rt of the women of Norfolk, they ob
tained the consent of the city council to carry out their plans and it
was decided to erect a $100,000 m arket building, The W orld W ar,
however, which broke out ju st afterw ards, caused the postponem ent
of the erection of the building, because of the high cost as well as the
necessity for conserving m an power. After the w ar a more elaborate
building was decided on, and it was erected and opened for business
in November, 1923.
Cost and Construction of Market Building
'T T IE entire cost of the building was $521,000, which was financed
by a bond issue of $500,000. I t is hoped th a t the m arket will
pay for itself in 20 years. The carrying charges are in round num bers,
$35,000. The operating expenses to tal about $30,000 a year. The
income from the m arket building and curb m arkets approxim ates
$74,000. The director of public welfare considers th a t the m arket
is paying splendidly, since from $6,000 to $10,000 is turned into the
city treasury each year, and when the m arket is paid for the city
should realize an annual income of $40,000 from the investm ent.
The ground is owned by the city. The cost of the m arket exclusive of
the electrical work, refrigerating system , fixtures for “ islands,”
and heating plant, was $273,000.
The refrigerating plant cost
about $105,000 and the heating plan t about $4,800.
The m unicipal m arket is a steel structure, the exterior being of
Indiana limestone and faced brick and the base of im itation granite.
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The interior is of faced brick with polychrom e terra-cotta trimm ings,
with a brown quarry tile floor. The building is 232 feet long, 109
feet wide (exclusive of the fish m arket), and 47 feet high a t the center.
The fish m arket— a separate room a t one end of the m arket—is 39
by 77 feet.
The building in the center extends a story higher than, the wings
which flank the main edifice. This arrangem ent, w ith the m any
windows in the ends and sides, perm its the building to be flooded
with light, large curtains affording protection when the sun is too
strong. The windows for the m ost p a rt are raised by electric motor,
though in some a chain fall is used. The indirect m ethod of lighting
is used, six 500-watt lamps being placed on the top of the refriger
ated box in each of the 14 “ islands,” so as to send the light to the
ceiling where it is reflected throughout the building.
An excellent feature of th e building, indispensable in any m odem
m arket, is the refrigerating system. A duplicate system was.installed
so as to avoid any chance of loss by breakdown. A 35-ton Fricke
compressor driven by a 50-horsepower m otor and linked up to an
elaborate system of brine tanks and pipes m aintains a tem perature
of 20 to 40° in the storage chambers, 34 to 38° in the refrigerators,
and about 50° in the counters.
The refrigerating m achinery (for the m ost part) and the engine
room are located underground. Over these rooms are the shipping
and receiving rooms, which connect with the delivery platform s.
In this section is an abattoir, where chickens are killed and feathers
removed a t a cost of 4 cents per chicken.
Special Conveniences of Market Building
A M O N G the conveniences of the m arket are the cold-storage
k cham bers on the second and third floors, above the shipping
rooms, two freight elevators furnishing service to these rooms.
There are 83 storage lockers, averaging 48 square feet. Thirty-five
of these lockers, located on the third floor, are reserved for fruit and
vegetables and ren t for $12.50 per m onth. On the same floor are
16 lockers for the use of tenants of the fish m arket, which ren t for
$10 per m onth. These are smaller than the other lookers and
average only 40 square feet. On the second floor the storage room is
divided into 32 lockers for m eat, 29 of which ren t for $15 per m onth,
and the other 3 for $55, $60, and $65 per m onth. These storage
chambers are a great help to the m arket men, since m eats and
produce can be stored for three or four days or even a week, making
it unnecessary to sell at a loss or to have goods spoil. About 30
lockers are rented. These lockers can also be rented by outside
firms; a t present, however, only one outside firm rents a storage
locker. Fifty-tw o small lockers are available for the use of m arket
men for their personal belongings.
Above the fish m arket, space was provided for a restaurant, b u t this
was deemed unnecessary, and it is used for the offices of three of the
tenants of the m arket. In this section is the lavatory for white men.
The washrooms for colored men and colored women and the lavatory
and rest room for white women are situated on the second floor in
com ers of the building.
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Three pay-station telephone booths have been installed in the
building and drinking fountains have also been placed in the m arket.
The offices of the superintendent of m arkets, which consist of an
entrance hall, office of superintendent, and office of assistant, are
located on the second floor. The m unicipal m arket building and
the curb m arkets are m aintained by a staff of 11, consisting of the
superintendent, assistant to the superintendent, three engineers,
night w atchm an, three laborers who clean the m arket, one inspector
and clerk, and one m aid who cleans the offices and the wom en’s
lavatories.
After the m arket building was completed the building was so cold
th a t it was not well patronized, and in November, 1924, an oilburning heating plan t was installed. A Skinner belt-driven cir
culating fan, 33 by 65 feet, driven by a 7 ¡^-horsepower 220-volt
general electric m otor, sends the heated air into the m arket building.
In the m arket building are 115 stalls, 43 for fruit and vegetables,
placed along the walls of the m arket, and 72 refrigerated stalls— 16
in the fish m arket, and 56 m eat, poultry, and delicatessen stalls.
T he la tte r are arranged in 14 hollow squares (32 feet by 22 feet 10
inches), or “ islands,” as they are called, 4 stalls to an “ island.” In
the center of the “ islan d ” is a large refrigerated box (9 by
feet)
divided into four com partm ents, w ith a separate door for each com
partm ent. Double plate-glass windows w ith an air space between
are let into the walls of the refrigerator. The counters (27 feet 5
inches of counter space to a stall) of the “ islands” are of vitrilite,
w ith glass inclosures for food, and are refrigerated. In each “ island ”
is a stand w ith running water. The rental of these stalls averages
$50 a m onth. In some cases two stalls in an “ islan d ” are rented
by one firm; in a few cases the entire “ islan d ” of four stalls is occu
pied by one tenant.
The stalls in the fish m arket have refrigerated counters, and
lockers built under the counters. These stalls average 96 square
feet and ren t on an average for $30 a m onth.
Services Rendered by Market Men
'T'TIOU GII a m arket has usually been a place of public exchange
1 where it has been custom ary for the purchaser to come in per
son to look over the produce for sale, m odern conditions have greatly
modified this custom . M ost of the firms in the N orfolk m arket
building have telephone connections, and m any receive a large num
ber of their orders over the telephone. One m arket m an estim ated
th a t he did 95 per cent of his business over the telephone; some stated
th a t one-half of their business was telephone orders, while others
thought th a t perhaps one-third was a fair estim ate; one or two
received 10 per cent of their orders in this way; and some said th a t
they did little or no business over the telephone.
M any firms give credit, though this varies from trusting a few old
well-known customers for very brief periods to regular system s of
bookkeeping for “ charge” customers and careful investigation of
references. One trusting m arket m an in the fish section gave credit
rather liberally, though he never looked up references, for he said,
optim istically, “ Surely no family can eat very m uch fish in a m onth;
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THE M U N IC IPA L M AEKET IN NORFOLK, YA.
certainly notover $10 w orth; and it is better to lose th a t than to spend
so much time investigating all one’s customers because one or two
m ight n o t p a y .”
Though some firms conduct their business on a “ cash-and-carry ”
basis, probably half the tenants deliver purchases for their customers,
one firm having as m any as six deliveries a day in one section of the
city, w ith fewer deliveries in other sections and also deliveries in out
lying towns. A few, who do not deliver goods as a general rule, will
make arrangem ents to send home the purchases if the order is large
enough. The m arket men who deliver purchases, give credit, and
carry out telephone orders prom ptly seem to have the advantage and
on the whole do not complain so much of dull business.
I t does not seem to be possible in anyw ay to estim ate the patronage.
The m arket men adm it th a t during the tim e when the m arket was
not heated business was not so good. One butcher who gave up his
stall in the m arket at th a t time b u t later returned said th a t he con
sidered business extremely good now. M ost of the tenants feel th a t
Saturday is the best m arket day, and think th a t the housewife lays
in a good supply on th a t day and probably telephones her orders for
the rest of the week either to the m arket or to the corner store. One
firm does as much business on Saturday as all the rest of the week
together. One poultry dealer opens his stall only on Saturday,
though he pays ren t for the entire week. Some m arket men feel
th a t when the curb m arket is at its height in the summer and early
fall the patronage is greater in the curb m arket, and those inside the
m arket building suffer.
In a few cases the tenants of the m arket stalls raise some of their
produce, b u t for the m ost p a rt they buy from the wholesalers.
Regulations of Municipal Market
" p i E regulations governing the municipal m arket are as follows:
RU LES
AND
REG U LA TIO N S
G O V ER N IN G
M U N IC IPA L
M ARKET
R u l e 1.— R entals are payable m onthly in advance on the 1st day of each
month, and shall be paid a t the office of the superintendent of th e bureau of
m arkets not later th a n th e 5th day of each m onth.
The right of each te n an t to hold such stand, stall, or other space for which
perm it is granted, m ay be term inated a t th e end of such m onthly period, for ju st
and sufficient cause, a t th e discretion of th e director of public welfare and th e
superintendent of th e bureau of m arkets.
R u l e 2.— The director of public welfare, and superintendent of th e bureau of
m arkets, also, reserves th e right to term inate perm its if, in th eir judgm ent, th e
te n an t is not conducting his business in a suitable and satisfactory m anner, or is
guilty of violating any of th e rules and regulations.
R u l e 3.— No te n an t shall be perm itted to transfer, sell, assign, sublet, work on
shares, or give his rights away in any stall, stand, or other space in th e market.
R u l e 4. —In the event of th e death of a tenant, perm it shall be transferred to
heirs a t th e discretion of th e director of public welfare and th e superintendent
of markets.
R u l e 5.— Vacancies will be filled from a waiting list on file in th e office of the
superintendent of the bureau of m arkets, and in the order in which applications
are filed, provided the applicant will, in th e judgm ent of th e director of public
welfare and th e superintendent of m arkets, make suitable and satisfactory
tenants.
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R u l e 6.— All tenants will be required to keep th eir counters, m eat blocks,
stands, and refrigerators clean a t all tim es and open for inspection.
R u l e 7.— The throw ing of dirt or rubbish in th e aisles is strictly prohibited.
T enants will be held responsible for sanitary conditions of aisles adjoining their
stands or stalls.
R u l e 8.— A covered container for refuse m ust be furnished bv each tenant,
which containers m ust, during th e hours of business, be kept closed, except when
in use, and em ptied each day.
R u l e 9.— Each te n an t shall plainly m ark, in such a m anner as to be easily
read from th e aisle, th e price of each article displayed for sale. Price cards on
merchandise m isrepresenting any goods offered for sale will be considered a viola
tion of the rules. Short weight, short measure, or th e sale of any food products
unfit for hum an consumption will result in im m ediate suspension or dismissal
from th e m arket.
R u l e 10.— No alterations of any description w hatever to th e stands, stalls, or
fixtures shall be m ade w ithout the consent of the superintendent, approved by
th e director of public welfare.
R u l e 11.— All trucks or vehicles of any kind for carrying merchandise to or
from stands or stalls in th e m arket m ust be equipped w ith rubber tires and
furnished by th e te n an ts desiring such equipm ent.
R u l e 13.— All ten an ts m ust use th e doors and platform provided for th a t
purpose for receiving and delivering merchandise. M erchants should notify
their supply dealers when making purchases of th e location of th e receiving
platform .
R u l e 14.—Rales people m ust remain behind their counters when transacting
business. The aisles are for customers and m ust be kept free.
R u l e 15.— Loitering, boisterous language, or ungentlem anly conduct in or
around th e m arket will not be perm itted.
R u l e 16.— Each te n an t will be held responsible for his employees in so far
as conduct, cleanliness, and honest dealing w ith the public is concerned.
R u l e 17.— Drains in th e aisles m ust not be used for other th an flushing
purposes and will be used by city employees only when washing th e floor.
R u l e 18.— No te n an t will be allowed to handle or sell a t his stand or stall
m erchandise other th a n for which perm it is granted and which will be in ac
cordance w ith classified list designating articles to be handled.
R u l e 19.—In the event of any stall or stand being declared vacant before the
expiration of th e m onth a refund will be made of the rent for th e unexpired portion
of th e m onth.
R u l e 20.— Any te n a n t who does not occupy continuously th e space assigned
him and fails to open his stand or sta ll for business each day, shall, unless good
and sufficient reason is given to th e superintendent of th e bureau of m arkets,
forfeit his perm it.
R u l e 21.— M arket hours on days, excepting S aturdays, shall be between
6 a. m. and 6 p. m .; Saturdays th e hours shall be betw een 5 a. m. and 9.30 p. m.
No m arket shall be held on New Y ear’s, Christm as D ay, or Independence Day.
The m arket will close a t 1 p. m. on Thanksgiving Day, Labor Day, and each
W ednesday during th e m onths of June, July, and August .
R u l e 22.— No te n a n t shall arrange any com modity he offers for sale in such
a m anner as to deceive th e public as to th e real character of th e article.
R u l e 23.—-Tenants shall n o t use newspapers or other prin ted papers for w rap
ping purposes. B utter, lard, and lard compound m ust be covered w ith waxed
paper before being fu rth er wrapped.
R u l e 24.— Telephone service, if desired, shall be furnished a t th e expense of
th e te n an t, b u t any such installation shall not be made w ithout th e consent of
th e superintendent and approval of th e city electrician.
R u l e 25.— N o signs of any description may be used in any p a rt of th e m arket or
on the stands thereof w ithout the consent of the superintendent of th e bureau of
m arkets. S tandard sign has been designed by the bureau of m arkets and all
m erchants m ust conform to this standard.
R u l e 26.— No livestock, such as bullocks, oxen, cows, or other cattle will be
perm itted in, nor exposed for sale w ithin, the m arket lim its.
R u l e 27.— N o liv e p o u ltr y o r g a m e s h a ll b e e x p o se d fo r sale in t h e m a rk e t.
R u l e 28.— Each renter of a stand or stall shall post his license in a conspicuous
place and th e superintendent of the bureau of m arkets will not allow a ten an t
to occupy space unless the license law has been complied with.
R u l e 29.— T enants to whom stands or stalls are rented m ust be citizens of
th e U nited States and residents of the city of Norfolk.
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VA.
23
R u l e 30.— The commissioner of revenue shall grant no license to any person
or persons to do business w ithin the jurisdiction of th e m unicipal m arket until a
perm it has been issued by th e superintendent of th e bureau of m arkets. Perm its
are revocable a t any tim e when ten an ts fail to comply w ith th e license laws. ^
R u n s 31.—-Tenants renting storage space shall under no circumstances allow
another te n an t, or any other person, to use or ren t any p a rt thereof.
R u l e ' 32.— Fresh fish or seafood can not be offered for sale w ithin th e m arket
lim its except in th a t p a rt of th e m arket known as th e “ fish m ark et.”
R u l e 33.— Fixing of prices by th e ten an ts is strictly prohibited, and, upon
satisfactory proof of any violation of th is rule, guilty persons will be expelled from
th e m arket.
R u l e 34.— T enants will not be allowed to use saw dust, cork, or any other
m aterial on th e floors inside of their stalls.
R u l e 35.— Each m arket stand or stall m ust be operated by or under th e super
vision' of its ten an t.
R u l e 36.— Oil or electric heaters will not be perm itted in stalls or stands.
T enants desiring heat m ust install gas radiators. Expense of installation, am ount
of gas, used, etc., m ust be paid by tenant.
R u l e 87.— The receiving and delivering platform s shall be used only for load
ing and unloading merchandise. M erchandise received m ust be moved from
platform im m ediately.
R u l e 38.— Vehicles of any kind will not be allowed to rem ain parked a t the
platform s for a longer period th a n is required to load and unload.
R u l e 39.—T e n a n ts will be held responsible for condition of drains, refriger
ation coils, and plum bing w ithin th eir stalls or stands.
R u l e 40.— Passengers shall not use th e elevators. They are to be used only
for carrying m erchandise to and from storage.
Any com plaint from a custom er is im m ediately investigated by the
m ark et superintendent or his assistant. M embers of the staff are
constantly going through the m arket and a close supervision is kept
over the stalls.
Variety and Prices of Produce Offered
IN the m arket building there is n o t only a wide selection and great
* variety of choice possible b u t the purchaser is assured th a t the
products are bought under exceptionally sanitary conditions. I t is
a great convenience to have assembled in one building so m any
firms, so th a t one can, w ith little effort, compare prices and food
stuffs. The fruit and vegetable stalls carry alm ost every kind of
fruit and vegetables obtainable.
On October 11, the following were found in the m arket: Apples,
artichokes, b u tte r beans, lima beans, snap or string beans, beets,
bananas, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery,
coconut, cranberries, corn, dates, eggplant, figs, grapefruit, Concord
grapes, black and w hite scuppernoiig grapes, T okay grapes, m ustard
greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, horse-radish, kale, lemons,
lettuce, honeydew melons, oyster plant, onions, okra, oranges,
parsley, Kiefer pears, B a rtle tt pears, alligator pears, sickle pears,
peppers, white or Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinces, Japanese
persimmons, peaches, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips, and tomatoes.
The prices vary somewhat in the different stalls and in some in
stances there is a difference in quality; b u tte r beans were 25 cents a
q u a rt a t some stalls and 30 cents a t others; lim a beans were 25, 30
and 40 cents a q u art; tom atoes were 10 and 15 cents a pound; blackeyed peas, 20, 25, and 30 cents a q u a rt; spinach, 35 and 40 cents a
peck; Irish potatoes, 60, 65, and 70 cents a peck; sweet potatoes, 45,
50, 60, and 65 cents a peck, though for the m ajority, the price was 60
cents; string beans, 8, 10, and 15 cents a q u a rt; onions, 10 and 15
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
cents a quart; cabbage, 3, 4, and 5 cents a pound; okra, 15, 20, and
25 cents a qu art; white scuppernong grapes, 10 and 15 cents a quart;
black scuppernong grapes, 10 and 15 cents a quart.
In m eats the prices also differed in the various stalls. Sirloin
steak ranged from 35 to 45 cents per pound, though the greater
num ber of stalls set the price a t 40 cents; round steak varied from
30 to 40 cents, w ith the m ajority setting 35 cents a pound as the
price; rib roast sold for 25 to 40 cents, w ith the greater num ber
selling a t 35 cents; chuck roast, 18 to 35 cents, the m ajority of
butchers charging 22 to 25 cents; plate beef sold from 12 3^2 to 15
cents except in the case of one stall who sold it from 8 to 10 cents.
Pork chops could be bought from 35 to 45 cents, b u t 38 to 4 0 'cents
seemed to be the prevailing price. For a leg of lam b the price was
30 to 45 cents per pound, though the greater num ber charged 38 or
40 cents. W ith the difference in price, there is often a corresponding
difference in quality.
Between the municipal m arket building and the city hall, in w hat
was formerly a street, has been built a m arket for florists consisting
of 18 stalls. This building cost $3,600 and brings in practically th a t
am ount each year in rentals.
Farmers’ Markets
W H E R E are three centers for farm ers’ produce, one adjoining the
1
m unicipal m arket, one a t the Norfolk Southern Railroad freight
station, and the th ird situated between the other two m arkets.
The first and second m arkets are both wholesale and retail, b u t the
third is alm ost entirely wholesale.
The chief center for the farm ers’ stands is the section adjoining
the m unicipal m arket building. About six city blocks are used, three
blocks being usually kept for wholesalers and three for retailers.
On one of these streets small um brella sheds have been built. The
wooden roof, about 13 feet above the ground and extending 5 feet
over the pavem ent and 5 feet over the street, affords some protection
from the weather. These sheds were built a t the same time as the
m arket building, and extend 14434 feet on one side of the street
and 289 feet on the other, w ith 734 feet between the posts. Auto
mobiles, trucks, and wagons are draw n up to the curb, and produce
is displayed on a rough sort of counter. Even though the trucks and
wagons stand as close as possible, only a small num ber can be
accommodated here. Some of those who have small places on the
outskirts of town—m ostly women—bring their produce in a basket on
the arm .
As the various crops ripen—the strawberries in M ay, peas and
cabbage in June, cantaloupes and watermelons and corn in late July
and August, on into Septem ber, lima beans and b u tte r beans usually
in the middle of July, b u t in largest quantities ordinarily in Septem
ber and often very heavy in October— they are brought to the curb
m arket by the farmers. Greens are raised alm ost the entire year.
Though the crops already m entioned are the heaviest, alm ost every
kind of fruit and vegetable is raised in varying quantities since Norfolk
is in the m idst of a great truck-growing section. On Saturday, Octo
ber 9, the farm ers in this m arket had for sale beets, string beans, lima
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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TH E M U N IC IP A L MARKET IN NORFOLK, VA.
25
beans, b u tter beans, navy beans, K entucky beans, carrots, corn, egg
plant, endive, dandelion greens, m ustard greens, turnip salad greens,
collards, kale, lettuce, okra, peas, black-eyed peas, parsley, sweet
peppers, red peppers, sage, spinach, green tomatoes, ripe tomatoes,
white potatoes, sweet potatoes, turnips, apples, crab apples, pears,
quinces, grapes—Concord and white and black scuppernong—pum p
kins, butter, eggs, chickens, ducks, geese, cream, cracklings, liver pud
ding, souse, sausage m eat, beef, lamb, pork, home-cooked pies and
cakes, pum pkin (cooked), cottage cheese, potato salad, jellies and pre
serves, cooked hominy, baked beans. Some sold flowers, hand-m ade
rugs, and tatting.
Prices Quoted in Farmers’ Markets
prices at the different stands vary considerably. Some of the
larm ers have endeavored to set a price and have everyone
adhere to it, bu t the attem p t has not been successful. W hen the
farm er has sold m ost of his produce and desires to return home he
inevitably reduces his prices in order to close out the rem aining stock.
On Saturday, October 9, Avhen 117 out of 364 farm ers were inter
viewed, the price of b u tter beans, which seemed to be the heaviest
crop in the m arket, ranged from 10 to 35 cents a quart. Of the 59
stands at which b u tte r beans were sold the price a t one was 10 cents
and a t another 35 cents a quart. The prices in between ranged from
15 cents a t 6 stands, 20 cents at 24, 25 cents a t 36, to 30 cents a t
another wagon. For lima beans the variation was from 25 to 35 cents
a quart. Of 18 farmers selling this article 2 asked 25 cents a qu art,
8 asked 30 cents, and 8 asked 35 cents. Tom atoes sold for the m ost
p a rt at 15 cents a quart, though 2 farm ers were willing to take 10 cents,
5 asked 25 cents for 2 quarts, and 2 asked 20 cents a quart. Black-eyed
peas varied in price from to 20 to 30 cents a quart, selling at 8 places
for 20 cents, a t 7 for 25 cents, and a t 3 for 30 cents a quart. Spinach
ran from 20 to 40 cents a peck, the greater num ber asking 30 cents.
T urnip salad brought from 15 to 30 cents a peck, about half the farm
ers having these greens for sale asking 25 cents a peck. Irish potatoes
sold for 50 to 70 cents a peck, 60 and 65 cents being asked by the
greater num ber of farmers. Sweet potatoes, in m ost instances,
brought 50 and 60 cents a peck, though the range of prices was from
40 to 65 cents a peck. Okra sold for 10 to 25 cents a quart. Of 20
stands having this vegetable 5 sold it for 15 cents, 10 for 20 cents, 3
for 25 cents, 1 for 10 cents, and 1 for 12p2 cents.
Saturday is the chief m arket day. There were 364 farm ers on
October 9. On Tuesday about 150 come in, b u t usually sell in whole
sale quantities, and W ednesday is alm ost as light. Tuesday and
T hursday have about the same num ber. Friday is, w ith the excep
tion of Saturday, the heaviest day. January and F ebruary are the
lightest m onths, w ith 150 farmers, while in August as m any as 400
farm ers sell their produce in the m arket.
Of 117 farm ers interviewed 1 came a distance of 65 miles; 1,55 miles;
1,42 miles; 5 from 30 to 35 miles; 5 from 25 to 30 miles; 13 from 20
to 25 miles; 18 from 15 to 20 miles; 21 from 10 to 15 miles; 52 from a
radius of less than 10 miles.
20358°—2 6 t----- 3
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
Regulations of Farmers’ Markets
HpHE chief regulation of this m arket is th a t farm ers are not allowed
to buy anything for resale b u t m ust sell their own products.
The rules and regulations for the farm ers’ m arkets are as follows:
RU LES A N D R E G U L A T IO N S G O V E R N IN G F A R M E R S IN
IP A L M A R K E T P R E C IN C T S
M U N IC
R u l e 1.— No person, except renters of fixed stalls or stands in the m arket,
shall, w ithin the lim its or precincts of th e m arket, sell or a tte m p t to sell any
products from his cart, wagon, vehicle, or other conveyance until he shall have
applied to, and had designated by the superintendent of the bureau of markets,
or his assistants, the space where such products shall be sold.
R u l e 2.— No person shall sell, or offer for sale, any article, w ithin the precincts
of the m arket, w ithout having first paid to the superintendent of the bureau of
m arkets the sum of 50 cents per day or p a rt thereof for every single horse vehicle;
75 cents per day or p a rt thereof for every double horse vehicle—truck over 1 ton;
50 cents per day or p a rt thereof for every truck or autom obile, 1 ton and under;
25 cents per day or p a rt thereof for each person selling from baskets or other
conveyances.
R u l e 4.— Unloading produce or other m erchandise from one farm cart,
wagon, or vehicle to another w ithin the lim its of the m arket is strictly prohibited.
R u l e 5.—All carts, wagons, or other vehicles m ust be moved from the pre
cincts of the m arket imm ediately upon request of th e superintendent of the
bureau of m arkets after articles brought for sale have been disposed of.
R u l e 6. — Vehicular space will be furnished only to those persons raising their
own products and will not be required to pay an additional license. All persons
selling from carts, wagons, or other vehicles, produce, or other articles, not
grown or raised on their premises, shall be deemed peddlers and will not be
allowed to sell w ithin the m arket precincts.
R u l e 7.— The superintendent of th e bureau of m arkets m ay a t any tim e
require a certificate from the county treasurer, or other responsible officials,
certifying to the fact th a t any person offering for sale farm products is a pro
ducer and located in his district. Or may require an affidavit to th e effect
th a t articles offered for sale were not bought to sell again.
Section 299 of the Norfolk City Code reads as follows:
“ No person shall occupy any p a rt of the street or m arket place, a t or near
th e m arket, for the purpose of exposing for sale any garden produce, or other
thing, other than such p a rt of the same as shall be assigned and set a p a rt to
him for the purpose by the superintendent of the bureau of m arkets, and, if
any person, on being required by the superintendent to remove, and neglecting
to do so im m ediately, shall pay a fine of not more than $25 for each offense, and,
if any person shall neglect or refuse to obey the directions of th e superintendent,
respecting the arrangem ent or removal of any article, cart, wagon, or other
thing, in the m arket or street adjoining, every person so neglecting or refusing
shall pay a fine of not more th an $25, and, moreover, shall be expelled from
the-m arket by the superintendent. (Ord., 1894, and 1919.) ”
The same rules and regulations apply to the other two farm ers’
m arkets. One is held at the Norfolk Southern Railroad freight sta
tion once a week. I t has been the custom for the farm ers to come
in on the morning train on Friday, arriving a t 7.30 a. in., and to
sell their produce, which they either bring in a basket on the arm,
or ship by freight, to the purchasers who come to the freight station
platform or yard. From these farm ers the city derives no revenue.
Some of the farmers have been coming in automobiles and selling
a t the curb and the regular tax is collected from these farmers.
Some sell their produce retail and some wholesale. Prices vary con
siderably. A few, when asked the price of produce, say they take
w hat they can get, b u t the m ajority have a fixed price, which is
lower in some instances than the down-town m arket. M any house
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TH E M U N IC IPA L MARKET IN NORFOLK, VA.
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wives come to m eet the train, and in a num ber of cases the farm ers
have only enough produce to fill orders given the week before and
carry no surplus. On Friday, October 15, there were 42 farmers
in automobiles, and possibly as m any more came by train to sell
in the freight-yard station. This m arket is practically over by 10
o’clock in the morning, or earlier. N early all the farm ers come a
distance of 20 miles, and a few haul their produce 50 miles or more
from their farm s to the m arket.
For the third m arket, the Norfolk C ity Council adopted an ordi
nance August 10, 1926, creating a m arket zone for farm ers on Bram bleton Avenue, between Church and Chapel Streets, and on Wide
Street, between Burruss Street and Gluey Road. Circulars were
distributed to the farmers in the down-town m arket area, advising
them of the curb space provided for the sale of farm products, either
wholesale or retail, and urging them to try out this new location and
help to establish a profitable farm er m arket. N o t more th an a
hundred farmers a week come to this m arket. Saturday is the
main day, though a few come in every morning. The m arket is
almost entirely over by 9 a. m., and it is a t present chiefly wholesale.
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PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOR
P r o d u ctiv ity of L abor in th e R ub ber T ire a n d th e Iron
an d S te e l (R evised) In d u strie s
N E more industry, rubber tires, has been added to the list of
industries for which productivity indexes have been con
structed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, bringing the num
ber up to 11. This industry is especially interesting because in it the
outp ut per m an-hour for the period 1914-1925 increased a t a faster
rate than in any other industry thus far studied. For all practical
purposes, however, the increase in productivity in rubber tires is
about equal to th a t in the automobile industry; th a t is, the m an-hour
o u tp u t in 1925 was approxim ately three tim es as great as in 1914.
Both of these are com paratively new industries, having their period
of greatest growth during the last 10 years. I t is this fact, rather
than anything in the character of the industries themselves, which
accounts for the unusual rate of increase in o u tp u t per m an-hour as
compared with th a t in older industries. In the case of rubber tires,
for instance, the annual production for 1925 was alm ost seven times
as large as the production in 1914, while the em ploym ent only
slightly more than doubled, thus resulting in a productivity index
of 311, which means an increase over 1914 of 211 per cent.
The productivity index for the iron and steel industry published
in the Labor Review of July, 1926, has been revised and extended.
F urther study of production and employment d a ta has m ade it pos
sible to extend the index back to 1899, and also to calculate separate
productivity indexes for blast furnaces and for steel works and roll
ing mills. _ This separation has brought to light an unsuspected high
productivity in blast-furnace operation, the index showing th a t the
output per m an-hour of blast-furnace workers alm ost doubled between
1899 and 1909, and then very nearly doubled again by 1923. Thus
the output in 1923 is shown to be nearly four times as large per m an
hour as it was in 1899.
The productivity index for steel works and rolling mills is not
so impressive, b u t this can be partly explained on the ground th at
this branch of the industry covers so m any different operations th a t
striking improvements in particular processes m ight be obscured by
the general overhead. Even a t th at, the increase here was very
m arked. The m an-hour ou tp u t in 1925 was somewhat over one
and one-half times the ou tp u t of 1909 and about two and one-half
times the o utput of 1899. This branch of the industry showed a
great increase in productivity during the year 1925.
The composite index for both branches combined, except for being
extended^ back to 1899, has not been m aterially changed. The
revised figures approxim ate those first published for all years from
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29
1914 down to 1921, b u t from then on to 1925 the new figures are
higher. This is due to the fact th a t the reduction in hours in recent
years was more adequately taken into account.
Rubber-Tire Industry
rTTIE rubber-tire industry ought to be, as far as the nature of the
industry itself is concerned, com paratively easy to analyze.
There are, it is true, some problems involved in constructing an index
of production from ou tp u t figures for pneum atic tires, truck tires, and
inner tubes, b u t the predominance of pneum atic tires is so great as
to minimize any m istakes of judgm ent th a t m ight be made in uniting
these three products under the one production index. There is,
however, one serious difficulty to be overcome, namely, the old classi
fication of the industry used by the Census'Bureau prior to the taking
of the 1921 census. Before th a t census the rubber industries had been
classified into (1) rubber boots and shoes, (2) rubber belting and hose,
and (3) rubber tires, tubes, and rubber goods not elsewhere specified.
Due to the trem endous growth of the rubber tire and tube branch,
and also to some m anufacturing developments within the industry,1
it was deemed advisable in 1921 to make a new classification of the
industry: (1) R ubber boots and shoes, (2) rubber tires and inner
tubes, and (3) rubber goods n o t elsewhere classified.
From a statistical point of view, this was a m ost fortunate circum
stance, for it resulted in the segregation of rubber tires and tubes,
which is the m ost im portant branch of the industry, and which is also
the m ost suitable for the calculation of productivity. The old
classification is not a source of any trouble, as far as production
statistics for 1914 and 1919 are concerned, b u t it obscures the em
ploym ent d a ta by combining the employees in the rubber-tire branch
w ith those engaged in the m anufacture of other rubber goods. Hence,
it is quite a problem to get the approxim ate em ploym ent in the
rubber-tires industry in 1914 and 1919.
Index of Production
The d a ta on production, while n o t all th a t could be desired, are
nevertheless sufficiently complete to w arrant the conclusion th a t the
production index is quite accurate, despite the gaps which m ust be
bridged. The census d a ta are used for all census years, including
1925, while the 1924 figures are those of the Survey of C urrent
Business (August, 1926) adjusted upward to bring them into line
with the census d a ta for 1923 and 1925. The ou tp u t of one im
p o rta n t tire m anufacturing company is not included in the Survey
of C urrent Business figures after September, 1921, which explains
why they are too low to compare directly w ith the census.
As a check it is interesting to compare an index of crude rubber
consum ption by rubber-tire m anufacturers for 1921-1925 with the
completed index num bers of production for these same years.
1See D ep artm en t of Commerce. B ureau of th e Census. Census of M anufactures, 1923: “ T he
industries.” W ashington, 1925, p. 5.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
T abus 1.—C O M P A R A T IV E IN D E X E S O F C R U D E -R U B B E R C O N S U M P T IO N A N D R U B
B E R -T IR E P R O D U C T IO N , 1921 T O 1925
Index
C rude-rubber consumption^ ________ __ ______ ____
C om puted production index_________ ____ _________
1921
1922
1923
1924
100. 0
152.3
156.5
170.8
170.4
211.0
100.0
187.5
I t should be explained th a t the figures for casings, inner tubes, and
solid truck tires were adjusted to each other on the basis of com para
tive value as shown by the census before being united in the one
production index. The soundness of the production index is evidenced
by the fact th a t for the first three years the indexes are practically
identical. In the last two years the crude-rubber index rises rapidly
and far surpasses the production index, a circumstance which is
probably due to the growing popularity of balloon tires. The figures
bring out very clearly the greatly increased dem and for rubber in
this country for this purpose.
index of Employment
F or the years prior to 1923, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics
began to gather d a ta on em ploym ent in this industry, there are no
em ploym ent figures except those of the census, and, as explained in
the beginning, these are defective for present purposes. The only
solution for this tangle is to attem p t to reconstruct from the census
m aterial a set of figures which can be accepted as being a t least a
rough approxim ation of the num ber of employees in the rubber-tire
industry in 1914 and 1919. The explanation of all the steps involved
in reconstructing the em ploym ent figures for these two years would
be too long and tedious to set forth here. I t is sufficient to point
out th a t th e combined figures appearing in the census for rubber
tires and other rubber goods were segregated into two parts, those
lor 1919 on the basis of the relative num ber of m en employed in the
two industries in 1921 and those for 1914 on the basis of the relative
value of the products in th a t year. B oth of these m ethods are open
to criticism ironi a statistical point of view, and could no t be justified
in an industry where the increased productivity had been com par
atively small. B u t no probable error in the em ploym ent index
could seriously affect the substantial correctness of the productivity
inaex; the 1925 index: of 311 m ay not be accurate to the unit,
bu t it does indicate in a rough way the progress of the industry
in productivity, nam ely, th a t the ou tp u t per m an-hour has been
approxim ately tripled since 1914.
The d a ta on hours of labor were taken from the census. I t was
necessary, however, to accept for both rubber tires and other rubber
goods the average weekly hours in the years 1914 and 1919, b u t an
analysis of the relative hours shown for the two in 1921 indicates th a t
the hours are practically the same for both. The full-tim e hours
were alm ost 55 per week in 1914, declining to about 50 in 1919 and
1921 and being reduced still further to 48 in 1923.
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LABOR PRODUCTIVITY : RUBBER TIRES AND STEEL
índex of Productivity
The following table contains the data on production, man-hours,
and productivity.
T ablk 3 .—P R O D U C T IV IT Y O F L A B O R IN T H E R U B B E R -T IR E IN D U S T R Y , 1914 T O 1923
Year
1914___________________
1919
1921
Produc M an
hours
tion
index index
100
394
309
100
303
1G3
Produc
tiv ity
index
100
130
190
Y ear
1923 ........ .............. ..............
1924........ ....... ...................
1925 ___________ ____
Produc M an Produc
hours tiv ity
tion
index index index
527
580
080
198
193
219
26fi
801
311
The great expansion of the industry is clearly shown by the produc
tion index, which was alm ost 700 in 1925; th a t is, the o u tp u t in th a t
year was nearly seven times as large as it was in 1914. Perhaps
a better idea of the trem endous growth of this industry can be got
from the original production figures themselves—the o u tp u t of cas
ings increased from about 8,000,000 in 1914 to nearly 60,000,000 in
1925, and the ou tp u t of inner tubes increased from slightly less th an
8,000,000 to over 75,000,000 in the same period. The production
index is very conservatively estim ated; in fact, it is probably too
low, because of the weight assigned to truck tires, which increased
a t a slower rate than casings and inner tubes.
Em ploym ent reached a high point in 1919, when, according to the
com putations m entioned above, there m ust have been nearly 130,000
employees in the industry. This num ber was cu t to around 69,000
in 1921, and rose again to 87,000 in 1923. The prelim inary census
figures for 1925 give only the num ber of wage earners, not including
salaried employees, b u t the num ber of the latte r employed in 1925
can be estim ated on the basis of the relative num ber in 1923. The
result of this com putation indicates th a t the to tal num ber of workers
on the pay rolls in 1925 m ust have been around 96,000.
The productivity index, while it is extremely high, is not surpris
ing, in view of the production index. A rapidly expanding industry
is always favorably situated for an increase in ou tp u t per m an-hour,
especially when, as in this case, the industry is a new one, w ith the
technique of production largely undeveloped. Tw enty years ago
the industry can scarcely be said to have been in existence, although,
of course, the p arent rubber industries from which it branched were
well developed. The growth of the industry has naturally paralleled
th a t of the automobile industry, and it is interesting to note the close
sim ilarity of the two productivity indexes. In both cases the output
per m an-hour in 1925 was approxim ately three times th a t in 1914.
Iron and Steel (Revised index)
CXNCE the publication of the iron and steel productivity index in
^
the July issue of the Labor Review the work has been gone
over completely and new indexes calculated. Three im portant
changes have been made in the indexes as originally published: (1)
The d ata on hours of labor have been worked over again, w ith the
result th a t the index of hours has been changed considerably; (2) the
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
data for earlier years— 1899, 1904, and 1909—have been added and
the base year switched from 1914 to 1909; and (3) separate indexes
have been computed for blast furnaces as distinguished from steel
works and rolling mills.
On the m atter of hours it is only necessary to say th a t the earlier
calculations failed to take adequately into account the reduction in
hours since 1922. A reexamination of the census data, together with
some of the reports of the Bureau of Labor Statistics on wages and
hours, shows th a t the working week in 1909 and 1914 was much
longer than was a t first computed. Consequently, the reduction in
recent years is correspondingly greater.
The earlier census years were added for several reasons. One is
th a t 1914 was a year of severe depression in the steel industry and
very unsatisfactory as a base for postw ar indexes; the year 1909
was more nearly norm al and the em ploym ent d a ta probably ju st as
good as those of 1914, so the base was changed to 1909. In the
second place, the American Iron and Steel In stitu te reports contain
d ata on pig-iron and steel-ingot production as far back as the sev
enties; these early figures m ay no t be as complete as those for recent
years, b u t it is probable th a t the record is quite good enough to
justify the use of the figures in a production index. The m an-hour
indexes for 1899 and 1904 are based solely on the census d a ta on
employm ent, for these censuses contain no inform ation on hours of
la b o r; b u t it was assumed th a t the hours of labor were approxim ately
equal to those in 1909. The only available d a ta on this subject are
to be found in a bulletin of the Bureau of Labor.2 The num ber of
employees used in this report as a sample for iron and steel is exceed
ingly small, b u t it is noticeable th a t the hours in practically all cases
average a t least as high as the weekly hours shown by the census in
1909. This seems to indicate th a t the working week a t the begin
ning of the century was fully as long as it was in 1909.
The third attem pted im provem ent in the index has been the
separation of the blast-furnace index from th a t for steel works and
rolling mills. This is n o t difficult to do, because the o u tp u t of pig
iron represents practically the complete production of blast furnaces,
and the census gives separate em ploym ent and hours-of-labor data
for the two branches of the industry. The o u tp u t of steel ingots
has been considered as indicative of ou tp u t in steel works and rolling
mills, although it is recognized th a t ingot o u tp u t does not measure
the activity in steel m anufacturing anywhere near as exactly as the
production of pig iron measures blast-furnace activity.
The construction of separate indexes m ust be confined to census
years, because the em ploym ent d a ta of the B ureau of Labor S tatis
tics do not distinguish between the two. However, the produc
tivity index of steel works and rolling mills has been extended to
1925 by using the Bureau of Labor Statistics em ploym ent index for
th a t year. This em ploym ent index is for steel works and rolling
mills and blast furnaces combined, b u t this ought not to lead to any
great error in the productivity index because the num ber of employees
in the former is over ten times the num ber in blast furnaces. Any
changes th a t m ay have occurred in blast-furnace em ploym ent are
alm ost completely obscured by the trend in steel-works employment.
2U . S.
B ureau of L abor B ui. N o. 59: W ages and hours of labor, 1890-1904.
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LABOE p r o d u c t i v i t y : r u b b e r t i r e s a n d s t e e l
Index of Productivity
The following table contains the production, m an-hour, and pro
ductivity indexes for each branch of the industry separately and
composite indexes for both branches combined.
T able 3. —P R O D U C T IV IT Y O F L A B O R IN B L A ST F U R N A C E S , IN S T E E L W O R K S A N D
R O L L IN G M IL L S , A N D IN B O T H B R A N C H E S C O M B IN E D , 1899 TO 1925
Composite index for
both branches
Steel works and
rolling mills
B last furnaces
Year
Produc M an Produc Produc M an Produc Produc M an Produc
hours tiv ity
tion
hours tiv ity
hours tiv ity
tion
tion
1899____________ ______ . . . .
1904______________________
1909______________________
1914____________________
1915______________________
1910________________ _____
1 9 1 7 ...___________________
1918______________________
1919._____ ________________
1920_____ ________ _________
1921______________________
1922________________ _____
1923_______
1924______________________
1925........... .............................
46
59
100
97
132
175
182
180
141
171
80
142
183
153
182
76
85
100
97
109
140
167
176
141
149
85
105
134
111
114
60
69
53
64
95
87
100
100
120
100
100
100
120
65
157
124
109
103
115
94
136
139
137
159
90
142
55
74
44
58
73
85
61
68
100
100
100
98
100
102
Í50
120
145
150
97
47
138
S3
93
89
81
194
188
142
132
190
i 123
i 153
72
126
96
1 T he em ploym ent index for 1925 for steel works and rolling mills contains the blast-furnace index also,
b u t the error is no t serious. See text for explanation.
I t is w orth noting some of the more significant facts indicated by
the table. Considering first the composite index of both branches of
the industry, attention m ust be called to the sharp fluctuations in
annual production. Of all the m ajor industries in this country iron
and steel is probably the m ost sensitive to conditions of prosperity
and depression; and while the fluctuations in production are quickly
comm unicated to the employment, nevertheless there is enough of a
lag to cause productivity to fall in periods of depression.
The trend of productivity itself is w orthy of some comment. No
am ount of probable error in the figures could nullify the conclusion
th a t there was a great advance in productivity during the years
1900-1909, coincident w ith the early development of the U nited States
Steel Corporation. This increase in productivity undoubtedly con
tinued. through the period 1909-1913, b u t the depression in 1914
wiped o u t all the gains and the productivity index fell to the level of
1909. T he beginnings of war prosperity in 1915 and 1916 were accom
panied by high, productivity, which, however, declined during the
years of American participation in the war. This was probably the
result of influences both internal and external to the industry. The
reorganization incident to the performance of w ar orders for the
Governm ent would account for some of the decline, while the trans
portation crisis and the loss of workers to the Army undoubtedly
accentuated it. In 1919, under pressure of the strike, the productivity
index continued to fall and once more crossed the 1909 line.
The effect of the abolition of the 12-hour day can be seen in the last
great advance of productivity in 1925. Despite the large production
of th a t year, there were fewer workers in the industry than in 1919,
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
1920; or 1923, although the hours of so m any employees had been
reduced. The m an-hour productivity of the workers in an 8-hour
day has increased to such an extent th a t no more labor has been
required th an before it w ent into effect.
Considerable caution m ust be exercised in interpreting the results
shown by the segregated indexes. I t is clear th a t in blast-furnace
operation the productivity index is not so much affected by prosperity
and depression as are the steel mills; or, to p u t it another way, the
employment fluctuates about as sharply and quickly as production.
On the other hand, it is evident th a t the steel works and rolling mills
can not dispense w ith their workers so easily in bad times.
From the d a ta on steel works and rolling mills it m ight be inferred
th a t the productivity in this branch of th e industry rem ained below
the 1909 level all during the period 1909 -1921. Such, however, is not
the case. I t ju st happens th a t all three years for which separate
indexes can be constructed were bad years for the industry— 1914
was a year of severe depression, in 1919 occurred the strike, and in
1921 the^ bottom dropped out of the m arket. I t is in fact almost
certain, judging from the composite index, th a t the productivity
index in steel works and rolling mills was over 100 in every missing
year.
W hen all due allowances have been made, the fact remains th a t the
blast-furnace productivity index has increased m uch more rapidly
than th a t of steel works and rolling mills, b u t it is by no means certain
ju st w hat this indicates. Superficially, it m ight seem evident th a t
there has sim ply been a greater im provem ent in blast-furnace opera
tion, b u t there is another possible interpretation of the figures which
is w orth serious consideration.
The blast furnace is a single productive unit, while m any distinct
operations are grouped together under the heading “ Steel works and
rolling m ills.” In the second place, it is extremely doubtful if pro
duction of steel ingots is anything like as good a measure of steelm anufacturing activity as pig-iron production is of blast-furnace
output. Ju st as the composite productivity index of both branches
of the industry effectively conceals the rem arkable productivity in
creases in blast furnaces, so the general index for steel works and
rolling mills m ay conceal great im provem ents in the subdivisions.
This could only be established by a special field investigation, how
ever, for no census d a ta are available on this point.
P r o d u c tiv ity of L a b o r in W h e a t F a r m in g
OM E m odern developm ents in the productivity of labor as ap
plied to dry-land w heat farm ing in the S tate of M ontana are
. contained in an article by M . L. Wilson in the Journal of Land
and Public U tility Economics (Chicago) for April, 1926. This
article gives a brief description of the origin and progress of the
experim ent known as the Fairw ay farm s project. C ertain members
of the In stitu te for Research in Land and Public U tility Economics
had for some tim e been interested in the problem of land tenure,
b u t it was n o t until 1924 th a t it became possible to carry on an actual
experiment. In th a t year the Fairw ay Farm s C orporation of M on
tan a was incorporated as a nonstock, nonprofit, agricultural and
S
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PRODUCTIVITY OP LABOR IX WHEAT FARM ING
educational corporation for the purpose of testing o u t certain theories
of farm organization, developing better practices in farm m anagem ent,
and providing “ a dem onstration in fair m ethods of adjusting the re
lations of landowners w ith tenants who wish to become landow ners."
In carrying out this plan the corporation acquired, by purchase or
otherwise, a num ber of farm s scattered throughout the central and
eastern p arts of M ontana, and then leased these farm s to desirable
tenants on such term s as would enable the tenant to practice the best
possible farm ing methods.
One point which is of particular interest is the present level of the
productivity of labor on a well-managed farm. The im portant points
are to lay out a farm of the right size and to furnish the necessary
equipm ent for the ten an t to get the best results. The following is a
description of one farm.
* * * The Davis Farm near Comanche, M ont., consists of slightly more than
four sections (2,560 acres) and is a consolidation of w hat were eight separate
farms. In 1926 this farm wall have approxim ately 1,000 acres of spring and
w inter w heat, 600 acres of summ er fallow, 300 acres of corn, 120 acres of dry-land
alfalfa, and approxim ately a section (640 acres) of pasture. The farm is operated
by th e te n an t and his son, w h o employ some additional labor during th e seeding
and harvesting period. The farm has 3 silos and 25 head of milk cows th a t are
milked during th e winter. A 15-30 three-plow trac to r and a 12-horse team
supply the farm power. The corn is planted w ith a two-row lister and culti
vated w ith a two-row cultivator, and m ost of the summ er fallow in 1926 will be
cultivated w ith th e tracto r and a 12-foot duck-foot cultivator. There are b u t
few farm s in M ontana a t th e present tim e which have th e same organization of
different lines of production as this farm , and it is expected th a t this farm will
dem onstrate th e efficiency of certain low-cost systems of m anagem ent.
A sum m ary of the situation on the other farm s serves to em pha
size the point still more. A second farm consists of one section
(640 acres) " a n d is a consolidation of three foreclosed u n its." In
1926 this farm is expected to have 160 acres of w heat and oats, 240
acres of listed corn, and 240 acres of pasture. I t is being run by one
m an, except for some additional labor in harvest and first cultiva
tion of listed corn.
A th ird farm consists of 130 acres of irrigated land and approxi
m ately 2 sections (1,280 acres) of dry-farm ing w heat land. Two
men, w ith a 15-30 three-plow tracto r and a 10-horse team , can per
form the labor of raising 130 acres of alfalfa and feed crops and 640
acres of wheat, as well as summ er fallowing the other 640 acres.
Still another farm , consisting of one and three-quarters sections
(1,120 acres) of tillable land and three sections (1,920 acres) of
grazing land, is run by two men who expect to "raise about 400
acres of w heat each year, with a like am ount of summ er fallow and
corn, and take care of from 50 to 75 head of dual-purpose cattle. ”
These m arvelous performances have been m ade possible by the
use of improved m achinery and an adequate supply of power. The
farm s are sufficiently equipped so th a t for each farm worker there
is a medium-sized tracto r or a 12-horse team , for in too m any cases
the farm ers in M ontana have failed because of an insufficient supply
of power. O ther machines th a t play an im portant p a rt in increasing
the acreage farm ed per m an are the "d u ck -fo o t" cultivator, the
header barge, the corn lister, the listed corn cultivator, and the com
bined harvester-thresher. The first-named is a heavy cultivator
with largo V-shaped shovels, draw n by a tracto r or a 12-horse team ;
it works lip the soil for summ er fallow and enables the farm er to
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
handle from two to three times the acreage th a t he used to work
under the old scheme of plowing, harrowing, and weed skinning.
The header barge is a machine for harvesting small grain, which
cuts the cost of haying to about half the ordinary expense. The
corn lister “ combines plowing, seed-bed fitting, and seed planting
in one operation.” I t also has the advantage of planting the corn
at the bottom of the furrows, which the subsequent cultivation
gradually fills up, thus producing a deep-rooted stalk which can
w ithstand long drought. A new type of listed corn cultivator will
enable one m an w ith eight head of horses to cultivate four rows a t
one time, or about 30 acres per day, which is about twice the acreage
th a t can be cultivated w ith the ordinary two-row cultivator.
W ith reference to harvesting, M r. Wilson discusses only th e
latest methods, b u t in order to bring out more clearly the significance
of the recent developm ents and to furnish a background for his
figures, it will be w orth while to m ention some of the earlier m ethods.
H arvesting used to be the biggest problem in connection w ith w heat
growing, involving, as it did, so much labor and equipm ent th a t it
was practically impossible for the ordinary farm er to own the
machines or hire the necessary men. T he old stationary outfit,
consisting usually of 3 headers, 9 wagons, an engine, a thresher,
and other accessory equipm ent, required from 30 to 35 men and from
65 to 75 horses, which m ade it necessary for several farm ers to own
an outfit in partnership or hire their threshing done by a traveling
thresherm an. In either case each farm er had to aw ait his tu rn and
m any of them suffered serious loss to the crop through n o t having it
threshed when conditions were right. And in any case the expense
of harvesting was enormous— about $150 per day a t present wage
rates for pay roll and from $50 to $75 per day for the hiring of horses.
Therefore, while an outfit of this kind could usually harvest from 75
to 90 acres of w heat per day, it was a costly m ethod of harvesting.
The next step in the developm ent of labor-saving m achinery came
w ith the 18-foot combined harvester, draw n by a tracto r or by 33
horses, m anned by 5 men, and cutting about 30 acres in a good
d ay ’s run.
' The latest development, which is the one discussed by M r. Wilson,
is the 12-foot harvester, draw n by a tracto r and run by two, or a t
m ost three, men. This machine should c u t som ew hat more than
15 acres per day, and it is so inexpensive to purchase and operate
th a t every farm er could afford to own one. I t is hoped th a t this
new m ethod of harvesting will m ake it possible for two men to
harvest as m uch w heat as they can seed. Then, by dovetailing corn
production, silage, and dairying w ith w heat growing, a farm er with
one hired m an could work a dry-land w heat farm of about two
sections (1,280 acres) w ith no additional labor of any kind, thus
almost completely stabilizing employment in one of the m ost sea
sonal of all industries. This diversified farming, w ith sufficient m otive
power and high productivity of labor, is one m ethod of m eeting the
falling prices of agricultural products and the occasional seasons
of drought. I t suggests the possibility of the further application
of m achinery to agriculture and the im provem ent of agricultural
labor productivity to a point more nearly on a par w ith the produc
tivity of labor in m anufacturing industries.
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CONDITIONS
B ritish Coal M in in g D isp u te
H E stoppage in the B ritish coal mining industry began on M ay
1,1926, and for seven m onths was practically complete. During
this time negotiations were carried on more or less continuously
between the Government, the miners, and the owners, looking toward
the term ination of the dispute, first, by the adoption of a national
agreement, and later, by the adoption of district agreements, to take
the place of th a t term inated by the owners on April 30. These
negotiations successively failed, and by the end of November it was
regarded as settled th a t no formal term ination of the trouble would
be reached. M en had begun going back to work w ith only local
agreements, the num ber who took this course varying considerably
from one district to another. I t was expected th a t by this process
coal production would gradually be brought up to norm al again, but
under it some parts of the coal fields m ight rem ain tied up for weeks
longer. The following resume of the struggle is summarized in the
m ain from the official account given in successive issues of the M in
istry of Labor G azette (London), beginning w ith the num ber for
August, 1926.
On M arch 6, 1926, the coal commission issued its report with a
series of recommendations (see Labor Review, M ay, 1926, pp. 52-56),
which, to become effective, required adoption by the owners and
the miners and legislation by the Government. On M arch 24 the
Prim e M inister m et both sides and told them the Governm ent
would take the steps necessary for putting the recommendations
into effect, provided the employers and the men would agree to
accept the report and carry on the industry on the basis so estab
lished. The subsidy which had been given to tide over the period
while the commission was a t work would expire on April 30, but,
he stated, he would be willing, “ provided an agreement could be
reached by M ay 1, to consider the question of tem porary assistance
in order to ease the position in certain districts, where considerable
sacrifices would be required.” In response to a request from the
miners th a t he would more clearly define w hat action the Governm ent
would be willing to take, he issued the following list of recommenda
tions of the report which would involve Governm ent action:
T
1.
F urther assistance by th e G overnment in the investigation of processes of
low -tem perature carbonization.
2. E stablishm ent of a national fuel and power council.
3.
Provision for research to be largely extended by th e industry w ith the
support of th e State.
4.
The prom otion of desirable am algamations by provision for compulsory
transfer of interests under existing leases where desirable am algam ations are
prevented by th e dissent of some of the parties or their unreasonable claims.
5. The S tate purchase of royalties.
6. Provision for a contribution to the welfare fund from royalties.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
7. The granting of power to local authorities to engage in the retail sale of coal.
8. The establishm ent of a standing joint com mittee of th e M inistry of Trans
p o rt and Mines D epartm ent to prom ote measures to secure th e adoption of larger
m ineral wagons on th e railways and a greater concentration of ownership of
wagons.
9. S tatutory provision for profit-sharing schemes providing for the distribution
to workmen of shares in coal-mining undertakings.
10. Provision for such modification in the law governing hours of labor as
the owners and m en m ight agree.
11. Provision by th e G overnment of facilities for the transfer of displaced
labor and the provision of funds for this purpose.
12. Consideration of the regulations governing the qualifications of mine
managers.
13. Provision for compulsory pit-head baths to be financed from the welfare
fund.
14. The establishm ent ox joint pit committees.
Negotiations were carried on between the owners and the miners
for a short time, which developed the fact th a t they were diam et
rically opposed on three points—the necessity for an imm ediate
reduction in wages, the need for adopting longer hours, and the
definition of a national agreement, together w ith the desirability of
a uniform national minimum. The miners m aintained th a t the
“ principle of a national agreement w ith a national m inimum percent
age” m ust be firmly adhered to, while the employers held th a t there
m ust be varying district rates, fixed by agreements in the separate
districts, b u t th a t after these had been decided upon the national
conference m ight approve the district action.
They accepted th e principle of a minimum percentage on basis rates in each
district and proposed th a t th e am ount of this percentage an d th e am ount of
subsistence wages for lower-paid men should be referred to district associations,
b u t were prepared to agree th a t th e am ounts of the minimum percentages settled
in the various districts should be subm itted to the national conference for approval.
On April 14 the owners issued a statem ent “ to the effect th a t the
owners in the districts would proceed to invite the workers’ organi
zations in the districts to consider w ith them the am ounts of m inimum
percentages and subsistence wages.” The miners were unwilling
to do this, so no district conferences were held, and on April 15 the
mine owners posted notices a t the m ajority of the mines term inating
on April 30 the agreem ent under which the mines were then working
and stating th a t after th a t date work would be available on term s to
be published later. On the same day, April 15, the Prim e M inister
m et the executive of the m iners’ federation, who told him th a t a
deadlock had been reached. Thereafter until M ay 2 the Prime
M inister was negotiating w ith both sides. On April 30, the day on
which the owners’ notices ending the agreem ent became effective,
he secured from them an offer of which the m ain points were a uni
form national m inimum of 20 per cent over the 1914 standard on a
uniform 8-hour basis, w ith a national agreement. Legislation would
be necessary to authorize the new hours, b u t this should be of a
tem porary nature, and not later than December 31, 1929, the Govern
m ent would set up a commission to see whether, as a result of better
organization or better trade, or both, the condition of the industry
would have im proved to an extent which would justify reversion
to the standard hours.
On th e same day, April 30, the miners replied th a t th e proposals could not be
accepted; they once more stated their views on the question of extended hours,
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their objections being th a t th e present hours were long enough to supply all the
coal for which a m arket could be found and were as long as th e men should be
expected to pursue such a dangerous and arduous calling; th a t th e extended hours
would merely increase th e unemployed; th a t to increase hours would be to
invite similar measures on th e p a rt of foreign com petitors; and th a t such a pro
posal was contrary to the findings of the royal commission. As to counter pro
posals they repeated th a t they would be willing to cooperate to th e fullest extent
w ith the G overnment and the owners in instituting such reorganization as was
recommended by th e commission, b u t until such reorganization brought greater
prosperity to the industry the miners should not be called upon to surrender any
of their inadequate wages or conditions. They also intim ated th a t a statem ent of
proposals subm itted by the Trades-Union Congress, a copy of which they in
closed, afforded a reasonable basis of negotiations and settlem ent. These
proposals included the suspension of notices, to allow further inquiry, and the
continuance of the subsidy for a fortnight.
A t m idnight on April 30, in accordance w ith the owners’ notices,
all work in the mines, except th a t of the safety men, came to a stand
still. Negotiations for a renewal upon the basis suggested by the
Trades-Union Congress were under tv ay between the Prim e M inister
and the congress officials when they were interrupted by the general
strike, which began on M ay 4 and was called off on M ay 12, on the
assurance of Sir H erbert Samuel, chairm an of the coal commission,
th a t he would strongly urge upon the Governm ent the adoption of
certain recom mendations which, in brief, provided th a t negotiations
should be resumed, the subsidy being renewed for a reasonable
period, th a t a national wages board should be established composed
of representatives of the two sides with a neutral element and an
independent chairm an, th a t any points of disagreem ent m ight be
brought before this board for consideration, th a t there should be no
revision of the former wage rate unless there were sufficient assurances
th a t the measures of reorganization proposed by the committee
would be effectively adopted, and th a t there should be a supervising
body to prevent undue delay or neglect in putting them into effect.
If, after these steps had been taken, a reduction of wages proved
absolutely necessary, the wages board should prepare a plan pro
viding for revision from time to tim e as m ight be desirable. The
recruitm ent of new miners should be stopped as long as there were
any unemployed, and the closing of uneconomic mines should be
provided for by transferring the workers who could be moved to
other mines and by m aintaining for a time those who could not and
for whom alternative employment could not be found.
The miners declared themselves unwilling to accept these terms,
since they involved a reduction of wage rates for a large num ber.
However, the Prime M inister, after separate negotiations with both
sides, sent to each on M ay 15 proposals which he held furnished a
reasonable basis for settling the dispute in accordance with the
recom mendations of the coal commission. If they were accepted,
the Governm ent would extend further financial assistance to the
industry to the am ount of approxim ately £3,000,000.1 ^Both sides
rejected these proposals, though on different grounds. The miners
voiced their views in a resolution passed on M ay 20 by a delegate
conference:
We are largely in agreem ent w ith the legislative and adm inistrative proposals
set forth and are prepared to render every assistance possible to insure their
success, bu t see no reason why such measures should be first reviewed by the
i Poun d a t p a r=$4.8665; exchange rate was ab o u t a t par.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
coal advisory com mittee. We are unable to recommend th e miners to accept
his (i. e., th e Prime M inister’s) proposal for a reduction in th eir wages, which
adm ittedly do not a t present provide for a decent stan d ard of living. We
further object to the proposal th a t a board w ith an independent chairm an shall
be empowered to abolish the national m inim um and enforce varying minima
throughout the districts.
The mine owners gave their refusal in a statem ent in which they
reiterated th a t the introduction of the 8-hour day was absolutely
essential to the prosperity of the industry, th a t with it the wage
cuts in the worst districts would not need to exceed 10 per cent, and
th a t even this cut would be m ade up by fuller employment. F urthermore, they were unwilling to accept the degree of G overnm ent reg
ulation involved in the plan.
The industry requires freedom and stability in its operations as conditions
essential to its prosperity, and the initiating of policies, either legislative or
adm inistrative, such as are contem plated in certain of th e recom m endations of
the royal commission m ust inevitably have th e effect of restricting its opera
tions and increasing the difficulty of a restoration to sound economic condi
tions based upon the interests of the com m unity. The coal owners are convinced
th a t the proposals subm itted to them on May 14, calculated as th e y are to lim it
freedom of adm inistration, will not be helpful in securing th e ultim ate result
th a t is aimed at, nam ely, the increased efficiency of th e industry. Indeed, it
m ust be stated em phatically th a t it will be impossible to continue th e conduct
of the industry under private enterprise unless it is accorded th e same freedom
from political interference as is enjoyed by other industries.
There were some futile negotiations between the owners, and the
miners, b u t nothing further of im portance occurred until June,
when on the 21st two bills were formally introduced in Parliam ent
by the Governm ent, one perm itting the reestablishm ent of the
8-hour day and the other dealing with questions of reorganization
(for their terms, see the Labor Review, Septem ber, 1926, p. 121,
and October, 1926, p. 39). The extension of hours was regarded
with particular hostility by the wnrkers generally, and early in
July the general council of the Trades-Union Congress issued a
notice th a t the council would cooperate in opposing the Govern
m ent policy, especially in regard to hours. The mine owners, on
the other hand, in view of the passage of the act, announced in a
num ber of cases the term s which would be open to the men on the
basis of the longer day.
In general they were such as to have th e effect of guaranteeing to th e men for
three months wages roughly similar to those received under th e previous agree
ment, except th a t now eight hours would be worked instead of seven. B ut in
N orthum berland and D urham there was a reduction of roughly 10 per cent
and in Warwickshire and Cannock the new term s for 8 hours were rath er better
th an the previous term s for 7. In all cases the division of th e proceeds of the
industry was to be 87 per cent to wages as against 13 to profits. The Yorkshire
owners a t first offered 85 to 15, but a t the instance of th e Government came
into line w ith the other districts. After three m onths it was contem plated th a t
wages should be based on ascertainm ents in the usual way, subject to a minimum
equivalent to th a t in force under the 1921 agreement. These term s constituted
a definite offer by th e owners, but the im m ediate effect as regards th e retu rn of
men to work was small.
On July 19 the Bishop of Litchfield subm itted to the Prim e M in
ister a plan for ending the dispute which he w ith some representatives
of Christian churches had drawn up and to which the miners had
assented. The main features of the plan were th a t the men should
go back on the term s prevailing in April; th a t a settlem ent, when
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reached, should be on a national basis; th a t the coal commission
should be reappointed to draw up a reorganization scheme and to work
out the wage references in its earlier report; th a t the Government
should undertake to carry through at once w hatever legislation the
commission m ight recommend for this purpose; th a t a national set
tlem ent should be reached within a short, defined period, and if it
were not, a joint board should appoint an independent chairman,
arid his decision on the points still unsettled should be final. Finan
cial assistance should be granted by the Governm ent for the period
agreed upon as necessary for negotiations.
On July 19 the Prim e M inister m et the representatives of the churches and in
his reply pointed out th a t any proposals which involved a further subsidy could
hardly be regarded as in complete agreem ent w ith th e term s of th e report, and
announced th a t he could not consent to any further financial assistance for the
industry by way of a subsidy in aid of wages.
The proposals were later subm itted to the m iners’ district organi
zations, b u t were rejected by them. For a tim e the deadlock dragged
along w ith neither party making any effort to end it, bu t on August
16 the miners held a national delegate conference, at which the
executive comm ittee was authorized to try to open up negotiations
with the coal owners and the Government; it was stipulated, however,
th a t all negotiations m ust be of a national character and not entered
into by the districts separately. On August 19 the m iners’ officials
held a conference w ith the officials of the mine owners’ association,
but w ith no result. A meeting of the m iners’ officials with represen
tatives of the Governm ent was equally fruitless.
On Septem ber 2 a national delegate conference of the M iners’
Federation authorized the executive comm ittee to take whatever
steps were necessary to “ subm it proposals for the setting up of a
national agreement for the mining industry.” In pursuance of this
vote, the officials at once wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
(the Prim e M inister a t th a t time being away), asking him to convene
and attend a conference of the m iners’ and the owners’ officials, and
stated the concession they were willing to make, as follows:
We are prepared to enter into negotiations for a new national agreement with
a view to a reduction in labor costs to meet the im m ediate necessities of the
industry.
The Governm ent prom ptly wrote to the owners’ association, in
closing a copy of the m iners’ letter, and stating th a t “ in the opinion
of His M ajesty’s Governm ent this letter affords a basis for the
resum ption of negotiations; and they suggest th a t in the first instance
both sides should m eet representatives of the Governm ent in a tri
partite conference.” To this the owners’ association replied through
its secretary th a t it could not deal with the m atter, “ as it has no
authority to enter into any discussions or negotiations on behalf of
the district colliery owners’ associations on questions of the term s of
employment of workm en.” The Governm ent then asked the repre
sentatives of the owners’ association to m eet w ith its representative
to discuss the situation, and the meeting took place on Septem ber 6.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer pressed the im portance of seeking
a settlem ent through national negotiations, and the secretary of the
owners’ association said “ th a t the general opinion of mine owners
was definitely opposed to national negotiations, and th a t the mining
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association no longer had any authority to undertake them .” He
agreed, however, to refer the m atter back to the association, which
in tu rn referred it to the district associations for action. While this
was being done the Chancellor of the Exchequer sent a letter to the
association, outlining the kind of discussion he thought could use
fully be carried on a t a trip artite conference. Briefly, he suggested:
(1) The laying down of certain broad principles and the recommen
dation of “ practical steps necessary to secure an early and universal
resum ption of work; (2) district agreements to be negotiated in
accordance w ith the principles and recom mendations thus arrived a t;
(3) m atters custom arily settled nationally to bo subm itted to the
central body for confirmation or for reference back to the districts;
(4) a national agreem ent then to he made covering m any, if not all,
of the points hitherto dealt w ith nationally.”
One point of difficulty no doubt will be how th e national character of th e
minimum can be reconciled w ith th e inevitable allowance for district conditions,
We ought not to assume th a t this is insoluble w ith good will, once th e parties are
together. A fter prolonged th o u g h t His M ajesty’s G overnm ent believe th a t this
is about th e best and shortest p ath th a t can be found to reach th e v ital object in
view, nam ely, a business like and honorable settlem ent for a good long tim e.
On Septem ber 13 an answer was received from the secretary of the
owners’ association, stating th a t the district associations, except for
one small inland district, had em phatically refused to give the
national association authority for m aking a national settlem ent, and
th a t therefore it would be useless for the owners’ representatives to
attend the conference the Chancellor had proposed.
I desire to add th a t th e decisions of the districts, which reaffirm th e declara
tions m ade to you last M onday, arise from a deep and earnest conviction th a t
settlem ents on a national basis by linking th e industry w ith politics inevitably
take th e consideration of purely industrial questions o ut of th eir proper economic
sphere, have been destructive of peace and prosperity to those engaged in the
industry and, as experience of the im m ediate past has shown, are a menace to the
com m unity as a whole.
On the 14th the m iners’ representatives m et and passed a resolution
stating th a t in view of the owners’ attitu d e the miners had no option
b u t to resist district settlem ents, and to w ait and see w hat action the
Governm ent would take upon the coal owners’ refusal to confer.
On Septem ber 17 the Prim e M inister, who had by this time returned
to England, m et the representatives first of the owners and then of the
miners, and finally handed the latter a paper containing the following
plan for the settlem ent of the dispute;
1. As soon as there has been a general resum ption of work through provisional
settlem ents arrived a t by local negotiations, the G overnm ent will pass an ac t of
Parliam ent setting up a national arbitration tribunal, unless the earlier conclusion
of a national agreem ent renders it unnecessary.
2. E ither p arty to any provisional settlem ent which provides for working more
th an the old hours m ay refer to the tribunal for review any m a tte r dealt w ith by
such settlem ent, being a m a tte r of a kind which up to July, 1925, was customarily
dealt w ith by national settlem ents.
3. The tribunal shad confirm or modify a provisional settlem ent in respect
of the m a tte r referred to it, and as from the date fixed by th e trib u n al every m an
affected by th e aw ard and employed in any p it which works more th a n th e old
hours will be entitled by law to receive wages in accordance w ith th e decision.
To this the miners replied by a letter protesting against this proposal
as an abandonm ent of the policy outlined by M r. Churchill after
receipt of the m iners’ offer of Septem ber 3.
I t would now appear, though th e federation is reluctant to believe it, th a t
it was m istaken in taking th e Chancellor’s declaration seriously a t all. On
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Septem ber 17 the G overnm ent completely abandoned th e policy which he an
nounced on Septem ber 8 and advanced proposals of a diam etrically opposite
character.
Its latest announcem ent would involve, if it could be carried out, th e entire
surrender of the principle of national negotiations and agreements, a princple
which th e commission stated to be essential, and which was indorsed by th e letter
of th e C hancellor of the Exchequer.
T hus th e G overnm ent now proposes the miners are to resume work on such
term s as th e owners in each district m ay be in a position to dictate, in those
districts in which, in accordance w ith the commission’s recommendations, th e hours
worked prior to th e stoppage are m aintained, they are to receive no protection
w hatever from a national authority, however unreasonable th e term s imposed
by the owners m ay be.
" in th e rem ainder, after th e scales have already been weighted against them
by district agreements, they are to have an appeal to a national tribunal the
construction of which the G overnm ent has not as yet th o u g h t fit to specify.
Such a proposal, in sharp contradiction as it is w ith th e statem en t m ade by
th e Chancellor of the Exchequer, carries its condemnation on its face.
As a substitute for the Governm ent proposals, the miners p u t
forward the following plan:
1. The m iners’ executive are prepared to recommend th e miners to accept
wages not less th a n those payable under th e term s of th e 1921 agreem ent, as a
tem porary arrangem ent for th e im m ediate resum ption of work.
2. The term s of a national wages agreem ent shall be referred for decision to an
independent tribunal to be agreed upon by th e parties.
3. The term s of reference to th e tribunal shall be th e consideration of, and
application to the mining industry of, the recom m endations of th e royal
commission.
4. From the date fixed by the tribunal in respect to th e m atters referred to it
every m an affected by th e aw ard will be entitled by law to receive wages in
accordance w ith th e decision.
On the 20th, after a. cabinet meeting, the m iners’ secretary was
notified th a t the G overnm ent was unwilling to accept these term s as
a basis of action:
While recognizing th e advance which th e proposals indicate, His M ajesty’s
G overnm ent do not feel th a t they afford the means of reaching an early or lasting
settlem ent of th e present dispute.
In these circum stances I am to say th a t the G overnm ent are n ot prepared to
go beyond th e m aturely considered proposals conveyed to you in th e Prim e
M inister’s le tte r of th e 17th inst.
The m iners’ representatives accordingly subm itted the proposals
of Septem ber 17 to the districts for action, the results to be reported
to a delegate conference in London on October 7. On O ctober 6, the
Prim e M inister sent a letter to the conference, recounting the cir
cumstances of the offer and warning them th a t if it were not accepted
by the 7th it m ust be regarded as withdrawn. The report m ade to
the conference showed th a t the districts had rejected the proposals
by a vote of 737,000 to 42,000. T he conference accepted the report
and passed resolutions demanding th a t the safety men should be
w ithdrawn, urging an embargo on foreign coal and the discontinuance
of the practice of working outcrops, calling for a trade-union congress
to deal w ith raising funds for the miners by a general levy, and
advocating an intensive campaign of propaganda. On the following
day it was voted th a t no action should be taken upon this resolution
until the districts had had an opportunity to vote upon it. B y the
14 th reports were received from the districts upholding the general
policy of the resolution. Nevertheless, the only p arts really acted
upon were those relating to calling a trade-union congress and to the
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campaign of propaganda. The la tte r was a t once undertaken, and
had a m arked effect in checking the tendency in some p arts of the
coal fields to return to work, and in bringing out men who had
already gone back.
On October 26 the general council of the Trades-Union Congress
intervened, sending a small com m ittee to interview the Governm ent
and discuss measures for reopening negotiations. On the 28th the
m iners’ delegate conference m et in London and sanctioned a peace
move through the general council. On the following day a m eeting
was held between the m ediators and the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
who expressed the G overnm ent’s willingness to open discussions on
a national basis as soon as the miners should consent to district
agreements on wages and hours. If the miners would yield th a t
point, the form in which national principles should be secured would
be a m atte r for discussion, and if the owners should refuse, the
G overnm ent would be prepared to take legislative action. After
prolonged discussions, this proposal was referred back to the m iners’
executives for approval.
Meanwhile, a t a m eeting of the Trades-Union Congress, the unions
by an overwhelming m ajority pledged themselves to call on their
members for a levy of a penny a day for each working day until
the dispute should be settled, the proceeds of the levy to be paid
over to the miners. I t was estim ated th a t this would raise between
£50,000 and £62,000 a week.
On Novem ber 5 the miners notified the Governm ent th a t “ they
had accepted the G overnm ent’s conditions of willingness to enter
on district negotiations if safeguards could be agreed upon.”
The national principles on which th e miners laid stress in th eir interview
w ith th e G overnm ent were: A national minimum percentage, th e ratio of divi
sion of th e proceeds, th e m ethod of ascertainm ent, th e principles of x-ecoupment,
th e definition of “ other costs,” and the continuance of th e principle of subsist
ence wages to be fixed in th e districts as under the old agreements. The miners
do n ot ask for a high national minimum percentage; th ey would be content w ith
a low figure above which each d istrict could fix its minimum according to its
economic condition.
Negotiations continued for some days, and on the 12th the Gov
ernm ent handed the m iners’ executive a m em orandum of the term s
of settlem ent which it was willing to see enforced. The term s pro
vided for a return to work on district settlem ents, hours being deter
m ined in each district by agreement between the m en and owners.
Perm anent term s of em ploym ent should be settled by district boards.
Six conditions were laid down as to w hat a “ standard agreem ent”
should contain, as follows:
1. A district board w ith an independent chairman.
2. Periodical determ ination of th e trading results of th e industry, ascertained
jointly by accountants appointed by each side w ith provision for te st audits
and reference of any question arising therefrom to th e independent chairm an
of th e d istrict board.
3. Periodical regulation of th e district percentage in accordance w ith p ara
graph 2 above, th e ratio of division of n et proceeds being n o t less favorable
to th e owners th a n 87 and 13, and not less favorable to th e m iners th a n 85 and
15; and the net proceeds being ascertained in accordance w ith th e th ird schedule
of th e national agreem ent of 1924.
4. A m inim um percentage on a basis not less than the equivalent of 20 per
cent on stan d ard rates.
5. The payment of_subsistence wages to low-paid day-wage men at the rate
paid in April last until the pay next following January 31, 1927, and thereafter
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1196]
BRITISH COAL M IN IN G DISPUTE
45
a t a rate to be determ ined by the district board or in default of agreem ent of
the district board, by the independent chairm an of th a t board.
6.
A duration of a t least three years, w ithout prejudice to th e variation of
th e district agreements by agreem ent between th e parties thereto, or to any
provision th a t it m ay contain for th e alteration of any of its term s w ithin th a t
period by the district board, or, in default of agreem ent of the district board,
by the independent chairm an of th a t board.
W ork was to be resumed on a tem porary wage scale which, except
in N orthum berland, D urham , Cum berland and N orth Wales, should
be “ a general district percentage on basis rates n o t less than th a t
prevailing on April 30, 1926, and in districts (other than the above)
where there was a subsistence wage under clause 7 of the 1924 agree
m ent, the same subsistence wage.” The m iners’ federation was to
do all it could to secure the speedy resum ption of work by district
settlem ents, and as soon as the Governm ent was satisfied th a t this
condition was complied with, it should introduce legislation providing
for a national tribunal to which, in certain circumstances, an appeal
could be made.
The Governm ent * * * undertake to introduce legislation _by which
any district agreement, other th a n a “ sta n d a rd ” agreement, may, if it is on the
basis of a longer underground working day th a n th a t prevailing in th e district
in April last, be m ade th e subject of appeal, by either p arty to th e agreement, to
a national arb itral authority on any of th e m atters set out in paragraph 5 of this
m em orandum in respect of which it is less favorable to th e p arty appealing th an
a “ standard ” agreem ent would be. No appeal will licys respects any “ sta n d a rd ”
district agreem ent or any agreement made on the basis of an underground ivorking day not longer th a n th a t prevailing in the district in April last.
The national arbitral authority will consist of such members of th e Industrial
C ourt (not having any connection w ith the coal mining industry) as th e Minister
of Labor m ay direct, and will be assisted by two assessors, one appointed by
each of th e parties to th e appeal.
.
W hen an agreem ent is made th e subject of appeal to th e national arbitral
authority, th e authority may, in respect of the m atter under appeal, m ake such
modifications therein as they think fit w ithin the stan d ard conditions, or may,
if they thin k fit, confirm it w ithout modification. The agreem ent thereafter
will have effect as approved by the national arbitral authority.
The act giving these powers to the national arbitral au th o rity will have effect
for six m onths only.
The Governm ent also undertook, as p a rt of the settlem ent, to
take steps to prevent the recruiting of new men as miners so long
as any were unemploj^ed.
On the 13th the m iners’ delegate conference decided to refer these
term s to the districts, w ith a recom mendation th a t they be accepted.
There was m uch difference of opinion as to w hether or not this
recom mendation should be made, b u t it was finally carried by a vote
of 432,000 to 352,000. The vote by districts was taken immediately,
and by the 18th the returns showed th a t 315,000 had voted for
acceptance of the term s and 460,000 against, a m ajority of 145,000
against. The adverse vote was particularly heavy in Scotland,
South Wales, and N orthum berland.
On the 21st, with these results before them , the miners' delegate
conference recommended the workers to seek district agreements,
based upon certain guiding principles which the conference laid
down. In practice, it was found impossible to secure the owners’
assent to these principles, and it became necessary for the m en to
negotiate local settlem ents on the best term s obtainable.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1197]
46
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Labor T urn over a n d P la n t P o licy
H E opinion th a t the degree of labor turnover in a particular
plant is due prim arily to general em ploym ent conditions and
very little to the em ploym ent policies of the plan t is expressed
by Eugene Benge, m anager of industrial relations of the A tlantic
Refining Co., writing in M anufacturing Industries for October, 1926.
The w riter states th a t, according to his observations, “ there is a
m uch closer relationship of labor turnover w ith national em ploym ent
conditions than w ith pension systems, insurance plans, welfare fea
tures, and other gestures of a friendly m anagem ent.”
In support of this opinion, he compares the recent trend of the
labor turnover in his own com pany with the em ploym ent conditions
in the State of Pennsylvania as a whole, and also with the to tal labor
turnover of over 50 concerns in the city of Philadelphia, employing
some 40,000 workers. ^In both of the comparisons, presented by the
author in the form of charts, he finds a close relationship between the
turnover curve of his own company, the curve of general em ploy
m ent conditions in the State, and the curve of turnover conditions in
other plants of Philadelphia. Commenting on this relationship, the
w riter concludes:
T
The sharp drop in company turnover since the middle of 1923 has again been
accompanied by a parallel drop in other industries in th e city of Philadelphia.
Is it not fair to conclude th a t labor turnover, a t least as exhibited in our company,
is a function of general economic forces to a far greater extent th a n is generally
supposed?
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[11981
MINIMUM WAGE
R e p o r t o n M in im u m W ag e in M a s s a c h u s e tts
H E State of M assachusetts is the only one whose m inimum
wage law was unaffected by the decisions of the _Supreme
C ourt as to the constitutionality of legislation of this general
type. The law of this State is not binding in its effect, b u t parties
failing to pay the prescribed standards are subject to being adver
tised in the press of the State, compliance being presum ably pro
curable by the force of public opinion. The report of the division
of m inimum wage in the State departm ent of labor and industries
for the year ending November 30, 1925, gives account of various
activities of the division in m aking investigations, establishing wage
boards, and carrying out inspection for the enforcem ent of decrees.
There are now in existence 17 decrees, each covering certain^ specific
or related classes of work; 3.2 decrees have been issued in all since the
law w ent into effect, July 1, 1913. All m ade prior to December 1,
1919, have been superseded by new decrees, the oldest decree being
th a t for m en’s clothing and raincoats, effective F ebruary 1, 1920.
Two other decrees th a t w ent into operation th a t year continue
effective and also one of 1921, six of 1922, one of 1923, one of 1924,
three of 1925, and two of 1926.
In m aking revisions rates have been advanced in every case
except two. In the women’s clothing factories (cloak, suit, skirt,
dress, and w aist shops) an order, effective M ay 15, 1922, fixes $14
as a m inimum rate in lieu of $15.25, which had been fixed M ay 6,
1920; and the paper-box rate, effective M ay 15, 1922, is $13.50 in
lieu of the $15.50 rate entered M ay 26, 1920. In some cases the
revisions have included the combination of two lines for which
separate orders had previously existed.
The highest rate is $15.40 weekly for women employed in office
and other building cleaners7 occupation, effective F ebruary 1, 1921.
Three rates effective in 1925 fixed a m inim um of $13 weekly, as did
the latest rate (candy occupation, M arch 1, 1926)._ An order affect
ing women engaged in the m anufacture of stationery goods and
envelopes, effective Jan u ary 1, 1926, fixed the m inim um wage a t
$13.75. No rate lower th an $13 exists, and no rate in excess of $14
is found except th a t for office, etc., cleaners, above noted, and one
for m en’s clothing and raincoat occupations ($15).
Inspections have been made under 14 decrees and noncompliances
advertised under 9.
T
The firms where publication h a» been necessary represent a very small pro
portion of those inspected under th e decrees in question. In the case of retail
stores th e firms advertised represent 2.9 per cent of all of th e firms inspected
employing women; in th e case of laundries, 5.3 per cent;_ paper-box factories,
3.1 per cent; and in th e case of th e other decrees under which it has been neces
sary to publish, from 0.3 to 2.5 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1199]
47
48
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
A ttention is called to the fact th a t the suprem e court of the State
held in June, 1924, th a t no penalty could be assessed against a
newspaper refusing to accept advertisem ents of noncompliance.
Advertisements were carried in 1925 in 60 different newspapers
throughout the State, the m atter being carried apparently as any
other advertising m atter.
The last page of the report presents a conspectus of the various
itemized cost-of-living budgets adopted by the different wage boards,
December 1, 1919, to Novem ber 4, 1925. There is also included the
budget for the first brush wage board (January, 1914) when a weekly
total of $8.71 was found. The various budgets printed ranged from
$13 (bread and bakery board, winter, 1924-25; candy board,
autum n, 1925) to $15.50 (paper box board, spring, 1920).
In c re a s e s in M in im u m W age R a te s in S a s k a tc h e w a n 1
IN C R E A S E S in m inimum wage rates are announced by the m inimum
][ wage board of Saskatchewan, affecting female employees in shops
and stores and in laundries and factories, a third change affecting
employees in m ail-order houses. Experienced workers in shops
and stores are to receive $15 per week as a m inimum instead of $14
as previously, learners to receive n o t less th an $10 instead of $7.50
for the first six m onths, $12 for the second six m onths, and a m in
im um of $13.50 for the third six months.
For females in laundries and factories the m inimum rate for
experienced workers is advanced from $13 to $14 per week, rates for
learners rem aining unchanged. N ot less th an the m inim um of $14
is to be paid, to both experienced and inexperienced employees for
any tim e in excess of 48 hours in any one week. The m inim um wage
for females employed in m ail-order houses is now $14 instead of $13
as formerly, payable after one y ear’s experience. The beginner’s
rate for the first six m onths is now $9 and for the second six m onths
$11 per week instead of $8 and $10, respectively.
The new rates became effective Septem ber 21.
M in im u m W age Law for A g r icu ltu r a l W orkers in
U ru g u a y 2
C C O R D IN G to the provisions of the U ruguayan m inimum
wage law,3 rural laborers between the ages of 18 and 55 engaged
in agriculture or stock raising are to receive a m inimum wage
of 18 pesos4 a m onth, or 72 centésimos a day, when employed by
proprietors whose to tal productive land is assessed a t more than
20,000 pesos. W hen the real property of the employer is assessed
a t more than 60,000 pesos the m inimum rural wage shall be 20 pesos
a m onth, or 80 centésimos a day.
A
i Public Service M o n th ly , Regina, October, 1926.
Crónica de la Oficina N acional del Trabajo.
9 2jQTru^ua^ '
M ontevideo, M ay, 1925, año I, N uin. 1, pp.
8 Law passed Feb. 16, 1923, and its regulative decree, A pr. 8, 1924.
i Peso a t par= $l.03; average exchange ra te in Septem ber, 1926=,$!.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
L1200]
M IN IM U M WAGE LAW IN URUGUAY
49
Agricultural workers 16 to 18 years of age and those over 55 are
n o t to receive wages less than 15 pesos a m onth, or 60 centesimos
a day.
Laborers over 16 suffering from a physical defect, organic disease,
or similar disability, m ay be paid less than the m inim um wage.
In such cases the wage shall be fixed by the departm ental council
of adm inistration or the auxiliary council of the district, w ith the
advice of the local medical officer.
R ural laborers shall have Sundays free each week or a substitute
free week day when exceptional circumstances necessitate work
on Sunday.
In addition to the minimum wage the employer is required to fur
nish his workers w ith hygienic housing and sufficient food, or in lieu
thereof the sum of 50 centesimos a day or 12 pesos a m onth. The
worker is allowed to choose either the housing and food or the money
compensation.
The decree provides th a t the workers’ dwellings m ust be easily
ventilated, weatherproof, and kept thoroughly clean a t all times.
Em ployers violating any of the provisions of this law are liable to a
fine of 10 pesos for each laborer involved and for a second offense a
fine of 25 pesos.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1201]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE
A c c id e n t E xperien ce o f t h e Ir o n a n d S te e l I n d u s t r y to
t h e E n d o f 1925
H E Bureau of Labor S tatistics’ annual study of accidents in the
iron and steel industry has ju st been completed for the year
1925. The results show a continuing decline in accident rates
in 1925 as com pared w ith 1924. This decline has been alm ost con
sta n t during the whole period of 16 years during which the bureau
has been compiling such statistics.
There is, however, a m arked difference between the experience of
those plants in which energetic and continuous safety work has been
carried on and those in which safety work has not been given such
prominence. In the form er group the reduction in accident fre
quency since 1913 has been approxim ately 86 per cent, while the
reduction in the case of those plants in which safety work has not
been so stressed has been only about 15 per cent.
T
Measuring the Effects of Safety Work
'T H E records of the Bureau of Labor Statistics now cover the experi1 ence of the iron and steel industry for the period from 1910 to
1925. To illustrate w hat has happened in this interval, and also to
show the results obtained by intensive accident-prevention effort,
Tables 1 and 2 are presented.
Table 1 shows the accident experience of a group of plants in the
iron and steel industry which produce approxim ately 50 per cent of
the output, and which were no t only among the first to undertake
accident prevention, b u t have continued a safety campaign with
great energy and persistence. Table 2 shows the accident experience
of all the plants covered by the study, including the plants of Table 1
as well as another group in which safety work has been less em pha
sized.
The two tables are n o t identical in form b u t in a general way they
are comparable. Table 1- is on an annual basis, while Table 2 is for
periods of five years.
If the rates in the to tal column of Table 1 for the year ending with
December, 1913, be compared with the rates for all departm ents in
Table 2 for the 5-year period ending w ith 1913 it will be noted th a t
the frequency rates are 60.3 for Table 1 and 62.1 for Table 2. T h at
is to say, up to the tim e indicated the results in the section repre
sented by the selected plants in Table 1 were b u t slightly more
satisfactory than in the industry a t large, including those special
plants. Com puting the rate for th a t half of the industry not included
in Table 1, it is found to be 63.9. This compared with 60.3, the rate
50
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1202 ]
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF IRON AND STEEL IN DUSTRY
51
for plants grouped in Table 1, gives an idea of the progress m ade a t
th a t tim e by concerns m ost actively engaged in accident prevention
as compared with those which had more recently, and in some cases
n o t yet, undertaken an effort for safety.
If the figures for the year ending December, 1925, and the 5-year
period ending w ith 1925 are compared it will be found th a t Table 1
shows a frequency of 8.2 while a com putation for the portion not
included in Table 1 gives a frequency of 54.4. In other words, the
portion of the industry which has devoted m ost attention to accident
prevention has made an 86 per cent reduction while the portion of the
industry not included in Table 1 has made a 15 per cent reduction.
The fact th a t one table is on an annual and the other on a 5-year
basis m akes this comparison somewhat unfair to the plants shown
only on the 5-year basis. I t is safe to say, however, th a t in the
companies which have undertaken the task of accident prevention
m ost seriously the results have been the m ost striking. The im por
ta n t thing is th a t a similar result is possible to any plant which is
willing to make a corresponding effort.
T able 1 .—A C C ID E N T ¡F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S (P E R I 1,000,000 H O U R S ’ E X P O S U R E ) F O R A
G R O U P O F IR O N A N D S T E E L P L A N T S IN W H IC H S A F E T Y W O R K H A S
S T R E S S E D , BY P R O D U C T S A N D BY Y E A R S, 1913 TO 1925
Yp,ar ending—
F abrica
tion
BEEN
M iscellaneous steel
products
Sheets
Wire
T o tal
Tubes
G roup A G roup B
D ecem ber, 1913________ ____ June, 1914______________
D ecem ber, 1914______ _ _____
Jan e , 1915___ _______ _______
D ecem ber, 1915_______________
June, 1916__ _______________
D ecem ber, 1916_______________
June, 1917___ _______________
D ecem ber, 1917
June, 1918___ _______________
D ecem ber, 1918_______________
June., 1919___________________
D ecem ber, 1919. . __________
June, 1920l._
................. ...........
D ecem ber, 1920_______________
June, 1921___ ________________
T)p.f“P.mbni’j 1921
______________
June, 1922__
D ecem ber, 1922_______________
June, 1923______________ _____
D ecem ber, 1923_____________ __
June, 19241.......................................
D ecem ber, 1924_______________
June, 1925____________________
D ecem ber, 1925________ ______
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100. 3
75. 5
59. 0
51.2
53. 5
54.5
52. 1
53. 3
51.3
45.7
38.2
33.6
32.8
35.3
35.3
32. 4
28. 4
29.7
38.8
33.2
32.6
34.7
33.4
28.8
27.4
61.6
53.7
47. 2
41.8
37.3
36. 5
34.0
32.3
33.9
31.3
25.9
24. 4
25.8
25. 0
22.7
20.2
17. 5
16.8
16.9
19.0
17.2
12.9
10.3
10. 6
11.4
[1203]
59.3
51.0
46.2
44.3
52.4
52.2
48.2
42.6
32.5
24.6
18.8
15.4
12.5
12.2
12.0
9.3
7. 5
7.9
7.9
7.9
7.9
7.4
6.2
4.4
4.2
27.2
19.1
12. 5
8.7
10.8
12. 2
12.4
11.5
10.2
9.9
9. 1
8.7
9.1
9. 2
8.9
7.3
6.1
6.4
7.1
7.7
7.0
6.0
5.1
4.4
4.0
70.9
62. 8
50.7
42. 7
51.9
62.7
67. 6
62. 2
51. 3
45. 2
42.0
40.7
39.7
38.0
35.3
27.6
15.8
13.1
14. 5
14. 3
13.9
13.5
11. 8
10.3
9.8
41.3
33.3
27. 6
23.3
23.0
27.0
28. 2
24.5
20.5
24.3
31.4
28. 4
23.0
21.2
18.6
15. 5
12.1
10.9
10.8
10.3
9.8
9.1
7.9
5.2
3.7
60.3
51. 6
43.5
38. 0
41. 5
44.7
44.4
40.5
31.5
31.1
28.8
27.1
26.1
25.0
22.9
18.7
13.2
12.3
13.0
13.3
12.7
11.6
10.2
8.7
8.2
52
M O N TH LY LABOE EEVIEW
T able 2 .—A C C ID E N T R A T E S IN T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L IN D U S T R Y , B Y D E P A R T
M E N T S A N D B Y 5-Y EA R P E R IO D S
F r e q u e n c y r a te s ( p e r 1 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 h o u r s ’ e x p o s u r e )
Period
1907 to
1908 to
1909 to
1910 to
1911 to
1912 to
1913 to
1914 to
1915 to
1916 to
1917 to
1918 to
1919 to
1920 to
1921 to
Ail
depart
ments
1911_________
1912_________
1913_________
1914________
1915________ 1
1916____ ____
1917_________
1918_________
1919_________
1920_________
1921_________
1922_________
1923_________
1924_________
1925_________
69. 2
65.1
62.1
59. 2
53.3
51. 3
48. 2
43.6
41.6
41. 1
39.5
36. 5
34.9
33.6
31. 3
Bessemer
B last
furnaces convert
ers
76.1
67.7
62.4
62. 3
50. 3
47. 8
41. 4
40. 5
39.0
38.0
36.3
34.0
32.9
30. 7
29.0
Open
hearth
101.5
79. 5
92.3
89.8
65. 0
76. 1
68. 3
60.7
57.7
53. 1
47.0
39.9
30. 5
24. 9
17.0
84.2
79.5
78.6
75.0
67.6
04.8
58.4
53.5
50. 5
50. 2
44.8
41.3
33.0
32.9
29. 9
F o un
dries
H eavy
rolling
mills
60.1
61. 5
65.1
63. 6
59. 3
57.8
60. 4
57. 0
61.0
61. 0
63. 1
CO. 4
61. 7
62. 7
03.1
Plate
mills
Sheet
mills
61.0
57. 0
51.7
46.1
39. 4
37.3
32. 1
31.1
32.4
31. 4
29.9
27. 6
23.8
21. 2
18. 1
69. 4
60.8
55. 9
49. 9
44. 7
41.5
36. 6
39.8
39. 2
38.4
37.6
36.7
31. 4
29. 4
26. 8
44.1
47. 9
49.1
51.1
48. 1
47.4
41.3
35.8
32.7
33.7
33.4
35.2
37.2
35.1
33.2
4.4
4. 2
4.0
3.6
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.4
3.9
3.5
3.3
2.9
2.4
2.3
5.1
4. 1
3.8
3. 9
3.1
3.1
S e v e r i t y r a te s ( p e r 1 , 0 0 0 h o u r s ’ e x p o s u r e )
1907 to
1908 to
1909 to
1910 to
1911 to
1912 to
1913 to
1914 to
1915 to
1916 to
1917 to
1918 to
1919 to
1920 to
1921 to
1911_________
1912_________
1913______ . . .
