Full text of Monthly Labor Review : February 1917, Volume IV, Number 2

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MONTHLY REVIEW
OF THE

U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
WASHINGTON

VOL. i v — n o . 2

F e b r u a r y , 1917

INDUSTRIAL POISONS USED IN THE MAKING OF EXPLOSIVES.
BY A L IC E H A M IL T O N , A. M ., M . D.

INTRODUCTION.
[T h is a rtic le is a p relim in ary rep o rt of an in v estig atio n of 40 m u n itio n p la n ts, the
fu ll d escrip tio n of w hich, to g eth er w ith a consideration of m ethods of prev en tio n and
tre a tm e n t of th e poisoning incident to w ork in these factories, w ill ap p ear la te r.]

The manufacture of explosives has increased rapidly and enor­
mously since the outbreak of the European war, and, although the
great rush of contracts for the European market has been diminish­
ing during the last few months, there is still a great deal of high
explosive manufactured and millions of shells are still being filled
with explosive charges. Moreover, it would be a mistake to suppose
that these plants will close down after the war is over. Many men in
the industry believe that the compounds now being manufactured for
military purposes can be used for peace explosives or as a basis for
the manufacture of dyes and other chemicals for which we formerly
depended entirely on Europe.
This is a new and unfamiliar industry in the United States. We
have manufactured nitroglycerine and mercury fulminate for many
years to a very small extent, and such explosives as guncotton, smoke­
less powder, and picric acid, but carbolic acid and benzene and toluene
and anilin, so necessary in the making of explosives, used to come
from Germany, and the new materials for detonators and shells,
TNT, tetryl, TNA, etc., have been made here to a very limited extent.
This means that only in a few long-established factories were the
problems connected with such work well understood, and there were
only a few company physicians who knew anything about the poisons
involved in the industry.
Most of the plants which were built after the war began were ex­
perimental in every sense of the word, and although those built by


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M O N T H L Y RE V IE W OE T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTICS,

the older companies are for the most part well constructed and man­
aged, this is not without exception.
Haste has been the chief evil in this industry since the outbreak
of the war. Contracts were accepted with a time limit, construction
started at once, and then because of the shortage of labor and slow­
ness in the delivery of machinery work was delayed. Then the
owners, fearful of forfeiting their contract, began getting out the
product before the works were anywhere near ready. Naturally
everything that was needed for rapid production was pushed; every­
thing that was needed for the protection of the workmen was post­
poned. One such plant, said to represent an investment of several
million dollars, operated for 17 months without any provision of
washing facilities for the men, who even in the heat of July and
August had to leave the plant covered with the poisonous dust in
which they had been working. At the noon hour they collected in the
shade of a railway bridge and ate their lunch with unwashed hands.
Exhaust systems for carrying off fumes and dust were also postponed
because they could wait, while the machinery for production could
not. There is no way of knowing how much illness and death re­
sulted from the mad rush, during the first year of the war, to get out
explosives in a shorter time than they could properly be made.
Another thing that led to sickness in these plants was the newness
of the work, the engineering problems of which had to be solved by
men with little or no experience in this field. Chemists and engi­
neers and superintendents took the risks of their experiments and
suffered more than their proportion of occupational poisoning. It
was in many instances only after some severe or even fatal case of
poisoning had occurred that they woke to a realization of the danger
of the compounds they were working with.
Naturally the danger from explosion was the first to attract atten­
tion, and in the effort to avoid destructive and deadly accidents they
did not notice the slow and subtle danger of poison.
Still another result of the newness of the industry can be seen in
the large number of cases of poisoning which occurred through some
accident to the machinery, sometimes necessitating repairs in stills
or retorts which had been filled with poisonous fluids, sometimes
resulting in u boil-overs ’’ or leaks, with the escape of deadly fumes.
Such accidents tend to be much rarer now; they were frequent while
the industry was still in its experimental stage.
If chemists and engineers were faced with a new problem this was
even more true of the physicians living in the neighborhood of these
new plants. Such occurrences as cyanosis and syncope from nitro­
benzene fumes, of toxic hepatitis from trinitrotoluene, of fatal edema
of the lungs from nitrous fumes, were a totally new experience to
the ordinary physician, nor was he able to find much in American


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medical literature to help him out. If his practice was near the
factory he was at least able to connect the illness with the occupation,
but if, as often happened, the workmen were drawn from a number
of near-by towns, the physicians in these places had no reason to
suspect that the illness complained of by the patient was of occupa­
tional origin.
For all these reasons it seems timely to set forth in detail the
dangers attendant on the manufacture of explosives, to describe the
different poisonous compounds which are involved in the work, and
to tell what is known of their effects on the human system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY.

This investigation was made during nine months of 1916, from
the middle of April to the middle of December, so that the influence
of all sorts of weather on conditions was seen. The factories are
situated in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Indi­
ana. Forty in all were visited, employing a total force of about
90,000 men, but the number of those whose work exposes them to
poisons is only about 30,00c.1 This is, however, the force engaged
at any one time in the industry. A very much larger number were
working at different times during the year covered by the inquiry,
for there is an enormous labor turnover in the majority of these
plants. In some, a man who has been there from the beginning is
pointed out as a curiosity, and yet the beginning may have been only
eight months back. Naturally, it is in just the departments we are
considering—those where fumes are irritating and men fall sick—
that the shifting is greatest.
There are very few women employed in these departments; indeed,
with the exception of 40 or 50, who handle TNT and TNA, the only
poison to which women workers are exposed is mercury fulminate,
which does not cause anything more serious than an eczema-like erup­
tion. The absence of boys also is noteworthy in this industry.
The making of black powder, ordinary gunpowder, is not attended
with any danger of occupational poisoning, and therefore it is not
included in this study. The explosives which were studied are the
following:
Nitrocellulose (pyroxylin and military guncotton).
Smokeless powder, including mixed nitroglycerin powders.
Picric acid and ammonium picrate.
Nitroglycerin and dynamite.
Fulminate of mercury.
1 We have taken no account of accidents or of burns from explosions or acids, only
of occupational diseases resulting from contact w ith the chemicals made or handled
in this industry.


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M O N T H L Y R E V IE W O P T H E B U R E A U O F LABOR S T A T IS T IC S .

Trinitrotoluene, or TNT or triton.1
Nitronaphthalenes.
Tetranitranilin, or TNA.
Tetranitromethylanilin, or tetryl.

Poisonous substances which are used in the production of these
explosives comprise the following:
Nitric acid.
Sulphuric acid.
Benzine (or benzol) and toluene.
Nitrobenzene.
Anilin.
'Chlorbenzene and nitrochlorbenzene.

Phenol, or carbolic acid.
Sulphuric ether.
Mercury and mercuric nitrate.
Methyl alcohol.
Amyl acetate.

Finally, in the course of manufacturing explosives certain poisons
are evolved as a result of chemical reactions, being really by-prod­
ucts or intermediate stages in production. These are :
Oxides of nitrogen, in all processes of nitration.
Sulphur dioxide, in the making of phenol.
Chlorine gas, in the making of nitric acid.
Ethyl nitrite, in the making of fulminate.

These compounds vary greatly in their effects, but among them
are some very dangerous poisons.
It is not possible to discover how much occupational disease has
been caused by work in this industry since the war broke out. The
information simply is not obtainable. Some plants, not many,
furnish no medical service to their men, who must go to outside doc­
tors, and if the physician is not familiar with the work in that plant
he does not think of classing the illness as occupational. The major­
ity of firms making explosives employ a physician to take care of
their men, but if he makes only occasional visits to the plant, or if
he impresses the men—only too inclined to be suspicious—as more
bent on shielding the company than on caring for them, they will go
off to other doctors. Such physicians usually can not or will not give
any information to an investigator.
On the other hand, even when the medical care given is excellent,
the doctor perhaps keeps no records and can not make a detailed
statement; he can only speak in general terms. Out of the 40 plants
there were 12 where no usable information could be secured, 9 where
it was quite inadequate, and 19 which were under the charge of care­
ful and outspoken doctors who probably saw almost all the cases of
illness in the force and who gave us their records.
One instance will illustrate the striking difference between em­
ployers in this respect and will also serve to show how incomplete is
the list of cases of occupational poisoning we have been able to secure.
Two factories fill shells with triton, TNT. One had a physician in
1 “ T rin itro to lu e n e ” is th e term used by A m erican chem ists, b u t m a n u fa c tu re rs of
explosives a re accustom ed to use “ trin itro to lu o l.”


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charge who gave us his full record of cases of poisoning, mild and
serious, from this compound, a little less than 300, including 2 fatal­
ities, which would be a mortality rate of one in 150. The second
factory had had a physician recently appointed, who either did not
know or would not tell anything about poisoning in the plant, but
from other physicians we secured records of five fatal cases. If the
same rate of mortality obtained in this factory as in the first, we
ought to add 750 cases to our list, but, adhering to our rule that we
would include none without medical authority for it, we have been
able to charge only five to this second factory.
Naturally this brings about a thoroughly anomalous situation, for
to judge by our records the best managed factories have a large
number of cases of illness, the worst managed have few or none.
The following is the list of industrial poisonings which we were
able to discover as having occurred in 28 plants in the space of about
a year:
CASES OF INDUSTRIAL POISONING IN 28 PLANTS IN ONE YEAR.
Number of cases.

Fatal cases.

Poison.
Men.
Nitrogen oxides and nitric acid...................
Trinitrotoluene.............................................
Picric acid......................................................
Nitrobenzene and nitrotoluene...................
Benzene and toluene....................................
Sulphuric ether.............................................
Anflin.............................................................
Phenol............................................................
Sulphuric acid...............................................
Mixed acids....................................................
Chlorine gas...................................................
Ammonia gas................................................
Mercury..........................................................
Fulminate of m ercury..................................
Nitronaphthalene...................... ..................

1,389
'658
7
12
12
52
205
2
4
2
3
1
1
79
2

Total....................................................

2,429

Women.

Total.

43

32
75

Men.

Women.

1,389
701
7
12
12
52
205
2
4
2
3
1
1
111
2

28
10

2,504

48

2

1

Total.
28
12

1

1
5
1

1
1
1

1
1
1

1
2

50

Though all of these were serious enough to come under the obser­
vation of a physician, they vary in severity from a case of rapidly
fatal congestion of the lungs from nitrous fumes to a case of eczema
from filling caps with fulminate. There were nine other fatal cases,
all men, six from triton and three from nitrous fumes, which were
reported to us either by men who were not physicians or at second
hand by physicians who had only heard of the occurrences and had
not themselves seen the men. It has seemed best not to include
these in our enumeration, although some of them had every mark
of authenticity.
NITROGEN OXIDES.

The reason why nitrogen oxide fumes head the list is that all
of these explosives are produced through a process of nitration, and
in the course of it there is always more or less evolution of nitrous

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fumes, as they are usually called. The thousand-odd men who
suffered from nitrous fumes had been employed in making nitro­
cellulose, picric acid, the nitrotoluenes, nitrobenzenes, nitronaphtlialenes, nitroglycerin, and the nitric acid needed for these processes.
In the making of explosives a mixed acid is used for nitration, one
ingredient of which is sulphuric acid and the other nitric acid 100
per cent strong. When we remember that the “ strong ” or “ fum­
ing ” nitric acid of the chemical laboratory is only about 70 per cent
pure, we can readily see how great is the danger from fumes in con­
nection with this work. When the mixed acid is exposed to the air
or when it is being added to the substances to be nitrated, decomposi­
tion sets up at once with the evolution of the lower oxides of nitro­
gen, which rapidly take up oxygen from the air and change it to the
higher oxides. The lower oxides are pale or colorless; the higher are
of a deep orange color. It is almost always easy to discover the site
of a nitric-acid or a nitrating plant by following the yellow color
which tints the sky over it and which often is deep and dense enough
to be seen for several miles. Sometimes decomposition takes place
suddenly and violently enough to reduce the nitric acid to a finely
atomized spray, and this is caught and mingled with the oxide fumes.
These gases, known usually as nitrous fumes, are very irritating
to one who is unaccustomed to them, but the workmen soon establish
a good deal of tolerance, and the visitor to the factory may be choked
and tearful and speechless in an atmosphere which seems to be caus­
ing no discomfort to the men who work there. If something goes
wrong and there is an unusual production of fumes, the air does be­
come unbearable even to the men, and unless they run to the fresh
air they may become badly poisoned. Unfortunately the immediate
effect of breathing these fumes is often not painful enough to give
the men sufficient warning of their danger. Many men have stayed
in the poisoned atmosphere long enough to cause damage to the
throat or lungs, and yet at the time they did not realize that any­
thing more serious wTas happening than a “ choking ” from the gas.
When nitrous fumes are inhaled, they act on the mucous mem­
brane of the throat, larynx, and bronchi, and on the air cells of the
lungs in much the same way as does a drop of nitric acid on the
skin—that is, they produce a more or less severe burn. At first there
is redness and smarting, and the natural effort to get rid of the irri­
tant leads to choking and spasmodic coughing. An attack no worse
than this is the mildest form of “ fume sickness ” and is very common
in a guncotton or picric-acicl factory, where in hot, heavy weather
1 man in every 20 on the shift may have to go to the dispensary for
relief. Often this is easily effected, and he can go back to work again;
or he may have to go home, and then some hours later the slower effects
of the fumes may appear, inflammation of mucous surface with the
pouring out of exudate. If the throat is the place affected, an edema

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of the larynx may result. One of the cases inhaled rather concen­
trated fumes in the morning, and it was not till evening that he
began to suffer from inflammation of the throat, which went on to
edema, and necessitated intubation to prevent his strangling to death.
If the fumes have reached the bronchi, enough to damage them, a
bronchitis results, with fever, lasting several days and sometimes
passing into broncho-pneumonia. Though company physicians
often refuse to admit that pneumonias among the men on the nitrat­
ing area are caused by the acid fumes, it is undeniably true, as has
been shown by Dr. W. G. Hudson, of the E. I. Du Pont de Nemours
Co., that fumes not concentrated sufficiently to cause rapid edema
of the lungs may cause a lobar pneumonia. The effect is like that
on the skin when a blister forms after a burn, only in the lung this
means consolidation from the exudate—pneumonia. He warns phy­
sicians to look for such a pneumonia to develop some days even after
the exposure, a statement we were able to confirm many times.
Usually these pneumonias clear up readily unless there has been
already some lesion in the lung tissue. For this reason and because
Negroes are much more likely to have pulmonary tuberculosis than
are whites the largest company prefers not to employ Negroes on the
nitrating area. Other companies, unfortunately, seem to employ none
but Negroes there.
One rather unusual instance of the slow effect of nitrous fumes was
found on the records of a hospital near a large guncotton factory.
It was a young man of only 20 years who was injured at the time
of an explosion of nitrous gases and had to be dragged out of the
nitrating shed through a window. He was exposed for some minutes
to heavy fumes, but recovered promptly from the first effects. The
next day he had a headache, but nothing else, and did not develop a
cough until the fourth day. His symptoms increased rapidly in
severity and he was taken to the hospital, where the physicians
thought it a case of unusually malignant acute miliary tuberculosis,
but when he died at the end of two weeks the autopsy showed gan­
grene of the lungs, undoubtedly a secondary result of the injury to
the lungs by the nitrous fumes.
The typical form of fatal nitrous fume poisoning is a rapidly
progressing congestion of the lungs accompanied by edema. There
are many descriptions in the literature of this peculiarly distressing
form of occupational disease. The usual history of such a case is as
follows:
The man has a choking spell, perhaps no severer than he has had
on other occasions. He recovers and goes home feeling fairly well
and not at all apprehensive. Some hours later, often after he has
gone to bed, he begins to “ choke up,” to cough, and be short of breath.
Sometimes there are cramps in the abdomen and vomiting. One
man was carried to a doctor’s office unconscious and livid and gasp
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ing, with persistent vomiting and involuntary movements of the
bowels. Usually, however, the symptoms are confined to the lungs.
There is an increasingly intense air hunger. The man lies motionless,
propped up on pillows, his face livid, his eyes full of fear, unable to
speak or move, needing all his strength to labor for breath. At first
his cough is dry, then he begins to expectorate a sticky, frothy fluid,
which may be bloodstained. As the dyspnoea increases, his whole
body may become livid. He gradually loses consciousness, and just
before death there may be convulsions. An autopsy shows intense
congestion of the finer bronchioles and air vesicles, which last are
filled with an exudation of serum, the man being, as it is said,
drowned in his own fluids.
Usually such cases follow some accident which has released an
unusual quantity of these poisonous gases. One man, for instance,
fell asleep in a nitrating shed, and when a fire occurred he was not
discovered and dragged out until he had breathed enough fume to
kill him. In another instance a plumber was sent for to install a
fan in a picric-acid plant in order to carry off the nitrous fumes.
To do this he had to stand on a platform above the nitration pots,
and as work went on all the time the fumes were very thick. He was
“ choked up ” and had to go out of doors to get his breath. The
superintendent advised him to give up for the day, but he insisted
on going back and finishing up for the day. Again he was overcome
by the fumes and was sent home. He did not seem very ill and fell
asleep, but during the night he awoke with the sense of strangling,
and he died of suffocation in the morning.
In many instances, however, it is harder to explain these fatal
cases for they follow upon no accident, no unusually severe exposure.
The physician in charge of a large guncotton factory said that he
always made a close inquiry into every serious and fatal case of fume
poisoning and as a usual thing he would find that the man had ap­
parently breathed no more fumes than he had often breathed before.
The most puzzling cases in his experience were old hands who suc­
cumbed to what seemed to be no more excessive poisoning than they
had repeatedly been exposed to without apparent injury. This
points to a cumulative effect, or rather the production of heightened
susceptibility. Others are highly susceptible from the beginning
and suffer severely from an amount of fume which does not affect
the ordinary workman at all.1
One very hot night last summer the cotton in the waste acid from
the nitraters in a guncotton factory took fire and two workmen in1 This opinion is not universally held. One physician of much experience m aintains
th a t there can be no question of varying degrees of susceptibility to caustic fumes any
more than to burning from fire, and th a t occurrences such as the above simply mean
th a t the onlookers underestim ated the degree of exposure.


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haled a good deal of fume. Both were overcome and rendered un­
conscious, but one of them was back at work the next night, the other
was laid up for a week with bronchitis. A man in a picric-acid plant
was exposed to the fumes from a single “ boil over.” He developed
a very serious form of congestion and edema of the lungs, very
nearly fatal, while no other workman in the place was seriously
affected. Another man in the same sort of work accidentally got to
leeward of a thick cloud of fumes and breathed deeply. His symp­
toms came on at once and he was ill for the week with dyspnoea,
acute emphysema, and rapid heart.
Men regularly employed by the more scrupulous and careful com­
panies learn to take very short shallow breaths when exposed to
nitrous fumes so as to save as much of the lung tissue as they can till
they can escape to fresh air. But new men employed in plants where
no instruction is given are likely to follow their natural impulse, to
hold the breath as long as possible then take a deep gasping inspira­
tion and hold it till forced to take another. A man who does this
may drive the fumes into the whole area of the lungs. If even a
small portion of the lung tissue is left unaffected he may pull through
provided he is given oxygen until the inflammation has had time to
subside. But we have records of 16 cases in which the congestion
and edema were fatal.
There is also a less well recognized form of nitrogen oxide fume
poisoning which is even more rapidly fatal. The poison in these
cases acts directly on the respiratory center. This is probably the
explanation for those cases of sudden death after very short ex­
posure to fumes when an autopsy reveals no damage to the lungs
sufficient to account for death. We had five cases reported to us
of men who had worked only a short time in nitration, two of them
less than one eight-hour shift, and had been suddenly overcome and
died before medical care could be given.
Some light is thrown on these cases by the report of an autopsy
performed by Dr. G. A. Apfelbach, of the Illinois State factory
inspection department, for Dr. E. E. Evans, coroner of Lake County,
Ind. This was an exceptionally big and muscular man, but a hard
drinker, and just before applying for work at the guncotton plant he
had a heavy drinking bout. He worked only one shift and during
that time the nitrous fumes were not bad enough to make any of the
other men apply for treatment at the company dispensary. He had
worked about four hours in the nitrating room when he began to
suffer from the fumes, went out into the open air and immediately
became unconscious and died in about 30 minutes. Dr. Apfelbach
found the lungs congested, edematic, the alveoli containing frothy
fluid, the bronchi and trachea, hypersemic, the larynx markedly red­
dened, heart absolutely negative, as were also stomach, intestines,


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kidneys, and brain. The spleen was congested, and the blood was
fluid and did not clot and was very dark in color. A tube full of
blood was taken to Dr. McNally, chemist to the coroner’s office of
Cook County, who found a small quantity of nitric oxide but no
met hsemoglob in.
PICRIC ACID.

The two explosives that are attended with the greatest amount of
poisoning from nitrous fumes are nitrocellulose and picric acid,
and in some ways the latter seems the more dangerous. Picric acid
can evidently be made with a very simple equipment, provided no
attention is paid to the safety of the workmen, and in our investiga­
tion we saw men nitrating phenol to picric acid in ways which were
primitive and very dangerous because of the escape of nitrous
fumes. These were not always small plants, some employing hun­
dreds of men. We found no nitrocellulose factory where condi­
tions were as bad as they were in some of these hastily constructed
and recklessly managed picric-acid plants. Another thing that
makes this work worse than work in a guncotton factory is that
in the latter the process begins and ends with a harmless substance,
for guncotton is not poisonous to handle, while in the latter the
process begins with one poison, phenol, and ends with another, picric
acid.
Aside from the chief danger, nitrous fumes, there is a rather
troublesome rash, “ picric itch,” and there is also a systemic poison­
ing which follows the breathing and swallowing of picric dust and
probably also absorption through the skin. There may be respira­
tory disturbances, but much more often the symptoms are in the
gastrointestinal tract and may be acute or chronic, in which latter
case the man’s nutrition may fall off so much that he may be advised
to seek other work.
Two unusual and fairly serious cases of acute poisoning from
picric acid resulting from repair work in the nitrating room were
reported by Dr. T. H. Harrington, of the Massachusetts State Board
of Labor and Industries. The men in both cases were incapaci­
tated for over a fortnight, with pronounced nervous as well as
gastric symptoms.
One fatal case was reported from a place where picric acid was
made, but the man was supposed to have been exposed also to nitro­
benzene fumes. He died in convulsions after he reached home and
the autopsy record, which is very brief, states that the organs were
congested with dark blood and the circulating blood was chocolate
colored. Since both picric acid and nitrobenzene are nitro deriva­
tives of the benzene group they are both capable of causing this
condition of the blood, but the severe and rapid course of the poison­
ing is more suggestive of nitrobenzene than of picric acid.


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PHENOL OR CARBOLIC ACID.

The manufacture of this chemical has assumed great proportions
since the war began, and much of it has been used for the production
of picric acid. This is bought by the French and used in their
explosive melinite. The British picric-acid explosive is known as
lyddite.
Phenol, or its salt, sodium phenylate or phenate, is a corrosive
poison, but when absorbed it produces the symptoms characteristic
of nitro derivatives of the benzene group. In chronic poisoning
it seems to affect the kidneys severely, and also to set up grave
nutritional disturbances. This was a fairly common form of poison­
ing during the early days of antiseptic surgery, when it was the
custom for surgeons to perform all their operations under a fine
spray of carbolic acid solution and then to dress the wound with car­
bolic solution and to use the same for irrigation. There were many
instances of severe and even fatal poisoning following the washing
out of a large wound with this solution or when leaving on too long
a bandage saturated with it. There were also cases of nephritis
among surgeons who were obliged to breathe in minute particles for
hours each day. The symptoms of phenol poisoning are therefore
well known.
In the manufacture and handling of phenol for picric acid there is
some opportunity for inhaling small quantities from open receptacles,
but the chief danger is from splashing and spilling. Phenol burns
are common, and if too large a surface of the body is involved sys­
temic effects come on. A very serious case of this sort was reported
by the Massachusetts Board of Labor and Industries. The young
man was a chemist 22 years old, employed in a plant making trinitro­
toluene and picric acid. He had been employed there for five months.
On a Sunday afternoon he went into the nitrating department for
toluene and in that for picric acid, but as far as could be learned he
was not affected by fumes in either place. At about 5.50 p. m., while
leaving the phenol building, he stepped into a “ sump ” of phenol
waste in the yard that he mistook for a board, and immersed his
right leg in the solution up as high as the knee. He ran back and
undressed, and washed and soaked his foot and leg in distilled water.
Very shortly after he began to complain of ringing in his ears, dizzi­
ness, and difficulty in breathing. The skin of the leg had turned
white, but there was no burn. He dressed the leg and left the build­
ing at 6.20 to go to the laboratory for alcohol to put on it. As he
went out the men noticed that he seemed dazed, confused, excited,
almost hysterical. Evidently he never reached the laboratory, for
he was found the next morning on the road, dead. The autopsy
showed the leg from foot to knee discolored, green and black. The
diagnosis of phenol poisoning seems unavoidable in this case.

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BENZENE AND TOLUENE, OR METHYL BENZENE.

A great deal of benzene is used in the manufacture of phenol, a
smaller amount for the making of picric- acid from phenol by one
process not universally used, and for the manufacture of anilin to
be used for detonating and stabilizing compounds. Toluene is used
in great quantities for trinitrotoluene, and some is nitrated to the
mono compound to be added to dynamite “ dope ” to lower the freez­
ing point. We have included the two under one head because their
elfects on human beings are very similar, so much so that the author­
ities are divided as to which is more toxic. Rambousek1 says that
toluene produces narcosis more slowly than does benzene and there
is less tendency to convulsions, Lehmann,2 that narcosis comes on
more quickly under toluene and passes away more slowly.
If a man is exposed to fumes from the spilling of a large quan­
tity of benzene or toluene on the floor or a small quantity on his
hands or clothes, he begins to feel the effects almost instantly. Dizzi­
ness comes on first, with slight confusion and ringing in the ears.
Then if he can not get away from the source of the fumes he becomes
violently excited and irrational and then loses consciousness, or there
may be no stage of excitement if the fumes are excessively strong; he
may faint away at once.
In distilling these bodies every precaution is taken to avoid let­
ting the gases escape. The cases of accidental poisoning that we
found among men employed in such works were caused by some un­
usual condition, the cleaning out of stills, the making of repairs in
pipes or in stills which were not first thoroughly cleaned. But the
majority of these cases followed the use of the compound in making
some explosive or in making phenol.
Slight cases of poisoning attract little attention, and we could not
secure histories of any but very serious ones, 12 in number, 5 of them
ending in death. The symptoms in these cases pointed to a profound
involvement of the central nervous system and, in addition, an effect
on the capillary blood vessels, which has been explained as a direct
solvent action on the walls leading to the capillary hemorrhages.
Th£se are seen as purpuric spots on the skin and are characteristic
of poisoning from some of the derivatives of these bodies as well,
such as trinitrotoluene. There are also changes in the blood, the most
striking being a loss in white blood corpuscles.
The following is a typical instance of benzene poisoning of the
acute, severe variety. Two steam fitters were repairing a benzene
still. The manhole through which they had crawled was just large
1 Rambousek. In d u s tria l poisoning from fum es, gases, and poisons of m a n u factu rin g
processes. London, E dw ard A rnold, 1913, pp. 205, 206.
2 L ehm ann. A rchive fu r H ygiene, 1911, vol. 74, p. 1.


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enough to admit a man’s body. As is usual, the still had been not
only emptied but washed out, and was supposed to be free from harm­
ful quantities of benzene. One of the men suddenly grew excited
and irrational, singing and shouting. It was seen that he must be
removed, but this was difficult to do through the small opening, since
he did nothing to help himself. It took about 10 minutes to get him
out, and during much of that time the manhole was completely
closed by his body. When he was at last dragged out it was found
that his comrade, who had been helping, was lying unconscious at
the bottom of the still. Even more difficulty was experienced in
removing him, and it took about 20 minutes before he was brought
into the open air, dead.
An almost exactly similar occurrence took place in a phenol plant,
where benzene is redistilled. In this instance the workman who was
inside the still the shorter time was the one who died. Two other
fatal cases came from the sulphonating department of a hastily con­
structed and poorly managed phenol factory, where defective equip­
ment allowed benzene fumes, in dangerous quantities, to escape.
NITRO AND AMIDO COMPOUNDS OF THE BENZENE GROUP.

Several of this group of toxic substances are used in the manufac­
ture of explosives, the following being the most important:
Nitrobenzenes.
Nitrotoluenes.
Nitronaphthalenes.
Nitrophenols.
Nitrochlorbenzenes.

Amidobenzene or anilin.
Diamidobenzene or diphenyl am in.
Tetranitranilin.
Tetranitromethylanilin.

Curschman says the poisonousness of these bodies increases with
the degree of nitration except when, as is the case with the nitro­
toluenes, the lower nitrated products are more volatile than the
higher.
All the nitro and amido compounds of the benzene series give rise
in varying degree to a very well defined and characteristic form of
poisoning which depends upon the direct action on the central
nervous system and upon certain blood changes, the most important
of which is the formation of methiemoglobin. This replacement of
oxyhaemoglobin, with its easily released oxygen, by methsemoglobin,
with its closely bound oxygen, interferes with the normal exchange
of gases on which life depends and a condition of internal suffoca­
tion results, a starvation for oxygen in the presence of abundant air.
The most striking symptom is a bluish color of the lips and of the
lobes of the ears, while the general tint of the skin is yellowish, and
the whites of the eyes are often yellow. This yellowish tint is a
.symptom of jaundice, but it is often masked by the local effect of
some of these compounds on the skin, such, for instance, as trinitro76934°—17---- 2

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toluene and picric acid and tetranitranilin, which dye the hands
and hair and eyebrows, even the skin of the face, a dirty yellow.
This dyeing of the skin is so very striking that people are apt to
regard it as a serious symptom, but to the physician it means only a
guide to the kind of work a man is doing. The color he looks for is
in the whites of the eyes.
In mild cases of intoxication by these compounds there is a throb­
bing headache, sense of fullness in the head, flushing of the face,
dizziness, a feeling of weakness, especially in the legs, and more or
less nausea, sometimes vomiting. Such an attack is what the work­
men call a “ jag,” and they expect to get over it in a few hours,
though a feeling of malaise will probably persist for all of the next
day. Some men who handle one of these compounds have had many
such attacks without apparently suffering any real impairment of
their health. If the poisoning is more serious, the dizziness and
weakness increase, the flushed face becomes deeply cyanosed, and
there is loss of consciousness that may last several hours and be ac­
companied by convulsions, though this latter is rare. A character­
istic feature of this group of poisons is the effect on the urine which
becomes dark or a greenish or a reddish brown. The blood becomes
chocolate colored, and if examined in the spectroscope shows the
absorption bands of methsemoglobin. I t is also characteristic to find
changes in the red blood corpuscles, evidences of destruction with
efforts of regeneration, as shown by the great variation in size, the
pale color, the appearance of free blood pigment, of nucleated red
blood corpuscles and of cells stippled with basophilic granules. A
profound anemia may occur if poisoning is prolonged.
All of the group have an irritating action on the skin setting up a
dermatitis, which may be slight or may be bad enough to incapacitate
a man for a few days, indeed, men very susceptible to such skin
affections may have to give up the work. The drier the product the
more trouble of this kind, and hot weather makes it much worse.
Exposure to any of these compounds may set up the symptoms we
have described, but some of the compounds give far more trouble
than others in the manufacture of explosives. Anilin was found to
be the cause of many cases of slight poisoning, but of no serious
trouble. Xitronaphthalene fumes had not, so far as we could ascer­
tain, given rise to actual illness, in fact one workman who was
handling it and ivho had formerly used mononitrotoluene in dyna­
mite dope said that while he had suffered a good deal from the lat­
ter he had not felt any effect from nitronaphthalene. Nitrochlorbenzene, diphenylamin, tetranitromethylanilin, and tetranitranilin
were not apparently productive of anything more serious than trade
eczema. Of course, none of these is manufactured on a large scale;
they were each found in only one or two factories and, except anilin,


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had not been .manufactured there for more than a year, which is
very likely the reason why so little damage has been done by them.
The nitrobenzenes are not important in the explosives industry,
though we have on our list a few cases of poisoning from two plants.
It is cheaper to nitrate toluene than benzene for this purpose, and
therefore trinitrotoluene is the important member of this group,.
TRINITROTOLUENE OR TOLUOL OR TRITON OR TROTYL OR TNT.

Next to the oxides of nitrogen this substance has been responsible
for more cases of poisoning in our explosives industry than any other,
and the form of poisoning caused by trinitrotoluene is serious enough
to give it an important place quite aside from the number of its vic­
tims.
The danger of nitrous fumes is present in the manufacture of this
substance, but not to a very great extent. Nitration of toluene is
carried on in closed retorts and the escape of fumes is not incident
to the process, but is the result of some accident—a “ boil over ”
because of too rapid nitration or a leak in the acid supply.
The typical danger in this work, however, is not nitrous-fume
poison but the effect of trinitrotoluene itself. Aside from the at­
tacks of cj^anosis, with involvement of the nervous system, which
were described above, there are vaguer and less characteristic symp­
toms caused by exposure to triton fumes or dust. It is probable
that these symptoms are not peculiar to trinitrotoluene poisoning;
that if large numbers of men and women were exposed for many
months to the action of other members of this group of nitro deriva­
tives the same symptoms would appear.
Men and women working in an atmosphere of triton dust may
have irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and bronchial tubes, and the
sputum from such cases, if dropped into water, often stains the
water yellow, showing the presence of the dye. But the commonest
form of poisoning from TNT is the gastrointestinal. Indeed, some
experienced foremen think that a distaste for food is the earliest and
commonest symptom of triton poisoning. Part of this distaste for
food may come from the bitter taste in the mouth which triton dust
causes. Later there are griping pains, headaches, nausea, sometimes
vomiting, constipation, and, more rarely, diarrhea. So general is
this intestinal type of poisoning that we are forced to believe a physi­
cian is failing to recognize the real nature of many of his cases
when he tells us he has seen only the cyanotic form of triton poison­
ing in his plant.
Other physicians lay great stress on the bladder symptoms, find­
ing cystitis a frequent but usually quite controllable condition. In
more serious cases the poison affects the kidneys and there is a fatty
degeneration of the tubular epithelium as shown by casts in the urine.


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As in all this group of poisons, dark-colored urine is usual, and both
blood pigment and bile pigment have been found in the urine.
If the disease progresses the patient’s color becomes jaundiced.
Inability to keep food on the stomach increases. There is persistent
nausea, attacks of faintness, bluish color of the lips, heightened blood
pressure, sometimes severe nosebleed, and swelling of feet and legs,
sometimes of the hands. The urine then contains albumen and casts.
One woman was seen who had had such an attack and had recovered,
but other cases had a fatal termination.
Death from triton poisoning is in some instances very sudden
and the symptoms are such as accompany acute fatal poisoning from
the other members of this group of poisons. In other instances the
illness lasts longer and the case is more like that of slow benzene
poisoning as it is described in the literature. Both types were found
among the fatal cases that were reported to us. There were those
who developed marked nervous symptoms within a few hours of
exposure to unusually large amounts of fume, cyanosis, dizziness,
mental disturbance, convulsions, coma, and death after less than 24
hours, the autopsy showing dark fluid blood, sometimes chocolate
colored, edema of the lungs, though not enough to cause death, and
congestion of the abdominal organs. Then there were others of quite
a different history; men and women who were ill for several weeks
with gastric trouble, chiefly, and who at the outset showed nothing
to make the attending doctor feel that this was an unusual case.
Then there was a sudden turn for the worse, jaundice set in, with
signs of kidney degeneration as well, and soon a clinical picture de­
veloped characteristic of acute yellow atrophy of liver. This is
what the British in their factory inspection reports call “ toxic jaun­
dice.” Autopsy showed the changes one would expect of slow poison­
ing, extreme fatty degeneration of liver cells with atrophy, degenera­
tion of kidney epithelium, often hemorrhages into serous surfaces
and into the subcutaneous tissue.
Two cases that were not autopsied presented after death a picture
of toxic jaundice and were diagnosed as yellow atrophy of the liver.
There was intense generalized jaundice and tiny capillary hemor­
rhages thickly distributed over chest and abdomen just beneath the
skin. The liver had perceptibly diminished in size. The symptoms
preceding death were apparently identical in all respects with acute
yellow atrophy of the liver, beginning with general physical ill feel­
ing, then marked gastrointestinal disturbance, griping pains across
the abdomen, increasing jaundice, fever, delirium, coma, and death.
Among the fatal cases were two women engaged in filling shells
with triton. The first one was 19 years old. She had been dipping
charges in paraffin for some months and was then transferred to office
work for two weeks. Her illness developed after she had left the


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triton department. At first she had only the usual symptoms, such
as nausea and constipation, but no jaundice. She even grew better.
Then 10 days after her last visit to the company physician the latter
was sent for and found her comatose with golden yellow jaundice and
absolute suppression of urine. She had vomited persistently. She
died the next day after 12 hours of profound coma. The physician
had reason to believe that she had had some kidney derangement
before going to work in the plant.
The second case was a girl of 20, tuberculous, her father and
brother both having died recently of tuberculosis after long illness.
She had paraffined and scraped charges for several months and had
suffered from cystitis. She had several hemorrhages from the lungs
and a profuse one was the immediate cause of her death, but the
blood was thick and deep brown in color showing the triton poisoning.
Two cases rather similar to these occurred in men; one died of
pulmonary hemorrhage while suffering from triton poison, the other,
a man of 62, died of nephritis after only two weeks7work in nitrating
toluene. In both cases the triton was looked upon as the real cause
of death by the physician in charge.
In older to detect the earliest stage of this form of poisoning some
doctors look for a bluish color in the lips and lobes of the ears;
others for yellowing of the whites of the eyes; others for loss of
appetite and a bitter taste. In all well-managed factories the phy­
sician is permitted to pick out these men and have them transferred
to other work. One company has even laid out gardens on the factory grounds and the physician prescribes gardening for men who
must be kept out of the atmosphere of triton for a while and who in
this way can be under his observation and engaged in healthful
occupation. There is reason to believe that such careful supervision
of the men s health is not only humane but a part of good business
management, Jhere is a much smaller labor turnover in this plant
than in a certain trinitrotoluene shell-filling factory where the phy­
sician refuses to transfer men who are in only the early stages of the
disease; of course labor turnover is very wasteful.
Trinitiotoluene is no exception to the general rule that all poisons
act more energetically in hot weather than in cold. July and August
of last year saw a decided increase of poisoning in, most of these
plants. In one, the record for June was 23 cases; for July, 55 cases;
for August, 69; and for September, 35. The heat was not alone
responsible here, for during June they began to work the men over­
time, the usual shift being eight hours. The overtime work lasted
thiough July and August and began to fall off in September so that
the marked increase during the two hot months was probably caused
by fatigue as well as by the heat. In contrast to this, another plant
adopted the opposite policy and during those two hot months put on


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four shifts of men instead of three, each shift working only six hours.
As a result they had far fewer cases of poisoning than during the
cooler summer of 1915.
Of course all the cases of triton poison in this country must have
developed rather rapidly because the industry is so new here. Most
of our reports do not run back for more than eight or nine months,
since even when work had started before that date no physician was
put in charge until later on. Fifty cases from the records of one
physician had all worked less than eight months and he mentioned
as decidedly exceptional a man who had handled TNT for more than
eight months and was-still perfectly well.
NITROGLYCERIN.

Important as is this explosive in industry, it is of comparatively
little importance from our point of view, because there is little illness
to be feared in a plant making nitroglycerin. The constant danger
of explosion leads to very careful nitration since decomposition with
the evolution of poisonous fumes would be highly dangerous. It also
leads to a separation of processes, so that as few men as possible shall
be employed in any one building.
Aside from the ever-present risk of nitric acid spilling or leaking,
and of the use of some poisonous compound—nitrotoluene or nitronaphthalene for instance—in the “ dope,” the only occupational illness
to be expected in making nitroglycerin is the severe, throbbing head­
ache from which the men suffer before they become accustomed to the
effects and again when they return to work after an absence of
several days. Nitroglycerin is regarded by physicians as a power­
fully depressant drug, but strangely enough it does not seem to be
the cause of cardiovascular disturbances of any seriousness in nitro­
glycerin workers.
FULMINATE OF MERCURY.

This is a very highly explosive compound, but like nitroglycerin,
much more likely to cause accidents than occupational disease. An
irritating dermatitis is the only effect to be observed in the men and
women who handle it in filling percussion caps. Far more men than
women show this eczema-like eruption, probably because women take
more trouble to avoid the disfigurement. In one munitions factory
employing both men and women there were only 32 cases of “ ful­
minate itch ” among 1,070 women and 36 among 505 men.
SULPHURIC ETHER.

In making smokeless powder from guncotton the solvent used is
ether mixed with alcohol, except for rifle powder, when amyl acetate
is the solvent, or for the mixed “ n. g.” powders, when acetone is gen
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erally used.1 The alcohol for this purpose is, so far as we have seen,
always ethyl alcohol, never methyl.
The fumes of the alcohol in the early processes of making smoke­
less powder are sometimes strong enough to make the men somewhat
drunk, but the ether fumes are more serious in their effect. A new
hand suffers a good deal from mild ether poisoning. He passes
through all the stages of narcosis as they are known to the anaesthet­
ist—the slowly increasing confusion, excitement, which may make the
man almost uncontrollable for a short time, then the gradual dulling
of the senses and drowsiness, passing into stupor and unconsciousness.
The physician, even if he be on the grounds, seldom sees the man in
the stage of excitement; usually by the time he has reached the office
the man is already stupid. There is no treatment for this condition
beyond allowing him to sleep it off in fresh air. Occasionally cases
are sent to hospitals, if the narcosis is unduly prolonged, and we have
records of one case in which unconsciousness lasted for 24 hours.
There may be heart symptoms needing medical care, for a very rapid
pulse is not uncommon.
The two most serious cases of ether poisoning which came to our
knowledge were lads who had recklessly and unnecessarily exposed
themselves to ether fumes. They had gone into one of the small
buildings where ether is condensed from smokeless powder—•“ solventrecovery houses ” they are called—and had climbed up on one of the
solvent-recovery bins, where it was warm and comfortable. They lay
down near a manhole which was supposedly well closed, with a rubber
gasket, but there must have been some escape of fumes, for, after
reading a while, they both fell asleep. They were found after they
had been there less than an hour and a half, and both were in an
alarming condition, respiration only 6 or 8 a minute, pulse down to
30. Two hours’ work with the pulmotor brought them around, and
they were apparently none the worse for their experience.
The usual aftereffects of ether anaesthesia follow ether poisoning
in industry. The next day the man is somewhat nauseated, has head­
ache, can not eat, is generally wretched, and has pains in his back.
Often he becomes accustomed to the fumes and does not seem to be
inj ured in any way by his repeated exposure of many hours each day.
On the other hand, there are men who can not get used to it.
A case of chronic ether poisoning was reported by a physician prac­
ticing in the neighborhood of this same plant. The man had worked
there for three months, and was then suffering from albuminuria and
puffed eyelids. He had never had these symptoms before. The phy­
sician had also had two patients with uraemia, both ether workers.
1 Diphenylamine may be added to the ether-alcohol mixture, to act as a stabilizer. In
such cases the symptoms resulting from inhalation of the solvent would be complicated
by the presence of th is member of the amido group of poisons.


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One of them had syphilis and his kidneys were undoubtedly already
damaged when he went to work there, but the other had been in per­
fect health. The former died of uræmic convulsions.
Another form of chronic ether poisoning affects the digestion and
general nutrition chiefly. A man who had been in charge of a smoke­
less powder works for six months gave his symptoms as follows:
He lost, his appetite, partly because he tasted ether all the time. His
breath smelt of it all the time. After about three months he began
to grow apathetic and listless. He felt tired out and was chronically
constipated. He lost 20 pounds and decided to leave the place. After
taking up other work he was constipated for several months, but his
appetite came back and gradually he regained his normal condition.
Most physicians and practically all superintendents and foremen
believe that if a man can become accustomed to the ether so that he
no longer gets a “ jag,” or only rarely, he will not be injured in any
way by months or even years of such work. They point to the fact
that some of the ether men actually gain in weight under the influence
of the work. But experimental evidence, for which there is not space
here, tends to throw doubt on this optimistic theory and to indicate
that definite damage to organs may occur as a result of long-con­
tinued absorption of ether fumes.1
The other poisons found in this industry do not need more than a
brief mention. The dangers of nitric-acid manufacture were covered
fairly completely in the section on nitrous fumes. The making of
sulphuric acid is attended with some danger from the fumes of sul­
phur dioxide. Other dangerous vapors which are occasionally met
with are chlorine gas, given off in the first stage of nitric-acid manu­
facture ; ammonia gas, if there is an accident to the ammonia supply
in the making of ammonium nitrate. Then there are less dangerous
fumes, such as ethyl nitrite, formed when alcohol is added to mer­
curic nitrate to form fulminate; amyl acetate, used for smokeless
rifle powder; acetone—if indeed acetone is poisonous—used in mak­
ing mixed powders.
Ammonium nitrate, added to dynamite to lower the freezing point,
and also as a constituent of the charge for certain high-explosive
shells, has been blamed for causing illness among the workmen filling
these shells, but this is highly improbable. Also TNT is another
constituent of the charge and may well be held responsible for all the
ill effects.
Mercury is a well-recognized poison, but in this industry it gives
rise to little trouble, since it is handled by very few men in the course
of making mercuric nitrate for fulminate.
The same thing is true of wood alcohol, which was found in
two plants only, for the manufacture of dimethylanilin as a step to
1 See René Sand. I I e C ongrès In te rn a tio n a l des M aladies P rofessionnelles, B ruxelles,
1 0 -1 4 septem bre 1910. R a p p o rts e t C om m unications. B ruxelles, 1912.


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tetranitromethy lanilin. As it was handled there, only an accident
would result in poisoning.
PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL POISONING.

This resolves itself into the prevention of fumes and dust and
the provision of ample facilities for personal cleanliness. These
poisons are absorbed through the skin, and therefore the workmen
must bathe often and change their working clothes when they leave
the plant. One hears tales of men renting rooms and sharing them
with men on the other two shifts, so that the bed is never cold, nor
do they undress to go to bed but lie down in the clothes in which
they have worked their shift. It is often said that the men can not
be induced to use the baths provided for them, but if some employers
can succeed others can. One toluene nitrating plant last summer
kept a bath record and found that 95 per cent of the men were
bathing daily. It is sometimes the lack of privacy that keeps Slavic
and Latin workmen from using the showers, for they are not used
to bathing together as boys.
Fumes can be carried off omy by well-planned exhausts placed as
near the point of formation of the fumes as possible. It is unnec­
essary to say that the escape of fumes can often be prevented by tight
closing of kettles, etc.
Dust seems to be difficult to deal with. I t is probably worse than
fumes in triton works, because the presence of dust means not only
absorption through breathing and swallowing but also through the
skin. Yet a great deal can be done to prevent dust poisoning by
properly shielding dust-producing machines and carrying off the
dust through exhausts and by abolishing dry sweeping. A vacuum
cleaner is best, but if that is not available, sprinkling before sweeping
should be the rule.
Many companies go to great expense in providing the men with
rubber-sponge respirators, but, though these are undoubtedly good
in emergency when an unusual amount of fume or dust must be
encountered for a short time, they can not be depended on to protect
a man against the fume and dust to which he is exposed throughout
his shift of work. A respirator which would really shut out the
dust would not admit enough air, and then the man could wear it
only for a few minutes and then be forced to push it up on his
forehead, where, as a matter of fact, most men do wear their
respirators. If conditions in a factory require continual protection
of that sort, then it is the conditions that should be changed, for
respirators will not save the workmen from the effects of the dust
and fume. British and German experts have long since decided
that for continuous use a pad of cheesecloth worn over mouth and
nose and changed daily is far better than any mechanical device.


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Some poison undoubtedly enters the body from dirty fingers if
the man eats liis lunch without washing. A lunch room should be
provided in every factory in which poisonous substances are handled,
and even if the men do not use it, they should be forbidden to eat
in workrooms. Some superintendents manage to make their men
wash before eating by seeing that the lunch boxes are left in the
locker room which must be approached through the lavatory.
A physician should be attached to every such factory, and he should
not only be on hand for consultation by the men, but should make
rounds throtigh the plant to learn what are the conditions under
which work is done and to look for incipient cases which would not
of themselves come to him so soon. He should be authorized to
demand the removal of a. man who begins to show the effects of his
work. He should also ascertain, so far as possible, what men have
left work on account of illness, and follow up the case to see if it is
occupational, for in no other way can he know just how much danger
is connected with work in the factory and which are the special
danger spots.
There is not as a usual thing much if any instruction given the men
in this industry as to how to protect themselves against the dangers
of sickness. Indeed in some no instruction at all seems to be given,
perhaps for fear of frightening away the men at a time when labor
is scarce. Men working in a large triton shell plant said they had
never even been told the stuff was poisonous. On the other hand, a
great guncotton plant has a regular system of instruction for the
force, taking the men according to departments and giving them
lectures in English and in their own languages, explaining the dan­
gers peculiar to the departments in which they work. So far as
possible, these talks are illustrated by stereopticon pictures. The
effect is shown by their report of fume sickness for five months.
The first month there were 266 cases among 660 men; the fifth
month, 24 cases among 621 men.
Fatigue quickens and strengthens the effect of poisons. Over­
time work has already been referred to as increasing sickness, but
there are factories that, without any overtime, work their men to the
point of dangerous fatigue. Four were found that had but two
shifts in the 24 hours and one of these even urged the men to work
overtime, for 14 or 16 hours, because labor was so hard to get.
Men with lesions in lungs or kidneys will be unduly endangered
by work of this character and should be discharged as soon as the
condition is discovered. The same is true of alcoholics, their resist­
ance to these poisons is far below the average, and they should not
be employed on such work.


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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF LABOR DURING THE WAR.

Inasmuch as the European war severed the diplomatic relations of
all countries involved in it, so also did it threaten to disrupt the or­
ganized relations which existed between the various trade-unions of
those countries. The years of effort which had been necessary to
bring about affiliation between the trade-unions of the different coun­
tries seemed likely to be wasted. This result, however, did not come
about, although relations of the national federations with one an­
other have been virtually suspended during the two and one-half
years of war. Indirectly, however, their relations continued by com­
munication through organizations in neutral countries. President
Legien, of the International Federation, in November, 1914, an­
nounced that the regular work of the international organization
would be discontinued and the funds be used for the purpose of
maintaining the organization, and not for propaganda ; and that the
president of the Dutch Trade-Union Center, Mr. J. Oudegeest, would
be the intermediary through whom he would communicate with the
various affiliated national trade-unions. The federations in neutral
countries continued to send in their contributions to the general treas­
ury. The leading official periodicals representing the different inter­
national organizations of the various trades continued to appear, and
were received for a time, though somewhat irregularly, by this bu­
reau. (The largest proportion of them are published in Germany.)
The extent of the international trade-union movement may be
gathered from the fact that there were 29 trade-union federations
affiliated with the International Federation of Trade-Unions, whose
headquarters were at Berlin, together with the 6 federations in
the States of the Commonwealth of Australia, making in all 35
national federations so affiliated. These federations, according to the
1914 directory of international trade-unions, the most recently com­
piled, are those of Great Britain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Bel­
gium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Bosnia, Herze­
govina, Hungary, Croatia, Roumania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Italy,
Spain, Portugal, and the United States (American Federation of
Labor), those of Argentina, with two federations, and of Brazil,
Transvaal, Turkey, Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and
Japan. In addition to the general trade federations which comprise
organizations of different trades within the respective countries there
are affiliated wdth the international office 32 federations in different
countries which comprise only unions representing a particular trade,
i. e., strictly trade federations as distinguished from general federa­
tions which comprise various trades. The International Federation
of Trade-Unions claims an affiliated membership of approximately
7,500,000.


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The headquarters of the international movement, known as the
International Secretariat of National Trade-Union Centers, was lo­
cated at Berlin. The secretariat has published a semimonthly peri­
odical since 1913, called the International News Letter, which is
printed in French, English, and German. Its publication was sus­
pended shortly after the war broke out, but was resumed again in
August, 1915. The English edition was received currently by this
bureau from Amsterdam, Netherlands, its temporary address during
the war, as late as November 17, 1915.
Important matters for the international labor movement early de­
veloped after the outbreak of the war. The question of changing the
headquarters of the international federation from Berlin to a neutral
country, preferably Switzerland,1 was among the first.
The question was first broached in a conference, February 15,
1915, in London, which was convened by the socialist and labor par­
ties of France and England. Neither the General Federation of
Trade-Unions of Great Britain, nor the Confédération Générale du
Travail of France, was said to be responsible for convening this
conference, but the delegates from the French Confédération, who
agreed to attend rather than leave themselves open to criticism, were
instructed to confer with the British Federation of Trade-Unions,
concerning the transfer of the international secretariat. A joint
letter dated from London, February 16, 1915, to President Gompers
of the American Federation of Labor, and signed by the secretaries
of the British and French federations, respectively, reports the dis­
cussion which took place at the conference.
There was no sign of personal animosity toward the German people, but all
present agreed that racial bitterness had been engendered and would affect,
amongst many other things, the position and usefulness of the international
trade-union movement. It was obvious to all that years must pass before British
and Belgian and French could proceed to Berlin with the freedom and confi­
dence which existed prior to the outbreak of the war. Some new arrangement
was therefore necessary if the international movement was to avoid disinte­
gration and disaster.
All thought that the international secretariat should, at least for a time, have
its chief office in a country whose neutrality was guaranteed not only by
treaty, but by physiographical circumstances. America would have afforded
an ideal solution but for her distance from other centers. Outside America,
Switzerland appeared to be the country best suited to the requirements of
the secretariat, and though the French preferred Geneva, they waived the
consideration of this city when it was pointed out that its Latin sympathies
might make it objectionable to Germany. Ultimately it was agreed to epitomize
and place before you [President Gompers] the suggestions made, and -to ask
you to assume the responsibility of forwarding them to Legien [president of the
1 The A m erican F e d e ra tio n ist, W ashington, 1915, vol. 22 (Novem ber, 1915) ; R eport
of th e proceedings of th e th irty -fifth an n u a l convention of th e A m erican F ed eratio n of
L abor, held a t San F rancisco, Cal., Nov. 8 to 22, inclusive, 1915. W ashington, 1916.
P p. 48-55.


