Full text of Monthly Labor Review : February 1927, Volume XXIV, Number 2

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C E R T IF IC A T E
T h is publication is issu ed p u rsu an t to the
provisions o f the sun dry civil a c t (41 S ta ts.
1430) approved M arch 4, 1921.

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C o n te n ts
Special articles:
pag0
Changes in occupational character of immigration since the war____
1-7
Chambers of labor in Austria, by Dr. Fritz Rager, secretary of the
Vienna Chamber of Labor___________________________________ 7-13
Industrial relations and. labor conditions:
Home work in the men’s clothing industry_______________________ 14, 15
Wages and conditions in the pottery industry____________________ 16, 17
Recent conclusions concerning labor turnover____________________ 17, 18
Collection of unpaid wages by California Bureau of Labor Statistics-_ 18-21
Collection of wage claims by Wyoming Department of Labor______
21
A study of migration from Minnesota farms________________ l ____21, 22
Great Britain—Terms of coal-mining agreements_________________ 22, 23
France—Extension of family allowance system___________________ 23, 24
Minimum wage:
Massachusetts— New minimum wage order for the toys, games, etc.,
industry___________________________________________________
25
Industrial accidents and hygiene:
Comparison of tuberculosis death rates in the industrial and general
population_________________________________________________ 26, 27
Excretion of lead by normalpersons______ _______________________ 27, 28
Operation of foundry for 13 months without accident_____________
28
Argentina— Medical attentionrequired in Tucuman factories_______ 28, 29
Bulgaria—Prohibition of use of white phosphorus--------------------29
Housing:
Work of Hawaiian Homes Commission-------------------------- ------30
Workmen’s compensation:
Recent compensation reports—
New York----------------------------- --------------------------------- 31-34
North Dakota___________________________________________ 34, 35
United States____________________________________________ 35-37
Porto Rico______________________________________________ 37. 38
Argentina— Development of workmen’s compensation— ----------__
38
Women in industry:
Lost time and labor turnover among woman workers in cotton mills
in 1922________________________________________
39,41
Mississippi—Hours, wages, and working conditions of women in
industry___________________________________________________42, 43
Labor laws and court decisions:
Texas— Disease due to occupation held noncompensable---------------44-46
Guatemala—Enforcement of labor laws--------------------------------46
Industrial disputes:
Strikes and lockouts in the United States in December, 1926-------- 47, 48
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in December, 1926___ 49-51
Wages and hours of labor:
Wages and hours of labor in the cotton goods industry, 1924 and 1926 _ 52-57
Wages and hours of labor in the woolen and worsted goods industry,
1924 and 1926__________________________
57-61

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h i

IV

CO NTENTS

Wages and hours of labor—Continued.
Page
Annual earnings of railroad employees, 1926---------------------------- 62-64
Wage rates and hours established by recent agreements___________ 65, 66
California—Earnings and employment in the motion-picture industry. 66-69
Great Britain—Cost of production of iron castings-------------------- 70, 71
Argentina—Amendment of Sunday-rest law of Cordoba___________
72
Australia—Wage rates and working hours_______________________ 72-74
Chile— Wages paid in coal mines, 1911 to 1924_______________ — _ 74, 75
Great Britain—Abandonment of short-time policy, cotton spinners.. 75, 76
Trend of employment:
Employment in selected manufacturing industries in December, 1926. 77-103
Employment and earnings of railroad employees, November, 1925,
and October and November, 1926_____ _______________________
104
State reports on employment—
California_____________________________________________ 104-106
Illinois________________________________________________ 106, 107
lo'wa______________„_____ ________ _______________________
108
Maryland_______________________________________________
109
Massachusetts___________________________________________
110
New York_____________________________________________ 111, 112
113
Oklahoma_______________________________________________
Wisconsin_____________________________________________ 114, 115
France—Industrial distribution of the population_________________
115
Wholesale and retail prices:
Retail prices of food in the United States______________________ 116-140
Retail prices of coal in the United States______________________ 140-145
Retail prices of gas in the United States_______________________ 146-148
Retail prices of electricity in the United States_______________ _ 149-152
Index numbers of wholesale prices in December, 1926___________ 153, 154
Average wholesale prices of commodities, October to December, 1926,
and year 1926____________________________________________ 155-166
Trend of wholesale prices in the United States, 1801 to 1926____ 166, 167
Cost of living:
Change in cost of living in the United States_____________
168-181
Cost of living in the United States and in foreign countries_____ 182-192
Living expenses of farmers________________________________
192, 193
Labor agreements, awards, and decisions:
Labor agreements—
194
Cloth hat and cap makers—Lowell, Mass___________ ________
Deck and engineer officers_______________________________ 194, 195
Longshoremen_______
195
Machinists— Chicago___________________________________ 195-197
Musicians___ _____
197-199
Pocketbook workers— New York City_____________________ 199, 200
Teamsters—Chicago______________________________________
200
Textile workers—Passaic, N. J ___________________________ 200, 201
Upholsterers—Sacramento, Calif____ _________
201
Awards and decisions—
Cloak makers— Newr York City__________________________ 201-203
Clothing industry— Chicago_______________________________
203
Garment industry— New York City______________________ 203, 204
Leather goods industry— New York City_________________ _ 204, 205
Railroads— Decisions of Train Service Board of Adjustment for
the Eastern Region___________________________________ 205, 206

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CO NTENTS

V

Immigration and emigration:
page
Statistics of immigration for November, 1926__________________ 207-213
Panama— New immigration decree___________________________ 213, 214
Brazil— Need for agricultural laborers_________________________214, 215
Activities of State labor bureaus:
California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Porto Rico, and Wisconsin___ 216, 217
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States______________________________________218, 219
Official—Foreign countries___________________________________ 219, 220
Unofficial__________________________________________________ 220-222


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T his Issue in Brief
Immigration of unskilled labor has decreased much more rapidly than
skilled labor, since the war. In the period 1911 to 1914 the un­
skilled labor represented about 41 per cent of all immigrants, and in
the period 1925, 1926. only 18.7 per cent. During this same interval,
the proportion of skilled labor, professional and business men, and
farmers increased very markedly. Page 1.
Chambers oi labor have existed in Austria since 1921. They are
provided for by law and made up of elected representatives of laborers
and salaried employees. The purpose of these bodies is to represent
the economic, social, and cultural interests of the workers, a special
function being that of giving advisory opinions to governmental
agencies concerning bills and orders affecting the interests of the
workers. The chambers are supported by compulsory contributions
from their constituents, and a portion of their funds is used for re­
search work and statistical studies. Page 7.
The cost of living in the United, States at the end of 1926 was more
than 1 per cent lower than at the end of 1925 but slightly higher than
in June, 1926. Details by cities and for all years from 1913 to 1926
are given on page 168.
Trend of employment in 1926. During the first 10 months of the
year 1926, employment in manufacturing industries was consistently
higher than in 1925. In November, 1926, the employment dropped
slightly below the 1925 index and continued to fall very slightly in
December. At least part of this decline was due to the fact that some
large establishments, which usually either shut down completely or in
part m January for inventory and repairs, curtailed operations in
December, 1926, for these purposes. Page 77.
TfuM-time earnings per week in the cotton goods manufacturing
industry in 1926 were 105 per cent higher than in 1913, but were 11
per cent lower than in 1924, according to a recent survey of wages and
hours in this industry made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A
similar survey of the woolen and worsted industry showed that full­
time weekly earnings in 1926 were 142 per cent higher than in 1913
but about 8 per cent lower than in 1924. Pages 52 and 57.
A study of lost time and labor turnover among cotton mill operatives
has recently been published by the United States Women’s Bureau.
Among the significant facts developed from the study are the follow­
ing: The time lost was for the women 21.9 per cent and for the men
16.2 per cent of possible working time, the percentages being very
much greater in the southern than in the northern mills. The labor
turnover in the northern mills was 95.7 per cent for men, 93.8 per cent
lor women, and 94.9 per cent for both sexes. In the southern mills,
however, the turnover figure for men was 184.3 per cent, and 198.4
per cent for women. There was a wide variation between mills, the
range being from 41 to 377.3 per cent. Page 39.
^A sweeping and almost startling conclusion was arrived at by the
Texas Court of Civil Appeals in a recent decision which not only
denied the right of a worker suffering from a disease due to his occ.upa
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V II

V III

M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW

tion to compensation under the State compensation law but also held
that the claimant had no right to recover damages under the common
law. This leaves the workman absolutely without any form of legal
redress for an injury which admittedly resulted from his occupation.
Page 44.
Death rates from tuberculosis among industrial workers were found
to be generally higher than in the general population, according to a
recent study by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., based on data
from its policyholders. Two important points developed by the
study are considered to be the facts that the high point in the tubercu­
losis death rate in the white male industrial population in 1924 oc­
curred 25 years later in life than among the females, and that the
mortality among white male wage earners between 20 and 60 years
is very much greater than in corresponding age groups in the general
population. Page 26.
A minimum wage rate of $13.50 per week has been established by the
Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries for experienced
women of 18 years or over employed in the manufacture of toys,
games, and sporting goods. The wage for inexperienced workers
over 16 and females under 16 with one year’s experience is placed at
$12. For all others the rate is to be not less than $10. The decree
became effective March 1, 1927. The rate of $13.50 was fixed after
extended budgetary studies. Page 25.
The collection of unpaid wages has become a very important feature
of the work of several State bureaus of labor. The California law
gives the State bureau special powers in this respect. In the two
two years 1925 and 1926, this bureau handled more than 41,000 wage
claims and collected almost $1,500,000. Page 18.
Goal miners in Chile in 1924- received average daily wages of 9.32 pesos,
which is equivalent to approximately 98 cents in United States money
at current exchange rates. The average for inside workers was $1.07,
and for outside workers $0.80. The figures are derived from a report
of the Chilean Coal Commission, published in 1926. Page 74.


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)

M O N T H LY

LABOR REVI EW
Of U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
v o l.

x x iv , n o . 2

WASHINGTON

F e b r u a r y , 1927

C h a n g e s in O c c u p a tio n a l C h a r a c te r of I m m ig r a tio n
S in c e th e W ar
T IS a matter of general knowledge that since the war, and more
particularly since the passage of the “ quota’’ immigration acts
of 1921 and 1924, there has been not only a great reduction in the
immigration of aliens into the United States but also a marked change
in the racial composition of such immigration.
An equally significant although less observed change has occurred
in the occupational character of the immigration.^ Broadly speaking,
the tendency has been toward a sharp decrease in the proportion of
unskilled laborers and a very sharp increase in the proportion of
those with skilled trades, professions, or business training. This
appears in striking manner when comparison is made between the
four pre-war years, 1911 to 1914, and the two most recent years,
1925 and 1926, the years referred to being here, as elsewhere in this
article, the fiscal years ending June 30 of the year named. ^ Thus,
during the pre-war period, 1911 to 1914, the average annual immi­
gration of skilled laborers (154,317) was only about one-third as
great as that of the unskilled (426,859), whereas in the period 1925,
1926 the average number of the skilled (55,673) was substantially as
great as that of the unskilled (55,870).
Again, it may be pointed out that in the pre-war immigration the
unskilled laborers outnumbered more than 2 to 1 the total number
of skilled mechanics, professional, and business people and farmers,
whereas in the past two years this condition has been reversed, the
immigrants with trades and professions greatly outnumbering the
unskilled laborers. The average annual numberof immigrant farmers,
indeed, was actually larger in the past two years (11,798) than in
the pre-war period (11,249).
Moreover, it should be noted that the above comparisons are based
on the figures of gross immigration. As a matter of fact, a continuous
emigration of aliens from the United States is going on, and since the
war this emigration has been proportionately very much larger
among the unskilled workers than among those with trades, profes­
sions, and business training. As a result, if attention is^ limited
solely to net immigration, that is to say, the actual increase in immi­
grant population, the decrease in the importance of the unskilled
immigrant becomes still more striking. Thus, in the pre-war
period, 1911 to 1914, the average annual net immigration into the

I


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1

2

M O N T H L Y LABO E REV IEW

United States was 723,169, of which 234,427, or 32.4 per cent, were
rated as unskilled; only 141,779, or 19.6 per cent, being in the skilled
groups (mechanics, professional and business people, and farmers).
On the other hand, in the two years ending in 1926, the average
annual net immigration was 214,541, of which only 14,227, or 6.6
per cent, were rated as unskilled laborers, whereas 68,681, or 32 per
cent, were in the skilled groups of mechanics, professional and busi­
ness people, and farmers.
The detailed data on which the above summary statements are
based are presented below.
Statistical Sources
T H E statistics of immigration and emigration in the present article
*
are limited to immigrant aliens admitted and emigrant aliens de­
parted. They have been compiled from annual reports of the
United States Commissioner General of Immigration, supplemented
by advance figures issued by the United States Bureau of Immigra­
tion for the fiscal year 1926. The object of this compilation was
to ascertain the changes in the general occupational composition of
immigration and emigration from the four-year period immediately
preceding the World War to the periods affected by the operation of
the quota limitation acts of 1921 and 1924.
Quota Acts
IT W ILL be recalled that the act approved May 19, 1921/ restricted
*■ the number of aliens of any nationality admissible under the immi­
gration laws to the United States in any fiscal year to “ 3 per cent of
the number of foreign-born persons of such nationality resident in
the United States as determined by the United States census of 1910.”
There were, of course, exceptions which need not be taken up at this
time. This was the first strictly immigration act that provided
for actually limiting the number of aliens other than Asiatics
who may be admitted to the United States,
The immigration act of 1924 (Pub. No. 139, 68th Cong.) provides
“ that the annual quota of any nationality shall he 2 per centum of
the number of foreign-born individuals of such nationality resident
in continental United States as determined by the United. States
census of 1890.”
Reclassification of Certain Occupations
|N COM PILING the following tables and charts the occupation
1 statistics published in the annual reports of the United States
Commissioner General of Immigration have been reclassified to
some extent for the purpose of contrasting more distinctly the skilled
and unskilled immigration. Laborers and farm laborers have been
taken out of the miscellaneous group in which they are included in
the immigration reports and have been combined as “ unskilled labor.”
In view of the fact that so many of the farm laborers who come into
this country go into industrial work, it was felt that the above-men­
tioned combination gives a better indication of the competitive labor
1 See Labor Review, Washington, Ju ly , 1921, pp. 222-226.


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3

O CCUPATION AL CH A RA CTER O F IM M IG R A T IO N

features of the immigration problem. The miscellaneous group as
listed by the United States Bureau of Immigration has been still
further reduced by placing the agents, bankers, hotel keepers, manu­
facturers, merchants, and dealers with the professional group under
the caption “ professional and business.” Similarly draymen, hackmen, teamsters, and fishermen have been transferred to the skilled
group. The “ no occupation” group, as employed by the Immigra­
tion Bureau, includes all persons without a definite trade, business,
or profession, and is made up in very considerable part of wives,
younger children, and dependents.
Occupation Trends in Immigration After Passage of Quota Acts
r"F ABLE 1 gives the average immigration, emigration, and net
1 immigration by occupational groups for the four fiscal years
immediately preceding the World War (1911-1914), for the three fis­
cal years following the approval of the quota act of 1921 (1922-1924),
and for the two fiscal years after the quota law of 1924 went into
effect (1925-26); the per cent that each group forms of the total; and
also the percentage changes in the volume of annual average immigra­
tion, emigration, and net immigration in 1922-1924 and 1925,1926
as compared with the pre-war period.
T a b l e 1 .—PER. C E N T E A C H O C C U P A T IO N A L G R O U P F O R M E D O F A V E R A G E A N N U A L
IM M IG R A T IO N , E M IG R A T IO N , A N D N E T IM M IG R A T IO N O F A L I E N S , IN S P E C I F I E D
P E R IO D S , 1911 TO 1926, A N D P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN V O L U M E F R O M 1911-1914

Annual average

Per cent of
Per cent occupational change
from
group formed of total 1911-1914
to—

Occupational group
19111914

19221924

27, 943
154,317
11, 249
426, 859
127,077
12.215
273, 624

28, 699
105, 811
13, 500
96,068
49, 478
19, 386
200,181

T o tal............................. ................. 1,033,284

Immigration:
Professional and business_______
Skilled la b o r ....................................
F arm e rs.. ___________________
Unskilled labor _____________
Servants___ _____ ______________
Miscellaneous________________ _
N o occupation— ............................

1925,1926 19111914

19221924

1925,
1926

19221924

1925,
1926

16,531
55,673
II, 798
55, 870
28, 756
13, 949
116, 826

2. 7
14.9
ì. I
41. 3
12.3
1. 2
26. 5

5.6
20.6
2.6
18. 7
9.6
3. 8
39.0

5. 5
18.6
3.9
18. 7
9.6
4.7
39. 0

+2. 7
-31. 4
+20. 0
—77. 5
-61. 1
+58. 7
-2 6 .8

-4 0 .8
—63. 9
+ 4 .9
-8 6 ,9
-77. 4
+141 2
-5 7 3

513,123

299,403

100.0

ICO. 0

100.0

-5 0 .3

-7 1 :0

Em igration:
Professional and business_______
Skilled la b o r...................... ... . . .
Farm ers...................... ......................
Unskilled labor............................. .
Serv an ts............... ........................... .
Miscellaneous..................... ............
N o occupation1................................

9, 081
34,427
8,222
192, 432
14, 278
3, 850
47, 825

6,205
11,269
2, 772
58, 040
3,793
3, 767
33,137

4,434
9, 459
1,428
41, 643
3, 699
3,126
21,073

2. 9
11. 1
2. 7
62. 1
4.6
1.2
15.4

5. 2
9. 5
2.3
48.8
3. 2
3.2
27.9

5. 2
11. 1
1. 7
49. I
4.4
3. 7
24. 8

-31. 7
-8 7 .3
-66. 3
-6 9 .8
-73. 4
-2 . 2
-30. 7

—54. 2
-72 5
-82 6
—7&4
-7 4 1
- ia s
—55. 9

100.0

-6 1 .6

-7 2 0

T o tal__________ _______ _____

310, 115

118,983

84, 862

100.0

100. 0

N et immigration:
Professional and business_______
Skilled labor__________ _______ _
Farm ers_________________ ____ _
Unskilled labor..................... ..........
Servants.......... ..................................
Miscellaneous...................................
N o occupation__ ______ ________

18,862
119, 890
3, 027
234, 427
112, 799
8, 365
225, 799

22, 494
94, 542
10, 728
38,028
45,685
15, 519
167,044

12,097
46,214
10,370
14, 227
25, 057
10, 823
95, 753

2.6
1C 6
_4.
32.4
15.6
1. 2
31.2

5.7
24; 0!
2.7
9. 6
11. 6
4. 0
42.4

T o tal_____ ___________ _____

723,169

394, 140

214,541

100.0

100.0

1 Includes some unknown occupations.


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[251 ]

5.8 +19.3 - 3 5 9
21. 5 -2 1 .1 —61. 5
4.8 +254. 4 +24 2 6
6. 6 - 8 3 8 - 9 2 9
11. 7 -59. 5 -7 7 .8
5. 0 +86. 7 +29.4
44.6 -28. 0 - 5 7 6
100. 0

—45.5

—70.3

4

M O N T H LY LABOR REVIEW
AVERAGE ANNUAL GROSS IMMIGRATION INTO U N IT E D
BY OCCUPATION

STATES

NUMBER OF
IMMIGRANTS

1,000,000
NO OCCUPATION— >
( in c l u d e s

900,000
CHILDREN, AND
depen d e n ts )

800,000
MISCELLANEOUS

“ >

7 0 0 ,0 0 0
SERVANTS-

60 0,00 0

5 0 0 ,0 0 0

UNSKILLED LA 60R — >

400,00 0

3 0 0,00 0

200,000

SKILLED TRADES

100,000

F A R M E R S --------- ------>
PROFESSIONAL AND .

__ __ BUSINESS— -~ Z ± .


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I9 IH S Î4
[2 5 2 ]

1922-1924

1925-1926

OCCU PATIO N AL CH A RACTER O F IM M IG R A TIO N
AVERAGE ANNUAL N E T IMMIGRATION INTO U N ITE D S T A TE S
BY OCCUPATION


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6

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

Various interesting points are disclosed in the above tabulation,
among the most significant being the very great reduction in the
average annual net immigration of the unskilled after the passage of
the per centum acts. This decline was 83.8 per cent in 1922-1924
and 93.9 per cent in 1925, 1926 as compared with 1911-1914, while
the decrease in the total average annual net immigration was 45.5
per cent in 1922-1924 and 70.3 per cent in 1925, 1926. The average
annual net immigration of servants also declined more than the total
average net immigration for the same periods, being reduced 59.5
per cent in 1922-1924 and 77.8 per cent in 1925, 1926.
The shrinkage of the net immigration of the skilled was only 21.1
per cent in 1922-1924 as compared with 1911-1914. There was,
however, a reduction of 61.5 per cent in 1925, 1926, as compared with
the pre-war period.
On the other hand, the average annual net immigration of the
business and professional group actually increased 19.3 per cent in
1922-1924 over the 1911-1914 record and decreased only 35.9 per
cent in 1925,1926, while the average annual net immigration of farmers
was more than three times as great in the post-war as in pre-war times.
Although the total average annual net immigration decreased from
723,169 in 1911-1914 to 394,140 in 1922-1924 and to 214,541 in
1925, 1926, in both of the later periods the proportion of business and
professional net immigrants to the total average annual net immigra­
tion was more than double that of the pre-war period. In 1911-1914
the skilled group formed 16.6 per cent of the net immigration while
in 1922-1924 and 1925, 1926 the percentages were 24.0 and 21.5,
respectively. The percentualrelations of the farm group to the average
annual net immigration were 0.4 per cent in 1911-1914, 2.7 per cent
in 1922-1924, and 4.8 per cent in 1925, 1926. On the other hand, the
proportion of unskilled workers to the average annual net immigra­
tion was as high as 32.4 percent in 1911-1914 and as low as 9.6 per
cent in 1922-1924, and 6.6 per cent in 1925, 1926.
Immigration and Emigration Compared
TTTE percentage relation of annual average emigration to immigra1 tion within the occupational groups for the three periods under
discussion is shown in Table 2:
T a b l e 2 . —P E R C E N T A G E R E L A T IO N OP A V E R A G E A N N U A L E M IG R A T IO N TO A V E R ­

A G E A N N U A L IM M IG R A T IO N

Period
Occupation group

Professional and business__________________ . . .
Skilled labor........................ ................ .......
F arm ers..............................
Unskilled labor__ . . . . . .
Servan ts________________
. .
Miscellaneous . . . .
N o occupation_________ _
T o ta l__________


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1911-19X4

1922-1924

1925,1926

Per cent
32.5
22.3
73.1
45.1
11.2
31.5
17.5

Per cent
21.6
10.6
20.5
60.4
7. 6
19.4
16.6

Per cent

30.0

23.2

26.8
17.0
12.1
74.5
12 9
22 4
la o
2a 3

C H A M B E E S OF LABOR IN A U STRIA

7

While, as indicated by the above figures, the percentage of average
annual emigration to immigration was 30.0 in 1911-1914 and only
23.2 in 1922-1924, it rose in 1925, 1926 to 28.3, The emigration,
however, of the unskilled was equivalent to 45.1 per cent of the aver­
age annual number of immigrant aliens admitted in 1911-1914, 60.4
per cent of the number of immigrant aliens admitted in 1922-1924
and 74.5 per cent in 1925, 1926. In these two later periods as com­
pared with 1911-1914, appreciably smaller percentages of aliens in
business professions and skilled trades emigrated from this country
as based on the numbers in similar occupational groups coming in.
The emigration of farmers as contrasted with their immigration
shows a substantial reduction for the 1922-1924 and 1925,1926 periods,
the percentages for such periods being only 20.5 and 12.1 as compared
to 73.1 per cent in the pre-war period (1911-1914).
It is beyond the scope of the present analysis to attempt to trace
the influences of the individual provisions and regulations of the two
quota acts upon these various occupational trends or to evaluate the
complex factors of any other direct, contributory, or potential causes
of such trends.

C h a m b e r s of L a b o r in A u str ia
By

D r . F r it z R a g e r , S e c r e t a r y o e t h e V i e n n a C h a m b e r o f L a b o r

HAM BERS of labor have existed in Austria since 1921 under
the provisions of two laws passed in the preceding year.1
These public bodies function alongside the trade-unions and
represent the interests of laborers and salaried employees in both
commerce and industry, including transportation and communica­
tion. There are now eight chambers of labor, one in each of the
constituent countries of the Austrian Republic; the Vienna chamber,
however, acts for two countries. All the chambers together form a
union the bureau work of which is carried out by the largest cham­
ber—namely, that of Vienna.
The purpose of the chambers is to represent the economic, social,
and cultural interests of the workers and salaried employees. A
special function of these organizations is to give advisory opinions
to governmental authorities and to legislative bodies concerning bills
and administrative orders which affect the interests of employees.
They also make reports and proposals regarding matters touching
employment relations, the legal protection of workers, social in­
surance, the labor market, housing, adult education—in short, all
matters affecting the interests of employees either directly or indi­
rectly. These agencies participate with the Government to some
extent in economic and social administration and have representa­
tives on various other bodies. Finally, when necessary, they estab­
lish and administer on their own initiative economic and social
institutions for the benefit of employees.

C

1 For Austrian law establishing chambers of labor see Labor Review for June, 1920, pp. 189-191.


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Plan of Organization
C 1ACPI chamber has four divisions, dealing, respectively, with (1)
the workers, (2) salaried employees, (3) workers engaged in
traffic or communication of every kind (railway men, sailors on river
boats, transport workers, postal and telegraph workers), and (4)
salaried employees engaged in traffic and communication of every
kind- There are also several committees for different purposes.
Each chamber consists of members, varying in number between 30
and 130, who have been elected for a period of five years, according
to the system of proportional representation, by all workers and
salaried employees who are at least 18 years old and who have
worked for at least two months within the administrative area of a
chamber and who either have the political franchise already or in
due time will have it. At the head of the chamber there is an
executive committee which consists of the chairmen of the four
divisions and the president of the wdiole chamber.
Meetings
rTTIE chambers must, at least every two months, hold public meetA ings in which a vote is taken on the more important business
matters. Less important topics are dealt with in committees of the
chamber or in the several divisions. The current business of the
chamber is transacted by a bureau composed of officials and assistants
who are qualified for juristic and social work.
Government Supervision
rT ’HE chambers are subject to the supervision of the Government,
1 and are required to submit for approval to the various min­
istries their budgets, balance of accounts, and the decisions regarding
compulsory contributions, standing orders and rules, and regulations
of the employment relations of their employees. If the chambers
overstep their competent sphere of activity they may be dissolved
by the Government authorities.
The Government is authorized to convene joint sittings of the
chambers (or of parts of them) with, other representative bodies
established by law (namely, the chambers of commerce); but so
far this authorization has not been acted upon. The Austrian con­
stitution does not refer to the chambers of labor.
A supplementary law of July 14, 1921, provides that the chambers
of labor shall enjoy perfect equality with the chambers of commerce
in all matters of economic administration—namely, sending dele­
gates to public bodies, making proposals, and giving advisory
opinions.
Reasons for Creating Chambers of Labor
rT ,HE question may be raised as to why the Austrian legislators and
_ especially the strong socialistic Labor Party have thought it
advisable to place alongside the trade-unions the chambers of
labor. The explanation is as follows:
(1)
It was of great importance that organizations similar to the
chambers of commerce should be created to exercise their influence

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in favor of workers and employees, as the chambers of commerce
do in favor of the employers and business. In Austria, as in all
civilized countries, there are chambers of commerce. The prep­
aration for their creation in Austria dates back to 1848. They were
finally established in 1868 and have greatly influenced the economic
legislation and especially the economic administration of the country.
(2) The social legislation of Austria is highly developed in a great
many respects._ Even before, but especially after, the foundation of
the new Austrian Republic when the laws concerning the 8-hour
working-day, the works councils, holidays for workers and employees,
collective agreements and many others were passed, the need was
felt for a final harmonizing and centralizing agency for this system
of protective measures. The chambers, created at a time when the
Labor Party took part in the government of the Republic, have
become, as it were, the keystone of the whole system of legal decrees.
The chambers were designed to make it possible for the workers to
participate in a certain degree in social legislation and administration
even at a time when the Labor Party was reduced to an opposition
party. As a matter of fact, the Labor Party left the Government
in 1921.
(3) It was the intention of the Labor Party and of the tradeunions in Austria to institute, for legislative, scientific, and statistical
purposes, a special organization competent to assist them in their
economic endeavors. This was all the more necessary as, at the
time the chambers were established, the Labor Party and the tradeunions had much to do with solving the problems of the day, assimi­
lating the enormous increase in membership as well as securing
increases of wages for the workers. After nearly six years7experience
it may be said that this twofold organization of the economic side of
the labor movement—namely, trade-unions and chambers of labor—
has proved a great success. The new elections for the second period
of the chambers7 operation which have taken place this year have
shown that the trade-unions and the other labor movement in
Austria are still placing their unabated confidence in the chambers,
the trade-unions supporting the elections for the chamber by means
of a very good propaganda. A publication of the Austrian TradeUnions Congress, bearing the title “ Die Arbeiterkammern in Oesterreich, 1921-1926,” upon which this article is based, gives full par­
ticulars.
Delimitation of Jurisdiction
T T IE R E are two reasons why the chambers of labor were able to
1 cooperate with the trade-unions so well: (1) The chambers
have carried out a satisfactory division of labor between their own
spheres of activity and those of the trade-unions. The chambers
have nothing to do with concluding and supervising collective agree­
ments, with strikes, with boycotts and lockouts, or with the organi­
zation problems of trade-unions; they refrain from meddling in
these affairs and from interfering in workshops. The chambers have
confined themselves to certain legislative, scientific, and adminis­
trative activities. (2) During the six years of their existence the
chambers have devoted themselves intensively to their particular
tasks and this accounts for the strengthened position of these organi­
zations and their probable continuance as permanent social institu28261 ° — 27 
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M O N T H LY LABOR REV IEW

tions of Austria. Before describing this positive work of the chambers
of labor, attention should be drawn to the basic principle of organiza­
tion which distinguishes them from “ economic parliaments” in
other countries. The chambers represent solely the interests of the
gainfully employed. Cooperation with the employers does not take
place on principle. Austrian legislation does, however, take account
of the principle of joint representation of workers and employers in
many respects; for example, in connection with arbitration courts
for industrial disputes, joint arbitration boards, joint commissions
for the administration of the 8-hour law and the joint commission
for the administration of unemployment insurance ; also, in connection
with other administrative authorities, in public welfare work for
the unemployed, arbitration boards in the different branches of
insurance, etc. But in the case of the chambers of labor the point
in question was to secure for the Government the clear expression of
the opinion of the working class on questions of economic and social
legislation and administration, just as the chambers of commerce
and other bodies representing employers’ interests pass judgment
upon the same matters from the employers7 point of view. Since
most of the problems concerned, such as social policy, fiscal policy,
etc., are such that the employees as a class regard them in a different
way than the employers do, the cooperation of both classes in the
chambers would not be of any advantage to the State._
It is true the law envisages such a cooperation in occasional
cases, and in many instances where the possibility of a profitable
cooperation was evident such joint committees have been formed.
The Austrian legislation on this point differs very decidedly from that
of other European States—as, for instance, that of Germany where
an imperial economic parliament (Reichsvnrtschajtsrat) has been estab­
lished in which employers and employees are represented in the same
proportion—and the so-called “ Whitley councils ” in England, etc.
Financial Resources and Disbursements
IN ORDER to defray their expenses, the chambers levy compulsory
^ contributions on their constituents. These contributions are
collected, along with the premiums for health insurance, by the
insurance agencies and are handed over by them to the chambers.
The accomplishments of the chambers which are described below
have been made possible by the financial basis afforded by compulsory
contributions. The number of people who have to pay the_ contri­
butions is very much larger than the number of trade-unionists, for
the contributions to the chambers are compulsory and those of the
trade-unions are not. In consequence, the amount of individual
contributions may be very low. At the present time the contribu­
tions per person per week to the largest Austrian chamber, that of
Vienna, amounts to five groschen, or a little less than one cent—so
small a sum that even the Austrian worker, in spite of his low wages,
finds it insignificant. But because the Vienna chamber has about
500,000 contributors (the seven other chambers in Austria have
together about the same number) it was in a position to count upon
an income of 1,600,000 Austrian schillings for the year 1926. Of
this amount about 500,000 schillings were used to pay the employees
and the various allowances for the elected members of the chamber.

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II

Since the chamber does not grant any strike pay, this item is by far
the largest. However, it is obviously in the interest of the institution
to have very highly qualified officials. The sum of 60,000 schillings
is put aside for the library of the chamber, which contains 95,000
volumes and is one of the largest German libraries specializing in
social sciences. It contains among other things extraordinarily
valuable books, some of which are rare prints in French and English
on socialism and political economy. Twenty-two thousand schillings
are reserved for statistical investigations. The chamber issues
annually the Economic-Statistical Yearbook ( Wirtschojis-statistiches
Jahrbuch), which is to-day regarded both in Austrian public life
and abroad as a source of authentic data concerning Austrian eco­
nomic conditions. A special activity of the Vienna chamber is the
publishing of statistics of wages and household budgets. It grants
subsidies to the various bodies and societies amounting to 50,000
schillings a year and to the unemployed amounting to 200,000 schil­
lings. This subsidy to the unemployed must not be confused with
official unemployment benefits which require far greater sums col­
lected from the employers, employees, the State, the constituent
countries and the communes. The chamber’s subsidies to the
unemployed are in reality additional allowances which it grants now
and then to unemployed individuals who have been recommended
to it by trade-unions. The other subsidies are used to promote
courses of instruction and welfare institutions for the unemployed.
Since the number of unemployed in Austria has been 300,000 for
some time (half of this number belongs to the administrative area
of the Vienna chamber), this expenditure is absolutely necessary.
The chamber also allows a sum of 100,000 schillings for wmrkers’
education. This money is used to subsidize courses of instruction
for trade-unionists; special courses for the labor members of industrial
courts; to finance classes in people’s high schools; and for scholar­
ships to those employees’ sons who go to universities, secondary
schools, and vocational schools.
The chamber devotes a large portion of its energies to the practical
protection of the juvenile "workers and has always been a leader in
such work. A sum of 160,000 schillings is put aside for juvenile
protective activities. Tiiis money is used to maintain a central
office and 33 branch offices for juvenile protection and to defray the
expenses incurred by volunteer helpers in inquiring into cases where
protection for apprentices is needed. Moreover, the chamber grants
financial aid for the erection of both homes and workshops for ap­
prentices. It also supports in conjunction with the municipality a
vocational guidance office wdiich advises annually more than 30,000
girls and boys.
For the promotion of sport 10,000 schillings are allowed and for
expert advice and protection of workers and employees who have
made technical inventions another 10,000 schillings.
Publications
IN ADDITION to issuing the Economic-Statistical Yearbook
referred to above the Vienna chamber devotes a portion of its
funds to financing the publications mentioned on the next page.

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1. “ Geschäftsberichte/’ being the reports of the activities of the
executive committee, the four divisions of the chamber, and the
bureau to the assembly of the chamber.
2. A collection of every kind of social legislation and relevant
court decisions. Fourteen volumes have already ajjpeared, compiled
by professors, ministerial officers, and officials of the chamber.
3. A fortnightly periodical, “ Arbeit und Wirtschaft” (Labor and
Economics), which is issued with the aid of the Austrian TradesUnion Congress.
4. The “ Statistischen Nachrichten” (Statistical Reviews) issued
in cooperation with various other organizations and the statistical
bureau of the Republic.
5. A monthly entitled “ Arbeitsrechtliche Entscheidungen” (De­
cisions of courts in cases of industrial disputes).
6. A monthly periodical “ Lehrlingsschutz, Jugend- und Berufs­
fürsorge” (Protection of apprentices, welfare work for juvenile
workers and apprentices).
Cooperation of Experts
IT HAS been possible to give only some indication of the various
* activities of the chambers. As stated above, they are plainly
occupied in preparing and giving advisory opinions on social and
economic legislation. In a great many cases the chambers take the
initiative. In order to be able to do this, they are in constant com­
munication with eminent experts on various subjects. - They have
become in this way a central information agency in matters of eco­
nomic policy from the point of view of labor. Since the chambers have
sufficient means at their disposal and since their staffs are highly
qualified, they are able to study thoroughly and systematically purely
economic problems, such as customs and fiscal policy, money and
credit policy, problems of traffic and communication, for which pur­
poses the trade-unions have neither the money nor the personnel.
Trade-union Control
recent elections for the second session of the chambers show
that the chambers, like the other labor movement, are over­
whelmingly controlled by the socialistic or “ free” trade-unions, whose
central organizations are represented in the Socialist Trade-Union
Congress of Austria, which is in turn affiliated to the International
Federation of Trade-Unions of Amsterdam. At the election of the
Vienna chamber in June, 1926, of the 347,511 votes cast, 284,957
belonged to the free trade-unions, 30,750 to the Catholic workers and
employees, 20,562 to the Pan German employees, and 10,233 to the
Communists. The 130 seats of the Vienna chamber are allotted to
the trade-union parties as follows: 111 to the free trade-unions,
9 to the Catholics, 7 to the Pan Germans, and 3 to the Communists.
At the election for the Styrian chamber, the second in size, 71,339
votes were cast, of which 54,951 went to the free trade-unions, 5,807
to the Catholics, 6,289 to the Pan Germans, 4,130 to the Communists.
Of the 74 seats of the chamber, 61 belong to the free trade-unions, 4
to the Catholic, 6 to the Pan German, and 3 to the Communist tradeunions. The election results of the other chambers are similar. It

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may be remarked by way of explanation that the Catholic and Pan
German minorities recruit their adherents mainly from the group of
salaried employees. The communist movement in Austria has
become insignificant, as these figures demonstrate. (This applies
not only to the trade-union movement but' also to the political labor
movement.)
It is mainly attributable to the strong and undivided control of
the free trade-unions in the Austrian chambers that the latter could
stand their test so well. In countries where there is strong competition
among rival trade-unions the results would probably be somewhat
different. It should be mentioned, however, that there are chambers
of labor similar to those of Austria in Jugoslavia, Luxemburg, and in
two German cities Hamburg and Bremen.


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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR
CONDITIONS
H o m e W ork in th e M e n ’s C lo th in g I n d u s tr y

T

HE New York Bureau of Women in Industry has recently
published as its Special Bulletin No. 147, a study of home
work in connection with the men’s clothing industry in New
York City and Rochester, undertaken with a double purpose: First,
to learn the extent of the home-work situation from the standpoint
of the numbers involved, and second, to estimate the value of this
group of workers to the industry, judged by the relative number
of factory and home workers involved and by the relative pay of
these two groups.
The employers in New York are divided into three groups: The
manufacturers, who usually confine themselves to buying the cloth,
designing and cutting the garment, and selling the finished product;
the inside manufacturers who, in addition, manufacture the gar­
ments in their own shops; and the contractors, who take the cut
goods from the manufacturers and make up the garments. The
contractor usually operates a small shop and specializes in one type
of garment, making either coats, pants, or vests. It has been esti­
mated that about two-thirds of all the men’s clothing in New York
City is produced by the manufacturers and contract shops. Both
contractors and inside manufacturers give out the garments to
workers who perform certain operations upon them in their own
homes. In Rochester the larger proportion of the work is done by
manufacturers in their own shops, the element of contract work
being subsidiary. Nevertheless, a certain part of the product is
contracted out by almost all manufacturers, no matter how large
their plants.
In New York City the investigation covered 89 firms, employing
7,062 factory workers; of these, 22 were inside manufacturers and
67 were contractors.
During the year July, 1924-June, 1925, an average of 966 home workers was
employed by the 22 inside manufacturers and the 67 contractors investigated.
This number rose to 1,207, the peak, in the month of September and fell to 740
in December, the lowest month of home-work employment. Inside manufac­
turers gave OUt work to 647 of the 966 home workers, contractors to 319. Coat
contractors employed 208 persons on home work, pants contractors 74, and vest
contractors 37.

The importance of these workers to the industry is indicated by
the following data:
N U M B E R O F F A C T O R Y A N D H O M E W O R K E R S E M P L O Y E D B Y I N S ID E M A N U F A C ­
TU R ER S AND CO NTRACTO RS
Em ployed by inside
manufacturers

Em ployed by con­
tractors

Class of worker
Number

Per cent

Num ber

Per cent

Factory workers__________________________________
Home workers_____________ _____________________

5,089
647

88. 7
11.3

1,837
307

85.7
14.3

T o t a l- - ............................................................. ...........

5, 736

100, 0

2,144

100.0

14


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H O M E W ORK I K M E N ’ S C L O T H IN G IN D U S T R Y

On the basis of these figures it is estimated that 13 per cent of all
workers in the men’s clothing industry in New York City are home
workers and that their total number is approximately 5,000. The
inside manufacturers pay 4.2 per cent and the contractors 5.2 per
cent of their total pay roll to home workers. In Rochester the
conditions were different, 2.7 per cent of the inside manufacturers’
employees and 18.4 per cent of the contractors’ employees being
home workers, and the percentage of the two pay rolls going to
them being, respectively, 1.5 and. 8. It was estimated that 6 per
cent of all workers in the Rochester industry were home workers.
More important than the actual number employed is the trend in
regard to the use of home work as an adjunct to the garment-making
industry, and in this respect the report is not reassuring.
No curtailment in the use of home workers is shown in either New York or
Rochester. In New York, in fact, in inside shops, the per cent of home workers
employed between 1920 and 1925 rose from an average of 8.8 per cent in the
first half of the period to an average of 10.9 in the second half and from 11.5 to
12.3 between 1922 and 1925 in contract shops. Inside shops increased both
factory and home workers during the period, but home workers at a faster rate
than factory workers; contractors showed a bare increase in number of home
workers in the face of a decline in general employment. In Rochester no real
change in the relative use of home workers can be said to have taken place in
inside or coat shops, the two groups studied.

This investigation did not include any study of the conditions
under which home work was carried on, but the familiar features of
irregular employment and small earnings were clearly brought out.
Garment making, at best, is subject to marked seasonal fluctuations,
and the home workers suffer from this more than the factory workers.
In New York inside shops 33 per cent of home workers employed at the peak
of the fall season are laid off during the slack period which follows, in contrast to
14 per cent of factory workers. In contract shops 43 per cent of home workers
are dropped, 24 per cent of factory workers. In Rochester inside shops 14 per
cent of home workers employed at the height of the fall season are released
during the dull period, 8 per cent of factory workers; in coat contract shops 25
per cent of home workers and 21 per cent of factory workers.

As to earnings, the following figures show the per capita earnings
of the home and the factory workers in the two cities:
A V E R A G E W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S OF F A C T O R Y W O R K E R S A N D H O M E W O R K E R S ,
Y E A R E N D IN G J U N E 30, 1925
New Y ork City

Rochester
Class of employer

Factory
workers

Inside m anufacturer________________________________
Contractors as a u n it______________________ _________
Coat contractor____ ________________________________
P an ts contractor___________________________________
Vest contractor_______ _____________________________

$25.92
24.23
27. 15
18.32
23.18

Home
workers
$13. 76
9.31
9.14
8. 66
9. 66

Factory
workers
$34. 81
31. 45
30. 71
31.57
32. 37

Home
workers
$12.11
10. 39
11.23
7.73
11.78

With the exception of coat shops, Rochester home workers were nearer to
factory workers in earnings than were New York home workers. In New York
home workers tended to earn about one-third as much as factory workers, in
Rochester more nearly half as much. In inside and pants shops home-work earn­
ings were about 59 per cent of factory earnings, in vest shops 42 per cent, while
only coat shops approximated the relationship shown in New York.

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W ages a n d C o n d itio n s in th e P o tte ry I n d u s t r y 1
N PR E SEN TIN G the report of the labor committee of the United
States Pottery Association at its forty-eighth annual meeting,
W. E. Wells, chairman of the committee, reviewed the general
business and labor conditions in the industry during 1926.
He stated that the past year has “ been at least as free from labor
controversies of major importance as any other year of the long period
during which we have dealt with the brotherhood in recognition of
their equal right to a voice in wage adjustments. It has been a year
distinguished by the smooth working of the wage agreement.”
The only call upon the labor committee was that of participating in
the negotiations preceding the making of the new wage agreement
for the coming year. Requests for certain changes in the wage scale
were made by the representatives of the workers, but these were denied
by the employers on the ground of lack of business and poor prices
received for the product. The emplo3rers were even of the opinion
that conditions would warrant a reduction in wage rates, but forbore
to present a request for this “ largely for the reason that many of the
operatives were working on short time, their earnings were curtailed
correspondingly, and any reduction in the wage scale would constitute
a further hardship, which the committee was unwilling to sanction.”
Apparently the wage requests were not pressed by the union, and the
old agreement was renewed, without change, for a period of two years
from October 1, 1926. The “ usual provision for a reopening in the
event of pronounced changes in labor, living, or market conditions”
was included in the agreement.

I

Wages in the Industry
IN NOTING the fact that the association has recently published
1 the wage scales now in effect in the industry, Mr. Wells referred
to Bulletin No. 412 of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics,
dealing with wages, hours, and productivity in the pottery industry,
1925, and to a previous study made for 1912-13 by the United States
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce. He stated: “ Our asso­
ciation does not possess records readily available that so clearly reflect
the difference in wages and labor conditions between 1913 and 1925
as do these governmental publications.” Comparison of piece rates
paid in the two years shows that wage rates have not been doubled
in the intervening period “ but improved conditions and better facili­
ties have contributed more largely than is generally realized to the
earning power of the men, so that they may now earn $2 in less time
and with less effort than were formerly required to earn $1.”
A rather striking development disclosed by the recent report is the almost
complete disappearance of the printer, the presser, and the apprentice in the
earthenware potteries. Within the recollection of all of us of the older genera­
tion, the decorating capacity of plants was measured by the number of printers
employed. Yet in the 46 plants surveyed last year there were 39 in which
there was no printer. There were only 7 printers in the entire trade. In no
plant was more than 1 engaged—the total being 4 in East Liverpool, 2 in Tren­
ton, and 1 in the other districts.
Pressers, that formerly outnumbered the jiggermen, are now exceedingly rare.
In 37 plants no presser was found. There were but 12 in the entire trade. Of
these, 5 were in East Liverpool, 5 in Trenton, and 2 in other districts.
1 Crockery and Glass Journal, New York, Dec. 9, 1926, pp. 13-15.


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There were not enough apprentices employed in the entire industry to warrant
separate mention in the report. Consequently, there are no available data for
the trade as a whole. Perhaps the apprentice situation at the Laughlin Newell
plants is representative. In those three plants, with a capacity of about 70
kilns, there are between slip house and warehouse only 4 apprentices, 1 mold
maker and 3 dish makers.
There has been a considerable increase during the year in the number of
kilnmen and dippers employed on a day-wage basis. So far as my information
goes, there has been some increase in cost to the manufacturers; but not much.
There has been some improvement in the quality of the product, but not so
much as might have been anticipated. The real advantage lies in the removal
of a constant source of irritation. A spirit of cooperation has been established
in a department where a spirit of antagonism prevailed under the piecework
system that was liable to break at any moment into open hostility.

R e c e n t C o n c lu sio n s C o n c e rn in g L a b o r T u rn o v e r

T

HE importance of the scientific recording and analysis of labor
turnover is emphasized in two articles of the December, 1926,
issue of the Journal of Personnel Research (pp. 29.3-305).
The first article contains suggestions for presenting the significance
of labor turnover to supervisors, and is contributed by Eugene J.
Benge, of the Mitten Management (Inc.). The second article, by
Lloyd R. Miller, of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., is a dis­
cussion of the practice of securing and recording the reasons why
workers leave.
In the concluding section of his report, Mr. Benge points out that
supervisors should be made to realize that they can assist in the
reduction of labor turnover by the following methods:
1.
A clear analysis of the jobs under their supervision. If the
foremen select their own labor, this analysis would be of value to
them for that purpose. If the foremen requisition their labor through
the employment department, they should carefully specify the require­
ments for the different jobs.
2,
Training workers in the proper habits for the performance of
their tasks, especially new employees, who become downhearted when
they fall behind more experienced employees or because of new sur­
roundings.
3. Discharging a worker only after quiet deliberation.
4.
Endeavoring to transfer possibly misplaced workers to more
suitable jobs.
5.
Recommending efficient workers for other or better positions
in which such workers will render better service to the establishment.
This implies that the supervisors have “ a broad company viewpoint.”
6.
Developing all-round workers capable of “ smoothing out the
minor peaks of labor within the gang. ” The “ flying squadrons” in
some establishments are an amplification of this scheme.
7.
Studying the occupations of their departments which show the
greatest labor turnover and ascertaining the reasons therefor.
8.
Studying the causes of voluntary exits, preferably by first-hand
interrogation “ but also by correlation with the final interviewer in
the employment department. ”
9. Advance planning of production and labor requirements.
10.
Elimination of layoffs so far as possible, particularly those
resulting from the weather.

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M O N T H LY LABO E R EV IEW

11.
Working as leaders with their men, keeping up interest, counter­
acting erroneous views, and becoming personally acquainted with
each member of their force.
The management executives, who outrank the foremen, may also
aid in reducing labor turnover by avoiding the overdevelopment of
plant capacity; by planning long-time sales and production programs;
by leveling off seasonal production and peak levels; and by inaugurat­
ing sound and just labor policies,-especially of promotion and com­
pensation.
One of the most interesting sections of Mr. Miller’s study is that
in which he sets forth the following possible difficulties in the way of
successful procedure in connection wdth labor turnover:
1. The erroneous belief that the only purpose in analyzing labor
turnover is its reduction. This point of view fails to take into con­
sideration the salutary effects of certain kinds of labor turnover; the
valuable data which can be secured through the study of turnover and
used to improve the efficiency of the plant and increase morale; and
the fact that labor turnover is an indication of other causes of loss,
often more substantial than the loss resulting from turnover.
2. Some establishments are not large enough to justify any formal
procedure in the matter of turnover.
3. Lack of data on the costs of interviewing and record keeping.
4. The mere compilation of statistics on the causes of quitting
without considering each worker who leaves as an individual problem.
5. Inaccurate data because of the interviewer’s inferior rank and
inability to take remedial measures. “ It is important that the inter­
viewer have sufficient prestige to command the respect of employees,
a personality calculated to win their confidence, and authority to
take action himself or to present his recommendations to a superior
who will thoughtfully consider them.”
6. Lack of understanding and interest of the foremen and other
officials in the problem of labor turnover.
7. The failure of a company to convince its workers of its spirit of
fairness.
8. The high wrages, model working conditions, foremen trained in
the management of men, and provision for the hearing of grievances in
certain establishments. Under such conditions there are other wrays
than labor-turnover data to find out what the workers are thinking.
In conclusion,Mr.Miller declares that “ labor will never be efficient,
neither can the lot of the laboring man be a happy one, unless industry
consciously develops more human contacts between employer and
employee, more understanding on the part of each regarding the
other’s problems. ”

C o lle c tio n o f U n p a id W ages by C a lifo r n ia B u r e a u or
L ab o r S ta tistic s

E

IG H TY-EIGH T out of every one hundred complaints received
at the various district offices of the California Bureau of Labor
1 Statistics are concerned with wage claims, according ^to the
twenty-second biennial report of that bureau for 1925 and 1926.
Of the 47,068 complaints which the bureau handled during the two
years 41,507 were complaints against employers who had not paid


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CO LLEC TIO N OF U N PA ID W A G ES--- C A LIFO R N IA

wages at the time stipulated by the State laws. These laws provide
that wages shall be paid “ in cash or in negotiable paper, payable
upon demand, without discount, at some bank or established place
of business. ” They also provide that in the case of a discharge of an
employee his wages or compensation for his labor or service earned
and unpaid shall “ become due and payable immediately.” The
wages of a worker having no contract in writing who quits his job
“ are due and payable not later than 72 hours thereafter, unless such
employee shall have given 72 hours’ previous notice of his intention
to quit, in which latter case such employee shall be entitled to his
wages or compensation at the time of quitting. ”
Section 7 of the California wage collection act (Stats. 1919, eh. 228)
reads as follows:
The commissioner [of labor statistics] and his representatives duly authorized
by him in writing shall have the power and authority, when in his judgment he
deems it necessary, to take assignments of wage claims and prosecute actions
for the collection of wages and other demands of persons who are financially
unable to employ counsel in cases in which, in the judgment of the commissioner,
the claims for wages are valid and enforceable in the courts; to issue subpoenas,
to compel the attendance of witness or parties and the production of books,
papers, or records, and to administer oaths and to examine witnesses under
oath, and to take the verification or proof or instruments of writing, and to
take depositions and affidavits for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of
this act and all other acts now or hereafter placed in the bureau for enforcement.

In most instances the employer and the wage claimant are cited
to appear at a bearing before the State commissioner of labor sta­
tistics. If an adjustment can not be thus effected, the employer is
cited to appear at the district attorney’s office “ to show cause why
a warrant should not be issued for his arrest.” The question in con­
troversy is again gone over before a representative of the district
attorney’s office in the presence of an agent or deputy of the bureau
of labor statistics, the defendant employer, and the wage claimant.
If the employer continues to refuse to settle the claim in the amount
decided upon as due the claimant, a criminal warrant is issued for
his arrest. Criminal or civil action, however, is resorted to only
when there is no alternative.
The collection of wage claims is the major work of the bureau and
is regarded as one of its greatest accomplishments. In the 12 years,
1915-1926, the bureau has collected over $3,500,000 in unpaid wages,
without charge to the claimants.
The following table shows the expansion of this collection work
from 1915 to 1926:
N U M B E R , P E R C E N T , A N D A M O U N T O F W A G E C L A IM S C O L L E C T E D F R O M 1915 T O
1926, B Y B I E N N I A L P E R I O D S

Num ber of wage claims—■
Biennial periods

1915-1916
1917-1918..............................1919-1920........ ................ .......
1921-1922________________
1923-1924........ ........................
1925-1926...........................—
1 Decrease.


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Filed with
the bureau

Collected
through
the
bureau

19,487
16,832
15,107
22, 718
29,486
41, 507

10,921
8, 668
10,718
10,538
15,247
23,342

Amount of wages collected

Per cent
collected
of total
filed

[267 ]

56.0
51. 5
70.9
46. 4
51. 7
56.2

Increase over preceding
period
T otal
Amount
$332, 936
271, 503
409,355
450,164
858,164
1,468, 551

1 $61,434
137,852
40,809
408,000
610,387

Percent

i 18.5
50.8
10.0
90. S
71.1

20

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

Ail analysis is given below of the wage claims filed with the bureau
during the calendar years 1924 and 1925:
N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T O F W A G E C L A IM S O F E A C H C L A S S I F I E D
A N D 1925

Number of
complaints

Amount involved
Under $5
________________ _____ ___________
$5 pn d mid er $25
_______________________ ________
$25 find under $45
___________________ __ _______
$45 and under $ 6 5 __________________________________
$65 and under $85 __ _______________________________
$85 and under $105 __ _____________________________
$105 and under $125________________________________
$125 and under $145_________________________________
$145 end under $165_______________________________
$165 and under $185 ____ ____ _______ ________________
$185 and under $205 ______________________________
$205 and under $225_________________________________
$225 and over________________________________________
Total

- ____ _________________________________

A M O U N T , 1924

Percentage
distribution

1,869
9,410
5,331
3,200
2,015
1,554
989
759
593
463
405
233
1,990

6. 5
32. 7
18. 5
11. 1
7.0
6. 4
3.4
2.6
2. 1
1. 6
1.4
.8
6.9

28,811

100.0

Cum ulative
percentage

39.2
57.7
68.8
75.8
81.2
84.6
87.2
89.3
90.9
92.3
93.1
100.0

Industries Involved
nPIIE distribution of 41,507 wage claims, by industries, in 1925 and
1926 was as follows:
N u m b er of claim s

Agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry____________
5, 648
1, 643
Extraction of minerals_______________________________
Manufacturing and mechanical industries 1_____________ 17, 873
Transportation______________________________________
789
Trade______________________________________________ 4, 338
Public service_______________________________________
289
Professional service__________________________________ 3, 324
Domestic and personal service________________________
6, 515
Clerical occupations_________________________________
2, 088
41, 507

Total.

Savings to Workers
IT IS estimated that, on the whole, the collection of wage claims
* by the bureau during the biennial period 1925-1926 saved the
workers, through the elimination of attorneys’ fees, from $367,137
to $489,517, or from one-fourth to one-third of the $1,468,550
collected.
Civil Actions in Behalf of Wage Claimants
I TNDER the California statutes the labor commissioner may
bring civil suit for collection of unpaid wages in behalf of
claimants who are not in a financial position to engage counsel. In
numerous cases it has been necessary to institute such actions.
From September 15, 1924, to July 1, 1926, civil actions were brought
in behalf of 570 wage claimants. The amounts so involved aggre­
gated $92,263, of which $38,682 had been collected by July 1, 1926.
A number of suits were still pending. Many other suits were filed
in justices’ courts b}^ the bureau’s deputies.
* Inclu d es b u ild in g trades.


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M IG RATIO N FROM M IN N E SO T A . FA RM S

21

Civil Suit to Collect Penalty
IN APRIL, 1926, the first civil suit to collect penalty was instituted
1 by the bureau against the Cowell Portland Cement Co. in the sup­
erior court at San Francisco. The constitutionality of the law was
attacked by the defendant. The superior court at Martinez, before
which the arguments on the demurrer were heard, ruled that the
1925 amendment imposing civil penalties of $10 for each employee
who was not paid semimonthly substantially followed the New York
law which was declared constitutional by the United States Supreme
Court in a unanimous decision in 1914. (Erie Railroad Co. v.
Williams, 233 U. S. 685.)
The bureau recommends the enactment of proper legislation for
the extension of the benefits of the semimonthly pay day law to
State, county, and municipal employees.

C o lle c tio n of W age C la im s by W y o m in g D e p a r tm e n t
of L a b o r

T

HE Department of Labor of Wyoming in the biennium ending
September 30,1926, handled successfully, without cost to either
party, 206 wage claims, 169 for men and 37 for women, accord­
ing to the fifth biennial report of the department, recently issued.
The amounts collected, were as follows:
For men________________________________________ $9, 367. 48
For women____ __________________________________ 1,036.60
Total_____________________________________ 10, 404. 08

The average amount of each claim was $50.50.
A large number of claims was submitted to the department which
it was unable to handle at all. The work of collection is “ handi­
capped and retarded not only by lack of legal power but also by the
lack of funds.” This latter fact necessitates taking up these cases
almost entirely through correspondence. Indeed, when the effort
is made to collect wages in this way from employers in rural districts,
it is frequently a complete failure. In some cases it takes months
to effect a settlement.

S tu d y of M ig ra tio n fro m M in n e so ta F a r m s 1

T

HE data upon which the article here summarized is based were
secured from 357 Minnesota farm families “ taken at random
in groups of 50 from 7 representative areas.” Approximately
20 per cent of the 1920 population of the State (2,400,000) were
foreign born, and nearly half of the 500,000 foreign born were
Scandinavians.
Of 339 farmers of the present generation included in the survey, 88.5
per cent had fathers who were farmers; the remaining per cent had
fathers from other occupations. Of 337 farmers’ wives of the present
1 The American Journal of Sociology, November, 1926, pp. 450-455.


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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

generation covered by the study, 17.5 per cent had fathers who were
not farmers. “ Interoccupational mobility” was most marked in the
cut-over territory where “ 28 per cent of the farmers and 25 per
cent of their wives came from occupations other than farming.”
The following table gives the sex and age distribution of the 1,321
farmers’ sons and daughters included in the survey:
Mate

Female

Total

Under 13 years of age and at home___________________ 383
Eighteen or more and at home_______________________ 143
Eighteen or more and away from home_______________ 165

366
82
182

749
225
347

T o t a l_____________ _________________ _______________ 691

630

1 ,3 2 1

The findings of this investigation “ appear to bear out the con­
clusions” of S. S. Visher and F. A. Wood that those who leave farms
for city or town life do not reach rapidly the higher economic and
social levels.
Of the children who had left home, 40 per cent had become farmers
while 60 per cent had entered town occupations.
The migrants are usually between 18 and 25 years of age, and their
final destination would seem to be large cities. There are more female
than male migrants. (In the group of farm operators’ sons and
daughters over 18 years of age who still remain on the home farm
there are twice as many males as females.) The tendency to marry
is not so great among those migrants who enter urban occupations
as among those who remain on the farms.
Female migrants engage more readily than male migrants in
clerical, professional, and entrepreneurial work.
The process of urbanization in Minnesota seems to be funda­
mentally the same as that which went on in Europe in the latter half
of the nineteenth century. According to the report under review,
“ the decline of immigration will undoubtedly be accompanied by
an increased urbanization process.” This may result in the improve­
ment of agricultural conditions by a decrease in production and an
increase in prices. This process of urbanization should be reckoned
with in deciding public policy in reference to the rural school.
One-half of the farm children to be educated will become town or
city residents. Rural schools must fit 50 per cent of the pupils for
urban life and 50 per cent for agriculture and all for citizenship.
The suggestion has often been made that urban populations should
be taxed to meet some of the expenses of rural education.

T e r m s o f E n g lish C o a l- M in in g A g re e m e n ts

O

N E of the points which the English coal owners won in the recent
dispute was the abolition of the national agreement, so that
as the men have gone back to work, it has been under a series
of agreements, each important district making its own. In some
respects the terms of the agreements are highly technical, but some
salient points are noted by the London Economist, which, in its
issue for December 11, 1926, gives summaries of the various
agreements.

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[2701

F A M IL Y ALLO W AN CE S Y S T E M IN F E A N C E

23

In all cases the principle of division of proceeds between owners and workers
is retained, but whereas the ratio remains at 87-13 in Northumberland, Durham
Lancashire and Cheshire, and Scotland, it is amended to 85-15 in Yorkshire’
Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Cannock Chase, and South Wales. Provision is
made in most cases for the payment of specific rates for a limited time after the
resumption of operations, and the ascertainment of future rates on the basis of
results in named periods (which are not identical in all cases). Minimum wages
are provided for, and the principle of recoupment admitted.

In the matter of hours there is some variation. Northumberland,
Durham, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire provide for
a 7 Mi-hour day, while the Cannock Chase agreement specifies
that the hours shall be “ those in force before the seven hours act,
except on Saturdays when hours will be from 7 to 12.30 without
meal time.” Lancashire and Cheshire have an 8-hour day witli 6
hours on Saturday, South Wales an 8~hour day with 7 on Saturday,
and Scotland a straight 8-hour day. _Ib is to be noted that these are
nominal hours, the time of one 1cwinding,” which for all England
averages about one-half hour per day, being added as a matter of
custom, and in many cases explicitly. Also, these hours in general
are for those cutting coal, and other classes may be required to work
longer. Thus, the Northumberland agreement provides: “ A 73dr
hour shift, plus one wunding time, for coal hewers, and an 8-hour
shift, plus one winding time, for all other classes of underground
workers, with unrestricted coal-drawing hours.”
Txiere is much variation in the time for which the agreements are
to be in effect. The Durham agreement is for only one year; that of
Northumberland for two years; those of Yorkshire, Lancashire and
Cheshire, South Wales, and Scotland three years; and those of
Cannock Chase, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire five years. In
general, it is provided that after the expiration of the stated period,
either side may terminate the agreement by one month’s notice, but
m Scotland two months’ noticed required, while in Cannock Chase,
Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire six months’ notice must be given.
In all districts, except Lancashire, Cheshire, and South Wales, the
agreements provide for setting up a district board, or some similar
organization, with an independent chairman.

E x te n sio n o f F a m ily A llo w an ce S y s te m in F ra n c e 1

S

IN CE the Sixth Congress of Family Allowance Funds was held, in
May, 1926, the constitutions of 14 additional funds have been
registered by the French Central Committee on Family Allow­
ances^ according to a report made at the general meeting of that
committee on December 17, 1926. This brings the number of
family allowance funds now functioning to 203. Of these 14 newly
organized bodies, 6 are regional or intertrade; 3 are special, con­
nected with one industrial corporation; and 5 are exclusively
agricultural.
the president of the committee pointed out at the conference that
this progress in a field where the development of the institution is
confronted with the gravest difficulties “ confirms our faith in the
1 L a Journée Industrielle, Paris, Dee. 19-20, 1926, p. 7.


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271 ]

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M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

possibilities of the adaptation of the institution to all branches of
national activity. ” In this connection he reported on the organiza­
tion by the General Federation of Milk Producers of a family allowance
fund for the purpose of furnishing milk at a lower price to necessitous
families. This fund was not included in the above-mentioned 203
funds.
Increase in Family Allowance Rates
rTvHE increase in the number of funds within the last few months
* has been accompanied by increases in the allowance rates—in
certain centers as much as 100 per cent. A large number of the
the funds, however, seem to be postponing the revision of their
rates until the next annual congress.
The average scale of monthly grants effective in December, 1926,
is given below:
Francs 3

1 child________________________________________________ 26
2 children___________________________________
66
3 children__________________ ____________________________ 109
4 children______________________________________________ -180
5 children_____________________________________________ 248
6 children_______________________________________________320

The Labor Office is increasing the minimum scales for family
allowances imposed upon the contractors for public works and is
proposing rates more in accordance with those paid by the funds in
each district.
Sick Allowances
IMPROVED methods and new activities have been inaugurated in
1 connection with the social services of the family-allowance funds.
One of the most significant developments along these lines is the
growing provision for sick allowances. At the beginning of last
summer there were a dozen sick funds in operation. In Decem­
ber, 1926, there were 22 such funds, their respective headquarters
being Angoulême, Armentières, Auxerre, Beauvais, Brest, Chalonsur-Saône, Cholet, Elbeuf, Fourmies, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Paris,
Roanne, Roubaix, Saint-Étienne, Saint-Junien, Saint-Quentin, Thizy,
Toulouse, Tours, and Vienne.
Five other sick funds were scheduled to begin functioning on
January 1 , 1927, and studies are being made with a view to inaugu­
rating additional institutions of this character.
At present, 2,000 establishments representing 300,000 wage earners
are included under this new scheme, which is expected to expand
rapidly in 1927.
2 Franc at par = 19.3 cents; exchange rate for Dec. 31, 1926, was 3.95 cents.


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[2721

MINIMUM W A G E
New M in im u m W age O rd er fo r th e T o y s, G a m e s , e tc .,
I n d u str y of M a s s a c h u s e t ts
n n H E Department of Labor and Industries of Massachusetts an­
nounces through its division of minimum wage the fixing of a
new rate for women employed in the manufacture of toys, games,
and sporting goods. The minimum rate for experienced workers is
fixed at $13.50 per week, this to apply to women at least 18 years of
age with one year’s experience in the occupation. Inexperienced
workers 16 years of age or over, and all others irrespective of age
with one year’s experience, must receive at least $12 per week. For
all others the rate is not less than $10 per week. This decree, wdiich
becomes effective March 1, 1927, represents the result of a study of
the cost of living in which the amount agreed upon was $13.50, the
same as the minimum rate fixed. In the early history of the act,
the rate usually fell below the cost-of-living budget.
The four most recent budgets adopted by the department are here
reproduced, together with the amount fixed for experienced workers
and the date of coming into effect:
B U D G E T S A D O P T E D F O R F O U R I N D U S T R I E S I N M A S S A C H U S E T T S A S B A S IS F O R
M IN IM U M W A G E R A T E

A m ou n t of b ud get for self-supporting w om en in —

Ite m

Stationery
and
Candy in ­ Jewelry in­
goods and
envelopes
dustry (effec­ related
dustries
industry
tive Mar.
(effective
(effective
1,1926)
Jan . 1, 1927)
Jan . 1, 1926)

Toys, games,
and sport­
ing goods
industry
(effective
M ar. 1, 1927)
$8.00
3.00
.35
.40
.35
.15
.20
.25
.25
.20
.10

.25

$8. 00
2.65
.25
. 40
.35
.35
.35
.50
.50
.75
. 10
.25
.50

13. 00
13.00

14. 95
14, 40

13.50
13.50

Board and lodging................_............................. .....
Clothing
_ _______________________________
Laundry
________ ____________________
Doctor, dentist and oculist___________________
Carfares_______ ______ _____ _____ ___________
Church____ ________________________________
Self-improvement __ ___ ____________________
Vacation
______________________
Recreation__
_______________________ -Reserve for emergency______________________
M u tual Association d u es.___________________
Insurance _ .... _____________________________
Incidentals_________________________ -_______

$8. 36
1. 93
. 24
.31
1.13
.23
. 18
.44
.25
.29

T otal
_____________________________
Wage rate fixed_____________________________

13.75
13. 75

28261‘—27----3

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. 18
.21

[

273 ]

$8.00
2. 00
.25
. 50
.80
. 15
. 15
.25
.25
.25
.15

.25

25

INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE
C o m p a riso n o f T u b e r c u lo sis D e a th R a t e s in th e I n d u s ­
t r ia l asid G e n e ra l P o p u la tio n 1

A

R E C E N T study by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. affords
a comparison of the incidence of the mortality from tuberculo­
sis among its white industrial-policy holders, by sex and age,
in 1924, with the figures for the general population for the same year
in th§ United States registration States.
Although the death rate from tuberculosis has been halved in the
past -20 years through the organized and very successful campaign
which has been carried on against the disease, tuberculosis still ranks
fifth in numerical importance among the causes of death. It is
obvious, therefore, that there is much yet to be accomplished in the
control of the disease. The insurance experience which covers a
large group of industrial workers may be considered representative
of conditions among the urban wage earners of the country, while
the data for the registration States show the conditions among the
general population of the country.
The maximum death rate for white females in both the wage-earning
group and. the general population is reached between the ages of
20 and 24 years, but in the insured group the rates run somewhat
higher than in the general population up to the age period 15-19
years. \ In each 10-year period from 25 to the age period 55-64
women in the industrial population show a considerably higher death
rate from tuberculosis than the women in the general population,
but beginning with 65 years the rate increases sharply at first and
then slightly in the general population, while among 'women in the
industrial group the general tendency is downward.
Among white males of both groups the rates are very similar up to
25 years, but after that age is reached the difference is much more
marked than among the females. The rate for the industrial popu­
lation rises sharply in each succeeding age group up to the 45-54
group, where it reaches its highest point, after which there is a sharp
decline to the 65-74 group and a slight rise thereafter. The rate for
the general population, on the other hand, shows a generally rising
tendency reaching its maximum in the age period 65-74 years, after
which there is a sharp decline.
The important points shown by these figures are considered to be
the facts that the high point in the tuberculosis death rate in the
white male industrial population in 1924 occurred 25 years later in
life than among the females, and that the mortality among white
male wage earners between the ages of 20 and 60 years is very much
greater than among white males in the general population of the corre­
sponding age range. This means that the environmental and par­
ticularly the occupational conditions are of great importance in
1 M etropolitan Life Insurance Co.

26

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Statistical Bulletin, Novem ber, 1926, pp. 4-6.

[274]

EX C R E TIO N O F LEA D B Y NORM AL P E R SO N S

27

conditioning the state of health of the great army of male wage
earners during their most productive years, when the greatest
number of persons are dependent upon them for support and at a
time, too, when their deaths, which ordinarily follow long periods of
illness, most seriously affect the family life and the prospects of the
children. The place for the greatest effort, therefore, in the attempt
to control the tuberculosis death rate is with the middle-aged indus­
trial worker and, in addition to the gains attending the resulting
reduction in the death rate, problems would be eliminated in thou­
sands of cases which would otherwise come to the different social
agencies for their solution.

E x cre tio n of L e a d by N o rm a l P e rso n s
N A RTIC LE in the Journal of the American Medical Associa­
tion, December 18, 1926, by Dr. Robert A. Kehoe and his
associates, gives the results of a study of the extent to which
lead is excreted by normal persons. The fact that the secretion of
lead in the urine and feces of apparently healthy, normal men is a
matter of almost uniform occurrence, which was shown by the study,
is of great importance, as the excretion of lead was formerly considered
a reliable test in establishing a diagnosis of lead poisoning.
The persons examined were workmen taken at random as they
appeared at an employment agency and included farmers, common
laborers, skilled workers, sailors, chauffeurs, and clerks, most of
whom were youths or in middle life, and all parts of the United States
were represented in their former homes. Each subject received a
careful physical examination, including an analysis of urine and a
hemoglobin determination, and was given careful instructions and
maintained under supervision during the hours of employment while
the tests were being made. Sixty-five men were obtained for the
experiment and each man was questioned carefully as to his occupa­
tion over at least the five preceding years. Part of these men had
been employed in occupations in which there was exposure to lead
occasionally or during some part of the five-year period but 26 had
no history of lead exposure.
The tests, details of which are given in the article, were carried out
with every attention to accuracy and no other work than these anal­
yses was done in the laboratory during the time they were being
made. All subjects were found to be excreting lead either in the
urine or feces and in most instances in both, although careful con­
sideration of the subjective symptoms and the results of the physical
examinations failed to show evidence of lead poisoning in any of the
subjects.
The fact of the presence of lead in all the persons examined when
coupled with the variation in occupation, mode of living, and the
places in which they had lived over a considerable period of time
suggests, the writer says, that there is an important source, or sources,
of lead absorption as yet unknown but which may be concluded to be
fairly general.
The question is raised as to whether such a general exposure could
be the result of anything less widely distributed than food materials,

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as the drinking water in the average American community does not
contain lead in sufficient quantity to produce this result and analysis
of the water in the community in which these subjects were studied
showed no lead was present.
In many of the cases studied there was no history of exposure to
the usually recognized sources of lead absorption and, furthermore,
the writer says, “ there is no constant relationship to be found between
quantity of exposure and rate of excretion. It is well to point out
that the diagnostic value of qualitative determinations of lead excre­
tion fails completely in the face of the facts demonstrated herein.
Nor will quantitative determinations avail anything until a quantita­
tive significance is experimentally and clinically established.”

O p e ra tio n o f F o u n d ry fo r T h ir te e n M o n th s W ith o u t
A ccid e n t

I

N A communication to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Mr. O. F. McShane, chairman of the Industrial Commission of
Utah, calls attention to the remarkable safety record of a foundry
in Utah, which operated 13 months without a single lost-time accident.
Mr. McShane’s description is as follows:
The Utah Copper Co. operates a foundry at Garfield, where approximately
100 men are employed continuously. These men are not only subjected to the
usual hazards of the average foundry but are subjected to two very great hazards
which are not generally found in such places of employment, to-wit:
1.
Continuous overhead transportation of heavy tonnage of molten metal for
five or six hours daily.
2. The operation of chill casting molds.
Notwithstanding these hazards this plant has operated for the last 13 months
without a lost-time injury. During this time the man-hour exposure has been
321,960, or the equivalent of 1 man working continuously 8 hours a day for 300
days for 134 years, without sustaining a compensable injury.

M e d ic al A tte n tio n R e q u ire d in T u c u m a n F a c t o r i e s 1

I

N TUCUMAN Province, Argentina, a sick room, a first-aid room,
and a skilled staff to give free medical attention to all employees
and their families are required by law 2 to be provided in all sugar
works and other industrial establishments employing as many as 200
persons. The executive is to determine the size of the sick rooms
and first-aid rooms, in proportion to the number of persons employed
in each establishment.
In addition, these establishments must distribute free of charge to
workers who are ill and to their children under 3 years of age the
amount of milk the doctors prescribe. The doctors in addition to
their other duties shall give scientific information on infant hygiene,
malaria, alcoholism, tuberculosis, trachoma, etc., in the form of
monthly lectures.
1 Argentina. Departamento Nacional del Trabajo.
p. 1407.
8 Law passed M ay 12, 1925.


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Cronica Mensual, Buenos Aires, Ju ly ,

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29

The health council of the Province is charged with the duty of
seeing that the provisions of this law are strictly observed and it
must submit a monthly report thereon to the executive.
Fines of not less than 500 nor more than 5,000 pesos 3 are to be
imposed for every violation of this law. The proceeds of the said
fines are to be utilized for public-health purposes.

P ro h ib itio n o f U se o f W h ite P h o sp h o ru s in B u lg a r ia

A

CCORDING to Industrial and Labor Information (Geneva) for
December 6, 1926, the Swiss Federal Department of Public
Economy was notified in November, 1926, b}r the Bulgarian
Legation at Berne of the adherence of Bulgaria to the Berne con­
vention of 1906 concerning the prohibition of the use of white phos­
phorus in the manufacture of matches. This brings Bulgaria in line
with other States which have followed the recommendation adopted
by the International Labor Conference held in Washington in 1919
favoring ratification of the Berne convention by those States which
had not already adhered to it.
3 Peso a t par=96.48 cents: exchange rate for November, 1926=92.39 cents.


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HOUSING
W ork o f H a w a iia n H o m e s C o m m is s io n 1

O

N JU LY 9, 1921, President Harding approved the Hawaiian
Homes Commission act, of which section 204 reads, in
part:

(1) For a period of five years after the first meeting of the Hawaiian Homes
Commission only those lands situate on the island of Molokai, which are par­
ticularly named in paragraphs 1 and 3 of section 203 hereof: Waimanu, in the
district of Hamakua; Keaaukaha, in the district of South Hilo; and Panaewa,
Waiakea, in the district of South Hilo, island of Hawaii, shall be available for
use and disposition by said commission under the provisions of this title and
none of the remaining available lands named in said section 203 shall,_after the
expiration of the said five-year period, be leased, used, or otherwise disposed of
by the commission under the provisions of this title, except by further authoriza­
tion of Congress and with the written approval of the Secretary of the Interior
of the United States.

On September 16, 1921, the commission held its first meeting.
Since that time, under the commission’s direction, “ former pasture
and algeroba forest areas in Molokai have been settled and divided
into 22 farms and 17 house lots in the Kalanianole settlement, 74
farms in Palaau and Hoolahua, and 2 farms in Kapaakea, adding a
new population to that section of nearly 700 persons.” More than
60 homes for workers have been set up m the Kuhio settlement of
the Hawaiian home lands in the neighborhood of Hilo. “ The
majority of the homesteaders are well settled and making good
headway. Theirs is the old story of success resulting from enthusi­
astic hard work and doubtful results where indifference rules.”
The commission’s receipts from all sources have aggregated $658,963, its expenditures for permanent improvement $251,372, and its
loans to homesteaders for the development of their tracts, buildings,
farm equipment, and live stock, $213,393. In addition a disburse­
ment of $156,225 covered the purchase of certain equipment, the
general expenses of the commission, the carrying on of certain ex­
perimental work, and the development of natural resources. The
net cash balance on hand June 30, 1926, was approximately $38,000.
The original Hawaiian homes act was first approved by the legis­
lature of the Territory and afterwards submitted to the United
States Congress for action. Similar procedure would seem proper
in connection with a request for the extension of the law beyond the
five-year period. The governor recommends that the Territorial
legislature should come to agreement on the request to be presented
in this connection to the Seventieth Congress which will meet in
December, 1927.
iTJ. S . Departm ent of the Interior. A nnual report of the Governor of Hawaii for the fiscal year ended
Jun e 30, 1926, Washington, 1926, p. 56.

30


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CO M PEN SA TIO N

R e c e n t C o m p e n sa tio n R e p o rts
New York
~ B E F IT S one of the leading industrial States of the Union, the
annual report of the Industrial Commissioner of New York
presents a wide range of information and discussion on the
subject of workmen’s compensation. Questions of administration
are considered from a standpoint of efficiency and promptness, satisfaction being found in the marked improvement in disposing of the
steadily increasing number of compensation cases.
For the year ended June 30, 1926, the total number of cases indexed
for hearing was 156,541, an increase of more than 25 per cent over
the preceding year. This increase is largely due to the reduction of
the waiting period from two weeks to one week for cases of temporary
disability not lasting over 49 days, this being the first full year during
which the one-week period was operative. Again, this reduction of
waiting time naturally led to an increase in the completeness of
accidents reported; there appears also to have been an actual increase
in accident occurrence. Thus, no less than 441,401 accidents were
reported during the fiscal year as compared with 374,212 in the
preceding year. That this is in considerable measure due to improved
reporting and not entirely to increase in accidents is indicated by the
fact that the total number of accidents reported was 15 per cent
greater than for the previous year, while the number of fatal cases
was but 6 per cent greater; and as cases of this latter class have been
quite fully reported heretofore, it seems a fair conclusion that the
actual rate of increase is indicated by the lower percentage rather
than by the higher.
Despite the large increase in the number of cases, efficiency in
handling is demonstrated by the fact that the rate of disposal of
work is higher than the rate of increase in volume in a ratio of 107
to 100.
Emphasis is laid on the matter of promptness of payment, the
point being considered under two heads—-uncontroverted cases and
cases in which disagreements are registered. The law directs that
payment shall begin within 18 days after disability begins or within
8 days after first knowledge of the accident. As uncontroverted cases
comprise more than 76 per cent of the total number of compensated
cases, it is apparent that the matter of promptness of payment in
such cases rests largely with the employer or insurance carrier. It
is noted with regret that a retrograde movement has been evident
during the period covered by this report, the number of payments
made within 18 days after the accident averaging but 52 per cent
of the uncontroverted cases, the ratio falling from 56.8 per cent in
the first quarter to 49.9 per cent in the last. An effort to secure
cooperation by educational methods has been inaugurated, since

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any attempt to assess the penalty for delay could be offset by simply
filing a notice of controversy within the 18-day limit, which would
defeat the purpose of the commissioner to secure prompt settlement.
As to controverted cases, constituting less than 24 per cent of the
total, steps have been taken to establish a standard by which it will
be possible hereafter to gauge any progress made in improvement.
A factor that presents considerable difficulty is dilatory reporting by
the employers and physicians, and as there are about 200,000 of the
former and 15,000 of the latter in this State, difficulty in securing
the desired improvement seems quite probable. Adjourned hearings
by referees necessarily delay promptness in awards; the largest single
cause for such adjournments was due to the nonappearance of the
claimant, 20 per cent being due to this cause alone.
The commissioner summarized the benefits accruing to the work­
men and the cost involved on account of the reduction in the
waiting period, showing that 45,450 injured workers had benefited
by the change during the year, the money benefit amounting to
$669,498.
The importance of accident prevention is emphasized, and accident
statistics are declared to be of “ essential importance to the safety
movement. ”
Under the heading of recommended amendments a thorough and
valuable discussion is made of the subject of eve injuries, an amend­
ment being proposed with the purpose of establishing “ a scientific
and authoritative method of measuring loss of vision due to eye
injuries.” Other amendments would extend compensation for
industrial diseases to all forms of such disease instead of a scheduled
list, while the weekly maximum benefit payable would be increased
to $25 instead of $20 as at present. These are but three of some 50
recommendations of more or less importance, but in the main all
tend toward liberalization.
An interesting statement relates to the subject of the allocation of
compensation expenses to the various insurance carriers and selfinsurers of the State. It Avas determined by the Department of
Labor that the administration of the workmen’s compensation law
for the year involved expenses in the amount of $1,107,573, while
the total amount of compensation paid by all insurance carriers,
including the State fund, was $26,199,511, the proportion of the
expense to compensation being 0.042274574. Levies are accordingly
made upon each insurance carrier on the basis of their proportionate
payments during the year. This results in an allocation of expenses
ranging from less than $1 in cases of small self-insurers to from
$25,000 to $40,000 in the case of several of the more important
insurance companies, $91,050 for the State insurance fund, and
$133,332 (the largest assessment) for a stock company, the only one
that exceeds or even approximates the State fund in this respect.
The next largest assessment was $64,413.
The industrial board, charged with the quasi-judicial duty of
hearing appeals or reviewing the action taken by referees, last year
had before it 11,908 compensation cases, a number “ far in excess of
that heretofore presented * * * in any one year” ; 342 cases
were on hand at the opening of the year. Action was taken in
11,929 cases, leaving 321 undisposed of at the end of the year.

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The bureau of workmen’s compensation, charged with the handling
of claims, the determination of lump-sum awards, and administration
generally, reported 156,541 cases indexed for hearing as against
124,858 for the preceding year, the last five years showing a con­
tinuous and rapid increase in this respect as well as in accidents
reported, hearings held_ by referees and cases closed. The greatest
caution is found essential in considering applications for lump-sum
awards, “ unscrupulous attorneys or runners” being active in many
cases to defraud claimants and insurance carriers under all sorts
of fictitious representations.
The medical division, consisting of a chief and 9 assistant medical
examiners conducted a total of 36,490 examinations in the medical
examining rooms besides 5,238 outside examinations, and 8,957 final
adjustment examinations, or 50,685 in all. In 456 cases reference
was made to specialists, the largest number (171) being to opthalmologists, the next highest number (80) being to neurologists.
The report as to the State insurance fund discusses the origin of
workmen’s compensation, the establishment of the fund “ for the
sole purpose of providing a means for employers to meet their obli­
gations under the law at the lowest possible cost,” the initial organi­
zation, the completeness of security and coverage provided by the
fund in contrast with the falsely charged incompleteness as repre­
sented by opponents of the fund, and the growth and success of the
fund. Amendments to the law have aided its development, and a
large proportion of the employers insuring at the beginning of its
establishment still carry compensation with it. Premiums written
during the calendar year 1925 amounted to $4,246,429, an increase
of 9 per cent over the preceding year. It is estimated that the
premiums for the calendar year 1926 will be in excess of $5,000,000.
Assets have increased from $654,494 on December 31, 1914, to
$10,394, <43 at the end of the year 1925. There is also a surplus to
policyholders amounting to $2,125,599.
Loss reserves are" actuarially sound. Policies are written at a rate of 15 per cent less than
would be paid by insurers with any other carrier. In addition, a
15 per cent annual dividend has been paid for a number of years,
making a net saving of 2 7 ^ per cent of stock company rates to all
policyholders with the State fund. The fund carries on a work of
inspection, safety service, and accident prevention, maintains a
complete medical department, and has a rehabilitation clinic in
New Y ork City.
In comparison with stock-company insurance, the report points
out that from July 1, 1914, to December 31, 1924, employers have
contributed over $226,000,000 in premiums to stock companies,
more than $60,000,000 in excess of the amount that they would have
paid had they been insured in the State fund. The expense ratio
of 18.2 per cent as compared with the 42 per cent expense ratio of the
17 largest stock companies indicates a resultant saving of 23.8 per
cent to injured persons covered by insurance in the State fund;
or, adjusting to actual rates collected, of 26.5 per cent of earned
premiums. Besides this, “ there is no compensation carrier in the
State of New York whose protection is quite as complete as that of
the State fund. ” As compared with mutual companies, the impor­
tant feature of freedom from assessment is stressed, while the divi
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¿ends show a net saving of 27^4 per cent as compared with 20 per
cent for the largest mutuals. The relative advantages of insurance
in the fund and self-insurance are also pointed out, notably the
self-insurer ’s lack of the accident-prevention facilities offered by the
fund and the gambler’s chance that the self-insurer necessarily
assumes. Since the overhead expenses of the fund are so low, costs
of claim investigation and settlement being less than 5 per cent
of the earned premiums, “ it is not believed that a self-insurer could
effect any saving in this type of expense. ” The conclusion is reached
that the fund is in a better position than ever to improve its service
and that it faces “ a future bright with promise of increased usefulness
to the people of the State.”
The subject of accidents was not considered in this report.
North Dakota
'"THE seventh annual report of the North Dakota Compensation
■* Bureau covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 1926. This State
is one of the less important industrially, but lias quite an advanced
type of compensation legislation. An amendment of 1923 author­
ized employers to make special contracts with the bureau, by which
they might secure insurance with the State fund covering their per­
sonal injuries or death. “ It is interesting to note in connection with
this that of the 9,288 risks in force June 30, 1926, there were only 95
employers who had availed themselves of this privilege.” The same
legislature authorized extraterritorial coverage by special contract
when the main office and at least two-thirds of the pay roll are within
the State bounds; 155 employers had made this arrangement by the
end of the year.
The State fund now holds assets in the amount of $1,600,872, the
fund having shown a steady growth for the five years reported in the
conspectus; and liabilities amounted to $1,362,953, thus showing a
surplus of $237,918.
Receipts for the fiscal year amounted to $530,218, of which $445,526
was for premiums. Disbursements totaled $373,757, of which
$204,502 was for compensation, $97,370 for medical expenses, and
$52,179 for administrative expenses.
Adjustments of rates developed the necessity of increases in eight
classifications and allowed reductions in eight, the remainder being
unchanged. Dividends provided for were of three rates, 30 per cent,
20 per cent, and 10 per cent, 11 classifications receiving no dividends.
These included coal mining, creameries and dairies, printing and pub­
lishing, road construction, policemen and detectives, and some minor
classifications. The 30 per cent dividend was paid to 12 classifica­
tions, including electric light and power plants, grain elevators, tele­
graph and telephone company office exchange employees, farm ma­
chinery, lumber yards, and a few others. In the group receiving 20 per
cent were bakeries, grain mills, laundries, department stores, wholesale
stores, and hotels; while those receiving 10 per cent were telegraph and
telephone companies, oil distributing, and hospitals and asylums.
Tables are given showing a comparative statement of income and
disbursements for the five years July 1, 1921, to Jane 30, 1926, a com­
parative statement of liability incurred on claims for definite classes
of injuries for the history of the act; a condensed financial statement

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of selected classifications covering the principal industries of the State,
the earned pay roll amounting to $211,648,395; distribution of claims
by general causes for the fiscal year; and accident data for that year.
An unusual provision of the law of this State is one that permits
employees of employers not insured with the State fund to apply to
the bureau for a determination of the employer’s liability to pay for
injury or death. Ten such claims were filed during the year, one
being on hand at the beginning of the year. Of these, 9 were actedon, 4 receiving awards and 5 being dismissed, 1 by reason of an
amicable approved settlement, 1 because the claimant was not an
employee, and 3 because the injury was not received in the course
of the employment.
Of the total of 2,800 claims, causing a loss of 65,034 days’ time,
64 were for permanent partial disability involving 23,016 days of
lost time, and calling for awards amounting to $56,971. The 1,388
temporary disability cases caused a time loss of 42,018 days and
called for benefits to the amount of $96,896. These compensation
awards were independent of medical aid.
A brief table shows for the history of the act the average cost of
death and permanent total disability cases by nature of dependency.
In 19 death cases where there were widows only, the average award
wan $6,357 per case. In 32 cases where there wrere widows and
children the average award was $10,524, and in 12 cases of perma­
nent total disability the average award was $16,444.
United States
'T H E tenth annual report of the United States Employees’ Com1 pensation Commission covers the year ending June 30,1926, as to
fiscal operations, but for detailed accident data the calendar year
ending December 31, 1925. Summary tables are also given covering
the period of the operation of the act—nine and one-third years.
During the calendar year 1925 the number of accidents reported
exceeded that for any other year since 1919, the total being 20,691 as
against 20,538 for the preceding year. The number of claims re­
ceived on account of the loss of wages w7as 6,987 as against 6,890
in the preceding year. There were 274 cases of death, 50 more than
in 1924. During the first nine months of 1926 there were slight
decreases as to both injuries and claims, corresponding so closely
with the numbers received during the years 1921, 1922, and 1923
that the commission suggests that probably a normal rate is indi­
cated by these numbers.
Considering the experience under the act to the end of December,
1925, based on closed cases on the basis of 100,000 injuries, the report
shows the number of deaths to be 2,295; permanent total disabilities,
316; and permanent partial disabilities, 3,173, aggregating 5,784
cases per 100,000, or 5.78 per cent of all injuries. The fluctuation
in the development of these rates may be indicated by the number
of permanent total disabilities, which, in 1921, showed a rate of 216
per 100,000. The developments of 1922 changed that rate to 242;
in 1923 the rate rose to 244, in 1924 to306, andin 1925 to316, asstated
above. Similarly marked annual shifts appear as regards fatal cases.
The Post Office Department is responsible for the largest number
of injuries during the calendar year 1925, the total amounting to

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7,535. The War Department is second with 5,916 cases, the Navy
coming third with 1,686. The city mail service (outdoor) is respon­
sible for nearly one-half the total for the Post Office Department,
the number of injuries reported being 3,363.
The commission thinks that probably the number of injuries and
claims “ could be materially reduced if proper attention were given
to accident prevention by the employment of capable safety engi•neers and the enforcement of safe practices and safety laws and regu­
lations, as observed in the most progressive large private industrial
establishments.”
The cost of the law for the live fiscal years from July 1, 1921, to
June 30, 1926, shows a practically steady diminution in administra­
tive costs and considerable fluctuation in compensation costs. The
total compensation costs for the fiscal year 1926 amounted to $2,581,379 as compared with $2,726,531, the highest amount, paid in 1923;
and $2,333,527, the lowest, paid in 1924. These figures cover all
expenditures from the compensation fund, including death benefits,
medical treatment, burial expenses, transportation, etc. Adminis­
trative costs decreased from 10.1 per cent of the aggregate expendi­
ture during the first complete fiscal year, 1918, to 5.4 per cent for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1926. A lower figure would be de­
veloped if the total costs of medical and hospital expenses charged
against the appropriations for the departments were included, the
commission being charged with much detailed work in the furnishing
of such service.
The development of compensation payments, with their gradual
increase, being the result of cumulative experience under the law, is
evidence of the fact that a stable condition of additions and cessa­
tions has not yet been reached. With a law in operation but nine
and one-third years, the number of permanent total disabilities
and of dependent widows will necessarily increase until natural
causes operate to establish uniformity. The average age of orphan
children is 9 years, payments continuing until the age of 18 is
reached; while in the case of other relatives the maximum payment
of 8 years operates to check the increase; but necessarily a number of
years must yet elapse before a probable uniform addition and diminu­
tion will balance.
The statistics furnished by this commission are among the most
painstaking and valuable in detail, but the total exposure is not
sufficiently large to furnish a standard until larger totals accumulate.
Thus the total experience of permanent partial disabilities covering
the history of the act was 4,115. Of these, 147 represent loss of eye
with an average award of $1,051.19; 19 cases of loss of right hand with
average award of $1,550.01; while for 10 cases of loss of left hand the
awards average $1,628.38—obviously not a stable condition. It
must be kept in mind that these awards are based not on a schedule,
but on wages lost. For four cases of loss of right thumb, the awards
averaged $105.58, while for seven cases of loss of left thumb, the
awards averaged $74.68. Compared with these are 83 cases of loss
of the distal phalanx of the right thumb with an average award of
$119.32, a larger sum than for the loss of the thumb. However, the
example set and the actual data furnished are an important contribu­
tion to the subject of accident statistics.