1914_________
1915_______
1916________
1917________
1918_________
1919..........
1920______
1921_________
1922________
1923_______
1924______
1925........... ..
5. 0
4. 3
4. 4
4.1
3. 6
3. 7
3. 7
3. 5
3. 6
3. 5
3. 4
3.1
3. 0
2.8
2. 7
10. 6
8. 8
8. 3
7. 0
0. 2
5. 8
5. 6
5. 8
5. 7
5. 7
5. 5
5. 0
4. 5
4. 6
7.6
7.4
6.7
6.4
5.3
0. 1
7. 1
7.3
6.9
6.3
5.4
4. 2
3.2
2.6
7.5
6.6
6.8
6.6
5.8
5. 5
5.1
5.8
6. 5
6.3
5.8
5.3
4.2
4. 2
4. 0
2.7
3. 1
3. 5
3.6
3.3
3. 1
3.3
3. 2
3.4
3.2
3. 2
2.7
2.7
2.8
3. 1
2.6
2.8
2.6
2.6
2. 5
2.6
2. 5
2. 5
2.4
2. 4
2.6
2.8
3.0
2.6
2.2
2.3
2.1
1.8
1.5
1.8
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.1
1.9
Tables 3 and 4 are derived from inform ation regarding the group
of iron and steel plants included in Table 1. These tables give
accident frequency rates (per 1,000,000 hours’ exposure), by causes,
from 1913 to 1925. Table 3 records changes from year to year in
the item s of the standard classification of accident causes. There
is n o t a single case in which the rate for 1925 is not lower than
th a t for 1913, usually very m uch lower. The im portant role still
played by m achinery in accident experience is indicated by the first
line of the table. In every such compilation the frequency of acci
dents due to handling is in excess of th a t from any other cause. The
percentages of decrease from 1913 to 1925 for the m ain groups of the
cause classification are as follows: M achinery, 78 per cent; vehicles,
87 per cent; ho t substances, 89 per cent; falls of person, 76 per cent;
handling, 87 per cent; unclassified, 91 per cent. Table 4 gives the
relation between the several production groups in the year 1925
and the period 1913 to 1925, by cause.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1204]
53
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
T able 3 .—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S (P E R 1,000,000 H O U R S ’ E X P O S U R E ) IN A
P O R T IO N O F T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L IN D U S T R Y , 1913 TO 1925, BY Y E A R S A N D
CA U SES
Accident cause
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925
1913
to
1925
5.4
2. 6
1. 7
.1
.8
2.8
2. 5
.2
4.5
2.0
1.2
.1
.7
2.5
2. 2
.2
4.0
1.8
1.1
.1
.6
2.2
1.9
.2
3.3
1.4
.9
.1
.4
1.9
1. 6
.2
3.4
1. 5
1.0
.1
.4
1.9
1. 5
J2
1.8
.8
.6
.1
.1
1.0
.8
.2
2.2
1.1
.8
.1
.3
1.2
1.0
.1
2.3
1.0
.7
o
.2
1.3
1.1
.1
2.0
.8
.6
C1)
.2
1.2
.9
.1
1.6
.7
.5
o
.2
.9
.7
.1
3.7
1.7
1.2
.1
.4
2.0
1.6
.2
.1
1. 7
4.5
.4
3.0
1.1
3. 7
.1
.2
.3
3.1
.1
1.7
3.6
.3
2.5
.8
3.2
.1
.3
.2
2.6
.1
Í. 3
3.0
.3
2. i
.6
2.8
.2
.2
.1
2.3
.1
Í.2
2.8
.2
2.0
.6
2.8
.1
.2
.1
2.3
.2
.1
2.5
.3
1. 8
.4
2.5
.1
.2
.1
2. 1
.1
.5
1.2
.1
.8
.2
1.7
.1
.1
.1
1.4
.1
.4
1.1
.1
.7
.3
1.5
.1
.1
0
1.3
.1
.6
1.2
(0
.9
.2
1.4
.1
.1
.1
1.1
.1
.5
.9
.1
.6
.2
1,4
.1
.1
0)
1.1
.1
.3
.6
0
.4
.1
1.1
l 1)
.1
0
.9
.2
1.1
2.6
.2
1.8
.6
2.6
.1
.2
.1
2.2
.4
.3
.4
.1
.6
21.5 15.7 12.8 11.7 iö.
6.5
8.4 6. 1 5.5 5.0 4.4 2.6
.7
3. 1 2. 1 1.7 1. 7 1.3
.9
1.4 1.2
.6
.5
.7
.8
2.5 2.0 1.4 1.4 1. 1
.1
.1
.1 .1 .1
.1
3.1 2.2 1.5 1.3 1.5 1. Ï
.8
2.9 2.0 1. 7 1.4 1.4
7.0 5.4 4.6 4.1 3.1 1.3
.1
.2
. 1 .5
.1
.1
.5
.2
.5
.4
.3
.3
1.9 1.6 1.6 1.3 1. 1 .5
.1 .2
.1 .1 .1
.4
4. 1 3.2 2.2 2.2 1.5
.6
.1
5.8
2.6
.7
#4
.8
.1
.6
.7
1.9
(>)
.1
.4
.1
1.3
.1
.1
5.5 8.8
2.3 1.9
.5
.7
.2
.4
.5
.3
.1 0
.3
.6
.8
.6
1.8 1.6
. 1 0)
.2
.3
.2
.3
.1
0)
1. 1 1.0
.1
3.4
1.5
.4
.2
.3
0)
.4
.5
1.1
0)
.1
.2
0
.8
.4
12.5
5.1
1.6
.8
1.4
.1
1.8
1.6
4.3
.1
.4
1.2
.2
2.4
G r a n d t o t a l________ 60.3 43.5 41.5 44.4 34.5 28.8 26.3 22.0 13.3 13.0 12.8 10.2
8.2
27.2
M a c h in e r y _____________ 7.3 5.0 4.9
W orking m achines_____ 3. 8 2. 7 2. 6
C aught in ................. . 2.5 1.8 1. 7
.1 .1
.1
Breakage_________
.8
.8
M oving m aterial in .. 1. 2
Cranes, e tc ... ________ 3.5 2.3 2.3
O verhead_________ 2.8 1.9 2.0
_2
.2
L o com otive.............. .3
O ther hoisting appa.2
.1
ra tu s........ ................ .4
2.3 1.9 Í. 6
V e h icles________________
H o t s u b s t a n c e s . . ______ 5.4 3.6 3.7
.2
E lectricity
________
.5
H ot m etal....... ................ . 3.6 2. Î 2.3
H o t w ater, e tc . _______ 1.3 1. 1 1. 2
F a lls o f p e r s o n s _____ _ __ 4.5 4,1 3.5
. 1 .1
From lad d ers__________ .3
.2
.2
.2
F rom scaffolds________
.1
.1
.2
In to openings ________
D ue to insecure footing.. 3.8 3.7 3.1
F a llin g m a te r ia l, n o t
o th e rw is e sp ec ified _____ 1.2
.7
.7
H a n d lin g . .
___ ____ 2«. 7 19. 4 29. 6
D ropped in handling___ 11.2 7.3 7. 6
C aught b etw een . ............ 3.4 2.6 2.6
T ru ck s___ ___________ 1.9 1.0 1.4
Lifting_________ _____ 2.5 2.3 2.5
.2
.1
Flying from to o ls. ____ .2
Sharp points and edges. . 3.8 3.4 3.8
1’ools ________ _____ 3. 7 2. 6 2.6
M is c e lla n e o u s ________ _ 13. 9 8.8 6.5
.2
.1
A sphyxiating gas______
.3
Flying, no t striking ey e. .8
.6
.6
Flying, striking eye____ 2.9 2. 1 1.7
.8
.4
H e at__________________ .9
O th e r................................ 8.0 5.1 3.7
1 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
T able 4 .—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S IN A S E C T IO N O F T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L
IN D U S T R Y , 1925 A N D 1913 TO 1925, B Y C A USES A N D P R O D U C T S
1925
M iscellaneous
steel products
Cause
M a c h in e r y ............ ..................................................
W orking m a c h in e s ...................................
Caught in ................................................
B reakage.......... .......................................
M oving material in ..................... ............
C ran es, e tc ....................... ..............................
O verhead........................... ......................
Locomotive............. .................... .............
Other hoisting apparatus.......................
V eh icles..... .............. ...............................................
H o t s u b s ta n c e s ........... ....... .................................
Electricity......... ......... .......................................
Hot m etal.......... ................................................
Hot water, e t c .. . .......... ..............................
F alls o f p e r so n s....................................................
From ladders............................................. .
From scaffolds............................................ .
Into openings...................................................
D ue to insecure footing__________ ______
F a llin g m a ter ia l, n o t o th er w ise specified.
F ab ri
cation
Sheets
8.6
2.6
2.0
.2
.4
6.0
3.7
1.5
.8
.2
.9
0)
.9
1.2
.5
.5
.7
2. 7
1 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1205]
1.2
.9
.6
0
.7
.6
.1
.1
.6
.1
.2
.3
Ï.3
.1
3.4
0
W ire
0
1.2
0
.3
.3
.2
1.
.2
.3
0)
.3
0
.5
0)
.1
0
.4
Tubes
1.2
.6
.4
0)
.2
.6
.4
.1
.1
.2
.4
0
.3
.1
.5
0
0)
0
.4
.1
G roup
A
G roup
B
1.5
.7
.4
.1
.2
.8
.7
.1
.1
.7
i.O
.1
.7
.2
1.3
0.9
.3
.2
.1
0
.1
.1
1. 1
.1
1.6
.7
.5
0
0
.6
.6
0)
0
.2
.4
0
.3
.1
.5
0
.1
.4
.1
0
0
0
.2
.9
.7
.1
.1
.3
.6
.4
.1
1.1
.1
.9
.1
54
T
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
able
4 .—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A T E S IN A S E C T IO N O F T H E IR O N A N D S T E E D
IN D U S T R Y , 1925 A N D 1913 T O 1925, B Y C A U SES A N D P R O D U C T S —C ontinued
1925
Fabri
cation Sheets
Cause
Miscellaneous
steel products
Wire
Tubes
Total
Group Group
A
B
H andling___ __________
11.2
5.1
1. 5
.6
1. 7
.1
D ropped in h a n d lin g ...
C aught b e tw e e n ...........
T ru ck s...............................
L iftin g .____ __________
Flying from tools______
¡Sharp points an d edges.
Tools..................................
M isc e lla n e o u s __________
A sphyxiating gas______
Flying, n o t strik in g eye
Flying, strik in g ey e___
H e a t...................................
O ther.................................
.3
1.9
3.1
0)
.5
.8
.2
1. 6
Grand to ta l..............
6.0
1.7
.8
.6
.3
(')
1.7
.9
2.2
.1
.3
1.8
1.2
.5
(9
.2
.2
.i
.2
.7
.1
.1
(9
.5
1.2
.7
.2
.1
(9
(9
(9
.l
.4
(9
(9
(9
(9
.2
3.9
2.2
.4
.1
.3
(9
.3
.6
1.4
.1
.2
.1
.8
1.3
.6
.3
(9
.2
(9
.1
.2
.3
(9
(9
.l
(9
.2
27.1
11.4
4.2
4.0
9.8
3.7
8,747 25,647 23,109 26, 894 46,400 25,919
W orkers........ ............... ...........
3.4
1. 5
.4
.2
.3
(9
.4
(9
(9
1.1
.1
.2
.8
8.2
156,716
1913 to 1925
M a c h in e r y _
W o rk in g m a c h in e s _______
C aught i n . . . ...... .......
B reakage-.
...
M oving m aterial in . _______
C ra n e s , e tc .
O verhead.......................
L o c o m o tiv e _______
O ther hoisting ap p aratu s
V e h icles. .
H o t s u b s ta n c e s ______
E lectricity____________
H o t m e ta l............. .
H o t w ater, etc___
F a lls o f p e r s o n ______ .
From ladders...... .........
F ro m scaffolds________
In to openings_____
D ue to insecure footing_________
F a llin g m a te ria !, n o t o th e rw is e sp ec ified ”
H a n d lin g .
D ropped in h a n d lin g ., .
C aught betw een_______
T ru ck s................
Lifting ____
Flying from tools_____
Sharp points a n d edges___
Tools_____
M isc e lla n e o u s
A sphyxiating gas........ ..........
Flying, n o t striking =eye..._.
Flying, striking eye...............
H e a t__________
O ther......... .............
G ra n d to ta l..
9.8
3. 3
2. 7
.2
.4
6.5
5. 3
.4
.8
.7
1.4
.2
1.1
.i
4.7
.2
.7
.1
3.7
.7
21.2
9. 0
4. 6
1. 1
1. 6
.4
1.0
3. 5
6,6
2.5
1.3
1. 1
.1
.1
1.2
1. 2
(9
(9
.9
2.9
.1
2.7
.3
1.8
.1
.7
1.0
2,7
.1
(9
.l
2. 5
.1
14.3
4.1
1.1
1.3
1. 1
.1
4.9
2. 0
5. 2
(9
.l
.9
.4
3.7
45.1
26.9
(9
3.7
3.«
1.8
.1
1.1
.7
.5
.i
.i
.6
1.9
.1
1.0
.8
2.9
.1
.1
.1
1.7
.4
11.9
3. 0
1.1
1.4
2.2
.1
2.8
1.3
4.4
.3
.7
.1
3.3
6.2
3.3
2.1
.2
1.0
2.9
2.2
.5
.2
1.5
2.9
.2
2.2
.5
2.9
.2
.3
.2
2.2
.4
12.0
6.3
1.5
1.0
.9
.1
.7
1.5
3.5
.1
.3
.8
.2
2.1
4.1
1.5
.9
.1
.0
2.6
2.2
.2
.2
2.4
4.4
.4
3.3
.7
3,6
.1
.2
.2
3.1
.6
17. t
8.2
2.3
.7
2.0
.1
1.4
2. 5
5.3
.2
.5
1.6
.4
2.6
24.9
29.4
37.5
(9
3.5
1.2
.7
.1
.4
2,3
1.8
.4
.1
.8
2.5
.3
1.9
.3
2.«
.1
.2
.1
1.6
.3
.2
.4
1.9
.1
3.7
1.7
1.2
.1
.4
2.0
1. 6
.2
.2
L1
2.«
.2
1.8
.6
2.6
.1
.2
.1
2.2
.4
12.5
5.1
1.6
.8
1.4
.1
1.8
1.6
4.3
.1
.4
1.2
.2
26.2
27,2
7.3
3.9
1.2
.3
.6
.1
.3
.9
3.8
1.2
2.4
1Less th a n one-tenth of 1 per cent.
Table 5 presents the usual annual review of the departm ents of
the industry. Three 5-year periods are shown and the first vear of
the fourth period.
The industry as a whole makes a very consistent record of steady
reduction both in frequency and severity. The rate of change is
growing less as tim e goes on. For example: From the first 5-year
period to the second the decline in frequency is 30 per cent; from
the second to the third it is 19 per cent; and from the third to 1925,
16 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[129GJ
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
Oí)
The m ajority of the individual departm ents show reduced rates,
A notable exception is the foundries. This departm ent has kept
alm ost identical rates from year to year in spite of the fact th a t
im portant concerns, when considered separately, show the usual
decline. I t certainly is not necessary th a t foundries should continue
to have so high a rate.
I t will be noted th a t in m ost of the departm ents the severity rate
is m uch m ore irregular than the frequency rate. This is necessarily
the case. Frequency is based on items which have a common value
and so influence the rate in the same degree. A death has the same
effect on the frequency rate as disability for one day. In severity,
however, a death influences the rate 6,000 times as m uch as a oneday disability does.
D eath is fortunately of relatively rare occurrence b u t when it
does occur has a very pronounced influence on the severity rate.
This m ay be illustrated by the plate mill departm ent. These mills
had from 1910 to 1924 an almost uniform decline in accident frequency
from period to period. In no year did more than 5 deaths occur
and in 1924 there were b u t 3. Then in 1925 there were 6 deaths.
The frequency continued to decline b u t severity w ent up to a point
nearly as high as th a t shown for the period 1910 to 1914.
W ire drawing is notable for the high severity of perm anent dis
ability. In a m ajority of departm ents the severity rate for death is
in excess of perm anent and tem porary disability taken together. In
wire drawing the higher severity rate is found in perm anent dis
ability. This is doubtless due to the hazard of becoming entangled
in the wire, which m ay easily result in the loss of a hand or other
severe injury.
Internal transportation continues to be a serious problem. Acci
dent frequency in the yards has changed for the better very m ateri
ally and accident severity has become less, bu t not very much, and
still rem ains high.
A small departm ent with a high rate is th a t of docks and ore
yards. I t m ight be supposed th a t the high rates were exceptional
and related to the small exposure if it were not for the fact of con
stancy of the rates from, period to period.
Since 1912 a continuous record has been m aintained of a group of
structural-iron workers num bering about 1,000. While there has
been a m arked im provem ent, the hazards are evidently extreme,
since in every period for which it has been possible to com pute rates
this departm ent has a higher rate than any other unless it be logging.
I t has n o t been possible to study the rate for logging on a large
enough scale and for a long enough tim e to w arrant any very positive
conclusions.
The structural-steel workers had in the period 1912 to 1914 a
frequency rate of 121.7 and a seAmrity rate of 31.4. Inspection of
the other departm ents will show th a t this is the highest rate found
anjuvhere. In 1925 the rates were: Frequency, 71.2; severity, 22.4.
This is a decline of 41 per cent in frequency and 29 per cent in
severity. This is a substantial decrease, b u t not equal to those to
be found in other hazardous departm ents.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1207]
56
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5.—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L
IN D U S T R Y , 1910 TO 1925, B Y D E P A R T M E N T S A N D P E R IO D S
A ccident
frequency
rates (per 1,000,000
h o u rs’ exposure)
A ccident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
P er
m a
D eath n en t
disa
bil
ity
P er
m a
nent
D eath disa
bil
ity
N u m b er of cases
Period
E q u iv a
lent
fullyear
workers D eath
P er
m a
nent
disa
bil
ity
T em
po
rary
disa
b ility
T o tal
T em
po
rary T o
disa tal
bil
ity
T em
po
rary T o
disa tal
bil
ity
All departm ents
1910 to 1914.._ 1, 310, 911
1915 to 1919... 1, 545, 706
1920 to 1924... 1, 839, 818
1925................. 445, 223
1,524
1,731
1,345
277
5,080 226, 305 232, 954
4, 469 186, 532 192, 732
4, 810 179,128 185, 277
1,091 36, 404 37, 772
0.4
.4
.2
.2
57.5
40.2
32.5
27.3
59.2
41.0
33.6
28.3
2.3
2.2
1.5
1.2
1.1
.8
.8
.8
0.7
.6
.5
.4
4.1
3.6
2.8
2.5
60.4
37.4
29.4
23.1
62.3
39.0
30.7
24.3
5.2
4.7
3.4
3.1
1.0
.9
.7
.9
0.8
.5
.5
.4
7.0
6.1
4.5
4.4
87.4 89.8
55.4 57.7
23.9 24.9
7.9 9.2
4.0
4.8
1.8
3.7
1.1
1.1
.4
.7
1.3
1.0
.4
.2
6.4
6.9
2.6
4.6
1.5
1. 2
.9
1.1
72.8
48.6
31.5
25.8
75.0
50..5
32.9
27.3
4.0
4.4
2.7
2.2
1.6
1.2
.9
1.0
1.0
.9
.6
.5
6.6
6.5
4.2
3.7
1.6
1.0
1.0
1.2
61.7
59.7
61. 5
64. 5
63.6
61.0
62.7
65.9
1.8
1.8
1.1
1.5
1.1
.9
.9
1.3
0.7
.7
.8
.9
3.6
3.4
2.8
3.7
1.1
.8
1.0
65.6 67.0
35.3 36.3
24.2 25.3
1.7
1.1
.9
0.7
.6
.9
0.7
.5
.4
3.1
2.2
2.2
44.4
30. 8
20. 2
15.0
2. 1
2.4
1.3
1.6
0.9
1.9
.6
1.1
0.6
.5
.4
.3
3.6
3.9
2.3
3.0
1.3
1.0
.9
.8
B last furnaces
1910 to 1914.._
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925.................
126, 582
133,166
123, 854
25, 819
324
317
211
40
366
312
251
51
22, 578
15,287
10, 910
1, 789
23, 268
15, 916
11,372
1,880
0.9
.8
.6
.5
1.0
.8
.7
.7
Bessemer converters
1910 to 1914__
28,101
1915 to 1919...
25, 645
1920 to 1924... . 26,147
1925...............
4,834
57
62
24
9
146
112
53
10
7, 367
4,262
1,876
115
0.7
.8
.3
.6
7, 570
4, 436
1,953
134
1.7
1.5
.7
.7
Open hearth
1910 to 1914.._
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925..................
71, 293
86,175
107, 820
22, 837
143
191
148
25
333
317
278
73
15, 809
12, 563
10,191
1,769
0.7
.7
.5
.4
16, 285
13, 071
10, 617
1,867
Foundries
1910 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925..................
95, 917
92,746
149, 441
35, 570
84
84
81
27
449
227
459
128
17, 765
16, 604
27, 569
6, 877
0.3
.3
.2
.3
18, 298
16, 965
28,109
7,032
B ar mills
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925................
24, 081
17,666
4, 471
20
10
2
77
44
13
4,745
1,869
324
4,842
1, 923
339
0.3
.2
.2
H eavy rolling mills
1910 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
67, 663
75, 166
74, 944
16, 553
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
74
91
.50
13
261
275
180
50
9,007
6,950
4. 546
747
9,342
7,316
4,776
810
[1208]
0.4
.4
.2
.3
1.3
1.2
.8
1.0
46.1
32. 4
21.2
16.3
57
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY
T able 5 .—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L
IN D U S T R Y , 1910 TO 1925, B Y D E P A R T M E N T S A N D P E R IO D S —C ontinued
A ccident
frequency
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
A ccident severity rates
(per 1,000 h o u rs’ ex
posure)
Per
m a
nent
D eath disa
bil
ity
Per
m a
nent
D eath disa
bil
ity
N u m b er of cases
Period
E q u iv a
lent
Per
fullm a
year
w orkers D eath nent
disa
bil
ity
T em
po
rary
disa
bility
T otal
T em
po
rary T o
disa tal
bil
ity
T em
po
rary T o
disa tal
bil
ity
Plate mills
1910 to 1914.._
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
27,711
35,073
37,891
5, 734
19
25
22
105
89
98
15
3,129
4,016
3, 214
370
0.3
.2
.2
.4
3, 253
4, 130
3, 334
391
1.6 ' 48.0 49.9
.8 38.2 39.2
. 9 28.3 29.4
.9 21.5 22.7
1.8
1. 4
1. 2
2. 1
1.4
.6
.8
1.2
0.7
5
.4
.4
3. S
2.5
2.4
3.7
"
Puddling mills
1917 to 1919...
1920 to 1924 ..
1925........ .........
8,460
4,406
1,108
4
15
9
6
1,082
797
166
0.2
1,101
806
172 —
0.6
.7
1.8
42.6 43.4
60.3 61. 0
49.9 51.7
0.9
0.4
.8
2.8
0.6
1. 1
.9
l.S
1.9
3.7
1.5
.9
.8
37. 7 39. 5
22. 7 23.7
16.7 17.8
1.8
.6
1.4
1.3
.8
1.0
0.5
.4
3.6
1.7
2.7
R od mills
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
15,218
14, 425
2,907
14
4
2
70
37
7
1,721
982
146
1,805
1,023
155
0.3
.1
.2
3
Sheet mills
1910 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
128,423
104, 335
121, 552
32, 043
88
37
.50
10
308
172
278
56
19, 262
10, 034
12, 479
3, 096
0.2 0.9
.1
.5
. 1 .8
.1
6
19, 658
10, 243
12, 807
3.162
50. 0
32. 1
34. 2
32.2
51. 1
32.7
35. 1
32. 9
1. 4
.7
.8
.6
0.6
.4
.7
.5
0.6
.4
.6
.6
2.6
1.6
2.1
1.7
39.2
21. 4
21. 7
14.9
40. 5
22.4
22.7
15.9
1.0
1.0
.9
.8
0.7
.5
.6
.6
0.5
.3
.4
.3
2.2
1.8
1.9
1.7
71.8
41.0
38.4
23. 2
73.3
41.9
39.6
24. 1
1.7
1.0
1. 0
.7
1.1
.5
1. 1
.5
0.9
.6
.6
.4
3.7
2. 1
2.7
1.6
78.3
54.3
51.5
18.2
79.9
55.2
52.7
18.9
1. 7
1.5
1.0
.4
0.9
.5
.8
.9
0.8
.6
.6
.4
3.4
2.6
2.4
1.7
T ube mills
1910 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
73,338
75,108
104, 577
25, 511
36
38
45
10
249
178
268
64
8, 623
4. 825
6, 815
1,142
8, 90S
5,041
7, 128
1,216
0.2
.2
.I
.1
1. 1
.8
.9
8
Unclassified rolling mills
1910 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
104, 829
102, 696
109, 555
26, 353
82
53
55
9
360
218
345
59
21, 501
12, 644
12, 631
1,836
21, 943
12,915
13, 027
1,904
0.3
.2
.2
.i
1.2
.7
1.0
.8
Fabrication
1910 to 1914..
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
108, 538
80,985
89,880
15, 718
98
59
47
3
20358°—26t----- 5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
425
162
26E
35
25,506
13, 195
13, 879
857
26, 029
13, 417
14,195
895
[1209]
0.3
.2
.2
.1
1.3
.7
1.0
.7
58
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5.—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN T H E TRON 4.ND S T E E L
IN D U S T R Y , 1910 TO 1925, B Y D E P A R T M E N T S A N D P E R IO D S —C ontinued
A ccident
frequency
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
N u m b er of cases
Period
E q u iv a
lent
fullyear
w orkers D eath
Per
m a
nent
disa
bil
ity
T em
po
rary
disa
bility
Permanent
D eath disability
T o tal
Ternporary T o
disa- tal
bility
A ccident sev erity rates
(per 1,000 h ours’ exposure)
Perman ent
D eath disability
Ternporary Todisa- tal
bility
Forge shops
1910 to 1914.
1916 to 1919.
1920 to 1924.
1925_______
6,249
12, 667
8,901
3, 794
»!
9:
41
3|
1
19
45
34
11
1,080
2, 189
1,596
893
1,107
2, 243
1,634
907
0.4
.2
.1
.3
1.0
1.2
1.3
1.0
57.6
57.6
59.8
78. 5
59.0
59.0
61. 2
79.7
2.6 i 0.6
1.4 1. 1
.9 1.2
1.6
.9
0.7
.9
.9
.8
3.9
3.4
3.0
,3
63.5
43.7
22.6
22.7
1
65.7!
45. 8!
24. 0
23.9
1
0.7
.5
.4
.3
1.9
1.6
1.5
1.2
0.6
.5
.4
.4
3. 2
2. 6
2.3
1.9
47.1
40.3
20.5
13.2
4.6
5.7
2.4
3.0
1.2
1.0
.3
.6
0. 5|
. 5,
.31
.3!
6. 3
7. 2
3. 0
3.9
61.01
39.9
22. 61
15. 6!
62.7
41. 3
23.7
16.5
2. l!
2.0;
1. 7j
1.7,
1. 1
1.0
.7
■7
0.8
.5
.4
.3
4.0
3.5
2.8
2.7
22. éj
18. 6;
11. 3i
14. 5j
23.5
19.8
11.9
15.0
:
1
1.5! 0.8
4.1
.6
1.8
.3
1.4
.3
0.3
.3
.2
.3
2. 6
5. 0
2. 3
2.0
48.6
35. a
25. 0
32. 8^
50. 8
37.5
26.4
34.3
4.0
3.9
2. 5
3. 1
.6
.4
.6
6.0
6.1
4.1
5.3
41. 4 43. 1
24. 1 25. 4
14. 1 14.7
6. 2 7.0
4.1
4. 6
1. 4
1. 1
0. 6
.4
.2
.2
6. 2
5. 5
2.3
2.2
W ire draw ing
1910 to 1914.
1915 to 1919.
1920 to 1924.
1925_______
59, 481
52, 666
62,614'
13, 758
I
21!
12;
11!
2:
1
383
321
250
11, 504
6,912
4,246
938
11,908
7,245
4, 507
987
0.1
.1
.1
.1
47
2.1
2.0
1.3
1. 1
Electrical departm ent
1910 to 1914.
1915 to 1919.
1920 to 1924.
1925...............
14, 921
16, 023
19, 339
4, Oil
33i
46
23
1
48
40
21
5
1, 957
1,851
1, 141
148
2, 038,
1,937
1,185
159
0.8
1.0
.4
.5
1.1
.8
.4
.4
45.2
38. 5
19. 7
12. 3
M echanical d ep artm ent
1910 to 1914.
1915 to 1919.
1920 to 1924.
1925.............
97,161
154, 846
162,121
36, 666
104
154
138
31
392 17, 794!
492, 18, 556]
366! 10,996!
71
1, 717!
18, 292
19, 202|
11, 510j
1, 819;
0.4
.3
.3
.3
1.3
1. 1
.8
.7
Pow er houses
1910 to 1914.
1915 to 1919.
1920 to 1924.
1925_______
8,083
13, 219
18, 878
4, 218
6
27!
17
3!
!
21
21
18
4
544
739
638
183
571
787
673
190
0.2
.7
.3
.2
0.9;
.5]
.3
1
Y ards
1910 to 1914.
1915 to 1919.
1920 to 1924.
1925........... .
55,932
53,890
42, 546
7,683
1
Ili!
106!
53!
Ì
243
258
125
24|
8,112
5,685
3,190
755
8,467!
6,049
3,366
791
0.7
.7
.4
.5
J
1.6
1.0;
L0]
1.4
1.6
1. 2
1.6
Coke ovens
1912 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
13,282
28, 901
37,409
7,599
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
27
66
26
4
39
44
45
14
1,651
2,095
1, 577
142
1,717
2, 205
1, 648
160
[ 1210]
0.7
.8
.2
.2
j
.5!
.4]
1
kJ
. 5i
.7
'9i
59
ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE OF IRON AND STEED IN D U STR Y
T able 5.-—A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y A N D S E V E R IT Y R A T E S IN T H E IR O N A N D S T E E L
IN D U S T R Y , 1910 TO 1925, BY D E P A R T M E N T S A N D P E R IO D S —C ontinued
Accident
frequency
rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
N um ber of cases
Period
E q u iv a
len t
fullP er
year
m a
workers D eath nent
disa
bil
ity
T em
po
rary
disa
bility
P er
ma
en t
D eath ndisa
bil
ity
T otal
Aceident severity rates
(per 1,000 hours’ ex
posure)
T em
po
rary T o
disa tal D eath
bil
ity
Per
m a
nent
disa
bil
ity
T em
po
rary T o
disa tal
bil
ity
Axle works
1012 to 1914—
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925..................
1,326
2,467
2,764
436
2
2
4
4
1
438-Î
338Í
175
6
444’
342:
178Í
6
0. 5
1. 0 110. 1 111. 6
45. 7 46. 2
.1 21.1 21.5
4. 6 4. 6
.21
!
3.0
1.4
A
1; 2]
(1) 1
1.6
.7
.3
.1
6.7
1. 9
1.7
.1
1.3
1.0
.7
4.7
3.9
2.3
1.9
i
[
Gar wheels
1912 to 1914—
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1 9 2 5 -....____
2,367
5 ,904j
5,050:
931;
3
7
3-
15
18
10
3
609'
1,313
5951
69,
0.4
.4
•2
627
1,338
608
72
2. 1
1.0
.7
1.1
85.8
74. 1
39.3
24.7
88.3 !
2.5
75.5 i
2.4
40. 2 !
t-2
25.8 . . . . . . .
I
0. 9’
.5;
.4
L1
.6
Docks and ore yards
1911 to 1914—
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925________
1,293
1,383
1, 761
388
3
6
4
2
11
12
12
139
175
57
7
153
193
73
9
|j
4. 6 2.8:
8. 7\ 4. ll
4. 5: 5. 8|
10. 3).
1
0.
8.2
.5j 13.3
.3 10. 6
.3 10.6
24. 1
18. 1
15. 6
19. 2
2.6
2.5¡
2.2!
1.8
1. 0
1.8
31. 2 33.4
20. 11 21. 4
27.1 27. 7
i
0.3
.3
1.6
1. 2
.2
0.3
.3
.4
1.9
1. 1
1.0
26. 5 28. 5
18.0 19.2
15. 2 16.3
0.4
.6
1.3
1.0
1.6
1
0.31 2.0
.2! 1.8
.2! 1.8
0.4
.8
35.8 36.3
39.2 40.1
0.7
1.0
0.4
.7
0.5
.6
1.6
2.3
|.
34.8! 35.9
31, 5-' 32.6
26. 8 27. 7
1.6
1.2
.7
1.3
.9
.7
0.5
.5
.4
3.4
2.6
1.8
0. 8! 2.8
1.4 2.9
.8 2.3
35.8 39.4
42.2 46.5
10.8 13.9
6.0 7.7
‘’ I Structural-steel erection
191:2 to 1914...
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924.._
1925____ : ____
2,157
4, 979
3,720
937
26
45
29
9
24
35
35
3
738
1,522
1.026
188
788:1
1.602
1. 090 !
200; j
4.0
3.0
2. 6
3.2
[
3. 7 114.0(121. 7
2.3 101. 9(107. 2
3. 1 91. 8 97. 5
1.1 66.9 71.2
1.0
W oven-wire fence
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924...
1925............
7,311
6, 623
1,290
1
1
47 j
24
2
684
399
105
732
424
107
0. 1
.1
!
2. 1
1. 2
.5
N ails and staples
1915 to 1919...
1920 to 1924—
1925.............
9,818
10,890
1,925
1920 to 1924—
1925________
I
30,018!
7, 773
2
3
56
37
6
782
588
88
840
628
94
0.1
.1
H ot mills
11
4
39
19
3, 223
913
3, 273
936
0.1
.2
Unclassified
1915 to 1919__
1920 to 1924__
1925...... ..........
293,329
425, 704
132, 291
237
706
265 1,186
45
308
30,612
40,275
10, 648
31, 555
41, 736
11,001
i Less th a n one-tenth of 1.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1211]
0.3 0. 8
.2
.9
. 1 .8
60
M O N TH LY LABOE KEVIEW
The general impression derivable from the addition of the year
1925 to the record is th a t there are still large areas of the industry
in which im portant im provem ents are possible. The m ost successful
plants are reaching a point where only very strenuous effort will
produce notable results. I t would appear th a t special drives for
record periods w ithout lost-time accidents are proving a useful
method.
B u ild in g C o n s tr u c tio n W ith o u t A c c id e n t
N V IEW of the fact th a t the construction industry is one having
extremely high accident rates, an account in Labor and Industry,
September, 1926 (p. 26), published by the Pennsylvania D epart
m ent of Labor and Industry, giving the m ethods followed in the
construction of a six-story building in Allentown, Pa., which was
erected w ithout a single lost-time accident, is of interest.
The work on the building was followed closely from the s ta rt by
one of the State inspectors, who was able to secure the fullest coopera
tion from the construction company. As the structural-iron workers
progressed each floor was covered with 2 by 10 inch oak planks and
guard rails were installed around the outside edge of each floor. The
men pouring concrete were not allowed to s ta rt work on a floor until
the guard rails were in place, and the rails also served to protect
electricians, plumbers, and laborers whose work required them to
work near the floor edges.
M en working below the suspended scaffolds were protected from
falling objects by catch scaffolds, and wire mesh was installed on the
swinging scaffolds to prevent bricks from falling over the toe boards.
Signals for operating the hoist wTere given by only one m an, who was
stationed below the hoist with full power to stop everyone from riding
on the hoist.
As stated before, the building was completed w ith no time lost on
account of accidents, no extra money wras expended, and the con
struction company was several days ahead of its schedule.
I
S a fe ty W o rk in t h e S h ip p in g I n d u s tr y 1
PA PER showing the need for organized saftey work in the
shipping industry, which was read a t the third annual Pacific
Coast Safety Congress, gives an account of a prelim inary survey
of the accident situation among m arine and longshore workers and
of the safety program the shipping industry of California proposes to
carry out.
W ith the exception of one or two attem pts a t organized safety
work, notably th a t of the welfare committee of the Lake C arriers’
Association, little has been done toward accident prevention in the
shipping industry. Safety work on the G reat Lakes was inaugurated
by the Lake Carriers’ Association during the war, when increased use
of this form of transportation for conveying the needed iron ore and
grain and the lack of skilled men had resulted in a large num ber of
A
! Pacific M arine Review , San Francisco, October. 1926.
by J. J. Rosedale.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
1212 ]
“ Introducing safety to th e shipping in d u stry ,”
PH Y SIC AL EXAM INATIONS OF STREET-RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
61
injuries. After several years the results of the safety program have
been shown to be a reduction of 40 per cent in the cost of accidents
and of about 80 per cent in the num ber of f atalities.
Shipowners on the A tlantic and Pacific coasts have m aintained
th a t the m ethods adopted in the G reat Lakes could not be used by
them because of differences in m ethods of operation. In 1924,
however, a safety m ovement was started on the Pacific coast by
the W aterfront Em ployers’ Association of Seattle and has operated
very successfully, with approxim ately a 30 per cent reduction in
accidents. As a result of this success a survey was begun recently
by the shipping industry of California to determ ine the special
hazards of the industry w ith a view to form ulating a safety program .
In this survey, which was planned to cover the entire shipping indus
try of the S tate both ashore and afloat, an a ttem p t was made to
find out if the shipowners had any proper m ethod of m aking out
accident reports and keeping records of the cost and the num ber of
accidents. I t was found th a t only a few of the larger concerns
have adequate records, while the m ajority of shipowners keep no
records a t all, so th a t it was impossible to secure statistics showing
the extent of the accident hazard. The causes of 2,608 accidents
were reported, however, and analysis of these reports showed th a t
19.8 per cent were the result of handling cargo by hand, 23.1 per
cent were caused by m achinery and ships gear, 29.1 per cent by
falls and falling objects, and 4.7 per cent by trucks and tractors,
while the rem ainder were due to burns, strains, nail punctures, infec
tions, and miscellaneous causes.
Three serious accidents were reported by one company, one costing
the company $20,000, which were caused by the rem oval of hatch
covers, the openings being covered with loose tarpaulins. This same
com pany had three additional serious accidents within two years,
one costing it $12,000, which were the result of the practice of
leaving hatch beams loose. Im proper m ethods of using gear and
puttin g too great a load on the gear were other causes of accidents
which resulted in serious injuries to members of the crews.
The tentative plans of the com m ittee for a perm anent safety pro
gram include the use of a standard form of accident report by ship
owners, establishm ent of safety committees on ships and a t the
clocks, periodic inspection of ships a t the principal ports by the
safety departm ent, reports for the operating and safety dep art
ments, made out for each ship before landing a t the dock, which
will show the condition of all equipm ent on the ship; instruction
in first aid on board ship and to stevedores and organization of
first-aid teams w ith occasional com petitive first-aid m eets; and the
issuing of safety bulletins to ships’ crews and longshoremen.
P h y s ic a l E x a m in a tio n s of S tr e e t- R a ilw a y E m p lo y e e s 1
N A R T IC L E in a recent issue of the Electric Railway Journal
gives the results of the examination of 900 men ranging from
50 to 76 years of age employed in the operating departm ent of
the Boston E levated Railway.
A
i Electric R ailw ay Journal, N ew Y ork, Oct. 16, 1926.
Dr. B enjam in E . Sibley.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1213]
“ Physical exam inations of employees,”
by
62
M O N TH LY LABOE REVIEW
The company has recently adopted the policy of animal physical
examinations for car and train operators when they reach the age of
•r,0, as after this age the appearance of changes in arteries, h e a rtla n d
kidneys necessitates a change in personal habits and hygiene if the
effects of these changes are to be minimized or retarded. The yearly
physical examination has been found to stim ulate the interest of the
men and to impress them w ith the im portance of following the advice
given. W ithout the regular “ follow-up” the advice given by the
doctor is often forgotten and nothing is done until some serious con
dition causing disability develops. The experience of the company
has been th a t the spirit of appreciation and cooperation is growing
among the men and th a t there is an increasing num ber who return
each year with pathological conditions corrected. This is partly due
to the realization by the men th a t the examination is n o t given for
the purpose of laying them off b u t to keep them in health and on the
job longer. Each m an examined is told the results of th e examina
tion, and if treatm ent is needed he is referred to his own physician.
He is given a report form covering heart, urine, and blood pressure to
be filled out by his doctor, so th at a further observation and check-up
on w hether medical aid has been sought is obtained.
The examination is not a long one, but includes a test of eyes and
ears and the condition of the teeth, heart, lungs, blood pressure, and
urine, and hernia and varicose veins are noted. In cases where a
condition is found which makes it unsafe to run cars or trains men are
laid off and given other work until in better condition, while men who
are not really unfit but who nevertheless are not good risks are kept
under observation and are reexamined a t frequent intervals.
Of the 900 men examined 25 per cent had bad teeth, m any more
poor teeth, and nearly all showed almost complete neglect of the
teeth. N ext to high blood pressure bad teeth present the most
im portant pathological condition because it is the m ost prevalent
and is a factor in causing derangements of the digestion, heart and
arterial trouble, and rheum atism . Twenty-one per eent of those
examined had varicose veins, which, however, were not in any case
causing disability; 16 per cent had hernia; 7 lA per cent had heart
trouble; 3 per cent had some bronchial affection; and 3 per cent had
albumin and 2 per cent sugar in the urine.
High blood pressure— th a t is, systolic pressure of 180 or over—was
present in 9 per cent, and of these hypertension cases 23 per cent
showed pathological heart conditions, 4 per cent heart conditions and
albumin, and 9 per cent albumin with no heart pathology. This
group therefore had a considerable num ber of cases in which sclerotic
changes in the arteries, the heart, and the kidneys were the cause of
the high blood pressure. On the other hand, m any in this group owed
their hypertension to faulty habits of diet and resulting overweight,
and to the excessive use of tobacco, tea, and coffee, in which case the
high blood pressure could readily be helped. The la tte r group it was
considered received probably the greatest service from the 37early
examination, as it prevented the development of later chronic and
incurable organic changes.
The employees suffering from high blood pressure are the most
im portant from the standpoint of safe operation of the cars, especially
since m any of the older men who were formerly conductors have
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1214]
EYE CONSERVATION IN INDUSTRY
63
become one-man car operators. Two years ago 76 men who had
systolic blood pressure ranging from 200 to 250 and diastolic from 120
to 140 were selected for observation. These men were under tre a t
m ent by their own doctors during this time. A t the end of the two
years one-fourth of the men had either died or been retired on a pen
sion, p a rt of the deaths being due to “ shock” or h eart failure. A
serious risk is involved in any group which loses 25 per cent of its
personnel in so short a time if they are engaged in operating street
railway cars or trains, as it is only a m atte r of chance whether some
of these men will die while running their cars.
Although it is no t easy to fix a hard-and-fast rule as to blood pres
sure limits, since the condition of the heart, kidneys, and the general
health should be considered, certain limits have been fixed by the
com pany as a sort of rough working standard. No m an with a di
astolic pressure of 120 or more is perm itted to operate a car or train,
nor with a systolic pressure of 200 or over unless he has a diastolic
below 120. M ore stress is laid upon the diastolic than upon the sys
tolic pressure, as the men who have died have had high diastolic
readings while none of those with high systolic b u t relatively low
diastolic pressures have died.
------ ----------- --
Eye C on servation in In d u stry
H E im portance of the use of goggles in the prevention of serious
eye accidents is the subject of an article on “ Saving eyes and
eyesight,” by Joshua E. H annum in Industrial Psychology,
October, 1926. Such accidents are among the m ost serious which
can happen to industrial workers, as they entail not only suffering,
loss of time, and expense, b u t also perm anent disability and decrease
or loss of earning power.
In the prevention of eye accidents cooperation between the m an
agement, the foreman, and the workm an is necessary. I t is gener
ally accepted th a t it is the duty of managers to furnish protection to
workmen, b u t in the m atter of safeguarding the eyes the objection
of the workmen to wearing goggles frequently has to be overcome,
and this often requires great resourcefulness, patience, and perse
verance.
One of the m ost im portant reasons for the reluctance of workers
to wear goggles is defective vision, which is often unsuspected both
by the m anagem ent and by the individual himself. Goggles m ust,
of course, be fitted so th a t they are comfortable to wear, but unless
they correct defects of vision their function is only partially fulfilled.
After the proper corrective lenses have been provided and the goggles
properly fitted to the face the problem becomes prim arily educa
tional and calls for persistent and painstaking education of work
man, gang boss, foreman, and executive. In order to carry on an
effective eye-safety campaign it m ust be planned both for perm a
nency and efficiency, as tem porary drives are not so successful in
accomplishing lasting results as persistent and unrem itting efforts.
Preventive measures include elimination of eye hazards at their
source through the use of various types of mechanical safeguards,
engineering revision (as, for example, changing a m anufacturing
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1215]
64
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
process, redesigning a machine or tool, rearranging the physical
equipm ent, changing the m ethod of work, or replacing hand-operated
with autom atic machines), and education.
In organizing an eye-protection program it is necessary first to
make a careful survey of operating conditions, noting the various
hazards, after which mechanical safeguards should be installed or
engineering changes made. E ducating the worker in eye protection
should include meetings by departm ents and mass meetings in which
employees should be warned of the special hazards to which they are
exposed, and the policy of the company in regard to the care of eyes
should be stated. Intensive drives for a “ No eye-accident w eek”
should be m ade frequently, and it is im portant in such a campaign
to see whether goggles are furnished for the various jobs where they
are necessary, to examine each employee’s goggles to see if they fit
properly and give adequate protection, and in cases where employees
object to wearing goggles to investigate each case prom ptly and
carefully. One m an in each safety organization should be instructed
in the use and care of goggles and should be in charge of their distri
bution, repair, adjustm ent, and sterilization. The cooperation of
the foremen in the effort to make the men wear the goggles should
be secured, arid it should be their constant duty to see th a t they are
worn by the men.
E ach new employee, when employed on a job for which goggles
are needed, should be given an eyesight test, and if correction is
needed the corrective lenses should be used in the goggles, and the
goggles should be fitted to give as much comfort as possible. Dif
ferent styles of approved types of goggles should be provided by the
company from which selections can be made. There are four dif
ferent m ethods which m ay be followed in supplying goggles to the
employees. They m ay be furnished to the men w ithout charge; the
workmen m ay be required to pay for them , either partially or entirely,
on the assum ption th a t they will then be better appreciated; a
deposit m ay be required when they are issued and returned when
they are turned in; or a charge m ay be made if goggles are carelessly
lost or broken.
A djustm ent of the goggles to the face should include proper fitting
of the nose piece, avoidance of tension in the adjustm ent of the
headband, which should not be worn around the middle of the head,
as it frequently causes headaches, and avoidance of pressure on the
temples. M etal cases for the goggles should be provided and should
be sterilized as well as the goggles before being given out. Employees
should not be allowed to exchange goggles unless they have been
sterilized, because of the danger of spreading infectious diseases.
Frequent inspection of goggles is necessary in order to make sure
th a t they are in good condition, in some plants a daily inspection
being desirable.
If, after all such measures have been taken, employees still refuse
to be careful, the only alternative is discipline, the penalty for not
wearing goggles in hazardous occupations or places being im m ediate
discharge or a tem porary lay-off w ithout pay for a first offense.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1216]
FATAL ACCIDENTS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES
65
F a ta litie s in th e C aliforn ia P e tr o le u m I n d u str y
R E PO R T of the U nited States Bureau of Mines, Serial No.
2772, gives the num ber and causes of fatal accidents occurring
in the petroleum industry of California in 1925. During
the year there were 59 fatalities in all branches of the petroleum
industry, as compared w ith 61 in 1924. B oth the drilling and pro
ducing and the pipe-line and transportation divisions showed a
considerable reduction in the num ber of fatalities, while there were
large increases in the num ber of fatal accidents in the refinery and in
the sales and m arketing divisions. In 1924 there were 44 fatal
accidents in the drilling and producing division, and in 1925, 31
such accidents, a reduction of 29.55 per cent. The production per
death in 1925 was 7.43 millions of barrels as compared w ith 5.23
in the preceding year. The am ount of oil produced in 1925 was
approxim ately the same as in 1924, so th a t the large reduction in the
num ber of fatal accidents in the drilling and producing division is
considered to be significant of the progress made in safety work in
the oil fields.
T he following table shows the num ber of men killed in the drilling
and producing fields of California, the am ount of oil produced, and
the production per fatality expressed in millions of barrels of oil
fo r the years 1917 to 1925:
A
F A T A L IT IE S , P R O D U C T IO N , A N D P R O D U C T IO N P E R D E A T H IN T H E C A L IF O R N IA
O IL F IE L D S , 1017 TO 1925
N u m Oil produc
ber of tion (bar
d e ath s
rels)
Year
1917
1918______________
1919
1920_______ ___ _
1921______________
1922 . .
14
23
16
20
26
34
97,267, 832
101, 637, 870
101,221, 784
105, 721,186 '
114,849,924
139, 626,876
Produc
tion per
death
(barrels)
6,950,000
4 ,420,000
6, 330, 000
5; 280,000
4,420,000
4,110, 000
Year
Produc
N u m Oil produc tion
per
ber of tion (bar
death
d e ath s
rels)
(barrels)
1923 ........................
1924______________
1925............ ..............
A v e ra g e , 19171925___________
59
44
31
263, 728, 895
230', 063', 117
230,147,342
4,460,000
5, 230,000
7,430,000
29. 6
153, 807, 203
5,180,000
A decided im provem ent in the provision of safeguards is shown by
the fact th a t less than half as m any fatalities were due to lack of
proper protective devices as in 1924. Six or seven of the 31 fatalities,
it is stated, m ight have been avoided by the installation of safeguards,
while 5 of the accidents were the result of gross carelessness on the
p a rt of those killed.
A study of the accidents by cause shows th a t 5 of the accidents in
the drilling and producing division were caused by m achinery, 1 by
handling m aterials, 3 by falls of persons, 8 by falling objects, 6 by
automobiles and trucks, 4 by burns, and the rem aining 4 were due
to miscellaneous causes.
F a ta l A c cid en ts in V ariou s C o u n tries 1
C O M PILA TIO N of fatal accident rates in various countries
including the U nited States, in 1911 and the latest years for
which data are available, is contained in a report of the com
m ittee on public accident statistics of the N ational Safety Council
A
i N ational Safety Council.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T h e toll of public accidents.
[1217]
Chicago, 1926.
•MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
recently made public.
report:
The following statem ents are taken from this
* During the year 1925 there occurred in the United States, according to the
estim ate of th e com mittee, nearly 90,000 deaths from accidents of all kinds.
The significance of this heavy toll may be seen clearly when comparison is made
w ith the figures available for other countries of th e world. The latest available
figures for th e U nited States which can be compared w ith d ata for other countries
are those for 1924. In th a t year in the U nited States registration S tates there
occurred 76.2 fatal accidents per 100,000 of population. In England and Wales
during the same year the death rate for all accidents was only 34.1 per 100,000
of population. This means th a t fatal accidents in th e U nited States occur nearly
two and one-quarter tim es as frequently as they do in England. For Scotland
th e death rate for all accidents combined was 45.2 per 100,000 in 1924, and for
A ustralia th e ra te in th a t year was 48.
The latest available d ata for other countries relate to th e years 1922 and 1923.
In New Zealand the rate for fatal accidents in 1923 was 46.1 per 100,000, and for
Canada 56.5 per 100,000. In 1922 Belgium showed a fatal accident rate of 28.3
per 100,000, and Norway a rate of 39.6 per 100,000. These international figures
show the trem endous m argin which exists between th e accident death rate in
this country and th e rates prevailing in other civilized countries of th e world.
A com parative review of tn e latest available facts for th e several countries is
shown in the accom panying table. We show also similar d ata for th e vear 1911.
An item of interest in this table is the substantial decline shown in th e death
rates for accidental falls, burns, drownings, steam railroad accidents, and acci
dents arising o u t of the operation of street cars. Safety campaigns in industry,
for the protection of life on steam railways and in th e operation of street cars,
have shown substantial results in lowered death rates in th e principal countries
of the world. But for automobile accidents the death rate has risen, and this
item in the accident record now assumes first importance. In th e U nited States
the death ra te for automobile accidents and injuries in 1924 was more th an seven
times th a t which prevailed in 1911; in England and Wales th e automobile ac
cident death rate of 1924 was nearly four tim es th a t for 1911. While th e au to
mobile accident death rates for th e year 1911 in both th e U nited States and
England and Wales were alm ost th e same, there was a very wide divergence in
1924; in the U nited States th e rate was 15.6 deaths per 100,000 and in England
and Wales only 6.5 deaths per 100,000.
D E A T H R A T E S P E R 100,000 P O P U L A T IO N F O R S P E C IF IE D A C C ID E N T S IN C E R T A IN
C O U N T R IE S
'
A ccidents caused b y —
C o u n try and year
U n ite d States registration States:
1024___________
1911 ______
E ngland a n d W ales:
1924 _____ ______
1911......................
Scotland:
1924..................
1911________
Belgium:
1922........................
1911______
N ew Zealand:
1923___________
1911.......................
A ustralia:
1924........... .......
1911 ........ ..
C anada:
1923................................
1911. ..............
N orw ay:
1922____________ .
1911_________
'_______________________________________________ _
1 Includes conflagration.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Total
acci
dents
Falls
76.2
84.6
13. l
15.0
0.9
34.1
. 45. 5
7.1
4.0
G8
45.2
55. 2
i 5
5.2
Steam
B urns D row n rail
ings
roads
0
9 1
in
AU. a
O
3.1
2. G
3. 6
46.1
46.4
2.8
2.2
39 e
26 8
iq A
AO.
1 0a; U
7.8
50
7 0
39.6
47. 1
■
4 **
z'3'4
1
1 n
3 .8
2 Includes scalds.
112181
18
y
0
16. 0
0
0
( 3)
0
6.6
4. 3
Q. Q
V
it
V )
30
0
0
**
5. 4
0
0
©
0
0
a
v )
•£
0 )
74 . 4A
on
1
.2
•1
A Q
3.1
4.4
6.7
1.6
6
1 6,8
2 8. 5
3. 6.
6.6
Cl
15.6
4 0
28.3
34.7
56. 5
0
Street
cars
AO. U
7i . 1
0
Q
0
0. 0
9.5
48.0
66.1
6 0
5
0.
A
O. A
A uto
m o
biles
» D a ta not available.
0
0
0
0
.9
INDUSTRIAL POISONS AND DISEASES IN BRITISH FACTORIES
(3 /
E n g lis h L im ita tio n s o n W e ig h t L if tin g b y H a n d in t h e
W o o len I n d u s tr y
H E English magazine, W elfare W ork (London), for October,
1926, is authority for the statem ent th a t the English Govern
m ent has issued d raft regulations setting the m aximum weight
which m ay be lifted either by a person lifting by hand by himself or
by persons lifting by hand in conjunction w ith others in woolen and
worsted textile factories. The weights perm itted are as follows,
those in column (1) applying to cases where the m aterial to be lifted
is a reasonably com pact and rigid body, and those in column (2) to
cases where it is not:
T
(i>
(2)
Pounds
Pounds
M an_________________
150
W oman_ :______ __________ __________________ :________ ______
65
Male young person over 16 and under 18years of age_________ 65
Female young, person under 18: years of a g e .._________________
50
Male young person under 16 years of age-------------------------50
120
50
50
40
40
I n d u s t r i a l P o is o n s a n d D ise a se s in B r itis h F a c to rie s
H E report of the chief inspector of factories and workshops in
G reat B ritain for the year 1925 contains the report of Sir
Thom as Legge, senior medical inspector of factories, showing
the causes and extent of industrial diseases and poisoning among
B ritish factory workers.
The following table shows the num ber of cases of diseases resulting
from the use of some of the more im portant industrial poisons from
1906 to 1925:
T
NUM BER
OE C A SES OF P O IS O N IN G A N D OP C E R T A IN IN D U S T R IA L D IS E A S E S
R E P O R T E D IN G R E A T B R IT A IN , 1906 TO 1925
Average
Disease
Lead poisoning:
___ _ __ _______________
Cases
D e a th s ________ _______
_________
Phosphorus poisoning* Cases
A rsenic poisoning:
Cases
_____________ _____ __________
D eaths
_ _____________________
M ercury poisoning: Cases _______________
Carbon bisulphide poisoning: Cases
____
A niline poisoning:
Cases
.
__w__ ___ ___________
D eaths
______________ ___________
Toxic jaundice:
Cases
___________ ___ __ _________
D eaths _____________________________
E pitheliom atous ulceration:
Cases - _____________________________
D eaths
__________________________
C hrom e ulceration: Cases,.________________ _
A nthrax:
Cases
_____ _________ __ _______
D e a th s .______________________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1906
to
1908
1909
to
1911
1912
to
1911
1915
to
1917
1918
to
1920
1921
to
1923
1924
522
33
349
21
3
198
20
1
271
26
486
32
11
2
14
3
619
30
1
576
35
1
12
1
7
7
4
10
14
7
3
1925
326
13
6
1
6
5
5
3
31
1
132
34
57
13
[1219]
57
11
57
7
83
12
4
1
3
5
2
45
1
126
41
3
43
123
24
45
160
55
54
59
9
39
5
43
4
45
9
14
1
68
M O N TH LY LABOE BEVIEW
Several special inquiries were made by the medical inspectors
during the year. One of special interest in the U nited States, owing
to the reporting and investigation of a num ber of deaths in a plant
in New Jersey in which luminous w atch and clock dials were painted,
covered the workers engaged in a similar process in G reat B ritain.
Fewer than 10 persons were found to be engaged in this occupation,
and physical examination and blood tests of 7 women who had
worked with the radio-active paint for periods varying from 1 to 10
years showed th a t in 3 cases there were changes in the blood cells
which were attributable to action of the radium salt. In general,
however, the investigation failed to reveal sym ptom s comparable
w ith those shown by the investigation in this country.
Lead poisoning.—The num ber of cases of lead poisoning had
decreased considerably in 1925 from the num ber reported the preced
ing year, the reduction taking place in ship breaking and in the m anu
facture of electric accumulators. In ship breaking this reduction
was the result not so much of control of the danger as of the fact
th a t a lighter class of vessel was being broken up, which was n o t so
heavily coated with lead paint, and th a t a smaller num ber of workers
was employed in the industry. In the m anufacture of electric accu
m ulators the workshop regulations which were p u t into effect early
in the year had proved fairly effective, although, in view of the
extensive handling of the plates, w ith the production of dust from
each m ovement, the apparently simple m atte r of cleanliness of floors
and benches seemed to be more im portant and to give more trouble
th an the provision of elaborate systems of ventilation.
Notification of cases of lead poisoning among house painters and
plumbers is n o t compulsory, b u t 100 cases came to the knowledge of
the departm ent, 12 of which were fatal. Eighty-eight of these cases
(9 deaths) were among house painters, and a comparison of these
cases w ith the 326 cases of lead poisoning in factories showed, the
report states, th a t the cases among house painters were twice as
severe as the factory cases, the am ount of chronic poisoning was four
times as great, and. there wras a greater am ount of paralysis.
Arsenic.—The 6 cases of arsenical poisoning were similar to the
cases reported the previous year, 5 of them being cases of derm atitis
and ulceration occurring in sheep-dip works and one a case of epitheliomatous ulceration in a m an who was employed for 19 years in the
m anufacture of emerald green b u t who for 14 years had been employed
in a paint and color wmrks w ith very slight exposure to arsenic.
Carbon bisulphide.—Two cases of carbon bisulphide poisoning
occurred in the cold-cure process in the rubber industry and the
third in the artificial silk industrjL This case was very acute, the
symptom s being headache, vomiting, delirium, loss of m uscular
power, and almost complete loss of sensation. An examination of
12 men in the same factory showed, in the case of several, symptoms
of absorption, such as headache, gastric disturbances, distaste for
food, lassitude, and depression. Other hazards noted in this very
im portant new industry were irritation of the eyes from m inute
proportions of hydrogen sulphide gas present in the air in spinning
rooms, and effects on the skin from the acid used in spinning.
Aniline.—1T wenty-five of the 31 cases of aniline poisoning occurred
in chemical works and the rem ainder in bleaching, dyeing, and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1220 ]
INDUSTRIAL POISONS AND DISEASES IN BRITISH FACTORIES
69
printing works. Several of the cases showed the rapidity w ith which
aniline, either the liquid or the dust as of paranitranilin, is absorbed
by the blood directly from the skin.
Chrome and epitheliomatous ulceration.—The cases of chrome
ulceration occurred principally in its m anufacture, in dyeing and
finishing, and in chrome tanning. The occurrence of a case in a new
process of electrolytic deposition of chrome on m etal to m ake it
rustless led to a study of the hazard. The ill effects seemed to be
caused by a vapor rising from the bath, probably chromylchloride.
One m an had coryza and irritation of the upper a ir passages, the
inventor of the process had perforation of the nasal septum , and a
third worker had derm atitis of the arms and a chrome sore, and the
nasal mucous m em brane was affected.
Of the 160 cases of epitheliomatous ulceration, 67 (with 9 deaths)
were due to pitch, tar, and paraffin, and 93 (with 46 deaths) were due
to oil, m ainly among mule spinners. The to tal num ber of cases of
cancer among mule spinners reported to the factory departm ent from
1876 to 1925 was 539. The average length of em ploym ent of these
workers was 40 years, b u t the range of em ploym ent was from 10 to
63 years, and in 13 cases the cancer appeared from 1 to 14 years after
the worker had given up all employment.
Dermatitis.—The cases of derm atitis reported during 1925 num
bered 331, the largest num ber occurring in the dyeing and calicobleaching and printing industries. In this and in various other
industries the derm atitis is caused not by the m aterials used in the
process b u t by those used by the workers to clean the hands after
work. I t is impossible, it is said, to lay too m uch stress on the
im portance of the inspection of the hands of workers exposed to skin
irritants, as early cases will thus be recognized and those w ith a skin
unsuited to the work m ay be saved from disability from this cause.
The use of rubber gloves and, in some trades, of a bland emollient
smeared on the skin before work are also advocated.
Poisoning from gas and fum es.—The num ber of cases of poisoning
from carbon monoxide in 1925 was 118 with 10 deaths, an increase
of 11 cases over those of the preceding year. Twenty-five cases and
6 deaths were due to blast-furnace gas, 34 cases and 1 death to pro
ducer gas, 26 cases and 2 deaths to coal gas, and 33 cases and 1 death
to various causes such as fumes from coke rivet fires in confined spaces
on board ship, coke stoves or fires, exhaust gas from m otor cars, fumes
from limekilns and from smouldering coal. Fifteen fatalities occurred
from inhalation of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, benzol, nickel car
bonyl, and trichlorethylene. In m ost of the cases the workers were
engaged in cleaning or repairing plant or inhaled the fumes from leaky
pipes or containers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1221 ]
70
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
The following table shows the deaths and the cases of poisoning from
gases and fumes for the years 1917 to 1925:
N U M B E R O F CA SES OF IN D U S T R IA L P O IS O N IN G A N D O F D E A T H S F R O M G A SES
A N D F U M E S , 1917 TO 1923, B Y Y E A R S
Gas or fume
C arbon m onoxide:
Oases________ ____ _____
D e ath s____________
C arbon dioxide:
Cases________ ____ ___
D e a th s ..________
S ulp h u retted hydrogen:
C ases.__________ _ ______
D e ath s__________ _______
SulDhur dioxide:
Cases__________ ______
D e a th s .. _________ ____
Chlorine: Cases-...................
N itro u s fumes:
C a s e s...__________
D e a th s________ . . . .
A m m onia:
C ases.------ ----------------- -----------D e a th s .. ................. ................
Benzol, naphtha:.
Cases__________________ ____ _
D e a th s_______ _______ .
A rseniuretted hydrogen: i
Cases..................................... .................. .
D e a th s ...
____ . .
M iscellaneous (ether, acetone, nickel carbonyl,
e tc .):
Cases_________ _______ _____
D e ath s________________________
i 1917
1918
1919
1020
1921
1922
1923
1924
99
18
54
13
85
12
56
9
77
14
111
14
134
107
10
118
10
]
5
5
3
1
£
in
2
7'
i
3
11
4
5
4
13
4
3
12
3
1925
10
2
2
8
h
4
,
4
2
i
7
2
5
7
10
10
3
4
9
8
3
11
16
20
3
1
12
62
27
7
5
2
9
3
8
7
10
1
10
9
6
4t1
6
]
8:
4
2
7
4
9
3
12
3
2
4
1
¡-
i
i
i
12 .
1
10
25
55
3
3
5
1
1
1
3
9
3
10
1
.
i
r
26
3
1
4
2
3
2
i
35
2
28
4
35
8
7
1 Included also u n d er “ Toxic jau n d ice” in preceding table.
Studies were m ade during the year of silicosis in the pottery
industry, weight lifting and carrying by women and young persons,
conditions of work among blind persons, and derm atitis in th e boot
trade and among calico-print and dye workers.
F a c to r y A c c id e n ts in N ew Z e a la n d , 1925
N IT S report for the year ending M arch 31, 1926, the New Zealand
D epartm ent of Labor states th a t the to tal num ber of accidents
in factories reported for the calendar year 1925 was 2,426,. an
increase of 447 over the preceding year. The increase, however, is
regarded as apparent rath er th an real, being ascribed to more care
ful reporting. There were 7 fatalities, 132 accidents which caused
perm anent partial disability, 2,287 which caused tem porary dis
ability, and none causing perm anent total disability. Of the accidents
reported 68, or 2.8 per cent, occurred to workers under 16 years of
age; 406, or 16.7 per cent, to workers between 16 and 20; and the
rem ainder to workers over 20. The accidents to young persons
were all of a m inor character. Only one-fourth of the total num ber
of accidents were due to m achinery, b u t 5 of the 7 fatalities came
from this cause; 13 accidents were due to loose clothing becoming
entangled in m achinery. A ttention is called to the fact th a t during
the year there were no mishaps due to the workers’ hair coming
into contact with m achinery, “ no doubt due to the now prevailing
fashion of short hair amongst fem ales.”
I
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
£12221
PROHIBITION OF USE OF W H ITE LEAD IN PAIN TING
71
A part from those mentioned above, the principal causes of acci
dents were found to be the following: Falls of persons from stairs,
ladders, etc., 229; faulty handling of tools, 480; handling of other
objects (viz, objects dropped or tipping over, strain due to handling,
falling of objects while loading, etc.), 615; poisonous, hot, or corrosive
substances, 101.
P r o h ib itio n of t h e U se o f W h ite L e a d in P a i n t i n g iri
Sw eden 1
H E use of white lead in painting is prohibited in Sweden by an
act dated F ebruary 19, 1926. For the purposes of the act,
“ lead colors’* are considered to m ean lead carbonate (white
lead), lead sulphate, and other pigments containing either the car
bonate or sulphate of lead.
B y the term s of the law, male workers under 18 years of age and
women m ay not be employed in painting in which lead colors are
used, and in the case of male workers 18 years and over, the use of
lead colors in the interior painting of buddings is prohibited unless
the q u antity of lead carbonate or lead sulphate in the p ain t is less
than 2 per cent. This provision does not apply to artistic painting
or line lining. Exceptions m ay be made in the am ount of lead
used in the case of painting on buildings connected with railway
stations or industrial establishm ents where such exceptions are con
sidered necessary.
W here lead colors are used in painting special rules shall be fol
lowed by the employer for the prevention of lead posioning. These
include furnishing pigm ents in the form of paste or of p ain t ready
for use, special safeguards in spray painting and in dry scraping and
dry rubbing down, and the provision of adequate washing facilities
and of special working clothes. Employees m ust be instructed in
measures to be followed in the prevention of lead poisoning and the
employer m ust notify the proper authorities in ad cases of lead
poisoning or suspected lead poisoning. M edical examinations of all
or p a rt of the workers in an establishm ent m ay be required when it is
considered necessary.
The enforcement of this act is placed under the industrial inspec
tion service, and the penalty for failure to comply w ith the term s of
the law is fixed a t no t less than 10 nor more than 500 kronor.2
The law was to become effective July 1, 1926.
T
in te rn a tio n a l L abor Office. Legislative Series, 1926. Sweden. A ct: P rohibition of w hite lead. 3 pp.
2K rona a t par=26.8 cents; exchange ra te La Septem ber, 1926, was a b o u t par.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
112231
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
M is s o u ri W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a tio n L aw A d o p te d o n
R eferen d u m
H E concluding chapter seems to have been w ritten in the long
struggle of the friends of workm en’s compensation in Missouri
to secure the enactm ent of a law in th a t State. The Labor
Review for September, 1925, carries an account of the steps taken,
beginning with 1910, in this direction. The legislature of 1925
followed those of 1919 and 1921 in the enactm ent of bills for a law
of this type, the two form er being rejected on referendum. Recourse
was had to the same m ethod w ith regard to the act of 1925, b u t
accounts a t hand indicate the final success of the proponents of the
measure, the vote being: Yes, 561,898; no, 252,882.
I t was thought th a t no legislation was possible in 1923 because of
the insistence of the supporters of the bill on an exclusive State insur
ance system. However, the enemies of the present law, recognizing
a labor sentim ent in favor of the State fund, drew up a bill incorporating
this provision and offered it as an alternative to the act of the legis
lature, w ith the evident purpose of dividing the supporters of the
measure to such an extent th a t neither would win over the negative
votes. This subterfuge was not successful, organized labor, employ
ers, and others interested concentrating their efforts on the adoption
of the law as enacted by the legislature of 1925, on the ground th a t it
commanded the greater body of support and th a t it secured a t least
a m ajor portion of the benefits desired. The proposed substitute
received b u t 160,645 votes, 612,392 being cast against it.
The act provides for adm inistration by a commission of three
members, tw o-thirds of the average earnings as compensation, the
maximum paym ent being $20 weekly and the m inim um $6, payable
for 400 weeks in case of disability and for 300 weeks in case of death.
Three days’ waiting tim e is deducted unless the disability lasts for
more than four weeks; medical and surgical aid are provided for 60
days, not to exceed $250 in amount. Insurance is required unless
self-insurance is authorized. Em ploym ents generally are covered,
with a num erical exemption of employers having less than 10 em
ployees; these m ay come under the act by jo int election or on inclu
sion by the commission, on application, or its own m otion. As origi
nally enacted, the law would have gone into effect on Ju ly 9, so far as
organization was concerned, the compensation provisions to go into
effect Septem ber 1, 1925, 54 days later. A proclam ation of Novem
ber 16, 1926, announced the adoption of the law by referendum, and
Alroy S. Phillips, E v ert Richardson, and Orin H . Shaw were named
as commissioners, the first to be chairman. These were to enter at
once upon their duties, b u t the attorney general of the S tate has
T
72
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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IN J U R Y DURING P ER M A N EN T TOTAL DISABILITY
73
ruled th a t it was “ clearly the in te n t of the legislature to give em
ployers th a t period of time [54 days] to adjust their insurance affairs
to the new law .” The compensation features of the law will there
fore become operative January 9, 1927.
C o m p e n s a tio n fo r i n j u r y R eceiv ed D u r in g P e rio d of
P e r m a n e n t T o ta l D is a b ility
N UNUSUAL case was recently before the Supreme C ourt of
New York, appellate division, involving a death benefit
where the deceased had ceased employment and was receiving
compensation on grounds of perm anent total disability. (Colvin v.
Em m ons & W hitehead et al., 215 N. Y. S. 562.) The deceased
workm an had suffered an accident in December, 1917, since which
tim e he “ had been subject to dizzy spells.” In July, 1923, he was
about the place where his son-in-law was building a house, and under
took to climb a ladder, presum ably for the gratification of his own
curiosity, being in no wise employed in connection w ith the work.
When 2 or 3 feet from the ground, he fell, suffering a broken neck,
with im m ediately fatal results. A physician expressed the opinion
th a t there was an attack of vertigo which caused him to fall, this
attack being the “ direct result of the injuries sustained on Decem
ber 12, 1917.” The board found th a t the death “ was not naturally
and unavoidably the result of the injuries,” and furtherm ore th a t
the deceased had no business to be performed on the ladder, was not
employed by anyone, and had improperly exposed himself to danger
in view of his physical condition. Com pensation was therefore
denied.
Appeal was taken to the court, which commented on the expres
sion as to the unnecessary exposure as an im m aterial finding, strongly
suggestive th a t “ this case has been decided on an im proper theory,”
indiscretion and negligence constituting no defense. The only ques
tion would be “ w hether there was causal relationship between the
death and the accident of 1917.” If it should appear th a t the vertigo
causing the fall was due to the accident of 1917, compensation would
be due. Inasm uch as the board had failed to decide w hether or not
the vertigo was due to the original injury, a new hearing would be
necessary. The decision was therefore reversed and the claim re
m anded for a new hearing.
In this resubmission a member of the industrial board found, after
carefully reviewing the record, th a t the attack of vertigo was due to
the original injury and th a t the death was the result of such attack.
The disallowance was therefore ordered rescinded and the case
restored “ to a regular death calendar for the purpose of m aking
award to the dependents.”
A
20358°—26f---- 6
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12251
74
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW
A n th r a x a s a C o m p e n s a b le A c c id e n t
C ourt of Civil Appeals of Texas has decided th a t “ the great
weight of authority ” arid the court decisions th a t are “ sounder
in principle and more in consonance with the intent and reason
of the la w /' hold th a t anthrax contracted in the course of employment
is a compensable accidental injury. In the instan t case a workman
was employed a t skinning cattle and contracted the disease, with fatal
results. “ I t is because the employee in the discharge of his duty is
brought in contact with the anthrax germ th a t he contracts the disease,
and we think it correct to say th a t the consequent injury suffered by
the employee was accidental and the result of a hazard incidental to
and in the course of his em ploym ent and therefore compensable.”
(Houston Packing Co. v. M ason, 286 S. W., p. 862.)
In arriving a t this decision a quite extensive review was m ade of
cases, not all in harm ony, b u t with a strong preponderance in favor
of the conclusion arrived at.
he
T
I n f e c tio n of O p e n S ore a s C o m p e n s a b le I n ju r y
H E C ourt of Appeals of Ohio had before it recently a case
involving the claim of a m other for the death of her daughter
from blood poisoning. I t appears th a t the girl was employed
in handling sheets oi blue Carbon paper used in tabulating her em
ployer’s accounts, and th a t in the course of her em ploym ent an
abrasion became infected from contact with her hands, followed by
cellulitis, acute blood poisoning, and death. The industrial commis
sion rejected the claim on the ground th a t no industrial disease was
shown nor any injury sustained in the course of and arising out of
the employment. The court of common pleas gave judgm ent for the
defendant on a directed verdict when the case was before it, b u t on
a w rit of error to the court of appeals judgm ent below was reversed
and the case rem anded for a new trial. (Jasionowski v. Industrial
Commission of Ohio, 153 N. E. 247.)
The court recognized th a t “ manifestly she did not die of an occu
pational disease, and such claim is not made by the plaintiff.” How
ever, the evidence tended to show th a t the girl “ had a slight cold
sore near the right com er of her m outh, and there is some evidence
th a t in wiping and rubbing her face with her hands the sore became
infected, and th at, within a fewr days thereafter, her face and neck
became very much swollen, and death resulted in about two weeks.”
I t was further said th a t if this condition should be found by the jury
to be sustained by evidence it would am ount to an injury within
the meaning of the workmen’s compensation law. A dm itting th a t
some evidence adduced was of the nature of hearsay, it was pointed
out that^ the industrial commission was not bound by the usual
common-law or statu to ry rules as to evidence, and th a t as it had
been subm itted to the commission it was necessarily sent on to the
jury, there to be considered in accordance w ith proper instructions.
Since there was “ evidence tending to show an injury to the deceased
within the s ta tu te ,” and since the jury had n o t been able to con
sider this by reason of a directed verdict being ordered for the defend
ant, it was necessary to reverse the judgm ent and rem and the cause.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12261
M O N TH LY LAB Oil REVIEW
75
L o n g s h o re m e n C la sse d a s S e a m e n
D E C ISIO N of particular interest in view of current circum
stances was handed down by the Supreme C ourt on October
18, 1926, in a case involving a definition of the word “ seam en.”
Action had been brought by a longshoreman in a State court of
W ashington asking for damages for injuries claimed to be due to
the negligence of a hatch tender. (International Stevedoring Co. v.
H averty, 47 Sup. Ct. 19.) Both parties were employed by the
defendant company, which asked for a ruling th a t the long
shoreman and the hatch tender were fellow servants, so th a t no
recovery for the injury could be had. The case came to the supreme
court of the State (H averty v. International Stevedoring Co. (1925),
235 Pac. 360), where judgm ent for the plaintiff was affirmed. In
its opinion the State court expressed its own view th a t the act of
1920 (41 S tat. 1007), granting to seamen the right to sue for damages
under the same rules as to liability as apply to railroad employees
in interstate commerce (act of 1908, 1910), would apply to longshore
men, inasm uch as they are engaged in m aritim e em ploym ent and are
entitled to such benefits as are conferred upon other seamen. How
ever, the court was constrained to suppress its view on this point
inasm uch as the circuit court of appeals for the ninth circuit had
decided {The Hoquiam (1918), 253 Fed. 627, 165 C. C. A. 253) th a t
th a t provision applied only to m erchant seamen and n o t to long
shoremen. In conformity w ith this decision, the law was construed
as inapplicable, b u t on the view th a t the hatch tender was a vice
principal and n o t a fellow servant of the stevedore the judgm ent for
damages was affirmed.
The case then came to the Supreme C ourt on a w rit of certiorari,
where the result arrived a t by the court below was affirmed b u t on
exactly opposite grounds. Instead of passing upon the adm iralty
law, and w hether i t had taken up the common-law doctrine of fellow
service, the court, M r. Justice Holmes speaking, held the act of 1920
applicable. As to the contention th a t under the common law the
plaintiff would have no case, the court said, “ W hether this last propo
sition is tru e we do n o t decide” ; b u t it referred to the power of Con
gress to change the rule, adding “ and in our opinion it has done so.”
Referring to the act giving to seamen the right to elect a ju ry trial,
with the common-law rights or remedies applicable to cases of per
sonal injury to railway employees, it was pointed o u t th a t indisput
ably the statu tes had done away w ith the fellow-servant rule so far
as railway employees were concerned. The only remaining question
was as to the scope of the term “ seam en.” I t was said to be true
for m ost purposes th a t “ as the word is commonly used, stevedores
are not ‘seam en.’ B u t words are flexible.” The work done by
stevedores is “ a m aritim e service formerly rendered by the ship’s
crew .” D oubt was expressed as to the willingness of Congress to
protect seamen employed by the ship and n o t those employed by
a stevedore. “ If they should be protected in the one case they should
be in the other ” ; and since Congress had widely modified the commonlaw rules the opinion was expressed th a t “ in this sta tu te ‘seam en’
is to be taken to include stevedores engaged as the plaintiff was,
w hatever it m ight m ean in laws of a different kind. ”
A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1227]
76
M O N TH LY LABOR* REVIEW
T he effect of this opinion can only be partly estim ated, some
intim ation being given by the direct reversal of the position of the
circuit court of appeals in The Hoquiam case above. The position
th a t longshoremen were not protected by the am endm ent of 1920,
there definitely asserted, had stood for eight years, and various
efforts had been made to secure legislation for their protection.
Em phasis was laid on the fact th a t seamen proper had been provided
for by legislation covering injuries causing death “ by wrongful act
or default occurring on high seas beyond a m arine league from the
shore of any S ta te .” (1920, 41 Stat. 537.) The am endm ent of
1920, already referred to, being also referred to as lim ited to deep-sea
seamen, was regarded by this class of workers as furnishing them
with a fairly satisfactory legal status, so th a t they did not desire
to be included in measures proposed for the benefit of the long
shoremen. So completely had this view prevailed, resting, no doubt,
largely on The Hoquiam decision, th a t proponents of relief for the
longshoremen spoke of them as “ left completely ou t in the cold,”
or “ left high and dry, ” w ithout other relief than the very inadequate
provisions of the m aritim e law. After this decision, no doubt the
choice of a suit for damages under the term s of the fellow-service
act of 1920, granting the same rights as are given to railroad employ
ees by the act of 1908, 1910, m ay be availed of; b u t in view of the
urgent representations^ m ade by the longshoremen in favor of a
compensation statute, it seems probable th a t the bill which passed
the Senate a t the first session of the Sixty-ninth Congress will be
again urged for consideration on the convening of the second session
in December, 1926.
W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a tio n P ro b le m s in R e la tio n to
H o s p ita ls 1
H E theory and practice of workm en’s compensation in relation
to hospitals was the subject of one of the sessions of the annual
# conference of the American Hospital Association, held in A t
lantic C ity in September, 1926.
T h a t the benefit provisions of workm en’s compensation laws vary
greatly from S tate to State and in no case are they entirely satis
factory was brought out by Dr. E. H. Lewinski-Corwin in his dis
cussion of the subject, who said th a t the least satisfactory of all types
of benefits are those pertaining to medical and hospital care, and th a t
this phase of w orkm en’s compensation needs to be remedied. The
States providing the highest medical and hospital benefits are New
l o r k , California, Connecticut, Idaho, Missouri, N orth D akota,
and W ashington.
The collection of anything less than the actual hospital cost for an
insured workm an is a bad practice from the social standpoint, Doctor
Corwin stated, and there is a question, also, w hether it is not a diver
sion of tru s t funds when they are used to pay the costs of cases whose
risks are entirely covered by insurance. In this case the insurance
company stockholders are receiving money in dividends which should
be paid to the hospitals while the patient is being pauperized by this
T
1 T h e M odern H ospital, Chicago, O ctober, 1926, p p. 88, 89.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1228 ]
NEW YORK W O R K M E N ’S COMPENSATION REPORT
77
compulsory acceptance of charity. The hospitals feel th a t they can
not carry the cost of these cases when paym ent in full should be
m ade by the insurance carrier.
On the other hand, he said, although some of the grievances against
the insurance companies are well grounded, the basic difficulties can
be traced to the type of legislation and the m ethod of administering
the law in the different States, and to some extent, also, to the lack of
a uniform attitu d e among hospitals toward these problems.
D octor Corwin suggested, therefore, th a t in view of the extent of
the developm ent of workm en’s compensation and the difficulties m et
in dealing with the insurance companies, th a t a rate be determined
for certain regions and types of institutions as a way of smoothing the
relationships w ith the insurance carriers. There m ust be extension
also of the hospital along medical lines, as there is a tendency on the
p a rt of industry tow ard the broader recognition of the principle of
responsibility in occupational diseases as well as in injuries. Other
speakers agreed th a t the injured workman is no longer a charity pa
tien t and should not be treated as such by hospitals.
N ew Y ork W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a tio n R e p o r t
H E D epartm ent of Labor of the State of New York has divided
its compensation reports into two parts, one giving cost of
compensation and the other accident data. Special Bulletin
No. 146 gives the cost of compensation for accidents compensated
during the year ending June 30, 1925, the basis being closed cases.
The num ber of cases closed during the year was 76,216, including
cases for every year, beginning with 1916 up to date. The law pro
vides continuing jurisdiction over each case, so th a t the num ber
above given includes 753 cases reopened for additional awards where
there had been a previous closing of the case.
The num ber of cases closed during this year exceeded those of the
preceding year by 3,233. Of these, 5,469 were cases th a t came
within the compensation provisions of the law on account of the
reduced waiting period, an am endm ent of 1924, effective January 1,
1925, having reduced the waiting time from 14 days to 7. B u t for this
liberalization of the law the num ber of cases closed during the year
would have been 2,236 less than the 72,983 cases closed during the
year ending June 30, 1924.
The total am ount awarded by the referees of the departm ent was
$27,854,726, which represents the computed to tal values for all classes
of injuries. The following brief table gives the distribution and com
pensation by extent of disability, with com putation of percentages
and averages.
T
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T O T A L AMD A V E R A G E C O M P E N S A T IO N P A Y M E N T S IN C A SES C L O S E D IN 1924-25
B Y E X T E N T OF IN J U R Y
1
Cases
Com pensation aw arded
E x ten t of disability
N um ber
Per cent
of total
A m ount
D e a th ..
_ _ ___ _ _ _ __.......... . ___
Perm anent total . . . . ______________________
Perm anent p a rtia l.____________________________
T e m porary ________ ____ ____ ___ ____ ________
1,102
50
16, 000
59,064
1.4 $6, 499, 258
.1
' 652, 981
21.0 14,121, 288
77. 5 6, .581,199
T o ta l................. ........................................ .............
76, 216
100.0 27,854, 726
Per cent
o f total
Average
23.3 $5,897. 89
2.3 13,059. 62
50.7
882. 58
23.7
111. 42
100.0
365. 47
As to distribution by industries, it appears th a t m anufacturing
furnishes much the largest proportion of cases, the num ber from this
group being 31,254. Construction follows w ith b u t 15,632, trans
portation and public utilities coming next w ith 13,561 cases. The
num ber of employees in m anufacturing easily accounts for the larger
num ber of injuries, b u t the nature of the em ploym ent is shown to
be m uch less hazardous by the fact th a t total compensation in this
group am ounted to but $9,868,393, or an average of $315.74 per
case, while the far smaller num ber of injuries in construction called
for $7,372,853 as total compensation, or an average of $471.65—
nearly 50 per cent more than the average per case in m anufacturing.
The highest degree of severity as expressed by average compensation
is in m ining and quarrying, where 762 cases called for compensation
amounting to $429,162, an average of $563.20 per case. Taking tem
porary disability cases only, the costs per case in m anufacturing aver
aged $90.53, in construction $164.15, and in mining and quarrying
$134.10.
The total num ber of tem porary disability cases closed during the
year was 59,064, the average period for which compensation was
paid therefor being 6.8 weeks, “ although the median, due to bunch
ing a t the lower periods, was 3 weeks.”
The New York law is one of the more liberal compensation s ta t
utes, providing compensation a t a rate corresponding to 66% per
cent of the weekly wages, b u t with a maximum lim it of $20 per week.
This last qualification was found to affect 29,637 of the employees
whose wages exceeded $30 per week, while for 46,579 employees the
$20 lim itation was ineffective. The lim itation affected nearly onehalf the male workers who sustained disabilities, the median wage
for males being in the wage group $28.50 to $29.49. For females
the median rate was within the group $16.50 to $17.49, the median
for all being in the group $28.50 to $29.49.
D etailed tables show the num ber and cost of compensated acci
dents, by industry, by nature and location of injury w ith separate
presentation for infected injuries, extent of compensated disability
in tem porary disability cases, location and cost of perm anent partial
disabilities, dependents in fatal cases, and classified ages and wage
groups of injured employees, by sex.
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S ic k n e ss In su r a n c e in V a rio u s C o u n t r ie s 1
H E present status of compulsory sickness insurance is outlined
in a questionnaire on this subject sent by the International
Labor Office to the different members of the International
Labor Organization, the subject of sickness insurance being the
first item on the agenda of the 1927 session of the conference.
The principle of compulsory insurance of the workers against
sickness has been embodied, it is said, to a greater or less extent in the
legislation of 22 States, while m aterial and m oral support of such
insurance is rendered by the public authorities in a num ber of other
countries. A t the present time in Europe the num ber covered by
compulsory insurance amounts to more than 50,000,000 workers
while several millions also are covered by voluntary insurance.
Twelve of the 22 States which have a compulsory insurance scheme
have covered, either from the s ta rt or by successive stages, every
person engaged in an economically dependent occupation.
Table 1 shows for each of these States the principal act on which
the scheme is founded and the num ber of persons insured:
T
T able
1 .—
N U M B E R OF P E R S O N S IN S U R E D U N D E R G E N E R A L W O R K E R S ’ IN S U R
A N C E S Y S T E M S IN D IF F E R E N T C O U N T R IE S
C ountry
N um ber of
persons in
sured
D ate of principal act
M ar. 30,1888 (consolidated and am ended N ov. 20,1922)___ 1 1, 620,000
2 241,000
M ar. 6, 1924. ____ _______ _________ . .
__________
Sept. 8, 1924 . .
_____ ____________ ___________
8
2,
500,000
Oct. 9,'1924___________________________________________
P, zpph osl o vaki a
G erm any
___ ______________ Ju ly 19,1911 (consolidated a n d am ended Dec. 15, 1924)___ 8 19,086, 000
9
15,037,000
Dec.
16,1911
(consolidated
a
n
d
am
ended
Aug,
7,
1924).......
G reat B rita in _________________
«400,000
IpisH Erpp. i>f,qtp
Dec. 16,1911
..................................................
« 599,000
Aug. 6 , 1915____ _____ _______ _____ ____________________
1STnr wa y
Poland
M ay 19, 1920_______________________________ __________ « 1,825,000
M ay lOj 1919..
___ ______ ___________________________
Port,ii gal
3 5, 735,000
Russia
N ov. 9,'1922.______ ___________________________________
« 484,000
Y gosl ii vi a.
M ay 14, 1922...................................... ..........................................
A ustria
_______ ______ ______
P h ilp
i December, 1923.
8 December, 1925.
8 D ecember, 1924.
* M arch, 1924.
5 1913.
9 June, 1925.
L i m i t e d iv o r k e r s ' i n s u r a n c e .—In a num ber of other States in which sickness
insurance has become an integral p art of the national labor legislation th e scheme
does not cover all wage earners b u t only workers and employees in industrial and
commercial undertakings. The principal ac t and the num ber of insured persons
is given for each of these States in th e following table.
1 International Labor Office. International L abor Conference, te n th session, G eneva, 1927. Sickness
insurance (item 1 on th e agenda). Geneva, 1926.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
able
2 .—N U M B E R O F P E R S O N S IN S U R E D U N D E R
‘ A N C E S Y ST E M S
C ountry
L I M IT E D
W O R K E R S ’ IN SU R -
D ate of principal act
E sthonia_____ _. ___________ ____ ___
G reece________ ___ ________ ____ . . . .
H ungary ______ ___ ____ ______ _____
Jap a n 3_____ _______ ____ ____
L a tv ia _________ __________________
L u x e m b u rg .. _________ .
_ ______
R u m a n ia __ _________
_______
June 23, 1912 ___ _
Dec. 8, 1923...................................
1907 (A ct X IX )
A pr. 22, 1922 (not yet in force)
1922_________ _______
Dec. 17, 1925.. ..........
Jan. 25, 1912; M ar. 30, 1888; 1907 (Act X IX )
N um ber
of persons
insured
140,000
2 843,000
1 135,000
i 47, 000
2 997,000
1 December, 1923.
2 December, 1S24.
3 On p. 91 of th e N ovem ber, 1926, issue of th e R eview there is a statem ent th a t a new act was passed in
Jap a n in M arch, 1926, providing for th e enforcement of this law as of Ju ly 1,1926. I t is estim ated th a t it
w ill cover about, 1,822,000 workers.
4 December, 1925.
In addition, sickness insurance is compulsory for all wage earners in th e Upper
Rhine, Lower Rhine, and Moselle D épartem ents in France, and in th e other
D épartem ents for registered seamen and miners; in Italy for wage earners in
industry and commerce in the “‘New Provinces” ; and in Switzerland for certain
groups of the working population in the two Cantons of Appenzell, the C anton of
Bâle-Ville, and the C anton of St. Gall.
S u b s i d i z e d v o l u n t a r y i n s u r a n c e .— In a num ber of S tates which have not intro
duced a com pulsory sickness insurance system wage earners and independent
workers in a m aterially sim ilar situation may become members of sickness funds
or m utual aid societies which are of voluntary origin and receive positive m aterial
and m oral assistance from th e public authorities. Some indications as to the
num ber of members of such societies are given in Table 3.
T
a ble
3 .—N U M B E R O F M E M B E R S O F V O L U N T A R Y S IC K N E S S IN S U R A N C E S O C IE T IE S
C ountry
D ate of principal act
A u stra lia ...____________ _________
B e lg iu m _____ _____ _ .
D en m ark _______ ______
F in lan d ____ _______ . .
F rance____ _______ _
N ew Z ealand____________
S w e d e n _____ ________ _
Sw itzerland_________
1 1923.
2 1924.
June 23, 1924
M ay 10, 1915
Sept. 2, 1897
Apr. 1, 1898
1909
Ju ly 4, 1910
Ju n e 13, 1911
N um ber of
m embers
i 524, 000
1 710, 000
2 1,429,000
2 62,000
8 3, 300,000
i 84, 000
2 827,000
2 890, 000
3 1923. Includes children of school age.
In addition, a num ber of States which generally m aintain th e voluntary prin
ciple have special compulsory system s covering wage earners in undertakings
which have attain ed a high degree of organization and are more th a n ordinarily
dangerous (railways, m ercantile m arine, mines).
A r g en tin e P e n s io n Lav/ S u sp en d e d 1
H E Argentine pension law (No. 11,289), concerning which there
has been so m uch adverse discussion for over a year, was
repealed on Septem ber 16, 1926, when the N ational Cham ber
T
i Asociación del Trabajo.
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B oletín de Servicios, Buenos Aires, Sept. 20, 1926, p. 409.
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W O EK M E N ’S COMPENSATION LAWS IN FEANCE
81
of D eputies of Argentina adopted the Senate bill favoring its suspen
sion. The law provided for the establishm ent of insurance funds
against old age and sickness for the following groups of workers:
The employees of the Argentine m erchant m arine, of industrial
establishments, of the printing and publishing industry, and of
m ercantile establishm ents.1 The funds were to have been adminis
tered by the Governm ent and supported by joint contributions from
the employers and workers. According to a report from the assist
ant commercial attaché a t Buenos Aires, dated Septem ber 18, 1926,
large sums of money were collected, b u t the adm inistration of the
law has never been effective and no enforcement has been attem pted
for several m onths past.
The adopted measures declare the law suspended until Congress
modifies it or passes another law in its stead, and provides th a t pay
m ents already m ade to the funds are to be returned to the con
tributors within six months. All expenses incurred thereby are to
be paid by the Government.
A m e n d m e n ts to W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a tio n L aw s in
F ran ce 2
R
E C E N T am endm ents to workm en’s compensation legislation in
France include a law dated April 30, 1926, extending the scope
of the law passed December 15, 1922, on industrial accidents
in agricu ltu re;3 a law dated July 9, 1926, providing for an increase
of the basic wage on which compensation is calculated; and a law
dated June 30, 1926, increasing tem porary benefitsTor certain classes
of accidents.
Accidents in Agriculture
r'F H E act of April 30, 1926, extends the liability for accidents to
1 include not only employees in general agricultural undertakings
but also employees on farms engaged in cattle breeding, horse train
ing, stud farms, offices or places of sale connected with agricultural
associations or works when the agricultural undertaking is the
principal establishm ent, registered cooperative agricultural societies,
m utual insurance funds, m utual credit funds, and farm ers’ associ
ations.
T h e se c tio n of th e o rig in a l law w hich e x e m p te d fa rm e rs w o rk in g
alo n e o r a ssiste d b y m e m b e rs of th e ir fam ilies a n d w ho occasio n ally
em p lo y e d o th e r p e rso n s is c a n c e led a n d h e re a fte r th e y w ill b e liab le
fo r ac c id e n ts in c u rre d b y e ith e r p a id o r u n p a id w o rk ers in th e ir
e m p lo y m e n t.