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International Federation at Berlin]. All present felt that he would appre­
ciate the situation. The representatives thought that the chief office of the
secretariat should be removed to a neutral country, preferably Switzerland;
that the personnel of the secretariat should be neutral and resident in
Berne. * * *
There is not the slightest personal feeling against Legien, and it is understood
that the arrangement suggested may be only temporary * * *.

Inasmuch as the secretaries of both the British and French federa­
tions appreciated fully the gravity of the situation and the desir­
ability of avoiding dismemberment of the international trade-union
movement, they requested President Gompers to present this matter
to Mr. Legien.
In reply to this communication the president of the American
F ederation of Labor, in a letter dated March 4, 1915, to the secretary
of the General Federation of Trade-Unions of Great Britain, stated
that the plan suggested was “ eminently practicable and in the best
interest of the international trade-union movement.” President
Gompers also wrote to Legien and laid the matter fully before him.
The course which President Gompers pursued was subsequently in­
dorsed by the executive council of the American Federation of Labor,
and the suggestion offered that provision be made in the future for
the automatic neutralization of the international office upon the
occurrence of a war.
The reply of Mr. Legien, the president of the International Federa­
tion of Trade-Unions, of April 12, 1915, through the president of
the American Federation of Labor, concerning the proposed change
of headquarters for the International Union, ran as follows :
I am very much surprised to hear of the proposition emanating from the
conference of representatives in some trade-union centers which was held in
London in February last, to the effect that the headquarters of the International
Federation of Trade-Unions should be removed to Switzerland.
The central organ of the German Social Democratic Party, the Vorwärts, in
Berlin, and a few provincial papers of the same quality, as well as the official
paper of the Social Democratic Party in Switzerland, the Berner Tagwacht,
have indeed made an effort, which was bound to be in vain, of course, to dis­
cover that the means at the disposal of the International Federation of TradeUnions were wrongly used in the interest of Germany alone. Those taking
part in the London conference, however, should not have permitted themselves
to be led astray by these endeavors. * * *

His (Legien’s) first impression was that the proposition was a
matter which should not be decided by vote through correspondence,
but only after a thorough and personal conference, in which the whole
question could be discussed. He felt that to change the headquarters
of the international secretariat at that time, under the existing
conditions, would be an expression of lack of confidence which would
in the future have a harmful effect upon the whole movement.
The chief difficulty lay in the fact that the change desired had to be
secured through a conference of the various national federations

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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

according to the present constitution of the international federation.
Such a conference was called by the international president for April
13, 1915, through the national trade-union centers at Amsterdam.
This conference, if held, would have been attended by only a small
portion of the national federations, probably only those of Germany
and the Scandinavian countries. Therefore the decision of such a
conference would be of limited effect. Mr. Legien’s proposal to hold
a conference in Amsterdam did not, therefore, meet with general
approval. Mr. Appleton, of the British federation, in writing to
Mr. Ou degeest upon the subject, stated that Mr. Legien did not
appreciate the bitterness that the war had engendered in Great
Britain and France, and that it would be useless to ask the people
to agree to a conference.
Independent action in the interim before the receipt of Mr. Legien’s
letter was taken by the trade-union centers of Great Britain and
France in order to secure the opinion of the other trade-union cen­
ters concerning the transfer of the headquarters. This action was
taken by means of a circular letter dated May 14, 1915, in which was
expressed the hope that after the war international trade-unionism
would be rehabilitated in spite of racial animosities and the spirit of
vengeance which has been aroused. Economic pressure, it was urged,
would compel the workers to organize internationally, but it was
hopeless to expect “ that the representatives of the countries now fight­
ing each other can go to Berlin as freely and with as much usefulness
as they have gone in the past. Even though the leaders themselves
were able to subordinate all feelings except those of devotion to the
international movement, it is certain that they would not be able to
command the general and immediate support of those whom they
represent.” The circular letter disclaims any suggestion that this
proposed change in the headquarters is in any way meant as a re­
flection upon the president of the international federation, for “ we
are conscious of the efforts and sacrifices he has made on behalf of
the trade-union movement.”
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AT LEEDS.1

The proposal was made to convene an international conference
in August or early September for the purpose of changing the head­
quarters of the international federation from Berlin to Berne, Swit­
zerland. No conference was held at that time, but one was subse­
quently called to be held in London. It grew out of a gathering of
representatives of British, Italian, Belgian, and French labor organi­
zations in Paris on May 1, 1916, attended by delegates from the
allied countries only, who met also to discuss the proposal of the
1 L a T ypog rap h ie fran ç aise ; organe officiel de la F ed eratio n fran ç aise des tra v a ille u rs
du livre. P a ris, 1916 : 35 annee, No. 815 (Sept. 1—Oct. 16) ; No. 817 (Nov. 1—Dec. 161.


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American Federation of Labor to call a meeting of representatives
of organized labor of the différent countries at the same time and
place as the diplomats meet to discuss the terms of peace at the end
of the war. At this meeting in May, 1916, in Paris, the Confeder­
ation Générale du Travail of France was instructed to draw up a
report to be submitted for the examination and discussion of the
conference.1
The conference, ultimately called at Leeds, July, 1916, was at­
tended by representatives of the labor movements of England,
France, Italy, and Belgium. On the question of neutralization of
the international federation the conference adopted unanimously the
following resolution :
The delegates of the British, French, Italian, and Belgian trade-union organi­
zations having approved that steps be taken for the transfer, during the war, of
the international secretariat to a neutral country and for the appointment of a
personnel of neutral nationality for its administration, the central organiza­
tions are herewith authorized to undertake the putting in effect of the required
measures.
The conference, moreover, resolves that a provisional central bureau of cor­
respondence between labor organizations of the allied countries be established.
This bureau shall maintain relations with all the various labor movements of
the allied countries so that their activities may be coordinated in order to obtain
in common improved conditions for the working people.

The resolution was adopted after a stormy discussion, it is stated,
several delegates declaring that even after the termination of the
war it would be impossible to take up relations with the German
trade-unions. Jouhaux, the secretary of the Confédération Générale
du Travail, affirmed, however, his conviction that after the conclu­
sion of the war the international federation could not properly con­
tinue its functions and attain its object unless the trade-unions
of all nations, including Germany, were represented. His view pre­
vailed in the end.
Under date of October 4, 1916, President Legien wrote from Ger­
many to the thirty-sixth annual convention of the American Fed­
eration of Labor at Baltimore, November, 1916, and referred to this
Leeds conference of July, 1916, as an incident which appeared to be
breaking up the international trade-union movement. He charac­
terized the resolution as one “ which would be identical to the estab­
lishing of a new international organization for the four countries
named.” 2 He saw no need for it, as relations through the Amster­
dam branch continued to be maintained. Neither a neutral power
1 G eneral F ed eratio n of T rade-U nions (G re a t B r ita in ). Conference of delegates from
th e g en eral fed eratio n s of trad e-u n io n s of th e allied co u n tries. H isto rical survey of th e
efforts to co o rd in ate an d in te rn a tio n a liz e labor legislation. P re p a re d by th e C onfédération
G énérale du T rav ail, Ju n e , 1916. London, 1916. 15 pp.
2 R ep o rt of proceedings of th e T h irty -six th A nnual C onvention of th e A m erican F ed ­
e ra tio n of L abor, held a t B altim ore, Md., Nov. 13 to 25, 1916. W ashington, 1916. P . 257.


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

nor the central powers had proposed a conference for changing the
headquarters of the international federation.
PROPOSED WORLD LABOR CONGRESS.

Another matter of importance to the international labor movement
was the proposal in 1914 before the Philadelphia convention of the
American Federation of Labor for a world labor congress to be held
at the same time and place as the peace conference at the end of the
war. At the San Francisco convention in 1915 the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor submitted a plan for the
holding of such a congress. The plan recommended was adopted
and the executive council instructed to make all arrangements for
holding it. In order to carry out the instructions of the convention
the executive council prepared a statement setting forth the scope
of such a world labor congress and the tentative plan as indorsed
by the San Francisco convention. This statement was published in
the form of a circular letter and sent in various languages to the
organized labor movements of all those countries for which the
names and addresses of officers could be secured. During the course
of the year many letters of inquiry and approval were received from
various countries. The plan was affirmed by the national federa­
tions in France, Australia, and South Africa. I t was not approved
by the organized labor movement of Great Britain, and President
Legien of the Federation of Trade-Unions of Germany held it of
doubtful practicability. He had previously privately stated in a
letter dated April 2, 1915, to President Gompers:
Our direct influence on these negotiations, moreover, will probably carry no
weight. Indeed, we all have permitted ourselves to be deceived as to the actual
power of our labor organizations. We shall have to develop this power and
make it sufficiently strong to avert a similar conflict in the future, as soon as
our common work is started again at the end of this war.1

The proposal of the American Federation of Labor was subse­
quently abandoned.
When information of the official rejection of the plan for the hold­
ing of a world labor congress reached this country, because of the
importance of the plan and because of the possible influence that a
representation of wage earners might have upon the deliberations
of the world peace congress, it was proposed by the executive council
of the American Federation of Labor and incorporated in its report
to the thirty-sixth annual convention of this organization, at Bal­
timore, 1916, that organized labor in both belligerent and neutral
countries attempt to participate in the peace negotiations through
A m erican Federationist, W ashington, 1915.


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205

official commissions from their respective organizations. This plan
and the grounds for it are thus set forth :
Since the first proposal submitted by the American Federation of Labor to
the labor organizations of Europe has been definitely rejected by them, we
suggest that the organized labor movements of those countries that shall partici­
pate in the general peace conference to determine terms and conditions of peace
at the close of the war shall urge upon their respective Governments that the
wage earners shall be represented in an official commission from their respective
countries. The same policy ought to be pursued also by organized labor move­
ments of neutral countries, if it shall be determined that neutral countries also
will participate in the general peace congress.
Thus representatives of wage earners would be seated with other representa­
tives of the nations in general conferences connected with the formulation of
peace terms. In this way the ideals and needs of wage earners would be pre­
sented and considered by the general official body.1

The conference at Leeds, July, 1916, already referred to, took up
this proposal of the American Federation of Labor. The discussion
of the question is said to have been very protracted. The British
delegates did not share the view of the French. They attacked the
plan as one which no government would tolerate, as its realization
would greatly embarrass the peace conference. The resolutions of the
labor congress would, moreover, reach their destination too late to
be considered by the diplomats.
The delegates next turned their attention to a discussion of the
questions which were intended to form the program of such an inter­
national congress. The French Confederation Générale du Travail
had drafted an historical résumé of the attempts to coordinate labor
legislation through international agreement. This summary was pre­
pared as. a guide to those delegates who might attend- the proposed
labor congress in connection with a peace conference after the war.
The statement, declared that it was necessary to insert in the treaty a
declaration of the economic principles which affected labor and which
were involved in the war. The demands of labor should be stated
and agitation begun to secure public opinion in their behalf by the
time the treaty is drawn.
The résumé went into the history of the movement for uniformity
in labor legislation by international agreement, and pointed out the
significance of the conference at Berlin in 1890 and the Paris con­
ference of 1900, at which latter there was organized the International
Association for Labor Legislation. The association, while not an
official organization, is subsidized by fourteen different Governments.
The work of the international association was set forth and a brief
statement made of its accomplishments in securing treaties for the
prohibition of the manufacture of matches from white phosphorus,
1Report of proceedings of the Thirty-sixth Annual Convention of the American Federa­
tion of Labor, held at Baltimore, Md., Nov. 13 to 25, 1916. Washington, 1916. p. 55.
76934°—17-----3


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the prohibition to a certain extent of the nightwork of women and
children, securing uniformity in certain features of social-insurance
legislation, and related matters. The statement calls attention to the
fact that the program of minimum demands as to legislation on these
matters is not very ambitious, if nations with advanced labor legis­
lation are considered, but to some of the workers on the Continent
they would mean a very great advance indeed. Such an advance could
not fail to react favorably on conditions in countries with more
progressive legislation. As the proposed program of minimum de­
mands to be submitted in connection with a peace conference had not
been prepared sufficiently in advance to permit of careful examina­
tion by the delegates, discussion of them was withheld and the fol­
lowing resolution was adopted by the conference :
The conference of Leeds of July 5, 1916, approves the plan of organizing an
international conference before negotiations for peace are begun. The date,
place of assembly, and program of the congress shall be determined later, and
after an understanding has been reached on these points by the syndicalistic
organization interested. The program shall be limited to discussion of prob­
lems of a syndicalistic or social character.

Subsequently the conference unanimously adopted the report made
by Jouhaux, of the French Confederation Générale du Travail, as
to minimum legislative demands and decided to create a corre­
spondence bureau in Paris of which Jouhaux is to be secretary
general. Appleton was chosen as correspondent for Great Britain,
Mahlman for Belgium, and Ambris and Calda for Italy.
COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE AND NONCONTRIBUTORY
OLD-AGE PENSIONS RECOMMENDED BY GOV. McCALL OF
MASSACHUSETTS.1

In his inaugural address to the members of the Massachusetts
Legislature of 1917, Gov. Samuel W. McCall recommended the im­
mediate adoption by that State of two forms of social insurance—
compulsory health insurance and a system of old-age pensions. Such
legislation is defined and defended by him as “ the insurance of
society against its diseases, and that society should take wholly or in
part upon itself the work of defending against certain well-defined
evils which result from our modern system of production, the chief
burdens of which have heretofore been left upon deserving people
who are least able to bear them.”
The need for health insurance, the governor contends, is evidenced
by the fact that the health of the workingmen and their families as
a group is not well looked after; that the average worker postpones
i From the governor’s address, as printed in the Boston Evening T ranscript, .Tan. 4,
1917, p. 12.


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consulting a physician until the very last moment, thus aggravating
the illness and the cost thereof. He refers to the German health-in­
surance system as having improved the health and increased the
average span of life of the people of that country.
He recommends that the legislature develop a plan of compulsory
health insurance, but makes no specific suggestions as to its details:
I am strongly of the opinion that there is no form of social insurance that is
more humane, sounder in principle, and that would confer a greater benefit upon
large groups of our population and upon the Commonwealth as a whole than
health insurance. System and the wholesale scale on which the enterprise would
be conducted would result in procuring medical care and attendance and the
benefits of preventive medicine at far less cost and with far more effect than if
the workingman were acting for himself alone. It may fairly be said to involve
a mobilization of the physicians of the Commonwealth for concerted effort in
the most systematic and comprehensive work we have ever undertaken for the
general health.

In urging the adoption of old-age pensions the governor submits an
extended argument, setting forth the need of such pensions and an­
swering several of the more frequent objections. To the claim that it
is a form of charity or poor relief he replies that it should be regarded
strictly as a pension “ granted in recognition of long and meritorious
service to society,” analogous in form and similar in honor to a pen­
sion granted for service in war. . To the objection that it would
discourage thrift, he replies that at best the pension would be too
meager (the maximum in Great Britain being $.65 per year) to have
any such effect; and further, that “ the members of the groups to
which it would practically be applicable work for wages which would
not permit of saving upon any sufficient scale, and with little to save
they would have little to squander.”
As to the need for old-age pensions, he believes that this is the
direct creation of modern machine industry, which is conducted with
such speed and strain that many workers are unable to maintain the
pace much beyond their prime.
It does not necessarily mean that they are worn out, but they can not keep
up with the demands of the modern methods of production, and thus they are
thrown out of their accustomed work at a period of life and under circum­
stances when it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to acquire efficiency in
a new calling. If they have not made provision before that time arrives they
are likely to become dependent.
Strictly, a wage should be paid during the period in which one is ordinarily
able to work in such employments which would support him for his whole life.
Thirty years of labor with the fast-flying machinery of our manufacturing
establishments will enable the workingman to produce more than with the
appliances just before our era he could have produced in many centuries. It is
not economically just to credit to machinery the whole saving in production and
leave the man a derelict at the end of his working time. There should be
•barged against it the damage done him as a producing agency as an element
'n the cost of production. If that element were not to be fairly represented in


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wages or in some other way we should have a deformed industrial system,
which would absorb the vital forces of millions of men and then heartlessly cast
them off with no hope of living out their days except through the charity of
their fellow men.
It would be just to assess against production the cost of providing for the
care of the worker during the period after his invalidity should come. Either
that or the wage should be adjusted so that in ordinary cases it would enable
the worker to make provision for himself.

The governor’s recommendations for an old-age pension system are
specific in form: (1) That the system should be noncontributory—
i. e., that the State should bear the whole expense; (2) that the bene­
ficiaries should be all persons 70 or more years of age who do not
have children able to support them and do not have an income of
more than $200 a year, and who have been residents of the State for
at least 10 years; (3) that the annuity should not exceed the maxi­
mum pension paid under the British system—i. e., $65 a year. “ It
is a new field in America and can much more easily be broadened, if
experience shall show that it is wise to do so, than narrowed if a false
step shall have been taken.”
POWER OF STATE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION TO ISSUE ORDERS
SUSTAINED BY WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.

A decision of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin on May 2, 1916, de­
clared unconstitutional the provision of the law of that State which
undertook to confer upon the State industrial commission the power
to make regulations as to the hours of labor of employed women.
(State v. Lange Canning Co., 157 N. W., 777.) Besides presenting
the facts and conclusions in this particular case, an article in the
M onthly R eview for July, 1916,1 reviewed a number of decisions
bearing on the same or related questions, and called attention in a
footnote to the announced purpose of the industrial commission to
secure a rehearing of the case.
No complete account of the later steps taken in the case is at hand,
but a report of the proceedings of the court on the motion for rehear­
ing appears in volume 160 of the Northwestern Reporter, page 57.
From this it appears that briefs were submitted arguing the validity
of the law in its provisions giving power to the commission to make
regulations affecting the conditions of the employment of women,
etc. This argument seems to have been advanced in an attempt to
secure a rehearing of the case in which the Lange Canning Co. had
been found guilty of a violation of the law limiting the hours of
labor of women, in connection with which the opinion holding the
1 See article “ Court decisions on power of State industrial commissions to issue
orders,” in M o nth ly R eview for July, 1916, pp. 136-147.


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M O N T H L Y REV IEW OF T H E B U R EA U OF LABOR STA TISTIC S.

209

grant of a rule-making power to the commission unconstitutional
was rendered. The court considered the motion for a rehearing on
the basis of the arguments in new briefs which were submitted, and
reached the conclusion that the case should not be reopened, but an­
nounced its withdrawal of that portion of the earlier opinion which
held that there had been an attempt to delegate legislative authority
in contravention of the power of the legislature under the constitu­
tion. In effect, therefore, the end in view in making the motion for
a rehearing was gained by the industrial commission, since its pur­
pose was not to secure a reversal of the judgment against the Lange
Canning Co., but to obtain a favorable decision as to its own power
to issue orders. The opinion is brief, and is reproduced in full, the
mandate mentioned at its conclusion referring to the order of the
court bearing on the guilt of the defendant company:
Since the opinion in this case was filed the matter has been fully reargued
by brief, and upon further study and reflection we are of the opinion that the
statute may propeily be construed as laying down the general rule that women
shall not be permitted to work in any place for such a period of time as shall be
prejudicial to their health, and authorizing the industrial commission upon
investigation to determine as a fact what class or classes of employment are
dangerous or prejudicial to the life, health, safety, or welfare of females, and
to determine as a fact how long females may be engaged in the several classes
of employment reasonably without danger or prejudice to the life, health, safety,
or welfare of such females, and to establish by general orders such classification
and the time which females may labor therein, so found; and we are of the
opinion that as so construed and to that extent the law should be upheld, for the
reason th a t:
‘ The authority thus conferred invests the commission with no arbitrary and
uncontrolled discretion, but directs them to ascertain the facts and to apply the
rules of law thereto under the prescribed terms and conditions. Such action is
not legislative in character, but is the performance of an executive and minis­
terial duty within the regulations provided for in the act.” (State ex rel. Buell
v. Frear, 146 Wis., 305, 306; 131 N. W., 832; 34 L. R. A. (N. S.), 480.)
So much of our former opinion as is inconsistent with the views here ex­
pressed is withdrawn. We shall not attempt at this time to mark the boundaries
of the commission’s authority under the act as here construed, no order of the
commission being before us in this* action, but determination of that matter will
be postponed until the action of the commission is in some way directly called
in question. The modification of our views results in no modification of the
mandate.
The motion for a rehearing is denied, without costs.


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210

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR,
DECEMBER 16, 1916, TO JANUARY 15, 1917.

Under the organic act of the department, which gives the Secretary
of Labor the authority to mediate in labor disputes through the
appointment, in his discretion, of commissioners of conciliation, the
Secretary exercised his good offices between December 16, 1916, and
January 15, 1917,-in three labor disputes. The companies involved,
the number of employees affected, and the results secured, so far as
information is available, were as follows:
NUMBER OF LABOR DISPU TES HANDLED BY TH E D EPA RTM EN T OF LABOR
THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION, DEC. 16, 1916, TO JAN. 15, 1917.
Workmen affected.
Result.

Name.
Directly. Indirectly.
Strike of employees, Georgia Railway & Power Co., Atlanta, Ga---»Strike fit King StrAftt

T o r m i n a 1 S e a tt l e , W W h ................ ...............................

437
400
100

1,030
200

Pending.
Do.
Adjusted.1

1 Case adjusted before arrival of commissioner.

The following cases have been disposed of :
Strike of machinists, Hamilton, Ohio: Unable to adjust.
Strike of section men, C., B. & Q. R. R., St. Louis, Mo., to Bur­
lington, Iowa : Unable to adjust.
Controversy between Missouri Pacific, St. Louis & Iron Mountain
R. R. Co. and its maintenance-of-way employees, St. Louis, Mo.:
Unable to adjust.
FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

During November, 1916, the Division of Information of the Bureau
of Immigration of the Department of Labor placed 18,822 persons in
employment, as compared with 19,041 during October, 1916. In ­
complete returns for December—reports from the important office
in Newark, N. J., and its subbranches and from the office in St. Louis,
Mo., not having been received in time to be tabulated—show a total
of 16,597 persons placed during the month. The operations of the
different offices throughout the country, by months, since May, 1915,
when fuller reports began to be made, are contained in the statement
following:


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

211

OT’ERATIONS OF T H E DIVISION OP INFORM ATION, BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
DURING T H E MONTHS OF MAY, 1915, TO DECEMBER, 1916.
Number
Number
of applica­ of
persons
tions for applied
for.
help.

Year and month.

May...........
Jurie..........
July ...........
August__
September.
O ctober...
November.
December.
J anuary__
F ebruary...
March.........
A pril..........
May............
Jurie............
July ............
August.......
September..
October___
November !
December...

Number
of appli­
cants for
places.

Number
referred to Number
actually
employ­
employed.
ment.

1915.
638
1,249
1,160
1,279
1,201

1,104
847
698

3,826
3,601
8,665
7,931
4,551
5,423
4,650
3,588

12,132
14,530
18,061
17,827
13,334
12,215
11,908
11,902

3,752
5,131
6,360
7,321
5,671
5,460
4,459
2,622

3,495
4,646
6,035
6,757
5,405
5,006
4,146
2,170

933
1,423
3,443
3,805
4,918
4,826
5,488
6,420
8,312
10,552
12,515
9,784

5,063
6,413
10,209
12,104
21,326
17,402
23,657
26,791
27,185
27,985
25,995
21,533

15,015
14,257
19,484
13,498
17,614
18,824
24,058
23,720
26,276
28,504
27,318
26,805

4,300
5,036
8,113
8,843
12,938
13,839
17,608
18,062
19,643
21,789
24,618
21,139

3,419
4,185
7,030
7,653
11,453
11,960
16,309
16,313
17,169
19,044
18,822
16,597

1916.

1
Inclusive of activities in cooperation with State and
municipal employment offices in the State of
New York.

The following statement of the work of the 19 different zones cov­
ering the whole country gives details for November and December,
1916:
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF U N ITED STATES EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR THE
MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEM BER, 1916.
Opportunities received.
Zone number and office.

Applications
for help.
Nov.

Dec.

1. Boston, Mass..............
Portland, Me..............

Persons applied for.
Nov.

2

Total.................

3. Philadelphia, P a .......
Pittsburgh, P a...........
Wilmington, Del.......

114
22
14

Referred to Number actuemployment. ally employed.

Nov.

Nov.

51

Dec.

Dec.

Nov.

Dec.

35

101

51

35

6

7

6

7

6, 756
2,739

4,420
1,634

6,257
2,445

7,280
2,065

7,563
2, 723

4,449
Ï, 472

4 798
2,145

5,912

9,181

9,495

6,054

8,702

9,345

10,286

5,921

6,943

(3)
(3)
(3)

2,505
235
511

(3)
(3)
(3)

2,572
110
413

(3)
(3)
(3)

2,180
102
341

(3)
(3)
(3)

1,610
85
257

(3)
(3)

(3)

(3)

3,251

(3)

3,095

(3)

2,623

(3)
328
354
102

1, 952

(3)

Total................. 5,693

1,769

Applications
received.

6,141
3,040

4,881
1,031

Total.................

Dec.
101

2

2. New York, N. Y d __ 4,641
Buffalo, N. Y.2........... 1,052
2a. Newark, N. J .............. 1,469
Orange, N. J ..............
220
Jersey City, N. J ........
80

Applications for employment.

113
18
19

530
86

336
1,079

295
865
61

340
721
81

286
466
67

223
402
42

265
319
79

Total.................

150

150

616

1,415

1,221

f, 142

819

784

667

663

4. Baltimore, Md...........

125

125

176

186

214

205

160

157

160

157

5. Norfolk, V a................

10

11

243

170

124

92

81

45

26

14

1 Inclusive of activities in cooperation with the State and municipal employment offices
2 Inclusive of activities in cooperation with the State employment office.
3 Reports not received in time to be included in this table.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

212

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF U N ITE D STATES EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR THE
MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEM BER, 1916—Concluded.
Applications for employment.

Opportunities received.
Zone number and office.

Nov.

Miami, F la.................
Savannah, Ga............

Nov.

Dec.

Nov.

Dec.

7. New Orleans, L a .......

Nov.

87
58
79
12
6

32
88
46
14
4

94

56

242

184

56

225

184
43

295
59
37

14
4

9
35
50

10

18
55

46

Dec.

26
30

7
2
1

Mobile, Ala.................
Total.................

Referred to Number actuemployment. ally employed.

Applications
received.

Persons applied for.

Applications
for help.

2

130

Dee.

Nov.

Dec.

7
19
32
4

19
6
21
5

7
14
20
4

70

62

51

45

147
10

237

27
9

52

19
10
36
5

T otal.................

46

57

56

355

227

391

157

237

36

52

8. Galveston, Tex...........

9
2

7

110
2

31

24
6

32
23

14

10

6

10

3

3

Total.................

ii

7

112

31

33

58

14

10

6

10

6

60

314

78

104

66

84

16

32

9. Cleveland, Ohio.........

15

10. Chicago, 111.................
Detroit, Mich..............
Sault Ste.Marie, Mich.
Indianapolis, In d .......

448
153
3
178

389 2, 202
115 1,099
40
8
427
195

2,398
774
295
542

2, 263
762
37
623

2,440
593
60
566

2,141
762
23
430

2,320
593
41
479

2,101
729
23
347

2,28S
571
41
395

Total.................

782

707 3,768

4,009

3,685

3,659

3,356

3,433

3,200-

3,290

15

24

36

47

10

18

10

18

(i) ~~ 492
374 1,495

(L
660

384
1,393

(U
799

323
1,744

0)
827

298
1,462

0)
815

11. Minneapolis, Minn__

12

11

12. St. Louis, Mo..............
Kansas City, Mo........

270
579

Total.................

849

374

1,987

660

1,777

799

2,067

827

1, 760

815

13. Denver, Colo..............

18

24

18

24

77

75

21

18

19

18

1

5

8

1
1

Total.................
15. Seattle, W ash.............
Aberdeen, W ash........
Bellingham, Wash__

98
8
12

102
7
16

217
58
95

Everett, W ash_____
North Yakima, W ash.
Spokane, W ash..........
Tacoma, W ash...........
Walla Walla, W ash ...

2
555
39
407
52

1
207
25
427
35

2
913
62
894
168

Total.................

1,173

16. Portland, Oreg...........
Astoria, Oreg. . ...........

962
43

1

1

1

1

5

8

183
21
34

1,586
320
81

1,776
297
49

129
58
58

118
21
32

89
58
53

91
21
31

1

1
13
358 1,560
42
426
1,222 1,468
68
365

7
598
225
2,501
350

2
724
62
1,059
111

1
287
35
1,204
75

i
614
59
1,040
100

1
258
34
1,176
38

820 2,401

1,929

5,819

5,803

2,203

1,773

2,014

1,650

707
31

1,566
126

1,015
79

2,042
452

2,066
412

1,602
130

1,059
65

1,521
122

1,006
61

Total.............. . 1,005

738

1,692

1,094

2,494

2,478

1,732

1,124

1,643 |

1,067

17. San Francisco, Cal__
Reno, Nev................

345
12

312
. 27

790
81

448
68

1,146
76

860
46

588
77

467
47

325
76

297
46

Total................

357

339

871

516

1,222

906

665

514

401

343

4
486

8
42
439 1,446
1

46
1,257
6

10iT
715

9
482
1,596 1,203
7

52
1,665
6

6
909

22
1,432
6

490 |

482

1,309

818

1,723

915

1,460

21,139 18,822

16,597

18. Los Angeles, Cal.......
San Diego, Cal.........
Bakersfield, Cal........
Total................

Grand total__ 12,515


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1,454

9,784 25,995

21,533 27,318

2,085

1,212

26,805 24,618

1 Reports not received in time to Be included in this table.

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

213

WORK OF STATE AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN
THE UNITED STATES AND OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYMENT
BUREAUS IN CANADA.

In the following table data are presented for December, 1915, and
December, 1916, relative to the operations of public employment
offices. For the United States, figures are furnished for State employ­
ment bureaus in 15 States, municipal employment bureaus in 8 States,
State-city employment bureaus in 2 States, and a city-private em­
ployment bureau in 1 State. Information is also given for 2 Canadian
employment bureaus.
OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, DECEM BER, 1915 AND 1916.
UNITED STATES.

State and city.

California (municipal):
Berkeley—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Fresno—
®
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Sacramento—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
California (State-city),
Los Angeles2—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
California (State):
Oakland—
December, 1916................................
Sacramento—
December, 1916................................
San Francisco—
December, 1916................................
Total:
December, 1915......................
December, 1916......................

Persons applying
for work."
Applica­ Persons
asked for
tions
from em­ by em­
New
ployers. ployers. registra­
Renew­
als.
tions.

Persons
referred Positions
to posi­
filled.
tions.

144
188

156
205

149
91

511
449

156
205

156
205

142
187

348
451

1,012
792

160
54

369
481

348
451

169
180

336
251

75
78

(>)
0)

0)
0)

C)
2,439

(')
5,031

1,462
1,839

(!)
(1)

2,591
4,917

695

865

462

380

884

700

214

641

294

231

549

489

907

1,526

1,682

473

1,618

1,121

(i)
3 8,654

3 028
4 ï , 580

336
251
2,188
4,363

Colorado (State):
Colorado Springs—
December, 1915................................
541
C1)
0)
504
(*)
(')
December, 1916................................
457
392
371
0)
(U
(i)
Denver, No. 1—
December, 1915................................
301
I1)
0)
185
(»)
0)
December, 1916................................
C1)
0)
(>)
(M
C1)
0)
Denver No. 2—
December, 1915................................
179
163
(!)
0)
0)
0)
December, 1916................................ * 0)
200
124
0)
U)
C1)
Pueblo—
December, 1915................................
178
149
(!)
(l)
C1)
C1)
December, 1916................................
390
408
366
0)
0)
C)
Total:
December, 1915......................
(!)
1 001
December, 1916......................
6 861
0)
1Not reported.
s includes Los Angeles district, 8 counties.
• Including figures for State employment offices which were not established until January, 1916, but
not including data for Sacramento, not reported.
4Including figures for State employment offices which were not established until January, 1916.
6 Does not include figures for Denver No. 1, not reported.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

214

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, DECEMBER, 1915 AND 1916—Continued.
UNITED STATES—Continued.

State and city.

Connecticut (State):
Bridgeport—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Hartford—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
New Haven—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Norwich—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Water bury— '
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................

Persons applying
for work.
Applica­ Persons
asked for
tions
from em­ by em­
New
ployers. ployers. registra­ Renew­
als.
tions.

760
771

(')
C1)

0)
C1)

(U
(l)

(»)
(')

679
682

466
778

0)
(*)

(')
C1)

(')
C1)

0)
(!)

347
651

428
733

0)
(*)

C1)
0)

(>)
0)

0)
C1)

302
628

180
158

C)
C1)

(!)
(')

0)
(!)

(!)
i1)

171
151

183
126

0)
0)

0)
C1)

0)
(U

0)
(')

110
84

•

Total:
December, 1915......................
December, 1916......................
Illinois (municipal):
Chicago—
December, 1916................................
Indiana (State):
Evansville—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Fort Wayne—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Indianapolis—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
South Bend—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................

Persons
referred Positions
filled.
to posi­
tions.

(>)
0)___

1.609
2,196

285

74

302
590

173
267

28

285

100

67
101

173
336

5
9

173
173

173
173

2187
2 166

697
909

697
909

325
370

275
290

464
789

464
789

120
131

246
396

311
245

128
91

230
247

195
190

a 996
3 1,626

1,019
1,400

76

0)

(!)
0)

187
154

0)
0)

Total:
December, 1915......................
December, 1916......................
Iowa (State):
Des Moines—
December, 1916................................

20

95

114

27

101

Kansas (State):
Topeka—
,
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................

72
10

72
14

132
30

14
3

72
18

129
254

347
354

1,186

109
266

60
137

50
273

2 210
2 411

0)
U)

50
273

50
273

159
539

110
410

Kentucky (city, private):
Louisville—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Kentucky (State):
December, 1915.......................................
December, 1916.......................................

0)
0)
50
273

Total:
HfiOPimbpir. 191*5


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

. .

1 Not reported.
2 Number applying for work.
2 Exclusive of figures for Fort Wayne, not reported.

’

65
12

MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

215

OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, DECEMBER, 1915 AND 1916-Continued.
UNITED STATES—Continued.

State and city.

Massachusetts (State):
Boston—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Fall River—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Springfield—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Worcester—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........

Persons applying
for work.
Applica­ Persons
tions
asked for
from em­ by em­
New
ployers. ployers. registra­
Renew­
als.
tions.

Persons
referred Positions
to posi­
filled.
tions.

1,402
1,430

1,695
1,649

1935
1982

(2)
(2)

3 2,672
3 2,499

1,267
i; 117

107
137

111
139

i 18
i 14

(2)
(2)

394
3 130

83
114

620
862

786
1,187

i 145
1354

(2)
(2)

3869
31,256

624
801

594
829

720
1,127

1 421
1 502

(2)
(2)

3 983
31,242

515
657

Total:
December, 1915.
December, 1916.
Michigan (State):
Battle Creek—
December, 1916..........
Bay City—
December, 1916..........
Detroit—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Flint—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Grand Rapids—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Jackson—
December, 1915.........
December, 1916..........
Kalamazoo—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Lansing—
December, 1916..........
Muskegon—
December, 1916..........
Saginaw—
December, 1915..........
December, 1916..........

42

154

1 106

(2)

104

104

58

123

<221

(2)

123

123

(2)
450

2,772
3,175

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

2,772
3,175

2,772
3,175

(2)
748

424
748

(2)
< 748

(2)
(2)

424
748

424
748

(2)
337

632
586

(2) .
<586

(2)
(2)

632
565

632
565

(2)
302

483
511

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

483
499

483
486

(2)
243

286
243

(2)
<243

(2)
(2)

286
243

286
243

25

81

<104

(2)

66

66

48

132

<170

(2)

131

106

(2)
127

603
641

(2)
<552

(2)
(2)

603
552

603
552

Total:
December, 1915.
December, 1916.
Minnesota (State):
D uluth—
December», 1915..........
December, 1916..........
Minneapolis—
December, 1915__ . . .
December, 1916...........
St. Paul—
December, 1915...........
December, 1916.......... .

6,206
(2)
(2)
(2) .
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

618
1,105

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

1,211
1,951

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

756
1,118

Total:
December, 1915.
December, 1916.
Montana (municipal):
Butte—
December, 1915:..........
December, 1916............

*G)

405
373

(2)
(2)

. <685
485

(2)
(2)

405
(2)

330
283

1 Number who were registered.
2 Not reported.
3 Number of offers of positions.
4 Number applying for work.
3
Exclusive of figures for offices at B attle Creek
, Bay City, Lansing, and Muskegon, openel since December, 1915.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

216

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES DECEM BER, 1915 AND 1916—Continued.
UNITED STATES—Continued.
Persons applying
for work.
Applica­ Persons
asked for
tions
from em­ by em­
New
Renew­
ployers. ployers. registra­
als.
tions.

State and city.

New York (municipal):
New York City—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
New York (State):
Albany—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Brooklyn—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Buffalo—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Rochester—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Syracuse—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................

1,188
3,558

737
2,340

229
285

571
734

312
424

1,337
946

502
507

1,506
2,049

787
1,296

710
1,922

679
1,459

219
89

836
1,882

539
1,428

562
1,062

894
1,744

644
815

269
373

989
1,548

604
870

443
789

572
1,206

501
672

147
96

596
1,065

442
745

5,686
10,836

3,421
7,103

757
2,375

903
2,750

1,676
1,856

278
413

416
565

547
415

782
1,381

1,410
1,895

440
923

0)
0)

Total:
December. 1915_
Ohio (State-city):
Akron—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Cincinnati—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Cleveland—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Columbus—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Dayton—
December, 1915........................... .
December, 1916................................
Toledo—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Youngstown—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................

(0
(>)

1,179
1,674

836
717

2,268
1,636

1,100
1,411

890
1,184

(0
0)

1,112
1,621

1,704
1,676

3,476
2,589

1,041
1,670

780
1,118

0)
(')

5,231
6,815

2,448
2,306

6,569
6,840

3,940
5,780

3,277
4,536

(0
(0

1,476
1,854

802
578

2,697
2,170

1,447
1,769

1,227
1,516

(')
C1)

946
914

721
677

1,352
1,069

S23
849

754
751

0)
0)

1,887
1,990

1,402
1,286

2,849
2,354

1,871
1,804

1,652
1,486

(>)
C1)

1,375
1,005

771
601

1,388
740

1,043
968

815
843

11,265
14,251

9,395
11,434

Total:
December, 1915........
Oklahoma (State):
Enid—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Muskogee—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Oklahoma City—
December, 1915................................
December. 1916................................
Tulsa—
December, 1915............................ .
December, 1916................................

0)
0)

76
86

2 112
116

0)
0)

C1)
0)

68
78

(’)
0)

222
337

2 170
236

C1)
0)

0)
0)

143
211

0)
0)

243
341

2

303
364

0)
0)

C)
0)

196
289

0)
0)

238
740

2 217
707

0)
0)

0)
0)

209
667

0)
(!)

616
1,245

0)
0)

526
792

1

Total:
Dp,f»p,mhftr; 1915.............
December; 1916

................|................

Oregon (municipal):
Portland—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Persons
referred Positions
to posi­
filled.
tions.

211
502

543
807

i Not reported,
s Number applying for work.

1,605
900

0)
0)

MONTHLY EEVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

217

OPERATIONS OP PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, DECEMBER, 1915 AND 1916—Continued.
UNITED STATES—Concluded.

S„ate and city.

Pennsylvania (State):
Altoona—
December, 1916................................
Harrisburg—
December, 1916...........................
Johnstown—
December, 1916..............................
Philadelphia—
December, 1916................................
Pittsburgh—
December, 1916.........................

Persons applying
for w o rk .
Applica­ Persons
tions
asked for
from em- by emNew
ployers. ployers. registraRenewtions.

0)
0)
0)
0)
0)

Total:
December, 1916.....................
...
Rhode Island (State):
Providence—
December, 1915.........................
December, 1916......................
Texas (municipal):
Dallas—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Fort W orth—'
December, 1915............................
December, 1916............................
Total:
December, 1915......................
December, 1916......................
,
Virginia (municipal):
Richmond—
December, 1915................................
December’ 1916...........................
Washington (Federal-municjpal):
Tacoma.3
Washington (municipal):
Everett—
December, 1915..............................
December’ 1916.......................
Seattle—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916....................
Spokane—
December, 1916................................

142

47

6

79

69

254

238

79

198

169

214

71

24

81

70

881

600

539

958

774

1,052

513

206

542

508

..................................

1,858

1,590

209

209
129

.

181
120

209
129

360
51

26
34

96
155

132
290

80
85

16
11

190
305

132
268

129
225

167
326

2 2,288
645‘

27

162
209

151
203

352
514

283
471

362
403

175
192

211
223

643
335

2 542
241

0)
(B

(»)
0)

(L
0)

2 , 253

1,432

2,043
3,324

0)
0)

1,610

1,875

0)

0)
0)

(B
0)
C1)
C1)

106

Total:
December, 1915......................
December, 1916......................
Wisconsin (State):
La Crosse—
December, 1915................................
Decemberj 1916................................
Milwaukee—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................
Oshkosh—
December, 1915..............................
December, 1916................................
Superior—
December, 1915................................
December’ 1916................................
Total:
December, 1915.....................
December, 1916.....................

Persons
referred Positions
to posifilled.
tions.

0)

C1)
C1)
2,124
3,295

1,858
3,010

1,856

1,856

0)
C1)
112
87

158
125

1,158
1,300

2,006
2,968

92
109

113
127

C1)

241
249

283
928

(•)

(»)

2 204

0)

2 2,829
2 191
2 546

C1)
C1)
C1)
C1)
C1)
C1)
C1)
«

101
267

41,959
5,133

149
84

76
74

1,986
2,913

1,712
2,211

108
103

99
80

346
542

279
438

2,589
3,642

2,166
2,803

1 Not reported.
2 Number applying for work.
3 Figures for this office are carried regularly in the R eview under th e subject “ Federal employment work
of th e Department of Labor,” to which the reader is referred.
4 Not including figures for Spokane, not reported.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

218

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

OPERATIONS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT OFFICES, DECEMBER, 1915 AND 1916—Concluded.
DOM INION OF CANADA.

Persons applying
for work.
Applica­ Persons
tions
asked for
New
from em­ by em­
ployers. ployers. registra­
tions.

Province and city.

Quebec (Province):
Montreal—
December, 1916................................
Quebec—
December, 1915................................
December, 1916................................

182
(l)
(*)

Renew­
als.

394

348

C)

41
44

2177
2 74

C1)
(*)

Persons
referred
to posi­
tions.

Positions
filled.

339

266

Total:
December, 1915.....................
December, 1916.....................

0)
0)

1Not reported.

47
28

0)
0)
(')

294

2Number applying for work.

EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES, DECEMBER, 1916.

Figures indicating the change in the volume of employment in
representative manufacturing establishments in the United States in
December, 1916, as compared with the same month in the preceding
year, show that in 10 of the 13 industries covered by the bureau the
number of employees on the pay roll was greater in December, 1916,
than in December, 1915. The greatest increase shown (25 per cent)
is in automobile manufacturing, while the three industries showing a
decrease are boots and shoes, cotton manufacturing, and cigar manu­
facturing. The figures in the last-named industry are somewhat
affected by a strike occurring in December, 1916, reported by one
establishment. The amount of money paid to employees was greater
m all of the 13 industries in December, 1916, than in December, 1915.
The greatest increase reported is 12.6 per cent for the iron and steel
industry.
COMPARISON OF EM PLOYM ENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN DECEM BER,
1915, AND DECEMBER, 1916.

Industry.

Number on
pay roll in
December—

Estab­
lish­
ments
to
which
inqui­
ries
were
sent.

Estab­
lish­
ments
report­
ing for
Decem­
ber
both
years.

85
89
19
82
56
64

72
50
16
53
43
48

88
142

37
95

79
105

29 . ..do....... 39,457
57 1 week.. 21,947

73
45
70

32 .. .do...
54,030
26 .. .do....... 11, 754
45 . ..d o ...... 18,210

Boots and shoes...........
Cotton m anufacturing.
Cotton finishing...........
Hosiery and underwear
Woolen..........................
S ilk................................
Men’s r e a d y - m a d e
clothing.....................
Iron and steel...............
Car building and repairing.......................
Cigar m anufacturing...
Automobile manufactu rin g ........................
Leather manufacturing
Paper making..............


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Period
of pay
roll.

1 week..
. ..d o .......
.. .do.......
.. .do.......
__do__
2 weeks.

1915

1916

65, 853
51, 863
12,326
30,347
39,548
Ì5'997

64,596
51,740
12, 794
31, 624
40, 261
16,206

Per
cent of
(+ )
or de­
crease
(-)■

Amount of
pay roll in
December—

1915

1916

Per
cent of
(+ )
or de­
crease
(-)•

788, 494 952,775
544, 507
436,342
139, 039 175, 759
283,027 335,954
409,310 ' 534,682
329,701
368,601

+ 24.8
+26.4
+ 18.7
+30.6
+ 11.8

301,034
+ 14.0
381,847
+22.4 4,597,075 6,554,472

+26.8
+42.6

42,213
19,805

+ 7.0 1,208,867 1,408, 767
- 9.8
226,866 238,463

+ 16.5
+ 5.1

67,529
13,458
21,606

+25. 0
+ 14. 5
+ 18.6

947 237 1,276,705
149,650
205,437
234,658 326,206

+34.8
+37.3
+39.0

1 week.. 22. 744 25,925
J month. 132,951 162,709

+
+
+
+

1.9
.2
3.8
4. 2
1.8
1.3

MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

219

Reports were also received from a very much smaller number of
establishments as to the number of employees actually working on
the last full day of the reported pay period. The comparable figures
for December, 1916, and December, 1915, appear in the following
table. In considering the figures the number of establishments cov­
ered should be noted. All industries are shown, although some of
them are poorly reported.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS ON LAST FULL
DAY’S OPERATION IN DECEMBER, 1915, AND DECEM BER, 1916.

Industry.

Boots and shoes..............................................................
Cotton m anufacturing....................................................
Cotton finishing....... ......................................................
Hosiery and underwear................................................
Woolen...........................................................................
S ilk...................................................................................
Men’s ready-made clothing...........................................
Iron and steel................... ~............................................
Car building and repairing............................................
Cigar manufacturing.......T..............................................
Automobile manufacturing...........................................
Leather manufacturing. . ..................................
Paper m aking............ ~..................................................

Establish­
ments re­
porting Period of
for De­
cember, pay roll.
both
years.

11
27
12
9
35
18
7
86
25
23
16
14
h

1 week..
__do.......
.. do__
. do__
__do
2 weeks
1 week..
\ month.
.. .do.......
1 week..
__do__
...d o __
__do__ r

N umber act ually
working on last
full day of re­ Per cent
of in­
ported pay pe­
riod in Decem­ crease
(+ ) or de­
ber—
crease
(-).
1915
1916
5,345
21,314
10,255
9,378
32,183
6,194
7,467
112j 105
32,182
6,831
23,024
8,660
5, 487

5,855
21 800
10,569
10,003
32,765
6,374
8,779
134,922
34,618
5, 773
31,436
9,970
6,677

+ 9.5
+ 2.3
+ 3.1
+ 7.0
+ 1.8
+ 2.9
+ 17.6
+20. 4
+ 7.6
15. 5
+36.5
+15.1
+ 2 1 .7

Reports from 6 clothing establishments show $13,409 paid for
contract work in December, 1916, as against $12,590 in December,
1915.
The figures of the next table show that in all of the 13 industries
listed the number of employees on the pay roll was greater in
December, 1916, than in November, 1916. The figures in cigar
manufacturing are influenced by strikes reported by four establish­
ments as occurring in November, 1916, and by one establishment
as occurring in December, 1916. More money was paid to em­
ployees in all of the industries in the table in December, 1916, than
in November, 1916. The greatest increase reported is 11 per cent
in cotton finishing. In this table is presented for the first time a
comparison of a month of 1916 with the preceding month for auto­
mobiles, leather, and paper.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

220

MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

COMPARISON OP EM PLOYM ENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN NOVEMBER
1916, AND DECEM BER, 1916.
Estab­ Estab­
lish­
lish­ ments
ments report­
Period
to
ing for of pay
which Novem­
roll.
inquir­
and
ies were ber
Decem­
sent.
ber.

Industry.

Boots and shoes...........
Cotton manufacturing.
Cotton finishing...........
Hosiery and underwear
Woolen..........................
Silk................................
Men’s r e a d y - m a d e
clothing.
Iron and steel...............
Car building and re­
pairing.
Cigar manufacturing...
Automobile manufac­
turing.
Leather manufacturing.
Paper making

85
89
19
82
56
64
88

1 week..
...d o .......
...d o .......
...d o .......
.. .do.......
47 2 weeks.
37 1 w eek..
68

48
17
52
44

Number on pay
roll in—

Per
cent
of increase
) °r
Novem- Decem­ (+de­
ber,
ber,
crease
1916.
1916.

62,513
52,873
14,712
30,310
39,666
15,906
24,455

Per
cent
of in­
crease
(+ ) or
de­
crease
(-).

Novem­
ber,
1916.

Decem­
ber,
1916.

835,827
524,376
181,614
305,599
477,472
348,281
335,739

923,676
560,505
201,673
320,125
525,285
362,396
364,014

+10.5
+ 6.9
+ 11.0
+ 4.8
+ 10.0
+ 4.1
+ 8.4

+ 1.0 5,449,506 5,692,981
+ 1.1 1,341,125 1,377,319

+ 4.5
+ 2.7

(-)■

59,703
52,112
14,356
29,977
39,020
15,693
23,151

Amount of pay roll
in—

+4.7
+ 1.5
+2.5
+ 1.1

+ 1.7
+ 1.4
+5.6

142
79

93 I month. 138,221 139,623
27 ...d o ....... 40,826 41,280

105
73

57 1 week.. 18,774
24 ...d o ....... 49,421

19,942
51, 703

+ 6. 2

+4.6

239,752
218,833
984,553 1,005,268

+ 9.6
+ 2.1

45

24 ...d o ....... 12,056

12,709

+5.4

176,271

192,269

+ 9.1

+3.9

198,549

209,977

+ 5.8

70

.. .do.

12,991

The next table gives in comparable form for IB industries the
number of employees reported as actually working on the last full
day of the reported pay period in December, 1916, and November,
1916. The number of establishments reporting this item is much
smaller than the number of establishments reporting in the immedi­
ately preceding table, which fact must be taken into consideration
in using these figures. The figures are given, however, for all indus­
tries included in the inquiry.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS ON LAST FU LL
DAY’S OPERATION IN NOVEM BER, 1916, AND DECEM BER, 1916.

Industry.

D nnf.Q purl skinos
............ .....................................
Cotton manufacturing................................................ ...
Cotton finishing
_____ ____ _
ITn«i opy pur] pmrirvrwftHr
r.................................
______ __ _______ _
W oolen
Silk
................................................ .
Meritsready-madcclnt.Tii n g
_ ..... ............. .
Trnu a.nd pf.p.pil
...............................................
Car in u rin g and repairing
..........................
P-igar manufacturing
...........................................
Automnt*ilft mannfp.ct.nring
..........................
TrPqfJipy pppui^fqpfiiriug
_____ . . . . . . . .
Paper mHiring
................................................

Number actually
Estab­
working on last
lishments
full day of re­ Per cent
of
reporting Period
ported pay pe­
increase
for
riod
in—
of
(+
)
or de­
Novem­ pay roll.
crease
ber
and De­
(-)•
Novem­ Decem­
cember.
ber, 1916. ber, 1916.
12
30
13
10
34
24
8
84
24
17
11
12
8

1 week..
.. .do......
.. .do......
.. .do.......
. ..d o ......
2 weeks.
1 week..
J month.
. ..d o ......
1 week..
.. .do......
.. .do......
. . . d o __

6,707
24,303
10,183
10,339
27,679
9,004
10,986
112,577
34,502
3,580
28,041
8,920
3,720

6,921
24, 258
10,366
10,435
28,244
9,167
11,619
114,444
35,289
4,245
29,290
9,232
3,639

+ 3.2
- .2
+ 1.8
+ -9
+ 2.0
+ 1.8
+ 5.8
+ 1.7
+ 2.3
+18.6
+ 4.5
+ 3.5
- 2.2

Deports from B clothing establishments show $6,150 paid for con­
tract work in December, 1916, as against $5,600 in November, 1916.
While the bureau is making an effort to get complete returns on this

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

221

item, reports are not made by many establishments. Reports from
all establishments would make this item of material value to the cloth­
ing industry.
CHANGES IN WAGE RATES.

