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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ROYAL MEEKER, Commissioner
MONTHLY
VOLUME VIII
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NUMBER 2
FEBRUARY, 1919
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1919
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CONTENTS,
Special articles:
page>
Lacks in workmen’s compensation, by Royal Meeker, United States Com
missioner of Labor Statistics.................................... .................................. 1-11
The New York Harbor strike, by Benjamin M. Squires............................. 12-27
Next steps in social insurance in the United States, by Samuel McCune
Lindsay, president American Association for Labor Legislation...............28-34
Need for systematic development of social statistics, by Wesley C. Mitchell,
president American Statistical Association................................................ 35-44
Labor turnover:
Labor turnover in the San Francisco Bay region, by Paul F. Brissenden... 45-62
Reconstruction:
Meeting of reconstruction committee, National Civic Federation............... 63-67
Reconstruction conference, National Popular Government League,
Y/ashington, January 9-11, 1919.................................................................. 67-70
Research as applied to industrial problems, by Mrs. V. B. Turner............. 71-78
Internationalism in labor standards.............................................................. 79-82
The national emergency in education....................................................... 82-85
Annual meetings of economic associations at Richmond, Ya.................... 85, 86
Readjustment of British industry from war to peace footing......................86-88
Demobilization and resettlement, Great Britain........................................... 88-90
Provision for the disabled, and vocational education:
Soldiers and sailors urged to continue United States Government insurance.
91
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States.................................................. 92-104
Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States, 1913 to December,
1918............................................................................................................ 104-106
Changes in wholesale prices in the United States...................................... 106-109
Fluctuations of controlled and uncontrolled prices in the United States. 109-112
113
Cost of living in Spokane, Wash............................................. .....................
Food control:
Food production andcontrol in the United States..................................... 114-116
Employment and unemployment:
Reconstruction activities of the United States Employment Service___117-123
Descriptions of occupations by the United States Bureau of Labor Statis
tics............................................................................................................. 123-125
Issuance of permits for importation of Mexican and West Indian laborers
discontinued.............................................................................................. 125-127
Employment in selectedindustries in December, 1918............................. 128-131
Index numbers of employment and of pay roll, January, 1915, to December,
1918............................................................................................................ 131-133
Canadian Government’s plan to handle unemployment.......................... 133-137
German labor market after the w ar.......................................................... 137-141
Proposals for remedying unemployment in Switzerland.............................
142
Agreements between employers and employed:
Collective bargaining agreement between Bethlehem Shipbuilding Cor
poration and metal workers...................................................................... 143,144
Wages and hours of labor:
Orders affecting wages and employment of employees of United States
controlled telegraph systems................................................................... 145-147
Recent wage awards by National Adjustment Commission...................... 147-150
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IV
CO NTENTS.
Wages and hours of labor—Concluded.
Page.
Method of computing wages of railroad employees fixed by the Director
General...................................................................................................... 150-153
Hours and output in the wool in d u stry .................................................. 153-155
Union scales in book and job printing trades, and of chauffeurs, teams
ters, and drivers........................................................................................ 156-189
Recent wage increases in British wool-textile and pottery industries ... 190,191
Minimum wage:
Recent minimum wage decrees in California and Massachusetts............. 192-195
Child labor:
Juvenile delinquency in rural New York................................................ 196-198
Industrial hygiene:
Industrial poisoning in American anilin dye manufacture, by Alice
Hamilton, M. D ................................................................... - ................... 199-215
Industrial hygiene at the convention of the American Public Health
Association............................................................................................
215-219
Poisoning from exhaust gas..................
219-221
Sickness as related to income, in cotton-mill families............................... 221-226
Health hazards of the cloth sponging industry in New York................... 226-228
New process for eliminating dust and fumes............................................. 229, 230
Use of factory statistics in the investigation of industrial fatigue............. 230-232
Reduction of occupational diseases in Great Britain............................... 232,233
Factory conditions and pulmonary phthisis in Great Britain.................. 234-237
Industrial safety:
Conference on national industrial safety codes.........................................
238
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
Recommendations on health, health insurance, and old-age pensions
adopted by Ohio Health and Old-Age Insurance Commission........... 239-242
Procedure of Colorado workmen’s compensation commission.................. 242, 243
Workmen’s insurance fund of Pennsylvania..............................................
243
Regulations by Alberta (Canada) Workmen’s Compensation Board to dis
courage malingering....... '........................................ - ..............................
244
New German scheme for compulsory unemployment insurance............. 244,245
Housing:
Housing by the United States Department of Labor................................ 246-251
Aid by Canadian Government for provincial housing schemes.............. 251, 252
Labor decisions:
Regulation of wage contracts by the Seamen’s Act.................................. 253-256
Labor bureaus:
New French Ministry of Industrial Reconstitution..................................
257
Creation of a department of labor in Germany......................................... 257,258
Conciliation and arbitration:
National War Labor Board umpire’s decision in Employees v. Worthing
ton Pump & Machinery Corporation......................................................... 259-265
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor, December 16, 1918, to
January 15, 1919........................................................................................ 265-269
Compulsory arbitration in Great Britain during the war......................... 270-272
Immigration:
Immigration in November, 1918................................................................. 273,274
Emigration from Italy after the w ar.......................................................... 274, 275
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States................................................................................. 276-283
Official—foreign countries............................................................................ 283-287
Unofficial....................................................................................................... 287-297
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
v o l . v in —n o . 2
WASHINGTON
Fe b r u ar y , 1919
LACKS IN W ORKMEN’S COMPENSATION.
BY ROYAL MEEKER, UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OE LABOR STATISTICS.
[Paper read before the American Association for Labor Legislation, Richmond, Va., Dec. 28,1918.]
The most evident lack in workmen’s compensation legislation is
the absence of any compensation legislation in the District of
Columbia and in 10 of the 48 States composing the Union. The
10 delinquent States are North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and
North Dakota. It would seem that the greatest improvement in
compensation legislation that can be made is to induce the present
Congress and the legislatures of these States, when they meet, to pass
compensation acts, thus wiping the southern “ black belt” off the
compensation map and removing the one dark blot remaining north
of the latitude of Mason and Dixon’s line. If this desired result is
to be accomplished, much hard work will need to be done very
quickly, as the legislatures meet in all these States next month, and
in only three of them is any interest being shown in the matter.
Missouri will probably pass a compensation act next session, while
there is a possibility that Tennessee and Georgia will also do so.
I t is especially desirable that Alabama be induced to act this winter,
as the legislature of this State will not meet again until 1923.
I am unaware of any sentiment in the District of Columbia favoring
the passage of a compensation law covering the workers of the Dis
trict outside of United States Government employ. Immediate
steps should be taken to bring to the attention of the whole country,
and especially of the workers residing in the District of Columbia, the
utter failure of Congress to provide for the District of Columbia
workers either publicly or privately employed.
Quite as flagrant as the failures above alluded to is the failure to
provide adequate compensation for all railroad employees either by
the Federal Government or by the different States. This failure is
due in part to the lack of any proper and intelligent organization of
sovereignty and of governmental function under the Constitution,
and in part to the opposition of the railroad brotherhoods to any leg
islation intended to take away their cherished right to bring lawsuits
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
against the employing railroads on the exceedingly slim chance of
recovering large damages under employer’s liability. Various reme
dies have been suggested for this intolerable condition. Mr. A. J.
Pillsbury, chairman of the California Industrial Accident Commission,
has proposed that Congress pass an act putting all railway employees
engaged in interstate commerce under the law7s of each of the several
State jurisdictions. Mr. Alfred Thom has proposed that Congress
pass a law putting all railroad employees employed in both interstate
and intrastate commerce under a compensation law uniform for the
whole United States. The railway brotherhoods say they are satis
fied with the present employer’s liability laws The Federal Employ
ees’ Compensation Commission, by a vote of 2 to 1, voted that when
the railroads were taken over by the Government the employees
became thereby Federal employees and consequently came under the
Federal Employees’ Compensation Act. The act providing for the
taking over of the railroads by the Federal Government originally
contained wording that expressly made the Federal compensation
act applicable to the railroad employees. These words were stricken
out, but, unfortunately, the words left standing are capable of at least
two meanings, probably more, and nobody can say with assurance
what our railroad employees are to-day. I t is said that a case of an
injured railroad employee will soon be brought before the Federal
Employees’ Compensation Commission for decision. If compen
sation is granted in this case, we may expect manifestations of
vigorous dissent from the railroad brotherhoods. The Federal Kailroad Administration has considered the question of issuing an ad
ministrative order granting compensation for industrial injuries to
the employees of the railroads under Federal control.
Mr. Pillsbury’s plan would produce a greater lack of uniformity
than now prevails. At present railroad employees engaged in inter
state commerce have no rights under State compensation laws.
Much of the time of the Compensation Commission is taken up with
attempts to determine when a railroad employee is engaged in inter
state commerce and when in intrastate commerce. Tire four States
of Minnesota, Indiana, Texas, and Virginia have dodged this knotty
problem by specifically excluding from compensation all steam rail
road employees. Interstate railroad employees are uniformly with
out any remedy for disabilities suffered by them unless they can
prove negligence or fault on the part of the employing railroad, which
it is well-nigh impossible to do. If Mr. Pillsbury’s plan were adopted,
it would put all railroad employees in the State of California under
the California compensation law and administration. An employee
of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad running from St. Louis
to Los Angeles, for instance, would start out under the Federal
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employees’ liability law, as Missouri has no workmen’s compensation
law. He would pass successively through five different States having
compensation laws differing very greatly both in their provisions and
in their administration. Mr. Pillsbury argues that the enactment of
the measure "he advocates would tend to bring all the States up to
the level of the most liberal law. Undoubtedly the railway brother
hoods, if they can be induced to back such a bill at all, would be able
to exercise some influence on the several State legislatures with the
purpose of improving the compensation laws and making them more
uniform. Anything that will tend to give us greater uniformity in
compensation standards and administration is worthy of the most
careful consideration, especially when it gives any promise of levelingall laws and administration practices up to the highest existing
standard. It will be very difficult, however, to get the support of
the railway brotherhoods to the proposed measure, and without their
support it is very doubtful if it can be passed in Congress. Even if
this measure were placed on the United States statute books, it would
take many years to bring the State laws into something like uni
formity, and it seems hopeless to dream of ever securing uniformity
in judicial interpretation of and in administrative practices under
the law.
Mr. Thom’s solution is much more simple, direct, and satisfactory,
if it is constitutional to put all railway employees under Federal
jurisdiction. The Railroad Administration evidently assumes that
no constitutional amendment is needed to enable it to take full
jurisdiction over compensation matters affecting railway employees
on the roads taken under Federal control. In all probability it
would be found that all such railroads are engaged, directly or in
directly, in interstate commerce. In any case if the Railroad Ad
ministration issued an administrative order or framed a bill and
secured its passage by Congress, the considerable body of railroad
employees working on roads not under Federal control would be
excluded from the order or act and we would not have accomplished
the result so greatly to be desired. If the assumption of authority
by the Federal Employees’ Compensation Commission should be
sustained, the situation would be the same. Besides, when the
railroads go back to private management, as now seems inevitable, a
compensation law framed by the Railroad Administration, or the
extension of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to apply to
the roads now under Federal control, would be equally null and void.
In view of the large influence wielded by the railroad brother
hoods over legislation designed to affect their interests, it would seem
to be highly desirable to bring every influence to bear upon public
opinion in general, especially public opinion in the brotherhoods
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themselves. Their national conventions meet in May and June,
1919. It is highly desirable that all the brotherhoods take positive
action favorable to the compensation principle as opposed to the
employer’s liability principle in dealing with injuries incurred by
railroad employees. I think the American Association for Labor
Legislation should engage in an active campaign of education for
the purpose of bringing the railroad brotherhoods to adopt the
principle of compensation. At the same time I think our association
should work to bring to the attention of Congress the unprotected
state of the railroad workers, who are engaged in one of the most
hazardous of all industries. I think a bill should be framed and
introduced as soon as possible providing for the extension of the
Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to cover the railroads under
Federal control. This would bring the matter to the attention of
Congress. We could at the same time work for a bill along the
lines suggested by Mr. Thom. My own opinion is that such a law
would be held constitutional on the ground that all railroad trans
portation is directly or indirectly interstate in character, all the
roads being engaged in handling freights and passengers that go be
yond State boundaries and are therefore component parts of a
national transportation system. If, however, the constitutional
lawyers of Congress think such a law would be unconstitutional, we
should begin at once to agitate for a constitutional amendment
which will make it possible to include all railroad employees under
one law and one system of administration. The placing of the em
ployees under 48 distinct jurisdictions, some with no compensation
laws and others with laws specifically excluding all railroad em
ployees, does not appeal to me as being likely to produce harmony,
efficiency, and good feeling.
May 21, 1917, was a fateful day to workmen’s compensation. On
that day the United States Supreme Court handed down four farreaching decisions which put a stop to the practice of those States
which had been granting compensation under their State laws to
injured workers engaged in interstate commerce or in maritime
pursuits. A maritime pursuit is any occupation which takes the
worker on board a vessel in navigable waters. Two of the cases
were interstate commerce cases in which the court held that it was
unconstitutional for a State to award compensation under its law
to an employee engaged in interstate commerce. These decisions
deprived interstate railroad employees of compensation awarded by
New York, New Jersey, California, and perhaps some other States,
and threw them back on the very doubtful protection of the Federal
employer’s liability law. The other two cases were admiralty
cases and took from longshoremen and maritime employees the com
pensation benefits granted them by the compensation administra
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tions and courts of New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Cali
fornia. The United States Supreme Court decided that the onlyrecourse for these workers when injured was suit under the admi
ralty law of the United States. As a result of this backward looking
decision, much unrest was immediately manifested among the long
shoremen, especially in New York Harbor. To avert the possi
bility of a strike among longshoremen, the Federal Judicial Code
was amended so as to give to those engaged in the loading, unloading,
and repairing of vessels the right to accept compensation under
State law. The amendment is quite inadequate as it does not in
clude seamen, and makes no provision for employees under admi
ralty jurisdiction in the States without compensation laws. A
Federal law should be urged at once to extend the provisions of the
Federal Employees’ Compensation Act to seamen and others coming
under admiralty jurisdiction.
Even more important in point of numbers involved than the exclu
sion of railroad and maritime employees from compensation benefits
are the exclusions, explicit or implicit, of farm hands, casual laborers,
domestic servants, and workers in so-called nonhazardous industries
or in establishments employing less than a minimum number of
workers. All these workers should, of course, be included under the
workmen’s compensation laws. There still lingers in the minds of
many the notion that workmen’s compensation laws create huge
financial burdens, and that therefore compensation laws must be
made niggardly as to benefits and limited to the limit as to coverage
so as to save the States from bankruptcy. The casualty insurance
companies are not without responsibility for the persistence of this
hoary-headed fallacy. Of course the fact is that the economic bur
dens following in the train of industrial accidents or illnesses fall
with crushing force upon the workers, those least able to bear, shift,
or evade them, where there is no provision for the distribution of
these burdens over the industry or the whole community. The only
way a compensation law could possibly increase the burden of acci
dents is by increasing the number and severity of accidents. As a
matter of fact our very inadequate and limited compensation laws
have undoubtedly decreased accidents, both in frequency and severity,
thereby justifying the compensation principle and pointing to the
need for extending these laws to all employments and making their
provisions really adequate. If only farmers and small employers
understood the principles underlying the distribution of risks under
an insurance plan, they would insist that their establishments come
under the workmen’s compensation laws and that the State provide
a State fund, preferably an exclusive, all-embracing State fund, for
the cheaper and more secure insurance of their risks. I think this
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association has no more important function to perform than the
enlightenment of the minds of the people generally as to the necessity
for including all employees under compensation laws and the economy
and indispensability of an exclusive State fund.
We are in danger of fooling ourselves by looking at Dr. Andrews’s
compensation map. The inclusion of a State in the white area does
not necessarily mean that all is well in that State. According to
estimates made by Mr. Carl Hookstadt, of the United States Bureau
of Labor Statistics, out of the 40 jurisdictions now having compensa
tion laws in operation, 10, including Porto ftico and Alaska, exclude
more than half the workers within their borders, while 27 exclude at
least one-fourth of their workers. These estimates are based on the
assumption that all employers who may elect to come under the com
pensation laws do so elect. This gives a greatly exaggerated figure
in many instances. It is probable that nearly one-half of all em
ployees in the States having compensation laws do not come under
these laws at all. I t is highly desirable that all compensation laws
be made compulsory and that they be extended to include all em
ployees. With a State fund it will be feasible to provide ample
guaranties for the payment of all compensation claims under such
all-inclusive laws. Insurance should be sold to small employers
such as farmers, cobblers, small shopkeepers, and the like, so as to
entitle their employees to compensation benefits in case of disability
due to industrial accident or illness.
The only way compensation benefits can be extended to all the
excluded classes is by means of exclusive public or so-called “ State”
insurance or by State-aided or monopolistic mutual associations.
We have no place in America for monopoly except a public monopoly.
In justice to the workers, therefore, it becomes necessary to advocate
public or “ State” insurance to the exclusion of all other kinds of
insurance. A “ competitive” State fund which stands on the same
footing as private competing casualty insurance companies seems at
first glance to be the very quintessence of fairness and squareness.
In reality it is never possible to put a State fund on an equal footing
with private casualty companies. The private companies will take
only the cream of the business and leave to the State fund the task of
carrying all the more costly risks that are hardest to acquire and are
most subject to great catastrophies which wipe out reserves. Just
why should the community bind itself to refrain from giving the best
guaranteed insurance to its workers at the lowest possible cost? I t
is well known that the overwhelmingly greater part of the high costs
of competitive insurance is due to the expenses of acquisition, renewal,
and collection of premium. The investment of reserve funds and the
computation of actuarial liabilities also constitute very heavy
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charges. The costs of acquisition, renewal, collection of premiums,
and investment of funds are almost eliminated under an exclusive
State fund in which every employer would be obliged to insure his
employees. The premiums should be assessed and collected in the
same way as taxes. In fact, there is no more reason for the inter
ference of private companies in the insurance of compensation risks
than in the assessing and collecting of taxes. All these enormous
advantages in economy and universality are lost if private competing
methods are permitted to enter. A competitive State fund is but
little better than a private profit-seeking stock casualty company.
I t is frequently argued that the insurance companies should be
maintained because of their great contributions to human welfare in
times past, and because of the enormous store of experience and
wisdom which they have acquired and the vast vested interest which
they have built up by their industry and integrity. I always go out
of my way to call attention to the very great services performed by
the insurance companies in the past. It is urged that an insurance
company is different from a brewery or distillery in that it can not,
when there is no further need for it, be converted to any useful pur
pose, such as the manufacture of artificial ice, denatured alcohol, or
ginger pop. There is much force in this argument, but nothing like
as much as in the case of the wagon toll roads of Pennsylvania which
brought suit to enjoin the building and operation of the then newlyconceived railroads on the ground that the monopoly charters of the
toll roads w^ere violated by the charters granted to the railroad com
panies. The courts of Pennsylvania decided rightly against the toll
roads, holding that the progress of the community could not be held
up by the monopolistic claims of an obsolete system of transporta
tion. The same principle holds true in the realm of insurance.
Community insurance is much cheaper and it reaches all, therefore
it must and will supersede private profit-seeking competitive insur
ance. If exclusive State insurance can not be obtained in any State,
we should be ready to accept temporarily a competing State fund as
one means of regulating and controlling private casualty companies.
The provision for adequate medical, surgical, and hospital treat
ment for injured workers is far more important than the allowance
of money benefits. Yet four States make no provision whatever for
such services. Twelve limit the cost to $100 or less and 16 limit the
period to 30 days or less. Pennsylvania, which probably contributes
more fatalities and seriously disabling injuries than any other State,
generously allows a maximum of two weeks’ medical attention if it
doesn’t cost more than $25. Only four States permit of adequate
medical and surgical treatment by placing no limits in their laws
upon the time or cost of such services. Massachusetts, perhaps, de
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serves to be included with these four States because, although the law
limits such services to two weeks, except in special cases, the Massa
chusetts Industrial Accident Board makes a special case of every
serious injury. Washington has no limitation either as to time or
amount, but requires the injured workman to pay one-half the cost,
which operates as a decided check on proper treatment. The fact
that the law puts no limitation on medical services does not mean
that all workmen receive all needed medical and surgical treatment
of the very best quality. In my judgment, it is quite as important
to make State compensation commissions, employers, insurance com
panies, and employees understand the economy of the best and most
complete medical and surgical service as to get them to understand
the justice of the compensation principle as over against the damagesfor-injury principle. We ought not to pause or let up in our efforts
to extend the compensation principle to the States of the “ black
b elt” and to apply this principle more intensively in the States that
have adopted some part of the compensation principle, but are as
yet unwilling to give all workers the benefit of compensation, or to
provide for their protection in the most effective and economical
way. But at the same time we should surely devote a large pro
portion of our time, energy, and intelligence to teaching the great
truth that it is better and cheaper to pay competent doctors and
surgeons to save lives, limbs, and bodily functions than to pay com
pensation therefor. The plant manager, the company doctor, the
insurance companies, and the public are still living in the early
Middle Ages, so far as the correct view of the medical question is
concerned. Alas, few of the compensation commissions are much
more enlightened. The workman who suffers injury must be restored
physically, mentally, and morally as quickly and as completely as
possible. When he has been as completely rehabilitated as possible,
he should be put back into industry. This may and generally will
involve his retraining either for his old job or a new job better adapted
to his particular disability. The industrial accident boards and com
missions must have a voice in this work of restoration, retraining,
and reemployment of injured workers. The Smith-Bankhead bill
now before Congress provides for Federal aid on a fifty-fifty basis to
the States which will undertake the rehabilitation and reemployment
of industrial cripples. The International Association of Industrial
Accident Boards and Commissions at its annual meeting last September
indorsed the principle of this bill which provides that the Federal
Board for Vocational Education shall have the administration of the
Federal funds to be allotted to the several State boards which have
been designated or created to cooperate with the Vocational Educa
tion Board in furthering vocational education in the several States.
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This may not be the best form of bill to take care of the rehabili
tation of those injured in industry, but the principle of Federal grants
in aid to assist, stimulate, and direct the efforts of the States in dealing
with important matters that involve large expenditures and affect
the interests of the people generally has already been recognized
by the Federal Government in the Good Roads Act, the Vocational
Education Act, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act applying to
injured soldiers and sailors. The principle of Federal grants in aid
promises to become one of the most useful means of bringing about
much-needed uniformity and improvement in State legislation and
administration in those fields where the principle is applicable. I
think the American Association for Labor Legislation should appoint
a committee to study the so-called Smith-Bankhead bill, suggest
such changes as seem desirable, and work for its passage. Of course,
the compensation commissions, especially their medical departments,
will play a large part in deciding what restorative treatment is to
be given and for what industries and occupations the injured workers
shall be trained.
The money compensation provided in the laws of the different
jurisdictions is altogether too small in amount. Twenty-one States
allow but 50 per cent of wages. Porto Rico also allows only 50 per
cent in case of temporary disabilities. Only three allow 65 per
cent, and four allow a maximum of 66§ per cent of wages. The max
imum allowance per week results in even greater hardship upon the
workers since the period of high prices and high wages came in.
Fourteen States have a maximum limitation on compensation of
$10 per week or less. Porto Rico limits the weekly rate to $7, which
may perhaps be justified on the basis of cost of living in that island,
but Colorado has a limit of $8 per week, which certainly can not be
justified on the ground of low cost of living there. Nine States allow
a maximum of $12 per week, nine have a maximum of $13 to $15,
and only two, New York and California, may grant as much as $20
per week. At present prices it costs the typical worker’s family
nearly $20 per week for food alone, so the utter inadequacy of these
maximum limitations on compensation awards need not be further
dwelt upon.
In view of known facts, I am of the opinion that all maximum
limitations on compensation should be immediately abolished . The
percentage of wages allowed should certainly be not less than twothirds. I am in favor of three-fourths, but will be greatly pleased
if we can bring the 21 States which now allow only half pay up to the
66| per cent level.
The waiting period before compensation is allowed is much too
long. Eighteen States, including Virginia, have a waiting period
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of two weeks, while New Mexico has three weeks; 4 others have ten
days, and 15 have one week. One week is a long time for a work
ingman’s family to he cut off from all or the principal part of its
means of living. The malingerer is held up as the reason for the
50 per cent of wages and the two weeks’ waiting period which is
found in most of our compensation laws. The malingerer is for the
most part a figment of an overheated imagination. He doesn’t exist
in the swarms and hordes that have been described to us. The old
Federal Employees’ Compensation Act paid full wages and had no
waiting period if the injured employee were disabled for 14 days or
more. Yet I am convinced that there was very little malingering
in order to secure full wages during disability. If we would spend
less time in speculating on the moral derelictions of the ‘ ‘laboring
classes” and in trying to protect our pocketbooks from the more or
less mythical malingerer and get down to hard work in behalf of
decently adequate compensation laws for the protection of the great
mass of workers, we would be able to accomplish much more good.
If we had a map showing by shadings from black toward white
the actual conditions with respect to workmen’s compensation, there
would not be the striking contrast between the angelic snow-white
purity of the northern and western States and the deep sinister,
satanic black of the southeastern States. For example, Wyoming,
on such a map, would not be more than one-third white, since the
protection of an elective compensation law is permitted to only 42
per cent of her workers, no medical services are furnished, money
benefits are limited to from $15 to $35 per month in case of temporary
disability, and the waiting period is 10 days. New Jersey, with
practically 100 per cent coverage in theory, would not appear better
than a very dirty alluvial mud color, because the medical service is
limited to 2 weeks and $50, the waiting period is 2 weeks, the pro
portion of wages allowed during disability ranges from 35 to 60 per
cent, and the amount from $5 minimum to $10 maximum. Even
Massachusetts, so long the leader in labor legislation, wnuld appear
as a gloomy, slaty drab color, for, though she allows practically un
limited medical and surgical treatment and theoretically gives twothirds of 'wages, the waiting period has only recently been reduced
to 10 days, the maximum benefit is limited to $14 per week with a
minimum of $5, and the scale of compensation for specific dismem
berments and disabilities is inadequate. The maximum period dur
ing which compensation is payable is 500 weeks. Only" New York,
which has the most liberal compensation law in the United States,
would look at all well on this map, appearing in a garb of beautiful,
though dark, pearl gray. The law, which is compulsory, was
amended last winter so as to include all manufacturing establish
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[328]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
11
ments employing 4 or more. The scale of money benefits is more
liberal, all things considered, than in any other State, but medical
services are limited to 60 days and the amount payable for partial
disability is limited to $3,500, which permits of the maximum com
pensation at $15 per week for a period of 4^ years. There is no
reasonable reason why a one-legged or one-armed man should be
compensated for two-thirds of his earning power for 4^ years and
then be suddenly cut off from all further benefits.
A great deal has been accomplished by winning recognition of the
compensation principle in 38 States and 4 Territories and insular
possessions of the United States. But let us not think all is well
with the world and the millennium about to break upon us because
a tardy, reluctant, and half-hearted acceptance has been accorded
the principle that the laborer is worthy of his hire. Our workmen’s
compensation laws and administrations are still far from satisfactory.
The correction of these defects will require the best efforts of all
interested in the welfare of those who do the hard and dangerous
work of the world.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[329]
THE NEW YORK HARBOR STRIKE.
BY BENJAMIN M. SQUIRE ST
An article entitled “ The New York Harbor wage adjustment,”
appearing in the September, 1918, M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w ,1 set
forth the efforts of the Government in preventing industrial unrest
in New York Harbor and particularly the problems arising out of
arbitrary intervention on the part of the Government. The most
perplexing problem grew out of conflicting jurisdiction of adjustment
agencies. Finally on the morning of January 9, 1919, a general
strike was called, which by noon had completely paralyzed harbor
traffic, including municipal ferries and boats operated by the Federal
Government. Practically all of the 16,000 men employed on harbor
craft responded to the strike order and 50,000 or more longshoremen
were forced out of work. The strike threatened, moreover, to involve
teamsters, drivers, and chauffeurs engaged in general trucking.
Transports loaded with returning soldiers were unable to berth.
Steamships scheduled to depart remained at their piers.
The seriousness of the strike can hardly be overestimated. Like
other large cities New York City lives virtually from hand to mouth.
But unlike any other city the insular location of New York makes
the city absolutely dependent upon harbor traffic for daily needs.
Its relation, moreover, to overseas traffic has given it such importance
during the period of the war that any prolonged interruption to harbor
traffic would have been an international calamity. With the urgent
need of continuing the stream of supplies to European countries and,
as well, bringing our troops back without delay, it is scarcely less
important, now that hostilities have ceased, to keep the port of New
York open. The gravity of the situation was appreciated. Municipal,
State, and Federal authorities were appealed to but existing agencies
of adjustment were unable to promise an adjustment. Cablegrams
were sent to the President urging immediate intervention. The Presi
dent replied promptly, addressing the National War Labor Board:
I have been informed by the Secretary of Labor as to the serious situation which
has developed in the port of New York and the strike of marine workers which
seriously crippled the movement of troops and supplies. I consider this a grave
emergency and understand that it has arisen because the parties to the controversy
failed to make a joint submission to the National War Labor Board.
I earnestly request that you take up this case again and proceed to make a finding. I
appreciate the honesty andsincerity of theboard announcing on Wednesday thatitcould
not promise a final decision in the controversy without a formal submission from all
parties, but I am sure that the War and Navy Departments, the Shipping Board, and
the Railroad Administration and any other governmental agencies interested in the
controversy will use all the powur they possess to make your findings effective.
I also believe that private boat owners will feel constrained by every consideration
of patriotism in the present emergency to accept any recommendation which your
board may make, although the National War Labor Board, up to the signing of the
armistice, was concerned solely with the prevention of stoppage of war work and the
maintenance of production of materials essential to the conduct of the war.
1 Monthly L abor R eview , Bureau of Labor Statistics, September, 1918, p. 1.
12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[330]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
13
I take this opportunity also of saying that it is my earnest hope that in the present
period of industrial transition arising from the war the board should use all means
within its power to stabilize conditions and to prevent industrial dislocation and
warfare.
,TT
W o o d r o w W il s o n .
The several departments named by the President immediately
requested the National War Labor Board to act, agreed to accept its
decision as applicable to their marine operations in the port and
joined with the Secretary of Labor in requesting the men to resume
work. The National War Labor Board notified employers and em
ployees that hearings would be held at once. Under these circum
stances the strike committee voted, on the evening of January 11,
to order the men back to work. The strike thus came to an end
approximately three days after being called.
Quite apart from the details of the strike or its adjustment is the
fact that it is the first serious breakdown of the machinery set up by
the Government for the adjudication of labor controversies “ during
the period of the war,” and applies the acid test to its adaptability to
readjustment problems. Viewed in this light, the circumstances
which led to the inability of agencies of adjustment to prevent the
tie-up of the harbor are significant.
As explained in the article previously mentioned, a threatened
strike of New York Harbor employees in the latter part of 1917 led
to intervention by the United States Shipping Board, and an agree
ment whereby during the period of the war all controversies affecting
wages and working conditions of New York Harbor employees would
be referred to a strictly Government board consisting of one repre
sentative each of the Shipping Board, the Department of Labor, and
the Department of Commerce. This agreement was a substitute for
one first proposed which provided for a representative of employers
and a representative of employees, with a chairman to be chosen by
the Shipping Board. Employers refused the form of arbitration thus
proposed on the ground of unwillingness to deal with the Marine
Workers’ Affiliation, then comprising four of the six harbor unions.
An award was made establishing minimum wages and working
conditions for all harbor boat employees in the port. Complaints of
violation of the award on the part of employers, both private and
public, multiplied rapidly, more than two hundred of the four hundred
or more boat owners being complained against during the first three
months of the award. To check the rapidly growing unrest, adminis
trative machinery was set up and finally as a last resort a considerable
number of recalcitrant owners were summoned to appear before the
Shipping Board and were threatened with seizure of property.
In the meantime the Government had assumed control of the
railroads together with the water ends, of rail carriers which in the
port of New York embraced approximately 40 per cent of the harbor
marine equipment. The establishment of a Railroad Wage Com
mission to make recommendations as to wages and working condi100785°—19-----2
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[331]
14
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
tions raised at once the question of divided jurisdiction. The danger
of two sets of wage rates and working conditions for identical classes
of labor in the port was pointed out to the commission with the re
sult that its recommendations excluded those employees whose
wages and working conditions were the result of awards by govern
mental agencies created subsequent to our entry into the war. This
recommendation was not approved by the Director General of Rail
roads and in his Order No. 27, issued in May, 1918, wage increases
were announced to railroad marine employees.
Prior to this, however, four of the harbor unions appealed to the
newly created National War Labor Board for a revision of the first
award. The result was a modification of the original agreement so as to
provide for two additional members on the board of arbitration, one rep
resenting employers and one representing employees, and for a rehear
ing. The rehearing before the enlarged board was held and an increase
in wages agreed upon. Before the award could be issued, Order No.
27 of the Director General was announced and the harbor board with
held the promulgation of its award in order that it might seek by agree
ment with the Railroad Administration to avoid the confusion and
unrest which it was felt would arise from divided jurisdiction. Con
ferences were held and an understanding reached whereby Order No.
27 was withheld in its application to railroad marine employees in
the port of New York and awards of the harbor board were to be
made recommendatory to the Railroad Administration. The agree
ment creating the harbor board was again modified to provide for two
additional members, one representing the railroads and one represent
ing employees. An award was issued July 12, 1918, effective until
May 31,1919, unless in the judgment of the board conditions warranted
a change prior to the date thus fixed for expiration.
This award, like the one previously issued, provided only for
minimum wage rates and working conditions. Some of the wage
rates thus established were lower than railroad marine employees
would have received under Order No. 27. The Director General
accordingly ordered that wherever employees were entitled to more
under Order No. 27 than under the harbor award, the railroad award
would prevail. This at once restored differentials as between iden
tical classes of railroad marine labor. I t was brought to the atten
tion of the harbor board that the Railroad Administration was seeking
to do away with wage differentials within an occupation and that in
accordance with this policy the harbor board was requested to
recommend an upward standardization of wages to railroad marine
employees on thebasis of the highestrate paid in each occupation. The
harbor board refused to make the recommendation on the ground that
wages had once been standardized by an award to which the railroads
both under private and public management were parties, that this
standard had been upset by the Railroad Administration, and that a
further differential as between the wages of employees on public and
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
15
privately operated boats would result in destructive competition for
labor. The harbor board and the Shipping Board conferred with the
Railroad Administration and it was agreed that no further change would
be made in the wages and working conditions of railroad marine em
ployees except on the recommendation of the harbor board.
In order to avoid a repetition in other ports and other industries
of the New York Harbor situation, a conference committee of national
adjustment agencies was formed to which awards touching classes
of labor over which more than one adjustment agency had jurisdic
tion would be referred for review before being promulgated. Notices
were sent to the various local boards and commissions, including the
New York Harbor board, instructing them not to issue awards until
the conference committee had given its approval.
About the time the conference committee was organized, the Rail
road Administration began to put into effect a basic eight-hour day
with wage increases to a large number of employees. The exclu
sion of railroad marine employees from these advantages, in the face
of the previous proposal of the Railroad Administration to standardize
their wages upward, led to considerable dissatisfaction. The harbor
unions and the board of arbitration were criticised by railroad em
ployees and accused of seeking to withhold from them what the Rail
road Administration was anxious for them to enjoy. Committees of
employees appealed to the Board of Railroad Wages and Working
Conditions and were directed to apply to the harbor board. The
harbor board, in turn, requested the Railroad Administration to
advise whether hearings should be held and recommendations made.
Several weeks elapsed before a reply was received requesting the
harbor board to hear the demands of the railroad marine workers
and on the same day that this request was received the harbor
board was notified by the marine director of the port for the Rail
road Administration that the Administration had authorized the
upward standardization of wages previously proposed. The harbor
board immediately placed the matter before the conference committee
to ascertain whether that committee had approved the increases
ordered by the Railroad Administration and was advised that the
action had not been approved by the conference committee and
would be taken up with the Railroad Administration.
This upward standardization of wages to railroad marine employees,
together with the general trend of wage adjustments in other industries
and the announced policy of the Railroad Administration of granting
the basic eight-hour day to all railroad employees, added fuel to the
smoldering unrest in the harbor. On November 6, 1918, unlicensed
men on railroad boats refused to Work until they received the eighthour day. Two days later the Marine Workers’ Affiliation,, on behalf
of all marine employees, presented demands for wage increases and
for an eight-hour day. These demands in comparison with wages
previously demanded and awarded are shown in the following table:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[333]
WAGES DEMANDED BY TH E NEW YORK HARBOR EM PLOYEES AND AWARDS MADE BY THE BOARD OF ARBITRATION.
M
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _
Wages awarded.
Wages demanded.
Occupation.
C7>
Nov. 16,1918.
July 12,1918.
Nov. 9 1918.2
Per cent
Per cent
Per cent
of
of
of
Monthly Addi Monthly Addi increase.
Monthly Addi increase.
Monthly Addi Monthly Addi increase.
wage tional for wage tional for
wage tional for
wage tional for wage tional for
rate.
rate.
hoard.3
rate.
rate.
board.3
board.1
rate.
board.
board.1
Cct. 24,1917.
May 24,1918.
Tugs, steamers, lighters, floats, and other towing vessels.
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$150.00
150.00
150.00
130.00
100.00
100.00
$0. 60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
$225.00
225.00
225.00
200.00
150.00
150.00
$125.00
135.00
145.00
125.00
100.00
100.00
$0.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
$140.00
150.00
160.00
140.00
115.00
115.00
.75
.75
11.6
10.9
10.2
11.6
14.0
14.0
140.00
140.00
140.00
140.00
.60
.60
.60
.60
115.00
125.00
135.00
.60
.60
.60
130.00
140.00
150.00
.75
.75
.75
12.5
11.6
10.9
65.00
65.00
60.00
65.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
60.00
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
225.00
225.00
225.00
200.00
150.00
145.00
140.00
135.00
132.50
127.50
132.50
127.50
$1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
27.7
23.9
20.2
27.9
29.0
33.3
29.0
65.00
65.00
60.00
65.00
60.00
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
80.00
80.00
75.00
80.00
75.00
.75
.75
.75
.75
.75
19.2
19.2
21.2
19.2
21.2
1.00
31.5
62.00
60.00
60.00
.60
.60
.60
77.00
75.00
75.00
.75
.75
.75
20.7
21.2
30.00
200.00
170.00
165.00
150.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
$110.00
110.00
110.00
110.00
100.00
95.00
95.00
95.00
95.00
95.00
95.00
$0.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
.80
61.5
71.8
49.4
52.6
52.6
52.6
52.6
52.6
52.6
.75
.75
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
[334]
Captains:
Class I ..............................................
Class I I .....................................
Class I I I .......................................
Mate or pilots, required to navigate__
Mates on transport work..........7.. .
Mates, not required to navigate..........
Engineers:
Class I .....................................................
Class I I ...................................................
Class I I I .................................................
A ssistant.............................................
Oilers, licensed......................................
Oilers, unlicensed...................................
Firemen, only one employed...............
Firemen’ two or more~employed............
Deck hands, first..................~ ............
Deck hands; second..............................
Cooks, required to handle lines___
Cooks’ not required to handle lines.........
Cooks' on boats with single deck h an d .......
Cooks, on boats w ith several deck hands . .
Floatmen on car or cattle floats...........
Shore men:
Boat dispatchers, railroad.....................
Bridge masters, railroad........................
Bridge motormen, railroad....................
Bridgemen......... .'....................................
Ferryboats.
Captains or pilots..........................................
Oilers, unlicensed..........................................
Firemen, only one employed.......................
Firemen, two or more employed.................
Deck hands, first...........................................
Deck hands, second.....................................
$150.00
72.00
140.00
100.00
65.00
65.00
60.00
65.00
60.00
SO. 60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
.60
S110.00
110.00
110.00
100.00
95.00
SO. 80
.80
.80
.80
.80
61.5
61.5
71.8
49.4
52.6
S225.00
145.00
225.00
150.00
160.00
150.00
150.00
135.00
135.00
125.00
19.3
11.9
11.9
8.9
13.4
$175.00
95.00
165.00
100.00
95.00
95.00
95.00
85.00
85.00
9.4
18.8
10.0
17.6
18.8
18.8
18.8
21.4
21.4
i $3.50
13.75
i 4.00
18.6
15.2
15.9
i 4.25
i 4.50
i 5.00
16.7
14.9
30.4
Covered barges and lighters.
[335]
Captains:4
On barges and hand-winch hoists.........
On steam or gasoline hoisters................
Less th an 10-ton capacity...............
10 tons or more capacity.................
Mates of all above classes.............................
Engineers:
On gasoline hoisters...............................
On single drum and boiler....................
On double drum and boiler...................
On four drums and boiler......................
On coal, sand, and cargo hoisters.........
On clam-shell and orange-peel buckets.
Less th an 15-ton capacity......................
15 tons and over capacity......................
Heavy steam hoisters.............................
i $4.00
i $4.50
12.5
i $5.50
22.2
$77.00
i 4.00
14.00
i 4.50
i 4.50
12.5
12.5
i 6.00
i 6.50
i 4.00
33.3
44.4
85.00
90.00
i 5.00
i 5.00
i 6.00
16.00
i 6.00
i 6.00
i 6.00
i 6.00
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.0
i 6.00
i 6.00
i 6.50
i 7.00
i 7.00
i 8.00
1 5 00
i 5 00
i 5 00
15.00
8.5
16.7
16.7
33.3
...........
95.00
100.00
110.00
Coal boats, grain boats, deck scows, dumpers, and canal boats.
Captains:
Deck scows.
D um pers...
Canal boats.
Coal boats..
Grain boats.
$70.00
70.00
$100.00
100.00
42.8
42.8
70.00
70.00
100.00
100.00
42.8
42.8
$125.00
25.0
125.00
125.00
125.00
$70.00
70.00
$85.00
85.00
21.4
21.4
25.0
25.0
70.00
70.00
90.00
90.00
28.6
28.6
p er day.
2 Demands for Nov. 9, 1918, are for an 8-hour day.
3 For 6 days per week.
4 Demands for captains were based on following classes: Class I, covered barges and hand-winch hoisters; Class II, steam or gasoline hoisters of less than 15-ton capacity; and
Class III, heavy steam hoisters of 15-ton capacity and over.
i
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
$160.00
80.00
150.00
85.00
80.00
80.00
80.00
70.00
70.00
18
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
In the hope of averting what seemed to be a rapidly approaching
crisis, the harbor board notified the Railroad Administration of the
situation and advised that hearings must be held at once, but that
unless the future policy of the Railroad Administration was known,
the harbor board could not proceed safely or intelligently to make
recommendations in the case of railroad marine employees. Tele
graphic reply was received to the effect that the Railroad Adminis
tration had decided to adjust the wages of its marine employees
through its own agencies. In fact the case of the railroad men on
strike was then being heard, and shortly thereafter it was announced
that a wage increase and the basic eight-hour day had been granted.
The harbor board was thus faced with the alternative of adopting
the settlement made by the railroads or of adding to the confusion by
proceeding to make an award applicable only to employees on other
than railroad-operated boats. The harbor board, however, announced
a hearing for November 15, 1918. Private boat owners now took the
position that they would not consent to a reopening of the case until
May 31, 1919, the date of expiration of the award, and refused to
appear. The railroad representative on the board advised that he
had been directed to withdraw from the board. In view of this
attitude of private owners and the Railroad Administration the
harbor board met and in a lengthy resolution recited the conflict of
jurisdiction concluding that—
Whereas the board now has before it demands from harbor employees presented
through the Marine Workers’ Affiliation of the port of New York and asking that the deci
sion of the board on these demands be made applicable to all harbor employees, and
Whereas in view of the action taken by the Railroad Administration the board is
without authority to act for all harbor employees, yet with the interest of the entire
port in mind can not take any action not applicable to the entire port, and
Whereas the board feels that the situation has at no time justified a departure from
the policy of standardizing wages and working conditions of all harbor marine
employees and that such departure has not only created dissension within the ranks
of labor and led to competition for labor contrary to governmental policy, but has
brought governmental agencies of adjudication into disrepute, destroying their
effectiveness, and now bids fair to create an uncontrollable situation, and
Whereas the problems of reconstruction make it immediately imperative that
action be taken to protect the marine interests of the port by making effective a
policy comprehending all interests, and
Whereas all efforts of the Board of Arbitration in this direction have been set at
naught by the unwillingness of the railroads to concede an identity of interests or to
consider the general interests of the port, and
Whereas the continuance of this board under the circumstances set forth apparently
will not lead to a reestablishment of the principles upon which the board feels the entire
marine interests of the port depend, and may conceivably prevent the restoration of
such principles by means of other agencies: Therefore be it
Resolved, That this board recommend its own dissolution and that concurrently with
such dissolution an agency be set up vested with authority to review the entire
situation and to make recommendations which when approved in the light of a national
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[336]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
19
labor policy shall be issued as an award applicable to all harbor marine employees and
interests.
In the meantime, however, dissatisfaction on the part of some of
the railroad employees with the proposed settlement made for a
delay in the issuance of the formal order announcing the terms of
the settlement and suggested the possibility of some arrangement
whereby further conflict of jurisdiction might be avoided. To this
end the Shipping Board called a conference at Washington, November
29, 1918, of representatives of employers and employees and of all
Government departments interested in the operation of harbor
craft in the port of New York. At this conference boat owners
repeated their objection to a reopening of the case but did not refuse
absolutely to arbitrate. The Railroad Administration signified its
willingness to cooperate, agreed to withhold its decision in their
proposed adjustment until the harbor board could make recom
mendations, and offered to detail a representative to sit with the harbor
board in an advisory capacity.
As a result of the conference with the Shipping Board and other
interests, the harbor board called a hearing for December 6, 1918.
Boat owners appeared by counsel and gave notice that they con
sidered the board no longer existent, it having been created for the
period of the war which had terminated with the signing of the
armistice; denied the jurisdiction of the board and refused to be
bound by any decision it might make. They signified their willing
ness, however, to permit the board to determine whether there had
been an increase in the cost of living and to grant wage increases in
accordance therewith. The board refused to be restricted in its
determination and proceeded to hold a conference with the Shipping
Board and the Railroad Administration for the purpose either of
making an award on ex parte testimony or of deciding upon some other
course of action. A new agreement was proposed as a compromise,
providing for the establishment of a new board of arbitration made up
of two representatives each of harbor boat owners and employees
and an umpire to be chosen by these four or, in case of failure, to be
selected by the National Adjustment Commission of the Shipping
Board. I t was further provided that if the board thus created did
not effect a settlement, the National Adjustment Commission would
hear and determine the case. This proposition was accepted by
employees but refused by employers who based their refusal on an
unwillingness to arbitrate the question of the eight-hour day.
This refusal of employers to accept a new agency of arbitration was
followed by the withdrawal of the employer member of the harbor
board, so that the board was left in the position that if an award was
made it would be without evidence from employers and without
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[337]
20
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
employer representation on the board. In view of this, and faced
with the knowledge of an impending strike, the harbor board appeared
before the National War Labor Board, stating its inability to act
under the circumstances and requesting that body to assume juris
diction. The War Labor Board called a hearing, citing employers
and employees to appear and show cause why they should not proceed
under the arbitration agreement. The boat owners stated their
position practically as before. The Railroad Administration signified
its willingness to cooperate but would not agree in advance to be
bound by the decision. The War Labor Board ruled, however,
that the agreement was binding on all parties, upheld the jurisdiction
of the harbor board, directed that any vacancies on the board should
be immediately filled by the appointing powers and that if either
employers or employees wished a revision of the award they should
seek such revision in accordance with the provisions of the award.
In accordance with this ruling of the War Labor Board the signa
tories to the agreement or modifications thereof creating the harbor
board were requested to fill vacancies on the board. A hearing was
announced for December 27, 1918. Neither the Railroad Adminis
tration nor boat owners had named representatives on the board in
place of those withdrawn, and boat owners now took the position
that they would follow the lead of the Railroad Administration and
reserve the right to accept or reject any finding that might be made.
This position was modified the following day so as to constitute a
refusal to arbitrate the eight-hour day or to name an employer
member on the board, regardless of what action the Railroad Adminis
tration might take.
Under these circumstances the remaining members of the harbor
board met and adopted the following resolution:
Whereas, certain signatory parties have refused or failed to reappoint members to
fill vacancies on this board in accordance with their agreement and its modifications
constituting this board, and it is therefore impossible to reconstitute this board in
accordance with the ridings of the National War Labor Board and to properly arbitrate
the present demands of the signatory employees; it is
Resolved, That this board declines to act in this case and that the demands presented
to it by the employees be referred to the National War Labor Board and recommends
that that board hear these demands.
Representatives of employees sent a telegraphic appeal to the
National War Labor Board stating that the harbor board had
refused to act and requesting that the War Labor Board assume
jurisdiction. The Secretary of Labor and the Shipping Board joined
in the requests thus submitted and declared a grave emergency to
exist. A hearing was called by the War Labor Board, January 7,
1919. Boat owners and the Railroad Administration refused to
accept the jurisdiction of the board or to agree in advance to be bound
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by its findings. Boat owners, however, proposed a new board of
arbitration made up of three representatives each of employers and
employees and an impartial chairman. This board should have
power to arbitrate wages. In the matter of hours and conditions of
employment* they proposed a committee of 24 members; each side
to choose six representatives of employees and six representatives of
employers. This committee should make a thorough investigation
for a period of not less than 30 days and recommend by majority
vote to the arbitration board, which board had the power to accept
or to reject. After a brief public hearing, the board went into
executive session with representatives of employers and employees.
The sessions were continued the following day but no agreement was
reached. Employees refused the kind of arbitration proposed by
employers, objecting particularly to the stipulation that the investi
gation into hours and conditions of employment should extend over
a period of 30 days or more. When it became apparent that the
deadlock could not be broken either by creating a local agency or by
securing a submission from employers, the War Labor Board an
nounced its inability to act in the following decision:
The National War Labor Board finds itself unable to secure a settlement of the
controversy with reference to the New York Harbor situation, for the following reasons:
1. Private boat owners and the Railroad Administration failed to comply with the
order of the board of December 21, 1918, to fill the vacancies existing on the New York
Harbor Wage Adjustment Board.
2. The private boat owners and the Railroad Administration refused to submit
the case to the National War Labor Board and to agree to be bound by its decision.
3. The private boat owners refused to submit the question of an eight-hour day to
any other proposed form of arbitration, except after an investigation for a period of not
less than 30 days by a specially created conference committee supplementary to the
Arbitration Board.
Under the principles and policies of the National War Labor Board, we can not
proceed further and give assurance of rendering a definite and binding decision,
except in face of joint submission.
This case, which was instituted on November 8, 1918, by the employees, has already
been subjected to long delay, and we feel that it would not be just to the parties to the
controversy further to prolong consideration by this board.
We further take this means of notifying the parties to the controversy—the employ
ees, the private boat owners, and the Railroad Administration—and the various
governmental departments at whose instance we took up this case, viz, the Department
of Labor, the Shipping Board, and the War and Navy Departments, that we have
been unable to effect a settlement of the case, either by mediation or conciliation.
In making this declaration, the National War Labor Board earnestly appeals to the
parties to this controversy, the employers and employees in New York Harbor, to
immediately organize a local board of arbitration and conciliation for the adjustment
of all controversies.
This decision was followed by a public statement issued by the
labor section of the War Labor Board exonerating employees if a
strike should occur and placing the onus on employers, public and pri
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vate, for violating their agreement and refusing to submit to the
War Labor Board. Representatives of employees arranged imme
diately for a meeting of the strike committee and announced a strike
for the morning of January 9. The strike was called with the result,
as stated previously, that the port was completely tied up, the
President was appealed to and only upon his request that the War
Labor Board proceed to make a finding, with the intimation that the
finding would be backed up by all the power of the Government,
were the employees persuaded to return to work.
Although not specifically directing governmental agencies to
accept the jurisdiction of the National War Labor Board, the request
of the President could not be interpreted in any other way and rep
resentatives of the Railroad Administration, the Shipping Board, and
the Departments of War and Navy immediately requested the War
Labor Board to act and agreed to accept its findings. The board
announced hearings beginning January 13, 1919. Boat owners re
fused again to submit to the War Labor Board, and took exception
to the personnel of the labor section of the board, declaring that a
scurrilous attack had been made upon owners in the public state
ment issued by the labor section. The objection to the personnel of
the board was overruled and, after an executive session, the board
announced that it would hear the case on the joint submission of
public owners and their employees, making a decision with respect
to the wages and hours of such employees and that in the case of
private boat owners and their employees which did not come to the
board on joint submission, a recommendation would be made.
Under these circumstances it is difficult to predict what action may
be necessary to prevent interruption of harbor traffic. It is scarcely
conceivable that private employers will continue to refuse to accept
the instrumentality set up by the President or to ignore its findings.
Certainly the Government can not permit its interests to be jeop
ardized or the safety and well-being of millions of people to be threat
ened by the recurrence of a strike in the port. Whether or not the em
ployees are justified in their demands, they have for the time being
placed themselves in an impregnable position by agreeing to accept
the decision of the War Labor Board and in agreeing previously to
continue under the harbor board or to submit all issues to any other
impartial board.
Quite apart from the interest of the public in the present emergency
is the effect of the settlement upon the future relations of harbor boat
owners and employees. Apparently Government intervention in the
port, although preventing any cessation of work during actual hos
tilities, has not done away with prewar methods of settling labor
controversies. The nearest approach to peaceful self-adjustment
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were the several proposals to create a local agency upon which the
Government was not represented. Had the proposals as finally
submitted to this effect been made when the question of reopening
the award first came up, they would doubtless have been accepted,
but repeated jurisdictional “ squabbles” gave rise to unrest and lent
little encouragement to employers and employees to get together.
The attitude of employers in refusing to arbitrate and the tardiness
of their proposal to create a local board strengthened the conviction
of employees that any settlement suggested by employers must be
viewed with suspicion. This feeling was aggravated in large measure
a few* weeks before the strike by employers advertising for strike
breakers and offering positions to returning soldiers and sailors.
The feeling was further intensified during the strike through circulars
issued by employers discrediting the leaders of the unions and pro
posing a form of welfare association.
A NEW DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
We, the undersigned, hereby constitute ourselves and our successors a voluntary
association to be known as
NEW YORK HARBOR CONCILIATION BOARD.
First. The purposes of the association are to adjust wages and working conditions in
the port of New York, to hear and redress grievances of all kinds between employer
and employee, to recognize and reward acts of heroism and self-sacrifice by marine
workers, to restore and maintain the former authority and prestige of the captains of
floating equipment, to encourage employers and employees to devise and put into
effect suitable systems for the payment of sick benefits, old-age pensions, as well as
for the sharing of profits and for the promotion of thrift, to provide an open forum for
the discussion of all questions relating to the commerce and welfare of the port of New
York, and generally to create and uphold a spirit of understanding and cooperation
between the members.
Second. The duration of the association shall be perpetual.
Third. The association shall be governed in all things by a board of 20 members, to
be elected annually, 10 of whom shall be chosen by employers and 10 by employees,
and like equal representation shall be had upon every committee elected or appointed.
The undersigned shall constitute the board until the selection of their successors.
Fourth. All owners and operators of boats and all employees thereon, and all other
persons interested in the commerce of the port of New York, shall be eligible to mem
bership.
Fifth. An employee member shall pay dues of $1 per annum, and an employer
member shall pay annual dues equal to $1 for each person in his employ; provided,
that employer members who do not own or operate marine harbor equipment shall
pay but one fee of $5 per annum.
Sixth. The board shall have full power to adopt, enforce, and modify wage scales
and working conditions and to penalize any failure to observe the same, and to provide
for the arbitration of differences between members.
Seventh. The board shall have power to elect and remove a president, vice presi
dent, secretary, and treasurer. I t is also empowered to adopt and amend by-laws
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and to amend this constitution by the affirmative votes of seven board members repre
senting employers and seven representing employees.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of January, 1919.
E m plo yer s.
(10 signatures.)
E m plo yees.
(10 signatures.)
The letter accompanying the above plan stated in part that—
We suggest this agency for the adjustment of all present and future differences.
We shall be glad to have you join and to cooperate with us in an effort to make the
port of New York a model for other ports to follow. We do not ask you to quit your
unions. Under the plan we now propose you will be free, as you always have been,
to carry a union card or to remain outside.
For your information we want to tell you that this “ fifty-fifty” proposition is the
fairest one that we ever can or ever will make. You should know also that the socalled leaders of your unions have refused to consider it. We want you to know also
that they have refused to arbitrate our differences before any Federal judge or any
person appointed by such judge, or before any military officer who has fought for us
in the war with Germany. We are done with those leaders for good. We shall be
glad to negotiate again with your unions as soon as they select new representatives
who really speak for the enlightened sentiment of the members, but not before.
Thus in respect to the willingness of employers and employees to
compose their own differences through collective bargaining, the
situation in the port is very nearly the same as when the Shipping
Board first intervened and secured an agreement to submit to a
board of arbitration. That board, for all practical purposes, is now
out of existence. Employees are more thoroughly organized,
however, than when the case first went to arbitration and they
realize their strength. If the strength is used wisely it will be
directed toward providing adequate means of self-adjustment.
Until this can be accomplished there seems to be no other way but
for the Government to continue to intervene.
The foregoing brief history of the labor situation in New York
Harbor is a forcible illustration of the lack of a uniform policy in
dealing with the question of wages and working conditions. This
absence of a definite labor program stands out most conspicuously
in a retrospective view of our efforts to secure maximum production
of war materials. I t still gravely confronts us in our readjustment
problems. At the outset of our entry into the war we had two
Federal agencies of adjustment: The railroad board of mediation
and the Division of Conciliation of the Department of Labor. Kealizing the imperative need of uninterrupted production, numerous
boards and commissions were set up. Each proceeded in its own
way and according to its own notions. Most of these agencies were
created, in effect at least, for the period of the war. Had the war
continued another six months or a year it is possible that a system
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of coordination could have been worked out. An indication of this
is found in the conference committee of national adjustment agencies
which theoretically was constituted to review wage awards but which
apparently did not have the authority to prevent divided jurisdiction
and confusion of wage rates in the port of New York.
The most widely heralded of adjustment agencies was the National
War Labor Board, proposed by a joint conference of leading repre
sentatives of capital and labor and created by proclamation of the
President. Its jurisdiction, as the name implies, was limited to war
industries, though in practice jurisdiction over other industries was
taken by joint consent of employers and employees. An award
could be made only by unanimous vote. Failing in this, the points
at issue went to an umpire. No provision was made for the enforce
ment of awards of the board, though the manner in which the board
was constituted as well as its representative character placed squarely
behind the board the force of public opinion. Moreover, the large
war powers of the President gave whatever of force was necessary
apart from moral suasion or public opinion.
With the cessation of hostilities came a sudden relief from the
tension of the preceding months. Although technically the war
had not come to an end, no one expected that hostilities would be
resumed. The compelling realization of a war emergency that had
previously forced all other considerations into the background was
now lacking. Thus before employees and employers fully appre
ciated the stabilizing influence of an adjustment tribunal like the
War Labor Board, they were faced with the knowledge that its
continuation was but a matter of a few months. The board un
doubtedly considered this and that from thenceforth its usefulness
would be predicated in even larger measure upon the willingness of
employers and employees to accept its jurisdiction. The joint
chairmen recommended to the President the dissolution of the board,
stating that since it had been created to secure maximum produc
tion of war materials, and that need having been met, the board
should not be continued. The Secretary of Labor, however,
requested that the board continue to function in order to assist in the
problem of readjustment. The board acceded to this request, but
adopted as a rule of procedure that it would act only in cases where
joint consent was secured and referred several hundred pending cases
to the Department of Labor to be handled by the Division of Con
ciliation. All rules of procedure, however, were to be set aside upon
the direct appeal of the Secretary of Labor or the heads of other gov
ernmental departments.
When the War Labor Board stepped into the New York Harbor
situation just prior to the strike, it did so by the direct request of the
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M O N T H L Y LABOE EEVIEW .
Secretary of Labor and the Shipping Board. The board was there
fore not estopped from action by the technicality of failing to secure
joint consent. That technicality had been set aside by the decla
ration of the Secretary of Labor that an emergency had arisen with
which existing agencies were unable to cope. The board did not
act, because it felt that a final decision could not be promised and
that any prolonged delay would simply precipitate a strike. A final
decision was deemed doubtful for two reasons: One of the principles
governing the action of the board provides that decisions of the
board must be unanimous. Failing in this, the case goes to an umpire.
The main issue in the New York Harbor case was the reduction in
hours from twelve to eight. The question of the eight-hour day had
made for a difference of opinion in previous cases and had made it
necessary to refer the case to an umpire. In order to refer the case
to an umpire, however, the board must sit as an arbitration board
and not as a board of finding. Without joint submission the board
regarded itself as simply a board of finding unable to make a finding
except by unanimous vote and unable to call in an umpire because
it was not an arbitration board. The request of the President
virtually directs the board to make a finding in the New York
Harbor case and presumably might set aside any rules of procedure
that stood in the way of such finding. As stated previously, how
ever, the board will arbitrate the question as submitted by joint
consent of public owners and their employees and thus if a unani
mous decision is not reached can refer the case to an umpire.
The President further requests that the board “ use all means
within its power to stabilize conditions and to prevent industrial
dislocation and warfare” during “ the present period of industrial
transition arising from the war.” This would seem to indicate that
the period during which the board may conceivably continue to
function does not necessarily end with the declaration of peace.
There should be no further delay, however, in determining how long
the board is to continue to function and in establishing by legislative
action an agency to replace it at the proper time. There are many
features in the constitution and procedure of the National War
Labor Board that may well be incorporated in a permanent National
Adjustment Board. Such a board should be made up of say three
representatives each of employers and employees. The members
should be selected, as the need arises, from a larger number chosen to
represent the different industries, so that it will be possible to have
on the board at least one representative each of employers and
employees with a practical knowledge of the particular industry in
question. The board should have full power to investigate and to
make findings. I t does not appear from the experience of other
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countries that it is feasible to attempt to deny the right to strike or
lock out or to impose penalties for such action.
Such a plan does not contemplate a lessening of the mediation and
conciliation activities of governmental agencies or a substitution of
arbitrary authority for the trade agreement. On the contrary,
peaceful self-adjustment should receive first consideration. Failing
in this, adjustment should be sought by mediation and conciliation.
It seems desirable, however, that the work of mediating and con
ciliating should be done by an agency other than the one with
authority to make an arbitrary investigation and to hand down
findings. Representatives should be stationed at least in the large
industrial centers and charged with the responsibility of keeping in
such close touch with the situation that signs of industrial unrest
can be detected and the cause sought before the danger of a strike or
lockout arises. These representatives may quite properly act as
mediators and conciliators. If adjustment by these means seems
impossible, the National Adjustment Board will be readily available
as a tribunal in which both sides have equal representation and
before which both may come if they choose, but which in any event
has the power on its own initiative to determine the facts, to bring
them to the attention of the public, and to make findings. Before
the pressure of public opinion, enlightened by the findings of such a
tribunal, neither side would be able long to stand opposed.
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NEXT STEPS IN SOCIAL INSURANCE IN THE UNITED STATES.
BY
SAMUEL
m ’CUNE
LINDSAY,
PRESIDENT,
AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION
FOR
LABOR
LEGISLATION; PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL LEGISLATION IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY', NEW
YORK CITY.
[Address delivered before the American Association for Labor Legislation, Richmond, Va., Dec. 27, 1918.]
This is not a bad time but indeed a very good time for members
of the American Association for Labor Legislation and their friends,
who have been interested during the past 12 years in maintaining
the American branch or section of the International Association for
Labor Legislation, to reexamine and restate their aims. These were
stated briefly in the constitution adopted February 15, 1906, at the
time the association was organized, to be: (1) To promote uniformity
of labor legislation in the United States, and (2) to encourage the
study of labor conditions in the United States with a view to promot
ing desirable labor legislation.
It would be interesting also to review the various activities of the
association during the past 12 years, which have been fruitful in
important legislative results in many directions. I shall, however,
address myself to neither of these attractive and desirable tasks on
this occasion, though perhaps, by implication, to both of them, in
a brief consideration of some of the problems of social insurance in
the United States.
Social insurance is fundamental and vital to the aims and even
to the very existence of this association and of the larger body of
which it is a part—the International Association for Labor Legisla
tion. Social insurance also seems to me to lie at the heart of the
most promising solution of the great task of social and industrial
reorganization and reconstruction which the marvelous changes
throughout the world during the recent months and years of un
precedented upheaval, destruction, and ravages of war have forced
upon us. If the fruits of victory are to be worth what they have
cost, they will constitute, as the thinking men of the entire civilized
world believe and hope to make them, a new basis of international
or world security for the democratic and self-governing institutions
of all peoples. Within national and local units of government to
what chapter of experience in social organization shall we turn if
not to social insurance to bring about a corresponding sense of
security for the individual in his economic and industrial life?
It may be well at the outset to make it clear that in speaking of
social insurance we are not dealing with a new or untried or vague
and visionary scheme of social reform but rather with a very simple,
practical, definite, and well-understood principle o,f business and social
organization capable of varied application and experimental only to
the extent and degree of variation in its application.
28
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Americans have had an extensive and varied experience with
private insurance of all kinds, and the business and national instincts
of the American people have accustomed them to make the widest
possible use of the principle of insurance in all sorts of business
affairs. Social insurance simply means the application of the same
principles to matters in which there is an insurable interest on the
part of the community or society or the State. The essence of the
principle of insurance consists in the pooling of the risks and the
resources of a group of persons, whether that group be large or small,
and the spreading of the costs of carrying the risks over a certain
period of time and over as many persons as may be properly called
upon to bear a share of the cost. That is another way of stating
the general principle of mutuality. In social insurance the applica
tion of this principle of mutuality to matters in which the public
has an insurable interest means that the direct or incidental benefits
to the public are such as to justify the Government: (1) In making
use of its power to compel persons to insure against specific risks,
and (2) in paying, when necessary, part of the cost of such insurance
or its expenses of administration and assessing through taxation
part of the cost on all of the people. Dr. Gurdon R. Miller, in a
very excellent, brief, and cogent treatise on social insurance in the
United States, recently published, estimates the benefits to society
from social insurance largely in terms of its incidental or inherent
preventive value, such as the reduction in the number of industrial
accidents through greater precautions for “ safety first” being taken
by employers when compelled to compensate for such accidents and
to insure such compensation, or the better use and development of
public health agencies both by employers and workers if they should
be compelled to pay the costs of insurance benefits, which would vary
with the amount of sickness or lack of attention to health on the
part of individual workers. Other writers have usually followed the
same course. It is natural that those who argue for health or sick
ness insurance, old-age and invalidity insurance, accident insurance,
or unemployment insurance should think of society’s insurable
interest chiefly in terms that would secure the use of governmental
compulsion in order to get maximum results in dealing with each
specific problem and to put the cost upon the industry or group of
persons concerned. I have no fault to find theoretically with this
attitude by which social insurance has been developed to a very
considerable extent in the leading countries of Europe. Since 1881,
when Germany did the pioneer work, and since 1911, when Great
Britain took the leadership through its old-age pension and health
and unemployment insurance legislation, it is questionable whether
that view of social insurance goes far enough or coincides sufficiently
with the facts in the United States at the present time.
100785°—19---- 3
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
A ]ittle over a year ago we should have said that social insurance
was one of the bulwarks of the industrial security and prosperity of
the peoples of Europe which had been fostered by their Governments
through a feeble but growing appreciation of a general public insur
able interest, and something that had been systematically neglected
by the Governments of the great American industrial States and by
the Federal Government of the United States. Indeed, Mr. William
F. Willoughby, in his analysis of the problem of social insurance at
the First American Conference on Social Insurance, held in Chicago
June 6 and 7, 1913, spoke of the First International Congress on
Accidents to Labor and Workmen’s Insurance, held in Paris in 1889,
and said: “ We in the United States now stand practically where the
States of Europe stood 25 years ago when that congress was organ
ized.” I t is true that in the 5 years since 1913 great progress has
been made in the development of workmen’s compensation legisla
tion, and now such laws are in force in 38 States in addition to Porto
Kico and the two Territories of Alaska and Hawaii, and there is a
Federal law applicable to over a million civil employees of the Federal
Government. This progress was the result of investigation and
study on the part of 27 State commissions appointed during the 5
years preceding 1913. Probably two-thirds of the industrial workers
of the Nation are now protected by this legislation and exactly half
of the States that have adopted it have also adopted the commission
form of administration, which is essential in securing the fullest
benefits to the workers and to society.
I t is also true that during these years very considerable progress
has been made along the same lines through the appointment of
State commissions to study ways and means of establishing health
insurance. When two States, as widely separated geographically as
well as in the character of their problems as Massachusetts and Cali
fornia, have State commissions reporting favorably upon the in
auguration of health insurance and when other State legislatures
are considering well-formulated plans for legislation on this subject,
it will not be long before health insurance will be an established fact
and its benefits made applicable to the great body of American work
men. This will come about as the direct result of a new concept of
Governmental duty and opportunity growing out of our recent ex
periences in preparing the Nation for the part which it took in the
war and as a result of the great military and industrial victory which
has been won. A generation of ordinary industrial experience could
not have brought home to the American people any realization of the
insurable interest which the people of any State or of the Nation have
in the security of their industrial workers, in their health and the
prolongation of their lives, in the regularization of industry and pro
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vision for old age, invalidity, and unemployment, comparable to the
lessons taught by the War Risk Insurance Act under which 4,000,000
American soldiers and sailors were insured in an amount aggregating
over $38,000,000,000, averaging approximately $9,000 per indi
vidual, against death and total and permanent disability. I t is true
that this insurance is not compulsory and that all the insured pay the
peace-rate cost, which is from two-thirds to three-quarters of the
average commercial rate for similar term insurance, the Government
having no overhead loading of its rate for commissions on getting the
business, advertising, etc. The Government contributes the cost of
administration, and the insurance on these attractive terms and under
the extraordinary need for protection in military service has sold
itself. This insurance has valuable conversion rights, which means
that the Government will restore a man’s insurability if that should
be lost by reason of his military service. He may carry the term
war risk insurance at the present rate for a period of five years after
the termination of the war and may then convert his insurance with
out medical examination into any of the ordinary forms of insurance,
which will be Government insurance at established Government rates,
which again should be much lower than the corresponding commer
cial rates. The Government carries the full burden of the excessive
mortality due to the war service to which it has called these men.
I t is a remarkable fact that through the operation of this law the
Government in a single year added to the outstanding life insurance
of the world more life insurance than was written by all the private
life insurance companies of the United States in that year, and
thereby the Government of the United States has become the largest
single life-insurance organization, as well as the safest and cheapest,
in the world. The insurable interest of the Nation, for which the
Nation pays the cost of the war risk and which constitutes the
largest and most notable application of the principles of social insur
ance in the history of the world, consists in the protection, additional
to be sure to that of compensation for injury or death incurred in
the line of duty, which has been given to the families and dependents
of its armed forces. This single experiment, successful beyond the
fondest hopes of its proponents, constitutes so striking a forward step
in social insurance that it may almost be said to atone for our previous
backwardness and to place the United States abreast of European
countries in the development and use of this modern method of social
organization. Those who believe in social insurance will do well to
see that our next step shall be to hold this gain. We should see to
it that every legitimate pressure is brought to bear upon the Govern
ment to make it easy and possible for every discharged and demobi
lized soldier and sailor to hold every dollar of this insurance until it
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must be converted and then to convert it on the most liberal terms
possible into permanent protection for themselves and their families.
The value of this protection to the community ought to be widely
appreciated from the recent experience of the families and dependents
of the 18,000 insured soldiers and sailors who lost their lives in the
recent influenza epidemic alone, and for whom the Government will
now distribute in monthly payments extending over the next 20
years the enormous sum of $175,000,000.
The stabilization of industry and the development of an efficient
public health service in every State and nation are problems now
confronting practically every country in the world. They confront
us here in America as they never have before. Every agency and
instrumentality of government from the Peace Conference at Ver
sailles to the local councils of national defense are wrestling with
some phase of the question of how to define and express community
concern and responsibility for the unavoidable risks of sickmis and
disability through accident, invalidity, old age, or unemployment.
This may be summed up in the age-old question of how we are to
bear one another’s burdens. There is only one simple, direct, and
practical way in which these problems can be met. Some recent
silly twaddle about the failure of social insurance in Germany on the
part of those whose patriotism needed advertising during the war,
and on the part of misguided defenders and apologists for the crimes,
errors, and mistakes of private insurance companies, has served to
confuse the public mind.
The average level-headed American business man, when he recovers
his mental equilibrium after the startling experiences of recent
months and becomes somewhat adjusted to the new conditions under
which we must now work, will have no doubts that the sort of safe
democracy he wants in the Government under which he lives must
consist in the full exercise of governmental powers of compulsion
and the resources of Government to assure that every contract 'of
employment, whether under the Government itself in its military or
civil service or under private employment, shall contain ample
insured provision against loss through sickness, invalidity, old age,
and industrial displacement or fluctuation in employment. Whether
this is done through a rapid development of Government operated
and controlled insurance or through better supervised, less extrava
gant, and safer private insurance, or through a combination of both
will make little difference. The experience of the first year of war
risk insurance or Government insurance for soldiers and sailors has
demonstrated that the legitimate interests of private life insurance
companies have been strengthened and fostered by this experiment
in Government insurance. Some of the insurance companies doubt
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less feared that the contrary would be the case and many of them
were prepared from patriotic motives to sacrifice their own business
interests, just as other lines of business did, to help win the war.
The leaders of private life insurance business throughout the country
cooperated very generally with the Government in encouraging the
military and naval forces to take this war risk insurance to the fullest
extent. But it is significant that most of them were apprehensive
of expected resultant losses to private insurance business and fearful
of any extension of such Government insurance beyond the limits
set in the original War Risk Insurance Act. There is now every
reason to believe that the 4,000,000 men insured under this act have
given an enormous impetus to life insurance throughout the country,
the incidental effect of which will more than offset any loss which
the private companies may have suffered by reason of the operation
of this act.
I have no doubt that if the Government were to enter upon the
larger field of social insurance along the lines that I have just indi
cated, and make provision for the extension of something similar to
the war risk insurance to all civilian employees of the Government,
and also make provision for sickness, old-age, and possibly unem
ployment insurance for industrial workers, there would still be room
for further development of private insurance either in competition
with the Government or along lines that would supplement the limited
field which the Government would occupy for a long time to come.
The insurance companies might be admitted to a participation with
the Government in the new forms of social insurance, but judging
from the general experience of the past and the attitude of some
private insurance companies and their authorized spokesmen such
participation or partnership in Government social insurance would
have to be granted in somewhat the same way that the German
Empire may or may not be admitted to a place in the family of
nations; that is, when and only when they give evidence that they
realize the wastefulness and social iniquity of the methods that they
have hitherto pursued, not in all cases, to be sure, but in the majority
of cases having to do with this type of insurance, in getting their
business and in political and legislative activities contrary to public
interests, and when they are willing to abandon those methods and
give evidence that they have abandoned them finally and without
reservation.
It will be anything but satisfactory evidence of such change of
heart if they covertly, as some of them are now doing, oppose the
next practical steps in social insurance, which are: (1) The provision
for the most liberal conversion of war risk insurance for soldiers and
sailors on terms equitable to the public interest and their ability to
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carry the maximum of such insurance as permanent protection
against death and total and permanent disability; (2) the extension
of similar insurance protection to all civilian employees of the Gov
ernment; (3) the development of health insurance for all govern
mental employees and its extension as rapidly as possible to all
citizens as an essential element in the development of a public health
service; (4) the establishment of State-administered mutual health
insurance and insurance against accident, invalidity, and old age, as
well as death, for all industrial workers, compulsory for those whose
incomes will not permit of their being relied upon to make equivalent
provision for themselves and their families on a voluntary basis.
These steps must be taken regardless of whether they favor or
retard the private fortunes of any single industry in the land, because
they concern too vitally the private fortune, be it large or small, of
every citizen, and the general welfare of the body politic. I con
gratulate the members of the American Association for Labor Legis
lation and those who have cooperated with it and have been interested
in its work in recent years upon the new tasks that confront you and
the new opportunities that await you in the new political and indus
trial era upon which we are just entering.
In the effort to interpret the significance of some of the recent
experience of the Bureau of War Bisk Insurance in its administration
of the War Bisk Insurance Act I have ventured to suggest some
necessary implications in matters of public policy which seem to me
to follow logically from the various acts of Congress and administra
tive decisions under those acts which have a bearing upon unsettled
questions of public policy. Of course, any opinion so expressed is
purely personal and has no official significance whatever. I t is inter
esting, however, to note that the late Secretary of the Treasury, Mr.
William G. McAdoo, who was the first statesman in America to grasp
the significance of social insurance in the possibilities of its applica
tion to our military problem in safeguarding the morale of the Army
and Navy and their dependents at home, is quoted as saying to the
California Social Insurance Commission on July 17, 1918:
In my opinion there is no doubt about the principle of social insurance. We have
substituted the justice of insurance for the charity of pensions in the Army and we
shall undoubtedly come to a consideration of the whole field of social problems to
which the principle of insurance can be applied. Insurance against sickness, old
age, and unemployment, as they have it in England and other European countries,
may be the next social step for the United States.
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NEED FOR SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL STATISTICS.
BY WESLEY C. MITCHELL, PRESIDENT AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION.
[Address delivered before the American Statistical Association, Richmond, Va., Dec. 28,1918.]
The war revealed with startling suddenness the defects of the
Federal machinery for collecting statistics; for war imposes a strain
upon statistical offices quite as much as upon steel mills, or ship
yards. As Prof. Young said in his presidential address last year,
“ War has come to be a conflict of directed masses—of aggregates.
Men, money, munitions, food, railways, shipping, raw materials,
and manufactured products in great variety are impressed into the
service of the Nation. The problems of the effective control and
use for war purposes of these varied national resources is intimately
dependent upon a knowledge of their quantities; that is, upon sta
tistics. * * * Just as this war is our largest national under
taking, so its statistical demands constitute, in the aggregate, the
largest statistical problem with which we have had to deal.”
We were not prepared to cope with this problem. I t is not to be
expected, of course, that the statistical output of peaceful years will
include all the data required for waging war. But it is to be expected
that a governmental organization for gathering statistics will grasp
a new statistical problem promptly and prepare plans for treating
that problem with vigor. This test our Federal bureaus failed to
meet.
The fault was emphatically a fault of organization rather than of
individual officials. Whatever charges of incapacity are made
against the officials themselves properly should be made against the
system under which Federal statisticians are chosen and rewarded.
For they are not chosen with an eye single to technical skill and
administrative capacity; they are not paid salaries sufficient to
attract and retain men of uncommon ability and ambition; the inade
quate salaries are not compensated by public recognition of efficient
service. We had indeed many Federal statisticians better than our
treatment deserved—men who served the country with zeal and
intelligence. But, scattered through numerous small bureaus,
prescribed a set routine of departmental duties, granted scanty
appropriations, these men had little chance to consider the vast new
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problems of the war. They certainly did not, perhaps they could
not, come forward with an efficient war program.
For this shortcoming of our statistical organization we paid a
heavy penalty. The time we spent in framing our war organiza
tion and getting it started might have been substantially shortened
had anybody in Washington been able to put before the responsible
authorities promptly the data they needed concerning men and
commodities, ships, and factories.
What did happen made an admirable exhibition of national
energy and patriotism, but not a good exhibition of national intelli
gence. The war boards which the Government set up to supple
ment the regular departments faced stupendous tasks. They were
led and manned for the most part by men inexperienced in public
administration, and unacquainted with the duties and resources of
the Federal departments. While these men were in the throes of
laying their plans and forming their staffs they had also to find out
that they needed statistics, what statistics they needed, and how
to get them. Although the Federal Government entered the war
with 20 or more statistical agencies, the Council of National Defense,
the Food Administration, the Fuel Administration, the Shipping
Board, the War Trade Board, the Railway Administration, and the
War Industries Board, sooner or later set up each a new and inde
pendent statistical agency to meet its special needs. The War
Department and the Navy Department followed suit. And these
agencies, like the war boards which created them, had to be manned
with people inexperienced in Government work and unfamiliar with
Washington.
Although I was one of the raw recruits pressed into emergency
work for the Government, I can not forbear speaking of the fine
qualities which the new statistical staffs showed. Each group
studied the particular needs of the board which it served, and threw
itself ardently into the task of collecting data.
Yet the statistical work of the war boards as a whole showed pre
cisely the same defect in organization as the work of the old statistical
bureaus, and showed that fault in an aggravated degree. Each new
agency worked by itself for a separate board. Hence there was
much duplication of effort, and at the same time many important
fields remained unworked; the results reached by different agencies
could not be readily compared or combined; and the cost was need
lessly great. Further, the energy of the new statistical agencies
and the haste in which they worked magnified a minor fault of the
old system to large proportions. These new agencies wanted to
get their fundamental data from the original sources; so they sent
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out .questionnaires to business men in a veritable flood. Many
manufacturing plants got elaborate papers which they were asked
to fill out and return by the next mail in tens and in dozens. Fre
quently, different questionnaires covered nearly the same ground,
and usually they required not a little investigation within the plant
to collect the data asked for. Considerable expense was incurred
and serious irritation was caused throughout the country by this
obvious failure of organization in Washington.
This questionnaire evil brought back a flood of complaints, echoes
of which reached the responsible heads of the war boards. The
efficiency of economic mobilization seemed threatened; that was a
more serious matter than the waste of public funds. The men who
were most keenly aware of the lack of coordination in statistica
work now had a strong talking point. Steps were presently taken
to remedy a fault which had been patent for a generation or more
on a peace basis. The head of the Division of Planning and Sta
tistics of the Shipping Board was put in charge of the Bureau of
Research of the War Trade Board and then of the Division of Planning
and Statistics of the War Industries Board. Thus three of the new
statistical agencies were brought under a single direction. Later
the same man became chairman of the statistical committee of the
Department of Labor, and finally he was authorized to form a Cen
tral Bureau of Planning and Statistics. The Central Bureau set up
a clearing house of statistical activities, appointed contact men to
keep in touch with the statistical work of all the war boards and cer
tain of the old departments, and began to supervise the issuing of
questionnaires. When the armistice was signed we were in a fair
way to develop for the first time a systematic organization of Federal
statistics.
For the first few weeks after the fighting stopped it seemed as if
what had been gained in statistical organization might be lost almost
at once. The rapid demobilization of the war boards threatened to
sweep with it their statistical bureaus, or to scatter the new statis
tical bureaus among the old departments and leave us again in
statistical confusion—making figures in abundance but having no
general statistical plan. But at a critical moment President Wilson
approved a plan by which the Central Bureau of Planning and Statis
tics was made the single statistical agency to serve the American
conferees at the peace table. Thus, the Central Bureau was granted
a reprieve of some months. It still remains to be seen whether this
bureau or some successor serving the same centralizing functions
will be made permanent.
In speaking next of our hopes for the future, I am speaking merely
as one member of the American Statistical Association. Yet I
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believe that most members of our association believe that the social
sciences in general and social statistics in particular have a great
service to render to government and through government to mankind.
The episode in statistical organization which I have sketched, the
effect of the war upon our attitude toward the use of facts for the
guidance of policy, links the present stage of civilization with man’s
savage past. Anthropologists have come to recognize that catas
trophes have played a leading rôle in advancing culture. The savage
and the barbarian are such conservative creatures that nothing short
of a catastrophe can shake them out of their settled habits, make them
critical of old taboos, drive them to use their intelligence freely. In
physical science and in industrial technique, it is true, we have
emancipated ourselves largely from the savage dependence upon
catastrophes for progress. For in these fields of activity we have
developed a habit of criticizing old formulations, of testing what our
fathers accepted, of experimenting. We keep discarding the good
for the better, even when not under pressure. The result is a fairly
steady rate of advance—advance so regular that we count upon it in
laying plans for the future. To-day we are sure that 10 years hence
our present scientific ideas and our present industrial machinery will
be antiquated in great part. In science and in industry we are
radicals—radicals relying on a tested method. But in matters of
social organization we retain a large part of the conservatism charac
teristic of the savage mind. A great catastrophe may force us for a
little while to take the problems of social mobilization seriously.
While under stress we make rapid progress. But when the stress is
past we relapse gratefully into our comfortable faith in the thinking
that has been done for us by our fathers.
I know that there are ardent folk who will challenge these con
tentions, at least for the present. They trust that the outburst of
patriotic fervor brought by the war will carry us triumphantly for
ward for a generation. They count on the generous self-sacrifice
which all classes have shown, the fine discipline that our soldiers and
war workers have maintained, to solve the problems of peace as they
solved the problem of war. Certainly we shall never be again pre
cisely what we were before the war. But just as certainly we shall
not remain what we have been during the war. We are all subject
to emotional reactions, and, as John Dewey has pointed out, the state
of mind produced by the return of peace differs from that produced
by the outbreak of war just as widely as peace itself differs from war.
No; we can not depend on any carry-over of “ war psychology” to
organize democracy in peace.
The “ social reformer” we have always with us, it is true. Or
rather most of us are “ social reformers” of some kind. And we all
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admire the qualities that go to make the leaders in social refo rm warm sympathy for the oppressed, courage to face ridicule, flaming
zeal in the face of indifference, tact and energy in conducting crusades.
But an indefinite succession of campaigns to secure this, that, and the
other specific reform is what we have been having for a long, long time.
Manyof the reforms on which the hearts of our grandfathers, ourfathers,
and our youthful selves have been set have been achieved. Yet the story
of the past in matters of social organization is not a story that we
should like to have continued for a thousand and one years. Reform
by agitation or class struggle is a jerky way of moving forward,
uncomfortable, and wasteful of energy. Are we not intelligent
enough to devise a steadier and more certain method of progress ?
Most certainly we could not keep social organization what it is
even if we wanted to. We are not emerging from the hazards of
war into a safe world. On the contrary, the world is a very danger
ous place for a society framed as ours is, and I for one am glad of it.
The dangers are increased by our very progress in industry and in
democracy. Not long ago an English physicist reemphasized the
the fact that modern Christendom is using up at an ever-increasing
pace the energy stored during long ages in the coal fields, and pic
tured the doubtful fate of human kind as hanging on the race between
science and the atom. Has not the time come to apply our intelli
gence to taking stock of the resources that the earth still holds and to
developing methods of utilization that will protect our future ? As
for democratic progress, we know that men who can read and vote
make restless citizens if their work is not interesting to them and
their rewards do not satisfy their sense of justice. And such is the
present state of affairs with millions of aggressive Americans. They
can be counted upon to change things by turmoil if things are not
changed by method.
Taking us all together as one people in a group of mighty peoples,
our first and foremost concern is to develop some way of carrying
on the infinitely complicated processes of modern industry and
interchange day by day, despite all tedium and fatigue, and yet
keeping ourselves interested in our work and contented with the
division of the product. That is a task of supreme difficulty—a
task that calls for intelligent experimenting and detailed planning
rather than for agitation or class struggle. What is lacking to
achieve that end, indeed, is not so much good will as it is knowl
edge—above all, knowledge of human behavior.
Our best hope for the future lies in the extension to social organiza
tion of the methods which we already employ in our most progressive
fields of effort. In science and in industry, I have said, we do not
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wait for catastrophes to force new ways upon us. We do not rely
upon the propelling power of great emotion. We rely, and with
success, upon quantitative analysis to point the way; and we advance
because we are constantly improving and applying such analysis.
While I think that the development of social sciences offers more
hope for solving our social problems than any other line of en
deavor, I do not claim that these sciences in their present state
are very serviceable. They are immature, speculative, filled with
controversies.
The social sciences, however, cover an immense field, and it is not
probable that we shall encounter failure or success in all its parts.
The parts where effort seems most promising just now are the parts
in which this association is particularly interested. Measurement
is one of the outstanding characteristics of science at large, whether
in the field of inorganic matter or fife processes. Social statistics,
which is concerned with the measurement of social phenomena, has
many of the progressive features of the physical sciences. It shows
forthright progress in knowledge of fact, in technique of analysis
and refinement of results. It is amenable to mathematical formu
lation. It is capable of forecasting group phenomena. It is objec
tive. A statistician is usually either right or wrong, and his suc
cessors can demonstrate which. Statisticians are not continually
beginning their science over again by developing new viewpoints.
Where one investigator stops, the next investigator begins with
larger collections of data, with extensions into fresh fields, or with
more powerful methods of analysis. In all these respects, the position
and prospects of social statistics are more like the position and
prospects of the natural sciences than like those of the social sciences.
Above all, social statistics even in its present state is directly
applicable over a wide range in the management of practical affairs,
particularly the affairs of government. And this practical value of
statistics is readily demonstrable even to a busy executive. Once
secure a quantitative statement of the crucial elements in an official’s
problem, draw it up in concise form, illuminate the tables with a
chart or two, bind the memorandum in an attractive cover tied
with a neat bowlmot, and it is the exceptional man who will reject
your aid. Thereafter your trouble will be not to get your statistics
used, but to meet the continual calls for more figures, and to prevent
your convert from taking your estimates more literally than you
take them yourself.
We may well cherish high hopes for the immediate future of social
statistics. In contributing toward a quantitative knowledge of social
facts, in putting this knowledge at the disposal of responsible officials,
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we are contributing a crucially important part toward achieving the
gravest task that confronts mankind to-day—the task of developing
a method by which we may make cumulative progress in social
organization.
What can the American Statistical Association do toward realizing
these hopes? Of course that is for the association to decide; but I
venture to submit certain recommendations to the association’s
judgment.
My plea is that the association seek to play a more active rôle in
public affairs than it has played in the past. We are holding our
eightieth annual meeting; few learned societies in this country are so
old. Through all these years we have been mainly a learned society,
cherishing our particular subject, criticising those who neglect or
misuse it, occasionally proffering advice, summing up experience, but
not participating aggressively in the rough and tumble of statistical
practice. All this kind of work has been serviceable. Certainly
conditions in Washington and the State capitals have made partici
pation by outsiders in official statistics exceedingly difficult. But
conditions have changed.somewhat, and if we do our part with vigor
they may change more.
Two changes seem to me especially promising. One is the active
share that many members of the association have taken in war work.
These men will not entirely lose their interest in Federal statistics
when they leave Washington. For the next few years at least we
shall have a corps of workers who know a good deal about conditions
under which Government figures are compiled and used. These men
will help to make the association practical in any advice it may
tender. Because of them we have greater capacity to do serviceable
work now than we ever had before. The association can be more
helpful because it knows more and cares more about what the Gov
ernment bureaus do.
The second change is in the attitude of Washington officials toward
the work of outsiders. Just as those of us who have been in Govern
ment service temporarily have gained a sympathetic insight into the
difficulties faced by the permanent statistical bureaus, so the mem
bers of the permanent bureaus have become better acquainted with
the viewpoint of outside statisticians. They have listened to our
criticisms; in turn, they have criticised many of our suggestions for
improving their organizations and practices. As a result, they know
how to utilize our services better than they did before the war. And
they are, I think, not unwilling to annul the divorce between working
statistician and academic critic and enter into a new relationship of
mutual understanding and cooperation.
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One symptom of this new attitude is so gratifying that I can not
forbear calling especial attention to it. The Secretary of Commerce
has asked the president of the American Economic Association and
the president of the Statistical Association to appoint each a com
mittee of three to advise with the Director of the Census on matters
of statistical principle and on the selection of statistical experts.
This arrangement, it is hoped, will be no formal affair, but a working
plan by which the producers and the consumers of statistics can
cooperate effectively to improve the products in which both parties
are interested. To provide the two committees with working facili
ties, an office and a secretary have been furnished them by the
Director of the Census.
If we do our part toward making this arrangement a success, it may
perhaps lead to the establishment of other bonds between the asso
ciations which represent the statistical public and the offices in which
statistics are prepared.
There are several practical measures toward which we may con
tribute if we like. For example, we may use our influence whenever
opportunity arises to secure more adequate salaries for Government
statisticians. The scale of pay was too low before the war; the in
creased cost of living has made it shockingly inadequate. Unless
increases are granted, many experienced men who would be glad to
continue in public service will be compelled in justice to their families
to look for openings elsewhere. Now that the war is over, we can
not justly ask these men to stint their children for the rest of us.
The profession of the statistician demands ability and training not
less than those needed by accountancy; yet from what I can learn,
the average remuneration of statisticians is decidedly lower than that
of accountants. As representing the statistical profession, it is
certainly the right of this association to urge vigorously a higher scale
of salaries.
We may also take a definite stand upon the continuation of the
new statistical activities begun during the war. The war boards
found it necessary to obtain monthly figures of stocks of certain com
modities on hand, and monthly figures of the production of other
commodities. These figures were collected in a variety of ways, by
the Census Office, by trade organizations like the Tanners’ Council,
or by sections of the war boards themselves. The results are of
interest not only to the industries concerned, but also to the Govern
ment and to the general public. The permanent maintenance of this
service, perhaps in a modified form, is a measure that promises to
command increasing support from business men. If systematically
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extended this work might well develop into a continuing census of
production, simple in form, inexpensive, but of great value in fore
casting business conditions and directing public policy.
In addition, there is the question which I mentioned in the first
section of this address—whether the Central Bureau of Planning and
Statistics is to be continued or disbanded when the Peace Conference
has finished its work. Some centralizing agency to consider the
statistical needs of the Government as a whole, and to lay systematic
plans for meeting these needs, is our greatest statistical lack. On a
question of this character, is it not the duty of the American Statis
tical Association to speak its mind ?
In any action we take we shall do well to distinguish clearly
between two types of statistics—the statistics that are used as a
record of what has been and the statistics that are used as a basis for
planning what shall be. Of these two types record statistics are the
more familiar. They constitute the figures that go into annual reports?
that are analyzed minutely by the student, that are quoted long after
by the historian. Such figures have an influence in shaping public
policies, but that influence is vague and intermittent. The average
administrative official cares little about what happened day before
yesterday; his thoughts are obsessed by what is happening to-day
and what should happen to-morrow. Any one of us in his position
would develop that frame of mind if he were to succeed at all. What
the administrator needs to guide public policy, what he will quickly
learn to use if he gets them, is well-organized planning statistics.
Planning statistics, to be of service, must be strictly up to date.
They must show the vital factors in the situation. They must be
presented concisely, in standardized form, both in charts and in
tables. The data must be simple enough to be sent by telegraph and
compiled overnight. Rough approximations will serve the purpose.
Our practical need at present is to develop statistical agencies for
obtaining such planning statistics and putting them before the men
whose decisions are important to the country, whether these men be
administrators, legislators, or voters. As students our concern will
continue to be chiefly with record statistics—they must not be
neglected, indeed they must be extended and improved. But as men
interested in affairs, our emphasis must be put upon the development
and the use of planning statistics.
The policy of active participation in shaping statistical work which
I am urging seems to me justified by the circumstances of the day.
During the war we learned that many things which seemed impossible
were easy of accomplishment if attacked with vigor. Doubtless,
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the situation has already crystallized in part; but many matters of
governmental policy are still in a fluid state. Some changes will
have to take place; the question is, what shall these changes be? If
we put our technical knowledge and our practical experience at the
disposal of the Nation, we may increase our influence for years to
come, and, what is vastly more important, we may help to make
quantitative knowledge of facts a potent factor in Government.
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LABOR TURNOVER.
LABOR TURNOVER IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGION.1
BY PAUL F. BRISSENDEN.
Very few employers have any accurate information regarding the
volume of their labor turnover and its cost in time, money, industrial
accidents, illness, and unrest. Even where something definite is
known as to its volume for the shop as a whole there is little exact
information as to the distribution oi the turnover within the estab
lishment. What kinds of jobs are most frequently abandoned ?
What kinds of employees most frequently abandon them ? Obviously
it is the unskilled job. And just as obviously it is the newly hired
employee rather than the veteran in the shop. Heavy labor turnover
is a fact because the 10-day man is a fact—and the 1-day man. But
what are the exact proportions of a shop’s aggregate turnover charge
able to the 10-day men and the 1-day men, respectively? And
what proportion of the standard number of positions in any estab
lishment are infested by 10-day men and what proportion by 1-day
men, and so on? Employment managers report that the 1-day
men are more responsible than the 10-day men but they do not
know how much more. They have no more than a guess as to the
respective proportions of the shop’s positions subject to daily,
weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and yearly separations.
Some light is thrown on these questions by studies of labor turn
over made by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the
following pages there is given a summary analysis of the results of
a statistical study of the pay roll and ‘Turing and firing” records of
12 California companies for the year ending June 1, 1918. Included
in this analysis is an attempt to give some definite idea of the relative
responsibility for turnover of the men leaving before the end of the first
week, of the men leaving before the end of the second week, etc., and to
indicate how many jobs, on the average, are continuously subject to
changes of job holders once a week or oftener, how many are subject
to changes ranging in frequency from one to two weeks, and so on.
The establishments covered in this article were selected primarily
because they had fairly complete labor turnover records dating at
least as far back as June 1, 1917. Preference was given to concerns
which had employment bureaus or at least some considerable degree
of centralization of the machinery of employment and to those which
had been somewhat successful in keeping down turnover. Only a
small percentage of California mercantile and industrial establish
ments have centralized their employment machinery in the form of
1
In collecting the material on which this article is based Mr. Brissenden was assisted by Miss Dorothy
Hull.
4
100785 ° — 19
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363 ]
45
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
46
employment bureaus or departments. Moreover, only a few of the
establishment bureaus which were found had the records needed for
this inquiry.
All but three of the concerns dealt with in this preliminary report
are located in the San Francisco Bay region—one is in Los Angeles,
one in central and one in northern California. It may be fairly
said that in 6 of the 12 establishments the authority to hire and
discharge and the employment machinery generally are rather
completely centralized. In 4 establishments the personnel functions
and employment authority are partially centralized. Two of the
companies still operate what may be called decentralized employ
ment systems—that is to say, systems in which the authority to hire,
“ lay-off,” and discharge is in the traditional way vested in the fore
men. With two exceptions the centralized concerns are those which
maintain employment bureaus. Two small mercantile establishments
are listed as centralized concerns although they have no real employ
ment bureaus. Moreover, in two of the six establishments operating
such bureaus the employment functions, despite the bureaus, are
only partially centralized. The following table indicates the general
size and character of the 12 establishments here reported:
T able 1 .—SIZE AND CHARACTER OF ESTABLISHM ENTS R EPO RTED .
Establishment
num
ber.
Description.
Public utility corporation (main office)..
Public utility corporation (metropolitan
district).
Public utility corporation (country districts).
Mercantile establishment (wholesale and
retail).
10
Num
ber of
full
time
em
ployees,
Authority
to hire
vested in—
Authority
to discharge
vested in—
Department Department
heads.
heads.
1,173 ___ do.......... .......do..........
308
3,424
85
Mercantile establishment (wholesale and
retail).
244
Iron and steel plant....................................
500
Machine shop..............................................
173
Oil refinery..................................................
421
Sugar refinery.............................................
Agricultural implement plant...................
1,259
2,224
Oil refinery..................................................
965
Copper mine and smelter..........................
843
Iron and steel p lant....................................
Explosives p la n t........................................
669
1,795
.do.
.do.
Character of
employment
machinery.
Semicentralized.
Do.
Do.
General of Centralized.
fice man
ager.
Do.
“ The man
agement.”
General of
fice m an
ager.
A s s is ta n t
general
manager.
S u p e r i n Foremen i ...
tendent
and fore
men.
.do.
Shop super
intendent.
.do.
Em ploy
ment man
ager.
.......do.......... ___ do.2___
.......do.......... F o r e m e n
and de
p artm ent
heads.
Foreman or Foremen or
departdepart
ment heads
ment head.
E m p l o y Foremen..
ment man
ager.
.do.
.......do..........
.do.
.......do..........
Semicentralized.
Decentralized.
Bureau; central
ized.
Do.
Do.
Decentralized.
Bureau; semicen
tralized.
Do.
Bureau; central
ized.
Totâl number of full-time positions. 14,083
1Subject to plant manager’s O. K.
Subject to superintendent’s O. K.
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[364]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
47
The volume of the turnover is measured by comparing the average
number of one-man days worked; that is, the normal number of full
time employees (or jobs), with the total number of separations during
the period covered.1 The former, which is essentially the standard
number of jobs in the establishment, is found by dividing the total
number of days (or hours) worked by all employees during the year
by the number of days (or hours) worked during the year by a
(normally) full-time employee. The number of days worked by such
a fully employed person is obtained by subtracting from the number
of days the establishment was actually in operation during the year,
(1) the estimated percentage of absenteeism for that establishment,
and (2) the number of Sundays and legal holidays, if the plant was
customarily in operation on those days.
EXTENT OF TURNOVER IN ESTABLISHMENT STUDIED.
The turnover for the 12-month period ending in the middle of the
year 1918 is indicated in Table 2, which shows for each establishment
the number of full-time workers (standard number of jobs), the
number hired, the number “ separating” (including the number and
per cent of the different types of separations) and the per cent of
turnover for the year.
i The method here used is th at adopted and recommended by the Conference of Employment Managers,
held at Rochester, N. Y., May 9 to 11, 1918. The gist of its “ standard definition of labor turnover and
method of computing the percentage of labor turnover’ ’ is contained in the following excerpts:
The percentage of labor turnover for any period considered is the ratio of the total number of separations
during the period to the average number of employees on the force report during that period. The force
report gives the number of men actually working each day as shown by attendance records. * * *
To compute the percentage of labor turnover for any period, find the total separations for the period
considered and divide by the average of the number actually working each day throughout the period.
* * *
[See Monthly R eview of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, vol. vi, p. 1535 (June, 1918).]
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[365]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW,
48
T able 2 .-L A B O R TURNOVER IN TW ELVE CALIFORNIA ESTABLISHM ENTS DURING
THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1, 1918, OR NEAR THAT DATE.
Establishment
num
ber.
la
lb
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
lc
9
10
11
12
Number of separations from service.
Number—
Description of establishment.
Fulltime employees.
Public utility corporation (main
office)1........................................
Public utility corporation (metropolitan district)1..............- - Mercantile establishment (wholesale and retail)2.........................
Mercantile establishment (wholesale and retail)3.........................
Iron and steel plant1...................
Machine shop 2. ............................
Oil refinery...................................
Sugar refinery...............................
Agricultural implement p la n t8. .
Public utility corporation (rural
districts)1...................................
Oil refinery...................................
Copper mine and smelter______
Iron and steel p lan t.....................
Explosives p la n t10......................
Hired
during
year.
lb
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
lc
9
10
11
12
Quit.
174
28
52
27
94
201
1, 254
26
1,350
128
152
1,656
85.1
138
24
14
20
63
121
244.4
500.0
173.1
420.7
1,259. 2
2,224.0
435
860
261
1,141
1 3,566
2,456
42
100
42
(6)
(6)
218
86
250
57
(6)
(6)
18
71
(4)
(6)
(6)
186
263
601
3 263
(6)
(6)
2,265
409
1,022
362
980
3,011
2,669
3,424.0
965.0
843.0
668. 7
1,795.1
8,205
3,076
2,610
2,904
5,409
514
69
(6)
351
406
3,864
70
(6)
(4)
324
396
(6)
32
159
3,854
2,320
(6)
92,492
3,335
8,556
2,855
3,030
2,875
3,900
111 820 11 5,743 111,361 1115,702 12 24 626
ì\ 02Ì
32,489
31,647
21,996
20,212
Per cent of separations from service.
Description of establishment.
Public utility corporation (main
office)1............................................
Public utility corporation (metropolitan district)1...........................
Mercantile establishment (wholesale and retail)2............................
Mercantile establishment (wholesale and retail)3............................
Iron and steel p lan t1.......................
Machine shop2 .................................
Oil refinery ....................................
Sugar refinery...................................
Agricultural implement p lan t8___
Public utility corporation (rural
districts)1......................................
Oil refinery........................................
Copper mine and sm elter...............
Iron and steel p l a n t ......................
Explosives p lan t10............................
Total, all establishm ents................
Total (excluding establishments 1
and 4)]3. . . ....................................
Total.
308.0
Total all establishments............. 14,083.3
TotaI(excluding establishments
1 and 4)13.................................. 8,678.3
la
Entered
military
service.
Laid
off.
1,173.0
Length of s firvice not reported..
Establishment
num
ber.
Dis
charged
Entered
Dis
charged. Laid off. military
service.
Quit.
Total.
Per cent
of turn
over for
the year.
14
26
13
47
100
65
2
82
8
9
100
141
20
12
16
52
100
142
10
10
12
21
25
16
4
7
64
59
73
7
85
100
100
100
100
100
100
167
204
209
233
239
14 240
4
14
45
81
1
4
87
86
100
100
100
100
100
250
296
359
430
16 434
6
64
100
8
6
2
45
2
12
10
7
23
224
233
1 Data for year ending May 15, 1918.
2 Data for year ending May 1, 1918.
3 Data for year ending May 2,1918.
4 Included in quit.
6 Including those who entered military service.
6 Nature of separations not specified.
i Not including the employees hired in one department in which about one-tenth of the working force
is employed.
8 Data for 6 months ending July 1, 1918.
9 Including those laid off.
10 Data for 6 months ending June 26, 1918.
11 Three establishments not reported as to character of separations.
12 Not including 7,021 persons (in 3 establishments) the nature of whose separations was not reported.
13 See note 16 to Table 3.
14 On the basis of a percentage of 120 for 6 months.
15 On the basis of a percentage of 217 for 6 months.
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[366]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
49
It appears that to keep continuously filled the 14,083 full-time
jobs provided by this group of establishments it was necessary to
hire 32,489 persons, most of whom were needed to replace the 31,647
employees who were, in one way or another separated from service
during the year. This means an annual turnover percentage of
224 for the aggregate labor forces of all the establishments reported.