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What is said as to accident data is true also of the difficult problem
of the remarriage rate. The major number of States limiting widows’
benefits to a period of years can furnish material for a table of remar­
riage rates only for the period covered by the maximum term of
benefits, while for those States which continue benefits during widow­
hood and until death an entirely different experience must be de­
veloped. Of the 1,410 widows to whom awards had been made under
the Federal employees’ compensation act up to December 31, 1925,
220 had married—a rate of 3.54; 72 had died; and compensation
to 1 was terminated for other reasons. Nearly three-fourths of the
remarriages occurred within a period of four years after the beginning
of widowhood, the largest number in a single year being in the second
year after the death of the husband. There were 21 remarriages in
the first year, 59 in the second, 50 in the third, 33 in the fourth, 28 in
the fifth, 16 in the sixth, 9 in the seventh, and 4 in the eighth. There
were 113 widows who had been widowed for eight years and over,
without any remarriages up to the date of the report. This group
includes 2 widows who were under 21 years of age when widowed, 3
between 21 and 26, and 12 who were 26 and under 31. The remain­
der were of higher ages.
Awards have been made to 2,231 children under 18 years of age, of
whom 39 have died, 39 have married, and 559 have attained the age
of 18 years. Dependent mothers numbered 459, of whom 14 have
married, 51 have died, and 46 have ceased to receive compensation
at the termination of the eight-year period provided for in the act.
As to fathers, 238 have received dependency awards, of whom 7 have
ceased to be dependent, 4 have married, and 39 have died; the eightyear provision has terminated benefits to 13.
Average awards for compensated temporary total disabilities
amounted to $77.99 for the calendar year 1925; for permanent total
disabilities, $9,402.54; and for deaths, $4,380.40.
Careful consideration is given to the subject of the relation between
wage loss and compensation paid. The percentage fixed in the act
is 66%, but with a maximum base rate of $100 per month. This
limits benefits to $66.67 per month, or about $2.22 per day, regardless
of the great increase in living cost (about 75 per cent) since this law
was framed. The percentage in wage loss actually paid in com­
pensation has ranged from 41.18 per cent to 49.73 per cent, the rate
for 1925 being 47.67 per cent. For the 74 per cent of temporary
disability cases in 1925 in which the injured worker was receiving
more than $100 per month, benefits amounted to but 44.54 per cent
of the total wage loss; for those receiving $50 and under $100, the
payments amounted to 61.28 per cent; and for those receiving $33.33
to $50, 68.15 per cent. As the law fixes a minimum benefit of $33.33
per month, the lower-paid workers are the most largely benefited,
receiving an average of 88.8 per cent of their wage loss.
Porto Rico
T T IE annual report of the Workmen’s Relief Commission of Porto
1 Rico for the year ending June 30, 1926, presents first a general
review of compensation legislation since the first act went into effect
in 1916. The principle was new in the island and employers were
slow in accepting its provisions, the statute being of an optional

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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38

M O N T H L Y LABOK H EV IEW

nature. In 1918 a compulsory law of wider coverage and more
liberal benefits was enacted. Various amendments have since been
added, including one that extended the law to occupational diseases.
Vigorous opposition has been offered by various employers from, time
to time, while administrative difficulties have led to a variety of
efforts to meet the situation, the commission having been reorganized
last year. During the first two months of the year covered, admin­
istration was practically at a standstill pending reforms under con­
sideration by the legislative assembly. When the new body actually
assumed duty on September 2, 1925, 12,465 cases were pending in
the claims division. At the same time the balance available in the
insular insurance fund did not exceed $200, though receipts for collec­
tion in the hands of the treasurer were in excess of $300,000. A
cooperative effort to collect assessments was successful, the total
income for the year amounting to $641,513, more than $100,000 above
the amount collected, in the previous year.
With pending and accrued cases the commission had before it dur­
ing the year 24,721 cases, of which 15,220 were decided originally
during the year, leaving 9,501 pending. Cases submitted were:
Temporary disability, 14,963; permanent partial, 217; and perma­
nent total, 2; death eases numbered 38.
Expenditures for the year amounted to $620,675, of which $296,875
was for compensation and $198,620 for medical attendance, hospitals,
and medicines. Administrative expenses amounted to $112,343.
“ The administration expenses for the present year were 18 per cent
of the total sum expended by the commission.” The situation is
said not to be comparable with the States of the Union on account of
the large number of small employers and the relatively lower wages.
Regret is expressed for the lack of safety regulations and safety
appliances, to which the commission has not been able to pay atten­
tion up to this time and which is given as another reason why overhead
expenses are higher than those in several of the States of the Union.

D e v e lo p m e n t of W o rk m e n ’s C o m p e n sa tio n in A rg en ­
t in a
N A RG EN TIN E official report1 gives figures showing the
growth of industrial accident insurance in that country from
1916 to 1925.
W O R K M E N ’S C O M P E N S A T IO N IN S U R A N C E IN A R G E N T IN A , 1920 TO 1925
[Peso at par=>96.48 cents; average exchange rate for 1920 w as 90.7 cents; for 1921, 73 cents; for 1922, 81,9
cents; for 1923, 78.6 cents; for 1924, 78.1 cents; for 1925, 91.4 cents]
Item
Num ber of policies.................................
Num ber of workers covered_____. . . .

1920

1921

1922

1923

1924

64,281
47,292
57,498
40, 760
26, 713
417,066
514,975
356,087
432,250
465,931
Pesos
Pesos
Pesos
Pesos
Pesos
8, 763, 577 10,720, 578 11,960,870 14, 553,234 16,369,923

1925
70,450
509,655
Pesos
19,192,445

Prem ium s p a i d .- ...............................
Benefits paid:
D eath ................................................ . 553,389
37,126
Total disability---------- -------- Permanent partial d isability........ 644,967
Tem porary disability...................... 2,392,079

559,174
42,008
806,032
2,193,087

569,675
64,426
743, 704
2,684,657

785,885
46, 773
909,754
3,415,041

566,883
62,014
1,133,488
3,963,169

694,635
67,496
1,243,046
3, 589.956

T o ta l............................................... 3,627, 561

3,600, 301

4,062,462

5,157,453

5, 725, 554

5, 595,133

i Argentina. [Departamento Nacional del Trabajo.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Crónica M ensual, Buenos Aires, September, 1926.

[286]

W OM EN IN IN D U ST R Y
L o s t T im e a n d L a b o r T u rn o v e r A m o n g W o m an W ork­
e rs in C o tto n M ills in 1922

T

HE United States Women’s Bureau has recently issued a report
(Bui. No. 52) on this subject, based on a surv'ey of cotton-mill
workers made in 1923. Eighteen mills, 9 in the North and
9 in the South, were covered, having a total force during the year of
10,541, of whom women formed 41.2 per cent. The southern mills
showed 2,508 women (39.6 percent of their total force), against 1,830,
or 43.5 per cent of their total force, in the northern mills. Attend­
ance records covering the calendar year 1922 were copied from the
mill pay rolls, and in addition home visits were made to 2,354 women.
Reports as to pauses of absence were secured from 2,214 and as to
reason for leaving their last job from 1,066.
One-third (33.7 per cent) of the vfomen in the northern mills wrere
foreign bom as against 1.4 per cent of those in southern mills. The
age distribution was as follows:
D IS T R IB U T IO N , B Y A G E G R O U P A N D L O C A L IT Y , O P W O M E N R E P O R T IN G ON A G E
Northern mills

Southern mills

Total

Age group
Number

Per cent Num ber

Per cent Number

Per cent

Under 16 y e a r s - ____-____ ______________
16 and under 20 years, _____________ _
20 and under 25 years_____________ _____
25 and under 30 years___ . ___________
30 an d under 40 years___________________
49 and under 50 years_____ __________
50 and under 60 years . .......................60 years and o v e r.,.-______ ____________

46
280
251
178
221
176
73
24

3, 7
22.4
20. 1
14.3
17.7
14.1
5.8
1.9

53
266
231
156
214
137
31
12

4. 8
24. 2
21.0
14. 2
19. 5
12. 5
2. 8
1.1

99
546
482
334
435
313
104
36

4. 2
23. 2
20. 5
14.2
18. 5
13. 3
4.4
1.5

T o t a l- - __________ _______________

1,249

100.0

1,100

100.0

2,349

100.0

The age grouping, it will be noticed, is very similar in the two
sections. The proportion in each of the age groups under 25 is
slightly larger in the South than in the North, while in each of the
groups over 40 it is slightly larger in the North. The difference
is not material, however, the proportion aged 25 and over being
53.8 per cent in northern, as against 50.1 per cent in the southern
mills.
The twTo sections show' a greater difference in regard to the conjugal
condition of the women, the per cent in each group being as follows:
N orthern
m ills

Single_____________________ _ _
Married
Widowed, divorced, or separated

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[287]

____ 52. 6
___ 39. 0
____ 9. 4

Southern
m ills

A ll
m ills

40. 4
4L 1
18. 5

46. 9
40. 0
13. 1

39

40

M O N T H L Y LABO E R E V IE W

Practically all lived either at home or with relatives, the proportion
adrift being only 3.6 per cent among the northern and 3.7 per cent
among the southern workers.
Lost Time
'"THE time lost was for the women 21.9 per cent and for the men
16.2
per cent of possible working time. In the northern mills
men lost 10.7 per cent and women 16.4 per cent, while in the southern
mills the figures were 20.7 per cent for men and 27.4 per cent for
women. One of the important showings of the study is the connec­
tion between long working hours and lost time.
In mills with scheduled daily hours of less than 10, men and women combined
lost 13.2 per cent of their time, women lost 16.3 per cent, and men 10.6 per cent;
in mills with scheduled daily hours of 10 or more, men and women combined
lost 21.7 per cent of their time, women lost 25.6 per cent, and men 19.2 per cent.
In mills with scheduled weekly hours of less than 55, men and women com­
bined lost 13.4 per cent of their time, women lost 16.3 per cent, and men 10.7 per
cent; in mills with scheduled weekly hours of 55 or more, men and women com­
bined lost 22.3 per cent, women lost 27 per cent, and men 19.5 per cent.

The number and percentage of days the women lost, by specified
causes, were as follows:
C A U S E S OF L O S T T I M E R E P O R T E D B Y 2,214 W O M E N
D ays lost, by specified cause in—
Cause

Number

All mills

Southern mills

Northern mills
Per cent

Num ber

Per cent

Number

Per cent

Personal........................................
M ill causes.............................. .
General........ .................................

33, 111
7, 247
424

81. 2
17.8
1.0

43, 527
11, 677
1,177

77.2
20.7
2.1

76, 638
18,024
1, 601

78.9
19.5
1.6

T o tal...................................

40, 782

100.0

56,381

100.0

97,163

100.0

Of the personal causes illness was by far the most important,
accounting for 23.2 per cent of the days lost—“ an average loss of
10.2 days per woman worker for illness alone, and these figures do
not include illness due to pregnancy and confinement nor accident.”
In this respect the southern workers show a greater proportionate
loss of time than the northern, the percentages being 24.8 against
20.8. In time lost through home duties, however, the balance
swings the other way, 26 per cent of the time lost by northern workers
against 15.4 percent of that lost by southern workers being ascribed
to this cause. Time lost through personal causes varied, quite
naturally, with the conjugal condition of the worker.
Single women lost 15 per cent of their time and an average of 34.1 days; married
women lost 27.9 per cent and an average of 59.3 days; widowed, separated, and
divorced women lost 19.1 per cent and an average of 45.6 days.

The time lost through mill causes over which the worker had no
control accounted for nearly one-fifth of the total, while the time lost
through such general causes as disputes, strikes, weather, and the
like accounted for only 1.8 per cent of the total.

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[288]

WOMAN WORKEKS IN COTTON M IL L S, 1922

41

Labor Turnover

T T IE method used for calculating turnover was to divide the number
of separations which occurred during the year by the average
number of full-tune workers. According to this method the turnover
rate in northern mills was 95.7 per cent for men, 93.8 per cent for
women, and 94.9 per cent for men and women combined. In the
southern mills it was 184.3 per cent for men, 198.4 per cent for women,
and 189.5 per cent for men and women combined. There was a wide
variation between individual mills in this respect, the northern mills
showing for men and women combined a turnover rate ranging from
41 per cent to 181.5 per cent, and the southern mills a range from
48.9 per cent to 377.3 per cent. For all mills the shifting element
constituted 56.1 per cent of the working force, and only 25.7 per cent
worked each month in the year in the same mill. The turnover rate
was highest for women in the autumn and for men in the summer,
and lowest for women in the spring and for men in the winter. Mills
in large centers had a much larger turnover rate than those in isolated
communities.
In regard to scheduled weekly hours there was an increase in the
percentage of turnover with each longer-hour group, with the single
exception of the group of mills in the over-48-and-including-54-hour
classification. A marked contrast occurred, however, between men
and women, for while the men in the 55-hour group showed a lower
per cent of separations than did those in the 48-hour group, the
women working a 55-hour week had almost twice as high a rate as
had those who worked 48 hours.
Although a high labor turnover is generally recognized as an
indication of inefficiency on the part of the management, only three
mills among the 18 included in this stucty made any distinct effort to
hold their employees and reduce turnover.
One mill gave an attendance bonus which increased with each year of service.
If a worker lost more than two weeks in the six-month period, lie or she was con­
sidered a “ quit” and on returning to work began as a new employee so far as the
bonus was concerned. This rule did not apply when a worker was forced through
illness to remain out for more than two weeks. The second mill gave a week’s
vacation with pay if a worker had been in the firm’s employment for six months
previously^ to June 1 and had been steady in attendance. Some years a bonus
also was given to all employees on the books at the beginning and the end of the
year. This bonus depended on the profits of the company, and for the year of
this study amounted to 8 per cent of the earnings of each employee who was
eligible. The third mill gave one week with pay if during the previous six-month
eriod no time had been lost except through illness or by permission. * * *
low far these various schemes worked may be shown to some extent by the fact
that the first mill mentioned, which gave an increasing bonus for length of service,
had a yearly turnover of 58.1 per cent; the second mill, which gave vacation with
pay after six months and sometimes an extra yearly bonus, showed a turnover
rate of 87.3 per cent; and the third mill, which gave vacation with pay after six
months, had a turnover of 48.9 per cent.
These three mills all had a turnover much below the average for the whole
group of mills, which was 142.3 per cent. It is interesting to note also that
while the average proportion of workers in all the mills who showed continuousservice periods of six months or more was 38.6 per cent, the proportions who
worked six months or more in these three mills were 66.3 per cent, 55.9 per cent,
and 77.6 per cent, respectively.

g

282G10-—27----- 4

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[289]

42

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

H o u r s, W ages, a n d W o rk in g C o n d itio n s o f W om en
in M ississip p i I n d u str ie s

I

N TH E early part of 1925, on the invitation of the Governor of
Mississippi, the Federal Women’s Bureau made a survey of the
hours, wages, and working conditions of women industrially em­
ployed in that State, the results of which have been embodied in a
bulletin (No. 55) recently published. The survey covered 81 estab­
lishments, located in 25 cities and towns, and employing 2,853
women with 49 girls under 16.
The women studied were employed in various forms of manufac­
turing, in retail stores, and in laundries. Nearly one-fifth (18.9 per
cent) were colored, and as the wages and kinds of employment of
the two groups differed considerably they have been considered
separately. Of the white women, 71.7 per cent were engaged in
different forms of manufacturing, over three-fifths of these being
employed in textile mills; 17.1 per cent were in general mercantile
establishments, 8.4 per cent in 5-and-10 cent stores, and 2.8 per
cent in laundries. Of the colored women, 51.6 per cent were in
various kinds of manufacturing, the great majority of these being
in the manufacture of wooden boxes and veneer; 47.7 per cent were
in laundries, and 0.7 per cent were in general mercantile establish­
ments.
Practically all the women for whom personal data were secured
were native-born Americans, only four reporting foreign birth. For
1,022 of the white and 238 of the colored women data as to age were
secured, showing the following grouping:
White,
per ce rt

Under 20 years of age__________________________ 31. 4
20 and under 30 years of age___________________ 38. 6
30 years of age and over_______________________ 30. 0

Colored,
per cent

25. G
38. 7
35. 7

As to conjugal condition, 60.9 per cent of the vdiite women re­
porting were single, 22.4 per cent married, and 16.7 per cent widowed,
divorced, or separated; for the 219 colored women reporting on
this point, the percentages were, respectively, 41.6, 22.4, and 36.1.
The number of years spent in the trade in which they were found
was reported by 997 white and 212 negro women. Only 16.9 per
cent of the white and 19.8 per cent of the colored women had had
less than one year of experience in the industry in which they were
working at the time of the survey.
Figures for both groups of workers indicate that there was no great tendency
for the women to shift from one trade to another or to remain at work for only
short periods of time. Of the white women reporting, over one-fifth had had 5
but less than 10 years of experience and 6.4 per cent 10 but less than 15 years,
while over a tenth had been in the same line of work for 15 years or longer. The
negro women showed somewhat less tendency to remain in the same trade over a
period of years, but over one-fourth of them reported 5 years or more of experi­
ence in the industry in which they were working at the time of the investigation.

The Mississippi law permits the employment of women for a
maximum day of 10 hours with a weekly limit of 60 hours. Of the
2,613 women for whom records as to time were secured, 0.5 per cent
had a scheduled day of 7 hours, 2.6 per cent one of 8 hours, 2 per cent
over 8 but under 9~ hours, 29.7 per cent 9 hours, 7.8 per cent over 9

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[2801

WOMAN W O RKERS IN COTTON M IL L S , 1922

43

and under 10 hours, 21.6 per cent 10 hours, 33.7 per cent over 10
and under 11, and 2.1 per cent 11 hours. Hours varied in the differ­
ent industries, the textile mills making the worst showing.
Of the 11 plants visited [in the textile industry], none had a day of less than
10 hours and only 2 employed their women for a day as short as that. A day
of over 10 but under 11 hours was the regular schedule of 85.5 per cent of the
women in the industry, and 5.1 per cent were expected to work 11 hours daily.

The weekly hours showed a similar tendency toward long sched­
ules. Only 5 per cent of the women had a week of 48 hours or less,
10.1 per cent had a week of over 48 and under 54 hours, 8.5 per cent
had 54 hours, 50.2 per cent over 54 and under 60 hours, 26.2 per cent
60 hours, and 0.2 per cent over 60 hours. There were 180 women
employed at night in textile mills and 2 in a veneer factory. Those
in the textile mills worked five nights a week, the others six.
The shifts were very long, ranging in length from over 10 but less than 11
hours to 13 hours. * * * For the majority of the women on night shifts
the regular weekly hours totaled to more than 55 but less than 60. Of the two
women in the veneer factory, however, an extremely long weekly schedule was
required, one of 78 hours.

The median earnings of 2,136 white women, whose records were
taken from the pay rolls for a week in January, 1925, were $8.60,
the range of the medians being from $6.95 in men’s clothing to $14.90
in general mercantile stores. The earnings of those who had had a
full week’s employment were somewhat higher, the median for the
whole group of 980 being $9.80, and the range of the medians being
from $8.55 in 5-and-10-cent stores to $15.45 in general mercantile
establishments. For negro women earnings w*ere lower, the highest
median, $7.45, being reached by the women in the miscellaneous
manufacturing group, while for each of the other four groups the
median fell between $5 and $6. The median of the year’s earn­
ings for 330 white women was $464, the range being from less than
$200, which represented the earnings of five women, to between $1,800
and $2,000, earned by one; only 19 earned more than $1,000. For
58 negro women for whom the year’s earnings were obtained, the
median was $300, some earning less than $200, and only 1 earning
more than $500.
In respect to working conditions, there was much room for im­
provement. Only 12 of the 81 establishments visited provided
sanitary drinking facilities for all of the women employed. Eleven
provided no washing facilities of any kind and 59 furnished only
cold water for personal use. Toilet facilities were often inadequate
and their condition very unsatisfactory; this was especially true of
the facilities provided for colored women. Only 12 plants had pro­
vided places other than the workroom in which women might eat
their lunch, suitable places for keeping wraps and outdoor clothing
were rare, and properly equipped rest rooms were wanting in the
majority of establishments.


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LA B O R LA W S AND C O U R T D ECISIO N S
D ise a se D u e to O c c u p a tio n H eld N o n c o m p e n sa b le in
T exas
SW EEPING and almost startling conclusion was arrived at by
the Court of Civil Appeals of Texas in a decision rendered
recently where compensation was claimed for sickness in­
duced by the conditions of employment. (Gordon v. T raveled
Ins. Co., 287 S. W. 911.) The case was before the court on appeal
from the District Court of Wichita County, where a claim of com­
pensation or, alternatively, of a recovery in damages was denied.
Gordon was a workman employed by an oil corporation in various
capacities. At times he was required to use paints, oil, and gasoline
of high specific gravity; to stand in crude oil; to work in washing and
cleaning refuse oil out of a large storage tank containing but two small
openings, resulting in a close and humid atmosphere burdened with
fumes of gasoline and refuse oil; to work under conditions when
gasoline was spilled on his body, causing blisters; to use a paint mixed
with stump turpentine of offensive odor, which made him ill, etc.
He finally became so ill as to necessitate leaving work and going to a
hospital, where he was found to be stricken with a severe case of
nephritis, causing total and permanent incapacity.
A claim for compensation was submitted to the industrial accident
board and, in the event the compensation law was found not to apply,
a recovery in damages was sought for negligence of the employer in
failing to furnish a safe place and appliances. The industrial acci­
dent board refused compensation, whereupon notice of an appeal
to the courts was duly filed. On this appeal the court sustained the
board on the ground that the operation of the compensation act is
limited solely to accidental injuries, while the claimant’s condition
was the result of a gradual development, “ thus eliminating the acci­
dental element necessary. ”
As to the alternative proceeding in an action for damages, the
court found that “ under the facts set up in the petition appellant’s
employer was a subscriber under our compensation law, and he, by
his conduct, had waived his right of action at common law against
such employer.” It was further said that no recovery could be had
at common law for the additional reason that the common law did
not allow recovery for occupational or industrial diseases. No
remedy therefore existed under either form of proceeding.
It is obvious that so to construe the compensation law is to give it
an effect that differs from a widely, if not generally, accepted position
that for injuries to which the compensation law does not apply, the
action for damages remains unaffected. To say that an employee
waives all rights of action at common law while accepting a com­
pensation statute which covers only a part of the field of industrial
injury is to confer a doubtful benefit; arid it would seem difficult to
justify such a position either in logic or as an exemplification of the
44


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[292]

DISEASE DUE TO OCCUPATION HELD NONCOMPENSABLE

45

“ liberal construction” that is so often referred to in interpretations
of compensation statutes. In other words, the abolition of one
remedy should extend no further than the reach of the new remedy
offered in its stead; and while there is some conflict of opinion, it is
submitted that such is the better construction.
As to the so-called “ additional reason” for denying recovery—
i. e., that the common law did not apply to occupational or industrial
diseases—the citation given (Miller v. American Steel Wire Co., 90
Conn. 349, 97 Atl. 345) may be admitted to be fairly in point, the court
in that case saying that “ the common-law action for damages never
attempted to cover the typical case of an occupational disease caused
by continued exposure to the ordinary and known risks of the em­
ployment,” though obviously the application in the Texas case is
broader than the obiter of the Connecticut judge. However, abun­
dant precedent can be found for an opposite view, as where there was
loss of eyesight and health due to the systemic effect of chemicals
and of the glare of a polished surface resulting in disease and dis­
ability due to the employer’s failure to provide suitable safeguards,
so that an action for damages would lie. (Zajkowsld v. American
Steel & Wire Co. (C. C. A., 1918), 258 Fed. 9, with an extensive list
of citations.) The Supreme Court of Wisconsin also allowed damages
where sulphur fumes were injuriously inhaled, the employer having
been negligent in the matter of taking preventive measures. (Deisenreiter v. Malting Co. (1896), 92 Wis. 164, 66 N. W. 112.)
As bearing upon both phases of the court’s reasoning, reference may
be had to a Kentucky case (Jellico Coal Co. v. Adkins (1923), 247
S. W. 972). Here a mine laborer made ill by inhaling impure air in
the mine was denied compensation, as not being a traumatic injury
covered by the act. The court added, however, “ that for such dis­
eases he may have an action at common law.” Of like effect is the
case Trout v. Wickwire Spencer Steel Corp. (1922), 195 N. Y. Supp.
528. This likewise was a case of occupational disease, not covered
by the act, but for which damages could be claimed, the court saying
“ the statute is exclusive as to cases coming within its scope, but the
common-law remedy still exists as to cases not covered by the
statute.”
Clearly these two cases are opposed to the position of the Texas
court on both points; however, a precedent in line with its position
is found in Zajachuck v. Willard Storage Battery Co. (1923), 140
N. E. 405, where the Supreme Court of Ohio said that the compensa­
tion law of that State declared employers not to be “ liable to respond
in damages at common law or by statute, save as hereinafter provided,
for injury or death of any employee, wherever occurring.” The
conclusion was reached that this was a complete abrogation of the
right to sue, and that a failure to provide another specific remedy
left the employee without redress in the class of omitted cases—a conclusion that seems to fall under the condemnation of the
Supreme Court, implied but not asserted, of a law that would set
aside common-law rules “ without providing a reasonably just sub­
stitute.” (New York Central K. Co. v. White (1917), 243 U. S. 188,
37 Sup. Ct. 247.)
In view of the state of the claimant in the Gordon case, permanently
disabled and debarred from any relief whatever by the construction

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[293]

46

M O N T H L Y LABO E E EV IE W

given the law, the court might well have quoted further the Connecti­
cut judge in the Miller case when he remarked, “ it may be said that
in point of logic, occupational disease is as proper a subject for com­
pensation as industrial accident.”

E n fo rc e m e n t o f L a b o r L a w s in G u a t e m a la

A

CCORDING to a communication from the American consul
general, Philip Holland, at Guatemala City, dated November
24, 1926, the National Department of Labor with the aid
of the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce is strictly to enforce the
labor laws, especially legislative decrees Nos. 1367, 1385, and 1434.
The important provision of decree (No. 1367) of April 14, 1925,
is that at least 75 per cent of the employees of all commercial, bank­
ing, industrial, or agricultural establishments shall be Guatemalan
citizens. Exceptions are to be made only in the ease of employees
having a professional status.
Decree No. 1385, effective since November 20, 1925, prohibits
the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays, holidays, days preceding
elections, and election days. The sale of articles other than medi­
cines and foodstuffs is prohibited on Sunday. A strict enforcement
of this Sunday-closing law is to be made, especially in the larger
cities.
The 8-hour day and the weekly rest day provisions of decree No.
14341 of April 24, 1926, are to be rigidly enforced hereafter.
In Guatemala City the labor department has eight inspectors to
carry on this work, while in the various districts throughout the
country the local authorities enforce the laws in the absence of repre­
sentatives of the National Department of Labor.
1A sum m ary of this decree was given in the August, 1926, issue of the


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»

[294]

L

abo s

R

e v ie w

.

IN D U ST R IA L D ISP U T E S
S tr ik e s a n d L o c k o u ts in th e U n ite d S t a t e s , D e ce m b e r,

1926

T

HE Bureau of Labor Statistics presents below a statement of
strikes and lockouts in the United States beginning in the
month of December, 1926, in so far as reports thereof have
been received by the bureau, Disputes involving fewer than six
workers and those lasting less than one day have been omitted where
information on this point is reported.
In presenting these figures it is important to note that the bureau
has no machinery for the prompt and full reporting of strikes and
lockouts, but depends largely upon newspapers, trade journals, and
labor periodicals for the preliminary reports of disputes. These pre­
liminary reports are then followed up by correspondence, and any
necessary revision is made.
For the reasons mentioned the data here presented do not pretend
to be absolutely complete or fully accurate. It is believed, however,
that practically all of the more significant strikes and lockouts are
recorded, and that the information presented is sufficiently accurate
to give a fair picture of the situation in the United States in the matter
of significant strikes and lockouts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics solicits the cooperation of em­
ployers, labor organizations, and other interested parties in making
this compilation of disputes as comprehensive and as accurate as
possible.
Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in December, 1926
'T H E table below shows the number of strikes and lockouts begin1 ning in December, 1926, in comparison with October and
November, and also the number of persons involved, to the extent
that reports on this point have been received. As already noted,
delayed reports usually concern minor disputes.
S T R I K E S A N D L O C K O U T S B E G I N N I N G IN O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926 i
Disputes in which number of em­
ployees directly involved is
know n3
Total
number of
disputes 2

M onth

October, 1926________________ _____ __________ .
Novem ber, 1926_______ _________ _________
December, 1926-............................ ...................................... ..
1 D ata given are subject to revision.


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72
51
37

Number
of strikes
and lock­
outs
46
46
23

Total
Average
number of number of
employees employees
involved per dispute
12,091
10,435
9,712

263
227
422

2 Excluding those involving fewer than 6 persons.

[295]

47

48

M O N T H LY LABOR REVIEW

Classification of Strikes and Lockouts by Industries and by Number of Persons
Involved
HTHE statement below shows the distribution of the reported strikes
*
and lockouts beginning in December, 1926, by industries:
Number of disputes

Building trades________________________________________
10
2
Chauffeurs and teamsters_________________________________
Clothing industry------------------------------------Miners, coal-------- __-----------------------------Slaughtering and meat packing____________________________
2
Textile industry_________________________________________
4
6
Miscellaneous________________________________________ Total___________________________________________

37

Below are shown, in so far as information is available, the dis­
putes beginning in December, 1926, classified by number of workers
directly involved :
Number of disputes

6 and under 20 workers_____ ___________________________
20 and under 100 workers_______________________ T--------100 and under 500 workers.____________________________
500 and under 1,000 workers__________
5,000 and over---------------- -------------------------------------

1
7
12
2
1

Total___________________________________________

23

Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in December, 1926

A B R IE F description is given below of each of the more important
strikes and lockouts beginning in December for which de­
tailed information has become available.
Kosher butchers, New York.—According to press reports, about
5,000 members of the Hebrew Butcher Workers’ Union in New
York City were involved in a successful strike, beginning December
26, for an increase in the minimum wage scale to $43 from $40.
The reports indicated that 90 per cent of the 2,500 shops affected
had agreed to the wage increase by December 29 and that the strike
was practically over by January 4.
Coal miners, Pennsylvania.—The colliery of the Haddock Mining
Co. near McAdoo, Pa., was affected by a strike of 900 miners from
December 24 to 27 on account of wage differences.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into December, 1926
JDAPER-BOX makers, New York.—The strike of paper-box makers
1
in New York City for a 44-hour week, wage increases, etc., which
began on October 5, is still pending.
Textile workers, New Jersey.—The strike of woolen and worsted
textile workers of Passaic, N. J., and vicinity which began on Janu­
ary 25, 1926, is still running about 50 per cent, settlements having
been effected with the Passaic Worsted Spinning Co., Botany Wor­
sted Mills, Garfield Worsted Mills, and the Dundee Textile Co., as
heretofore reported.

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[296]

6

7

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

49

C o n c ilia tio n W ork o f th e D e p a r tm e n t of L a b o r in

December, 1926

By

H ugh

L.

K e r w in , D ir e c t o r o f C o n c il ia t io n

T

HE Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer­
cised his good offices in connection with 27 labor disputes
during December, 1926. These disputes affected a known
total of 25,621 employees. The table following shows the name
and location of the establishment or industry in which the dispute
occurred, the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or
controversy not having reached the strike or lockout stage), the
craft or trade concerned, the cause of the dispute, its present status,
the terms of settlement, the date of beginning and ending, and the
number of workers directly and indirectly affected.
On January 1, 1927, there were 52 strikes before the department
for settlement and, in addition, 11 controversies which had not
reached the strike stage. The total number of cases pending was 63.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1297]

Crt

L A B O R D I S P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S D E P A R T M E N T OF L A B O R T H R O U G H I T S C O N C IL IA T IO N S E R V I C E , D E C E M B E R , 1926
Duration
Com pany or industry and location

American Hotel Building, Allen­
town, Pa.

Nature of
controversy

Craft concerned

Robey Cigar Co., Barnesville, Ohio.
Glen Alden Coal Co., Parsons, P a . .

[298]

Westchester Lighting Co., New
York City.
Building trades, Dayton, Ohio.........

Cross Coal Co., Pineville, K y _____
Claussner H osiery Co., Paducah,
K y.
M .B . M arkland Co., A tlantic City,
N . J.
Cloak and suit makers, New York
City.
Dyers and cleaners, San Pedro and
Wilmington, Calif.
Monarch Coal Co., Middleboro, K y .
Premiere Coal Co., Middleboro, K y .


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Pending,

M en involved

Begin­
ning

Ending

192G

1928

Asked 8-hour day, 44-hour Unable to adjust. Strike still in efflect.
week, and 12 per cent wage
increase.
........ do............ Cigar in d u stry ___ Asked wage increase_______ Unclassified. Returned at same wage
before commissioner’s arrival.
........do............ M in in g .................. Discharge for smoking in Adjusted. Reinstated; terms fixed
later.
mine.
........do_____ Electric w ork____ Alleged discharges for union P en ding............................................... ..
affiliation.
Threatened Building t r a d e s ... Organization and jurisdic­ ___ do...........................................................
tion.
strike.
Strike_____ M achinists’ trade. Discharge of shop com­ ___ do............................ ....................... .
mittee.
____do,.......... Clothing industry. Proposed removal of sh o p s.. ___ do............................................... .........

M ay 24

Traction industry. Receiver of company pro­
do.
posed 10 per cent wage cut
in violation of agreement.
Lockout....... Stereotype work. _ Organization and discharge
.do.
of 4 men.
do.
----- do............ H osiery m anufac­ Asked reinstatement of em­
ture.
ployee and open-shop
policy.
M in in g. . .
Dem and for checkweighman. Unable to adjust. M ay return with­
Strike
out discrimination.
____do............ Hosiery m anufac­ Em ploym ent of helper on Unable to adjust. No term s.................
ture.
machine.
----- do______ B u ild in g ________ Jurisdiction of cement pour­ Adjusted. Cement finishers placed
ing.
on cement pouring.
Lockout___ Clothing industry. Wages and working condi­ Adjusted. All questions to be set­
tions.
tled b y arbitration before Dec. 20.
(Settled.)
Strike............ Dyeing and clean- ___ do.............................. ........... Adjusted. Signed agreement with
ing.
increase and shorter hours.
........do............ M in in g. ............... Alleged discharges for union Adjusted. Withdrew complaints and
affiliation.
returned to work.
........ do............ ........ do....................... ___ do.......................................... ___ d o...........................................................

(i)

M ann M anufacturing Co., Oakland,
Calif.
Contract clothing shops, Worcester,
M ass.
Boston & Worcester Co., Boston, ____do........ .
Mass.
“ Sun ” and “ Telegram ,” San Bernardino, Calif.
Brownhill & K ram er Co., Phila­
delphia, Pa.

Open-shop policy of contractors.

Present status and term s of settlement

D i­
rectly

80
50

18
15

N ov. 16

Dee.

1

125

Dec.

Dec.

8

400

3

Indi­
rectly

(i)

352

(!)

(i)

N ov. 1

14

(i)

40

26

(i)
4

N ov. 16
N ov. 23

120

60

Dec. 24

80
37

140

Dec. 18

Dec. 30

200

100

(>)

Dec. 15

20,000

N ov. 4

7

Dec. 14

40

Dec. 13

Dec. 18

110

8 ___do........

105

Dec.

Dec.

20

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

All building crafts
except carpen­
ters.
Pontiac Pattern & Engraving Co., ........do............ Pattern m akers’
Pontiac, Mich.
work.
Strike_____

Cause of dispute

O

Textile industry, Warren, R . I .

.do.

Textile industry... Organization dispu te......... .

Adjusted. All joined union and re- Dec. 18
turned.
Pending. Plant closed indefinitely..
(>)
Adjusted. M iners rein state d ............ Dec. 16

Dec. 28

Adjusted. Ten per cent wage cut
accepted.
P en d in g ..............................................

Dec. 15

Dec. 30

Adjusted. Discussion deferred at
this time; all work nrogressing.
Proposed removal of p lan t.. Adjusted. Com pany decided not to
move for at least 1 year.

N ov. 15

Textile industry...

Strike..

-----do......................

Asked restoration of wage
cut.

Dec. 18

Threatened
strike.

Building________

Nonunion la b o r .._________

___ do........... ___ do...
Threatened M ining.
strike.
Controversy. M etal polishing...

___ do.

R . & H . Sixnon Co., Easton, P a.
Woods Threshing Co. Budding,
Des Moines, Iowa.
Total.

Not reported.
[299]

Adjusted. Some change in conditions and 1 week of wage cut restored.
Adjusted. Strike threat withdrawn,
all returned.

Dec. 20

(>)

500

(D

390
150

200

(»)
Dec. 22

20

Dec. 15 -..d o ........

1, 500

1927
Ja n . 7

125

Jan .

8

550

50
24, 492

1,120

D E C E M B E R , 1926


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Earnings on fancy weaving.
Alleged discharges for union
affiliation.
Proposed 15 per cent wage
cut in new contract.
Threatened Structural - ir o n Wages and working condistrike.
work.
tions.
Controversy. P lu m b in g ............. Wage controversy_________

C O N C ILIA TIO N W ORK I N

Barnard M ill, F all River, M ass___
Southern Coal M ining Co., Pineville, K y .
Standard Sanitary M anufacturing
Co., Louisville, K y .
Structural-iron workers, Pittsburgh,
Pa.
E . D . Hannon, contractor, P adu­
cah, K y .
Otis M ills, Ware, M a ss.......................

Ox

WAGES AND H O U R S O F LA B O R
W ages a n d H o u rs ©£ L a b o r in t h e C o tto n G o o d s I n d u s ­
try , 1924 a n d 1926

A

SUM M ARY of the 1926 study of wages and hours of labor of
employees in the cotton goods manufacturing industry in the
United States, which was recently completed by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, is presented in this article. The data given
show average full-time hours per week, earnings per hour, and full­
time earnings per week, by occupation and sex, for 46,879 males and
36,103 females. Figures for 1924, taken from Bulletin No. 371,
covering 45,056 males and 32,939 females are also given. The
1926 data will be published later in much more detail in bulletin form.
The 1926 averages were compiled from wage data copied by agents
of the bureau directly from the pay rolls and other records of 151
cotton mills in Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachu­
setts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. According to the
1923 United States census of manufactures, 92 per cent of the wage
earners in the industry were in these 12 States.
D ata were obtained for a representative pay period of one week for
all occupations except weavers, for whom a two-week pay period
was taken. With few exceptions the pay periods covered occurred
within the interval from June to September.
Index numbers of average full-time hours per week, earnings per
hour, and full-time earnings per week are presented in Table 1 for
the industry as a whole for each year from 1910 to 1926, for which the
bureau has made studies of the industry, with the 1913 average
taken as the base or 100. Index numbers are not shown for 1915
nor for subsequent odd years because data were not collected in such
years.
Between 1913 and 1920 average full-time hours per week decreased
10 per cent, earnings per hour increased 224 per cent, and full-time
earnings per week increased 192 per cent. Average full-time earnings
per week did not increase in the same proportion as average earnings
per hour because of the reduction in average full-time hours per week.
Average full-time hours per week increased from an index of 90
in 1920 to 92 in 1926, or 2 per cent; average earnings per hour
decreased from 324 to 222, or 31 per cent; and average full-time earn­
ings per week decreased from 292 to 205, or 30 per cent.
The peak in average earnings per hour and in average full-time
earnings per week in cotton goods manufacturing was reached in
1920. The greatest increase in average earnings per hour in any 2year period was made between 1918 and 1920, when they rose from
179 to 324, or 81 per cent. The greatest decrease in any 2-year
52


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[ 300 ]

W A GES AND H O U R S IN COTTON GOODS IN D U S T R Y

53

period occurred between 1920 and 1922—from 324 to 222, or 31 per
cent. The index rose from 222 in 1922 to 251 in 1924 (13 per cent)
but fell again in 1926 to the 1922 index of 222 (12 per cent).
T a ble 1 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S O F F U L L - T I M E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R
H O U R , A N D F U L L - T IM E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K IN T H E C O T T O N G O O D S IN D U S T R Y ,
IN S P E C I F I E D Y E A R S , 1910 TO 1926
Index numbers of average—
Year

1910______________ ____
1911....................................
1912___________________
1913- ______ ___________
1914___________________
1916___________________
1918_____ . ____________
1920_______ ____ _______
______ ________
19221924................. ...................
1926.....................................

Full-time
hours per
week
102
102
100
100

98
99
97
90
91
92
92

Earnings
per hour

88

90
99
100

103
120

179
324
222

251
222

Full-time
earnings per
week
90
92
99
100
101

118
176
292
205
231
205

Table 2 shows, for the years 1924 and 1926, average full-time
hours per week, earnings per hour, and full-time earnings per week
for each of the principal occupations in the industry.
From 1924 to 1926 average full-time hours per week of males in
all occupations combined increased from 53.5 to 53.8, those of
females from 52.3 to 52.8, and those of males and females combined,
or the industry, from 53 to 53.3.
In the same period average earnings per hour of males decreased
from 39 to 34.7 cents, those of females from 34.7 to 30.1 cents, and
those of males and females combined from 37.2 to 32.8 cents. Average
full-time earnings per week of males decreased from $20.87 in 1924
to $18.67 in 1926, those of females from $18.15 to $15.89, and earn­
ings in the industry as a whole from $19.72 to $17.48.
In 1924 the highest average earnings per hour of males in any
occupation were those of mule spinners (74.6 cents), and the lowest
were those of spooler tenders (19.2 cents). For females the hourly
earnings ranged from 44.8 cents, earned by slubber tenders and
beamer tenders, to 26.8 cents, earned by trimmers or inspectors.
In 1926 hourly earnings of males ranged from 65.6 cents, for mule
spinners, to 19 cents, for spooler tenders; and those of female workers
from 41.1 cents, for beamer tenders, to 24.6 cents, for spooler tenders
and trimmers or inspectors.


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[ 301]

54

M O N T H LY LABOR R EV IEW

T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E W A G E S A N D H O U R S

O F L A B O R IN T H E C O T T O N G O O D S I N ­
D U S T R Y IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , B Y O C C U P A T IO N S, 1924 A N D 1926

Sex

Occupation

Picker tenders__________________ M ale____
Card tenders and strippers............ ........ do____
C ard grinders__________________ ____do____
Draw ing frame tenders_________ ____do____
Fem ale___
Slubber tenders _______________ M ale_____
Fem ale___
Speeder tenders________________

M ale.........
Fem ale___

Spinners, m ule___________ -____

M ale_____

Spinners, frame _______________ ____ do____
Fem ale___
D offers________________________

M ale_____
Fem ale___

Spooler tenders________________

Male ___
Fem ale___

Creelers or tiers-in______________

M ale_____
Fem ale__

Warper tenders__________.__ ___

Male ___
Fem ale___

Beam er tenders________________

Male
Fem ale___

Slasher tenders_________________

Male ___

Drawers-in____________________ ____d o ___
Fem ale___
W arp-tying machine tenders____

M ale_____

Loom fixers____________________ ____do____
W eavers_______________________ . . .

do

Fem ale___
Trim m ers or inspectors_______

Male .
Fem ale___

Other employees_______________

M ale_____
Fem ale___

All employees. . . __ _______

Male ___
Fem ale___

All employees, male and
female.


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Year

Num ­
Average Average
ber of Num ber full-time earnings
of em ­
hours
estab­
per
lish­
per
ployees
hour
week
ments

Average
full-time
earnings
per
week

$0. 331
.297
.356
.322
.470
.414
.295
.279
.311
. 281
.421
.377
.448
.398
.394
.343
.411
.368
.748
.656
.369
.289
.319
.282
.334
.307
.380
.344
.192
.190
.285
.246
.298
.274
.272
.249
.388
.348
.391
.347
.621
.492
.448
.411
.467
.411
.339
.330
.383
.357
.452
.422
. 553
.489
.449
.396
.429
.375
. 304
.295
.268
.246
. 347
.308
.292
.252

$17. 74
16. 07
19.08
17. 42
24. 86
22.23
16.20
15. 35
15. 95
14. 58
22.52
20.47
22.76
19. 94
21. 39
18.90
21. 04
18. 77
36. 63
31.75
19.63
15.92
16.94
15.09
18.04
16.64
19. 34
17. 68
10, 56
11. 25
15.19
13.19
16. 54
15.10
14. 42
13. 37
21. 22
19.24
20.41
18. 25
32.11
26.08
23. 25
20.47
24. 75
21.91
IK KJ
18.18
19. 84
18.60
24.18
22. 79
29. 25
26.16
23. 71
21. 07

149

278
2,962
2>, 329
9,024
8,603
8 , 493
7, 596
158
190
1, 602
1,932
20, 57g
21,214
5,092
6 , 368

53.6
54. 1
53.6
54. 1
52.9
53.7
•54.9
55.0
51.3
51.9
53.5
54.3
50.8
50. 1
54.3
55.1
51.2
51.0
49. 1
48.4
53.2
55. 1
53.1
53.5
54.0
54.2
50.9
51.4
55. 0
59.2
53.3
53.6
55. 5
55.1
53.0
53. 7
54. 7
55.3
52.2
52.6
51.7
53.0
51.9
49.8
53. 0
53.3
55. 5
55. 1
51.8
52. 1
53. 5
54.0
52. 9
53. 5
52. 8
53.2
51.8
51.9
55. 3
63.0
52. 7
52.6
53 7
53.8
51.9
53.1

1924
1926
1924
1926

114
151
114
151

45,056
46,879
32, 939
36,103

53 5
53.8
52.3
52.8

_300
.347
.347
.301

20 87
18. 67
18.15
15. 89

1924
1926

114
151

77,995
82,982

53.0
53.3

.372
.328

19. 72
17.48

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

114
151
114
151

[3021

111

147
96
123
55
68
112

149
9
11

109
140
105
124
8
8

64
54
114
151
109
146
27
32
8
6

113
151
21
21

84
118
41
48
93
118
27
44
7
5
114
146
18
19
91
116
91
113
114
151
114
151
114
151
36
45
92
132
114
151
110

1,048
964
1, 367
1, 644
418
475
762
822
653
682
859
1,094
37
52
2,177
2, 547
2, 703
2,950
186
200

906
561
8 , 314
9,684
3,133
3,657
478
502
37
24
3, 646
4,136
59
49
543
641
133
157
544
581
331
276
108
32
636
751
61
44
726
947
221

22.22

19. 46

10 81

15.64
14.12
12. 94
18 03
16. 57
15.15
13. 38

W A GES AND H O U R S IN COTTON GOODS IN D U S T R Y

55

Table 3 shows for each of seven specified occupations and for each
State, the 1926 average full-time hours per week, earnings per hour,
and full-time earnings per week.
T a b l e 3 .— A V E R A G E F U L L - T I M E H O U R S P E R

W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R A N D
F U L L - T I M E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K F O R S E V E N S E L E C T E D O C C U P A T IO N S, B Y S E X
A N D S T A T E , 1926

Occupation, sex, and State

Picker tenders, male:
A labam a............................................
Connecticut..................................
Georgia..............................................
M a i n e . .......... ....................
M assachusetts......................
New H am p sh ire.....................
New Y o r k . . . ...... .......................
North Carolina________ _
...
P en nsylvan ia..______________
Rhode Island..............................
South Carolina_____________
V irginia........................... ...................
Total...................................... ............
Card tenders and strippers, male:
A labam a________________ . . .
.
Connecticut.................................
G eorgia................................
M aine........ .................................
M assachusetts......................
New H ampshire_______________ .
New Y ork___________ _
North Carolina__________
Pennsylvania _____________
Rhode Island...............................
South Carolina_______ ______
Virginia......................................
T otal................................ .......
Speeder tenders, male:
A labam a.............. ......................
Connecticut_______________
Georgia............................ ...............
M aine..................................
M assachusetts.................... . .
New H am p sh ire ........... . .
New Y ork........... ......................
N orth C aro lin a.................
Rhode Island___________
South Carolina.............................
Virginia__________ ________
Other States................... ................
T otal__________________
Speeder tenders, female:
A labam a_______ ____ __________
Connecticut___________ ____
Georgia.......................... .........
M a in e ._________ _____ _
M assachusetts___________
New Ham pshire________________
New Y ork_______________ .
N orth Carolina........ ........ .............
P en n sylv an ia._____ ___________
Rhode Islan d ._______________
South C arolina...................... . .
Virginia________ ____________
T otal______________ ________


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Num ber of Num ber of
establish­
employees
ments

5

85
25
128
41
143
69
28
224

Average
full-time
hours per
week

Average
earnings
per hour

Average
full-time
earnings
per week

<«pu.
£G 910
ZiO
.363
.215
.353
.394
QQ
.Q
Ooo
907
.O
Oi
.264
91
■A
9Z1
.388
« ZO1
9eg
* LO
U

$12.40
IQ
QA
lo. 59

12
22

3

51
134
24

56.6
51.9
56.8
54.0
49.1
54.2
48.4
55.7
53.3
50.5
55.0
55.4

151

964

54.1

. 9Q7
Zxfl

16.07

0
0

54.8
51.1
57.2
53.6
49.3
54.2
48.7
65.9
52.9
51.5
55.0

• 991
Zo1
. oag
oOZ
• 999
ZoZ
• 970
O/U
A91
. 9:01
1Q
.A
9:10
EG
• tAU
u
. 977
Zi l
490
491
• 9:01
9AA
• Z99
9g4

12. 66

3

125
49
252
54
255
163
33
343
19
72
226
53

18.50
13. 27
19. 83
21. 25
22. 66
22. 35
15. 48
zz. zz
ZZ. ZyJ
13.42
15.68

151

1, 644

54.1

. ÔZZ

17. 42

153
42
430

5l! 2
57.4

Ar. t
. 9:01
• 901
ZJL

51.1
54.1
49.0
56.0
51.3

16. 09
23. 09
16. 70
25. 03
23. 51
2 o. 26
24. 26
18. 65
Zo. /U
16.17
20. 90
Z*j. lo

6

15
5
23
5

3
47
3

15
5
23
0

3
47
3
12
22

0
15
5
16
5
3
47

11
22

3

1

140

0
0
10

5
23

0

3
26
3
12
21

3

124

[303]

12

21

12.21

19.06
19. 35
21.03
18.73
14. 70
22. 44
I d. 0y
lo. ol
lo. oi)

54.0

AG
. 49.0
J
n7
•A
90/
• 495
• 999
ooo
ona
. zy9
978
.0/0
491
. 9Z1

2, 547

55.1

9/19

i q yu
on
io.

124
190
135
240
1,079
216
194
117
45
348
229
33

55.0
50.0
58.1
53.6
48.0
53.3
48.5
55.9
53.1
50.5
55.0

• OEl
ZoL
• 981
ooi
.278
.393
.390
.446
.392
.300
ae
• oOO
O
.386
• 9A7
Z0/
. 997
oZl

19 ol
Q1
lo.
iy. uo
1io.
E ou
AG
Z1. uo
18
lo. 79
/Z
23. 77
in
iy. ni
ui
1 . 77
//
G 9Q
AG
uG. 9y
1A A
G
19.
oy
lo. uo

. OOO

18. 77

223
58
36
832
76
558
111

nnn

110
1

56
T

M O N T H LY LABOE BE V IEW

a b l e 3 .— A V E R A G E F U L L - T I M E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , A N D
F U L L - T I M E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K F O R S E V E N S E L E C T E D O C C U P A T IO N S , B Y S E X
A N D S T A T E , 1926—Continued

Occupation, sex, and State

Average
full-time
earnings
per week

Num ber of Num ber of
establish­ employees
ments

Average
full-time
hours per
week

2
6
11
4
3
8
16
4

12
90
128
24
15
83
165
44

55.0
56.6
53.4
54.0
49.6
58.0
55.0
54.8

$0. 331
.225
.442
.449
. 417
.159
.207
.242

$18. 21
12.74
23. 60
24. 25
20. 68
9. 22
11.39
13.26

Spinners, frame, male:
Connecticut.................................................
Georgia.......................... ...............................
M assach usetts............................................
New Ham pshire................. ........................
New Y ork.............................. ......................
N orth Carolina...................... ....................
South C a ro lin a ..................-......................
Other States.................................................

Average
earnings
per hour

54

561

55.1

.289

15. 92

Spinners, frame, female:
A labam a......................................................
Connecticut............................. ..................
Georgia_____________________________
M aine. ____________________________
M assachusetts.---------- -----------------New Ham pshire.......................... ..............
New York
........ .................. ............ -N orth Carolina......................................... Pennsylvania—............................................
Rhode Islan d .—................. ........................
South Carolina....................... ....................
V irginia........................................ ................

6
6
15
5
23
6
3
47
3
12
22
3

598
227
1,093
380
1,576
582
273
2, 077
60
610
1,983
225

54. 5
51.4
67.0
53.9
48.0
53. 5
48. 7
56.0
52.6
50.0
55.0
65.2

.209
.356
.220
.295
.378
.409
. 404
.230
.401
.362
.213
.277

11.39
18. 30
12. 54
15.90
18.14
21.88
19. 67
12.88
21.09
18.10
11. 72
15.29

T o ta l.-------------------------------------

151

9,684

53.5

.282

15. 09

Slasher tenders, male:
Alabam a . . .
------------------- Connecticut------- --------------- . . .
G eo rg ia.. . . . .
. . --------- ---M a in e .. . . _____ _ — - - —
.
---M assachusetts-----------New H a m p sh ire --------...
New Y o r k . _____ . . . . .
---...
North Carolina-------------- .
Pennsylvania___ ____
.
Rhode Island . ----- ------------- . .
South Carolina . . . —
..
..
Virginia . . . ------------------------- .

6
6
15
5
23
6
3
43
2
12
22
3

36
21
86
31
159
51
19
159
8
38
122
21

55.0
51. 7
56.3
54.0
48.4
54.0
48.9
55. 5
51.5
60.4
55.0
56.1

.279
.501
.306
.507
.549
.544
. 513
.355
.507
. 540
.280
.361

15.35
25.90
17.23
27. 38
26. 57
29.38
25.09
19. 70
26.11
27. 22
15.40
20.25

146

751

53.3

.411

21.91

Leom fixers, male:
A labam a. . . -----------------------------C on necticut---- -------- .
----Georgia----- -------- - --------- --------M a i n e ---------. _ .
M assachusetts ---------------------------New H am pshire.. ---- ---------- ...
New Y ork. ___
____________ .
North Carolina. ---------- -------------Pennsylvania__
____ _ . . . . . . .
Rhode Island _____________ . . . .
South Carolina . . .
. . . . ------ -V irg in ia____ . . . . . . _. . . . ------------

6
6
15
5
23
6
3
47
3
12
22
3

206
119
354
141
638
174
98
727
19
216
554
83

54.9
51.2
57.6
54. 1
48.3
54.2
50.0
56.7
51.9
50.0
55.3
65.2

.394
.610
.372
.600
.620
.667
.657
.411
.586
.623
.377
.468

21.63
31.23
21. 43
32.46
29.95
36.15
32.85
22.89
30.41
31.15
20.85
25.83

T o t a l . . ....................... ...................

151

3, 329

53.5

.489

26.16

6
6
15
5
23
6
3
47
3
12
22
3

449
,542
824
239
2,056
298
183
2,257
18
589
898
250

54.9
50.4
57.3
54.1
49. 0
54.4
50.4
55.6
51. 1
50. 1
55. 0
65.2

.298
.434
.297
.485
.459
.514
.523
.353
.507
.494
.314
.390

16.36
21.87
17.02
26.24
22.49
27.96
26. 36
19.63
25. 91
24. 75
17.27
21.53

151

8, 603

53.2 |

.396

21.07

T o t a l..................................................... .

T o ta l__

. . ----- -- .

--

Weavers, male:
Alabam a---- ------------- --------------- -C on necticut_______________
G eorgia..
__ _ _ __ _________
_____ ______
M ain e. . . .
M assachusetts__
_ ________
New Hampshire___
__ _ ___
New York ___________
__
North C a r o lin a - __
Pennsylvania. . _ __ ._ _______
Rhode Island
__ _ _____ ___ _
South Carolina __ _ _ _______
Virginia _____
.
— ..........
^ T o ta l........................................................ 1


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[304]

W A GES AND H O U R S IN W OOLEN AND W ORSTED IN D U S T R Y

57

T a b l e 3 .—A V E R A G E F U L L - T I M E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , A N D

F U L L - T I M E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K F O R S E V E N S E L E C T E D O C C U P A T IO N S , B Y S E X
A N D S T A T E , 1926—Continued

Occupation, sex, and State

W eavers, female:
Alabama
____ ____________
Connecticut _
Georgia_____ _ . . . .
___________
M aine__
____ _
_ __ ______
M assachusetts . . . .
_______
New H a m p sh ire __ _____ _
New Y o rk *_____ . . . . .
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island__ ______________
South Carolina . ._
Virginia_____________ . . . .................
T o ta l. _________________ _ ___

Num ber of Num ber of
establish­
employees
ments

Average
full-time
hours per
week

6
6
15
5
23
6
3
47
3
12
22
3

394
425
560
182
2, 628
' 342
185
1,419
76
558
684
143

54. 7
50. 2
57. 0
54. 0
48. 0
53. 3
49. 2
55. 5
52. 7
50. 3
55. 0
55. 3

151

7, 596

51. 9

Average
earnings
per hour

SO. 278
. 382
. 284
. 449
. 420
. 488
. 464
. 316
. 441
. 455
. 276
.346

Average
full-time
earnings
per week

$15. 21
19.18
16.19
24.25
20.16
26. 01
22.83
17. 54
23. 24
22. 89
15.18
19.13
19.46

W ages a n d H o u rs of L a b o r in th e W oolen a n d W orsted
G o o d s In d u stry , 1924 a n d 1926

I

N TH IS article is presented a summary of the results of a study of
wages, hours, and earnings in 1926 in the woolen and worsted
industry in the United States, made by the United States Bureau
of Labor Statistics. For 1926, average full-time hours per week, earn­
ings per hour, and full-time earnings per week are shown, by occu­
pation, for 22,152 males and 17,818 females. For purposes of com­
parison, similar data, taken from Bulletin No. 377, are shown for
23,248 males and 18,374 females in 1924. Index numbers, also, are
given for years available from 1910 onward. The figures in much
greater detail will be published later in bulletin form.
The material used in compiling the averages was taken by agents
of the bureau directly from the pay rolls or other records of the
establishments. The 1926 averages cover 112 representative mills in
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and. Vermont. Data were not collected
in New Jersey in 1926 because of the unsettled labor conditions in
that State.
Data were obtained for a representative pay period of one week for
all occupations except weavers, for whom a two-week pay period was
taken. Except in two mills the pay periods taken fell within the
period from June to October.
Table 1 shows, for the industry as a whole, index numbers of
average full-time hours per week, earnings per hour, and full-time
earnings per week, for each of the specified years, 1910 to 1926, inclu­
sive, with the 1913 average taken as the base or 100. No figures
are shown for 1915 or for subsequent odd years, as data were not
collected in such years. The index numbers of earnings per hour and
full-time earnings per week show a decrease of approximately 8 per
cent between 1924 and 1926. Between 1913 and 1920, average full­
time hours per week decreased 14 per cent, average earnings per hour
increased 255 per cent, and average full-time earnings per week
increased 204 per cent.
28261°—27----- 5

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[ 305 ]

58

M O N T H L Y LA BO E B E V IEW

Between 1920 and 1926 average full-time hours per week increased
from an index of 86 in 1920 to an index of 88 in 1926, or 2 per cent;
average earnings per hour decreased from an index of 355 in 1920
to 277 in 1926, or 22 per cent; and average full-time earnings per
week decreased from an index of 304 in 1920 to 242 in 1926, or 20
per cent.
Between 1913 and 1926 average full-time hours per week decreased
12 per cent, average earnings per hour increased 177 per cent, and
average full-time earnings per week increased 142 per cent. The
full-time weekly earnings did not increase in the same proportion
as average earnings per hour because of the reduction in average full­
time hours per week.
It will be observed that 1920 was the peak year for wages in woolen
and worsted mills and between 1920 and 1922 there wras a pro­
nounced decrease. This wTas followed by an increase in 1924, and
this increase followed in turn by a decrease in 1926.
T a b l e 1 .— I N D E X N U M B E R S OF F U L L - T I M E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R ,

A N D F U L L - T IM E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K IN T H E W O O L E N A N D W O R ST E D IN D U S ­
T R Y I N S P E C I F I E D Y E A R S , 1910 TO 1926
[1913=100]
Index numbers of average—
Year

1910......... ................. .........
1911.................................. .
1912___________ _______
1913___________________
1914___________________
1916_____ _______ ______
1918___________________
1920___________________
1922________. _____ ____
1924______ ____ ________
1926.....................................

Full-time
hours per
week

Earnings
per hour

Full-time
earnings
per week

101
102
100
100
98
98
97
86
87
88
88

90
91
102
100
103
127
193
355
258
301
277

91
92
102
100
100
124
186
304
231
262
242

Table 2 shows for 1924 and 1926 average full-time hours per week,
earnings per hour, and full-time earnings per wuek for each of the
principal occupations in the industry.
The average full-time hours per week of males in all occupations
increased from 49.2 in 1924 to 49.3 in 1926, of females increased from
48.9 to 49.3, and of males and females combined, or for the industry,
increased from 49.1 to 49.3.
Average earnings per hour of males in all occupations decreased
from 57.8 cents in 1924 to 54.5 cents in 1926, those of females from
46.7 cents to 41.8 cents, and those of males and females combined
from 53.3 cents to 49.1 cents.
Average full-time earnings per week of males in all occupations
combined decreased from $28.44 in 1924 to $26.87 in 1926, those of
females from $22.84 to $20.61 and of males and females combined
from $26.17 to $24.21.
In 1924 the highest average earnings per hour for males wore those
of loom fixers (87 cents), and the lowest were those of doffers (30.1
cents). In 1926, also, the two extremes of average earnings per hour
for males were held by these two occupations, their earnings being

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[300]

W A GES AND H O U R S IN W OOLEN AND W O RSTED IN D U S T R Y

59

80.7 and 28 cents, respectively. The average hourly earnings of
females ranged, in 1924, from 31.5 cents for doffers to 65.4 cents for
weavers, and in 1926 from 28 cents for doffers to 69.8 cents per hour
for wool sorters.
.

T a b l e 2 —A V E R A G E W A G E S A N D H O ITES O F L A B O R I N T H E

W O O L E N A N D W OR­
S T E D IN D U S T R Y IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S , B Y O C C U P A T IO N S, 1924 A N D 1926

Occupation

Wool sorters.________________. . .

Sex

Year

M ale........

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
-1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1920
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1920

Fem ale__
Wool-washer tenders....................... M ale____
Picker tenders__________________ ___do_____
C ard tenders_____ ___________

__do...........
Fem ale__

Card strippers___________ ____ _

M ale........

C ard grinders............... . ................ __ do............
Gill-box tenders________________ ___do_____
Fem ale___
Com ber te n d ers................ ,........

M ale_____

Drawing-frame tenders_____ ____

M ale..........

Fem ale___

Fem ale___
Spinners, m ule_________________

M ale____

Spinners, frame.................................. __do..........
Fem ale__
D offers________ _________ ._____ M ale..
Fem ale__
Tw ister tenders................................. __.do...........
Spooler tenders.........................
Dresser tenders_____ _______ ____

__ do.........
M ale..........

Drawers-in...... ................................... __do..........
Fem ale___
Loom fix ers...____ _____ _______
W eavers_______

M ale____
do__
Fem ale___

Cloth inspectors...... .......................... M ale..........
Fem ale___
B urlers................................. .. .
M enders___

__do___ __

_______________ . F em a le ....

Perchers.......... .............................. M ale_____
Fem ale___
F u llers......... ..................... ..................

Male

Washer tenders, c l o t h . . . . . . _____ __ do_____


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[307]

Num ­
Average Average Average
ber of N um ber full-time
estab­
of em­
earnings full-time
hours
earnings
lish­
ployees per
week per hour per week
ments
19
30
5
2
20
33
45
56
47
70
12
19
49
73
15
18
8
13
14
21
7
10
10
17
8
9
15
26
47
69
3
1
14
23
7
6
10
22
38
65
64
95
95
10
22
02
84
68
99
68
97
67
89
19
23
18
21
60
90
64
91
61
91
10
16
51
75
60
85

359
445
65
37
119
122
275
245
528
531
94
166
368
381
37
36
343
209
435
296
212
171
114
163
263
271
1,885
1,753
1,290
1,249
46
24
1,106
1,228
214
52
506
701
914
1,117
1,228
1,283
467
545
40
59
453
533
821
748
5,725
5,528
3,713
2, 748
246
235
245
103
1,711
1,722
1,850
2,121
466
462
35
97
227
223
402
353

49. o
50.8
48.2
48.0
49.3
50.2
49.3
49.7
49.4
49.8
48.0
48.7
50. 6
49.5
48. 8
50.9
49. 9
50.1
49.4
51.0
49. 6
50.5
49.2
49.9
49.2
48.8
48.9
49.7
48. 9
49.7
50. 0
48.0
48.9
49.8
49. 9
48.8
48.1
49.9
49.3
49.7
48. 6
49.1
49. 3
49.1
51. 6
50.2
49.1
48.9
49. 0
49.0
48. 8
48.9
48.9
49.2
48. 7
48.3
48.6
49.6
49. 2
49.3
48.5
4a 6
49.1
49.1
48.4
48.6
49. 0
49.4
49. 7
49,7

$0. 776
.713
.608
.698
.513
.463
.471
.438
.473
.419
.409
.365
. 506
.464
.602
.537
.439
.405
.382
.326
.522
.478
. 418
.378
.439
.380
.397
.352
.755
.695
.421
.371
.417
.362
.301
.280
.315
.280
.418
.364
.419
.391
.748
.705
. 690
.666
.535
.497
.870
.807
.701
.652
. 654
.600
.582
.563
.484
.421
,420
.381
.534
.507
.601
.559
.452
.482
. 512
.464
. 518
.442

$38 41
3ô! 22
29.31
33.50
95 29
23! 24
23 92
21.77

23 37
20. 87
19.63
17.78
9 5 fin
22.97

29 38
26.64
21 91
20.29
18.87
16.63
25. 89
24.14
20.57
18.86
21.60
18.54
19.41
17.49
36 92
34! 54
21 05
17.81
20.39
18.03
15 02
13.66
15.15
.13.97
20 61
18.09
20 3fi
19.20
36. 88
34.62
35 60
33] 43
26.27
24.30
42 63
39.54

34 21
31.88
31.98
29. 52
28 34
27.19
23.52
20.88
20. 66
18.78
25.90
24.64
29. 51
27.45
21.88
23.43
25. 09
22.92
25. 74
21.97

60

M ONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

T a b l e 2 .— A V E R A G E W A G E S A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R I N

S T E D IN D U S T R Y I N T H E U N I T E D
Continued

Occupation

Dryer tenders, clo th ..
Track ers_____ _

________

STA T ES, BY

T H E W O O L E N A N D W O R­
O C C U P A T IO N S, 1924 A N D 1926—

Num ­
Average Average Average
ber of Num ber full-time
earnings full-time
estab­
of em ­
earnings
hours
per hour per
lish­
ployees per
week
week
ments

Sex

Year

M ale....... ..

1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926
1924
1926

59
84
64
93
59
82
72
112
68
105

267
222
1,672
1,236
877
1,008
7,984
7,797
3,939
3,750

49.8
49.9
49.2
48.9
49.2
49.4
49.3
49.4
49.1
49.4

$0. 506
.444
.451
.408
.490
. 445
.509
.481
.382
.346

$25.20
22.16
22.19
19.95
24.11
21.98
25.09
23. 76
18.76
17.09

1924
1926
1924
1926

72
112
72
112

23,248
22,152
18,374
17,818

49.2
49.3
48.9
49.3

.578
. 545
.467
.418

28.44
26.87
22.84
20.61

1924
1926

72
112

41,622
39,970

49.1
49.3

.533
.491

26.17
24.21

_____________ ___do_____

Laborers, dyehouse_____________ . .. d o ....... .
Ot her emplovees ____ ___________ __ do........
Fem ale__
All employees.............. ........... M ale_____
Fem ale___
All employees, male and
female.

Table 3 shows, by States, for each of eight specified occupations,
the 1926 average full-time hours per week, earnings per hour, and
full-time earnings per week.
T a b l e 3 .—A V E R A G E F U L L - T IM E H O U R S P E R W E E K , E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , A N D
F U L L - T I M E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K F O R E IG H T S E L E C T E D O C C U P A T IO N S, B Y S E X
A N D S T A T E , 1926

Occupation, sex, and State

Num ber
of
establish­
ments

Num ber
of em­
ployees

Average
full-time
hours
per week

Average
earnings
per hour

Average
full-time
earnings
per week

C ard tenders, male:
Connecticut....................... ............... .........
M aine_____ _______________________
M assachusetts........................ ....................
New H a m p sh ire ........................ ..............
New Y ork....................................................
Pennsylvania...............................................
Rhode Islan d................... .........................V erm on t.......................................................

8
13
10
3
4
19
5
8

50
66
172
37
35
75
43
53

49.2
49.8
48.0
49. 6
50.9
52.6
49. 3
51.6

$0. 427
.408
.410
.410
.414
.463
.395
.421

$21.01
20. 32
19.68
20.34
21. 07
24. 35
19. 47
21. 72

T o t a l . .. . ...................................... ............

70

531

49. 8

.419

20.87

Card tenders, female:
M aine..................................-........................
M assachusetts......... ............................... .
New Hampshire____________________
Pennsylvania_____________________ _
Other States...... ..........................................

8
5
2
2
2

29
113
13
4
7

49.9
48.0
49.4
54.0
51.4

.370
.375
.318

TOl"32
<M
!N
C
O

18.46
18.00
15.71
15.82
16.81

T o tal........................................................-

19

166

48.7

.365

17.78

Drawing frame tenders, male:
M assachusetts............................................
Pennsylvania...............................................
Rhode Island..................... .........................
Other States.................................................

2
2
3
2

221
18
8
24

48.0
54. 0
48. 5
52. 0

.388
.299
.467
.357

18. 62
16.13
22. 65
18. 56

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

9

271

48.8

.380

18:54

Draw ing frame tenders, female:
M assachusetts______________________
New Y ork____ _____ ________________
Pennsy 1v ania............. ....................-...........
Rhode Island........................................... —
Other States.................................................

5
2
12
5
2

770
90
409
358
126

48.0
48.0
53.3
4a 2
54. 0

.371
.353
.334
.342
.357

17.81
16. 94
17.80
16. 48
19.28

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

26

1,753

49.7

.352

17.49


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[ 308]

WAGES AND HOURS IN WOOLEN AND WOESTED INDTTSTEY

61

T a b l e 3 .— A V E R A G E F U L L - T IM E H O U R S P E R W E E K . E A R N IN G S P E R H O U R , A N D

F U L L - T I M E E A R N IN G S P E R W E E K F O R E IG H T S E L E C T E D O C C U P A T IO N S, B Y S E X
A N D S T A T E , 1926—Continued

Occupation, sex, and State

Spinners, mule, male:
Connecticut......... ......................................
M a i n e .___________ _______ ________
M a ssa c h u se tts...................... ....................
New H am pshire____________________
New York _______ ________________
P ennsylvania.............................................
Rhode Islan d ...............................................
Verm ont.................... ..................................
T o ta l.................. .......................................
Spooler tenders, female:
Connecticut_____________ ___________
M aine. .
________________________
M assachusetts.............................................
New H a m p sh ire ___________________
New Y-ork ..
. . _________________
Pennsylvania_________ ____________
Rhode Isla n d .................................... .........
Verm ont..................................................... .
T o t a l........................................................
%
Loom fixers, male:
Connecticut________________________
M aine_____ _______________________
M assachusetts______________________
New H am pshire____________________
New Y o rk l........ .............. .......................
Pennsylvania__________ ______ ______
Rhode Islan d________ _____ _________
Verm ont_________________________ _
T o t a l.......................................... ..............
Weavers, male:
C o n n e c tic u t........... ..................... .............
M ain e.____________ __________ _____ _
M a ssa c h u se tts.......................................
New H a m p sh ire __________ _______
New Y ork _______ _____________ ____
Pennsylvania___ ___________ ______
R hode Islan d_______________________
Verm ont_______ ________ _________ . .
T o tal..........................................................
Weavers, female:
Connecticut________________________
M aine . ...... ...........................................
M assachusetts ____________________
New H am p sh ire.......................................
New Y ork __________ ____ ____ ____ _
Pennsylvania_______________________
Rhode Islan d_______ ______________
Verm ont_____________ _____________
T o t a l _________ __________________
Burlers, female:
Connecticut________________________
M a in e _______ _____________________
M assachusetts_____________________
.
New Ham pshire_________________
New Y ork__________________________
Pennsylvania_______________________
Rhode Islan d .______________________
V erm on t.____ ______________________
T o ta l..........................................................
M enders, female:
Connecticut________________________
M aine.
. _______________________
M assachusetts______________________
New H am pshire____________________
New Y ork_________________________
Pennsylvania____ __________________
Rhode Islan d_______________________
Verm ont___________________________
T o tal____________________________


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Num ber
of
establish­
ments

Number
of em­
ployees

Average
full-time
hours
per week

Average
earnings
per hour

Average
full-time
earnings
per week

8
14
11
5
5
15
3
8
69

149
205
375
78
119
154
80
89
1,249

49.3
50. 0
48. 0
49. 5
50. 4
53.4
48. 0
51.0
49.7

$0. 641
. 666
. 763
. 770
.689
.592
.755
.619
.695

$31.60
33.30
36 62
38. 12
34 73
31. 61
36. 24
31. 57
34. 54

9
15
14
5
5
27
12
8
95

90
127
519
41
77
225
174
30
1,283

49.9
50. 1
48.0
48. 1
49. 0
51.2
48.1
51. 1
49. 1

.349
.438
.388
. 550
.403
.367
.378
.425
.391

17.42
21.94
18. 62
26. 46
19. 75
18. 79
18.18
21. 72
19.20

10
15
14
5
5
28
14
8
99

48
65
265
38
42
115
149
26
748

48. 9
50. 2
48. 0
51. 0
49. 7
50. 2
48.3
50.8
49. 0

.762
.783
.839
.723
.750
.866
.789
. 716
.807

37. 26
39.31
40. 27
36. 87
37. 28
43. 47
38.11
36.37
39.54

10
15
14
5
5
26
14
8
97

633
631
1, 828
276
307
634
938
281
5, 528

49.0
49. 8
48. 0
49. 6
49.3
50. 5
48. 2
50.0
48.9

.635
.611
.678
.627
. 665
. 594
.676
.680
.652

31.12
30. 43
32. 54
31.10
32. 78
30. 00
32. 58
34.00
31.88

9
14
14
5
5
26
8
8
89

194
306
952
160
198
475
335
128
2,748

49. 2
50. 2
48. 0
50. 8
50. 5
50. 2
48. 0
51.9
49.2

.607
.608
.647
. 575
.633
.509
.615
.535
.600

29. 86
30. 52
31.06
29. 21
31. 97
25. 55
29. 52
27.77
29.52

10
8
14
5
5
26
14
8
90

85
65
619
226
129
274
283
41
1, 722

49. 0
49.4
48. 0
53.3
48. 5
50. 2
48. 0
51.2
49.3

. 423
. 294
.376
.391
.531
.346
.385
.342
.381

20. 73
14. 52
18. 05
20. 84
25. 75
17.37
18. 48
17.51
18. 78

10
15
14
5
5
23
14
5
91

116
220
769
34
119
270
558
35
2,121

49.1
50. 2
48.0
48. 4
48. 6
50.3
48.0
48.6
48.6

.472
.461
.514
.527
.633
.531
.496
.398
.507

23.18
23.14
24. 67
25. 51
30. 76
26. 71
23. 81
19.34
24.64

[309]

62

M ONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

A nnual E arn in gs of R ailroad Em ployees, 1926

T

HE following table gives, by occupations, the average number
and the average compensation of employees on Class I rail­
roads in the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1926, as published by the Interstate Commerce Commission, in its
annual report for that year.

A V E R A G E N U M B E R OF E M P L O Y E E S A N D A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y C O M P E N S A T IO N ON
C L A S S I R A IL W A Y S, Y E A R E N D E D JU N E 30, 1926
[D = D a ily basis]

D ivi­
sion
No.

Average
Average
number of compensa­
employees
tion per
middle of
annum
month

Reporting division

I. Executives, officials, and staff assistants
-D
_D

7,403
9,267

$6, 978
3, 997

D
Total (executives, officials, and staff assistan ts)_____ __________D

16,670

5,321

2,989
4,074
3,741
558
5,114

2,933
2,241
1,622
2. 734
2,838

13,138
13,410
134,329
19,176
8,270
3, 585
21,649
3,268
1,652
1,994
5,177
6,610
1,225
2,513
5, 887
3,310
1,634
6,743

2, 216
1,949
1,554
1,236
1,306
1,830
1,407
2,062
2,131
2,537
916
700
1,010
2,060
1,766
1,235
3,637
2,599

419
1,810
387
554
652
1,387
112
7,874

2,432
2, 596
2, 723
2, 799
1,697
1.320
1,514
933

52,278
230.963

2,215
1,505

3,332
348
331
663
5,514
23,037
1, 044
3,237
2,269
10, 803
91
2,338
851

2,980
2,655
2, 258
2,147
-2,035
1, 468
1,754
1, 420
1, 813
1,170
997
1,970
1,383

II. Professional, clerical, and general
.D
-D
.1)
l>
_D
)er.D

Clerks and clerical specialists (A ).- .......... .
Clerks ( B ) „ _ ...................................................
Clerks (C )................................... .................... .
Mechanical device operators (office)____
Stenographers and secretaries (A )...............
Stenographers and typ ists ( B ) .....................
Storekeepers, sales agents, and buyers___
Ticket agents and assistant ticket agents.
Telephone switchboard operators and office assistan ts.
Elevator operators and other office attendants.
Patrolmen___________________ ______
Watchmen (without police authority).

Miscellaneous trades workers (other than plum bers).
Motor-vehicle and motor-car operators.____________
Team sters and stablem en................................. ................
Janitors and clean ers............... ..........................................

-D
.11
_D
_L)
_D
ing
_D
. L)
_D
_D

T otal (professional, clerical, and general):
D aily b a s i s ..............................................
H ourly basis..............................................
111. Maintenance of tvay and structures

Supervising maintenance-of-way inspectors and scale in sp ecto r.
Maisntenance-of-way inspectors____ _____ _____________ _____ _
Bridge and building gang foremen (skilled la b o r)...........................
Bridge and building carpenters____ _________ ________ ________
Bridge an d building ironworkers____________________ ___ ____
Bridge and building painters....... .................... ................ ....................
M asons, bricklayers, plasterers, and plum bers________________
Skilled trades helpers................................... ................... .....................
Regular apprentices________________________________________
Portable steam equipm ent operators___________________ _____
Portable steam equipm ent operator helpers...................................... .


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[310]

D
-D

EARNINGS OF RAILROAD EM PLOYEES

63

A V E R A G E N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y C O M P E N S A T IO N O N
C L A S S I R A IL W A Y S, Y E A R E N D E D J U N E 30, 1926—Continued

D iv i­
sion
No.

Reporting division

Average
number of Average
pensa­
employees com
tion per
middle of
annum
month

III. Maintenante of way and structures—Continued
47
48
49

50

51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60

Pum ping equipment o p e ra to rs.,,_____________ __________________ ____
Gang foremen (extra gang and work-train laborers). . . ________________
Gang foremen (bridge and building, signal and telegraph laborers)______
Gang or section forem en ..____ ______________________________________
Laborers (extra gang and work-train)____ ________________ ___________
Track an d roadway section lab o rers._______________________ ________ _
Maintonance-of-way laborers (other than track and roadway) and gar­
deners and farmers____ ._____ _______ ___ _____________ . . . ________ ...
General foremen and supervising inspectors (signal, telegraph, and elec­
trical transm ission)_____ .. . ... __________________________________D
A ssistant general foremen (signal, telegraph, an d electrical transmission)
and signal and telegraph in sp ecto rs.._____________________ ____ , . D
Gang foremen (signal and telegraph skilled trades labor)_______________
Signalmen and signal m aintainors______ ____ ______ _____________
Linemen and groundmen___ ......._______...___________ ,________________
Assistant signalmen a n d assistant signal m aintainors._________________
Signalman and signal main tamer helpers___ _________________________
Total (maintenance of way and structures);
4
D aily b a sis___ ..______ _____ _________1 .________ ________ ___
Hourly basis______ ____ __________...._________________ _____

5,601
4,354
017
39, 546
61,192
207,917

$999
1, 678
2,054
1,511
934
879

8,651

910

516

3,014

609
1,445
8,910
2,663
3,063
3,796

2,631
2,365
1,900
1. 778
1, 437
1, 200

4,805
397,933

2,919
1, 035

IV . Maintenance of equipment and stores
61
62
63
64
65
66

67
68

69
.70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85

88
87

88

89

General foremen (maintenance of equipm en t)..____________________ D
A ssistant general foremen and department foremen (maintenance of
equipm ent)______________________ _____ ______ _________________ D
General foremen (stores)__._____ _________ ,_______....___ .
Assistant general foremen (stores).._________ ______________________ D
E quipm ent, shop, and electrical inspectors (maintenance of equip­
ment) . ______ _________________ ___ _____ ______ _______________ , , D
M aterial and supplies inspectors____________________ _____________ D
Gang foremen and gan g leaders (skilled l a b o r ) ____________ _____ _
Blacksm iths_________ _____ _____ _____ ______ . . . ______ ________ _____
Boiler m akers___ ...______ ___________ _____ , ____ ...______ ,...... ..........
Carmen (A )_________ .___ ___ ......__ . , , , .................. , ___ .___ , _________’_
Carmen ( B ) ____ . . . . ______ ________________, .......... . .......... .............._______
Carm en ( C ) ___ _____________ __________________________ ____ _______
Carmen (D )_____ ______ ___________________ ____ _____ _____________
Electrical workers (A )____ _________ __________.___ ________,___________
Electrical workers (B ) _____ ...._______________________________ ____ _
Electrical workers ( C ) . . ...... -______ __________ _______________ ______
M achinists...................................................................._____________ ____ ____
M olders___ _____ _____ ____ _______ , , , _____ _____ ____ _______ _________
Sheet-metal workers___________ _____ . . . . . ___ _________________ . . . . . . .
Skilled trades helpers (maintenance of equipment and stores)__________
Helper apprentices (maintenance of equipm ent and stores)_________ ___
Regular apprentices (maintenance of equipm ent and stores)................... . .
G ang foremen laborers (shops, engine houses, power plants, and stores)..;
Coach cleaners_____ _______ _______ ...___ ____ ........____ _____________
Laborers (shops, engine houses, and power p la n ts).......... .................. ...........
Common laborers (shops, engine houses, power plants, and stores)............
Stationary engineers (steam )___.___ . . . . ______ .___ ,,____ _______ ___ ____
Stationary firemen and oilers (steam and electrical p la n ts).____________
Coal passers and water tenders (steam station boiler rooms)_____________

1,483

3, 613

11,434
304
177

3,107
2,126
1,983

1,676
1, 878
11,709
9,107
19, 561
22,231
4,374
85, 611
2,243
6, 938
2,737
278
60, 806
1, 272
11, 572
113,917
8, 162
14, 067
4,203
12,846
43, 203
59,682
2,554
5,598
592

2,621
2,124
2,612
1,815
L 902
1,794
1, 750
1, 719
1, 591
1.960
1, 805
1,882
1,872
1, 787
1, 867
1,304
1,307
932
1,610
1,109
1,132
969
1,942
1, 570
1,357

Total (maintenance of equipment and stores.) :
D aily b a sis______
___ _______________________________
Hourly basis___.______ ________ ____________________ ._______

16,952
503,263

2,965
1,498

5,391
2,490
5,406
3,676
19,249
842
13,636
25,800
515
129
776
9,371
558

3,223
3,023
2,089
1,218
1,748
2,415
1,726
1,789
2,447
2,176
1,658

V. Transportation (other than train, engine, and yard)
90
91
92
93
94
95
90
97
98
99

100
101
102

Chief train dispatchers, train dispatchers, and train directors_______ ___
Station agents (supervisory—m ajor stations—nontelegraphers)______ D
Station agents (supervisory—smaller stations—nontelegraphers)_______
Station agents (nonsupervisory—smaller stations—non telegraphers)____
Station agents (telegraphers and telephoners)..................................................
Chief telegraphers a n d telephoners or wire chiefs_________ _____ ______
Clerk-telegraphers and clerk-telephoners.........................................................
Telegraphers, telephoners, and tow.ermen___________________ ________
Station m asters and assistan ts______________________________ _____ D
Supervising baggage a g e n ts........ ................. ................................................ D
Baggage agents and assistan ts............................................................................ .
Baggage, parcel room, and station attendants.'_____________________ _
General foremen (freight stations, warehouses, grain elevators, and docks).


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1,221

2,167

M O N T H LY LABOR REV IEW
A G E N U M B E R OF E M P L O Y E E S A N D A V E R A G E Y E A R L Y C
C L A S S I R A IL W A Y S, Y E A R E N D E D J U N E 30, 1926—Co

)iviiion
No.

Reporting division

F. Transportation (other than train, engine, and yard)—C ontinu ed

103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111

112

113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120

121
122

123
124
125

A ssistan t general foremen, (freight station s, w arehouses, grain elevators,
and d ock s)____________ ________ _____ _______ ^_______________________
Gang foremen (freight station , w arehouse, grain elevator, and dock labor) _
Callers, loaders, scalers, sealers, an d perishable-freight inspectors-----------Truckers (station s, w arehouses, an d p la tfo rm s)--.....................- ........................
Laborers (coal and ore docks an d grain elevators).........................................
C om m on laborers (station s, w arehouses, platform s, an d grain e lev a to rs)..
Stew ards, restaurant and lodging-house m anagers, an d dining-car super­
visors_____________________ ______ ____ _________ __________ _____ ____
Chefs a nd first cooks (dining cars and restau ran ts)................................. .........
Second and third cook s (d in in g cars an d restau ran ts)........................ .......... ..
W aiters an d lodging-house a tten d a n ts................................................................ ..
C am p and crew cooks an d k itch en helpers.................................................... .......
Barge, lighter, and gasoline lau n ch officers and w orkers.................... ..............
D eck officers (ferryboats a n d tow in g v e sse ls)......................... ........................... .
Engine-room officers (ferryboats and tow in g v e s s e ls )._____ ______ ______
D eck and engine-room w orkers (ferryboats and tow in g vessels)...............
D eck and engine-room officers and w orkers (steam ers)....................................
F loatin g eq u ip m en t shore w orkers an d atten d a n ts...................... ................. ..

Transportation and dining service inspectors......................................... _.D
Parlor and sleeping car con ductors..................................................................
T rain atten dants.......... .............................................^.................. ....... ...................
Bridge operators and helpers_______ ______ __________________________
Crossing and bridge flagmen and gatem en_______________ ________ _.D
Foremén (laundry) and laundry workers.........................................................
Total (transportation—other than train, engine, and y ard):
D aily basis................................ .............................................. — ..........
H ourly basis.............................................................................................
V I (A ). Transportation (yardmasters, switch tenders, and hostlers)

126
127
128
129
130

Y ardm asters and assistants................................................................... ...........D
Switch tenders............................................................................. .............................
Outside hostlers............................................................ ................ ...........................
Inside hostlers........ ................ ................. ................................................... ............
Outside hostler helpers........................... ........................................................ .......
Total (transportation—yardm asters, switch tenders, and hostlers):
D aily b asis............... ........................ .................................... .................
H ourly basis............................................................................................
Total all groups (except train and engine):
D aily basis........................ ........... ...........................................................
H ourly basis......................................................... ............................
V I ( B ). Transportation (train and engine)

131 Road passenger conductors____________________ ________ ______ ______
132 A ssistant road passenger conductors and ticket collectors.................. ...........
133
134 Road freight conductors............ ....................................... ......................................
135 Road passenger baggagemen..................................................................................
136 Road passenger brakemen and flagm en._______ _________ ________ ____
137 Road freight brakemen and flagm en .______ _________________ ________
138
139 Y ard conductors and yard foremen...... ................................. .............................
140 Y ard brakemen and yard helpers...................... .................... .............................
141 Road passenger engineers and motormen.........................................................
142 ■ Road freight engineers and m otorm en.................................................................
143
144 Yard engineers and m otorm en.._____________________________________
145 Road passenger firemen and helpers................................................................... .
146 •Road freight firemen and h elp ers.........................................................................
147
148 Y ard firemen and helpers........................................................................................
Total (transportation—train and engine)............. .............. I__..............
Grand total, all employees..........................................................................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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M O N T H LY LABO E E EV IE W

Wage R ates an d H ours Established by Recent Agree­
m en ts
Dock Builders—New York City

T

HE Contracting Dockbuilders’ Association, comprising 24 con­
tractors engaged in the construction of docks, bulkheads, piers,
wharves, and other water-front improvements in New York
City, made an agreement with Carpenters’ District Council acting on
behalf of the Dock and Pier Carpenters’ Local No. 1456, December
21, 1922, which is still in force. The hourly wages in effect under
that agreement, as furnished by the Dock Builders’ Association, have
been as follows:
D o ck
builders

D a te of ch an ge:
M ar. 15, 1923
M ar. 15, 1924
M ar. 16, 1925
Ju n e 16, 1925.
A pr. 15, 1926 _
Ju n e 16, 1926.

$1. 00

Forem en
and engineers

$1. 1243

i.
1. 22
1. 3 1 J4

1. 2 7 *
1. 3 6 *
1 .4 6

1. 4 0 ^

1. 5 4 M

1. 50

1. 623^

Hay and Grain T eam sters—Chicago
IN TH E agreement of the Chicago Feed Dealers’ Association with
the Chicago Hay and Grain Teamsters’ Local No. 732, made
August 28, 1926, the rates of wages were increased $4 per week and
are as follows:
N e w scale

T h ree-h orse h ay or g rain w agon drivers.
R e g u la tio n tw o-h orse w agon d r iv e r s___
O ne-horse w ago n d r iv e r s ___________ : ___
C h au ffeu rs on 1 to 3 to n t r u c k s ________
C h au ffeu rs on 5-ton t r u c k s _____________
C h au ffeu rs on 7-ton t r u c k s _____________

$42.
40.
37.
40.
43.
46.

50
00
50
00
50
00

M achinists—Portland, Oreg
'T'H E machinists of local No. 63, engaged in marine work at Portland,
1 Oreg., received 92 cents per hour for outside work, and helpers,
72 cents, by the agreement of July 15, 1926.
M alt Workers—M innesota
>, kilnmen, and elevator men, members of Brewery
wujivtus Local No. 174, receive $30 per week, first men $33
per week, and repairmen $150 a month for nine-hour day according
to a two-year agreement made with the Fleischmann Malting Co. of
Red Wing, Minn., and the Commercial Grain & Malting Co., of
Cannon Falls, Minn., September 1, 1926.
Milk Wagon Drivers—San Francisco
* I 'HE Milk Dealers’ Association of San Francisco has an agreement
with the Milk Wagon Drivers’ Local No. 226 of the Teamsters’
Union whereby the drivers receive $182.50 per month and the inside
men, comprising bottle washers and others engaged in manual labor

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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M O N T H LY LA B O S REV IEW

within the plant, receive $162.50. The eight-hour day prevails, with
time and a half for overtime. Daylight delivery is the rule, all milk
being delivered between the hours of 7 a. m. and 3.30 p. m.
Pocketbook Workers—New York City
A TH REE-YEAR agreement of the pocketbook workers of New
York City with the Associated Leather Goods Manufacturers,
July 21, 1926, increased the old rate of $1.10 per hour of average
experienced workers to $1.21. The minimum weekly rate of pay
for first-class cutters, male operators, pocketbook makers, framers,
parers, shear cutters, and choppers heretofore classed as cutters, was
raised to $46; second class, $41.15; helpers, $30.

E a r n in g s a n d

E m p lo y m e n t in th e M o tio n -P ic tu r e
In d u str y o f C a lifo rn ia

A

SURVEY of employment and wages in the motion-picture
industry in California constitutes one of the important sections
of the twenty-second biennial report of the bureau of labor
statistics of that State, covering 1925 and 1926.
Although complete pay-roll and employment data were secured in
the investigation for approximately 90 per cent of the motion-picture
employees, all of the material could not be included in the bureau’s
report. However, comprehensive statistics on variations in volume
of employment and on full-time weekly earnings of office employees
and manual workers are presented. Artists’ and actors’ earnings
are not tabulated in the report.
The evolution of the motion-picture industry from 1919 to 1923 is
shown in the following table based on United States census figures:
T a b l e 1.—D E V E L O P M E N T

Census year

1919 ______________________
1921 ______________ _____ _
1923.............................................

O F M O T IO N -P IC T U R E I N D U S T R Y i
S T A T E S , 1919, 1921, AMD 1923
N um ­ Aver­
ber of
age
estab­ number
lish­ of wage
ments earners
50
127
97

3,643
6, 259
6,408

Amount
paid in
wages

$6, 709,000
14, 740, 000
16, 601, 000

IN

THE

Cost of m ate­
rials

Value of
products

$19,579,000
31,190, 000
30,657,000

$36, 705,000
77, 397, 000
86, 418, 000

U N IT E D

Value added
b y m anufac­
ture

$17,126, 000
46,207,000
55, 761,000

Per cent of increase over preceding period
1921...................... ............... .........
1923
__________________

119.7
12.6

59.3
- 1 .7

110. 9
11.7

169.8
20.7

1 N ot including projections in theaters.

In 1923 the “ value of products” of the 36 motion-picture studios
in Los Angeles alone was, according to the United States census,
$84,611,414, or 40 per cent of the reported value of the product for
the whole United States. The California bureau, however, estimates

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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67

E A R N IN G S IN M O T IO N -P IC T U B E IN D U S T R Y

that the production in Los Angeles is “ more nearly 90 per cent of the
total United States production.”
On May 15, 1926, the total number of employees on the pay rolls
of the 36 Los Angeles motion-picture studios and 11 laboratories
was 8,584, of whom 7,473 were males and 1,111 were females.
Fluctuations in Employment
IRR EG U LA R ITY of employment in the motion-picture industry is
declared to be the most important fact disclosed in the survey.
The leaders in the industry have evidently not as yet paid adequate
attention to this fact. “ If the increased cost of production caused
by irregularity of employment could be expressed in terms of dollars
and cents, the sum would undoubtedly be so staggering as to enlist
the interest of every motion-picture producer.” Among the several
tables and charts presented in the report indicating the high cost of
labor turnover, the irregularity of production, and the intermittent
earnings of the workers in the industry, is the following:
T a b l e 3 .—F L U C T U A T IO N S I N E M P L O Y M E N T IN 16 I D E N T I C A L M O T IO N -P IC T U R E
S T U D IO S, 1923, 1924, A N D 1925

Per cent persons employed each month formed of—
Month

M aximum
number
employed

Average
number
employed

M aximum
number
employed

1923
Ja n u a ry ,___________ ________
F eb ru ary. _____ ____________
M arch...........................................
April...............................................
M a y ......................... _....................
Ju n e _____________ ________
J u l y - - ............................................
A ugust_____________________
Septem ber__________________
October....................................... .
Novem ber................................
December......................................