The changes in wage rates reported to this bureau as occurring in
13 industries in the month November 15 to December 15, 1916, are
here presented in summary form. Many establishments failed to
answer the inquiry as to wage-rate changes during the month, and in
such cases it is probably safe to assume that no changes were made.
The greatest number of changes took place in the textile industries,
cotton manufacturing, cotton finishing, silk, and woolen. The in­
creases during the month reported in these industries, in many cases,
follow other increases made earlier in the calendar year 1916, and as
a result the wage rates in the textile industries are now at a high level.
In cotton manufacturing an increase of 5 per cent is reported dur­
ing the month by three establishments. In one case the advanced rate
applied to all employees, in another to all but the office force, while in
the third case the proportion receiving the advance is not stated. One
establishment reports an increase of about 8 per cent to all employees.
An increase of 10 per cent is reported by 18 establishments. In 13
of the 18 plants the advance was given to all employees ; in two cases
it was given approximately all, and in another case to 90 per cent of
the force. In two establishments the proportion of the force receiv­
ing the 10 per cent increase is not stated. The above increases are
not confined to any one section of the country.
In cotton finishing an increase of 10 per cent is reported by 7 estab­
lishments, In four instances, the advance applied to all. In one
case the advanced rate was given to all but foremen ; in another case
to about 85 per cent of the force, and in a third establishment to 95
per cent of the employees.
In the silk industry increases are reported by four establishments.
A 5 per cent increase on the pay of a specified date was given in one
case to an unreported proportion of the force; a 7 per cent advance
to 90 per cent of the force is reported by another establishment, while
two others report increases of 10 per cent, in one instance the increase
being made general, and in the other made to apply only in some
departments.
In the woolen industry an increase of 10 per cent is reported by 37
establishments. In 35 plants the advanced rate is reported as being
given to all. In one establishment it was given to approximately all
and in another establishment the proportion receiving the advance is
not stated.
In the iron and steel industry one establishment reports an increase
of 7 per cent, but does not state the proportion of the force receiving
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

the same. An increase of 10 per cent to all employees is reported by
two establishments; another applies the same rate of increase to the
office force, while still another makes the same rate of increase apply
to all but salaried people. One establishment gave a 10 per cent in­
crease, but does not state the proportion of the force receiving the
advance. In one blast furnace the entire force received an increase of
15 cents a day for 10-hour men and 25 cents a day for 12-hour men.
In the manufacture of boots and shoes a “ bonus ” of 10 per cent is
reported by several plants extending to a large proportion of the
force. From the term used, this extra money evidently is not in­
tended as a permanent wage-rate increase. One establishment reports
an increase on day labor and in “ numerous lines throughout the fac­
tory,'” the rate of advance being given as 10 to 12 per cent. Another
establishment reports an increase in piecework prices, rate not stated.
In the hosiery and underwear industry one establishment reports a
5 per cent “ bonus ” to all; one establishment gave a 5 per cent in­
crease to all; another gave an increase of 7^ per cent to about twothirds of the force; still another made the increase 8 per cent to 92
per cent of the force, while three establishments gave a 10 per cent
increase to all employees.
In leather manufacture an increase of from 5 to 15 per cent to
about 80 per cent of the force is reported by one establishment;
another establishment reports an increase of 10 per cent to about
90 per cent of the force, while a third concern reports a 10 per cent
increase to practically all employees.
In cigar manufacturing an increase of 12 per cent to 65 per cent
of the force is reported by one establishment, an increase of 18 per
cent to 91 per cent of the force by one establishment, and an increase
of 20 per cent to I per cent of the force by a third establishment.
The only change reported in the industry of automobile manufac­
turing is an increase in one establishment of 1.54 cents in the pro­
ductive average hourly rate. In car building and repairing only
two increases are reported. One establishment reports an increase
of 3 per cent to all, while another reports an increase of 2 cents
per hour to 95 per cent of the force.
In the men’s ready-made-clothing industry only one establishment
reports a change, a 2 per cent advance to pieceworkers, with a reduc­
tion of working hours from 50 to 48.
In the manufacture of paper one establishment reports an increase
of 7 per cent to all employees. An increase of 10 per cent, in the
nature of a “ temporary” increase, or “ temporary emergency”
increase, as it is also described, is reported by three establishments.
One establishment reports a “ bonus” of 10 per cent on November
wages. One establishment reports a 10 per cent increase to day
workers and a change of tour workers from two 12-hour shifts to


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

223

three 8-hour shifts. In another establishment it is reported that
there were increases made affecting the entire force.
INDEX NUMBERS FOR 1915 AND 1916.

The inquiry concerning volume of employment has been carried
on by the bureau for more than a year. As figures have been gath­
ered month by month during 1916, corresponding information for
the same month in the preceding year has been obtained, and data
are now available for seven industries for each month from Janu­
ary, 1915, to December, 1916. In order to show the variations in
numbers employed and wages paid from month to month, index
numbers or percentages have been computed from the data available,
the figures for January, 1916, being taken as the base, or 100 per
cent. January, 1916, rather than January, 1915, is taken as the base,
because the facts for other industries will be available later, from
January, 1916, down, but will not be available as far back as Janu­
ary, 1915, and it is deemed advisable to have the figures for all
industries on the same base when later they are brought together.
The index numbers for 1916 are computed on the per cent of
change from month to month during the year. From the index
numbers for 1916 and the per cent of change between each month and
the corresponding month of 1915 the index numbers for 1915 have
been determined.
IN D EX NUMBERS OF VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT, 1915 AND 1910.
[Jan uary, 1916=*=100.]

Boots and
shoes.
Month and
year.

Cotton
manufac­
turing.

Cotton
finishing.

Woolen
manufac­
turing.

Hosiery
and
underwear.

Iron and
steel.

Silk.

Num­ Amt. Num­ Amt. Num ­ Amt. Num­ Amt. Num­
Num­ Amt. Num­ Amt.
ber
ber
ber
ber
ber Amt.
ber
ber
of
of
of
of
of
of
of
on
on
on
on
on
on
on
pay pay
pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay pay
pay
pay roll.
roll.
roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll. roll.

1915.
January...........
February........
March..............
April...............
May.................
June................
July.................
August...........
September___
October...........
November___
December.......

88
87
83
78
79
80
81
82
82
90
91
109

80
77
71
61
66
71
73
76
76
89
97
104

101
101
103
102
103
102
103
101
101
102
103
102

98
103
105
103
104
100
99
100
101
94
99
98

85
94
91
93
93
87
92
90
90
94
104
97

81
90
89
92
93
86
85J
88
87
92
94
100

88
88
91
93
94
89
92
90
99
99
102
103

81
80
84
88
86
79
79
78
90
82
94
98

1916.
January...........
F ebruary........
March..............
April...............
May.................
June................
July.................
August............
September___
October...........
November___
December.......

100
100
101
99
98
99
100
99
98
98
102
107

100
99
101
.97
99
102
101
98
98
99
113
125

100
101
101
101
101
102
102
100
100
100
101
102

100
108
110
111
116
115
112
112
114
110
115
123

100
101
103
98
95
96
96
97
96
96
99
101

100
105
107
103
110
111
107
107
109
110
114
126

100
102
102
104
105
103
101
97
101
102
103
105

100
108
109
110
118
112
110
104
111
108
116
128


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

76
81
85
85
90
93
90
89
89
98
100
105

91
93
93
90
91
90
89
91
92
94
97
98

83
90
92
85
88
85
86
87
87
94
101
100

74
71
77
80
82
85
87
90
93
97
97.
97

62
66
72
75
74
81
75
83
87
91
98
101

100 100
101
105
103
108
104
108
105 ’ 111
105 no
104 103
102 102
104 108
106 112
107 119
108 124

100
97
100
101
100
100
101
100
99
100
98
100

100
105
109
108
108
111
100
104
104
109
108
112

100
102
105
104
108
109
111
113
115
115
117
118

100
113
115
115
126
128
111
125
130
135
138
144

87
91
91
94
96
98
96
94
98
100
101
104

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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR

STA TISTICS.

The index number shows the relative variation in the actual figures.
To illustrate the use of the figures, the amount of the pay roll in
the boot and shoe industry is taken. The index number in January,
1915, is 80, indicating that the pay roll for that month was 80
per cent of the pay roll in January, 1916; while in December, 1916,
the amount of the pay roll was 125 per cent of the pay roll in J an­
uary, 1916. The increase in December, 1916, was 45 points over the
index 80 in January, 1915, which number, 45, is 56 per cent of 80,
making the per cent of increase in the boot and shoe pay roll between
January, 1915, and December, 1916, 56 per cent.
In numbers of employees, six out of seven industries covered
by this table show material increases in December, 1916, over Jan­
uary, 1915. The increases are: Boots and shoes, 22 per cent; cotton
manufacturing, 1 per cent; cotton finishing, 19 per cent; woolen
manufacturing, 19 per cent; hosiery and underwear, 24 per cent;
silk, 10 per cent; iron and steel, 59 per cent.
In the amount of the pay rolls all seven industries show a marked
increase in December, 1916, over January, 1915. The greatest in­
crease is for the iron and steel industry, 132 per cent, and the lowest
increase was 26 per cent in cotton manufacturing. The increases for
the other industries were boots and shoes, 56 per cent; cotton finish­
ing, 56 per cent; ivoolen, 58 per cent; hosiery and underwear, 63
per cent; and silk, 35 per cent.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN DECEMBER, 1916.

A statement issued by the New York State department of labor
reads as follows:
E M P L O Y M E N T I N FACTORIES.
[R ep o rted by 1,500 re p re se n ta tiv e firm s w ith over a Tialf m illion em ployees, or o ne-third
of th e fa c to ry w o rk ers in th e S ta te , an d a weekly pay ro ll of m ore th a n $S,000,000.J

The increasing activity in manufacturing in New York State
which has been manifest for the last two years was again displayed
in the closing month of the year 1916. In December a larger number
of workers were employed and more wages were paid than in any
other month in which returns have been received, dating back to
June, 1914. Six of the industrial groups established new high
records both in number of workers and in amount of wages paid.
From November to December, while the increase in number of
employees was nominal, the aggregate of wages increased 3 per cent.
Eight of the industrial groups had more employees and seven paid
out more wages than in November.
Only two groups reported


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

225

decreases in both employees and wages, the decrease amounting to
2 per cent in each case.
As compared with December of each of the last two years, more
workers were employed and more wages were paid in each of the
groups. The increase over December, 1915, was 12 per cent in
number of employees and 29 per cent in amount of wages. As
compared with December, 1914, the increases were 31 and 62 per
cent respectively.
The average earnings for a week of the total number of em­
ployees reporting in December, 1916, were $15.53 as compared with
$15.17 for a week in the previous month. The average earnings for a
week in December, 1915, were $13.49 and in December, 1914, $12.56.
The stone , clay , and glass product group reported in December
a 3 per cent increase over November in both employees and wages,
a new high record in both respects. Each of the industries reported
increases except the manufacture of brick, which experienced the
usual decline at this season of the year. As compared with December
of last year, there were one-sixth more employees in the group as a
whole and one-third more wages were paid.
The metals , machinery , and .conveyances group established a new
high record in number of employees and in amount of wages paid.
The increase over November was 1 per cent in the former and 4 per
cent in the latter. Ten of the twelve industries in the group reported
increased activity. As compared with December, 1915, the group as
a whole employed one-fifth more workers and paid out two-fifths
more wages.
The wood manufactures group maintained the high level set the
previous month. There was an increase of less than 1 per cent in
number of employees and a decrease of less than 1 per cent in amount
of wages paid. There was a seasonal curtailment of output in saw­
mills and planing mills. The other industries in the group, pianos
especially, reported increased activity. As compared with December,
1915, there were in the group as a whole one-thirteenth more em­
ployees and one-fifth more wages were paid.
The fu rs , leather , and rubber goods group reached a new high level
of activity in December. As compared with November there was an
increase of 1 per cent in the number of workers and of 3 per cent in
the aggregate of wages. The manufacture of footwear, which is
much the largest industry in this group, was chiefly responsible for
the increased activity. Tanneries likewise reported a marked in­
crease in both wages and employees. More wages were paid in the
rubber goods and gutta-percha products industry. Fur manufac­
turers reported a smaller volume of wages, although the number of
workers was somewhat larger. Activity in the miscellaneous leather
and canvas goods industry was noticeably lessened. As compared


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

with December one year ago, the group as a whole employed onetenth more workers and paid out one-fourth more wages.
The chemicals group employed in December 3 per cent more
workers and paid out 9 per cent more wages than in November,
thereby establishing a new high record for the group in both respects.
Each industry reported increases in both employees and wages over
November, the increase in wages exceeding that in employees in each
instance. Both overtime and increases in rates of wages operated to
produce this result. The group as a whole had one-eighth more
workers and paid out one-third more wages than in December of last
year.
The paper industry employed 3 per cent fewer workers in Decem­
ber than in November, but paid out slightly more wages, thereby
establishing a new high record in the latter respect. As compared
with December, 1915, the industry had one-fifth more employees and
paid out two-fifths more wages.
The printing and paper goods group attained a pitch of activity
in December greater than any hitherto reported. Employees were 2
per cent more in number and the aggregate of wages paid was 3 per
cent greater than in November. As compared with December of last
year, the group employed one-twentieth more workers and paid out
one-tenth more wages.
The textiles group employed more workers and paid out more
wages in December than in any other month for which returns have
been received. The increase over November was 1 per cent in em­
ployees and 4 per cent in wages. Each of the industries, except wool
manufactures, in the group increased the number of employees and
each industry, except silk and silk goods, paid out more wages.
There were a number of increases of rates of wages in the wool
manufactures and cotton manufactures industries. As compared
with December, 1915, there were one-twentieth more workers in the
group as a whole and one-fifth more wages were paid.
The clothing , m illinery, and laundering group in December em­
ployed 2 per cent fewer workers and paid out 2 per cent less in wages
than in the preceding month. Strikes in New York City reduced
the output of men’s clothing. Men’s shirts and furnishings reported
increased activity. Millinery displayed much greater strength than
in November and miscellaneous sewing almost as much weakness.
Women’s clothing reported somewhat lessened activity. The group
as a whole employed 3 per cent more workers and paid out 14 per
cent more wages than in December of last year.
The food , liquors , and tobacco groupi employed 3 per cent fewer
workers and paid out 2 per cent less wages in December than in
November. The canning and preserving industry experienced a sea­
sonal decline. Sugar refineries reported much less activity. Flour


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

227

and cereal products and slaughtering were more active. The amount
of wages paid in the tobacco products industry equalled for the first
time in two and one-half years the amount paid in June, 1914. The
group as a whole employed 3 per cent more workers and paid out
15 per cent more wages than in December, 1915.
The water, light , and power industry reported in December 7 ppr
cent more employees and 3 per cent less wages than in November.
As compared with December, 1915, there, were one-tenth more em­
ployees and one-eighth more wages paid.
BUILDING ACTIVITY IN PRIN CIPA L CITIES.
[Reported by building departm ents.]

Building activity in the 10 cities of the first and second class in
New York State was 9 per cent greater in December than in Novem­
ber and 11 per cent less than in December one year ago. These
figures are based on returns received from the building departments
of these cities as to the estimated cost of building work, of which
new buildings constituted 80 per cent, for which permits were issued.
As compared with November only four cities—Buffalo, New York,
Rochester, and Troy—reported increases, but the increase in the
Borough of Manhattan was large enough to more than offset losses
in other cities. As compared with December, 1915, Buffalo, Sche­
nectady, Troy, and Utica reported increases, while the other six
cities reported decreases.
EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES IN OHIO IN 1915.

A statement recently given to the press summarizes the results of
a very comprehensive investigation of the Industrial Commission
of Ohio regarding wages and employment in that State during 1915.
All industries, except interstate railroading and mining, are covered,
and the number of employees for whom information was obtained—
some 900,000—constitutes an extremely large proportion of the total
employees of the State.
Of the data presented in the report particular interest attaches
to the tabulations showing for some 18,000 establishments the
number of persons employed on the 15th day of each month of
the year 1915. From January to December the number of employees
increased from -641,274 to 808,729. This difference of 167,455 con­
stitutes a variation of 20.7 per cent from the December maximum.
The following table shows in detail the variation in number of work­
ers, by sex and their broad occupational groups—wage earners, sal­
aried office workers, and salaried sales people.


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NUM BER OF W ORKERS OF EACH OCCUPATION GROUP EM PLOYED IN OHIO ON
TH E 15TH OF EACH MONTH DURING 1915.

Occupation group and sex.

All employees..........................
Wage earners......................... .
Males.................................
Females.............................
Bookkeepers* stenographers,
and office clerks...... ...........
Males..................................
Females.............................
Sales people (not traveling)...
Males..................................
Females........................... ,

Number of
establish­
ments
reporting.
17,981

Number reported as employed on the 15th of—
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May.

641,274
546,163
454,834
91,329

655,143
560, 725
466,528
94,197

681,989
585,972
489,457
96,515

708,833
611,992
516,030
95,962

726,387
628,613
533,553
95,060

744,954
646,787
551,195
95,592

63,926
37,284
26,642
31,185
16,254
14,931

63,973
37,274
26,699
30,445
16,108
14,337

64,608
37,644
26,964
31,409
16,201
15,208

64,917
37,852
27,065
31,924
16,458
15,466

65,523
38,299
27,224
32,251
16,528
15,723

66,506
39,009
27,497
31,661
16,613
15,048

Number reported as employed on the 15th of—

June.

Variation from
maximum.

Occupation group and sex.
July.

Aug.

All employees.......................... 749,952 760,394
Wage earners........................... 652,116 662,590
Males................................. 557,476 566,279
Females............................. 94,640 96,311
Bookkeepers, stenographers,
and office clerks................... 66,836 67,314
Males................................. 39,418 39,807
Females............................. 27,418 27,507
Sales people (not traveling).. 31,000 30,490
Males................................. 16,534
16,389
Females............................. 14,466 14,101

Nov.

Dec.

785,170 788,190
685,425 686,976
585,486 584,909
99,939 102,067

793,256
690,686
588,993
101,693

808,729
701,081
598,681
102,400

167,455
154,918
143,847
11,071

20.7
22.1
24.0
10.8

68,361
40,297
28,064
32,853
16,771
16,082

68,959
40,585
28,374
33,611
17,043
16,568

70,057
41,127
28,930
37,591
17,690
19,901

6,131
3,853
2,288
7,146
1,582
5,800

8.8
9.4
7.9
19.0
8.9
29.1

Oct.

Sept.

67,913
40,024
27,889
31,832
16,632
15,200

Number. Percent.

Saleswomen show the greatest fluctuation in employment of any
of the groups listed, the minimum of 14,101 in August being 29.1
per cent less than the maximum of 19,901 in December, this being
largely due to the increase in the staffs of the retail stores during
the December holiday season. But male wage earners, in a com­
bined group of industries in which there are few markedly sea­
sonal trades, showed almost as great a variation as saleswomen, the
minimum being 24 per cent less than the maximum, and even clerical
occupations, which are generally regarded as offering very stable
employment, had a variation of 8.8 per cent from the maximum.
Fluctuations in employment for the manufacturing industries alone
are shown in the next table. For all manufactures the variation was
23 per cent from the maximum. This may be compared with the
percentage of 13.8 shown by the United States Census of 1909 as
representing the maximum-monthly employment fluctuation in the
manufacturing establishments of Ohio in that year.1
1 T h irte e n th Census of th e U nited S tates, 1910.
connection w ith th e A b stra c t of the. Census, p. 698.


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S upplem ent fo r Ohio, published in

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.

229

NUM BER OF WAGE EA RN ERS EM PLOYED IN OHIO ON TH E 15TH OF EACH MONTH
DURING 1915 IN TH E GENERAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY GROUPS.
Number of
establishmeats
reporting.
Chemicals and allied products.
Food and kindred products...
Iron and steel and their products.........................................
Leather and its finished
products................................
Liquors and beverages............
Lumber and its manufactures.
Metals and metal products
other than iron and steel...
Paper and printing.................
Rubber products.....................
Stone, clay, and glass products........................................
Textiles....................................
Tobacco manufactures............
Vehicles for land tran sp o rts
tio n ........................................
Miscellaneous industries.........
Total manufactures.......

Number employed on the 15th of—
Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May.

301
1,198

11,410
19,403

11,599
.19,224

11,832
19,015

12,069
18,552

11,924
18,898

11,864
20,379

1,394

141,309

149,012

155,543

161,342

163,792

171,416

174
198
802

18,317
5,641
23,289

18,134
5,694
24,263

17,784
5,690
25,031

16,577
5,878
25,456

16,389
6,089
25,163

17,024
6,112
25,394

296
894
59

16,015
25,163
19, 796

16,809
25,303
21, 221

18,040
25,386
23,304

18,767
25,155
26,454

18,675
25,113
28,754

19,065
25,072
30,332

721
657
240

34,351
33,280
12,531

35,382
35,805
13,311

38,445
36,665
13,813

39,890
35,920
13,299

41,142
34,330
12,689

40,398
34,827
12,446

325
631

30,562
29,836

32,035
31,333

32,753
32,514

34,137
33,529

36,214
34,280

37,581
34,947

7,890

420,903

439,125

455,815

467,025

473,452

486,857

June.

Variation from
maximum.

Number employed on the 15th of—
Industry group.
July.
Chemicals and allied products. 11,889
Food and kindred products.. 20,176
Iron and steel and their
products............................... 173,935
Leather and its finished
products............................... 17,444
Liquors and beverages......... .'
6,320
Lumber and its manufactures...................................... 24,677
Metals and metal products
other than iron and steel... 18, 705
Paper and printing................ 24,821
Rubber products..................... 31,027
Stone, clay, and glass products........................................ 37,815
Textiles.................................... 34,864
Tobacco manufactures........... 11,881
Vehicles for land transportation........................................ 39,007
Miscellaneous industries......... 35,109
Total manufactures___ 487,670

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Number. Per cent.

12,089
21, 776

13,089
25,262

12,552
23,638

12,844
23,237

13,452
22,631

2,042
6,710

15.2
26.6

178,299

184,823

186,112

191,441

201,972

60,663

30.0

17,815
6,291

17,581
6,117

17,317
5,876

18,041
5,825

18,546
5,697

2,157
679

11.6
10.7

25,025

25,187

25,874

24,704

26,061

2,772

10.6

19,413
24,926
30,162

20,213
25, 723
30,267

20,861
26,218
30,826

21,566
26,520
31,055

22,249
26,631
32,924

6,234
1,810
13,128

28.0
6.8
39.9

38,546
35,851
11,944

40,164
36,310
12,271

40,504
36,855
12,415

40,996
35,773
12,506

40,861
35,481
12,576

6,791
3,575
1,932

16.5
9.7
14.0

40,471
35,015

42, 686
36,468

43,683
37,155

43,593
39,082

45,620
41,926

15,058
12,090

33.0
28.8

497,623

516,161

519,886

527,183

546,627

125, 724

23.0

The increase in the number of employees during 1915 was accom­
panied by an increase in the general wage level. The next table com­
pares wages in 1915 with those of 1914 by classified wage groups.
In practically every case it will be noted that the percentage of
employees earning less than the specified amount was smaller in
1915 than in 1914, this indicating a rise in wages. Thus, in 1914,
56.9 per cent of the male wage earners received less than $15 per
week; by 1915, the number moving into the higher wage groups had
reduced this percentage to 53.8.


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230

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,

COMPARISON OF NUMBER AND P E R CENT OF ADULT W ORKERS EMPLOYED AT
LESS THAN EACH SPEC IFIED AMOUNT.
MALES.
As reported for 1914. As reported for 1915.
Occupation and rate of wages per week.

Wage earners:
Less than $9................................................................................
Less than $10..............................................................................
Less than $12............. •................................................................
Less than $15..............................................................................
Less than $18..............................................................................
Less than $25..............................................................................
Bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks:
Less than $9................................................................................
Less than $10..............................................................................
Less than $12 .
....................................................
Less than $15..............................................................................
Less than $18..............................................................................
Less than $25..............................................................................
Salesmen (not traveling):
Less than $9................................................................................
Less than $10..............................................................................
Less than $12..............................................................................
Less than $15..............................................................................
Less than $18..............................................................................
Less than $25..............................................................................

Number Per cent Number Per cent
of adult of total.
of adult
workers. of total. workers.

33,759
66,553
169;013
325,273
434,498
538;043

6.0
11.7
29.6
56.9
76.0
94.1

35,371
68,015
172,927
368,099
495,046
632,503

5.2
10.0
25.3
53.8
72.4
92.5

2,784
3,871
6,937
12,070
18,903
27,235

7.9
11.0
19.7
34.2
53.5
77.0

3,043
4,178
7,343
12,978
20,500
30,224

7.5
10.3
18.1
32.0
50.6
74.7

1,192
Ë677
2,889
5; 531
8', 607
12,081

7.8
11.0
19.0
36.4
56.7
79.6

1,253
1,746
3,105
6,171
10,027
14,279

7.1
9.9
17.6
34.9
56.6
80.6

7,714
20,592
38,997
56,175
68,962
79, 276
89,370
94,192

21.4
40.5
58. 4
71.7
82.4
92.9
97.9

8 .0

8,248
21,596
42,398
61,463
77,428
89,125
102,029
108,634

7.4
19.4
38.1
55.2
69.5
80.0
91.6
97.5

702
1,694
3,527
5,884
8,606
11,008
15,630
20,048

2.9
7.0
14.5
24.1
35.2
45.0
63.9
82.0

562
1,573
3,792
6,527
9,923
12,965
18,47624,064

1,031
3,666
7,389
10,079
12,299
13,635
15,548
16,856

5.6
20.1
40.5
55.3
67.3
74.8
85.3
92.5

3,008
6,681
10,095
12,450
14,062
16,127
17,572

FEM ALES.
Wage earners:
Less than $5................................................................................
Less than $ 6 ................................................................................
Less than $7................................................................................
Less than $ 8 ................................................................................
Less than $9................................................................................
Less than $10..............................................................................
Less than $12..............................................................................
Less than $15..............................................................................
Bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks:
Less than $5.................................................................................
Less than $ 6 ................................................................................
Less than $7................................................................................
Less than $ 8 ................................ ...............................................
Less than $9................................................................................
Less than $10..............................................................................
Less than $12....................... ......................................................
Less than $15..............................................................................
Saleswomen (not traveling):
Less than $5................................................................................
Less than $6................................................................................
Less than $7................................................................................
Less than $8................................................................................
Less than $9................................................................................
Less than $10..............................................................................
Less than $12..............................................................................
Less than $15...............................................................................

1 ,1 2 2

1.9
5.3
1 2 .8
2 2 .1

33.6
43.9
62.6
81.6
5.9
15.9
35.3
53.4
65.9
74.4
85.3
92.9

The above tabulations, although indicating an important increase
in wage rates in 1915 as compared with 1914, show large numbers of
workers still employed at very low wages. Thus 25 per cent of the
male wage earners, all adults over 18 years of age, earned less than
$12 per week in 1915, representing a maximum of some $600 per year,
and 38 per cent of the female wage earners, all adults over 18 years,
earned less than $7 per week, and only 20 per cent earned as much as
$10 per week.


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MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.

231

INCREASE IN WAGES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1916.

The following tables present information obtained from various
newspapers and periodicals showing wage increases secured by em­
ployees in manufacturing and other establishments in the United
States during November and December, 1916. The figures presented
in these tables were secured from 45 trade-union periodicals, 42 labor
papers, 6 leading trade journals, and over 50 daily newspapers pub­
lished in various parts of the country. No attempt has been made to
verify the accuracy of the statements nor the figures given, but great
care has been taken to eliminate all duplicates.
The reports for November, 1916, show 212 statements of wage
increases in 38 States. Three of the reports relate to railroads and
other interstate establishments. Of these 212 reports 131 show the
number of establishments involved to be 163, and 77 reports show
187,207 employees affected. Of the 212 reports of wage increases 72
are stated to be the result of voluntary action on the part of the
employer, 57 as the result of mutual agreement between employer and
employees, 66 as the result of strikes, and for the remaining 17 no
reason was stated. Table 2 shows the same information arranged by
industry or occupation. This tabulation shows 77 reports which gave
the number of employees affected, the largest number affected being
in the following industries:
Foundry and machine shop__________________________ 32, 436
Mining----------------------------------------------------------------- 27, 000
Iron and steel______________________________________ 24, 500
Boots and shoes____________________________________ 18, 300
Textile workers_____________________________ ________ 17, 950
Tanning---------------------------------------------------'___ i_____15, 000

The publications examined for the month of December, as shown
in Table 1, show 304 reports of wage increases. These were for estab­
lishments in 38 States, 21 of wdiich were for railroads and other inter­
state establishments. Of these 304 reports 209 showed a total of 359
establishments involved. One hundred and forty reports showed the
total number of employees benefited by the increase of wages to be
931,763. Of these 304 reports of wage increases 172 were reported
to be the result of voluntary action of the employer, 45 as the result of
mutual agreement between employer and employees, 33 as the result
of strikes, and for the remaining 54 no reason was given. Table 2
shows the same information tabulated by industry or occupation.
This table shows that the largest number of employees benefited were
in the following industries :
Iron and steel____________________________________ 341, 600
Textile workers___________________________________ 208, 350


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232

M O N T H L Y R E V IE W O F T H E B U R E A U O F LABOR S T A T IS T IC S ,

112, 300
60, 000
35,000
33, 730
25, 000
23,115

Garment workers-----------------Workers in electrical supplies—
Munitions---------------------------Boots and shoes-------------------Telephone and telegraph service
Paper manufacturing-------------

T a b l e 1 .— SUMMARY OF WAGE IN C R E A SES, E ST A B L ISH M E N T S INVOLV ED, AND

E M PLO Y EES A F F E C T E D , BY STATES.
NOVEM BER, 1»16.

Reports show­
ing establish­
ments in­
volved.

State.

Total
num­
ber of
wage
Total
in­
num ­
creases Num­ ber of
noted. ber. estab­
lish­
ments.

Alâbâinâ

1

\ Tl 7,DTIft
ArkRn<
sR<3
California

1
1

Num­ Reports show­
ber
ing employees
of re­
affected.
ports
not
show­
ing the
num­
ber of
Total
estab­ Num ­ number
of em­
lish­ ber.
ployees.
ments
in­
volved.

Num­
ber
Reason for increase.
of re­
ports
not
show­
Other
ing
rea­
num­
ber of
Vol­ sons
em­ Agree­ Strike. un­ and
ploy­ ment.
tary. not
re­
ees
port­
affect­
ed.
ed.
1

1

2 0 ,0 0 0

4

1

200

1
1
6

3
4

4

995

5
3

1

1

7

3

3

Col nrad o
COTITIPO.t ion fr
T)pl^w?i rp

5
7

3

2

1

1

1

1

100

1

Fiorirla

2

2

10

2

1,830

2

Cporgia
TTawaii
Illinois............................
TrwiiqTia
Towa

1
1

1
6
1

300
36,040

14
l
l

1
1

2

3

1
1
10
1

10

l

2

3

Tamisas
TCpotnoFy
TiOnipiarBiR

3

3

8

1

1

1

Maryland

4

1

8

11

17

18

F orto F ìpg
Fhorjp TklRnd
Smith CarolinR
T p t io p ^ p p

i

4

1

1

9

9

9

2
2

2
2

2
2

24

30

9

TVxas__

5

Virginia
AVR^hiri gtoTl

1
3
2
8

7

300
7,232

6
10

4,054
23j 600

13

1

5

6

2
2

2
2

1
1
1

1
1
1

7

1

5
3
3
4

1

1
6

2
1
1

10

17,323
31,700

5

2

5

1

1

1

1
2

2

3

9

7

3

2
2
11

1
1
10
2
2

5
9

9

2

1

1

3

3
3

57

66

72

2
2

1 ,0 0 0

2

8,500

Total.....................

212

131

163

81

77

187,207

135

3

4

1

7
3

2

1

3

1

1

1
1
2

1

3

2

1
8
1
1

3

Wisconsin......................
Tnt.prstflt-P


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6

1

7,800
1
2

1

1

6

3

2
6

3

i
i

14
4
4
23

2
6
1

AVPSt. V irg in ia

5

1

1

4

1

1

1

6

3

3

13,700

18
4
4
33
2
6
1
2

800

8
1

4

1

2

4

1

1
2

2

5
7

2

1

633

4
7

12

6

1 ,1 0 0

5

23

8

2

2

3

1 0 ,0 0 0

4
1

2

1

1
1

15

N pw TTarnpçhirp
New Jprspy ..
New Y ork......................

4
2

1

1

1

8
1

13
3
4
ii

4

1

1

Massachusetts................
Miphiga/n
Mirmp^ofa
Missouri..........................

North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahom a
Orpgon
Pennsylvania.................

4

1
1

1

1
1

17

233

MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP TABOR, STATISTICS.

In these reports there was no uniformity in stating the amount of
increase, and in a large proportion of the cases it was not possible to
determine a percentage. In the cases where the increase was stated
in the form of percentage, or where a percentage could be computed,
the prevailing increases were from 5 per cent to 10 per cent.
T able 1.—SUMMARY OF WAGE INCREASES, ESTABLISHM ENTS INVOLVED, AND EM­

PLO Y EE S A FFEC TED , BY STATES—Concluded.
D EC EM BER , 1916.

Reports show­
ing establish­
ments in­
volved.

State

Total
num­
ber of
wage
Total
in­
num­
creases Num­ ber
of
noted. ber. estab­
lish­
ments.

Num­
ber
of re­
ports
not
show­
ing the
num­
ber of
estab­
lish­
ments
in­
volved.

Reports show­ Num­
ber
ing employees
Reason for increase.
of re­
affected.
ports
not
show­
ing
Other
num­
rea­
Total ber of
sons
Vol­
Num­ number em­ Agree­
and
of em­ ploy­ ment. Strike. un­ not
ber.
tary. re­
ployees.
ees
affect­
port­
ed.
ed.

Alabama.........................
Alaska.............................
Arizona...........................
Arkansas.........................
California........................

3
1
2
2

1

1

1

1

250

1

1

Colorado..........................
Connecticut....................
Delaware.........................
District of Columbia.__
Florida............................

8
15
1
1

1
11
1

1
56
1

7
4

2
5
1

3,000
15,100
35,000

6

5
7

Georgia............................
Hawaii...................
Illinois.............................
Indiana...........................
Iowa................................

1
11

5

2
15

1

1

1

Kansas............................
K entucky.......................
Louisiana........................
Maine..............................
Maryland........................

2

1

5

2
3
2
1

14
1

1
1
2

1

3
1
2

1

6

5

1
10
1

1

34

67

3
4

5
4

2

2

1

9

12,918

6
4

27

88,995

40
4
4
5
5

Nebraska........................
Nevada...................
New Hampshire............
New Jersey............
New Y ork.....................

2
1
5
5
26

2

2

5
4
18

5
4

1

1
2
4

20

8

10

15

10

10

5

3

1
6

Porto Rico...............
Rhode Island.................
South Carolina...............
Tennessee.......................
Texas..............................

1

1
1

5
1

3

5,675
1,800
18', 100
32,000
104; 580

32

33
4

6

31

52,955

2
1

1

1

3

3

5

1
2

1,500
2,700

1

1

1

1

50

3

i

1

2

2
1

5

4,000

8

1
1
8

95

140

13

23

T otal.....................

304

209

359

1

4

2

1

5

1
2
1

3
]

29

2

5

1

2

4

1

16

4

4
6
4
7
4

2

1
1

2
4

1

2

1

1
1
4
3

6

14

4
2

8

3

2
3
1

7
2
1
6

5
1

2

2

71,900

2
2
8

21

4
4

21

38

4

4

1
3

8

28

2

i

2

28

7
4

1

1
4

1
2

2

1
3
1
3

1
1

2
1
1

453;200

13

3

17

2
1

931, 763

164

45

172

54

2

3

1
1

13

4
4

1

2
2
1
5
1

2

1

1
3

1
20

73

1

1
7

1
2

12

35

4

1

6

2 ,2 2 0

41

V erm ont........................
Virginia..........................
Washington...................
West Virginia................
Wisconsin.......................
Interstate.......................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

16

4

Massachusetts...............
Michigan.....................
Minnesota.......................
Missouri..........................
Montana.........................

North Carolina...............
Ohio.........................
Oklahoma..............
Oregon............................
Pennsylvania.................

24,804

1
4
2

1

2
1
2
1
10
1

10

2

1, 000

1

33

234

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

T able 3 .—SUMMARY OF WAGE INCREASES, ESTABLISHM ENTS INVOLVED, AND

EM PLOYEES A FFEC TED , BY IN D U STR IE S AND OCCUPATIONS.
NOVEM BER, 1916.
Reports show­
ing establish­
ments in­
volved.

Total
num­
ber of
Industry or occupation. wage
Total
in­
num­
creases Num­ ber of
noted. ber. estab­
lish­
ments.

Banks and trust com­
panies ..........................
Barbers...........................
Boots and shoes.
Broom manufacturing..
Building trades.............
Carriages and automo­
biles.............................
Cement and concrete__
Chauffeurs......................
Cigar m akers.............
Coke makers..................
Domestic and personal
service.........................
Electrical supplies.........
Express companies .
Food products...............
Foundry and machine
shops...........................
Garment workers..........
Glass manufacturing__
Hardware manufactur­
ing ...............................
Hotel and restaurant
workers.......................
Iron and steel.............
Knit goods.....................
Laborers.........................
L aundry.........................
Leather goods................
Longshoremen...............
Lum ber..........................
Messengers.....................
Mining............................
Municipal employees. . .
Munitions......... .............
Office clerks...................
Off workers.....................
Paper m anufacturing...
Printing and publishing
Policemen.......................
Pottery and chinaware..
Pump manufacturing...
Railroads, steam __
Rubber goods................
Ship and boat building.
Slaughtering and meat
packing.......................
Soap m anufacturing__
Stove m anufacturing. . .
Street railways..............
Tanning__ ."..........
Teamsters and drivers..
Telephone and telegraph
Textile workers.............
Theatrical employees..
Window cleaners...........
Miscellaneous.................
Total.....................

2
4
2
18
7
1
5

3
1
5

3
1
5

1

1

1

9

1

1

3

l 22
9
1

16
6
1

20
6
1

2

Num­
ber
of re­
ports
not
show­
ing the
num­
ber of
estab­
lish­
ments
in­
volved.

2
1
1
13

1
3

200
18,300

4

6
1
4

1
1
3

1
2
9

1,500
300
2,900

6
2

6
1

6
3

8
2
1

32,436
1,300
500

2

1,300

2
7

95
24,500

1
3
4
3
1
3
1
1
4

2

2

2
10

2
12

1

4
3
4
5
2

3

3

4
2
1

2

2

6
2
1
3
6

1
3

4

1
6

5

5

3
8

3

3
3
2

2
2

2

14
7

3
1

3
2
1
1

2

2

700
330
23
2,000
27,000

1
1

1
3

300
2,900

3

1

300

2

2

2

8,500

6

8

6
6

1
1

1
5

73
10,150

6
1

2

1
1

1
1

1

1
1

4,500
3^ 500

1

4

3

3

1

2
6

2
2

2
2

4

1
1

15,000
200

3 14
5
2
26

11
3

17
4

3

8

17,950
40

212

131

22
103

1

2
2
6

81

1

5,360

77

187,207

1

1

2
1
5
3

1
3
1
1
1
1
6

4
1
5

3

9
4

6
2
1

1
1

2
7

2

1

1

1

3
4
1
2
2

1

1
3

2

1
1

6

4
19
135

1
2

2

2

7

2

1
3

2

6
5

20

2

6

2

2

7
26
1

2
1

1

2

2
2

5,050

1
1
2
14

2

3
10

6

Reports show­ Num­
ber
Reason for increase.
ing employees
of re­
affected.
ports
not
show­
Other
ing
rea­
num­
Total ber of
sons
and
Num­ number em- Agree­ Strike. Vol­
un­
of em­ ploy- ment.
ber.
tary. not
ployees.
re­
ees
port­
affect­
ed.
ed.

1

2

4

1

1
2
2

1

3
4

1

1
1

1
1
3

1
1

1

6

6
2

2

1

2

5
57

4
66

15

2

72

17

1 Not including 1 report which also shows increases in rubber goods and textiles and is tabulated under
textiles.
2 Not including 1 report which also shows increases in foundry and machine shops and textiles and is
tabulated under textiles.
3 Including 1 report which also shows increases in foundries and machine shops and rubber goods.


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235

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

T able 3 .—SUMMARY OF WAGE INCREASES, ESTABLISHM ENTS INVOLVED, AND EM

PLO Y EES A FFEC TED , BY IN D U STR IES OR OCCUPATIONS.—Concluded.
DECEMBER, 1916.

Total
ber of
Industry or occupation. wage
in­
creases
noted.

Banks and trust companics ..
Barbers...........................
Boots and shoes.............
Broom manufacturing..
Building trades..............
Carriages and automo­
biles.............................
C em ent, and concrete._ .
Chauffeurs......................
Cigar makers............ .....
Coke m ak ers.................
Domestic and personal
service..........................
"Electrical supplies
Express companies.......
Food products...............
Foundry and machine
shops.............................
Garment workers..........
Glass manufacturing__
Hardware manufacturing................................
Hotel and restaurant
workers........................
Iron and steel.................
Knit goods.....................
Laborers.........................
L aundry.........................
Leather goods................
Tyongsh orem en...............
Lum ber.......
Messengers.....................
Mining....... . ..................
Municipal employees__
Munitions.......
Office clerks...................
Oil workers.....................
Paper m anufacturing...
Printing and publishing
Policemen.......................
Pottery and china ware..
Pum p m anufacturing...
Railroads, steam
Rubbergoods.................
Ship and boat building..
Slaughtering and meat
p ack in g......................
Soap manufacturing
Stove manufacturing. . .
Street, railways..............
Tanning
Teamsters and drivers..
Telephone and telegraph
Textile workers.............
Theatrical employees...

Reports show­
ing establish­
ments in­
volved.

Num­ Reports show­
ber
ing employees
of re­
affected.
ports
not
show­
ing the
Total num ­
Total
num­ ber of
Num­ ber of estab­ Num­ number
of em­
ber. estab­ lish­ ber.
ployees.
lish­ ments
ments. in­
volved.

3

3

7

8

3
1

2
1

2
1

4
2

3
1

23
1

1
1
2

1
2

1
2

27
8
3

20
4
2

57
16
2

2

2

2

4
1
9
18

1
23
2
2
1
6
1
4
1
7
10
1
2
4
13
12

1
1
2

1

200

6

33, 730

3
1
3

18

2

1,250

16

1

1
1

21,000
1,500

2

1
1

1
1

200
1,000

3
1

1

7
4
1

1
1

22
2
1

28
2
1

5
1
2
1
2
8
1
2
3
12
1

5
1
10
1
2
8
1
2
3
30
1

2
2
7
5
3

2
5
4
3

3
5
4
4

2
1

3

1

1

2

4
5
3
3
68
1

4
5
2
59

1
1
1

1

60,000

2

1, 400

11
4
2

8,655
112,300
9,800

1

850

1

341,600
125

2

1,000

3
3
1
1
2
11

7,800
220
35,000
600
12,500
23,115

1
4
1

300
8,100
2,400

h

2
5
2
1
1
11
2

4
5
2
105

Num­
ber
Reason for increase.
of re­
ports
not
show­
Other
ing
rea­
num­
sons
ber of
and
em­ Agree­ Strike. Vol­
un­
ploy­ ment.
tary. not
re­
ees
affect­
port­
ed.
ed.

3
1
9
1

1
55

25,000
208', 350

6

2

1
16
4
1

1
2
2
12

1

6

2

4

1

7

1

1

1
1

1

1
1

1

1
5
2

1
1
12
1
2
1
4
1
4
1
4
7

3

1
1

1

4
3

14
2
3

1

1

2

20
2
1

1
1

5

1

1
10

1
2
1

2
2
6
1
2

1

3
4
5
3
2
13
1

3
1
1
1

1
1
1
4
1

1
1
1

3

1

4
7
1
2
2
8
2

3
3
1
2
1

2
5
3
2

1
1

1

1

1

4
2

2

1

2
52

12

1
1

3

W in d o w c le a n e rs __

Miscellaneous.................

22

13

13

9

9

13, 768

13

4

2

10

6

Total.....................

304

209

359

95

140

931,763

164

45

33

172

54


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

236

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS, JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 1916.

According to data compiled from various sources by the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of strikes and lockouts
during the year of 1916 was 3,323. The number similarly compiled
during the year 1915 was 1,229.
The following table shows the number of strikes and lockouts begun
in each of the months of 1916, together with 331 strikes and lockouts
reported as having occurred during the year, although the month in
which they began was not reported. The number of strikes during
the corresponding months of the year 1915 as compiled is also given.
In comparing these figures it must be borne in mind that, although
the number of strikes in 1916 has undoubtedly been larger than those
of the corresponding months of 1915, the sources of the data in regard
to strikes have also been increased, and the difference between the
two years is therefore not so great as the figures would tend to show.
The strikes and lockouts were distributed as follows:
NUMBER OF STR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS BEGINNING IN EACH MONTH, JANUARY TO
DECEM BER, INCLUSIVE, 1916 AND 1915.

Kind of
dispute.
Strikes:
1916.........
1915
Lockouts:
1916.........
1915.........
Total:

1916..
1915..

Jan.

Feb. Mar. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

Month
not Total.
stated.

143
50

161
45

220
75

317
91

493
111

258
54

248
95

264
138

213
147

273
104

190
109

Ill
74

311

3,202
1,093

"7
13

5
12

8
14

14
16

15
11

16
6

3
14

8
9

12
15

9
8

2
10

2
8

20

121
136

150
63

166
57

228
89

331
107

508
122

274
60

251
109

272
147

225
162

282
112

192
119

113
82

331

3,323
1,229

The above columns include disputes that began in the month in­
dicated only and are subject to monthly revision. More detailed
accounts of the disputes reported for each month preceding Decem­
ber may be found in former numbers o f the R e v ie w .
DISPUTES REPORTED DURING DECEMBER, 1916.

The number of strikes reported during December shows a continu­
ation of the tendency to decrease each month. Aside from the
clothing workers’ strike in New York City there was no large strike
reported during the month. The principal strikes were those
o f the bakers at Dayton, Ohio; the miners in Pennsylvania; car­
penters in Philadelphia; lumber-mill workers in Minnesota; leather


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.

237

workers in Lynn, Mass.; and textile workers in several New England
towns.
The data in the following table relate to 242 strikes and lockouts,
concerning which information was received by the bureau during
the month of December. These include, in addition to the 113 strikes
and lockouts which began in December, 128 strikes which were re­
ported during December, but began as follows: Thirty-eight strikes
in November, 38 strikes in October, 2 strikes in September, 6 strikes
in August, 4 strikes in May, 4 strikes in April, 3 strikes in March,
and 33 strikes and 1 lockout the dates of commencement of which
were not reported but most of which probably occurred in Novem­
ber or December. Inasmuch as strikes which start toward the end
of a month frequently do not come to the attention of the bureau
until after the report for the month has been prepared, it is prob­
able that corrected figures for December will show an increase over
the number of strikes herein reported for that month. Nearly onehalf of these strikes occurred in three States.
STATES IN W HICH FOUR OR MORE STR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS W E R E R E PO R T ED DUR­
ING DECEM BER, 1916.
State.

Strikes.

Lockouts.

46
42
24
21
16
ii

1
2

New Y ork...........................................................
Massachusetts....................................................
Pennsylvania.....................................................
Ohio. I ................................................................
Rhode Island..................................................
New Jersey.......................................................
Illinois. . .........................................................
Missouri..............................................................
California............................................................
Michigan.............................................................
Connecticut........................................................
Iow a....................................................................
Oregon................................................................
Texas........................................ .........................
21 other States...................................................

6
4
4
4
4
37

Total.........................................................

239

8
6
6

Total.
47
44
24
21
16
11
8
6
6

6
4
4
4
4
37
3

242

Of the disputes reported during December, 187 strikes and 3 lock­
outs occurred east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio and
Potomac Livers; 39 strikes west of the Mississippi; and the remain­
ing 13 strikes in the district south of the Ohio and Potomac Rivers
and east of the Mississippi.
In all but 11 strikes, which were confined to women, the strikers
were men; 10 strikes and 1 lockout included both men and women;
and in 29 strikes and 1 lockout the sex was not stated.
76934°—17---- 5


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

238

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

The industries in which four or more strikes and lockouts were
reported were as follows:
NUM BER OF STR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS IN SPEC IFIED IN D U STR IES R E PO R T ED D U R ­
ING DECEM BER, 1916.
Industry.

Strikes.

Lockouts.

Total.

18
16

33
31
29
24
18
16

11

11

Metal trades.......................................................
Clothing.............................................. ...............
Building trades.................................................
Textile workers.................................................
Miners .............................................................
W oodworkers....................................................
Teamsters .........................................................
Cooks and waiters.............................................
Musicians and theatrical employees. .
Iron and steel workers......................................
Tobacco workers...............................................
Barbers...............................................................
Leather workers................................................
Paper makers....................................................
Miscellaneous.....................................................
Not reported......................................................

33
31
29

Total.........................................................

239

22

2

7

7

6

6

5
4
4
4
4
35

1

5
4
4
4
4
36

3

242

10

10

Included in the above are 7 strikes of carpenters, 7 of electricians,
8 of machinists, and 14 of molders.
In 124 strikes and 1 lockout the employees were connected with
unions; in 4 strikes they were not so connected'; in 5 strikes they were
not connected with unions at the time of striking, but became or­
ganized during the course of the strike ; in the remaining 106 strikes
and 2 lockouts it was not stated whether the men had union affilia­
tion.
The following table shows the causes of 187 strikes and 2 lockouts.
In 79 per cent of these the question of wages or hours, or both, was
prominent.
PRIN CIPA L CAUSES OF S TR IK ES AND LOCKOUTS R E P O R T E D DURING DECEM BER, 1916.

Cause.

Strikes.

For increase of wages........................................
For decrease of h o u rs...
For increase of wages and decrease of hours..
General conditions............................................
Conditions and wages.......................................
Conditions, wages,'and hours..........................
Recognition of the union..................................
Recognition and wages..........................._........
Recognition and hours......................................
Recognition, wages, and hours........................
Because of discharge of employees..................
Because of presence of nonunion m en ............
In regard to agreement.....................................
S v m p ath y ...r....................................................
Jurisdiction.. .
.................................
Miscellaneous.....................................................
Not reported......................................................

89
18
28
9
5
2
16
3
2
1
6
1
2
4
1
16
36

Total.........................................................

239

Lockouts.

Totals.
89
18
28
9

5
2

1

17
3

1

1

2
6
1
2
4
1
16
37

3

242

2

In 63 strikes the number of persons involved was reported to be
15,269, an average of 240 per strike. In 4 strikes, in each of which
the number involved was 1,000 or more, the strikers numbered 4,700,
thus leaving 10,569 involved in the remaining 59 strikes, or an aver
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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

239

age of 179 each. In 2 lockouts the number reported to be involved
was 5,200.
In 159 strikes and 2 lockouts only 1 employer was concerned in
each disturbance; in 5 strikes and 1 lockout, 2 employers; in 40
strikes, more than 2; in 35 strikes the number of employers was not
stated.
In 39 strikes reported as ending in December 17 were won, 3 were
lost, 15 compromised; in 2 the strikers returned to work under prom­
ise of the employer to arbitrate the matter in dispute; in 2 strikes
and 1 lockout the result was not reported. The duration of 27 of
these strikes was given as follows: One day, 2; 2 to 3 days, 3; 1 week,
6; 1 to 2 weeks, 4; 2 to 3 weeks, 4; 3 to 4 weeks, 3; 6 weeks, 2; 4 to 7
months, 3. The duration of all these strikes was 885 days. The
duration of the 24 strikes lasting less than 3 months each was 322
days, or an average of 13 days each.
LAWS OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF DIS­
PUTES BETWEEN RAILROADS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.