The turnover rate ranges from 65 per cent in the main office of a
public utility corporation to 434 per cent in a plant engaged in the
manufacture of explosives. The nature of the separations is shown
in 24,626 of the 31,647 cases. Sixty-four per cent of them are
11quits;” 23 per cent lay-offs; 7 per cent discharges, and 6 per cent
due to “ military service.” . The establishment variations are wide,
but with three exceptions, the majority of the separations are vol
untary resignations. It will be observed also that, although the
correlation is not close, there is a tendency to heavier turnover in
the larger plants. There is no conclusive evidence of any definite
relation between the volume of turnover and the degree of centrali
zation of employment machinery. It is true that the firms which
maintain employment bureaus are all establishments having a turn
over percentage as high as or higher than the average for the twelve
establishments reported.1 This does not necessarily indicate that
employment bureaus have an unfavorable effect upon labor stability.
For obvious reasons employment bureaus are much more likely to be
found among large than among small establishments. As already
stated, it is evident from Table 2 that there is a tendency for the
heavy turnover to appear in the large establishments, regardless of
the existence of employment bureaus. It would seem probable that
the relatively high turnover in these large establishments is attribu
table in great measure to their size. Size, however, is certainly not
the only factor. It may reasonably be expected that the large estab
lishment without a centralized employment system will be burdened
with a heavier volume of turnover than a concern of equal size and
similarly circumstanced which does have such a system. Most of
the concerns here investigated had a year of exceedingly heavy turn
over—a volume reported in each case to be quite unprecedented.
D ISTRIBU TIO N OF TURNOVER W IT H IN TH E WORKING FORCE.
When a group of companies, which provide 14,083 positions, is
“ deserted” by 31,647 employees during one year, it is evident that
on the average each position has had more than two incumbents
during that year. As a matter of fact, there may be no changes
whatever in a large proportion of the jobs. The turnover falls very
unequally upon different sections of the working force and it is of
primary importance to know what parts of the force are most un
stable—how the volume of turnover is distributed within the work
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
!See Table 6.
[367]
50
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW.
ing force. Length-of-servicë distribution figures throw light on this
problem. In Table 3 which follows, are shown, for the 12 plants, the
number and per cent of employees in active service (at the end of
the year) who had served continuously for specified time periods;
and in comparison with these active employees are shown the number
and per cent of those who “ separated’’ during the year, who had
served corresponding time periods.1 The table gives the length-ofservice distribution of 11,561 of the 11,948 employees on the pay
rolls of 10 of the 12 establishments at the end of the year and a
similar distribution of 18,286 of the 20,212 who left the same 10
establishments during the year. With the other figures for lengthof-service of employees on the pay rolls are also included 5,035
employees of establishments 1 (a, b, c) and 4, which did not report
the service records of their separated employees.
1 Omitting establishments 1 (a, b, c) and 4 , which did not report length-of-service distribution of their
“separated” employees.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
52
T able 3 __NUMBER AND P E R CENT IN SERVICE AND AMONG SEPARATIONS OE CERTAIN
JUNE 1, 1918, OR
NUMBER.
Employees on pay roll at end of year who had served continuouslyE s-
tablishment
num
ber.
lb
Description of estab
lishment.
Public utility corpora
tion (main office).1
Public utility corpora
tion (metropolitan dis
tric t).1
Mercantile
establish
ment (wholesale and
retail).8
___ do.6............................
Iron and steel p la n t 1. . .
Machine shop 8...............
Oil refinery.....................
Sugar refinery................
Agricultural implement
plant.9
Public utility corpora
tion (rural districts).1
Oil refinery.....................
Copper mine and smelter
Iron and steel p lan t....
Explosives p la n t14.......
Total (omitting
establishment s
la n d 4 ) .16
One
week
and
un
der.
Over Over Over Over Over Over Over Over
3 and 5
2
1
6
1 2
3
1
week weeks mo. mos. mo. year years under years
and Total.
to 2 to 1 to 3 to 6 to 1 to 2 to 3
5
wks. mo. mos. mos. year. years. years. years. over.
39
130
288
170
334
987
487
146
372
228
365
232
157
463
95
39
136
325
301
130
55
183
266
513
118
138
189
585
45
26
188
24
239
18
12
27
173
55
37
41
188
201
5
83
18
29
50
258
33
67
53
70
274
209
16
90
27
39
144
496
HO
11
3
4
25
137
48
128
25
81
5
35
73
117
16
76
245
395
15
48
31
74
299
341
12
476
88
362
794
22
25
221
88
2,324
88
73
159
21
55
138
305
262
717
a 160
1 408
1,556
2, 329
3,043
627
111
2,800
19 588
12 956
152,415
1711,561
PER CENT.
Public utility co rpor
ation (main office).1
Public utility corpora
tion (metropolitan dis
trict).1
Mercantile
establish
ment (wholesale and
retail).3
___ do.5............................
Iron and steel p la n t1. . .
Machine shop 3..............
Oil refinery.....................
Sugar refinery................
A gricul turai l mpl ement
plant.9
Public utility corpora
tion (rural districts).1
Oil refinery....................
Copper mine and smelter
Iron and steel plant..
Explosives p la n t14. ..
100
100
100
100
s 100
7 100
100
100
100
100
19 100
12 100
15 100
15
Average (omit
ting establish
ments lan d 4).16
1 Data for the year ending May 15, 1918.
2 Not reported.
8 Data for year ending May 1, 1918.
4Not including 8 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
6 Data for the year ending May 2, 1918.
6 Not including 31 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
7 Not including 52 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
8 Not including 383 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
9 Data for 6 months ending July 1, 1918.
19 Not including 25 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
h Not including 247 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
12 Not including 225 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
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[
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17 100
53
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
IDENTICAL LENGTH-OF-SERVICE GROUPS OF EM PLOYEES FOR THE YEAR ENDING
NEAR THAT DATE.
NUMBER.
Employees separated from service during the year who had served continuously
1 week
and
under.
3
Over 1 Over 2 Over 1 Over 3 Over 6 Over 1 Over 2 Over
and 5 years
week
years under
mos. months, year
weeks month
and
to 2
to 3
to 1
to 1
to 3
to 2
to 6
over.
5
weeks. month. months. months. year. years. years. years.
Total.
Establishment
num
ber.
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2>
(2)
(2)
(2)
201
la
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2>
(2>
(2)
(2)
1,656
lb
14
15
75
(2)
43
222
591
269
(2)
36
(2)
15
172
355
223
10
31
19
12
85
88
(2)
100
206
644
711
43
(2)
76
83
247
480
31
(2)
44
44
155
365
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
34
181
490
425
(2)
(2)
3
2
4
121
2
n
(2)
27
24
72
136
13
(2)
9
26
16
27
16
(2)
3
11
30
15
11
(2)
11
11
28
18
409
1,022
362
980
8 2,628
2,669
3
4
5
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
8,556
lc
9
10
11
12
h
629
429
606
1,004
256
314
292
804
313
473
307
859
582
691
252
860
443
422
80
203
257
216
38
118
143
70
4
27
74
28
15
6
4
2,855
h 2, 783
is 1,579
3', 900
3,-946
2,481
3,177
4,165
2,096
1,280
525
211
140
265
is 18,286
38
19
120
58
6
7
8
PER CENT.
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
la
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
lb
12
18
(2)
12
23
22
10
(2)
12
8
26
16
10
9
21
(2)
9
18
19
16
22
(2)
28
21
25
27
11
(2)
21
8
9
18
8
(2)
12
4
6
14
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
4
18
14
8
(2)
22
18
38
26
9
11
18
21
11
17
19
22
20
25
16
22
22
14
17
23
3
(2)
7
2
3
5
(2)
16
15
5
5
9
8
2
3
11
7
2
9
(18)
3
(2)
2
3
1
1
1
,(2)
“ 3
1
(1S
(18))
3
1
5
3
2
3
4
(2)
1
1
1
1
(2)
(18)
(18)
(2)
100
2
3
4
5
3
100
3
1
1
1
100
100
8 100
100
4
2
100
n 100
is 100
100
1
is 100
le
(2)
1
1
1
(18)
(18)
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
18 Not including 1,296 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
14 Data for 6 months ending June 26, 1918.
15 Not including 46 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
16 The 2 firms mentioned are excluded from the totals because they have not reported figures showing
the length-of-service distribution of those employees who left their employ during the year; the primary
object of these totals being to show (in Tables 4, 5, and 6) the length of service of separated, as compared
w ith active, employees.
17 Not including 387 persons whose periods of service were not reported; also, of course, exclusive of the
5,035 employees on the pay rolls of establishments 1 and 4.
18 Less than one-half of 1 per cent. .
is Not including 1,926 persons whose periods of service were not reported.
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[
371 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
54
In this table there is again in evidence a very considerable range of
establishment variation. But there is also apparent a very marked
similarity of distribution as between the different establishments,
each of which shows a common difference in distribution between
active and separated employees. This is brought out more clearly
in summary Table 4, which is based upon the ten establishments for
which length of service figures for both “ active” and separated
employees are available.
T able 4 .—NUM BER AND PRO PO R TIO N EM PLOY ED AT END OP Y EA R AND SEPA
RATED DURING THE Y EA R CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO LENGTH OF CONTINUOUS
SERVICE .1
In service at end of year. Separated during year.
Employees who had served continuously each
classified period,
Number.
Per cent
distribu
tion.
Number.
Per cent
distribu
tion.
One week and under...........................................................
Over 1 week to 2 weeks.......................................................
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth....................................................
Over 1 month to 3 m onths.................................................
Over 3 months to 6 m onths...............................................
Over 6 months to 1 year.....................................................
Over 1 year to 2 years.........................................................
Over 2 years to 3 years.......................................................
Over 3 years to 5 years.......................................................
Over 5 years.........................................................................
692
476
950
2,324
1,145
1,174
1,481
627
633
1,459
6
4
8
20
10
15
13
5
5
13
3,946
2.481
3,177
4,165
2,096
1,280
525
211
140
265
22
14
17
23
11
7
3
1
1
1
Total...........................................................................
Length of service not reported...........................................
11,561
'387
100
18,286
1,926
100
Total...........................................................................
Hired during year................................................................
Number of full-time jobs....................................................
2 11,948
1 Establishm ents 1 and 4 are omitted.
8,678
2 On pay rolls.
3 20,212
2i; 996
3 Separations.
The figures in the first two columns of Table 4 show the length-ofservice distribution at the end of the year of the employees on the
pay rolls at that time and may be assumed to indicate, approximately
at least, the normal length-of-service distribution of the active work
ing force during the whole 12-month period ending about June 1, 1918.
It is realized, in making this assumption, that the length-of-service
distribution of the active working force (as well as of those leaving)
might have been quite different if it had been tabulated as of another
date a few months earlier or later. This would be particularly true
of seasonal trades. It would be true to a certain extent if, and when,
employees were being taken on or laid off in unusually large numbers.
For example the length-of-service cross section of the active force of
a department store made as of July 1 would probably show a higher
than normal proportion with service records of less than one month,
due to the large number of persons beginning work after the close of
school. Indeed, one of the establishments reported in this article
furnishes an example. It is establishment number 11, an iron and
steel plant. The length-of-service distribution of its active force was
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
tabulated as of June 1, 1918. Service records were available for
956 of the 1,181 persons on the pay roll on that date. Their per
centage service distribution was as follows:
Per cent.
One week and under.............................................................................
Over one to two weeks.........................................................................
Over two weeks to one month..............................................................
Over one to three months.....................................................................
Over three to six months......................................................................
Over six months to one year................................................................
Over one to two years...........................................................................
7
4
14
38
19
14
3
It will be observed that the proportion of employees in the overone-to-three months group is abnormally high—higher even than the
one-to-three-months proportion of the sep a ra ted employees, which
was only 16 per cent. The percentages for this service period for
the 10 establishments shown in Table 3 are, for active employees, 20
per cent, and for separated employees, 23 per cent. The abnormal
showing in the steel plant referred to is explained by the fact that
unusually large numbers of men had been hired during the months
of March and April, 1918.
The effect of war conditions on labor stability may be seen in the
fact brought out by the figures of Table 4 that out of more than 11,000
employees one-half had been in service less than six months, more than
one-third of them having seen less than three months’ service. The
length-of-service record of employees who left during the year (shown
in the last two columns) indicates from another angle the unprece
dented labor instability which has been a feature of the war period.
It shows that only 2,421, or 13 per cent, of the 18,286 who left during
the year (and whose service records were available) had served more
than six months and that over three-fourths had been in service less
than three months.
Of course, labor turnover is greater by far among newly-hired
employees. The parallel proportions shown in the percentage col
umns of Table 4 emphasize this fact: that it is the short-time em
ployee who contributes the overwhelmingly greater proportion of
labor turnover. Of the number in service at the end of the year only
6 per cent had service records of one week or less. On the other
hand, 22 per cent of those who left during the year had been employed
one week or less. At the other end of the scale it appears that 36
per cent of the active working forces had service records of more than
one year, whereas only 6 per cent of those who left during the year
had served more than a year. The one-to-twTo and the two-to-three
year groups indicate separation proportions of one-fourth and onefifth their respective strengths in the active working force, while the
under-one-week group, as already indicated, contributes a proportion
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of separations nearly four times as great as its relative strength in the
working force.1 Among both new and old employees there is no
doubt that the turnover is heavier in the unskilled than in the
skilled groups—but apparently the most important factor is length
of service.
It will be observed from the percentage figures of Table 4 that
the highest proportion of both “ live” and “ dead” employees is in
the one-to-three-months group. This does not mean that the fre
quency of replacement (which is the real index of turnover) was
greatest in that group. It means only that the aggregate number
of turnover cases was greatest in that particular period. It must
be remembered that the extent of time involved in each group
varies widely. The ra n g e of the one-to-three-months group, e. g.,
is about 9 times the range of either of the first two groups. The
figures indicate that the separated employees who had served one
week or less were nearly as numerous as those whose employment
terminated in the period which includes not only the fifth week but
also the eight following weeks. If the Iength-of-service classification
were based upon equal increments of service time, the number of
separations falling within these uniformly lengthening groups would
show a very different trend from that indicated by the figures of
Table 4. It would seem that, on the average, half of those who left
during their third or fourth week of service must have left during
the third week and half during the fourth week. Therefore, on this
basis, 1,588, or 9 per cent of all separated employees, must have left
their jobs during each of the third and fourth weeks.
On this equated time basis, then—
Twenty-two per cent of the separations must be assigned to the
under-one-week group;
Fourteen per cent of the separations must be assigned to the overone-to-two-weeks group;
Nine per cent of the separations, on the average, must be assigned
to each of the 2 weeks in the over-two-weeks-to-one-month group;
Three per cent of the separations, on the average, must be assigned
to each of the 9 weeks in the over-one-to-three-months group;
One per cent of the separations, on the average, must be assigned
to each of the 13 weeks in the over-three-to-six-months group; and
One-fourth of 1 per cent of the separations, on the average, must
be assigned to each of the 26 weeks in the over-six-months-to-oneyear group.
This decreasing percentage scale indicates more truly than do the
figures of Table 4 the distribution of the whole volume of turnover
i As already stated, it is assumed that the length-of-service distribution of the active working force
throughout the year studied does not vary to any great extent from the distribution found for the end of
the year.
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57
among new and old employees. In Table 5 the variation in range
between the classified service periods is equated by dividing the
number of separated employees whose service periods ended within
the several assigned limits by the number of weeks in the range of
the respective periods. The result is a scale of service periods vary
ing by equal weekly increments of time from one week to one year.
In one group are classified all separated employees whose length of
service falls within its particular seven-day range; in the next group
all those whose service periods had been not more than one week
longer than the preceding, and so on. The wide range of the Iongerservice groups makes it necessary (except for the two shortest periods)
to use the average number for each week in the group. The figures
in the last two columns show that during the year 3,946 persons left
employment who had served one week or less and that this group
is equal to 45 per cent of the standard working force. Similarly,
161 persons left, on the average, in each of the 13 weeks of the overthree-to-six-months period, and each of those weekly groups of sepa
rated employees is equal to 2 per cent of the standard working force.
T able 5 .—NUMBER AND P E R CENT OF SEPARATED EM PLOYEES ASSIGNABLE TO
TH E UNSUBDIVIDED SERVICE GROUPS AND, AS A W E EK L Y AVERAGE, TO THE
SAME GROUPS SUBDIVIDED ACCORDING TO SERVICE INCREMENTS OP ONE AVEEK.
Length-of-service period.
2 wppk; rf r|nH or... .................................
Oyer 1 to 2 wooks...........................................
Over 2 weeks t° 1 m onth..............................
Over i to m onths. »....................................
Oyer 3 to fi m onths.........................- .............
Over 6 months to 1 yppr......... .....................
Over 1 year
- ..... .................. ...
Total
Approxi
mate num
ber of
■weeks in
period.
1
1
2
9
13
26
Separated employees
who had served each
classified period.
Number.
3,946
2,481
3,177
4,165
2,096
1,280
1,141
Per cent of
standard
working
force.
45
29
37
48
24
15
13
Average number of
separated employees
leaving each week in
each service period.
Number.
3,946
2,481
1,588
'463
161
49
Per cent of
standard
working
force.
45
29
18
5
2
1
18,286
____ . . . . . . . . . . . .
If the 10 companies for which complete length-of-service data are
available are divided into two groups—the four which have a loAverthan-average turnover and the six with a higher-than-average turn
over—we get the figures shown in Table 6. I t appears that in the
lower-than-average-turnover companies the over-one-year group of
employees, 44 per cent of the active working force had service
records of more than one year, whereas only 11 per cent of those
who left during the year had served more than a year. On the
other hand, in the higher-than-average-turnover companies 35 per
cent of the active working force and 6 per cent of those who left had
served more than a year.
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T able 6 __TURNOVER AND LENGTH OF SERVICE RECORDS OF 4 ESTABLISHM ENTS
HAVING A LOW ER-THAN-AVERAGE TU RNOVER COMPARED W ITH 6 ESTABLISH
MENTS HAVING A HIGHE R-THAN-AVE RAGE TURNOVER.
Employees who have served continuously each specified period.
%
Turnover 142 to 233 per cent.
Period of service.
Active
employees at
end of year.
Num
ber.
Per
cent.
Separated
employees.
Num
ber.
Per
cent.
Turnover 239 to 434 per cent.
Active
employees at
end of year.
Num
ber.
Per
cent.
Separated
employees.
Num
ber.
Per
cent.
One week or less...................................
Over 1 week to 2 weeks.......................
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth.....................
Over 1 m onth to 3 m onths..................
Over 3 m onths to 6 m onths.................
Over 6 m onths to 1 year......................
Over 1 year to 2 years..........................
Over 2 years to 3 years........................
Over 3 years to 5 years........................
Over 5 years..........................................
43
36
52
139
81
176
97
62
70
161
5
4
6
15
9
19
10
7
9
18
355
237
310
425
221
131
73
51
32
37
19
13
17
23
12
7
4
3
2
2
649
440
898
2,185
1,064
1,598
1,384
565
563
1,298
6
4
8
21
10
15
13
5
5
12
3,591
2,244
2,867
3,740
1,875
1,149
452
160
108
228
22
14
17
23
11
7
3
1
1
1
T otal............................................
U ndistributed......................................
917
91
100
1,872
100
10,644
296
100
16,414
1,926
190
Entire num ber..........................
18,340
10,940
1,872
1,008
The proportions of the different kinds of separations in the two
groups compared in Table 6 are presented in Table 7. From the figures
of the latter table it appears that the proportion of discharge and lay-off
separations is 30 per cent in the lower-than-average-turnover group,
but only 12 per cent in the higher-than-average-turnover group,
while the proportion of voluntary separations (quits) is 64 per
cent and 83 per cent in the “ low” and “ high” turnover groups,
respectively. The inference would seem to be that not only is the
greater part of the turnover due to quits, but that it is more and
more predominantly due to quits as its volume increases. Dis
charges and lay-offs, on the contrary, tend to become of less and less
importance as the turnover increases. I t is also to be noted that
military service appears to be a fairly constant element accounting
for only about 5 or 6 per cent of the turnover.
T able 7 __NUM BER AND P E R CENT OF TH E D IF F E R E N T KINDS OF SEPARATIONS IN
THE “ L O W ” TU RNOVER COMPARED W ITH TH E “ H IG H ” TU RN O V ER ESTABLISH
MENTS.
Turnover 142 to 233
per cent.
Type of separation.
Number.
Turnover 239 to 434
per cent.
Per cent.1 Number.
Per cent.2
Discharges and lay-offs..............................................................
Military service..........................................................................
Q u it.............................................................................................
265
59
568
30
7
64
2,076
915
14,784
12
5
83
S ubtotal............................................................................
Nature of separation not reported...........................................
892
980
100
17,775
565
100
Total
Number hired
........................................
..........................................................
...........................................
Number of full-time jo b s..
1,872
1,975
923.3
18,340
20,021
7,755
1 Computed by dividing the numbers discharged and laid off, etc., by 892.
2 Computed by dividing the numbers discharged and laid off, etc., by 17,775.
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59
I t has already been pointed out that, as is quite obvious, there is
enormous variation in the turnover distribution in relation directly
to length of service—that the jobs held by the newly hired employees
(whether they are skilled mechanics’ jobs or unskilled laborers’ jobs)—
are responsible for a preponderating share of the separations.
For some jobs there is evidently a very high “ rotation in office” ;
for others the frequency of shift is much lower. It is very important
to know what proportion of the jobs in a plant is subject to high,
and what proportion to low, rotation frequencies. An attempt to
indicate this is made in Table 8, which presents a further analysis of
the length-of-service distribution of 18,286 persons who left the
service of the 10 companies reported.
The principal object of this table is to show (1) in what length-ofservice sections of the working force the turnover is most heavy
and how heavy it is in those sections, and (2) how many full-time
jobs are directly affected by these respective intensities of turnover
in these different parts of the working force. To throw light on
these two points it is first of all necessary to hit upon an average
length of service for each of the original service groups. For this
average the arithmetic mean has been taken—the mean length of
time between the minimum and maximum time in each group.
The assumption here—and upon this assumption the whole of the
following analysis rests—is that the sum of the individual service
deviations (plus and minus) from the mean is zero or very close to zero.1
It would seem probable from what slight information is available that
considerably more individual service records fall below the mean time
than above it—that is to say, so many “ floaters ’’ work only a day or two
that the time average for the first group is possibly two days rather
than four. This probable lag of the true average of individual cases
behind the mean length of service which has been used is undoubtedly
greatest in the one-week-and-under group and certainly can not be
i This assumption is confirmed by information which came to hand after this article was put in type.
In two Cincinnati shops the length-of-service distribution of 1,990 employees (in all occupations) leaving
in 1918, the aggregate number of days worked by them, and the average length of service in each time group
are as follows:
Separated
employees
who served Total days
continu
ously each worked.
classified
period.
Length of service period.
One week or less........................................................................................
Over 1 week to 2 weeks............................................................................
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth.........................................................................
Over 1 month to 3 months......................................................................
Over 3 months to 6 m onths.....................................................................
Over 6 months to 1 year...........................................................................
439
275
348
527
244
157
1,561
2,934
7,495
29,184
31 488
39,663
Total.................................................................................................
1,990
112,325
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Average
days of
service.
3.56
10.67
21.54
55.38
129.05
252. 63
60
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
of any serious consequence in the longer groups. In any case the
effect of this probable lag or negative deviation is to produce a some
what lower turnover figure. Thus, if two days be taken as the basic
average for the first group, there would appear in this rapidly chang
ing part of the working force a group of 22 jobs suffering a turnover
of 18,050 per cent a year, whereas, on the 4 days basis it is a group of
43 jobs with a turnover of 9,025 per cent a year. In short, the mean
length of service is, especially for the very short periods, more nearly
an outside figure for, rather than an average of, the individual cases.
It should be noted also that the calculation is based upon the calendar
year of 365 days and not upon t'he number of days worked by a “ fully
employed person,” which latter basis is used in the first part of this
article in computing the number of full-time jobs or standard working
force.
T able
SEPARATION FREQUEN CY DISTRIBU TION OF 3,871 JOBS
AFFECTED BY TURNOVER.
DIRECTLY
[Based upon length-of-service records of 18,286 persons separated during the year in the 10 establishments
reported and calculated on the basis of the mean length-of-service in each group.]
Length of service period.
Separated
employees
who served
continuously Mean
each classified length
period.
of
service
(.days).
Num Per
ber.
cent.
1
2
3
3,946
2,481
3,177
4,165
2,096
1,280
1,141
22
14
17
23
11
7
6
4
11
22
60
135
274
C1)
Total affected by turnover....... 18,286
Jobs not affected by turnover..
Total full-time jobs....................
100
1 week and un d er.................................
Over 1 to 2 weeks.................................
Over 2 weeks to 1 m onth.....................
Over 1 to 3 months...............................
Over 3 to 6 months...............................
Over 6 months to 1 year......................
Over 1 vear...........................................
Conse
quent Corre
number spond
of sepa ing per
rations centage
from of turn
each over per
full
full
time
time
job dur job per
ing the year.
year.
4
90. 25
32.18
15. 59
5.08
1.70
.33
C1)
5
N umber
of mandays
worked
during
the
year.
Conse Per
quent
number ofcent
total
of full full
time
time
jobs in jobs
each
group. (8,678).
6
7
8
9,025
15, 784
3,218
27,291
69,894
1,559
508 249,900
170 282,960
33 350, 720
2 416,465
0)
43
75
191
685
775
961
1,141
0.5
1.0
2.0
8.0
9.0
11.0
13.0
473 1,413,014
3,871
4,807
8,678
45.0
55.0
100.0
233
2 Minimum, 1,141 multiplied by 365.
1 No means of estimating.
The method of working out the results in Table 8 may be illustrated
by the figures for the first group. On the basis of the assumption
explained above each of 3,946 persons worked an average of 4 days.
Assuming that all jobs were continuously occupied, it follows that
the number of successive incumbents of each job subject to this
maximum, frequency of “ rotation in office” must have been 365
divided by 4, or 91.25. Similarly there must have been 33.18 persons
n successive occupancy of each of the jobs held by the one-to-twoweeks group, and so on. The number of separations, however, must
be one less than the total number of job holders, and therefore the
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
61
number of separations from each job is 90.25 in the one-week-andunder, and 32.18 in the one-to-two weeks group, and so on. This
constitutes a series of constants supplementing the mean-length-ofservice constants in column 3 and indicating the average number of
men required during the year to hold down each job in each of the
specified time groups. The next step is to ascertain the number of
jobs each of which is successively occupied by 90 employees, 32 em
ployees, etc., during the year. This is done by dividing the number
of man-days worked in each group (the product of the mean length
of service by the number of employees in the group) by 365. This
indicates that in the one-week-and-under group there are 43 jobs
to each of which an average frequency rate of 90 incumbents per
year or an annual turnover of 9,025 per cent applies. Similarly in
the over-one-to-two-weeks group there are 75 jobs (1 per cent of all
the full-time jobs) having a turnover of 3,218 per cent a year, and at
the other end of the scale, in the 6-months-to-one-year group, 961
or 11 per cent of all full-time jobs having a turnover of 33 per cent.
The figures indicate, in other words, the numbers of full-time jobs
from which took place the classified numbers of separations per
year. They mean, e. g., that on the average each of the 43 positions
in the first and shortest group suffered 90 separations during the year,
or had a turnover of 9,025 per cent.
Some further interpretation is necessary for the figures of Table 8.
In the 10 establishments reporting length-of-service data for both
active and separating employees there were 8,678 full-time jobs. It
would appear from the figures of Table 8 (whose accuracy, of course,
depends upon the validity of the “ mean-length-of--service” method)
that 4,807 or 55 per cent of these 8,67.8 jobs suffered no replacements
during the year. More than half of all the jobs, in other words, would
appear to have been free from turnover. It follows, then, that if
the 4,807 stable jobs are left out of account and the 3,871 unstable
ones used as a basis for computation, the turnover for this unstable
part of the working force would be 473 per cent as compared with
233 per cent for the whole working force.
At the relatively stable end of the length-of-service scale it appears
that the six-months-to-one-year group, numbering. 1,280 employees,
who had occupied 961, or 11 per cent, of the full-time jobs, contributed 7
per cent of the separations and suffered a turnover of 33 per cent per
job per year. At the unstable end of the scale it is evident that the
under-one-week group, numbering 3,946 employees, who had occupied
43, or less than one-half of 1 per cent, of the full-time jobs and made
90 replacements necessary in each, contributed 22 per cent of the
separations and had a turnover of 9,025 per cent per job per year.
In this most unstable group, where the jobs naturally suffer the
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M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW.
highest replacement frequency, it would appear that in each of 43
full-time jobs there were, on the average, 90 new men hired and
that this little group of jobs was occupied at one time or another
during the year by 3,946 persons, who made up 22 per cent of the
separations and, consequently, contributed that proportion of the
turnover. Of the total of 3,871 jobs which were responsible for the
whole volume of turnover, 1,141 had suffered but one replacement
during the year. These incumbents, moreover, had all served con
tinuously for at least a year and made up only 6 per cent of the
separations, that is to say, contributed only 6 per cent of the turn
over. The remaining jobs subject to turnover, 2,730 in number,
and constituting 31.5 per cent of the total number of full-time jobs,
had from 1 to 90 replacements each per year and contributed 94 per
cent of the turnover. It is realized that these conclusions are based
upon the estimated figures for the mean-length-of-service in each time
period. This makes it impossible in every case to check the derived
figures of Table 8 with the direct figures reported from the estab
lishments, but does not appear to invalidate the general conclusion.
The matter of the causes of the turnover in the establishments
studied is scarcely within the scope of the present article. I t may
be stated, however, that by far the most important cause—the one un
doubtedly responsible for more separations during the period covered
than all other causes combined—was the pull of the war wages
offered to all comers in the shipyards, not only of San Francisco
Bay, but also of Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[380]
RECONSTRUCTION.
MEETING
OF RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE, NATIONAL
FEDERATION.
CIVIC
In the January issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w (pp. 48, 49),
the occurrence of a number of conferences dealing with reconstruc
tion problems was noted, and it was stated that reports of these
conferences would be given in this periodical so far as they could be
obtained. The following report of the procedure of the meeting of
the reconstruction committee, National Uivic Federation, held in
New York City on December 2, 1918, is summarized from an account
in the National Civic Federation Review for December 20.
The president of the National Civic Federation, Y. Everit Macy,
spoke on industrial relations, calling attention to the need for cen
tralization of control of Federal agencies during the war and the
danger of allowing “ this highly concentrated machine” to “ disin
tegrate now without any definite plans for a transitional period.”
He commended the Government method of dealing with problems
of employers and employed during the war, stating that it “ has been
most successful, as practically no interruption of industry of any
magnitude has occurred during the past year and a half.” In this
connection reference was made to the formation of the various labor
adjustment boards composed of employers and employees and
representatives of the Government or of the public to consider all
disputes.
I t is safe to say that if these various boards had not been established, there would
have been constant interruption of production, an immensely increased labor turn
over, much higher wages and a tremendously reduced output.
The keynote of President Macy’s address is to be found in the fol
lowing passage:
If voluntary agreements to submit all questions in dispute to labor adjustment
boards have proved of value in time of war, why should not similar boards be useful
to industry in times of peace? We must not lose the benefit of the splendid spirit of
cooperation to work for a common end that has been shown by both employer and
employee during the war and which has produced such fine results.
The only way, however, that this cooperative spirit can find effective expression in
normal times is by better organization of employers and better organization of em
ployees. * * *
The National Civic Federation in the past has advocated trade agreements. As
the result of our war experience, can we not in the future develop voluntary labor
adjustment boards to which all disputes will be submitted without the interruption
of industry or inconvenience to the public? These boards could be composed of
representatives of the employers’ organizations and the unions involved, with perhaps
one or more representatives of the public. One of the difficulties that the labor adjust
ment boards had to meet during the war was the lack of any tradition or prevailing
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
practice within any given industry, craft, or even single plant. Such boards as have
been suggested would, by their successive decisions, tend gradually to develop a code
of minimum good practice in an industry and thus help to systematize the industry.
* * * Such a plan can not be successful without well disciplined organizations on
both sides. This brings us to another point that we are destined to hear much dis
cussed—that of raising or lowering of wages. The real question that should determine
the wage scale is that of the cost of production per ton or per unit. It is too often
assumed that high wages mean high cost and that low wages mean low cost. The
manufacturer must realize that no industry should survive that can not pay a living
wage. The employees must realize that no industry can survive where there is not a
living profit. Cost can not be reduced except through good management and an
honest day’s labor, nor can high wages and reasonable profits be obtained, except by
the same means. Competition and equipment are other factors that can not be ignored
if an industry is to be successful and most important of all is a cooperative spirit be
tween the management and the men employed.
In the past, little thought seems to have been given to the human equation in indus
try. Employers have paid large salaries to general managers and various experts but
they have left all contact with their employees in the hands of foremen and subfore
men, men often of limited opportunity, experience, and understanding. On the
other hand, the unions have placed too much power in the hands of local officials who
are frequently also men of equally limited capacity. Some way should be found
whereby the many causes of irritation could be handled by well paid representatives
of the employer and by responsible representatives of the national unions. Petty
foremen and small minded local representatives of unions are the greatest source of
discord.
IMMIGRATION IN THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the American Federation of Labor,
suggested steps that should be taken to prevent the immigration of
undesirable aliens. In his opinion immigration should be stopped
entirely during the period of adjustment, “ until the workers who
have been working in munitions factories have secured employment,
and until every soldier has been returned and has secured employment.
After that readjustment we can open our doors to our brothers across
the seas.” He concluded his remarks by presenting the following
resolutions which were referred to the executive committee of the
National Civic Federation:
Resolved, That the Congress of the United States be urged immediately to appro
priate a sufficient sum to be used by the Department of Labor to transport all war
workers thrown out of employment to points where they can secure sustaining em
ployment, and to pay each worker a stipulated amount per week during the period
of enforced idleness.
Resolved, That the Congress of the United States be urged to enact legislation
stopping all immigration to this country for a period of five years, or until such time
as all our soldiers and war workers have secured employment that will sustain them
and their families in reasonable comfort.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.
This general subject was the basis of remarks by Henry A. Wise
Wood, president of the Wood Newspaper Machinery Corporation,
who spoke emphatically against public ownership. He maintained
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that public ownership means the surrender of economic freedom,
the individual not only losing thereby the right of possession, hut
causing danger to the foundations of representative government by
thus consenting to ‘ ‘the erection of the enormous bureaucracy which
is part of the plan of public ownership.”
Jeremiah W. Jenks, who next spoke, said in reference to Govern
ment ownership that he did not expect “ to see us get back on the
same basis we were before,” and admitted that “ there are great
advantages in many cases from centralized control, centralized man
agement, pooling on a universal scale, hut there are also certain
disadvantages that come from Government ownership and manage
ment.” He suggested that such a body as the National Civic Fed
eration should “ have the facts collected impartially to show us how
far we should retain this Government control and management
along various lines that could be suggested, and how far we should
go back to the system of private control and ownership and manage
ment that we had before.”
LABOR’S PART IN SOLVING THE WAR PROBLEMS.
Labor’s part in solving war problems was suggested by Wheeler
P. Bloodgood, of the League for National Unity, who emphasized
the importance of all classes of society working together in com
munities throughout the country in solving the labor problems that
are now presented. The vital questions upon which all should agree,
it was stated, are what changes should be made in the immigration
laws, whether Government ownership is wise or unwise, whether we
should attempt the British plan of demobilizing the Army by
trades rather than by military units, and whether we should carry
out some phases of the British labor program. He condemned the
attitude of some who talk about the surplus of labor and who say
that nowT is the opportunity for capital to reassert itself because
labor has prospered way beyond its share as a result of the war.
Samuel Gompers, vice president of the National Civic Federation,
told of the grave problems now confronting the American people—
problems much more difficult of solution than those immediately
connected with the winning of the war. He cautioned the American
people to be on guard “ to see to it, to supervise, to be vigilant, lest
around the peace table there are purloined from us, right under our
very noses, many of the liberties and the freedom of our people.”
I am impressed particularly with the appeal to the conscience, to the judgment,
to the ideals, to the Americanism of our people for united action. You can not get
freedom, nor practice freedom, on empty stomachs. The hungry men may engage
in a riot, may engage in a revolt, but their course is never of a constructive character.
Hungry stomachs do not make reasoning brains. It is necessary to maintain the
standards of life of the American working people that they may have sound bodies,
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and the opportunity for reasonable thinking; with aspirations of such a character
they will build up the institutions of this Republic. Enlightened discontent, the
higher and better aspirations of the masses of the people furnish the greatest impetus
to progress and civilization. The discontent of hungry people leads to nowhere
except chaos, confusion, and reaction.
THE PASSING OF INDUSTRIAL FEUDALISM.
The solution of the problems of reconstruction depends a great
deal upon the attitude of mind with which they are approached, in
the opinion of A. Parker Nevin, formerly counsel for the National
Association of Manufacturers. He expressed the hope that the war
would teach certain employers that “ feudalism and democracy can
not obtain in the same Commonwealth, and unless we get into the
consciousness of certain individuals and certain groups that we
won’t tolerate feudal acts or feudal thoughts we shall have serious
times in this country.” The reason we won the war was because
“ all the people subordinated their group consciousness and concen
trated on one single objective.” This principle, it was stated, must
be applied in meeting reconstruction problems.
WORK AND POLICY OF THE NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD.
The work and policy of the National War Labor Board in assisting
to adjust labor disputes was reviewed briefly by Matthew Woll, of
the Committee on Labor, Council of National Defense.
The War Labor Board has accomplished a wonderful task. It has proven one of
the most helpful agencies, not only in stimulating production during the period of the
war but it has also made for a better understanding between the employers and the
employees. As to the future work, that depends largely upon the attitude of mind
that is going to be taken by the employing interest of this country. If it is going to
be one of cooperation, one of helpfulness, and one of seeking to approach the problems
in the spirit of solving them to do justice to all concerned, then I think the board will
prove of great value in composing the differences of opinion, and in reaching con
clusions that will make for harmony and for protection in the future. If, however,
the attitude of mind is going to be one of seeking to retard rather than to advance
human happiness, then, under our system of government, I feel sure the board will
fail; because the decisions of the War Labor Board depend entirely upon voluntary
acquiescence and not upon governmental decree. Its future depends upon the fair
ness of the decisions and awards and, as I stated before, the attitude of mind with
which we approach the problems submitted to it.
The fact that compliances with the decisions of the National War
Labor Board have been purely voluntary on the part of the employers
and workers, a feature which characterized all the various labor ad
justment boards established during the war, was brought out by
President Macy in emphasizing some of the statements in the address
by the preceding speaker. Notwithstanding the fact that there was
no legislative compulsion, the violations of the agreements on either
side have been few in number and were of short duration.
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RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The committee adopted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the president of the National Civic Federation be empowered
to name a commission of suitable size and representative character, of which he shall
be chairman, to visit England, France, and Italy, for the purpose of reporting:
(1) On the methods employed in those countries with regard to the relations of
employers and employees, especial inquiry to be made into the subjects of collective
bargaining, mediation and arbitration, the shop steward system, the Whitley commit
tee program, profit sharing, bonus and copartnership, social insurance, and employment
exchanges ;
(2) On the after-the-war policy of the Governments of those countries with respect
to continuing, amending or abolishing Government ownership and operation of public
utilities and basic industries, as well as regulating price fixing affecting the essentials
in production; and
(3) On the methods in operation or under consideration for providing homes or
cultivable lands either for the men released from war service or for citizens in general.
Resolved, That the president of the National Civic Federation name a committee
of suitable size and representative character to inquire into and report upon the
operation of the various war emergency measures adopted to secure cooperative rela
tions between employers and employees, and likewise to report upon the effective
ness of the Government operation of public utilities and basic industries, as well as
of the regulations fixing the prices of essentials in the United States.
RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE, NATIONAL POPULAR GOVERNMENT
LEAGUE, W ASHINGTON, JANUARY 9-11, 1919.
Reconstruction was the theme of the fifth annual meeting of the
National Popular Government League which was held in the city of
Washington January 9, 10, and 11, 1919. Sessions were devoted
to such subjects as Demobilization—Land; The food supply—The
packers; Railroads; The farmer; Labor; Education; and Women. In
the absence of official printed proceedings a full account of the meet
ing can not be given at this time. At the opening session, which
dealt with demobilization, Hon. Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the
Interior, and Hon. William Kent, of the United States Tariff Com
mission and chairman of the conference committee, were among
those who spoke.
The question of the food supply was discussed by Hon. M. Clyde
Kelly, Member of Congress from Pennsylvania; W. Gwynn Gardiner,
Commissioner, District of Columbia; Judson C. Welliver, journalist;
Dr. H. Q. Alexander, president of the Farmers’ Union of South Caro
lina; and Hon. William B. Colver, chairman of the Federal Trade
Commission. The latter speaker confined his remarks to the pend
ing legislation affecting the packing industry. As a result of the
investigation of the meat-packing industry, Mr. Colver said, the com
mission found two main subjects for legislation. In the first place,
he said, the highway of commerce is not a free road. I t is blocked
by toll gates, which are not operated by the public, for the public, or
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in the public interest. A study of the history of the packing industry
showed that a free highway would prevent unfair competition. The
second subject needing legislative action is the integration of other
businesses with the meat-packing industry. If the present tendency
of integration is continued, said Mr. Colver, in 10 years as few as 5
men or concerns will dominate and dictate in practically every line
what the American people shall buy, where they shall buy it, when
they shall buy it, and what they shall pay for it.
Four remedial measures were recommended: (1) Federal licensing
of all meat-packing establishments engaged in interstate commerce;
no license to be granted until the business plays fair; (2) Federal
licensing of instruments used, i. e., cars, storage houses, and stockyards, so that they will be used fairly; (3) if any instrument evades
the regulations, the Government to have authority to buy it with the
privilege of turning it over to someone else who can operate it fairly;
(4) the Government should take over any or all of these instruments
except the packing industry, and operate them fairly.
At the morning session on January 10, devoted to the farmer, Mr.
Arthur Le Sueur, of the National Nonpartisan League, spoke on the
“ Unclogged channels of trade,” emphasizing the necessity for remov
ing all artificial barriers between the producer and consumer in
order that the greatest benefit might accrue to both. The spread of
democratic ideas from the time when the Magna Charta was wrung
from an unwilling King John down to the present universal accept
ance of the principle of the greatest good to the greatest number was
traced by him. Three basic evils exist, he contended, in our indus
trial system and must be remedied: (1) Influences tending to destroy
the will to produce, (2) the denial of the right to the resources of
nature, and (3) the clogs placed in trade channels by persons belong
ing to neither the producer nor the consumer class, but who prey
upon both. Transportation, he stated, is by no means the only
trade channel. Banks fall within the meaning of the term. These
must be freed from private control. Commission houses, etc., also
are channels of trade and must be publicly owned. What is needed
is control not of the products themselves, but of the operation of
their passage from producer to consumer. Industrial democracy, as
well as political democracy, must be achieved before we become a
free people. All waste must be eliminated from our industrial life
and to do this the channels of trade must be kept clear.
Mr. C. H. Gustafson, president of the Nebraska Farmers’ Union,
told what had been accomplished in his State in cooperative market
ing. He stated that over 150 grain elevators are now conducted on
the cooperative plan. These cleared last year $20,000 above their
operating expenses. A small dividend is paid to stockholders and
the balance is returned to patrons. Some cooperative creameries
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and flour mills are in operation. A large farmers’ exchange has been
conducted at Omaha since April, 1914. In 1918 this exchange did
a business amounting to $2,760,000. It is not capitalized, hut is
conducted by means of service fees and dues. The membership fee
is $2 per year. Cooperative live-stock and grain exchanges are now
in successful operation at three points. All cooperative institutions
did a business of about $100,000,000 last year.
The principal speaker at the session on labor was Hon. L. F. Post,
Assistant Secretary of Labor, who appeared in the stead of the
Secretary, Hon. W'. B. Wilson. Mr. Post’s subject was Democracy
in industry, although he explained that he would consider the subject
negatively rather than affirmatively and tell what democracy in
industry does not mean. He pointed out that it does not mean
the refusal of either side to a controversy to face the other across
a table and discuss the matters in dispute, emphasizing the fact that
where such frank discussion can be secured an amicable settlement
is almost always arrived at. Democracy in industry does not mean
the denial of the right of collective bargaining. It does not mean
the monopolization of the natural resources to which industry must
resort.
Mr. William Johnston, president, International Association of
Machinists, in speaking on How labor defines democracy, said that
if democracy means anything it means the right to work: “ If Con
gress can spend millions for destructive war machines, it can spend
a few millions for constructive work that will benefit the children
of men.” Bolshevism, he declared, is not entirely confined to the
working class. He deprecated the tendency to return to the 10-hour
working day, and said that the more humane thing to do is to shorten
the hours and so distribute the work as to inconvenience as few
workers as possible. “ The men who put labor into industry have a
right to a voice in the management as much as the men who put
the cold dollars into industry, and labor is going to demand a larger
share in the democratic control of all the interests of life.
Prof. Charles Zueblin, formerly of the University of Chicago,
spoke briefly, arguing for a system by which many of the statistics,
such as mortality and industrial statistics, etc., now collected each
10 years by the Census Bureau, should be collected much more fre
quently through the machinery of the selective draft so thoroughly
organized throughout the country and adequately equipped to do
the work under the general supervision of the Census Bureau. He
feels that in this manner there could be made available daily records
of industrial fluctuations that would be invaluable in handling the
problems of labor and be of more importance and be more desirable
than the daily record we now have of stock fluctuations.
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At the session on education, among other speakers, Dr. C. A.
Prosser, director, told of the work of the Federal Board for Vocational
Education, and Herbert Quick delivered an address on Education
as related to reconstruction.
Melinda Scott, of the United States Employment Service, speaking
at the session devoted to women, pointed out that as far as women
are concerned the labor situation could not be accurately gauged
by the number of applications for workers which the service was
unable to fill. In a very large number of cases the position offered
paid such small wages that women who had been earning living
wages refused to consider them ; the immediate and pressing problem
for women was not to secure work, but to secure work at fair wages.
Mrs. Kelley, of the National Consumers7 League, pointed out as one
hopeful feature the combination in New York of organized labor,
the Woman Suffrage Association, the Young Woman’s Christian
Association, and the Consumers’ League in a campaign to secure
protective legislation for woman workers.
The conference was concluded by a battleship dinner, cooked and
served by sailormen as on board a battleship at sea.
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RESEARCH AS APPLIED TO INDUSTRIAL PROBLEMS.
BY MRS. V. B. TURNER.
The term research has come to include many phases of investiga
tion hitherto not considered in its province. From being confined
merely to the laboratory or the library research work it has expanded
along sociological and industrial lines and has achieved results of
far-reaching importance.
Reports made, especially during the war period, upon the relation of
hours of labor and fatigue to industrial efficiency, have by a reduction
in the hours of labor had a marked effect upon the conservation of
man power, and thereby upon the productive capacity of the com
munity. Wage investigations in relation to the high cost of living,
the study of measures to promote public health, the Taylor
researches into the conserving of human effort, the effect of welfare
upon the general well-being of the workers, the deficiencies in
educational systems are all matters of research in its broadest
sense—the acquisition and application of knowledge. A satisfactory
solution of the problem of dealing with differences between labor and
capital is a subject of research worthy of the best ability and effort,
and any research along industrial lines which results in greater
cooperation between employer and employed should be of distinct
interest and value to each.
One of the striking lessons of the war has been the necessity of the
application of science to the production of all war material. Ger
many’s enormous advantages derived from the utilization of science
have been apparent from the first. When her supply of nitrates from
Chile was cut off her scientists discovered a method of converting
the nitrogen of the air into nitrates. An adequate supply of cellulose
necessary in the manufacture of guncotton was secured by a chemical
treatment of wood; while cattle food was obtained from the chemical
treatment of the waste refuse liquor of pulp mills. Scientific research
replaced the required copper and nickel by other metal substitutes.
Now that the war is over, the national debts must be paid. This
means not only increased production but the keenest trade competi
tion the world has ever experienced. To secure this production and
to meet this competition, the nations must utilize the most advanced
scientific knowledge and the latent energy—mental and physical—
of every worker of every kind.
Many of the nations alive to this situation have already taken steps
to promote industrial research. An institute of science and industry
has been‘established in Australia to study and develop the natural
resources and industries of that Commonwealth. During the past
year Japan appropriated a large sum for like purposes; Canada has
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appointed a research committee of the Privy Council, with an honor
ary advisory council for scientific and industrial research; Great
Britain, the United States, France, New Zealand, and even Finland
have taken action in this direction.
INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH IN GREAT BRITAIN.
The British Government, in 1915, appointed a committee of the
Privy Council for scientific and industrial research to further industrial
research in Great Britain, with an advisory council of leading scientists
and business men. This council was made a regular department of
of the Government during 1917. In its third annual report the com
mittee discusses among other subjects that of industrial research
associations,1 the organization of whicn is the main work of the
advisory council.
The committee feels that the exigencies of the war have demon
strated the necessity of all possible assistance being given to increase
output and to improve its quality if the demands of peace are to be
successfully met. To this end Parliament, in 1917, placed at the
disposition of the research department £1,000,000 sterling($4,866,500)
to enable it to encourage industries to undertake research during
the following five years. At the end of that time it is expected that
the larger industries will have so thoroughly developed the work as
to be able to carry it on without Government assistance. The
scheme which has been effected by the committee with the assistance
and advice of leading manufacturers and business men, has been
made sufficiently elastic to suit the widely differing conditions of
numerous industries and to conform to a reasonably simple system of
Government aid.
Some 30 industries are now actively engaged in establishing indus
trial associations by means of which the systematic development of
research and the cooperation of progressive industry with science will
be carried out under the direct control of the industries themselves.
These associations include as many firms in each industry as possible;
but where there is a variety of applications, as in the woolen industry,
the engineering firms, and others, a series of distinct associations will be
formed. Large firms having various activities may belong to several
associations, thus benefiting from the advantages of each. Co
operation among the firms concerned in one industry will be encour
aged in the hope that in this way research work may be undertaken
which could not be done by individual firms.
Each firm subscribing to a research organization will, in general,
have the following privileges:2 (1) It will receive a regular service of
1 Great Britain. Privy Council. Committee for Scientific and Industrial Research. Report, 1917-18.
London, 1918. (Cd. 9144.)
2 Great Britain. Privy Council. Summarized from the report of the Committee for Scientific and
Industrial Research, 1916-17, p. 50.
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summarized up-to-date technical information, both foreign and
domestic; (2) it will be able to obtain a translated copy of any
foreign article of special interest mentioned in the periodical bulletin;
(3) it will have the right to have technical questions answered as
fully as is possible by the research association; (4) it may recom
mend specific subjects for research, which, if considered of sufficient
importance, will be investigated without cost to the firm, and will be
available to all firms in the organization; (5) it practically will have
a right to a free use of any patents or secret processes resulting from
researches made; (6) it may request that a specific piece of research
work be undertaken for its own benefit at cost price.
Each of the industries forming research associations presents a
different problem in the establishment of such organizations and also
furnishes an illustration of the elasticity of the Government scheme.
In the cotton industry, which is in reality a vast group of related
industries, the articles of association have centralized the governing
power in a single committee, an action made possible from the fact
that cotton manufacturing is concentrated largely in a limited area.
The woolen industry is geographically so widely distributed that
several local committees, each in close touch with its own area,
have been organized. Similar conditions exist in the linen industry.
The administration of the research work of the Mining Association
of Great Britain will be carried out by a single association for the
whole Kingdom, which will include local sections or branches dealing
with the problems peculiar to particular localities.
The Iron Manufacturers’ Research Association, founded by the
British iron puddlers to investigate the increasingly important
problems of their industry, have attacked these problems in the most
fundamental manner. Their research association is composed of
97 per cent of the members of the industry. By subscribing all the
necessary funds they purpose to avoid that State regulation which is
inseparable from Government assistance. They have decided not
only that all the results of the researches shall be freely available to
each firm, but that all existing knowledge and trade secrets shall be
used for the common good.
The British Scientific Instrument Research Association on the other hand has received
a more than ordinary measure of departmental aid * * * it has been established
on lines broad enough to include all scientific instrument makers. Some of the most
important of these outside the optical industry have already joined its ranks, and it
has every prospect of becoming the representative industrial body dealing with the
application of science to the manufacture of instruments of precision. This group of
industries and particularly the optical instrument trade fall into the class of “ key ” or
“ pivotal” industries which were recommended for special Government encourage
ment and support by the committee on trade policy after the war * * *. 1
1 Great Britain. Privy Council. Report of the Committee for Scientific and Industrial Research,
1917-18, p. 17.
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METHOD OF SUBSCRIPTION TO RESEARCH ASSOCIATION.
The fund necessary for carrying on this work is to be raised on a
cooperative basis, subscriptions on the part of manufacturers, for a
period of years to be agreed upon, to be augmented by liberal grants
from the department. In the scheme for industrial research it is
stated that “ the method of assessing the subscription of each firm
will have to be negotiated with each industry or section of an industry
which may agree to combine for the purposes of research, but the
intention is that firms should contribute on a basis proportionate to
their size. Thus the small firm will contribute less than the large
firm, yet will have the same privileges, though as a rule it will not
in the nature of the case have the same facilities for exploiting the
results of research.” The maximum limit of assistance granted by
the research department will probably be a contribution of pound
for pound up to £5,000 ($24,332.50) a year, with a further donation of
about 10s. ($2.43) per pound for total subscriptions above that
amount, and will also be dependent upon certain other conditions
incident to the industries themselves.
LABOR’S PARTICIPATION IN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.
In a consideration of this subject the fact must not be lost sight of
that the benefit of industrial research will not be confined to the
manufacturer. Generally, factors which improve conditions in
industry react favorably on the well-being of the worker. A universal
benefit to the workmen has been derived from the use of improved
machinery. Past experience tends to show that any application to
an industrial process which limits the amount of fatiguing labor,
increases production, or reduces manufacturing expenses, results in
the increased health and comfort of workers and in their pecuniary
gain. The educational advantages secured by labor’s participation
in industrial research lead not only to a more intimate knowledge
of the industry and, therefore, to a more personal interest in it, but
also to an enlarged outlook and a greater appreciation of the value
of all knowledge.
The advantages of being able to ascertain at first hand how science
is applied to industry and how funds devoted to that purpose are
spent, are coming to be more and more appreciated by those dealing
with relations between employers and employed and by labor itself.
In its Interim Report on Joint Standing Industrial Councils, the
reconstruction committee recommends among other things that
district councils or works committees should deal with “ (viii) indus
trial research and the full utilization of its results; (ix) the provision
of facilities for the full consideration and utilization of inventions
and improvements designed by workpeople; and for the adequate
safeguarding of the rights of the designers of such improvements;
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(x) improvements of processes, machinery, and organization and
appropriate questions relating to management and the examination of
industrial experiments, with special reference to cooperation in carry
ing new ideas into effect and full consideration of the workpeople’s
point of view in relation to them.” 1
Accordingly when the advisory committee of the British Research
Department came to consider plans for the formation of trade re
search associations a decision was reached to include representation
of labor on the governing bodies. As a result of a conference at the
Ministry of Labor, the Research Department will consult the joint
industrial council of an industry, where one exists, before organizing
a research association for the industry. In cases where the formation
of a research association precedes that of an industrial council the
department will bring the two organizations into touch. The na
tional joint standing industrial council for the pottery trade, recently
established, has unanimously recommended the formation of a pot
tery research association.
In its remarkably well-written report on reconstruction the British
Labor P a rty 2 recognizes the need of labor’s participation in scien
tific research. I t says:
From the same source (surplus wealth) must come the greatly increased public pro
vision that the Labor Party will insist on being made for scientific investigation and
original research, in every branch of knowledge, not to say also for the promotion of
music, literature, and fine art, which have been under capitalism so greatly neglected,
and upon which, so the Labor Party holds, any real development of civilization
fundamentally depends * * * Especially in all the complexities of politics, in
the still undeveloped science of society, the Labor Party stands for increased study,
for the scientific investigation of each succeeding problem, for the deliberate organ
ization of research, and for a much more rapid dissemination among the whole people
of all the science that exists * * * What the Labor Party stands for in all fields of
life is essentially democratic cooperation, and cooperation involves a common purpose
which can be agreed to; a common plan which can be explained and discussed, and
such a measure of success in the adaptation of means to ends as will insure a common
satisfaction.
Speaking of the need for increased production the party voices the
opinion in its resolutions on reconstruction “ that it is vital for any
genuine social reconstruction to increase the nation’s aggregate
annual production * * * that this increased productivity is
obviously not to be sought in reducing the means of subsistence of
the workers, whether by hand or by brain, nor yet in lengthening
their hours of work * * * but in (a) the elimination of every
kind of inefficiency and waste; (b ) the application both of more
honest determination to produce the very best, and of. more science
1 Great Britain. Reconstruction Committee. Interim Report on Joint Standing Industrial Councils,
p. 5. (Cd. 8606.) London, 1917.
2 Social reconstruction program of the British Labor Party. Monthly R eview of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, April, 1918, pp. 80, 82.
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and intelligence to every branch of the nation’s work; together with
(c) an improvement in social, political, and industrial organ
ization. * * *”
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN THE UNITED STATES.
An immense amount of research work is being carried out in the
United States by the Government institutions such as the Bureau of
Standards, the Bureau of Mines, the Department of Agriculture, the
National Research Council, and others, and by separate research
institutions such as the Carnegie Institute, the Rockefeller Founda
tion, the National Canners’ Association, and the Mellon Institute
at Pittsburgh. There are, in addition, over 50 large private indus
trial concerns which have their own laboratories and which spend
from $100,000 to $300,000 annually on the development and exten
sion of their own businesses.
THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.
Of the Government means for research the National Research
Council is the most recent, and in the character of its duties most
nearly resembles the British Research Department. I t was estab
lished in 1916 under the auspices of the National Academy of Sci
ences. Since the early part of 1917 it has cooperated with the
Council of National Defense in scientific research for national de
fense. Furthermore, it has organized the division of science and
research of the Signal Corps, and has initiated extensive investiga
tions for the several technical bureaus of the Army and Navy. So
conspicuously efficient have been the services of the council in all
these matters relating to war activities that it was placed on a per
manent basis by an Executive order of May 11, 1918, in which the
full scope of its duties is set forth.
The following is the full text of this Executive order:
EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.i
The National Research Council was organized in 1916 at the request of the Presi
dent by the National Academy of Sciences under its congressional charter, as a measure
of national preparedness. The work accomplished by the council in organizing re
search and in securing cooperation of military and civilian agencies in the solution of
military problems demonstrates its capacity for larger service. The National Acad
emy of Sciences is therefore requested to perpetuate the National Research Council,
the duties of which shall be as follows:
1. In general, to stimulate research in the mathematical, physical, and biological
sciences and in the application of these sciences to engineering, agriculture, medicine,
and other useful arts, with the object of increasing knowledge, of strengthening the
national defense, and of contributing in other ways to the public welfare.
2. To survey the larger possibilities of science, to formulate comprehensive projects
of research, and to develop effective means of utilizing the scientific and technical
resources of the country for dealing with these projects.
1 Great Britain. Privy Council. Committee for Scientific and Industrial Research. Report, 1917-18,
pp. 71, 72.
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3. To promote cooperation in research, at home and abroad, in order to secure con
centration of effort, minimize duplication, and stimulate progress; but in all coopera
tive undertakings to give encouragement to individual initiative as fundamentally
important to the advancement of science.
4. To serve as a means of bringing American and foreign investigators into active
cooperation with the scientific and technical services of the War and Navy Depart
ments and with those of the civil branches of the Government.
5. To direct the attention of scientific and technical investigators to the present
importance of military and industrial problems in connection with the war, and to
aid in the solution of these problems by organizing specific researches.
6. To gather and collate scientific and technical information, at home and abroad,
in cooperation with governmental and other agencies, and to render such information
available to duly accredited persons.
“ Effective prosecution of the council’s work requires the cordial collaboration of
the scientific and technical branches of the Government, both military and civil,
To this end representatives of the Government, upon the nomination of the National
Academy of Sciences, will be designated by the President as members of the council
as heretofore, and the heads of the departments immediately concerned will con
tinue to cooperate in every way that may be required.”
(Signed)
W o o d ro w W il s o n .
T h e W h it e H
ou se.
11th May, 1918.
The work of the council is carried on by means of contributions
from the President’s Emergency Fund for National Security and
Defense, from the Carnegie Corporation, and from the Rockefeller
Foundation.
In a statement regarding cooperation in industrial research Dr.
John Johnston, Secretary of the National Research Council, says:
One of the most striking consequences of the war is the increasing general realiza
tion of the primary importance of scientific research to the whole question of national
defense, as well as to the successful prosecution of industry and the greatest measure
of economy of resources after the war * * *. Impressed by the paramount im
portance of promoting the application of science to industry in this country, the
National Research Council has taken up the organization of industrial research
* * * and has inaugurated an Industrial Research Section, which shall consider
the best methods of achieving such organization or research within an industry, or
group of related industries (for example, industries using the same raw materials, or
with similar waste products). It considers that cooperation between capital, labor,
science/and management, constitutes the best general means of financing the ex
tended laboratory investigations and the large-scale experimental and developmental
work required for adequate industrial research.1
In pursuance of this plan the National Research Council at the
suggestion of Dr. Johnston and with the assistance of the Engineer
ing Foundation is beginning a far-reaching campaign to promote
industrial research, and an advisory committee composed of influ
ential men has been formed to support this movement.
In addition to the advisory committee a strong active committee
comprising men with wide experience along scientific and industrial
i Report of Topical Discussion on Cooperation in Industrial Research held at the meeting of the American
Society for Testing Materials, June, 1918.
100785°—19----- 6
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lines will seek with all the means at their command to obtain wide
spread recognition of the necessity of industrial research not only as
an effective 'weapon with which to combat the sharp trade compe
tition which will follow the war, but also for the larger purpose of
advancing knowledge and improving working conditions by the
cooperation of science and industry.
The council believes that since science is essentially democratic
and has always accomplished its most brilliant results from individual
initiative and effort, research work will best be done by an assess
ment upon the industry rather than by Government aid, and esti
mates that an annual contribution by each firm of about 0.1 per
cent of the value of its yearly output will be ample to carry on the
work.
An introductory bulletin containing statements of the advisory
committee regarding the claims of scientific and industrial research
will soon be issued by the council. This is to be followed by other
bulletins dealing with research in other countries, and with what
has been accomplished in large research laboratories in this country.
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INTERNATIONALISM IN LABOR STANDARDS.
That the idea of internationalism in labor standards which was
incorporated in the memorandum of June 11, 1918/ submitted by
the International Association for Labor Legislation to the Swiss
Federal Council, is widely echoed among thinking people is proved
by the recent literature of reconstruction hi its relation to labor
problems. Through whatever divergence of perspective, experi
ences, or theories various writers on reconstruction approach these
problems, there is increasing recurrence of a realization of the neces
sity for some common ground of agreement in which labor standards
can be rooted in order that they can be assured of any real perma
nence and security.
Two of the recent books bearing on the outlook of labor after the
war, but prepared before the signing of the armistice, which present
a strong case for the international idea are Industry and H um anity2
and The People’s Part in Peace.3 Both are unmistakably the
result of sound thought and considerable study, and, in the work
of the Hon. W. L. MacKenzie King, there is presented an unusually
broad first-hand experience in dealing with labor in his position as
former Minister of Labor of Canada.
INDUSTRY AND HUMANITY.
An international minimum standard of life is the goal to which
Mr. King looks for a solution of the present industrial problems.
The standard which he has in mind is identical in nature with the
national minimum standard of life, the universal enforcement of
which the British Labor Party has put forward as its first principle,
contending that “ On the basis of a universal application of this
policy of the national minimum, affording complete security against
destruction, in sickness and health, in good times and bad alike, of
every member of the community, can any worthy social order be
built up.” The international application of this standard, the
author argues, is needed if labor standards are to be protected against
the undermining effects of the law of competing standards operating
through international competition. The possible inclination of some
international agency to further the establishment and enforcement
of an international convention aimed at the maintenance of an
1 See Monthly L abor R eview , November, 1918 (pp. 56-58).
2 King, W. L. MacKenzie. Industry and Hum anity.
A study in the principles underlying industrial
reconstruction. Boston, Houghton, Mifflin Co., 1918.
s Tead, Ordway. The People’s P art in Peace. An inquiry into the basis for a sound internationalism.
New York, Henry Holt & Co., 1918.
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international minimum he believes to be a subject of momentous
concern, and “ well deserving of consideration in any discussion per
taining to a league of nations which will constitute a part of the
peace negotiations at the conclusion of the war.”
This volume marks the completion of an investigation into the
root causes of some of the existing industrial controversies in America,
and an effort to state the underlying principles which are finding
expression in the organization of industrial societies, and which
should obtain in all efforts at reconstruction. The main purpose of
the study, it is stated, is “ to point the way to a change of attitude
in industrial relations and to suggest means whereby a new spirit
may be made to permeate industry through the application of prin
ciples tried by time and tested by experience.”
Taking mutual fear as the underlying basis of antagonism between
capital and labor, the author analyzes the causes which contribute
to its growth in industrial relationships, the conditions which might
operate to bring about its removal, and the means for accomplish
ing the substitution for fear of a faith based upon the cooperation
for mutual interests of what he calls the four parties of industry,
namely, labor, capital, management, and the community. “ While,”
he says, “ doubt may arise as to the extent of the relative services of
the several parties to production and the consequent application
required of each, there can be no question concerning the essential
nature of the services themselves and their absolute interdepend
ence.” Such cooperation of these four parties to industry can be
made effective, the author believes, by no means less comprehensive
than the international minimum standard referred to, in support of
which theory he traces the disastrous effects of the competing stand
ards throughout the world, which react necessarily even upon coun
tries that might adopt for themselves a national minimum. As
successful examples of the application of the principles analyzed in
this volume the author cites the plan of joint standing industrial
councils recommended in the Whitley reports, and the plan of repre
sentation of employees of the Colorado Fuel & Mining Co. as the
best illustrations afforded in Great Britain and the United States,
respectively.
The idea of humanity as the dominant consideration in industry is
constantly kept in mind throughout the book and especially developed
in the chapters devoted to principles underlying health. The author
believes in industrial hygiene, not only as a measure of right and as
conducive to efficiency, but also as being a determining factor in the
relation of the worker to the community and to the race; and he
makes a strong plea for greater attention to preventive medicine in
this connection, saying, “ What physical and mental overstrain and
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underpay and underfeeding are doing for the race in occasioning
infant mortality, low birth rate, and increasing mental disorders and
furthering a general disposition to disease is alarming. These are
problems which require first consideration, if decadence is not to be
the fate of industrial communities.”
THE PEOPLE’S PART IN PEACE.
Mr. Tead’s book is an attempt to answer the question “ How can
the peace terms and conditions contained in the interallied labor
war aims be given practical effect?” Chapters are devoted to The
league of nations; Economic guarantees of peace; International
labor legislation; The basis of representation; The national economy;
and the Spiritual guarantees of peace. The author bases his argu
ment for uniform international labor standards upon an analysis of
the present unequal conditions of economic competition which
impair the effectiveness of any localized labor legislation. He says,
“ One of the things that makes the so-called ‘backward’ portions of
the globe at present so attractive to the speculative investor is the
complete absence of restrictive labor legislation. The capitalists
of all the western countries have been engaged in an eager search for
areas where labor is cheap, plentiful, and impotent. The setting up of
new standards of labor in these regions is calculated automatically
to discourage the speculator and to give advantage to those whose
interests in industrial developments are based on a more sound and
humane industrial policy. At present when there is competition
between different countries, especially between the Occident and the
Orient, in the manufacture of any commodity, the competition is at
the expense of the workers in the more advanced countries.” He
does not hold out the hope that such uniform standards can be
established easily or immediately, but believes that the chief hope
of the worker lies in bending efforts toward such ultimate accom
plishment, saying, “ If there is agreement among the working-class
peoples upon the legislation they will simultaneously support, they
can drive by the use of political and economic weapons for one plank
after another in their own countries. * * * The surest guarantee
of peaceful adjustment that can be provided is a body devoted to a
study of the comparative living standards, of demands for labor and
of birth-rate fluctuations in the major countries of the world.”
The author believes that the spiritual guarantees which must form
a part of the basis for any lasting peace must imply a repudiation of
five fundamentally wrong ideas which have long controlled people’s
thoughts and actions. These five ideas are:
1.
That force is the greatest power in the world; that might makes right. 2. That
the State is supreme and is an end in itself. 3. That the State exists to advance the
interests of those who control it; that it is an agent to be used for creation of national
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profits. 4. That trade exists primarily for the profit of the traders. 5. That certain
races are inferior and unable to govern themselves, either immediately or ultimately.
He summarizes a thought of wide application at the present time
in the question, “ Are we, the people, to carry on the world’s work,
mine its ore, till its fields, make goods from its raw materials, and
transport its finished products for the profit of the traders, or for the
service of the people—in direct relation to their known needs V ’
And he answers this question a few pages later in the words: “ The
life of the community—interdependent as it manifestly is with the
life of each individual in it—gets its justification and must derive
its standards of value from the fact of its ministration to the body,
mind, and spirit of every single individual who is born into it.” He
then reaches the conclusion that, “ The control of economic forces
for social ends must be achieved before a league of nations can
function in an orderly, stable, and thoroughly satisfactory manner.”
THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY IN EDUCATION.
The National Education Association Commission on the Emer
gency in Education has recently published a statement upon the
national educational situation. This is the first of a series to be
issued upon the subject, through which the commission hopes to
invite suggestions from every source and finally, from the combined
statements and suggestions, to formulate a comprehensive national
program for education.1
Characterizing the present shortage of teachers 2 as the most serious
crisis ever met in the history of the schools of the United States, and
expressing the belief that only through an adequate maintenance
of its schools can the future of a democracy be assured, the commis
sion pleads for a program of readjustment. The education (No. 2)
bill, 1918,3 recently passed by the British Parliament is admittedly a
great reconstruction measure. France, with 30,000 of her teachers
called to the colors, has kept her secondary schools open through all
the vicissitudes of war, and is planning improvements in courses, in
kinds of schools, and in an extension of the school age. Like France
and England the United States must readjust her educational program
to present needs and strengthen it not merely for greater future
usefulness within her own boundaries, but in a manner necessary
for the discharge of the “ individual’s obligation to a democratic
nation, the Nation’s obligation to a democratic world.”
1 A national program for education. A statem ent issued "by the National Education Association Com
mission on the emergency in education and the program for readjustm ent during and after the war. Com
mission series No. 1. Washington, The National Education Association, 1918. 27 pp. Price, 5 cents.
2 According to the United States Bureau of Education, 50,000 teachers’ places are vacant, and 120,000
persons are teaching this year for the first time. National Association of Corporation Schools Bulletin,
January, 1919, p. 46.
8 The provisions of this bill are given in the Monthly L abor R eview for December, 1918 (pp. 42-46).
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PREPARATION AND COMPENSATION OF TEACHERS.
This program should contemplate, first of all, a betterment of the
elementary and secondary schools upon which the heaviest burden
of public education rests.
In them are enrolled approximately 20,000,000 boys and girls, or
one person in five of the total population. Notwithstanding the
fact that in 1914 the enrollment in the public high schools of the
United States was practically the same as the total enrollment in
schools of the same grade in all other countries combined, and that
there are more students in the colleges, universities, and professional
schools of the United States to-day than in those of any other nation,
the efficiency of American schools viewed in the light of their national
influence has not compensated for their weakness. This funda
mental weakness, though expressed in many ways, may be traced
directly to the immaturity, the brief tenure, and the inadequate
preparation of a majority of the 600,000 teachers whose duty it is
to instruct the Nation’s children. Because public-school teaching
is an inadequately paid occupation, the average teaching experience is
brief and unsatisfactory. The commission states that tens of thou
sands of the public school teachers are between the ages of 16 and
19; that more than 100,000 are under 22 years of age, while more
than a quarter of a million are under 25. “ There are no fewer than
5,000,000 children in the United States to-day whose teachers have
not passed the age of 21, and whose teachers have themselves had,
as preparation for their responsible work, not more than one, two, or
rarely three, or four years of education beyond the eighth grade of
the common schools.”
Especially is this true of the village and rural schools where a
teacher’s duties, from the manifold nature of the work and the
isolation of his surroundings, are most exacting and arduous, and
where, it may be added, the influence of a mature, experienced,
permanent teacher could hardly be overestimated. To create an
incentive for making teaching a permanent profession, to overcome
the unprecedented shortage in the supply of teachers, and to stimu
late attendance at normal schools and other training centers, larger
appropriations should be made for teachers’ salaries, and a broader
conception of the necessity for the thorough preparation of teachers
for their work should be engendered in the Nation at large.
RURAL EDUCATION.
The report states that in addition to a better trained, permanent
body of teachers the rural schools need a longer school year, stricter
enforcement of the attendance laws, some method of more expert
supervision, and courses of study suited to the needs of country life.
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According to the commission, such an improvement in rural edu
cational conditions as will place these schools on a basis with city
schools of the same grade necessitates a proportionately greater
expenditure than is required for the city schools, and a much greater
expenditure than local taxation, with the limited aid afforded by
State funds, is able to meet. If, as indicated before, the safety of a
democracy depends upon the high level of intelligence of all of its
citizens, Federal support will be imperative in providing equal edu
cational advantages for children in all communities. The experience
of the war, exposing as they have an alarming degree of illiteracy,
should emphasize the fact that the maintenance of good public
schools is not a philanthropic enterprise, but a national economic
necessity.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND EDUCATION.
Physical health on a national scale is as essential as mental and
moral strength and should complement them. To this end the com
mission suggests that the medical and dental inspection of school
children; the establishment and supervision of playgrounds, gym
nasiums, swimming pools, and athletic fields; school lunches, clinics,
open-air schools, school farms and gardens, as agencies for raising
the standard of public health, should be multiplied and extended,
not only from city to city, but out into the towns, villages, and
country districts as well.
IMMIGRANT EDUCATION AND ADULT ILLITERACY.
The danger of the immigrant speaking his own language and
rearing his children in ignorance of American laws and institutions
has been especially emphasized by the draft. Communities were
found where English was a foreign tongue, and it has been necessary
in the Army either to teach whole companies of men English or to
give military commands in their own languages. The commission
insists that the English language shall be the medium of instruction
in the common schools and that special teachers shall be provided
to aid in Americanizing the adult immigrant, and in reducing adult
illiteracy among native Americans.
COMPULSORY CONTINUATION SCHOOLS.
One of the grave defects of public education in the United States
is that, in proportion to the school population, so small a percentage
of children enter the high school. Some of the more progressive
States have to a degree remedied this defect by extending the period
of compulsory attendance, but the increased demands for labor
during the war have swept away many of these gains.
England’s new education bill provides for compulsory part-time
education for children between 14 and 18 years of age employed in
industry, and France is contemplating similar action. While the
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continuation school is not a new element in the public-school system
of the United States, its work has been largely limited to a mere
preparation for the employment of the student. The commission
feels that the principle of compulsory education up to 18 years of age
should be universally adopted, and that the course of the continuation
school should be broadened to include, in addition to its training for
industry, a more liberal training for life and for democratic citizenship.
To sum up the situation, “ it is the judgment of the commission
that a new need has sprung into existence with the war crisis—the
need of a national aim in education and of a national policy and a
national program to realize this aim * * *” and—
The commission recommends that Congress be urged to make at once reasonable
appropriations to the States for the following purposes:
1. To insure through more attractive rewards and through greatly improved facili
ties for professional preparation an adequate supply of competent teachers.
2. To promote through physical and health education, and through the encourage
ment of wholesome recreation, the physical well-being of all the people.
3. To insure that every element of the immigrant population shall he assimilated
to American ideals and institutions in so far as the provision of educational facilities
can promote this end.
4. To eliminate illiteracy in the native-born adult population.
5. To conserve through a thoroughgoing policy of compulsory continuation school
ing the intellectual, industrial, and moral resources of the Nation represented by the
millions of boys and girls who now leave school and enter breadwinning employment
before their habits have been formed and before their ideals of life and conduct have
been firmly established.
It is the belief of the commission that an appropriation made to a State for any
of the above purposes should be contingent upon an equal contribution for the same
purpose from State or local funds. It is also the belief of the commission, that
the administration of the proposed appropriations and the responsible control of all
other forms of national cooperation in public education should be entrusted to a
Federal Department of Education.1 The urgent need of such a department has
been revealed in countless ways since the war began.
The time has come when the welfare of the Nation demands an adequate recognition
of its educational interests by the Federal Government.
ANNUAL M EETINGS OF ECONOMIC ASSOCIATIONS AT RICHMOND, VA.
The annual meetings of six national economic associations were
held at Richmond, Va., December 27-28, 1918. These associations
were the American Association for Labor Legislation, the American
Economic Association, the American Statistical Association, the
American Sociological Society, the American Association for Agricul
tural Legislation, and the American Association of University In
structors in Accounting.
1 Bills providing for the establishment of a Federal Department of Education have been introduced
in the Senate by Senator Hoke Smith, of Georgia, and in the House by Representative J. M. Baer, of North
Dakota.
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The program of the American Association for Labor Legislation
included the following main subjects: Workmen’s compensation for
cripples, labor reconstruction, demobilization, and social insurance.
Papers read included one by Dr. Royal Meeker, United States Com
missioner of Labor Statistics, on “ Lacks in workmen’s compensation,”
published in this issue of the M onthly L abor R e v ie w ; one by Dr.
Samuel McCune Lindsay, president of the association, on “ Next
steps in social insurance in the United States,” published in this issue
of the R e v ie w ; one by Prof. Irving Fisher, Yale University, on
ilEconomists in public service;” and one by Prof. Edward Alsworth
Ross, University of Wisconsin, on “ A legal dismissal wage.”
The papers read at the American Economic Association meetings
included one by Dr. Royal Meeker, on “ The possibility of working
out an index of cost of living,” to be published in a future issue of
the R e v ie w ; and one by Prof. Fisher on “ Stabilizing the dollar.”
The general subjects discussed were marketing, interest rates, prices,
taxation (including the report of the committee on war finance),
'labor and agricultural problems, and monetary standards.
The discussions of the American Statistical Association centered
about price levels and cost of living, labor turnover, and the statistical
work of the Federal Government. A paper touching upon the lastnamed subject was read by Wesley C. Mitchell, president of the
association, and is published in full in this issue of the R e v ie w .
The program of the American Sociological Society dealt with the
general subject of “ Sociology and education.”
READJUSTMENT OF BRITISH INDUSTRY FROM WAR TO PEACE FOOTING.
A brief account of the readjustment of British industry to peace
conditions is contained in a communication received by this bureau
through the State Department from the commercial attaché at
London, as follows:
Mr. F. G. Kellaway, parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Munitions, in a
statement to the representatives of the press on November 29 predicted that British
manufacturers would turn over to peace production more readily than they did to a
war footing. To weigh this statement it should be realized that from the date of the
organization of the Ministry of Munitions to the last month of the war, aircraft pro
duction increased sevenfold, machine-gun production thirty-sevenfold, and other
munitions proportionately. Thé record of British factories in adapting themselves
to the output of munitions of war has been a remarkable achievement. Their return
to peace production, if even more effective, as predicted, will fully demonstrate the
enterprise, adaptability, and determination of British industry.
As shown what is actually being done in the way of readjustment, Mr. Kellaway
cited a number of reports which had come in to the Ministry of Munitions. In the
munitions area of Hebburn-on-Tyne a firm previously engaged in the manufacture of
airplanes is turning over to the manufacture of heavy toys and furniture, giving
employment to 500 people. A Newcastle-upon-Tyne firm from producing airplanes
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is turning over to household-furniture making, and will give work to 500 people.
Another firm in the same town is changing from guns to the building of locomotives,
a new industry, which will find employment for 5,000 people. A firm at Burnley,
which was manufacturing fuses, is turning over to the manufacture of electric fittings.
At Leigh, in Lancashire, a firm is going to produce presses for brickmaking, and it is
estimated it will employ about 1,000 persons. A Sheffield firm is turning over from
the manufacture of shells to files and springs, and expects to employ 1,000 persons.
At Leeds one firm will cease to make steel pressings for mines and copper bands for
shells and make dairy utensils, while another which was engaged in assembling
airplanes will devote its buildings to the making of iron valves as an adjunct to their
brass valve department. One Birmingham firm is changing from the production of
fuse components and airplane parts to the manufacture of motor accessories, and
another from airplane parts to capstan lathes. At Matlock a firm is arranging to
manufacture cream separators, which are now largely imported from America and
Sweden.
Three munition firms at Leicester, Ilkeston, and Nottingham are taking up the
manufacture of hosiery needles, which in prewar days were practically entirely
imported from Germany, and they hope to turn out a million, and later on two millions
a week. Three Loughborough firms are devoting themselves entirely to the manu
facture of hosiery bearded needles, heretofore imported from Germany. A Leicester
firm which before the war was engaged in importing typewriters and selling and
repairing them, now proposes to manufacture them. Another firm in the same town
which formerly made vulcanite pressings for magnetos will now make fountain pens,
which were imported from America before the war. A third Leicester munition firm
is laying out plant for producing hose-suspender fittings, which in prewar days were
almost wholly imported from Germany. Two other firms in Leicester are going to
manufacture corset steel, and wood wool from old pit props. The latter occupation
will be conducted in the foundry where iron shells were cast for the war. Then there
are several cases where manufacturers who were producing aero engines are going to
make engines for motor cars; and another firm of a similar character is going to turn
out motors for small launches. In another case a firm is changing from tank and shell
making to boot machinery; and in South Wales tin can firms are in position to begin
civil work immediately, but are prevented from doing so at present owing to the
difficulty of obtaining supplies of tin plates.
Government control of raw materials is being considerably relaxed to enable factories
to shift over quickly to normal production, but regulation is still being employed to
guide industry into the most fruitful channels. Dr. Addison, Minister of Recon
struction, has given out the following list of classes of work to which materials and
producing capacity set free from war work should, so far as possible, be devoted in
the near future:
Maintenance, repair, and replacement of existing machinery and plant in the
United Kingdom.
Maintenance, repairs, and renewals for railways, tramways, canals, roads, harbors,
and docks on the United Kingdom.
Shipbuilding and the maintenance and repair of merchant ships and fishing vessels
in the United Kingdom.
Manufacture of agricultural, milling, food-producing, mining, and textile machinery,
machine tools, building materials, equipment used in the public utility services in
the United Kingdom.
Manufacture of approved orders placed by the Government of the United Kingdom,
the Dominions, or the Allies.
Manufacture of goods for export (subject to such Government regulations of export
as may from time to time be found necessary).
The departments responsible for the control of supplies during the war will continue
for the time being to exercise such control as may be necessary, and applications for
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
L405]
88
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
priority permits, export and import licenses, and other similar facilities, in so far as
they are still required, should be forwarded to the same department as hitherto.
Order of Priority of March 8, 1917, will remain in force, but its application, it is hoped,
will steadily diminish.
There has already been a certain relaxation of import and export restrictions, and
it is probable that further relaxations will steadily take place to meet the needs of
British industry. It may be expected, however, that there will not be any general
abandonment of import restrictions until British industry is ready to meet the com
petition of foreign merchandise.
British manufacturers are very anxious to know what policy the Government will
follow in disposing of the huge stocks of all kinds of supplies, which, it has been
announced, will be sold by the Ministry of Munitions. Before launching out to
extend the motor-car industry, British manufacturers are waiting to see what the
Government will decide to do with their 100,000 motor cars and motor trucks. If,
the manufacturers say, these cars are to be dumped on the local market, it will stop
the motor trade for at least two years. Motor-car manufacturers, as well as manu
facturers in other lines, are bringing pressure to bear on the Government to so regulate
the sale of war stocks as not to upset their business during the period of readjustment.
Mr. Churchill, Minister of Munitions, has announced that the Government expects
to take over the operation of the railways. Improved transport facilities are needed
to enable a rapid revival of industry, and there is evidently no way in which private
interests can properly handle this problem in the United Kingdom, at least under
present conditions.
The need for improved housing is acute. The London Daily News of December 4
emphasized this condition in an article headed, “ One Million Too Many People in
London.” The local Government board has a plan for building 300,000 houses, and
various municipal authorities also have plans under way. A fairly reliable estimate
is that at least 500,000 houses are needed in the United Kingdom at once to cost a
billion dollars. Where is the material to come from? Housing, together with transport,
is a problem which can not fail to have immediate attention.
DEMOBILIZATION AND RESETTLEMENT, GREAT BRITAIN.
The British Government’s original plan for the demobilization
and resettlement of the forces, together with its provision for un
employment and out-of-work donation, and its arrangements for
apprentices and munition workers appeared in the January, 1919,
issue of the M onthly L abor R ev ie w (pp. 55-66).
Since the issuance of that information the plan has been elabo
rated in some respects to meet the needs of the situation as they
arose, and the Ministry of Labor, with the concurrence of the other
Government departments concerned, has made announcements re
garding particular phases of the subject. One of these announce
ments dealing with an increase in what is known as the out-of-work
donation, was published December 10, 1918, in the following terms:
O u t o r W o r k D o n a t io n . 1
The Government has decided to increase the rate of out-of-work donation to men
and women by 5s. [$1.22] a week, men to receive 29s. [$7.06] and women 25s. [$6.08]
a week, the dependents’ allowance remaining unaltered. Boys and girls between
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Labor Gazette, London, December, 1918, p. 481.
[406]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
89
15 and 18 will receive an increase of 2s. 6d. [60.8 cents] a week, boys to receive 14s. 6d.
[$3.53] and girls 12s. 6d. [$3.04] a week, respectively. The new scale will be payable
as from Thursday, 12th December, for the period covered by the scheme.
When the Government found that the demobilization of men
having definite employment awaiting them could be effected more
rapidly than had at first been anticipated, the following statement
was issued December 12, 1819:
S p e e d in g
Up
D e m o b il iz a t io n .1
1. One of the guiding principles in the Government’s scheme for the demobiilzation of the forces is that the men demobilized first for return to civil life shall include
those who have been ascertained to have definite employment awaiting them, and
that among such men those shall be given highest priority who are pivotal men and
whose return will be of the greatest immediate value in creating employment for
others and in reconstructing industrial, business, and professional life.
2. The schemes of selection of pivotal men have been announced and are in opera
tion, and the first batches of men are being released. As it may now be possible to
release men from the forces more rapidly and sooner than was at first anticipated,
the Government desires to accelerate the process of identifying the men in the forces
who, though they can not be treated as pivotal, have definite work awaiting them.
3. The Government have therefore decided to afford the opportunity to employers
of securing, by direct communication with their employees in the forces in the man
ner explained below, that those who were in their employment on or before 4th
August, 1914, and to whom they can now offer employment shall be registered for
demobilization. Such a definite offer of employment in writing, if produced to his
commanding officer by the officer or man concerned, will be accepted as evidence
that employment is awaiting him, and the man will be registered by his command
ing officer to be demobilized in the same way as a “ slip man” under the civil em
ployment form procedure and ranking for priority after a “ pivotal” man.
4. The offer must be in the following form:
I/We (full name and postal address of employer) hereby declare that (full name
and naval or military number and address of employee) was in my /our employment
before 4th August, 1914, and that I/we are prepared to offer him employment as a
(name occupation) immediately on his return to civil life (or give the date after
which the employment will be available).
5. The offer must first be taken or sent, in the case of officers to the local district
director of the appointments department, in the case of other ranks to the local
advisory committee attached to the nearest employment exchange, who, without
guaranteeing in any way the offer of employment, will do their best to eliminate
spurious or collusive offers. The district director or local advisory committee, where
they are in a position to endorse the offer, will forward it to the officer or man at the
address given by the employer, but will assume no responsibility for the correctness
of the address.
6. If the officer or man desires to accept the employment offered, he will hand the
statement to his commanding officer, who will then register him for demobilization.
7. This procedure is additional to (1) the selection of pivotal men now in progress,
and (2) the use of the civil employment form, which is now being filled up by mem
bers of the forces, and the postcards (E. D. 406) and It. C. Y. forms which employers
have been invited to fill up. It is designed to hasten the identification for demobi
lization of those members of the forces who have prewar employment awaiting them.
1 Labor Gazette, London, December, 1918, p. 484.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[407]
90
M O N TH LY LABOE EE VIEW .
8. The actual date of demobilization will depend partly on naval and military
exigencies and partly on the transport and other accommodation available, but no
other formalities will be required. The naval and military authorities are anxious
to release as quickly as possible ,officers and men required for reconstruction, but it
will be understood that some individuals are so essential to the forces that they can
not be released immediately; for example, such men as the personnel of military
railways overseas, hospital attendants, farriers, mechanical transport, and officers or
men in the regular army serving on prewar attestations.
9. Offers of employment to prewar apprentices should be made by their former
employers in the same way as offers to other prewar employees.
10. (a) Officers and men on leave in this country from overseas who wish to accept
offers of reemployment from their prewar employers must (i) get the offer endorsed
by the local district director or local advisory committee (see par. 5), if it has not
been so endorsed, (ii) take or send the endorsed offer to the following authorities,
who will arrange for them to be demobilized, unless they are indispensable for the
present to the forces.
Navy: Officers to Admiralty (C. W. Branch), London, SW 1; other ranks and
ratings to their depots, or if they are not attached to one, to the nearest depot.
Army: Officers to the war office; other ranks to their military record office.
Air force: Officers to the air ministry; other ranks to the record office, Blandford.
(b) Army officers and other ranks on leave from units in the United Kingdom will
act in accordance with paragraph 6. They must return to their units .to be demobi
lized if they can be spared.
11. I t is not necessary for offers of employment to be sent to officers or men of the
following classes:
(а) Individuals for -whose release as “ pivotal” men application has already been
made to the demobilization and resettlement department, or to a body authorized by
them to select ‘‘pivotal ” men, unless the applicant has been informed that his appli
cation can not be approved or has reason to believe that the naval or military address
given was incorrect or has changed. Men approved by the demobilization and re
settlement department as pivotal men will receive the highest priority in demobi
lization.
(б) .Officers and men who have notified their commanding officers that their civil
occupation is that of a student or teacher, and are accordingly classified in Industrial
Group 43 in their naval and military documents. Instructions as to the demobiliza
tion of such individuals are being sent to the forces.
(c) Officers or men serving in the forces who in civil life practice a profession or
are their own employers—such as barristers or proprietors of one-man businesses—
can secure their registration for demobilization most rapidly by filling up the civil
employment form, which all members of the forces can obtain from their command
ing officers.
(■d) Special arrangements are being made with port labor committees about men
employed before the war in docks, wharves, and harbors.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[408]
PROVISION FOR THE DISABLED, AND VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS URGED TO CONTINUE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT INSURANCE.
In view of the fact that most of the four million soldiers and sailors
who have taken out insurance under the plan provided by the Gov
ernment and administered by the Bureau of War Risk Insurance of
the Treasury Department will return to civil life as the process of
demobilization is consummated, it becomes of the highest importance
that these men shall not neglect, through ignorance or misunder
standing, to continue the privileges and protection afforded by the
possession of United States Government insurance. They owe it to
themselves, to their dependents, and to the entire Nation, to assure
that the largest possible percentage of this insurance shall remain
in force. The Secretary of the Treasury, in a statement issued in
December, 1918, called upon the press of the country to assist in a
Nation-wide campaign of education so that those who hold this insur
ance may be apprised of its continuation and conversion features as
provided by law. In this connection the following open letter has
been addressed to the soldiers and sailors of America:
To the soldiers and sailors of America:
Approximately 4,000,000 officers and men of the Army and Navy are now insured
with the United States Government for a grand total of almost thirty-seven billion
dollars.
You owe it to yourself and to your family to hold on to Uncle Sam’s insurance.
It is the strongest, safest, and cheapest life insurance ever written.
For your protection Uncle Sam has established the greatest life insurance company
in the world—a company as mighty, as generous, and as democratic as the United
States Government itself. Just as Uncle Sam protected you and your loved ones
during the Avar, so he stands ready to continue this protection through the days of
readjustment and peace.
The privilege of continuing your Government insurance is a valuable right given
to you as part of the compensation for your heroic and triumphant services. If you
permit the insurance to lapse, you lose that right and you will never be able to regain
it. But if you keep up your present Insurance—by the regular payment of premiums—
you will be able to change it into a standard Government policy without medical
examination. Meantime you can keep up your present insurance at substantially
the same low rate. The Government will Avrite ordinary life insurance, 20-payment
life, endowment maturing at age of 62, and other usual forms of insurance. This
will be Government insurance at Government rates.
The United States Government, through the Bureau of War Risk Insurance of the
Treasury Department, will safeguard you and your loved ones with the spirit and
purpose of a Republic grateful to its gallant defenders. To avail yourself of this
protection, you must keep up your present insurance. Carry back with you to civil
life, as an aid and an asset, the continued insurance protection of the United States
Government.
Hold on to Uncle Sam’s insurance.
[409]
91
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PRICES AND COST OF LIVING,
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD IN THE UNITED STATES.
According to reports received by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
the retail price of all articles of food combined for the United States
was 2 per cent higher on December 15, 1918, than on November 15,
1918. Prices are shown for 29 articles, 14 of which decreased in
price, ranging from 5 per cent for pork chops to five-tenths of 1 per
cent for sirloin steak and rib roast. Dairy products show an increase
over last month; strictly fresh eggs and butter each being 9 per cent,
cheese 5 per cent, and milk 2 per cent higher. Bacon, salmon,
bread, flour, and sugar remained the same in price.
T able j__ AVERAGE R ETA IL PRICES AND P E R CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE
DEC. 15, 1918, COMPARED W ITH DEC. 15, 1917, AND NOV. 15, 1918.
Average retail price—
Article.
Sirloin steak...............................................
"Round steak...............................................
"R,ih roast .................................................
Chuck roast................................................
Plate beef....................................................
Pork chops.................................................
Bacon .....................................................
Ham ..................................................... ..
L ard..........
.................................
Lam b...........................................................
Hens
...............................................
Salmon, canned.........................................
Pi?gs, strictly fresh ...................................
Pg£s, storage _
.....
................
B u tter.........................................................
Cheese................
.................................
Milk.............................................................
Bread..............
.................................
.............................
Flour
.
Corn m e a l..................................................
Rice.............................................................
Potatoes
...............................................
Onions.........................................................
Beans, navy
...................................... .
Prunes__ I .................................................
"Raisins, sppdpd
_________________ _
Sugar. ’.......................................................
Coffee...........................................................
T ea..............................................................
Unit.
Dec. 15,
1917.
Nov. 15,
1918.
Dec. 15,
1918.
Dec. 15,
1917.
$0.320
.300
. 253
.215
.164
.338
.487
.435
.333
.302
.304
.290
. 634
SO. 405
.385
.320
.275
.212
.433
. 583
.524
.342
.351
.393
.313
.741
.541
.668
.406
.154
.098
.067
.065
.140
.033
.040
.161
.184
.158
-108
-308
-679
SO. 404
.382
.319
.273
.211
.413
.585
.533
.342
.344
.384
.314
.811
.581
.727
.427
.157
.098
.067
.064
.139
.032
.039
.154
.192
.161
.108
.324
.675
+26
+27
+26
+27
+29
+22
+20
+23
+ 4
+ 14
+26
+ 8
+28
P ound __
...d o ..........
. . .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o .........
...d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
Dozen.......
.. .d o .........
P ound__
. ..d o .........
...d o .........
Pound *...
P ound. . . .
.. .d o .........
.. .d o ..........
. . .d o ..........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
.. .do..........
... do .........
.. .d o .........
.. .d o .........
...d o .........
1 Decrease of less than one-half of 1 per cent.
2 Increase of less than one-half of 1 per cent.
92
.543
.345
. 131
.093
.067
.071
.116
.031
.050
. 188
.164
.150
.094
.303
.621
+34
+24
+20
+ 5
(■)
-1 0
+20
+ 3
-2 2
- 8
+17
+ 7
+ 15
+ 7
+ 9
+19
All articles combined
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Dec. 15,1918,
compared with—
[410]
3 No change in price.
4 Baked weight.
Nov. 15,
1918.
.0)
-1
(X)
-1
-1
—5
(2) +2
—2
-2
(2)
(3)
(8)
(3)
+9
+7
+9
+5
+2
-2
-1
-3
-3
-4
+4
+2
+5
-1
+2
93
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Comparing December, 1918, with December, 1917 (Table 1), the
increase of all articles combined was 19 per cent. Butter shows the
greatest increase, being 34 per cent higher than in December, 1917.
The next greatest increase is shown in plate boiling beef, 29 per
cent. Eggs advanced 28 per cent, cheese 24 per cent, milk 20 per
cent. Rice increased 20 per cent, prunes 17 per cent, and sugar 15
per cent. Bread increased only 5 per cent in the year while flour was
the same price as a year ago. Com meal was 10 per cent cheaper
than in December, 1917.
During the five-year period, December, 1913, to December, 1918
(Table 2), all food combined shows an increase of 79 per cent. Seven
of 17 articles show an increase of 100 per cent or over; sugar 100 per
cent, ham 101 per cent, pork chops 104 per cent, corn meal 106 per
cent, flour 109 per cent, lard 116 per cent, and bacon 119 per cent.
The remaining 10 articles all show an increase of 60 per cent or over.
T able 2 .—AVERAGE R ETA IL PRICES AND P E R CENT OF INCREASE OR DECREASE
DEC. 15 OF EACH SPEC IFIED YEAR COMPARED W ITH DEC. 15, 1913.
Per cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) Dec. 15 of each
specified year compared with
Dec. 15, 1913.
Average retail price Dec. 15—
Article.
Unit.
1918
1914
1915
1916
P o u n d .. *0. 251 $0.257 $0,251 $0.268 $0,320 $0.404
.225
.240
.300 .382
.230
.. .d o .. .. .225
.210
.253
.319
. 199 .197
. . .d o---- .199
169 .215 .273
do
. 165 .160
do.
. 125 . 119 . 128 .164 .211
.184
.222 .338 .413
. . .do. . . . .202
.195
.487
.278 .273
.298
.585
.. .do---- .267
.270 .332
.533
.268
.435
. . .d o .. . . .265
.342
.333
.154
.145
.259
. . .do---- .158
.197
.223
.302 .344
. . .d o .. . . .185
.190
.304
.241
.384
.203
.201
. . .do---- .208
.314
do
. 198 .212
.290
.811
.476
.465
.529 .634
Dozen... .476
+ 2
+ 2
C)
(»)
t 1)
- 1
+ 7 + 27
+ 7 + 33
+ 6 + 27
+ 61
+ 70
+ 60
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
+ 10
+ 12
+25
+64
+21
+ 16
+ 67
+ 82
+ 64
+ 111
+ 63
+ 46
+104
+ 119
+ 101
+116
+ 86
+ 85
- 2
+11 + 33
+ 70
- 1
- 3
+ 13 + 36
+ 83
- 1
+ 16
+ 16
+ 3
- 2
+24
+ 16
+ 3
+ 10
+40
+72
+ 26
+ 44
+ 66
+ 109
+ 129
+ 73
+ 75
+ 109
+ 106
-21
m
+ 84 + 63
+ 68
+ 11
+24
+54 + 74 + 100
+ 1
+ 1
+21 + 51
1913
Sirloin steak........
Round steak.......
Rib roast.............
(Thnnlr roast
Plato hoof
Pork chops..........
Bacon...................
H am .....................
L ard.....................
Lam b...................
Hens.....................
Salmon canned
Eggs,
strictly
fresh.
Eggs, storago
B u tter___7..........
Phooso
Milk.....................
Bread...................
F lour....................
Corn m eal............
Ri oo
Potatoes..............
Onions
Poans navy
Pm nos
Raisins
Sugar...................
Ooffoo
Tea
. do. . . .
P ound..
.. do __
Q uart. . .
P ound2.
P ound..
. . .d o---d o .__
. . .d o ---do
do
do. .
do
. . .do. . ..
do. ..
do___
1914
.398
.394
.091
.056
.032
.031
.090
.065
.037
.032
.019
.015
.054
.060
1916
1915
.386
.237
.089
.070
.037
.032
.090
.019
.035
.089
.133
. 125
.067
.299
.546
.449
.310
. 100
.079
.055
.039
.091
.035
.057
.143
. 138
. 139
.083
.299
.546
All articles combined.
.543
.345
.131
.093
.067
.071
.116
.031
.050
. 188
.164
.150
.094
.308
.621
.581
.727
.427
.157
.098
.067
.064
.139
.032
.039
. 154
.192
.161
.108
.324
.675
4
4
1
3
3
3
C1)
2 Baked weight.
No change in price.
100785°—19----- 7
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1917
[411]
9
2
2
8
6
2
1917
1918
+ 79
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
94
T able 3.—AVERAGE PRICE AND RELA TIV E PRICE, FO R T H E UN ITED STATES, FOR
TH E YEARS 1913 AND 1918, AND FOR JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 1918.
Year and month.
All
Chuck
Sirloin
Round
Plate beef, Pork chops,
Rib roast,
articles
steak,
com persteak,
per pound. perroast,
per
pound.
pound. per pound. per pound.
pound.
bined.
Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel
ative erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative
price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price.
Average for the
year 1913.............
1918.
Jan u ary.................
February...............
March.....................
April......................
May........................
June........................
July........................
August...................
September.............
October..................
November..............
December..............
Average for year ..
100 $0.254
100 $0.223
100 $0.198
160
161
154
154
158
162
167
171
178
181
183
187
168
129
131
133
144
157
168
166
163
164
161
159
159
153
137
141
143
155
170
182
181
178
178
175
173
171
165
.327
.334
•338
•366
.400
.426
.421
.415
.417
.410
.405
.404
.389
Bacon,
per pound,
Year and month.
.269
100
.158
100
180
179
181
183
187
191
1,94
.436
.438
.441
.446
.456
.465
.487
.485
.519
.520
.524
.533
.479
162
163
164
166
170
173
181
180
193
193
195
198
178
.329
.330
.332
.331
.329
.326
.325
.331
.336
.342
.342
.342
.333
208
209
200
208
214
216
217
196
M^,y................. .
Butter,
per pound.
210
2Q9
208
206
206
209
213
216
216
216
211
Cheese,
per pound.
100 $0.160
100 $0,121
130
133
135
148
161
169
168
165
165
163
162
161
155
138
142
145
159
174
184
182
177
178
174
172
171
166
.221
.227
.232
.255
•278
.295
.291
.283
.284
.279
.275
.273
.266
Lamb,
per pound.
.172
.177
.182
.199
.219
.227
.224
.217
.219
.215
.212
.211
.206
100 $0,210
142
146
150
164
181
188
185
179
181
178
175
174
170
Hens,
per pound.
.343
.336
.339
.356
.367
.372
.379
.422
.461
.454
.433
.413
.390
100
163
160
161
170
175
177
180
201
220
216
206
197
186
Salmon,
per pound.
Av
Rel Av Rel Av
Rel
erage ative erage ative erage ative
price. price. price. price. price. price.
$0,308
.314
.317
.353
.368
.374
.373
.369
.369
.352
.351
.344
.349
.213
100
.329
-362
154
170
.379
.376
.380
.386
•394
.390
■393
.384
.377
Milk,
per quart.
$0,292
.291
.295
..295
178
•296
177
• ¿96
178
.296
181
.302
185
.305
183
•309
185
.313
180
.314
177
.300
Flour,
Bread,
per pound.1 per pound.
Av- Rei- Av- Rei- Av- Rel- AvRel- Av- Rel- AvRelerage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative
price. price. price. price. price. price price. price. price. price. price. price.
Average for the
year 1913----$0,345
June.......................
Ju ly ........................
August...................
September.............
October..................
November..............
December..............
Average for year ..
Lard,
per pound.
100
Eggs,
per dozen.
1918.
Ja n u ary .................
February.............. .
M arch..'............... .
A pril......................
Ham,
per pound.
.258
.263
.268
•293
.318
•335
.333
.326
.327
.323
.320
.319
.307
Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel
erage ative erage ative erage ative
price. price. price. price, price. price.
Average for the
year 1913- *....... $0,270
1918.
Jan u ary.................
.486
February..... ......... .484
March..................... .488
April....................... .495
May........................ .505
June........................ .515
Ju ly ........................ .523
August................... .540
September.............
.562
October...............
.579
November.............. .583
December............... .585
Average for year... .529
Year and month.
.306
.314
.318
.345
.380
.406
.403
.396
.398
.390
.385
.382
.369
.674
.627
.443
.425
.424
.425
.491
. 536
.586
.641
.741
.811
.569
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$0.383
195
177
128
123
123
123
142
155
170
186
215
235
165
.567
.579
.552
.507
.510
.511
.526
.539
.592
. 651
.668
.727
.577
100
$0.089
148 $0.345
151
.349
144
.351
132
.341
133
.334
133
.332
137
.335
141
.346
155
.360
170
.385
174
.406
190
.427
151
.359
1 Baked weight.
[412]
.134
-134
.134
.132
.132
.130
.132
.136
.143
.148
.154
.157
.139
100 $0.057
151
151
151
148
148
146
149
153
161
166
173
176
156
■Q94
.095
.096
.098
.099
.100
.099
.099
.099
.098
.098
.098
.098
100
166
167
1Q8
172
174
174
174,
174
174
172
172
172
172
$0.033
100
.066
.066
.066
.066
.066
.067
.067
.068
.068
.067
.067
.067
.067
200
200
200
200
200
203
203
206
206
203
203
203
203
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
95
T able 3.—AVERAGE PR IC E AND R E L A T IV E PR IC E , FO R TH E U N ITE D STATES FOR
THE YEARS 1913 AND 1918, AND FOR JANUARY TO D ECEM BER, 1918-Conclud^d.
Corn meal,
per pound.
Year and month.
Average for the year
1913.........................
1918.
Jan u ary.....................
February................
M a rc h ..'................
April.......................’ '
May............................
June........................
July......................
August................
September..................
October......................
November..................
December..................
Average for year........
Rice,
per pound.
Potatoes,
per pound.
Onions,
Beans, navy,
Prunes,
per pound. per pound
per pound.
Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel
erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative
erage ative
price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price. price.
price. price. price.