T h e a c t beco m es effective as re g a rd s th e se p ro v isio n s in six m o n th s
fro m th e d a te of its p u b lic a tio n .
1For a résumé of this law see Labor Keview, November, 1924, pp. 215, 216.
8Bulletin du M inistère du Travail, Paris, April-May-June, 1926, pp. 31*, 32*; Industrial and Labor
Information, Geneva, Aug. 16, 1926, pp. 251-254.
8See Labor Keview, March, 1923, pp. 136-139.
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
Increase in the Basic Wage and in Temporary Benefits for Certain Classes of
Accidents
A C C O E D IN G to the law of April 9, 1898, the compensation for
i A industrial accidents was calculated on the annual earnings of
the employee up to 2,400 francs,4 all earnings above th a t figure count
ing for one-quarter of their value only. Because of increases in
the cost of living, the basic wage was increased by amendments
passed in A ugust, 1920, and July, 1926. The last am endm ent fixed
the annual wages on which paym ents are based a t 8,000 francs,
wages in excess of th a t sum and n o t exceeding 18,500 francs to be
effective as to one-quarter thereof in the assessments of benefits,
and over 18,500 francs to he effective as to one-eighth only, in the
absence of agreements to the contrary specifically raising the effec
tive quota.
As the two increases in the am ount of the basic wage and in the
assessment of accident benefits were not retroactive, several amend
m ents were passed increasing the am ount of benefits for accidents
incurred prior to the act of August 5, 1920. These amendm ents
provided for the cessation of these special benefits as from June 30,
1926, b u t as there had been no appreciable change in economic
conditions the scale of benefits fixed by the act of June 30, 1924,
were extended for a four-year period by an am endm ent passed June
30, 1926, The am ount of compensation payable for such accidents
ranges from 20 francs per m onth for disability of 30 to 49 per cent
to 100 francs per m onth for disability exceeding 80 per cent.
i Franc at p a r= 19.3 cents;
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average exchange rate for September, 1928=2.9 cents.
[12341
COOPERATION
C o n s u m e r s 5 C o o p e ra tiv e C o n g re ss o f 1926
r 'r 'H E fifth congress of the societies affiliated to the Cooperative
League of America was held in M inneapolis Novem ber 4 to 6,
A
1926, w ith 65 delegates representing 132 societies in attendance.
F ratern al delegates from labor and other organizations were also
present. Greetings were received from the cooperative m ovem ents
of Azerbajan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denm ark, Esthonia, Finland,
France, Germ any, G reat B ritain, Hungary, L atvia, L ithuania,
N etherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland,
from the International Cooperative Alliance, the W omen’s In te r
national Cooperative Guild, and from various trade-union organiza
tions of the U nited States. Delegates were also in attendance from
the Cooperative Union of Canada, from the M anitoba W heat
Growers, the Farm ers’ Union of Iowa, and the W ashington State
Grange.
I n h is r e p o r t fo r th e b ie n n ia l p e rio d D r. J . P . W a rb a sse , p re s id e n t
of th e C o o p e ra tiv e L e a g u e of th e U n ite d S ta te s of A m e ric a , p o in te d
o u t t h a t in n o c o u n try h a s th e “ tr ia l a n d e r r o r ” s ta g e of th e c o o p era
tiv e m o v e m e n t la s te d so lo n g as h ere. M r. C e d ric L o n g , ex ec u tiv e
s e c re ta ry of th e leag u e, re p o rte d b riefly o n th e w o rk of t h a t body,
w h ich n o w h a s, a c c o rd in g to th e r e p o rt, 152 affiliated societies, 104
of w h ich a re in d ire c tly affiliated th ro u g h th e fo u r d is tr ic t leag u es.
I n a d d itio n to its re g u la r w o rk of s u p p ly in g so cieties w ith c o o p e ra tiv e
in fo rm a tio n , co m p ilin g a rtic le s a n d p a m p h le ts o n v a rio u s p h a se s of
th e c o o p e ra tiv e m o v e m e n t, su p p ly in g le c tu re rs, e tc ., th e leag u e is
n o w fu rn ish in g a n a u d itin g service, a n d h a s b e e n a c tin g as an e m p lo y
m e n t b u re a u to su p p ly c o o p e ra tiv e so cieties w ith m a n a g e rs, clerks,
a n d o th e r em ployees.
District Leagues and Wholesale Societies
'T R IE district cooperative leagues, which are in general purely
educational bodies, are all of recent origin, the oldest of them ,
the Ohio D istrict League, having been formed in 1920 as the result
of a resolution passed by the league in its congress of th a t year urging
the form ation of such regional bodies. Reports from delegates from
the four district leagues disclosed the difficulties a tte n d a n t upon their
development. The N orthern States Cooperative League operates in
the territory covered by the States of M ichigan, M innesota, and Wis
consin. Originally constituted by 14 local societies, it now has in
affiliation 101 societies (including the member societies of the Cooper
ative Central Exchange, which is affiliated to the league), 430 indi
vidual members, and 14 fraternal members. This league is probably
the m ost active of all the district leagues. I t has a full-tim e educa
tional secretary, has instituted yearly six-week courses designed for
the training of m anagers and employees in the cooperative m ovem ent,
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
has published two yearbooks, and has been a pioneer in m any lines
of cooperative effort. I t is making a special effort to seek o u t the
isolated, independent stores of its territory w ith a view to inducing
their union and closer cooperation w ith the general m ovement. I t
is now planning to inaugurate an auditing departm ent, to hold courses
in various local stores, and to engage in placem ent work for its
members.
Possible amalgam ation of the Ohio and Central States Cooperative
Leagues is foreshadowed by the reports of their delegates. The
Ohio League is finding effective work among the stores of the S tate
very difficult w ithout a full-tim e worker and its delegate urged the
national league to study its situation w ith a view to amalgam ation
with the C entral States League. The latte r league, which now
operates only in Illinois, is desirous of extending its field to cover the
States of Indiana and Ohio, and the suggestion from Ohio will no
doubt be acceptable to it. The C entral States C ooperative League,
which is an outgrow th of the educational departm ent of the C entral
States Cooperative Wholesale Society, was constituted a t the tim e
of the dissolution of th a t society. I t now has in affiliation some 12
or 13 local societies in Illinois, w ith a membership of 3,063. One of
its planned functions is the prom otion of jo int buying among the
societies. I t is also planning an active membership campaign.
The E astern States Cooperative League has in affiliation 12 societies
in New England, New York, and New Jersey. Its activities differ
from those of the other leagues in th a t it has undertaken a jo in t pur
chase scheme. Several of its m em ber societies being bakeries, the
pooling of flour orders was the initial step, the m anager of one of the
m em ber societies doing the actual buying and three or four of the
larger societies binding themselves to guarantee any losses to this
society. Coffee roasting for all the mem ber societies is now being
done in the plants of two of the societies. W hen the capacity of
their plants is passed the plan is to have all the roasting done a t a
central plan t to be established in New York.
Those who have followed the cooperative m ovem ent are aware th a t
the cooperative wholesale m ovem ent has been largely abandoned.
In 1919 there were in existence a t least 18 wholesale societies through
out the country. One by one m ost of these societies have been dis
continued or have failed. In a num ber of instances i t was a case of
trying to run before learning to walk— the undertaking of wholesaling
w ithout being fam iliar w ith the particular problems in th a t field and
before the local societies were, in sufficient num bers, educated to the
patronage of the wholesale. In other cases difficulties of tran sp o rta
tion of commodities over the long distances between the wholesale
and the local stores m ade the business an unprofitable one, and this
condition was intensified w ith the dropping o u t of m any of the stores
which failed during the depression period. As is seen from the
above, a new s ta rt is being m ade, and the first steps tow ard the
ultim ate form ation of a wholesale are now being taken by a t least
two of the district leagues, in the prom otion, n o t of wholesaling b u t
simply of jo in t purchase of certain staple commodities used in large
quantities by the constituent societies.
There were, however, delegates in attendance a t the cooperative
congress from two of the very few rem aining wholesale societies—■
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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c o n s u m e r s ’ c o o p e r a t iv e
CONGRESS OF 1926
85
the Associated Grange Wholesale (Seattle) and the Cooperative
C entral Exchange (Superior, Wis.), the former an organization serv
ing the cooperative stores in the S tate of W ashington, and the la tte r
an organization of 65 stores with a combined membership of over
8,000 persons.
Education in Cooperation
need of continuous and ever-increasing efforts toward the
education of the membership and of others in the m eaning and
and ideals of cooperation was stressed throughout the congress. E du
cation of the employees, not only as to cooperative principles b u t as
to the goods handled by the stores so as to be able to explain them
whenever necessary, and of the members and customers so as to enable
them to judge qualities were among the m ethods suggested by M r.
A. W. W arinner of the Central States Cooperative League. The
question of utilizing the employee’s services as a means of reaching
the custom er raised some debate, some delegates being of the opinion
th a t the clerks were working under too high a pressure already to
impose this additional duty upon them , and other delegates holding
th a t only in this way could m any housewives be reached. Other
avenues of education suggested were the employment of a person for
the particular job of education or the utilization of the services of the
women’s guild for this purpose.
One difficulty encountered by the m ovem ent for which a solution
m ust be sought is th a t of m aking cooperators of the employees. One
society is meeting the difficulty through a school for its employees
held every F riday; another through weekly meetings of the clerks.
Uniformity in Accounting
(O N E of the ever-present problems in the cooperative m ovem ent is
^
th a t of the keeping of accounts, as poor bookkeeping has been
one of the m ost fruitful causes of failure of cooperative stores. As
a move toward remedying the situation, several cooperative agencies
have inaugurated auditing services and are now considering the
best way in which to secure uniform ity in accounts. Uniformity is
desirable as a m atter of general efficiency, as pointed out by M r.
H. V. Nurm i, auditor, of the Cooperative C entral Exchange. If
each society is keeping its books after its own fashion the auditor
m ust first acquaint himself with the system, thus losing time and
increasing the cost of his services. Uniform forms are now in use
among the stores served by each of the wholesales represented at
the congress. M oney is also saved in this way in the purchase of
forms. B etter and better results are being obtained each year, and
the costs of auditing are decreasing.
M r. A. S. Goss, of the Associated Grange Wholesale, stated th a t
when th a t organization began its work along this line 46 of the 64
societies in its field were in difficulties and were about to be closed.
The creditors were induced to turn the finances of these stores over to
the wholesale, which inaugurated a system of daily reports of sales,
purchases, bank balances, and checks. A m onthly statem ent was
also furnished. This afforded an opportunity no t only for study of
the weak points of each store b u t of comparisons of one store with
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
another. I t was found th a t while some stores were operating for as
low as 2 or 3 per cent of sales, on the average it was costing nearly 11
per cent to do business. This has now been reduced to about 8 per
cent, a saving to the members of approxim ately 3 per cent. Along
with a m onthly statem ent to the board of directors of the stores the
wholesale sends an interpretation of the salient facts shown by the
statem ent, pointing out any ba,d or dangerous condition.
Relations between the Consumers’ and the Cooperative Marketing Movements
I N A discussion of the relations which should exist between the con-
sinners’ and the cooperating m arketing movem ents, M r. Goss
suggested th a t the real solution would be for the consumers’ organiza
tions to own and operate the farms. This, however, is a long way off.
M eanwhile the farm er is in difficulties and is trying to solve his
troubles through cooperative m arketing. In these m arketing asso
ciations, he asserted, are being developed the best possible m aterials
for the consumers’ cooperative m ovement, for the cooperating farm er
comes to realize th a t any saving made through cooperative m arketing
does him no good if he m ust spend it all in increased prices for the
goods he m ust buy. And so he turns to the organization of a co
operative store to supply him with farm and household requisites.
In this connection the appointm ent by the Cooperative League of a
committee to act as liaison between the consumers’ and farm ers’
organizations was recommended.
M r. George Keen, secretary of the Cooperative Union of Canada,
stressed the fact th a t while there is a fundam ental difference in the
aims of farm ers’ and consumers’ societies there is a great need of
coordinating the efforts of the two. He pointed out th a t the farmer,
selling as he does in the com petitive m arket, is a p t to have or develop
the com petitive attitu d e of mind. If this com petitive attitu d e con
tinues, the task of coordinating the cooperative m arketing and con
sum ers’ m ovements will be more difficult, b u t if the cooperative habit
of m ind is developed the relations should be good.
Other M atters Before the Congress
RA TH ER m atters discussed by the congress were the relations of
^
consumers’ cooperation and (1) the labor m ovem ent, (2)
cooperative insurance, and (3) credit unions; the question of the
proper celebration of international cooperative day; the publication of
a cooperative yearbook; the establishm ent of a national cooperative
training school; and amendm ents to the league constitution.
Resolutions
A M O N G th e la b o r a n d c o o p e ra tiv e re so lu tio n s p a sse d b y th e
cong ress w ere th o se —
R eco g n izin g th e c o o p e ra tiv e m o v e m e n t as a w o rk in g -class m o v e
m e n t w h ich sh o u ld th e re fo re seek th e c o o p e ra tio n of all w o rk e rs’
a n d fa rm e rs ’ m o v e m e n ts, a n d u rg in g u p o n th e c o n s titu e n t societies
th e use of u n io n -la b e l go o d s a n d th e e m p lo y m e n t of u n io n w o rk m en
w h e re v e r possible.
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COOPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES— AUSTRIA
87
Protesting against the use of the injunction against labor and
cooperative organizations.
Recommending the appointm ent of a com m ittee to study existing
cooperative insurance societies in this country and abroad, with
a view to the undertaking of the form ation of an insurance society.
Urging the affiliated societies to undertake the form ation of junior
cooperative leagues, with a view to educating the children in
cooperative principles.
Expressing the sym pathy of the congress for the Italian coopera
tive m ovem ent which has been almost entirely destroyed by the
Fascisti, and supporting the idea of an international meeting of
cooperative societies to combat international Fascism.
-------
* & * + + & * ---------- -----
C o o p e r a tio n in F o re ig n C o u n tr ie s
A u s tria
'^HE International Cooperative Bulletin for September, 1926,
contains an article by M rs. Em m y Freundlich describing the
condition of the cooperative m ovem ent in A ustria in 1925.
Referring briefly to the extremely unfavorable conditions which
have had to be m et, both by cooperative societies and private enter
prises—currency inflation, repartition of the country, general financial
stagnation, etc.— the article states:
I
No other wholesale society has ever experienced w hat our cooperative whole
sale society had to pass through. In a night it lost three-fourths of its
membership; its productive works and departm ents lay w ithin th e boundaries
of various S tates; it was separated from its members and placed on new ground.
The principal d u ty a t th a t tim e was to m aintain th e life of our movem ent, to
save th e old organization, and to do everything in order to prevent th e new
conditions in th e S tate from giving it its deathblow. Our wholesale society
has survived th is crisis; it has gained th e new members it needed, and during th e
m ost difficult tim e of its existence m ade use of th e help which th e S tate offered.
After our membership again increased we were able to resume our self-help
activities, to establish th e labor bank, and, although our present governm ent
is none too favorably disposed tow ard th e cooperative movem ent, we were
able to overcome th e crisis w ith the means a t our disposal. Our balance sheet,
based on th e gold standard, shows th a t we have well overcome th e difficulties
of th e crisis.
D uring th e tim e of th e inflation we had w ritten down all recently acquired
property to one penny, and we are now able to appreciate our possessions care
fully, y et adequately.
Our various interests to-day are valued a t 1,304,260 schillings 1 and our fixtures
a t 1,247,000 schillings. The various reserve funds, share capital and taxation
reserve fund am ount to 1,259,422 schillings, while th e appreciated or still reserves
to ta l 2,101,513 schillings. Our wholesale society emerges sound and hale from
th e difficult period of th e inflation.
The balance sheet for 1925 gives th e turnover as 70,770,269 schillings. All
other figures down to th e fixtures are th e same as th e figures of th e gold balance
sheet. Considering th a t A ustria is a small and poor country, w ith a population
of six and one-half millions and a percentage of unemployed as high as th a t of
England, one will readily adm it th a t the turnover is satisfactory. The net su r
plus is small, owing to th e bad economic conditions in general, and th e margin
between th e retail, and wholesale price was necessarily small, as otherwise th e
people would have been unable to buy. There was an increase in th e gross
1Schillings approximately 14.15 cents.
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M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
surplus of 7 per cent, or 286,079 schillings, while th e net surplus was 58,539
schillings. Only a betterm ent in the general economic conditions can bring about
an im provem ent in the turnover of our wholesale society.
Czechoslovakia
"""THE Statistical Office of Czechoslovakia has recently issued a report
1
(1926, No. 14) on the cooperative societies of th a t country, in
which for the first tim e the statistics cover both the credit and the
noncredit societies. The combination was m ade in order to obtain
a view of the whole cooperative movement. The statem ent below
shows the num ber of cooperative societies of each type on December
31, 1924:
Number of
societies
C redit societies________________________________________
O ther types:
A gricultural societies______________________________
Industrial and commercial societies_________________
Consumers’ societies:
Consum ers’ societies proper________________________
Housing societies___________________________ : _____
O ther________________________
T otal----------------------------------------------------------------Public utility societies_________________________________
6, 151
3, 740
1, 607
1, 310
q 349
’
17
2, 676
63
T otal-------------------------------- J ____________________ 14,237
N o d a ta are g iv en as to membership, a m o u n t of business, etc.
D enm ark 2
T H E sales of the Danish Cooperative Wholesale Society in 1925
1 am ounted to 165,340,137 kroner,3 about 4,000,000 kroner less
than in the preceding year. “ This, however, was entirely due to
the considerable fall in prices following the great rise in value of the
krone on its way to p ar during the last six m onths of the financial
year.” Profits were also affected, am ounting only to 3,699,473
kroner, b u t the society was able to pay a patronage dividend of
3 per cent.
Goods m anufactured by the wholesale amounted to 47,039,125
kroner, and the q u antity of goods distributed by it far exceeded th at
of any preceding year.
On December 31, 1925, the society had reserves of 21,402,936
kroner, depreciation reserves of 9,700,000 kroner, an insurance fund
of 1,000,000 kroner, and paid-in share capital of 1,468,400 kroner.
Affiliated societies num bered 1,804, and their combined mem ber
ship num bered 337,500 persons.
R ussia
T r i E Russian Review (W ashington, D. C.) for October, 1926,
contains an article on cooperative societies in the Soviet Union,
including the agricultural societies. According to this article, the
system of agricultural cooperative societies in th a t country came
*International Cooperative Bulletin, London, September, 1926, p. 281.
average exchange rate in December, 1925=24.9 cents.
8Krone at par=26.8 cents;
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COOPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES----SWEDEN
89
into existence only in 1922, b u t has rapidly expanded, so th a t at
the beginning of 1926 there were 31,000 federated agricultural cooper
ative socieities and 20,000 independent societies. The latter, it is
explained, include societies for the collective use of agricultural
implements, soil-improvement societies, collective farms, etc.
Some 6,500,000 peasant farmers, representing 28 per cent of all
the farms of the country, belong to agricultural societies, and the
annual business of these societies now reaches the am ount of 1,200,000,000 rubles.4
The peasants owning one horse and one cow only are th e m ain element con
stitu tin g the membership of the agricultural cooperatives. The poor and middle
peasants form the m ajority among the members of the cooperatives. In some
branches of agriculture the cooperatives are engaged in m arketing up to 85 per
cent of the peasant produce, bu t in the entire Soviet Union the cooperatives
are handling onlv 16.5 per cent of the peasant produce. W ith regard to the sale
of th e raw m aterial output, as well as in providing th e villages w ith machinery
and other necessary articles, th e cooperatives are conducting their activities
on th e basis of agreements w ith S tate industries and S tate trading organizations.
The report states th a t while the resources of this branch of the
cooperative movem ent are still inadequate—their share capital
amounting to only 22,000,000 rubles, an insufficient sum with which
to handle the business done— the Government is aiding these societies
by loans.
Some 20,000 enterprises engaged in working up and assorting the
agricultural products of the farms have been organized by these
societies. The development of collective farms is another activity
of the agricultural cooperative societies.
The growth of the collective farms is expressed not only in th e increase of the
num ber of collective farms and of peasant farms included in th e la tte r b u t also
in the strengthening of their im portance in the agricultural economy; in th e im
provem ent of the m utai relations w ith the surrounding peasant population, and
also in the beginning specialization of the collective farms.
In 1925 the num ber of collective farms had grown to 21,923, as
compared with only 12,861 two years before, and include 8,030,000
acres, with a farming population of 1,085,456.
These collective
farms are divided into “ communes,” in which the whole land, with
the implements, etc., belongs to the group, and individual members
can not withdraw their share; “ artels” for cooperative landholding
and tilling, the members reserving the right to withdraw and to return
to the individual tilling of their share; and societies for the collec
tive use of machinery for individually owned lands.
Soviet Russia proper contains 1,935 communes, 9,647 artels,
4,726 societies for the collective use of machinery, and 37 societies
engaged in special branches of agricultural production. In the
Ukraine there are 381 communes, 4,639 artels, and 558 machinery
societies.
Sw eden 5
rT 'H E favorable economic conditions existing in Sweden during
*
1925 were reflected in the condition of the cooperative move
m ent. A t the end of 1925 the Kooperativa Fdrbundet (the central
4Ruble at par=51.46 cents.
11International Cooperative Bulletin,
20358°—26t----- 7
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
union) had in affiliation 902 societies, whose total business during
the year amounted to 259,700,000 kronor.6 Of this amount, 3 6 ^
per cent was of goods purchased from the wholesale society. The
share capital of the federated societies amounted to 39,536,052
kronor, or 68.90 kronor per member. The net surplus on the y e a r’s
business am ounted to 11,099,448 kronor.
‘Krona at par-26.8cents; exchangerate in 1925approximately at par.
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LABOR CONGRESSES
C o n v e n tio n of t h e A m e ric a n F e d e r a tio n o f L a b o r, 19261
H E forty-sixth convention of the American Federation of Labor
was in session in D etroit from October 4 to 14, 1926.
According to the secretary’s report to the convention, the feder
ation includes 4 departm ents, 107 national and international unions,
769 local departm ent councils, 833 city central bodies, 380 local trade
and Federal labor unions, and 29,417 local unions. The average
paid-up and reported individual membership for the fiscal year ending
August 31, 1926 was 2,813,910, a decrease of 63,387 as compared
with 1925.2
Keceipts for the year aggregated $518,451.49 and expenses
$519,113.33. There was a balance of $212,391.96 on August 31,
1926, of which $193,095.78 was in the defense funds for local trade and
Federal labor unions.
The following am ounts were reported as paid out in trade-union
benefits for the year 1925-26 by 23 national and international
organizations.3
T
D eath benefits_______________________________ 4 $1, 263, 451. 22
D eath benefits to m em bers’ wives______________
50. 00
Sick benefits_________________________________
432, 403. 81
Traveling benefits____________________________
9, 869. 25
Tool insurance_______________________________
140. 00
U nem ploym ent insurance_____________________
126, 012. 95
The sums reported above are in the greater num ber of cases those
disbursed directly by the international unions. These totals, there
fore, represent b u t a small portion of the aggregate am ounts paid out
in trade-union benefits.
A sum m ary of some of the more significant discussions and resolu
tions is here presented.
Company Unions
T H E opening address of M r. William Green, president of the
* American Federation of Labor, dealt a t some length with the
question of company unions. In his judgm ent, such unions do not
“ perm it the worker to exercise his own freedom, to exercise his own
opinions, to p u t into effect his own will; he is always controlled by
those who shaped and formed this organization and conferred it
upon him. The working people will not long subject themselves to
1A m erican Federation of Labor. R eport of proceedings of forty-sixth annual convention (advance
copy), D etroit, M ich., Oet. 4-14,1926, and report of th e executive council to th e convention. [W ashing
ton, 1926.]
,
.. ,
1 I t is estim ated b y th e federation th a t th ere were a t least 500,000 m em bers for w hom the per capita tax
was n o t paid u d because of strikes or u n em ploym ent.
. ,
¿ In addition to th e benefits listed here th e typographical union reported $1,007,050 in old-age pensions
and th e barbers $995,008 in such pensions and disability benefits.
4 Includes some to ta l disability benefits.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
such subordination of conscience, judgm ent, or will, because if there
is any one characteristic of the working people of our land th a t stands
out more prom inently than another it is this determ ination to be
independent and free in America—economically free and politically
free.”
The executive council of the federation is investigating the develop
m ent of company unions and has collected considerable data on
them. The concluding paragraph of the section of the council’s
report which treated of this subject reads as follows:
The problem of com pany unions is both of fundam ental concern to tradeunions and industry and of very real significance as a social policy. The quality
of initiative th a t is bred under com pany union régime m ust necessarily be reflected
in th e various other relationships which m ake up workers’ lives. We can not
escape the interpenetration of paternalism in any im portant portion of workers’
lives. The effect upon industry itself would be to retard progress. N ot even
those unfriendly to unions deny the lifting im petus to progress of industry, of
the high standards of work and pay which American, trade-unions have estab
lished. Our dem ands have brought technical progress and im provem ents in
organization in m any industries.
The American Federation of Labor will oppose to th e full extent of its power
the efforts of employers to compel their employees to join com pany unions.
A resolution was unanim ously adopted authorizing the executive
council to assess the federation’s affiliated unions in order to create a
sufficient fund to conduct a study and campaign for the purpose of
eliminating employer-controlled unions and shop-representative
plans and th a t all affiliated unions be called upon to assist in such
study and campaign.
Reduction of the Hours of Labor
IN T H E debate in connection with the adoption of the resolution
“ favoring a progressive shortening of the hours of labor,” statistics
were subm itted showing the enormous recent increases in production
in various industries. The full text of this resolution is given on
page 15 of this issue.
In discussing the report of the comm ittee on the shorter work day,
M r. John P. Frey, president of the Ohio State Federation of Labor,
declared th a t “ the wage earners in this country are not only produc
ing at a rapidly increasing volume, sometimes doubling their o utput
per m an in a year, b u t the American workman, because of this fact,
is working for a lower wage rate for w hat he produces than the
workmen in the so-called low-wage countries of Europe.”
Education
]\A R. W ILLIA M G R E E N declared th a t he regarded workers’
education as “ a strong arm of the American Federation of
L abor.”
. The progress of the workers’ education m ovem ent since the federa
tion’s 1925 convention was reviewed both by the executive council
and Spencer Miller, jr., secretary of the W orkers’ Education Bureau.
M r. M iller estim ated th a t 5,000 adult workers had been added to
those enrolled in system atic instruction classes, constituting a total
of °ver 40,000. In the past year there has also been an increase in
the num ber and geographical distribution of labor’s educational
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93
centers. Through open forums, labor chautauquas, and debates
the message of workers’ education has been brought to tens of thou
sands who had never previously heard it. M any State federations
of labor have made an impressive response to the appeal to make
education one of their functions.
W orkers’ education institutes and summer labor schools have
notably increased. The research departm ent of the W orkers’
E ducation Bureau is expanding its activities. The W orkers’ E duca
tion Press has been incorporated under the New York State laws
and im portant additions have been made to the bureau’s publications.
The federation’s committee on education, the executive council
reported, has 243 local cooperating committees, and included within
its work of the past year the continuation of a survey of social text
books, cooperation with the research departm ent of the American
Federation of Teachers, an investigation of a num ber of educational
developments, the furnishing of local comm ittees w ith data on
provisions for recreation, an inquiry concerning the health activities
of labor unions, and the issuance of a pam phlet of health rules.
Organization Work and Allied Action
C C A R C IT Y of funds was declared to have handicapped the federa^
tion’s progress in organization, although over $105,000 was
spent along this line during the past year. The work of the salaried
organizers was supplem ented by 1,774 volunteers. A special sevenm onths’ campaign was carried on by the Union Label Trades D epart
m ent. In this connection a labor film was shown a t 529 meetings in
396 cities.
The results of a special organizing campaign among woman
workers in New Jersey was reported as no t m eeting w ith as much
success as was hoped for. The convention approved, however, the
continuation of the efforts to unionize women. Miss Rose Schneiderm ann, fraternal delegate from the N ational W om en’s Trade Union
League, discussed among other m atters the obstacles in the way of
organizing women, declaring th a t new problems in this connection
“ are a challenge to us a ll” and “ call for a new approach and a new
technique.”
The com m ittee on organization agreed with the recom mendation
of the executive council’s report th a t organization work “ m ust always
be k e p t in the forefront.”
Among the adopted resolutions more directly relating to unioniza
tion m atters were included plans to organize the automobile industry,
proposals to in stitu te a labor chatauqua to prom ote southern organ
ization, requests th a t all State federations of labor and city central
bodies m ake every possible effort to organize the laundry workers,
and th a t unions employ union office workers, and a pledge to sup
p ort the bakery and confectionery workers against the so-called W ard
bread trust.
The full text of the resolution to organize the automobile industry
is given below:
Whereas there are employed in the automobile industry m any thousands of
working people eligible to membership in the American Federation of Labor, the
industry as a whole, however, being w ithout organization a t this time, except
in some instances so-called “ shop” or “ com pany” organizations; and
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Whereas the m etal trades departm ent of the American Federation of Labor
having under consideration for some tim e the question of bringing about the
organization of the working people in the automobile industry, b u t the task being
so great th a t only through united action, led by th e American Federation of Labo r
can we succeed in bringing about th e desired results; and
Whereas all organizations affiliated w ith the American Federation of Labor
are interested, directly or indirectly, in the organization of this in d u stry : There
fore be it
R e s o lv e d , T h at the president of the American Federation of Labor call a con
ference of all national and international organizations interested in the au to
mobile industry for the purpose of working out details to inaugurate a general
organizing campaign among the workers of th a t industry; and th a t the question
of jurisdiction be suspended for the tim e being, so th a t th e desired result sought
for in the resolution m ay be accomplished.
A special conference of national and international officers was
called by the president of the federation on October 10 to consider
raising funds for the striking textile workers of Passaic.
The previous day R abbi Stephen S. Wise m ade a strong appeal
“ for the organization from top to bottom of the textile workers of
Am erica.”
Civil Service Employees
T H E following are some of the changes in Governm ent employment
A which were favored by the convention: Increased pay for Post
Office D epartm ent messengers, watchmen, and laborers; the elimina
tion of “ speed-up practices,” instituted as so-called efficiency sys
tem s; the extension of the Saturday half holiday; the placing of the
N ayy and W ar D epartm ents on a 44-hour work week basis; the stand
ardization of annual and sick leave; the creation of a civil service
council of appeals; proper recognition of night work; substantial
advance in the rates paid to injured workers under the Federal com
pensation act; and the further liberalization of Federal retirem ent
provisions.
International Relations
y H E report of the executive council declared:
Our interest lias been concerned w ith the welfare of wage earners of other
countries. _ We have refrained from interference in th e domestic and internal
affairs of either Mexico or other Latin-American countries.
The^ comm ittee on international relations approved the councirs
attitu d e on this m atter and recommended th a t the latte r body be
authorized to m ake an inquiry into the relationship of the Mexican
Federation of Labor and the Mexican Governm ent for the information
of the unions affiliated w ith the American Federation of Labor.
Resolutions were passed directing the president of the American
Federation of Labor to appoint American members of a joint American-M exican Commission on M igration; and in support of a bill to
provide for deporting certain aliens, so-called seamen, left by depart
ing vessels.
Two resolutions, one for the modification of imm igration laws to
open the gates to persecuted and oppressed European workers and
the other for the recognition of the Soviet Government, were de
feated.
The convention also reaffirmed its opposition to proposed laws
providing for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens, and
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CONVENTION OF AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR, 1926
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denounced through a declaration of the committee on resolutions the
Faseisti form of government.
The delegates unanimously approved the statem ent of the com
m ittee on international relations th a t it was looking forward “ with
anticipated pleasure to the time when organized labor will be fully
united and affiliated to the International Federation of Trade
Unions.”
Wages
to the report of the executive council, the public, in
geneifu, is beginning to understand th a t with the continuance in
the future of the great trend toward mass production, such trend will
have calamitous results unless the purchasing power of the workers
be enlarged by higher incomes.
In considering the wage section of the council’s report, the com
m ittee on resolutions made the following statem ent, which was unan
imously indorsed by the convention:
The industry th a t can not pay high wages is an industry self-convicted of
inefficient m anagem ent and wasteful methods. Organized labor m ay help to
indicate th e sources of w aste and inefficient m ethods so th a t m anagem ent may
m ake th e necessary changes. Cooperation in this field will lead finally to
consideration of the conditions under which work orders should be form ulated.
In addition to th e perfecting of production technique there is th e development
of units of m easurem ent so th a t industrial output may be evaluated per individual
and per plant. For help in this field we m ust tu rn to technicians. This work
is now being undertaken by the U nited States D epartm ent of Labor. I t is
hoped this will form a perm anent service in addition to th a t now rendered in
the gathering of cost-of-living and other forms of essential data.
Union-Management Cooperation
E R collective bargaining is practiced in industry, unionm anagem ent cooperative undertakings, the executive council
reported, “ are more or less definitely developed ” to prom ote efficiency
in production. The council holds th a t the main responsibility for
the effective developm ent of the m achinery rests with management,
b u t the trade-union m ovem ent is willing and eager to do its full share.
The convention indorsed the presentations of the comm ittee on
resolutions on the need for union-m anagem ent cooperation.
----------------
-----------
- _
- - -
CD
CD
X
t
V '
«■*
Labor Bankin]
IN connection w ith labor banking and other trade-union financial
* ventures a note of warning was sounded in the report of the execu
tive council against the growing tendency to draw the attention of
trade-unionists from “ the more prim ary need of trade-union organ
ization and trade-union functioning.” The convention, however,
unanim ously adopted the recom mendation of the committee on
resolutions to commend the progress made on labor insurance and
to urge the increased development of such enterprise.
Employee Stock Ownership
E convention went on record in favor of cautioning wage earners
against the m ajority of employee stock ownership plans which
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
w ith some exceptions are regarded by the executive council as “ a sup
plem entary m ethod of retarding the legitim ate developm ent of the
trade-union m ovem ent.”
Improvement of Federation’s Services
T T I E need for improved m ethods and practices in keeping union
1 records was stressed by the executive council, and further devel
opm ents were suggested for the operation of the federation’s office as a
central clearing house for trade-union inform ation. No effort has
been spared to expand the service and increase the value of the legal
inform ation bureau.
Watson-Parker Act
T H E enactm ent of the law of M ay 20, 1926, for the arbitration
of railway disputes was pronounced by the executive council as
evidence of “ perhaps the m ost pronounced progress m ade this year
in eradicating the m ost subtle form of denial of the right of free
dom to collective agreem ents.”
Other Action of the Convention
A R E SO LU TIO N in favor of the appointm ent of a congressional
commission to investigate the working, living, industrial, and
financial condition of Porto Rico was referred to the executive council.
The convention also urged continued effort by the federation to
secure a compensation act for longshoremen and harbor workers,
requested an investigation of harm ful effects of use of air hammer,
opposed race discrim ination, favored further efforts to secure ratifica
tion of the child-labor am endm ent, and indorsed the principles and
policies of American organized labor’s nonpartisan political campaign.
M r. William Green was reelected president, and Los Angeles was
selected for the m eeting place of the 1927 convention.
A n n u a l M e e tin g o f Tracies a n d L abor C on gress of
C anad a, 1926 1
H E Trades and Labor Congress of C anada held its forty-second
annual convention in M ontreal Septem ber 20-25, 1926. The
action of the convention on various m atters is indicated below:
Health and safety.—Favored the prohibition of commercial m anu
facture of clothing in workers’ homes; the compelling of m otor busses
to comply w ith the standard safety regulations for public carriers;
stricter regulations in regard to licensing m otion-picture operators in
the Province of Quebec, and to the use of the paint-spraying machine
and the discarding of such machine when it is a menace to the
workers’ safety and health; legislation for the protection of workers
under compressed air in excavations, tunnels, etc.
Marine affairs.—Requested am endm ents to the C anada shipping
act.
T
1 C anadian Congress Journal, O ttaw a, October, 1926, pp. 9-14.
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EN G LISH TRADES-UNION CONGRESS OF 1026
Education.—Urged the extension of free education and free text
books in certain Provinces.
M inim um wage legislation.—Instructed the congress executives to
urge the extension of minimum wage laws to include male as well as
female workers.
Workmen’s compensation.—Favored improvem ents in existing com
pensation laws and pledged support to workers in the Quebec Province
in their efforts to secure the establishm ent of a compensation board
sim ilar to those in the other Provinces.
Hours of labor, right to organize, etc.— Dem ands were reiterated for
the 8-hour day, and protest was made in regard to the unreasonable
hours which minors are frequently called upon to serve in financial
institutions and also against piecework and contracting out by steam
ship and railroad companies.
Im provem ent in the working conditions of Federal office cleaners
was requested and freedom of organization for public employees was
urged, and also measures for preventing “ intim idation of workers
when exercising their right to organize.”
Picketing.—The report of a special comm ittee on picketing con
demned the issuance of injunctions in labor disputes and urged th a t
the criminal code be amended to insure the workers the right to
peaceful picketing in strikes and lockouts.
Election.—M r. Tom M oore was reelected president by acclamation.
The next annual congress will be held in Edm onton.
E n g lish T ra d es-U n io n C on gress of 1926
H E proceedings of the fifty-eighth annual trades-union congress,
held at Bournem outh, Septem ber 6 to 11, are reported in the
M inistry of Labor G azette for Septem ber, 1926. The num ber
of organizations affiliated with the congress was 174, and 697 dele
gates were appointed to attend. The industries represented and the
membership of each group, both for 1925 and 1926, were as follows:
T
N U M B E R O F O R G A N IZ A T IO N S , A N D M E M B E R S H IP T H E R E O F , R E P R E S E N T E D A T
E N G L IS H T R A D E S -U N IO N C O N G R E S S E S O F 1925 A N D 1926, BY IN D U S T R IE S
1925
In d u stry
1926
N um ber
ber
ber of N um
organi N um ber of
of organi Nmum
em bers ofzations
m em bers
zations
A griculture..............................................- - - .................. ..................
M ining and q u arry in g------------. . --------- ----- -------- - ..............
M etal engineering and shipbuilding----------- -------------------T extiles........................................................ - ------------ ------------C lothing____________________ ________ - ...........- ....................
W oodworking and furnishing----------------------- -----------------Paper, printing, etc.......... .................. ............................................
B uilding, decorating, etc ................. ...........................................
R ailw ay service.................................................. ............................
O ther tra n s p o rt._____________ _________________________
Commerce and finance.................................................... ..............
Public a d m in is tra tio n ...------ ------------- ---------- ----------- M iscellaneous.......... ......................................... .................. ...........
G eneral l a b o r ....................................................................................
1
8
44
27
9
8
13
9
3
7
8
12
17
6
30,000
832, 543
623,132
403,171
160,447
80, 569
167, 665
295, 380
454, 924
404,126
166,297
154, 045
78, 259
500, 424
1
8
45
27
9
7
13
9
3
7
9
12
18
6
30,000
832, 641
601, 382
414, 434
167, 798
82, 616
170, 280
299, 495
454, 786
402, 692
172, 680
159, 677
78, 318
498, 615
T o tal....... ........................................... ................... ....... .........
172
4, 350, 982
174
4, 365, 414
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I t will be seen th a t there is b u t little difference in the figures of the
two years. In the m etal engineering and shipbuilding, transport,
and general labor groups the membership showed a decrease, b u t in
m ost of the others there had been a small increase, which was especially
noticeable in the textile, clothing, and commerce and finance groups.
On the first day resolutions were passed calling upon the Govern
m ent to extend the principle of unem ploym ent insurance to agricul
tural workers, and “ protesting against workers in one occupation
being prevented from following other occupations, and, in particular,
condemning ‘the attem pts being m ade to keep farm workers on the
land by refusing them em ploym ent in sugar-beet factories, and the
indirect encouragement which is being given to these attem pts by
the M inistry of L abor.’ ” Another resolution called for an am end
m ent of the workm en’s compensation acts so they will cover every
disease arising from an occupation or in the course of employment
and to increase the am ount of compensation. A resolution demanding
th a t there should be no difference in the rates of unemployment
benefit paid to single men and single women was defeated by a heavy
m ajority.
On the second day the question of the one big union came up.
A resolution directly urging the congress to take certain steps “ with
the object of one big union being reached as the ultim ate goal of
working class organization,” was laid aside in favor of one expressing
regret for the little advance made in the direction of industrial
unionism, and instructing the general council to call conferences of
the trade groups in order to arrange for the merging of the separate
unions within these groups into industrial unions. One resolution
protested against the continuance of the emergency powers act,
and another against the decision of the M inister of Labor to abolish
the grocery and provision trade boards and not to establish trade
boards in the m eat distributive, catering, and drapery and allied
trades. _ A request made by the general council th a t the congress
should impose a tax of 1 penny per mem ber per year for three years
in order to raise capital to develop E aston Lodge as a residential
educational center was voted down. Action in regard to a section of
the general council’s report was tan tam o u n t to strong approval of
the council’s attitude, which was th a t “ affiliation to the m inority
m ovem ent, in the opinion of the council, was not consistent with the
policy of the congress and the general council, who could not therefore
approve of affiliation to the national m inority m ovem ent.” This
was carried by a vote of 2,710,000 to 738,000.
The chief business of the third day concerned the duties and powers
of the general council. The general strike had shown some of the
advantages and disadvantages of intrusting extensive powers to the
council, and opinion was divided, one p arty wishing to increase its
powers in connection with industrial disputes, while another wished
further consideration of the m atter. The result of the discussion was
th a t the congress took no action on the question, leaving the ques
tion to be dealt with a t a special conference of executives which is
to be held after the mining lockout is settled.
On the following day an effort was m ade to bring the conduct of
the general strike before the congress. The chairm an, however,
stated th a t an arrangem ent had been made n o t to bring in a report
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99
on this topic until the mining dispute was over, and the congress
sustained this plan.
Resolutions were adopted calling upon the Governm ent to ratify
the W ashington hours of work convention, expressing appreciation
of the financial assistance given the miners, and strongly opposing
any attem p t to lim it the right of civil-service employees to affiliate
w ith outside industrial and political bodies, “ pledging strenuous
opposition to any new restrictions, and, in the event of such restric
tions being imposed, pledging the industrial and political labor move
m ents to work for such amendm ents of law and practice as m ight be
necessary to remove th em .” A num ber of miscellaneous subjects
were dealt w ith on the concluding days.
Among the other subjects w ith regard to which resolutions were moved a t
th e congress were th e position of trade-union staffs; th e sanitary condition of
shops, offices, and warehouses; deeasualization, and th e guaranteed week (with
special reference to the building trades) ; the prevention of system atic overtim e;
the abolition of home work in the clothing trades; th e paym ent for holidays foxall workers; th e ratification of the night work in bakeries convention, approved
a t th e International Labor Conference of 1925; the reduction of th e S tate grant
under th e national health insurance scheme; the postal check system ; decimal
coinage; and m etric weights and measures.
D uring the week the first annual m eeting of the trades-union
women was held, “ when resolutions were passed urging unions with
woman membership to encourage women to take a larger share in
the adm inistration and control of the unions; the form ation of
women’s trade-union guilds, and the necessity for increased educa
tion in trade-union principles among young people entering industry.
À discussion took place on the system of family allowances, a memo
randum on which was presented and referred to delegates for further
consideration.”
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WELFARE
M in ers’ W elfare W ork in G reat B rita in D u r in g th e Coal
S trik e
N A R T IC L E on “ Welfare work during an industrial dispute,”
by G ilbert Hall, in Industrial Welfare (London), August,
1926 (pp. 255-259), gives an account of the way in which
this work has been carried on during the British coal strike. The
w riter, who is an organizing lecturer of the joint comm ittee for
adult education under the m iners’ welfare fund, believes th a t there
is too great a tendency to assume th a t a dispute in an industry
necessarily leads to giving up the welfare work during the continu
ance of the strike, since it m ay be made even more concentrated and
beneficial in such a period than in normal times. T h a t this is true
is shown by the way in which this work, particularly th a t of the
educational comm ittee, has been carried on during the recent strike.
The work of the education comm ittee is ordinarily ended early in
M ay as indoor work can not be carried on so well during the summer
months. As soon as the strike was declared, however, the com
m ittee started an intensive educational campaign. All the local
centers had been notified of the plans of the com m ittee in the event
the strike took place and as soon as work stopped in the industry
the organizers m ade tours, under the direction of the writer, through
all the mining centers in the two counties, for the purpose of getting
the work organized in such a way th a t it could be run from a central
point so long as the stoppage lasted. M aking arrangem ents was not
easy as the m ain interest of the people was the strike and it was diffi
cult to get or hold their interest in a m atter which seemed to them
to be of m inor im portance. The local welfare com m ittees through
which such work is carried on in normal times were of little use, as
in most cases they were not functioning. I t was found possible,
however, to work through the various lodge comm ittees of the miners ’
associations, and contact was made, as far as possible, w ith individ
uals who in the past had given indication th a t they would be especi
ally useful in arranging affairs to occupy the time and attention of
the people during their period of idleness.
Some difficulty was m et in securing lecturers, as those on the staff
who were college instructors were getting ready for the summerterm examinations and were not all available, b u t a large enough
num ber having been found and tried out a “ stoppage lis t” of lectures
and lecturers, together with the dates on which they were available,
was distributed to all the m ining communities.
In addition to lectures and talks on non vocational subjects, special
attention was paid to gardening, poultry keeping, etc., since it was
the season when such work would be in full swing. The educational
point of view also was not lost sight of in the musical and dram atic
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program s provided, as these always took the form of lecture recitals,
n o r ln the programs on which one-act plays were presented.
From the tim e the strike began to the 1st of July 113 lectures,
10 recitals, 36 concerts, and 9 bills of plays were given, a t which the
total attendance was approxim ately 40,000. _ The lecturers’ subjects
covered economics, industrial history, music, literature, education,
general and local history, geography, science, and the coal com
mission ’s report.
An educational camp for boys between the ages of 14 and 18 was
also organized, a t which two groups of 50 boys were taken care of
for a week each. W ith the onset of real summer w eather the purely
educational activities were dropped and attention turned to outdoor
sports, b u t it was considered th a t during the three m onths th a t this
work was carried on it had had a real vital social value and had
strengthened the foundations of the activities of the comm ittee to an
extent which would not ordinarily have been possible with less than
two or three years of hard work.
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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
S t a t u s o f W o m e n in t h e G o v e r n m e n t S e rv ic e in 1925
R E PO R T by the W om en’s Bureau of the U nited States D epart
m ent of Labor on the statu s of women in the Governm ent
serviee in 1925 (Bulletin No. 53) shows the present oppor
tunities for advancem ent among women employed by the Govern
m ent. A slow b u t certain widening in the field of women’s service
is shown in comparing present conditions w ith those in 1919, when a
similar study was made. In 1919 women were excluded from more
than one-half of the examinations given for Governm ent positions
while now, according to civil-service regulations, all examinations
are open to women. However, although all positions are potentially
open to women, actually the Civil Service Commission can not place
a woman in a position, even though she m ay have the highest rating,
when the officials requesting the appointm ent specify th a t the ap
pointee shall be a man.
The report is of special interest to women who wish to know the
practical possibilities of Governm ent em ploym ent and the kinds of
work which offer the greatest opportunities for advancem ent. The
classification act of 1923 fixed the m inimum salary for positions
requiring “ professional, scientific, or technical training equivalent to
th a t represented by graduation from a college or university of recognizea standing ’ a t $1,860, so th a t in this study only records of women
receiving salaries of $1,860 or over have been reviewed. Although
the larger num ber of women receiving $1,860 or more a year are found
in the stenographic and clerical positions, greater opportunities for
advancem ent beyond this m inimum salary are found in the profes
sional and scientific fields. Accounting and auditing, for instance,
claimed between 8 and 9 per cent of the woman employees; legal
work, nearly 5 per cent; fact collection, com pilation, and analysis,
more than 4 per cent; scientific research and investigation, 4 per cent;
adm inistrative work, more th an 3 per cent; library service, 3 per
cent; and editing and translating, nearly 2 per cent.
Practically all the women in the departm ents surveyed who were
engaged in auditing and accounting were found to be in the Treasury
D epartm ent; by far the m ost of those in legal work, in the Interior
D epartm ent; 38 of the 94 in fact collection service were in the D ep art
m ent of Labor, 19 in the D epartm ent of Commerce, and 14 in the
D epartm ent of Agriculture; 63 of the 87 women engaged in scientific
research and investigation were in the D epartm ent "of Agriculture,
35 of them in the Bureau of P la n t In d u stry as botanists, plan t pathol
ogists, plant physiologists, and nematologists. Those in adminis
trativ e w ork_were scattered, w ith the biggest groups in the D epart
m ent oi Agriculture, the D epartm ent of Labor, and the Treasury,
the highest positions filled by women being a mem ber of the Civil
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STATUS OF WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1925
103
Service Commission, a m em ber of the Em ployees’ Com pensation
Commission, the chief of the Bureau of Home Economics in the
D epartm ent of Agriculture, the chief of the Children’s Bureau and
the director of the W omen’s Bureau in the D epartm ent of Labor,
and the A ssistant D irector of the M int. In library service 42 of the
total of 87 women were in the D epartm ent of Agriculture, and the
m ajority of those doing editing and translating were found in the
D epartm ents of Labor and Agriculture.
Of the employees in the services studied by the W omen’s Bureau
about one-half were women. Of the approxim ate one-third of all
these employees who received a t least $1,860 a year only one-fifth
were women and four-fifths men. S tated in term s of the total
num ber of men and of women, nearly one-sixth of the women and
approxim ately one-half of the men received $1,860 or more a year.
The beginning salary of clerks and typists usually is $1,140; th a t
of stenographers $1,320. The highest salary paid to men or women
in these positions was $2,700, b u t this was received by only 1 woman
stenographer and 8 woman clerks of the thousands employed in these
positions in the services included in this study. The beginning salary
for all occupations classified as scientific or professional is $1,860.
The highest salary received by a woman in this service (exclusive of
the heads and assistant heads of scientific and professional bureaus)
was $5,200, while the highest received by men was $6,000. The
highest salary received by any woman among those included in this
survey was $6,500, the am ount paid to one woman— the Civil Service
Commissioner. Only 10 of the thousands of other women received
as m uch as $5,200, and only 35 received $3,600 and more.
The fact th a t 45 per cent of all the women receiving $1,860 and
more received exactly th a t am ount while 55 per cent were in positions
paying more th an th a t am ount is due prim arily, the report points
out, to the fact th a t more than half of the woman clerks classified
as receiving $1,860 and over and nearly three-fifths of the woman
stenographers and typists so classified—the occupations in which
tw o-thirds of the women covered in the study are e m p lo y e d received salaries of exactly $1,860 per annum.
C ontrasting the salaries of women and men the report shows th a t
in positions paying $1,860 and over in which both women and men
were employed the proportions of women were always greater in the
lower salary groups and smaller in the higher salary groups than were
the proportions of men. For instance, in positions paying $1,860
and over, 45 per cent of the women and approxim ately 15 per cent
of the men received ju st $1,860 a year; alm ost 40 per cent of the
women and only 24 per cent of the men received between $1,860 and
$2,400; 15 per cent of the women and 61.5 per cent of the men were
paid $2,400 or more per year. In fact, in scientific positions, in the
fact collection and analysis group, and in the accounting and auditing
service a little more than one-fourth of the woman employees earning
$1,860 and over in each group received ju st $1,860, while less than 10
per cent of the men in each group were paid as little as this amount.
The report also shows th a t the readjustm ents of salary rates result
ing from reclassification of positions in the departm ental service
increased the salaries of men receiving $1,860 and over to a greater
extent than the salaries of women receiving such am ounts. Of all
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
the women and all the men in like positions who received $1,860
and over, 21 per cent of the women and 39 per cent of the men received
increases of 5 per cent or more in their salary rates as a result of
reclassification.
Among clerks receiving salaries of $1,860 and over, 22 per cent of
men as compared w ith 12 per cent of the women, and among stenogra
phers and typists 22 3^ per cent of the men as compared with 14 per
cent of the women, received increases of 5 per cent or more. In the
legal service 47 per cent of the men received 5 per cent increases or
more, while only 27 per cent of the women had such adjustm ent.
In scientific research and investigation 52 per cent of the men, as
compared with 36 per cent of the women, gained a 5 per cent or greater
addition in salary.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1256 ]
LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
C o n s ti tu tio n a lity of S t a t u t e P r o h ib itin g Ille g a l
S tr ik e s
N O T H E R chapter has been w ritten by a Supreme C ourt deci
sion of October 25 in the protracted series of judicial deter
m inations and interpretations springing out of the so-called
industrial relations act of Kansas (Special session, 1920, ch. 29).
Earlier cases were reviewed in an article appearing in the Labor
Review for June, 1925 (pp. 130-136). While the sta tu te was found
to be unconstitutional in certain aspects as involving features of
compulsory arbitration (Wolff Packing Co. v. C ourt of Industrial
Relations (1923), 262 U. S. 522, 43 Sup. C t. 630), the question
rem ained undecided as to the validity of a provision of the law
making it unlawful for persons to conspire “ to induce others to quit
their employment for the purpose and with the in ten t to hinder,
delay, lim it or suspend ” the continuous and efficient operation of
designated industries. Conviction had been had and affirmed in the
State courts in proceedings against one August Dorchy, an official
in a labor organization of miners, for inciting a strike in a coal mine,
in violation of the statu te. On appeal to the Supreme C ourt the
judgm ent of conviction was reversed and the case rem anded for a
decision by the S tate courts on the point of constitutionality of the
section forbidding the calling of strikes in certain circumstances, in
view of the declared unconstitutionality of the so-called compulsory
arbitration features of the law. (Dorchy v. K ansas (1924), 264 U. S.
286, 44 Sup. C t. 323.)
On its consideration of the case the Supreme C ourt ol Kansas
decided th a t the sections forbidding incitem ent to strikes with the
in ten t of hindering, etc., operations and m aking it a felony for an
official of a labor union willfully to use his office to induce violations
of the sta tu te were valid, and reaffirmed the judgm ent of conviction.
(State v. H ow at (1924), 116 Kans. 412, 227 Pac. 752.) This construc
tion of the State law was chedlenged on the ground th a t it was in
effect the prohibition of strikes and therefore a denial of the liberty
guaranteed by the fourteenth am endm ent; it was on this ground
th a t the case was before the Supreme Court. M r. Justice Brandeis,
speaking for the court, announced the necessity of the court’s accept
ance of the construction given the statute, the only question being
w hether or not the sta tu te as so construed and applied is constitu
tional, and affirmed the j udgment. (Dorchy v. Kansas, 47 Sup. Ct. 86.)
The facts in the case were reviewed quite fully, showing th a t the
strike was ordered to compel the paym ent of a claim of a workman to
a disputed balance of wages. There was no evidence th a t the claim
had ever been subm itted to arbitration, nor of any requirem ent th at
it should be. The claim had been in dispute for nearly two years,
and the employee was not, apparently, in the com pany’s employ at
the time of the strike order. I t appeared further th a t not only was
the calling of the strike unlawful b u t th a t there was at the time in
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
existence an injunction specifically forbidding the calling of such
strike. In holding th a t the statu te, as construed and applied, was
not unconstitutional, M r. Justice Brandeis concluded his opinion as
follows:
The right to carry on business—be it called liberty or property—has value.
To interfere w ith this right w ithout ju st cause is unlawful. The fact th a t the
injury was inflicted by a strike is sometimes a justification. But. a strike may
be illegal because of its purpose, however orderly th e m anner in which it is
conducted.
To collect a stale claim due to a fellow m ember of th e union who was formerly
employed in the business is not a permissible purpose. In th e absence of a
valid agreem ent to the contrary, each party to a disputed claim m ay insist th a t
it be determ ined only by a court.
To enforce paym ent by a strike is clearly coercion. The legislature may
m ake such action punishable criminally, as extortion or otherwise.
And it may subject to punishm ent him who uses th e power or influence inci
dent to his office in a union to order th e strike. N either the common law nor
th e fourteenth am endm ent confers the absolute right to strike.
L ia b ility fo r A c tio n of S t a t e P o lic e A c tin g a s S tr ik e
G u a rd
H E C ourt of Civil Appeals of Texas has recently had before
it a rath er novel case involving the liability of an employer
obtaining protection in tim e of strike from the agency
commonly known as S tate police. The incident involved occurred
in connection with the railway shopm en’s strike of July, 1922, when
m any workmen a t the repair shops of the company w ent on strike,
some of them joining the picketing force. Claiming a fear of violence
to the. employees rem aining a t work and of interference w ith its
railway operations, the company applied to the Governor of Texas
for a, body of rangers to act as a guard for its property and employees.
On the ground th a t funds were lacking, the governor consented to
send the rangers on condition th a t the com pany would pay their
compensation. This was agreed to, and a num ber of rangers were
assembled a t the town of Tyler under the comm and of one C aptain
Brady. Subsequently one ranger, L. W. Pearce, shot and killed
a picketer, Clayton Hudson, whose parents thereupon brought
action against the com pany to recover damages for the death of their
son. Judgm ent was in their favor in the district court of Sm ith
C ounty, b u t on appeal this was reversed by the court of civil appeals
and judgm ent rendered for the company. (St. Louis Southwestern
By. Co. v. Hudson, 286 S. W. 766.)
There was no question th at the killing was w anton and w ithout
justification, and it was claimed th a t Pearce was only nom inally
a S tate ranger, being in fact an employee of the appellant, and th a t
he was known to be “ a violent and dangerous m an, unfit for such
d u tie s,” b u t was nevertheless continued by the com pany in its
service.
The court of appeals found th a t under the law the governor was
within his authority in assuming control of the situation a t Tyler
and using the ranger force to m aintain order. I t was in evidence
th a t shortly before the coming of the rangers two employees of
another railway com pany a t the same place liad been assaulted and
one of them killed because they were working. A survey was made
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ARGENTINE SUNDAY REST LAW
107
shortly after the killing of H udson which led the governor to issue
a proclam ation taking “ exclusive police supervision of certain local
territory in th a t place.” No question, therefore, seemed to rem ain
but th a t “ the governor was w ithin his legal authority and th a t the
conditions existed which called for such official actio n .”
It it should be assumed th a t Pearce, in killing Hudson, intended
to act for the benefit of the company, or thought th a t he was acting
in its interest, this could have no effect by way of extending the
lim its of the com pany’s responsibility. Even if he was its employee,
it could not be m ade responsible for conduct or actions which he was
not employed to perform. I t had been recognized th a t no legal
m ethods existed for breaking up picketing, and, as this was under
stood, it could not be assumed th a t any effort in this direction was
within the scope of service contem plated from the rangers. However,
the court was of the opinion th a t there was no relation of employer
and employee between the company and Pearce. He was duly
commissioned as a ranger, subject to discharge only by his superiors,
and under the orders of the captain of the force in comm and. The
application for guards had been for protection a t the S ta te ’s expense,
b u t in the absence of funds money for their paym ent had been
supplied; b u t this fact of itself could n o t be regarded as changing
the statu s of the guards as agents of the State, nor as m aking them
private employees of the company. The conclusion Was reached
th a t the com pany was in no wise liable for the unlawful act of the
ranger, and judgm ent was rendered in its favor.
A r g e n tin e S u n d a y R e s t L aw !
'" p H E following regulations of the Argentine Sunday rest law (No.
4661)2 became effective June 10, 1926, in accordance w ith
■*'
a presidential decree of M arch 1, 1926.
M anual work in factories, shops, stores, and other establishm ents
is prohibited on Sunday, except th a t perm itted by said law. The
rest period shall extend from m idnight Saturday to m idnight Sunday,
and no deduction from the workers’ wages shall be m ade for this rest
period.
The sale of intoxicating beverages is prohibited on Sunday, with
the exception of beer having an alcoholic content of not more than
6 per cent, and, in hotels and restaurants, wine consumed w ith meals.
Employees of undertakings allowed to operate on Sunday are to
have one rest day for each six days of labor and m ust have perm its
for Sunday work from the D epartm ent of Labor.
The following are added to the industries and business places not
allowed to operate on Sunday: Warehouses, cigar and tobacco stores
or tobacco stands in other places of business, cheese stores, messenger
service, barber shops, and street merchandise booths, except flower
booths.
The M inistry of the Interior has the power to modify or suspend
the regulations if they do not fulfill the purposes of this enactm ent.
1 L a Prensa, Buenos Aires, A rgentina, Ju n e, 10, 1926, and P a n A m erican U nion B ulletin, W ashington,
October, 1926, pp. 1035, 1036.
2 F or a detailed account of th is law see L abor R eview for June, 1925, pp. 141, 142,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1259]
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
S tr ik e s a n d L o c k o u ts in t h e U n ite d S ta te s , O c to b e r,
1928
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics presents below a statem ent of
strikes and lockouts in the U nited States beginning in the
m onth of October, 1926, in so far as reports thereof have been
received by the bureau. D isputes involving fewer than six workers
and those lasting less than one day have been om itted where in
form ation on this point is reported.
In presenting these figures it is im portant to note th a t the Bureau
of Labor Statistics has no m achinery for prom pt and full reporting
of strikes and lockouts. The bureau depends largely upon news
papers, trade journals, and labor periodicals for the prelim inary
reports of disputes. These preliminary reports are then followed up
by correspondence and necessary revision made. Such revision
m ay change more or less considerably the num ber of strikes and lock
outs as originally recorded, owing to the fact th a t m inor disputes
are often late in being reported, but experience has shown th a t almost
always prom pt reports are obtained regarding the more im portant
disputes.
Also it m ust be emphasized that, for the reasons m entioned, the
data here presented do not pretend to be absolutely complete or fully
accurate. I t is believed, however, th a t practically all of the more
significant strikes and lockouts are recorded, and th a t the inform ation
presented is sufficiently accurate to give a fair picture of the situation
in the United States in the m atter of significant strikes and lockouts.
T
T h e B u re a u of L a b o r S ta tis tic s so licits th e c o o p e ra tio n of em p lo y ers,
la b o r o rg a n iz a tio n s, a n d o th e r in te re s te d p a rtie s in m a k in g th is
c o m p ila tio n of d is p u te s as c o m p re h e n siv e a n d as a c c u ra te as possible.
Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in October, 1926
'"FABLE 1 shows the num ber of strikes and lockouts beginning in
1 October, 1926, in comparison with August and Septem ber, and
also the num ber of persons involved, to the extent th a t reports on
this point have been received. As already noted, delayed reports
usually concern m inor disputes.
108
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1260]
109
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS IN OCTOBER, 1026
T able 1 . — 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 U G U ST ,
O C T O B E R , 1926 »
SE PTE M B E R, AND
D isputes in w hich num ber of em
ployees directly involved is know n2
T otal
num ber
N um ber
of
d isp u te s2 of strikes
and
lockouts
M o n th
A ugust, 1926
. ___________________________________
________________________
ftp.ptp.mhpr, 1926
October, 1926
................................ - ......................
1 D ata given are subject to revision.
104
96
62
68
72
42
Total
num ber
of em
ployees
involved
Average
num ber
of em
ployees
per
dispute
234
370
358
15,917
26,667
15,038
2 Excluding those involving fewer th a n six persons.
Classification of Strikes and Lockouts by Industries and by Number of Persons
Involved
n r ABLE 2 shows the distribution of the reported strikes and lock^
outs for October, 1926, by industries.
T able 2 .—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 O C T O B E R , 1926, C L A S S IF IE D BY
IN D U S T R IE S
In d u stry
N um ber
of
strikes
and
lockouts
------------- --------------
12
13
7
6
4
4
Longshorem en-----------------------------------
1
"Puildmp t r a d ps
P lo th iu g in d u s tr y
T i'rjfn itn rp i n d u s t r y
ATpt id t r a d p.s
Ad i n in g p.or 1
Textile in d u stry
Jp y p l r y w n rh p rs
N um ber
of
strikes
and
lockouts
In d u stry
1
1
2
2
8
B arbers___________________________ -Chaffeurs an d team sters______________
________ -Paper ____________
W indow w a s h e rs ------ -- ---------M iscellaneous________________________
1
62
T o ta l__ - _____ ________ - ..........
The statem ent below shows in so far as inform ation is available
the disputes beginning in October, 1926, classified by num ber of
workers directly involved:
N um ber of
disputes
6 and under 20 w orkers______________________________________
20 and under 100 workers___________________________________
100 and under 500 w orkers---------------------------------------------------500 and under 1,000 w orkers----------------------- :------------------------1,000 and under 5,000 w orkers--------------------------------------------- -
10
13
12
2
5
T o ta l_______________ _____________________________________
42
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in October, 1926
A B R IE F description is given below of the more im portant strikes
z arid lockouts beginning in October for which detailed inform a
tion has become available.
Paper-box makers, New York.—Paper-box m akers in New York
C ity struck on October 5 for a 44-hour week, increase in wages,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1261]
110
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
etc. The num ber of strikers is variously reported as from 2,000 to
4,000. This strike is still pending, although some shops, according
to press reports, have settled on the term s dem anded by the workers.
Ladies' tailors and dressmakers, New York.—The tailoring shops
along Fifth Avenue and vicinity, New York City, were affected
from October 5 to 12 by a strike of about 1,500 workers who wanted
an increase in wages, a 40-hour week, and a tim e guaranty of em
ployment. The settlem ent, as reported through the press, included
a 2-year agreement, a 40-hour week for 8 m onths out of the 12,
and a wage increase of $3 per week.
Textile workers, Massachusetts.—On October 13 the employees of
the D artm outh M anufacturing Co., New Bedford, M ass., went out
on strike because of unsatisfactory working conditions. The num
ber of strikers is variously reported as from 1,200 to 1,600. Accord
ing to press reports this strike ended on Novem ber 23, following an
adjustm ent of grievances, the company having conceded several, if
not most, of the points a t issue. The employees expect to resume
work on Novem ber 29.
i Coal miners, Ohio.—On October 12, 1,200 miners employed by
the Ohio Collieries Co., in the Hocking Valley, of Ohio, struck over
a wage dispute and returned to work on October 16, under condi
tions prevailing prior to the strike.
Coal miners, In d ia n a — A strike of 1,300 coal miners against the
F o rt H arrison Coal Co., of Terre H aute, Ind., on account of working
conditions, is recorded, b u t the exact date of the strike and further
details are lacking.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into October, 1926
A B R IE F description follows of the present statu s of the more
im portant strikes and lockouts originating prior to October
lor which detailed inform ation has become available.
Textile workers, Passaic, N. J .—The strike of woolen and worsted
textile workers of Passaic, N. J., and vicinity which began on January 25, 1926, is still pending, bu t the press reports a settlem ent of
the strike in one of the mills, viz, the Passaic W orsted Spinning Co.,
on Novem ber 11. U nder the term s of the agreem ent as reported
in the press, full recognition is granted the union; the workers are
assured the right of collective bargaining; no discrim ination and
preference will be shown in the employing of help; a closed shop
will not be dem anded; and in the event of future trouble the
workers will rem ain a t work pending arbitration by representatives
of the mill and the union, supplem ented by a third p a rty acceptable
to both.
Cloak and suit workers, New Y o r k — The strike of 40,000 clothing
workers m New York C ity which began on Ju ly 1, 1926, has been
partly settled, according to press reports, through the consumm ation
oi an agreement dated Novem ber 13, 1926, affecting directly one
branch of the industry involving about 7,000 workers employed by
w hat is called the “ inside ” m anufacturers. In addition, it is said,
the agreement applies to about 15,000 employees who had previously
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12621
CONCILIATION WORK IN OCTOBER, 1926
111
settled w ith the so-called independent m anufacturers. The new
agreement, as reported, runs to June 1, 1929, and calls for a 42hour week until the first M onday of June, 1928, and a 40-hour week
thereafter. Wage increases are also stipulated.
C o n c ilia tio n W o rk o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r i n
O c to b e r, 1926
By
H ugh
L.
K e r w i n , D ir e c t o r o p C o n c il ia t io n
H E Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection w ith 42 labor disputes
during October, 1926. These disputes affected a known total
of 16,328 employees. The table following shows the nam e and loca
tion of the establishm ent or industry in which the dispute occurred,
the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy
not having reached strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade con
cerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status, the term s of settle
m ent, the date of beginning and ending, and the num ber of workmen
directly and indirectly affected.
On Novem ber 1, 1926, there were 53 strikes before the departm ent
for settlem ent and, in addition, 11 controversies which had not reached
the strike stage. T otal num ber of cases pending, 64.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1263J
D uration
Nature of
Company or industry and location controversy
Craft concerned
Asked $10 per day_________
W'ages and working condi
tions.
W orking conditions_______
A djusted. R eturned; allowed $10 per
d ay on N ov. 1, 1926.
B egin
ning
Ending
1926
Oct. 1
1926
Oct. 5
Pending. Pew have returned; firm Sept. 21
employing new men.
Adjusted. Returned; terms to be Oct. 1
fixed later.
A djusted. Returned without change. . Sept. 30
U nsatisfactory work b y one
miner.
Wage adjustm ent and re Pending. Can not be settled at this
cognition.
time.
___ do....................................... ____do.......
Open-shop dispute.............. P e n d in g _____________________ j_____
Wages, conditions, and A djusted. R eturned w ithout change. .
union recognition.
Wages cut of 15 per cent; U nable to adjust. C ourt action pend
asked union recognition.
ing.
Em ploye discharge; all
P ending____________________________
strike.
workers struck in sym
pathy.
Dollar Dry Cleaners, Scranton, Pa._ Strike______ Cleaning business, Asked wage increase_______ A djusted. New crew of drivers em
drivers.
ployed.
Bloomsburg Silk Co., Duryea, Pa... ____ do_____ Textile in d u stry , D em anded understanding A djusted. Conditions im proved; some
' winders.
as to m ethod of wage p ay
increases allowed.
ing.
John Seller, contractor, Davenport, ____do......... L a th and plaster Jurisdiction of corner beads.. A djusted. Plasterers aw arded bead
Iowa.
work.
work.
Window cleaners, New York City.. ____do_____ W indow cleaning. Asked 44-hour week and $44 Pending. No prospect of settlem ent at
m inim um wage.
present.
Cigar makers, Denver, Colo_____ ___.do........ . Cigar m a k in g ____ Asked wage increase and P en d in g ____________________________
im proved w orking condi
tions.
Couturières, New York City____ ____do._^___ Tailoring.
Asked 40-hour week, organ A djusted. 40-hour week except October,
ization of woman dress
N ovem ber, M arch, and April and $3
makers, and wage increase.
per week increase.
Paper-box manufacturers, New ____do_____ Paper-box indus A sked 44-hour week, m ini Pending_______
_____ _____ ____ _____
York City.
try .
m um scale, and improved
conditions.
Longshoremen, Staten Island, ____do........... Scale m en............... A sked wage increase_______ A djusted. Weighers, $45 per week;
N. Y.
others, $1 per hour, 44-hour week.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M en involved
Present status and terms of settlement
220
416
Oct.
4
100
Oct.
2
794
Aug. 28
(9
Sept. 28
D irect In
direct
ly
ly
200
6
100
0)
250
150
Sept. 22
150
30
Sept. 4
30
10
O ct. 11
Oct.
2
Oct.
4
7
Oct.
4
Oct. 21
100
3
Oct.
1
Oct.
15
200
5
0)
700
Aug. 11
149
Oct. 11
0)
(i)
Oct.
0)
2, 000
1
Oct.
5
300
400
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
[1264]
Plumbers, Scranton, Pa.................. Threatened B u ild in g...... ..........
strike.
Rindsberger Mfg. Co., Chicago, DL Strike....... . M etal polishing__
College Hill Mining Co., Jackson ___ do........ M in in g ...................
ville, Ohio.
Hudson Coal Co., Miners Mills, ___.d o ___ --------- do_________
Pa.
Belleville Enamelling Cos., Belle ____do___ . .. Foundry work__
ville, 111.
Roesch Enamel Range Co., Belle ___ .do___ . .. Enamel work___
ville, 111.
Lorraine Co., Reading, P a .......... ____do_____ Garment trade__
Barbers, New York City________ ____do_____ Barber trade____
Philadelphia Carpet Co., Phila ____do......... V e l v e t - c a r pe t
delphia, Pa.
making.
Theaters, southwestern New York.. Threatened Theater work___
Cause of dispute
112
L A 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 LA B O R T H R O U G H IT S C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V IC E , O C T O B E R , 1926
Bond Shoe Mfg. Co., L y n n , M a ss..
P ending............. ...........................................
M aras & Co., Chicago, 111............. .
Pending. N o o p p o rtu n ity for settle
m ent a t th is tim e.
Pending........... ........ ............................... .
___ do------- ----------------- -------------------A djusted. $1 per hour; $40 per week
guaranteed.
P ending..........................................................
Barbers and hairdressers, Chicago,
[1265]
111.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4
Oct. 13
380 ............
1,500
___ d o ----------- ----------------------- ----------
(9
595
1,000
A djusted. M en placed a t other mines
of com pany.
A djusted. C om pany discontinued
business.
P e n d in g _______________ _____ _______
Oct. 12
Oct. 16
1,500
165
Sept. 1
Sept. 20
43
A djusted.
34
Oct. 15
R etu rn ed w ith o u t change__ Sept. 29
O ct. 26
75
1
1,500
S trike........... Leather-bag w ork. ____d o ------------------------------ Unclassified. R eturned w ith o u t change Oct. 20
before arrival of commissioner.
(9
Refusal to connect nonunion- P e n d in g ----- ------------------------------------........d o _____ Electrical w ork ..
m ade electrical sign.
Oct.
23
A
djusted.
10
per
cent
increase
to
some
A
sked
wage
increase,
shorter
U
pholstering____
____d o ......... .
workers; 44-hour week instead of 48hours, and recognition.
hour week.
A lining_________ C om pany refused to haul Unclassified. Commission appointed Oct. 26
to fix term s.
m iners in and out mines.
(9
D yeing and clean ( i ) ------------------------ -------------------- P e nding....... ..................................................
ing.
(9
M anufacture of Alleged discrim ination------- ____d o ............... ..............................................
bedding.
(9
Alolding m etal---- ( i ) ....................... .................................... A djusted. T erm s n o t rep o rted ---------(9
U pholstering------- Wages, hours, and condi A djusted. 44-hour w eek for some; 10
per cent increase to other employees.
tions.
Oct. 23
15
N ov. 5
25
N ov. 1
1,300
___ d o .......... H airdressing and
barber trade.
C ap m anufacture.
Cream ery w o rk ..
i Not reported.
(i)
(9
(9
Oct. 23
Controversy.
T o ta l......................................—.
100
(')
Oct.
2S0
N ov. 3
U pholstering____
F o rt H arrison Coal Co., T erre
H aute, In d .
E n k e D yeing <fe Cleaning Co.,
Portland, Oreg.
Superior F e lt & B edding Co.,
Chicago, 111.
Plano Fo u n d ry , Plano, 111-......... . ..
Upholseters, Jerm yn, P a . . .........—
..............]
2
A djusted. A rbitrator appointed and June 5
aw ard m ade.
W age scale and working con A djusted. Agreed on conditions; wage Sept. 13
scale to be decided b y arbitration.
ditions.
Wages and w orking condi Pending. M ediation n o t desired a t this Oct. 1
time.
tions.
(9
A sked increase, 44-hour Pending. In ju n ctio n proceeding p en d
ing.
week, and union recogni
tion.
(9
Asked union recognition----- P e n d in g ____________________________
Chicago C ap Co., Los Angeles, S trike...........
Calif.
F in k Bros. U pholstering Co., ___ do-------Providence, R . I.
Golden S tate M ilk Products Co.,
San Francisco, Calif.
E nterprise L eath er Bag Co., C hi
cago, 111.
Tischer H ard w are Co., D ayton,
Ohio.
B . J . S m ith Co., Scranton, P a .........
(9
Oct.
28
1,125
15
30
12
(9
CONCILIATION WORK IN OCTOBER, 1926
Shoe in d u stry ........ Alleged violation of contract
as to overtim e, etc.
Fig and date fill Wage c u t and working con
ditions.
ing.
Clothing w orkers, P ittsb u rg h , P a ... ___ do........... C lothing in d u stry . ( 9 ..... .......—.............
B ay State Shop, Boston, M ass------ ___do........... U pholstering_____ A sked union co n tract--------W indow washers, Chicago, 111------- ___ do........... W indow w ash in g- A sked $1.25 per hour and 40hour week.
Barbers, Chicago, 111--....................... T h reaten ed B arber tra d e _____ Wages, hours, a nd working
conditions.
strike.
D artm o u th M ills, N ew Bedford, Strike_____ Textile in d u s try ... Wages and w orking condi
tions.
Mass.
M in in g _________ C om pany refused pay for
Ohio Coal Co., H ocking Valley
tim e used in m oving tools.
district.
U pholstering_____ A sked 40-hour week and 10
Greenstein Co., N ew Y ork C ity —
per c en t increase.
P aper and card H ours increased; asked wage
York C ard & P ap er Co., Y ork, P a ..
increase.
work.
Textile in d u s try ... Wages and working condi
N ational S pun Silk M ill, N ew B ed
tions; discharge of em
ford, M ass.
ployees.
D arling & Co., Chicago, 111............. Controversy _ D riv in g ...... .......... Discharge of chauffeur..........
90
N ov. 5
(9
25
12,954
3,374
CO
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
W ag es a n d H o u r s in t h e E n g lis h P o tt e r y I n d u s tr y
T O K E -O N -T R E N T , about 45 miles southeast of Liverpool, is
the po ttery city of England. I t consists of several towns th a t
have recently been brought together and incorporated as the city
of Stoke. All kinds of pottery ware are produced there—general
ware, sanitary ware, and electrical ware, w ith the general ware rang
ing all the way from common earthenw are to fine bone china.
A representative of the Bureau of Labor Statistics was in Stoke for
a short tim e in the spring of 1926 and obtained considerable d a ta con
cerning wages, hours, and working conditions in the general earth
enware p a rt of the industry. Time was not taken to consider chinaware. Arrangem ents were readily m ade w ith the po ttery m anufac
turers’ association and the union, and both extended every courtesy
to the bureau’s representative.
The principle of the 47-hour working week applies in the industry.
Where recognized working hours in any pottery are less than 47 the
shorter hours rem ain.
The prevailing hours of labor are from 7.30 to 9 a. m .; from 9.30
a. m. to 1 p. m .; and from 2 to 5.30 p. m. The mid-forenoon stop is
for lunch. Saturday work stops a t 12.30 p. m., m aking the regular
working tim e in the m ajority of plants 47 hours for a full week.
Some few plants as a whole c u t out the half hour for lunch and s ta rt
at 8 o ’clock. M any decorating shops and warehouses s ta rt a t 8 a. m.
and have no lunch period, even though other shops in the same p lan t
s ta rt a t 7.30 a. m. I t is stated th a t some of the shops startin g a t 8
still stop a few m inutes for a forenoon lunch. In m any instances the
noon hour extends from 12.30 to 1.30 p. m. instead of from 1 to 2 p. m.
T rade was found to be slack a t the tim e, as it has been m uch of the
tim e lor five years. The potteries were working about four days a
week and there was considerable unemployment.
The m anufacturers furnished a compilation showing the average
earnings per hour in the principal occupations of ad u lt workers, m ost
of them skilled pieceworkers. T he study covered a two-week period
in December and included 3,056 m ale and 3,054 female wage earners.
The num ber of firms reported, the num ber of operatives for whom
figures were compiled, and average earnings per hour are shown in
the following table. The rates for time-workers, largely boys and
girls, are shown elsewhere.
S
114
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 126G]
115
WAGES AND HOUES IN ENGLISH POTTERY INDUSTRY
A V E R A G E E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R IN T H E G E N E R A L E A R T H E N W A R E IN D U S T R Y
IN S T O K E , E N G L A N D , D E C E M B E R , 1925, B Y O C C U P A T IO N S
M ales
O ccupation
Slip m ak ers........................................
Pressm en ................ ...................... .
M old m ak ers. ...................................
T hrow ers________________ _____
T u rn ers_________ ____ _______
H andlers................... ..........................
P la te m akers......................................
D ish m ak ers........ .............................
Saucer m ak ers_________________
H an d basin and cham ber m akers
C u p a n d bow l m a k e rs ...................
Jiggerers a n d jolliers____________
C asters______________ _______ _
Hollow-ware pressers___________
Sagger m akers____ ____ ________
Biscuit placers....................... ............
B iscuit w arehousem en............ .......
E ngravers............................ ...............
P rin ters................................................
Transferrers.__________________
D ippers__________ ______ ______
Glost p la c e r s ....................................
M ajolica paintresses____________
G round layers__________________
A erographers._____________ : ____
G ilders........... ..................................... .
P ain ters......... .................... ..................
E nam elers_____ _______ ________
Lithographers................... ..............
E nam el kiln placers_____________
G lost w arehousem en____________
Polishers a n d grinders___________
Packers.................................... ...........
Total.
Fem ales
N um N um ber of N um ber of N um firms ber of Average earn- firms ber of
re- oper- ings per hour
re- operport- atives
port- atives
ing
ing
44
3-1
50
10
26
28
48
36
17
18
12
44
45
28
48
51
12
16
47
72
97
143
12
75
60
244
71
25
26
16
110
137
136
127
338
17
25
267
s.
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
52
53
116
535
1 9V?, (43. 6)
(38. 5)
1 7
4
5
3
8
5
9
10
17
23
26
29
44
61
77
96
132
3,056
2
1
1
1
d. Cents
(36.0)
(34. 5)
5
8
(40. 6)
2
(52. 7)
\\4 (33. 5)
(31.9)
m
6M (37. 0)
6U (38. 0)
4M (33. 5)
1VÁ (47. 6)
6
(36. 5)
9% (43. 6)
4M (33. 0)
4
(32. 4)
6
(36. 5)
6M (37. 0)
4'/2 (33. 5)
9M (43. 1)
4M (33. 0)
0M
7M
2
6J-2
(49. 2)
(39. 0)
(28.4)
(37. 5)
1 4Vi
1 3
1
1 4
(33. 5)
(30. 4)
(35. 5)
(32. 4)
1 5.97 (36.4)
Average earnings oer hour
s. d.
Cents
1
3
7M
(14. 7)
1
37
16
2
30
2
199
51
3
95
10
8
1 1
9Vi
11
(20. 3)
(16. 2)
(26. 4)
(19. 3)
(22. 3)
36
11
47
143
26
305
l
10%
0
m
(21. 8)
(24. 3)
(17. 7)
2
41
10
1
2
4
35
45
2
464
28
4
3
19
151
621
a
10
8
11
1 4M
I 2%
8%
(22. 3)
( 10. 2)
(20. 3)
(16. 2)
(22. 3)
(33. O')
(29. 9)
(17. 2)
31
42
338
593
8
7%
(16. 2)
(15. 2)
2
4
10>3 (21. 3)
3, 054
8. 805(17.9)
The pressmen in the above table are employed in the slip house;
the handlers in putting handles on cups. The plate m akers, saucer
m akers, hand basin and cham ber makers, and cup and bowl makers
are all jigger men. The dish m akers include jigger m en and some
hand workers as well.
The group of jigger men and jolliers are men making different
articles to such an extent th a t they can no t be placed under a more
specific occupation title. The gilders do gold decorating w ith a brush
and m ost of them are liners. The painters do color decorating with
a brush. T he aerographers operate pneum atic color sprayers. The
lithographers are transferrers.
Agreements
A G R E E M E N T S or awards occur a t intervals, b u t usually they
**■ apply to particular occupations or branches of the industry
only. There seems to be no such thing as a complete cancellation
of an old agreement covering the whole industry and the establish
m ent of an entirely new agreement.
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116
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
F urther, there is no long list of articles w ith their base piece wage
rates, w ith a percentage scale of plusages applying uniformly as
found in the agreem ent in the U nited States. There are minimum
tim e rates for certain occupations and there are established m inimum
basic piece rates for certain standard kinds of ware. Aside from these
rates every pottery has its own rates.
E arly in 1926 the N ational Society of P o ttery W orkers (union)
issued a handbook containing the agreements in force. W ithout
extended notes of explanation, however, m uch of the m atte r in this
handbook would n o t be clear to the average American reader nor
to the average American pottery worker. Hence, this agreement is
not reproduced in full. T he m ost im portant m inimum piece and
time rates of the different agreements are here set forth. The
m inimum piece rate is the prevailing rate.
Plate makers.-—The m inimum piece rates for m aking the best grades
of earthenware plates are here given. The operators are jigger m en—
in England called “ flat pressers.” The basic rate stated covers
the m aking and the towing (finishing), and is stated per score dozen;
th a t is, per 240 plates.
T rade size
Actual
measure
m ent in
biscuit
Inches
5-inch _________ ____ ________________ ___
51+inch.................................. _.....................................
0-inch ________ _____ ________________________
6)+ in ch ____________________________________
7-inch_________ ________ ____ _____________
7%-inch____________________________________
8-ineh _______ _____ . ________ __________ . . .
10-inch___ ______ _______________ ____ _____ _
m
m
8H
8Vs
9V8
W/s
Basic rate per score
dozen (20X12)
5 d.
d. Cents
1 7 + 2 (42.6)
1 8)4+3 (47.6)
3 10 + 3 (50.7)
2 0 + 3 (54.8)
2 2 + 3 (58.8)
2 4J4+3 (63.9)
2 6 + 4 (69.0)
3 0 + 4 (81.1)
F ull rate
per score
dozen
(20X12)
$0,720
.805
.857
.926
.994
1.080
1.166
1.372
F ull rate
per dozen
(12)
Cents
3. 60
4.03
4.28
4.63
4.98
5.40
5.80
■ 6.86
The pence added are an established allowance for increase in wages
of attendants. (See A ttendants.) To obtain the full rate paid, the
basic rate is increased by compounded percentages, the com putation
being as follows: R ate X 1.10 X 1.50 X 1.02U S Rolled-edge plates
have the same rates as plain plates. For scalloped-edge plates on
m ost sizes Id. (2.1 cents) more than the basic rate is paid and for
double thick plates one and one-fourth tim es the basic rate is paid.
The basic rate for common flat ware, m ade to a less extent, is
lower—under 7-inch trade size, 2d. (4.06 cents) less than the basic
rate for best ware; 7-inch and under 8-inch, 3d. (6.08 cents) less;
8-inch and over, SHjd. (7.09 cents) less.
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[ 1268 ]
WAGES AND HOURS IN ENGLISH POTTERY INDUSTRY
117
Saucer makers — The following is the minimum rate on saucers
for m aking and towing, or for making, fettling, and sponging:
R ate per score ‘dozen” (20X36)
F ull rate per
dozen (12)
Style
Full
rate
Basic rate
L ondon _____________ ___________
B altim ore______ ____ ____ ______
Coffee________________ ________ Irish _______ _________________
P a d s .._________________________
F ru its __________ ____ ___________
O a tm e als............................................
W omen
M en
s. d. d.
4 2+ 6 ($1,136) $1,789
4 2 + 6 ($1,136) 1. 789
4 0 + 6 ($1,095) 1.724
4 3 + 6 ($1,156) 1. 820
3 5+ 6 ($0,953) 1.500
4 2+ 6 ($1,136) 1.789
4 11+6 ($1,318) 2.076
Basic rate
s.
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
d. d.
8+6
8+6
6+ 6
9+6
0+6
8+6
3+6
Full
rate
($1,014) $1. 559
($1,014) 1. 559
($0,973) 1.497
($1,034) 1.590
($0,852) 1.310
($1,014) 1.559
($1,156) 1. 777
M en
Cents
2.98
2.98
2.88
3.03
2.50
2. 98
3.46
W omen
Cents
2.60
2.60
2.49
2.65
2.18
2.60
2.81
The rate is per score “ dozen” of 36; th a t is, 36, not 12, make a
dozen. W omen are paid lower rates than men, and a much greater
proportion of women are employed. The 6d. (12.17 cents) is added
to help pay for attendants. To get the full rate certain percentages
are added, th e com putation being as follows: For men, K ate X 1.50
•X1.05; for women, R ate X 1.50 X 1.021^.
Cup makers.—The following are the minimum prices for making
and sponging cups m ade on a single jolly:
Style
Coffee...................................................
B ullion_____ _____ ______ ___
L ondon ___________ _______ _ . I r is h .. -_ _______
_____
_
B reakfast_____ _______ _________
Basic rate per.
score “ dozen”
(20X36)
s.
3
4
4
4
4
d. d.
10+3 ($0,994)
1+3 ($1,054)
1+3 ($1,054)
1+3 ($1,054)
4+3 ($1,115)
Full rates per
dozen (12)
W omen
M en
Full
rate
per
score
“dozen”
(20 X 36)
$1. 565
1.660
1. 660
1. 660
1.756
Basie rate per
score “ dozen”
(20 X36)
s.
3
3
3
3
3
d. d.
4+ 3 ($0,872)
7+3 ($0,933)
7+3 ($0,933)
7+3 ($0,933)
10+3 ($0,994)
Full
rate
per
score
“dozen”
(20X36)
M en
$1. 341
1.434
1.434
1.434
1.528
Cents
2. 61
2. 77
2. 77
2. 77
2. 93
W om en
Cents
2.24
2. 39
2. 39
2. 39
2. 55
The rate is given per score “ dozen” of 36; in other words, 36, not 12,
is a dozen. W oman jolly operators are paid a lower rate than the
few men employed in this occupation. The basic rate is increased
by 3d. (6.08 cents), which is added to help pay for attendants.
T he full rate for the men is R ate X 1.50 X 1.05; for the women, R ate
X 1.50 X 1.023^. On the double jolly the basic rate is generally 7d.
(14.19 cents) lower for men and 4d. (8.11 cents) lower for women
per score “ dozen.”
Dish m aking.—A 10-inch trade size dish is taken as a sample to
illustrate the wage rate for dish making. T he m inim um basic rate
for this size paid to a m an for m aking and sponging by hand per dozen
of 12 is b y 2&. (11.2 cents) X 1.50 X 1.02 3 ^ X 1.07^2 or 9d. (18.3 cents).
The l y per cent is added as being a fair average of the extra allow
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M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
ance for atten d an t. For a machine-m ade 10-inch dish the initial
rate is 4 j^ d . (9.1 cents) per 12 dishes, w ith the same additions, making
the full rate per dozen 7)4d. (15.1 cents).
Attendants (mold runners, batters-out, and finishers or towers).—
A ttendants are generally paid by the operators whom they attend,
being paid at tim e rates according to age. The rates given below for
attendants apply to mold runners up to and including age 18:
Age
14 years..............................
15 years_________ ____ _
16 years_____ ____ _
17 years_______
Basic tim e rate
per week (47
hours)
».
8
9
9
10
d.
0
0
8
0
($1,947)
($2,190)
($2,352)
($2,555)
Full
rate per
week (47
hours)
Age
$2.993
3.367
3.616
3. 928
18 years_______________
19 years_______
20 years...................
21 years___
Basic tim e rate
per week (47
hours)
s.
12
14
15
16
d.
8
0
4
8
($3,082)
($3,407)
($3,731)
($4,055)
Full
rate per
week (47
hours)
$4. 623
5.110
5. 597
6. 083
The basic rates are increased by 50 per cent and again by 2 )^ per
cent to obtain the full rate, except th a t only juniors below 18 get the
additional 2
per cent.
K iln placing and drawing. The m inimum wage for both biscuit
and glost ware placers and drawers is 7s. ($1,703) per kiln day, plus
50 per cent and 2J^ per cent, m aking the rate 10s. 9d. ($2.616Vper
kiln day._ The same crew place and draw.
There is a provision th a t if female placers are employed they shall
have a basic m inim um of 16s. 8d. ($4,055) per week for the first
six m onths and 18s. ($4,380) thereafter, which, w ith plusages of 50
per cent and 2 3 ^ per cent, m ake the rates $6,235 and $6,734.
Dipping house women have the following tim e rates: F irst year,
12s. ($2,920) per week, plus 50 per cent plus 2 y 2 per cent = $4A89;
second year, 15s. ($3,650) per week, plus 50 per cent plus 2 ^ per
cent = $5,612; third year, 18s. ($4,380) per week, plus 50 per cent
plus 2 3^ per cent = $6,734. This occupation does not include dippers.
Warehouse workers, male.—The m inim um tim e rate p er week of 47
hours for male warehouse workers is governed by age as follows:
Age
14 y e a r s ................- ...........
15 years____________
16 years__________
17 years___________
------------ -
Basic ra te per
week
s.
7
8
9
11
d.
6 ($1.825)
6 ($2. 088)
6 ($2,312)
0 ($2. 677)
Full
rate per
week
Age
$2,806 18 years ...... .............. ..
3.180
3. 554 ■ 20 y ears________
4.115 21 years and oyer____
!
Basic rate per
week
s.
14
17
22
30
d.
0 ($3. 407)
6 ($4.258)
6 ($5.475)
0 ($7.300)
Full
rate per
week
$5,238
6. 547
8.418
11.223
To obtain the full rate the basic rate is compounded as follows:
R ate X 1.50 X 1 . 0 2 A warehouseman having control of books and
orders has a basic m inim um rate of 37s. 6d. ($9,125) per week, which
w ith the above plusages m akes a full rate of $14.03.
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WAGES AND HOURS IN ENGLISH POTTERl7 INDUSTRY
119
Warehouse workers, fem ale.—The m inimum time rates per week of
47 hours for female warehouse workers are:
Age
14 y ears. ________ ____
15 y e a r s ..........................16 years..............................
17 y ears__________ ____
Basic ra te per
week
S.
7
8
9
10
i.
0 ($1. 703)
0 ($1. S47)
0 ($2.190)
3 ($2. 494)
Full
rate
$2. 619
2. 993
3. 366
3. 835
Age
18 y e a rs............................
19 years _______ _____
20 y ears___ _ _______
21 years or o ver. _____
Basic rate per
week
s.
12
14
15
16
d.
8 ($3. 082)
0 ($3.407)
4 ($3. 731)
8 ($4. 055)
F ull
rate
$4. 623
5. no
5.697
6.083
The full rate up to age 17 is: R ate X 1 .5 0 X 1.023X»- For f e m a le s
years and over the 2 % per cent is not added.
Enamelers and gilders, fem ale.—In these occupations the minimum
tim e rato is 5d. (10.1 cents) per hour, increased by 50 per cent and
again by 2 3^2 per cent, in all equal to 15.6 cents per hour. Enam elers
are hand painters and embossers, and gilders do lining w ith a brush.
Transferrers, fem ale.—The m inimum time rate for female lithotransferrors is 4 Y¿d. (9.1 cents) per hour, increased by 50 per cent
and 2^2 per cent, m aking 14 cents per hour.
Decorators, male.-—Decorators have a m inimum time rate of lOV^d.
(21.3 cents) per hour, increased by 50 per cent and 2 x/¿ per cent,
m aking a total of 32.7 cents. Pieceworkers in these occupations
generally earn from 10 to 25 per cent more.
Enginemen have a m inimum wage of 54s. ($13.140) per week of
48 hours, and stokers (firemen) 49s. ($11.923) per week of 48 hours.
Laborers have a m inimum of 45s. ($10.950) per week of 47 hours.
Sagger makers when working on time rates are paid 7s. ($1.703)
per day, plus 50 per cent plus 2}/¿ per cent, or 10s. 9d. ($2.616) per
day.
Good from hand.—Paym ent in the clay shop is made for ware
“ good from h an d ,” which is a change from the older system “ good
from oven.” This means th a t until recent years the operative
m aking ware had to stand the wage loss of his ware th a t was broken
during the process of firing in the bisque kiln. Now ware is paid for
when accepted by the foreman of the green room and the employer
stands the loss th a t m ay occur in the kiln.
Stoppages.—No stoppages (deductions) are now m ade for lighting,
sweeping, kale, prin ter’s mixing, or hot water. Such stoppages were
in practice until recent years.
Terminating employment.—In term inating em ploym ent notices re
quired are 28 days for men and male apprentices and 14 days for
women and boys (other than male apprentices) and other young
persons.