Under the title “ Railway Strikes and Lockouts ” 1 the United States
Board of Mediation and Conciliation has prepared a comparative
analysis and digest of the legislation relative to strikes and methods
of adjusting disputes as to wages and working conditions in the
public-utility service in the principal commercial and industrial coun­
tries as well as in those countries where advanced or unusual ideas
have been enacted into legislative form. I t includes the full text of
existing and proposed legislation, including the law proposed to
amend the Canadian Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of 1907
and proposed legislation in the United States growing out of the
threatened railroad strike in August, 1916. In the case of each
country an explanatory statement, together with a brief history of
legislative enactments for the prevention of strikes and the promo­
tion of industrial peace, has been prepared. As bearing directly upon
the consideration of the enactment of laws in this country providing
a system of conciliation and arbitration, the laws selected for a com­
parative analysis are those of Canada, New Zealand, and the Com­
monwealth of Australia. A remarkable lack of uniformity in the
laws of this character is noted, one nation adopting the plan of
another in only one or two cases. The study revealed one prominent
fact, that two factors have been responsible for antistrike legisla­
tion and legislation for the orderly settlement of industrial disputes.
One group of countries in framing such legislation has primarily had in
mind the protection of the public against the injurious effects of industrial
1 R ailw ay S trik es an d Lockouts.
A stu d y of a rb itra tio n an d conciliation law s of th e
p rin c ip a l co u n tries of th e w orld p roviding m achinery for th e peaceable a d ju s tm e n t of dis­
p u tes betw een ra ilro a d s an d th e ir employees, a n d law s of c e rta in countries fo r th e p re­
v en tio n of strik es. U n ited S ta te s B oard of M ediation an d C onciliation, Nov. 1, 1916.
W ashington, 1916. 367 pp.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

240 MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
warfare in the railway and other public-utility service. Such reasons are evi­
dently responsible for the legislative enactments in Canada, France, Italy,
Fmssia, Roumania, Spain, and Portugal. On the other hand, the preservation
of industrial peace and the advancement in economic welfare of certain classes
have been primarily considered in framing the legislation of Australasian coun­
tries, and the prevention of industrial conflicts in the railway service has been
incidental to these broader purposes.
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES.

Reports of retail prices of food received by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics for December 15, 1916, show an increase of 1 per cent over
November 15, 1916, in the combined price of the principal articles
of food.
Onions show the greatest increase over November 15, 1916, being
10 per cent higher on December 15. Cheese increased approximately
6 per cent; beans, 5 per cent; while pork chops show the greatest
decrease, being approximately 5 per cent lower than on November 15.
Flour shows a decrease of 4 per cent during the same period.
The following table shows the relative prices and the average
prices of the principal articles of food on November 15 and Decem­
ber 15, 1916:
AVERAGE MONEY RE TA IL PRICES AND RELA TIV E R E T A IL PRICES OF FOOD ON NOV.
15 AND DEC. 15, 1916.
[The relative price shows the per cent th at the average price on the 15th of each month was of the average
price of the year 1915.]
Average money
price.
Unit.

Article.

Nov. 15,
1916.

Dee. 15,
1916.

Nov. 15,
1916.

P ound ......... $0.268....... do..........
.239....... do..........
.2 1 0
....... do..........
.169+
.128....... do..........
.228....... do..........
....... do..........
.303+
.302+
__ ...do..........
....... do..........
.213+
.241 +
....... do..........
..... do ....... .2 1 0
.506Dozen..........
P ound.........
.439+
....... do...........
.291 +
.099
Q uart .......
.068+
16-oz. loaf1..
J-harrel bag. 1.395.036+
P ound ......
..... do ....... .091.511 +
Peck ........
.051P ound ......
..... do....... .135..... do.......... .135+
.137....... do...........
..... do....... .086 +
.302.....
do
.......
............................................
................................ ..... do....... .551 +

$0.268.237-

105+
105+
105105105+
112111 +
117+
144 +
116+
105+
151122120110120139116+
100+
223148+
175+
102109+
131100100+

105104+
105+
104+
105106+
110+
117147116+
107155+
126+
134113121133
120+
101222+
163184+
102111 +
126+
100100+

124+

125+

Sirloin steak
....................................................
Tvon uri Steak ..........................................
LiL roast
....................................
Chuck roost
.................................
Piote boiling hoof ........................ .......................
Porlr oh ops
.......................................................
P>0 0 on ,9m olred _
.........................................
TTam sm oPP(i
.............................................
PaPÌ puro
.........................
fTpu ç
....................................
Sal ni on oo.nnprì......................................
Pgos strictly fresh
..............................
"Ruttar croamory.
.............................
.................................... .
Ch ppqp
Mil Ir fresh
..................................
Prend ___ _ ........................................
PI our w heat ..........................................
Corn moni -.......................................................
P i f*p
...................................
Potatoes
..................................................
Onions -.....................................................
p earns navy
..................................................
Prim os
...........................................
P a 1*^îns Soodpd
...........................................
Pngar grami lot od
..............................

Coffee t...

Relative price
(average price for
the year 1915=100).


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

i
116 ounces (weight of dough).

.2 1 0

.168.128.215+
.301.302+
.217+
.241 +
.214
.519+
.454.310. 102.0691.334+
.038.092.509. 056
.142.135+
.139+
.083 +
.302.551 +

Dec. 15,
1916. '

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

241

A comparison of prices on December 15, 1912, and December 15,
1916, shows an advance in the prices of all articles combined of 29
per cent.
All articles for which prices are shown for the 4-year period
were higher on December 15, 1916, than on December 15, 1912, the
greatest increase, 120 per cent, being that of potatoes. Flour in­
creased 66 per cent; lard 37 per cent; while butter shows the smallest
increase, being but 9 per cent higher on December 15, 1916, than on
the same date in 1912.
The table below shows the relative prices and the average prices
of the same articles of food for December 15 of each year from 1912
to 1916:
AVERAGE MONEY RETA IL PRICES AND R E L A T IV E PR IC E S OF FOOD ON DEC. 15 OF
EACH YEAR, 1912 TO 1916.
[The relative price shows the per cent that the average price on the 15th of December was of the average
price of the year 1915.]

Average money price Dec. 15.
Article.

1913
Sirloin steak...................
Round steak...................
Rib roast........................
Chuck roast....................
Plate boiling beef...........
Pork chops.....................
Bacon, smoked..............
Ham, smoked................
Lard, pure......................
Hens...............................
Salmon, canned.............
Eggs, strictly fresh........
Butter, cream ery...........
Cheese.............................
Milk, fresh......................
B read..............................
Flour, w heat..................
Corn m eal.......................
Rice.................................
Potatoes..........................
Onions............................
Beans, navy...................
Prim es............................
Raisins, seeded..............
Sugar, granulated..........
Coffee..............................
Tea..................................

(average for the ye
1915=100).

Unit.

Pound...
...d o .........
. ..d o .........
.. .do.........
. ..d o .........
.. .do.........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
.. .do.........
.. .d o .........
Dozen__
Pound...
...d o .........
Q u a rt___
16 - ounce
loaf.i
J- - barrel
bag.
Pound...
...d o .........
P eck ........
Pound...
.. .do.........
. ..d o .........
. ..d o .........
.. .do.........
.. .do.........
. .. d o .........

1915

1916

1912 1913 1914 1915 1916

232+ $0.250- $0.255+ $0.250- 80.268- 91 + 98- 1 0 0 - 98+ 105.225+ .228- .223- . 237- 8 8 - 9 9 - 1 0 0 - 9 8 - 104+
181
.198
.200
.198
92- 99 1 0 0 - 9 9 - 105+
.2 1 0
.164+ .158- . 1681029 8 - 104+
.125+ .119+ . 128103+ 98—105—
181- .203+ . 195+ .185+ .215+ 89- 1 0 0 + 96+ 9 1 - 106+
262+ .271- .281 + .276- .301- 96 99+ 103+ 101 1 1 0 +
248- .263 + .266- .266- .302+ 9 6 - 1 0 2 - 103- 103- 117158+ . 158+ . 154- .145- .217+ 107+ 107+ 104+ 98+ 147196- .208+ . 200. 201.241 + 9 4 - 1 0 0 + 96 9 8 - 116+
.2 0 0
.214
1 0 0 + 107—
415+ .469+ .469+ .459- .519 + 124- 140- 140+ 137- 155+
418— .400- .396+ . 389- . 454- 116- 1 1 1 - 1 1 0 - 108 126+
.236- .3101 0 2 + 134—
091.093- .092- .090
. 1 0 2 - 101 + 103- 1 0 2 - 1 0 0 + 113.052+ .05606992+ 98+ 121 —
200 +

803-

.783-

.903-

.913 + 1.334+ 80- 78+ 90- 91- 133

029-

.030+

.031-

.031.091.275+
.035.088. 130+
.126.068.302-

.2Ì5+

23Ì +

060+

. 054 +

.061-

.038- 92+ 96- 9 9 092.509- 101 + 119+ 94+
056+
.142. 135+
. 139+
. 083+ 91 - 82- 92
.302-

All articles com bined..

97+

102+

99- 120+
1 0 0 - 101 —
120- 222+
101 —163—
114

184 +

103

126+

98—1 0 2 —
1 0 0 + 111 +
100- 100—
100+ 100+

103- 106- 125+

118 ounces (weight of dough).

RETAIL PRICES IN NEW YORK CITY.

Comparing prices of the same articles of food in New York City
on December 15, 1915, November 15, 1916, and December 15, 1916,
navy beans show the greatest increase from November 15 to December
15, 1916, the increase being 8 per cent. Pork chops show a decrease


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

242

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

of 6 per cent from November 15 to December 15, this being the
greatest decrease.
All articles with the exception of pork chops show an increase from
December 15, 1915, to December 15, 1916, the decrease of this article
being 16 per cent. Potatoes show an increase of 82 per cent from
December 15, 1915, to the same date in 1916.
AVERAGE MONEY R E TA IL PR IC E S AND RELA TIV E R E T A IL PRICES OF FOOD IN NEW
YORK CITY ON DEC. 15, 1915, AND NOV. 15 AND DEC. 15, 1916.
[The relative price shows the per cent th at the average price on the 15th of each month was of the average
price for the year 1915.}

Average price.

Relative price (average
for the year 1915=100).

Unit.

Article.

Dec. 15,
1915.
Sirloin steak................
Round steak...............
Rib roast___, .............
Chuck roast. ............
Plate boiling beef.__
Pork chops..................
Bacon, smoked, sliced
Ham, smoked............
Lard, pure...................
H ens............................
Salmon, canned.........
Eggs, strictly fresh__
Butter, creamery.......
Chpese..........................
Milk, fresh..... ............
Bread...........................
Flour, w heat..............
Corn m eal...................
Rice..............................
Potatoes......................
Onions.........................
Beans, navy................
P runes.........................
Raisins, seeded.......
Sugar, granulated___
Coffee...........................
Tea..............................
i Whole.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Nov. 15,
1916.

P ound ---- $0. 267— 80.283+
...d o .........
. 25S—
.273+
. 221+
.235. ..d o .........
.178...d o .........
.165.165+
.. .d o .........
.150.194+
...d o .........
.173+
.248.273...d o .........
i . 227+
...d o .......... i . 193.219.153... d o . -----.214+
.258. ..d o .........
.235+
.. -do.........
. 231.524+
.580+
Dozen.......
.414.449+
P ound---.239... do. . . . . .291.090
.097+
Q uart.......
.059+
.088+
16-oz. loaf2
1.374.912+
¿-barrel bag
.034+
.040P ound___
.091.. .d o ..........
.092Peck.........
.611 +
.327+
.044+
.064P ound___
. ..d o .........
.091.145. ..d o ..........
.140.146. ..d o ..........
.123.133.064+
.081+
.. .d o .........
.. -do..........
.290+
.290+
...d o ..........
.463+
. 463+

Dec. 15, Dec. 15, Nov. 15, Dec. 15,
1916.
1915.
1916.
1916.
$0.286.271.237.173.164.163.273i . 229.225+
.255+
.235+
. 616+
.457.298.099
.0711.312+
.042.093.594+
.067+
.157.149.136+
. 078+
.290+
.463+

999999+
9998+
92+
93102+
999999+
131+
115+
101100
100-

89+

101+

99+
115+
102+
106+
96+
101108100 101+

2 16 ounces (weight of dough).

105+
105+
105+
107108+
82109120142119+
101+
145+
125+
123108+
115+
134+
11898+
215+
146169100109+
136+
100101-

106+
104+
106+
104107+
77+
109121+
146118+
101 +
154+
127+
126+
110119+
128123100 +
209+
155+
183+
102+
112131+
100101 -

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR. STATISTICS.

243

RETAIL PRICES IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.

Both relative and actual average prices are shown for Philadel­
phia, Pa., as follows:
AVERAGE MONEY R E T A IL PRICES AND R ELA TIV E R E T A IL PRICES OF FOOD IN
PH IL A D E L P H IA , PA., ON DEC. 15, 1915, AND NOV. 15 AND DEC. 15, 1916.
[The relative price shows the per cent th at the average price on the 15th of each m onth was of the average
price for the year 1915.]

Average price.
Article.

Sirloin steak...........
Round steak..........
Rib roast................
Chuck roast...........
Plate boiling beef..
Pork c h o p s ..........
Bacon, smoked__
Ham, smoked........
Lard, p u re.............
H ens.......................
Salmon, canned..„
Eggs, strictly fresh
B utter, creamery..
Cheese.....................
Milk, fresh..............
B read.....................
Flour, w heat.........
Corn m eal..............
Rice.........................
Potatoes.................
Onions....................
Beans, navy__ ___
P runes....................
Raisins, seeded__
Sugar, granulated.
Coffee......................
Tea..........................

Relative price (average
for the year 1915=100).

Unit.
Dec. 15,
1915.

Nov. 15,
1916.

Dec. 15, Dec. 15, Nov. 15, Dec. 15,
1916.
1915.
1916.
1916.

P ound___ $0.297...d o .......
.251 +
...d o ..........
.2 1 1 +
...d o ..........
. 176...d o ..........
.116...d o ..........
.186+
...d o ..........
.268+
...d o ..........
.301...d o ..........
.141. ..d o ..........
.229+
...d o ..........
.176+
Dozen.......
.481 +
P ound___
.454+
...d o ..........
.242+
Q uart.......
.080
16-oz.loafi
.048.896.028+
...do.
.095Peck.
.348+
P o u n d ..
.037.087...d o .......
. ..do .......
.137...d o .......
.115+
, ..do .......
.065+
, ..do.......
.296...do .......
.572+

$0,317+
.272.237.193+
.127+
.239.300+
.351 +
.214.273+
.185+
.506.487+
.289+
.088
.0561.413+
.037+
.098.654+
.058+
.132+
. 138+
. 120 +
.080+
.293.561-

$0,317+
.272. 235.190.126+
.235.300+
.351+
.215+
.278+
.187.541 +
.504.308+
.088
.057+
1.324.039+
.098.646.066+
.138.141.126+
.077+
.296.561-

99+
9799+
1009989+
101101 +
100+
9999+
137+
110102+
100
101-

9099-

100-

124+

110-

113

10096+
107100 101 -

106105+
111110109+
114113118+
152+
118+
104+
144+
118+
122110+
118142
131103233 +
174+
172+
101100

13299+
99-

106105110 108108112 113118153120105+
154+
122 130110+
121 133138+
103230198+
179+
103105+
127+
100 99-

1 16 ounces (weight of dough).

Onions show the greatest increase in price—14 per cent—from
November 15, 1916, to December 15, 1916, while wheat flour shows a
decrease of 6 per cent, this being a greater decrease than that shown
by any other article.
In the comparison of prices on December 15, 1915, and December
15, 1916, potatoes show the greatest increase—86 per cent. Tea is
the only article that shows a decrease, the price on December 15,
1916, being 2 per cent lower than on December 15, 1915.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

244

MONTHLY KEVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
RETAIL PRICES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

The exceedingly irregular mail service between this country and
Austria and Germany have made it impossible to obtain quotations
of retail prices from these two countries from direct sources. In
the last publication of retail prices in foreign countries in the
M o n t h l y R e v i e w (Yol. I l l , No. 5, November, 1916) quotations from
Austria and Germany were for this reason entirely omitted. Con­
ditions as to mail service having become still worse in the interim,
and desiring to make the list of foreign countries included in the
publication of retail prices as complete as possible, the bureau, in
order to continue the publication of such price statistics from Aus­
tria and Germany, has availed itself of the price quotations pre­
sented for these two countries in the British Board of Trade Labor
Gazette.
In the following paragraphs relating to the course of retail prices in
foreign countries the latest available statistics are given in every
case, but it will be observed that wThile the quotations for Great
Britain relate to the beginning of December, 1916, those for the other
countries relate to various earlier dates. As prices in all countries
are moving upward this difference of date should be borne in mind
in making comparisons between the various countries included belowu
With regard to the figures for Berlin, Vienna, and Italian cities, it
should also be remembered that they are based on maximum prices
fixed by lawr, and therefore are not exactly comparable with figures
which are mainly based on prices fixed in an open market.
For some countries both actual and relative prices are given, while
for others only relative prices or per cent of increase compared with
some date prior to the war are given. In several of the countries
the actual prices of bread will strike the American consumer as
somewhat surprising in view of the high prices in American cities.
Thus in London, on December 1, 1916, the predominant prices per 4
pounds of wdieat bread, actual weight, v7ere 20 and 21 cents; in
Italy the price of wheat bread per pound in October, 1916, was 4.1
cents; in Christiania the price of rye bread in October, 1916, was
5.3 cents per pound, while in Copenhagen in October, 1916, the
price of rye bread was 2.7 cents per pound in loaves weighing 8.8
pounds per loaf.
AUSTRIA.

The usual official returns in “ Waarenpreisberichte ” not being
available for a later period than the middle of September1 the
1 A ccording to th e “ W aaren p reisb erich te,” re ta il food prices in Septem ber, 1916, w ere
168.6 per cent hig h er th a n in Ju ly , 1914.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

245

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Board of Trade Labor Gazette reprints the following tabular state­
ment published in the Vienna Arbeiter Zeitimg of November 26,
1916:
PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PRICE OF FOOD COMMODITIES IN VIENNA, NOV.
1916, OVER JU LY 25,1914, AND NOV. 7 TO 13,1915.

5

TO 14,

Per cent increase (+ )
or decrease (—) in
prices in the period,
Nov. 5 to 14,1916, as
compared with—

Article.

Nov. 7 to
13,1915.

July 25,
1914.

Beef:
Fore q u arter................. ................
Hind q u a rte r.................................
Pork.......................................................
Bacon.....................................................
L ard.......................................................
Milk.......................................................
Butter:
N ative...... ......................................
Im ported........................................
Margarine..............................................
Flour, w heat.........................................
Bread, ry e .............................................
Eggs.......................................................
Potatoes.................................................
Haricot beans........................................
Sugar......................................................

+ 72.2
+ 73. 7
+34.4
+ 14.2
+ 14.3
+20.9

+389. 5
+¿65. 9
+290.9
+445. 2
+410.6
+ 79.3

+44.4
+ 2 2 .1
+ 83.1
+62.2
- 1 1 .2
+ 66 . 7
+24.1
+24.0
+13.3

+188.9
+290.8
+500.0
+166. 7
+ 64.9
+311. 8
- 21. 7
+307.9
+ 29.1

Total (weighted average)...........

+24.9

+170.7

According to the preceding table food prices in the Austrian
capital were in November, 1916, about 177 per cent higher than in
July, 1914. This is a much larger increase than in any other capital
of the countries now at war. Compared with prices a year ago there
was an average increase of about 25 per cent. The only decrease re­
corded is for rye bread, the price of which was 11 per cent lower
than that reported for November, 1915.
CANADA.

The Canadian Labor Gazette reports that in November, 1916—
Prices were again steeply upward. In retail food prices advances occurred
in nearly all lines except meats, but were especially high in eggs, butter, cheese,
and potatoes. Bread and flour were also higher. The cost of a list of staple
foods Tor a family of five averaged $10.05 in 60 cities of the Dominion as com­
pared with $9.30 in October and $8.02 in November last year. All commodities
were higher than a year ago, except coffee, but the chief increase was in pota­
toes.

The table which follows shows the cost of a week’s supply of staple
foods in terms of the average prices in 60 cities in different Provinces
of the Dominion.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

246

MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

COST P E R W E E K OF A FA MILY BUDGET OF STAPLE FOODS IN TERMS OF THE AVER­
AGE PRICES IN 60 CITIES OF T H E VARIOUS PROVINCES OF CANADA, 1910 TO 1916.

Province.

1910

1911

Nova Scotia...............................
Prince Edward Islan d.............
New Brunswick....................
Quebec ................................ .
Ontario .....................................
Manitoba...................................
S askatche wan............................
Alberta.......................................
British Columbia......................

$6.817
5.812
0.548
6.331
G. 504
7 . 462
7.859
7.998
8.321

$0.776
5.795
6.836
6.457
G. 666
7.405
8.083
8.081
8 . 789

Total (all Provinces)___

6 .954

7.138

1912

$7.166 $7.289
6.107 6.338
7.130 7.041
6.968 6.870
7.251 7.203
7.884 7.873
8.164 8 . 250
8.147 8.327
9.028 9.128
7.339

No­
vem­
ber,
1914.

No­
vem­
ber,
1915.

No­
Octo­ vem­
ber,
ber,
1916. 1916.

$7. 475 87.828 $7.764
6.693 6.617 6.725
7.443 7.682 7.722
7.158 7.387 7.437
7.479 7.676 7. 716
8.149 8 . 071 8.147
8.327 8 . 299 8.822
8.266 8 . 209 8.406
7.606 8.807 9.319

$8.071
7.023
7.866
7. 578
7.947
8.190
8.181
8.175
8.618

$8 .774 $9. 682
7.796 8 . 203
9.662
8 . 873
8.946 9.380
9. 405 10.025
8.867 9.295
9.825
9. I l l
9.305 9.753
9.793 10.267

7.955

8.016

1914

1913

7.337

1915

7.731

7.866

9.295

10.045

FRANCE.

The October issue of the official journal of the French Statistical
Office (Bulletin de la Statistique Générale de la France) shows an
increase of 41 per cent in the cost of living in French towns of over
10,000 inhabitants (not including Paris) during the third quarter of
1916 as compared with the third quarter of 1914. This estimate is
founded upon continued investigations of the retail prices of 13
commodities of ordinary consumption as returned from the several
cities in question. The prices obtained for each article are multiplied
by the respective quantities consumed by an average workman’s
family as disclosed by an investigation in 1910 by the statistical
office (see M onthly R eview^ July, 1916, p. 84), and the results are
added to secure the total cost of the budget at the desired period of
time.
Below are shown the results of these investigations since the first
quarter of 1911, for all France and for each geographical division.
An index number has been calculated for “All France,” with the cost
of the budget for the third quarter of 1914 as the base, or 100.
COST P E R Y EAR OF A FAMILY BUDGET OF 13 STAPLE ARTICLES OF FOOD, FU EL , AND
LIGHTING IN TERMS OF T H E AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES IN FREN CH CITIES OF
OVER 10,000 INHABITANTS, E X C E PT PARIS, BY GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS AND
FOR ALL FRANCE, AT INDICATED PER IO D S OF TIM E, 1911 TO 1916.
All France.
Period.

First quarter, 1911......................
First quarter, 1913.......................
Third quarter, 1914.....................
First quarter, 1915......................
Third quarter, 1915.....................
First quarter, 1916......................
Second quarter, 1916...................
Third quarter, 1916.....................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

North.

East.

South­
east.

South.

1 0 1 .0
1 0 0 .6
1 0 0 .0
1 1 0 .2

8204.39
201.30

123.0
133.1
137.3
141.4

246. 85
273.10
279. 85
281.97

$193.39
190. 88
190. 68
213.46
232. 57
246.27
253.02
268.15

$2 1 2 . 88
199. 95
196.47
215. 20
237.58
256.11
269. 04
277.15

$195.90
200. 33
190.68
210.37
243.37
267. 88
270. 78
281.01

Amount. Relative
cost.
8195.70
194.93
193. 77
213.46
238. 36
257. 85
266.15
274.06

Geographical divisions.

2 1 2 .1 1
223. 88

West.
$191.65
190.11
181. 81
205. 74
231.02
245.11
252. 44
263.06

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

247

GERMANY.

According to the following table, computed in the British Board
of Trade Labor Gazette from the official figures published in the
Statistische Korrespondenz, the general index number of retail food
prices in Berlin in October, 1916, shows a decrease of 4.6 per cent,
as compared with that for September of the same year. This has
been brought about mainly by recent reductions, imposed by regu­
lation, in the Berlin maximum prices of war bread, rye flour, pota­
toes, and beef. The drop of 86 per cent in the price recorded for
coffee appears to be due to a different cause, viz, the selection of a
lower quality of coffee as the basis for the October price quotation.
The price quoted for that month, 1.4 marks (33.3 cents) per Ger­
man pound, is that of a mixture containing only 25 per cent of
genuine coffee.
PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE OR DECREASE OF R ETA IL FOOD PRICES IN B ER LIN IN
OCTOBER, 1916, AS COMPARED W ITH THOSE IN JULY, 1914, AND SEPTEM BER, 1916.

Article.

Percentage of increase
(+ ) or decrease (—) in
price in October, 1916,
as compared with—
September,
1916.

July, 1914.

Rye bread..........................................
Wheat bread......................................
Rye flour............................................
Wheat flour........................................
B u tter................................................
Lard...................................................
Sugar..................................................
Coffee..................................................
Eggs....................................................
Milk....................................................
Beef....................................................
M utton...............................................
Veal....................................................
P o r k . . . ... .........................................
Bacon.................................................
Potatoes.............................................
Rice....................................................
Split peas...........................................
Haricot beans....................................

-1 5 .0
+16.7
- 9.1
+ 8.3
No change.
No change.
No change.
-36. 4
- 5.9
No change.
- 5.3
No change.
- 8 .7
No change.
No change.
-15.4
No change.
- 6.7
+ 1 .0

+ 21.4
+ 48.9
+ 33.3
+ 23.8
+ 105.8
+315. 6
+ 36.0
- 9.7
+357.1
+ 45.5
+ 182.4
+ 164. 7
+ 105.9
+ 117.9
+249.4
+ 37.5
+420. 0
+ 145.0
+ 106.0

Total (weighted percentage
increase or decrease)............

- 4.6

+ 109.4

GREAT BRITAIN.

The general level of retail prices of food rose by about 3 per cent
between November 1 and December 1, 1916, according to the Board
of Trade Labor Gazette for December. The largest increases recorded
were for eggs, 17 per cent (largely seasonal), and cheese, 17 per cent.
Meat, tea, and sugar showed but little change in price, but bread,
potatoes, and butter advanced by 4 per cent and flour by 5 per­
cent during the month. Bacon, margarine, and milk increased in
price by about 2 per cent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

248

MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

Retail prices of food on December 1, 1916, as compared with those
ruling on December 1, 1915, showed an average advance of 29 per
cent. The price of meat increased during the year by about 20 to 25
per cent, except frozen mutton, which rose over 30 per cent. Potatoes
on December 1, 1916, were considerably more than double the price
of a year earlier. Granulated sugar, eggs, and cheese were dearer
by 40 per cent, 35 per cent, and 30 per cent, respectively. Tea alone
among the articles included in the returns remained practically
unchanged in price.
Taking the country as a whole and making allowance for the
relative importance of the various articles in working-class house­
hold expenditure, the average increase in retail prices of food between
the beginning of the war and December 1, 1916, was 84 per cent,
which is reduced to 78 per cent if the increase in the duties of tea
and sugar is deducted. The actual prices for bread (20 and 21 cents
per 4 pounds, actual weight, in London on Dec. 21, 1916) are some­
what surprising to the American consumer, in view of prices in
American cities (see pp. 240-243). These London prices were 4 cents
per 4 pounds above those of December 1, 1915. The increases during
the period July 1,1914, to December 1, 1916, in the individual articles
are shown in the following table for small and large towns and for
the entire United Kingdom:
PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN PRICES OF FOOD COMMODITIES IN GREAT B R ITA IN ON
DEC. 1, 1916, OVER JULY, 1914.
Percentage increase from July,
1914, to Dec. 1,1916.
Article.

Beef, British:
R ib s..........................................................
Thin flank................................................
Beef, chilled or frozen:
R ibs..........................................................
Thin flank................................................
Mutton, British:
Legs..........................................................
Breast.......................................................
Mutton, frozen:
Legs..........................................................
Breast................. ....................................
Bacon (streaky)............................... .............
Fish.................................................................
Flour (households)........................................
B read..............................................................
T ea...................................................................
Sugar (granulated)........................................
Milk.................................................................
Butter:
Fresh........................................................
S alt...........................................................
Cheese.............. _............................................
Margarine.......................................................
Eggs (fresh)....................................................
Potatoes..........................................................
Total (weighted percentage increase)


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Large
towns,
Small
population towns and
over
villages.
50,000.

59

United
Kingdom.

59
69

59
78

101

79
91

81
96

56
90

54
69

55
79

87

81
113
52
106
89

84
117
55
126
85
71
51
170
52

86

83

121

58
147
81
76
51
173
55

66

50
166
49

68

68

68

67

67

67

68
22

68
22

68
22

179
130

178
95

178

87

80

84

112

MONTHLY KEVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS..

249

ITALY.

The semimonthly Bollettino of the Italian labor office publishes
each month a short table of retail prices of seven articles of ordinary
consumption, showing average prices in several cities (40 to 43), as
furnished by cooperative stores, local labor unions, and chambers of
commerce. Kelative prices of these same commodities are also shown
in parallel columns, the base from which changes are reckoned being
the average prices for the year 1912.
The following table shows the actual and relative prices of the
seven commodities for each of the months July, August, September,
and October in 1915 and 1916 :
ACTUAL AND RELA TIV E PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS BASED ON AVERAGE PRICES IN
43 CITIES IN ITALY.
Average actual prices.
July.

Bread, w heat......................
Flour, w heat.......................
Macaroni, spaghetti, e tc .. .
Beef......................................
L ard.....................................
Oil, table.............................
Milk......................................

October.

Pound..
.. .do.......
. ..d o.......
. ..d o .......
.. .do.......
Q uart. ..
. ..d o.......

1915

1916

1915

1916

1915

1916

1915

1916

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

4.3
4. 8

4.0
4.4
6.7

4.3
4. S

4.0
4.3

4.2
4.8

Cents.

6 .8
2 0 .1

6 .2
20. 0
23. 6

4.2
4.7
5.9
17.8
21.9
36.0
6. 5

Relative prices.
Bread, w heat..................
Flour, w heat..................
Macaroni, spaghetti, etc.
Beef.................................
L ard................................
Oil, table........................
Milk.................................

September.

August.

Unit.

Article.

P ound..
...d o .......
. ..d o .......
. ..d o .......
. ..d o .......
Q uart...
...d o .......

All commodities.

113.2

4.1
4.5
6. 7

2 1 .6

25.1
43.3
6 .8

1 1 1 .0

98.5
103.2
113.6

124.6

121.4
118.0
1 2 0 .2

19. 1
2 2 .6

38.2
6.3

2 1 .1

25.5
44.0
7.1

6 .1

19. 7
23.5
38.2
6.7

25. 7
44.0
7.1

6 .6

4.1
4.3
6.7
20. 7
24.8
44.9
7.1

109.6
111.3
137.4
137.8
136.1
123.0
114.0
124.2

39.3

[Average prices for 1912=100.]

116.5
137.6
143.6
138. 0
117.0
108.7

1 2 0 .8

6 .2

116.2
123. 7
127.1
126.7
124.0
104.5

114.8
121.9
124. 7
130.8
128.8
104.5
106.6

138.9
138.4
141.3
120.5

1 0 1 .1

108.6
112.9
137.6
140.0
139.9
120.5
113.7

108.4

1 1 2 .8

113.6
121.9
128.2
133.1
129.8
107.5
105.8

117.6

124.7

118.8

124.6

1 2 0 .0

1 1 2 .0

NETHERLANDS.

The following table is published in the Journal (Maandschrift) of
the Dutch statistical office for November, 1916, and presents the
yearly relative prices for 1913, 1914, and 1915, based on the average
monthly price for 29 articles of daily consumption and the relative
prices for the months of January to October, 1916. The basic prices
are those reported by two cooperative associations—one with branches
at Amsterdam, Haarlem, Arnhem, Utrecht, and Leeuwarden and the
other at The Hague. The average prices reported for 1893 are taken
as the base for calculating the relative prices.


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

RELA TIV E R E TA IL PRICES IN TH E N ETH ERLA N D S, 1913, 1914, 1915, AND JANUARY TO
i
OCTOBER, 1916.
[Average prices, 1893= 100.]

Commodity.
Beans:
Brown...............
W hite................
Peas:
Chick.................
Yellow...............
Green.................
Barley, pearl...........
Buckwheat, groats..
Oatmeal...................
Cheese:
Leyden..............
Full cream........
Coffee.......................
Oleomargarine.........
Flour:
R ye...................
W heat...............
Buckwheat.......
B utter......................
Cooking.............
Oil, rape...................
Rice..........................
Soda.........................
Starch.......................
Sirup........................
Sugar:
Moist.................
Granulated.......
Tea...........................
Vermicelli................
Soap:
White, Bristol..
Green, soft____
Salt..........................
Average, all com­
m od ities..............

Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct.,
1915 Jan.,
1916. 1916. 1916. 1916. 1916. 1916. 1916. 1916. 1916. 1916.

1913

1914

154
166

157
176

175

196

204

200

210

210

211
221

214
241

218
255

310

214
314

214
314

225
345

296
328

150
125
157
113
104
103

161
139
143
116
117
103

178
157
160
142
171
137

175
157
207
152
187
140

175
157
213
152
192
140

175
157
213
152
192
140

175
157
207
155
192
140

181
150
207
158
192
147

189
157
213
161
196
153

194
161
213
165
204
153

194
164
213
165
204
153

208
161
223
171
208
159

228
205
247
177
208
157

140
124
94
127

139
125

161
127
96

164
128
99

187
133
103

187
133
103

102

184
129
103

183
117
103

110

100
111

191
130
104

102

164
124
97
105

164
125

99

160
137
91

186
115
103

111

111

111

111

111

111

85
124
105
94
135
136
116
83
103

81
129

153
176
144
228
208
131
250
143
146

122

159
181
146
226

165
181
147
226
216
156
283
153
150

130
165
186
149
226
216
141
283
167
154

133
165

141
159
209
152
226
216
241
300
170
161

141

100

119
153
176
144
223
199
125
233
137
146

122

100

119
153
176
144
228
186
125
233
137
132

122

97
142
137
116
83
107

115
159
152
130
207
192
128
117
130
125

152
226
116
141
300
170
161

141
171
214
153
227
218
141
300
170
161

89
85

91
89
113
12 S

105
98
116
203

115

115

115

112
121

100
120

100
120

100
120

207

207

100

100

119

123
142
90
155

87
80
114

88

110

87
80

121

90

126
129
90

116

142

153

212

141
283
150
150

221

200

149
226
216
141
300
170
161

210

115

115

115

100

100
121

102

102

100

207

119
207

119
207

119
207

115
95
119
207

115
97
119
207

123
158
90

126
158
90

126
158
90

130
158
90

134
162
90

134
171
90

164

168

170

170

173

199

207

119
207

123
150
90

123
154
90

158

161

115

115

If one were to make the price level or index number of 1913 the
base from which to reckon, it would appear that prices were 1.8 per
cent higher in 1914 than in that year and 24.6 per cent higher in
1915, with continuing increases during each succeeding month of
1916, except August, as follows: January, 34.2 per cent; February,
36 per cent; March, 38.6 per cent; April, 41.2 per cent; May, 43.9
per cent; June, 47.4 per cent; July and August, 49.1 per cent; Sep­
tember, 51.8 per cent; and October, 74.6 per cent.
SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES.

Retail prices averaged from monthly quotations reported by deal­
ers in the capital cities of the three Scandinavian Kingdoms are
published in a recently received number of the journal of the Swedish
labor office. They are stated to be generally quite comparable, habits
of consumption and manners of life being very similar in the three
countries.
A comparative table, showing both actual average prices and rela­
tive prices of 21 different commodities of ordinary household con­
sumption, follows:

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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

251

ACTUAL AND R ELA TIV E PRICES OP 21 ARTICLES OP HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION IN
T H E CAPITAL CITIES OF T H E SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES, JU LY , 1914, JU LY, 1916,
AND OCTOBER, 1916.
[Source: Social a Meddelanden utgivna av K. Socialstyrelsen, Stockholm, 1916, No. 10, pp. 1181, 1182.]
Average prices.
Stockholm.
Article.

Unit.

Milk, whole...................... Q uart.......
Butter, creamery............. Pound___
Oleomargarine, vegetable. .. .do..........
Eggs, strictly fresh........... Dozen.......
Potatoes............................ Bushel__
Peas, yellow...................... Pound___
Flour:
W heat......................... ...d o ..........
R ye............................. .. .do..........
Oatmeal............................ . . .do..........
Rye bread, soft................. ...d o ..........
Beef:
Steak.......................... ...d o ..........
Soup............................ ...d o ..........
Veal:
Steak, fat.................... ...d o ..........
Steak, tender............. ...d o ..........
Pork:
Fresh.......................... ...d o ..........
Sait............................. . . .do..........
Coflee, Santos................... . . .do..........
Sugar, loaf......................... . . .do..........
Kerosene...................... ... Gallon___
Coal.................................... Bushel__
Coke, gas........................... . . .do..........

Christiania.

Copenhagen.

July,
1914.

July,
1916.

Oct.
1916.

July,
1914.

July,
1916.

Oct.,
1916.

July,
1914.

July,
1916.

Oct.,
1916.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

5.3
36.5
24.3
35.5
60.4
6.3

5.3
39.6
31.2
48.1
90.7
7.2

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

Cents.

3.9
2.9
4.1
4.9

4.5
3.3

4.6
3.4

6 .0

6 .1

7.4

15.2
12.4

4.3
29.9
16.9
24.1
6 6 .1

3.2

4.8
31.1
17.0
28.9
98.2
4.9

6 .6

6 .6

40.1
20.9
52.9

44.2

1 0 0 .1

11.5

1 6 6 .1
1 2 .0

5.3
4.7

6.3
5.7

6 .6

6 .8

2 2 .1

62.4

4.8
28.6
15.2
24.1
47.2
4.9

1 0 .1

7.1
45.6
19.9
56.9
86.9
9.8

3.2

4.5

4.6

4.7

8.9
2 2.7

2 2.7

6 .1

36.6
19.9
42.6
113.3

7.7

3.9
2.4
4.4
2.9

4.7

31.7
23.9

32.6
26.7

16.0
15.3

39.8
36.2

34.8 3 17.0 3 37.9
31.4 « 13.4 * 33.6

17.6
12.3

29.4
19.7

32.2
22.5

17.1
1 0 .1

39.5
27.5

24. Ì

6 35.7
6 31.8

6 30.0
6 26.6

18.1
18.2

28.6
31.1
24.7
8.3
27.4
49.6
26.9

34.3
34. 8
33.2
8.3
29.4
54.3
26.9

17.6
19.4
26.0
6.9
18.3
17.8
15.6

34.9
37.4
27.8
13.1
29.4
62.3
33.5

41.7 ? 13.4 ? 14.6
43.8
20.7
31.2 25.5
30.0
13.0
5.2
6.3
29.4
18.3
21.3
55.2
16.1
64.2
33.5
1 1 .8
26.0

1 14.6

100
100
100
100
100
100

137
129
123
183

2 0 .2

7.8
18.3
2 2 .6
1 2 .6

5.3

2 1 .8

5 17.0
6 13.4

8.9

28.9
^25.4

8

20.7
30.4
6 .6

21.3
53.4
26.0

Relative prices.
Milk, whole......................
Butter, cream ery............
Oleomargarine, vegetable.
Eggs, strictly fresh...........
Potatoes............................
Peas, yellow......................
Flour:
W heat........................
R ye.............................
Oatmeal............................
Rye bread, soft.................
Beef:
Steak..........................
Soup............................
Veal:
Steak, fa t...................
Steakj tender.............
Pork:
Fresh..........................
Salt.............. •..............
Coffee, Santos...................
Sugar, loaf.........................
Kerosene...........................
Coal...................................
Coke, gas...........................

Q uart.......
P o und __
. .. d o .........
D o zen __
Bushel__
P o u n d __

100
100
100
100
100
100

200

124
133
185
199
137
227

.. . d o .........
.. .do ...
.. . d o .......
. ..d o ...

100
100
100
100

116
113
144
153

119
117
147
158

.. . d o .........
. . d o .........

100
100

209
193

.. . d o .........
. .. d o .........

100
100

.. . d o .........
...d o __ . . .d o .........
... d o .........
Gallon__
Bushel__
. . . d o .........

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

124

238

137
142
130
216
67
248

100
100
100
100
100
100

126
128
131
177
240
208

147
160
131
236
184
203

100
100
100
100

138
195
150
163

163
235
156
183

100

142

146

100
100

187
147

187
147

214
216

100
100

248
237

217
205

100
100

223
251

170
190

167
160

183
183

100
100

230
272

239

100
100

210

238

176
199

158
171

189
191
164
106
161
241
214

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

198
193
107
189
161
351
215

122

144
147
91

122

106
150
220

214

1 Maximum price fixed by law.
2 Price per pound, rye bread baked in 8 .8 -pound loaves.
3 Beef, fore part, highest price.
1Beef, fore part, lowest price.

102

237
225

100

109

109

120

100
100
100
100
100

118
117
400

119
126
117
332

220

220

188
161
311
215

121

6 Veal,
6 Veal,

fore part, highest price.
fore part, lowest price.
^ Pork, fresh shoulder.

EFFECT OF THE MINIMUM WAGE IN RETAIL STORES IN
MASSACHUSETTS.1

January 1, 1916, was fixed as the date on which the third wage
decree of the Massachusetts Minimum Wage Commission, covering
1 M a ssach u setts M inim um W age Com m ission, B u lletin No. 12, Novem ber, 1916.
P re ­
lim in a ry re p o rt on th e effect of th e m inim um w age in M a ssach u setts r e ta il stores. 53 pp.


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

female employees in retail stores, was to become effective. Accord­
ing to its provisions no female employee of ordinary ability aged
18 or over, having at least one year’s experience, should be paid
less than $8.50 a week; if inexperienced, she should be paid not
less than $7 ; if under 18, the minimum wage should be $6 for those
aged 17, and $5 for those younger.
This decree was the most important yet issued, especially in the
number of employees affected by it. I t was also the most vigorously
opposed. It was attacked through newspapers and at public hear­
ings, and one merchants’ and manufacturers’ association issued a
pamphlet asserting that an attempt to enforce it would inevitably
lead to a widespread discharge of women who under its terms wrould
be entitled to wage increases, to the substitution of men and minors
for experienced women over 18, and to a reduction of wages among
those already receiving more than the minimum. Some of these
results, especially the discharge of experienced workers, it was
declared were already painfully evident in January, 1916.
Early in February, 1916, the commission undertook an investiga­
tion into the workings of the decree. Its purposes and scope are
thus set forth :
On February 7 the commission began a systematic inspection of the pay rolls
of retail stores throughout the State for the purpose of ascertaining, first,
which establishments failed to follow its recommendations, and secondly, what
was the effect of the decree in the establishments where it had been put into
operation. Between February 7 and September 7, 1916, agents of the com­
mission inspected and transcribed the pay-roll records, in so far as they relate
to women and girls, of 969 retail establishments operated by 886 individuals,
firms, q r corporations, and located in 37 cities and towns. These establish­
ments employ altogether 16,036 full-time workers, and over 1,000 extras or
part-time workers. In 14 of these establishments, however, women were em­
ployed only as extras. * * * For 917 of the 969 establishments investi­
gated information regarding rates of pay both before and after the operation
of the decree was secured. In addition pay-roll records were secured for a
corresponding period in 1915 for such establishments as had been included in
the preliminary investigation of 1914, and had informed the commission of
their acceptance of its recommendations prior to February 7, 1916. These
establishments, 16 in number, were chosen in order to make possible a com­
parison of the wage level of 1916 with that of the two preceding years.

Of the establishments investigated 167 had already notified the
commission of their acceptance of the decree. These employed
11,763 women (73.4 per cent of the total number of full-time workers
in the 955 establishments), or on an average 70 full-time workers
each. Those which had not reported their acceptance were much
smaller establishments, employing on an average five full-time work­
ers each. Three of the 167 were found to have made no effort
to comply with the terms of the decree; in these 27 women were


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

253

receiving less than the recommended minimum rates. In the re­
maining 164 many changes in rates had been made, but 187 women
were still receiving less than the minimum rates.
In most of these establishments the violations were very few in number,
and in nearly every case resulted from oversight or misunderstanding of the
terms of the decree, and were corrected immediately after being brought to
the attention of the management.

Of the 788 establishments which had not notified the commission
of their acceptance of the decree, 577 were already paying such rates
that no changes were made necessary by the decree, 85 which had
been paying lower rates had made the changes necessary to conform
to the decree, 14 others had complied in part, and 112 had made no
changes and were still paying rates below the standard set by the
decree. Of the 16,036 women employed as full-time workers in all
the establishments inspected, 93.8 per cent were receiving not less
than the recommended rates.
The inspection of the pay rolls of retail stores shows, therefore, not only
that practically all of the proprietors of establishments published as formally
accepting the commission’s recommendations did so in good faith, but also
that by far the greater number of other retail establishments throughout the
State, large and small, are at present following or seriously attempting to
follow the recommendations of the commission.

Taking up the second point, the effect of the decree upon the
workers, the agents found that in 917 of the establishments it was
possible to get the rates of pay both before and after January 1,1916,
at which date the decree became operative. These were divided into
three groups—the establishments which had paid not less than the
recommended rates before the decree was issued, those which changed
their rates to make them correspond to the commission’s recom­
mendations, and those which did not make their rates correspond
with the commission’s recommendations. Leaving out of considera­
tion the new workers, the following figures show what changes were
made in the wage level on or about January 1, 1916, and how many
and what proportion of the female workers were affected by them:
NUM BER AND P E R CENT OF FEM ALE W O R K ER S (EXCLUDING NEW EMPLOYEES)
AFFEC TED BY CHANGES OF WAGES IN EACH GROUP, ON OR ABOUT JAN. 1, 1916, IN
917 ESTABLISHM ENTS.

Female workers—

Working at in­
creased rates.

Working at re­
duced rates.

Number. Per cent. Number. Per cent.

1

In first group............
In second group.......
In third group..........

320
5,324
364

23.6
48.4
25.2

12
2

Total...................

6,008

43.5

15

76934°—17----- 6


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.1

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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

One point of interest about these figures is tlieir bearing on the
assertion often made by opponents of the minimum wage that its
adoption would at once lead to a reduction in the wages of the more
highly paid, the minimum being taken as the standard toward which
employers would level down as well as up. In these groups the pro­
portion of workers whose wages were reduced was the same whether
the employers were already paying not less than the minimum rates,
whether they raised the wages of numbers in order to comply
with the terms of the decree, or whether they ignored it altogether.
Comparing groups 2 and 3, the proportion receiving increases was
nearly twice as great in group 2 as in group 8, while the proportion
reduced was the same. After the wage changes of January 1 were
made, of the 1,356 employees in the first group (new employees being
still omitted from consideration), none received less than the mini­
mum rates recommended by the commission; of the 11,008 in the
second, 185, or 1.7 per cent, received less than the minimum rates,
while of the 1,446 in the third, 53.6 per cent received less than the
recommended rates.
Another way of getting at the effect on the worker is by comparing
the wage grouping in 1915 and 1916 of the 5,324 workers in the second
group of establishments whose wages were raised to correspond with
the commission’s recommendations. The following table shows the
advance in the wage level which these changes produced:
NUM BER AND P E R CENT OF FEM ALE W O R K ER S RECEIVING SPEC IFIED RATES OF
WAGES BE FO R E AND A F T E R WAGE DECREE W EN T INTO E FFE C T .

Wage group.

Women receiving
specified rates
before change.

Women receiving
specified rates
after change.

Number. Per cent. Number. Per cent.
Under $5...................
85 b ut under 8 6 ........
$ 6 b ut under 87........
87 b ut under $ 8 ........
8 8 b ut under 88.50...
$8.50 and over..........

469
346
785
1,229
2,214
281

6.5
14.7
23.1
41.6
5.3

274
285
337
29
4,399

5.1
5.4
6.3
.5
82.6

Total...............

5,324

1 0 0 .0

5,324

1 0 0 .0

8 .8

The change is even greater than indicated here, because of the 469
in the first column who received less than $5 about one-eighth re­
ceived less than $4, so that the advance was for them a considerable
one; well over one-half received $4 but under $4.50. There is no
indication of how many of those in the $8.50-and-over group received
more than $8.50 before the change, but afterwards 405 received


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

255

more than $8.50. The amount of increase naturally varied consid­
erably :
Of the 5,324 women whose wages were raised, 3,093, or over one-half (58.1 per
cent), received increases of $1 or more; 2,109, or almost two-fifths (39.6 per cent),
received increases of at least $1.50; 902, or one-sixth (16.9 per cent), received
increases of at least $2; and 710, or almost one-seventh (13.3 per cent), received
increases of at least $2.50.

In line with these findings was the fact that the average wages in
the 14 retail stores from which wage data for three years were available
showed a marked rise after the adoption of the decree. For the full­
time female worker in these stores the average wage for the first week
in February, 1914, was $7.76; in 1915 it was $7.99; and in 1916 it was
$8.75.
As far as wages are concerned, the effect of the decree upon women
employees seems wholly good. Does it, however, lead to a reduction
in the number employed? Do employers lay off the poorer workers
rather than pay them higher wages? The answer does not seem
entirely clear. From 14 stores data were obtained as to the number
of female employees for the first week in February, 1914, 1915, and
1916. The actual number of full-time female workers in these stores
in 1914 was 4,087, in 1915 it had sunk to 3,824, and in 1916 to^3,650.
In 1915, then, before the minimum-wage decree had been issued, there
had been a decrease of 6.4 per cent, and the next year showed another
falling off of 4.7 per cent. The commission is convinced that this
second falling off can not be ascribed directly to the effect of the mini­
mum-wage decree:
The information relative to individual establishments and occupations shows
that the decline in the number employed must be attributed chiefly to other
causes. Of these the most important are; First, the general trade conditions
prevailing in the latter part of 1914 and the earlier part of 1915, which were
undoubtedly responsible for a considerable part of the decrease throughout the
entire labor force shown by the figures for 1915; and secondly, the movement
toward greater efficiency in store management, which the introduction of the
minimum wage doubtless accelerated, reflected in the marked reduction in the
numbers employed in unskilled occupations.

On the whole, this view seems to be supported by a comparison of
the reductions in each class of employees, and the average actual wage
paid in that class in February, 1915, the figures being as follows;


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

DECREASE IN NUM BER OF FEM ALE W ORKERS IN 14 BOSTON DEPARTM ENT AND
DRY-GOODS STORES IN FIR ST W E E K IN FEB RU A R Y , 1916, AS COMPARED W ITH FIR ST
W E E K IN FEB RU A R Y , 1915, AND AVERAGE WAGE PAID IN FIR ST W E E K IN FEB­
RUARY, 1915, BY CLASSES OF EM PLOYEES.
Decrease in Febru­
ary, 1916, as com­
pared w ith Feb­
ruary, 1915.

Actual
average
wage paid
February,
1915.
Per cent
Number.
of de­
crease.

Class of employee.

Saleswomen...............................
Office employees........................
Counter cashiers and examiners.........................................
Messengers and bundlers..........
Alteration workroom employees............................................
Other workroom employees__
Stock girls..................................
Miscellaneous.............................

39

0.5
5. 5

$8 . 68
7.91

44
41

13.2
24.7

5.32
3. 55

2 .8

10. 40
8.59
5. 89
8.37

11

4
'6
39
2

'8 .7
34.8
1.7

1 Increase.

Here the largest percentages of reduction are found among the
lowest paid and least skilled workers, who would naturally be the
first laid off as efficiency methods were introduced. In a report pub­
lished in March, 1915, before the minimum-wage decree was promul­
gated, the commission alluded to the growing tendency to dispense
with some classes of unskilled employees, notably the messengers and
bundlers.1 It is evident that the changes shown in the above table
might be explained either by a movement toward greater efficiency
in store management, or by a determination to let the less skilled work­
ers go rather than pay them the rates demanded by the decree. It is
impossible to say with certainty from the facts given which of these
causes was responsible for the situation shown in 1916. Possibly no
valid conclusion can be reached until the decree has been in operation
longer, and until we have fuller information as to the age and wage
distribution of the female employees, and of the male employees as
well. But at least it can be said with assurance that in these 14 stores
the adoption of the minimum-wage decree has not led to any general
or extensive discharge of female workers.
Another objection brought against the minimum wage was that its
adoption would lead to the discharge of full-time workers and the
substitution of extra or part-time workers. The following figures
show the situation in this respect in the same 14 stores:
1 M a ssach u setts M inim um W age Com m ission, W ages of W omen in R e ta il S tores, B ulle­
tin No. 6 , p. 18.


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257

EX TR A EM PLOYEES IN 14 DEPA RTM EN T AND DRY-GOODS STORES, F IR S T W E E K IN
FEB RU A R Y , 1914,1915, AND 1916, AND P E R CENT OF PAY ROLL PAID TO T H E EXTRAS.
Extras employed.
Year.
Number.

1914........................
1915........................
1916........................

389
210

301

Per cent
of total
female
force.
8.7
5.2
7.6

P ayroll.

Total for
week.

$32,843.69
31,159. 61
32,973. 71

Per cent
paid to
extras.