72.4
66.3
75.9
87.0
96.5
100.0
89.2
76. G
76.7
84.9
71.5
Cl. 9

Average
number
employed

1924
90.6
83.0
94.9
108. 9
120. 7
125.1
111.7
95.8
96.0
106.2
89.5
77. 5

71.7
63.4
70.7
72.9
72.7
87.4
86.3
84.4
87.1
97.2
94.0
100.0

M aximum
number
employed

Average
number
employed

1925
87.1
77.0
85.9
88.5
88.4
106.2
104.9
102. 5
105.8
118.1
114.2
121.5

79.6
82.7
81.3
88.5
86.3
87. G
99.2
100.0
96.7
89.5
88.0
99.0

89.3
92.9
91.2
99.3
96.9
9S.3
111.3
112.2
108, 5
100.4
98.8
100.9

Weekly Wage Rates
¡TU LL-TIM E weekly wage rates were tabulated only for the ocA cupations listed below:
N um ber of
employees

Auditors____________________________________________
3Ö
Clerks, bookkeepers, stenographers_____________________
586
Carpenters__________________________________________ 1, 390
Chauffeurs and drivers________________________________
149
Electricians and spotlight Operators_____________________
704
Engineers (stationary), mechanics, firemen______________
88
Foremen and superintendents______________
126
Laborers, watchmen, maintenance men__________________
992
Painters_____________________________________________
270
Plasterers___________________________________________
81
Seamstresses and milliners_____________________________
134
Tailors______________________________________________
48
Total

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

4, 598
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315 ]

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M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

In most instances the full-time weekly wage rates and also actual
earnings were given on the pay rolls. In some instances where
hourly and daily rates were shown, the full-time weekly wage rates
were calculated on the 8-hour-day and 48-hour-week basis, these
being the prevailing hours in the industry except for such employees
as maintenance men and watchmen.
T a b l e 3 . —N U M B E R

O F E M P L O Y E E S IN M O T IO N -P IC T U R E S T U D IO S R E C E I V I N G
S P E C I F I E D F U L L - T I M E W E E K L Y W A G E R A T E S IN M A Y , 1926, B Y O C C U P A T IO N S

Full-time weekly wage
rates

Under $20
.
_______
$20 and under $22
_____
$22 and under $24
___
$24 and under $26________
$26 and under $28
_____
$28 and under $30
$30 and under $32 __........ .
$32 and under $24
$34 and under $36
_____
$36 and under $38
$38 and under $40
$40 and under $42________
$42 and under $44_
$44 and under $46________
$46 and under $48
$48 an d u n der $50

$50 and o v e r _

T o ta l.......................

Car­
pen­
ters

i2
3
6

Chauf­
P las­ P aint­ feurs
ers
and
terers
drivers

11
2

Elec­
tricians
and
spot­
ligh t
opera­
tors

Labor­
Seam ­
ers,
stresses
watch­
and
men, Tailors milli­
and
(males) ners
m ain­
(fe­
tenance
males)
men

53
13

34
7
20
7

3
5

5

5
18
2 12

8
3
2
2 10

46
6
16
3
1
58

16
1
9

48

134

391

195

11

31

7
1

1

24
6

258

933
31

34
2

152
31

21
3
11

2
324
3

162
15
30
18
1
10
5
3

298
80

14
12

53
15

5
5

43
25

1
6

1,390

81

270

149

704

992

1 Under $24.

6
11
14
40
11

10
12
26
31
12
1
14

6
1

1

24
15
15
41
27

2
3

3
4
1

28
20

Fe­
M ales males

17
174
557

i5
10
28

5
14
1
17

Clerks, book­
keepers, and
stenographers

15

19

3 $46 and over.

The rates of three of the higher-paid groups are shown in the
table below:
T a b l e 4 .— N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S IN C E R T A IN H IG H E R -P A ID G R O U P S IN M O T IO N -

P I C T U R E S T U D IO S , R E C E I V I N G S P E C I F I E D W E E K L Y R A T E S , M A Y , 1926

Full-tim e weekly wage
rates

Under $40
_ _______
$40 and under $50_______
$50 and under $60_______
$60 and under $70
___
$70 and under $80
__
$90 and under $100
$100 and under $110...........


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Audi­
tors

7

3
6

S ta­
tionary
engi­
Fore­
men
neers,
and
me­
super­ chan­
intend­
ics,
and
ents
fire­
men
7
10
10
26
24

21
52
11
4

Full-time weekly wage
rates

$110 and
$120 and
$130 and
$140 and
$150 and

3

16

[316]

S ta ­
tionary
engi­
Fore­
men
neers,
A udi­
and
me­
super­ chan­
tors
intend­ ics,
ents
and
fire­
men

under $ 1 2 0 ____
under $130_____
under $140_____
under $150-_
over______ ____

4
1
1
8

3
3
14

T o ta l....... ..................

30

126

t

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E A R N IN G S IN M O TIO N -P IC TU R E IN D U S T R Y

69

“ Extras”
ETXTRAS are casual workers hired by the day and are usually paid
■*“ * off at the close of the day’s work. Some of the extras play
small “ p arts” or “ bits,” but the bulk of them merely furnish the
background for the artists and actors who have rôles. As a number
of the present movie stars were at one time extras, these temporary
jobs are considered as possible openings to fame and fortune and are
in great demand. Some of these extras live for years from hand
to mouth upon their intermittent earnings in the hope that they will
get an important rôle. F ortunately, most of the extras are not entirely
dependent upon the motion-picture industry for a living.
The multiplication of film aspirants has led to the setting up of cer­
tain fake “ movie schools” which have been formed in collusion with
private employment offices. The exploitation of extras and would-be
extras has not been restricted to illegal fees and tuition charges. The
regular employment agencies demanded from 7 to 10 per cent of the
extras’ earnings for securing them jobs in the motion pictures. Before
taking their jobs, the extras assigned their commission to the employ­
ment agency, thus violating a California law.
Upon the recommendation of the California Bureau of Labor Sta­
tistics, the Association of Motion Picture Producers of Los Angeles
organized on January 1, 1926, an employment agency known as the
Central Casting Corporation, the purposes of which are—
1. To do away with the high fees charged by private employment agencies to
extras in the motion-picture industry.
2. To eliminate the violations of the law arising out of methods of paying
off the extras.
3. To discourage the constantly increasing influx of persons as extras in the
industry.
4. To develop a residue of efficient extras who would be called upon frequently
and who would be able to derive a decent living from their employment as extras.

At present approximately 90 per cent of the extras required in the
industry are being placed by this corporation. Private employment
agencies are securing positions for the remaining extras needed.
The number and per cent of extras at the different daily wage
rates are shown in the following table, which includes men, women,
boys, and girls :
T a b l e 5 .—N U M B E R A N D P E R C E N T OF E X T R A S R E C E IV IN G S P E C I F I E D D A IL Y
W A G E S D U R IN G T H E S I X M O N T H S, JA N U A R Y TO JU L Y , 1926

D aily wage rate

Number of
man-days
worked

$3...................................... ..
$ 5 . .. . .............................
$7.50............. .......................
$10................................. .
$12.50____________ _____
$15........ .............. ..............
Over $15.............................
T otal..........................

Per cent
of total

Cum ula­
tive per
cent

1,338
22, 728
44, 362
36,091
3, 267
4,435
1,616

1. 2
19. 9
39. 0
31. 7
2. 9
3.9
1. 4

21.1
60.1
91. 8
94. 7
98. 6
100.0

113, 837

100.0

100.0

Extras for large crowds and mob scenes are paid $3 a day and have
a free lunch.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

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M O N T H L Y LABO E E E V IE W

Cost of Production of iron C astin gs in England

T

HE Iron Age of September 16, 1926, contains an article by
T. Smith, giving illustrative figures concerning the cost of
production in time and money in an English foundry with
which he is connected. His figures for a typical month are pre­
sented in the following table which contains, in addition, certain unit
cost figures computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the
basic data.
C O ST OF P R O D U C T IO N IN A N E N G L IS H IR O N F O U N D R Y

M o lten -m etal account
[Ton =2,000 pounds]
Item

Grade A

Grade B

Grade C

O u tp u t.. . . __________ ____________________ ______________ _________ to n s .C osts of m aterial, etc:
P ig ir o n ____________________________________ _______________________
S crap .______ ________________________________________ ______________ _
F u e l» ............................................. ............................................. ...................... ............
P ow er_______________________________________________________________
R e p a ir s __ ________________________ _________________________________
G eneral sto res______________________________________ ____ ____________

90

72

61

$2, 300
325
241
84
18
14

$985
360
201
71
15
12

$315
595
162
56
12
11

T otal ______________________________________ ____ __________________

2, 982

1,644

1,151

198

183

137

.

3.180

1,827

1,288

C ost per 100 pounds:
M aterial, etc ................... ........... .............................................................................
M e ltin g w ages

1.65
.11

1.14
.13

.94
.11

T o ta l______________________________ __________ ____ _______________

1.76

1.27

1.05

90
$3,180

72
$1,827

61
$1,288

1,680
676
271

1,263
398
147

905
227
92

2, 627

1,808

1,224

1.76
1.46

1.27
1.26

1.05
1.00

M e ltin g w ages

_________________________________________________________

Gross co s t________________________________________ _______________

Ir o n fo u n d r y accou n t
O utput......................................................................................... ...................... to n s..
M olten m etal cost____________________________________ ____________ _
Foundry wages:
M olding___________________________________________ . .
Cores. ________ ____ ____________________ ____ ______________ ____
Dressing__________________________________ ______ ____ _____
Total w ages______________________________________ ____
C ost per 100 pounds:
Molten metal (including melting wages)___ _______________________
Foundry wages___________________________ ____ __________________

C om bin ed accou n t
Total man-hours ____________________ _______ _____ ______________ . . .
Man-hours per t o n . . . ___________________________ ___________________
Man-hours per 100 pounds____________ ________ _____ ________ ________
Costs:
M aterial, etc_______ _________ . _________________________________
Wages (melting and foundry)_____________ _______ ______ __________
Overhead charges______ ____ ___________________________________ .
Total cost....................................................................................................... .
Cost per 100 pounds:
M aterial.............................. ............................................ ......................................
Wages (melting and foundry)................................ .......................................
Overhead______ _____________________________________ _______ _
T o tal____________________________ . . . . _____ __________________
Wages per 1-man-hour................................................

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

1 Coal, coke, and limestone.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[ 318 ]

4, 360

2, 934

70.5
3. 52

6, 341

60.6
3.03

48.1
2.40

$2, 982
2,825
2; 219

$1, 644
1,991
1,526

$1,151
1,361
1,027

8,026

5,161

3, 539

1.65
1. 57
1.24

1.14
1.38
1.06

.94
1.12
.84

4.46

3.58

2.90

.446

. 457

.464

CO ST O F PRO DU CTIO N OF IRO N C A ST IN G S IN E N G LA N D

71

The overhead cost per hour, all grades combined, was 35 cents.
A sample cost record is given below:
S a m p le a rtic le cost record

Order No. 3571.
Grade of iron: B.
Quantity: 1 bed plate.
Weight: 950 pounds.
Cost:
Molten metal (including melting wages)____________ $12. 07
Foundry wages:
Molding---------------------------------8. 50
Cores______________________________
1. 35
Dressing...____ _____________________________
1. 00
Total foundry wages_______________________
Overhead charges_____ __________________________

10. 85
10. 15

Total cost____________________________________ 33. 07
Cost per 100 pounds:
=========
Molten metal (including melting wages)______________
1.27
1.14
Foundry wages____________________________________
Overhead_______________________;_______________
1. 07
Total________________________________________
Total hours on bed plate (950 pounds)_________________

3. 48
29

The following extracts are drawn from the article referred to:
Before entering into detail, it has long been a matter of surprise to the writer,
and I venture to say the same applies to many of the readers of The Iron Age,
that, while many executives will put in elaborate systems to ascertain their costs
of machining and erection, they are apparently quite content to value the out­
put of their foundry at an average rate per 100 pounds. Why this should be so,
it is very difficult to follow, because not infrequently the cost of the castings far
outweighs the value of any machining labor subsequently put into them.
In seeking a reliable method, we decided first of all to dissect all our costs into
three main headings: (1) Molten metal; (2) wages spent on molding, cores and
dressing; and (3) overhead charges.
Discussing them in the order named, it was realized that to take an all-round
figure for metal was incorrect. Our output ranged from the highest grade of
cylinders, using the best kind of pig iron with a relatively low proportion of
scrap metal, to other items where weight was practically the only consideration.
Enumerated, the factors influencing the metal cost are: (1) Grade of pig iron;
and (2) radio of pig iron to scrap.
With a view to debiting each grade of casting with its correct cost, the output
is divided into three grades, A, B, and C, the deciding factors being the grade
and price of pig iron and the relative proportions of pig and scrap used in its
manufacture. * * * For identification purposes, the pattern number of each
casting is prefixed by one of the three letters, A, B, or C, indicating the grade
and type of metal from which it is to be made.
In the months during which the amounts shown in [the first section of the
table] were expended, our overhead charges amounted to $4,772, and the total
number of hours worked, booked on the men’s cards against their various jobs,
equaled 13,635 hours. We therefore debited the sum of 35 cents per hour against
eacli job according to the time spent on it.
With reference to patterns, in the normal course, the whole of the cost of the
pattern shop is charged against the foundry and included in the overhead charges.


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72

M O N T H LY LABOR R E V IE W

A m endm ent of Sun day R est Law of Cordoba, Argen­
tin a 1

U

N D ER the Cordoba Sunday rest law (No. 2328, as amended)
all manual work is prohibited on Sunday as well as on the
first and twenty-fifth days of May and on the ninth of July,
in factories, workshops, commercial undertakings and other estab­
lishments in the Province.
Exemptions.—The law exempts from its provisions (1) work which
can not be interrupted, either because of the nature of the needs
which it is intended to meet or for reasons of a technical character,
or because the interruption would cause serious harm to the public
interest or to the industry itself; (2) repairing or cleaning work in
industrial undertakings which is indispensable in order that the
week’s work may not be interrupted; (3) any urgent work necessary
on account of impending disaster or an accident, or other tempo­
rary circumstances which must be met. The provisions of this law
must not interfere with the compulsory weekly rest day for women
and for young persons under 16 years of age. This law does not
appl,y to domestic servants.
Establishments selling alcoholic beverages must remain closed on
Sundays.
Except in case of proof to the contrary, employers shall be con­
sidered responsible for violations of this law, and shall be liable for
a fine of 100 pesos 2 for a first offense, and double that amount or
imprisonment for two weeks for the second offense.

Wage R ates and W orking H ours in A ustralia

T

HE Quarterly Summary of Australian Statistics, published by
the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, gives
in its issue for June, 1926 (Bui. No. 104), actable of the weighted
average weekly wage rates and working hours in the several States
and in the Commonwealth, as of December 31, 1925, from which
the following data are taken:
1 Argentina. Departam ento Nacional del Trabajo. Crónica M ensual, Buenos Aires, Ju ly , 1925, p. 1606.
2 Peso at par=96.48 cents; exchange rate for November, 1926=92.39 cents.


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[320]

73

WAGES AND H O U ES OF LABOK IN AUSTKALIA

W E IG H T E D ‘A V E R A G E W E E K L Y W A G E R A T E S A N D H O U R S OF L A B O R IN A U S­
T R A L IA , D E C E M B E R 31, 1925, B Y S T A T E A N D IN D U S T R Y G R O U P
New South
W ales
Industry group

Wood, furniture, e t c . . ................... ............
Engineering, metal works, e t c .. . ........ .......
Food, drink, etc.............. ....... .................. .......
Clothing, boots, etc................ .......................
Books, printing, e t c .....................................
Other manufacturing___________ _______
Building...... .........................................
M in in g .................................. .
R ail and tram services.. _____ _________
Other land transport_____________
Shipping, etc_________ _______ _______ _
Pastoral, agricultural, e t c . . .........................
Domestic, hotels, etc.............................
M iscellaneous..................................................
All groups _

Victoria

South ;
Australia

Queensland

Hours W eekly Hours Weekly Hours Weekly Hours Weekly
per
wage
per
wage
per
wage
per
wage
week
week
rate
rate
week
rate
week
rate
s.
101
100
95
91
107
98
107
109
99
92
102
85
89
92

45.94
47. 91
47. 03
46.14
44.24
47.02
44. 85
43. 83
48.00
48.43
48.00
47. 80

________________

d.
4 46.23
9 47. 92
3 47.11
11 45. 76
2 45.24
4 47.48
4 44. 00
6 45.12
2 47.49
11 48.22
7
6
8 48.43
9 47. 81

96 0

s.
103
100
97
92
111
97
108
109
103
92
107
84
89
96

d.
6 44.03
5 44.00
5 44.00
1 44.00
4 44. 00
2 44. 42
11 44.00
6 43.03
2 44.00
10 44.00
3
5
7 44.00
5 44.00

s.
101
98
97
97
107
98
114
116
102
96
105
95
88
96

97 2

Western Australia

d.
11 45.64
9 48.00
11 46. 36
7 44.00
4 47. 53
1 47. 73
9 44. 00
0 43. 79
3 48.38
0 48.00
1
1
0 48.00
3 47. 78

s.
99
99
97
97
110
100
108
71
99
92
106
84
91
92

99 11

Tasm ania

d.
0
9
6
8
7
11
10
5
10
2
11
11
3
3

94 4
Australia

•
Hours
per
week

Wood, furniture, etc......................................
Engineering, metal works, etc.......... ............
Food, drink, e tc ............................. ..................
Clothing, boots, etc_____________ _______
Books, printing, etc......................................
Other manufacturing.... ................ ....... ...
B u ild in g ............................. ......................
Mining ................. ...............................
Rail and tram services___ _____________
Other land transport........................................
Shipping, etc............................................
Pastoral, agricultural, e t c ...................
Domestic, hotels, e t c .. . _____________
Miscellaneous...................................................

■ Weekly
wage rate

47.87
47.40
46. 20
44.00
43.00
47. 60
44.53
43. 87
45. 95
48.00
48.00
47. 61

All groups..... .................. ................... .

s.
96
100
94
98
119
99
101
108
97
92
104
88
92
90

d.
4
5
11
7
8
0
9
9
1
8
3
8
0
0

97 0

1

Hours
per
week

45. 60
48.00
47.94
46. 29
45. 65
47.40
44.15
45.42
48.00
48.00
54.00
48.56

Weekly
wage rate
s.
101
101
92
90
107
95
103
101
95
96
106
88
66
88

d.
5
5
8
.5
9
8
9
0
5
2
2
11
4
7

93 5

Hours
per
week

45.98
47. 50
46.40
45. 56
44. 79
47.06
44. 37
44.04
47.14
47.76
47. 77
47.34

"Weekly
wage rate
s.
101
100
96
93
109
98
108
108
100
93
104
87
89
93

d.
2
4
6
2
6
2
5
7
6
3
8
4
1
11

96 9

Similar data as of June 30, 1925, were published in the L abor

R ev iew for March, 1926 (p. 68), and a comparison of the two tables
show’s that a number of changes occurred during the six months'

interval. Changes in hours were fewer than in wage rates, but there
had been a sufficient number to give a distinct downward trend.
Increases in hours w’ere shown only in engineering, which in Western
Australia rose from 47.25 to 47.40 hours per week and in Australia
from 47.49 to 47.50; in books, printing, etc., in w-hich hours rose in
Australia from 44.77 to 44.79 and in Victoria from 45.15 to 45.24
per week; and in other manufacturing industries in New South
Wales, where there was an increase from 46.92 to 47.02 hours.
Decreases in hours were numerous and considerable in Queensland,
where seven groups of industries showed shorter hours, the reduction
ranging from a fraction of an hour in the wood and furniture indus­
tries to over four hours per week in the other land transport services.
-6
2 8 2 6 1 °— 27
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[3 2 1 ]

74

M O N T H L Y LABO E E E V IEW

In Australia shorter hours were shown in eight groups of industries,
but the reductions were small, not amounting to as much as an
hour a week in a single case.
Changes in wage rates were numerous, wood and furniture indus­
tries in Western Australia, clothing in Queensland, Western Australia,
and Tasmania, books and printing in Queensland, mining in South
and Western Australia, and domestic and hotel service, and miscella­
neous industries in Tasmania being the only groups which showed
the same wage rate at the two dates. Decreases appear only in Tas­
mania. Here the -wage rates for the wood and furniture industries
decreased by Is. Id. per week, for engineering and metal industries
by 8d., for building by 6d., for rail and tram services by 4d., and for
pastoral and agricultural services by 3d. per week. In all other cases,
there were increases which in some instances were considerable.
Thus the industries connected with food and drink showed in every
State an increase which ranged from 6cl. per week in Western Aus­
tralia to 3s. 5d. in Queensland; in mining, increases ranged from
3s. 8d. in Tasmania and Australia to 5s. 9d. in Victoria; wages in
“ other land transport” showed increases ranging from 2s. a week in
Tasmania to 7s. 9d. in Queensland, while in shipping increases ranged
from 5s. Id. in New South Wales to 6s. Id. in Queensland. Taking
all groups of industries together, the net result of the changes was
an increase in the weighted average weekly wage rate of 2s. Id. in
New South Wales, Is. 8d. in Victoria, 4s. Id. in Queensland, Is. 8d.
in South Australia, 9d. in Western Australia, 6d. in Tasmania, and 2s.
Id. in Australia.

W ages P a id in C h ile a n C o al M in e s, 1911 to 1924

T

HE following tables, taken from a report of the Chilean Coal
Commission1 show the average daily and annual wages as
well as the annual working-days of interior and exterior workers
in the coal mines of Chile for the years 1911 to 1924. Although the
report gives the wages in Chilean pesos, they have been converted
into United States currency on the average exchange rates as shown
by Federal Reserve Board reports, and both sets of figures are shown
in the tables.
1 Chile. Comisión del Carbón.
April 19, 1923. Santiago, 1929.


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Informe presentado al Supremo Gobierno según Decreto No. 33-1,

[322]

75

SH O R T -T IM E PO LIC Y --- E N G L IS H COTTON S P IN N E R S

A V E R A G E D A IL Y W A G E S OF W O R K E R S IN C H IL E A N C O A L M IN E S , 1911 TO 19-24
Average daily wages of—
Interior workers

Pesos

1911.
1912.
1943.
1914.
1915.
1916.
1917.
1918.
1919.
1920.
1921.
1922.
1923.
1924.

5.94
5. 52
5.89
5. 50
5.89
6. 23
6.06
7.15
7. 65
7. 87
8. 78
8.68
8. 93
10. 19

Exterior workers

United
States
currency

Pesos

$1.15
.96
.97
1.18
1.49
2.06
1.73
1. 45
1.06
1.06
1. 09
1. 07

3.29
3. 42
3.66
3. 10
3.68
3.95
4.35
5. 41
5.64
5.29
6. 02
6. 47
7. 44
7. 60

United
States
currency

$0.71
.54
.61
.74
1. 07
1. 56
1.27
.98
.73
.79
-.91
.80

All workers

Pesos

United
States
currency

4. 61
4. 01
5.24
4. 87
5.25
5.51
5.53
6.61
7.07
7.04
7. 98
7.95
8.33
9.32

$1.02
.85
.86
1. 03
1. 36
1. 90
1. 59
1.30
.96
.97
1. 02
.98

A V E R A G E N U M B E R OP W O R K IN G -D A Y S P E R Y E A R A N D A N N U A L W A G E S OF W O R K ­
E R S IN C H IL E A N C O A L M IN E S , 1911 TO 1924
Average annual wages of—

Year

Num ber of
workingdays

Interior workers

Pesos

1911.......... .........
1912____________
1913____________
1914 ________
1915 ___
___
1916 ______ __
191/ ___________
1918____________
1919____________
1920____________
1921 ___________
1922 _________
1923 ___________
1924 ___________

263
273
271
248
252
286
271
281
269
220
247
224
241
262

13. 28
15.07
15. 95
13. 65
14.84
17. 83
16. 43
20. 11
20.69
17.31
21.69
19. 44
25.16
26. 71

United
States
currency

$3.12
2.37
2. 44
3.32
4.03
5.79
4. 67
3. 19
2. 62
2. 38
3.08
2. 82

Exterior workers

Pesos

8. 64
9. 33
9.91
7. 68
9.27
11.30
11.79
15.05
15. 24
11. 64
14. 90
14.49
17.83
19.91

United
States
currency

$1.94
1. 34
1. 52
2. 10
2.89
4.33
3. 44
2.15
1. 80
1 77
2. 18
2.10

All workers

Pesos

IS 40
14. 17
12. 08
13. 24
15. 13
15.00
18. 57
19. 01
15. 48
19. 70
17. 80
20.08
24. 42

United
States
currency

$2 77
2 10
2 18
2 82
3 08
b 34
4 29
2 86
2 38
2 18
2. 46
2. 57

A b a n d o n m e n t o f S h o r t- T im e P olicy b y E n g lish C o tto n
S p in n e r s

T

HE Economist (London) in its issue for December 18, 1926,
states that the Master Cotton Spinners’ Federation has reached
an important decision relative to hours.

O w ing to th e u n sa tisfa c to r y w ay in w hich sh o rt tim e is b ein g o b se rv e d , it
w as decid ed to w ith d raw all re stric tio n s u p o n w ork in g h o u rs in th e sp in n in g
m ills u sin g A m erican co tto n . A fo rtn ig h t a g o th e h ou rs w ere in c re a se d fro m 24
to 35 p e r w eek. T h is decision reflects a n im p o r ta n t ch an ge of po licy on th e p a r t
o f th e fe d e ratio n . D u rin g th e d ep ression o f th e la s t few y e a rs th e fe d e ratio n h as
u rge d t h a t o u tp u t m u st b e c u rtaile d on a n o rgan ize d scale. T h e ir a ttitu d e h as
now been alte re d , a n d in fu tu re in d iv id u a l firm s will h a v e to m a k e th e ir ow n
arra n g e m e n ts a s to p ro d u c tio n , a n d w ork o u t th e ir ow n sa lv a tio n .


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1323}

76

M O N T H L Y LABOE R EV IEW

The Manchester Guardian of the same date gives some data con­
cerning the extent of short time in this section of the trade. Since
the end of 1920, the industry has been facing difficulties, and for the
greater part of the time has endeavored to meet them by cutting
down working hours. In September last it was proposed that the
working time should be reduced to 16 hours a week, and while this
proposal was not adopted, a resolution was carried to the effect that
beginning in October, the mills should be closed entirely for two weeks
in three. “ When, however, the time came in October to put this
resolution into effect it was found that so many members were
disregarding it that it was dropped after only one day’s test, and the
mills went back to half time until early in the present month, when
the working hours were increased to 35 per week.”
It is estimated that the decision to give up the short-time policy
may affect nearly 100,000 operatives.


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1324]

TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
E m p lo y m e n t in S e le c te d M a n u fa c t u r in g I n d u s t r ie s
in D e c e m b e r, 1926
HE decline in employment in manufacturing industries which
began in November was continued in December, but with
considerably less momentum, the December decrease being
only one-half of 1 per cent as compared with 1.2 per cent in November.
The December earnings of employees, moreover, show a slight in­
crease—0.2 per cent—over the November figures.
Some large establishments, which in usual routine either shut down
completely or in part in January for inventory and repairs, this year
curtailed operations in December for these purposes.
This report is based upon returns from 10,117 establishments in
54 separate industries, having in December 2,974,001 employees,
whose combined earnings in one week were $78,922,522.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ weighted index of employment for
December, 1926, is 90.9, as compared with 91.4 in November, 1926,
and 92.6 in December, 1925; the weighted index of pay-roll totals
for December, 1926, is 95.6, as compared with 95.4 in November,
1926, and 97.3 in December, 1925.
The average index number of employment in 1926 is 91.9, as com­
pared with 91.2 in 1925 and 90.3 in 1924; the average index number
of pay-roll totals in 1926 is 95.8, as compared with 93.6 in 1925 and
90.6 in 1924. The monthly average in 1923 is 100 in both cases.
C o m p ariso n of E m p lo y m en t an d P ay -R oll T o ta ls in
N ovem ber an d D ecem ber, 1926
tTOURTEEN of the fifty-four separate industries show an improve1
ment in employment in December. The cotton-goods industry
gained 1.6 percent in employment with increased pay rolls of 4.4 per
cent; women’s clothing owing to the strike settlement in New York
gained 9.3 and 17.6 percent, respectively, in the two items; and men’s
clothing, millinery and lace goods, foundry and machine-shop prod­
ucts, and steel shipbuilding all made substantial gains.
The automobile industry reported losses of 5.6 per cent in employ­
ment and over 15 per cent in employees’ earnings, partly due to shut­
downs for inventory and repairs. The iron and steel industry dropped
2.3 per cent of its employees, while losses of considerable size, but
largely seasonal, occurred also in steam fittings, stoves, boots and shoes,
confectionery, cane-sugar refining, paper boxes, fertilizers, cement,
brick, glass, stamped ware, and carriages and wagons.
The textile and miscellaneous groups alone of the 12 groups of
industries gained in employment in December, the increases being
1.9 and 2.4 per cent, respectively. These two groups and two others—
iron and steel and paper—reported gains in employees’ earnings, the
increases being 5.2, 6.6, 0.3, and 1.1 per cent, respectively.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[325]

77

78

M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Each of the nine geographic divisions reported decreased employ­
ment in December, the Pacific States leading with a drop of 2.8 per
cent, and the North Central States also losing over 2 per cent of their
employees. The New England and Middle Atlantic divisions each
lost about 1 per cent of their employees, but showed small increases
in pay-roll totals, while the South Atlantic and South Central divi­
sions coupled their very slight losses in employment with substantial
gains in employees’ earnings.
For convenient reference the latest figures available relating to
all employees, excluding executives and officials, on class I railroads,
drawn from Interstate Commerce Commission reports, are given at
the foot of Table 1 and Table 3.
1 .—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN I D E N T IC A L
E S T A B L I S H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926

ta ble

Industry

Number on pay
Amount of pay roll
roll
Per
Per
E stab ­
cent
cent
lish­
of
of
ments Novem ­ Decem­ change
November, December, change
ber,
ber,
1926
1926
1926

1926

F o o d a n d k in d re d p r o d u c t s . ..
Slaughtering and meat packing ----------------------------C on fectionery__ ____ ______
Ice cream______ ____ ________
Flour . ______ . . .
B ak in g. _______ ____ ______
Sugar refining, c a n e _____ ._

1,161

218,355

212,157

$5,457,087

$5,428,741

194
252
194
331
478
14

86,420
36, 992
8, 249
16,341
59,439
8,914

87, 778
34,227
8,045
15,642
58, 378
8,087

+ 1 .6
- 7 .5
- 2 .5
- 4 .3
- 1 .8
- 9 .3

2, 256,075
670, 734
269,414
422, 744
1,579,312
258, 808

2, 298, 255
649,700
262,819
400,410
1, 567, 795
249, 762

T extiles a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts ___
Cotton goods_______________
Hosiery and knit g o o d s _____
Silk goods___ _____________
Wooien and worsted goods___
Carpets and r u g s .. ________
Dyeing and finishing textiles..
Clothing, m en’s __ ______
Shirts and collars____ . . . . . .
Clothing, women’s . ............
M illinery and lace goods____

1,829
470
245
195
191
29
92
272
90
176
69

592,301
227,828
81,872
56,339
65,825
24, 228
30,477
58,480
21,083
15,864
10, 305

599,157
231,497
81,955
56,171
65,280
24, 369
30, 448
60, 619
20, 787
17,342
10,689

+ 1 .6
4 " 0 .1
- 0 .3
- 0 .8
+ 0 .6
- 0 .1
+ 3 .7
- 1 .4
+ 9 .3
+ 3 .7

0)

11,558,293
3,650, 784
1,581,928
1,197,212
1,471,681
674,247
744, 612
1,301,117
347,445
360,409
228,858

11,979,657
3,813, 007
1, 578,845
1,197,182
1, 502, 885
674, 840
749, 348
1,450,749
336, 606
423, 771
243, 424

1,772
212
45
145

«7 7 ,754
284, 533
14, 701
23,289

609,352
277,885
14,109
22,910

- 2 .3
- 4 .0
- 1 .6

(>)

20,181,441
8, 776, 621
359, 360
668,871

20,184,631
8,637, 530
331,274
684,190

946
67
153

231, 742
34,324
31,644

235,079
33,428
31, 516

+ 1 .4
- 2 .6
- 0 .4

6,860,523
877,107
985,253

7,094,884
851, 791
993, 555

+ 3 .4
- 2 .9
+ 0 .8

115
89

40, 530
16, 991

38,406
16,019

- 5 .2
- 5 .7

1,156,145
497,561

1,112,548
458,859

- 3 .8
- 7 .8

L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts _____
Lum ber, saw m ills......................
Lum ber, mill w ork.. _
F urniture__ ____ ______ ____

1,042
445
234
363

215,408
124,371
31,173
59,864

210,655
121,462
30,176
59,017

- 2 .3
- 3 .2
- 1 .4

(0

4,848,984
2, 568,571
775,438
1, 504,975

4,682,943
2,459, 281
751,464
1,472,198

0)

L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c ts . ___
Leather__ _________________
Boots and shoes----------------

352
138
214

122, 780
28, 752
93,948

120,233
28, 829
91.404

+ 0 .3
- 2 .7

(')

2,761,151
718, 796
2,042,355

2,710,517
732, 505
1,978,012

(>)

P ap e r a n d p r in t in g .....................
Paper and pulp_____________
Paper boxes . _______ ____
Printing, book and jo b ______
Printing, newspapers_______

892
217
178
289
208

176,468
57,503
21,191
47,835
49,939

175,497
56, 635
20, 550
48, 295
50, 017

- 1 .5
- 3 .0
+ 1 .0
+ 0 .2

(')

5,699,618
1,551,039
476, 228
1,649,199
2, 023,150

5,760,826
1,540, 340
461,047
1,711,367
2,047,872

(')

Iro n a n d steei a n d th e ir p ro d u c t s . . ________________ ____
Iron and s t e e l . . . ________
Cast-iron pipe------------------Structural ironwork..................
Foundry and machine-shop
p ro du cts..________________
H ardw are__________________
......
Machine t o o l s . . ___
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-water heating apparatus
Stoves_____________________


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■

(Footnotes on next page)

[326]

(l)

0)
+ 1 .9
- 3 .1
- 2 .4
- 5 .3
- 0 .7
- 3 .5

0)

+ 4 .4
- 0 .2

(2)

+ 2 .1
+ 0 .1
+ 0 .6
+ 1 1 .5
- 3 .1
+ 1 7 .6
+ 6 .4

0)

- 1 .6
- 7 .8
+ 2 .3

- 4 .3
- 3 .1
- 2 .2

+1. 9
- 3 .2

- 0 .7
- 3 .2
+ 3 .8
+ 1 .2

E M P L O Y M E N T IN
T

SELE C T E D

79

IN D U S T R I E S

1 .—C O M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN I D E N T I C AL
E S T A B L I S H M E N T S D U R IN G O N E W E E K E A C H IN N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R
1920—Continued
'

a ble

Num ber on pay
Amount of pay roll
roll
Per
Per
E sta b ­
cent
cent
lish­
of
of
ments Novem ­ Decem ­
change November, December, change
ber,
ber,
1926
1926
1926
1926

Industry

C h e m ic a ls a n d allied p r o d u c ts .
Chemicals _____________ __
Fertilizers___
Petroleum refining. .

383
118
107
58

91,581
29, 586
8,806
53,189

90,138
29,458
7,811
52,859

0
- 0 .4
-11. 3
- 0 .6

$2,696,674
822,966
169, 564
1, 704,144

$2,702,755
826, 226
161,113
1, 715,416

0
+ 0 .4
-5 . 0
+ 0 .7

S to n e , clay, a n d g la ss p ro d u c ts.
Cem ent. ___ __
Brick, tile, and terra c-otta___
Pottery___
G lass___________ _____

673
99
410
57
106

113,073
27. 019
33,947
13, 557
37, 549

106,973
25, 620
31,913
13, 366
36,074

0
- 5 .2
- 6 .0
- 1 .4
- 3 .9

3,010,058
803, 765
881, 554
349, 734
975,005

2,878,312
744,730
829', 972
358, 746
944, 864

0
- 7 .3
- 5 .9
+ 2 .6
- 3 .1

M e ta l p ro d u c ts, o th e r t h a n
iro n a n d ste e l. .
Stam ped and enameled w are..
Brass, bronze, and copper
products_______

307
65

50,314
18,437

49,237
17,443

0)
- 5 .4

1,347,703
443,834

1,340,812
429, 213

0
—3. 3

- 0 .3

903,869

911,599

+ 0 .9

813,298

790,457

0)

T o b a c c o p ro d u c ts.
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snu ff................
Cigars and cigarettes____
V ehicles fo r la n d tr a n sp o r ta t io n ______
A u tom ob iles______ ______ _
Carriages and w agons. ____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad. _
Car building and repairing,
steam -railroad..........
M isce lla n e o u s in d u strie s
Agricultural im plem ents___
Electrical machinery, apparatus and su p p lie s.............
Pianos and organs. . _
R ubber boots and shoes. . .
Automobile tires__
Shipbuilding, s t e e l....___
All I n d u s tr ie s .........

142

31,877

31, 794

186

44,500

44,230

29
157

8,611
35,889

8,475
35,755

- 1 .6
- 0 .4

125,470
687, 828

130,129
666, 328

+3. 7
- 3 .1

1,034
196
62

45Ü, 851
291, 517
1.513

439,323
275,102
1,433

(|i)
- 5 .6
- 5 .3

14,289,863
9,310, Oil
34, 522

12,890,098
7,904,235
32,170

0
-15.1
- 6 .8
+ 2 .3

0

293

21,830

22,074

+ 1 .1

679,893

695, 372

473

141,991

140,714

- 0 .9

4,265,437

4,258,321

- 0 .2

397
89

358,285
25, 599

251,059
25, 561

-

0. 1

7,423,971
709, 081

7,595,973
745,613

(i)
+5. 2

159
40
10
62
37

123, 473
8, 641
17, 657
53, 077
29,838

120, 657
8,585
17, 931
52,257
32, 068

- 2 .3
- 0 .6
+ 1 .6
- 1 .5
+ 7 .5

3,568,410
277,255
426, 749
1, 585,352
857,124

3,561,050
270,992
464; 798
1, 589,864
963,656

-0 . 2
—2.3
+ 8 .9
+0. 3
+12. 4

80,088,139

78,922,522

10,117 3,014,589 2,974,001

0

0

0

R e c a p itu la tio n by G e o g rap h ic D iv isio n s
Ge o g r a p h i c

d iv is io n

New England____________
M iddle Atlantic__________
E ast North Central_______
West North Central______
South Atlantic........................
E ast South C e n tral.............
West South C e n tra l.......... .
M ountain________________
Pacific_________ ________
AH d iv isio n s_______

1,316
2. 452
2,699
973
1,064
466
444
164
539

427, 589
864, 327
960, 968
155, 580
276, 586
107, 863
90, 833
26, 852
103, 991

422,981
857, 339
939, 303
152, 304
276, 276
107,776
90, 563
26,334
101,125

10,117 3,014, 589 2,974,001

- 1 . 1 $10, 310, 478 $10, 336, 979
- 0 .8 24, 484, 722 24, 615, 780
- 2 .3 28, 506,135 27, 236, 930
-2 . 1
3, 916,547
3, 770,011
- 0. 1
5, 242, 515
5, 346, 078
- 0 .1
2, 093, 287
2,144, 256
- 0 .3
1, 926, 588
1, 945, 225
- 1 .9
737,051
735, 715
- 2 .8
2,870,816
2, 791, 548
0

80,088,139

78,922,522

+ 0 .3
+ 0 .5
- 4 .5
- 3 .7
+ 2 .0
+ 2 .4
+ 1 .0
- 0 .2
- 2 .8
0

E m p lo y m e n t on C la s s I R a ilr o a d s
October 15, 1926__
Novem ber 15, 1926

1,849, 209
1,811,016

1
1~2 ^

8 $255, 524, 115
8 244, 936,930

1 The per cent of change has not been computed for the reason that the figures in the preceding columns
are unweighted and refer only to the establishments reporting; for the weighted per cent of change wherein
proper allowance is made for the relative importance of the several industries, so that the figures m ay
represent all establishments of the country in the industries here represented, see Table 2.
2 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
•
8 Amount of p ay roll for 1 month.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[327]

80

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

T a b l e 2 .— P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E , N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1926, IN 12 G R O U P S

OF I N D U S T R IE S A N D T O T A L O F A L L I N D U S T R IE S

[Computed from the index numbers of each group, which are obtained by weighting the index numbers
of the several industries of the group, by the number of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
Per cent of change,
November to De­
cember, 1926

Per cent of change,
November to D e­
cember, 1926

Group

Food and kindred p ro du cts...
Textiles and their p rodu cts.. .
Iron and steel and their prod­
u cts___________ __________
Lum ber and its p ro d u cts.. . . .
Leather and its products____
Paper and printing
Chemicals and allied prod­
u c ts____________________
Stone, clay, and glass prod­
u cts__________________ __

Group
Number
on pay
roll

Amount
of pay
roll

- 2 .2
+ 1 .9

- 0 .6
+ 5 .2

- 0 .8
- 2 .2
- 2 .0
- 0 .6

+ 0 .3
- 3 .6
- 1 .6
+ 1 .1

- 2 .2

-0 .1

—4. 5

- 3 .8

M etal products, other than
iron and steel_____ ____ _
, Tobacco products.................
Vehicles for land transporta­
tion _________ ______
Miscellaneous industries____
All industries________

Number
on pay
roll

Amount
of pay
roll

- 1 .9
- 0 .6

-0 .1
- 2 .3

- 2 .9
+ 2 .4

- 6 .4
+ 6 .6

- 0 .5

+ 0 .2

C om parison of Em ploym ent and Pay-Roll T o tals in
Decem ber, 1926, an d Decem ber, 1925
T T IE volume of employment in December, 1926, was 2.6 per cent
1 smaller than in December, 1925, and pay-roll totals were 1.7
per cent smaller.
Fifteen of the 54 separate industries reported more employees in
December than in the same month of 1925, and 20 industries reported
increased pay rolls.
Improved conditions over the year’s interval were most marked in
steel shipbuilding (24.6 per cent), women’s clothing, structural iron­
work, foundry and machine-shop products, machine tools, the printing
and leather industries, and pottery. The most pronounced, declines
were in sugar refining, millinery, stamped ware, automobiles, and
carriages and wagons.
The leather, paper, and miscellaneous groups showed considerable
improvement in December, 1926, over December, 1925, but, with the
exception of increased pay-roll totals in the chemical group, all other
groups show declines both in employment and employees’ earnings.
The South Atlantic States and the Pacific States had a few more
employees in December, 1926, than in the same month of 1925 and
their pay rolls also were increased. The Eastern Central divisions—■
both North and South—show a decline in employment of about 7 per
cent each, and the remaining 5 divisions show smaller losses.

%


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1328]

81

E M P L O Y M E N T IN SE L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S
T a b l e 3 .— C O M P A R IS O N

OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S —D E C E M B E R
1926, W IT H D E C E M B E R , 1925
Per cent of change,
December, 1926,
compared with
December, 1925

Per cent of change
December, 1926,
compared with
December, 1925

Industry

Industry
Number Amount
on pay
of pay
roll
roll

F o o d a n d k in d red p r o d u c ts .
Slaughtering and m eat packm g --------- -------- --------C on fectionery.......................
Icecream _____ _________
Flour_______________
B aking___________________
Sugar refining, cane_______
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts ...
Cotton g o o d s ___ _ _____
Hosiery and knit goods___
Silk goods_________ ____ _
Woolen and worsted goods
Carpets and ru g s_________
Dyeing and finishing textiles_______ ___________
Clothing, m en’s ......................
Shirts and collars ________
Clothing, women’s . . . ............
Millinery and lace goods___
Iro n a n d steel a n d th eir
p r o d u c ts ......... ...........................
Iron and steel_____ _______
Cast-iron pipe____________
Structural ironwork .
Foundry and machine-shop
products.............................. .
Hardware ...... ..................
Machine tools____ . . . ____
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
app aratu s______________
Stoves_______________ ____
L u m b e r a n d its p r o d u c ts .. .
Lum ber, sawmills ........ .......
Lum ber, m illwork.................
Furniture__________ ______
L e a th e r a n d its p r o d u c ts ___
Leather__ ____________
Boots and shoes__________
P a p e r a n d p r in tin g _________
Paper and pulp___________
Paper boxes _____________
Printing, book and jo b....... ..
Printing, n e w sp a p e rs...___

- 2 .3

- 1 .6

- 2 .5
-3 . 7
-4 . 7
- 2 .9
+0. 2
-1 3 .4
- 2 .1
+ 0 .2
- 2 .8
- 7 .6
- 2 .3
- 5 .2

- 1 .6
- 1 .4
- 4 .7
- 5 .0
+ 1.2
-1 2 .0
- 0 .9

-2 . 1
- 1 .6
- 9 .5
+ 3 .2
-1 1 .2

- 3 .3
- 1 .0
-1 3 .0
+ 3 .5
-1 0 .0

- 0 .6
- 8 .6
+2 0
+ 1 .5

- 0 .3
- 3 .5
- 3 .3
+ 6 .5

- 0 .6
- 3 .6
-1 . 5
+ 7 .0

+ 3 .1
- 9 .9
+ 3 .1

+ 3 .2
-9 . 1
+ 3 .3

-1 3 .9
- 2 .3
- 3 .7
- 3 .1
-1 0 .6
- 1 .1
+ 1 .1
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .1
+ 2 .4
- 0 .4
- 1 .4
+ 4 .6
+ 4 .4

-1 3 .0
- 4 .9
- 3 .4
- 3 .9
- 9 .6
+ 1 .9
+ 2 .0
+ 0 .8
+ 2 .6
+ 3 .4
- 0 .5
(')
+ 6 .1
+ 5 .0

Number Amount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
C h e m ic a ls a n d allied p ro d ­
u c t s ...... ................ ....... .............
Chemicals........ ................
Fertilizers_______________
Petroleum refining...............
S to n e , clay, a n d g la ss p ro d ­
u c t s ______________________
Cement_______ __________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta..
Pottery_________________
G la ss .................................... .
M etal p r o d u c ts, o th e r th a n
iro n a n d steel ........................
Stamped a nd enameled ware.
Brass, bronze, and copper
products...............................
T o b a c c o p r o d u c ts ______ ____
Chewing and smoking to­
bacco and snuff_________
Cigars and cigarettes______
V ehicles fo r la n d tr a n sp o r ­
t a t io n ..... ...........................
Automobiles____ ________
Carriages and wagons_____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad_________
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad....................
M isce llan e o u s in d u st r ie s ___
Agricultural im plem ents__
Electrical machinery, appa­
ratus and supplies______
Pianos and organs________
Rubber boots and shoes___
Automobile tires_________
Shipbuilding, steel................
All in d u str ie s.

- 1.0
+ 0 .3

+ 2 .9

12. 0

+ 3 .9
- 5 .1

+ 2 .0

+ 4 .2

-

1.9
-6. 3
-4. 1
+ 2 .5
(')
-

- 7 .8
-1 6 .8

—

+ 2.6

+ 1 .5
- 9.6
-2 0 .4

- 3 .5
-

9.2

+ 2 .3

10.6

-

- 1 0 .9

-1 9 .8
-29. 7

1.4

- 7 .7
- 4 .0

- 5 .6

11.3

-

- 0 .7

-1 2 .5
15.1
-3 1 .9
-2 7 .0
-

- 1 .3

- 2 .7

- 2 .7

+ 0 .2

7.2
- 8 .3

+

- 0 .4
- 3 .2
- 2 .3
-

8. 0

+24.6
-

2.6

+

10.9
- 9 .1
- 1 .5
-

6.8

+ 0 .5
- 7 .0
+29.7
-

1.7

R e c a p itu la tio n by G e o g rap h ic D iv is io n s
GEO G RAPHIC DIVISION

G EO G RAPH IC DIVISION

New England....... ................
M iddle Atlantic________ _
E ast North C entral______
West North Central______
South A tlantic___________
E ast South C e n tra l...........

-2 . 2
- 3 .2
-7 . 0
- 2 .8
+0. 7
- 6 .8

- 2 .8
- 2 .0
-11. 7
- 4 .2
+ 1 .6
- 6 .6

West South Central........ .
M ountain____ _____ _____
Pacific............. .......................

- 0 .4
- 3 .7
+ 0 .6

+ 1 .4
+ 0 .3
+ 0 .5

All d iv isio n s........... .

- 2 .6

-

1.7

E m p lo y m e n t on C la s s I R a ilr o a d s
Month and year

Num ber on
pay roll

Novem ber 15, 1925...................................................
Novem ber 15, 1926 _....................
1 N o change.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1, 772, 232
1, 811, 016

Per cent Am ount of pay Per cent
of change
roll
of change
+ 2 .2

2 $235, 005, 254
2 244, 936, 930

1 Amount of p ay roll for one month.

[329]

+ 4 .2

82

M O N T H L Y L A B O E K E V IE W

Per C ap ita Earnings
rT lHE small reduction in the volume of employment in December
A as compared with November, coupled with a slight increase in
pay-roll totals, resulted in an increase in per capita earnings in 38
industries. Eleven of the increases, were 4 per cent or more, the two
clothing industries leading with a gain of 7.6 per cent each.
The one outstanding drop in per capita earnings was 10.1 per cent
in the automobile industry, several establishments in this industry,
as already explained, having antedated their regular January closing
for inventory, etc., by a shutdown during the first half of December.
The next largest decline in per capita earnings was 3.9 per cent in
the cast-iron pipe industry, followed by a drop of 2.8 per cent in
the cigar and cigarette industry.
The average earnings of employees in 34 industries were greater in
December, 1926, than in December, 1925, but with the exception of
a gain of 7.7 per cent in the fertilizer industry the increases were
comparatively small. The automobile industry per capita earnings
were more than 15 per cent smaller than in December, 1925.
T

a ble

4 .—C O M P A R IS O N OF P E R C A P IT A E A R N IN G S , D E C E M B E R , 1926, W IT H NO
M E M B E R , 1926, A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925
Per cent of
change Decem­
ber, 1926, com­
pared with—

Per cent of
change Decem­
ber, 1926, com­
pared with—

Industry

Industry
Novem ­ Decem­
ber,
ber,
1926
1925

Clothing, m en’s .............. _................
Clothing, women’s . , ........ ..............
R ubber boots and shoes.................
F e r tiliz e r ...______________ _____
Sugar reflning,.cane_____ . . . . ___
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff____________________
Agricultural im plem ents................
C on fectionery.._______________
Shipbuilding, steel_____________
Pottery_______ _______ ________
Structural ironwork____________
Woolen and worsted goods______
Cotton goods______________ ____
Printing, book and jo b _________
M illinery and lace goods________
Stam ped and enameled ware____
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies_________________
Foundry and machine-shop prod­
u cts__________ •______________
Automobile tires____ . ______ . . . .
L eath e r.______ ________________
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus____. . .
Machine tools_____ ____________
Petroleum refining_____________
Car building an a repairing, elec­
tric-railroad______ ____ _______
B ak ing___ ____ _____ ____ ______
B rass, bronze, and copper prod­
ucts__________ ______________

+ 7 .6
+ 7 .6
+ 7 .2
+7. 1
+ 6 .4

+ 0 .8
+ 0 .1
+ 2 .8
+ 7 .7
+ 1 .8

+ 5 .4
+ 5. 3
+ 4 .7
+ 4 .6
+ 4 .0
+4. 0
+ 3 .0
+ 2 .8
+ 2 .8
+ 2 .5
+ 2 .2

- 3 .2
-0. 9
+ 2 .3
+ 3 .9
+ 0 .2
+ 0 .5
+ 4 .4
+ 0 .7
+ 1 .7
+ 1 .3
- 4 .4

+ 2 .1

- 1 .0

~\~2. 0
+ 1 .8
+ 1 .6

+ 0 .3
+1 .1
- 0 .6

+ 1 .5
+ 1 .3
+ 1 .3

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

+ 1 .2
+ 1 .1

- 1 .3
+1 .1

+ 1 .1

- 2 .2

Novem ­ Decem­
ber,
ber,
1926
1925
Printing, newspapers_________ _
+ 1 .1
Paper and pulp___________ ____ _ + 0 .9
Chemicals______ ______ ________ + 0 .8
G lass...... ..................
+ 0 .8
Car building and repairing, steamrailroad______________________
+ 0 .7
Dyeing and finishing textiles____
+ 0 .7
Iron and steel __ . ___________
+0. 7
Silk goods________ ___________
+ 0 .3
Slaughtering and meat p ack in g ... + 0 .3
Brick, tile, and terra cotta_____
+ 0 .2
Lum ber, millwork__________
+ 0 .1
Ice cream _______ _______ ______ _
C1)
Paper boxes__ __________
-0 .1
H ardw are_______ _____ ____ _
-0 3
Hosiery and knit goods. ______
- 0 .3
Boots and shoes________________
-0 5
Carpets and rugs_______________
- 0 .5
Furniture....... ................ ..............
-0 8
Flour_______
- 1 .0
Carriages and wagons........... ........... - 1 .6
Pianos and organs____ ________
- 1 .6
Shirts and c o lla r s_______
- 1 .8
Lumber, saw m ills.. _______ _
- 1 .9
Stoves__________
- 2 .2
Cement____ . . . i _ _
- 2 .3
Cigars and cigarettes______ _
- 2 .8
Cast-iron pipe____________
- 3 .9
Automobiles...... ...........................
-10.1

1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.


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[330]

+ 1 .0
- 0 .1
+ 3 .6
+ 1 .3
+ 3 .0
- 1 .4
-0 3
- 1 .1
+ 1 .2
+ 0 .5
+ 0 .9
-0 .1
+ 1 .4
+ 0 .7
+ 2 .2
+ 1 .3
+ 6 .0
+ 0 .6
- 2 .2
+ 3 .9
- 3 .9
- 4 .1
- 0 .9
- 2 .6
- 1 .6
- 2 .5
+ 2 .0
-1 5 .3

83

E M P L O Y M E N T IN SE L E C T E D IN D U ST R IE 'S

In d e x e s o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o t a ls in
M a n u fa c tu r in g I n d u s tr ie s

The following table shows the general index of employment in
manufacturing industries and the general index of pay-roll totals
for each month from January, 1923, to December, 1926:
T a b l e 5 .— G E N E R A L I N D E X OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U ­
F A C T U R IN G I N D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926

[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Pay-roll totals

Em ploym ent
Month
1923

January_________ __________
February____________ ___ _
M arch_____________ _______
April. ____ _____________
M a y .......... .............................. .
Ju n e_________________ _____
Ju ly -----------------------------A ugust____________________
S ep te m b er__ . . . . _____
October___________________
Novem ber___ _
December_________________
A verage

. _ _______

1924

1925

1926

98.0
99.6
101. 8
101. 8
101.8
101. 9
100.4
99. 7
69.8
99.3
98.7
96.9

95.4
96.6
96.4
94.5
90.8
87.9
84.8
85.0
86.7
87.9
87.8
89.4

90.0
91.6
92. 3
92. 1
90.9
90. 1
89.3
89.9
90.9
92.3
92.5
92.6

92.3
93.3
93. 7
92.8
91. 7
91.3
89.8
90.7
92.2
92.5
91.4
90.9

IDO. 0

90.3

91. ‘i

91.9

1923

1924

91.8
95.2
100.3
101. 3
104.8
104.7
99.9
99.3
100.0
102.3
98.9

■ 94.5
99.4
99.0
96.9
92.4
87.0
80.8
83.5
86.0
88.5
87.6
91.7

90.0
95.1
96.6
94.2
94.4
91.7
89.6
91,4
90.4
96.2
96. 2
97.3

93.9
97.9
99. 1
97. 2
95.6
95.5
91. 2
94.6
95.1
98.6
95.4
95.6

ICO. 0

90.6

93.8

95.8

101.0

1925

1926

Index numbers of employment and pay-roll totals for each of the
54 manufacturing industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Sta­
tistics, and for each of the 12 groups of industries, and also general
indexes for the combined 12 groups of industries, are shown in Table 6
following, for each month, July, 1925, to December, 1926, together
with average indexes for the years 1923, 1924, 1925, and 1926.
This is in continuation of the tabulation presented in the August,
1925, Labor Review, which recorded data, bv months, from July,
1922, to July, 1925.
In computing the general index and the group indexes the index
numbers for separate industries are weighted according to the impor­
tance of the industries.
Following Table 6 is a series of graphs, made from index numbers,
showing clearly the course of employment for each month of 1926 as
compared with the corresponding month of 1925. The first chart
represents the 54 separate industries combined and shows the course
of pay-roll totals as well as the course of employment, and following
this presentation are charts showing the trend of employment through
the two years in each separate industry.
For all of the basic data for these 55 charts the monthly average
index for the year 1923 equals 100.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[331]

T

able

6 .— IN D E X E S

OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S —JU L Y , 1925, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926—T O G E T H E R
W IT H Y E A R L Y A V E R A G E S, 1923, 1924, 1925, A N D 1926

0O

[Monthly average, 1923-100]
F o o d a n d k in d re d p ro d u cts
G en eral in dex
Slaughtering and
m eat packing

G ro u p in dex

Month and year
Employ- Pay-roll
ment
totals

[332]

Employ- Pay-roll Em ploy- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Em ploy- Pay-roll Employe Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Em ploy- Pay-roll
ment
totals
totals
ment
totals
ment
totals
ment
totals
totals
ment
ment
totals
ment

100.0
90.6
93.6
95.8
89.6
91.4
90.4
96.2
96.2
97.3
93.9
97.9
99.1
97.2
95.6
95.5
91.2
94.6
95.1
98.6
95.4
95.6

100.0
95.6
90.9
89.8
89.4
89.9
92.3
94.8
93. 7
92.5
90.3
89.4
88.3
85.6
86.8
88.7
89.2
89.8
92.4
94.3
92.4
90.4

100.0
93. 7
85.0
81. 4
83.4
83.3
83.3
83.8
86. 1
86.6
86. 7
83. 3
79.4
76.2
77.8
79.7
80. 4
81.2
81.7
82. 6
83.0
84.4

100.0
97.9
93.7
93.8
92.8
92.8
93.0
97.5
97.1
96.7
94.1
92.9
91.9
88.6
91.8
93.9

93.5

93.5
96.3
97.9
95.8
95.2

100.0
94. 4
86.7
84. 5
85.2
84.7
81.9
86.9
90.6
90.3
90.1
85.0
81.8
78.1
81.4
83.6
83. 5
82.7
86.2
85.9
87.2
88.9

100.0
88.7
84. 4
86.0
71.8
80.3
91.3
99.9
98.0
94.0
86.4
87. 1
84. 5
78.3
77.8
76. 5
75. 7
79. 5
94. 3
103.0
97. 8
90. 5

100.0
93.4
90. 1
93. 5
75.5
85.1
94.0
105.9
103.6
103. 6
92.0
93. 6
92.3
85.0
85.6
85. 4
81. 5
86. 4
100. 5
112. 2
105. 4
102.2

100.0
96. 5
97. 5
96. 2
118. 5
112. 5
109. 4
96. 3
88. 5
86. 5
83. 8
85. 1
86. 6
91.0
104. 1
113. 6
115. 1
113. 0
101. 2
93. 4
84. 5
82. 4

100.0
97. 2
102. 6
104. 4
128. 5
119.8
116.8
100.4
95.4
92. 2
90.6
91.9
95.2
98.6
112. 6
121. 9
126. 1
123.9
111. 3
103. 2
90.1
87.9

100.0
94. 7
90. 4
87.6
89.3
89.7
93.4
94.7
92.2
90.5
88.9
86.4
85. 8
82. 2
81. 2
82. 3
86. 9
92. 5
92. 5
93.0
91. 9
87.9

100.0
97.6
92.5
90. 2
92. 1
92. 1
93.4
100.2
95. 5
93.9
91. 2
88. 3
87. 3
83. 5
83. 5
84. 9
89. 8
96. 5
95. 6
98. 4
94. 2
89.2

100.0
101. 3
99. 5
100.8
99.9
98. 3
99. 7
104. 2
101. 5
99. 9
97. 6
97. 4
99.8
98. 8
99.9
103. 2
103.0
100. 8
102. 5
104. 2
101. 9
100. 1

100.0
103. 8
102. 4
105. 5
102. 7
100.9
102. 8
107. 7
104. 4
104. 3
102. 0
102. 9
104. 5
102. 1
106. 1
108. 7
107. 7
104. 7
107. 1
108. 7
106. 3
105. 6

100.0
97. 9
97. 8
93. 6
103. 1
100. 4
98. 4
95. 7
91. 9
93. 1
91. 9
101. 9
100. 4
99. 2
96. 5
97. 2
93. 2
93. 4
91. 3
88. 3
88. 9
80. 6

100.0
100. 8
100. 0
95. 6
102. 5
104. 0
101. 0
94. 4
96. 2
96. 5
90. 8
104. 7
104. 3
101. 7
100. 4
99. 5
93. 0
95. 9
90. 2
93. 7
87. 9
84. 9

Textiles a n d th e ir p ro d u c ts
G ro u p in d ex

1923 average_____
1924 average_____
1925 average_____
FRASER
1926 average..........

Cotton goods

Hosiery and knit
goods

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Em ployment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

100.0
88.2
89.3
86.1

100.0
86.8
89.5
85.9

100.0
83.0
84.0
83.1

100.0
80.7
81.9
8L0

100.0
90.7
98.1
97.9

100.0
90.9
105. 6
109.6

100.0
94.3
103.3
100.2

Digitized for
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Woolen and worsted
goods

Silk goods
Pay-roll
totals
100.0
94. 3
109. 4
106. 5

Carpets and rugs

Dyeing and finishing
textiles

Em ployment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment ’

Pay-roll
totals

Em ployment

100. 0
91. 0
88. 9
80.3

100.0
90.1
87.2
78.9

100.0
92. 1
94. 6
91.0

100.0
86.4
91.8
88.4

100.0
92. 1
99. 5
97. 9

Pay-roll
t üt/üls
100.0
91. 9
102.4
100.1

R EV IEW

100.0
90.3
81.2
91.9
89.3
89.9
90.9
92,3
92.5
92.6
92.3
93.3
93.7
92.8
91.7
91.3
89.8
90.7
92.2
92.5 '
91.4
90.9

1923 average_____
1924 average_____
1925 average...........
1926 average...........
1925—Ju ly _______
A ugust____
September _.
October____
N ovem ber. _
December _
1926—Jan uary ____
F ebru ary__
March ____
A p r i l._____
M ay ______
J line_______
Ju ly
A u g u s t .___
Septem ber. .
October
N o v em b er..
D ecem ber...

Sugar refining,
cane

Baking

Flour

Ice cream

Confectionery

56.0
86.8
86.9
89.5
89.8
89.6
89.8
90.1
90.0
87.9
85.7
84.0
80.2
81.5
84.2
86.4
86.1
87.7

84.9
87.2
83.2
90.3
89.6
90.0
90.8
93.0
93.0
87.2
83.1
81.4
76.2
80.6
82.9
88.1
84.8
89.2

77.6
77.9
76.8
83.1
85.0
85.4
85.6
86.0
86.8
86.0
83.8
81.7
76.4
76.2
81.0
83.4
84.2
85.6

73.7
74.1
68.1
79.9
82.2
85.7
85.4
86.4
87.5
86.1
79.8
77.4
69.0
71.4
78.1
81.8
82. 9
86.6

96.0
96.3
98. 1
101.1
102.2
101. 6
100.6
101.6
101.7
100.2
98.4
97.1
91. 2
93.6
95.0
98.0
98.8
98.8

98.7
103.9
101.8
112.2
114.2
114.3
108.2
114.4
115.0
111. 1
111. 2
108.0
98.1
104.4
103. 7
113.7
113.9
113.6

104.0
105. 7
106.6
107.6
107. 7
108. 1
108.0
107.2
104.0
100.6
97. 6
95.4
94.5
96.3
97.9
100. 3
100.2
99.9

108.1
113.7
106.5
116. 1
114.4
116.2
114.9
116.0
111.9
105.2
104. 1
99.0
97.4
103.4
102. 9
110.8
106.2
106.2

85.8
86.0
86.3
87.3
88.0
87.4
86.1
80.1
78.1
77.4
76.8
76.4
76.2
76.3
79.9
84.6
86.1
85.4

Textiles a n d th eir p ro d u c ts—Continued
Clothing, men’s

Shirts and collars

[ 333]

Em ploy­
ment

Pay-roll
totals

Em ploy­
ment

100.0
90. 1
86.9
84.3
87.4
89.4
89.0
87.6
86.0
86. 1
86.6
88. 7
87.4
82.3
80.2
84.3
82.1
85. 1
84.4
84. 1
81. 7
84.7

100.0
86.4
82.4
77.9
85.3
89.4
82.8
79. 6
77.0
79.7
82.5
85.8
83.8
72.5
69. 1
77.8
77.0
82.5
77.6
76.9
70.8
78.9

100.0
84.6
86.9
84.1
86.4
83.8
86.0
87.6
90.3
90.8
89.8
90.4
89.4
85.9
84.4
82.6
80.8
77.2
80.3
82.8
83.3
82.2

1923 average...........
1924 average_____
1925 average...........
1926 average_____
1925—Ju ly _______
A ugust____
Septem ber..
October___
N o v em ber..
D ecem ber...
1926—Ja n u a ry __
F e b r u a r y ...
M arch........ ..
A p ril______
M a y ______
J u n e ............
J u ly --------A u g u st____
Septem ber..
October___
N ovem ber..
D ecem ber...


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
83.3
88.2
85.4
86.2
82.6
80.9
90.5
93.2
95.7
93.6
93.4
92. 8
91. 7
86.6
83.0
77.6
74.6
77.1
85.1
86.0
83.3

83.1
81.1
79.2
84.0
85.7
85.4
84.7
77.9
76.1
74.0
74.1
74.7
74.4
74.7
77.1
87.2
85. 3
87. 1

89.0
90.4
90.8
91.2
94.5
95.1
95.8
95.6
97.3
97.0
93.8
89. 7
87.1
83.9
85.0
87.5
89.6
90.2

83.8
85.7
84.5
88.9
92.4
92.0
94.4
91.6
92.6
91.6
85.8
85.4
80.5
81.4
83.6
86.8
93.3
93.4

96.0
95.2
96.9
100.7
101.2
100.8
101.4
101.4
101.6
99. 7
97.3
95.9
91.8
94. 2
96.0
97.6
98.8
98.7

94.2
94.0
94.6
107.9
105. 5
106.4
104. 6
106.6
106.4
102.6
97.9
94.2
89.1
93.2
98. 1
102.8
102.3
102.9

Iro n a n d steel a n d th eir p ro d u c ts
Millinery and
lace goods

Clothing, women’s
Em ploy­
ment

Pay-roll
totals

Em ploy­
ment

100. 0
88.7
83.6
79.2
79.8
82.5
83.4
84.4
80.4
78.3
81.5
85.3
87.5
84.5
81.1
75.6
69.1
74.5
77.0
78.9
74.0
80.8

100.0
87.3
87.9
80.4
83.3
89.2
88.0
95. 3
86.6
79.0
86.9
96.6
99.3
84.4
77.3
70.9
63.2
73.8
77.1
83.8
69. 5
81.8

100.0
87.1
84.8
72.4
81.3
82.9
80.4
78. 5
77.2
78.3
78.8
81.8
82.0
80.6
77.0
67.3
64.4
65.1
68.3
66.6
67.0
69.5

- a --

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
87.9
87.0
75.1
79. 1
82.0
77.3
79.3
79.6
80.0
82.4
87. 1
89.7
87.6
77.6
66.3
63.4
65.8
71.8
69.3
67. 7
72.0

G r o u p index
Em ploy­
ment
100. 0
86.3
87.3
92.0
85.5
85.5
86.4
87.8
88.7
90.1
90.5
92.6
93.1
93.4
93.6
93.8
91.7
91.8
92.6
93.3
90.5
89.8

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
86. 6
90.6
97.2
84.7
87.0
85.4
92.4
92.9
96.9
94.8
98.8
100.7
99.8
98.3
98.4
93.0
94.8
96.0
99.4
96.0
96.3

Iron and steel
Em ploy­
ment

Pay-roll
totals

Cast-iron pipe
Em ploy­
ment

100. 0
100.0
100. 0
93. 5
93.9
104. 1
95.9
99.1
101.3
97.9
102.8
106. 0
92.1
88.2
101. 8
92.1
93.1
103.4
91. 7
92.6
103.3
99.1
93.9
103.3
95.3
98.7
101. 4
98.1
105.1
102.4
98.4
102.6
101.6
99.9
105. 6
103. 9
99.6
107.3
105. 3
100.2
106.3
106.6
98.9
103.1
106. 6
97.2
102.0
108.1
95. 7 ... -- 95. 9 .......111.7
96.7
97.8
109. 7
98.2
102.0
109.4
98.1
106.6
106.7
97.0
103.0
103.1
94.7
101.3
99.0

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
105. 4
103.6
107.7
103. 2
107.0
102. 9
109. 4
106. 4
98. 5
104.0
108.1
109. 6
110.3
110.5
111.6
113.0
106.8
108.9
107.4
105.3
97.0

E M P L O Y M E N T IN SE L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

1925—
Ju ly ...
A ugust____
Septem ber..
October____
N ovem ber..
D ecem ber...
1926—J anuary___
F ebru ary__
M arch _____
A pril______
M a y ______
Ju n e .............
J u ly --------A u gu st.........
Septem ber..
October____
N ovem ber..
D ecem ber...

TABIE 6 ,- I N D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S -^ JU L Y , 1925, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926—T O G E T H E R
W IT H Y E A R L Y A V E R A G E S , 1923, 1924, 1925, A N D 1926—Continued
•
Iro n a n d steel a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts—Continued
Month and year

Foundry and machineshop products

Structural ironwork
Employment

1923 average—------1924 average______
1925 average___ . . .
1926 average— . . . .
1925— J u ly _____

Pay-roll
totals

100.0
91.0
91.8
99.2
95.8
94.9
94.0
95.1
92.9
92.5
91.8
93.4
93.6
96.3
98.0
99.8
105.1
104. 9
105. 3
103.1
100.1
98.5

A u gu st_____
S ep tem b er..
O ctober.—._
N o v e m b e r ..
D ecem b er.—
1926— January_
F ebruary__
M arch _____

April______

M a y _______
J u n e...............
J u ly ...............
A u gu st_____
S ep tem b er..
October____
N o v e m b e r ..

December...

Employment

100.0
91.9
97.4
106.5
100.7
99.9
96.8
102.6
99.3
102.4
93.7
102.0
102.6
104.0
106.5
109.4
109.2
112.7
108.6
112.4
107.1
109.6

Pay-roll
totals

Hardware
Employment

100.0
78.8
81.8
90.3
79.6
79.4
77.2
82.8
84.3
87.1
86.4
91.1
93.4
92.4
92.1
93.6
88.7
90.3
88.3
90. 5
87.0
80.9

100.0
80.6
80. 7
86.7
80.3
79.8
80. 1
80.9
81.6
82.7
84.0
86.4
87.7
87.7
87.2
88.8
87.9
87.7
87.2
86.4
84.1
85.3

100.0
91.9
91.4
88.2
87.4
90.3
90. 7
91.7
92.1
92.7
93.1
93.5
92.2
91.4
89.0
86.6
85.1
85.8
86.4
86.2
85.8
83.5

Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
apparatus

Machine tools

Pay-roll
totals

Employment
100.0
83.6
87.5
101.9
86.5
80.5
90.0
93.7
97.5
100.7
102.1
102.5
103.9
103.4
102.1
101.5
101.3
92.4
102.3
103. 7
104.2
103.8

100.0
93.9
96.6
98. Í
90.8
96.4
91.0
99.3
100.2
103.7
101.9
102.8
106.0
100. 3
99.3
95.4
90.3
96.2
95. 1
98.2
97.1
94.3

Pay-roll
totals

100.0
95.4
96.8
96.8
94.1
96.5
98.6
102.4
102.4
101.8
99.7
101.6
100.1
99.3
97.6
98. 1
94.8
97.0
97.2
95.8
92.4
87.6

100.0
84.7
94.4
113.1
93.2
88.1
92.0
103.9
108. 4
114.4
113. 6
114.2
115.5
115.2
112.4
112.1
109. 5
101.9
111.1
116.3
117.2
118. 2

Lumber, sawmills

Em ployment

100.0
97.3
99.3
102.0
93.8
98.9
95.1
108.3.
104.0
105.1
104.4
107.0
107.1
104.5
102.7
105.8
98.2
101.8
102.8
103.1
95.0
91.4

100.0
86.3
84.1
86.0
71.0
81.7
86.3
90.7
92. 7
88.4
78.6
85.3
86.5
87.8
86.0
85.4
78.8
85.4
88.3
91.8
91.6
86.4

Lumber, millwork

G ro u p index

Furniture

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Em ployment

100.0
94.8
93.1
90.8

100.0
97.3
98.1
97.7

100.0
93.9
90.0
86.9

100.0
96.5
95.5
93.9

100.0
99.7
101.5
98.5

100.0
102.7
106.6
104.7

100.0
94.8
98.7
99.6

100.0
96.3
101.5
106.2

100.9
90.6
82.0
90.3

m o
88,3
89.4
87.8

100.0
88.4
90.0
91.2

100.0
89.5
91.2
93.5

100.0
91.4
92.6
90.0


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

100.0
88.7
85.9
87.8
67.6
81.0
85.9
98.7
100.1
94.4
78.6
87.3
89.6
92.3
87.9
85.6
73. 4
83.1
90.2
98.7
97.4
89.8

Boots and shoes

Leather

Employment
1923 average...........
1924 average._____
1925 a v e r a g e .......
1926 a v era g e ..........:

Pay-roll
totals

L e a th e r a n d its p ro d u c ts

L u m b e r a n d its p ro d u c ts
G ru u p index

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

Stoves

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
87.9
88.6
85.5

00
05

92.8
93.0
94.2
94.3
93.2
91.6
89.2
89.5
89.7
91.7
91.9
92.1
91.6
92.4
91.8
91.5
90.2
88.2

November..
December—.

96.6
97.1
99.7
102.4
100.9
99.8
90.9
95.7
96.3
97.1
98.3
100.0
95.4
99.6
100.2
102.0
100.0
96.4

91.5
90.7
91. 5
90.4
88.2
86.1
83.9
83.7
84.0
87.8
89.5
90.3
89.8
90.2
88.3
86.8
85.4
83.4

96.8
94.8
98.5
98.3
95.7
94.3
85.3
89.9
90.3
93.2
96.4
99.0
94.6
97.4
97.3
97.5
94.7
90.6

101.8
102. 6
103.4
104.0
103.2
103. 6
100.9
101. 2
102. 1
100.0
98.9
98.7
98. 5
98.6
97.4
97. 1
95.7
92.6

107.1
109.7
105.5
112.3
109.7
110.5
102.6
106.5
108.7
105.2
105.9
106.8
102.3
106.6
103.4
105.5
103. 1
99.9

91.9
94.9
97.9
101.8
104.4
103. 3
100.5
102.2
102.0
99.9
95.9
94.0
93.5
96.4
100.6
104.3
103.7
102.2

89.1
96.6
100. 1
110. 1
113.0
111.9
102.8
108.8
108.9
105.3
99.9
98.9
93.9
102.6
108.0
115.1
116.6
114.0

88.5
92.9
94.8
94.6
91.9
89.2
91.0
92.6
91.4
87.1
85.7
85. 3
88.5
92.4
93.9
93.5
92.0
90.2

85.2
94.2
90.6
92.0
85.4
84.3
86.9
91.1
90.2
82.2
79.4
82.7
86.8
93.7
93.6
93.6
87.4
86.9

P ap e r an d p r in tin g
G r o u p index

[3351

Em ploy-

ment

1923 average...........
1924 average_____
1925 average...........
1926 average_____
1925—Ju ly _______
A u gust.........
Septem ber-.
October____
N o v e m b e r..
December1926—Jan u ary ___
F e b r u a r y ...
M arch_____
April______
M a y _______
Ju n e _______
J u l y .. ...........
A ugust____
September- October........
N ovem ber. .
D ecem ber...


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

100.0
100. 2
100.8
103.6
99.4
99.1
100.2
101.9
103.0
103. 6
103.2
102.4
103.1
102.5
102.6
102.5
102.1
102.3
104.0
105.4
106.6
106.1

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
102.2
102.9
111.5
101.4
101.6
102.5
108.0
110.4
112.5
110.0
109.7
111.7
111. 0
111.0
110.8
108.5
109.2
110.8
114.2
115.0
116.3

Paper and pulp
Employ-

ment

100.0
94.3
94.4
95.6
94.2
93.6
92.7
94.9
94.5
94.8
95.1
95.3
95.6
96. 1
96.4
95.9
94.9
95.2
95.9
96.2
95.8
94.4

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
96.8
99.2
102. 5
95. 5
96.9
92.8
.1
102.7
103.3
101.9
103.3
103.5
103.1
102.7
102.9
98.3
101. 9
101.6
104.5
103.5
102.8

101

Paper boxes
Employment
100.0
99.3
99.9
.1
95.7
96.4
101.4
105.6
107. 5
105.5
101.3
100.0
99.8
98.4
97.6
97.7
99.0
.1
102.4
105.6
107.2
104.0

101

100

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
102.2
104. 7
109.5
99.9
102.3
102.9
111.6
116.1
114. 1
108.1
107. 7
108.2
106. 8
106.3
104.9
105.7
106.4
109. 2
118.2
117.9
114.1

86.5
88.0
90. 1
90.8
91. 4
91.2
92.6
93.3
93.4
91.1
89.3
86.7
88.3
90.7
92.3
92. 1
92.2
92.4

83.9
88.6
88.0
93. 1
93.8
94.3
93.6
96.3
96.8
93.8
91.6
89.0
88.7
93.3
94.0
96.0
93.3
95.1

89.1
94.5
96.3
95.8
92.1
88.5
90. 5
92.4
90.8
85.8
84.5
84.8
88.5
93.0
94.4
94.0
92.0
89.5

85.7
96.4
91.6
91.6
82.1
- 80.3
84.2
89.0
87.6
77.6
74.5
80.2
86.1
93.8
93.4
92.6
85. 1
82.4

Chem icals an d allied products
Printing, book
and job
Employment
100.0
102.0
101.5
104.1
99.5
99.0
100.2
100.6
102.3
103.4
105.1
102.8
103.9
102.4
102.0
102.8
102.6
102.4
104.9
105.0
107.1
108. 2

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
103.5
106.0
113.9
101.9
101.1
104.4
107.4
110.9
114. 1
113.4
110.7
115. 1
112.8
112.2
113.3
111. 7
111.3
113.7
114. 7
116.6
121.1

Printing, newspapers
Employment
100.0
104.1
106.7
111.8
105.8
105.6
106. 8
108.3
109.8
111.2
109.8
110.0
110.8
110.7
111.4
110.7
109.8
110.1
111. 5
114.3
115.9
116.1

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
106. 1
110.1
118.3
107. 0
106.4
109.8
114.1
115.4
119.0
115.0
115.4
117.0
118.1
119.0
117.7
115.8
114.8
117.2
121.8
123.4
124.9

G r o u p index
Em ployment
m o
91.6
94.2
98.4
88.9
91.4
97.3
98.0
S7.6
98.0
98.0
400. 5
105.2
103.4
95.3
93.7
93.2
94. 7
160. 3
100. 2
99.2
97.0

Pav-roil
totals
100. 0
92. 7
95.9
101. 8
91. 6
93.9
95.6
99.8
100.5
100.6
100.2
100.8
105.8
104.8

100.'0
100.0

98.9
98.9
103. 5
104.6
103.6
103.5

Chemicals
Em ployment

100. 0

91. 7
92. 7
95. 3
90. 4
90 0
93. 4
94. 7
95. 8
96.1
95. 3
95. 3
95. 4
95. 7
94.1
94. 6
93. 0
93. 6
95. 9 X
96. 9
96. 8
96.4

Pay-roll
totals
100 0
95 8
97 6
103 5
94 7
92 2
94 0
100 1
102 6
103 9
101 2
101. 8
103. 4
103. 9
102. 7
103 9
100. 7
100 1
loi 3
107 9
107 6
108.0

E M P L O Y M E N T IN SE L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

1925—
Ju ly _
A ugust____
September - .
October____
Novem ber- D ecem ber...
1926—Jan u ary ____
Febru ary__
M arch_____
April.
M’a y ..............
Ju n e _______
Ju ly _______
A u gust____
Septem ber-.
October____

T a bl e 6 .—I N D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G I N D U S T R I E S —JU L Y , 1925, TO D E C E M B E R , 1925—T O G E T H E R
W IT H Y E A R L Y A V E R A G E S , 1923, 1924, 1925, A N D 1926—Continued
S to n e , d a y , a n d g la ss p r o d u c ts

C h e m ic als a n d allied p ro d u c ts—Contd.
Fertilizers

Year and month

Employment

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

100.0
91.0
98.6
108.9
75.5
86.1
107.1
105.5
99.6
105.4
111.0
121.0
151.1
137.9
97.1
83.0
84. 1
90.0
117.0
109.5
105.2
100.0

Pay-roll
totals

100.0
92.1
94.3
100.3
96.3
97.4
98.9
98.4
98.6
99.1
97.6
98.0
97.4
98.9
98.8
100. 9
101.8
101.6
102.7
102. 7
101. 7
101.1

Employment
100.9
96.7
97.6
99.7
96.5
98.8
99.8
100.5
99.7
98.3
93.5
94.3
96.3
99.2
102.3
104.0
100. 8
102.9
103.6
102.4
100.9
96.4

100.0
89.8
93.2
97.9
92.6
97.8
94. 2
98.0
98.4
95.6
96.2
94.1
95.8
96.6
97.8
100.4
96.4
100.0
99.8
99. 7
98.9
99.6

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
101.3
103.5
106.4
99.1
105.4
103.4
109.1
108.8
106.3
97.7
100.8
103.8
105. 0
110.1
112.4
104. 0
110.5
108.1
111.2
108.9
104.8

Brick, tile, and terra
cotta

Cement
Employment
100.0
99.9
96.6
91.7
101.3
101.7
101.6
99.8
96.8
94.0
86.4
85.2
84.8
88.2
92.8
95.6
96. 7
97.2
96.6
95.3
92.9
88.1

Pay-roll
totals

Pay-roll
totals

Employment

100.0
103.6
100.7
96.0
105.0
108.8
107. 5
106. 3
106.1
99.1
83.3
84.9
87.6
91. 1
98.2
103.8
99.9
107.4
103.0
102.9
98.7
91.5

100.0
98.1
99.6
100.7
106.8
104.8
103.6
100.7
99.1
97.1
90.9
89.8
91. 7
98.4
106.3
108.5
109. 5
110.1
107.4
103.1
99.0
93. 1

Stam ped and enameled
ware

Employment
1923 average...
1924 average...
1925 average..
1926 average...


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

160. 0
9? 7
96. 7
97.5

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
91,6
89.8
98.5

Employment
100. 0
90.1
94. 2
95.1

Pay-roll
totals

t

100.0
85.3
91.7
91.5

Brass, bronze, and copper
products
Employment
100.0
94.0
97.9
98.7

Employment

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
110.9
112. 2
116. 6
78.4
113.0
112.2
120.1
116.8
117.6
108.4
118. 9
120. 4
122.1
119. 5
118.1
100.6
116.8
114. 6
121. 9
117.6
120. 7

100.0
107.5
104.9
106.8
78.8
104.1
105.6
107.2
105.4
104.6
102.9
107.1
107.6
109.6
108.3
108.6
97.9
107.7
108.6
107.4
108.7
107.2

100.0
103.6
104.2
105.2
111.0
111.4
106.0
106.8
104.3
102.6
92.6
92.5
95.7
99.2
112.3
116.5
112.6
116.8
110. 9
109.5
104.7
98.5

Employment
100.0
90. 4
93.4
99.0
91.1
90.1
93. 3
98.1
99. 3
98. 6
95.1
97. 2
100. 6
100. 0
99. 4
100.8
94. 6
95. 9
100. 5
102. 0
102. 6
98. 6

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
95. 2
100. 9
108.0
93. 3
96. 2
96. 5
108. 5
ill. 0
108. 3
104.1
108. 0
ill. 3
109. 6
109. 3
110.1
99. 1
104. 0
105. 2
112. 2
113. 4
109.9

T o b acco p ro d u c ts

M etal p r o d u c ts, o th e r t h a n iron a n d steel
G r o u p index

Glass

Pottery

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
93.9
100. 2
101.1

Chewing and smoking
tobacco and snuff

G r o u p index
Employment
100.0
94.0
92.0
85.6

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
95.6
92. 7
87.7

Employment
100.0
99.9
92.0
94.9

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
101.1
98. 2
99.9

Cigars and cigarettes
Employment
100.0
93. 3
92.1
84. 5

Pay-roll
luilllb
100.0
94. 9
92. 0
86.3

M O N T H L Y LABOR

[336]

100.0
90.3
98. 8
103.9
67.6
81.8
105.8
107.3
101.1
101.6
107.4
122. 2
153.1
137. 5
91.2
74. 8
74.3
82.6
108. 6
104.9
100.8
89.4

1923 average__ . . .
1924 average_____
1925 a v e r a g e .____
1926 average.____
1925—Ju ly . ...........
A ugust____
Septem ber..
October. .
N ovem ber..
December.. .
1926—January___
February__
M arch___
April
M ay .
June
Ju ly
August September
October
November
D ecem ber...

G r o u p index

Petroleum refining

00
00

<M
5
3

95.4
95.5
96.3
98.3
100.2

101.5
100.2
101.8

102.9
101.0

98.5
96.3
94.3
94.5
95.7
96.0
95.4
93.6

94.1
98.3
92.6
99.2
102.3
105.7
101.3
104.0
186.8
103.6
99.9
97.5
91.9
94.8
93.6
98.0
95.7
95.6

89.8
91.0
94.0
99.1
103.0
103.8
99.4
101.5
103.0
101.4
96.3
93.3
91.5
91.3
91.2
93.9
91.4
86.4

80.5
88.5
86.8
101.5
103.4
105.2
95.9
102.8
105.6
100.6
90.5
88.9
80.6
84.4
85.5
92.4
86.5
83.7

98.0
97.6
97.4
98.0
99.0
100.4
100.5
102.0
102. 8
100.8
99.5
97.7
95.6
96.0
97.8
97.0
97.2
96.9

99.1
101.9
94.7
98.4
101.9
105. 9
103.3
104.4
107.4
104.7
103.3
100. 7
96.0
97.6
96.6
100.0
99. 1
100.0

90.7
89.9
92.0
95.1
94.6
95.0
85.0
89.0
88.2
84.4
84.0
86.7
83.7
81.2
85.1
87.3
86.8
86.3

90.9
91.9
91.9
99.0
100.6
101.2
87.7
85.9
90.1
83.9
83.3
88.6
85.2
84.4
89.1
92.9
91.9
89.8

91.7
92.9
91.5
93.8
90.3
89.6
90.3
97.9
101. 5
96.7
93.7
93.9
94.7
96.6
93.5
94.7
93.2
91.7

97.6
99.0
98.9
99.8
92. 1
95.3
95.1
109.8
107.1
101.2
98.7
101.7
101.4
97.6
99. 1
101.6
91.2
94.6

90.6
89.5
92.1
95.3
95.2
95.7
84.3
87.9
86.5
82.8
82.7
85.8
82.3
79.2
84.0
86.3
86.0
85.6

90.1
91.1
91.1
98.9

101.6

101.9
86.8

83.1
88.1

81.9
81.5
87.1
83.3
82.8
87.9
91.9
92.0
89.2

V ehicles fo r L a n d T r a n s p o r t a t io n
G r o u p In d ex

[337]

Employment
1923 average1924 average.
1925 average...........
1926 average............
1925—
Ju ly ....
A ugust____
Septem ber..
October____
N o v em ber..
D ecem b er1926—
Jan uary___
F e b r u a r y ...
M arch_____
April______
M a y ........ .
J u n e ......... .
Ju ly ...............
A ugust____
Septem ber..
October____
N o vem ber..
D ecem ber...


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

100.0
88.6
91.0
91.2
89.9
90.7
92.1
94.6
93.7
92.7
92.7
94.3
96.1
95.3
93.5
92.1
90.8
91.4
91.3
89.0
85.1
82.6

Automobiles

Pay-roll totals Employment
100.0
87.5
93.5
92.8
90.2
89.9
90.9
99.5
101.0
96.9
86.0
• 97.6
100.2
99.4
96.8
94.7
88.3
94.7
91.3
94.2
87.9
82.3

100.0
93.6
106.5
107.6
105.9
107.6
112.2
119.3
118.1
112.4
112.8
115.3
118. 2
114.5
110.2
108. 5
105.7
108.4
108.0
103.9
95.5
90.1

Carriages and wagons

Pay-roll totals Employment
100.0
91.1
111.3
108.7
110.2
107.3
114.1
130. 7
131.4
120.1
99.9
122.1
125. 4
121. 5
115. 5
108.5
100.4
112.1
109. 3
111. 0
96.4
81.8

100.0
83.5
92.1
91.9
83.7
95.0
101.4
109.1
99.7
98.6
93.2
97.5
94.7
94.2
90.5
87.5
101.8
104.3
103.9
92.3
73.2
69.3

Pay-roll totals
100.0
87.7
92.6
92.3
80.5
90.1
97.7
106.2
98.3
99.4
89.1
96.1
94.4
95.4
93.5
90.8
95.8
105.0
103.4
93.7
77.9
72.6

Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad
Em ploym ent
100.0
88.7
88.4
88.7
87.7
85.8
88.1
89.1
89.8
90.0
89.3
89.0
89.3
90.3
90.0
87.9
88.1
87.7
87.8
88.2
87.9
88.8

Pay-roll totals
100.0
88.8
91.3
90.8
89. 5
88.4
86.9
90.8
95.4
95.2
88.9
92.5
92.3
92.9
92.2
91.3
88.5
90.3
88.3
88.9
90.5
92.6

Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad

Employment
100.0

85.5
81.3
80.8
80.0
80.0
79.2
78.6
78.2
80.1
80.0
81.2
82.5
83.4
83.1
82.0
81.1
80.3
80.5
79.4
78.6
77.9

Pay-roll totals
100.0

85.0
82.2
82.7
77.7
78.8
76.0
79.9
81.9
82.1
76.9
82.3
84.6
85.7
85.2

E M P L O Y M E N T IN S E L E C T E D I N D U S T R I E S

28261°— 27----- 7

1925—Ju ly ------A ugust___
September
O ctober...
November
D ecem b er1926—Jan u ary........
F e b r u a r y ...
M arch_____
April______
M a y . . ..........
Ju n e ..............
Ju ly ...............
A u gust____
Septem ber-.
October—
N ovem ber..
D ecem ber...

86.2

80.3
83.5
79.6
83.7
82.5
82.3
00

CO

T

able

6 .—I N D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y -R O L L T O T A L S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S —JU L Y , 1925, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926— T O G E T H E R

W IT H Y E A R L Y A V E R A G E S , 1923, 1924, 1925, A N D 1926—Continued

O

O

M iscellaneous industries

G ro u p index

Month and year

Employment


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

m o
87.8
91.8
96.8
90.9
60.2
90.1
89.3
91.0
94.3
97.0
98.4
98.3
96.6
95.5
94.8
93.4
»4.6
»8.4
97.5
68.6
101.0

100.fi
90.6
94.6
101.9
91.2
98.1
90.6
93.0
98.9
100. 4
103.0
102.9
103.9
100.2
100.3
97.0
09.5
99.3
105.3
102.9
109.7

Employment
100.0
80.1
92.4
98.7
85.4
90.3
92.2
95.0
99.1
102.2
106.1
107.6
106. 1
105.1
101. 0
98.2
92.1
94.0
93. 2
93.1
93.8
93.7

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
83.8
101.1
111.4
91.7
98. 6
95.3
106.5
112.4
119.0
120.1
123.5
121.9
120.8
115.8
111. 8
102. 4
107.5
98.6
103. 4
102.9
108.2

Electrical machinery,
apparatus, and sup­
plies
Employment
100.0
93.8
90.9
98.7
86.5
87.5
90.6
94.6
98.0
99.4
99.5
99.2
98.9
97.0
96. 7
96.7
96.4
97.5
99.4
102. 7
101.3
99.0

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
97.7
95.0
103.1
89.8
89.3
91.6
98.9
104.0
107.0
103. 1
104.5
104.9
101. 9
100.8
103.2
97.9
101.5
100.2
108. 3
105. 6
105.4

Pianos and organs

Employment
100. 0
94.9
94.0
95.0
85.0
77.4
94. 1
98. 6
99.2
100. 3
98.5
96. 6
96.0
95. 1
93. 6
93.8
87.8
92.3
94.4
97.1
97.7
97.1

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
101.8
103.1
105.4
86.0
79.3
103.0
113.0
119.9
122.2
103.4
104. 7
105. 6
105. 3
102. 5
100. 6
89.7
100.9
106.3
115.7
116.6
113.9

Rubber boots and
shoes
Employment
100.0
70.9
83.3
85.7
79.9
75.3
80.4
80.8
85.2
90.3
92.7
90.4
92.5
91.1
88.9
86.2
64.1
80.3
83.4
84.2
86.8
88.2

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
71.5
91. 2
93. 3
85. 2
81.9
82.9
90.4
95.9
103. 0
104.7
96.3
100.7
100. 7
97.6
89.5
69.3
82.4
87.6
92.3
95.0
103. 5

Automobile tires

Employment
100.0
97.3
112.2
109.8
119.0
121.5
118.0
109.2
107.0
110. 7
112. 6
113. 7
111. 8
111.6
107. 8
106. 8
108.6
111.1
114.9
112. 7
103. 5
101.9

Pay-roll
totals
100,0
99.9
113.9
113.4
121.5
122.9
117.0
107. 2
104.7
112.5
114.0
120. 4
116.0
116. 1
111. 1
110.0
111.9
113.3
122, 2
116. 8
104, 3
104.6

Shipbuilding, steel

Employment
100.0
83.1
85.3
92.1
86. 2
83.4
80.4
78.1
79. 8
83.9
89.0
92.1
92. 8
90. 5
90. 3
89. 8
89.7
88. 6
90.1
91.1
97.2
104.5

Pay-roll
totals
100.0
86.2
87.7
97.1
83. 6
86. 8
81. 7
84.1
80. 7
87. 5
92. 4
93.1
95. 8
97. 3
94. 9
95. 3
93. 6
94. 6
92.7
101. 0
101.0
113.5

LABOR REV IEW

[338]

1923 average_____
1924 average_____
1925 a v era g e _____
1926 average_____
1925—Ju ly _______
August____
Septem ber..
October____
N o v em b er..
Decem ber.. .
1926—Jan u ary____
F eb ru ary . . .
M arch_____
A p ril..........
M a y .............
Ju n e ______
J u l y . . ..........
A ugust____
Sep tem b er..
October.. . .
N o v em b er..
D ecem ber...