.030
100
.070
.070
.072
.071
.070
.067
.067
.068
.069
.068
.065
.064
.068
233 $0.117
233
.118
240
.120
237
.121
233
.123
223
-125
223
.129
227
.134
230
.137
227
.140
217
.140
213
.139
227
.129
Raisins,
seeded,
per pound.
$0,017
.032
.032
.025
.022
.022
.029
.039
.039
.039
.035
.033
.032
•032
Sugar,
per pound.
100
188 $0,050
188
.049
147
.040
129
-033
129
.056
171
.048
229
-053
229
.055
229
.050
206
•045
194
.040
188
.039
188
.047
Coffee,
per pound.
Tea,
per pound.
Year and month.
Av Rel Av Rel Av Rel A v Rel
erage ative erage ative erage ative erage ative
price. price. price. price. price. price price. price.
Average for the year
year 1913... A .......
1918.
Jan u ary.....................
February...................
March.........................
April..........................
May............................
June..........................
July............................
August.......................
September..................
October . ....................
November....... ..........
December..................
Average for year........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$0,055
.095
.106
.092
.091
.091
■m
.092
.093
.096
.106
.108
.108
.097
100
173 $0,304
193 .304
167
•304
.301
165
165
.301
165
•302
167
.301
169
.301
175
.303
193
.305
196
.308
196
.324
176
.305
[413]
$0.623
.609
.615
.639
.638
.647.653
.658
.664
.675
.679
.675
.648
$0,185
-.181
.181
■180
.178
.175
.173
171
.169
.167
.161
.154
.173
$0.164
.165
.165
.166
.165
.166
-167
.171
.174
.183
.184
.192
.172
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
96
T able 4.—AVERAGE R E TA IL PRICES OF TH E PRIN CIPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 19
SELECTED CITIES FOR DEC. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, AND 1918, AND NOV. 15, 1918.
IThe nriees shown below are computed from reports sent monthly to the bureau by retail dealers As some
1
1 dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations vanes from m onth to month.]
Baltimore, Md.
Atlanta, Ga.
Article.
Dec. 15.
U nit.
1913
Sirloin steak............ P ound.. 3.237
Round steak................... do...... .213
Rib roast.........................do...... .197
Chuck roast.................... do......
Plate beef....................... do......
Pork chops..................... do...... .233
Bacon, sliced..................do...... .314
Ham , sliced....................do...... .300
L ard ........................... ...d o ...... .155
L am b..............................do...... .202
H ens............................... do...... .203
Salmon, canned.............do......
Eggs, strictly fresh.. Dozen... .433
Eggs, storage................. d o ....
.404
B u tter...................... Pound.
Cheese.............................do—
Milk .......................... Q u art... .108
Bread....................... P o u n d 1. .056
Flour........................ P o u n d .. .034
.026
Corn m eal............ ..[...d o —
Rice.......................... [ . ..d o ...
.023
Potatoes..................... .-do—
Onions.................... [...d o —
Beans, navy............ J... do
P runes..................... ¡...do
.do.
Raisins,.seeded..
.055
.do.
Sugar...................
.do.
Coffee.,...............
.do.
Tea......................
1914
1917
.246 :n 307
077
.213
238
.186
208
.157
.152
.097
.357
.218
.302
.505
.429
.294
.340
.153
.325
.194
.306
.196
.235
.571
.409
.438
.552
.394
.350
.177
.106
.099
.063
.071
.037
.052
.028
.112
.018
.065
. 039
.059
.188
.177
.167
.104
.288
.790
Dec. 15.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
J. 387
.356
.300
.259
1.394 *0.223 $0.224 $0,319 $0.447 $0,440
.310
.436
.429
.208
.208
.364
.262
.349
.347
.184
.175
.308
.227
.303
.304
.152
.258
.234
.237
.130
.181
.221
.462
.336
.403
.158
.170
.411
.458
.591
.568
.235
.205
.629
.477
.593
.591
.310
.275
.557
.330
.345
.340
.148
.148
.353
.392
.367
.200
.324
.175
.387
.402
.397
.192
.310
.207
.356
.280
.254
.277
.264
.620
.731
.786
.435
.404
.779
.446
.579
.606
.331
.688
.568
.696
.405
.747
.402
.716
.351
.417
.455
.442
.170
.170
.087
.128
.087
.200
.097
.097
.059
.086
.055
.100
.070
.066
.069
.036
.031
.068
.062
.061
.061
.027
.025
.057
.142
.141
.116
.143
.038
.035
.030
.015
.042
.018
.042
.041
.054
.053
.178
.169
.187
.175
.175
.185
.191
.192
• .151
.159
.163
.183
.104
.104
.095
.055
.049
.109
.310
.298
.286
.321
.731
.733
.653
.871
.200
.425
.618
.538
.351
.381
.386
.270
.676
.528
.657
.422
.200
.100
.068
.057
.144
.044
.057
.179
.192
.181
.109
.307
.886
1913
1914
1917
Boston, Mass.
Birmingham, Ala.
Sirloin steak............ .d o ___ $0.280 80.275 *0.350
.323
.240
Round steak............ .do....... .230
.250
.209
.205
.do—
Rib roast.................
.211
.170
Chuck roast............. .do__
.168
.120
Plate beef................ .do__
.301
.200
Pork chops.............. .do....... .206
.539
.350
Bacon, sliced........... .. .do....... .330
.455
.310
.320
Ham, sliced............. ...d o ...
.332
.148
.157
L ard ....................... ..d o ...
.325
.210
.219
..d o ...
L am b.....................
.300
.164
.193
H ens....................... ..d o ...
.288
..d o ...
Salmon, canned. . .
.590
.375
Eggs, strictly fresh. D ozen.. .418
.471
Eggs, storage......... ..d o .......
.575
.392
B utter.................... P o u n d .. .440
.344
Cheese..................... ..d o .......
.152
.104
Milk........................ Q uart... .100
.099
.057
Bread..................... Pound L .054
.070
.038
P o u n d .. .036
Flour..........
.050
.024
........do....... .025
Corn meal..
.127
do
Rice
.033
.017
.021
Potatoes......................d o -----.059
Onions...................... ¡...d o —
.192
Beans, navy...................do—
.153
Prim es............................do—
.150
Raisins, seeded..............do—
.109
.061
Sugar.............................-do—
.331
Coffee..............................do—
.764
T ea..................................do—
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
1.405
.370
.335
.289
1.407 $0.330 $0,360 $0,427 $0,550
.568
.345
.427
.343
.366
.385
.309
.243
.237
.327
.308
.176
.253
.283
.221
.220
.420
.625
.520
.335
.383
.386
.314
.648
.555
.691
.453
.415
.631
.530
.340
.375
.348
.312
.813
.618
.754
.466
.200
.117
.069
.053
.142
.041
.044
.170
.164
.165
.108
.326
.829
1 Baked weight.
[414]
.200
.117
.070
.054
.137
.039
.045
.175
.167
.171
.109
.360
.842
.219
.243
.307
.158
.202
.240
.213
.268
.323
.156
.212
.240
.575
.360
.379
.633
.089
.059
.036
.036
.089
.060
.041
.038
.017
.013
.053
.058
.377
.349
.453
.453
.341
.335
.335
.302
.775
.480
.520
.328
.140
.086
.075
.079
.120
.035
.058
.189
.172
.151
.101
.344
.637
.469
. 545
.567
.344
.377
.446
.320
.902
.551
.638
.359
.165
.091
.067
.071
.139
.034
.034
.169
.193
.154
.107
.348
.653
$0.561
.564
.400
.312
.430
.551
.575
.349
.373
.434
.323
.968
.564
.681
.372
.165
.091
.067
.069
.140
.042
.034
.156
.196
.158
.108
.381
.664
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
97
T able 4.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 19
SELECTED CITIES FOR DEC. 15, 1913, 1914, 1917, AND 1918, AND NOV. 15,1918-Continued.
Buffalo, N Y.
Article.
Dec. 15.
Unit.
1913
Sirloin steak............
Round steak ...........
Rib roast..................
Chuck ro a s t............
Plate beef................
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced...........
Ham sliced..............
L ard.........................
L am b.......................
H ens.........................
Salmon, canned. . . .
Eggs, strictly fresh..
Eggs, storage...........
B u tte r___~ ............
Cheese......................
Milk..........................
B read.......................
Flour........................
Com m eal................
Rice..........................
Potatoes...................
Onions.....................
Beans, n av y ............
P runes___...............
Raisins, seeded.......
Sugar.......................
Coffee.......................
T ea...........................
1914
Nov.
1917
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec. 15.
1913
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
P ound.- $0,216 $0.224 $0.310 $0.390 $0.385 $0.241 $0.253 $0.292 $0.373 $0.370
.200
.290
.360
.212
.219
.260
.341
. . . d o . . . . .188
.365
.337
. . . d o . . .. .164
.174
.243
.204
.242
.311
.303
.197
.313
.308
.. .d o ......
.154
.219
. 171 .205
.271
.263
.276
.270
__d o .. . .
.124
.171
.221
. 129 .159
.223
.206
.207
...d o ----- .176
.172
.349
.421
.401
.179
.164
.298
.377
.364
...d o ----- .206
.309
.218
.530
.537
.320
.492
.457
. 595
.595
__do___ .263
.250 .432
.328
.525
.529
.523
.318
.429
.534
. . .d o .. . . .142
.139
. Ì5Ò .148
.328
.327
.328
.319
.327
.324
.. .d o .. . . .154
.164
.280
.194
.308
.303
.197
.286
.337
.331
. . .d o .. . . .198
.192
.169
.307
.387
.381
.177
.265
.315
.319
. . .d o .. . .
.283
.287
.290
.295
.317
.323
.510
Dozen... .476
.650
.739
.791
.400
.390
.588
.677
.728
__d o .. . .
.314
.320
.426
.526
.585
.438
.513
.540
.382
.740
P ound.. .391
.536
.654
.383
.366
.530
.653
.727
...d o ....
.336
.383
.406
.366
.404
.432
Q u art... .080
.080
.160
.080
.080
.138
.160
.119
.140
.140
.061
P ound1. . 056 .056
.087
.100
.098
.063
.090
.102
.102
.034
.035
.061
.063
.063
.029
.061
P o u n d .. .030
.063
.063
. . . d o . . . . .026
.027
.075
.060
.062
.029
.027
.069
.065
.063
__d o .. . .
.115
.137
. 136
. 115 . 137
. 137
...d o ----- .017
.010
.031
.017
.012
.028
.027
.026
.026
.025
. . .d o .. . .
.054
.038
.037
.044
.034
.034
. . .d o .. . .
.151
.193
.146
. 189 . 157
. 150
. . .d o .. . .
.167
.192
.203
.160
. 179
.194
__d o .. . .
.141
. 145
.148
.148
. 157
.155
. . .d o .. . . .051
.097
. 106 . 107 .051
.058
.056
.084
.106
.106
. . .d o .. . .
.295
.300
.316
.283
.286
.306
__d o .. . .
.542
.630
.623
.593
.604
.624
Cleveland, Ohio.
Sirloin steak............
Round steak...........
Rib roast..................
Chuck roast.............
Plate beef................
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced...........
Ham, sliced.............
L ard.........................
L am b.......................
H ens........................
Salmon, canned___
Eggs, strictly fresh..
Eggs, storage...........
B u tter......................
Cheese......................
Milk..........................
B read.......................
Flour........................
Corn m eal................
Rice..........................
Potatoes...................
Onions.....................
Beans, n av y............
P runes.....................
Raisins, seeded.......
Sugar.......................
Coffee.......................
T ea...........................
Chicago, III.
Denver, Colo.
. . . d o . . . . $0.246 $0,243 $0.297 $0.366 $0.363 $0.229 $0.221 $0,283 $0,357 $0,354
...d o ----- .217
.217
.210
.278
.339
.340
.207
.262
.319
.315
. 194 .238
. . .d o .. . . .186
.280
.282
.167
.176
.223
.270
.268
.171
__d o .. . .
.217
.262
.265
.153
.197
.240
.242
__d o .. . .
.123
.163
.196
.097
.198
. 139
. 173
.173
...d o ----- .194
.167
.200
.323
.410
.397
.196
.339
.399
.389
...d o ----- .279
.283
.564
.280
.467
.584
.300
.536
.593
.605
...d o ----- .363
.444
.300
.300
.335
.545
.574
.467
.571
.578
.. .do___ . 164 .159
.161
.330
.342
.342
.158
.345
.347
.348
...d o ----- .180
.189
.290
.324
.315
.156
.166
.286
.304
.298
.. .d o .. . . .193
.186
.374
. 199
. 185 .281
.308
.368
.323
.327
. . .d o .. . .
.279
.300
.301
.275
.292
.309
.471
Dozen... .480
.520
.660
.400
.564
.758
.836
.679
.790
.360
...d o ___ .343
.534
.438
.443
.596
..540
.563
.406
.564
.769
.379
.390
.533
.701
P ound.. .422
.688
.645
__d o . . . .
.346
.390
.393
.359
.393
.416
Q u art... .080
.120
.084
.120
.080
.150
.150
.083
.130
.128
P ound1. .056
.057
.088
.100
.100
.056
.056
.097
.120
.118
.026
.030
.060
.039
.067
.066
.055
.060
Pound.. .031
.068
. . .d o .. .. .029
.061
.057
.033
.076
.062
.060
.025
.027
.059
__d o . . . .
.124
.145
. 114 .150
.146
.145
. . .d o .. . . .020
.012
.030
.031
.030
.012
.025
.027
.016
.028
. . .d o .. . .
.049
.037
.037
.051
.032
.033
. 184 .157
.152
.. .d o . . ..
.194
. 146 .143
.170
.190
.199
.. .d o . . ..
.176
.186
. 194
.159
...d o ...
. 142 .151
.146
.156
. 156
__d o . . . .
.0.54
.060
.094
. 052
.059
.088
.114
.118
.108
.109
.317
.. .d o . . .
.291
.295
.309
.305
.317
__d o . . . .
.641
.576
.648
.622
.667
.672
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Baked weight.
[415]
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
98
T able 4.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 19
SELECTED CITIES FOR DEC. 15, 1913,1914,1917, AND 1918, AND NOV. 15,1918—Continued.
j
Detroit, Mich.
Article.
Dec. 15.
Unit.
1913
Sirloin steak............
Round steak ...........
Rib roast.................
(Thnelr roast .
Plato Repf
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced...........
Ham, sliced.........
Lard . ..
............
Lamb . . .
Hens
Salmon panned
Eggs, strictly fresh.
B u tte r......................
Chop,so
Milk..........................
B read.......................
Flour........................
Corn meal................
Riee
Potatoes...................
Onions
"Roans navy
P m nos
Raisins soodod
Sugar.. ...................
CofToo..
T e a ..
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec. 15.
1913
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
P ound.. 10. 248 10 236 50.296 0.353 10.360 10. 231 50. 232 50.266 50.329 $0.327
.312
.213
.210 .240 .314
.327
.268 .325
. .d o___ .204
.204
.291
.194
.202 .223
.284
.295
.280
. .d o .. . . .202' .191
.237
.188
.246
.158
.246
.240
.239
.d o ___
.158
.193
.158 .200
.181
.133
.203
.190
.154
.d o .. . .
.116
.380 .464
.253 .258
.463
.385
.398
.318
.. . d o .. . . . 182 .173
. 544 .657
.342
.335
.561
.667
.558
.. .d o .. . . .223
.456
.245
.529
.619
.345
.354
.631
.561
.. .d o ___ .280
.280 .430 .556
.346
.330
.348
.181
.174
.340
.336
.340
.. .d o .. . . .160
.157
.334
.295
.332
.318
.191
.197
.. .d o .. . . .160
.290
.331
.169
.588
.348
.268
.460
.279
.352
.355
.. .d o .. .. .186
.178 .298
.361
.317
.333
.316
.292
.313
d o ..
.811
.591
.505
.829
.819
.533
.634
.761
Dozen... .453
.415
. 456 . 568
.579
335
436 .510 .569
.671
.696
. 392 .517
.397
P o u n d .. '.389 .389 ! 639 .670 .734
.342
. 408
.430
.428
.410
.339
. . .d o .__
.140
.120
. 140
. 140 . 150 . 150 . 100 .100
.090
Q u art... .090
.093
.083
.091
.060 .066
.095
.095
.084
Pound i. .056
.059
.072
.063
.071
.035
.040
.065
.064
.065
.035
P o u n d .. .031
.074
.071
.037 .077
065 .035
.084 .066
.. .d o .. . . .028
.031
. 140
. 138
.117
140
do. . .
. 117 .141
.032
.031
.027
.019 .018
.025
.026
. . .d o ___ .016
.027
.011
.034
.034
.033
.039
.037
d o ___
.053
.159
. 148
.167
. 185 . 146 .140
d o .. .
. 184
. 204
.150
.185
. 160 .191
.d o .. . .
.
158
.156
.148
.156
. 139 .158
do. .
.106
. 106
. 108 .053 .059 .085
.106
.086
.. . d o .. . . .051
.060
.304
. 317
. 303
.315
. 293 .303
d o ...
.678
.703
.600
.636
.613
.549
. .d o .. . .
Milwaukee, Wis.
Sirloin steak............
Round steak...........
Rib roast.................
Chuck ro ast.............
Plate b e e f..
.
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced..........
Ham, sliced.............
L ard . . .
L am b . . . .
H ens.......................
Salmon nan nod
Eggs, strictly fresh.
"Rggs storago
B utter. . . . ’...........
Cheese
Milk........................
B read.....................
Flour......................
Com meal..............
Rice
Potatoes.................
Onions
Roans navy
Prunes
Raisins soodod
S u g ar..’..................
Coffee
T e a ..
Dec.
15,
1918.
Los Angeles, Cal.
New Orleans, La.
.. .d o __ $0. 234 $0. 233 SO. 287 $0.340 $0.345 $0. 215 $0. 225 $0. 271 $0. 325 $0. 329
.296
.296
.237
.201
.334
.191
.329
. ..d o ___ .216
.217 .275
.292
.288
.184
.237
.185
.283
.. .d o .. . . .188
.185
.233 .277
.219
.141
.180
.223
.261
.256
.168
.216
.. .d o .. . .
.192
.202
.125
.157
.200
.196
.. .d o .. . .
. 128 .158
.432
.450
.242
.364
.373
.240
.379
.. .d o .. . . . 174 .167
.301
.637
.514
.635
.304
.316
.488 .559 .578
. . .d o .. . . .274
.273
.506
.270
.424 .510
.270
.531
.441
.. .d o .. . . .278
.517
.277
.351
.138
.333 .348
.150
.. .d o .. . . .160 .158 .331
.349 .353
.368
.375
.206
.299
.205
.337
.296
.. .d o .. . . . 185 .192
.335
.370
.303 .393
.220 .223
.. .d o .. . . .172
.172 .259 .312 .338
.345
.323 .340
.316
.274
.296
d o ..
.648
.725
.530
.713 .340 .393
.579 .638
Dozen... .400
.375
. 561
.
516
.425
.518
.498
.416
d o ..
. 330
.752
.550 .666
.398
.393
.741
.665
.378
.531
P ound.
.388
. 454
.
348
.431
.449
.338
.427
. .d o ...
.160
.138
.160
.098 .098
.070 .110 .130 .130
.070
Q u art..
.092
.092
.054
.083
.092
.050
.092
.097
.063
Pound L .057
. 072
.073
.077
.040
.037
.065
.065
.038 .062
P ound.
.030
. 052
.029 .070 .062
.066
.027
.076
.067
.038
.. .d o ...
.032
. 122
. 108 .122
. 144
. 116 .143
d o ...
.042
.032
.051
.022
.020
.027
.026
.027
.. .d o__
.017
.013
.041
.043
.047
.048 .033 .035
d o ..
. 15:
. 159
.176
.143
. 194 .146
d o ..
. 18
.185
.166
.172
.156
d o ..
.159
. 166
. 16É
.152
.153
. 148 .151
d o ..
. KM
. 105
.097
.115
.051
.060
.108
.087
.055
.060
.. .d o .. .
. 28f
. 272
.266
.266 .288
.265
do. .
.634
. 63e
.621
.662
.586
.659
.d o ...
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i Baked weight.
F4161
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
99
T able 4 .—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 19
SELECTED CITIES FOR DEC. 15,1913,1914, 1917, AND 1918, AND NOV. 15,1918—Continued.
New York, N. Y.
Article.
Dec. 15
Unit.
1913
Sirloin steak............
Round steak............
Rib roast..................
Chuck roast.............
Plate beef.................
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced...........
Ilam , sliced.............
Lard!........................
Lam b.......................
H ens........................
Salmon, canned......
Eggs, strictly fresh..
Eggs, storage...........
B utter.......“. ............
Cheese......................
Milk..........................
B read.......................
Flour........................
Com meal................
Rice..........................
Potatoes...................
Onions.....................
Beans, navy............
Prunes___...............
Raisins, seeded.......
Sugar..’. ...................
Coffee.......................
Tea...........................
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec. 15.
1913
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
P ound.. $0.257 $0.262 SO. 335 SO. 430 $0.430 SO. 300 SO. 303 SO. 382 SO. 534 $0.495
.342 .448
.260 .263
.454
...d o ...... . 253 .259
.370
.465
.464
. . .do...... .213
.215
.285
.218 .218
.383
.396
.288
.376
.375
__do.......
.166
.222
.310
.182
318
.303
.249
.326
. . .do......
.155
.218
.270
.267
.118
.221
.176
.226
.208
. . .do...... .184
.345
.427
.206
.194
.354
.455
.449
.438
...d o ...... .255
.263
.552
.250
.271
.461
.553
.466
.583
.580
__do....... .290
.295
.554
.325
.569
.307
. 576
.291
.486
. 581
__do....... .161
.152
.158
.337
.341
.148
. 339
33Q
.343
.338
.164
.277
.312
.294
.188
. 192 .306
__do....... .154
. 365
.369
__do....... .207
.207
.307
.408
.401
.226
.229
.323
.441
. 419
__do.......
.346
.354
.352
.261
.294
. 296
Dozen... .543
.538
.731
.802
.483
.903
.509
.663
.776
.828
.471
.604
.347
__do....... .367
.561
.624
.449
. 578
P ound.. .411
.405
.548
.685
.762
.466
. 78Q
.450
.593
.716
__do.......
.346
.367
.404
. 41Q
.370
.400
Q u art... .090
.090
.140
.080
.122
.170 .170
.080
.140
.140
.063
.088
.048
P o u n d 1. .061
.099
.099
.050
.086
.095
.094
.037
P o u n d .. .032
.076
.071
.031
.037
.069
.073
.067
.065
.. .do...... .034
.036
.085
.076
.075
.028
.029
.071
.067
.063
__do.......
.117
. 139 . 139
. 123 . 147
.147
__do__
.024
.020
.038
.043
.039
.040
.023
.019
. 042
.036
__do.......
.058
.043
.037
.043
.056
.041
. . .do......
.186
.168
.158
.150
. 187 . 161
__do.......
.174
.195
. 206
.225
. 166 . 195
. . .do......
.151
.152
.155
. 135 . 146
. 146
.104
.054
.099
.106
. 050 .055
.097
.. .do...... .049
. 105
.102
.. .do......
.275
. 283
.305
.279
.277
. 296
__do.......
.541
.515
.539
.571
. 590
.590
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sirloin steak............
Round steak............
Rib roast..................
Chuck roast........ .
Plate beef.................
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced...........
Ham, sliced.............
Lard.........................
Lam b.......................
H ens........................
Salmon, canned......
Eggs, strictly fresh..
Eggs, storage...........
B utter.......“. ............
Cheese......................
Milk..........................
Bread.......................
Flour........................
Corn meal................
Rice..........................
Potatoes...................
Onions.....................
Beans, navy............
Prunes___"..............
Raisins, seeded.......
S ugar......................
CoSee.......................
Tea...........................
Philadelphia, Pa.
St. Louis, Mo.
.. .d o __ $0.270 SO. 275 SO.344 SO. 456 SO. 456 SO. 266 $0.273 SO. 299 SO. 373 $0.367
.240
.318
.422
.. .do...... .228
.426
.236
.250
.289
.368
.356
.213
.265
__do....... .218
.353
.195
.200
.349
.252
.308
.303
.172
. .do......
.232
.308
.301
. 160 .204
.253
.252
.132
.225
. . .do......
.169
.218
.142
.168
.209
.211
.348
.200
.404
.178
.383
. .do...... .208
.433
. 175 . 291
. 395
.304
. . .do...... .288
.502
.250 .250
.613
.616
.477
.565
.553
.461
.588
.. .do...... .290. .310
.586
.273
.275
.451
.550
.555
.154
.341
__do....... .156
.343
.344
.127
.316
. 125 . 296 .316
.207
__do....... .207
.344
.379
.365
. 183 . 193 .294
.326
.324
.240
.357
.441
.448
.315
. .do...... .248
. 173 .265
.322
.173
__do.......
.311
.312
.319
.287
.319
.324
.464
Dozen... .492
.644
.752
.803
.408
.584
.370
.676
.719
__do....... .351
.451
.551
.608
. 428
.288
.499
. 566
.404
.695
P ound.. .420
.569
.763
.395
.396
.559
.673
.755
__do.......
.420
.351
.349
.436
.426
.440
Q u art... .092
.093
.127
.150
.150
.088
.088
.130
.140
.140
.098
Pound 1. .054
.056
.091
.100
.060
.056
.099
.100
.100
.037
Pound.. .032
.070
.067
.067
.034
.061
.029
.063
.063
.. .do...... .030
.031
.090
.072
.062
.052
.073
.026
.026
.051
.. .do......
. 121 . 145
.145
. Ill
. 137
.137
__do....... .019
.013
.031
.033
.031
.030
.029
.017
.013
.030
__do.......
.049
.043
.040
.045
.039
.039
__do.......
.200
. 152
.159
.153
.183
. 144
__do.......
.172
.221
.198
.213
.166
.193
__do.......
.148
.151
.167
. 174
. 155
.182
.062
__do....... .055
.097
. 104
. 109 .051
.056
.086
. 109
. Ill
__do.......
.297
.280
.287
.305
.320
.304
.. .do......
.720
.636
.780
.801
. 701
.718
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
'Baked weight.
[417]
100
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 4.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OP T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 19
SELECTED CITIES FOR DEC. 15,1913,1914,1917, AND 1918, AND NOV. 15,1918—Concluded.
Seattle, Wash.
San Francisco, Cal.
U nit.
Article.
Dec. 15.
1913
Sirloin steak............
Round steak............
Rito roast..................
Chuck roast.............
Plate beef................
Pork chops..............
Bacon, sliced...........
Ham , sliced.............
L ard .........................
L am b.......................
H ens.........................
Salmon, canned. . . .
Eggs, strictly fresh..
Eggs, storage...........
B utter__ .................
Cheese ...................
Milk..........................
B read.......................
Flour........................
Com meal................
Rice..........................
Potatoes...................
Onions.....................
Beans, navy............
P m n es.....................
Raisins, seeded.......
Sugar.......................
Coffee.......................
Tea................ .........
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dee. 15.
1913
1914
1917
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
P ound.. 10. 210 «0. 209 10.238 80.330 $0.322 $0.236 $0,228 $0.267 $0.363 $0,363
.354
.353
.253
. . .d o .. .. .200
.206
.206
.236
.321
.316
.203
.312
.311
.220
.. .d o . . . . .217
.188
.200
.227
.305
.302
.214
.251
.183
.259
.. . d o .. . .
.149
.168
.239
.151
.238
.206
.211
.155
.. .d o .. . .
.125
.144
.163
.221
.220
.476
.383
.479
.. . d o . . . . .242- .234
.362
.449
.440 .240 .234
.633
.524
.628
.. .d o .. . . .344
.330
.330
.532
.605
.630
.371
.566
.443
.524
. ..d o ___ .340
.300
.388
.562
.591
.486
.330
.336
. . .d o .. .. .180
.320
.338
.342
.169
.161
.334
.336
.179
.351
.354
.301
... d o . . . . .166
.180
.186
.349
.345
.188 .281
.401
.393
... d o . . .. .245 .242
.212 .291
.349
.473
.246
.499
.308
.288
.305
... d o . . . .
.283
.252 .281
.836
.605
.881
.504
Dozen... .533
.520 .596 .844 .850 .542
.586
.484
.574
... do. . . . .417
.370
.441
.547
.566
.709
.549
.689
.438
.393
P o u n d .. .386
.706
.683
.538
.375
.412
.305
.388
... do. . . .
.393
.401
.329
.157
.150
.125
.098
.095
Q u art... .100
.140
.140
.121
.100
.105
.099
.062 .098
.066
Pound i. .059
.100
.096
.100
.060
.067
.058
.063
.035
.029
P o u n d .. .034
.062
.069
.070
.039
.073
.073
.075
.034
.071
.033
... d o . . . . .035
.073
.070
.037
.140
.145
.108
.141
... do. . . .
.112
.138
.024
.025
.012 .020
.031
.030
.015
.. .d o ___ .019
.029
.017
.039
.040
.042
.. .d o .. . .
.026
.027
.030
.158
.168
.183
.136
__d o . . . .
.163
.150
.185
.177
.145
... do. . .
.139
.171
.170
.157
.152
.145
.142
.. . d o .. . .
.138
.137
.109
.109
.064
.088
.061
.. .d o ___ .054
.105
.107
.059
.081
.320
.321
.310
.315
.. .d o ...
.301
.314
do___
.604
.623
.548
.539
.570
.575
1
Washington, D. C.
Article.
Sirloin steak ...................................................
Round steak..................................................
Rib roastChuck roast....................................................
Plate beef................... ....................................
Pork chops.....................................................
Bacon, sliced..................................................
Ham , sliced....................................................
L ard................................................................
Lamb..............................................................
Hens................................................................
Salmon, canned.............................................
Eggs, strictly fresh........................................
Eggs, storage..................................................
B litter___T....................................................
Cheese.............................................................
Milk.......................... .....................................
Bread..............................................................
F lour..............................................................
Com m eal.....................................................
R ice................................................................
Potatoes.........................................................
Onions.............................................................
Beans, n av y ...................................................
Prunes.............................................................
Raisins, seeded...............................................
S u g ar.. ...........................................................
Coffee..............................................................
T ea.................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
December 15.
Unit.
P ound..
... d o . . . .
do
... do. . . .
... do. . . .
.. .d o .. . .
... do . . . .
. . .d o .. . .
... do . . . .
... do . . . .
... do. . . .
... do. . . .
Dozen...
. . . do . . . .
Pound..
.. .d o .__
Q u a rt...
P o und1.
P ound..
.. .d o ___
... do . . . .
...d o ___
.. .d o .. . .
. . . do. . . .
. . .d o .. . .
... d o . . . .
.. .d o .. . .
. . . do. . . .
. . d o ___
1
1913
1914
1917
$0.265
.226
.210
$0,270
.239
.207
.179
.128
.196
.259
.295
.143
.208
.203
$0.363
.345
.285
.249
.185
.370
.496
.468
.335
.351
.329
.285
.679
.462
.570
.356
.140
.084
.072
.069
.123
.033
.048
.199
.175
.149
.097
.285
.612
.199
.249
.290
.150
.194
.220
.421
.350
.423
.461
.090
.055
.038
.026
.090
.057
.041
.028
.018
.013
.050
.056
i Baked weight.
[418]
.414
Nov. 15,
1918.
Dec. 15,
1918.
$0,510
.478
.394
.348
.237
.513
.589
.571
.348
.409
.445
.339
.782
.576
.700
.395
.170
.101
.069
.058
.144
.033
.035
.154
.204
.160
.105
.297
.760
$0.501
.465
.392
.343
.234
.460
.587
.582
.349
.417
.430
.339
.818
.615
.770
.445
.170
.101
.068
.056
.145
.030
.035
.150
.214
.167
.105
.314
.723
101
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 5.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF T H E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD IN 31
CITIES FOR NOV. 15 AND DEC. 15, 1918.
[The prices shown below are computed from reports sent m onthly to the bureau by retail dealers. As
some dealers occasionally fail to report, the number of quotations varies from m onth to month.]
Article.
Sirloin steak........
Round steak........
Rib roast............
Chuck roast.........
Plate beef...........
Pork chops.........
Bacon, sliced.......
Ham, sliced........
Lard..................
Lamb................
Hens.................
Salmon, canned...
Eggs, strictly fresh
Eggs, storage.......
Butter................
Cheese................
Milk..................
Bread................
Flour.................
Corn meal...........
Rice...................
Potatoes.............
Onions...............
Beans, navy........
Primes...............
Raisins, seeded —
Sugars...............
Coffee................
Tea....................
Unit.
Bridgeport,
Conn.
B utte, Mont.
Charleston,
S. C. '
Cincinnati,
Ohio.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Columbus,
Ohio.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Pound.. $0.515 $0,508 $0,362 $0,361 $0,375 $0,373 $0,340 $0.336 $0.381
. . .do...... .500
.337
.492
.338
.377
.379
.337
.328
.362
.. .do....... .390
.380
.301
.306
.323
.327
.275
.271
.315
. . .do...... .335
.249
.322
.246
.264
.273
.234
.234
.286
. . .do....... .213
.210
.181
.170
.211
.218
.214
.206
.227
.. -do...... .469
.421
.471
.458
.483
.430
.383
.359
.373
.. .do...... .623
.664
.630
.619
.635
.679
.545
.548
.577
.. .do....... .613
.621
.575
.600
.550
.528
.540
.551
.523
.. -do...... .342
.341
.337
.342
.355
.356
.323
.321
.342
.. .do...... .364
.344
.352
.400
.342
.403
.308
.298
.370
.. -do...... .435
.472
.387
.425
.379
.369
.478
.366
.342
.. -d o ..... .349
.400
.366
.311
.400
.299
.284
.282
.292
Dozen... .933
.996
.727
.794
.590
.933
.662
.720
.697
.. -do....... .554
.541
.596
.586
.618
.531
.572
.544
.513
P ound.. .614
.671
.672
.695
.701
.667
.676
.741
.695
.. -do...... .381
.404
.432
.395
.420
.445
.419
.445
.400
Q uart... .170
.170
.150
.200
.155
.200
.140
.140
.150
.100
.100
.100
.100
Pound 1. .100
.100
.098
.096
.097
.068
.070
.069
P ound.. .069
.070
.070
.065
.064
.066
.081
.082
.058
.084
.054
.. -do...... .082
.054
.056
.061
.143
.147
.142
.118
. . .do...... .143
.120
.140
.143
.141
.034
.021
. . -do...... .036
.022
.042
.046
.032
.034
.032
. . -do...... .040
.043
.043
.050
.043
.053
.035
.036
.040
. . .do...... .172
.166
.192
.166
.163
.192
.143
.134
.142
.185
.184
.208
.184
. . -do...... .191
.217
.162
.190
.179
.165
.150
.150
. . .do...... .163
.166
.171
.166
.161
.151
.107
.120
.104
. . -do...... .109
.115
.108
.107
.107
.110
.336
.427
. - -do...... .324
.423
.288
.307
.270
.309
.295
.684
.697
.701
.805
.768
. . .do...... .659
.676
.665
.831
Dallas, Tex.
Fall River,
Mass.
Houston,
Tex.
Dec.
15,
1918.
$0,378
.355
.306
.272
.215
-.367
.559
.537
.339
.327
.346
.309
.742
.584
.760
.421
.150
.097
.065
.059
.138
.030
.037
.138
.205
.153
.109
.309
.838
Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
Ind.
Fla.
. . . d o __ $0,375 $0,373 $0,583 $0,589 $0,343 $0,339 $0.356 $0.358 $0,407 $0,403
.507
.346
.341
. . .do...... .373
.503
.366
.346
.349
.393
.388
.378
. . -do...... .327
.365
.325
.286
.286
.274
.276
.319
.318
.242
.308
. . -do...... .285
.298
.292
.242
.254
.253
.279
.269
. . -do...... .235
.203
.200
.231
.204
.203
.206
.207
.437
.438
.417
. . .do...... .439
.427
.445
.398
.393
.450
.434
. . -do...... .626
.660
.656
.669
.567
.533
.533
.546
.609
.624
. . -do...... .558
.514
.514
.524
.551
.580
.546
.564
.527
.533
. . -do...... .333
.337
.320
.314
.337
.339
.338
.338
.349
.339
. . -do...... .397
.380
.413
.388
.369
.390
.376
.371
. . .do...... .341
.441
.367
.306
.302
.333
.445
.333
.427
.418
.314
. . .do...... .307
.321
.257
.317
.288
.289
.300
.265
.292
.568
.735
Dozen... .623
.700
.879
.990
.726
.693
.709
.850
.509
.530
...d o ...... .540
.571
.607
.608
.570
.551
.553
.629
.612
.665
.731
.676
.672
.755
P ound.. .633
.678
.673
.738
.418
.378
.395
.407
.440
.431
.. -do...... .428
.451
.363
.455
.130
.192
.198
.140
.160
.160
.180
.190
Q u art... .190
.180
.090
.090
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
.100
P o u n d i. .100
.070
.070
.071
.064
.064
.072
.069
.070
.068
P o u n d .. .067
.057
.065
.062
.062
.055
.080
.080
.058
.063
...d o ...... .067
.147
.134
.148
.123
.139
.137
.123
.134
.135
.. .do...... .137
.044
.027
.034
.036
.035
.029
.040
. . -do...... .037
.034
.034
.038
.045
.044
.039
.063
.039
.049
.042
.059
. . .do...... .052
.164
.145
.180
.140
.165
.178
.166
.171
. . -do...... .174
.168
.174
.160
.186
.199
.173
.. .do...... .180
.188
.179
.223
.185
.169
.170
.168
.170
.176
.162
.163
.185
.. .do...... .152
.158
.110
.109
.109
.107
.110
.105
.110
.. .do...... .110
.113
.109
.301
.318
.287
.303
.336
. . -do...... .332
.335
.350
.333
.363
.786
.792
.589
.793
.791
Tea........................ ...d o ...... .775 .820 .604 .615 .607
Sirloin steak..........
Round steak..........
Rib roast................
Chuck roast...........
Plate beef..............
Pork chops............
Bacon, sliced.........
Ham , sliced...........
L ard .......................
L am b.....................
H ens.......................
Salmon, canned. . .
Eggs, strictly fresh
Eggs, storage.........
B u tter....................
Cheese....................
Milk........................
B read.....................
F lour......................
Corn m eal..............
R ice........................
Potatoes.................
Onions...................
Beans, n avy..........
P runes...................
Raisins, seeded —
Sugar......................
Coffee.....................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i Baked weight.
[419]
102
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
T able 5 .—AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OP THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OP FOOD FOR 31
CITIES FOR NOV. 15 AND DEC. 15, 1918—Continued.
Article.
Unit.
Kansas City,
Mo.
Little Rock,
Ark.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Manchester,
N. H.
Louisville,
Ky.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Memphis,
Tenn.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Pound.. $0.370 $0. 364 «0.404 $0,400 $0.371 $0.371 $0.558 $0. 555 $0.377 $0.378
.352
.349 .509 .498 .355
...do..... .352 .345 .383 .373 .351
.297
.. .do..... .284 .275 .348 .330 .305 .306 .359 .355 .306
.262
.305 .263
...do..... .236 .238 .283 .273 .266 .263 .311
.225
.225
200 203 , 229 . 227 .231 .228
.413
Pork chops........... . . .do..... ! 376 .379 .436 .408 .424 .408 .447 .395 .426
.619
.592 .544 . 540 .606
Bacon, sliced........ .. .do..... .602 .600 .607 .616 .591
.554
.539 .538 .533
.538 .527 .540 .541
Ham, sliced.......... .. .do..... .527 .531
.341
Lard................... .. .do..... .352 .352 .346 .354 .339 .343 .344 .345 .342
.361
.. .do..... .297 .292 .375 .357 .388 .388 .366 .344 .369
.331
FTons
.. .do..... .312 .316 .355 .335 .366 .366 .461 .454 .348
.384
Salmon, canned---- .. .do..... .323 .316 .306 .305 .295 .294 .309 .310 .382
.761
.642
.956
Eggs, strictly fresh. Dozen... .668 .755 .596 .739 .663 .743 .915
.630
.590 .538
"Eggs, storage........ .. .do..... .522 .552 .562 .615 .495 .563 .571
.686
.753
.724
Butter................. Pound.. .665 .723, .662 .709 .687 .770 .667
.474
.369 .383 .436
Cheese...... , ......... . . .do..... .425 .457 .441 .463 .429 .451
.160
.180
.154
.150
.154
Milk.................... Quart... .160 .160 .180 .180 .150
.100
Bread........... ...... Pound1. .100 .100 .100 .100 .099 .098 .093 .093 .100
.067
.067
.0
68
.066
.0
69
Flour.............. ... Pound.. .064 .069 .065 .066 .065
.054
Corn meal............ .. .do..... .063 .063 .057 .056 .051 .050 .076 .076 .057
.141
.133
.133
.134
.142
.130
.135
.. .do..... . 137 .138 .132
Rice
.033
.035
Potatoes............... .. .do..... .030 .029 .033 .032 .029 .027 .032 .031
.041
.036
.0
44
.0
40
.0
40
.037
.041
Onions .............. .. .do..... .046 .044 .049
.158
Beans, navy......... ...do..... .171. .160 .148 .149 .154 .152 .170 .153 .164
.188
.196
.20
3
.202
.185
.154
.187
Prunes................ ...do..... .170 .184 .159
. 169
Raisins, seeded..... .. .do..... .167 .170 .161 .180 .176 .162 .159 .162 .163
.109
.106
.108
.109
.109
.110
.
110
.109
..
.do.....
Sugar..................
.111 .113
. 335
. 308
.276 .284 .342 .361
.339 .361
Coifee.................. .. .do..... .287 .321
.815
Tea..................... ...do..... .768 .769 .839 .867 .792 .783 .594 .626 .814
Sirloin steak.........
Round steak.........
Rib roast.............
Chuck roast..........
Article.
Sirloin steak...................
Round steak..................
Rib roast .....................
Chunk roast...................
Pork chops....................
Bacon, sliced..................
FTam; sliced...................
Lard ..........................
Lamb ........................
Hens............................
Salmon, canned..............
Eggs, strictly fresh..........
Eggs, storage..................
Butter..........................
Cheese...........................
Milk......................... .
Bread...........................
Flour............................
Corn meal......................
Rice.............................
Potatoes........................
Onions..........................
Beans, navy...................
Prunes..........................
Raisins, seeded...............
Sugar............................
Coifee...........................
Tea..............................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Unit.
Minneapolis,
Minn.
Mobile, Ala.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Newark, N. J.
New Haven,
Conn.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Pound.. $0.284 $0. 288 $0.348 $0.346 $0.469 $0.460 $0. 564
.474
.466
.528
.346
.280
.348
.275
. ..do.....
.391
.385
.316
.320
. 3S7
.242
...do.....
.237
.321
.366
.338
.209
.271
.273
...do.....
.209
.239
.238
.168
.241
.235
. 168
.do.....
.460
.454
.418
.361
.468
.462
...do.....
.374
.540
.532
.599
.638
...do.....
.550
.581
.625
.605
2. 463 2.423
.514
.515
...do.....
.517
.539
.347
.347
.346
.338
.329
.338
...do.....
.333
.392
.354
.350
.355
.375
...do.....
.279
.259
.439
.430
.424
.400
.438
.. .do.....
.306
.292
.346
.360
.342
.266
.374
.371
.263
.. .do.....
.969
.915
.938
.750
.627
.690
.683
Dozen...
.572
.599
.559
.580
.598
.470
.496
_do.....
.768
.643
.693
.698
.691
.671
.643
Pound..
.376
.392
.411
.414
.420
.451
.396
... do.....
.160
.177
.177
.130
.150
.130
.175
Quart...
.102
.097
.097
.097
.088
Pound1.
.088
.0
68
.067
.069
.071
.062
.069
.062
Pound..
.082
.081
.064
.061
.078
.052
.. .do.....
.053
.143
.146
.144
.126
.127
...do.....
. 142
.139
.041
.035
.. .do.....
.022 .023 .045 .043 .042
.047
.049
.049
.046
.024
.024
.047
...do.....
.168
.164
.165
.159
.172
.. .do.....
. 142
.132
.180
.199
.183
.202
.185
. 170
.182
_do.....
.152
.159
.186
.151
.192
.149
.. .do.....
.151
.109
.
10
4
.
10
4
.109
.
no
.1
1
1
.108
_do.....
.337
.315
.294
.305
.323
.289
...do.....
.312
.621
.586
.579
.650
.650
...do.....
.564
.571
2 Whole.
i Baked weight.
[420]
Dec.
15,
1918.
$0.548
.510
.377
.344
.396
.613
.611
.347
.369
.439
.349
1.021
.563
.681
.390
.160
.102
.067
.077
.142
.034
.047
. 165
. 200
.163
. 106
.342
.620
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
103
Table -5 .—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E PR IN CIPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 31
CITIES FOR NOV. 15 AND DEC. 15,1918—Continued.
Article.
Sirloin steak........................
Round steak.......................
Rib roast..........................
Chuck roast..................
Plate beef............................
Pork chops.......................
Bacon, sliced...................
Ham, sliced.........................
L ard..........................
L am b.....................
H ens.....................
Salmon, canned
Eggs, strictly fresh.............
Eggs, storage.......................
B utter.......~ ..............
Cheese.................
Milk....................
B read..............
Flour..........................
Corn meal..................
Rice..........
Potatoes..........
Onions.......................
Beans, navy...........
P runes.........
Raisins, seeded...................
Sugar..................
Coffee..................
Tea.............................
Unit.
Norfolk, Va.
Omaha, Nebr.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Nov.
15,
1918.
SO. 368
.349
.283
.252
.183
.378
.604
.554
.345
.312
.312
.304
.671
.553
.652
.419
.148
.100
.063
.056
.149
.027
.038
.150
.190
.181
.110
.338
.703
10.367
.348
.282
.244
.186
.384
.612
.557
.345
.313
.296
.304
.745
.551
.710
.440
.147
.100
.062
.055
.149
.026
.039
.150
.187
.177
.110
.350
.712
SO. 353
.335
.263
.236
.196
.374
.587
.547
.343
.368
.326
.305
.638
.525
.647
.447
.119
.100
.069
.064
.142
.027
.043
.161
.199
.161
.110
.273
.667
SO. 353
.341
.262
.235
.186
.362
.588
.558
.343
.350
.315
.304
.714
.562
.703
.439
.118
.100
.069
.062
.143
.026
.041
.155
.206
.164
.110
.294
.704
$0.569
.496
.335
.298
SO. 575
.485
.336
.295
.468
.549
.547
.350
.362
.442
.300
.880
.570
.671
.385
.157
.100
.067
.071
.139
.032
.039
.163
.183
.150
.107
.314
.622
. 448
.552
.560
.348
.348
.445
.299
.918
.595
.727
.389
.158
.100
.067
.069
.138
.030
.038
.158
.181
.153
.107
.331
.613
Dec.
15,
1918.
P ound.. $0. 482 SO. 454
.441
.434
. .do......
.389
. .do......
.389
. .do......
.310
.312
.240
__do.......
.235
.462
.433
__do.......
. .do......
.620
.580
.459
.452
__do.......
.372
. .do......
.364
__do.......
.400
.386
__do.......
.434
.434
.298
__do.......
.303
Dozen...
.673
.713
.604
.580
. . .do......
.712
.660
Pound..
.408
.441
__do.......
.180
.180
Q u art...
.099
.099
P o u nd1.
.071
.070
P ound..
.062
.061
__do.......
.150
.148
__do.......
.041
.038
__do.......
. . .do......
.052
.048
. . .do......
.182
.174
.194
__do.......
.206
.166
.176
.. .do......
.108
. . .do......
.107
__do.......
.334
.350
.800
...d o ......
.773
Peoria, 111.
Portland, Me.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Portland, Oreg. Providence, R .I. Richmond, Va. Rochester, N. Y.
Sirloin steak........................
Round steak.......................
Rib roast..............................
Chuck roast.........................
Plate beef........
Pork chops..........................
Bacon, sliced.......................
Ham, sliced.........................
L ard .....................................
L am b...................................
H ens....................................
Salmon, canned..................
Eggs, strictly fresh.............
Eggs, storage.......................
B utter.......“ ........................
Cheese..................................
Milk......................................
B read...................................
Flour....................................
Corn m e a l...........................
Rice......................................
Potatoes...............................
Onions.................................
Beans, navy........................
P runes___...........................
Raisins, seeded...................
Sugar....................................
Coffee...................................
T ea.......................................
. . .d o __ SO. 319 $0.316
.312
.306
.. .do......
.288
.285
__do.......
.. .do......
.233
.229
.181
__do.......
. 180
.444
.431
__do.......
.579
.589
. . .do......
.548
.531
. . .do......
.352
.352
__do.......
.328
.326
__do.......
.378
.369
. . . do......
.365
.367
.. .do......
Dozen...
.731
.799
.578
.613
...d o ......
.716
.699
Pound..
.457
.451
__do.......
.155
.155
Q u art...
.100
.100
Pound 1.
.067
.065
P ound..
.075
.075
__do.......
.139
.140
...d o ......
.025
.028
. . .do......
.033
.033
__do.......
.152
.138
. . .do......
.150
.. .do......
.146
.149
.148
.. .do......
.106
.109
.. .do......
.317
.329
.. .do.......
.621
.632
...d o .......
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$0.652
.544
.430
.388
$0.652
.536
.422
.382
.501
.541
.609
.348
.405
.462
.341
.902
.552
.639
.368
.165
.100
.067
.070
.139
.037
.040
.167
.202
.152
.108
.351
.622
.458
.553
.617
.349
.379
.455
.343
.957
.571
.675
.375
.165
.100
.067
.068
.139
.034
.038
.162
.194
.153
.107
.369
.588
1 Baked weight.
[421 ]
SO.449
.420
.349
.313
.252
.463
.581
.503
.354
.433
.409
.250
.648
.571
.678
.407
.157
.100
.069
.061
.146
.040
.054
.181
.186
.154
.109
.296
.768
$0.446
.420
.349
.319
.259
.440
.582
. 516
.355
.420
.408
.250
.779
.614
.745
.422
. 155
.100
.068
.061
.146
.035
.050
.167
.190
.155
.110
.312
.777
SO. 378
.362
.307
.294
.223
.432
.513
.517
.345
.341
.443
.306
.779
.523
.632
.371
.150
.100
.066
.065
.142
.029
.033
.151
.205
.151
.106
.300
.581
10.383
.366
.309
.296
.224
.409
.511
.528
.343
.328
.422
.308
.890
.559
.715
.386
. 155
.100
.066
.065
.141
.027
.033
.145
.209
. 154
.106
.314
.593
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
104
T able 5.—AVERAGE R E T A IL PRICES OF TH E PR IN C IPA L ARTICLES OF FOOD FOR 3t
CITIES FO R NOV. 15 AND DEC. 15, 1918—Concluded.
St. Paul,
Minn.
Article.
Sirloin steak.........................
Round steak........................
Rib roast.............................
Chuck roast.........................
Plate beef............................
Pork chops..........................
Bacon, sliced.......................
Ham, sliced.........................
L ard'....................................
L am b...................................
Hens.............. ...................
Salmon, canned.................
Eggs, strictly fresh.............
Eggs, storage.......................
B utter__ .............................
Cheese..................................
Milk......................................
Bread...................................
Flour....................................
Corn m eal........................
Rice......................................
Potatoes...............................
Onions.................................
Beans, navy.........................
Prunes. . . . ’. ........................
Raisins, seeded...................
Sugar..................................
Coffee....................................
Tea........................................
Unit.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Salt Lake City,
Utah.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Scranton,
Pa.
Nov.
15,
1918.
Dec.
15,
1918.
Springfield,
Nov.
15,
1918.
P o u n d .. $0.327 $0.338 $0.340 SO. 343 $0.456 80.459 80.344
.337
.300
.330
.414
.415
. . . do.......
.300
.323
.371
.268
.278
.274
.286
.365
.266
-.. do.......
.244
.314
.319
.241
. ..do.......
.238
.243
.238
.181
.234
.188
. 187
.228
.203
.. do. . ..
. 183
.444
.. do.......
.454
.427
.400
.449
.373
.372
.604
.594
.612
.562
.561
.. do....
.593
.561
.579
. ..do.......
.518
.565
.513
.533
.533
.523
.340
.342
.350
.349
.351
. ..do.......
.355
.344
. ..do.......
.308
.319
.385
.376
.342
.271
.276
.358
.314
.346
.450
.310
.. do .
.314
.446
.304
.329
.338
.317
.300
. ..do.......
.316
.303
.811
.656
.722
.713
.689
.883
Dozen...
.629
. ..do.......
.598
.589
.552
.488
.506
.549
.553
.677
.686
.647
.700
.695
.613
P o u n d ..
.653
.432
.441
.368
.392
.425
. . .do ..
.425
.393
.140
.150
.142
.128
.120
.125
.150
Q uart...
.101
.104
.100
.100
.100
.085
Pound C
.086
.064
.057
.068
.066
.064
.057
.069
P o u n d ..
do
.074
.068
.077
.078
.059
.075
.061
.137
.140
.138
.136
. ..do . ..
. 141
. 139
.143
.022
.022
.022
.029
.029
.. do . ..
.022
.031
.029
.038
.044
.037
. ..do. . ..
.029
.035
.045
. ..do . ..
. 140
.167
.167
. 142
. 163
. 160
.153
.169
. ..do. ..
. 187
. 200
. 160
. 167
.176
.186
. ..do.......
. 152
. 146
.151
. 149
. 149
.173
. 146
.. do
. Ill
. 114
. 110
. Ill
. 108
. 108
. 110
. ..do
.301
. 315
.331
.352
.357
.333
.333
. ..do.......
.604
.649
.640
.618
.619
.791
.593
Dec.
15,
1918.
80.345
.341
.254
.245
.205
.383
.548
.511
.346
.343
.290
.296
.70S
.603
.745
.452
. 143
.100
.067
.069
.145
.028
.038
.148
.178
.181
. 110
.329
.769
1Baked weight.
INDEX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1913
TO DECEMBER, 1918.
Wholesale prices in the United States reached new high levels in
1918. Beginning with January the bureau’s weighted index number
advanced steadily, reaching the highest level, 207, in September.
In October it dropped to 204, increasing again in November to 206.
No change in prices as a whole is shown for December, the index
standing at the level reached in the preceding month.
Marked decreases from November to December occurred in the
four groups of cloths and clothing, metals and metal products, chem
icals and drugs, and miscellaneous commodities. In the cloths and
clothing group the decrease was from 253 to 246, in the metals and
metal products group from 186 to 183, in the chemicals and drugs
group from 201 to 182, and in the miscellaneous group from 207 to
204. On the other hand, a noticeable increase took place in the
food, etc., group, the index for December standing at 207 as com
pared with 203 for November. Smaller increases occurred in the
farm products and fuel and lighting groups, while no change is shown
by the index numbers for the groups of lumber and building mate
rials and house-furnishing goods.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[422]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
105
Among important commodities whose wholesale prices averaged
lower in December than in November were flaxseed, barley, oats, hay,
hogs, peanuts, tobacco, lemons, oranges, lard, mutton, veal, cotton
yarns, harness leather, print cloths, silk, alcohol, copper, bar silver,
steel billets, steel plates, structural steel, tin plate, linseed oil, tur
pentine, rosin, alum, glycerin, jute, rope, rubber, and wood pulp.
Corn, cattle, butter, cheese, coffee, eggs, bacon, fresh and salt beef,
hams, salt pork, milk, cabbage, onions, potatoes, anthracite coal, and
lime averaged higher in price, while cotton, rye, wheat, hides, sheep,
poultry, canned goods, wheat flour, corn meal, rice, sugar, salt and
tea remained practically unchanged in price.
In the period from December, 1917, to December, 1918, the index
number of farm products increased from 204 to 221, that of food
articles from 185 to 207, and that of cloths and clothing from 206 to
246. During the same period the index number of fuel and lighting
increased from 153 to 183, that of metals and metal products from
173 to 183, and that of lumber and building materials from 135 to
163. The index number for house-furnishing goods, which is built
on a limited number of tableware articles, increased from 175 to 233,
and that of miscellaneous articles, including such important com
modities as cottonseed meal, jute, malt, lubricating oil, news-print
paper, rubber, starch, soap, plug tobacco, and wood pulp from 166
to 204. In the group of chemicals and drugs the index number de
creased from 230 in December, 1917, to 182 in December of the present
year, a drop of over 20 per cent.
IN D EX NUMBERS OF WHOLESALE PRICES, 1913 TO DECEMBER, 1918, BY GROUPS OF
COMMODITIES.
[1913-100. J
Year and month.
Fuel
and
light
ing.
Metals
and
metal
prod
ucts.
Lumber
HouseAll
and
Chem fur- Miscel com
nishbuild icals
lane modi'
ing
ing
ous.
and
ties.
m ai e drugs. goods.
ri ils.
Farm
prod
ucts.
Food,
etc.
Cloths
and
cloth
ing.
100
97
97
101
103
100
99
98
101
102
100
100
100
100
100
100
99
99
100
100
100
107
102
98
99
100
100
101
101
98
100
101
100
99
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
99
102
100
100
99
98
101
101
103
101
103
104
109
108
103
101
99
103
102
95
103
112
116
107
108
105
98
99
100
100
100
99
98
97
97
92
99
98
90
89
87
87
87
87
87
92
91
85
85
86
83
81
83
97
98
99
97
97
96
96
95
94
103
101
101
101
100
106
109
108
107
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
103
97
98
99
97
97
98
95
95
96
99
100
98
99
102
103
99
98
97
1913.
Average for y ear___
January.....................
A pril.........................
Ju ly ..........................
October.....................
1914.
Average for y ear___
January....................
A pril.........................
Ju ly ..........................
A ugust.....................
September................
October.....................
November................
December.................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[423]
106
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
IN D E X NUM BERS OF W HOLESALE PRICES, 1913, TO DECEM BER, 1918, BY GROUPS OF
COMMODITIES—Concluded.
Year and month.
Lum
Metals
ber
Chem HouseAll
and
and
fur- Miscel com
metal build icals
nishlane modi
and
prod
ous.
ing
ing
ties.
ucts.
mate drugs. goods.
rials.
Farm
prod
ucts.
Food,
etc.
Cloths
and
cloth
ing.
105
102
105
105
107
109
105
108
108
103
105
102
103
104
106
108
104
105
105
102
104
103
100
104
108
111
100
96
97
97
98
98
98
99
99
100
103
105
107
87
86
86
86
84
83
83
84
85
88
90
93
96
97
83
87
89
91
96
100
102
100
100
100
104
114
94
94
95
94
94
94
93
94
93
93
93
95
97
113
106
104
103
102
102
104
107
109
114
121
141
146
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
101
98
98
97
97
97
96
96
96
96
96
99
100
103
100
98
100
99
99
100
99
101
100
98
101
102
105
122
108
109
111
114
116
116
118
126
131
136
145
141
126
114
114
115
117
119
119
121
128
134
140
150
146
127
110
114
117
119
122
123
126
128
131
137
146
155
115
102
102
104
105
104
105
105
107
110
128
150
163
148
126
132
141
147
151
149
145
145
148
151
160
185
101
99
100
101
102
102
101
98
100
100
101
103
105
143
140
144
147
150
153
150
143
132
132
135
142
143
110
105
105
105
109
109
109
111
111
111
114
115
115
121
107
106
109
111
114
121
122
123
126
132
135
136
123
110
111
114
116
118
118
119
123
127
133
143
146
188
147
150
162
180
196
196
198
204
203
207
211
204
177
150
160
161
182
191
187
180
180
178
183
184
185
181
161
162
163
169
173
179
187
193
193
194
202
206
169
170
178
181
178
187
193
183
159
155
142
151
153
208
183
190
199
208
217
239
257
249
228
182
173
173
124
106
108
111
114
117
127
132
133
134
134
135
135
185
144
146
151
155
164
165
185
198
203
242
232
230
155
128
129
129
151
151
162
165
165
165
165
175
175
154
137
138
140
144
148
153
151
156
155
164
165
166
175
150
155
160
171
181
184
185
184
182
180
182
181
205
207
211
217
212
214
221
229
236
223
219
221
188
186
178
179
178
179
185
191
199
199
203
207
209
213
220
230
234
243
249
251
251
253
253
246
169
171
171
170
172
171
178
178
179
179
182
183
173
175
175
176
177
177
183
183
183
186
186
183
136
137
142
145
147
148
153
156
158
157
163
163
216
217
217
214
209
205
202
207
206
204
201
182
188
188
188
188
188
192
192
227
233
233
233
233
178
181
184
193
197
199
192
191
195
197
207
204
185
187
187
191
191
193
198
202
207
204
206
206
Fuel
and
light
ing.
1915.
Average for y ear___
January.....................
F ebruary..................
March.......................
Ap ril.........................
May..........................
June..........................
Ju ly ..........................
August.....................
September................
Octooer.....................
November................
December.................
1916.
Average for year___
January.....................
F ebruary..................
March.......................
A pril.........................
May...........................
Ju n e..........................
Ju ly ..........................
August......................
September................
October.....................
Novemoer................
December.................
1917.
Average for y ear___
January.....................
February..................
March.......................
A pril.........................
May..........................
Ju n e..........................
Ju ly ..........................
A ugust.....................
September................
October.....................
November................
Decern oer.................
1918.
January.....................
February..................
March.......................
A pril.........................
May...........................
Ju n e..........................
Ju ly ..........................
August.....................
September................
October.....................
November................
December 1..............
1 Preliminary.
CHANGES IN WHOLESALE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES.
Information gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in repre
sentative markets shows that the wholesale prices of many important
commodities continued to increase during the last quarter of 1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[424]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
107
Among these were cattle, bacon, hams, salt pork, butter, eggs, fresh
milk, and anthracite coal. On the other hand, some articles, as
hogs, sheep, hides, cotton, cotton and worsted yarn, copper, steel
billets, pig tin, pig lead, and spelter decreased in price during the
quarter. A number of commodities showed no change in price.
Comparing prices in December with those for January it is seen
that some commodities were cheaper. Examples of these are sheep,
mutton, corn, corn meal, oats, rye, rye flour, barley, potatoes, cotton,
hides, sole leather, pig iron, and steel billets. Large increases
between January and December are shown for cattle, beef, hogs,
eggs, milk, sugar, chrome calf leather, shoes, and coal.
WHOLESALE PRICES IN JULY, 1914, 1915, 1916, AND 1917, AND IN CERTAIN MONTHS OF
1918, AS COMPARED W ITH AVERAGE PRICES IN 1913.
AVERAGE MONEY PRICES.
1918
July—
Article.
Unit.
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
Jan.
Apr.
July.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
FOODSTUFFS.
(а) Animat.
C a ttle , good to
choice steers.
Beef, fresh, good
native steers.
Beef, salt, extra
mess.
Hogs, heavy.........
Bacon, short clear
sides.
H am s, sm oked,
loose.
Lard, prime, con
tract.
Pork, salt, m ess...
Sheep, ewes..........
Mutton, dressed...
Butter, creamery,
extra.
Eggs, fresh, firsts..
M ilk.......................
$
.8
$
»
$
$
$
«
$
■1
$
100 lbs.. 8.507; 3. 219 9. 213 9. 985 12. 560 13.113 15.175 17. 625 17. 856 18.156 18.360
L b .......
.130
.135
.132
. 141
.164
.175
.205
.240
.245
.245
.245
B b l___ 18.92317.250 17. 500 18.250 30. son 31. 500 31. 900 34. 875 35. 500 35. 500 35.500
100 lbs.. 8.365 8. 769 7. 281 9.825 15. 460 16. 300 17.150 17. 720 17. 850 17. 813 17. 575
.285
.276
.286
.301
.248
.293 .271
L b ....... .127 .141 .111 .157
L b .......
L b .......
B b l....
100 lbs..
L b .......
L b .......
Doz__
Q t.......
.166
.177
.161
.190
.240
.295
.308
.303
.336
.354
.367
.110
.102
.081
.131
.201
.250
.258
.264
.266
.272
.255
22. 471 23. 625 18. 500 27.167 42. 250 50. 400 53.200 48. 500 42. 500 44.250 50.000
4. 687 4. 538 5.469 6.545 8.600 11.144 14. 950 10.975 9. 469 8.844 8.750
. 163 .150
.205
.151
. 145 .192 .243
.103 .095 .109 .131
.610
.670
.432
.554
.376
.487 .415
.310 .270 .261 .276
.226
.035
.187
.030
.169
.030
.223
.031
.318
.050
.557
.081
.330
.059
.374
.054
.497
.082
.606
.087
.624
.092
(б) Vegetable.
W h e a t, N o. 1
northern.
W h e a t flo u r,
standard patent.
Corn, No. 2, mixed.
Corn meal.............
Oats, standard, in
store.
Rye, No. 2 ............
Rye flour...............
B a rle y , fa ir to
good malting.
Rice, H onduras,
head.
Potatoes, w h ite ...
Sugar, granulated.
Bu....... .874 .897 1.390 1.170 2.582 2.170 2.170 2.170 2.216 2.221 2. 221
B b l.... 4.584 4.594 7.031 6.100 12. 750 HO. 085 19. 985 DO. 702 HO. 210 UO. 210 HO. 210
Bu....... .625 .710 .783 .808 2.044 1.775 1.665 1.665 1.385 1.350 1.445
100 lbs.. 1. 599 1.780 1.750 1. 982 4. 880 4.835 5.350 ' 4.825 3.370 2.963 3.238
.736
.710
.693
.765
. 799 .872
.764
Bu....... .376 .369 .529 .405
1.616
9.108
.946
Bu....... .636 .618 1.036 .966 2. 226 1.915 2.648 1.705
B b l. . . . 3.468 3. 075 5.533 5.035 11.417 10.356 13.687 10. 500
Bu....... .625 .533 .743 .746 1.391 1.534 1.722 1.125
.094
.079 .087
.070
L b ....... .051 .054 .049 .045
1.625
9.169
.957
1.636
9.100
.958
.091
.091
.091
1.035
.074
.993
.088
.964
.088
1.023
.088
Bu.......
L b .......
.614 1.206
.043 .042
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.444 .863 2.375 1.272
.074
.075
.058 .075
1Standard war flour.
[425]
.687
.073
108
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
W HOLESALE PRICES IN JU LY , 1914, 1915, 1916, AND 1917, AND IN CERTAIN MONTHS OF
1918, AS COMPARED W IT H AVERAGE PRICES IN 1913—Continued.
AVERAGE MONEY PRICES—Concluded.
July—
1918
la id
1914
1915
1916
1917
Jan.
Apr.
July.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
TEX T IL E S AND
L E A T H E R GOODS.
C otton, u p lan d ,
middling.
C o tto n y a r n ,
carded, 10/1.
Sheeting, brown,
Pepperell.
Bleached muslin,
Lonsdale.
Wool, 1/4 and 3/8
grades, scoured.
W o r s te d y a r n ,
2/32’s.
Clay worsted suitmgs, 16-oz.
Storm serge, allwool, 50-in.
H id es, p a c k e rs’
h e a v y n a tiv e
steers.
L eather, chrome
calf.
Leather, sole, oak.
S h o e s , m e n ’s,
Goodyear welt,
vici calf, blucher.
Shoes, wom en’s,
Goodyear welt,
gun metal, b u t
ton.
L b ....... *0.128 $0.131 10.092 80.130 $0. 261 $0.324 $0.317 80. 312 8.0325 $0.295 80.304
L b .......
.2 2 1
.215
.160
.253
.450
.536
.616
Y d.......
.073
.070
.060
.078
.140
.171
.240
Y d.......
.082
.085
.075
.088
.160
.180
.230
.250
.250
.250
.250
L b .......
.471
.444
.557
.686
1.200
1.455 1.455
1.437
1.437
1.437
1.437
L b .......
.777
.650
2.000
.641
.610
0)
.593
0)
.550
0)
.850 1.100
1.600
2.000 2.150
2.150
2.150
2.150
Y d....... 1.382 1.328 1.508 2.000
3.250
4.065 4.275
4.450
0)
(*)
C1)
Y d.......
.563
.505
.539
.760
1.176
1.308 1.308
1.470
1.642
1.642
1.642
L b .......
.184
.194
.258
.270
.330
.328
.272
.324
.300
.290
.290
Sq. f t . .
.270
.275
.280
.530
.460
.540
.550
.640
.630
.630
.630
L b ....... .449 .475 .495 .635
Pair__ 3.113 3.15C 3.250 3.750
.815
4. 750
.830 .800
4. 750 5.000
.830
5.645
.770
6.500
.770
6.500
.785
6.500
Pair__ 2.175 2 260 2. 350 2.750
3.500
3.500 3.500
4.500
4.850
4.850
4.850
M IN E R A L AND
M ETA L PRO DUCTS.
C oal, anthracite,
chestnut.
Coal, bituminous,
ru n of mine.
C o k e , furnace,
prom pt.
Copper, electrolytic
Copper wire, bare,
No. 8.
Pig iron, Bessemer
Steel billets...........
Tin plate, domestic, coke.
Pig t i n ...................
Pig lead.................
Spelter...................
Petroleum, crude .
Petroleum, refined,
water-white.
Gasoline, m o to r...
2,240 lbs. 85.313 85.241 85.200 $5. 507 85.933 $6,600 86.370 86.693 87.000 87.922 88.050
2,000 lbs. 2.200 2.200 2.200 2.200
5.000
3.600 3.600
4.100
4.100
4.100
4.100
2,000 lbs. 2.538 2.000 2.750 2. 750 15.000
6.000 6.000
6.000
6.000
6.000
6.000
.255
.285
.260
.290
.260
.290
.254
.290
L b .......
L b .......
.157
.167
.134 .199
. 148 .210
.265
.325
.318
.338
.235
.263
.235
.263
2,240 lbs. 17.133 14.900 14.950 21. 950 57.450 37.250 36.150 36.600 36. 600 36.600 36.600
2,240 lbs. 25.789 19. 000 2 1 . 380 41.000 100.000 47.500 47. 500 47. 500 47.500 47.500 45.100
100 lbs . 3.558 3.350 3.175 5.875 12.000 7.750 7. 750 7.750 7. 750 7.750 7. 510
L b ....... .449 .311 .391 .389 .620
.842 .880
.932 .796 .740
.715
L b ....... .044 .039 .058 .069 .114
.068 .070
.080 .081
.081
.067
L b ....... .058 .051 .220 .113 .093
.079 .070
.087
.091
.087 .084
B b l___ 2.450 1.750] 1.350 2. 600 3.100 3.750 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000 4.000
G a l.... . 123 .120 .120 .120
.120 .160 . 168 .171
.175 .175 .175
G a l .... .168 .140 .120 .240
.240 .240 .240
.241
.245 .245 .245
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1No quotation.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
109
W HOLESALE PRICES IN JU LY, 1914, 1915, 1916, AND 1917, AND IN CERTAIN MONTHS OF
1918, AS COMPARED W IT H AVERAGE PRICES IN 1913—Concluded.
RELATIVE PRICES.
July—
1918
1913
Article.
1914
1915
1916
1917 Jan. Apr. July. Oct. Nov. Dec.
108.4
103.8
91.2
104.8
111. C
106.6
92.7
105.1
96.8
92.2
87.1
82.7
85.7
108.3
101.5
92.5
87.0
87.4
97.0
73.6
82.3
116.7
105. 8
84.2
74. 8
85.7
117.4
108.5
96.4
117.5
123.6
114. 5
119.1
120.9
139.6
127.2
89.0
98.7
88.6
147.6
126.2
161.2
184.8
195.3
144.0
182.7
188.0
183.5
140.8
121.3
140.7
142.9
102.6 159.0
100.2 153.4
113.6 125.3
111.3 109.4
98.1 . 140.7
97.2 162.9
88.7 159.5
85.3 118.9
105.9 96.1
ICO 196. 4 72.3
100 97.7 134.9
133.9
133.1
129.3
124.0
107.7
151.9
145.2
119.4
88. 2
140.6
174.4
295.4 248.3 248.3 248.3 253.5 254.1 254.1
278.1 1220.0 1217. 8 ■233.5 ■222.7 ■222.7 ■222.7
327.0 284.0 266. 4 266.4 221.6 216. 0 231.2
305.2 302.4 334.6 301.8 210. 8 185.3 202.5
203.2 212.5 231.9 203. 5 184.3 195. 7 188.8
350.0 301.1 416.4 268.1 255.5 257.2 254.1
329.2 298.6 394.7 302.8 264.4 255.6 262.6
222.6 245.4 275.5 180.0 153.1 153.3 151. 4
137.3 154.9 170.6 184.3 178.4 178.4 178.4
386.8 207.2 111.9 168.6 161.7 157.0 166.6
174.4 172.1 169.8 172.1 204.7 204.7 204.7
101.6
114.5
106.8
107.3
145.6
141. 6
144.7
135.0
203.9
203.6
191.8
195.1
254.8
205.9
235.2
208.9
fo o d stu ffs.
(a) Animal.
Cattle, good to choice steers...........
Beef, fresh, good native steers.......
Beef, salt, extra mess......................
Hogs, heavy.......................- ...........
Bacon, short clear sides. .<............
Hams, smoked, loose......................
Lard, prime, contract....................
Pork, salt, mess...............................
Sheep, ewes.....................................
Mutton, dressed..............................
Butter, creamery, extra............... .
Eggs, fresh, firsts............................
Milk..................................................
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
154.1
134. 6
166.5
194.9
230.7
177.7
227.3
224.3
237.8
186.4
157. 1
246.5
231.4
178.4
157.7
168.6
205.0
213.4
185. 5
234.5
236.7
319.0
235.9
133.9
146.0
168.6
207.2
184.6
184.3
211.8
217.3
182.5
240.0
215. 8
234.2
199.0
139.4
165.5
154. 3
209.9
188.5
187.6
213.4
225.2
202.4
241.8
189.1
202.0
146.6
178.7
219.9
234. 3
213.4
188. 5
187.0
212.9
224.4
213. 3
247.3
196. 9
188.7
158.3
196.8
268.1
248. 6
215.8
188.5
187.6
210.1
237.0
221.1
231.8
222.5
186.7
145.6
216.1
276.1
262.9
(6) Vegetable.
Wheat, No. 1 northern...................
W heat flour, standard p aten t.......
Com, No. 2 m ixed..........................
Com m eal........................................
Oats, standard in store...................
Rye, No. 2.......................................
Rye flour.........................................
Barley, fair to good malting..........
Rice, Honduras, head....................
Potatoes, w hite...............................
Sugar, granulated............................
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
TEX TILES AN D L E A T H E R GOODS.
■
Cotton, upland, middling..............
Cotton yarn, carded, 10/1..............
Sheeting, brown, Pepperell...........
Bleached muslin, Lonsdale...........
Wool, I to g grades, scoured..........
Worsted yarn, 2/32s........................
Clay worsted suitings, 16-ounce . . .
Storm serge, all wool, 50-inch.......
Hides, packers’, heavy native
steers.............................................
Leather, chrome calf......................
Leather, sole, oak...........................
Shoes, men’s Goodyear welt, vici
calf, blucher.................................
Shoes, women’s Goodyear welt,
gun metal, button........: .............
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
102.3
97.3
95.9
103.7
94.3
83. 7
96.1
89.7
71.9
72.4
82.2
91.5
118.3
109.4
109.1
95.7
253.1
242.5
234.2
219.5
308.9
257.4
294.1
232.3
247.7
278.7
328.8
280.5
308.9
276.7
309.3
232.3
243.8 253.9 230.5
289.6 276.0 268.3
G> O) G)
304.9 304.9 304.9
305.1 305.1 305.1
276.7 276.7 276.7
322.0 G)
G)
261.1 291.7 291.7
237.5
248.9
G)
304.9
305.1
257.4
G)
291.7
100 105.4 140.2 146.7 179.3 178.3 147.8 176.1 163.0 157.6 157.6
100 101.9 103.7 170.4 200.0 196.3 203.7 237.0 233.3 233.3 233.3
100 105.8 110.2 141.4 181.5 184.9 178.2 184.9 171.5 171.5 174.8
100 101.2 104.4 120.5 152.6 152.6 160.6 181.3 208.8 208.8 208.8
100 103.9 108.1 126.4 160.9 160.9 160.9 206.9 223.0 223.0 223.0
M IN E RA L AN D M ETAL PRO DUCTS.
Coal, anthracite, chestnut.............
Coal, bituminous, rim of m ine---Coke, furnace, prompt shipm ent..
Copper, electrolytic........................
Copper wire, bare, No. 8 ......................
Pig iron, Bessemer.........................
Steel billets......................................
Tin plate, domestic, coke..............
Pig tin ..............................................
Pig lead............................................
Spelter..............................................
Petroleum, crude............................
Petroleum, refined, water-white..
Gasoline, motor..............................
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
98.6
100.0
78.8
85.4
88.6
87.0
73.7
94.2
69.3
88.6
87.9
71.4
97.6
83.3
97.9
100.0
69.0
126.8
125.7
87.3
82.9
89.2
87.1
131.8
379.3
55.1
97.6
71.4
103.7
100.0
108.4
168.8
195.6
128.1
159.0
165.1
86.6
156.8
194.8
106.1
97.6
142.9
1 Standard war flour.
100785 °— 19----- 8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
111.7
227.3
591.0
202.5
202.4
335.3
387.8
337.3
138.1
259.1
160.3
126.5
97.6
142.9
124.2
162.7
236.4
149.7
157.5
217.4
184.2
217.8
187.5
154.5
136.2
153.1
130.1
142.9
119.9
162.7
236.4
149.7
157.5
211.0
184.2
217.8
196.0
159.1
120.7
163.3
136.6
142.9
126.0
186.4
236.4
162.4
170.7
213.6
184.2
2)7.8
207.6
181.8
151.7
103.3
139.0
143.5
2 No quotation.
[ 427 ]
131.8
186.4
236.4
165.6
173.7
213.6
184.2
217.8
177.3
184.1
156.9
163.3
142.3
145. 8
149.1
186.4
236.4
165.6
173.7
213.6
184.2
217.8
164.8
184.1
150.0
163.3
142.3
145. 8
151.5
186.4
236.4
161.8
173.7
213.6
174.9
211.1
159.2
152.3
144.8
163.3
142.3
145.8
110
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
FLUCTUATIONS OF CONTROLLED AND UNCONTROLLED PRICES IN THE
UNITED STATES.
A bulletin on price control, entitled ‘‘Fluctuations of Controlled and
Uncontrolled Prices,” has recently been issued in mimeograph form by
the price section of the division of planning and statistics of the War
Industries Board.1 Most of the data used in the preparation of this
bulletin were taken from the records of the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics and were collected by this bureau for use in com
puting its index number of wholesale prices. The commodity
grouping adopted is the same as that used by the bureau.
In comparing the fluctuations of controlled prices with those not
under control, two methods were employed. The first method com
pares two index numbers for the period from August, 1916, to the
current month, one of these index numbers being based on the
group of price-fixed articles as it stood in September, 1918, and the
other on the groups of articles not subject to price control. As
pointed out in the bulletin, this method necessarily treats some
commodities as controlled before they were actually under control.
Charts are used to illustrate the fluctuations of controlled and uncon
trolled prices.
In the second method of comparison, the prices of commodities
under control in any given month are compared with the prices of
the same commodities in the preceding month and the percentage
of change indicated. This method of month to month comparison,
unlike the other method, permits price-fixed commodities to be kept
strictly in date with price fixing.
The extent to which price control was carried in the various groups
of commodities and the manner in which it was gradually extended
are also shown in the bulletin. This is done by showing the number
of controlled and uncontrolled articles in each group in September,
1918, and also by comparing, for each month during the period of
control, the aggregate exchange value of the controlled commodities
to the total value of all commodities exchanged. A chronological
arrangement of the controlled commodities in accordance with the
dates of their first regulation is also presented.
In the following table the index number of controlled prices is
constructed from the prices of 78 commodities which by September,
1918, had come under price control. The index number of uncon
trolled prices is built on quotations for 193 commodities. A full
explanation of the method used in constructing these index numbers
is contained in Bui. 181 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pages 239
to 256.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 December, 1918. No. 10.
[428]
111
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
IN D E X NUMBERS OF CONTROLLED AND UNCONTROLLED PRICES, AUGUST, 1916, TO
SEPTEM B ER , 1918.
[Average prices August, 1916, to July, 1917= 100.]
Year and month.
Con
trolled
prices.
Uncon
trolled
prices.
Total.
74
77
83
91
96
83
86
88
93
93
79
82
86
92
94
September..............
October...................
November...............
December................
97
100
103
111
117
119
119
119
January...................
F ebruary................
March......................
April........................
May.........................
June........................
July.........................
August....................
September..............
1917.
January...................
February................
March......................
April........................
May..........................
Ju n e........................
July.........................
August.....................
Uncon
trolled
prices.
Total.
1917.
1916.
August....................
September..............
October.............. ..
November...............
December................
Con
trolled
prices.
Year and month.
98
99
103
111
122
123
123
119
96
101
103
110
113
116
117
118
Ill
103
104
104
121
125
127
126
117
116
117
116
106
107
107
108
109
109
128
129
129
133
133
135
140
f45
151
119
119
120
122
122
123
1918.
111
no
112
128
130
134
The extent to which price fixing had progressed in the several
groups of commodities in September, 1918, is shown by the table
which follows, the relative importance of the controlled and the
uncontrolled commodities being measured by their aggregate values
in exchange:
E X T E N T OF PRICE F IX IN G IN SEPTEM BER, 1918.
Number of
commodities.
Relative
importance.
Group.
Con
trolled.
Uncon
trolled.
All commodities......................................................................
78
193
Group I. Farm products.................................................................
Group II. Food." etc..........................................................................
Group III. Cloths and clothing.......................................................
Group IV. Fuel and lighting..........................................................
Group V. Metals and metal products............................................
Group VI. Lumber and building materials..................................
Group V II. Drugs and chemicals...................................................
Group V III. House-furnishing goods.............................................
Group IX . Miscellaneous.................................................................
8
10
18
8
19
9
2
22
77
34
6
6
21
7
5
15
4
Con
trolled.
Uncon
trolled.
Per cent. Per cent.
39.70
60.30
18.04
28.22
41.35
63.44
83.83
55.71
7.95
81.96
71.78
58.65
36.56
16.17
44.29
92.05
100.00
82.60
17.40
A comparison of controlled and uncontrolled prices in September,
1918, by groups of commodities, is afforded by the index numbers
in the next table:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4291
112
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
IN D E X NUMBERS OF CONTROLLED AND UNCONTROLLED PRICES, BY COMMODITY
GROUPS, SEPTEM BER, 1918.
[Average prices August, 1916, to July, 1917= 100.]
Controlled
prices.
Group.
Uncon
trolled
prices.
Total for
group.
All commodities.............................................................................
112
151
134
Group I. Farm products..........................................................................
Group II. Foods.......................................................................................
Group III. Cloths and clothing..............................................................
Group IV. Fuels and lighting.................................................................
Group V. Metals and metal products....................................................
Group VI. Lumber and building m aterials..........................................
Group V II. Drugs and chemicals...........................................................
Group V III. House-furnishing goods.....................................................
Group IX . Miscellaneous........................................................................
107
112
165
99
92
132
94
168
131
147
138
130
159
152
145
169
152
125
154
110
96
143
145
145
142
131
Separate tables of the bulletin give index numbers for all months
from August, 1916, to September, 1918, inclusive, for each of the
groups shown in the above table. Each table is accompanied with
a chart showing relative fluctuations of controlled and uncontrolled
prices during the period.
The percentage of change from month to month in controlled
prices as compared with uncontrolled prices for all commodities
since price fixing began in August, 1917, is given in the bulletin as
follows, the plus sign indicating an increase and the minus sign a
decrease:
ALL COMMODITIES.
1917.
July to August........................
August to September..............
September to October............
October to November............
November to December.........
December to January.............
Controlled
prices.
Uncon
trolled
prices.
Per cent.
Per cent.
-21.03
-10.97
-12.87
+ .93
- .67
+ 1.3
+ 1.07
+2. 54
+2.92
+ 1.33
- .75
+2.23
1918.
January to February..............
February to March.................
March to A pril........................
April to May............................
May to June............................
June to Ju ly ............................
July to August........................
August to September..............
+ .35
+ .37
- .21
+ .76
+ .07
+ 1.55
- .88
+ 1.32
+ .76
+ .001
+2.45
+ .49
+ 1.45
+3.60
+3.85
+3.60
Statements similar to the foregoing one for all commodities com
bined are shown for each commodity group, in the third section of
the bulletin. The fourth section contains a series of tables showing
how price control was gradually extended in the various groups of
commodities by indicating by means of percentages the relative
importance of controlled and uncontrolled commodities for each
month during the period of price fixing. A list of controlled articles
not included in the comparisons made in the bulletin is also given.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[430]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
113
COST OF LIVING IN SPOKANE, WASH.
The Chamber of Commerce of Spokane, Wash., which recently
conducted an inquiry into the cost of living in that city, has furnished
this bureau with a typewritten copy of the results of the investigation.
Two thousand questionnaires were distributed among the employees
of a wide range of industries, including packing-house and lumber in
dustries, department stores, wholesale houses, laundries, and mills. Of
the 2,000 blanks sent out, only 240 were returned filled out in usable
form, and the report is therefore based on the information from these
240 replies. The data obtained were for the month of October, 1918.
The following table shows the average expenditures, for that month,
of the 240 families, classified by number of members per family:
AVERAGE E X PE N D IT U R E S IN OCTOBER, 1918, FOR EACH OF THE PRIN CIPA L ITEMS
OF TH E COST OF LIVING, OF 240 FAMILIES OF EACH SPEC IFIED SIZE.
[The figures in this table are averages based on detailed figures given in the report and differ in some cases
from the averages arrived a t by the investigators.]
Average expenditure for each item by families
having—
Item of expenditure.
Rent................................................................
Fuel and light...............................................
Meat...............................................................
Groceries........................................................
Clothing..........................................................
Car fare..........................................................
Insurance.......................................................
Amusements..................................................
Miscellaneous................................................
Average
expendi
2
4
3
5
6
ture (240
mem bers members members members members families).
(52
(78
(32
(53
(25
families). families). families). families). families).
$16.11
8.11
8.58
28.45
15.95
3.79
3.79
3.46
7.89
$15. 91
9.17
9.49
31.90
16.36
4.01
5.01
4.04
8.54
$16.38
8.87
10.09
38.99
17.36
4.25
4.35
3.11
7.51
$14.43
10.95
11.02
42.14
18.19
3.71
4.08
2.01
7.23
$14.90
11.78
14.65
49.16
23.75
4.74
5.81
2.43
7.12
$15.75
9.38
10.17
35.88
17.51
4.05
4.56
3.27
7.85
Total.....................................................
96.14
Average for year, all items................. 1,153.68
104.45
1,253.40
110.91
1,330.92
113.76
1,365.12
134.34
1,612.08
108.44
1,301.28
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FOOD CONTROL.
FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONTROL IN THE UNITED STATES.
As showing the favorable situation with respect to food supplies in
the United States at the close of 1918, the annual report of the
Secretary of Agriculture states that, notwithstanding adverse climatic
conditions, the aggregate yield of wheat and other leading cereals
was greater both in 1917 and in 1918 than in any other year except
1915. The acreage planted in wheat in 1918 exceeded the previous
record by 3,500,000, while the wheat production for the current year
was estimated at 918,920,000 bushels—a figure next to the record
wheat crop of the Nation. The estimated yield of corn was consider
ably above the five-year prewar average in quantity as well as quality.
Turning to live stock, the report shows that the number of pounds
of beef for 1918 is given at 8,500,000,000, as against 6,079,000,000
pounds for 1914, the year preceding the war; and that the total of
beef, pork, and mutton for 1918 is estimated at 19,495,000,000 pounds,
as against 15,587,000,000 pounds for 1914. The value of all crops
produced in 1918 and of live stock of all kinds on farms on January 1
was estimated, on the basis of prices that have recently prevailed,
at more than double the annual average value in the five-year period
1910 to 1914. These increased values reveal that monetary returns
to the farmer have increased proportionately with those of other
groups of producers.
Referring to the increased interest in land for homes and farms,
the report states that there is still room for many more people on
farms. Of the tillable land embraced in the United States proper,
only about 32 per cent was under cultivation in 1918.
The guaranteed price of wheat for the 1919 crop, fixed by the
President’s proclamation of September 2, 1918, in accordance with
the terms of the Lever Act, at $2.26 per bushel for ‘‘basic” wheats
at Chicago, is not in any way affected by the end of the war, accord
ing to a statement made by the Food Administration. This guar
antee expires June 1, 1920, until which date the present Government
prices will prevail. Time limitations on trading for future deliveries
in corn, oats, rye, and barley were removed on December 6, 1918,
and exchanges throughout the country were notified accordingly.
It was announced, however, that conditions would not warrant
abrogation or modification of the present limit on speculative account.
114
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All restrictions on the use of wheat flour in baking were removed
by the Food Administration under date of November 13. Milling
regulations were revoked December 17. In explanation of these re
movals the Food Administration stated that—
Last spring the Food Administration was extremely anxious about the wheat
shortage and the public was asked to restrict its consumption of wheat down to the
barest necessity in order to meet the needs of the Allies. With a surplus of only
20,000,000 bushels of wheat, the American people, through conservation, enabled
the Food Administration to ship 141,000,000 bushels of wheat. In spite of this con
servation, when we reached the 1918 harvest there was less than a 10-day supply
in America.
When the new crop came in it proved to be very large b u t not too large to take
care of the needs at that time. I t was the desire of the Food Administration not to
be caught another season with any shortage of this most valuable foodstuff; and
with the idea that it was necessary not only to continue shipments of wheat to Europe,
but to build up a reserve for the 1919 spring offensive, the Food Administration
continued to ask the people to use wheat sparingly.
The signing of the armistice changed the situation with wheat immediately, just
as it did with all measures taken with the needs of a continuing war in view. Wheat
supplies in distant countries were made available by the cessation of the submarine
menace, and the assurance of a good crop in 1919, undisturbed by war, relieved
somewhat the necessity of building up as large a reserve as was anticipated. In
other words, it is probable that our normal actual consumption of wheat, im plying
elimination of waste in which our people have been thoroughly schooled, will be
permissible and still allow us to keep the Food Administration’s pledge in the ship
ping of great quantities of bread stuffs to hungry Europe.
Last year’s situation with fodder grains plentiful and wheat scarce has been en
tirely reversed and the necessity now points to a more careful use of the grains needed
for animal feed and a freer use of wheat.
I t can not be too strongly emphasized that even under present conditions no wheat
must be wasted. I t is a well-known fact that a diet which includes little meat
naturally increases the consumption of bread and at this time, when the shortage of
meat is acute, it is good to know that the increased consumption of bread is not
unpatriotic.
Concerning its removal of restrictions on the use of sugar in house
holds and in public eating places, announced under date of Decem
ber 3, the Food Administration stated that the object in asking for
economy in the use of sugar was to insure a supply that would be
adequate to meet the needs of the Allies who would be dependent on
the same sources as the United States so long as the war lasted.
With the signing of the armistice the situation was immediately
changed and a return to the normal use of sugar became permissible.
During the five months from July to November the American peo
ple saved no less than 775,000 tons of sugar over their normal
consumption.
Effective December 23, the 12 general orders governing public
eating places were rescinded by the Food Administration.1 These
orders, which were designed as a war measure to restrict food con1 These orders were published in full in the M onthly L abor R e v ie w for November, 1918 (pp. 114-116).
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sumption at the time the devices of meatless and wheatless days
and meals and the substitution of one food for another were aban
doned, went into effect on October 21. In rescinding the orders,
the Food Administration emphasized the need for continued care in
the use of food in order that the country might meet its pledge to
relieve to the fullest extent possible the famine conditions abroad.
In accordance with the policy of releasing trades from the restraints
of% ar legislation as rapidly as practicable, a proclamation of the
President, effective January 10, 1919, announced the withdrawal of
license requirement under the Food Control Act in the following
cases :
All persons, firms, corporations, or associations engaged in the business of import
ing, manufacturing (including milling, mixing, or packing), storing, or distributing
(including buying and selling) of sirups and molasses; dried beans, pea seed, or dried
peas; poultry; fresh or frozen fish (except salt-water fishermen licensed under procla
mation of January 10,1918); fresh fruits or vegetables; canned peas, beans, tomatoes,
corn, salmon, sardines, or tuna; mild-cured, hard-cured, salted, dried, smoked,
pickled, or otherwise preserved salmon; dried prunes, apples, peaches, or raisins;
bread in any form, and cake, crackers, biscuit, pastry, or other bakery products;
white arsenic or other insecticides containing arsenic; tomato soup, tomato catsup,
and other tomato products; alimentary paste; green coffee; casings, made from the
intestines of animals, for sausage and for other food commodities; feeds from certain
specified commodities; peanut meal and soya-bean meal; all commercial mixed
feeds; condensed, evaporated, or powdered milk; buckwheat or buckwheat prod
ucts; all products of wheat or rye other than wheat or rye flour or wheat mill feeds.
All persons, firms, corporations, or associations engaged in the business of distribut
ing oat meal, rolled oats, oat flour, corn grits, corn meal, hominy, corn flour, starch
from corn, corn sirup, glucose and raw cornflakes, wheat flour and rye flour and barley
flour, rice and rice flour, any feeds produced from wheat, raw milk.
All persons, firms, corporations, or associations engaged in the business of storing
any food or feed commodities except persons, firms, corporations, or associations
engaged in the business of storing wheat, corn, oats, rye, barley, or rice, as owners
or lessees or operators of warehouses or elevators, or persons, firms, corporations, or
associations operating cold-storage warehouses.
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EM PLOYM ENT AND UNEM PLOYM ENT.
RECONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES EMPLOYMENT
SERVICE.
An article in the January issue of the M onthly L abor R eview
(pp. 119-125) described the plan which has been formulated by the
United States Employment Service for assisting to suitable employ
ment members of the military and naval forces as they are demobil
ized and industrial workers who are required by circumstances to
seek other positions. As exigencies demand, these plans are neces
sarily being modified, and as experience develops, new projects which
seem imperative to carry out the work of the Service more effectively
are being inaugurated.
In this connection should be noted the establishment of a junior
section within the Employment Service to handle the problems of
employment of the Nation’s youth, or, more accurately, to promote
the vocational guidance of boys and girls between the ages of 16 and
21. The importance of seriously considering this matter may be
realized when it is stated that reliable estimates indicate that 14 per
cent of the wage earners in the United States are in this age group.
Figures, however, are unnecessary to show the intimate relation
between the growth of the numbers of unemployable and the lack of
system and forethought with which the youth of this country enter
the ranks of the workers. I t is to meet and correct this situation
that the new junior section is designed. I t is felt that many of the
Nation’s employment problems will be solved if the placement of
wage earners between 16 and 21 years of age is handled judiciously
during the next five years. Placement of juvenile workers by the
Employment Service was handled as carefully during the war period
as abnormal pressure would permit. In several of the large cities
spécial junior placement was developed and will be continued under
the general policies of the new junior section which is part of the
Field Organization Division of the Employment Service.
Two specialists have been appointed to direct the work of the new
section. Chief of the section is Jesse B. Davis, president of the
Junior College of Grand Rapids, Mich., principal of the Central High
School, and director of vocational guidance for that city. He is
assisted by Mrs. Anna Y. Reed, of Seattle, well known as a vocational
placement expert.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
In the general order sent out to the Federal directors authorizing
the establishment of the junior section its functions are described as
“ the guidance and placement of boys and girls under 21 years of age.”
It is stated that “ economic and other conditions are yearly driving
increasing numbers of boys and girls into industry. Their immature
minds and partly developed faculties need proper direction. A word
of counsel and guidance at this time, or the lack of it, may make or
mar their future. Here exists a fruitful field for operation, and herein
lies the need for promoting a practical and helpful organization.”
Under the regulations establishing the junior section every such
division in a local office must be under the jurisdiction of a specially
qualified officer, to be known as junior counselor. Where conditions
warrant, there should be a male and a female counselor, the first
specially qualified for advisory work with boys, the second for advi
sory work with girls. In offices too small to justify the appointment
of a separate counselor for this work, a qualified examiner may be
detailed for part-time work, or public-spirited citizens such as teachers
or social workers may be secured as part-time counselors at nominal
compensation. In all cases the junior counselor must be an expert
in educational guidance and should have at hand all available infor
mation regarding local educational or training opportunities for the
worker.
In the general instructions to junior counselors the following are
outlined as “ specific duties:”
To influence boys and girls to remain in school as long as possible.
To give aid toward the right start for those who have had to leave school to go
to work.
(c) To arouse the ambitions of boys and girls to fit themselves for definite life
careers.
( d ) To direct youth who are employed toward some form of trade, technical, or
business school for special training.
( e) To promote the needed opportunities for vocational education in the commu
nity.
* / ) To follow up all applicants in their training and a t their work to see th at they
have the best available advantages of study and labor. This process should continue
until they are well established in their vocational plans.
(a)
(b)
Close cooperation with the public schools is stressed as an important
part of the work of the junior sections. No boy or girl who is leaving
school at any grade to go to work should ever be accepted for place
ment by a junior counselor without obtaining a report from the
principal of the school which the boy or girl proposes to leave. The
first duty of the counselor is to persuade the boy or girl to return to
school if this is possible and desirable.
Cooperation of all other agencies interested in juvenile problems
should be sought. For this purpose the Federal directors are urged
to appoint local advisory committees on recommendation of the
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superintendents of the local offices. These committees should include
representatives of the public schools, employers, workers’ organiza
tions, and all social agencies dealing with youth, with a junior coun
selor of the Employment Service as secretary.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND RESUMPTION OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION
WORK.
There has been created in the Department of Labor a new division
known as the Division of Public Work and Construction Develop
ment, the purpose of which is to encourage the resumption of public
and private construction which fell off considerably during the war.
Secretary Wilson’s attitude on this important question is indicated
in the following statement:
Building construction -null help to provide employment for returning soldiers and
for workmen dismissed from war industries. One of the largest sources of prospective
employment is the building trade and its allied factory industries.
In the case of private construction, a resumption of activity will also lessen the
congestion of population, improve conditions affecting the public health, and convert
inactive property into active property—which supplies the means th a t enables com
munities to support the functions of governments.
During the war the Nation practically concentrated all its efforts on th e production
of goods for immediate consumption—war materials, food, clothes. The failure to
produce the normal quota of goods for future consumption has made these scarce and
high priced, and as they are essential to further production they affect th e cost of
production, and, consequently, the cost of living. Chief among such goods are build
ing and other real estate improvements, including public works, as roads, bridges, etc.
The scarcity of buildings, for example, creates high rents.
On the basis of reports received from a number of States the De
partment of Agriculture has estimated that about $300,000,000 will
be expended in this country for road building this season and that
about 50 per cent of the total will go for labor. This opens a field
for the Employment Service in its efforts to place returned soldiers
and sailors who may not otherwise be provided for. The Secretary
of War has strongly urged the advancement of public improvement
in order to absorb labor, his interest in the matter being expressed
by the following telegram which was approved by the Secretary of
Labor and was sent out late in 1918 to 48 State councils of national
defense and 4,000 county councils of national defense.
Reemployment of discharged soldiers, sailors, and war workers released from war
industries is one of th e most im portant tasks now before the country. We strongly
urge th a t in sections where there is a surplus of labor all public improvement be ad
vanced in order to absorb labor. We ask th a t you use all influence w ith State, county,
and municipal authorities to this end. Preliminary steps should be taken immediately
in order th a t necessary authority may be secured in tim e for operations upon opening of
construction season.
So far as opportunity for the employment of soldiers is concerned
a recent survey made by the Department of Agriculture indicates
that of 38 States replying to specific questions as to the probable
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requirements for workers in the various trades and for unskilled
laborers, 29 gave definite figures showing a total estimated need for
11,637 skilled and 91,904 unskilled workers.
PROGRESS IN THE PLACEMENT OF SOLDIERS.
Very satisfactory progress in placing soldiers in civil employment
is being made by the Employment Service through its representatives
in 78 demobilization camps throughout the country. Several thou
sand applicants are being registered daily. Camp commanders are
giving hearty cooperation and in many instances have directed com
pany commanders to cooperate to the fullest extent possible. At
first men were hesitant to avail themselves of the opportunity
offered, and in some instances it was discovered that the men feared
that registration with the camp representative of the Employment
Service would be an admission on their part that no job was awaiting
them and that such action on their part would tend to withhold their
discharge. This fear, however, was soon removed through a cam
paign of education.
The method pursued by camp representatives in getting the men
listed and of caring for them is modeled after the following general
plan:
The soldiers are gotten together, interviewed, questioned as to previous occupations,
special fitness for th a t and other business, trade, or profession, the information being
entered on cards and these cards assorted by States. When the man is to be discharged
he is urged to proceed directly to his home to visit his family and friends and while
there to call on the local bureau for returning soldiers and sailors. The camp repre
sentative’s reason for this is th a t it will be best for the men to proceed directly to their
home towns, and, further, th a t doing so will place them directly in contact with the
local bureaus, thus giving a wider distribution of the men.
In many instances, however, the men about to be discharged wish to find employ
m ent in other places. In each case the m an’s card is sent by th e camp representative
to the Federal director of the U nited States Employment Service for the State to which
the soldier is going. The Federal director, in turn, sends th e cards for each county to
the superintendent of th a t district, and, where necessary, th e cards are distributed
down to the small communities, so th a t when the men reach their destinations the
Employment Service at those places is prepared for them and has ready a list of
jobs best fitted for each particular man. This system places the man in close touch
with the exact community in which he desires to locate.
As an illustration of this system, one day’s work at one of the
camps may be taken. Sixty men were to be discharged. Of these,
one salesman desired to be located in Birmingham, Ala.; one railroad
fireman, in Hattiesburg, Miss.; one commercial salesman, in Los
Angeles, Cal.; one riveter, in Brooklyn, N. Y .; one mechanic, in Minne
apolis, Minn.; ten farmers, in Georgia; and one bookkeeper, one
painter, one railroad clerk, one chauffeur, and one shipyard helper,
in Savannah, and so on. The cards of these men were sent directly
to the Federal directors of the States mentioned and by them dis
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tributed on down the line, resulting in the placement of each of the
men so referred. The camp representative gives to ep.ch man explicit
information as to how to proceed on reaching his destination in order
to obtain accurate information as to the jobs open in his particular
line.
In another camp, during December, 12,559 men were discharged.
Of these 6,954 stated they did not need assistance, 2,777 had assur
ance of getting their old jobs back, 902 were referred to new positions
in that vicinity, and 1,926 were given letters to their local United
States employment office, where they have also been listed. A careful
record of name, address, and serial number of the soldier, as well as
the name, address, and character of the business of the employer,
was obtained in each instance.
Group placements are not uncommon. In one instance a captain
and practically his entire company were placed on a construction
job with the captain as foreman of the gang. Many officers also are
obtaining positions through the Employment Service. Nine such
were sent from a single camp to one employer.
ESTABLISHMENT OF FARM SERVICE DIVISION AND HANDICAP BUREAU.
In recognition of the fact that food production is a most essential
industry in the United States, and as a preliminary to a campaign to
insure that adequate supply of farm labor will be available for the
demands of next spring and summer, the Farm Labor Division rank
ing with the other five major divisions 1 of the Employment Service
has been established. Its special duties are outlined in the general
order creating the division, as follows:
( а ) With the approval of the Field Organization Division to create and perfect an
efficient organization w ithin the United States Employment Service which shall
devote its efforts wholly to the placement of farm labor.
(б) To deal with all matters relating to farm labor that come to the administrative
offices.
(c)
Assisting the assistant to the director general, who will be in charge of recruiting
and directing the activities of the harvesters in the “ wheat b e lt” in the Central West.
The United States Employment Service has announced the creation
of a new division known as the Handicap Bureau, for the purpose of
finding suitable occupations for men and women of mature years, a‘3
well as for those who through some physical disability have difficulty
in securing suitable employment.
The work of the Handicap Bureau has already been started in
Massachusetts. The first monthly report shows that 1,367 men and
women beyond the prime of life have been placed in good positions.
The youngest of those placed is 50 and the oldest 72. The Illinois
1 An article on the readjustm ent of the adm inistrative function of the Employm ent Service appeared
in the Monthly L abor R e v ie w for October, 1918 (pp. 261-265).
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handicap bureau reports that it has found positions for 412 crippled
soldiers who were wounded while with the American Expeditionary
Forces in France.
The Service has applications from tens of thousands of men and
women between the ages of 45 and 95, as well as from those who have
some physical disability, indicating the great need for a separate
division specializing in this work. Plans have been perfected for
the organization of handicap bureaus in every State in the Union,
and these State bureaus will be in full operation in the near future.
NORMAL COURSE FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICE EXAMINERS.
To develop a more highly trained and efficient force in order to
make standard the use of a common agency, under the Government,
for labor distribution and placement, a normal training course for
examiners was conducted by the Employment Service in Washington
from January 6 to 18, 1919. Fifty representatives of the Service
from 15 States presented credentials. The course and subjects of
discussion were as follows:
First day.—Explanation of, reasons for, and methods of conference and training in
State; purpose and development of United States Employment Service; present
industrial conditions; competitive basis but maintaining advanced standards gained
in war period; necessity for knowing local conditions; the limited but vital part of
the employment bureau in the field of industrial adjustment.
INDUSTRY AND THE EXAMINER.
Second day.—Round table on office layout; general discussion of work to date;
functions of director general; contracts with Department of Labor, etc.; what the
examiners should note in modern industrial production; special agencies with which
examiners must work; need for local survey of community; industrial, labor, and Gov
ernment agencies; knowledge of their standards.
Third day.—Round table on interviewing and placement; plans for demobilization
of soldiers and war workers; enlightened industry and the United States Employment
Service.
Fourth day.—Interviewing and placement; fiscal and personal regulations; special
considerations in placing women.
Fifth day.-—Round table on special departments; field organization; coordination
of sections and groups within service; the examiner and his contact with employers;
organized labor and the service.
Sixth day.-—Trade tests; the morale of the service; dinner and good fellowship.