3.5
1.9
3.1

The extras, like the regulars, showed a decided falling off in 1915,
though proportionately their decrease w7as greater. In 1916 they
had regained some part of their decrease, but did not form as im­
portant a part of the total force, either in proportionate number or
in percentage of the pay roll coming to them, as they had in 1914.
If the adoption of the minimum wage has any tendency to lead to the
substitution of extras for the regular employees it certainly had not
become visible at the time of taking these figures. Incidentally it
may be mentioned that the wage level among the extras reflected the
advance shown among the regulars. The proportion of extras re­
ceiving $5 or over in 1914 was 20.5 per cent; in 1915 it had sunk
to 14.3 per cent, and in 1916 had risen to 30.2 per cent.
Summing up the findings of the report, it appears that of the 16,036
full-time female workers in the retail stores investigated, about
three-fourths were in stores wThich had formally accepted the decree
and were trying in good faith to carry it out; about one-sixth were
in establishments which, while not formally accepting the decree,
were nevertheless complying with its terms, and only one-tenth were
in establishments which practically refused to accept the decree. The
effect of the adoption of the decree on the wage level of the ninetenths vas marked and favorable, and there was no indication of
any tendency to level down to the minimum. In regard to effect
upon the number employed, the situation was so complicated by the
depression of 1914—15 and other factors that it is impossible to
speak with much certainty. In the stores from which comparative
data for three years were obtained the number of full-time female
employees was smaller by 263 in 1915 than in 1914, and 1916 showed
174 fewTer employed than in 1915. Whether the tendency to recover
from the depression of 1914 had been checked by the adoption of the
minimum wage, and if so, to what extent men were being substituted
for the women formerly employed, can probably be determined only
by a future investigation. No effects were observed which might not
reasonably be accounted for by a movement toward greater efficiency
in store management. The commission thinks it probable that such


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

a movement had been accelerated by the coming into effect of the
minimum wage, but holds that it was bound to take place sooner or
later, regardless of the wage decree. There was no evidence to show
that extras were being substituted for regular full-time workers.

BEHIND THE SCENES IN A RESTAURANT—A STUDY OF WOMEN
RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES.

As far back as 1883 a bill was introduced into the New York Legis­
lature forbidding the employment of women in manufacturing estab­
lishments more than 10 hours a day. That particular bill was de­
feated, but the fight was kept up until now it is illegal in New York to
employ women in factories and mercantile establishments more than
54 hours or 6 days a week, or between 10 o’clock at night and 6 in the
morning. Moreover, there are numerous restrictions as to the kind
of work they may do, and under what conditions and in what sur­
roundings they may do it. But while, during these 33 years, some
portion of the safeguards they need have been secured for the workers
in factories and stores, women employed by the thousand in other
lines of wmrk have been left unprotected. The Consumers’ League of
New York City has recently undertaken a study of conditions in one
of these other branches—restaurant work—in which between 15,000
and 20,000 women are employed in New York State, and has pub­
lished the results in a very readable pamphlet.1 The purpose of the
study is thus expressed:
In undertaking the investigation, the league sought to answer three questions:
First, what are the actual conditions of labor prevailing in the restaurants of
New York State; second, are these conditions such that the worker may lead a
wholesome, normal life; and third, how do these conditions react through the
individual worker upon society as a whole.

The investigation covered a group of 1,017 women and girls em­
ployed in restaurants in New York and six other large cities of the
State. Waitresses made up over half of the group (53.5 per cent),
cooks formed about one-fifth, and kitchen helpers a little over onefourth of the total. The majority were foreign born, the American
born forming a little less than one-third. Austro-Hungarians made
up practically two-fifths of the group, no other nationality furnish­
ing as much as one-tenth. One-fourth were under 21 years old, and
44 per cent were 21 but under 30, the proportions in these age groups
differing according to the occupation, 15 per cent of the waitresses,
21 per cent of the cooks, and 48 per cent of the helpers being under
1 B ehind th e Scenes in a R e sta u ra n t.
47 pp.


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VIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

259

21.1 Almost one-third (31.8 per cent) were married, 53 per cent were
single, and the remainder were widowed or separated from their
husbands.
The actual conditions of labor, as represented by the experiences
of this group, leave much to be desired, the two most objectionable
features being the long hours and the heavy, nerve-racking character
of the work. The hours vary widely. The custom of having a cer­
tain number of girls come on duty for only the principal meal of the
day gives a group whose hours are very short, but the hours for the
full-time workers run up sometimes to almost incredible lengths. A
little over two-fifths (42 per cent) worked less than 55 hours a week;
one-fifth worked less than 35 hours weekly. At the other end, onefifth worked over 75 hours, and 5 per cent over 85 hours weekly.
Eighteen were found who worked over 95 and six who worked over
105 hours weekly. Such hours mean a seven-day week as well as fear­
fully long daily hours. Unfortunately, the continuous week is not
confined to the 18 having such excessive hours. “A 12-hour day and
a seven-day week is the lot of one-fifth of these workers.” Also, the
long hours are not restricted to the older workers; of those working
over 75 hours a week nearly two-fifths (37 per cent) were 21 but
under 30, and one-fourth (26.6 per cent) were under 21. The prob­
able effect of such hours on the health of the workers, especially
when these are young girls under 21, needs no emphasizing.
The character of the work increases the strain of these hours.
The strain, the heat, and the hard, continuous work involved in
cooking are well known. The kitchen helper must be prepared to do
any kind of hard and heavy work, with no opportunities for rest,
and the waitresses must carry heavy trays of food and be almost
continuously on their feet, incidentally walking miles each day in
their journeyings to and from the kitchen. All the workers need
much endurance, and all must work at high tension.
A waitress must not only remember a multitude of orders and fill them
quickly, but she must keep her temper under the exactions of the most trying
customer. The cook must keep her head amid the confusion and noise of a hot,
crowded kitchen. The kitchen girl must be everywhere at once with a helping
hand, and the dish washer’s very job depends upon her quickness. One of
this latter group said that she washes 7,000 articles in an hour and a half.

The strain of such conditions is intensified by the fact that there is
no provision for any rest period during the day. The law requires
1 T he age level of th ese r e s ta u r a n t w orkers seem s considerably h ig h er th a n t h a t p re­
v ailin g in th e fa c to ry in d u strie s of New York City. The New York S ta te F a c to ry In v e sti­
g atin g Com m ission published in 1915 th e re su lts of a stu d y of w orkers in th e s h ir t­
m aking in d u stry , in confectionery, an d in paper-box m aking. T he num ber of fem ale fac­
to ry w orkers stu d ied in New York C ity w as, s h irt m akers, 4,776 ; paper-box m akers, 5,522 ;
co n fectionery w orkers, 4,797. T he p ro p o rtio n s of these th re e groups u nder 21 w ere,
re sp e c tiv e ly , 68.5 per cent, 60.6 p er cent, a n d 60.1 per cent. T h a t is, in a ll th re e of these
groups th e p ro p o rtio n u n d er 2 1 w as n early th e sam e as th e pro p o rtio n of r e s ta u r a n t
w o rk ers u n d er 30. (See F o u rth R e p o rt of Com m ission, Vol. I l l , pp. 805, 829, an d 856.)


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

that girls in stores and factories must have at least one-lialf hour off
for luncheon, but there is no such requirement for restaurant work­
ers. “ They must eat when they can snatch a minute from work,”
and the investigators noted many complaints of indigestion and loss
of appetite as a result of haste and irregularity in taking meals.
Where working conditions are bad it is naturally assumed that
wages should be high to strike some sort of balance, but wages in
the restaurants are about on the usual level of those in unskilled
industries for women. One-fourth of the group were paid less than
$5 a week, while over two-fifths received $5 but less than $7 a week.
Nine dollars has been fixed as the minimum on which a girl can live
properly in New York, but 89 per cent of this group received less
than this sum. Even when due allowance is made for tips and for
meals given in addition to the money wage, 31 per cent received less
than $9. Tips, it must be remembered, are received only by the
waitresses. For these they make a very important addition to the
nominal wage, bringing up the proportion who received $9 or over a
week from 3.4 per cent to 50.5 per cent, but the cooks and kitchen
girls have no share in this alleviation of conditions. The cooks
received higher wages than the other groups, over two-fifths of their
number reaching or passing the $9 which is considered essential, but
the kitchen girls showed a distressingly low level; one-seventh earned
less than $5, and three-fifths earned $5 but under $7 a week. Only
2 per cent earned over $9.
Nightwork existed, but was not common for women. The fact
that only 4 per cent of the women interviewed worked at night is
held to prove that such work is unnecessary. The majority of em­
ployers secure men for nightwork, and the remainder could easily
do so if the law forbade the employment of women during the hours
when they may not work at factory occupations. Naturally, all the
objectionable features of the work are intensified when the employee
is a night worker.
It is to be regretted that more information about the married
women in the work (31.8 per cent) is not given. It is said that “ many
of them are one-ineal girls—that is, they are employed only for the
rush hour at noon.” It would be interesting to know exactly how
many of them were one-meal girls, and how many of the remainder
were working 12 hours or even more a day, or were among the limited
number found working at night. It is highly undesirable that any
woman should work such hours, but if after having done so she must
then contrive to get in some kind of housekeeping for children who
must be either neglected or cared for by some make-shift arrangement
while she is away, the strain on the woman herself and also the social
significance of the situation are seriously increased. Likewise fuller
information as to how many are working a 7-day week would be

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261

useful. Are all whose hours exceed 75 working 7 days? Or do some
of these put in for 6 days a week the 15-hour day, which we are told
is not uncommon ? And how are wages related to hours ? How many
of the 89 per cent of waitresses whose wages fall below $9 a week
were one-meal girls, putting in only a few hours a day, and workingonly to “ earn a little extra money while their husbands are at work,
either as ‘ pin money ’ for themselves or to help toward the support
of the children ” ?
The report gives a graphic and striking picture of the hardships
endured by restaurant workers. These hardships do not seem in­
herent in the work; they have been found in almost every form of
factory work, and no restaurant keeper could protest the impossi­
bility of modifying them more strenuously than did the manufactur­
ing interests when first it was proposed to bring the factories under
control. To meet the situation the league recommends amendments
to the mercantile law, bringing restaurant workers under its general
provisions. This would do away with the long hours, with nightwork, with the 7-day week, and would provide a regular time off
each day for meals.

RECENT REPORTS RELATING TO WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE.
MASSACHUSETTS.1

The Industrial Accident Board of Massachusetts, in its report to
the legislature of 1917, strongly urges that the compensation act be
made compulsory. The present act is elective, and although employ­
ers not electing lose certain defenses in case of damage suits, a num­
ber of employers have remained outside the act, and their employees
are not entitled to compensation payments in case of injury. Re­
ports of the inability of widows and other dependents to obtain ade­
quate settlement with noninsured employers, as well as appeals
from injured employees whose employers have neglected to come
within the provisions of the statute, show the necessity of the com­
pulsory law.
The report says : “ If the idea upon which the law of modern
workmen’s compensation for injuries in the course of their work rests
is just, there is no good reason why a small percentage of the employ­
ers of the State should be permitted to avoid the duty to their
employees which the great majority elect to assume.” The board
urges that if a constitutional amendment is necessary to accomplish
the change immediate steps should be taken to that end.
1

In fo rm a tio n from B oston E vening T ra n s c rip t, Ja n . 4, 1917 p. 3.


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR, STATISTICS.
NEVADA.

Approximately 80 per cent of the premium income of the work­
men’s compensation insurance fund of Nevada during the threeyear period ending June 30, 1916, was derived from 390 active con­
tributors representing the mining industry; 20 per cent was re­
ceived from 396 contributors representing railways, public utilities,
State, counties, cities, and schools, and by miscellaneous industries.
The amount of premiums collected and due was $743,051.69 ($35,634.41 being the amount due), and the total compensation incurred
was $651,150.38, of which $322,230.17 was paid. The administra­
tive expense was $89,474.45, or 12.04 per cent of the earned premiums.
During the same period 4,153 accidents were reported, of which 107
fatal and 2,080 nonfatal cases were compensable. Of these 2,187
cases the mining industry was responsible for 1,914 (87.5 per cent).
The compensation cost for each compensable accident was $297.74,
and the average for each fatal accident was $2,656.38. There were 3
permanent total disability cases involving a compensation cost of
$14,552.58; 236 permanent partial disability cases involving a com­
pensation cost of $180,775.98; and 1,841 temporary disability cases
involving a compensation cost of $171,589.26. The accident fre­
quency rate per 1,000 3,000-hour workers in all industries per annum
was 127.55. These data are summarized in the following tables com­
piled from the recently issued report of the Nevada Industrial Com­
mission covering the entire history of the compensation act, from
July 1, 1913, to June 30, 1916.1 The first table shows the financial
experience by class of industry, and the second table the accident
experience by nature of disability.
FINANCIAL E X PE R IE N C E U N DER THE NEVADA W ORKM EN’S COMPENSATION IN SU R­
ANCE ACT FOR TH E T H REE-Y EA R P ER IO D ENDING JU NE 30, 1916.

Class.

M ining 3
.......................................................
"Railroads..................................................................
Pyihlip. nt.ilit.ifis ...................................................

Average
number
em­
ployees
per an­
num .2
7,463
'448
470
913

Mi «sppItarifions..........................................................

2 ,0 1 2

Total......................................................

11,306

Pay-roll ex­
posure.

Compen­
sation
Premiums Compensa­ cost per
tion in­
collected
$
10 0 ,0 0 0
curred.
and due.
of pay
roll.

$28,322,066.15 $609,606. 74 $557,660.64
12,630.43
22,429.19
1,152,307.00
19.303.23
1,159.604.21
21,345. 76
10, 714. 35
30,307.10
3,409,082.79
50,841. 73
59,362.90
4,524,604. 83

$1,968.99
1,096.44
1,664.64
314. 28
1,123.68

651,150.38

1,688.04

38,567,664.98

743,051.69

1 Nevada. Report of the industrial commission reviewing the administration of the Nevada indus­
trial insurance act for the period of three years, July 1, 1913, to June 30, 1916. Carson City, 1917. 110 pp.
2 Computed on the basis of 360 days of 8 hours each to the year, or a total of 2,880 hours per man per annum.
3 In the report the mining industry is divided into three classes—mining, ore reduction, and Nevada
Consolidated Copper Co.


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263

ACCIDENT E X PE R IE N C E UNDER TH E NEVADA W ORKM EN’S COMPENSATION INSUR­
ANCE ACT FOR T H E TH R E E-Y EA R PER IO D ENDING JU NE 30, 1916.

Result of accident.

Rate per
Rate per 1,000
3,000- Compen­
em­
Average
nour
Number. ployees
sation
per acci­ Per cent.
workers
per
incurred.
dent.
per
annum .1 annum .2
1 ,0 0 0

F atal...........................
Permanent total disability.........
Permanent partial disability.......................
Temporary disability....................

107
3
236
1,841

3.15
.09
6.96
54. 27

3. 29
.09
7. 25
56. 54

Total..............................
N oncompensable..............

2,187
1,966

64.47
57. 96

67.17 651,150.38
60. .38

297. 74

4,153

122.44

127.55 651,150.38

156. 79

..

Total...........................

284,232.56 2,656. 38
14,552.58 4,850. 86
180,775 98
765.99
171,589.26
93.20

43. 65
2.24
27.76
26. 35
1 0 0 . 00

1f>or, aveFaSe number of employees per annum see preceding table.
Reduced to the basis of 3,000-hour workers, the average of 11,306 employees in the preceding table be-

The report of the commission shows that the State fund received
from all sources a total of $710,969.78 and expended $501,617.29,
leaving a balance on June 30, 1916, of $209,352.49.
Of the 4,153 accidents reported, 1,652, or 39.78 per cent, involved
disabilities lasting not more than one week. This does not neces­
sarily represent the noncompensable accidents for the three-year
period for the reason that under the original act the waiting period
was two weeks and was later reduced to one week. The number of
noncompensable accidents for the entire period was 1,966. In 2,270
cases (54.65 per cent of all accidents) the period of disability ter­
minated during the first two weeks. In 618 cases (14.88 per cent)
the period of disability terminated within the second week. Thus,
had the waiting period not been reduced to one week, approximately
15 per cent of the total accidents would not have been compensable.
Excepting 107 fatalities and 3 permanent disabilities, it is estimated
that employees lost, as a result of injuries, 108,939 days and
$427,933.37 in wages. The average time lost on account of all disa­
bilities was 26.9 days and the average wage loss was $105.84. The
average daily wage of those injured was $3,935. In the mining in­
dustry a fatality rate of 4.78 per 1,000 2,880-hour employees (4.89
per 1,000 3,000-hour employees) per annum is shown. Of all the
accidents in the three-year period due to mining operations, exclusive
of quarries and pit mining, the greatest number, 658, or 22.4 per
cent, was due to fails of rock or ore from roof or wall. Haulage
accidents came second, with a total of 356, or 12.1 per cent. A total
of 131 dependents wTere left as a result of the 107 fatal accidents.
Based upon an experience of three years, it has been found neces­
sary to increase the insurance rates in two classes to avoid the re­
currence of a deficit which has developed in that time. In mining
operations, not including clerical office employees, the rate has been


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

increased from 2.410 per cent of pay roll, the average for three
years, to 3.5 per cent of pay roll; and in mills or ore works, not
including clerical office employees, the new rate is 2 per cent of
pay roll instead of 1.419, the average for three years. For smelters
and plaster mills the rate is 1|. per cent of pay roll. It is pointed
out that this new rate as applied to mining operations, which be­
came effective on January 1, 1917, is considerably below that estab­
lished in other States for the same industry. In California the rate
is 5.75 and in Colorado 3.85.
OHIO.

According to the statistics of mines and quarries in Ohio for the
year 1915, included in report No. 25 of the State industrial commis­
sion, issued on June 27, 1916,1 925 coal mines reported in operation
produced 22,627,046 tons of coal, an increase of 20.8 per cent over
1914. The number of workers was 41,430, of whom 3,882 were em­
ployed in pick mines and 37,548 in machine mines. The average num­
ber of days worked by 3,067 pick miners was 168, and the average
worked by 23,976 loaders (including drillers and shooters) in ma­
chine mines was 137. The average daily wages of pick miners and
loaders was $2.72 and $2.75, respectively, while the highest average
daily wage, $4.11, was received by 3,154 machine runners and helpers.
The total wage and salary payment for the 827 mines reporting on
that point aggregated $18,154,682, of which 98.4 per cent went to
wage earners, exclusive of office employees.
While stating that 63 fatal accidents—one accident to every 359,159
tons mined,2 were reported to the inspector of mines during 1915,
the report tabulates only accidents for which awards were made by
the commission. Thus statistics for 48 fatal accidents, 2 permanent
total disability cases, and 2,728 other nonfatal accidents are given.
The awards for these 2,778 accidents aggregated $220,060.28, or an
average of $79.22 per case. For death benefits the awards were
$88,892; for compensation, $103,889.46; for medical and hospital
expenses, $21,422.50;3 for burial expenses, $5,856.32.
The report estimates that the time lost as a result of coal-mine
accidents for which awards were made during 1915 was equal to the
entire time of 1,663 men for one year, a figure determined by combin­
ing the life expectancy of the men killed and of the two men who
suffered permanent total disability, the number of days for which
compensation was allowed under the Ohio law for the accidents causOhio I n d u s tria l Com m ission. D ep artm en t of In v e stig a tio n an d S ta tistic s. R eport No.
S ta tistic s of m ines an d q u a rrie s in Ohio, 1915. Springfield, 1916. 99 pp.
2 In 1914 one such accid en t occurred to every 307,154 to n s m ined.
3 E xclusive of an y ad d itio n al exp en d itu res fo r m edical and h o sp ital a tte n tio n by em ­
ployers who c a rry self-insurance an d who a re required to fu rn ish m edical and hospital
care w ith o u t cost to th e in ju re d person
1

25.


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265

ing permanent partial disability, and the number of days actually lost
from accidents causing temporary disability. Of 48 fatal accidents,
33, or 68.8 per cent, were caused by falls of stone, slate, and coal;
for these a total of $95,518.32 was expended in death benefits, medical
and hospital and burial expenses—an average of $1,989.97 per case.
Two of the accidents resulted in permanent total disability, and
for these the commission paid out in compensation during the year
$1,246.10 and for medical and hospital services $200. In one case
(he firm furnished medical and hospital service without expense to
the employee. Payments will, of course, continue in both of these
cases.
There were 67 accidents resulting in permanent partial disability,
the total award being $33,654/ or an average of $502.30 each. The
total number of days for which compensation was paid in these cases
under the Ohio law is shown to be 23.167, or 64.47 years.
The total awards paid in 2,661 cases resulting in temporary dis­
ability was $89,441.86/ but of this amount $1,055 was paid for medi­
cal and hospital services in 680 temporary disability cases lasting 7
days or less, no compensation being paid in such cases. The average
compensation cost of the 1,981 cases lasting more than 7 days was
$44.62 each. The total loss of working time, according to the report,
represented by these 2,661 cases was 68,606 days, or 187.96 years.
More than half (1,516, or 57 per cent) of these accidents resulted in
disabilities of two weeks or more, wThile 28.5 per cent resulted in
disabilities of five weeks or more. Of 2,098 for whom information
concerning experience was obtained, 31.2 per cent had had experience
of less than one year. As to nature of injury, 62.8 per cent were
abrasions, bruises, contusions, crushes, cuts, lacerations, punctures,
and scratches. The following table gives a summary of all coal-mine
accidents for which awards were made by the commission during 1915:
NUM BER OF AWARDS, TONS MINED P E R ACCIDENT, AND AWARDS MADE UNDER
TH E OHIO W ORKM EN’S COMPENSATION LAW DURING TH E YEAR 1915.

Result of injury.

F atal.............................................................................
Permanent total disability..........................................
Permanent partial disability......................................
Temporary disability........' .........................................
T otal...............................................................

mined
Number of Tonsper
awards.
accident. 3
48

Paym ents made .2
Amount.

Average.

67
2,661

471,397
11,313,523
337,717
8,503

895,518.32
1,446.10
33,654. 00
89,441.86

$1,989.97
723. 05
502.30
33.61

2,778

8,145

220,060.28

79.22

2

1 Exclusive of medical and hospital expenses paid by firms carrying self-insurance under the State
plan,
2 Based upon production of 22,627,046 tons.
3 Includes compensation, death benefits, and medical, hospital, and funeral expenses. The report makes
no distribution of these amounts by result of injury, but, as indicated in the text on page 264, it does dis­
tribute the total according to the amount paid for compensation, death benefits, medical, and burial
expenses.


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Twenty-five pages of the report are devoted to statistics of fire
clay, gypsum and iron mines, and limestone and sandstone quarries.
No accident statistics are presented. The fire clay production of 93
mines was 2,049,664 tons. Of 1,094 wage earners for whom wage
rate wTas reported, 419 (38.3 per cent) received between $12 and $15
per week, and 252 (23 per cent) received less than $12 per week.
The total pay roll was $728,686 ; 62.2 per cent of the firms reported
48-hour weeks. The average number employed was 1,041 per month.
The production of the four gypsum mines in the State was 251,283
tons. The maximum employed in any one month wTas 408 in June.
Approximately 70 per cent received less than $15 per week.
Only 3,668 tons of iron were produced in 1915.
Ninety-four establishments reported a production of 9,133,678
tons of limestone; 92 establishments reported an average of 3,442
employed per month ; approximately one-third of the establishments
worked less than 150 days; of 4,785 wage earners for whom average
wages were reported, 76.1 per cent receives less than $15 per week;
68 establishments reported 60 as the normal hours of labor per week.
Sandstone, being sold by cubic feet, linear feet, square feet, and
ton, the production reported by 52 firms could not be reduced to a
common unit. The average employed per month by 50 firms was
2,054; 26 out of 49 establishments reported 60 as the normal hours
of labor per week; of 2,427 wage earners, 82.9 per cent received less
than $15 per week.
TEXAS.

The report of the Texas Industrial Accident Board for the year
ending August 31, 1916, consists of 10 pages almost entirely devoted
to statistical data covering the operation of the workmen’s com­
pensation act for the 12-month period. I t shows that 6,092 em­
ployers of labor have subscribed to the act since it became effective
on September 1, 1913, with a total of 4,200 active subscribing em­
ployers on August 31, 1916. It is estimated that 200,000 employees
are subject to the benefits of the act, while probably 6,000 more are
subject to its benefits but not reported by employers. The number
of accidents reported during the year was 34,669, there being 102
fatal accidents ; the number of claims filed with the board was 13,803 ;
the amount paid by insurance companies for compensation was
$389,324.73, and for medical services, etc., $103,875.83, the total being
$493,200.56.
Employers are not obliged to subscribe to the act, but those who
do subscribe to its provisions are required to report accidents of
whatever kind or however trivial. Compensation begins on the


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eighth day after the occurrence of the accident, and for total disa­
bility is equivalent to 60 per cent of the average weekly wage, with
a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $15 per week. Lump-sum
settlements are not authorized, except in case of death or permanent
total disability. The report states that fully three-fourths of those
injured and receiving compensation could not have recovered com­
pensation from employers under the law in force prior to the passage
of the act.
CONFERENCE OF INDUSTRIAL PHYSICIANS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

The passage of workmen’s compensation laws and the increasing
employment by mercantile establishments and factories of their own
full-time medical men have developed in medicine a new specialty
known as the industrial physician. Upon him depends the health
and welfare of the workers and the problems of industrial hygiene
which he must meet bear an important relation to the efficiency of
the plant. Since policies to be inaugurated in the interest of workers
may vary materially with the nature of the work performed in a par­
ticular establishment, it becomes necessary for each industrial physi­
cian, if he is to broaden his knowledge of methods of protecting and
caring for'employees, to have opportunity to meet and consult with
other industrial physicians in the hope that an interchange of ideas
and experiences may be mutually helpful. This fact has been recog­
nized by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, which
last year arranged conferences of industrial physicians, two of which,
on February 17 and on May 18, were reported in the Pennsylvania
Medical Journal for October, 1916, pages 1 to 63. At these confer­
ences papers were read vitally affecting the interests both of employ­
ers and employees.
In his address of welcome at the first conference, Dr. J. B. McAlister,
president of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, ad­
vised physicians to assume an attitude of friendly cooperation with
the compensation board in the administration and application of the
workmen’s compensation law.
Dr. Elizabeth B. Bricker, of the department of labor and industry,
spoke on asphyxiation and suffocation, giving a resume of several of
the methods in use for resuscitating patients “ in order merely to
open a discussion on this subject.” This discussion developed a quite
general sentiment in favor of the Schaeffer method, while some physi­
cians seemed to have had success with the pulmotor and lungmotor.
The laws of Pennsylvania relating to industrial hygiene were re­
viewed by Dr. Francis D. Patterson, chief of the division of hygiene
of the department of labor and industry. This paper provoked an


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MONTHLY EEVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

extended discussion as to the ultimate end of the physically defective
in industry, the value of physical examination to determine fitness
for employment, and the attitude of the compensation board toward
certain questions that may arise under the act. The opinion seemed
to prevail that the physically unfit should be employed, if at all, in
work where he may earn a living for his family without endangering
the lives of other workers.
In a subsequent paper on lead poisoning, Dr. Patterson declared
that “ of all the industrial poisons lead is the most productive of ill
health by reason of the fact that there are more employees exposed to
lead in some form than to any other industrial poison. The onset
of poisoning is insidious, and therefore the worker does not know he
has been affected until he presents the clinical evidence of a marked
case of the disease.” After indicating the three channels through
which absorption may occur—the respiratory tract, the gastro­
intestinal tract, and the cutaneous—and the conditions which predis­
pose to lead poisoning, the speaker stated that “ there is no condition
where the ounce of prevention is more important than the pound of
cure than in lead poisoning. The collection of all dust and fume at
its source will prevent the occurrence of poisoning, and this can be
accomplished by proper exhaust systems and by the substitution of
vacuum for dry sweeping.”
“ The workmen’s compensation law as it affects the physician”
was a paper presented by Paul N. Furman, chief of the bureau of
statistics of the department of labor and industry, who explained
the act and called attention to two provisions which seem to have
been universally adopted: (1) The right of the employer to select
medical attendants, and (2) a waiting period of from 10 to 15
days. Both of these provisions, he stated, were justified. Mr. Fur­
man also stated that the section which probably has excited the most
interest and comment on the part of the medical profession is that
which makes it obligatory upon an employer to furnish reasonable
surgical, medical, and hospital service during the first 11 days, un­
less the employee refuses such service. The discussion following
took the form of questions bearing on the rights of employees, em­
ployers, and physicians under the act, which Mr. Furman endeav­
ored to answer.
At the second conference, held on May 18, the delegates, number­
ing many more than attended the first conference, were welcomed
by John Price Jackson, commissioner of labor and industry, who ex­
plained the operation of his department through its various divi­
sions. This was followed by a paper by Dr. Alfred Stengel, of Phila­
delphia. whose topic was “ Relation of extreme temperatures to the


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efficiency of the workman.’’ Dr. Stengel reviewed the experiments
of scientists who have investigated the limits of temperature in
which men can exist normally, calling particular attention to the ob­
servations of Dr. J. S. Haldane, who concluded that continuous hard
work is impracticable where the wet-bulb thermometer shows a tem­
perature above 78°, and that it is impracticable for ordinary per­
sons to remain for long periods of time where the temperature is
above 88°. From this the author concluded that impairment of
efficiency must begin at a grade of heat lower than 78°, and that con­
tinued hard work, though endurable, would in the long run prove
injurious.
Dr. J. W. Schereschewsky, of Pittsburgh, in discussing this- sub­
ject, thought it quite possible that the high accident rate in Penn­
sylvania may be associated with the fact that coordination is dimin­
ished because of the constant exposure of the worker to extremes of
temperature. lie also thought that much of the high temperature
could be avoided, even in plants where extreme heat is necessary,
and emphasized the importance of adequate ventilation, proper water
supply, good home conditions, and frequent use of baths. Other
speakers urged the necessity of workers having plenty of fresh air
while at work, but more particularly while asleep.
Dr. Frederick S. Crum, of the Prudential Insurance Co,, read a
paper entitled “ Mortality from diseases of the lungs in American
industry,” in which he confined himself principally to a considera­
tion of the apparent effect on mortality in certain occupations or
groups of occupations which expose the workmen therein to differ­
ent kinds of dust, the paper including statistics of the mortality ex­
perience of his company during the period 1907 to 1912, which may
be summarized as follows:
MORTALITY FROM DISEASES OF TH E LUNGS CAUSED BY EACH SPEC IFIED KIND OF
DUST, AS SHOWN BY TH E RECORDS OF TH E PR U D E N T IA L L IF E INSURANCE CO.
FO R T H E PER IO D 1907 TO 1912.
Kind of dust.

Number. Per cent.

Metallic.........................................................
Mineral.........................................................
Vegetable fiber.............................................
Municipal.....................................................
Animal or mixed fiber................................
General organic............................................

3,670
4,336
1,887
10,789
1,454
6,468

37.7
5.1
22.7

Total..................................... .............

28,604

1 0 0 .0

1 2 .8

15.2
6 .6

It was stated that this 28,604 is 17.6 per cent of the totai number
of deaths (162,763) of all occupied males aged 15 years and over.
It was also stated that in these six groups of occupations there oc­
curred during the six-year period 7,943 deaths from pulmonary
76934°—17-----7


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tuberculosis, or 27.8 per cent of the aggregate mortality from all
causes; that there were 3,330 deaths from respiratory diseases other
than tuberculosis, or 11.6 per cent of the aggregate mortality from
all causes; and that the mortality from tuberculosis of the lungs in
the dusty occupations was 41.1 per cent in excess of the mortality
from tuberculosis in the nondusty occupations. Dr. Crum took up
in details the varied effects of the different kinds of dust on mortality
from tuberculosis of the lungs and other respiratory diseases, stat­
ing that “ metallic dust is probably, all things considered, the most
hurtful,” and concluding as follows:
The most effective method of contending with the excessive morbidity and
mortality among employees engaged in dusty trades and occupations is un­
doubtedly by the method of more efficient ventilation. * * * If once
standardized methods of efficient ventilation and dust removal are adopted, we
may confidently anticipate a greatly reduced death rate among employees in
these occupations in which excessive amounts of industrial dust are created,
and with the reduction in the death rate there will, of course, be an even larger
gain in the reduction in the amount of sickness and the general improvement
in the health of the workmen. This will result in an increased productive
power, so that the employers will reap a benefit' which will largely offset any
expenditure to which they may be put for the installation of the necessary
dust-preventive devices.

The value of physical examination as a factor in the prevention
of industrial injuries has come to be recognized quite generally by
industrial physicians and employers. How this has been applied in
one industry was told by Dr. J. B. bowman, chief surgeon of the
Cambria Steel Co., who gave the result of an examination of 12,302
men. This examination revealed the following facts:
R ESU LT OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF 12,302 EM PLOYEES OF T H E CAMBRIA
S TE EL CO.
Nature of defect.

Number. Per cent.

Eyes, minor and major defective..............
Ears, minor and major defective...............
Pecaycd teeth..............................................
Deformities..................................................
Amputations................................................
Varicose veins.......................................... ..
Chest: Heart and lung diseases..................
Abdomen: Hernias and open canals.........
Miscellaneous...............................................

1,318
731
1,818
1,213
185
344
158
2,007
137

10.7
5.9
14.8
9.9
1.5
2.7
1.3
16.3
1.4

Total...................................................

i 7,911

i 64. 5

*Although it is not stated, it may he presumed that the remaining employees were found to be without
defects of any kind.

Dr. Lowman at the conclusion of his paper summed up the advan­
tages following physical examination of employees:
1. Safety first and prevention of accidents. The number of preventable acci­
dents will decrease as the physical standard is increased.
2. The importance to the employer of knowing the condition of his men.


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3. That suitable employment is found for those unfortunate enough to have
physical defects which debar them from their normal vocations.
4. The rejection of the unfit, but not without free medical consultation, and
recommendation for their regeneration.
5. Economic value to the company because of the greater freedom from falsi­
fied claims and freedom from indemnities and compensation required in accidents
due to impaired vision, hearing, and other disabilities of the workingman, who
injures himself as well as his fellow workmen.
As a result of these examinations the following suggestions present them­
selves :
1. That it is of vast importance to the employers to know the condition of
their employees’ health and physical defects.
2. That, wherever possible, those who are unfortunate enough to possess any
gross physical defects that will debar them from their regular vocation be given
suitable employment to fit their cases.
3. That all open canals, especially those where a strong impulse or a slight
bulging is produced, should be classified with hernias, and treated as such, as
it lias been demonstrated that this condition is more apt to cause trouble than
those in which men know that they have a hernia.
4. That the employers should realize that in conducting these examinations
it is for their interest as well as that of the employees that this department is
being conducted.
5. That the number of preventable accidents will decrease as the physical
standard is increased.

The discussion which followed emphasized the close relationship
which exists between physical examination and the increased efficiency
resulting therefrom and the prevention of accidents or injuries to
workmen. Dr. Schereschewsky suggested the necessity of consider­
ing the status of those who are rejected on account of physical exami­
nation, a question which must be met as the practice of making
physical examinations becomes more universal. This condition, he
believed, is an argument for the very careful consideration of health
and invalidity insurance, because these rejected workmen must be
taken care of.
In his paper on “ What constitutes ‘ reasonable ’ surgical, medical,
and hospital services under compensation act,” Dr. John M. Baldv,
president of the Bureau of Medical Education and Licensure of the
State of Pennsylvania, expressed the opinion that—
“ Reasonable ” minimum service to an injured person would be at once to
transfer the patient (the wounds having been untouched by anyone) : First,
to an incorporated hospital; or second, to a physician licensed to practice medi­
cine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; or. third, to administer first aid at
the place of injury. First aid having been rendered at the place of injury, the
service would be “ reasonable ” provided the injured one be referred, in the case
of slight injuries, first, to an incorporated hospital; or second, to a licensed
physician; or third, to a central point especially equipped by the employer for
care of accident cases, to consist of not less than two rooms. In the case of
severe injuries: First, to an incorporated hospital; or second, to a licensed
physician.


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The concluding paper was read by Dr. C. A. Lauffer, the title being
“ Inguinal hernia: viewed as an anatomical defect.” In this paper
the position was taken that—
As hernia is due to an anatomical defect nine hundred and ninety-nine times
out of a thousand, and is truly traumatic in less than one case out of a thou­
sand, it is clearly a misapplication of compensation funds to pay for hernia
as an accident. The disposition to hernia, and the aggravation of existing
hernia as well, is an individual hazard. To transfer this hazard from the indi­
vidual to the industries employing such individuals, by legislative enactment,
is unfair and unreasonable. Should the several States inaugurate a more uni­
versal plan of disability insurance, covering both sickness and accident, the
employee paying half and the employer paying half, then the employee would be
justly protected for hernia, and other maladies due to anatomical defects, which
are properly classified under “ sickness.”

GASOLINE ENGINE EXHAUST-GAS POISONING.1
B y DR. R. P . A L B A U G H , A CTIN G DIRECTOR, D IV ISIO N

OF IN D U S T R IA L

H Y G IE N E , O H IO STATE D E PA R T M E N T OF H E A L T H .

The gasoline motor and the poorly ventilated garage have brought
with them instances of prostration and even death induced by intoxi­
cation from noxious gases emitted as exhaust gases from gasoline
engines. Whenever an explosion is of moderate intensity and com­
bustion incomplete, these gases may be formed in amounts far in
excess of the amounts we have learned to consider the physiological
standards of endurance. Burrell, Schumacher, Apfelbach, and
others, have shown by analyses that the per cent of carbon monoxide
in exhaust gases varies from 2 to 25—averaging about 9 per cent—•
while that of carbon dioxide varies from 3 to 24 per cent, both de­
pending upon the quality of carburation and the bore and stroke of
the engine. Haldane states that 0.05 per cent carbon monoxide in
pure air is just sufficient to produce in time very slight symptoms
of poisoning in man; that 0.1 per cent may cause a slight headache
or palpitation of the heart in an hour or less; and that 0.2 per cent
is very dangerous. Burrell found in experiments upon himself that
he became very sick for eight hours after exposure for 20 minutes
to air containing 0.25 per cent carbon monoxide. It is evident that
great dilution of these gases must be brought about in order to render
them harmless.
The Ohio State Department of Health has received a number of
complaints and reports of exhaust-gas intoxications, and in most
instances investigations of these occurrences have been made by
1 P ap er read a t th e fo rty -fo u rth an n u a l m eeting of th e A m erican P ublic H e a lth A ssocia­
tio n , section on in d u s tria l hygiene, C incinnati, Ohio, Oct. 24-27, 1916. A brief account
of th e m eeting of th is section is given in th e M o n t h l y R e v i e w fo r December, 1916, pp.
729-731.


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members of the department. In one instance a man whose son was
employed in the engine-testing department of an automobile factory
complained that his son and three other young men had suffered from
dizziness and extreme weakness at various times, and on one oc­
casion were forced to be taken from the room, at which time they
were seized with severe attacks of vomiting, together with vertigo,
ringing in the ears, headache, general weakness, and a slow, weak
pulse. They were taken into the open air and gradually recovered
and were able to return to work the second day thereafter. A num­
ber of cases of sudden death have also been reported, occurring, in
most instances, in small private garages with windows and doors
tightly closed. The term “ petromortis ” has been frequently used
by the press as the cause of death in cases of this kind.
Probably the most striking instance of exhaust-gas poisoning
called to our attention occurred in a hotel in a small town in western
Ohio. The building was a two-story structure with a private elec­
tric plant, consisting of a generator and a 14-horsepower gasoline
engine located in a small room in the basement. From the engine a
3-incli exhaust pipe led out underground into an alley to a silencing
drum made of two 24-inch sewer tiles. From this drum the 3-inch
pipe continued and came to the surface about 20 feet from the
building. The engine was operated by the night clerk, who usually
went to the engine room two or three times in an evening to see
that oil cups were filled and everything running smoothly, and at
12 o’clock nightly he stopped the engine and closed the building.
On the occasion of one visit to the engine room he was seized with
extreme dizziness and a great general weakness, especially notice­
able in the lower extremities, and was forced to sit down and rest
several times on the steps leading from the basement. He imme­
diately sought the open air, and in the course of half an hour had
fully recovered. This same condition was repeated to a greater
or less degree each time he visited the basement during the next
few nights, and, becoming alarmed about his condition, he con­
sulted a physician, who assured him that he had no heart affection
or other organic trouble in so far as he was able to discover. About
two weeks after he first noticed his trouble he went to the engine
room at 12 o’clock, as usual, and stopped the engine. While in the
basement he became so dizzy that he could not stand, and was forced
to crawl on his hands and knees to the first floor. In attempting to
ascend the first flight of stairs leading to the second floor he
became so dizzy, weak, and short of breath, and a throbbing head­
ache became so severe, that he. called for help and promptly lost
consciousness. There were 19 other persons in the hotel, and as they


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came into the corridor—all on the second floor—they also became
so weak and dizzy that they were forced to either sit or lie down.
One man was able to reach a telephone and summon a physician,
who decided that they had eaten poisoned food, and accordingly
administered warm milk and other emetics, and later a large dose
of epsom salts. All complained of practically the same symptoms,
viz, dizziness, general muscular weakness, throbbing temporal head­
ache, palpitation, and shortness of breath. Two were in a comatose
condition, four complained of nausea, while in two instances there
were evidences of relaxation of the sphincters. Although some
were rather indisposed for a day or two, all recovered in a short
time.
The following day an investigation was made of the cause of the
wholesale poisoning. The gasoline engine was started and the five
persons present in the engine room were conscious of dizziness, weak­
ness, and palpitation within a few minutes after the engine was
started. The exhaust pipe was dug up and it was found that one
sewer tile had given away and the silencing drum was almost com­
pletely filled with water and dirt. With an almost total occlusion of
the exhaust pipe, practically the whole charge of gas was forced
back into the small, poorly ventilated basement room, from which
it found its way through the open stair door to the entire building.
Carbon monoxide, of course, was responsible for these cases of in­
toxication, as it is for all cases of exhaust gas poisoning. Being
lighter than air, it permeated the building rapidly when the door
was opened and reached the second floor in such concentration as to
be poisonous in a very few seconds, notwithstanding the dilution
that necessarily took place as the gas traveled through the three
rooms on the first floor. Carbon monoxide is in no way a new poison,
but the advent of the gasoline engine as a means of power and loco­
motion brings with it many curious opportunities for its poisonous
effects.
The first consideration in the prevention of poisoning by gases
emitted from the engine is adequate dilution. Authorities have
agreed that the concentration of carbon monoxide in pure air must be
kept below 0.05 per cent if poisoning is to be prevented. Thus, if
an ordinary gasoline motor running at moderate speed is capable of
emitting 2.5 cubic feet of carbon monoxide per minute, approximately
1,500 cubic feet of pure air per minute would be required to keep the
concentration below the danger mark. Gasoline engine manufac­
turers, motorists, and others should keep this in mind in considering
the question of ventilation of workrooms, garages, etc. The fact
that cases have been reported to us of prostration in large factory
rooms in automobile factories, would indicate that the danger is not
confined to small garages, and the need of a thorough system of ven
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tilation is evident. The odorless, colorless, and tasteless properties
of the gas make unanticipated repeated exposures possible, and war­
rant wide recognition in the interests of hygiene.
DANGERS CONNECTED WITH THE SPRAY METHOD OF FINISHING
AND DECORATING.1
B y DR. R. P. ALBAUGH, ACTING DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL
HYGIENE, OHIO STATE DEPARTMENT OF H EALTH.

The spray method of applying varnishes, enamels, shellacs, lac­
quers, and practically every kind of finishing and decorating ma­
terial brings with it the increased dangers of poisoning by the various
hydrocarbons that are almost constantly used for quick drying and
even spreading, as well as lead and other poisons used in the com­
position of the substances applied, unless unusual precautions are
taken against the inhalation of these products by workers. The
spray, or compressed-air system, is gradually supplanting the old
methods of dipping and brushing, resulting in a better quality of
work, greater speed ahd economy, a higher degree of efficiency,
and, when properly equipped and operated, a greater degree of
freedom from occupational poisoning should result. Unfortunately,
during the period of development of the spray method, all effort
was devoted toward perfecting the nebulizer in order to turn out
a better finished product, while little or no effort was directed
toward the removal of nebulous clouds of poisonous fumes and
vapors which enveloped the person of the operator. As a result,
we have seen a number of cases of poisoning by naphtha, lead, etc.,
in operators of these machines, and a number of others have been
reported to us.
On September 13, 1915, our attention was called to the death of
a youth the previous day, the cause of death being assigned as
“ Myocardial degeneration, probably caused by naphtha and tur­
pentine poisoning.” We called on the physician having charge of
the case, who stated that the patient had first consulted him at his
office six days previously. He gave his age as 18, single, American,
and occupation as a sprayer in a filler and varnish room in a factory.
He complained at that time of great weakness, periods of nausea, loss
of appetite, tingling of extremities, constipation, and hemorrhagic
spots over the body. He was very anemic and had lost about 18
pounds in the past six months. The systolic blood pressure was
found to be 85, temperature 97.2, and pulse 69, weak and irregular.
1 Paper read a t the forty-fourth annual meeting of the American Public Health Associa­
tion, section on industrial hygiene, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 24-27, 1916. A brief account
o f the meeting of this section is g iv e n in the M o n t h l y R e v iew for December 1916, pp.
729—7Rl.


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On the secona clay thereafter the patient was compelled to take to
his bed with the above symptoms exaggerated. The systolic bloodpressure was found to be only 75, the temperature below 94 (it could
not be recorded accurately because the thermometer was graded
down only to 94), pulse 90 and very weak and irregular. The urine
was rather cloudy, specific gravity 1.022, acid in reaction, contained
a trace of albumin, many hyalin casts, a few finely granular casts, and
a few cylindroids. Blood count: Erythrocytes—3,500,000; leucocy­
tes—12,400; polymorphonuclears—78.6 per cent; small mononu­
clears—16.4 per cent; large mononuclears—3 per cent; and eosinophiles—2 per cent. Spinal puncture revealed nothing. His condi­
tion grew steadily worse and on the fifth day he passed into a de­
lirium and died the following day. An autopsy was refused.
On the occasion of one visit by the physician to the patient’s home,
he encountered three young men who came to visit the patient, and
who were employed in the same department with him. They all de­
scribed symptoms very similar to those of the patient, except in a
milder form, and signified their intention of leaving the establish­
ment.
As is customary in such instances, we called at the establishment
where the patient had been employed and learned that for eight
months he had been a sprayer in the varnish room. Each sprayer
was covered by a large hood or cabinet of sufficient size to allow the
presence of the article to be varnished and, indeed, the person of the
operator, should he so choose. Each hood was equipped with an ex­
haust pipe with good exhaust. However, when the spray was di­
rected against a fiat surface, it would roll back and completely en­
velop the upper part of the operator’s person, particularly if he
were not careful of his position. It was observed that the workers
paid little attention to being included in the escaping spray at fre­
quent intervals, although such was not apparently necessary to per­
form the work. It was stated that a substance was used which
contained naphtha and there was a very perceptible odor of “ quick
driers ” present, suggestive of a turpentine and benzine combination.
No respirators were worn nor were any adequate instructions given
or enforced supervision concerning the exposure to the spray.
There are approximately 2,500 sprayers in use in Ohio, and in
only about 25 per cent of them have the necessary precautions been
taken to safeguard the health of the operators. The more common
faults and imperfections which we have found are noted below.
1. Cabinet provided but exhaust absent or insufficient.
2. Good exhaust, but cabinet too shallow.
3. Good exhaust, but poorly located in box.
4. Fan located too far from box.
5. Exhaust inlet too small.

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6. Pipe occluded by accumulations of paint, varnish, etc.
7. Cabinet with flat back or top where exhaust inlet is located.
I t should be conical to provide uniform draft.
8. Tendency to apply spray at right angle to flat surface, causing
it to roll back, enveloping operator.
9. Necessity, in spraying long objects, of getting out of range
of the exhaust.
10. Inclination on part of workers to enter cabinet and sit on stand
while spraying in order to rest after constant standing.
11. Ignorance of the presence of poison and dangerous character
of the work.
12. Spraying promiscuously about the workroom away from the
exhaust box, as in “ touching up ” or trying the sprayer, etc.
13. Defective vision of operator.
14. Poor illumination of work space.
As the spray method of applying fillings, varnishes, colors, and
paints, dissolved in various hydrocarbons for quick drying and even
spreading, is becoming very extensively used, especially in factory
work, and as the fine nebular clouds produced give opportunity for
unusual diffusion of the volatile substances present, nearly all of
which are poisonous, employers should adopt unusual precautions
against the inhalation of these products by workers. The installa­
tion of confining cabinets, exhaust pipes, etc., is not sufficient. The
workers themselves must be strictly supervised in their work and
their tendency to expose themselves to the spray. Undoubtedly many
cases of increasing fatigue and exhaustion have developed among
this class of workers, causing most of them to quit the employment.
On the other hand, some who have remained have passed into the
purpuric and later moribund condition here described, with fatal
consequences.
MUNITION-PLANT POISONS.1

It is interesting to note the importance recently attached to the
manufacture of munitions of war, particularly as respects the dangers
to workmen following employment on processes involving the use of
elementary poisons and poisonous compounds, some of which were
infrequently used prior to the European war. In a paper on “ Muni­
tion-plant poisons,” read by Archie Rice, of the International Steel
& Ordnance Co., Parlin, N. J., at the meeting of the American Public
Health Association in October, 1916, it was stated that “ the possi­
bility of the workmen-becoming poisoned exists in the form of fine
1 Paper read a t the forty-fourth annual m eeting of the American Public H ealth Associa­
tion, section on industrial hygiene, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 24-27, 1916. A brief account
of the meeting o f this section is given in the M o n t h l y R e v ie w for December, 1916, pp.
729-731.


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dust and of the invisible vapor given off in the processes of manufac­
ture and during the work of loading the projectiles with the bursting
charge. Either the dust or the vapor or both of them may be ab­
sorbed into the human system and get into the tissues through the
pores of the skin, through the mucous membrane of the nostrils, of
the mouth, and of the throat, and possibly through the lungs.1' In
this connection particular reference was made to trinitrotoluol, picric
acid, and fulminate of mercury which, with other nitro compounds
(except guncotton and nitrate of ammonia) are poisonous. All affect
the h eart; picric acid is a more severe poison, but is less dangerous to
workmen because “ it causes a puckering, bitter taste in the mouth,"
to avoid which “ workmen will keep their mouths shut and thus un­
consciously protect themselves.” Trinitrotoluol is absorbed into the
sj^stem more slowly. In loading it into high-explosive shells it is
either packed in dry or poured in. The dry method is all dust, while
the pouring process implies both dust and fumes. The following
excerpt from the paper gives the writer’s personal observation, cover­
ing eight months, at a munition plant engaged in loading 3-inch
high-explosive projectiles with trinitrotoluol, using the pouring
method.
During that period of eight months approximately 500 different individual
workmen came, by the nature of their employment, into regular close manual
and physical contact with both the dust and the fume of trinitrotoluol. Fifty
of those workmen had to receive medical attention from a physician because of
the effects of the trinitrotoluol upon them. Two of them died. The experience
of this one plant may be considered typical of what has probably happened in
all the others, both in Europe and in the United States. In the United States
about 3,000 men are regularly employed in trinitrotoluol work in connection
with munition contracts. But the newness of the industry and the popular fear
of explosive factories as undesirable places of employment have tended to give
the trinitrotoluol departments rather a transient class of labor, such as is not
generally trained or careful in hygienic habits. A large percentage of such
men remain but a few weeks. So great is the tendency of this unsettled class
to change that probably it is fair to assume that in a year’s period of the war
as many as 20,000 different men in the United States do some work in trinitro­
toluol. Maybe twice that number of different individuals are employed in
trinitrotoluol work in Europe in a year.

In its serious effects upon the system, trinitrotoluol generally fol­
lows a regular course, it was stated.
At first it accelerates the heart action when some of it has penetrated the
tissues and reached the blood. Next there is a clogging up of the pores, accom­
panied by strenuous efforts of the tissues to absorb the poison and to get rid
of it through the digestive tracts. Then comes, with the clogged pores and the
accelerated heart action, an increased blood pressure, often accompanied by an
obvious purpling of the lips. * * *
One’s first experience with imperceptible trinitrotoluol dust is a slight, but
distinctly noticeable, bitter taste in the mouth. Longer exposure than the first
casual experience is often followed by severe headache. There may also come


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an intense, quinine-like bitterness in the mouth, persisting for perhaps 24 hours
and accompanied by some headache and nausea, with white, frothy vomitus.
These are usually the effects upon the occasional visitor, with a later tendency
toward a degree of immunity.