Pay-roll
totals

Agricultural imple­
ments

91

E M P L O Y M E N T IN S E L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

MANUFACTURING

INDUSTRIES.

nONTHLY INDEXES — 1325 & 1926.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y AVERAGE.

1323=100.

100

9S

90

85

100

95

90

85

[339]

92


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

[340]

E M P L O Y M E N T IN S E L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

\

93

94


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

95

E M P L O Y M E N T IN SE L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

TREND

Of EMPLOYMENT.

S9Z .5

\BZG

*

MONTHLY

AVERAGE.

_

_

S 9 £ 3 = SOD.

lie
L u riB i LR ,

5 *W M i l L s
**»•«3 . «*

$y
■*>,sK** ■s ****5

9

'**V,
|

§Q

as

JAN

L_

"*


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

’V T r

[313 ]

LU siBE

r

, n a L WOKi-

96


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

[344j

E M P L O Y M E N T IN S E L E C T E D IN D L 'S T B IE S


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[345]

97

98


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

18461

99

E M P L O Y M E N T IN S E L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

In d e x e s o f E m p lo y m e n t in M a n u fa c tu r in g I n d u s tr ie s , in
E a c h G e o g r a p h ic D iv isio n o f th e U n ite d S t a t e s , b y
M o n th s , 1925 a n d 1926

IN D E X numbers for each month of 1925 and 1926, showing relatively
the variation in number of persons employed in each of the nine
geographic divisions of the United States are shown in Table 7, fol­
lowing. These index numbers are computed with the data for April,
1924, used as 100, no data as to employment by geographic divisions
having been compiled by the bureau previous to that month.
T a b l e 7 —I N D E X E S O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G I N D U S T R IE S IN E A C H

G E O G R A P H IC D IV IS IO N IN 1925 A N D 1926, B Y M O N T H S
[April, 1924=100]
Geographic division

M onth and year

E ast
West
E ast
West
New
M iddle
South
North
South
South
England A tla n tic North
Central Central A tla n tic Central Central

1925
J a n u a r y ............
F eb ru ary..
_____
M arch____________
A p r i l _____ ___
M a y _____________
Ju n e ._________ _
Ju lv ........ .............
A u gust___ . . . . .
Septem ber..........
October _____
Novem ber____ .
D ecem ber......... .......

98.6
99.6
99. 9
98. 7
97. 3
94.9
92. 5
93.8
93. 6
97.3
98.0
97.3

95. 7
97. 5
97.9
97. 1
95. 9
95. 1
94.0
93.4
95. 5
96.9
97.4
98.6

1926
Ja n u a ry . ........ .......
February______
M arch ______ .
April ...........
M a y ____ ____ ____
Ju n e_______ „
Ju ly ______________
A ugust...... .............. .
September________
October ________
N ovem ber.................
December________

98.0
99.3
99. 9
97.8
95.8
94. 2
89. 6
91.3
94.8
96. 3
96. 2
95.2

98.2
98. 7
98. 5
97. 4
96. 3
95. 7
94.0
94. 2
96. 2
97. 0
96.2
95. 4

91.5
92. 9
95. 2
96. 5
97. 3
95.4
95.0
96. 5
98. 1

101.0
101.0

99.6

99.6

101. 1
101. 9

100. 5
98. 5
98. 3
96.9
98. 7
9 9 .3

98. 5
94. 8
92.6

9 6 .5
97. 8
97. 3
96. 1
95 .4
9 7 .2
97. 7
98. 9
99. 0
9 9 .6
98. 5
98 .1
9 6 .6
96. 8
98. 1
96. 0
95. 9
97. 2
96. 7
9 8 .3
9 9 .0
99. 5
97. 5
9 5 .4

96.1
98. 6
99. 9

100. 0
97. 1
96. 1
94. 5
96. I
9 7 .9

100. 0
101.4

102.9
102.1

103. 0
104. 3
102. 6
100. 8
100, 3
99. 1
9 9 .8
102. 8
103. 7
103. 7
103.6

M oun­
tain

101.2
102. 5
102.3
102. 3
99. 9
99. 7
9 7 .2
100. 5
101. 8
103. 3
104. 4
1 0 4.0

97. 1
98. 5
97. 3
97. 2
93. 1
9 3 .6
9 4 .3
95. 0
98. 3
9 6 .4
96. 7
9 7 .6

9 9 .4
97. 9
101.9

102. 5
103. 1
102. 5
102. 3
99. 8
98. 3
9 8 .6
99. 5
9 8 .4
97. 2
9 6 .9
9 6 .9

9 5 .9
9 6 .6
9 6 .2
9 6 .8
9 6 .4
97. 9
9 8 .0
99. 5
9 8 .6
98. 3
97. 5
9 7 .2

9 7 .5
94. 9
93. 4
93. 9
97. 0
100. 7
98. 2
9 7 .4
101.0
100. 4
99. 9
98, 1

93. 0
93. 3
9 4 .4
9 7 .6
100. 6
102. 8
103. 6
101.8

100. 0

Pacific

9 1 .0
9 2 .4
9 1 .3
9 3 .9
9 7 .0
9 9 .3
9 7 .7
9 7 .4
1 0 0.2
9 9 .7
97. 7
9 4 .6
9 2 .6
9 2 .7
9 3 .9
9 7 .6
100.8
9 9 .7
9 9 .2
0 9 .5

99.1

9 9 .3
9 7 .9
9 5 .2

On the succeeding page are charts showing for each geographic
division the trend of employment in each month of 1926 as com­
pared with the corresponding month of 1925. These charts are based
on the index numbers presented in Table 7.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[3473

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

100

TREN D OR EMPLOYMENT
GEO GRAPH IC

- -N

"

E,

n

N

W. NOf : t h

C f •N T R A L

ORTH

S O U rH

DfViS IO N S .

cej

(TRAE

ATL . A N T I C

<r

/

* *-

y

XTN


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

E. SOU r n

[348]

GEM-

70
»
r

'

101

E M P L O Y M E N T IN S E L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

Wage Changes
\Y7AGE-RATE increases and decreases during the month ending
**
December 15 were reported by a few establishments in various
industries and are tabulated below. There was no significance what­
ever in any of these wage changes, except in the steam-railroad car
building and repairing industry. In this industry 85 shops reported
increases averaging 3.8 per cent to nearly 15,000 employees, this being
in continuation of the increases made in November by 41 shops to
about the same number of employees.
T a ble 8 .—W A G E A D JU S T M E N T O C C U R R IN G B E T W E E N N O V E M B E R 15 A N D D E C E M ­
B E R 15, 1926

Establishm ents

Per cent of increase
or decrease in wage
rates

Em ployees affected

Per cent of employees
Industry

Number
report­
Total
ing in­
num­
ber
crease or
report­ decrease
ing
in wage
rates

Range

Total
number

In estab­
lishments
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage rates

6.0
7.4
10.0
5.0

167
18
100
50

10
10
14
83

Average

In all
estab­
lish­
ments
report­
ing

Increases
Slaughtering and meat packing.
B a k in g ........................... .............
Cotton goods...............................
Clothing, men’s _____ ____ ___
Foundry and machine-shop
products________ ______ ___
Steam fittings and steam and
hot-water heating apparatus.
Lum ber, millwork___________
Furniture............. ............... .........
Leather_____________________
Printing, book and jo b . _ ___
Printing, newspapers________
Chemicals-................................
Fertilizers ...................................
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad_____________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and su p p lie s....................

194
476
470
272

1
3
1
1

6
4 -19
-10
5

946

6

7 -13

115
234
363
138
289
208
118
107

2
2
2
1
1
3
1
1

10
7. 5-12
9 -12
10
2. 6
2. 5-11. 4
10
10

473

85

159

3

0
0)
0)
0

8.5

63

5

0

10.0
8.2
10.9
10.0
2.6
6. 5
10.0
10.0

8
27
17
231
100
265
108
3

15
6
6
97
26
60
7
17

«
0
0

1. 5-10

3.8

14,794

75

1 -10

8.6

266

18

0

0
0
0

1
I

U

Decreases
F lo u r ......................... ....................
Silk go o d s....................................
Woolen and worsted goods___
Clothing, men’s _____________
Foundry and machine-shop
p ro d u c ts________ _____ ___
Lum ber, saw m ills.. ________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta____
Carriages and w ago n s...............
Automobile tires..........................

1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

331
195
191
272

1
2
1
1

10
10
10
10

10.0
10.0
10.0
10.0

18
465
280
10

95
97
98
10

0

946
445
410
62
62

2
4
1
1
2

5 -15
10 -15
10
10
18

5.2
10. 5
10.0
10.0
18.0

105
574
139
150
22

94
85
100
83
17

0
0
0

0)
0

0

1

10

102

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

P r o p o r tio n o f T im e W orked a n d F o rc e E m p lo y e d in
M a n u fa c tu r in g I n d u s tr ie s in D e c e m b e r, 1926

D E P O R T S from 7,589 establishments in December showed 1 per
cent idle, 83 per cent operating on a full-time schedule, and
16 per cent on a part-time schedule, while 39 per cent had a full
normal force of employees, and 60 per cent were operating with a
reduced force.
The establishments in operation were employing an average of
87 per cent of a full normal force of employees, who were working
an average of 97 per cent of full time. The percentages were un­
changed from the November, 1926, report.
T

a ble

9 . — E S T A B L IS H M

E N T S W O R K IN G F U L L A N D P A R T T I M E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
F U L L A N D P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E I N D E C E M B E R , 1926

E stab lish ­
m en ts
reporting

Per cent of
establish­
m en ts
operating

Ind u stry

F o o d a m i k in d re d p r o d u e t s _____

Slaughtering and m eat p ack in g___
_ ____
C onfection ery.________
Ice cream ________________________
F lo u r_______________ _ _________
B ak in g
_____________________
Sugar refining, ca n e________ ____

T e x tile s a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts ______
C otton g o o d s _______ ___________
H osiery and k n it goods___________
Silk goods___________ __ _______
W oolen and w orsted g o o d s . _____
C arpets and rugs _____ _______
D y ein g and finishing textiles...........
C lothing, m en ’s_______ _________
Shirts and collars_________________
C lothing, w om en ’s_______________
M illin ery and lace g ood s_________

T otal
num ­
ber

Per
cent
idle

i, 151
141
191
151
277
390
7

0)

1

1,184
370
141
146
140
17
79
133
34
95
29

Ir o n a n d stee l a n d th e ir p r o d u c ts . 1, 534
Iron and s te e l____________________
161
Cast-iron t>ipe____________________
45
Structural ironwork ____ __
131
F ou n d ry and m achine-shop produ cts____________________________
H ardw are_______________
____
M achine tools. __________
Steam fittings and steam and hotw ater heatin g apparatus...... .........
S to v e s_______________ ___________

863
54
145

F u ll
tim e

1
1
1
1

4
4
0

2
2

0)

76
59

A verage
per cent
of full
tim e
operated
in estab­
Part lishm ents
tim e operating

Per cent of
A verage
estab lish m en ts
per cent of
operating
norm al
w ith —
fu ll force
em ployed
b y estab­
F u ll
Part
lish m en ts
norm al normal operating
force
force

88
87
89
94
75
93
86

12
13
11
6
24
7
14

98
99
99
98
94
99
100

39
52
26
4
55
43
29

61
48
74
96
44
57
71

87
93
83
62
91
93
80

82
90
84
81
78
88
52
82
88
73
79

17
9
14
18
22
12
48
18
12
23
17

97
99
97
96
97
99
92
96
96
98
96

41
54
38
39
41
41
35
27
59
27
17

58
45
60
60
59
59
65
73
41
69
79

88
94
87
85
88
89
92
85
89
81
77

79
81
56
89

20
17
42
11

87
96
86
99

34
24
31
44

66
75
67
56

83
86
90
89

79
72
94

21
28.

97
96
100

34
31
39

66
69
61

85
89
87

75
51

25
49

94
90

45
20

55
80

86
78

L u m b e r a n d Its n r o d u c ts___ _____

838
367
175
296

i
2
1

83
84
74
88

16
13
26
13

98
98
97
99

41
35
29
57

58
63
71
43

88
85
85
93

L e a th e r a n d Its p r o d u c t s ._ ______

371
102
169

1
2
1

73
93
60

26
5
38

93
99
87

29
35
25

70
63
74

88
88
88

P a p e r a n d m in t in g . ____________

501
137
103
147
114

93
86
86
94
100

8
13
14
6

89
98
98
101
100

6-3
54
50
63
100

34
45
50
37

95
94
92
94
100

L um ber, saw m ills________________
Lum ber, m illw o rk _______________
Fu rn itu re________________________
L eath er__________________________
B oots and sh o e s............................... ..

Paper and p u lp __________________
Paper boxes
______ _____
Prin tin g, book and job . .
P rin tin g, n e w sp a p e r s........................

(l)

1

i Less th a n one-half of 1 per cent.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[350]

\

103

E M P L O Y M E N T IN SE L E C T E D IN D U S T R IE S

T a b l e 9 .—E S T A B L I S H M E N T S W O R K IN G P U L L A N D P A R T T I M E A N D E M P L O Y I N G
F U L L A N D P A R T W O R K IN G F O R C E IN D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

E stab lish ­
m ents
reporting

Per cent of
estab lish ­
m en ts
operating

Ind u stry
T otal
num ­
ber

C h e m ic a ls a n d allied p r o d u c ts.

C hem icals_______
Fertilizers. _______
Petroleu m refin in g______ ______

S to n e , clay, a n d g la ss p r o d u c ts .._

Per
cent
id le

Full
tim e

m

1

81

18

92
103

2

96
59
100

4
39

45

3

489

83

89

26

71
77

81
86

76
64
54

88
88
84
81

55

97

35
32

85
68

121

80

20

98

36

64

85

88

82

18

97

28

73

88

17

88
80

12
20

98
96

24
30

76
70

85
87

86

14

48

53
78
70

88
71
79

69

96
78
76
91

4
3

71
825

23
20
36
43

77

52

47

80

18

98
92
97

21
28

250

98

2

100

53.

47

96

395

91

9

99

56

44

90

393

75

35

69

59

41

97

34

66
84

85
78

80

20
14
25
41

93
73
83
87

A u to m o b iles_______ ______
Carriages an d w a g o n s_______
Car b uild in g and" repairing, electr ie -r a ilr o a d ...____
Car build in g and repairing, steam railroad _____________________

.130
50

M isce lla n e o u s I n d u s tr ie s_________

0)

2
2

127
21
8
46
32

T o t a ! _____________ _____________ 7,589

86

75
59
100

1

i Less than one-haif of 1 per cent.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

91

97

81

38

A gricultural im p le m en ts..................
E lectrical m achinery, apparatus,
and su p p lie s ......................................
P ianos and organs.. ______ _____
R ubber b oots and shoes..........
A utom ob ile tires...............................
Ship bu ildin g, s t e e l . . . ____ _______

75

48
91
58

19
16

159

V ehicles fo r la n d t r a n s p o r t a t io n ...

68

52
7
42

84

M e ta ! p r o d u c ts, o th e r t h a n iron
a n d s t e e l______ . _

C hew in g and sm oking tobacco and
s n u f f ___________ ____ __________
Cigars an d cigarettes_____________

31

97
100
96
95
89

291
42
87

T o b a c c o p ro d u c ts _

14
4

98
100
96
100

Per cent of
estab lish m en ts A verage
per cent of
operating
normal
w ith —
full force
em ployed
b y estab ­
Full
Part
norm al normal lish m en ts
operating
force
force

18
24
6

C em en t____________
B rick, tile, and terra cotta . . .
P o t t e r y .......................
G la ss............................. ................

S tam ped and enam eled w are _ .
B rass, bronze, and copper prod, u cts__________________ ______

Average
per cent
of full
tim e
operated
in estab­
Part lishm ents
tim e operating

[351]

83

16

95

16

97
98
98
93
103

52
52
38
25

48
48
63
93
75

97

38

89

7

93
97

104

M O N T H LY LABO E E E V IE W

Em ploym ent and Payroll T o tals of R ailroad E m ­
ployees, November, 1925, and O ctober and Novem­
ber, 1926

T

HE following table shows the number of employees and the
earnings in various occupations among railroad employees in
November, 1925, and in October and November, 1926.
The figures are for Class I roads—that is, all roads having operat­
ing revenues of $1,000,000 a year and over.

E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S OP R A IL R O A D E M P L O Y E E S , N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D
O C T O B E R A N D N O V E M B E R , 1926
[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. A s data for only the more im portant
occupations are shown separately, the group totals are not the sum of the item s under the respective
groups; the grand totals will be found on pp. 79 and 81]
Num ber of employees at
middle of month

Total earnings

Occupation
October,
1926

Novem ­ October, Novem ­ November,
1925
ber, 1925
1926 ber, 1926

November,
1926

Professional, clerical, and general........... . 283, 892
C le rk s...... .................. . . ..................... 167,830
Stenographers and typ ists.--.............. 25,140

287, 916
169, 370
25, 609

287, 625 §38, 070, 334 $39. 932,132
109,049 21, 216,484 22, 293,481
3,174,180
3,018,902
25, 598

39, 388,763
21,876,885
3,143,369

Maintenance of way and structures____ 395, 301
Laborers, extra gang and work train. 55,995
Laborers, track and roadway section. 205, 550

457, 808
79,127
233,988

423,-616
69, 099
213,913

35. 014 387
4 ,167,586
14,064, 770

42. 889,169
6,354, 437
17, 561,102

38,608,293
5,190,889
15,295,282

Maintenance of equipment and stores.. 521, 537
Carm en. .................. ............................ 116,312
M achinists_______________________
60, 708
Skilled trades helpers_________ . . . 114,020
Laborers (shops, engine houses, pow­
er plants and stores)_______ . . . . 43,439
Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and sto res).. 58,798

519, 506
114,151
60, 747
114, 872

519,706
113, 718
60, 880
115, 277

65, 435, 500
16, 265, 240
9,176, 555
12,051, 706

69, 807, 555
17, 386,108
9,922, 807
13,120,800

67,808,900
16,696,328
9, 650, 738
12, 768, 700

Transportation, other than train, engine,
and yard................ ................................... 210. 886
Station agents_________ _______ ___
30,840
Telegraphers, telephoners, and tow26,049
e rm e n ______ ______ ___________
Truckers (stations, warehouses, and
platform s)____ _____ _____ ______ 41,094
Crossing and bridge flagmen and
ga tern en............................................... 22,404

42,829

42, 926

4, 040,157

4,128, 725

4, 067,626

60, 267

60, 210

4, 585, 094

5,045,035

4, 797, 725

214,136
30, 597

212, 743
30, 599

25,145, 777
4, 627,560

26, 624,931
4, 791,560

25,735, 546
4, 707, 685

25,714

25, 628

3.803, 702

3,952,260

3,817, 870

41, 526

41,040

3,723,596

3,990,135

3, 732,087

22,256

22,085

1,676,804

1,672, Oil

1, 659, 501

Transportation (yardmasters, switch
tenders, and hostlers) ............................

24,143

24, 347

24,409

4, 435,220

4, 572, 569

4,498,063

Transportation train and engine.---------Road conductors........ ...........................
R oad brakemen and flag m en ............
Y ard brakemen and yard helpers—
Road engineers and motormen_____
R oad firemen and helpers....................

336, 473
38, 054
76, 872
55, 570
45,189
46, 884

345, 496
38, 920
79, 215
57, 742
46,402
47, 507

342,917
38, 288
78, 052
57,800
45, 841
47,124

66. 904, 036
8,910,423
13, 355,098
9,626,037
12,035.165
8,984, 406

71, 697, 759
9, 558,669
14,380,951
10, 315,078
12,977,002
9, 648,695

68,897,365
9,081,271
13,621,386
10,099,113
12, 376,226
9,200,964

S ta te R eports on Em ploym ent
California

T

H E following data, taken from the December, 1926, Labor
Market Bulletin, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
California, show changes in volume of employment and pay
roll from November, 1925, to November, 1926, in 647 establishments
in that State.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[352]

105

V O LU M E OF E M P L O Y M E N T — C A LIFO RN IA

P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T O F
W E E K L Y P A Y R O L L IN 647 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L I S H M E N T S B E T W E E N N O V E M B E R ,
1925, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1926
• Employees

Industry

Stone, clay, and glass products:
10
Miscellaneous stone and mineral products----------8
Lim e, cement, p laster-.............................-.....................
19
Brick, tile, p o tte ry ...................... ....................................
4
G lass......................... ............................................. ............41
T otal.................................... ..............................................
M etals, machinery, and conveyances:
7
Agricultural im plem ents............................................ .
13
Automobiles, including bodies and parts......... ..........
9
Brass, bronze, and copper p ro d u cts.............................
9
Engines, pum ps, boilers, and tan k s.............................
8
Iron and steel forgings, bolts, nuts, e t c ................... ..
16
Structural and ornamental steel ........ ........................
6
Ship and boat building and naval repairs...................
3
T in cans........ .............................................. .........................
59
Other iron-foundry and machine-shop products........
23
Other sheet-metal products._____________________
16
Cars, locomotives, and railw ay repair shops...............
T otal........... ............... ....................................................... r ^ i6 9
Wood manufactures:
24
Sawmills and logging........................................................
44
Planing mills, sash and door factories, etc...................
32
Other wood m anufactures..................... ............ .............
100
T otal...... .................................................... ............ .........
Leather and rubber goods:
7
Tanning___________ ____________________________
5
Finished leather products___ ____________________
7
Rubber products......................................... ....... ..........
19
Total___________ _____ ___ ____________________
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
4
Explosives___ ______ _______________ ____ _______
6
Mineral oil refining..........................................................
6
Paints, dyes and colors...................................... ..............
11
M iscellaneous chemical products.............................. ..
27
T o ta l..................................................................................
Printing and paper goods:
9
Paper boxes, bags, cartons, etc............. .....................
36
P rintin g.......................................... ....................................
15
Publishing .........................................................................
8
Other paper products.......................................................
68
Total........................................................................... .......
Textiles:
7
K nit goods............ ................................................. ............
6
Other textile products___________________________
T otal___________ ______ ______________________
13
Clothing, millinery, and laundering:
22
M en’s clothing__________________.’. ............................
Women’s clothing.............................................................
10
M illinery___________________ ________ ___________
7
19
Laundering, cleaning and dyeing.................................
T o ta l................................................................. ................
58
Foods, beverages, and tobacco:
19
Canning, preserving of fruits and vegetables..............
Canning, packing of fish____________ ____________
7
Confectionery and ice cream ___________________
26
Groceries not elsewhere specified...................... .............
4
Bread and bakery products......................... ..............
18
Sugar........... .........................................................................
4
15
Slaughtering and meat p ro du cts................................. .
4
Cigars and other tobacco.................................................
4
Beverages.................................................................... .........
Dairy products_______________ _________________
11
* As given in the report; not the correct sum of the items.

28261°—27-----8

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Weekly p ay roll

N um ­
ber
Per cent
Per cent
of
change
of change
firms Num ber of
as com­ Amount as com­
re­
in
in
pared
pared
port­ Novem ­
Novem ­
with
with
ing
ber, 1926 Novem
­ ber, 1926 Novem ­
ber, 1925
ber, 1925

[353]

1,745
2,226
3,542
780
8,293
1,307
2,685
1,005
802
3,126
4,539
5,951
2, 538
6,715
1,757
7, 630
38,055

+ 2 .0
+ 7 .6
+ 3 .7
+10.5
+ 4 .9

$51,474
70, 995
82, 667
26,061
231,197

+ 6 .2
+ 3 .8
- 2 .2
+11.0
+ 2 .8

+40.8
37, 667
-5 1 .3
90,253
-2 0 .3
29, 248
+ 6 .5
25,044
+ 26.4
101, 546
-1 1 .0
140, 343
+ 39.0
194,329
+10. 6
67, 734
- .2
200,367
+ .3
52,955
+ 9 .1
236, 491
- . 1 1,175,977

+39.1
-4 6 .2
- 9 .7
+ 4 .9
+26.2
-1 2 .5
+ 32.6
+19.5
+ 1 .0
+ 4 .8
+ 6 .9
+ .9

11,876
10,629
3,978
26,483

+ 1 .9
- 6 .8
- 5 .7
- 2 .9

343, 790
293, 744
115, 005
» 752, 569

- 1 .1
- 8 .2
- 8 .4
- 5 .1

761
514
2, 911
4,186

+ 7 .6
- 7 .2
+10.9
+ 4 .6

20, 541
10,636
77,447
108, 624

-1 1 .8
- 9 .6
+ 1 .8
- 2 .3

472
11,650
596
2,307
15,025

- 2 .7
+ 7 .0
- 2 .8
+24.4
+ 8 .6

14, 661
449, 512
14,449
61, 629
540,251

- 2 .4
+ 7 .0
- 5 .2
+20.7
+ 7 .8

2,292
2,197
3,920
1,158
9,567

-1 0 .6
+ 6 .6
- 2 .0
+18.5
- .4

57,039
77, 603
148,261
27,892
310, 795

-11.1
+ 5 .5
+ 4 .2
-1 7 .4
+ 2 .3

713
1,646
2,359

-1 2 .1
+ .5
- 3 .7

15, 686
36,911
52, 597

-1 0 .0
- .8
- 2 .7

2,823
919
531
1,952
6, 225

+ 3 .1
- .5
- 5 .5
+ 6 .0
+ 2 .6

61, 867
17,135
9. 490
45,068
133, 560

- 1 .5
- 7 .5
-1 1 .3
+10.1
+ •4

7,538
1, 423
1,958
479
3,149
2, 765
2, 736
1,030
427
2,678

- 4 .8
+19.1
+ 1 .3
- 1 .0
+ 2 .9
- 8 .5
-1 0 .3
- .8
-1 0 .7
+ 14.2

140, 436
22,330
46, 687
11,439
92, 357
74,079
82, 684
18,705
10, 772
91,268

- 4 .3
+ 39.3
+ 1 .6
-1 6 .3
+ 2 .1
-2 2 .5
- 4 .2
- 3 .0
+ 3 .2
+13.4

Ï06

M O N T H L Y LABO E REV IEW

P E R C E N T O F C H A N G E I N N U M B E R OF E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T O F
W E E K L Y P A Y R O L L IN 647 C A L IF O R N IA E S T A B L I S H M E N T S B E T W E E N N O V E M B E R ,
1925, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1926—Continued
Weekly
Em ployees
N um ­
Per cent
ber
of
ber ofaschange
com­ Amount
firms Num
in
in
re­
pared
Novem ­
Novem
­
with
port­ ber, 1926
Novem ­ ber, 1926
ing
ber, 1925

Industry

Foods, beverages, and tobacco—Continued.
Flour and grist m ills __________________________
____
_______________
Ice manufactures __
Other food p ro d u cts.. . . _______________________

26,908

- 1 .8

667,150

- 2 .3

7, 532

-1 3 .2

228,818

-12.1

+ 2 9 .0

63, 539-

+ 26.2

_______ ____________________

136

W ater, light, and power_____________________________

4

.

+ 4 .5
- 1 .7
-1 1 .2

$32,894
25, 348
18,151

1,217
754
754

____

Per cent
of change
as com­
pared
with
Novem ­
ber, 1925

+ 7 .7
- 5 .8
-1 6 .3

9
4
11

T o tal.

p ay roll

M iscellaneous______ ________________________________

12

2,472

Grand total, all industries____________________ .

647

147,105

—.1 4,265,077

“ <5

Illinois
'"PHE following table, showing the changes in employment and
earnings in Illinois factories in November, 192b, as compared
with October, 1926, was taken from the December, 1926, issue of
the Labor Bulletin, published by the Illinois Department of Labor:
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S IN IL L IN O IS F A C T O R IE S F R O M
O C T O B E R TO N O V E M B E R , 1926
Per cent of change October to November, 1926
Industry

Em ploym ent
M ales

Stone, clay, and glass products:
Miscellaneous stone and mineral products____
Lim e, cement and p la ste r ....................... .............
Brick tile and pottery_______________________
G lass.............................................. .............. .............. .
T o t a l ............................................................. ..........
M etals, machinery, a n d conveyances:
Iron and steel--------------------- --------- -------Sheet-metal work and h ard w are.........................
Tools and cutlery_______________ ____ ______
Cooking, heating,, ventilating apparatus______
B rass, copper, zinc,. B a b b itt m etal___________
Cars and locom otives..... .............. ..........................
Automobiles and accessories__________ _______
M achinery__________________________________
Electrical a p p a r a tu s...________ ______ _______
A gricultural im plem ents____________________
Instrum ents and appliances___ _______ . . . ____
W atches, watch cases, clocks, and jew elry.___
T o tal____________ _________ _______ _______
Wood products:
Sawmill and planing-mill products______ ____
Furniture and cabinet work_______ ____ ____
Pianos, organs, and other m usical instrum ents
Miscellaneous wood products_______________
Household furnishings______________________
T o ta l_______________ ____ __ _____ _______
F u rs and leather goods:
Leather...... ............................................. ......... .........
F u rs and fur goods---------------- ---------------Boots and shoes________ _______________ ____
Miscellaneous leather goods..................... , ...........
T o tal................................................................... .


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[354}

Females

Both sexes.

T otal
earnings

- 2 .7
-4 . 2
- .7
+ 1 .7
- .4

- 2 .0
0.0
- 7 .3
+ 6 .3
+ 4 .0

- 2 .5
- 4 .1
- .8
”f"l. 0
- .6

-1 4 .3
- 9 .0
- 3 .4
+ .3
- 4 .6

- 1 .4
- 3 .6
+ 1 .0
- .5
- .8
- 4 .7
- 3 .5
- .6
+ 1 .9
+ .9
+ 4 .3 ,
+ 1 .8
- 1 .1

+ 1 ,8
- 7 .0
+ 1 .8
0.0
-6. 1
- 1 .1
-9 ; 0
- .8
+ 2 .3
0.0
+ 7 .0
- .5
- 1 .5

—1.3
-3; 2
+ 1 ,1
- .5
- .9
- 4 .6
- 4 .8
- .5
+ .4
+• 8
+ 4 .9
+. 7
- 1 .0

- 1 .9
- 2 .3
—2.0
- 4 .8
- 1 .4
- 8 .2
- 8 .6
+ 2 .0
- .2
+ 5 .6
+ 9 .4
- 1 .7

+ 1 .4
+ 2 .7
- 1 .3
- 4 .3
-3 . 2
+ .3

+11.4
+ 7 .8
+3. 6
+ 1 .4
+ .7
+4. 2

+1. 6
+ 2 .0
—.7
- 3 .8
- 1 .9
+ .3

- 3 .1
- .4
- 6 .3
- 5 .5
- 2 .7
- 2 .8

+ 3 .0
- 3 .2
- .3
- 2 .3
+ .6

+10.1
+ 2 .6
-2. 1
- .3
- .7

+ 4 .0
- 1 .0
- 3 .8
- 1 .1
- 2 .4

+ 2 .1
-. 1
- 7 .7
- 4 .8
- 5 .4

107

V O LU M E OF E M P L O Y M E N T — IL L IN O IS

C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S IN IL L IN O IS F A C T O R IE S F R O M
O C T O B E R TO N O V E M B E R , 1926—Continued
Per cent of change October to November, 1926
Industry

Em ploym ent
Males

Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
D rugs and chemicals..........................................
Paints, dyes, and colors................... ................
Mineral and vegetable o il.- ____ _____ ____
Miscellaneous chemical products__________
T o t a l- ...............................................................

Females

Both sexes

Total
earnings

+ .2
- 7 .8
- .3
+ 1 .6

- 4 .4
+ 1 .6
+ 1 6 .9
- 8 .4

- 2 .0
- 5 .5
+ .7
+ .6

- 4 .0
- 7 .9
- 3 .3
- 2 .3

—. 5

- 1 .4

- .9

- 4 .0

Printing and paper goods:
Paper boxes, bags, and tubes............................
Miscellaneous paper goods............................... .
Job printing.................... ..................................... .
Newspapers and periodicals___________ ___
E dition bookbinding________ ____________

+ 1 .3
+ 1 .5
+• 7
0.0
- 3 .9

- .7
- 2 .5
+ 5 .6
+ 5 .7
- 4 .0

+ .9
- .2
+ 2 .0
+ 1 .1
- 4 .0

- .6
+ 1 .9
+ 2 .0
+ 1 .9
- 2 .9

T o t a l- .................................................................

'*+ • 5

+ 2 .0

+ 1 .1

+ 1 .2

Textiles:
Cotton and woolen goods...................................
K n it goods, cotton and woolen hosiery..........
Thread and twine.................................. ..............

+1. 2
+ 3 .3
+ 5 .3

- 1 .8
+ 5 .9
+ 3 .3

+ .5
+ 1 .6
+ 3 .7

-1 2 .4
+ 1 0 .4
0.0

T o ta l--................................................................

+ 2 .2

+ 2 .9

+ 1 .6

- .3

- 1 .7
+5. 9
+ 1 .5
0.0
13.5
- 3 .4
+ 2 6 .3
+ 1.9
- 1 .2

- 9 .1
+ 1 .5
+• 2
0.0
-9 . 0
+ 1 .9
+ 27.5
- 3 .6
- 5 .0

- 6 .4
+ 5 .5
+ .3
0.0
-1 0 .0
+ 4 .6
+ 2 7 .2
- 1 .9
- 3 .4

-1 6 .5
+ 5 .7
- .5
+ 6 .6
-2 8 .1

- 5 .3
-4 1 .1
+ 1 .4
- .2
- 2 .4
—1. 2
-1 5 .4

-3 8 .8
-1 5 .8
-10. 5
- .6
- 2 .9
+ 2 .9
-2 6 .3
+ 3 .9
- 1 .9

- 8 .9
-3 7 .1
+ 1 .6
- .2
- 2 .4

Clothing, millinery, laundering:
M en’s clothing...................................................
M en’s shirts and furnishings............................
Overalls and work clothing...............................
M en’s hats and cap s............................ ..............
Women’s clothing.......................... ....................
Women’s underwear.........................................
Women’s h a ts.._________ ____ ___________
Laundering, cleaning, and dyeing...................
T o tal....... ................................... .........................
Food, beverages, and tobacco:
Flour, feed, and other cereal products_____
F ru it and vegetable canning and preserving.
Miscellaneous groceries_____ _____________
Slaughtering and m eat packing________ ___
D airy products________________ ____ _____
Bread and other bakery products....................
Confectionery........................................................
Beverages____________ _____ __________,___
Cigars and other tobacco p ro du cts.................
M anufactured ice...............................................
Ice cream .......... ....................................................
T o t a l , . ................................................................
All m anufacturing in du stries....................
Trade—wholesale and retail:
Departm ent stores _______ ________________
Wholesale dry goods___________________ . . .
Wholesale groceries___ _____ ____ _________
M ail order houses________________________
T o tal.....................................................................
Public utilities:
Water, light, and power......................................
Telephone_______ _______ ___ ____________
Street railways........................... ..........................
Railw ay car repair shops__________ _______
T o tal................ ...................................................
Coal m inin g...................................... ...........................
Building and contracting:
Building construction_________ ___________
Road construction................................................
Miscellaneous contracting..................................
T o t a l- ..................................................................
All industries......................................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

- 1 1 .8

+ 6 .9
-24. 1
- 6 .5
- 2 .5
- 1 .0

- 4 .2
-2 6 .6
-1 0 .6
+ 1 .9
- 3 .3
- 2 .9
-2 3 .3
- 2 .8

- 2 .5
-1 9 .0
-1 2 .2
- 3 .7
- 2 .8

+ 2 .3
- .4
- .3
+ 3 1 .0
+ 1 9 .5

-.8

- .4
-1 2 .0
+18.3
+10.5

+ .4
- .4
- 3 .8
+21.2
+13.4

+ 6 .9
+ 3 .0
- 9 .3
+ 25.0
+ 17.0

+ 2 .0
+ 1 .0

+ 3 .9
- 1 .3

+ 1 .1

- 0 .0

+ 2 .4
+ .6

+1. 0

- 4 .6
- .6

- 5 .4

+ 2 .2

+ 19.5

- 5 .7
- .8
+2. 2

-1 0 .2
-2 8 .1
+ 1 5 .6
- 7 .8
- .7

[ 355]

-1 9 .7
- 7 .5
- 2 .5

0 .0

-2 5 .3
- 3 .4
+ 1 .9
-2 4 .1
- 7 .7
- 3 .9
- 1 .3

+26. 0
- 3 .9
-1 2 .5

+175. 8
-. 6

- .6

-1 0 .2

- .6

-2 8 .1
+15.6
- 7 .8
- .7

-. 1
0 .0

- 1 2 .2
- 3 3 .0

-3 1 .6
-1 5 .5
- 1 .0

108

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

Iowa
'"THE December, 1926, issue of the Iowa Employment Survey, pub*
lished by the bureau of labor of that State, shows the following
changes in volume of employment from November to December, 1926:
C H A N G E S IN V O L U M E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN IOW A, N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1926

Industry

E m pk )yees on pay
roll De cember, 1926
N um ­
ber of
firms
Per cent of
re­
change as
port­ N u m ­ compared
with
ber
ing
November,
1926

Food and kindred produets:
M eat p ackin g......... .
Cereals____________
F lo u r_____________
Bakery products___
Confectionery...........
Poultry products,
butter, e t c . . ..........
Sugar, starch, syrup,
glucose, etc.............
Other food products,
coffee, etc................
T o ta l........................
Textiles:
Clothing, men’s........
M illinery__________
Clothing, women’s
and woolen goods.
Hosiery, awnings,
etc.............................
Buttons, pearl..........
T o t a l.......................
Iron and steel works:
Foundry and machine shops. ____
Brass, bronze produets,
plum bers’
supplies_________
Autos, tractors, and
engines....................
F u rn aces....................
Pum ps.........................
Agricultural implem ents.......................
Washing m achines..
T o t a l . . ....................
Lum ber products:
Mill work, interiors,
etc.............................
Furniture, desks, etc.
Refrigerators..............
Coffins, undertakers’
supplies...................
Carriages, wagons,
truck bodies_____
Total ............... .

Industry

Leather products:
Shoes . .....................
Saddlery and har­
ness...... ....................
F ur goods and tan­
n in g .. —
Gloves and m itten s.

+ 1 4.5
+ 1 .9

7
2
4
7
6

6,106
218
121
812
380

+6.6
-3 8 .6
-1 5 .4
- 7 .8
—10.6

7

1,068

4

1,309

9

295

-2 5 .7

46 10,309

+ 1 .6

10
2

966
131

- 4 .2
- 8 .9

3

483

-1 1 .9

5
6

684
468

0.0
+ 3 .5

26

2,731

- 3 .8

27

2,541

+ .5

4

333

0.0

7
7
4

2,349
313
379

- 5 .2
- 6 .0
+ 2 .7

10
7

967
2,205

+ 4 .1
- .6

66

9,087

—1.1

18
8
3

3,334
1,085
148

- 2 .9
+ .9
+ 1 .4

4

153

+ 1 .3

6

124

-1 2 .1

39

4,844

- 2 .1

2

249

+ 2 .0

6

241

+ 6 .2

5
5

118
371

- 8 .5
+ 6 .1

T o t a l......................

18

979

+ 3 .3

Paper products, printing, and publishing:
Paper products____
Printing and pub­
lishing___________

3

179

+ 17.0

17

2,454

+ 3 .0

T o t a l............. .........

20

2,633

+ 3 .8

Patent medicine, chem­
icals, and com pounds.

9

544

—2.7

Stone and clay products:
Cement, plaster,
gypsum -----------Brick and tile (clay) _
Marble, g r a n i t e ,
crushed rock, and
stone.........................

8
14

1,582
930

-1 0 .5
-1 9 .8

T o tal___________

4

111

- 1 .8

26

2, 623

-1 4 .3

Tobacco and cigars..........

5

355

- .7

Railw ay car shops_____

8

9,976

- 2 .4

Various industries:
Auto tires and tubes.
Brooms and brushes.
L au n d ries.................
Mercantile________
Public service............
S e e d s..........................
Wholesale houses.
Commission houses.
Other industries___

2
5
5
9
3
3
23
9
8

237
156
230
3,748
1,318
466
3,223
225
1,047

- 2 .1
.0
- .9
+ 11.2
- 1 .3
+36.3
+ 2 .5
—.9
+ 2 .2

T o t a l............. .........

67 ‘ 8,550

+ 5 .4

Grand t o t a l...........

329 52, 631

- .7

* As given in the report; not the correct sum of the items.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Em ployees on pay
roll December, 1926
Number of
firms
Per cent of
re­
change as
port­ N um ­ compared
ing
ber
with
November,
1926

[3 5 6 ]

109

VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT— MARYLAND

M aryland
T^HE following report on volume of employment in Maryland from
A November to December, 1926, covering 39,042 employees and
a pay roll totaling $946,838, was furnished by the commissioner of
labor and statistics of Maryland:
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T I N I D E N T I C A L E S T A B L I S H M E N T S IN M A R Y L A N D IN
D E C E M B E R , 1926
Em ploym ent

Industry

Beverages and soft drinks....... .................. ........................
Boots and shoes. ________________________________
Boxes, fancy and paper_________ _____________ ___
Boxes, wooden_________________________ _______
B rass and bronze.................................................................
Brick, tile, etc_______________________ _____ ______
Brushes 1________________________ _______ ______
Chem icals......... .......................................................... .........
Clothing, m en’s outer garm ents..... ................................
Clothing’, women’s outer garm ents..................................
Confectionery___________________________________
Cotton goods................................................. ......................
Fertilizer........ ..................................... ...................................
Food preparations_______________________________
F oundry..... ................................... ......................................
Furnishing goods, m en’s__________ _______________
Furniture............ .............................. .................................
Glass manufacture....................................... .......................
Ice c re a m _______________________________________
Leather g o o d s ____________________________ ____
L i thogra phin g._______ ___________________________
Lum ber and mill work. _____________________ __
M attresses and spring beds____________ _______ ___
Pianos_______ ___ ____________ ____ __ _____ _____
Plum bers’ supplies............ .......................................... .......
Printing________________________________________
Rubber-tire m anufacture_____ ____ _______________
Sh ip b u ild in g ..___ ________________________ ______
Shirts_____________ ________________ __________
Stam ping and enameling ware____________________
T in w a r e _______ ____ ___________________________
Tobacco___________________________ _____ ________
Miscellaneous___________ ___ ____________________


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

E sta b ­
lish­
ments
report­
ing

3
8
9
4
3
4
6

6

5
4
6
3
4
4

n

5
11
4
3
5
3
9
3
3
3
7
1
3
5
5
3
7
21

P ay roll

Per cent
Per cent
N um ber of change
ofchange
of em ­
as com­ Amount, as com­
ployees,
pared
Decem­
pared
Decem ­ with N o­ ber, 1926 with N o­
ber, 1926 vember,
vember,
1926
1926
132
1,316
504
212
2,430
765
1,075
1,376
2, 241
' 288
1,291
1,425
481
150
1, 651
787
1,172
1,272
159
618
492
615
83
962
1, 099
797
2,404
687
737
1,217
2,476
913
4, 547

+ .6
—7. 4
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .1
-3 . 5
—6. 0
+ 9 .9
+10.5
-3 . 7
-11. 9
- .5
—2.7
- 3 .3
- 8 .5
- 1 .7
- 1 .7
- 4 .3
- 6 .1
+ .2
- .5
-6 . 8
- 4 .4
+ 1 .8
- 2 .1
-1 6 .2
- 6 .8
- 3 .7
+ 5 .7
+• 1
- .4

$3, 507
22, 485
7,777
3, 749
61, 243
21,185
20, 797
35, 530
47, 637
4,628
18,252
21,390
10, 871
3,744
43, 771
11,440
27,162
29,172
5,030
12, 433
14, 698
16, 045
2,143
30,438
29,634
29, 285
125, 626
23,026
10, 363
25, 226
52, 858
15, 635
113, 894

—5.0
—3. 6
+ 5 .0
+ 1 .7
+ 4 .1
+ 6 .8
—2. 4
+ 1 0 .6
+ 3 5 .9
+ 8 .1
—6.4
+ 3 .2
—7.5
—.9
+ 6 .6
—8.5
—3.0
+ 5 .8
—4.2
+ 1 .9
+ 1 .8
—2.5
+• 2
+ 2 .6
+ 22.2
+ 1 .2
-1 9 .8
-1 6 .1
+ .7
+ 3 .3
+ 8 .7
+ 1 .6
+ 3 .6

110

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

M assachusetts
A PR ESS release from the Department of Labor and Industries
* * of Massachusetts shows the following changes in volume of
employment in various industries in that State from October to
November, 1926:
N U M B E R OP E M P L O Y E E S IN 1,064 M A N U F A C T U R IN G E S T A B L I S H M E N T S IN M A SS A ­
C H U S E T T S , W E E K IN C L U D IN G OR E N D IN G N E A R E S T TO O C T O B E R 15 A N D
N O V E M B E R 15, 1926

N um ber of wage earners employed
Industry

Automobiles, including bodies and p a r t s ,...................
Bookbinding-------------- --------------------- ----------Boot and shoe cut stock and findings.............................
Boots and shoes--------------------- -------------- -------Boxes, paper............. .................................................... .........
Boxes, wooden packing________ _________ _________
Bread and other bakery p ro d u c ts.................................
Carpets and m g s-------------------- ------- -------- ------C ars and general shop construction and repairs,
steam railroads________________________________
Clothing, m en’s ......................... ......................................
Clothing, women’s ______ ____________ ___________
Confectionery--------------------- -------- ---------------Copper, tin, sheet iron, etc________ _______ ________
Cotton goods................... ......................................................
Cutlery and tools________________________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles. ___ _____ ___________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies______
Foundry products...............................................................
Furniture .................................... .................. ......................
Ga3 and by-products_____________________________
Hosiery and knit goods. _ ____
J e w e lr y .._____________________________... _______
Leather, tanned, curried, and fin ish e d ...__________
Machine-shop products.......................... .............. .............
Machine tools............ ................................. ................. .......
M usical instrum ents_____________________________
Paper and wood pulp_____________________ _____ _
Printing and publishing, book and job_______ ____ _
Printing and publishing, newspaper........ ......................
R ubber fo o tw e ar....................... ..................... ..................
R ubber goods. ..................................... ..................... . . .
Silk goods..................... ..........................................................
Slaughtering and meat p ac k in g ..____ _____________
Stationery goods_____ ______ _____________________
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water heating ap­
paratus_______________________________________
Stoves and stove linings____________ _____________
Textile m achinery and p a r t s ...........................................
Tobacco..................................................................................
Woolen and worsted goods............. .................... ............
A ll other industries........ .....................................................
T otal, all industries............. ................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Num ber
of estab­
lish­
October,
ments
1926

Novem ber, 1926
F u ll time P art time

T otal

17
14
45
90
27
13
51
5

2, 301
875
2,507
27, 363
2, 377
1,155
4,369
3, 464

1,152
563
1,617
11,198
1,440
998
3, 898
1,588

1,410
313
843
14,994
964
101
438
1,928

2,562
876
2,460
26,192
2,404
1,099
4,336
3,516

4
30
34
18
16
56
20
10
17
27
38
13
12
35
32
46
26
13
26
51
18
3
7
10
5
12

2,910
3,959
1,693
4,393
574
41,930
2,103
6, 605
11, 358
2, 962
4,108
1, 199
4,887
2, 511
6,980
8, 453
2, 761
1,302
6, 595
3,952
2,401
9,062
2,942
4 ,175
1,512
2,044

2,267
3,058
1, 091
3,779
534
26, 401
1, 697
1,121
11, 086
1,907
4,138
1,244
3,206
2, 004
5,640
7, 750
1,949
1, 323
4, 764
1,995
2,444
9,403
3,127
1,517
306
1,986

660
1,036
569
582
6
14, 532
384
5,549
338
1,025
88

2,596
1,230
82

2,927
4,094
1, 660
4,361
540
40,933
2,081
6,670
11, 424
2,932
4,226
1, 244
5,138
2,503
6,682
8, 338
2,740
1,323
6,629
3,932
2,453
9,403
3,127
4,113
1,536
2,068

9
5
13
5
60
131

1, 742
1, 784
4,202
872
20, 408
29, 894

1,764
' 584
447
854
8,913
15, 594

1,172
3,835
14
12,101
14, 357

1,764
1,756
4,282
868
21,014
29,951

1,064

246,684

156,347

89,810

246,157

1,932
499
1,042
588
791
1,865
1,937
9

VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT---NEW YOKE

111

New York
T 'H E following statistics on changes in employment and pay rolls
A in New York State factories in November, 1926, were furnished
by the New York State Department of Labor. The table is based
on a fixed list of approximately 1,650 factories whose weekly pay roll
for the middle week of November was $14,564,018.
C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L IN N E W Y O R K S T A T E F A C T O R IE S
F R O M N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D O C T O B E R , 1926, TO N O V E M B E R , 1926
♦

P er cent of change

In d u s try

Stone, clay, and glass:
M iscellaneous stone and m in e r a ls ______
Lim e, cem ent, a n d plaster__
_ ____ _
C em ent __ ___________________
B rick, tile, a n d p o tte ry ____
__ ___
B r i c k __
_ __________ _
P o tte ry . __ ______
______________
Glass ________________ _ _ ___
T o tal_______________________________

____

_

M etals and m achinery:
Silver and jew elry_______________ _ _
Brass, copper, a n d a lu m in u m __ . . .
Iron and steel. _ _ _
S tru ctu ral and architectural ir o n ...
Sheet m etal and hardw are. __ ___ _
H ardw are
_ ___________ _____
Stam ped a n d enam eled w are______
Firearm s, tools, and c u t l e r y ______
___
. . . ___
C u tlery a n d tools . . . ___ __
Cooking, heating, ventilating ap p aratu s.. _
Steam a n d hot-w ater heating’_______ __ _
Stoves __ ________
____ _ __
M achinery, including electrical apparatus
_____
A gricultural im plem ents____ _______
Electrical m achinery a n d appliances _ _______
Foundries and m achine sho’Ks
Automobiles, carriages, and airplanes _
_ _____
Automobiles and p arts
_____ . . .
R ailroad equipm ent and repair___
____ ____ _
Locomotives a n d e q u ip m en t_____
_ ______
R ailw ay repair shops. _ _ _ ________ . . . '
B oat an d ship building____ _ _ _____
In stru m en ts and appliances_____________________
T o tal_____________________________ _ _______
W ood m anufactures:
Saw and planing mills .. .
M illw o rk ____ _____________________
Sawmills
_____________ ____
_______
F u rn itu re an d cabinet w ork. ____ _ _____
F u rn itu re . _ _____ ___ . . .
_ ________
Pianos and other m usical in stru m en ts
M iscellaneous wood, etc___________________
T o tal________________

_____________________

F u rs, leather, an d ru b b er goods:
L eather___ _________ ___________ _
F u rs and fur goods______ _ _______
Shoes . . . ___
_______
. . . ______
O ther leather and canvas goods. _ _ __ _ _
R u b b er and g u tta percha_________________
Pearl, horn, bone, etc_______________________

__

Total___________________________________


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[359]

October to N ovem ber,
1926

N ovem ber, 1925, to N o­
vem ber, 1926

E m ploy­
m ent

E m ploy­
m ent

-{-1.8
(9
-1 .3
-5 .0
-1 3 .9
+ 4 .6
+ 2 .8

P a y roll

P a y roll

+ 1 .9
-3 .6
- 3 .3
-7 .2
-2 0 .3
+ 5 .7
+ 6 .5

+ 3 .4
+ 4 .9
+•1.2
-3 .2
-.7
- 5 .2
- 4 .3

+ 7 .4
+ 6 .4
+ 3 .7
-2 .6
—1.6
-2 .6
-4 .6

-.5

-1 . 1

+ .1

+ 2 .0

-1 .7
-2 .0
- 3 .6
- 2 .7
-.9
-1 3 .2
+ .3
+ 1.0
+ 3 .1
- 8 .1
- 8 .4
- 2 .6
-2 .8
+ 5 .7
- 3 .3
-1 .6
- 4 .8
- 5 .3
- .7
- 5 .2
+ 1 .8
- 2 .8
+ 1 .4

-2 .4
-2 . 1
-5 .6
- 3 .3
- 2 .4
-1 5 .4
—.6
+ .3
+ 2 .7
-7 .2
- 7 .3
- 9 .1
-.1
+ 6 .6
- 3 .7
+ 5 .4
- 6 .9
-7 .3
-.3
- 2 .7
+ .9
+ .2
+ 2 .9

- 5 .3
- 5 .8
+ 2 .6
- 4 .1
-.3
-1 4 .1
-1 1 .3
+23.3

-8 .6
—6.3
+ 1 .8

+ 1 .8
+ 4 .7
+ 3 .8

—.6
—15.8
-8 .5
+26.9
+ 8 .6
-1 8 .4
—19.0
—10.2
-3 .8
-8 .0
—5.3
-1 .3
—16.3
-1 7 .6
+ 7 .1
+ 4 .4
+ 8 .4
+10.2
+ 8 .0

- 2 .2

- 1 .7

-2 . 3

- 2 .0

+ 1 .9
- 2 .3
+ 1.1
+ 1 .2
+1-2
- 1 .6

+ 3 .9
+ 4 .6
-.5
-1 . 1
- 1 .4
+ 1 .9
- 2 .6

-.9
-1 .6
+ 4 .1
-1 .6
- 1 .1
-.6
- 1 .4

-î-6. 8
+ 8 .6
+ 3 .7
—2.0
—3.1
+ .5
-. 1

+ .6

+ .4

- 1 .1

+ .7

+ 2 .4
- 5 .8
- 1 .6
+ .3
+ .7
- 2 .6

-.3
-8 .3
- 9 .4
- 2 .0
+ 1 .8
- 3 .0

+ .6
+13.4
- 1 .7
- 1 .6
- 4 .4
-8 .2

-1 .0
+ 8 .5
+ 7 .0
+ 9 .8
+ 4 .6
- 8 .3

- 1 .2

-6 .6

- 1 .7

+ 5.7

—19.8
-2 0 .6
- 7 .9
- 2 .1
-7 .9
- 3 .3
+ 9
-1 3 .8
-1 4 .9
+ 1 .2

1 12

M O N TH LY

LABO R

R E V IE W

'

C H A N G E S IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L IN N E W Y O R K S T A T E F A C T O R IE S
F R O M N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D O C T O B E R , 1926, TO N O V E M B E R , 1926—Continued
Per cent of change

Industry

October to November,
1926

November, 1925, to N o ­
vember, 1926

Em ploy­
ment

Em ploy­
ment

P ay roll

P ay roll

Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
D rugs and chemicals____________________________
P ain ts and colors----------------------------------------Oil products.^_______________________ __________
Petroleum refining----- -------------------------Miscellaneous chemicals---------------------------------

+ 1 .8
+ 1 .7
+ 2 .2
0)
+. 3

+ 2 .1
+• 9
+3. 3
+ 5 .8
+ 2 .1

+ 9 .4
-4. 1
+ 4 .7
- .9
+ 9 .2

+15.4
- 3 .4
+ 5 .0
- 1 .9
+10.8

T otal---- ------------------------------ ------------------

+ 1 .5

+ 2 .4

+ 6 .2

+ 8 .2

_____________ ----------------------------------------

-2 . 2

- 1 .4

- .6

+ .8

Printing and paper goods:
Paper boxes and tu b es__________________________
Miscellaneous paper goods______________________
Printing and bookmaking---- ------- --------Printing, newspapers
_ _ ---- __
Printing, book and job

+ 3 .4
- 1 .9
+ .3
—1.4
+ 1 .6

+ 3 .6
+. 8
+• 9
(2 )
+ 2 .1

+ 2 .0
+• 4
+ 2 .0
- 3 .6
+ 3 .6

+ 3 .2
- 3 .4
+ 3 .5
—1.1
+ 4 .7

T otal—....................... — ...............................................

Paper

+ .3

+ 1 .1

+ 1 .8

+ 2 .7

Textiles:
Silk and silk goods______ ____ — ---- Wool m an u factu res___________________________
Carpets and rugs_ .
_ ------ --------- ------Woolens and worsteds______ __ — — — ---Cotton goods_________________ ______________ —
K n it goods (except silk)--------------------------------Other textiles--------------- _----------------------------Dyeing and finishing .
—
- -

+ .3
+ .6
+ 2 .1
+ .6
+ .9
-1 . 5
+ 1 .3
- 1 .2

-. 1
- .6
+ .2
- 1 .9
+ 1 .1
- 2 .4
+ 2 .3
- 2 .5

-18. 6
+• 7
+ 1 .9
-1 0 .2
+9. 1
-12. 1
- 3 .6
- 5 .4

-1 4 .6
+8. 6
+ 9 .8
- 2 .0
+ 9 .5
-1 2 .9
- .4
- 3 .0

T otal________________________________________

+ .2

- .2

- 5 .6

- 1 .3

- 1 .8
+ 1 .2
+. 7
-8 . 2
+ .7
+ .2
+ .7
- 1 .0

- 6 .3
+ 1 .4
+. 8
-18. 7
- 2 .2
+ 2 .3
- 2 .0
- 1 .3

+• 4
-1 2 .9
-1 3 .5
-15. 7
+ .7
+ 4 .0
- 3 .1
+ 1 .1

+ 2 .1
-1 1 .2
-1 5 .1
—21.6
+ 1 .8
+ 1 2 .0
- 4 .0
+ 2 .4

- 1 .9

- 6 .9

- 5 .8

-6 5

Beverages______________________________________
Tobacco------------------------- --------------------------

- 3 .8
-1. 3
-2 0 .6
+ 1 .6
+ 6 .9
- 1 .0
- .4
- 1 .4
- 2 .6
-15. 7
+ .2

- .6
- 1 .1
-2 3 .8
+ .5
+ 3 .4
- 2 .8
- 2 .2
+ 1 .3
- 4 .3
-1 5 .6
- .7

- 9 .1
—11.2
+ .8
- 8 .7
-1 2 .1
- 6 .4
- 6 .4
- 3 .4
+ 1 .3
- .2
-2 6 .6

- 7 .7
-1 3 .9
-1 1 .2
- 5 .6
- 8 .1
- 6 .8
- 6 .8
- .3
- .7
+ 4 .2
-2 9 .0

Clothing and m illinery:
M en’s clothing. - __ __ — ----- — -------- — ------M en’s furnishings
_
_ _ _ _ _ _ ________ —
Shirts and collars _ _
__ — ----------- _
_____ ______
_ __ _ ---Women’s clothing
Women’s underwear____ ____ ___ ------------Women’s headwear__________ _________ ______
Miscellaneous sewing___________________________
Laundering and c lean in g----- ------------- -------- -T o t a l _____________________________ _____ ____
Food and tobacco:
Flour, feed, and cereals---------------------------------Flour___
-----------------------------Canning and preserving----------- ___ -------------Other groceries-------------------------------------------Sugar refining __ _ _ -------- __ ------------M eat and dairy products,__ ------ — _ _ _ ___
M eat packing_______________________________
Bakery products_______________________________

T otal---------- -------------------------------------------

- 3 .0

- 2 .9

- 7 .4

- 0 .6

Water, light, and power--------------------------------------

- .8

- .4

+ 2 .2

+ 4 .9

Total, all industries___________________________

- 1 .3

- 1 .9

- 2 .6

- .9

i N o change.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

s Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.

[360]

113

VOLUME OF EMPLOYMENT--- OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma
'TTIE data given below, from the December 15, 1926, issue of the
Oklahoma Labor Market, show the changes in employment and
pay rolls in 710 establishments in Oklahoma from October to
November, 1926:
CHANGES

IN

E M P L O Y M E N T A N D P A Y R O L L S I N 710 I N D U S T R I A L E S T A B L IS H ­
M E N T S I N O K L A H O M A , O C T O B E R T O N O V E M B E R , 1926

N o v em b er, 1926

Industry

Cottonseed oil m ills_____________________ _
Food production:
B a k e rie s___________ _ _ _
Confections _
______ _
Creameries and dairies
__ _ _ ______
F lo u rm ills____________ _ ___________
Ice and ice cream_______________ ______
M eat and poultry_____________________
L ead and zinc:
M ines and m ills, . . . ____________
Smelters_______
___________ _______
M etals and machinery:
Auto repairs, etc_________
. .
Machine shops and foundries
_
..
Tan k construction and erection___ . . .
Oil industry:
Products and gasoline manufacturing___
Refineries___ _ . . __________ _____
Printing: Jo b work____ _________________
Public utilities:
Steam-railroad shops___ . . .
Street railw ays______ ____ _. ___ _
Water, light, and power___________ . . .
Stone, clay, and glass:
Brick and t i l e ___ . . _____________
Cement and plaster ________ _ . . . _
Crushed sto n e .. _. _ __ _
. . . . .
Glass manufacturing_______
_____
Textiles and cleaning:
Textile manufacturing. ___________ .
Laundries and cleaning . . . . . . . ___
Woodwork:
Saw m ills____ ____
___ ___________
Millwork, e t c ____________ ___________
Total, all industries....................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Num ber
of plants
reporting

Em ploym ent

P ay roll

Per cent of
change as
Num ber of compared
employees with Octo­
ber, 1926

Amount

Per cent of
change as
compared
with Octo­
ber, 1926

13

411

+24.2

$8,057

+29.4

35
7
11
44
33
14

576
96
169
394
368
1, 549

+6. 7
+9. 7
-4 . 1
-14. 2
+ 2 .9

14,946
1,406
3,167
8,936
9,857
38,161

+1-4
+14.2
+ 5 .0
—9.6
-1 3 .7
+10.1

46
17

3,477
2,143

+6. 1
-5. 7

101, 046
61,128

+ 7 .9
- 2 .3

29
38
16

1,121
1,118
858

-14. 8
- 1 .2
+ 9 .2

36,347
29, 723
22,319

-1 9 .4
- 7 .8
+17.4

123
66
24

4,225
6,028
269

- .8
+10. 7
0.0

129, 773
201, 579
7,877

- 1 .1
+ 6 .7
- 1 .7

11
6
50

1,797
682
1,272

+ 1 .4
- 3 .9
- 5 .3

52,129
17,813
34, 394

+ 4 .5
- .3
- 3 .3

11
6
6
9

340
1,011
217
1,052

-1 0 .5
-5 . 2
+ 7 .4
- 8 .4

6,922
26,141
4,092
27, 288

- 6 .2
—1.8
+12. 6
- 2 .0

9
52

412
1.374

+3. 5
- 4 .0

5, 538
24, 537

- 4 .9
- 2 .7

14
20

461
330

+ 1 .5
-4 . 3

5,532
8,842

710

31, 750

+ .8

887, 549

[361]

.

- 5 .8
+ .7
+ 1 .3

114

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

Wisconsin
rT H E December, 1926, issue of the Wisconsin Labor Market, issued
1 by the State industrial commission, contains the following data
on volume of employment in Wisconsin industries in November, 1926 :
P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN N U M B E R O F E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T OF
P A Y R O L L I N I D E N T I C A L E S T A B L I S H M E N T S I N W ISC O N SIN I N D U S T R IE S F R O M
N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D O C T O B E R , 1926, TO N O V E M B E R , 1926
Per cent of change
October to November,
1926

Industry

Em ploy­
ment

P ay roll

November, 1925, to No­
vember, 1926
Em ploy­
ment

P ay roll

M anual

A g ric u ltu r e.................. ........... ........................................................
L oggin g.................................................... ..........................................
M i n i n g . . . ........................................................................................
L ead and z i n c ........................................ ................................
Iron ___________________________________________ _
S tone crushing and quarryin g...................................................
M a n u fa c tu r in g ........................................ .....................................
S tone and allied in d u stries____ _______________; ____
B rick, tile and cem ent b lo ck s__________________
Stone f in is h in g ...................................... .......................
M e ta l ..______ ____________________________________
P ig iron and roilin g m ill p r o d u c ts.____________
Structural-iron w o rk ........... ......................... ...............
F oundries and m ach in e sh o p s___________ ____ _
R ailroad repair sh o p s__________________________
S to v es________________________________________
A lu m in u m and en am el w are....................... .............
M achinery_____________________ ____ _________
A u tom ob iles........... ................ .........................................
Other m etal p rod u cts_____________ ____________
W ood ................................................................................. .........
S aw m ills and p lan in g m ills ____________________
B ox factories__________________________________
P anel and veneer m ills................... .............................
F u rn itu re ........................ ................................... .............
Sash, door and interior fin ish ____ _____________
Other w ood p rod ucts.....................................................
R u b b e r .___________ ___________________ ____ ______
L eath er___________________________ _______________
T a n n i n g ......................................................... •_______
B oots and sh oes..............................................................
Other leather p rod u cts....... ......... ...............................
P a p e r .................................................................. .....................
Paper and p u lp m ills.......................... .........................
Paper boxes__________ _____________ __________ _
Other paper p rod u cts_________________________
T ex tiles______________ ____ _______ _______________
H osiery and other k n it g o o d s .................. ...............
C loth in g........................... ................................................
Other tex tile p rod u cts_____________ ______ ____
F o o d s ................................................................ .........................
M eat p ack in g..................................... ..............................
B ak in g and c o n fe c tio n e r y ...................... ................
M ilk p rod u cts................................................ .................
C anning and preserving_______________________
F lour m ills____________ _______________________
Tobacco m a n u fa c tu r in g .............................. .............
Other food p ro d u c ts.....................................................
L igh t and p ow er............................................
P rin tin g and p u b lis h in g .......................... .........................
Laundering, cleaning and d y ein g __________________
C hem ical (including soap, glu e, and ex p lo siv e s)___
C onstruction:
B u ild in g ....................................................................................
H ig h w a y ................................... ...............................................
R ailroad .................... ...............................................................
M arine, dredging, sew er d ig g in g .....................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[362]

+ 1 6 .7
- .8
+ .4
- 3 .4
-1 1 .7
- 1 .6
- 9 .1
-2 8 .7
+ 4 .8
- 3 .4
+ 7 .8
+ .3
- 7 .0
- 1 .1
+ 1 .5
+ 2 .7
+• 4
-1 0 .9
- .9
- .6
- 4 .7
- 3 .6
- 8 .8
+ 4 .5
- 1 .3
+1 1 .2
- 3 .3
- 2 .4
- 6 .9
- .7
+ .5
- 1 .1
- 1 .6
+ 1 .1
- .9
- .9
+ 2 .8
- 6 .8
- 1 .5
+ 2 .9
+ 1 .2
- .7
+ .2
- 9 .7
+42.3
+ 6 .8
-11. 1
+ 1 .7
-. 2
- 1 .0
- 4 .5
-1 1 .9
-1 1 .2
-1 0 .2
- 4 .1

+ 0 .1
4~- 7
- l.i
-1 9 .3
- 8 .2
-1 5 .3
-28. 5
- 9 .6
-1 5 .6
+ 9 .4
+ 3 .6
-10. 2
+ .6
- 2 .4
+2. 5
- 9 .5
-4 5 .0
-21. 2
- 3 .0
- 3 .8
-1 0 .9
- 8 .3
+ 4 .9
- 5 .3
- 2 .7
- 2 .4
- 6 .4
-1 0 .3
- 5 .5
- 1 .0
- 1 .8
- 1 .8
-2 . 8
- 1 .2
- 4 .5
+2. 5
-1 5 .1
-5. 9
+• 6
+ 2 .1
-2 . 5
-5 . 4
-21. 5
+ 1 0 .0
+14. 5
+12. 6
+ 4 .2
- 1 .7
- 3 .9
- 8 .8
-1 5 .7
- 7 .7
-1 0 .0

+15. 7
- 8 .9
+ 5 .5
- 1 .9
+28.1
-12. 1
- 2 .8
+14.2
-1 5 .0
+36.6
- 4 .8
+21.1
- 3 .3
- 9 .0
+ .8
- 4 .2
+■ 5
-2 0 .2
+11.7
- 3 .1
-1 1 .7
+ 21.0
+ 2 .2
-3 1 .5
+37.0
+ 5 .2
- 7 .0
- 4 .7
-25. 4
-f-8. 7
+ 9 .9
+ 5 .0
+ 8 .7
.0
- 6 .4
- 4 .8
- 2 .6
- 9 .1
- 3 .7
- 3 .7
-1 3 .2
- 1 .4
- 3 .2
-2 2 .4
-2 . 5
+ 4 .6
+ 9 .5
+13.7
+ 3 .9
+• 3
-1 6 .2

4-19.7
+10.1
+ 4 5 .9
-2 0 .6
—6.3
+ 2 .9
- 7 .7
+ 7 .1
-1 2 .7
-1 4 .3
- 5 .5
-1 4 .1
+ 5 .6
-1 5 .1
- .9
-2 2 .5
-1 3 .7
-1 3 .4
- 3 .3
-1 1 .1
+ 1 2 .8
+1. 7
-3 3 .3
+48.4
- .4
- 3 .2
- 9 .4
-2 9 .6
+ 5 .6
+10.1
+ 1 .6
+ 2 .4
+ 3 .6
- 4 .1
- 2 .4
+ 6 .1
-1 3 .8
- 7 .3
- 4 .2
-1 7 .1
+ 6 .6
- 1 .4
-3 1 .6
-3 0 .0
- .1
+ 8 .0
+ 22.6
+ 2 .4
+ 2 .3
-1 0 .8

-1 2 .2
- 9 .0
+ 2 .3
-3 2 .1

-2 0 .8
+ 13.4
+ 13.8
-2 3 .9

115

DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION OF FRANCE

P E R C E N T OP C H A N G E I N N U M B E R OP E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O T A L A M O U N T O P
P A Y R O L L IN I D E N T I C A L E S T A B L I S H M E N T S I N W ISC O N SIN I N D U S T R I E S F R O M
N O V E M B E R , 1925, A N D O C T O B E R , 1926, TO N O V E M B E R , 1926—Continued
Per cent of change
October to N ovem b er,
1926

In d u stry

E m p lo y ­
m ent

P a y roll

N ovem b er, 1925, to N o ­
vem ber, 1926
E m p lo y ­
m en t

P a y roll

M a n u a l—C on tin u ed
C om m unication:
Steam railw ays.............................................. ..........................
E lectric railw ays................... .................................................
E xpress, telep hon e, and t e le g r a p h ...............................
W h olesale trad e____________ ___________________________
H o tels and restau ran ts................................................................

+ 5 .1
- 4 .6
0.0
- 3 .1

- 3 .5
+ 5 .0
- 4 .9
+ 1 .1

- 2 .5
+ 1 .4
- 3 .9
+ 8 .9
+ 1 0 .5

+ 4 .5
+ 6 .0
- 2 .0
+ 1 8 .3

+ .1
- .5
+ 2 .7
+ 1 .1
+ 6 .1
+ 2 .2

+ 5 .1
+ .7
+ 1 .4
- 8 .2
+ 2 .5
+ 5 .8
—2 .6

+ 4 .8
+ 5 .5
+5. 5
- 1 7 .9
- 6 .6
+ 2 1 .3

N on m an u al
M anufacturing, m in es, and quarries......................................
C onstru ction ................ ...................................................................
C o m m u n ic a tio n ...___________ _____________ _________
W holesale trad e_________ . .
R eta il trade—Sales force o n ly ................................
M iscellaneous professional services....... .............
H o tels and r estau ran ts_________ ____________

c

0 .0
+ 4 .2
+ .7
+ 1 .9
+ 1 4 .0
+ 1 .7
- 4 .1

I n d u s t r ia l D istr ib u tio n o f th e P o p u la tio n o f F r a n c e

T

HE following table, showing the industrial distribution of the
population of France according to the 1921 census and in 1896,
1901, and 1906, is taken from the July-August-September,
1926, issue of the Bulletin du Ministère du Travail et de l’Hygiène
(Paris) :
IN D U S T R IA L D IS T R I B U T I O N O F T H E T O T A L A C T IV E P O P U L A T IO N OF F R A N C E
1921
Industry or occupation group

1896

1901

1906

Fishing____________ ______ ____ ________ _
Agriculture and forestry_______________
E xtractive industries______________ _____
M anufacturing and mechanical industries.
Maintenance, transportation __________
Commerce, ban k in g.___________________
Liberal professions . . .
Personal and domestic service___________
Public services_____ ____________________

71,624
8,429, 306
226, 799
5,377, 024
712, 491
1,602, 056
429,093
955,138
1,124, 409

67,772
8,176, 569
266, 351
5, 819, 855
830, 643
1,822, 620
495,101
1, 015, 037
1, 202, 307

78,000
8,777, 053
281,027
5,979, 216
887, 337
2, 002, 681
483,179
1,012, 232
1,220,154

i Including postw ar frontiers.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

87 D epart­ 90 Depart­
ments 1
ments
72,283
8, 660, 248
276, 625
5,909,182
1,130, 499
2,171, 640
567, 555
823, 307
1,232,366

72,450
8,951,099
318,607
6,181,441
1,184,414
2, 253,529
590,492
847, 566
1,322,006

W H O L E SA L E AND R E T A IL P R IC ES
R e ta il P ric e s of F o o d in th e U n ite d S t a t e s

T

HE following tables are compiled from monthly reports of
actual selling prices 1 received by the Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food on Decem­
ber 15,1925, and November 15 and December 15,1926, as well as the
percentage changes in the year and in the month. For example, the
retail price per quart of milk was 14.3 cents in December, 1925;
14.1 cents in November, 1926; and 14.2 cents in December, 1926.
These figures show a decrease of 1 per cent in the year and an increase
of 1 per cent in the month.
The cost of the various articles of food combined shows a decrease
of 2.2 per cent on December 15, 1926, as compared with December 15,
1925, and practically no change on December 15, 1926, as compared
with November 15, 1926.
T a b l e 1 . — W E R A G E R E T A I L P R I C E S OF S P E C I F I E D F O O D A R T I C L E S A N D P E R C E N T

O F I N C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, C O M P A R E D W I T H N O V E M B E R
15, 1926, A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1925
[Percentage changes of five-tenth s of 1 per cent and over are given in w hole num bers]

Average retail price on—
U nit

Article

Per cent of increase
( + ) or decrease
( - ) Dec. 15, 1926,
compared with—
N ov. 15,
1926

Dec. 15,
1925

N ov. 15,
1926

Dec. 15,
1926

_______________ P oun d_____
________ ____do...........
_____ ____ do_..........
____do_____
________ ____do.......... .

Cents
40.3
34.4
29.6
21.7
14.1

Cents
40.9
35.5
30.2
22.7
14.7

Cents
40.7
35.3
30.2
22.7
14.9

+1
+3
+2
+5
+6

- 0 .4
-1
0
0
+1

_ ______ ____do...........
________ ____do............
____ do_____
____do_____
_____________ ____do............

35.7
48.6
53.1
38.5
36.5

39.3
51.0
58.4
37.9
37.1

37.2
49.6
57.1
37.7
37.2

+4
+2
+8
-2
+2

-5
-3
-2
-1
+ 0 .3

Raltnnn canned rod
M ilk, fresh _
_ __________
M ilk’, evaporated.....................................Rutter
____________ -Oleomargarine (all butter substitutes).

____do........ .
Q u a rt..........
15-16 oz. can
P oun d_____
........ do............

36.9
14.3
11.6
58.6
31.3

34.7
14.1
11.4
55.7
30.1

34.1
14.2
11.4
59.3
29.6

-8
-1
-2
+1
-5

-2
+1
0
-{“6
-2

Cheese.
________
pord
_______ __
Vegetable lord substitute
ppgs strictly fresh __
__________
É g ls ’, storage...............................................

____do............
........ do...........
____do............
Dozen_____
____do______

37.5
22.6
25.7
66.2
47.4

36.9
21.1
25.6
66.0
47.0

37.4
20.4
25.4
65.2
46.9

- 0 .3
-10
-1
-2
-1

Purloin steak
Round steak
Rif) roast
Phnek roost
Pioto Roof
pork chops
Rqenn
Tiflmb Ipg of
"Rons

__

Dec. 15,
1925

+1
-3
-1
-1
- 0 .2

1 In ad dition to retail prices of food and coal, th e bureau p ub lishes th e prices of gas and electricity from
each of 51 cities for th e dates for w h ich th ese data are secured.

116


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[364]

BETAIL PEICES OF FOOD

117

T a bl e 1 .—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF S P E C I F I E D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, C O M P A R E D W IT H N O V E M B E R
15, 1926, A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1925—Continued

Average retail price on—
Article

Unit
Dec. 15,
1925

N ov. 15,
1926

Dec. 15,
1926

Cents
9.4
6.1
5. 2
9.1
11.0

Cents
9.4
5. 7
5.1
9.1
10.9

Cents
9.4
5. 6
5.1
9.1
10.9

B re ad ......... ................................................. P oun d___
F lou r______________ _______________ ........ do..........
Corn m eal........ ....... . . . .
do
Rolled oats...................
.do
Corn flakes................................................... 8-oz. pk g___

Per cent of increase
( + ) or decrease
( - ) Dec. 15,1926,
compared with—
Dec. 15,
1925

o
—8
—2
o
-i

Nov. 15,
1926

o
—2
o
o
0

Wheat cereal........................................
M acaroni................................................
Rice....... .......................
Beans, navy......................
P otatoes........................

28-oz. pkg__
P oun d___
___d o ... _
____do........
........ do........

25.3
20. 4
11. 4
9. 8
5.2

25.4
20.1
11.3
9.3
4.0

25.4
20. 2
11. 2
9.3
4.0

+ 0 .4
—1
—2
—5
—23

Onions........................
C abbage.......................
Beans,'baked........... ..................................
Corn, canned.............................
Peas, canned................................. .............

____d o ...........
do
No. 2 can. .
____do........
........ do............

5.7
4.6
12.3
16. 9
17.9

5.0
4.0
11.7
16.3
17.3

6.0
4. 2
11.7
16. 2
17.3

—12

—9

+5
0
—1

Tom atoes, canned.................
____ do........
Sugar, g r a n u la te d ...________________ P ound___
T e a . .......................
____do............
Coffee............................................................ ____do........

12.7
6.7
75.8
51.3

12.1
7.1
77.1
50.8

12.2
7.3
77. 0
50.7

—4
+9
+2
—1

+1

4-3

Prunes...........................................................
R aisins___ _______ _________________
B an an as________
Oranges........ ..

17.1
14.4
35. 5
48.9

16.5
14. 6
34. 9
55.1

16.2
14.4
34. 9
49.3

—5
0
—2

—2
—1

___do..........
. . . .do_____
Dozen___
........ do........

Weighted food index___

-5
—4
-3

+1

—2. 2

0
+0 4
—1
o
o

0
o

—0.1
—0.2

0
—11
0.0

Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of specified
food articles on December 15, 1913, and on December 15 of each year
from 1920 to 1926, together with percentage changes in December of
each of these specified years, compared with December, 1913. For
example, the retail price per pound of rice was 8.7 cents in December,
1913; 13.2 cents in December, 1920; 9.3 cents in December, 1921;
9.5 cents in December, 1922; 9.7 cents in December, 1923; 10.6 cents
in December, 1924; 11.4 cents in December, 1925; and 11.2 cents in
December, 1926.
As compared with December, 1913, these figures show increases of
52 per cent in December, 1920; 7 per cent in December, 1921; 9 per
cent in December, 1922; 11 per cent in December, 1923; 22 per cent
in December, 1924; 31 per cent in December, 1925; and 29 per cent
in December, 1926.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 55.7 per cent in December, 1926, as compared with December, 1913.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[ 365 ]

118

M O N T H LY LABOR REY IEW

T a b l e 2 . —A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF S P E C I F I E D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R
•C E N T O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E D E C E M B E R 15 OF C E R T A IN S P E C I F I E D
Y E A R S C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M B E R 15, 1913
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]

Average retail price on Dee. 15—
Unit

Article

Per cent of increase December 15 of
each specified year compared with
Dec. 15, 1913

1913 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926

Sirloin steak ------ .
Hound, stea k ___
R ib ro ast__________
Chuck ro ast_______
Plate beef __ __

P o u n d ..
__do____
-__do___
-__do___
__do__

Cts.
25.1
22. 6
19.9
16.2
12. 4

Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
39.7 35. 3 36.8 38.6
35. 7 80. 8 31.5 32.9
30.1 26.7 27.3 28.3
23.2 19.2 19.4 20.4
16. 5 12.8 12. 7 13.0

Cts. Cts. Cts.
38.2 40.3 40.7
32. 4 34.4 35.3
28.0 29.6 30. 2
20.2 21.7 22. 7
13.1 14. 1 14. 9

58
58
51
43
33

41
36
34
19
3

47
39
37
20
2

54
46
42
26
5

52
43
41
25
6

Pork chops..............
B acon ----------------H am
_ _ _ _
L am b, leg o f_______
Hens_________

-__do___
...d o ___
__do__
— do___
do .

20.3
26.7
26. 5
18.5
20.8

33.0 30.4 29.5 26. 5 29.3 35. 7 37.2
47.4 38.7 40.3 37.5 39.9 48.6 49.6
49.9 44.4 45.4 44.7 46. 6 53. 1 57.1
35.2 82.3 35.6 35.5 35.4 38. 5 37.7
40. 2 35.8 33. 6 33.4 34.4 36. 5 37.2

63
78
88
90
93

50
45
68
75
72

45
51
71
92
62

31
40
69
92
61

44
49
76
91
65

Salmon, canned, red __ do___
¡38.4 33.9 31.4 31.3 31.8
M ilk, fresh..
.
Q u art.. . 9.1 10.8 14.1 13.7 14.3 13.8
M ilk, evaporated _ _ ( 2) ____
14.8 12. 7 11. 9 12. 2 11.0
P o u n d ._39. 7 62.0 52.1 60.2 60. 3 52.5
B u t t e r . . ___ . . .
Oleomargarine (all . . . d o ___
30. 8 29.1 28.0 29.5 30.3
butter substitutes).
Cheese__ ______ __ d o .. . 22. 5 39.0 33.0 36.6 37.7 34.9
T.arb
__do_ _ 15. 8 25. 6 15.9 17.5 18.9 22.1
29.5 21.6 23.3 24.0 25.5
Vegetable lard sub- __ d o .. .
stituto.
E ggs, strictly fresh. __ D o z e n .. 47. G 92.4 70.5 66.5 64.9 69.8
E g g s, storage______ ..d o ___ 34.5 69.4 49.1 40. 8 41.4 48.2
B read ____________
F l o u r __ __ ____ _
Corn m eal____
Rolled o ats_______
C om flakes_______

P o u n d .. 5.6 10.8 9. 1
__ do___ 3. 3 6. G 5. 0
__ do____ 3.1 5. 5 4. 1
.. _do___
10.9 9.6
( 3) ...........
14.1 11.9

8.6
4. 9
4. 0
8.7
9. 7

36.9
14.3
11.6
58.6
31.3

34.1
14.2
11.4
59.3
29.6

55

51

57

52

57

56

31

52

52

32

48

49

37.5 37.4
22.6 20. 4
25.7 25.4

73
62

47
1

63
11

68
20

55
40

67
43

66
29

66. 2 65.2
47.4 46.9

94
101

48
42

40
18

36
20

47
40

39
37

37
36

8.7 8.9 9.4 9.4
4. 5 5. 6 6. 1 5.6
4.4 5. 2 5. 2 5.1
8.8 9.0 9. 1 9.1
9.7 10.8 11.0 10. 9

93
100
77

63
52
32

54
48
29

55
36
42

59
70
68

68
85
68

68
70
65

31

29

Onions_________ _
C abbage. .
___
Beans, b a k e d ___
Corn, c a n n e d ... _
P e a s,c a n n e d ... . _

5. 7 5. 0
4. 6 4. 2
12.3 11. 7
16.9 16. 2
17.9 17.3

8.0 4.6
5.1 3.6
13.8 13.1
16.0 15.2
17.8 17.4

70 83
82 86
100 115
108 104
75 79

56

25.3 25.4
20.4 20. 2
11. 4 11. 2
9.8 9.3
5.2 4.0

4.1
3.4
16.3
17.8
18.7

62
56
52
40
20

85

0 ) _____
30. 2 29.3 25.5 24.3 24.4
Wheat cereal..
M acaroni______ _ P o u n d ..
21.6 20.2 20. 0 19.6 19.8
Rice __
___ _
__do _
8. 7 13. 2 9. 3 9. 5 9. 7 10.6
9.4 8.2 10.5 10.3 10.1
Beans, n a v y ___ ___ . . do__
Potatoes__________ ---■ do___ 1.8 3.2 3.1 2.1 2.6 2.3

__do___
__do___
( 5) _____
(«)_____
( 5) ...........

61
52
49
34
14

6.0
4.1
12.9
15.6
17.7

5.3
4.0
12.6
17.1
18.4

Tom atoes, canned. .
Sugar, granulated. . .
T e a __________ . .
Coffee_____ _______

( 5) _____
13.0 13,0 12.7 12.9 13.7 12.7 12.2
P o u n d .. 5.4 10.5 6. 5 8.3 10.4 8.8 6.7 7.3
_ do._
54. 5 72. 167. 7 08. 5 70. 2 73. 8 75. 8 77.0
—_do___ 29.7 39.7 35.6 36.7 37.8 50.5 51.3 50. 7

Prunes___ _
R aisin s. . . __
B an an as____
Oranges___ . . . . .

_do__
-do__
Dozen
__ do_ _ -

52

7

9

11

22

78

72

17

44

28

189 122

94
32
34

20
24
20

54
26
24

93
29
27

63
35
70

24 35
3Q
73 71

25. 6 18.7 20.1 17.8 17.3 17.1 16.2
32.4 25. 5 19. 2 16.0 14.6 14.4 14.4
41.8 37.3 37. 1 39.1 36.9 35.5 34.9
49. 5 50.3 48. 5 41.5 43.2 48.9 49.3

Weighted food index3

71.1 44.1 41.0 44.5 45.7 59.2 55.7

1 Both pink and red.
2 15-16 ounce can.
3 8-ounce package.
4 28-ounce package.
5 No. 2 can.
6 Beginning with January, 1921, index numbers showing the trend in the retail cost of food have been
composed of the articles shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted according to the consumption of the average
fam ily. From January, 1913, to December, 1920, the index numbers included the following articles: Sirloin
steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham , lard, hens, flour, corn meal,
eggs, butter, milk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[306J

E E T A IL P R IC E S OE POOD

119

Table 3 shows for the United States average retail prices of speci­
fied articles of food for the years 1913 and 1926 and for each month
of 1926.
T a b l e 3 — A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF S P E C I F I E D FO O D A R T IC L E S IN T H E U N IT E D

S T A T E S B Y Y E A R S , 1913 A N D 1926, A N D B Y M O N T H S F O R 1926
A v­
er-

Av­

1926

er­
age
for Jan. Feb. Mar.
for
A
p
r.
M
ay
Ju
ly
Aug.
Ju
n
e
Sept.
Nov.
Oct.
Dec. year
year 15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
15
1913
1926

Article

Unit

Sirloin steak______
Round steak_____
R ib roast________
Chuck roast______
Plate beef________

P oun d .
-_.do__
__-do__
. .. d o __
___do__

Cts.
25. 4
22.3
19. 8
16.0
12.1

Cts.
40.8
35. 0
30. C
22. 1
14.5

Cts.
40.6
34.8
29. 3
22. 1
14.6

Cts.
40.7
34.9
29.1
22. 1
14.6

Cts.
41.1
35.2
30.2
22.3
14.7

Cts.
41.5
35.8
30.4
22.5
14. 6

Cts.
42. 0
36.2
30. 6
22.7
14.6

Cts.
42.0
36.3
30.7
22.7
14.5

Cts.
41.8
36.2
30.4
22.5
14.3

Cts.
41.9
36.4
30. 6
22.7
14.5

Cts.
41. 5
36. 0
30. 6
22. 8
14.6

Cts.
40.9
35. 5
30. 2
22. 7
14.7

Cts.
40. 7
35. 3
30. 2
22. 7
14.9

Cis.
41.3
35.6
30.3
22.5
14.6

Pork ch o p s............
Bacon, sliced_____
H am , sliced______
L am b ____ _____ . .
H am s___________

_._do__
_-_do__
-_.do__
___do__
__do__

21.0
27.0
26. 9
18. 9
21.3

36.5
48. 2
53.3
39. 1
38.6

36.3
48.9
53.6
38.4
38.9

37.2
48. 4
54.0
37.9
39.4

38.3
48.5
54.5
37.9
40.5

40.3
49.3
55.9
39. f
41.0

42.0
51.5
59.7
41.9
40.2

41.7
52.3
60.9
40.3
39.2

40.5
52.0
60.7
39.2
37.9

42.5
51.9
60. 4
39. 1
37.8

42.6
51.7
59.8
38.3
37.6

39. 3
51.0
58. 4
37.9
37.1

37.2
49. 6
57.1
37.7

39.5
50.3
57.4
39.0
38,8

Salmon, canned,
red.
M ilk, fre sh ..
M ilk, evaporated..
B u tter___________
O le o m a r g a r i n e
(all butter su b ­
stitutes.)

-_-do__

•37.3 37.6 37.6 37.8 37.9 38.1 38.1 38.2 37.2 35.6 34.7 34.1 37.0

Q uart.. 8.9 14.2
11.6
0)
P o u n d . 38.3 55.4
. .. d o __
31.3

Cheese__________ ___do__ 22.1 37.6
Lard . . . ______ _ _.do
15. 8 22. 3
Vegetable lard sub25.6
stitute.
E ggs, strictly fresh. Dozen. 34.5 53.9
E ggs, storage........ . -_.do__
42.2
B r e a d .................
Flour............. ...........
Com m eal...........
Rolled o ats______
Com flakes........ .

14.2
11.6
54.5
31.2

14.0
11.6
53.6
30.9

13.9
11. 5
50. S
30.5

13.9
11.5
50.0
30.2

13.8
11.5
50.3
30. 1

13.8
11.4
50.1
30.2

13.9
11.4 11.5 11.4 11. 4
50.6 52. 5 54.3 55. 7
30.2 30.2 30.3 30. 1

14. 2
11.4
59. 3
29.6

14.0
11.5
53.1
30.4

37.5 37.2 36.5 36.0 35.7 35.6 35.7 36. 1 36.7 36.9 37.4 36.6
22.2 21.9 21. 5 21.5 22.6 22.9 22.7 22.3 21.9
20.4 21.9
25.6 25.6 25.7 25.6 25.8 25.9 25.9 25.9 25.7 25.6 25.4 25.7
43.8 38.5 38.6 38.9 40.7 42. 1 44.9 51.5 58.2 66. 0 65.2 48.5
34.6
45.9 47.0 46.9

Pound
5. 6 9.4 9 4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4
__-do__ 3.3 6.2 6.3 6.2 6. 1 6.1 6.1 6.0 6.0 5.8 5. 7 5. 7 5. 6
-.-d o __
3.0 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5. 1 5.1 5. 1 5.1 5.1
..- d o __ —
9. 1 9.1 9. 1 9.1 9. 1 9.1 9.1 9.0 9. 1 9. 1 9. 1 9. 1 9.1
11.0 11.0 11.0 11.9 11.0 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9
(2)

6.0

W heat cereal_____
(d
M acaroni________ P oun d .
Rice_____________ _-.do__
Beans, n av y_____ -_-do__
Potatoes.........
... d o ___

25. 3 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4
20.3 20.3 20.3 20.2 20.3 20.3 20.2 20.2 20.2 20. 1 20. 1 20.2 2 0 .2
8.7 11.6 11.6 11.7 11.7 11.7 11.7 11. 7 11.6 11.7 11.6 11.3 11.2 11.6
9.8 9.6 9.4 9.3 9.2 9.2 9.2 9.2 9. 1 9.1 9.3 9. 3 9.3
1.7 5.8 5.7 5.6 6. 7 6.0 5.0 4.1 3.6 3.9 3.8 4.0 4.0 4.9

Onions..................... . .. d o __
Cabbage_________ - ..d o __
Beans, baked ___
(0
Corn, canned____
(0 .
Peas, canned . ........
(*> -

5.9 5.9 5.9 6.3 7.7 7.4 6.8 5.9 5.3 5.0 5.0 5. 0 6,0
5.6 6.4 7.2 7.4 6.2 6. 1 5.1 4.3 4.2 4.0 4.0 4.2 5.8
12. 3 12.2 12.1 12.0 11.9 11.9 11.9 11.8 11. 7 11.7 11. 7 11. 7 11.9
16. 8 16. 7 16.6 16.5 16.5 16.4 16.4 16.4 16.4 16.3 16.3 16.2 16.5
17.8 17.7 17.7 17.6 17.5 17.4 17.4 17.5 17.4 17.4 17.3 17.3 17.5

—

Tom atoes, canned.
(0 . .
12. 6 12.3 12.2 12. 0 11.9 11.9 11.8 11.8 11.8 12.1 12.1 12.2 12.1
Sugar, granulated.. Pound _ 5.5 6.7 6-7 6.7 6.6 6.7 6.9 6.9 7.0 7.0 7.1 7.1 7. 3 6.9
T e a ______ _______ -__do__ 54.4 76. 1 76. 1 76. 1 76.3 76.4 76. 9 77.0 77. 1 77.0 77.3 77.1 77.0 76.7
Coflee_______
-__do__ 29.8 51.3 51.3 51.3 51.1 51.0 51.0 51.1 51.0 51.0 50.9 50.8 50.7 51.0
Prunes_______. . . . -_-do__
17.2 17. 2R aisins__________ . .. d o __ ____ 14.5 14. Si
Banan as_______
35.8 35. 71
Oranges........ ........... - ..d o ___ —
46.9 46. 5
1 15-16 ounce can.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

17.1
14.6
35.3
47.8

17.1
14.6
35.5
52.6

2 8-ounce package.