STATE ORGANIZATION.
Eighth day.—Functions of Federal director; State organization—contact with labor
and jobs; clearance in States; round table on reports and forms; trade tests.
Ninth day.—Organization of local district; labor community boards; survey of com
munity needs and possibilities; clearance summing up; round table on files and
filing.
Tenth day.—Organization and work in local office; sources of work; round table on
job soliciting; employment experiences abroad and successful extension here.
Eleventh day.—Special problems in junior placement; special problems relating to
handicapped; round table on recruiting.
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Twelfth day.—Round table on casual labor—industrial, railroad, farm, day work
(domestic); the organization of the casual labor market; written examination; sum
ming up of course and methods of training in States ; the potential permanent value
of the United States Employment Service.
Thirteenth day.—Individual conferences; instructions on methods of training and
rating examiners.
DESCRIPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONS BY THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF
LABOR STATISTICS.
Realizing the necessity of having some standard whereby employers
in lining men will be able to secure those qualified to fill the positions,
and placement clerks of the employment offices can determine definitely
whether applicants are qualified to fill such positions, the Employ
ment Service of the United States Department of Labor asked the
Bureau of Labor Statistics to prepare descriptions of occupations,
first in the most essential industries and eventually in all industries
of the country. The bureau has been at work for years on descrip
tions of occupations in the industries included in its regular wage
studies and so had considerable material on hand. The task of
rewriting the descriptions of occupations already made and of gath
ering information regarding other occupations in industries not
covered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in its studies and putting
this in form to meet the needs of the Employment Service has been
very difficult. The principal occupations in the more important
industries have already been covered or are being prepared. The
descriptions as soon as completed are put into the hands of the super
intendents of employment offices, employment managers, employers,
trade-unionists, and others interested. Ten handbooks have been sent
out and several others are in the course of preparation. Those already
published cover the following industries and industrial groups:
1. Metal working; building and general construction; railroad
transportation ; shipbuilding.
2. Mines and mining.
3. Office employees.
4. Slaughtering and meat packing.
5. Logging camps and sawmills.
6. Textiles and clothing.
7. Water transportation.
8. Cane sugar refining; flour milling.
9. Boots and shoes; harness and saddlery; tanning.
10. Medicinal manufacturing.
The industries for which descriptions are in course of preparation
include :
Street railways.
Electrical manufacturing, distribution and maintenance.
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Chemical manufacturing.
Paint and varnish.
Coal and water gas.
Paper making.
Printing trades.
Rubber boots, shoes, coats, hose, and automobile tires.
This work is of a pioneer nature and the descriptions are considered
to be tentative only. Criticisms and suggestions are urged, because
it is only by these means that mistakes can be corrected and the
descriptions improved. No attempt has been made to give details
of methods of manufacture, but rather a concise and clear state
ment covering the duties of the occupation and the qualifications
necessary to perform the work satisfactorily. It is planned to con
tinue the work until all important industrial vocations are covered.
When all industries have been completed it may be found advisable
to publish, in one volume, a revised edition of the descriptions.
In order to secure the best possible definitions, agents were sent
to various manufacturing establishments to obtain first-hand infor
mation from which standard descriptions of the different occupations
could be written. Numerous difficulties were encountered, it being
found that the occupational names used in one part of the country
or in a certain establishment often had an entirely different meaning
in another section or another establishment. Frequently it was
found that an operation usually performed by one person under one
occupation name in an establishment would in other establishments
require several persons represented by as many different occupation
names. In the preparation of the descriptions every effort has been
made to harmonize the material received from different sources and
to cover all occupations peculiar to the industry under consideration,
at the same time avoiding repetitions caused by different occupation
names for the same operation.
After assembling such material as was available for writing the
descriptions, rough outlines were prepared and submitted for criti
cism and suggestion to employers and employees thoroughly ac
quainted with the occupations in each industrial group. Suggestions
thus obtained were incorporated into the definitions and they were
then printed in the form of galley proof. As a last precaution to
secure accuracy these galleys were mailed to firms and labor organiza
tions throughout the country for criticism and revision, and numerous
conferences were held with representatives of these firms and organ
izations before the proof was finally revised and printed.
The descriptions as published give for each occupation a brief
statement of the duties the employee has to perform and the qualifi
cations he must have to fill the position. The educational qualifica
tions are given separately so far as they could be ascertained. The
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descriptions undertake to give to each occupation name a definite
meaning which will apply to any establishment in any part of the
country. Numerous cross references are also given in an effort to
cover fully all designations of occupations. To facilitate the use
of the descriptions a code word is assigned to each occupation by the
use of which the employer is enabled to send a request to the employ
ment agency for a man to fill any desired position. Preceding the
descriptions of occupations, indexes of the occupation names and
of the code words are given.
It is realized that some important occupations have probably
been omitted, and that in some cases subdivisions may have been
carried too far. These faults can be corrected only by the aid of
suggestions and criticisms arising from experience in the use of the
descriptions in filling positions. I t is requested that constructive
criticisms and suggestions be sent to the United States Bureau of
Labor Statistics so that eventually there will be developed a national
standard of occupational descriptions which will be effective in the
distribution and stabilizing of employment all over the country.
ISSUANCE OF PERM ITS FOR IMPORTATION OF MEXICAN AND WEST
INDIAN LABORERS DISCONTINUED.
During the war considerable numbers of Mexicans1 entered the
United States to work on the farms, on railroads, in mines, and on
Government construction. Laborers who had formerly worked on
Government construction in the Canal Zone came to supply war
needs, and Bahamans were used for farm labor in Florida, to man
small vessels of the Florida fishing fleet, and to perform manual
labor on Government contracts. The need for these workers no
longer exists, and reestablishment of restrictions has been considered
advisable. Accordingly the Department of Labor ordered that on
December 18, 1918, the granting of permits for the importation of
Mexican and West Indian laborers should be discontinued, announc
ing that it would recognize down to January 15, 1919, all outstand
ing permits.2 Aliens permitted to enter the country temporarily for
war emergency work are being repatriated gradually. The vacating
of orders providing for the temporary admission of such workers
caused some misunderstanding in Mexico, and inquiry was made of
the Secretary of Labor by the Secretary of State in order to ascertain
1See Monthly L abor R e v ie w for November, 1918 (pp. 266-271), for regulations by the Department of
Labor for admission of Mexican laborers.
2This order was later modified, perm itting the entry of farm laborers from the Bahama Islands for
employment on the east coast of Florida until June 30, 1919.
100785°—19----- 9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[443]
126
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
the former’s attitude respecting alleged contemplated deportation of
laborers. The Secretary of Labor replied as follows:
The department is in receipt of your memorandum of December 23, signed by
Mr. Boaz Long, relative to Mexican agricultural and industrial laborers. In reply
thereto I am pleased to state that evidently there is a misunderstanding regarding
the terms as well as the intent of this department’s order, which was put in force on
the 18th of this month [December],
Questions arising as a result of the end of hostilities, concerning not only Mexican
laborers but also those from other countries, brought the matter up for consideration.
Laborers from these various countries had been admitted as a war necessity, and as
demobilization is taking place not only of the forces of the Army and Navy, but also
of laborers engaged in war industries, it was considered an absolute necessity, as
notice to all interested, that the department should without delay state its policy
concerning temporary laborers from beyond our confines.
In respect to all classes of laborers who came from Mexico (i. e., laborers for agri
cultural, railroad, Government construction, and mining work), the department
ordered that from and after December 18 no new permits for the admission of additional
laborers would be approved, and that all permits issued or approved on or before
December 18 should be permitted to be filled, provided the laborers should arrive
at a port of entry on or before January 15, 1919.
As the department had knowledge that the cotton and sugar beet growers, the rail
roads, and other employers of labor had caused notice to be sent broadcast in this
country and in Mexico in order to secure a supply of labor, it did not desire to act
hastily in the matter, and for that reason it provided that upon all permits made
prior to December 18 the laborers contracted for could enter the United States pro
vided they did so on or before January 15, 1919. It also permitted all Mexican
laborers nowin the United States by virtue of departmental orders, either as agricul
tural laborers or as workers on the railroads, to remain; in the former case ‘Throughout
the coming agricultural season, and in the border States (Texas, New Mexico,' Arizona,
and California) until such time as may hereafter be fixed by the department” ; and
concerning the latter, that all such laborers already within the United States “should
be permitted to remain until further order” ; and that as regards laborers brought^
here to do Government contract work, as long as they continue at such contract work,
sponsored by the Government, they can continue to remain here, and when such
work is completed they shall be repatriated, “no time being fixed in either event. ”
As regards miners, it is provided that “ those already here be permitted to remain
only for such further period as investigation and consideration in each instance may
seem to justify.”
It will be seen that the department has considered the questions involved from all
standpoints, and has endeavored to proceed in such a way as to give no just cause for
complaint, either for lack of notice to the laborers at the border awaiting entry, or to
those on the way there, or to those already in the country.
I t is proper to state in this connection that the admission of laborers referred to was
effected under and by virtue of departmental orders, general and special, made with
especial reference to such laborers and owing to the war emergency in which this
country found itself at the time; the intent of such orders being temporarily to relieve
the applicants of the illiteracy test, the contract labor law, and the payment of the
head tax. All such departmental orders, since the 18th day of December, have
been vacated, and no further admissions thereunder from and after January 15, 1919,
will be permissible. I t should be further remembered that laborers from Mexico,
admissible under existing law, are in no way deterred or prevented from applying
at the United States immigration stations for entry in the usual way.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[444]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
127
The fear expressed in your memorandum ‘‘that Mexican agricultural and industrial
laborers who came to our country while the war was being waged are soon to be ordered
deported,” is not borne out by the facts. As a result of the vacation of the depart
mental orders providing for the admission of laborers as above set forth, no deporta
tions have been ordered. Of course, any alien admitted to the country while the
same were in force, and violating any of the conditions of said orders, or the laws of
the United States, would, after due hearing, be subject to deportation in due course
of administration.
ORDERS A FFEC TIN G O TH ER LABORERS.
As to the Porto Rican laborers, it should be explained that they
are not classified with other types of war emergency labor. They
stand in a class by themselves; the immigration law does not apply
to them, and there are other reasons than war emergencies involved
in their admission. No change of policy is made with respect to
them.
As regards laborers from the Bahama Islands and Jamaica (fhe
latter coming from the Canal Zone), no further permits being granted
for their importation, those admitted as agricultural laborers have
been permitted to remain for the agricultural season or until the par
ticular work for which they were imported ends.1 Those admitted
for Government work are being repatriated, as the supplanting of
Government arrangements for their employment by transfers to pri
vate concerns is not approved.
The same order applies to Mexican laborers who came for farming,
railroad, mining, and construction work. In order to avoid unnec
essary hardship to laborers whose admission has heretofore been
authorized, a reasonable time is fixed for the complete operation of
the order. Mexican farm laborers already in this country have been
allowed to remain for the crop season just ended.
Railroad laborers admitted from Mexico may remain until further
order with the understanding that the Railroad Administration will
make the best use of them by transferring those who have been
working in the more northern sections to sections where the climatic
conditions are better adapted to them. If that can not be done,
steps will be taken to return them to Mexico. Those brought here
to work in mines will be returned as promptly as individual cases
will permit. The matter of their stay is being considered in confer
ence with the Railroad Administration.
The Department of Labor aims to bring about a total abrogation
✓ of war emergency labor permits, but feels that as to such for whose
admission permission has been given this must be achieved gradually
and sufficient notice given so that no just cause for complaint may
arise.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i See note 2, p. 125.
[445]
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
EMPLOYMENT IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN DECEMBER, 1918.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics received and tabulated reports
concerning tlie volume of employment in December, 1918, from
representative establishments in 13 manufacturing industries.
Comparing the figures of December, 1918, with those of identi
cal establishments for December, 1917, it appears that in four
industries there was an increase in the number of people employed
and in nine a decrease. Car building and repairing shows the largest
increase, 25.4 per cent, and the greatest decrease, 21.5 per cent, is
shown in men’s ready-made clothing.
Eleven of the 13 industries show an increase in the total amount
of the pay roll for December, 1918, as compared with December, 1917.
The most important increase, 98.5 per cent, is shown in car building
and repairing, which is due principally to the wage increases granted
by the Director General of Railroads. Increases of 38.7 and 32.4
per cent, respectively, are shown in iron and steel and paper making.
The decreases, 9.4 and 5.2 per cent, appear in woolen and men’s
ready-made clothing, respectively.
COMPARISON OF EM PLOYM ENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN DECEMBER,
1917, AND DECEM BER, 1918.
Industry.
Automobile manufacturing
Boots and shoes.................
Car building and repairing.
Cigar m anufacturing.........
Men’s ready-made clothing
Cotton finishing.................
Cotton manufacturing.......
Hosiery and underw ear.. .
Iron and steel.....................
Leather manufacturing__
Paper making.....................
Silk......................................
W oolen................................
Number on pay
Estab
roll in D ecem berlish
ments
report Period of
ing for
Decem pay roll.
1917
ber
1918
both
years.
48
70
38
55
33
17
53
56
92
32
57
47
50
1w eek.
.. .do__
i month
1w eek.
.. .do__
...d o __
...d o __
...d o ....
i month
1week.
.. .do__
2weeks
1week.
108,498
54,025
40,471
21,252
23,201
14,979
52,332
31,260
170,387
15,256
29,195
19,533
51,952
114,427
51,108
50,734
19,095
18,204
13, 787
50,347
29,748
173,395
13,832
30,133
17,356
42,034
Per
cent of
increase
( + ) or
decrease
(-)•
Amount of pay roll
in December—
1917
1918
+ 5.5 82,608,839 $3,058,385
5. 4
853,101 1,085,137
1,575,543 3,127,374
- 10.2
271,239
316,152
-21.5
404,171
383,159
8.0
244,158
281,802
3.8
683,563
872,730
4. 8
384,671
471,876
+
1.8 8,882,515 12,319,365
9.3
271,950
316,402
+ 3.2
503,472
666, 701
- 11.1
519,155
627,734
-19.1
863,080
781,825
+25.4
Per
cent of
increase
(+ ) or
de
crease
(-).
+ 17.2
+27.2
+98.5
+ 16.6
-5.2
+ 15.4
+27.7
+22.7
+38.7
+ 16.3
+32.4
+ 20.9
-9.4
The next table shows the number of persons actually working on
the last full day of the reported pay period in December, 1917, and
December, 1918. The number of establishments reporting on this
question is small, and this fact should be taken into consideration
when studying these figures.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[446]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
129
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS ON LAST FULL
DAY'S OPERATION IN DECEMBER, 1917, AND DECEMBER, 1918.
Establish
ments re
porting for
December,
both years.
Industry.
26
27
38
20
5
13
34
17
68
15
22
24
41
Automobile manufacturing.........
Boots and shoes
.......................
Car building and repairing..........
Cigar manufacturing.....................
Men's ready-made clothing.........
Cotton finishing............................
Cotton manufacturing.................
Hosiery and underwear...............
Iron and steel................................
Leather m anufacturing................
Paper making ............................
Silk.............7......... '.......................
Woolen...........................................
Period of
pay roll.
Number actually working
on last full day of reported Per cent of
pay period in December— increase (+ )
or decrease
(-).
1917
1918
1 week.........
....... do..........
| m onth ___
1 week.........
....... do ..........
....... do..........
....... do ..........
....... do..........
i m onth ___
1 week.........
....... do..........
2 weeks........
1 week.........
61,177
14,366
33,793
4,914
9,658
10,676
27,994
13,554
126,353
9,451
13; 053
12,356
40,906
63,796
12,204
44;318
4,631
8,663
9; 841
26,908
13,029
128,240
8,751
12,616
10,920
30; 975
+ 4.3
-15.0
+31.1
- 5.8
-10.3
- 7.8
- 3.9
- 3.9
+ 1.5
- 7.4
- 3.3
-11.6
-24.3
Comparative data for December and November, 1918, appear in the
following table. The figures show that in 9 industries there was an
increase in the number of persons on the pay roll in December as
compared with November, and in 4 industries a decrease. The
largest increase, 7.3 per cent, appears in cotton manufacturing;
while the greatest decreases, 8.2 and 7 per cent, are shown in woolen
and automobile manufacturing, respectively.
In comparing December of this year with November, 11 industries
show an increase in the amount of money paid to employees and 2
show a decrease. The most important increase, 32.5 per cent,
appears in boots and shoes, while the two decreases, 4.9 per cent and
and 0.1 per cent are shown in car building and repairing and auto
mobile manufacturing, respectively. The large increases over No
vember shown in many of the industries are largely due to the broken
employment in November caused by peace celebrations and the
Spanish influenza.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS IN NOVEMBER,
1918, AND DECEMBER, 1918.
Industry.
Number on
Estab
Per Amount of pay roll— Per
pay roll in—
lish
cent
cent
ments
of in
of in
report Period of
crease
crease
ing for
) or
(+ ) or
Novem pay roll. Novem Decem (+de
de
Novem
Decem
ber,
ber,
ber and
crease ber, 1918. ber, 1918. crease
1918.
1918.
Decem
(
-).
(-)
•
ber.
Automobile manufacturing.
Boots and shoes..................
Car building and repairing..
Cigar manufacturing...........
Men’s ready-made clothing.
Cotton finishing...................
Cotton manufacturing.........
Hosiery and underwear.......
Iron and steel......................
Leather manufacturing___
Paper m aking......................
Silk........................................
W oolen,...............................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
47
70
42
56
34
17
52
55
91
32
53
44
50
1 week.. 80,396
...d o ---- 50,069
| m onth. 56,271
1 week.. 18, 882
...d o ---- 19,170
...d o ___ 13,372
.. .d o ----- 46,634
.. .d o ___ 28,483
J month. 169,290
i week.. 13,621
...d o ---- 23,407
2 weeks . 12,815
1 week.. 45,802
[447]
74,736
51,590
55,744
19,393
18,655
13,787
50,040
28, 617
172,749
13,832
24,229
12,392
42,034
- 7 .0 $1,968,472 $1,965,898
828,263 1,097,695
+3.0
- .9 3,596,451 3,419,777
288,146
326,979
+2.7
369,082
390,460
- 2 .7
281,802
243,691
+3.1
869,279
690,195
+7.3
455,970
378,287
+ •5
12,280,194
+ 2.0 11,302,906
316,402
275,406
+ 1.5
564,898
498,582
+ 3.5
376,983
449,201
4- • 6
738,341
781,825
- 8.2
- 0.1
+32.5
- 4.9
•+■13. 5
+ 5.8
+ 15.6
+25.9
+20. 5
+ 8.6
+ 14.9
+13.3
+ 19.2
+ 5.9
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
130
A comparatively small number of establishments reported as to
the number of persons working on the last full day of the reported
pay periods. The following table gives in comparable form the figures
for November, 1918, and December, 1918. The small number of
establishments represented should be noted when using these figures.
COMPARISON OF EMPLOYMENT IN IDENTICAL ESTABLISHM ENTS ON LAST FULL
DAY’S OPERATIONS IN NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER, 1918.
Industry.
Automobile manufacturing
Boots and shoes............ .
Car building and repairing.
Cigar manufacturing........
Men’s ready-made clothing.
Cotton finishing..............
Cotton manufacturing.......
Hosiery and underwear__
Iron and steel..................
Leather manufacturing__
Paper making................ .
Silk.............................. .
Woolen..........................
Establish
ments re
porting for
November
and
December.
24
31
42
17
7
13
35
21
81
18
22
24
41
Period of
pay roll.
1week.........
....... do..........
J m onth.......
1week.........
....... do..........
....... do..........
....... do..........
....... do..........
J m onth.......
1week.........
....... do..........
2weeks........
1week.........
Number actually working
on last full day of re
ported pay period in—
November,
1918.
December,
1918.
29,638
14,039
49,216
3,821
8,365
9,092
25,480
12,647
135,164
10,030
10,327
7,775
34,969
26,558
14,441
48,285
4,155
8,743
9,427
27,333
13,068
137,533
10,075
10,258
7,806
30,975
P er cent of
increase (+ )
or decrease
(-)•
-1 0 .4
+ 2.9
- 1.9
+ 8.7
+ 4.5
+ 3.7
+ 7.3
+ 3.3
+ 1.8
+ .4
- .7
+ .4
-11.4
CHANGES IN WAGE RATES.
In 6 of the 13 industries there were establishments reporting wagerate increases and in one, automobile manufacturing, a decrease
during the period November 15 to December 15, 1918. No change
was reported in 6 industries. A number of firms did not answer the
inquiry relating to wage-rate changes, but in such cases it is probably
safe to assume that none were made.
Automobile manufacturing: A decrease of 0.0221 cent in the aver
age hourly productive rate was reported by one establishment.
Boots and shoes: An increase of 20 per cent, which was retroactive
to November 1, 1918, was paid, under protest, to 50 per cent of the
employees in one establishment, and 4 per cent of the help in another
plant received increases of 13 and 13 * per cent. Two other plants
gave their employees 10 per cent in war savings stamps. One firm
granted a few increases, but no statement was given as to the amount
of the increase or the number of employees affected.
Car building and repairing: An increase of 15 per cent was granted
to 20 per cent of the force in one car and foundry plant.
Cigar manufacturing: An increase of 25 per cent was granted to
25 per cent of the employees in one factory, and a 20 per cent increase
to 12 per cent of the force was given by another factory. A bonus
of 7 | per cent and also one of 5 per cent were given by one plant and
two other plants reported bonuses, but did not state the per cent of
the bonuses or the number of employees receiving the same.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[448]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
131
Cotton finishing: An increase of 5 per cent was reported by one
firm, but no further data were given.
Iron and steel: One plant granted an increase of 15 per cent to 33
per cent of the force, 10 per cent to 6 per cent, and 8 per cent to 33
per cent, all of which were retroactive to August 4, 1918; and 27 per
cent received an increase of 5 cents per hour, which was retroactive
to September 29, 1918. An average increase of 12|- per cent, also
retroactive to August 4, 1919, to all of the men was reported by one
concern. Four plants reported that the rate paid to puddlers was
increased 15 per cent per ton, to puddle rollers and bar iron finishers,
10 per cent, and to skelp finishers, 8 per cent, over the rates in effect
August 4, 1918; one plant granted the laborers an increase of 5 cents
per hour and the pieceworkers 15 per cent from September 29, 1918.
The hammermen and forgemen in one establishment received an
increase of 5 cents an hour; another plant reported the adoption of
the basic eight-hour day and an increase of 5 cents per hour, but
failed to state the number of employees affected; while the laborers
in two other plants were given an increase of 5 cents per hour. These
increases were all retroactive to September 29, 1918.
Paper manufacturing: An increase of about 9 per cent affecting
about 3 per cent of the employees was reported by one establishment
and a 6 per cent increase was granted to 1 per cent of the force in
another plant.
INDEX NUMBERS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OF PAY ROLL, JANUARY, 1915,
TO DECEMBER, 1918.
Index numbers showing relatively the variation in the number of
persons employed and in pay-roll totals in 13 industries by months
from January, 1915, to December, 1918, have been compiled and are
presented in the two tables following. These index numbers are
based on the figures for “ Employment in selected industries,”
appearing in this and preceding issues of the R e v i e w . The seven
industries shown in the first table are the only ones for which the
bureau has comparable data as far back as January, 1915. There
fore, January, 1916, is taken as the basis of comparison.
The number of persons wdiose names appeared on the pay roll for
the base month is represented by 100. The amount of money carried
on the pay rolls is likewise represented by 100. To illustrate, if the
number of persons employed in the iron and steel industry in January,
1916, is taken as 100, then the number employed in that industry in
December, 1918, was 138; that is, it had increased 38 per cent; and
if the money pay roll in January, 1916, be taken as 100, the pay roll
in December, 1918, represented 279; or, in other words, the amount
paid in wages was more than two and one-half times as much in
December, 1918, as in January, 1916.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[449]
132
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW,
The increase in the amount of pay roll for car building and repairing
during the past few months is due mainly to the increase in wage
rates granted by the Director General of Railroads. These rate
increases were retroactive, but the figures for this industry have not
been revised, as the amount of the additional wages due and payable,
under the new rates, for each month is not available.
IN D EX NUMBERS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OF PAY ROLL, JANUARY, 1915, TO DECEM
BER, 1918.
[January, 1916=100.]
Boots and
shoes.
Month and
year.
1915.
January..........
February........
March.............
April...............
May.................
June................
July.................
August............
September___
October...........
November___
December.. . . .
Cotton
finishing.
Cotton
manufac
turing.
Hosiery
and '
underwear.
Iron and
steel.
Woolen
manufac
turing.
Silk.
Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num
Num Amt.
ber
ber
ber
ber
ber
ber Amt.
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 roll.
pay
roil.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roll.
87
87
83
77
79
80
81
82
82
90
94
109
80
77
71
61
66
71
73
76
76
89
97
103
85
94
91
93
93
87
92
90
90
94
104
97
81
90
89
92
93
86
85
88
87
92
94
100
101
101
103
102
103
102
103
101
101
102
103
102
98
103
105
103
104
99
99
100
101
94
99
98
87
91
91
94
96
98
96
94
98
100
101
104
76
81
85
85
90
92
90
89
89
98
100
105
74
71
77
80
82
85
87
90
93
97
97
97
62
65
72
75
74
81
75
83,
87
91
98
101
91
93
93
90
90
90
89
91
92
94
97
98
83
90
92
85
88
85
85
87
87
94
100
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.......... 100
February........ 100
March.............. 101
April...............
99
May.................
98
Ju n e................
99
July................. 100
August............
99
September___
98
October...........
98
November___ 102
December....... - 107
100
99
101
97
99
102
101
98
98
99
113
125
100
101
103
98
95
96
96
97
96
96
99
101
100
105
107
103
110
110
107
107
109
110
114
126
100
101
101
101
101
102
102
100
100
100
100
102
100
108
110
111
116
115
112
112
114
110
115
123
100
101
103
104
105
105
104
102
104
106
107
108
100
105
108
108
111
110
102
102
108
112
119
124
100
102
105
104
108
109
110
113
115
115
117
118
100
113
115
115
126
128
111
125
130
135
138
144
100
97
100
101
99
100
101
100
99
100
98
100
100
105
109
108
108
110
100
103
104
109
108
112
100
102
102
104
105
103
101
97
101
102
103
105
100
108
109
110
117
112
110
104
111
108
116
128
1917.
January..........
February........
March..............
April...............
May.................
June................
July.................
August............
September__
October...........
November___
December.......
108
108
107
105
104
105
102
97
91
93
101
101
126
128
126
117
122
132
123
122
121
121
137
162
99
99
99
96
98
98
94
94
96
95
98
100
123
122
124
121
132
134
124
123
125
128
140
146
101
102
101
101
100
100
101
99
98
98
100
101
121
123
125
122
127
135
135
129
133
135
153
160
107
108
109
106
108
107
105
103
104
105
105
108
121
120
124
117
126
12S
126
122
125
133
144
148
122
123
124
124
127
129
130
134
133
135
136
136
152
149
159
148
176
176
165
183
179
212
214
207
100
'99
98
97
95
93
93
91
89
88
88
88
112
114
118
115
118
113
107
107
107
111
111
111
107
106
108
105
106
104
104
102
104
107
110
112
132
131
131
124
140
139
140
136
142
155
168
175
1918.
January...........
February........
March.. . . . . . . .
April...............
May.................
June................
Tulv.................
August............
September__
October..........
November___
December.......
101
102
103
99
97
96
98
96
95
89
92
95
161
158
172
166
166
173
176
173
183
171
156
207
96
96
98
94
93
93
97
95
92
88
89
92
132
129
141
147
149
158
169
161
165
152
147
170
100
95
100
98
96
96
97
97
95
87
92
98
153
140
162
168
173
179
192
189
193
163
164
206
105
107
108
108
107
107
108
107
105
95
101
101
134
135
159
161
166
165
175
171
175
155
148
179
134
135
137
136
138
139
137
138
137
138
135
138
184
190
206
206
236
235
220
245
249
282
257
279
86
88
89
88
87
87
85
83
79
79
76
77
102
104
120
123
127
124
121
123
127
128
107
127
107
105
109
109
106
106
105
104
103
95
98
90
159
139
172
186
180
180
185
199
191
162
148
156
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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133
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
IN D E X NUM BERS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OF PAY ROLL, F EB R U A R Y , MARCH, OR
NOVEM BER, 1915 TO D ECEM BER, 1918.
[January, 1916=100.]
Automobile Car building
Men’s
Cigar
Leather
manufactur and repair manufactur ready-made manufactur
ing.
ing.
ing.
ing.
clothing.
Month and year.
Paper
making.
Num Amt. Num
Num Amt. Num Amt. Num Amt. Num
ber
ber Amt.
ber
ber
ber
ber Amt.
of
of
of
of
of
of
on pay
on pay
on pay
on
on
on
Pay pay
pay pay
pay
pay roll. pay roll. pay roll.
pay
roil.
roll.
roll.
roll.
roil.
roll.
roll.
roil.
roll.
1915.
February...............................
March...“.............................
April......................................
May.......................................
Ju n e......................................
July........ ..............................
August..................................
September............................
October.................................
November...........................
December.............................
99
100
1916.
January.................................
February..............................
March..................................
April.....................................
May.......................................
June......................................
July..................................... .
August..................................
September...........................
October.................................
November............................
December.............................
108
100
71
SO
67
86
87
92
89
95
99
104
108
71
87
71
91
97
104
92
97
108
113
133
106
90
98
94
96
92
97
106
10S
106
ai
88
92
94
99
94
93
109
116
111
98
92
80
94
95
97
83
80
84
88
81
98
86
70
86
95
107
86
83
95
107
93
97
101
91
103
84
96
92
99
100
112
111
112
113
109
116
117
123
132
129
125
100
111
117
111
119
115
105
119
132
118
155
135
100
104
109
110
109
111
108
109
113
111
117
116
100
121
132
132
133
134
126
125
128
132
145
154
100
95
99
93
90
91
91
90
93
97
93
96
100
91
97
96
96
98
99
97
105
112
110
117
100
98
100
97
102
105
105
97
93
95
101
92
100
105
106
106
105
116
122
118
112
116
126
117
100
112
111
NO
106
101
106
NO
101
111
113
116
100
111
105
108
109
112
113
118
111
129
131
141
100
105
103
104
106
108
107
109
102
103
101
111
100
109
106
107
112
118
117
122
118
122
124
138
1917.
January.................................
February..............................
March....................................
April......................................
Mav.......................................
Ju n e......................................
July.......................................
August..................................
September............................
October.................................
November............................
December.............................
133
131
135
133
130
125
11S
120
125
126
122
121
137
119
158
153
156
146
111
136
153
ICO
165
156
111
112
109
101
105
101
108
107
96
103
108
113
136
134
142
130
114
144
134
116
129
153
166
170
97
98
100
92
92
94
94
87
91
98
103
103
111
113
117
106
113
118
117
107
111
127
137
136
107
107
NO
NO
113
118
113
108
103
101
101
107
117
123
132
123
135
114
151
111
136
139
154
162
124
121
119
114
109
106
105
101
104
101
111
114
141
145
142
133
133
129
126
130
136
114
157
172
118
117
117
116
113
115
111
103
109
NO
111
114
135
135
136
135
141
144
139
138
143
148
161
160
1918.
January.................................
February...............................
March...................................
April......................................
May.......................................
.1urie........................ .............
J u ly .....................................
August..................................
September............................
October.................................
N ovember.............................
December.............................
119
119
123
121
121
126
122
118
120
121
123
114
137
112
158
161
172
175
170
177
182
192
174
174
113
112
111
108
109
102
110
116
119
125
126
125
151
154
167
166
177
163
196
240
242
271
263
250
103
101
104
103
88
94
96
92
93
87
92
95
129
131
111
112
121
138
139
121
135
125
137
155
102
105
101
101
101
101
102
98
91
86
147
155
159
154
168
170
172
163
154
146
139
117
111
108
106
102
101
101
106
105
102
98
99
100
163
154
165
161
175
192
192
194
188
177
172
198
112
109
113
112
113
113
114
111
111
106
112
116
146
147
168
171
174
181
191
204
203
194
191
217
85
83
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO HANDLE UNEMPLOYMENT.
ESTABLISHMENT OF EMPLOYMENT OFFICES.i
A plan to effect the placement in suitable employment of the
thousands who, by reason of the cessation of hostilities, are now
being dismissed from the military and industrial forces of Canada,
1 Data taken from the Canadian Official Record (Ottawa), Dec. 24,1918, p. 7.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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134
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
has been developed and is outlined in an Order-in-Council signed on
December 17, 1918. By this order regulations governing the estab
lishment and administration of Dominion and Provincial Govern
ment employment offices under the Employment Offices Coordina
tion A c t1 are set up, the central point of the scheme being the main
tenance, by the Department of Labor, of Dominion clearing houses
for the interprovincial distribution of labor. The Minister of Labor
is to be assisted in the administration of the Employment Offices
Coordination Act by an advisory council known as the Employment
Service Council, appointed by the minister. This council shall also
recommend ways to prevent unemployment. It is provided that
the Provincial Governments shall have direction over their own em
ployment offices, subject to the terms of the agreement with the
Minister of Labor under the act, and every Province shall establish
clearing houses to provide for distribution of labor within the Province
as well as to cooperate with the Dominion Government clearing house
in the interprovincial distribution of labor as mentioned above. The
full text of the Order-in-Council is as follows :
T h e D epa rtm en t
of
L abor.
1. It shall be the duty of the Department of Labor under the Employment Offices
Coordination Act—
(a) To encourage the Provincial Government... to open new employment offices, to
develop those already in operation, and to establish provincial clearing houses which
shall endeavor to meet any unsatisfied demand for employment by drawing upon any
supply within the Province or if such is not available by securing labor through the
Dominion clearing house from any surplus in other Provinces.
(b) To maintain one or more Dominion clearing houses for the interprovincial dis
tribution of labor.
(c) To provide for the cooperation of provincial employment offices and provincial
clearing houses with existing noncommercial employment agencies, with a view to
the gradual absorption of such agencies.
(d) To promote uniformity of methods in provincial employment offices.
(e) To establish a system of inspection of provincial employment offices.
(/) To collect and publish information as to the condition of the labor market.
(,g) To exercise supervision over p?ivate advertising for labor.
(h) To print at the expense of the Department of Labor all forms used by the em
ployment offices.
(i) To carry out, with the approval of the minister the recommendations of the
Employment Service Council of Canada.
(j) To pay to the Provincial Governments upon the compliance with these regula
tions amounts due them under the Employment Offices Coordination Act, as shown
in the reports required of them by the Minister of Labor.
2. In the discharge of these duties the Department of Labor shall cooperate with
the several departments of the Government in any matters requiring common or
united action and each department of the Government and the officers thereof shall
assist and cooperate with the Department of Labor and its officers.
i A brief summary of this act appeared in the Monthly L abor R e v ie w for October, 1918, p. 265.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[452]
135
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
T h e E m p l o y m e n t S e r v ic e C o u n c il
op
Ca n a d a .
1. To assist in. the administration of the Employment Offices Coordination Act and
to recommend ways of preventing unemployment, the minister cf labor shall, with
the approval of the governor in council, establish an advisory council to be known as
the Employment Service Council of Canada. Such council shall consist of one member
each appointed by the Provincial Governments; two members appointed by the
Canadian Manufacturers’ Association; two members appointed by the Trade and
Labor Congress of Canada; one member appointed by the Railway War Board; one
member appointed by the railway brotherhoods; two members appointed by the
Canadian Council of Agriculture; three members appointed by the Department of
Labor, two of whom shall be women; one member appointed by the returned soldiers;
one member appointed by the Soldiers’ Civil Reestablishment Department.
2. The members of the Employment Service Council of Canada, including the chair
man, shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for reappointment.
T h e P r o v in c ia l G o v e r n m e n t s .
1. The Provincial Governments shall have direction of their own employment offices,
subject to the terms of the agreement with the Minister of Labor under the Employment
Offices Coordination Act.
2. Each Province shall establish a clearing house to provide for the distribution of
labor within the Province and to cooperate with the Dominion clearing house for the
interprovincial distribution of labor. The provincial clearing house shall furnish
such reports, as to employment conditions, as the Dominion clearing house may
require.
3. In connection with the employment office administration of each Province there
shall be an advisory council equally representative of employers and employees,
appointed by the lieutenant governor in council. It shall be the duty of the advisory
council to safeguard the interest of employers and employees of the Province in the
distribution of labor; to direct the policy of the local advisory committees and to
cooperate with the Dominion Employment Service Council of Canada.
T h e E m p l o y m e n t O f f ic e s .
1. The employment offices shall endeavor to fill vacancies in all occupations and
shall serve both male and female employees.
2. The Provincial Government shall establish for such employment offices as they
deem advisable, local advisory committees consisting of equal numbers of persons
representing employers and employees in the locality, together with a chairman agreed
upon by a majority both of the persons representing employers and of the.persons
representing employees or in default of such agreement appointed by the Provincial
Government.
3. It shall be the duty of the local advisory committees to assist the superintendents
of the employment offices in the discharge of their duties and to cooperate with the
provincial advisory committees in the work of applying the national employment
policy to the industry of the Province
4. As to wag is and conditions, the following regulations shall be observed:
( а ) The officer in charge of an em ploym en t office in n otifyin g applications for
em ploym ent and vacancies to em ployers and applicants, resp ectively, shall undertake
no responsib ility w ith regard to wages or other conditions, beyond su p p lyin g th e
em ployer or applicant, as th e ease m ay be, Avith an y inform ation in h is possession as
to th e rate of wages desired or offered.
(б) Copies or summaries of any agreements mutually arranged between associations
of employers and workmen for the regulation of wages or other conditions of labor in
any trade, may, with the consent of the various parties to such agreements, be filed at
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[453]
136
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
an employment office, and any published rule made by public authorities with regard
to like matters may also be filed. Documents so filed may be open to inspection on
application.
*
(c)
No person shall suffer any disqualification or be otherwise prejudiced on account
of refusing to accept employment found for him through an employment office where
the ground of refusal is that a trade dispute exists or that the wages offered are lower
than those current in the trade in the district where the employment is found.
5.
In dealing with strikes and lockouts the employment offices shall observe the
following regulations:
(a) Any employer or association of employers or group or association of workmen
may file at an employment office a statement with regard to a strike or lockout existing
or threatened, affecting their trade or a branch of their trade, in the district. Any
such statement shall be in the form provided for the purpose and shall be signed by a
person authorized by the association for that purpose. Such statement shall be
confidential except as hereunder provided and shall only be in force for seven days
from the date of filing, but may be renewed within that period for a like period and so
on from time to time.
(b) If any employer who appears to be affected by a statement so filed notifies an
employment office of a vacancy or vacancies for workmen of the class affected, the
officer in charge shall inform him of the statement that has been filed and give him an
opportunity of making a written statement thereon. The officer in charge in notifying
any such vacancies to any applicant for employment, shall also inform him of the
statements that have been received.
(c) The Provinces may adopt any further regulations with regard to strikes and
lockouts which they deem necessary.
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF LABOR RESEARCH.*
In view of the labor conditions in Canada incident to the ending
of the war and the consequent necessity for developing and standard
izing the provincial employment offices so as to work out the unem
ployment problem with the least possible friction and inconvenience
to employers and workers, it has been found advisable to establish
under the Minister of Labor an office known as the Director of Labor
Research and Employment Service. This was done by Order-inCouncil passed on December 16, 1918, as follows:
Whereas the Minister of Labor reports that in view of labor conditions in Canada
incident to military demobilization and the sudden cessation of the production of war
munitions, the result of the existing armistice, and pursuant to section 10 of the
Employment Offices Coordination Act, he has made a certain regulation to enable the
more effective and expeditious operation of the act and recommends that the same be
approved by the Governor General in council.
Therefore his excellency the Governor General in council, under the powers con
ferred upon him by the said section 10 of the said Employment Offices Coordination
Act, is pleased to approve and doth hereby approve of the said regulation in the terms
following:
An office shall be and is hereby established under the Minister of Labor to be known
as that of the Director of Labor Research and Employment Service, and the duties of
that office to be performed under the supervision of the Minister of Labor shall be—
1.
To treat with the Provincial Governments as to the establishment and develop
ment of employment offices, the standardization of such offices, and their coordination
into a national system.
1 Data taken from the Canadian Official Record (Ottawa), Dec. 24,1918, p. 3.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[454]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
137
2. To supervise the clearing houses established under the act.
3. To negotiate the annual agreements between the Dominion and Provincial Gov
ernments required under the act.
4. To inspect provincial employment offices.
5. To study and report on unemployment and ways and means of lessening unem
ployment and on employment conditions, including wages and hours, industrial
accidents and diseases, and on ways and means of improving conditions of employment.
6. To perform such other duties as may be referred to such office from time to time
by the Minister of Labor.
GERMAN LABOR MARKET AFTER THE WAR.
Conditions in the German labor market after the war form the
subject of an article in the Konfektionar 1 by Georg Gothein, a
member of the Reichstag, who says that trade-union circles take a
pessimistic view of the problem of finding immediate employment
for the eight or nine million men who are at present in the Army
and the millions of munition workers and express the fear that there
will be a large amount of unemployment.
The number of men killed or disabled in the war and the number
untrained in the trades in consequence of their having been called
to the colors at an early age may be estimated at quite 3,000,000
between the age of 19 and 49 years. Even when the men in the last
of the three categories just mentioned have become fully proficient
the loss of labor will still work out at about 2,000,000 adults. The
conclusion of peace will further entail the loss of 2,000,000 prisoners
of war and hundreds of thousands of interned foreigners who have
been engaged in agriculture. In peace time not fewer than 850,000
migratory laborers from abroad were employed in Germany; most
of them were retained in Germany at the outbreak of war, and it is
impossible to say how many will return home and how many remain.
Galicia will need all its agricultural laborers, and most of the men
who came from Poland after their long separation from home and
their families are eager to leave and would starve rather than return
to Germany forthwith.
Herr Gothein sums up the prospects of the various trades as follows:
A g r ic u l t u r e .
There is bound to be a considerable shortage of labor which will
especially affect large and moderate-sized estates. Men out of
employment, especially in the textile industry, owing to shortage of
raw materials, will find in agriculture ample opportunities for work.
It is certain that all who were formerly employed in agriculture and
forestry will be discharged from the army as soon as there is any
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 Konfektionar, Berlin, Oct. 17, 1918.
1455]
138
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
certainty of peace being concluded. In 1907 agriculture and for
estry found employment for 5,284,000 males, but in, 1913 these
numbers can hardly have reached 5,200,000. Hardly more than
2,500,000 are on military service, for agriculture employs a compara
tively large number of youths and also men no longer of military
age, while it must be remembered that many men have already been
released. Consequently, the need for adult labor will not be met
to nearly the required extent by the numbers returning from the war.
M in in g .
These industries in 1913 employed 1,189,700 persons of whom
1,133,709 were adult males. The mines also are finding employment
for considerable numbers of prisoners, interned persons, and volun
tary laborers from Poland. During the war dead work has been
reduced to a minimum, and owing to shortage of labor the normal
output of peace time could not be nearly attained. During the war
no new seams of coal have been worked and no new galleries driven,
but these must be started at once on the conclusion of peace. The
mines will be in a position to absorb all the labor set free by demobili
zation and to employ fresh labor as well. This holds good too for
potash and ore mines, even if, as regards the former, there is no
need for new shafts. Both in foreign countries and in Germany there
will be a very large demand for coal, ore, and potash after the war,
and its satisfaction will be largely a question of transport.
I ron
and
Ste e l I n d u str y .
The smelting industry, of which by far the most important branch
is iron smelting, will be faced by such an enormous demand that it
will take many years to satisfy it. Endless work will be necessary
to meet the demand both at home and abroad for street-car and
railway rails and sleepers, for thick sheet iron for shipbuilding as
well as for railway carriages and steam boilers, for girders and angle
iron for tall buildings and bridges, for thin plates for accumulators
and sheet-metal implements of all kinds, for iron for engines and
tools, for tubing and wrought-iron goods, etc. Production for the
past four years has been almost entirely for the army, and peace
time requirements will be all the larger. France, Russia, Belgium,
Italy, and Roumania will depend mainly on German iron for the work
of reconstruction, and even England will find it difficult to dispense
with it. Accordingly, the German iron industry may look forward
to a time of prosperity as brilliant as during the war and will receive
every skilled workman with open arms if it is not found necessary to
restrict its coal requirements after the war. Matters are the same with
the zinc, lead, and copper smelting industries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[456]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
Sto n e
and
139
E a r th en w a re I n d u stry .
This industry in 1913 employed 647,608 workers, of whom 537,089
were adult males. Even if employment in the brick works is depend
ent on the season of the year in which peace is concluded, that is not
the case with stone and other quarries, with the cement industry, and
with mason’s work. This latter is, it is true, dependent on the season
of the year to a certain extent, but the work in this industry is so
much in arrears that it will mean more labor than in normal times.
In any case, there will be rather a shortage of labor than a lack of
employment. This group of industries contains the entire porcelain
and glass industry, both of which have been obliged to curtail their
efforts to an increasing extent during the war. There is an enormous
demand for porcelain, earthenware, and glass goods, both at home
and abroad, and the more so since important countries of production
and export, e. g., England, France, Belgium, and Austria, have been
obliged to restrict their output to the uttermost. Since this industry
is not compelled to rely on foreign countries for its raw materials, it
will be enabled to recommence at once and find employment for the
labor streaming back to it.
M etal I n d u st r y .
Metal working and the manufacture of machinery, tools, instru
ments, and apparatus in 1913 employed 1,853,588 workers, of whom
1,528,573 were adult males. It will take some months to transform
the industry so as to enable it to meet peace requirements, even if
most concerns have already made preparations to that end, but this
transformation itself will require large numbers of workers. When
demobilization takes place all engineers, foremen, engine fitters,
mechanics, and factory officials will be discharged forthwith, so as
not to delay this transformation. When this is accomplished there
will be far more employment than before the war in this industry.
Europe alone requires vast quantities of agricultural machinery and
implements. In every country it will be necessary to replace wornout railway engines and rolling stock, while the shipping industry
is equally in need of engines to replace those which have been lost
or worn out. It is true that during the war this industry has been
able to employ women to an extent hitherto regarded as impossible,
and employ them with advantage in the manufacture of goods in
bulk such as bombs and small-arms munitions. It is not improbable
that numbers of these women will be dismissed when they can be
replaced by skilled men since they usually give up work on their
marriage. With the return of their husbands and of soldiers anxious
to marry, a large number of these women will give up work, or will
be absorbed by the textile industry by degrees as it gets into working
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
order again. But some of them will remain in the industry, and
since there is more work to be done than before the war they will
not be robbing the men of their posts. It must always be remem
bered that there will be two or three million fewer men available
than before, and, moreover, when it is a matter of physical labor,
women can not compete with men.
C h e m ic a l I n d u s t r y .
This industry in 1913 employed 180,600 workers, of whom 146,000
were adult males. There will be ample employment in this industry
after the war, even if there are no more war orders to execute. There
is a vast demand throughout the world for German aniline dyes and
pharmaceutical and other articles. During the war the industry has
evolved new methods of manufacture which will continue to be of
great importance, e. g., the production of nitrates, which has not
only rendered German agriculture independent of Chile saltpeter
but promises to become an important export industry.
P a per I n d u stry .
This industry is suffering severely from a shortage of wood, coal,
and resin. When -military authorities cease to consume such quan
tities of wood and cellulose, and the munitions industry such quan
tities of coal, ample supplies of these important raw materials will
once more be available for the paper industry. Of the 200,000
workers engaged in this industry in 1913 only 115,000 were male
adults. Since, at present, the output is very limited it has room
for many returning soldiers.
W o o d w o r k in g I n d u s t r y .
In 1913, of the 454,000 hands employed in this industry, 383,000
were adult males. Including, as it does, the furniture making and
joining industry, it can look forward to a period of great prosperity
after the war. There is a great demand for furniture. It was
impossible to replace worn-out furniture during the war, while new
furniture could only be obtained in exceptional cases. Second-hand
furniture has commanded prices often twice as high as peace prices.
The demand will be so enormous when thousands of men set up
households of their own that it will take years to satisfy it. There
is at present a lack of timber, glue, shellac, furniture polish, and
varnish, but when once the war is over these will quickly be forth
coming. In any case there will be no lack of employment. The
same will be true of the whole building industry. In the first place
endless repairs of all kinds have had to be postponed, which will
make a heavy demand on labor, which will also be required for
transforming concerns occupied with wTar requirements. There will
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also be in many places a large demand for new buildings, for even
if the population has declined rather than increased, there is bound
to be a shortage of houses after four years. Large numbers of the
population have changed and will continue to change their place of
residence and will require new houses. The industry will give
employment to all old hands and to many new ones.
L e a t h e r , T e x t il e ,
and
C l o t h in g I n d u s t r i e s .
These industries alone will not be in a position to resume work at
full pressure so speedily. The leather trade lacks hides and in part
tanning materials and fats, and it will take some time to obtain these
to the required extent from abroad, even if the trade is favored in the
matter of cargo space. The war has occasioned such an enormous
consumption of leather that the supply of hides has become very
small throughout the world. In 1913 the industry employed 121,000
workmen, of whom 91,500 were adult males, and it will be some time
before employment reaches the peace-time figure. The case is the
same in the textile industry. Germany lacks wool, cotton, and jute.
The world’s supplies of cotton and wool have seriously decreased
during the war. Of the 956,000 workers employed in the German
textile industry in 1913 adult males numbered over 400,000. Some
of these will find employment in the manufacture of substitute
materials, but others will at first have to seek another calling. The
clothing industry will also suffer, although of the 431,000 hands
employed in 1913 only 112,000 were adult males. The majority
might be employed on the manufacture of substitute materials and
on repairs, and there will not be a large number temporarily out of
work, since clothing must be provided and substitute materials are
not very durable.
To sum up, it may be assumed that in certain branches of industry
employing in all before the war between 1,500,000 and 1,600,000
workers, there will be a certain amount of unemployment, whereas
in industries which employed 10,000,000 workers and in agriculture
with its 5,200,000 there will be a serious shortage of labor. I t will
not be easy to employ at once all the returning soldiers and those
discharged from the national service, but there will be a shortage
not of employment but of labor.
100785°—19 ----------10
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459 ]
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PROPOSALS FOR REMEDYING UNEMPLOYMENT IN SWITZERLAND.1
The proposals for remedying unemployment which the committee
appointed by the Federal Council (B u n d e s r a t ) have adopted are to
the following effect:
All wageworkers in private industrial undertakings, who at piece
or time rates earn less than 14 francs ($2.70) per day, shall be entitled
to unemployment relief when out of employment. In case of reduced
operation the employer shall not dismiss workers but shorten the
working hours. If this decrease of hours amounts at most to only
five hours per week, or 10 per cent of the usual working hours, the
employer shall not be bound to compensate the workers for the
lost time, but if it amounts to more than 10 and not over 60 per cent
of the usual working hours, the employer shall in addition to the
normal wage for the work performed pay a bonus which together
with the wage shall not exceed 90 per cent of the usual wages. If the
shortening of working hours amounts to more than 60 per cent,
or if the establishment is shut down entirely, the compensation to the
workers shall be paid in equal parts by the employer, by the
Canton in which the worker is domiciled, and by the State. Workers
must accept any suitable work assigned to them, otherwise they
forfeit their claim to an allowance. Disputes shall be settled by an
arbitration board composed of three nonpartisan members and two
representatives each of employers and workers.
1 Soziale Praxis und Archiv für Volks Wohlfahrt, Die Vorschläge für die Axbeitslosenfürsorge in der
Schweiz, vol. 27, No. 50. Berlin, Sept. 12, 1918.
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[460]
AGREEM ENTS
BETWEEN EMPLOYERS
EMPLOYED.
AND
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN BETHLEHEM SHIP
BUILDING CORPORATION AND METAL WORKERS.
By an agreement, to which the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corpora
tion and certain international unions comprising the metal-trades
department of the American Federation of Labor are parties, signed
on January 7, 1919, provision is made for the recognition of the union
as representing the employees, and for the consideration of all matters
affecting wages, hours, and conditions of labor by a committee of
five employees and five representatives of the company. This col
lective bargaining agreement affects approximately 75,000 workers
in plants of the corporation at Quincy, Mass., San Francisco, Balti
more, Wilmington, and elsewhere. The text of the agreement is as
follows:
A g r e e m e n t , made this 7th day of January, 1919, between the Bethlehem Ship
building Corporation (Ltd.), a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the company),
and the metal-trades department of the American Federation of Labor (hereinafter
called the department).
W it n e s s e t h : That, whereas, the department is an organization composed of
national and international unions (hereinafter called the unions) affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor, many of the members of the said unions being in the
employ of the company in its various plants, and
Whereas the company recognizes the said unions collectively as a suitable agency
to represent its employees in questions arising as to wages, hours of labor, and general
working conditions, and
Whereas the department is authorized by the express consent of each union which
is a member of the department to enter into an agreement with the company providing
for the relations of the unions with the company;
Now, therefore, it is agreed as follows:
(1) The unions shall select a committee of five members (hereinafter called the
internationals’ committee) which shall represent the unions in questions arising
between the unions and the company.
(2) The members of the internationals’ committee shall be selected in such manner,
for such terms, and with such provisions for alternates as the unions may from time
to time determine.
(3) The internationals’ committee may appoint agents, delegates,, or officers who
shall have such authority in dealing with the separate managements of the plants of
the cojnpany, or writh the employees’ committees in such plants, or on behalf of such
employees’ committees, as shall be expressly conferred by the internationals’ com
mittee.
(4) The internationals’ committee, or any member thereof, or any person expressly
authorized by said committee shall have access to any plant of the company on the
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
business of the internationals’ committee, in accordance with rules and regulations
agreed to by the internationals’ committee and the company’s committee.
(5) The relations of the unions with the company and with the separate manage
ments of its plants (including in the term unions all departments, councils, federa
tions, central, local, or other organizations affiliated with the American Federation of
Labor, and all agents or officers thereof) in matters affecting Wages, hours of labor, or
working conditions are to be carried on exclusively through the internationals’ com
mittee, or in accordance with the rules of said committee from time to time estab
lished, and not otherwise.
(6) It is understood that the employees will select local or plant committees that
will function in the same manner as provided for in the Shipbuilding Labor Adjust
ment Board awards, subject to such changes or modifications as may from time to
time be agreed upon by the internationals’ committee and the company’s committee.
(7) The company shall appoint a committee of five members (hereinafter called the
company’s committee) to meet with the internationals’ committee at regular intervals
and otherwise subject to the joint call of the chairmen. The members of the com
pany’s committee shall be appointed in such manner, for such term, and with such
provisions for alternates as the company may from time to time determine.
(8) The internationals’ committee and the company’s committee shall jointly hear
or consider all grievances or other questions affecting wages, hours of labor, or working
conditions which have failed of adjustment, and any other matters as to which such
joint consideration will tend to avoid misunderstandings, or will improve the condi
tion of the industry and of its employees. Any officer representing a union shall
have the right to be present at a hearing in the subject of which the interests of his
organization are specially concerned, or to confer with the committees, sitting jointly,
on any question which in his judgment requires consideration or adjustment.
(9) The internationals’ committee shall pay the compensation and expenses of its
own officers, agents, or delegates, but the company will pay the reasonable compensa
tion and expenses of its employees for time actually spent in service on craft or other
committees in accordance with provisions and rules from time to time made and
agreed upon by the internationals’ committee and the company’s committee.
(10) A national or international union, any of the members of which are employees
of the company, and which is not a member of the department, may become a party
to this agreement by notice to the department and to the company of its intention
to conform to the provisions hereof. Any such union may withdraw from the agree
ment upon notice to the department and the company. Either the department or
the company may terminate this agreement at any time by giving 30 days’ notice in
writing.
I n w it n e s s w h e r e o f , Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation (Ltd.) has caused
these presents to be signed and its corporate seal to be hereto affixed by Eugene G.
Grace, its president, and Joseph W. Powell, a vice president, and the metal-trades
department of the American Federation of Labor has caused these presents to be signed
by James O’Connell, its president, and A. J. Berres, its secretary, all on the day and
year first above written.
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B e t h l e h e m S h ip b u il d in g C o r p o r a t io n (L t d .),
G r a c e , President,
P o w e l l , Vice President.
M etal T r a d es D epa r tm en t,
J a s . O ’C o n n e l l , President,
»
A. J. B e r r e s , Secretary-Treasurer.
By E. G.
J. W.
By
[462]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
ORDERS AFFECTING WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT OF EMPLOYEES OF
UNITED STATES CONTROLLED TELEGRAPH SYSTEMS.
WAGE INCREASES FOR EMPLOYEES.
Ill an order issued by the Postmaster General early in the year,
effective on January 1, 1919, a general wage increase is granted to
employees (except at nonfunctional offices) in all departments of
the telegraph systems now under Government control. The order
fixes maximum and minimum salaries ranging from $200 down to
$40 per month, and provides for overtime pay of employees in non
functional offices. The text of the order is as follows:
On and after January 1, 1919, the salarie of all employees of all departments of
the telegraph systems under Government control, except at nonfunctional offices,
shall be increased as follows:
Employees who on January 1, 1919, had been in the service continuously for six
months and not more than one and a half years, 5 per cent.
Employees who on January 1, 1919, had been in the service continuously for more
than one and a half years, 10 per cent.
These percentage increases shall not apply to premium rates nor to premium
earnings. The increases as above 'to be reckoned on the salaries in effect as of
December 31, 1918.
No increase shall serve to advance any individual salary to more than $200 per
month, or to apply in cases or to any extent where its application would result in
an increase of more than $35 per month since January 1, 1918.
No increase in the traffic department forces to increase any individual salary
classified below beyond the limit set out therein as a maximum monthly rating;
and additional amounts will be added to individual salary rates where the percent
age increase above does not raise the salary to the minimum monthly rating specified
for the particular classification •
Maximum.
Assistant chief operator............................................................................
Wire chief..................................................................................................
Night wire chief....................................... - ..............................................
Late night wire chief................................................................................
Assistant wire chief..................
Testboard attendant.................................................................................
Automatic chiefs.......................................................................................
Automatic attendants...............................................................................
Repeater chief...........................................................................................
Repeater attendants..................................................... - ..........................
Equipment chiefs.......................................
Equipment attendants..............................................................................
Typewriter attendants..............................................................................
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$200
-00
190
190
185
175
185
175
185
175
175
150
100
145
Mini
mum.
$90
90
90
90
90
90
90
70
90
90
90
60
50
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Maxi
mum.
Mini
mum.
Dynamo and battery attendants
Janitors........................................
Elevator m en.. ............ . .......
Morse supervisor.........................
C. N. D. supervisor..............
Automatic supervisor..... ...........
Telephone supervisor..................
Morse operators...........................
Multiplex and printer operators.
C. N. D. keyboard operators......
Telephone operators...................
Route clerks. ................... ! ........
Tube clerks.................................
Service clerks.............................
File clerks..................................
Office messengers, T. & R ..........
Claim clerks....................... ........
Time clerks.,________ . . . . . . . .
Statistical clerks.........................
Clerks (not otherwise classified').
Chief clerks. . .............................
T. & R. clerks.............................
110
60
25
75
75
25
175
90
175
90
125
75
125
75
160
70
105
55
105
55
105
55
100
40
100
40
100
50
90
40
60
35
100
50
100
50
100
50
100
50
150
60
100
50
Increases are not to be regarded as applying to those whose regular occupation is
with other concerns and whose occupation with the telegraph companies is classed
as “ other employment employees.”
Employees at nonfunctional offices to be paid at their regular salary rating for
hours worked in excess of 8 up to a maximum of 10 hours per day. For extra service
in excess of 10 hours per day, time and a half to be paid.
Whenever the increased compensation of nonfunctional employees with respect
of time worked in excess of 8 but not in excess of 10 hours per day is less than the
amount he or she would receive at the percentage increase for his or her class provided
for functional office employees, the basic compensation shall be increased to an
amount sufficient to make up the difference.
Employees who are engaged on Sunday shall be paid at the regular rates of com
pensation described above or be granted compensatory time during the following
week as he or she may elect.
The above increases shall not apply to employees known as messengers.
The above increases are made after a careful investigation of a petition filed by the
employees of one of the telegraph companies through its officers, who recommended
that certain increases be made. The Department feels that the telegraph employees
are entitled to an increase, but revenue conditions at this time would not justify
these increases hereby authorized, unless by a careful plan of elimination of waste
incident to duplication and by effecting other economies which will not impair the
efficiency of the service, the revenue conditions can be made to meet such increases.
Believing that this can be done, the order for such increases is accordingly issued.
OPEN-SHOP POLICY.
Some misunderstanding having arisen as to the attitude of the
Government on the matter of the employment of union and non
union men, the Postmaster General in the following order (Order
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147
No. 2067) lias taken the position that the Government “ will not
distinguish between nonunion and union men:”
T o a l l te le g r a p h a n d te l e p h o n e c o m p a n i e s :
Information has reached the department that representations are being made through
out the country that it is the desire of the Government that employees of the telegraph
and telephone companies should join the Commercial Telegraphers Union, the Inter
national Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or other unions. These representations
have no foundation in fact whatever. In its operation of The telegraph and telephone
systems the Post Office Department will not distinguish between nonunion and union
employees. Persons will be employed solely because of their fitness for the positions
to which they seek employment and must not be employed, discharged, favored, or
discriminated against because they do or do not belong to, any particular organization.
Officers and employees of the telegraph and telephone systems will comply strictly
with the provisions of this order.
A. S. BURLESON,
Postmaster General.
VACATIONS WITH PAY FOR TELEGRAPH EMPLOYEES.
Provision has been made bv the Postmaster General, effective
January 1, 1919, for the granting of annual vacations to employees of
the telegraph companies', with pay at their regular ratings as follows:
All regularly assigned employees who have been in the service of the company
continuously for two years or more shall receive two weeks’ vacation, and those who
have been in the service continuously for one year shall receive one week’s vacation.
Unassigned employees without other employment who have worked for the company
the equivalent of full time for the periods given above shall also receive vacations
subject to the same regulations as the regularly assigned employees.
The telegraph business being a seasonal one, vacation schedules shall necessarily
be arranged to meet the local conditions. It will not be expedient to arrange vacations
for all during the so-called vacation season, hence vacations must be taken when
assigned, regardless of the season.
These vacations are intended for rest and recreation, and employees are not ex
pected to engage in other employment during such vacations. Vacations can not be
transferred in whole or in part to other employees and shall be taken during the year
in which they are due. They can not be saved up from year to year and thereby
extended into a longer period. If for any reason the vacation is not taken, no addi
tional compensation will be allowed.
RECENT WAGE AWARDS BY NATIONAL ADJUSTMENT COMMISSION,
The National Adjustment Commission, which adjusts and con
trols wages, hours, and conditions of labor in the loading and unload
ing of vessels both in coastwise service and deep-sea service, recently
announced two awards—one affecting the wage scale for licensed
deck and engine-room officers in the Atlantic and Gulf service, and
the other applicable to men engaged in the loading and unloading of
cotton and tobacco at the various ports of the Gulf district. In the
former case the new scale is the largest ever paid for those positions
in this or any other country, but the advanced compensation has
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been awarded in recognition of tire increased cost of living. In this
case the petitioning parties were the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial
Association; American Association of Masters, Mates, and Pilots;
Ocean Association of Marine Engineers; and Neptune Association of
Masters, Mates, and Pilots. Other parties interested were the
United States Shipping Board; American Steamship Association;
American Steamship Licensed Officers’ Association, (Inc.); and
owners and operators of ocean-going steamships in the Atlantic and
Gulf service. The award became effective on January 1, 1919.
WAGE SCALE FOR LICENSED DECK AND ENGINE-ROOM OFFICERS.
Petitions having been received from the above-named petitioning parties for the
abolition of bonuses, readjustment of wages and reclassification of vessels, the matter
was left for decision by agreement to a special committee consisting of a representative
of the licensed officers appointed by the Secretary of Labor, a representative of the
American Steamship Association and an impartial chairman appointed by the Ship
ping Board.
Owing to the fact that the armistice was signed after the agreement for this arbitra
tion had been made, an honest difference of opinion has arisen between the members
of this board as to the extent to which the terms of this award shall be mandatory on
American vessels.
This board is unanimous, however, in its decision that this award shall be mandatory
on all vessels owned or under requisition by the United States Shipping Board.
Owing to the continued urgent national necessity in relation to shipping, this board
is also unanimous in urging on all private owners and operators of vessels not requisi
tioned that the wages set in this award shall be voluntarily paid by them in order
that the conditions in this industry may continue stable and the possibility of any
interruption in the traffic may be avoided.
After full hearing granted to all the parties on December 4, 1918, commission
makes the following award:
1. The classes of vessels upon which wages shall be based are as follows:1
Class A—Single screws, over 20,001 power tons; twin screws, over 15,001 power
tons; Class B—Single screws, 12,001 to 20,000 power tons; twin screws, 9,001 to 15,000
power tons; Class C—Single screws, 7,501 to 12.000 power tons; twin screws, 5,501
to 9,000 power tons; Class D—Single screws, 5,001 to 7,500 power tons: twin screws,
3.501 to 5,500 power tons; Class E—Single screws, below 5,001 power tons; twin
screws, below 3,501 power tons.
2. The wages for licensed officers shall be as follows:
WAGE SCALE EOR LICENSED O FFICERS OF THE DECK AND ENGINE DEPA RTM EN TS.
Licensed officers.
Class A.
Class B.
Class C.
Class D.
Masters............................................................................
Chief engineer................................................................
First officers and first assistant engineers....................
Second officers and second assistant engineers............
Third officers and third assistant engineers................
Fourth officers and fourth assistant engineers............
J unior engineers............................................................
$375. 00
287. 50
206. 25
187. 50
168. 75
150.00
125.00
$337.50
268. 75
200. 00
181.25
162. 50
143. 75
$325.00
250. 00
193. 75
175.00
156. 25
$312.50
231.25
187. 50
168. 75
150.00
Class E.
$300. 00
212.50
181.25
162.50
143.75
|
3.
The above rates are flat and do not contemplate the payment of bonuses in any
form whatsoever.
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4. The above rates shall constitute a single universal scale applicable to licensed
officers on steamships plying from Atlantic and Gulf ports and shall include coastwise,
West Indies, South American, and trans-At!antic services.
5. The above rates shall become effective for all licensed officers signing on, on and
after January 1, 1919, and shall remain in full force and effect until May 1,1919, and
shall be subject to revision at any time thereafter upon the termination of 30 days
after written notice served by any one of the interested parties to the United States
Shipping Board at Washington, D. C.
6. In issuing this award the commission has had in mind the conditions which
have developed subsequent to the signing of the armistice, including that fact that
the wages herein set are for a period of change and readjustment both internally and
internationally. The commission has felt that during this period of readjustment in
which there seems to be no immediate prospect of reduction in the cost of living that
the present rate of compensation paid in the coastwise service should not be diminished
but should be made universal for all services from Atlantic and Gulf ports. The com
mission has further felt that in view of the action of the Shipping Board abolishing
the payment of bonuses to all members of the crew other than licensed officers, it should
also abolish that extra compensation which was paid for trans-Atlantic war zone risk.
It has accordingly set a rate which does away with that part of the extra war risk com
pensation which was formerly paid for war zone voyages in excess of what was paid
for voyages in the coastwise service. The commission was also of opinion that wage
increases which might have been favorably considered during conditions of warfare
would not now be warranted, owing to the unsettled conditions following cessation
of hostilities.
NEW WAGE SCALE FOR MEN ENGAGED IN LOADING AND UNLOADING VESSELS.
The award applicable to men engaged in loading and unloading
cotton and tobacco at various ports of the Gulf district is the result
of a petition by the International Longshoremen’s Association and
affiliated locals of screwmen employed as above noted, the other
parties interested in the adjustment being deep-sea steamship com
panies and contracting stevedores at the ports of the Gulf district.
The text of the award, which takes effect as of November 11, 1918, is
as follows:
The question of readjustment of wages and working conditions of men engaged in
the loading and unloading of cotton and tobacco at the various ports of the Gulf dis
trict was considered by the National Adjustment Commission at meetings convening
at New Orleans, La., October 30, 1918, and reconvening October 31, 1918, and after
hearing the parties and their testimony the commission awards with respect to deep
water vessels as follows:
The commission find no such uniformity of conditions as to warrant the estab
lishment of uniform wages and working conditions for men engaged in the loading
and unloading of cotton and tobacco throughout the Gulf district beyond the estab
lishment of a basic eight-hour day, which is hereby established.
It is awarded that in other respects wages and working conditions shall remain
the same at Galveston in accordance with agreements now in force in that port, with
instructions that the obligation and terms of employment of the men shall include
putting on the hatches.
The above award shall take effect as of November 11, 1918, and shall remain in
effect until and including September 30, 1919, unless the National Adjustment Com
mission of its own motion upon grounds of national policy shall sooner reopen and
modify the terms thereof.
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150
I t is also awarded that so long as working conditions remain the same as at present
at the port of New Orleans, the tariff shall be at the rate of $36 per gang of 5 men
per day, regular time. The commission, however, finds that many of the terms and
conditions prescribed in the agreement now in force are objectionable in that they
tend to induce unreasonable interruption and curtailment of work, and hereby directs
that the revision of the agreement be considered by all parties, acting through duly
accredited committees, under the direction and subject to the approval of the New
Orleans Local Adjustment Commission, with right of appeal to the National Adjust
ment Commission, and that if the parties can not agree, the matter of the revision of
said agreement be taken up by the New Orleans Local Adjustment Commission.
WAGE INCREASE FOR CERTAIN WIRELESS OPERATORS.
A special commission authorized by the United States Shipping
Board has made an award affecting wireless operators on vessels
operating from Atlantic and Gulf ports, effective January 1, 1919,
as follows:
In the matter referred to the undersigned commission 1 by the Marconi Wireless
Telegraph Co., certain owners of vessels using radio equipment, the Marconi Radio
Telegraphers’ Association, and the United States Shipping Board, the commission
has unanimously reached the following decision:
Wages to be paid wireless operators on vessels operated from Atlantic and Gulf
ports, effective January 1, 1919:
All chief operators, $110; all assistant operators, $85.
There are to be no trans-Atlantic or coastwise bonuses. There are to be no sliding
scales.
METHOD OF COMPUTING WAGES OF RAILROAD EMPLOYEES FIXED BY
DIRECTOR GENERAL.
In order to make clear the method to be followed by the Railroad
Administration in computing the wages of railroad employees whose
pay was increased by provisions of Supplement No. 8 2 to General
Order No. 27, the Director General has issued an interpretation
(No. 1), the full text of which is as follows:
O v e r t im e M o n t h l y , W e e k l y ,
or
D a il y P a id E m p l o y e e s .
A r t ic l e I.—Eight consecutive hours, exclusive of the meal period, constituting a
day’s work from the effective date of Supplement No. 8 to General Order No. 27, the
increases provided for therein and applicable to monthly, weekly, and daily paid
employees specified in Article I, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (h), and Article II of
Supplement No. 8, are based upon the recognized number of working days consti
tuting a calendar year (including Sundays and (or) holidays where they have been
considered a part of the employees assignment), and the rates of pay in effect January
1, 1918, prior to the application of General Order No. 27, exclusive of overtime.
The following examples illustrate the method to be used in establishing the straighttune hourly rate as the basis of payment for overtime service:
Example (a): Employees working 30 days per month on the monthly, weekly, or
daily basis, at a wage amounting to $85 per month on January 1, 1918, prior to the
1 This commission was composed of Robert P. Bass, chairman; Franklin J). Mooney, and Wm. S. Brown.
9 The provisions of Supplement No. 8 are given in the Monthly Labor R eview for October, 1918
(pp. 135-138).
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application of General Order No. 27, would on September 1, 1918, under Supolement
No. 8, Article I (a), automatically advance to the basic rate of $90 per month, plus
$25 increase, establishing the rate of $115, or $1,380 per year. In computing the pro
rata rate per hour for overtime pay for monthly, weekly, or daily paid employees,
take the number of working days constituting a calendar year, multiply by 8 and
divide the annual salary by the total hours, exclusive of overtime and disregarding
time absent on vacations, sick leave, holidays, or for any other cause. In determin
ing the hourly rate, fractions less than one-fourth of 1 cent shall be as one-fourth of
1 cent; over one-fourth and under one-half, as one-half cent; over one-half and
under three-fourths, as three-fourths; over three-fourths, as 1 cent.
Example (b).—Yearly wage, $1,380-4-2,880 hours=40.97, or 41 cents per hour.
Example (c).—Yearly wage, $1,500-4-2,880 hours=52.1, or 52.25 cents per hour.
Example (d).—Yearly wage, $1,800-4-2,880 hours~62.5 cents per hour.
Example (e).—Yearly wage, $2,100-4-2,880 hours=72.91, or 73 cents per hour.
Example (f).—Yearly wage, $24,000-4-2,880 hours=83.33, or 83.5 cents per hour.
N o t e .— It is to be understood that 2,880 hours is illustrative only; the hours per
year will vary as the assigned work days in a year vary.
A r t . II.—On February 21, 1918, the Director General issued General Order No. 8,
paragraph 3 thereof, reading as follows:
“ The broad question of wages and hours will be passed upon and reported to the
Director General as promptly as possible by the present railroad wage commission.
Pending a disposition of these matters by the Director General, all requests of
employees involving revision of schedules of general changes in conditions affecting
wages and hours will be held in abeyance by both the managers and employees.
Wages, when determined upon, will be made retroactive to January 1, 1918, and
adjusted accordingly. Matters of controversy arising under interpretations of existing
wage agreements and other matters not relating to wages and hours, will take their
usual course, and in the event of inability to reach a settlement, will be referred to
the Director General.”
If employees coming within the scope of Supplement No. 8 to General Order No. 27
were paid a punitive rate for overtime after the regular day’s work, Sundays, and
on holidays prior to February 21, 1918, the same conditions should apply on the eighthour basis. Any punitive overtime rate established for employees under this inter
pretation since February 21, 1918, except as established by the Director General,
is unauthorized and can not be recognized.
Example (a): Employees working 10 hours per day January 1, 1918, prior to the
application of General Order No. 27, and who were, prior to February 21, 1918, paid
at the rate of time and one-half time for overtime, should be paid as follows:
8 a. m. to 12 noon, 4 hours’ work; 12 noon to 1 p. m., 1 hour
for
mealexcluded;
1 p. m. to 5 p. m., 4 hours’ work; 5 p. m. to 7 p. m., 2 hours at rate of time and onehalf time. Elapsed time, 11 hours. Time for meal, 1 hour deducted. Overtime,
2 hours. Total time to be paid for, 11 hours.
Example (b): Overtime commences immediately following the eighth consecutive
hour of continuous service after deducting the meal period.
On the basis of pro rata time for the ninth and tenth hour :
8 a. m. to 12 noon, 4 hours’ work; 12 noon to 1 p. m., 1 hour
for
mealexcluded;
1 p. m. to 5 p. m., 4 hours’ work; 5 p. m. to 7 p. m. 2 hours overtime, pro rata rate;
7 p. m. to 9 p. m., 2 hours overtime, one and one-half times pro rata rate. Elapsed
time, 13 hours. Time for meal, 1 hour deducted. Continuous service, 12 hours. Total
time to be paid for, 13 hours.
Example (c): Employees working straight through 8 consecutive hours:
6 a. m. to 2 p. m., 8 hours’ work; 2 p. m. to 4 p. m.. 2 hours’ overtime, pro rata
rate; 4 p. m. to 6 p. m., 2 hours’ overtime, one and one-half times pro rata rate.
Elapsed time, 12 hours. Continuous service, 12 hours. Total time to be paid for,
13 hours.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
H
ourly
R a tes.
A r t . III. The employees coming under the provisions of paragraphs (e), (f), and
(g) of Article I of Supplement No. 8 to General Order No. 27, who were on January 1,
1918, prior to the application of General Order No. 27, paid on a basis of 10 hours or
more to constitute a day, for whom hourly rates have been established as per the
above-specified paragraphs, shall, on and after September 1, 1918, the effective date
of Supplement No. 8, receive one-eighth of the wages received for 10 hours on January
1, 1918, prior to the application of General Order No. 27, as their basic hourly rate,
to which shall be added 13 cents per hour for the employees coming under the pro
visions of paragraphs (e) and (f), observing the minimum rate; and 12 cents per hour
for the employees coming under the provisions of paragraph (g), provided the hourly
rate thus obtained shall not exceed the maximum rate of 40 cents per hour.
Example (a): Employees coming under the provisions of Article I (e), on a 10-hour
basis, rate $3.75 per day; one-eighth of 375 equals 46.87, or 47 cents per hour, adding
the increase of 13 cents per hour, produces a rate of 60 cents per hour.
The same method of procedure will apply to the employees coming under the
provisions of Article I (f).
Example (b): Employees coming under the provisions of Article I (g), on a 10-hour
basis, rate $2.35 per day; one-eighth of 235 equals 29.37, or 29.5 cents per hour, adding
the increase of 12 cents per hour, produces a rate of 41.5 cents per hour, the rate would
revert to the maximum of 40 cents.
N o t e .—To determine the hourly rate to be paid employees on the hourly basis
and for whom 10 hours or more were the established hours of service, \ise the method
and examples (a) and (b) of above Article III, for both classes working less than 10
hours and over 8 hours, one-eighth of the wage received for the number of hours
recognized as a day’s work.
P ay
for
Ca l l s .
A r t . IV. Employees who are notified or called to work outside the 8 consecutive
hours, exclusive of the meal period and continuous service, constituting their regular
assignment, shall be paid a minimum allowance of 3 hours for 2 hours’ work or less;
if held over 2 hours, time and one-half time will be paid, computed on the minute basis.
Example (a):
8 a. m. to 12 noon, 4 hours’ work; 12 noon to 1 p. m., 1 hour for meal excluded;
1 p. m. to 5 p. m., 4 hours’ work; 6 p. m. to 7.30 p. m., 1J hours overtime, one and
one-half times pro rata rate. Elapsed time, 11J hours. Time for meal, 1 hour.
Break in continuous service, 1 hour. Time for call, 3 hours, minimum guarantee.
Total time to be paid for, 11 hours.
A r t . V. Exclusive of employees whose regular assignment includes Sundays and
(or) holidays, employees notified or called to work on Sundays and (or) holidays will
be paid not less than the minimum allowance of 3 hours, and where no existing agree
ment or practice is more favorable, such employees will be paid as per examples
(a) and (b) of Article II.
A r t . VI. Payment of overtime at a rate in excess of pro rata will be computed
from and added to the pro rata rate.
A r t . VII. Unless acceptable to a majority of employees in a department or subdi
vision thereof, the meal period shall not be less than 30 minutes or more than 1 hour.
A r t . V III. Where unjustifiable inequalities develop or exist in the rates of pay
for relatively the same service and responsibility, as between employees of the same
class within the respective groups, as specified in Supplement No. 8 to General Order
No. 27, the regional directors are hereby authorized to establish uniform rates of
pay by zones er districts throughout their respective regions, under the following
conditions:
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(a) The maximum rates established by Supplement No. 8 to General Order No. 27
must not be exceeded (note exception in (d) following).
(b) Rates established by Supplement No. 8 to General Order No. 27 must not be
reduced.
(c) The specified differentials in the established maximum rates for hourly workers
to be preserved.
(d) Where differentials in wage rates existed for common labor in favor of tunnel
gangs and tunnel and elevated common labor, such differentials should be maintained,
but in no case extended to create a greater differential than heretofore existed.
(e) All rates herein provided for shall be filed by the regional directors with the
board of railroad wages and working conditions.
HOURS AND OUTPUT IN THE WOOL INDUSTRY.1
The investigation on which this report is based covered 126 estab
lishments, in 13 different States, with a total of 91,230 employees,
the data being obtained partly from schedules filled out by the
establishments and partly through visits of field agents to the mills.
In addition to data concerning hours the report contains a detailed
description of the major processes of wool manufacturing, with
reference to fatigue and the health hazard of operatives. I t con
tains, also, some discussion of general features of the wool industry,
such as hours, wages, and the extent to which the machine domi
nates the worker.
At the time of the investigation, there was a striking uniformity of
hours in the woolen industry. In 90 per cent of the establishments
included, the work hours were from 54 to 56 per week. “ Only
about 5 per cent of the workers were in establishments where the
weekly schedule was less than 54 hours; less than 5 per cent were in
establishments where it exceeded 56 hours.” With but one ex
ception all of the 126 establishments observed the Saturday half
holiday. This practically universal observance, however, did not
indicate an equally universal satisfaction with the arrangement:
Some employers were in favor of a readjustment by which the daily schedule
would be lengthened on five days of the week, with a full Saturday off. One reason
for this was that the Saturday half holiday tends to give an unduly high cost of pro
duction for Saturday morning work.
Reports were received from 85 establishments as to output fol
lowing a reduction in hours. Many of these reductions had taken
place some years ago. “ Approximately three-fifths of the reported
reductions in hours occurred in 1912 and 1913; a considerable number
of establishments, however, made reductions in 1916 and 1917.”
In the majority of cases, the information was given in the form of
statements reflecting the judgment of the respective manufacturers
as based upon experience. In 13 cases, establishments supplied
1
Hours of work as related to output and health of workers. Wool Manufacturing. Research
No. 12, December, 1918. National Industrial Conference Board. Boston. 69 pp.
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154
statistical comparisons of output before and after the reduction in
hours. In the general tabulation no distinction is made between
the returns from these two groups of establishments.
For the 85 establishments from which reports were received con
cerning changes in output and hours, the following table shows the
situation:
CHANGES IN OUTPUT ACCOMPANYING REDUCTION IN HOURS OF W ORK, IN 85
ESTABLISHM ENTS, BY HOUR GROUPS.
Production m ain
tained or increased.1
Hours reduced to—
55 h o u rs...
56 hours..................................
hours.. . .
57
T otal.....................
Per cen t.............
Hours reduced to —
Num
Pre ber of Num
ber of
vious estab em
hours. lish ployees.
ments.
50 hours..................................
53 hours
54 hours....................
Production decreased.
50
56
r
I
I
1
1-
124
58
2
56
58
56
4
}U498
58
2
565
i1
U0
1,834
75
21
6,5 7 6
58
60
3 | 2 ,3 4 0
4
2 4 .7
53
Num
Pre ber of Numof
vious estab ber
em
hours. lish ployees.
ments.
hours................................. \(
hours.................................
54
hours................................
55
hours................................. tf
56
57
10.1
hours.................................
hours.................................
T otal...........................
Per cen t......................
.
57
54
1
1
60
59
58
57
56
55
58
57
2
58
}
2 ,5 2 7
1
17
| 5 3 ,655
2
30
3
4
| 1,857
2
1
443
64
7 5 .3
58,482
8 9 .9
1 Increases are shown in italics.
From the standpoint of accurate determination the results here
shown can not be taken as showing the effect of a reduction of hours
for two reasons: First,- in the majority of cases they are not based
on statistical studies of production before and after a change in
hours, but represent only the judgment of the manufacturer respect
ing output at periods anywhere from one to five or even six years
ago; and second, in a matter of such complexity as output, an in
crease or decrease accompanying a change in hours is not necessarily
due to that change.
As to the first point it is stated that the reports based on the
judgment of the manufacturers were “ in substantial accord with
the results indicated by analysis of statistical comparisons of output
which were supplied by 13 of these establishments.1 Collectively,
1
This statem ent is perhaps open to question. As shown in the table given above, of the 68 establish
ments which reduced hours to 54 only 6 (8.8 per cent) showed an increase in production. In another sec
tion of the report (p. 44) occurs this statem ent: “ Of 11 establishments included in the 54-hour group which
furnished supplemental statistical comparisons compiled from book records, 5 reported output as increased,
3 th a t the reduction was less, proportionately, th an the reduction in hours, while in 2 the reduction was
approximately proportional and 1 stated th at it was greater than proportional.” This shows 45.5 per
cent of the statistical comparisons giving an increase of output under reduced hours, a considerable increase
over the 8.8 per cent of the table. Nothing is said, however, as to the num ber of employees in these
establishments.
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therefore, the information assembled in this report offers a sufficient
basis for valid conclusions;”
As to the second point, the report recognizes the difficulty of as
signing a reduction in output to any one cause, and considerable
space is devoted to a discussion of the various factors affecting pro
duction. Machine time, we are told, does not dominate the industry
to the extent it does in cotton manufacturing, and the worker’s
skill and application play a larger part in securing good results.
The character of the product, the quality of the material used, the
speed of machinery, the efficiency of the management and racial or
other changes in the make-up of the body of mill workers must all
be taken into account.
Reduction of output, it is pointed out, was more common in large
than in small plants. Thus, of 68 establishments which reduced
hours to 54 a week, 40 employed under and 28 over 500 workers
apiece; in the first group 25 per cent and in the second only 10.7 per
cent reported that production was maintained or increased. “ A
most natural explanation of this is that the larger companies were,
prior to the. reduction in hours, better organized, so that there was
less opportunity to make up for the loss in time.”
The conclusions reached as to output are thus summed up:
Despite the difficulties involved in an evaluation of the evidence presented in this
report, there can be no reasonable doubt that the adoption of a 54-hour schedule in
the wool manufacturing industry has in a large majority of cases involved a loss in
output * * *. In evaluating this experience it should be recognized that where
the decrease in output is very small the compensating savings in overhead expense,
such as power, heat, and lighting, and wear and tear of machinery, may prove at
least a partial offset * * *. To epitomize the experience it may fairly be con
cluded that the 54-hour schedule in the wool manufacturing industry has involved
a net loss in output, but that, taking the industry as a whole, the loss has not resulted
in a heavy burden upon production.
In regard to health, the majority of manufacturers reporting
thought the change in hours had had no effect upon the employees’
health, but apparently this statement represented only the manu
facturer’s impression, and was not based upon any careful study:
Records which would permit of satisfactory analysis do not at present exist. While
many wool establishments are now making careful observations of sickness among
their workers, comparatively few were keeping records at the time of the latest re
duction in hours, and even in these cases the data frequently are not comparable.
Until health conditions have been carefully observed and recorded for a large number
of workers under different hours-of-work schedules, conclusive judgment as to the
effect of changes in hours alone is impracticable.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
UNION SCALES IN BOOK AND JOB PRINTING TRADES, AND OF CHAUF
FEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS.
The union scales of wages and hours of labor as of May 15, 1918,
and May 15, 1917, have been published in the M onthly L abor
R e v ie w as follows: In the September, 1918, issue for the principal
occupations in the building, granite and stone, and metal trades, and
in freight handling in important industrial cities of the North Atlantic
section of the United States; in the October issue, for the same occu
pations in the leading industrial cities of the North Central States;
in the November issue for the same occupations in the leading cities
of the South Atlantic, South Central and Western States; in the
December issue, for the principal occupations in the bakery, millwork, and printing trades, and of chauffeurs, teamsters, and drivers,
in the leading industrial cities of the North Atlantic, and South
Atlantic States; in the January, 1919, issue for the principal occu
pations in the bakery, millwork, and newspaper printing trades in
the chief industrial cities of the North Central, South Central, and
Western States. In continuation of this subject there are published
in this issue of the R e v ie w , the union scales as of the above named
dates of the principal occupations in the book and job printing
trades and of chauffeurs, teamsters, and drivers in the leading in
dustrial cities of the North Central, South Central, and Western
States. Known changes since May 15, 1918, are indicated in foot
notes. The scales as of the two dates are printed in parallel columns
for convenient comparison between the two years.
The information was collected by special agents of the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics in personal calls on the local union
officials.
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UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH CEN
TRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15, 1917.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB.
BINDERY WOMEN.
May 15,1918.
M a y 15, 1917
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
Full days; urday
For
Per
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays; half
Sun
Per week,
For days
Per
week,
full week.
full
week.
hour. full over and
holi hour. full
day.
time.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
N O R TH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111.:
Blank book sewers, gold
layers and sizers, ma
chine wire stitchers, flat
Regni or rate
paging and numbering
mult plied
by
or Singer sewing machine Cents. Dolls.
2
operators.......................... 2 8 .1 13.5 0 U è
2
Machine sewers, thread---- 327.1 13.0 0 U è
Perforating, punching and
2
ruling machine operators. 3 26 .0 12.5 0 U è
2
Gathering machine packers 2 5 .0 12.0 0 U è
Folders, inserters, tippers,
tissuerers,strippers, gath
erers, collaters, and coun
2
ters—ticket room............ 325 .0 12.00 1 l é
2
Book wrappers................... 3 20 .8 1 0 .0 0 1 l é
2
Des Moines, Iowa................... 32 2 .9 11.00
lé
2
Indianapolis, In d ................... 2 6 .0 12.50
lé
Kansas City, Mo.................... 318 .8
2
9 .0 0
lé
Milwaukee, W is..................... 317.7
2
8 .5 0
lé
St. Louis, Mo.:
First class............................ 2 4 .0 11.55 s iè
2
Second class....................... 2 1 .8 10.45 6 lè
2
I
Cents. Dolls.
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 5 .0
27 .1
12.00
13.00
i 5 -3 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 2 .9
2 5 .0
11.00
12 .0 0
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
20. 8
18. 8
2 0 .8
2 1 .0
1 6 .7
( 4)
10 .0 0
9 .0 0
10.00
10.08
8 .0 0
( 4)
2 8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -4 8
( 4)
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
2 1 .9
19 .8
10.50
9 .5 0
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
SOUTH CEN TR A L.
Dallas, Tex.............................
Houston, Tex.:
First class............................
Second class........................
Little Rock. A rk ...................
Nashville, Term.....................
New Orleans, L a ....................
2 0 .8
10.00
lé
2
8 -8 -4 8
2 0 .8
10.00
8 -8 -4 8
24 .1
2 0 .8
318. 8
7 16.7
8 1 2 .5
11.55
1 0 .0 0
9 .0 0
8 .0 0
6 .0 0
6 lè
6 lè
lè
lé
lè
2
2
2
2
lè
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
2 2 .9
1 9 .8
1 8 .8
1 6 .7
312 .5
11.00
9 .5 0
9 .0 0
8 .0 0
6 .0 0
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
28.1
2 0 .8
13.50
10.00
9 iè
« lè
2
2
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
2 5 .0
1 8 .8
12.0 0
9 .0 0
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
13/00
3 27.1
3 2 5 .0 12.0 0
25. 0 12.00
3 1 .3
1 5 .0 0
31. 3 1015.00
lè
lè
lè
lè
lè
lè
lè
lè
lè
lè
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
«22 .9
2 0 .8
20. 8
25 0
( 4)
11.00
10.00
10. 00
12.00
( 4)
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
( 4)
W ESTERN.
Denver, Colo.......................
Los Angeles, Cal.....................
Portland, Oreg.:
First-class blank-book work
Journeywomen...................
San Francisco, Cal.................
Seattle, W ash.........................
Spokane, Wash......................
1Double time after 9 p .m .
2Hours vary, b ut total 48 per week.
3More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
4No scale in effect on May 15,1917.
s Double time after midnight.
«Double time after 10 p. m.
2 Scale became 20.8 cents on June 15,1918.
s More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 20.8
cents on Aug. 15,1918.
9 Double time after 4 hours.
19A bonus of 11.50 per week was added on Sept. 1,1918.
100785°—
-11
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UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
BOOKBINDERS.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Saturdays;
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
Per
half
For days
full w eek.'
full week. holi Per week,
Per week, over
hour. full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL.
Regul ir rate
mult plied
Cents. Dolls.
by
Chicago, 111.:
2
Bimiing-machine operators. 49.0 23.50 »1*
Caser Helpers, pasters, and
2
pressers; repairers, book. 44.8 21.50 ‘ I t
2
Casers-in, machine, A........ 47. 9 23.00 11§
Casers-inJ machine, B ; cov2
erers, machine................. 46.9 22.50 4l i
Cutters, binder’s sto c k ___ 46.9 22.50 » ij
2
Cutters, head, stocjr; case
makers, hand or ma
chine; finishers, blank
work or cloth and job,
printed work; marblers;
rounders and backers,
2
m ach in e.......................... 51.0 24.50 1 i i
flu liters m a c h i n e ..................... 50.0 24.00 1 i i
2
Gilders and pasters, ma2
chine................................. 46.9 22.50 l i i
Gilders, edge....................... 51.0 24. 50 1 ii2
In charge of stock and cutting machines..........
2
54.2 26.00 ‘ i i
Operating automatic fold
2
46.9
22.50
ing m achine..... ...............
Operating 2 folding ma
2
chines ............................... 53.1 25.50 1 i i
Operating 3 folding ma2
chines............................. 59.4 28.50 ‘ 14
Operating indexing ma
2
chine; trimmers, b o o k ... 47.9 23.00 1 l j
Rulers.................................. 55.2 26.50 1 l i
2
2
Stampers, head................... 57.3 27.50 114
2
Stampers', machine............ 51.0 24.50 1 l i
Cincinnati, Ohio:
2
Cutters, head....................... 44.8 21.50
li
Gutters, paper stock....... __ 38.5 18. 50
2
1*
2
Gutters, splitters................. 42. 7 20. 50
li
2
Forwarders; joggers, paper. 37.5 18.00
li
2
Cleveland, Ohio..................... 345.8 22. 00
li
Columbus, Ohio..................... 46.9 22.50
li
li
Detroit, Mich.:
Cutters; finishers and for
2
warders, blank work....... 43.8 21.00 ‘ l i
Folders operating 1 ma
2
chine ................................. 43.8 21.00 ‘ l i
Folders operating 2 ma
2
chines ............................... 47.9 23.00 ‘ l i
Folders operating 4 ma
2
chines ............................... 50.0 24.00 ‘ l i
Folders operating 5 ma
2
chines ............................... 52.1 25.00 ‘ U
2
Rulers.................................. 43.8 21.00 ‘ l i
Rulers, head rulers, 3 ma
2
chines ............................... 50.0 24.00 ‘ l i
Rulers, head rulers, 4 ma
2
chines ............................... 52.1 25.00 ‘ l i
Rulers, head rulers, 7 or
2
more machines................. 62.5 30.00 ‘ l i
1 Double tim e after 3 hours and on Saturdays
2 Hours vary, but total 48 per week.
3 Scale became 47.9 cents on Oct. 1,1918.
4 Double tim e after midnight,
s 81 hours on Monday.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[476]
Cents. Dolls.
2 8 -8 -48
43.8
21.00
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
39.6 19.00
42. 7 20.50
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
41.7
41.7
20.00
20.00
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
45.8
44.8
22.00
21.50
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
41.7
45.8
20.00
22.00
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
49.0
23.50
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
41.7
20.00
28 - 8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -48
47.9
23.00
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
54.2
26.00
2 8 -8 -48
28
28
28
28
-8
-8
-8
-8
-48
-48
-48
-48
42.7
50.0
52.1
45.8
20.50
24.00
25.00
22.00
28
28
28
28
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
44.8
38.5
42. 7
37.5
37.5
40.6
21.50
18.50
20. 50
18.00
18. (X)
19.50
8
8
8
8
8
8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-48
-48
-48
-48
—
8—
48
-8 -48
-8 -48
-8 -48
-8 -48
-8 -48
5 8|-4J-48
12 43.8
21.00
6 83-4-1-48
6 8J-4|-48
12
21.00
6 8J-41-48
6 8-1-41-48
43.8
5 8J-4J-48
12 47.9
23.00
a8J-4I-48
12
50.0
24.00
5 81-4J-48
3 81-41-48
5 8i-4|~48
12
12
52.1
43.8
25.00
21.00
6 81-41-48
6 81-41-48
3 81-4|-48
12
50.0
24.00
6 81-41-48
3 81-41-48
12
52.1
25.00
3 81-41-48
12 62.5 30.00
5 81-41-48
after completion of 48-hour week.
3 81-41-48
159
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN THE NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
BOOKBINDERS—Continued.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
F ull days; urday
Full days;
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
Saturdays;
Per
half Per week,
For days
full week.
full week. holi
Per week, over
hour. full
horn. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
north central —continued.
Des Moines, Iowa...................
Indianapolis, In d ...................
Kansas City,’ Mo.:
Cutters, paper; finishers,
first class..........................
Forwarders, first el ass .
Forwarders^ second class...
Rulers, first class................
Rulers, second class............
Milwaukee, Wis.:
First m an............................
Second m an........................
Minneapolis, Minn.................
Omaha" Nebr..........................
St. Louis, Mo.:
Cutters; folders, machine;
forwarders.
Finishers, first class...........
Finishers, second class^
Rulers, first class................
E ulers, second class..........
St. Paul, Minn.:
Forwarders, blank work;
finishers, blank work;
rulers.................................
Forw arders, printed work;
cutters..............................
Regul ir rate
mult plied
Cents. Dolls.
Cents. Dolls.
by
38.5
45.8
18. 50
22.00
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
43.8
43.8
38.5
43.8
39.6
21.00
21.00
18.50
21.00
19.00
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8J-4J-48
37.5
12 43.8
18. (X)
21.00
(*)
(4)
(4)
(4)
43.8
52.1
47.9
21.00
25.00
8
8
8
8
8
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
43.8
52.1
21.00
25.00
U
2
2
45.8
45. 8
340.6
45.8
41.7
22.00
22.00
19.00
22.00
20.00
li
l|
li
li
li
1l i
1li
1H
43.8
41. 7
37. 5
52.1
21.00
20.00
18. 00
25.00
li
li
5l i
li
2
2
2
2
23.10
27. 50
52. 7 25.30
55.0 26. 40
50.4 24. 20
0li
5l |
5li
5li
6li
2
2
2
2
2
20.00
5l i
2
8f-4j-48
12
2
8|-4i-48
48.1
41.7
37.5
18.00
li
5l i
1li
28
28
28
28
28
8
8
8
8
8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
(4)
(4)
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
23.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
28
28
28
28
28
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
8 -8 -48
8f-4-i-48
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
50. 0
45.8
24.00
22.00
41.7
20.00
8 -8 -48
12 37.5
18.00
8 -8 -48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
44.8 21.50
2
li
Birmingham, Ala................... 44. 8 21.50
8 -8 -48
37.5 18.00
8 -8 -48
2
Dallas, Tex............................. 46. 9 22. 50 8 l i
8 -8 -48
45.8 22.00
8 -8 -48
Houston, Tex......................... 48.1 23.10 7H
2
L ittle Rock, Ark.:
2 8 -8 -48
43.8 21.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
Cutters................................. 43.8 21.00
li
Finishers, forwarders, and
2
8 -8 -48
19.
50
2
8
-8
-48
40.6
2
rulers................................. 843.8 21.00
li
8f-4i^8
12 (4)
2
(4)
(4)
Louisville, K y........................ 45.8 22.00
li
8
-8 -43
37.5
18.
00
8
-8
-48
2
Nashville, T enn..................... 8 37.5 18.00
li
New Orleans, La.:
Finishers, forwarders, and
8 -8 -48
37.5 18.00
8 -8 -48
li
rulers................................. 9.37.5 18.00
li
8 -8 -48
31.3 15.00
8 -8 -48
Forwarders, half bound__ 1034.4 16.50
li
li
8—
8—
48
1231.3 15.00
8 -8 -48
li
Cutters................................. 1131.3 15.00
li
1 For Sundays; for holidays, douole time.
2 Hours vary, but total 48 per week.
3 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
* No scale in effect on May 15,1917.
5 Double tim e after midnight,
e Double tim e after 4 hours.
t Double time after 10 p. m.
8 Scale became 43.8 cents on June 15,1918.
s More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became
46.9 cents for journeymen and 57.3 cents for foremen on Aug. 15,1918.
¿o Scale became 46.9cents on Aug. 15,1918.
n 67 per cent of the members received $3 and 33 per cent received $4.o0 per week more than the scale.
Scale became 46.9 cents on Aug. 15,1918.
. ,
,
,,
i2 33 per cent of the members received $3 and 33 per cent received 84 per week more than the scale.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[477]
160
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN THE NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
BOOKBINDERS—Concluded.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
For
Per
SunFor days
Per week, over
hour. full time. and
time.
holi
days.
WESTERN.
Cents. Dolls.
Butte, Mont.:
All-round m e n .......
81.3 39.00
Cutters.....................
62.5 30.00
Finishers, f o r w a r d e r s ,
and rulers.........
71.9 34.50
Denver, Colo..............
55.2 26.50
Los Angeles, Cal.........
43.8 21.00
50.0 24.00
Portland, Oreg...........
50.0 24.00
Salt Lake City, U ta h ..
54.2 26.00
San Francisco, Cal___
Seattle, Wash.:
Cutters, finishers, forward
ers, and rulers___
| 53. 1 25. 50
Rulers, head... - ___
57.3 27. 50
Spokane, Wash.:
<53. 1 25. 50
Cutters, and forwarders.
<53. 1 25. 50
<53.1 25. 50
1
Hours—
Full aays;
Saturdays;
full week.
Reaul ar rate
multiplied
by—
with
Sat
urday
Per
half Per week,
holi hour.
full
day.
time.
Hours—
F ull aays,
Saturdays;
full week.
Cents. Dolls.
iH
*1J
2
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
72.9
52.1
35.00
25.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
1li
2Ü
1 li
2 li
3 li
li
2
2
2
2
2
li
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
62. 5
50.0
40.6
43.8
45.8
50.0
30.00
24.00
19. 50
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
li
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
53. 1 25. 50
57.3 27.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Ü
li
li
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
52. 1 25.00
46.9 22. 50
50.0 24. 00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
li
li
li
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
21.00
22.00
24.00
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
COMPOSITORS.
NORTH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111.:
6 8 -8 -48
2
English ..... ........................ 57.3 27. 50 8 l i
50. 0 24. 00
Bohemian............................ 57. 7 27.70 6 l ì
2
52. 1 25. 00
8 -8 -48
German................................ 57. 3 27. 50
2
2
8 -8 -48
50. 0 24. 00
Norwegian........................... 56. 3 27.00 5 l i
2
8 -8 -48
50 0 24 00
Polish and Swedish............ 57.3 27. 50 5 l i
2
52.1 25.00
8 8 -8 -48
Proof readers (Swedish) ... 59.4 28. 50 5 li
2
8 8 -8 -48
54. 2 26.00
Cincinnati, Ohio..................... 746.9 22. 50
li
8 -8 -48
46. 9 22. 50
li
Cleveland, Ohio:
E n g lish................. .............. 50. 0 24. 00 3 l i
li
8 8 48
43. 8 21.00
English................................. 860. 0
1
2
8 -8 -48
858. 0
lì
li
Columbus, Ohio..................... 52.1 25.00
8 -8 -48
50. 0 24. 00
Davenport, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, III... 55.0 26.40
2
8 -8 -48
7 47.9 23.00
li
Des Moines, Iowa................... 52. 1 25.00
8 -8 -48
45. 8 22.00
li
li
6 8 _8 -48
Detroit, Mich.......................... 54. 7 26. 25 3 li
2
7 50.0 24. 00
Grand Rapids, Mich.............. 738.5 18. 50
6 8 -8 -48
2
li
738 5 18. 50
Indianapolis, Ind................... 52. 1 25. 00 3 l ì
2
8 -8 -48
45. 8 22. 00
Kansas City,”Mo..................... 50. 0 24. 00
6 8 - 8 -48
45.8 22.00
li
li
Milwaukee," Wis. :
English............................. 947. 9 23. 00 3 I 7
2
e 8 8 48
47. 9 23. 00
l|
German............................ 9 47. 9 23. 00
2
8 -8 -48
47. 9 23. 00
Minneapolis, M inn................. i°45. 8 22.00 2 l ì » 2
8 -8 -48
45.8 22.00
1 Double tim e after 10 p. m.
2 Double time after 4 hours.
8 Double tim e after midnight.
4 Scale became 65.6 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
5 Double time after 3 hours, and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
6 Hours vary, b ut total 48 per week.
7 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
8 Per 1,000 ems.
9 Scale became 54.2 cents on July 1,1918.
10 Scale became 54 cents on June 1,1918.
n For New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Memorial days, tim e and one-half.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
478 ]
« 8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
«8 -8
6 8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8
8
68
68
8
68
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
« 8 -8 ■
-48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 ■
-48
161
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JO B -C ontinued.
COMPOSITORS—Concluded.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
Full days; urday
For
Per
Saturdays;
Per
Saturdays;
Sun
For days
half
Per
week,
Per week, over
full wee’.:.
full week. holi
hour.
full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
north central—concluded.
Omaha, Nel r. :
English and Bohemian___
German...............................
Peoria, 111................................
St. Louis, Mo.:
English.................................
German................................
St. Paul, Minn.......................
Wichita, Kans........................
Cents. Dolls.
Regul ar rate
mult plied
by
Cents. Dolls.
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
i 53.1
53.1
45.0
25. 50
25. 50
21.60
2Ü
2H
H
14
14
14
52.7
47.9
45. 8
143.8
25. 30
23.00
22. 00
21.00
4 14
414
6 14
1 14
2
2
«2
14
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 8 -8
44. 8
57.3
55. 8
43. 8
43. 8
i848.1
53. 1
43.8
21. 50 9 60c. (10)
2
27.50 H U
26. 77 5 14
2
21.00
14
14
21.00 1114
2
23.10 9 64c. 14 2
25. 50
H
2
21.00 15 1^
14
12 g _g
8 8 -8
8 8 -8
8 -8
l665.6
59.-4
52. 1
59.4
1 54.2
58.3
59.4
56.3
31.50
28.50
25.00
28. 50
26. 00
28. 00
28. 50
27.00
2
2
2
U
14
2
14
14
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
» 8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
346.9 22.. 0
53. 1 25. .’0
40.0 19. 20
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
-48
-48
-48
-48
47.9
47.9
45. 8
43. 8
23.00
23. 00
22. 00
21. 00
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
_48
-48
-48
-48
84-51-48
8 -8 -48
44. 8
52. 1
4 52. 1
43. 8
39. 6
47. 1
12 44. 8
43. 8
21. 50
25. 00
25. 00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
is 8 -8 -48
8 8 -8 -48
8 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
84-54-48
8 -8 -48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Birmingham, Ala...................
Dallas, Tex..............................
Houston, Tex..........................
Little Rock, A rk...................