Attention was called to the fact that there is authority for stat­
ing that while trinitrotoluol is poisonous, it is deadly in its effect
only when taken into a system using alcohol. “ If a workman will
not drink alcoholic beverages, will bathe frequently, eat wholesome
food, and take ordinary care of himself there will be no serious
result.”
For the protection of workers the speaker suggested the use of
hoods and suction devices to draw off the fumes and dust; that
floors be kept clean; that there be abundance of ventilation; that
workmen be provided with gloves and overalls and with respirators;
and that sanitary drinking fountains and convenient hot and cold
showers be furnished.
All of this information would be of but transient interest if trinitrotoluol
making and handling were probably to lapse after the war into a compar­
atively small industry. But it may grow in the United States to twice the
magnitude of its war-time size. Toluol is one of the numerous by-products
of the refining of coal tar. Wherever dyes are made in large quantities there
toluol is also produced. And if dye making attains large proportions in the
United States and toluol becomes relatively cheap, then trinitrotoluol could
be used to the extent of 200,000,000 pounds annually as a commercial ex­
plosive to be combined with nitroglycerin or with nitrate of potash. It could
not be used alone in mines and tunnels where ventilation is poor, as its emits
at the moment of explosion a gas that would kill workmen in confined spaces.
It has its value as a nonfreezing dynamite and as a high explosive that is
comparatively safe against shock and rough handling. If it be extensively
manufactured in the United States after the war, perhaps 4,000 workmen
would be regularly employed in the manufacture of trinitrotoluol.
All the factories at present making it are located in New Jersey, in adjacent
eastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, in the northern part of Wis­
consin, and in the central part of California. About two-thirds of the workmen
are employed in the eastern section.
MODERN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH.1

A paper bearing the above title was read by Dr. Francis E.
Fronczak, health commissioner, Buffalo, at the meeting of the Ameri­
can Public Health Association held in October. 1916. The subject
matter of the paper was limited to a consideration of the effects of
certain chemical industries on the health of workmen and their rela­
tion to the public health in general, the author basing his facts upon
an investigation of 17 plants manufacturing, by electrical processes,
such chemicals as chlorine, caustic soda, bleaching powder, cliro1 Paper read a t the 44th annual meeting of the American Public H ealth Association,
section on industrial hygiene, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 24—27, 1916. A brief account of the
meeting of the section appears in the M o n t h l y R ev iew for December, 1916, pp. 729—731.


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mates of potash and soda, chlorates, and metallic elements such as
sodium and phosphorus. The deleterious conditions accompanying
productions throughout the industry are due to irritating and cor­
rosive dusts, which in most of the plants visited are not effectively
carried off; to noxious gases against which workmen are not suffi­
ciently protected but which are, on the contrary, purposely allowed
to escape to the outer a ir; and to highly heated compounds. These
conditions, it was suggested, are due to the fact that the “ com­
mercial end of production has minimized a proper consideration of
the effect of deleterious substances escaping from the works.”
All of the factories visited claimed that their men were not in­
jured by escaping products, pointing to the condition of some who
have been with them for many years. The speaker maintained that
this is not evidence that all the men who have worked there have
been free from the effects incident to the work; as a matter of fact,
the physical effects of these agencies on workmen and upon those
who live in the community are too well known to need further
evidence in confirmation thereof. Legislation in the interest of
workers has not been effective because its enforcement has been
perfunctory, but “ in general, the attitude toward employees is the
conservation of their health in the interest of efficiency,” for “ it is
becoming more appreciated that the well-being of workmen means
efficiency.”
Experience abroad, it is stated, shows that the prevention of dam­
age from chemical works operated by electricity presents no prob­
lem which can not be handled, and the workers could be protected
by (1) physical examination to determine fitness for employment;
(2) provision of first-aid equipment and a physician in charge; (3)
wearing of goggles where required; (4) a system of dental exami­
nation; (5) sanitary washing facilities; (6) the installation of an
efficient exhaust system where dust is generated, and provision for
carrying off gases and fumes.
In conclusion the opinion is expressed by the author of the paper
that control should be vested in the National Government rather
than in local authorities, which shall prescribe a standard of com­
prehensive requirements systematically supervised and plants thor­
oughly inspected by men technically qualified.
CASES OF FATAL POISONING BY GASES AND FUMES.1

As the title implies, the paper by Dr. Thomas F. Harrington,
Massachusetts deputy commissioner of labor, on “ Cases of F atal
1 Paper read a t the 44th annual meeting of the American Public H ealth Association,
section on industrial hygiene, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 24—27, 1916. A brief account of the
meeting of this section is given in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w for December, 1916, pp. 729-781.


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Poisoning by Gases and Fumes,” read before the American Public
Health Association in October, 1916, was a record of instances of
industrial diseases reported to the Massachusetts Board of Labor
and Industries.1 A table was presented in this paper showing 42
cases of poisoning, 13 resulting in death, distributed as follows:
CASES OF GAS AND FUME POISONING R E P O R T E D TO TH E MASSACHUSETTS BOARD
OF LABOR AND IN D U STR IES.

Industrial poison.

Number Number
of
of
cases.
deaths.

Trinitrotoluene.......................................
Acute phenol...................................
Picric acid..........................................
Copper nitrate..............................
Nitrous and sulphuric fumes.....................
Sulphuric fumes.........................
Acute nit.robenzol.......................
Acute benzol............................
Chronic benzol.....................
Sulphur dioxide.........................
Sulphuretted hydrogen..............................
Carbon m onoxide....................
Carbon dioxide.....................................

17

4

1
2
1
2
1

1

Total......................................

i
2

1
1
1
1

5

3

1
2

1

42

13

4
3

The speaker took up each of these groups separately, dealing only
with the fatal cases, and at the end of the paper appended a report
of all the cases noted above.
Trinitrotoluene .—A marked characteristic of this group was the
delayed onset of fatal symptoms and the long interval of apparent
good health between the time of poisoning and the serious symptom.
The symptoms varied somewhat in the different cases, but included
pallor, dermatitis, general weakness, loss of weight, nausea, cough­
ing, palpitation, headache, vertigo, hallucinations, and low haemo­
globin. Autopsy showed edema of lungs due to gas poisoning.
A cute phenol .—Ringing noises in the ears, dizziness, disturbed
vision, air suffocation, hysteria.
N itrous acid gas.—Cyanosis, dermatitis of arms, general weakness,
loss of weight, acute arthritis, nausea, dyspepsia, constipation, pulse
90, tremor, twitching, mental disturbance, visual disturbance, con­
junctivitis, tinnitus, progressive deafness.
Copper nitrate. —Nausea, vomiting, cough, dyspnoea, ulceration of
mucous membrane, cyanosis, pulse 160, headache, paralysis of right
arm and leg, mental confusion, irritation of nose, throat, and bron­
chial membrane. Autopsy showed edema of lungs, broncho-pneu­
monia ; clot on right side of brain with embolus at top of left motor
area, punctate hemorrhages in corpus callosum, and a massive hemor­
rhage size of egg in left parietal region.
1 Dr. H arrington did not indicate in his paper the period covered by this report.


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A cute nitrobenzol poisoning.—Paleness, cyanotic about lips, dizzi­
ness and mental confusion, vomiting, Cheyne-Stokes respiration,
slow, weak pulse. Blood showed methsemoglobin. Later convulsions
and coma developed, followed by death.
A cute benzol poisoning. —No symptoms given. Man overcome and
eiforts to resuscitate him failed. No autopsy.
Chronic benzol poisoning.—The three cases noted in this group
were described quite fully; they occurred in a tire-making factory
where benzol was used as a cement. Tables were presented by Dr.
Harrington showing the blood record in each case. As typical of
the effects of chronic benzol poisoning the history of one case may
not be out of place:
Man, 33 years of age, had worked in the rubber industry since 1907. On April
20, 1915, he transferred to the tire-building department. In November, 1915,
he began to have severe attacks of headache, often lasting three days at a
time. During the winter he had sore throat and head colds almost continuously.
In March, 1916, he began to spit blood, especially after eating, due to spongy,
bleeding gums. This continued almost daily and later, in March, he noticed
bluish-green spots on left thigh, followed in a few days by similar spots on left
arm. These hemorrhagic areas soon spread to various parts of the body. On
May 3 he gave up work on account of extreme weakness and dyspnea on slight
exertion. On May 3 had a severe nosebleed, followed by a similar attack on
May 7, when he was admitted to the hospital. Physical examination showed
spongy bleeding gums, pale mucous membrane of throat and conjunctiva, ulcera­
tion in posterior nares. Spleen not palpable. Knee jerks present and equal.
No Babinski, no ankle clonus. Family history and personal history free from
puerpera and hemophilia. Headache, vertigo, and visual disturbance. * * *
Transfusion of 10 ounces of blood followed by uncontrollable epistaxis. The man
continued to fail. Nosebleeds frequent, severe, uncontrollable. Gums spongy
and bleed on least irritation. Headache, vertigo, dizziness, restlessness, de­
lirium, talkative, loss of power of arms and legs, coma, convulsions, and
death, May 18.

Sulphur dioxide. —Cough, dyspnoea, suffocation. Autopsy showed
marked irritation of respiratory tract, edema of lungs, marked con­
gestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys; bright red eruption on the
elbows, marked cyanosis; absence of carbon monoxide, no cyanogen,
slight amount of carbon dioxide.

Dr. Harrington thus concluded his record of cases of fatal poison­
ing by gases and fumes:
The State board of labor and industries has formulated a tentative set of
rules to protect workmen engaged in the manufacture of benzine derivatives,
aniline compounds, explosives, and other processes in which poisoning gases and
fumes are a necessary part of the processes. Rules have also been enacted gov­
erning the use of salamanders in building operations—a fruitful source of car­
bon monoxide and dioxide poisoning.


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I can not help feeling that the cases of gas and fume poisoning that have been
reported in this paper are but typical of what is happening in many States to­
day. We have become so obsessed with the germ theory of disease that we
close our eyes and mind to even the possibility of any other agent.

EFFECT OF ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS UPON FATIGUE AND
EFFICIENCY.
B y C. E. A. W INSLOW , PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC H E A L T H , YALE MEDICAL
SCHOOL, AND CHAIRM AN NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION ON VENTILA­
TION.

The fitting together of the man and the job is one of the most im­
portant problems of modern industry. A correct solution requires,
on the one hand, a study of the task, with a view to such modifications
as may make it easier of performance, and, on the other hand, as
Prof. Lee has pointed out, a careful consideration of the physio­
logical machine and its capabilities, with constant reference to the
time for which the work is to be continued as a factor in securing
efficient performance with a minimum of fatigue.
Fatigue and efficiency depend, however, not merely on the man
and the task but also on the conditions under which the task is
performed and those which have affected the worker during a preced­
ing period. The potentialities of a given workman on a given day
will be influenced by the meals he lias eaten on the day before, by the
exercise he has taken, by his hours of sleep, and by his frame of
mind when he conies to work. His actual performance will be
largely controlled by the atmospheric conditions and lighting of the
workroom, by its physical order and its psychological atmosphere.
I desire in this discussion to call your attention to the great but
commonly unrecognized importance of one of these environmental
factors in efficiency—the physical condition of the atmosphere of the
workroom.
Our knowledge of the relation between air and health has made
remarkable and almost revolutionary progress during the past 20
years. In 1896 the Smithsonian Institution published a brochure
upon “ The atmosphere in relation to human life and health,” by
F. A. E. Kussell, vice president of the Koval Meteorological Society
and fellow of the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain, which is a
good example of the unfounded opinions which so recently ruled in
this field of sanitary science. The emphasis is wholly chemical and
bacteriological. “ The deficiency of oxygen and excess of carbonic
acid, which are common to nearly all rooms, schools, churches,
theaters, and workshops where many persons are gathered, are very
favorable not only to the spread of various infectious diseases but to
the maintenance of a number of minor ailments; and where the ex­
posure to foul air is prolonged, as in workshops, offices, and niilla,

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to a continued depression of vitality,” says Mr. Russell. And, again,
“ The spreading, infectious, or epidemic diseases in the animal world
and in mankind depend to a very great extent upon aerial influences.”
Much water has passed under the bridges since 1896. We know
to-day that—
1. The changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide content which take
place in the worst-ventilated schools, theaters, and work places
which have ever been studied (excepting bottling works, breweries,
and other places where carbon dioxide is formed or used in the
industrial process itself) are of a magnitude far too small to exert
any harmful physiological effects whatever.
2. The organic substances which give a stale odor to the air of
crowded rooms may perhaps exert a reflex effect on appetite and
hence on the consumption of food, but otherwise they have not been
shown to be poisonous or to exert any harmful effect. The liberation
by industrial processes or imperfect combustion of poisonous gases
and fumes, such as carbon monoxide or wood alcohol, may, however,
be of serious importance in special cases.
3. The air is not a carrier of disease germs, except in so far as it
may be locally polluted by considerable clouds of infected dust or
by the spray discharged from the mouth in coughing, sneezing, or
loud speaking for a few feet in front of an infected person.
4. Hard metallic or mineral dusts, such as are produced in many
industrial processes constitute a very real danger to health from
their injurious mechanical effects upon the respiratory tract, which
definitely favor the development of tuberculosis and other respira­
tory infections.
5. The most far-reaching and important influences of the atmos­
phere upon health are due not to chemical or „bacteriological factors
but to the physical condition of the atmosphere itself. The sensa­
tions experienced in a badly ventilated room and the serious effects
which such a room exerts upon health and efficiency are primarily
due to the warmth and stagnation of the air and to its high humid­
ity. The phenomenon, as Prof. Lee has so well said, is “ physical
and cutaneous, not chemical and respiratory” ; overheating is the
most serious aspect of underventilating.
It seems strange to-day that sanitarians should have gone so far
afield in the search for mysterious organic emanations, “ anthropotoxin ” and “ morbific matter,” when the thermal explanation of the
effects of bad air lay so close at hand.
The well-known influences of climate and season furnish broad
and telling evidence of the influence of temperature on human effi­
ciency. Prof. Ellsworth Huntington, in his remarkable book on
Civilization and Climate, has made a detailed study of the develop-


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ment of civilization in different parts of the world in relation to cli­
matic conditions and finds a striking correspondence. His ideal cli­
mate is one with an average mean temperature of 15° G. (59° F.),and
a range between a mean of -7° C. (19° F.) for the coldest month
and 23° C. (73° F.) for the warmest month, and at least 20 storms
a year, giving coolness combined with the stimulus of change. The
areas where we should expect human energy to reach a maximum
according to this criterion are western Europe and eastern North
America, with central Europe, more western North America, Japan,
New Zealand and the tip of southern South America next in order.
With the exception of the latter region, for which the climatological
data are imperfect, these are precisely the points where civilization
reaches its highest point, while the warmer countries and the very
cold countries form belts of retarded human development.
Prof. Huntington’s studies of the effect of season upon the produc­
tivity of industrial workers provide evidence which is even more
clearly significant and more directly in line with the subject which
we have immediately in hand. He obtained detailed information as
to the weekly earnings of operatives employed on piecework in Con­
necticut and Pittsburgh factories, in North Carolina and Georgia
cotton mills, and in carpenter shops and cigar factories in Florida.
None of the trades were essentially seasonal in nature yet the curves
show in practically every case two maxima of efficiency in spring
and fall with minima in winter and summer. In the north the winter decline is very marked and that in summer less noticeable. In
North Carolina and Georgia the two minima are about equal, AAdiile
in Florida the winter decline is insignificant and that of summer Arery
clearly marked. A mean outdoor temperature of 15.5° to 18° C.
(60° to 61° F.) seems in all cases to be most favorable for maximum
industrial efficiencjL
These figures, it should be noted, relate to general outdoor condi­
tions, not to those which exist in the factory itself. Still more
direct evidence of the immediate relation betAveen air temperature
and efficiency is furnished by the experiments which have been car­
ried on by the N eA V York State Commission on Ventilation during
the past three years.
In these imTestigations OATer a hundred different subjects, both men
and women, were placed for periods approximating a day or a half
day of factory Avork under accurately controlled atmospheric condi­
tions, maintained in specially constructed experimental rooms at
the College of the City of NeAV York. They were given physical
and mental tasks of various kinds and in some experiments they
Avere served a standard luncheon while in the rooms and their appe­
tite measured by the amount of food eaten. Exhaustive physiological
7 6 9 3 4 ° — 1 7 ------ 8


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and psychological observations were made of their bodily condition,
and their efficiency in both mental and physical work was accurately
measured.
These experiments showed that stale rebreathed air containing 20
parts or more of carbon dioxide and all the organic and other sub­
stances commonly present in such air had no harmful effect on any
of the physiological conditions studied, nor on the power or inclina­
tion to do mental or physical work, nor even on the comfort of the
subjects as indicated by their average vote, provided the temperature
was not allowed to rise as it would generally do in such a room under
ordinary conditions. There was, however, a slight but distinct
diminution in the appetite for food in the stale air.
On the other hand warm air, whether stale or fresh, produced dis­
tinct and clearly marked physiological reactions. At a temperature
of 24° C. (75° F.) with 50 per cent relative humidity the rectal body
temperature was 0.2° C. higher and at a temperature of 30° C.
(86° F.), with 80 per cent relative humidity, it was 0.5° C. higher
than at 20° C. (68° F.), with 50 per cent relative humidity. The re­
clining pulse rate was 5 beats higher, and the standing pulse rate 12
beats higher at 24° C. (75° F.) ; the reclining pulse rate 8 beats
higher and the standing pulse rate 17 beats higher at 30° C. (86° F.)
than at 20° C. (68° F.). The systolic blood pressure was not affected
at 24° C. but was decreased by 2 mm. reclining and by 7 mm. stand­
ing at 30° C. The diastolic blood pressure, reclining, was 5 mm.
lower at 24° C. and 10 mm. lower at 30° C. while the figure for the
standing position was the same at 20° C. and 24° C. but was 7 mm.
lower at 30° C. The Crampton value, an index of the general tone of
the vasomotor system obtained from the relation between the change
in blood pressure and heart rate on passing from a reclining to a
standing posture was 58 at 20° C., 53 at 24° C., and 36 at 30° C., in­
dicating a progressively less efficient condition of the circulation with
increasing temperature.
The power to do either mental or physical work when concentrat­
ing for a short period under a strong stimulus was not diminished in
these experiments even by the extreme condition of 30° C. (86° F.)
with 80 per cent relative humidity. This coincides with practical
experience for we are all aware that heat, unless very extreme, is no
hindrance to absorbing intellectual work and no bar to a good game
of tennis.
The effect of heat upon efficiency, unless the influence is a prolonged
one, is exercised rather upon the will than on the power to work.
Our subjects in some cases were asked each day to vote as to the com­
fort of the conditions in the experimental room on a scale of five
points ranging from 1, very uncomfortable, to 5, very comfortable.
The average votes for five such experiments are indicated below.

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AVERAGE COMFORT VOTES UNDER DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS.

It will be noted that in each series the 20° C. condition was most
appreciated and the warmer and more humid atmospheres became
progressively uncomfortable. The difference between 20° C. and
24° C. was scarcely appreciable, however, in these records of con­
scious discomfort. Yet even this range of temperature produced a
distinct difference in the demeanor. At 20° C. our observers’ notes
are full of such qualifying phrases as “ playful, energetic, good
work, inclined to ‘ rough house,’ hard to control, less drowsiness
than usual” ; while at 24° C. we find such notes as the following:
“ Sleepy, eyes smarted, less inclination to work, lifeless, drowsy,
more conversational than usual.”
The real effects of air temperature upon efficiency were brought
out by a series of “ option tests,” in which the subjects for a given
period were given a choice between physical or mental work on
the one hand and idling on the other, receiving a small cash bonus
if they did the work. This is a condition which approximates the
actual conditions of school and industrial life, in furnishing a real
but not an overmastering stimulus to effort, with the alternative
possibility of taking life more or less easily.
Even this form of option test did not disclose any harmful effect
of the 24° C. (75° F.) condition on purely intellectual work, such
as mental multiplication. On the contrary, the average of three
series of experiments with 47 different male and female subjects,
extending over a period of 16 weeks, showed that 4.9 per cent more
mental multiplication was done at 24° C. than at 20° C. It may
be that work of this kind offered a certain distraction under
slightly uncomfortable conditions, and it is also possible that the
subjects found the 20° C. condition somewhat too cool for purely
sedentary work. It may be noted, however, that when the tem­
perature was changed abruptly in the middle of the day slightly
more mental multiplication was done at 20° C. In one series in
which a temperature of 30° C. was also used we obtained the re­
sults tabulated below, which are of interest as showing a steady


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improvement in all tasks during the first three days, due to practice
and to improving temperature conditions. On the fourth day, with
a temperature of 24° C., mental multiplication continued to im­
prove with practice, but typewriting fell off; and on the fifth day
a rise to 80° C. caused a falling off in all the tasks, with subse­
quent improvement on return to 20° C. on the sixth day.
INCLINATION TO DO VARIOUS KINDS OF M ENTAL W ORK AND T Y PEW R ITIN G AT
D IF FE R E N T TEM PERATURES—ALL W ORK OPTIONAL.
[Series V ; 4 subjects;

6

days; summer. Conditions below are in order of occurrence.]
30° C.
F.

8 ö°

Mental multiplication.—Number of prob­
lems done times 10 (score)—Total, all
subjects.......................................................
Percentage of error to mental multiplica­
tion score....................................................
Typewriting.—Number of lines times 10—
Total, all subjects......................................

24° C.
75° F.

20° C.
F.

68°

24° C.
75° F.

30° C.
8 6 ° F.

20° C.
F.

68°

5S3

1,295

1,495

1,550

1,341

1.26

1.19

0. 71

0. 57

0.65

1,930
0.54

1,085

1,692

2,215

585

290

1,358

In all our experiments typewriting, which involves some muscular
work, was clearly and unfavorably affected by even a moderate rise
in temperature. The table below shows in detail the results as to
both mental multiplication and typewriting for three series of ex­
periments. The general average shows, as noted above, an excess
of 4.9 per cent in mental multiplication at 24° C. for all series. On
the other hand, the average amount of typewriting done was 6.3
per cent greater at the cooler temperature. Both the increase in
mental multiplication and the decrease in typewriting at 24° C.
were much more marked when the change in temperature was made
in the middle of the day than when the cool and the warm con­
ditions were continued for three to five days at a time.
PRODUCT PRODUCED IN M ENTAL M ULTIPLICATION AND T Y PEW R ITIN G AT D IF ­
FE R E N T TEM PERA TU RES W HEN THE W ORK IS PER FO RM ED AT TI-IE OPTION OF
THE SUBJECT.
[Figures below are the scores obtained. The score is based on quantity of work done with an allowance
for quality of the work.]
Series.

Test.

VI. 16 men, 4 weeks,
stagnant air.
V III. 16 men, 4 weeks,
stagnant air.
XIV. 15 w o m e n , 8
weeks, air sup­
ply-

Mental m ultiplication...........
Typewriting..........................
Mental m ultiplication...........
Typewriting..........................
Mental m ultiplication...........
Typewriting..........................
Addition.................................

6 8 ° F.
half day.

85. 8
324.3
2 0 0 .8

189. 4
147.7
289.5
154.0

75° F.
change.
80. 5
215. 7
212.7
169. 5
139.6
267.3
155.5

6 8 ° F.
three days.

51.1
371.9
183. 2
330.9
52.6
302.9
123.1

75° F.
change.
87. 4
450.3
190.5
304.0
64.5
306.0
123.3

Mental multiplication is a type of pure concentrated intellectual
work which has no analogue in the ordinary affairs of daily life.
Typewriting on the other hand is fairly typical of most office work


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which involves a fair proportion of light muscular activity. That
the amount of such work performed was 6.3 greater at 20° C. (68° F.)
than at 24° C. (To0 F.) seems a highly significant fact.
Passing to the problem of heavier physical work such as lifting
dumb-bells or riding a stationary bicycle the effect of temperature
was very much more marked. The tests were conducted on the same
optional basis used in the previous experiments and the results as
tabulated below indicate a striking influence of air conditions, 15
per cent more work being done at 20° C. (68° F.) than at 24° C.
(75° F.) and 27 per cent more than at 30° C. (86° F.).
A M O U N T OF P H Y S IC A L W O RK PERFORM ED BY S U B JE C T S AT W IL L U N D ER D IFF E R E N T
TE M PER A TU R ES.

S e r ie s I I I ;

-} s u b je c t s —S u m m e r.

Riding bicycle or lifting dumb-bells.
On 10 days at 80° C. (86° F.) an average of 31,061 foot-pounds per day was
done.
On 10 days at 20° C. (68° F.) an average of 42,820 foot-pounds per day was
done.
This is 37 per cent more at 20° C. (68° F.).
S c r ie s

V II;

) s u b je c t s .—F a l l .

Lifting dumb-bells. Bonus paid for physical work.
On 10 days at 24° O. (75° F.) an average of 22,075 foot-pounds per hour was
done.
On 10 days at 20° C. (68° F .) an average of 25,250 foot-pounds per hour was
done.
This is 15 per cent more at 20° C. (68° F .).

That such conditions of overheating as were used in these experi­
ments are very common in industrial plants is made clear by numer­
ous observations. Thus in the reports of the commissioner of labor
of New York State for 1908, 1909, and 1910, there are recorded tem­
peratures observed in 215 different workrooms, printing shops, cloth­
ing shops, bakeries, pearl button factories, cigar shops and laundries.
One hundred and fifty-six of these workrooms, or 73 per cent, had a
temperature of 23° C. (73° F.) or over, and 63, or 29 per cent, had a
temperature of 27° C. (80° F.) or over. In tabulating these analyses
all cases were excluded in which the outdoor temperature was over
21° C. (70° F.).
It must always be remembered that indoor temperatures over 20° C.
are much more detrimental in their effect than the same temperatures
outdoors, on account of the comparative absence of air movement.
The actual effect of the atmosphere'upon the body depends on the
rate of heat loss from its surface and this depends on the humidity
and movement of the air as well as on its temperature. Leonard Hill


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lias devised an instrument called the Kata thermometer for measuring
the combined effect of all these factors by the rate of cooling of
special wet and dry thermometer bulbs previously heated to a tem­
perature above that of the atmosphere. Studies made by me with
this instrument have shown that a temperature of 24°-26° C. (75°79° F.) outdoors with a moderate breeze were more comfortable than
an indoor temperature of 22° C. ( 72° F.) in a room with a fire.
The results of our experiments on the effect of air temperature
upon optional work can not of course be directly applied in a quan­
titative sense to work under factory conditions. Our subjects were
permitted to remain entirely idle if they chose. On the other hand
they had a slight but distinct money incentive to accomplish as much
as possible, while the factory operative, if not employed on piece­
work, had ample opportunity to work at somewhat less than maxi­
mum efficiency without any loss as a result. The experiments cited
furnish very clear evidence that a temperature of 24° 0. (75° F.) and
still more one of 30° C. (86° F.) produces a marked disinclination to
any form of physical work, even such light work as typewriting. It
can hardly be doubted that this disinclination actually results under
factory conditions in a definite decrease in output. And if such is the
case the problem of securing adequate factory ventilation and taking
other steps necessary to prevent overheating is one of vital import­
ance to all who are interested in minimizing fatigue and increasing
production in American industry.
DOCK EMPLOYMENT IN NEW YORK CITY.

In 1912, under the direction of the Eussell Sage Foundation, Mr.
Charles B. Barnes, director of the New York City Public Employ­
ment Bureau, made a careful and exhaustive study of irregularity
of employment in longshore work on the docks, an occupation in
which casual and intermittent employment is a pronounced feature,
present at normal times and aggravated in times of industrial de­
pression.1 Prior to that date no systematic study of dock labor in
this country had been made, and since the report of Mr. Barnes
was published no further organized study was attempted until the
mayor’s committee on unemployment selected this occupation as
the first to receive special attention in the campaign against irregu­
larity of employment. In its report, issued October 16, 1916,2 the
committee reviews at length the present conditions of longshore
1 The Longshoreman, by Charles B. Baines, New York Survey Associates, Inc. A digest
of th is volume appeared in th e M o n t h l y R e v ie w for May, 1016, pp. 1 -7 .
2 Report on dock employment in New York City, and recommendations for its regu­
larization. Mayor’s committee on unemployment, New York City, October, 1916. 82 pp.
Price. 50 cents.


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work and suggests a scheme for centralization and regularization of
the employment of longshoremen—a plan which embodies as its
essential feature the actual and effective cooperation between em­
ployers. and employees. This wrnuld call for much time and thought,
sacrifice of established habits, inconvenience, and possibly initial
hardships to both employers and employed. In considering irregu­
larity of employment, the reasons for considering first this particular
occupation are set forth as follows:
It is probably the largest field of casual labor in tlie city, approximating
40,000 men.
In some of its features it more seriously concerns tlie public welfare than
other casual trades.
Earnings at the present time are better than they have been for years, and
both employers and employed are therefore likely to be more willing to con­
sider a scheme under which the advantages to both from more regular employ­
ment might be secured permanently:
The industry is one upon which the prosperity of the whole city depends.
It can not be allowed to endanger that prosperity by the continual presence of
dissatisfaction and unrest among the workers or that of conditions of which
the city as a whole should be ashamed.
In efforts toward the regularization of dock employment we have the special
advantage of being able to learn from the example of other large ports and
from a not negligible literature on the subject.

The longshoremen are mostly Irish, German, and Italian, the ma­
jority being between 30 and 40 years of age and recruited from the
ranks of the unemployed. As to wages and earnings, it is stated that
no statistics are available, but that wages per hour have increased
throughout the port since the last inquiries were made. Since May
1, 1910, members of the International Longshoremen’s Union have
been paid 40 cents per hour (60 cents per hour for overtime and 80
cents per hour for work on Sundays and certain holidays) in the
trans-Atlantic trade, while in the coastwise trade the corresponding
rates are 35, 50, and 65 cents. It is almost impossible to obtain facts
as to the average earnings, but they seem to range from about $9
to $15 or $16 per week, which, if the above hourly rates are taken as
the basis, indicate the extreme irregularity of the work.1 It appears,
however, that some longshoremen receive 27 cents per hour, while
others receive from 20 to 25 cents. Irregularity of employment was
found to be due to the following causes:
(1)
Conditions of weather (fog, etc.); (2) fluctuations of commerce; (3)
political conditions (war, etc.) ; (4) variations—to some extent—in the nature
of cargo, each requiring a different set of specialized workers; (5) unknown
nature of cargo to be loaded or unloaded; (6) irregular or late signaling of
arrival of vessels; (7) lack of a plan of work at commencement of loading
or unloading operations, or, if such a plan is made, uncommunicativeness of
1 Examples are given showing the hours worked by longshoremen on typical weeks in
May and June, 1916, which indicate a range of from 15 to 78i hours.


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employers which forces men to stand about for hours waiting to be called;
(8) deliberate splitting up of available work to maintain as large as possible
a labor reserve; (9) “ knocking off” men in case of unavoidable delays; (10)
complete absence of a plan for pooling labor reserves of different piers and
employers; (11) unwillingness of longshoremen to work regularly at a weekly
wage.

After commenting upon the results of the irregularity of employ­
ment on health and on the standard of living, the committee reaches
the following conclusions:
(1) The labor is recruited, without any system, from all nationalities, age
groups, men of all kinds of stature, health, previous occupations. It is a
process of drift rather than of entrance.
(2) Conditions of hiring are degrading in the extreme, do not insure selection
of the most efficient workers, are open to the danger of graft, and are in
themselves a continual source of dissatisfaction.
(3) Outside trade-union ranks there are not accepted standards with regard
to either remuneration or services rendered. Wages and earnings vary enor­
mously, both in time and locality.
(4) Tile time of the worker is wasted in needless waiting, in “ knocking off,”
without payment, during delays; in having to collect his earnings from -a num­
ber of sources. The hourly rate of wages, even when relatively high, can not,
unless accompanied by a system of more or less regular employment, com­
pensate for this loss which falls entirely on the worker.
(5) Needlessly long shifts of work produce overfatigue, inefficiency, acci­
dents.
(6) Conditions of employment, bad for the employees as regards character,
health, habits, and standard of life, have no element of advantage whatsoever
to the employer. They make for inefficiency, unreliable labor supply, both as
regards number and composition; high cost of supervision and compensation
for accidents; irresponsibility and hostility of the workers; public opprobrium.
The public interest in this matter must not be overlooked. Present condi­
tions of longshore employment in New York mean poverty, intemperance,
dependency, insanitation. We can not measure these effects; they permeate
the life of the city. They make it a less efficient and a more costly traffic
terminal than it might be, and reduce general prosperity. It is time this con­
dition were ended.

A plan for centralizing and regularizing the employment of long­
shoremen should work along the lines of centralizing the places of
hiring and payment, unifying the times of hiring and payment, and
humanizing the methods of hiring and payment. “ The principle
underlying such an improvement would have to be that of friendly
cooperation (by means of some form of joint organization) between
employers (steamship companies and stevedores) and employed
(organized and unorganized).'’ Notwithstanding possible objections
of employers and of laborers to a scheme for the decasualization of
dock labor it is believed that regularization may be effected gradually
and imperceptibly at a time of good trade when there is a keen de­
mand for workers in other occupations. A plan to allow individual


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293

employers to work out a scheme of decasualization would not, it is
thought, be practicable. Instead—
Any proposal to promote greater regularity in the employment of longshore­
men in New York should meet the following conditions:
1. It must embrace all or the greater part of the employers and the work
offered by them;
2. It must discourage the drift into longshore labor from other employ­
ments ;
3. It must as far as possible concentrate the work of the port upon men de­
pendent upon longshore employment for their livelihood and competent for i t ;
4. It must facilitate means of knowing the exact times of commencement of
work and of its probable duration;
5. It must facilitate the transfer of labor from one part of the port to
another;
G. It must make more uniform the times of hiring and reduce the number of
places for hiring labor.

These conditions are considered essential. Other desirable condi­
tions include the following:
1. It should improve the character of the place where the hiring is done;
2. It should improve the method of hiring;
3 . It should confine hiring to certain hours of the day within the utmost
limits of practicability;
4. It should in some form place upon the employer at least part of the
financial burden of time lost by waiting through unavoidable delays;
5. It should safeguard the workers against the working of unreasonably long
shifts;
6. It should, if possible, facilitate the finding of alternative work by men not
hired but desirous to work;
7. It should, if possible, centralize the payment of wages for men who during
a weekly wage period have worked for more than one employer;
8. It should lay upon employers a greater responsibility than that now
recognized by them for the provision of proper coat room and sanitary con­
veniences, and an accessible water supply and for the provision of first-aid
facilities.

For the adequate centralization and regularization of employment
the essential principle involved is willing cooperation of employers
with each other, of employers with the workers, both organized and
unorganized, and of organized and unorganized workers.
To effect such cooperation and make possible the carrying out of
the conditions just noted the recommendation is made that a com­
mittee of five representatives of employers, five representatives of
employees, and five disinterested persons be appointed, whose first
duty shall be to draw up a “ system of placement of workers under
which all participant employers would undertake not to engage
longshore labor except through the agency of the committee or of
the employment bureau affiliated to it, and all registered workers
would undertake not to seek employment except through its agency.”
I t is admitted that this might be objected to, “ but the scheme is un
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workable unless both sides are willing to have their freedom in these
respects somewhat curtailed.” Assuming that an agreement of this
kind is adopted by both sides, the next step is the establishment of a
clearing-house system, publicly controlled, for the registration of
employees and the regularization of hiring, which system would
exist primarily for the purpose of legitimate communication between
different parts of the harbor as to available jobs and available
workers. Through its central office this clearing house would be con­
nected up with the labor market of the city as a whole and of the
State as a whole. It is believed that such a system would do away
with many of the causes of irregularity of employment heretofore
mentioned.
For instance, the time of a ship’s arrival would be communicated
to the central office, which would in turn telephone the news to the
branch office in charge of that particular district. An estimate
would be made of the number of men required, and these, if not in
the waiting room, would be communicated with directly through
their unions or through other branch offices having an available
supply. Hiring would be done as near as possible at one time in­
stead of at all hours of the day, and the jobs would be equitably
distributed. If an employer had an agreement with a union as to
preference in employment, these men would be sought and employed
first. The report makes suggestions as to clearing-house areas in
the city, with the recommendation that each shall contain a number
of “ stands ” or shelters, with a small employment office. In order to
give the workers a chance to be employed in other lines of work,
it is recommended that the clearing-house system be a part of a
public employment-bureau system. It is also suggested that a plan
be adopted by which wages may be paid through a clearing house
at a certain time, instead of on different days and at points sometimes
distantly removed, causing the workers to lose much time and pos­
sible opportunity for employment in collecting their pay.
One of the functions of the joint committee, it is believed, should
be the creation of a committee on health and safety.
The report includes appendixes setting forth a scheme for a lim­
ited application of permanent employment at weekly wages, the
agreement of the International Longshoremen’s Association with
certain New York employers, and a discussion of the opportunities
offered by truck gardening as an alternative employment for long­
shoremen.


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BRITISH SYSTEM OF LABOR EXCHANGES.

The British system of labor exchanges, an account of which appears
in Bulletin No. 206 just issued
this bureau, was established in 1909
for the purpose of increasing and improving means of communica­
tion between employers seeking workpeople and workpeople seeking
employment. There were in January, 1916, 390 labor exchanges con­
trolled by divisional offices or clearing houses and coordinated with a
central clearing house in London, the entire cost being borne by the
Government. Applicants must furnish certain detailed information
to the official, as must also those desiring to register vacancies. In
filling vacancies the exchange does not assume any responsibility as
to the ability or character of the person nor does it undertake any
responsibility to workers concerning the matter of wages and other
conditions of the work offered. The future chances of an applicant
are not prejudiced by his refusal to accept a position offered. All
applicants are advised if strike conditions exist and employers are
advised if statements have been filed by workers with the exchanges
telling of the existence of a strike or lockout affecting their trade.
In 1915 these labor exchanges received 3,186,137 applications
(2,326,803 individual applicants), registered 1,797,646 vacancies,
placed 1,058,336 persons in employment, and filled 1,308,137
vacancies. The effect of the war has been to increase the number of
women and girls on the registers, and it has also increased the daily
average vacancies filled by these workers 57.3 per cent in 1915 as
compared with 1914. In the case of men the daily average number
of vacancies filled in 1915 increased only 4.9 per cent over 1914.
The effect,of unemployment insurance has not been to reduce the
work of the labor exchanges, for in 1915 the proportion of vacancies
filled was rather higher in the insured than in the uninsured groups
of trades.
The labor exchanges have in a measure reduced the amount of
casual labor. They have also exercised on public opinion and through
it on the enterprise of municipalities and other public authorities and
on big corporations an influence in the direction of reducing seasonal
employment. A large number of females have been placed in em­
ployments through the exchanges, which have proved of great value
in the organization of the female labor market during the war. Fol­
lowing an appeal made in March, 1915, for women to register for
war service 124,405 names were secured, the total number placed be­
fore the end of the year being 8,255.
The work among minors has so far been the most successful part
of the placement work. .The proportion of reported vacancies filled
in each year since 1911 was less than in the case of adults, but the


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proportion of individual applicants registered for whom work was
found was substantially greater. Employers have been materially
aided in the selection of applicants by the preliminary data obtained
by the exchanges, and they have been able to persuade juveniles so
employed to remain with them if acceptable, or are able with better
conscience to dismiss the boys and girls unsuitable for the work.
The great advantage of these labor exchanges to employers is that
the latter are afforded opportunity of effecting large savings in time
and money by pooling their labor reserves with those of other em­
ployers. Employees recognize in the exchanges not only the obvious
advantage of having the country aroused as to the seriousness of the
problem of unemployment, but also the favorable effect exerted by
them on wages in general; the appreciable shortening of search for
work; the advantage of having their railway fares advanced when
jobs are secured in other localities. In the year ending September,
1915, nearly $37,000 was advanced in about 20,800 cases, or $1.78
each. The labor exchanges have been of some assistance to benefit
societies, hospitals, trade-unions, tuberculosis committees, and other
bodies, in finding suitable employment for incapacitated workers.
Because of the provisions offered for marketing labor, the ex­
changes are of material advantage to the State, especially in the
present war.
The labor exchange has brought thinking persons of both the
employing and working classes to a fuller realization of the many
misfits, hardships, physical and moral breakdowns vdiich could be
avoided by a more careful selection of employees on the one hand
and of positions on the other. It has provided the nation with
reliable data on the state of employment, comparable for different
times, different trades, and different localities, on a sufficient scale
to permit of safe deductions. I t has helped the scientific analysis of
the problem of unemployment, and thereby brought appreciably
nearer its final solution. It has contributed to our knowledge of the
causes of and best remedies for specific social problems, such as
casual and seasonal irregularity of employment.

COST OF LIVING AND THE MINIMUM WAGE IN NEW SOUTH
WALES.

During the first half of 1916 in New South Wales, Australia, the
insistent demands of the workpeople on employers for an increase
of wages and the attitude of employers toward granting such increase
in view of economic conditions in the Commonwealth (increases in
many instances having been awarded by individual wages boards)
resulted in representations in June, 1916, before the court of indus
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trial arbitration by the union of secretaries and the employers’ fed­
eration in order that the court might determine the expediency of
reconsidering its views upon the questions of the cost of living and
the minimum wage and of altering the minimum wage rate upon
which it had been working during the previous six months. In the
“ living-wage judgment” of February, 1914,1 the court had fixed the
minimum wage at £2 8s. ($11.68), and in December, 1915, owing to
the extraordinary conditions growing out of the war, the same
authority had increased the minimum to £2 12s. 6d. ($12.77).
At the hearings granted by the court in June, 1916, the employees
based their claim for a higher minimum rate almost entirely upon
the apparent industrial prosperity and upon the actual increasing
cost of living indicated by the variation in the purchasing power of
the sovereign as shown in tables prepared by the Commonwealth
statistician. It was pointed out that “ the workingman, whose lowest
wage was declared to be 51s.2 [$12.41] in February, 1914, as a matter
of fact during the period from February, 1914, to the end of 1915
has been working for a wage which had only an effective value of
44s. 4d. [$10.79],” and that “ giving effect to that judgment would
result in a living wage of not less than 60s. 8d. [$14.76] being paid
in place of 51s.2 [$12.41] then awarded.”
The employers’ federation, on the other hand, explained to the
court that the prosperity in a few concerns, to which the employees
had referred, was no greater than before the war, and that any claim
for an increase of the minimum wage rate should be supported by the
facts of the individual case in which it was sought to increase that
wage, or at least should be supported by a genuine finding of the
court after a full inquiry into all the circumstances. It was stated
that “ the court does not, by refusing to alter the £2 12s. 6d. [$12.77]
minimum, prevent the consideration by wages boards of individual
cases upon their merits.”
The judgment of the court of industrial arbitration, which in­
creased the minimum wage 3s. (73 cents), was rendered on August 18,
1916, the text being given in full in the New South Wales Industrial
Gazette (Sydney) for September, 1916, pages 918-928.
At the outset the court disposed of the claim that the variation in
the purchasing power of the sovereign was an index of the rising
cost of living by calling attention to its previous announcement that
the court could no longer, under the present circumstances, accept the
figures of the Commonwealth statistician as an accurate guide to the
changes in the actual cost of living, for the reason that the real cost
1 See United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletin No. 167, p. 147.
- This am ount was used by the representative of the union of secretaries in his argu­
ment before the court. It does not agree w ith the amount awarded in February, 1914,
which, as already indicated» was 48s. ($11.68).


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298

M O N TH LY REVIEW OE TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

of living is elastic and adapts itself to circumstances, while the statis­
tician is compelled to limit himself to a fixed and rigid regimen.
The court took the position, as announced in a previous decision,
that “ it will still have to continue to fix a living wage on the best
evidence obtainable, and can not base it on any particular return for
any particular quarter or for any abnormal period, but on the proved
average cost of reasonable food, clothing, rent, etc., over a reason­
able period, recognizing that the award is to continue during normal
and abnormal times.”
The court felt the importance of discovering, if possible, the causes
of the admitted increase in the cost of living, and noted as the first
cause the war in Europe.
To some extent it is of value to know that in a general way it is caused by
the war, for war burdens, besides being abnormal and temporary, are com­
munity burdens, and every one ought to be prepared to bear his share. * * *
The very principle laid down in the living-wage judgment—that times of pros­
perity should be reflected in the wage rates—implies that times of adversity
should also be reflected in the wage rates.

A second cause given for the rising cost of living was the large
issue of paper money by the Commonwealth and the practical with­
drawal of the sovereign from circulation. But if the issuance of
notes by the Government may be considered a cause, or partial cause,
of the increase in the cost of living, “ a very serious question would
arise whether it should be added onto the wage rates.”
It would be a war tax; and should not every man pay his own taxes? Is
taxation which is deliberately imposed upon the whole community to be con­
verted by the court into double taxation upon a part of the community? Or
if that is to be done to preserve the minimum wage, is it to be done for wages
which are higher than that?

Another alleged cause is the slowing off of workers, which the court
admitted must result in increasing the cost of production, which the
community itself, including these same slow workers, has to pay.
Two cases were cited. It was pointed out that on the railways slow
work has increased expenses, while in certain munitions factories
workers had to be discharged for slowing off.
In one case they were traitors enough to help the enemy, and in both they
were dishonest enough to rob their Australian brethren by taking a full day’s
wage for half a day’s work. What chance is there, then, that they have not
done the same to the private employer? * * * The employers have com­
plained for a long time that slow work is increasing; the public service has
now confirmed them.

But this cause in itself was not considered by the court a sufficient
reason to grant a higher minimum wage rate to meet the increase in
the cost of living so caused.
While holding that the practice of slowing off among workers
ought to be given weight in considering the general question of a

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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

299

living wage, yet the court was not willing to admit that the ranks
of employees had been permeated by this practice, but preferred to
believe that there are many thousands of workers, presumed to be the
“ greater majority until the contrary appears too plainly for us to
resist it,” who take pride in their trade and whose interests ought to
be considered in arriving at a fair determination. In this connection
the court felt itself bound to consider the question of extensive viola­
tions of the law through strikes, which it characterized as “ slow work
carried to its extreme, and though they have not the despicable and
fraudulent character of slow work, they, none the less, like slow work,
destroy wealth, increase expenses, and injure every class in the com­
munity. And in New South Wales they are illegal.”
The court thus summed up its argument on this point:
Can a class which has, by illegal acts, increased the cost of living to the
whole community, fairly ask to have that increase refunded to itself in a higher
rate of wage, and so still further increased to everybody else? The logical
result, as in the case of slow work, would be that the more they struck, that is,
the less work they did, the more they would be paid for what they did; till at
last men would get a full week’s keep, however dear their idleness might have
made it, for doing nothing.

After suggesting its attitude toward the arguments which were
presented, the court announced its determination to set aside the
questions of paper money, slow work and strikes, and base its con­
clusions alone upon the fact of the existence of war which “ can not
be disregarded by us in considering at what the living wage should
be fixed.” The impossibility of defining the living wage in terms
which make it inelastic is admitted, such words as “ fair ” and “ rea­
sonable ” being relative and introducing existing circumstances into
the problem.
The court had previously laid it down that in times like these the
higher classes of workers can no longer claim as a right the same pro­
portion above the living wage as prevailed before the war, and in
doing so recognized the fact that all classes must bear their share,
those who are able bearing the greatest burdens and the lowest wage
earners bearing the lightest. Where to draw the line of demarcation
has been the difficult problem to solve.
In view of all the facts presented to it the court was led to the con­
clusion that for future awards the minimum wage should be Is. If d.
(28.1 cents) per hour or 9s. 3d. ($2.25) per day or £2 15s. 6d. ($13.50)
per week. As to existing awards the court decided that such might
be reopened to allow all wages to adult males which are below Is. Id.
(26.4 cents) Is. 2d. (28.4 cents) an hour or 9s. ($2.19) a day or £2 14s.
($13.14) a week to be brought up to that amount. The award of
the court is for three years.


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300

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

LABOR CONDITIONS IN HAWAII.

A statement has been received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
from Mr. Ralph A. Kearns, commissioner of immigration, labor, and
statistics of the Territory of Hawaii, in which it appears that under
the bonus system1 in operation on the sugar plantations on the islands
laborers received during the live months ending March 31, 1916, a
bonus of 41 per cent of the wages earned by them during that period
and during the seven months ending October 31,1916, they were paid
61.5 per cent of their wages in the form of a bonus. This per cent is
determined by the amount, above a certain minimum price per pound,
the plantation received for sugar sold during the year. With the
price of sugar not exceeding 3.5 cents per pound in New York, that
is, $70 per ton, no bonus was.paid. The price, however, did not at
any time fall as low as 3.5 cents. For every $1 a ton that the average
price rose above $70 a bonus of 1 per cent was paid prior to April 1,
1916, and a bonus of 1.5 per cent subsequent to April 1.
As an illustration of the extent of this participation in the profits,
which were largely increased by reason of the advance in the price
of sugar and which it is estimated will total approximately
$5,000,000, the commissioner states that one plantation distributed to
Filipino laborers alone $25,000, an average of about $73.94 per man.
Under the plan in force since April 1, 1916, a man is required to
work 20 days in a single month irrespective of whether he worked
the required number of days in any other month. Heretofore he had
to work a total of 240 days in a year.
An increase in the wage rate on the Oahu Railway & Land Co.
is mentioned, the section men, in June, 1916, receiving an advance
from $1.35 to $1.50 per day. On the pineapple plantations and in the
canneries the wages of workers have been increased by 10 per cent.
Following a strike of longshoremen in September and October,
1915, at Flonolulu, the wages of these laborers were increased to 30
cents per hour for a nine-hour day, 50 cents for overtime at night,
and 45 cents per hour for work on Sundays and holidays. The for­
mer rates were $2 per day for nine hours, 40 cents per hour for over­
time at night, and $3 per day for work on Sundays and holidays.
The statement notes some improvements in housing accommoda­
tions for plantation laborers, and concludes with a reference to a
slight shortage in the supply of labor throughout the Territory.
It remains to be seen whether this condition will not become more pro­
nounced as a result of the receipt of considerable sums of money distributed
under the bonus system.
1 A b rief ex p lan atio n of th e bonus system appeared in th e M o n t h l y R e v i e w for Sep­
tem ber, 1916, pp. 48, 49.


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REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

301

IMMIGRATION IN NOVEMBER, 1916.

The number of immigrant aliens admitted into the United States
during the year 1916 has been in excess of the number admitted
during 1915. There has also been an increase from month to month
during 8 of the 12 months. The figures for the month of December
show a decrease of 10.3 per cent. These facts are brought out in the
statement following:
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED INTO THE UNITED STATES IN SPEC IFIED MONTHS,
1913, 1914, 1915, AND 1916.
1916
Month.

Ja n u a ry ...
F ebruary..
March
A pril__
May...........
Ju n e..........
July...........
August__
September
O ctober...
November.
December.
1

1913

1914

46,441
59,156
96,958
136,371
137,262
176,261
138,244
126,180
136,247
134,140
104,671
95,387

44, 708
46,873
92,621
119, 885
107, 796
71, 728
60,377
37, 706
29,143
30, 416
26,298
20,944

1915

15,481
13,873
19,263
24,532
26,069
22,598
21,504
21,949
24,513
25, 450
24,545
18,901

Per cent
increase
Number. over pre­
ceding
month.
17, 293
24,740
27,586
30,560
31,021
30, 764
25,035
29,975
36,398
37,056
34,437
30,902

8.5
43.1
11.5
1 0 .8

15.1
i. 8
i 18.6
19.7
21.4
1 .8

i 7.1
110.3

Decrease.

Classified by races, the number of immigrant aliens admitted into
and emigrant aliens departing from the United States during Novem­
ber, 1915 and 1916, was as follows:
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED TO AND EMIGRANT ALIENS D EPA RTIN G FROM TH E
UNITED STATES, NOVEMBER, 1915 AND 1916.
A dm itted.

D eparted.

Race.
November, November, Novem ber, N ovem ber,
1915.
1916.
1915.
1916.
A frican (b lack )...........................................................................
A rm enian.....................................................................................
B ohem ian and M oravian.........................................................
Bulgarian, Serbian, M ontenegrin..........................................
C hinese.........................................................................................
C roatian a n d S lav o n ian ...........................................................
C u b an ...........................................................................................
D alm atian, B osnian, H erzegovinian....................................
D utch a n d F le m ish ..................................................................
E a st In d ia n ...........................................................................
E n g lish .........................................................................................
F in n ish .........................................................................................
F ren c h ......................................... , ...............................................
G erm an........................................................................................
G reek.............................................................................................
H ebrew .........................................................................................
I r is h ..............................................................................................
Ita lia n (n o rth )............................................................................
Ita lia n (s o u th )............................................................................
Japanese......................................................................................
7 6 9 3 4 ° — 1 7 ----- -9


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331
90
72
99
164
110
257
8
782
4
3,540
397
2,260
1,092
853
1,576
2,896
'431
2,441
'590

729
159
43
76
153
32
154
866
9
3,604
942
4,642
L342
2; 009
1,908
2 ,046
'492
5,531
741

390
54
3
20
288
6
107
1
57
21
916
34
189
95
267
25
276
347
8,440

99

244
3

2

101
15
297

46
83
614
178
218
51
131
13
219
561
1,327
'1 1 2

302

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADMITTED TO AND EMIGRANT ALIENS DEPARTING FROM THE
UNITED STATES, NOVEMBER, 1915 AND 1916—Concluded.
Admitted.
Race.

Departed.

November, November, November, November,
1916.

1915.

1915.