Payment fo r waiting tim e.— Provisions as to paym ent for waiting
tim e are as follows, the omissions, indicated by asterisks, not applying
to general earthenw are:
18
1. * * * An operative who, in the absence, of express notice given by or
on behalf of th e employer th a t his or her services will n ot be required, atten d s a t
th e works a t th e norm al commencing hours shall receive paym ent for a t least
tw o hours, irrespective of w hether work is or is not provided for such operative
to perform, unless th e em ployer can prove that, the operative was present a t th e
works for a purpose not connected w ith his or her work.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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120
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
For th e purpose of this clause the expression “ the normal commencing hours”
shall mean the commencing hour in the morning, breakfast, or afternoon in
operation a t the works.
2. * '!: * _ An operative who, after commencing his or her employment, is
subjected during th e course of his or her em ploym ent to one or more w aiting periods
during which he or she is not provided w ith work shall be paid for all tim e covered
by such period or periods in excess of a total period of 30 m inutes on any one day;
provided th a t such operative shall not be entitled to claim pavm ent for tim e
lost during such waiting period or periods or any p a rt thereof if th e employer can
prove th a t the operative was present a t the works during th e tim e so lost for a
purpose not connected w ith his or her work.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
4. In the event of m achinery breaking down in the works after th e operatives
have entered, or th e illness or absence from any cause of an y operative which
interferes w ith the organization of th e works, th e operatives shall not be entitled
to claim paym ent under clauses 1 and 2 of this regulation for any tim e during
which they are kept waiting for work, provided th a t th ey are allowed a t once to
leave the works and are informed th a t they are a t liberty to do so. Employers
and their representatives shall tak e all precautions to avoid th e necessity of
sending operatives away from the works on account of any such breakdown of
m achinery or disorganization of th e works.
5. N otw ithstanding anything contained in the previous clauses of this regula
tion, an operative who has commenced work, b u t who is not required to rem ain
a t th e works until th e end of th e norm al working day, and is so informed, shall
not be entitled to claim paym ent for tim e lost subsequent to being so informed
by reason of not being required to rem ain a t th e works u ntil th e end of the
normal working da}7; provided th a t if th e tim e during which such operative has
been employed is less th an two hours such operative shall be paid for not less
th a n tw o hours.
6. Paym ents to an operative under clauses 1, 2, and 4 of this regulation shall
be m ade a t th e m inim um or agreed tim e rate applicable where such exists, or in
th e case of pieceworkers a t th e operative’s average hourly rate of earnings d u r
ing the last previous pay period during which the operative was employed.
7. In order to assist in the carrying out of this regulation, all pieceworkers
shall clock on and off when facilities for doing so are provided.
8. In this regulation th e expression “ the w orks” means th e factory, workshop,
or other works a t which the operative is required under his or her contract of
service to atten d for work.
Productivity of Labor
JCTOLhR, firms and a union official furnished statem ents as to the
average production per hour of clay-house crews for typical
selected articles and such statem ents are presented in the table
below, the sex of the operatives usually filling the positions in the
crew being indicated by M . or F. I t will be observed th a t the pro
duction per crew varies as between plants, as would be expected.
The variation m ay be due to differences in speed or in the am ount
of care and labor demanded.
Referring to the first line in the first section of the table, it is seen
th a t in Firm No. 1 a crew consists of a male plate m aker, a female
mold runner, and a female finisher. The plate m aker, as stated
elsewhere, is a jigger m an. H e operates his own spreader and hence
there is no batter-out. The o u tp u t for this crew of three is 150
plates per hour, d h e union official, speaking from his knowledge of
the entire district, estim ates th a t a crew of three will produce as
much as 192 plates per hour.
In a few instances the team does n o t work as an exact unit, b u t
the finisher maj^ do work for more than one team* or not do as
m uch work as the rest of the team. Firm No. 2, for instance, re
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 2 7 2 ]
121
WAGES AND HOUES IN ENGLISH POTTERY INDUSTRY
ported th a t the plate m aker and the mold runner produce 130 plates
per hour, b u t th a t the finisher has time to do some of the work for an
other crew and finishes 150 plates per hour.
A V ERAGE
P R O D U C T IO N
PER
H O U R O F C L A Y -H O U SE
A R T IC L E S
Plates—7-inch trad e size
(8J4 inch), plain edge
Firm or union
M old
P late
makei runner
F irm N o. 1
F irm N o. 2
_
F irm N o. 3 ______
Firm N o. 4
U nion estim ate-
F.
M.
M . M .o r F .
F.
M.
M.
M.
M.
M.
C up h a n
dling—open
handles 4
CREW S
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
150
2130
120
120
192
M.
F.
F.
F.
F.
C up sponging
F.
F.
F.
M.
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
S P E C IF IE D
Teacups, ordinary
ovide—7-ounce
Saucers, plain *
O ut
Sau M old F in
put
F in (plates)
ru n
cer
isher
per
m aker ner isher
hour
FO R
O ut
O ut
put
B at- M old p u t
(Sau Jolly
ter- ru n (cups)
cers) oper
ner
per
per ator out
hour
hour
228
3 190
168
150
230
Casting jugs—24’s
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
F.
M.
F.
F.
F.
F.
M.
F.
D ish m aking—10-inch
flat p la tte r (12-inch)
handw ork
F irm or union
H an
dler
Firm N o. 1 ___ _
F irm N o. 2___ _
F irm N o. 3___
Firm N o. 4
U nion estim ate____
O utput
Outpui
O utput
(cups) Sponger (cups) Caster H elper (jugs) D ish
per
per
per
m aker
hour
hour
hour
F.
F.
F.
M.
90
109
84
120
F.
F.
F.
F.
224
160
216
200
M.
«21
F.
F.
F.
« 16
«30
« 15-20
F.
F.
247
288
216
150
230
H elper
M.
F.
M . M .a n d F.
F.
M.
M.
M.
O ut
put
(plat
ters)
per
hour
30
36
48
24
1 In F irm N o. 2 th e team has also a female spreader operator no t included in the table.
2 Finisher, 150.
3 Finisher, 162.
4 In cup-handle pressing one firm reports one female pressing 120 handles per hour and another firm
reports one female pressing 144 handles per hour.
6 C asting only.
6 C asting and finishing.
Losses at Jcilns.—Inquiry was made as to the percentage of loss in
the bisque kiln. No exact figures were obtained, b u t estim ates
ranged from 5 to 10 per cent. Losses of broken and lump a t the
glost kiln were given as from 3 to 11 per cent, and ware classed as
thirds as from 7 to 23 per cent.
Processes, Occupations, and Methods of Payment
T H E following comments on pottery operations in England indicate
A some of the similarities to and differences from conditions in
the U nited States.
In the m ain, pottery is made in England in about the same way as
in the U nited States. This is n o t strange, as the pottery industry in
America was an im m igrant from England. M any pottery operatives
in America learned their trade in England and m any are the children
of English-born potters.
20358°—26t-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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[12731
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A s in th e U n ite d S ta te s , th e m a te ria l is n o t of local o rig in b u t h a s
to be b ro u g h t in fro m o th e r p laces. B a ll c la y com es fro m D e v o n sh ire
a n d D o rs e ts h ire , c h in a c la y fro m C o rn w a ll a n d D e v o n sh ire , flin t fro m
th e c o a s t of F ra n c e , a n d s to n e fro m C o rn w a ll. P a r t of th is m a te ria l
com es in b y ra ilro a d a n d p a r t o n c a n a l b o a ts . T h e o n ly su p p lies t h a t
are lo cal are sa g g e r c la y a n d coal.
Slip House
The several ingredients are commonly ground separately in w ater
and run into large blungers. The specific gravity of each liquid slip
is tested and then ihe several liquids are mixed and kept stirred in
another large vat. Before being used the slip goes through a series
of screens and through a m agnet trough. The usual crew is a slip
mixer in charge, a wheeler who brings the m aterial from the yard to
the slip house, two press hands, and one or two puggers. All except
the slip m aker are commonly known as slip-house laborers. The
employees are generally paid as a group per mix or per press. A. mix
results in about 2 ^ presses. Presses vary in size. They are gen
erally wooden fram es with canvas between. The canvas is folded to
form a pocket, each pocket having a m etal opening in the canvas so
th a t the slip can enter. The fram es are bound together, pipes are
connected w ith the opening in each pocket, and the slip is forced in
under pressure. A few disk presses are also in use. The common run
is 16 mixes, m aking 40 presses, in a full week of 47 hours. One press
will average about 25 hundredw eight of 112 pounds.
T he slip-house crew and their rates were furnished by one of the
potteries. The rate for the crew per mix was stated as 18s. Id.
($4.40), divided as follows:
Two press hands, each a t 3s. 9d. + 2 p£ per cent______________$0 . 9 3 5
One pug man, a t------------3s. Od. + 2 } 4 per cent_______________
.748
One wheeler, a t ------------- 3s. 0cl. + 2p} per cent_______________
. 748
T otal--------------------- 13s. 6 d. + 2 V^ per cent = 1 3 s. K kL
3. 366
One slip m aker, a t _____________________________ 4s. 3 d _____ p 0 3 4
T o ta l-------------------------------------------------------- 18s. I d ___
4.
401
A rough estim ate of the average o utput for a full week of 47 hours
also was given a t this pottery, as follows: N um ber of mixes, 18;
tons per mix, 3}4; presses, 48; presses per mix, 2% ; weights per press,
26 hundredw eight of 112 pounds. I t will be observed th a t these
figures differ som ew hat from those before stated.
C la y is ta k e n fro m th e p re ss a n d p u g g e d a n d re p u g g e d b efore i t is
used in th e c la y sh o p . P la n ts v a r y in th e m e th o d of p a y m e n t for
pu g g in g , a n d in so m e p la n ts i t is d o n e b y d a y w o rk .
Clay Shops
T h e c lay -sh o p o p e ra tio n s a re jig g erin g o r jo lly in g , pressin g , c a s t
ing, a n d th ro w in g . T h e te rm s “ jig g e rin g ” a n d “ jo lly in g ” a p p e a r to
h a v e a n o v e rla p p in g m e a n in g a n d a re a lm o s t sy n o n y m o u s. M o s t of
th e w a re is m a d e b y th e jig g e rin g p ro cess, th e jig g e r b ein g o p e ra te d
b y p o w er. C a s tin g is n e x t in im p o rta n c e a n d is in creasin g . P re ss
ing a n d th ro w in g a re d ecreasing.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1274]
WAGES AND HOURS IN ENG LISH POTTERY INDUSTRY
123
Jigger men m aking plates are designated as plate makers. Some
times they are referred to as flat pressers, although they use a jigger.
Jigger operators m aking saucers are designated as saucer makers.
Cups are spoken of as being “ jollied.” In England the word “ jiggerin g ” in its restricted sense seems to be lim ited mainly to large hollow
ware, as slop j ars, etc.
The jigger m an and his helper usually carry their own clay from
the corner of the room to their bench, and they m ay even carry the
clay upstairs into the room. A few plants deliver clay to the bench.
P late m akers generally have no batter-out. The plate m aker uses
an autom atic spreader. A ball of clay is placed by the plate m aker
on a revolving flat head. He then presses his knee against a lever
and a slanting blade comes down slowly and smoothes out the b a t of
clay to the required thickness. H e next raises the finished b a t and
throws the smooth side on his mold. The forming of the plate is
the same as in the U nited States. The plate m aker, by hand runs
down the edge of the b a t on the mold as it revolves, after which he
pulls down the arm containing the profile, and this profile shapes the
plate. H e then trim s off'the small am ount of surplus clay around
the edge of the plate. The plate m aker has a mold runner and a
finisher, the same as in the U nited States.
Dobbin drying stoves are generally used. This stove is circular
in shape and revolves on a perpendicular axis. The shelves are in
tiers, running from the center to the circumference, like the spokes
of a wheel. This leaves a V-shaped opening between the shelves.
W hen the shelves are filled on each side of a V the shelving is turned
un til another V is opposite the door.
U sually men jigger plates 7-inch trade size and up, and women
jigger the smaller ware.
T he mold runner m ay be either a young male or a female and is
called an attendant. The mold runners are paid by the jigger men
and according to their age.
T he finishers are all females and are generally referred to as townrs.
E ach plate is finished separately and not in a stack, as is commonly
done in the U nited States. The tower, who is paid by the jigger
m an, puts the plate on a revolving head, uses the tool to sm ooth the
edge of the plate, then applies sandpaper and tow to the edge and
inside of the plate, the tow being in the form of a sanded pad worn
on the left hand.
The plate m aker’s rate of pay is per score dozen; th a t is, 20 times
12 plates. I t was observed th a t m ost of the plates and other ware
have lowr, broad, curved footing.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1275]
124
M O NTH LY LABOE KEVIEW
A sample settlem ent slip for a male plate m aker in an English pot
tery is as follows:
Order
9______________________
5__________________________
3 __________________________
4 . _______________
50__________________________
Article
iShape
Soup N o. 10 ...
Soup N o. 1 0 ...
P late N o. 8 __
P late N o. 7__
P la te N o. 6__
A
B
C
C
D
Q uan
tity
(dozens
of 12)
R ate per score
dozen (20X12)
30
100
40
40
160
s. d. Cents
3 11 (95.3)
3 11 (95.3)
3 4 (81.1)
2 8 (64.9)
2 7 (62.9)
A m ount
£
s. d.
5 10H
19 7
6 8
5 4
1 0 8
T o ta l______ _ _ _______ ____ _
A dd 50 p er cent.
2 18
9
Total_________
Add 2Y i per cent.
4
7
114. ($14.143)
0M ($7.087)
2
2
($1.430)
($4.765)
($1.622)
($1.298)
($5.029)
($ 21.210)
2
Gross earnings__
($0.527)
($21.737)
To avoid identification, the shapes are lettered in the table. This
crew worked four full days of 8
hours. From the gross earnings
the plate m aker paid his help. The distribution was as follows:
s. d.
£
N et for plate m aker_____________________
Boy mold runner________________________
Girl tow er (finisher) _____________________
3
6 7 ($16. 201)
10 0 ($2. 433)
12
9 ($3.102)
T otal-------------------------------------------
4
9
4
($21. 737)
To illustrate the system of fixing rates, the basic rate for the 7-inch
trade size plate is 2s. 2d. (52.7 cents); to this add 3d. (6.1 cents) as an
extra allowance to help pay attendant. This, increased by 10 per
cent, gives the rate 2s. 8d. (64.7 cents).
Deductions were made from the plate m aker’s net earnings as
follows:
H ealth and unem ploym ent insurance (compul- s. d.
sory)-------------------------------------------------------------- 1 4
2
Infirm ary and club (voluntary)___________________
(32. 4)
(4. 1)
T o ta l--------------------------------------------------------
(36. 5)
1
6
Cents
The mold runner had no deductions. The tower also did towing
for another plate m aker, and her total earnings in the four days were
£1 Is. lOd. ($5.313). She had deductions as follows:
s.
d.
Cents
1
0
2
(24. 3)
(4. 1)
Total deductions__________________________ 1
2
(28. 4)
H ealth and unem ploym ent_______________________
Infirm ary and club______________________________
The saucer makers, who are m ostly females, use a jigger and a
spreader. The saucer m aker has a mold runner called an attendant,
and also has a female finisher. The operations are the same as on
plates.
Cup m aking is m ostly done on a single jolly, b u t double jollies are
used to some extent. The jolly is the same in general construction
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1276]
WAGES AND HOUES IN ENGLISH POTTERY INDUSTRY
125
and effect as the jigger used by the plate maker. W hen a double
jolly is used one of the jollies is forming a cup while clay for another
cup is being p u t in the mold on the other jolly. The cup-making
crew m ay consist of three or four operatives, being, when of four, a
jolly operator, a batter-out, a mold runner, and a sponger. The
b atter-out on cups uses a m allet and makes a flat bat. She then
places the b a t over a block shaped like the inside of the cup and
smoothes down the edge of the bat. This gives the bat, roughly, the
shape of a cup. The bat thus formed is taken from the block and
p u t in a mold and the jolly operator places the mold on the jolly and
forms the cup. A profile on an arm is brought down and finishes the
shaping of the inside of the cup.
The base price covers all operators in the crew, the help being paid
by the operator of the jolly.
T he cup handler is usually a female. She has a helper or attend
ant, either a girl or a boy, who is paid by the cup handler, and who
presses or casts the handles. These handles are trim m ed either by
the handler or the helper. The handler puts the handle on the cup
and sponges it and boxes it at the same time. Boxing is putting one
cup over another w ith the upper one inverted so th a t the edges come
together.
Cups are not often turned, bu t they m ay be smoothed over a lathe
head w ith a steel tool.
Casting is done on benches. Slip pipes run into the casting house
from the slip house and spigots are opened to obtain the slip. There
is no uniform piece price for casting as between different potteries.
Casting is done both by males and by females. The caster generally
has an adult female helper who finishes and sponges the article after
being taken from the mold. The caster helper on piecework usually
earns from 19s. ($4,623) to 25s. ($6,083) per week, b u t m ay receive
up to 30s. ($7,300) per week. In casting large ware such as ewers,
the caster will do the casting, m ake the handles, stick them on, and do
his own finishing. Hollow table ware is about 90 per cent cast and
10 per cent pressed.
There is a little throwing. This is done by hand with the clay
m ounted on a revolving horizontal wheel. This process m ay be used
in making anything th a t is round, b u t only a few special kinds of ware
are m ade by it.
Turning is done on thrown jugs and jars and, as before stated, only
to a slight extent on cups.
Spouts on throw n jugs are shaped after the article has become
partly dried, and this shaping is done by thum b and fingers. I t is
called knocking the spouts.
Some pressing is done on hollow-ware dishes. The presser usually
does his own finishing. In the green room there is a foreman or
overlooker who inspects the ware as it is brought in from the clay
shop.
In sagger m aking the bottom s and sides are pounded out in a form
by a helper and the sagger m aker does the finishing, both the sagger
m aker and his helper being males. The helper is paid by the sagger
m aker a t a time rate. There is some machine sagger making. The
saggers are m ostly oval and of different types. There are some
banjo saggers and some square saggers, b u t few, if any, double
banjo saggers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1277]
126
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Bisque K iln
In bisque placing there seems to be no standard num ber of men to
a crew and no standard ratio of apprentices to journeym en. There
is supposed to be one apprentice to each four journeym en, b u t there
are m any departures from this rule.
An average crew will consist of eight journeym en and two appren
tices. The same crew places and draws the kiln. Green saggers for
bisque are partly filled when fired in the bisque kiln. One of the
journeymen, called the bench boss or “ c o d /’ gets an extra rate, the
excess being paid by the company. In some instances there are two
grades of journeym en of different skill, who are paid different rates.
Some kilns are paid for by the kiln as a whole, w ith the am ount
depending on the size of the kiln, by agreement w ith the union. By
another m ethod, the same in substance, the men are paid by the
“ kiln-day.” B y agreement w ith the union the kiln is assessed a t so
m any kiln-days, this assessment or price fixing being determ ined by
a m easurem ent of the kiln. However, there seems to be no standard
num ber of cubic feet per kiln-day, as in the U nited States.
W orking m oderately, a kiln-day will consist of placing 5 bungs or
piles of common oval saggers 20 saggers high, and this placing is sup
posed to be done in 8 hours. The common oval sagger, outside meas
urem ent, is about 20 inches long, 14 W inches wide, and 8 inches high.
W ith some effort, GW kiln-days are m ade in 47 hours, and often there
is still more rapid work, bringing the num ber of kiln-days to more
than 6W kiln-days in the 47 hours.
The rate paid covers both placing and drawing. Bisque kilns
vary in size. A typical kiln is about 19 W feet in diam eter, 17W feet
high to the shoulder, and 22 feet high to the crown.
There are very few tunnel kilns. The general consensus in England
is th a t they are n o t successful, although one m ake of kiln is said to
be fairly so.
Bungs (stacks) of plates or other flat ware when placed in saggers
are sanded in some instances and no t in others.
F la t ware is set fiat, although a statem ent was heard th a t in some
instances the green ware m ay be reared in the sagger; th a t is, placed
on edge and packed in w ith sand. No wad is placed around the top
of the saggeiq going into a bisque kiln. The proportion of green
saggers going into the bisque kiln is about one-tenth or one-eleventh
of the to tal num ber.
A sample pay roll was obtained for a bisque crew for one week,
which is as follows:
O ccupation
Kiln-days
6
6
6
6
Bench boss _
Journey m an ____
D o _____
D o ______
D o ____
D o __
D o ____
D o .. .
A p p re n tic e .. .
D o ________
6
4
5X
5
6
T o tal........
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
56H
[1278]
R ate
s.
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
9
5
d.
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
0
0
($2,859)
($2,616)
($2,616)
($2,616)
($2,616)
($2,616)
($2,616)
($2,616)
($2,190)
($1,217)
A m ount
£.
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
s. d.
10 6
4 6
4 6
4 6
4 6
19 2
3 0
19 2
9 6
10 0
($17,155)
($15,695)
($15,695)
($15,695)
($15,695)
($14,397)
($10,463)
($14,397)
($12,045)
($7,300)
28
9 4
($138,533)
WAGES AND HOURS IN ENGLISH POTTERY INDUSTRY
127
I t will be observed th a t this crew had 10 members. Of the 563^
kiln-days w ith which the men were credited 3 9 ^ were employed in
setting and 17 in drawing. The piece ra te per kiln-day is7s. (Si .703),
which ra te is increased by 50 per cent and compounded by 21^ per
cent, m aking the regular ra te for the journeym an 10s. 9d. ($2,616)
per kiln-day. The additional Is. (24.3 cents) per kiln-day for the
bench boss is paid by the company.
Warehouse
There is a foreman in the bisque warehouse. Frequently a woman
contracts to do all of the handling of the bisque a t a rate per kiln and
hires her own help. The brushers, stam pers, sorters, and carriers
in the bisque warehouse are paid a t a tim e rate and these occupations
are usually filled by women. The stam per w ith a small stam p places
the name of the company and the trade name on the bottom of the
bisque ware.
Dipping
About half of the dipping is done by women, but, by agreement,
women are gradually being eliminated from this line of work. D ip
pers are paid a t a rate per kiln, the rate varying according to the
size of the kiln. The helper, who is a female, is paid a time rate by
the dipper.
A bout half of the potteries have mangles; th a t is, drying stoves,
for flatware. The mangle consists of a tower about 50 feet high,
w ith an endless chain, with shelves thereon, which runs up the tower
and down on the other side. This tower is heated. The dipper
places the dipped ware on the shelf in the mangle and the helper
takes it off after it has been dried, about one-half hour being required
for the ware to m ake the circuit.
In ordinary dipping, where there is no mangle, the dipper dips the
ware and places i t on a drainer and the helper takes the ware off of
the drainer and puts it on boards.
There is no standard wage scale for dipping, the rate being adjusted,
as between the union and each pottery. If work!ng a t a time rate
it is about 8s. 4d. ($2,028) per day, increased by 50 per cent and by
2 ^ per cent, m aking $3,118. This covers the wages of the two
persons. Pieceworkers average somewhat more in pay.
Even when there is a mangle, the hollow ware and cups are not
placed therein b u t are placed on boards and the boards stacked
beside steam pipes.
Glost Kiln
In glost placing the crew works collectively, as does the crew in
bisque placing. There is no uniform ity as to the size of the crew,
bu t it averages about eight journeym en and two apprentices. One
of the journeym en acts as bench boss and receives a slightly higher
am ount, the excess being paid by the company. The same rules as
in bisque kilns apply as to paying per kiln or per kiln day.
Flatw are is generally placed flat and supported bj^ thimbles.
Some ware is ranked on edge and held ap art by a row of thimbles
placed across the top. When ranked on edge the ware is supported
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1279]
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
a t the bottom by two saddles, which are long triangular pieces of
fired clay. The export trade w ants the flatware placed flat so as to
leave a clean edge, hence, flatware for export is m ostly set on thim
bles. The cheaper hom e-trade ware is reared on edge leaving a
blemished edge and one thim ble m ark on the bottom . About 80 per
cent of the flatware is placed flat..
When the ware is placed flat two stacks of thimbles m ay be stacked
and stuck to the edge of the sagger by a placer using a sticker of wad.
In some instances the thim bles are stacked in piles sagger high by
girls, w ith such stacking paid for directly by the company. When
this is done the third row of thim bles is p u t in place by the placer
who puts in the ware. In some instances the ware is placed in rank,
with the ware sustained by pins stuck in each side of the sagger.
Pins, as distinct from thimbles, are seldom used to support ware
placed flat, as in the U nited States. The top of a sagger is wadded in
the glost kiln.
Glost kilns vary in size. An average glost kiln is about 173^ feet
in diam eter, 153^ feet to the shoulder, and 20 feet to the crown.
The drawing and placing is done by the same crew. Green glost
saggers are commonly fired in the glost kiln. Placing and drawing
is a t the same kiln-day rate as in the bisque kiln. Four bungs, 20
high, of common oval saggers, are set in about eight hours. A sample
week’s pay roll for two glost-kiln crews was obtained from one of the
potteries. I t is as follows:
O ccupation
Kiln-days
First crew
Bench boss. __
___________________ _ ---------Jo u rn e y m an -.. . .
___________________ ______
D o ___________________________________________
D o ___________________________________________
D o ________________________ _______________
D o ___________________________________________
A pprentice_________________________ _____________
T o tal___________ _ _ _____________________
Second crew
Bench b o s s ............ . ................... ............................. .........
Journeym an . ______________ . ___________________
D o __________________________________________
D o ________________________ __________________
D o __________________________________________
D o ___________ _____ _________________________
D o ____________ ________ ______________________
A pprentice __________________________ ______
D o ___________ ______ ______________ ____ _____
T o t a l ___________
________
_ __________
G rand to ta l_______________________ ________
6
6
4
5
6
1
6
R ate
s.
11
10
10
10
10
10
7
<1
9 ($2. 859)
9 ($2. 616)
9 ($2. 616)
9 ($2. 616)
9 ($2. 616)
9 ($2. 616)
6 ($1. 825)
34
6
4
6
6
6
6
3
6
6
A m ount
£ s. d.
3 10 6 ($17.155)
3 4 6 ($15. 695)
2 3 0 ($10. 463)
2 13 9 ($13.079)
3 4 6 ($15. 695)
10 9 ($2,616)
2 5 0 ($10. 950)
17 12 0 ($85.650)
11
10
10
10
10
10
10
7
6
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
6
8
($2. 859)
($2. 616)
($2. 616)
($2. 616)
($2. 616)
($2. 616)
($2. 616)
($1,825)
($1. 622)
3 10 6 ($17. 155)
2 3 0 ($10.463)
3 4 6 ($15. 695)
3 4 6 ($15. 695)
3 4 6 ($15. 695)
3 4 6 ($15. 695)
1 12 3 ($7,847)
2 5 0 ($10. 950)
2 0 0 ($9,733)
49
24 8 9 ($118 925)
83
42 0 9 ($204. 576)
The shilling extra per kiln-day for the bench boss is paid by the
company. Of the 83 kiln-days of the two crews, 64 kiln-days were
taken in setting and 19 in drawing.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 1280]
WAGES IN GERMAN POTTERY INDUSTRY
129
Glost Warehouse
The glost warehouse is under the charge of a woman.
dressers and sorters are females, and are commonly employed
woman who takes the contract per kiln. In other cases the
hires dressers and sorters directly. A day rate is paid in either
Selecters are hired by the day.
The
by a
firm
case.
Decorating
Printing is m ostly done under glaze and decalcomania work over
glaze. A considerable p a rt of the ware is printed. The printer has
two helpers, a journey woman who does the transferring and a female
apprentice who does the washing off. On ware, for example, where
the rate is 11s. 2d. ($2,717) per score dozen (240 pieces) the rate
is divided approxim ately as follows: The printer takes 5s. l l ^ d .
($1,450), the journeywom an receives 3s. (73 cents), and the appren
tice 2s. 2% d. (53.7 cents), m aking the total 11s. 2d. ($2,717).
H and painting is done by females a t piece rates. Decal trans
ferrers are females and are paid a t piece rates, each woman working
independently.
Decorating Kiln
The hardening-on kiln m ay be used on under-glaze decorated
ware, as well as on decal ware.
Packing
The packing is piecework, and both journeym an and apprentices
are employed. Each packer has an assistant paid by the day by the
company. There is no teamwork.
W ages in t h e G e r m a n P o tt e r y I n d u s tr y
M
OST of the German earthenw are is said to be coarser than the
general run of American semivitreous ware. The lowergrade porcelain has much the appearance of American semi
vitreous ware, b u t it is more or less translucent.
For wage-agreement purposes pottery workers in Germ any are
divided into four groups. There is the natu ral division of males and
females, and each of these is separated into two classes— the skilled
workers, who have served an apprenticeship, and “ others,” who m ay
be semiskilled or unskilled.
The only wage d a ta obtained, which were supplied by the m anu
facturers’ association, were the tariff or basic hourly rates paid by
agreement to each of these four classes, and percentages showing for
each class the excess of earnings over the basic rates, w ith a sta te
m ent of the occupations th a t fall under each class. There are differ
ent basic rates in each of four groups of localities into which the
potteries of the country are divided, the differential in rates being
based on the difference in the cost of living in these localities.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1281 ]
130
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
The agreement now in force lists the localities in each wage dis
trict and the occupations falling within the skilled, labor wage group.
I t explains conditions of em ploym ent in such detail th a t it is repro
duced a t the end of this article. I t is interesting to note, in article 14,
w hat occupations are classed as skilled. Kiln placers, who are classed
and paid as skilled workers in the U nited States, are not included
in the list.
The whole system of wage paym ent is difficult for an American
to understand. As stated, occupations are treated in blocks or
groups and all occupations in the block are considered equal in the
m atter of wage paym ents. Theoretically at least, all skilled workers
are equal w hatever the occupation and entitled to the same pay, and
the same is true of unskilled workers.
The general agreem ent is as wide as the ceramic industry, and the
same is . true of the wage figures here shown. The* whole field is
included, from very common earthenw are rip through common porce
lain into very fine porcelain, and from general ware to sanitary ware.
R ates governing the first four m onths of em ploym ent were obtained,
b u t being of little significance are not here included.
Table 1 shows the basic tim e rates of the four classes of workers.
These basic rates are minimum rates, the rates actually paid being
higher. The company pays as m uch more as m ay be m utually
agreed upon by the company and the union, and possibly to some
extent there m ay be private understandings between employer and
employee.
1 he table also shows the percentage above the m inimum th a t is
being paid to the general group taken as a whole. Percentage figures
for each separate age group therein were not obtainable, such inform a
tion Deing withheld, it was stated, for special local reasons. As
m ost of the skilled men and women are over 24, the percentage shown
in the table is probably very close to the percentage actually paid
such persons, and on th a t assum ption full earnings have been com
puted for th a t age group and are presented in the table.
In this industry m any unskilled or semiskilled persons under 24
years of age are employed and they fall alm ost entirely in the “ o th e r”
group, m aking the age groups in this general group more nearly
equal, so th a t the percentage paym ent above the base shown is
nearly th a t actually paid to each age group. The percentage actually
paid is probably higher for those over 24 years of age and somewhat
lower for the lower ages.
The wages heretofore referred to are those of time workers.
Sixty per cent of the pottery emplo 3J'ees, however, are piece workers
or, to use the German term, are*on an “ accord” basis. By agree
m ent, or ^ accord, ” hourly rates were fixed as a basis for the determ ina
tion of piece rates. These hourly rates are shown in Table 1. Any
person com petent to receive the highest m inimum time rate m ay go
on the accord basis at the rate for his class. He is then given a
piece rate th a t will allow him to earn the basic accord rate per hour
if he works at a normal speed. By increasing his speed above normal
he can increase his hourly earnings.
There is no standard piece rate for any specific article, as is commonly found in the U nited States, as for the same article rates m ay
vary from plant to plant and even in the same plant. A skilled
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131
WAGES IN GERMAN POTTERY INDUSTRY
worker and a semiskilled worker m ay m ake the same article in the
same quan tity b u t a t different piece rates.
No wages by occupation were available, b u t by inspection of the
occupational classification (p. 137) and the group earnings in Table 1,
an approxim ate idea can be obtained of occupational average earnings.
T a b l e 1 .— B A SIC T I M E A N D “ A C C O R D ” H O U R L Y R A T E S P A ID IN G E R M A N P O T T E R IE S
(A F T E R F IR S T T H R E E M O N T H S IN T H E P O T T E R Y ), P E R C E N T A G E A B O V E BA SIC
R A T E S A C T U A L L Y P A ID , A N D E S T IM A T E D A C T U A L E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R
Class of workers
Berlin
D istrict A
Per
cent
over E stim ated
actual
Basie rate basic
per hour rate earnings
actu per hour
ally
paid
Per
cent
over E stim ated
Basic rate basic
actual
per hour rate earnings
actu per hour
ally
paid
Time workers
Skilled male workers:
First year after end of apprenticeship.
Age under 20..._____ ____________
Age 20 and under 24_______ ______ _
Age 24 and over......... ...... .................
Other male workers:
Age 15 and under 16................................
Age 16 and under 18________________
Age 18 and under 20..............................
Age 20 and under 24_____________ _
Age 24 and over______ ___ _______
Skilled female workers:
First year after end of apprenticeship.
Age under 2 0 ............. ......................
Age 20 and over.............................. .
Other female workers:
Age 15 and under 16 _________ _____ _
Age 16 and under .18________________
Age 18 and under 20___________ _____
Age 20 and over_________ _______
Pfg.
Pfg.
49
60
71
77
Cts.
(11. 7)
(14.3)
(16. 9)
(18.3)
26
40
49
57
64
(6.2)
(9.5)
(11. 7) jl6 .5
(13. 6)
(15. 2)
229 (6.9)
238 (9.0)
2 47 (11. 2)
17
25
32
38
|
Cts.
33 » 102 (24. 3)
i 75 (17.9)
J(2) ............
Pfg.
Cts.
Pfg.
Cts.
3 39
(9.3)
104
90
53
50
(24.8)
(21. 4)
(12.6)
(11.9)
J1( 446253 (10.5)
(12. 6) | 24 i 86 (20.5)
(14. 8)
1 69 (16.4)
f 23 (5. 5) ]
(8.6)
1 63 (15.0)
] 364552(12.4)
(10. 7)
{ 57 (13. 6) 1"
i 28 (6. 7)
t 35 (8.3)
141 (9. 8) l 5 3 43 (10. 2)
f 15 (3. 6)
(4.0)
(6.0) jl3. 7 3 43 (10. 2) 1 23 (5.5)
j 29 (6.9)
(7.6)
1 35 (8.3)
(9.0)
I“
Pieceworkers
Skilled male workers............................... .
Other male workers............... ......... ....... .
Skilled female workers.____ __________
Other female workers.................................
82
74
2 50
45
(19. 5)
(17. 6)
(11. 9)
(10. 7)
1 E stim ated earnings of tim e workers aged 24 and over.
2 T he rates are nom inal, as no w om en are employed.
3 E stim ated earnings of tim e w orkers aged 20 and over.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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62
41
(a>
42
133 (31. 7)
104 (24. 8)
" ¿ 4 ( i ï . 2y
75
65
45
40
(17.9)
(15. 5)
(10. 7)
(9.5)
38
38
18
26
132
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 1.—B A SIC T I M E A N D “ A C C O R D ” H O U R L Y R A T E S P A ID IN G E R M A N P O T T E R IE S
(A F T E R F IR S T T H R E E M O N T H S IN T H E P O T T E R Y ), P E R C E N T A G E A B O V E B A SIC
R A T E S A C T U A L L Y P A ID , A N D E S T IM A T E D A C T U A L E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R —Con.
District B
Class of workers
D istrict C
Per
Per
cent
cent
over Estimated
over E stim ated
Basic rate basic
actual
Basic rate basic
actual
per hour rate earnings
per hour rate earnings
actu per hour
actu per hour
ally
ally
paid
paid
Time workers
Skilled male workers:
First year after end of apprenticeship.
Age under 20________________ _____ _
Age 20 and under 24_........... ..............
Age 24 and over...................................
Other male workers:
Age 15 and under 16....................... ........
Age 16 and under 18............................... .
Age 18 and under 20................................
Age 20 and under 21 ................................
Age 24 and over................................
Skilled female workers:
First year after end of apprenticeship.
Age under 2 0 .......................................... .
Age 20 and over.... ...........................
Other female workers:
Age 15 and under 16............................... .
Age 16 and under 1 8 . . ............................
Age 18 and under 20__ ____ ________ _
Age 20 and over............... ..................
Pfg. Cts.
40
49
57
62
(9.5)
(11. 7)
(13. 6)
(14. 8)
21
32
42
47
52
(5.0)
(7.6)
(10. 0)
(11. 2)
(12.4)
Pfg. Cts. Pfg. Cts.
( 39 (9.3)
i 1'
I’
25 (6.0)
31 (7.4)
37 (8.8)
14
20
27
31
(3.3)
(4.8)
(6.4)
(7.4)
66
59
40
36
(15. 7)
(14.0)
(9.5)
(8.6)
12
46 (10. 9)
i 72 (17.1) 11 53
(12. 6)
1 60 (14. 3)
f 20
31
i 57 (13.6) 1 40
46
( 51
(4. 8)
(7.4)
(9.5)
(10. 9)
(12.1)
I 24 (5.7)
M l (9.8) -j 30 (7.1)
( 36 (8. 6)
M5 (8.3)
I 13
i 13
19
25
i 30
(3.1)
(4.5)
(6.0)
(7.1)
65
57
39
35
(15. 5)
(13. 6)
(9.3)
(8.3)
Pfg. Cts.
I
1 67 (15.9)
12
I’
‘ 55 (13.1)
3 36
(8.6)
3 32
(7.6)
8
Pieceworkers
Skilled male workers......... ......... .............
Other male workers_______ __________
Skilled female workers_______________
Other female workers...............................
28
28
16
16
84
76
46
42
(20. 0)
(18.1)
(10. 9)
(10. 0)
20
17
11
11
78 (18.6)
67 (15.9)
43 (10.2)
39 19.3)
1 E stim ated earnings of tim e workers aged 24 a n d over.
3 E stim a te d earnings of tim e workers aged 20 and over.
Employment
HTHERE are about 70,000 workers in the industry—20,000 in
A earthenw are and 50,000 in porcelain potteries. Of the total
num ber about 55 per cent are males and 45 per cent females. About
58 per cent of the workers in the industry in April, 1926, were work
ing full time, 30 per cent were working 24 to 30 hours per week, and
12 per cent were unemployed. Table 2 shows the distribution of
skilled and unskilled workers, by sex and m ethod of paym ent:
T able 2«—P E R
C E N T O F W O R K E R S E M P L O Y E D B Y M E M B E R S OF M A N U F A C
T U R E R S ’ O R G A N IZ A T IO N W H O A R E P A ID A T T IM E A N D P I E C E R A T E S
Per cent of each class w ho are
p aid a t—
Per cent of total
w ho are paid at—
Class of workers
Tim e
rates
Piece
rates
T otal
Tim e
rates
Piece
rates
M ale skilled w orkers............................ ...............................
O ther m ale w orkers___________________ ______ ____
Fem ale skilled w orkers. ________________________
O ther female w orkers.......... ...................................... .........
26.0
6.2
68.2
34. 5
74.0
93. 8
31. 8
65. 5
100.0
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
17.2
1.0
49. 1
32.7
32.9
9.9
15.4
41.8
All w o rk e rs ________________________________
40. 2
59. 8
100. 0
100.0
100.0
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WAGES IN GERMAN POTTEBY INDUSTRY
133
Wage Adjustments
IN M A K IN G wage adjustm ents the union is perm itted to represent
* nonunion workers, who are few in num ber. In case the companies
and unions can not settle differences, they are referred to a local
arbitration board and thereafter to the M inistry of Labor.
Hours
T T I E prevailing hours of the industry are eight per day, although
*■
in some localities the custom ary working hours are longer.
The m ost common working time is 7 to 9 a. m., 9.15 a. m. to 12 m .,
and 1 to 4.15 p. m. The employees usually work full time when
work is available, especially now th a t work is slack.
Production and Kiln Losses
A L IT T L E inform ation wTas obtained as to per capita production.
According to one statem ent obtained, a jigger m an working alone
will make about 3,000 of the cheaper porcelain 23-centimeter (7-inch)
plates in a 48-hour week, doing his own finishing. If another person
is employed to do the finishing the jigger m an will make about 4,000
such plates, and if one person is employed as a spreader to make the
b a t and another to do the finishing the jigger m an will turn out about
5,000 of these plates a week.
Earthenware 'pottery.—In an earthenw are pottery the following
statem ent of production was obtained:
A jigger m an and a spreader will make 7,000 23-centim eter plates
in 48 hours, with both working together in the finishing, the jigger
m an rounding the edge and the spreader boy doing the sponging.
On saucers a jigger m an and. spreader will make and finish 7,800
saucers in 48 hours. A jigger m an working alone, doing his own
spreading and finishing, will make and finish 4,800 per week.
As to cups, one jigger m an alone will make and finish the edge of
3,300 cups in a week. One person working alone will cast the handles
and p u t them on 3,300 cups per week.
On 1-liter jugs a caster will make from 80 to 90 per hour. The
woman finishing for him will finish from 17 to 29 per hour. On
2-liter jugs one caster will make about 67 per hour and the woman
helper will finish from 14 to 19 per hour.
On 30-centim eter oval dishes a jigger m an and boy helper will
make and trim the edges on 1,000 pieces in 48 hours. In casting
30-centim eter oval dishes the caster will make about 2,100 pieces
per 48 hours. The woman finisher will finish from 900 to 1,300
per wreek.
The plant reports th a t it has a loss of from 3 to 5 per cent of
broken ware from the bisque kiln, and, based on valuation, a loss at
the glost kiln of 3.8 per cent classed as broken or lump and 7.2 per
cent classed as poor.
The same men do the placing and the drawing on the bisque kiln
and are paid per cubic meter.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The relative earnings of the members of a dipping and glostplacing crew in this plant are here illustrated:
8 dipping women get---------------------15 women putting ware in saggers. __
2 men putting saggers in k iln ---------2 men bringing ware from glaze room
to placing bench-----------------------2 women cleaning bisque----------------
26 per cent, or 3 per cent each.
47 per cent, or S T\ per cent each
11 per cent, or 5 J 4 per cent each.
11 per cent, or 5 ^ per cent each.
5 per cent, or 2 hi per cent each.
100
Five men do the glost drawing.
The slip-house processes seem to be about the same as in the
United States. W are, as produced in the clay shop, is dried on open
racks. There are no stove rooms, b u t it is stated th a t stove rooms
are used in some potteries. In this p ottery the decorating is m ostly
underglaze. The placing of ware in the saggers and the placing of
saggers in the kiln are n o t classed as skilled work. F la t ware is p u t
in stacks or bungs when placed in the saggers and the ware is not
sanded.
D ipped flat ware is placed on edge in the sagger. The first plate
leans against a triangular saddle a t the front of the sagger. The
ware rests on two saddles a t the bottom of the sagger and the pieces
are held ap art by struts. This leaves two slight°faults on the edge
oi the ware and one on the top of the rim. These nips are dressed
down after firing.
I t was stated th a t in some potteries bats were cut out in the clay
shop by wire instead of being spread. In this pottery clay carriers
are employed to deliver clay to the jigger man. The jigger man
stops his work to p u t boards filled w ith ware on the drying rack.
Saggers are made by a jigger machine and by a press. M any saggers
are sm all; they are m ostly oval, although some are square and some
are round.
Porcelain pottery. In a porcelain plant the following d a ta as to
production were obtained: Two jigger men and one spreader, who
works for botn, will make b u t not finish 1,200 19-centimeter plates
in 9M hours, the clay being brought to them . The finisher will
finish 2,000 plates in 93^ hours. This p ottery is not m aking 23centim eter (7-inch) plates.
On 13-centimeter saucers four jigger women and one girl who oper
ates an autom atic spreader will m ake bu t not finish 3,500 pieces in
9M hours. The finisher will finish 3,000 saucers in the same time.
One jigger woman will make and finish 800 cups in (.) V2 hours. On
a double jigger she will make b u t not finish 1,800. A cup finisher
will finish 3,000 cups in 9 K hours. A cup handler will cast the handle
and p u t them on 800 cups in a day.
A caster will cast and finish 120 1-liter jugs in 9jA hours. If he casts
the jugs and sticks on the handles separately and does the finishing
he will m ake 100 jugs in 9U> hours. A caster will m ake and finish 130
30-centim eter oval platters in 9% hours.
th is plant, while working nine and one-half hours per day, works
only a half day on Saturday. The plant reports its losses a t the
kilns as follows: Broken bisque, 10 per cent; broken glost, i y 2 per
cent, thirds in glost, 7 per cent. This leaves 753A p e rc e n t of green
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WAGES IIST GERMAN POTTERY INDUSTRY
135
room ware rem aining as first and seconds as the ware leaves the glost
kiln.
There is generally one spreader for two jigger men. The spreader
is paid direct by the company and not by the jigger men. The
spreading is done on a canvas stretched over a wooden frame. The
fram e and b a t are then placed top down on the mold and the canvas is
removed, leaving th e b a t on the mold.
The cup jigger m an does his own balling. The plate m akers are
classed as “ facharbeiters,” or skilled workers, b u t cup m akers are not
so classed. T here are no stove rooms used in this pottery. The
ware is dried in stacks near the kiln or on the next floor above the
kilns near the kiln chimneys. Glazed cups are boxed for firing by
dipping the edges in a liquid th a t forms an insulation.
I t is stated th a t kilns are handled differently in various localities.
In some instances bisque and glost ware are fired in the same kiln
a t the same time. In other cases the kiln m ay be used alternately
for bisque and glost ware, bu t generally there are separate kilns for
bisque and glost firing.
N A TIO N A L C O LLEC TIV E A G R E E M E N T FO R T H E G ERM A N F IN E
C E R A M IC IN D U ST R Y , E F F E C T IV E F EB R U A R Y 1, 1926
The following agreem ent for the purpose of uniform regulation of wage and
working conditions is concluded by th e Em ployers’ Association of th e G erm an
Fine Ceramic Industry on th e one hand, and the Federation of Porcelain an d Allied
W orkers of Germany, th e T rade Federation of German Ceramic W orkers, th e
Federation of Hirsch-D uncker Trade-Unions, th e German M etal W orkers'
Federation, the Federation of Engineers and Firemen, and th e German T ran sp o rt
W orkers’ Federation, on th e other hand:
I.
S c o pe
A r t ic l e 1. The provisions of this agreement are applicable w ithin th e territo ry
of th e German Com monwealth to all male and female m anual workers em ployed
in any establishm ent of th e porcelain, stoneware, and sanitary ware industry, and
in other fine ceramic establishm ents. Persons who in accordance w ith th e law
relating to salaried employees’ insurance are compulsorily insured do n o t come
w ithin th e scope of this agreement.
Section X shall be applicable to apprentices.
II. T a r if f C l a s s e s
A r t . 2. In view of the diversity of economic conditions in the individual
localities and districts, th e following tariff wage classes have been formed:
Class.— G reater Berlin.
_
.
Class A.— Bonn on th e Rhein, Breslau, inclusive of Carlowitz, Cainsdorf,
Chem nitz, Danischburg, near Lubeck D arm stadt, Dresden, inclusive of Potschappel [30 other enum erated localities omitted].
Class B.— Althaldensleben (Saxony), Altwasser, Ambert, A rnstadt (Thuringia),
Arzberg, Auma, Bad Schmiedeberg (D istrict Halle), B ayreuth, Blechhammer,
Boilstedt near Gotha, B rattendorf, Bunzlau, Burgau near Jena [129 other
enum erated localities omitted].
Class C.— Alexandrinenthal, A ltenkundstadt (Upper Franconia), Annaburg,
Arneburg, Beutelsdorf (Saxe-Altenburg), Blankenhain, Bock and Teieh, Brambach, Breitenbach near Sclileusingen, Burggrup (Upper Franconia), Cortendorf
near Coburg [104 other enum erated localities omitted].
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
III. H ours
of
L abor
A r t . 3. In principle th e hours of labor shall be 48 p er week.
If there are legal holidays in a week, the hours of labor during this week shall
be reduced correspondingly.
D eviations from th e preceding provisions are regulated in a special agreement
or shall be so regulated.
A r t . A . T he distribution of the hours of labor and th e determ ination of rest
periods is left to th e agreem ent of the m anagem ent of th e establishm ent w ith the
works council.
A r t . 5 . R est periods, as well as the tim e required for dressing and undressing,
shall n o t be included in th e hours of labor, w ith th e following exceptions:
(a ) D uring th e heating of kilns and smelters th e rest periods shall be reckoned
as hours of labor in th e case of kiln firemen and smelters. T he tim e during which
engineers and firemen have to w atch the engines shall be reckoned in full as hours
of labor.
(b) R est periods of a length suitable to the occupation, perm itting th e workers
to wash themselves, m ay be agreed upon by the m anagem ent and th e works
council.
A r t . 6. If th e workers are regularly given S aturday afternoon off, th e hours
of labor th u s missed shall be distributed over the rem aining week days.
A r t . 7._ P reparatory and supplem entary work beyond th e regular daily
working tim e, which is necessary in order th a t th e agreed working tim e m ay be
fully used for production, shall be perform ed outside of th e regular hours of
labor.
As such work shall be considered th e firing up and draw ing of th e fires of steam
boiler and heating plants, th e preparation of driving m achinery, repair work on
machinery, cleaning and clearing of rooms, loading and unloading, etc.
A r t .8 . In deviation from th e provisions relating to article 616 of th e Civil Code
contained in shop rules, employers shall com pensate workers for tim e during
which th e worker w ithout any fault of his own is prevented from perform ing
work. As incontestable reasons for prevention from performing work shall be
considered th e following:
(a ) A summ ons in w riting from a public authority.
The summons is to be
shown to th e proper chief (boss). If th e w orker is summoned as defendant or
to look after his personal interest (distribution of an estate, sale of real property,
etc.), his absence from work shall n o t be com pensated.
(b) T he m aking of legally prescribed reports to th e authorities—it m ust be
proved th a t th e report could n o t be m ade by th ird parties— especially th e report
ing of deaths of parents, consorts, children, brothers or sisters, foster children or
foster parents, and attendance o f their funerals.
(c) A first visit to a physician owing to an industrial accident or to a sickness
attested by th e physician, in so far as the visit can not be m ade outside of working
hours.
(d ) A ttendance a t a trad e school, a ceramic departm ent of a trad e school, or
specified courses in a trad e school.
_The w orker prevented in such cases from perform ing work shall subm it to
his chief credible proof thereof. W henever possible, such proof shall be subm itted
before th e w orker absents, himself. F or th e necessary tim e of absence, n o t in
excess of four hours, th e absent w orker shall receive com pensation a t th e hourly
tim e rate, and if he is a pieceworker a t the rate of his average daily earnings
during th e la st four w orking weeks.
The w orker m u st consent, however, th a t any am ount legally due him from a
third p arty for th e period of his prevention from work be deducted from the
com pensation due him from his employer.
A r t . 9. Workers shall receive no com pensation for interruptions of operation
for a period not in excess of half an hour.
In case of interruptions of operation for a period in excess of half an hour the
following provisions shall be applicable:
If interruptions of operations are caused by defective m achinery, lack of gas,
electric current, w ater power, coal, or other operating m aterials, raw m aterials,
or half-finished products, which could n o t be prevented or quickly remedied by
the employer, no com pensation shall be due to th e workers for th e lost time.
In all other cases of interruption of operation th e first four hours lost shall be
com pensated a t full pay and th e next four hours a t half pay. Any fu rth er tim e
lost shall n o t entitle th e workers to compensation.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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WAGES 11ST GERMAN POTTERY INDUSTRY
137
W orkers shall, as soon as possible, call th e atten tio n of th e m anagem ent to
any threatened in terruption of operation and to th e beginning of such interruption.
If anjr Interruption of operation prevents a w orker from perform ing his usual
work he shall perform other work assigned to him.
If interruptions of work of th e kind nam ed in th e second and th ird paragraphs
are caused by th e fault of th e em ployer he shall com pensate th e workers for the
lost tim e until th e term for giving notice of discharge has expired.
IV. O v e r t im e
and
S u n d a y W ork
A r t . 10. Overtim e work is regulated b y th e special agreem ent mentioned
in a r tic le 3.
A r t . 11. Sunday work shall be permissible in urgent cases only. Emergency
work, i. e., work on th e im m ediate performance of which th e undisturbed
operation of the establishm ent depends, shall on order of the employer be
perform ed w ithout protest.
A r t . 12. A s Sunday work shall b e considered any work perform ed on Sundays
or legal holidays, during the period beginning a t m idnight on Saturday and
ending a t m idnight on Sunday or during the corresponding period on legal
holidays.
A r t . 13. Sunday work shall be com pensated w ith 50 per cent extra pay.
A lunch bonus am ounting to 5 per cent of the regular wage rate, exclusive of
prem ium s shall be allowed for night work (from 10 p. m. to 6 a. m.) which is
not to be com pensated as overtime.
Doormen and watchm en shall not be paid any extra com pensation for Sunday
work.
V. W a g e s
A r t . 14. As skilled workers shall be considered those workers who have
served an agreed training period or an apprenticeship in their trade and are
employed in this trade.
W orkers of th e following occupational groups shall be entitled to skilled
workers’ wages if they can prove th a t they have been employed in th e occupa
tional group in question half a year in excess of th e apprenticeship period usual
in this occupational group, provided th a t during this period they were employed
a t work perform ed as a rule by skilled workers. The same applies to female
w orkers:
A.
E a r th e m v a r e a n d s a n ita r y w a re in d u s tr y
1. Modelers.
2. Mold-form makers.
3. Tile makers.
4. Mold casters.
5. Jiggers, turners, throwers, male and female.
6. Shapers, design workers," decoration placers, male and female.
7. Casters, sanitary ware, male and female.
8. H andle and spout affixers, male and female.
9. Finishers, male and female.
10. Sagger makers, hand and machine.
11. Painters, male and female.
12. Color and gold banders, male and female.
13. Stencil cutters.
14. Color sprayers, male and female.
15. Decorators, color stam ps, male and female.
16. Engravers and p rin t plate makers.
17. P late and lithograph printers, exclusive of female helpers.
18. Lithographers.
19. Photographers.
20. Mechanics.
21. H ead kiln firemen.
22. Chauffeurs.
23. Steam engineers and firemen.
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
P o r c e l a i n ta b le w a r e i n d u s t r y
Shapers.
Jiggers.
Casters, if skilled turners or shapers.
Painters, male and female.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
5. Color sprayers, male and female.
6. Mold-form makers.
7. Mold casters, male and female.
8. Design workers, decoration placers.
9. Sagger makers, male and female.
10. Modelers.
11. Lithograph printers, photographers, mechanics, lithographers, pressmen
engravers, and p rin t plate makers.
’
12. H ead kiln firemen.
13. Steam engineers an d firemen.
14. Chauffeurs.
C.
E le c tr o te c h n ic a l 'p o r c e la in i n d u s t r y
[Practically th e same occupations as enum erated above,]
D.
F in e s t p o r c e l a i n i n d u s t r y
[Practically th e sam e occupations as enum erated above.]
If a male or female worker has qualified as a skilled worker or has acquired the
right to rem uneration as a skilled worker, he shall retain his right to rem uneration
as a skilled worker if he finds em ployment in the same occupational group in
another establishm ent.
In th e case of kiln firemen, three years’ uninterrupted em ployment as a fire
m an shall be considered equivalent to finished apprenticeship’.
Engineers and steam -boiler firemen qualify as skilled workers when they have
passed a S tate exam ination and have been certified. If they have not passed
such an exam ination, they shall be considered skilled workers after two years’
uninterrupted em ploym ent as engineers or steam -boiler firemen. The two-year
period of uninterrupted em ploym ent m ay cover em ploym ent in several establish
ments.
I f a sk ille d w o rk e r re g u la rly p e rfo rm s w o rk t h a t com es w ith in h is t r a d e he
s h a ll b e r e m u n e r a te d a s a sk ille d w o rk e r e v e n if th e r e a re n o sk ille d w o rk e rs in
h is t r a d e in t h e e s ta b lis h m e n t in q u e stio n , a s fo r in s ta n c e w h e n a jig g e r w o rk s
a s a sa g g e r m a k e r, o r a s h a p e r a s a c a s te r, o r a p a in te r a s p r in te r , e tc h e r o r color
s p ra y e r, e tc .
_ A r t . 15. A ll m ale an d fem ale workers w ho up to January 31, 1926, had th e
righ t t o rem u n eration a s sk illed w orkers sh all con tin u e to be p aid as su ch if
reta in ed in th e ir form er occu p ation .
A r t . 16. Skilled workers of another industry employed in their trad e in
establishm ents of th e fine ceramic industry shall, if they have served th e ap
prenticeship usual in th eir trade, be rem unerated a t th e rates paid to skilled
workers of th e fine ceramic industry.
All other workers of other industries who are employed in th e fine ceramic
industries shall be rem unerated a t the rates paid unskilled workers in th e fine
ceramic industry.
In deviation from th e above rule, photographers, lithographers, printers,
engravers, p rin t plate makers, pressmen, toolm akers, machinists, blacksmiths,
tinsm iths, electricians, steam engineers, and firemen and chauffeurs, shall unless
employed a t piecework, receive th e minimum rates of skilled workers in th e fine
ceramic industry increased by 25 per cent.
Drivers shall receive th e tim e rates of unskilled workers increased by 5 per cent.
W orkers engaged in th e cleaning of boilers, chimneys, fuel economizers, and
gas generators shall receive a bonus in addition to their regular wages.
Chauffeurs, drivers, and their helpers when sent on trips to outside localities
shall be_ granted an allowance for meals and, if forced to stop over night, also
for lodging. The am ount of these allowances shall be fixed in th e current wage
agreement.
A r t . 17. W hat is said in this agreement as to skilled and other workers of the
m ale sex applies also to skilled and other workers of th e female sex, w ith the
exception of th e contents of article 14, A, B, C, and D. Female workers have a
claim to rem uneration as skilled workers only if they are explicitly nam ed in
th a t article.
_ A r t . 18. The differences between minimum hourly rates and th e actual
piecework earnings shall be com puted every four weeks. If a pieceworker’s
production remains for more th an three consecutive accounting periods at
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139
between 80 and 100 per cent of th e production corresponding to his m inim um
hourly wage he shall lose for three m onths th e rights to a minimum hourly wage.
A r t . 19? If the production of a pieceworker during such an accounting period
falls more th a n 20 per cent below th e production corresponding to his minimum
hourly wage he shall be paid for this accounting period not the minimum hourly
w age'but the wage he has actually earned.
A r t . 20. Workers who are not fully efficient owing to physical or mental
infirmities shall not be guaranteed a minimum hourly wage. Disputes in this
respect shall be decided jointly by th e m anagem ent and th e works council.
A r t . 21. The wage rates for tim eworkers as well as th e basic rates for piece
work shall be fixed in a special wage agreement and shall be graded in accordance
w ith th e local classes enum erated in article 2 for skilled and other workers of
th e male sex and for skilled and other workers of th e female sex, and in accord
ance w ith the age of the workers. The following groups and age classes shall
be formed:
.
.
(a ) Skilled workers, male: Skilled workers during the first year after term ina
tion of th e apprenticeship and semiskilled workers under 18 years of age during
th e first year after acquisition of the character of skilled workers; under 20 years;
20 and under 24 years of age; 24 years of age and over.
(b) O ther workers, male: Fifteen and under 16 years of age; 16 and under 18
years of age; 18 and under 20 years of age; 20 and under 24 years of age; 24 years
of age and over.
(c) Skilled workers, fem ale: Skilled workers during th e first year after term ina
tion of their apprenticeship and semiskilled workers under 18 years of age, during
th e first year after acquisition of the character of skilled workers; 18 and under 20
years of age; 20 years of age and over.
(d ) O ther w'orkers, female: Fifteen and under 16 years of age; 16 and under 18
years of age; 18 and under 20 years of age; 20 years of age and over.
There shall be no fixed wage scale for male and female workers under 15 years
of age.
_
. . .
The special wage agreement shall fix: (a) M inimum rates; (b ) basic piece rates;
(c) tim e rates.
M inimum rates shall be applicable to beginners; as guaranteed rates for piece
work; as basis for the com putation in accordance w ith article 23 of th e basic
piece rates.
.
The basic piece rate shall serve as a base for the determ ination of the piece
rates.
.
.
Time rates shall be paid to those workers who after continuous em ploym ent tor
more th a n three m onths in th e same establishm ent can not be employed a t piece
work. Higher tim e rates m ay be granted for specially efficient work, and the
tim e-rate earnings of skilled workers shall as a rule not be lower th an th e basic
piecework rate.
An increase of minimum, basic piece, and tim e rates for whole local classes,
occupational groups or age classes shall be out of the question during th e validity
of th e agreement.
.
A r t . 22. W o rk w h ic h b y its n a tu r e a n d q u a n ti t y seem s s u ite d fo r p iec ew o rk
p ro d u c tio n sh a ll a f te r a g re e m e n t of th e m a n a g e m e n t w ith t h e w o rk s c o u n c il be
e x e c u te d a s p iec ew o rk .
A r t . 23. The piece rates for the individual articles shall be com puted on the
basis of the average production, and of the minimum hourly rate of male workers
over 24 years of age and of female workers over 20 years of age, increased by 25
p e rc e n t.1
,
.
In the determ ination of the average production and of th e piece rates there snail
be considered:
.
, ,
,.
.
(a ) The particular occupation of th e worker b u t not th e whole occupational
group (for instance, plate jiggers b u t not th e whole jiggering d ep artm en t).
(b) Those m a'e and female workers who have worked continuously for a t least
one year ip th e occupation in question (for instance, as plate jiggers). If such
workers are not existent in th e occupation in question those m ale and female work
ers shall be considered who have worked continuously in th a t occupation for at
least half a year.
On the other hand, there shall be left out of consideration:
.
(c) In the case of piece rates for skilled workers all other workers employed in
the same occupation who have not yet acquired the right to rem uneration as
skilled workers.
1Tw enty-five per cent over th e rate specified for the first three m onths of service.
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MONTHLY LABOE. REVIEW
(d ) In the case of piece rates for other than skilled workers, those skilled workers
who work in the same occupation.
(e) Those male and female workers to whom articles 18, 19, and 20 are appli
cable, and apprentices.
A r t . 24. If, by order of the m anagem ent, pieceworkers, and especially skilled
workers, are being tem porarily employed a t tim e rates, th ey shall be entitled to
average piecework earnings only if their em ploym ent a t tim e rates is n ot due to
lack of piecework; otherwise they shall be paid a t th e tim e ra te of th e occupation
in question.
In doubtful cases the term ‘‘tem porarily ” shall be defined by th e m anagem ent
in agreem ent w ith the works council.
A r t . 25. If a worker is transferred to another occupational group he shall,
during th e term usual in th e establishm ent for giving notice of discharge, b u t a t
the longest for a period of 10 days, be paid a t the rate of his earnings in his former
occupation. After th e expiration of this period he shad be paid a t th e rate of his
new occupation.
A r t . 26. Kiln men in the sanitary ware industry and head smelters if em
ployed a t tim e rates shall be paid a t the m inimum hourly rate plus 25 per cent.
A r t . 27. A ll tim e a n d p iec e r a te s sh a ll b e d e te rm in e d in a g re e m e n t w ith th e
w age c o m m itte e w h ic h sh a ll b e c o m p o se d of n o t m o re t h a n th r e e w o rk e rs, a n d , in
th e c ase o f r a te s fo r sk ille d w o rk e rs, e x c lu siv e ly of sk ille d w o rk e rs.
If differences of opinion arise th e works council shall be consulted. If an
agreem ent can n o t be reached th e work, u n til final determ ination of th e piece
rate which shall be effected w ithin two weeks a t th e latest, shall be done as
provisional piecework and be paid for a t th e basic piece rate, accepted as a provi
sional hourly rate. A fter final determ ination of th e piece rate in accordance with
the provisions of article 23, any resulting difference between th e correct piece rate
and th e rate paid provisionally shall be m ade up to th e worker.
The wage com m ittee shall be com pensated for its loss of tim e by th e employer
in so far as it has been active on th e la tte r’s order.
A r t . 28. All piece and tim e rates shall be posted in th e establishm ents or
arranged in book form and such rate books m ust be open to inspection a t suitable
places.
A r t . 29. All tools and m aterials shall be furnished to th e workers a t cost,
assurnmg th a t th e labor share of th e price of th e article is thereby n ot lessened.
D eviating agreem ents in th e individual establishm ents are permissible b ut
m ust n o t involve reduced earnings. The second clause of th e first paragraph
shall be applicable correspondingly.
A r t . 30. If there is a change in th e working system, as for instance, owing to
th e introduction of new m achinery, labor methods, or m aterials, or if a p attern
is altered, and an increase or decrease of production is thereby involved, new
piece rates shall be agreed upon. The same shall tak e place if new p attern s are
introduced.
If a m istake m anifest to both parties has occurred in th e com putation of piece
rates th e rates in question shall be rectified.
The second paragraph shall as a rule not be applicable when th e piece rate
does not exceed th e basic piece rate by more th a n the average of th e piece rates
of th e occupational class in question.
VI. P a y m e n t
of
W ages
A r t . 31. Wages shall be paid a t intervals not longer th an two weeks. If
more th a n a week intervenes between pay days, workers shall be perm itted to
draw a suitable am ount on account of th eir earnings.
A r t . 32. The wages earned by a worker m ust be credited to him not later
th an three days after th e close of th e wage period in which he has completed the
article or th e job.
Wages shall be paid in full a t th e close of each wage period. The paying off
of workers m ust be com pleted before th e close of th e working hours.
A r t . 33. D eductions for defective work shall be permissible only if th e defects
a,re due to a willful ac t or negligence on th e p a rt of th e worker, if he has not per
formed his work in accordance w ith th e labor m ethods of his trade, or has not
observed th e usual care in th e perform ance of th e work assigned to him.
If th e w orker protests against a deduction th e question w hether he is a t fault
shall be decided jointly by th e m anagem ent and two expert workers (committee
on defective production). If no agreem ent can be reached half of th e wage in
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WAGES IN GERMAN POTTERY INDUSTRY
question m ay provisionally be deducted from th e worker’s pay and his protest
shall be decided by th e same procedure as is used in th e conciliation of^ labor
disputes on th e basis of opinions of twro experts one of w’hom shall be nominated
by each p arty . T he experts shall render their opinion on th e basis of personal
investigations in th e establishm ent.
T he com m ittee on defective production shall when acting as such be com
pensated by th e em ployer for th e loss of wages.
A r t . 34. All workers shall be handed order and wage books or slips which
show w hat work they have been ordered to perform and indicate th e earnings
credited to th e worker. The order slips m ust show th e rate of wages applicable
to th e order.
C urrent wage lists shall be kept for wages paid.
V II.
V a c a t io n s w it h
P at
Art. 35. In the calendar year subsequent to their em ployment workers who have
been employed a t least half a year in the same establishm ent shall be granted
two days’ vacation w ith pay and a further day’s vacation for each subsequent
year up to a m axim um of eight days. A fter 12 years’ em ploym ent in th e same
establishm ent a vacation of 10 days shall be granted._ After 15 years’ employ
m ent in th e sam e establishm ent workers employed in G reater Berlin and inlocalities coming under Class A (page 135) shall be granted a vacation of 12 days.
Only w orking-days shall be counted as vacation days.
The claim to vacation is to be governed by the length of em ploym ent in the
same establishm ent. C redit is to be given for former em ploym ent in th e same
establishm ent, in so far as the worker has not left voluntarily (with th e exception
of th e cases enum erated in article 124 of the industrial code) or has been discharged
for cause.
_
•
W ar service, auxiliary service in the war, service in the German Army, dis
continuance of the em ploym ent owing to events connected w ith th e war, sickness,
strike and lockout, as well as complete or partial shutdow n of th e establishm ent
shall not be considered as interruption of the period of em ploym ent in com puta
tions for th e granting of vacations.
A r t . 36. Vacations m ust be granted in th a t calendar year in which a claim to
vacation has accrued. T he tim e for th e vacation is to be fixed by th e manage
m ent in agreem ent w ith th e works council. The establishm ent shall, however,
have the right to shut down for a period not in excess of six days. In such a case
the individual workers shall receive pay only for the period of vacation due to
them.
A r t . 37. V acation s m ay n o t be w orked w ith p ay therefor. A v a ca tio n n o t
claim ed u p to th e end of th e year sh all be considered as lost.
A r t . 38. E a c h w orker granted a v a c a tio n sh all be p a id a t th e begin n in g of his
v a c a tio n h is average hourly w age for th e num ber of w ork in g-d ays form in g his
v a c a tio n period.
.
In case of short-tim e work the compensation for each day of th e vacation shall
be com puted as if the establishm ent had been operated on full tim e. Overtime
hours shall, however, not be considered. The average hourly wage rate shall be
com puted on the basis of the total earnings of the last four weeks and th e last
week to be considered in this com putation shall be a t least one week previous to
the beginning of th e vacation.
If a p a r t of these four weeks falls w ithin an older wage agreement, the increase
or decrease under the new wage agreem ent of the wage rate for th e occupational
group in question shall be added to or deducted from the earnings under th e old
w age agreem en t.
,
...
If an establishm ent is shut down for over one m onth, or operates on short time
for over one m onth—on a basis of 24 hours or less per week— or operates only 3
days (of 8 ^ 4 hours) per week, figured from vacation to vacation, th e claim to a
vacation of th e workers affected by the shutdow n or short-tim e operation shall be
diminished by one-twelfth of the vacation for each full m onth during which th e
establishm ent was sh u t down or operated on short tim e.
If there have been several periods of short-tim e operation or shutdowns, th e
calendar days shall be added and divided by 30, b u t periods of less th a n 14 days of
short-tim e operation or shutdow n shall be left out of consideration.
A r t . 39. During his vacation a w orker may n o t perform any work for pay.
If he does so, he shall refund the pay granted him by his em ployer during the
vacation and he shall also lose any claim to vacation during th e next yeai.
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A r t . 40. If workers entitled to a vacation are dismissed, their employer shall
compensate them for the lost vacation in an am ount corresponding to their length
of employment.
*&
A worker who leaves of his own free will or is discharged for cause has no claim
to vacation or to compensation for the lost vacation.
V III.
C o n c il ia t io n
and
A r b it r a t io n
of
L abor
D is p u t e s
A r t . 41. The settlem ent of disputes between the em ployer and individual
w orkers or the whole working personnel of an establishm ent shall in th e first place
be attem p ted by th e em ployer or his representative and th e works council.
A r t . 42. An arbitration board composed of an equal num ber of emplo 3rers and
workers who are parties to th e present agreem ent and presided over by a non
partisan chairm an shall be established for each district, or, if necessary for p arts
oi a district. If th e district m anagem ents can n o t agree on a chairm an, th e central
organization shall decide w hat authorities shall appoint th e nonpartisan chairman.
1 he arbitration board shall exclusively be com petent in all disputes relating to the
application and enforcement of the present agreem ents in th e establishm ents
I h e arbitration board m ay be invoked only after an attem p t by the employer and
th e works couned to settle th e dispute has failed.
. The d istrict arbitration boards shall n ot he com petent to in terp ret th e principles
involved in provisions of th e present agreement.
If the arbitration board can not bring about conciliation of the dispute it shall
render a decision in th e form of an award.
A r t . 43. A superior arbitration board of equipartisan composition located in
Benin shall be established as th e agency of second and final instance in th e arbitration procedure. The superior arbitration board m av also hold sessions outside
01
IS'
sha11 be composed of three representatives each of th e employers
an y of th e workers, who whenever this is possible shall not be changed durinor the
period of th e validity of a collective agreement. An altern ate shall be appointed
ior th e period of validity of the agreem ent for each representative on th e superior
arb itration board. The board shall be presided over by a nonpartisan chairman.
Appeals to th e superior arbitration board m ust be m ade by th e proper central
organizations w ithin tw o weeks after receipt of the aw ard rendered by th e district
arb itration board which shall be transm itted to th e interested parties by th e
disti ict m anagem ents by registered letter. The appeal acts as a stay.
A rt . 44. The activities of th e district arbitration boards and of th e superior
arbitration board shall be governed by regulations drafted by th e organizations
interested.
65
A r t . 45. ih e parties shall be represented before th e above-named arbitration
boards by th e organizations interested. If the chairm an of th e works council
or
stew ard or a worker of the establishm ent delegated by th e works council
or by th e shop stew ard takes p a rt in th e session as representative of th e worker he
shad be com pensated in pursuance of articles 35 and 36 of th e works council law
A r t . 46 Strikes or lockouts on account of disputes arising out of th e employm ent relation, m so far as th e la tte r is regulated by th e present agreement, shall
n ot ta k e place oefore th e arbitration boards have rendered an award.
,
TT 1^© signatory organizations^ of the agreem ent shall energetically see
to it tn a t any aw ard m ade by a conciliation board or th e superior conciliation
board is enforced.
IX . H ome
W ork
A rt . 48. Piece rates for home workers shall be determ ined on the same basis
as for workers working in th e factory.
A r t . 49 Only perm anently employed home workers, i. e., only those home
worners who for a t least one year have delivered to th e same establishm ent an
o u tp ut averaging 80 per cent of th e output of th e factory workers of th e same
occupational group, shall be entitled to vacation w ith pay.
A rt - 50. D isputes relating to the wage and working conditions of home workers
shad be settled by th e same arbitration organs (see section V III) which settle
factory w orkers’ disputes.
A r t . 51. th e provisions of this section are applicable to female home workers
also.
X.
A p p r e n t ic e s
52. (a) After term ination of the second year of th eir apprenticeship,
apprentices shall be entitled to th e wage rate of “ o th e r” workers corresponding
to th eir age class.
&
A rt.
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143
(b) The right of apprentices to vacations shah be governed by th e provisions
of articles 35 to 40 (p. 141).
(c) Article 8 (d ) (p. 136) shall be correspondingly applicable to apprentices
In all other respects th e apprenticeship conditions shall be regulated by th e
apprenticeship contract.
X I. G e n e r a l P
r o v is io n s
A r t . 53. Persons employed a t full tim e in an establishm ent shall not be per
m itted to perform work for pay outside of th e establishm ent. .
. . .
A r t . 54. No worker m ay be discrim inated against or dismissed lor insisting
on the enforcement of the present agreem ent nor on account of his activities as a
member of the works council or of a wage com mittee.
X II.
V a l id it y
of
the
A greem ent
Art 55 This agreem ent shall come into force on February 1, 1926, and shall
be valid until January 31, 1927. If notice of th e canceling of th e agreem ent is
not given bv one of th e contracting parties three m onths before its expiration,
th e agreem ent shall continue to be valid for a further period of three m onths, the
term for giving notice rem aining th e same.
.
, , ,,
Notice of th e canceling of th e agreem ent shall be given by registered letter
by the Em ployers’ Association of th e German Fine Ceramic In dustry or by th e
Federation of Porcelain and Allied Workers of Germ any and th e T rade Federation
of German Ceramic Workers.
D e f in it io n s
I. (To article 1.) I t is agreed th a t the signatory workers’ organizations shall
be the sole representatives of the economic interests of those salaried em pioj ecs
who are members of these organizations. This representation of interests (of
the salaried employees) shall, however, be effected outside of this agreement.
The agreem ent shall not be applicable to establishm ents not connected with a
fine ceramic establishm ent either as regards the natu re of th e ma n uf ac t u ri 11g
process or th e location of th e establishment.
_
,
II. (To article 38.) The words “ figured from, vacation to vacation are to
be understood to m ean th a t the first day of the granted vacation in th e current
calendar vear is to be used as basis for the com putation. If th e interval between
th e tw o dates exceeds 12 m onths, only the 12 m onths subsequent to th e oate ot
th e beginning of th e vacation in the preceding year shall be considered.
III. °(To article 42.) I t is agreed between the contracting parties th a t the
interpretation of principles involved in the provisions of this collective agreem ent
shall be effected through discussions between the central organizations. 11
these do not lead to an agreement, a decision shall be m ade by an arb itrato r
nom inated by th e contracting parties. If this decision is not accepted by all the
parties, the superior arbitration board shall make a final decision.
I t is further agreed th a t after th e expiration of th e agreem ent these arb itratio n
bodies shall also render decisions on disputes which became pending during th e
validity of th e agreement.
.
, , ,,
.. „
IV. (To article 45.) Provisions as to the bearing of th e costs of the arbitration
boards shall be incorporated in a new set of regulations lor these boards which,
if possible, shall come into force on M arch 1, 1926.
. . , ,
V. In view of th e special conditions prevailing m th e State porcelain m ctory
a t Berlin, it is agreed th a t the organizations shall conclude special agreements on
the application and enforcement of the wage and working conditions regulated
in the present agreement.
D E C L A R A T IO N OF T H E E M P L O Y E R S ’ ASSOCIATION ON T H E
CLOSED-SHOP Q U ESTIO N
On principle we can not accede to the dem and of th e workers’ organizations
for compulsory unionization.
e ,
We acknowledge, however, th a t in the interest of discipline _and peaceful
relations w ith the workers in the establishm ents, as well as m the interest of the
ability of the labor organizations to conclude collective agreem ents and in the
interest of the enforcement of our collective agreem ent, i t is desirable th a t all th e
workers should be affiliated w ith the signatory organizations of our collective
agreement.
__________________ _
a T h is agreem ent applies only to m anual workers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1295]
144
M O NTHLY LABOR REVIEW
E n tr a n c e W age R a te s fo r C o m m o n L a b o r, O c to b e r, 1S26
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics here presents, as of October 1,
its fourth compilation for 1926 of common-labor wage rates
per hour in various industries of the U nited States. The pre
ceding compilations of this series appeared in the Labor Beview for
February, M ay, and Septem ber, 1926.
This study is confined to the rates paid newly employed unskilled
adult males in im portant industries which require considerable num
bers of common laborers. Some establishm ents have reported two
rates—for example, one for a 10-hour day and one for an 8-hour day,
or one for white and one for colored workers. These distinctions
have not been m aintained in the tabulated data, although it is
apparent th a t the lowest rates shown are for those geographic divi
sions where there are large num bers of colored or M exican workers,
while the highest rates shown are for localities where an 8-hour day
is more or less prevalent.
The num ber of common laborers reported for each of the several
industries is shown in the following statem ent:
T
Number
Automobiles_______________
Brick, tile, and te rra c o tta ____________________________
C em ent________________ ____________ :________________
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and supplies__________
Foundry and machine-shop products__________________
Iron and steel________________________________________
L eather_________________________________
Lum ber (sawmills)_____________
Paper and p u lp ______________________________________
Petroleum refining___________________________________
Slaughtering and m eat packing________________________
Public utilities_________________________
General contracting__________________________________
T o ta l--------------------------------------------------------------
q
197
3)
512
fi 7 6 5
5, 035
9 , 481
23, 107
2 111
1 2 ^ 674
s' 092
3 ’ 366
6 ^ 209
1 5 ’ 118
3 9 ’ 235
135, 902
t The num ber of common laborers reported for each geographic divi
sion was as follows: New England, 8,388; M iddle A tlantic, 37,017;
E a st N orth C entral, 35,120; W est N orth Central, 10,514; South A t
lantic, 13,414; E a st South C entral, 6,432; W est South C entral,
7,040; M ountain, 5,348; Pacific, 12,629.
The weighted average rate for the several industries combined is
43.4 cents, the lowest and highest rates reported being 15 cents and
$1,125, respectively. The highest average rate in any of the indus
tries, 49.5 cents, appears in general contracting, and the lowest
average rate, 33.4 cents, in sawmills.
The highest rates paid in m ost districts were reported by general
contractors, and they considerably increase the average rate for the
several industries combined. The October 1 average rate, 43.4 cents,
is more than one-half cent higher than the average rate of Ju ly 1,
which was 42.8 cents.
By om itting the figures for general contracting an average rate of
40.9 cents is obtained, which is the same as the average rate for the
same industries on Ju ly 1. The corresponding average rates on
April 1 and Jan u ary 1 were 40.5 cents and 40.2 cents, respectively.
I t should be borne in m ind in comparing these average rates th a t
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1296]
145
WAGE RATES FOR COMMON LABOR, OCTOBER, 1926
the establishm ents reporting are not in every case identical in the
four periods.
HOURLY WAGE RATES PAID FOR COMMON LABOR, OCTOBER 1, 1926
[The rates on which this table is based are entrance rates paid for adult male common labor]
Geographic divisions
In d u stry
Automobiles:
L ow ___ _ ___ ______ _____
H i g h ....................... ......................
A v e ra g e ________ _________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta:
Low ________________________
H igh----------------------------------A verage............ ............... ..........
Cem ent:
H igh . ____
A v e r a g e .._______________ . .
Electrical m achinery, apparatus,
and supplies:
Low ____ ____ ______________
______
H i g h _____________
Average . . .
F o u n d ry and m achine-shop products:
L o w ...............................................
H igh_______________________
A verage____________________
Iron and steel:
Low ________________________
H igh
_________
. ____
A verage____________________
Leather:
L o w ................ ....... ......................
H igh _________ _____________
Average____________________
L um ber (sawmills):
L ow .. _____
_________ . .
H ig h _______________________
Average____________________
P aner a n d pulp:
______ _________
Low
H igh
___________________
A v e ra g e ___________________
Petroleum refining:
Low
_ _______________
H igh_______________________
A verag e... __________ _____
Slaughtering and m eat packing:
Low___ _______________
H i g h . .. . ___________________
A v e ra g e ___________________
Public utilities: 1
L o w ___________ __________
H igh_______________________
Average_____
___________
General c o n tra c tin g :2
Low ___ _____ ________
H igh_______________________
Average................... ......................
Total:
Low ___________________
H igh----------------------------Average_________ _ _ _
U nited
id E a st W est South E a st W est
States N ew Mdle
orth N orth A t South South M oun P a
E ng A t NCen
C en la n Cen Cen tain
cific
land
tral
tral tral
tic
lantic tral
Cents Cents Cents
33.3
40.0
62. 5
62. 5
44.3
42.2
17.5
55. 6
38.1
38.5
50.0
39.1
25.0
50.0
40.1
Cents
35.0
62.5
46.1
Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents
33.3
62.5
39.0
35.0
55. 6
47.5
32.5
46.7
38.6
27.0
40.0
33.4
35.0
45.0
43.9
35.0
44.0
42.8
35.0
37.5
35.3
17.5
35.0
27.8
17.5
36.5
21.3
22.3
37. 5
28.0
26.0
40. 0
30.1
25.0
28.0
27.3
40.0
40.0
40.0
39.0
52. 5
41.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
31.0
50.0
45.2
31.0
48.0
44.2
40.0
46.0
41.5
39.0
50.0
48.0
35.0
40.0
37.5
40.0
40.0
40.0
17.5
56.0
38. 9
33.0
52. 5
40.5
30.0
50.0
40. 6
34.0
55. 0
42.7
35.0
45.0
39.7
17.5
45.0
28.4
25.0
40.0
29.9
22.0
50. 0
42.3
40.0
45. 0
43.3
30.0
50.0
42.1
35.0
50.0
44.5
35.0
35.0
35.0
22.0
44.0
36. 6
23.5
31.0
28. 9
17.5
50.0
38.8
48.0
48.0
48.0
33.3
50.0
38.9
35.0
50.0
43.1
17. 5
40. 0
32.4
33.0
33.0
33.0
15.0
62. 5
33.4
33.0
40.0
35.7
30.0
40.0
37.5
30.0
62.5
34.4
32.5 15.0
35.0 35.0
34.7 ’25. 7
16. 5
25.0
21. 9
20.0
33.0
24. 1
22. 5
56.3
42.6
33.3
50.0
45.5
35.0
50. 0
42.3
30. 0
54. 0
44.0
35. 0
40. 0
38.9
30.0
38. 3
36.5
22. 5
37. 5
25.2
25. 0
27. 5
25.7
37. 0
53.0
48. 6
50.0
50.0
50.0
50.0
50. 0
50.0
30. 0
50. 0
44. 2
35. 0
50. 0
42.3
55. 0
55. 0
55. 0
62.0
62. 0
62.0
37. 5
37. 5
37.5
40. 0
40. 0
40. 0
40.0
45. 0
42.4
30. 0
62.0
48.4
1
20.0
30.0
25.2
35.0
44.4
38.1
44.0
50.0
50.1
41.0
49. 0
48.9
42-5
50.0
45.9
44.0
48.8
48.7
25. 0
45.0
37.7
29.0
50. 0
43.2
40.0
56. 3
42.8
37.5
50.0
41.9
40. 0
50. 0
43.8
40.0
45. 0
44.1
37. 5
45. 0
41. 6
37. 5
45. 0
42.1
40. 0
40. 0
40. 0
20.0
61. 3
41.7
40.0
59.5
49. 5
30.0
61.3
44.5
32.5
60.0
48.5
30.0
40.0
36.2
20.0
45. 0
35.0
25.0
40.0
30.4
25.0
30.0
29.0
35.0
40. 0
37.6
33.0
56.3
47.6
20.0
112.5
49.5
40.0 30.0
78.5 112.5
56. 7 58. 7
35.0
100.0
56.3
30.0
80.0
42.0
20.0
50.0
34.9
20.0
40.0
29.3
21.0
50.0
34.7
8ö. 0
62. 5
47.4
43.8
62.5
15.0
112.5
43.4
31.0 30.0
78.5 112.5
47. 8 46.9
100. 0
16. 5
40.0
27.4
20.0
50.0
30.7
25.0
62.5
44.8
29.0
62. 5
46.5
30.0
27.0
15.0
47.5
40.6
33.2
80.0 50.0
1 Including street railw ays, gas works, w aterw orks, and electric power and light plants.
2 Including building, highw ay, public works, and railroad construction.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cents
40.0
55.0
48.9
[1297]
51.0
146
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o m p a ris o n of R ea! W ages
H E International Labor Office presents in the International
Labor Review of October, 1926, a comparison of real wages
in various large cities of the world as of July 1, 1926, in con
tinuation of similar figures compiled periodically by th a t office.
The more significant points in this comparison are brought out
in the table below. The figures given are in the form of index
numbers, using London as the base or 100. In considering the
figures presented it is very im portant to note th a t the wage data
relate only to a very few categories of workers (building, engineering,
furniture, and printing and publishing) and the price d a ta are lim ited
to certain articles of food and to rent. Thus, the index num bers
can be taken only as a very rough indication of the relative levels
of real wages of adult male workers in certain occupations and cities.
In m any instances, however, the figures shown indicate such wide
differences between cities th a t they m ay be accepted as reflecting
real differences in the level of well-being of the workers in different
countries.
According to the table, Philadelphia had the highest real wage
level of any of the 20 cities included, its index num ber, based on
food only, being 167, or 67 per cent higher than London, which is
used as the base. O ttaw a, Canada, and Sydney, Australia, were
next highest to Philadelphia, with Copenhagen the highest of the
European cities. A t the other extreme, cities like Rome, Italy , and
Brussels, Belgium, have a wage level of less than one-fourth th a t of
Philadelphia, and less than one-half th a t of London.
T
I N D E X N U M B E R S O F C O M P A R A T IV E R E A L W A G E S IN V A R IO U S C IT IE S , JU L Y 1, 1926
[London, Ju ly 1, 1926=100]
General average index
num bers
General average index
num bers
C ity
Based on
food only
A m sterdam .
B erlin _____
B russels1__
Copenhagen.
D u b lin ____
L isb o n 2____
L odz............ .
L ondon____
M ad rid .........
M ila n 2____
91
70
41
112
99
35
43
100
56
47
C ity
W ith al
lowance
for rent
91
66
44
112
108
48
100
49
Based on
food only
O tta w a _______ ______
Philadelphia______ _
P rag u e .............................
R iga___________ __ _
R o m e 2________
Sto ck h o lm 3
S ydney__________ ____
T a llin n ..................
V ien n a__
W arsa w 4 _______ _
150
167
50
47
44
88
131
41
44
46
W ith al
lowance
for ren t
148
167
54
50
47
86
131
42
47
1 T h e figures for Brussels are abnorm ally low; th is is due to th e fall in the value of the franc, to which
wages and prices have no t y et become adjusted.
,2
figures for Lisbon, M ilan, an d Rom e are relatively low. T his m ay be accounted for in p a rt by
the dmerences in th e item s of food consum ption in th e southern E uropean countries from those ordinarily
consum ed m m ost of th e other countries included in th e table.
8 T h e figures are based on wages in th e building, furniture-m aking, and printing industries only For
other cities th e m etal in d u stry is also included.
4 B ased on a w eighted average wage. For other cities an unw eighted average wage has been used.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1298]
14:7
WAGES 11ST CARTAGE ETA, COLOMBIA
T r e n d of W ag es In C h ile , 1917 to 1928
T
H E official bulletin of the Chilean Labor D e p a rtm e n t1 shows
the following average daily wages paid to workers in specified
occupations during the years 1917 to 1926:
A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S IN S P E C IF I E D O C C U P A T IO N S IN C H IL E , 1917 TO 1926, B Y
YEARS
[Peso a t par=12.17 cents; exchange rate approxim ately a t par]
Occupation
1917
Pesos
M elters_____________ _______ 6.00
8. 75
M elters, m a ster. ___________
5.60
Boiler m akers. _____________
8. 37
Boiler m akers, m aster_______
7. 20
M echanics______ _ _______
11.25
M echanics, m aster . . . . . . .
5.20
C a r p e n t e r s ...___ _ ______
8.00
Sm iths_____________________
Solderers........ .............. ....... ... -- 8.00
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
•1925
1926
Pesos
6. 40
8. 75
5. 60
8. 37
7. 20
12. 50
5. 60
9. GO
9. 60
Pesos
7. 20
12. 50
5. 60
8. 37
7. CO
13. 75
6. 00
9. 60
10.80
Pesos
7.60
12. 50
6. 40
15. 00
8.40
17.50
6. 40
9. 60
12.00
Pesos
7. 60
12. 50
6. 40
15.00
9. 60
17. 50
6.80
10.00
13. 60
Pesos
8.00
18. 75
7. 20
15.00
9.60
17. 50
7. 20
10. 40
15. 20
Pesos
8.00
18. 75
7.20
15.00
10. 40
18. 75
7.60
10. 80
15. 20
Pesos
9. 20
18. 75
8. 00
15. 00
11.20
18. 75
8. 00
11. 60
15. 20
Pesos
12. 46
21. 00
13.20
25. 00
14. 00
21.00
13.60
13.90
12. 40
Pesos
12. 00
19. 80
14. 68
25.00
13.04
19.80
13. 12
13. 24
lo. 60
W ages in C a r ta g e n a , C o lo m b ia
H E following table, taken from a consular report dated August
22, 1926, shows the num ber of workmen employed in the
m anufacturing industries in C artagena, Colombia, and their
daily wages and working hours in 1924.
T
N U M B E R O F W O R K E R S A N D A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S A N D H O U R S IN S P E C IF IE D
IN D U S T R IE S IN C A R T A G E N A , 1924
Number Number Average Hours of
of work
of
daily labor per
plants
ers
wage
day
Industry
Bakeries _ ____ ____________________________________
Bottling works
- _____________________ __________
Butter factories_ __ _________________________ ______
Candle factories, paraffin__ _ _ __ ______ _ _________
Candle factories, tallow___
_____ _____ __ - _ .
Cane mills_______________________ _________________
Cheese factories_____________________________________
Chocolate factories_____________________ ________ ___
Cigarette factories________________________________
Coffee (roasting) mills ______________ ; ___________
Corn (grist) m ills__ ___ __________________________
Cotton gins
__
_ _ ________ _________ -Cotton factories_____________ _ ________ ___________
Electric light plants.
_____________________________
Flour m ills__ __________________________ ___ ______
Ilat factories___ ____ ____________________ -- _______
Ice factories _
__________________ - ___________ Match factories _ ___ _________________________ -Bice mills
_______ ____________ _________
Bum and alcohol works
_____ __ __________ _____
Sawmills ___ _ _________ ____________ ______ -Soap factories _
_ ______________________________
Sugar refineries__ ___ . -_____ __________ . . .. ..
Tanneries»
________________________________ Tobacco curing sheds_________________________________
i Chile.
Dirección General del Trabajo.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
84
2
14
1
33
465
2
2
11
3
1
3
19
1
2
6
1
1
25
33
60
1
45
8
275
15
25
20
118
1, 215
387
35
32
39
60
8
221
61
20
28
37
10
22
89
09
218
1,132
152
24
B oletín No. 24, Santiago, 1926, Anexo LI.
[1299]
$1.20
1. 00
.90
1.20
.90
.60
.90
1. 20
1. 50
1. 00
1. 50
1.00
1.00
1. 00
1. 50
1. 20
1. 00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.20
1.00
1. 20
1.00
.90
12
8
8
8
8
10
12
8
8
10
8
10
8
12
10
8
10
8
10
12
8
10
10
10
10
148
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
The report contains also figures showing the wages paid in different
occupations in Cartagena, as shown by the following statem ent:
D aily wages
W atchm en_______
Timekeepers______
C arpenters_______
Carpenters’ helpers.
M achinists_______
M echanics________
Mechanics’ helpers.
Sailors___________
Pay-roll men____ _
Launch men______
Cooks, first class__
Cooks, second class
Gardeners_____ __
Common laborers _.
Domestics________
Clerks in stores___
Office clerks______
School teachers___
$1. 0 0 -$ 1.
2. 2 5 - 2 .
2 . 0 0 - 2.
1.
35
75
25
50
2. 00
2. 00
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
50
35
75
50
50
2. 00
1. 25
1. 20
1.
1 60.
1 75.
1 35.
00
00
00
00
W age R a te s In H a m b u r g , G e rm a n y
AGE rates prevailing in various occupations in Ham burg,
Germany, in September, 1926, are given as follows in a
report of U nited States Consuls Thom as H. Sevan and
W alter A. Foote, dated October 1-16, 1926:
W
W A G E R A T E S IN H A M B U R G , G E R M A N Y , IN S E P T E M B E R , 1926
[German m ark at p a r=23.8 cents]
O ccupation
U nit
of
tim e
R ate
O ccupation
U nit
of
tim e
Marks
Locksm iths ..................................................... Hour._
Plum bers a n d m echanics________ __do_
Electricians ________
_ ______ _ do _
C oppersm iths. ___________ ________ do
Spinning an d textile in d u stry _ _ do _ _
U pholsterers_____________ ______ __do
C abinetm akers_________ ___ _ __do__
T ailors________________________ _.do__
do _
Shoemakers _____
_________
M asons__ _____________________ __do
Joiners________________________ __do__
0. 98
1 . 28
1.03
1.02
. 70
1.17
1.03
.98
.87
1 28
1.30
P ain ters_______________________
P rin te rs. _____________________
B akers__
_ ______________
Chemical in d u s try _____________
D ray m en______________________
U nskilled workers, m etal and
m achine in d u s try . _
_...........
H o u r..
W eek.
__ do _
H o u r..
W eek.
R ate
M arks
1.25
48.00
48. 00
.79
46.00
H our..
I
D a y ... ]
[
Coal h an d lers. ________________ _-_do___
Longshoremen____________ _____
. 59
7.20
8.28
8.64
7. 92
W o rk in g H o u rs in P o r tu g u e s e G o v e r n m e n t O ffic e s2
N AUGUST 14, 1926, the Portuguese Governm ent issued a
decree (No. 12118) requiring all Governm ent offices to re
main open from 1 1 a . m. to 5 p. m. I t specifies th a t all Gov
ernm ent employees m ust be on d uty during these hours and th a t an
employee who, w ithout permission, does not report for d uty until
after 11.15 a. m. will be considered absent and will have his pay
docked accordingly.
O
1 Per m onth.
2 R ep o rt from th e Am erican consul general, W . Stanley Hollis, a t Lisbon, dated Aug. 25, 1926.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1300]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
E m p lo y m e n t in S e le c te d I n d u s tr ie s in O c to b e r , 1926
E
M PL O Y M E N T in m anufacturing industries advanced 0.3 per
cent in October as compared with Septem ber and pay-roll
totals increased 3.7 per cent, according to returns made to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics by 10,323 establishments. These
establishm ents in October employed 3,112,689 wage earners, whose
combined earnings in one week were $84,673,846.