Louisville, Ky........................
Memphis, T enn......................
Nashville, T enn................
New Orleans, L a ...................
21.00
19.00
22. 60
21. 50
21.00
WESTERN.
Butte, Mont............................
Denver, Colo..........................
Los Angeles, Cal.....................
Portland, Oreg......................
Salt Lake City, U tah ............
San Francisco, Cal.................
Seattle, W ash.........................
Spokane, Wash.......................
17 14
I8 14
14
H
1114
1114
14
1114
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
65.6
54. 2
50.0
53. 5
3 54. 2
54. 2
56.3
53.1
31. 50
26. 00
24. 00
25. 68
26. 00
26.00
27. 00
25. 50
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
1 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
2 Double tim e after 3 hours.
336 per cent of the English members received $2.50 per week more than the scale.
4 Double time after 11 p. m.
6 Double time after 4 hours.
6 For New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Memorial days, tim e and one-half.
7 Time and one-half after 10 p. m.
8 Hours vary, but total 48 per week.
9 Rate in cents per hour.
10 Overtime rate, plus 50 cents per day.
11 Double tim e after midnight.
72 44 hours per week, May to August, inclusive.
is More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 49.2
cents on July 1,1918.
14 For Sundays; for holidays time and one-half.
13 Double time after 10.30 p. m.
16 Scale became 75 cents on June 1, and 78.1 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
17 Double time after 10 p. m.
is Double tim e after 10 p. m ., and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
19 45 hours per week, June to August, inclusive.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[479 ]
162
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN THE NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
ELECTROTYPERS: Batterymen and builders.
May 15, 1917.
May 15,1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full (lays;
For
Full days; urday
Sun
Per
Saturdays;
Per
Saturdays; half
For
full week.
Per week, over days
full week. holi Per week,
horn. full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL.
R e g u l i r r a te
m u lti p lie d
by
C e n ts . D o l l s .
C e n ts .
D o lls .
50.0
24.00
4l i
22
8|-4i-48
12
47.9
23.00
8I-4Ì-48
337.5 18.00
339. 6 19.00
5 41.7 20.00
411
4U
“li
22
22
22
22
8|-4i-48
85-45-48
84-54-48
8^—5^—48
12 3 33.3
12 337. 5
12 37.5
12 28.1
16.00
18.00
18.00
13.50
85-4J-48
85-45-48
8J—
oi-48
82 ô'2 48
23.00
50.0 24.00
37.5 18.00
343. 2 19.00
350.0 24.00
39.6 19.00
39.6 19.00
O m aha, N eh r............................ 337.5 IS. 00
St. Louis, Mo.......................... 43.5 20.90
St. Paul, Minn........................ 39.6 19.00
714
8 14
8 -8-48
8|-4[-48
81-41-48
8 -4 -44
8 -8 -48
9 8 -8 -48
81-41-48
8 -8 -48
81-41-48
81-41-48
47.9
23.00
4H
14
4 14
114
2
22
2
22
2
2
22
2
22
22
50.0
36.5
39.6
37.5
12 37.5
12 39.6
24.00
17.50
19.00
18. 00
18.00
19.00
8 -8 -48
85-45-48
81-41-48
8 -4 -44
8 -8 -48
9 8 -8 -48
85-4Ì-48
8 -8 -48
85-4J-48
8f-4i-48
18.00
14
2
85-41-48
12 37.5 18.00
85-45-48
19.00
24.00
«14
14
2
8 -8 -48
8 -5 -45
•12 37.5 18.00
19.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Chicago, 111.............................
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Batterym en.........................
Builders...............................
Cleveland, Ohio.....................
Columbus. Ohio.....................
Davenport, Iowa, and Moline
fund Roek Island, Til ..........
Detroit, Mich..........................
Grand Rapids, Mich..............
Indianapolis, In d ...................
K ansas City, Mo.....................
Milwaukee^ W is.....................
Minneapolis, Minn.................
37.5
18.00
347.9
14
H
4 14
14
7 14
12 43.8 21.00
12 325. 0 12.00
12 343. 2 19.00
12
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Birmingham, Ala................... 337.5
WESTERN.
De/nver, Colo ......................... i°39.6
Seattle/W ash.......................... «53.3
14
39.6
ELECTROTYPERS: Finishers and molders.
N O R TH CEN TR A L.
Chicago, 111.:
12 56.3 27.00
Finishers............................. 58.3 28.00 1 U
85-45-48
85-45-48
12 60.4 29.00
85-45-48
Molders................................ 60.4 29.00 i n
85-45-48
Cincinnati, Ohio:
12 3 45.8 22.00
85-45-48
Finishers............................. 3 47.9 23.00 4 H
85-45-48
12 3 50.0 24.00
85-45-48
Molders................................ 52.1 25.00 4 l i
85-45-48
Cleveland, Ohio:
8^-5|~48
12 47.9 23.00
Finishers............................. 1352.1 25.00 6 Ü
85-55-48
12 52.1 25.00
8§—
5^—
48
Molders................................ «56.3 27.00 6 l i
8Ì-5Ì-48
12 43.8 21.00
8Ì-5Ì-48
Second molders................... «50.0 24.00 “ H
8Ì-5Ì-48
12 43.8 21.00
8Ì-5Ì-48
Columbus, Ohio..................... 47.9 23.00
85-5Ì-48
li
1 Double time after 9 p. m. and on Saturday after 4 p. m.
2 Time and one-ha ]f on Saturday afternoon.
3 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
4 Double time after 10 p. m. and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
5 Scale became 50 cents on June 1,1918.
6 Double time after midnight, and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
7 Double time after 9 p. m.
8 Double time after 8.30 p. m. and on Saturday after 3.30 p. m.
9 Homs vary, b ut total 48 per week.
10 Scale became 47.9 cents on July 1,1918.
11 Double time after 10 p. m.
12 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 60
cents on July 1,1918.
Is Scale became 58.3 cents on June 1, 1918.
14 Scale became 60.4 cents on June 1, 1918.
15 Scale became 56.3 cents on June 1,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[480]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
163
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
ELE C TR O TY PE R S: Finishers and molders—Concluded.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days;
Per
Sun
Saturdays; half
Per
Saturdays;
For
Per week, over days
full week. holi Per week,
full week.
hour. full time. and
hour. full
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL—concluded.
Davenport, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, 111.: Cents.
Finishers............................. 1 56.3
Molders................................ 1 60.4
Des Moines, Iowa................... 56.3
Detroit, Mich............. ............ 56.3
Grand Rapids, Mich.............. 1 50.4
Indianapolis, In d .:
Finishers.............................. 1 50.0
Molders................................ » 52 3
Kansas City, Mo.................... 50.0
Milwaukee" "Wis..................... 50.0
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Finishers............................. 50.0
Molders................................ 56.3
Omaha, N ebr............... ......... 1 52.1
St. Louis, Mo.:
Finishers............................. 1 55.0
Molders................................ 1 57.3
St. Paul, Minn.:
Finishers............................. 50.0
Molders................................ 56.3
Dolls.
Regular rate
multiplied
by
Cents. Dolls.
8 _8 -48
8 8 48
8§-4|-48
8J-4J-48
8|-4§-48
55 3 27 OO
1 50 4 20 OO
12 54.2 26.00
12 i 52.1 25.00
12 1 37.5 18.00
42
2
2
8 -4 -44
8 -4 -4 4
8 -8 -48
7 8 -8 -4 8
12 1 50,0 22.00
12 1 52.3 23.00
50 0 24.00
50.0 24.00
3 li
8 lì
42
42
2
12
12
lì
81-41—18
8J-4J-48
8 -8 -48
26.40
27.50
6 lì
“ li
42
42
8H H 8
8f-4J-48
12 1 47.9
12 1 50.0
23.00
24.00
85-41-48
81-41-48
24.00
27.00
8 li
8 lì
42
4 2
8J-4J—48
81-41-48
12
12
50.0
56.3
24.00
27.00
81-41-48
81-41-48
24.00
lì
1!
ij
ii
2
81-41-48
12 1 50.0
24.00
81-41-48
i 37 5 18.00
i 41 7 20.00
45 8 22.00
2
2
8 8 -48
8 8 -48
iì
8 -8 -48
45.8
22.00
8 -8 -48
143.8
iì
2
2
8-4-54-48
84-54-48
8 _5 -45
12 143.8
12 147.9
12 40.0
21.00
8|-5§-48
84-51-48
io 8 -5 -45
8 8 -48
8 8 -48
v 8 _8 -48
8 8 -48
8 8 -48
8 -5 -45
47 9
54 2
55 3
55 3
56 3
12 1 52.1
2
2
27.00
29. 00
27.00
27.00
24.20
2li
2li
3l i
5li
li
42
22.00
23.00
24.00
24.00
6 li
42
6Ü
li
2 lè
24.00
27.00
25.00
42
2
50.0 24.00
56.3 1 27.00
52.1 25.00
8f-4§-48
81-41-48
8§-4§-48
8 -4 -4 4
8 -4 -44
7 8 -8 ^18
81-41-48
8J-41-48
8 -8 -48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Birmingham, Ala...................
Dallas, Tex.:
Finishers..............................
Molders................................
Memphis, T en n ......................
Nashville, Tenn.:
Finishers..............................
Molders................................
New Orleans, La.9..................
1 50.0
147.9
40.0
21.00
23.00
18.00
li
lì
1147 9
i354 2
56 3
1556.3
62.5
66.7
23.00
26.00
27.00
27.00
30.00
30.00
12 1J
2
14 1J
lì
1§
li
iì
lè
iì
10
37 5 18 00
41 7 20 00
23.00
18.00
WESTERN.
Denver, Colo.:
Finishers..............................
Molders................................
Los Angeles, Cal.....................
Portland, Oreg.......................
San Francisco^ Cal.................
Seattle, W ash.........................
12 1J
2
2
iì
23 00
25 00
27 00
27 00
27 00
25.00
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
8 -8 -48
1 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
2 Double time after 9 p. m.
8 Double time after 10 p. m., and on Saturday after 6 p. m.
4 Time and one-half on Saturday afternoon.
6 Double time after 8.30 p. m., and on Saturday after 3.30 p. m.
6 Double time after 10 p. m. and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
2 Hours vary b ut total 48 per week.
8 Double time after 9 p. m. and on Saturday after 4 p. m.
9 Also batterym en and builders.
i# Hours worked; maximum 8 hours on Saturday, 48 per week.
11 Scale became 54.2 cents on July 1,1918.
12 Double time after 10 p. m.
13 Scale became 60.4 cents on July 1,1918.
14 Double time after midnight.
16
More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 62.5
cents on July 1,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[481 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
164
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
LINOTYPE OPERATORS.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Saturdays;
Per
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
For days
half Per week,
full week.
Per week, over
full week. holi
hour. full
horn. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111.:
English................................
Bohemian............................
(Term a n ................................
N orwegian...........................
Swedish...............................
Cincinnati, Ohio:
English ............................
Germ an................................
Cleveland; Ohio.....................
Coinmbus, Ohio............ .
Davenport, Iowa, an--', Moline and Roeklsiand, 111......
Indianapolis, Ind...................
Kansas City, Mo....................
Milwaukee,” W is.....................
Des Moines, Iowa..................
Detroit, Mich..........................
Grand Rapids, Mich..............
Minneapolis, Minn.................
Omaha, Nebr..........................
Peoria, 111...............................
St. Louis, Mo.:
English.................................
German..............................
St Paul, Minn.......................
Wichita. Kans........................
Monotype operators...........
Reaul ar rate
multiplied
by—
2
28. 90 1 14
23.74 1 1*
2
Cents. Dolls.
60.2
65.9
57.3
62.0
59.4
27. 50
29.76
28.90
2
1 14
1 14
2
2
2
354.2 26.00
li
14
39.6 19.00 450$. 4 50$.
62.5 30.00 « li
2
52.1 25.00
lì
14
55.0
56.3
62.5
«54.2
54.2
60.5
345.8
852.1
353.1
45.0
59.6
54.2
52.1
26.40
27.00
30.00
26.00
26. 00
29.04
22.00
25.00
25.50
21.60
28.60
26.00
25.00
3 4 8 .4
23.25
346. 9 22.50
li
«14
Ü
2 14
14
7 14
14
9 14
n if
li
1214
72 if
9
14
13 l i
13 l i
2
2
14
2
14
2
2
10 2
li
14
2
2
10 2
14
14
Cents. Dolls.
28 - 8 -4 8
6 -6 -36
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
=8 - 8 -4 8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
350.0
59.0
50.0
50.0
55.0
24.00
21.24
24.00
24.00
26.40
2 8 -8
6 -6
8 -8
8 -8
2 8 -8
-48
-36
-48
-48
^8
54.2
39.6
62.5
50.0
26.00
19.00
30.00
24.00
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
47.9 23.00
56.3 27. 00
57.3 27. 50
54.2 26.00
50.0 24.00
60.5 29.04
345.8 22.00
52.1 25.00
53.1
40.0 19.20
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8
8
8
28
28
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
54.2
54.2
52.1
48.4
346. 9
26.00
26.00
25.00
23.25
22.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
-8
-8
-8
-8
-8
8 - 8 -4 8
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Birmingham, Ala................... 57.3 27. 50 4 75c 148 1 .3
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
57.3 27.50
1
1
8 -8 -48
Dallas, Tex............................. 1512.0
8 -8 -48
i«12.0
(16)
(! « )
(! « )
Monotype operators........... 62.5 30.00 5 l i
2
8 -8 -48
it 8 _8 _48
Houston, T ex......................... 1512.5
2
4 i512.5
77 8 -8 -48
l|
77 8 -8 -48
Monotype operators........... 70.0 33.60 9 14
57.3 27.50
2
77 8 -8 -48
4
2 8 -8 -48
Little Roclc, A rk ............................... 50. 0 24.00
24.
00
2
8
8
-48
50.
0
u
11
Louisville, Ivy ...................................... 52.1 25. 00 6 14
2
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
50. 0 24.00
8 -8 -48
Memphis, Term..................... a56. 3 27.00 1 8 14 19 2
27.00
8 -8 -48
56.3
gj_5j_48
Nashville, Tenn ..............
2
8J-5J-48
56.3 27. 00
12 50.0 24.00
li
24.00
7|-7|-45
53.3
New Orleans, L a ................... 53.3 24. 00 20
7f-7f-45
14
20 U
7J-7J-45
1615.0
D o..................................... 1615.0
7j-7l-45
14
1 Double time after 3 hours and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
2 Hours vary, b u t total 48 per week.
3 More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
4 Rate in cents per hour.
s Double tim e after midnight.
6 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became
60.4 cents on July 1,1918.
7 Double time after 9 p. m.
8 Scale became 61.5 cents on June 1, 1918.
s Double tim e after 4 hours.
Except New Years, Memorial, and Thanksgiving Days, time and one-half,
u Douole tim e after 3 hours,
i* Double time after 11 p. m.
I3 Time and one-half after 10 p. m.
h Overtime rate plus 50 cents per day.
is Per 1,000 ems, nonpareil.
io No scale in effect on May 15,1917.
17 44 hours per week, May to August, inclusive.
18 Double time after completion of 48-hour week.
10 For Sundays; for holidays, time and one-half,
so Double time after 10.30 p. m.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[482]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
165
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
LINOTYPE OPERATORS—Concluded.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days;
Sun
Per
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays;
For days
half Per week,
Per week, over
full week. holi
full week.
hour. full time. and
hour.
full
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
W ESTE E N .
Denver, Colo.............
Los Angeles, Cal___
Portland, Oreg.........
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Francisco, Cal. . .
Seattle, Wash...........
Spokane, W ash........
Cents. Dolls.
59.4
62.5
68.8
356. 3
68.8
78.6
66. 7
Regul ir rate
mult plied
by
28. 50 1 Ü
2
30.00
2
33.00 2 103c. 2103c.
27.00 4 H
1|
33. 00 ‘ 11
n
33.00
U
u
30.00 6 Ü
1}
Cents. Dolls.
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
9 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
7 -7 -42
7J-7J-45
54.2
60.4
65.6
356.3
65.0
78.6
66. 7
26.00
29.00
31.50
27.00
31.20
33.00
30.00
8—
8—
48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
58 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
7 -7 -42
7J-7Î-45
MACHINE TENDERS.
NOETH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111.:
English................................
Swedish...............................
Cincinnati, Ohio....................
Cleveland, Ohio.....................
Des Moines, Iowa..................
Detroit, Mich.........................
Kansas City, Mo....................
Milwaukee^ W is.....................
Minneapolis. M inn................
St. Louis, Mo.........................
60.2
60.2
3 54.2
3 62.5
3.54.2
60. 5
62.5
9 54.2
1052.1
59. 6
28.90
28. 90
26.00
30.00
26.00
29.04
30.00
26.00
25.00
28.60
2
^ 1*
2
7 lì
U
li
6 l ’2
li
lè
Dr
2
1|
li
2
6l i
» I-4 12 2
2
13 U
8 8 -8 -48
8 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 8 -8 -48
s 8 -8 -48
« 8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
3 50.0
55.0
3 54 2
362 5
50.0
60. 5
62. 5
54.2
52.1
54, 2
24.00
26.40
26. 00
30.00
24.00
29.04
30.00
26.00
25. 00
26.00
«8
88
8
8
8
88
88
88
8
8
72.9
50. 0
50.0
53.1
53.3
35.00
24.00
24.00
25.50
24.00
11 i |
U
6û
li
16l i
li 8 -8 -48
« 8 -8 -4 8
« 8 -8 -48
81-51-48
7J—7J-45
72.9
50. 0
47.9
12 50.0
53. 3
35.00
24. 00
23.00
24. 00
24. 00
148 -8 -48
li
2
2
li
I.os Angeles, Cal.................... 62.5
San Francisco, Cal................ 75.0
30.00
36.00
U
6lì
2
16 1|
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
60. 4 29.00
71.3 34.20
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
-8
-8
8
-8
-8
-8
8
-8
_8
-8
-48
-48
48
48
-48
48
48
-48
-48
-48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Houston, T ex.........................
Little Rock, A rk ...................
Louisville, K y .......................
Nashville, Term.....................
New Orleans, L a ...................
2
4
8 8 _8 -48
8 8 -8 -48
81-5J-48
7I-7J-45
W ESTERN.
1 Double time after 10 p. m. and on Saturdays after 5 p. m.
2 Rate in cents per hour.
? More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
4 Time and one-half after 10 p. m.
6 45 hours per week, June to August, inclusive.
6 Double time after midnight.
7 Double time after 3 hours, and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
8 Hours vary, b ut total 48 per week.
9 Scale became 60.4 cents on July 1,1918.
w Scale became 61.5 cents on June 1,1918.
11 Double tim e after 4 hours.
For New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Memorial Days, time and one-half.
■s Douole time after l i p . m.
14 44 hours per week, May to August, inclusive.
15 Double time after 10 p. m.
16 Except for those who worked less than 6 days in the preceding week, who received single time for
Sunday.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[483]
166
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
MACHINIST OPERATORS.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
F ull days; urday
Per
Saturdays;
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
half Per week,
For days
full week.
Per week, over
full week. holi
hour.
full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111..............................
D etroit, Mich..........................
Indianapolis, In d ...................
Minneapolis, Minn.................
Omaha, N ebr.........................
St. Paul, M inn.......................
W ichita, K ans........................
Cents. Dolls.
Dequl ar rate
mult plied
by
Cents. Dolls.
*14
14
414
614
8 14
«14
914
2
2
2
72
14
72
14
2 8 -8
2 8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
2 8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
350.0
60.5
356.3
58.3
353.I
58.3
54.7
24. 00
29.04
27.00
28.00
25.50
28.00
26.25
59.4
W12.0
72.9
56.3
54. 2
62.5
60.0
28.50 1080c.
1
35.00 o n
27.00
14
26.00 414
30.00
14
27.00 1414
(u)
1
2
14
2
2
14
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
is 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
84-54-48
74- 74-45
59.4
1212.0
4 72.9
56. 3
51.1
3
12 56.3
60.0
35.00
27.00
24.52
27.00
27.00
13 8 -8 -48
81.3
362.5
75.0
85. 7
373.3
39.00
30.00
36.00
36.00
33.00
15 14
4 14
2
14
14
14
14
8 -8 -48
-8 -48
8 -8 -48
7 -7 -42
74-74-45
81.3
3 362.5
71. 3
85.7
373.3
39.00
30.00
34.20
36.00
33.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
7 -7 -42
7§-74-45
60.2 28.90
60.5 29.04
356.3 27.00
5 58.3 28.00
353.1 25.50
58.3 28.00
55.2 26.50
2 8 -8
2 8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
2 8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
-48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Birmingham, Ala...................
Dallas, Tex.............................
Houston, T ex .........................
L ittle Rock, A rk ...................
Louisville, K y ........................
N ashville 'T en n .....................
New Orleans, L a ...................
28.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
84-54-48
7J-74-45
WESTERN.
B utte, Mont............................
Salt I ake City, U ta h ............
San Francisco, Cal.................
Seattle, W a s h ........................
Spokane, W ash......................
414
14
414
ic s
PHOTO-ENGRAVERS.
N O R T H C EN TR A L.
Chicago, 111................
«64.6 31.00 8 lé
2
2 8 -8 -48
358.3 28.00
2 8 -8 -48
Cincinnati, Ohio.......
58.3 28.00
2
12 54.2 26.00
14
81-4-4-48
81-44-48
Cleveland, Ohio.......
U58.3 28. 00 "1*
2
12 50.0 24.00
2 81-44-48
84-44-48
Columbus, Ohio.......
52. 1 25.00
2
12 50.0 24.00
81-44-48
14
84-44-48
is 9 _4 _4g
Des Moines, Iowa__
358.3 28.00 »14
2
12 54.2 26.00
84-44-48
Detroit, Mich______
i958.3 28.00 5 14
2
84-44-48
12 343.8 21.00
84-44-48
Grand Rapids, Mich.
341.7 20.00
14
2
84-44-48
12 341.7 20.00
8|-4i-48
Kansas City, Mo.......
58.3 28. 00 20 14
2
12 54.2 26.00
84-44-48
84-44-48
2
0
i
j
Milwaukee, W is.......
58.3 28.00
2
12 354.2 26.00
8-4-44-48
84-44-48
Minneapolis, M inn...
56.3 27.00 2014
2
84-44-48
12 56.3 27.00
84-44-48
1 Double tim e after 3 hours, and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
2 Hours vary b u t to tal 48 per week.
3 More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
4Double tim e after midnight.
6 Scale became 66.7 cents on June 1,1918.
e Double tim e after 4 hours.
7 Time and one-half for New Years, Memorial, and Thanksgiving days.
8 Double tim e after 3 hours.
9 Time and one-half after 10 p. m.
19 Rate in cents per hour.
u Overtime rate plus 50 cents per day.
i-’ Per 1,000 ems nonpareil, and 50 cents per day additional,
is 44 hours per week, May to August,inclusive.
h Double tim e after 10.30 p. m.
I6 Double tim e after 10 p. m.
is 45 hours per week, June to August, inclusive.
ii Scale became 60.4 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
18 81 hours on Thursdays and Fridays.
19 More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became
60.4 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
20 Double tim e after 9 p. m.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[484]
167
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRA D E IN T H E N O R TH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W E STE R N STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PHOTO-ENGRAVERS—Concluded.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of wagesGeographical division and
city
For
Per
Sun
For days
Per week, over
hour. full time. and
time.
holi
days.
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
Rate of
wages—
Mos
with
Sat
ur
day
Per
half Per week,
holi hour. full
day.
time.
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
north central —concluded.
Omaha, Nebr.:
Halftone photographers
and finishers, and cop
per etchers.......................
Zinc etchers, routers, and
blockers............................
Printers and strippers____
St. Paul, M um .......................
Cents Dolls
Regulcir rate
mult plied
by
Cents Dolls
11
2
*8J-4J-48
12 152.1
25.00
281-41-48
28.00
28.00
27.00
i*
H
31J
2
2
2
3 81-41-48
3 8f—4j-48
8|-4i-48
12 147.9
12 143.8
12 56.3
23.00
21.00
27.00
2 8-1-41-48
2 8f-4i-48
8-1-41-48
28.00
28.00
3l i
3l i
2
2
81-4-1-48
2 81-41-48
12 54.2
12 54.2
28.00
26.00
81-4-1-48
2 81-4-1-48
25.00
24. 00
30.00
24. 00
30.00
34.50
27.50
li
li
li
li
2
2
2
52.1 25.00
i 50.0 24.00
62.5 30. 00
i 50.0 24. 00
12 50.0 24.00
12 68.2 30.00
57.3 27. 50
8 -8 48
8 8 -48
8 8 48
8 8 48
8 -8 -48
8 -4 -44
8 -8 -48
158.3
28.00
158.3
158.3
56.3
Dallas, Tex............................. 58.3
Houston, T ex......................... 1.58.3
SOUTH CENTRAL.
WESTERN.
Denver, Colo..........................
Los Angeles, Cal....................
Portland, Oreg.......................
Salt Lake City, U tah............
San Francisco, Cal.................
Seattle, W ash.........................
Spokane, W ash......................
52. 1
i 50.0
i 62.5
150.0
168.2
3 78.4
157.3
4li
li
li
li
2
2
2
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -4
8 -4
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
-44
-44
-48
PR E SS FEED ERS.
NORTH CENTRAL.
co
OO
1
OO
co
1
OO
1
►
JaOO
OO
'T
co
1
co
OO
OO
1
OO
00
2 8 - 8 -4 8
OO OO
1
1
OO co
1
OO OO
OO
1
OO
OO
[485|
2 8 - 8 -4 8
2 8 - 8 -4 8
OO
00
1
00
1
4^OO
OO
w
1
OO
1
OO
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 8 - 8 -4 8
CO
1
OO
1
OO
Chicago, 111.:
2
Cylinder presses, seniors... 1 4 3 .8 2 1 .0 0
1 3 8 .5
1 8 .5 0
6li
Cylinder presses less than
*25 by 38inches, ju n io rs.. 3 2 .3 1 5 .5 0 6 l i
2
2 9 .2
1 4 .0 0
Colt and Universal presses,
juniors.............................. 1 3 0 .2 1 4 .5 0 « 1 J
2
2 8 -8 -4 8
i 27.1
1 3 .0 0
6 11
2
Platen presses................... •. 2 9 .2 1 4 .0 0
• 2 8 - 8 -4 8
i 2 6 .0
1 2 .5 0
Operating 1 folding ma
2
chine ................................. 4 6 .9 2 2 .5 0 6 Ü
2 8 - 8 -4 8
4 1 .7
2 0 .0 0
Operating 2 automatic
nè
2
folding machines............. 5 3 .1 2 5 .5 0
4 7 .9
2 3 .0 0
Operating 3 automatic
folding machines............. 5 9 .4 2 8 .5 0 6 1-1
2
2 8 - 8 -4 8
5 4 .2
2 6 .0 0
Press assistants, single
rotary presses.........., ___ 4 6 .9 2 2 .5 0 6 l è
2
4 1 .7
2 0 .0 0
Tension men, 2-roll Cottrell
96-page rotary presses__ 5 4 .2 2 6 .0 0 6 1J
2
2 8 -8 -4 8
4 9 .0
2 3 .5 0
Oilers, 2-roll Cottrell, 96page rotary presses......... 5 1 .0 2 4 .5 0 n è
2
4 4 .8
2 1 .5 0
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Cylinder presses.................. 3 7 .5 1 8 .0 0
2
8 -8 -4 8
3 3 .3
1 6 .0 0
iè
Operators, assistants, au
2
tomatic folding machines 3 9 .6 1 9 .0 0
8 - 8 -4 8
li
(7)
( 7)
Opert,ting 1 automatic
2
folding machine............... 4 3 .8 s 2 1 .0 0
8 - 8 -4 8
iè
( 7)
(7)
1 More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
2 Hours vary but total 48 per week.
3 Double time after 9 p. m.
4 Double tim e after 4 hours, triple tim e after 8 hours.
5 Scale became 81.8 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
6 Double tim e after 3 hours, and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
7 No scale in effect on May 15,1917.
8 And $2 for each additional machine.
8 -8 -4 8
(7)
( 7)
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRA D E IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W E STE R N STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB -Continued.
PRESS FEEDERS—Continued.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of wagesGeographical division and
city.
north central —continued.
For
Sun
Per
For days
Per week, over
hour. full time. and
holi
time.
days.
“ -
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Sat
ur
Per
day
half Per week,
holi hour. full
time.
day.
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
1
Regular rate
multiplied
Cents. Dolls.
by -
Cents. Dolls.
Cleveland, Ohio:
39.6 19. 00
8 -8 -48
Folding-machine operators. 43.8 21.00 i l l
2
8 -8 -48
235.4 17.00
8 -8 -48
2
8 -8 -48
2-color cylinder presses__ 39.6 19. 00 1 H
Cylinder presses over 34
inches or folding ma8 -8 -48
33.3 16. 00
2
8 -8 -48
chines............................... 37.5 18.00 11-2
Cylinderpresses(females).. 35.4 17.00 1 H
2
8 -8 -48
(3)
(3)
(3)
230.2 14.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Assistants, platen presses.. 234.4 16.50 1 Ü
2
Colt, Universal or cylinder
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
227.1 13.00
2
presses, under 34inches.. 31.3 15.00 1 U
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
225.0 12. 00
Platen presses..................... 29. 2 14.00 1 Ü
2
4 8 -8 -48
4 8 -8 -48
231.3 15.00
2
Columbus, Ohio..................... 37.5 18.00 1 l i
Davenport, Iowa, and Mo
line and Rock Island, 111.:
8 -8 -48
33.3 16. 00
8 -8 -48
2
C ylinder presses................. 39.0 18. 70
H
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
20.8 10.00
Platen presses..................... 25.2 12.10
2
lè
Des Moines, Iowa:
8
-8 -48
8 -8 -48
32.3 15.50
Cylinder presses.................. 37.5 18.00 U l
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2
233.3 16.00
Folding-machine operators. 37.5 18.00 U l
8
-8 -48
8 -8 -48
35.4 17.00
Rotary presses.................... 239.6 19.00 U è
2
D etroit, Mich.:
Cylinder presses, over 62
8Î-41-48
8-Ï-4Î-48
2
12 39.6 19.00
inches............................... 41.7 20.00 U è
Cylinder presses, 25 by 38
8|-4J-48
inches and over............... 37.5 18.00 U è
2
8J-4j-48
12 35.4 17.00
Cylinder presses less than
81-4 J-48
25 by 38 inches................. 33.3 16.00 U è
2
Si-41-48
12 31.3 Ì5.00
Automatic p r e s s e s , or
81-41-48
Kelly presses, hand fed.. 33.3 16.00 U l
2
8-1-41-48
12 31.3 15.00
Platen presses..................... 31.3 15.00 U è
83-4J-48
81-41-48
2
12 29.2 14.00
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Cyl4
8 -8 -48
4
8
-8
-48
2
31.3 15.00
inder presses.................... 231.3 15.00 U è
Indianapolis, Ind. :
8 -8 -48
4 8 -8 -48
Cylinder presses, pony....... 33.3 16. 00 U l
2
28.3 13.56
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
34.5 16. 56
Cylinder presses................. 39.6 19. 00
2
n
Kansas City, Mo.:
Cylinder presses, patent
4 8 -8 -48
4 8 -8 -48
inside................................ 839. 6 19.00 U è
2
37.5 18. 00
Cylinder presses, 24 by 36
inches or over, or auto4 8 -8 -48
4 8 -8 -48
35.4 17.00
2
matic feed........................ 837.5 18.00 U è
4 8 -8 -48
4 8 -8 -48
35.4 17.00
2
Rotary web presses............ 837.5 18.00 U è
Cylinder presses, less th an
4 8 -8 -48
2
4 8 -8 -48
31.3 15.00
24 by 36 inches................. 1C33.3 16. 00 U è
4 8 -8 -48
2
4 8 -8 -48
22.9 11.00
Platen presses..................... U25.0 12. 00 U è
1 Double time after midnight.
2 More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
3 No scale in effect on May 15, 1917.
4 Hours vary, but total 48 per week.
6 Double time after 5 hours.
6 Double tim e after 10 p. m.
' Double tim e after 4 hours, and on Saturday after 5 p .m .
8 Scale became 41.7 cents on June 15,1918.
9 Double time after 9 p. m.
m Scale became 37.5 cents on June 15,1918.
n More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 29.2
cents on June 15,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4S6]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
169
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESS FEEDERS—Continued.
May 15 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of waeesGeographical division and
city.
For
Per
SunPer week, u vCi da vs
hour. full lune. and
time.
holidays.
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Saturday
Per
half Per week,
holi- hour. full
day.
time.
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
NORTH CENTRAL—concluded.
Milwaukee, Wis. :
Cylinder presses, 25 h r 3?
inches «r ov*r. or auto
matic
or foldingmachine operators, or Cents.
assistants and loggers__ 137.5
Operating 1 folding machine <40.6
Operating 2 folding ma
chines ............................... 546.9
Cylinder presses, less th an
25 by 38 inches................. 329.2
Minneapolis, Minn. :
Cylinder presses.................. 732.5
Platen presses..................... 1023.5
St. Louis, Mo.:
Cylinder presses, 24 by 36
inches and over............... 1139.O
Cylinder presses less than
24 by 36 inches................. 32.1
Operating on 2 automatic
machines less th a n 24 by
36 inches........................... 51.6
Assistants, rotary web
presses.............................. 50.4
St. Paul, Minn.:
Cylinder presses.................. 34.9
Helpers on rotary web
presses.............................. 37.3
Wichita, Kans.:
Cylinder............................... 1131.3
Platen... *.............................. 1125.0
Dolls.
18.00
19.50
22.50
Regnair rate
multiplied.
by
2li
2Ü
2
2
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
Cents. Dolls.
34.9
38.0
16. 75
18.25
3 8 -8 -48
» 8 -8 -4 8
2Ü
2
3 8 -8 -48
44.3
21.25
3 8 -8 -48
14.00
2 lè
2
3 8 -8 -48
26.6
12.75
3 8 -8 -48
16.09
11.63
2 li
2 li
82
s2
3 9 -4 -49
9 9 -4 -49
12 32.5
12 23.5
16.09
11.63
» 9 -4 -49
9 9 -4 -49
18.70
2li
2
8 -8 -48
1135.4
17.00
8 -8 -48
15.40
2 li
2
8 -8 -48
29.2
14.00
8 -8 -48
24.75
2 li
2
8 -8 -48
46.9
22.50
8 -8 -48
24.20
2 li
2
8 -8 -48
45.8
22.00
8 -8 -48
17.26
12 11
13 2
9 9 -4 -49
12
32.5
16.09
s 9 -4 -49
18.26
72 11
13 2
9 9 -4 -49
12 34.9
17.09
99 —
4—
49
15.00
12.00
2li
2 li
2
2
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
31.3
25.0
15.00
12.00
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
SOUTH CENTRAL.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
1
OO
OO
[487]
00
1
1
OO
GO
OO
Dallas, Tex.:
Cylinder presses................ . 37.5 18.00
2
8 -8 -48
33.3 16.00
8 -8 -48
li
Press assistants................... 37.5 18.00
2
8 -8 -48
31.3 15.00
8 -8 -48
li
Houston, Tex.: Cylinder
4 31.3 15.00
8 -8 -48
presses................................. 1131.3 15.00
2
li
Little Rock, Ark.:
15 2
Cylinder presses................ . 29.2 14.00
8 -8 -48
29.2 14.00
lì
Cylinder presses, news
15 2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
31.3 15.00
paper offices................... . 31.3 15.00
lì
15 2 |
8.00
8 -8 -48
8.00
8 -8 -48
16.7
Platen presses................... . 16.7
lì
1 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became
43.8 cents on July 1, 1918.
2 Double time after midnight.
3 Hours vary but total 48 per week.
4 Morei than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported, Scale became 46.9
cents on July 1, 1918.
5 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported, Scale became 53.1
cents on July 1, 1918.
3 Scale became 35.4 cents on July 1,1918.
7 Scale became 39.5 cents on June 1,1918.
3 For Sundays, July 4, and Christmas; other holidays, time and one-half.
« Work 49 hours, paid for 49|.
10 Scale became 28.5 cents on June 1,1918.
u More than half of the members received more than the scale; am ount not reported,
is Double time after 4 hours.
13 For New Year’s, Memorial, and Thanksgiving days, time and one-half.
14 44 hours per week, May to August, inclusive.
is For Sundays, Labor Day, and Christmas; other holidays, time and one-half.
170
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E N O RTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W E STE R N STATES, ON MAY 15,1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESS FEEDERS—Concluded.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of wagesGeographical division and
city.
For
Sun
Per
For days
Per week, over
hour. full time. and
holi
time.
days.
Hours:
Full days;
Saturdays;
full week.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours:
Sat
Full days;
ur
Per
Saturdays;
day
half Per week, full week.
holi hour. full
time.
day.
SOUTH CENTRAL—concluded.
Louisville, Ky.:
A ttendant on 1 automatic Cents.
feed cylinder press........... 33.3
A ttendant on 2 automatic
feed cylinder presses....... 37.5
Cylinder presses.................. 32.3
Platen presses..................... 25.0
Memphis, Tenn.: Cylinder
presses.............................. 31.3
Nashville, Tenn.:
Cylinder presses.................. 3 27.1
Cylinder presses (females).. *20.8
Assistants, platen presses. . *22.9
New Orleans, La.: Cylinder
presses.................................. 34.4
Dolls.
16.00
18.00
15.50
12.00
Regular rate
multiplied
by—
Cents. Dolls.
1U
2
8f-*irA8
12 30.2
14.50
8f-4J-48
'H
1 1*
1H
2
2
2
81—4i—
48
81-41-48
8Î-41-48
12 34.4
12 29.2
12 21.9
16.50
14.00
10.50
8f-4|-48
8|-4i-48
8J-4i-48
15.00
Ü
2
2 8 -8 -48
28.1
13.50
2 8 -8 -4 8
13.00
10.00
11.00
l*
l|
tè
2
2
2
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -4 8
27.1
20.8
22.9
13.00
10.00
11.00
28 —
8—
48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -4 8
16.50
li
li
8 -8 -48
31.3
15.00
8 -8 -48
li
li
2
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
37.5
28.1
18.00
13.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
4 li
2
8 -8 -48
35.4
17.00
8 -8 -48
17.00
14.00
15.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
WESTERN.
Butte, Mont. :
Cylinder presses.................. 3 37 5 18.00
Platen presses..................... 3 28 1 13.50
Denver, * Colo.: Cylinder
presses ................................. 39.6 19.00
Los Angeles, Cal. :
Cylinder presses.................. 39.6 19.00
platen presses..................... 33.3 16.00
Universal presses................ 35.4 17.00
Portland, Oreg.:
Cylinder presses.................. 3 37 5 18.00
Platen presses..................... 3 31.3 15.00
Salt Lake City, U tah: Press
assistants, cylinder presses. 37.5 18.00
San Francisco, Cal.:
Cylinder presses.................. 40.6 19.50
Platen presses..................... 34.4 16.50
Seattle, Wash.:
Cylinder presses.................. 39.6 19.00
platen presses..................... 33.3 16.00
Spokane/Wash. :
Cylinder presses.................. 3 34.4 16.50
Colt, Golding, or Universai presses................... 3 29 2 14.00
Platen presses..................... 3 28.1 13.50
ili
1 li
Ili
2
2
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
35.4
29.2
31.3
li
li
li
li
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
34.4
29.2
16.50
14.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
li
li
8 -8 -48
3 31.3
15.00
. 8 -8 -4 8
1 ti
1li
lì
li
8 -8 -18
8 -8 -48
34.4
28.1
16.50
13.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
li
li
li
li
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
35.4
30.2
17.00
14.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
1li
2
8 -8 -48
34.4
16.50
8 -8 -48
1 li
1 1-i
2
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
29.2
28.1
14.00
13.50
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
PRESSMEN: Cylinder.
N O R TH CENTR AL.
Chicago, 111.:
Operating 1 cylinder press
not over 28 by 42 inches
and not more than 3
platen presses................. 53.1 25.50 3 l i
2
2 8 -8 -48
47.9 23.00
2 8 -8 -48
Operating 1 single-roll ro
59.4 28.50
2
28 —
8—
48
2 8 -8 -48
tary press (web press). . . 64.6 31.00 6 l i
1 Double tim e after midnight.
2 Hours vary, b ut total 48 per week.
8 More th an half of the members received more th an the scale; am ount not reported.
4 Double time after 4 hours.
8 Double timo after 3 hours, and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[488]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
171
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E N O RTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESSMEN: Cylinder—Continued.
May 15,1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days; urday
For
Full days;
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
Per
Saturdays;
For days
Per week, over
full week. half Per week,
full
week.
holi hour. full
liom. full
and
time.
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
north central—continued.
Chicago, 111.—Concluded.
Reaular rate
Operating 1 Cox duplex
multivlied
press or I Goss flat-bed Cents. Dolls.
by
Cents. Dolls.
press ................................. 66. 7 32. 00 1 U
2
2 8 -8 -48
61.5 29.50
2 8 -8 -48
Operating 1 double impression, 2 sheets to 1 cylinder, 1 or 2 color press___ 67.7 32.50 1 lè
2
2 8 -8 -48
62.5 30.00
2 8 -8 -48
Operating I single-roll rotary press over 57 inches3. 69.8 33.50 1 l i
2
2 8 -8 -48
64.6 31.00
2 8 -8 -48
Operating 2-roll Cottrell 96page rotary press, or Iroll magazine press......... 82.3 39.50 1 U
2
2 8 -8 -48
77.1 37.00
2 8 -8 -48
Operating 1 press with Upham attach m en t 4........... 59.4 28. 50 ‘ U
2
2 8 -8 -48
54.2 26.00
2 8 -8 -48
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Operating 1 double cylinder or 2 color presses over
53 inches........................... 57.8 27. 75
2
8 -8 -48
57.8 27. 75
lè
8 -8 -48
Operating rotary web
presses, first position....... 59.9 28. 75
2
8 -8 -48
59.9 28.75
lè
8 -8 -48
Operating 1 single-color
Harris press or 1 automatic press....................... 38.0 18.25
2
8 -8 -48
38.0 18.25
lè
8 -8 -48
Operating 2 automatic
presses............................. 43.2 20.75
2
8 -8 -48
43.2 20.75
lè
8 -S -48
Operating 1 perfecting
press s............................... 47.4 22. 75
2
8 -8 -48
47.4 22.75.
lè
8 -8 -48
Operating 2 single presses
over 53 inches or 1 double
or 2-color press less than
33 inches........................... 54. 7 26.25
K ft 4K
2
u
Operating 4 bag presses__ 55.7 26.75
ù
2
8 -8 -48
55! 7 26. 75
8 -8 -48
Cleveland, Ohio..................... 50.0 24.00 6 Ih
2
R H 4K
Columbus, Ohio..................... 49.0 23.50 61|
2
8
-8
-48
42.7
20.50
2
8
-8 -48
iè
Davenport, Iowa, and Mo
line and Rock Island, 111.:
Operating Lcylinder and 2
platen presses or 2 cylin8 _8 _48
der presses........................ 56.1 26.95
2
4Q O
lè
Operating 1 press................ 50.4 24.20
8 8 4$
2
48 8 21 00
8 -8 -48
lè
Des Moines', Iowa................... 47.9 23. 00 8l i
2
8 -8 -48
43.8 21.00
8 -8 -48
Operating rotary presses... 52.1 25.00 «lè
2
8 -8 -48
47.9 23.00
8 -8 -48
Detroit, Mich.:
Operating 1 double cylinder or 2-color press.......... 52.1 25.00 8 lè
2
8f-4i-48
12 50.0 24.00
81-41-48
Operating 2 presses............ 50.0 24.00 8 1J
2
8f-4-|-48
12 47.9 23.00
81-41-48
Operating 1 double-roll rotary press......................... 54.2 26.00 8 l i
2
81-41-48
12 52.1 25.00
81-41-48
Operating 1 Kelly automatic or Harris press___ 43.8 21.00 8 11
2
81-41-48
12 41.7 20.00
81-41-48
Operating 1 Standard press 39.6 19.00 8 lè
2
81-41-48
12 37.5 18.00
81-41-48
1 Double time after 3 hours, and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
2 Hours vary, b ut total 48 per week.
3 Or Scott rotary press or 1 single-roll 80-page Goss rotary press, or in charge of 2-roll magazine rotary
press, or operating 1 double-roll rotary press, or second man on double-roll Cottrell rotary press.
4 Or 1 double-cylinder flat-bed perfecting press, or 3 patent inside blanket presses, or 1 press larger than
28 b y 42 inches and not more than 3 job presses, or 2 Kidder ticket presses, or 2 automatic presses, or 2 Kelly
presses, or 2 Ostend presses, or 2 Stokes & Smith automatic presses, or 2 Harris presses.
6 Or 2 single-roll presses less than 53 inches, or 1 cylinder and 3 platen presses.
8 Double time after midnight.
7 More than half of the members received more than the scale; am ount not reported.
8 Double time after 5 hours.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[489]
172
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BO O S AND JOB—Continued.
PRESSM EN: Cylinder—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Sat
For Hours—
Full days;
Full
days;
Per
urday
Sun
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays;
For
half Per week,
Per week, over days
full week.
full week. holi
full
hour.
hour. full time. and
time.
day.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
north central —continued.
Regul ir rate
multi plied
Cents. Dolls.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Op Cents. Dolls.
by
8 -8 -48
43.8 21.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
erating 1 or 2 presses......... 43.8 21.00 1 11
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Operating 1 or 2 cylinder
8 -8 -48
47.5 22.80
8 -8 -48
2
or automatic presses....... 52.1 25.00 311
Operating rotary web
8 -S -48
8 -8 -48
54.8 26.30
2
press................................. 59.4 28.50 811
Kansas City, Mo.:
Operating 1 cylinder press,
over 24 by 36 inches, and
2 8 -8 -48
56.3 27.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
2 platen presses4 ......... 5 56.3 27.00 6 H
Operating 1 or 2 cylinder
presses 24 by 36 inches or
2 8 -S -48
43.8 21.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
under............................... 7 43.8 21.00 6 11
Operating
2 cylinder
presses, under a fore
2 8 -S -48
50.0 24.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
9 50.0 24.00
man 8 .....................
611
Operating 1 cylinder press
24 by 36 inches or under
2 8 -8 -48
47.9 23.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
and 2 platen presses....... 47.9 23.00 6 H
Operating 1 press over 24
by 36, u p to 38 by 56
2 8 -8 -48
45.8 22.00
2 8 -8 -48
2
inches.............................. 1045.8 22.00 M i
Operating 1 double-roll ro
2 8 -8 -48
55.2 26. 50
2 8 -S -48
2
tary press........................ u55.2 26.50 6 Ü
Milwaukee, Wis.: Operating
1 or 2 cylinder presses, or
one 3-cylinder patent in
2 8 -S -48
50.0 24. 00
2 8 -8 -48
2
side blanket press.......... 1250.0 24.00 13 u
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Foremen over 4 or more
is 9 _4 -49
16 9 _4 -49
12 52.0 25.74
presses.............................. 4452.0 25.74 4311 15 2
is 9 -4 -49
12 45.0 22. 28
489 -4 -49
Operating 1 or 2 presses... 4745.0 22.28 lä H 15 2
is
9 -4 -49
24.
75
lä
1
J
12
4
8
9
-4
-49
50.0
1
5
2
24.75
1850.0
Operating 3 presses............
Omaha, Nebr.: Operating 1
8 -8 -48
41.7
20.00
8
-8
-48
21
.
00
43.8
4
9
11
or 2 presses............
11
Peoria, 111.:
In charge of 2 presses or 1
cylinder and 2 platen
8 -8 -48
39.6 19.00
2
8 -8 -48
41. 7 20. 00 18 1J
presses.....................
8 -8 -48
43.8 21.00
8 -8 -48
2
45. 8 22. 00 43 11
In charge of 3 presses.
8 -8 -48
47 9 23 00
2
8 -8 -48
50.0 24. 00 43 11
In charge of 4 presses.
In charge of 5 or more
8 -8 -48
54.2 26.00
8 -8 -48
2
56.3 27.00 43 U
presses..............
1 Double tim e after 10 p. m.
2 Hours vary, but total 48 per week.
s Double time after 10 p. m. and on Saturday after 5 p .m .
4 Or in charge of 2 or more cylinder presses, or 2 cylinder presses 24 by 36 inches or over.
6 Scale became 60.4 cents on'June 15,1918.
6 Double time after 9 p. m.
7 Scale became 47.9 cents on June 15,1918.
8 Or 1 press over 38 by 56 inches, or one 2-color or 1 double-ender press.
9 Scale became 54.2 cents on June 15, 1918.
10 Scale became 50 cents on June 15,1918.
11 Scale became 59.4 cents on June 15,1918.
12 Scale became 54.2 cents on July 1,1918.
13 Double tim e after midnight.
44 Scale became 61 cents and 48 hours on June 1,1918.
is For New Year’s, Memorial, and Thanksgiving days, time and one-half.
16 Work 49 hours, paid for 49J.
47 Scale became 53 cents and 48 hours on June 1,1918.
48 Scale became 59 cents and 48 hours on June 1, 1918.
49 Double tim e after midnight and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[490]
173
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES,'ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB
Continued.
PRESSM EN : Cylinder—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Homs—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days;
Per
SunPer
Saturdays; half
Saturdays;
Per week, over days
full week. holi Per week,
full week.
hour. full time. and
hour.
full
day.
time.
holitime.
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL—concluded.
St. Louis, Mo.:
Cents.
Operating 1 press................ 43.5
Operating 2 presses under
24 by 36 inches 2.............. 48.1
Operating 1 cvUnder press
over 24 by 36 inches and
1 or 2 platen presses3__ 52.7
Operating 1 press over 24
by 36 i nnhes and 1 auto
matic press, or one 2color Harris press over
15 by 18 inches, or 2
automatic presses........... 61.9
Operating 1"Harris press
15 by 18 inches or under
and 1 or 2 platen presses, 53.9
Operating 1single or double
roll rotary press.............. 63.0
Operating second position,
double-roll rotary p ress4 56.1
St. Paul, Minn.:
Operating 1 single and 1
double cylinder press__ 5 52.1
Operating 2 single presses.. 5 46.9
In charge of single-rotary
press................................. 53.1
In charge of double-rotary
press................................. 57.3
In charge of triple-rotary
press................................. 63.5
Dolls.
D equiar rate
multiplied
by—
Cents. Dolls.
1Ü
2
8 -3 -48
39.6
19.00
8 -8 -48
23.10
1l i
2
8 -8 -48
43.8
21.00
8 -8 -48
25. 30
» li
2
8 -8 -48
47.9
23.00
8 -8 -48
29.70
1 lè
2
8 -8 -48
56.3
27. 00
8 -8 -48
25.85
2
8 -8 -48
49.0
23.50
8 -8 -48
30.25
8 -8 -48
57.3
27.50
8 -8 -48
26.95
Ȇ
1 1J
2
2
8 -8 -48
51.0
24.50
8 -8 -48
25.00
22. 50
6lì
« lì
72
22
8Ï-4I-48
85-4^48
12 51.0
12 45.8
24. 50
22. 00
8 9 -4 -49
8 9 -4 -49
25.50
6l ì
72
8Î-4J-48
12 52.1
25.00
s 9 _4 _49
6lì
72
Si-4’,-48
12
56.3
27.00
89 -4 -49
6l i
72
8I-4Í-48
12
62.5
30.00
8 9 -4 -49
20.90
27.50
30. 50
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Birmingham, H a.:
u 8 -8 -48
36.5 17. 50
» 36.5 17.50 10 11
Operating 1 p r 3ss
2
u 8 -8 -48
11 8 -8 -48
44. 8
11 8 -8 -48
21.50
944.8 21.50 10 l ì
2
Operating 2 presses ..
In charge of 1 cylinder and
u 8 -8 -48
50.0 24.00
u 8 -8 -48
2
2 or more platen presses .. 950.0 24. 00 10 14
In charge of 2 or 3 cylinder
and 2 or more platen
11 8 -8 -48
53.1 25.50
2
n 8 -8 -48
953.1 25.50 1011
presses _
In charge of 4 or more cylinder and 4 or more
57.3 27.50
11 8 -8 -48
n 8 -8 -48
2
platen presses................. 957.3 27.50 10 l i
1 Double tim e after midnight.
.
2 Or 1 press under 24 by 36 inches and 2 platen presses, or 1 single Harris press 15 by 18 inches or under,
or 1 platen press without automatic feed and 1 cylinder press under 24 by 36 inches, or 1 automatic press.
3 Or 1 press 24 by 36 inches or over and 1 press with automatic feed, or 1 auto press and 2 platen presses.
« Or operating 1 press 68 inches or over, or 1 double perfecting press, or 2 presses 24 by 36 inches and
over, or 1 press under 24 by 36inches and 1 automatic press, or one 2-color press, or one 2-color Harris press 15
by 18 inches or under, or 2 single Harris presses 15 by 18 inches or under, or 1 press 24 by 36 inches or over
and 1 single Harris press 15 by 18 inches or under.
6 Scale became 54 cents on June 1,1918.
6 Double tim e after 4 hours.
’ For Memorial and Thanksgiving days, time and one-half.
8 Work 49 hours, paid for 49J-.
9 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
10 Time and one-half after 1 hour.
n Hours vary, but total 48 per week.
12
100785°—19https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[491]
MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW,
174
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRA D E IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESSM EN : Cylinder—Continued.
May 15,1917.
May 15,1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Saturdays;
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
Per
half
For
full
week.
week,
Per
full week. holi
Per week, over days
hour.
full
and
hour. full time.
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
south centeal —concluded.
Dallas, Tex.:
Journeymen, shops A........
Journeymen, shops B ........
In charge of 2 or more
presses..............................
Houston, Tex.:
In charge of 1 cylinder and
1 or more platen presses
or 2 or more cylinder
presses..............................
Operating 4 presses............
A ssistants............................
L ittle Rock, Ark. : Operating
1 cylinder and 1 platen
press or 2 cylinder presses
Louisville, Ky.:
38 inches and 2 platen
presses, o rl Harris press,
or 1 Kidder press...........
Operating 1 cylinder press
and 1 automatic-feed
press................................
Operating 2 presses............
Operating 2 automatic feed
presses............................ .
Memphis, Tenu. :
In charge of 2 cylinder
presses............................. .
Operating 1 press...............
Operating 2 presses............
Nashville, Tenn.:
In charge of 2 presses.........
Operating 2 presses............
In charge o f magazine ro
tary press.........................
Assistants, first, on rotary
press.................................
Assistants, second, on ro
tary press.........................
New Orleans, La.: Operat
ing 1 or 2 presses, or platen
and combination auto
matic press........................ .
Regni r rate
multiplied
by
u
2
27.00
Cents. Dolls.
Cents. Dolls.
27.50
11
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
52.1
52.1
25.00
25.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
60.4
29.00
li
2
8 -8 -48
57.3
27.50
8 -8 -48
52.1
146.9
139.6
25.00
22.50
19.00
lì
lì
lì
2
2
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
52.1
46.9
39.6
25.00
22.50
19.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
142.7
20.50
lì
22
8 8 -8 -48
42.7
20.50
3 8 -8 -48
39.6
19.00
4l ì
2
8f-4£-48
12 36.5
17.50
8|-4i-48
42.7
20.50
4l ì
2
8J-4J-48
12 39.6
19.00
8|-4i-48
47.9
45.8
23.00
22.00
4 11
4l ì
2
2
81-41-48
81-44-48
12 44.8
12 42.7
21.50
20.50
85-4-4-48
8Î-4J-48
51.0
24.50
4l ì
2
81-11-48
12 47.9
23.00
8f-4J-48
52.1
37.5
47.9
25.00
18.00
23.00
li
lì
2
2
2
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
47.9
34.4
43.8
23.00
16.50
21.00
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
8 8 -8 -48
1 43.8
141.7
21.00
20.00
li
lì
2
2
g8 —
8—
48
3 8 -8 -48
43.8
41.7
21.00
20.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
1 62.5
30.00
li
2
3 8 -8 -48
62.5
30.00
8 -8 -48
1 29.2
14.00
lì
2
3 8 -8 -48
29.2
14.00
8 -8 -48
1 27.1
13.00
li
2
3 8 -8 -48
27.1
13.00
8 -8 -48
43.8
21.00
li
lì
8 -8 -48 ......... 40.6
19.50
8 -8 -48
6 62.5
30.00
6 li
2
8 -8 -48
30.00
8 -8 -48
56.3
57.3
WESTEBN.
B utte, M ont...
Denver, Colo.:
62.5
59.4 28.50 i l *
2
54.2 26.00
8 -8 -48
63.5 30.50 7 l ì
2
8 -8 -48
58.3 28.00
67.7 32.50 7 l ì
2
In charge of 5 presses.
62.5 30.00
8 -8 -48
1 More th an half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
2 For New Y ear’s Day, July 4, and Thanksgiving Day, tim e and one-half.
8 Hours vary, b u t total 48 per week.
4 Double tim e after midnight.
6 Scale became 75 cents on July 6,1918.
6 Double time after 4 hours and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
7 Double tim e after 4 hours.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[492]
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
175
U N IO N SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESSM EN : Cylinder—Concluded.
May 15, 1917.
May 15,1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Homs—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Sun
Per
Saturdays;
Per
Saturdays;
half Per week,
For days
full week.
full week. holi
Per week, over
hour.
full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
w e ste r n —concluded.
Cents. Dolls.
Los Angeles, Cal.:
In charge of presses............ 5 9 .4 2 8 .5 0
Operating 1 or 2 presses, or 5 1 .0 2 4 .5 0
1 cylinder and 2 platen
presses..............................
Operating 1 Cox or Goss
flat-bed press................... 5 6 .3 2 7 .0 0
Portland, Oreg....................... 5 3 .1 2 5 .5 0
Salt Lake City, U tah ............ 25 0 .0 2 4 .0 0
San Francisco. Cal. :
In charge of 2 or more cyl
inder presses, or 2 or
more cylinder presses
and 1 or more platen
presses, or 1 cylinder and
3 or more platen presses.. 68.8 3 3 .0 0
In charge of 1 cylinder and
2 platen presses................ 6 2 .5 3 0 .0 0
Operating 1 flat-bed web
press.................................. 6 2 .5 3 0 .0 0
Operating 2 cylinder, or 1
cylinder and 2 platen
presses.............................. 5 9 .4 2 8 .5 0
Operating 1 hand job and 1
or 2 platen presses, or 1
hand job and 1 auto
m atic platen press......... 5 6 .3 2 7 .0 0
Operating 1 press................ 5 4 .2 2 6 .0 0
Operating 1 hand job press. 5 0 .0 2 4 .0 0
Seattle, Wash.:
In charge of presses............ 5 62 .5 3 0 .0 0
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ « 5 7 .3 2 7 .5 0
Spokane, Wash. :
In charge of 2 or more
presses.............................. 6 2 .5 3 0 .0 0
Operating 1 or more presses 5 5 .2 2 6 .5 0
Operating 1 cylinder and 3
platen presses.................. 5 7 .3 2 7 .5 0
Operating 1 cylinder, or 1
automatic press................ 5 0 .0 2 4 .0 0
Regul ir rate
mult plied
by
Cents. Dolls.
11J
1 li
2
2
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
5 5 .2
4 6 .9
2 6 .5 0
2 2 .5 0
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
1nn
11*
2
114
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
5 2 .1
4 6 .9
5 0 .0
2 5 .0 0
2 2 .5 0
2 4 .0 0
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
l ii
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
6 2 .5
3 0 .0 0
-4 8
5 6 .3
2 7 .0 0
114
314
314
814
-4 8
6 2 .5
3 0 .0 0
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
114
3 14
8- 8
-4 8
5 6 .3
2 7 .0 0
8- 8 - 4 8
1G
iH
114
83 14
U
314
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
5 0 .0
2 4 .0 0
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
14
14
14
14
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
5 6 .3
5 1 .0
2 7 .0 0
2 4 .5 0
» l*
1 14
2
2
2
2
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
5 7 .3
5 0 .0
2 7 .5 0
2 4 .0 0
-4 8
5 2 .1
2 5 .0 0
-4 8
4 3 .8
21.00
‘ lè
1 14
114
8 -8
(*)
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
8- 8
-4 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
8- 8
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
PRESSM EN : P laten.
NORTH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111.:
1 8 .5 0
2
8 8 -8 -4 8
9 3 8 .5
Operating 1 to 3 presses— 4 3 . 8 2 1 .0 0 7 n
20. (X)
2
8 8 - 8 -4 8
4 1 .7
Operating 4 presses............ 4 6 . 9 2 2 .5 0
1Ü
2 1 .5 0
2
4 4 .8
Operating 5 presses............ 5 0 . 0 2 4 .0 0 7 l i
8 8 - 8 -4 8
2
2 3 .0 0
8 8 - 8 -4 8
9 4 7 .9
Operating 6 presses ................. 5 3 .1 2 5 .5 0 7 l i
Operating 1* combination
press w ith web attach
2 2 .0 0
2
8 8 -8 -4 8
4 5 .8
ment ................................. 5 1 .0 2 4 .5 0 7 l i
1 Double time after midnight.
2 Scale became 63.5 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
8 For Labor Day, double time.
4 No scale in effect on May 15,1917.
6 Scale became 75 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
6 Scale became 68.8 cents on Sept. 1, 1918.
7 Double tim e after 3 hours and on Saturday after completion of 48-hour week.
8 Hours vary, b u t total 48 per week.
9 More th an half of the members received more th an the scale; amount not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[493]
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
-8
-8
-8
-8
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
-4 8
8 8 -8 -4 8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
176
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS 0 1 LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESSM EN: Platen—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days;
Per
Sun
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays;
half Per week,
For days
Per week, over
full week. holi
full week.
hour. full time. and
hour.
full
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
north central—continued.
Regul arrate
mult plied
Cents. Dolls.
by
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Cents. Dolls.
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 37.5 18.00
33.3 16.00
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
14
35.4 17.00
Operating 3 presses............ 39.6 19.00
D
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Operating 4 presses............ 43.8 21.00
39.6 19.00
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
14
Operating 5 presses............ 47.9 23.00
2
8 -8 -48
43.8 21.00
8 -8 -48
1*
Cleveland, Ohio:
Operating 1 flat or rotary
press.................................. 50.0 24.00 H I
2
47.9 23.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2
2 33.3
16.00
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 39.6 19.00 H 4
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Operating 3 or 4 presses__ 41.7 20.00 i l l
2
235.4 17. CO
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Operating 5 to 8 presses__ 45.8 22.00 1 14
2
8 -8 -48
239.6 19.00
8 -8 -48
Columbus, Ohio..................... 45.8 22.00 1 lè
* 8 -8 -4 8
39.6 19.00
3 8 -8 -48
14
Davenport, Iowa, and Mol
35.4 17.00
2
8 -8 -48
ine and Rock Island, 111... 41.3 19.80
8 -8 -48
lì
Des Moines, Iowa:
2
8 -8 -48
31.3 15.00
Operating 1 press................ 237.5 18.00 i D
8 -8 -48
35.4 17.00
Operating 2 presses............ 239.6 19.00 1 u
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2
8 -8 -48
37.5 18.00
Operating 3 presses............ 41.7 20.00 1 14
8 -8 -48
Operating over 3 presses... 43.8 21.00 1 14
2
8 -8 -48
39.6 19.00
8 -8 -48
Detroit, Mich. :
2
12 33.3 16.00
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 35.4 17.00 4 14
81-41-48
S}-4|-48
8ÌHÌ-48
2
81-41-48
12 37.5 18.00
O perating 3 presses........ 39.6 19.00 4 1*
2
12 41.7 20.00
Operating 4 or 5 presses__ 43.8 21.00 4 14
8Ï-4J-48
8L4I-48
2
12 43.8 21.00
Operating 6 presses............ 45.8 22.00 4 14
81-41-48
81-41-48
Grand Rapids, Mich.:
2
35.4 17.00
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 35.4 17.00 514
3 8 -8 -48
3 8 -8 -48
Operating 3 presses............ 37.5 18.00 5 14
2
3 8 -8 -48
37.5 18.00
3 8 -8 -48
2
Operating 4 presses............ 39.6 19.00 514
3 8 -8 -48
39.6 19.00
3 8 -8 -48
Indianapolis, Ind.:
2
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 37.5 18. 00 611
8 -8 -48
32.9 15.80
8 -8 -48
2
Operating 3 presses............ 41.7 2 0 .0 0
8 -8 -4 8
3 7 .1
1 7 .8 0
8 - 8 -4 8
6 14
2
Operating 4 presses............. 4 5 .8 22. 00 6 14
8 -8 -4 8
4 1 .3
1 9 .8 0
8 -8 -4 8
Operating 5 presses............ 5 0 .0 2 4 .0 0
2
4 5 .4
8 -8 -4 8
2 1 .8 0
8 -8 -4 8
6 14
Operating 6 presses............ 5 2 .1 2 5 .0 0
2
8 - 8 -4 8
4 7 .5
2 2 .8 0
8 -8 -4 8
6 14
Kansas City, Mo.:
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 7 39. 6 1 9 .0 0 8 14
2
3 8 - 8 -4 8
3 9 .6
1 9 .0 0
3 8 - 8 -4 8
Operating 3 presses............ 9 41. 7 2 0 .0 0 8 14
2
3 8 -8 -4 8
4 1 .7
2 0 .0 0
3 8 - 8 -4 8
Operating 4presses............ i» 4 3 .8 2 1 .0 0 8 14
2
3 8 - 8 -4 8
4 3 .8
2 1 .0 0
3 8 -8 -4 8
In charge 4 or 5 presses___ 1145.8 2 2 .0 0 8 14
2
3 8 - 8 -4 8
4 5 .8
3 8 -8 -4 8
2 2 .0 0
Milwaukee, Wis.:
2
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 1237.5 1 8 .0 0 i D
3 8 - 8 -4 8
3 4 .9
1 6 .7 5
3 8 - 8 -4 8
Operating 3 presses............ 1239.6 1 9 .0 0 I D
2
3 8 -8 -4 8
3 7 .0
1 7 .7 5
3 8 -8 -4 8
Operating 4 presses............ 1343.8 2 1 .0 0
2
2 4 1 .1
3 8 -8 -4 8
19. 75
3 8 - 8 -4 8
1 14
1 Double time after midnight.
I More th a n half of th e members received more th an th e scale; am ount not reported.
3 Hours vary b u t total 48 per week.
4 Double tim e after 5 hours.
/
3 Double tim e after 10 p. m.
6 Double tim e after 10 p. m. and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
7 Scale became 43.8cents on June 15,1918.
3 Double tim e after 9 p .m .
■Scale became 45.8 cents on June 15,1918.
10 Scale became 47.9 cents on June 15,1918.
II Scale became 50 cents on June 15,1918.
12 More th a n half of the members received more th a n the scale; am ount not reported. Scale became
43.8 cents on July 1,1918.
is More th a n half of th e members received more th an the scale; am ount not reported. Scale became
47.9 cents on July 1,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[494 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
177
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PRESSM EN : P laten —Continued.
May 15,1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days:
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
Per
Saturdays;
For days
half Per week,
Per week, over
full week. holi
full week.
horn-. full time. and
hour.
fidi
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
i
north central — concluded.
Regular rate
multiplied
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Cents. Dolls.
by—
Operating 1 or 2 presses... 1 28.5 14.11 2 U 3 2
Operating 3 presses............ 6 30.0
Operating 4 or more presses 6 36.0
Omaha, Nebr.:
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 7 35.4
Operating 3 presses. . . ___ 737.5
Operating 4 presses............ 739.6
Operating 5 presses............ 741.7
Peoria, 111.:
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 31.3
Operating 3 presses............ 33.3
Operating 4 presses............ 35.4
S t. Louis, Mo.:
Operating 1 or 2 presses
with automatic feed or 1
28-inch coupon press
with automatic feed....... 39.0
Operating 1 automatic feed
press and 1hand feed press 42.4
Operating 4 presses, or 1
42-inch coupon press or 2
presses w ith automatic
feed or 2 hand presses
with automatic feed....... 45.8
St. Paul, Minn.:
Operating 1 to 3 presses__ 34.4
Operating 4 presses or 1
Osterlind and 1 or 2
presses.............................. 39.6
Cents. Dolls.
12 28.5
12 30.0
12 36.0
14.11
14.85
17. 82
49
-48
-48
-48
-48
33.3
35.4
37.5
39.6
16. 00
17. 00
18. 00
19. 00
8
8
8
8
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
29.2
31. 3
33.3
14.00
15. 00
16. 00
8 -8 -48
8 8 48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
35.4
17.00
8 8 48
8 -8 -48
38.5
18. 50
8 -8 -48
4 9 -4 -49
4 9 -4 -49
4 9 -4 -49
14. 85
17.82
*1*
Hi
32
32
17.00
18.00
19.00
20.00
8
H
8li
8 li
8 li
lì
li
li
H
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
15.00
16. 00
17.00
2lì
2li
2H
2
2
2
18.70
2
H
2
20.35
2l ì
2
4 9 -4 -49
4 9 -4 -49
-4 -49
8 48
8 48
8 48
-8 -48
22.00
2 li
2
8 -8 -48
16.50
9li
10 2
8f-4J-48
12 32.3
16.00
4 9 -4 -49
n 19.00
9li
102
8i-4i-48
12 737.4 U18.50
4 9 -4 -49
41. 7 20. 00
8 -8 -48
SOUTH CEN TR A L.
Birmingham, Ala.:
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 735.4 17.00 12 I L
2
73 8 -8 -48
7 35.4
17.00
is 8 _ 8 _ 48
2
Operating 3 to 5 presses____ 7 37.5 18.00 12 1^
37.5 18.00
Operating 6 to 8 presses____ 7 41.7 20.00 12 l i
2
is 8 -8 -48
41.7 20.00
In charge of 9 presses and
over ................................................. 7 45.8 22. 00 12 l ì
13 8 -8 -48
2
45.8 22.00
Dallas, Tex.:
Operating 1 to 4 presses____ 40.6 19.50
2
8 -8 -48
37.5 18.00
U
Houston, Tex. :
Operating 1 or 2 presses____ 7 35.4 17.00
h g -8 -48
2
4 35.4 17.00
lì
Operating 3 to 5 presses__ 740.6 i9 . 50
2
74 8 -8 -48
4 40.6 19. 50
li
Little Rock, Ark.:
13 g -8 -48
Operating 1automatic press 733.3 16.00
33.3 16.00
H 15 2
13 8 -8 -48
Operating 3 or 4 presses__ 737.5 18.00
37. 5 18.00
l i 15 2
1 Scale became 36 cents per hour and 8 hours on Saturday on June 1, 1918.
2 Double tim e after m idnight.
3 Time and one-half for New Year’s, Memorial, and Thanksgiving days.
4 Work 49 hours, paid for 49J.
6 Scale became 38 cents per hour and 8 hours on Saturday on June 1,1918.
6 Scale became 42 cents per hour and 8 hours on Saturday on June 1,1918.
7 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
8 Double tim e after'm idnight and on Saturday after 5 p. m.
9 Double tim e after 4 hours.
10 Time and one-half on Thanksgiving and Memorial days,
u And $1 for each additional press up to $21.50 per week,
is Time and one-half after 1 hour.
13 Hours vary, b ut total 48 per week.
7444 hours per week, May to August, inclusive.
76 For 3 holidays time and one-half.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 495 ]
12 g -8 -48
12 8 -8 -48
12 g -8 -48
12 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
72 8 -8 -48
72 8 -8 -48
<
178
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CEN TRA L, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W E STE R N STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Continued.
PR E SSM EN : P laten —Continued.
May 15, 1917.
May 15,1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
Full days; urday
For
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays;
Per
half Per week,
For Sun
full week.
full week. holi
Per week, over
days
full
hour.
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
south central —concluded.
Louisville, Ky.:
Operating 1 press................
Operating 2 presses............
Operating 3 presses............
Operating 4 presses............
Operating 5 presses............
Memphis. Tenn.:
Operatmg 1 automatic press
Operating 1 to 3 presses---Operating 4 presses............
Nashville, Tenn.:
Operatmg 3 presses............
Operating 4 presses............
Operating 5 presses............
New Orleans, L a ...................
Regu, arrate
mult iplied,
by
14. 50 1 1J
2
Cents. Dolls.
Cents. Dolls.
27.1
30.2
32.3
34.4
36.5
13.00
14.50
15.50
16. 50
17.50
8f-4i-48
81-41-48
8-Î-4Î-48
8î-4[-48
8f-4J-48
2 8 -8 -48
28 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
31.3
29.2
34.4
15.00
14.00
16. 50
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
33.3
35.4
39.6
34.4
16.00
17.00
19.00
16. 50
2 8 -8 -48
2 8 -8 -48
28 _8 -48
16.00
17.00
18.00
19.00
MJ
*11
1H
‘U
2
2
2
2
8f-4i-48
8|-4I-48
8-Î-4I-48
8-1-4Î-48
8f-4j-48
34.4
37.5
37.5
16. 50
18.00
18.00
li
U
2
2
2
3 33.3
3 35.4
3 39.6
37.5
16.00
17.00
19.00
18.00
li
U
li
là
2
2
2
14
30.2
33.3
35.4
37.5
39.6
2 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
12
12
12
12
12
. 8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
50.0 24.00
2
15 O.O 24.00 6 là
Butte, Mont..................
Denver, Colo.:
8 -8 -48
41.7 20.00
8 -8 -48
2
Operating 1 or 2 presses__ 41.7 s 20.00 M i
8 -8 -48
45.8 22.00
2
8 -8 -48
Operating 3 presses.......... 45.8 8 22.00 7 H
8 -8 -48
47.9 23.00
8 -8 -48
2
Operating 4 or 5 presses__ 47.9 9 23.00 7 là
52.1 25. 00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2
Operating 6 presses........... 52.1 1025.00 7 là
8 -8 -48
54.2 26.00
8 -8 -48
2
Operating 7 presses............ 54.2 1126.00 7 là
Los Angeles, Cal.:
8 -8 -48
40.6 19.50
2
8 -8 -48
Operating 3 presses............ 44.8 21.50 M l
8 -8 -48
42.9 20.50
8 -8 -48
2
Operating 4 presses............ 46.9 22. 50 1 ü
Operatmg more than 4
8 -8 -48
2
44.8 21.50
8 -8 -48
platen presses................. 49.0 23.50 ‘ là
Portland, Oreg.:
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
43.8 21.00
In charge of 1 or 2 presses.. 35O.O 24.00
là
1|
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48 ......... 46.9 22.50
In charge of 3 or more 53.1 25.50
là
li
presses.............................
8
-8 -48
18.00
8
-8
-48
37.5
Journeymen....................... 46.9 22.50
là
H
Salt Lake City, Utah:
8
-8 -48
3
35.4
17.00
8
-8
-48
Operating 1 press.............. 1235.4 17.00 11.1
li
8 - 8 -4 8
8 -8 -48
337.5 18.00
Operating 2 presses........... 1237.5 18.00 M l
li
8 -8 -48
19. 50
8 -8 -48
34O.6
Operating 3 presses........... 124O.6 19. 50 1 lè
li
8 - 8 -4 8
8 -8 -48
343.8 21.00
Operatmg 4 or 5 presses... 1243.8 21.00 M l
li
8 - 8 -4 8
346.9 22. 50
8 -8 -48
Operating 6 presses........... 1246.9 22.50 M l
li
8 -8 -48
3£0.0 24.00
8 -8 -48
11
Operating 7 presses........... 125O.O 24.00 1 là
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
353.I 25.50
Operating 8 presses............ 1253.I 25.50 M |
li
1 Double tim e after midnight.
2 Hours vary, b u t total 48 per week.
3 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
* Scale became 62.5 cents on July 6,1918.
s Double time after 4 hours and on Saturday after 5 p .m .
,
e 12 per cent of the members received $2,6 per cent $3,6 per cent $4, and 6 per cent $5 per week more than
the scale.
7 Double tim e after 10 p. m. and on Saturday after 6 p. m.
s 20 per cent of the members received $1 , 20 per cent $2, and 40 per cent S3 per week more than the scale,
o 57 per cent of the members received $2, 21 per cent $5, and 7 per cent $9 per week more than the scale.
10 33 per cent of the members received $3 and 33 per cent 17 per week more than the scale.
11 50 per cent of the members received $2 and 25 per cent $10 per week more than the scale.
12 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 56.3
cents on Sept. 1,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[496]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
179
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING: BOOK AND JOB—Concluded.
PRESSM EN : P laten —Concluded.
May 15,1917.
May 15,1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
Full days; urday
For
Saturdays;
Per
Saturdays;
Sun
Per
half
For
full
week.
Per
week,
full
week.
Per week, over days
holi hour. full
and
hour. full time.
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
western —concluded.
San Francisco, Cal.:
In charge..............................
Operating ticket press.......
Operating 1 or 2 presses__
Operating 3 presses............
Seattle, Wash.:
Operating 1 or 2 presses. . .
Operating 3 presses............
Tn charge of 2 presses.........
Tn charge of 3 presses.........
Spokane, "Wash. T
Operating 2 presses............
Operating 3 presses............
Operating 4 or more presses
or 2 automatic presses. . .
Cents. Dolls.
56.3 27.00
50. 0 24. 00
50.0 24.00
54.2 26.00
Regul ar rate
multiplied
by—
1 li
1 lè
Uè
Uè
447.9
6 51.0
6 51.0
6 57.3
23.00
24. 50
24. 50
27. 50
46. 9
50.0
22. 50
24.00
lè
if
lè
li
1 IJ
Uè
55.2
26. 50
Uè
Cents. Dolls.
8 -8 -48
(3)
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
Uè
2li
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
52.1 25.00
(3)
(3)
43. 8 21.00
50.0 24.00
lè
lè
li
li
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
41.7
44. 8
44. 8
51.0
2
2
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
40. 6 19. 50
43. 8 21.00
8 -8 -48
8 -8 -48
2
8 -8 -48
50.0
24.00
8 -8 -48
Uè
2 lè
20.00
21.50
21.50
24.50
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
8 -8
-48
-48
-48
-48
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS.
CHAUFFEURS.?
NORTH CENTRAI,.
Chicago, 111. :
9 11 -11 -77
30.0 23.08
1
1
9 11 -11 -77
Baggage............................... 8 30.0 23.08
Building material, general,
11 -11 -66
30.3 19.J98
11 -11 -66
2 tons or less..................... 32.5 21.48
Ü
lè
Building material. stone,
lime, and cernent, 4 tons
11 -11 -66
36.4 24.00
11 -11 -66
or over.............................. 104O.9 27.00
li
lè
11 -11 -66
31.8 21.00
2
11 -11 -66
Building material, roofing.. 1134.8 23.00 12 50c.
10 -10 -60
21.00
35.0
10
-10
-60
Coal, lè tons........................ 1335.O 21. (X) 12 55c.
li
10 -10 -60
37.5 22.50
10 -10 -60
Coal, 2 tons........................ . 1137.5 22.50 12 55c.
li
10 -10 -60
40.0
24.00
10
-10
-60
Coal, over 2 tons.................. 1640.0 24.00 12 55c.
li
Commission houses, 2 tons
11 -11 -66
37.1 24.50
11 -11 -66
o rless................................ 1640.9 27.00 12 60c. 17 l i
11 -11 -66
38.6 25.50
11 -11 -66
Commission houses, 3 tons. 1842.4 28.00 12 60c. 17 I J
1 Double tim e after midnight.
2 Double time on Labor Day.
8 No scale in effect on May 15.1917.
* Scale became 60.4 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
5 Scale became 62.5 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
« Scale became 68.8 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
. . .
t Owing to the great num ber of classifications of this occupation, and to conserve space the data for
classifications embracing a comparatively small membership of the union have been omitted from the lists
of the larger cities.
8 Scale became 31.5 cents on July 15,1918.
9 One day off every 2 weeks w ith pay.
10 Scale became 45.5 cents on July 1,1918;
u Scale became 39.4 cents on June 1,1918.
12 Rate in cents per hour.
13 Scale became 40 cents on July 1,1918.
14 Scale became 42.5 cents on July 1,1918.
is Scale became 45 cents on July 1,1918.
is Scale became 47 cents on June 17,1918.
1? For Sundays; for holidays, full day’s pay for 4 hours’ work,
is Scale became 48.5 cents on June 17,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[497]
180
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
C H A U FFE U R S—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15,1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Sat
Hours—
For Hours—
Full days; urday
F ull days;
Sun
Per
Per
For
Saturdays; half Per week,
Saturdays;
Per week, over days
full
week.
holi
full
week.
hour. full time. and
full
day. hour. time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
north central—continued.
Regul %r rate
mult plied
Cents. Dolls.
by
Cents. Dolls.
Chicago, 111.—Continued.
1 1 - 1 1 -6 6
4 0 .2
2 6 .5 0
Commission houses, 4 tons. 143.9 2 9 .0 0 2 60c.
1 1 - 1 1 -6 6
4 1 .7
2 7 .5 0
Commission houses, 5 tons. <45.4 3 0 .0 0 2 60c. 3 n
1
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
3 8 .3
Department store,furniture 538 .3 2 3 .0 0
2 3 .0 0
6 ii
10 4 -10 - 6 2 *
i
2 4 .7
1 8 .0 0
F u n e ra l.............................. 3 0 .4 1 9 .0 0 2 35c.
1
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
36. 5
2 3 .0 0
F u rn itu re............................ 4 3 . 3 2 6 .0 0
H
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
3 2 .5
1 9 .5 0
General, 1 or 2 to n s............ 73 5 .0 2 1.0 0
14
(8)
n
2 9 .7
General, 1 ton and under 2.. 3 9 .3 2 3 .5 8
2 0 .5 0
l i 9 10 - 1 0 - 6 0
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
General, 2 tons, gasoline... « 3 7 .5 2 2 .5 0
3 2 .5
1 9 .5 0
14
<">
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
General, 3 tons, Union B ... « 3 7 .5 2 2 .5 0
3 5 .0
2 1.0 0
(8)
14
General, 3 tons, gasoline,
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
3 5 .0
14
2 1.0 0
Union B ........................... 1140.0 2 4 .0 0
(8)
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
3 0 .0
General, 3 tons and o v er... 123 5 .0 2 1.0 0
1 8 .0 0
(8)
l*
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
3 7 .5
2 2 .5 0
(«)
General, 4 to n s.................... u 4 0 .0 2 4 .0 0
14
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
General, 4 tons, gasoline... “ 4 2 .5 2 5 .5 0
3 7 .5
2 2 .5 0
(8)
14
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
General, 5 tons, Union B .. « 4 3 .3 2 6 .0 0
4 0 .8
2 4 .5 0
(8)
14
General, 5 tons, gasoline,
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
Union B .......................... « 4 5 .8 2 7 .5 0
4 0 .8
2 4 .5 0
(8)
14
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
General, 6 to n s.................... « 4 8 .3 2 9 .0 0
4 3 .3
2 6 .0 0
(8)
14
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
General, 7 to n s.................... « 4 7 .5 2 8 .5 0
4 5 .0
2 7 .0 0
(8)
14
General, 7 tons, gasoline. .. >850.0 3 0 .0 0
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
4 5 .0
2 7 .0 0
(8)
14
3 6 .7
Ice......................................... 4 6 . 7 “ 2 8 .0 0 2 35c. « 7 5 c . 10 - 1 0 - 6 0
22.00
2
9 - 9 -5 4
Laundry, white goods....... 3 3 .3 « 1 8 .0 0
3 3 .3 2018.00
1*
1
L ivery.................................. 26.0^ 1 9 .0 0 2 35c.
2 1 10 4-10 - 7 3
2 4 .7
1 8 .0 0
Lumber, box and shavings,
14 to 24 tons.................. 2233 .3 22.00 2 40c.
1 1 - 1 1 -6 6
2 8 .8
1 9 .0 0
14
Milk, peddlers..................... 233 8 .9 2 1.0 0
l
24 8 - 6 - 5 4
3 7 .0
20.00
1*
Newspaper, d a y .................. 2538.3 2 0 .7 0
l
9 - 9 -5 4
3 3 .3
1 8 .0 0
11
Newspaper, n ig h t............... 2839.0 2 1 .8 5
l
8 - 8 -5 6
3 3 .9
1 9 .0 0
1*
Packing, 1 to n ..................... 3 6 .0 2 2 .7 0
1 1 - 8 -6 3
3 1 .6
1 9 .2 8
H
14
2
Piano.................................... 4 5 .6 2 6 .0 0 2 60c.
9 4 - 9 4 -5 7
4 5 .6
2 6 .0 0
Helpers, coal__ .*................. 2730.0 1 8 .0 0 2 40c.
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
3 0 .0
1 8 .0 0
14
Helpers, departm ent store. 2S28.3 1 7 .0 0
1
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
2 8 .3
1 7 .0 0
6 l*
Helpers, piano..................... 4 4 .4 2 4 .0 0 2 60c.
2
9 - 9 -5 4
4 4 .4
2 4 .0 0
1 Scale became 50 cents on June 17,1918.
2 Rate in cents per hour.
3 For Sundays; for holidays, full day's pay for 4 hours’ work.
4 Scale became 51.5 cents on June 17,1918.
5 Scale became 41. 7 cents on July 1,1918.
6 For Sundays; holidays off w ith pay.
7 Scale became 40 cents on June 3, 1918.
8 45 cents for first hour, 55 cents per hour thereafter.
9 55 hours and same pay per week during July and August.
10 Scale became 42.5 cents on June 3, 1918.
n Scale became 45 cents on June 3,1918.
12 Scale became 43.3 cents on June 3, 1918.
13 Scale became 48.3 cents on June 3,1918.
n Scale became 49.2 cents on June 3,1918.
15 Scale became 52.5 cents on June 3, 1918.
16 Scale became 53.3 cents on June 3,1918.
n $27 and same hours per week, November to May, inclusive.
18 Rate in cents per hour for Sundays; double time for holidays.
19 And 100 per cent on all new business for office towel supply drivers.
20 And 7 | per cent commission on all business handled.
21 One day off every 2 weeks w ith pay.
22 Scale became 36.4 cents on July 1,1918.
23 Scale became 46.3 cents on July 1,1918.
24 Two weeks off each year w ith pay.
26 Scale became 46.3 cents on July 26,1918.
23 Scale became 46.4 cents on July 26,1918.
27 Scale became 35 cents on July 1, 1918.
28
Scale became 31.7 cents on July l, 1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4981
11
10
104
104
10
114
10
10
- 1 1 -6 6
-1 1 -6 3
-10 -6 0
-1 0 -7 3
-1 0 4 -6 3
-10 -6 0
-1 1 4 -6 9
-10 -6 0
-10 -6 0
10
10
10
10
10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-6 0
-6 0
-6 0
-6 0
-6 0
10
10
10
10
10
9
21104
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
- 9
-1 0
-6 0
-6 0
-6 0
-6 0
-6 0
-5 4
-7 3
l7
- 1 1 -6 6
- 6 -5 4
- 9 -5 4
8 - 8 -5 6
1045b 7 4 -6 1
94 - 9 4 - 5 7
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
10 - 1 0 - 6 0
9 - 9 -5 4
11
24 8
9
181
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
CH A U FFEU RS—Continued.
May 15,1918.
May 15,1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days; urday
Full days;
For
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays; half
Sun
Per
For
full week. holi Per week,
Per week, over days
full week.
hour. full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
north central—concluded.
Regul %r rate
mult plied
Cents. Dolls.
by
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Cents. Dolls.
3 2 4 10 -10 -60
Commission houses, 2 tons. i 31.7 19.00
(6)
(s)
General, 1 ton and under,
9
10 -10 -60
27.5 16.50
Union B .......... ................. 28.3 17.00
General, 1 ton, gasoline,
a 7 16.00
2
10 -10 -60
Union B............................ 30.8 18. 50 6 1
2
10 -10 -60
29.2 17.50
General, 1J to n s.................. 30.0 18.00
n
i§
10 -10 -60
30.8 18.50
General, 2 to n s................... 31.7 19.00
2
10 -10 -60
30.0 18.00
2
General, 2 tons, gasoline. . . 34.2 20.50 6 1
10 -10 -60
32.5 19.50
General, 3 to n s.................... 33.3 20.00
2
14
31.7 19.00
10 -10 -60
2
General, 3 tons, gasoline. . . 35.8 21.50 6 1
10
-10
-60
General, 4 tons and over... 36.7 22.00
2
35.8 21.50
li
10 -10 -60
35. 0 21.00
2
General, 4 and 5 to n s......... 39.2 23.50 « 1
Livery.................................. 27.9 19.50 740JC.
25.0 17.50
1 s 10 -10 -70
10 -10 -60
23.3 14.00
2
Helpers, general, under 3 27.5 16.50 6 1
tons.
2
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
Helpers, general, 3 tons__ 30.8 18.50 6 1
Cleveland, Ohio:
42.0 25. 20
Excavating.......................... 42.0 25.20
2
10 -10 -60
34.2 20.50
10 -10 -60
General, trucks................... 45.0 27.00 9l i 102
36.7 22.00
General, van........................ 51.9 28.00 l i i- r
9 -9 -5 4
2
Ice......................................... 41.7 25.00 7 45c.
31.8 21.00
l i ‘GO -10 -60
23.4 18.00
Livery.................................. 23.4 18.00 7 50c. 7 50c. 11 -11 -77
25.8 15.50
Helpers................................. 31.7 19.00 9 l i 10 2
10 -10 -60
Des Moines, Iowa:
30.0 18.00
10 -10 -60
Transfer trucks................... 33.3 20.00
2
li
Detroit, Mich:
3S.3 23.00
General................................. 50.0 30.00
2
10 -10 -60
35.8 21.50
Ice......................................... 38.3 23.00
1
10 -10 -60
1
Kansas City, Mo.:
30.0 18.00
9 -9 -5 4
General, 2 tons........ ............ 37.0 20.00
2
li
32.5 19.50
9 -9 -5 4
General, 3 tons..................... 38.9 21.00
2
li
St. Louis, Mo.:
26.7 16.00
l
9 -9 -5 4
Department stores, electric. 35.2 19.00
li
28.3 17.00
9 -9 -5 4
1
Department stores, 2 tons 37.0 20.00
li
and over.
13
1
34.2 20.50
20.50
10
-10
-60
Furniture............................. 34.2
li
26.2 16.50
lOJ-lOi-63
General, 2 tons or u n d er... 28.6 18.00 745c.
li
29.4 18.50
10i-10i-63
General, over 2 tons........... 31.7 20. 00 751c.
U
31.7 19.00
1 ‘6 35c. 10 -10 -60
Ice.......1................................ H35.0 21.00
21.4 15.00
10 -10 -70
1
Milk...................................... ‘«22.1 15.50 725c.
22.2 17.50
1 ‘7101-101-711
Public service..................... 27.9 20.00 740c.
28.3 17.00
1
10 -10 -60
Helpers, furniture.............. 28.3 17.00 13 l i
St. Paul, Minn.:
38.5 23.10
2
10 -10 -60
Coal and sand..................... 40.0 24.00 7 35c.
1 Scale became 33.3 cents on October 1,1918.
2 And on Saturday after 2 p. m., June to August, inclusive.
3 For Sundays; for holidays full day’s pay for any part of day worked.
4 57 hours and same pay per week, June to August, inclusive.
6 No scale in effect on May 15, 1917.
6 Time and one-half after 7 p. m.
7 Rate in cents per hour.
8 Every ether Sunday off with pay.
9 Double tim e after 8 p. m.
19 For holidays: do not work on Sundays,
n Time and one-half after 8 p. m.
is 54 hours and same pay per week, November to April, inclusive,
is Time and one-half after first hour.
14 Scale became 37.5 cents on July 16,1918.
is R ate in cents per hour for Sunday; time and one-half for holidays.
16 Scale became 22.9 cents on Sept. 1,1918.
17 Two days off each m onth with pay.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1499]
(6)
10 -10 -60
10 -10
10 -10
10 -10
iv -10
10 -10
10 -10
10 -10
10 -10
s 10 -10
10 -10
-60
-60
-60
-60
-60
-60
-60
-60
-70
-60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
1 0 -6 -6 6
11 -11 -77
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10J-10J-63
10i-10f-63
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -70
‘7111-111-78?
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
182
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15,1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
CH A U FFE URS—Concluded.
May 15, 1917.
May 15, 1918.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Horns—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
Full days; urday
For
Saturdays;
Sun
Per
Saturdays;
Per
half Per week,
For days
full week.
full week. holi
Per week, over
full
hour. full time. and
hour.
day.
holi
time.
time.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Houston, T e x ..
Now Orlp.a/nSj La
Cents. Dolls.
.............. 21.4
318.6
Regni ir rate
multiplied
by —
18.00 1 33Jc
13.00 1 75c.
1
1
12 -12 -84
10 -10 -70
1
27.00
1
28.50
30.00
1
31.50 1 50c.
1
27.00
1
1
1
1
1
l!
lì
lì
(9)
lì
Cents. Dolls.
(2)
IS. 6
(2)
13.00
(2)
10 -10 -70
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
9 -9 -6 3
8 -8 -4 8
50.0
53.1
56.3
33.3
50.0
24. 00
25.50
27. 00
28.00
24.00
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
12 -12 -84
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
8 -8 -4 8
io 10 -10 -60
(2)
(2)
35.0
(2)
(2)
21.00
(2)
(2)
10 -10 -60
WESTERN.
Butte, Mont.:
Trucks, 1,500 lb s................ 456.3
Trucks, 1,500 lbs. to 3 tons. 559.4
Trucks, 3 tons and over__ 662. 5
T axicabs............................. 50.0
Helpers, trucks................... 456.3
Portland/Oreg.:
Delivery............................... 743.3
Department stores.............. 848.1
Trucks over 2J tons and 42.5
furniture vans.
Helpers, departm ent stores »36.1
San Francisco, Cal.:
Chauffeurs........................... 35.0
Department stores.............. 35.0
........................ 35.0
Grocery
Parcel delivery ................ 35.0
General, less th an 2,500 lbs. 36.8
General, 2,500 to 4,500 lb s .. 42.1
General, 4,500 to 6,500 lb s .. 47.4
General, over 6,500 lb s__ 52.6
General, trucks................... 55.6
Seattle, Wash.:
Trucks................................. 1342.5
20.77
23.08
25.50
li
8 -8 -4 8
(2)
(2)
21.00
21.00
21.00
21. (X)
21.00
24.00
27.00
30.00
30.00
17.31
1 50c.
(12)
1 50c.
(12)
1 60c.
i75c.
1 75c.
1 85c.
1 75c.
1
2
2
2
li
li
lì
lì
li
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
9i- 9J-57
9i- 91-57
9',- 91-57
9j- 91-57
9 -9 -5 4
30.4
35.0
35.0
35.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
45.0
21.00
21.00
21.00
21.00
18.00
21.00
24. 00
27.00
27.00
llJ-lDr-69
10-10-60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
25.50
lì
lì
10 -10 -60
37.5
22.50
10 -10 -60
(2)
TEAM STERS AND D R IV E R S.14
NORTH CENTRAL.
Chicago, 111.:
Baggage delivery, hotel
23.2 17.88 1811 -11 -77
and t ransfe r wagons....... 1:'26.4 20.31 1 30c.
1 1811 -11 -77
Baggage delivery, office or
1 is 11 -11 -77
24.7 19.04 1811 -11 -77
city .................................... 1626.4 20.31 1 30c.
1 Rate in cents per hour.
2 No scale in effect on May 15, 1917.
8 Scale became 20 cents on July 1,1918.
4 Scale became 62.5 cents, on June 1, 1918.
6 Scale became 65.6 cents, on June 1, 1918.
6 Scale became 68.8 cents, on June 1, 1918.
7 Scale became 56.3 cents on June 15, 1918.
8 Scale became 58.3 cents on June 15,1918.
s One day’s pay for 5 hours or less work; after 5 hours, time and one-half.
10 Scale became 8 hours per day, 48 per week, on July 27,1918.
11 Scale became 46.9 cents on June 15, 1918.
12 SI.50 per extra trip not exceeding 3 hours; for more than 3 hours, 1 day’s pay.
13 Scale became 62.5 cents per hour for vehicles 2 | to 4 tons; 65.6 cents for vehicles over 4 tons; and 48 hours
per week on July 1,1918.
14 Owing to the great num ber of classifications of these occupations and to conserve space the data for
classifications embracing a comparatively small membership of the union have been omitted from the
lists of th e larger cities.
46 Scale became 27.9 cents on July 1,1918.
1e Every other Sunday off w ith pay.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[500]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
183
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
TEAM STERS AND D RIV ERS—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Saturdays;
Sun
Per
Per
Saturdays;
For days
half Per week,
full week
Per week, over
full week. holi
full
hour. full time. arid
hour.
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
north central—continued.
Itegul 1 rrate
multiplied
Chicago, 111.—Continued.
Cents. Dolls.
Cents
by —
1
1
25.0
11 -11 -77
Baggage, ex tra .................... 131.0 23.87
27.3
Baggage and parcel............ 232.5 19.50 8 30c. 8 30c.
10 -10 -60
25.0
1
Bakery, delivery................ 425.0 15.00
10 -10 -60
(5)
1
(7)
Bakery,sales....................... 38. 3 623.00
8 10 -10 -60
38.3
Bone arid tallow wagons... 58.3 35.00
1
48.1
(9) 18 10 -10 -60
Building m aterial, pressed
brick, 2 horses................. 33.0 19.80 845c.
10 -10 -60
33.0
lì
Building material, pressed
30.0
10 -10 -60
brick, from yard_______ 32.5 19.50 835c.
lì
Building mate'rial, pressed
(ii)
8 35c.
brick, from cars............... (it)
H
10 10 60
11 -11 -66
24.6
Building m aterial, 1 horse.. 26. 8 17. 70
U
lì
19.50
27.3
Building m aterial, 2 horses. 29.5
11 -11 -66
Ü
li
Building m aterial, stone,
lime, and cement,
27.3
2 horses............................. 1231.8 21.00
11 -11 -66
Ü
li
2
28.8
Building material, roofing.. 1131.8 21.00 8 50c.
11 -11 -66
( 14)
1
30.0
10 -10 -60
Bus....................................... 35.0 21.00
1 is 11 -11 -77
21.0
Coach................................... 17*23.1 17.77 830c.
11 -11 -66
27.3
Coal, 1 horse........................ 1727.3 18. 00 8 40c.
li
21.
00
8
50c.
12,31.8
11
-11
-66
31.8
Coal, 2 horses .....................
lì
36.4
11 -11 -66
Coal, 3 h o rs e s ..................... i836.4 24. 00 8 55c.
li
Comrnission house, 1 horse. 1931.8 21. 00 8 40c. 20 H
11 -11 -66
28.0
Commissionhouse, 2horses 2134.8 23. 00 8 40c. 20 l i
11 -11 -66
31.1
2
9-9-54
Excavating, 2 horses.......... 2236.I 19.50 840c.
33.3
44. 4
2
9-9-54
Excavating, 3 horses.......... 2347.2 25.50 8 40c.
29.2
Furniture, 1horse, Union A 2429.2 17.50
1 28 l i
10 -10 -60
Furniture, 2 horses, Union
1 25 l i
A.
......................
2633.3 20.00
33.3
10 -10 -60
1
34.9
10 -10 -60
Furniture, LTnion B ........... 41.7 25.00
li
31.7
1 27 l i
10 -10 -60
General, y ard ...................... 35.0 21.00
1 Scale became 35 cents on July 1, 1918.
2 Scale became 36.7 cents on July 1,1918.
8 Rate in cents per hour.
4 Scale became 30 cents on June 1, 1918.
6 $3 per day.
6And 7 per cent commission on sales over $225 per week.
7 Work prohibited.
8 One week off each year w ith pay.
9 For Memorial Day, double time; for July 4, single time; work on other holidays
hibited.
i» 2 weeks off each year with pay.
11 50 cents per 1,000 bricks.
12 Scale became 36.4 cents on July 1,1918.
is Scale became 36.4 cents on June 1,1918.
u $3 for 6 hours or less; $5 for over 6 hours and up to 12 hours.
15 Scale became 24.6 cents on July 1,1918.
is Every other Sunday off w ith pay.
ii Scale became 31.8 cents on July 1,1918.
is Scale became 40.9cents on July 1,1918.
is Scale became 37.9 cents on June 17,1918.
so For Sundays; for holidays, single time.
21 Scale became 40.9 cents on June 17,1918.
22 Scale became 44.4cents on July 8,1918.
28 Scale became 50 cents on July 8,1918.
24 Scale became 34.2 cents on July 1,1918.
25 For Sundays; holidays off w ith pay.
2« Scale became 38.3 cents on July 1,1918.
27 For Sundays; for holidays, double time.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[501]
Dolls.
19. 25
18.00
15.00
23.00
28.85
11 -11
11 -11
10 -10
10 -10
10 -10
-77
-66
-60
-60
-60
19.80
10 -10 -60
18.00
10 -10 -60
Ì6. 2Ò
18.00
10 -10 -60
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
18.00
19.00
18. 00
16.15
18. 00
21. 00
24.00
18 50
20.50
18. 00
24.00
17.50
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
10 -10 -60
11 -11 -77
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
9-9-54
9-9-54
10 -10 -60
20.00
22.00
19.00
10 -10 -60
10i-i0i-63
10 -10 -60
and on Sundays pro
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
184
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
TEAM STERS AND D RIV ERS—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15,1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Saturdays;
Per
Per
For Sun
Saturdays; half
full week.
Per week,
full week. holi
Per week, over days
full
hour.
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH central—continued.
Regul ir rate
multiplied
. by
Cents.
Chicago, 111.—Continued.
22.7
11 -11 -66
General, 1 horse, track s__ 125.0 16. 50 230c.
lì
25.8
20.00
10i-10f-64
3
31.3
General, lig h t......................
(4)
li
22.7
10!-10i-64
(i)
Generali 1 horse, Union A. 529.7 18.00
li
24.4
10 -10 -60
General, 1 horse, Union B. 34.8 20.88 827.6c.
li
General, 1 horse, heavy
wagon or 2 horses, light
25.8
li
11 -11 -66
wagon............................... 728.0 18. 50 2 30c.
27.3
11 -11 -66
General, 2-horse t rucks. . . . 829.5 19.50 2 30c.
lì
General, 2 horses, heavy
27.3
wagon............................... 932. 8 21.00 (10)
104-101-64
li
29.0
li
General, 2 horses................. 38.3 23.00 627.6c.
10-10-60
30.3
11
-11
-66
General, 3-horse tru ck s. . . . 1132.6 21.50 (10)
li
30.3
li
IO4-IO4-64
General, 3 horses................. 1235. 9 23.00 ( i ° )
31.8
General, 4-horse tru ck s. . . . 1334.1 22.50 (i°)
11 -11 -66
li
1 14 i j
35.0
Grease, 2 horses................... 38.3 23.00
10 -10 -60
28.8
li
Hay arid grain, 2 horses__ 1531.8 21.00
11 -11 -66
lì
31.7
Ice, trucks........................... 41. 7 25.00 iß 35c. 17 75c.
10 -10 -60
34.2
10 -10 -60
Ice, peddlers....................... 44.2 26.50 16 35c. 17 75c.
Laundry, 1 horse, w hite
2
9-9-54
27.8
goods................................. 27.8 '815.00
U
2
9-9-54
33.3
L aundry, 1 horse................ 33.3 i918.00
lì
L aundry \ 1 horse, hotel,
2
9-9-54
38.9
flat w ork.......................... 38.9 2021.OO
lì
Laundry, dye houses......... 48.1 2126.00
37.0
9-9-54
l i 14 2
9-9-54
Laundry ' towel supply---- 48.1 »26.00
46.3
l i 14 2
Lumber, box and shav11 -11 -66
22.7
ings, 1 horse..................... 2227.3 18.00 23 X
li
Luriiber, box and shav11 -11 -66
25.8
ings, 2 horses................... 2130.3 20.00 23 X
li
Machinery m o v i n g , 2
2
29.5
horses, Union A .............. 31.8 21.00
11 -11 -66
li
Machinery m o v i n g , 2
30.3
11 -11 -66
horses, Union B ............. 30.3 20.00 1640c.
li
1 Seale became 29.5 cents on June 3,1918.
2 Rate in cents per hour; 45 cents per hour after 8 p . m .
3 Scale became 35.9 cents on June 3,1918.
415 cents every half hour from 6.30 p. m. to 8 p. m.- tim e and one-half thereafter.
6 Scale became 32.8 cents on June 3,1918.
6 Rate in cents per half hour.
2 Scale became 32.6 cents on June 3,1918.
8 Scale became 34.1 cents on June 3,1918.
9 Scale became 36.3 cents on June 3,1918.
10 30 cents per hour from 6.30 to 8 p. m. ; tim e and one-half thereafter,
u Scale became 35.6 cents on June 3,1918.
i2 Scale became 39.4 cents on June 3,1918.
is Scale became 38.6 cents on June 3,1918.
u For Sundays; holidays off w ith pay.
is Scale became 37.9 cents on July 1,1918.
is Rate in cents per hour.
i7 Rate in cents per hour for Sundays; for holidays, double time,
is And 7-J per cent commission on all business handled,
w And 5 per c6nt commission on all collections over $150 per week.
29 And 5 per cent commission on all starch work handled.
21 And 3 p ercent commission on collections up to $200 per week; 4 per cent on
per week.
22 Scale became 30.3 cents on July 1,1918.
28 40 cents per hour after 8 p. m.
24 Scale became 34.8 cents on July 1,1918.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Cents. Dolls.
[502]
Dolls.
15.00
17. 00
15.00
16.85
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
lli-D i-6 9
17.00
18.00
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
18. 00
20.00
20.00
20. 00
21.00
21.00
19.00
19.00
20.50
11 -11 -66
lli-lli-6 9
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66
10 -10 -60
11 -11 -66
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
«15.00
18.00
9-9-54
9-9-54
21.00
20.00
25.00
9-9-54
9-9-54
9-9-54
15.00
11 -11 -66
17.00
11 -11 -66
19.50
11 -11 -66
20.00
11 -11 -66
collections over $200
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
185
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15,1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days;
Per
Sun
Saturdays;
Saturdays; half
Per
For
Per week, over days
full week. holi Per week,
full week.
hour, full time. and
hour, full
day.
time.
holitime.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
nor th central —continued.