Korean
...................................................................
Tdthnanian
.........
..................................................
Magyar ...............................................................................
Mexican................................................................................
Pacific Islander
P olish.................................. ..............................................
Portuguese...........................................................................
Roum anian..........................................................................
Russian.................................................................................
Rilthenian (Russniak)..
Scandinavian.......................................................................
Scotch...................................................................................
Slovak................................................ - ................................
Spanish.................................................................................
Spanish-American...............................................................
Syrian...................................................................................
Turkish.................................................................................
Welsh....................................................................................
West Indian (except Cuban).............................................
Other peoples......................................................................
Not specified. .

7
53
102
1,008

15
72
72
1,683

339
658
82
449
94
1,318
l ’ 330

119
69
5
112
64
47

283
173
40
408
94
2,576
1,516
' 33
1,104
160
91
102
98
110
329

Total...........................................................................

24,545

34,437

99

597

1916.

13

3
31
103

12
56

20
407
3
274

5
325
5
542

277
207
5
321
36
12
4
32
57
37
1,019

503
214
1
334
50
7
9
20
23
26
804

14,483

7,164

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
UNITED STATES.
A l a b a m a .— A n n u a l R e p o r t o f C o a l M in e s , S t a t e o f A la b a m a .

19 15 .

88 pp.

Gives a directory of coal mines in the State; tables showing seam of coal,
thickness, number and kind of openings, number of employees, mode of ventila­
tion, etc.; production, number of days worked, price per ton paid miners, means
of transportation, etc.; coal and coke production in Alabama, 1870-1915; a list
is also given of fatal accidents during 1915.
About 47 pages of the report are devoted to a description of the mines in each
of the six inspection districts into which the State is divided.
C a l i f o r n i a .— I n d u s t r i a l

A c c id e n t C o m m is s io n .
A ir - p ressu re T a n k
O r d e r s , e ffe c tiv e J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 1 7 . S a c r a m e n t o , 1 9 1 6 . 10 pp.

----------

E l e c t r i c a l U t ilis a t io n
S a c r a m e n t o , 1 9 1 6 . 63 pp.

----------- E l e v a t o r

S a fe ty

O rd e r s ,

e ffe c tiv e

S a f e t y O rd e r s , e ffe c tiv e O c to b e r 1 , 1 9 1 6 .
5 7 pp. illu s t r a t e d .

Jan u ary

S a fe ty
1,

19 17.

S a cram en to [19 16 1.

In addition to the orders, contains the result of tensile strength tests on
elevator cables and fastenings.
- — ----- R e p o r t , J u l y 1 , 1 9 1 5 , to J u n e 30, 1 9 1 6 . S a c r a m e n t o [ 1 9 1 6 ] . 1 5 2 pp.
A s u m m a r y o f th is r e p o r t w ill a p p e a r in a f u t u r e is s u e o f th e M o n t h l y
R e v ie w .

——----- T r e n c h C o n s t r u c t io n S a f e t y O rd e r s , e ffe c tiv e J a n u a r y
[S a c r a m e n t o ] 1 9 1 6 . 7 pp.
----------- W in d o w C le a n in g S a f e t y O rd e r s , e ffe c tiv e J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 1 7 .
m e n to ] 1 9 1 6 .
H

1,

19 17.
[S a cra ­

7 pp.

a w a i i .— B o a r d

by

o f Im m ig r a t io n , L a b o r a n d S t a t is t ic s . F i f t h re p o rt, f o r the
p e r io d f r o m J u l y 1 , 1 9 1 5 , to J u n e 30, 1 9 1 6 . H o n o lu lu , 1 9 1 6 . 5 3 pp.

Almost entirely devoted to tables showing by months, by three-month periods,
six-month periods, and by the year, the number of steerage arrivals and


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MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

303

departures; also tlie number of cabin arrivals and departures for the y e a r
ending June 30, 1916. The total 'of arrivals was 17,909, and the departures
totaled 15,240. There i s . an insert showing the quarterly retail food price
report for the year ending June 30, 1916.
I l l i n o i s .— B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a t is t ic s .

I n d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t s i n I l l i n o i s . E ig h t h
r e p o rt, f o r th e y e a r e n d in g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 19 1 1,. 79 pp. N in t h re p o rt, f o r th e
y e a r e n d in g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 1 5 . 6J, pp. S p r in g f ie ld , 1 9 1 6 .

A brief summary of these reports will appear in a future issue of the
M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .— I n d u s t r i a l

19 11,, t ° J u n e
350 , c l x x i i pp .

This report
----- M in im u m

w ill

A c c id e n t B o a r d . T h ir d a n n u a l re p o rt, J u l y 1 ,
30, 1 9 1 5 , in c lu s iv e . P u b lic d o c u m e n t 1 0 5 . B o s t o n , 1 9 1 6 .
Il lu s t r a t e d .

be summarized

in a f u t u r e is s u e o f t h e M o n t h l y R e v ie w *

W a g e C o m m is s io n . B u l le t i n N o . 1 2 , N o v e m b e r , 1 9 1 6 . P r e l i m i ­
n a r y r e p o rt o n th e e ffect o f th e m in im u m w a g e i n M a s s a c h u s e t t s r e t a il
s to re s . B o s t o n , 1 9 1 6 . 5 3 pp.

For a digest of this report see pages 251 to 257 of this number of the

M onthly

R e v ie w .
N e v a d a .— F i r s t

b ie n n ia l r e p o rt
C a r s o n C it y , 1 9 1 7 . 1,8 pp.

of

th e

C o m m is s io n e r

of

La b o r.

19 1 5 -1 9 1 6 .

Presents the material collected by the newly created office of commissioner
of labor. An act of the legislature of 1915 provides that a member of the
Nevada Industrial Commission shall be designated ex officio as commissioner
of labor. His duties, as prescribed in the act, require him to gather statistics
on 14 different subjects : Agriculture ; mining ; mechanical and manufacturing
industries; transportation; unskilled labor; number, sex, age, etc., of persons in
employment ; number and condition of the unemployed ; sanitary conditions of
the working classes; number of Chinese and Japanese in the State; employ­
ment of inmates of prisons and county jails, especially as viewed in competition
with free labor ; hospitals and fees charged employees ; labor organizations ;
employment agencies; other information relating to labor, as may be deemed
essential to further the object of the enactment.
Statistics on some of these subjects were gathered by the use of blank forms
of inquiry transmitted through the post office, duly about 50 per cent of the
blanks mailed being returned with information of any value. The greater
part of the report is devoted to tables showing number of employees in indus­
trial and commercial establishments from which reports were received, and
their average daily wages and hours of labor ; number of employees and aver­
age daily wages in mines and ore-reduction works; and wages and hours of
railway employees.
The report closes with a recommendation that statistical material be collected
by personal canvass instead of by mail.
-----

I n d u s t r i a l C o m m is s io n .
C it y , 1 9 1 7 . 1 1 0 pp.

R ep o rt, J u ly

A d ig e s t o f th is r e p o rt a p p e a rs on p a g e s
R e v ie w .
N ew

7,

19 1 3 , to J u n e 30, 1 9 1 6 .

262 t o 264 o f

C a rso n

th is is s u e o f th e M o n t h l y

Y o r k .— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r .
A n n u a l r e p o rt o f th e I n d u s t r i a l C o m m is ­
s io n , A p r i l 1 7 , 1 9 1 6 . A lb a n y , 1 9 1 6 . 1,17 pp.

A summary of this report will appear in a future issue of the
R e v ie w .


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304

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

O h i o .— I n d u s t r i a l

C o m m is s io n . C o m m u n ic a t io n , u n d e r d a te o f D e c e m b e r 2 2 ,
1 9 1 6 , a d d r e s s e d to th e s u b s c r ib e r s o f th e O h io S t a t e I n s u r a n c e F u n d .
[ C o lu m b u s , 1 9 1 6 ] 4 pp.

Calls attention to the immediate upward revision in compensation rates in
New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, determined upon by the Work­
men’s Compensation Service Bureau because insurance companies “ have been
writing millions of dollars of compensation premiums at a tremendous loss,”
this loss being brought about by the fact that rates were based upon a period
of depression in which a brief experience was developed by virtue of the fact
that the careful, experienced, and dependable employees were the ones retained,
working in the absence of stress, and also due to the fact that rates were based
upon a priod of abnormal industrial stress, accompanied by a serious impair­
ment of accident experience occasioned by the employment of inexperienced
workers, and the rush in getting out large volumes of orders, which resulted in
less attention being given to accident prevention. The increase in the frequency
and severity of accidents correspondingly increased the cost of industrial acci­
dents in every State having a compensation law. It is stated that this upward
revision of rates “ must take place in Ohio because their eastern and the Ohio
rates have been computed on precisely the same basis.” The communication
also directs attention to some practices of insurance companies “ that merit the
sharpest criticism,” and warns subscribers to the State fund against them.
------------ D e p a r t m e n t o f In v e s t ig a t io n a n d S t a t is t ic s . R e p o r t N o . 2 5 . S t a ­
t is t ic s o f M in e s a n d Q u a r r ie s i n O h io , 1 9 1 5 .

A d ig e s t

o f th is re p o rt a p p e a rs on p a g es

S p r m g f ie ld , 1 9 1 6 .

264 t o 266 o f

99 pp.

th is is s u e o f th e M o n t h l y

R e v ie w .
P o e t o R i c o . — R e p o r t o f th e G o v e r n o r to th e S e c r e t a r y o f W a r , f o r th e f is c a l

y e a r e n d e d J u n e 30, 1 9 1 6

W a s h in g t o n , 1 9 1 6 , x i i i , 483 pp.

Includes the report of the Director of Labor which shows 399,075 agricultural
laborers employed in the most important industries of the island, namely, coffee,
sugar cane, tobacco, and fruits. There were 7,835 women over 16 years of age
employed, and 297 children over 10 but under 16 employed. The wages ranged
from 14 cents to 83 cents per day in the case of the former, and from 12 cents to
83 cents per day for the children. There were 21 strikes, the largest being a
strike of agricultural workers involving 40,000 hands. It lasted 502 days. As
a result wages were increased* 10 to 25 per cent. Wages of masons ranged from
$1.20 to $2.58 per day; carpenters, from 93 cents to $2.09; helpers, from 54 cents
to $1.08. During the fiscal year the free employment agency enrolled 419 ap­
plicants for work, of which 195 were recommended and 52 were employed.
S o u t h D a k o t a .— S t a t e In s p e c t o r o f M in e s .

e n d in g D e c e m b e r 3 1 ,

19 15 .

T w e n t y -s ix t h A n n u a l R e p o r t , y e a r

20 pp.

Notes that the State mined and treated 1,889,876 tons of gold and silver ore
which returned $7,619,684.83 in bullion. It also produced 213 tons of tungsten
ore valued at $180,486.27, and 22,476 tons of other minerals, valued at $56,231.
Twenty-nine accidents were reported during the year; 6 were fatal.
T e x a s .— In d u s t r i a l A c c id e n t B o a r d .
R e p o rt fo r 1 9 1 5 -1 6 .
[ A u s t in , 1 9 1 6 .]
V e s t-p o c k e t s iz e .

1 0 pp.

See pages 266 and 267 for a summary of this report.
U n it e d

S t a t e s .— B o a r d

Lo ck o u ts.

See pages
this report.

o f M e d ia t io n a n d C o n c ilia t io n .
W a s h in g t o n , 1 9 1 6 . 3 6 7 pp.

239 a n d 240


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of this issue of the

R a i lw a y S t r ik e s a n d

M o n t h l y R e v ie w

for

a

digest

of

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

305

U n ited S t a t e s .— C o m m is s io n

o n I n d u s t r i a l R e la t io n s . I n d u s t r i a l r e la t io n s :
F i n a l r e p o r t a n d t e s t im o n y s u b m itte d to C o n g r e s s b y th e C o m m is s io n o n
I n d u s t r i a l R e la t io n s c r e a t e d b y th e a c t o f A u g u s t 2 3 , 1 9 1 2 . W a s h in g t o n ,
1 9 1 6 , 1 1 v o lu m e s .
( 61,th C o n g ., 1 s t s e s s ., 8 . D o c . N o . 1,15 .)

The appearance of the first five of these volumes has already been noted
for November, 1916, p. 142). The six remaining volumes
have been issued, the subject matter covered by each being as follows : Volume 6.
Labor conditions in construction camps; Collective bargaining in San Fran­
cisco ; Industrial accident compensation; General industrial relations and con­
ditions in San Francisco; Open and closed shop controversy in Los Angeles;
1,010 pages. Volume 7. Smuggling of Asiatics; Colorado coal miners’ strike;
987 pages. Volume 8. Colorado coal miners’ strike; Centralization of indus­
trial control and operations of philanthropic foundations; Further proceed­
ings relating to Colorado strike, large foundations, and industrial control;
1,020 pages. Volume 9. Further proceedings relating to Colorado strike, large
foundations, and industrial control; Rockefeller interests in Colorado; Land
question in the Southwest; 1,039 pages. Volume 10. Land question in the
Southwest; Pullman employees; Harriman railroad system strike; 1,007 pages.
Volume 11. Conditions of labor on the Pennsylvania Railroad; Labor and the
law; Pennsylvania State police; Labor conditions in Porto Rico; 1,192 pages.
The entire set contains 11,260 pages, for which, in volume 11, a subject index
of 2 pages is given, also an index of all witnesses.
(M o n t h l y R ev iew

-----

C o n g ress.
H o u se .
C o m m it t e e o n In t e r s t a t e a n d F o r e ig n C o m m e rc e .
R e p o r t N o . 118 1,, to a c c o m p a n y H . R . 17 7 0 0 . E ig h t - h o u r d a y f o r e m p lo y e e s
o f c a r r ie r s o f in t e r s t a t e c o m m e rc e . W a s h in g t o n , S e p t e m b e r 1 , 1 9 1 6 . 1 p a g e „

----- L a w s ,

s t a t u te s , etc. A n a c t to e s t a b lis h a n e ig h t -h o u r d a y f o r e m p lo y e e s o f
c a r r ie r s e n g a g e d i n in t e r s t a t e a n d f o r e ig n c o m m e rc e , a n d f o r o th e r p u rp o s e s.
A p p r o v e d S e p t e m b e r 3 a n d 5 , 1 9 1 6 . 2 pp.
( P u b lic , N o . 2 5 2 , 61,th C o n g r e s s .)

This is the text of the Adamson so-called eight-hour law, which was pub­
lished in the M o n t h l y R ev iew for October, 1916, page 24.

-----

P u b lic H e a lt h S e r v ic e . A n n u a l R e p o r t o f th e S u r g e o n G e n e r a l f o r th e
f is c a l y e a r 1 9 1 6 . W a s h in g t o n , 1 9 1 6 . 1,2 1 pp.

Largely devoted to a report of the Division of Scientific Research, which
conducted laboratory and field investigations of the diseases of man, including
occupational diseases and industrial hygiene. Studies in this connection were
made of the effect of gas-heated appliances upon the air of workshops, the
results of which will appear in Public Health Bulletin 81; the relation of the
health of garment workers to economic status; illumination in Government
departments; health conditions surrounding the employment of women in Wis­
consin; study of mine sanitation and sanitation in steel plants; and a study
of child-labor problems in Massachusetts in relation to health. In a section
on the prevalence of disease in the United States, 45 cases of anthrax are re­
corded in 1915, 28, or 62.2 per cent, resulting in death. Sixty cases were re­
corded in 1916 up to September 1, 13, or 21.7 per cent, being fatal.
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
A u st r a l ia .— D e p a r t m e n t o f E x t e r n a l A f f a ir s .
M e lb o u r n e , 1 9 1 5 .

1,8 pp.

S o c ia l C o n d it io n s i n A u s t r a lia .

I llu s t r a t e d .

Gives a brief outline of educational facilities, including opportunities for
technical and vocational education in the Commonwealth; religion; public jus­
tice; provisions for sick and destitute; and a statement of the Commonwealth
old age and invalid pension schemes, and the maternity allowance. Pensions


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M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

begin at age 65 in the case of men and 60 in the case of women; invalid pension
may begin at the age of 16 if accompanied by permanent incapacitation for
work. Pension must not exceed $130 per annum and if the pensioner has other
income the total may not exceed $260. The maternity allowance is $25.
A u s t r ia .— A m t lic h e N a c h r ic h t e n d e s k . k . M in is t e r iu m s d es I n n e r n b e tre ffe n d
d ie U n f a ll— u n d K r a n k e n v e r s ic h e r u n g d e r A r b e it e r w nd d ie P e m io n s v e r s ic h e r u n g d e r A n g e s t e llt e n . V ie n n a , O cto b e r, 1 9 1 6 .
{ M o n t h ly .)

Current reports on the operation of the Austrian social insurance system.
C a na d a .— C e n s u s a n d S t a t is t ic s O ffice.
I llu s t r a t e d .

Y earb o o k, 19 15 .

O t t a ic a , 1 9 1 6 .

7 0 7 pp.

2 m a p s.

Contains a large amount of such statistical information as is usually found
in yearbooks. The report notes 43 labor disputes, involving 96 establishments,
9,140 employees and a loss of 106,149 working days. Taking the average prices
1890 to 1899 as 100, the index number of all commodities in 1915 was 148,
animals and meats showing the highest increase, the index number being 187.2.
A table is included showing the weekly cost of a family budget of staple foods,
fuel and lighting and rent in terms of the average prices in 60 Canadian cities,
by months, in 1915. This table indicates an average of $7.87 for foods, $1.82 for
fuel and lighting, $4.12 for rent, and a total average of $13.84.

-— - D e p a r t m e n t

o f T r a d e a n d C o m m e rc e . C e n s u s a n d S t a t is t ic s O ffice. F i f t h
C e n s u s o f C a n a d a , 1 9 1 1 ; V o l. I I , R e lig io n s , O r ig in s , etc., 654 p p .; V o l. I I I .
M a n u f a c t u r e s , 4 3 2 p p .; V o l. T V , A g r ic u lt u r e , 4 2 8 p p .; V o l. V , F o r e s t , F is h e r y ,
F u r , etc., 1 7 1 p p .; V o l. V I , O c c u p a t io n s , 469 pp. O tta w a , 1 9 1 5 .
(T e x t and
ta b le s i n F r e n c h a n d E n g lis h . )

The volume on occupations of the people shows 2,723,634 persons 10 years of
age and over. 37.9 per cent of the total population, employed in gainful occupa­
tions ; of this number 933,735, or 34.3 per cent, were employed in agriculture, and
491.342, or 18 per cent, in manufactures.

-----

( P rovince op A lb e r ta ).— A n n u a l R e p o r t o f the D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b lic
W o r k s o f th e P r o v in c e o f A lb e r t a , 1 9 1 5 . E d m o n t o n , 1 9 1 6 . 3 0 7 pp.

This is the report of the minister of public works for the year ending Decem­
ber 31, 1915. It consists of reports submitted by the chiefs of the several
branches of the department of public works: Highways; bridges; ferries;
ordinary roads; trunk roads; architectural and building construction branch;
surveys ; mines ; steam boilers ; correspondence ; accountants’ branch.
The lengthiest report is that of the chief inspector of mines, which covers
149 pages. It presents the following information: Output in tons of the various
kinds of coal mined during 1915; quantity and kind of explosives used; num­
ber of shots fired and number of misfire shots; average number of days in
each month in which coal was drawn; list of prosecutions under the mines a ct;
mines opened, operated, and abandoned during 1915; list of certificates issued
under the coal mines regulation ordinance and under the mines act; description
of mines; number of mine rescue stations and apparatus; list of accidents dur­
ing the year 1915; specimen examination questions for applicants for certifi­
cates ; wages.
D e n m a r k .— S t a t is t is k e E f t e r r e t n in g e r u d g iv e t a f d et S t a t is t is k e D e p a r t e m e n t .,
Cop enhagen, 19 16 .

V o l. 8, N o . 1 8

(Novem ber 25).

Contains retail prices for November, 1916, and unemployment among tradeunions in September, 1916.
( M a n c h e s t e r C i t y ) . — [ P u b lic H e a lt h O ffice . ]
R e p o r t on th e h e a lt h
o f th e c it y o f M a n c h e s t e r , 1 9 1 5 . M a n c h e s t e r { E n g la n d ) , 1 9 1 6 . 1 1 2 pp.

E ngland

Shows a decrease in the death rate and also in the birth rate, but a decided
increase in the death rate from tuberculosis.


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M O N TH LY REVIEW OE TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
F r a n c e .— M in is t è r e

d u T r a v a i l et de la P r é v o y a n c e S o c ia le .
D ir e c t io n d u
T r a v a i l . T r a v a u x d es C o m m is s io n s M ix t e s D é p a r t e m e n t a le s p o u r le m a in ­
tie n d u t r a v a il n a t io n a l ( a n n é e 1 9 1 5 ) .
V o l. 2 . D é p a r t e m e n t s o u t re q u e
la S e in e . P a r is , 1 9 1 6 . 5 9 3 pp.

In a circular letter of February 5, 1915, tbe minister of labor requested all
prefects to organize departmental committees of representatives of employers
and workmen, and of employers’ and workmen’s organizations for the discus­
sion of problems relating to labor. These committees were to act as advisory
bodies to the departmental authorities in manner similar to that of the per­
manent committee of the superior labor council in its relation to the State
authorities. At the end of 1915 such departmental committees had been estab­
lished in 62 Departments, while in only 13 Departments the prefects informed
the minister that conditions did not require the establishment of such institu­
tions. A large number of these committees formed subcommittees composed
of members especially qualified for the study of certain problems. The com­
mittees have adopted numerous resolutions, which the minister of labor has
examined or transmitted to other ministries if they did not come within his
own jurisdiction. The ministry of labor has published two volumes containing
the minutes of the sessions, the findings, and resolutions of the various depart­
mental committees. The first of these volumes related only to the committee
of the Department of the Seine. The present volume relates to the committees
of all other Departments.
G e r m a n y .— A m t lic h e N a c h r ic h t e n d es R e ic h s v e r s ic h e r u n g s a m t s .
19 16 .

B e r lin .

O c to b e r 30,

( M o n t h ly .)

Current reports on the operation of the German social insurance system.
I ta ly .— B o lle t t in o d e lla E m ig r a z io n e .
O c to b e r 1 5 , 1 9 1 6 .

N o s . 8 a n d 9.

C o m m is a r ia t o d e lla E m ig r a z io n e .
( M o n t h ly .)

Rom e,

Decrees of the ministry of foreign affairs and resolutions of the commission
of emigration relating to the determination of steerage rates on trans-Atlantic
steamers.

■
---- - B o lle t t in o

d e ll’ U fficio d e l L a v o r o . M in is t e r o p e r VIn d u s t r ia , i l C o m m e rc io
e i l L a v o r o . R o m e . N o v e m b e r 1 a n d 16 , a n d D e c e m b e r 1 , 1 9 1 6 . N o s . 2 1
to 2 3 .
(S e m im o n t h ly . )

Current reports on the labor market, labor disputes, employers’ and work­
men’s organizations, retail prices, labor' legislation, court decisions affecting
labor, and special articles on the hygiene of labor.

----- M in is t e r o

d i A g r ic o lt u r a , In d u s t r ia e C o m m e rc io . D ir e z io n e G e n e r a te d e l
C r é d it o e d e lla P r e v id e n z a . A n n a li d e l C r é d it o e d e lla P r e v id e n z a . L ’A s s ic u r a z io n e o b lig a t o r ia c o n t r i g l i in f o r t u n i s u l la v o r o a g r ic o lo .
R o m e. 19 16 .
Jf5 3 pp. ( S e r ie s I I , v o l. 1 8 .)

A report of the commission charged with the study of desirable reforms in
the existing workmen’s accident insurance law. The report discusses and pro­
poses a separate law for the insurance against accidents of agricultural work­
ers ; it further contains a tentative draft of such a law and shows foreign
legislation on the same subject.

----- ------- —-—

P r o v v e d im e n t i i n m a t e r ia d i e c o n o m ía e d i fin a n za , e m a n a t i in
G e r m a n ia i n s e g u it o a li a g u e r r a E u r o p e a . P a r t I : J u l y 3 1 , 1 9 1 5 , to J u l y 3 1 ,
1 9 1 5 . R o m e , 1 9 1 6 . 4^8 pp. ( S e r ie s I I , vol. lit , P a r t I . )

The present volume gives the text of all economic and financial measures—
laws, decrees, ordinances, circular orders, etc.—enacted in Germany between
July 31, 1914, and July 31, 1915, on account of the European war.


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308

m onthly

r e v ie w

of t h e bu reau of labor sta tistic s .

J a p a n .— D e p a r t m e n t o f + in a n c e .
19 16 .

T o k yo [19 16 ].

19 6 pp.

S ix t e e n t h F i n a n c i a l a n d E c o n o m ic A n n u a l,
In c lu d e s m a p s a n d d ia g r a m s .

Part I is devoted to * .nee ; Part II to Agriculture, industry, and com­
merce; Part III to Foreign trade; Part IV to Banking and money market;
Part V to Communications; Part VI to Chosen (Korea) ; Part VII to Taiwan
(Formosa) and Karafuto (Japanese Saghalien). Gives a table showing 311,023
males and 503,366 females over the age of 14, and 318,667 males and 535,297
females under the age of 14 working in the factories in 1914. The average
daily wage, according to the type of factory, ranged from 15 sen (7.3 cents)
for boys under 14 to 71 sen (34.6 cents) for males over 14; and from 9 sen
(4.4 cents) for girls under 14 to 14 sen (6.8 cents) for women over 14 years
of age.
N e t h e r l a n d s — M a a n d s c h r if t v a n h e t C e n t r a a l B u r e a u v o o r d e S t a t is t ie k .
H a g u e , 19 16 .

V o l. 1 1 , N o . 1 1

The

(N o vem b er 3 0 ).

Contains usual current material on the labor market, unemployment insur­
ance, prices, trade-unions, wage rates, labor legislation, etc.
N e w Z ea la n d .— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r .

A w a r d s , R e c o m m e n d a t io n s , A g r e e m e n t s ,
etc., m a d e u n d e r th e I n d u s t r ia l, C o n c ilia t io n , a n d A r b it r a t io n A c t , f o r th e
y e a r 1 9 1 5 . V o l. X V I .
W e llin g t o n , 1 9 1 6 . c lx iv , 8J/0 pp.

O n t a r io .-^ D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r ic u lt u r e . A n n u a l r e p o rt o f th e B u r e a u o f I n d u s ­
t r ie s f o r th e P r o v in c e o f O n t a r io , 1 9 1 5 .
T o ro n to , 19 16 . 1/7 pp.

The statistics deal entirely with agriculture.
Q u e e n s l a n d .— D e p a r t m e n t o f J u s t ic e .
p e n s a t io n R e g u la t io n s o f 1 9 1 6 .
1 9 pp.

G o vern m en t G azette. W o rk e rs ’ C o m ­
[ B r is b a n e ,] M o n d a y , 2 5 t h S e p te m b e r, 1 9 1 6 .

These regulations have been made in order to give full effect to the provisions
and intention of the workers’ compensation act of 1916 ; gives also a long table
of rates of premium, by occupations, based on each £100 ($486.65) paid in cash
or its equivalent by way of wages, salaries, or other earnings by an employer
to workers.

-----

D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r . R e p o r t o f the D ir e c t o r o f L a b o r a n d C h i e f In s p e c t o r
o f F a c t o r ie s a n d S h o p s , f o r y e a r en d e d 3 0 th J u n e , 1 9 1 6 . B r is b a n e , 1 9 1 6 .
5 5 pp.

The following summary, taken from the report, indicates the scope of the
activities of the department :
Number of registered factories__________________ ___
Number of shops with employees____________________
Number of shops without employees_________________
Number of employees in factories and shops___________
Number of factory accidents reported (Brisbane)_____
Number of industrial awards in operation___ ________
Overtime for year worked by females in Brisbane fac­
tories and shops (hours)___ _____________________
Overtime for year worked by males in Brisbane shops
hours)______ __________________________ _______ —
Value of railway and steamer passes issued to work­

2, 824
3. 221
3, 310
42. 966
66

123
45, 604
15, 498

ers___________________________ (£3,904 13s. 7d.) $19,031.87
Amount refunded________________ (£2,831 19s. 10d. ) $13,781.89
Of those injured, 57 were males and 9 were females. Fifteen of the accidents
occurred in engineering ; most of them resulted in injury to the hands—approxi­
mately 58 per cent.


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M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF I ABOR STATISTICS.

309

Q u e e n s l a n d .— R e p o r t o f th e C h i e f In s p e c t o r o f M a c h in e r y a n d S c a f f o ld in g f o r
th e y e a r e n d e d 3 0 th J u n e , 1 9 1 6 .

B r is b a n e , [ 1 9 1 6 ] 8 pp.

Notes among other things 1 fatal and 11 nonfatai
machinery.

•-----

T h e W o r k e r s ' C o m p e n s a t io n A c t o f 1 9 1 6 .

dents in connection with

[B r i s b a n e ,

1 9 1 6 ] 2 3 pp.

This is the text of the act which supersedes the workers’ compensation act of
1905, the workers’ compensation act amendment act of 1909, and the employers’
liability acts, 1886 to 1888.
S o u t h A u s t r a l ia .— C h i e f In s p e c t o r o f F a c t o r ie s .
D ece m b er 3 1, 19 15 .

R e p o r t f o r th e y e a r e n d e d
A d e la id e , S e p t e m b e r 18 , 1 9 1 6 . 38 pp.

There were at the end of the year 18,640 employees in 1,934 factories, a
decrease of 2,655 employees over 1914. The hours of labor were generally
48 per week; 507 females worked approximately 9,112 hours overtime, and
37 males under 16 worked 630^ hours overtime. There were 121 accidents,
3 being fatal. The range of average wages was as follows:
Males under 16 years of age, 6s. ($1.46) to 28s. ($6.81).
Males over 16 and under 21, from 12s. ($2.92) to 66s. ($16.06).
Males over 21, from 45s. ($10.95) to 104s. 7d. ($26.18).
Females under 16, from lOd. (20.2 cents) to 17s. 3d. ($4.20).
Females over 16 and under 21, from 9s. ($2.19) to 21s. 8d. ($5.17).
Females over 21, from 17s. 2d. ($4.18) to 57s. ($13.87).
S w e d e n .—S o c ia la , M e d d e la n d e n
19 16 .

u t g iv n a

av

K.

S o c ia ls t y r e ls e n .

S t o c k h o lm ,

N o . 10 .

In addition to current reports on the labor market, prices, industrial acci­
dents, factory inspection, etc., there are special articles on further reduction
on the sale of alcohol, the three-shift system in the wood-pulp industry, and
labor conditions in certain foreign countries.
UNOFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
A m er ic a n A cademy

of P o litic a l and S o cial S c ie n c e . A r m a is .
V o l. L X I X ,
W h o le N o . 1 5 8 , J a n u a r y , 1 9 1 7 .
T h e p r e s e n t la b o r s it u a t io n .
3 0 2 pp.
E d i t o r i a l office, W o o d la n d A v e n u e a n d T h ir t y - s ix t h S t re e t , P h ila d e lp h ia .
P r ic e , $1.0 0 .

The scope of this issue is indicated by the following table of contents, the
articles being presented under seven general heads. Part I. Certain aspects
of the labor situation: Problem of railway trainmen’s wages; case of railroad
employees for an eight-hour day; issues in the street railway strike in New
York City. Part II. Wages, working conditions, and hours of labor: Present
trend of real wages; effects of the legal minimum wage for women; social in­
surance ; welfare service for employees; better living conditions for employees
and their relation to stability in employment; immigration and American labor;
psychology of floating workers; hours of labor; maximum v. minimum hour
legislation. Part III. Public employment bureaus ; progress of the public employ­
ment bureaus; a Federal labor reserve board for the unemployed. Part IV.
Some aspects of collective bargaining : Extent of trade-unionism ; labor’s share of
the social product; doctrine that labor is a commodity; evolution of legal reme­
dies as a substitute for violence and strikes. Part V. Compulsory arbitration or
investigation before strikes or lockouts: Advantages and defects of compulsory
arbitration; Canadian legislation concerning industrial disputes; attitude of
organized labor toward the Canadian industrial disputes investigation act. Part
VI. Voluntary arbitration and conciliation in private businesses: Trend of vol­
untary conciliation and arbitration in labor disputes; revised protocol in the


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M O N TH LY REVIEW OF T H E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

dress and waist industry ; experience of Hart, Schaffner & Marx with collective
bargaining ; arbitration plan of William Filene’s Sons Co. ; methods of making
local agreements employed by the Pattern Makers’ Association of Chicago ; shall
free collective bargaining be maintained? Part VII. Fixing hours and wages in
the railroads and other public utilities ; Federal arbitration legislation ; why I be­
lieve the Interstate Commerce Commission should have power to fix wages and
hours of labor on interstate carriers; shall the Interstate Commerce Commis­
sion and the State public-utility commissions fix wages on the railroads and
on local public utilities? legislation concerning the railroad service; rail­
road hours-of-labor law ; attitude of the railroad brotherhoods toward hours
of labor and wages ; Government arbitration and mediation.
A m er ic a n F ederation

of

L abor.— M ic h ig a n B r a n c h .

I n d u s t r i a l r e v ie w , 1 9 1 6 .

1 5 1 pp.

-----

P r o c e e d in g s o f th e 2 7 t h a n n u a l c o n v e n t io n , S a g in a w , S e p t e m b e r 1 9 - 2 3 ,
1 9 1 6 . 65 pp.

-----

N e w J ersey B r a n c h . O ff ic ia l p r o c e e d in g s o f th e 3 8 th a n n u a l c o n g re s s ,
O r a n g e , A u g u s t 2 1 - 2 3 , 1 9 1 6 . 62 pp.

B. H e a lt h In s u r a n c e . A d d r e s s , M a y , 1 9 1 6 . 1 3 pp.
This address, delivered by the secretary of the American Association for
Labor Legislation, at the twelfth annual meeting of the National Association
for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, Washington, D. C., treats of
the extent and cost of sickness, responsibility for sickness, inadequacy of exist­
ing health agencies, and the possibilities of health insurance. It also gives
the history and discusses the principal provisions of the model bill for health
insurance prepared by the committee on social insurance of the American
Association for Labor Legislation in November, 1915, together with a con­
sideration of the objections to the bill. The latest revision of this model bill
will appear in Bulletin 212 of the Bureau, now in press, giving the proceedings
of the Conference on Social Insurance, held in Washington, D. C., Decem­
ber 5-9, 1916.
A n drew s, J o h n

A sso c ia zio n e degli I n d u st r ia l e dT t a l ia per pr ev en ir e gli in f o r t u n i del
lavoro .
L a p r e v e n z io n e in f o r t u n ii n e lle f a b b r ic h e d ‘o lio a l s o lf u r o . N a t e
d e lP in g .

M au ro R a n a .

M ila n , 1 9 1 6 .

7 k pp.

This booklet contains a description of safety devices for the prevention and
avoidance of accidents in the handling of carbon bisulphide. In the manu­
facture of olive oil the olives are first pressed, and the oil extracted mechani­
cally. The residues from the pressing process still contain 10 to 16 per cent of
oil, which is extracted by means of a chemical solvent, carbon bisulphide. This
is a very inflammable liquid, in the handling of which explosions occur fre­
quently.
B r it is h A sso c ia tio n

for t h e A d v a n cem en t of S c ie n c e . C o m m it t e e o n in d u s ­
t r i a l fa t ig u e . T h e q u e s t io n o f f a t ig u e f r o m th e e c o n o m ic s t a n d p o in t . S e c ­
o n d in t e r im r e p o rt. 1 9 1 6 . 2 k pp.

Contains sections on accumulated fatigue in warfare, daily course of fatigue
in typesetting, fatigue as a cause of accidents, and applicability of psychology
to problems of industrial fatigue. See M o n t h l y R ev iew for December, 1916,
p. 104, for brief review of this report.
Ca ssa

degli

I n v a lid i

della

M a r in a M e r c a n t il e .

N a z io n a le d i P r e v id e n z a p e r g l i O p é r a i.
R o m e , 1 9 1 6 . 65 pp.

-----

G e s t io n e s p é c ia le d e lla c a s s a
R e n d ic o n t o d e ll1 e s e r c iz io 1 9 1 k .

R e la z io n e d e l D ir e t t o r e G e n e r a le s u l re n d ic o n t o d e lP a n n o 1 9 1 k .

1916.

55 pp.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Rom e,

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

311

The first of these two volumes gives a financial statement of the national
invalidity fund of the merchant marine for the year 1914, and the second
volume contains the annual report for the same year of the director general
of the fund.
C a ss a N a zio n a le

M a t e r n it à .

di

P r e v id e n z a p e r g l i O p e r a i.
1,9 pp.

S e z io n e a u t o n o m a d e lla C a s s a N a z io n a le d i
R e n d ic o n t o d e ll ‘ e s e r c iz io 19 1 1 ,. R o m e , 1 9 1 6 .

Annugl report for the year 1914 on the operation of the national maternity
insurance fund.
C a ssa N a zio n a le di P revidenza per l ’I n v a lid ità e per la V e c c h ia ia
O p e r a i . R e n d ic o n t o G e n e r a le d e ll ’ a n n o 1 9 1 1 ,. R o m e , 1 9 1 6 . 97 pp.

degli

Contains a financial statement of the Italian National Old-age and Invalidity
Insurance Fund for the year 1914. The contents will be discussed in a special
article in the March number of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
C h a m b er

of

C o m m erce

R ep o rt, 19 16 .

-----

of t h e

U n it e d S t a t e s .

C o m m it t e e o n d a y lig h t s a v in g .

11/ pp.

C o m m it t e e o n th e r a ilr o a d s it u a t io n .

R ep o rt, 19 16 .

59 pp.

This committee was appointed in February, 1916, to “ impartially investigate
and consider such phases of the critical [railroad] situation as relate to the in­
terests of commerce and the public, and shall, from time to time, report to the
board of directors as to the best means of preserving the public service unim­
paired.” The report covers the period from March 15, 1916, to July 29, 1916.

-----

R e f e r e n d u m N o . 1 9 ( O n the r e p o rt o f the r a ilr o a d co m m itte e o n th e p re ­
v e n t io n o f s t r ik e s a n d lo c k o u t s ) . D e c . 1 6 , 1 9 1 6 . 1 3 pp.

Gives the arguments pro and con on the report of the committee, submitted
Dec. 11, 1916.
C o m p e n s a t io n I n s p e c t io n R a tin g B oard, N ew Y ork .
r e p o rt f o r 1 9 1 5 . ( M im e o g r a p h e d .)
19 16 .- (M im e o g r a p h e d .) 5 pp.

C o n fer e n c e

M a n a g er’s 2d a n n u a l
M a n a g e r 's 3 d a n n u a l r e p o rt fo r

6 pp.

I n d u str ia l P h y s ic ia n s .

of

in d u s t r y .
O ct. 1 9 1 6 .

F e b . 17 , 19 16 .
P p . 1 -6 3 .

P e n n s y lv a n i a d e p a rtm e n t o f la b o r a n d
P e n n s y lv a n i a M e d ic a l J o u r n a l, V o i. 20, N o . 1 ,

For a review of this conference see pages 267 to 272 of this number of the
M o n t h y R e v ie w .
C o n s u m e r s ’ L eague

of t h e

C it y

of

N ew Y ork .

T w e n t y -f iv e y e a r s o f th e C o n ­
N e w Y o r k , 1 9 1 6 . 3 3 pp.

s u m e r s ’ le a g u e o f th e c it y o f N e w Y o r k .

Addresses at the anniversary dinner, Nov. 18, 1915.
Dos P a ss o s , J o h n R. T h e e ig h t -h o u r la w . 19 1 6 . 21, pp.
An address before the New York County Lawyers’ Association, Nov. 9, 1916.
E m pl o y er s ’ F ederation
16 , 1 9 1 6 .

of

N e w S o u t h W a les .

F r a n c k e , M a r ie .
2.

R e p o r t o f a n n u a l m e e tin g , N o v .

39 pp.

O p p o r t u n it ie s f o r w o m e n in d o m e s tic s c ie n c e .
A s s o c ia t io n o f C o lle g ia t e A lu m n a e . 1 9 1 6 . 61, pp.

B u lle t in N o .

The purpose of this study was to give to institutions of training, to occupa­
tional bureaus, and to all women who may desire to enter it vocationally, defi­
nite information concerning the field of domestic science. It described types
of positions held by women in the profession of domestic science, and salaries
received. It also shows the opportunities for training.
H all . H erbert J.,
Illu s t r a t e d .

and

B u c k , M er t ic e ,

N ew Y o rk .

M o ffa t.

M. C.
19 16 .

H a n d ic r a f t s f o r th e h a n d ic a p p e d .
1 5 5 pp. P r ic e , $ 1 .2 5 ne t.

This volume is intended as a text book of a few crafts which have proved to
be of special value to handicapped workers. The directions given are elaborate


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312

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

and detailed, so that the individual worker may he able to study out and prac­
tice a vocation for himself. There are chapters on basketry, chair seating, net­
ting, weaving, book binding, cement working, pottery making, and light blacksmithing. An appendix gives a list of books on crafts and dealers in craft
work supplies.
H a b é is , F r a n k l in

204 pp.

S.

T h e y o u n g m a n a n d h is v o c a t io n .

B o s to n , B a d g e r , 1 9 1 6 .

This is an attempt to present a view of the opportunities in the leading occu­
pations and to show the personal requirements and training desirable for those
entering each of these occupations.
I n su r a n c e E co no m ics S o ciety

of A m e r ic a . B u l le t in 1 , p r e s e n t in g a n a n a ly s is
o f th e p la n p ro p o se d b y th e A m e r ic a n A s s o c ia t io n f o r L a b o r L e g is la t io n ,
1 6 p a g e s ; B u l l e t i n 2 , p r e s e n t in g a s u r v e y b y h e a lt h a n d a c c id e n t u n d e r ­
w r it e r s o f th e o n ly p la n f o r s o c ia l in s u r a n c e so f a r s u b m itt e d f o r p u b lic
c o n s id e r a t io n , 1 1 p a g e s ; B u l le t i n 3, p r e s e n t in g a v ie w o f th e e x te n t to w h ic h
c o m p u ls o r y h e a lt h in s u r a n c e w o u ld m u lt ip ly S t a t e jo b s a n d t a x b u rd e n s,
1 2 p a g e s ; a l l b y W illia m G a le C u r t is .

I nterco lleg iate D e b a te s .
19 16 .

V o l. 5, e d ite d b y E . R . N ic h o ls .

N e w Y o r k , H in d s ,

5 6 7 pp.

Includes debates on the illiteracy test for restricting immigration and the
injunction in labor disputes.
J o n e s , E dward D.

T h e a d m in is t r a t io n o f in d u s t r ia l e n t e r p r is e s w it h s p e c ia l
r e f e r e n c e to f a c t o r y p r a c t ic e . N e w Y o r k , L o n g m a n s , 1 9 1 6 . 44® pp.

“ Throughout this book two things have been held in mind; to trace the ap­
plication of the scientific method in industry and to point out the efficiency and
the charm of an economic policy based upon welfare and service.”
K e e n e , G. A. P r o f it a n d w a g e s , a s t u d y i n th e d is t r ib u t io n o f in c o m e . N e w
Y o r k , M a c M illa n , 1 9 1 6 .

K ir k a l d y ,

A. W.,

1 7 1 pp.

ed .

L a b o u r , fin a n c e , a n d th e te a r, b e in g th e r e s u lt s o f
in q u ir ie s , a r r a n g e d b y t h e s e c t io n o f e c o n o m ic s c ie n c e a n d s t a t is t ic s o f
th e B r i t i s h A s s o c ia t io n f o r th e A d v a n c e m e n t o f S c ie n c e , d u r in g th e y e a r s
1 9 1 5 a n d 1 9 1 6 . L o n d o n , P it m a n , 1 9 1 6 . 344 pp. P r ic e , 3 s. 6d.

Relates to reconstruction after the war, industrial unrest, replacement of
men by women in industry, effects of the war on credit, currency and finance,
and land settlement. This work will be reviewed at length in a future number
of the M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
L opez V a l e n c ia F ederico .
o b re ro s.

L a a c c ió n p a t r o n a l en e l p r o b le m a de lo s r e t ir o s
In s t it u t o N a c io n a l d e P r e v is ió n . M a d r id , 1 9 1 3 . 79 pp.

A prize essay on the benefits of paternalism in providing for the old-age re­
tirement of workmen.

---- - L a s

c a ja s d e a b h o r ro s e x t r a n je r a s e n el r e g im e de la s c a s a s b a rra d a s y
de p r e v is ió n p o p u la r . M a d r id , 1 9 1 3 . 1 5 pp.

A short treatise on the activities of foreign savings funds in workmen’s
housing and public welfare work.
L ott , E dson S. C o s t o f e m p lo y e r s ' li a b i l i t y a n d w o r k m e n 's c o m p e n s a t io n i n ­
su ra n ce .

19 13 .

6 pp.

An article by the president of the United States Casualty Co., New York,
reprinted from Cotton, Atlanta, Ga., January, 1913, issue.

-----

D if f e r e n t m e th o d s o f w o r k m e n 's c o m p e n s a t io n in s u r a n c e .

19 16 .

1 4 pp .

An address before the Conference on Social Insurance, Washington, D. C.,
December 5-9, 1916. This address will appear in full in Bulletin 212 of this
bureau, now in press, which gives a complete account of the proceedings of the
convention.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,

313

M e r c h a n t s ’ A sso cia tio n

oe N e w Y ork . F o r p r e v e n t io n o f r a ilr o a d s t r ik e s .
R e p o r t o f c o m m itte e o n p u b lic u t ilit ie s . A ls o a r t ic le o n r a ilr o a d s t r ik e s :
T h e i r m e n a c e a n d t h e ir le s s o n , b y H e n r y R . T o w n e . 1 9 1 6 . 20 pp.

-----

O p p o s in g G o v e r n m e n t o w n e r s h ip .

N o vem b er, 19 16 .

5 5 pp.

M e r r it t , W alter G ordon , a s s o c ia t e c o u n s e l A m e r ic a n A n t i-B o y c o t t A s s o c ia t io n .
D o m e s t ic f r e e t r a d e a n d o r g a n iz e d la b o r.

M in n e s o t a A cadem y

of

S o cial S c ie n c e s .

a n n u a l m e e tin g , 1 9 1 5 .

19 16 .

1 6 pp.

P a p e r s a n d p r o c e e d in g s o f th e e ig h t h

2 0 3 pp.

The general topic of the papers was “ Woman and the State.” Special topics
treated were: Minimum wage laws to date; educational work in institutions
directed by the State board of control; mothers’ pensions in theory and in legis­
lation ; Minnesota law for mothers’ pensions and its operation; public allow­
ances to dependent children of poor widows in Minnesota.
N a t io n a l

C o n v en tio n

of

I n su r a n c e

N e w Y o rk , D e c. 12 , 19 16 .

■
-----

C o m m is s io n e r s .

A d jo u r n e d

m e e tin g .

46 pp.

P r o c e e d in g s o f th e f o r t y -s e v e n t h s e s s io n , R ic h m o n d , V a ., S e p te m b e r, 1 9 1 6 ,
o f a d jo u r n e d m e e t in g s i n N e w Y o r k , D e c . 7, 1 9 1 5 , a n d i n S t . L o u is , M o .,
A p r i l 1 7 , 1 9 1 6 . 2 9 7 pp.

A statement of the social-insurance features of this convention appears in the
for November, 1916, pp. 615-623.

M o n t h l y R ev iew

N a tio n a l S a fe ty C o u n c il .
O cto b e r, 1 9 1 6 .

•

P r o c e e d in g s f if t h a n n u a l s a f e t y c o n g re s s , D e t r o it ,

1 5 4 1 pp.

A d ig e s t o f th e s e p ro c e e d in g s w ill a p p e a r in a f u t u r e n u m b e r o f th e M o n t h l y
R e v ie w .
N a t io n a l U n io n

W o m en W orkers

of

s io n a l p a p e r N o . 7 3.

N e w Z ea la n d E m pl o y er s ’ F ed era tio n .
19 16 .

and

I rela n d .

O cca­

36 pp.

O ff ic ia l r e p o rt o f th e a n n u a l m e e tin g ,

34 PP-

S agamore S ociological C o n f e r e n c e .
19 16 .

G reat B r it a in

of

N o vem b er, 19 16 .

P r o c e e d in g s .

N in t h m e e tin g , S a g a m o r e B e a c h , J u n e ,

99 pp.

The distinctive purpose of this conference, as stated by the president in his
opening address, was to bring business men and business interests into contact
with the social worker, the reformer, and the idealist, in order that the latter
class may see some of the practical difficulties of the business man and that
business men may find opportunity to widen their social vision. Special sub­
jects treated were: What is the solution of our industrial and international
problems, personal relationship in business administration, and educational
requirements of modern industry.
S h il l a d y , J o h n R.

P la n n in g p u b lic e x p e n d it u r e s to co m p e n s a te f o r d e c re a s e d
p r iv a t e e m p lo y m e n t d u r in g b u s in e s s d e p re s s io n s . M a y o r 's c o m m itte e on
u n e m p lo y m e n t , N e w Y o r k , 1 9 1 6 . 2 9 pp.

An address by the secretary of the mayor’s committee on unemployment be­
fore the section on unemployment of the forty-third annual session of the
National Conference of Charities and Correction, Indianapolis, May 16, 1916.
S now den, P h il ip .

S o c ia lis m

and

s y n d ic a lis m .

B a lt im o r e .

W a r w ic k ,

19 15 .

2 6 2 pp.

T a rbell , I da M.

N e w id e a ls i n b u s in e s s , a n a c c o u n t o f t h e ir p r a c t ic e a n d t h e ir
e ffe cts u p o n m e n a n d p ro fits . N e w Y o r k , M a c M illa n , 1 9 1 6 . 3 3 9 pp.

This book deals with the “ new workshop,” safety and the health movements,
the campaign against the use of intoxicants, housing, hours and wages, ex-


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

periments in finding just measure for value of service rendered, steadying the
job, the factory as -a school, our new industrial leader. It is essentially a book
on welfare work.
U n s a in , A le ja n d r o
A ir e s , 1 9 1 5 .

M.

M a n u a l de la L e g is la c ió n

O b re r a A r g e n t in a .

Bueno»

3 1 1 pp.

A manual of Argentine labor laws, containing commentaries on and the text
of the existing labor laws.
W ebb , S id n e y , a n d F r e e m a n , A rnold .
U n w in , 1 9 1 6 .

80 pp .

G r e a t B r i t a i n a f t e r th e w a r .
P r ic e , 1 s h illin g .

London,

An interesting discussion of what will happen after the war in regard to
trade, employment, wages, prices, trade-unionism, cooperation, women’s labor,
foreign commerce, the railways, coal supply, education, taxation, etc. The
authors call especial attention to the subject “ Can we effect a revolution in our
system of education?” and suggest that “ failure to find an affirmative answer
to that question will mean the frustration of the national hope of effective re­
covery from the war and of building up a civilization worth fighting for.”
A more extended notice of this work will appear in a future number of the
M o n t h l y R e v ie w .
W is c o n s in U n iv e r sit y ( E x t e n s io n D iv is io n ).
t r i a l a c c id e n t s , b y D r . N e ls o n M . B la c k .

B u lle t in .
T h e e y e i n in d u s ­
M a d is o n , S e p te m b e r, 1 9 1 6 . 2 7 pp.

Contains information for workmen, shop foremen, and superintendents as
to how to avoid injuries and meet emergencies in an intelligent manner, treated
under the following headings: Accidents in which the eye is a factor, kinds
of eye injuries, prevention of eye injuries, first-aid equipment for eye injuries,
and first aid in eye injuries.

------------------ V o c a t io n a l

g u id a n c e s e r ie s N o . 1 . N u r s in g a s a v o c a t io n f o r
trn m e n , b y K a t h e r in e M . O lm s te d . M a d is o n , N o v e m b e r , 1 9 1 6 . 1 9 pp.

Deals with qualifications required in nursing, scope for training in hospital
training schools, choosing the training school, accredited hospitals in Wiscon­
sin, course of study, conditions of work in training school, opportunities, and
remuneration.
W o m e n ’s T rade -U n io n L eague
Ju n e , 19 16 .

of

C h ic a g o .

A n n u a l re p o rt, J u n e ,

19 15,

to

3 1 pp.

W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a t io n P u b lic ity B u r ea u .

D ig e s t o f w o r k m e n ’s c o m p e n s a ­
t io n la iv s i n th e U n it e d S t a t e s a n d T e r r it o r ie s , w it h a n n o t a t io n s .
19 16
s u p p le m e n t r e v is e d to N o v . 1 , 1 9 1 6 .


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

PARTIAL LIST OF EMPLOYERS WHO ARE REPORTED TO HAVE
ESTABLISHED SOME FORM OF WELFARE WORK.
CALIFORNIA—Concluded.

ALABAMA.

Alabama City:
Dwight Manufacturing Co.
Bayview:
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad
Docena:
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad
Edgewater:
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad
Ensley:
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad
Fairfield:
American Steel & Wire Co.
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad
Kellerman:
Central Iron & Coal Co.
Lewisburg:
Alabama Co.
Mobile:
Mobile Light & Railroad Co.
Montgomery:
Montgomery Traction Co.
Republic:
Republic Iron & Steel Co.
Sayreton:
Republic Iron & Steel Co.
ARIZONA.