These employees represent 46 per cent of the wage earners in the
54 industries surveyed and 35 per cent of the wage earners in all
m anufacturing industries of the U nited States.
Also, em ploym ent in October was 0.2 per cent greater than in
the same m onth of 1925 and pay-roll totals were 2.5 per cent greater.
This completes the ten th m onth of 1926, in which a gain over the
corresponding m onth of 1925 has been shown both in employment
and in pay-roll totals.
The Bureau of Labor S tatistics’ weighted index of employment
for October is 92.5, as compared w ith 92.2 for September, 1926, and
92.3 for October, 1925; the index of pay-roll totals for October is 98.6,
as compared w ith 95.1 for September, 1926, and 96.2 for October,
1925.
Comparison of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in September and October,
1926
'"T H IR T Y of the 54 separate industries m ade em ploym ent gains in
* October, more than one-half of the gains being 2.5 per cent or
over. Confectionery gained 9.2 per cent; woolen and worsted goods,
5.9 per cent; stoves, 4 per cent; furniture, 3.6 per cent; electrical
goods, 3.4 per cent; and knit goods, shirts, and paper boxes, 3.1
per cent each. The increases in em ploym ent were largely seasonal,
as were the greater p a rt of the decreases. The m ost pronounced
decreases were: 11.2 per cent in the carriage industry; 7.7 per cent
in ice cream; 4 per cent in brick; and 3.8 per cent in automobiles.
E m ployees’ earnings showed a decided im provem ent in 42 indus
tries, thè increases in 29 of these industries ranging from 13 per
cent in woolen and worsted goods to 3.5 per cent in both brass prod
ucts and structural ironwork. Among these industries showing the
larger pay-roll gains were: Confectionery, shirts, k nit goods, w om en’s
clothing, silk goods, cotton goods, iron and^ steel, machine tools,
stoves, steam -railroad car building and repairing, agricultural im
plements, chemicals, pottery, glass, electrical goods, and steel ship
building. Automobiles and sugar, both of which industries fell off
as to employment, also showed increased pay-roll totals. A uto
mobile tires w ith a decrease in em ploym ent of 1.9 per cent showed a
drop of 4.4 per cent in pay-roll totals.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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149
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
150
T h e te x tile , to b a c c o , a n d food g ro u p s of in d u s trie s each show
c o n sid e ra b le g a in s b o th in e m p lo y m e n t a n d e m p lo y e e s 5 earn in g s,
w hile th e iro n a n d s te e l, v eh icle, lu m b e r, ch em ical, a n d sto n e , clay
a n d g lass g ro u p s fell off as to e m p lo y m e n t b u t show d ecid ed in creases
in e m p lo y e e s ’ e a rn in g s.
E m p lo y m e n t c o n d itio n s in th e N ew E n g la n d S ta te s w ere m u c h
im p ro v e d in O c to b e r a n d s lig h tly b e tte r in th e M id d le A tla n tic ,
S o u th A tla n tic , W e s t N o r th C e n tra l, a n d P acific g e o g ra p h ic a l d iv i
sions. T h e re w e re sm a ll d e c re a ses in th e re m a in in g fo u r d iv isio n s,
w hile e a c h of th e n in e d iv isio n s show s a p ro n o u n c e d im p ro v e m e n t
in th e e a rn in g s of em p lo y ees.
i F o r c o n v e n ie n t re fe re n ce th e la te s t figures a v a ila b le re la tin g to
all em p lo y ees, e x c lu d in g e x e c u tiv e s a n d officials, on C lass I ra ilro a d s,
d ra w n fro m I n t e r s t a t e C o m m e rc e C o m m issio n re p o rts , are g iv en
a t th e fo o t o f T a b le 1 and. T a b le 3.
T ableE 1
C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S 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 S E P T E M B E R A N D O C T O B E R , 1926
N u m b er on p ay roll
In d u stry
E stab lishm ents
j
Per
cent of
Septem October, change
ber, 1926
1926
A m ount of p ay roll
cent of
change
Septem
ber, 1926
October,
1926
$5,603,698
$5, 694,383
2,266,812
718,833
301, 375
444, 792
1, 641,102
321, 369
-0 .4
+11.6
-7 .3
F ood artd k in d r ed prod ¡acts__
Slaughtering an d m eat packm g ..........................................
C onfectionery...............
Ice cream __________
F lo u r................................
B a k in g .........................
Sugar refining, c a n e .._______
i, m
219,629
223,830
196
258
202
338
483
15
86, 744
35,881
9, 702
16, 470
60,145
10,687
87, 681
39.186
8, 954
16, 550
61,146
10,333
+ 9 .2
-7 . 7
+ 0 .5
•fl. 7
-3 . 3
2,275,472
644,104
325, 064
431, 922
1,617, 556
309, 490
T extiles a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts__
C otton goods_____ ______
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 an d finishing te x tile s..
C lothing, m en ’s _____
Shirts an d collars.....................
C lothing, w om en’s . . .
M illinery an d lace goods____
1,829
468
246
201
196
31
87
270
82
174
67
575, 891
219, 585
79, 777
56, 848
61, 885
23, 039
28, 643
59, 776
19,653
16, 353
10,332
591,401
225,850
82, 246
58, 287
85, 511
23, 729
29,133
59, 563
20,265
16, 742
10,075
0
+ 2 .9
+ 3 .1
+2. 5
+5. 9
+ 3 .0
+ 1. 7
-0 .4
+ 3 .1
+ 2 .4
—2. 5
11,076,689
3, 431, 206
1, 451, 045
1,197, 401
1, 350, 002
605, 865
690, 348
1,411, 234
302, 420
397. 288
239, 880
11,748,395
3, 593, 262
1,592, 279
1, 289, 229
1, 526, 885
628,926
723^193
1,397,139
'333;775
431,985
231, 622
(!)
+4. 7
+9. 7
+ 7. 7
+13.1
+3 8
+4. 8
—t 0
+10. 4
+8. 7
-3 .4
1,844
216
46
155
712,723
288, 661
15, 372
25, 509
799,153
288,030
15,009
24,972
0
-0 .2
-2 .4
- 2 .1
30,793, 555
8, 720, 041
363, 423
707, 818
21,599,372
9,108,170
358,485
732', 795
(!)
+4. 5
—I. 4
+ 3.5
998
65
156
256,886
34, 842
31, 950
254, 457
34, 728
32, 397
-0 .9
-0 .3
+ 1 .4
7,446. 403
866, 514
982,690
7, 631,585
894,638
1,008,180
+ 2.5
+ 3.2
+ 4.7
117
91
42, 718
16, 785
42, 099
17, 461
-1 .4
+ 4 .0
1, 253. 221
473,445
1,257, 371
518, 048
+ 0.3
+ 9.4
1,084
460
246
378
221, 542
128, 830
32,161
60,- 551
221,397
126, 630
32, 021
62, 746
0
-1 .7
-0 .4
+ 3 .6
4,920,304
2,653, 898
791,378
1,475, 028
5,038, 805
2, 660,101
807, 465
1, 571, 239
0)
+ 0.2
4-2.0
+ 6 .5
L eath er a n d its p r o d u c t s . . . . . .
L eath er____ ____________ _
Boote an d shoes.....
,
362
140
222
128, 239
29, 669
98, 581
127,827
29, 617
98, 210
0
-0 .2
-0 .4
3,041,443
746,909
2,294,534
3,039, 358
763, 471
2, 275; 887
0
+2. 2
-0 .8
Faper a n d p r in tin g ______
P a p e r an d p u lp _____________
P ap er boxes............ ...............
-P rinting, book an d jo b . ..........
P rin tin g , n ew sp ap ers...............
912
216
179
303
214
174, 519
57, 961
20,003
47, 319
49, 238
17G, 574
58,150
20, 620
47, 359
50,445
0
+ 3 .0
+3. 1
+ 0 .1
+2. 5
5 ,564,842
1, 536, 165
437, 376
1,619. 507
1,971, 594
5,736,286
1,579, 434
473; 613
1, 634, 884
2, 048, 355
0
+ 2 .8
+ 8 .3
4-0.9
4-3.9
Iron a n d ste el a n d th e ir p rodn e s s _____________
Iro n a n d s te e l................
Cast-iron p ip e ..................
S tru ctu ra l iro n w o rk . . . . .
F o u n d ry an d m achine-shop
p ro d u cts............................
H a rd w are ____ ____
M achine to o ls.............................
Steam fittin g s an d steam a n d
hot-w ater h eatin g appara tu s ____________
S to v e s ................................
L u m b er a n d i ts p r o d u c ts. . . .
L u m b er, saw m ills________
L um b er, m ill w ork______ .
F u rn itu re ____ _____ . . . . .
Footnotes at end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1302]
0
0
+ 1. 5
+ 3 .8
151
EMPLOYM ENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
T able Î
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 S E P T E M B E R A N D O C T O B E R ,
1926—C ontinued
A m ount of p a y roll
N u m b er on p ay roll
E stablishm ents
In d u stry
Per
cent of
Septem October, change
1926
ber, 1926
Septem
ber, 1926
October,
1926
Per
cent of
chang8
C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u c ts.
C hem icals__________________
F ertilizers___ ____________
Petroleum refining. ..................
388
122
110
56
93,880
30, 060
9, 508
53, 312
92,895
30,381
9,189
53, 325
0
+ 1. 1
- 3 .4
+ (2)
$3,691,993
792, 836
188, 310
1, 710, 757
$2, 729,196
844, 585
176, 290
1, 708,321
0
+ 6 .5
-6 .4
- 0 .1
S t o n e ,d a y , a n d glass p r o d u cts.
C em ent _. . . .
________
B rick, tile, an d te rra c o tta ___
P o tte ry ______ _____________
G lass..............................................
031
95
417
59
120
118,095
27,146
36,986
13, 520
40,443
116, 713
26, 763
35, 513
13, 373
41,063
0
-1 .4
-4 .0
- 1 .1
+ 1 .5
3,072,462
811.656
936,324
341, 302
983,180
3,148,463
810, 802
925,112
363,183
1,049,366
0
- 0 .1
-1 .2
+ 6 .4
+ 6 .7
M eta l p r o d u cts, o th e r th a n
iron a n d s t e e l . .. ___________
Stam ped a n d enam eled w are.
Brass, bronze, a n d copper
p ro d u cts_________________
315
68
51,590
19, 639
51,919
20, 225
0
+ 3 .0
1,350,782
471,828
1,420,103
509, 996
0
+ 8 .1
- 0 .8
878,954
910,107
+ 3 .5
801,613
834,921
0
T ob acco p ro d u cts ___ ______
Chew ing a n d smoking tobacco
and snuff_________________
Cigars a n d cigarettes.................
V ehicles fo r ¡a n d transport»»
t l o u _________________ _ ____
A utom obiles___ ___________
Carriages an d wagons. _____
C ar building an d repairing,
e le c tric -ra ilro a d ...........
C ar building a n d repairing,
steam -railroad____________
M iscella n eo u s I n d u s tr ie s... . . .
A gricultural im plem ents.........
E lectrical m achinery, ap p a
ra tu s an d su p p lies________
Pianos an d o r g a n s _________
R u b b er boots an d shoes_____
A utom obile tires __________
Shipbuilding, steel__________
AES in d u s tr ie s _______ ____
147
31,957
31,694
198
44,154
45,275
30
168
8, 651
35,503
8, 766
36,509
+ 1 .3
+ 2 .8
136, 495
665,118
139,888
695,033
+ 2 .5
+ 4 .5
1,000
203
64
507, 576
335, 952
2,306
493,091
323, 247
2, 048
0
-3 .8
-1 1 . 2
15,674,539
10, 804,473
50,345
16,059,286
10, 974,408
45, 607
0
+1. 6
- 9 .4
0
'
245
18,990
19, 087
+ 0 .5
569,461
573,116
+ 0 .6
494
150, 328
148, 309
- 1 .3
4, 250, 260
4, 466,155
+ 5 .1
411
93
359,213
26, 287
263, 015
26, 263
0
- 0 .1
7, 370, 322
698, 784
7,715,578
732,914
0
+ 4 .9
168
40
10
60
40
121, 798
8, 351
16, 961
57, 704
28,112
125, 982
8, 589
17,128
56, 615
28, 438
+ 3 .4
+ 2 .9
+ 1. 0
-1 .9
+ 1.2
3, 402, 678
252,744
393, 388
1,820,173
802, 555
3, 678, 829
274,923
414, 782
1, 739, 942
874,188
+ 8.1
+ 8 .8
+ 5 .4
-4 . 4
+ 8 .9
81,961, 862
84,673,846
10,333 3,100,048 3,112,689
0
0
R é c a p i t u l a t i o n b y G e o g r a p h ic D i v i s i o n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS
N ew E n g lan d . ________________
M iddle A tlan tic________________
E a st N o rth C en tra l. ................. .
W est N o rth Ce n tra i____________
South A t l a n t i c .................................
E ast South C entrai_____________
W est South C en tral.........................
M o u n ta in ................................... .......
Pacific..................................................
AH div isio n s____________
432,349
425, 648
1,327
868, 518
875, 393
2,470
2,733 1,025, 234 1, 017, 043
164, 394
1,001
163, 562
278,084
280,182
1,088
464
112, 219
110, 857
92, 658
460
92, 977
27,192
172
27, 364
112, 621
608
112,442
10,323 3,106,048 3,112, 689
+ 1 .6
+ 0 .8
-0 .8
+0. 5
+ 0 .8
-1 . 2
-0 .3
-0 .6
+0. 2
0
$10, 263, 797 $10, 557,446
24, 462, 716 25,177, 071
30,030, 786 31. 245,939
4, 227, 645
4,104, 837
5, 347, 733
5,185, 213
2,143, 302
2,186, 979
1, 936, 447
1,969, 298
728, 541
743, 591
3, 218,144
3,106, 223
81,961, 862
84, 873,846
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .9
+ 4 .0
+ 3 .0
+ 3 .1
+ 2 .0
+ 1 .7
+2. 1
+ 3 .6
0
E m p l o y m e n t o n C l a s s I R a il r o a d s
Aug. 15, 1926Sept. 15, 1926.
1, 836,171
1,838,304
+ 0.1
3 $249, 227,175
3 246,732, 747
-
1.0
1 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 colum ns
are unw eighted an d refer o n ly 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 reltiv e im portance of th e several industries, so th a t th e figures m ay re p
resent all establishm ents of th e co u n try in th e industries here represented, see T able 2.
2 Less th a n one-tenth of 1 p er cent.
3 A m o u n t of p a y roll for 1 m onth.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1303]
152
MONTHLY LABOE BEVIEW
T able 2 ,—P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E , S E P T E M B E R T O O C T O B E R , 1926, IN 12 GROUPS OF
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 th e index num bers
of th e several industries of th e group, b y th e nu m b er of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
P e r cent of change,
Septem ber to Oc
tober, 1926
P er cent of change,
Septem ber to Oc
tober, 1920
G roup
Food and k indred p roducts. __
Textiles and th eir p roducts. _
Iron and steel and th e ir products. _______ ___ _
L um ber a n d its p ro d u cts. . . .
L eather and. its p ro d u cts.
P aper and printing
Chemicals an d allied products.
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u cts. _____________ ____
G roup
N um ber
on pay
roll
A m ount
of pay
roll
+ 2 .1
+2. 6
+ 1.7
+ 6 .3
-0 . 4
- 0 .3
- 0 .4
+ 1 .3
-0 . 1
+3. 5
+ 1.8
—1. 2
«
+ 3 .1
+ 2 .0
M etal products, other than
iron and steel______ ._ . . .
Tobacco p ro d u cts.
Vehicles for la n d tran sp o rta
tion ____
M iscellaneous industries_____
All industries_______
N um ber
on pay
roll
A m ount
of pay
roll
+0. 3
+ 2 .6
+ 4 .7
+ 4 .3
—2. 5
+ 1 .1
+ 3 .2
+ 6 .0
+ 0 .3
+ 3 .7
+ 2 .9
1 N o change.
Comparison of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in October, 1926, and
October, 1925
E M P L O Y M E N T in October, 1926, was 0.2 per cent greater than
in October, 1926, and pay-roll totals were 2.5 per cent greater,
24 of the 54 industries showing increased em ploym ent and 31 indus
tries increased pay-roll totals.
The outstanding gains over the 12-month period were in m etal
industries : Iron and steel, structural ironwork, foundry and machineshop products, m achine tools, electrical m achinery, and steel ship
building.
N otable decreases in employment in this comparison with October,
1925, are shown in all the textile industries except cotton goods
(which shows a small increase), automobiles, hardw are, steam fittings,
sawmills and millwork, cement, stam ped ware, cigars, and carriages
and wagons.
The iron and steel, paper and printing, chemical, stone, clay, and
glass, and miscellaneous industry groups show im proved conditions
as compared w ith October, 1925, both in em ploym ent and employees’
earnings. T he food and leather groups show slightly fewer employees
and slightly increased pay-roll totals, while the rem aining groups
show decreases in both items, the decreases in the tobacco and vehicle
groups being m arked.
Em ploym ent conditions were decidedly better in October, as
compared w ith the corresponding m onth of 1925, in the South A tlantic
and W est South C entral geographical divisions and m oderately
improved in the M ountain and M iddle A tlantic divisions. On the
other hand, conditions in the E a st South C entral and E a st N orth
Central States were considerably less satisfactory than a year ago.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1304]
153
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
.1
T able 3 —C O M P A R IS O N O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S —O C T O B E R ,
1926, W IT H O C T O B E R , 1925
[The per cents of change for each of th e 12 groups of industries, a n d for the total of all industries, are
weighted in the same m anner as are the per cents of change in T able 2]
Per cent of change,
October, 1926,
com pared w ith
October, 1925
In d u stry
Per cent of change,
October, 1926,
compared w ith
October, 1925
In d u stry
N u m b e r A m ount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
N u m b e r A m ount
of pay
on pay
roll
roll
F o o d a n d k in d re d p r o d u c ts Slaughtering and m eat
packing ______________
C onfectio n ery .-.....................
Ice cream .............................. .
Flour
Baking
• _________
Sugar refining, cane
T extiles a n d th e ir p r o d u c t s ..
C otton goods_____________
Hosiery and k n it goods
Silk goods
Woolen a n d w orsted goods..
C arpets and ru g s_________
D yeing and finishing textiles____________________
C lothing, m en’s __________
Shirts and collars
C lothing, w om en’s ________
M illinery and lace goods___
I r o n a n d stee l a n d th e ir
p r o d u c t s __________________
Iron and steel_____________
Cast-iron p ip e ____________
Structural ironw ork
F ou n d ry a n d m achine-shop
products________________
H a rd w are________________
M achine tools
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-w ater heating
a p p aratu s.............................
__ __________
Stoves .
- 0 .5
+ 0 .4
-1 .4
+ 3 .1
- 3 .0
-1 . 8
(i)
-7 . 7
—1.2
+ 5 .9
-f*2. 8
—1.8
-4-0. 9
- 0 .7
- 3 .5
+ 0 .4
—3. 1
-6 . 8
- 3 .1
- 4 .1
- 2 .4
+ 2 .4
+1 3
—4. 6
+ 3 .8
—2. 4
- 3 .1
- 4 .0
-5 . 5
- 6 .5
-1 5 .2
-4 . 7
- 3 .4
-6 . 0
-1 2 . 1
-1 2 .6
+ 5 .0
+4. 5
+ 3 .3
+ 8 .4
+7. 6
+7 6
- 1 .8
+ 9 .6
+ 6 .8
- 6 .0
+10.7
+ 9 .3
- 1 .1
+11.9
-6 .4
+ 1 .2
- 4 .8
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u c ts ___
Lum ber, sawmills _______
Lum ber, mill work _
F u rn itu re ________________
- 3 .0
-4 .0
-6 . 6
+ 2 .5
- 0 .4
-0 .8
—6.1
+ 4 .5
L eath er a n d its p r o d u c ts ___
L eather
_ __________
Boots and shoes __
- 1 .2
+1. 4
—1. 9
+ 1 .7
+3. 1
+ 1 .1
_____
Paper a n d p r in tin g
Paper and p u lp ___________
Paper boxes
+ 3 .4
-hi. 4
+ 5 .7
+3. 4.
+ 5 .9
(>)
0)
P a p e r a n d p r in t in g —Con.
Printing, book and jo b .........
Printing, new spapers______
+ 4 .4
+5. 5
+ 6 .8
+ 6 .7
C h e m ic a ls a n d a llied p ro d _________________
u e ts
Chem icals.............................. Fertilizers________________
Petroleum refining............... .
+ 3 .2
+ 2 .3
-2 . 2
+ 4 .4
+ 4.8
+ 7 .8
+ 3 .8
+ 1 .7
S to n e , clay , a n d g lass p ro d u e ts
_________ ___ __
C em en t__________________
Brick, tile, a n d te rra c o tta ..
P o ttery __________________
G la s s .I ....................... ............
+ 1 .9
+ 2 .4
+0. 2
+ 4 .0
+ 1 .9
—3. 2
+ 2 .5
+ 1 .5
+ 3 .4
—2.3
—1,2
M e ta l p r o d u c ts , o th e r t h a n
iro n a n d stee l ___ .
Stam ped a n d enam eled
ware _ ..................... .............
Brass, bronze, a nd copper
p roducts.—....................... .
-5 .2
-9 .0
-1 .0
+ 1 .6
T o b a c c o p r o d u c ts ________ .
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snufL _ .
Cigars an d cigarettes______
- 8 .2
-G .3
+ 1 .0
- 9 .4
+ 1.8
- 7 .1
- 5 .9
-1 2 .9
-1 5 .4
- 5 .3
-1 5 .1
-1 1 .8
V ehicles fo r la n d t r a n s p o r t a tso n . . .
. ________
A utom obiles____. . . . . .
Carriages an d w agons____
C ar building and repairing.
electric-railroad.. ___ . .
C ar building and repairing,
steam -railroad__________
-1 .0
- 2 .1
+ 1 .0
+ 4.8
M iscella n eo u s in d u s tr ie s .. . .
A gricultural im plem ents___
Electrical m achinery, apparatus, and supplies-----Pianos and organs. _ . .
R u b b er boots and shoes___
A utom obile tires ________
Shipbuilding, steel........... .
+ 9 .4
-2 .0
+13.0
- 2 .9
+ 8 .6
-1 . 5
+4. 2
+ 3 .2
+16. 6
+9. 5
+ 2 .4
+ 2.1
+ 9 .0
+20.1
AH in d u s tr ie s __________
+ 0.2
+ 2.5
- 5 .9
-4 .5
+ 4 .2
+ 3 .5
+ 2 .6
+ 2 .5
R e c a p i t u l a t i o n b y G e o g r a p h ic D i v i s i o n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS— C O ntd.
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS
N ew E n g la n d
—1. o
Mid dip. Atlantic*,
Fast N orth C entral
Wpst N orth C!Antral
ft oi ifh At,l a n tin
~j“0 .1
—2. 5
—0. 1
+ 3 .7
-0 . 3
+3. 2
—2. 6
+0. 3
+ 6 .5
E ast South C en tral___________
W est South C en tra l__________
M o u n ta in ____________________
Pacific — _ _________________
Ail d iv isio n s . ________
+ 2 .0
+ 1 .0
-0 . 4
+ 0 .2
E m p l o y m e n t o n C la s s I R a i l r o a d s
N um ber on
p ay roll
M o n th an d y ear
1, 787,024
1,838, 304
Septerrber 15, 1925
September 15, 1926----------------------------------------- -----i No change.
10358°—26t----- 11
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent
of change
+ 2 .9
A m ount of
pay roll
2 $236, 973, 787
2 246, 732,747
2 A m ount of p ay roll for 1 m onth.
[1305]
Per cent
of change
-}-4.1
154
M ONTHLY LABOE, REVIEW
Per Capita Earnings
?T ,H E greatly augmented earnings of employees in October are
A clearly shown by the following statem ent of changes in per
capita earnings. Forty-six of the 54 industries show increases as
compared w ith September and 43 industries as compared with
October, 1925.
In the m onthly comparison steel shipbuilding leads w ith a gain of
7.7 per cent. Woolen and worsted goods employees were earning
6.9 per cent more, automobile employees, 5.6 per cent more, iron
and steel employees, 4.7 per cent more, and cotton goods employees,
1.8 per cent more. In the 8 industries showing decreased per capita
earnings the one decrease which was not seasonal was one of 2.6 per
cent in the automobile tire industry.
In the yearly comparison the m ost pronounced gains were among
cane-sugar refining employees and woolen and worsted goods em
ployees, 7.7 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, while the outstand
ing losses were 5.9 per cent in the women’s clothing industry and 5
per cent in the cast-iron pipe industry.
T a b l e 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 , O C T O B E R , 1926, W IT H S E P
T E M B E R , 1926, A N D O C T O B E R , 1925
P er cent of
change
October, 1926,
compared
w ith —
P er cent of
change
October, 1926,
compared
w ith—
In d u stry
In d u stry
Sep
tem
ber,
1926
Shipbuilding, steel..... ......................
P o ttery ................................................
Sugar refining, cane_____________
Shirts a n d collars.......... ................ __
Woolen a n d w orsted goods______
C ar building and repairing, steamrailroad______________________
Hosiery a n d k n it goods...................
C lothing, w om en’s . . ___________
Pianos a n d o rg an s..........................
S tructu ral ironw ork..... ....................
A utom obiles.... ...................................
C hem icals................................ ...........
Stoves......................... .........................
G la ss._________ _______________
A gricultural im plem ents.................
P aper boxes__ _____ ___________
Silk goods____ ______ __________
Stam ped and enam eled w are____
Iron a n d steel__ ______ _________
Electrical m achinery, ap p aratu s,
a nd supplies__________________
Brass, bronze, an d copper p ro d
u cts...................................................
R u b b er boots a nd shoes..... ..........
H ardw are_________________ ____
F o un d ry a n d m achine-shop p ro d
u c ts................ ...................................
M achine tools__________ ______ _
D yeing a n d finishing textiles____
B rick, tile, an d terra co tta_______
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Sep
tem
ber,
1926
Oc
tober,
1925
+7. 7
+ 7 .6
+ 7 .4
+7. 0
+ 6 .9
+ 2 .9
+ 1.3
+ 7 .7
-0 .8
+ 7 .0
+ 6 .5
+ 0 .4
+6. 2
+ 5 .7
+ 5 .7
+ 5 .6
+ 5 .4
+ 5 .2
+ 5 .1
+ 5 .0
+ 5 .0
+ 5 .0
+ 5 .0
+ 4 .7
+ 3 .3
+ 4 .8
-5 .9
+ 3 .6
+ 1 .0
-2 .7
+ 5 .3
- 1 .1
- 0 .6
+ 0 .8
+ 5 .8
+ 2 .2
- 3 .8
+ 3 .0
+ 4 .5
+ 1.0
+ 4 .4
+ 4 .4
4-3. 6
+ 2 .9
-2 .0
+ 5 .1
+ 3 .4
+ 3 .3
+ 3 .0
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .5
+ 1.2
- 1 .9
-f-0. 3
F u r n itu re . ........ ...........................
F lour _______
_____________
Lum ber, m illw ork______________
P ap er a n d p u lp ..................................
L eath er. .................................. .........
Confectionery..... ...............................
Carriages an d w agons......................
Lum ber, saw m ills___ ____ ______
C otton goods___________________
Steam fittings an d steam and hotw ater heating a p p a ra tu s.. . . . .
Cigars a n d cigarettes_______ . . .
Prin tin g , new spapers___________
C e m e n t.............. . . _________
Chewing an d sm oking tobacco
a n d snuff............................... ........
Cast-iron p i p e ___________ _____
C arpets a n d ru g s_______________
Printing, book a nd job ________
Ice cream ___________________ _.
C ar building a nd repairing, elec
tric-railroad. ________________
B ak in g . . . _________ ________
Petroleum refining._ _________
Boots and shoes. ________ . .
C lothing, m en ’s. . . . __________
M illinery an d lace goods________
Slaughtering a nd m eat p a c k in g ...
A utom obile tires..... .................. .......
Fertilizers..........................................
[1306]
Oc
tober,
1925
+ 2 .8
+ 2 .5
~i“2. 5
+ 2 .5
+ 2 .4
+2. 2
+ 2 .0
+ 2 .0
+ 1.8
+ 1.7
+ 0 .1
+ 0 .4
+ 1.6
+ 1.5
+ 2 .6
+ 4 .4
+ 3 .3
+ 1 .6
+ 1.8
+ 1- 7
+ 1.4
+ 1 .3
+ 2 .1
+ 2 .1
+ 1.5
+ 1 .3
+ 1.1
+ 1.0
+ 0 .8
+ 0 .8
+0. 5
+ 0 .6
- 5 .0
+ 0.6
+2.5
+6.0
+0. 1
-0 . 2
-0 . 2
-0 . 5
-0 . 6
-1 .0
-1 .4
-2 .6
-3 . 2
-1 0
-f"l. 0
— 4
+ i. i
+0.7
+3.3
-0 .4
-t-5.8
f6 .0
155
EM PLO YM ENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
Wage Changes
ipiG H T Y -O N E establishm ents in 24 industries reported wage-rate
increases for the m onth ending October 15. These increases,
averaging 4.5 per cent, affected 7,422 employees, or 28 per cent of the
total num ber of employees in the establishm ents concerned. Tw entytwo of the 81 establishm ents reporting wage-rate increases were in
the two printing industries.
W age-rate decreases were reported by only four establishm ents—
two each in the ice cream and cast-iron pipe industries.
T able 5 —W A G E A D JU S T M E N T
O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N
O C T O B E R 15, 1926
E stablishm ents
Industry
N um ber
T otal reporting
n u m increase
or
ber re decrease
porting in wage
rates
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rates
SEPTEM BER
15 A N D
Em ployees affected
Per cent of em
ployees—
Range
Average
Total
num ber
In estab
lishm ents
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates
In all
estab
lish
m ents
re
porting
Increases
Slaughtering and m eat packingConfectionery- _____________
Silk goods _________________
W oolen and w orsted goods___
C lothing, w om en’s ________
Iron and steel---- -------------S tructural ironw ork____ _
M achine tools________
Steam fittings an d steam and
hot-w ater heating ap p aratu s-L um ber, saw m ills........................
L um ber, m illw ork ________
F u rn itu re ______ _ _____
P aper boxes_______________ _
Printing , book and job ______
P rinting , new sp ap ers..................
Chemicals . _ _______________
Stam ped and enam eled w are__
Brass, bronze, and copper
products___________________
Cigars a n d cigarettes ________
A utom obiles__ __________
C ar building a n d repairing,
electric-railroad_____________
C ar building a n d repairing,
steam -railroad___ __________
A gricultural im plem ents______
Electrical m achinery, apparatu s, a n d s u p p lie s.......................
196
258
201
196
174
216
155
156
4
4
1
1
1
2
1
2
1 -9 .5
5 -35
9
5
5
6
7. 6
7 -9 .6
4. 0
15.3
9.0
5.0
5.0
6. 0
7. 6
8.8
267
230
47
54
30
30
2
24
13
39
9
22
16
5
6
12
117
460
246
378
179
303
214
122
68
2
2
3
8
2
17
5
2
3
8 -10
5 -20
7 -12.5
5 -15
10 -25
1. 7-10
2. 2-10. 7
5 -10
2 - 9. 6
8. 2
12.0
9. 1
6. 4
21. 6
2.9
3.0
9. 2
3.9
72
190
29
216
22
2,182
272
160
80
11
14
13
13
9
37
24
8
15
0)
(U
0
0
0
147
168
203
3
1
2
8
16. 7
5 -7
8.0
16.7
6.8
36
12
243
20
100
16
(')
(0
245
1
1.8
1.8
93
87
(0
494
93
9
2
0 .6 -5
2.5- 9
3.5
7. 6
3,041
14
79
7
0)
168
3
1 - 8. 2
3.0
76
4
0
10. 5
25.0
8
100
7
17
«
0
1
0
0
(i)
0
O)
0
1
5
1
(l)
0
2
Decreases
Ice cream ______ ___________ . _
Oast-iron p ip e. . . _________ .
202
46
2
2
10 -14
25
1 Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[I30T ]
1
156
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Indexes of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in Manufacturing Industries
N D E X num bers for October, 1926, and for Septem ber, 1926, and
A October, 1925, showing relatively the variation in num ber of
persons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 54 industries
surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, together w ith general
indexes for the combined 12 groups of industries, appear in Table
6, following.
The general index of em ploym ent in October, 1926, is 92.5, this
num ber being 0.3 per cent higher than the index for September, 1926,
and 0.2 per cent higher than the index for October, 1925. The general
index of pay-roll totals for October, 1926, is 98.6, this num ber being
3.7 per cent higher than the index for Septem ber, 1926, and 2.5 per
cent higher than the index for October, 1925.
T able 6 —IN D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S —O C T O B E R , 1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R A N D O C T O B E R , 1926
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
E m ploym ent
In d u stry
Pay-roll totals
October, Septem October,
ber, 1926
1925
1926
October,
1925
Septem October,
ber, 1926
1926
Genera! index...... ...........................
92.3
92.3
92.5
98.2
95.1
98.6
Food and kindred p ro d u cts.-...............
94.8
83.8
99.9
96.3
94.7
104. 2
95.7
92.4
81.7
94.3
101. 2
92.5
102.5
91.3
94.3
82. 6
103.0
93.4
93.0
104. 2
88.3
97.5
86.9
105.9
100.4
100.2
107.7
94.4
96.3
86. 2
100. 5
111.3
95.6
307.1
90.2
97.9
85.9
112.2
103.2
98.4
108.7
93.7
Textiles and their products____ ____ _
C otton goods.. ......... ................ ...........
H osiery and k n it goods.................... ......
Silk goods_________________ _______
Woolen and w orsted goods --------------C arpets and rugs________ _________
89.5
83.1
101.1
107.6
87.3
91.2
100. 7
87.6
87.6
84.4
78.5
84.3
81.0
95.0
97.9
79.9
85.0
96.0
84.4
80.3
77.0
68.3
86.4
83.4
98.0
100. 3
84.6
87. 5
97. 6
84. 1
82.8
78.9
60.6
90.3
79.9
112.2
116.1
84.0
88.9
107.9
79. 8
90.5
95.3
79.3
82.9
78.1
103.7
102.9
77.1
83.6
98.1
77.6
77. 1
77.1
71.8
88.1
81.8
113.7
110.8
87.2
86.8
102.8
76.9
85.1
83.8
69.3
Iron and steel and their products____
Iron and steel -------- -----------------------
87.8
93.9
103.3
95.1
80.9
91.7
93.7
92.6
98.2
109.4
105.3
87. 2
86.4
102. 3
92.2
98. 1
108. 7
103.1
86.4
86. 2
103.7
92.4
99.1
109. 4
102.6
82.8
99.3
103.9
96.9
102.0
108.9
108. 6
88.3
95.1
111. 1
99.4
106.6
107. 4
112.4
90.5
98.2
116.3
102.4
90.7
97.2
88.3
95.8
91.8
108.3
98.7
102.8
90.2
103.1
98.7
Lum ber, sa w m ills__________________
Lum ber, m illw ork_________ ______
F u rn itu re ................... ............... ...............
94.3
90.4
104.0
101.8
91.8
88.3
97.4
100.6
91.5
86.8
97,1
104.3
102.4
98. 3
112.3
110.1
100.2
97.3
103.4
108.0
103.0
97.5
105.5
115.1
Leather and its products....... ............. .
L eather . . __________ _________ _
Boots and shoes_______________ ____ _
94.6
90.8
95.8
93.9
92.3
94.4
93.5
92.1
94.0
92.0
93.1
91.6
93.6
94.0
93.4
83.6
96.0
92.6
Paper and p rin tin g ................. .................
Paper and p u lp .... ................................. .
Paper boxes ............ .................. .............
Printing, book and job_______ _____
Printing, new spapers. .............................
101.8
94.9
105.6
100.6
108.3
194.0
95.9
102.4
104.9
111.5
196.4
96. 2
105. 6
105.0
114.3
108.0
101.1
119.8
101.6
109. 2
113. 7
117.2
114.2
104.5
118.2
114.7
121.8
Slaughtering and m eat packing______
Confectionery______________________
Ice cream _________ ____ ____ _______
F lo u r . ----------------------------------------- B aking__________________ ________ _
Sugar refining, cane..................................
D yeing and finishing textiles________
C lothing, m en’s_____ _____ ___ ____
Shirts and collars ...... .................... .........
C lothing, w om en’s. ________ _____
M illinery and lace goods ...... .............. .
Cast-iron pipe______________________
S tru ctu ral ironw ork................. ...............
F ou n d ry and m achine-shop p ro d u cts..
H ardw are ______________ ____ _ .
M achine tools______________________
Steam fittings and steam a n d hotw ater heating ap p aratu s— .............. .
Stoves ........................................................
Lum ber and Its products____________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1308]
111.6
107.4
114.1
157
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
T a b l e 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 IN M A N U F A C
T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S —O C T O B E R , 1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R A N D O C T O B E R , 1926—Con.
[M o n th ly average, 1923=100]
Industry
Em ploym ent
P ay-ro ll totals
October, Septem October,
1925
ber, 1926
1926
October, Septem October,
1925
ber, 1926
1926
C h e m ic a ls a n d allied p r o d u c t s ...:____
Chem icals--------------------------------- ---------------Fertilizers.. _______________________
Petroleum refining_________________
98.0
94.7
107.3
98.4
100.3
95.9
108. 6
102. 7
100.2
96.9
104.9
102.7
99.8
100. 1
105. 5
98.0
103.5
101. 3
117.0
99.8
164.6
107.9
109.5
99.7
S io n e , eia v, a n d glass p ro d u c ts. . . . . .
Cem ent. ----------------------------------------------------B rick, tile, and terra cotta......................
Pottery............ .................. .........................
G la s s ..........................................................
100.5
99. 8
100. 7
107. 2
98.1
103.6
96. 6
107. 4
108. 6
100. 5
102.4
95. 3
103. 1
107.4
102.0
189.1
106. 3
106. 8
120. 1
108. 5
108.1
103. 0
110. 9
114.6
105. 2
111. 3
102.9
109.5
121.9
112.2
M e ta l p ro d u cts, o th e r t h a n ir o n a n d
steel. . . _____
. . -------------Stamped and enameled w are________
Brass, bronze, and copper products__
93,3
99.1
98.0
95.7
91.2
97.8
96.0
93.9
97. 0
89.2
101. 5
98.4
93.6
85.5
96.6
98.0
92.4
100.0
To b a cco p r o d u c t s _________________
Chewing and smoking tobacco and
snuff_____________________________
Cigars and cigarettes.............................
95,1
85.1
87.3
99.0
89.1
92.9
93.8
95.3
93. 5
84.0
94. 7
86.3
99.8
98.9
99.1
87.9
101.6
91.9
V e hicle s fo r la n d tra n s p o rta tio n ____
Automobiles__________ _____ _______
Carriages and wagons----------------- ---------C a r building and repairing, electricrailroad_______________ _______
C a r building and repairing, steamrailroad_____________ ___ _____ ___
94. 8
119.3
109.1
91.3
108.0
103.9
89. S
103.9
92.3
99.5
130. 7
106. 2
81,3
109.3
103.4«
94.2
111.0
93.7
89.1
87.8
88.2
90.8
88.3
88.9
78.6
80. 5
79.4
79.9
79. 6
83.7
M isce llan e o u s in d u s t r ie s _____________
A gricultural im plements____________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and
suupiies . _______________________
Pianos and organs. . . . _____________
Rubber boots and sh oes____________
Automobile tires __________________
Shipbuilding, steel______ ____ _____
89.3
95.0
96.4
93. 2
97.5
93. 1
83.2
106.5
89.3
98.6
105.3
103.4
94. 6
98. 6
80. 8
109. 2
78.1
99.4
94. 4
83. 4
114. 9
90.1
102.7
97. 1
84. 2
112. 7
91. 1
98.9
113.0
90. 4
107. 2
84.1
100.2
106. 3
87. 6
122. 2
92.7
108. 3
115.7
92.3
116. 8
101.0
The following graph of index num bers clearly indicates the im
provem ent, both in employment and in employees’ earnings, in m anu
facturing industries as a whole, in each m onth of 1926 as compared
with the corresponding m onth of 1925. Following this showing for
all industries combined are small graphs comparing the course of
employment in each m onth of 1926 with the corresponding m onth
of 1925 in each of the 54 separate industries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1309]
158
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
MANUFACTURING
INDUSTRIES.
nOMTHLY IN D EXES™ 1925 & ¡926.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY AVERAGE.
[1310]
JS 2 3 -S 0 0 .
J A«.
EMPLOYM ENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
159
160
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT.
nONTNLV
I9ZG
AYE-RAOE.
60
MfLimEf tYSLACE 60005
"S'
n
JAK
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1923= ¡00.
[1312]
DEC.
I 9Z5
EM PLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
TREHD OF EMPLOYMENT.
19 2 . 5
________. . .
AVERAGE-
JAN
MONTHLY
¡9 Z 6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1313]
___________
»923=800,
161
162
M ONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
xsvrs
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1314]
JA N
EM PLOYM ENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1315]
163
164
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
.1 9 Z S
—
nOM THLY
192.6
AVERAGE-
,
I 9 Z 3 ~ SCO
SiG
f / "
\V f r
!Ov
\
90
POTTERY
t
T T V ?"
so
8
6 LA S 3
no
,iop
Pter»
STAMPED SPEWAMELE-D
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SO
w are
80
[1316]
B R A S S , & R Q H X E * Bf
C O P P E R P R OD UC TS.
O A ti
EM PLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
165
166
M O NTH LY LABOS REVIEW
Proportion of Tims Worked and Force Employed in Man ufacturing industries
in October, 1926
D E P O R T S from 7,663 establishments in October showed 1 per cent
idle, 86 per cent operating oil a full-time schedule, and 14 per
cent on a part-tim e schedule; 46 per cent had a full normal force of
employees and 54 per cent were operating with a reduced force.
The establishm ents in operation were employing an average of 88
per cent of a full norm al force of employees, who were working an
average of 98 per cent of full time.
T able 7 .—E S T A B L I S H M E N T S W O R K I N 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 I N G
F U L L A N D P A R T W O R K I N G F O R C E I N O C T O B E R , 1926
Establish
ments re
porting
In d u stry
To tal Per
num cent
ber
idle
F o o d a n d k in d r e d p r o d u c ts .............. 1,234
Slaughtering and m eat packing___
152
C onfectionery........ .............................
223
Ice cream ............................................ .
150
F lo u r_____________ _______ _____
292
B ak in g ,________________________
406
Sugar refining, can e........ ...............
11
—
________
T extiles a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts ............... 1,264
C otton goods..........- _____ ________
387
Hosiery and k n it goods__________
148
Silk goods_________ _____ _____
146
Woolen and w orsted goods______
174
C arpets and rugs________________
20
D yeing and finishing textiles..........
80
C lothing, m en’s . ................... ............
146
Shirts and collars_______________
40
C lothing, w o m e n 's ..........................
86
M illinery and lace goods_________
37
I r o n a n d stee l a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts . 1,333
Iron and ste e l__________ _____ _
172
Cast-iron pipe__________________
44
S tru ctu ral ironw ork_____________
100
F o u n d ry and machine-shop prod
u cts.......................................... ........
713
H ard w are...... ................................ .
50
M achine tools__________________
105
Steam fittings and steam and hotw ater heating ap p aratu s_______
82
Stoves..... ................ ............................
67
L u m b e r a n d Its p r o d u c ts ...................
Lum ber, sawmills..............................
Lum ber, m illw ork..... .......................
F u rn itu re .................................. ...........
898
396
191
311
L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ...................
L e a th e r............................................
Boots and shoes..................... ............
278
108
170
P a p e r a n d p r i n t i n g ...............................
Paper and p u l p . ______ _________
Paper boxes....................................... .
Printing, book and jo b .......... ..........
Printing, n ew sp ap ers..__________
594
138
129
192
135
Per cent of Average
Per cent of esestablish per cent 1 tablishments
ments
operating
of full
operating— time oper
w ith— ~
ated in
establish
ments
F u ll
Part
F u ll Part
time time operat normal normal
ing
j force
force
89
88
94
97
75
95
100
11
12
6
3
25
5
99 1
99
100
100
96
99 1
103
55
44
9
70
64
54
46
45
56
91
30
36
92
93
92
74
94
96
82
80
79
90
85
85
69
8C
98
79
78
16
20
20
9
14
15
31
13
3
9
22
98 ;
97 1
98
100 1
98
99
99
98
100
100
92
50
64
50
38
43
45
44
44
60
45
16
49
35
49
60
56
55
56
55
40
43
84
89
92
88
88
87
84
90
86
91
91
69
83
82
55
96
17
16
45
4
97
96
87
100
32
26
43
47
68
73
57
53
82
88
90
88
81
84
94
10
16
6
98
98
99
31
22
18
69
78
82
79
83
72
88
72
12
27
99
94
45
42
55
57
90
86
88
90
84
88
11
7
15
12
9.9
99
98
99
43
39
35
52
56
58
64
48
89
87
88
92
83
96
75
16
4
24
38
99
93
38
39
38
62
61
62
91
87
93
70
57
64
63 1
98 i
30
43
36
38
95
94
94
93
inn
2
1
i
1
1
1
12
0)
2
0
1
1
3
1
0
1
93
89
93
91
100
'Less than one-haif of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Average
per cent of
normal full
force em
ployed by
establish
ments
operat
ing
[1318]
7
11
7
9 !
99
97
99
99
100
9
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES
167
T able 7.—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 I N O C T O B E R , 1926—C ontinued
E stab lish
m ents re
porting
In d u stry
T otal Per
n u m cent
ber
idle
C h e m ic a ls an d allied products___
C hem icals_________ ___________
Fertilizers_____________________
Petroleum refin in g -...........................
235
91
101
43
Stone, clay, and glass p roducts___
547
75
327
45
100
P er cent of Average
Per cent of es
establish per cent
tablishm ents
m ents
operating
of full
w ith—
operating— tim e oper
ated in
establish
m ents
F ull
P a rt
Full P a rt
norm al norm al
tim e tim e operat
ing
force
force
14
8
25
99
99
97
100
46
64
24
58
54
36
76
42
82
93
66
95
85
99
81
83
87
12
1
16
17
7
87
100
95
98
99
34
33
30
42
44
63
67
67
58
50
87
92
84
94
90
180
43
117
84
84
84
18
16
16
98
98
98
34
30
36
66
70
64
82
82
82
T o b a cco p r o d u cts...... ..........................C hew ing a n d sm oking tobacco
an d snuff____
_________ __ _
Cigars an d cigarettes____________
108
59
41
97
29
71
90
19
89
58
60
42
40
96
97
37
27
63
73
88
91
Vehicles for lan d tran sp ortation ..-
707
151
89
72
80
11
28
20
08
94
96
51
31
30
49
69
70
88
83
77
199
98
2
100
68
32
97
301
93
f
100
54
46
88
84
76
15
22
98
98
42
26
58
72
87
83
92
89
83
63
'100
8
11
17
38
100
98
97
92
100
64
" 50
25
15
43
36
50
75
85
92
94
100
86
66
86
14
98
48
54
88
C em ent ________ ____________
Brick, tile, a n d te rra c o tta ............. ..
P o tte ry _________
G iass-I................................ ..................
M etal products, other th a n iron
an d steel .
S tam ped an d enam eled ware __ _
B rass, bronze, a n d copper products
Autom obiles _________________
Carriages an d w agons. . . . . . . . .
C ar building a n d repairing, electrie-ra ilro a d ..
__ . . . .
C ar building a n d rem irin g , steam railroad__________ ____________
M iscella n eo u s in d u s tr ie s _____ . __
A gricultural im p le m e n ts________
Electrical m achinery, a p p aratu s,
and su p p lies_______________
Pianos an d organs_______________
R ub b er boots a n d shoes________
A utom obile tire s ................................
Shipbuilding, stee l............................
All industries ______ ____
i Less th a n
one-half of
305
68
86
92
Average
per cent of
norm al full
force em
ployed b y
establish
m ents
operat
ing
100
3
3
6
(»)
1
129
28
6
48
26
7, GG3
1
1per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1319]
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C h a n g e s in E m p lo y m e n t S in c e 1914
N E of the features of the census of m anufactures of the United
States is a statem ent of the num ber of persons in employment
each m onth of the census year. From these figures one m ay
follow the trend of em ploym ent during the year reported and compare
the am ount of em ploym ent as between census years.
Prior to 1899 the census of m anufactures was taken for only one
year in every ten years, and th a t year m ight be one of prosperity or of
depression; it m ight or m ight not be representative of the decade.
Further, as the census covers the operation of a full year, the enum era
tion can n o t be started until the year is ended. Considerable tim e is
necessary to take the census and to compile the d ata, hence, when
finally published, the census figures are historical rather than current.
The necessity for more frequent figures relating to the m anufac
turing industries of the country was recognized when in 1904 a fifthyear census of m anufactures was started. Even this five-year interval
was recognized as too long and in 1921 the m anufacturing census was
made biennial. There is strong argum ent for taking this census
annually. A census of m anufactures is b u t a business statem ent of
the industries of the nation. Every m anufacturing com pany pre
pares a statem ent a t least once a year, generally a t more frequent
intervals, so there is good reason for a compilation of national figures
annually. The business of the country was booming during the
earlier p a rt of 1920, y et there is no census record of this and com
plete figures for the trend of em ploym ent through 1920, therefore,
are forever lost. The year 1921, a census year, was one of depression.
There are no census figures for the upswing year of 1922, hence no
complete figures as to m anufacturing em ploym ent in th a t year.
M assachusetts prepares a yearly census of m anufactures and col
lects m onthly figures of employment as a p a rt thereof. Like the
Federal census figures, however,’ the M assachusetts census figures
are of necessity historial, not current. Thus while census reports
show the trend in em ploym ent as of the past, they fail to speak as of
the present. T he State of New York as early as 1914 recognized
the need of statistics th a t would show the current trend of employ
m ent and started the m onthly collection, from representative m anu
facturing establishments, of reports showing the num ber of employees
and the am ount of pay roll. This collection has ever since been
continued. The U nited States Bureau of Labor Statistics started a
like work late in 1915 and this inquiry has been continued m onthly
and has in the m eantim e been greatly enlarged in scope and volume,
so th a t the volume of d a ta now collected by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics is believed to be large enough fully to represent th e trend
of em ploym ent in the U nited States. Wisconsin has sim ilar figures
extending back to 1915. In more recent years other States—such
as Illinois, M aryland, New York, M assachusetts, Pennsylvania,
Iowa, California, Oklahoma, and New Jersey—have begun the
collection of m onthly current em ploym ent data. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics has cooperative arrangem ents w ith m ost of these
States whereby the States collect the d a ta on their own account
and furnish this bureau w ith such d a ta as it desires. This avoids a
duplication of requests made to m anufacturers. The fact-’ that so
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1320]
CHANGES IN EM PLO YM ENT SINCE 1914
169
m any States, as well as the Federal Government, are collecting
em ploym ent d a ta indicates the keen interest of the public in such
up-to-date inform ation.
‘As before stated, the M assachusetts em ploym ent d a ta cover all
establishm ents operating in the State each year. As new establish
m ents come into existence in M assachusetts they are included in the
census figures, and establishm ents going out of existence are dropped
from the totals. In this way, any effects th a t changes of population
in the State or in the United States m ay have on em ploym ent in
M assachusetts are incorporated into the census figures for the State.
In this respect the figures of this S tate differ from the other index
num bers of employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the New
York, and the Wisconsin employment index num bers show only the
changes in em ploym ent th a t occur in specific establishments. N or
mally, as the country grows in population new industries come into
existence and new establishm ents are opened up in the older
industries, and these all enter into exhaustive indexes like those for
M assachusetts and any th a t m ight be com puted from the United
States census, b u t the opening of new industries and new establish
m ents does not of necessity influence the em ploym ent index num bers
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by New York, or by
Wisconsin.
As population increases, more and more goods m ust be m anufac
tured, and this increase in production m ay come about in two ways—
by the creation of new plants and by increased production in oldestablished plants. The index num bers of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, New York, and Wisconsin, reflect the second b u t n o t the
first of these m ethods of increase, for their indexes are based on definite
establishments. They reflect perfectly w hat takes place in these
selected establishments. If these establishm ents increase their work
ing force by 10 per cent, then the index num bers are increased by
10 per cent. On the other hand, if the num ber of employees in the
entire country or S tate increased 10 per cent because of the building
of new plants, b u t the plants reporting to the several offices have no
increase in the num ber of their employees, then the index num ber
shows no change. These figures m ay not therefore represent the
growth of industry shown by the opening of new plants.
W hen the scope of the survey is enlarged through enlisting the
cooperation of a greater num ber of correspondents these are drawn
from plants in operation w ithout regard to the length of tim e they
have been in existence. The greater the num ber of establishm ents
reporting, of course, the more accurately the trend is measured, b u t
the inclusion of another plant does not affect the index num ber pre
viously established, nor does it affect the index thereafter except to
the extent of changes in its working force. I t m ay not affect the trend
a t all, and will no t if it fluctuates as do the other plants. Thus, if
the reporting firms of an industry report 100,000 employees in January
and 100,000 in February, and the index in Jan uary is 98, then the
index in February is 98. If at this time additional plants are brought
into the study and all plants covered report 150,000 workers in
February and 150,000 again in M arch, there is no change in the ratio
of employees and hence no change in the index num ber. The index
num ber for M arch is 98 as it was in January and February.
-12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1321]
170
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The point to be made is th a t the index num bers speak only for
w hat takes place in the reporting plants. The em ploym ent figures
published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York and Wis
consin, and other States, draw n from a sample of representative
plants only, can no t be used as an accurate measure of change in the
volume of em ploym ent in a l l establishm ents in the country or in a
State as is or would be shown by a complete census. Also, they do
not measure absolutely the change in the volume of em ploym ent for
a fixed population. However, as between the two, they probably
come m uch nearer the la tte r function and for all practical purposes
and over a short period, these index num bers are believed fairly to
represent the upward and downward trend of employment in a fixed
population.
The following table and chart show for the period June, 1914, to
Septem ber, 1926, the index num bers of em ploym ent of New York,
M assachusetts, Wisconsin, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The
ch art contains additional features, one of which is the growth of popu
lation of the U nited States as estim ated for Ju ly 1 each year by the
Bureau of the Census. The ch art also shows the relative num ber of
persons employed each m onth in all m anufacturing industries of the
U nited States in the four census years, 1914, 1919, 1921, and 1923.
A study of the trend of employment leads to consideration of col
lateral factors th a t have their influence on employment. M any
im provem ents have been made in m anufacturing establishm ents in
recent years, leading to greater productivity per employee, b u t this
is, in a measure offset by reductions in working hours per day and
per week. This interm itten t curve is based on the average of 1914
as 100 and is represented in the chart by a line of clots and dashes.
^ The index for em ploym ent d a ta as reported by New York, M assa
chusetts and the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the last half of 1914
fell rath e r below th a t com puted from the census figures for the entire
U nited States, and as would be expected, all of the employmentindex curves fell m aterially below actual em ploym ent in all" m anu
facturing industries in the U nited States in 1919, 1921, and 1923.
Thus, while em ploym ent curves reflect the trend of employment,
they do no t reflect the full extent of the trend.
An examination of the chart shows how far the sample m ethod of
the B ureau of Labor Statistics, of New York, and of Wisconsin, falls
short_ of representing the total em ploym ent in m anufacturing indus
tries in the U nited States as shown by the census of m anufactures
though the S tate figures m ay fairly represent their respective States.
There is, however, nothing to indicate th a t the trend of employment
is essentially different in this m arginal group th a t lies between the
census level and the Bureau of Labor Statistics level. As has been
stated, the M assachusetts figures are all comprehensive for m anu
facturing in th a t State, ju st as the census figures are comprehensive
for the U nited States. The index num ber for this State is com puted
from the M assachusetts census figures to the end of 1924; beginning
w ith January, 1925, the index is com puted from m onthly reports
received by the State from representative establishm ents. The
explanation of the fact th a t the M assachusetts line of employment
does not strike so high a level as the U nited States census line in
census years is th a t M assachusetts has not expanded in m anufac
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1322]
171
CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT SINCE 1914
turing as has the territory of the U nited States outside of M assachu
setts. As a m atte r of fact, the line for M assachusetts is much below
the Wisconsin line, which is a sample of establishm ents and not
exhaustive.
The chart reveals how unfortunate it is th a t there are no complete
census figures of employment in the peak year, 1920.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics index stood at 94 and th a t of
M assachusetts at 96 in September, 1926. The New York index was
97 in August, and the Wisconsin index was 111 in July, the latest
m onth for which this index was available. Starting^ w ith 1914 as
100, the population of the United States reached an index of 114.1
in 1923, while the U nited States census of wage earners in m anufac
turing industries reached an average index for the year of 127.1.
The change in the num ber of wage earners in the U nited States
in different census years is shown in the chart. Tim year 1919
plainly was above normal, and 1921 ju st as plainly was below normal.
W hether 1923 was normal can only be determ ined when census
figures are available for later years. Based on census figures for all
wage earners employed and taking 1914 as 100, the index for 1923
is 127.1. This is a geometric increase of 2.7 per cent per year as
between 1914 and 1923. In the 15-year interval, 1899 to 1914, the
increase of wage earners in m anufacturing establishm ents in the
United States was 49.3 per cent, or a geometric rate of increase of 2.7
per cent per year. Assuming the same rate of increase continuing
into 1926, the index would be 137.7. These com putations om it the
census figures for the years not stated.
An arithm etic annual average from 1899 to 192-3, using data for
each census year and interpolating for each mid-census year, is found
to be 2.31 points per year. This includes the war period and the
subsequent depression. Interpolation at best is unsatisfactory and
particularly so from 1914 to 1923._ However, using this m ethod for
w hat it is worth, the estim ated index for all wage earners in the
m anufacturing industries of the United States in 1926 is 131.8, the
year 1914 being 100. The employment figures would indicate,
however, th a t even this figure is too high.
I N D E X N U M B E R S OE P E R S O N S E M P L O Y E D , B A SE D O N S T A T IS T IC S O F N E W Y O R E ,
M A S S A C H U S E T T S , W IS C O N S IN , A N D U . S. B U R E A U O F L A B O R S T A T IS T IC S J U N E ,
1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1928’
[June, 1914 = 100]
Y ear and m onth
1914
.Tnly
her
T)p^PTriLpy
1915
Jhnnnry
F ebruary..............
New
York
U. S.
W is
consin
M assa B ureau
of
(after
chu
Labor
ov.,
setts
Statis N
1915)
tics
100
97
92
96
95
93
92
100
97
96
96
97
96
95
92
94
93
94
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100
97
94
96
96
95
94
93
94 : : : : : : : :
1
Year a n d m onth
New
Y ork
1915
M arch_________
A p ril__________
M ay ___________
Ju n e ___________
J u lv .. ________
A u g u st________
Septem ber...........
October
N o v e m b e r.........
D ecem ber______
94
95
97
98
97
96
101
102
106
108
[1323]
U. S.
Wis
M assa B ureau
consin
of
chu Labor
(after
setts
ov.,
Statis N1915)
tics
95
95
95
95
95
97
99
102
104
105
95
95
96
97
96
97
100
102
105
107
105
172
M O NTHLY LABOR REVIEW
I N D E X N U M B E R S O F P E R S O N S E M P L O Y E D . B A S E D O N S T A T IS T IC S O F N E W Y O R K
M A S S A C H U S E T T S , W IS C O N S IN , A N D U. S. B U R E A U O F L A B O R S T A T IS T IC S , JU N E *
1914, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1926—C ontinued
’
[June, 1914=100]
U. S.
Wis
M assa B ureau
consin
of
chu
(after
Labor
ov.,
setts
S tatis N
1915)
tics
Y ear a n d m o n th
N ew
Y ork
1916
Jan u a ry ................
F e b ru a ry .............
M arch_________
A pril.....................
M ay— ...............
J u n e ........... .........
J u ly ______ ____
A u g u st...... ...........
Septem ber . __
O ctober_______
November..........
D ecem ber____ _
108
111
111
115
113
113
112
113
117
117
120
122
108
no
112
112
111
no
no
no
in
113
115
117
106
108
no
109
no
no
no
no
no
112
113
114
1917
Jan u a ry ________
F eb ru ary ..............
M arch ______
A p ril__________
M a y ......................
Juno
Ju ly _
A ug u st------------Septem ber
October . . .
N ovem ber_____
D ecem b er.___
121
121
123
121
120
119
118
116
118
120
121
122
117
118
119
- 116
114
114
112
112
114
116
118
119
116
116
116
114
114
114
114
112
no
112
115
116
1918
Jan u a ry ________
F eb ru ary ______
M arch
A pril__________
M a y ....................
J une___________
Ju ly . ________
A ugust.................
Septem ber
October ____
N ovem ber...........
D ecem ber. .
121
123
124
123
123
123
125
122
122
117
120
119
117
118
120
119
119
119
118
117
116
114
117
115
115
114
115
114
112
112
114
113
113
109
111
112
2919
J a n u a ry _______
F eb ru ary ______
M arch _______
A pril__________
M ay — ...............
Ju n e ___________
J u ly ___________
A ugust________
Septem ber
O ctober-----------N o v e m b e r..........
D ecem ber______
113
112
111
111
110
110
113
115
116
115
118
122
114
111
111
111
113
115
117
119
120
121
123
125
109
102
103
103
105
107
109
108
109
105
108
111
123
122
125
124
122
121
121
118
117
115
108
100
124
122
123
122
121
118
114
112
309
107
100
91
113
112
114
H4
115
115
107
107
104
100
95
89
127
125
122
118
108
100
93
94
95
94
87
91
94
94
79
85
86
85
88
90
87
82
1920
J an u a ry . ______
F e b ru a ry ...........
TVlereh
A uril__________
M a y .___ ______
.Tune___________
J u ly ___________
A ugust
_____
Septem ber_____
O ctober________
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber______
1921
J a n u a ry -----------F eb ru ary ______
M arch__ ____ _
A pril----------------
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
112
113
no
117
122
118
117
121
124
122
124
123
122
115
118
125
130
125
Y ear a n d m o n th
i
1921
M ay .......................
Ju n e______ ____
J u ly ----------------A u g u st...... ...........
S eptem ber...........
October................
N o v em b er..........
D ecem ber............
1922
J a n u a r y ..............
F eb ru ary ______
M arch..................
A p r il................. .
M a y .................
Ju n e ___________
J u l y . . . ..................
A u g u s t .. ______
Septem ber_____
O ctober________
N o v e m b e r..........
D ecem ber______
1923
J a n u a ry ...... .........
F eb ru ary______
M arch _________
A p ril__________
M ay ___________
Ju n e ___________
J u ly .......................
A u g u s t...............
S e p te m b e r..........
O ctober................
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber______
1924
J a n u a ry _______
F e b ru a ry ............
M arch_________
A p ril__________
M a y ......................
Ju n e ___________
J u l y . . . .................
x iu g u s t...............
Septem ber_____
O ctober________
N o v em b er...........
D ecem b er......... .
1925
J a n u a ry ________
F e b ru a ry .............
M arch...................
A pril....................
M ay ___________
Ju n e ___________
J u ly ......................
A ugust________
Septem ber_____
O c to b e r..............
N o v e m b e r.........
December _____
192G
J a n u a r y ---------F e b ru a ry ______
M arch_________
A pril__________
M a y ___________
Ju n e ___________
J u ly ......................
A ugust________
S e p te m b e r____
[1324]
N ew
Y ork
U. S.
Wis
M assa Bureau consin
of
chu
(after
Labor
setts
Statis N ov.,
1915)
tics
92
90
88
88
92
94
94
94
95
95
94
95
97
98
98
97
86
87
86
88
89
91
92
92
81
79
79
81
83
83
83
83
92
95
96
95
98
97
97
100
102
105
107
109
97
99
99
96
95
96
96
99
103
106
108
108
89
90
85
84
86
89
89
90
93
95
97
99
84
88
90
92
97
95
96
97
98
103
106
109
110
113
112
111
110
no
109
109
no
109
107
109
111
113
113
112
109
107
107
108
108
107
104
100
102
104
104
104
104
103
102
102
102
101
99
108
no
m
112
109
no
113
112
109
107
107
106
106
107
108
104
100
97
93
94
97
98
98
99
101
102
102
100
96
91
87
90
94
97
98
98
98
99
99
97
93
90
87
87
89
90
90
91
105
109
111
108
102
98
102
101
100
101
102
103
99
100
101
100
98
98
96
97
99
101
102
102
99
101
100
99
97
94
93
95
96
99
100
99
92
94
94
94
93
92
91
92
93
94
95
95
104
105
106
106
107
108
113
no
109
109
108
109
102
102
103
101
99
99
96
' 97
100
101
102
99
97
94
88
92
96
94
95
96
95
94
93
92
93
94
109
111
110
109
107
107
111
l« D £ X
NUM BERS
6F
PERSO NS
E .M P L 0V E .0
changes
I N EM PLO YM ENT SINCE 1914
[1325]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-4
00
174
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
I N D E X N U M B E R S OE W A G E E A R N E R S IN T H E M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
O F T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S
[Average 1914=100.0]
M o n th
1914
J a n u a ry ___________
F e b ru a ry _____
M a rc h _____
A pril________
M a y . . . ........
J u n e ___________
J u ly ...........................................................................
A ugu st____ _ _ _ ________
S e p te m b e r.. . _______ _
O ctober_______
N ovem b er____
D ecem ber.. _____ _
Average............................
1919
1921
1923
100.6
101.5
102.9
102.6
101.6
100.9
99.8
99. 8
100. 7
99. 6
95. 7
94.4
127.8
125. 0
125. 0
124.8
125. 6
127.7
131. 4
134. 7
137.0
13G. 5
137. 7
139.2
98.7
99.8
100.3
100.0
99.6
99.0
97. 8
99. 8
102. 0
103.9
104. 1
102. 0
121. 9
124.5
127.9
128.4
128. 5
128.9
128. 1
129. 0
129. 0
128. 5
126.8
123. 6
100.0
131.0
100.6
127.1
Below are shown index num bers of estim ated population of the
U nited States as of July 1 each year on the basis of 1914 as 100:
Index num ber
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
Index num ber
________
100. 0
____
____
____
____
____
____
101.
102.
104.
105.
107.
108.
4
9
3
8
2
7
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
___ 110. 7
___ 112. 2
___ 114. 1
___ 116. 1
_____
117. 8
___ 119. 6
E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a r n in g s o f R a ilro a d E m p lo y e e s ,
S e p te m b e r , 1925, a n d A u g u s t a n d S e p te m b e r , 1926
H E following table shows the num ber of employees and the
earnings in various occupations among railroad employees in
September, 1926, August, 1926, and Septem ber, 1925. ’
The figures are for Class I roads; th a t is, all roads having operating
revenues of $1,000,000 a year and over.
T
EM PLO YM EN T
AND
E A R N IN G S OF R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S , S E P T E M B E R
A N D A U G U S T A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1926
‘
1925
’
[From m o n th ly reports of In terstate Commerce Commission. As d ata for only the more im portant occupa lions arc shown separately, th e group totals are not th e stun of the item s under the respective croups1
th e grand totals will be found on pp. X51 and 153]
N um ber of employees a t
m iddle of m onth
T otal earnings
Occupation
Septem A ugust, Septem Septem ber,
ber, 1925 1926
ber, 1926
1925
Professional, clerical, a n d general... 382,617
C lerks____________________ _____ _ 167,014
Stenographers a n d ty p ists________
25,126
M aintenance o f w a y a n d structures 438,808
Laborers, extra gang an d work tra in . 67, 780
Laborers, track a n d roadw ay sec
tio n ___________________________ 224, 481
M aintenance o f eq u ip m en t an d
stores_______ __________ _______
512,30 i
C ar m e n ......................... .................... . 114, 550
M achinists________ _____________
59, 602
Skilled trad es’ helpers......... 1............. 111, 347
L aborers (shops, engine houses,
pow er p lan ts, a n d stores)_______
42,380
C om m on laborers (shops, engine
houses, power p lan ts, a n d stores). 57,998
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
287,427
168, 770
25, 513
469,346
85,978
A ugust,
1926
387,373 $38,171,954 $39,611,010
168, 840 21,351,310 22, 057, 293
25, 587
3,037,065
3,147,417
458,067 38,909,518 44,110,838
79,908
5, 286, 505
7,129, 613
Septem ber,
1926
$39,323.387
21, 859, 841
3,135, 996
42,222,412
6, 376,616
238, 728
233, 986
16, 255,618
18, 091, 827
17,212,062
514,351
112,081
59, 776
113, 301
517,578
113,893
60,332
113,916
84,815,405
16,224,047
9,062,215
11,829,020
68,230,082
16,821,974
9, 599, 625
12, 683, 390
86,904,496
16, 568,659
9, 434,917
12, 441,902
42, 393
42, 451
3,938,088
4, 060, 765
3, 964,312
80, 511
60,401
4, 589,826
5,002,032
4, 831,185
[1326]
175
VOLUME OP EMPLOYMENT— CALIFORNIA
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S O F R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S , S E P T E M B E R , 1925,
A N D A U G U S T A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1926—C ontinued
N u m b er of employees at
m iddle of m o n th
T o ta l earnings
O ccupation
Septem A ugust, Septem Septem ber,
ber, 1926
1925
1926
ber, 1925
T ra n sp o rta tio n , o th er t h a n tr a in ,
e n g in e , a n d yard------------------------- 212,313 210,388
30,677
Station agents___________ ________ 30, 988
Telegraphers, te le p h o n es, and
25, 574
tow erm en ____________ _______ 25, 840
Truckers (stations, warehouses,
37,995
and platform s)_________________ 40, 938
Crossing a n d bridge flagmen and
22, 433
22, 734
g a te m e n ------------------ ----------T ra n sp o rta tio n ( y a r d m a s t e r s ,
34,399
23,915
sw itc h ten d ers, a n d h o stlers)____
T ra n sp o rta tio n , tr a in a n d e n g in e .. 337, 178 330,540
37, 943
R oad conductors --------- ------- ----- 37,350
75, 801
R oad brakem en and flagmen . _. 75, 747
54,033
52,810
Y ard brakem en and yard h elp ers...
R oad engineers and m otorm en------ 44,486' 44,940
46,300
R oad firemen and helpers.................. 46,095
A ugust,
1926
Septem ber,
1928
213,434 $25,601,698 $26,026,296
$36,007,290
4, 748, 683
30, 683
4, 749, 347
4, 797, 726
25, 649
3,794, 498
3,911, 299
3,806,981
40,216
3, 790, 760
3, 572, 424
3, 727,479
22, 419
1,710,054
1, 695, 356
1, 688,994
34,264
337,648
4,386, 747
4,620,364
66,628,585
4 ,4S8,230
6 7 , 776,933
8, 994,105
13, 315,153
9,444,165
12,096, 847
8,995, 229
9,102, 016
13,707, 381
9, 530, 748
12,362, 969
9,188,065
38, 430
77, 568
55, 537
45, 808
47, 031
65,088,465
8, 875,868
13, 311,176
8,985, 866
11, 899,134
8,863,864
S ta te R ep orts on E m p lo y m e n t
C a lifo rn ia
H E following data, taken from the October, 1926, Labor M arket
Bulletin, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of Califor
nia, show changes in volume of employment and pay roil from '
September, 1925, to September, 1926, in 673 establishm ents in th a t
State :
T
P E R C E N T O F 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 U N T OF
W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 673 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 S E P T E M B E R ,
1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1926
Em ployees
N um ber
of
firms
rep o rt
ing
In d u stry
N um ber
in Sep
tem ber,
1926
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
( - ) as
com
pared
w ith
Septem
ber, 1925
W eekly p ay roll
A m ount
in Sep
tem ber,
1926
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
( - ) as
com
pared
w ith
Septem
ber, 1925
Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral p ro d u cts____
Lime, cem ent, p laster............... .............................
Brick, tile, p o tte ry _________ ________ ________
Glass....... .............................................................. .......
10
7
22
5
1,592
1,879
3, 321
805
+12.6
+ 1 .6
-2 .2
+ 2 .2
$48, 432
59,422
79, 222
26,095
+24.4
+ 7 .4
—2. 5
+ 3 .7
T o t a l.....................................................................
44
7,597
+ 2 .0
213,171
+ 6 .2
M etals, m achinery, and conveyances:
A gricultural im p lem en ts............................... .......
Autom obiles, including bodies and p a rts-------Brass, bronze, and copper p ro d u cts------- -------Engines, pum ps, boilers, a n d ta n k s............. .......
Iron and steel forgings, bolts, n u ts, etc...............
Structural and ornam ental steel_____________
Ship and boat building and naval repairs------T in cans-------- --------- ------------- -------------------O ther iron foundry and m achine shop products.
6
14
9
10
8
13
6
3
62
1,087
2, 488
1,100
903
3,060
3, 709
5, 331
2,887
7,126
+17.8
-1 3 .2
+ 1 .8
+ 2 .3
+ 30.0
-1 5 .4
+37.2
+23.6
+ 5.1
29, 768
77, 393
28,927
27, 532
92, 716
115,928
163,038
82,909
192,698
+12.3
+3. 7
+L 8
-I“10.8
+37. 5
—13.6
+30.2
+46.0
+3. 5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1327]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
176
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E I N N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T OF
W E E K L Y PA Y R O L L IN 673 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 S E P T E M B E R
1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R , 1926—C ontinued
Em ployees
N um ber
of
firms
rep o rt
ing
In d u stry
Per cent
of in
crease
(+
) or
N um ber
in Sep decrease
(
)
as
tem ber,
com
1926
pared
With
Septem
ber, 1925
W eekly pay roll
A m ount
in Sep
tem ber,
1926
Per cent
of in
crease
(+ ) or
decrease
( - ) as
com
pared
w ith
Septem
ber, 1925
M etals, m achinery, and conveyances—C ontd.
O ther sheet m etal p ro d u c ts,..................................
Cars, locomotives, and railw ay repair shops___
T o tal...... .................. ................................................
23
16
170
1, 090
8,994
38,475
+ 2 .7
+ 7 .7
+ 8 .2
$52,135
256, 749
1,119, 793
W ood m anufactures:
Sawmills a n d logging................. ..............................
Planing m ills, sash, and door factories, etc___
O ther wood m anufactures............._........................
T o ta l............................................. ............................
24
44
40
108
12,806
10,475
4, 921
28, 202
-2 .5
-1 .2
+ .7
-1 .5
385, 600
299, 349
137,388
822, 337
-.8
- 1 .7
L eather and ru b b e r goods:
T anning___________ ________ ______ ______
Finished leather p roducts....................._..............
R ubber p ro d u c ts ................................. ....................
T o tal.....................................................................
8
6
7
21
852
536
2,969
4,357
-1 0 .4
+ 1 .7
+ 9 .2
+ 3 .8
22, 787
12, 561
84, 569
119,917
+15. 2
+10.4
Chemicals, oils, p aints, etc.:
Explosives......________ _____
M ineral oil refining _________ _______________
P aints, dyes, and colors_____________________
M iscellaneous chemical products_____________
T o tal___________ _______________________
4
7
6
12
29
513
12, 073
618
2,290
15,494
+ 4 .9
+5. 9
+ 6 .2
+ 8 .4
+ 6 .2
15, 323
431,149
15, 434
58, 387
520, 293
+22. 2
+■ 1
+5. 9
- 5 .8
+. 1
P rin tin g and paper goods:
Paper boxes, bags, cartons, etc_______________
P rin tin g __________________ _______ ________
P ublishing_______________ ____ ___________
O ther paper products_________ _________ . .
T o tal........ .................. ....................
9
36
16
8
69
2,115
2,244
3,872
1,121
9,352
-1 1 .2
+ 1 .7
+18.0
+ .3
51, 005
80, 994
144, 408
25, 621
302, 028
- 9 .3
—. 1
-4-5.8
+14.4
+ 2 .0
Textiles:
K n it goods.......... ............... .............
O ther textile products____________ _____
T o t a l ............................................; ........................
7
6
13
692
1, 652
2,344
+3. 4
-.3
~K 8
14, 022
34, 775
48, 797
+ 4 .7
+32. 6
+23.2
Clothing, m illinery, and laundering :
Ivien’s clothing . . ...........................
V om en’s clothing___ _______
M illin e ry ___________________
Launderies, cleaning, and dyeing____________
T o tal................................ .........................................
21
11
7
21
60
2,827
993
717
3,110
7,647
+ 3.8
+ 9.1
+ 7 .3
-.5
+ 2 .9
61,237
20,154
14, 300
70; 561
166, 252
+ 2 .7
+16.9
+36. 0
+ 5 .9
+ 7 .7
Foods, beverages, and tobacco:
Canning, preserving of fruits and v e g etab le s...
Canning, packing of fish________________ .
Confectionery a nd ice c ream .. ______________
Groceries, n o t elsewhere specified. . . . ______
B read and b akery p r o d u c ts _______
_____
Sugar___ _____________ _______ ________
Slaughtering a n d m eat products ___________
Cigars and other tobacco p r o d u c ts ..................
Beverages. ____ ________ _______ ___ ____
D airy p ro d u cts______________ ___________
Flour and grist m ills.................... ............
Ice m anufactures . _______ _____
O ther food p ro d u c ts____ ____ ____________
T o t a l...................................................... ...
22
13
22
5
19
6
15
4
3
10
4
6
11
140
24,116
2, 059
1, 566
541
3, 559
4. 007
2,696
995
431
2,716
408
1,105
1,032
45, 231
+14. 8
+5. 1
+ 3 .6
-1 3 . 0
+ 3 .2
- 7 .3
-8 . 7
-9 . 5
+ 9 .9
+11.2
-1 9 .7
-.3
+17.9
+ 7.1
547, 072
48, 365
34,150
11,611
103, 915
103,775
79,101
16,996
11, 376
84,959
10, 329
36, 697
20,446
1,108, 792
+11.6
+36. 1
+5. 7
-1 0 .2
+ 3 .2
-1 2 . 7
-5 .2
- 9 .7
+23.4
+ 6 .7
-1 6 . 0
+3. 5
+34.7
+ 6 .2
W ater, light, and p o w e r ._______
M iscellaneous..................................
T otal, all in d u s trie s ......................................
5
14
673
9, 056
2,426
170,181
-1 0 . 0
+18. 2
+ 3 .9
273, 279
59,847
4, 754, 506
-3 1 .1
+17.3
-f-4.1
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1328]
+9. 0
+ 8 .9
+71.1
-.6
-1 0 .2
VOLUME OF EM PLO YM ENT-—-ILLINOIS
177
Illin o is
HPHE following statistics, showing the changes in em ploym ent and
*■ earnings in Illinois factories in September, 1926, as compared
w ith August, 1926, are taken from the October, 1926, issue of the
Labor Bulletin, published by the Illinois D epartm ent of Labor:
C H A N G E S IN
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S IN IL L IN O IS
A U G U ST TO S E P T E M B E R , 1926
F A C T O R IE S
FRO M
P er cent of increase (+ ) or decrease (—), A ugust
to Septem ber, 1926
In d u stry
E m ploym ent
T otal
earnings
M ale
Stone, clay, and glass products:
M iscellaneous stone and m ineral products____
Lim e, cem ent, and p laster......... ...........................
B rick, tile, a n d p o tte ry .............................. ...........
Glass............................ ...............................................
T o ta l....... ......................................................... .......
M etals, m achinery, conveyances:
Iron and steel__________ ____ _____ _______ _
Sheet m etal w ork a n d h a rd w a re .........................
Tools an d c u tle ry ._______________________ _
Cooking, heating, v en tilatin g ap p aratu s—........
Brass, copper, zinc, b a b b itt m etal_________ _
C ars and locom otives------ -------- ------------------A utom obiles a n d accessories------------ -----------M achinery________________________________
Electrical ap p aratu s______ _________________
A gricultural im p lem en ts_________ __________
In stru m e n ts a n d appliances.________________
W atches, w atch cases, clocks, a n d jew elry-----T o tal....... ........................................................... .
Fem ale
B oth sexes
+ 2 .6
- 1 .4
+ 2 .5
+ 4 .0
- 3 .1
+ 8 .7
+ 1 .4
-.4
-2 .6
-4 .2
+4.1
-1 .0
+ 2 .0
-.8
-.2
+ 1 .3
-.9
—10. 5
-1 .8
+ 3 .5
- 5 .1
- 2 .9
+ 2 .0
+ .9
-. 1
+ 4.1
- .5
-.3
+ 1.9
+24.7
- 8 .1
+.2
+ 2 .9
-.8
-.6
0.0
0.0
+ 8 .2
+ 7.9
+ 7.1
+ 1 .0
+ 5.1
+11.1
+.2
-.8
+ 1 .2
-.1
+11. 7
-2 .0
+ 3 .4
- 4 .9
-2 .0
+ 2 .6
+ .3
+.6
+ 1 .0
4*6.9
-.0
-.2
+ 3 .8
+ 7 .9
+ 1 .7
—1.2
-5 .3
-0 .9
-2 .5
—5.0
+ 4 .8
+ 1 .2
+ .4
- 1 .0
+ 4.7
+ 4.1
+ 2.1
+ 6.7
+ 7 .2
+ 6 .0
+ 2 .9
-3 .5
+ 4 .4
+ 9 .8
W ood products:
Sawmill and planing-m ill pro d u cts------- -------F u rn itu re and cabinet w ork------------------------Pianos, organs, a n d other m usical instrum ents.
M iscellaneous wood pro d u cts----- ------ ----------H ousehold furnishings. ..........................................
+ 4 .7
+ 4 .4
+2. 0
+ 5 .2
.0
+ 1 .6
+ 8 .6
+2-1. 0
+25.3
T o ta l.......................................................................
+ 3 .9
+10.1
+ 4 .3
+ 3 .2
F u rs and leath er goods:
L eath er__________ ______ _____ - ......................F u rs and fur goods------------------ ------------------Boots and shoes.......................................... .............
M iscellaneous leather goods___ _____ ________
+53.8
+ 2 .5
+80.1
- 2 .9
+33.3
+• 5
+722. 0
+ 6.1
+45.5
-.2
+137. 8
+ 4 .0
+146. 8
- 7 .4
+46.2
T o ta l....... .........................................- ......................
+ 9 .3
+20.7
+ 6.7
- 2 .0
Chem icals, oils, paints, e tc .:
D rugs a nd chem icals......................—.............. .
P aints, dyes, a n d c o lo rs.....................................
M ineral an d vegetable oil---------------------------M iscellaneous chemical products........ ...............
-7 .7
+ 2 .9
+2. 5
+ 3 .5
+ 8.1
- .7
+ 1 .2
+ 5 .0
-.7
+ 2.7
+ 2 .4
+ 2 .3
+ 2 .3
-.3
+ .3
+ 1 .7
0.0
-.1
T o tal....... ................................... ........ ....................
+ 1 .8
+ 2 .4
+ 2 .0
+. 9
P rin tin g and paper goods:
Paper boxes, bags, a n d tu b es................................
M iscellaneous paper goods— ......................... —
Job p rin tin g ____________________ ___________
N ewspapers a n d periodicals.......... .......................
E ditio n bookbinding...............................................
+ .3
+ .3
- 4 .1
+ 1 .3
- 3 .4
+ 6 .0
- 1 .1
+ 5 .3
-5 . 5
-4 .3
-.9
+ 2 .5
-3 . 3
+ 1 .6
- 4 .0
- 3 .0
+ 4 .4
-9 .5
+ 6 .6
-1 5 .2
T o tal.......................................................................
- 1 .9
-1 .4
-1 .6
- 4 .7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1329]
178
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
C H A N G ES IN
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S IN IL L IN O IS
A U G U ST TO SE P T E M B E R , 1926—Continued
FA C T O R IE S
FR O M
Per cent of increase (+) or decrease (—), August
to September, 1926
Industry
Employment
Female
M ale
Both sexes
Total
earnings
Textiles:
C otton and woolen goods_________________
K n it goods, cotton and woolen hosiery_____
T h read and tw in e_________ _____ ________
+5. 6
+5.6
.0
+4.4
+1.1
- .6
+5.1
+1. 1
-1.6
+30.8
+11.9
-4. 1
T o ta l___________________ ______________
+4.4
+1.3
+1.3
+12.3
-7.1
+21. 4
-3.0
+1.3
-3.4
+4.6
+1.8
-5.3
+25. 5
+2.9
-16. 7
+10. 6
+2.2
-7.3
- .2
-5.2
-3.8
+2.2
—6. 3
~i”8. 3
+1.3
-4.0
+.4
-23. 6
-11.1
-2. 1
+24.3
+6.4
-1 .2
- .9
+2.4
- 1 .4
-2.7
-16.1
- .4
+359. 9
+ .1
+9. 2
-3 .8
+4.7
+43. 2
-7.3
-3.1
-13. 7
-21.2
C lothing, m illinery, laundering:
M en ’s clothing_____________ _____________
M en ’s shirts and fu rn ish in g s-........ .................
Overalls a n d w ork clothing................................
M en ’s h a ts an d cap s_____________________
W om en’s clothing___________ ____ ________
W om en’su n d erw e a r______________ _____
W om en’s h a ts ___________________________
L aundering, cleaning, and d y e in g ,.................
.0
T o tal____________________________ _____
—5. 0
Food, beverages, and tobacco:
Flour, feed, and other cereal p ro d u cts______
F ru it an d vegetable canning and preserving.
M iscellaneous groceries___________________
Slaughtering an d m eat packing_________ . . .
D airy p roducts__________________________
B read a n d other b ak ery p ro d u cts_________
Confectionery___________________________
Beverages_______________________________
Cigars a n d other tobacco p roducts_________
M anufactured ice________________________
Ice cream ___ _______ ____________________
+2.4
+216. 6
—1.9
+3.7
-. 4
+. 2
+20. 7
-3.5
+3.0
-13.5
-4.7
+10.0
+680. 6
+10. 7
+5.6
-2.2
+• 9
+48.8
-5.0
+2.2
-24.1
+3.0
+288.1
+• 9
+3.9
-. 5
+. 2
+43.7
-3.2
+2. 5
-13.5
-6.9
T o tal___________________ ______ ________
+7.6
+26.6
+11.3
+9.6
T otal, all m anufacturing industries.............
-f-1. 5
+6.9
+2.2
- .2
T rad e—wholesale and retail:
D ep artm en t stores............ .................... .............
W holesale d ry goods...........................................
W holesale groceries___ ______ ____ ________
M ail-order houses...... ................ .........................
+13. 5
+14.8
+3.2
+.4
+7.8
+8.3
+25.9
+n. i
+• 6
+7.5
+2.5
+2.3
T o tal....................................... ..........................
+ 4.1
+2.5
+3.1
+3.7
P ublic utilities:
W ater, light, and power.............................. .......
T elephone.............................................................
Street railw ays................................ .....................
R ailw ay car repair s h o p s ..................................
+. 8
- .6
+ .8
+1.9
+ .2
- .9
+.5
-7.5
+«•7
-9 .0
-2.0
-2.3
T o ta l.......................................... .........................
+ .1
-1 .6
-.3
-3.5
Coal m ining.................................................. ................
+ 2 .0
+2.0
+12. 5
B uilding and contracting:
B uilding c o n stru ction ........................................
R oad construction__________________ _____
M iscellaneous contracting..................................
-24. 3
-2.4
-24.3
-2.4
+• 6
-6.9
-20.9
-8.3
T o ta l....................................................................
-1 .0
-1 .0
-7.6
T otal, all in d u stries__________ ______ ___
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .6
- .5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- 1 .1
-1 .6
+. 6
[1330]]
+ 3 .7
+9. 8
+8.2
-1.3
- .9
+ 8 .5
- 1 .1
179
VOLUME OF EM PLO YM ENT---- IOWA.
Iowa
'T ’H E following figures, from the October, 1926, issue of the Iowa
* Em ploym ent Survey, published by the bureau of labor of th a t
State, show changes in volume of employment in Iowa from Sep
tem ber to October, 1926:
C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E OF E M P L O Y M E N T IN IO W A , S E P T E M B E R TO O C T O B E R , 1925
In d u stry
Food and k in d red prod
ucts:
M eat packing______
Cereals........................
F lour- ______ ____
B akery p ro d u cts____
Confectionery______
P o u ltry
products,
b u tte r, e tc . ______
Sugar, starch, sirup,
glucose, etc. ------O ther food products,
coffee, e tc _________
T o ta l____________
Textiles:
Clothing, m e n ’s____
M illin e ry .- . . . ____
C lothing, w o m en ’s,
and woolen goods.H osiery, aw nings, etc.
B uttons, p e a r l..........
T o tal____________
Iron and steel works:
F o u n d ry and m achine
shops_______ _ -Brass, bronze prod
ucts,
p lu m b ers’
supplies---------------A utos, tractors, and
engines___________
F urnaces................... .
P u m p s_____________
A gricultural im ple
m ents _______ ___
W ashing m achines__
T o ta l_____ _____
L um ber products:
M ill w ork, interiors,
e tc ___________
F u rn itu re , desks, etc.
R efrigerators______
Coffins, u n d e rta k e rs’
supplies_______ .
Carriages, wagons,
tru ck bodies______
T o ta l_____ ____ _
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Em ployees on pay
roll October, 1926
Em ployees on pay
roll October, 1926
N um
ber of
Per cent of
firms
increase
re
(+ ) or
p o rt N u m decrease
ing
ber (—) as com
pared w ith
Septem
ber, 1926
N um
ber of
Per cent of
increase
firms
( + ) or
re
p ort N u m decrease
ing
ber " (—) as com
pared w ith
Septem
ber, 1926
8
3
4
8
6
6,635
1, 340
124
877
434
6
810
3
977
+20.8
8
50S
-3 7 .6
46 11, 705
- 1 .2
+5. 1
+ 4 .8
+ 4 .3
In d u stry
L eather products:
Boots and s h o e s ..---.
Saddlery and harness.
F u r goods and ta n
ning—
Gloves and m itte n s ..
T o ta l. __________
+11.3
Paper products, printing
and publishing:
P aper products . . .
P rin tin g and publish
in g —
-. 5
2
6
297
217
+9. 6
+ 4 .8
5
4
136
3.50
+ 7 .1
' + 8 .4
17
1, 000
+ 7 .8
4
234
+2. 5
17
2, 793
+ 1 .5
T o ta l____________
21
3,027
+ 1 .2
9
2
968
144
+ 1 .4
-1 1 .7
P a te n t medicines and
com pounds----------------
8
452
-1 .7
3
5
8
605
585
683
+ 3 .6
0.0
+ 8 .9
8
11
2,183
852
27
2, 985
+ 2 .4
Stone and clay products:
C em ent, plaster, gyp
su m . ___________
B rick and tile (c la y )..
M arble,
granite,
crushed rock, and
stone_______ _____
+ 2 .2
-3 .7
3
106
+ 7 .1
27
2, 430
+ 1 .3
T o ta l____________
22
3,141
+ .7
Tobacco and cigars-------- 1
R ailw ay car s h o p s...........
5
6
356
3,267
- .6
+ !• ^
V arious industries:
A uto tires and tu b e s ..
Brooms and b rushes..
L au n d ries... --------M ercantile_________
P ublic service . -----S eed s.. . . . ___ . .
W holesale houses___
Commission houses. _
O ther in d u stries____
2
5
4
11
3
2
28
11
12
259
165
206
3, 477
1, 324
207
1, 460
339
1, 582
0.0
+ 6 .5
-6 .8
+1. 1
- .8
-4 .6
-1 .3
0.0
- 1 .4
78
9, 019
-.3
336 49,152
+ .5
4
449
+ 3 .5
6
7
3
2,489
564
307
-4 . 7
+ 6 .0
-5 .8
9
10
812
2, 485
-.7
+ 2 .9
66
9,536
0.0
17
9
3
3, 016
1,144
145
-. 1
+ 3 .2
0.0
5
170
0.0
6
189
+30.3
40
4,664
+L7
[1331]
T o tal____________
G rand to ta l_______
180
M ONTHLY LABOR. REVIEW
M a ry la n d
HPHE following report on volume of em ploym ent in M aryland from
1 Septem ber to October, 1926, covering 45,232 employees and a
pay roll totaling $1,167,983, was furnished by the Commissioner of
Labor and Statistics of M aryland:
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
O C T O B E R , 1926
E m ploym ent
E sta b
P er cent
P er cent
lish
of in
of in
m ents
crease
crease
report N u m ber
(
+
)
or
(+
) or
ing for
of em
A m ount
Septem ployees, decrease October, decrease
(
)
as
(
)
as
ber and October,
1926
compared
compared
October
1926
w ith Sep
w ith Septem ber,
tem ber,
1926
1926
In d u s try
B ak ery ...................................................................................
Beverages and soft d rin k s.......................... ........................
Boots a n d shoes____________________________ ____
Boxes, fancy and p ap er__________________________
Boxes, wooden __________________
Brass a n d b ro n z e ...________ _____________________
Brick, tile, e tc _________ ___ ________
B r u s h e s .___ ___________
_______
C ar building and repairing.................................. .......
C hem icals.. ...........................................
Clothing, m en’s ou ter garm en ts________ . . . ______
Clothing, w om en’s outer g a rm e n ts ________________
Confectionery________________________ . .
C otton goods____________ ___________
Fertilizer_________ . . . ._
Food preparation_____________________
F o u n d ry _______________ ____
Furnishing goods, m en ’s__________________________
F u rn itu re _________________ ______ _ _ _
Glass m anufacture_____ . . . _____
Ice cream _______________________ . .
Leather goods...................................
Lithographing_________ ___________ . . .
L um ber and p lan in g _________________ ___________
M attresses a n d spring beds_________ _____________
P a te n t m edicines_____________________________ . .
Pianos_________ _______ _______
Plum bers’ supplies............ ..................................................
P rin tin g _______________*_______________ .
R ubber tire m an ufacture. _ ______________________
S hirts_____ _____________ ____________
Stam ped a n d enam eled w are........................
T inw are............................ .............
Tobacco . _________ _________
M iscellaneous.................................... .................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P a y roll
[1332]
3
3
8
9
5
3
4
6
4
5
5
4
6
4
5
4
10
5
10
3
3
5
3
9
4
3
3
4
9
1
4
3
3
7
19
206
139
1,257
564
331
2,372
799
1,145
4. 479
751
2,261
732
1.155
1, 557
024
153
1,209
905
951
649
181
649
501
G36
160
780
1,001
1.565
1,336
3,275
605
439
2,466
871
5,014.
-2 .0
-1 4 . 8
+11. 7
+ 6 .2
+ 5 .4
-5 .8
+ 2 .5
+ 2 .5
-.9
-.6
—G. 5
-.2
+19.6
+ 2 .5
-2 8 . 0
+ 6 .9
-.5
+11.5
+ 9 .3
-2 .5
-3 .8
-.2
$5, 697
3,943
25, 602
8,029
6,159
58,793
21,088
22, 233
156,819
18,955
46, 597
9, 265
14,491
22,199
13, 567
3,819
29,913
12,381
21,097
14, 607
5,390
11, 561
+ 1 .7
-1 5 .0
+17. 7
+ 5 .8
+ 4 .8
—.7
-.7
+ 9 .3
+ 1 .2
+ 3 .3
-1 8 .2
+ 7 .6
+13. 2
+19.9
-3 3 .7
+ 4 .7
—7.0
+ 6 .6
+14.0
+ 5 .0
—6.0
—1. 7
-3 .5
-1 .9
+ 6 .2
+ 2 .4
-8 .8
+ 3 .4
+ 4 .1
+. 8
+ 6 .5
-5 .7
+ 2 .8
+ .1
16, 970
3,983
12,425
28, 892
38. 504
47,185
191,810
8,386
9.673
51,179
14, 757
126, 558
—2. 7
+ 9 .4
+ 5 .4
+ 3 .8
-1 5 .5
+ 7 .3
+20.9
+4.1
+ 9 .9
-8 .3
+ 7.1
+ 7 .3
VOLUME
OF
181
EMPLOYMENT— MASSACHUSETTS
M assach u setts
A PR ESS release from the D epartm ent of Labor and Industries
of M assachusetts shows the following changes in volume of
em ploym ent in various industries in th a t State from August to Sep
tem ber, 1926:
N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S IN 980 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 TO A U G U S T 15 A N D S E P T E M
B E R 15, 1926
N u m b er of wage earners em ployed
N um ber
of estab
lish
m ents
In d u stry
Septem ber, 1926
A ugust,
1926
Full tim e P a rt tim e
Automobiles, including bodies and p a rts........................