Regular rate
multiplied
Chicago, 111.—Continued.
Cents. Dolls.
Cents. Dolls.
Milk, route men, retail....... 136.7 2 22.00
1
3 9 - 6 -60
39 - 6 - 6 0
35.0 21.00
n
Milk, 2-horse trucks............ 442.6 23.00
u
3 8 - 6 -54
1
38 - 6 -54
40.7 22.00
Milk, wholesale................... 543.5 23.50
3 8 - 6 -54
1
3 8 - 6 -54
41.7 22.50
li
Newspaper.......................... 638.3 13.80
6-6-36
1
6-6-36
33.3 12.00
li
Newspaper.......................... «38.3 18.40
8 - 8 -48
1
8 - 8-48
33.3 16.00
li
Packing houses, 1 horse__ 37.5
30.5 18.58
10|
§14
Packing houses, 2 horses... 40.0
U
33.7 20.58
lOff- 7<i-61
Piano, Union A .................. 38.6 22.00 8 60c.
2
94- 9^-57
91- 91-57
38.6 22.00
Sand carts............................ »36.1 19. 50 8 40c.
2
9 '- 9 -54
9“- 9 -54
33.3 18.00
Sand wagons....................... 9 38.0 20.50 8 40c.
2
9-9-54
9 9-54
35.2 19.00
Street railway service,
dump wagons.................. W25.5 16.80
li
11 -11 -66
25.5 16.80
11 -11 -66
Ü
Tea and coffee..................... 41.7 2 20.00
1 11 1
8-8-48
8 8-48
41.7 20.00
Helpers, baggage................ 1221.6 16.62 8 30c.
1 1311 -11 -77
18.7 14. 42 I311 -11 -77
Helpers,furniture, Union A. 1126.7 16.00
1 15 l i
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
Helpers, furniture, Union
A, ex tra........................... 40.0 24.00
101-101-63
10 -10 -60
1
35.0 22.05
li
Helpers,furniture,Union B. 36.7 22.00
1
lOÌ-lOi-63
10 -10 -60
30.2 19.00
li
Helpers, grease, 2-horse__ 35.0 21.00
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
1 « li
31.7 19.00
Helpers, ice......................... 40.0 24.00 8 35c. 16 75c.
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
30.0 18.00
Helpers, piano..................... 38.9 21.00 8 60c.
9-9-54
2
9 9 -54 38.9 21.00
Helpers, street railway
service.............................. ”25.5 16.80
11 -11 -66
11 -11 -66 ......... 25.5 16.80
li
li
Cincinnati, Ohio:
(!9)
Bakery and pie................... «26.7 16.00
1
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
(IS)
Bakery and pie, sales......... 25.0 2015.00
10 -10 -60
1
10 -10 -60
25.0 15.00
Carriage............................... 25.7 18.00
1
1 13 10 -10 -70
22.9 16.00 13 10 -10 -70
(22)
F urniture............................ 2133.3 20.00
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
1
28.3 17.00
General, 1 horse, light
wagon............................... 25.8 15.50 23 1
2
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
21.7 13.00
General, 1 horse, heavy
wagon............................... 27.5 16.50 23 1
2
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
23. 3 14.00
General, 2 horses, light
wagon...........................
28.3 17.00 23 1
10 -10 -60
2
10 -10 -60
27.5 16. 50
General, 2 horses, heavy
wagon............................... 30.8 18. 50 23 1
2
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
1 Scale became 43.3 cents on June 1,1918.
2 And various commissions.
3AVork 6 hours on Sunday; 2 weeks off each year, w ith pay.
4 Scale became 51.9 cents on July 1,1918.
5 Scale became 50.9 cents on July 1,1918.
6 Scale became 46 cents on July 26,1918.
7 Variable.
8 Rate in cents per hour.
9 Scale became 44.4 cents on Duly S, 1918.
10 Scale became 34.5 cents on Aug. 1,1918.
11 For Sundays; work on holidays prohibited.
12 Scale became 22.5 cents on July 1,1918.
73 Every other Sunday off with pay.
14 Scale became 30 cents on July 1/1918.
15 For Sundays; holidays off with pay.
16 Rate in cents per hour for Sundays; for holidays, double time.
77 Scale became 34.5 cents on Aug. i, 1918.
18 Scale became 30 cents on June 1,1918.
19 Work prohibited.
29 And 3 per cent commission on sales over $100 per week. Scale became 28.3 cents on June 1,1918.
21 Scale became 35 cents on Oct. 1,1918.
22 Do not work on Sundays; tim e and one-half for holidays.
23 Time and one-half after 7 p. m.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[503]
186
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
Full days; urday
For
Saturdays;
Per
Per
Saturdays;
Sun
half Per week,
For days
full week.
Per week, over
full week. holi
full
hour.
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
NORTH CENTRAL—COnt’d.
Regni ir rate
multiplied
Cents. Dolls.
Cents. Dolls.
Cincinnati, Ohio—Cont’d.
by
27.5 16.50
10 -10 -60
General, 3 or 4 horses......... 31.7 19.00 71
2
10 -10 -60
410 -10 -60
31.7 19.00
Ice....................................... 35.0 21.00
3 50c. 410 -10 -60
9 -9 -6 3
li
1
20.6 13.00
9 -9 -6 3
Ice cream............................. 23.8 15.00
9 -9 -6 3
28.6 18.00
9 -9 -6 3
Ice cream, route and truck. 31.7 9 20.00
1
n
li
1
9 -9 -6 3
28.6 18.00
9 -9 -6 3
Ice cream, tru ck ................. 31.7 20.00
li
1
« 9 -9 -6 3
28.6 518.00
Milk, retail.......................... 31. 7 5 20.00
6 9 - 9 -63
25.8 17.00
11-11 -66
Supply wagons................... 31 7 19.00 2 45c. 3 50c.
10 -10 -60
1
(8)
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
25.0 15.00
Helpers, furniture.............. 7 30.0 18.00
10 -10 -60
Helpers, general.................. 25.0 15.00 7 1
2
24.2 14. 50
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
Helpers^ general, w ag o n ... 27.5 16.50 7 1
2
10 -10 -60
23.3 14.00
Helpers, ice......................... 30 0 18.00 2 45c. 3 50c. 410 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
Cleveland, Ohio:
9 -9 -5 4
Excavating.......................... 30.6 16. 50 9 11
9 -9 -5 4
30.6 16.50
2
Furniture, van s.................. 46.3 25.00 79 l i
16 -10 -60
9 - 9 -54
2
31.7 19.00
General, 1 horse.................. 28.3 17.00 17 l i (12)
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
20.8 12.50
General, 2 horses, light
wagon............................... 33 3 20. 00
10 -10 -60
24. 2 14.50
10 -10 -60
l i (12)
10 -10 -60
General, 2-horse tru ck s___ 36.7 22.00
10 -10 -60
27.5 16.50
l i (12)
1 0 - 6 -66
Ice, 2-horse delivery........... 36.7 22. 00 2 45c.
7
3
10
-10
-60
28.
8
19.00
Ü
1 0 -6 -6 6
Ice, route................. ; .......... 41.7 25.00 245c.
31. 8 21.00
l ì 73 10 -10 -60
l i 73 10 -10 -60
1 0 - 6 -66
Ice, route foremen.............. 48.3 29.00 2 50c.
37.9 25.00
Milk, retail, first 6 months. 34.8 r>19.50
75 10 -10 -70
74 8 - 8 -56
26.4 18.46
1
1
Milk, retail, second 6
1
1
months............................. 36.6 5 20.50
74 8 - 8 -56
28.0 19. 62 1« 10 -10 -70
7« 10 -10 -70
Milk, retail, after first year. 40.2 8 22.50
74 8 - 8 -56
1
30.5 21.35
1
1
1 7410 -10 -70
Milk, wholesale................... 29.3 5 20.50
26.4 18. 46 >« 10 -10 -70
Water wagon....................... 36.7 22.00
11 -11 -66
28.8 19.00
l i 73 10 -10 -60
Helpers, furniture.............. 42.6 23.00 10 l ì
10 -10 -60
2
9 -9 -5 4
26.7 16.00
1 0 - 6 -66
Helpers, ice......................... 31 7 19. (X) 2 45c.
7
3
10
-10
-60
15.50
23.
5
li
Columbus, Ohio:
(18)
Ice........................................ 33.3 20.00 76 1 77 1 7310 -10 -60
(78)
(7S)
(!») 73 10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
Ice route.............................. 36.0 21. 60 16 i
29. 2 17. 50
(16) 7310 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
Helpers, ice route............... 30.0 18.00 16 1
25.0 15.00
Des Moines, Iowa:
li
General, 2 horses................ 33.3 IS. 00
2
9 - 9 -54
9 - 9 -54
30.6 16.50
10 -10 -60
Transfer, 2 horses................ 33.3 20.00
2
10 -10 -60
27.5 16.50
lì
1 Time and one-half after 7 p. m.
2 Rate in cents per hour-.
3 Rate in cents per hour for Sundays; for holidays, single time.
4 54 hours and same pay per week, November to March, inclusive.
6 And various commissions.
6 2 weeks off each year with pay.
7 Scale became 31.7 cents on Oct. 1,1918.
8 Do not work on Sundays; for holidays, tim e and one-half.
9 Double tim e after 2 hours.
70 Time and one-half after 8 p. m.
11 Double tim e after 8 p. m.
12 Work on Sundays prohibited; for holidays, double time.
13 54 hours and same pay per week, November to April, inclusive.
14 7 days off every 3 months with pay.
75 2 days off each m onth w ith pay.
76 Time and one-half after 2 hours.
77 For Sundays: for holidays, full day’s pay for 7 hours’ work, time and one-half thereafter.
18 No scale in effect on May 15,1917.
79 Do not work on Sundays; for holidays, full day’s pay for 7 hours’ work; time and one-half thereafter.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[504]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
187
U NION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN TH E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Con tinued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
For
Full days; urday
Full days;
Per
Sun
Saturdays half
Per
Saturdays;
For
Per week, over days
full week. holi Per week,
full week.
hour. full time. and
hour. full
day.
time.
holi
time.
days.
Rate of wages—
Geographical division and
city.
north central—continued.
Regniar rate
multiplied
Detroit, Mich.:
Cents. Dolls.
by—
Cents. Dolls.
Bakery................................. 62.5 30.00
1
1
8 -8 -4 8
62.5 30.00
8 -8 -4 8
General, 2 horses................ 45.0 27.00
2
10 -10 -60
35. 0 21.00
U
10 -10 -60
General, 3 horses................ 47.5 28. 50
2
li
10 -10 -60
37.5 22.50
10 -10 -60
Ice........................................ 40.0 24.00 G)
1
10 -10 -60
31.7 19.00
10 -10 -60
Tea and coffee..................... 47.9 2 23.00
l
1
3 8 - 8 -48
37.5 18.00
8 -8 -4 8
Helpers................................ 45.0 27.00
2
10 -10 -60
35.0 21.00
li
10 -10 -60
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Bakery, 1 or 2 horses, oread. 25.0 415.00
l
10—10 -60
21.7 13.00
G)
10 -10 -60
Bakery, 1 horse, cake......... 30.9 17.00
1
10 - 5 -55
12 25.0 15. 00
(6)
10 -10 -60
Bakery, 2-horse trucks....... 34.5 19.00
1
1 0 - 5 -55
12 28.3 17.00
(5)
10 -10 -60
General, 1 horse.................. 21.7 13.00
10 -10 -60
21.7 13.00
li
li
10 -10 -60
General. 2 horses................ 25.0 15. 00
10 -10 -60
25.0 15.00
li
li
10 -10 -60
Kansas City, Mo.:
Bakery................................. 30.0 «18.00
1
1
10 -10 -60
30.0 « 18.00
10 -10 -60
Bakery, retail, b re a d ......... 33.3 7 20.00
1
1
10 -10 -60
33.3 720.00
10 -10 -60
General, 1 horse.................. 27.8 15.00
2
9 -9 -5 4
22.5 13.i0
li
10 -10 -60
General, 2 horses................. 33.3 18.00
2
9 -9 -5 4
27.5 16.50
li
10 -10 -60
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Baggage.............. ................. 30.0 18.00 8 40c.
1
10 -10 -60
27.5 16.50
9 10 -10 -60
Coal...................................... 35.0 21.00 8 40c.
10 -10 -60
28.3 17.00
li
10 -10 -60
Ice, wholesale....................... 33.9 20.31
1
1
10 -10 -60
27.9 16.73
10 -10 -60
Ice, peddlers......................... 37.0 22.21
li
310 -10 -60
32 7 19 62
General................................. 30.0 18.00 8 40c.
li
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
10 -10 -60
Milk, route, first 6 m onths. 1030.2 u19.04
1
12 9 9 63
1 - 9 - 9 -63
27 5 17 31
Milk,route,second 6 months 1333.0 1420.77
1
129 - 9 -63
12 9 9 63
27 5 17 31
Milk, depot.......................... 1532.7 21.23
1
1 0 - 5 -65
29.1 18.92
li
1 0 - 5 -65
Moving................................. 35.0 21.00 8 40c.
10 -10 -60
30.0 18.00
Ü
10 -10 -60
Helpers, wholesale.............. 33.9 20.31
1
1
10 -10 -60
26.9 16.15
10 -10 -60
Helpers, peddlers................ 33.9 20.31
li
310 -10 -60
26 9 16 16
10 10 60
Omaha, Nebr.:
Freight, light....................... 26.7 16.00
li
li
10 -10 -60
26.7 16.00
10 -10 -60
Freight, heavy.................... 1630.0 18.00
li
10 -10 -60
30.0 18.00
10 -10 -60
lì
General, 1 horse.................. l«23.3 14.00
li
10 -10 -60
23.3 14.00
li
10 -10 -60
General, 2 to n s.................... i630.0 18.00
li
10 -10 -60
30.0 18.00
10 -10 -60
U
General, over 2 tons............ «33.3 20.00
li
li
10 -10 -60
33.3 20.00
10 -10 -60
Helpers................................. ;627.5 16.50
li
10 -10 -60
27.5 16.50
li
10 -10 -60
Helpers, moving vans......... ‘«30.0 18.00
10 -10 -60
30.0 18.00
li
10 -10 -60
li
1 No extra pay.
2 And 12 per cent commission on sales of $150 or over per week.
3 Average hours.
4 And 4 per cent commission on sales over $200 per week.
6 Work prohibited.
« And various commissions.
7 And 10 per cent commission on sales over $200 per week.
8 Rate in cents per hour.
9 Work 70 hours every other week.
10 Scale became 33.9 cents on Aug. 1,1918.
11 And 4 per cent commission on sales over $2,062.50 per month.
1214 days off each year w ith pay.
13 Scale became 37.8 cents on Aug. 1,1918.
14 And 4 per cent commission on sales over $2,250 per month.
15 Scale became 36.2 cents on Aug. 1,1918.
16 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[505]
188
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E NORTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Continued.
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—Continued.
TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS—Continued.
May 15, 1918.
»
May 15, 1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
Hours—
Sat
Full days;
For
Full days; urday
Per
Saturdays;
Saturdays;
Per
Sun
half Per week,
For days
full week.
Per week, over
full week. holi
hour.
full
hour. full time. and
day.
time.
time.
holi
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
north
central
—concluded.
Regul ir rate
multiplied
Cents. Dolls.
Peoria, TIL:
Cents. Dolls.
by—
General................................. 1 23.3 14.00
23.3 14.00
10 -10 -60
li_| 14 10 -10 -60
25.7 18.50
5 12 -12 -72
Ice.........
225.7 18 50 3 40c. (*) 6 12 -12 -72
22.9 16.50
7 12 -12 -72
Helpers, ice ....................... 622.9 16.50
(*) 7 12 -12 -72
St. Louis, Mo.:
1 a 101-104-71!
19.0 15.00 8 111-114—781
Carriages.............................. 24.4 17.50 8 30c.
1
14 11 -11 -66
18.9 12.50
Coal, 1 horse........................ 22.7 15.00
11 -11 -66
1
u
11 -11 -66
24.2 16.00
11 -11 -66
Coalj 2 horses....................... 28.0 18.50
11 _ ii _66
1
Coal, 3 horses.................
28.0 18.50
31 8 21 00
11 -1 1 -6 6
14
Department store, 1 horse.. '33.3 18.00
1
9 -9 -5 4
23.3 14.00
10 -10 -60
14
Department store, 2 horses. 33.3 18.00
1
U
9 -9 -5 4
25.0 15.00
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
Furniture, 2 horses............. 29.2 17.50 9 1
29.2 17.50
14
Furniture, moving.............. 28.3 17.00 10 i
10 -10 -60
28.3 17.00
14 10 -10 -60
20.6 13.00 104 -104-63
General, 1 horse................... 23.0 14.50 3 32c.
14 104-104-63
General^ 2 horses, less than
5,000 pounds.................. 1 25.7 16.20 3 40c.
23.3 14.70
104-104-63
14 104-104-63
General, ¿horses, over 5,000
pounds.............................. 1 28.6 18.00 345C.
26.2 16.50
104-104-63
14 104-104-63
General, 3 horses................. ' 30.5 19.20 348c.
l*
28.1 17.70
104-104-63
104104-63
11 -11 -66
1 i2 30c. 11 -11 -66
Ic e ........................................ "31.8 21.00
28.8 19.00
1
1
Milk wagons, retail............. 17.9 1317.50
7414 -14 -98
12.2 7512.00 14 14 _i4 _98
1
4
14
i
4
_
9
8
14
14 - i 4 -9 8
1
1
D o ................................ 17.9 1317.50
13.3 7613.00
Tea and coffee, salesmen... 33.3 1718.00
1
9 -9 -5 4
33.3 7718.00
9 -9 -5 4
14
Helpers, general, 2 horses.. 26.7 16.00 9 1
26.7 16.00
10 -10 -60
14 10 -10 -60
Helpers, ice.......................... 30.0 18.00
1
72 30c. 10 -10 -60
25.0 15.00
10 -10 -60
St. Paul, Minn.:
General, t horse.................. 30.0 18.00 8 35c.
10 -10 -60
2
26.0 15 60
10 10 60
Genera!, 2 horses................. 35.0 21.00
1
2
10 -10 -60
31 0 18 60
10 -10 60
19 i
Ice. . . . ’.....................
1
33 7 1329 19
37 0 1822 22
10 10 60
10 10 60
Helpers, ice.......................... 33.9 1820.31
1
79 1
10 -10 -60
30.8 7318.46
10 -10 -60
1 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported.
2 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became
30.6 cents on May 27,1918.
8 Rate in cents per hour.
4
Sunday work prohibited, except deliveries to hospitals, steamboats, and ice-cream manufacturers, at
50 cents per hour; double time for holidays.
6 60 hours and $16 per week, October to March, inclusive.
6 More than half of the members received more than the scale; amount not reported. Scale became 26.4
cents on May 27,1918.
7 60 hours and $15 per week, October to March, inclusive.
8 2 days off each month w ith pay.
9 Time and one-half after 1 hour.
70 Time and one-half after 7 p. m.
11 Scale became 34.1 cents on July 1,1918.
12 Rate in cents per hour for Sundays; for holidays, time and one-half.
18 And 1 cent per point on sales over 6,000 points per month. Commission became 1 cent per point on
sales over 5,600 points per month on Sept. 1,1918.
14 Hours vary, b u t total about 98 per week.
16 For sales aggregating less than $500 per month; also various commissions.
16 For sales aggregating $500 or more per m onth; also various commissions.
17 And 10 per cent commission on collections over $150 per week.
18 $17.31 and same hours per week, November to March, inclusive.
79 For Sundays; for holidays, double time.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[506]
M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW ,
189
UNION SCALE OF WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR IN EACH TRADE IN T H E N O RTH
CENTRAL, SOUTH CENTRAL, AND W ESTERN STATES, ON MAY 15, 1918, AND MAY 15,
1917—Concluded.-
CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND DRIVERS—C oncluded.
TEAMSTERS AND DRIVERS—Concluded.
May 15, 1918.
May 15,1917.
Rate of
wages—
Mos.
with
Hours—
For Hours—
Sat
Full days; urday
Full days;
Per
Sun
Per
For days
Saturdays; half Per week,
Saturdays;
Per week, over
full
week.
full
week.
hour. full time. and
holi horn. full
time.
holi
day.
time.
days.
Rate of wages-
Geographical division and
city.
SOUTH CENTRAL.
Cents. Dolls.
Houston, Tex.: Carriages---- 21.4
New Orleans, La.:
Carriages.............................. 218.6
General, teamsters and
loaders.............................. 36.0
Regul ir rate
mult plied
by
Cents. Dolls.
18.00 133.3c.
1
12 -12 -84
14.3
12.00
12 -12 -84
13.00 1 75C.
1
10 -10 -70
18.6
13.00
10 -10 -70
21.60 160c.
2
10 -10 -60
28.0
16.80
10 -10 -60
3 56.3
462.5
356.3
27.00
30.00
27.00
1
1
1
1
1
1
8 - 8 -48
8-8-48
8-8-48
50.0
56.3
50.0
24.00
27.00
24.00
8 - 8 -48
8 - 8 -48
8 - 8 -48
30.0
32.5
40.0
37.5
40.0
18.00
19.50
24.00
22.50
24.00
1J
li
1J
1J
li
(5)
(6)
(5)
(6)
(6)
-60
-60
-60
-60
-60
25.0
27.5
30.0
27.5
30.0
15.00
16.50
18.00
16.50
18.00
10
10
10
10
10
59.9
42.1
24.00
8-8-48
9J- 9-i-57
35.0
35.0
21.00
21.00
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
44.7
47.4
52.6
36.8
47.4
52.6
42.1
47.4
30.0
35.0
50.4
40.3
44.0
44.4
25.50
27.00
30.00
21.00
27.00
30.00
24.00
27.00
18.00
21.00
27.23
25.38
27.69
24.00
9i- 9i-57
9i- 9J-57
9i- 9i-57
9i - 91-57
9i - 9J-57
9J- 9i-57
9i- 9i-57
9i- 9-i-57
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
9-9-54
9 9 - 9 -63
9 9 - 9 -63
9-9-54
37.5
40.0
45.0
30.0
40.0
45.0
35.0
40.0
30.0
35.0
42.5
35.7
39.4
36.8
22.50
24.00
27.00
18.00
24.00
27.00
21.00
24.00
18.00
21.00
24.23
22.50
24.81
21.00
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 ■
-60
10 -10 -CO
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
10 -10 -60
9’r 9i-57
9 9 - 9 -63
9 9 - 9 -63
91! Q
y21-57
58.3
U31.8
1236.4
1840.0
28.00
21.00
24.00
24.00
(10)
li
ll
li
8-8-48
n 11 -11 -66
12 11 -11 -66
10 -10 -60
38.3
25.0
31.8
32.5
23.00
16.50
21.00
19.50
10
11
11
10
-10
-11
-11
-10
-60
-66
-66
-60
1135.0
«42.5
1556.3
U35.0
21.00
li
25.50
li
27.00 i93c.
21.00
li
li
li
1
li
11 10 -10 -60
44 10 -10 -60
9 8 - 8 -56
11 10 -10 -60
30.0
37.5
36.3
30.0
18.00
22.50
25.38
18.00
10
10
1« 10
10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-60
-60
-70
-60
WESTERN.
Butte, Mont.:
1 or 2 horses.........................
3 or 4 horses.........................
Helpers.................................
Portland, Oreg.:
General, 1 horse..................
General, 2 horses.:..............
General, 2 | tons..................
Helpers...............................
Helpers, machinery............
San Francisco, Cal.:
Bakeries...............................
Building material, 2 horses.
Building material, brick, 2
horses................................
Building material, 4 horses.
Fruit, large wagons............
General, 1-horse large wag on
General, 2-horse tru c k . . . . .
General, 4-horse tru c k ........
General, 2 to 4 to n s............
General, 4 tons and over...
Grocery, 1 horse..................
Grocery, 2 horses................
Ice......... ..............................
Milk......................................
Milk, relief..........................
Helpers, ice..........................
Seattle, Wash.:
B akery.................................
Commission, under 2 to n s..
Commission, over 2 tons___
F u rn itu re............................
General, 2-horse light com
bination wagons..............
General, heavy machinery.
Milk......................................
Helpers.................................
1100c. 7100c.
li
1 75c.
li
1 75c.
li
1 85c.
li
1 60c.
li
1 75c.
li
1 85C.
li
1 75C.
li
175c.
li
140c.
2
1 50c.
2
i 75c. (8)
1 50c.
1
1 50e.
1
1 75c. (8)
li
li
li
li
610 -10
6 xo -10
6 10 -10
910 -10
610 -10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-60
-60
-60
-60
-60
1 Rate in cents per hour.
2 Scale became 20 cents on July 1,1918.
s Scale became 62.5 cents on June 1,1918.
4 Scale became 68.8 cents on June 1,1918.
s Full d ay ’s pay for 5 hours’ or less work; after 5 hours, time and one-half.
8 Scale became 8 hours per day, 48 per week, on July 27,1918.
7 Rate in cents per hour for Sundays; holidays off w ith pay.
8 For Sunday, full day’s pay for 5 hours’ or less work; for more than 5 hours, l i days’ pay. Holidays off
with pay; if work is performed, same rate as for Sunday.
9 4 days off each m onth with pay.
19 Do not work on Sundays; holidays off with pay.
n Scale became 53.1 cents and 48 hours on July 1,1918.
12 Scale became 59.4 cents and 48 hours on July 1,1918.
13 Scale became 47.5 cents on July 1,1918.
14 Scale became 62.5 cents and 48 hours on July 1,1918.
15 Scale became 62.5 cents on July 1,1918.
16 7FRASER
days off every 3 months w ith pay.
Digitized for
100785°— 19----------13
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
507 ]
190
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
RECENT WAGE INCREASES IN BRITISH WOOL-TEXTILE AND POTTERY
INDUSTRIES.
Reports from American consuls, respectively, at Bradford (Eng
land) and Stoke-on-Trent (England), recently received by this
bureau indicate wage increases in the British wool-textile industry
and in the pottery industry. In the latter case the advances are
the result of a recent- strike agitation and are declared to be the
largest yet known to have been made in the history of the trades
affected.
The American consul at Bradford announces that an award giving
higher war wages to British woolen textile workers was made on
November 8, 1918, by the committee on production, the increase in
war bonuses to all daytime workers being from 81.75 per cent to
104.75 per cent, or an advance of 23 per cent (such percentages not
to exceed 31s. 5d., or $7.64 per week). The bonuses to female
pieceworkers were increased from 69 per cent to 89 per cent, and of
male pieceworkers from 65 to 83.75 per cent. Payment of wages
in accordance with the award are to date back to the pay day in the
week ending November 1. The award states that the increases are to
be regarded as war advances and as due to and dependent upon the
existence of the abnormal conditions now prevailing in'consequence
of the war.
As regards the wool combers the award will result in an advance
on the scheduled wages amounting to 6s. ($1.46) per week in the
case of men and 4s. ($0.97) per week in the case of women and
youths. These advances will, in the case of combers employed by the
members of the West Riding Spinners’ Federation, raise wages
above prewar rates to the extent of 36s. 6d. ($8.88) for men and
32s. ($7.79) for women.
The award also requires the Wool Combing Employers’ Federation
to give an advance of 6s. ($1.46) per week to all persons concerned
rated at or above 45s. 6d. ($11.07) per week, and an advance of 4s.
($0.97) per week to workpeople rated below 45s. 6d. ($11.07) per
week. In each instance the award is to take effect as from the pay
day in the week ending November 1 and is to include the week pre
ceding that date. The terms of the award were communicated to
the members of the National Society of Wool Combers and were
unanimously accepted.
A conference held in Bradford on October 29 resulted in an
advance of the wages of employees in the dyeing and finishing
trades from 22s. lid . ($5.58) to 29s. 4d. ($7.14) in the case of time
workers; from 65.50 per cent to 83.75 per cent for pieceworkers; and
from 50 to 62.75 per cent for pressers. The advance commenced from
the first pay day in November for the whole of the week paid for on
that day.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 0 S ]
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
191
WAGES IN NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERY INDUSTRY.
The recent wages agitation has resulted in the manufacturers in
the earthenware and china trades, as well as makers of jet and rockingham wares, granting to their workpeople the largest advance yet
known to have been made at one time in the history of those trades,
according to a report from the American consul at Stoke-on-Trent.
It is true there is a condition attached to the grant which some few
of the men may not like. Tire manufacturers seem determined that
this latest grant shall be the final one which they will amicably agree
to so far as they are concerned and indicate that if the men feel
inclined to press for more the questions in dispute will have to go to
arbitration.
The consul notes that 12 months after war broke out the manu
facturers agreed to a war bonus of 71 per cent, and that from time
to time subsequent allowances were made which brought the bonuses
up to 40 per cent of prewar rates. To that 20 per cent additional
is now added, making altogether 60 per cent advance on the rates
paid in 1914. These rates, however, do not apply to the sanitary
earthenware and fireclay workers, or to electrical fittings and munition
workers, or even to tile workers. The bonuses granted in the sanitary,
tile, and fireclay branches of the pottery trade are somewhat less,
accounted for by the appreciable decrease of trade in those branches.
These particular industries have been hard hit during the war, the
prevention of building practically putting an end to the industries for
the time being.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[509]
MINIMUM WAGE
RECENT MINIM UM WAGE DECREES IN CALIFORNIA AND
MASSACHUSETTS.
CALIFORNIA.!
On November 2, 1918, the Industrial Welfare Commission of the
State of California issued the following decree, effective January 2,
1919, fixing minimum wages for female workers in the manufactur
ing industry:
The Industrial Welfare Commission of the State of California does hereby order
th a t—
EXPERIENCED WORKERS.
1. No person, firm, or corporation shall employ, or suffer, or p erm it an experienced
woman or m inor to be em ployed in an y m anufacturing in d u stry a t a rate of wages
less th an $10 for a 48-hour week. If an em ployer does n o t provide th e full 48 hours of
em ploym ent during an y week, he m ust pay to all experienced ad u lt and m inor work
ers not less th a n $0.25 per hour for th e tim e w o rk ed ..
A n experienced ad u lt woman is one who has been em ployed in th e in d u stry for
6 m onths. An experienced m inor worker is one who has been em ployed in th e in
dustry for 9 m onths.
LEARNERS.
2, The rate of wages for learners m ay be less th a n th e m inim um rate prescribed for
experienced workers, provided:
(а) ( A d u l t le a r n e rs .) T h at learners entering em ploym ent, 18 years of age and over,
shall be paid an in itial wage of not less th an $8 per week ($34.67 per m onth), for the
first three m onths of em ploym ent; for th e second three m onths not less th an $9 per
week ($39 per m o n th ); and thereafter shall be deem ed experienced workers and shall
be paid not less th an th e m inim um rate prescribed for experienced workers.
(б) ( M in o r le a r n e rs .) T h at learners entering em ploym ent under 18 years of age
shall be paid an in itia l wage of not less th an $7.50 per week ($31.25 per m onth), for the
first three m onths of em ploym ent; for th e second three m onths n o t less th an $8 per
week ($34.67 per m onth); for th e th ird three m onths not less th a n $9 per week ($39
per m onth); and thereafter shall be deem ed experienced workers and shall be paid
not less th an th e m inim um rate prescribed for experienced workers, provided:
(c) T h at w henever th e o u tp u t of any fem ale m inor equals th e average o u tp u t of th e
a d u lt women em ployed in any establishm ent, such m inor m ust be paid not less th an
th e m inim um rate of wages prescribed for an experienced adult.
(d ) If an em ployer does not provide th e full 48 hours of em ploym ent during any
one week, he m ust pay all learners n o t less th a n th e following hourly rates for th e
tim e worked: A learner en titled to $7.50 per week m ust be paid not less th a n $0.20
per hour; a learner en titled to $8 per week m ust be paid n o t less th an $0.21 per hour;
a learner en titled to $9 per week m ust be paid n o t less th an $0.23 per hour.
(e) E v ery em ployer shall, w hen dem and is m ade b y an y woman or m inor employed,
furnish said employee w ith a statem ent setting forth th e period of em ploym ent of
such employee in his establishm ent.
! Cf. article in the M onthly L abor R e v ie w for November, 1918 (pp. 171-173).
192
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3. The total num ber of learners in an y establishm ent shall not exceed 25 per cent
of the total num ber of workers employed.
4. W here paym ent of wages is m ade upon a commission, bonus, or piece-rate basis,
th e earnings shall be not less th a n th e m inim um tim e rate of th e wage group in w hich
th e worker belongs.
5. No person, firm, or corporation employing women or minors in any m anufactur
ing in d u stry shall suffer or p erm it any female employee who has worked for 8 hours
in any one day or 48 hours in an y one week, to take work to be performed b y her o u t
side of the place of business of such person, firm, or corporation.
6.
HOME WORK.
(a) All persons, firms or corporations em ploying women or minors in any m anu
facturing in d u stry shall ap p ly to th e In d u strial Welfare Commission for perm its for
female or m inor employees who are given work to përform at home or outside of th e
place of business of such person, firm or corporation.
(b ) All persons, firms or corporations em ploying women or minors in any m an u
facturing in d u stry shall keep a record of th e names and addresses of all female em
ployees who are given work to perform at home or outside of th e place of business of
such person, firm or corporation. This record shall include th e am ount of work per
formed and the wages earned w eekly by each such worker and th e piece rate paid
shall be specified. A copy of th is record shall be filed m onthly w ith th e In dustrial
Welfare Commission.
(c) All persons, firms or corporations em ploying women on home work or work per
formed outside of the place of business of such person, firm or corporation, shall pay
to such women a piece rate equal to a rate w hich will yield to 75 per cent of th e women
em ployed w ithin the factory not less th a n $0.21 per hour.
7.
NIGHT WORK.
(a) No person, firm or corporation em ploying wom en or minors in any manufactur
in g industry shall em ploy or suffer or perm it any minor to work before 6 a. m. or after
10 p. m.
( b ) No person, firm or corporation em ploying women or minors in any m anufacturing
in d u stry shall em ploy or suffer or perm it any woman to work before th e hour of 6 a. m.
or after th e hour of 10.30 p. m. w ithout a p erm it from the In d u strial Welfare Commis
sion. Perm its to work before th e hour of 6 a. m. and after the hour of 10.30 p. m. will
be issued only w hen th e work to be performed is essential war work or is a continuous
process w hich can not be controlled in any other way.
(c) No person, firm or corporation em ployin g wom en or minors in any manufacturing
industry, shall em ploy wom en for a period exceed in g four hours after 10 o ’clock at
night, w ithout furnishing a hot m eal to such women.
8. All women and minors now em ployed in any m anufacturing in d u stry m ust be
rated and paid in accordance w ith th eir period of em ploym ent as specified in sections 1
and 2.
9. E very person, firm or corporation em ploying women or minors in any m anufac
tu rin g in d u stry shall keep a record of th e names and addresses, th e hours worked and
the am ounts earned b y such women and minors. Such records shall be k ep t in a form
and m anner approved by the In d u strial Welfare Commission. Minor employees m ust
be m arked ‘"m inor” on th e pay roll.
10. No person, firm or corporation shall em ploy, or suffer or perm it any woman or
m inor to work in any m anufacturing in d u stry more th an 8 hours in any one day, or
more th a n 48 hours in any one vmek, or more th an 6 days in any one week.
11. A license m ay be issued by the commission to a woman physically disabled by
age or otherwuse, authorizing the em ploym ent of such licensee for a wage less th an th e
legal m inim um wage; and th e commission shall fix a special wage for such a woman.
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12. Every person, firm or corporation employing women or minors in any manu
facturing industry shall post a copy of this order in a conspicuous place in the general
workroom and also in the women’s dressing room.
13. The commission shall exercise exclusive jurisdiction over all questions arising
as to the administration and interpretation of this order.
14. All persons, firms or corporations employing women or minors in any manu
facturing industry shall file in the office of the Industrial Welfare Commission within
one month from the date on which this order becomes effective, a certified pay roll
report of the women and minors employed. This pay roll report shall be given for
the period (weekly, semimonthly or monthly) immediately following the date on which
this order becomes effective. The report shall include the names, number of hours
worked and amounts earned by women and minor employees. There shall be an
accompanying statement specifying the piece rates paid in the establishment.
15. Every person, firm or corporation employing women or minors in any manufac
turing industry, shall furnish to the commission, at its request, any and all reports or
information which the commission may require to carry out the purposes of the act
creating the commission ; such reports and information to be verified by the oath of the
person, member of the firm, or the president, secretary or manager of the corporation
furnishing the same, if and when so requested by the commission or any member
thereof. Every person, firm or corporation shall allow any member of the commission,
or any of its duly authorized representatives, free access to the place of business or
employment of such person, firm or corporation, for the purpose of making inspection
of, or excerpt from, all books, reports, contracts, pay rolls, documents or papers of such
person, firm or corporation, relating to the employment of labor and payment therefor
by such person, firm or corporation; or for the purpose of making any investigation
authorized by the act creating the commission.
This order shall become effective sixty (60) days from the date hereof.
Dated at San Francisco, Cal., this 2d day of November, 1918.
NOTICE.
Nothing in this order prevents employers from paying more than the rate3 fixed by
the commission as the minimum or lowest rate. This order applies to all women and
minors in any manufacturing industry.
MASSACHUSETTS.!
The Minimum Wage Commission of Massachusetts, having received
and reviewed the report of the wage board established in the whole
sale millinery occupation, having provisionally approved the deter
minations, and having held a public hearing thereon, finally approved
said determinations, and on November 30, 1918, entered a decree of its
findings as to minimum wages of female employees in the wholesale
millinery occupation. The text of the decree is as follows :
1. No experienced employee of ordinary ability shall be employed at a rate of
wages less than $11 a week.
2. An employee shall be deemed experienced who has reached the age of 18 years
and has been employed in the occupation for at least four seasons, which shall include
at least 12 weeks in each of two spring seasons, and at least 12 weeks in each of two fall
seasons; or, in the case of those employees whose work is not of a seasonal character,
for a period of not less than two years.
l Cf. article in the M onthly .L abor R e v ie w for October, 1918 (pp. 182-184).
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3. The wages of learners and apprentices may be less than the minimum prescribed
for experienced employees, provided that—
(а) No employee of ordinary ability, irrespective of age, who has had at least three
seasons’ experience in the occupation; or, in the case of employees whose work is
not of seasonal character, at least 63 weeks within a period of not less than 78 weeks,
shall be employed at a rate of wages less than $9 a week.
(б) No employee of ordinary ability, irrespective of age, who has had at least two
seasons’ experience in the occupation; or, in the case of employees whose work is
not of seasonal character, at least 42 weeks within a period of not less than 52 weeks,
shall be employed at a rate of wages less than $8 a week.
(c) No employee of ordinary ability, irrespective of age, who has had at least one
season’s experience in the occupation; or, in the case of employees whose work is
not of seasonal character, at least 21 weeks within a period of not less than 26 weeks,
shall be employed at a rate of wages less than $7 a week.
(d) No employee of ordinary ability, irrespective of age, who has had less than one
season’s experience in the occupation; or, in the case of employees whose work is not
of seasonal character, less than 21 weeks, shall be employed at a rate of Avages less than
$6 a week.
4. Twelve weeks shall constitute a season, but if an employee has worked less than
12 weeks in any season the difference between the time she has worked and 12 weeks
may be made up in any following season.
5. For the purpose of computing years of experience, a year’s Avork shall consist
of not less than 42 weeks.
6. For the purpose of computing weeks of experience, a week’s work shall consist
of not less than 36 hours.
7. These rates are for full-time work, by which is meant the full number of hours
per week required by employers and permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth.
8. Where workers are paid by the piece, piece rates shall be such as to yield to Avorkers of ordinary ability the minima hereinbefore set forth.
9. A female employee of less than ordinary ability may be paid less than the pre
scribed minimum wage, provided that the conditions of the Acts of 1912, chapter 706,
section 9, as amended, are complied with.
10. These recommendations shall take effect on January 1, 1919, and shall apply to
all females then or thereafter employed according to their age and experience.
Appended to the decree, but not a part of it, are two further rec
ommendations submitted by the Minimum Wage Commission, as
follows:
To enable employers to show compliance Avith the above decree, the commission
recommends that in addition to keeping, as required by the Acts of 1912, chapter 706,
section 11, a register of the names, addresses, and occupations of all Avomen and minors
employed, together with a record of the amount paid each Aveek to each Avoman and
minor, employers in this occupation keep also a record of the hours worked by each of
such employees each week, and of the age and length of experience of learners and
apprentices.
To assist employers in carrying out the provisions of the decree, with regard to learn
ers and apprentices, the Commission further recommends that a female employee on
leaving her employment in any establishment receive a card showing the time she
has worked in that establishment.
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CHILD LABOR.
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN RURAL NEW YORK.1
This report gives the results of a study undertaken to determine
the general character, extent, and causes of delinquency among
children in a rural environment and to test the wide-spread impression
that “ juvenile delinquency is peculiarly a problem of the cities and
especially of the foreign population of the cities.” At the outset it
was recognized that in cities the enforcement of law, especially in
regard to children, is much stricter than in the country.
The result is that the official record of rural juvenile delinquency is unduly low
because it fails to include much bad conduct that is passed over without court action
and soon forgotten, but which if committed in the city would bring the children
concerned to the judgment of the court and add then’ names to the list of delinquents.
To meet this difficulty the study is based not on official records, but
on a survey of 21 rural districts in New York, a rural district being
defined as “ a locality of small and dispersed population, depending
mainly upon agriculture for its livelihood.” The term “ delinquent”
was extended to cover all the children generally regarded as “ bad”
in the neighborhood, whether or not they had come into open conflict
with the law. In all, 185 juveniles were studied.
The report consists of two parts, the first containing a general dis
cussion of the conditions found, with suggestions for needed action,
while the second gives for each district studied a brief description
of the community, followed by an account of each of the children
classed as delinquent.
In its general outlines the situation as to juvenile delinquency was
much like that usually shown by a city study. Of the 185 children
studied, 119 were boys and 66 girls. Offenses against property
predominated among the boys, while among the girls sex offenses were
the most numerous. Obviously defective children were in the
minority. In general, family conditions were not good. This was
not so much a matter of broken homes—in 56 per cent of the families
studied both parents, legally married, were living together—as of
inefficient or actively bad parents. In an appreciable number of
cases the parents were either contributory to the child’s delinquency
or were entirely responsible for it, as where a child steals because a
*U. S. Department of Labor. Children’s Bureau. Juvenile Delinquency in Rural New York, by
Kate Holladay Claghorn. Bureau Publication No. 32. Washington, 1918. 199 pp.
186
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parent has encouraged or ordered him to do so, or “ where a girl is a
sex delinquent because her father or guardian has violated her or
sold her to other men.” In general, however, the child’s wrongdoing
seemed due to the low moral plane of the family rather than to the
parents’ direct incitement. In a number of instances poverty, if
not the direct cause of the delinquency, was evidently contributory,
and at least one case was found of a situation not unknown to city
investigators—a child committed to an institution as delinquent
when the real trouble was destitution.
Turning to the community surveys, the outstanding impression
left by the descriptions given is of the lack of any organized com
munity life. In the main, the church, the school, the village store,
and the village tavern are the possible centers of community activi
ties. In too many instances the church considered that its field was
purely spiritual or dogmatic, although some cases were found in
which it was earnestly trying to improve neighborhood conditions.
The store and the tavern naturally did not afford any opportunities
for children to secure interest and ‘amusement under favorable con
ditions. The school was apt to be a melancholy negation of all
that it might have been. Salaries are low, with the result that
teachers are apt to be young and inexperienced or else of a distinctly
undesirable type. The curriculum bears little relation to the life
of the children, either in subject matter or method. Few of the
schools studied had any playground equipment or any provision for
play within the building. “ The case histories show what mischief
is possible and how much of it gets a good start at the unsuper
vised noon hour, when the teacher goes home to dinner and the
children are left alone, with nothing to do, in the bare little schoolhouse.” Unfortunately, in neighborhoods where the need is greatest
the school is apt to be least qualified to meet it.
In barren hill districts, where the children present the hardest problem, the teachers
are the youngest and least experienced. Out of the 13 teachers in one region, 7 are
under 21 and 5 are girls of 18 or 19 teaching their first school. A young girl of this type
is not competent to deal with the problem set before her. She is physically unable
to handle the uncouth, obstreperous boy of 14, is too shy or ignorant to face or solve
the ever-present problem of obscene writing or talk, or more serious sex offenses, and
must put all of her energy on the mechanical details of getting through her long
program for many classes.
A movement is already on foot to improve the little district
schools by consolidation of districts, bringing the children together
in a village union school, which if carried out may improve condi
tions materially.
Under the head of recommendations it is urged that juvenile courts
and probation officers be established throughout the rural districts;
that some place of detention be provided for children other than the
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jail, the calaboose, or the police station, and that the age limit of
juvenile delinquency be raised from 16 to 18. “ Many instances
show a really childish type of mind and character in boys and girls
over the age of 16 that could better be handled by the methods of
the juvenile court than by the methods used for adults.” It is also
urged that a stricter and more consistent prosecution of adults for
neglect and cruelty and contributory delinquency should be under
taken. As preventive measures, the improvement of the school, the
socialization of the church, and the building up of an active com
munity life in the village are advised. But most important of all is
the upbuilding and strengthening of the family, the fundamental
social agency for the child. “ However good the school, the church,
or the community, if the home is bad a fertile source of juvenile
delinquency is left open. Therefore our best efforts must be exerted
to deal with the family as well as with the child.”
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INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE.
INDUSTRIAL POISONING IN AMERICAN ANILIN DYE MANUFACTURE.
BY ALICE HAMILTON, M. D.
INTRODUCTION.
The dye industry has undergone a rapid development since 1914,
increasing in extent and complexity every year. The growth of this
new industry is important for many reasons, but to the physician its
chief importance lies in the fact that it has introduced into American
industry a large number of poisonous substances which up to now
have been known to us almost wholly through German medical
literature. A study of this literature discloses a great deal of in
formation as to what kinds of industrial poisoning should be looked
for in the making of dyes, but it is not enough for Americans to learn
what has happened in German dye works, for manufacture in America
is never carried on in exactly the same way as it is in Germany, and
we can never transfer to this country, without some modification, the
results of European experience.
This description of anilin dye manufacture in the United States is
intended only as a preliminary report on an industry of extraordinary
complexity and difficulty. The chemistry of anilin dye manufacture
is more complicated than that of any other industry carried on in
the United States, and is almost impossible to describe without get
ting lost in a mass of details. Yet it is essential for us to understand
at least the most important of the reactions involved if we are to be
able to estimate with any accuracy the dangers to which workmen
are exposed in the various processes. No attempt is made here to
do more than give an outline of the essential steps in the production
of dye intermediates and finished dyes, and to describe, so far as they
are known, the effects on the human body of the compounds that
are used, produced, or evolved during the course of production.
The compounds that are used in making dyes are derived chiefly
from coal tar and belong to the aromatic series, but some inter
mediates, such as alcohol, acetic acid, etc., belong to the aliphatic
series. Inorganic substances which enter “into combination with
these are chiefly the heavy acids, hydrochloric, sulphuric, and nitric;
the caustic alkalis, especially caustic soda; lime, and certain oxidizing
agents, of which lead peroxide and potassium bichromate are the
most important. The number of compounds formed in the different
reactions is so great and their structure is often so complicated that
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
the student of industrial poisoning becomes bewildered, and in his
endeavor to simplify the problem he natural]}7 tries to discover some
broad principles of physiological action based on the chemical struc
ture. Unfortunately, such a simplification is possible to only a par
tial extent. There are certain chemical groups whose entrance into
a compound alters its poisonousness quite uniformly, but there are
always exceptions to any such rule, since the poisonousness of a com
pound depends, not. only on the chemical, but also on the physical
properties. For instance, benzene and gasoline have the same chemi- *
cal composition, but benzene is far more poisonous because it is very
volatile. An din and benzidine have a very simdar formulae, but
andin is a volatile liquid and very poisonous, while benzidine is a
solid, not soluble in water and not poisonous at all. The following
is a brief statement of the chemical changes which are known to pro
duce definite alterations in the physiological action of compounds,
unless their entrance into the group bruigs about some decided
physical change which alters the absorbability of the substance.
Sulphonation, the introduction of the S02TI0 group, destroys the
toxicity of a compound. For instance, sulphonated andin is almost
nontoxic. The sodium salt of phenol sulphonic acid is said to be
harmless.
The introduction of the COOH group also removes or lessens the
toxicity. Nitrobenzene (C6IT5N 02) is very toxic, nitrobenzoic acid
(CcII5N 03 COOH) is harmless. Phenol (C6H5OH) is poisonous. Sali
cylic acid (C7H0O8) is far less so.
The acetyl radical CH3CO has much the same effect. Acetandid
(CgiTjNHCHgCO) is far less poisonous than andin (C6H5NH2).
The poisonousness of an aromatic compound is increased by the
entrance of a hydroxy group. Pyrogallol, which is trihydroxybenzene, is more poisonous than catechol, the di compound, and the
latter is more poisonous than the mono compound phenol. On the
other hand, the introduction of an HO into an alcohol changes it into
a harmless glycol or glycerol.
The nitro group N 02 and the nitroso NO cause a marked increase
in the toxicity of an aromatic compound, whether they enter the
benzene ring or a hydroxyl radical. The nitrobenzenes and nitrochlorbenzenes, are distinctly more poisonous than the benzenes and
chlorbenzenes.
Chlorine is the only halogen of importance in the chemistry of
dyes. When it-enters into a compound of the alcohol series, the
narcotic effect is greatly increased and in proportion to the number
of chlorine atoms. Thus chloroform, CHC13, is strongly narcotic, and
carbon tetrachloride, CC14, is even more so, whde formaldehyde CHO
is not narcotic at all. Compounds of the aromatic group are little,
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if at all, affected by the entrance of chlorine, the chlorbenzenes being
about as toxic as benzene.
An alkyl group (methyl, ethyl, etc.) displacing H in the amino, .
NH2, group, lessens its toxicity. Dimethylanilin and diethylanilin
are both less poisonous than anilin.
The hydrocarbons of the methane series are less active physilogically than those of the ethylene or acetylene series.
No rule can be given as to the comparative toxicity of the isomers.
The para position seems to bo usually the most toxic and the ortho
the least, but this rule has too many exceptions to be of much use.
PROCESSES IN DYE MANUFACTURE.
There are certain fundamental chemical processes that are repeated
over and over in the course of dye production, and that will be briefly
described, together with the possible risk involved in each.
1. S u lp h o n a tio n or tre a tm e n t w ith f u m i n g s u lp h u r ic a c id u s u a lly
a d d ed i n excess .—This results in the replacement of an IT atom in an
organic compound by the sulphonic acid group and very often the
change of a toxic body into a harmless one. The risk involved lies
in the method of handling the sulphuric acid and the product that
is to be sulphonated. It is important to know how the substances
are supplied, how introduced into the sulphonator, and whether there
is a vent for the fumes produced by hot sulphonation.
2. C a u stic m e ltin g o f a lk a lin e f u s i o n .—Usually a sulphonated product
is fused, the S020H group being replaced by a hydroxyl OH group.
For instance, benzene monosulphonic acid yields hydroxy benzene
or phenol, and naphthalene monosulphonic acid yields alpha or beta
naphthol. The danger in this process depends on the way the caustic
soda is handled. Very severe burns may result from splashing, and
the danger is especially great when fusion is taking place with the
sulphonic acid in the kettle, for the presence of water makes it splash.
An accident that almost always results in burns of great severity is
the blowing up of an autoclave, which scatters the caustic fluid with
great force.
3. N itr a tio n .—A mixture of sulphuric and nitric acid is used for
this, the former being added so that it may take up the water lib
erated in the course of nitration, which would otherwise dilute the
nitric acid. Usually in dye manufacture only the mononitro com
pound is formed from an aromatic body, one hydrogen atom from
the benzene ring being replaced by a nitro group NG2. If dinitro or
trinitro compounds are needed, the nitration is usually carried on
in successive steps. The danger in this process is that which is
always present when nitric acid is used. Not only may severe
burns result from splashed acid, but the fumes of mixed, nitrogen
oxides that are given off when nitric acid is exposed to the air or
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when it is added to the substance to be nitrated constitute a grave
risk to the workman unless they are carried off in fume pipes.
4. R e d u c tio n o f a m id a tio n . —As a rule, nitro bodies, the products
of nitration, are reduced, the reducing agents employed being metals,
iron, zinc, or tin, in the presence of an acid. The hydrogen liberated
in this reaction displaces the oxygen of the NO group. Since a nitro
compound is the starting point and an amido compound the product,
it follows that the apparatus used must be well inclosed and no
fumes allowed to escape at any stage, for both these substances are
poisonous.
5. C h lo rin a tio n .— -The introduction of the chlorine atom may take
place in the benzene ring or in a side chain. The resulting product
is sometimes inert, sometimes highly poisonous. In either case the
fumes of chlorine gas constitute a danger, and it is always necessary
to provide a vent or an absorbent chamber for the gas, which is best
taken up by water and neutralized.
6. A lk y la tio n . —This consists in the introduction of methyl or
ethyl groups into a hydroxyl or amido group. For methylation (as
in making dimethylanilin), methyl chloride, methyl alcohol, and
hydrochloric acid or dimethyl sulphate may be used. For ethy
lation ethyl alcohol is used. Anilin is the substance most generally
subjected to this reaction, and the dangers in the process come chiefly
from the anilin and from alkyl derivatives, which, though less power
ful, have been known to cause industrial poisoning. If dimethyl
sulphate is used, the danger is greatly increased, for this is a highly
poisonous compound.
7. O x id a tio n : —The substances used as oxidizers are usually inor
ganic salts, such as potassium bichromate, chlorate, or permanga
nate, manganese dioxide, and litherage, with a mineral acid. For
instance, anthraquinone, the intermediate used for alizarin colors, is
made by oxidizing anthracene. Sometimes nitrobenzol and ferrous
chloride are used as oxidizers in making fuchsin. Here there may be
fumes of nitrobenzol or anilin. The inorganic oxidizing agent
likely to give the most trouble is chromate of potash, which produces
the so-called “ chrome ulcers.” Litharge is not used in sufficient
quantities to cause lead poisoning.
8. C a rh o x y la tio n . —This is generally done by the action of caustic
soda and pure carbon dioxide gas upon a phenol by which the COOH
group is introduced into the ring. For example, phenol after carboxylation yields salicylic acid, which is much used in the dye indus
try. This process is not so dangerous as caustic fusion because not
nearly so much free alkali is used.
9. L i m i n g . —The lime salts of certain substances are soluble and of
others insoluble. Therefore, lime or chalk or sometimes caustic
lime is added, usually to a sulphonated product, to separate one
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salt from another. For instance, when naphthalene is sulphonated,
alpha-naphthalene sulphonic acid, beta-naphthalene sulphonic acid,
and free sulphuric acid are present. The mixture is neutralized with
lime. The lime salt of the alpha-naphthalene-sulphonic acid is solu
ble in cold water. The lime salt of the beta-naphthalene sulphonic
acid is not very soluble in cold but is soluble in hot water, and the
calcium sulphate is insoluble. Thus, separation of these substances
from each other is easy.
10.
C o n d e n sa tio n .—This process consists in the union of two
compounds or two molecules of the same compound to form a new
compound by the loss of water or IIC1 or H4N. Sometimes hydro
chloric or sulphuric acid is used with phosphorus, zinc, sulphur, or
tin to bring about this reaction. There is no special danger involved
except in the liberation of the volatile substances if the apparatus is
faulty. The manufacture of malachite green offers an example of
condensation. Benzaldehyde and dimethylanilin are mixed with a
condensing agent, such as zinc chloride and hydrochloric or sul
phuric acid. One molecule of water is split off by the union of an
atom of oxygen from the benzaldehyde with two hydrogen atoms
from twm molecules of the dimethylanilin and a new compound is
formed, which is tetramethyldiaminodiphenylmethane.
D ia z o tiz in g a n d c o u p lin g .— A n
amido compound on treatment
with nitrous acid (sodium nitrate and hydrochloric acid are gen
erally used) yields a compound called diazo. This is then coupled
with an aromatic amine or phenol to form an azo compound. The
reaction is carried on in the cold, so that the danger is only in hand
ling the bodies that are to be diazotized or coupled. In making
the common dye, orange 11, sulphanilic acid is diazotized with sodium
nitrate and hydrochloric acid, and the solution of this diazo is added
to a solution of beta-napthol in sodium hydroxide. When these
are mixed cold, the dye precipitates and is filtered out.
The principal raw materials used in manufacturing dyes are eight
coal-tar constituents—benzene (^) , toluene |XX| q jj xylene |XX| q jj 3,
phenol
( ''j
OH, napthalene i^V ^I, anthracene |/X|/X|/X| , phenan-
threne I I I , and carbazol.
0
The first four of these are decidedly
poisonous, though the entrance of one CH3 group into the benzens
ring makes toluene less toxic than benzene, and two such groupe
make xylene still less so than toluene. Naphthalene administered to
animals produces symptoms of irritation and lowers the tempera
ture, but in man it has only a local action on the eye. Anthracene,
phenanthrene, and carbazol are without effect.
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CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATION OF DYES.
The anilin dyes are classified in many ways, but the following is
the usual classification when chemical structure is taken as the
basis:
1. A z o d y e s .—These are made with a primary amine, anilin or
toluidin, or toluylene diamine or benzidine or some similar body,
which is treated with nitrous acid in the cold. The diazo compound
produced is then coupled with an aromatic amine or phenol to form
an azo compound. These are unstable compounds, and the diazotizing must be done at about zero C. This fact and the further
fact that it is not necessary to use large quantities of amines make
the manufacture of azo dyes fairly harmless. In fact, this is probably
the safest branch of the industry.
2. A n th ra c e n e d y e s . —The most important of these is alizarin, only
recently manufactured in the United States. Madder, one of the
oldest of dyes, is natural alizarin. Anthracene is oxidized to anthraquinone, usually with potassium bichromate. This is sulphonated
and then fused with caustic soda and clilorate oi potash to form
dioxyanthraquinone or alizarin. There is little danger hi these
processes except from handling the caustic and chromate. Chrome
ulcers are not at all uncommon among the men employed in the pro
duction of anthraquinone.
3. In d ig o . —Here the risks are greater than in the two former
classes of colors. The starting point for indigo may be naphthalene
or anilin. Benzene is nitrated to mononitrobenzene, this is reduced
to anilin, ahd by the action of anilin and monochloracetic acid phenyl
giycin is formed, which, on treatment with caustic soda or sodamid,
is changed to indoxyl. Air is blown through the indoxyl to oxidize
it to indigo. In this process we have all the familiar dangers of
nitration, of reduction to anilin, and of handling the anilin. Mono
chloracetic acid is a strong acid.
The next four classes of dyes are about equal as far as danger of
poisoning is concerned. These are:
4. D i a n d tr i y h e n y ln ie th a n e (or a r y lm e th a n e ) d y e s . —Auramine is
the only diphenylmethane dye of importance, but the triphenylmethane dyes are numerous and important, including the malachite
green series and the rose-anilin-fuchsin-magenta series.
5. P y r o n e d y e s . —These are closely allied to the above and are
sometimes classified with them. The eosins and fluoresceins belong
here.
6. A z o n e or a z in e d y e s . —Nigrosin is the best known of these. It
is made from anilin hydrochloride and nitrobenzene.
7. O x y a zin e d y e s . —This is an unimportant group of which galloeyanine is the most commonly known.
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For these dyes use is made of large quantities of anilin and paratoluidin; anilin hydrochloride (often called anilin salt); and the alkyl
derivatives of anilin, especially dimethylanilin, benzyl chloride, and
(for the azine and oxyazine dyes) nitroso dimethylanilin. The cases
of poisoning reported are usually due to contact with anilin or toluidin, for these are more powerful than their derivatives.
8. N itro a n d n itro so dyes.—There is still more risk of industrial
poisoning in the manufacture of these dyes, and many of the result
ing colors have poisonous properties. The best known are picric
acid or trinitrophenol, Martius yellow or dinitro naphthol, and aurantia or hexanitrodiphenylamin. In manufacture, the danger* comes
from the nitrous fumes and is greater the stronger the nitric acid used.
9. S u lp h u r d y e s .—This last group involves more danger of poison
ing than any other. Sulphur black belongs here, sulphur blue, sul
phur yellows, and sulphur browns. The introduction of sulphur re
sults sometimes in the liberation of sulphureted hydrogen. This
danger is greatest in connection with the making of browns and
yellows, much less in connection with sulphur black, and practically
nonexistent in the making of sulphur blue. Sulphur browns and yel
lows result from the treatment of phenylenediamine with sulphur or
sulphur and benzidine. In order to obtain phenylenediamine, anilin
and glacial acetic acid are mixed to form acetanilid. This is nitrated
and then saponified with caustic soda to paranitranilin, which in turn
is reduced with iron and hydrochloric acid to phenylenediamine.
For sulphur blue and sulphur black, benzene is chlorinated, then ni
trated, and the paranitrachlorbenzene is fused with caustic to become
paranitrophenol or dinitrophenol. Treated with sulphur, dinitrophenol yields sulphur black. For sulphur blue, paranitrophenol is
reduced to paramidophenol, which is acted on by dinitrochlorbenzene to form dinitrodioxyphenylamine, which with sulphur in alco
hol forms sulphur blue.
All these substances are volatile poisons, some of them very power
ful ones.
There are factories in the United States devoted solely to the mak
ing of intermediates such as the following:
Anilin hydrochloride or anilin salt. This is almost always done
in an open shed, since the fumes of anilin and hydrochloric acid
would be dangerous if not greatly diluted. The reaction takes place
in open tanks. The resulting crystals are pumped out, the liquor
removed in a centrifuge and sent to the “ stripping room,” where the
unchanged anilin is stripped or distilled off. Amidonaplitholdisulphonic acid or H acid is an important intermediate made by the sulphonation and subsequent nitration of naphthalene, followed by
amidation and caustic fusion. Fumes of nitrogen ozides may be
given off.
100785°—19---- 11
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1.
2. 4 amidonaphtholsulphonic acid is made from the sodium salt
of beta-naphthol. Treated with nitrous acid, it becomes nitroso
beta-naphthol, which is an irritant poison to the skin, causing what
the men call “ nitroso itch.” Nitrous fumes also are a danger here.
Reduction and sulphonation are performed at the same time, with
the possible production of fumes of sulphur dioxide.
Benzidine base and naphthionic acid combine to make Congo red,
a cheap cotton dye, which is exported to India. For the benzidine
base, nitrobenzene is reduced with zinc dust to oxyazobenzene, and
subsequently to azobenzene and hydrazobenzene. It is then treated
with hydrochloric acid, and benzidine is formed by rearrangement.
The dangers here are from the nitrobenzene and from possible fumes
of sulphur dioxide. Naphthionic acid is made from alpha-naphthylamine, similar to anilin in its effects, and sulphuric acid.
Metanitranilin is an intermediate for khaki dyes, made by reduc
ing dinitrobenzene. With it is used picramic acid (dinitroamidophenol), which is made by the reducing action of sodium sulphide on
dinitro phenol.
Paranitranilin is an important intermediate. When diazotized
and coupled with beta-naphthol it forms para red. The manufacture
of paranitranilin has already been described. For beta-naplithol,
naphthalene is sulphonated, neutralized with soda ash, and then
fused with caustic soda.
Michler’s ketone is tetramethyldiaminobenzophenone. It is an im
portant starting point for many colors, especially blues, greens, and
violets. It is formed by the action of that highly poisonous gas,
phosgene, on dimethylanilin.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF SUBSTANCES USED IN DYE MANUFACTURE.
In describing these compounds, with their effect upon human
beings, American sources only have been used. The cases of indus
trial poisoning which are given have all occurred in the United
States. This makes the list less complete than if one were to draw
from German and British sources, but it seems better to confine it to
our own experience.
B e n z e n e .—This light volatile coal-tar distillate is the starting
point for many of the most important dye intermediates—the nitrobenzenes, nitrophenols, nitrochlorbenzenes, and anilin and its various
derivatives. During the last five years industrial benzene poisoning,
which used to be a rarity in the United States, has become fairly
common. We seldom hear of mild benzene poisoning, for it does
not attract attention; the cases reported are severe and often fatal.
They usually occur in men who are engaged in some process out of
the ordinary routine—pipe fitting, repairing defective stopcocks or
valves, or cleaning tanks. The action of benzene is very rapid.
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207
I t produces its effect on the lower nerve centers, the respiratory,
vasomotor, and heat regulating centers. If the exposure is great
there is a short period of intense excitement followed by sudden
collapse and death; if less extreme and rapid, serious blood changes
take place, as well as the symptoms pointing to iitvolvement of the
nerve centers. There is a destruction of red and white cells, espe
cially of the latter, and also hemorrhages from the mucous surfaces
and under the skin. Chronic benzene poisoning seems to cause
anemia and gastric and nervous symptoms of varying severity,
and is at present the subject of study in the United States.
A n i l i n .—Anilin poisoning, especially the milder forms, is very
common in dye manufacture. Unfortunately anilin does not give
any warning of its toxic nature, as so many poisons do, for it has not
the slightest irritating effect on eyes, nose, or throat. The first
symptom is usually a sensation of heaviness and fullness in the head,
and a feeling of weariness or irritability, then headache, with dizziness
and some mental confusion, cough, dryness in the throat, and some
times nausea and pains in the abdomen. The pupils are dilated,
the pulse and respiration rapid, and the flushing of the face passes
into a grayish-blue color, the lips and tongue becoming purplish.
The ordinary case clears up within twenty-four hours, although
headache and slight confusion may remain and the lips still show
signs of cyanosis.
In severer cases the color is much deeper. In the files of the New
York State Department of Labor there is a record of a case, occurring
in the early days of the dye industry, which came under the care
of a physician unfamiliar with anilin poisoning. The man was lying
unconscious on the floor of the dyehouse and was of such a deep
purple color that the physician thought he must have fallen into a
dye vat. In severe cases like this the cyanosis is accompanied by a
marked air hunger, with gasping, labored breathing. The pulse is
rapid, the tension high at first but quickly lowered. The skin is
cold, and sensibility much lowered. Consciousness may be lost for
several hours, although it is rare to have coma last more than 12
hours.
Death is a very unusual occurrence. Only three cases of fatal
anilin poisoning were found during this study. The first was a
man employed in the reduction department of an anilin works, who
had for some days suffered from headache and whose color was
somewhat cyanotic. He had not, however, complained of sickness.
He left the plant at the end of the day, went to a saloon, and had a
drink of whisky. On his way home he became so disorderly that he
was put off the street car. Some friends took him home and put
him to bed and he was found dead in the morning. This combined
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action of alcohol and an aromatic compound has been noted fre
quently among TNT workers in the explosives industry.
Of the second case no more is known than that he was a carpenter
who went into an anilin tank which had not been thoroughly washed
out, and was poisoned.
The third fatal case was a foreman in the anilin department of a
small plant. He was experimenting at the time and had his hands
in anilin a good deal. The ventilation in this department was ample,
so that the fumes could not have played a part in this case. He
came to work one morning complaining of headache, and was advised
to go home, but stayed until noon. By the time he reached home,
about 1 o’clock, he was so ill that a doctor was summoned. He was
cyanosed, was vomiting yellow, frothy stuff, and his pulse was weak,
but he did not seem to be ha a serious condition. Twenty minutes
later he had a convulsion. The doctor returned at 3 o’clock and
found that he was unconscious and that his heart was very weak.
He had a second convulsion, and his heart action grew steadily
weaker until the early morning, when he died.
This tardy onset of the severer symptoms is very characteristic of
anilin. The man is much more likely to lose consciousness some
hours after reaching home than while he is at work in the plant.
For instance, a workman spilled a can of anilin over his clothes. He
felt it burning his skin slightly, but as he had never been told of any
danger connected with it he kept on at work for several hours, when
he was obliged to stop because of nausea and vomiting, palpitation
of the heart, and violent headache. He went home and his symptoms
gradually increased in severity. He did not lose consciousness till
five hours after he had spilled the anilin.
Slowness of speech and difficulty ha talking and in swallowing are
sometimes noted, also pana in the chest, cough, and frothy sputum.
A symptom noted several times by Dr. K. C. Bugbee, of Providence,
is severe precordial paña, which may be very persistent. Dr. Bugbee
has also had cases of acute dilatation of the heart, with systolic
murmur. In one case this condition lasted only four days but
returned when the man came down with influenza, and persisted for
two weeks.
Men working in anilin find that sores and cuts become easily in
fected and that the inflammation travels along the lymphatics to the
glands, which swell. Boils are common and are very slow to heal.
Sometimes there is an anilin rash, especially on the arms.
There is a chronic form of anilin poisoning which may persist
between acute attacks or be present without any acute symptoms.
The lips are bluish, and the facial color a mixture of gray and yellow.
There are usually symptoms of chronic indigestion, there may be
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209
jaundice, and there is always breathlessness and some palpitation of
the heart. Such cases are often mistaken for chronic valvular heart
disease. Irritability of temper and inability to work hard or fast
are characteristics of men chronically poisoned.
As regards susceptibility to anilin there is great difference in
individuals. Some men seem to be almost if not quite immune to
its effects. On the other hand, this study disclosed the record of a
man of sixty-six years who, after no unusual exposure, became very
ill, was in bed for four days, attempted to sit up, had a relapse, and
was ill for ten days longer.
Anilin has a very characteristic action on the blood. Methemoglobin is formed and, because it binds the oxygen to the red cells
instead of releasing it to the tissues, the body starves for oxygen.
This is the cause of the cyanosis and of the hunger for air. The
blood-forming tissues attempt to make up for this by an increased
supply of red corpuscles, so that men who are suffering from slight
chronic poisoning often have an abnormally high red-cell count,
though even then the percentage of hemoglobin may be low. This,
however, is only temporary, and in severer cases evidence of red-cell
destruction is found. The cells stain deeply in the center but have
pale borders; some of them are stippled, others are abnormally large
or abnormally small. The hemoglobin, especially in the later stages
of poisoning, is much diminished.
The urine is almost always changed in color, sometimes smoky,
sometimes brownish, sometimes distinctly blood stained. Casts are
seldom found, but free blood has been demonstrated, also hemoglo
bin, methemoglobin, hematoporp 1i yr in, urobilin, and bile pigments.
Severe albuminuria following anilin poisoning was reported by Dr.
Lippincott, of Metuchen, N. J.
Anilin enters the body through the respiratory tract, the mouth,
or the skin, but industrial poisoning, especially the severer form,
usually takes place through the skin. The following instances,
gathered from various factories, show the many ways in which skin
absorption may occur. A workman splashed anilin on his shoes, it
soaked through, he became cyanosed and fainted. Another took off
his shoes to save them, worked in his stocking feet, and, as the floor
was damp with water and anilin, he became poisoned. A man sat
on the top of a barrel where a little anilin had collected. I t soaked
through his trousers and he absorbed enough to make him sick for
five days. Two men were poisoned cleaning a still. One of them
worked with bare hands, lost consciousness, arid was ill for six days.
The other wore canvas gloves but got them soaked through and con
tinued to work with them. He was sick for two weeks. A shipping
clerk opened a drum of anilin which had been standing in the sun
long enough to get hot, so that when he opened it some of it spurted
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over his face. In the same plant a man filling drums let some anilin
run into the wrist of his long rubber glove and went on working. He
was ill for a week. Another man was sick for eight days after splash
ing anilin on his hands and arms while attempting to fix a defective
cock. A very serious case was caused in a man who, trying to mop
up anilin from a leak on the floor, got his clothing saturated. He
fainted, fell, and lay unconscious for an hour, for it happened at
night and he was not discovered at once. It required every effort
for 24 hours to pull him through. He was sick two weeks.
The only clear instance of industrial anilin poisoning incurred by
swallowing anilin, discovered during this investigation, is the follow
ing: A chemist, in trying to syphon anilin from one drum to another,
sucked a mouthful of anilin into his mouth. He spat it out at once
and rinsed out his mouth with dilute hydrochloric acid. After an
hour he began to feel weak and languid, and went out to lie on the
grass. Then he became pleasurably intoxicated, felt perfectly
happy, and sang, but did not want to move. The doctor came and
insisted on his going indoors. On the way he collapsed and lost con
sciousness for a few minutes. His heart was alarmingly weak, and
his lips and mouth were blue. The next day he felt exactly as if he
had been drunk the day before. For days afterwards he lay in a
hammock, feeling exertion impossible. His urine was chocolate
colored, as indeed it always is when he works with anilin.
That anilin fumes alone can cause symptoms of poisoning seems
beyond doubt, but the writer knows of no case of severe poisoning
caused by fumes alone. It is a common experience among workmen,
however, and even among foremen who may not be in direct contact
with the anilin, that hot, heavy weather, especially .during the night
shift, always causes a decided increase in anilin poisoning. Chem
ists also suffer from anilin fumes when these are not carried off by
exhaust fans.
The symptoms of anilin poisoning have been described in detail
because they are also the symptoms caused by anilin derivatives; in
fact, they are characteristic of the amido aromatic compounds in
general. A few histories have been collected of similar poisoning from
other compounds which contain the NH2 group.
P a r a n itr a n ilin .—Two men were set to strengthen the hoops around
barrels filled with paranitranilin which had become loose so that the
powder leaked out. In doing so they inhaled dust and also scattered
it over their hands. As a result both became cyanosed and breath
less, dizzy, and confused. Another instance is taken from the records
of the New York State Department of Labor. This man had been
working in paranitranilin for two weeks, when he was sent to the
grinding room. There he inhaled a great deal of dust, but no symp
toms appeared while he was at work, nor till an hour or so after he
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211
had gone home. Then he suddenly became weak and fell to the
floor in a semiconscious condition. He had intense headache, with
nausea, but no vomiting. He stayed at home for three days and on
the fifth day the physician who saw him at work in the factory found
his heart very rapid, his face drawn and anxious and bluish gray in
color, and his lips blue.
M e ta n itr a n ilin .—From the records of a hospital near one of the
large dye works the following history was obtained: A man was
ordered to clean out a tank which had held metanitranilin. Soon
after he complained of acute frontal headache and faintness and
began to vomit. Then he lost consciousness and was taken in this
condition to the hospital, where they found him deeply eyanosed, his
lips and mucous membranes almost black, and his pulse very weak
and rapid.
According to a physician who has had a good deal of experience
in connection with a factory where metanitranilin is made, poisoning
is caused both by dust from screening and by fumes from the filter
press and cooling tubs. The symptoms are rather slower than
usual in coming on, but the sickness lasts longer than does that fol
lowing exposure to anilin.
D im e th y la n ilin .—In the records of this same hospital were found
two cases of poisoning in men who had been in contact with dimeth
ylanilin; one of them who was baling it from one container to
another was poisoned severely at the end of seven hours’ work, the
other even more severely poisoned by a few minutes’ exposure to hot
fumes. According to the hospital history the latter man was work
ing in the department where crude violet is made from phenol and
dimethylanilin. He climbed to the top of a vat to inspect the dye,
lifted the lid, breathed the hot fumes, and almost at once fainted.
Fie was unconscious for eight hours. When taken to the hospital
the next day he was complaining of loss of sight, noises in the ears,
and intense abdominal pain. He was in the hospital seven days.
D ie th y la n ilin .—No individual case histories of poisoning from
diethylanilin were obtainable, but a physician in charge of a plant
where this is used in large quantities said that he had had several
cases of poisoning, with symptoms like those of anilin poisoning.
A n i l i n chloride or h y d ro c h lo rid e or a n i l i n s a lt .—The New York
State Department of Labor furnishes this history of a case of poison,
ing which it believes to have been caused by both chlorine gas and
anilin. The man was employed in making anilin chloride. He was
under hospital treatment for 17 days for nervous and gastrointes
tinal symptoms following an attack of cyanosis, with fainting spells.
M o n o n itro b e n ze n e . —Compounds with the N 02 group instead of the
amido, NH2, group cause much the same symptoms as to the amido
compounds, but these are on the whole more serious and more last
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ing. Cases of nitrobenzene poisoning usually mean a longer absence
from work than do those caused by anilin, and are more likely to be
accompanied by convulsions. They are, however, not so common,
for in anilin manufacture there is not so much exposure to nitroben
zene as to anilin. Nitrobenzene also enters the body by the skin or
by the inhalation of fumes. Splashed on the body, it may result in
severe burns accompanied by the characteristic systemic symptoms.
Several cases of this kind were found in the reoords of a Buffalo hos
pital. In other cases poisoning seems to be caused by the fumes
alone.
Dinitrobenzene.—Metanitranilin is made by reduction of dinitro
benzene, and the same plant from which records of cases of metani
tranilin poisoning were obtained also furnished information about
dinitrobenzene poisoning. In this plant dinitrobenzene is considered
less serious than metanitranilin, contrary to the generally accepted
view of the comparative seriousness of nitrobenzene and anilin de
rivatives. The experience of this place shows that fumes produced
in washing dinitrobenzene cause a great deal of trouble, but that
even more sickness occurs in screening, where the dust is quite heavy.
It was noted that no immunity follows an attack; on the contrary,
the succeeding attacks are severer and recuperation is slower. Nose
bleed was mentioned as a sympton by the physicians in charge of the
plant.
In some factories the dinitrobenzene, after solidification, is broken
up with picks and then shoveled out. This is a dangerous procedure,
giving rise to much sickness. In one plant it has been avoided by
granulating the DNB under water, in another, by melting it and
pumping it out.
Dinitrochlorbenzene.-—This is distinctly more poisonous than dini
trobenzene and produces, in addition to the symptoms described
above, a very distressing inflammation of the skin, accompanied by
itching. This inflammation usually begins where the skin is tender,
between the fingers and behind the knees. Then it spreads and may
cover the whole body. A man who had not developed dermatitis
rubbed his eyes while at work and they became intensely swollen.
An interesting case of dinitrobenzene poisoning was obtained from
the records of the New York State Labor Department. The man,
a lead burner, had been sent four weeks before the physician saw
him to make repairs inside a tank which had contained dinitrochlor
benzene but had been emptied, boiled out with caustic soda and the
sides washed with 10 gallons of grain alcohol. The next day his
skin began to inflame, and 24 hours later he had a severely itching
eruption with edema extending from his feet to the lower border of
the ribs. At the time he was seen, he was still complaining of diffi
cult breathing and slight weakness.
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N itr o p h e n o ls .—All nitrophenols are said to cause more or less der
matitis. The only ones which have caused systemic poisoning in the
United States, so far has been learned, are dinitrophenol and trinitrophenol, or picric acid. Both these substances were manufac
tured as explosives, but picric acid is also a well-known yellow dye.
Dinitrophenol is not used in dye manufacture, and the cases of poi
soning that occurred in the explosives industry are of interest only
because they show what may occur if the manufacture and use of
paramononitrophenol, a dye intermediate, is not carried on with every
precaution. This last compound is poisonous to animals in very
small quantity (0.1 g. per kg. of weight). There were three fatal
cases of dinitrophenol poisoning last summer in men who handled
the dry powder. They suffered sudden collapse, pain in the chest
and abdomen, and vomiting, then there was a rapid rise of temper
ature, followed by convulsions and death in a few hours. A fourth
case was unusual, being one of acute toxic jaundice such as is seen
in TNT poisoning.
. Picric acid is slowly absorbed, and the systemic poisoning shows
itself in abdominal pain, indigestion, and loss of weight.
B e n z y l chloride — In making benzyl chloride for dyes, chlorine vapor
is driven into toluene. The liquid is emptied from the flasks into
great open earthenware jars, water is poured in, the mixture is
stirred, the water decanted off, and the benzyl chloride filtered into
carboys. This washing is carried on out of doors and the men wear
masks soaked in ammonia water to protect them against the dense
white fumes, which are very irritating to eyes, nose, and throat. These
fumes, however, are not benzyl chloride chiefly, but chlorine, hydro
chloric acid, and perhaps unchanged chlortoluenes. One case of severe
poisoning in a chemist engaged in making benzyl chloride has been re
ported. This man worked for nine months in a laboratory where
there were at times much benzyl chloride vapor and also chlorine gas
and perhaps fumes of toluene. Pie lost some 25 or 30 pounds in weight,
his color changed to a bluish gray, and he found at the end of nine
months that he was wholly unable to perform the simplest sort of
physical work. Excessive insomnia was another sympton, and he
had trouble with his eyesight, though this varied from day to day,
increasing in severity if the room was heavily charged with benzyl
chloride vapor. He was not examined by a physician. The symp
toms are given as he described them.
P h o sg e n e .—This substance is important because it is necessary for
the formation of Michler’s ketone. The action of this gas is familiar
to us now because of its use in gas warfare. It causes coagulation of
the blood in the finest capillaries, thereby greatly increasing the work
of the heart. Absolute repose may carry a man past the danger
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point, but if be is obliged to exert himself after inhaling phosgene
serious heart strain or death may result. Records were secured of
two chemists who were overcome while experimenting with phos
gene gas and who suffered from cardiac weakness for some time after.
Two workmen were killed by it.
D im e th y l s u lp h a te .— This is a very powerful poison, considered by
many chemists to be the most dangerous substance, except phosgene,
used in making dyes, and it is used in such a way as to cause more
exposure to poisoning than is phosgene. In introducing the methyl
group, a very common procedure, methyl alcohol or methyl cnloride
can be used, but they require heat and pressure in an autoclave.
The same reaction can be brought about much more cheaply and
easily by dimethyl sulphate, which needs neither heat nor pressure.
It has an intensely caustic effect on the skin and mucous membranes,
which are first white and then red and burning. There is a rapid
pulse, the temperature rises, and death may come on in a few hours
or there may be pneumonia or toxic jaundice.
S u lp liu re te d h y d ro g e n .— This is evolved in gaseous form when sul
phur and sodium sulphide are used as reduction agents in the making
of sulphur dyes. It is poisonous in very small quantities. Danger
to life begins when the quantity has reached 0.075 per cent, and 0.1
to 0.15 per cent is rapidly fatal.. It is the poison that in the dye
industry itself seems to be more feared than any other. In the
making of sulphur browns it is held to be unsafe to have one man
working by himself in the sulphide department, for if there is a leak
and H2S escapes, the effect is almost instantaneous. For instance,
a man who was employed in making sulphur browns had climbed
a ladder to repair some belting. The fume pipe happened to be out
of order and he had only warning enough to enable him to reach the
floor before falling unconscious from the fumes. Six men were over
come one night in another dye works. All were stupefied and had
to be carried out of doors. One fatal case has been reported. The
man was treated with the pulmotor within five minutes of losing
consciousness and respiration was reestablished, yet he died of heart
failure. As a rule, in H2S poisoning, respiration stops before the
heart does. There is an increasing susceptibility to H2S poisoning,
and in one factory a man who has once suffered from poisoning is
always shifted to other work. This rule applies even to foremen.
One case of blindness following TI2S poisoning has been reported but
without any details being given.
F u m e s f r o m m in e r a l a c id s .—The nitrous fumes which caused so
much sickness and death in the manufacture of explosives are pro
duced also in the dye industry but are not nearly so dangerous
because the acid used is much less concentrated. Occasionally we
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hear of nitrous fume poisoning but it is usually because of an acci
dent, as when a man fell and spilled the acid from a carboy. The
foreman went to his assistance and both were overcome by the
fumes, the workman dying from the effects, the foreman recovering
after a week’s illness. This gas is dangerous when present in quan
tities as small as 0.05 per cent.
Sulphur dioxide, which is given off when sulphuric acid is used in
certain reactions, is looked upon by many managers and foremen as
fairly harmless, yet it is one of the gases which were selected by the
Germans for experimental use in gas warfare. Burning in the
throat and eyes and sneezing and coughing are caused by as little
as 0.03 per cent of S0 2 in the air.
Chlorine gas is given off especially in the making of anilin chloride,
benzyl chloride, and nigrosin. I t is an intensely asphyxiating gas,
the effects of which are familiar to everyone from the descriptions of
gassing in the trenches during the first part of the war. I t is dan
gerous to life in a strength of 0.1 per cent.
C a u stic so d a .—In well-managed plants this substance is handled
very carefully, and the men who work with it are required to pro
tect their eyes with goggles. The burns it causes are deep and pain
ful and one of the most distressing accidents that can occur is the
splashing of caustic into the eye.
P o is o n o u s d y e s .—Various dyes are listed by the Germans as having
poisonous properties, usually producing dermatitis. In this country
we have had reports of severe dermatitis from dyeing fur with paraphenyl enediamine, which is often called ursol. Two cases of anilin
poisoning, with characteristic symptoms, were reported by Birge.1
The men were using anilin black paint and washing the surface with
hot water and soapsuds. There were no fumes but apparently they
absorbed the anilin through the skin.
The above list of poisons is not nearly complete, as reference to
German medical literature shows. Much remains to be learned about
the dangers of dye manufacture in this country and about the meth
ods for preventing industrial poisoning. This report covers the few
facts that have been ascertained so far. It is hoped that a fuller
report can be issued in the near future which will not only give more
details but also correct whatever errors may have crept into this
preliminary report.
IN D U S T R IA L H Y G IE N E AT T H E C O N V E N T IO N O F T H E A M E R IC A N P U B L IC
H E A L T H A S S O C IA T IO N .
Many employers, employment managers, plant engineers, indus
trial physicians and surgeons, and industrial hygienists were in at
tendance at the industrial hygiene section of the forty-sixth annual
1 Birge, E. G., in Journal of the Americal Medical Association, Jan. 24,1914, p. 314.
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convention of the American Public Health Association held at Chi
cago, December 9 to 12, 1918.
The chairman, Dr. G. M. Price, in his address on the newer prob
lems of industrial hygiene, drew special attention to the problems
which he claimed are of perhaps more vital importance to industry
and to industrial workers than the old and as yet unsolved problems
of accident prevention, plant construction, factory sanitation, indus
trial dust, gas fumes, and poisons. These newer problems are the
following: (1) The proper economical basis of industrial life; (2 )
the interrelation of wages and standards of living; and (3) the estab
lishing of a minimum wage in industries while aspiring to the maxi
mum wage attainable. He insisted upon the imperative need of the
licensing of all hazardous industries and the physical examination
of all those who enter them. Among the problems of industrial hygi
ene he also included the needs of compulsory State social insurance.
He insisted that there can he no improvement in industrial conditions
until there is industrial peace, and that there can he no industrial
peace until the workers themselves have a right to determine the
conditions under which they shall work. Autocracies have been
demolished in the political life of nations, and the same fate must
follow industrial autocracies. One of the most important problems
in industrial hygiene is, he claimed, the democratization of industry.
The problems of industrial poisons were stated by Dr. J. W. Schereschewsky, of the United States Public Health Service. He said
that there should be a standard definition of industrial poisons which
could be adopted by all States. There should also be standard
methods of guarding against these industrial poisons. Dr. Schereschewsky likewise advocated a system of licensing dangerous trades,
and maintained the necessity for the cooperation of Federal and
State authorities in the prevention of industrial disease.
The problem of the influx of women into industry was dwelt upon
by Dr. Francis B. Patterson, of Pennsylvania. Dr. Patterson ac
cused the Federal Government of breaking down many of the labor
laws and sanitary standards, especially in the ordnance department
in the various big plants for war industries. He claimed that many
children under 14 were permitted to work in the aircraft factory in
Pennsylvania and in the various steel plants where 75 millimeter shells
were being made, that women were allowed to work at night, and tnat
the Federal Government left no stone unturned to increase produc
tion even though it was at the expense of the health and even life
of the women and child workers. Dr. Patterson’s facts were partly
admitted by the United States Public Health Service representatives,
hut it was claimed by them that these conditions existed only at the
beginning of the war when production was the great need of the hour
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and before proper precautions and standards had been introduced
for war work.
The United States Public Health Service presented at one of the
meetings the project for a division of industrial hygiene and medi
cine in the United States Public Health Service, functioning as a part
of the Working Conditions Service in the Department of Labor.
The plan of organization of the new division was discussed by Dr.
A. J. Lanza, chief of the division, and Dr. C. D. Selby and Bernard J.
Newman, chiefs of sections in the organization.
According to Dr. Selby, the creation of a governmental agency for
the protection of the health of the industrial workers was made in
response to the war-time necessity of conserving industrial man power.
The agency created for this purpose now exists as the Division of
Industrial Hygiene and Medicine of the Working Conditions Service
of the Department of Labor, the personnel of which consists of officers
detailed from the United States Public Health Service. This division
will formulate industrial standards, endeavor to effect a friendly
leadership in industrial hygiene, conduct research and investigations
in various industrial fields. The country- will be divided into zones
and districts presided over by district industrial health officers.
The program the Division of Industrial Medicine and Hygiene
desires to put into effect is as follows: ( a ) Facilities for instruction
in the prevention of disease; (b ) health supervision for all recreation
and amusement in industrial plants; ( e ) adequate laws governing
sanitation, food, milk, and water supplies and control of housing;
{(!) provision of facilities for the relief of sickness, including hospitals,
clinics, and visiting nurse service; (e) installation and supervision
of departments of health and sanitation in industrial centers; (/) edu
cational service for the people of industrial centers. Special attention
is to be given to the standardization of occupational requirements,
physical examination of workers, vocational placement of workers,
sanitary inspections of plants, research of special hazards, health
instruction to workers, control of communicable diseases, first aid
service and emergency treatment, treatment for sickness, together
with installation of laboratory and X-ray service, special treatments
(including dental and ocular), visiting nurse service, keeping of rec
ords and reports of morbidity.
The criticisms made by a number of those present were directed
to the ambitiousness of the program and the wide scope of the new
division. I t was asserted by many that it would be preferable to
concentrate the efforts to several concrete and definite points, which
could probably be better handled than if the work of the division
is scattered over too wide a field.
In his paper on the “ Problem of compensation for industrial
disease,” Dr. Frederic L. Van Sickle insisted upon the need of a
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revision of our compensation laws so that provision be made for
compensation not only for accidents but also for occupational disease.
He advocated a limit of 26 weeks in any one year as a fair limit of
time for compensation for occupational disease.
The intimate relation between wages and health has long since
been recognized by all health authorities. Papers on this subject
were presented by Mr. Arthur E. Holder, member of the Federal
Board for Vocational Education (read by his son, Mr. James Arthur
Holder); Dr. B. S. Warren, assistant surgeon general, United States
Public Health Service (Dr. Warren did not deliver this paper in
person); Dr. Royal Meeker, United States Commissioner of Labor
Statistics; and Miss Julia Lathrop, chief of the Children's Bureau,
Department of Labor.
The points emphasized by these papers were that low wages lead
to poor health; that mortality is in direct ratio to the wage rate;
that the disease rate increases as wages decrease and diminishes as
the pay envelope gets fuller. High wages mean better diet, im
proved housing, warmer clothing, better medical care, prevention of
disease, a more robust physique, and a general improvement in
health of the workers.
The subject of Commissioner Meeker’s paper was “ Relation of cost
of living to public health: A standard minimum of health budget.”
This paper has already been published in the M onthly L abor
R e v ie w for January, 1919 (pages 1 to 10), therefore an extended
analysis is not given here. He called attention to the various studies
of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics on cost of living and
the countrywide study of that subject now in progress, through which
it is hoped to arrive at standard family budgets which will show
quantities and kinds of food, clothing, house room, fuel, lighting, and
all other expenditures necessary to maintain workmen’s families in
decency and health and in health plus comfort.
Such budgets will be invaluable in adjusting wages and by
means of them it will be possible to determine which families have
attained the standard, which are spending more than sufficient to
maintain a proper standard, and whether additional expenditures
are being made wisely or unwisely.
Dr. Meeker advocated the protection of workmen’s families against
the hazards of sickness, accident, invalidity, and old age, unemploy
ment, and death, by the enactment of adequate legislation. This
advocacy by the Commissioner of Labor Statistics of the introduction
of social insurance was violently opposed by Frederick L. Hoffman,
of the Prudential Life Insurance Co., who claimed that social insur
ance emanated from Germany and was introduced by Bismarck
to combat the spread of socialism.
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Income and infant mortality was the subject of a paper by Miss
Julia La thro p, of the Children’s Bureau. She gave the results of
investigations made by her bureau in eight cities, ranging in popula
tion from about 50,000 to over one-half million inhabitants, and
differing in characteristics. These investigations were made in
Johnstown, Pa., Manchester, N. H., New Bedford, Mass., Brockton,
Mass., Saginaw, Mich., Waterbury, Conn., Akron, Ohio, and Balti
more, Md. The results of the investigations show that the lowest
income groups in these cities are likewise the highest infant-mortality
groups. The infant-mortality rates, in families earning $1,250 and
over, range from 22.2 to 87.6 per 1,000 live births, while in families
earning less than $550 per annum the infant mortality ranged from
117.5 to 260.9. The contrast, she said, between the most favorable
and the least favorable infant-mortality rates in the cities studied
indicates the favoring result of income which permits proper housing,
good surroundings, and care, and which connotes a fair degree of
education. The strongest safeguard against the high-infant mor
tality, she said, is a decent income, self-respectingly earned by the
father of the family.
We still cling to the shaken but not shattered belief that this free country gives
every man his chance and that an income sufficient to bring up a family decently
is attainable by all honest people who are not hopelessly stupid or incorrigibly lazy.
The fathers of 88 per cent of the babies included in the bureau’s studies earned less
than $1,250 a year; 27 per cent earned less than $550. As the income doubled the
mortality rate was more than halved. Which is the more safe and sane conclusion?
That 88 per cent of all these fathers were incorrigibly indolent or below normal men
tally, or that sound public economy demands an irreducible minimum living standard
to Ire sustained by a minimum wage and such other expedients as may be developed
in a determined effort to give every child a fair chance?
Dr. Lee K. Frankel, of New York, was elected president of the
association for the coming year. New Orleans was chosen as the
next meeting place. Other officers elected were: First vice president,
Col. J. W. S. McCullough, Toronto; second vice president, Col. Vic
tor C. Caughan, Ann Arbor, Mich.; third vice president, Dr. John
Dill Robertson, health commissioner of Chicago; secretary, A. W.
Hedrich, Boston; treasurer, Dr. G. H. Summer, Des Moines, Iowa;
members of the executive committee, Dr. A. W. McLaughlin, Wash
ington; Dr. C. J. Hastings, Toronto; Dr. Peter Bryce, Toronto;
Dr. J. N. Hurty, Indianapolis; Dr. W. C. Woodward, Boston.
P O I S O N IN G F R O M E X H A U S T G A S .1
Recent reports of a number of cases of poisoning by carbon
monoxid gas have drawn attention to the fact that this is a matter
of industrial interest, since while the cases are comparatively few
i Carbon monoxid poisoning: its nervous and mental symptoms. Charles W. Hitchcock, M. D., in the
Journal of the American Medical Association for July 27,1918, pp. 207-259.
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there are enough to show the danger to chauffeurs and others working
about unventilated garages.
Two years ago at a French Army medical reunion attention was
drawn to fatal cases of poisoning which had occurred in motor am
bulances where the exhaust-pipe of the motor was leaky, the post
mortem lesions suggesting carbon monoxid poisoning.
A paper was read by Dr. C. W. Hitchcock at the annual session of
the American Medical Association in June, 1918, calling attention to
the danger of automobile exhaust gases in closed garages and noting
the nervous and mental symptoms resulting from carbon monoxid
poisoning.
The statement is made that ‘ 'deaths from carbon monoxid poison
ing in large cities now exceed those from any other poison. ” In 1916
the total number of cases in Cook County, 111., was 501, or about 8 per
cent of the whole number of coroner’s cases and while the majority
of these were cases of suicide still there was an appreciable number
of accidental deaths.
While cases of carbon monoxid poisoning are more frequently fatal
than otherwise the author cites cases which are not directly so and
others holding out hope of ultimate recovery.
A case immediately fatal was that of a chauffeur who entered a small
closed garage to do some work on the machine. About two hours
later a maid sent to call him found him seated in the auto, dead, the
doors and windows of the garage closed, and the engine of the car
running. There was a pinkish discoloration all over the body. The
internal organs were found to be healthy but a chemical examination
of the blood showed that it was 58 per cent saturated with carbon
monoxid.
Another case with a fatal ending was that of a man who went to his
private portable garage on an unusually cold morning, started the
motor running and returned to the house. After a few minutes he
returned to the garage and while oiling the machine smelled some
thing very sweet and had a desire to laugh; he also saw yellow flashes
before his eyes and felt weak in the knees. His first thought was to
sit down on the running board, but he decided to go to the house and
an hour later his wife found him lying unconscious in the snow.
When roused, he staggered and could not have walked alone, but
went to sleep in an apparently normal manner. On waking, however,
he complained of dizziness and a throbbing headache, and talked in
coherently. He apparently recovered and went to work the follow
ing day but talked incoherently at times and could not remember
simple facts. During the night pneumonia developed and the fol
lowing night the patient died.
A case which did not terminate fatally but in which recovery has
been exceedingly slow is that of a chemical engineer who went to the
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221
garage to charge the battery on his car, leaving the engine running
for this purpose. He thinks he propped the door open hut it blew
shut, and beyond this point he has no recollection of events. About
an hour later he was found unconscious on the floor of the garage.
Medical help was secured in about five minutes, the heart was found
to be racing violently and respirations were only five or six per minute,
while later the pulse was only 40. He was unconscious about five
hours and then was irrational and but partly conscious for some time.
About six weeks after the accident his pulse had become normal and
he had improved physically. Nearly 14 months after the accident,
however, although he had spent much of the intervening time in out
door occupations, he was unable to work at his laboratory work and
there was still present an anterograde amnesia, some emotional dis
turbance, and some depression.
Other cases cited present this same characteristic loss or impair
ment of memory. Of the amnesia, peculiar to these cases, Sachs has
said, ' ‘In the early stage of convalescence, a total amnesia is espe
cially typical, either extending over the time before the poisoning,
retrograde, or to the things of the present, anterograde.” A case is
cited of a physician who, after an incomplete case of poisoning, lost his
memory totally, recovering only after 18 months. A woman who
had been unconscious for about five hours following a case of gas
poisoning and who had suffered severe loss of memory which blotted
out previously acquired memories and prevented acquiring new mem
ories showed some improvement five years after the accident but
still had a defective memory.
A French physician, Le Dosseur, ‘ ‘has collected a number of cases
in which the following mental disturbances were noted: Aphasia, acute
delirium, transitory chronic delirium, mental confusion, amnesia,
melancholia, dementia. On the physical side he found muscular
paralysis of diverse types, hemiplegias, paraplegias and monoplegias,
various trophic disorders, convulsions, etc.”
In the discussion which followed the reading of the paper one
physician stated that he thought it doubtful if any case of a fair
degree of carbon monoxid poisoning ever fully recovers.
SICKNESS AS RELATED TO INCOME, IN COTTON-MILL FAMILIES.1
A study of pellagra 2 which was begun in 1914 by officials of the
Public Health Service had shown, by the end of 1915, the controlling
effects of diet both in the prevention and the causation of the
1 Summary of article by Edgar Sydenstricker, Public H ealth statistician; G. A. Wheeler, assistant
surgeon; and Joseph Goldberger, surgeon, United States Public H ealth Service, in Public Health Reports
for Nov. 22, 1918, pp. 2038-2051. Washington.
2 A study of the diet of nonpellagrous and of pellagrous households, by the same authors. Journal of
American Medical Association for September 1918. pp. 944-949.
100785 °—1915
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disease. During the winter of 1915-16 it was decided to supple
ment this investigation by a study of the dietary, economic, and sani
tary conditions in communities where the disease was believed to
be prevalent and for this purpose seven cotton-mill villages in the
northwestern part of South Carolina were selected. None of these
villages had more than 800 or fewer than 500 inhabitants and only
the families of white mill operatives were included. In order to
determine the prevalence of the disease a complete house-to-house
inspection was made every two weeks from the middle of April,
1916, to the end of the year. Only those patients “ with a clearly
defined bilaterally symmetrical dermatitis were recorded as having
pellagra” and the authors felt that by excluding cases which did not
show a clearly defined eruption but which did show subjective
symptoms possibly some cases were not included which should
have been. No case was considered where the individual had not
been a member of the household or dietary group for at least thirty
days prior to the onset of the attack. A record was kept at the
stores, of food purchased by the households included in the study.
An element which had not previously been taken into consideration
in the study of the disease was that of the seasonal factor, necessi
tating, for satisfactory results, a study of the diet for the period just
preceding or coincident with the incidence of the disease and of the
season when both the number of cases and the severity of symptoms
were beginning to decline. It was assumed that the season between
April 15 and June 15 would cover the period when the disease was
at its height, and as it was impossible to secure a record of the com
plete food supply of each household for the entire period a fifteenday period was selected—this period for the different villages falling
somewhere within the selected two months. In comparing pella
grous with nonpellagrous households in regard to the diet those
were classified as “ nonpellagrous” which were under observation
from April 15 to October 1,1916, and in which no one with suspicious
symptoms was observed, and those in which one or more clearly
defined cases occurred before August 1, 1916, were classified as
“ pellagrous.”
The families were divided into four dietary groups, those in non
pellagrous households according to income and in pellagrous house
holds according to the number of cases. In comparing the foods
the highest income group in the nonpellagrous households was
taken as a basis. The nonpellagrous groups were found to differ
chiefly in the amount of lean meat, butter, milk, cheese, and eggs con
sumed, while the pellagrous households fell considerably below the
standard of the lowest income group of the nonpellagrous families
in the consumption of these articles.
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Of 196 households whose daily supply of milk was less than 250
grams per adult male unit, 126 averaged less than 30 grams of fresh
meat daily and of these 25, or 19.8 per cent, had one or more cases
of pellagra, whereas of 70 that had a supply of fresh meat averaging
in each over 30 grams per adult male unit per day, only 4, or 5.7
per cent, were pellagrous. In 368 families whose supply of fresh
meat was less than 30 grams daily, 207 had less than 500 grams of
milk per adult male unit, and of these 34, or 16.4 per cent, had one
or more cases of pellagra; while of the remaining 161 having a daily
supply of fresh milk averaging more than 500 grams per person,
8 , or only 5 per cent, were pellagrous. No particular relation was
found between the use of dried peas and beans and pellagra incidence,
contrary to deductions which had been drawn previously by the
authors as to their value as preventives.
The conclusions drawn therefore are “ that the pellagra-producing
dietary fault is the result of some one or, more probably, of a com
bination of two or more of the following factors: (1) A physiologi
cally defective protein supply; (2 ) a low or inadequate supply of
fat-soluble vitamin; (3) a low or inadequate supply of watersoluble vitamin, and (4) a defective mineral supply.” It is con
sidered also that the “ pellagra-producing dietary fault may be
corrected and the disease prevented by including in the diet an
adequate supply of the animal protein foods (particularly milk,
including butter and lean meat).” It is still considered possible, of
course, that other classes of food may also serve this purpose.
In connection with this study an investigation of disabling sickness
was carried on among the population of these same villages during
May and June, 1916, and statements secured as to the number of days
lost on account of disability or from other causes by wage-earning
persons from January 1, 1916, to the date of the inquiry. The
study covered 747 households comprising 4,161 individuals and the
reader is cautioned that, while the villages are typical of cottonmill villages in that part of the State both as to economic and health
conditions, the morbidity experience is not extensive enough to jus
tify broad conclusions, though the results are definite enough to
establish the relation of family income to disability incidence.
Data were secured as to the sex, age, occupation, earnings, and
regularity of employment of each individual member and the family
as a whole, and the length of disability of those unable to work,
either from sickness or accident (not industrial). For purposes of
comparison the definition of “ sick” was the same as used in recent
sickness surveys, that is, persons confined to bed at home or in hos
pital and those able to be up but unable to work. It was somewhat
difficult to draw the line between disabling and nondisabling sickness
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for persons who were “ up and about/’ especially in the case of non
wage-earning women and children under 12 (the age of employability
in the mills at the time the census was made). Family income was
used as the basis in classifying the population. The usual method of
classification according to total family income for a given period was
discarded, however, for while nearly all the incomes came within a
limited range—between $700 and $1,000—the difference in size of
families was so marked that, failing a better common denominator,
the Atwater scale of basal food requirements was used 1 and the mem
bership of each family reduced to “ adult male units,” the assumption
being that expenditures for individuals varied according to the sex
and age in the same proportion as did their basal food requirements.
While this method is not so accurate as could be desired, still since the
family expenditures in most cases equaled the total family income,
and since at least half of the total expenditures was for food, a scale
based on food requirements alone is undoubtedly more accurate than
one omitting consideration of the number, sex, and age of the families
to be compared.
As the same general differences in average incomes for the four
groups are shown by any of the methods of classification, that is,
“ total family income, income per capita, and income per adult male
unit,” the average income has been computed by these different
methods and the result termed the “ family income per adult male
unit.”
The 747 families thus classified have been grouped into four classes,
according to income, and the table on page 225 shows that the sick
ness rate among families with low incomes is very much higher than
among persons with a better economic standing.
i Principles of Nutrition and N utritive Value of Food, by W. O. Atwater, U. S. Department of Agri
culture, Farmers’ Bulletin No. 142 (1915 ed.), p. 33. The scale used was as follows:
Equivalent adult
male unit.
Age.
Male.
Adult (over 16)...........................................................................................
15 to 16__. .............................................................................................
13 to 14......................................................................................................
12..............................................................................................................
10to 11................................................................................... ’ .................
6to 9 .....................................................................................................................................
2to 5 .........................................................................................................
Under 2......................................................................................................
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1.0
.9
.8
.7
.6
.5
.4
.3
Female.
0.8
.8
.7
.6
.6
.5
.4
.3
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CASES OF DISABLING SICKNESS AND RATE P E R 1,000 PERSONS, AS ASCERTAINED BY
A CENSUS OF SEVEN COTTON-MILL VILLAGES OF SOUTH CAROLINA DURING MAY
AND JU NE, 1916, CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO FAMILY INCOME.