[367]

17.1
14.7
35.4
53. 1

17.1
14.7
35. 9
50.3

17.2
14.8
35.2
49.6

17.2
14.8
34.5
50.7

s 28-ounce package.

17.1
14.8
34.4
50.7

16.9
14.8
34.9
56.0

16.5
14.6
34.9
55. 1

16.2
14. 4
34.9
49.3

* No. 2 can.

17.0

14.7
35.2
50.7

120

M O N T H L Y LABO E B E V IEW

Table 4 shows the changes in the retail prices of each of 22 articles
of food for which prices have been secured since 1913, as well as the
changes in the amounts of these articles that could be purchased for
one dollar in specified years, 1913 to 1926, and in each month of 1926.
T a b l e 4 —A V E R A G E

R E T A I L P R IC E S OF S P E C I F I E D A R T IC L E S OF FO O D A N D
A M O U N T P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1 IN E A C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1925, A N D IN E A C H
M O N T H O F 1926
Sirloin steak
Year

1913-..................1920---.......... .
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924________ _
1925-...................
1926.....................
Jan u ary___
F ebru ary. _
M arch____
April_____
M a y ______
Ju n e ______
J u l y - - ........
A ugust.......
SeptemberOctober___
Novem berDecem ber..

R ib roast

Chuck roast

Plate beef

Pork chops

Aver­
A verAver­
Aver­
Aver­
Aver­
Am t.
Amt.
Am t.
Amt.
Am t.
age
age
age
age
Amt.
age
age
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
Cents
per lb.
25.4
43.7
38.8
37.4
39.1
39. 6
40.6
41.3
40.8
40.6
40. 7
41.1
41.5
42.0
42.0
41.8
41.9
41.5
40.9
40.7

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3.9
22.3
2.3
39.5
2.6
34.4
2. 7
32.3
2.6
33.5
2.5
33.8
2.5
34. 7
2.4
35.6
2.5
35.0
2.5
34.8
34.9
2.5
2.4
35.2
2.4
35.8
2.4
36.2
2.4
36.3
2.4
36.2
2.4
36.4
2.4
36.0
2.4
35.5
2.5
35.3

Bacon

1913.....................
1920__________
1921...... ..........
1922__________
1923............. ....
1924-..-............1925.....................
1926-------------Jan u ary ___
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch ........
A p riL ..........
M a y ______
Ju n e ............
Ju ly ______
A ugust___
Septem ber.
October___
N ovem ber.
December—

Round steak

Cents
per lb.
27.0
52.3
42.7
39.8
39.1
37.7
46.7
50.3
48.2
48.9
48.4
48.5
49.3
51.5
52.3
52.0
51.9
51.7
51.0
49.6


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
19.8
4. 5
2.5
33.2
29.1
2.9
3.1
27.6
28.4
3.0
28.8
3.0
2.9
29.6
2.8
30.3
2.9
30.0
2.9
29.3
29.9
2.9
2.8
30.2
2.8
30.4
2.8
30.6
2.8
30.7
2.8
30.4
2.7
30.6
2.8
30.5
2.8
30.2
2.8
30.2

Ham

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3.7
26.9
1.9
65.5
2.3
48.8
2.5
48.8
2.6
45.5
2.7
45.3
2.1
52.6
2.0
57.4
2.1
53.3
2.0
53. 6
2.1
54.0
2.1
54.5
55.9
2.0
1.9
59.7
1.9
60.9
1.9
60.7
1. 9
60.4
1.9
59.8
2.0
58.4
2.0
57.1

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
5.1
16.0
3.0
26.2
3.4
21.2
3.6
19.7
3.5
20.2
3.5
20. 8
3.4
21.6
3.3
22.5
3.3
22. 1
3.4
22.1
3.3
22. 1
3.3
22.3
3.3
22.5
3.3
22.7
3.3
22.7
3.3
22.5
3.3
22. 7
3.3
22.8
3.3
22.7
3.3
22. 7

Hens

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
3.7
21.3
1.8
44. 7
2.0
39.7
2.0
36.0
2.2
35.0
2.2
35.3
1. 9 36.6
1.7
38.8
1.9
38.6
1.9
38.9
1.9
39.4
1.8
40.5
1.8
41.0
1.7
40.2
1.6
39.2
37.9
1.6
1.7
37.8
1.7
37.6
1.7
37.1
1.8
37.2

M ilk

Cents
Lbs. per at.
4. 7
8.9
2.2
16.7
2.5
14.6
2.8
13.1
2.9
13.8
2. 8
13.8
2.7
14.0
2.6
14.0
2. 6
14.2
2.6
14.2
2.5
14.0
13.9
2.5
2.4
13.9
2.5
13.8
2.6
13.8
13. 9
2.6
2. 6
14.0
2.7
14.0
2.7
14.1
2.7
14.2

[368]

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
6.3
12.1
3.8
18.3
4.7
14.3
5.1
12.8
12.9
5.0
4.8
13.2
4. 6
13.8
4.4
14.6
4.5
14.5
4.5
14. 6
4. 5
14.6
4.5
14.7
14. 6
4.4
14.6
4.4
4.4
14.5
4.4
14.3
4.4
14.5
4.4
14.6
4.4
14.7
4.4
14.9

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
8.3
21.0
5.5
42.3
7.0
34.9
7.8
33.0
7.8
30.4
7.6
30.8
7.2
36.6
6.8
39.5
6.9
36.5
6.8
36.3
6.8
37.2
6.8
38.3
6.8
40.3
6.8
42.0
6.9
41.7
7.0
40.5
6.9
42.5
6.8
42.6
6.8
39.3
6.7
37.2

Butter

Cents
Qts. per lb.
11.2
38.3
6.0
70.1
6.8
51. 7
7.6
47. 9
7.2
55.4
7.2
51.7
7.1
54.8
7.1
53.1
7.0
55.4
7.0
54.5
7.1
53. 6
7. 2
50. 9
7.2
50.0
7.2
50.3
7.2
50. 1
7.2
50.6
7.1
52. 5
7.1
54.3
7.1
55.7
7.0
59.3

Lbs.
4.8
2.4
2.9
3.0
3.3
3.2
2.7
2.5
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.7

Cheese

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
2. 6
22.1
1.4
41. 6
1.9
34.0
2.1
32.9
36.9
1.8
1.9
35.3
1.8
36.7
1.9
36.6
1.8
37.6
1.8
37.5
1.9
37.2
2.0
36.5
2.0
36.0
2.0
35.7
2.0
35.6
2.0
35.7
1.9
36.1
1.8
36.7
1.8
36.9
1.7
37.4

Lbs.
4.5
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7

R E T A IL P R IC E S

121

O F FOOD

T a b l e 4 .— A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S O F S P E C I F I E D A R T IC L E S O F FO O D A N D
A M O U N T P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1 IN E A C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1925, A N D IN E A C H
M O N T H OF 1926—Continued
Eggs

Lard
Y ear

1913__________
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
Jan u ary -..
February
M arch____
A p r il___ M a y _____
Ju n e ---- -J u ly ______
A ugust___
September
October
NovemberDecember—

Flour

Corn meal

Rice

Aver­
Aver­
Aver­
Aver­
Aver­
Aver­
Amt.
Amt.
Amt.
age
age
Amt.
Amt.
age
age Am t.
age
age
retail for $1 retail for $1 r e ta il, for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
Cents
per lb.
15.8
29.5
18.0
17.0
17.7
19.0
23.3
21.9
22.3
22.2
21.9
21.5
21.5
22.6
22.9
22.7
22.3
21.9
21.1
20.4

Cents
Cents
Lbs. per doz. Dozs. per lb.
2.9
34. 5
5.6
6.3
1.5
3.4
11.5
68.1
2.0
9.9
50.9
5.6
44.4
2.3
8.7
5.9
2.2
8.7
5.6
46.5
2.1
47.8
8.8
5.3
9.4
52.1
1.9
4.3
2.1
9,4
48.5
4.6
1.9
9.4
4.5
53.9
9.4
43.8
2.3
4.5
9.4
2.6
38.5
4.6
9.4
2.6
4.7
38.6
2.6
9.4
4.7
38.9
9.4
4.4
2.5
40. 7
2.4
42.1
9.4
4.4
2.2
9.4
4.4
44.9
1.9
9.4
4.5
51.5
58.2
1.7
9.4
4.6
4.7
1.5
9.4
60.0
65.2
1.5
9.4
4.9

Potatoes

1913__________
1920__________
1921._________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
J anuary___
February —
M arch____
April_____
M a y ______
Ju n e -.
Ju ly ______
A ugust___
September October
N ovem ber.
Decem ber..

Bread

Cents
per lb.
1. 7
6.3
3.1
2.8
2.9
2.7
3.6
4.9
5.8
5.7
5.6
6.7
6.0
5.0
4.1
3.6
3.9
3.8
4.0
4.0

Sugar

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
58.8
5.5
19.4
15.9
32.3
8.0
35.7
7.3
34.5
10.1
9.2
37.0
7.2
27.8
20.4
6.9
17.2
6.7
17.5
6.7
17.9
6.7
14.9
6.8
16.7
6.7
6.9
20.0
24.4
6.9
27.8
7.0
25.6
7.0
26.3
7.1
7.1
25.0
25.0
7.3

28261°— 27---- 9

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
17.9
3.3
8.7
8.1
10.1
5.8
11.5
5.1
11.5
4.7
11.4
4.9
10.6
6.1
10.6
6.0
10.6
6.2
10.6
6.3
10.6
6.2
10.6
6.1
10.6
6.1
10.6
6.1
10.6
6.0
10.6
6.0
10.6
5.8
10.6
5.7
10.6
5.7
10.6
5.6

Tea

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
18.2
54.4
5.2
73.3
69.7
12.5
13.7
68.1
9.9
69.5
10.9
71.5
13.9
75.5
76.7
14.5
14.9
76.1
14.9
76.1
14.9
76.1
76.4
15.2
76.4
14.9
14.5
76.9
14.5
77.0
14.3
77.1
14.3
77.0
14.1
77.3
14.1
77.1
13.7
77.0

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
30.3
3.0
12.3
6.5
17.2
4.5
19. 6
3.9
4.1
21.3
20.4
4.7
16.4
5.4
16.7
5.1
5.2
16.1
15.9
5.2
5.2
16.1
16.4
5.1
16.4
5.1
16.4
5.1
16. 7
5.1
16.7
5.1
17.2
5.1
17.5
5.1
17.5
5.1
17.9
5.1

Coffee
Cents
Lbs. per lb.
1.8
29.8
1.4
47.0
J.4
36.3
1.5
36.1
1.4
37.7
1.4
43.3
1.3
51.5
1.3
51.0
1.3
51.3
1.3
51.3
51.3
1.3
1.3
51.1
1.3
51.0
1.3
51.0
51.1
1.3
1.3
51.0
1.3
51.0
1.3
50.9
50.8
1.3
50.7
1.3

[369]

Lbs.
3.4
2.1
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.3
1.9
2.0
1.9
1.9
1.9
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0

Cents
Lbs. per lb.
33.3
8.7
15.4
17.4
22.2
9.5
25.6
9.5
24.4
9.5
21.3
10.1
18. 5
11.1
19.6
11.6
19.2
11.6
19.2
11.6
19.2
11.7
19.6
11.7
19.6
11.7
19.6
11.7
19.6
11.7
11.6
19.6
19.6
11.7
19.6
11.6
19.6
11.3
19.6
11.2

Lbs.
11.5
5.7
10.5
10.5
10.5
9.9
9.0
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.6
8.5
8.6
8.8
8.9

122

M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W

Index Num bers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States
IN TABLE 5 index numbers are given which show the changes in
the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, from 1907
to 1926,2 and by months for 1925 and 1926. These index numbers, or
relative prices, are based on the year 1913 as 100 and are computed
by dividing the average price of each commodity for each month
and each year by the average price of that commodity for 1913.
These figures must be used with caution. For example, the relative
price of rib roast for the year 1922 was 139.4, which means that the
average money price for the year 1922 was 39.4 per cent higher than
the average money price for the year 1913. The relative price of
rib roast for the year 1923 was 143.4, which figures show an increase
of 4 points, but an increase of slightly less than 3 per cent in the
year.
In the last column of Table 5 are given index numbers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1921, these index numbers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted
according to the average family consumption in 1918. (See March,
1921, issue, p. 25.) Although previous to January, 1921, the number
of food articles has varied, these index numbers have been so, com­
puted as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index
numbers based on the average for the year 1913 as 100.0 are 161.6
for November and 161.8 for December, 1926.
The curve shown in the chart on page 124 pictures more readily
to the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the
index numbers given in the table. The chart has been drawn on the
logarithmic scale, because the percentages of increase or decrease
are more accurately shown than on the arithmetic scale.
2 For index numbers of each month, January, 1913, to December, 1920, see February, 1921, issue, pp.
19-21; for each month of 1921 and 1922 see February, 1923, issue, p. 69; and for each month of 1923 and 1924
see February, 1925, issue, p, 21.


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B E T A IL P B I C E S

123

O F FOOD

T a b l e 5 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A I L P R IC E S OP P R I N C I P A L A R T IC L E S OP FO O D ,
B Y Y E A R S , 1913, A N D 1920 TO 1926, A N D B Y M O N T H S F O R 1925 A N D 1926
[Average for year 1913=100.0]

Y ear and month

Sirloin Round Rib Chuck Plate Pork B a ­ H am Hens M ilk
steak steak roast roast beef chops con

B u t­ Cheese
ter

100.0
172.1
152.8
147.2
153. 9
155. 9
159.8
162.6

100.0
177.1
154.3
144.8
150.2
151.6
155. 6
159.6

100.0
167. 7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145. 5
149.5
153.0

100.0
163.8
132.5
123.1
126.3
130.0
135.0
140.6

100.0
151.2
118.2
105.8
106. 6
109.1
114.1
120. 7

100.0
201.4
166.2
157.1
144. 8
146.7
174. 3
188.1

100. 0
193. 7
158. 2
147. 4
144. 8
139. 6
173. 0
186. 3

100. 0
206.3
181. 4
181. 4
169.1
168.4
195.5
213.4

100.0
209.9
186.4
169. 0
164. 3
165.7
171.8
182.2

100. 0
187. 6
164. 0
147. 2
155. 1
155. 1
157. 3
157. 3

100. 0 100.0
183. 0 188.2
135. 0] 153. 9
125. I 148. 9
144. 7 167.0
135. 0 159.7
143. 1 166.1
138. 6 165.6

1925: January _ . ____
February____ . .
M a rc h .,
. _ _
April— .
— M a y --------------Ju n e -. _ ______
Ju ly ________ _
A u g u s t ________
Septem ber.. . . .
October_____ . . .
November_____
D ecem ber........ .

152.4
151.6
155. 9
159.1
160. 6
161. 4
166.1
165.4
163.8
162.2
158. 7
158.7

147.1
146.6
150.7
155.2
157.0
157. 8
163. 7
162.3
159. 6
158. 7
154, 3
154.3

143.9
143.4
147.0
150.0
150.5
150. 5
153. 5
153.0
152.0
151. 5
149.0
149. 5

128.1
127.5
131.3
135.0
138.1
136.3
140. 0
138.1
137.5
137.5
135.0
135.6

109.9
109.1
111.6
114.1
115. 7
114.0
115. 7
114.9
114.9
116.5
116.5
116.5

148. 2
144. 3
178.1
175. 2
171.4
172. 4
186.7
190.5
192.4
186. 2
178. 6
170.0

149. 3
150. 4
164. 4
172. 6
171. 9
174. 1
180. 4
182. 6
183. 0
183. 7
182. 2
180, 0

177.0
178,8
190.3
198.9
197.0
197.0
202. 2
204.1
204.1
201.9
198.9
197.4

168.1
169. 5
173.2
177.9
177. 9
173.2
171.8
170.0
171.8
171.4
168.1
171.4

156. 2
156. 2
155. 1
155. 1
153. 0
153. 9
155. 1
156. 2
159. 6
160. 7
160. 7
160. 7

136. 6
132. 1
144. 9
139. 2
135. 5
137. 6
138. 9
141. 3
145. 7
155. 1
155. 9
153. 0

162.4
164. 7
165.2
165.2
164.3
165.2
165.6
166.5
167. 4.
168.3
169.2
169.7

1926: Jan u ary _______
February .............
March ______
A p r i l . _________
M a y . . . . ______
June _ _____ . . .
Ju ly ____________
A ugust___ ___
Septem ber.
O c to b e r_______
November _____
December. ------

160.6
159. 8
160. 2
161.8
163. 4
165.4
165.4
164. 6
165. 0
163. 4
161.0
160.2

157.0
156.1
156.5
157.8
160.5
162. 3
102.8
162. 3
163.2
161.4
159. 2
158.3

151.5
148.0
151.0
152. 5
153. 5
154.5
155.1
153. 5
154.5
154.5
1.52.5
152.5

138.1
138.1
138.1
139.4
140.6
141. 9
141.9
140. 6
141.9
142.5
141. 9
141.9

119.8
120. 7
120. 7
121. 5
120.7
120.7
119.8
118.2
119.8
120.7
121.5
123.1

173.8
172.9
177.1
182. 4
191. 9
200.0
198.6
192. 9
202.4
202.9
187.1
177.1

178. 5
181. 1
179. 3
179. 6
182. 6
190. 7
193. 7
192. 6
192. 2
191. 5
188. 9
183. 7

198.1
199, 3
200. 7
202.6
207.8
221.9
226.4
225. 7
224.5
222. 3
217.1
212. 3

181.2
182.6
185. 0
190.1
192.5
188. 7
184.0
177.9
177. 5
176. 5
174.2
174.6

159. 6
159. 6
157. 3
156. 2
156. 2
155. 1
155. 1
156. 2
157. 3
157. O
158. 4
159. 6

144. 6
142. 3
139. 9
132. 9
130. 5
131. 3
130. 8
132. 1
137. 1
141. 8
145. 4
154. 8

170.1
169.7
168.3
165.2
162.9
161.5
161. 1
161.5
163.3
166.1
167.0
169. 2

Y ear and month

Lard

Eggs

Bread Flour

Corn
meal

Rice

Pota­ Sugar
toes

Tea

Coffee

j life

1913__________________
1920__________________
1921__________________
1922_________________
1923_________________
1924_________________
1925______ _____ _____
1926____ _____________

1913__________________
1920__________________
1921__________________
1922__________________
1923__________________
1924__________________
1925__________________
1926__________________

100.0
186.7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
138. 0

100.0
197. 4
147.5
128. 7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140. 6

100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155. 4
157.1
167. 9
167.9

100.0
245.5
175. 8
154.5
142.4
148.5
184.8
181.8

100.0
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
170.0

100.0
200.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
133.3

100.0
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
288.2

100.0
352.7
145.5
132. 7
183.6
167.3
130.9
125.5

100.0
134.7
128.1
125.2
127. 8
131.4
138.8
141.0

100, G
157.7
121.8
121.1
126. 5
145.3
172. 8
171.1

100.0
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160.6

1925: Jan u ary . - _____
February ______
M arch. . . . -----A p ril.. ________
M a y ___________
June . . . . — ---Ju ly ____________
August - . ______
September _____
October_________
Novem ber_______
December_______

144.3
144. 3
146. 2
146.8
143.0
144.9
148. 7
153.8
151. 9
152.5
147.5
143.0

204.4
154.8
113.3
110.4
113.9
122.6
133.9
141.7
150.4
174.8
201.2
191.9

164.3
169.6
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167. 9
167.9

181.8
193. 9
193.9
184.8
184.8
184.8
184.8
184.8
184.8
178.8
181.8
184.8

180.0
183.3
183.3
183.3
180.0
180.0
180.0
180.0
180.0
176.7
176.7
173.3

123.0
124.1
125.3
126.4
126.4
126.4
128. 7
129.9
129.9
129.9
131.0
131.0

147.1
152.9
147.1
141. 2
158.8
205.9
258.8
258. 8
211.8
217.6
305.9
305.9

147. 3
140. 0
140.0
136.4
130.9
130.9
129.1
127.3
127.3
123.6
120.0
121.8

136.4
137.5
138.1
138.8
139.0
139.3
139.3
139.5
139.3
139.3
139.2
139.3

173.2
174.8
175. 5
174.8
175.2
170.5
170.5
170.8
171.4
171.5
171.8
172.1

154.3
151.4
151.1
150.8
151.6
155.0
159.9
160.4
159.0
161.6
167.1
165. 5

1926: Jan u ary _______ February________
March ________
April ___________
M ay
_________
June _______ - Ju ly .........................
August ________
September___ _ .
October _______
November -----Decem ber. ____

141.1
140.5
138.6
136.1
136.1
143. 0(
144.9
143.7
141. 1
138.6
133.5
129.1

156.2
127.0
111.6
111.9
112.8
118.0
122.0
130.1
149.3
168.7
191.3
189.0

167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167. 9

187.9
190.9
187.9
184.8
184.8
184.8
181.8
181.8
175.8
172.7
172.7
169.7

173.3
173.3
173.3
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170. 0
170.0
170.0
170.0

133.3
133. 3
134.5
134.5
134. 5
134. 5
134.5
133.3
134.5
133. 3
129.9
128.7

341.2
335.3
329.4
394.1
352.9
294.1
241.2
211.8
229.4
223. 5
235.3
235.3

121.8
121.8
121.8
120.0
121. 8
125.5
125.5
127.3
127.3
129.1
129.1
132.7

139.9
139.9
139.9
140.3
140.4
141.4
141.5
141.7
141.5
142.1
141.7
141.5

172.1
172.1
172.1
171.5
171.1
171.1
171. 5
171. 1
171.1
170.8
170. 5
170.1

164.3
161.5
159.9
162.4
161.1
159.7
157.0
155.7
158. 5
160.0
161.0
161.8

130 articles in 1907; 15 articles in 1908-1912; 22 articles 1913-1920; 43 articles 1921-1926.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[3 7 1 ]

to

200

175
156

[372]

125
100

75

S

$
1317


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

tää
IDi ö

s £ £
19 13

s

1920

19 21

£

<8

1922

1323

1324

19 25

1326

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

400
375
350
325
300
275
250
225

125

R E T A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD

Table 6 shows by index numbers the trend in the retail cost of food
in the United States from 1890 to 1926. The percentage increase in
the cost from 1925 to 1926 was 2, while the percentage increase from
1890 to 1926 was 131. This means that the cost of food in 1926
was nearly two and a third times as much as it was in 1890.
T

a ble

6 . — IN D E X

N U M B E R S SH O W IN G T H E T R E N D IN T H E R E T A I L C O ST OF FO O D
IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , B Y Y E A R S , 1890 TO 19261
[Average for year 1913=100]

Year
1890_________
1891_________
1892_______
1893_________
1894........ ...........
1895_________
1896_________
1897-.................
1898_________
1899_________

Relative
price
69.6
70.6
69.3
71. 0
67. 8
66.5
64.9
65.4
67.1
67.7

Year
1900________
1901...... ...........
1902.................
1903— ............
1 9 0 4 ...............
1905-.-............
1906-,..............
1907.................
1908________
1909.................

Relative
price
68.7
71.5
75.4
75.0
76.0
76.4
78.7
82.0
84.3
88. 7

Year
1910...........
1911________
1912... .
1913________
1914___
1915__
1916________
1917
1918___
1919..................

Relative
price
93.0
92.0
97.6
100.0
102.4
101.3
113.7
146.4
168.3
185.9

Year
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926

Relative
price
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160.6

i The number of articles included in the index number for each year has not been the same throughout
the period, but a sufficient number have been used fairly to represent food as a whole. From 1890 to 1907,
30 articles were used; from 1907 to 1913,16 articles; from 1913 to 1920, 22 articles; and from 1921, 43 articles.
The relatives for the period have been so computed as to be comparable with each other.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[373]

126

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

Retail Prices of Food in 51
A VERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 7 for 40 cities
15, 1926. For 11 other cities prices are shown for the same
scheduled by the bureau until after 1913.
T

a ble

7 .—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OP T H E P R IN C IP A L

[Exact comparisons of prices in different cities can not be m ade for some articles,

Baltimore, M d.

Atlanta, Ga.
Article

Unit

Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dee. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
15, 15,
15, 1.5,
15, 15,
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
40.8
36.8
32.9
25.4

Cts.
22.3
20.8
17.5
15.3

Cts.
38.9
35.2
30.5
21.6

Cts.
38.0
35.0
29.8
21.6

Cts.
37.8
34.7
29.6
21.5

Cts.
28.0
23.0
20.5
16.1

Cts.
39.3
34.2
28.4
22.6

Cts.
40.7
35.3
28.2
23.0

Cts.
41. 1
35.8
28.8
22.9

-__do_____ 9.9 12.5 13.3 13. 3
_--do_____ 23.3 35.7 38.5
. . . d o _____ 31.4 48.1 48.8 46.9
__ do_____ 30.0 53.3 60.0 58.8

12.6
17.0
20.5
27.5

14.8
35.0
44.1
56.3

14.9
38.8
45. 7
59.9

15.0
35.8
43.7
58.3

10.0
20. 6
33.0
32.0

13.9
37.3
49.1
53.3

14.3
38.9
50.8
57.6

14.0
36. 9
48.7
57.0

37.1 21.9 37.2 38. 8
37.8 19.3 34.6 37.8
31.2
38. 7 36. 2
14.0 10.0 19.0 18.0

38.6
36.8
35.4
18.0

Cts. Cts. Cts.
Sirloin s t e a k ______ _____ Pound___ 23.7 37.7 41.2
Round steak____________ __.do_____ 21.3 34.0 37.2
R ib roast_______________ ___do_____ 19. 7 28.2 32. S
Chuck roast____ ________ _ -.d o _____ 15.8 20.9 25.3
Plate beef _ ____________
Pork c h o p s _____________
Bacon, sliced ... ^________
Elam, sliced_____________

Birmingham, Ala.

L am b, leg of____________ . . . d o _____ 20.2 37.9 38.6 40.0 17.5 40.4 37.3
H ens___________________ -- .d o _____ 20.3 33.6 37.3 36.8 20.7 38.2 38» 4
- _do_____
39.8 33.5 33.8
Salmon, canned, red___
36.5 31. 8
M ilk, fresh.. ___________ Q uart____ 10.8 19.3 19.0 19.0 8.7 13.0 14.0
M ilk, evaporated_______
B u tter___
___________
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese............ ........................
L ard _____________ ______
Vegetable lard su bstitu te..
E ggs, strictly fresh_______

15-16 oz.can
11.3 11.2 11.2
12.7 12.5 12.5
13.6 13.4 13.2
Pound___ 40.4 59.0 56.8 58. 0 40. 2 63.3 59.9 63.8 44. Ö 62.0 58.0 60.6
..__do........ .
32.0 31.0 26.9
30.3 30.0 30.0
36.5 36.2 36.5
___do-_„.._- 25.0 3ö. 7
-__do_____ 15. 5 22. 4
-__do_____
24.6
Dozen . . 44.3 68.3

E ggs, storage.........................
Bread _________ ____ ____
E lour___________________
Corn m eal.................. ...........

___do_____ 28.5 48.1 47.7 45.2 33.1 46.2 46.7 45.5 35.0 52.2 46.7 47.8
P ound___ 5. 8 10.4 10.7 10.7 5.5 9.4 9.8 9.8 5.4 10.2 10.3 10.3
__ do_____
3.4 6.9 6.6 6.5 3.1 5.6 5.3 5.3 3.6 7.1 6.8 6.8
--- do......... . 2.6 4.0 4.2 4.0 2.5 4.1 3.9 3.9 2.5 4.3 4.2 4.1

Rolled oats............................
Corn flakes ___________
Wheat cereal______ _____
M acaro n i.______________

__ do.
8-oz. pkg._
28-ozfpkg.
Pound___

9.3 9.7 9.7
11. 2 11.5 11.5
26.0 25.8 25.9
21.8 21.7 21.9

8.7 8. 3 8.3
10.1 10. 1 10.1
24.0 24.5 24.3
19.0 18.6 18.6

Rice _
. . . . ___
Beans, n av y ____________
Potatoes________________
O n io n s_________________

__ do _
- .-d o _____
___do_____
__ do____

8. 6 11.0 11. 6 11.3
11. 9 10.2 10.4
2.3 6.4 5.0 4.8
7. 9 7. 6 7. 2

9.0 11.0 10.4 10.3
8.8 8.1 8.3
1.8 5.4 4.2 4.3
5. 8 4. 8 5.0

8.2 11. 8 11.3 11. 2
11.5 10.5 10.5
2. i 6.1 5.3 5.3
7. 7 7. 6 6. 9

Cabbage__ _____________
Beans, baked........................
Corn, canned___________
Peas, c a n n e d ___________

_ _do____
No. 2 c a n ...
__ do_____
__ do.........

5.2 4.9 4.8
12.3 11.5 11.5
18.1 17.8 17.5
18.4 20. 0 20.0

4.5 4.2 4.3
11.3 10.4 10.5
15. 8 14. 6 14.7
15. 5 15.1 15.0

5. 4 5.2 5.0
12.0 12.0 11.9
18.4 18. 3 18.4
22. 4 21. 0 21.4

36.2
20. i
22.2
58.1

38.4 23.3 36.6 35.4 35.5 23.0 37.9 37.1 37.3
19.7 14.8 20.7 19.6 18. 3 15.7 22.7 21. 9 21.3
24.7 24.1 23.9
21.9
22. 1 21.6 21. 7
61.1 40. 4 66.1 66.3 65.2 41.8 68. 4 •55. 6 60.9

9. 9
12.1
26.0
19.1

10.1
12. 0
26.9
18.7

10.0
12. 2
26.9
18.7

Tom atoes, canned_______ ._.do__ __
12.7 11.0 11.0
10.3 10. 7 10. 7
11.9 11.2 11.2
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound
5. 5 7.1 7. 5
4.9 6.1 6. 5 6. 5 5. 2 7.3 7.6 7.7
T e a ____________________ __ do____
60.0 100. 8 106.1 105. 9 56.0 76. 9 73. 8 73. 5 61. 3 92. 1 96. 7 96.4
Coffee..................................... -_ .d o .......... 32.0 50.7 52.2 51.5 24.4 48.6 47.4 47.5 28.8 54.0 54.0 53.9
P runes...................... ............
R aisin s__ _____________ .
Banan as_____________
Oranges_________________

__ do-____
__ do____
Dozen.
__ do____

17.1
15. 5
28. 5
40. 0

17.6
16.8
28. 6
41.1

17.8
16. 5
27.3
34. 5

15.4
13.2
25. 9
48. 3

13.9
13.2
26. 7
49.3

14.0
13.0
26.3
44.2

19.6
15.2
37. 8
46. 4

19.3
15.4
38. 5
50. 5

18.7
15.4
37.3
44. 5

1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in m ost of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[374]

127

B E T A IL P R IC E S O F FOOD

C ities on Specified D ates

for December 15, 1913 and 1925, and for November 15 and December
dates with exception of December, 1913, as these cities were not
A R T I C L E S OF FO O D IN 51 C I T I E S ON S P E C I F I E D D A T E S
particularly m eats and vegetables, owing to differences in trade practices]
Bridgeport,
Conn.

Boston M ass.

Buffalo , N . Y .

Butte, Mont.

Charleston, S. C.

Dec. 15—
1913

Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

30. 0
26.9
26.8
18.7

29. 6
26.4
26. 5
19.0

22.5
21.0
20. 0
15.0

32.3
30.0
26.4
18.8

32. 7
30.0
24.9
19. 5

14.7
39.3
45.9
56.3

11.7
33. 1
56.0
56.8

12. 1
41.2
58.2
61.3

12.5
36.5
56.9
61.3

12.5
25.0
27.0
27.5

13.8
33. 5
44.3
48.9

14.2
38. 5
45.0
54.8

32.6
38.4
32.5
13.0

35.2
30.8
30.6
14.3

37.3
33.3
32.5
14.3

36.3 24.0 42.9 41.3 40.0
32.4 21.8 36.8 39.8 38.4
39. 1 30.0 29.6
31.9
14.3 12.5 18.0 19.0 19.0

11. 0 11.1
56.9 51.0
32. 5 —

11.1
11.9 11.8 11.9
53.0 39.1 57.5 52. 4 56. 5
32.1
31.3 31.7
..........

37.6
19.8
26.2
69.3

37.0
25.7
27.5
70.2

35.7
25.0
29.3
67.1

35.7 21.0 35.2
24.7 15.0 23. 7
29.3
24.6
66.3 46.7 53.0

54.6
9. 1
6.0
6.2

54.3 50.8 52.2 51.4 31,4 46.4 45.6 45.5
9.1 9.0 8.8 8,8 5.6 9.0 8.9 8.8
6.0 6.0 5.8 5.8 3.0 5. 7 5. 1 5.1
6.2 7.7 7.9 7. 7 2.6 5.2 5.3 5.1

44.2
9.8
6. 1
6.0

47.1
9.8
5.6
5.8

45. 5 35.2 45. 1 43.8 44.3
9.8 6.4 10.8 10. 2 10.2
5.4 3.7 7.4 7.1 7.1
5.9 2.6 4.1 3.9 3.9

9. 2
11. 0
25.2
23.1

9.3
10. 7
24. 5
22.4

9.3 8.7 8.4 8. 6
10. 7 10. 6 10. 4 10.4
24.7 25. 1 24.7 24. 7
22. 5 22. 7 22. 7 22. 7

9.0 8. 7 8.7
10. 4 10. 2 10.2
24.2 24. 6 24. 6
22.1 21.7 21. 5

7.5
12.4
27.6
20.2

7.3
12.2
28.4
19.2

7.3
12.2
28.3
19.6

12.4
10. 8
5. 1
6.2

11.7
9.8
3.9
4.9

11.5 11.5 10.9 10.9
9. 9 10.3 9.6 9.7
4.0 5.2 3.8 3.8
5.1 5.8 4.7 5.0

9.3 11.2 11.3 11.2
9.9 9.2 9.2
Ì. 7 4.8 4.1 4.1
6.5 5.9 5.9

12.0
10.2
3.6
4.5

12.1
10.4
3.0
4.3

11.7 5.6 9.0
10.4
10. 6
3.0 2.2 5.7
4.5 ........ 5.9

5. 2
13.6
19.3
21.1

5. 4
13.0
18.8
19.8

5. 2 5.0 4.3 4. 5
12.9 12.0 11.4 11.3
18.8 19.4 19.5 19. 1
20.3 21.1 21.0 21.5

3.7 3.5 3.0
10.3 9.9 10.0
16.3 16.9 16.3
16.1 16.8 16.2

3.4
15.0
16.0
16.4

3.9
14. 1
16.2
14.8

4.2 4.4 4.2
4.8
14.1
10.3 9.8 9.8
16.0 __ 15.7 14.8 15.0
15.2 ........ 17.5 16.7 17.5

5.3
58.6
33.0

12. 4
6. 7
76.0
56.0

12.3
7.1
74.9
55.1

13.9 13.8 13. S
12. 4 13.1 13. 4 13.1
7.3 6.3 6.8 7.0 5.1 6.4 7.0 7. 1
74.9 61. 1 59.5 59. 5 45.0 68. 6 70. 5 69.8
55.3 48.6 48.5 48.6 29.3 49.4 48.5 48.7

14.5
7.7
83.3
56.6

13. 7
8.4
83.8
58.6

13.3
10.6 10.3 10.2
8.5 5.0 6.4 6. 7 6.9
83.3 50.0 75. 8 74.9 73.9
56.6 26.8 45.6 46.5 46.5

......

17.0
14.2
43. 5
51.3

15.3
13. 1
45.0
62.3

15.0
13.0
46. 3
49.9

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

28.5
25.0
24. 6
17.2

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

48. 7
41. 7
36.9
27.7

49. 2
41.9
36.3
27.6

49. 2
41.9
36. 1
27. 5

18.6
41.8
49.2
63.3

19.0
39.8
49.1
61.8

11.9
37.2
51.6
56.3

11. 7
41.7
54. 9
64.3

11.9
39.9
54.3
61. 9

40. 5
40.2
36.5
14.8

38.6
40.6
33. 1
15.1

38.9
40.6
33.0
15.3

40.4
40. 1
33. 2
16.0

38.8
40.6
33. 6
16.0

12. 3
59.3
30.0

12. 1
55.3
29.8

12. 2 11. 5 11.6 11. 6
11.4 11.3 11.2
57.8 59.2 55.3 57. 4 39. Ì 60.2 57.7 62.8
29.2 29.9 30.6 29. 4 .......... 30.0 29.8 29.8

57.5

39.7
22.6
25. 9
85.1

38.2
20.8
24.7
94,4

38.3
20.2
24. 5
85.0

36.0
5.9
3.6
3.6

54.7
9. 1
0. 7
6.5

64.7
49. 7
37.9
28.5

19.2
37.8
48. 5
58.5

21.9
24.3
30.7
20.2
24.0
8.9
37.9
23.4
15.8

9.4
1.7
............

39.6
22. 1
25. 5
83.3

17.1
13.8
34. 4
52.5

39.3
20.3
25. 8
91.0

16.0
14.6
34. 5
61.6

21. 6
18. 8
16. 4
15.0

38.9
33. 2
29. 2
22.3

11.8
17. 6
20. 6
26.3

C ts .

64. 3
49.5
37.8
28.5

133.0 1 66.1
34.3 51. 5
23.7 41.0
16.2 28.3

40.0
33.8
30.4
23.7

39.6
34.2
30.5
23.9

14. 1
37.9
44.7
50.9

14.5
41.7
46.9
56.8

38.3 15.4 35.6
41.1 19.8 37. 5
32.8
37.7
16.0 8.Ò 13.4

32.8
37.9
33. 8
13.0

39.3 21. 5
19. 7 14.2
25.9
87.3 47.6

15.8
14.8
34. 2
50.7 —

38.2
21.4
26. 3
71.9

16.5
14.0
42.6
52.1

37.6
20.4
25. 9
69.0

16.4
14.1
42.3
62.8

2 Per pound.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[375]

15.9
13.8
42.6
55.7

C ts .

17.9 18.4
15.2 15.2
2 14. 5 2 14. 5
55.0 56.2 54.5 —

17.8
14.6

114. 6

34.9
21.3
23.4
64.3

C ts .

32.7
30.0
25.0
19.4

14.2
35.6
44.0
51.7

35.0
20.9
23. 5
66.7

9.4 9 .5 9.6
11.8 11.8 12.0
26.6 26.2 26.2
19. 1 18.5 18.6

15.8
14.3
39. 2
36. 1

8.3
9.9
4.3
5.8

14.9
14.7
31.7
38.2

8.4
9.8
4.4
5.5

14.7
14.1
30.7
29.4

128

M O N T H L Y LABO E E EV IE W
T

a ble

7 — A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I

Cincinnati, Ohio

Chicago, 111.
Article

Unit

Dec. 15—

Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. D ec.
15, 15,
15,
15, 15,
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
45. 2
30,
36.3
25.9

Cts.
23.0
20. 7
19. 5
15.3

Cts.
35. 9
32.0
28. 5
20.2

Cts.
36.5
33.1
30. 7
21. C

Cts.
36.4
33.4
30. 2
21.6

Cts.
24. 6
21. 7
18. 6
17.0

Cts.
36. 5
30.2
26.1
21.6

Cts.
37.7
32.3
27. 3
22.9

Cts.
37.3
31.3
27.1
23.1

11.

15.0
38.3
55. 7
59.7

15.1
36. 5
65.0
58.7

11.8
18.9
22. 6
27.. 8

15.4
32.0
41.9
51.0

15.2
34. 7
45. 5
58.0

15.2
32.2
44.4
56.8

12. 5
19.4
27.9
36.3

12. 9
34.8
49.0
54.5

13.3
38.9
50.4
60.0

13.4
35.6
50.3
58.3

28.
36.4
38.1
14.0

38.4 17.5 35.9 35.2 35.1 18.0 37.1 35.6
37.6 22.7 34.1 35.8 36.1 19.3 37.8 35.9
37.4
36.0 31.1 30.9
37.0 33. 9
14.0 8.0 12.0 14.0 14.0 8.0 14. 8 14.3

34.9
36.5
33.8
14.3

P ound.
...d o __
...d o ___
...d o ___

Plate beef___
Pork chops.-.
Bacon, sliced.
H am , sliced..

...d o _____
14. 5
...d o _____ 17.9 32.4
...d o _____ 32.0 52. 7
...d o .......... 31.8 54.0

Lam b, leg of_______
H e n s.._____________
Salmon, canned, red .
M ilk, fresh................. .

...d o ........... 19.4 39.2
...d o _____ 17. 7 35. 6
...d o ......... .
38.3
Quart____
14.0

Eggs, storage...................... ...d o ....
Bread______ __________
F lour__________________

Pound.
...d o ___
Com m e a l....................... . ...d o ___

Rolled o r ts...
Corn flak es...
Wheat cereal.
M acaroni___

Rice...... .........

Beans, n av y _ .
Potatoes_____
Onions..............

...d o_____

8-oz. pkg_.
28-oz. pkg.
P ound___
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.

C abbage____
Beans, baked _
Corn, canned.
Peas, canned..

...d o ____
N o. 2 can.
...d o ____
...d o .........

Tomatoes, canned.
Sugar, granulated.
T e a ...........................

Coffee.....................

...d o __
Pound.
...d o __
...d o __

Prunes...

...d o....

R aisin s...
B anan as.

Oranges..

...d o ...
Dozen.
...d o ...

15,

Cts. Cts. Cts
24.1 44.7 45. 4
37.1
19. 7 34.3 36. 6
15.7 24. 5 25.

Sirloin steak .
Round steak.
R ib roast___
Chuck roast-.

M ilk, evaporated_______ 15-16oz.can
B u tter...... .................... ........ P ound___
Oleomargarine (all butter . .. d o _____
substitutes).
Cheese_______________ . .. d o . ..........
L ard ___________________ . .. d o _____
V egetablelard substitute.. ...d o ...
E ggs, strictly fresh............. Dozen.

Cleveland, Ohio

21. 2 35. 2

10.

10.8 1-0.8 10.8
11.2 11.2
11. 4 11.3 11.3
56.3 56.3 60.6 39.3 57.3 55.1 59.2 42. 2 59.9 59.6 64.7
29. 27.6 27. ........ 32.2 30.2 28.6
33.1 33.2 31.9

25.3 42.0
15. o: 22 2
26.
4ö:ö 60.8
.

42.4
21. 5
26. 8
65.1

42.4 21.4 36.8
20.9 13.9 20. 3
■ 26.7
25. 9
66.8 38. Ö 59.1

36.3
19.4
26.1
65.6

36.8 24.0 38.3 36.6 38.1
18. 5 16.4 23.1 22.3 21.8
27.4 27.4 27.8
25.6
63.8 48.0 67.4 73.2 70.1

32.0 45. 2 50. 5 50.3 30.6 45.0 44.0 43.1 34.3 49. 6 48.8 48.8
9,
9.
9.8 4.8 9. 2 9. 2 9.0 5.6 8.0 7.9 7.9
2.9 5.
5. 4 5.3 3.3 6.0 5.8 5.8 3.1 5. 9 5.7 5.7
2.9 6.5
2.8 4.4 3. 9 3.9 2.9 5.6 5.2 5.3

0.1

8.6

24. 7 25.3 25.4
20.0 •19.4 19.7

8.6 8.7 8.6
10. 2 10. 4 10. 4
24.3 24. 5 24.4
20.1 18.4 18.8

9.3 9.5 9.4
11.4 11. 2 11.2
25.1 25. 2 25.3
21.4 21.7 21.9

11.7 11.9 11.8
9.7 9.5 9.6
4.9 3.8 3.9
5.7 5.3 5.4

8.8 11.2 10.9 10.8
8.3 7.9 8.0
1.8 5. 5 4.0 4.1
5.6 4.5 4.4

9.0 11.9 11.9 11.9
8.9 8.2 8.5
2.0 4. 5 4.3 4.3
5.2 4.5 4.7

4.9 4.6 4.8
12.9
17.3 17.4 17.3
17.8 17.7 17.5

4.6 3.9 4.2
11.3 10. 9 10.9
15. 6 15. 1 14.7
17.6 16.8 16.8

4.7 4.1 4.3
13.0 12. 6 12.8
17.8 17.0 17.0
17.9 17.8 17.6

8. 5

10.1 10.1 10.1

12.8

12.

12.9
14.1 14.1 14.2
5. 1 6.4 6.9 7.0 5. 2 6.7
55.0 74.8 74. 74.3 60.0 . 76. 5
30. 7 52.1 51.0 50.9 25. 6 46. Ü
18.6
15.1
42.1
56.4

18.7
15.6
40.5
01.3

18.9
15.4
40.8
58.9

17.8
14.3
38. 5
42.7

11.9 11.9
13.8 13.8 14.0
7.3 7.4 5.4 7.0 7.2 7.6
77.4 76.4 50.0 79.7 80.7 79.4
45.9 45.4 26.5 53.9 54.8 54.5
16.4
15.1
37. 5
55.0

16.7
14. 7
37. 5
40.2

17.3
14.1
47. 5
51. 5

16.6
14. 7
50.0
62. 5

16.2
14. 5
50.0
53.5

i The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ rum p ” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[3 7 6 ]

R E T A IL P R IC E S OF FOOD

129

C L E S OF FOOD IN SI C IT IE S ON SP E C IF IE D DA TES-Continued
Columbus,
Ohio

D allas, Tex.

Denver, Colo.

Detroit, Mich.

Fall River, M ass.

Dee Nov Dec Dec 15— Nov D ec Dee. 15— Nov Dec Dec. 15— Nov Dec Dec. 15— Nov.
Dec.
15,
IK
1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
1913 ■ 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
37.3
32.4
29. ]
22.3

Cts.
39. /
34. 8
29. 9
25.0

Cts.
39. 7
34.9
30.8
24.7

Cts.
23.6
21.3
20.6
16.4

Cts.
33.3
30.3
27.3
21.4

Cts.
36.2
32.9
26.6
22.7

Cts.
36.2
32.9
27.6
22.9

Cts.
33. C
29. 7
23. 1
19.0

Cts.
32.3
29. C
23.9
18.7

Cts.
24.8
20. 20. 2
15.4

Cis.
40.2
32.5
30.2
21.7

Cts.
41. f
34.3
30.7
22.5

Cts.
41.4
33.6
30.9
22.9

15.4
32.9
48.9
62. 7

16.0
37.4
52. 3
59. 5

16.0
35.6
51.2
58.7

13.6
21.6
37.5
31.6

15.8
34.9
48.0
56.7

17.3
37.2
46.4
59.3

17.8 9.9 10.5 11.1
35.2 .20.0 33.2 37.7
44.2 28. ( 50.2 52. C
59.3 30.0 55.7 59.9

11.0
34.0
50.6
58.4

11.7
18.2
22.3
28.0

13.7
36.8
50.7
57.2

14. o
41.0
54.3
63.5

14.7
13.2
38.3 20.2 35.5
51.8 25.4 46.1
61.5 30.4 51.3

41.7
36.8
39.3
12.0

42.4
37.7
36. 3
12.0

43.7
37.4
37.1
12.0

22.5
19. 3
____
10.8

43.9
29.5
40.3
15.0

43.4
31.6
37.6
13.0

43.4 15.6 35.4 35.5 35.6 16.0 40.5 38.9 38.9 19.0 41.6
32.7 19.9 29.6 31.3 31.3 18.6 37.9 37,2 37.6 24.6 42.1
38.4 34.7 33.5
36.5
39.4 35.5 35.3
36.7
13.0 8.3 12.0 12.0 12.0 9.0 14.0 14.0 14.0 9.0 14.0

11.3 11.4 11.5
57.5 56. 7 60.9 4Ï.3
31. 5 29.9 29.7 ........
37.0 36.8 37.0 20.0
20.2 19. 6 18.5 17.2
25.9 26.5 26.5 ____
59.7 61.7 62.7 45.0

Cts.
22.9
20. 7
16.7
15.0

13.5 13.0 13.0
57.2 55.7 57.8 37.9
34.1 32.5 33.0 ........
37.1 36.8 37.0 26.1
26.3 24.9 24.6 16.1
23.9 22.8 22.2
63.9 54.8 56.0 47.1

Cts.
29.9
26.3
22.2
17.4

Cts
134. 3
27.?
23.?
18.5

Cts.
>60. 9 1 60.5
45.6 46.5
31.2 31.9
23.4 22.5
14.0
40. 7
46. 7
57.4

Cts
lfìO 5
46. o
31.2
22.6

13 fi
38.5
45.7

56.9

42.1 41 8
43.9 43.6
37.2 36.8
14.4 14.9

11.2 10.6 10.4
11.C 11.2 11.3
12.6
55.8 49.1 52.8 38.9 58.1 56.8 60.9 36.4 56.5
30.5 28.5 26.5 ........ 30.4 28.4 28.6
31.6

12. 7 12.7
53.1 54.9
30.4 30.0

39.3
24.0
24.7
60.7

38.5 38.5
20.0 19.3
26.7 26.9
87.9 88.9

37.5
21.8
23.7
63.9

37.6 22.7 37.9 38.8 39.0 23.6
20.8 16.0 22.9 21.1 20.6 15.3
23.4
27.0 27.4 27.2
64.6 45.3 70.5 60.1 66.5 55.8

38.9
21.7
27.6
95.7 .

45.7 47.3 47.3 37.5 53.0 44.0 44.0 36.0 42.7 45.7 45.8 33.5 46.9 46.6 44.9 36.0 49.2 50.9 50.0
8.3 8.1 8.1 6. 4 8.6 9.5 9.5 5.6 8.4 8.3 8.3 5.6 8.7 8.5 8.4 6.3 9.3
9.2 9.2
6.2 5. 5 5. 5 3.3 5.9 5.6 5.5 2.6 5.3 4.5 4.5 3.1 5.9 5.6 5.5 3.3 6.2
6.1 6.0
3.8 3. 6 3. ( 3.5 4.7 4.2 4.2 2.5 4.4 4.2 4.1 2.8 5.8 5 .9 5.8 3.6 7.6
6.6 6 .7
9.5 9.3 9.3
9.9 10.1 10.2
8.7 8.0 8.1
9. 5 9.4 9.4
9 6
9 4 Q4
10.8 10.9 10.9 ____ 11.0 11.3 11.4
12.0 11.1 11.0
10.6 10.6 10.6
11.7 11.3 11.3
24.6 24. 7 25. 2 ____ 27.2 27.6 27.6
25.5 24.7 24.5
25.5 26.0 26.0
26.2 25. 6 25.3
23. 7 20.3 20.4 —
21.6 21.4 21.4 ........ 19.2 19.8 19.8 ........ 21.7 21.9 21.9 —
24.3 23.8 23.7
12.5 13.3 12.7 9.3 12.5 12.4 12.5 8.6 11.6 10.5 10.1 8.4 11.9 12.6 12.8 10.0 11.7 11.7 11.5
8.6 8. 3 8.3 ____ 11.7 10.7 10.8
10.4 9.7 9.6
9.0 8.5 8.5
10.4 10.1 10.2
5.2 4.0 3.9 2.4 5.8 5.2 5.1 1.6 4.5 3.7 3.7 1.5 4.5 3.3 3.3 1.8 5.2
4.0 3.9
0.4 4.9 5.1
7.0 6.8 6.5 —
4.8 3.6 3.5 ........ 5.3 4.6 4.5
5.9
4.9 5.1
4.7 4.1 4.3
5.5 5.7 5.4
3.4 2.4 3.0
3.8 3.7 4.1
5.1
3.9 4.4
13.1 12.0 12.0 ____ 14.3 13.5 13.4
13.6 11.2 11.2
11.8 11.6 11.6
12.3 12.2 12.2
15.5 14.4 14.4 ____ 18.0 18.0 17.9
15.9 14.7 14.3
16.4 16.2 16.2
17.2 17.1 17.1
15.8 15.1 15.1 —
21.2 21.7 21.7 —
16.5 15.6 15.5 —
17.2 16.7 17.0 —
18.5 18.5 18.5
14.1 12.2 12.5
13.2 12.5 12.5
14.1 12.5 12.5
13.4 12.5 12.6
12.5 12.1 12.1
7.1 7.4 7.7 5.6 7.4 7.7 8.1 5.2 6.8 7. 6 8.0 5.2 6.9 7.3 7.5 5.3 6.8
7.1 7.4
85.2 89.3 89.5 66.7 104.2 106.8 105.8 52.8 67.8 68.9 68.5 43.3 73.1 74.5 73.4 44.2 63.4 60.7 60.4
57.6 51.3 51.3 36.7 59.8 59.8 59.8 29.4 51.8 50.9 51.5 29.3 52.0 51.5 51.6 33.0 53.0 52.7 52.3
18.1 18.0 17.1
21.1 21.4 20.9
18.1 17.8 17.5
18.7 18.3 17.9
15.9 15.7 15.6
14.8 14.7 14. 6 ____ 16.7 16.1 16.5
14.7 14.5 14. 5
14.9 15.0 14.8
14.1 14.3 14.6
36. 5 38.9 39.4 ____ 38.8 36.3 33.8
n i.5 D1.9 -12.1 .
35.0 35.6 36.9
29.9 29.8 210.2
50. 5 52. 7 52.3
60.1 54.3 53.5 ........ 47.8 54.8 51.0
50.0 60.5 55.2
48.1 58.6 45.9

2 Per pound.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[377]

130

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW
T a ble 7 .—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C I P A L A R T I
Houston, Tex.
Article

Unit

Indianapolis, Ind.

Jacksonville, F la.

Dec. 15—
Dec. 15—
Dec. Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1925 1926 1926 1913
1926 1826
1925
1913 1925 1926 1926

Sirloin steak _________ _____ _ Pound _
Round steak _____
___ do______
R ib r o a st......................
__ do_-_
Chuck ro ast___ _____ _______ ____do_____

Cts.
30.8
30.0
23.8
19.2

Cts.
34.1
32. 7
27.1
20. 5

Cts.
34.9
33.1
27. 5
20.2

Cts.
25. 5
24. 2
17.8
16.3

Cts.
35. 5
30. 5
26. 8
20. 6

Cts.
37. 9
31. 8
29 1
20. 5

Cts.
36.7
32.0
9.7 5
20.3

Plate beef______ _______
Pork chops________ ____
Bacon, sliced______ _
H am , sliced_______________ _

____ do_____
____do ___ __
____ do_____
____do_____

15.6
34.6
49.5
51.3

17.3
38.6
51.5
57.1

17.9
36.4
51.1
56.8

12.5 14.9 15. 5 15.7 10. 6 11. 5
37.4 33.9 22. 5 36.0
20. 7
29.7 45.7 47.9 46.8 30.1 47 4
30.3 53. 5 58. 6 57.1 29.3 53.0

12. 8
39.1
50.0
59.0

12. 8
36.5
47.9
56.1

L am b, leg o L _______
Hens __ ____________ _____
Salmon, canned, red_______ .
M ilk, fresh____ '.......... .............I

.. ___do_____
____do__ .
____do____
Quart______

36.0
35. 8
35.0
17.3

35.0
36.1
33.1
15.8

35.0 19.0 41.7
35.6 20.8 34. 7
32.5
32.9
15.8 8.Ö 12.0

38 8
40.3
36.1
22.3

38 3
38 9
34.0
22.3

M ilk, evaporated
B u tter___ __ ____ . . .
Oleomargarine (all butter substitutes).
......... . .
Cheese______ . . . .
L a r d _____________
Vegetable lard substitute___
E ggs, strictly fresh..................

15-16 oz.can. 11.5 11.5 11.5
10.7 10.8 10.8
12.3 11.9 11.9
P o u n d .. . 57.6 55.2 58.1 38.3 57.0 57. 2 61.4 39.6 59.8
58.9
____do_____ 31.3 30.0 29.9
32.2 30.4 31.6
30.9 32.3 31.4
____do______
__do___
____do_____
Dozen...........

34.5
24.2
17.5
61.7

33.9
22.3
17.6
51.3

Cts.
36. 9
34.3
28.0
23.6

34.1 21.8 37.2
21. 5 14.6 19. 3
26.4
17.1
52.3 38.5 61.4

Cts.
38.4
37.0
29.0
24.3

40.0
38.2
34. 6
12.0

36.5
19.1
26.8
60.8

Cts.
38.3
36.6
29.1
24.3

Cts.
25. 5
21.0
21.3
14.1

40.0 20.6 38. 8
37.8 24.2 38. 5
34.1
38.8
12.0 12.3 22.0

37.2 22.5 35.3
18. 2 15.3 23. 8
27.1
24.5
60.5 50.0 72.2

35.2
22. 6
24.8
67.9

35.2
22. 6
23.1
65.4

E ggs, storage___
________ ____do_.......... 46.4 40.6 42.4 32.8 49.8 42.5 46.0 40.0 50.4 46.0 44.7
B read ____ _____________
Pound .
8. 9 8.8 8.8 5.1 8.1 8,1 8.1 6.1 11.0 11 o 11 0
__do __
Flour________
6.0 5.6 5.6 3.1 5.9 5. 5 5. 5 3. 7 6. 8 6. 9 6 6
Corn m eal__________________ ____do........... 4.7 4.1 4.2 2.6 4.4 4.2 4.2 2.8 4.2 4.1 4.2
Rolled oats_________________
Corn fla k e s.......... ...................
Wheat cereal__ _________
M acaroni.................... ..............

____do_____
9.1 8.9 9.0
8-oz. pkg__
11.8 11.4 11.6
28-ozrpkg_._ 25.7 25.6 25.4
P ound.......... 19.2 18.3 18.7

R ice_________ .
Beans, n av y ..
Potatoes_______
Onions.......... .................. ............

____do_____
9.8
____do_____ 10.2
____do
6.2
____do__........ 6.7

9.0
9.3
5.0
5.6

9.2 11.3 11.8 11. 5
8.8 8.2 8.5
1.7 4.9 4.0 3.8
6.1 4.9 5.0

Cabbage......... ......................
Beans, bak ed .............................
Corn, canned...................
Peas, canned................

____d o .......... 6.1 5.1 5.2
No. 2 can
12. 5 11.0 H .2
____do_..
16.3 15.0 14.1
____do_...„__ 15.8 14.0 14.0

4.4 3.9 4.4
11. 6 10.6 10.3
15. 9 14.4 14.4
16.7 14,8 14.4

9.5
9.4
5.0
5.4

8.1 8.3 8.3
10.1 10. 1 10. 2
25.1 25.1 25.1
20.6 19. 2 19.2

9. 6 9. 5 9. 5
11.2 11 4 11 1
24. 8 24. 9 24. 8
20.3 20. 2 19. 8
6.8 10 9 10 9 10 4
11. 0 9. 9 9. 8
6. 3 5. 0 5 0
8 1 7 3 6 9

2.5

6 5 5 4 5
11 5 11 4 M
19. 2 20. 0 18
19. 9 19. 8 18

3
0
8
6

Tom atoes, canned........
____do_.......... 10.8 11.3 11.5
14.2 11.7 12.7
11.0 11.2 i i . i
Sugar, g ran u la ted _____
P ound........ . 6.7 7.0 7.0 5.8 6.9 7.5 7.7 5.9 7.2 7.5 7.6
T e a ..............
_ do
74.2 82. 7 82.7 60 0 80 0 85 3 84 0 60 0 97 5 100 9 98 5
Coffee............................................ ____d o ........... 46.3 44.8 44.6 30.0 51.4 51.1 51.5 34.5 51.5 50.3 50.3
Prunes.......... ..................
__ do__
R aisins__________
__do _ _
B anan as_____ _____
Dozen_____
Oranges______________ _____ ____do____

16.8
14. 4
30.0
44.4

17.3
14. 2
28. 5
48. 2

15.7
14.1
29.2
50.2

20.0
15. 7
30.0
44.0

18 4
15. 6
31.4
51.3

19 6
15 4
31.4
43.6

18 4
16 5
29. 2
36.9

16 8
15 9
30.0
32.2

16 9
15 9
25.0
28.0

1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steakj


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[378]

RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD

131

C L E S OF FO O D I N 51 C I T I E S ON S P E C I F I E D D A T E S —Continued
K an sas City, Mo.
Dec. 15—

Nov. Dec.

Little Bock, Ark.
Dec. 15—

Nov. Dec.

Los Angeles, Calif.

Louisville, K y.

Manchester, N . H .

Dec. 15—

Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov Dec.
15, 15,
15,
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
24. 6
22.1
18. 1
15.6

Cts.
38.0
31. 2
26.3
19.4

Cts.
37.8
33. 2
27.1
19.5

Cts.
37.7
33.0
26.4
19.6

Cts.
25.0
20.0
20.0
16.3

Cts.
32.7
29. 1
26.5
19.1

Cts.
34.7
31.7
27.5
22.3

Cts. Cts.
35.2 23.1
31.9 21.3
27.0 19.4
21. 8 16.1

Cts.
35.7
29.3
28.5
19,2

Cts.
36.5
29. 7
29.7
19.9

Cts. Cts
36.5 23.0
30. 2 20.0
30.2 18.1
20.5 15.5

Cts.
32.5
28.2
24.4
18.6

Cts.
35.9
32.3
26.6
20.4

Cts.
35.4
31.5
26.8
20.3

12.2
19.6
30. 3
28.8

12.5
32.5
49.8
55.0

13.1
36.4
50.9
58.1

13.3
33.1
48.4
55.9

12.5
20.0
36.7
27.5

14.7
34.1
48.3
50.4

16.4
37.5
53.5
57.1

16.8 13.4
34.8 25.3
51. 7 33. 5
56.5 34.5

13.7
40.7
57.5
66.4

14.0
45.1
59.6
70.3

15.1
45.2
67.3
68.4

13.1
19.0
27.0
28.5

15.0
32.0
46.4
48.3

16.4
35.4
52. 2
55.8

16.8
15.7 15. 7
32.2 19.3 35.4 41.1
50.0 24.0 43.1 41. 6
54.2 27.5 45.3 47.0

18.7
16. 4
___
9.3

33.5
32.4
38.2
13.0

33.8
32.1
36.5
13.0

33.8
32.2
36.4
13.0

18.8
20.0
___
10.5

37.9
29.9
38.0
15.0

39.9
29.8
35.5
15.0

40.6 19.1 37.4 36.8 36.6 18.2
29.4 27.9 42.6 43.8 44.9 21.0
35.1
35. Ü 32.6 32.2
15.0 10.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 8.6

39.5
38.0
35.9
14.0

40.8
35.6
33.7
13.0

38. 8 20.0 37.3 38.0 36.9
3Ô.4 24.5 41.4 43.9 43.1
34.6
37.8 34.8 33.9
13.0 8.0 14.0 14.0 14.0

Cts. Cts. Cts.
>34.5 157 .9154.9 1 54.9
28.8 44.9 43. 6 43. 9
20. 8 28.1 26. 9 27.2
17.3 22.8 23.1 22.9
16.3
38.4
41.6
45.0

11.8 11.6 11.7
12.3 11.8 11.8
10.2 10.1 10.2
11.6 11. 7 11. 7
13. C 12.8 12.7
40.3 56.8 51. 6 56.5 45. Ö 58. 9 55.1 57. 5i39. 7 58.9 55.0 56.7 41.3 58.1 57.9 62.3 41.4 59.9
57.6
— 27. 9 27.5 27.0 — 29.4 30.1 30.2
33.7 30.7 30.7 — 32.8 30.4 27.3
27.5 25.8 25.5
22.0 36.9 35.7 37.9 23.3 38.5 37.6 37. 6:19. 5 39.7 39.1 39.5 22.5 37.2 36.6 37.5 22.3 38.0
36.4
16.4 22.3 20.3 19.9 16.5 24.4 23.3 22.7 18.1 24.3 22.8 22.4 15. S 21.6 19.3 18.6 15.8 21.4 20.0 19.8
___ 27. 8 27.8 27.0 ___ 22.5 23. 1 22.8
25.8 26.0 26. 0
28.2 30. 9 29.5
26.3 25.3 25.4
38.0 58.9 57.1 59.7 40. 0 57.5 55.4 57.0 53. 3 55.5 59.4 52.6 36.6 60.0 59.4 62.4 52.4 75.5 81.9 77.7
33.0 44.6 43.6 43.4
6.0 9.8 9.8 9.7 6. Ö
3.0 6. 1 5.4 5.3 3.6
2.8 5.5 4.7 4.7 2.8

48.5 44.3 48.3 38.3 46.1 48.5 44.5 33.3 48.7 40.0 50.0 37.0 49.5 48.4 50.0
8.8 9.5 9.5 6.0 9.3 8.5 8.5 5.7 9.3 9.3 9.3 5.9 8. 6 8.7 8.7
6.6 6.4 6.4 3.5 5.7 5.4 5.4 3.5 6. 8 6.2 6.2 3.4 6.3 5.9 5.7
4.1 4.1 4.0 'à. 0 5.4 5.4 5.4 2.4 4.0 3.8 3.8 3.4 5.3 5.3 5.3
10.5 10.6 10.6
10.0 10.2 10.2
8.8 8.4 8.4
8.8 9.0 8.9
12.3 11.9 11. 9
10.1 10.1 10.1
10.5 10. 7 10. 7
11.3 11. 1 11.1
24.6 26.0 25.8
24.8 25.1 25. 0
24.3 26. 0 26.2
25. 0 25. 7 25. 7
20.6 20.2 20.8 . . . . 17.4 18.1 18.2
18.4 18.5 18.1 —
24.5 23.8 23.8
10.0 9.5 9.5 7.7 11.0 11.7 10.8 9.0 11.6 11. 2 11.0
11.3 10.3 9.8
9.9 9.3 9.2
9.5 9.2 9.1
8.4 8.0 8.0
9.4 9. 1 9.0
5.8 4.7 4.7 1.9 5.2 4.3 4.4 2.0 5.1 3. 7 3.9 1.6 4. 7 3.6 3.6
7.0 5.9 5.4 . . . . 5.8 4.7 4.8 . . . . 5.4 5.6 5.2
4.9 4. 6 4.6

12.2 10.9 10.5
13.5 12.7 12.2
7.0 7.5 7.6 5.3 6.9 7.5 7.6
78.5 89.4 89.4 47.5 62.2 64. 2 62. 9
50.0 50.8 50.1 32.0 52.5 52.9 52.6

17.5 17.5 16.8
17.7 18.1
___ 15.5 15.2 14.1 ___ 15.8 16.0
___ 210.7 3 11.3 3 11.2
3 9.4 3 10.0
— 51.1 55.3 53.7 — 48. 7 51.6

16.4
14.2
38.0
45.4

17.1
15.7
3 9.5
45.3 . . . .

15. 7 16.3
12.3 13.1
3 10.6 310.3
45.3 48.5

2 No. 2J^ can,


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

15.3
12. 9
210.4
44.6 . . . .

00
00

9.2 9.1 9.1
___ 12.4 11.2 11.1 ___
26.7 26.4 26. 0 ___
— - 21.1 20.3 20.1 — 8.7 10.8 10.4 9.5 8.3
___ 9.8 9.1 9.0 ___
1. 9 5.0 3.9 3,8 2.2
— - 6.6 5.4 5.3 — ___ 5.3 3.7 3.9
5.8 4.5 4.8
4.9 4.0 3.8
___ 13. o 12.5 12. 5 ___ 12.0 11.2 11.5
11.6 11.7 11.7
___ 15.6 14.4 15.0 ___ 18.2 16.5 16.5
16.6 16.0 16.2
— - 16.0 14.9 14.9 — - 19.1 17.5 17.5 . . . . 18.4 17.6 17.5 — .
12.9 11.7 11.6
12. 7 11.8 11.3
2 15.9 2 15.3 2 15.4
5.5 7.0 7.3 7.5 5.3 7.7 7. 7 7.9 5.3 6.5 6.9 7.1 5.3
54. 0 79. 7 86.5 83.3 50.0 101.9 107.1 106. 6 54. 5 75.9 75.6 76.0 65.0
27.8 53.5 53.3 53. 2:30. 8 55.5 54. 5 55.3j36.3 54.3 53.6 53.4 27. 5

5.1 4.1 4.7
3.4 3 .9 4.0
11.0 9.8 9.9
14.3 13.6 13. 9
17.8 15,0 15.1
18.2 17.3 17.2
17.3 16.2 16.0 ........ 19.6 19.1 18.9

15.5
14.8
35.0
45.4

3 per pound.

[379]

15.5
14.4
32. 5
39.5 —

15.8
14.4
3 8. 5
49.5

15.4
14.0
3 9. 6
58.4

15.2
13. 9
3 9. 6
49.6

132

M O N T H L Y LABO E R EV IEW
T a b l e 7 .—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C I P A L A R T I
M em p h is, T en n .

M ilw a u k ee, W is.

M inn eap olis, M in n .

Article

U n it

D ec. 15—

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

Sirloin steak . . . ................
R oun d steak ...........................
R ib roast................................
C huck roast .............. ............

P o u n d ___
___do...........
. .- d o ______
_ -.d o ______

24.0
20.0
21.0
15.0

34.3
31. 0
25. 8
18.8

30.3
33.3
26.5
20.2

35. 9
32.7
25. 9
19.4

23.4
21.6
18.8
16.4

36.7
32.7
26.6
22.8

38.2
33. 7
27.8
24.3

37.8
33.2
28.0
24. 5

19.3
18.0
18.7
14.7

30.2
26.7
23.8
18.3

30.8
27.7
24.8
20.0

31.1
27.9
24. 4
24.4

P la te b eef.............................. Pork c h o p s ............................
Bacon, sliced.......... ................
H a m , sliced _____ ;________

-__do............
___do______
_ _ -d o ..........
- - .d o ............

12.5
20.0
30.0
29.0

14.5
31.7
43. 3
50.4

15.6
35.4
44.3
57.5

15.2
33.2
42. 7
55.0

12.1
17.4
27.4
27.8

13.9
31.9
46.8
49.2

14.6
35.5
51.2
53.3

14.5
33.0
48.8
51.3

10.0
17.2
26. 7
28.3

10.8
32.5
49.3
50.3

12.3
34.3
50.2
52.9

12.4
32.4
48.8
52.5

L am b , leg of..... ..................... ___do............ 20.6 38.1
H e n s_____________________ __-do______ 19.6 33.4
Salm on, canned, r e d . ___ __ do ___
32 9
M ilk , fresh.............................. Q uart......... 10.0 15.3

38.8
32.2
34. 3
15.0

37.9 18. 5
31.0 17.2
34 3
15.0 7.0

38.4
32.4
31 6
10.0

30.9
30.8
34 2
11.0

36.5 14.6 34.6 34.1
32.1 16.4 32.3 30. 7
36. 7 38 6
33 6
11.0 8 .0 12.0 11.0

34.4
32.9
39. 0
11.0

D ec. 15—
D ec. 15—
N ov. D ec.
N o v . D ec.
N o v . D ec.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1926
1926
1926
1926 1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925
1913 1925

M ilk , evap orated . .............
B u tter _____ ____________
Oleomargarine (all b utter
su b stitu tes).
C h e e s e __________________
Lard
_______________
V egetabie 1ard s u b s titu te . E ggs, stric tly fresh...............

15-18 oz.can
12.0 11.7 11.4
11. G 11.2 11.2
11.3 11.0 11.0
P o u n d ___ 38.8 56.1 53.5 56.8 38.8 55.1 55.7 60.1 36,0 54.9 54.8 60.0
__.do______
28. 5 27.7 25.8
26.4 26.4 27.4
29.5 27.5 27.2
_do______ 22 0 34 4 33 7
_ _ d o _____ 15 0 19 6 Ì8 1
,._ _ d o _____
24.0 21.8
D ozen ........ 39.5 67.6 51.4

E ggs, storage..........................
B read_____ ______________
H o u r ......... ...............................
C o m m ea l_______...............

. . . d o ______ 30.0 45.3 42.7 43.3 33.0 43.6 42.6 43.1 31.6 42.4 42.2 39.6
P o u n d ___
6.0 9.7 9.6 9.5 5.7 9.0 9.0 9.0 5.6 9.9 8.9 8 .9
___do______ 3. 5 6.8 6.2 6.1 3.0 5.4 5.2 5.2 2 .8 5.7 5.4 5.4
—.d o ............ 2.5 3.9 3.9 3.7 3.2 5.4 5.5 5.7 2.5 5.5 5.2 5.2

R o lled oats_______________
Corn flakes_______________
W h eat cereal_____________
M acaroni ______ _

. . . d o ______
8-oz. p k g.
28-oz. p k g.
P o u n d .. I .

33 8 22 3 35 1 35 3
17 6 16 0 22 5 20 8
21.2
26.8 26.9
52.2 40.0 62.7 65.9

9.5 9.1 9.1
11.1 10.9 10.9
25. { 25. 5 25.1
19. 6 19. 3 19. 2

35 4 21J5 36. 5 35 2 35.4
20 4 15 4 21.7 19 8 18. 9
27.4 27.4 27.4
26.7
63.3 39.1 53.1 53.3 54.8

8 7 8 4 8 5
10.5 10.2 10.2
24 4 24 6 24 6
18.6 17.8 18.0

8.3 8 4 8 .2
11.0 10.8 10.8
25. 8 25 3 25. 3
19 0 18 9 18.9

9 4
9.4
4.5
5 1

9.0 11 7 11 5 11^3
9 .0 8 .4 a 5
1.7 4.2 3.5 3.5
4 9 4 7 4 6

8 .6 11 8 11 5 11 0
9.4 9.1 9.5
1.6 4.5 3.2 3 .2
5.4 4 8 5 0

C abbage ___________ _____
d o _____
B eans, b ak ed _____________ N o . 2 c a n .
Corn, canned ___________ ___do_
Peas, canned........................... __ d o ______

4.6 3. 6 3 9
12.1 11.6 11.6
16. 6 15. 3 15.6
18.4 17.0 16.9

4 5 3 4 4 0
11.2 11.3 11.1
16 7 15. 6 15. 5
16 7 16 2 16J5

4 6 3 2 3 7
13.2 12.4 12.4
15.9 14.1 14.3
15. 9 14. 3 14. 7

T om atoes, can n ed ................ -__do_____

11.8
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound___ 5.3 6.9
T e a ........................................ . .. d o _____ 63.8 94. 5
C o ffe e -.................................. —.d o ........... 27.5 51.1

10.4
7.0
99. C
60.1

10.4
14 8 13 5 13.7
13 9 13.4 13.4
7.1 5.5 6.2 6.9 6.9 5.0 6. 5 7.2 7.3
99. C 50.0 71.7 70.8 71.0 45.0 61.8 61.1 60. 6
49.6 27.5 47.4 46.8 46.8 30.8 54.2 53.7 53.9

Prunes__________________
R aisin s_________________
B anan as________________
Oranges..................................

16.6
15.0
31.3
46.5

15.9
14 6
31. 3
37.3

__
do
R ice
_________ . . . . ____
B eans, n a v y ______________ _--d o ______
P o tatoes________ ________ __ d o _____
O nions____ . . . . . __________ __ d o ______

8 1 10 3
9.6
2.5 5.5
5.2

... d o ...........
__do_____
Dozen
. .. d o ........... !.. . .

1

17. 6
15. 2
32.0
50.4

9 7
9.4
4.6
4. 9

1 Whole.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[380]

17 6
14 5
29 6
46. 6

16 4
14 8
29 6
55.8

16 5
14 6
29 9
52.9

16 7 10 9 16 8
14 5 14 3 14 4
211 0 211. 9 211.8
50.1 58.5 57.6

R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FOOD

133

C L E S OF FO O D IN 51 C I T I E S ON S P E C I F I E D D A T E S —Continued
Mobile, Ala.

Newark, N . J.

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

2 /.
26. 5
21. (
17.3

45. 7
42. 7
35. 6
25.2

44. 5
42.5
35. 2
24.9

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

53.5
43.7
35.9
26.8

21. £ 33.

35. f 34.9 25. !
19. 29. C 31.1 31.0 25.3
18. £ 28.4 30.4 29.6 21. 3
15.4 20.2 21.5 20.9 15.8

45
43
38 o
25.3

44 1
43 i
28 6
24.:

15.2
34.9
50.2
56.9

15.8
39. 5
51. 1
62.9

15.5
38. 2
49. 7
62.9

12. C
24. C
30.4
27. (

20. 6
39 2
49 7
58.8

20 4
42 6
50 r
62.3

41.5
50.1
61.3

37.3 18.7 40.4 38.8 38.8 20.5 39.1 39.0 38.6 15.4 37 4
38.3 23.3 42.1 42.2 42.0 22.0 36.7 36.5 37.3 20.7 38 8
32.4 ___ 34.6 33.5 32.8
38.3 38.7 37.4
35. 8
15.0 9.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 9.8 14.0 14.0 14.0 9.0 15.0

26 5
40 2
33 2
15.0

26 Q
4o! 3
31.9
15.0

17.3 12.4
39. 1 21. C
51. 2 25.3
54.3 *19.8

13.9
35. 8
44. 5
53.8

12.8 13.0
38.5 37.2 19. f
47.8 48.4 28. ?
56.9 56.2 30.8

40.6
30.1
38. 2
17.8

40.0
36. 8
34. 5
17. 8

40.7 20.0
36. 8 23.4
34.0 —
17.8 9.0

38.7
38. 0
35.3
15.0

38.1
38. 0
33.3
15.0

47.0 48.1 48.2 35.6 47.5
9. 6 9. 7 9. 8 5. 5 9.3
C. 6 6 . 4 6.4 3.6 5.9
4. 2 3.9 4.0 3.6 6.6
8.6

__

11.3 11. 1 11.1 —
24. 8 25. 0 25. 4 —
20.6 20. 6 20.9 ........

8.5
10.1

24.0
21.1

11.1 10.7 10.4
9. 5 8,8 8.9
6. 2 5.1 5.0

5. o

5.1

9.0 10.9
10.3
2.5 5.5
5.1 ........ 5.7

4.6 4.9 __
11.0 10. 6 10.9 —
16.9 17. 3 17.5 —
16.5 16.0 16.6 —
5; 3

5.0
11.5
17. 3
17.2

C ts .

54. (
43.7
35. 5
26.8

30.
28.
22.
18.

17.5
41. 4
51. 5
54. 2

11.7 11.8 11.8
11.2
59. 7 56. 8 60. 2 43.7 61.3
30.5 30. 8 30.9 ........ 30.9
37.3 37.9 37.5 24.8 39.8
22.1 20. 8 20.3 16. 3 22.8
21. 3 20. 6 20. 0
26. 3
63.6 61.3 64.6 57.2 77.4

C ts .

55. C
44.
36. (
26.9

44. 5
42.7
35.4
24.8

16.1
37. 9
45. 6
50. 4

8.6

New York, N . Y.

Dec. 15—
Dec. 15—
Dec . 15—
Nov Dec
Nov Dec
Nov Dec
Nov. Dee.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 j 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926

32.9 34. 5 34. 5
31. 33. f 33. 6
27. 7 28. 6 28. 2
20.8 23. 2 22.3

8.6

New Orleans L a.

Dec . 15—

Dec Nov Dec
15, 15, 15,
1925 1926 1926

C ts .

New Haven, Conn.

11.1 11.2

12.2 12.1 12.1

C ts .

17.8
36.3
45. C
50.8

11.1

C ts .

18.1
36. 9
50. 4
53.7

C ts .

18.2
36.9
51. 4
54.0

14.5
18. 4
25. 5
29.0

11.0 11.1

44.1
43.0
38.8
24.6
20.2

11 1

11.1
58.0 63.6 37.3 58.6 54. 7 57.7 39.8 59.0 54.9 58.5 4L 1 60. 5 58 8 63
3
30.4 30.5 ........ 33.2 31.7 31.7 —
32.3 30.7 29.9
30.5 30.1 3L3
39.4 39.8 23.5 38.8 38.4 38.3 21.9 35.8 36.1 36.7 20. 2 38 0 27 9 27 7
21.9 20.8 15. 6 22.8 20.9 20.4 15.0 22.0 20. 5 20.1 16.1 23 3 21 3 90 5
25.9 25.8
25.7 26.0 26.0
22. 4 20. 3 19.7
25.8 26.3 26! 2
76.7 73.8 56.4 88.1 86.5 89.1 '§¡."0 57. Ì 52. 5 50.1 ’ 5L3 75.3 82.0 76.8
48.0 48.1 34.2 49.3 52.3 52.2 30.0 43.5 42.0 41.5 36.7 48.6 48. 2 48 0
9.5 9.6 6.0 8.9 9.2 9.2 5.0 8.9 8.8 8.8 6.1 9. 6
9. 6 9 6
5.6 5.5 3. 1 6.0 5.8 5.7 3.7 7.4 7. G 7.0 3.2 6. 1
5 7 5 4
6.6 6.7 3.2 6.7 6.7 6.7 2.7 4.3 4.0 4.0 3.4 6.6
6.5 6.5
8.4 8.5
9.2 9.3 9.3
9.0 9.0 9.0
8 7
8 6 8 6
10.0 10.0
10.9 10.8 10.8
10.5 10.3 30.3
10. 0 10 0 10 0
24.3 24.3
24.9 24. 7 24.9
24.6 24.4 24.6
23. 7 24 0 24 1
21.0 21.0 ..... 23.0 22.3 22.4 .....
9.5 10.0 10.0 ........ 21.2 21.1 21.1
10.9 10.9 9.3 11.9 11.6 11.6 7.5 10.2 9.5 9.9 8.0 10.6 10. 4 10 1
9.8 9. 5
9.9 9.6 9.7
9.0 8.4 8.5
11.1 10. 3 10. 2
4.6 4.4 1.7 5.2 4.0 3.9 2.2 6.0 4.7 4.7 2.4 5.8
4.4 4.3
4.7 5.0 ..... 6.2 5.4 5.5 —
5.1 4.1 4.3
6.2
4.5 5.0
4.0 4.1
4.9 4.3 4.5
4.8 4.1 4.1
4. 2
3 9 4 2
10.5 10.6 __ 11.6 11.1 11.2
11.4 10.9 10.7
11. 5 10. 7 10. 6
16.0 16.4 __ 18. 9 19.1 18.9
15.3 15.1 15.4
15. 3 14. 7 14J5
17.1 17.0 ..... 20.4 20.3 20.3 —
17.2 17.4 17.5 ........ 15.8 15.5 15.3

11.8 10.6 10.8 __ 11.2 11.3 11.3
12.8 12.5 12.6
11.6 11.5 11.8
6 . 8 7. 2 7.4 5. 3 6.1 6.8 6.6 5.5 6.5 7.0 7.2 5.1 6.1 6 . 7 6 . 9 4. 9
80.2 80. 5 80.7 53.8 62.4 63.2 62.9 55.0 58.5 60.0 60.4 62.1 81.6 83.1 82. 6 43.3
50.0 50.3 50.1 29.3 49.5 50.2 49.1 33.8 53.3 51.9 52.2 25.0 37.7 35.6 35.5 27.2
17.0 16.7 15.4 __ 15.8 15.0 14.8
17.2 16.3 15.9
17.9 17.6 17.8
14. / 14. 1 14.4 ____ 13.8 14.7 14.8
13.8 14.1 14.0
13.9 14.3 14.2
24. 3 22. 5 23.0 ____ 37.2 37.5 38.1 __ 34.2 33.8 34.5
17.9 18.6 14.6
38.9 38.0 38.7 —
56.6 62.5 50.7 ........ 52.1 58.3 53.2
........ 42.5 49.0 40.0 — 1

2 Per pound.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

11 2

C ts .

[381]

5. 8
63.9
47.7

11.2

10. 7 10.8
6 4 6 5
65. 9 65^7
47.4 47.4

15. 8
14.3
38.6
57.9

14. 5 14 6
14. 5 14. 3
40. 3 40. 3
68.1 58.5

134

M O N T H L Y L A B O E B E V IE W
T a b l e 7 .—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C I P A L A R T I
Norfolk, Va.
Article

Unit

Peoria, III.

Omaha Nebr.

Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec.
Dec. Nov. Dec.
15.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15, 15, 15,
1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926

Sirloin steak______ ____ __ , P oun d _____
Round steak _ ___________ ___ -do_____
do__
R ib roast
_____
Chuck roast_______________ ...... .d o _____

Cts.
40.3
33.9
31.2
21.9

Cts.
41.0
34.5
32.0
23.5

Cts.
40.6
33.8
31.6
22.7

Cts. Cts. Cis. Cts. Cts. Cts.
26.0 36.9 37.5 37.1 32.7 34.6
22.4 33.1 34.8 34.5 31.5 33.8
20.0 26.6 26.2 26.3 23.2 25.0
16.6 21.2 22.0 22.0 19.7 21.5

Cis.
34.8
34.1
25.1
22.2

___-do_____
Plate beef---------- --------.d o .
Pork chops , _
___
___ _do_____
Bacon, sliced_________
.do. ___
H am , sliced _____________

16.2
35.0
45.7
44.8

15. 5
37.2
49.9
50.5

16.3
34.8
48.0
49.5

11.2
19.7
28.0
30.0

12.2
34.5
52.1
55.0

12.6
37.5
54.8
61. 6

12.8
36.2
53.0
58.7

13.2
32.5
49.3
51.5

14.6
36.2
51.3
56.4

15.0
34.7
50.4
56.8

L am b, leg of. ___ _______
Hens.
. . _______
Salmon, canned, red _____
M ilk, fresh............................ _

____d o _____
___-do_
_ ...d o _____
Q u art...........

40.3
36.8
35.3
17.5

40.5
38. 3
35.4
17. 5

38.6
37.1
34. 0
17,5

16.3
15. 6

36.3
29.6
38.1
12.1

36.8
31.1
36.4
11.3

36.2
31.2
36.0
11.3

36.1
31.2
37.1
11.7

40.0
33.4
35.8
12.0

40.0
33.3
35. 6
12.0

M ilk, evaporated .
___
___ . . .
B u tte r________
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
C h e e s e ____________
Lard
_______
Vegetable lard substitute.Eggs, strictly fresh________

15-16 oz. can.. 11.4 11.1 11.2
P oun d.._ __ 59.7 57.4 59. 6
___ -do_____ 27.8 27.2 27.2

11.8
55.0
31.4

11.8
52.1
29.9

11.6
53.8
28.0

11.6
54.3
31.2

11,5
52.5
29.4

11.4
57.8
29.4

36.8
23.2
28.1
50.1

36.3
23.4
27.3
52.1

35.4
22.8
27.3
63.9

36.3
22.1
27.0
54.6

37. 0
20.4
27.1
64.7

„_do _
___ d o __
_do_
Dozen_____

37.2
23.5
17.6

34.7
19.1
21.9
64.7

36.0

39.3
25.2
27.9
54.3

Eggs, storage.-......................... __ _do_____ 47.8 48.7 48.0
Bread.
__________ P ound. _
9. 5 9. S 9.9
_do
Flour.
. . . ______ _ .
6.1 5.8 5.8
Corn meal_.__________ ___ ._ ____d o _____
4.7 4.6 4.5

31.7
5.2
2.8
2.5

44.4
9.8
5,4
5.0

43.4
10.2
4.8
4.9

43.2
10. 2
4.7
4.9

45.8 46.5
10. C 10.1
5.6
5.9
4.9
4.8

45.4
10.1
5.6
5.0

8.5

10.5
12.4
28.1
21.3

10.3
12.4
28,0
21.0

10.4
12.8
28. e
21.2

8.9
12.0
25.1
20.8

9.1
11.9
25.6
19.9

9.1
11.9
25.2
19.4

11.4
10.3
5.2
5.6

11.4
9.6
4.0
5.1

11.4
■ 9.9
4.0
5.3

11.3
8.9
4.9
6.3

11.5
8.8
3.8
5.8

11.7
9.0
3.8
5.8

4.9
14.8
16.8
17.0

3.7
13.9
15.6
16.1

4.3
13.7
15. 6
16.1

4.9
12.1
15.7
18.2

3.3
12.1
15. 8
18.1

3.7
11.7
16.2
18.1

14.9
6.9
77.6
58. 8

13.4
7.3
78. 8
55.9

13.6
7.6
78.8
55.0

14.7
7.4
65.1
51.9

13.5
7.7
69.5
51.8

13.3
7.7
70.1
51.3

Rolled o a ts .._ . . . ________
Corn flakes_______________
Wheat cereal
__ ....
M acaroni. _
_ _______

34.4
21.3
21. 7
68.3

34.8
20.2
22. 8
65.5

8.7

__ ..d o __
8.5 8.7 8.7
8-oz. pkg_. . 10.3 10.5 10.3
28-oz. pkg . 23.9 24.2 23. S
P oun d_____ 19.3 19.1 19.0

Rice__
___ _____
_do_ __ 11.5 12. 6 12.3
Beans, navv ____________ __--do_
8. 9 8.4 8.6
Potatoes. . . . _ _______
___ _do____
5.8 4.4 4.6
Onions..
6.4 5.6 6.0
__ _ . . . ______ __ .d o .

2.0

Cabbage
_ _ __ __
-do
4.6 4. 6 4.7
Beans, baked _ _________ _ No. 2 can __ 10.1 9.8 9.8
do
Corn, canned
.
_______
16.0 15. 8 15.4
Peas, canned. ____________ ___do_
20.8 19.9 19.8
Tomatoes, canned_____ . . . _ ___do_____
Sugar, granulated_________ Pound __
T ea _____________________ ___-do.
Coffee____________________ __ _do__ __

11.2 10.0 9.9
6. 2 6.7 7.0
91. 4 89.4 89.4
50.2 52.5 51.3

P ru nes.__ _ _____ . . . . . . _ _ _do_
R aisin s____ _______ ______
do
Bananas. ____________ ___ D o z en .. .
Oranges...................................... ____do_

17.0
13.8
33.8
49.4

16.4
14.8
33.3
51.5

15.0
14.5
33.3
43.9

5.7
56.0
30.0

17.4 17.1 16.4 19.9 19.2 18.6
15.6 15.6 15.3 14.6 15.3 15,1
* 11.5 4 11. 5 * 11. 7 i 9. 6 « 10. 2 i 10. 7
46,8 49.8 55.1 51.8 54.3 52. 1

1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other cities
included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

R E T A IL P R IC E S

135

O F FOOD

C L E S O F F O O D IN 51 C I T I E S ON S P E C I F I E D D A T E S —Continued
Philadelphia, Pa.

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Portland, Me.

Portland, Oreg.

Providence, It. I.

Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov Dec. Dec 15— Nov Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1926 1926
1913i 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
D ec. 15-

C ts . \ C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

130.0 153. 5 154.8 '54. 4 27.0 46.1
26.0 40.i 41.4 41.2 22.8 37. f
21.
36.3 21.8 33.5
17.8 23.2 25.7 26.0 16.7 24.0

11. Si 12.6 12.8

C ts .

46. 1
39.4
34.0
25.4

C ts .

C ts .

45. S
38.8
34.1
25.0

159.7
45.3
29.0
20.7

C ts .

C ts .

>60.5
47.2
29.7
21.6

>60.1
46. C
29.7
21.6

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

21.8
21. C
18.7
16.0

27.8
25. 2
24.1
17.1

29.4
26. 5
24.4
18.6

29.4
26.1
24.6
18.6

13.0
21.4
30.5
30.8

12.2
36.2
52. 1
52.5

13.4
39.5
58.3
60.0

C ts .

C ts .

139.2
31.0
23.8
18.8

C ts .

C ts .

C is.

172.2 170.0 1 70. 2
50. 5 49. 3 49.4
39.3 37.8 38.3
29.1 28.7 29.0

12.1
20.6
25.0 46.8:
29.1

12.7 12.1
20.8 36.4
47. 5 28.8 50.9
59.7 29.0 58,8

13.0
39.7
55.4
64.1

13.6
37.6
53.5
62.4

16.1
35.8
45.9
52.6

16.8
41.2
46.3
59.2

16,6
39.5
45. 5
57.9

13.5
19.4
38.1 19.0 38.4
55.0 22.8 47.5
57.4 32.7 56.5

17.7
42.9
46. 2
61.8

18.0
40.0
45. 9
60.4

40.5! 40.5
18.
22.6 39. 9j 41. 2
37.41 31.6
~ 8 .0 32.0 13.0

40.2 20. 7
40. 9 24.8
29.9
13.0 9.2

40.1
41.8
34.0
14.7

40.0
44.1
32.9
14.7

37.8
39.9
38.6
13.5

37.2
42.0
33. £
13.8

37.5 17.1 34.4 35.7 35.8 19.0 42.1
41.3 21. t 34.1 34.5 35.0 24.2 42.3
33.1
34.3 36.2 36.2
36.2
13.8 9.7 12,7 12.0 12.0 9.0 14.7

40.9
42.8
35.7
14.8

40.2
42.5
35.3
15.2

40.3
42.5
37.6
14.5

11.61 11.4 11.5
11.7 11.4 11.4 12.4 12.5 12.4
10.3 10.7 10.7
12.1
46.6 63. li 60.
65.3 42. Ö 59.6 59.9 64.0 59.3 56.1 58.9 41.5 58.2 53.1 55.8 38.8 57.7
3 2.8| 30.6 30.8
32.5 32.1 32.0 29.9 28.3 28.0 .......... 31.0 30.4 30.3 —
29.8

.....