B ookbinding______ __________ ___________________
Boot and shoe c u t stock a n d findings______________
Boots and shoes____ _____________________________
Boxes, p ap er__________________ ___________ _____
Boxes, w ooden packing_________________ __________
B read a nd oth er b ak ery p ro d u cts________________
C arpets a n d ru g s_____ __ ___________ ____________
C ars a n d general shop construction a n d repairs, steam
railroads _ ....................................................................... .
C lothing, m en ’s , ................................................... ..............
C lothing, w om en’s ___ ____ ___ ______ ____________
C onfectionery__________ ____ _____ ______________
C opper, tin , sheet iron, e tc , _______________ ______
C otton goods, ................. . .
_________
C utlery an d tools, . . . _ ______ „ ______________
D yeing an d finishing tex tiles______ ______ _________
Electrical m achinery, a p p aratu s, a n d supplies............
F o u n d ry p ro d u c ts .. ,. .1 . ’______. . . . . . ’.I . . . . ___
F u rn itu re __________ ______ ____________________
G as and b v -p r o d u c ts __ .
______ ______________
H osiery and k n it goods________________ ___________
Jew elry_______________ _______ ____________ _____
L eather, ta n n e d , curried, an d finished_____________
M achine-shop p ro d u cts__________________ ________
M achine tool’s ___________________________________
M usical in stru m e n ts_____________________________
P aper and wood D u lp ................... ................... ................
P rin tin g an d publishing, book a n d jo b _____________
P rin tin g an d publishing, n ew spaper______________
R ubber footw ear___ . . _______________________
R ubber goods _________ ________________________
Silk goods____ ______ ____ ________________ _____
Slaughtering a n d m eat packing___________________
S tationery goods . __ _________________________
Steam fittings a n d steam a n d hot-w ater heating
a p p aratu s_____ _
. . _____________________
Stoves and stove linings ..................................................
Textile m achinery an d p a rts........................................... .
Tobacco___ _______ _________________ ____________
W oolen and w orsted goods.................................................
All other in d u s trie s .._____________________________
T o ta l______________________________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1333]
T otal
17
15
40
65
27
13
51
5
4,290
942
2,316
22, 526
2,164
1,105
4,140
3,404
1,267
792
1,729
13, 789
1,569
960
3,928
2,775
174
694
8,983
747
136
258
3,423
4,042
966
2, 423
22,772
2,316
1,096
4,186
3,423
4
29
33
13
15
54
24
8
13
27
32
13
12
34
25
44
22
13
21
38
18
3
7
10
5
8
2,837
3,687
1,452
3,304
464
34, 451
4, 255
6, 335
10, 057
2, 883
3,371
1,178
4.707
2. 764
5, 731
8,331
1,856
1,258
5, 559
3,220
2,333
8,993
2,499
4,029
L 525
1,512
2,232
2, 811
1,228
2,459
429
21,980
3,630
1,314
10, 792
L 931
3,470
1,193
2, 979
2, 685
5,194
7,873
1,434
946
4,745
3,090
2,377
9^ 115
2, 643
4,145
296
1,653
651
992
352
1,160
36
14,996
1,074
5.192
2,883
3, 803
I, 580
3,619
465
36,976
4, 704
6, 506
10, 792
2, 866
3,569
1,193
4, 742
3, 011
6,081
8,452
1,856
1,292
5,945
3,314
2,377
9; 115
2, 643
4,145
i; 541
1,653
9
5
14
5
57
126
1,696
1,562
4,172
872
17, 503
28,405
1,721
474
410
867
9,399
13, 698
1,197
3,800
15
9,135
15,074
1,721
1,671
4, 210
882
18,534
28,772
980
223, 688
153,247
78, 890
232,137
935
99
1,763
326
887
579
422
346
1,200
224
1,245
182
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
New Y ork
'T ’H E following statistics on changes in em ploym ent and paj7- rolls in
A New York S tate factories in September, 1926, were furnished by
the New York State D epartm ent of Labor. The table is based on a
fixed list of approxim ately 1,700 factories whose weekly pay roil for
the middle week of Septem ber was $14,664,081.
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L IN N E W Y O R K S T A T E F A C T O R IE S
F R O M S E P T E M B E R , 1925, A N D A U G U ST , 1926, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1926
P er cent of increase (+ ) or decrease (—)
August, 1926, to
Septem ber, 1926
In d u stry
E m ploy
m ent
C em ent_____________ ______
B ric k ___________ _______
P o tte ry _______________ _
G lass.........................................
P ig iron. _______________ _
S tru ctu ral iro n _____________
-H ard w are...__________ .
Stam ped w are_____ _____ _
C u tle ry ___________ _ _. _
Steam an d h o t w ater______
S toves.......................... .
A gricultural im p le m e n ts ___
Electrical m achinery, etc_____
F o u n d ry ____________
A utos a n d p a rts __________
Cars, locomotives, e tc _______ .
R ailw ay repair shops______
M illw o rk_______
Saw m ills._________
F u rn itu re an d c ab in et................ .
F u rn itu re ...... .............
P ian o s______________
L e a th e r......................
Boots a n d sh o es...........
D ru g s_______________
P etro leu m ___________
P aper boxes..................
Printin g :
Wew spapers_________
Book and jo b _______
Silk goods ___________
C a r p e ts .._____________ . .
W oo len s........... ...........
C otton g o o d s..___ _________
C otton and woolen____
D y e in g ................. .............. .
M e n ’s clothing_______
Shirts a n d c o lla rs ________
W omen ’s clothing.............
W omen ’s headw ear___
F lo u r......................
Sugar_________
S laughtering_______ _
B read______ ____
Confectionery............. .........
C igars_____________
—0. 4
—2. 8
—3. 4
+ 4 .8
-1 . 2
+ 1.4
—1.9
+. 8
—1. 4
+ 7 .2
+ 1 .4
+6. 6
+ 1.5
+ 2 .4
-8 . 5
+• 2
+ 2 .7
+ 2 .8
+2. 4
+2. 6
~2 8
—. 1
—2
—1. 9
+ 1 .7
+ 4 .0
+ 6 .8
+ 1,2
+10.9
+ 1.2
+ 2.7
-1 .0
+ 4 .5
+28. 1
+34.0
+ 3 .0
+ 1.2
+ 1.2
+10. 1
+ 1.0 ,
T o t a l .......................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
+2+
[1334]
P a y roll
September, 1925, to
Septem ber, 1926
E m ploy
m ent
+ 5 .4
- 4 .3
- 1 .6
+ 0 .7
+ 7 .5
+ 6 .4
+ 2 .6
+ 4 .0
3 7
+L9
+5. 6
+12. f
-7 . 7
+5. 7
+ 2.1
+6. 8
- 6 .3
+3. 0
-2 . 2
+3. 5
+4. 5
+ 5 .8
+5. 6
+25.8
- 4 .4
+4. 6
- 3 .0
+ 4 .2
+ 2 .6
-10. 4
- 6 .8
+ 10. 1
+ 7.1
—5.9
+27. 8
+ .8
- 5 .2
+ 1.1
- .4
-1 .8
+ .5
+2. 1
+7 4
+ 8 ,3
+ 1.2
+15. 2
+3. 8
+9. 7
+ 10. 3
-3 . 7
+ 3 .4
+29. 9
+44. 8
+11.0
- 3 ,9
+ 3 .4
+3. 6
+13.9
+ 6 .4
+ 4 .0
+2. 6
+ 3.3
+ 1 .5
-2 .4
—6. 7
+5. 1
-2 . 1
+ 5 .4
+ 2.9
-1 7 .2
-. 1
-7 .0
-a 9
-5 . 6
-1 3 .7
-1 1 .4
+ 1 .0
—14. 3
-2 . 7
-2 4 . 8
+. 1 1
P ay roll
+ 4.1
+17. 1
8. 4
Q 9Z
o.
+34. 1
1
p
To4A
j CQ
“TO.
6
o r>
] r óo
TO.
+ 12.9
11.8
1lo.
f; q
y
4-11
n
T
i\ lo O
-fy.
or
ó. 4
4-T7 ß
4-9
-J-Z. i
u
Ai. uG
■
11 O
P. O
Q
+ 4 .2
+ 6 .1
J„11
-f-i
i. yo
Gß
+13. 5
.
+19
1 4A
-p.
+ 7 .6
-1 8 .3
J AO
C
"pi.
A.
iy.
-1-9
9
-f1.10
o
"9
-7 . 1
à:.
114
¿9. A
4
1
.
+ 19.73
3
i. O
-1 4 . 4
11yQ
-pi.
"TJ,
u
4
-11,O
8
~P
21. J
+3. 5
183
VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT----WISCONSIN
O klah om a
"“P H E d a ta given below, from the October 15, 1926, issue of the
Oklahoma Labor M arket, show the changes in em ploym ent
and pay rolls in 710 establishments in Oklahoma from August to
Septem ber, 1926:
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y R O L L S IN 710 IN D U S T R IA L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S
IN O K L A H O M A , A U G U S T TO S E P T E M B E R , 1926
Septem ber, 1926
P a y roll
E m ploym ent
N um ber
of plants
reporting
In d u stry
Cottonseed-oil m ills................ .............................
Food production:
B akeries............................................................
C o n fectio n s........... ......... ...............................
Creameries and dairies..... ...........................
F lo u rm ills ...... ................................................
Ice and ice c r e a m ____________ ________
M eat and p o u ltry , _■.....................................Lead and zinc:
M ines and m ills_ ------- ----------------------Smelters __ .............................. ......................
M etals and m achinery:
A uto repairs, etc ___________ ____ ____
F o u n d ry a n d m achine shops____ ______
T a n k construction and erection------------Oil in d u stry :
Production and gasoline extraction ----Refineries
------- ------ -------- --------------Printin g : Job w ork.............................. ................
Public utilities:
Steam railroad shops ------ ------ ----------Street railw ays.
. . . ........ .................. ...
W ater, light, and pow er.......... ................ .
Stone, clay, a n d glass:
B rick and tile _ ........ ...............................
C em ent and p la ster....... ..........................
C rushed stone -------------- -------------------Glass m anufacturing. ----------- -------- -Textiles and cleaning:
Textile m anufacturing........ ................ .........
Laundries and c le an in g ...............................
Woodworking:
Sawmills. ___________________________
M illw ork, e tc .......................................... .......
T otal, all in d u stries................................
P er cent
of increase
(+ ) or de
N um ber of crease ( —)
as com
employees
pared w ith
A ugust,
1926
A m ount
Per cent
of increase
(+ ) or de
crease ( —)
as com
pared w ith
August,
1926
13
210
+24.3
$4,409
+27.2
35
7
11
44
33
14
571
69
186
432
517
1, 555
-.3
+115. 6
+5.1
- 8 .3
- 6 .3
+ 4 .6
14,124
974
3,780
9, 980
13,535
37,602
-5 .8
+74.3
+ 7 .6
-6 .3
-3 .6
+11.4
46
17
3, 479
2,268
+12.2
+ 3.5
101,442
62,066
+19.4
+ 7 .0
29
38
16
1,529
1,197
768
+• 2
- 3 .9
+ 6.7
47.980
32, 244
19,088
- 4 .6
—4.0
+10.3
123
66
24
4,608
6,106
267
+ .0
+ 1.5
+ .0
134, 594
199,791
7,955
+ 1.3
+ 2.3
0.0
11
6
50
1,702
710
1,397
- 3 .7
+2. 6
+11.2
49,166
16,269
42, 672
—.6
+1. 4
+31.8
11
6
6
9
418
1,092
257
921
- 7 .9
+ 6 .2
+ 8.0
+ 9 .6
8,301
27,746
4,389
18,084
- 6 .0
+6. 4
+ 5 .8
—.2
9
52
442
1,430
+ 5 .2
-. 1
5,934
25, 446
—. 5
+ .5
14
20
467
349
+12.0
+ 4 .2
6,440
9,075
+20.3
+ 7 .0
710
32,947
+ 2 .9
903,086
+ 4 .8
W isconsin
HPHE October, 1926, issue of the Wisconsin Labor M arket, issued
* by the State industrial commission, contains the following
data on volume of employment in Wisconsin industries in September,
1926.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13353
184
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E I N N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D I N T O T A L A M O U N T OF
PA Y R O L L IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN W IS C O N S IN IN D U S T R IE S F R O M
S E P T E M B E R , 1925, A N D A U G U ST , 1926, TO S E P T E M B E R , 1926
P er -cent of increase (+ ) or decrease (—)
A ugust to Septem ber,
1926
In d u stry
E m ploy
m ent
M anual
A griculture____ __________________ - ______________ _
Logging _________ ________________________ _____
M in in g !.____ _________________ ____________________
Lead and zinc____________________________ ___ _
I r o n ____________________ _____ ________________
Stone crushing and q u a rry in g ___________ ________ ___
M anufacturing________ _______ _ . . . . . . . ----------Stone and allied in d u s trie s .. ___________________
Brick, tile, a n d cem ent block's_______________
Stone finishing______________ ____ ____ ______
M eta l_____________________________________ ____
Pig iron and rolling mill p r o d u c t s . . ________
Structural-iron w o rk ----------------------- . . . -----Foundries a n d m achine s h o p s ..._____________
R ailroad repair sh o p s___ _ _________________
Stoves. ____________ _____ _________________
A lum inum a n d enam el w are____________ ____
M a c h in e ry ____________ _____ ________ ______
Autom obiles . __________ _________________
O ther m etal p ro d u cts___ ________ ___________
W ood................. ......... .................. .................... ..................
Sawmills an d planing m ills__________________
Box factories---------- ------------------------------------Panel and veneer iriills------- -----------------------F u r n itu r e .._______: . . . . .
_____________
Sash, door, a n d interior f i n i s h . . _____________
O ther wood p roducts. . . ________ _________
R u b b e r ___ ____________________________________
L e a th e r________________________________________
T an n in g . _________ _______________________
Boots a nd shoes. ___________ _______________
O ther le a th er p r o d u c ts ____ ______ ____ ______
Paper______ __________________________________
P ap er and p u lp m ills _______________________
P ap er boxes. . . ...... ......... ..................... ...............
O ther paper products ______________________
T e x t i l e s . _______ ___ ____ ______________
Ilo isery an d other k n it goods________________
C lothing_____________________________ _____
O ther textile products.:__________ . . _______
Foods______ ____________ ______ _________ _____
.Meat packing________ ____ ;....................... ..........
B aking an d co n fectio n ery ................................. .
M ilk p ro d u c ts. ............ ...................... .....................
C anning a n d preserving _______ _____________
F lour m ills ... _ . ................................... ...........
Tobacco m an u factu rin g________________ _____
O ther food products_________________________
L ight and pow er. _ _____________________ _____
P rin tin g a n d publishing___ ________________ ____
L aundering, cleaning, a n d d y ein g____ ________ _
Chemical (including soap, glue, a n d explosives)___
C onstruction:
B uild in g ....................... .......................................................
H ig h w a y ............. .............................................................
R ailro ad _______________________________________
M arine, dredging, sewer digging................................. .
C om m unication:
Steam railw ay s.............. .............................................. .
Electric railw ay s_______________ ________________
Express, telephone, a n d telegraph___ ____ ________
Wholesale trad e ......................................................................
Hotels and re sta u ra n ts______________________________
N onm anual
M anufacturing, mines, and quarries_________________
C onstruction_______________________________________
C om m unication ______________________ ____ ______
W holesale trad e. ......................................................................
R etail trad e—sales force o n ly ____ __________________ _
M iscellaneous professional services.................................
H otels an d restau ran ts ________________________ . . .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1336]
—6.4
+ 6 .9
+ 6 .6
+ 7 .6
- 4 .3
- 1 .6
+ .7
- 3 .8
+1. 5
+• 4
+ 9 .6
- 2 .3
-.3
+ 2 .7
+ 1.3
+3. 7
- 7 .2
+ 3 .0
+ 4 .9
' -.3
- 4 .7
+12. 7
- 3 .0
+L7
+ 3 .6
+ .2
- .3
- 6 .2
+ 4 .3
+ 1 .0
- 1 .9
- 2 .5
+ .3
-.7
+ .3
+ .5
- 1 .4
*4“3. (5
-1 4 .7
-1 9 .9
+ 8 .8
- 7 .8
-4 3 . 6
-1 4 .5
- 2 .5
+9. 5
- 1 .4
+ .7
+ .5
+ 5 .4
P a y roll
+ 5 .6
-.8
+18.1
-1 5 .2
- 1 .4
+ 2 .3
+ 1 .2
+ 2 .7
- 4 .2
+ 1 .0
—. 5
+ 1 .3
- 3 .9
+ .4
- 3 .4
+13.1
- 3 .8
- 2 .6
- 5 .5
+12.1
- 6 .1
-. 1
- 3 .5
- 3 .2
-1 3 .4
+ 3 .4
+4. 3
+ 2 .8
+ 2.0
- 1 .0
- 4 .7
- 2 .4
-1 2 .3
+ 9.9
-1 3 .3
-2 6 .3
+ 2.9
-4 1 . 0
-1 3 .3
- 3 .9
- 1 .0
-.7
- 1 .6
+ 2 .6
+11.2
Septem ber, 1925, to Sep
tem ber, 1926
E m ploy
m ent
0. 0
-2 . 4
+ 8 .3
+■ 2
+29.9
—9. 2
.0
—7. 4
- 9 .2
- 6 .2
-.7
-1 7 .5
+12.3
+4. 6
- 2 .3
- 1 .9
+ 1 .0
- 7 .5
- .4
+5. 3
P a y roll
- 2 .3
- 1 .7
+2.1
- 9 .0
+ 6 .0
+15. 2
+ 8 .8
+13.2
+ 1.7
- 3 .4
- 8 .4
-1 0 .9
- 3 .5
-1 0 .1
-4 .2
- 6 .1
-2 .2
- 1 .3
-1 3 .4
-2 1 .9
~}~5. 6
+19. 8
+11.6
+ 6 .2
+• 2
- 5 .9
+19.6
+ 6.3
+51.1
-1 6 .1
1
+ 1 .5
- 6 .5
+ 5.6
- 1 .8
-1 7 .5
+18.0
+ .6
- 3 .6
- 9 .6
+ 4 .7
-.9
- 8 .0
+G.5
+ .1
- 2 .2
+24.6
-1-7.8
+ 3 .9
-. 1
-1 1 .5
+ .7
- 1 .5
-1 3 .7
+ 2 .0
+19.0
+12.1
+14.5
+13.7
- .5
- 2 .3
- .9
- 4 .0
- 3 .1
- 8 .7
' + 1 .2
+3. 1
+ 8.7
-2 6 .7
—31.8
+ 1.3
—21.3
+16.0
+ 4.9
+ 1.5
+ 6.4
-1 6 .5
-8 . 8
+19.9
+ 4 .7
-1 2 .4
.0
+12.0
-1 7 .5
- 3 .2
+24.7
+ 9 .9
+ 1.3
- 8 .4
+ 1 .3
- 3 .8
+19.1
-1 2 .8
+11.3
- 4 .1
- 1 .8
-.4
- 4 .1
+17.0
-3 .6
+ .8
+ 5 .4
-4 .6
-3 .8
+ 3 .8
-1 1 .9
-j~5. 8
-3 .9
+ 1 .2
+ 4 .0
+ 6 .7
-.4
- 2 .1
-.4
- 5 .4
+10.3
-.8
+ 1 .5
- 1.0
+ 2 .9
—1. 5
-4 .8
+ 7 .8
+ 8 .5
+ 5 .0
-6 .0
+ 3 .2
-1 2 .2
+ 4 .9
+ 11.0
+1. 5
+ 5 .2
.0
+ 3 .9
-1 0 .4
-.6
+15.3
-2 .0
-5 .2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
185
E x ten t of U n e m p lo y m e n t in C h ile
CO M M U N IC A TIO N from the American Legation a t Santiago,
Chile, dated September 4, 1926, reported the seriousness of
the unem ploym ent problem in Chile in August, 1926, a t which
time there were 25,000 individuals unemployed, affecting approxi
m ately 70,000 persons. As regards the previous occupation of the
unemployed, 7,500 were nitrate employees, 1,400 miners, 5,000 farm
laborers, 6,600 industrial employees, and 4,000 were in the construc
tion trade.
The Chilean Governm ent is endeavoring to obtain work for these
people, and it is hoped th a t it m ay employ 5,000 on the construction
and repair of roads and 1,000 on canal work.
The M inister of Public Works, however, does not anticipate the
end of the unem ploym ent crisis before M arch or April, 1927.
A
20358°—26t—
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13
[13371
PRICES AND COST OF LIVING
R e ta il P ric e s of F o o d in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s
*HE following tables are compiled from m onthly reports of actual
selling p ric e s1 received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
1
from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the U nited States retail prices of food, October
15, 1925, and Septem ber 15 and October 15, 1926, as well as the
percentage changes in the year and in the m onth. For example,
the retail price per pound of lard was 24.1 cents on October 15, 1925;
22.3 cents on Septem ber 15, 1926; and 21.9 cents on October 15, 1926.
These figures show decreases of 9 per cent in the year and 2 per cent
in the m onth.
^The cost of the various articles of food combined shows a decrease
of 1.0 per cent on October 15, 1926, as compared w ith October 15,
1925, and an increase of 0.9 per cent on October 15, 1926, as com
pared w ith Septem ber 15, 1926.
T able 1.—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OP 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 O R D E C R E A S E O C T O B E R 15, 1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H S E P T E M
B E R 15, 1926, A N D O C T O B E R 15, 1925
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given on whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
U n it
Oct. 15,
1925
Sept. 15,
1926
Oct. 15,
1926
Sirloin s te a k - ...................................... .
R ound s te a k ..___________ __________
R ib ro ast___________________________
C huck ro ast........... ............................. .......
P la te beef................... 1...............................
Pou n d ____
------do______
------do_____
____do_____
........do ---------
Cents
41. 2
35. 4
30.0
22. 0
14. 1
Cents
41.9
36.4
30.6
22. 7
14. 5
Cents
41. 5
36.0
30. 5
22.8
14. 6
P ork chops...................... ..............______
Bacon_____________________________
H a m _______ ______ ________________
L am b, leg of____________ ____ ___ "I"
H ens............................ ................................
___do______
___ do-_- ___
------do______
___do______
___ do_____
39. 1
49.6
54.3
33. 4
36.5
42.5
51.9
60.4
39. 1
37.8
Salmon, canned, re d ________ ____ ___
M ilk, fresh_____ ______ __ ______ ___
M ilk, e v ap o rated ................ .................... .
B u tte r_____________________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r su b stitu tes).
---- do______
Q u a rt______
15-16 oz.can.
P o u n d _____
---- do............
35. 5
14. 3
11. 5
59.4
30.9
37. 2
14.0
11.5
52.5
30. 2
Cheese.........................................................
L a rd ______________________ ________
V egetable lard su b stitu te ____________
Eggs, strictly fresh........ ............. .............
Eggs, storage................................................
---- do______
---- do______
---- do______
D ozen_____
---- do______
37. 2
24. 1
25. 9
60. 3
46.0
36. 1
22.3
25. 9
51. 5
P er cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) , Oct. 15,
1926, compared
w ith—■
Oct. 15,
1925
+ 1
+2
Sept. 15,
1926
+4
+4
-1
-1
-0 . 3
+ 0 .4
+ 1
42. 6
51. 7
59.8
38.3
37.6
+9
+4
+10
- 0 .3
+3
+0. 2
- 0 .4
-1
-2
-1
35.6
14.0
11.4
54.3
30. 2
+ 0 .3
-2
-1
-9
-2
-4
0
-1
+3
0
36. 7
-1
+2
21.9
-9
—2
25. 7
-1
-I
58. 1.
-4
+ 13
45.9
-0 . 2
1In addition to retail prices of food an d coal, th e b ureau publishes the prices of gas and electricity from
each of 51 cities for th e dates for w hich these d ata are secured.
188
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1338]
187
BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
1 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R
C E N T OF IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E O C T O B E R 15, 1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H S E P T E M
B E R 15, 1926, A N D O C T O B E R 15, 1925—C ontinued
T able
Average retail price on—
Article
U nit
Oct. 15,
1925
Sept. 15,
1926
Oct. 15,
1926
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) , Oct. 15,
1926, com pared
w ith—
Oct. 15,
1925
Sept. 15,
1926
B r e a d ______ _____________________
F lo u r....................................................... ___
C orn meal _ __ _ ________________
Rolled oats- -- ____________________
C orn flakes..................................................
P o u n d ........ .
____do............
........do______
____do______
8-oz. pkg___
9.4
5.9
5. 3
9.2
11.0
9.4
5.8
5. 1
9. 1
10.9
9.4
5.7
5.1
9. 1
10.9
0
-3
-4
-1
-1
0
-2
0
0
0
W heat cereal.................................... ...........
M acaro n i__________________________
R ice_______________________________
Beans, n a v y . ___ _____ ____________
P o ta to e s .. ________________________
28-oz. p k g ...
P o u n d _____
____do_........ .
........do______
____do___
25.1
20. 5
11.3
10.0
3.7
25.4
20. 2
11.7
9. 1
3.9
25.4
20. 2
11.6
9. 1
3.8
' +1
-1
+3
-9
+3
0
0
-1
0
-3
Onions
____________________
Cabbage _. ______________________
Beans, b a k e d .______ _______ ________
Corn, can n ed _______________________
Peas, canned_______________________
____do............
____do______
No. 2 can __
____do______
____do_____
5.8
4. 2
12.3
17.4
18. 2
5.3
4.2
11.7
16. 4
17.4
5.0
4.0
11. 7
16.3
17.4
-1 4
-5
-5
-6
-4
-6
-5
0
-1
0
Tom atoes, canned__________________
Sugar, g ran u lated ___________________
T e a _______________________________
Coffee_____________________________
____do............
P o u n d _____
____do______
____do_____
13. 1
6.8
75.8
51. 1
11.8
7.0
77.0
51.0
12.1
7.2
77.3
50.9
P ru n es_____________________________
R a is in s .___
____________________
B ananas___________________________
Oranges__
___do__ _
____ do______
D ozen...........
___do______
17. 2
14. 3
35. 1
04.6
17. 1
14.8
34.4
50. 7
16. 9
14. 8
34.9
56.0
-8
+6
+2
- 0 .4
+3
+3
+ 0 .4
-0 .2
-2
-1
0
+ 1
+ 1 .0
-1
-1 3
-1 .0
W eighted food index
+ 0 .9
Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of speci
fied food articles on October 15, 1913, and on October 15 of each year
from 1920 to 1926, together w ith percentage changes in October of
each of these specified years, compared w ith October, 1913. F or ex
ample, the retail price per pound of pork chops was 22.6 cents in
October, 1913; 49.9 cents in October, 1920; 36.0 cents in October,
1921; 36.6 cents in October, 1922; 34.2 cents in October, 1923; 37.5
cents in October, 1924; 39.1 cents in October, 1925; and 42.6 cents
in October, 1926.
As compared w ith October, 1913, these prices show increases of
121 per cent in October, 1920; 59 per cent in October, 1921; 62 per
cent in October, 1922; 51 per cent in October, 1923; 66 per cent in
October, 1924; 73 per cent in October, 1925; and 88 per cent in
October, 1926.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 54.1 per cent in October, 1926, as compared w ith October, 1913.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 339]
188
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 2 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E O C T O B E R 15 OF C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M
P A R E D W IT H O C T O B E R 15, 1926
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on Oct. 15
Article
U n it
Per cent of increase Oct. 15 of each
specified year compared w ith Oct.
15, 1913
1913 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926
C ts
C ts .
C ts
C ts. C ts. C ts. C ts . C ts .
P o u n d ..
___do___
_-_do___
-__do___
- .- d o ___
25. 7
23.1
20. C
16.4
12.3
44.5 37.4 38. 3 40. 1 39. 6 41.2
41.9 32.9|33.1 34. 4^33. 7 35.4
33.3:27. 6128.0 28. 9:28. 6 30.0
25.9jl9. £ 19.9 20. 820. 7 22.0
17.8 13.2 12.8 13.1 13.1 14.1
41.5
36.0
30.5
22.8
14. 6
73
81
67
58
45
46
42
38
21
7
49
43
40
21
4
56
49
45
27
7
54
46
43
26
7
60
53
50
34
15
61
56
53
39
19
Pork chops________ ___do___
B acon--- _-------------- ___do___
H am ______________ _-_do___
Lam b, leg of.
. _ __ do __
H ens ____________ __ d o __
22.6
27.8
27.6
18 4
21.2
49. 9 36. 0 36.6 34. 2 37. 5 39. 1 42.6
54.6 41.2 40.8 39. 3 40. 1 49.6 51. 7
59.8 48.3 47.6 46. 4Î47.1 54.3 59.8
37. 9 30 0 2.5 9 36 5 35 9 38 4 38 3
43. 9 27 2 34 8 24 8i35 1 36 5 37 6
121
96
117
.59
48
75
63
75
62
47
72
51
41
68
98
64
66
44 Î
71
73
78
97
88
86
17
66
72
77
Sirloin steak..............
R ound steak ...........
R ib ro ast.................
Chuck ro a s t.............
Plate beef...................
Salmon, canned, red.
M ilk, fresh.. . . . . . .
M ilk, evaporated__
B u tte r____________
Oleomargarine (all
b u tte r substitute).
-__do___
139.0 34.9 31. 6 31.4 31.5 35.5 35.6
Q u a rt.. . 9.0 17.3 14. 213.3 14.113. 9 14.3 14.0
(2) _____
15.3 13.411. 2 12.211.0 11.5 11.4
P o u n d . . 38.2 68.9 53. 2150.8 56. 2'47. 9 59.4 54.3
. . . d o ___
38.3 29.2 27. 4 28. 7 30.0 30.9 30.2
Cheese____________
L a rd __. . . .
...
Vegetable lard substitute.
Eggs, strictly fresh ..
Eggs, s to ra g e .........
B read_____________
F lour_____________
Corn m e a l .. .......... .
Rolled o a ts ..
___
C orn flakes________
P o u n d . . 5.6 11.8 9. 5
-- -d o ___ 3.3 7.8 5.4
-- -d o ___ 3.1 6.5 4.3
_ _do __ _
11. 6 9. 8
(3)______
14. 4 12. 0
W heat cereal____ __
M acaroni . ----R ic e .. _________
Beans, n a v y . _____
Potatoes. _________
(<)_____
Pound __
__ do
8. 7
_ _do___
- do 1. 8
30. 4 29.7 25. 6 24.4 24. 4 25.1 25. 4
22. 0 20. 5 19. 9 19. 7 19. 5 20. 5 20. 2
16. 1 9 3 9 6 9 6 10 4 11. 3 11. 6
10.9 8. 2 10.1 10. 6 10.1 10.0 9.1
2 . 2 2 9 2 4 3. 7 3. 8
3 4 3
O nions____________
C abbage___ ______
Beans, baked ____
Corn, canned ____
Peas, canned______
_.._do_
___do_- _
(»)______
(«}______
« ______
4. 7 6. 5 4.4 6. 3 5.2 5. 8 5.0
3. 6 4. 8 3.5 4. 2 3.9 4. 2 4.0
16. 7 14.0 13. 2 12. 9 12. 6 12.3 h . 7
18. 5 16.1 15. 3 15.5 16.3 17.4 16.3
19. 2 17. 9 17.4 17. 6 18. 2 18.2 17.4
64
92
58
48
57
54
59
56
80
39
33
47
25
55
42
---d o ___ 22.4 40.6 32.9 34.1 38.5 34.8 37.2 36.7
__ d o ___ 16.0 29 2
17 5 18 6 21 4 24 1 21 9
__ d o ___
32.1 21. 5 23Ü2 23! 5 2515 25.9 25. 7
81
83
47
52
72
16
55
34
66
51
64
37
D o zen... 41.6 80.8 58.9 54.3 54.6 59.7 60.3 58.1
-__do_ 64. 2 44.1 -39.1 41. 7 44.1 46. 0 45.9
94
42
31
31
44
45
40
111
136
110
70
64
39
55
45
26
55
39
39
57
61
61
68
79
71
68
73
65
30
33
a?
4.8
3.9
8. 7
9. 7
8.7 8.8 9.4 9.4
4. 6 5.3 5.9 5. 7
4.3 5.0 5.3 5.1
8. 8 8. 9 9. 2 9.1
9. 7 10. 5 11. 0 10. 9
Tom atoes, can n e d ... («)_____
14. 5 12. 9 12. 7 12. 9 13. 5 13.1 12.1
Sugar, g ran u lated__ P o u n d .. 5.5 13.9 6.9 7.9 10.6 8.8 6.8 7.2
T ea. .
_______ _ __do
54. 5 72 4 69 1 68 2 70 0 71 8 75 8 77 3
Coffee......................... __ d o ___ 29. 7 43. 4 35 6 36 3 37. 8 46 1 51.1 50. 9
P runes_____ ____ _
R aisins....... ................
B ananas__________
O ranges.................. .
107
___do___
_ _do___
Dozen.
--_do___
27.9
31.4
47.2
71.3
85
7
10
10
20
89
94
22
61
33
153
33
46
25
27
20
44
25
22
93
28
27
60
32
55
106 111
24
39
72
31
71
19.1 20. 6 18. 3 17. 3 17. 2 16. 9
27.3 20. 7 10. 8 15. 0 14. 3 14. 8
38. 5 35. 6 38. 3 36.1 35.1 34.9
56. 6 61.1 51.1 50.6 64. 6 56.0
W eighted food in d e x 6
91.0 46.9 37.2 44.2 43.2 55.5 54.1
!B oth p in k and red.
215-16 ounce can.
38-ounce package.
428-ounce package.
sN o. 2 can.
6 B eginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, index num bers showing th e tren d in the retail cost of food have been
composed of th e articles shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted according to the consum ption of the average
family. From Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, th e index num bers included the following articles: Sir
loin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham , lard, hens, flour, corn
meal, eggs, b u tter, m ilk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1340]
189
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
Table 3 shows the changes in the retail prices of each of 22 articles
of food for which this inform ation has been secured since 1913, as
well as the changes in the am ounts of these articles th a t could be pur
chased for $1 in specified years, 1913 to 1925, and in Septem ber and
October, 1926.
3 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O F FO O D A N D
A M O U N T P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1, IN S P E C IF I E D Y E A R S , 1913 T O 1925, A N D IN S E P
T E M B E R A N D O C T O B E R , 1926
T able
Sirloin steak
Y ear
1913____ ____ 1920__________
1921.......... ...........
1922__________
1923 ...................
1924................... .
1925.....................
1926:
S eptem ber.
O ctober___
Cents
per lb.
25.4
43. 7
38.8
37.4
3Ö. 1
39. 6
40.6
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
22.3
3.9
2.3
39. 5
2. 6
34.4
2.7
32.3
33. 5
2.6
33.8
2.5
2.5
34.7
2.4
2.4
41.9
41.5
Cents
per lb.
27. 0
52.3
42. 7
39.8
39.1
37.7
46.7
Cents
per lb.
15.8
29. 5
18.0
17.0
17. 7
19.0
23.3
1.9
1.9
2.7
2.8
C huck roast
4.5
4. 6
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3.7
21.3
44. 7
1.8
39. 7
2.0
36.0
2.0
2.2
35.0
2.2
35.3
1.9
36.6
60.4
59.8
1.7
1.7
Plate beef
1.9
1.7
Sugar
P ork chops
7 3
34 5
10 1
37 0
9 2
3.6
27.8
7.2
3. 9
3.8
25.6
26.3
7.0
7.2
14.3
13.9
1Q?Ji
1926:
Septem ber _
O ctober___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
58 8
15 9
10.6
10.6
5.8
5.7
7.1
7.1
77.0
77.3
[1341]
1.3
1.3
61.0
50.9
42.5
42.6
2.4
2.3
6.9
6.8
Cheese
52.5
54.3
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
2. 6
22.1
1.4
41.6
1.9
34.0
32. 9
2.1
36.9
1.8
1.9
35. 3
36. 7
1.8
Lbs.
4. 5
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
2.8
2.7
36.1
36.7
2.8
2.7
1.9
1.8
Corn meal
Rice
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3. 0
30.3
6.5
12.3
17.2
4.5
3.9
19.6
4.1
21.3
4.7
20.4
5.4
16.4
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
8.7
33.3
15. 4
17.4
22. 2
9.5
25. 6
9.5
24.4
9.5
10.1
21.3
11.1
18.5
17.2
17.5
19.6
19.6
Coflee
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
29. 8
1. 8
1.4
47.0
1.4
36. 3
1. 5
36.1
37 7
1 4
1.4
43.3
61. 5
1.3
Lbs.
4.8
2.4
2.9
3.0
3.3
3.2
2.7
14.5
14.6
Cents
Qts. per lb.
38.3
11. 2
6.0
70.1
51.7
6. 8
47. 9
7.0
55.4
7.2
7.2
51.7
7.1
54.8
14.0
14.0
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3.3
17.9
8.7
8.1
5.8
10. 1
5.1
11. 5
4.7
11.5
11.4
4.9
6.1
10.6
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
21.0
8.3
42.3
5. 5
34.9
7.0
7. 8
33.0
30.4
7.8
30.8
7.6
7.2
36.6
B u tte r
Flour
Tea
35 7
9! 7
Cents
per lb.
5 5
19 4
32 3
8 0
Lbs.
2.6
2.7
9.4
9.4
4.4
4.4
22.7
22.8
Cents
Lbs. per at.
4. 7
8. 9
2. 2
16.7
14. 6
2.5
13. 1
2.8
2.9
13. 8
2.8
13.8
2.7
14.0
B read
51.5
58.1
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
12.1
6.3
3.8
18.3
4.7
14.3
12. 8
5.1
12.9
5.0
4.8
13. 2
4.6
13.8
M ilk
37.8
37.6
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
18. 2
54. 4
5. 2
73. 3
12 5
69 7
13. 7
68 1
9 Q
fi9 5
10. 9
71 5
13. 9
75. 5
Cents
per lb.
1 7
fi .8
a 1
9 8
? 9
3.3
3.3
30.6
30.5
Cents
Cents
Lbs. perdoz. Dozs. per lb.
34. 5
2.9
5.6
6.3
11.5
3.4
68.1
1.5
9.9
50.9
2.0
5.6
8.7
44.4
2.3
5.9
46.5
2.2
8.7
5. 6
8.8
5.3
47.8
2.1
52.1
1.9
9.4
4.3
22.3
21. 9
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
5.1
16.0
26.2
3.0
3.4
21. 2
3. 6
19.7
3. 5
20. 2
3.5
20. 8
3.4
21.6
H ens
Eggs
Potatoes
1Q13
36.4
36.0
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3.7
26.9
55. 5
3. 9
48. 8
2.3
48. 8
2.5
45. 5
2.6
45.3
2.7
2.1
52.6
51.9
51.7
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
19.8
4.5
33.2
2.5
29.1
2.9
3.1
27. 6
28.4
3.0
28. 8
3.0
2.9
29.6
H am
L ard
3913.....................
1920.....................
1921____ ______
1922...................
1923__________
1924....................
1925....................
1926:
S ep tem b er.
O ctober___
R ib roast
AverAverAverAverAverAverA m t.
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
A m t.
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
age
age
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
Bacon
1913...................
1920........ .............
1921........ .............
1922...................
1923__________
1924__________
1925.....................
1926:
S ep tem b er.
O ctober___
R ound steak
Lbs.
3.4
2.1
2. 8
2.8
2.7
2.3
1.9
2.0
2.0
5.1
6.1
11.7
11.6
Lbs.
11.5
5.7
10.5
10.5
10.5
9.9
9.0
8. 5
8.6
190
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States
JN TABLE 4 index num bers are given which show the changes in
1 the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, from 1907
to 1925,2 and by m onths for 1925, and for January, through August,
1926. These index num bers, or relative prices, are based on the
year 1913 as 100 and are com puted by dividing the average price
of each comm odity for each m onth and each year by the average
price of th a t comm odity for 1913. These figures m ust be used with
caution. For example, the relative price of rib roast for the year
1923 was 143.4, which m eans th a t the average money price for the
year 1923 was 43.4 per cent higher than the average money price
for the year 1913. The relative price of rib roast for the year 1922
was 139.4, which figures show an increase of 4 points, b u t an increase
of slightly less th an 3 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index num bers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index num bers have been com puted 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 M arch,
1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January, 1921, the num ber
of food, articles has varied, these index num bers have been so com
puted as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index
num bers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 158.5
for Septem ber and 160.0 for October, 1926.
The curve shown in the chart on page 192 pictures more readily
to the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the
index num bers given in the table. The chart has been drawn on the
logarithm ic scale, because the percentages of increase or decrease
are more accurately shown than on the arithm etic scale.
2For index numbers of each month, January, 1913, to December, 1920, see February, 1921, issue, pp.
19-21; for each month of 1921 and 1922 see February, 1923, issue, p. 69; and for each month of 1923 and 1924
see February, 1925, issue, p. 21.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1342]
T able 4 .—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 T H E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F F O O b IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , B Y
Y E A R S, 1907 TO 1925, A N D BY M O N T H S F O R 1925 A N D JA N U A R Y T H R O U G H O C T O B E R , 1926
. [Average for year 1913=100.0]
Y ear and m o n th
71.5
73.3
76.6
80.3
80.6
91.0
100.0
102.0
101.1
107.5
124.0
153.2
164.2
172.1
152.8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
152.4
151.6
155.9
159.1
160.6
161.4
166.1
165.4
163.8
162.2
158.7
158.7
160.6
159.8
160.2
161.8
163.4
165.4
165.4
164.6
165.0
163.4
68.0
71.2
73.5
77.9
78.7
89.3
100.0
105.8
103.0
109. 7
129.8
165.5
174. 4
177.1
154.3
144. 8
150.2
151.6
155.6
147. 1
146.6
150.7
155.2
157.0
157.8
163.7
162.3
159.6
158.7
154.3
154.3
157. C
156.1
156.5
157.8
160.5
162.3
162.8
162.3
163. 2
161.4
76.1
78.1
81.3
84.6
84.8
93.6
100.0
103.0
101.4
107.4
125.5
155.1
164.1
167. 7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145.5
149.5
143.9
143.4
147. C
150.0
150.5
150.5
153.5
153.0
152. C
151.5
149. C
149.5
151. 5
148.0
151.0
152.5
153.5
154. 5
155.1
153.5
154.5
154.0
100.0
104.4
100.6
106.9
130.6
166.3
168.8
163.8
132. 5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0
128.1
127.5
131.3
135.0
138.1
136.3
140.0
138.1
137.5
137.5
135.0
135.6
138.1
138.1
138.1
339.4
140.6
141.9
141.9
140. 6
141. 9
142.5
100.0
104.1
100.0
106.0
129. 8
170.2
166.9
151. 2
118.2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114.1
109.9
109.1
111.6
114.1
115.7
114.0
115.7
114.9
114.9
116.5
116.5
116.5
119.8
120.7
120. 7
121.5
120.7
120.7
119.8
118.2
119. 8
120.7
74.3
76.1
82.7
91.6
85.1
91.2
100.0
104.6
96.4
108.3
151. 7
185. 7
201.4
201.4
166.2
157.1
144. 8
146.7
174. 3
146.2
144.3
178.1
175. 2
171.4
172.4
186.7
190.5
192.4
186.2
178. 6
170.0
173.8
172.9
177.1
182.4
191. 9
200.0
198. 6
192.9
202.4
202.9
74.4
76.9
82.9
94.5
91.3
90.5
100.0
101.8
99.8
106.4
151.9
195.9
205.2
193. 7
158.2
147.4
144.8
139.6
173.0
149.3
150.4
164.4
172.6
171.9
174.1
180.4
182. 6
183.0
183. 7
182.2
180.0
178.5
181.1
179.3
179.6
182.6
190.7
193.7
192.6
192.2
191.5
75.7
77.6
82.0
91.4
89.3
90.6
100.0
101.7
97.2
109.2
142.2
178.1
198.5
206.3
181. 4
181. 4
169.1
168.4
195.5
177.0
178.8
190.3
198.9
197.0
197.0
202.2
204.1
204.1
201.9
198.9
197.4
198.1
199.3
200.7
202.6
207. 8
221.9
226.4
225.7
224.5
222.3
81.4
83.0
88. 5
93.6
91.0
93.5
100.0
102. 2
97.5
110.7
134. 5
177.0
193.0
209.9
186.4
169.0
164.3
165.7
171.8
168.1
169.5
173.2
177.9
177.9
173.2
171.8
170.0
171.8
171.4
168.1
171.4
181. 2
182.6
185.0
190.1
192.5
188.7
184.0
177.9
177.5
176.5
1 30 articles in 1907; 15 articles in 1908-1912; 22 articles 1913-1920; 43 articles 1921-1926.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87.2 85.3
89.6 85.5
91.3 90.1
94.6 93.8
95.5 87.9
97.4 97.7
100.0 100.0
100.5 94.4
99.2 93.4
102.2 103.0
125.4 127.2
156.2 150.7
174. 2 177.0
187. 6 183.0
164.0 135.0
147.2 125.1
155.1 144.7
155.1 135.0
157.3 143.1
156.2 136. 6
156.2 132.1
155.1 144.9
155.1 139.2
153.9 135.5
153.9 137. 6
155.1 138.9
156.2 141.3
159.6 -145.7
160.7 155.1
160.7 155.9
160.7 153.0
159.6 144.6
159.6 142.3
157.3 139. 9
156.2 132. 9
156. 2 130.5
155.1 131.3
155.1 130.8
156.2 132.1
157.3 137.1
157.3 141.8
100.0
103. 6
105.0
116.7
150.4
162.4
192.8
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166.1
162.4
164.7
165.2
165.2
164.3
165.2
165.6
166.5
167.4
168.3
169.2
169.7
170.1
169.7
168. 3
165.2
162.9
161. 5
161.1
161.5
163.3
166.1
80.7
80. 5
90.1
103. 8
88.4
93.5
100. 0
68. 6
03.4
111.0
174.9
210.8
233.5
186.7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
144.3
144.3
146. 2
146.8
143.0
144.9
148.7
153.8
151. 9
152. 5
147. 5
143.0
141.1
140. 5
138.6
136.1
136.1
143.0
144.9
143. 7
141.1
138.6
84.1
86.1
92. 6
97. 7
93.5
98.9
100.0
102.3
98.7
108.8
139.4
164.9
182.0
197.4
147.5
128.7
134.8
138.6
151.0
204.4
154.8
! 13. 3
110.4
113.9
122.6
133.9
141. 7
150.4
174.8
201.2
191.9
156.2
127.0
111.6
111.9
112.8
118.0
122. C
130.1
149.3
168.4
100.0
112.5
125.0
130. 4
164.3
175.0
178.6
205.4
176.8
155.4
155.4
157.1
167.9
164.3
169.6
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167. 9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
167.9
137.9
167.9
167.9
167. 9
167.9
167. 9
167.9
95. 0
101. 5
109.4
108.2
101.6
105. 2
100.0
103. 9
125.8
134.6
211.2
203.0
218.2
245.5
175.8
154.5
142.4
148.5
184.8
181.8
193.9
193.9
184.8
184.8
184.8
184.8
184. 8
184.8
178.8
181.8
184.8
187.9
190.9
187. 9
184.8
184.8
184.8
181.8
181.8
175.8
172.7
87.6
92. 2
93.9
94. 9
94.3
101.6
100.0
105.1
108.4
112. 6
192. 2
226. 7
213.3
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
180.0
183.3
183.3
183.3
180.0
180.0
180.0
180.0
180.0
176. 7
176.7
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
170. 0
170.0
170.0
170. 0
170. 0
170.0
170.0
ÌÓÒ. Ó
101.2
104.3
104.6
119.0
148.3
173.6
200.0
109. 2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
123.0
124.1
125.3
126. 4
126.4
126.4
128.7
129. 9
129.9
129.9
131.0
131.0
133.3
133.3
134.5
134.5
134.5
134. 5
134.5
133.3
134. 5
133.3
105.3
111. 2
112.3
101.0
130. 5
132.1
100.0
108.3
88.9
158. 8
252. 7
188.2
223.5
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
147.1
152.9
147.1
141.2
158.8
205.9
258.8
258.8
211.8
217.6
305.9
305.9
341.2
335. 3
329.4
394.1
352. 9
294.1
241.2
211.8
229.4
223.5
105.3
107.7
106. 6
109.3
111.4
115.1
100. 0
108.2
120.1
146. 4
169.3
176.4
205. 5
352.7
145. 5
132. 7
183.6
167.3
130.9
147. 3
140.0
140.0
136.4
130.9
130. 9
129.1
127.3
127.3
123.6
120.0
121.8
121.8
121.8
121.8
120.0
121.8
125. 5
125. 5
127.3
127. 3
130.9
100.0
100.4
100.2
100.4
106.9
119.1
128.9
134.7
128.1
125.2
127. 8
131.4
138.8
136.4
137. 5
138.1
138. 8
139.0
139.3
139.3
139.5
139.3
139. 3
139.2
139.3
139.9
139.9
139.9
140.3
140.4
141.4
141. 5
141.7
141.5
142.1
Cof- aAll
rti
lee cles
1
100.0
99.7
100.6
100.3
101.4
102.4
145.3
157.7
121.8
121. 1
126.5
145. 3
172.8
173.2
174.8
175.5
174 8
175.2
170.5
170.5
170.8
171.4
171.5
171.8
172.1
172.1
172.1
172.1
171.5
171.1
171.1
171.5
171.1
171.1
170.8
82.0
84. 3
88. 7
93.0
92. 0
97.6
100.0
102.4
101.3
113.7
146.4
168.3
185.9
203.4
153.3
141.6
148.2
145.9
157.4
154.3
151.4
151 1
150. 8
151.6
155.0
159.9
160.4
159.0
161.6
167.1
165.5
164.3
161.5
159.9
162.4
161.1
159.7
157.0
155. 7
158.5
160.0
W
M
H
>
P
PRICES OP POOD
[1343]
1907___________________
1908
______________
1909___________________
1910___________________
1911
_______ ________
1912.....................................
1913________________ _
1914___________________
1915______ _____ _______
1916.............. ........................
1917____ ______________
1918_______ ____________
1919___________________
1920___________________
1921____ ______________
1922____ __________ ____
1923___________________
1924______ ________ ____
1 9 2 5 ...____ ___________
1925: J a n u a ry __________
F e b ru a ry ________
M arch ___________
A p ril.
________
M a y ____ _________
Ju n e _____________
J u ly _____________
A u g u st.___ ______
S eptem ber_______
October__________
N o v em b er...... .........
D ecem ber________
1926: Ja n u a ry __________
F e b ru a ry . ______
M arch __ _ ______
A pril_______ _____
M ay _____________
Ju n e _____________
J u ly _____________
A u g u st.
Septem ber . ____
O ctober__________
Sirloin R ound R ib Chuck Plate Pork B a H am Hens M ilk B u t Cheese L ard Eggs B read F lo u r Corn
P o ta
steak steak roast roast beef chops con
meal Rice toes Sugar T ea
ter
CO
H-1
T rend
op
R e t a il P r ic e s
of
F o od
in
the
U n it e d S t a t e s , J a n u a r y ,
1917,
to
O ctober,
1926
O
to
400
375
350
325
300
ALL ARTICLES OT FOODCONBitlED
(AVERAGE PR'iCE FOR 1913 = 1 0 0 .)
275
250
225
200
175
125
[1344]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100
75
50
40
a S3
19 20
MONTHLY LAB OB REVIEW
150
194
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
Retail Prices of Food in 51
A V ERA G E retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 40 cities
15, 1926. For 11 other cities prices are shown for the same
scheduled by the bureau until after 1913.
T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L
[E xact comparisons of prices in different cities can n o t be m ade for some articles,
A tlan ta, Ga.
A rticle
Sirloin steak ..............
R oun d steak _______
R ib ro ast__________
C huck ro ast...............
P la te beef___________
P ork chops__________
Bacon, sliced________
H am , sliced________ .
U n it
Oct. 15—
Oct. 15—
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 I 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
24.2
21.3
19
15.4
38.3
34.
28.2
21.3
41.0
37.1
33
24.3
41. 5
37.6
33.3
25.2
23. 5 39.8
22.0 35.6
17.3 30.0
15.3 21.5
.d o _____
.d o _____
.d o _____
.d o _____
9.6
25.0
32.2
30.8
12.5
37.0
47.6
55.7
13.5
38.6
49.6
61.8
13
39.2
50.0
60.
12.6 14.6 15.1 15.2
19.6 40.1 43.3 39.9
22.5 47.1 47.0 46.
28.5 56.9 61.8 60.9
M ilk, e v ap o rated _______
B u tte r_________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
substitutes).
Cheese_______ ____ _____
L a rd ___________________
Vegetable la rd su b stitu te.
Eggs, strictly fre s h ............
. .. d o ____
. .. d o ____
.d o ....
D ozen.
Eggs, storage____
B read__________
El ou r................... .
Corn m eal_____ _
.d o .
Pound.
... d o .. ..
..d o __
R olled o a ts...
Corn flakes. .
W heat cereal.
M acaroni___
...d o ___
8-oz. pkg._
28-oz. pkg
P o u n d ...
B irm ingham , Ala.
Oct. 15—
P o u n d ___
...d o _____
...d o _____
...d o _____
L am b, leg of........................ ...d o ..
H ens__________________ ...d o ..
Salmon, canned, re d _____ . ..d o ...
M ilk, fresh........................
Q u a rt.
R ice________
Beans, n a v y .
P otatoes____
O n io n s..........
B altim ore, M d.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
40. 2 38. f 28. 5
36.7 36.1 23.0
30.2 29.9 20.5
22.1 22.0 16.5
C ts .
C ts .
40.7
35. 5
28.3
22,
40.7
35.8
27.
23.3
10.
13. 13.9 14.
24.6 37.0 39.4 40.3
35.0 48.7 50.6 50.4
32.0 54.2 60.0 59.3
20.2 36.4 37.9 38.6 18.0 39.6 40.
20.8 33.0 36.7 38. 5 20. 8 37.8 39.
38.4 21.
38.3 20.0
34.8 36.0 34.2
13.0 13.0 14.0 10.0
34.9 35.1 33.6
10.6 19.3 18.8 19.0
C ts .
39.6
34.
28.2
22.5
37.
35.6
35.9
19.0
38.5
36.8
40.7
15.0
37.9
37.6
36.4
18.0
15-16 oz. can
13.6 13.8 13.4
11.3 11.2 11.2
12.6 12.6 12.6
P o u n d .. . 39.0 60.3 56.1 56.5 38.8 63.1 56.3 57.9 40.0 61.6 56.4 57.0
32.0 32.0 32.6
. .. d o ____
29.8 30.1 30.1
36.2 36.4 36.3
-do.
-do.
_do.
.d o .
C abbage____
Beans, b a k ed .
Corn, can n ed .
Peas, canned..
..d o _____
No. 2 can..
. .d o ...........
..d o ...........
Tom atoes, canned........... .
Sugar, gran u lated_______
T ea___________________
Coffee........... .......................
..d o _____
P o u n d ___
..d o ....... .
..d o _____
P ru n e s ...
R aisins...
B anan as.
Oranges. .
. .d o . ..
..d o ....
D ozen.
..d o __
25.0 35.2 34.
15.4 23. 22.6
24.7 24.0
34.1 48.8 46.3
35.5 23. 3
21.7 14.
24.3
51.5 36.3
36.4
23.8
24.
56.5
5. 10.4 10.7 10.7 5.
3.5 6.9 6.6 6.6 3.2
2.7 4.5 4.3 4.3 2 .
43.1
9.4
5.5
4.3
9.8
5. 5
3.8
43.3
9.8
5.3
3.
8.7
8.4
8.3
9.7 9.7 9.7
11.5 11.5 11.5
25.6 26.4 25.6
21.8 21.7 21.7
8.6
2.3
11.1 12.1 11.
11.8 10. 5 10.2
4.
8.4
5.1
7.8
4.9
8.0
4.
5.9 4.
12.3 11. 11.7
17.8 18.0 17.8
18.6 19.9 20.2
33.6 34.6 23.0
15.2
20.
24.6 24.2
47.3 54.8 35.0
20.
10.2 10.1 10.1
23.7 24.6 24.3
19.6 19.1 18.6
9.0 10.8 10.7 10.7
8.8 7.7 7.9
3.5 4.1 4.1
6.0 5.1 4.8
T.
3.9 4.0 4.0
11.3 10.5 10.4
15.9 14. 15.0
16.0 15.3 15.4
37. 35.6 37.1
24.1 23. 0 22. 5
22. 2 22. 0 21.7
52.7 47.1 51.8
49.0
45.0
5.4 10.2 10.4 10.3
3.6 7.0 6.9 6.8
2.4 4.5 4.2 4.2
9 .7
10.0 10.1
8.2 11.
11.7
"2."2 5.0
11.6 11.5
10.5 10.5
12.0 11.9 12.1
25.6 27.0 20.
19.1 18.9 18.8
5.4
7.6
8.0
5.7
5.4
12.6 11.
5.4
7.7
5.4
12.0
18.6 18. 18.3
22. 21.8 21.6
13.0 11.1 10.
10.6 10.0 10.7
12.6 11.1 11.4
5.8 7.1 7.4 7.4 4.
6.1 6.5 6.5 5.7 7.1 7.5 7.5
60.0 101.1 105.9 104.3 56.0 75.1 74.8 74.2 61.3 92.9 96.0 96.3
32.0 51. 51.6 51.8 24. 48.6 48.0 47.6 28.8 53.9 54.3 54.3
18.2
15.6
28. 2
57.1
19.7
18. 2
25. 5
51.7
17.9
IS. 3
28.2
53.8
15.3 14.2 14.2
13.1 13.4 13. 5
25.3 25.0 26.3
66. 1 51.7 57.
20.3
15.2
37.6
61.8
20.6
16.1
37.1
51.6
19.3
15.7
37.9
52.3
1 T h e 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
[1346]
195
BETAIL PRICES OE E OOP
Cities on Specified Dates
for October 15, 1913 and 1925, and for Septem ber 15 and October
dates with the exception of October, 1913, as these cities were not
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
particularly meats and vegetables, owing to differences in trade practices]
Bridgeport,
Conn.
Boston M ass.
Oct. 15—
1913
1925
B u tte, M ont.
Buffalo, N . Y.
Oct. 15—
Sept. Oct.
Oct. Sept.
Sept.
Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.
1926
1926 1925 1026 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1925
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
1 35. 0 168.7 167.0 165.3
35. 0 55.9 52.9 51.7
25. 6 42.7 39.2 38.9
18.0 29.6 28.2 28. 2
1926
Oct.
C harleston, S. C.
Oct. 15—
Sept. Oct.
1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
50.7
43. 2
38. 5
29.1
Cts.
49.3
42.7
36.9
27.5
Cts.
48.9
42.4
36.7
27.2
Cts.
22.3
19.3
16.5
15.0
Cts.
40. 1
34.0
30. 2
23.1
Cts.
41.7
35.7
30. 4
23.4
Cts.
40.9
34.6
30.6
23.7
Cts.
30.1
26.3
25.1
17.6
Cts.
31.7
27.5
27.2
19.0
Cts.
30.8
27.4
26.7
19. 2
Cts.
21.8
20.4
20.0
15.0
Cts.
32.7
30.5
27.3
19.5
Cts.
33.0
30.5
27.0
18.8
Cts.
33.3
30.0
25. 7
19.1
11.5
21.0
22.3
26.7
13.9
41. 7
46.2
52.6
12.1
26.0
26. 6
28.8
14. 1
37. 3
45.4
51.2
20.1
42.7
48.8
60.0
18.4
45.5
49.9
66.3
18.4
46.7
48.6
65. 6
12.1
41.5
53.2
58.9
11.9
46.7
55.1
66.0
11.7
46.3
55.3
65.4
14.1
45. 6
48. 1
59.3
14.4
45. 2
47.0
59.3
11.5
37.5
57. 1
58.2
12.1
41. 9
59.3
61.7
12.1
42. 2
59. 3
61.3
14.0
37.5
46. 5
55.9
14.0
38.8
45.4
56.8
39.7
41.6
35.4
14.8
41.1
41. 6
35.9
14.9
39.5
41.5
34.9
14.9
39.9
39.9
33. 1
15.0
41.0
40. 1
34.6
16.0
38.5 15.3 34.7 34.6
40.6 21.0 37.1 37.9
37.3 36. 3
34.1
16.0 8.0 13.4 13.0
34.0
38. 3
34.5
13.0
37.4
32.7
30.7
14.3
38.2
34.6
32.5
14.3
37.7 22.5 42.5 42.1
34. 5 21.9 36.2 40.9
35. 6 36. 7
32.5
14.3 12.0 18.0 18.0
41.9
39.4
30.4
18.0
11. 9
38. Ò 59.3
29.8
12. 2
52.5
29.3
11.4 11.2 11. 2
12. 0 11. 5 11.6 11.6
53.7 58.5 52. 2 54. 2 37.1 59.5 52.6 54.9
29.9 29. 4 29.8 30.1 ........ 29.5 28.2 29.3
23.1
15.7
39.3
24.7
53.3
85.7
37.3
22. 2
94 9
71.3
37.6
21.3
94 7
76.7
6.0
3.6
3.5
51.6
9.1
6.5
6.8
9.1
6.3
6.2
9. 4
n. 1
24.9
23.4
24.4
25. 4
31.3
20.5
25. 6
8.9
9.4
1.7
5.4
58.6
33.0
11.8 12.0 11.9
11.0 11.1 10.9
58.3 50.8 50.7 38.2 56.3 49.3 52.3
30.
7 30.8 31.2
32.5 —
—
..........
39.5 21. 5
21.0 14.4
25 7
78.9 36.6
38.4
23.1
26. 4
65. 2
36.5
21.1
26. 3
53.2
37.2
20. 9
26.4
60.5
37.4
26.9
28. 2
63.8
35.7
25.9
29. 8
56.6
50.1
8.8
5.9
8.0
45.1
9.0
5.4
5.7
8.9
5. 3
5.2
43.8
8.9
5.1
5.2
42.0
9.7
5.9
6.2
9.8
5.9
5.8
9.1
10.8
24.5
22.3
8.9 8.6 8.7
9. 3 8. 7 8. 6 8.4
10.4 10. 2 10.2
10. 7 10. 6 10.5 10.4
24. 1 24.6 24.7
24.5 24. 9 24. 7 24.9
22.6 22.9 22.5 22.7 ........ 22.0 21.6 21.4
7.6
12,4
27.5
19.7
7.3
12.2
28.4
18.7
12.3
11. 0
3.8
6.0
12.1
9. 8
3.4
5.8
12.2 11.1 11.7 11.4 9.3 11.0 11.5 11.5
9.8 8.8 8.8
9. 6 10. 9 9. 3 9. 6
3.5 3.7 3.6 3.5 1.7 3.5 3.7 3.5
5.1 6.1 5.9 5.1 ........ 6.8 6.1 5.9
11.9
11. 2
2.4
4.7
12.5
10. 4
2.7
4.3
9.3 9.4 9.5
7.3
12.2 __ 11.7 11.8 11.8
28.4 __ 26.0 26.3 26.2
19.1 ........ 18.8 18.9 18.5
12.3 5.6 8.9 9.5 9.0
10. 8 10.3 9.9
10.4
3.0 2.2 3.7 4.4 4.1
6.1 5.4 5.5
3.8 —
5.0
13.9
20. 0
21.6
5.2
13.0
19. 0
20.4
3.4 3.5 3.2
5.2 5.2 4.2 4.5
10.2 9.8 9.8
13.2 11.9 11.5 11.4
16.9 16.5 16.6
18. 5 19. 6 19. 6 19. 6
19.9 21.2 21.2 21.0 ........ 16.9 16.6 16.5
3.5
15. i
16.3
16.6
4.5
14.5
15.8
14.4
3.8
14.3
16. C
14.0 —
13. 2
6.8
75.5
56.0
11.9
6.8
73.3
55.2
14.4 13.0 13.4
12. 3 13. 6 13. 2 13.8
7.0 6. 4 6. 6 6.8 5.4 6.5 6. 7 6.9
74. 7 61. 1 60.3 59.9 45.0 69. S 68.9 70. 1
55.3 48.4 48.6 48.6 29.3 48.6 49. 1 49. 1
14.0
8.2
81.8
56.4
13.3
8.4
83.3
57.0
10.9 9.9 10.0
13.7
8.4 5.Ö 6.3 6.5 6.8
83.3 50.0 74.9 73.9 74. 9
57.0 26.8 46.2 46.6 47.3
17.0
13 9
41.7
72.9
16.8
13. f
43. 9
54.2
16.1
13. 9
44.4
62.1
38.6
24.0
25. 4
79.9
40.0
22. 1
25 9
69.3
52.4 48.3
9.1 9.0
6. 2 5.8
6.2 7.6
8.8
6.1
8.1
17.7
14. 1
34. 1
69.2
16. 0
14. 5
34.0
58.2
16.1
14. 8
35.0
66.7
5. 6
3.0
2.5
.....
16.4
13. 6
41.4
72.6
16.5
14.4
40. 7
51.7
2 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1347]
35.7 21.0 34.5 33. 2 33.9
25.3 15.3 24.0 23.7 22.1
24. 1 24.3 23.8
29. 3
61.1 35.0 53.3 53.6 56.7
45.0
9.8
5.7
5.9
42.8
43.9
5.9 10.8 iÖ. 2 10. 2
3.8 7.3 6.9 7.0
2.6 4.1 4.0 3.9
16.5 17.5 17.2 19.0
14.3 15. C 15.3 15.2
42.4 2 12.3 2 14.5 2 14.5
56.6 61.5 47.1 48.3 —
4.2 4.8 4.3
10.2 9.7 10.0
17.0 15. ( 14.9
18.5 17.5 16.7
16.5
14.1
40.0
57.5
15.3
14.7
38.6
46.7
15.3
14.8
37.8
44.5
196
MONTHLY 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
Chicago, 111.
Article
U n it
C incinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Oct. 15—
Oct. 15—
Oct 15—
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 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 .
Sirloin steak ....................... P o u n d ___
R ound s te a k ....................... ___do_____
R ib ro a st_________ _____ _
d o _____
C huck r o a s t . . ................. _._do_____
24.8
21.6
20. 1
15.8
45.6
36.1
34. £
24.8
44.8
36.9
35. 7
25.4
45.6
37.6
36. 6
26.0
23.3
21.0
19. 2
16.1
35.9
32.8
28.4
19.8
38.9
35.1
30.8
21.9
37. 7
34.1
30. 8
22.1
25.4
22.9
18. 7
16.9
37. 7
31.8
26.2
21. 1
40.0
34.0
27.9
22.9
39.4
33.4
27.2
22.2
P late beef........ ......................
Pork chops............................
Bacon, sliced........................
H am , sliced........ ..................
___do_____
_--do_____
._ d o _____
. . . d o _____
12.0
21.0
32. 7
32.0
14.3
35. £
52. 7
53.9
15.0
42. £
55.4
57.8
15.0
43. C
56.3
60.1
12.2
23. 7
26.0
30.0
15.1
35.1
43. 7
54.7
15.5
41.9
46.5
60.6
15.4
42. 1
46. 7
60.0
12.2
23.0
28. 1
35.7
13.1
40.2
50. 7
56.3
13.0
45. 1
52. 1
63.0
13.6
43.7
51.7
61.6
L am b, leg of..........................
H ens.............................. .........
Salmon, canned, red ____
M ilk, fresh._____________
_--do_____ 19.8 38.5 40.6
-_-do_____ 18.4 36. tl 37.9
_ do ___
36. 8 37. 7
Q u art........ 8.0 14.0 14.0
37.5 18. 7
37.2 20.9
31.3
14.0 8.0
37.2
37.2
35.6
13.8
37.8
39.4
35. 9
13.7
37.2
37.8
34. 5
14.3
39.7 17.8 35.2 37.8
37.5 22. 7 34. 1 37.2
38. 6
34. 6 37 5
14.0 8.0 12.0 14.0
M ilk, evaporated ............ (2)_______
10. 9 10. 9 11.3
11. 2 11 1 11. 3
10. 9 10 8 10.9
B u tte r____ _____________ P o u n d ___ 35.4 57. 5 50.5 53. 7 37.8 58.0 50.8 53.0 39.2 61.5 55. 5 58.0
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r ___do_____ —
29.5 27.0 27. 5 —
32. 5 32.2 33.0
32.4 30.3 30.2
Cheese...... ..............................
L a rd ___________________
Vegetable lard s u b stitu te . .
Eggs, strictly fresh..............
___do_____
_ _do_____
___do_____
D ozen___
Eggs, s to ra g e................. .
d o _____
B read__________ ____ ___ P o u n d ___
F lo u r. _______________
do ____
C orn m e a l .. .......... ........... ___do_____
25.7 41.9 40.9 42.4 21.0 36.4 36.0
15.0 23.9 21.9 22.2 14.2 22.8 20.8
26. 5 26.3 26.7
25. 7 26. 1
33.3 56.8 50. 5 57.0 32.6 51.7 46.7
6.1
29
2.8
45. 8
9.8
5 4
6.6
9.8
5 4
6.0
36.4 24.0 37.9 36. 2
20.0 16.4 25.1 23. 6
25.9
27.3 27. 6
52.1 42.7 66.7 55.8
36.9
23.2
27.4
64.9
38 6
39 3
47 0
9.8 '4 .8 a 2 9. 2 9.2
5 4 3 3 5 Q
6 0
6.5 2.8 4.5 4.0 3.9
48. 8
45 8
8.1 "7.9 7.9
59
5 8
3.0 5.4 5.4 5.2
5.6
Rolled o a ts_____________
Corn flakes__________
W heat cereal. ......................
M a c a ro n i...........................
_ .do_____
8-oz. pkg._
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
8. 5 8 3 8. 6
10.1 10. 1 10.1
24.4 24.5 25.2
20. 0 19. 0 19.7
8 7 8 fi 8 7
10.2 10. 4 10.4
24.0 24.7 24.4
20 1 18 2 18. 5
0 4
9 5
11.3 1 1 2 11.2
24.9 25.2 25.3
21 4
22. 0
R ice....................... ...............
Beans, n a v y . . .....................
P otato es.......... .....................
Onions...... .............................
_._do_.........
__d o ____
___do_____
__do__.......
9.0 11.4 11.6 12.1
9 6 9. 2 9. 5
1.7 3.5 3.8 3.7
6. 0 5. 0 5. 3
8.8 11.1 11.4 11.4
8 2 7 5 7 8
1.8 3.9 4.3 4.2
6 0 4 7 4. 6
9.0 11.6 11. 8 12.0
8 Q
78
1.9 3I3 4.4 4.1
5 2
4. 9
C ab b a g e ..............................
Beans, baked _________
Corn, canned .....................
Peas, c a n n e d ...................
_ do__
No. 2 can
__d o _____
_ _ _ d o ____
3 8 4 1 4 5
12. 8 12. 6 12. 8
17. 4 16. 5 17.1
17. 6 16. 7 17. 5
Tom atoes, canned_______
Sugar, g ran u lated _______
T e a ................................ .........
C o fle e ...................................
_ _do_____
14. 5 14.0 13. 9
13 2 11 5 11 8
14 3 18 p; 13 8
P o u n d ___ 5.2 6.5 0.7 6.9 5.4 6.9 7.0 7.2 5.5 7.0 7.1 7.3
. . . d o _____ 55.0 74.3 73.2 74.5 60.0 76.7 77.7 78.1 50.0 79.2 79.0 78.6
---d o ........... 30.7 51.3 51.2 50.8 25.6 45.6 46.4 46.1 26.5 53.8 54.7 55.0
P ru n e s.......................... .........
R aisin s. ...............................
B ananas_____________
Oranges................................
_._do_^___
__ do _
Dozen
__do _____
18.3
15. 2
40 8
69.6
18.4
15 4
40 0
53.2
18.8
15 4
40 5
61.3
4 1 4 0 4 1
4 5
12 fi
113 10 7 11. 0 ........ 13 2
15 7 14 8 15 2
18 1
lfi 9
18 0 Ifi 7 17. 5
17* 9 17 8 17. 5
17.5 17.1 17.2
14 2
15 3
37 5
62. 2 47.7 56.4
17.4 17.5 16.7
70.5 53.5 63.6
• 11T1?e ^ ea^ *or which. Prices are here quoted is called “ ru m p ” in th is city, b u t in m ost of the other cities
included in this report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1348]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
198
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OE T H E P R IN C IP A L
H ouston, Tex.
Article
Unit
Indianapolis, In d .
Jacksonville, Fla.
Oct. 15—
Oct. Sept. Oct
15, 15, 15,
1925 1926 1926
Oct. 15—
Sept Oct.
Sept. Oct.
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
30.8
29.6
23.7
19. 2
Cts.
33.8
32.0
27.1
21.0
Cts.
33.8
32. 7
26.8
20. 5
Cts.
26.0
24.7
17.8
16. 3
Cts.
37.9
36. 3
28.3
23.7
Cts.
39. I
38. 2
29.4
24. 7
Cts.
39.3
38. 2
29. 4
24. 7
Cts.
25.5
21.0
21 3
14. 6
Cts.
36 4
30. 0
26 5
19. 4
Cts.
37.3
32.3
29 1
20, 9
Cts.
37 5
32.3
28.6
20. 6
_do.
_do_
_do_
_do.
15.9
39.3
50. 1
52.3
17.3
37. 9
51.8
57.1
17. 3
39.3
52. 1
57. 1
12.9
22. 2
29. 7
31. 2
14. 7
38. 2
46.8
55.9
15. 4
41. Í
49. t
62. 1
15.3
42.9
49.0
61.4
11. 6
24.0
31.0
30.2
12.2
35.7
47.1
53.6
12. 5
39. 4
49. 4
58.0
12. 5
39. 5
50.0
59.5
L am b, leg of_______
H en s______________
Salmon, canned, red.
M ilk, fresh ____ ____
_____ d o -
36.0
35.7
32. 9
17.3
35. 7
40. 5
36.4
15.6
35.0 20. 7 40.0
39. 9 21. 0 35.8
34. 1
32. 1
15.0 8.0 11.8
42.5
39.8
35. 8
12.0
41.7 21.6 36.7 38.8
88.7 23.8 38.5 39.3
35.8
32. 5 38 4
12.0 12. 3 22.0 22.0
39.5
41. 0
38 0
22.3
M ilk, evaporated___________
B u tte r_____________________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
sub stitu tes).
C h eese.____ _______ _______
L a rd ______________________
Vegetable la rd s u b stitu te ___
Eggs, stric tly fresh—............... .
15-16 oz. can. 11. 7 11. 5 11. 5
10. 6 10. 8 10. 8
12. 0 11 9 12 1
P o u n d ____ 58.4 52. 2 54.4 36.8 58.4 50.5 54. 1 39.3 58. 7 54.0
___ do_____ 31. 0 29. 7 29.9
32. 2 30. 5 30. 4
Sirloin steak .
R oun d steakR ib ro a st___
C huck roast _
P la te beef____
Pork chops___
B acon, sliced—
H am , slic e d .. .
Pound _
___ do.
___ do..
___ do_.
___do..
___do..
Q u art. .
___ do_____
___ do_____
___ do_____
D ozen_____
34. 7
24.2
17.8
47.1
31.9
22. 6
21.0
41.8
Eggs, storage_______________ ___ d o ..
B r e a d .......... ................. ............ P o u n d .
F lour______________________ ___ d o Corn m eal_________________ ___ d o ..
40.0
8.9
6.0
4, 9
8.8
5.8
4. 2
Rolled o a ts___
Corn flakes___
W heat cereal. .
M acaroni____
9.2 8.9 8.9
12.0 11.8 11.8
25.4 25. 6 25. 6
19. 2 18.4 18.4
___ do____
8-oz. pkg_.
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
Rice________
Beans, n a v y .
Potatoes____
O nions_____
.d o .
C abbage.—
Beans, baked.
Corn, canned.
Peas, can n ed .
9.7
11. 1
5. 2
6. 0
40.7
8.8
5.7
4.1
5.1
3.2
2.5
__
45.0
8. 1
5.8
4.6
35.9 22.5 34.9
19.8 15.8 24. 1
26.8
24.6
48. 1 40.0 69.3
34. 4
24.0 22.9
25.4 24.4
59.5 71.0
40. 0
8. 1 8. 1
5. 7 5. 6
4.2 4.2
48. 0
49 3
6. 2 11.0 It. 0 11.0
3. 7 6.8 6. 9 6. 9
2.9 4. 2 4.3 4.2
8. 2 8. 1 8.1
10. 2 10. 1 10.1
24.8 25. 1 25.3
20. 6 19. 2 19. 2
9. 5 9 8 9 8
11. 6 11. 2 11. 2
24.8 24. 6 24.9
20. 0 20 0 9.0 9
9.8
9. 2
4.9
5.4
9.2 11. 5 12. 1 12. 1
8.9 7. 7 8.1
1.7 3. 2 4.5 3.8
6. 2 5 1 5 1
----- do___
No. 2 can.
___ do___
----- do___
5.3 4.9 4.8
12. 5 11.1 11.1
17. 5 14.9 14.6
17.3 13.6 14.0
4. 2 4.3 4. 0
11.8 10.6 10.4
16.7 15. 0 14. 4
16. 7 15. 2 14.6
Tom atoes, canned.
Sugar, granulated..
T e a _____________
Coffee.......................
___ do..
Pound.
___ do_.
___ do..
12.0 10.1 11.0
14. 4 11.3 11. 7
11.3 10 4 11 9
6. 6 7.0 7.0 5.7 6.9 7.3 7.4 5.9 7.0 7.3 7.4
74. 2 82.8 82.8 60.0 78.8 86.7 87.8 60.0 95.3 101. 6 100.9
45.4 45.6 45.1 30.0 51.2 51.1 51.1 34.5 51.8 50.3 50.3
Prunes __
Raisins __
B ananas.
Oranges-.
___ do_
___ do.
Dozen.
___ do.
16.7
14.9
31.1
50.7
-Ü 0 -
-do_
9.9
9. 5
4.7
4.9
33.2 21.3 37.4 35.1
22. 3 15.0 23.0 20.1
19.0
26. 9 26. 8
47.4 32. 2 50.2 43.5
16.3
14.7
28.3
39.8
16.8
14.4
29.2
46.0
19. 1
15. 5
29.6
59.1
19. 3
15. 9
31. 4
48.3
19.3
15.9
31.4
52.7
6. 6 10.8 11. 2 10.8
10. 9 10 3 9 9
4.5 5. 1 4.9
8 0 7 4 7 3
2.5
6 6 5 4
11.3 11.4 11.4
19. 4 20. 7 20 0
19. 7 19 6 19 8
38. 4
15. 3
28 0
49.3
18 3 18 7
16 4 16 1
29 2 39 , 0
95.3 43Ì 8
i T h e steak for w hich prices are here quoted is called “ sirlo in ” in th is city, b u t in m ost of the other
cities included m th is report it w ould be know n as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1350]
RETAIL PRICES GE POOD
199
A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
L ittle Rock, A rk.
K ansas C ity, M o.
Los Angeles,, Calif
Louisville, K y.
M anchester, N . H .
Oct. 15—,
Oct 1 5 Oct. 15—
Oct. 15—
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct
Sept. Oct.
15, 15,
15, 15.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926 1926
1925 1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
1913 1925
Oct 1.5—
Cts.
24.9
22.3
18. 0
15.6
Cts.
39.1
32.0
26.3
19.6
Cts.
39.6
34.8
27. 2
20.0
Cts. Cts.
39.2 25.0
34. 1 20.0
27. 2 20.0
20.0 17.5
Cts.
33.3
29.5
26.4
21.0
Cts.
34.2
31.6
27.3
22.2
Cts.
24.0
21.0
19.4
15.8
■Cts.
38. 1
30.2
29. 1
19.3
Cts.
36.8
30.3
29.6
20.3
Cts.
36.3
29.7
29.6
20.2
Cts.
23.0
20.0
18.2
15.9
Cts.
32.5
28.8
24.1
18.5
Cts.
36.4
32.3
26.6
19.4
Cts.
36.3
32.4
26.6
19.8
12.2
23. 1
31.3
29.4
12.6
37.2
52.0
55. 0
13.1
42.8
52.4
60.8
13.0
42.6
52.7
61.2
14.8
35.0
50.6
51.3
15. 5 15.9 13.3
37.6 37.7 25.4
54.3 53. 0 33.1
58.9 .58.5 35.0
13.8
47.3
58.2
68.3
13.8
47.3
62.1
71.8
14.0
46.7
60.7
71.4
13.1
21.9
29.5
29.0
14.8
33.5
48.8
47.7
16.4
38.9
52.0
55.7
15.8
15.9 16.7
39.1 22.8 38.5 41.8
52.2 23. 5 43.5 42.8
55.7 29.0 47.7 51.3
18.3
10.1
_
9.3
33.7
31.5
37.4
13.0
35.0
32.9
38.8
13.0
34.8 18.8 41.7 39.5 40.1 18.6
33.6 19.0 32.4 29.7 30. 7 26.2
38.5 36.1 35.6
37.5
13.0 Ï6.Ô 15.3 15.0 15.0 íó.5
37.8
42.2
35.1
15. Ü
36.8
44.6
34.4
15.0
36.2 18.2 36.3 39.2 39.3 20.0 37.7 39.0 38.3
44.3 21.8 36.8 38.0 36.9 24.5 42.0 44. 1 43.8
33.7
37.3 37.0 36.1
31.9 38.2 35.3
15.0 8.8 14. Ü 12.0 12.0 S.Ò 14.0 14.0 14.0
12.5
21.3
36.7
30.0
Cts.
34.2
31.6
27.3
22.5
Cts. Cts. Cts. 1C'ts.
1 37.0 1 58.4 1 58 1 56.7
29. 5 4G. 3 47.1 45.3
20. 5 28.4 30.2 28.1
17.0 22.9 23.9 23.3
16.0
43.3
43.0
49.5
12.4 11.9 11.9
11.9 11.7 11.8
10.2 10.2 10.2
12.0 11.9 11.7
13.1 12.9 12.8
38.8 58.1 51.0 52.3 45. Ò 58,9 51.7 53.3 39.5 65.2 54.4 54.6 39.2 59.9 53.2 55. 9 42. Ü 58. 4 53.3 54. 1
. . . .
27.3 27.7 27.6 —— 29.1 30.2 30.1 . . . . 32.6 31.6 31.5 . . . . 32.1 31.4 31.3 —
27.5 26.3 26.3
21.8 36.7 35.7
16.4 24.2 22.9
27.8 27.3
35.0 47.8 42.1
6.Ò
3, 0
2.8
__
—
41.0
9.7
5.9
5.4
9.8
5.6
4.9
35.9 23.3 37.6 34.3 36.3 19.5 39.2 39.4 39.3 2.25
22.3 16.5 24.3 24.0 23.8 17.9 25.4 24.0 23.9 16.1
25.6 26.0 25.6
27.8
23.9 24.1 24.0
47.3 35.0 51.0 44.4 45.7 52.5 65.5 54.0 62.8 3Ò.Ó
42.0
43.3
9.8 6.0 8.8
5.4 3.6 6.6
4.8 2.8 4.2
9.2 9.4 9.4
12.4 12.0 11.2
26.1 26.9 26.7
21.1 20.3 20.2
10.4
12.3
24.6
20.9
—
9.5
6.4
4.1
10.8
12.1
25.7
20.4
8.7 10.5 11.8 10.9 8.3 10.7 10.2
9.8 9.2 9.2
9.8 9. 5
Ì.9 3. 7 3.7 3.7 2.4 4.3 4.6
6.8 5.4 5.3 —
7.2 6.3
—
—
4.4 3.7 3.7
13.6 12.7 12.7
16.2 15.2 15.0
16.6 15.6 15.7
13.5
5.7 7.2
54. C 79. C
27.8 52.5
—
40.0
.50.7
9.5 6.Ò 9.3
6.3 3.4 5.5
4.1 3.4 5.6
10.6
11.9
25.7
20.3
10.2
10.1
25.0
18.3
36.9
21.8
30.6
45.1
49.4
44.0
8.6 6.7 9.3
5.4 3.5 6.6
5.5 2.4 4.2
9.3
6.1
3.7
10.2
10.1
25.1
18.1
__
—
37.1 22.0 37.8 36.5
21.0 16.3 23.3 21.4
26.3 26. 0
30.8
49.4 47.3 73.1 63.7
36.3
20.7
25.8
71.6
41.0
9.3
6. 0
3.8
49.0
8.7
5.9
5.3
5.9
3.4
3.5
50.6
8.7
6.1
5.4
8.7
6.0
5.3
8.6 8.4 8.5
8.7 9.0 9.0
10.7 10.6 10.8
11. 5 11.1 11.1
24.2 20. 5 26.1
25.0 25.6 25.4
18.4 18.6 18.6 ........ 24.2 24.2 24.0
9.8 7.7 11.2 11.1 11.0 8.7 11.5 11.5 11.3 8.8 10.9 11.0 10.8
9.7
10.3 8.9 9.0
8.3 7.9 7.4
9. 5 8.9 8.9
4.6 1.7 4.1 3.8 3.8 2.2 4.0 4.1 3.9 1.6 3.2 3.0 3.3
5.9 —
5.8 4.7 4.7
6.8 5.4 5.8 ........ 4.8 4.6 4.6
4.7 4.4 4.5
11.9 10.8 11.0
17.4 16.6 16.5
19.2 18.7 18.7
—
—
9,9
10.1
24.5
17.4
8.6
5.4
5.4
36.5
23.2
28.2
49.7
—
4.3 4.3 3.9
11.6 11.3 11.4
17.3 16. 2 16.5
18.5 17.7 17.6 —
5.2 4.8 4.5
3.3 4.1 4.1
11.1 10.3 10.2
14.3 13.7 14.0
18.2 15.1 15.6
18.5 17.4 17.4
17.5 16.3 16.3 ........ 20.0 19.1 19.5
12.3 12.3
12.7 10.6 10.8
315.9 215.4 215.0
12.5 10.0 10.7
13.9 11.7 12.1
7.4 7. S 5.5 7.2 7.7 7.9 5.5 6.5 6.7 6.8 5.4 7.1 7.3 7.4 5.3 6.7 7.7 7.4
86.4 86.7 50.0 102. 2-107.9 106.3 54.5 76.5 75.8 75.5 65.0 76.3 85.5 86.9 47,5 62. 1 62. 7 62.7
54.4 53.8 30.8 56.1 53.9 53.6 36.3 53.3 53.6 53.7 27.5 51.0 50.9 51.3 32.0 52. 5 52.2 52.4
17.5 18.2 18.2
15.5 15. t 15.1
3 10.7 3 10.2 3 10.9
60.0 47.2 54.1
18.1
16.1
3 8.S
59.3
. . . .
18.2
15.6
3 9. 5
48.4
18.7
15.6
3 9. 8
60.7
. . . .
16.1
12.0
39.7
61.5
16.8 16.5
13.2 13.1
3 9.7 3 10.1
44. 5 45.4
* No. 2K can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
. . . .
18.3
14.9
37.0
62.1
17.9
15. 5
36.3
45.9
3 P er pound.
[1351]
16.7
15. 7
35.0
51.0
15.6
14.3
3 8. 3
60.9
15.8
14.3
3 9. 3
54.1
15.9
14.4
3 9. 5
60.9
200
M O N TH LY 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
M em phis, Tenn.
M ilw aukee, Wis.
M inneapolis, M inn.
Article
U nit
Sirloin steak - ...... ..........
R ound s te a k ..................... .
R ib ro a st. .............................
C huck roast..........................
P o u n d ___
. . . d o _____
__-do_____
___do_____
Cts.
24.0
20. (
21. C
15. 4
Cts.
35.0
32.3
25. 8
18.9
Cts.
36.7
34. C
27.3
19. 1
Cts.
36.3
32.9
27.3
20.2
Cts.
23.6
21. 6
18.8
16.4
Cts.
38.2
33.9
28. 1
23.5
Cts.
39. 1
34.8
28. 7
24.4
Cts.
39.3
34.9
28.1
24. 7
Cts.
23.0
21.3
20. C
17.0
Cts.
31.5
28.4
24.7
18.6
Cts.
32.8
30.7
26.4
20.8
Cts.
30. 7
29.0
25.6
20.8
P late beef_______________
Pork chops______________
Bacon, sliced________
H am , sliced...... ....................
-.-d o _____
_ -.d o _____
_._do_____
-__do...........
11.9
20. 5
31. C
29.0
14.3
34.0
44. 7
51. 3
14.8
36.3
45. 3
58.8
16.3
38.2
44. 6
57.9
12. 1
21.2
28. 6
29.0
14.2
37.5
48,0
50.3
14. 4
43.2
51.8
56.2
14.6
41.3
52.4
54.7
10.1
20.8
27. 7
32.7
10.9
35. 7
50. 3
52.3
12.6
39.4
52.8
60.4
12.4
39.4
52.5
57.5
L am b, leg of____________ -_-do_____ 20.0 37. 5 40.0 40.7 19.5 37.9 38.6 38. 5 14.8 34.4 35.1
H ens______ __________
_-_do_____ 19. 5 34. 0 31. 4 31.6 18.8 31.2 33.6 33.5 17.2 30.8 30.8
Salmon, canned, red
_ . d o ____
32. 4 35.4 34. 0
31. 3 34. 0 33 8
35 2 39 6
M ilk, fresh____ _____ _
Q u art____ 10.0 15.3 15.0 15.0 7.0 10.0 11.0 11.0 8.6 12.0 11.0
35.2
31. 1
39 7
11.0
Oct. 15— Sept Oct. Oct. 15—
Sept Oct. Oct. 15— Sept Oct.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
M ilk, evaporated .............. 15-16 oz. can
11. 4 11. 5 11. 4
12 0 11 6 11 5
11. 4 11. 1 11 2
B u tte r .. _______
P o u n d ___ 38.8 56.0 51.3 52.1 35.0 56.7 49.8 52.8 35. 5 55.6 49.7 52.4
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r . . . d o _____ —
26. 1 26. 1 25.4
30.0 27.5 27.5
28.4 28.4 28.1
C heese.................... ...........
L a rd ________
V egetable lard su b stitu te ..
Eggs, strictly f r e s h ...........
---d o _____
__-do_____
-__do_____
D ozen___
Eggs, storage............. ...........
___
B read.
F lo u r_________
Corn m eal______________
__ do ___
P o u n d ___
_-_do_____
_-_do--------
Rolled oats___
C ornflak es. . . .
W heat cereal______
M acaroni........ ...........
_ _do ___
8-oz. pkg__
28-oz. pkg
P o u n d ..
R ice. . ______ ._
Beans, n a v y ___
Potato es______
Onions_________
do
- _ - d o ____
-__do_____
__do ___
C abbage____
Beans, b a k e d ............
Corn, canned __________
Peas, canned........ ................
_ _do
N o. 2 c a n ..
-_-do
__do_ ___
20. 8 33.9 33.3
16.3 21.8 19.4
24.2 23. 5
29.6 46.7 42.8
6.0
3.5
2.5
41. 0
9.7
6. 8
3.9
9.6
6.3
3.7
33.9 22.0 34.8 34.0 35.1 20.8
18.8 15.8 24.4 22.3 22.0 15.7
22.2
26.9 26.7 26.8
46.8 35.0 52.2 41.6 53.2 34.0
9.6
6.2
3.9
5.7
3.0
3.7
41. 8
9.0
5.3
5.5
9.0
6.3
5.3
41. 6
9.0
5.3
5. 5
36.4
23.1
27.4
48.5
33.8
20.8
27.3
42.6
35.1
20.5
27.2
47.1
42. 0
5.6 10.0
2.8 5.4
2.5 5.5
9.3
5.5
5.3
41 0
8. 9
5. 5
5.3
9. 5 9.4 9.1
11. 2 11.1 10.9
25. 5 25. 6 25. 6
19. 6 19. 6 19. 2
8. 7 8. 5 8 5
10. 5 10. 4 10, 3
24. 2 24. 4 24. 5
18. 6 17.9 18. 0
8 4 8 4 84
10. 9 10 7 io! 7
25. 7 25. 3 25 6
18. 6 19. 3 18J)
8.1 10. 3 10. 6 10 3
9. 5 9. 4 9.3
4.0 4.4 4.5
5. 3 5.3 4. 8
9.0 11. 5 11 9 11. 8
9.1 8. 2 8.3
1.6 2.4 3.5 3.4
4. 8 5. 0 4.6
8.6 11 0 11 9 11 7
9. 5 9. 0 9. 0
1.3 2.7 3.1 3.2
5 1 5. 0 4 6
3.8 4.0 3. 7
12.0 11.8 11.9
16. 8 16. 1 15.6
18.4 17.2 17.1
2.9 3.6 3.1
11.4 11.0 11.0
16. 9 15. 6 15. 6
16.9 16. 4 16. 3
3. 9 3. 6 3. 2
13. 1 12.3 12. 3|
16. 5 15. 4 14. 6
16. 1 15.3 14. 8
2.1
Tom atoes, canned_______ ___do_____
12.1 10.6 10. 4
14. 7 13. 3 13.4
14. 5 13.6 13.5
Sugar, gran u lated_______ P o u n d ___ 5.6 7.0 7.0 7.0 5.5 6. 4 6. 7 6.9 5.6 6.8 7.3 7.2
T e a ____
do
63. 8 97. 2 96 7 99 0 50 0 71 8 70 8 70 8 45 0 62 1 60 0 60 6
Coffee....... ............................. ---d o _____ 27.5 51. 1 51.0 50.2 27.5 47. 4 47. 1 46.9 30.8 54.2 53.9 53.9
P runes_________________
Raisins ______ _________
B anan as.......... .................... .
O ranges..
__ ________
__d o ____
_ -do_____
Dozen
__do _____
17. 1
14. 6
33.0
65.5
37. 5
15. 6
31. 7
46. 2
i W hole.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1352]
17.3
15. 4
30.0
51. 6
17.3
14. 5
2 9. 2
66. 0
16.9
14. 8
2 9. 4
49. 2
16. 9
14. 7
2 9. 8
54. 2
17. 2
14. 3
10.9
62. 2
16.9
15.1
11.1
49. 2
17.0
14.9
11.3
56. 2
201
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
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 —C ontinued
N ew Y ork, N . Y.
N ew Orleans, La.
N ew H aven, Conn.
N ew ark, N . J.
M obile, Ala.
Oct. 15— Sept. Oct. Oct. 15— Sept. Oct. Oct. 15— Sept. Oct. Oct. 15— S e p t. Oct.
Oct. Sept. Oct.
15,
15, 15,
15,
15, 15,
16, 15,
15. 15,
1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cis.
32.5
31.3
26.3
20.8
Cts.
35.0
34.0
28.0
22.0
Cts.
34. 1
33.6
28.0
22.5
Cts.
27.7
27. 7
21.0
18.6
Cts.
47. 2
44.8
36.8
25.7
Cts.
40.5
43. 2
35.8
25.0
Cts.
46.2
43.3
35.6
24.5
Cts.
31.8
29.6
24.2
20.0
Cts.
55. 1
44. 6
36. 1
27. 6
Cts.
53.8
43. 7
36. 1
27.3
Cts.
54. 2
43. 7
35.8
26.9
Cts.
21.5
19.0
18.4
15.5
Cts.
34. 3
29.9
29. 1
20.5
Cts.
36. 0
31.8
30.0
21.3
Cts.
35.8
31.5
30. 1
20.7
Cis.
26.1
25. 5
21. 6
16.0
Cts. Cts.
47.6 46.4
44. 8 44.5
40.8 39.3
26. 2 25.3
Cts.