Wage-earning persons.
All persons.
Half-month family income
per adult male u n it.1
N on wage-earning
persons.
Sick
Sick
Sick
per
per
per
Num Num sons
Num Num sons
Num Num sons
2
2
2
ber of ber of
ber of ber of
ber of ber of
per
per
per
persons sick
sick
sick
persons
persons
1,000
1,000
1,000
per persons con
per persons
con
per
con
sidered. sons.2 persons
con sidered. sons.2 con sidered. sons.2 con
sidered.
sidered.
sidered.
Less than $6............................
$6 to $7.99................................
$8 to $9.99................................
$10 and over............................
1,312
1,038
781
1,027
92
50
27
19
70.1
48.2
34.4
18.5
450
426
426
538
36
22
8
8
80.0
51.6
18.8
14.9
862
612
358
489
56
28
19
11
65.0
45.8
53.1
22.5
All incomes ................
4,161
188
45.2
1,840
74
40.2
2,321
114
49.1
1 According to the Atwater scale of basal food requirements.
2 Exclusive of disability due to confinement.
A comparison of the sick rate per 1,000 persons of different family
income groups in these cotton-mill villages, with the result of com
munity sickness surveys conducted by the Metropolitan Life Insur
ance Co. which showed a rate of 18.8 for 579,197 persons of all ages,
shows that this rate is approximated only by those cotton-mill families
coming in the highest wage group—the sickness rate rising rapidly with
the lowering of the income. It was possible to compare sickness rates
for millworking and nonmillworking persons only among females,
since practically all the males of wage-earning age worked in the
mills. For 1,283 women of all income groups the rate per 1,000 was
39.2 for nonmillworking and 45.2 for those employed in the mills.
The difference in sickness rate between millworking and nonmill
working women, as a whole, is relatively slight, but taken by incomes
the difference is more striking, showing a rate for those with incomes
of less than $8 per adult male unit of 49.6 for unemployed women
against 67.9 for those employed in the mills. It is a matter of interest
to note that among the same persons the pellagra rate was the reverse
of the sickness rate, it being four times as high for the nonmillworking
as for the millworking. It would seem from this fact that the idea
that general debility is a factor in the contraction of pellagra is
erroneous.
To sum up the results of the study, it was found that the greatest
amount of working time lost was among members of families of low
incomes, and that to approximate what may be assumed from other
censuses to be the normal sickness rate an income of $10 per half
month per adult male unit, or about $900 a year for a normal-sized
family (3.3 adult male units), is necessary.
Employment in millwork does not seem to be so important a
factor in a high sickness rate among females as small incomes, and a
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greater amount of disabling sickness of relatively long duration
was found among those persons whose family income was below the
average.
To what extent low family income was a cause of higher sickness rate and to what
extent it was an effect of disability (and thus of inability to increase income) can not,
of course, be determined from these data. The condition, however, is manifest that a
greater amount of disabling sickness existed among persons who were living under less
favorable economic conditions than among persons whose economic status was more
favorable—a condition which has been pointed out by previous observations in the
literature on the social aspects of ill health and indicated by several recent studies.
The data here presented afford additional ground for the suggestion that in the analysis
of morbidity facts the factor of economic status should be given proper emphasis.
HEALTH HAZARDS OF THE CLOTH SPONGING INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK.
The New York State Industrial Commission, through its bureau
of inspection, has recently made an investigation of the health
hazards in the cloth sponging industry in that State, covering 90
establishments using cloth sponging devices.
In its report 1 the
commission states at the outset that as a result of the investigation
88 orders to correct conditions inimical to the health of employees
were issued, that compliance with these orders will be insisted upon
and obtained, and that, generally speaking, the investigation revealed
the importance of requiring some provision for the removal of steam
and vapor and the consequent lowering of the humidity in the rooms
in which the machines are operated and the men employed. Without
going into a detailed description of the processes of cloth sponging, as
the commission has done in its report, it may be said that “ cloth
sponging comprises the process of subjecting cloth, as it comes from
the mill, to the action of steam under pressure, or, to the action of
cold water according to the material and weave of the goods, in order
to shrink it evenly and prevent further shrinkage when made up into
clothing or used for other purposes.” The industry is divided into
three branches: (1) Examining; (2 ) cold water or London shrinking,
which is the older branch of the business; and (3) steam shrinking or
sponging, which was devised as a labor and time saving device.
The health hazards in this industry, according to the report, con
sist of the dangers to which the examiners and the spongers and their
helpers are subjected. One hazard is the ordinary danger of the in
halation of the so-called “ shod” or “ fluff” which flies from the
material as it is pulled over the rack or “ perch” in order to disclose
defects in the cloth. Respiratory diseases are the consequence of
this branch of the business and to eliminate this hazard “ it is evident
1 Health hazards of the cloth sponging industry, State of New York Department of Labor. Special
bulletin, No. 89. Issued under the direction of the Industrial Commission, Albany, November, 1918. 24
pp. Illustrated.
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that * * * a light mask or respirator should be worn during
the hours of work.” Another hazard to which these workers are sub
jected arises from a combination of “ actual hard labor, entailing the
carrying of rolls of cloth weighing from 60 to 150 pounds when rolled
on the steam cylinders, with working in the presence of high tempera
ture and humidity,” which “ must certainly be followed by a general
lowering of the body vitality.” The report cites authorities to show
that humidification in any shape or form causes bodily discomfort
and injmy to health.
Barker’s analysis, as quoted in Ms volume on Heating and Ventilation (p. 106),
was that the degree of discomfort experienced by workers in a hot, moist atmosphere
is measured not by the temperature of the air, nor by its relative saturation, nor the
absolute percentage of aqueous vapor present, but “ by the temperature shown by
the wet bulb thermometer. If this exceeds about 78° F. hard work becomes impos
sible.” He further says that “ A temperature of 75° F. wet bulb should not be ex
ceeded, and a limit of 70° F. is still more desirable.”
The report includes a table which shows the high degree of the wot
bulb readings in sponging establishments. Of the 37 plants in which
the wet bulb and dry bulb thermometer readings were taken, not
one showed wet bulb readings of 70° or less; 15, or 40.5 per cent,
showed readings of 78° and over; and 30 or 81.1 per cent, showed
readings of 75° and over.
Another hazard incident to this industry, as in other employ
ments, causing a rather large proportion of acute respiratory condi
tions, arises from the fact that promptly a t the hour of cessation of
labor, at both noon and night, the employees go immediately from the
high humid atmosphere into the cold of the street.
Brief statements of conditions found in 10 plants are given as
typical of those in the 37 establishments mentioned above.
The report notes that during the investigation 95 men employed
in this industry were examined physically, the results of which are
given in a table which may be summarized as lollows:
The table shows groups of men who have worked in the industry in periods ranging
from one to 35 years. In the group from 31 to 35 years, but one man was found and ex
amined. A close perusal of the chart shows the marked preponderance of diseases of
the respiratory tract, the most important of which is pulmonary tuberculosis. With
the exception of one group (31 to 35 years), this lesion was found present in all the
groups; 18 cases showing various stages of tuberculosis were observed, giving a per
centage for this condition of 19.
Other diseases of the respiratory tract, such as acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis,
asthma, and pleurisy were found. Skin diseases were also noticed and some cases of
anemia.
In the group 16 to 20 years the largest number of incidental diseases were observed,
these comprising gastric ulcer, lipoma, cataract, chronic endocarditis, myocarditis
chronic alcoholism, and cirrhosis of the liver.
It will also be observed in the column showing previous histories that all of the
groups, except that of 31 to 35 years, give histories of diseases of the respiratory tract
at some time during the period of employment.
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The presence of high morbidity rate in the diseases of the respiratory tract led to
an analysis of the mortality of the industry. It was shown by the records that 17
men engaged in this industry had died during the last three years. Through the
courtesy of the Department of Health of the City of New York the actual cause of
death in 11 cases out of the 17 cases was ascertained. In five instances death was
due to tuberculosis of the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis), thus bearing out to an
unusual degree the relation between morbidity and mortality statistics.
Hoods to collect the excess steam were found in use in some plants,
but proprietors stated that metal hoods are objectionable because
the steam condenses on them and the dirty water rolls down and
spots the cloth which is under treatment. They also rust or corrode.
Wooden hoods contain salts and other extractives, all of which are
easily carried down by the drip which causes spotting of the cloth.
The commission makes the following recommendation for overcoming
these objectionable features:
Hoods or canopies made of sailcloth stretched on wooden, aluminum, or other nonrustable metal frames, should be placed at heights varying from 10 to 12 feet above
the machines and provided with an exhaust fan of sufficient capacity at upper end to
completely remove all excess steam generated in the process of sponging; the size of
the fan will vary according to conditions, it being found that a 30-inch disk fan remov
ing 7,500 cubic feet of air per minute usually suffices, under ordinary conditions, for
the removal of steam from a Hebdon roll and a steam box. When the height of the
ceiling will permit, the canopy should have a pitch of not less than 1 foot in 6 feet to
properly guide the steam to the fan. In some instances, where metal hoods are now in
use, gutters at base of hoods were found to be necessary to convey the drip away from
machines.
It must be remembered that atmospheric conditions, factory conditions, construc
tion, outside temperature, relative humidity, air currents, size of room, size, type,
and velocity of fan, also size of hood, all have an important bearing on steam removal.
Admission of cold air from outside, during winter months especially, lowers the dew
points in the room and renders the removal of steam much more difficult; therefore,
heated air injected into the rooms containing these machines raises the dew point and
assists in the removal of the steam.
It has been found by experience, that sailcloth, instead of wood, is the most suitable
material for use in the construction of the canopies, as the fibers soon swell and thereby
lessen the size of the interstices of the cloth, partly filling them with water, thus ren
dering the material practically vapor-proof; felt is too expensive; burlap is too loosely
woven, and wood does not dry out with sufficient rapidity; while wooden hoods lined
with felt show less condensation than wood alone. The point of discharge from the
fans must be so located as regards the factory that the vapors do not again enter the
workroom.
As a result of the investigation, the commission makes the following
recommendations:
That a dressing room, properly heated to 68° F. in winter, containing sanitary lockers,
be installed in each factory for use of sponging workers.
That suitable means shall be provided to dry clothing of employees working in spong
ing rooms.
That fans should be of such capacity as to maintain a wet bulb temperature in
sponging rooms not to exceed 75° F.
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NEW PROCESS FOR ELIMINATING DUST AND FUMES.
It is a rare occurrence for an entirely new industrial process to
appear, according to a recent article in Industrial Management1 but
when one does its effect upon industry is likely to be revolutionary as,
for example, that of the invention of the steam engine or the*electric
motor. Although the electrostatic method of dust precipitation is
said to have already proved highly successful, it remains to be seen
whether the process has industrial possibilities far-reaching enough
to be in any sense revolutionary. It is, however, unlike anything
which has been used in the past and while at present it is used mainly
for the collection of dust particles its application may in time be
greatly extended. Of the many chemical and mechanical methods
which have been devised for the suppression of dust, no other has
been entirely successful, particularly when very fine dust is to be
handled.
This process is in practical service for suppressing dust from rock
crushers and smoke from locomotive roundhouses and other places
where mechanical stokers can not be used; for removing dust, tar,
and soot from illuminating gas, and for collecting the fine powders
produced in the manufacture of lampblack, desiccated foods, etc.
It can also be used to remove fine drops of liquid carried in gases
and is therefore valuable in the removal of acid fumes from the emis
sions of chemical plants. In short, it appears applicable wherever
there are problems due to fine suspended particles in the process of
manufacture.
Although this method of dust precipitation is new, the principle
underlying it is that of the familiar example of scraps of paper or
other small particles adhering to a rubber comb which has become
electrified by being rubbed on a woolen garment.
Some years ago scientists discovered that if a gas containing small
solid particles was passed through an intense electrostatic field the
particles would be precipitated. The principle was not put to any
practical use, however, until Dr. Cottrell, now of the United States
Bureau of Mines, developed what is now generally known as the Cot
trell process. Following is a description of this process:
Fine vertical wires are charged to a very high potential by means of direct current
at from 50,000 to 100,000 volts pressure. Around each wire is a tube that is
grounded so that a strong electrostatic field is set up inside the tubes. The dust
laden gases pass upward through this field, becoming ionized, and when charged to
the polarity of the wire, which is much higher per unit area than the tube, the dust
particles are attracted to the walls of the tubes where they adhere, are jarred off and
collected.
i Electrostatic dust precipitation, by William H. Easton, in Industrial Management (New Y ork),
•December, 1918, pp. 473-475.
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MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW.
Tlie particles of dust adhere to the tube until it is jarred or ham
mered by a mechanical device, when they fall into containers below.
A properly constructed Cottrell treating system can remove about
95 per cent of the foreign substances passing through the tubes.
New apparatus had to be designed and is now being built by several
electrical manufacturers, as a direct current of 100,000 volts was
unknown to industrial electrical engineering when the process was
first devised.
It is a point of interest that while the process was developed solely
to eliminate a nuisance it has been a means of considerable profit
financially. A copper smelting company installed a precipitating
plant at a cost of $113,000. Operating expenses were $14,600 per
year but the value of the copper dust saved was $180,018 a year—
these figures all being based on prewar prices. Cement plants can
also show a good saving even in such low value material as raw
cement dust, as a cement plant installing this equipment at a cost of
$180,000 with operating expenses of $10,395 saved cement dust to
the value of $25,000 and potash worth $50,000 in one year.
USE OF FACTORY STATISTICS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF INDUSTRIAL
FATIGUE.1
In this work the author, Philip Sargant Florence, confines himself
rigidly to the field indicated by its title. I t is intended primarily
as a practical guide for those who may desire to make investigations
in industrial fatigue, through the use of factory statistics. Beyond
a few brief sentences in the introduction and incidental references
in the body of the text there is no systematic account of the methods
pursued in previous investigations, nor are the results of such inves
tigations outlined except in so far as they are used as illustrative
material. The author states in the introduction that he has in
preparation a work on “ Industrial Fatigue” in which will be pre
sented the results of the past labors of investigators in this field
and the conclusions that they have reached. Such a survey of the
work already accomplished is much needed and will have a popular
appeal which is lacking in the present volume.
Within its limited field, the present book is an admirable piece of
work, to be criticized perhaps occasionally for an extreme brevity
of treatment. I t sets forth clearly the problem to be attacked, the
statistical material which the factory may be asked to furnish the
investigator, the limitations upon the value of the material for the
1 Use of factory statistics in the investigation of industrial fatigue. A manual for field research, by Philip
Sargant Florence. Columbia University studies in history, economics, and public laws. Vol. L X X X I
No. 3, New York, 1918. 153 pp.
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231
purpose in view, and the technical methods of handling the statistical
material so as to derive from it the maximum amount of accurate
information. The treatment is so condensed that it is impossible
to do more in a brief review than to indicate in a general way the
problem and the method as they appear to the author.
Industrial fatigue is defined by the author as “ a diminution of
working capacity caused by the length or intensity of some activity
at a gainful occupation,” and as the term is ordinarily used we are
told that it refers to “ the fatigue occurring mostly in the factory
among those gaining a bare living by their work.” The restriction
quoted in the last sentence will undoubtedly impress most readers
as unnecessarily and undesirably narrow. It could be justified, if
at all, only on the ground that the problem of fatigue among the
lowest-paid workers is so pressing that until it is taken care of we
have no time to extend our investigations further.
How shall the existence, and still more the rate, of diminution of
working power among factory workers be determined ? The author
proposes the use of the well-known tests: Output, use of mechanical
power, accidents, spoiled work, and sickness. But while the tests
are not new, no more careful and on the whole successful attempt
has been made than in this work to point out the complications
involved in the use of these statistics and the methods which must
be adopted to eliminate the influence of disturbing factors and to
isolate the effect of “ length or intensity of activity at the gainful
occupation.”
The book reveals the great complexity of the problem of meas
uring the effects of fatigue and the number and variety of dis
turbing factors whose influence must be allowed for. To experiment
under actual factory conditions with the individual worker would
give results of no value at all, and even in the case of large groups of
workers disturbing factors may influence so many of them in the
same direction that generalizations as to the effect of length and
intensity of activity can be drawn only with the utmost circum
spection.
Indeed one can not help wondering whether the zeal for rigidly
scientific measurement of the causes and effects of fatigue may not
be carrying us beyond the point of practical utility. We have
abundant evidence that large groups of workers are suffering from
the effects of overwork; that the shortening of the labor day, the
provision for more frequent rest periods, or even for changes of
position or occupation are likely to increase the efficiency of the
worker, if not for the day, at any rate over longer periods of time;
but are we wise or humane in proceeding on the assumption that
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every detail of the life of the industrial worker should be controlled
for the purpose of securing the greatest possible output, either for
the single day or for the lifetime of the worker.
At an3^ rate, it is not strange that the worker does not enter into
the plan with very great enthusiasm. For after all the worker is a
human being and not a machine, and he may very properly feel that
if it is shortsighted and brutal for society to treat him with less
consideration than it treats a machine, it is only less inconsiderate
>nd brutal to treat him as a machine. Even so, it may be remarked,
it is better to treat men as machines than to continue to treat them
with less consideration than machines.
REDUCTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES IN GREAT BRITAIN.1
The total number of cases 2 of poisoning and of anthrax reported
to the Home Office under the Factory and Workshop Act during No
vember, 1918, was 29, of which 11 were due to lead poisoning, 1 to mer
curial poisoning, 2 to arsenic poisoning, 7 to toxic jaundice, and 8
to anthrax. One death due to lead poisoning, 1 to toxic jaundice,
and 1 to anthrax were reported. In addition 6 cases of lead poison
ing (including 4 deaths) among house painters and plumbers came
to the knowledge of the Home Office, but notification of these cases
is not obligatory.
During the 11 months ended November, 1918, the total number of
cases of poisoning and of anthrax reported under the Factory and
Workshop Act was 243, compared with 623 in the corresponding
period of 1917. The number of deaths in 1918 was 25, compared
with 79 in 1917. In addition 35 cases of lead poisoning (including 20
deaths) among house painters and plumbers came to the knowledge
of the Home Office during the 11 months ended November, 1918, com
pared with 53 cases (including 17 deaths) during the corresponding
period of 1917.
1 Labour Gazette, London, December, 1918, p. 507.
2 Cases include all attacks, fatal or otherwise, reported to the Home Office during the m onth, and not
previously reported, so far as is known, during the preceding 12 months. Deaths include all fatal cases
reported during the m onth, whether included (as cases) in previous returns or not.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
CASES OF IND U STR IA L DISEASE R E PO R T ED U N DER FACTORY AND W ORKSHOP
ACT, BY INDUSTRY.
Cases.
Deaths.
Eleven months
Eleven months
ended—
ended—
Month
Month
of
of
Novem
Novem
ber, Novem- Novem- ber, Novem- November,
ber,
1918.
ber,
1918.
ber,
1918.
1917.
1918. I 1917.
Industry.
Lead poisoning.
Among operatives engaged in—
Smelting of m etals...................
Brass works..............................
Sheet lead and lead piping__
Plumbing and soldering.........
Printing................................... .
File cutting............................. .
Tinning of m etals...................
White-lead works...................
Red lead works.......................
P ottery ......................................
Glass cutting and polishing. ..
V itreous enamel ing................
Eleetricalaccum ulator works.
P ain t and color works.............
Coach and car painting...........
Shipbuilding...........................
P aint used in other industries
Other industries.......................
1
15
1
14
45
3
3
34
11
6
2
2
1
3
Î
1
1
4
1
1
3
1
16
1
>1
2
11
1
1
1
1
13
14
1
1
26
9
20
4
14
3
‘ 9
9
15
21
T o tal......................................
11
131
303
1
7
19
House painting and plum bing___
~~6
53
4
20 I
17
35 I
1
1
2
18
2
........
69
1
4
2,)
1
Other forms of poisoning.
Mercurial poisoning:
Barometer and thermometer m aking...
Furriers’ processes...................................
Explosives works.....................................
Other industries.......................................
1
1
T otal......................................................
Phosphorus poisoning___.............................
|
1
1
...........1.............
4
2
4
1
3
12
9
17 ............ 1.............
3
3 ............ ..............
Arsenic poisoning:
Paints, colors, and extraction of arsenic
O therindustries.......................................
22
2
28
T o tal......................................................
2
2
28 ............
Toxic jau n d ice..............................................
7
32
186
Total “ other forms of poisoning” ___
10
46
234
■ r
5
1
5
1
9
44
1
10
49
1
5
2
7
1
1
2
1
Anthrax.
Wool...................................................................................
Handling of horsehair.......................................................
H andling and sorting of hides and skins (tanners, fellmongers, e tc .).................................................................
Other industries................................................................
7
47
4
52
3
1
14
1
27
4
T o tal.........................................................................
8
66
86
1
8
11
Totalreported under Factoryand Workshop Act.
Grand to ta l..............................................................
29 !
35
243
278
623
676
3
7
25
45
79
96
1 The person affected in the pottery industry was a female.
2 One was caused by arseni.uretted hydrogen gas.
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FACTORY CONDITIONS AND PULMONARY PHTHISIS IN GREAT BRITAIN.1
Prof. Benjamin Moore in a recent number of the London Lancet
expresses the opinion that there is an urgent need for an industrial
health medical service for Great Britain, and that this need has been
made evident bj^ the examinations during the war period for fitness
for military service, which have revealed serious shortcomings in the
physique and health of the nation. The desire for bettered condi
tions along many lines which this era of reconstruction has brought
to the nations engaged in the war leads to the hope that the resources
of science and research will in the future be devoted with as great
energy to preserving life and health as they have been in the recent
past to the invention of instruments of destruction. Attention
therefore is being directed to the necessity for applying the resources
of science to the eradication of disease and the building up of a
physically stronger race.
Disease is not an eliminator of the unfit, contrary to a quite com
mon impression to that effect, but is simply a blind destroyer attack
ing those of the highest mentality as well as those of the lowest, and
m the case of phthisis, as well as other preventable diseases, those
of otherwise good constitutions. It follows, therefore, according to
the writer, that the physique of the race has deteriorated as a result
of the misery and destitution that follows in the train of these dis
eases, and that in the death, often at the age of maximum produc
tivity, of large numbers of men and women, among them some of
the world’s greatest geniuses, there is a loss to civilization which can
not be estimated.
If phthisis, which has been one of the greatest factors in this
deplorable waste of life, could be stamped out, the general health
standard would improve, for susceptibility to this disease does not
by any means signify general debility in the ones attacked.
The author has been engaged for several years in a study to deter
mine “ how far the rate of incidence of phthisis in the different sec
tions of the community varies with the nature of the employment
and the strain of living conditions, such as indoor and outdoor work
and prolonged or irregular hours of employment.” The method of
conducting the inquiry was through observation of actual working
conditions in those industries most subject to the disease, study of
the insurance cards obtained under the National Health Insurance
Act, and study through the returns of the registrar general of the
effects of the massing together of workmen in factories and workshops as distinct from the effects of urban housing as shown by the
prevalence of the disease among the female urban populations.
i Factory and workshop conditions and the prevalence of pulm onary phthisis: The need for an indus
trial health service, by Benjamin Moore, D. Sc., F. R. S., The Lancet, London, Nov. 9,1918, pp. 618-623.
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The results of this last study show clearly the effects of urban
employment in increasing the prevalence of phthisis. The author
states that while it is fairly well known that there are more cases of
phthisis among males than females, it has not been generally known
that this applies only to workers living in cities and towns and that
the reverse is the case in rural communities, also that this greater
death rate among males is an outcome of modern working conditions
and did not exist 70 years ago. Up to about the fourteenth or
fifteenth year—-that is, about the age of the beginning of employment—
the death rate is about 50 per cent greater among females than among
males. The mortality of both sexes is greater in rural than in urban
districts up to the twentieth year, between the twentieth and thirtieth
years this condition is reversed, and after the thirtieth year there
begins an enormous increase of the death rate among urban males,
so that while the death rate from the disease stays nearly at a level
for rural males and for both rural and city females, the urban males
on an average throughout the country die at double this rate or over.
Since the great majority of employed men are engaged in urban
occupations, it becomes evident that there is a great monetary loss
not only through the death of these men but through the incapacity
for work of others suffering from the disease. There is also to be
regarded the menace which these workers are to their fellow work
men, and also the fact that this death rate is one of the causes of the
inequality in numbers of males and females—a condition of socio
logical importance, especially at the present time, when so many
young men have been killed in the war.
Further proof of the fact that the cause of this higher death rate among
urban males is due to working and not to housing conditions is found
in the fact that up to the twentieth year both urban and rural males
are healthier than females, and in the case of both sexes urban
dwellers are healthier than rural. If the difference were due to sex,
after the twentieth year the rate for rural males should be up with
that for urban males instead of remaining, as it does, nearly on a
level with females both of city and town. In refutation of the claim
which might be made that if the high death rate is due to working
conditions it ought to appear at commencement of employment (about
the fifteenth or sixteenth year) it is stated that these records are
records of deaths due to chronic disease, and that it requires some
years to produce infection, debility, and death.
Deaths from phthisis among printers, bootmakers, quartz workers,
cutlers, grinders, and file makers follow the same upward trend as
those among all urban males, and observations in factories and shops
of conditions of work seem to fix the working conditions as the true
cause of the trouble. The two main factors are long-continued
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strain of work under unhealthy conditions and infection of men
whose resistance is thus reduced by those already suffering from
the disease. A proof of this is found in the fact that the highest
rate of disease is found in those occupations where the required
muscular exertion is so small that persons suffering from the disease
can stay at work until the last stages of it are reached. Given this
possibility of infected persons remaining at work, with the addition
of bad workshop conditions, such as bad atmospheric conditions,
long hours of labor, and close contact, the death rate from phthisis
will become a maximum one.
In the printing trade there was a noticeable improvement in the
death rate among compositors during the last 35 years previous to
the war, the rate falling during that period from one death from
phthisis in three total deaths to one in five. This improvement is
undoubtedly due to better shops, larger use of machinery, and more
regular hours. Among operative printers’ assistants, however, at
the present time nearly one-half of all the deaths are duo to phthisis.
This is accounted for by long periods of overtime, a working period
sometimes lasting 30 successive hours with only short pauses for
meals. Overcrowding also accounts for excessive infection in other
departments.
The author advocates the organization of an efficient factory
service of medical men, since persons suffering from tuberculosis
rarely seek medical assistance until they are seriously ill; and he
states that from many friendly discussions with employers, secre
taries of trade-unions, and foremen of shops, he believes that no
opposition would be found to any practical scheme for the improve
ment of the health of the workers. He states explicitly, however,
that he does not favor any system of industrial health service
which would involve frequent medical examination of all workers,
since such a system would arouse opposition, would require an ex
cessively large staff, and would not bring results commensurate with
the amount of labor spent on it, but that the work rather should be
carried on along preventive and educational lines. Such a service,
which he estimates could be carried on in England and Wales by a
staff of 1,500 medical men, would in no sense be a rival of the private
practitioner, but its function would be, by inspection and education, to
improve the sanitary conditions of factories, the care of the health
of individual workers, would lay special stress on the preventive side
and upon conditions which precede chronic sickness; that is, catching
the prospective consumptive and applying preventive measures before
he really is consumptive.
That there is no better time than the present for instituting such
a movement the author believes, since there are so many young
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237
medical men in the army who have learned the system of corps work,
preventive work, and hospital treatment, and few of whom have a
practice to which they can come back. He states, further, that in
order to accomplish this “ all that is needed is a statesman of power
and imagination who will put this scheme in being, and let Great
Britain lead the world to the greatest conquest that has ever been
won.”
100785°—19-----16
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INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SAFETY CODES.
The present lack of uniformity in safety legislation and practices
among the various States and the conflicting safety regulations re
quired by different agencies within the States has emphasized the
necessity of national industrial safety codes. A conference called for
the purpose of formulating such codes was held January 15-16, 1918,
at the United States Bureau of St andards, of the Department of Com
merce, Washington, D. C. Representatives at the conference in
cluded the Federal Departments of Commerce and Labor, the Federal
Employees’ Compensation Commission, the National Safety Council,
the national engineering societies, several State industrial accident
commissions, manufacturers’ associations, and insurance companies.
The first day’s session was devoted chiefly to the work of attempting
to form a permanent organization which should be responsible for the
compilation and promulgation of these codes. The second day the
national safety codes relating to elevators, head and eye protection,
power transmission machinery, and the electrical code were taken
up for consideration.
The discussions developed several conflicting viewpoints relative
to the personnel and powers of the proposed permanent organization.
One group held the opinion that the United States Bureau of Stand
ards should assume the leadership in the formulation of the safety
codes, while another group favored the plan presented by Mr. Comfort
A. Adams, of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, according
to which the five national engineering societies should assume respon
sibility. Mr. Adams’s plan provided for a central or main committee
which should have supervisory authority. This main committee was
to be composed of the live engineering societies and the Federal De
partments of Commerce, War, and Navy. Whenever the formulation
of safety standards in any particular field was deemed desirable the
main committee would assign the work to a sectional or sponsor com
mittee, which then became responsible for the working out of these
standards, which would finally be submitted to the main committee
for approval. The main committee would not scrutinize the details
of the standards but would concern itself rather with the methods
used. All interests should be represented in the formulation of the
standards. The sponsor committee should have the right to publish
the approved safety codes after which they would become the standard
American codes. One point continually emphasized at the meeting
was that in the formulation of the standards their acceptability and
reasonableness should be constantly borne in mind.
Neither of the above plans were approved at the conference. On
motion, the entire matter was referred to the organizations there
represented for further consideration.
238
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W ORKM EN’S COM PENSATION AND SOCIAL
INSURANCE.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTH, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND OLDAGE PENSIONS BY OHIO HEALTH AND OLD-AGE INSURANCE COMMIS
SION.
[The following recommendations are published by the commission in a pamphlet, which also includes a
summary of findings, to enable the public to be informed briefly as to the work which the commission
has done in investigating these subjects and in making recommendations for legislation. The summary
of findings will be fully noted in the March issue of the Monthly L abor R e v ie w .]
SICKNESS PREVENTION.
I. Adequate health supervision of all elementary and high schools,
including annual medical examinations of all children by physicians
and supervision by public health nurses, should be provided. The
cost should be borne by the State, the cities, and the counties in
some equitable proportion.
II. Provision should be made for adequate public health nursing
service in each city and county, including prenatal and infant care.
The cost should be borne by the State, the cities, and counties in an
equitable proportion. The State department of health should fix
the qualifications of public health nurses and have general supervision
over the work.
III. Physical education should be required in all schools for all
children, and practical teaching of health and hygiene should be
required in the elementary schools.
IV. The teaching of home economics, including home nursing,
should be developed as rapidly as possible under the system of voca
tional education provided by the State in cooperation with the Fed
eral Government through the Smith-Hughes Act. Home demonstra
tion work should be widely extended under the Smith-Lever Act, and
legislation to authorize such work on the same basis as farm demon
stration should be immediately enacted.
V. All children’s homes should provide for adequate health care
and supervision, and the board of State charities and the State depart
ment of health should have wider power to enforce standards of health
care of children in institutions.
VI. The local public health system should be revised. The town
ship, village, and small city health boards and officers should be abol
ished and in their place should be a county or a district health com
missioner, subject to the supervision of the State department of
health, who should have control of all public-health work in the
county or the district. Cities of more than 50,000 population may,
if they so elect, be separate health units as now constituted, subject
to the same State supervision as the county health unit.
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
VIL A State program should be adopted to cooperate with the
Federal Public Health Service for the suppression of venereal diseases
in the State.
VIII. A law should be passed prohibiting industrial work by
women for at least six weeks after childbirth.
IX. Every child under 18 should be physically examined before
going to work and a certificate be obtained from the health authorities
that the work to be engaged in will not be physically injurious to him.
The State department of health shall formulate rules and regulations
for such examinations.
X. The program adopted for the study and care of the feeble
minded by the Ohio board of administration under recent legislation
should be pushed through as rapidly as possible.
XI. Provision should be made without delay fo r'th e care of
tuberculosis patients in county and State institutions. These insti
tutions should become agencies for treating incipient cases and not
merely for the treatment of incurables. The counties should be
required to furnish sanatorium facilities.
X II. In accordance with the report of a special committee, made
to the governor, on hospital legislation, there should be created a
bureau of hospitals in the State department of health to survey the
hospital facilities of the State, classify hospitals and dispensaries, and
require reports on uniform blanks.
H EA LTH INSURANCE.
I. The principle of health insurance is approved as a means of
distributing the cost of sickness.
II. Health insurance should be required for all employees, to be
paid for by employers and employees in equal proportion. The State
should pay all costs of State administration as in the case of the
workmen’s compensation act and all costs of supervision of insurance
carriers.
III. The benefits to workers under health insurance should con
sist of : (a) Cash payment of a part of the wages of workers disabled
by sickness; (b ) complete medical care for the worker, including
hospital and home care and all surgical attendance and the cost of all
medicines and appliances; (c) adequate provision for rehabilitation,
both physical and vocational, in cooperation with existing public
departments and institutions; (d ) dental care; (e ) medical care for
the wives and dependents of the workers if the same can be done
constitutionally, and a burial benefit for the worker.
IV. (a ) The exact form of organization of the medical service,
including hospital and dental service, should be left largely to the
State health insurance commission which administers the act to
develop plans to meet conditions in different, parts of the State.
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241
Minimum standards should, however, be established to insure that
such service shall be adequate.
(b) It should be clearly established that medical, hospital, and
dental care shall be adequately compensated.
Y. The insurance should be carried in establishment funds mutually
managed and in public mutual associations. Companies or associa
tions writing insurance for profit should not be permitted to be car
riers of such insurance.
VI. The system should be administered by a State health insurance
commission of four members, one of whom shall be the State com
missioner of health. The State commission may fix such adminis
trative districts as may be necessary and shall coordinate their work
so far as possible with the local health authorities.
VII. There should be a reasonable waiting period, not less than
six days, before cash benefits are paid. Medical benefits should be
given during the entire time of disability. Benefit payments should
be continued as long as disability lasts, but not exceeding three
years.
J
OLD-AGE PENSIONS.
I. The State should provide for the payment of a weekly pension,
not exceeding $5 per week, to all persons over 65 years of age, but the
combined pension and income of any such person shall not exceed
$350 annually.
II The following shall be excluded:
1 . Aliens and persons who have been citizens for less than
15 years.
2 . Persons who have not been residents of the State for 15
years.
3 . Persons convicted of a penitentiary offense within 10
years.
4 . Persons who have disposed of any property in order to
qualify for a pension.
5. Tramps and professional paupers.
III. A voluntary system should be established and administered
at the expense of the State so that individuals may purchase annuities
not to exceed $10 a week by regular payments or by lump sum
purchase.
IV. A person 65 years of age or over who qualifies for a pension,
but does not take his pension until later, should receive the deferred
pension, computed from the date of qualification, as an annuity when
he does go on the pension roll. Such deferred pension shall not be
considered in determining the amount of income as provided in
section I.
V. The property in excess of $100 of any person who receives an
old-age pension shall, upon the death of such person, be transferred
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M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
to the State for disposal and from the proceeds thereof shall be
deducted the amount which has been paid to the pensioner. Any
residue shall then be paid to the lawful heirs.
VI. The old-age pension system should be administered by a State
board of pensioners consisting of three members.
VII. A county board of welfare should be created to combine all
of the welfare work of the county, including administration of old-age
pensions, mothers’ pensions, and blind pensions. The board should
be unpaid and should employ a county welfare director selected from
a civil-service list without regard to residence or political consideration.
PROCEDURE OF COLORADO WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION COMMISSION.
A decision of the Supreme Court of Colorado, of recent date, de
clares invalid decisions and awards as to workmen’s compensation ren
dered otherwise than after a hearing and determination by the in
dustrial commission of the State in its own person. The case was
before a division of the court for determination of a claim by one
Johnson, an employee of the Electrical Supply and Construction Co.,
of Denver, the claimant contending that the award made was inade
quate. An increased award was made by the court, and this appeal
was thereupon taken by the commission.
The merits of the case were not discussed in the opinion, as the
court decided that the procedure adopted by the commission was im
proper and unauthorized, and its purported findings and award
thereunder void. I t appeared that neither the commission as a
whole nor any member of it heard the testimony upon which the
finding was based, nor participated in any way in the conduct of the
proceedings leading to the award. Hearings were had at two differ
ent times, once before “ the duly appointed and qualified and acting
chief of the claim department,” and a second time before an official
designated as a referee.
The law provides that “ the commission shall have full power and
authority to hear and determine all questions within its jurisdic
tion.” The practice of conducting hearings by examiners and ref
erees, followed by the commission as a regular method of procedure,
was recognized as a proper method for the securing of information,
but it was declared that the law “ nowhere provides that any one of
these may hear and determine a controversy.” “ The law contem
plates, and litigants have a right thereunder to a hearing and deter
mination of their causes by the lawfully constituted body, expressly
charged with such duty, and intrusted with such power.”
It is obvious that if this decision is sustained, all awards made
through the instrumentality adopted by the commission will be void,
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M O N TH LY LABOE REVIEW.
and that the burdens of the commission will be greatly increased if
not made overwhelming. The point upon which the decision turned
was not raised before the commission, nor in the court below, nor was
it argued by anyone in the Supreme Court, but was brought forward
by the division of the court considering the matter, without notice
to anyone, and of its own volition. A rehearing has been asked for,
and the commission reports itself as “ confident that this decision,
which entirely overlooks the strongest provisions of the law, will not
be allowed to stand by the court upon reconsideration.”
WORKMEN’S INSURANCE FUND OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The second annual report of the Workmen’s Insurance Fund
of Pennsylvania 1 is frankly an appeal to the employers of Penn
sylvania to insure their obligations under the workmen’s compensa
tion law in the State fund. I t is set forth that in the years 1916
and 1917 a sum in excess of $483,000 was saved to its policyholders,
as against the costs that would have been incurred by insuring in the
ordinary agencies. The saving for 1918 is estimated as more than
$450,000; while if all employers in the State now carrying insurance
were insured in the State fund, the savings effected would exceed
$2,500,000.
“ Absolute compensation protection with the very best claim and
inspection service” are offered at a saving of from 15 to 25 per cent.
More than 17,000 employers, having above 250,000 employees, are
now insured in the fund, while adequate reserves and catastrophe
protection are claimed. Dividends have been distributed each year,
and no assessments can be levied on policyholders in addition to the
premium.
The following table shows the status of the fund at the end of the
first year, of the second year, and of the first half of the third year:
W ORKM EN’S INSURANCE FUND OF PENNSYLVANIA, JAN. 1, 1916, TO JU N E 30, 1918.
Premiums w ritte n 2......
Investm ents...................
Claims, reserve..............
Interest...........................
Dividends.......................
Total assets..................
Catastrophe surplus---Generalsurplus.............
Total surplus.................
Claims to premiums —
Expenses to premiums Dividends to premiums
Assets to liabilities.......
Policies issued................
Dec. 31, 1916.
Dec. 31, 1917.
$770,094
$492,823
$404,825
$18,526
$93,162
$700,428
$68,050
$75,004
$143,054
64.7
17.9
12.0
119.8
15,342
$1,52E,086
$1,204,370
$971,425
$38,116
$135,659
$1,747,153
$144,708
$382,541
$527,249
69.6
11.2
8.9
129-7
20,736
June 30,1918.
$2,100,646
$2,376,676
$1,363,567
3 $70,000
3 $250,000
$3,551,222
$265,225
$634,865
$900,090
69.3
10.2
8 1 2 .0
134.0
23,706
1 Second Annual Report: Financial Statem ent as of June 30,1918. S tate Workmen's Insurance Fund.
Harrisburg, 1918. 16 pp.
2 For each period and not cumulative.
a E stim ated for full year.
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M O N TH LY LABOE EE VIEW .
REGULATIONS BY ALBERTA (CANADA) WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
BOARD TO DISCOURAGE MALINGERING.
The Alberta (Canada) Workmen’s Compensation Act (1918) 1 con
tains a provision (sec. 62) requiring every employer under the act to
give notice of accidents and every physician attending an injured
workman to forward a report to the board within seven days after
date of his first attendance upon such workman. To supplement
this provision the workmen’s compensation board recently issued
regulations, the first issued by the board, requiring further reports
from employers and physicians, the purpose being to reduce as much
as possible the opportunity for malingering by keeping track of the
progress being made by an injured workman toward recovery. The
text of the regulation is as follows :3
1. In addition to the report required to be forwarded to the board in accordance with
the provisions of section 62, subsection 2 of the act, the physician or surgeon attending
any workman shall forward to the board progress reports on the first and fifteenth days
of each month during the time such injured workman is unable to resume work as a
result of injuries sustained by him, as stated in the report first mentioned herein, and
shall also forward to the board a final report within three days after said workman is,
in his opinion, able to resume work. All reports required to be provided in accordance
with this regulation shall be on a form which may be prescribed from time to time by
the board.
2. Every employer, in addition to the report required to be forwarded to the board
in accordance with the provisions of section 62 of the act, shall also forward, on a form
prescribed by the board, within 24 hours after the same comes to his knowledge, noti
fication that the injured workman has returned to work, or is, in his opinion, able to
return to work.
NEW
GERMAN
SCHEME
FOR COMPULSORY
INSURANCE.
UNEMPLOYMENT
In an article in Soziale Praxis 3 Dr. Grüner, while discussing the
question of insurance against unemployment, suggests a scheme for
combining the psychologically favorable effects of individual thrift,
with the financial advantages of the insurance principles, and for
mulates his proposals as follows:
1. For every worker subject to compulsory unemployment insurance the employers
must deposit weekly 50 pfennigs [11.9 cents] in a savings bank by means of savings
stamps; of this amount they may deduct 30 pfennigs [7.1 cents] from the wages of the
worker.
For navvies and building workers as well as for other seasonal workers designated by
decree of the Federal Council (Bundesrat), contributions at double rates are to be made
and deducted.
1 A brief summan»- of the provisions of the act was given in the Monthly L abor R eview for August,
1918 (pp. 210, 211).
2 Taken from The Labor Gazette, Ottawa, for December, 1918 (pp. 1140, 1141).
3 Soziale Praxis und Archiv für Volkswohlfahrt. Zur Frage der Arbeitslosenversicherung, by Dr. E .
Grüner. Berlin, Oct. 3 and 10,1918.
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245
For workmen engaged by an employer for less than a week, 10 pfennigs [2.4 cents]
are to be deposited and 5 pfennigs [1.2 cents] deducted from the wages, for every
day’s work begun.
2. If the sum standing to the credit of a worker reaches 54 marks [$12.85] his obliga
tion to contribute shall cease, but begins again when his bank balance sinks below 54
marks.
The obligation of the employer to contribute to the savings fund shall continue even
after the worker’s obligation to contribute ceases. The contributions of the employers
paid for workmen whose obligation to contribute has thus ceased shall be placed by the
savings bank to the credit of the commune.
3. The savings bank credit balance of the worker, inclusive of the interest credited
to him, shall remain nonwithdrawable up to a total amount of 54 marks [$12.85] and
shall be released only (a) in case of unemployment; (b) for withdrawal by the worker
when the latter is no longer subject to the obligation of insuring; (c) for payment to his
survivors after his death.
If a worker moves to another district his savings bank balance shall be transferred
to the savings bank of th at district.
In addition to the compulsory contributions the worker may make voluntary depositsin the savings bank, which he may withdraw at will.
4. In the event of unemployment the insured may claim withdrawals from his bal
ance only if it exceeds 27 marks [$6.43], For the first week of unemployment no with
drawal is permissible; likewise no withdrawal can be made if unemployment is due
to any strike or lockout, so long as the dispute lasts.
5. For the second to fourth week of unemployment the insured shall, at the end of
each week, on his request be paid from his credit balance 1.5 marks [35.7 cents] for
each working day.
If he hasthus withdrawn 27 marks ($6.43) of his credit balance he shall receive, while
his unemployment continues, further aid at the same rate from the commune up to
the expiration of the seventh week.
Beginning with the eighth week of unemployment his still existing balance from
the nonwithdrawable amount of 54 marks [$12.85] will be released at the rate of 1.5
marks [35.7 cents] per day until that amount has been entirely withdrawn, and he shall
receive from the commune a like unemployment benefit for as many days as his bank
balance will cover.
6. If an insured worker dies, his bank balance, increased by 5 marks [$1.19] for each
of the last five years in which the insured has claimed no aid from the commune, shall
be paid out to his survivors as a death benefit.
7. The benefits designated in paragraphs 2 and 3 of section 5, and the increases of
the death benefit designated in section 6 shall be paid from communal funds. The
communes will, however, be compensated in part for these disbursements through the
arrangement by which the employer’s contributions, after the worker’s obligation to
contribute ceases, are placed to the credit of the communes.
8. The cost of administration of the unemployment insurance shall be borne by the
communes.
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H OUSING.
HOUSING BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.1
INTRODUCTION.
The housing problem was changed from a local to a national
issue upon the outbreak of the war. Not until war forced us to
see it did we realize that so undramatic a problem as housing had
any connection with our efficiency in the winning of the war.
The war revealed the housing shortage not as a temporary thing,
but apparently as something chronic. Of course we always had houses
in which to live; it was merely a question of the adequacy of those
houses in relation to our standards. Some people were living in
quarters above their means perhaps, while others were without
means to get the standard of houses which they desired, while a
third group having the means were unable to get the desired accom
modations. It is a peculiarity of housing that the supply is usually
adequate or ahead of that required by a certain class of the popula
tion, namely, the higher income earning classes. On the other
hand, the lower income earning classes usually find a very limited
supply to meet even their modest demand.
In scarcely any active industrial community was the supply of .
houses for workingmen adequate to take care of normal business
expansion, not to say the increased activity demanded by war-time
production. Apparently neither individual nor corporate private
initiative, urged by a desire for profit, had been adequate to supply
all demands for industrial housing. Those in touch with the hous
ing situation were aware of this shortage, even before the war. For
several years—at least since 1913—the problem of industrial housing
had taken on great significance in the United States. There had
been considerable activity in the formation of housing companies,
through philanthropic agencies and through the cooperation of em
ployers and chambers of commerce. The State of Massachusetts
had agitated housing reform for some time and in 1917 began in a
small way the wTork of constructing and selling houses to workmen.
In 1915 a bill was introduced in Congress urging the use of Govern
ment funds for the construction ofpm uses for workingmen.
The war, then, broke in upon an industrial situation in which there
existed a great shortage of housing accommodations. How the De
partment of Labor assisted in meeting the need is contained in the
annual report of the United States Housing Corporation here sum
marized .1
1 Annual Report of the U. S. Housing Corporation, Dec. 2 1918.
246
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THE UNITED STATES HOUSING CORPORATION.
The first official governmental body to take up the question
for the Federal Government was the Council of National Defense
and its Advisory Commission, composed of representatives of labor
and industrial interests. This was in October, 1917. In February,
1918, a bill was introduced in Congress, with an appropriation of
$50,000,000, to meet housing for war needs of the War and Navy
Departments. A bill had already been introduced authorizing the
Emergency Fleet Corporation to construct houses for ship workers;
and the Ordnance Department also was about to construct houses.
It was on the advice of the Council of National Defense that the
housing work was delegated to the Department of Labor in so far
as it affected workers in munition establishments and in the District
of Columbia. Before the passage of the above act, Mr. Eidlitz, con
tractor and architect of New York, was appointed by the Secretary
of Labor to direct the housing work. On May 16, 1918, a bill was
passed authorizing the President to form a housing bureau. May
28 a bill was introduced making an appropriation of $60,000,000,
and on June 18 the President directed the Secretary of Labor
to proceed with the housing work. On July 8 an additional appro
priation of $40,000,000 was made, to be expended under the Housing
Act.
On July 9 the United States Housing Corporation was incorporated
under the laws of the State of New York. It would have been possible
for the Bureau of Industrial Transportation already established m the
Department of Labor to execute the housing work as a bureau within
the department, but if it had done so the properties it would have pur
chased and built up would have been in a peculiar way directly
Government owned and not subject to local taxation laws. Prima
rily in order to avoid that, a corporation was created which had an
equal standing with other corporations owning property in any
particular locality. The ownership of the stock of this corporation
is in the Secretary of Labor, who holds all the shares except two,
one each being held by the president of the corporation and the
treasurer.
On July 25, 1918, the first funds became available for the United
States Housing Corporation, and on November 11 , upon the signing
of the armistice, a large share of the work of this corporation was
halted and now it is to complete only those projects which were
at that time in a fair way to completion. Thus its work has been
confined to scarcely five months; it took six months of preliminary
work to get its work under way.
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METHODS AND POLICIES OF TH E HOUSING CORPORATION.
The Housing Corporation sought to meet the housing situation
before it by fi ve methods :
(1) By making available housing facilities found by careful
investigation to exist in or near the particular communities in ques
tion.
(2) By connecting, through improved transportation, places where
labor was needed with places capable of housing it.
(3) By encouraging and aiding private capital to build.
(4) By aiding in the distribution of labor and the placing of war
contracts in such a manner that housing congestion might be avoided
or reduced.
(5) By construction and operation of houses, apartments, and
dormitories.
While the last named was the principal purpose for the creation
of the corporation, the corporation has not assumed to apply this
method except as a last resort.
Preliminary to undertaking the housing work in any community
agents of the corporation made a careful survey of the community in
question and in no community was such investigation made until it had
been certified to by the War or Navy Department that there was an
urgent need for housing. The survey was thorough and included a
report of the number, kind, and condition of local industries m the
community; classes and earnings of employees; labor turnover;
residence of the employees, whether near or at a distance from the
place of work; rates and quality of transportation; sanitary condi
tions and state of public utilities generally; rents and land values;
available building sites; extent of community activities; schools,
recreation facilities, etc.; amount of building being done or pro
jected by private interests, and the extent to which the community
is able to supply funds for such an enterprise.
HOMES REGISTRATION SERVICE..
The. Homes Registration Service within the corporation was estab
lished in response to the first purpose of the corporation, to make
available to the utmost such housing facilities as existed in any com
munity. Largely through local cooperation and voluntary effort
this Service has established in various communities local renting
bureaus, made censuses of vacant houses and rooms, taken cognizance
where possible of rent profiteering, and requisitioned unoccupied
dwellings where necessary.
In dealing with rent profiteering a method has been devised, the
essential element of which is publicity. As it started in New London,
Conn., it has been termed the New London method. A committee of
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three is appointed in a locality representing, respectively, the public,
the employer, and the employee. Complaints are heard and if possible
settlement secured. If settlement is not secured in any particular
case all the facts are published in the local press the day following
the hearings. Practically all cases which have arisen have been
amicably settled without publication of the facts.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
Very frequently the corporation has been able to solve the housing
questions in a particular locality by the provision of transporta
tion. Local utility companies have been assisted financially. Such
assistance has amounted to approximately $7,000,000 in the way of
loans or advances. The corporation has chartered a ferryboat system
in one locality and put special trains in operation in another. It
has provided reduced fares for workmen by paying the difference be
tween the regular fare and the reduced fare fixed by the corporation.
Adding the loans and subsidies for the payment of reduced fares
supplied by the corporation, it is estimated that the cost per workman
per year for transportation has amounted to about $35 , an average
of less than $3 per month per workman. As against housing work
ingmen at an average capital cost of $550 per man in dormitories
and between $1,750 and $2,250 in houses, it was an economy to
the corporation to subsidize fares.
STIMULATION OF BUILDING BY PRIV A TE CAPITAL.
In order to stimulate private capital to undertake housing, the
corporation secured priorities for the delivery of the necessary
material and informed the community that unless some disposition
was made to cooperate with the corporation during the war emer
gency in the provision of houses, it might be expected that future
war contracts would be placed elsewhere. The corporation has not
adopted the policy of advancing money for the construction of
houses either to private builders and building companies or to
employers.
CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSES.
As stated, it was only as a final resort that the corporation proceeded to the acquisition of land and the construction of houses
thereon. Before embarking upon such enterprise or “ project,” as
it was termed, the corporation informed itself as to the industrial
stability of the community and its probable continuance after the
war—whether they were such as to justify an addition to its housing
facilities.
The corporation has favored the construction of permanent com
munities and houses. Dormitories have been employed only where
urgently needed, where speed was essential, and where the nature
of the industry indicated impermanence.
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The Housing Corporation has built up the largest house-building
agency in the country at the present time, outside perhaps of a similar
organization set up by the United States Shipping Board Emergency
Fleet Corporation. Naturally, therefore, the work of the corpora
tion is highly specialized. The real estate division tends to the
valuation, acquisition, and purchase of land. This division, it
may be noted, has bought land to the value of about $5,000,000.
The architectural, engineering, and town planning divisions of the
corporation perform the functions implied in their respective
titles. The legal division handles the drafting and submission of
contracts. After that the construction division with its architects,
engineers, and supervisory staff directs the construction of each
particular project undertaken by the corporation.
When a housing enterprise or project is completed it is turned
over to the operating division, which is called upon to organize the
community, rent the houses, supervise community functions, public
activities, and recreational facilities. Each community has as its
directing head a town manager representing the corporation.
PR O JEC TS EXECUTED AND PLANNED.
At th e . time of the signing of the armistice the United States
Housing Corporation had under consideration 94 housing enter
prises or projects. Contracts had been let for 60 of them. Plans
had been completed and ready for contracts in 25 cases. Plans
were in preparation or had been ordered in the case of 7, while
preliminary investigations had been completed but construction
postponed in the case of 4. With the signing of the armistice,
November 11 , 54 projects were immediately abandoned and 15 were
curtailed, while 25 were proceeded with as planned. It is quite
likely that several more projects have been abandoned since that time.
Before the subcommittee of the Senate, investigating the operations
of the Housing Corporation, the president of the corporation estimated
that it would require $45,000,000 to complete the 25 projects with
which it was proceeding.
If the corporation completes the projects it now has under con
sideration housing will then have been provided for probably 25,000
workers.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF TH E HOUSES.
The plans of the corporation for the management of the housing
project have been drawn on a broad scale. Consideration has been
given to all the aspects of community planning and operation, as it
has been felt that the work of the corporation did not cease merely
with the provision and erection of houses.
At the time of the making of this annual report, the affairs of the
corporation were under investigation by the Senate. A Senate
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resolution has been introduced to halt the work of construction on
some war-workers’ dormitories in Washington, D. C. Hearings have
been asked before a committee of the House of Representatives. In
the meantime, as stated, the corporation is finishing some 20 odd
projects.
The report of the corporation to Congress concludes with the fol
lowing observation:
I t is to be hoped th a t th e work performed by th e U n ited States H ousing Corporation
will n o t b e lost w hen th e w ar emergency is over, and th a t some m eans will b e found
to m ake use of th e v ast fu n d of experience and of m aterial w hich th a t emergency
has th u s m ade available. Ju s t how th is is to b e accom plished m ust, of course, be left
to those powers in th e G overnm ent w hich control such m atters, b u t i t m ight be well
for our country to tu rn its eye to w hat our Allies are doing on th e oth er side, and per
haps learn a lesson th a t m ay be of im portance in prom oting a contented citizenship
in these U nited States.
AID BY CANADIAN GOVERNMENT FOR PROVINCIAL HOUSING SCHEMES.
Some of the Provinces of Canada have taken steps to remedy the
conditions brought about by scarcity of houses owing to cessation of
building operations during the war, and in order to encourage this
movement and render financial assistance to such Provinces, the
Canadian Government, on December 3, 1918, passed an order in
council (P. C. 2997), the text of which, as given in The Labor Gazette
(Ottawa) for December, 1918 (p. 1104), is as follows:
The committee of the Privy Council have had before them a report, dated December
2, 1918, from the Minister of Finance, submitting that at the conference recently held
at Ottawa, between the premiers and other members of the Governments of the several
Provinces and representatives of the Dominion Government, one of the important
subjects of discussion was that of creating better housing conditions for the industrial
population of our larger centers.
T he m inister observes th a t owing to th e practical cessation of building operations
during th e w ar th ere is a t present a great scarcity of housing accom m odation in most
of our cities, and this condition will becom e intensified w ith th e re tu rn of our soldiers
from overseas and th e ir reestablishm ent w ith th e ir fam ilies in civil life and occupation.
l h e m inister states th a t a t th e conference i t developed th a t some of th e provincial
G overnm ents were considering th e adoption of a policy of m aking loans to m un icip ali
ties or otherwise, extending over a long period of years, and rep ay ab le upon th e
am ortization plan, for th e purpose of prom oting th e erection of dw elling houses of a
m odern character to relieve congestion of population in cities and tow ns in th eir
respective Provinces, and th e question was raised as to w hether th e Dominion Govern
m en t would aid th e several provincial G overnm ents in carrying o u t such a policy by
m aking loans to them to place them , to th e e x te n t th a t m ight be necessary, in funds
for th e purpose.
In view of th e national im portance of th e m atter, w hich touches v ita lly th e h ealth ,
morals, and general well-being of th e en tire com m unity and its relation to th e welfare
of retu rn ed soldiers and th eir fam ilies, together w ith th e fact th a t th e carrying o u t of
such a policy on a substan tial scale by provincial G overnm ents would afford consider
able em ploym ent during th e period of reconstruction and re a d ju stm en t of ind u stry
following th e war, th e m in ister recom m ends as follows:
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(1) That the Minister of Finance he authorized under the provisions of the War
Measures Act upon request from the Government of any Province of Canada to make
loans to such Government for the purpose mentioned.
(2) That the aggregate amount to be loaned to all Provinces shall not exceed
$25,000,000, and the amount of loan to any one Province shall not exceed the pro
portion of the said $25,000, 000 which the population of the said Province bears to
the total population of Canada.
(3) That the loans made hereunder may be for a period not exceeding 20 years,
with the right of any Province to pay off the whole or any part of the principal of the
loan at any time during the said term.
(4) That interest at the rate of 5 per cent per annum, payable half-yearly, shall be
charged upon advances from the dates thereof, respectively.
(5) The Minister of Finance may accept bonds, debentures, or such other form of
security as he may approve evidencing the indebtedness of any provincial Govern
ment for loans made hereunder.
(6) Advances shall be made from the war appropriations.
(7) Advances may be made as soon as a general scheme of housing shall have been
agreed upon between the Government of Canada and the Government of the Province
applying for a loan hereunder.
The committee concur in the foregoing recommendations and submit the same for
approval.
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LABOR DECISIONS.
REGULATION OF WAGE CONTRACTS BY THE SEAMEN’S ACT.
The Seamen’s Act, frequently referred to as the La Follette law,
received construction in a number of cases decided by the Supreme
Court of the United States on December 23, 1918.
This act, bearing the date of March 4, 1915 (38 Stat. 1165), is the
culmination to date of efforts continuing for more than *100 years to
secure legislation to better the conditions surrounding the employ
ment of seamen. I t is entitled “An act to promote the welfare of
American seamen in the merchant marine of the United States; to
abolish arrest and imprisonment as a penalty for desertion and to
secure the abrogation of treaty provisions in relation thereto; and
to promote safety at sea.” It was frequently referred to during the
discussion preceding its enactment as an act to abolish the involun
tary servitude of those to whom it applies, since it does away for the
first time with the principles of the compulsory fulfillment of the labor
contract of seamen, though as to other workers such a position had
been regarded as untenable for many years.
Among the evils to which seamen were long subject is the payment
of excessive charges to keepers of sailors’ lodging houses and others
acting as agents for the furnishing of ships’ crews. The first legisla
tion directed at this evil was the Dingley Act of 1884, the tenth
section of which contains in substance the provisions under considera
tion in the cases in hand. I t made unlawful the payment of wages
to seamen, or any other person than an officer authorized by act of
Congress to collect fees for the shipment of seamen, “ before leaving
the port at which such seamen may be engaged in advance of the
time when he has actually earned the same.” In 1898 the provision
permitting payments to an official was stricken out, as were the words
“ before leaving the port at which such seaman may be engaged,”
thus placing it beyond the power of the parties to pay, receive, or
dispose of the wages in any way prior to their being earned. Be
ginning with the Dingley Act, the sections as to wage payments have
been applicable “ as well to foreign vessels as to vessels of the United
States,” and it is declared that where the provisions of the law con
flict with existing treaty provisions, they are repealed. Besides its
provisions as to contracts, desertion, and punishments, the act of
1915 contains detailed requirements as to safety, quarters, lifeboats,
100785°—19-
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rafts, life preservers, crew, etc., but these have given rise to no such
difficulties of interpretation as were involved in the section relating
to wage payments. This received its first and final authoritative
construction on a single point in the case of Patterson v. The E u d o ra
(1903), 190 U. S. 169, 23 Sup. Ct. 821. The E u d o ra was a British
bark and shipped a crew at Portland, Me., on a voyage to South
America and return to a port of the United States or Canada. With
the seamen’s consent the sum of $20 was advanced and paid for each
seaman as a fee to the shipping agent, but at the completion of the
voyage they sued to recover the whole amount earned, disregarding
the advance. Under the British laws the advance was legal, and
recovery impossible; but the Supreme Court held, on the certification
of certain questions to it by the Circuit Court of Appeals, that the
act of Congress applied to a British ship in an American port, and that
recovery of the wages should be had under the Federal law, and not
as would have been the case had the British law controlled.
The cases of recent decision relate to another phase of the wage
payment, and are based on that provision of the law which gives to
every seaman the right to receive at any port where cargoes are loaded
or unloaded before the end of the voyage one-half the wages earned
to date, full payment of the balance to be made at the end of the
voyage. This provision is applicable to American vessels and to
foreign vessels in the ports of the United States.
Failure to incorporate sufficient data in the certification sent up
made it impossible for the Supreme Court to take cognizance of one
of these cases, and it was therefore dismissed. However, on the
same day cases of other petitioners involving identical points (No.
392; Sandberg et al. v. McDonald) were considered. The claimants
in this case were British sailors shipped under contracts made at
Liverpool. Certain advances had been made at the time of signing
up, and the ship’s master had paid the men, on their demand, in the
American port, the amount that he thought due them, taking into
account the advances paid. The sums actually paid exceeded onehalf the wages due, taking the advances into account, but the Amer
ican statute in question prohibits the payment of advances at the
time of making seamen’s contracts, and the men claimed the benefit
of this provision. The Supreme Court recognized the evil involved
in permitting advance payments of seamen’s wages, which were very
generally charges made by employment agents, and traced the legis
lation through its various stages of enactment and interpretation.
In view of the history of the law and of its present provisions, it was
held that there was no evident intention on the part of Congress to
invalidate contracts of foreign seamen made in a foreign jurisdiction
and sanctioned by the law of that jurisdiction. “ There is nothing
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to indicate an intention, so far as the language of the statute is con
cerned, to control such matters otherwise than in the ports of the
United States. * * * We think that there is nothing in this
section to show that Congress intended to take over the control of
such contracts and payments as to foreign vessels except while they
Were in our ports.”
Even conceding that Congress might have legislated to annul con
tracts involving advances, as a condition of the admission of foreign
vessels to ports of the United States, it was held that no such provi
sion existed in the present law and the judgment of the Circuit Court
of Appeals denying the right of the claimant to recover was affirmed.
A dissenting opinion was delivered by Mr. Justice McKenna, Justices
Holmes, Brandeis, and Clarke uniting in the dissent. In his opin
ion, Mr. Justice McKenna quoted the prohibition as to advance pay
ments which declares that it is “ unlawful in any case to pay any sea
man wages in advance of the time when he has actually earned the
same or to pay such advance wages.” This is declared to be without
limitation of place or circumstance, and is further emphasized by the
declaration that the payment of such advances shall not relieve from
full payment of all wages under the contract after they have been
earned, and that such advances shall be no defense in an action to
recover such wages. The minority held that the law should he con
strued to apply to seamen of whatever nationality, shipping in what
ever port, and that the advancement made in the foreign port and
under the foreign contract should not be considered in determining
the amount due at the time of the making of the demand in a port
of the United States—a position that would support the decision of
the district court from which the appeal to the Circuit Court of
Appeals was taken in the instant case.
A similar history is involved in a third opinion which disposed of
two cases (Nos. 393 and 394) in which sailors making claims had
shipped at a South American port on American vessels at a stipu
lated wage, the shipping master, or employment agent, having taken
a note for one month’s wages as his fee, this note having been hon
ored by the master of the vessel under instructions from the consul
resident at the port, who wate himself acting in accordance with
the consular regulations of the United States. Mr. Justice Day, who
delivered the opinion in this case as well as in the Sandberg case,
pointed out that the provisions of law involved were identical, though
there was a difference as to the nationality of the vessels. The right
of Congress to control American vessels as to contracts made in for
eign ports was conceded, at least for present purposes. I t was stated,
however, that it was only by compliance with the local custom of
obtaining crews through agents that sailors could be obtained in South
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American ports. “ This is greatly to be deplored, and the custom
is one which works much hardship to a worthy class, but we are
unable to discover that in passing this statute Congress intended to
place American shipping at the great disadvantage of this inability
to obtain seamen when compared with the vessels of other nations
which are manned by complying with local usage.”
It was pointed out that the provisions of the statute denying clear
ance papers to vessels violating its terms could apply only to domestic
ports, thus furnishing “ another evidence of the intent of Congress to
legislate as to advances made in our own ports.”
It is settled, therefore, that foreign vessels shipping crews in Ameri
can ports can not make advances of unearned wages, as they might
in then- own ports, and deduct the same from the aggregate of wages
for the voyage—at least where American courts are the forum in
which the case is decided; also that crews legally shipped in a foreign
port can not read into their contracts the provision of the Federal
statute as to advances, whether the vessel be foreign or American
owned.
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LABOR BUREAUS
NEW FRENCH MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIAL RECONSTITUTION.
According to the United States Commercial Attaché at Paris,
the French Government has decided to wind up the Armament
(Munitions) Department and transform it into a Department of
Industrial Reconstitution. M. Loucheur, who has been the Minister
of Armament, will retain the directorship of the new department.
A statement in Le Matin of November 27, 1918, gives the following
information regarding this change :
The minister will be responsible for the development of industrial production
of all kinds, and he will distribute among French industries the orders which shall
be placed by the Government departments. He will assist in the preparation of
projects relating to the increase of natural production. The office of industrial
reconstruction of the liberated regions is now attached to the new department.
M. Loucheur has already taken occasion to explain to the Chamber of Deputies
the broad lines bf the program he has elaborated with the object of adjusting the
munition factories created by the French Government, as well as works installed
by private initiative, for the national defense. Thus, the vast arsenal of Roanne
will be devoted to the rebuilding of old and the construction of new railway material.
The factories at Bourges, which have been devoted to the manufacture of explosives,
will now be utilized for the manufacture of chemical fertilizers. Shops which have
been working in wood for aviation will hereafter manufacture windows, doors, and
parts of all sorts for the construction of houses in the invaded regions. Other works
would manufacture the metal parts entering into this sort of construction. M. Lou
cheur also has in mind the manufacture of telegraphic and telephone material.
On the other hand, M. Klotz, Minister of Finance, has been authorized by the
Government to bring in a bill which will have for its object the réadaptation of private
factories which have been working for the national defense. These establishments will
receive as soon as possible important orders for materials needed by the administra
tion of the post offices, telephones,,a^d telegraphs for the reconstitution of the French
merchant marine, and also orders for agricultural machinery needed in such great
quantity. Moreover, the former Ministry of Armament will distribute orders among
private factories for the manufacture of objects and tools of which the country has
such great need.
The expense which it will be necessary for the country to assume in this connec
tion amounts to some 2,000,000,000 francs [$386*000,000]. It is believed that orders
to this amount, properly distributed, will permit of the continuance of work in the
munition factories.
CREATION OF A DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IN GERMANY.
By an imperial decree of October 4, 1918, published in the Reichsgesetzblatt, matters relating to social policy administered hitherto
by the Imperial Economic Office {R e ic h sw irtsc h a ftsa m t ), are hence
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forth to be within the province of a special central authority, entitled
the Imperial Labor Department ( R e i c h s a r b e i t s a m t ). The decree
orders the imperial chancellor to arrange for the transfer of functions
and officials from the Imperial Economic Office to the new depart
ment. Gustav Bauer, Social-Democratic member of the Reichstag
and vicepresident of the executive committee of the German Free
Trade Unions, was appointed secretary of state of the new depart
ment. He was retained in office after the overthrow of the Imperial
Government.
In the Soziale Praxis1 Prof. E. Francke discusses the creation of
the new labor department as follows:
The old demand for a special imperial office for social reform has been realized.
The Social Democrats petitioned for it 40 years ago, and the Centrum has repeatedly
supported this demand. The Imperial Economic Office is now divided, and for
sociopolitical matters, i. e., labor protection, social insurance and labor rights, there
is created a new department of labor. How the duties and powers will be appor
tioned is a matter of conjecture. It is to be hoped that the apportionment will be
comprehensive and complete, and that sociopolitical questions will not, because
they are connected with economic problems, be left in the hands of the Imperial
Economic Office. If they are, the existence of the Imperial Economic Office will
be precarious. The newly appointed secretary of state of the labor department
Herr Gustav Bauer, enjoys the full confidence of organized labor.
Two tasks confront organized labor at the present time: A chamber of labor law
corresponding to their demands and the statutory regulation of employment exchanges
in agreement with the proposals unanimously adopted by the Reichstag in the spring
of 1915, but hitherto neglected. A conference of the combined associations of work
men, minor officials, and salaried employees had been called for the end of October,
but it has been abandoned, as it is expected that the new labor department will
itself submit legislative proposals satisfactory to the wage workers. A third task is
the reform of the right of coalition; with this is connected the giving of a legal status
to collective agreements and the extension of the conciliation principle to an imperial
conciliation office. A point of first importance is the revival of the protection of
workers, especially female and juvenile. Whatever the financial difficulties of the
Empire, nothing must be allowed to interfere with the reorganization of labor legis
lation and the revival of protective labor laws.
It is to be hoped that the new secretary will make the labor department an efficient
Government agency. There are several existing institutions which can be employed
with advantage. Last May the Reichstag resolved to create a permanent committee
on social reform. Then the commission for labor statistics, which was created in
1892, but during the last 10 years has led a dormant existence, could be enlarged and
transformed into a sociopolitical advisory council of the labor department, in which
representatives of employers, and salaried employees and workers could discuss with
neutral social reformers their views and proposals for the preparation of legislative
measures. It is also urgently necessary that the division of labor statistics of the
imperial statistical office be transferred to the labor department. In addition to the
indispensable divisions for labor protection, social insurance, and labor legislation,
the labor department must have a division for social reform.
i Sosiale Praxis und Archiv fur Volkswolilfahrt. “ Reichsarbeitsamt,” by E. Francke.
10,1918.
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CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION
*
NATIONAL WAR LABOR BOARD UMPIRE’S DECISION IN EMPLOYEES v.
WORTHINGTON PUM P & MACHINERY CORPORATION.
The attitude of the National War Labor Board as to night work
and the question of classification of workers by trades for purposes of
wage adjustment is defined quite fully in a decision made by one of
its umpires on December 20 , 1918, in the case of Employees v. Worth
ington Pump & Machinery Corporation,1 The Power & Mining Works,
Cudahy, Wis. (Docket No. 163). The question of minimum wage
for male and female workers is also involved in this decision. The
full text of the decision, which quotes quite freely from the record of
the hearings, is not given here, but the main points brought out before
the umpire and the conclusions reached by him are presented in the
following excerpts:
To the National War Labor Board: The Worthington Pump &Machinery Corporation
has two plants at Cudahy, Wis., employing in all about 1,150 men and women. One
plant is building engines for the Emergency Fleet Corporation; the other is building
agricultural machines. The former is making money; the latter is losing money. The
work being done for the Emergency Fleet Corporation is being done on a lump sum
contract and not on a cost plus basis. The output of both plants is considered ‘‘ essen
tial. ”
On June 10 the machinists and electricians made certain demands* upon the com
pany including, among others, a demand for an eight-hour day and a demand for
‘Classification.” These demands were refused by the company. For the next six
weeks there was considerable dissatisfaction among the employees. Early in August
the situation became so serious that the company offered to submit the whole question
to you. This was finally agreed to by the men.
A hearing was held in Milwaukee on August 14 by an examiner appointed by
you. At this hearing a new set of demands was introduced by the machinists and
electricians, who asked for a rate of pay slightly above that asked for in June. Boiler
makers and pattern makers also presented demands at this hearing. Prior to the hear
ing the company had granted an eight-hour day. •
According to the umpire’s statement, this hearing developed the
following essential facts: (1) That the wages at that time were con
siderably higher than they were immediately before the war and had
increased about as rapidly as the cost of living; (2 ) wages were about
the same as in other plants in the neighborhood, but were on a lower
level than in other similar localities, this latter fact causing consider
able unrest and an increase in labor turnover. There was a hearing
of the case before the National War Labor Board in Washington, as
1 Cf. article in the Monthly L abor R eview for August, 1918 (pp. 72, 73).
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MONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW.
a result of which the board, among other things, decided that the
working hours should remain the same, namely, 48 per week, that
overtime should be compensated for at the rate of time and one-half
with double time on Sundays and holidays, and that the company
should meet with a committee of its employees. No unanimous de
cision was reached by the board at that time, continues the statement,
in regard to extra pay for night work, the establishment of minimum
wages for men and women, and the “ classification’’ of employees.
The statement by the umpire is taken up at this point:
P o in t s
at
I ssu e.
The questions before me for decision, therefore, are the following:
1. Shall night work receive extra compensationf The employers say that no extra
compensation should be paid; and say that extra compensation is not paid for night
work by other similar plants in the neighborhood. They introduce no evidence to
that effect. The employees ask for 5 per cent extra on night work.
2. Shall the minimum wagefor men he set at 40 certte an hour or 42 cents an hour? The
employers say that 40 cents an hour is high enough. The employees ask for 42 cents
an hour.
3. Shall the minimum wage for women be set at 30 cents an hour or at 35 cents an hour?
The employers say 30 cents an hour is high enough. The employees ask for 35 cents
an hour.
4. Shall a system of ‘‘classification” he established with minimum rates of wages for the
different classes? The employers say that “ classification” should not be established.
The employees ask for “ classification” as follows: Machinists, 75 cents per hour; special
ists and handy men, 65 cents; machinists’ helpers, 50.cents; electricians, 75 cents; crane
operators, 70 cents; electricians’ helpers, 50 cents; pattern makers, 80 cents; boiler
makers, 72£ cents; layers-out and flange turners, 77J cents; boiler makers’ helpers,
50 cents.
Keference is then made to the fact that the decision of the umpire
must be governed by certain well-known principles of the National
War Labor Board, such as the maintenance of existing conditions
where union or nonunion conditions prevail, no relaxation of estab
lished safeguards and regulations for the protection of workers, equal
pay for equal work in the case of women employees, regard for the
custom of localities in fixing wages, hours, etc., and recognition of
the right of workers to a living wage.
E
xtra
C o m p e n s a t io n F o r N ig h t W o r k .
You [National War Labor Board] have already, from time to time, decided that
night work should receive an extra compensation of 5 per cent. Among other cases
where 'you have reached this decision are:
Employees v . General Electric Co. of Schenectady (Docket 127).1
Employees v. Poliak Steel Company (Docket 102).2
Your decisions in these other cases are, it seems to me, based on sound economic
reasoning. Night work should receive a larger compensation because it involves a
greater strain in all ways upon the employee. A careful study of the brief prepared
1 This case was noted in the Monthly L abor R eview for Sept., 1918 (pp. 34, 35).
2 This case was noted in the M onthly L abor R e v ie w for Oct., 1918 (pp. 26, 27).
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by Mr. Justice Brandeis in “ The People of the State of New York v. C. S. Press, ” in
April, 1914, can not fail to convince one of this fact. The statements contained therein
are so clear and to the point, that I am going to quote several of them in support of
each of the following contentions:
In the first place, a night worker does not get so much sleep as a day worker, and
sleep in the daytime is not so good.
The most serious physical injury wrought by nightwork is due to the loss of sleep
it entails. This is because recuperation from fatigue and exhaustion takes place only
in sleep, and takes place fully only in sleep at night. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 1.)
The degree of fatigue developed was greater during the night shift than during the
day. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 6.)
They (the men) are to a great extent victims of insomnia, being unable to sleep in
the daytime after night work and can not enjoy a sound night’s sleep in the week of
their day work; the men in consequence become nervous and depressed. The ir
regular meals, hurriedly partaken of, disorder the stomach and seriously affect all
the organs of digestion, and thus a great deal of time is lost from illness. (Brandeis’s
brief, p. 11.)
In the forefront of the effects of night work upon health stands, to our mind, the
loss of night rest. Sleep at night is certainly far preferable to sleep by day. It is,
as everyone knows from his own experience, much deeper, heavier, more refreshing,
in a word more restorative.
The inadequacy of day sleep is aggravated, for the men who work at night, by
special circumstances affecting both its quantity and its quality. Consider first the
case of the grown men. We find from personal observation and inquiry that living
conditions and family habits and occupations all have their part in the result. The
laborers’ dwellings are generally small, noisy, and not well protected from the weather;
and the laborer has not the chance that the rich man has to find out a cool and quiet
room, darkened for his mid-day nap, but has to put up often with the one room the
family possesses—a room in which all the regular activities of the home are going on,
and sometimes tenement industries as well. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 16.)
In the second place, the lack of sunlight involved in night work is injurious:
Workers who are employed at night are inevitably deprived of sunlight. Scientific
investigation has proved that the loss of sunlight is injurious in two ways: First, it
results in serious physical damage, both to human beings and to animals. Night
workers whose blood was examined showed a marked decrease in the red coloring
matter, resulting in a state of chronic blood impoverishment. Second, the loss of
sunlight favors the growth of bacteria, such as the germs of tuberculosis. Conversely,
the light destroys bacterial life. It has been called the cheapest and most universal
disinfectant. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 47.)
It has also been shown th a t animals kept in the dark without sunlight suffer a loss
of the red coloring matter in the blood. The same is found true of night workers
who are deprived of sunlight; impoverished blood is one of the main symptoms.
This fact was confirmed by an examination of 800 bakers by the investigators of the
commission, described in its preliminary report. Night work was found to increase
their morbidity and mortality, as well as to upset all the normal habits of social life.
(Brandeis’s brief, p. 48.)
In the third place, night work has an injurious effect upon the eyesight:
Night work often results in life-long injury to the eyes. The danger of eye strains
from" close application to work is intensified at night by insufficient aiul improper
lighting of work rooms. While it is true that the more general use of electric lighting
has improved the illumination of work places and has lessened the vitiation of the air
due to gas lighting, yet it has introduced new elements of injury. The glare of exces
sive or unshaded lights may be as injurious to the eyes as insufficient illumination.
Moreover, experience has shown that injuries to the eyes affect general health dis
astrously. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 60.)
In the fourth place, it has a directly injurious effect on the general health of the
worker:
The digestive system undergoes functional changes owing to irregularity of meals
and night work; appetite fails, breathing becomes labored, the tongue coated, there
is frequently weight in the stomach, with sour eructations and constipation. Finally,
dyspepsia sets in and may lead to serious gastroenteritis. Lesions occur—if only
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functional—of the organs that should supply fresh fuel, and the worker’s face indicates
a condition of incipient anemia, of general debility.
The respiratory and circulatory systems of night workers do not present specific
functional alterations except a frequent sensation of shortness of breath and of palpi
tation of the heart, to which many can bear witness. The procreative power of men is
diminished or impaired and the effect on the female generative organs is also injurious.
(Brandeis’s brief, p. 113.)
In the fifth place, it interferes seriously with family life and lowers the moral
standards.
The workers detest night work, because it is more exhausting. Day sleep is less
refreshing. The number of meals necessary in the family budget is increased, extra
cooking must be done, and the family order and system are disjointed. Night prod
uct is inferior; accidents are more numerous; machines suffer more damage; drunk
enness increases and a lower moral standard is established by night work. Switzer
land does not hesitate to condemn it, and she has put a stop to it even in many indus
tries where other countries regard it as indispensable. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 260.)
The baker sleeps little as a rule, and the sleep he does get is a troubled kind of
sleep, broken by noises that go on in the house and out of doors. He goes_ back to work
in the evening without having had the rest he needed. Thus his body is often weak
ened, his health is broken, his spirits are dulled, and he becomes defenseless against
the most dreaded diseases. His nervous weakness, too, makes him subject to violent
reactions from even the slightest stimulation, since his inhibitory centers have, as
it were, ceased to function.
And all this is encouraged by the fact that his manner of life makes it difficult for
him to have a family. He is often driven to seek distraction and forgetfulness of his
abnormal life in violent pleasures; or he turns to easier amours * * * as a sub
stitute for the comforts of family life. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 262.)
Finally, it interferes with efforts to promote education and to reduce illiteracy:
Nightwork and late overtime hours prevent the workers from taking advantage of
the educational opportunities offered by enlightened communities such as evening
schools, public lectures, libraries, etc. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 263.)
For real cultivation of the mind two things are chiefly requisite—the one, incite
ment and guidance; the other, intellectual companionship. And how are these to
be had when one’s evening and night are given up to mechanical labor, and one’s
day to sleep, to amusement, or, as often happens, to some secondary trade? The
most stimulating club meetings and other gatherings, the instructive lectures and
courses, the reading of newspapers and books—all these things go on almost exclusively #
in the evening and in the early part of the night; the night worker is therefore cut off
from them, and this alone means an irreparable loss of opportunity for a development
that broadens the mind, enlivens the spirit, and often makes for practical advancement
also. (Brandeis’s brief, p. 275.)
In view of all these facts I rule that “ men employed on the night shift shall receive
compensation 5 per cent higher than those employed on the day shift.”
M in i m u m W a g e f o r M e n .
There is no difference in principle between the employer and the employees, since
the employer agrees to a 40 cent minimum, while the employees ask for a minimum
of 42 cents.
I have gone very carefully over the memorandum on the “ Minimum Wage and
Increased Co&t of Living,” prepared for you [National War Labor Board]. I find
that 42 cents is as low as any of the workers’ living wage budgets, even assuming that
the difference in the cost of living between Milwaukee and New York is as great as
the difference in the cost of food between those two places. Moreover you have
already frequently established 42 cents as the minimum rate for men. Therefore, I
rule that “ in no case shall any male employee 21 years or over receive less than 42
cents per houlr.” Provision may be made, however, for pensioners, i. e., old or dis
abled men.
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263
M in i m u m W a g e f o r W o m e n .
You have, from time to time, established a minimum wage for women, giving a 30
cents p*er hour rate in the Pittsfield General Electric case and $15 per week in the
Schenectady General Electric case. I have made a study from all the data I could
obtain of the actual cost necessary to maintain a woman in industry in “ health and
reasonable comfort.” I realize that a surprising number of women in industry have
to support dependents; but I have been unable to find the percentage of such women
in Milwaukee, and have, therefore, disregarded this particular feature of thé situation.
I also realize that loss of time from sickness makes an additional burden upon women
in industry.
I am convinced that the smallest rate of pay on which a woman in industry, with
out dependents, can maintain herself in “health andxeasonable comfort'’ is 35 cents
per hour, and I therefore rule “ that women must be allowed equal pay with men for
equal work, and must not be allotted tasks disproportionate to their strength. In no
case should any female employee 21 years or over, having six months of experience
in the plant, receive less than 35 cents per hour. ’’
C l a s s if ic a t io n .
The arguments advanced by the employer against “ classification” are extremely
confused, and seem to be directed partly against the principle of “ classification” and
partly against the minimum rates asked for in the various classes. Their arguments
fall under the following broad heads:
1. Your board has no power to establish a system of classification.
2. The classification of men by machines, which now exists, is a natural growth,
and must, therefore, not be interfered with by your board.
3. Classification is too difficult an undertaking for your board, or your umpire,
sitting in Washington, at such a great distance from the local conditions. *
4. Classification if made by your board through a local investigation is too expensive.
5. Classification will make it less easy to base wages on skill.
6. The rates of wages now paid by the Emergency Fleet Corporation are too high
for competitive industries.
The first argument, namely, that of jurisdiction, can be dismissed by pointing out
that your board has already established systems of classification in various cases,
acting presumably under the broad principle that the clause relating to nonunion
shops “ is not intended in any manner to prevent the War Labor Board from urging,
or any umpire from granting, under the machinery herein provided, improvement of
their (the workers) situation, in the matter of wages, hours of labor, or other condi
tions, as shall be found desirable from time to time.” Classifications were estab
lished by you in the Coffeyville case (Docket 190),1 the Waynesboro case (Docket
40),2 and the Worthington Pump, East Cambridge, case (Docket 14).3
Thé second argument, namely, that because the old system of classification is a
natural growth no change must be made, is an argument which if taken literally
would have destroyed all progress in the past. If a change is wise on its merits, the
mere fact that it may change or alter a natural growth should not prevent its being
adopted.
In discussing the question of classification on its merits, the matter falls naturally
under two separate heads, and under these two heads the remaining arguments
advanced against classification, by the employers, will be discussed. These two heads
are: First, the principle of classification by trades; second, the minimum rates to be
established in the different classes.
1 Noted in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w for October, 1918 (pp. 25, 26).
2 Noted in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w for August, 1918 (pp. 72-75).
s Noted in the Monthly L abor R eview for August, 1918 (pp. 72, 73.)
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First. The principle of classification by trades. I believe that the principle of
classification by trades is sound. I base my belief on the following grounds:
A. It is simple and practicable. The classification of workers by their various
trades, as distinguished from the present system of classification, by the various
machines, is simple and practicable. It has been worked out carefully by the
Emergency Fleet Corporation and the United States Navy. Although there has been
considerable criticism of the minimum rates established by the Fleet Corporation
and by the Navy, there has been no criticism of the methods of classification, which
have shown themselves to be extremely practicable and to work well in practice.
B. It makes it easier to grade the men according to their skill. It should be borne
in mind that the system of classification asked for by the workers involves: First,
the division of the workers into different trades; and second, the subdivision of the
workers in different trades into groups, determined by the skill of the worker. For
instance; there are machinists and electricians, and other trades; and within the trade
of machinists there are “ helpers,” “ handymen, ” or “ specialists, ” and “ machinists,”
based on the skill and experience of the individual worker.
This trade subdivision can be supplemented at the option of the employer by a
greater number of subdivisions, also based on skill, such as first, second, and third
class machinists. In other words, the men of each trade can, under this system, be
graded, beginning with the common laborer who gets the m i n i m u m rate of wages
based on the cost of living and going right up to the most skilled mechanic. The
question of whether a man in a particular trade should be in one class or another of his
trade, is to be decided, in accordance with the award of your board already agreed
upon in this case, by representatives of the company and of the employees, and in
case of failure, by them to agree, by your board.
I am convinced, therefore, that when this system of classification is clearly under
stood, it will be seen to work out to the advantage of both employees and employer,
as a satisfactory method of seeing that each man has his wage based upon his skill and
not upon the strategic advantage which either the employer or the employee may have
at the particular moment when the wage bargain is made.
C. It tends toward the establishment of standards, and the ascertainment of actual
facts. I am convinced, from my study of this case and other data, that one of the
great difficulties in the present industrial situation in the United States is lack of
knowledge of the facts. This lack of knowledge, and resulting confusion, is due
largely to the lack of standardization in wage rates. The situation in the plant of the
Worthington Pump Co. gives a vivid illustration of this. It is absolutely impossible
for even the employers themselves to compare their wage rates with the wage rates
of their competitors, because their wage rates are divided into over 60 different classes.
This multiplicity of classes, and lack of standardization, is at times injurious to the
employees, because it enables the employers to reduce the rate of wages arbitrarily
by splitting up the employees into different groups. At other times it works against
the intei-est of the employer by preventing him from getting the data necessary, in
order to have him find out whether his plant is being conducted efficiently. From
the public point of view it interferes with the knowledge of wage conditions, which is
essential for the passage of sound economic laws. Therefore, from the public point
of view, and from the point of view of both employers and employees, anything that
tends toward the standardization of wages, and toward the ascertainment of the
exact facts involved, is in the opinion of your umpire a step in advance.
For these reasons I believe that the “ principle of classification by trades” along
the lines demanded by the employees should be established.
Second. The minimum rates to be established in the different classes.
A. Though the Emergency Fleet Corporation and the United States Navy classi
fication rates may be too high for competitive industry, the relative proportion of
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
9
these rates is good. They were carefully studied before they were put into effect
and their proportion has not been subjected to criticism. Therefore your umpire
feels that your board, in establishing a system of classification, should keep as nearly
as possible the same proportions as were established by the Emergency Fleet Corpora
tion and the United States Navy.
The m in im u m wage of 42 cents an hour, established by you in previous cases and
asked for by the employees in this case, is about 90 per cent of the minimum established
by the Fleet Corporation and the United States Navy, namely, 46 cents an hour.
I feel that this difference is a fair one and that it should be extended to the minimum
rates for the various classes involved.
I think that the minimum rates asked for by the men should be granted except in
so far as they exceed 90 per cent of the corresponding rates established by the Fleet
Corporation and the Navy.
I therefore rule that “ A system of classification shall be established and that the
m in im u m rates of pay shall be as follows:
Cents
per hour.
Machinists...............................................................................................................
Specialists...............................................................................................................
Machinists’ helpers............................................................................... - ................
Electricians.............................................................................................................
Crane operators......................... - ............................................................................
Electricians’ helpers..............................................................................................
Patternmakers........................................................................................................
B oiler makers.......................................................................................... - ..............
Layers-out and flange turners...............................
Boiler makers’ helpers............................................................................................
L o c a l M a c h in e r y
for
72
56
49
72
70
49
77J
72
77J
49
C l a s s if ic a t io n .
I feel that there should be some machinery established by which these various
minimum rates can be changed as conditions change; and by which new classes for
trades in these plants, not represented before your board, can be established, these
changes and additions, however, to be consistent with the general principles laid
down herein. I therefore rule that for this purpose “ a permanent committee of four
persons shall be appointed, two of whom shall be designated by the company and
two by the workers. The decision of any three of these shall be binding. In the
event of failure of the committee to reach an agreement, the case may be referred to
the administrator appointed by the secretary of your board under the award already
agreed upon by your board in. this case, who shall promptly render his decision, from
which an appeal may be taken by either of the parties to your board; pending such
appeals, the decision of the administrator shall be in force. This committee may
from time to time change the minimum rates for the classes hereby established, and
may provide new rates for additional classes, subject, however, to the general
principles laid down herein. ”
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, DECEMBER
16, 1918, TO JANUARY 15, 1919.
Under the organic act of the department, which gives the Secre
tary 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, 1918,
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9
and January 15, 1919, in 104 labor disputes. The companies in
volved, the number of employees affected, and the results secured,
so far as information is available, were as follows:
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUM BER OF LABOR D ISPU TES HANDLED BY THE
DEPA RTM EN T OF LABOR, THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
DEC. 16, 1918, TO JAN. 15, 1919.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Strike, salt miners, Detroit Rock Salt Co., De
troit, Mich.
Controversy, bakers, Top Notch Baking Co.,
Columbus, Ohio.
Controversy, International Association of Ma
chinists, Hoover, Owens & Rentslar Co.,
Hamilton, Ohio.
Strike, electrical workers, Interior Storage
Depot, New Cumberland, Pa.
Threatened strike, metal workers, Wm. Vogel &
Bros. Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Controversy, electrical workers, Municipal Gas
Co., Albany, N. Y.
Controversy, Electrical workers, Adirondack
Electrical Power Corporation, Glens Falls,
N .Y .
’
Controversy, scarf link chain makers, S. J.
Taylor Chain Co., Hammond, Ind.
Controversy, employees, Mead Johnson & Co.,
Evansville, Ind.
Controversy, pressmen, Tulsa (Okla.), World
and Tulsa Times-Democrat, Tulsa, Okla.
Threatened strike, machinists, Nordyke-Marmon Co., Indianapolis, Ind.
Controversy, metal polishers, Cleveland Steel
Products Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Controversy, R. H. Long Co., Framingham,
Mass.
Controversy, Web Pressmen’s Union, Los
Angeles Publishers Association:
Los Angeles Examiner, Los Angeles Eve
ning Express, Los Angeles Evening
Herald, Los Angeles Record.
Controversy, machinists and specialists, Wm.
Wharton Jr., Co. {Inc.), Easton, Pa.
Threatened strike, butchers, Swift & Co. et al.,
Greater New York, N. Y.
Threatened strike, employees, electrical work
ers, Commonwealth Edison Co., Chicago, 111.
Controversy, employees, Texas Steam Ship Co.,
Bath, Me.
’
Strike, men in packing department, National
Milling Co., Toledo, Ohio.
Threatened strike, Butchers’ Union and Master
Butchers, Butchers’ Union Local No. 265, Los
Angeles, Cal.
Controversy, trainmen, Sioux City Sendee Co.,
Sioux City, Iowa.
55
45
Company refused to meet a com
mittee of workers or make any
concession whatever, nor would
it agree to a joint submission to
National War Labor Board.
Adjusted.
1,250
Referred to National War Labor
Board.
7
650
45
Adjusted.
200
Do.
100
Referred to National War Labor
Board.
Pending.
125
40
70 Adjusted.
10
100
12
Do.
50 Unable to adjust.
7,000
Adjusted.
4
Pending.
Do.
100
300
47
1,200
3,000
.1
........
3,000
2,000
26
149
Do.
Unable to adjust.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
300
140
Controversy, Indianapolis Printing Pressmen’s
Union, Indianapolis Publishers Association,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Controversy, machinists, Birmingham Southern
R. R. Co., Birmingham, Ala.
Controversy, New York Central Lines. Engle
wood, 111.
Controversy, Terre Haute. Indianapolis &
Eastern Traction Co., Indianapolis, Ind.
Controversy, Indiana & Cincinnati Traction Co.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Result.
Indi
rectly.
Directly.
65
Do.
Do.
Found th at company had an agree
ment w ith men as to wages and
conditions; also provision for
arbitration for disputes growing
out of agreement. The agree
ment does not expire until May 1,
1919. Men concluded to let mat
ter rest until expiration of agree
ment. „
200 Adjusted.
3
600
Do.
1
16
Do.
Pending.
Do.
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M O N TH LY LABOE EEVIEW.
STATEM ENT SHOWING THE NUM BER OF LABOR D ISPU TES HANDLED BY THE
DEPA RTM EN T OF LABOR, THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
DEC. 16, 1918, TO JAN. 15, 1919—Continued.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Directly.
Controversy, Interstate Public Service Co.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Strike, blacksmiths, Ingersoll-Rand Co., Phillipsburg, N. J.
Threatened strike, linemen, drivers and wiremen, Public Service Corporation, Newark,
N. J.
Controversy, electrical workers, Indianapolis,
Ind.:
Bute Telephone Co., Automatic Telephone
Co., Indianapolis Light & Heat Co., Mer
chants Light & Heat Co., Traction Ter
minal Car Line Co., Western Union &
Postal Telegraph Companies.
Controversy, weavers, Philadelphia, Pa.:
C. H. Masland & Sons, Ferguson Carpet Co.,
John Hamilton & Co., Chas. P. Cochrane,
Harvey Fibre Carpet Co.
Controversy, various milling companies, Evans
v ille, Ind.
Strike, m inem en, Louck & Hill Co., Richmond,
Ind.
Controversy, unionists, Beloit, W is.....................
Controversy, employees, American Hominy Co.,
Terre Haute, Ind.
Controversy, Italian factory workers, Philadel
phia, Pa."
Strike, pipe fitters, service men, stationary engi
neers and machinists, A tlanta Gas Light Co.,
A tlanta, Ga.
Lockout, cigar makers, Havana American Cigar
Co., Chicago, 111.
Controversy, machinists, Four Lakes Ordnance
Plant, near Madison, Wis.
Controversy, granite cutters, Rockport Granite
Co., Rockport, Mass.
Controversy, L. W. F. Engineering Co. plant,
College Point, N. Y.
Controversy, employees, Evansville Ry. Co.,
Evansville, Ind.
Controversy, electrical workers, Aberdeen Prov
ing Ground, Aberdeen, Md.
Walkout, coach cleaners, Kansas City, Mo.........
Threatened strike, coal drivers and chauffeurs,
dealers, New York, N. Y.
Threatened strike, Standard Conveyor Co., St.
Paul, Mmn.
Controversy, Amalgamated Association of Street
& Electric Railway employees:
Attleboro Branch Railroad Co., Interstate
Consolidated Street Railway Co., Worces
ter Consolidated Street Railway Co., Mil
ford, Attleboro & Woonsocket Street Rail
way Co., Worcester, Mass.
Controversy, copper workers, Taunton-New
Bedford Copper Works, Taunton, Mass.
Controversy, machinists, American Steel &
Wire Co., DeKalb, 111.
Controversy, machinists, specialists, and help
ers, Ohio Motor Co., Sandusky, Ohio.
Controversy, butcher workmen, Philadelphia,
Pa.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Result.
Indi
rectly.
Pending.
40
4,000
80
3,700 Company claims th at it accepted
National War Labor Board
ruling in case of employers vs.
Chicago Ry. and increased all of
its employees’ wages about 25 per
cent. They are now paying their
men more than companies in sur
rounding territory. That they
can not accede to request of men
or make any compromise offer,
th at they are now paying the
maximum rate the company can
afford to pay.
290
40 As most of companies concerned are
now in hands of receiver, and as
the men are b ut recently organ
ized and Chances of winning a
strike are doubtful, Commis
sioner believes there will be no
strike.
Do.
Pending.
Do.
Unable to adjust.
9
25
Pending.
100 Adjusted.
53
110
2
Pending.
Do.
300
4
Do.
200
Do.
90
Referred to National War Labor
Board.
Pending.
55
Adjusted.
Do.
Referred to Railroad Administration.
Adjusted.
25,000
Pending.
60
1,100
Do.
Do.
375
6
2,000
Do.
14
Do.
600
Do.
[585]
268
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW,
STATEMENT SHOWING TH E NUMBER OF LABOR D ISPU TES HANDLED BY TH E
DEPA RTM EN T OF LABOR, THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
DEC. 16, 1918, TO JAN. 15, 1919—Continued.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Directly.
Controversy, linemen, combination troublemen,
metermen and substation operators, Montana
Power Co., Lewistown, Mont.
Controversy, linemen, etc., Mountain States
Telephone* Telegraph Co., Lewistown, Mont.
Controversy, Sinclair Refining Co., Vinita, Okla.
Controversy, toolmakers, machinists, and spe
cialists, Hobbs Manufacturing Co., Worcester,
Mass.
Controversy, machinists, Midwest Engine Co.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
Controversy, Stockham Pipe F itting Co., Bir
mingham, Ala.
Strike, machinists, David Lupton Sons Co.,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Threatened strike, fire fighters, Scranton, P a ...
Controversy, machinists, Independent Pneu
matic Tool Co., Aurora, 111.
Controversy, material carriers, Southern Pacific
Railway, Los Angeles, Cal.
Controversy, cooperage workers, Green Bay,
Wis.
Strike, electrical workers, Richmond, Va.:
Stringer Electric Co., Winston Electric Con
struction Co., Bauman and Hines, W. H.
Jenks, J. E. Candle, Ben Engleberg, Ed
gar M. Andrews, W. B. Cattlett Electric
Co., Wingfield & Hundley, Godsey & Fry,
Morris H unter.
Strike, electrical workers, Great Falls, Mont.;
Butte, Mont.; Anaconda, Mont.
Controversy, employees, Logan Iron Works,
Burnham, Pa.
Strike, electrical workers, contractors, Norfolk,
Va.
Strike, machinists, Apperson Bros., Kokomo,
Ind.
Strike, street car men, Kansas City Railway Co.,
Kansas City, Mo.; Kansas City, Kans.
Controversy, electrical workers, ordnance de
partm ent in Baltimore, Baltimore, Md.
Controversy, foundry employees, several estab
lishments, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Controversy, electrical workers, Atlantic City,
N. J.
Strike, spring makers (automobile springs),
Mather Spring Works, Toledo, Ohio.
Controversy, Leather Workers Union, Pfister &
Vogel Leather Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
Strike, Durand Steel Locker Co., Chicago
Heights, 111.
Threatened strike, Bohm Refrigerator Co., St.
Paul, Minn.
Controversy, Norristown Woolen Co., Norris
town, Pa.
Controversy, Pittsburg Railways Co., Pressed
Steel Car Co. employees, McKees Rocks, Pa.
Controversy, Alamo Iron Works, San Antonio,
Tex.
Strike, coal drivers and helpers, Madison, Wis:
Conklin & Sons Co., C. F. Cooley Coal Co.,
Struck & Irwin, Castle & Doyle.
Strike, carpenters and other building trades,
Bausch & Lomb p lant, Rochester, N. Y.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Result.
Indi
rectly.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
125
Do.
25
775
210
600
20
200
General manager of company states
he will conduct his business on
any system lie deems best for
company and refused to answer
any questions p ut to him con
cerning the business. Commis
sioner would not be surprised if
stoppage of work should take
place in near future.
Pending.
Fire fighters were to leave the ser
vice of the city at 8 p. m ., Dec. 31,
1918, b ut have agreed to continue
a t work pending an effort to get
the officials of city of Scranton to
arbitrate the questions at issue.
Pending.
100
Do.
300
Do.
Do.
46
Adjusted.
Pending.
550
12,000
80
258
2,700
Adjusted,
Pending.
Do.
Adjusted.
600
Pending.
300
200
310
Adjusted.
Do.
Pending.
4,000
180
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
500
Do.
Do.
60
100
Adjusted.
Pending.
[586]
_ •
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
269
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OP LABOR D ISPU TES HANDLED BY THE
DEPA RTM EN T OF LABOR, THROUGH ITS COMMISSIONERS OF CONCILIATION,
DEC. 16, 1918, TO JAN. 15, 1919—Continued.
Workmen affected.
Name.
Directly.
Controversy, coal companies, versus miners,
Carbon County (Salt l ake City), Utah.
Strike, molders, Hyde W indlass Co., Bath, Me.
Controversy, longshoremen, Superior, W is.........
Controversy, m achinists, locomotive plant,
Chicago, 111.
Controversy, inspectors, Curtiss Aeroplane Co.,
Buffalo, N. Y.
Strike, machinists, ,T. B. Wise plant, Watertown, N. Y.
Controversy, electrical workers, Santa Barbara,
Cal.
Controversy, employees, Hudson Valley Ry.
Co., Albany, N. Y.
Threatened strike, miners, lignite mines, vicinity of Minot, N. Dak.
Controversy, E lectrical workers, Wm. Wharton,
jr., Co., Easton, Pa.
Controversy, Simmons Saddlery Co., St. Louis,
Mo.
Controversy, P. Bum s Saddlery Co., St. Louis,
Mo.
Controversy, bakers, New Orleans, L a ...............
Controversy, The Industrial Works, Bay City,
Mich.
Controversy, Smalley General Co., Bay City,
Mich.
Controversy, Chevrolet Motor Co., Bay City,
Mich.
Controversy, W estern Electrical Co., Boston
plant, Boston, Mass.
Controversy, building trades, New Orleans, La.
Controversy, employees, International Shipbuilding Co., Orange, Tex.
Strike, electricians and mechanics, Lackawanna
Coal Co., Scranton, Pa.
Controversy, blacksmiths, Chambersburg En
gineering Co., Chambersburg, Pa.
Threatened strike, labor trouble, Green Bay,
Wis.
Strike, Jessop Steel Co., Washington, P a _____
Controversy," Springfield Street Railway Co.,
Springfield, Mass.
Result.
Indi
rectly.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Adjusted.
20
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Adjusted.
Pending.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
3,000
900
30
Do.
Do.
1,000
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
950
Do
Do.
ADJUSTM ENTS REPO RTED .
Controversy, Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation (Alameda plant), Oakland, Cal.
Controversy, McCormick Harvester Co., Chicago, 111.
Threatened strike, Anton Engineering & Contracting Co., Albany, N. Y.
Strike, Foundation Ship Yard, Savannah, Ga.
Strike, Hecla Iron Works, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Controversy, Fort Whipple job, Prescott, Ariz.
Controversy, Delany Forge Co., Buffalo, N. Y.
Strike, General Manufacturing Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Threatened strike, Columbus Foundry Co., Columbus, Ind.
Threatened strike, Emerson Brantingham Co., Columbus, Ind.
Threatened strike, Chicago Telephone Co., Chicago, 111.
Threatened strike, Western Electric Co., Chicago, 111.
Lockout, Jacksonville Drydock & Repair Co., Jacksonville, Fla.
Controversy, packers, St. Joseph, Mo.
Controversy, Haynes Automobile Co., Kokomo, Ind.
100785°—19-----18
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[587]
270
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
COMPULSORY ARBITRATION IN GREAT BRITAIN DURING THE WAR.1
In this article the course of the strike movements in Great Britain
during the war, together with the reasons for the principal strikes,
is shown in their relation to the question of the effectiveness as well
as the desirability of endeavoring to force industrial peace in war
times by the enactment of antistrike legislation.
At the outbreak of the war the problem confronting Great Britain
was that of securing immediate maximum production and to secure
this it was necessary to prevent the loss of time incidental to strikes
irivolving large numbers of workers. The industrial truce of
August, 1914, agreed to by the labor unions and the Labor Party,
was the first effort by the Government toward securing this result,
and when this broke down as a consequence of profiteering by em
ployers and rise in the cost of living it was followed by the Treasury
Agreement of March, 1915, and by the Munitions of War Act of July,
1915.2 By the provisions of the Munitions of War Act no employer
could declare a lockout and no employee could take part in a strike
unless the question had been referred to the Board of Trade and 21
days had elapsed since the date of the report. Penalties provided
were a fine of £5 ($24.33) for each day on strike and £5 for each man
locked out. This act also provided that no workman could leave his
employment without a leaving certificate under penalty of six weeks’
unemployment—an order which was such a prolific cause of dis
satisfaction and unrest that it was finally repealed in October, 1917.
According to figures compiled from the files of the Board of Trade
Labor Gazette 3 there were 2,504 strikes reported from the 1st of
August, 1914, to the last of March, 1918, which involved more than
1,700,000 men and caused a loss of about thirteen and one-quarter
million working days. While the number of strikes in the last five
months of 1914 involved only 5 per cent of the number of workmen
engaged in strikes in the first seven months of that year, the rise in
the number of striking workers in the early part of 1915 reflects the
unrest caused by the increase in the cost of living without any corre
sponding increase in wages and the excess profits of employers.