25.0 41.2 39.0
15.2 22.1 20.5
25.7 25.
~48.~3 71.7 73.0
34.7
4.
3.1
2.
9.8

39.3 24.5
19. 2 15.6
25.1 _____
74.0 49.2

38.6
22.1
26.4
70.8

39.7
21.5
27.5
67.3

39.7
20.9
27.5
70.6

38.4
21.5
25.0
74.4

38.0
19. 7
25. 2
82.0

37.9 20.8 38.9 37.3 38.2 22.0
19.1 17.3 25.0 23.2 22.8 15.8
25.8
29.2 28.9 28.9
80.3 50.8 48.0 53.8 53.5 57.3

12.2 12.2
54.5 56.6
29.1 28.9

37.0
22.0
26.9
79.3

36.8 36.8
20.2 18.9
27.1 26.6
87.9 76.5

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9.3!
9. 5 5. 4 9.3 9.3 9.2 10.0 10. 1 9.9 5.5 9.6 9.5 9.5 6.1 9.2
5.8!
5. 4 3.2 5.8 5.4 5.3 6.1 5.6 5.6 2.9 5. 5 5.2 5.2 3.4 6.6
5.0:
4.7 3.0 5.5 6.0 5.9 5.2 5.1 5.1 3.6 5.7 5.5 5. 5 2.9 5.0

48.9 50.4
9.2 9.2
6.1
5.9
5.1 5.0

!
8 .7 8.7 8.5 9.2
10.0 10.1 10.1
24. 6[ 24.5 24.4 ____
21.2 20.8 20.8 .....
12.2 12.1 11.8

9.3 9.4 9.4 7.5 7.9 8.1 8.6
10.6 10.5 10.5 11.6 11.6 11.6 _
25.4 25.0 25.0 25.8 25.8 25.8 __
23.1 24.0 23.7 24.6 24.9 24.9 —

10.3
11.4
26.9
17.8

.10.3
11.4
26. 8
18.0

10.3 9.3 9.1
11.4
10.9
26.8
24.5
18.0 —
23.7

11.9 12.8 12.5 12.9 13.2 13.5
11.4 10.8 10.4
9.0 8.8 8.8 10.0 9.6 9.5
10.0 9.9 9.8
5.0 4.1 4.0 4.8 3.6 3. 6 1.2 3.7 2.4 2.6
6.1 5.4 5.4 5.4 4.6 4.6 .......... 4.4 3.3 3.7

9.2 9.2
10.8 10.8
25.5 25.4
23.3 23.7

11.5
10.3
5.0
5.5

12.1 11.8
9.7 9.9
3.7 3.7
4.7 5.0

4.3
11.8
18.1
19. 7

3.7 3.9
11.3 11.4
17.9 18.1
19. 7 19.5

11.3 11.9 12.1 ____ 13.4 12.5 12.5 223. 3 U2. 4 12. 5
a 16.8 a15.9 316.1
13. 7
5.0
6.7 5.5 7.0 7.2 7.4 6. 7 7.1 7.5 6. Ö 6.9 7.1 7.3 5.1 6.5
54.0 71.4 70.9 69. 4 58.0 82.1 85.1 85.1 61.2 61.9 61.9 55.0 76.1 76.9 76.6 48.3 61.3!
24.5 45.
45. 6 45.9 30. 0 51.1 51.4 51.3 54.2 53.8 53.7 35.0 53.2 52.2 51.9 30.0 54.3

13.3 13.4
6.9 7.1
60.5 60.8
53.8 53.6

2.3

9.5
6 .0
5 .4

9.0 ____
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4.8 —

9. 2
4. 6
4. 9

__

4.
4.2 4.6 „
10.9 10.6 10.5 ____
15.4
14.8 ____
15.6 15.8 15.3 ........

34.7

4.9 4.7 5.0 3.7 3.2 3.4
12.7 12.8 12.6 15.0 15.0 15.4
17.4 16.7 16.8 16.8 16.5 16.9
17.7 17.3 17.1 19.2 18.9 18.4 —

1. 7

3.0 3.0 3.6
14.6 13.4 12.8
19,7 18.5 18.1
19.4 18.3 19.0 —

6,2 6.7

14.5
13.4
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49.4

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57.1

14.4 __
13.6 ____
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45. 7 —
2 No. 3 can.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

18.5
14.6
39.4
48.8

17.8
14.8
39. 7
59.0

17.1
14.6
40.3
47.6

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[383]

14.1 9.6 10.1
13.5 13.9 13.5
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49.6 56.2 51.1 —
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17. 4 I
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49.6i

15. 6
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31.4
65.

15.2
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32.5
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136

M O N T H L Y LA B O E E E V IE W
T

a ble

7.—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T I

Richmond, Va.

Article

Unit

Plate beef_______
Pork chops______
Bacon, sliced____
H am , sliced...........
L am b, leg of-..............
H ens______________
Salmon, canned, red.
M ilk, fresh........ .........

P oun d.
___ do.
___ do.
-do_
.do .
-do.
-do.
_do.
_do_
-do.
___ do_____
Quart_____

Dec. 15—
Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1926
1926
1925
1926
1926
1913 1925
1913 1925 1926 1926
C ts

___ do___
P ound_

Rolled o a ts...
Com flakes...
Wheat cereal.
M acaroni___

. . . —do___
8-oz. pkg._
23-oz. p k g.
P oun d___

R ice...............
Beans, n avy .
Potatoes____
Onions_____

-do.
-do.
-do.
_do.

Cabbage____
Beans, baked.
Corn, canned.
Peas, canned.

_do_
No. 2 can.
____do___
____do___

Tom atoes, cannedSugar, granulated..
T e a....... ................

___ do..
Pound-do..

Coffee________ _

P ru n e s..
R aisin s. .
Bananas.
Oranges.

_do.

.do.

___ do.

___ do.
Dozen.

---- do.

C ts ,

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

C ts .

18.9 32. 1 32. 0 31. 5 29. 6 30. 5 30.0 19. 5 30.0 30.4 30.4
15.9 22.5 23.3 23.3 24.3 24. 5 24.8 15.9 20.6 21.4 21.7
13.2 16.0 16.3 16.1 13.6 14.0 14.0 12.8 14.2 15.6 16.0

20.8 37.0 41.1 37.9 39.1 41.7 39.2 17.8 32.4 35.6 33.0

25.0 43.8 48. 1 45. 3 43.5 45.8 44. 25.0 45.4 48.6 46.2
25. 0 44. 47.2 47.1 52.5 58.1 56. 3 27.3 50.2 58.6 53.9
19.3 45.0 44.
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36.4 34. 5
10.0 14.0 14.0

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34.4
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37.8
12. 5

36.8
40. 7
32.
12.5

36.
18.3 38.0 37.6 37.8
39.9 17.3 33.4 33.1 33.9
32.3,
38.2 35.7 35.5
12.5
13.0 13.0 13.0

12.4 12.4 11.6 11.6 11.9 .
10.7 10.4 10.3
60.1 62.9 58.6 55.1 57. 5 39.6 59.9 58.6 63.6
31. 31.9 32.3 31.2 30.1 .
28.5 27.2 27.6
36.3 36.6 38.5 36.0 36.3 20.7 36.0 35.8 36.3

20.6 19.5 21.7 19.5 19.2 12.7 17.9 17. 0 16.4

25. 5 25.4 23.6 24.4 24.5
58.6 60.
73.6 77.3 72.7 4ÖJ

26.5 25.8 25.7
55.7 58.8 57.6

33.2 48.3 45.0 45.6 48.6 49.0 47.4 28. ! 41. 43.0 41.7
5.3 9.3 9.5 9.3 8.9 9.0 9.0 5.6 9.9 9.8 9.8
3.2
5.8
5.
5.6 5.6 2.9 5.
5.4 5.3
4. 7 4.
2.3 4.
6.4 5.6 5.5
4. 5 4.3 4.3

6.0

6.0

2.6

9.2

8.9
9.4 9.1 9.2 .
11.1 11.0 10.9 10.3 10.3
25, 25.8 25.4 25.4 25.4 25.4 .
20.8
21.8 21
20.7.

10,6.

20.2 20.2

2.0

8.4

8.4

10. 2 10.0 10.0

24.4 24. 7 24.5
21.2 21, 0 20.9

12.7 13.0 12.7 11.0 11.0 10.2
10.5 10.7 10.7
10.0 9.3 9.3 9.
9.3 9.1 .
8.4
6.3 4.5 4.5 5.0 3.3 3.3 1.7 5.2 4.2 4.3
6.7 6.9 6.
4.
4. 7 4.Í
5.6 5.0 5.0

8.1 8.1

5.2 4.3 4.6 3.2 3.
3.0.
10.7 9.9 9.9 11.0 10. 10. '
16.1 15.3 15.4 16.9 16.9 16.8.
19. 20.1 20.0 18.9 18.1 18.4 .

4.3

3.5

3.8

11.1 10. 6 10.6

16.0 16.0 15.8
16.7 15.9 15.6

11.4 10.6 10.3 13.8 13.8 13.8
11. ' 11.3 11.5
5.4 6.7 7.0 7.1 6.
6.9 5. 1 6.7 7.1 7.4
56.0 89.1 89.2 88.9 67. 68.7 68. 7 55.0 72.6 74.0 73.8
26.8 49. 48. 48.7 49.5 47.7 47.7 24.4 48.6 48.1 48.2

6.8

18. 6
14.
36.2
48.6

17.2
14.4
37.3
54.6

1 No. 2Yz can.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

C ts .

22.2 39.3 39.9 40. 1 39.9 40.5 41.0 26. 6 36.6 38.0 36.7
35.1 33.6 33.9 34.5 23. 6 34.0 36. 7 35.2
20. 0 34.9 35.

M ilk, evaporated........ .............. 15-16 oz. can.
12.
B u tter_____________________ P oun d_____
62.6
Oleomargarine (all butter ___ do_____
31.7
substitutes).
Cheese____________________
. . . do.
22.3 36.4
L a r d _______________ _______
__.do_
15.4 22. 4
Vegetable lard substitute___
_do.
25.
E ggs, strictly fresh________ _ Dozen___
38.0 67.3
E ggs, storageB re ad _______
Flour_______
Corn m eal___

St. Louis, Mo.

Dec. 15—

C ts .

Sirloin steak..
Round steak.
R ib roast___
Chuck roast..

Rochester,
N . Y.

I
[384]

16.7
13.9
37.7
45.4

18.3
14.0
38.2
50.0

16.0
14.2
37.0
56.5

15.!
13. (
37.7
52.4 .

19.
14.
32. 7
47.4

18.6
14.8
31.8
52.0

17.9
14.5
32. 3
48.7

R E T A IL P R IC E S

137

OF FOOD

C L E S OF FO O D IN 51 C I T I E S ON S P E C I F I E D D A T E S —Continued
1

Salt Lake City,
Utah

St Pau’ , Minn.
Dec. 15—

Nov. Dec.

Dec. 15—

San Francisco, Calif. Savannah , Ga.

Scranton, Pa.

'
Nov. Dec.

Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
15.
1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926 1925 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
Cts.
25.0
20.8
19.6
16.0

Cts.
34.2
28.6
27.9
21.8

Cts.
34.4
30. 1
29.2
22. 9

Cts.
35.1
30.2
28.3
22.9

Cts.
22.6
20.0
19.0
14.5

Cts.
27.5
25. 1
20.9
16. 4

Cts.
30.8
27. 6
23.7
17.9

Cts.
30.4
27. 7
23. 9
18.5

Cts.
21.0
20.0
21.7
15.0

Cts.
31.7
28.6
30.0
20.0

Cts.
31.8
29. 5
29.5
19.2

Cts.
32.0
29.4
30.0
19. 1

Cts.
30.5
25.5
24. 5
10.0

Cts.
34.2
27.5
27.1
18.8

Cts.
33.6
26.8
27.3
18.2

Cts.
25.5
21. 5
22.8
17.6

Cts. Cts.
50.9 51.0
42.0 42.3
37.4 37.7
28.4 28.2

Cts.
50.5
42.5
37.6
28.1

10.3
17.4
26.0
27.0

12.2
32. 2
48.8
48.2

13.0
34.0
49. 1
51.6

13.3
32. 7
47.6
49. 7

12.5
23.4
29.0
30.0

12.0
36.5
47.0
50.8

12.9 13.2
40. 1 38.0
52. 1 50.8
60. 7 . 60. 0

15.0
24.2
34.4
34.0

15.5
43.2
63. 0
64.4

15.0
46.9
63.9
67. 9

15. 7
45.0
61.8
66.2

13.0
33.9
43.8
44.2

13.3
37. 1
46.8
50.0

13. 7
34. 5
46.9
48.8

11.3
20.8
25.8
27.7

13.0
40. 1
50.3
57. 5

12.6
43.6
52.7
62.7

13.3
42.7
52.1
60.6

34. 6 16.6 39.8 37.4 37.0
33.3 24.5 43.4 46. 1 45. 1
35. 1 32.4 31. 5
36.8
11.3 iö.o 14.0 14.0 14.0

39.0
33. 5
37. 4
17.5

39.0
34.2
36. 9
17.0

39.0 18. 7
35.7 21.8
35 6
17.0 8.8

46.1
43.8
35 6
12.0

44.7
44.3
35 1
12.0

44.3
43.9
34. 2
12.0

16.3 33.0 32.4
16.8 30.3 30.2
36.9 37.9
7.8 12.0 11.0

—

31.8 18.0 34.1 34.6
30,6 22.6 31.5 33.2
37.7
35.8 37. 4
11.0 8.7 11.5 11.5

12.1 11.7 11.7
10.4 10.1 10. 1 11.3 11.0 11.0
10.6 10.5 10.6
12.1
36. 9 52.9 52.3 57.3 40. Ö 55. 1 49. 0 52.4 38.6 62.0 55. 2 55.8 61. 2 55.9 59.2 37.8 58.4
29.5 27.5 26.4 —
30.8 29.7 29.2 . . . . . 32.3 30.8 30.8 36. 6 34.7 34.9 —
35.0

11.7 11.8
54. 1 56.4
30.3 29.2

21.0 35.5 35. 1
14.8 21. 7 20.5
28.2 27.4
37. 6 56.1 52. 6

35. 6
21.6
26.3
76.9

__

35.5 24.2 32. 1 30.2 30.2 21.0 39.2 38.7 38.9
19.8 19. 7 25.0 24.3 23.2 18.0 25.8 24.6 24. 5
27.6
29.6 29.7 29. 4
28.1 28.5 28.4
55.4 48.3 52. 6 54.2 50.1 53.3 53.2 59. 6 53.3

30.8 43.1 43.3 42.4 37.0 42.5
6.0 10.2 10.0 10.0 5.9 10.5
2.8 5.9 5.6 5. 5 2.4 4.9
2.5 5.4 5. 1 5.0 3.3 5.3
10.0 9.9 10.0
12.2 12.0 12.0
25.8 27. 0 26. 8
19.0 18.5 18.7 —

9.9
4.3
5.3

35.5
20.0
17. 7
63.3

35. 6 18.3 36.2
19.3 16. 5 24.0
27.1
16.6
62.9 52.5 78.3

41.7 48.4 48.8 44. 8 47. 8 46.0 46. 8 35. 3 51.8
5.9 9.9 9.8 9.8 10.2 10. 5 10. 5 5.5 10.3
3.4 6. 2 5.8 5. 9 7. 1 6. 7 6.7 3.6 6.3
3.5 5.8 6.3 6.3 3.8 3.5 3.6 — 7. 7

9.9
4.2
5.4

8.9 8.7 8.9
12.5 12.3 12.4
25.8 25.5 25.3
19.5 20.0 20.2

35.8
22.0
19.0
71.2

9.7 9.7 9.7 9.1 8.8 8.9
10.6 10.5 10.5 10.3 10.4 10.3
25.1 25.3 25.3 24.3 24.3 24.3
14.8 16.0 16.0 18. 1 18.5 18.3

35.9
21.2
26.8
72.7

49. 4 50.2
10.4 10.4
6.2 6.1
7.7 7.7

10.0
11.1
26.3
23.4

10.0 9.9
11.1 11.0
25.6 25.5
23.1 23.0

10. 0 8.9
10.4 10.2
4.7 4.6
6. 2 0. 2

8.5 11.4
12.2
Ï. 9 5.0
5. 9

11.7 11.7
10.9 11. 3
4.1 4.1
5. 4 5.4

5.3 4. S 4.8
14.1 13.3 13.4 12.0 12.5 12.3
18.7 18,3 18.3 16. 9 15.4 15.1
18. 8 18. 4 18. 4 16. 7 16. 4 16. 5

3. 8
11.4
17.5
IS* 3

3.4 3. 6
10.9 11.0
17.1 17.5
17. 2 17.1

14.6 14. 6 14.3
16.0 14.5 14.0
115.8 115.2 114.6 10.6 10.3 10.2
12.8
5. i 7. 1 7. 5 7.5 5.8 7.4 7.9 8.2 5.4 6.5 6.8 7.1 6.7 6.9 7.3 5.5 6. 7
45.0 72.5 08.7 68.7 65.7 84.7 87.1 87.7 50.0 68.4 69.3 69.3 78.3 81.0 81.3 52.5 66. 7
30.0 52.0 52.8 52.8 35.8 67.8 56.7 56.0 32.0 52.8 53.4 53.4 48.9 47.4 47.7 31.3 53.1

12.6 12.6
7.0 7.2
67.6 67.9
52.4 52.8

—

10.0 11.2 12.3 11.9
9.6 9.3 9.6
1.4 4. 1 3. 1 3.2
6.1 4. 0 4, 7

8.2 11.3 10.5 10.4
10. 2 9. 2 9. 1
1.4 3.2 2.6 2.6
2.8 2. 5 2. 7

4. 6 2. 7 3.7
13.8 13.9 13.9
15.3 15. 0 15. 0
16.4 15. 6 15. 6

2.8 2. 7 3.2
14.5 13.8 14.1
16.0 15.0 14.9
16.3 15. 8 16. 1

16.6 16.4 16.4
15.2 15.5 15.4
211. 5 212.0 212. 0
53.8 56.2 58.1 —

15.5 15.6 15.6
13.4 13.8 13.6
214. 6 314. 1 214.2
43.8 53.8 45.2

—

8.5 11. 5 11.5 11.9 10. G
9.8 9.6 9. 5 11. 0
Î. 9 5.1 3.8 3.9 6.5
4.0 3.6 4.0 6. 8

.....

14.3
13.1
34. 4
47.0

2 Per pound.

28261°—27---- 10

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[385]

14.1
13. 1
30. 0
51.1

14.0
12.8
30. 5
50.3

15. 5
13.5
33. 9
41.1

15.8
14. 7
33.0
39.7

—

14. 9
14.4
31.0
32.3 —

18. 3
14.3
34. 1
55. 1

17.9
14.8
33.0
62.3

16.9
14.7
33.0
56.3

138
T

a ble

M O N T H L Y L A B O E B E V IE W
7 .—A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R I C E OF T H E P R IN C I P A L A R T IC L E S OF FO O D I N
51 C I T I E S ON S P E C I F I E D D A T E S —Continued
Springfield, 111.

Seattle, Wash.
Article

Unit

Sirloin steak.. ________
Round steak- ________
__________
R ib roast
Chuck roast_________ ...

Pound . . .
__ __do___ _
____do_____
____do„_.____-

Washington, D . C.

Doc. 15—
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec.
15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1925 . 1926 1926 1913 1925 1926 1926
1926
1926
1913 1925
Dec 15—

Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
23.6 32.1 32.2 32.7 33.8 35.4 35.4
20.6 28.1 28.8 29,0 33.2 35,0 35.0
20.0 25.3 27. 0 27.2 23.2 23. 6 23.8
15. 6 18. .2 19.5 19.5 20.3 21.6 21.9

Cts.
26.5
22. 6
21.0
17.3

Cts.
44 0
37.9
33.3
23. 5

Cts.
46. 1
39. 6
34.7
24 9

Cts.
46.4
39.3
34,5
25.4

12.4
19.9
24.9
29.0

12.9
24.0
33.0
30. 0

14. 1
37.3
55.7
57. 5

14.7
41.3
59.6
63.9

14.7 13.8
39.5 :32.1
56.9 46. 9
61. .5 50.7

13.8
36.7
49.6
56.5

14.0
33.8
48. 1
55.4

13.4
39. 2
47.8
58.8

14 0
42. 1
49.9
60.0

141
39.8
48.6
60, 3

Lam b, leg of__________ ____do_____ 18.0
Hens _______________ ____do_____ 24.6
____do______
Salmon, canned, red
M ilk, fresh............... ........ Quart— - . . . 9.8

35.6
35.5
13.0

36.1
34.2
35.5
10.3

36.3
35.1
34.8
12.0

39.6
32.4
37.6
12.5

39.0
34.0
38.3
12.5

37.5 19.4 41.9
31.7 22.0 39. 4
37.9
38.3
14.4 9.0 15.0

39.7
39.7
32.3
15.0

4Ö.3
39,3
31.9
15.0

M ilk, evaporated
B u tte r__________ .
Oleomargarine (ail butter substitutes)
Cheese________ _______
Lard
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fresh_____

10. 7
58.0

10.7
53.3

10.7
56.4

11.9
57.6

11,8
56.5

12.0 12.0 12.1
11.8
61.5 42.3 61.5 68.7 63.7

do . _
__ __d0_____
do
____do_____
Dozen_____

54, 2

31.9
36. 7
24. 6
28.5
53.9

30. 9
35.0
23. 1
28.0
55.2

28.7
35.0
22. 2
28.2
51.8

32.3
36. 2
22.8
28.6
66.3

30.3
36.7
21.9
28.0
63.0

30.3
31. 0 31. 1 30.6
38.0 23.5 39. 4 39.1 40.2
20.8 15.0 21.4 20. 2 19.4
28.0
24 8 25.8 25.1
65. 8 .42. Ì 71.6 71.7 72.8

E ggs, storage... ______
Bread ________ ______
F lo u r___ _____________
Corn m e a l . . . . .................

____do______ .37.0
P oun d_____ 6.6
2.9
___ do ___
3.3
____do___ _

48.0
9.7
5.4
5.4

48.0
9.8
5.0
5.0

37.5
9.8
5.0
5.1

47.3
10. 1
6.1
5.3

47.0
10,1
5.9
5.1

48.3 35,0 49,0 49.7 49.3
10.1 5.5 8.1 8.9 8.9
6.9 3.8 6.5 6.3 6.3
4 9 2, 6 5.4 5.2 5.0

9. 1
12.0
26.5
18.3

9.0
11.6
27.7
18.4

9.0
11.4
27.6
18.4

10.2
11,9
26.8
19.8

10.1
11.8
27. 3
19> 3

10.1
11.8
27.3
19.3

9.3 9.2 9.2
10. 6 10.8 10.8
24 4 24.6 24.5
23i 8 23.8 28.9

12.7
10.7
4.4
4.6

12.3
9. S
2.9
3.6

12,2
9.8
2.9
3.8

10,9
9.1
5.4
.5,5

11.2
9. C
4.1
4.4

11.2
9.4
4.0
4.6

9.4 12.6 12.4 12.4
9. 3 8. 6 8,7
1.8
4.3 4 4
6.2 5.8 5.5

3.3
14.0
19. 1
20.5

3.6
12.9
18.4
20.3

4.0
12,9
18. i
20.1

5,5
11.4
16. 2
17.0

3.8
10,6
15.5
17.1

4.2
10.9
15.5
17.1

4 7 4.5 4 7
11.0 10.3 10.5
15.8 15. 7 15.7
16.9 16.6 16. 6

Plate beef_____________ __ __do_____
Pork chops________ . _ ____do_____
Bacon, slice d ... _______ ____do_____
H am , sliced__ _________ ____ do_____

15—16 oz. can
P oun d _____ .43.8
22.3
16.9

__ __do_____
Rolled oats_ ___
8-oz, p k g .
Corn flakes
Wheat c e r e a l.________ 28-oz. p k g--.
M acaroni_____________ Pound._____
R ic e .. ________ ____ _ ____do______
Beans, navy
do
Potatoes
________ . ____do___ _
___ do_____
Onions . .
Cabbage .. __ _______ ____do_____ _
Beans, baked__ ,_______ N o: 2 can— ,
do
Corn, canned
____do_____
Peas, canned
Tomatoes, c a n n ed _____
Sugar, granulated_____
T e a ________________ .
Coffee________________

7.7
1.5

____do........ .
1 18. 3 117.1 117.4 14.1 .13.8
6.9
7. 1
7.4 ■ 7. 2
P oun d_____ 6. Î
7.7
____do___ _
50. t 79.6 77,9 78.1 77.7 82,5
____do___ _ 28. t 52.4 52.8 51.5 53.5 .53. 7

P ru n e s _______________ ____do______
Raisins______________ _ __ __do„____
B an an as. ____________ Dozen ___
Oranees
_ .
____do______

13.8
11.8 11.3 11.3
8.2 5.1 6.5 6.8 7.0
82.1 57.5 87. i 89.7 89. 5
54 C 23.3 47. 2 48.7 48. 5

15. 5 14. 6 14. 0 17.2 16. 6 15.9
14.3 14.4 14. 1 14,9 16. 1 15. 9 ____
2 13. 4 2 13. 9 213. 9 2 11.3 3 11. 6 2 11.2
48.0 54.0 50. 4 48. 5 66. 1 60.8

1 No. 2i/2 can.

17.3
14 2
34 7
49.0

17.9
14 8
35.0
54 4

17.8
14 2
35.0
50.0

2 Per pound.

Com parison of Retail Food Costs in 51 C ities
'“FA B LE 8 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
* in the retail cost of food 3 in December, 1926, compared with the
average cost in the year 1913, in December, 1925, and in November,
1926. For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and
the one-month periods. These cities have been scheduled by the
bureau at different dates since 1913. The percentage changes are
3 For list of articles see note 6, p. 118.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1386]

B E T A IL P B IC E S

139

O F FOOD

based, on actual retail prices secured each month from retail dealers
and on the average family consumption of these articles in each city,4
T a b l e 8 .—P E R C E N T A G E C H A N G E IN T H E R E T A I L C O S T OF FO O D I N D E C E M B E R
1926, C O M P A R E D -W IT H T H E C O ST IN N O V E M B E R , 1926, D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D W ITH
T H E A V E R A G E C O ST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C I T I E S

City

Percent­ Percentage decreases
December, 1926,
age in­
crease D e­ compared with—
cember,
1926,
compared Decem­ Novem ­
with 1913 ber, 1925 ber, 1926

City

Percent­ Percentage decreases
December, 1926,
age in­
crease D e­ compared with—
cember,
1926,
compared Decem­ Novem ­
with 1913 ber, 1925 ber, 1926

A tlan ta___ _____
Baltim ore. .
.
Birm ingham .
_L
Boston . . . .
_ ..
Bridgeport... . . .

64. 7
68. 8
67. 8
63. 8:

2. 1
1. 9
2. 6
2. 5
2.1

0. 9
0. 4
1 0. 5
0. 9
0. 5

Minneapolis
Mobile. _ ____
Newark
New Haven
New Orleans _

Buffalo.
__ _
Butte
_ . ..
Charleston, S. C ....
Chicago.. . _.
C in cinn ati.. . . .

09. t

1. 7
1.4
0.7
i 0. 2
0.7

1 0. 3
0. 2
10.1
1 0. 6
0. 6

New York
Norfolk ____ __
Omaha___ _ _ . .
Peoria.
Philadelphia

66. 0

1 0. 3
1.4
2.1
1. 7
2; 6

0. 3
i 0. 3
0. 1
1 0. 0
0.0

Pittsburgh
Portland, M e . . _
Portland', Qreg—
Providence
Richmond

,66.7

63.9
74. 0
62.9

Cleveland . . . . ...
Colum bus. .
D allas.
__ _
Denver .
D etroit.

62.0

Fall R iver____
H ouston. . . . . . ..
Indianapolis.
Jacksonville.. . ...
K an sas C ity __

62. 1
57.7
59.4
56.9

2.7
3. 5
1.4
3. 1
3.6

1 0. 3
1 0.4
0.3
1. 6
0.1

Rochester
St. Louis
St. P aul__________
Salt Lake C ity
San Francisco

L ittle Rock.
. _
Los Angeles.
_ .
Louisville
M anchester. .
M emphis . . . . ...
Milwaukee___
_L

54. 4
47.8
58. 7
58. 1
50.4
64.3

0.8
2.7
1. 2
2. 3
3. 7
1 0. 3

0. 0
0. 6
i 0. 2
0.9
0.8
0. 2

Savannah
Scranton___ _ _ _
Seattle
Springfield, 111
Washington, D. C .

57; 4
47. 7
68. 8

56. 7
56.1
64. 4
58 3

58.4
68. 5

42. 1
62. 2
69. 2
65.2
37. 5
54.8
67. 9
47.3
72.4

4. 3
0. 6
2. 0
1. 7
2. 5

1 0. 6
10.7
0.1
1 0. 5
i0 8

2 I
1.4
3.7
0. 6
0. 5

0 5
0. 6
i 0.1
11 8
1G 5

0,6
0. 6
1.8
2. 8
3. 7

10 4
0. 4
1 0.7
i. 3
0. 5

3. 4
14
3.0
1. 8
3 3

0 7
0 0
1 i.O
-0 4
0 7

3. 6
2. 7
3 9
0 1
1 0. 5

0.3
0. 5
1.1• 5
12 I
>0.5

1Increase.

Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have all sched­
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the month of
December 99.6 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the
51 cities sent in a report promptly. The following-named 46 cities
had a perfect record; that is,¡every merchant who is cooperating
with the b urea u sent ini his report in time for his prices to be included
in the city averages:
Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Bridgeport, Buffalo, Butte,
Charleston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas,
Denver, Detroit, Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
Kansas City, [Little Rock, Los Angèles, Louisville, Manchester,
Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Mobile, Newark, New Haven,
New York, Norfolk, Omaha, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland,
Me., Portland, Qreg., Providence, Richmond, Rochester, St. Louis,
St. Paul, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Scranton, Springfield, 111.,
and Washington, D. C.
♦ The consumption figures used from January^ 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city were
given in the November,' 1918, issue, .p.p, 94 and 95. The consumption figures-which have been used lor
each m onth beginning with Jan uary, 1921, were given in the March, 1921, issue, p. 26.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

r387J

140

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

For the year 1926, the prices of 99.1 per cent of the firms reporting
to the bureau were received in time to be included in the city averages.
The following summary shows the promptness with which the
merchants responded in December, 1926.
R E T A I L P R IC E R E P O R T S R E C E I V E D D U R IN G D E C E M B E R , 1926
Geographical division
Item

Percentage of reports received--------------Num ber of cities in each section from which
every report was received_______ ______

United
States

North
Atlantic

South
Atlantic

99.6

99.7

99.4

46

13

North
Central

South
Central

99. 7

99.4

99.5

7

6

13

7

Western

R e ta il P ric e s of C o al in th e U n ite d S t a t e s a

T

HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15 and July 15, 1913, December 15, 1925, and Novem­
ber 15, and December 15, 1926, for the United States and for
each of the cities from which retail food prices have been obtained.
The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, but do not
include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an
extra handling is necessary.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
The prices shown for bituminous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds sold for household use.
A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OP C O A L P E R T O N OP 2,000 P O U N D S, P O R H O U SE H O L D
U S E , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D J U L Y 15, 1913, D E C E M B E R 15, 1925, A N D N O V E M B E R 15 A N D
D E C E M B E R 15, 1926
-

1925

1913

1926

City, and kind of coal
J a n . 15
U n ite d S t a t e s ;
P e n n sy lv a n ia a n th r a c ite —
S to v e A verage price
_ _________
In d e x (1913=110. 0 ).............. ..
C h e stn u tA verage p rice_______________
In d e x (1913=100.0)__________
B it u m in o u s —
A verage price
...... ................ .......
In d e x (1913=100.0)-.............. ...........
A tlanta, G a.:
Bitum inous........................ ..........................
Baltim ore, M d.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove______________ ____________
Chestnut_______ _______________
Bitum inous_______ . . . . ........................

Ju ly 15

Dec. 15

N ov. 15

Dec. 15

$7. 99
103. 4

$7.46
96.8

0
0

$15. 64
202.4

$15. 66
202.7

$8.15
103. 0

$7. 68
97. 0

0
0

$15. 41
194.7

$15. 44
195.0

$5. 48
100.8

$5, 39
99.2

$9. 74
179.2

$16. 24
188. 4

$10.15
186.8

$5.88

$4.83

$8. 30

$9.97

$9.10

27. 70
27 . 93

2 7.24
2 7.49

2 16.00
2 15. 50
8. 50

2 16.00
2 15. 50

1 Insufficient data.

0
0

8.00

8. 38

2 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.

° Prices of coal were formerly secured sem iannually and published in the M arch and September issues^
Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published monthly.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[388]

R E T A IL P R IC E S

141

O F CO A L

A TtI ? 4 ^ ? t? S ? t4 ^ :P1| IIax^ t9 t^ x9 OA L P E R T 0 N 0 F 2-000 P O U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
Y w P v Y i p P P r X Y P P J U P 15' 1913- D E C E M B E R 15, 1925, A N D N O V E M B E R 15 A N D
D E C E M B E R 15, 1926—Continued
1913

1925

1926

City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
Birmingham, Ala.:
Bitum inous_______
Boston, M ass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove.. ... . . .
C hestnut......... ...........
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove....................
Chestnut________ .
Buffalo, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove.. _________ .
Chestnut____________ .
Bu tte, M ont.:
Bitum inous___________
Charleston, S. C.:
Bitum inous______ _______ _
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________ .
C h e stn u t..________________. . .
B itu m in o u s..........................
Cincinnati, Ohio:
B itu m in o u s........... ..........................
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove________ _______ ______
Chestnut________________
Bitum inous_________________
Columbus, Ohio:
B itu m in o u s.________ __________ .
Dallas, Tex.:
Arkansas anthracite—•
E g g -------------------------- --------- Bitum inous................ ..................
Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed_____
Stove, 3 and 5 m ixed_______
Bitum inous. _____ ____________
Detroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Sto v e.. . __________________ _
Chestnut ___________________
Bitum inous_____ ____ _____
F all River, M ass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____________ _______
C hestnut____________________
Houston, Tex.:
B itu m in o u s.____ ______ _____
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Bitum inous____________ ______
Jacksonville, Fla.:
B itu m in o u s........................................
K an sas City, M o.:
Arkansas anthracite—
F u r n a c e ............ ......................
Stove No, 4____________ . .
Bitum inous____________ ____
L ittle Rock, Ark.:
Arkansas anthracite—
E g g . ...................................... ............ .
B itu m in o u s.________ ________
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bitum inous.............. ....................
Louisville, K y .:
Bitum inous........._....................
Manchester, N . H .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove...... .................. .........................
Chestnut...................................
M em phis, Tenn.:
B itu m in o u s................................................
1 Insufficient data.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Ju ly 15

Dec. 15

Nov. 15

Dec. 15

$4.22

$4. 01

$7.54

$7.90

$8.09

8. 25
8.25

7. 50
7.75

17. 80
17.80

16. 50
16.25

16. 50
16. 25

16.50
16.50

15. 75
15.75

6. 75

6.54
6.80

11.03

11.03

2 6. 75

2 6. 75

11.00

11.00

11.00

8. 00
8. 25
4. 97

7. 80
8. 05
4,65

18.13
18.08
9.49

17.00
16. 81
10.15

1*7 AA
16.80
10.34

3.50

3.38

7.54

9. 57

7.50
7. 75
4.14

7. 25
7.50
4.14

9.96

15.00
10.54

7.82

9.16

8 2Q

0
0)

0
0

13.76
13.39

13. 76
13.39

8.25

7. 21

17.25
13. 72

16.00
13.22

16.00
13.22

8. 88
8. 50
5. 25

9.00
8. 50
4.88

16.00
16.25
10.69

16.00
16. 50
10. 78

16.00
16.50
10.71

8.00
8. 25
5.20

7.45
7.65
5. 20

0
0
10.70

16.17
15. 83
11. 61

16. 17
15.83

8.25
8.25

7.43
7.61

17.25
17.13

16.75
16.25

16. 75
16.25

12.00

13.00

13. 50

3. 81

3.70

7.58

8.34

7. 94

7.50

7.00

14.00

14.00

4.39

3.94

14.50
16.17
7.98

14.50
15. 83
7. 91

14.50
15. 83
7.93

6.00

5.33

14.00
11.18

14.00
10.80

14.00
10.83

13. 52

12.50

15.94

16.06

16.50

4.20

4.00

7.41

9.19

8.40

10.00
10.00

8.50
8.50

17.50
17.50

17. 50
17.50

2 4.34

2 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.

[389]

0
0

2 4.22
7.83
8. 46
2 Per 10-barrel lot (1,800 pounds).

8.78

142

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S OF C O A L P E R T O N OP 2,000 P O U N D S , P O R H O U S E H O L D
U S E , ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D J U L Y 15, 1913, D E C E M B E R 15,1925, A N D N O V E M B E R 15.A N D
D E C E M B E R 15, 1926—Continued
1913

1925

1926

. City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15 ;
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
______ --- ______ Stove
Chestnut _____ _____ - _______ Bitum inous ______________________
Minneapolis, M in n .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
__- ___ ____ __
Stove
C h e s tn u t_____ _________ ___ Bitum inous______ .----- ---------- ---Mobile, Ala.:
Bitum inous
- - ____________
Newark, N . J .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ________________________
Chestnut
_________________
New H aven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
- ___________ -______
Chestnut
_
________„__
New Orleans, L a.:
New York, N . Y .:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
________________-____
Chestnut
__________________
Norfolk, Via.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Steve
_________ __________
Chestnut__________________— Bitum inous---------------- --------------Omaha, Nebr.:
Bitum inous---------- --- -------- --------Peoria, III.:
Bitum inous________________________
Philadelphia, P a.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Steve
_ _________ _______
C hestnut,________ - _____ _______
Pittsburgh, P a.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Bitum inous__________________ .______
Portland, M e.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove __________ ______________
, C hestnut___________________ ___
Portland, €>reg.:
Providence, R . I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
______________________
Stove
Chestnut _____________________
Richm ond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ________________________ Chestnut __ ___________________
Bituminous
________________ ___
Rochester,;N. Y .:
Pennsyl vania anthracite—
Stove , __________ ________
Chestnut_________________.______
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________________________
Chestnut_________________ ______
Bitum inous- ----- ---------------

Dec. 15

Nov. 15 j

Dec. 15

$8.00
8. 25
6.25

$7.85
8.10
5.71

$17.13
17. 20
11.17

$16.80
16.65
11.38

$16.80
16.65
11.40

9. 25
9.50
5.89

9.05
9. 30
5.79

18.10
18. 07
11.40

18.10
17. 95
11. 66

18.10
17.95
11.83

9.92

10.12

6.50
6. 75

6. 25
6. 50

14.75
14.75

14.00
13.50

14.00
13.50

7.50
7. 50

0.25
0.25

17.00
17.00

15.3515.35

15.30
15.30

8 6.00

8 6.06

.10. 61

10.79

11.21

7.07
7.14

6.66
6.80

0)
(>)

14. 75
14.50

14.75
14.50

17.00
17.00
10. 52

16.00
16.00
10.39

16.00
16.00
10.25

10.30

10.29

10.32

7.08

7.46

7.45

>15.79
«15,54

s 15.79
2 15.61

-6.13

15. 38
7.23.

15.50
6.49

16. 56
16.50

16.80
06.80

16.80
16.80

6.63

6.13

8 7.16
■>7.38

8 6.89
3 7- 14

0
0

8 8. 00
4 3.16

2 7.44
4 3.18

0

9.79

9. 66

13..22

13.46.

13,46

8 8. 25
8 8. 25

8 7-50
8 7. 75

8 16.67
* 16.67

8 16.50
8 16.50

8 16.50
8 16.50

8.00
8. 00
5.50

7.25
7.25
4.94

011.45

16.67
16,67
11.91

16.50
16. §0
11.34

14.50
14.15

14.60
14.15.

14.60
14.15

17.20
16. 95
6. Cl

17.33
17.08
7. 19

17.45
17. 20
7. 50

■ S.U'
8.68
-3.16

J Insufficient data.
f Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
8 Per 10-parrel lot (1,800 pounds).
4 Per 25-busheUot (1,000 pounds).
8 50 centsiper ton additional is charged for “ binning.”
the coal into tlie cellar.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Ju ly 15

[E39Qj]

7.74
7.99
3.04 1

(!)

M ost customers require binning or basketing

143

R E T A I L P R I C E S OF COAL

A V E R A G E R E T A I L P R IC E S O F C O A L P E R T O N OF 2,000 P O U N D S , F O R H O U SE H O L D
U S E , O N JA N U A R Y 15 A N D J U L Y 15,1913, D E C E M B E R 15,1925, A N D N O V E M B E R 15 A N D
D E C E M B E R 15, 1926—C ontinued
1913

1925

1926

City, and kind of coal
Jan . 15
St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________________ i
Chestnut_________________ _____ _
Bitum inous_______ ____ _____ _______
Salt Lake C ity, U tah:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed__________
Stove, 3 and 5 m ixed_______ ____ _
‘Bitum inous______ ______ ___ ____ ___
San Francisco,'Calif.:
New Mexico anthracite—
Ceriliosegg_____________________
■Colorado anthracite—
Egg__-------- ------------------- ------Bitum inous............................... ..................
Savannah, G a.:
Bitum inous....... .................. .......................
Scranton, Pa.:
■ Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________ __________ _____ —
Chestnut.......... ..............................
Seattle, W ash.:
*
Bitum inous___ ___________________ ...
Springfield, 111.:
Bitum inous___ ________ ____________
Washington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove..................................................
Chestnut..—........................... .......... . .
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes, low volatile_______
Prepared sizes’ high v o latile._____
Run of mine, m ix e d .. ________

Ju ly 15

Dec. 15

•N ov. 15

Dec. 15

$9. 20
9.45
6.07

$9.05
9.30
6.04

$18:10
18.04
11.80

- $18:10
17.95
12.00

$18.10
17.95
12.16

11.00
11.00
5.64

11.50
11. 50
5.46

-18.25
18.25
■ 8.40

18.00
18.00
8.46

18.00
18.00
8.46

17.00

17.00

■ -26.50

25.50

26.50

17.00
12.00

17.00
12.00

25.50
17.06

25.00
16.67

. 25.75
17.11

6 11.75

6 14.25

6 13. 50

11.00
10.67

11.00
10.67

9.85

10.42

10.44

4.38

4 38

4.38

218.25
216.08

2 15. 95
2 15. 59

2 15.91
2 15.59

214.-08
2 9. 88
2 8.06

213.33
2 9. 50
29:06

2 12 00
: ■» 9. 75
3 8.94

4.25
4.50

4.31
4.56

7.63

7.70

3 7.38
2 7.53

3 7.50
2 7.65

—

(>)
0

, i Insufficient data.
1 3 Per tontof 2,240 pounds.
6 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed b y theicity. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is made.
This additional charge has been included in the above prices.

The following table shows for the United States both average and
relative retail prices of Pennsylvania white ash anthracite coal, stove
and chestnut sizes, and. of bituminous coal in January and July, 1913,
to 1924, and for each month of 1925 and 1926. An average price for
the year 1913 has been made from the averages for January and July
of that year. The average price for each month has been divided by
this average price for the year 1913 to obtain the relative price.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[3913

144

M O N T H L Y LABO E REV IEW

A V E R A G E A N D R E L A T IV E P R IC E S OP C O A L F O R T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S ON S P E C I ­
F IE D D A T E S F R O M JA N U A R Y , 1913, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926
Bituminous

Pennsylvania anthracite, white ash

Average
price
1913Average for year_________
January ___________ ___
Ju ly
_________________
1914—
January _______________
Ju ly . I ..................... ............
1915—
January _______________
Ju ly _ ________________
1916— "
January _______________
Ju ly ' ..................................
1917January________________
Ju ly ____________________
1918—
Ja n u a r y ________________
Ju ly ____________________
1919—
January ___________ .
Ju ly ...'..................................
1920—
Jan uary________________
Ju ly .'...................................
1921— '
Jan uary_______ _________
Ju ly .......................................
1922—
January_________________
Ju ly ____________________
1923—
Jan uary________________
Ju ly ..................................
1924—
Jan uary_________________
Ju ly .........................................
1925—
Jan u ary ._______________
F ebru ary. ___________
March _______________
A p r i l . . _________ _______
M a y ___________________
Ju n e ........................................
Ju ly __________ _____ _
August_________________
September________ ___
O cto b e r______________ .
Novem ber__________ .
December______________
1926—
January____________ ____
February ____________
March _____ ____
A p r il________________ _
M a y ___________________
June _________________
Ju ly . ................................
August_________________
Septem ber______________
O cto b e r________________
Novem ber_________
December_______________

Chestnut

Stove

Year and month

Relative
price

Average
price

$7.73
7. 99
7.46

100.0
103.4
96. 6

$7.91
8.15
7. 68

7. 80
7.60

100. 9
98.3

8.00
7.78

7. 83
7.54

101.4
97.6

7. 93
8.12

Relative
price

Average
price

Relativ e
price

100.0
103.0
97.0

$5.43
5.48
5.39

100.0
100.8
99.2

101.0
98.3

5. 97
5.46

109.9
100. 6

7. 99
7.73

101.0
97.7

5. 71
5.44

105.2
100.1

102. 7
105. 2

8.13
8.28

102. 7
104.6

5. 69
5. 52

104.8
101.6

9. 29
9.08

120. 2
117. 5

9.40
9.16

118. 8
115. 7

6. 96
7.21

128.1
132.7

9.88
9. 96

127.9
128. 9

10. 03
10.07

126. 7
127.3

7. 68
7.92

141.3
145.8

11. 51
12.14

149.0
157. 2

11. 61
12.17

146. 7
153.8

7.90
8.10

145.3
149.1

12. 59
14.28

162. 9
184.9

12. 77
14.33

161. 3
181.1

8.81
10. 55

162.1
194.1

15. 99
14.90

207.0
192. 8

16.13
14.95

203.8
188.9

11.82
10.47

217. 6
192.7

14. 98
14.87

193. 9
192.4

15.02
14.92

189.8
188. 5

9. 89
9.49

182.0
174. Ö

15.43
15.10

' 199.7
195. 5

15.46
15.05

195. 3
190.1

11.18
10.04

205. 7
184.7

15. 77
15.24

204.1
197.2

15. 76
15.10

199.1
190.7

9. 75
8.94

179. 5
164. 5

15.45
15.43
15.41
15. 02
14. 98
15.05
15.14
15. 35
15. 64
15.87

200. 0
199. 7
199. 4
194.4
193. 8
194. 8
196.0
198. 6
202.4
205.4

15. 37
15.34
15. 32
14.83
14. 78
14. 84
14.93
15. 07
15.48
15. 72

194.2
193. 9
193. 6
187.4
186.8
187. 5
188. 6
190.4
195. 7
198. 6

9.24
9. 36
9.16
8. 75
8. 63
8. 61
8. 61
8. 69
9.11
9. 24
9. 71
9.74

170. 0
172. 2
168. 6
161.0
158. 8
158.4
158. 5
159. 8
167. 7
169. 9
178. 6
179.2

9. 74
9. 72
9. 25
9.11
8. 76
8. 67
8. 70
8.81
9. 25
9. 59
10. 24
10.15

179. 3
178. 8
170 2
167. 6
161. 2
159. 5
160.1
162. j
170.3
176. 5
188.4
186.8

0
0
0
0

16.12
15. 54
15.41
15.40
15.43
15.49
15. 55
15. 56
15. 64
15. 66

0
0

0
0

0
0
208. 6
201. 2
199. 5
199. 3
199. 7
200.4
201. 3
201.4
202.4
202.7

0
0

’

0
0

15. 91
15. 37
15.18
15.18
15.19
15. 23
15. 30
15. 31
15.41
15.44

0
0

201.1
194. 2
191. 8
191. 8
191. 9
192. 5
193.4
193. 5
' 194.7
195.0

1 Insufficient data.

The trend in the retail prices of coal since 1916 is shown in the
chart on the following page.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[392]

T rend

op

R e t a il P r ic e s o f C o a l in t h e U n it e d S t a t e s , J a n u a r y ,

1917,

to

D ecem ber,

1926

R E T A IL P R IC E S O F COAL

[393]

1357


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1918

1,9S3

192,0

1921

192Z

1923

1924

1325

!92&
i— i

Ox

146

.M O N T H L Y LABO E BEYLE W

R e ta il P rice s o f G a s in th e U n ite d S t a t e s

T

HE net price per 1,000 cubic feet of gas for household use in
each of 51 cities is shown in the following table. In this
table the average family consumption of manufactured gas
is assumed to be 3,000 cubic feet per month. In cities where a
service charge or a sliding scale is in operation, families using less
than 3,000 cubic feet per month pay a somewhat higher rate than
here shown, while those consuming more than this amount pay a
lower rate. The figures here given are believed to represent quite
closely the actual monthly cost of gas per 1,000 cubic feet to the
average wage earner’s family. Prices for natural gas have been
quoted for those cities where it is in general use.^ These prices are
based on an estimated average family consumption of 5,000 cubic
feet per month. For Buffalo and Los Angeles prices are given for
natural and manufactured gas mixed.
N E T P R IC E P E R 1,000 C U B IC F E E T O F GAS B A S E D ON A F A M IL Y C O N S U M P T IO N
O F 3,000 C U B IC F E E T , IN S P E C I F I E D M O N T H S F R O M A P R IL , 1913, TO D E C E M B E R ,
1926, B Y C I T I E S

M a n u fa c tu r e d g a s

C ity

Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. M ay M ar, M ar, M ar. June Juno June Dec.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1924 1925 1926 1926

A tla n ta .............. $1. 00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.00 $1.15 $1.15 $1.90 $1. 65 $1. 65 $1. 55 $1. 55 $1. 55 $1. 55 $1.55
Baltimore_______ .90 .81 .81 .75 .75 .75 . 75 .75 .75 .92 .92 .85 .85 .85 .85 .85
Birm ingham ----- 1.00 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .65 .95 .88 .88 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80
Boston_________
.81 .81 .81 .81 .81 .86 1. 05 1.08 1.4C 1.34 1. 25 1. 2C 1. 20 1. 18 1. 18 1.18
Bridgeport______ 1. 00 1.00 1. 00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.10 1. 10 1. 47 1. 60 1.50 1. 50 1. 45 1. 45 1.45 1.45
1. 00 1.00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 45 1. 45
B uffalo
Bu tte _________ 1.49 1. 49 1. 49 1. 49 1. 49 1.49 1. 49 1.49
Charleston______ 1. 10 1. 10 1.10 1. io 1.00 1.10 1.10 1. 25
.80 . 8C ,80 .80 .81 .72 .90 .87
Chicago________
Cleveland............. .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80

1. 45
2. 10
1. 55
1.2C
.80

1.45
2. 10 2.10 2. 10
1. 55 1. 55 1. 55
1.07 1. 07 1.02
.80 .80 1.25

2. 10
1. 55
1.02
1.25

2. 10
1. 55
1. 02
1.25

2.10
1. 55
1. 02
1. 25

2. 10
1. 55
1.02
1.25

D e n v e r..,______
.85 .80 .80 .80 .80 .85 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95
Detroit_________ .75 .75 '. 75 I 75 .75 .75 .79 .79 .85 .79 .79 .79 .82 .82 .79 .79
F all R iv er. ____ .80 .80 .80 .80 .8« .95 ,95 1. 05 1. 25 1.15 1.15 1. 15 1. 15 1. 15 1.15 1. 15
Houston
1. 00 3. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1.00 1. 00 1. 09 1.09 1. 09 1. 09 1. 03 1. 09 1.05
Indianapolis......... .60 .55 .55 .55 .55 .:55 .60 .60 .90 .90 1. 20 1.15 1.15 1.10 1.05 1.05
Jacksonville____ 1.20 1. 20 1.15 1.15 1.15 1. 25 1. 25 1.50
M anchester------ 1. 10 1. 10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1. 00 1. 18 1.18
M em phis_______ 1.00 1.00 1. 00 1.00 .93 .93 .93 1. 27
Milwaukee........... .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 . 76 .75 .75
M inneapolis......... .85 .80 .80 .77 .77 .77 .95 .95

1. 75
1.58
1.35
.90
1.28

1. 75
1.48
1. 35
.90
1. 02

1.65
1.48
1.20
.86
1.03

1. 97
1. 38
1. 2C
.82
1.00

1.97 1.97 1.97 1.92
1. 38 1.38 1.38 1.38
1.20 1. 20 1. 20 1.20
.82 .82 .82 .82
1.01 .95 .97 .95

Mobile _________ 1 .10 1. 10 1.10 1. 10 1.10 1.10 1.35
N e w a r k ..______ 1.00 .90 .90 .90 .90 .97 .97
New Haven . . . . .90 .90 .90 .90 .90 1.00 1. 10
New Orleans____ 1. 10 1. 00 1.00 1.00 1. 00 1.00 1.30
New Y ork............
.84 .84 .83 .83 .83 .83 .85

1.35
1.15
1. 10
1. 30
.87

1.80
1.40
1.27
1.30
1. 40

1.80
1.40
1. 27
1. 45
1.32

1. 80
1. 25
1. 18
1. 30
1.23

1. 80
1. 25
1. 18
1.30
1. 23

1. 80
1. 20
1. 18
1.30
1.23

1.80
1. 20
1. 13
1.30
1.23

1.80
1. 20
1. 13
1. 30
1.23

1.80
1.20
1. 13
1.30
1.23

1. 20 1. 60
1. 15 1.15
.85 .85
1.00 1.00
1 00

1.40
1.47
1.20
1.00

1.45
1. 27
1. 20
1.00

1.40
1. 18
1. 20
1. 00

1.40
1. 18
1.20
1.00

1.40
1.18
1. 20
1.00

1.40
1.08
1. 20
1. 00

1.33
1.08
1. 20
1. 00

1.33
1.08
1.20
1.00

Portland, M e ___ 1. 10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.40 1.40 1. 85 1. 75
Portland,'-Oreg.-- .95 .95 .95 .95 . 95 .95 .95 .95 1.38 1.25
Providence_____
.85 .85 .85 .85 .85 1.00 1.30 1. 30 1.42 1. 42
Richm ond______ .90 .90 .90 .80 .80 .80 1.00 1.00 1.30 1.30
Rochester.............. .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .’95 .95 .95 1.18 1. 10

1.55
1. 16
1. 27
1.30
1.05

1. 55
1. 16
1. 22
1. 30
1.00

1. 55
1. 16
1.22
1.30
1.00

1.55
1, 16
1. 17
1.30
1.00

1. 50
1. 19
1. 17
1. 29
1.00

1.42
1. 19
1. 13
1.29
1.00

St. Louis...............
St. P au l. _______
Salt L ak e -C ity ...
San Francisco___
Savannah______

1. 05
1.00
1. 57
1.04
1. 60

1.00
1. 00
1. 57
.92
1. 45

1.00
.85
1. 57
1.00
1. 45

1.00
.85
1. 57
1.00
1. 45

1.00 1.00 1.00
.85 .90 .90
1. 53 1. 53 1.52
1. 05 .95 .95
1. 45 1.45 1.45

1. 70
1.45
1.40
1. 10

1. 60
1..45
1. 40
1.05

1. 50
1.45
1. 35
.1.00

1.50
1. 45
1.35
1.00

1. 50
1. 45
1. 35
1.00

Norfolk...............
Omaha____ ____
P eo ria ..................
Philadelphia____
Pittsburgh _____

1. 00
1.15
.90
1.00
1. 00

.80
.95
.87
.75

1. 00
1. 15
.90
1.00
1. 00

.80
.90
.87
.85

1. 00
1.15
.90
1.00
1. 00

.80
.90
.87
.85

1.00
1.00
.90
1.00
1. 00

,80
.85
.87
.85

1.00
1.00
.85
1.00
1. 00

.75
.85
.87
.85

1. 20
1.15
.85
1.00
1. 00

.75 .75 .85 1.05
-.85 .85 .85 1.00
.87 1. 15 1.35 1.57
.85 .95 .95 1.05
1. 25 1. 60

Scranton_______
.95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.15 1.30 1.80
Seattle. . ______ 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1. 20 1.20 1. 45
Springfield. 111.. . 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1. 00 1.00 1. 10 1. 10
Washi ngton, D . C. .93 .93 .93 .93 . .80 ,90 .95 .65


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[394]

1.70
1.45
1. 40
1. 25

1.50 1.40
1.45 1. 45
1. 25 1. 25
1.00

1.00

147

R E T A IL P R IC E S OP GAS

N E T P R IC E P E R 1,000 C U B IC F E E T O FtG A S, B A S E D ON A F A M IL Y C O N S U M P T IO N OF
5,000 C U B IC F E E T , I N S P E C I F I E D M O N T H S F R O M A P R IL , 1913, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926,
B Y C I T I E S —Continued

N atu ra l g a s
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. M ay Mar. Mar, Mar. June June June Dec.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, . 15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1924 1925 1920 1926

C ity

I
........ I ___
Buffalo_________ $0.30 $0. 30 $0.30 $0. 30 $0. 30 $0.30 $0. 35 $0.35 $0. 35 $0. 42
Cincinnati_____ i .30 .30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .35 535 .50 $0. 50 $0. 50 $0. 50 $0. 7.5 $0. 75 $0. 75
Cleveland______
.30 .30 .30 ,30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .40 .40 .55 . 55 .55 . 60 ,60
Columbus — ___ .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .45 .45 .45 .45 .55 .55 .55
. 45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .•68 .68 .68 .68 .68 .74 .74 .74
D allas-- ______
.75 .75
Rar.sas City, Mo. .27 ..27 .27 .27 .30 ,60 .80 .80 .90 .90 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95
.40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .65 .65 .65 .65 .65
Little R o c k ,.
.45 . 45 .45 . 45 . 45 .45 .45 .,45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45
L o u is v ille .____
. 53 .60 .60 .60
P ittsburgh______ .2$ .28 .28 .28 .28 .28 .35 .35 •:45 .50 .50

M a n u fa c tu re d a n d n a tu r a l g a s m ixed
B u ffalo -------Los Angeles - ..

—

.$0.68 $0. 68 $0, 68 $0. 68 $0. 75 $0. 75 $0.75 $0. 76

$0. 62 $0. ,62 $0. 60 $0.60- $0. 65 $0. 65
.68 .68 .68 .68 . 68 .68

From the prices quoted on manufactured gas, average prices have
been computed for all of the cities combined and are shown in the
next table for April 15 of each year from 1913 to 1920, and for May
15, September 15, and December 15, 1921; March 15, June 15, Sep­
tember 15, and December 15, 1922, 1923, and 1924; and June 15
and December 15, 1925 and 1926. These prices are based on an
estimated average family consumption of 3,000 cubic feet.
Relative prices have been computed by dividing the price of each
year by the price in April, 1913.
The'iprice of manufactured gas in December, 1926, showed an in­
crease of 28.4 per cent since April, 1913. From June, 1926, to Decem­
ber, 1926, there was a decrease of eight-tenths of 1 per cent in the
price of gas.
The Trend in the retail prices of manufactured gas since 1916 is
shown in the chart on the next page.
A V E R A G E A N D R E L A T IV E N E T P R IC E P E R 1,000 C U B IC F E E T OF M A N U F A C T U R E D
GAS B A S E D ON A F A M IL Y C O N S U M P T IO N OF 3,000 C U B IC F E E T IN S P E C I F I E D
M O N T H S O F E A C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1926

.Date

Anr

Apr.
Apr
Apr
Apr
A pr.
Apr

1^

1 Q1 2

15,1915________________
1h 19tl>
1b 1Q17
lb

IQ IK

15^ 1919________________

1 h l <F>n

]V Jq y 15
S atR

1Q 21
1Q 91

Dec. 15,1921._________ _________
AT np

1b

1979.

Sept. 15,1922.......... »,............


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Average :
net price:
•=$0; 95
.94
. 93 .
.92
.91
1,04
1.09
1.32!
1.31;
1.30:
1.-20 :
1,27';
1.26

Relative
price
1 0 0 .0

98.9
97.9
90.8
95.-8
100.0
109:5
114.7
:138.9
=137.9
136.8:
135.8
133.7
132.6.:

Date
Dec. 15,1922__________ ________
Mar.. 15,1923- ___________ June 15,1923.-.
----------------Sept. 1:5,1923-________ _________
Dec. 15,1923_______________M ar.15, 1924_______________
June 15,1924________ — _ _____ ,
Sept. 15, 1924 ----------------- --------D e c .1 5 ,1924- ______ __________
Jun e 15,1925_______________
Dec. 15,1925............... ....................... i
June 15,1926. -----------------Dec. 15, 1926.............................. -

Average Relative
price
net price
$1. 25
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.25
1.24
1.24
1. 24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1. 23
1 .2 2

131.6
131.6
130, 5
130. 5
131.6
130. 5
130.5
130. 5
130.5
129.5
129. 5
179. 5
128.4

(X)
T r e n d o f P r ic e s o f G a s f o r D o m e s t ic U s e in t h e U n it e d S t a t e s , A p r i l ,
400
375
350
325
300
275
250
225

1917,

to

D ecem ber,

1926
400
375
350
325
300
275
250
225

MANUFACTURED GAS
A V E R A G E PRICE FOR
A P R IL ¡9 1 3 - 1 0 0 ,

200

175

173

150

150

125
100

1

III?


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

191©

1919

1920

i

1921

1

1

È

a

1922

|

1

1

à

1923

l.

j

l

i

1924

Dec.

100

1925

1

à

1926

L A B O R R E V IE W

125

M O N TH LY

200

149

M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W

R e ta il Prices of Electricity in the United S ta te s

T

HE following table shows for 51 cities the net rates per kilowatthour of electricity used for household purposes for specified
months, in 1913, 1925, and 1926. For the cities having more
than one tariff for domestic consumers the rates are shown for the
schedule under which most of the residences are served.
The consumption per month is expressed in hours of demand for
several of the cities from which prices for electricity have been ob­
tained. Since the demand is determined by a different method in
each city, the explanation of these methods is given on page 151.
N E T P R IC E P E R K IL O W A T T -H O U R F O R E L E C T R I C I T Y F O R H O U S E H O L D U S E IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913, A N D J U N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925 A N D 1926, F O R 51 C I T I E S

C ity

A tlan ta.. __________ ___
Baltimore 2 _____ ________
Birm ingham ..................... .
Boston:
Com pany A ___ ______
Com pany B __ _____
Bridgeport_______ _______
Buffalo 2_________________
B u tte........ ............ ....... ...........
Charleston_______________
Chicago 2 _____ ;____ ____ _
C incinnati2. . . .......................

De­
cem­
ber,
1913

June,
1925

De­
cem­
ber,
1925

June.
1926'

Cents
1 7. 0
88 5

Cents
8. 1
18.0

Cents
8 1
8 0

Cents
8 1
8 0

5 8. 5

7. 7

4.0

7. 7

4.0
7.7

F irst 1,000 kilowatt-hours__
« 10. 0
____do ______________
0 10 0
All current________ .
9. 0
First 60 hours’ use of demand
7 0
Next 120 hours’ use of dem and______
5. 0
Excess____________ ____ _
1. 5
79 5
First 25 kilowatt-hours
Next 25 kilowatt-hours_____________
First 50 kilowatt-hours
8 in n
Next 50 kilowatt-hours______________
8. 0
First 30 hours’ use of demand
10 0
Next 30 hours’ use of dem and..
5. 0
E x c e s s ...____ ________________ _____
4.0
First 30 hours ’ use of demand
9. 5
Next 30 hours’ use of dem and_______
6. 7
Excess.......... ............................................
3.8

9. 5
9. 5
6. 5
5. 0
4. 0
1. 5
8 0
4. 0
10.0

8
8
6
5

8
8
0
E

M easure of consumption, per month

First
First
Next
F irst

100 kilowatt-hours
20 hours ’ use of demand
kilowatt-hours up to 800..
100 kilowatt-hours______

8,-0
5. 0
3. 0
3. o
6. 5
3. 5

Cents
8 1
« 0
4 C
7.7

8 0

8 0

8 E
8 E
fi E
EC
4.0
1. 5
8 n

4. 0
10.0

4.0
10.0

10.0

8 0

8 0

5.0
3.0

5.0
3.0

5
5
5
0

4.0
1.5

8 5
6. 5
3. 5

E
E
E

D e­
cem­
ber,
1926

0
4. 0
1.5

8 E
6. 5
3. 5

4.0

8 O
5.0
3. c

8

E

6.5
3.5

Cleveland:
Com pany A __________ F irst 500 kilowatt-hours
« 10 0 « 5. 0 8 5. 0
5.0
5.C
Excess...........................................
5. 0
Com pany B __________ All current_____.
io 8 0 113.0 113. 0 ' 113.O
n 3.0
Next 690 kilowatt-hours___ . . . ______
5. 0
Colum bus. _____________ First 75 kilowatt-hours
7 0
7 0
67 0 6 7 0 6 7 0
Dallas_________ ____ _____ First 800 kilowatt-hours
10 0
6 0
0 0
0 Ò
0 0
Denver____ ____________
All current______
8. 0
8 0
8 0
8. 0
8 0
Detroit__________ !_______ F irst 3 kilowatt-hours per active room 1212. 6
10. 8
10. 8
9.0
9.0
Excess_________________________ _ _
3.6
3. 6
3. 6
3.6
3.6
F all R iver_______________ ’Hrst 25 kilowatt-hours
13 9. 5
8 E
9. 0
9 0
8 5
Next 975 kilowatt-hours_____________
8. 5
8. 5
7.5
7.5
Houston 2_________ ______ First 30 hours ’ use of demand
» 12. 4
7 ?
7 2
7. 2
7 2
Excess...........................................................
4.5
4.5
4. 5
7.0
4.5
Indianapolis:
Company A _________ F irst 50 kilowatt-hours
is 7. 5
6. 8
6. 8
6. 8
68
Next 150 kilowatt-hours__________ . .
6. 3
6. 3
6. 3
6.3
Com pany B __________ F irst 50 kilowatt-hours____
13 7. 0
6. 8
6. 8
6.8
6. 8
Next 150 kilow att-hours........................
6. 3
6. 3
6.3
6. 3
1 First 150 kilowatt-hours,
2 For determination of demand see explanation following table.
3 F irst 50 kilowatt-hours.
i F irst 40 kilowatt-hours.
6 The gross rate is 10 cents per kilowatt-hour with discounts of 10 per cent for a monthly consumption
of 1 to 25 kilowatt-hours and 15 per cent for a monthly consumption of 25 to 150 kilowatt-hours. The aver­
age family used 25 or more kilowatt-hours per month.
0All current.
1 First 100 kilowatt-hours.
8 F irst 25 kilowatt-hours.
6 First 36 hours’ use of demand. For determination of dem and see explanation following table.
i° First 10 kilowatt-hours.
11 Service charge 30 cents per month additional.
13 F irst 2 kilowatt-hours per active room.
13 F irst 200 kilowatt-hours.
si First 2 kilowatt-hours per 16 candlepower of installation.
is A ll current. This rate applies to a 5-year contract with a minimum charge of $1 per month. For a
1-year contract the rates per kilowatt-hour are 10 cents without a minimum charge, or 9§4 cents with a
minimum of $1 per month.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[397]

150

M O N T H LY LABOR R EV IEW

N E T PR IC E-: P E R K IL O W A T T -H O U R F O R E L E C T R I C I T Y F O R H O U S E H O L D U S E IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913,.AND' J U N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925 A N D 1926, F O R 51 C I T I E S —Con.

City

.M easure

of consumption,, per month

De­
cem­
ber,
1913

June,
1925

De­
cem­
ber,
1925

June,
1926

D e­
cem­
ber,
1926

Cents Cents Cents Cents Cents
All current . . . ... _______
7. 0
7. 0
7. 0
7. 0
7. 0
F irst 5 kilowatt-hours per active room io 9.9
7.5
7. 5
7.5
(minimum, 3 rooms).
N ext 5 kilowatt-hours per room______
5. 0
5.0
5.0
5.0
E xcess. _ ________________________
4.5
2.5
2.5
2. 5
L ittle R o ck .... ...................... First 200 kilowatt-hours ............... .... 9 13. 5
10.0
10. 0
10. 0
10.0
Los Angeles:
Com pany A _ ___ First 100 kilow att-hours.... ______
5. 5
5. 6
5.6
5.6
Com pany B _________ _ ___do_________________ _ 5. 5
Louisville _ _____________ 1 to 149 kilowatt-hours . _
7. 6
7. 6
7. 6
7. 6
7. C
Manchester .. __ ____ F irst 25 kiiowatt-hours
12 0
12. 0
12. 0
8 11. 4
12. 0
Next 50 kilowatt-hours _________
6. 0
6. 0
6.0
6.(»
M em phis .................... First 6 kilowatt-hours per room ______ 9 10. 0
8. 0
8. 0
8. 0
8.0
E xce ss. __ _____ _’________ _
5. 0
5. 0
5. 0
5.0
M ilwaukee_______________ F irst 9 kilowatt-hours for each of the 37 11.4 38 7.6 38 7. 6 38 7. G
7.6
first: 6 active rooms.19
Additional energy up to 9 kilowatt- 29 4. 8
5.7
5.7
5. 7
hours for each active room.
E xcess.. .......... ........... ...... ..
3.8
3. 1
3. 1
3. 1
. 3.1
Minneapolis ................. First 3 kilowatt-hours per active room.
8.6
9. 5
9. 5
9. 5
9.5
Next 3 kilowatt-hours per active room. 23 5. 7
7. 1
7. 1
7. I
7. 1
Mobile ___________ F irst 50 kilow att-hou rs _____ . .
7. 0
9. 0
9. 0
9. 0
9.0
Newark __________ F irst 20 kilowatt-hours _
9. 0
9. 0
9. 0
22 10. 0
9.0
Next 480 kilowatt-hours ________
8. 0
8. 0
8. 0
8.0
New H aven. ___ ____ All current _ ____ _______
9.0
6. 5
6. 5
New Orleans_______ _____ F irst 20 kilowatt-hours 23 .................
9. 1
9. 1
9 .1
24 13. 0
9. 1
Next 30 kilowatt-hours_____ _____ ___ 23 6.0
7.8
7.8
7.8
7.8
New York:
Com pany A . . ...................._ F irst 1,000 kilowatt-hours__
29 10. 0 29 7. 3 29 7. 2 26 7. 2
29 7. 2
Com pany B ____ __ _ All currents 27_
to . 0
10. 0
10. 0
1 0 .0
10. 0
Com pany C 3___
11. 0
F irst 60 hours’ use of dem and__
29 7.8
29 7. 8
29 7. 8 29 7. 8
Norfolk. . . __________
9. 0
F irst 60 kilowatt-hours
7 9. 0
7 9.0
7 9. 0
9. 0
Omaha__________________ All current __
24 11.4
5. 5
Next 125 kiiowatt-hours. _ ___ ___ 21 5: 7
P e o r ia __________________ First 5 kilowatt-hours for each of the
20 Q 9
first 2 rooms.28
9 .0
9 .0
9.0
9.0
Second 5 kilowatt-hours for each of
6. 0
6.0
6. 0
6.0
the first 2 rooms.28
Philadelphia:
Com pany A ______ F irst 12 kiiowatt-hours __ ____
8. 0
8. 0
9 10. 0
8. 0
8. 0
89 7. 0 39 7.0
Next 38 kilowatt-hours. _________
7.0
7.0
C ompany B _____
F irst 20 kiiowatt-hours _
9.0
9. 0
9. 0
9. 0
2210.0
Next 480 kiiowa-tt-hours________
8.0
8.0
8. 0
8. 0
P ittsburgh2
... ___ F irst 30 hours’ use of demand
6 10, 0
8. 0
8. 0
8. 0
8. 0
Next 60 hours’ use of d e m a n d . ____
5. 5
5. 5
5. 5
5. 5
Portland, M e . _____ . All current; .
9.0
■ 8. 0
■ 8. 0
8. 0
8.0
Portland, Oreg.:
Com pany -A. _____ F irst 9-kilowatt-hours.
7. 6
7. 6
7. 6
7. 6
7.6
Next kilowatt-hours 81_______ .... 32 0. 7
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.7
Next 50 kilowatt-hours __ .....____ 33 5.7
2.9
2.9
2.0
2.9
2 For determination of dem and see explanation following table.
6 All -current.
7 F irst 100 kilowatt-hours.
19 F irst 3 kilowatt-hours per active room; minimum, 3 rooms.
17 First. 4 kdowatt-hours for each: of the first 4 active rooms .and the; first. V/%kilowatt-hoars for each addi­
tional, active room.
18 First, 5 kilowatt-hours for each of the first 5 active rooms and the first 2J1.kilowatt-hours for each addi­
tional active room.
19 And the first 7 kilowatt-hours per month for each active room in addition to the first .6.
20 Additional energy up to 100 kilowatt-hours.
21 Excess.
23 First 500 kilowatt-hours.
23 Surcharge, 25 cents per month additional.
24 F irst 30 hours' use of connected load.
25 F irst 250 kilowatt-hours.
29 Price includes a coal charge.
27 A discount of 5 per cent is allowed on all bills of $2 or over when paym ent is made within 10: days
from date of bill.
23 And 4 kilowatt-hours for each additional active room.
291 to 200 kilowatt-hours.
30 Next 48 kilowatt-hours.
31 The number of kilowatt-hours paid for at this rate is that in excess of the* first 9 kilowatt-hours until
100 hours' use of the demand is reached. After 100 hours of demand have been consumed the lower .fate
can be applied. For determination of demand see explanation following table.
33 Next 70 kilowatt-hours.
-1 Next 100 kilowatt-hours.
Jacksonville_______ ____ _
K an sas C ity _____________


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[3 9 8 ]

151

R E T A IL P R IC E S OF E L E C T R IC IT Y

N E T P R IC E P E R K IL O W A T T -H O U R F O R E L E C T R I C I T Y F O R H O U SE H O L D U S E IN
D E C E M B E R , .1913, A N D J U N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1925 A N D 1926, F O R 51 C I T I E S —Con.

Portland, Oreg.—Contd.
Com pany P
PrAVl <1 oo
p inhT71On(i
p r»r*hpst.p.r
S t. Louis:
Com pany A__ _ _ ____
Corn pan y P
St Paul
Rrtlt T,akfi City
San Francisco:
c f»mpan y A
Onmpanv P
Pavfmnah
Per an ton
Seattle:
CpynpaTiy A
Com pany P
Springfield:
Com pany A
Com pany P
WasTn’r^f-on

Jun e,
1925

De­
cem­
ber,
1925

De
June, mem­
ber,
1926
1926

Cents Cents
7.3
F irst 13 kilowatt-hours________ ___ 84 9.0
Next 7 kilow att-hours______________ 36 7. 0 : 8« 6. 7
2. 9
Next 50 kilowatt-hours-_ ___________ 24 4. 0
10.0 37 6.9
All c u rre n t____
- __ _ ___ _
7 9.0
9.0
F irst 60 kilowatt-hours.. _ _________
8.0
8.0
All current__________________ ______

Cents
7.3
6: 7
2.9
37 6.8
7 9.0
8.0

Cents
7.3
6. 7
2.9
37 6.8
9.0
8.0

Cents
7.3
6.7
2.9
37 6.9
9.0
8.0

First 9 kilowatt-hours per active room. 17 9.5
5.7
E x c e s s ___ _____ ___ __ ___________
8» 9. 0
First kilowatt-hours88_____________
Excess
_
________________ F irst 3 kilowatt-hours per room -------- <0 9. 9
Next 3 kilowatt-hours per room _____
6. 6
Excess
____________
9.0
F irst 250 kilowatt-hours_____________

6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
40 9. 9

6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
40 9. 9

6.6
.8.1

6.6
8.1

6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1

6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1

First 10 kilowatt-hours____________ . 7 7. 0
Next do kilowatt-hours__
F irst 10 kilowatt-hours
_. ______ . 7 7.0
Next 40 kilowatt hours
F irst 100 kilow att-hours____ _______ io 12. 0
6. 0
Excess
F irst 150 kilowatt-hours_____________ «9.0

9.0
6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0

9.0
6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0

9.0
6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0

9.0
6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

10.0

41 6. 0
' F irst 40 kilowatt-hours________ . .
__ do__________ _____ ______ _________ 41 6. 0

5.5
5.5

5. 5
5.5

5. o
5.5

5.5
5.5

F irst 30 kilowatt-hours. . . _________ 43 10. 0
Next 70 kilowatt-hours______ . . . . 48 7.0
FirskSOkilowatt-hours_____ _ . . . . .
Next 70 kilowatt-hours
_ _ ______
10.0
F irst 120 hours’ use-of dem and______

6; 0
3.0
6.0
3; 0
7.5

6.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
7.5

6.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
7.0

6.0
3.0
6.0
3.0
7.0

Measure; of-consumption, per month

City

(1 2

De­
cern-:
her,
1913

7

2 For determination of dem and see explanation following table.

■

6 A ll current.
7 F irst 100 kilowatt-hours.
io F irst 10 kilowatt-hours.
,, ,
1? F irst 4 kilowatt-hours for each of the first 4 active rooms and the first 2*4 kilowatt-hours for each
additional active room.
2i Excess.
. ,
,
,
„
.
. ,,
84 F irst 6 per cent of demand. . For determination of demand see explanation following tame.
88N ext 6 per cent of demand. For determination of dem and see explanation following table,
ae For an installation of 600 w atts or less 7 kilowatt-hours will apply. For each 30 watts of installation
in excess of 600 w atts I additional kilowatt-hour will, apply.
,
, , ,
„
at Service charge, 50 cents per month additional. Reductions under the fuel, clause were 1 mill m
December, 1926, and June, 1925, and 2 mills in December, 1925, and June, 1926.
38 For a bouse of 4 rooms or less, 18-kilowatt hours; for 5 or 6 rooms, 27 kilowatt-hours; and for 7 or 8
rooms, 36 kilowatt-hours.
.
_ „
, ..
...
8« For a house of 6 rooms or less, 15 kilowatt, hours; for. a house of 7 or 8 rooms,- 20 kilowatt-hours.
4» First 30 kilowatt-hours.
41 First 60 kilowatt-hours.
43 F irst 30 hours’ use of demand. For determination of demand.see explanation following, table.
48 Next 30 hours’ use-of demand. For determination of demand see-explanation following table.

Determination of Demand
C E V E R A L cities have sliding scales based on a variable number of
kilowatt-hours payable at each rate. The number of kilowatthours payable at each rate in these cities is determined for each cus­
tomer according to the watts of installation, either in whole or in
part, in the individual home. The number of watts so determined is
called the customer’s “ demand.”
In Baltimore the demand is the maximum normal rate ol use of
electricity in any half-hour period of time. It may be estimated
or determined by the company from time*to time according to the cus-


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[399]

152

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

tomer’s normal use of electricity and may equal the total installation
reduced to kilowatts.
In Buffalo the demand consists of two parts—lighting, 25 per cent
of the total installation, hut never less than 250 watts; and power,
23^ Per cent of the capacity of any electric range, water heater, or
other appliance of 1,000 watts or over and 25 per cent of the rated
capacity of motors exceeding one-half horsepower but less than 1
horsepower. The installation is determined by inspection of
premises.
In Chicago the equivalent in kilowatt-hours to 30 hours’ use of
demand has been estimated as follows: For a rated capacity of 475
to 574 watts, 11 kilowatt-hours; 575 to 674 watts, 12 kilowatt-hours;
675 to 774 watts, 13 kilowatt-hours; and 775 to 874 watts, 14 kilo­
watt-hours. Although the equivalent in kilowatt-hours to 30 hours’
use of demand of from 1 to 1,500 watts is given on the printed tariff,
the equivalent is here shown only for installations of from 475 to 874
watts; the connected load of the average workingman’s home being,
as a rule, within this range.
In Cincinnati the demand has been estimated as being 70 per
cent of the connected load, excluding appliances.
In Cleveland, from December, 1913, to December, 1919, inclusive,
Company A determined the demand by inspection as being 40 per
cent of the connected load. From December, 1919, to the present
tune there has been a fiat rate for all current consumed.
In Houston the demand is estimated as 50 per cent of the connected load, each socket opening being rated at 50 watts.
In New fork the demand for Company C, when not determined
by meter, has been computed at 50 per cent of total installation in
residences, each standard socket being rated at 50 watts and all
other outlets being rated at their actual kilowatt capacit}7.
J n Pittsburgh since December, 1919, the demand has been deter­
mined by inspection. The first 10 outlets have been rated at 30
watts each, the next 2J3 outlets at 20 watts each, and each additional
outlet at 10 watts. Household utensils and appliances of not over
660 watts each have been excluded.
In Portland, Greg., the demand for Company A has been estimated
as one-third of the connected lighting load. Ranges, heating devices,
and small power up to rated capacity of 2 kilowatts are not included.
For Company B the demand, when not based on actual measure­
ment, was estimated at one-third of the connected load. No demand
was established at less than 233 watts.
in Springfield, 111., the demand for Company A in December,
1913, was the active load predetermined as follows: 80 per cent of
the first 500 watts of connected load plus 60 per cent of that part
of the connected load in excess of the first 500 watts—minimum
active load, 150 watts.
in Washington, D. C., the demand is determined by inspection
and consists of 100 per cent of the connected load, excluding small
fans and heating and cooking appliances when not permanently
connected.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[400]

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

153

In d ex N u m b e rs of W h olesale P rice s in D e ce m b e r, 1928

T

HE recent general downward trend of wholesale prices continued
through December, according to information collected in rep­
resentative markets by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
United States Department of Labor. The bureau’s weighted index
number, which includes 404 commodities or price series, registered
147.2 for December as compared with 148.1 for November, a decline
of more than one-half of 1 per cent. Compared with December,
1925, with an index number of 156.2, there was a decrease of 5%
per cent.
Fuels showed the largest decline from prices of the preceding
month, due to pronounced decreases for bituminous coal and coke.
In all other groups except farm products and miscellaneous com­
modities, December prices averaged slightly below those of the month
before. Farm products were slightly higher than in November,
while there was practically no change in the general level reported
for the group designated as miscellaneous commodities.
Of the 404 commodities or price series for which comparable infor­
mation for November and December was collected, increases were
shown in 93 instances and decreases in 137 instances. In 174 in­
stances no change in price was reported.
I N D E X N U M B E R S B Y G R O U P S OP C O M M O D IT IE S
[1913 = 100. 0]

1925

1926

Commodity group
December
Farm products____________ ____________
F o o d s_____ ___ __________
Clothing m aterials________
Fuels______ ______
M etals and m etal uroducts______ ______
Building m aterials___________________
Chemicals and dru gs. ___________ ______
House-furnishing g o o d s..Miscellaneous______ _.
All com modities___.
R aw m aterials 1________
Producers’ goods 1________
Consumers’ go o d s1............... ...............

152.2
157.1
187.1
174.8
129. 5
177. 0
134. 5
165.9
138.2
156.2
158.9
134. 4
166.0

November
134. 6
151.1
169.9
190.2
126. 5
174.0
128. 5
159.9
117.7
148. 1
150. 1
126. 1
158.7

December
134.9
151. 0
168. 6
182. 9
125. 7
172. 7
128. 2
159. 4
117. 8
147. 2
148. 6
125.9
158.2

1 Federal Reserve Board grouping.

Comparing prices in December with those of a year ago, as meas­
ured by changes in the index numbers, it is seen that large decreases
took place in farm products, clothing materials, and miscellaneous
commodities, with smaller decreases in foods, metals, building
materials, chemicals, and housefurnishing goods. Fuels, on the
contrary, averaged over 4^2 per cent higher than in the corresDonding
month of 1925.

28261°—27-----11

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[401]

T r e n d o f V /h o l e s a l e P r i c e s in t h e U n it e d

S ta tes, J anuary,

1917,

to

D ecem ber,

1926
400
375
350
325
300
275
250
225
200

175
150
125
100

75

50
40

M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

“~4

S

Ol

155

M O N T H L Y LABOR K EV IEW

W h o lesale P ric e s o f C o m m o d itie s? O cto b e r to D e c e m ­
b er, 1926, a n d Y e a r 1926

I

N CONTINUATION of the plan of publishing each quarter a
detailed statement of wholesale prices of important commodities,
inaugurated in the May, 1922, issue of the L a b o r R e v i e w , there
is presented herewith a list of the more important commodities in­
cluded in the bureau’s compilation of wholesale prices, together with
the latest record of price changes available at the time of its prepara­
tion. For convenience of comparison with pre-war prices index
numbers based on average prices in the year 1913 as 100 are shown in
addition to the absolute money prices wherever such information
can be supplied. Index numbers for the several groups and sub­
groups also are shown in the table. To show more minutely the
fluctuations in prices, all index numbers are here published to one
decimal fraction. Figures are given for October, November, and
December, 1926, and the year 1926.

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S OF C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

Nov.,
1826

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

Oct.,
1926

Nov., Doc.,
1926
1926

$0. 711

$0. 744

$0. 694

138.4
143. 5
113.9

134.6
138.1
113.7

134.9
142.2
118.9

142.2
148.1
111.0

.711
.697

.755
.745

.759
.736

124.2
124.4

113.7
113.3

120.8
121.0

121.4
119.5

.452
.961

.503
.970

.430
.954

124. 6
159.0

120.2
151.0

133.8
152. 4

114. 5
149. 9

1.386
1. 384
1. 374
1.401
1. 370

1.439
1. 403
1. 374
1.422
1. 363

1. 552
1. 542
1.496
1. 549
1. 436

158.2
142.1
157.8
164. 0
149. 6

151.8
140.3
156.7
160. 4
147.5

157.6
142.2
156.7
162.8
146. 7

170.0
156. 4
170. 6
177.3
154.5

139.5

129.2

128.8

135» 4

10.938
9.888

10. 400
9. 385

10. 606
9.719

10. 354
9. 529

122.5
116. 2

116.5
110.3

118, S
114.2

1)6.0
112.0

12. 969
13. 569

12. 085
12.165

11. 769
11. 725

12. 336
13.115

155.0
160. 5

144.5
143.9

140.7
138. 7

147. 5
155.1

5. 81.3
13. 281
7.281

5, 770
12. 700
7. 275

5. 638
12. 044
7. 094

6. 592
13. 701
8.181

124.0
170. 4
136.2

123.1
162.9
136.1

120.3
154. 5
132.7

140. 7
175.8
153.0

.211
.281

.198
.257

.215
.271

.252
.298

137.1
168.0

128.2
153. 5

139.5
162.1

163. 2
Ì77.9

133.7

136. 7

13C.0

144.4

6.175

6. 000

5.442

151.2

154.8

150.4

136.4

34. 533

35. 087

31.817

209.0

209.1

212. 4

192.6

. 124
. 128
18. 660

. 122
. 128
18. 050

.168
. 175
27. 197

100. 6
103. 0
92. 1

97.9
100.4
85.6

96.4
99.9
82.8

132.5
137.1
124.8

.499
.480
.568
.385
.499
.595
.374

. 503
.443
.503
.394
.480
.522
.377

.356
.335
.356
.339
.356
.395
.298

160.6
178.3
193.3
367.0
162.2
178. 3
142.8

308.3
2)2.6
253.9
164. 3
200.4
225. 7
139.6

200.0
196. 2
224.6
168.1
192. 8
198.0
140.8

141.7
148.3
159. 1
144.6
142.8
149.9
111. 2

F A R M P R O D U C T S ________
G r a in s _____
_________ Barley, m alting, per bushel, C hicago... $0. 713
Corn per bushel, Chicago—
Contract grades___ ____ _______ _
.777
No. 3, m ixed__________ _______ . .
.766
Oats, contract grades, per bushel, Chic.ago____ _______________ __________
. 468
Rye, No. 2, per bushel, Chicago______
1. 0L1
Wheat, per bushel—
No. 1, northern spring, Chicago_____ 1.444
No. 2, red winter, Chicago. _______ 1. 402
No. 2, hard winter, K an sas C i t y ___ 1. 384
No. 1, northern spring, M inneapolis.. 1.433
No. 1, hard white, Portland, Oreg___ 1. 390
L iv esto ck a n d p o u ltr y .........
..........
Cattle, steers, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Choice to p rim e ....................................
Good to choice____________________
Hogs, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
H eavy____________________________
L ig h t-------------------------------------Sheep, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Ewes, native, all grades____________
Lam bs, western, m edium to good___
Wethers, fed, good to choice............. .
Poultry, live fowls, per pound—
Chicago _______ ________________
New Y o rk .................................................

O th er farm , p r o d u c ts ____________ __
Beans, medium, choice, per 100 pounds,
New Y o rk ________________________
6. 031
Clover seed, contract grades, per 100
pounds, Chicago______. . . _____ . . .
34. 520
Cotton, middling, per pound—
New Orleans____________ ____ _____
. 128
New York
________________
. 132
Cottonseed, per ton, average price at gin 20. 060
Eggs, fresh, per dozen—
.404
Firsts, western, B oston ____ ______
.403
Firsts, Chicago .. __________________
E xtra firsts, Cincinnati_______ _____
.433
.391
Candled, New O r le a n s .____ . . . .
Firsts, New York
___ _ _
.404
Extra firsts, western, Philadelphia__
.470
.383
E xtra mediums, San Francisco______


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

[403]

Year,
1920

156

M O N T H LY LABOR R EV IEW

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R .
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

Commodity
Oct.,
1926

N ov.,
1926

Dee.,
1926

Year,
1926

Oct.,
1926

Nov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

F A R M P R O D U C T S —Continued
O th e r fa r m p r o d u c ts —Continued.
Flaxseed, No. 1, per bushel, Minneapolis.
H ay, per ton—
Alfalfa, No. 1, K an sas C ity ....... ...........
Clover, mixed, No. 1, C in cinn ati...
"Timothy, No. 1, Chicago...............
Hides and skins, per pound—
Calfskins, N o. 1, country, Chicago__
Goatskins, Brazilian, New Y ork____
Hides, heavy, country cows, No. 1,
Chicago. _________________
Hides, packers’, heavy, native steers,
Chicago—............................. .
Hides, packers’, heavy, Texas steers,
C h icago............................. ................
Hops, prime to choice, per pound—
New York State, New York
_____
Pacifies, Portland, Oreg........ ..............
M ilk, fluid, per quart—
Chicago...... .............................................
New Y ork____________ ______
San Francisco________
Onions, yellow, per 100 pounds, Chicago.
Peanuts, No. 1, per pound, Norfolk, V a.
Potatoes—
White, good to choice, per 100 pounds,
Chicago___ _______ __________
Sweet, No. 1, per five-eighths bushel,
Philadelphia..................................
Rice, per pound, New Orleans—
Blue Rose, head, clean_____________
Honduras, head, clean _
Tobacco, leaf, per 100 pounds—
Burley, good leaf, dark red, Louisville, K y _____________
Average warehouse sales, K en tuck y..
Wool, per pound, Boston—
Ohio, grease basis—
Fine clothing .........................
Fine delaine..... ... ......................
H alf blood ________ ____
One-fourth and three-eighths grades.
South American, grease basis—
Argentine crossbreds, straight,
quarter blood_______ _____ ___
Montevideo, 60s___ _______ ____
Territory, scoured—
Fine and fine medium, staple_____
H alf blood________ _____ ____

$2. 203

$2. 200

$2. 223

$2. 328

163.3

163.1

164.8

172.6

20.375
22. 375
22. 750

20. 300
24.100
21. 700

21. 000
23.250
22.250

21.034
22. 212
23.481

143.6
143.6
141.9

143.1
154.7
135.4

148.0
149.2
138.8

148. 3
142.5
146. 5

.178
.753

.168
.760

.167
.760

.173
.733

94.1
105.8

89.1
106.8

88. 5
106.8

91. 9
103. 0

68.3

63.9

83.3

82.1

76.3

.103

.099

.103

.097

67.9

.161

.153

.151

.140

87.7

.152

.143

.142

.134

83.9

79.1

78.2

73.8

.625
.237

.625
.207

.613
.212

.597
.241

234.7
137.8

234.7
120.4

230.0
123.3

224.1
140.1

.063
.079
.068
1. 569
.052

.062
.079
.068
1. 575
.045

.062
.079
.068
1.800
.044

.063
.077
.067
2.447
.050

146.7
178.1
158.1
99.7
146.2

143.9
178. 1
158.1
100.2
127.6

143.9
178.1
158.1
114. 5
125.1

147.7
173.8
157.6
155. 7
139.4

2.175

2.345

2.263

3. 013

212.4

229.0

221.0

294.3

.775

.681

.835

1.531

160.6

141.2

173.0

317.1

.051
.067

.048
.068

.044
.064

.062
.073

(!)
132.5

C1)
133.1

(0
126.4

(!)
144.6

21. 000
8. 419

21. 000
10.014

21. 000
12.546

22.462
8.472

159.1
94.5

159.1
112.4

159.1
140.8

170.1
95.1

.410
.460
.450
.450

.400
.460
.450
.450

.390
.450
.450
.450

.402
.467
.462
.457

179.4
192.6
177.0
178.5

175.1
192.6
177.0
178. 5

170.8
188.4
177.0
178.5

175.8
195.4
181.6
181.2

.297
.375

.286
.368

.265
.345

.283
.369

87.4
105.9

84.2
103.8

77.9
97.4

83.4
104,2

1.135
1.043

1.135
1.033

1.103
1.014

1.152
1.047

202.1
202.7

202.1
200.9

196.3
197. 2

205.0
203.6

F O O D S ....... ..................
M e a ts ____________
Beef, fresh, per pound—
Carcass, good, native steers, Chicago..
.170
Sides, native, New Y ork___ _
.148
Beef, salt, extra mess, per barrel (200
pounds), New Y o r k ........................
19.000
H am s, smoked, per pound, Chicago___
.303
Lam b, dressed, per pound, C h icago..
.251
M utton, dressed, per pound, New York.
.114
Pork, fresh, per pound—
Loins, Chicago.
_______ . . .
.314
Loins, western, New Y ork____
.311
Pork, cured—
M ess, salt, per barrel (200 pounds),
New Y ork................
37.000
Sides, rough, per pound, Chicago___
.191
Sides, short, clear, per pound, Chicago.
.193
Poultry, dressed, per pound—
Hens, heavv, Chicago_______
.266
Fowls, 48-54 pounds to dozen, New
Y ork.. _ . . .
.301
Veal, dressed, good, per pound, Chicago.
.206
*N o 1913 base price;


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

152 0

151 1

151 f)

152 9

154,3

148.1

146.9

153.6

.170
.151

'.170
.157

.164
.151

131.3
117.8

131.3
120.6

131.3
125. 3

126.8
120.3

19.000
.293
.245
.130

19. 750
.280
.234
.123

21.125
.308
.262
.144

100.4
182.4
168.8
111.0

100.4
176. 3
164.8
126.8

104.4
168. 5
157.4
119.5

111.6
185.1
175.9
140.7

.255
.263

.237
.247

.278
.276

211.3
204.2

171.6
172.4

159.5
162.2

187.1
181.1

36.400
.174
.190

36. 000
.183
.191

37.447
.198
.201

164.7
154.2
151. 6

162.0
140.6
149.4

160.2
148. 1
150.2

166.6
160.5
157.5

.244

.238

.271

184.2

168.7

164.2

187.1

.290
. 169

.291
.174

.314
.187

165. 2
221.6

159.0
181. 7

159. 7
172.0
187.1 i 201.2

[404]

157

W H O L E S A L E P R I C E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

Nov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

Oct.,
1926

N ov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

$0. 479
.490
.428
.504
.507
.518
.503
.453

$0. 521
.531
.470
.546
.549
. 556
.539
.473

$0. 439
.429
.395
.476
. 443
.455
.440
.436

152. C

154,5

158. 7

148.6

145.4
147.4
(')
144. 7
145. 2
146. 7
151. 7
140.7

150.9
157. 7
(>)
150.0
157.2
158.8
162.6
142. 7

164.3
171.2
0)
162. 5
170.3
170.6
174. 4
149.2

138.4
138.1
«
141.6
137.5
139.5
142.5
137.4

.234

.244

.217

.243

.253

.227

165.3

165.0

171.9

153.0

149. 6

157. 7

163.9

.246

.250

147.4

.229

147.4

154.5

156.8

143.5
124.6

Year,
1926

F O O D S -C o n tin u ed
B u tte r , cheese, a n d m ilk ........ ................
Butter, creamery, extra, per pound—
Boston___________ ________________ $0. 461
Chicago___________________ ______
.458
C in cinn ati2............... ..............................
.410
New Orleans___________ ____ ______
.486
New Y o rk .................................................
.468
Philadelphia__________ ______ _____
.478
St. Louis. _________________________
.469
_______
San Francisco__________
.446
Cheese, whole milk, per pound—
American, twins, Chicago------------.234
State, fresh, flats, colored, average,
New Y o rk ______ . _______ ____
.231
California, flats, fancy, San Francisco_______ ___________________
.235
M ilk, fluid. (See F arm products.)
M ilk, condensed, per case of 48 14ounce tins, New Y ork______________ 5. 850
M ilk, evaporated, per case of 48 16ounce tins, New Y ork______________ 4.413

5. 845

5.675

5.857

124.5

124.4

120. 7

4.415

4.481

4. 393

124.8

124.9

126.8

124.3

151.7

152.3

151.5

155.0

.075
.071
.072
.070
.077
.ISO

174. 5
199. 7
229.5
165.1
194. 5
140.2

174. 5
199. 7
229.5
165.1
194.5
140.0

174.5
194.4
229.5
165.1
173.0
135.7

174.5
199.2
234.8
165.1
192.8
117.8

. 182
.223

144.2
157. 3

146.1
158.2

137.5
152.5

163.5
169.6

.058

50.9

49.9

48.6

55.7

108.2

O th er f o o d s _________________________
Beans, medium choice. (See Farm
products.)
Bread, per pound, before baking—
Chicago-. ________ ______________
.075
.075
.075
Cincinnati________________________
.071
.071
.069
New Orleans...................... ......................
.070
.070
.070
New Y o rk ...... ........................ ............
.070
.070
.070
San Francisco_____________________
.078
.078
.069
Cocoa beans, per pound, New Y ork___
.214
.215
.208
Coffee, per pound, New York—
Rio, No. 7 ..................................................
. 161
.163
.153
Santos, No. 4______________________
.201
.207
.208
Copra, South Sea, sun-dried, per
pound, New Y o rk ________. .
.053
.052
.051
Eggs, fresh, per dozen. (See Farm
products.)
F ish —
Cod, large, shore, pickled, cured,
per 100 pounds, Gloucester, M ass... 7. 000
7.000
7. 000
Mackerel, salt, large, 3s, per barrel,
B o sto n ... ___________________ _. 11. 8S0 11.880 13. 365
Salmon, canned, Alaska, red, per
dozen, fa c to r y .________ _________ 2.788
2. 675
2. 675
Flour, rye, white, per barrel, Minneapolis____________ ________________
5. 613
5.640
5. 738
Flour, wheat, per barrel—
Winter patents, K an sas C ity_______
7. 730
7. 406
7. 463
Winter straights, K ansas C ity ............ 6. 935
6. 600
6.638
Standard patents, Minneapolis------7.944
7. 631
7. 740
Second patents, Minneapolis...............
7. 713
7. 375
7. 530
Patents, Portland, Oreg. __________ 7. 746
7.685
7. 463
Patents, soft, winter, St. Louis...........
7. 025
7. 031
7. 220
Straights, soft, winter, St. L o u is____ 6. 285
6.194
6. 238
Patents, Toledo___________________
6. 870
6. 825
6. 725
Fru it, canned, per case, New York—
Peaches, California, standard, 2 ] 4 s ... 2.200
2.200
2.200
Pineapples, Hawaiian, sliced, standard, 2 } ^ s ..______________________
2.150
2.150
2.150
Fruit, dried, per pound, New Fork—
Apples, evaporated, State, choice___
. 102
. 110
. 103
Currants, Patras, c le an e d ....................
. 100
.100
. 100
Prunes, California, 60-70s__________
.073
.073
.076
Raisins, coast, seeded, b u lk ________
.094
.094
.094
Fruits, fresh—
Apples, Baldwin, per barrel, Chicago.
3.100
3. 344
(3)
Bananas, Jam aica, 9s, per bunch,
New Y o rk __
2. 500
2. 688
2. 550
Lemons, California, choice, per box,
Chicago_________________________
5. 325
5. 675
4. 750
Oranges, California, choice, per box,
Chicago_________________ _______ 7.063
6. 775
5.781
1N o 1913 base price.
2 As to score;


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[405]

7.258

104.4

104.4

104.4

12. 375

107.1

107.1

120.4

111. 5

3. 326

190.9

183.2

183.2

227.7

5. 600

179.7

180. 6

183.7

179.3

8. 035
7. 252
8.426
8.148
7. 9S4
7. 832
7.108
7. 626

192.7
180.3
173. 3
174.4
172.3
158. 1
147.8
145.4

184.6
172.5
168. 9
170.3
171.0
153.8
145. 6
142. 3

186.0
171.6
166. 5
166.8
166.0
154.0
146.7
144.4

200.3
188.5
183.8
184.3
177.6
171.5
167.1
161.4

1.950

145. 0

145.0

145. 0

128.5

2.150

104.7

104.7

104. 7

104.7

. 118
.099
.078
.092

153. 2
130. 5
110. 5
129.2

143.9
130. 5
111. 7
129.2

142. 3
130.5
116.3
129.2

164.5
129.3
118.9
126. 2

97. 7

105.4

129.2

2. 451

174. 6

165. 7

162.5

159.4

5. 571

92.2

98.3

82.3

96.5

159.8 153.3 130.8
3 No quotation*

134.8

4.102

5. 957

158

,

M O N T H LY LABOR REV IEW

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1928, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

Nov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

Oct.,
1926

Nov.,
1926

Dec., Y car,
1926
1926

$3. 510

$3. 510

$3. 439

164. 2

164.2

164. 2

160.9

1.430

1.429

1.558

95.8

86.6

86.6

94.4

.128

.128

.150

129.1

116.4

116.5

136.3

1.430
2.625

1.429
2. 665

1. 558
2. 663

98.8
195. 6

89.3
183.1

89.3
185. 9

97.3
185.8
138.7

F O O D S —Continued

O ther foods—Continued.