45.8
44.1
39.2
25.1
16. 1
39. 2
44.9
50. 7
17.0
40. 5
51.3
55.5
17.1 12.0
41. 4 24.0
51.9 25.8
56.5 i 20.8
13.8
39. 5
45. 1
54.7
13.3
44. 5
49.2
58.1
13.1
42. 2 23. 6
48.9 29.7
56.9 32.8
14. 7
40. 6
50.5
58.1
15.5
43.8
51.8
63.8
15.8
46.8
51. 7
63.8
11.2
25.0
30. 4
26.0
16,8
37.9
47. 1
50.4
17.5
39. 7
50. 6
57.6
17.5
39.9
51.4
55.6
14.8
22.9
25.7
29.5
21.0
42.6
50.0
59.5
20.0
46.3
52. 2
65.4
20.0
45. 7
51.5
64.6
38.8
36.4
35 3
17.8
40.0
37. 2
40. 6
17.8
41.7 19.0 38.5 39. 7
37.7 23.0 37. 6 38.6
34. 3 36. 7
39. 3
17.8 9.0 15.0 15.0
38. 7 18.3 39. 7
38.1 23.5 42. 2
32.4
34. 7
15.0 9.0 16.0
40.8
42.5
35. 3
16.0
39.9 21.0 40. 2 39. 7
42.3 21.0 36.3 38.2
33. 7
37.3 39. 5
16.0 9.5 14.0 14.0
39.1 15.2 37.0
37. 1 21.8 39.3
38. 7
34.3
14.0 9.0 15.0
37.7
40.3
36.2
15.0
36.6
40.4
34.2
15.0
12. 1 11.9 12.0
11.1 11.0 11.0
11.2
11. 2 11.2 11.2
12.1 11.7 11.7
60.3 53.3 56. 3 39.2 60.8 53.5 56. 2 36.8 58. 2 51.1 53.9 37.5 57.9 51.7 53.6 37.5 60.5
31.9 30.5 30.7 ........ 30.1
31.3 30.5 30.3 ........ 33.3 30.9 31.8 —
30.5 30.6 30.8 —
35.7
23.8
21.5
50.0
35. 7
21. 8
21.8
52.6
42 3
9.6
6. 7
4. 2
9. 6
6. 5
3. 9
36.9 24.8 39.7 39.8
21.3 16. 3 24.4 22.4
26.3 25. 7
21.2
60.0 52. 7 74.8 61.8
39.5 23.5 38. 6 38.1
22.1 15. 7 24. 6 22. 2
25. 7
25. 8 25.9
70.8 52.9 79.4 67.1
49 3
9.6
6.4
3.9
47. 3
9.3
5.8
6. 6
5.6
3.6
3.6
46. 8
9. 1
5.8
6. 5
9.3
5.8
6. 6
6.0
3.2
3. 2
47. 6
8.9
5.9
6. 9
9.2
6.0
6. 7
38.4 21.4 35.7 35. 2 36.0 19.8 37.7
21.7 14.9 23.0 21.8 21.4 16. 3 24.7
22.8 21.9 20.8
25.8
25. 5
77.2 34.3 50.0 45.0 50.2 47.9 72.8
51. 0
9.2
5.7
6. 7
5.0
3.8
2. 9
9.1 9.3 9.3
10.9 10. 8 10. 7
24.6 24. 6 24.6
22. 9 21. 9 22.0 —
8.4 8.5 8.4
10. 1 10.0 10.0
24.0 24.3 24.3
21.1 21.1 20.6
8.9 8. 7 8.7
11.3 11.3 11.1
24. 3 25.1 25.0
20.6 20.9 20.6
—
10.4 11.3 11.3
10.0 8. 9 9.0
4.3 4.9 4.9
5.7 5.3 5.0
9.0 10.8 11.3 11. 1 9.3 11.8 11.9 11.9 7.5
9.9 9.5 9.6
10.1 9.4 9.6
2.5 4.1 3.5 4.2 Ì.7 3.7 3.5 3.5 2 .1
6.1 5.7 5.4 ........
5. 4 5.9 4.9 —
—
28.3
8.9
7.4
4.5
8.9
7.0
4.0
41. 2
8.9
7. 0
3.9
6.0
3. 2
3.5
48.5
9.6
6.1
6. 5
9.0 8.9 8.9
8.7
10.5 10.1 10.3
10.0
24.6 24.4 24.4
23.8
9.6 9.9 10.0 ........ 21.3
9.8
9.2
4. 1
5.2
9.9
8.3
4.5
3.9
9.8 8.0 10.5
11.3
8.3
4. 5 2.4 4. 1
4.1 ........ 5.8
37.8
22.3
26. 2
64,0
38.0
21.7
26.6
72.4
9.6
5.7
6.4
47.7
9.6
5.6
6.2
8.6 8.5
10.0 10.0
24.0 23.9
20.9 20.9
10.9 10. 6
10. 2 10.3
3.6 4.1
5.6 4,8
4.2
11.5
16.5
16.7
3.8 3.9
10.6 10.8
14.9 14.8
15.4 15. 3
11.4
12.1 10.3 11.1
13.1 12.5 12.7
11.6 10.9 11.3
12.0 10.8 10.8
6.6 7.0 7.2 5. 2 6.3 6.4 6.7 5. 5 6.6 6. 7 7.0 5.1 5.9 6.4 6.6 4.9 5.9
64.1
60.4
62.1
82.2
82.0
43.3
83.3
62.
2
63.5
55.0
58.5
60.7
63. 5
79. 7 79.8 79.8 53. 8
51.6 50.3 50.1 29.3 49. 2 49.8 49.8 33.8 53.0 52.9 52.9 25.0 37.5 36.5 36.2 27.2 47.5
10.4 10.9
6.2 6.4
64. 6 64.9
47.2 47. 6
4.8
11. 1
18.2
16 7
17. 6
14.3
22. li
50.0
4.8 4.6
10.9 10.9
17.5 17.3
16 2 16 2
18. 4
14.6
21. 4
45.5
18.2
15.1
21. 7
48.4 —
4.9 4.3 4.0
11.6 11.5 11.0
19. 2 18.8 19.0
20. 7 20.2 20.1
4. 5 4. 1 4.4
11.5 10. 7 10.7
16.8 16.6 16.6
17. 8 17. 8 17.3
16.2
13.6
38.4
70.3
15. 5
14.6
38.1
54.4
15.2
14. t
38.1
63.5
—
17.5
14. C
33.8
66.1
16.9
14. C
34. 2
52. 2
16.4
14.0
34. 2
61.8 ........
2P e r pound.
20358°— 2 6 t------14
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1353]
4.4 4.2 3.9
11.4 10.9 11.0
15.6 15.1 15.2
17.6 17.0 17.6
11.1 11.1
53.5 55.8
30.2 30.7
18.4
13.9
17.1
58.8
18.4
14.1
16.4
45.0
18.3
14.5
18.6
57.0
—
16.1
14.3
37.8
82.3
15. 6
14.7
37. S
61.3
15.1
14. 9
38.7
69. 7
202
M ONTHLY
L A B O R R E V IE W
T able 5.—AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OP THE PRINCIPAL
Norfolk, Va.
Article
U n it
O ct Sept O c t
15, 15, 15,
1925 1926 1926
Omaha, Nebr,
Oct 15—
1913
1925
Sept
15,
1926
Peoria, 111.
Octj
15,
1926
Oeta Sept.
15,
15,
1925 1926
Oct.
15,
1926
Sirloin s te a k ..................... ...... P o u n d ..........
R ound stea k ___________ ... ____ do_____
R ib ro ast............. .................... . ____do...........
C huck ro ast______________ ____do_____
Cts.
40.7
34.6
32. C
22. 3
Cts.
42.0
35.4
32.4
23.6
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. CtSi
41.5 25. 6 38. A 38. l. 38.4 34.3
35.4 22.8 34.3 36.2 35.8 33.4
32.0 19.4 27.2 26.2 26.7 23.8
22. 9 16.1 21.4 21. 7 22. 1 20.4
P late beef________ ____ ___
Pork chops_______________
Bacon, sliced_____________
H am , sliced........ ....... ..............
16. 2
36. 1
48.2
45.4
16. 0
39.9
50. 1
53.2
15.6
39.6
50.5
52.0
11.8
21.9
28.6
30.0
11.7
38.6
52.5
56.6
12.3
40. t
55. Í
62.4
12.4
42.0
54.8
62.4
13.4 14. 7
35. 2 38. 1
51. C 53.0
52.9 58.6
14.4
38.5
52.0
57.5
L am b, leg of______________ ____do_____ 40. 2
H ens_____________________ ____do_____ 36. 8
Salmon, canned, re d _______ ____do_____ 33. 1
M ilk, fresh_______________ Q u a r t.......... 17.0
41.1
37.9
37.9
17. 5
38.3 16.3
38.5 16.3
36.9 __
17.5
8.2
38.5
30.8
37.5
12.1
36. 5
32.6
38.6
11.3
36,6
31. 7
37.4
11.3
37.5
31. 5
37.3
12.0
40.7
34,8
38. 1
11. 7
38.7
33.7
36. 7
12.0
15-16 oz. can. 11.5 11.1 11.5
P o u n d _____ 59.7 54.9 56.7 37. Ö
........d o .......... 27.6 28.6 28.0 ..........
34.4 33.7 33.6 23.3
____do___
____do___
23. 1 21.6 20.6 17.6
22. 5 23. 2 23.5
____do___
D ozen__
55.4 48. 1 56.8 30.0
11.7
54.6
30.2
11.6
49. 1
30.2
11.6
50.5
29.9
11.7 11.5
55.3 48. 1
31.5 , 30.0
11.5
49.9
29.6
36.8
26. 2
28. 2
43.8
34.7
24. 1
27.9
39.6
35.5
24. 1
27.8
45.6
35.5
24. 1
27.3
47. 7
35. 7
23.0
26.9
41.4
35.1
22.6
27.0
46.8
41.0
9.8
5.3
5.0
10.2
5.0
5.0
41. 5
10.3
5.0
4.9
43 8
10.0
5.8
5. 1
10.1
5.8
4.7
42 0
10.1
5.6
4.9
10.4
12.5
26.7
21.6
10.3
12. 5
28.3
21. 1
10. 3
12. 5
28.3
21.1
9.3
12. 1
25. 3
21.1
9.1
11.9
25.3
20.0
9.1
11.8
25.6
19.9
10.6
10.1
3.7
5.9
11.7
9.7
3.6
5.7
11.5
9. 5
3.7
5.2
11.8
8.9
3.5
6.4
12. 1
8.4
3.6
6.2
11.7
8.6
3.8
5.8
4.2
14.6
17. 0
17.1
3.6
13.6
16.2
15.8
3.6
14.0
15.9
15.8
3.6
11.7
16.5
18.8
3.4
12.2
15.3
18.0
3.3
12.2
15.7
18.3
15.3
7.2
76.8
57.5
13.7
7.3
78.8
57.5
13.7
7.3
78,8
57.5
15.2
7.5
62.9
52.1
13.7
7.5
67.9
51.9
13.6
7.6
68.6
52.1
18.0 17. 8 17 0 IQ fi 20 2
16.2 15. 9 15. 4 14. 9 I d fi
4 10. 3 4 11. 6 4 11. 5 4 9 1 4 9 8
54.1 45.1 50.9 62.7 44.9
49. 2|
M ilk, e v ap o rated _________
B u t t e r .. . ____ ____________
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
substitutes).
C heese.......................................
L a rd _______________ ____
Vegetable lard su b stitu te __
Eggs, strictly f r e s h ...............
____do_____
____do.........
........ do_____
____do_____
Eggs, storage......... ................. ___ do___
B read ____________ _____ _
P o u n d ...
P lo u r____ ____ ______ _____ ___ do___
Corn m eal............................. ___ do___
44.8
9.5
6. 1
4. 7
9.9
5.9
4.4
48.0
9.9
5.9
4.6
5.2
2.7
2.5
Rolled oats_______________ ___ do___
8.6 8.7 8.8
C orn flakes_______________ 8-oz. p k g ___ 10.4 10.3 10.3
W heat cereal______________ 28-oz. p k g ... 23.9 24.2 24.2
M acaro n i__________ ______ P o u n d _____ 19.3 19.3 19.0
R ice_____________________
Beans, n a v y ______________
P otato es__________________
O nions.__________________
___ do_____ 11. 5 12.0 12.1
___ do_____
9. 5 8.0 8.2
----- do______ 4.0 4.4 4.4
___ do_____
6.4 5.7 5.2
C abbage__________________
Beans, b a k e d ____
C orn, can n ed ____
Peas, canned____
___ do_____
No. 2 can__
___ do_____
___ do_____
Tom atoes, canned.
Sugar, g ran u lated .
T e a _____________
Coffee___________
___ do............ 10.6 9.7 10.1
P o u n d .......... 6.2 6.6 6.7
___ do______ 92. 0 91. 1 93.2
___ do............ 49.8 51.1 50.1
P ru n es__________
R aisins__________
B an an as_________
Oranges_________
----- d o ...........
___ do______
D ozen_____
___ do______
8.5
1.8
4.2 4.6 4.6
10. 1 9.9 10.0
16. 7 16.4 15.8
21.3 21.9 20.6
16.2
14.0
35.0
63.6
15.7
14.7
33. 5
55.0
15.8
14.6
33 9
58.1 —
5.8
56.0
30.0
Cts. Cts.
35.6 35.4
34.1 33.8
25.3 25.0
21. 7 21.3
• 1 T he steak f-o r w hich prices are here q uoted is called “ sirloin” in th is city, b u t in m ost of th e other cities
included in th is report it w ould be know n as “ p o rterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1354]
203
RETAIL. PRICES OF FOOD
ARTICLES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SPECIFIED DATES—Continued
Portland, M e.
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.
Philadelphia, P a.
P o rtland, Oreg.
Providence, R I.
Oct. 15—
Oct. 15—
Sept. Ocfc.
Sept. O c t.
Sept. O c t. O c t. Sept. O c t.
15,
1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925
Oct. 15—
Sept. O c t.
Oct. 15—
Cts. ! Cts.
173.3! 1 70. 9
51.2 49.6
40.3 38.5
29.7 28.7
Cts.
169.8
49. 4
38.1
28.3
20.1
43.8
47.4
57.2
18.1
47.7
47.3
64.9
17.9
47.8
46. 6
64.3
36.7 16.9 34.7 35.2 35.5 18.7 41.4
42.0 21.3 31.7 34. 2 33.8 24.8 42.7
33.5 38.3 36.2 __ 34.8
37.8
13.8 9.7 12.7 12.0 12.0 9.0 14.8
42.4
42. 6
37.8
14.8
40.9
42. 4
36.7
14.8
Cts.
140.2
31.6
24.2
18.8
Cts.
131. 2
26.4
22.1
18.2
Cts.
155.6
42.0
37.3
23.8
Cts.
1.56. 0
43.5
36. 6
26.6
Cts.
156.1
42.0
36.6
26.1
Cts.
27.7
23.7
21.7
17.8
Cts.
46.6
39.0
33.1
24.3
Cts.
47.2
40.2
34.1
25.1
Cts.
47.7
40.1
34.2
25.5
Cts.
161.6
46.8
30.6
21.4
Cts.
163.2
47.7
30.3
21.6
Cts.
162.6
47.3
29.9
21.6
Cts.
23. 5
21.0
19.6
16.9
Cts.
28.6
25.7
24.5
16.7
Cts.
29.3
26.6
25.5
17.9
Cts.
29.6
26.9
24.9
18.3
11.5
23.3
27.5
31.9
11.7
42. 7
48. 5
59.9
1.2.9
47.9
49.8
62.8
12.7
46.8
49.2
61.9
12.8
23.2
30.6
29.9
12.4
41.0
52.0
59.3
12.7
44.7
56.6
66.0
13.5
45.2
56.5
65.7
16.6
42.1
45.9
55.1
16.4
43.5
46.9
62.8
16.4
44.5
47.1
61.6
13.8
28.4
31.5
30.8
12.1
38.8
53.9
53.6
12.7
41. 2
58.2
59.4
13.2
41.1 22. Ö
58.1 22.2
60.3 33.3
40.0 20.0 40.3 40.5 40.5
41.1 25.5 42.0 42.1 41.4
35.7 38.4 34.5
33.5
12.5 8.8 14.5 14.0 14.0
37.3
40.8
37.8
13.5
39.8
42.6
38.9
13.8
19.1 40.2 40.7
23.1 40. 5 41.4
36. 2 37.1
8.0 12.0 12.0
12.1
10.4 10.8 10.7
11.7 11.5 11.5 12.4 12.4 12.5
11.4 11.4 11.5
43.1 62.9 56.3 58.1 39.5 60.4 54.1 57.1 60.0 53.3 54.9 42. Ö 60.9 53. 1 53. 4 38. Ö 57.9
29.9
30.4 30.3 30.3 —
32.8 31.0 31.1 29.1 28.2 28.3 —
32.1 30.7 30.8
39.6 24.5 38.9 38.0
21.7 15.7 23.9 22.6
26.2 27. 5
25. 3
62.6 38.0 60.0 51.2
25.0 39.2 39.2
15. 6 24. 2 22. 1
25 6 25. 6
42.5 66.7 54.3
,4.8
'3 .2
2.8
_______
9.3
5.8
5.2
5.5
3.2
3.0
4.8
44.7
9.3
5.8
5.8
9.3
5.6
6.2
37.9
24.2
25.5
75.8
37.7
21.4
25.2
64.0
38.1 20.8 38.4 37.8 38.2 22.0 36.4
20.6 18.3 25.6 24.3 24.3 15.7 23.8
27. 5
29. 5 28.7 28.9
25.4
68.8 49.0 55.7 46.9 53.3 53.0 79.6
36.2
21.1
27.0
70.2
36.5
2L. 0
26.8
76.9
49.1
9.2
6.3
5.1
9.2
6.1
5.1
48.0
9.2
6.1
5.1
48. 2
44.8 51.2
9.3 10.0 10.1 10.1
5.9
5.8
5.7
5.5
6.3 5.4 5.1 5.1
9.3 9.3 9.3 7.5 8.0 8.0
10.5 10.5 10.4 11.6 11.6 11.6
25.3 25.2 25.1 25.7 25.9 25.1
23.3 23.1 23.3 25.0 24.9 24.6
8.7 8.6 8.7
10.0 10.1 10.1
24.4 24. 4 24. 6
21.5 20.7 21.0 —
12.4 12.3
8.7 9.0
4.5 4.4
5.2 5.0
9.2 11.9 • 12.8 13.0 12.4 13.0 13.1
9.3 8.2 8.2 10.2 9. 5 9.5
1.9 3.4 4.0 3.7 3.4 3.1 3.2
5.9 6.2 5.5 5.1 4.9 4.7
5.3 4. 1 4.3
10.9 10.5 10.5
15.8 15.0 14.6
15.6 15.2 15.5
5.0 5.2 4.7 3.6 4.0 3.7
12.8 12.5 12.7 15.2 15. ( 14.8
17.4 16.2 36.6 17.6 16.7 16.1
18.1 17.0 17.2 19.5 18.6 19.0
9.8 12.0
9. 6
2.3 4.0
5.5
_______
47 4
9.5
9.5
5.8
4.8
38.6
22.2
27.6
58.3
—
5.6
2.9
3.4
—
48.0
9.6
5.2
5.7
9.4
5. 1
5.0
10.3
11.2
26.4
18.0
10.1
li. a
26.9
17.3
8.6 11.4 11.0
11.0 9.9
1.3 2.9 2.6
4.0 3.5
__
_
__
2.8 4.2
14.6 13. <
20.5 18.4
19.6 18. 7
45.0
9.5
5.2
5.0
5.9
3.5
3.1
10.4 __
11.4 _______
26.8 _______
18.0 ........
10.9 9.3
9.9 ______
2.4 1.7
3.6 —
9.1
10.7
24.3
23.8
9.1 9.2
10.8 10.8
25.4 25. 5
23.4 23.3
11.1
10.3
3.7
5. 4
11.8 11.9
9. 3 9. 6
3.4 3.4
4. 7 4. 5
.....
4.0
11.8
18.5
19.9
3.3 3.6
11. 2 11.2
17.8 17. 7
19.6 19. 5
14.0
6. 5
60.8
53.8
13.6 13.6
6. 7 6. 9
61.8 61.1
53. 5 53. 6
17.5
13.9
31.4
73.0
16.5
14. 3
33.1
61.3
3.5
13.3
18.8
18.6
______
317.1 316.6 316.4
13.5 12.4 12.4 222.6 220.2 220.6
12. 11.3 11.6
6. 7 5.7 6.9 7.1 7.2 6.6 6.8 7A 6.2 6.8 7.2 7.2 5.1
6.
5. <J 6.
54. C 70. 72.2 72. 58.0 82.0 85.2 85.8 61. : 61.6 61.9 55.0 75.2 75.8 76.9 48.3
24.5 45.2 46. 45.6 30.0 51.1 51.5 51.3 54.5 53.8 53.8 35.0 52.4 52.8 52.6 30. 0
12.8 13.3 10. £
18.5 18.7 18.5 15.7 15.4 15.1
14. 14.7 14.7
13. 13. 13. £ .............
14. 14.7 14.8 12. £ 13.6 13.7
13. 13. < 14.2
n
30
20 1
38. 40. 39. i 9.8 no. 8 no. __ s. : n 2 A *12. .............
59.2 45. £ 51. .............
52. 59. 72. 61. C 64.1
62.7
60.8
53.
68.
.........
2
No. 3 can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
’
12.5 12.1
52.4 53. 6
29.5 29. 5
3 No. 2M can.
[1355]
1 Per pound.
16.5
14. 3
33.8
66. 3
204
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P T H E P R IN C IP A L
R ichm ond, Va.
Article
U n it
Rochester, N . Y
St. Louis, M o.
Oct. 15—
Oct 15—
Sept Oct Oct. Sept Oct.
Sept Oct.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1925
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts. Cts.
22. 2 .39 9
20.0 34.7
18.9 31.4
15.9 22. 7
Cts.
39.6
35.1
31.5
22.9
Cts.
39. S
35.4
32.2
23. 2
Cts.
42.4
35. 6
30. 7
25. 6
Cts.
42.
35. 4
30.4
24.8
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
41.8 26. C 38.3
35.2
35. 5 36.; 36.2
30. 6 19. 5 30. 2 30.3 30.6
2u. 0
21* 8 21. C 21.6
P late beef. ______
_ do__
______
Pork chops _
do
Bacon, sliced_______________ ____ do______
H am , sliced___ _ _______
__ do___
12.6
22. 0
27.2
25.0
15.9
43. 6
48.6
49.0
16.1
43. 3
48.6
48.5
13.9
44. 1
45.0
52.9
14.0
45.9
47. 6
60.2
14.3
14.
45.9 19.8 34.3 39.8
46. 5 26.9 46.8 48.8
58.7
51.5 59.1
L am b, leg of_
_______
H e n s____
Salmon, canned, red
_ _
M ilk, fresh _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
____ do__
_ do_
do .. _
Q uart
19.3 45.7 45.6
20.4 35.4 35.5
34 8 36.8
10.0 14.0 14. 0
45.3
37.0
36.2
14.0
38.3
41.0
36.9
12. 5
38.3
41. 6
36.8
12. 5
37.5
37.5 38.1
41. 5 1.6.8 32.6 34.6 33.7
34.2
36. 5
12.5 8.8 13.0 13.0 13.0
M ilk, evaporated _ _ _ _ _
B u tte r ___
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r
substitutes).
C heese___ ______
L a r d __ _ _ _ _ _
Vegetable lard su b stitu te ____
Eggs, strictly fresh __ _
15-16 oz. nan
12. 7 12. 6 12.6 11.5 11.6 11.6
10.6
Pound
40.2 62. 3 57.2 58. 5 59. 1 51. 5 53.5 "37.9 60. 2
____ do______
31. 0 31. 9 32.0 32.0 30.8 30.6
27.6
22 3 36.9 35.8 35.9 38.4 35.0
do
_ _ do _ _
]5 4 23.2 21 0 21. 0 23.2 20.8
____ do______
26.1 25.9 25. 5 24.8 24.6 24. 1
26. 6
Dozen_____ 34.”5 51.4 46.9 51.5 61. 6 55. 6 63.9 31.6 48.6
Sirloin steak
_ _ __ __
R ound steak _ _ _ _ _
R ib roast__ __
C buck roast_ __ __
P o u n d _____
do__
do
____ do___
Eggs, sto rag e.... _ _
B read______ _
Flour. _ _ __ _ _
Corn m e a l_____ _ _
do___
Poun d
do
do
Rolled o a ts. _ _ _
C om flakes
__ _
W heat cereal_______________
M a c a ro n i________
do
8-oz. pkg
28-oz. pkg.__
Pound
Rice _ _ ___ _
Beans, n a v y _ _ _
Potatoes
O nions___________
do
_ d o __
do
do
C abbage. _ _
Beans, baked ___ ___
Corn, canned __ __
Peas, can n ed ___
do
No. 2 nan
do
___ do __
Tom atoes, can n ed_____
Sugar, granulated ___
Tea____________
Coffee__________
_do__
Pound
do
do
P ru n es_____ ___
R a is in s _________
B ananas _ _ _ _ _ _
O ranges__________
do
do
Dozen
__ do.
5.4
3.2
2.3
15.8
40. 5
46. 7
44.5
44.3
9.4
6.0
5.0
43.0 45.9
8.9
50.0
9.0
4.6
5. 6
2. 9
2. 5
39.8
9.9
5.7
4. 6
10.3 10.3
53.6 56.2
27.7 27.7
33.7 35.3
18.0
26. 0 25.9
42.9 48.0
9.8
5.4
4.3
43.1
9.8
5.3
4.3
9.3
9. 0 9.4 9.4 9.2
11.3 10.8 11.3 10.4 10.3 10.1
—
25. 7 25.8 25.8 25.0 25.4 25.4 —
21. 1 20.2 20.2 21.8 21.0 21.0
i-. 2«-«
10.0 12.7 13.2
8.
10.2 9.3 9.1 10. 1 8.9 8.9
2.1 4.5 4.6 4.9 3.1
1. 9
7.0 6.7 7.1 5.4 5.3 4.7
8. 9 8. 7 8.7
10.2 10. 1 10.2
24.2 24.4 24.2
21.1 21.0
4.8
4.6 2.8 3.2 4.0
10.8 10. 1 10.1 10.9
16.2 15.4 15.6 17.3 16.1 16.1
20.5 20.3 20. 1 18.9
3.4 3. 5 3.3
11.2 10.6 10.6
16.4
16. 5
12.1 10.1 10.5 14.0 13.8
6.4 6.7 6.9 7.1
56.0 89.1 91.4
27.4 49.9 49.5
6. 7
18.6 17.9 17.2 18.7 16.9 16.7
14.4 14.8 14.8 13.9 14.3 14.3
36.5 37.7 37.3 37.7 37.7 36 3
66.9
1 N o. 2'A can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9.4
6.0
4.6
15.1
38.7
48.9
58.8
[1356]
10. 5 10.8 11.0
8.5 7.9 7.9
3.9 4.3 4.3
6. 0 5. 2 5.0
11.3
5.3 6.8 7.1 7.2
55. 0 /0. 5 73.6 74.8
24. 4 48. 9 48.3 48.6
19.5 18.4 18. 4
14. 4 15. 0 15.0
33. 1
32. 7
205
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
A R T IC L E S O F F O O D IN 51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued
St. Paul, M inn.
Salt Lake C ity, U tah San Francisco, Calif. Savannah, Qa.
Scranton, Pa.
Ont IK—
Oct. 15—
Oct. 15—
Oct. 15—
Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
Sept. Oct.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1925
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
1913 1925
1913 1925
Cts.
26.4
23.0
20.4
16.8
Cts.
35.1
29.3
28.0
22.5
Cts.
37.0
31.9
30.3
23.9
Cts.
36. 6
31.9
29.3
23.3
Cts.
22.6
20.0
19.4
15.0
Cts.
28.5
25.8
21.9
17.0
Cts.
30.9
27.3
23.6
17.9
Cts.
30.8
27.4
22.8
17. 8
Cts.
21.4
19.7
21.3
15.2
Cts.
31.9
28.7
30.3
19.3
Cts.
31.5
28.9
29.4
18.8
Cts.
31.4
28.6
29.4
18.9
Cts.
31.3
25.8
25.0
15.7
Cts.
34.6
28.8
28.8
18.7
Cts.
34.2
27.9
27.5
18.8
Cts.
26.0
22.0
23.0
17.6
Cts. Cts.
52.6 51.4
44.7 42.6
37.6 37.5
29.5 27.7
Cts.
51.6
43.0
37.8
28.2
10.8
20.4
27.0
28.8
12.1
34.8
48.2
50.4
13.2
38.2
50.3
56.6
13.2
38.7
49.8
55.3
12.5
24.3
30.0
30.0
11.6
39.1
48.5
52.0
12.5
40.7
53.0
61.0
13.1
41.1
53.0
60.3
14.2
24.2
34.4
34.0
15.1
45.6
62.2
63.8
14.4
46.6
65.0
69.5
14.2
47.0
64.3
67.9
13.8
34.8
45.2
45.0
14.8
36.2
47.1
51.1
14.0
37.1
46.8
50.0
11.9
22.8
27.5
30.0
13.0
44.5
50.6
59.2
11.9
47.2
54.1
64.1
12.4
47.4
63.9
62.7
33.9 16.9 34.6 34.3 33.6 16.7 39.6 37.8 37.6
30.2 23.3 29.8 32.9 33.0 24.5 41.7 44.1 44.7
38.4
35.4 36.2 37.0
33.1 33.5 32.4
11.0 8.7 11.5 11.3 11.3 10.0 14.0 14.0 14.0
44.0
35.9
33. 6
17.5
41.0
35.5
39.1
17.0
39.0 17.3 45.3
35.8 21.8 44.1
38.1
34.3
17.0 8.8 12.0
45.9
45.1
36.2
12.0
44.7
44.9
36.4
12.0
16.1 33.0 34.2
18.0 30.3 30.8
35. 7 39.1
7.8 12.0 11.0
11.9
11.9 11.9 11.7
10.6 10.6 10.5
10.3 10.2 10.2 11.2 11.2 11.1
36.5 53.5 49.0 50.6 39.0 59.4 49.0 48.9 40.0 67.4 54.8 55.2 61.6 54.5 56.1 36. 6 57.5
28.5 27.5 27.9 ..... 29.7 30.2 29.7 —
31.3 31.4 31.4 36.0 34.6 35.0 ..... 32.0
—
21.0 35.0 33.9
15.3 23.4 21.5
28.1 27.1
32.3 46.3 41.8
40.5
6.0 10.2
2.9 5.7
2.5 5. 6
__
9.9
5.8
5.3
34.6 24.2 31.3 29.5 29.9 21.0 38.9 38.5 38.7
21.0 20.0 25.5 24.8 24.9 18.0 26.1 25.3 25.0
27.8 28.2 28.0
27.3
29.6 29.9 30.0
46.6 42.0 53.9 44.8 51.5 56.4 63.8 53.5 61.0
41.3
9.9
5.7
5.3
10.1 9.9 9.9
12.2 11.9 11.9
25.6 26. 7 27.0
19.0 18.7 18.5
50.0
5.9 10.8
2.4 4.8
3.4 5.4
—
9.9
4.2
5.6
9.9
4.3
5.5
8.8 8.9 8.9
12.3 12.5 12.5
25.3 25.5 25.5
19.6 20.2 20.2
5.9
3.4
3.5
.....
35.4
21.8
19.2
62.4
35.2
21.6
20.3
54.6
35.2 18.3 36.0
21.1 16.0 24.8
19.1
27.3
57.6 45.8 63.4
50.2 45.4
46.7
9.8 10.2 10.4 10.5
5.7 7.0 6.8 6.7
6.3 3.9 3.7 3.6
48.1
5. G 10.3
3.6 6.2
7.4
—
9.7 9.5 9.7 9.0 8.8 8.7
10.6 10.5 10.5 10.6 10.2 10.2
25.0 25.9 25.3 24.9 24.4 24.4
14.5 16.2 16.0 18.1 18.2 18.3
10.1
11.1
26.2
23.6
50.2
9.9
6.0
5.9
9.8
5.7
6.3
—
11.6 11.7
51.6 53.2
29.2 30.3
35.1
22.4
26.3
54.1
35.8
22.2
26.2
58.6
45.9
10.4 10.4
6.4 6.3
7.8 7.9
10.0
10.9
25.6
23.6
10.0
10.9
25.6
23.6
8.2 11.9 11.2 11.2
10.6 9.4 9.3
1.4 2.7 2.6 2.7
3.5 2.7 2.5
—
8.5 11.4 12.0 11.8 9.9 10.5 10.5
10. 5 9.5 9.5 11.3 10.5 10.4
1.8 3.9 3.5 3.7 4.2 4.9 4.5
4.2 4.0 3.6 6.9 6.7 6.2
—
8.5 11.0
12.3
3.3
..... 5.7
11.8 11.6
10.9 10.8
3.6 3.6
5.1 4.9
3.0 3.1 2.7
3.5 3.4 2. 4
14.5 14.3 14.2
14.0 13.7 13.9
15.4 15.3 15.0
16.9 15.3 15.2
16.4 15.9 15.6 ..... 16.4 15.9 16.1
5.2 4.6 4.9
14.1 13.5 13.3 11.9 12.1 12.5
18.8 18.2 18.2 17.0 15. 6 15.3
19.0 18.6 18.5 16.8 16.6 16.6
3.2
11.4
17.5
19.3
3.4 3.3
11.1 11.1
17.4 17.4
17.8 17.8
13.2
116.0 115.3 115.3 11.1 10.0 10.2
16.1 14.7 14.5
14.6 14.1 14.3
5.6 7.2 7.6 7.5 5.8 7.5 7.8 7.9 5.4 6.4 6.9 6.8 6.5 6.9 6.9 5.5 6.8
52.5
66.7
82.5
81.3
68.0
68.8
71.0
80.1
50.0
68.1
85.6
88.3
88.3
72.9
69.9
65.
7
45.0
30.0 52.3 52.8 52.8 35.8 56.8 56.7 56.4 32.0 52.0 53.5 53.7 48.8 48.3 48.1 31.3 53.1
12.2 12.3
6.8 7.1
67.3 67.6
52.4 52.4
10.0 11.1
9. 6
1.3 2.7
5. 5
__
—
17.2
14.9
01.1
65.0
12.2 12.6
9.3 9.2
3.1 3.0
5.2 4.8
16.7
15.8
01 .4
51.4
16.4
15.7
211.4
53.2
.....
15.8
13.3
214.4
53.8
15.2
14.5
213. 5
43.0
14.9
14.2
214.0
47.9
.....
.....
14.5
12.6
35.0
55.1
15.2
13.1
28.3
47.6
2P er pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1357]
14.8
13.1
28.5
48.6
15.9
13.8
33.2
72.1
15.9
14.9
32.1
47.6
15.6
15.0
32.3
43.8
1.9
—
__
.....
18.3
14.2
34.3
72.7
17.7
15.0
32.9
52.7
18.4
14.8
32.5
61.2
206
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D IN
51 C IT IE S ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S -C o n tin u e d
Seattle W ash.
Article
U nit
Oct 15—
Oct. 15—
Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept Oct.
Sept Oct.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1925 1926 1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
Sirloin steak ___ _______
Pound
R ound s te a k .. . . . .
. . . . . _ do
_ _
R ib roast ______
__ _do
C huck roast________________ ____ do______
Cts.
24.3
20. 7
19.3
16. C
Cts.
32.8
28.8
25. 9
17.9
Cts.
33.
29.3
26.9
19. 1
Cts.
33.2
29. 1
26.6
19.5
Plate b e ef-.. _ _ ___
do
Pork chops
. . _
_do_ _
Bacon, sliced________________ ____ do______
H am , sliced
____ _
„ . _ _do _
13.0
24.3
32. 5
30.0
13.9
40.3
57.3
58.8
14.8
42.5
62.0
65.0
15.0
42.6
61.7
64.7
Lam b, leg of__ ____
H ens
_ .
_
Salmon, canned, re d __ _
M ilk, fresh— _
do
17.7 35.1 36. 5 36. 5
do
24.3 33.2 33.7 33.8
____ do. .
35.4 37.7 36.6
Q u art______ 9."7 13.0 13.0 10.3
M ilk, evaporated _
15-16 oz.can_
10.8 10.6 10.7
.
B u tte r___
Pound
40.0 60.7 53.0 53.2
Oleomargarine (all b u tte r sub ____do______
30.6 30.8 31. 0
stitutes) .
Cheese ___ _
_ _______
do
22.7 36.3 34_6 34.9
L ard __
.
_ do
17. 1 24.8 24.3 24.0
Vegetable lard su b stitu te do
28. 6 28.4 28.2
Eggs, strictly fresh
D ozen_____
61. 5
u9.1
Eggs, storage_____
______
____
B read
F lo u r_____ _
...
Corn meal . _____
Rolled oats _
Corn flakes —
_ .
W heat cerea1________________
M acaroni__ _
Rice
__________
Beans, n a v y
___ __
P otatoes___ _ _
O n io n s _______ _
.. do_
Pound
do
do
do.
No. 2 c an __
do
_do_
Tom atoes, canned____
Sugar, g r a n u la te d .___
___
T e a . ____
Coffee
do
Pound
do
do
P r u n e s ____ _____
R aisins.— . _
B ananas_____ _
Oranges _ __
do
do
Dozen
do
Cts.
33.8
33.4
22. 3
19.7
Cts. Cts. Cts
35.9 36.4 27.4
35.4
24 1
21.4 21.3 17.3
13. 1 14.1
35.2 40.0
48. 1 50.7 49.8 27. 1
53.3
36.4
33.3
36. 1
12.5
7.7
1.4
11.3
2.9
4.4
13.8
47.5
51.4 53. 1
62.1
13.8
45.7
51.6
61.6
39.5
19. 1 40.2 41.2 40.1
36.7 31 9 22.5 39.2 40.9 40.4
41.0 39.0
38.0 35.6
12. 5 12.5 ~~9.‘0 15.0 14.0 15. 0
36. 3 23.5, 39.0 38.8 38.8
2L2 21.9 21.9 15.1 23.8 21.7 21.2
28.3 28.0 28.0
25.2 25.9 25.8
41.4 47.5 36.9 63.8 55.6 62.8
46.7 42. 5
45.8
9.8 10.3 10.1 10.1
5.7
4. y
12.9
Cts Cts Cts.
46.4 46. 47. 2
40.4 40.3
34.7
24.3 25. 25.2
11.9 11.6 11.7
12.0 12.0 12.0
58.8 51.3 53. 3 40.3 62.0 54.3 57.8
32.5 30.6 30.7
30.9 31.5 31.5
9.0 8.9 9.0 10.2
11.8 11.8 11.5 11.8
20.0 27.6 27.8 27. 1
18.4 18.2 18.2 20.4
28-oz. p k g __ —
Pound
C abbage_____
Beans, baked . __
Corn, canned- _ _ _ _
Peas, c a n n e d ___ _ _
1 No.
47.2
5.2 10.0
2.9 5.0
5. 5
. do
do
_ _ do
do
_ do
Springfield, 111. W ashington, D . C.
10.0
11.6
26.9
19.0
10.3
11.5
26.7 —
20.0
11.2
2.6
3.9
46.5
8.0
6. 3
5.4
48.5
8.8
6.4
5.2 5.1
8.8
9.4 9.2
10. 7 10. 8 10.8
24.6 24.8 24.8
23.6
23.8
9.4 11.6 12.8 12.8
8.3
2.0 3.9 4.3 4.2
6. 5
5.8
3.1 4.1
14. 2 12.9 12.3 11.7 10.9 10.6
19.6
ill. Z
20. 5 19.7
—
4.6
10.6 10.6 10. 5
16. 8
15.5
16.5
118. 6 »17.9 U7.6
11. 7 10. 2 11.6
6.4 7.0 7.0 7. 1
7.6 7.8 5.1 6.6 6. 7 6.8
50.0 80.0 79.0 81.0 77.0 81.1 82.5 57.5 87.7 90. 6 88.7
28.0 51.4 52. 1 52.8 53.3 52.7 53.4 28.8 48.5 48.6 48.9
14.9 15.8 15.0 16.8 17.3 17.0
13.4 14.8 14. 9 14.7 16. 0 15.9
12.7 13.6 13.5 10.1 lO.Oi 10.5 —
o i. 2
18. 4 17.8 18.1
14. 1 15. 0 15.0
34. 7
35.3
71. 8 57.4 63.9
2 p er pound.
can.
Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 51 Cities
i "CBLEi 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
m the retail cost of food 3 in October, 1926, compared with the
average cost in the year 1913, in October, 1925, and in September,
1926. h or 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and
the one-month periods. These cities have been scheduled by the
bureau a t different dates since 1913. The percentage changes are
3 For list of articles see note 6, p. 188.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1358]
207
BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
based on actual retail prices secured each m onth from retail dealers
and on the average family consumption of these articles in each city.4
T
6 . — P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A IL CO ST OF FO O D IN O C T O B E R , 1926,
C O M P A R E D W IT H T H E C O ST IN S E P T E M B E R , 1926, O C T O B E R , 1925, 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, B Y C IT IE S
a ble
Percent
age
increase
October,
1926,
compared
w ith 1913
C ity
65. 8
67. 3
At.lspnt.a.
’Birmingham
Boston
B ridgeport
60. 8
64.4
Buffalo
B u tte
C harleston, S. C __
(Chicago
C in cin n ati.......... . . .
62. Ö
71. 6
63.8
C leveland____ ____
Col lim bi is
D allas_______ ____ _
D enver
D e tro it_______ _
62.5
Ball R iver
Houston
56. 8
55. 7
44. 3
67.2
Percent
age
decrease
October,
1926,
com pared
w ith
October,
1925
Percent
age ,
increase
October,
1926,
com pared
w ith
Septem
ber, 1926
i 1.9
0.1
0.3
3.6
0.6
0.7
0.9
0. 5
0.9
1.3
M inneapolis______
M obile________ . .
N ew ark__________
New H a v e n ______
New Orleans______
55.8
1.9
0.3
0.2
1 1.3
1 3.0
1. 2
0.8
0.2
2. 1
0.7
New Y o rk ________
N orfolk.
_______
O m aha. ________
Peoria. __________
P h ilad elp h ia______
64.0
1 2.0
1 0. 4
1.5
1.4
0.0
1.1
0.3
0.2
2.6
0.3
P ittsb u rg h ...........
Portland, M e .. . . .
Portland, Oreg........
Providence_______
R ichm ond________
1.5
1.6
2 0. 3
0.7
0.5
R ochester. ______
St. Louis_________
St. Paul _ _ _ _
Salt Lake C ity ____
San Francisco_____
0. 6
1.3
0. 8
1. 5
0.4
S avannah______
Scranton______. . .
Seattle
. . . _____
Springfield, 111 .
W ashington, D . C .
Jacksonville_______
K ansas C ity
56. 1
63.2
57.1
2. 2
1.8
1 1. 2
1 2.1
0.3
Tuttle Roek
TiOs Angeles
Bonis ville
TVTan eh ester
M em p h is_________
M ilw aukee___ . .
51. 9
48. 4
56. 7
57.1
50.9
63.1
0. 5
4. 2
1.0
0. 5
1.0
1 3.4
P ercent
age
increase
October,
1926,
com pared
w ith 1913
C ity
Percent
age
decrease
October,
1926,
com pared
w ith
October,
1925
P ercent
age
increase
October,
1926,
com pared
w ith
Septem
ber, 1926
1.6
‘ 2.3
1.0
0.8
0.3
0.0
1.5
2.6
2.1
1.3
1.3
1 2.1
0.3
1 0.1
0.0
2.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.5
1 0.1
1.5
2.8
1.9
0.5
1.0
0.9
1.1
1.0
1.5
1.4
0.3
0. 5
3.4
3.5
0.0
1.0
0.1
1.5
1. 5
0.4
1.0
4.6
>0.3
i 0.9
2 0.4
1.1
2 0. 7
1.0
1.6
54.1
61.0
57. 2
58.0
64.3
62.1
41.6
61.7
70.3
63. 6
37.2
55.6
63.4
45.9
71.1
i
1 Increase.
2 Decrease.
Effort has been made by the bureau each m onth to have all sched
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the m onth
of October 99 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the
51 cities sent in a report prom ptly. The following-named 41 cities
had a perfect record; th a t is, every m erchant who is cooperating
with the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be included
in the city averages: A tlanta, Baltimore, Bridgeport, Buffalo, B utte,
Charleston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas,
Denver, D etroit, Fall River, H ouston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
K ansas City, L ittle Rock, Louisville, M emphis, M ilwaukee, M inne
apolis, Mobile, Newark, New Haven, New Orleans, Norfolk, Omaha,
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, M e., Providence, Richmond,
Rochester, St. Paul, San Francisco, Savannah, Scranton, Springfield,
111., and W ashington, D. C.
4T h e consum ption figures used from Jan u ary , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, for each article in each city were
given in th e Novem ber, 1918, issue, pp. 94 and 95. T he consum ption figures w hich have been used lor
each m o n th beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921, were given in th e M arch, 1921, issue, p. 26.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1359]
208
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The following sum m ary shows the prom ptness with which the
m erchants responded in October, 1926.
R E T A IL P R IC E R E P O R T S R E C E IV E D D U R IN G O C T O B E R , 1926
Geographical division
Item
Percentage of reports received
N um ber of cities in each section from
which every report was received
U nited
States
'N orth
A tlantic
South
A tlantic
N orth
C entral
South
C entral
99
99
100
99. 5
99
97
41
11
8
12
7
3
W estern
R e ta il P ric e s of C o al in t h e U n ite d S ta te s a
p TMLE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15 and July 15, 1913, October 15, 1925, and Septem
ber 15 and October 15, 1926, for the U nited States and for
each of the cities from wdiich retail food prices have been obtained.
The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, b u t do not
include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an
extra handling is necessary.
i 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.
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF C O A L P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, O C T O B E R 15, 1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R 15 A N D
O C T O B E R 15, 1926
io a in u
1913
1925
1926
C ity, and k in d of coal
Jan. 15
United States:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
Chestnut,
B itu m in o u s,..
A.tlanta, Ga.:
B itum inous . . .
Baltim ore, M d.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..
C h e s tn u t..
B itum inous.
B irm ingham , A la .:
B itum inous.
Boston, M ass.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove..
C h e s tn u t...
Bridgeport, C o n n .:
P ennsylvania anthracite—
Stove,. .
C h estn u t _
Ju ly 15
Oct. 15
Sept. 15
Oct. 15
$7. 99
8.15
5. 48
$7. 48
7. 68
5. 39
$15. 87
15. 72
9. 24
$15. 55
15. 30
9. 25
$15. 58
15
9. 59
5. 88
4.83
7. 45
8. 15
ft 15
i 7. 70
i 7. 93
i 7. 24
i 7. 49
1 16. 21
i 15. 71
7. 65
i 16. 00
i 15. 50
7.58
1 16. 08
* 15. 58
7.63
4.22
4. 01
7. 34
7. 53
7 aa
8. 25
8. 25
7. 50
7. 75
16.25
16.00
16. 25
16. 00
16. 40
16.15
16. 00
16. 00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
“ Prices of coal w ere form erly secured sem iannually and published in the M arch and Septem ber issues.
Since Ju n e, 1920, these prices have been secured and published m onthly.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1360]
209
BETAIL PKICES OF COAL
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF C O A L P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, O C T O B E R 15, 1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R 15 A N D
O C T O B E R 15, 1926—C ontinued
1925
1913
1926
C ity, and k in d of coal
Jan. 15
Buffalo, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
S to v e ........................ ...........................
C h e s tn u t..............................................
B utte, M ont.:
B itum inous. _____________ ___ ___
Charleston, S. C.:
B itum inous............................................. ..
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove......................................................
C h estn u t ________ ________ _____
B itu m in o u s .......... ....................... .............
C incinnati, Ohio:
B itu m in o u s............................................. ..
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____________ ____ ________
C h estn u t________ _____________
B itu m in o u s.......................... ............... _
Colum bus, Ohio:
B itu m in o u s.............................
Dallas, Tex.:
A rkansas a n th racite—
Egg _______________ ____
B itum inous .................................
D enver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ixed.................
Stove, 3 a n d 5 mixed ______
B itum inous ____________ _____
D etroit, M ich.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—■
S to v e ...... ........ .................. .............
C h estn u t_______ ____ ______
B itum inous ________
F all R iver, M ass.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove________________________ ...
C h estn u t_________________
H ouston, Tex.:
B itum inous ______________
Indianapolis, In d .:
B itu m in o u s. __________________
Jacksonville, F la.:
B itum inous .
K ansas C ity, M o.:
A rkansas a n th racite—■
F u rn ac e _______________ ____
Stove No. 4 _______ _____
B itu m in o u s_____________
L ittle Rock, A rk.:
A rkansas an th racite—
Egg. _______________________
B itum inous ________________ _ _ .
Los Angeles, C alif.:
B itum inous . ______ ______ ______ ____
Louisville, K y.:
B itu m in o u s ___ ________ ___________
M anchester, N . H .:
P en n sy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove __________________________
C h estn u t_______________________
M em phis, T en n .:
B itu m in o u s_____________ _________ _
M ilw aukee, W is.:
Pennsylvania anth racite—
Stove
. . . .
C h e s tn u t.. _______ . . .
B itu m in o u s .. . ______ ________ . . .
M inneapolis, M inn.:
P en n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove_____________ ____________
C h e stn u t_______________________
B itum inous _____________________ _
Oct. 15
$6. 75
6. 99
$6. 54
6. 80
$13. 88
13. 54
1 6. 75
i 6. 75
8.00
8. 25
4. 97
7. 80
8. 05
4. 65
3. 50
7. 50
7.75
4.14
Sept. 15
Oct. 15
$13. 75
13. 39
$13. 75
13. 39
11. 05
10. 95
11.03
11.00
11.00
11.00
17. 19
17.19
8. 99
16. 90
16. 65
8.91
16. 91
16. 72
9.06
3. 38
7. 00
7. 50
8. 50
7.25
7. 50
4.14
15. 43
15. 39
9. 42
15.35
14. 95
9. 19
15.45
15. 05
9. 99
6. 95
7. 36
7. 82
8. 25
7. 21
16. 25
13. 22
15. 50
13. 33
15. 67
13. 33
8. 88
8. 50
5. 25
9. 00
8. 50
4. 88
16. 00
16. 25
10. 18
16. 00
16. 50
10. 73
16.00
16.50
10.79
8. 00
8. 25
5. 20
7.45
7. 65
5. 20
16. 42
1C. 26
9. 86
16. 00
15. 50
9. 90
16.00
15. 50
10. 39
8. 25
8. 25
7. 43
7. 61
16. 21
16.13
16. 75
16. 25
16. 75
16. 25
11. 67
11. 50
11. 50
3. 81
3. 70
7. 27
7.18
7.65
7. 50
7. 00
14. 00
14. 00
14.00
4.39
3.94
14.30
15. 50
7. 79
14. 10
15. 50
7. 75
14. 50
15. 67
7. 82
6. 00
5. 33
14. 00
10. 77
14. 00
10. 35
14. 00
10. 46
13. 52
12. 50
15. 75
15.63
15. 69
4. 20
4.00
6. 68
6. 63
7. 33
10. 00
10. 00
8. 50
8. 50
17. 50
17. 00
17. 50
17. 50
17.50
17. 50
2 4. 34
2 4. 22
7. 34
7. 25
7.26
8. 00
8. 25
6. 25
7. 85
8. 10
5. 71
16. 80
16. 65
10. 13
16. 80
16. 65
9. 75
16. 80
16. 65
10.36
9. 25
9. 50
5.89
9. 05
9. 30
5. 79
18. 10
17. 95
11. 28
18. 10
17. 95
11. 09
18.10
17. 95
11.34
1 P er to n of 2,240 pounds.
2 P er 10-barrel lot (1,800 pounds).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ju ly 15
[1361]
210
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF C O A L P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, O C T O B E R 15, 1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R 15 A N D
O C T O B E R 15, 1926—C ontinued
1913
1925
1926
C ity, and k in d of coal
J a n . 15
M obile, Ala.:
B itu m in o u s_________________________
N ew ark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania anth racite—
Stove______ . .
____ _______
C h estn u t.......................................... .
N ew H av en Conn.:
P ennsylvania 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 hestn u t
_ _________
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove___________ _______________
C h estn u t_____
__ __________
B itum inous ______________________
O maha, N ebr.:
B itu m in o u s_______ _______________
Peoria, III.:
B itum inous___ _____ _______________
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________________ _______
C h estn u t_______________________
Pittsbu rg h , Pa.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
C h estn u t_______ ______ _________
B itu m in o u s________________________
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________ ____ ___ _____ _
C hestn u t ______________________
Portland, Oreg.:
B itu m in o u s__ __ _____ _ . . _______
Providence, R . I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e ... ___________ ___________
C h estn u t_________ _____________
R ichm ond, Va.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove______________ ___________
C h estn u t_______________________
B itu m in o u s.......................
R ochester, N . Y.:
P ennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________ _______________
C h estn u t_______________________
St. Louis, M o.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove________ _________________
C h estn u t______________ _____ _
B itu m in o u s_______
St. Paul, M inn.:
P ennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________ _____ ___ _____ _
. . . . ___
C hestn u t __________
B itu m in o u s__ ______ _
_______
Salt Lake C ity, U tah :
Colorado an th racite—
Furnace. I and 2 mixed .
Stove, 3 and 5 m ixed___ __ ____
B itu m in o u s___________
San Francisco, Calif.:
N ew Mexico an th racite—
Cerillos egg,. ________ ______ ___
Colorado an th racite—
Egg.
.
.................................
Oct. 15
Sept. 15
Oct. 15
$9. 73
$9.64
$9. 69
$6.50
6. 75
$6. 25
6. 50
14. 00
13. 55
14.00
13.50
14. 00
13. 50
7. 50
7. 50
6. 25
6. 25
15. 80
15. 80
15. 35
15. 35
15. 35
15. 35
2 6. 06
2 6. 06
10.11
9. 32
10. 29
7. 07
7. 14
6.66
6.80
17. 04
17. 04
14. 75
14. 54
14. 75
14. 50
16. 00
16. 00
9. 05
16. 00
16. 00
9.09
16. 00
16. 00
9. 66
10. 02
10. 02
10. 02
6. 76
6.81
6. 94
6. 63
6.13
1 7.16
4 7.38
i 6.89
17.14
1 16.14
1 16.07
115. 79
115. 54
1 15. 79
1 15.54
1 8.00
3 3.16
17. 44
3 3.18
15. 50
6. 22
15.13
5. 55
15.13
5.74
16. 56
16.80
16. 80
16. 80
16.80
9.79
9.66
13. 20
13.37
13. 52
4 8. 25
4 8. 25
4 7.50
4 7. 75
4 16. 25
4 16. 00
4 16. 26
4 16. 00
4 16.25
4 16. 00
8.00
8.00
5. 50
7. 25
7.25
4.94
16. 00
16. 00
10. 04
15. 92
15.92
9. 67
16.17
16.17
10. 96
14. 50
14.15
14. 60
14.15
14. 60
14.15
8.44
8.68
3. 36
7. 74
7. 99
3.04
16. 90
16. 65
6.30
16. 93
16.68
6. 35
16.95
16. 70
6.42
9. 20
9. 45
6. 07
9.05
9. 30
6.04
18.10
17.95
11.72
18.10
17. 95
11. 30
18.10
17. 95
11. 63
11, 00
11. 00
5. 64
11. 50
11.50
5.46
18. 25
18. 25
8.41
18.00
18. 00
8.04
18. 00
18. 00
8.47
17.00
17.00
25. 50
25. 50
25. 50
17.00
12.00
17.00
12.00
25.00
16. 67
25.00
16.67
25. 00
18. 61
B itu m in o u s______ _____ ____ ________
1 Per to n of 2,240 pounds.
2 P e r 10-barrel lot (1,800 pounds).
3 Per 25-bushel lot (1,900 pou n d s).
4 50 cents per to n additional is charged for 'b in n in g .”
the coal in to th e cellar.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ju ly 15
[1362]
M ost custom ers require binning or basketing
211
INDEX NU M BER S OF WHOLESALE PRICES
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF C O A L P E R T O N O F 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , O N JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU L Y 15, 1913, O C T O B E R 15, 1925, A N D S E P T E M B E R 15 A N D
O C T O B E R 15, 1926—C ontinued
1913
1925
1926
C ity, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
Savannah, Ga.:
B itum inous
.......... .............................
Scranton, P a.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove_____________ ____ _________
C h estn u t_______________ ________
Seattle, W ash.:
B itu m in o u s________________________
Springfield, 111.:
B itu m in o u s. ______________________
W ashington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove_____________________ _____
C h estn u t__________ _________ ___
B itum inous—
Prepared sizes, low volatile_______
Prepared sizes, high volatile______
R u n of mine, m ix e d ..........................
Ju ly 15
$4.25
4. 50
$4.31
4. 56
7.63
7. 70
Oct. 15
1 7. 38
1 7.53
Oct. 15
8 $11.00
8 $11. 25
5 $12. 00
11.22
11.13
11.00
10.67
11.00
10.67
9.83
10.20
10. 35
4.38
4 38
1 15. 85
1 15. 54
1 15. 80
1 15. 51
1 15. 88
1 15. 53
1 12.04
1 9,00
17.69
1 11.04
1 8. 75
1 7.75
1 11. 92
1 8. 75
1 8.00
4. 38
17. 50
1 7. 65
Sept. 15
1 P er to n of 2,240 pounds.
8 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed b y th e city. A charge of 10 cents per to n or half ton is m ade.
additional charge has been included in th e above prices.
This
In d e x N u m b e rs of W h o le sa le P ric e s in O c to b e r, 1928
SL IG H T decline in the general level of wholesale prices from
Septem ber to October is shown by inform ation collected in
representative m arkets by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
U nited States D epartm ent of Labor. The bureau’s weighted index
num ber, which includes 404 commodities or price series, registered
149.7 for October compared with 150.5 for the m onth before, a decline
of one-half of 1 per cent. Compared with October, 1925, w ith an
index num ber of 157.6, there was a decrease of 5 per cent.
Farm products in general were 1 per cent lower than in September,
due m ainly to declines in prices of cotton and cottonseed, onions, and
potatoes. Corn prices also averaged lower than in the m onth before,
while other grains, hogs, eggs, hides, tobacco, and wool were higher.
Clothing m aterials, owing to the drop in cotton goods and raw silk,
were 2 per cent cheaper than in September. In all other groups also
except foods and fuels prices were slightly below those of the preced
ing m onth. Foods showed no change in the general price level, while
fuels were
per cent higher.
Of the 404 commodities or price series for which comparable infor
m ation for Septem ber and October was collected, increases were
shown in 107 instances and decreases in 114 instances. In 183
instances no change in price was reported.
A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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212
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S , BY G R O U P S O F C O M M O D IT IE S
[1913 = 100.0]
1926
October,
1925
G roup
F arm products __
_______________ ____ _____ ____________________
_________ _
__ _____________ -- ______ - Foods.. _
C lothing m aterials _______________ . . _ ________________________
Fuels _
_ ___ _
_________
___ ______ ___ ________________
______ _______ _ ____
_ __ __________
M etals a n d m etal products
B uilding m aterials - __
________________ __ ______ ___________ _
Chem icals and d ru g s. _
_ .
. . . ______________
__ _ ____
H ouse-furnishing goods. _
______ ______________________________
M iscellaneous __________
_ _________
_______________________
All commodities _ .
______ ________________________________
R aw m a te ria ls 1
_
................... . . . . .
....
Producers’ g o o d s1
__ ____________ _ _____ _______
C onsum ers’ goods 1
_ _ _ ___________________
. _______
155. 3
157. 6
189. 5
171. 7
127. 9
173.9
134. 9
167.9
138. 0
157. 6
162. 4
132. 7
166.4
Septem
ber
141.1
152.0
175.2
182. 0
127. 0
172. 4
130.8
160. 4
120.4
150. 5
152.7
128.8
160.6
Octo
ber
139.4
152.0
171. 5
184.4
126. 7
172.1
129.3
160. 3
118.6
149. 7
152.4
127.1
159.8
i Federal Reserve B oard grouping.
Comparing prices in October with those of a year ago, as measured
by changes in the index num bers, it is seen th a t large decreases took
place in farm products, clothing m aterials, and miscellaneous com
modities, w ith smaller decreases in foods, house-furnishing goods,
metals, building m aterials, and chemicals and drugs. Fuels, on the
contrary, averaged about 7 3^ per cent higher than in the correspond
ing m onth of last year.
W h o le s a le P ric e s in t h e U n ite d S ta te s a n d in F o re ig n
C o u n tr ie s , 1913 to S e p te m b e r , 1926
f N T H E following table the more im portant index num bers of
I wholesale prices in foreign countries and those of the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics have been brought together
in order th a t the trend of prices in the several countries m ay be
directly compared. In some instances the results here shown have
been obtained by m erely shifting the base to the year 1913—i. e.,
by dividing the index num ber for each year or m onth on the original
base by the index num ber for 1913 on th a t base as published. In
such cases, therefore, these results are to be regarded only as approxi
m ations of the correct index num bers. I t should be understood,
also, th a t the validity of the comparisons here made is affected by
the wide difference in the num ber of commodities included in the
different series of index numbers. For the U nited States and several
other countries the index num bers are published to the fourth sig
nificant figure in order to show m inor price variations.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1364]
213
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN -C E R
T A IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S
[Index num bers expressed as percentages of th e index n u m b e r for 1913.
C o u n try ___
U nited
States
D en
C anada Belgium Bulgaria Czecho m
ark
slovakia
Finland
See text explanation]
France
Ger
m any
Ita ly
Central
B ureau Dom in M inis Director Bureau
C entral General Federal
C om puting of Labor ion B u tr y of General of Sta Finans- Bureau S tatisti S tatisti Ric
agency----- Statis reau of In d u s of Sta tistics tidende of Sta cal B u cal B u cardo
Statis tr y and
Bachi
tics
tistics (revised
tistics
reau
reau
tics
Labor
index)
C o m m o d ities ____
404
i 238
1913_______
1914_______
1915_______
1916_______
1917_______
1918_______
1919_______
1920_______
1921_______
1922_______
1923_______
1924_______
1925_______
100.0
98.1
100.8
126.8
177.2
194.3
206.4
226.2
146.9
148.8
153.7
149.7
158. 7
100. 0
102.3
109.9
131. 6
178. 5
199.0
209.2
243. 5
171.8
152. 0
153.0
155.2
160. 3
1923
January . . . .
April
J u ly _______
O ctober____
155. 8
158.7
150. 6
153.1
151.4
156. 9
153.5
153.1
434
480
504
515
1924
Jan u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry __
M arch __
April ..... .
M a y ---------J u n e _______
J u ly . ------A ugust.. .
S ep tem b er..
October
N o v e m b e r..
D ecem b er...
151.2
151.7
149. 9
148.4
146.9
144.6
147.0
149. 7
148.8
151.9
152. 7
157.0
156. 9
156. 8
154.4
151. 1
150.6
152.3
153. 9
156. 8
153.9
157.0
157. 7
160.9
1925
J a n u a ry ... .
F e b ru a ry __
M arch _____
April. ____
M a y ______
J u n e _______
J u ly _______
A ugust _.
Septem ber...
O ctober____
N ovem ber. _
D ecem b er...
160.0
160. 6
161. 0
156.2
155. 2
157.4
159.9
160.4
159.7
157.6
157.7
156.2
1926
Jan u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M a r c h .........
A pril______
M a y . . ..........
J u n e _______
J u ly _______
A ugust____
S e p te m b e r..
156. 0
155.0
151.5
151. 1
151. 7
152. 3
150.7
149.2
150.5
128
38
135
33
4 100
1334
977
997
1001
3 100
138
164
228
293
294
382
250
179
201
226
200
2657
2757
2408
2263
991
1012
949
960
580
642
625
555
557
565
566
547
550
555
569
566
2711
2658
2612
2798
2551
2811
2737
2853
2848
2988
3132
3181
165. 5
164. 7
161. 6
156.5
158.8
158. 6
158.1
158.9
156.2
156. 0
161.2
163.5
559
551
546
538
537
552
559
567
577
575
569
565
163.8
162. 2
160. 1
160.6
157.0
155.7
156.2
153.9
152.5
560
556
583
621
692
761
876
836
859
135
45
38
2 107
Year and
month
3 100
367
497
573
558
100
121
185
268
667
831
1166
2392
2006
2472
2525
2823
100
1183
1263
1219
1095
1100
1129
100
102
140
188
262
339
356
509
345
327
419
489
551
95.1
122. 5
130.4
575
585
690
181
200
207
205
1134
1096
1080
1077
387
415
407
421
65.0
89.5
88.8
117.9
575
588
566
563
974
999
1021
1008
1001
968
953
986
982
999
1013
1024
210
223
227
228
225
219
220
233
231
234
231
232
1071
1078
1094
1095
1090
1088
1085
1111
1117
1114
1120
1139
494
544
499
450
458
465
481
477
486
497
504
507
117.3
116.2
120.7
124. 1
122.5
115.9
115.0
120.4
126.9
131.2
128.5
131.3
571
573
579
579
571
566
567
572
580
602
621
640
3275
3309
3272
3244
3177
3225
3041
2870
2834
2823
2822
2913
1045
1048
1034
1020
1006
998
1009
993
996
989
977
977
234
234
230
220
216
216
206
189
168
163
158
160
1137
1141
1131
1133
1122
1129
1118
1142
1133
1121
1118
1120
514
515
514
513
520
543
557
557
556
572
605
633
138.2
136.5
134.4
131.0
131.9
133.8
134.8
131.7
125. 9
123.7
121.1
121.5
658
660
659
658
660
683
707
731
721
716
712
715
2901
2899
2844
2774
2938
2842
2838
2759
2723
966
950
938
923
928
926
948
963
973
157
151
145
141
141
140
141
143
141
1094
1091
1081
1081
1070
1079
1079
1092
1093
634
636
632
650
688
738
838
769
787
120.0
118.4
118.3
122. 7
123.2
124.6
127.4
127.0
126.8
708
704
693
692
698
709
724
740
731
*236 commodities since April, 1924.
3 April.
236 commodities prior to 1920; 76 commodities in 1920 4 July,
and 1921; 100 commodities in 1922.
3 Ju ly 1, 1912-June 30, 1914.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1365]
100.0
95
133
202
299
409
364
631
577
214
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN C E R T A IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S —C ontinued
C o u n try ___
N e th N or
er
lands w ay
Spain
sti
C en C en In
tu te
tral
tral
of
B u
B u Geog
C om puting reau
reau ra
phy
a g e n c y ...
of
of
and
S ta
S ta
S
ta
tistics tistics tistics
C o m m o d itie s______
e 48
Year and
m onth
1913_______
1914_______
1915_______
1916_______
1917_______
1918..............
1919_______
1920_______
1921_______
1922_______
1923_______
1924_______
1925...........
100
109
146
226
276
373
304
292
182
160
151
156
155
1923
J an u a ry . . . .
A p r i l . . ____
Ju ly _______
O ctober____
174
Sw it U nited
zer
K ing
land
dom
C ham Dr. J.
ber of Lo
Com
merce renz
160
232
267
253
100
101
119
141
166
207
204
221
190
176
172
183
188
359
222
173
163
162
161
157
156
145
148
223
229
231
235
170
174
170
171
1924
J a n u a ry ........
F e b ru a ry __
M arch _____
A pril______
M a y _______
J u n e _______
J u ly _______
A ugust____
S e p te m b e r..
O ctober____
N o v e m b e r..
D ecem b er...
158
158
155
154
153
151
151
151
158
161
161
160
251
261
264
263
261
262
265
271
272
273
276
279
1925
J a n u a ry ____
F e b ru a ry __
M a r c h .........
A p ril______
M a y _______
Ju n e _______
Ju ly ----------A ugust____
S e p te m b e r..
O ctober____
N o v e m b e r..
D ecem ber....
160
158
155
151
151
153
155
155
155
154
154
155
1926
Jan u a ry ____
F ebru ary ___
M arch ...........
A pril______
M a y . . ..........
J u n e _______
Ju ly _______
A ugust____
S e p te m b e r..
153
149
145
143
143
144
141
139
139
4 Ju ly .
100
74
Swe
den
71
Board
of
T rade
150
100
i 100.0
N ew
Zea
land
South
Africa
Japan China India
C en
B u
reau of sus
and
Cen
Sta
sus
tistics
and
Office
Sta
(re
tistics vised)
Office
of
C en
sus '
and
S ta
tistics
B u
reau of
M ar
B ank kets,
Treas
of
Japan, u ry
Tokyo D e
p a rt
m ent,
Shang
hai
Aus
tralia
92
100.0
180
100
104
117
126
143
169
176
207
199
165
158
165
161
Labor
Office,
Bom
bay
50
' 117
100
97
107
123
141
153
165
993
161
19Q
127
129
128
100
95
97
117
147
193
236
259
200
196
199
206
202
100.0
156.4
153.9
159. 4
187
181
182
163
187
42
196. 5
167. 7
179. 9
175. 7
162.9
307. 3
197 2
158 8
159.1
166. 2
159.7
4 100
141
132
146
170
180
218
167
154
170
165
162
163
168
162
161
174. 7
185. 9
179.8
181.1
157. 0
162. 0
156. 5
158.1
163
167
180
171
131
126
124
125
184
196
192
212
152.7
157 7
155 4
156] 1
181
180
17g
181
178
180
180
184
179
179
182
182
184
186
181
198
161
162
162
101
160
158
157
160
163
167
167
168
183. 2
183.4
180.1
181.4
180. 4
178.3
173. 3
170. 6
169.9
169.0
168. 5
169.8
165.4
167.0
165. 4
164. 7
163.7
162. 6
162. 6
165.2
166.9
170.0
169.8
170.1
174
170
167
166
165
163
163
162
162
163
163
165
131
211
208
206
207
205
199
195
200
206
213
214
213
155.8
159. 5
157 5
153 7
154 3
151 8
151 5
148 8
149.3
152. 8
154. 9
157. 4
188
188
181
184
181
185
184
184
181
181
176
176
279
281
279
273
262
260
254
249
237
223
220
220
191
192
193
190
191
187
188
184
185
187
186
187
169
169
168
163
162
161
161
159
157
154
155
156
170.8
170. 8
169.9
165. 9
163. 0
161. 9
160.6
159.6
159. 4
159.2
157.0
156.7
171.0
168.9
166. 3
162.5
159. 0
157. 6
157.5
157. 0
156.0
154.8
153.7
153.2
163
162
160
158
159
162
162
162
162
163
165
160
166
162
162
162
162
162
161
161
160
162
161
160
214
210
204
202
199
200
198
200
201
200
198
194
159.9
159. 2
160 3
159.3
157 8
157 3
162. 8
160 3
160. 2
159. 0
158.4
158.1
173
173
171
165
164
160
158
160
157
158
160
154
214
211
205
199
197
194
192
193
193
186
183
183
179
179
177
178
180
178
153
152
149
150
151
150
148
147
146
155.5
154.5
150.8
148.4
146. 6
145.1
145. 0
145. 5
146.0
151.3
148.8
144. 4
143.6
144. 9
146.4
148.7
149.1
150.9
161
160
163
168
167
163
162
162
158
159
159
157
156
156
155
156
154
153
192
188
184
181
177
177
179
177
176
164. 0
163. 0
164 4
162.8
159 7
155 8
156. 9
160 5
164.2
154
151
150
151
151
150
149
148
126
125
133
130
130
127
124
124
120
122
6 52 commodities in 1920; 53 commodities from A ugust, 1920, to December, 1921.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1366]
i 100
93«
? 147 items.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
215
T r e n d of C o tto n P ric e s
N N O V EM B ER 3, 1926, the spot wholesale price of upland
middling cotton, per pound, in New York was 12.8 cents.
The average price of cotton for the full year 1913 was 12.8
cents, as shown in the wholesale price compilation th a t has been
m aintained by the B ureau of Labor Statistics for m any years. Thus,
w ith its m any intervening fluctuations, the price of cotton has ended
a cycle since 1913.
The production of cotton in the United States in 1913 was approxi
m ately 14,000,000 bales. In 1914 the production was 16,000,000
bales and the average wholesale price dropped to 12.1 cents. Every
one interested in cotton will rem ember the slump in price th a t came
in the first year of the World W ar. Foreign commerce was alm ost
a t a standstill, and although the production in 1915 dropped to
11.000. 000 bales, the average price for the year 1915 dropped to
10.2 cents. The annual production from 1916 to 1920 ran from
11.000. 000 to 13,000,000 bales, b u t the dem and for cotton brought
the price up to 14.5 cents in 1916; 23.5 cents in 1917; 31.8 cents in
1918; 32.5 cents in 1919; and 33.9 cents in 1920.
Another price slump came in 1921. Production fell off to 8,000,000
bales, b u t the average wholesale price for the year was 15.1 cents, or
considerably less than half the average price of 1920. The years
1922 and 1923 were years of good prices. There was a slight fall
ing off in 1924, in 1925, and again in 1926. For the first six m onths
of 1926 the average price was 19.5 cents. The severe break has
occurred only recently. The January, 1926, price was 20.8 cents.
This fell gradually to 18.7 cents in July and August, and, as stated
above, on November 3, 1926, the price was down to 12.8 cents.
These prices are set forth in Table 1, and also, in a parallel column,
index num bers based thereon, in which the price for 1913 is taken as
100. This table of index num bers shows th a t the average price for
1920 was nearly two and tw o-third times the 1913 price and also
of the November 3, 1926, price.
A pparent discrepancies in the table of index num bers are ac
counted for by the fact th a t term inal decimals in the price have been
dropped, b u t were used in the com putation of the index num ber.
Thus the index num ber is more nearly exact than the actual price
stated.
The D epartm ent of Agriculture estim ates the production of
cotton for 1926 a t 17,500,000 bales, in round numbers. This means
a production more than double th a t of 1921 and more th an 70
per cent higher than th a t of 1923. Each year from 1921 to 1926
there has been an increase in production, the figures for 1925 being
16.000. 000 bales.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics makes compilations not only of
wholesale prices of cotton, b u t of cotton goods as well. Consulting
Table 1, it will be seen th a t while the index of the price of lint cotton
(cotton in the bale) was 264.9 in 1920, the index for the price of cotton
goods was 328.6. The index for the price of cotton goods rem ained
higher than th a t for lint cotton during 1921 and 1922, then the price
of cotton goods began to fall more than the price of lint cotton until
the first half of 1926, when the index for the price of cotton goods
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1367]
216
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW
stood a t 165.7, while the index for the price of lint cotton was 152.5.
The figures for the m onths of 1926 show prices for cotton lower
relatively than the price for cotton goods.
T able 1 .— W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O T T O N , A N D I N D E X N U M B E R S OP W H O L E S A L E
P R IC E S O F C O T T O N A N D O F C O T T O N GO O D S, 1913 TO 1925, B Y Y E A R S , A N D JA N U A R Y ,
1925, TO N O V E M B E R 3, 1926, B Y M O N T H S
A verage w holesale
price of cotton:
U pland m iddling,
per pound, N ew
York
Year and month
A ctual
Index
num ber
(1913=100)
1913. ...............................................
$0.128
1914
__ _________ ______
. 121
1915
_______ ______ ____
. 102
1916
____________________________________________
. 145
1917--..............................................
.235
1918
__________________
.318
1919
___ _____ _________
.325
1920
__________________
.339
1921
...................... ...................... ...................... ...................... ......................
. 151
1922
..... ............................. .
.212
1923
...................... ......... ...
.293
1924
...................... ...................... ......................
.287
1925
_______ _____ _____
.235
1926 (average for first 6 m onths)
. 195
100.0
94.6
79.4
113.1
183.7
248. 5
253.9
264.9
118.2
165. 9
228.9
224.6
183.3
152.5
Ja n u a ry .
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch ___
A p ril_____
M a y _____
J u n e _____
J u ly ______
A u g u st___
September.
O ctober__
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber.
J a 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 _______
A u g u st_____
S e p te m b e r..
O ctober____
N ovem ber 3
Index
num ber of
wholesale
price of
cotton
goods
(1913=100)
100.0
94.6
88.9
121.6
176.2
264.8
257.0
328.6
158.5
171. 7
199.1
194.5
181.1
165.7
■
1925
.240
.247
.256
.244
.234
.242
.248
.238
. 236
.220
.208
.202
188.0
193.0
200.2
190.9
183. 3
188.9
193.5
186.3
184.3
171.7
162.2
158.2
185.7
184.3
185.4
183. 7
180.4
178.6
179.6
181.4
182.3
182.9
178.7
175.7
.208
.206
. 194
. 192
. 189
. 186
.187
. 187
.170
. 132
. 128
162.3
161.4
151.6
149.7
147.6
145.1
145. 8
148. 4
133.2
103.0
99.7
172.5
170.0
167. 2
164.3
161. 5
153.8
157.3
160.3
161.3
1926
In connection with these price figures, the bureau has compiled
production figures, consumption figures, and figures relating to
spindles in place and spindles active. These in tu rn have all been
brought into comparison w ith figures relating to population.
In 1913 the population of the United States in round num bers was
97,000,000 while in 1926 the population was 117,000,000. This
means an increase of 21.4 per cent, as shown in Table 2. The pro
duction of cotton between 1913 and 1926 increased 23.3 per cent.
I t is interesting here to note, perhaps only as a coincidence, th a t when
population and production reached corresponding levels in 1926,
the price of cotton was back a t the price of 1913. Table 2 contains
the average m onthly consumption of cotton in the U nited States.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1368]
TREND OE COTTON FEIGES
217
B y consumption is m eant the delivery of cotton in the mill. Taking
1913 as 100, in 1917 consumption reached a point 22.1 per cent
higher than in such base year. The lowest point was in 1921. Con
sulting the m onthly figures for 1925 and 1926, it will be seen th a t in
M arch, 1926, consumption was 36.4 per cent higher than in the base
year, 1913.
Spindles in place in the mills available for use have increased in
num ber about 20 per cent between 1913 and 1926. Spindles in place
have thus not quite kept up with the increase in population.
Active spindles—th a t is, spindles a t work as distinguished from
spindles available for work—have not changed in like proportion.
In 1923 active spindles were 13.5 per cent more in num ber than in
1913. T he num ber dropped off until in 1926 only 6.9 per cent more
spindles were active than in 1913, and in June, 1926, the num ber of
active spindles was only 4 per cent above 1913.
T able 2 .—P R O D U C T IO N A N D C O N S U M P T IO N O F C O T T O N , S P IN D L E S IN P L A C E
A N D A C T IV E , A N D P O P U L A T IO N , 1913 TO J U N E , 1926
Production of
cotton
Y ear or
m onth
Bales
1913________
1914......... .
1915........ .......
1916 _______
1917
1918
1919________
1920________
1921________
1922________
1923_______ ;
1924________
1925________
1 9 2 6 ............ .
14,156, 486
16,134, 930
11,191, 820
11,449,930
11.302, 375
12,040,532
11, 420, 763
13, 439, 603
7, 953, 641
9, 762, 069
10,139, 671
13, 627, 936
16,103, 679
217,454,000
In
dex
Average
m o n th ly con
sum ption of
cotton
Bales
In
dex
Spindles in
place 1
N um ber
100.0 465,289 100.0 231,546, 000
114.0 454, 064 97. 0 331,546, 000
79. 1 500, 749 107. 6
80.9 551, 701 118. 6
79.8 567, 984 122.1
85.1 514, 712 110. G
80.7 493,293 106. 0 334,342,000
94.9 486, 933 104.7
56.2 450,565 96.8 36, 563, 000
69.0 507,294 109.0 36, 962, 000
71.6 543,444 116.8 37, 351, 000
96.3 460,139 98.9 37, 791, 000
113. 8 535, 699 115.1 37, 913,000
123.3 4 566,015 121.6 437,777, 000
Active spindles
Population Ju ly
1, estimate
In
dex
N um ber
In
dex
Popula
tion
In
dex
100.0
100.0
115.9
117.2
118.4
119. 8
120.2
119. 8
30, 559, 000
30, 748, 000
31,136, 000
32,293, 000
33,400, 000
33,525, 000
33, 878, 000
33. 807, 000
33,052, 000
33,026, 000
34, 681,000
31,136, 000
32, 634, 000
4 32,666, 000
100.0
100.6
101.9
105. 7
109. 3
109.7
110.9
110. G
108.2
108.1
113. 5
101.9
100.8
106.9
96, 512, 407
97, 927, 516
99,342, 625
100', 757; 735
'02,172,845
103, 587,955
IO5; OO3; 065
106, 422,000
108', 445, 000
109, 893,000
111, 693, 000
113, 727,000
115,378,000
117,136, 000
100.0
101. 5
102.9
104.4
105.9
107.3
108.8
110.3
112.4
113.9
115.7
117.8
119.5
121.4
108.9
1925
Jan 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_____
S e p te m b e r...
O ctober.........
N o v em b er..
D ecem ber___
594, 010
550, 775
583,407
596, 541
531, 668
494, 083
483, 926
448, 685
483, 266
543,679
543,098
575,271
127.7
118.4
125.4
128.2
114. 3
106. 2
104.0
96.4
103.9
116. 8
116.7
123.6
37, 850,000
37,947,000
37, 785,000
37, 867, 000
37, 777, 000
37,862, 000
37,876, 000
37,793, 000
37, 777, 000
37, 917, 000
37, 845, 000
37, 945, 000
120. 0
120. 3
119.8
120. 0
119. 7
120. 0
120.1
119.8
119.8
120.2
120.0
120.3
33, 321, 000
33,359, 000
33, 217, 000
33,410, 000
33,137, 000
32,288, 000
31, 737, 000
31,270, 000
31, 552, 000
32,425, 000
32, 892, 000
33,001, 000
109.0
109.2
108. 7
109.3
108. 4
105. 7
103. 9
102.3
103.2
106.1
107.6
108.0
583,192
567,244
634, 593
575, 799
516Ì 758
518, 504
125.3
121.9
136.4
123.8
111.1
111. 4
37,824, 000
37, 822, 000
37, 864, 000
37,777,000
37,719, 000
37,653, 000
119.9
119. 9
120.0
119. 8
119. 6
119.4
32,803, 000
33,029, 000
33,233, 000
32,893, 000
32,267, 000
3i; 77i; 000
107.3
108.1
108.8
107. 6
105. 6
104.0
1926
J a n u a ry .........
F ebruary ._
M arch ______
A pril_______
M a v _______
J u n e . .; ..........
1 As com puted from aggregate and average spindle hours, except 1914 and 1919.
2 N o data; assum ed the same as in 1914.
3 T otal of active and inactive spindles, 1920 Census, Voi. X , pp. 176-177.
4 Average, Jan u a ry to June.
« E stim ated by C rop E stim ates Section of B ureau of A gricultural Economics, Oct. 25, 1926.
20358°—26t-----15
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1369]
1
!
1
1
218
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW
The relation of the several factors are brought out in graphic
form in the accompanying chart, in which 1913 is taken as the point
of origin for all lines indicating trend. The trends through the
period—in price, production, and consumption of cotton, in spindles
in place and active spindles, and in population— are brought into
comparison. T he ch art shows the trend by years from 1913 to 1928
and by m onths from January, 1925, to June, 1928, except cotton
prices, which are carried down to November, 1926. Therefore,
except in the case of prices, the chart does not reflect the change
down to November, 1926, as-figures for all item s are no t available.
In studying the tables and chart i t m ust be borne in m ind th a t
the figures are based on index num bers and th a t the num bers shown
on the m argin are n o t actual num bers of production, or prices, etc.
Thus a drop for several years below the line 100 in production, while
the index num bers for consumption run above 100, does n o t mean
th a t production was less than consumption. Production was very
m uch m ore th an consumption in 1913 and in every other year, but
as both are compared with 1913, production went down while con
sum ption w ent up.
n In considering am ount of production and consumption of cotton
the m argin between the two figures is always of interest. Norm ally
the U nited States exports a considerable p a rt of its production and
im ports a little cotton. In 1913 the export was 8,609,588 bales and
the im port 209,960 bales, and in 1925 the export was 8,532,243 bales
and im ports 313,361 bales. No intervening year had so large an
export. The num ber of bales exported and im ported from 1913 to
1925 is given in Table 3.
The exports and im ports are given for
eight m onths of 1926, but no estim ate is ventured for the year.
T able 3.—E X P O R T S A N D IM P O R T S OF C O T T O N 1913 TO 1925, B Y Y E A R S , A N D JA N TJARY, 1924, TO A U G U ST , 1926, B Y M O N T H S
Y ear or m onth
Exports
(bales)
Im ports
(bales)
1913________________
1914_____________ ________
1915________________
1916________________
1917____________
1918__________
1919____________________
1920____________________
1921_____ _____ ____
1922________
___
1923________________
1924__________
1925______________
8, 609, 588
6,320,485
8,358, 992
7,029, 721
4,818,843
4,112, 349
6, 557,187
6,159, 132
6,474,105
6,113, 813
5,279,165
6,794,921
8,532,243
209,960
317, 388
405,570
384, 773
277,231
225,368
350,717
599,989
277,897
372, 362
374,731
321,237
313,361
1924
Ja n u a ry __________
F eb ru ary _________
M arch __________
<4pril _ _ ____
M a y _____________
J u n e ___________
July_ ______
A ugust________
Septem ber.
O ctober___________
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber.
.
546, 853
482,146
332,168
320,774
326,357
230,979
211,533
277,647
737,485
946,506
1,306, 550
1,075,923
47,693
48, 602
49,833
40,436
16,107
13, 641
6, 783
4,136
9,654
18,140
17,549
48, 663
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Exports
(bales)
Y ear or m onth
Imports
(bales)
1925
Ja n u a ry . . ___ . .
F e b ru a ry ...____ _____
M a r c h ... ............
A pril_________
M a y ___ _____
J u n e . ______
J u ly ________ _______ ___
A ugust______. . . . .
Septem ber____________
O ctober.............
N ovem ber_____
D ecem ber________
1,076,075
811,838
740,070
472, 555
330,967
217,786
202,468
315, 825
752,324
1,421,482
1,206,786
984,061
54, 822
59,902
33,955
22,409
14,219
19,957
9.927
9,266
15,121
12,402
27,097
34,374
1926
J a n u a r y . ______
F eb ru ary _______
M arch _________
A pril___________
M a y ______ _______
J u n e ........................
J u ly .......................................
A ugust...........................
749,967
556,185
519, 732
516,494
419,459
346, 533
366, 722
391, 295
62,061
38,354
45,726
33,464
13,626
22,137
12, 090
13, 269
[13701
,
FOOD HABITS OF F ABM AHD CITY FAMILIES
219
CQ TTOfl & POPULATION IWUE3CIS.
e v VEARS FflC'M ¡933 TP |$ & « IWCIL.
fj
BY M O N TH S M>*S & S 9 » «
F o o d H a b its of F a r m a n d C ity F a m ilie s
COM PARISON of the food consumption of families living on
farms and of city workingmen’s families, by E dith Hawley, in
the N ation’s H ealth (Chicago), October, 1926, is based on
studies by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the
U nited States D epartm ent of Agriculture.
Interest in American food habits during the last 10 years has been
keen upon the p a rt of producers and distributors of food, who need
this inform ation in order to know how to produce and distribute
food to the best advantage, on the p a rt of statisticians who have
to have consumption figures in calculating the food item in cost-ofliving studies, and on the p a rt of educators who need comprehensive
studies of food consumption in directing the education of the con
sumer so th a t he m ay do his p a rt in securing food production and
distribution suited to his requirements.
The study of the Bureau of Labor Statistics gives average food
consumption figures in 1918 for about 12,000 workingmen’s families
in 42 States, while the D epartm ent of Agriculture studies give such
figures for nearly 2,300 farm families in 16 States, one study being
m ade in 1912-1914 arid the other in 1923
A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[13711
220
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
Analysis of these figures shows th a t the food consumption of the
average farm family was n o t only considerably larger than th a t of
the average workingm an’s family b u t th a t it was very m uch more
than was needed, while the worker’s family consumed less food than
is considered a safe margin. Expressing these figures in the term s of
the nutrients, energy, protein, and the minerals, the food consumed
by the farm family provided 30 per cent m ore energy and 50 per cent
more protein than was needed, as well as an excess of minerals, while
the food of the workingm an’s family furnished 17 per cent less energy
than was needed, from 10 to 16 per cent less minerals, and the pro
tein allowance ju st m et the standard used for m easuring adequacy.
Practically all foodstuffs figured in the differences in consumption,
the am ount of m eat, eggs, and cheese in the average workingm an’s
diet being 40 per cent below th a t in the farm diet, and milk, cream,
fruit, and vegetables about 60 per cent below.
Com paring the distribution of energy among the different food
groups, the total energy yielded by milk, cream, and sweets was much
lower in the workingm an’s family and the proportion from cerealsmuch higher than in the diet of the farm family. I t m ight be ex
pected th a t a diet in which so much of the energy is furnished by
cereals would be less expensive, and after reducing the figures for
the three studies to the price level of the year 1923 it was found
th a t on the basis of rural retail prices which the farm er would have
paid if he had purchased all his food the cost of the workingman’s
diet was 24 per cent less than the farm er’s food. The energy yielded
by the workingm an’s diet, however, was 37 per cent less, so th a t
in term s of nutrients it was more expensive than the farm er’s diet.
Although this study indicates th a t there are striking differences
between the average farm diet and th a t of the average workingman,
it is pointed out th a t inaccuracies in the estim ates in consumption
in both sets of figures, the fact th a t farm ers store large quantities
of food and it is impossible to measure accurately the waste th a t
occurs m the stored foods, and the practice by m any farmers of
selling the best grade of produce and using the second grades, in
which there is a larger am ount of waste, all tend to an overstatem ent
of consumption on the p a rt of the farm housewife. Before a sa t
isfactory comparison can be made, therefore, of the food habits of
farm and city dwellers it would be necessary to correct such inac
curacies as these in the food-consumption figures.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1372]
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND
DECISIONS
L a b o r A g re e m e n ts
C lo th H a t a n d C ap W orkers—New Y ork C ity
H E agreement between the Wholesale H a t and Cap M anufac
turers’ Association and the Joint Council of New York, com
prising Locals 1, 2, 3, 17, 23, 30, and 40 of the U nited Cloth
H a t and Cap M akers of N orth America, made July 19, 1922 (printed
in the Labor Review September, 1922, pp. 135-138), and after revision
extended for two years from June 30, 1924 (articles relative to wage's
and the unem ploym ent fund printed in the Labor Review August,
1924, pp. 132-134), was after a strike lasting from July 6 to July 29,
1926, somewhat revised and extended to June 30, 1929.
The m anufacturers’ association had demanded the right to dis
charge 20 per cent of their employees each year, and the abolition
of the unem ploym ent insurance system and of pay for legal holidays.
The new agreement retains all these provisions, though, w ith changes.
The principal changes in the agreement are as follows:
T
I. B. One specified member or representative of th e firm may be perm itted
to work only while the workers of the shop are working in the shop. An adequate
and effective penalty shall be imposed by the board of adj ustm ent for violation
of this provision.
C. In the event th a t the union shall fail to supply such required help within
two working days, the firm shall have the right to hire union members in the
open m arket and the union will give to such hired worker a w ritten perm it to
work for th e firm thu s hired.
F. The decision of the board [in cases of discharge] shall be rendered within
two weeks from the date of the submission of the case. When the charge is
assault or gross insult given upon the part of the worker, the chairman of the
board of adjustment or, in his absence, the clerk of the union jointly^ with the
clerk of the association may order a temporary suspension pending trial within
24 hours. The suspension shall not be construed as affecting the merits of the
ease.
To the section on unem ploym ent fund was added the following:
VI.
D. An advisory board consisting of the president and secretary of the
association, the general secretary of the Cloth Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers’
International Union, the secretary of the Joint Council, and the chairman of the
board of adjustment is hereby created. The advisory board shall cooperate
with the union and perform functions in connection with the unemployment fund
not in conflict with the foregoing provisions of this article. The chairman of
the board of adjustment shall be afforded all facilities by the union to ascertain
whether the letter and the spirit of such agreement is being carried out.
The following section was inserted in regard to jobbers:
VI. A. None of the merchandise manufactured by any member of the asso
ciation shall be directly or indirectly manufactured for or sold to or for the
account of any manufacturer or jobber of the greater metropolitan area of New
York City who is not under contract with the union to observe and maintain
union standards.
221
[1373]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
222
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
It is further agreed that whenever the Cloth Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers’
International Union will start a movement to unionize the jobbers in any market
throughout the country the same provision shall apply with regard to the jobbers
of that market.
B. The union shall supply the association with a full list of manufacturers
and jobbers who are under contract with the union to observe and maintain
union standards.
C. Every manufacturer shall on the first day of every month furnish the
union, through the association, with a list of the names and addresses of manu
facturers and jobbers of the greater metropolitan area of New York for whom
he is working and to whom he is selling merchandise.
The following new article was added to the section in regard to
ho u rs:
III.
A. Beginning with July 1, 1927, and thereafter during the life of this
agreement, a week’s work shall consist of 40 hours, distributed over the first
five working days. No work shall be done on Saturday or Sunday under any
circumstances.
The weekly wages for operators, cutters, and blockers were in
creased from $40 to $44, packers from $35 to $38, pressers from $33
to $36, lining m akers and trim m ers from $27 to $30.
The following provisions relate to the duration of the agreement:
X III. A. This agreement shall go into effect upon ratification by the respec
tive organizations, and shall terminate on June 30, 1929.
B. On or about January 1, 1926, a conference shall take place between accred
ited representatives of the association and the union to take up the question
of renewal, revision, or modification of the agreement. The chairman of the
board of adjustment shall preside at these conferences, but shall have no vote.
C. At the end of each year while this agreement is in force conferences may be
held to consider trade and wage problems.
D. Each party to the agreement shall have the right to call upon the other
side to designate a special committee to confer upon matters of mutual interest
and concern.
D in in g -C a r Cooks a n d W a ite rs—New Y ork, New H av en &
H a rtfo rd R ailro ad
A N A G R E E M E N T was m ade April 30, 1926, between the New
York, New H aven & H artford Railroad and the Brotherhood
of Dining C ar Employees, of which the more prom inent provisions
are the following:
Two hundred and forty hours of service in regular assignment shall constitute
a basic month’s work.
All the time in excess of 240 hours in any one month in regular assignment
shall be counted as overtime and shall be paid for at the pro rata hourly rate.
Chefs:
Per month
First year--------------------------------------------------------------- $ 1 3 5
Second year________________________________________
145
Third to fifth year_________________________________
150
Sixth to tenth year_________________________________
155
Eleventh to fifteenth year___________________________
160
After fifteen years____________________________________
165
Second cooks:
First year-----------------------------------------------------------------105
Second year_______________________________________
110
Third year__________________________________________
120
Third cooks:
First year_________________________________________
90
Second year_________________________________________
100
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1374]
223
LABOR AGREEMENTS— FUR WORKERS
Per m onth
F ourth cooks-------___----------------------------------------------------W aiters------------------------------------------------------------------------ j
P antrym en____________________________________________
$82
i Q2
65
Cooks and waiters shall be considered on duty from the tim e required to
report for d uty until released from duty, except th a t tim e released fox3 rest on
trips a t .lay-over, turn-around, set-oxxt, or term inal points shall be deducted
where interval of release from d uty exceeds one hour. D eduction for rest
period not to exceed
hoxirs in any 1 day or trip. D eadhead hourage when
authorized shall be considered as service hourage.
When called for work such as stocking or unsiocking of cars or similar work
on other th a n their own assignment will be paid 4 hours’ pay for 4 hours’ work
or less; 8 hours’ pay for over 4 hours and less th an 8 hours’ work, and on the
actual basis thereafter a t their respective hourly rate.
Two days off d uty each calendar m onth will be allowed a t designated home
term inal, if m onth’s schedule is completed. If is understood th a t when schedule
perm its employee to lay off a t home term inal each full 24 hours of such period
will apply as one day relief.