Shortly after the Munitions of War Act went into effect the coal
miners of South Wales struck for higher wages. They were out nine
days altogether and the strike was settled by conceding the demands
of the men. As no penalties were inflicted as a result of this viola
tion of the act it was recognized that it did not in reality contribute
in any way to the settlement of the strike.
1 Summary of an article on Compulsory arbitration in Great Britain during the war, by Milton Moses, in
the Journal of Political Economy (Chicago) for November, 1918 (pp. 882-900).
a See Annual Conference of the British Labor P arty in Monthly Labor R eview for September, 1918,
pp. 320, 321.
3 Changed in July, 1917, to The Labour Gazette, issued by the Ministry of Labor.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[588]
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
271
During the remainder of 1915, through the next year, and the first
four months of 1917 there were no very great deviations in the strike
curve except for the Clyde strike and a textile strike in Dundee. In
May, 1917, however, widespread unrest extended to all the important
engineering industries so that for the year there was an increase of
18 per cent in the number of strikes and an increase of nearly 120 per
cent in the number of working days lost. In this series of strikes
about one and one-half million working days were lost by the 160,000
men included, and in November of the same year a strike of 2,600
colliery examiners over recognition of the union affected nearly
128,000 workers.
The Munitions of War Act was modified in August, 1917, by amend
ments giving the minister of munitions power to repeal the leaving
certificate provision and to extend awards applying to a majority of
a trade to the minority. The Government set up eight commissions
to inquire into the prevalent unrest and the reports showed that the
main reasons, besides the munitions of war acts, were “ delay in
settling disputes, the high cost of living, profiteering, employers’ spy
systems, allegations of rate cutting, withdrawal of the trade-card
scheme, and the introduction of dilution on private work.” In the
first few months of 1918 the engineering, coal-mining, and shipbuild
ing industries were the ones showing the most important disagree
ments, the threatened strike of the Amalgamated Society of Engi
neers, which was afterward called off, being designed as a protest
against the Government’s policy. Altogether in the 33 months dur
ing which the munitions acts were in effect over 1, 500,000 workmen
violated these acts by taking part in strikes, and if these workmen had
been fined according to the provisions of the law the amount of the
fines would total more than £55,000,000 ($267,657,500).
As practically the entire time lost was the result of a few impor
tant strikes each month, the author selected 80 strikes taking place
after the passage of the munitions act to show the actual results of
the act. In these 80 strikes 989,401 men took part and there was
an aggregate loss of 8,351,190 working days. While these 80 strikes
were only about 4 per cent of the total, they involved 65 per cent of
the number taking part in strikes and 74 per cent of the working
days lost.
In the majority of cases the strikes either for increased wages or
for other objectives resulted in the men’s demands being met and the
settlement was usually effected by the personal intervention of some
Government official. In the engineering disputes of March and April,
1916, the shop steward movement began to find place in the troubles
and the situation became so serious that the Ministry of Munitions
felt it necessary to remove some of the ringleaders, which was accom
plished under the Defense of the Realm Act. In this case 9 men
were deported and 30 strikers were fined. Government control of
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[589]
272
M O N TH LY LABOR REVIEW.
coai fields was also instituted in South AYales when it was found
impossible to settle the dispute there by agreement. Other large
strikes in June and December, 1916, and the first part of 1917 were
dealt with by the Government by threat to proceed against the
strikers under the Munitions of War Act and against those who insti
gated the strikes under the Defense of the Realm Act.
The engineering strike of May, 1917, caused by withdrawal of the
trade-card scheme and introduction of dilution in private engineering
work, and which was a very serious one from point of view of produc
tion, was finally settled by the prime minister after efforts at settle
ment had been made by prominent Government officials and seven
of the strike leaders had been arrested. These arrested men were
subsequently released on their own recognizance, and although after
the settlement there were some prosecutions, mostly of shop stewards,
in nearly every case the charges were withdrawn after the return to
work. Disputes which threatened to become serious later in the
year were averted by concessions made on the part of the Govern
ment. In the early part of 1918, in connection with the threatened
strike.of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers over the Govern
ment’s man-power scheme, Mr. Arthur Henderson made the state
ment that the industrial situation was graver than at any time dur
ing the war and that “ the unyielding attitude of the Government is
bringing the country on the verge of industrial revolution.”
From a report published by the Ministry of Munitions in 1916 giv
ing the number of prosecutions of workers and employers under the
munitions act it is seen, however, that up to that time only about
one-fifth of 1 per cent of those taking part in strikes were as a matter
of fact prosecuted under the act.
In conclusion the author says:
On the basis of this information it is possible to come to some conclusion regarding
the efficacy and desirability of introducing antistrike legislation as a means of estab
lishing industrial peace during the war. Great Britain established two methods of
dealing with strikes: The Defense of the Realm Act and the munitions of war acts of
1915, 1916, and 1917; the one of a criminal nature, the other providing for compulsory
arbitration. The information available is not complete enough to show the exact
number of cases in which the law was invoked to bring about a settlement or when it
was successful in achieving this result. I t is a fact, however, that strikes have increased
proportionately since the passage of the munitions of war acts. I t has already been
stated that, although the time during which the acts have operated is only 75 per cent
of the total war period, 85 per cent of the total time lost by strikes throughout the
war has occurred in this period. Less than 100 of the most important strikes,
practically all of which were in violation of the law, in which nearly 1,000,000 men
took part, caused an aggregate loss of over 8,000,000 working days. The industry
showing the greatest loss due to strikes are among the most vital war industries. The
attitude of the Government toward one of the strongest compulsory features is evi
denced by the repeal of the leaving-certificate provision in October, 1917. Leading
labor men of the Kingdom have expressed their dissatisfaction with the principle of
compulsion during the war. Further developments have yet to show us which policy
will ultimately prevail in Great Britain.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5 9 0 ]
IM M IGRATION.
IMMIGRATION IN NOVEMBER, 1918.
r '
In January, 1918, the number of immigrant aliens admitted into
the United States decreased 9 per cent as compared with the number
admitted in December, 1917. February showed an increase over
January of 16.2 per cent, while March as compared with February
showed a decrease of 11.9 per cent. April as compared with March
showed an increase of 46.7 per cent, May as compared with April an
increase of 59.5 per cent, while June as compared with May decreased
6.4 per cent. July as compared with June showed a decrease of 45.4
per cent. In August there was an increase of 1.1 per cent over the
number reported for July, and the number in September showed an
increase of 27.2 per cent over the number for August. October
compared with September showed an increase of 17.7 per cent and
November compared with October showed a decrease of 27.8 per cent.
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADMITTED INTO THE UNITED STATES IN SPEC IFIED MONTHS
1913 TO 1918.
1918
Month.
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
Number.
January................................. ......
February......................................
March...........................................
April.............................................
Mav..............................................
Ju n e............................................
Ju ly ..............................................
A ugust..........................................
September..................................
October........................................
November...................................
December.................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
46,441
59,156
96,958
136,371
137,262
176,261
138,244
126,180
136,247
134,440
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
15,481
13,873
19,263
24,532
26,069
22,598
21,504
21,949
24,513
25,450
24,545
18,901
17,293
24,740
27,586
30,560
31,021
30,764
25,035
29,975
36,398
37,056
34,437
30,902
24,745
19,238
15,512
20,523
10.487
11,095
9,367
10,047
9,228
9,284
6,446
6,987
Per cent
increase
over
preceding
month.
6,356
7,388
6,510
9,541
15,217
14,247
7,780
7,862
9,997
11,771
8,499
1 Decrease.
273
19.0
16.2
111.9
46.7
59.5
16.4
145.4
1.1
27.2
17.7
127.8
274
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Classified by nationality, the number of immigrant aliens admitted
into the United States during specified periods and in November,
1918, was as follows:
IMMIGRANT ALIENS ADM ITTED INTO TH E UNITED STATES DURING SPECIFIED
PERIOD S AND IN NOVEM BER, 1918, BY NATIONALITY.!
Y e a r e n d in g J u n e 30—
N ovem b er, 1918.
N a t io n a lit y .
A friean (b lan k )
...................................................................
A pTTIPTli rm
.............................................................
B o h e m ia n an d "Moravian ..........................................................
“B u lg a ria n E erhian ATon t,fttip,or i n . . . , .................. ..
C h in e se
.....................................................................
O rnotian e n d RlnupniilTI
________. . . .
C u b an
..............................................................................
D a lm a tia n B o s n ia n IFferz^^ovinian
D u tc h
F le m is h
................................................................
F a st. Trulian
...............................................................
"English
.........................................................................................
F in n is h
............................................................................................
Fren ch
...................................................................................
............................................................
C ppm an
C peek
................................................................................
...........................................................................
"Hebrew
Irish
...................................................................................
Tta li an (n o r th )
..............................................................................
ta li an ( s o u th )
..............................................................................
J a p a n psp
................................................................................
Is"orean
.....................................................................
L ith u a n ia n
............................................................
MaP'va.r
.........................................................................................
M e x ic a n
.....................................................................................
P a c ific I sla n d e r
......... - ............... ...............
P o lis h
.
.......................................................................................
P o r tu g u e s e
.......................................................................................
B o u r n a n ia n ..........................................................................................
"Russian
- .....................................................................................
R u th ftn ia n (R n s s n ia k ) ................ *...............................................
S c a n d in a v ia n ...................................................................................
E cote h
..............................................................................................
R lovaV
...........................................................................................
E p a n ish
.......................................................................
E p an i sh - Ameri can .......................................................................
E yrian
.............................................................................. T u r k is h
__________. . _ _
Welsh
................................................................................................
W est- I n d ia n (e x c e p t. Cuban) ...................................................
O th e r peoples ......................................................................................
7
Total
.................................................................
1915
1916
5,6 6 0
932
1,651
3,5 0 6
2,4 6 9
1,9 4 2
3 ,4 0 2
305
6 ,6 7 5
82
3 8 ,662
3 ,4 7 2
12,636
2 0 ,729
15,187
2 6 ,497
23,503
10,660
46,557
8 ,6 0 9
146
2 ,6 3 8
3,6 0 4
10,993
4,4 5 9
2,933
24,263
14,310
2,0 6 9
5 ,7 0 5
667
1,7 6 7
273
1,3 9 0
823
1,877
4 ,5 7 6
964
642
3 ,1 4 6
2 ,2 3 9
791
3 ,4 4 2
114
6,4 4 3
80
3 6 ,168
5 ,6 4 9
19,518
11,555
2 6 ,7 9 2
15,108
20,636
4 ,9 0 5
33,909
8,711
154
599
981
17,198
5
4,50 2
12,208
953
4,8 5 8
1,3 6 5
19; 172
13,515
577
9 ,2 5 9
1,881
676
216
983
948
3,3 8 8
326,700
298,826
6
9,0 6 5
4,3 7 6
1,200
1
1918
1917
7,971
5,7 0 6
488
327
1,134
1,843
305
3 ,4 2 8
94
5,393
69
32,246
5 ,9 0 0
2 4 ,405
9 ,6 8 2
2 5 ,919
17,342
17,462
3 ,7 9 6
35,154
8 ,9 2 5
194
479
434
16,438
74
150
1,576
33
1,179
15
7
4
207
221
1,221
2,200
61
12,980
1,867
6 ,8 4 0
1,9 9 2
2 ,6 0 2
3 ,6 7 2
4,6 5 7
1,074
5,2 3 4
10,168
149
135
32
17,602
17
10
668
3 ,1 0 9
10,194
522
3,7 1 1
2 ,3 1 9
155
1,513
49
8,7 4 1
5,2 0 4
35
7 ,9 0 9
2,2 3 1
1,211
19,596
13,350
244
15,019
2 ,5 8 7
976
210
454
12
47
186
4
1,532
30
677
82
61
144
548
89
223
798
11
5
2
1,300
31
77
5
133
2
630
607
9
242
161
10
793
1,3 6 9
2 ,0 9 7
24
278
732
314
40
63
32
295,403
110,618
8 ,4 9 9
1 The total number of departures of emigrant aliens in November was 3,969.
EMIGRATION FROM ITALY AFTER THE WAR.
The Epoca1 publishes an interview with Senator Bettoni, who has
been elected president of the emigration section of the next colonial
reconstruction congress, on the subject of emigration after the war.
The following is a summary of the interview:
Many foreign countries will be in need of labor im m ediately after th e war. Italy,
even after th e sacrifices of th e past three years, and after having provided for her
own needs, will be able to su p p ly some of th e dem ands of these foreign countries. The
Italian workingman will be in a position to choose th e m arket for his labor, and in
these m arkets to choose th e occupation for which he is best adapted. Up to the
present tim e, foreign countries in need of Italian labor created th e im pression here
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1 Epoca.
Rome, Oct. 23, 1918.
[592 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
275
th a t by em ploying our workmen th ey were performing an act of philanthropy. Our
em igrants, unorganized, isolated, w ith no guidance, len t an appearance of reality to
this assertion. Henceforward, however, th e position, will be clearly understood
owing to th e incontestable fact th a t th e dem and will come frohi abroad. There will
be no question of charity or p h ilanthropy in giving work to Ita lia n s; i t will bp a
question of absolute necessity. I t is necessary for our em igrants to realize this
state of affairs. The G overnm ent m ust take u p th e m atter so as to coordinate,
direct, and evaluate th e cu rren t of em igration. I t will be necessary to regulate em i
gration, so as to satisfy th e requirem ents of th e country in conformity w ith th e
interests of th e em igrants them selves. I t m ay appear a t first sight th a t these sug
gestions m ust class w ith th e liberal tendency of th e “ open door” and “ freedom
of tra v e l.” The interests in play are, however, of such great im portance th a t i t m ay
be necessary to sacrifice an abstract theory in face of a national economic problem
of such urgency.
The provisions m ade and to be made by th e G overnm ent for dem obilization m ust
include th e allocation of labor both a t home and for abroad. Contracts for labor
abroad should be approved by th e emigration commission and should be based on the
principle of equal treatm en t w ith th e nativ e inhabitants. Brazil, France, Sw itzer
land, Belgium, etc., will all need Italian labor, b u t th ey will have to give guaranties
assuring to our workmen proper living and working conditions before Italian labor
will respond to th e invitation.
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PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
5 f
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OFFICIAL— UNITED STATES.
C a l i f o r n i a .—Industrial
Accident Commission. Electrical station safety orders effective
December 1, 1918. Sacramento, 1918. 54 PP>
---- - ----- Reported decisions. Volume V. Bulletin No. 6 . Index for Bulletins 1 to 5
inclusive. Sacramento, 1918. pp. 161-192, xiv. Price, $2 per year, 25 cents per
copy.
A digest of th is report appears on pages 192 to 194 of th e present issue of the
M onthly L a b o r R e v ie w .
—— State Land Settlement Board. Farm allotments and farm laborers' allotments in the
Durham State Land Settlement. Sacramento, 1918. 10 pp.
C o n n e c t ic u t .—Board of Compensation Commissioners. Vol II: Compendium of
Awards of the Compensation Commissioners, June 1 , 1916 to May 31, 1918, inclu
sive, together with the decisions of the Superior Court of appeal, and the decisions of
the Supreme Court of Errors on appeal. Hartford, 1918. 702, 192 pp.
The title of th e volum e is explanatory of its contents, and fu rth er indicates th a t it
is the second of th e series. The first p a rt is devoted to decisions of th e commissioners
and of th e Superior Court, and covers th e period of two years, as ind icated . The
second p art presents all opinions of th e Suprem e Court of Errors since th e ac t came
into effect, Jan u ary 1, 1914, up to th e date of p ublication in th e la tte r p a rt of th e year
1918. Some 270 decisions and opinions are inclu d ed in th e volum e, of w hich 31 are
opinions of th e Suprem e Court of Errors and Appeals. The volum e is indexed
qu ite fully, b u t not cum ulativ ely w ith th e earlier volum e, as m ight be expected in
such a case.
I d a h o .—Department
of Farm Markets. Third and fourth annual report 1917-1918.
Boise, 1918. 76 pp.
I n d ia n a .—Proceedings of conference on Reconstruction and Readjustment called by
Gov. James P. Goodrich at the State House, Indianapolis, November 26, 1918.
Indianapolis, 1918. 83 pp.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .—Bureau of Statistics. Labor Division. Forty-second quarterly
report on employment in Massachusetts, quarter ending June 30, 1918. Boston,
1918. 16 pp.
According to returns m ade b y 1,093 labor organizations a t th e close of Ju n e 1918,
representing 212,181 m em bers, 6,324 mem bers, or about 3 per cen t of th e total m em ber
ship, were unem ployed for all causes, as com pared w ith th e 6 for th e close of March,
1918, and 8.4 per cen t a t th e close of Ju n e, 1917. The present percentage is th e low
est recorded during th e entire period of over 10 years during w hich th e b ureau has
collected d ata of this character. B y industries, th e greatest num ber of unem ployed
were 1,685 in th e building trades, 883 in transportation, an d 826 in th e boot an d shoe
industry. D uring th e quarter th e th ree pu b lic em ploym ent offices in th e State
had requests from em ployers for 17,332 persons, w hile th e total n um ber of positions
reported filled was 10,601, or 61.2 p er cen t of th e total n u m b er of persons applied
for. T he num ber of strikes occurring during th e q u arter was 142 as com pared w ith
51 during th e preceding quarter.
■
----- Minimum Wage Commission. Wages of women in hotels and restaurants in
Massachusetts. Bulletin No. 17. September, 1918. 68 pp.
Contains results of an investigation com pleted Jan u ary , 1917. D escribes th e differ
e n t occupations followed by women in hotels and restaurants, giving th e ir wages,
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hours, relation betw een experience and wages, etc. S upplem entary investigations
m ade in 1918 showed general increases in m oney wages in M assachusetts restaurants
ranging from 15 to 50 per cent. “ Since th e greatest increase in th e cost of living is
for th e item of food, and since th e m ajority of restau ran t workers receive from one to
three m eals a day in additio n to a m oney wage, th e restaurants of M assachusetts are
a t th e present day paying to most of th eir fem ale employees a wage sufficient to cover
th e m inim um cost of liv in g .” N ot all employees, however, are receiving such wages
and th e commission calls on all proprietors of restaurants, etc., to m ake such increases
as m ay bring th e wages of all fem ale employees of ordinary ab ility up to th e m inim um
cost of living, and states th a t pending a satisfactory response to th is appeal th e crea
tion of a wage board for th is occupation will be postponed. (See article in M onthly
Labor R eview for October, 1918, pp. 186, 187.)
Michigan.— D e p a rtm e n t o f L ab o r. T h ir ty -fifth a n n u a l report. L a n s in g , 1918. 686
pp.
Includes com pilations of th e labor laws of 1917 ; S tatistical report of work accom
plished b y th e 10 State free em ploym ent bureaus, w hich shows th a t from Decem ber
1, 1916, to N ovem ber 30, 1917t there were 37,805 applications from em ployers and
119,629 requests from these employers; th a t there were 38,632 new registrations and
72,560 renew als from persons applying for work; th a t persons referred to positions for
th e year reached th e total of 111,192, out of w hich n um ber 108,463 positions were
filled, or 4,415 more positions filled th a n during th e previous year; S tatistical report
on th e inspection of factories and workshops, w ith factory orders issued in 1917; Store
inspection, giving a list of establishm ents inspected in 1917, date of inspection, name
of firm, location, natu re of business, and num ber of persons em ployed; and orders
issued for stores in 1917; In spection of hotels and restaurants, showing nam e of hotel,
tow n where located, and num ber of persons em ployed, and orders issued on hotels
and restaurants in 1917; Sum m ary of accidents reported ; Coal m ine inspection; Boat
inspection; R eport of priv ate em ploym ent agencies; Statistics of prisons and reforma
tories; and related m atter.
N ew Y ork.— In d u s tr ia l
C o m m issio n . B u r e a u o f In s p e c tio n . H e a lth hazards o f the
clo th -sp o n g in g in d u s tr y . S p e c ia l b u lle tin , N o . 89, N ovem ber, 1918. A lb a n y ,
1918. 24 p p . Illu s tr a te d .
A digest of this report appears on pages 226 to 228 of th is issue of th e Monthly Labor
R eview .
---------- — B u r e a u o f S ta tis tic s a n d In fo r m a tio n .
a d d itio n s, a n d a n n o ta tio n s to A u g u s t 1, 1918.
In d u s tr ia l code w ith a m e n d m e n ts,
A lb a n y , 1918. 207 p p .
Chart.
This volum e contains th e following 21 b u lletin s w hich have been published sepa
ra te ly from tim e to tim e: 1, E m ploym ent of women in canneries (rule 1); 2, Inclosure
of factory stairw ays (rule 2); 2, Storage of com bustible m aterial ab o u t factory stair
ways (rule 3); 3, S anitation of cannery labor cam ps (rules 200-232); 4, S anitary code
for bakeries and confectioneries (rules 300-347); 5, Fire-alarm signal system s of fac
tories (rule 375); 6, E xistin g fire escapes of factories (rule 380); 7, Fireproof an d fireresisting m aterial (factory construction an d tests) (rules 500-513); 8, F actory elevators
and hoistw ays (rules 400-445); 9, Sanitation of factories and m ercantile establishm ents
(rules 100-198); 10, E q u ip m en t, m aintenance, and san itatio n of foundries an d em ploy
m en t of women in core rooms (rules 550-599); 11, M illing in d u stry and m alt-house
elevators (rules 650-664); 12, R em oval of dust, gases, and fumes from factories (rules
700-723) ; 13, F ire escapes as m eans of e x it (rule 4) ; 14, Steam boilers in factories, mines,
tunnels, and quarries (rules 800-850); 15, Smoking in factories (rule 15); 16, Trough
water-closets (rule 10); 17, Mines (rules 1000-1076); Q uarries (rules 1100-1122); 18,
A rtificial lighting of factories and m ercantile establishm ents (rule 50); 19, G uarding
of dangerous m achinery, vats, pans, and elevated runw ays (rules 875-920); 20, A uto
m atic sprinkler systems (rule 75); 21, W indow cleaning (rule 5).
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
N ew Y ork.—Industrial Commission Bureau of Statistics and Information.
laneous labor laws. 1918. Albany, 1918. 136 pp.
Miscel
Contains te x t of laws as given in th e Consolidated Laws of 1909 and succeeding years,
w ith am endm ents to A ugust 1, 1918, w ith references to such am endm ents. Notes
givh cross references to laws and references to court decisions and opinions of th e
A ttorney G eneral construing th e laws. An in troductory note states th e issuance,
besides th e present pam phlet, of th ree others containing, respectively, th e general
labor law, th e industrial code (com prising th e rules an d regulations of th e industrial
commission supplem entary to th e labor law), and th e w orkm en’s com pensation law.
——• University. Attendance division. Census, child welfare, and compulsory educa
tion bureaus established 1917. Bulletin No. 672. Albany, October 1, 1918. 27 pp.
■
— (City).—Department of Education. Nineteenth annual report of the superintendent
of schools. 1916-17. Report on eveninq schools. New York, November 13,
1918. 48 pp.
Includes a section devoted to E vening trad e schools.
----------- Mayor’s Committee on Unemployment. How to meet hard times. A program
for the prevention and relief of abnormal unemployment. New York, 1917. 132 pp.
This report of th e com m ittee appointed b y Mayor M itchel after th e in d u strial crisis
of 1914 “ to deal constructively w ith th e problem of unem ploym ent an d prepare
against a recurrence of unem ploym ent crises ” goes exhaustively in to th e subject and
includes “ (1) a theoretical consideration and analysis of th e financial an d ind u strial
aspects of trade crises and of th e p reventive and m eliorative measures w hich m ay be
taken by consumers, employers, and p articu larly by ‘high finance,’ ‘big business,’
and Governm ent to av ert or m itigate th e distressful effects of such crises; (2) a review
and critical exam ination of th e principles to be adopted in m eeting th e relief needs
of these crises, in so far as, and to th e e x te n t th a t, relief m ay or m ust be given, and of
the respective shares of responsibility for m eeting such needs w hich should be as
sum ed by the city and by voluntary relief societies supported by p riv ate contribu
tions; (3) a discussion of m ethods of relieving distress and of providing em ergency em
ploym ent; (4) an analysis of th e means b y w hich th e relief of distress and th e pro
vision of emergency em ploym ent m ay best be accom plished.”
Ohio.—Industrial Commission. Department of Inspection. Division of mines. Directory
of Ohio coal operators for the year 1917. Columbus, 1918. 41 pp. Vol. IV , No. 14 .
--------- — Department of Investigation and Statistics. Directory of Ohio manufacturers,
1918. Report No. 35. Columbus, 1918.
Gives inform ation concerning th e location, character, and e x ten t of th e S ta te ’s in
dustries.
•-----------Division of workshops, factories, and public buildings. The laws governing
factory and building inspection and compulsory education. Columbus, July 1,
1918. 140 pp.
P ennsylvania.—State Workmen’s Insurance Fund. Second annual report: Financial
statement as of June 30, 1918. Harrisburg, 1918. 16 pp.
T his report is reviewed on page 243 of this issue of th e Monthly Labor R eview .
Washington.—Industrial Welfare Commission. Third biennial report. 1917-18.
Olympia, 1918. 61 pp.
This report covers th e period from Jan. 1, 1917, to Nov. 20, 1918. I t contains a
brief review of minim um-wage legislation in th e U nited States, and a general dis
cussion of women’s relation to th e war, and women and children in war-time em ploy
m ent. A section is devoted to legal regulations of th e conditions of em ploym ent of
women and children in th e State, and another section presents th e results of a survey
made in A pril, 1918, to ascertain, b y obtaining th e rates of wages paid in January,
1917, and in January, 1918, w hat advances employers had v oluntarily m ade to m eet
war conditions. The tabulations show th a t 63.6 per cent of th e workers were receiv
ing less th an $12.15 per week, a figure obtained as a basis for com putation by applying
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a 35 per cent advance in living costs to th e legally established m inim um wage of $9
per week. T he report includes an order fixing th e m inim um wage for women a t
$13.20 per week, and an order increasing th e m inim um wage of minors, noted, re
spectively, in th e Monthly L abor R eview for November, 1918 (pp. 177-179), and
January, 1919 (pp. 211, 212); and also an account of th e revision of th e apprenticeship
schedules m ade necessary by th e adoption of th e new m inim um wage scales. The
report notes a general increase in th e em ploym ent of children in th e State as a result
of th e war, presenting a statem ent of th e n um ber of age certificates and work perm its
issued, and in th is connection recom mending legislation to provide for th e raising of the
compulsory school age to 16 years and for th e establishm ent of compulsory continua
tion schools. T he commission announces th a t in th e period, Nov. 20, 1916, to Nov.
1, 1918, hack wages, am ounting to $7,205.39, were collected from 147 firms for 364 wom
en workers who had been u nderpaid. T his is an average of $19.79 each. The te x t
of th e decision of th e W ashington Suprem e Court in holding th e m inim um-wage law
constitutional is included in th e report. D uring th e biennium th e commission ex
pended a total of $7,316.98 of th e $10,000 appropriated. R equest is made for an addi
tional $5,000.
Wisconsin.—Industrial commission. Second annual report.
consin. [Madison], 1918. 12 pp.
Apprenticeship in Wis
This is th e report for th e period Jan. 1, 1917, to Ju n e 30, 1918. The foreword states
th a t th e report attem p ts “ to present in a general way th e condition of apprenticeship
in th e S tate; to show th e relationship of apprenticeship to skilled labor as brought to
th e observation of th e commission; to present th e relation of apprenticeship to the
State w ith reference to ind u stry and citizenship; and to give a n idea of some of the
things w hich are being accom plished, and th e m ethods em ployed.”
■----------- The apprenticeship system of the plumbing trade in Wisconsin. Comprising
rules for indenture, supervision, and instruction of apprentices in the plumbing
trade, with a statement of standards of journeymanship required for certification.
Madison, 1919. 18 pp.
•------------Women’s department. Factory equipment, housekeeping, and supervision.
A handbook for employers of women, containing the provisions of the statutes regard
ing labor standards and suggestions for improved equipment and housekeeping.
Madison, September, 1918. 22 pp. Illustrated.
Contains sections devoted to Hours of labor; P rohibited em ployments;. Safety;
Sanitation; E q u ip m en t; an d H ousekeeping an d supervision.
U nited States.—Bureau of Efficiency. Report for the period from November 1 , 1917,
to October 81, 1918. Washington, 1918. 65th Congress, 3d session, Doc. No.
1429. 15 pp.
Contains a brief outline of th e work of th e bureau, statem en t of expenditures, list
of employees, and related m atter.
----- Congress. Senate. Committee on Public Lands. Homes for returning soldiers
and sailors. Report No. 580 [to accompany S. 4947], 65th Congress, 2 d session.
Washington, October 7, 1918, 8 pp.
R eport on th e hill (S. 4947) to provide for a survey and classification of all unentered
public lands of th e U n ited States, a n d all unused c u t over, logged, a n d swamp lands
and other unused lands of th e U n ited States, w ith a view to disposing thereof to hon
orably discharged soldiers a n d sailors an d others.
——- Council of National Defense. Advisory commission. Committee on Labor.
Section on sanitation, Committee on welfare work. Requirements and standards
upon heating and ventilation. Report of divisional committee on heating and
ventilation. Welfare work series No. 4. Washington, July, 1918. 21 pp.
D irected principally tow ard th e im provem ent of conditions in workrooms and
factories, including work places w here excessive h eat, vapor, and injurious substances
obtain in the atm osphere, arising from m anufacturing processes. The v en tilatio n
and heating of homes and other liv in g quarters are noted in passing.
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In the first section of th e pam p h let general policies and requirem ents in heating
and v entilation are stated, such as th e value an d use of window v en tilatio n alone;
ventilation in rooms w ith o u t windows; th e am ount of fresh air, heat, and moisture
required under varying circum stances; m ethods of banishing excessive heat, vapor,
and injurious substances from th e air in m anufacturing establishm ents; th e com bina
tion of ventilation b y m echanical means w ith v e n tilatio n b y n atu ral means, and how
i t m ay be effected.
Following th e statem en t of general policies comes a section devoted to standards,
w hich gives such helpful, scientific facts as th e am ount of space in a work room desir
able per occupant; th e proper am ount of window area in a workroom desirable per
occupant; th e am ount of m echanical v en tilatio n necessary in workrooms lacking the
proper am ount of window space.
' Standards are also stated for rem oving injurious substances from th e air, such as
excessive dust, fumes, gases, fibers, or other im p u rities released in th e course of
m anufacturing.
The b u lletin w ill be found helpful b y those interested in establishing desirable
working conditions in places of em ploym ent. I t has th e advantage of being free
from technical terms.
United States.—Department of Commerce. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
Annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918. Washington, 1918. 93 pp.
■
—— Department of the Interior. Bureau of Mines. Eighth annual report of the
Directorfor the fiscal year ended June 30, 1918. Washington, 1918. 124 pp.
The report on rescue and first-aid investigation an d train in g work shows th a t d u rin g
the year 36,274 m iners visited th e eight m ine rescue cars, w hich were d istrib u ted
throughout th e country for th e training of m iners in first-aid an d m ine-rescue work,
the stations, and th e rescue trucks; 33,629 a tten d ed lectures an d safety dem onstra
tions; 8,369 were given in itia l training; and 482 took additional training, m aking a
total of 8.851 trained. D uring th e year 38 accidents were investigated b y mem bers
of the B ureau of Mines. In these accidents 188 m en were k ille d , 65 escaped unassisted,
and 13 were rescued. Of th e 38 accidents, 30 were in coal m ines a n d 8 in m etal mines.
—— Department of Labor. Bureau of Immigration. Annual report of the Commissioner
General. Fiscal year ended June 30, 1918. Washington, 1918. 322 pp. Charts.
Besides statistics of im m igration, th e report contains a rep o rt of th e chief of the
division of inform ation; a rep o rt on seam en’s work; a digest of reports of commis
sioners and inspectors in charge of districts; an d sections devoted to th e b u reau ’s most
im portant war activities; im portation of labor for war necessities; th e new im m igrant
law; admissions and rejections; illiterate defective aliens; aliens subject to exclusion
or deportation on economic grounds; and other related subjects.
—■
— —— Bureau of Naturalization. Student’s Text Boole. A standard course of instruc
tion for use in the public schools of the United States for the preparation of the candi
date for the responsibilities of citizenship. Compiled from material submitted by the
State public schools to the Bureau of Naturalization. Washington, 1918. 131 pp.
—— —— Children’s Bureau. Juvenile delinquency in rural New York, by Kate Holladay Claghorn. Dependent, Defective, and Delinquent Classes, Series No. 4 , Bureau
Publication No. 32. Washington, 1918. 199 pp.
This report is review ed on pages 196 to 198 of this num ber of th e Monthly Labor
R eview .
— - — Sixth annual report of the Secretary of Labor far the fiscal year ended June 30,
1918. Washington, 1918. 231 pp.
Tliis report includes an account of th e activ ities of th e P re sid e n t’s m ediation com
mission, of w hich the Secretary of Labor was chairm an, and a history of th e organi
zation and work of th e war labor adm inistration, including th e origin, purposes, and
functions of the various services set u p in th e d ep artm en t to carry on th e increased
duties occasioned b y th e war. Considerable space is devoted to an account of the
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establishm ent of the U nited States E m ploym ent Service, w hich has grown to he one
of th e largest branches of th e departm ent. T he Secretary subm its recom m endations
on em ploym ent for returning soldiers, and superannuation and retirem ent. For re
turning soldiers it is recom m ended th a t “ for th e un certain ties of hom esteading thpre
should b e substituted an orderly, properly p lan n ed scheme of colonization, in w hich
th e Federal G overnm ent shall establish and equip not only in d iv id u al farms, b u t also
link them together into organized com m unities.” T he legislation suggested to pro
vide in th is way for soldiers desiring to settle on th e land should include th ree m ini
m um provisions, declares th e Secretary: (1) Possibilities of com m ercialized specula
tion in titles m ust be guarded against; (2) colonists m ust be given access not only to
land b u t to farms, not the bare soil b u t fully equipped agricultural p lan ts ready to
operate; (3) th e farms them selves m ust be w elded together into genuine com m unities
b y provision for roads, schools, and m arkets, u n d er th e general supervision of th e
Federal G overnm ent. T he p rim ary principle, it is pointed out, is not th e use of men
for th e developm ent of land, b u t th e developm ent of land for th e use of m en. To
organize and supervise such a plan th e creation of a board consisting of th e Secre
taries of A griculture, Interior, and Labor is recom m ended, b u t it is added, “ regardless
of th e m achinery b y w hich i t is p u t in to operation, w hatever legislation is granted
should recognize th e cardinal principle th a t th e n atu ral resources of th e N ation are
for th e common good of all and should be accessible on such term s as to discourage
speculation and exploitation and to rew ard diligence and thrift.
U nited States.—Department of Labor. Training and Dilution Service. A successful
apprentice toolmakers’ school. Methods used by a large manufacturing company for
training new employees to operate machine tools and for subassembly work, and to
upgrade experienced operators for work in the toolroom. Training bulletin No. 2 .
Washington, 1918. 8 pp.
------——■-—— British methods of training workers in war industries. Bulletins upon
training and dilution, No. 3. Washington, 1918. 78 pp. Illustrated.
'—-——— -—— Training employees for better production. A symposium of experiences
in American factory training departments. Training bulletin No. 4 . Washington,
1918. 29 pp.
----------- - United States Housing Corporation. Annual report to the Secretary of Labor,
December 3, 1918. Washington, 1919.
This report is noted on pages 246 to 251 of th is num ber of th e Monthly Labor
R eview .
• -- District of Columbia. Annual report of the commissioners, year ended June 30,
1918. Vol. III. Report of the health officer. Washington, 1918. 236 pp.
A section devoted to th e adm inistration of th e eight-hour law for females shows th a t
there were 1,892 establishm ents coming under th is law in th e year covered by the
report; th a t during this year 10,704 inspections were made; and th a t 147 com plaints
were m ade, necessitating 104 inspections.
• -- Federal Board for Vocational Education. Agricultural education. Bulletin
No. 26, Agricultural series No. 4■ Washington, December, 1918. 32 pp.
In three parts, the- first of w hich points out those factors w hich are essential for the
success of th e State plans for vocational agricultural education; th e second contains
a discussion of th e relationship betw een teacher-training d epartm ents and State
supervisors; and th e th ird considers sectional conferences and periods of professional
im provem ent work for teachers of high-school agriculture.
------------- Buildings and equipment for schools and classes in trade and industrial subjects.
Bulletin No. 20 , Trade and industrial series No. 4■ Washington, November, 1918.
77 pp. Illustrated.
An attem p t to sum m arize th e best experiences of industrial trade schools in the
U nited States, so far as it relates to buildings, th e ir location, arrangem ent, and m echan
ical or instructional equipm ent. P art 1 contains a survey of th e whole field of trade
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and industrial education from th e point of view of buildings and equipm ent for type
schools and classes; part 2, a discussion of equipm ent, courses of stu d y and m ethods
of instruction in carpentry, w hich was prepared as th e first of a series of articles w hich
will treat in a sim ilar m anner all th e more common trade subjects.
United States.—Federal Board for Vocational Education. Second annual report,
1918. Washington, 1918. 172 pp.
A review of th e educational activities of th e Federal Board for Vocational E duca
tion, together w ith its publications, statistical report, allotm ent tables, and five
appendixes covering th e adm inistration of th e vocational education act, rulings and
decisions of th e Federal Board, and other subjects of in terest in regard to th e board’s
w ork.
—— ----- Ward occupations in hospitals. Bulletin No. 25, Reeducation series No. 4Washington, December, 1918. 58 pp.
The im portance, th erapeutic, and economic values of ward occupations for dis
abled m en are discussed in th is b u lletin . I t also includes among other im portant
subjects a classification of ward activities, th e Canadian m ethods of training teachers
for rehabilitation work, and a suggested m ethod open to th e Federal G overnm ent
for insuring adequately trained occupational therapeutists.
•—— Public Health Service. Annual report of the Surgeon-General, for the fiscal year 1918.
Washington, 1918. 373 pp.
• -- ------ I. An experimental investigation of the toxicity of certain organic arsenic
compounds. By George B. Roth. II. On the toxicity of emetine hydrochloride,
with special reference to the comparative toxicity of various market preparations.
By Gleason C. Lake. Washington, July, 1918. 61 pp. Hygiene Laboratory,
Bulletin No. 113.
• -- Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation. Industrial Relations Division.
Employment branch. Handbook on employment management in the shipyard, dealing
with modern methods and practices of employment management. Bulletin II, The
Employment Building. Philadelphia, 1918. 29 pp. Plans.
T his outline takes u p in order: General requirem ents of th e em ploym ent building,
special requirem ents of th e em ploym ent building, and floor plans for em ploym ent
building. T he description of each room or section in a m odern em ploym ent building
is given, being presented un d er th e heads: Purpose, layout, equipm ent, and staff.
----- Superintendent of Documents. Tariff and taxation. List of publications. Wash
ington, July, 1918. 25 pp. Price list 37, 7th edition.
----- War Department. Annual report of the Secretary of War, 1918. Washington,
1918. 141 pp.
• --------- Annual reports, fiscal year ended June 30, 1918. Report of the Governor of
Porto Rico, 1918. Washington, 1918. 752 pp.
A ppendix IX forms th e report of th e commissioner of agriculture and labor. The
pages devoted to labor contain a survey of general labor conditions, of labor disputes,
the enforcem ent of labor laws, publications, free em ploym ent agency, and recom
m endations. This is followed b y statistical tables of strikes; inspection in industrial
establishm ents; four types of salaries th a t p ievailed in agricultural work in sugar-cane
zone during crop season, 1918; work accom plished in connection w ith th e w orkm en’s
compensation act; work of th e free em ploym ent agency; work done in connection
w ith the women and children law; and th e results of investigation m ade in to various
industries. From J u ly 1, 1917, to Ju n e 30, 1918, 504 accidents were investigated un d er
the w orkm en’s compensation act. For th e fiscal year 1917-1918, th e free em ploy
m ent agency enrolled 449 applicants and recom m ended 203, of whom 45 were em
ployed, and 84 who were recom m ended failed to report.
----- [War Department] Ordnance Department. Safety operating rulesfor manufacturing,
loading, handling, and storing powder, explosives, and loaded shell at munitions
plants operated for or by Ordnance Department, United States Army. Form 3109.
Washington, November, 1918. 16 pp.
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United States.—[War Department] Ordnance Department. Sanitation operating rules
for manufacturing, loading, handling, and storing powder, explosives, and loaded
shell at munitions plants operated for or by Ordnance Department, United States
Army. Form 3110. Washington, November, 1918. 21 pp.
•—— [War Industries Board.] Central Bureau of Planning and Statistics. A list of
food statistics issued by the Statistical Clearing House. [Washington] 1918. 463
typewritten pages.
■ ---------Division of planning and statistics. A comparison of prices during the civil
war and the present war. Washington, November, 1918. 30 pp., mimeographed.
Charts.
This was reviewed in th e Monthly Labor R eview for Jan u ary , 1919 (pp.
105-109).
•------------- —— Fluctuations of controlled and uncontrolled prices. Price fixing bulle
tin No. 10 . Washington, December, 1918. 54 pp., mimeographed. Charts.
This is reviewed on pages 110 to 112 of this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview.
OFFICIAL—FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
;j .
Australia (Queensland).-—Department of Labor. Report of the director of labor and
chief inspector offactories and shops for year ended 30th June, 1918. C. A. 69-1918.
Brisbane, 1918. 46 pp.
Contains reports of th e operations of labor exchanges, statistics of em ploym ent,
inspection, and various reports from inspectors of different districts. A table giving
operations during th e year 1917-18 for th e whole State of Q ueensland as reported
at State labor exchanges for th e year ended Ju n e 30, 1918, shows th a t th ere were
29,963 persons registered; th a t th e dem and was for 17,158; and th a t 14,641 persons
were sent to em ploym ent, of w hich num ber 7,592 were sent to G overnm ent em
ploym ent and 7,049 to priv ate em ploym ent.
•—— (South Australia).—Department of Agriculture. Land settlement for soldiers.
[Adelaide] 1918. 4 pp.
This pam phlet contains th e rules under w hich discharged soldiers who wish to
take up land under th e discharged soldiers settlem en t act m ay be train ed at one of
the training farms established b y th e Governm ent for th is purpose.
——■—<— ----- Mount Remarkable training farm; its objects and the chief regulations
governing returned soldiers admitted on the farm. Adelaide. [1917] 8 pp.
■ --• —— Parliament. An act to make further and better provision for the settlement
of discharged soldiers on land,. No. 1313. Adelaide, 1917. 7 pp.
■
—-— ----- Soldiers’ settlements. Report of second official town planning conference and
exhibition, Brisbane, 30th July to 6th August, 1918. [Brisbane.] 1918. 16 pp.
This report covers th e conditions under w hich discharged soldiers m ay take up
la n d ; the provisions under w hich inexperienced m en m ay receive agricultural tra in
ing at th e three G overnm ent training stations comprising altogether nearly 52,000
acres; th e housing of return ed soldiers and th e ir dependents, houses being either
b u ilt or purchased by th e G overnm ent and sold on easy term s to returned soldiers or
th eir widows; th e proposed plan for a sem irural settlem ent for cooperative dairying
near A delaide, and its estim ated cost.
Canada.—Statement of food commodities in Canada. December 1 , 1918. Compared
with the previous month, November 1 , 1918, and with the same month of the previous
year. pp. 2-9. Typewritten.
Germany.—Kaiserlich statistisches Amt. Abteilung fü r Arbeiterstatistik. Auslän
dische Gesetzgebung über Berufsvereine, Einigungs-, Schieds-, und Tarifviesen. (18.
Sonderheft zum Reichs-Arbeitsblatte) Berlin, 1918. 28*, 468 pp.
A com pilation b y th e German statistical office, division of labor statistics, of for
eign laws relating to trade unions, strikes, lockouts, boycotts, collective agreements,
conciliation and arbitration of labor disputes, chambers of labor, and advisory labor
councils. The countries inclu d ed in th e com pilation are: A ustria, Sw itzerland,
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MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW.
France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the British
Empire, and the United States. An introduction giving a brief summary of the
legislation in force on the subjects in question in the countries enumerated above is
followed by the text of the various laws in the original language and translated into
German. This publication is valuable as a reference book.
G e r m a n y .— Kaiserlich statistisches Amt. Abteilung fü r ArbeiterStatistik. Beiträge zur
Kenntnis der Lebenshaltung im dritten Kriegsjahre. (17. Sonderheft zum ReichsArbeitsblatte.) Berlin, 1918. 48 pp.
This Supplement to the bulletin of the German Bureau of Labor Statistics contains
the results of an investigation into the cost of living of German urban families made
by the war committee on consumers’ interests. The investigation covers the month
of April, 1917. It was preceded by two investigations covering April and July, 1916,
the results of which were discussed in detail in the M o n t h l y R e v i e w of March, 1918
(pp. 13-28). Owing to lack of space only the general results of the investigation of
April, 1917, can be given here.
The investigation of 1917 having covered families of the same income classes as the
two investigations of 1916, the general results of the three investigations are com
parable. The household budgets for April, 1917, show that the average expenditure
for food, rent, clothing, fuel, light, and miscellaneous items per unit of consumption
was 75.58 marks ($17.99) as against 74.87 marks ($17.82) for April, 1916. Of the indi
vidual items of expenditure per unit of consumption the following show an increase
in April, 1917, as colnpared with the same month of the preceding year:
April, 1917.
Marks.
Fuel....................................................................................................................
Rent...................................................................................................................
Clothing and shoes.....................................................................
Laundry............................................................................................................
Household utensils..........................................................................................
Books and newspapers....................................................................................
Barber, b ath s.. 1. ..........................................................................................
Car fares.............................................................................................................
4.11
8. 51
7.49
1.96
.99
1.78
.44
1.18
($0. 98)
( 2. 03)
( 1. 78)
( .47)
( .24)
( .42)
( .10)
( .28)
April, 1916.
Marks.
2.70
7.99
5.70
1.44
.48
.92
.39
1.17
($0.64)
( 1.90)
( 1.36)
( .34)
( .11)
( .22)
( .09)
( .28)
The following items of expenditure show a decrease :
1
April, 1917.
Marks.
Food.......................................................................................................
38.57 ($9.18)
Taxes................................................................................................................. 1.82 ( .43)
Physician, medicines........................................................................................
. 91 ( . 22)
Insurance1..........................................................................................
1.58 ( . 38)
Dues for societies...........................................................................................
.61 ( .15)
Amusements, sports.....................................................................................
.36 ( .09)
Gifts................................................................................................................... 1.72 ( .41)
Wages, tip s........................................................................................................
.92 ( . 22)
Miscellaneous expenditures...........................................................................
2.63 ( . 63)
April, 1916.
Marks.
39.04
2.32
1.09
2.25
.79
1.09
1.94
2.27
3.29
($9.29)
( .55)
f . 26)
( .54)
( .19)
( . 26)
( .46)
( .54)
( .78)
The expenditures per unit of consumption for food for April, 1917, as compared with
those for April, 1916, show an increase of expenditures for rationed bakery goods
(bread), flour, macaroni, noodles and other farinaceous foods, meat, sausages, fruit,
vegetables, and coffee substitutes, while expenditures for nonrationed bakery goods,
potatoes, butter, fats, oleomargarine, canned meat and fish, eggs, cheese, jam,
preserved foods of all kinds, sugar, candy, and coffee have decreased. The expendi
tures for fresh fish and milk remained stationary.
A table giving the average quantities of food consumed per uuit of consumption
during April, 1916, and 1917, shows that the consumption of rationed bread has
increased from 8,304 grams (18.3 pounds') to 8,407 grams (18.5 pounds), while that of
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285
nonrationed bakery goods which have nearly entirely disappeared from the bakeries
of large cities has decreased from 466 grams (1 pound) to 199 grams (7 ounces). The
consumption of flour and farinaceous foods has increased from 1,445 grams (3.2 pounds)
to 2,005 grams (4.4 pounds). The consumption of potatoes shows a very considerable
retrograde movement from 16.79 kilograms (37 pounds) to 10.93 kilograms (24.1
pounds), i. e., a decrease of nearly 6 kilograms (13.2 pounds), or of nearly 35 per cent.
The great scarcity of potatoes in the spring of 1917 finds expression in these figures.
There was also a heavy decrease in the consumption of butter and fats from 862
grams (1.9 pounds) to 539 grams (1.2 pounds). The consumption of meat and sausage
rose from 1,524 grams (3.4 pounds) to 1,941 grams (4.3 pounds) owing to an increase of
the meat ration in April, 1917. The consumption of fresh fish decreased from 857
grams (1.9 pounds) to 404 grams (14 ounces), that of canned meat from 377 grams (13.3
ounces) to 42 grams (1.5 ounces), of eggs from 12 to 7 eggs, of milk from 8 to 7.7 liters
(8.5 to 8.1 quarts), of cheese from 363 to 334 grams (12.8 to 11.8 ounces). There was a
considerable increase in the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit and of dried
vegetables. Other foodstuffs of which the consumption decreased were: Preserved
vegetables, jam, sugar, and coffee. On the whole, it may be said that the consumption
of foodstuffs per unit of consumption decreased considerably in April, 1917, as com
pared with April, 1916, while the amount expended for food remained practically
the same.
The present investigation confirmed the fact already brought out by the two preced
ing investigations that the budgets of a large majority of the families in the three
lowest income classes, i. e., those with incomes of under 100 marks ($23.80), 100 to 200
marks ($23.80 to $47.60), and 200 to 300 marks ($47.60 to $71.40) showed an excess of
expenditures over income covered through expenditure of former savings or contrac
tion of debts.
G e r m a n y .— Kaiserlich statistisches Amt. Abteilung fü r ArbeiterStatistik. Die Tarifver
träge im Deutschen Reiche am Ende des Jahres 191 i. Berlin, 1916. pp. 34 *,
49. .. .am Ende des Jahres 1915. Berlin, 1917, pp. 14 *, 36. (12 . and 15, Sonder
heft zum Reichs-Arbeitsblatte.)
The above two supplements to the Reichs-Arbeitsblatte give statistics on collective
agreements concluded and in force in Germany during 1914 and 1915. The following
table shows to what extent collective bargaining has developed in Germany during
the period 1912-1915:
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENTS CONCLUDED AND IN FORCE IN GERMANY AND NUMBER
OF ESTABLISHM ENTS AND W ORKERS COVERED BY THEM FOR TH E Y EA RS 1912
TO 1915.
Collective agreements.
Concluded during the year.
In force at the end of the year.
Year.
1912
1913
1914
1915
Number.
Establish
ments
covered.
3,826
3,975
2,889
227
37,634
64,203
26,025
3,324
...............................
...............................
................................
...............................
Workers
covered.
382,350
645,321
258, 728
71,873
Number.
Establish
ments
covered.
10,739
10,885
10,840
10,171
159,930
143,088
143,650
121,697
Workers
covered.
1,574,285
1,398,597
1,395, 723
943,442
The German Statistical Office states that the number of establishments and workers
covered by collective agreements in force at the end of 1915 is probably much smaller
than that shown in the preceding table, for in the absence of reliable current data a
number of reports gave the same data for 1915 as for 1914.
100785°—1919
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The large falling off in 1915 in the number of establishments and workers covered by
collective agreements is of course due to the closing down of many establishments dur
ing the war and to the large number of workers in military service.
The statistical data as to hourly wages determined in collective agreements show that
99 per cent of all skilled workers covered by such agreements received an hourly rate
in excess of 45 pfennigs (10.7 cents) and that 32.7 per cent of these workers received over
75 pfennigs (17.9 cents) per hour. That 50.1 per cent of the unskilled workers covered
by collective agreements received an hourly wage of between 35 and 45 pfennigs (8.3
and 10.7 cents) is chiefly due to the national agreement concluded for the leather war
equipment industry in which the minimiim hourly wage for unskilled workers was
fixed at 42 pfennigs (10 cents).
G r e a t B r i t a i n .—Board of Education. Regulations for the training of teachers. (In
force from. October 1 , 1918.) London, 1918. 63 pp. [Cd. 9176.] Price, 4 d.
----------- The Admiralty method of training dock-yard apprentices. Educational pam
phlets, No. 32. London, 1916. 12 pp. Price, l\d.
An account of a scheme for the scientific training of apprentices which is notable
for the results it has achieved during nearly three-quarters of a century.
—— Board of Trade. Memorandum on ike scheme for the allocation and administra
tion of the funds provided by Parliament for the development of the dye industry by
means of financial assistance to companies and firms in aid of developments, extensions,
and research. Cd. 9194. London, 1918. 12 p. Price, 2 d. net.
----- Committee on Currency and Foreign Exchanges. First interim report of the Com
mittee on currency and foreign exchanges after the war. (Cd. 9182.) London, 1918.
12 pp. Price, 2 d. net.
----- Committee on the Treatment by the Enemy of British Prisoners of War. Report on
the employment in coal and salt mines of the British prisoners of war in Germany.
Miscellaneous. No. 23 (1918). London, 1918. Cd. 9150. 7 pp. Price, Id. net.
----- Development Commission. Eighth report of the development commissioners, being
the report for the year ended the 31st March, 1918. 118. London, 1918. 16 pp.
Price, 3d. net.
Contains sections on Agriculture and rural industries, including a consideration of
research and education and of the various agricultural industries separately; Fores
try; Reclamation and drainage of land; Construction and improvement of harbors;
Development and improvement of fisheries; Finance of the development fund; Appen
dixes; and General remarks.
----- Ministry of Munitions. Report of the controller of the department for the develop
ment of mineral resources in the United Kingdom. Cd.9184. London, 1918. 62 pp.
Price, 6d. net.
----- National health insurance joint committee. Medical research committee. Fourth
annual report. 1917-1918. [Cd. 8981.] London, 1918. 78 pp. Price, 4 d. net.
----- Select committee on transport. Second report, together with appendixes. London,
1918. 22 pp. Price, 3d. net.
The report reviews the organization of internal transport agencies under prewar
and war conditions, and the manner and extent to which changes have been made
during the war. From a consideration of the information on these two points and of
suggestions for improvements made by previous commissions, the committee recom
mends a unified ownership of the main railway systems of Great Britain. No specific
recommendations are made regarding canals, road transport, harbors and docks, and
other transport agencies.
----- ( I r e l a n d ) . —Registrar General. Fifty-fourth detailed annual report containing a
general abstract of the numbers of marriages, births, and deaths registered in Ireland
during the year 1917. General surrynary: Population; marriages, their number
and their relation to population; Religious denominations, ages, and civil condition;
Births, their number and their relation to population; Deaths, their number and their
relation to population, ages, and causes; Emigration; Weather. (Cd. 9123.)
Dublin, 1918. 59 pp. Price, 9d. net.
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287
I t a l y . — Ministern
dell’Industria, del Commercio e del Lavoro. Direzione Generale del
Crédito e della Previdenza. L ’assicwrazione ohbligatoria, contro la invalidita e la
vécchiaia degli opérai, by F. Insolera. (Annali del crédito e della previdenza, series II,
vol. 18bis.) Rome, 1917. 1S8 pp.
In view of the increasing agitation in Italy for the introduction of compulsory
old-age and invalidity insurance the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Labor
has published the above monograph by Prof. F. Insolera. On the basis of actuarial
experience in foreign countries and of Italian mortality statistics, Prof. Insolera
attempts to make an estimate of the financial burden which would have to be borne
by the State in case such insurance is introduced.
■
----- Ministero per le armi e munizioni. La vigilanza igienico-sanitaña negli
stabilimenti ausiliari. Rome, 1918. 103 pp. Illustrated.
A booklet on hygienic-sanitary supervision of war industries published by the
Italian Ministry of Munitions. The booklet consists of a compilation of hygienicsanitary regulations issued during the war and describes the medical service estab
lished and measures taken for the practical application and enforcement of these
regulations. The last chapter of the booklet is devoted to an outline of a program of
social aid to workers in the form of education, nursing rooms, combating of infant
mortality, education of female workers in domestic science, hygiene in cooking, etc.,
lunchrooms for workers, promotion of the habit of saving, etc.
M e x ic o .—Secretaria de Agricultura y Fomento. Dirección de Estadística.
Tercer
Censo de Población de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos verificado el 27 de Octubre de
1910. Volume I. Mexico, 1918. 556 pp.
The results of the third census of the population of Mexico will appear in three
volumes and a volume of charts. Volume I gives the general data as regards sex, age,
and language of the population by States and municipalities.
N e w Z e a l a n d .:—Statistics for the year 1917.
Vol. I: Blue Boole. Population and
Vital Statistics. Law and Crime. Wellington, 1918. 288 pp.
S w i t z e r l a n d . — Conseil Fédéral Suisse. Rapport du Bureau Suisse des Assurances
sur les Entreprises Privées en Matière d’Assurances en Suisse en 1916. Berne, 1918.
205 pp.
This is the thirty-first annual report relative to the operation of private insurance
companies and associations in Switzerland, and covers the year 1916, with comparative
data for previous years. The presentation of statistical data is followed by a repro
duction of the Federal law of June 25,1885, and subsequent legislative acts relative to
Federal supervision of private insurance enterprises.
— — • (Z ü r i c h ) . —Statistisches Amte der Stadt Zürich. Statistisches Jahrbuch der Stadt
Zürich, 1916. Vol. 12. Zürich, 1918. xxvii, 42*, 328 pp.
A yearbook of the city of Zurich giving municipal statistics for the year 1916 and
partly also for 1917. Of interest to labor are those relating to the labor market, housing
and rents, prices of foodstuffs and other necessaries, the choice of occupation of children
leaving school, etc. The statistical part of the yearbook is preceded by two articles
of which one deals with the determination of maximum prices for foodstuffs and
fuel during the war and the other with the mortality in Zurich from tuberculosis and
cancer during the period 1896-1915.
U n i o n o f S o u t h A f r ic a . —Office of Census and Statistics. Statistics of population,
1918 and previous years, including vital and health statistics for the year 1916 and
previous years. U. G. Number 40 - ’18 . Pretoria, 1918. 81 pp. Price, 5s.
UNOFFICIAL.
A b b o t t , E d i t h . —Democracy
and social progress in England. University of Chicago
War Papers No. 8 . Chicago. University of Chicago Press, 1918. 17 pp.
The purpose, according to the author, of this pamphlet is to review, briefly, some
of the English legislation that has set standards in the democratic control of industry
far in advance of our own and to show that England has quietly provided a much more
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
adequate scheme of insurance than Germany had before the war. The subject is
treated under the heads of: Social legislation the result of democratic control;
England’s pioneer factory acts; The protection of the wage earning woman; How
America has lagged behind; The minimum wage a last step in the State regulation of
industry; Social insurance not made in Germany; A democratic old-age pension
system; Lloyd George’s scheme for insuring a nation; The inadequacy of Germany’s
social insurance system; National labor exchanges and unemployment insurance;
The enfranchisement of English women; and The war and the new social order.
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 i s l a t i o n .—Foundations for reconstruction.
The American Labor Legislation Revieiv, December, 1918. 131 East Twenty-third
Street, New York City. 97 pp. Price, $1 .
The contents of this number cover five phases of reconstruction problems—Public
employment service; Workmen’s compensation; Health insurance; Woman’s work;
and Protective labor standards. In the introductory note it is said that “ the Associa
tion for Labor Legislation would feel that it were falling far short of its ideals of patriotic
service did it not again while the new world is in forming present some of the more
fundamental of these ideals as foundations for reconstruction.”
The article on “ A national employment service,” by Margarett A. Hobbs, recounts
the activities of the Employment Service of the United States Department of Labor
in effecting the mobilization of workers to aid in the prosecution of the war, and states
that as this service has been developed as a war emergency measure steps must be
taken to put it on a permanent footing if the system is to be retained. *‘Some problems
of the partially disabled, in war and industry,” by Irene Sylvester Chubb, takes up
the subject of rehabilitation for both war and industrial cripples with special reference
to workmen’s compensation. A brief account of the rehabilitation and vocational
training of war cripples in this country is given by Constance Drexel. “ Limitations
of occupational disease compensation,” by John B. Andrews, discusses the difficulties
of establishing claims for compensation for occupational disease under the workmen’s
compensation acts, and states that the chief backing for social insurance against occu
pational diseases comes now from “ certain reactionary commercial interests and others
who in the past have overlooked no opportunity to oppose the progress of labor legisla
tion.” The statement is also made that while it is clear that it is only just to include
all occupational diseases under workmen’s compensation, it is so difficult to establish
claims that the effective way to deal with the matter is to cover all sickness regardless
of its cause. “ Year’s developments toward health insurance legislation,” by Solon
de Leon shows the progress during 1918 of the educational movement in different
States looking to the enactment of social health insurance laws and lists are given of
labor organizations, prominent persons representing employers, labor representatives,
physicians, and nurses, social workers, public officials, economists, and jurists who
have gone on record as favoring health insurance. Other articles are “ War time
employment of women,” by Margarett A. Hobbs, “ Maternity protection,” by Irene
Osgood Andrews, and “ Maintenance of protective standards,” by Frederick W.
MacKenzie. In “ Regulation of women’s working hours in the United States,” a
table is given showing the principal provisions of the laws in the various States and
the main provisions of minimum wage laws are given in an article on the subject of
minimum wage legislation.
A m e r ic a n F e d e r a t i o n oe L a b o r .—California branch. Proceedings of the nineteenth
annual convention, held at San Diego, Cal., October 7 to 11 , 1918. San Francisco,
1918. 96 pp.
----- Florida branch. Proceedings of the seventeenth annual convention, held at Tal
lahassee, Fla., April 11 , 12, and 13, 1917. Tampa, Tampa Printing Co., Inc.,
1917. 48 pp.
■
—•— Illinois branch. Proceedings of the thirty-sixth annual convention, Bloomington,
III., December 2 to 7 inclusive, 1918. Bloomington, 1918. 90 pp.
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American F ederation of L abor.—Louisiana branch. Proceedings of the sixth annual
convention, held at Alexandria, La., April 1., 2 , and 3,1918. Shreveport, La., Quality
Printing Co., 1918. 61 pp.
----- Montana branch. Official proceedings of the second biennial and tvjcnty-second
convention, January 29 to February 3, 1917, Helena, Mont. Butte, McKee Printing
Co., 1917. 152 pp. Table.
----- New Jersey branch. Official proceedings of the fortieth annual convention, held at
Palace Hall, Perth Amboy, N. J., on August 19, 20 , and 21 , 1918. Newark, N. J .,
1918. 52 pp.
----- Oklahoma branch. Official proceedings of the fifteenth annual convention, Septem
ber 16-18, Ardmore, Okla. Oklahoma City, 515-17 Baltimore Building, 1918. 82 pp.
----- —. .------ Constitution, by-laws, rules and order of business. As amended and
adopted at the fifteenth annual convention. Oklahoma City, The Printery, 1918.
2 A pp.
——■ Tennessee branch. Book of laws, as amended and adopted September 11 , 1918,
together with the proceedings of the twenty-second annual convention, held at Knox
ville, Tenn., September 9, 10 , and 11, 1918. Nashville, 1918. 64 pp.
----- Utah branch. Proceedings of thefourteenth annual convention, held at Eagles Hall,
Ogden, Utah, September 9-11, 1918. Salt Juike City, Arrow Press, 1918. 32 pp.
----- - Vermont branch. Proceedings, constitution and by-laws of the sixteenth annual
convention, with preamble and declaration of principles, Rutland, Vt., August 14,
15, and 16, 1917. Bane, Vt., Modern Printing Co., 1917. 107 pp.
----- - Washington State branch. Proceedings of the seventeenth annual convention, held
at Aberdeen, Wash., June 24-29, 1918. Tacoma, Wash., T. V. Copeland and
Son, printers, 1918. 165 pp.
■
—— Wyoming branch. Proceedings of the ninth consecutive and first biennial conven
tion, Sheridan, Wyo., July 16, 17, 18, and 19, 1918. Cheyenne, Wyoming Labor
Journal Publishing Co., 1918. 55 pp.
Association of National Advertisers, I nc. Reconstruction offoreign and domestic
markets. Part 1 . Manufacturing capacity and vjorld trade. New York, 15 East
26th Street, 1918. 37 pp.
The first part of what is described as a ‘ ‘brief on reconstruction ”, the object of which
is ‘ ‘to present collectively information which has hitherto existed in a fragmentary
and scattered form; to establish a relation between both the various classes of data
and the new problems that a vast increase of productive capacity and the creation of
an international consciousness have thrust upon the manufacturers of the United
States; and to draw attention—in the concluding section—to the need of commercial
organization in the United States and to the necessity for an unqualified recognition
and scientific employment of a factor in trade promotion that has already achieved
vast success in American business. ” Labor, war production, and other subjects are
examined separately for the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United
States. The sections devoted to labor are limited to brief outlines of conditions, the
most pertinent statement being, in relation to industrial reconstruction in Great
Britain, that ‘ ‘capital and labor must manage to get along together. No one is quite
clear how this is to be done, but everyone insists that there must be cooperation. ”
D enman, T homas. The discharged consumptive soldier: His treatment in relation to the
treatment of consumption as a whole. With aforeword by H. de C. Woodcock, M. D.
London, John Bale, Sons and Danielsson, {Ltd.), (1917). 40 pp. Price, Is.
The paramount object of this work is stated to be ‘ ‘to excite some interest among
the citizens of this great country in this tremendous and vital problem and through
them to create a determination on the part of Parliament to find ways and means of
providing adequate and comprehensive measures to cope with it, if not finally to solve
i t , ” Dr. Woodcock in his foreword says, “ It is computed that over two hundred
thousand tuberculous fighters will require treatm ent” and that “ The hospitals and
sanitoria are insufficient in themselves to rid the land of tuberculosis and kindred
plagues. I say kindred plagues, for every salient driven into territory of tuberculosis
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is an attack on all disease. ” The author considers first the inadequacy of present
methods of dealing with the disease generally and of the machinery established by
the Government through the Ministry of Pensions, and then outlines a scheme for
State provision for tuberculous sailors, marines, and soldiers of health colonies in
which will be secured for the men and their dependents not only medical treatment,
but a favorable environment for a normal life, including schools, churches and amuse
ments, training in occupations compatible with their infirmity, and means of being
self-supporting through such occupations. An appendix is devoted to a few details
of colony treatment which has proved successful, both from the medical and economic
points of view, at Bourn, and which has lead to the establishment of the more ambitious
colony in and around the Papworth Hall estate.
B utcher, George Matthew. A selected critical bibliography of publications in English
relating to the world war. Philadelphia, McKinley Publishing Co., 1918. 36
pp. Price, 25 cents. War supplement to the History Teacher's Magazine, March,
1918. War reprint No. 3.
E mployers’ F ederation op N ew South Wales. Report of annual meeting, 7 th
November, 1918. Sidney, Hunter House, Hunter Street. 1918. 30 pp.
The objects of this federation are stated to be the following: (a) To protect the in
terests of employers from undue aggression and excessive interference either by the
State or Commonwealth Government. (b) To watch legislation affecting employers
and to promote measures in their interests, (c) To take whatever action may be con
sidered advisable in the interests of employers and for the welfare of the State and
Commonwealth generally, (d) To take such steps as may be necessary or expedient
to protect the interests of the Federation, (e) To encourage amicable relations
amongst employers and between employers and employees, and to promote the adop
tion of sound principles of economic production and distribution.
The report includes the President’s address; Result of the living wage inquiry; The
operation of the Industrial Arbitration, New South Wales, (Amendment) Act, 1918,
including Minimum wage for females, Legal and illegal strikes, Lockouts, Preference
to unionists, Establishment of a board of trade, Proposed amending commonwealth
conciliation and arbitration act, etc.; and concludes with Hints to employers.
F isher, R ight H on. H. A. L. Educational reform. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1918.
101 pp. Price, 1 s. net.
A collection of speeches delivered by Mr. Fisher, president of the Board of Educa
tion, in the House of Commons and in various parts of the country, urging the passage
of the Education (No. 2) Bill then before Parliament. An appended note contains
some of the principal provisions of this bill which became a law August 8, 1918. For
a more extended summarization of the bill see Monthly Labor R eview, December,
1918 (pp. 42-46).
F lorence, P hilip Sargant. Use of factory statistics in the investigation of industrial
fatigue. A manual for field research. Columbia University stud’ies in history, eco
nomics, and public laws. Vol. L X X X I , No. 3. New York, 1918. 153 pp.
This volume is noted on pages 230 to 232 of this issue of the Monthly Labor R eview .
Goldberger, J oseph, Wheeler , G. A., and Sydenstricker, E dgar. A study
of the diet of nonpellagrous and of pellagrous households in textile mill communities
in South Carolina in 1916. Chicago, American Medical Association, 1918. 18 pp.
Reprinted from the Journal of the American Medical Association, September 21 ,
1918, Vol. 71, pp. 944-949.
A brief review of this report may be found on pages 221 to 223 of this issue of the
Monthly Labor R eview .
H enderson, Arthur. A people's peace. London. The Labor Party, 1 Victoria
Street, S. W. [1917.] 4 pp. Price, 2s. 2 d. per 100; £ 1 per 1000, carriage paid.
Arguments in favor of an international labor and social conference during the prose
cution of the war.
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H offman, F rederick L. Failure of German compulsory health insurance—a war
revelation. Newark, N. J., The Prudential Insurance Co. of America, 1918. 21 pp.
Betterment of life insurance service.
An address delivered at the twelfth annual meeting of the Association of Life
Insurance Presidents at New York, December 6, 1918.
K ing, W. L. MacK enzie. Industry and humanity. A study in the principles under
lying industrial reconstruction. Boston, Houghton, Mifflin Company, 19IS.
367 pp.
A review of this volume appears on pages 79 to 81 of the present issue of the Monthly
Labor R eview .
McMtjrtrie, D ouglas C. Returning the disabled soldier to economic independence.
8 pp. Reprinted from Rehabilitation of the wounded, Vol. hxx, The Annals of
the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Publication No. 1238.
Philadelphia, November, 1918.
------ The m e a n in g o f the term “ c r i p p l e d N e w
Y o r k , W illia m W ood & C o m p a n y,
1918. 10 pp. Reprinted from the Medical Record, November 30, 1918.
Massachusetts Anti-Tuberculosis L eague. Fourth Annual report, 1918. Boston,
1918. 86 pp.
Contains a paper on conservation of man power in industry, by Anna M. Staebler,
secretary of the Massachusetts committee on health in industry, in which the follow
ing subjects are treated: Honrs of Labor, Standards in workrooms, Employment of
women, Factoiy day nurseries, Minors in industry, Prevention of accidents and
occupational diseases, Effect of alcoholism on industrial workers, and Industrial
nursing.
National E ducation Association. A national program for education. A statement
issued by the National Education Association commission on the emergency in edu
cation and the program for readjustment during and after the war. Commission
series, No. 1 . Washington, The National Education Association, 1918. 27 pp.
Price, 5 cents.
This pamphlet is reviewed on pages 82 to 85 of this issue of the Monthly Labor
R eview.
National F ederation of Settlements. Eighth conference, at Chicago, May 23d26th, 1918. Boston, A. T. Bliss tfe Co., 1918. 29 pp.
Contains the address of the president, Graham Taylor, on The soul of the settle
ment and discussions on War and reconstruction, New problems caused by the impor
tation of colored labor into the north, Immigration and nationalization, and related
subjects.
National I ndustrial Conference B oard. Hours of work as related to output and
health of workers. Wool manufacturing. Research report No. 12 , December, 1918.
Boston, 1918. 69 pp.
This report is reviewed on pages 153 to 155 of this issue of the Monthly Labor
R eview .
—— The eight-hour day defined. Research report No. 11 , December, 1918. Boston.
9 pp.
Discusses three senses in which the term “ eight-hour day” is used. These are as
follows:
1. A straight 8-hour day under which overtime is eliminated or even prohibited,
except in extraordinary emergency.
2. An 8-hour shift with three work periods daily of 8 hours each for as many dif
ferent sets of workers. This arrangement may extend over six or seven days of the
week.
3. A basic 8-hour day in which 8 hours is made the basis or measure for service or
payment, but under which overtime is permitted. Where a Saturday half holiday
prevails, overtime commences at the close of the morning session.
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T he N ew Majority. Published weekly at 166 West Washington Street, Chicago.
Vol. 1 , No. 1 , January 4, 1919. 16 pp.
This is the first issue of a new weekly paper published by the Chicago Federation
of Labor and its affiliated unions in the interests of organized labor and the Labor
Party of Cook County, Illinois.
P rison Association op N ew Y ork. The treatment of delinquents. Seventy-third
annual report of the Prison Association of New York, 135 East Fifteenth Street,
New York, 1917. Albany, J. B. Lyon Company, 1918. 198 pp. Illustrated.
R eadings in the E conomics op War. Ed. by J. Maurice Clark, Walton H. Hamilton,
Harold G. Moulton. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1918. 676 pp.
This volume is, as its name implies, a collection of short articles written by men
of note along various economic lines. To the general reader it is designed to furnish
a clear presentation of the “ economic background of war, the economic basis of
military efficiency, and the economic problems that will follow in the wake of war.”
For this purpose it is divided generally as follows: I. Economic background of war;
II. War as a business venture; III. The nature of modern war; IV. Resources of the
belligerents; V. The problem of industrial mobilization; VI. Obstacles to rapid
mobilization in liberal countries; VII. War-time regulation of trade and industry;
VIII. Food and fuel; IX. Transportation; X. War finance; XI. Prices and price
control; X II. Labor and the war; X III. The costs of the war; XIV. War’s lessons
in the principles of national efficiency; XV. Economic factors in an enduring peace;
XVI. After-the-war problems.
R ed Cross I nstitute por Crippled and Disabled Men . Education and occupa
tions of cripples, juvenile and adult. New York City, Bed Cross Institute for
Crippled and Disabled Men, Oct. 15, 1918. Series II. Number 3. 227 pp. Illus
trated.
During the period from October, 1915, to October, 1916, a survey of all the cripples
in Cleveland, Ohio, was made by Lucy Wright and Amy M. Hamburger under the
auspices of the Welfare Federation of Cleveland. The Cleveland survey, which
is the first city-wide census of cripples in this country, necessitated a house-to-house
canvas and visits to 150,000 families. From these visits 4,186 persons were reported
either by themselves or by their families as physically handicapped. The survey,
however, did more than merely enumerate the cripples of Cleveland. It endeavored
to gain all possible information for improving the condition of the crippled; and,
by ascertaining the effect of the cripples’ condition upon his attitude toward life
and upon his associates, it tried to set forth the proper place of the handicapped in
the community. Included in it also are occupation lists by disability, occupation
studies, and stories of street operators. A more extended review of this book will
appear in a future issue of the Monthly Labor R eview .
R ed Cross I nstitute for the Blind. The re-education of the Italian war blind,
by Dolt. Lavinia MondoUo, directress of the re-education school for the war blind
at Milan. Series I, Number 2 . Baltimore, October 25, 1918. 18 pp.
R ichards, Charles R. The Gary Public Schools. Industrial Work. General
Education Board, 61 Broadway, New York, 1918. 204 pp. Illustrated.
This survey of the Gary schools covered a period of four weeks in the spring of 1916,
and was undertaken by the General Education Board at the request of the Gary
school authorities in order to present an unbiased account of the schools in their
significant aspects. A critical study was made of the industrial work in the Emerson
and Froebel Schools. Tables, showing shop enrollment, time schedules, and dia
grams of work are given as well as questions given to children of various grades to
determine their understanding of the work. In the concluding chapter the writer
gives eight principles which were acepted by the superintendent as embodying the
aims of the industrial arts work at Gary. He points out in some detail both the good
points and the defects of the system, and in conclusion says that while the organi
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zation of the Gary shops represents the cultural point of view in education, and as such,
makes a rich contribution to educational practice, still at present the “ conduct of the
work is not such as to secure satisfactory educational returns” . There is needed
for this greater breadth of instruction which will result in better appreciation and
understanding from the shop experiences. On the other hand, however, he states
that 'it should be emphasized that the Gary shop work does not present a system of
vocational training. It represents a very liberal set of industrial experiences calcu
lated to broaden, enrich, and stimulate the school life of the pupil. It should be
considered and evaluated from that point of view and not as a contribution to voca
tional training.” The appendix gives in detail the products of the several schoo
shops.
R ittenhouse, E lmer E. I s the increasing death rate from the “degenerative” diseases
imaginary? Reprinted from the Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy
November, 1918. 4 pp.
Mortality statistics collected by the Government indicate “ an abnormal upward
tendency in the death rate in the middle and later life periods, commencing in some
comparisons as early as the age period 40-50, and continuing thereafter at an increas
ing ratio.” These same records show an increase in the mortality rate from the
so-called “ degenerative” or old-age disease. This pamphlet is a refutation of state
ments appearing in an article in the Journal of the American Institute of Home
opathy for March, 1918, by F. L. Hoffman, in which the statement is made that this
increase is “ more apparent than real” and that the increase is due to changes in the
methods of death classification and analysis.” The author considers that deaths
from the two diseases cited, dropsy and senility, form too small a percentage of the
total deaths to appreciably affect the result, and that tables given by Mr. Hoffman
showing an increase in the degenerative disease mortality rate from 1900 to 1915 of
only 12.1 per 10,000 living above the age of 10 is not a small matter since it means
an annual loss from death of about 100,000 persons. If this ratio increases it becomes
an increasingly serious matter and one to be dealt with seriously, since it is a measure
of our national vitality.
R ockefeller F oundation. International Health Board. Fourth annual report
January 1 , 1917-December 31, 1917. Publication No. 7. New York, 61 Broadway’
January, 1918. 160 pp. Illustrated.
In two parts. Part I is devoted to control of hookworm disease and contains chap
ters on the menace of hookworm disease; Infection surveys; Plans of operation: Treat
ment for hookworm disease; Soil sanitation as a means of control; Hookworm disease
in mines; and Local support of the work. The investigation regarding the subject
of hookworm disease in mines showed that in Italy the disease has probably prevailed
for centuries; that in France investigations begun by the Government in 1904 covered
82 per cent of the 144,133 underground miners, the average per cent of infection being
found to be 4.6; that in England the problem was limited to tin mines, of which there
are about 50, an infection rate of 66 per cent in an examination of 127 men being dis
closed; that in Belgium the intensity of infection ranged from. 5 per cent to 92 per cent;
that in Netherlands a survey of six mines made in 1914 showed 373 cases, or 25.05 per
cent among 1,489 miners, the degree of infection ranging from 15 per cent to 67 per
cent; that in Germany, 32,576, or 16.8 per cent, were found infected out of a total
working force of 194,127, the average rate of infection among 12,600 men in six of the
worst mines being 54.1 per cent, and in one mine it was 84 per cent; that in Hungary,
of 61,092 underground miners employed, 8,400 were examined and the percentage of
infection was found to be from 85 to 100; that in Austria, where the conditions are
unfavorable to the spread of the disease, only 44 cases had been discovered up to
September, 1903, based upon the examination of 7,517 miners working in 519 mines,
these 44 being located in 19 different mines; that in Spain, where the disease is prob
ably more acute than in any other European country, the infection ranged from 50
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per cent to 95 per cent and was heaviest in the lead mines of Linares. The disease is
being carried from Europe to the mines of the United States. A survey of the mines
of California in 1916 revealed a widespread infection and led to a campaign for its
control in this country. (See article on Hookworm disease among the miners of
California, in Monthly L abor R eview for July, 1918, pp. 190-192.) A number of
cases of infected miners have been found in mines in Nevada, North Carolina, Ken
tucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, although up to the present time no general
survey has been made to determine the general effect of the disease. Centers of infec
tion, measures of control, results of control measures, and preliminary work in China
are also studied in connection with the infection in mines. Part II considers other
activities of the board, including Tuberculosis in France; Malaria control; Eradica
tion of yellow fever; Public health training in Brazil; Hospital ship in the Sulu archi
pelago; and a Tabular summary and Financial statement.
R othband, H enry L. The R o th b a n d E m p lo y m e n t Schem e f o r S a ilo rs a n d S o ld ie rs
D isa b led i n the W ar. P a rlia m e n t to the rescue.
L o n d o n . S e p te m b e r, 1918.
J o h n H eyivood, M anchester a n d
The scheme for the employment of disabled soldiers and sailors is, briefly, to have
an appeal made by the King to employers throughout the country asking each firm to
enroll on the Royal List as promising to fill at least one position with a disabled soldier
or sailor. Such a roll is to be embodied in book form and supplied to local war com
mittees and employment exchanges. The three pamphlets listed set forth the details
of the plan, correspondence with Government officials and others in regard to the
scheme, objections which have been raised to it, details of inquiries conducted by
Mr. Rothband among employees and public men, and an account of the formation
of a Parliamentary Committee.
R ussell Sage F oundation. L ib ra ry. F o o d conservation. B u lle tin N u m b e r 32 .
N ew Y o r k , 130 E a s t T w en ty-seco n d S treet, December, 1918 , 4 p p -
A selected bibliography of literature on food conservation, one section of which is
devoted to community kitchens.
—— ------ O u tlin e stu d ies on the problem s o f the reconstruction period.
special com m ittee.
N ew Y o r k , A sso c ia tio n P ress, 1918.
P re p a re d by a
39 p p .
A bibliography prepared for study groups along the following general lines: I.
Alcoholism; II. Social vice; III. The broken family; IV. The status of woman; V.
The home-coming man; VI. Democracy and the war; VII. Industry; VIII. The end
ing of war; IX. Nationalism and internationalism; X. War finance and the increased
burden of living; XI. The new task of organized religion; XII. The new spirit of
cooperation and service; X III. The goal of civilization.
Shea, Timothy, Acting P resident, B rotherhood oe L ocomotive F iremen and
E nginemen. A r g u m e n t a n d b rie f su b m itte d o n b e h a lf o f locom otive firem en ,
helpers, hostlers, a n d hostler helpers. H e a rin g before B o a rd o f R a ilro a d Wages a n d
W o rkin g C o n d itio n s, W a sh in g to n , D . C ., S ep tem b er 30, 1918. C leveland, D o y le &
W altz P r in tin g C o., 1918. 109 p p .
This volume was prepared to voice the protest of the classes of employees represented
by Mr. Shea against the standards of wages, etc., fixed by General Order No. 27 of the
Director General of Railroads. Tables show the rates fixed by the order and the
rates requested, following which is an argument as to the necessity for the wage increase
desired on account of the nature and requirements of the employments affected,
which are set forth in detail.
Bases for determining a minimum standard living wage are presented, including
summary budgets of expenditure and income of a number of railroad employees for
the months of June; July, and August, 1918.
T ead, Ordway. Iu s tin c ts i n in d u stry . A s tu d y o f w orking-class p sych o lo g y. B o s to n ,
H o u g h to n M ifflin C o m p a n y , 1918.
222 p p .
The author thinks there is reason to believe th a t1‘an examination of human behavior
in industry will disclose vital relationships between those maladjustments which we
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call ‘labor problems,’ and the functioning of that complex of inherent tendencies and
acquired characteristics which is human nature.” The book is addressed to “ all who
have contacts with the workers—who must deal with them, speak for them, or of
them,' in the belief that “ there is justification for the hope that scientific knowledge
of human nature can give us a sound basis for concrete attack upon industrial mal
adjustment; can offer practical suggestions as to ways of squaring industrial practices
with known facts about human nature; and can afford an approximately sound basis
for prophesying the course which events will take under given circumstances. It is
to point out what this justification is and to suggest the hopes about industrial life to
which it gives rise that this study is devoted.”
Chapters deal with: What are the instincts; The parental instinct; The sex instinct;
The instinct of workmanship, contrivance, or constructiveness; The instinct of pos
session, ownership, property, or acquisitiveness; The instinct of self-assertion, self
display, mastery, domination, emulation, or “ give-a-lead ” ; The instinct of submis
siveness or self-abasement; The instinct of the herd; The instinct of pugnacity; The
play impulse; The instinct of curiosity, trial, and error, or thought; Conclusion.
T e a d , Or d w a y .
The p e o p le ’s p a rt i n peace. A n in q u ir y in to the basis fo r a s o u n d
in te rn a tio n a lism . N e w Y o rk. H e n ry H o lt a n d C o m p a n y , 1918. 156 p p .
This book is reviewed on pages 81 and 82 of the present issue of the Monthly Labor
R eviewu
T rades and Labor Congress op Canada.
R e p o r t o f the proceedings o f the th irty th ird a n n u a l c o n v e n tio n held a t the C ity o f O ttaw a , O u t., S ep tem b er 17th to 22nd,
1917. O ttaw a, 1917. 205 p p .
•----- R e p o r t o f the proceedings o f the th irty -fo u rth a n n u a l c o n v e n tio n held a t the C ity
o f Quebec, Q ue., S ep tem b er 16th to 21st, 1918. O ttaw a, 1918. 180 p p .
A report of this convention appears in the Monthly L abor R eview for December,
1918 (pp. 354 to 357).
T ravers-Borgstroem, Arthur. M u tu a lism : A synthesis. P riva te im p re ssio n .
M o n tre u x {S w itzerla n d ), A . L eyvra s.
October, 1918.
76 p p .
The term “ mutualism” is used to denote a new formula of synthetic production
based upon the decentralization and integration of labor. It is not used in the nar
rower modern sense of mutuality or cooperation but to denote a “ certain immaterial,
supererogatory leaven of sentiment, of fellowship, which raises it beyond our ordin
ary forms of self-interested association.” The author declares that he has no great
faith in the stability of the league of nations or in the peacefulness of the new democ
racies, and that it is essential that each State or combination of States should be as
far as possible “ self-sufficing and independent of the humors of other nations.” In
the mutualization of land and labor he advocates no half-hearted measures but “ the
more expeditious way of beginning from the beginning and trying to build up a to
tally new system of land-tenure and integrated, combined industrial and agricultural
labor, based upon the bedrock of nationality and patriotism.” He believes that
with the aid of the resources of science in agriculture the goal of a limited land
mutualization carried out under scientific governmental supervision on a scale large
enough and over a long enough period really to test its feasibility is well worth try
ing, and that the way to combat internationalism is to give the “ hearth and homeless
proletarian” a bit of the soil. The author does not advocate the theory of absolute
ovmership necessarily, but a suitable system of tenure of model farms, and he be
lieves that in a “ baek-to-the-land” movement will be found a cure for the restless
mercantilism of the times. “ Mutualism,” he says, “ does not fall into the socialist
error of doing away with private property and individual initiative. On the con
trary, under the mutuaiistic system private property in its modified, pro-social shape
will still form the basis of the social structure, and individual initiative, far from
being discouraged, will, if anything, be increased * * * by the integration of labor
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and the extension to the working classes of the privilege of individual and hereditary
possession of a portion of Mother Earth, a privilege at present denied to the great
majority. ”
The author has. instituted three prizes at the University of Berne for essays on “ The
nationalization of credit,” these essays to be “ a critical study of the organization of
credit in a given country, and proposals for its nationalization.”
Verband Schweizerischer Arbeitsämter. D reizehnter Geschäftsbericht f ü r das
J a h r 1917.
Z ü ric h , 1918.
41 p p .
This is the annual report of the Federation of Swiss Employment Offices for the
year 1917. The federation comprises five cantonal and eleven municipal employ
ment offices. During 1917 the employment offices affiliated with the federation pro
cured employment for 69,963 persons and received a subsidy of 62,375.50 francs
($12,038.47) from the Federal Government. Of the applicants placed 17,881 were
skilled workers, 26,822 unskilled workers, 5,089 agricultural workers, 3,617 migratory
workers in various occupations, 16,018 female workers (industrial and domestic), and
536 apprentices. The total number of applicants was 97,308 (70,964 male and 26,344
female) and that of vacancies 105,644 (75,283 for male and 30,361 for female workers).
For every 100 vacant situations for male workers there were 94.2 applicants, and for
female workers, 86.7. For both sexes combined the proportion was 92.1.
During the year under review the development of public employment offices was
seriously affected byr the consequences of the war, particularly by the steadily in
creasing difficulties in providing a sufficient supply of raw materials, the effects of
import and export prohibitions, restrictions of transit traffic, extraordinary market
fluctuations, numerous drafts for and discharges from the army, etc. The greatest
demand for labor was in iron and steel, metal working, machinery, woodworking, and
clothing industries, the building trades, and agriculture. In the building trades
there was a great shortage of masons and excavation workers which retarded build
ing operations considerably. The silk and embroidery industries suffered from lack
of raw materials during the second half of the year. In the absence of tourist traffic,
conditions in the hotel industry improved only slightly.
Vocational E ducation Association oe the Middle West. S e co n d a n n u a l con
v e n tio n . M arch 30, 31, a n d A p r i l 1, 1916.
1916. 146 p p .
H o te l L a S a lle , Chicago.
[Chicago].
Contains papers on The Gary system; The relation of the. Gary system to vocational
education; Changing ideals in education; Views of organized labor; Department
store education; The economic importance of vocational education in agriculture;
Vocational guidance and preparation for specialized industry; The commercial value
of an education; What schools might learn from the employment agency; Human
values; and other subjects relating to vocational education.
• --- T h ird a n n u a l c o n v e n tio n .
Chicago. [Chicago] (n. p .).
J a n u a r y 18, 19, a n d 20, 1917.
1917. 192 p p .
A u d it o r i u m H o te l
Among the papers included in this report are: The significance of the Smith-Hughes
bill; Is vocational education a menace to democracy?; The double problem of voca
tional education for women; Work for women; To what extent can the schools provide
agricultural education?; Women in industry; The outlook for vocational education
legislation in Illinois; and How can vocational efficiency be obtained in the public
schools?
• ---B u ll e ti n N o . 4.
V o cational ed u ca tio n i n the lig h t o f the v jo rld ivar by J o h n D eivey.
R ea d a t the co n ve n tio n o f the V o cational E d u c a tio n A ss o c ia tio n o f the M iddle W est,
Chicago, J a n u a ry 25, 1918. Chicago, 1225 S ed g w ic k S tre et, J a n u a r y , 1918. 10 p p .
■
----- B u ll e ti n N o . 5. M a k in g A m e ric a n in d u s tr y safe f o r dem ocracy by R u t h M a ry
W eeks. R ea d a t the c o n v e n tio n o f the V ocational E d u c a tio n A s s o c ia tio n o f the M iddle
W est, Chicago, J a n u a r y 25, 1918. Chicago, 1225 S ed g w ick S treet, October 1918.
8 pp.
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Wolf, R obert B.
The creative ivo rkm a n . A n address delivered before the T echnical
A sso c ia tio n o f the P u l p a n d P a p e r I n d u s tr y a t the s p r in g m e etin g held a t D a y to n ,
Ohio, M a y 16, 1918. 13 p p . 6 charts. N e w
Y o r k , 1918. P u b lis h e d by the
A sso c ia tio n , 117 E a s t T w e n ty -fo u rth Street.
------ N o n fin a n c ia l in cen tives.
A p a p e r presented a t the a n n u a l m e etin g o f the A m e ric a n
S o c ie ty o f M echanical E n g in e ers, D ecem ber 3 to 6, 1918. 18 p p . 3 charts. N ew
Y o rk, 1918. P u b lish e d by the S o c ie ty, 29 W est T h ir ty - n in th Street.
These two papers by the manager of the Spanish River Pulp & Paper Mills (Ltd.)
of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, both deal with the same subject, viz., what in
centives, other than financial ones, to offer to a worker in modern mechanical indus
tries with their high degree of division of labor to enable him to be interested in his
work, to improve his output, and incidentally to prevent industrial discontent. The
answer which the author gives, supported by concrete illustrations from the experience
of the company with which he is associated, is in furnishing the worker with some
means of measuring his own progress in his work. The unique feature of the work here
described is that it gives an account of methods of measuring quality of work rather
than quantity of output and that it does this by awakening the worker’s interest in
wrhat he is doing rather than arousing his cupidity by bribing him with higher wages.
The scheme herein described is not one to secure good workmanship with low pay;
all these experiments have been Avorked out in strongly unionized plants with a re
vision of the wage scales made by trade agreement every year.
The merits of the plan are that it does enable the worker to share in the joys of the
work by seeing that his individual efforts are contributing to human welfare and that
he is able to measure his own progress in this direction.
Y ates, L. K. T he W o m a n ’s P a rt. A R ecord o f M u n itio n s W ork. Plodder a n d S to u g h
to n , L o n d o n , N e w Y o rk, T o ro n to , 1918.
64 p p .
Illu s tr a te d .
P rice, I s . 3d. n e t.
This pamphlet takes up the advent of women in engineering trades; the training of
the munition worker; descriptions of the women at work; provisions for comfort and
safety, such as welfare supervision, protective clothing, rest rooms and first aid, and
women police; measures taken for outside welfare, such as recreation, motherhood,
and the factory nursery; the growth of the industrial canteen; and housing, covering
the questions of billeting and temporary and permanent accommodations.
Y oung Men ’s Christian A ssociation of N orth America. C o m m issio n o n u n
grasped a n d u n d e velo p ed o p p o r tu n itie s a m o n g in d u s tr ia l w orkers. R e p o r t [to] con
feren ce o f the asso ciations o f e m p lo yed officers, S p rin n fie ld , M assachusetts, J u n e 7th
to 11th, 1918. 1918. 18 p p .
Summarizes the work of the Association in its relation to Aurions industrial groups
and questions under the heads of: The industrial field; The Association in the indus
trial field; The Association’s relation to employers and employees; The objective
of the Association in relation to industrial workers; Six types of industrial Avork; Some
groups requiring special attention—Racial, Occupational, and Miscellaneous; The As
sociation in relation to trades-unions; In relation to employer’s organizations; Asso
ciation buildings—their design and larger use; Cooperation with other agencies; Se
curing and training secretaries for industrial fields ; Yolunteer leadership ; Recommen
dations of the commission; Conclusion; National war work council’s industrial prob
lem; Summary of activities.
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SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS,
[The publication of the annual and special reports and of the bimonthly bulletin was dis
continued in July, 1912, and since that time a bulletin has been published at irregular intervals.
Each number contains matter devoted to one of a series of genera! subjects. These bulletins
are numbered consecutively beginning with No. 101, and up to No. 236 they also carry con
secutive numbers under each series. Beginning with No. 237 the serial numbering has been
discontinued. A list of the series is given below. Under each is grouped all the bulletins
which contain material relating to the subject matter of that series. A list of the reports and
bulletins of the bureau issued prior to July 1, 1912. will he furnished on application,]
W h o le s a le P r ic e s .
Bui. 114. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1912.
Bui. 149. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1913.
Bui. 173. Index numbers of wholesale prices in the United States and foreign
countries.
Bui. 181. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1914.
Bui. 200. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1915.
Bui. 226. Wholesale prices, 1890 to 1916.
R e t a il P r ic e s a n d C o st o f L iv in g .
Bui. 105. Retail prices, 1890 to 1911; Part I.
Retail prices, 1890 to 1911; Part II— General tables.
Bui. 106. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1012 : Part I.
Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1912 : Part II— General tables.
Bui. 108. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1912.
Bui. 110. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1912.
Bui. 113. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1912.
Bui. 115. Retail prices, 1890 to February, 1913.
Bui. 121. Sugar prices, from refiner to consumer.
Bui. 125. Retail prices, 1890 to April, 1913.
Bui. 130. Wheat and flour prices, from farmer to consumer.
Bui. 132. Retail prices, 1890 to June, 1913.
Bui. 136. Retail prices, 1890 to August, 1913.
Bui. 138. Retail prices, 1890 to October, 1913.
Bui. 140. Retail prices, 1890 to December, 1013.
Bui. 156. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1914.
Bui. 164. Butter prices, from producer to consumer.
But. 170. Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Bui. 184. Retail prices, 1907 to June, 1915.
Bui. 197. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1915.
Bui. 228. Retail prices, 1907 to December, 1916.
W a g es an d H o u rs o f L ab or.
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in
selected industries in the District of Columbia.
Bui. 118. Ten-hour maximum working day for women and young persons.
Bui. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
Bui. 128. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1890
to 1912.
Bui. 129. WTages and hours of labor in the lumber, miliwork, and furniture indus
tries, 1890 to 1012.
Bui. 131. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, 1907 to 1912.
Bui. 134. W’ages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and knit goods
industries, 1890 to 1912.
Bui. 135. Wages and hours of labor in the cigar and clothing industries, 1911 and
1912.
Bui. 137. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad
cars, 1890 to 1912.
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W a g e s a n d H o rn 's o f L a b o r — Concluded.
Bui. 143. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1913.
Bui. 146. Wages and regularity of employment in the dress and waist industry of
New York City.
Bui. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
Bui. 150. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907
to 1913.
Bui. 151. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry in the United
States, 1907 to 1912.
Bui. 153. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture indus
tries, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 154. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe and hosiery and underwear
industries, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile
establishments and garment factories.
Bui. 161. Wages and hours of labor in the clothing and cigar industries, 1911 to
1913.
Bui. 163. Wages and hours of labor in the building and repairing of steam railroad
cars, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 168. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry in the United
States, 1907 to 1913.
Bui. 171. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1, 1914.
Bui. 177. Wages and hours of labor in the hosiery and underwear industry, 1907 to
1914.
Bui. 178. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1914.
Bui. 187. Wages and hours of labor in the men’s clothing industry, 1911 to 1914.
Bui. 190. Wages and hours of labor in the cotton, woolen, and silk industries, 1907
to 1914.
Bui. 194. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 1, 1915.
Bui. 204. Street railway employment in the United States.
Bui. 214. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1916.
Bui. 218. Wages and hours of labor in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1915.
Bui. 225. Wages and hours of labor in the lumber, millwork, and furniture indus
tries, 1915.
Bui. 232. Wages and hours of labor in the boot and shoe industry, 1907 to 1916.
Bui. 238. Wages and hours of labor in woolen and worsted goods manufacturing,
1916.
Bui. 239. Wages and hours of labor in cotton goods manufacturing and finishing,
1916.
Bui. 245. Union scale of wages and hours of labor, May 15, 1917. [In press.]
Bui. 252. Wages and hours of labor in slaughtering and meat-packing industry. [In
press.]
E m p lo y m e n t a n d U n e m p lo y m e n t.
Bui. 109. Statistics of unemployment and the work of employment offices in the
United States.
Bui. 172. Unemployment in New York City, N. Y.
Bui. 182. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of
Boston, Mass.
Bui. 183. Regularity of employment in the women’s ready-to-wear garment industries.
Bui. 192. Proceedings of the American Association of Public Employment Offices.
Bui. 195. Unemployment in the United States.
Bui. 196. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference held at Minneapolis,
January, 1916.
Bui. 202. Proceedings of the conference of the Employment Managers’ Association of
Boston, Mass., held May 10, 1916.
Bui. 206. The British system of labor exchanges.
Bui. 220. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the American Association of
Public Employment Offices, Buffalo, N. Y., July 20, and 21, 1916.
Bui. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the wTar.
Bui. 227. Proceedings of the Employment Managers’ Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.,
April 2 and 3, 1917.
Bui. 235. Employment system of the Lake Carriers’ Association.
Bui. 241. Public employment offices in the United States.
Bui. 247. Proceedings of Employment Managers’ Conference, Rochester, N. Y., May
9-11, 1918. [In press,]
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W o m e n in In d u s tr y .
Bui. 116. Hours, earnings, and duration of employment of wage-earning women in
selected industries in the District of Columbia.
Bui. 117. Prohibition of night work of young persons.
Bui. 118. Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
Bui. 119. Working hours of women in the pea canneries of Wisconsin.
Bui. 122. Employment of women in power laundriesi in Milwaukee.
Bui. 160. Hours, earnings, and conditions of labor of women in Indiana mercantile
establishments and garment factories.
Bui. 167. Minimum-wage legislation in the United States and foreign countries.
Bui. 175. Summary of the report on condition of woman and child wage earners in
the United States.
Bui. 176. Effect of minimum-wage determinations in Oregon.
Bui. 180. The boot and shoe industry in Massachusetts as a vocation for women.
Bui. 182. Unemployment among women in department and other retail stores of
Boston, Mass.
Bui. 193. Dressmaking as a trade for women in Massachusetts.
Bui. 215. Industrial experience of trade-school girls in Massachusetts.
Bui. 223. Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
Bui. 253. Women in the lead industry. [In press.]
W o r k m e n ’s In s u r a n c e an d C o m p e n s a tio n
Bui. 101.
Bui. 102.
Bui. 103.
Bui. 107.
Bui. 126.
Bui. 155.
Bui. 185.
Bui. 203.
Bui. 210.
Bui. 212.
Bui. 217.
Bui. 240.
Bui. 243.
Bui. 248.
( in c lu d in g la w s r e la t i n g t h e r e t o ) .
Care of tuberculous wage earners in Germany.
British National Insurance Act, 1911.
Sickness and accident insurance law of Switaerland.
Law relating to insurance of salaried employees in Germany.
Workmen’s compensation laws of the United States and foreign countries.
Compensation for accidents to employees of the United States.
Compensation legislation of 1914 and 1915.
Workmen’s compensation laws of the United States and foreign countries.
Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of the International Association
of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Proceedings of the conference on social insurance called by the Inter
national Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions.
Effect of workmen’s compensation laws in diminishing the necessity of
industrial employment of women and children.
Comparison of workmen’s compensation laws of the United States.
Workmen’s compensation legislation in the United States and foreign
countries.
Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the International Association
of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions. [In press.]
I n d u s tr ia l A c c id e n t s an d H y g ie n e .
•
Bui. 104. Lead poisoning in potteries, tile works, and porcelain enameled sanitary
ware factories.
Bui. 120. Hygiene of the painters’ trade.
Bui. 127. Dangers to workers from dusts and fumes, and methods of protection.
Bui. 141. Lead poisoning in the smelting and refining of lead.
Bui. 157. Industrial accident statistics.
Bui. 165. Lead poisoning in the manufacture of storage batteries.
Bui. 179. Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry.
Bui. 188.- Report of British departmental committee on danger in the use of lead in
the painting of buildings.
Bui. 201. Report of committee on statistics and compensation insurance cost of the
International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions. [Limited edition.]
Bui. 205. Anthrax as an occupational disease.
Bui. 207. Causes of death by occupation.
Bui. 209. Hygiene of the printing trades.
Bui. 216. Accidents and accident prevention in machine building.
Bui. 219. Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
Bui. 221. Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
Bui. 230. Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories.
Bui. 231. Mortality from respiratory diseases in dusty trades.
Bui. 234. Safety movement in the iron and steel industry, 1907 to 1917.
Bui. 236. Effect of the air hammer on the hands of stonecutters.
Bui. 251. Preventable deaths in the cotton manufacturing industry. [In press.]
Bui. 256. Accidents and accident prevention in machine building. (Revised.) [In
press.]
100785°— 19----- 20
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C o n c ilia t io n a n d A r b it r a t io n
(in c lu d in g - s t r ik e s a n d lo c k o u t s ) .
Bui. 124. Conciliation and arbitration in the building trades of Greater New York.
Bui. 133. Report of the industrial council of the British Board of Trade on its in
quiry into industrial agreements.
Bui. 139. Michigan copper district strike.
Bui. 144. Industrial court of the cloak, suit, and skirt industry of New York City.
Bui. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of
New York City.
Bui. 191. Collective bargaining in the anthracite coal industry.
Bui. 198. Collective agreements in the men’s clothing industry.
Bui. 233. Operation of the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of Canada.
L a b o r L a w s of th e
U n ite d
S ta tes
( I n c lu d in g
d e c is io n s
o f c o u r ts
r e la t in g
to
la b o r ) .
Bui. 111.
Bui. 112.
Bui. 148.
Bui. 152.
Bui. 166.
Bui 169.
Bui. 186.
Bui. 189.
Bui. 211.
Bui. 213.
Bui. 224.
Bui. 229.
Bui. 244.
Bui. 246.
Labor legislation of 1912.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1912.
Labor laws of the United States, with decisions of courts relating thereto.
Decisions of courts and opinions affecting labor, 1913.
Labor legislation of 1914.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1914.
Labor legislation of 1915.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1915.
Labor laws and their administration in the Pacific States.
Labor legislation of 1916.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1916.
Wage-payment legislation in the United States.
Labor legislation of 1917.
Decisions of courts affecting labor, 1917.
F o r e ig n L a b o r L a w s .
Bui. 142. Administration of labor laws and factory inspection in certain European
countries.
V o c a t io n a l E d u c a tio n .
Bui. 145. Conciliation, arbitration, and sanitation in the dress and waist industry of
New York City.
Bui. 147. Wages and regularity of employment in the cloak, suit, and skirt industry.
Bui. 159. Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment.
Bui. 162. Vocational education survey of Richmond, Va.
Bui. 199. Vocational education survey of Minneapolis.
L a b o r as A ffe c te d b y t h e W a r .
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
170.
219.
221.
222.
223.
230.
237.
249.
Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Industrial poisons used or produced in the manufacture of explosives.
Hours, fatigue, and health in British munition factories.
Welfare work in British munition factories.
Employment of women and juveniles in Great Britain during the war.
Industrial efficiency and fatigue in British munition factories.
Industrial unrest in Great Britain.
Industrial health and efficiency. Final report of British Health of Muni
tion Workers Committee. [In press.]
Bui. 255. Joint standing industrial councils in Great Britain. [In press.]
M is c e lla n e o u s Sei’ie s .
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
117.
118.
123.
158.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
159.
167.
170.
174.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
Bui.
208.
222.
242.
250.
Bui. 254.
Prohibition of night work of young persons.
Ten-hour maximum working-day for women and young persons.
Employers’ welfare work.
. .
Government aid to home owning and housing of working people in foreign
countries.
Short-unit courses for wage earners, and a factory school experiment.
Minimum-wage legislation in the United ¿States and foreign countries.
Foreign food prices as affected by the war.
Subject index of the publications of the United States Bureau of Labor
Statistics up to May 1, 1915.
Profit sharing in the United States.
Welfare work in British munition factories.
Food situation in Central Europe, 1917.
Welfare work for employees in industrial establishments in the United
States. [In press.]
International standardization of protective labor legislation. [In press.]
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