Glucose, 42° mixing, per 100 pounds,
New Y o rk ______ . . . .
$3. 510
Hom iny grits, bulk, car lots, per 100
pounds, f. o. b. m ill__________
1.581
L ard, prime, contract, per pound, New
Y ork____ .. _ _ ____
.142
M eal, corn, per 100 pounds—
White, f. o. b. m ill. _______________ 1. 581
Yellow, Philadelphia_____ ____
2. 805
Molasses, New Orleans, fancy, per
gallon, New York .
.550
Oatmeal, car lots, in sacks (90 pounds),
per 100 pounds, New Y o r k ________
3.104
Oleomargarine, standard, uncolored,
per pound, Chicago____
.225
Oleo, ou, extra, per pound, C h icago ...
.112
Pepper, black, per pound, New Y o r k ..
.238
Rice. (See F arm products.)
Salt, American, medium, per barrel
(280 pounds), Chicago............
2.195
Sugar, per pound, New York—
Granulated, in barrels............................
.057
Raw , 96° centrifugal_______________
.046
Tallow , edible, per pound, Chicago___
.087
Tea, Form osa, fine, per pound, New
Y ork____ _.
.355
Vegetables, canned, per dozen, New
Y orkCorn, M aryland, standard ________
.975
Peas, State and western, No. 5. _
1.225
Tom atoes, New Jersey, standard,
No. 3_____
..
1. 500
Vegetables, fresh. (See F arm prodducts.)
Vegetable oil—
Coconut, crude, per pound, New
A ork_____ . . .
. 110
Corn, crude, in barrels, per pound.
New Y o rk . _ _________
.112
Cottonseed, prime, summer, yellow,
per pound, New Y ork____
.088
Olive oil, edible, in barrels, per galIon, New Y ork_______
2.000
Peanut, crude, per pound, f. o. b. m ill.
.110
Soya bean, crude, in barrels, per
pound, New Y ork____
.125
Vinegar, cider, 40-gram, in barrels, per
gallon, New Y ork_____
.180

.550

.650

.528

144.4

144.4

170. 6

3.133

3.320

3. 073

125.4

126.6

134.1

124.2

.218
.106
.278

.215

.228

.264

.256

138.5
98. 9
217.8

133.8
91. 5
256.2

132.3
86.5
243.7

140.4
104.3
235.9

2.195

2.195

2.195

215.2

215.2

215.2

215.2

.058
.047
.080

.061
.051
.078

.055
.043
.095

134. 0
130.6
108. 7

135. 4
134. 3
100.5

142.9
145. 7
97.7

128.3
124.0
119.9

.355

.350

.355

143.0

143. 0

141.0

142.8

.975
1.225

.975
1.225

.901
1.316

153.7
141.4

153.7
141.4

153. 7
141.4

142.0
151.9

1.500

1.500

1.433

115.4

115.4

115.4

110.3

175.1

171.0

198. 3

.100

0

0

.106

.104

.120

•
i . 120

81. 7

.120

183.7

.083

.082

.118

121.8

113.8

113.0

163.3

2.000

2.000

.103

.091

1.811
.113

118.5
«

118. 5

118.5

113.2

0

0

.123

.121

. 126

204.3

200.2

197. 7

.180

.175

.186

161. 3

161.3

150.7

166.5

171.5

168.9

Í 6 8 .6

175.9

C L O T H IN G M A T E R IA LS

Boots an d shoes.

Children’s, per pair, factory—
Child’s, gun metal, polish, high c u t ..
L ittle boy’s, tan, cal?, b lu ch er...
M isses’, gun metal, polish, high c u t..
Y outh’s, tan, calf, blu ch er..
M en’s per pair, factory—
Black, calf, blucher. ____
Black, calf, Goodyear welt, b a l...
Black, dress, Goodyear welt, side
leather____
Black, vici kid, Goodyear welt.
Chocolate, elk, blucher
_.
Gun metal, Goodyear welt, blucher..
M ahogany, chrome, side, Goodyear
welt, bal __
Tan, dress, Goodyear welt, calf_____
Tan, dress, Goodyear welt, side
leather_____ . .
1 N o 1913 base price.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

89.4

0

205.9

184. 3

184.3

184.3

185.2

1.400
1. 550
1. 650
1. 750

1. 400
1. 550
1. 650
1.750

1. 400
1. 550
1.650
1. 750

1.400
1.550
1.650
1. 750

181.7
166.5
173.2
143.4

181.7
166. 5
173. 2
143. 4

181. 7
166. 5
173. 2
143.4

181. 7
166. 5
173.2
143. 4

6.400
4.850

6.400
4. 850

6.400
4. 850

6.400
4. 924

205. 6
153.2

205.6
153. 2

205.6
153. 2

205. 6
155. 5

3.199

140.8
209.3

140.8
209.3
121.2

143.0
209.3
235. 3

3.150

3.150

3.150

1.739
4.600

1. 727
4. 600

1.716
4. 600

1. 723
4. 600

235.3

235.3

140. 8
209.3
120.3
235.3

3. 600
4.850

3. 600
4. 850

3. 600
4. 850

3. 600
4. 924

223.3
153.2

223. 3
153.2

223. 3
153. 2

223.3
155.5

3. 350

3. 350

3. 350

3. 375 149. 7 149. 7 149.7
i 10 m onths’ average.

150.8

6.000

6.000

3 N o quotation.

[406]

6 . 000

6 . 000

122.1

121.0

W H O L E SA L E P E IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IES

150

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R .
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

N o v .,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

$4. 000

$4.000

$4. 074

142.8

142.8

142.8

145.4

3. 600

3. 600

3. 600

241.7

241.7

241.7

241. 7

4.150
3. 600

4.150
3. 600

4.150
3. 600

190.9
261.8

190.9
261.8

190.9
261.8

190.9
261.8

153. 0

150.3

148. G

J80.3

.150

.147

.169

125.8

116.9

114. 4

131. 5

.120

.110

.132

157.1

145.3

133.4

159.4

.111

.106

.127

143.7

134. 3

129.1

154.6

.125
.175

.125
.175

. 126
■ .176

171. 2
195.7

171.2
195.7

171. 2
195.7

172.5
196.8

.090

138.5

138.5

138. 5

Oct., Nov.,
1926
1926

Dec.,
1926

Y ear,
1926

C L O T H IN G M A T E R I A L S —Con.
S o o t s a n d sh o e s—Continued.
Women’s, per pair, factory—•
Black, kid, dress, welt, lace, oxford... $4.000
Black, kid, M c K a y sewed, lace, oxford____:______ ____ __________
3. 600
Colored, calf, Goodyear welt, lace,
oxford_______ ______ ___________
4.150
Patent-leather pum p, M cK ay sewed. 3.600
C o tto n snoods . . .
Denim s, M assachusetts, 28-inch, 2.20
yards to the pound, per yard, factory.
.162
Drilling, brown, per yard, factory—
M assachusetts, D standard, 30-inch..
.130
Pepperell, 29-inch, 2.85 yards to the
pound__________
____
.118
Flannels, per yard, factory—
Colored, 4.20 yards to the poun d ____
.125
Unbleached, 3.20 yards to the pound.
.175
Ginghams, per yard, factory—
Amoskeag, 27-inch, 6.37 yards to the
pound._ _______
.090
Lancaster, 26K-inch, 6.50 yards to the
pound
_____
(9)
Hosiery, per dozen pairs, factory—
M en’s half hose, combed yarn .
1. 600
Women’s, cotton, silk, mercerized,
mock s e a m _______ _
2. 275
Women’s, combed yarn, 16-ounce___ 1.666
M uslin, bleached, 4/4, per yard, factory—
F ruit of the L o o m ..................
.166
Lonsdale_____ ._
.150
Rough R ider. __________ .
.138
W am sutta nainsook..
.229
Print cloth, per yard, factory—
27-inch, 7.60 yards to the pound. _
0. 049
381^-ineh, 5.38 yards to the pound___
.068
Sheeting, brown, 4/4, per yard, factory—
Indian Head, 2.85yards to the pound.
.113
Pepperell, 3.75 yards to the pound__
.116
Trion, 4 yards to the pound.
.
.090
Thread. 6-cord, J. & P. Coats, per 200
yards, factory. _ _____________ _
.073
Underwear, factory—
M en’s shirts and drawers, per dozen
g a r m e n t s ..___
__________
6. 930
Women’s union suits, carded yarn,
per dozen _ . _______ _
10.000
Yarn, per pound, factory—
Carded, white, m ulespun, northern,
10/1, cones _____ _ _____________
.296
Carded, white, mulespun, northern,
22/1 , co n es..
..
_ _______ _
.329
Carded, weaving, 40/1 _____ _
.482
Tw isted, ordinary weaving, 20/2____
.299
Tw isted, ordinary weaving, 40/2____
.445
W oolen a n d w o rsted g o o d s. _
Fiannel, white, 4/4, Ballard Vale, No.
13, per yard, factory.. _ ___________
Overcoating, 30 to 31 ounces, per yard,
factory. _______ _ _ _______
Suiting, per yard, factory—
C lay worsted, diagonal, 16-ounco____
Middlesex, wool-dyed, blue, 16ounce _______ _ _______________
Serge, 9^-ounce___________________
Serge, 11-ounce____________________

1.040

.090

.090

0)

(3)

138. 5
201.8

1.600

1.600

1. 624

198.8

198.8

198. 8

201. 9

2. 275
1. 666

2. 275
1. 666

2.329
1.693

128.4
166.6

128.4
166.6

128.4
166. 6

131. 6
169. 3

.166
.149
. 138
.223

.152
.137
. 138
. 216

.167
.151
. 143
.228

195.0
185.0
172.3
348.9

195.0
184. 4
172. 3
242.1

178.2
169. 8
172.3
234. 5

195. 9
186. 6
178.2
247.2

0.048
.069

0.048
.067

0. 052
.075

141.5
129.1

137. 7
129.7

135.1
125.9

151. 3
142. 5

.113
.108
.085

.105
. 108
.080

. 123
. 123
.093

133.6
158.3
146.1

133. 6
147. 8
138.3

124.7
146. 7
130.0

145. 5
167. 3
151.3

.073

.073

.073

186.0

186. 0

186. 0

186. 0

6. 534

6.207

6.837

193.8

182.7

173.5

191.1

10. 000

10. 000

10. 000

164.9

164.9

164.9

164.9

.282

.271

.324

133.9

127.3

122.6

146.4

.321
.470
.287
.428

.311
.467
.275
.412

.358
.508
.324
.472

133.1
143.2
128.7
116.0

129.7
139.5
123.7

125.6
138.7
118. 3
107.6

144,8
150.9
139.2
123. 3

1. 040

111.8

189.3

Î89.3

404.3

1.986

1. 036

224.4

224.4

212.8

223.4
175. 5

189.0

3.000

3. 000

3.000

3.042

173.0

173.0

173.0

2. 588

2.588

2.588

2. 672

187.2

187.2

187.2

193.4

3.285
1. 373
2. 048

3.285
1.373
2.048

3.285
3. 394 212.6
1. 373
1.409 215.5
2.048
2 . 168 181.1
« 9 m onths’ average.

212.6

212.6

219. 7

N o quotation.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

5.125

[407]

215.5
181.1

215.5
181.1

221.1

191.7

160

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

N ov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

Oct.,
1926

N ov., Dec.,
1926
1926

$1. 500

$1. 500

$1. 527

132.6

132.6

Year,
1926

C L O T H IN G M A T E R I A L S —Con.
W oolen a n d w orsted g o o d s—Con.
Trousering, cotton warp, 11-ounce, per
yard, fa c to r y ............................................ $1. 500
Underwear, factory—
Merino shirts and drawers, per dozen
garm ents________________________ 30. 000
M en’s union suits, 33 per cent worsted, per dozen, __ _________ _ 30. 380
Women’s dress goods, per yard, factory—
Broadcloth, 9J4-ounce, 54-56-inch........ 2.255
French serge, 35-inch_______________
.700
Serge, cotton warp, 36-inch. _ ______
.450
Sicilian cloth, cotton warp, 50-inch___
.650
Storm serge, double warp, 54-inch___ 1.125
Y arn, per pound, factory—
Crossbred, stock 2/32s___ ________
1.400
Half-blood, 2/40s_________________
1.813
Fine, domestic, 2/50s............................... 2.075
S ilk , e tc _____________________ ____ . . .
Linen shoe thread, 10s, Barbour, per
pound, New Y ork___ . ___ ______
Silk, raw, per pound, New York—
China, Canton, filature, extra extra A _
Japan , ICansai, No. 1_______________
Japan , special, extra e x t r a . ...... ...........
Silk yarn, per pound, New York—
Domestic, gray spun, 60/1________
Domestic, gray spun, 60/2, No. 1 ... .

132.6

135.0

30. 000

30. 000

30. 000

153.2

153.2

153.2

153.2

30. 380

30. 380

30. 380

309.6

309.6

309. 6

309.6

2. 255
.700
.500
.650
1.125

2. 255
.700
.500
.650
1.125

2. 360
.728
.458
.674
1.159

171.6

178.6
20i . 0
184.3

184.3

198. 5
201. 0
184. 3

179.5
220.7
181.9
208.4
189.9

1.400
1.813
2.075

1.400
1. 794

1.435
1.854
2.106

180.3
162.4
196.8

180.3
162.4
196.8

180. 3
160. 6
199.2

184.8
166.1
199.8

2.100

171.6

212. 2

171.6
212.2

198. 5

201.0

212. 2

154.4

148.1

147.8

158.8

1.946

217.9

217.9

217.9

217.9

4. 655
5.937
6.194

125.0
158. 9
149.2

119.9
150.8
140.8

114.3
153.5
143.1

133. 0
163. 1
152.0

157.9
169.6

157.9
169.6

154.6
159.4

160. 9
172.1

1. 946

1.946

1.946

4. 373
5. 782
6. 076

4. 196
5. 488
5. 733

3. 999
5. 586
5. 831

4. 606
5.880

4. 606
5.880

4.508
5. 527

4.693
5.966

F U E L S ____ _________

184.4

130. 2

182.9

179.9

A n th ra c ite c o a l______ _. . .
Average spot price for 8 cities, per gross
ton—
Chestnut_____________ __
E g g ----- ------- ---------------------------P ea________________ ____ _____
Tidewater, New York, average sales
realization, per gross ton—
Broken________________ ____
Chestnut______________
E g g ---------------------------------------S t o v e ............................................

225. 5

226.5

226. 6

226.2

0)
G)
(!)

0
0
0

0

216.0
226.8
231.5

216. Î
226.6
231.6

216. 1
226. 6
231.9

256.0
216.0
226.7
231.7

214.5

239.7

222.1

205.9

0

G)

0
0
0

G)
G)
G)
G)
G)
G)

B it u m in o u s c o a l.
Baltim ore, per net ton, mine run, pools
1-11-71________
Birmingham, per net ton—
M ine run, Jagger district____ ____
Prepared sizes, Jagger district_____
Screenings, Jagger district_________
Chicago, per net ton—
M ine run, southern Illinois________
PreDared sizes, southern Illinois___
Screenings, central Illinois__
Cincinnati, per net ton—
Mine run, K an aw h a....................
Mine run, New R iver...................
Cleveland, per net ton—
Mine run, Ohio, Pittsburgh, No. 8 . . .
Prepared sizes, West Virginia, high
volatile________ _______
Screenings, Ohio, Pittsburgh, No. 8 __
Indianapolis, mine run, per net to n __
Norfolk, V a., mine run, Pocahontas,
per gross ton _________________
Pittsburgh, prepared sizes, per net ton.
St. Louis, per net ton—
M ine run, southern Illinois __ _ ____
Prepared sizes, southern Illinois_____
Screenings, southern Illinois________
1 N o 1913 base price.
3 N o quotation.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

13. 802
13. 333
10. 573

(3)

11.478
11.482
11. 719

13. 869
13. 366

10. 622

(3)

11. 480
11.475
11. 722

13. 850
13. 335
10. 675

13. 767
13. 290
10.652

(3) 611 380
11. 483 7 11. 479
11.476 7 11. 480
11. 735 7 11. 725

0)
0

G)
G)
G)

(3)

(3)

5. 340

2.690
4.040
2. 390

3.040
4. 290
2.790

3.290
4. 290
2. 978

2. 853
3.894
2. 543

G)
0)
0

0)
0
0

4. 370
4.626
2. 990

5.025
5. 050
3.225

5. 013
5.073
3.138

4.505
4. 659
3.106

0)
(!)
G)

0
0
0

G)
G)
G)

3. 740
4. 890

4.390
5.490

4. 390
5. 490

3. 615
4.419

170.0
202.7

199.5
227.6

199.5
227.6

3. 878

4. 455

3. 728

3. 663

G)

0

G)

G)

5. 734
3. 359
3. 409

7. 090
3. 950
4. 046

5.109
3. 353
3. 830

4.939
3.166
3. 479

G)
«
0)

0
0
0

G)
G)
G)

G)
G)
G)

7. 375
4. 000

8.375
4.000

5. 500
4.000

5. 381
3.813

245.8
0

279.2

183.3

3. 010
3. 220
3. 260
3. 660
4.060
4.160
2. 273
2. 500
2.560
6 6 m onths’ average.
i n m onths’ average.

[408]

3 4.979

3.065
0
3. 631
0
2.471
0
8 g m onths’

0

G)

0
0
0

G)
0)
G)

average.

164.3
183.2

179.4

G)

G)
G)
G)

161

W H O L E SA L E P R IC E S OF CO M M O D ITIES

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S OP C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—C ontinued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

N ov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Index num bers (1913 = 100)
Year,
1926

Oct., Nov., Dec., Year,
1926
1926
1926
1926

F U E L S —Continued
O th e r fu e ls ___________________ ____
Coke—
Alabam a, foundry, per net ton, at
oven _____________________ _____ $5. 000
Connellsville, furnace, per net ton, at
oven_________ _ ............................... 4.000
Fuel oil, f. o. b. refinery—
Oklahoma, 24-26, per barrel________
1. 356
Pennsylvania, 36-40, per gallon...........
.063
Gasoline—
Motor, per gallon, tank wagon, New
Y ork_____________ _______ ____
.210
M otor, per gallon, f. o. b. refinery—
Oklahoma, 58-60.. ................. ..........
.098
Pennsylvania, 58-60............................
.124
Natural, Grade B , per gallon, f. o. b.
refinery, Oklahoma_____ _________
.088
Crude petroleum, per barrel, at well—
California, 20° to 20.9°___ __________ 1.100
Kansas-Oklahom a, 33° to 33.9°______ 2. 050
Pennsylvania__________ ___________ 3.400
Refined petroleum, per gallon, f. o. b.
refinery—
Standard white, 110° fire t e s t .............
.089
Water white, Pennsylvania.................
.105

157.4

151. 6

148.7

154.1

$5. 300

$5. 500

$5. 555

G)

G)

G)

5.000

3. 908

4.106

164.0

205.0

160.1

168.3

1. 305
.066

1.275
.065

1.295
.064

150.3

144.7

141. 3

143.5

G)

G)

G)

G)

G)

.210

.210

.199

124.8

124.8

124.8

.091
.118

.093
.117

.104
.128

G)
G)

G)
G)

(0

G)

G)

.087

.087

.089

G)

G)

G)

G)

1.750
3. 300

1.100

1. 100
1. 750
3.150

1.092
1.884
3. 501

314.3
219.4
138.8

314. 3
187. 3
134. 7

314.3
187. 3
128.6

201.6

.088
.093

.090
.093

.086
.104

210.6

170.7

209.7
151. 7

214.1
150.4

204.1
169.1

M E T A L S AN D M E T A L P R O D U C T S .

136. 7

126.5

125.7

126.7

Iron and s t e e !_______________________

135,0

135.5

135. 3

135.1

Iron ore, per ton. lower lake ports—
M esabi, Bessemer, 51% per cent.,____
Non-Bessemer, 51% per cent________
Pig iron, per gross ton—
Basic, valley furnace...... ........................
Bessemer, P ittsb u rgh .. .
______
Foundry, No. 2, northern, P ittsburgh.
Foundry, No. 2, southern, Binningham, A la __________________ _____
Ferromanganese, seaboard__________
Spiegeleisen, 19 and 21 per cent, furnace________________ ____________
B ar iron, per pound—
B est refined, Philadelphia....................
Common, P ittsburgh . . . . . . ___
Bars, reinforcing, per 100 pounds, Pittsburgh____
______________ ___
N ails, wire, per 100 pounds, Pittsburgh.
Pipe, cast-iron, 6-mch, per net ton, New
Y ork_____________ ______________
Skelp, grooved, per 100 pounds, Pittsburgh ________________ _________
Steel billets, per gross ton, Pittsburgh—
Bessem er_________________ ________
Open hearth.......... ...................................
Steel, merchant bars, per 100 pounds,
P ittsb u rg h ..______________________
Steel plates, tank, per pound, Pittsburgh_____________________________
Steel rails, per gross ton, Pittsburgh—
Bessemer, stan dard___________ ____
Open cearth, standard ____________
Steel sheets, per pound, P ittsburgh___
Steel, structural shapes, per 100 pounds,
P ittsburgh__________ _____ ________
Terneplate, 8 pounds, I. C., per base
box (220 pounds), Pittsburgh_______
Tin plate, domestic coke, per 100
pounds, P ittsburgh _______________ _
Wire, per 100 pounds—
Barbed, galvanized, C hicago..............
Plain, fence, annealed, Pittsburgh___

G)

311.9
142.9

4. 400
4. 250

4.400
4.250

4. 400
4.250

4.400
4. 250

114.3
125.0

114.3
125.0

114.3
125.0

114.3
125.0

20. 260

18. 000
20. 885

18. 500
21. 660
20. 760

18. 500
21. 635
20. 510

20. 616

18. 548
21.318

122.4
121. 9
126.6

125. 8
126. 4
129.7

125.8
126. 3
128.1

126.1
124.4
128.8

20. 000
88. 000

20. 000 20. 000
96. 600 100. 000

21.154
94.827

171.1
151.0

171.1
165. 7

171.1
171.6

180.9
162.7

33. 000

38.000

36. 750

33.769

132.0

152.0

147.0

135.1

.029
.030

.029
.030

.029
.030

.029
.030

153.1
181. 8

153.1
181.8

153.1
179.4

153.1
181.8

2. 750

2.750

2. 750

2.000

1.992
2. 750

145. 4
151. 2

145.4
151. 2

145. 4
151.2

144.8
151.2

51.100

50.900

49.975

51.340

218.6

217.8

213.8

219.7

1.900

1. 900

1. 900

1.900

136.7

136.7

136.7

136.7

35. 000
35.000

35. 000
35. 000

35. 000
35. 000

35. 000
35. 000

135.7
134.1

135.7
134.1

135. 7
134.1

135.7
134.1

2.000

2.000

2.000

1.996

129.2

129.2

129.2

128.9

.019

.019

.019

.019

128.4

128. 4

128.4

127.0

43. 000
43. 000
.032

43. 000
43. 000
.032

43. 000
43. 000
.032

43. 000
43. 000
.032

153.6
143.3
146.1

153.6
143.3
145.7

153.6
143. 3
143.8

153.6
143.3
144.7

2.000

2.000

2.000

2.000

2.000

1.958

132.4

132.4

132.4

129.7

11. 700

11. 700

11. 700

11.700

168.7

168.7

168.7

168.7

5. 500

5. 500

5. 500

5.500

154.6

154.6

154.6

154.6

3.400
2. 650

3.400
2.650

3.400
2.650

3.400
2.650

147.2
175.2

147.2
175.2

147.2
175.2

147.2
175.2

1 N o 1913 base price.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

118.1

[4 0 9 ]

162

M O N T H LY LABO E REV IEW

W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S OP C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

N ov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Y ear,
1926

$0. 269

$0.267

$0.270

.133

.138
.216
.162
.084
9.916
1.226
.624
.653
10. 589
.077

Oct., N ov., Dee.,
1926

1926

1926

. 108.6
114.2

106.6
113.7

104, 5
113.1

88.3
97. 1
190.0
197.4
228. 2
89. 5
156.9
146.4
131.4

86.3
101.3
95. 3
182.3
188. 7
233.6
88. 9
157. 5
146.4
129.7

Y ear,
1926

M E T A L S A N D M E T A L PRO D U C T S —Continued

N onferrous m e t a l s ________________

Aluminum, per pound, New Y o r k ..
$0.270
Copper, ingot, electrolytic, per pound,
refinery__ „ ___________
.139
Copper, sheet, per pound, New Y o rk . .
.218
Copper wire, bare, per pound, mill _ .
. 163
Lead, pig, per pound, New Y ork_____
.084
L ead pipe, per 100 pounds, New Y o rk . 10.030
Quicksilver, per pound, New Y o r k ___ 1. 289
Silver, bar, fine, per ounce. New Y ork.548
Tin , pig, per pound, New Y ork_______
.704
Zinc, sheet, per 100 pounds, factory___ 10. 610
Zinc, slab, per pound, New Y o rk ...........
.077

.136
.215
. 159
.080
9. 589
1.320
.545
.707
10. 610
.076

.212

.156
.079
9. 541
1.332
.538
.683
10. 437
.074

B U IL D IN G M A T E R IA L S -. — -

L u m b e r- .

___—

17.160
32.110

16. 230
31.150

16. 890
30. 770

84.7
100.2

93.2
178.4
187.7
235. 7
87.8
152. 1
144, 1
126.6

87.7

102.0

96.8
191.6
195.1
217.0
101.9
145.6
146.2
132.2

172.1

174.0

172 7

173.4

181 8

186 0

184.6

185.3

16.483
33.468

186.4
185.2

176. 3
179.7

183.4
177.5

176.0
193.1
267.6

____

Douglas fir, per 1,000 feet, mill—
No. 1, common boards...................
No. 2 and better, drop siding_____
Gum , sap, firsts and seconds, per 1,000
feet, St. L o u i s . ____ _______
Hemlock, northern No. 1, per 1,000 feet,
Chicago_______________________
M aple, hard, No. 1, common, 4/4, per
1,000 feet, Chicago_____________
Oak, white, plain, No. 1, common, 4/4,
per 1,000 feet, Cincinnati.- .
Pine, white, No. 2 bam , per 1,000 feet,
Buffalo, N . Y _______
Pine, yellow, flooring, long leaf, B and
better, per 1,000 feet, New Y ork. . ...
Pine, yellow, southern, per 1,000 feet,
mill—
Boards, No. 2, common, 1 X 8 ..
Flooring, B and better_____
Tim bers, square edge and sound _
Poplar, No. 1, common, 4/4, per 1,000
feet, Cincinnati___ .
Spruce, eastern, random, per 1,000 feet,
B o s t o n _______________ ____
L ath , yellow pine, No. 1, per 1,000 mill
Shingles, per M , mill—
Cypress, 16 inches long_____________
R ed cedar, 16 inches long.......................

102.8

108 3
114.1

55. 500

57. 500

57. 500

55. 346

268.3

278.0

278.0

34. 000

34.000

34. 000

34.115

161.3

161.3

161.3

161.7

53. 500

53. 500

53. 500

55. 673

177.5

177.5

177.5

184.7
178. 5

67. 000

67. 000

67. 000

66.019

181.1

181.1

181.1

50. 000

48.000

48. 000

50.039

171.1

164.2

164.2

171.3

89.000

89.000

89.000

96.250

199.6

199.6

199.6

215.9

21.900
43. 540
26. 620

21. 970
43. 020
31.000

21. 300 22.313
41. 310 45.109
4 27.835
(3)

172.0
189.0
181.9

172.5
186.7

167.2
179.3

211.8

175.2
195. 8
190.2

55. 000

55.000

55.000

55.404

166.5

166.5

166.5

167.8

32. 625
4.680

32. 600
4. 560

32. 250
4.020

33.014
4.959

150.5
153.9

149.9
150.0

148.8
132.2

152.3
103.1

6.000

6. 000

6.000

169.4
128.1

169.4
123.6

169.4
123. 6

164.5
128.5

2.520

2.430

2.430

5.825
2.724

13. 863
8 . 670

13.853
9.000

13.913
8.722

B r i c k __________________

Common building, per 1,000—
Simple average of 82-yard prices_____ 13. 923
R un of kiln, f. o. b. plant, C hicago-.. 8 . 660

205,0

204.1

203.9

204.8

205.0
175.4

204.1
175.6

203.9
182.3

204.8
176.6

S tru ctu ral steel_________

132.4

132.4

132.4

129.7

O ther building; m aterials-

163.8

162.9

161.3

162.9

Cement, Portland, per barrel, f. o. b.
plant—
Simple average of 6 plant prices in
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Minnesota,
Texas, and California__ _______
Buffington, In d . ________ ____
Northam pton, P a _______ _ . . .
Crushed stone, 134-inch, per cubic yard,
New Y o rk _____ ______
Gravel, per ton, f. o. b. pit, simple average of 28 plant prices_______________
Hollow tile, building, por block, Chicago _. ________________ _________
Lim e, common, lum p, per ton, f. o. b.
plant, simple average of 15 plant
prices____ ______ _____________ _
Roofing, prepared, Der square, f. o. b.
factory—
M edium weight__________ _____ ___
Shingles, individual. ___________ .
Shingles, strip _ _ __ _ _ __________
Slate surfaced______ ________ ____
1 No 1913 base price.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1.733
1. 650
1. 650

1.733
1.650
1.650

1. 733
1.650
1. 650

1.744
1.650
1.714

166.9
163.2
185.4

166.9
163.2
185.4

166.9
163. 2
185.4

107.9
163.2
192.6

1.840

1. 840

1. 840

1.773

204.4

204.4

204.4

198.9

.923

.925

.952

.941

186.7

187.1

192.5

190.2

.088

.088

.088

.078

137.5

137.5

137.5

122.3

8 . 954

8.956

8 . 957

8.984

217.1

217.1

217.1

217.6

1. 708
5. 649
5. 338

1. 708
5. 631
5. 338
2.104

1.675
5. 624
5. 338

1.098
5. 647
5.104

(0

2.110

s No quotation.

[410]

2.102

(')
(’)
2.111
(>)
4 10 m onths’

(>)
(0
(>)
(')
(>)
(>)
0)
0)
average.

0)
0

(>)
(>)

163

W H O L ESA L E P R IC E S OE C O M M O D IT IES

W H O L E S A L E P R I C E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices
Commodity

Oct.,
1926

B U ILD IN G M A T E R I A L S —Con.
O th e r b u ild in g m a t e r ia ls —Continued
Sand, building, per ton, f. o. b. pit,
simple average of 31 plant prices___ $0,614
Slate, roofiing, per 100 square feet, f. o. b.
quarry____________ _____ _________ 14.000
Glass, plate, per square foot, New
York—
3 to 6 square fe e t - .............................
.400
5 to 10 square feet................................ ..
.480
Glass, window, per SOsquare feet, f. o. b.
works—
Single A ....................................................
3.900
Single B ___ __________ __________
3.072
Linseed oil, per pound, New Y ork ___
.108
P u tty, commercial, per pound, New
Y ork_______________________ ____ _
.040
Rosin (B ), per barrel, New Fork.......... 13.863
Turpentine, southern, barrels, per
gallon, New Y ork _________________
.904
WThitelead, American, in oil, per pound,
New Y ork__ _____ _______________
.153
Zinc oxide (white zinc), per pound,
New Y ork................ .................... ...........
.071
Pipe, cast-iron. (See M etals and metal
products.)
Copper, sheet. (See M etals and metal
products.)
Copper wire. (See M etals and metal
products.)
L ead pipe. (See M etals and metal
products.)
Nails. See (M etals and metal prod­
ucts.)
Reinforcing bars. (See M etals and
metal products.)
Roofing tin (terneplate). (See M etals
and metal products.)
Zinc, sheet. (See M etals and metal
products.)

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

Nov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Year,
1926

$0.619

$0. 642

$0.635

161.2

162.6

168.4

166.7

14.000

14.000

14.000

302.7

302.7

302.7

302.7

.400
.480

.380
.460

.398
.478

169.0
150.8

169.0
150.8

160. 5
144.5

168.3
150.3

3. 900 : 3.000
3.317
3. 317
.108
.107

3.900
3.110
.112

171.5
138.3
174.6

171.5
149. 4
175.0

171. 5
149. 4
174.1

171. 5
140.0
181.0

.040
12.416

150.9
287.8

150.9
271. 6

150.9
254. 1

150.9
257.8

Dec.,
1826

Y ear,
1926

.040
12.238

.891

.864

.930

211.2

208.1

202.0

217.4

.153.

.149

.152

225.6

225.6

220.1

225.1

.070

.065

.074

132.5

130.1

120.8

136.6

129.3

128,5

168.0
71. 5
131.4
120.8

117.8
.033

.033

.034

.065
.400
. 153
.008

.065
.400
.153
.008

. 065
.400
. 153
.008

.033
.009
.064
.342
.163
.007

167. 5
73. 1
133. 2
141. 1
115. 1
75.0

169.1
73.1
133. 2
141. 1
115. 1
75.0

174.2
73.1
133. 2
141. 1
115. 1
75.0

.400
.740
.034

.400
.750
.034

.400
.808
.034

.367
.634
.034

109.3
154.7
191.4

109.3
150.8
191.4

109.3
168.8
191.4

.138
.240

.131
.240

.125
.240

.131
.242

88.1

2.000

2.000

2.000

2.000

169.5

.0-47

.043

.043

.049

125.3

.400
.240
.140

.400
.240
.140

.400
.240
. 140

.344
.140

125.0
109. 1
77.8

.048

.048

.048

.047

92.1

.140
.107

.140
.108

.150
.113

.141
.097

.099

.098

.093

.100

.010

.010

1 No. 1913 base price.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

N ov.,
1926

.040
13.080

C H EM IC A LS AND D R U G S.
C h e m ic a ls ___ ____ _____________ ____
Acids, per pound, New Y o r k Acetic, 28 per cent, barrels_________
M uriatic, 20°, tan ks.............................. .
Nitric, 42°, carboys___ ____________
Salicylic, U. S. P ., barrels........ ............
Stearic, triple pressed, bags................
Sulphuric, 66°, tank cars__________ _
Alcohol, per gallon, New York—
Denatured, No. 5,188 pro o f..............
WTood, refined, 95 per cent_____ ____
A lu m ,lu m p , per pound, New Y ork__
Ammonia, anhydrous, per nound, New
York________________________ ____ _
Benzol, pure, per gallon, f. o. b. works..
Bleaching powder, per 100 pounds,
New Y ork________________________
Borax, crystals and granulated", per
pound, New Y ork_________________
Coal-tar colors, per pound, New Y o r k Black, direct_________ _____ _______
Brown, sulphur.......... ................ ............
Indigo, 20 per cent_________________
Copper sulphate, 99 per cent crystals,
per pound____________________ ____
Copra, South Sea. (~See Foods.)
Creosote oil, grade 1, per gallon, f. o. b.
works____________________________
Formaldehyde, per pound, New Y ork.]
Oil, vegetable—
Coconut, crude. (See Foods.)
Corn, crude. (See Foods.)
Palm-kernel, crude, per pound, New
Y ork______ ____ ________________
Soya bean, crude. (See Foods.)

Oct.,
1926

[411]

.010

.212

55.2

73.0

102.8

132.6
193.7

50.0

52. 5

88.1

88.8

169.5

169. 5

169.5

113.3

113.3

129.6

125.0
109. 1
77.8

125.0
109. 1
77.8

107.6
96. 5
77.8

92.1

02.1

90.2

126.1

(>)
127.4

0)
133.4

0)
114.6

98.0

96.5

91.6

98.8

0

52.5

122.8

88.1

164

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

W H O L E S A L E P R I C E S OP C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

Com m odity
Oct.,
1926

N ov.,
1936

Dec.,
1026

Year,
1926

Oct.,
1926

Nov.,
1926

Dec., Year,
1926
1926

$0.071
.900

$0. 071
.900

$0. 071
1.012

199.1
150.0

199.1
150.0

199.1
150.0

199.1
168.6

2.290

2.290

2. 290

392.6

392.6

392.6

392.6

.019

.019

.019

175.0

175.0

175.0

175.0

.038

.038

.038

257.5

257.5

257.5

257.5
122.6

C H E M IC A L S A N D D R U G S — Con.

C hem icals—Continued.

Potash, caustic, 88-92 per cent, per
pound, New Y o rk ____ ____________ $0. 071
Sal soda, per 100 pounds, New Y o rk __
.900
Soda ash, 58 per cent, light, per 100
pounds, New Y ork____ _________. . .
2.290
Soda, bicarbonate, American, per
pound, f. o. b. w orks_______________
.019
Soda, caustic, 76 per cent, solid, per
pound, New Y o rk __ ________ ______
.038
Soda, silicate of, 40°, per 100 pounds,
New Y ork________________ ________
.750
Sulphur, crude, per gross ton, New
York_____ ________________________ 18. 000
Tallow , inedible, packers’ prime, per
pound, Chicago_________ __________
.082

.750

.750

.779

118.1

118.1

118.1

18.000

18. 000

18. 212

81.8

81.8

81.8

82.8

.074

.073

.087

115.8
108. 6

105.1
104.4

102.5
505.4

123.1
109.1

8. 500

8.500

9. 592

113.4

110.4

110.4

124.8

2.550

2.613

2. 628

79.9

81.6

83.5

84.2

26. 500

26.500

26. 519

136.2

131.7

131.7

131.8

36. 000

36. 400

35.121

92.3

94.7

95.5

92.3

3.150

3.150

3.140

92.4

92.4

92.4

92.1

2.550

2.600

2. 550

98.0

103.3

105.3

103.3

35. 750

35. 750

34. 608

153.0
182. 5

153.0
182.4

153. 0
182.4

148.2
182.7
102.7

Fertilizer m aterials_________________

Acid phosphate, 16 per cent basis, bulk,
per ton, B altim o re.. ______________ 8. 720
Ammonia, sulphate, double bags, per
100 pounds, New Y ork_____________ 2.500
Ground bone, steamed, per ton, Chicago______ ______________________ 27. 400
M uriate of potash, 80-85 per cent, K . C.
L . bags, per ton, New Y ork________ 35.120
Phosphate rock, 68 per cent, per ton,
f. o. b. m ines.. _____________ _____ 3.150
Soda, nitrate, 95 per cent, per ICO
pounds, New Y o rk ________________
2.420
Tankage, 9 and 20 per cent, crushed,
per ton, f. o. b. Chicago........ ................ 35. 750

D rugs an d p h arm aceu ticals...........

Acid, citric, domestic, crystals, per
pound, New Y ork...................... .............
Acid, tartaric, crystals, U . S. P ., per
pound, N ew York _____________
Alcohol, grain, 188 proof, U . S. P ., per
gallon, New Y ork___ _____ _______ _
Cream of tartar, powdered, per pound,
New Y o rk __ ____ _________________
E psom salts, U. S. P ., in barrels, per
100 pounds, New Y ork. _ _____
Glycerin, refined, per pound, New
Y ork_____________________________
Opium, natural, U. S. P ., per pound,
New Y o rk ______________ _______
Peroxide of hydrogen, 4-ounce bottles,
per gross, New Y o rk __________ .
Phenol (carbolic acid), U. S. P ., per
pound, New Y ork____________
Quinine, sulphate, manufacturers’
quotations, per ounce, New Y o rk ___
H O U S E -F U R N IS H IN G G O O D S . . .
F u r n it u r e .. ____________ _________
Bedroom, average price, factory—
Bed, each............... ................. .......... . . .
Chair, each ........................................
Dresser, each______________
Rocker, each_______________ ______
Dining room, average price, factory—
Buffet, each__________________
Chairs, set of six . ___________
Table, extension, e ac h ............. .........
Kitchen, average price, factory—
Cabinet, each_______ ________ ___
Chairs, per dozen_______________ _
Refrigerator, each________________
Table", porcelain top, e ac h ... . . . .
Living room, average price, factory—
Chair, e a c h ....................... .......
Davenport, each...... ...........................
Table, each............................. ................

.445

.445

.445

.447

102.3

102.3

102.3

.295

.295

.295

.293

96. 7

96.7

96.7

96.2

4.855

4. 855

4. 855

4.855

194.3

194.3

194.3

194.3

.210

.210

.210

.214

88.3

88.3

88.3

89.6

2.500

2.350

2.350

2. 474

227.3

213. 6

213.6

224.9

.300

.300

.300

.275

152.2

152, 2

152.2

139.7

12. 000

12. 000

12. 000

12. 000

199.4

199.4

199.4

199.4

7. 750

7. 750

7. 750

7.712

193.8

193.8

193.8

192.8

.170

.170

.170

.197

154.7

154. 7

154. 7

179.1

.400

.400

.400

.431

182.1
160.3
140.1

182.1
159. 9
139.9

182.1
159.4
139.9

196.2
161.8
141,5

30. 437
6.188
40. 010
7.031

30. 437
6.188
40. 010
7. 031

30.437
6.188
40. 010
7.031

31. 039
6. 208
40. 693
7.068

(0
0
(!)
0

0
0
0
0)

0
(5)
0
0

(0
P)
0
0

36. 615
48.318
31.136

36. 615
48. 318
31.136

36. 615
48. 318
31.136

36. 912
48. 561
31. 341

0
(>)
P)

0
0
0

0
0
(0

0
(1)
0

33. 500
16. 500
(3)
6. 500

33. 500
16. 500
3)
6.500

33. 500
16. 500
0
6. 500

33. 500
16. 667
0
6. 500

0
0

0
0

0)
0

0
(1)

(>)

0

(0

«

40. 250
64.150
18. 972

40. 250
63. 614
18.972

40. 250
63. 614
18.972

40. 708
64. 823
19. 000

0
0
0)

(0
(!)
0

0
(1)
0

1 N o 1913 base price.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[412]

0
0
(0
>N o quotation.

165

WHOLESALE PRICES OP COMMODITIES

W H O L E S A L E P R I C E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926-Continued
Average prices

Index numbers (1913 = 100)

Commodity
Oct.,
1926
H O U S E -F U R N I S H I N G G O O D S —
Continued
F u r n is h in g s .
Blankets, factory—
Cotton, colored, 2 pounds to the pair,
per p air______
IV ool, 4 to 5 pounds to the pair, per
pound_______
Carpets, per yard, factory—
Axminster, Bigelow .............
Brussels, B igelow ..
Wilton, Bigelow ___
Cutlery, factory—
Carvers, 8-inch, per pair........................
K nives and forks, per gross ._
Pails, galvanized-iron, 10-quart, per
gross, factory________ .
Sheeting, bleached, 10/4, per yard,
factory—
Pepperell__________
W am sutta, P. L ............
Tableware, factory—
Dinner sets, per set—
Semivitreous, 100 pieces.....................
Vitreous, 104 pieces____
G lass nappies, 4-inch, per dozen_____
G lass pitchers, ¡¡^-gallon, per dozen__
Glass tum blers, H-pint, per dozen___
Plates, white granite, 7-inch, per
dozen _ ______ .
Teacups and saucers, white granite,
per dozen____________ .
Ticking, Amoskeag, A. C. A., 2.05
yards to the pound, per yard, factory.
T u bs, galvanized-iron, No. 3, per
dozen, factory........

N ov.,
1926

D ec.,
1926

Y ear,
1926

L e a t h e r ..
Calf, chrome, B grade, per square foot,
Boston
. ...
Glazed kid, top grade, per square foot,
Boston _ . . . ______. . .
Harness, California, oak, No. 1, per
pound, Chicago________________
Side, black, chrome, B grade, per souare
foot, Boston_____ _____
Sole, per pound—
Oak, in sides, middle weight, tannery
run, Boston_____________ .
Oak, scoured backs, heavy, B o sto n ...
Union, middle weight, New Y ork___

226. 5

225.4

Dec.,
1926

Y ear,
1926

$1. 235

$1. 235

$1. 235

204.1

204.1

204.1

1.313

1.313

1.313

1.349

171.7

171.7

171. 7

176.4

3.120
3. 072
5. 088

3.120
3. 072
5.088

3. 120
2. 976
4.896

3.120
3. 064
5.072

232.9
237. 8
211.3

232.9
237. 8
211. 3

232. 9
230. 3
203. 3

232.9
237. 2
210.6

1.350
12. 500

1. 350
12. 500

1.350
12. 500

1.350
12. 500

180.0
217.4

180.0
217.4

180.0
217.4

180.0
217.4

21. 800

21. S00

20. 700

21. 903

148. 6

148. 6

141.1

149.3

.408
1.140

.386
1.140

.382
1.140

. 416
1.140

170.6
294. 5

161.3
294. 5

159. 6
294. 5

174.0
294.5

19. 860
45. 700
.200
2. 000
. 180

19. 860
45. 700
.200
2. 000
. 180

19. 860
45. 700
.200
2. 000
. 180

19. 860
45. 700
.200
2. 142
.183

0)
196.4
181.8
250.0
150.0

(0
196.4
181.8
250. 0
150. 0

(0
196.4
181.8
250.0
150.0

(i)
196.4
181.8
267. 7
152. 7

204.1

.980

.980

.980

.980

211.5

211.5

211.5

211.5

1.260

1.260

1.260

1. 260

221.0

221.0

221.0

221.0
152.0

.200

.200

. 190

.205

148.6

148. 6

141.2

6. 575

6. 325

6. 325

6. 550

160.1

154.0

154.0

159.5

118.6

117. 7

117 8

123.9

21. 625

23. 750

26. 000

23. 084

107 1
117. 7

na o
I 29! 3

123 3
141.’ 6

It/» 9
125. 7

24. 250
48. 400

23. 750
47. 500

25. 750
47. 500

28. 542
47. 731

85.6
170. 3

83.9
167. 2

91. 0
167. 2

100.8
168.0

22. 688

24. 625

27.188

23. 430

116.6

126.6

139.8

120.5

136.0

136.3

136. 3

.450

.450

.450

.453

166.9

166.9

166. 9

168.1

.675

.675

.675

.675

269.6

269. 6

269.6

269.6

.431

,431

.431

.437

107.5

107.5

107.5

108.9

.250

.250

,250

.253

97.7

97.7

97.7

99.0

.350
.430
.423

.350
.430
.430

.350
.430
.430

.353
.438
.429

117.4
95.8
105.3

117.4
95.8
107.2

117.4
95.8
107.2

118.5
97.7
106.8

156 8

156.9

157.6

171.5

36. 234
46.134
59. 400

38. 328
48. 228
64. 350

39. 008
48. 916
61. 298

(')
(1)
G)

C1)
(1)
(1)

0)
0)
0)

.035

.035

.035

166. 8

166.8

166.8

166.8

.092

.093

.110

187.1

187.5

189.6

226.0

2. 750

2. 750

2.865

123.6

123.6

123.6

128.8

P a p e r a n d p u l p . . .......................
Box board, per ton, f. o. b. mill—
C h ip ... _______ ____ _________
36. 234
M anila lined chip...... .....................
46.134
■ 85-pound test l i n e r .........................
59.400
Paper—
Newsprint, roll, per pound, f. o. b.
m ill.........................................................
.035
W rapping, m am la, No. 1, jute, per
pound, New Y ork___ _
____
.091
Wood pulp, sulphite, domestic, unbleached, per 100 pounds, New Y o rk.. 2. 750
i N o 1913 base price.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Nov.,
1926

$1. 235

M I S C E L L A N E O U S ..............
C a ttle fe e d ... .
Bran, per ton, M in n e a p o lis____
Cottonseed meal, prime, per ton,
M em phis________
Linseed meal, per ton, New York
M ill feed, m iddlings, standard, per
ton, M inneapolis....................

Oct.,
1926

(i)
(0
(!)

166

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

W H O L E S A L E P R I C E S O F C O M M O D IT IE S , O C T O B E R , N O V E M B E R , A N D D E C E M B E R
1926, A N D Y E A R , 1926—Continued
Average prices

Index num bers (1913 = 100)

Com m odity
Oct.,
1926

Nov.,
1926

Dec.,
1926

Y ear,
1926

$0.087

$0. 095

$0.092

.180
.245

.180
.245

Oct.,
1926

N ov.,
1926

193 9

101 2

00 5

114.6

108.0

118. 3

.180
.259

(9
(')

«
0)

(9
(9

Dec.. Year,
1926
1926

M I S C E L L A N E O U S —Continued
O th er m isc e lla n e o u s_________________
Burlap, lOj-2-ounce, 40-inch, per yard,
New Y ork_____ ____ ______________ $0.092
Cylinder oil, gallon, refinery—
Oklahoma, medium, filtered sto c k ...
.180
Pennsylvania, 600, filtered, D _______
.248
Hem p, manila, fair, current, shipment,
per pound, New Y ork______________
. 150
Jute, raw, m edium grade, per pound,
New Y ork____________•____________
.065
Lubricating oil, paraffin, 903 gravity,
per gallon, New Y ork ______________
.240
Rope, pure manila, best grade, per
pound, New Y ork____________ _____
.240
R ubber, per pound, New Y ork—
Para, island, fine_____________ _____
.333
Plantation, ribbed, smoked, sheets.
.427
Sisal, Mexican, current shipment, per
pound, New Y ork______ ________ . . .
.090
SoapLaundry, per 100 cakes, Cincinnati.. 4.125
Laundry, per 100 cakes, Philadelphia. 4. 851
Starch, laundry, bulk, per pound, New
Y ork_______________________ ____
.058
Tobacco—
Plug, per pound, New Y o rk ..............
.698
Smoking, 1-ouace bags, per gross,
New Y ork___________________ . . .
8. 320

(9
(9

.153

.155

.148

162.0

164.8

167.2

159.3

.065

.070

.090

97.2

97.2

104.6

133.9

.240

.240

.240

168.4

168.4

168.4

168.4

.240

.240

.251

163.6

163. 6

163.6

171.3

.286
.401

.256
.383

.380
.487

41.2
52.1

35.4
48.8

31.8
40.6

47.1
59.3

.086

.033

.091

208.8

199.1

192.6

209.7

4.125
4.851

4.125
4.851

4.125
4.851

133.8
137.5

133.8
137.5

133.8
137.5

133.8
137.5

.058

.058

.058

157.5

157.5

157.5

159.7

.696

.696

.696

179.0

179.0

179.0

179.0

8.320

8.320

8. 320

147. 5

147.5

147.5

147.5
153 4

R a w m a t e r ia ls 9..........................................

153 4

159 1

H S fi

127 l

128 1

Q

C o n su m e r s ’ g o o d s 9____ ____ ________

159 8

15ft 7

A L L C O M M O D IT IE S (404 price series)

149.7

148.1

P ro d u c e rs’ g o o d s 9_______________ ___

1 N o 1913 base price.

114.3

'

147.3

151.0

9 Federal Reserve Board grouping.

T r e e d o f W h o lesale P ric e s in th e U n ite d S t a t e s , 1801
to 1926

T

HE trend of wholesale prices in the United States since the
beginning of the last century is shown by the figures in the
following table. The index numbers for the years 1801 to
1840 are arithmetic means of unweighted relative prices of com­
modities, as published on pages 235 to 248 of Bulletin No. 367 of
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They were originally computed by
Alvin H. Hansen of the University of Minnesota on prices in the year
1825 as the base, but are here converted to the 1913 base in conformity
with the bureau’s practice.
For the years 1801 to 1815 the index numbers were constructed
from monthly quotations of commodities appearing in the Boston
Gazette, and for the years 1816 to 1825 from quotations in the
Boston Patriot. The index numbers for 1825 to 1840 were made
from monthly prices at New York as published in the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury for 1863. The quotations were taken for
the first of each month, or as close thereto as possible. When a
range of prices was shown, the arithmetic mean of the quotations
was used. The average annual price for each commodity was found

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[414]

TREND OF WHOLESALE PRICES, 1801 TO 1926

167

by adding the monthly quotations and dividing the sum by the
number of months for which quotations were given. For some years
it was not possible to obtain quotations for all months. The Boston
quotations include 79 commodities and the New York quotations 63
commodities.
The index numbers for 1841 to 1889 also are arithmetic averages of
unweighted relative prices and have been taken from the Report of
Committee on Finance of the United States Senate on Wholesale
Prices, Wages, and Transportation, March 3, 1893 (52d Cong., 2d
sess., Kept. No. 1394, Pt. I, p. 9). As originally published, these fig­
ures were computed with 1860 as the base year. They are here
changed to 1913 as 100. The prices used are in currency and the
number of commodities varies from approximately 150 in the earlier
years to 250 in the later years of the period.
The index numbers from 1890 to 1926 are the bureau’s regular
weighted series. In using the data in this table it should be borne in
mind that the figures in the three series here joined are not strictly
comparable, since they are based on different lists of commodities in
different markets and are, moreover, unweighted for the years prior
to 1890. It is believed, however, that they reflect with a fair degree
of accuracy wholesale price changes in general over the period stated.
I N D E X N U M B E R S OF W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S , 1801 TO 1926
11913=100]

Year

Index
number

1801__________________
1802__________________
1803- ________________
1804__________________
1805__________________
1806__________________
1807__________________
1808__________________
1809__________________
1810__________________
1811__________________
1812__________________
1813__________________
1814. _________________
1815__________________
1816__________________
1817__________________
1818__________________
1819__________________
1820__________________
1821__________________
1822__________________
1824- ________________
1825__________________
1826__________________
1827__________________
1828__________________
1829__________________
1830__________________
1831___________________
1932__________________
1833__________________
1834__________________
1835__________________
1836--. _____________
1837__________________
1838 _____ _________
1839__________________
1840__________________
1841__________________
1842................__________


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

162
133
136
147
151
148
139
136
143
156
152
154
179
224
176
150
151
148
130
111
106
109
104
103
104
103
104
99
98
95
102
103
102
95
108
121
120
115
121
103
102
95

Year
1843_________________
1844 ________________
1845_________________
1846 _______
1847_________________
1848_________________
1849_________________
1 8 5 0 -............... ..............
185 1 ________________
1852 _______________
1853 ________________
1854 ________________
1855
1856_________________
1857 .
1858 1859 1860
1861
1882 _____________
1863 ______________
1864 _ ...........................
1806
1867 _______________
1868 ..........................
1869
1870 1871
1872
1873 ________________
1874 _________ ____
1875 ________________
1876 ________________
1877 ________________
1878 -.
1879 ________________
1880 ________________
188 1_____
1882 _______
1883______________ --1884

[415]

Index '
number
89
89
90
93
93
89
87
90
93
90
99
99
99
99
89
88
88
88
193
130
167
190
168
151
142
135
125
119
122
121
117
112
104
97
88
85
94
93
95
93
87

Year
1885
1888
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1908
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915 _______________
1916
___________
1917
1918
- __________
19)9 1920 1921 _______________
1922 ________________
1923
___________
1924
1925_________________
1926

Index
number
82
81
81
83
83
80. 5
80.0
74.8
76. 6
68.7
70.0
06. 7
86. 8
69.6
74. 9
80. 5
79.3
84. 4
85.5
85. 6
86.2
88.6
93.5
90. t
96.9
100.9
93.0
99.1
100.0
93.1
100.8
126.8
177.2
194.3
206. 4
226. 2
146.9
148.8
153. 7
149.7
158.7
151,0

C O ST O F LIVING
Changes in Cost of Living in the United S tate s

T

HE Bureau of Labor Statistics has secured data on cost of liv­
ing for December, 1926. These data, together with the data
that have been given in previous reports, are shown in the
tables following. The information is based on actual prices secured
from merchants and dealers for each of the periods named. The
prices of food and of fuel and light (which include coal, wood, gas,
electricity, and kerosene) are furnished the bureau in accordance with
arrangements made with establishments through personal visits of
the bureau’s agents. In each city food prices are secured from 15 to
25 merchants and dealers, and fuel and light prices from 10 to 15
firms, including public utilities. All other data are secured by
special agents of the bureau who visit the various merchants, dealers,
and agents and secure the figures directly from their records. Four
quotations are secured in each city (except in Greater New York,
where five are obtained) on each of a large number of articles of
clothing, furniture, and miscellaneous items. The number of houses
and apartments for which basic rental figures are shown vary in the
different cities approximately in proportion to population, the num­
ber per city, in round numbers, ranging from 400 to 2,000.
In Table 1 are given index numbers, with 1913 as the base or 100,
showing changes in the total cost of living in the United States from
1913 to December, 1926.
T a b l e 1 .— I N D E X

N U M B E R S SH O W IN G C H A N G E S I N C O ST OP
U N I T E D S T A T E S , 1913 TO D E C E M B E R , 1926

Date

A verage. 1 9 1 3
Dprftmhftrj 1914
Dpnp.mhp.rJ 1915 __
T)p,n6mhp,r, 1918
December, 1917__
December, 1918__
June, 1919
December, 1919
June, 1920 December, 1920________

Index
num ­
bers
100.0
103. 0
105. 1
118 3
142. 4
174. 4
177. 3
199. 3
216. 5
200.4

Date

M ay, 1921
1___ _
September, 1921____
December, 1921______
March, 1922____
June, 1922____________
September, 1922_______
December, 1922..............
March, 1923 __________
June, 1923.,- ________
September, 1923......... . .

Index
num ­
bers
180. 4
177. 3
174. 3
166. 9
166. 6
166. 3
169. 5
168. 8
169. 7
172. 1

L IV IN G

IN

Date

December, 1923______
March, 1924_______ .
June, 1924_____ _______
September, 1 9 2 4 ..____
D ecember,' 1924....... .........
Jun e, 19251____________
December, 1925............
June, 1926_____________
December, 1926................

THE

Index
num ­
bers
173.2
170.4
169.1
170. 6
172.5
173.5
177.9
174.8
175.6

Table 2 shows the per cent of change in cost of living from June,
1920, December, 1925, and June, 1926, respectively, to December,
1926, in 32 cities, and in the United States, as determined by a con­
solidation of the figures for the 32 cities.
In the period from June, 1920, which represents the peak, to Decem­
ber, 1926, all of the 32 cities show decreases ranging from 14.2 to 23.7
per cent, the average being 18.9 per cent.
168


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169

CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING

In the year interval December, 1925, to December, 1926, all of the
cities, with the exception of Cincinnati, show decreases ranging from
0.2 per cent to 2.9 per cent, Cincinnati showing an increase of 0.7
per cent.
In the six months interval June, 1926, to December, 1926, 23 of the
cities show increases ranging from 0.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent; 8
show decreases ranging from 0.1 per cent to 1.2 per cent; while 1 city,
Memphis, shows no change.
T a b l e 2 .— P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN C O S T O F L IV IN G IN S P E C I F I E D C I T I E S F R O M

JU N E , 1620, D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D J U N E 1926, TO D E C E M B E R , 1926
Per cent of increase ( + ) or
decrease (—) from—

City

A tlan ta__________
Baltim ore________
Birm ingham -------B o s to n _________
Buffalo......................
Chicago__________
Cincinnati_______
Cleveland________
D enver.....................
Detroit___________
Houston_________
In d ia n a p o lis_____
Ja c k s o n v ille ...___
K an sas C ity __ ._
Los Angeles______
M em phis________
M inneapolis............
M obile________ ._

Decem­
June,
1925,
1920, to ber,
to De­
Decem­ cember,
ber, 1926
1926
-2 0 .0
-1 6 .7
-1 7 .0
-1 8 .4
-1 7 .1
-1 6 .6
-15. 8
-17. 6
-1 9 .9
-2 2 .0
-19. 6
-1 8 .6
-1 6 .3
-23. 7
-14. 6
-18. 1
-17. 6
-1 8 .8

- 1 .3
- 1 .4
- 1 .2
- 1 .6
- .6
- .9
+ .7
- .7
- 1 .7
- 2 .0
-2 . 1
- 1 .5
- .2
- 2 .4
- 2 .9
-1 . 7
- 1 .7
- .2

Per cent of increase ( + ) or
decrease (—) from—
City

June,
1926, to
Decem­
ber, 1926
+ 0 .1
+ .1
+ .3
+1. 5
+ .4
+• 7
+ 1 .0
- .2
+ .6
- .3
+ .8
+ .3
- .3
- 1 .2
+ .6
(0
- 1 .2
+ 1 .1

New Orleans_____
New Y ork______
Norfolk______
Philadelphia____.
P ittsburgh_______
Portland, M e _____
Portland, Oreg____
R ich m ond ........... ...
St. Louis _ ______
San Francisco_____
Savannah________
Scranton...............__
Seattle___________
W ashington_____
Average, United
States_______

Decem­
June,
June,
1925,
1920, to ber,
1926, to
to De­
Decem­ cember,
Decem­
ber, 1926
ber, 1926
1926
-1 4 .2
-1 7 .9
-2 1 .4
-1 4 .6
-1 4 .7
-1 8 .5
-2 2 .6
-1 7 .0
-1 6 .4
-1 7 .5
-23. 4
-1 4 .3
-19. 7
-1 7 .5

- 0 .8
- 1 .7
- 1 .0
- .2
- 1 .0
- .6
- 1 .1
- 1 .2
- .4
- 1 .8
- 1 .5
- 1 .7
- 1 .5
- .8

+ 1 .1
+ .3
- .3
+ .3

-1 8 .9

- 1 .3

+ .5

+ 1 .3

+.8

+ .9
+ .9

+.8
+.6
-.1
+.6
-.2
+ .3

1 N o change.

Table 3 shows the changes in each item of expenditure in 19 cities
from December, 1914, to December, 1926. Figures for certain months
are omitted from Tables 3 and 4 to curtail space.
A study of this table shows that in the past six months the cost of
food increased in 24 cities and decreased in 8; clothing increased in 1
city and decreased in 31; rent increased in 10, decreased in 21, and
remained stationary in 1 city; fuel and light increased in 29 and
decreased in 3 cities; house-furnishing goods decreased in all 32
cities; while miscellaneous increased in 19, decreased in 4, and showed
no change in 9.
In studying this and the following tables it should be borne in
mind that the figures for the 19 cities in Table 3 are based on the
prices prevailing in December, 1914, the figures for the 13 cities in
Table 4 are based on the prices prevailing in December, 1917, while
the figures for the United States, shown in Table 5, are a summari­
zation of the figures in Tables 3 and 4, computed on a 1913 base.

28261 ° — 27 -12

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[4 1 7 ]

170

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b l e 3 *— C H A N G E S I N C O ST OF L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, T O

D E C E M B E R , 1926

B a ltim o re , M d .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1915. __________ ____ ___
December, 1916 ___________________
December, 1917_____ . . . . . . __ _ . . .
December, 1918___
__ ____
June, 1919__________________________
December, 1 9 1 9 .___ _ . . . . ______
June, 1920 . . .
________
December, 1920 __ _____ .
M ay, 1921________________________ _
December, 1921______ . . . _________
June, 1922... _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____
December, 1922 ___________________
June, 1923___ _____________ _________
December, 1923______ ____ _ _ _____
June, 1924 __ ______ _
_
_______
December, 1924_____ _ ____________
June, 1925___ _______________________
December, 1925 ____________________
_ _____
June, 1926 __ ________
December, 1926. ___________________

14.1
20.9
64.4
96.4
91.1
92.5
110.9
75.6
43.4
46. 9
39.9
46.1
46.5
50.6
44.0
53.0
57.7

66.2

62. 2
63.0

Cloth­
ing

Rent

2.7
24.0
52.1
107. 7
128.9
177.4
191.3
159. 5
123.2

88.6

78.9
80.5
81.4
81.8
78.3
76.2
76.0
76.2
73.0
72. 5

House- Miscel­
Fuel and furnish­
light ing goods laneous

i 0.2
.9
3.0
13.8
16.8
25.8
41.6
49.5
63.0
64.7
65.4
66.9
69.6
71.9
72.4
72. 2
72.0
72.2
71.3
70.6

0.5
9.1
25. 5
46.0
37.1
48.1
57.6
79.0
70.9
85.5
84.8
94.9
91.6
93.5
84.8
88.7
85.3
90.9
89.8
87.3

* 0. 1
.1
LI
2.8
5.1
12.2
16.2
25.8
29.8
33.8
34.4
36.7
40. 2
47.0
50.7
52. 4
52.9
54.0
53.2
53.5

1.2
4.7
9.4
20.7
28.0
29.0
46.6
48.5
61. 1
61.7
64.7
64.9
70.0
71.8
76. 3
76.8
79.1
79.5
78.1
77.4

5.6
26.4
60.8
122.3
134.6
167.0
191.8
181.9
147.5
123.7
113.3
116.6
127.5
130.2
129.4
125.7

i 1.4
18.5
51.3
78.7
82.8
99.4
111.4
112.9

All
items

110.5

112. 3

i 1.4
18.5
51.3
84.7
84.0
98.4
114. 3
90.8
77.4
73.2
67.6
70.9
72.0
74.8
71.9
74.8
77.3
81.2
78.4
78.6

1.1
10. 5
29. 2
56.6
55.0
63.2
83.6
106.0
97.8
98.5
92.5
99.9
88.8
97.0
90.7
93.7
90.4
107.2
94.4
98.7

8.4
26.3
58.4
137.6
153.7
198.7
233.7
226.4
171.2
136.9
124.2
133. 6
150.5
148.2
136.9
138.1
136.9
136.7
133.1
129.6

1.6
15.7
38.1
62.0
64.8
81. 1
91.8
96.6
96.2
93.0
89.5
87.8
89.2
93.0
88.0
85. 9
86.3
91.0
91.0
92.3

1.6
15.7
38.1
70.6
72.8
92.3
n e. 7
97.4
74.4
70.2
59.6
65.1
63.5
69.4
63.2
67.3
65.8
74.7
69.4
71.9

1.3
9.3
23.5
49.3
51.9
55.7
69.8
74.9
73.9
79.7
78.8
115.7
119.1
120. 4
116. 6
117.9
115.5
117. 9
127.3
127.1

7.1
24.1
50.2
106.3
118.1
165. 4
199.7
189.2
151.3
124. 7
108.0
112.8
127.9
127.5
121.0
121.0
119.5
118.2
113.6
110. 2

3.5
24.4
51.1
76.0
78.7
90.3
101.9
107.4
107.8
103.0
97.9
97.5
100. 5
102. 5
101. 9
100.9
107.7
107. 9
110.6
112. 5

3.5
24.4
51.1
80.9
84.2
102.7
121.5
101. 7
80.3
76.8
68.6
73.9
74.1
78.6
73.9
77.8
79.7
84.8
82.8
83.6

122.8
122.1
112.8

111.8

108.6
104.4

102.6

103.8
105.2
1G9. 9
107.1

111.0
111. 6
111.2

B o sto n , M a s s .
December, 1915_____._ _____ _________
December, 1916 _____ ____________
December, 1917 _ __________ _______
December, 1918________ _ _
June, 1919.
_ _______. . . _______
December, 1919. ________ __________
June, 1920__________________________
December, 1920. ____________ . . . _
M ay, 1921__________________________
December, 1921 ________ . . _______
June, 19221___________ _ _ ________
December, 1922______ __ __________
June, 1923___
__ . . . . . . . . . . .
December, 1923. __________ _______
June, 1924___________ .
___ _ _
December, 1924. _ . __________ _ .
June, 1925__________ _____
_
.
December, 1 9 2 5 ._________
June, 1926. _—___
____ .
December, 1926_ ._

i 0.3
18.0
45.8
74.9
67.9
80.8
105.0
74.4
41.9
50.4
32.5
44.9
39.7
48.8
37.9
47.8
44.5
60.6
51.5
56.6

6.6
21.9
47.5
117.5
137.9
192.4
211.1
192.7
150.3
106.3
96.7
92.0
93.0
92.6
91.2
89.1
88.9
87.8
85.9
85.3

B u ffa lo , N . Y.
December, 1915__ _ _ . ___ _________
December, 1916_________
._ _ ._ .
December, 1917 . . . ________ _
December, 1918 ___ . _ .
June, 1919, _ ________ _ . . . _
December, 1919._ __ ._ ___
June, 1920December, 1920_ _____ _
M ay, 1921_________________
December, 1921____ __________ _
June, 1922 _ ____
_ .
December, 1922_ ________________
June, 1923______________________
December, 1923 _____ _____ _
June, 1924 _ _ __ _ __
December, 1924___ _____
June, 1925_______________
December, 1925 ___ ______
June, 1926. _____________
December, 1926 . . . ___ _

2.4
30.1
64.1
87.8
82.9
94.7
115. 7
78.5
37.7
50.8
38.5
48.8
41.6
51.9
39.5
51.8
52.0
66.5
60.9
63.6

8.9
29.6
58.5
123.1
140. 7
190.8
210. 6
168.7
131. 6
96.5
83.6
81.4
83.4
83.8
81.7
79.9
80.3
79.8
76. 7
74.6

1 Decrease.


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171

CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T a b l e 3 .—C H A N G E S IN

C O S T OF L IV IN G IN 19 C I T I E S ,
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

DECEM BER,

1914, TO

C h icago , II I ,
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1915--.......................................
December, 1916_______ . . . . . . _____
December, 1917 ___________________
December, 1918.. . . . ___ ___________
June, 1919__ __________________ _____
December, 1919___________ ______
June, 1920 ___ ___________________
December, 1920 ___________ . . . _. . .
M ay, 1921_____________________
December, 1921________ . . . . ____
June, 1922__________________________
December, 1922_____________________
June, 1923. _______ --.............. ..............
December, 1923__________________
_
June, 1924. _____________ __________
December, 1924.____ __________ . . . .
June, 1925. ___ ___ ______________ _
December, 1925.____ _________. . . . . _
June, 1926.. . ___________ ________
December, 1926 _________ ____ ______

2. 7
25.2
53.4
78.7
73. 3
93. 1
120.0
70. 5
41.9
48.3
41.6
44.8
45. 1
52. 5
47. 9
56. 2
61. 4
69.4
67. 2
69. 6

Cloth­
ing

Rent

7.5
24. 2
50.6
138. 9
157. 1
224.0
205. 3
158. 6
122. 7
74.3
63.0
67. 5
72.2
76.0
72.6
67. 8
65.8
65.3
62. 7
61. 9

House- M iscel­
Fuel and furnish­
light ing goods laneous

All
items

10.9
6.6
19.3
37. 1
35. 7
40. 1
62. 4
83. 5
65.3
69.4
55.4
65. 6
54.9
59.3
53.0
56. 1
53.9
65. 8
55. 4
64.4

5.9
20.0
47.5
108.9
126. 9
176.0
215. 9
205.8
162.4
133. 7
108. 5
120.4
133. 1
132. 9
122. 2
121.9
118. 1
118. 5
112.4
109.2

3.0
19.5
41. 8
58. 7
61. 7
84.3
87.5
96. 5
98.5
94. 5
87. 9
86. 7
87. 7
88. 1
90. 7
90. 7
93. 9
93. 9
94. 3
95. 7

3.0
19.5
41.8
72.2
74.5
100.6
114.6
93.3
78.4
72.3
65.0
68.0
69.6
83. 7
72.6
75.3
77. 1
80.6
77.8
79.0

0.1
.9
11.3
16. 5
21.8
39.9
47.3
80.0
88. 1
81.2
69.6
74. 0
73. 8
78. 7
77. 7
78.6
76.8
75.6
71.6
71.8

0.3
10.0
26. 8
51. 9
47.9
62. 9
90. 3
94.5
89.6
103. 8
102. 2
116.3
151.6
147.0
142. 6
144. 1
143. 9
168. 8
162.3
170. 7

4. 7
19. 7
47. 8
102.4
117.0
165. 5
186. 5
176. 8
133. 6
100. 8
87. 8
104. 8
129. 6
129. 3
118. 0
113. 4
111. 9
113. 4
106. 1
105. 3

1.4
19. 1
42.9
67. 1
74.7
85.9
117.9
134.0
129. 6
123.2
110. 7
109. 4
108. 1
113. 1
112. 7
112. 1
112. 3
111. 5
111. 9
112.7

1.4
19.1
42.9
71.4
77.2
98.2
120.3
107.3
87. 5
78.8
68.9
72.9
77. 1
79.6
75.9
78.1
80.4
82.7
81.9
81. 5

2. 1
17. 5
32. 6
39.0
45. 2
60. 2
68. 8
108. 1
101. 4
91. 1
86. 9
92. 1
96. 9
107. 5
105. 6
103.8
98. 7
97. 7
95. 5
95. 5

1.6
9. 9
30. 2
47. 6
47. 6
57.9
74.9
104. 5
83.6
77. 5
75.2
95. 5
87. 3
84. 9
81. 8
82. 7
78. 9
101. 1
76.4
86.8

8. 7
24. 5
50. 4
107. 3
129. 3
172. 6
206. 7
184.0
134.0
96. 8
76.0
81. 1
105. 7
105. 3
103. 4
98. 1
94.1
93. 7
91. 8
88. 7

3. 5
22. 3
49.9
72.6
80.3
100. 1
141.3
144.0
140. 1
130. 7
121.3
121. 5
124.2
128.4
127. 2
125.4
124. 7
122. 5
122. 5
121.6

3. 5
22.3
49 '9
78.0
84.4
107.9
136.0
118.6
93.3
82.4
75.3
79.4
81.7
84.7
82.8
82.2
84. 5
87.8
84. 7
84.1

10.1
.7
1.4
2.6
8.0
14. 0
35. 1
48.9
78.2
83.9
87.4
88.9
92. 1
95. 4
104. 4
105. 8
105. 6
104.4
99. 5
96. 7

C leveland, Ohio
December, 1915.. ___________________
December, 1916_________________
December, 1917.. _________________
December, 1918________________ _
June, 1919.
________________ ______
December, 1919_______________ ___ . .
June, 1 9 2 0 .__ _________
December, 1 9 2 0 ..______________ _ .
M ay, 1921___ ______________________
December, 1921____________________
June, 1922. _ _______________________
December, 1922 ____________________
June, 1923. ____________________ . .
December, 1923 _____________ . . _ .
June, 1924. . _________ ______
December, 1924 _________________
June, 1925. ___________________ . .
December, 1925_______ ____________
June, 1926. ________________________
December, 1926.. ____________ . _

1. 4
26. 4
54. 3
79. 4
79. 7
92. 9
118. 7
71. 7
37. 4
40. 9
34. 6
41. 1
42. 1
43. 6
37. 2
46. 2
53. 8
58. 3
60. 0
58. 7

2. 0
18. 0
43. 7
102. 6
125. 2
171. 2
185. 1
156.0
124.0
85. 8
72.4
70.9
77.6
79. 6
78. 4
72. 9
71. 9
71. 9
70. 7
68. 3

D etroit, M ich .
December, 1915_____________________
December, 1916___ ______________
December, 1917__________________ _.
December, 1918.. ______ ________ _
June, 1919. _ __________________ _
December, 1919 . ______
_______
June, 1920
. ________ _ _________
December, 1920 _____ ___________ .
M ay, 1921__ _ ________________ .
December, 1921 . .
_ ________ _
June, 1922 _
. _______________ ___
December, 1922 . .
. . ______. . .
June, 1923
.
____________
December, 1923 ______ ___________
June, 1924
____________ __ . _
December, 1924 .
.
. _______
June, 1925. _______________________
December, 1925_____________________
June, 1926 . ______________________
December, 1926_________ . ________

4.1
26. 5
59. 7
82.5
86.4
99. 5
132.0
75.6
41. 1
47.3
43. 1
44. 8
46. 7
47. 5
45. 5
49. 7
60.6
68. 1
65. 7
63.8

2.3
18. 9
46. 7
113. 8
125.2
181. 8
208.8
176. 1
134. 1
92. 5
81. 4
79. 9
84. 0
85. 3
82. 3
76. 1
75. 2
74. 8
73. 4
71.0

i Decrease.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[4 1 9 ]

172

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

T a b l e 3 .—C H A N G E S I N C O S T O F L I V I N G I N 19 C I T I E S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, T O
D E C E M B E R , 1928—Continued

H o u sto n , Tex.
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1915__________ ___________
December, 1916- ________________
December, 1917—...........................
December, 1918_________ . . .
June, 1919___________ . .
December, 1919.-............................
June, 1920_______________
December, 1920______________
M ay, 1921....................... ...........
December, 1921_____________________
June, 1922______________
December, 1922.....................................
June, 1923-................................
December, 1923___________
June, 1924______________
December, 1924—....................................
June, 1925................................. .............
December, 1925.-................................
June, 1926.. ..................... .............. _
December, 1926________________ .

i 1.0
19. 9
57.3
86.1
85. 7
97.5
107. 5
83.2
45. 6
50.1
38.9
45. 0
41. 2
46. 4
37. 3
54.4
57.3
65.8
55.0
59.8

Cloth­
ing
2.7
25.0
51.5
117.3
134. 8
192.0
211.3
187.0
143.4
104.9
98.4
98.2
100.4
102. 6
100. 8
95. 6
95.6
92.5
91.2
88.9

Rent
12.3
i 7.3
17.7
i 1.7
1.9
13.4
25.3
35.1
39.4
39.8
38.5
37.3
36. 7
36.4
34. 9
34. 7
34.3
33.0
32.9
32.6

HouseFuel and furnish­
Miscel­
light ing goods laneous

All
items

i 0.9
8.3
22.7
47.5
37.6
60.0
55.1
74. 2
46.0
39.4
32.9
39.2
36.5
55.8
45.0
44.3
38.7
45.2
35.2
43.7

6.1
39.6
62.3
119.9
144.5
181.8
213.9
208.2
173.7
148.2
133. 7
140.4
150. 2
148.2
143. 7
143. 0
142.5
143. 2
138. 6
137.9

1 0.3
16.4
44.9
67.6
72.3
88.2
90.4
103.9
100. 8
99.0
94.0
93. 0
91.5
93.2
89.5
88.0
87.8
88.0
87.4
86.8

1 0.3
16.4
44.9
75.7
80.2
101.7
112.2
104.0
79.7
73.6
65.9
68.4
67.2
70.6
65.0
70.5
71.1
74.3
69.1
70.6

(»)
2.3
15.1
55.2
49.2
64. 1
72.6
92. 6
80.7
.9
58. 9
65. 7
63.6
75.1
72.1
72.9
69.3
87.1
95.3
91.2

15.1
43.4
73.7
126.5
140.0
186.2
224.2
222.3
182. 7
134. 9
115.3
127.1
137.9
139.4
132. 9
132.4
134.0
135.6
134.7
128.1

1.3
14.7
41. 6
60.5
65.9
80. 9

105. 6
107. 5
99.3
95.5
94. 7
95.3
96.6
95. 0
99.1
99. 3
105.3
105. 5
105. 7

1.3
14.7
41.6
71.5
77.5
101.5
116.5
106.2
85.8
75.1
65.7
67.8
67.7
71.9
67.3
70.4
70.9
81.7
81.8
81.3

0.4
2.3
10.4
18.3
18.6
35.3
53.5
53.5
52. 7
52. 7
39.1
35. 6
33. 7
34.1
33.6
34.4
34.0
34.4
34.1
34.8

6.3
23.1
56.4
118.5
134.2
175. 5
202.2
202. 2
156.6
143. 2
128. 8
138.1
153.6
152.0
136.1
137.7
133.9
133. 7
126.7
123.8

U .9
7.7
28.9
52.0
59.1
76.9
86. 6
100. 6
96.8
99. 6
103.8
101.2
100. 8
104.2
105.4
104.2
108.9
110.6
104. 7
105.7

1 1.9
7.7
28.9
58.0
65.1
85.3
101.7
96.7
78.7
76.4
72.5
74.5
75.1
78.8
75.1
75.4
76.9
77.4
71.2
72.2

Ja c k s o n v ille , F la .
December, 1915...... .............. ......................
December, 1916___________________ .
December, 1917_______ ____ ______ _
December, 1918____________ _________
June, 1919................ ..................
December, 1919______________ _
June, 1920..................................
December, 1920........ ..............................
M ay, 1921___ ______ _________
December, 1921____________ ________
June, 1922_______________ ________
December, 1922.-_____________ _____
June, 1923_______________________
December, 1923. ___________________
June, 1924______ _______ ___________
December, 1924_________________
June, 1925.......... ...............................
December, 1925________ _________
June, 1926______________
December, 1926________________

10.3
17.6
50.8
76. 2
74.2
80.9
90.1
65. 6
32. 6
40.6
30. 6
34.8
32.0
39. 9
30. 2
40.0
41.8
58.3
53.4
53.5

10.5
33. 7
71.9
130.5
39.8
217.2
234.0
209. 3
167.5
117.9
99.9
99.3
.1
104.5
102. 7
94. 6
94.0
93.6
93.4
90.9

101

16.9
118.2
118.7
5.9
9. 7

22.0

28.9
34.1
36.5
38.3
35.3
35.1
34.3
33.4
33.0
33.5
33.5
55.3

66.6

69.9

68

102.8

L o s A n g e les, C a lif.
December, 1915_____________________
December, 1916_____________________
December, 1917........................ ..................
December, 1918_____________________
June, 1919______________________
December, 1919______ . . . ___________
June, 1920_________________________
December, 1920___________
______
M ay, 1921_____________ .... _______
December, 1921____________ _ _____
June, 1922____ ______________ _______
December, 1922_____________________
June, 1923_______________________ . .
December, 1923_____________________
June, 1924__________________________
December, 1924_____________________
June, 1925___ __________ _____ _ . . .
December, 1925. _______ ____________
June, 1926__________________________
December, 1926...........................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

14.1
.4
33.4
61.8
60. 7
71.0
90. 8
62. 7
33. 2
38.4
30. 6
39.4
36.2
42.1
35.2
38.8
44.1
48.7
39.9
44.7

2.8
14.3
45.0
109.1
123. 3
167.6
184.5
166. 6
127.4
94.3
81. 3
78.0
82.5
83.0
81.4
80.4
79.0
77. 7
75.7
75.2

i Decrease.

i 2. 7
12.5
1.6
4.4
8.7
. 26.8
42. 6
71.4
85.3
90.1
95.6
94. 8
97. 7
100.9
99.4
93.3
83.6
73. 7
67.4
61. 7

a No change.
[4 2 0 ]

173

C H A N G E S IN COST OF L IV IN G

T a b l e 3 .—C H A N G E S IN C O S T O F L IV IN G IN 19 C I T I E S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

M o bile, A la .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1915...................... ....... ............
December, 1916_____________________
December, 1917..____________ _______
December, 1918_____________________
June, 1919___ ________ _____ _________
December, 1919______ ______________
June, 1920.-________________ ______
December, 1920_____________________
M ay, 1921__________________________
December, 1921______________________
June, 1922....................................................
December, 1922.._______________ ____
June, 1923__________________ _ _____
December, 1923_____________________
June, 1924__________________________
December, 1924...........................................
June, 1925_____ ______ _____ _________
December, 1925______ ______ ________
June, 1926________________
December, 1926................... ....................

i 1.0
19.9
57.3
80.6
83.6
98.4
110.5
73. 5
39.1
42.4
33.2
39. 1
37. 7
44. 7
33.4
49. 7
50.3
59.0
53.1
58.0

Cloth­
ing
2.0
9.0
38.8
86.0
94.0
123. 7
137.4
122.2
90. 6
57.7
49. 7
50.8
51.8
55.4
54.3
53.4
52.0
49.4
49.5
48.8

HouseFuel and furnish­
Miscel­
light ing goods laneous

Rent
1 1.9
14.3
i 3.6
11.2
11.9
29.6
34.6
53.6
53.3
49. 9
47. 7
43.8
42. 5
42. 6
41.4
40. 9
40.1
40.4
39.7
40.5

All
items

(2)
8.8
27.1
57. 1
66.6
75. 6
86. 3
122. 3
102. 1
98.2
84.4
96.4
93. 3
98. 1
91.4
90.2
85. 6
89.1
94.6
97.7

4.1
15. 3
42.8
108.3
113. 9
153.3
177. 9
175.4
140. 7
116. 9
97.8
97. 9
114.0
114.8
109.3
107.2
104.3
103. 7
100.8
96.4

i 0.4
13.8
43.2
72.4
75.3
87.0
100. 3
100. 7
96.9
94. 3
87. 5
91.0
89.8
91. 3
93. 7
94. 3
95. 5
102.0
102. 2
102.2

i 0.4
13.8
43.2
71.4
76.6
94.5
107.0
93.3
70.8
63.6
55.3
58.8
58.6
62.6
58.0
63.9
63.9
68.5
66.2
68.1

i 0.1
1.1
2.6
6. 5
13.4
23.4
32.4
38.1
42.2
53. 7
55. 7
56.7
59.4
62.4
64.5
67.1
67.8
69.5
69.5
70.2

i 0.1
11.0
19.9
45.5
45.4
50. 6
60.1
87. 5
95.9
90. 7
89.0
95. 7
89.1
94.2
88.8
93.3
91.0
126.0
95. 9
96.1

8.4
27. 6
56.5
126.5
136.6
172.9
205.1
185. 9
156. 5
132.0
118. 3
121. 6
130. 3
131.5
121.4
119.4
110.6
110.4
106.6
106.0

2.0
14.9
44. 7
70.0
75.1
95.8
111.9
116.3
117. 6
116.9
112.8
111. 6
110.8
113.5
115.0
116. 7
116. 9
118.2
117.3
117. 5

2.0
14.9
44.7
77.3
79.2
103.8
119.2
101.4
81.7
79.3
70.7
74.2
72.6
77.3
72.5
76.5
75.8
83.2
78.6
80.0

0.1
i 1. 7
i 1. 7
39.0
46.5
63.3
70.8
90.8
94.6
93.4
88.1
77.2
73.0
67.0
64.2
59.4
58.4
53.0
52. 1
49.2

(2)
17.0
33.3
74.6
69.7
89.9
110.6
128.9
97.3
91.6
87. 7
106. 5
102.1
96. 9
94.4
99.1
96.7
107.9
102. 1
109.6

0.6
8. 7
39.0
105.5
110. 7
143.6
165.0
160. 5
129.0
106.1
88.4
89.1
101.0
103. 8
100.1
102.1
96.0
96.8
93.7
90.4

0. 6
14. 7
45. 2
76.8
83. 7
97. 5
108.4
106. 3
106. 3
109. 3
100.8
99.6
102.2
104.4
103.0
103.4
103.4
103.8
100.5
103.7

0.6
14.7
45.2
80.7
87.1
107.0
122.2
109.0
88.1
79.2
69.5
69.9
71.1
72.4
68.4
72.1
71.9
76.4
73.1
74.6

N ew Y o rk , N . Y.
December, 1915__________ ___________
December, 1916___________ _________
December, 1917.................................. .......
December, 1918____________ ____ _ . .
June, 1919__________________
_
______
December, 1919______ .
June, 1920-_ ________ . __________
December, 1920_____________________
M ay, 1921._________________________
December, 1921_________ ____
June, 1922___________
...............
December, 1922_______ _____________
June, 1923__________________________
December, 1923_____________________
June, 1924-, ................. ........ . . .
December, 1924........
June, 1925_________________________ _
December, 1925._______ _____________
June, 1926__________________________
December, 1926_____________________

1.3
16. 3
55.3
82. 6
75.3
91.0
105.3
73.5
42. 5
51.8
40.0
49. 5
44.4
52.0
41.1
50.0
48.9
62. 6
56.0
59.1

4.8
22.3
54.2
131.3
151.6
219. 7
241.4
201.8
159. 5
117.8
103.0
98.3
100.7
102.7
100. 7
97. 7
97. 5
95.9
94.7
93. 7

N o rfo lk , V a.
December, 1915_______ ________ _____
December, 1916--____________ -..........
December, 1917_________ ___________
December, 1918_____________________
June, 1919________________________ _
December, 1919______________ _____
June, 1920_______________ _________
December, 1920.- . . . ______ ________
M ay, 1921__________________________
December, 1921_____________________
June, 1922__ ______________ ____ ____
December, 1922 ____________________
June, 1923-.- _ ____________________
December, 1923____________ _______
June, 1924. „ . _________ _ _____
December, 1924_____________________
June, 1925__________________________
December, 1925__________________
June, 1926____________ ____ _________
December, 1926__________ ___________


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

0.8
22.4
63.9
86.2
89.8
91.5
107.6
76.3
45.4
43.4
33.5
38.6
36.9
40. 7
33. 1
46.0
47.9
60.8
56.0
58.7

0.8
6.0
31. 6
94. 6
104.8
158.4
176.5
153. 6
121.6
90.2
77.6
73.2
79.1
80.8
78.6
75.4
74.7
74.0
73.0
72. 8

1 Decrease.

2 N o change.

[421]

174

M O N T H LY LABOR REV IEW

T a b l e 3 .—C H A N G E S I N C O S T O F L IV IN G I N 19 C I T I E S ,
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

DECEM BER,

1914, TO

P h ila d e lp h ia , P a .
P er cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1915........ .........................
December, 1916_____________ ________
December, 1917____ ___ _____ ______
December, 1918___________ ______ _
June, 1919_____ ____ _____
December, 1919___________________ .
June, 1920______________
December, 1920_______
M ay, 1921... ________
December, 1921_______ ______
June, 1922______ ______ _______
December, 1922_____________
June, 1923____ ____ _____
December, 1923__________
June, 1924.......... .............
December, 1924._________
June, 1925..................
December, 1925..................
June, 1926................
December, 1926________

0.3
18.9
54.4
80. 7
75.5
87.2
101.7
68.1
37.8
43.9
38. 1
43.4
42.7
45. 1
39.3
46.4
51.3
62.0
56.6
61.2

Cloth­
ing

Rent

3.6
16.0
51.3
111. 2
135.9
190.3
219.6
183.5
144.7
104.6
89. 5
87.6
87.6
88.2
85.5
84.4
83.8
83.6
82. 5
80.3

HouseFuel and furnishM iscel­
light inggoods laneous

All
items

10.3
i.7
2.6
8.0
11.3
16.7
28.6
38.0
44.2
48.1
49.6
52.9
58.1
66.9
72.4
75.3
76.0
77> 1
77. 1
77.3

10.8
5.4
21.5
47.9
43.3
51.3
66.8
96.0
85.6
92.0
85.7
93.0
89.9
102.2
91.7
94.8
87.0
100.5
98.3
98.5

6.9
19.9
49.8
107.7
117.8
162. 8
187.4
183.4
135.5
101.6
90.0
96.9
110. 8
111.6
102.3
100.5
98.9
97.9
93.7
92.3

1.2
14. 7
43.8
67.5
71.2
88.6
102.8
122.3
119. 2
116.2
112.3
110. 7
112.4
112.0
110. 7
117.6
117.6
117.6
120.6
121.5

1. 2
14.7
43. 8
73.9
76. 2
96. 5
113. 5
100.7
79.8
74.3
68. 2
70. 7
72 1
74.7
71. 5
76. 1
77 6
82. 6
80. 6
82.3

0.2
.6
2.4
2.5
5.7
10.7
14. 5
20.0
23. 1
26.6
24.8
30. 7
27.3
31.7
27.4
28.8
25.5
24.4
23.7
23.8

0.4
11.4
28.9
67.7
58.4
69.8
83.9
113.5
96.8
94.0
96.1
94.7
94.9
100.0
96.2
99.6
95.8
100.3
100. 5
102.9

6.2
20.9
43. 5
110.8
126.4
163.7
190.3
191.2
152.2
123.6
108.1
114.2
129. 7
130.2
126.7
126.0
126.0
126. 9
121. 7
120.8

10.4
13.8
38.0
65.6
72.1
83.2
89.4
94.3
94.1
91.2
88.2
88.0
88.0
89.3
87.9
87.2
87.8
87.6
88.4
88.6

i 0.4
13.8
38.0
72.2
74.3
91.6
107.6
93.1
72.1
69.2
59.7
64.1
63.3
66.9
62.4

i 10.9
1 19.6
122.2
12.3
20.2
27.7
33.2
36.9
42.9
43.3
43.3
43.6
42.5
42.7
43.3
42.9
40.9
40.1
37.9
33.5

i 1.0
3.4
20.2
30.9
31.3
42.3
46.9
65.9
67. 1
59.4
50.3
65.7
61.3
67. 1
55.5
62.4
52. 2
60.0
50.9
61.9

2.9
18.0
54.5
109.0
122. 1
145. 1
183.9
179.9
148.0
121,9
101.9
102. 9
109.8
109.0
102.2
102. 2
98.6
100.6
95.2
90. 7

i 3.1
6. 1
31.2
57.9
62.3
71.6
79.7
81.1
81.1
80.0
78.5
79.4
75.8
79.6
73.0
74. 4
73.0
73.0
74.2
76.6

13.1
6.1

P o rtla n d , M e.
December, 1915.
December, 1916.
December, 1917.
December, 1918.
June, 1919_____
December, 1919.
June, 1920..........
December, 1920M ay, 1921_____
December, 1921.
June, 1922_____
December, 1922.
June, 1923_____
December, 1923.
June, 1924...........
December, 1924.
June, 1925_____
December, 1925.
June, 1926_____
December, 1926.

i 2.0
18.6
49.8
86.8
80.6
91.9
114.5
78.7
46.7
54. 8
39.9
49. 1
45. 3
52.3
44. 1
52.4
52. 2
64. 5
58.7
63.3

2. 1
9. 7
32.8
85.8
103.8
148.5
165.9
147.8
116. 3
88.1
76.7
74.8
77.3
76.7
75.4
75.0
75.0
74.0
71. 7
70.3

66.0

65.3
70.3
67.3
69.2

P o rtla n d , Oreg.
December, 1915.
December, 1916.
December, 1917.
December, 1918.
June, 1919_____
December, 1919.
June, 1920_____
December, 1920.
M ay, 1921..___
December, 1921.
June, 1922_____
December, 1922.
June, 1923_____
December, 1923.
June, 1924_____
December, 1924.
June, 1925_____
December, 1925.
June, 1926_____
December, 1926.

i 3.8
9.8
42.2
70.6
67. 1
81.6
107. 1
60.9
26.0
33.1
26.5
34.3
29. 5
35. 1
28. 5
36.1
40.6
43.2
38. 6
40.6

3.0
15.8
44.4
96.6
115. 5
142. 1
158.6
122.1
91.2
65.3
53.2
54.9
61.3
61.8
61. 1
59. 2
57.6
57.0
56. 5
54. 0

i Decrease.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[422]

31.2
64.2
69.2
83.7
100.4
80.3
62.2
58.3
52. 1
56. 1
54.6
57.8
52.8
55.8
55.8
56.9
54.6
55.1

175

C H A N G E S IN COST OF L IV IN G
T a b l e 3 .—C H A N G E S IN C O S T O F L IV IN G IN 19 C I T I E S ,
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

DECEM BER,

1914, TO

S a n F r a n c isc o a n d O a k la n d , C a lif.
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food
December, 1915_____________________
December j 1916............................................
December^ 191 7...... ..... .................... .........
December, 1918____
June, 19191________________________
December, 1919...........................................
June, 19201. _______________________
December, 1920_____________________
M ay, 1921.--......................... ......................
December, 1921_______________ ____
June, 1922.................
December, 1922_______
June, 19231________
December, 1923_________
June, 19241...............................
December, 1924________ _
Juno, 1925.. _______________________
December, 1925............................................
June, 19261__________________ _______
December, 1926_________ _______

14. 3
9. 6
35.9
66.2
63.3
74.2
93.9
64.9
33.3
40. 4
31.1
38. 8
34.2
42.3
35.0
42.1
47.6
53.3
44.3
48.3

Cloth­
ing

Rent

2. 5
14. 5
43.6
109.0
134. 6
170.4
191.0
175. 9
140.9
106.3
90. 7
85.4
92.1
94.4
91. 5
90. 5
90. 5
89. 7
88. 4
85.6

HouseFuel and furnish­ M iscel­
light ing goods laneous

All
items

10.7
12.5
14.0
13.9
13.5
4.7
9.4
15.0
21. 7
25. 8
29.4
30.0
33. 4
36.0
38.0
39. 4
40.1
40.0
39. 6
39. 5

10.1
4.6
14.4
30.1
28.9
41.3
47.2
66.3
63.3
65.3
59. 5
52. 5
42. 6
48.8
49.9
53. 5
54.3
50.8
48.5
51.0

6.0
21.7
48.2
103.4
116. 6
143.8
180.1
175. 6
143.9
113. 9
104. 4
105.4
116.7
116.9
113.4
114.7
115.1
115. 7
105.6
104.6

i 1.7
8.3
28.6
50. 5
61.0
74.7
79.6
84.8
84.4
86.8
83.7
84.2
79.4
81.2
73.2
72.7
72.9
74.6
75.3
75.3

1 1.7
8,3
28.6
57.8
65.6
87.8
96.0
85.1
66.7
63.6
56.8
58.8
57.6
62.1
57.3
60.1
62.2
64.7
60.7
61.7

11.4
13.0
14.3
5. 9
10. 2
22.0
33. 5
58.6
61. 9
60.9
57.8
52.7
49.5
47.5
45.3
41.0
39.7
38.6
38.0
38.1

11.3
i 1. 7
i 21.1
37. 5
35. 5
52. 2
65.3
94.4
74.2
66.1
55.2
68.3
61.9
64.1
59.7
62.2
59.1
62.9
61.9
68.4

1.8
12.8
50.7
128.6
136. 5
182.1
207.2
206. 6
175.9
133.7
120.1
123.8
135.9
133.4
130. 6
128.7
128.2
128.9
126.6
123.9

1 0.2
14.5
42.5
67.3
71.2
82.0
83.8
91.5
93.0
87.4
81.1
79.5
77.5
76.7
77.5
77.5
77.5
79.1
79.5
79.0

10.2
14.6
42.5
75.0
79.8
98.7
109.4
98.7
77.6
66.2
56.8
59.2
57.9
58.2
54.8
56.3
57.9
62.9
60.6
60.5

12.4
i 5. 4
i. 6
44.3
51.5
71.5
74.8
76.7
74.8
69.2
64.7
63.1
62.3
62.9
64.0
63.7
64.7
63.7
62.6
60.3

10.2
2.9
23.9
51.8
51.8
63.8
65.8
78.7
78.7
69.0
64.0
59.6
58.0
59.1
56. 8
59.6
57.8
58.1
49.4
61.2

8.5
27.4
52.3
141. 5
154.4
201.0
221.2
216.4
177.2
149.9
137.3
136.1
143.9
144.2
140.7
141.1
141.6
142.1
139.4
137.5

11.0
7.4
31.1
58.5
71.4
86.8
90.4
95.5
105.5
102.6
97.6
96.4
96.6
96.6
94.6
96.4
96.4
97.0
97.0
97.6

1 1.0
7.4
31.1
69.9
76.9
97.7
110.5
94.1
80.2
71.5
67.0
66.7
66.4
68.5
66.7
67.8
70.5
71.7
69.4
69.1

S a v a n n a h , G a.
December, 1915_____________________
December^ 1916...... .........
December, 1917_____________________
December^ 1 918____________________
June, 1919__________________________
December, 1919_____________________
June, 1920________________ ________
December, 1920_______
M ay, 1921__ _______
December, 1921_____________________
June, 1922.______ _______ ___________
Decem ber, 1922 .
June, 19231............................... ....................
December, 1923 _________ ____________
June, 19241. ____ _____ _____________
December, 1924 _____ _
. _______
June, 19251__ _________ _____________
December, 1925___________________ . .
June, 19261.________________________
December, 1926 _______ _____ ________

1 0.3
17. 6
50.8
76.2
74.2
80.9
91. 7
63.5
28. 7
33.7
22.7
27. 6
22.6
25.0
17.5
25.1
31.5
44. 9
39.1
39.7

0. 8
24.1
56. 6
133.6
146.3
195. 9
212.1
171. 5
133.2
84.2
71.7
76.2
81.2
80.9
79.1
75.8
75.1
73.7
73.7
72.0

S e attle , W ash.
December, 1915____________________
December, 1916__________ ________
December, 1917______
December, 1918_____________________
June, 1919.. _______________________
December, 1919____________________
June, 1920_________________________
December, 1920— ____ _ _ _______
M ay, 1921.___ ___ _________________
December, 1921_____ _____________
June, 1922.. ______________________
December, 1922____________________
June, 1923_________________________
December, 1923_____________________
June, 1924__________________________
December, 1924__ __________ ______
June, 1925..
__ __________________
December, 1925_____________________
June, 1926__
________________ ____
December, 1926_____________________

12.8
8.5
38. 7
72. 5
69.3
80.9
102.3
54.1
27.1
30.5
30.0
33.9
31.0
35.8
33.1
35.8
43.7
47.3
42.3
41.6

1.2
11.3
36. 4
88.0
110. 2
154. 5
173.9
160. 5
128.7
88.7
78.0
74.2
76.7
77.6
76.2
74.4
74.6
74.8
74.8
73.1

1 Decrease.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[423]

176
T

a ble

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW
3 .—C H A N G E S IN C O S T O F L IV IN G I N 19 C I T I E S , D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

W ash in gto n , D . C.
\ Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—

i_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __________________
D ate
Food
December, 1915-.......... ............................. .
December, 1916........ ................ ..................
December, 1917.......................................
December, 1918 _______ __________ .
April, 1919............................ ....................
November, 1919____ _____ _____
June, 1920. _ .....................................
December, 1920.........................................
M ay, 1921......................... ................. .........
December, 1921._______________ ____ _
June, 1922............ .......................................
December, 1922_....................... ..................
June, 1923............ ..................................... .
December, 1923........ ................... .............
June, 1924.............. ......................................
December, 1924..........................................
June, 1925.....................................................
December, 1925........... ...............................
June, 1926............................... .....................
December, 1926................... ........................