Prom otion shall be based on ability, m erit, and seniority; ability and m erit
being sufficient, seniority shall prevail. The m anagem ent to be th e judge.
The m anagem ent agrees th a t there will be no discrimination against employees
interested who serve on any committee of the brotherhood or committees repre
senting the cooks and waiters, collectively or individually, and they will be
granted leave of absence w ithout pay while serving oxx such committees. Free
transportation will be granted employees serving on com mittees for th e adjust
m ent of grievances in accordance w ith regulations issued by th e company from
tim e to tim e and in conformity w ith State and Federal laws.
Except as above mentioned for grievance committees, no leave of absence will
be granted for a longer period th an one m onth, subject to renewal. No leave of
absence will be granted for the purpose of engaging in other th a n railroad posi
tions for this company.
I t is understood and agreed th a t any employee who considers himself unjustly
treated or disciplined or who has any grievance under th e existing agreement
shall, upon request, be granted a hearing before the official designated to hold
such hearing w ithin 10 days from date of notice of such discipline.
If this decision is unsatisfactory, an appeal may be made to th e superintendent
of dining-car departm ent, if done in writing w ithin 10 days from date of such
notice. At any and all hearings an employee m ay be represented by a duly
accredited repi’esentative or committee. If it is found th a t he has been dis
charged or disciplined w ithout cause he will be reinstated and reim bursed for
his wage loss, if any.
F u r W orkers—C h icago
,*FHE) Chicago F u r W orkers’ Union on August 14, 1926, m ade a
somewhat lengthy agreement with the Chicago F u r M anu
facturers’ Association to he in force until June 30, 1929. The
following sections are taken from the same:
(1) I t is agreed th a t in th e em ploym ent or discharge of workers there shall be
no discrim ination against union workers, nor against any union worker because
of his peaceful and orderly conduct of union propaganda outside of working hours,
nor against any employee because of his or her orderly insistence upon the strict
observance of the term s of this agreement.
(2) I t is further agreed th a t the workers employed in the various crafts shall
be members in good standing in said union, and th a t no worker shall be engaged
except upon presentation of a wrorking card certifying his good standing in said
union, m ay be employed for a period of tw o weeks’ trial and the employer shall
notify th e union of such em ploym ent in writing.
i Merchants lim ited.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
(4) I t is understood and agreed th a t th e firm has the right to employ any
worker th a t it sees fit for a two weeks’ trial, a t th e expiration of which time
they shall join the union. However, it is agreed th a t no employee shall be dis
charged after tw o weeks’ tria l w ithout good cause, and every unjustified dis
charge shall be subject to review by the board of arb itratio n in th e event of
application being m ade w ithin 24 hours after such alleged unjustified discharge.
In the event th a t the board of arbitration shall rule against th e em ployer the
worker shall be reinstated and shall be com pensated for tim e lost.
(5) 'From January 1 to August 15 of each year th e working week shall consist
of a 40-hour week, divided into five days, except during th e m onth of January,
where any individual shop desiring to divide the 40 hours shall have th e privilege
to divide th e 40 hours over th e
days. From August 15 to December 31 of
each year th e hours shall consist of 44-hour week.
(6) No overtim e shall be perm itted on Saturday and Sunday, except as pro
vided in paragraph 11 of this agreement.
(7) The pei'iod in which overtime may be perm itted shall be between th e first
M onday in Septem ber and the first M onday in February of th e following year.
(9) Overtim e shall n o t exceed more th a n three hours per day th e first five
working days of the week. On Saturday not more th an four hours between the
first week in September and the first week in December.
(10) No overtime shall be perm itted between December and February if there
are any workers out of work.
(11) Overtim e worked between January and September shall be considered a
violation of this agreement.
(12) No worker shall be perm itted to work regular tim e in one place and over
tim e in another place.
(13) To comply w ith the S tate laws providing the hours of work for women,
including overtime, shall not be more than 54 hours per week nor more th an 10
hours a day.
(14) O vertim e shall be paid a t the rate of tim e and a half.
(15) No employee shall be perm itted to work on any of th e following legal
holidays an d shall be paid for same: Lincoln’s B irthday, W ashington’s B irth
day, D ecoration D ay, Independence D ay, Labor D ay, Thanksgiving Day,
Christm as, and New Year. D uring the weeks in which th e holidays occur 36
ho urs shall be deemed a regular working week, and any tim e p u t in excess of said
36 hours shall be deemed overtime.
(16) Em ployers shall have the right to arrange for an exchange of legal holidays
for th e nearest Jewish holidays, providing such changes are now in effect or are
m ade prior to th e signing of this agreement.
(17) D uring th e week in which a holiday occurs employees working less than
a full week shall be paid for th e holiday- pro ra ta for th e hours worked. All
wages shall be paid in cash on M onday of each week for th e week preceding.
(18) The m inim um scale of wages to be substituted for th e old minimum scale
shall be as follows and shall become effective August 16 1926:
C utters: F irst group, $50; second group, $44.
Finishers: F irst group, $35; second group, $28.50.
Nailers: F irst group, $37; second group, $33.50.
Operators: F irst group, $45; second group, $35.
(19) The classification of any workm an shall bn determ ined by his skill, effi
ciency, and period of service in his branch of th e trade, and th e salary paid either
heretofore or hereafter shall not determ ine such classification, except th a t any
worker who during the season shall have received a wage equivalent to th e scale
provided for first group workers, plus 20 per cent, shall thereafter be deemed
entitled to be classified as a first-class worker.
(20) The em ploym ent of six skilled artisans shall entitle th e employer to one
apprentice all year round.
(21) All apprentices shall be registered w ith the union, and after 30 days’
em ployment shall apply to th e union for a tem porary union card.
(22) The term for apprenticeship shall be as follows:
Cutters, 18 m onths; operators and nailers, 12 m onths; finishers, 6 months.
A fter one has served his apprenticeship he shall be entitled to th e minimum
scale of wages. The minimum wage for ail apprentices shall be $15 per week.
(23) The wage of workers changing from one branch of th e trad e to th e other
shall be adjusted to the m utual satisfaction of the employer and employee.
(24) No piecework shall be perm itted. No work shall be sublet or given out
by contract other th a n lining and finishing, and all such subletting or contracting
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LABOR AGREEMEN TS-- MAILERS
225
m ust be w ith union shops who shall be registered w ith the conference committee.
The firm further agrees th a t it will not do any work for any firm whose workers
are on strike.
(32) The parties hereto agree th a t there shall be no strike or lockout during
th e continuance of this agreem ent for any reason whatsoever or because of any
m a tte r in controversy or dispute, b u t th a t all m atters in controversy or dispute
shall in th e first instance be taken up w ith th e member of the association involved
in th e dispute and a representative of th e union.
(33) In th e event th a t th e member of th e association and th e representative
of th e union shall be unable to adjust th e controversy or dispute th e same shall
be im m ediately referred to a board of arbitration, and said board shall m eet and
ad ju st th e dispute wdthin 48 hours, unless th e tim e is extended by m utual consent.
(34) The parties to this agreement hereby establish a board of arbitration,
consisting of 11 members, 5 to represent the association and 5 to represent th e
union, and an im partial chairman, m utually acceptable to both sides, who shall
have th e power to vote in case of a tie.
(35) T he board of arbitration shall have the power to recommend th e dis
ciplining of th e offending p arty for violating of the term s of this agreem ent after
due trial and to enforce such recommendations.
(38) The decision of th e board of arbitration shall be absolutely binding on
both th e association and the union.
M a ile rs—New Y ork C ity
M A IL E R S ’ U N IO N No. 6 has made an agreement w ith the Pub^ ^ liste rs’ Association of New York City, effective August 23,
1926, to July 1, 1929, from which the following extracts are taken:
Article I
Section 1. J u r i s d i c t i o n . — Mailers’ Union No. 6 shall have jurisdiction over all
work done appertaining to all mail, baggage, and express deliveries of newspapers,
magazines, and periodicals, such as tagging, bagging, inserting, stam ping, check
ing blotters w ith wrappers for baggage, mail, and express; dissecting, wrapping,
tallying, bundling, m anning delivery end of elevators and escalators leading
out of th e press room; preparing wrappers, stripping lists, routing of mails,
counting and tying, delivery clerks tallying and passing publications to th e city
delivery; and no person shall be employed on the above work except members
of M ailers’ Union No. 6 and its apprentices. The above definition shall not be
invoked by either p arty to change present work.
Sec. 2. Superintendents and foremen of mailing and delivery departm ents
shall be members of M ailers’ Union No. 6, and shall supervise and atten d to all
work as specified in preceding section.
Sec. 3. A g r e e m e n t to s u p p l y c o m p e te n t h e lp . — M ailers’ Union No. 6, whenever
called upon, shall supply the office w ith com petent, experienced, and satisfactory
men, and if th e union should fail or neglect to supply such help in am ple tim e to
prevent delay on th e issue of th e paper, after such dem and shall have been made
upon it, it shall be proper for th e office making such dem and to secure such help
from any other source possible and retain such help perm anently in its employ,
provided such help shall be eligible and shall im m ediately make application to
become a member of M ailers’ Union No. 6.
Sec. 4. Members of M ailers’ Union No. 6 employed in mailing publications
other th a n those owned or published by the same office shall be entitled to an
extra d ay’s or nig h t’s pay.
Article II
Section 1. W a g e s f o r n i g h t w o r k .— Stampers
ployed a t night work shall receive:
•
From August
From August
From August
and delivery clerks regularly em
Ber week
23, 1926, until August 22, 1927___________________ $49
22, 1927, to August 20, 1928____________________
50
20, 1928, to end of co n tract__________
51
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Mailers regularly em ployed a t night work shall receive:
P er week
From August 23. 1926, until August 22, 1927______
$46
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928_________
47
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tra ct__________
48
Sec. 2. H o u r s f o r n i g h t w o r k . — Forty-four hours shall constitute a week’s
work for all regular men.
Seven consecutive hours or any p art thereof shall constitute a n ig h t’s work,
except on Friday and Saturday nights, when eight consecutive hours or any p art
thereof shall constitute a n ig h t’s work. The hours for night work shall be
between 9 p. m. and 8 a. m. on all nights except Friday and Saturday nights,
when the starting tim e shall be between 5 p. m. and 12 m idnight.
The foreman shall designate the nights off of all regular men.
S e c . 3. Overtime for night stam pers and delivery clerks shall be at the following
ra te s :
P er hour
From August 23, 1926, until August 22, 1927
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928__
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tra ct___
Overtime for night mailers shall be a t th e following rates:
From August 23, 1926, to August 22, 1927
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tract.
All overtime shall be com puted in five-minute periods.
A r t ic l e
$1. 67
1. 70
1. 74
$1. 57
1. 60
1. 63 ^
III
From August 23, 1926, to August 22, 1927
$47. 00
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928
48. 00
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tract.
49. 00
Mailers regularly employed a t day work shall receive:
From August 23, 1926, to August 22, 1927.
$44. 00
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928
45. 00
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tra ct.
46. 00
Sec. 2. H o u r s f o r d a y iv o r k . — Forty-eight hours shall constitute a week’s
work for all regular men.
Eight consecutive hours or any p art thereof shall constitute a d ay ’s work.
The hours for day work shall be between 7 a. m. and 7.30 p. m.
Sec. 3. Overtime for stam pers and delivery clerks employed a t day work
shall be a t the following ra te s :
P er hour
From August 23, 1926, to August 22, 1927
$1. 47
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928
1. 50
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tract.
1. 53
Overtime for mailers em ployed a t day work shall be as follows:
From August 23, 1926, to August 22, 1927
$ 1. 373^
From August 22, 1927, to August 20, 1928
1. 41
From August 20, 1928, to end of co n tra ct.
1. 44
All overtime shall be com puted in five-minute periods.
Sec. 4. E xtra men shall receive 50 cents more th an th e scale per day for eight
hours or any p a rt thereof.
Sec. 5. Double tim e shall be paid for all Sunday work on daily evening papers.
A r t ic l e
VI.
C o d e o r P r o c e d u r e a n d J o in t S t a n d in g
C o m m it t e e
S e c t i o n 1 . A joint standing com m ittee shall be m aintained to consist of two
representatives of Publishers’ Association of New York and tw o representatives
of M ailers’ Union No. 6, and in case of a vacancy, refusal, or failure of a repre
sentative to act another shall imm ediately be appointed in his place, to which
com m ittee shall be referred all questions which m ay arise as to th e construction
to be placed upon any of the clauses of the agreem ent or any alleged violation
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LABOR AGREEMENTS----STREET RAILWAYS
227
thereof which can not be settled otherwise. The decisions of th e com m ittee
shall be by m ajority vote of all its members and shall be of binding effect.
S ec . 2. If any controversy arises as to interpretation or enforcement of this
agreem ent or the scales of prices attached thereto, th e conditions prevailing
prior to th e dispute shall be m aintained until the controversy has been disposed
of as provided herein.
S ec . 3. W hen it becomes evident there is a disagreement as to th e inter
pretation or enforcement of the term s of this agreement th e aggrieved p arty
shall address the other p a rty in writing, clearly setting forth the m atters in
question. An issue is raised when notice is given in accordance w ith th is section.
S ec . 6. The joint standing com mittee shall meet w ithin seven days after
a question or difference shall have been referred to it by the authorized repre
sentative of either p arty to the agreement. If w ithin 10 days from th e date of
its first meeting the joint standing com mittee is unable to render a decision by
m ajority vote, th e members of such joint standing com m ittee shall constitute
themselves into a local arbitration board by adding a fifth member, who shall be
chairm an of the board.
S ec . 7. The decisions of the m ajority of this board of five shall be final and
binding on both parties to the agreement.
S tr e e t R ailw ays—C o n n e c tic u t
rT ,H E Connecticut Co., operating trolley cars in m any of the towns
and cities of Connecticut, made a new agreement w ith its em
ployees, effective for one year from June 1, 1926, from which the
following extracts are taken:
For tw o-m an cars—
F irst three m onths, 5-5 cents per hour; next nine m onths, 58 cents per hour;
thereafter, 62 cents per hour.
Seven cents per hour above employee’s regular tw o-m an car rate will be paid
while operating one-man cars.
Ten cents per hour above employee’s regular two-man car rate will be paid
while operating buses.
1. Any m an bidding a one-man car required to work on a tw o-m an car will be
paid a t his one-man car rate for his regular hours.
A m an operating a passenger car deadhead w ithout a conductor or rear-end
m an will be paid his one-man car rate.
2. Ten cents per hour above employee’s regular or overtime tw o-m an car rate
will be paid while operating snowplows, bus plows, sweepers, and salt cars, and
to trainm en salting switches, and between December 1 and M arch 1 while operat
ing sand cars. Men ordered to report and reporting for snowplow, bus plow,
sweeper, and salt-car work will be paid a t regular tw o-m an car rates from the
tim e a t which they report as ordered until they take out snowplows, bus plows,
sweepers, or salt cars.
M otormen operating passenger cars required to salt switches will be paid 10
cents an hour above their regular or overtime two-man car rate on th e trip on
which such salting is done. When such motormen are required to salt switches
th e salt will be furnished in pails.
3. Conductors and m otormen, operators of one-man cars, and bus operators
will be paid 5 cents per hour in addition to their regular, one-man, or overtime
rate for instructing men.
4. (a) E xtra and unassigned men m aking all reports required and taking
work as assigned are guaranteed a m inim um wage of $3 per day. Said guaranty
will be considered as earned, irrespective of hours worked, after 14 hours from
the tim e of employee’s first report, after which tim e employee will be paid for
all tim e worked a t his regular rate.
(b) E xtra and unassigned men will not be required to rem ain on report more
th an one hour a t any one report, excepting a t the early report, when such men
m ay be held until the last car runs out, b u t not later th an 7 a. m. If held over
the tim e above stated such extra and unassigned men will be paid for such excess
tim e, such paym ents being applied on the minimum guaranty if n o t earned.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
(c) E xtra men will be required to m ake three reports daily except as provided
in section 5 ( a ) , and if required to report after 8 p. m. and are used o r held for
orders will be paid from 8 p. m. until relieved, such paym ent to apply on the
minimum guaranty if such m inimum has not been earned.
5.
(a) If an extra m an works or is held for orders after 12 m idnight, he need
not m ake the first report the following morning.
(b ) The mim imum pay does not apply if man is placed on th e extra list for
misses.
(/) W hen it becomes necessary to add men to the list each division will give
preference to men laid off on their division in the last 24 m onths. If such men
report w ithin 10 days after date of registered letters sent to their last known
address they will be reemployed and go to the foot of th e list in th e same order as
when laid off.
Such men who have been in the com pany’s service one year or more, when
laid off, will return a t th e same wage rating as when laid off.
7. Overtim e will commence after the to ta l tim e allowed on em ployee’s regular
ru n has been worked excepting as provided in section No. 25 and for extra, men
not assigned tem porarily to regular runs after having worked 9 hours. Over
tim e will be paid on line cars, trolley express cars, stone cars, and work trains
after 10 hours.
9.
Upon reasonable notice the com pany will a t all tim es m eet and tre a t w ith
its conductors and m otorm en or properly accredited representatives from
am ongst their num ber, it being understood th a t any questions regarding inter
p retation of the working conditions or regarding discipline shall be taken up with
th e head of the departm ent concerned; then, if necessary, w ith th e m anager of
th a t division, if there be one; and later, if necessary, w ith th e president and general
m anager. An appeal m ay be taken from the decision of th e president and
general m anager to the board of directors.
Should the parties to this agreem ent be unable to arrive a t an adjustm ent of
the general wage scale during the term of this agreement, then th e m atter will
be subm itted to arbitration.
11. Conductors on passenger cars, other th an special cars, and operators of
one-man cars, and buses other than special buses, will be allowed 15 m inutes
per day a t regular rates for making up their returns.
14. (a ) M otormen and conductors will be allowed to bid passenger-car runs
and bus runs as provided below, according to seniority of continuous service,
and the bidding-in system shall prevail, th e superintendent reserving th e right
to change allotm ents requiring a m an to bid some other bus or trolley run if
necessary for the good of the service.
A t least 75 per cent of all regularly scheduled runs shall be completed w ithin a
spread or over-all tim e of 11 hours.
19.
Operators of one-man cars will be allowed three m inutes to change ends
where the same can be done w ithout blocking traffic. There will also be allowed
two m inutes a t loops where the same can be done w ithout blocking traffic.
22. On days of heavy travel and a t other tim es when m en are relieved for
short periods am ounting to less th a n one hour for lunch they will be paid for such
tim e the same as if they were continued on the car. When possible, relief crews
will be provided to m ake this relief.
29. D ay men who have not been relieved a t the completion of th eir d a y ’s work
will not be compelled to work later th a n one and one-half hours after completion
of their regular runs, unless, due to heavy travel, the relief tim e of such run has
been modified. Such men who have not been relieved will notify starter or
dispatcher th a t their relief has not reported. If they have not been advised
w ithin one hour after regular relief tim e of arrangem ents having been m ade to
relieve them they will again call dispatcher and m ay run car into barn on arrival
a t their regular relief point next following completion of an hour and a half,
unless the tim e in their run has been modified as provided above.
30. All conductors, m otormen, and bus operators desiring th e same will be
entitled to four days a m onth off duty, and there shall be kept in th e office of the
superintendent of car houses a book which will show the nam es of all such men
and the days assigned to them to be absent from du ty : P r o v id e d , h o w e v e r , T h at
in the event of a shortage of m en a t any tim e this order m ay be revoked.
The selection of days desired off will be governed by seniority, and such selec
tion shall tak e place during th e last five days of the m onth for th e succeeding
m onth.
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LABOR AGREEMENTS----WINDOW GLASS INDUSTRY
S h o p s , c a r h o u se s, p o w e r s ta tio n s , s u b s ta tio n s , a n d lin e d e p a r tm e n t
The following wage scale and w orking conditions are to be m ade effective
June 1, 1926, in th e shops and car houses represented and th e H artford power
station and H artford substations, and th e Bridgeport, Derby & H artford line
departm ent, and are to rem ain in effect for one year.
An increase of 2 cents an hour will be m ade in the wages of employees in the
departm ents above referred to.
2. A d ay’s work for all hourly paid employees in shops and car houses shall be
9 hours, to be com pleted inside of 10 consecutive hours, excepting on the Derby
division, where a d ay ’s work is 10 and 11 hours and the night men the same hours
as they wmrk a t present.
3. A d ay ’s work for all hourly paid employees in th e H artford power station
to be 8 hours, 7 days a week, and in th e substations of th e H artford division 12
hours, 6 days a week, or equivalent.
4. All tim e worked in excess of tim e nam ed to be paid a t th e rate of tim e and
one-half and will continue a t overtim e rate until employee is relieved.
6.
The company agrees to allow five m inutes a t noon and a t night to ail garage,
shop and car-house men, linemen, pow er-station repairm en, and yardm en to
wash up.
8. On Saturday afternoons during the m onths of June, July, and August such
shop employees as ordinarily quit work a t 5 p. m. m ay q u it work a t 4 p. m.
w ith pay for th e nine hours. Where it is practicable, other shop employees will
be allowed one hour w ith pay, some other day th a n Saturday, each week during
these m onths.
10. All tim e is to be com puted in units of 15 m inutes.
11. Men in th e shop who believe they are qualified for garage work m ay give
their names to th e m aster mechanic, who in tu rn will send th e inform ation to
th e head of the garage departm ent and will post list of such nam es in th e garage
and men will be given positions in order of seniority when open, if they are
qualified.
16. All tools which are th e personal property of employees which are broken
or worn out in the service of the company shall be replaced w ithin four days after
notice is given to th e foreman of the departm ent in which th e m an is employed.
17. Ice w ater will be furnished throughout th e m onths of th e year when
necessary.
18. Soft soap and hot w ater will be furnished for washing-up purposes in shops,
power stations, and th e line departm ent.
19. First-aid kits will be provided in shops, power stations, and line departm ent.
20. All shops and car houses where men are employed shall be properly heated
between the 1st of October and the 1st of April.
21. All pits are to be kept in sanitary condition and properly drained.
22. As it is necessary for certain shopmen and linemen to work on Sunday,
an endeavor will be m ade to use a revolving list so th a t th e same employee is
n o t obliged to work continuously on Sundays or holidays.
W indow G lass In d u s tr y —N a tio n a l A g re e m e n t
nP H E N ational W indow Glass W orkers have m ade an agreement
A w ith glass m anufacturers for one year from Septem ber 1, 1926.
hollowing are the wage scale and some extracts from the agreement.
B L O W E R S ’ R A T E S P E R lOO-FOOT B O X , B Y S IZ E , S T R E N G T H , A N D Q U A L I T Y
Single strength
D ouble strength
Size
Size
A
B
8 b y 10 to 10 b y 15___________ _ $0.56 $0.47
11 b y 15 to 14 b y 20___________
.66
.55
14 b y 21 to 16 b y 24___________
.62
.73
16 b y 25 to 20 b y 30___________
.79
.66
21 b y 30 to 24 b y 3 0 - - . _______
.85
.68
.70
24 b y 31 to 24 b y 36___________ .87
25 b y 36 to 30 b y 41____
.77
.96
All above_________________ _ 1. 02
.82
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Fo u rth
$0.47
. 50
. 56
.59
.61
.63
.69
.74
6 b y 8 to 16 b y 24____________
16 b y 25 to 24 b y 36........... .........
24 by 37 to 30 b y 40__________
30 b y 41 to 26 by 51.....................
36 b y 52 to 39 b y 60________ 40 b y 60 to 40 b y 78____ ____ _
All a b o v e .......... ....... ..................
[1381]
A
B
$0.67
.99
1. 05
1.17
1. 42
1.88
3.48
$0.57
.83
.89
1. 00
1.23
1.64
3.09
230
M O N TH LY LABOR .REVIEW
There are to be no snappers employed. The double-up system of working
shall be employed. Two blowers and two gatherers on each bench. The blower
is to receive the above list of wages plus 30 per cent.
S e c t io n I, A r t ic l e 1 . G atherers shall receive 85 per cent as much as blowers’
gross wages for both single and double strength in all sizes.
A r t . 2. F latteners shall receive 27 per cent as much as blowers’ list wages for
both single and double strength in all sizes.
A r t . 3. C utters shall be paid for cutting, assorting, and booking, single strength
30 cents per box of 100 square feet; for cutting, assorting, and booking double
strength, 37 cents per box of 100 square feet.
A r t . 4. In the event of a change in m arket quotations on th e price of glass it
is agreed th a t representatives of th e companies operating shall m eet w ith th e
wage com m ittee of th e w orkers’ organization for th e purpose of revising this
scale of wages and working rules to conform w ith prevailing m arket conditions.
A r t . 10. F ifty rollers shall constitute a day’s work. In case of a roller break
ing on th e crane or on th e horse from capping off or cracking open, blowers and
gatherers shall be privileged to m ake up such breakage so th a t 50 rollers are
produced for th e d ay ’s work.
A r t . 11. C utters shall receive price and one-half for all fractional sizes above
16 by 16 and double price for all fractional sizes booked 16 by 16 and under and
double price for all sizes under 14 united inches.
A r t . 12. Ten dollars extra shall be paid to cutters a t th e end of every four
weeks cutting th e big place.
A r t . 13. A boss cutter shall be employed by all firms and shall be a member
of th e N ational Window Glass Workers in good standing. Boss cutters shall
receive the following rate of wages for their services: For 12 pots or less, S15 per
week and $3 for each additional 12 pots or less per week. This rate only to
apply to cutters who are working.
A r t . 22. M anufacturers shall furnish a -plentiful supply of clean sawdust
and shall have sam e placed in th e blowing room conveniently. M anufacturers
shall also furnish lee for drinking water, oil, soap, chalk; also*must a t their own
cost piece blowpipes and p u t new handles on same.
t A r t . 24. M anufacturers shall deduct from the earnings of all members of the
N ational Window Glass Workers working for them 2 per cent of th e am ount
earned for dues to th e N ational Window Glass Workers and shall w ithin 10 days
after each and every settlem ent present check for th e full am ount to th e local
president, payable to th e secretary of the N ational Window Glass Workers,
together w ith the names, am ount earned, and th e am ount paid by each member
during said period, same to be forwarded by the local president to th e national
secretary. No debt of any kind th a t a member contracts shall prevent the
deduction of this 2 per cent, and any m anufacturer who overpays or fails to
deduct and forw ard said money for dues shall be liable to th e N ational Window
Glass W orkers for th e paym ent of same, w hether th e m em ber has anything due
him or not. This also applies to entire earnings of boss cutters and boss flatteners.
All bills to be presented weekly with, the am ount earned. Said bills to have
th e am ount of glass cut in each bracket and the am ount of A and B.
A r t . 25. I he m a n u f a c tu r e r sh a ll d e d u c t m o n e y fro m m e m b e r’s w ag es w h e n
n o tifie d t o d o so b y t h e p re s id e n t, se c re ta ry , lo ca l p re s id e n t, o r e x e c u tiv e b o a rd
m e m b e r.
A r t . 27. Forty-four hours per week shall be the maximum num ber of hours
th a t blowers and gatherers shall be perm itted to work. All work m ust cease in
th e blowing room not later th a n 4 p. m. on Saturday.
A r t . 28._ No more th a n five hours shall be worked consecutively w ithout a t
least 30 m inutes’ tem po being taken.
A r t . 29. The president and executive board of th e N ational Window Glass
Workers shall have th e privilege a t any tim e during th e operative period of this
agreem ent to place a checker in th e plant of any com pany in which th ey see fit
to do so. Said checker shall have th e privilege of m aking a record of all glass
cu t an d packed a t said plant.
S e c . XI, A r t . 6, Any m anufacturer introducing into his flattening house, blow
i uniaee, tanks, or pots, new inventions or supposed im provem ents shall, so long
as said im provem ents continue to be an experim ent or until it shall have been
dem onstrated th a t it shall not be a loss to the workmen, pay a guaranty to all
workmen whose work is or m ay be affected by said m achine or inventions. Said
guaranty shall consist of so m uch per box, and every six and one-half rollers to
constitute a box of single strength, and the num ber of rollers, according to the
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AWARDS A1STD DECISIONS— CLOTHING INDUSTRY
231
regular list, to constitute a box of double strength. Said guaranty to be arranged
between the m anager of the said works and th e president of th e N ational Window
Glass Workers, subject to ratification of th e executive board.
S e c . I l l , A r t . 4. Blowers and gatherers a re not perm itted to work tw o suc
cessive shifts. Spare men are perm itted to -work 44 hours per week and may
work tw o successive shifts, provided they do not work a num ber of hours exceed
ing th e num ber worked by the regular shift.
A r t . 6. No m ember of this association shall pay for piecing or repairing of
pipes or tools a t any tim e, and the m anufacturer shall also furnish pipe handles
and have them p u t on. A rental charge not to exceed 25 cents per week m ay be
m ade when m anufacturers furnish a full set of blowpipes.
A r t . 18. No m em ber or local when a difficulty arises shall have th e right
to cease work or pull pipes w ithout the authority or permission of th e national
president or executive board through the local council.
S e c . IV, A r t . 2. Where boss flatteners are employed they shall be members
of th e N ational Window Glass Workers. Boss flatteners are not perm itted to
discharge members of the N ational Window Glass Workers. Notice to be valid
m ust be handed to the local president by th e manager. The local president will
place th e notice in th e hands of the member affected.
S e c . V, A r t . 1. No cutter shall be allowed to cut more th a n three pots of
single strength or three pots of double strength.
A w a rd s a n d D e c is io n s
C lo th in g I n d u s tr y —C hicago
IN CASE No. 1021, decided June 29, 1926, com plaint was made th a t
1 three cutters were not paid for Decoration Day. The reason
given was th a t they were not present the day before or the day after
the holiday. The firm took the position th a t during the period of
suspension cutters were deprived of rights enjoyed by cutters who
were working. The union stated “ th a t since suspension is a pre
rogative of the firm, the cutters can not be said to have been absent
voluntarily.” On the second day after the holiday two of the cut
ters were reinstated by decision of the trade board and the third by
agreement between the parties.
The board rem arked a t the hearing and would repeat th a t if th e suspensions
had been sustained and the cutters had been discharged there could be no claim
for holiday pay under th e rule of this firm. In th e ease of a suspension which is
not sustained w hether by agreement or decision those suspended have n o t severed
th eir connection w ith the firm. The suspension notice reads usually: “ This is
not a discharge.” The question to determ ine is w hether th e tim e lost by agree
m ent or by decision is sufficient discipline or w hether another day (the holiday)
should be added. In the cases heard bj^ the trade board it was contem plated in
th e decision th a t th e two cutters should share responsibility w ith all the cutters.
There is no reason, therefore, for denying them holiday pay. In th e case of the
cu tter reinstated by agreem ent th e board has not heard th e evidence and is unable
to determ ine on th a t basis w hat discipline is needed. A pparently th e question
of holiday pay did n o t occur to th e firm or to the union when reinstatem ent was
agreed upon. No one charges th e firm w ith having suspended th e cu tter to
avoid holiday pay. A t th e same tim e it is well to avoid any possibility of sus
picion on this point. The board will assume th a t the discipline agreed upon did
n ot contem plate the loss of holiday pay.
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232
C lo th in g I n d u s tr y —New Y ork C ity
Q U ESTIO N of underproduction was decided by the im partial
chairm an in the New York clothing industry in case No. 282,
October 1, 1926.
The firm complained th a t the cutting departm ent during the pre
ceding week gave 500 garm ents fewer than called for l)}7 the standard
of production and asked for the right to dock the wages of the cutters
proportionately. The firm, also complained th a t the cutters had a
tendency not to take their obligations to the firm seriously and th a t
the firm did not receive a square deal.
The cutters replied th a t in reaching its results the firm had. not
made sufficient allowance for absent workers, th a t the cutters had
always made up any shortage in the cutting room, and th a t the short
age of the week referred to had been due to the fact th a t the firm had
not provided sufficient work.
The im partial chairm an decided as follows:
According to th e term s of an agreem ent w ith the firm, th e cutters are to pro
duce 4,200 garm ents per week and to m ake up any shortages. The im partial
chairm an directs the cutters to m ake up, as soon as possible, th e shortage com
plained of by the firm. The chairm an also wishes to impress upon th e cutters
th a t they m ust live up to the standard of production.
E a s te r n M a s s a c h u s e tts S t r e e t R ailw ay
N A R B IT R A T IO N award signed by two arbitrators, w ith the third
arb itrato r dissenting, was made Septem ber 24, 1926, between the
E astern M assachusetts Street Railway Co. and its employees, mem
bers of 15 locals of the Am algam ated Association of Street and Elec
tric Railw ay Employees of America. Several questions were laid
before the board for decision, b u t m ost of them were brushed away
w ith the statem ent th a t concerning them “ there shall be no change
made in the existing contract.” The only changes m ade in the
existing agreem ent related to wages and hours, regarding which the
board spoke as follows:
1. Wages of all employees affected by this arbitration shall be increased IRj
cents an hour.
2. F or all work perform ed over 8 hours per day men shall be paid a t th e rate
of tim e and one-half. The 8-hour day is in force on three other systems in this
State, on two of which a t least th e conditions are fairly com parable to those on
this system. I t was adm itted by th e com pany th a t so far as it concerned the
operating of this system an d furnishing of proper service it m ade no difference
w hether th e hours of labor per day be 8 or 9. The 8-hour day is becoming more
universal each year and is recognized by law in -M assachusetts for public
employees.
The request of th e men for a 12Rj per cent increase is not w arranted by the
evidence introduced. The present cost of living figures show th a t there has been
little change from those of last year and then downwards about tw o-tenths of 1
per cent.
Explanatory of the working of the overtime rate, the board inserted
the following illustration in section 12 of the agreem ent:
R,uns 8 hours and less th a n 8 hours and 30 m inutes shall be paid 8 hours and
30 m inutes. Runs containing 8 hours and 30 m inutes arid less th a n 9 hours
shall be paid 9 hours. All other runs shall be com puted in 15-minute periods.
To prevent m isunderstanding in the interpretation of this paragraph, it is agreed
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AWARDS AND DECISIONS----RAILWAY CONDUCTORS
233
th a t for work actually performed between 8 hours and 8 hours and 30 m inutes
employees shall receive pay a t th e overtime rate of tim e and one-half; and for
any rem aining p a rt of th e one-half hour they shall receive pay a t their regular
hourly rate. For illustration: A m an operating a one-man car w ith a run of
8 hours and 10 m inutes shall receive pay for 8 hours a t 6 7 ^ cents an hour, or
$5.40. H e will receive tim e and one-half for the 10 m inutes a t his regular hourly
one-man car rate. For th e rem aining 20 m inutes of the half hour he will receive
pay for one-third of an hour a t the regular hourly one-man car rate, th e one-man
car rate referred to being 623^ cents plus 5 cents, or 67M cents an hour. If a
run is 8 hours and 25 m inutes and up to 8 hours and 29 m inutes, both inclusive,
he shall be paid a t th e rate of tim e and one-half on 30 m inutes. For work actually
performed between 8 } 4 hours and 9 hours employees shall receive pay a t th e rate
of tim e and one-half, and for th e rem aining period w ithin this one-half hour they
shall receive pay a t their regular hourly rate. All schedule runs w ith to tal tim e
less th a n 8 hours shall pay 8 hours.
R ailw ay C o n d u c to rs —D ecisio n of T ra in Service B o ard of Ad
j u s t m e n t for t h e W estern- R egion
D E C IS IO N No. 2115, made August 26, 1926, in a claim by the
Order of Railway Conductors against the M inneapolis, St. Paul
& Sault Ste. M arie Railw ay Co., the board had before it the question
of pay for term inal work. Article IV, rule 6, reads as follows:
Passenger conductors who are required to tu rn trains or perform switching
a t term inals shall be paid for actual tim e so consumed in addition to trip a t
regular overtim e rates; also tim e consumed in loading or unloading baggage,
mail, or express will be paid for th e same as switching when done in connection
w ith any of th e above work m entioned in this rule.
T rain No. 86, arriving a t Sault Ste. M arie, has for a great m any
years headed down a wye 1% miles from the station and backed into
the depot. T he west switch of the wye is ju st inside the western
yard limits, and about 12 or 13 m inutes are consumed from the
tim e of the first stop a t th e wye until the arrival a t the depot.
The conductor on train No. 86 is required to tu rn the train on the
wye. Hence he claimed back tim e from April 1, 1925, under the
above rule, switching tim e from the tim e the train stopped a t the
entering wye switch until all work in connection w ith the train
was completed and the conductor relieved from duty.
The position of the m anagem ent and the decision of the board
follows:
We do not agree w ith the contention of the organization th a t they are entitled
to this claim. Owing to th e fact th a t it was a convenience to th e com pany to
perform this operation and th a t it possibly did take away term inal tim e for the
crew if they were required to tu rn the train after arrival, we, therefore, agreed
to commence paying term inal tim e from the arrival of th e train a t th e west wye
switch until crew was relieved and deduct 1 mile from their road mileage, making
this settlem ent effective F ebruary 1, 1926, bu t declining to m ake any retroactive
paym ents. We do not consider th a t a passenger train has arrived a t its term inal
until it has arrived a t th e depot.
D e c i s i o n .— This claim is sustained upon same basis as paym ent is now being
made.
20358°—26f— 16
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Stereotyp ers—D etroit
A N A R B IT R A T IO N award by Judge F rank M urphy was issued
August 16, 1926, in a dispute between Stereo typers’ Local No. 9
and the D etroit Free Press and D etroit Times, relative to the scale of
wages to be in effect from M ay 1, 1926. The union dem anded $9 per
8-hour day or 7-hour night, with $2 bonus for double shift, and $10.30
for an 8-hour S aturday night. The publishers offered $7.75 per
8-hour day or 7-hour night, with $1.50 bonus for double shift, and
$8.85 for an 8-hour S aturday night.
E xtracts from the opinion follow:
I t has been difficult to avoid in this dispute principles th a t come to all wage
disputes, foremost am ong them being th e cost of living and conditions of industry.
In the present instance both have been given careful consideration. The former
question—cost of living—was presented in argum ent by both sides, while the
la tte r was largely ignored. The publishers argued th a t th is board should not
take into consideration in determ ining th e fair and reasonable wage for stereo
typers th e financial conditions of th e publishers’ business nor th e conditions under
which th ey operate or are likely to operate. I t is contended th a t the condition of
th e publishers’ business is not an issue and therefore should form no p a rt in th e
deliberations and plans of th e board. However, separating th e tw o principles is
easier to do in theory th a n in practice. Experience has gone far to dem onstrate
th a t neither the cost-of-living principle nor the condition of industry, if used one
w ithout th e other, is a completely satisfactory basis for a policy of wage settle
m ent. Both general conditions and conditions in th e particular industry should
be given weight in every wage dispute, and th e la tte r itself should be a prim ary
basis of decision. A study of general conditions throughout th e country discloses
general prosperity and high production, and in local newspaper business there is an
obvious prosperity.
In industry, as in all else, the present is fleeting arid th e future is difficult to
forecast, and an arbitration giving consideration to th e condition of business
principles m ust keep this fact constantly in mind. In th e interest of industrial
efficiency and friendly cooperation between the em ployer and employees wages
should bear some relation not only to national wealth, b u t specifically to the
product of th e industry concerned. In th e present instance th e union has a right
to assume th a t the growing productivity of the publishers’ business entitles its
members to a progressive standard of living. Under all th e proofs and having in
m ind the recognized present general prosperity, it is fair to conclude th a t in the
business of the publishers profits are likely to be high and on th e increase. There
fore, generally speaking, they should be able to pay higher wages.
G reat im provem ents have been made in recent*years and still are being made
by those who are engaged in industry. A lim it to th e possibility of increasing
production has not been reached, and no doubt invention, new methods, and
common sense, if worked together, will help increase production in the future
as it has in the past. This industrial progress and th e standard of living of
workers should constantly move forward, and for this reason there is grave
danger in paying wages exclusively on the cost-of-living principle and the living
wage.
AEconomists, employers, and employees have in recent years directed their
attention to a large extent to th e question of real wages as distinguished from
money wages for th e reason th a t w hat dollars will buy is more im portant than
th e num ber of dollars received as a'w age. I t is only by constantly raising real
wages and not ju st money wages th a t prosperity is brought about. An increase
m wages m ay be illusory if it is an increase in nam e only, because th e purchasing
powder of th e money m ay be appreciably decreased, This consideration makes it
necessary to measure w ith fine accuracy changes in price levels which occur from
year to year and from m onth to month.
Careful exam ination has been made of all the exhibits introduced in connection w ith price levels from th e base period, December, 1914, to December,
1925. Likewise, th e wage scale during th e same period has been closely scruti
nized. This study has established th e following fa c ts:
First. T h at prices in D etroit advanced from December, 1914, to December,
1925, 88.2 per cent.
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AWARDS AND DECISIONS— STEREOTYPERS
235
Second. T h at wages of stereotypers in D etroit advanced during th e same
period from $24 to $48.
Third. T h a t 53.1 cents in December, 1914, would purchase as much as $1
would purchase in December, 1925, and th a t th e increase in real wages for
stereotypers during this 10-year period was only $1.48 per week, or, expressed in
percentage, 6.1 per cent.
Fourth. T h at th e percentage of increase in cost of living in D etroit from
December, 1914, to December, 1925, is greater than for any other of the 32
American cities covered in the survey.
No attem p t is here made to draw any other conclusion from these facts th an
th a t the increase in real wages to D etroit stereotypers from December, 1914, to
December, 1925, has been trivial; th a t for a good portion of this tim e th e stereo
typers m ust have labored under conditions th a t made life difficult to sustain,
because th e advance in real wages failed completely to keep pace w ith th e advanc
ing cost of living; and th a t in comparing wages in other American cities w ith th e
D etroit scale some consideration should be given to the fact th a t th e cost of living
in D etroit has increased by a larger percentage during th is period th a n in any
other of the 32 cities considered. I t follows th a t a money wage in other cities
th a t appears to be equal to D etroit, or even less, m ay be appreciably more,
depending upon cost of living, hours of labor, and other social and economic
factors.
The present industrial organization of society is built upon th e wage system,
and as long as it survives it m ust j ustify itself by providing th e wage earner w ith
sufficient to live on in a m anner becoming to his dignity as a man. This is not
accomplished by furnishing him w ith a mere subsistence, The gulf between a
mere subsistence wage and a decent and comfortable living wage should broaden,
and especially when th e industry concerned is n o t imperiled or in any way em
barrassed as in th e present case. A wage is not a living wage unless through
frugality a wage earner m ay earn sufficient to develop w ithin reasonable lim its
his physical, spiritual, moral, and intellectual faculties, and in addition be able
to set aside a reserve to provide for accident, old age, illness, and misfortune.
U nder th e present social order th e father is th e n atu ral provider for all members
of th e family. I t follows th a t whenever th e wage earner lacks th e means to
provide for th e becoming m aintenance of his wife and children m arriage and
home life are discouraged, women and children are obliged to labor, and there is
brought about a steady deterioration and lowering of standards in th e families
affected. Therefore, a living wage means a family living wage.
Budget studies are essential and helpful in giving application to th e living
wage principle, b u t can n o t and should n o t control its use completely. All of
the budgets subm itted have been studied and compared. The visiting house
keeper’s budget for D etroit, $2,010.72, subm itted by th e publishers, is hardly
applicable to the present dispute w ithout considerable modification upward.
T hroughout this controversy it m ust constantly be borne in m ind th a t wre are
seeking to determ ine a ju st wage for the members of a well-established skilled
craft. The budget referred to was not calculated to apply to a skilled w orker’s
family such as a stereotyper’s. On th e contrary, it was designed in th e main
as a guide for relief work for relief-giving organizations. I t would be unfair
to impose this budget on th e families of D etroit stereotypers and would mean
a recession w ith no good excuse from th e standard of living now prevailing.
Acceptance of this standard would only add to th e perplexing problem now
existing and would have a tendency to oblige housewives and children to labor.
I t is not necessary here either to approve of th e budgets offered in evidence
or to arrange one as a model. However, a careful study of item s and costs of
th e California commission’s budget for clerks leads to th e conclusion th a t the
present stereotyper’s wage of $8 per day, or $2,496 for a year of 312 working
days, falls short of w hat is necessary for th e com fortable and decent support of a
stereotyper’s family living in D etroit.
I t is the contention of th e publishers th a t under th e present scale th e average
wage of stereotypers of D etroit is $51.08, indicating an average annual income of
$2,656.16. These figures, of course, are built on th e overtim e earnings of th e
men, and for this reason these averages should not be a deciding factor in deter
mining a ju st wage scale. Overtime work saps th e physical and m ental strength
of th e men, denies them recreation, and takes from them both th e atten tio n
they should give to and care they should receive from home. In this connection
it is observed th a t stereotypers of D etroit have not enjoyed th e general reduc-
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
tion in weekly hours of labor th a t has taken place in th eir craft throughout
th e country, and th a t they still labor on an 8-hour day and 7-hour night schedule.
While there is no direct evidence bearing on th e ability or inability of th e
employers to bear an increase in wages, there is abu n d an t evidence of an increase
in prosperity in th e business of the employers. There has been no substantial
change in th e relation between wages and cost of living since December, 1914.
No sound reason or principle requires th a t th e relation between cost of living
and wages which prevailed in December, 1914, should rem ain always constant
and be adhered to as an ideal standard. A t th a t tim e, for example, there was
little difference in wage between stereotypers and day laborers. In th e interest
of both em ployer and employed, a progressive increase in stan d ard of living and
im provem ent in th e economic situation of th e wage earner should accom pany a
general increase in prosperity and living standards. I t is th e opinion of th e
board th a t an increase of $3.60 per week in th e wages of stereotypers would not
be unreasonable in view of conditions in th e industry and would be justified by
th e evidence subm itted and th e considerations herein mentioned. The following
aw ard is m ade:
(1) T he m inimum scale for journeym en working two consecutive full-time
shifts in th e sam e office a t th e request of the office representative shall be paid a
bonus of $2 for th e second full-tim e shift over and above his regular pay.
(2) E ight consecutive hours or any p a rt thereof between th e hours of 6.15 a. m.
and 7 p. m. shall constitute a day ’s work. Seven consecutive hours or any p art
thereof between th e hours of 5 p. m. and 5 a. m. shall constitute a nig h t’s work,
except on Saturday, when 8 consecutive hours between th e hours of 2 p. m. and
5 a. m. Sunday shall constitute a night’s work, and the pay for th a t night shall be
$9.84.
. (3) The minimum scale of wages to stereo typers shall be as follows: Journey
men, $8.60 per 8-hour day or 7-hour night.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
S t a t i s t i c s of I m m ig r a tio n fo r S e p te m b e r , 1326
By J. J. K
unna,
C h i e f S t a t i s t i c i a n , U . S. B
ureau
of
I m m ig r a t io n
O M EN outnum bered men in the homing m igration of American
travelers from abroad in September, this preponderance of
women applying to both native and alien residents of the
U nited States reentering the country. In recent years Septem ber
has been a peak m onth for incoming passenger travel, and September,
1926, was no exception to this rule. D uring this m onth 71,268
U nited States citizens arrived from foreign countries, 39,742 being
females and 31,526 males.
In the same m onth 60,977 aliens were adm itted and 23,026
departed, the former comprising 35,297 im m igrants and 25,680 non
im m igrants and the latte r 6,634 emigrants and 16,392 nonemigrants.
This is an increase of both arrivals and departures over the previous
m onth as well as over the corresponding period of 1925.
Of the 35,297 im m igrant aliens, or newcomers for perm anent resi
dence in the U nited States, Canada, with 11,150, furnished the largest
num ber, and Mexico, Germany, the Irish Free State, Italy, Scotland,
England, Poland, and Sweden, in the order named, w ere.the next
largest contributors. Italy continues to lead all countries receivingem igrant aliens from the U nited States, 2,154, or about one-third of
the total of 6,634 for the m onth, going to th a t country for future
perm anent residence. Less than 500 went to any one of the other
countries during the same period.
The latest figures throw an interesting light upon the distribution
of im m igrant aliens by States. They show th a t the regulation of
im m igration by quotas has had the effect of scattering the new
comers more evenly throughout the country than before. There is
no longer a rush to the congested cities of the E ast, b u t a, m arked
drift to the Central W est and to the States beyond the Rockies.
New York State still leads all others as the settling ground of the
present-day imm igration, but not by such a prodigious margin. For
instance, during July, August, and September, 1926, there were only
20,302 im m igrants who gave the Em pire S tate as their destination,
while 8,169 were recorded as leaving th a t State, a n et balance of 12,133
for the three m onths, which by comparison w ith New Y ork’s share
in former years seems amazingly small. M assachusetts received
8,813, and 2,026 left th a t State, a net balance of 6,787. M ichigan
received 8,813, and only 930 left th a t State, which gives M ichigan a
net gain of population by imm igration proportionately greater than
th a t for both New York and M assachusetts. Even Texas, considered
usually as distinctively an agricultural State, received 11,963, with
only 231 leaving, so th a t the Lone S tar State, too, was not behind
the above-m entioned A tlantic Coast States in proportionate n et gain
W
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1389]
237
238
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
by immigration. Of the Pacific Coast States, California received
6,451 and W ashington 1,439, while 1,336 left the former and 267 the
latter. The Southern States, as usual, gained b u t little by immigra
tion, Florida receiving the largest num ber, 799 going to th a t State
and 293 leaving. South Carolina received fewest of all the States—
with ju st 17 incoming and 5 ougtoing in the three months.
Some interesting inform ation is shown concerning the character
of recent imm igration. The net gain of skilled labor in July, August,
and Septem ber last was 11,354, compared with only 8,631 in the
corresponding m onths of last year. There was a net gain o f-7,808
common laborers this year as against a net loss of 1,871 last year.
N et farm labor im m igration amounted to 5,205 during the said three
m onths of this year as compared with only 3,496 for the same neriod
of 1925.
Of the alien applicants for admission to the United States a t the
seaports of entry during September, 1926, only eight out of every
thousand were rejected for various causes under the general imm igra
tion laws. In this m onth 41,048 aliens sought entry at such ports and
338 of these were debarred, or eight-tenths of 1 per cent of the
num ber applying. A t points along the northern and southern land
boundaries, 1,479 were rejected, m aking a total for the m onth of
1,817 aliens debarred at all ports. D uring the same m onth 885
aliens were^ deported from the United States under w arrant proceed
ings, the principal causes for their deportation to the countries whence
they came being: Entering w ithout visa under the im m igration act
of 1924, m entally or physically defective, and criminal and immoral
classes.
T able 1.—INWARD AND OUTWARD PASSENGER MOVEMENT PROM JULY 1 TO
SEPTEMBER 30, 1926
Inward
Period
Outward
Aliens
Aliens
de
Aliens admitted
de
Aliens departed United
United
ported
barred
States
States
after
citi Total from
citi
land
enter
Non
zens
Nonzens Total ing2
Immi immi
ing i Emi emi Total
ar
Total
de
grant grant
grant
rived
grant
parted
1926
July............... 22, 283 16,096 38, 379 25, 981 64, 360 1,746 7,052 17,970
August_____ 29,286 20,467 49, 753 52,683 102, 436 1, 601 7,376 15,410
September__ 35, 297 25,680 60, 977 71,268 132, 245 1,817 6,634 16,392
Total__ 86,866 62,243 149,109 149, 932 299,041 5,164 21,062 49,772
25, 022 60, 223 85, 245
816
22, 786 42, 248 65,034 1,121
23, 026 26, 268 49,294
885
70, 834 128, 739 199, 573 2,822
1 These aliens are not included among arrivals, as they were not permitted to enter the United States.
2 These aliens are included among aliens departed, they having entered the United States, legally or
illegally, and later being deported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1390]
239
IMMIGRATION- AND EMIGRATION
T able 2 .—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
FROM TH E U N IT E D STA TES D U R IN G SE P T E M B E R , 1926, A N D FR O M JU L Y 1 TO S E P
T E M B E R 30, 1920, BY RACE OR P E O P L E , SE X , A N D AGE GROUP
Immigrant
Race or people
July to September, July to
September, September,
September,
1926
1926
1926
1926
African (black)______________ _________________
Armenian____ ____ ________________ ______
Bohemian and Moravian (Czech)________ . . . ___
Bulgarian, Serbian, and Montenegrin_____________
Chinese . __________________ _____________ ___
Croatian and Slovenian.................. ................ ..............
Cuban______________________________________
Dalmatian, Bosnian, and Herzegovinian .. -------Dutch, and Flemish__ ___ ___ . .. . . .. - . . . _____
East Indian. _______________ _______
English_________________ ___________________
Finnish __________ ___ _______________ . ...
French.. _______________________ _____ ______
Gorman. _ __________
_ . ___________ .
Greek__________________ ____________________
Hebrew...___________________ .. ___________
Irish____________________ . _____________ _
Italian (north)_______ .. _ _______ _ . . _____
Italian (south)________ .. _ ______ ____ _____
Japanese. ________
_____ _ . ______ .. - ...
Korean ________________
____________ ...
Lithuanian. ________ ___ ___________ ________
Magyar_____________________ _______ ______
Mexican __ ______________ _________________
Pacific Islander
_____________________ ____
Polish . . __________________ ... _____ ______
Portuguese---------------------- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------R um anian
________
Emigrant
.
-
.
_ .
Russian..-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ruthenian (Russniak)________ ____________________ ____ _____
Scandinavian (Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes)_____
Scotch ............... ...................................... ... - - ----------------------------------Slovak________________________________________________________________________
Spanish . ____________________________________________ . ---------------------Spanish American ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- . .
S y rian ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------------------------
-
.
----------
Turkish _ __________________ . . - ---------------------- - . . . ---------Welsh
. . . ________ __
- - - - . . . ________ - . . _____ ________ . . .
West Indian (except Cuban) _ _
_
Other peoples_________________ _______________________
113
127
307
62
288
104
337
7
332
12
5,240
93
2, 666
4,629
150
860
5, 820
193
1,130
78
7
42
110
6.154
435
58
41
139
26
1,879
3,002
28
134
361
89
17
125
35
61
286
288
751
168
501
191
821
17
783
21
12, 282
175
6, 040
11, 296
537
2,180
12, 693
605
4.177
201
20
109
251
17,638
4
874
215
50
4
185
169
332
23
75
46
78
9
558
22
117
345
264
13
123
376
1, 804
115
5
42
150
177
93
291
HO
4,196
6, 815
81
282
1,062
212
33
321
107
139
168
19
463
515
942
101
218
143
277
27
2,226
133
521
1,236
1,052
74
629
890
3, 890
237
20
172
321
615
4
332
200
128
37
1
166
155
31
186
137
25
24
8
88
34
1, 036
799
440
165
10
778
926
310
838
414
70
68
17
215
83
______________ _________________________
35, 297
86, 866
6,634
21,062
Male ___________________________________ _______________________ _____________
Female. ............. .......................... ........... ............................................... ..........................
19, 566
15, 731
49, 883
36, 983
4, 569
2,065
13, 767
7, 295
U nder 16 years _ _____ -___________________________________ __________ _
16 to 44 years ___________________________________________ __________ _____
46 years and over______________________ _____________ _ ______________
5,480
26, 870
2,947
13, 669
65, 238
7,959
299
4,707
, 628
952
15,176
4,934
Total.
__________
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[1391]
1
240
MONTHLY LABOR. REVIEW
T able 3 . -L A S T P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E OF IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO
A N D FU T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E OF E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D FROM
T H E U N IT E D ST A T ES D U R IN G S E P T E M B E R , 1926, A N D FR O M JU L Y 1 TO S E P T E M B E R
30, 1926, B Y C O U N T R Y
[Residence for a year or more is regarded as perm anent residence]
Immigrant
Country
July to September, July to
September, September,
September,
1926
1926
1926
1926
Albania___________ ______________ ____
Austria. _________________
Belgium ___ _______
Bulgaria______ _________ .
Czechoslovakia____________
Danzig, Free City o f . . _ __ _______ _
Denmark_______ ______ _ ________
Esthonia____ __________________
Finland____ ___________ _______
France, including Corsica____________
Germany . .. __________ ____
Great Britain and ISi orthern Ireland:
England___________________ ______ _______
Northern Ireland _________________________
Scotland ___ _ _______
_________
Wales_____________ ______ ______ _
_____________
___________
____
Greece_____
Hungary_________
_______ __
Irish Free State... .. _ . ... _ _____
Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia______ ___ _____
Latvia. _ ________________________________ ___
Lithuania__________________________ ______
Luxem burg___ _ ______________ ________________
N eth erlan d s. ___________ ____ _______ ___________
Norway__ _ . . . ___________________ _________
P o la n d __. . . ________________ _______________
Portugal, including Azores, Cape Verde, and Madeira
Islands_______________ _________
Rumania.. ....................... .................... .................. .
Russia___ __ .. ________
Spain, including Canary and Balearic Islands...............
Sweden..... ...............................................
Switzerland_____________
Turkey in Europe. __________________________
Yugoslavia... .. ______ ____
Other Europe_____ _______
Total, Europe__...
Armenia______________
China______ ___ ___
India____ ____ ____
Japan__ _____________ .
Palestine_______ _____
Persia________________
Syria._____ ______ _______________
Turkey in Asia_________________ _________
Other Asia..... ....................
24
84
86
38
359
47
291
34
61
530
3,833
65
188
203
76
880
85
568
58
111
1,065
9, 299
37
50
43
29
213
1
36
2
19
85
305
92
158
149
67
657
2
148
7
113
465
1,065
926
25
1,085
92
114
2,261
53
2,597
278
458
204
7,548
4, 512
119
133
5
409
420
9
112
1, 712
93
769
14
1,051
276
440
4,761
77
3,017
1,213
65
48
1
176
674
708
Total, America_______ _____ _______
Total, others_______________________
Grand total, all countries. _________________
[1392]
31
65
329
6
168
1
112
329
1,027
195
132
18
165
52
49
189
1
795
443
88
687
250
182
10
690
2
15,635
37, 580
5,271
16,829
4
5
584
46
224
112
7
163
16
76
3
344
11
117
21
8
19
13
8
10
967
48
257
69
12
53
31
18
58
Egypt------------------------------- ---------------------------Other Africa___ ___________ _______
Australia____________________ ______
New Zealand___
__ ____ ____________ .
Other Pacific islands____ ___ ______________
3
39
137
223
266
145
1, 773
506
49
299
116
2
43
Total, Asia____________________
1,282
1, 609
6
269
121
92
2,154
42
113
129
68
685
198
16
111
59
320
20
82
61
4
C anada..___ ____ _______
Newfoundland.___ _____ _
Mexico_______________
Cuba ____________ ____
Other West Indies__________
British Honduras.. .......................................
Other Central America________ _______
Brazil________________________ ______
Other South America_________________ _________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Emigrant
594
1, 233
544
1,465
11,150
383
6, 252
449
131
13
205
114
230
26,029
734
17, 913
1,134
265
28
543
307
739
115
30
174
103
173
1
48
11
115
473
98
615
350
478
2
172
18,927
47,692
770
2, 552
31
30
40
36
4
64
95
113
73
16
3
10
23
13
9
25
128
141
361
49
216
35, 297
86, 866
6,634
21,062
47
317
38
16
241
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
4.—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IMMIGRATION
A C T O F 1924 D U R IN G S E P T E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1 TO S E P T E M B E R 30, 1926
B Y C O U N T R Y OR A R E A OF B IR T H
T able
[Quota im m igrant aliens are charged to th e quota; nonim m igrant and nonquota im m igrant aliens are
no t charged to the quota]
I
A dm itted
C ou n try or area of b irth
A nnual
quota
A lbania______ ________
too
A ndorra..................... ...... .
100
A ustria______ _______________
785
B elgium _______ ______________
i 512
B ulgaria____________________
100
Czechoslovakia ______ _ .
3, 073
D anzig, Free C ity oL _____
228
D e n m a rk ._ ________ ___
■2, 789
E sthonia__________________
124
F in la n d ______________ ______
471
F rance____ ____________ __
» 3,954
G erm any_______ __ _
51, 227
G reat B ritain and N o rth ern Ireland:
E n g lan d ., ___ ___ _ _
j
N o rth ern Ire la n d .. ________
Scotland_____ ___________
W ales_________ ______
i
Greece___________________ ___
100
H u n g a ry . ----------------------------------473
Ic e la n d ..
..................... .
100
Irish Free S tate___________
28, 567
Ita lv _________________
i 3,845
L a tv ia ___ _ ________ _
142
L iechten stein .. . . .
100
L ith u an ia _________________ ____
344
L uxem burg_______________
100
M onaco________ ___________
100
N eth erlan d s______ _________ _
1 1, 648
N o rw a y ____________ ___________
6,453
P o la n d _____________ ______
5,982
Portugal___________ ______ ._ _ _ _
i 503
R u m an ia________________ ____ ____
003
R ussia_____________ _____________
! 2,248
_ ___ ________
San M arin o __ _
100
Spain______ _______ _____________
1 131
Sw eden___ ___ ______ _ _____
9,561
Sw itzerland _ . . . _______ _ ___ .
2,081
T u rk ey in E u ro p e____________
100
Y ugoslavia___________________
671
O ther E u ro p e____________________
(0
Quota im m igrant
N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant
G rand
Total
total,
during
iy to
S e p te m SJu
e
m
Ju ly to
Ju ly to
ber, 1926 ber,p te1926
Septem S e p te m S e p te m S e p te m
ber,
1926
ber,
1926
ber, 1926
ber, 1926
i
j
]
(
35
11
113
281
72
64
23
302
39
315
30
58
410
3,895
246
J
404
543
61
1, 272
23
680
43
579
2,075
4, 663
102
169
131
50
803
77
609
51
112
825
9,533
229
237
27
646
2
326
18
359
1, 226
2.192
301
301
50
948
41
641
48
417
1, 636
6, 087
633
674
111
2,075
100
1,289
94
691
2,900
14,196
2,762
150
2,868
297
59
105
23
8,429
1,163
56
9
65
4
3
366
1,310
958
109
154
398
52
69
1,901
453
16
191
53
1,101
59
1,182
108
14
46
11
3,968
362
24
8,842
210
3, 762
348
967
595
9
2,034
8,591
97
3.591
89
1, 996
.162
259
298
4
1,138
2,591
40
4,692
148
3,178
270
273
344
15
5,106
2, 953
64
22
3
3
158
669
438
36
76
172
30
33
736
159
8
92
23
234
39
2
775
1, 382
1,737
641
517
849
1
1,493
1,349
899
373
727
47
112
25
1
319
810
771
128
212
290
582
733
461
114
337
24
134
28
4
477
1,479
1,209
164
288
462
30
615
1,469
620
122
429
47
11,604
360
6,630
645
1.026
700
32
10,463
9,754
153
9
299
43
5
1,141
2, 692
2,635
750
671
1,247
53
1,562
3,250
1,352
'389
918
100
14, 752
47,170
20,452
35,204
81,588
27
16
3,307
200
10
2,067
2
1,059
80
7
653
27
1
1,074
90
24
657
2
1
44
x
3,346
235
44
2,078
2
T o tal Europe...............................
161,422
34,418
A fghanistan______ ______ _
___
A rabia __________________ _____
A rm enia........................ ............... ...........
B h u ta n _________ ______ _ _____
C h in a ___________________ _______
I n d ia ..___________________________
Iraq (M eso p o tam ia)..____ _________
J a p a n ___ __________ __________
M uscat ____ _______ _________ _
N e p a l__________________________ _
P alestine_____ _____________ ______
P ersia........ ...................... .........................
Siam _________ _____ _
_________
S yria_____________________________
T u rk ey in A sia. _. ________________
O ther A sia___________________ . . .
100
100
124
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
1
1
17
1
39
35
34
11
11
1
15
10
17
4
67
25
1
66
28
49
42
7
1
28
17
22
89
33
16
228
184
55
39
10
10
76
68
24
81
17
11
104
85
46
156
58
17
294
212
10-1
1,424
375
175
6, 219
2,042
2, 217
6,594
T o tal A sia........... ................. .......
0
0
1
1 A nnual q u o ta for colonies, dependencies; or protectorates in other Europe, other Asia, other Africa,
o th er Pacific, and in A merica, is included w ith th e annual quota for th e European country to which they
belong. Q uota for T u rk ey in Asia is included w ith th a t for T u rk ey in Europe.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1393]
242
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
T able 4 .—A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T OF 1924 D U R IN G S E P T E M B E R , 1928, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1 TO S E P T E M B E R 30, 1926,
B Y C O U N T R Y OR A R E A OF B IR T H —C ontinued
A dm itted
A nnual
quota
C o u n try or area of b irth
Camcroorj (B ritish) _
_______
H a m P.rnnn ( F ran ch)
Egypt
_______________________
E thio p ia ___ - ________________
L iberia
_____________
Morocco
_______ _______
R u an d a ami TTrimdi
S outh Africa, U nion of _________
B^Hith W pst frica
T' an g-a n y i1ca
'T'op'^lRlld (B ritish)
THnprilnnfl (French)
O ther A frica____ ___________ _____
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
i 00
100
100
Quota im m igrant
N onim m igrant
and nonquota
im m igrant
G rand
Total
total,
during
J
to
S e p te m S euly
m
Ju ly to S e p te m Ju ly to S e p te m ber, 1926 ber,p te1926
Septem ber, 1928 S e p te m ber, 1928
ber, 1926
ber, 1926
1
38
1
1
29
18
40
1
1
4
11
1
1
78
1
3
5
19
128
47
66
181
2
1
53
1
21
7
40
13
20
61
T o tal A frica_________________
1,200
115
44
215
73
117
330
A ustralia_______________ - _____
ISJAnni
N ew Z e a la n d ________ ________
hjew G uinea
Samoa
__________
Y ap
_ _ ___ __________
O ther Pacific_______________ _____ .
121
100
100
100
100
100
48
17
1,192
406
423
1,240
44
Q
15
342
113
128
386
4
4
4
2
49
1
20
1
24
7
2
53
99
36
1,589
540
576
1,688
25, 967
1,395
22,301
3, 570
320
71
1,618
48
16
37
6
1,231
429
55
4
11,025
709
7,947
1,186
117
25
587
15
3
15
5
442
133
15
1
11,025
709
7,947
1,186
117
25
649
19
6
25
5
442
133
21
1
25,967
1,395
22,301
3,570
320
71
1,764
59
24
62
6
1,231
429
71
4
1,621
1
13
543
543
10
10
1,621
1
13
0)
0)
621
T o tal P a c ific .. -------------------G an aria,
_
___
_ __
C uba
_________ ______ ____ ___ D om inican R epublic__________. .
H a iti
..
____ ________ .
B ritish W est In d ie s _____________
D utch W e s tln d ie s ______ __
French W est In d ies__________
B ritish H o n d u ras__________ _____
C an al Zone
___________
O ther C entral America_________ .
Brazil
__________
B ritish G u ia n a ___________________
D u tch G uiana
_______
French G uiana
___
O ther S outh A m erica..
G reenland
M iquelon and St. P ie r r e ___
0)
0
0
0
146
11
8
25
62
4
3
10
0
0
0
16
6
0
0
T o tal A m erica_______________
G rand total, all countries_____
164, 667
200
85
58, 703
22, 778
22, 863
58,909
35, 213
15,092
113, 896
45, 885
60, 977
149,109
1 A nnual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in other Europe, other Asia, other Africa,
other Pacific, and in America, is included w ith the annual q u o ta for th e European country to w hich they
belong. Q uota for T u rk ey in Asia is included w ith th a t for T u rk ey in Europe.
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243
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
T
a b ie
5.—ALIENS ADMITTED TO THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE IMMIGRATION
A C T O F 1924, D U R IN G S E P T E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M JU L Y 1 TO S E P T E M B E R 30, 1926,
B Y S P E C IF IE D CLASSES
[The nu m b er of im m igrants appearing in this table and in Table 4 is not comparable w ith the num ber of
statistical im m igrant aliens shown in the other tables, b y races, countries, States, and occupations]
Class
Septem
ber, 1926
July to
Septem
ber, 1926
Nonimmigrants
G overnm ent officials, th e ir families, a tte n d an ts, servants, and em ployees...
Tem porary visitors for—
B usiness___________ ______ ___________________ _______
Pleasure____________________________ . ___________________
In continuous tra n sit through the U nited S tates_____________ _______
To carry on tra d e un d er existing tre a ty . _______ ______
T o ta l________ ________ ______ _
.
732
1,737
2,127
3,243
2,371
110
5,396
12,040
7, 589
347
8,583
27,109
1683
1546
15,137
1 2,024
1 1,444
30,414
219,391
1118
‘ 16
65
31
57
50
15
4
613
428
59
89
2 48,940
1 225
MO
179
90
168
73
20
6
917
1,783
192
272
.
Nonquota immigrants
W ives of U nited States citizens _________________ ___________________
C hildren of U nited States citizens...... ....................
R esidents of th e U nited States returning from a visit abroad
N atives of C anada, N ewfoundland, Mexico, C uba, H aiti, D om inican R epublic,
C anal Zone, or an independent co u n try of C entral or South A m erica______ . .
T heir wives........................................
T heir children . _________________
M inisters of religious denom inations ____ _
W ives of m in isters______ . . . _________
C hildren of m inisters_____ ______ . . . . .
Professors of colleges, academies, seminaries, or universities___
W ives of professors... . . . ___________ _
C hildren "of professors______ ______ ________
S tudents___ ...
__ _______
V eterans of th e W orld W ar ____ _
W ives of veterans _______ _______ .
C hildren of veterans ________________
T o ta l_____________ _
__________ _
•Quota im m igrants (charged to q u o ta )_____ _______________ _____
G rand total ad m itted
______________
37,302
86, 787
15,092
35, 213
60, 977
149,109
1 Wives, and unm arried children under 18 years of age, born in quota countries.
2 Does no t include aliens born in nonquota countries who were ad m itted as G overnm ent officials, visitors,
returning residents, etc.
M e x ic a n R e s tr ic tio n o n I m m ig r a tio n
R E G E N T communication from the U nited States consul at
Piedras Negras, Mexico, dated October 22, 1926, states th at,
beginning November 1,1926, the Mexican im m igration authori
ties will impose a head, tax of 20 pesos1 on all foreigners entering
Mexico.
An identification card issued by a Mexican consul upon the pres
entation of a vaccination certificate signed by a reputable physician
and certified a t a Mexican consulate is also required. American
citizens having identification cards do not need passports, and those
entering Mexico for a period of less than six m onths will not be
required to pay the head tax. In all cases, however, an identification
card is required in order to pass the entry restrictions.
Im m igrants not having a visible means of support, unless specif
ically authorized, will not be adm itted, nor will anarchists, peddlers,
smugglers, or escaped convicts.
A
1 Peso at p a r=49.85 cents; average exchange rate for September, 1926 = 48.73 cents.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW
T h e M e x ic a n I m m ig r a tio n P r o b le m
E S T R IC T IO N upon the imm igration of M exican laborers into
the U nited States, is discussed by Prof. T. N. Carver, of
H arvard University, in the April, 1926, issue of the American
B ankers’ Association Journal (New York).
Referring to the desire of some employers to encourage the imm igra
tion of M exican peon labor to the U nited States, Professor Carver
points out th a t cheap labor and poverty are inseparable. Moreover,
he holds th a t the coming of these peons will mean another race
problem.
The economic situation between the United States and Mexico is
analyzed by Professor «Carver as follows:
In the absence of interference, Mexico would im port business training and
capital and export unskilled labor. Business training and capita] are scarcer
in Mexico th a n here; unskilled labor is scarcer here th an in Mexico. These are
the prim ary facts in th e situation. The reasons for their existence are simple,
b ut their consequences are im portant.
The situation is such as always arises between any two neighboring countries,
one of which has dem ocratic institutions and a system of popular or universal
education directed tow ard practical ends, the other of which has aristocratic
traditions and no system of popular or universal education. The one will always
have a relative abundance of business training and capital and a relative scarcity
of th e lower grades of unskilled labor. The other will always have a relative
scarcity of business training and capital and a relative abundance of unskilled
labor of th e lower grades. The one will always, in th e absence of restrictions,
export business training and capital and im port unskilled labor. The other will
always, in the absence of restrictions, im port business training and capital and
export unskilled labor.
As a specific illustration of the working out of the above-described
conditions the author cites the tendency before the World W ar for
German m anagers and technicians to leave their native land, while
the cheapest kind of common laborers were emigrating to Germany
from some of the neighboring countries on the east and south. A
similar trend, he states, is also observable w ithin the U nited States
itself, New England sending trained and talented recruits to the
South and im porting negro labor from the same section of the country.
According to Professor Carver, the placing of European imm igra
tion on a quoto basis “ has made possible the present wage scale
and general diffusion of prosperity in this country. ” The fact th a t
imm igrants born in Mexico are not on a quota basis makes it possible
for them to come to this country in large numbers. Professor Carver
is of the opinion th a t if Mexico can not be induced to establish an
educational system similar to th a t of the U nited States the imm igra
tion of Mexican labor into this country should be restricted.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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ACTIVITIES OF STATE LABOR BUREAUS
M ONG 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 pres
ent issue of the Labor Review.
California.-—Changes in volume of employment' and pay roll in
673 establishm ents, page 175.
Illinois.—Changes in employment and earnings in factories, page
177.
Iowa.— Changes in volume of employment in various industries
in. the State, page 179.
M aryland.—Report on volume of employment in certain industries,
page 180.
Massachusetts.-—Changes in volume of employment in. various
industries in the State, page 181.
M inim um wage report for year ending November 30, 1925, page 47.
New Yorlc.—Changes in employment and pay rolls in 1,700 fac
tories, page 182.
R eport on cost of workmen’s compensation during year ending
June 30, 1925, page 77.
OJdahoma.—Changes in employment and pay rolls in 710 estab
lishments, page 183.
Wisconsin.—Volume of employment in various industries, page 183.
A
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245
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
G m c ia l— U n ite d S ta te s
C o n n e c t i c u t .-—-Board of Com pensation Commissioners.
C o m p e n d iu m o f a w a r d s
o f th e c o m p e n s a t i o n c o m m i s s i o n e r s u n d e r th e w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a t i o n la w ,
to g e th e r w i t h d e c is io n s o n a p p e a l o f th e S u p e r i o r C o u r t a n d S u p r e m e C o u r t o f
E r r o r s o f th e S t a t e o f C o n n e c tic u t, J u n e 1, 1 9 2 4 , to M a y 8 1 , 1 9 2 6 .
[N e w
H a v e n ?] 1 9 2 6 .
451, 146 pp.
This is the sixth volume of selected cases of decisions by th e commissioners, all
of th e decisions of the supreme court of errors to date of publication of the volume
being reproduced in full. An analytical index is appended.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .—-Departm ent o f Labor and Industries.
A n n u a l r e p o r t o n th e
s t a t i s t i c s o f la b o r f o r th e y e a r e l i d i n g N o v e m b e r 8 0 , 1 9 2 6 : P a r t I I — T w e n t y f i f t h a n n u a l d i r e c to r y o f la b o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n
b u l l e t i n N o . 1 4 8 ).
[ B o s to n , 1 9 2 6 .]
58 pp.
M i c h i g a n .— S tate Library.
Law D epartm ent.
w om en.
T h i r d e d i t i o n , r e v is e d a n d e n la r g e d .
M a s s a c h u s e tts ,
1926
(la b o r
L a w s o f M i c h i g a n r e la tin g to ,
L a n s in g , 1926.
120 pp.
A com pilation of laws affecting women, including a section on em ployment of
women an d children.
N a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e o n O u t d o o r R e c r e a t i o n .— P r o c e e d in g s o f th e s e c o n d
n a t i o n a l c o n fe r e n c e o n o u td o o r r e c r e a tio n h e ld i n W a s h i n g t o n J a n u a r y 2 0 a n d
21, 1926.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .
v iii, 175 p p .
(6 9 th C o n g ., 1 s t s e s s ., S e n a t e
doc. N o . 1 1 7 ).
Delegates to the second conference on outdoor recreation represented 80
organizations interested in outdoor life and 23 States. The subjects covered
included recreation for industrial and rural w orkers; Federal interests in a national
recreation policy; Federal and S tate wild-life adm inistration; and State interests
in a national recreation policy.
N e w Y o r k .—-D epartm ent of Labor.
S p e c ia l b u lle tin N o . 1 46: A c c id e n ts c o m
p e n s a te d i n y e a r e n d e d J u n e 8 0 , 1 9 2 5 .
1926.
67 pp.
A . — C ost o f c o m p e n s a tio n .
A lb a n y ,
A sum m ary of this report is given on page 77 of this issue.
U n ite d
S t a t e s .—d e p a rtm e n t of Agriculture.
A g r ic u ltu r e
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .
v , 1 5 3 7 p p . , m a p s , c h a r ts , i l l u s t r a t i o n s .
yearbook,
1925.
In addition to m uch other m aterial relating to agriculture, this yearbook con
tains tables showing for different periods th e supply and dem and of farm labor,
actual and index num bers of farm wages by day and m onth an d by State and
geographic division, and index num bers and actual prices of various item s bought
and sold by farm families.
-—— D epartm ent of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. B u l l e t i n N o . 4 1 6 :
H o u r s a n d e a r n i n g s i n a n t h r a c it e a n d b i t u m i n o u s c o a l m i n i n g , 1 9 2 2 a nd, 1 9 2 4 W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .
iv , 9 2 p p .
Advance figures from this report were published in the Review for July, 1925,
and for February, 1926.
---------------------- B u l l e t i n N o . 4 1 9 : T r a d e a g r e e m e n ts , 1 9 2 5 . W a s h i n g t o n , 1 9 2 6 .
iv , 1 5 1 p p .
The second bulletin of the U nited States Bureau of Labor Statistics devoted
entirely to collective agreements between employers and employees, th e first
246
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1398]
PUBLICATIONS BELATING TO LABOR
247
(No. 393) covering agreements made during the years 1923 and 1924. An
advance sum m ary of this report was published in th e Review for September,
1926.
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— D epartm ent of Labor.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. B u l l e t i n
N o . 4 2 8 : P r o c e e d in g s o f th e I n d u s t r i a l A c c i d e n t P r e v e n t i o n C o n fe r e n c e h e ld a t
W a s h i n g t o n , D . C ., J u l y l J f - 1 6 , 1 9 2 6 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .
v ii, 1 6 9 p p .
An account of this conference was published in the August, 1926, issue.
------ --—.—. W omen’s Bureau. B u l l e t i n N o . 5 3 : T h e s t a t u s o f w o m e n i n
G o v e r n m e n t s e r v ic e i n
v ii, 1 03 p p .
1925,
by
B e r th a
M.
N ie n b u r g .
W a s h in g to n ,
th e
1926.
A digest of this report is given on page 102 of this issue.
O fficia l— F o re ig n C o u n tr ie s
A u s t r a l i a ( V i c t o r i a ) . — D epartm ent of Labor.
R e p o r t o f th e c h i e f i n s p e c t o r
o f fa c to r ie s a n d sh o p s , 1 9 2 5 .
M e lb o u r n e , 1 9 2 6 .
48 pp.
On th e whole, th e industrial situation in Victoria was rath er depressed during
the year covered, w ith a considerable am ount of unem ploym ent. Nevertheless,
th e tren d of wages was upward, and such reductions as took place were in m ost
cases due to sliding scale arrangem ents based on th e cost-of-living figures. In
addition to fixing weekly wages, th e wage boards have th e power to set the
maximum hours for which th e wages are to be paid. The following figures show
th e range of hours adopted by th e boards in th eir determ inations for th e year:
Five boards fixed fewer th a n 44 hours; 33 boards fixed 44 hours; 11 boards fixed
45 to 47 hours; 117 boards fixed 48 hours; and 4 boards fixed more th a n 48 hours.
C a n a d a .-—-Bureau of Statistics.
General Statistics Branch. T h e C a n a d a y e a r
b o o k , 1 9 2 5 : T h e o ffic ia l s t a t i s t ic a l a n n u a l o f th e r e s o u r c e s , h i s t o r y , i n s t i t u t i o n s ,
a n d s o c ia l a n d , e c o n o m ic c o n d i t i o n s o f th e D o m i n i o n .
O tta w a , 1 9 2 6 . x x x i ,
1 0 8 0 p p . , m a p s , c h a r ts .
Includes data on labor, wages, prices, production, and th e cooperative move
m ent in Canada, in 1925 and previous years.
C z e c h o s l o v a k i a .— Office de Statistique.
R a p p o r t s , 1 9 2 6 , N o . 1 4 : S o c ié té s
c o o p é r a tiv e s e n T c h é c o s lo v a q u ie e n 1 9 2 5 .
P ra g u e, 1926.
3 pp.
D ata from this report are given on page 88 of this issue.
D e n m a r k .— M inistry for Foreign Affairs and the Statistical D epartm ent.
D enm ark, 1926.
C openhagen, 1926.
3 2 3 p p . , U lu s .
This official D anish yearbook, published in English, contains m uch inform ation
about th e country as a whole, its industries and institutions. The section on
social conditions includes data on social insurance, legislation for protection of
workmen, and relations between employers and workmen. Inform ation on
agricultural cooperative enterprises is given in th e section devoted to agriculture.
G e r m a n y .— [Reichsarbeitsministerium.]
R e ic h s v e r s ic h e r u n g s o r d n u n g n a c h d e m
S t a n d e v o rn 2 6 . A p r i l 1 9 2 6
B e r lin , 1 9 2 6 .
516 pp.
m it
a lie n
A u s fü h r u n g s v o r s c h r ifte n .
2 . A u fl a g e .
This volume contains the laws and statutes regarding German G overnment
insurance, including sickness, accident, invalidity, and old-age insurance.
------ [Reichsw irtschaftsm inisterium .] Statistisches Reichsamt.
S ta iis tis c h e s
Jahrbuch fü r
C h a r ts .
das
D e u ts c h e R e i c h ,
1926.
B e r lin ,
1926.
[ V a r io u s
p a g in g .]
The forty-fifth issue of the annual statistical handbook for Germany, covering
1925 and previous years w ith some d ata for 1926. Of interest to labor are the
tables relating to labor disputes, social insurance, industrial establishm ents, and
trade-unions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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248
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
G r e a t B r i t a i n .— [Home Office.
th e y e a r 1 9 2 5 .
L ondon, 1926.
F actory D epartm ent.]
1 3 9 p p . , c h a r t.
Annual
{C m d . 2 7 1 4 - )
report
fo r
The section of this report dealing w ith working hours, th e five-day week, and
rest spells is summ arized on pages 130 and 131 of th e N ovem ber Review. A
digest of the report of the senior medical inspector is printed on page 67 of this
issue.
.------im perial Economic Com mittee. R e p o r t o n m a r k e t i n g a n d p r e p a r i n g f o r
m a r k e t o f f o o d s t u f f s p r o d u c e d w i t h i n th e E m p i r e : F o u r t h r e p o r t— d a i r y p r o d u c e .
L ondon, 1926.
1 4 7 p p . , c h a r ts .
{ C m d . 2 7 2 5 .)
Contains an extended survey of th e m ethods of producing and m arketing dairy
products a t home and abroad, from which th e conclusion is reached th a t both in
England and in th e overseas Dominions “ it will not be practicable to m aintain
the present standards of living am ong those dependent on th e dairy industry
unless th e farm ing interests, w ithout loss of tim e, prepare to m eet such cutting of
prices as m ay come from increased com petition by the adoption of more efficient
and cheaper m ethods of production.” Various recom m endations are given with
a view to attaining this end.
------ M edical Research Council.
S p e c i a l r e p o r t s e r ie s , N o . 1 0 0 : M e th o d s o f
i n v e s t i g a t i n g v e n t i l a t i o n a n d i t s e ffe c ts , b y H . M . V e r n o n a n d o th e r s .
1926.
71 p p . , U lu s .
London,
The m ethods of investigating ventilation and its effects discussed in the report
include th e m easurem ents of variations in the velocity and tem perature of the
air currents, th e use of th e k ata therm om eter, the influence of cooling power and
of variability of air currents on sensations of air movem ent, and th e effects of
tem perature, air velocity, and clothing on the rate of cooling of th e hum an body.
------ ------- S p e c i a l r e p o r t s e r ie s , N o . 1 0 4 : R e p o r t s o f th e c o m m itte e u p o n th e
p h y s i o lo g y o f v i s io n : I . — I l l u m i n a t i o n a n d v i s u a l c a p a c i t i e s , b y R . J . L y th g o e .
London, 1926.
80 pp.
This report is a review of recent literature relating to the eye, covering the
effects of different intensities of illum ination, visual fatigue resulting from differ
en t lighting conditions, and m ethods and apparatus for testing visual acuity.
------M inistry of Labor. R e p o r t o n a n i n q u i r y i n t o th e r a te s o f w a g e s , h o u r s , a n d
d e g r e e o f i n d u s t r i a l o r g a n i z a t i o n i n th e w h o le s a le a n d r e t a il g r o c e r y a n d p r o
v i s i o n s tr a d e i n E n g l a n d a n d W a l e s .
L ondon, 1926.
58 pp.
------ --------R e p o r t
u p o n th e r e s u l t s o f a n i n v e s t ig a t i o n i n t o th e r a te s o f w a g e s , th e
h o u r s o f e m p l o y m e n t , a n d th e d e g r e e o f i n d u s t r i a l o r g a n i z a t i o n i n th e lig h tr e fr e s h m e n t a n d d in in g -r o o m
(n o n l i c e n s e d ) b r a n c h o f th e c a te r in g tr a d e .
L ondon, 1926.
69 pp.
The investigations were undertaken to throw light upon the desirability of
the application of th e trades board act to these lines of industry. The d ata
collected are given in m uch detail.
I n d i a .— D epartm ent of Commercial Intelligence a n d Statistics.
S ta tis tic a l
a b s tr a c t f o r B r i t i s h I n d i a , w i t h s t a t i s t ic s , w h e r e a v a ila b le , r e la tin g to c e r ta in
I n d i a n S t a t e s , f r o m 1 9 1 5 - 1 6 to 1 9 2 4 - 2 5 .
C a lc u tta , 1 9 2 6 . x i , 6 8 3 p p .
C ontains statistics on various subjects, including population, education, emi
gration, cooperative societies, accidents to employees and passengers on railways,
wholesale and retail prices, num ber of persons employed in different industries,
and factory inspection.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .— I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r C o n fe r e n c e , t e n th s e s s io n ,
G eneva, 1 927.
S i c k n e s s i n s u r a n c e { ite m 1 o n th e a g e n d a ) .
G eneva, 1926.
84 pp.
D ata from this report are given on page 79 of this issue.
J a p a n .— Bureau of Social Affairs.
Section for Factory and Mine Inspection.
B r i e f s u m m a r y o f th e r e p o r t o n f a c t o r y i n s p e c t i o n i n J a p a n , 1924■
[T o kyo ,
1925?]
9 pp.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1400]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
249
J a p a n ( T o k y o ) . — M unicipal Office.
Statistical Bureau. T i v e n t y - s e c o n d a n n u a l
s t a t i s t ic s o f t h e c i t y o f T o k y o , 1 9 2 6 .
T o k y o [ 1 9 2 6 ].
1 5 4 3 p p . , c h a r ts .
The section on industry contains a table showing average daily wages and num
ber of ordinary hands and other employees, by occupation and sex, num ber of
working days, and value of products, in factories worked and n ot worked by
m otive power, as well as the num ber of such factories, in th e city of Tokyo in
1924. A nother table shows the highest and lowest daily and m onthly wages in
various occupations, by years, 1915 to 1924, and by months, January to
December, 1924.
N e w Z e a l a n d .— D epartm ent of Labor.
R e p o r t [ fo r t h e y e a r e n d i n g M a r c h 3 1 ,
1 9 2 6 ].
W e llin g to n , 1 9 2 6 .
32 pp.
Inform ation on factory accidents, taken from this report, is given on page
70 of th is issue.
S w i t z e r l a n d . — Finanz- und Zolldepartement.
Statistisches Bureau. S t a t i s tis c h e s J a h r b u c h d e r S c h io e iz , 1 9 2 5 .
B ern e, 1926.
xx, 330 pp.
Contains tables on cost of living, prices, wages, social insurance, etc., in Switzer
land in 1925.
U n official
A malgam ated
C lo th in g
W orkers
of
A m e r i c a . Research D epartm ent.
B ib l i o g r a p h y o n th e A m a l g a m a t e d C lo th in g W o r k e r s o f A m e r i c a .
N ew Y ork
C ity , 1 1 - 1 5 U n io n S q u a r e , 1 9 2 6 .
20 pp.
C o l u m b i a U n i v e r s i t y . S t u d i e s i n h i s t o r y , e c o n o m ic s , a n d p u b l i c l a w , N o . 2 7 5 :
T h e M i s s o u r i & N o r t h A r k a n s a s R a il r o a d s tr ik e , b y O r v ille T h r a s h e r G o o d e n .
N e w Y o r k , C o lu m b ia U n iv e r s ity P re s s, 1926.
2 7 4 PP-, m a p .
A docum entary study of the strike on th e Missouri & N orth Arkansas Railroad,
1921-1923, w ith particular reference to the attitu d e of th e communities affected
by th e interruption of transportation tow ard th e railroad company and the
strikers.
------ S t u d i e s i n h i s t o r y , e c o n o m ic s , a n d p u b l i c la w , N o . 2 8 3 : T h e w a g e s o f u n s k i l l e d
la b o r i n m a n u f a c t u r i n g i n d u s t r i e s i n th e U n i t e d S l a t e s , 1 8 9 0 - 1 9 2 4 , b y W h i t n e y
C oom bs.
N e io Y o r k , C o l u m b i a U n i v e r i s t y P r e s s , 1 9 2 6 .
1 6 2 p p . , c h a r ts .
D e u t s c h e r H o l za k b eite r -V e r b a n d .
Jahrbuch, 1925.
B e r lin , 1 9 2 6 .
260 pp.
This volume contains extensive statistics of wage movements, em ployment,
etc., during 1925 for th e G erm an W oodworkers’ Union.
G l a s g o w , G e o r g e . G e n e r a l s t r i k e s a vu l r o a d t r a n s p o r t .
1926.
151 p p ., m a p s .
L o n d o n , G e o ffr e y B le s ,
An account of the road transport organization prepared by th e British Govern
m ent to m eet national emergencies, w ith a detailed description of its use in the
emergency of May, 1926.
I n t er n a tio n a l F e d e r a t io n of T rad e U n io n s.
W o r ld
by J o h n W . B ro w n .
A m s te r d a m , 1926.
x, 398 pp.
m i g r a t i o n a n d la b o r ,
This publication contains a study by th e secretary of th e In ternational Federa
tion of T rade Unions of the migration problem throughout th e whole world,
together w ith a report of the proceedings of the World M igration Congress held
in London in June, 1926.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l W o m a n S u f f r a g e A l l i a n c e . Com m ittee on Fam ily Endow
m ent or Allowances. R e p o r t a n d r e s o l u t i o n s f o r th e I n t e r n a t i o n a l W o m a n
S u ffr a g e A llia n c e C o n g ress, 1 9 2 6 .
L ondon, 1926.
7 pp.
In th is docum ent the com m ittee strongly recommends th a t the International
Woman Suffrage Alliance Congress dem and “ for m others and children security
of economic sta tu s and a share of their own in the w ealth of th e world, ” and also
th a t th e Congress express its belief th a t this security can best be brought about
by family endowment.
20358°—261-----17
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250
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
L a b o r R e s e a r c h D e p a r t m e n t . S t u d i e s i n la b o r a nd. c a p i t a l , N o . I X : T h e
c o a l c r i s i s — f a c t s f r o m th e S a m u e l C o m m is s i o n , 1 9 2 5 - 2 6 . L o n d o n , 1 9 2 6 . 7 9 p p .
A brief-summary of the testim ony presented to the royal commission appointed
to consider th e coal question, and of the conclusions and recommendations em
bodied in th e com mission’s report.
L e a g u e fo r I n d u str ia l D em o cr a cy .
P u b l i c a t i o n N o . I S : T h e p e o p l e ’s fi g h t
fo r coal a n d po w er, b y H . S . R a u sh e n b u s h .
N e w Y o r k , 7 0 F ifth , A v e n u e ,
1926.
Le
36
p p .
V a n K im .
F é m i n i s m e , e t t r a v a il f é m i n i n d a n s le s d o c t r in e s et d a n s le s f a i t s .
P a r i s , M a r c e l G ia r d , 1 9 2 6 .
2f l pp.
A study of the underlying principles of feminism and feminine work in France,
including a discussion in th e first p a rt of the book of th e influence of th e industrial
revolution, of doctrines of the reform and liberal schools of thought, th e Christian
social theories, and th e socialist doctrines of Saint-Simon, Proudhon, S tu art
Mill, and Bebel. The second p a rt deals w ith the actu al facts connected w ith
w om en’s work, including legal regulations, w om en’s syndicalist organizations,
and the developments since the war. There is a classified bibliography.
L o s c h i , M a r i a A.
L a d o n n a n e i s i n d a c a ti .
R o m e , E d iz io n e de “ L a D o n n a
I t a l i a n a , ” r e v is ta f e m m i n i l e , 1 9 2 6 .
v i, 2 0 p p .
A study of women in Italian trade-unions.
N a t io n a l S a f e t y C o u n c il .
T h e to ll o f p u b l i c a c c id e n ts .
O h io S tr e e t, 1 9 2 6 .
3 2 p p . , c h a r ts .
C h ic a g o , 1 0 8 E a s t
D ata from this report are published on page 65 of this issue.
P é r i g o r d , P a u l , and R o b i n s o n , H e n r y M.
T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O r g a n iz a
t i o n ; A s t u d y o f la b o r a n d c a p i t a l i n c o o p e r a tio n .
N e w Y o r k , D . A p p le to n &
C o ., 1 9 2 6 . x x i x , 3 3 9 p p . , c h a r t.
An: account of the history, structure, and operation of the International Labor
Office.
R o b b in s , L io n e l .
W a g e s ; A n in t r o d u c t o r y a n a l y s i s o f th e
m o d e r n c a p ita lis m .
L o n d o n , J a r r o l d s [1 9 2 6 ? ] .
94 pp.
T ruc,
H.
H y g i e n e o c u la ir e e t i n s p e c t i o n d u tr a v a il.
w age s y s te m
under
P a r i s , M a s s o n et C ie , 1 9 2 6 .
183 pp.
The author gives an account of the anatom y and physiology of the eye, of its
various diseases, and of th e results of various types of eye accidents. Other
topics discussed are working conditions and n atural and artificial lighting; the
degree of visual acuity necessary for different trades, occupations, and profes
sions; occupational eye accidents and diseases; and th e relation of labor inspec
tion to th e protection of the eyesight of the workers.
V ill a r i, L u ig i.
x iii, 253 p p .
A history and
The
F a s c is t
e x p e r im e n t.
London,
F aber
&
G w yer,
1926.
defense of the Italian Fascist movement.
W e is s , R aym ond.
U n p r é c u r s e u r d e la lé g i s l a t i o n i n t e r n a t i o n a l e d u
D a n i e l le G r a n d ( 1 7 8 3 - 1 8 5 9 ), s o n o e u v r e s o c ia le e t i n t e r n a t i o n a l e .
M a r c e l R iv ie r e , 1 9 2 6 . x i , 2 8 0 p p .
tr a v a il;
P a r is ,
A study of th e life of Daniel le Grand and of his work in th e field of interna
tional labor legislation.
W olfson, T h e r e sa .
T h e w o m a n w orker a n d
I n t e r n a t i o n a l P u b li s h e r s , 1 9 2 6 .
2 2 4 PP-
th e
tr a d e -u n io n s .
N ew
Y ork,
A study of th e characteristics of woman wage earners, th e poliey of th e tradeunions tow ards their admission as union members, and a discussion of th e ques
tion of union organization as against special protective legislation.
Zen tr a l v erb and D e u tsc h e r K o n su m v e r e in e .
H am burg, 1926.
v i, 8 9 3 p p .
Jahrbuch, 1926.
Z w e ite r B a n d .
The second volume of the 1926 yearbook of the Central Union of German
Consumers’ Cooperative Societies. Contains a general detailed account of the
progress of the union.
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