Co.
Co.
Co.
Co.
Co.

Globe:
Old Dominion Mining & Smelting Co.
Hayden:
American Smelting & Refining Co.
Jerome:
United Verde Copper Co.
Phoenix:
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
ARKANSAS.

Bigelow :
Fourche River Lumber Co.
Crossett:
Crossett Lumber Co.
CALIFORNIA.

Chico:
Diamond Match Co.
, ■
Los Angeles:
Broadway Department Store.

Los Angeles—Concluded.
Edison Electric Co.
Kellar-Thomason Manufacturing Co.
Letts Department Store.
Los Angeles Gas & Electric Co.
Sunset Telephone Co.
Oakland :
Taft & Penoyer (Inc.).
Richmond :
Pullman Co.
Standard Oil Co.
Sacramento:
Weinstock, Lubin & Co.
San Francisco:
The Emporium.
W. Friedman & Co.
Hale Bros.
Izard Dry Goods Co.
Nathan-Dohrmann Co.
Pacific Gas & Improvement Co.
Southern Pacific Railway.
Weinstock, Lubin & Co.
COLORADO.

Cokedale :
American Smelting & Refining Co.
Colorado Springs:
Portland Gold Mining Co.
Denver:
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co.1
Colorado Midland Railroad Co.
Colorado Power Co.
Daniels & Fisher Stores Co.
Denver City’Tramway Co.
Denver Fire Clay Co.
Denver Gas à Electric Co.
Denver Post.
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Co.
A. T. Lewis & Sons’ Dry Goods Co.
Durango:
Gold King Consolidated Mining Co.
Porter :
Porter Fuel Co.
Pueblo:
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co.

1 The main office of this establishment is in this city; there are also branch offices in other localities.


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M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
COLORADO—Concluded.

Tolluride:
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co.
Trinidad :
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co.
CONNECTICUT.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Washington:
American Security & Trust Co.
S. Kann & Sons.
V.. B. Moses & Sons.
The Norris Peters Co.
Parker, Bridget & Co.
Potomac Electric Power Co.
Southern Railway.
Washington Railway & Electric Co.
Washington Steel & Ordnance Co.
Woodward & Lothrop.

Ansonia:
Coe Brass Manufacturing Co.
Bridgeport:
American Tube & Stamping Co.
A. W. Burritt Co.
Remington Arms & Ammunition Co.
Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Co.
FLORIDA.
Bristol :
St. Augustine:
New Departure Co.
Florida East.Coast Railway Co.
Hartford :
Colts Patent Firearms Manufacturing
GEORGIA.
Albemarle:
Co.
Wiscassett Mill.
Hammond Typewriter Co.
Atlanta:
Travelers’ Insurance Co.
Southern Bell Telephone Co.
Underwood Typewriter Co.
Augusta:
Meriden :
Augusta Factory.
International Silver Co.
Enterprise Manufacturing Co.
New Haven:
John P. King Manufacturing Co.
Winchester Repeating Arms Co.
Silbey Manufacturing Co.
New York, New Haven & Hartford
Columbus:
Railroad Co.
Columbus Railroad Co.
Norwalk:
Gainesville:
Norwalk Mills Co.
Pacolet Manufacturing Co.
South Manchester:
Savannah:
Cheney Bros.
Mutual Fertilizer Co.
Stamford :
Savannah Electric Co.
Yale & Towne Lock Co.
Thompsonville :
ILLINOIS.
Hartford Carpet Co.
Alton:
Wallingford:
Illinois Glass Co.
R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Co.
Western Cartridge Co.
Waterburv:
Aurora:
American Brass Co.
Stephens-Adamson Manufacturing Co.
Willimantic:
Western Wheeled Scraper Co.
Willimantie Thread Co.
Braceville:
Braceville Coal Co.
DELAWARE.
Wilmington:
Breese:
Atlas Powder Co.
Breese-Trenton Mining Co.
North Breese Coal & Mining Co.
Bancroft, Joseph & Sons Co.
Chicago:
Du Pont de Nemours Powder Co.1
Adams Express Co.1
Electric Hose & Rubber Co.
Adams & Westlake Co.
Hercules Powder Co
Hilles & Jones Co.
Allis-Chalmers Co.
Lobdell Car Wheel Co.
American Express Co.1
Pusey & Jones Co.
American Steel & Wire Co.
Armour & Co.
Charles Warner Co.
1 The main office of this establishment is in this c y; there are also branch offices in other localities.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
ILLINOIS—Continued.

Chicago—Continued.
Atlas Brewing Co.
Brunswick-Balke Collender Co.
Butler Bros.
H. M. Byllesby & Co. •
G. B. Carpenter & Co.
Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co.
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.
Chicago City Railway Co.
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad.
Chicago Malleable Castings Co.
Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co.
Chicago Retort & Fire Brick Co.
Chicago Telephone Co.
Commonwealth Edison Co.
Consumers Refining Co.
Corn Exchange National Bank.
R. T. Crane Co.
Croft & Reed.
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co.
The Fair.
Fairbanks-Morse Manufacturing Co.
J. V. Farwell & Co.
Fay-Soles Co.
Marshall Field & Co.
First National Bank of Chicago.
Hart, Schaffner & Marx.
Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co.
Illinois Central Railroad Co.
Illinois Publishing & Printing Co.
International Harvester Co.
B. Kuppenheimer & Co.
Lakeside Press.
Libby, McNeil & Libby.
Link Belt Co.
Mande.ll Bros.
Metropolitan Trust & Savings Bank.
Montgomery, Ward & Co.
Morris Co.
National Watch Co:
People’s Gas Light & Coke Co.
Postal Telegraph & Cable Co.
E. V. Price & Co.
Rand, McNally & Co.
Richie Paper Box Co.
Rock Island Lines.
Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Siegel, Cooper & Co.
Swift & Co.
Tuthill Spring Co.
Webster Manufacturing Co.
1

317

ILLINOIS—Concluded.

Chicago—Concluded.
Wells, Fargo & Co.1
Western Elevator Co.
Wm. Wrigley, jr., Co.
Union Pacific Railway Co.
University of Chicago Press.
Coal City:
Wilmington Star Mining Co.
Decatur:
Mueller Manufacturing Co.
Duquoin:
Majestic Coke & Coal Co.
Edwardsville:
N. 0. Nelson Manufacturing Co.
Elgin:
David C. Cook Publishing Co.
Elgin Watch Co.
Galesburg:
O. T. Johnson Co.
Granite City:
American Steel Foundries.
Commonwealth Steel.
National Enameling & Stamping Co.
National Lead Co.
Harvey:
Whiting Foundry Equipment Co.
Hawthorne:
Western Electric Co.
Joliet:
Illinois Steel Co.
La Salle:
Mattheissen & Hegeler Zinc Co.
Moline:
Deere & Co.
Moline Plow Co.
Moline Wagon Co.
Velie Motor Vehicle Co.
Pekin:
Pekin Cooperage Co.
Peoria:
The Avery Co.
Chicago Manufacturing Co.
•Pullman:
Pullman Palace Car Co.
Rock Falls:
Cobb & Drew.
Rockford:
Barber-Coleman Co.
Eclipse Gas Stove Co.
Hess & Hopkins Leather Co.

The‘main office of this establishment is in this cil r; there are also branch offices in other localities.
7 6 9 3 4 ° — 1 7 -------10


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

318

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
INDIANA.

Anderson:
American Steel & Wire Co.
. Remy Electric Co.
Evansville:
Baker Manufacturing Co.
Blount Plow Works.
Fort Wayne:
Boss Manufacturing Co.
Wayne Knitting Mills.
Gary:
American Bridge Co.
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co.
Illinois Steel Co.
Indiana Steel Co.
U. S. Coal & Coke Co.
Indiana Harbor:
Inland Steel Co.
Indianapolis:
E. C. Atkins & Co.
Atlas Engine Works.
Ayres Department Store.
Kahn Tailoring Co.
N. Lieber Co.
Kokomo:
Great Western Pottery Co.
Mishawaka:
Dodge Manufacturing Co.
Mishawaka Woolen Manufacturing Co.
Muncie:
Ball Bros. Glass Manufacturing Co.
Boss Manufacturing Co.
Newcastle:
Maxwell Motor Co.
South Bend:
Oliver Chilled Plow Works.
Studebaker Manufacturing Co.
IOWA.

Charles City:
Hart-Parr Co.
Davenport:
French & Hecht Co.
Dubuque:
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail­
way Workshops.
Fort Dodge:
Green-Wheeler Shoe Co.
Grinnell:
Morrison, McIntosh & Co.
Fort Madison:
Morrison Manufacturing Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

KANSAS.

Neodesha:
Standard Oil Co.
Topeka:
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
Co.
KENTUCKY.

Ashland:
Ashland Iron & Mining Co.
Benham:
Wisconsin Steel Co.
Covington :
South Covington & Cincinnati Rail­
way Co.
Louisville :
Ahrens & Ott Manufacturing Co.
B. F. Avery & Sons.
Ballard à Ballard Co.
Embry Box Co.
Kentucky Wagon Manufacturing Co.
Louisville Cotton Mill Co.
Louisville Railway.
Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Co.
Newport:
Wideman Brewing Co.
LOUISIANA.

New Orleans:
Cosmopolitan Hotel Co.
Leon Godchaux Clothing Co.
N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Co.
N ew Orleans Railway & Light Co.
'

MAINE.

Bangor:
Eastern Manufacturing Co.
Cumberland Mills:
Warren & Co.
Lewiston :
Great Department Store.
Portland :
Eastman Bros. & Bancroft.
Maine Central Railroad Co.
Westbrook :
Cumberland Mills.
MARYLAND.

Baltimore:
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co.
Edwin Bennett Pottery Co.
Consolidated Gas, Electric Light
Power Co.
Davis Coal & Coke Co.
Detroit & Harvey Machine Co.
Wm. Knabe Co.

&

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
MARYLAND—Concluded.

319

MASSACHUSETTS—Continued.

Boston—Concluded.
Samoset Chocolates Co.
Schrafft & Sons.
Shepard Norwell Co.
Simplex Electrical Co.
Stone & Webster.
United Fruit Co.
Waitt & Bond Co.
Walker & Pratt Manufacturing Co.
George F. Willett Co.
MASSACHUSETTS.
S. A. Woods Machine Co.
Athol:
Brockton:
Athol Machine Co.
W. L. Douglas Shoe Co.
Beverly:
G. E. Keith Co.
United Shoe Machinery Co.
Cambridge:
Boston :
Boston Bridge Works.
American Felt Co.
Boston Confectionery Co.
American Soda Fountain Co.
Boston Woven Hose & Rubber Co.
Walter Baker & Co.
Library Bureau.
Bemis Bros.
Houghtoj , Mifflin & Co.
Booth Mills.
Chelsea:
Boston & Albany Railroad Co.
Forbes Lithographic Co.
Boston Confectionery Co.
Chicopee Falls:
Boston Elevated Railway Co.
Fisk Rubber Co.
Boston Globe Newspaper Co.
Dorchester:
Boston Herald.
Walter Baker & Co.
Boston & Maine Railroad Co.
East Cambridge:
Boston Manufacturing Co.
Boston Bridge Works.
Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Rail­
Ginn & Co.
road Co.
East Walpole:
Boston Rubber Shoe Co.
Bird & Son.
Boston Telephone Co.
Easthampton:
Boston Transcript.
Glendale Elastic Fabric Co.
Boston Woven Hose & Rubber Co.
Everett:
Brown, Durrell & Co.
Cochrane Chemical Co.
Chandler & Co.
Fall
River:
Davidson Rubber Co.
Bourne Mills.
Edison Electric Illuminating Co.
Brown Cotton Mills.
Eureka Silk Manufacturing Co.
Durfee Mills.
William Filene’s Sons Co.
Kerr Thread Mills.
Gilchrist Co.
King Philip Mills.
Goodhue, Studley & Emery.
Fitchburg:
James A. Houston Co.
Crocker-Burbank Paper Co.
Jordan Marsh Co.
Fitchburg & Leominster Street Rail­
Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co.
way Co.
Lowney Co.
Simonds Manufacturing Co.
McGrane & Houston Co.
Framingham:
New England Confectionery Co.
Dennison Manufacturing Co.
New England Telephone & Telegraph
Greenfield:
Co.
Greenfield Tap & Die Co.
Thomas G. Plant Co.
Goodell-Pratt Co.
Pocasset Worsted Co.
Wells Bros. Co.
John H. Pray & Sons Co.
Baltimore—Concluded.
Lerch Bros.
Morris & Co.
H. Rochschild, Kohn & Co.
Sonneborn, Henry & Co.
United Railways & Electric Co.
Weems Steamboat Co.
Sparrow Point:
Pennsylvania Steel Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

320

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
MASSACHUSETTS—Continued.

Haverhill:
Emery & Marshall.
Haverhill Electric Co.
Holyoke:
National Blank Book Co.
Taylor-Burt Co.
Hopedale:
The Draper Co.
Hyde Park:
B. F. Sturtevant Co.
Indian Orchard:
Chapman Valve Manufacturing Co.
Ludlow:
Ludlow Manufacturing Associates.
Lynn:
J. B. Blood Co.
Faunce & Spinney.
A. E. Little & Co.
Lawrence:
American Woolen Co.
Pacific Mills.
Lowell:
J. C. Ayer Co.
Bigelow Carpet Co.
Boott Mills.
Merrimac Manufacturing Co.
Patterson Rubber Co.
Saco-Lowell Shops.
United States Cartridge Co.
Malden:
Boston Rubber Shoe Co.
Converse Rubber Co.
Malden & Melrose Gas Light Co.
Mansfield:
Lowney Chocolate Co.
Milford:
Milford Shoe Co.
Regal Shoe Co.
New Bedford:
Howland Mills Corporation.
Union Street Railway Co.
North Billerica:
Talbot Mills.
North Chelmsford:
Silesia Mills.
North Easton:
Oliver Ames & Sons.
North Plymouth:
Plymouth Cordage Co.
Norwood:
Berwick & Smith.
Plimpton Press.

MASSACHUSETTS—Concluded.

Pittsfield:
Simonds Manufacturing Co.
Stanley Electric Co.
Quincy:
Fore River Shipbuilding Co.
South Hadley Falls:
Hampshire Paper Co.
Spencer:
Spencer Wire Co.
Springfield:
Milton Bradley Co.
Burt-Logan Co.
Chandler & Co.
National Blank Book Co.
Smith & Wesson.
Waltham:
Waltham Watch Co.
Watertown:
Walker & Pratt Manufacturing CoWestfield:
Westfield Manufacturing Co.
West Lynn:
General Electric Co.
Whitinsville:
Whitin Machine Works.
Whitman:
Regal Shoe Co.
Worcester:
Crompton & Knowles.
Norton Co.
Osgood, Bradley & Sons.
Royal Worcester Co.
United States Envelope Co.
MICHIGAN.

Battle Creek:
Postum Cereal Co.
Battle Creek Paper Co.
Advance Thresher Co.
Benton Harbor:
Lakurba Cigar Co.
Cadillac:
Cadillac Manufacturing Co.
Calumet:
Calumet & Hecla Mining Co.1
Detroit:
Acme White Lead & Color Works.
American Flower Co.
American Radiator Co.
Anderson Electric Car Co.
Bolles Iron & Wire Works.
Brown Bros.

1The main office of this establishment is in this city; there are also branch offices in other localities.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

321

MICHIGAN—Continued.

MICHIGAN—Concluded.

Detroit—Concluded.
Burroughs Adding Machine Co.
Calvert Lithographing Co.
Chalmers Motor Co.
Detroit Free Press.
Detroit Insulated Wire Co.
Detroit & Mackinac Railroad Co.
Detroit Stove Works.
Detroit United Railway.
Dodge Bros.
Farrand Organ Co.
W. M. Fink & Co.
Ford Automobile Co.
J. L. Hudson Co.
Michigan Bolt & Nut Works.
Michigan Stove Co.
Packard Motor Car Co.
Parke, Davis & Co.
Pere Marquette Railway Co.
Stearns & Co.
Studebaker Co.
Timken-Detroit Axle Co.
Wolverine Manufacturing Co.
Flint:
Buick Motor Co.
Durant-Dort Carriage Co.
Flint Vehicle Works.
Michigan Motor Castings Co.
Oak Park Power Co.
Weston-Mott Co.
Grand Rapids:
Baxter Laundry Co.
Bissell Carpet Sweeper Co.
Brown & Sehler Co.
Clipper Belt Lacer Co.
Fuller & Rice Lumber & Manufactur­
ing Co.
Grand Rapids Railway Co.
Grand Rapids Refrigerator Co.
Macey Co.
Nelson-Matter Furniture Co.
Phoenix Furniture Co.
Royal Furniture Co.
0. & W. Thum Co.
Wallin Leather Co.
Wolverine Brass Works.
Ionia:
Pere Marquette Railroad.
Iron Mountain:
Oliver Iron Mining Co.
Pickands, Mather & Co.

Ishpeming:
Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co.
Oliver Iron Mining Co.
Jackson:
American Fork & Hoe Co.
L. H. Field Co.
Withington & Cooley Manufacturing
Co.
Lansing:
Lansing Co.
New Way Motor Co.
Prudden Co.
Monroe:
River Raisin Paper Co.
Muskegon:
Alaska Refrigerator Co.
Painesdale:
Champion Copper Co.
Republic:
Republic Iron & Steel Co.
Saginaw:
Mershon, Schnette, Parker & Co.
Trimountain:
Trimountain Mining Co.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MINNESOTA.

Coleraine:
Oliver Iron Mining Co.
Crosby:
Inland Steel Co.
Duluth:
Duluth & Iron Range Railroad Co.
Duluth Missabe & Northern Railway
Co.
Minnesota Steel Co.
Republic Iron & Steel Co.
Ely:
Oliver Iron Mining Co.
Gilbert:
Pickands, Mather & Co.
Minneapolis:
Dayton Co.
Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste.
Marie Railway Co.
Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Co.
North Star Woolen Mills Co.
Northwestern Knitting Co.
Northwestern National Bank.
Pillsbury Flour Mills Co.
Pittsburg Plate Glass Co.
Security National Bank.

322

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
MINNESOTA—Concluded.

Minneapolis—Concluded.
Washburn-Crosby Co.
Winston, Harper & Fisher Co.
St. Paul:
American Hoist & Derrick Co.
Brown & Bigelow.
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis
Omaha Railway.
Foot-Schule & Co.
Great Northern Railway Co.
International Harvester Co.
Northern Pacific.
G. Sommers & Co
Twin City Rapid Transit.
Virginia:
Pitt Iron Mining Co.

MISSOURI—Concluded.

&

St. Louis—Concluded.
Scruggs-Vandervoort-Barney Dry
Goods Co.
Southwestern Telephone & Telegraph
Co.
Stix, Baer & Fuller Co.
St. Louis Mazda Lamp Co.
St. Louis Smelting & Refining Co.
Union Electric Manufacturing Co.
Wagner Electric Manufacturing Co.
MONTANA.

Anaconda:
Anaconda Copper Mining Co.
Butte:
United Verde Copper Co.
NEBRASKA.

MISSISSIPPI.

Starkville:
Stone Cotton_Mills.
MISSOURI.

Kansas. City:
Armour & Co.
Bemis Bro. Bag Co.
Burnham-Munger-Root Dry Goods Co.
Emery-Bird-Thayer Dry Goods Co.
Fidelity Trust Co.
Gillpatrick’s Laundry.
Jones Dry Goods Co.
Kansas City Home Telephone CoKansas City Light & Power CoKansas City Railways Co.
Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co.
Missouri & Kansas Telephone Co.
Montgomery, Ward & Co.
National Biscuit Co.
George B. Peck Dry Goods Co.
Silver Laundry Co.
John Taylor Dry Goods Co.
Bt. Louis:
Ames Shovel & Tool Co.
T. Arthur Anderson Laundry Co.
Bemis Bro. Bag Co.
Commonwealth Steel Co.
Crunden-Martin Manufacturing Co.
Famous & Barr Co.
Grand Leader.
Huttig Sash & Door Co.
Hygienic Chemical Co.
National Bank of Commerce.
N. O. Nelson Manufacturing Co.
Pfeiffer Chemical Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Lincoln :
The Spirella Co.
Omaha:
Union Pacific Railroad Co.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Amoskeag (Manchester):
Amoskeag Manufacturing Co.
Concord:
Page Belting Co.
Dover:
J. B. Williams & Sons.
NEW JERSEY.

Ampere:
Crocker-Wheeler Co.
Arlington :
Arlington Co.
Bayonne:
Bressler Bros
Tide Water Oil Co.
Belleville:
Rogers Wire Works.
Bloomfield:
Westinghouse Lamp Co.
Bound Brook:
Standard Paint Co.
Bridgeton :
Cumberland Glass Manufacturing Co.
Camden:
Campbell Soup Co.
Croft, Howland Sons & Co.
Farr & Bailey Co.
Hunt Pen Co.
Keystone Leather Co.
Victor Talking Machine Co.
R. D. Wood & Co.

M O N T H L Y REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

323

NEW JERSEY—Continued.

NEW JERSEY-Continued.

Carleton Hill:
Standard Bleachery Co.
Carlstadt:
S. Kleber & Co.
Dover:
Ulster Iron Works.
H. S. Peters.
Elizabeth:
American Swiss File & Tool Co.
Samuel L. Moore & Sons Corporation.
Elizabethport:
Hygienic Chemical Co.
Singer Manufacturing Co.
Florence:
R. D. Wood & Co.
Franklin :
New Jersey Zinc Co.
Gillsboro:
John Lucas & Co.
Gloucester City:
Welsbach Co.
Hackensack:
Hackensack National Bank.
Hackensack Trust Co.
People’s National Bank.
Harrison :
Driver-Harris Wire Co.
General Electric Lamp Works.
Marine Engine & Machine Co.
High Bridge:
Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Co.
Hoboken:
W. C. Baker.
Beck Bros.
W. D. Forbes.
Keuffel & Esser Co.
New York Switch & Crossing Co.
Raudnitz & Pollitz.
Jersey City:
Colgate & Co.
Gibson Iron Works Co.
L. 0. Koven & Bros.
P. Lorillard Co.
Riegel Sack Co.
Royal Cocoa Co.
Kink ora :
J. A. Roebling’s Sons Co.
Long Branch:
Edward Lumber & Coal Co.
Mahwah :
American Brake Shoe & Foundry Co.
Millville :
R. D. Wood & Co.

Mt. Hope:
Empire Steel & Iron Co.
Newark:
Carter, Howe & Co.
The Celluloid Co.
Clark Mile End Spool Cotton Co.
Clark Thread Co.
Day, Clark & Co.
Feigenspan Brewing Co.
Ferris Bros. Co.
L. Goldsmith & Son.
Gould & Eberhardt.
Johnston & Murphy Shoe Co.
Murphy Varnish Co.
Mutual Benefit Co.
National Saw Co.
Novelty Wood Works.
Prudential Life Insurance Co.
Public Service Corporation of New
Jersey.
Roebling Iron Works.
Spratt’s Patent (America).
Stewart Hartshorn Co.
Western Electrical Instrument Co.
Newton:
Valentine & Bentley Silk Co.
Passaic:
Brighton Mills.
J. L. Prescott.
B.
G. Volger Manufacturing Co.
Paterson:
American Locomotive Co.
German-American Trust Co.
Julius Brandes Manufacturing Co.
National Silk Dyeing Co.
Rogers Locomotive Co.
Second National Bank.
Silk City Safe Deposit Co.
Standard Silk Dyeing Co.
Perth Amboy:
Perth Amboy Dry Dock Co.
Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Co.
Raritan Copper Works.
Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co.
Phillipsburgh:
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Plainfield:
Potter Printing Press Co.
Pompton:
Ludlum Steel & Spring Co.
Salem:
Ayers Machine Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

324

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
NEW JERSEY—Concluded.

NEW YORK—Continued.

Sayreville:
Sayre & Fisher Co.
Trenton:
John Haddock & Sons.
New Jersey & Pennsylvania Traction
Co.
Reeves Engine Co.
J. A. Roebling’s Sons Co.
The Trenton Potteries Co.
Union:
Clifton Silk Mills.
Waverly Park:
Weston Electrical Instrument Co.

Buffalo—Concluded.
F. H. Burt Co.
Jacob Dold Packing Co.
W7illiam Hengerer & Co.
Houk Manufacturing Co.
International Railway Co. System.
Lackawanna Steel Co.
Larkin Soap Co.
Lehigh Valley Railroad Co.
Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Co.
Pratt & Letchworth.
Shephard, Sidney & Co.
Thomas Motor Co.
Western Union Telegraph Co.
Canajoharie:
Beechnut Packing Co.
Canandaigua:
Lisk Manufacturing Co.
Chadwick:
Willowvale Bleachery.
Chautauqua:
Chautauqua Traction Co.
Cohoes:
Harmony Mills.
Tivoli Mills.
Cortland:
Wickwire Bros.
Dolgeville:
A. Dolge & Son.
East Aurora:
The Roycrofters.
Endicott:
Endicott, Johnson & Co.
Garden City:
Doubleday, Page & Co.
Geneva:
Geneva Optical Co.
Standard Optical Co.
Gloversville:
Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Rail­
road .
Ilion:
Remington Typewriter Co.
Remington Arms Co.
Mechanicsville:
Mechanicsville Knitting Co.
Middletown:
Howell-Herschman Co.
Mineville (Essex County):
Witherbee-Sherman Co.
Newburgh:
Orange County Traction Co.

NEW YORK.

Albany:
Consolidated Car Heating Co.
F. C. Huyck & Sons.
John G. Myers Co.
New York Telephone Co.
Auburn:
Dunn & McCarthy Shoe Factory.
International Harvester Co.
Binghamton:
Dunn & McCarthy.
Briarcliff Manor:
Briarcliff Farms.
Brooklyn:
Abraham & Straus.
Brennon & White.
Brooklyn City Safe Deposit Co.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Co.
Brooklyn Trust Co.
Bush Terminal.
Robert Cair Co.
Chelsea Mills.
Eberhard Faber Pencil Co.
Edison Electric Illuminating Co.
Ess-Arr Knitting Works.
Iron Clad Manufacturing Co.
Kenyon Co.
Frederick Loeser & Co.
Mergenthaler Linotype Co.
Pilgrim Laundry.
J. N. Robins Co.
J. H. Williams & Co.
Buffalo:
Acme Steel & Malleable Iron Works.
Barcalo Manufacturing Co.
Buffalo Scale Co.
Buffalo Smelting Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N TH LY REVIEW OF TH E BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
NEW YORK—C ontinued.

325

NEW Y O R K —Continued.

New York City—Continued.
New York City:
Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Co.
Adams Electric Co.
Hill Publishing Co.
B. Altman & Co.
R. Hoe & Co.
American Bank Note Co.
Hogan & Sons.
American Book Co.
Hotel Astor.
American Brake Shoe & Foundry Co.1
Hotel Belmont.
American Can Co.1
Hotel McAlpin.
American Colortype Co.
Huyler Candy Co.
American Dock Co.
Interborough Rapid Transit Co.
American Express Co.1
International Mercantile Marine Co.
American Iron & Steel Institute.
J. H. Reiser (Inc.).
American Light & Traction Co.
C. F. Koch & Co.
American Lithographic Co.
Long Island Railroad Co.
American Locomotive Co.1
Lord & Taylor.
American Manufacturing Co.
P. Lorillard Tobacco Co.1
American Smelting & Refining Co.1
MacMillan Co.
American Sugar Refining Co.
McClure Publishing Co.
American Telephone & Telegraph Co.
James McCreery & Co.
and allied companies.
McNutt Can Co.
American Tobacco Co.1
American Woolen Co.1
R. H. Macy & Co.
Manning, Maxwell & Moore.
Bankers’ Trust Co.
A. D. Matthews’ Sons.
Barber & Co.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
Bloomingdale Bros.
Minot, Hooper & Co.
Borden Condensed Milk Co.
A. 1. Namm & Son.
Brady & Guion (Inc.).
Brewster & Co.
National Bank of Commerce.
National Biscuit Co.1
Butterick Pattern Co.
Cammeyer.
National City Bank.
National Cloak & Suit CoCentral Brewing Co.
National Lead Co.1
Century Publishing Co.
Nemo Corset Co.
Chelsea Mills.
New York Central Railroad Co.
Consolidated Gas Co.
New York Edison Co.
Consumers Brewing Co.
New York Evening Post.
Crescent Watch Case Co.
New York Life Insurance Co.
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
New Yors National Bank.
Railroad Co.
New York Telephone Co.
The Delaware & Hudson Co.
New York Transfer Co.
Eaton, Cole & Burnham Co.
North German-Lloyd Steamship Co.
Equitable Life Insurance Co.
North Star Mines Co.1
Erie Railroad.
Old Dominion Steamship Co.
Fifth Avenue Bank.
Otis Elevator Co.
First National Bank.
Overseas Shipping Co.
Floersheimer Bros.
Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
Gas Engine & Power Co.
Postal Telegraph Co.1
*
General Acoustic Co.
Republic Rubber Tire & Shoe Co.
General Chemical Co.1
Rothenberg & Co.
Gimbel Bros.
S. Scheuer & Sons.
J. J. Goldman.
Charles L. Seabury & Co.
Greenhut & Co.
D. E. Sicher & Co.
Hamburg-American Line.
1 The

main office of this establishment is in this i y; there are also branch offices in other localities.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

326

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
NEW YORK—Continued.

New York City—Concluded.
Smith & Kaufman.
Standard Oil Co.1
Staten Island Rapid Transit Co.
Steinway & Sons.
Stollwerck Bros.
J. F. Tapley.
Tide Water Oil Co.1
Union Pacific Railway Co.
United Cigar Stores Co.
United States Steel Corporation and
various subsidiary companies.
Vogue Publishing Co.
Wallach’s Laundry.
John Wanamaker.
Ward Baking Co.1
L. E. Waterman Co.
Wells, Fargo & Co.
Westcott Express Co.
Western Electric Co.1
Western Union Telegraph Co.
J. H. Williams Co.
Wynkoop, Hollenbeck, Crawford Co.
Niagara Falls:
Carborundum Co.
Natural Food Co.
Niagara Falls Development Co.
Niagara Falls Power Co.
Oneida Community (also at Oneida).
Shredded Wheat Co.
The Spirella Co.
Oneida:
Oneida Community.
Wm. Rogers Co.
Peekskill:
Fleischmann Yeast Co.1
Union Stove Works.
Port Chester:
Ernest Simon Manufacturing Co.
Russell, Burdsall & Ward Bolt & Nut
Co.
Rochester:
Adler Bros. & Co.
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.
Brownell Motor Car Co.
Duffy, Mclnnerney Co.
Eastman Kodak Co.
German-American Button Co.
H. B. Graves.
Rochester Herald.
Rochester Railway Co.
M. B. Schautz.

1The main office of this establishm ent is in this


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

NEW YORK-Concluded.

Rochester—Concluded.
Sibley, Lindsay & Curr Co.
Stromberg-Carlson Telephone Manu­
facturing Co.
Swiss Laundry.
Taylor Instrument Co.
Salamanca:
Salamanca Trust Co.
Saugerties:
Saugerties Manufacturing Co.
Schenectady:
General Electric Co.1
Seneca Falls:
Gould Manufacturing Co.
Syracuse:
A. E. Nettleton Co.
Onondaga Pottery Co.
Pierce, Butler & Pierce.
Solvay Process Co.
E. C. Stearnes & Co.
Syracuse Chilled Plow Co.
Syracuse City Bank.
Waldorf Manufacturing Co.
Utica:
Hart & Crouse Co.
Mohawk Valley Cup Co.
Utica Drop Forge & Tool Co.
Watertown:
St. Regis Paper Co.
Taggart Paper Co.
Troy:
Beatties Laundry.
Burden Iron Co.
Cluett, Peabody & Co.
Earl & Wilson Co.
W. & L. E. Gurley.
Wright Health Underwear Co.
Warrensburg:
Emerson Manufacturing Co.
Yonkers:
Otis Elevator Co.
Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Co.
John T. Waring Hat Manufacturing Co.
NORTH CAROLINA.

Canton:
Champion Fiber Co.
Greensboro:
American Cigar Co.
Proximity Manufacturing Co.
McAdensville:
MeAden Mills.
ity; there are also branch offices in other localities.

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
NORTH CAROLINA—Concluded.

Spray:
Spray Cotton Mills.
Wilmington:
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
OHIO.

Akron:
Aultman & Miller Buckeye Co.
Firestone Co.
B. F. Goodrich Co.
Goodyear Tire &Rubber Co.
Miller Rubber Co.
Quaker Oats Co.
Webster Camp & Lane Co.
Alliance:
Morgan Engineering Co.
Barberton:
Columbia Chemical Co.
Diamond Match Co.
Canton:
Berger Manufacturing Co.
Republic Stamping &Enameling Co.
Cincinnati:
American Book Co.
Bell Telephone Co.
Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, & St.
Louis Railroad Co.
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Rail­
road Co.
Cincinnati Milling Machine Co.
Cincinnati Suburban Telephone Co.
Cincinnati Traction Co.
Desmond’s Lace Store.
The Fair.
Globe-Wernicke Co.
Henderson Lithographic Co.
The Lodge & Shipley Machine Tool
Co.
Lunkenheimer Co.
McAlpin Co.
Model Laundry.
Proctor & Gamble Co.
Rookwood Pottery.
Rouh & Mack Shirt Co.
Smith Kasson Co.
Strobridge Lithographic Co.
United States Playing Card Co.
Cleveland:
Acme Machine Co.
American Ship Building Co.
American Steel & Wire Co.
American Washboard Co.

327

OHIO—Continued.

Cleveland—Continued.
The Bailey Co.
Bell Telephone Co.
Benton, Myers & Co.
H. Black & Co.
Brown Hoisting Machine Co.
Chandler & Rudd.
Cleveland-Akron Bag Co.
Cleveland Automatic Machine Co.
Cleveland Axle Manufacturing Co.
Cleveland-Canton Springs Co.
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.
Cleveland Electric Railway Co.
Cleveland Foundry Co.
Cleveland Hardware Co.
Cleveland Provision Co.
Cleveland Punch & Shear Co.
Cleveland State Telephone Co.
Cleveland Terminal & Valley Rail«
road Co.
Cleveland Twist Drill Co.
Cleveland Worsted Mills.
Crow & Whitmarsh.
Davis Laundry Co.
First National Bank.
Formann-Bassett Co.
Garlock-Frazee Laundry Co.
Glidden Varnish Co.
Halle Bros.
The Hall-Van Gorden Co.
Hydraulic Pressed Steel Co.
Independent Telephone Co.
Joseph & Feiss.
Kaynee Co.
Kelley Island Lime & Transport Co.
Lake Carriers’ Association.
Lake Erie Iron Co.
May Co.
Mechanical Rubber Co.
Morris Coal Co.
National Carbon Co.
National Electric Lamp Co.
New York, Chicago & St. Louis Rail­
road Co.
The Osborn Manufacturing Co.
Otis Steel Co.
Pickands, Mather & Co.1
Printz-Biederman Co.
Provident Coal Co.
Republic Rubber Co.
River Furnace Co.

i The main office of this establishment is in this ci y; there are also branch offices in other localities.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

328

MONTHLY REVIEW OP THE BUREAU OP LABOR STATISTICS.
O HIO—Continued.

OHI O—Cont inued.

Cleveland—Concluded.
Sherwin-Williams Co.
W. P. Southworth Co.
Standard Sewing Machine Co.
William Taylor, Son & Co.
Upson Nut Co.
Warner & Swasey.
White Sewing Machine Co.
Winton Automobile Co.
Columbus:
Buckeye Steel Castings Co.
Case Manufacturing Co.
Capital City Dairy Co.
Central Union Telephone Co.
Columbus Iron & Steel Co.
Columbus Oilcloth Co.
Columbus Railway Co.
Dunn, Taft & Co.
Federal Glass Co.
H. C. Goodman Co.
Green, Joyce Co.
Hanna Paint Co.
Hocking Valley Railroad Co.
Humpton-Scott Co.
Jeffrey Manufacturing Co.1
Kilbourne & Jacobs Manufacturing Co.
M. B. Lilley & Co.
Pittsburg Coal Co.
J. Edwin Smith Co.
Troy Laundry Co.
Z. S. White Co.
Winslow Glass Co.
Cortland:
Sperry Manufacturing Co.
Dayton:
Buckeye Iron & Brass Works.
Central Union Telegraph Co.
Dayton Engineering Laboratories.
Kinnard Manufacturing Co.
Legler Co.
Lowe Bros. Co.
National Cash Register Co.
Platt Iron Works.
Recording & Computing Machine Co.
Rike-Cumler Co.
Stillwell-Bierce & Smith-Vaille Co
Thomas Manufacturing Co.
Weinrich Cigar Factory.
Delaware:
New York Cash Store.

East Liverpool:
Knowles, Taylor & Knowles Co.
Smith & Phillips China Co.
Standard Pottery Co.
Wells Clark China Co.
Elyria:
Willys-Overland Co.
Fostoria:
Allen Motor Co.
Hamilton:
Champion Coated Paper Co.
Hughesville :
Williamsport & North Branch Rail­
road Co.
Ivorydale:
Procter & Gamble.
Lancaster :
Fairfield Shoe Co.
Goodman Shoe Co.
Lancaster Shoe Co.
Lockland :
Stearns & Foster Co.
Lorain :
Lorain Steel Co.
National Tube Co.
Thew Automatic Shovel Co.
Magnolia:
Magnolia Coal Co.
Mansfield :
North American Watch Co.
Ohio Brass Co.
Marblehead :
Kelley Island Lime & Transport Co.
Middletown:
American Rolling Mills Co.
Mount Vernon:
C. & G. Cooper Co.
Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Rail­
way.
Norwood:
Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co.
Portsmouth :
The Drew-Selby Co.
Portsmouth Steel Co.
Springfield :
Robbins & Myers Co.
Steubenville :
La Belle Iron Works.
Tiffin:
U. S. Glass Co.

i The m ain office of this establishment is in this city; there are also branch offices in other localities.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

329

OHIO—Concluded.

PENNSYLV AN I A -C ontinued.

Toledo:
American Can Co.
Ann Arbor Railroad.
R. A. Bartley.
F. Bissell Co.
Boss Co.
Doehler Die Stamping Co.
S. M. Jones Co.
Libbey Glass Co.
Miibourn Wagon Co.
Willys-Overland Co.
Youngstown:
Carnegie Steel Co.
Republic Iron & Steel Co.1
Republic Rubber Co.
William Todd Co.
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.
Zanesville:
American Encaustic Tiling Co. (Ltd.)
Roseville Potteries.
Weller Potteries.

Coatesville :
Lukens Iron & Steel Co.
Worth Bros.
Cokeburg:
Lackawanna Steel Co.
Cornwall :
Cornwall Ore Bank Co.
Dunmore :
Hillside Coal <fc Iron Co.
Pennsylvania Coal Co.
Duquesne:
Carnegie Steel Co.
Easton :
Alpha Portland Cement Co.
Ingersoll-Sergeant Drill Co.
Thomas Iron Co.
Economy:
Central Tube Co.
Eddystone :
Baldwin Locomotive Works.
Ellsworth :
Ellsworth Collieries (Lackawanna
Steel Co.).
Enola:
Dodson’s Coal Co.
Erie:
General Electric Co.
Hammerhill Paper Co.
II. F. Watson Co.
Farrell :
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
American Steel & Wire Co.
Carnegie Steel Co.
Fredericktown:
Clyde Coal Co.
Greensburg:
Keystone Coal & Coke Co.
Harrisburg :
Central Iron & Steel Co.
Elliott-Fisher Co.
Lalance & Grosjean Manufacturing Co.
Telegraph Printing Co.
Hazleton :
Duplan Silk Co.
A. S. Van Wickle Est.
Heilwood :
Penn-Mary Coal Co.
Hershey:
Hershey Chocolate Co.
Hershey Transit Co.
Hoguendagua:
Thomas Iron Co.

OREGON.

Knappa:
Bay Creek Logging Co.
Portland:
Portland Eastern & Western Lumber
Co.
Portland Railway Co.
Wauna:
Crossett Western Lumber Co.
PENNSYLVANIA.

Allentown:
Lehigh Valley Transit Co.
Ambler:
Asbestos Shingle, Slate & Sheathing
Co.
Keasby & Matthison Co.
Ambridge:
American Bridge Co.
Beaver Brook:
A. S. Van Wickle Est.
Bethlehem:
Bethlehem Steel Co.
Birdsboro:
Birdsboro Steel Foundry & Machine
Co.
Braddock:
Carnegie Steel Works.
Canonsburg:
East Palestine Pottery Co.
Chambersburg:
Chambersburg Engineering Co.
Cumberland Valley Railroad Co.

i The main office of this establishment is~in this ci /; there are also branch offices in other localities.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

330

MONTHLY REVIEW OE THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
PENNSYLVANIA—Continued.

PENNSYLVANIA—Continued.

Homestead :
Carnegie Steel Co.
Nesta Machine Co.
Jersey Shore:
New York Central Railroad.
Johnstown:
Cambria Steel Co.
Lorain Steel Co.
Kane :
Lamont Chemical Co,
Kingston:
Kingston Coal Co.
Lancaster :
Hamilton Watch Co.
Steinman Hardware Co.
Lebanon:
American Iron & Steel Manufacturing
Co.
Lebanon Valley Iron Co.
Leise nring:
H. C. Frick Coal & Coke Co.
McKeesport:
American Sheet Steel Co.
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
McKeesport Tin Plate Co.
National Tube Co.
Marcus Hook:
American Viscose Co.
Marianna:
Pittsburg-Buffalo Coal Co.
Union Coal & Coke Co.
Meadow Lands:
Meadow Lands Coal Co.
Meadville:
The Spirella Co.
Midland:
Midland Steel Co.
Pittsburg Crucible Steel Co.
Morea:
Dodson Coal Co.
Mount Carmel:
Colonial Colliery Co.
Mount Union:
Mount Union Refractories Co.
Natrona:
Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co.
New Castle:
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
Carnegie Steel Co.
Pittsburg Limestone Co.
Nicetown:
Midvale Steel Co.

Northampton:
Atlas Portland Cement Co.
Olyphant:
Lackawanna Coal Co.
Palmerton:
New Jersey Zinc Co.
Parkersburg:
Parkersburg Iron Co.
Pencoyd:
American Bridge Company.
Philadelphia:
Alexander Bros.
S. L. Allen Co.
Alliance Coal Mining Co.
Atlantic Refining Co.
Baldwin Locomotive Works.
. Bell Telephone Co.
J. G. Brill Co.
John Bromley & Sons.
Burk Bros.
Burnham, Williams & Co.
A. M. Collins Son & Co.
Colonial Colleries Co.
Wm. Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine
Building Co.
Curtis Publishing Co.
Thomas Devlin Manufacturing Co.
Henry Disston & Sons.
Enterprise Manufacturing Co.
Fels & Co.
Firth & Foster Co.
Robert H. Foerderer.
General Asphalt Co.
Gimbel Bros.
Harrison Bros.
Wm. II. Ilorstman Co.
Ivins, Dietz & Metzger Co.
Ketterlinus Lithographic Manufactur­
ing Co.
Keystone Watch Case Co.
A. B. Kirschbaum Co.
Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co.
Lit Bros.
Liveright Bros.
Logan Iron & Steel Co.
W. R. McTurk Coal Co.
Maryd Coal Co.
Wm. Mauer Co.
Merritt & Co.
Alfred F. Moore.
Pennsylvania Railroad Co.
Philadelphia Electric Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

331

PENNSYLVANIA—Continued.

PENNSYLVANIA—Concluded.

Philadelphia—Concluded.
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co.
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron
Co.
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Co.
Powers-Weightman-Rosengarten Co.
Public Ledger.
C. Schmit & Sons Brewing Co.
Smith, Kline & French Co.
Standard Steel Works.
John B. Stetson Co.
Strawbridge & Clothier.
Supplee-Biddle Hardware Co.
Surpass Leather Co.
United Gas Improvement Co.
John Wanamaker (Inc.).
Welsbach Co.
C. H. Wheeler Co.
Wm. Wood & Co.
Pittsburg:
American Bridge Co.
American Locomotive Works.
Armstrong Cork Co.
Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Co.
Blaine Coal Co.
Cambria Steel Co.
Carnegie Steel Co.
Clyde Coal Co.
Columbia Chemical Co.
Connellsville Coke Co.
Equitable Life Assurance Society.
H. C. Frick Coke Co.
Harbison-Walker Refractories Co.
J. Horne & Co.
H. J. Heinz.
Jones & Laughlin Steel Co.
Kaufmanns.
The Manufacturers Light & Heat Co.
McCreery & Co.
Monongahela River Consolidated Coal
& Coke Co.
National Tube Co.
Pittsburg Coal Co.
Pittsburg & Conneaut Dock Co.
Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad.
Pittsburg Meter Co.
Pittsburg Railway Co.
Pittsburg Steel Foundry.
Pittsburg Steamship Co.
Pittsburg Valve Foundry and Con­
struction Co.
II. K. Porter.

Pittsb urg—Concluded.
W. J. Rainey Co.
Rauh Bros. Clothing Factory.
Reymer Candy Co.
Shelby Steel Tube Co.
Westinghouse Electric & Manufactur­
ing Co.
Pottsville:
Eastern Steel Co.
Maryd Coal Co.
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron
Co.
Reading:
Reading Iron Co.
Reading Steel Castings Co.
C. K. Whitner & Co.
Scottdale:
H. C. Frick Coal & Coke Co.
Scranton:
Delaware Hudson Co.
International Text Book Co.
Scranton Coal Co.
Scranton Railway Co.
St. Clair Coal Co.
Shamokin:
Mineral Railroad & Mining Co.
Susquehanna Coal Co.
Siegfried:
Lawrence Portland Cement Co.
Steelton:
Bethlehem Steel Co.
Sunbury:
Susquehanna Silk Mills.
Swissvale:
Union Switch & Signal Co.
Vandergrift:
American Sheet & Tin Plate Co.
Apollo Iron & Steel Co.
United Engineering & Foundry Co.
Wilkes-Barre:
Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co.
Miner Hillard Milling Co.
Wilmerding:
Westinghouse Air Brake Co.
Woodlawn:
Jones & Laughlin Steel Co.
York:
General Roofing Manufacturing Co.
Weaver Organ & Piano Co.
Northampton:
Atlas Portland Cement Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

332

MONTHLY REVIEW OF- THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
RHODE ISLAND.

SOUTH CAROLINA—Continued.

Bristol:
Columbia:
Cranston Worsted Mills.
Capital City Mills.
Newport:
Granby
Cotton Mills.
Newport Daily News.
Olympia Cotton Mills.
”Pawtucket:
Palmetto Cotton Mills.
Coats (J. & P., Ltd.).
Richland Cotton Mills.
Jenckes Spinning Co.
Darlington
:
Lorraine Manufacturing Co.
Darlington Manufacturing Co.
Union Wadding Co.
Enoree :
Mapleville :
Enoree Manufacturing Co.
Coronet Worsted Co.
Fork Shoals:
Peace Dale:
Fork Shoals Cotton Mills.
Peace Dale Manufacturing Co.
Graniteville :
Providence :
Graniteville Manufacturing Co.
Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Co.
Collendar, McAuslan & Troup.
Greenville :
Eastern Coal Co.
American Spinning Co.
General Fire Extinguisher Co.
Brandon Mills.
Gorham Manufacturing Co.
Camperdown Mills.
Lonsdale Co.
Mills Manufacturing Co.
Loutitt’s Home Laundry.
Monaghan Mills.
O’Gorman Co.
F. W. Poe Manufacturing Co.
Outlet Dry Goods Co.
Greenwood :
Pocasset Worsted Co.
Grondel & Greenwood Cotton Mills.
Providence Dyeing, Bleaching & Cal­ Greers :
endering Co.
Victor Manufacturing Co.
Providence Engineering Works.
Hartsville:
Rhode Island Co.
Hartsville Cotton Mill Co.
Rumford Chemical Works.
Honea Path:
Shepard Co.
Chiquola Cotton Mills.
United Traction & Electric Co.
Irene :
Wanskuck Co.
Saxe-Gotha Mills.
Lancaster:
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Lancaster Cotton Mills.
Abbeville :
Langley:
Abbeville Cotton Mills.
Langley Manufacturing Co.
Aiken :
Laurens :
Aiken Manufacturing Co.
Laurens Cotton Mills.
Anderson :
Watts Mills.
Gluck Mills.
New Brookland:
Orr Cotton Mills.
Columbia Mills Co.
Toxaway Mills.
Ninety-six:
Arlington :
Ninety-six Mill.
Victor Manufacturing Co.
Piedmont :
Belton:
Piedmont Manufacturing Co.
Belton Mills.
Pelham
:
Buffalo:
Pelham Mills.
Union Buffalo Mills.
Pelzer:
Cateechee :
Pelzer Manufacturing Co.
Norris Cotton Mills.
Ready River Factory:
Charleston :
Ready River Manufacturing Co.
Royal Bag & Yarn Co.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
SOUTH CAROLINA—Concluded.

Rock Hili:
Arcade Cotton Mill.
Hamilton Carhartt Co.
Victoria Cotton Mills.
Spartanburg:
Arkwright Mills.
Spartan Mills.
(Jnion:
Excelsior Knitting Mills.
Warrenville:
Warren Manufacturing Co.
Williamston:
Williamston Mills.
Yorkville:
Neely Manufacturing Co.
York Cotton Mills.
TENNESSEE.

Chattanooga:
Ross-Meehan Foundry Co.
TEXAS.

Dallas:
Texas & Pacific Railway Co.
El Paso:
American Smelting & Refining Co.
Houston:
Galveston, Houston & Texas Railway.
Houston & Texas Central Railroad Co.
San Antonio:
San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway
Co.
Sherman:
First National Bank.
VERMONT.

Brattleboro:
Estey Organ Co.
Proctor:
Vermont Marble Co.
St. Johnsbury:
E. & T. Fairbanks & Co.
VIRGINIA.

Cape Charles:
New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk
Railroad Co.
Danville:
Dan River Power & Manufacturing Co.
Lynchburg:
Craddock-Terry Co.
Lynchburg Cotton Mill.
Lynchburg Traction & Light Co.
United Cigarette Machine Co.
76934°—17---- 11


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

383

VIR G INI A—Concluded.
Norfolk:
Seaboard Air Line Railway.
Pulaski:
General Chemical Co.
Richmond :
American Locomotive Co.
Federal Cigar Co.
Roanoke:
Virginia Bridge & Iron Co.
South Boston :
Paramount Knitting Co.
W ASHINGTON.

Bellingham :
Bloedel-Donovan Lumber Mills.
Seattle :
Bon Marché Department Store.
Northwest Trust & Safe Deposit Co.
Pacific Coast Co.
Seattle Electric Co.
South Bellingham:
Pacific American Fisheries.
Puget Sound Mills & Amber Co.
Tacoma :
St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.
Wheeler Osgood Co.
W EST VIRGINIA.

Coalburg:
Coalburg Kanawha Coal Co.
Elkins:
Coal & Coke Railway Co.
Gary:
U. S. Coal & Coke Co.
Grant Town:
Federal Coal & Coke Co.
Handley:
Chesapeake Mining Co.
Hugheston :
Hughes Creek Coal Co.
West Virginia Gas & Coal Co.
Longacre :
Sunday Creek Coal Co.
Mucklow:
Paint Creek Collieries Co.
Omar:
Main Creek Coal Co.
Piedmont:
West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co.
Slagle :
McGregor Coal C.o.
Tams :
Gulf Smokeless Coal Co.

334

MONTHLY REVIEW OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.
WEST VIRGINIA—Concluded.

Vivian:
Bottom Creek Coal & Coke Co.
King Coal Co.
Wheeling:
Wheeling Potteries Co.
Wheeling Steel & Iron Co.
Whitaker-Glessner Co.
Winifrede:
Winifrede Coal Co.
W ISCONSIN.

Beloit:
Fairbanks Morse Manufacturing Co.
Cudahy:
Federal Rubber Co.
Evansville:
Baker Manufacturing Co.
Horicon:
Van Brunt Manufacturing Co.
Horlicksville:
Horlick Malted Milk Co.
Kenosha:
Simonds Saw Works.
La Crosse:
La Crosse Plow Works.
Milwaukee:
Allis-Chalmers Co.
Boston Store.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

W ISCONSIN—Concluded.

Milwaukee—Concluded.
Hoffman & Billings Manufacturing Co.
International Harvester Co.
B. B. Johnson Soap Co.
F. W. Mayer Boot & Shoe Co.
Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light
Co.
Milwaukee Gas Light Co.
Patton Paint Co.
Pfister-Vogel Co.
A. O. Smith Co.
Wisconsin Bridge & Iron Co.
Wisconsin Telephone Co.
Benjamin Young.
Neenah:
Kimberly-Clark Co.
Odanah:
J. S. Stearns Lumber Co.
Oshkosh :
Diamond Match Co.
Waite Grass Carpet Co.
Racine:
Belle City Malleable Iron Co.
J. I. Case Threshing Machine Co.
Hartmann Trunk Co.
Hilker-Wiechers Manufacturing Co.
Mitchell Motor Co.