0.6
15.7
61.1
90.9
84.6
93.3
108.4
79.0
47.4
51.1
44.3
49.2
48.8
52.3
43.7
53.6
57.2
65.6
63.3
66.3

Cloth­
ing
3.7
23.2
60.1
112. 6
109. 5
165. 9
184.0
151.1
115.9
87.1
77. 5
74.8
78. 9
81.2
78.9
75.8
75.4
73. 5
73.3
70.9

House- M iscel­
Fuel and furnish­
light ing goods laneous

Rent
U .5
13.7
13.4
U .5
' 11.4
5.4
15.6
24.7
28.8
30.4
31.4
32,6
33. 9
34.3
35. 7
36. 7
37.7
40.3
38. 6
37.4

1 Decrease.

6.3
30. 5
72.1
127.4
126.0
159. 3
196. 4
194.0
149.0
122. 4
108. 1
112. 6
129.0
128.8
124. 5
125.2
119.8
115.0
112. 6
107.5

(2)
7.3
24,9
40.9
41.8
42.8
53.7
68.0
57.1
49.9
44.5
55.1
51.2
47.0
42.9
44. 9
39. 8
48.7
41. 7
45.7

0. 4
15.3
44. 3
55. 9
57. 4
62.7
68.2
73.9
72.0
75.8
73.7
72.0
72.5
74.9
75.0
76. 5
70. 5
75.4
75.0
75.0

All
items
1.0
14.6
47.3
73.8
71.2
87.6
101.3
87.8
67.1
63.0
57.6
59.5
60.9
63.2
59.2
63.1
64.0
67.3
65.5
06.0

2 N o change.

Table 4 shows the changes in the cost of living from December,
1917, to December, 1926, for 13 cities. The table is constructed in
the same manner as the preceding one and differs from it only in the
base period and in the length of time covered.
T a b l e 4 .—C H A N G E S I N C O S T O F L IV IN G I N 13 C I T I E S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, T O
D E C E M B E R , 1926

A tla n ta , G a.
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food

December, 1918........................ ...............
June, 1919............................._......................
December, 1919...____ _______ _______
June, 1920_____ ____ ______ ________
December, 1920_____________ ________
M ay, 1921.............. ............................. .......
December, 1921_______________ ______
June, 1922.............. .......................................
December, 1922.......... ................................
June, 1923___________________ ______
December, 1923...........................................
June, 1924______ _____ ________ ______
December, 1924_________ ____ _______
Jun e, 1925.............. .......................................
December, 1925............................................
June, 1926______________ ____ _______
December, 1926...........................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

19.0
18.0
27.9
34. 0
12. 8
1 8.9
1 7. 2
1 10. 5
1 8.9
1 10.3
1 6.3
« 10. 2
1 5. 5
1 1. 2
6.5
4. 5
4.3

Cloth­
ing
29.1
40. 7
66.9
80.5
56. 5
35. 2
8.3
.4
2.8
5.9
6.9
5. 7
4.9
4. 5
4.3
3.9
2.9

[424]

Rent

14. 0
14. 5
32. 6
40.4
73. 1
78. 8
75.4
68. 1
62. 7
61.4
62. 2
60. 1
56.9
55. 5
49.3
44. 4
42.1

Fuel
and
light
17.0
17.9
30. 8
61.0
66. 8
56. 1
43. 7
39. 1
57.6
42.7
39.3
32.0
33.1
26. 2
34.7
36. 6
46.0

Housefurnish­ Miscel­
ing goods laneous
24.9
30.1
49.9
65.0
58.4
38.0
23.0
15. 2
17.4
23. 9
23.5
20.4
20. 4
19.9
18.8
17.4
15.5

14. 8
21. 5
31. 7
34. 6
39. 7
40. 5
39. 7
34. 5
34. 1
32.8
33.3
33.8
33.7
34.9
35. 6
34.0
33.9

All
items
19.7
23.3
....37. 9
46.7
38.5
25.2
18.7
13.7
15. 1
14. 2
16.0
13. 8
14.9
16. 2
19.0
17.3
17.4

C H A N G E S IN

177

COST OF L IV IN G

T a bl e 4 .—C H A N G E S I N C O ST OP L IV IN G I N 13 C I T I E S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

B ir m in g h a m , A la .
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
Date
Food

December, 1918_____________________
June, 1919_______ .
____________
December, 1919_____________________
June, 1920____ _______ ____________
December, 1920_____________________
M ay, 1921_________ _______________
December, 1921__________ _____ _____
June, 1922_____ _____ _______________
December, 1922________________ _____
June, 1923.. _______________________
December, 1923_____________________
June, 1924__________________________
December, 1924 ___________________
June, 1925__________________________
December, 1925 ____________________
June, 1926___ ____ _____ _____ ____ _
December, 1926_____________________

17. 7
18.3
26. 5
36.4
11.9
i 9. 1
18.5
i 13.1
19.9
19.9
1 6. 6
1 12. 6
1 3. 1
1.9
4.5
1. 5
1.8

Cloth­
ing

Rent

23.9
29. 8
57. 6
66. 4
45. 1
24. 8
1.4
i 6. 1
1 1. 7
1. 8
3.8
3. 2
1.6
1. 5
1.3
1 .9
1 1.9

8. 1
12. 8
34.9
40.3
68. 5
77. 4
79.9
67.0
62.3
63. 1
67. 9
68. 6
68. 6
68.3
68.0
66. 5
65.8

House- Miscel­
Fuel and furnish­
light ing goods laneous

All
item s

22.8
31.9
39. 8
55.3
74. 2
54.3
44. 1
25.0
49.9
40. 7
50. 2
40.5
45.7
33. 8
41. 4
41. 0
51.3

19.4
20. 2
45. 1
55. 6
48. 1
32. 0
12. 0
3.3
8.9
17.8
19. 7
14. 3
14.9
15. 5
15. 5
13. 5
12.4

13. 8
16. 3
26. 8
28. 7
30. 4
33. 8
35. 5
30. 4
29. 6
28. 5
27. 2
27. 2
27.3
27. 2
27. 8
26.9
26.9

17.0
19.8
34.3
41.9
33.3
22.1
16.2
10.7
13.2
13.6
16.0
13.1
16.8
16.9
19.2
17.5
17.8

0. 2
.8
12. 8
13. 6
25. 0
27. 6
28. 5
31. 0
35. 2
40. 7
45. 6
49.3
50. 1
51. 2
51. 8
54. 8
55.9

10. 0
5. 6
11. 0
26. 9
34. 1
15. 7
42. 4
35. 2
61. 0
51. 9
53. 0
39.3
44. 5
61. 1
70. 4
62. 2
83. 6

25. 7
30. 5
51. 1
75. 5
66. 7
39. 7
22. 3
15. 8
17. 2
24. 3
26. 2
23. 2
23. 2
23. 4
21. 3
17. 7
16.9

20. 4
21. 8
40. 3
47. 6
53. 4
52. 3
47.3
44.0
42. 7
42. 8
43. 3
46.9
52. 3
55.0
49.9
50. 5
50.5

17.3
21.1
35.2
47. 1
34.7
21.7
15.3
12.7
13.8
15.5
17.7
16.3
17.6
22.1
23.0
22. 6
23.8

12.8
21.8
33. 5
51.9
69.8
76.9
82. 6
84.8
86.9
85.4
88.9
84. 4
84.0
82. 5
78. 5
71.9
65.5

8. 1
8. 4
19. 6
22.3
47. 1
37. 5
39.7
32.8
40. 7
30.4
37.2
19. 7
25.4
27.0
37. 4
25. 3
38.1

22. 6
31.3
46. 3
60.2
58.9
42.5
27.9
20.4
21.2
26. 1
27. 0
23. 8
24.2
24.8
25.2
24.2
23.5

14.8
17.7
32. 3
35. 4
38.8
42.8
43. 1
38.1
37. 6
37. 1
36.8
35. 1
35. 6
35. 6
35. 6
35. 1
36.6

20.7
25.3
38. 2
50.3
38.7
23.9
24.5
18.8
21.6
19.9
22.1
17.8
20.2
21.1
22.5
19.7
20.4

C in c in n a ti, Ohio
December, 1918______ - ___________
June, 1919________________ ____ ___
.
. . _ _
December, 1919_______
June, 1920
________ ___________
December, 1920 ___ . ____ _________
M ay, 1921__ __________ _ _______
December, 1921____
June, 1922___ ___________ _________
December, 1922 ___ - _______ ______
June, 1923.____ _____________________
December, 1923 ______ _____________
June, 1924____ _______ _____________
December, 1924 ____ ___ ____________
June, 1925__________________________
December, 1925 ___________________
June, 1926____ _________ ___________
December, 1926______ - ___________

15. 3
18.1
22. 9
38. 7
10.3
i 7.4
1 8. 3
1 8.9
1 10. 4
19.3
1 6. 7
i 10. 2
i 8. 3
1.9
3. 9
2. 7
3. 1

33. 8
48. 3
84. 2
96. 7
73. 5
49.0
13. 9
4. 9
5. 5
8. 8
9. 2
6.4
1. 5
1. 2
i 1. 1
i 1. 2
i 1. 7

D enver, Colo.
December, 1918__________________ __
June, 1919____________ _____ _______
DeeWriber, 1919 _________ _______
June, 1920__________________________
December, 1920 ____________________
M ay, 1921'._______________ __________
December, 1921________ _______ ___
June, 1922_____________ . _________
December, 1922.. . ___ ____________
June, 1923____
. . . . _________
December, 1923____________ ___ _____
June, 1924. _ _ _______ _ _________
December, 1924 . ... ______ _______
June, 1925.. . _____________ ____
December, 1925_____________________
June, 1926. ....
...... ..................
December, 1926_____________________

20.0
20. 7
26. 0
41. 5
7.9
i 13. 1
18.8
i 14.2
19.0
i 11. 5
18.7
i 13. 5
17.8
1 5. 3
1 1.3
1 3.8
1 3.0

40. 1
53.2
82. 1
96.8
78. 3
53.9
27.7
15. 3
16. 6
16.9
17.9
16. 1
15. 1
14. 5
13. 1
12. 4
11.8

i Decrease.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[4 2 5 ]

178

M O N T H LY LABOR R EV IEW

T a b l e 4 .—C H A N G E S I N C O S T O F L IV IN G I N 13 C I T I E S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

In d ia n a p o lis, In d .
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food

December, 1918___________ _________
June, 1919__ _ _ _ _ _ _ ________ _
December, 1919____________________
June, 1920___________________ _____
Decem ber, 1920_______ ____ _________
M a y , 1921__ ________ ___ _____
December, 1921_______________ ____ __
June, 1922.. ___________ ____ _______
December, 1922. _ __________________
June, 19231.......... .................... ....................
December, 1923_____________________
Jun e, 1924._________________________
December, 1924_____________________
Jun e, 1925.. ______________________
December, 1925 . . __________ _______
June, 1926......... ........
December, 1926.______ ______________

17.8
16. 4
28. 2
49.0
11.0
1 10.1
1 8. 4
i 9.9
1 11.1
1 8.0
1 6.5
1 10.0
1 4.9
1 2.3
4. 4
2. 6
2.9

Cloth­
ing

Rent

32. 4
40. 1
73. 8
87.9
72. 3
45. 8
16. 2
7.9
8. 6
11.6
13. 4
11.9
10. 4
9. 8
7. 5
7. 4
5.4

1. 6
2. 6
11. 6
18.9
32. 9
37. 4
43.8
41.3
44.1
44. 6
47.1
46. 5
46. 7
44. 1
41. 7
38. 3
36.5

House- Miscel­
Fuel and furnish­
light ing goods laneous

All
items

19. 8
16. 7
27. 3
45. 6
60. 3
49. 4
42. 5
44.9
73. 4
54. 9
41. 5
38. 2
41. 5
33. 9
44. 9
33. 9
47.8

18.9
24.8
48. 4
67. 5
63. 0
35. 3
22. 5
13. 7
16. 7
23. 2
24. 0
21. 4
21. 5
20. 6
21. 8
20. 6
19.9

21.9
26.8
38. 2
40. 5
47. 5
47. 4
46. 2
45. 4
46.7
46. 1
49. 2
51. 5
53. 3
53. 8
54. 1
51. 6
51.8

19.1
21.1
36. 5
60. 2
37. 6
23.9
19. 3
16.4
18. 8
19. 4
20. 6
19. 3
21. 4
21. 5
24. 2
21.9
22.3

18.0
9.6
27. 5
35. 2
55. 1
43 3
42. 6
36. 3
40. 2
36.1
36. 7
34. 5
32.9
32.8
32.3
29.4
33.5

31.1
37.9
61.8
73.0
68.7
50. 0
26. 2
11. 6
12.1
22. 5
22.6
16.8
16. 1
15.6
14. 1
12.8
10.8

15. 6
20.8
31. 5
37. 1
40.3
40 4
37. 6
32. 3
33.3
33.8
36.2
35.3
34.3
36. 4
36.3
36. 3
36. 3

19.6
20.6
38.2
51.0
39.5
27 3
22. 5
15. 0
16.2
15.3
17.2
14.3
15.3
16.3
18.0
16.6
15.2

26.8
23.4
34. 1
49. 7
105. 4
64. 5
67. 1
56. 3
68. 5
62. 8
65. 0
66 2
66. 2
55. 7
71.4
63. 3
80. 1

25.4
30.7
53.2
67. 1
53.9
29.9
14.7
6.8
12.2
23.2
23.4
18 6
20. 1
20. 1
20. 1
18.2
17. 1

16. 1
20.9
28.3
38.8
43.2
42.9
42. 3
37.8
37.4
38. 1
37.3
36 3
37.4
38. 5
37.8
36.7
37.7

18.3
®s?Sr3
35.2
46.4
39.3
26.7
23.2
18.2
18.6
19.9
21.0
18 2
20.4
20. 5
22.0
19.9
19.9

K a n s a s C ity , M o.
December, 1918____________ _______
Jun e. 1919............ ............................. .........
December, 1919._________________ . . .
June, 1920________ ________ ____
December, 1920_____________________
M a y , 1921____ _____
December, 1921.______________ _____
June, 1922.......................................... .........
December, 1922_______ _______ ____ _
Jun e, 1923___ ______ _______ _________
December, 1923..........................................
Jun e, 1924____ _____ . _______ .
December, 1924........ ..................... ...........
Jun e, 1925.................. ..................................
December, 1925________ _____ ______
Jun e, 1926_______ ____ ___________
December, 1926___ ________________ _

17.3
15. 1
24.5
44.9
10.2
i 8. 3
i 6. 6
1 13. 5
1 12.0
i 12. 5
1 10. 2
1 12.7
1 7. 7
i 3.9
2.0
.5
i 1.7

40.7
44.7
89.9
104. 5
76. 3
52. 3
24. 1
15. 9
14. 6
14. 5
15.2
13. 3
12.0
11.4
9.2
8. 7
6.3

5. 4
6.7
26. 0
29. 4
63.9
65. 0
69.7
59. 4
61. 4
53. 7
56.8
49. 5
46.2
40. 6
39. 5
35.9
34i 1

M e m p h is, T en n .
December, 1918______________ _______
June, 1919 _ . . .
.
...
__ ___
December, 1919 .............. . . _________
June, 1920__________________________
December, 1920______________ _______
M ay, 1921.. ______________ _
. _
December, 1921_____________ _______
June, 1922.. _______________________
December, 1922______ ______ _______
June, 1923.............................................. . .
December, 1923___________ ______ _
Jun e, 1924__ _________ _____
D ecemb er, 1924. .........................................
June, 1925__________ _____ _____ ____
December, 1925_____________________
June, 1926.. ____________ ________
December, 1926___________
____


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

20.3
22.7
28.4
38.8
7.0
‘ 14.2
i 11.2
‘ 15. 1
1 14. 9
i 13.9
1 11. 2
1 17. 1
i 9. 2
i 7. 1
‘ 2.0
i 4. 1
1 5. 7

27.7
38.3
66.2
77. 5
59.0
36. 1
15.3
7. 3
6. 7
9. 8
11.0
9. 5
6.4
5.9
4. 7
4.0
3. 9

1 Decrease,

(2)
8.2
23. 1
35.9
66.2
79.7
77.3
74.8
72. 5
72. 3
72. 5
72. 4
68. 6
66.4
60.4
57. 0
53.9

2 N o change.

[426]

179

C H A N G E S IN COST OF L IV IN G

T a bl e 4 .—C H A N G E S I N C O ST OF L IV IN G I N 13 C I T I E S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

M in n e a p o lis , M in n .
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food

December, 1918__________ ____ ____ _
Jun e, 1919____________ __________ _
December, 1919____________________
Ju n e, 1920__ __________________
December, 1920_________ _______
M ay , 1921___ _________ ____________
Decem ber, 1921_________ ____ _ _
Jun e, 1922___ ___________ __________
Decem ber, 1922____________________
Jun e, 1923_______ __________________
December, 1923_.___ ________________
Jun e, 1924______________ __________
December, 1924_______ ____________
Jun e, 1925___ _ . _____________ . _
December, 1925_____________ ________
Jun e, 1926___ _ ___________________
December, 1926................. ......................._

17.7
21.4
34. 1
50.0
13.0
i 7.9
i 4.9
i 6.0
i 5.3
i 6.4
i 4.7
> 7.9
i 4.3
1.8
6.9
5.8
2.3

Cloth­
ing

House Miscel­
Fuel and furnish­
light ing goods laneous

Rent

33. 5
40. 1
67.0
76.7
63.6
41.0
14.3
7.9
6.5
9.2
9.3
7.4
5.6
4.9
4.4
3.4
2. 5

All
item s

i 0. 1
i 2.0
8.0
10. 7
36.8
39.0
46.7
44.6
48.8
42.5
47.4
44.7
44.9
40. 7
41.0
36.8
36. 1

14.7
13. 4
22.4
36.9
60.3
52.8
50.2
43.7
47.0
44. 9
45. G
42.2
43.2
40.9
42.6
45.9
46.6

18.1
23. 6
45. 6
65. 5
65.8
43.3
27.9
21.4
22.5
29. 7
28.2
22.8
23.3
23.2
22. 1
19. 9
17.0

12.3
15. 9
25.4
31. 3
37.6
37.9
37.4
32.6
32.6
32.8
32.0
31.3
31.2
31. 1
30.6
32.8
33. 5

15.8
18.8
32.7
43.4
35.7
23.7
20.7
17.3
18.0
17.4
18.8
16.2
17.3
17.6
20.3
19.6
18.2

(2)
0. 1
10. 8
12.9
39.7
46.7
57.9
58.5
54. 7
55. 5
57.4
57. 1
57.2
57.0
56.8
57. 0
66.2

19.7
20.8
24.7
36.3
41. 5
29.2
40.4
33.4
38. 5
32.9
37. 1
32. 9
36.2
33. 7
34.2
39. 6
43.8

23.8
30.0
57. 7
75.9
63.9
47. 7
28.5
17.9
26.2
34.8
33. 6
29.2
30.0
27.0
27. 5
26. 6
25.0

15.9
17. 5
35. 1
42.8
57. 1
58.2
60.2
58.6
51.9
50. 1
50. 3
48. 7
48. 7
48.3
47. 9
46. 7
47.4

17.9
20. 7
33.9
41.9
36.7
23.8
22.7
18.9
18.6
17.7
20.2
16.8
20.6
20.2
22.7
20.1
21.7

9. 2
9. 4
9. 8
31.7
64. 4
59.8
66. 2
66.0
72.8
68. 4
76.9
74.8
92. 2
91. 2
89.9
88.0
91.9

26. 3
34. 1
63.1
77.4
78.1
58. 2
31. 6
20.1
25.1
29. 4
29. 0
29. 0
29. 8
27. 7
28.0
25. 3
24.3

16. 3
16.7
28 3
41. 2
46.3
48. 6
48.0
43 4
42. 8
44.1
43.1
45.3
46. 6
46. 7
46. 8
46.1
46.4

19.8
21.8
36.2
49.1
39.3
27.7
22.8
17.8
20.1
21.3
22.9
22.4
24.9
26.0
28.5
26.2
27. 2

N ew O rlean s, L a
December, 1918_______ _____________
June, 1919__________________________
December, 1919_____________________
June, 1920__ _______________ __
December, 1920____________________
M ay , 1921_______________ ________
December, 1921. _______________ ___
June, 1922__
_____________________
December, 1922_____________________
June, 1923______________ __________
December, 1923_________ ________ _
Dune, 1924___ ____ _____ ________ ____
December, 1924_______ ____________
Jun e, 1925____________ _____________
December, 1925.. ____ _______________
June, 1926____ ______ ______________
December, 1926________ ____________

16.6
17.4
21. 1
28.6
10. 7
i 10.7
i 9.3
1 12.8
1 10.5
i 13.2
1 8.7
1 14.6
i 5. 7
1 5.7
.9
1 5.2
i 1.6

36.8
48.8
83.2
94.9
69.4
45.0
24.9
15.6
16.2
17.8
19. 5
18.6
17.2
17.0
15.9
15.7
15.6

P ittsb u rg h , P a .
December, 1918.................... ..............
June, 1919___ _____________ _______
December, 1919._______ ___________ .
June, 1920.____________ ____________
December, 1920__________ ._
M ay, 1921'._______ ________ _________
December, 1921________ __________
June, 1922.......... ....... ................... ..............
December, 1922_________ __________
June, 19231.......... .........................................
December, 1923...........................................
June, 19241____ _____________ _____ _
December, 1924 _________ __________
June, 19251............ ......................................
December, 1925.______ ________ _____
June, 1926.......... ....... ..................................
December, 1926...........................................

18. 8
16. 2
25.1
36. 5
14.3
1 8. 8
i 5. 6
1 12. 2
1 5. 4
15.4
1 2.1
1 7.5
1 2.4
1 .2
6. 2
2. 6
5.6

35.9
45. 3
82. 8
91.3
75.4
50.7
23. 6
17.3
13.1
14. 8
14. 9
13.7
11. 2
11.1
10. 5
7. 8
5. 5

1Decrease.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

7. 6
13. 5
15. 5
34.9
35. 0
55.5
55. 3
56. 7
56. 7
60. 4
60. 7
71. 8
72.1
75. 2
75. 2
75. 4
75. 0

2 N o change.

[427]

180

M O N T H L Y LABO E E E V IEW

T a b l e 4 .—C H A N G E S I N C O ST OF L IV IN G I N IS C I T I E S F R O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1926—Continued

R ich m o n d , V a.
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
D ate
Food

December, 1918..........................
Jun e, 1919__ ___________
December, 1919_________
June, 1920__ ______ _
Decem ber, 1920________
M ay , 1921. ___________
Decem ber, 1921____
June, 1922.........................
December, 1922___________ ____
June, 1923..................... ....................
December, 1923_____________________
June, 1924.. _____________________
December, 1924.____________________
•Tune, 1925........ .......................................
December, 1925__________________
June, 1928__ _______________
December, 1926___________ ______

20. 5
20. 6
23.1
36.1
11.9
17.4
i 2.9
17.8
16.3
i 7. 2
14.8
i 11.3
i 3. 3
i 2. 4
4.8
1.6
.9

Cloth­
ing

Rent

33. 8
42. 3
78.6
93.6
69.0
43.8
21. 2
12.9
10.6
12.5
12.9
11.9
8.9
8. 6
8.4
8.1
7.0

HouseFuel and fu
rn ish ­ Miscel­
light
ing goods laneous

All
item s

1.0
3. 6
9. 8
12.5
25.9
29.4
34.1
34. 5
35.3
35.7
39.4
39. 5
41.3
41.4
40.4
39. 6
36.0

11.8
11. 4
18.7
36.1
62. 2
47.1
46.8
33.4
54. 2
52.7
61. 2
49.1
47.9
44. 2
53. 6
51.0
61.4

26.3
28. 6
55.9
75.4
70. 0
48.8
33.0
27.6
29. 4
40.0
40. 5
37. 8
38.5
38. 2
39.2
38.1
36.7

9.0
13. 5
24. 0
32.4
36.0
38.7
38.4
34.7
33. 5
33.9
35.4
35.8
35.7
36.0
39.1
40.8
40.8

17.9
20. 6
32.0
43. 8
33.3
20. 2
18.3
13. 2
14.4
14.9
17.1
13. 5
16.5
16.7
20.8
19.7
19.3

2.7
3.8
16.8
29.8
42.4
52.5
63.8
65.7
68.0
74.6
79.5
83.4
83.4
85. 2
85.4
84.7
83.2

4.8
3.7
8. 2
19.6
42.6
30.9
33.4
32.3
48.9
30.8
32.1
21.6
24.6
19.5
26.9
18.3
38.9

21.8
32. 5
52.9
73.1
70.2
43.5
19. 2
12.8
14.9
29.8
30.5
26. 2
27.4
28. 0
27.9
27.1
22.7

14. 5
15.7
30.3
37.6
43.2
42.1
40. 6
33. 2
33.4
33.4
35.8
35.7
35.8
36. 6
37.0
36. 6
36. 6

16.7
17.9
34.2
48,9
35.4
23.1
18. 5
15.1
17.0
17.7
20.6
18.8
20. 7
22.4
25.0
24.1
24.5

0.5
6. 2
2.4
17.2
18.5
41.5
44.6
52.8
53.6
59.0
60.8
67.6
68.6
71.0
70.5
71.4
72.4

24.7
25. 7
31.5
43.5
67.3
62.8
67.1
68.0
68.6
65. 2
75.3
68.9
75.7
70.3
99.8
77.8
78.5

27.0
35.6
48.9
62.8
62.0
48.6
30. 7
24. 2
28.5
34.7
34.9
31.6
34.6
33.9
33.9
34.4
33. 7

21.4
24.9
34. 7
47.9
50.4
54. 6
52.4
49.9
49.3
51.4
51.7
53.7
53.7
54. 8
55.4
55. 9
55.9

21. 9
25. 0
37.1
51.5
39.1
28. 2
26.3
20.9
22. 4
22. 4
25.8
22. 4
25. 8
27.0
32. 0
29. 0
29.8

S t. L o u is , M o .
December, 1 9 1 8 .-..._________________
June, 1919.................................. ..................
December, 1919_____________ ________
June, 1920___________ _______ ____
December, 1920______________ _______
M ay, 1921__________________________
December, 1921...........................................
Jun e, 1922__ _______ ___________ _
December, 1922...........................................
June, 1923____ ____ _________________
December, 1923...... .................. ..................
June, 1924_______ _______ ___________
December, 1924_____________________
June, 1925____ _____ ________________
D ecember ,1925.................... .....................
June, 1926_____________ . . . . . .
December, 1926_________________ .

18.0
16. 1
26. 2
46.2
8.8
1 10.1
1 11.6
1 12.1
19.5
111.5
17.5
1 11.4
16.5
i 2.5
3.4
2.8
2.0

32.4
39.3
78.1
89.7
70.0
43.8
17. 2
7.9
6.3
9.0
9. 6
8.6
7.9
7.4
6.9
6.8
7.0

S c ra n to n , P a .
December, 1918____________ _____ ___
June, 1919____ _____ _______________
December, 1919_______ ______ _______
June, 1920___________ _________
December, 1920__________ . . . . . . .
M ay, 1921__________________________
December, 1921______________
June, 1922....................... ..................
December, 1922______ ______________
June, 1923__________________________
December, 1923___________________ .
June, 1924________________________ _
December, 1924_____________________
June, 1925_____ ____ _____
December, 1925__________
June, 1926_________ _______
December, 1926_____________________

21.3
18.1
26.9
41.4
17.8
x 4.0
4.1
16.7
12.1
i 5.1
.2
18.7
i 1. 6
1. 4
9.6
4.7
6. 7

34. 4
49.6
82.1
97.7
76. 5
54.3
29.1
24. 2
20.7
21.7
23. 2
22. 2
21.1
20.3
20. 2
19.5
18.3

xDecrease.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[428]

181

C H A N G E S IN COST OF L IV IN G

The following table shows the increase in each item of expenditure,
in the United States from 1913 to December, 1926. These figures
are a summarization of the figures for the 32 cities, the results of
which appear in the preceding tables, computed on a 1913 base.
T a b l e 5 .—C H A N G E S IN C O ST OF L IV IN G IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , 1913 TO D E C E M B E R ,
1926
Per cent of increase over 1913 in expenditure for—
Date
Food

December, 1914_____________________
December^ 1915____ ____ ____________
December^ 1916_____________________
December, 1917__________ ___________
December, 1918___ _____________ ___
June, 1 9 1 9 .... _____________________
December, 1919_____________________
June, 1920. _____ ___ ________________
December, 1920_____________________
M ay, 1921'.___________ _____________
September, 1921_____________________
December, 1921_____________________
March, 1922__ ______________________
June, 1922_____ ____ ________________
September, 1922 ________________ _ _
December, 1922- ___ _______________
March, 1923________________________
June, 1923_____________ _. _________
September, 1923_________ _ ____ _
December, 1923____________________
March, 1924
. ..
_
__ _
June, 1924__ _____________________
September, 1924_____________________
December, 1924_________ ________
June, 1925_______________ _________
December, 1925___________ ________
June, 1926 __ ______________________
December, 1926_____________________

Clothing

1. 0
4. 7
20. 0
49. 1
105.3
114. 5
168. 7
187. 5
158. 5
122. 6
92. 1
84. 4
75. 5
72. 3
71.3
71. 5
74. 4
74. 9
76. 5
76, 3
75. 8
74. 2
72.3
71.3
70. 6
69.4
68. 2
66.7

5. 0
5. 0
26.0
57. 0
87. 0
84.0
97. 0
119. 0
78. 0
44. 7
53.1
49. 9
38. 7
40. 7
39. 7
46. 6
41. 9
44. 3
49. 3
50. 3
43. 7
42. 4
46. 8
51. 5
55. 0
65. 5
59. 7
61.8

House
Fuel and furnish­ M iscel­
light
laneous
ing
goods

Rent

0)
1. 5
2.3
.1
9. 2
14. 2
25. 3
34. 9
51.1
59. 0
60. 0
61. 4
60. 9
60. 9
61.1
61. 9
62. 4
63. 4
64.4
66. 5
67. 0
68. 0
68.0
68.2
67. 4
67.1
65.4
64.2

1.0
1.0
8.4
24. 1
47.9
45. 6
56. 8
71. 9
94.9
81. 6
80. 7
81. 1
75. 8
74. 2
83. 6
86. 4
86. 2
80. 6
81.3
84. 0
82. 2
77. 3
79.1
80. 5
76. 5
86.9
80. 5
88.3

4.0
10. 6
27. 8
50. 6
113. 6
125.1
163. 5
192. 7
185.4
147. 7
124. 7
118. 0
106. 2
102. 9
102. 9
108. 2
117. 6
122. 2
122.4
122.4
121.3
116. 0
114.9
116. 0
114. 3
114.3
110.4
107.7

3. 0
7.4
13. 3
40. 5
65. 8
73.2
90. 2
101.4
108. 2
108. 8
107.8
106. 8
103.3
101. 5
101. 1
100. 5
100. 3
100. 3
101. 1
101. 7
101.1
101.1
101. 1

101.7
102. 7
103. 5
103.3
103.9

All
items
3.0
5.1
18.3
42. 4
74. 4
77. 3
99. 3
116. 5
100.4
80.4
77.3
74.3
66.9
66. 6
66.3
69. 5
68.8
69.7
72.1
73.2
70.4
69.1
70.6
72.5
73.5
77.9
74.8
75.6

1 N o change.

The following table shows the per cent of decrease in the price of
electricity on the dates specified as compared with the price in
December, 1913. These figures are based on the weighted averages
of consumption at the various rates charged and are included in
the preceding tables under the item “ Fuel and light.”
T a b ie 6 .—P E R C E N T OF D E C R E A S E IN T H E P R IC E OF E L E C T R I C I T Y A T S P E C I F I E D
P E R IO D S A S C O M P A R E D W IT H D E C E M B E R , 1913

Date

Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem­
ber,
1913

1Q14
1Q1.i
T)0£p-inDçi.rj 1910 *
Tippp.m hp.r 1917
Decembpr "IQlft
Jim a 1Q1Q
Decembpr TQ1Q
Jimp. 1920
Decerpbpr, 1920
M ay, 1921............. .............


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

3 7
6 2
8. 6
11.1
6 2
6 2
7 4
7.4
4.9
4.9

Date

September, 1921 _____
December, 1921 *__ ___
March, 1922 ............... .
June, 1922_____________
flp.pt,p.mbftr, 1922 _ ..
December, 1922. ______
March, 1923
____
June, 1923_____________
September, 1923_______
D ecember, 1923............ .

[429]

Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem­
ber,
1913
4. 9
4. 9
4.9
6.2
6. 2
7.4
7. 4
7.4
8.6
8.6

Date

March, 1924...... ..............
June, 1924_____________
September, 1924 ___ __
December, 1924____ . . .
June, 1925—
_______
December, 1925................
June, 1926_________ ___
December, 1926..... ...........

Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem­
ber,
1913
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
9.9
9.9
11.1
11.1

182

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

C o st o f L iv in g in th e U n ite d S t a t e s a n d in F o re ig n
C o u n trie s 1

T

?HE trend of cost of living in the United States and in various
foreign countries since 1913 is shown by the index numbers in
the following tables. Table 1 contains general cost of livingindex numbers, while Tables 2, 3, 4, and 5 show changes in the cost
of food, clothing, fuel and light, and rent, respectively.
Caution should be observed in the use of these figures, since not
only are there differences in the base periods and in the number and
kind of articles included and the number of markets represented,
but also there are radical differences of method in the construction
of the index numbers. The number of countries included in the
five tables varies according to the information available. Several
countries publish an index number for food only, while others omit
clothing and in some instances even rent.
1
Preceding articles on this subject appeared in the Labor Review for December, 1922, Ju ly, 1923, January
and July, 1924, January and Ju ly, 1925, and January, 1928.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[430]

183

IN D E X N U M B E R S OF CO ST OF L IV IN G

T a k l e 1 —I N D E X N U M B E R S OF C O S T O F L IV IN G IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S A N D IN
F O R E I G N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926
Country __ United
States
N um ber of
localities-

32

Czecho­
Canada Belgium slovakia
60

59

Prague

Den­
mark

Finland

France

Ger­
many

Ireland

Italy

200

21

Paris

71

200

M ilan

Food,
Food,
Food,
Food,
Food,
Food,
clothing, Food,
Food,
Food,
Food,
and clothing, clothing, clothing, clothing,
clothing, clothing, clothing, clothing,
Com m od­ fuel
fuel
and clothing,
fuel
and
fuel,
fuel
and
light,
fuel
and
fuel
and
fuel
and
fuel
and
fuel
and
ities in­
light,
light,
rent,
light,
light,
rent,
light,
light,
light,
light,
cluded __ houserent,
rent,
rent,
taxes,
rent,
rent,
rent,
rent,
rent,
sundries sundries sundries sundries
furnish­ sundries sundries sundries taxes,
etc.
etc.
ings, etc.
Com ­
D epart­
in­ M in­
epart­ Central mission Federal ment of Munici­
Bureau Dom
C o m p u t ­ of
ion
istry of Office of D
ment of Statis­
for
Labor Bureau
Statis­ Industry
pal
ing agen­ S tatis­
Labor
Statis­ Statis­
tical
Stu dy of tical
and
Adm in­
cy______
of S ta­
and
tics
tics
Office
Cost of Bureau
tics
Com­ istration
tistics Industry
Living
merce
B a s e pe­
riod___
Year and
month
1913______
1914_____
1915______
1916______
1917_____
1918_____
1919______
1920______
1921______
1922_____
1923 _____
1924______
Jan
Feb
Mar___
A pr. _
M ay .
J u n e ._
J uly
Aug
Sept__
Oct Nov .
Dec__1925______
J an __
Feb--Mar
A pr__
M ay Ju n e. _
Jn lv
Sept Oct Nov
Dec--_
1926______
Ja n
Feb-Mar
Apr
M ay.
Ju n e ..
Ju ly
Aug
Sept
Oct__
Nov
D e c..-

1913

100
i 103
i 105
i 118
i 142
i 174
i 199
i 200
i 174
i 170
i 173

1913

100

124
128
130
124
119
123
125
127
128
134
137
137

169
171
173

139
137
136
131
128
131
133
136
139
141
141
143

174

178

176

154
154
153
152
152
151
152
152
150
150
151
151

1 December.
2 Ju ly .
3 January-Ju ne,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

July,
1914

2 100

100
2 90
2 109

170

175

1921

139
140
137
140
147
155
174
182
179
188

690
692
688
691
687
678
681
697
689
684
691
703
705
707
721
716
730
728
730
728
731
741
726
711
703
700
703
707
699
687
685
692
693
718
723
723
726
734

Ju ly,
1914

JanuaryJune,
1914

2 100
2 116
2 136
2 155
2 182
2 211
2 262
2 237
2 199
2 204

1914

3 100

i 1172
i 1157
1147
1170
1155
1143
1141
1121
1121
1147
11.54
1198
1199
1219
1222
1217
1212
1199
1191
1210
1201
1176
1191
1218
1266
1242
1228
1227
1197

209

214

221

219

194

184

•

Ju ly,
1914

100

4 100

2 100

3 238
8 341
8 307
8 302
8 334

142

185
180

8 365
8 366
«367
8 377

«386
8 390
«401
8 421

«451

1166
1175
1172
1163
1159
1175
1183
1213
1203
1197
1193

1913-14

«485
« 539

126
120
122
125
127
124
126
127
129
135
135
135

188

136
136
136
137
136
138
143
145
145
144
141
141

195

140
139
138
140
140
141
142
143
142
142
144

1

4 October, 1913, January, April, and June, 1914.
5 April-June.
6 Quarter beginning with month.

1431]

178
183
193

188
188
188

188
180
182
189

JanuaryJune,
1914

3 100
114
146
197
285
327
442
541
501
494
527
510
517
521
522
518
518
512
511
516
546
563
573
580
592
602
600
591
596
598
610
624
643
643
649
665
661
647
642
652
650
649
652
(¡47
672
657

184
T

a ble

MONTHLY LABO E E EV IE W
1.—I N D E X N U M B E R S OF C O ST O F LIV IN G IN T H E U N I T E D S T 4 .T E S A N D IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926—Continued

Country-. Nether­
lands

Nor­
way

Poland

Sweden

Swit­
zerland

United
King­
dom

South
Africa

India

N um ber
The
of locali­
ties_____ Hague

30

War­
saw

49

33

630

9

Bom ­
bay

Austra­
New
lia
Zealand

30

Food,
Food,
Food,
Food,
Food, clothing,
Food,
Food,
clothing, clothing, clothing,
Commod­ Food, clothing,
fuel,
clothing, Food,
fuel
and
fuel
and
fuel
and fuel and fuel and
all
com­
gro­
ities in ­
light,
fuel
and ceries,
light,
light,
light,
light,
cluded— modi­
light,
rent,
light,
rent,
rent,
rent,
ties
rent,
rent
rent
sundries
rent
sundries sundries sundries
sundries
C o m p u t­ Munic­ Central
ing agen- ipal Ad­ Statis­
tical
minis­
o.y
tration
Office
Base p e ­
riod—
Year and
month
1913____
1914_____
1915____
1916______
1917 .
1918___
1919____
1920_____
1921..........
1922
1923______
I924_
Ja n __
F e b ...
M a r..
A p r ...
M q y ..
J u n e ..
Ju ly ...
A u g ...
S e p t ..
O c t ...
N o v ...
D e c ...
1925______
Ja n .
F e b ...
M a r ...
A p r..
M a y ..
J u n e ..
Ju ly ...
A u g ...
S e p t ._
O c t.. .
N o v ...
D e c ...
1926_____
Ja n —
F e b ...
M a r ...
A p r ...
M a y ..
Ju n e ..
Ju ly ...
A u g ...
Sept__
Oct __.
N ov—
D e c ...

1921

July,
1914

100
i 83
i 82

7100
7117
7 146
7190
7 253
7 275
7 302
7 302
7 255
7 239

85

249

84

251

84

260

84

273

86

261

83

249

82

236

80

227

79

1 December.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

January,
1914

100

July,
1914

2 100

June,
1914

2 100

1 139
2 219
2 257
2 270
2 236
2190
2174
2171
176

204
222
224
200
164
164
169

173
171
174

267

83

82

Central Board Federal
Statis­ of Social Labor
tical
Office Welfare Office

221
221

145
146
147
146
143
144
146
149
149
152
157
173
170
171
169
176
183
183
177
181
188
190
195

2 July.

178
177
176
175

174
173
172
171

168
170
170
169
168
168
168
168
168
168
167
167
167
166
164
163
162
162
162
162
161
161
161

of
M inis­ Office
try of Census
Labor and Sta­
tistics

Labor
Office

July,
1914

July,
1914

1914

2100
2125
2148
2 ISO
2 203
2 208
2 252
2 219
2184
2169
2170
177
179
178
173
171
169
170
171
172
176
180
181

100
105
112
122
131
145
179
162
135
131
133
133
134
134
134
134
133
132
132
132
133
134
133

180
179
179
175
173
172
173
173
174
176
176
177

133
133
133
134
134
134
133
132
132
132
131
131

175
173
172
168
167
168
170
170
172
174
179
179

131
131
131
131
132
131
130
130
130
131

Quarter beginning with month.

[432]

154
175
183
173
164
154
157
159
156
154
150
150
153
157
161
161
161
161
160
155
157
157
159
158
156
154
157
152
151
153
153
155
155
154
155
153
153
155
157
155
155
155
154
156

Food,
clothing,
fuel and
light,
rent,
sundries

Bureau Census
of
Census and Sta­
and Sta­ tistics
Office
tistics
1911

108

2100

25

111

126
130
129
134
148
175
167
156
168
166
6 167

Ju ly,
1914

2 100

107
116
129
143
157
178
177
160
158
160
162

»166
«165

160

0 165
170
«167

162

«170
6 171 ___ . . . .
_____
163
’«’Î72"
_____
«175
«180

164

162
163
163

7 June.

185

IN D E X N U M B E R S OF COST OF L IV IN G
T

a ble

3 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S OF COST O F FOOD IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S A N D IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1026

C ountry.............. ....... United
States Canada
Num ber of localities.

51

60

in­
Bureau Dom
ion
of
Bureau
Com puting agency.. Labor
of
Statis­ Statis­
tics
tics

Base period________

Year and month
1913........ ......................
1914___ ____ _______
1915________ ______
1916..............................
1917...... ........................
1918..............................
1919. — .......................
1920........ .....................
1921...............................
1922........ ......................
1923-...........................
1924________ ______
Ja n u a r y _______
F ebru ary______
M arch..................
April.....................
M a y ....................
J u n e ....................
Ju ly _____ _____
August .............
September_____
October ______
Novem ber_____
December...........
1925..............................
Jan u ary ...............
February............
M arch ...............
A p ril....................
M a y ........ .............
J u n e ...................
Ju ly ......................
A ugust____ ___
September_____
O ctober..-..........
Novem ber...........
December............
1926__________ ____
January_______
February______
M arch_______
A pril....................
M a y ______
Jun e_________
J u l y .....................
August
September
October_______
November_____
December_____

1913

100
1 105
1 105
1 126
i 157
1 187
1 197
1 178
1 150
i 147
1 150
146
149
147
144
141
141
142
143
144
147
149
150
152
157
154
151
151
151
152
155
160
160
159
162
167
166
161
164
162
160
162
161
160
157
156
159
160
162
162

1 December.
2Ju ly.
8 January-June.

28261°—27-13

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1913

Czecho­ Den­
slova­ m ark
kia

Bel­
gium
59

Prague

France

Ger­
m any

Ireland

Italy

21

Paris

71

200

M ilan

Com­
M inis­
epart­ Cen
mission Fed ­
try of Office Dment
for
tral
eral
Labor
of
of
Statis­ Study Statis­
and
Statis­ Statis­
tical
of Cost tical
Indus­
tics
Bureau
tics
Office
of
try
Living

July,
1914

1921

100

2 100

100
2 87
2 105
124
129
130
122
114
120
124
125
127
135
140
140
141
139
136
130
125
131
134
137
141
144
144
147
154
153
153
151
151
150
151
151
147
147
148
150

200

Fin ­
land

142
142
138
142
152
161
185
193
186
197

769
787
774
781
770
766
771
801
788
779
788
810
809
810
827
821
848
844
844
841
846
860
834
808
794
790
796
800
787
767
761
774
775
808
817
816
823
837

Ju ly,
1914

2 100

Jan u ­
aryJune,
1914

1914

100

4 100

2 100

11, 230

8 260
5 344
« 323
6 316
8 346

1 166

2 185
2 182

6 378
6 377
6 373
6 389

1

159

July,
1914

8 100

2 184 1 1,122
1,079
2 188
1, 093
194
i; 089
1, 070
1, 067
1,035
L 037
1,040
L052
200
1,125
1,125
1,156
i; 160
, 160
1,147
1,130
215
1,120
1,152
1,137
1,097
1,101
210
1,145
1,222
L 187
1,165
1,164
1,138
177

1913-14

D epart­
ment Munieof In­
ipal
dustry Admin­
and
istra­
Com ­
tion
merce

1,090
1,106
1,100
L 085
1,078
l ’ 090
1,105
1,153
1,137
1', 126

8403
6 412
8 419
8 437

8 473
6 507
562

141
130
132
132
134
128
132
133
137
146
146
146

180
185
200

145
145
146
144
141
146
154
154
153
151
147
146

203

143
142
141
142
142
143
145
146
145
145
148

187

4 October, 1913, January, April, and June, 1914
8 April-June.
8 Quarter beginning with month.

[433]

196

191
188
188

175
Ì74
178

Jan u ­
aryJune,
1914

8 100
116
149
205
320
359
559
522
500
523
515
516
523
524
519
518
508
507
514
543
567
579
590
610
624
620
599
599
C02
621
643
646
649
660
681
676
654
645
664
657
654
660
652
654
630

186

M O N T H L Y LABOR E L VIEW

T a bl e 2 —I N D E X N U M B E R S OF C O S T O F FOOD IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S A N D IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S » 1913 TO 1928—Continued

C ountry___

N or­
_____ Nether­
lands
way

The
Num ber of localities . Hague

30

M unici­
AdCom puting agency.. pal
ministration

Base period.......... .

Year and month
1914 _______ ____ _
1915........ ......................
1316..............................
1917 .......... ................
1918 ......................__
1919
......................
1920
«........... .........1921 ............................
1922 ........ ....................
1923 ................... .......
1924 ________ ____
Jan uary_____...
Febru ary______
M arch________
April__________
ATa y .....................
Ju n e __________
Ju ly . ________
A u g u s t _______
Septem ber_____
October_______
Novem ber_____
Decem ber.. ___
1925_______________
January. ______
Febru ary___ ...
M ar eh_________
A p r il_________
M a y . ________
Ju n e ...... ..............
Ju ly ....... ..............
A ugust________
September_____
O cto b er______
November ____
December_____
1926_______________
January ______
February______
M arch_________
April__________
M a y _______
June^.....................
Ju ly . ............... ..
A u g u s t.______
Septem ber.. . .
October________
Novem ber_____
December_____


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1921

100
» 76
i 78

83
82
81
82

80
37
81
79

77
80
74

Sw it­ United
K ing­
Poland Sweden zerland
dom
War­
saw

49

33

630

South
Africa

India

9

Bom ­
bay

Office
Central Central Board Federal M inis­
of
of
Census
S tatis­ Statis­
Social Labor try of
tical
tical
and
Office Office Welfare Office Labor S tatis­
tics
Ju ly,
1914

Jan u ­
ary,
1914

Ju ly,
1914

2 100
2 123
153
203
27T
290
319
295
231
217

100

2 100

230
234
241
240
241
240
248
257
261
264
209
274

165
103
156
152
146
138
139
15‘5
164
181
184
187

277
283
284
276
265
261
260
254
241
228
223
221

175
177
179
172
168
371
174
173
171
174
178
204

171

216
212
205
198
195
194
198
196
193
191
186

191
195
189
204
214
213
207
213
227'
232

163

June,
1914

2 300

Ju ly,
1914

1914

160
155
164

171
168
167

158
156
156

1 December.

213
163
165
172
173
172
171
169
169
170
170
170
170
174
175
375
169
172
172
171
169
168
169
169
169
170
168
168
167
165
163
161
161
159
159
159
157
158
160
159

Ju ly ,
1914

Ju ly
1914

2100

100

2 100

2 180
2 162

118

2 100
2 148

2 100
2 131
2 330
2 126
2 131
2 147
2 164
2 161
2 148
2 164

175
177
176
167
163
160
162
164
166
172
179
180

120
122
122
123
122
120
117
117
117
120
122
121

154
151
147
143
143
147
151
156
156
156
157
156

155
153
152
150
151
149
148
147
146
146
147
148

178
176
176
170
167
166
167
168
170
172
172
174

120
120
121
124
123
122
120
119
118
119
117
116

152 •
152
155
153
151
149
152
147
146
148
149
151

148
149
151
152
154
155
156
156
156
157
156
155

171
168
165
159
158
158
161
161
162
163
169
169

116
117
118
119
119
118
117
117
117
120
119

151
150
151
150
150
152
155
153
152
153
152
154

155
154
159
163
163
162
159
157
155
153

2 Ju ly .

[434]

30

25

Bureau
Census
of
and
Labor Census
Statis­
Office
and
tics
Statis­
Office
tics

1' 152
2 258
2318
2 287
2 231
2 178
2 158
2 155
162

Austra­ New
Zea­
lia
land

Ju ly,
1914

2 100
112
119
128
139
146
168
164
142
143
148
150
149
150
150
150
350
148
146
345
145
148
150
151
147
148
149
149
150
349
351
152
353
355
156
156
154
153
152
151
151
15!
349
149
148

187

IN D E X N U M B E R S OF CO ST OF L IV IN G

T able 3.—I N D E X N U M B E R S OP C O S T O P C L O T H IN G IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S A N D
IN F O R E I G N C O U N T R IE S , 19-13 T O 1926

Country__________

United
States

Num ber oflocalities.

32

Bureau
Com puting agency- of Labor
Statistics

Base period______

1913

Year and month
1913______________
100
1914______________
i 101
J 105
1915- - .........................
1916______________
1120
1917_____ ____ ____
1149
1 205
1918______________
1919______________
i 269
1920______________
1 259
1921______________
i 184
l 172
1922______________
1923______________
i 176
1924______________
Jan u ary _______
February______
M arch________
176
A p r i l ____ ____
M ay__________
June .
174
Ju ly _______ . . .
A ugust________
September.., __
172
October_______
N ovember_____
December_____
171
1925.......................
Ja n u a ry _______
February______
M arch___. ____
April___ ______
May:__________
June ________
171
Ju ly
. ___
A ugust________
September____
October. ..........
Novem ber____
D e c e m b e r____
169
1926______________
J anuary_______ _____
F e b r u a r y _____
March________
April................ .
M a y ...................
Jun e______ . . .
168.
Ju ly __________
August ______
September____
October _____
Novem ber____
Decem ber. ___
167
1 December.
July.

3

s January-June.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Czecho­
Canada Belgium slovakia

Den­
m ark

Finland

F rance

Ger­
m any

Italy

59

100+

21

Paris

71

M ilán

60
Dom in­
ion B u ­
reau of
Statistics

1913

M inistry
Central Commis­ Federal M unici­
of Labor Office of D epart­ Statis­ sion for Statis­ pal Adm ent of
Stu dy of tical
and In ­ Statistics Statistics
ministical
Cost of B ureau i tration
dustry
Office
Living

1921

100

Ju ly,
1914

2 100

100
3 99
2 113
123
127
132
132
131
132
133
134
136
138
139
140
141
141
141
142
141
142
142
143
' 143
144
144
144
160
160
160
158158
158'
158
158
158
158
157
157

Prague

144
144
144
145
150
155
166
172
178:
186

969
970
940
940
935
965
965
965
965
965
987
987
987
1012
1002
1010
998
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
1001
994
994
994
994
994
994
994
982
982

Ju ly ,
1914

2 100
3 110
2160
2 190
2 260
3 310
2 355
3 248
2 217
3 239

267

277

272

230

210

JanuaryJune,
1914

3 100

l H07
1 1090
1005
1039
10.88
1027
1028
1029
1028
1024
1030

1035
1035
1042
1046
1046
1043
1044
1043
1042
1042
1042
1040
1040
1042
1043
1042
1043
1043
1043
1043
1044
1049
1049
1047
1044
1039
1039

1914

1913-14

JanuaryJune,
, 1914

4 100

3 100

100

3 296
5 485
5 252
5 215
5 365
6 412
«420
6 440
6 440

6 440
6 445
«460
6 510

6 524
«577

4 October, 1913; January, April, and June, 1914.
8 April-June.
6 Quarter beginning with month.

[4 3 5 ]

2 284

2 221

3651

2 512
1 194

176
172
174
180
185
181
16Q
166
168
170
173
173

610
615
611
600
600
600
600

597

597
598
598
598
622
618
667

173
172
172
174
173
172
174
173
174
174
173
173

667
667
667
667
642
665
667
667
667

171
169
168
167
165
164
163
161
160

702
702
702
702
691
692
692
692
692
711
709

188

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

T a b l e 3 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S OP C O S T O P C L O T H IN G I N T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S A N D
IN P O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926—Continued

Country...................................... N orway Poland

Num ber of localities________

Com puting agency_________

30

W arsaw

Year and month
1914_______________________
1915_______________________
1916_______________________
1917_______________________
1918____; __________________
1919_______________________
1920_______________________
1921_______________________
1922_______________________
1923_______________________
1924_______________________
Jan u ary________________
February _____________
M a rc h ,.................... _
April__________________
M a y ____________ _____
Ju n e , _________ „
Ju ly ___________________
A ugust_________ ,
Septem ber____________
October________________
Novem ber. ___________
December__________
1925_______________________
January. ______
February ........ ..............
M arch ________
_____
A p r il..
M a y ___________ _
June _________ _
Ju ly ___________________
A u gust_________ _
Septem ber. _________
O ctober... ____
Novem ber. _____
December___________
1926___________________
Jan uary_________
February
______
M a rc h ..............
April__________
M a y ____
Ju n e _________
Ju ly ___________________
August . . _______
Septem ber_________
October. _ _______
N o v e m b e r___ _
Decem ber___
1 December.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

49

33

Central Central Board
Federal
S tatis­ Statis­
of
Labor
tical
tical
Social
Office
Office Welfare Office

Ju ly,
1914

B ase period

United
Sweden Switzer­
K in g­
land
dom

January,
1914

1 100

100

Ju ly,
1914

2 100

June,
1914

2 100

1160
312
1 388
i 336
7 292
247
230
246

2 270
2 270
2 790
2 192
192
192
192
191

257
184
184
188

259

188
188

257

188

177
199
204
204
226
251

244
225

251
251
251
251
272
272
254
254
256
256

213
207
200

192
192
191

190
188
187
184

2 Ju ly

270
779
177
177
178
178
178

100

Bom bay

6

4

M inis­
try of
Labor

Labor
Office

Bureau
of
Census
and
Statis­
tics

Census
and
S tatis­
tics
Office

Ju ly,
1914

July,
1914

November, 1914

Ju lv ,
1914

2 100

2100

8 100
8 ) 0K
8 ||7
8 )S9
8 )4S
8 104

2 290

2 263
947

8 IRK
8 74Q

222

?14
226

8 136

2 720
2 700

2 430

23Q
226

8 181

8 100

109
197
156
179
916
245

IfiQ
168
173

180
180

180
181
181
181
181
181
181

181
182
182

182

182

782

179
179
179
179
179
779
179
172
172
172
172
172
172
166

!June.

[436]

New
Zealand

2 300

232

182

190

Australia

2 200
2 370

2 285
2 3)0

2 390

India

169

214
230
230
230
230
230
230
998
228
228
228

225
99^
225
223

993
223
220

20Q

210

207

907

207
798
192
791
788
792
185
176

165

160

773

779

774
7 70
170
102
100

990

100

220

700
159

220
218

404
166

8 Novem ber.

157
ioO

154

189

IN D E X N U M B E R S OE COST OF L IV IN G
T

a ble

4 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S OF C O S T O F F U E L A N » L I G H T IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S
A N D IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926

Country— . ________________ United
States
Num ber of lo calities_______

32

Canada

Bel­
gium

Czecho­
slo­
vakia

Den­
mark

Finland

France

Ger­
m any

60

59

Prague

100+

21

Paris

71

M inis­
try of
Labor
and
Indus­
try

Office
of Sta­
tistics

1921

July,
1914

Bureau Domin­
ion
Labor Bureau
Com puting agency........... ....... ofStatis­
of
Sta­
tics
tics

Base period........................... .....

Year and month
1913_______________________
1914_______________________
1915_________ _____________
1910____________________
1917_______________________
1918_______________________
1919_______________________
1920_______________________
1921_______________________
1922______________________
1923________
1924_______________________
January
... _________
February ____________
M arch . . ______ .
April__________________
M a y _________________
J u n e _____ . ______ __
Ju ly ______ . . ________
A u gust.. . ________ ____
September__ ___________
October _____ ________
Novem ber___ ________
December______________
1925_________ _____________
J anuary_______________
Febru ary______ _____
M arch__ _____________ _
A p ril...
_________ .
M ay ______________ . .
Jun e . . . ______________
Ju ly ___________________
A u g u s t ..______________
September____________
October.
... . . ______
November ____________
December______________
1926_______________________
Jan uary________________
February. ______ _____
M arch___ ___________
Anril __
____ _____
M a y __________________
June __________ ______
Ju ly ______ __________
A ugust____ _________ _
September ____________
October . . __ ______ .
Novem ber____ _____ ___
December___ _______

1913

100
1 101
1 101
1 108
i 124
i 148
1 157
1 195
i 181
1 186
1 184

1913

100

100
2 92
2 120
129
129
129
129
128
127
127
127
128
127
127
127

182
177
179
181

125
123
119
118
116
114
113
113
113
114
114
114

177

187

181

188

2 100

151
153
151
151
148
147
147
147
147
147
147
147

114
116
116
116
118
130
144
163
168
179

1,041
881
989
978
978
865
865
861
843
843
843
838
837
837
829
839
837
837
837
831
830
830
830
830
830
807
807
807
807
805
805
805
805
805
805
810
814
814

Depart­ Central
ment
Statis­
tical
of Sta­
tistics
Office

July,
1914

2 100
2 130
2 175
2 220
2 275
2 292
2 563
2 401
2 301
2 282
288

298

277

252

227

215

Commis­
sion for Federal
Study
Statis­
of Cost
tical
of L iv ­ Bureau
ing

Jan u ­
aryJune,
1914

1914

100

4 100

3 164
8 296
8 308
8 287
8 317

1 177

8 100

i 1, 249
1 1,340
1, 477
1, 473
1, 506
1, 499
l! 499
1,496
1, 471
1, 480
1,463
1,459
L 461
1,456
1,450
l' 439
1, 362
1, 431
1, 412
1, 393
1, 387
1, 375
1, 380
1, 359
1, 366
1, 327
1, 308
1, 312
1, 28S

8 356
« 350
8 360


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

8 370
8 345
8 373
8 402

8 447

1, 254
1, 243
1, 248
1, 248
1, 250
l' 254
1,238
1, 242
1, 257

8 452

4 October, 1913; January, April, and June, 1914.
8 April-June.
6 Quarter beginning with month.

[437]

164
157
154
151
149
149
146
144

8 368

1

1 December.
2 Ju ly.
8January-June.

1913-14

143
139
137
137
138
138
138
138
138
139
139
140
142
142
142
142
143
143
143
142
140
140
141
141
143

190

M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

T a b l e 4 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S OF COST O F F U E L AND L IG H T I N TH E U N I T E D ST A T E S
A N D IN F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926—Continued

Country ............. .............. ...............

Italy

Num ber of localities............... ..

M ilan

Norway Poland

30

Warsaw

Sweden

Swit­
zerland

United
King­
dom

India

New
Zealand

49

33

26-30

Bom bay

4

M inis­
try of
Labor

Labor
Office

Census
and
Statistics
Office

July,
1914

July,
1914

July,
1914

Munic- Central Central Board Federal
Com puting a g e n c y .________ ipal Ad­ Statis­ Statis­ of Social Labor
minis­
tical
tical
tration
Office
Office W elfare Office
JanuaryJune,
1914
Year and month
1914.____ __________________
1915..________________ ______
1916_______________________
1917___________________________
1918___________________________
1919___________ _______ ________
1920_______________________
1921_______________________
1922_______________________
1923_______________________
1924_______________________
Jan u ary________________
February _________________
M arch __________________
April _____________ ______
M a y --------- -------- ----------Ju n e ______________________
Ju ly ______ ________________
August________________
September . . _ _______
October________________
Novem ber_____________
December________ ___
1925_______________________
J a n u a r y _______________
February___ _________
M arch_________________
April.................. .................. ..
M a y __________________
Ju n e . ________ __________
Ju ly ___________________
August ________________
Septem ber_____________
October________________
N o v em ber.. __________
December................... ...........
1926:
Jan u ary . ________________
February_____ _________ _
M arch__ _______ ________
April__________________
M a y ........................................
Ju n e .......... ........... ........ ...........
Ju ly __________ __________
A ugust ................ ....................
Sep tem b er.. ........................
October.. _______ _______
Novem ber ........ ....................
December_______ _______
1 December.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

3 100

July,
1914

1

100

July,
1914

1Q14

100

2 100

June,
1914

2 100

2 100

2 100

1 168
2 286
2 326
2 372

1 220
2 220
2 611
2 899
524
529

301
282

525
515
515
515
515
526
526
526
526
515
515
515

306
313
326
322
323
322
318
317
313
308
308
307

515
515
515
515
515
518'
518
518
518

306
302
296
292
284
277
274
268
242

516
505
505
505
505
512
512
512
512
565
565

2 264
2 188
2 185
2 182
181
183
182
180

233
232

163
160
156
152
146
145
149
153
161
166
167
173

232
229
227
225
220
218
214
228
238
257

170
160
165
160
161
160
158
176
182
198

2 July.

181
179
177
172

171
170
168
166

3 January-June.

[4 3 8 ]

213
181
173
165
171
171
170
168
165
164
163
163
162
162
161
161
153
158
157
156
155
154
153
152
152
151
151
150
150
149
148
147
146
145
145
145
144
144
145

2 230

2 260
202
183

2 176
168
163

188
188
190
190
185
185
183
185
185
185
185
185

161
161
164
164
166
166
167
166
166
167
167
167

185
185
185
185
180
180
180
180
180
180

165
166
165
165
165
165
165
165
165
165
165
165

183
185
185
185
185
190
195
200
213
230
255

165
165
165
165
164
104
164
164
164
164

7 June.

2 100
101
110
126
136
149
178
199
183
175
174

174
172

173
174

176
176
177

191

IN D E X N U M B E R S OF COST OF L IV IN G

T a ble 5 .—I N D E X N U M B E R S OF C O S T O F R E N T IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S A N D IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926

Country__________

United
States

Canada

Bel­
gium

Czecho­
slovakia

D en­
m ark

F in ­
land

France

Ger­
m any

Italy

Number of localities.

32

60

59

Prague

100+

21

Paris

71

M ilan

Com puting agency.

Bureau
of
Labor
S tatis­
tics

Base period___... .

1913

D o­
Minis­
minion
try of
Office
Bureau Labor
of S ta­
of S ta­
and
tistics
tistics Industry

1913

1921

July,
1914

D epart­ Central Commis­
M unici­
sion for Federal
ment
pal
S tatis­ Stu
ta tis­ Adm
of
dy of Stical
in­
tical
Statis­
Cost
of
istra­
Office
tics
Living Bureau
tion
July,
1914

JanuaryJune,
1914

1914

1913-1.4

JanuaryJune,
1914

4 100

3 100

Year and month
1913______________
1914_______________
1915___ . . . . .
1916____ ________
1917_______________
1918. ____________
1919______________
1920______________
1921__________ . .
1922______________
1923___ ___________
1924______________
Ja n u a ry . _ _ .
February
. .
M arch..
A p ril.. _______
M ay__________
Ju n e .. _____ —
Ju ly __________
August _ . ___ _
September_____
October _.
N ovem ber.. _.
December___ _
1925______________
January . . .
February . . . _
M arch.. . . .
A p r i l . . ______
M a y ..
. .
Ju n e .. . . .
Ju ly .
_ .
A u g u st..
SeDtember...
October__ .
November . _
Decem ber_____
1926______________
Ja n u a r y .. __ _
F e b ru a ry ... . .
M arch.. . . . _ .
A p ril.. _____
M ay__________
J u n e ______ _
Ju ly . _ _ . .
A u g u st.. _____
September___ _
October___ . .
November___ _
December____

100
1 100
4 102
4 102
4 100
1 109
4 125
4 151
4 161
4 162
4 167

136
138
139
140
139
140
140
140
140
140
140
140

168
168
168

152
152
152
152
.152
152
152
152
152
152
153
152

167

167

165

164

2 100

100
2 99
2 134

167

1 December.
a July.
s January-June.


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100

150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
151
151
151

153
153
153
153
154
155
158
162
164
165

206
213
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
211
222
222
236
222
222
222
233
233
233
244
244
244
244
244
244
250
250
250
256
256
256
256
256
256
256
256

2 100
2 100
2 102
2 105
2 108
2 113
2 130
2 141
2 155
2 160

170

170

178

178

185

2 100

4 603
4 795
901
1,088
981
981.
981
981
981
1.163
1.163
1.163
1.163
1.165
1.165
1.165
1, 224
1.165
1.165
1.165
1.165
1.165
1,266
1,266
1,266
1,266
1,266
1,266
1,266
1, 206
1,266
1,266
1,266
1,266
1.334
1.334
1.334
1.334

100

8 100
8 1.00
8 110
8 160
8 200
«200
8 200
8 200
8 200

8 200
8 200
8 220
8 220

8 220
8 250

4 October, 1913, January, April, and June, 1914.
8 April-June.
6 Quarter beginning with month.

[439]

4 22
26
31
35
50
51
53
63
64
65
68
69
69

2 100
2 100
2 108
2 139
202
234
329
307
307
307
307
307
307
307
307
307
393
393
393

71
72
72
79
79
80
82
88
89
89
89
89

393
393
393
393
393
393
393
393
393

91
91
91
97
99
100
104
105
105

477
477
477
477
477
477
477
477
477
638
638

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M O N T H LY LABOR REV IEW

T able 5 —I N D E X N U M B E R S OP C O S T O F K E N T IN T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S A N D IN
F O R E IG N C O U N T R IE S , 1913 TO 1926—Continued

C ountry....................... Norway

Poland

Sweden

Num ber of localities..

W arsaw

49

30

Central Central Board of
Computing agen cy ... Statistical Statistical Social
Office
Office
Welfare

Switzer­ United
land
K ingdom

India

27

20-30

Bom bay

Federal
Labor
Office

M inistry
of Labor

Labor
Office

Jan u­ Ju ly, 1914 June, 1914
Base p e rio d ................ Ju ly, 1914 ary,
Ju ly, 1914 Ju ly, 1914
1914

Australia New Zea­
land
6

25

Bureau of Census
Census
and
and
S ta tistics
S ta tistics Office
1911

July, 1914

Year and month
1914________________
1915................................
1916______________
1917______________
1918..........................
1919______________
1920________________
1921______________
1922______________
1923.................... .......
1924— . ...................
Jan uary________
February _____
M arch_____ ____
April___________
M a y ___________
Ju n e ___________
Ju ly ____________
A ugust________
Septem ber_____
October________
Novem ber______
December______
1925______ ______ _
Jan uary............. .
February ............
M arch_____ ____
April......................
M a y ___________
Ju n e ___________
Ju ly ____________
A ugust_________
Septem ber. . . .
October________
Novem ber______
December.........
1926.......... ......................
Jan u ary ........... .
Febru ary. ___
M arch_________
April___ ____ _
M a y ___________
Ju n e ___________
J u l y .......................
A u g u st..................
Septem ber_____
October_______
November ____
December______

1100

2100

100

2100

2100

2 100

118
145
153
148
147

2 165
165
165
165

2 ion

1 108
111
7 123
7 147
7 161
171
173
176

2112
2 120
2130
2155
2163
2163
2 178
178
178
178
178

176

179
179
179
179

179
179
179

1 December.

48
48
48
54
54
54
60
60
60

186
186
186

66
66
66

72
72
72
76
76
76
76
76
76

186

188
'
188
188
188

2 j uly.

138
146
150
155
152
152
152
154
154
-154
156
156
156
158
158
158
162
159
160
160
161
162
162
162
162
162
163
163
163
163
163
163
163
167
167
167
167
167
167

141
149
155
162

101
101
102
105
108
114
126
136
148
160
156

162

172
147
147
147
147
147
147
147
147
148
148
148
148

172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172

148
148
148
148
149
149
150
150
150
150
150

172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172
172

165

169
165

171
173

174
178
182

7 June.

L iv in g E x p e n se s o f F a r m e r s

T

E United States Department of Agriculture lias recently pub­
lished in its Bulletin No. 1466 a study of the living expenses
__, of 2,886 farm families in selected localities of 11 States. The
data were gathered by means of personal visits, the period of study
ranging from 1922 to 1924. Typical farm homes within the locali
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LIV ING E X P E N S E S OP FA R M E R S

ties chosen were visited, the selection of households of any one size
or level of living being avoided.
Average expenditures per family in the different States represented,
in the investigation varied as follows: Connecticut, $1,559; Massa­
chusetts, $1,948; New Hampshire, $1,839; Vermont, $1,553; Alabama,
$1,615; Kentucky, $1,493; South Carolina, $1,482; Iowa, $1,669;
Kansas, $1,492; Missouri, $1,897; and Ohio, $1,541.
The average annual living expenses per family of all families in­
cluded in the study were found to be $1,598. This figure included
food, house rent, and fuel furnished by the farm for family living
purposes, valued at conservative prices. The average size of the
family was 4.4 persons. More than two-fifths of the general average
of $1,598 was covered by goods furnished by the farm. The value
of food furnished by the farm was almost twice the value of house
rent and fuel furnished.
The various items included in the $1,598 were found to be appor­
tioned as follows:
F o o d ____________________
C lothing________________
H ouse re n t______________
Furniture and equipm ent.
Operation goo d s_________
M aintenance of h ealth __
Life and health insurance.
A dvancem ent___________
Personal goods__________
U nclassified_____________

mount
$659
235
200
40
213
61
41
105
41
3

Per cent
41. 2
14. 7
12. 5
2. 5
13. 3
3. 8
2. 6
6. 6
2. 6
.2

T o tal_____________

1, 598

100. 0

Husbands and wives had about the same expenses for clothing per
year, $59 each. Daughters of the age groups over 24 years, 19 to 24
years, 15 to 18 years, and 12 to 14 years generally are clothed at a
higher average cost than are sons of corresponding age groups. The
average cost of clothing for both sons and daughters over 24 years,
19 to 24 years, and 15 to 18 years is considerably above the averages
for male and female heads of families. Relatively, the average costs
for sons of these age groups are 1.26, 1.54, and 1.24 times as high as
the average costs for male heads of families. Similarly, the average
costs for daughters are 1.42, 1.67, and 1.36 times as high as the average
costs for female heads of families.
The average length of the workday (excluding Sundays) of the
farm operator was found to be 11.3 hours and of the homemaker
11.4 hours, not including time spent at meals and in reading or resting.
Little or no relation was found between the average length of the
workday and the average value of goods used in a year.
Formal schooling of both the operator and the home maker was
found to be significantly related to expenses for family living purposes.
This relation appears to be slightly more noticeable with home
makers than with operators. The average number of years the
operator has been a farm owner is closely associated with expenses.
Mortgage indebtedness on the farm considered generally, however,
seems to have no bearing on the expenses.


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[441]

LA B O R A G R E E M E N T S, A W A R D S, A N D

DECISIONS

L a b o r A g re e m e n ts
Cloth H at and Cap M akers—Lowell, M ass.
A N A G R EEM EN T was made between Stern Bros., of Lowell,
/ ~ \ Mass., and the United Cloth Hat and Cap Makers’ Union,
Local No. 25, effective from August 21, 1926, to February 1,
1928, providing for a union shop, a 44-hour week, nine holidays with
pay, and no piecework. A few of the other provisions are as follows:
7a. I f one d ay is em ployed during the m onth in which a holidaj^ occurs, the
em ployees sh all be en titled to com pensation for the holiday even if no work is
perform ed during the week in which the holidays occur.
8. Overtim e shall not be worked without first obtaining the consent of the
union through its proper representative.
12. Th e em ployer agrees to have all work done in his own shop.
13. Th e em ployer agrees not to tak e out any goods to be m an ufactured into
h ats or cap s from another m anufacturer. The phrase “ tak in g out g o o d s” shall
also m ean the buying of goods from a m an ufacturer for th e purpose of m aking
them into h a ts and caps and then to resell the finished product to the sam e
m an ufactu rer from whom the goods were received.
16. Th e p arty of the first p art hereby agrees upon the signing of this agreem ent
to deposit a note for $1,000, p ay ab le by the order of ourselves, the receipt whereof
is hereby acknowledged. The note sh all be deposited with the international
union, located in New Y ork C ity. In the event of any violation of any term s of
th is agreem ent the deposit sh all be forfeited to the union.
18. The em ployer hereby agrees to em ploy the m em bers of the union working
in his p la n t not le ss than 49 weeks during each year of the life of the agree­
ment.
19. Newly engaged apprentices, after being em ployed for four weeks, shall
becom e m em bers of the union, and their w ages shall be su b ject to revision every
three m onths. When the w ages of an apprentice reach the average p aid to the
workers of the respective branch of work, such apprentice is to be considered a s a
regular worker and be su b ject to all the provisions of th is agreem ent covering
all the regular workers.
20. The union reserves the right not to perm it its m em bers to perform work
for the em ployer if he sells or b u ys goods to or from firm s ag ain st whom, the
union h as declared a strike, or who sends goods to such firms, its agen ts, factors,
or jobbers during the pendency of such a strike, and the calling of a strike by the
union again st the p arty of the first p art to enforce the right hereby reserved shall
not be construed a s a violation of th is collective agreem ent.
21. I t is hereby agreed th a t if the cap m akers of Boston will procure 40 hours a
week a s a working week during the life of th is agreem ent th a t the hours nam ed
in the agreem ent will autom atically change from 44 to 40.
22. I t is hereby agreed th a t the scale of w ages prevailing in the shop of the
em ployer shall be revised a t the expiration of six m onths from the date of the
signing of this agreem ent.

Deck and Engineer Officers
'T H E agreement of the deck and engineer officers with the Shipping
1 Board on their vessels in Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, Atlan­
tic, Pacific, and Gulf Coast Services, effective July 1, 1926, are the
194

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A G R E E M E N T S--- M A C H IN IS T S

195

same as those for 1924 (see Labor Review for September, 1924, p.
102) except for the addition of the following paragraph to the engineer
officers7 agreement:
I t is understood th a t the rates and conditions herein stipu lated shall app ly to
any and all engineers em ployed on Shipping Board vessels, whether or not
m em bers of the above-m entioned association or any other sim ilar organizations.

Longshorem en

A G R EE M EN T S have been made between the United States Sliipping Board, steamship agents, and stevedores and the long­
shoremen’s locals Nos. 829 and 858 general cargo, No. 921 grain
handlers, and No. 953 marine warehouse clerks, all of Baltimore;
Ship Workers’ Benevolent Association (colored) of Pensacola, Fla.;
locals Nos. 872 and 896 of Houston, Tex.; Nos. 307, 636, 704, 851,
329, 1224, and 1225, of Galveston, Texas City, Bolivar, and Corpus
Christi, Tex.; No. 1130, checkers and cargo repairmen of Portland,
M e.; and the two locals at Gulfport, Miss. The Portland agreement
runs from October 22, 1926, to October 1, 1927, and the Gulfport
agreement from August 17, 1926, to August 17, 1927. The other
agreements run from October 1, 1926, to September 30, 1927.
The Texas agreements were unchanged. In the Portland and
Baltimore agreements the week throughout the entire year is to con­
sist of 44 hours. Other slight additions were made to the Baltimore
agreements.
The following were added to the agreement with local No. 953:
5.
(a) When fresh men are ordered out a t 5 p. m. for night work, an d failing
to work through no fa u lt of their own (weather conditions excepted), they shall
receive a m inim um of four hours a t the respective rates applying to tallym en
an d ship runners in article No. 5; and if they are required to work after 9 p. m.
they shall receive four hours addition al a t the respective rates.
8. Only m ail an d b aggage to be handled on C hristm as, F ourth of Ju ly , and
L ab or D ay , excepting b y special agreem ent.

The following was added to the agreement with local No. 921:
2.
(d) B a g sewers and inholders are to receive 70 cents per hour in addition
/ to the rates mentioned above for overtim e hours on nights, Sundays, and
holidays.
2.
(e) The day m eal hours are to be p aid a t the overtim e rate of 70 cents per
hour until men are relieved. N ight m eal hours are to be p aid a t the rate of $1.40
per hour until men are relieved.

M ach in ists—C hicago
'T 'H E Speedaumatic Co., of Chicago, and representatives of District
Lodge No. 8 of Machinists, after conferences lasting over a
period of several months have adopted an agreement based on what
is generally known as the Baltimore & Ohio cooperative plan. The
agreement is as follows :
I. I t is agreed by the p arties to this understanding th a t the success of the
com pany and the welfare of its em ployees are interdependent. When the m an­
agem ent of the com pany m anifests a gemiine concern for the welfare of its em­
ployees, then the em ployees of the com pany through their union are w arranted

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M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

in manifesting equal concern for the success and welfare of the company. It
is also understood and agreed that the company through its management and the
employees through their union are greatly encouraged in helping one another
when the gains from such mutual assistance are shared fairly between the com­
pany and its employees.
In recognition of these principles, the parties to this understanding agree to
set up the following machinery of cooperation:
II. (A) Biweekly shop cooperative committee: A joint committee to be known
as the shop cooperative committee will first be organized. This committee will
consist of the following members, representing, respectively, the management
and the International Association of Machinists:
For management—Five individuals, four of which shall be representatives of
the departments of the company, and the fifth one of which shall be the factory
manager.
For the employees—Five individuals, four of which shall be representatives of
the departments of the plant and selected by the union employees, and the
fifth one of which shall be designated by the executive board of District No. 8,
International Association of Machinists.
The shop cooperative committee will meet biweekly at 1 p. m. in the office of
the factory manager. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, September —,
1926. The factory manager will serve alternately at meetings with the indi­
vidual selected by the employees’ group as their chairman, as chairman of shop
cooperative committee. A stenographer will be furnished by the management to
record the minutes of the meetings and serve as secretary to the committee.
(B) Trimonthly general cooperative committee: Next a joint committee, to
be known as the general cooperative committee, will be organized. This com­
mittee will consist of the following representatives:
For management: 1. The president. 2. The secretary. 3. The sales mana­
ger. 4. The factory manager.
For the employees: 1. The vice president of the International Association of
Machinists in charge of the Chicago District. 2. An assigned business agent
of District No. 8, International Association of Machinists. 3. The chairman of
the shop grievance committee. 4. The chairman of the employees’ group of
the shop cooperative committee or another member of the employees’ group of
the shop cooperative committee, in the event that the chairman of the shop
grievance committee is also chairman of the employees’ group of the shop co­
operative committee.
The general cooperative committee will meet trimonthly at 2 p. m. in the office
of the president of the company. The first meeting will be held October —,
1926.
The president of the company will serve alternately by meetings with the
chairman of the employees’ group of the general cooperative committee as
chairman of the general cooperative committee. A stenographer will be furnished
by the management to record the proceedings of this committee and serve as its
secretary.
III. Minutes will be kept of the proceedings of both the shop and general
cooperative committees. Each subject brought up for consideration will be
given a symbol. Furthermore, the various propositions discussed at both com­
mittee meetings will be classified by groups in conformity with a mutually
acceptable system of classification. A statistical summary, based on the classified
records of the committee proceedings will be prepared for the information of the
general cooperative committee when it meets every three months.
Copies of the minutes of the shop cooperative committee meetings will be
furnished all members of the committee, as well as the office of District No. 8,
International Association of Machinists, and the office of the vice president of
the International Association of Machinists assigned to the territory including
Chicago. Copies of the minutes of the general cooperative committee meetings
will be furnished all members of the general committee as well as the office of
District No. 8, and the vice president of the International Association of Machin­
ists assigned to the territory including Chicago.
In view of the fact that matters of a confidential nature may be discussed from
time to time at the cooperative committee meetings, it is agreed that reference to
such matters may, at the request of either group, be left out of the minutes which
are distributed. Notes of such matters, however, will be made for the record
and kept in the files of the company for reference.
IV. It is not the intention of the parties to this, agreement that a rigid a,nd
formal method of procedure shall guide the conferences of either the shop or the

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A G R E E M E N T S— M U SIC IA N S

197

general cooperative committees. It is rather the desire that these committee
meetings shall consist of round-table conferences whose purposes are to consider
proposals by any member of the committees aimed at mutual helpfulness.
Determinations of decisions by the committees shall be by consensus of opinion,
not by voting.
It is further agreed since the specific purpose of these conferences is mutual
helpfulness, that criticism and fault findings will have no place in the discussions.
As a consequence, grievances will not be considered during the proceedings of
these committees. They will be dealt with, as they always have been, in keeping
with the provisions laid down in the current standard agreement between the
Chicago Manufacturers’ Association and the International Association of Ma­
chinists.
It is also understood and agreed that this memorandum in no way, shape, or
form implies the abrogation of any of the working rules or regulations established
by agreement between the parties to this understanding.
The procedure of the shop cooperative committee will be confined to detailed
matters concerning shop operation and working conditions.
The general cooperative committee will consider (1) matters referred to it by
the shop cooperative committee for action, and (2) matters of a general nature
dealing with the general success and progress of the company on the one hand
and the good and welfare of the employees on the other hand.
It should not be understood that there is any limit to the range of specific
subjects coming in these general classes which may be submitted for discussion
by the members of the cooperative committees. Whatever may be of mutual
benefit to employees and management is proper for consideration by the com­
mittees.
It is agreed that this memorandum understanding is subject to change or
termination at any time by mutual consent.

Musicians
TN THE by-laws of the American Federation of Musicians, amended
A and adopted at the thirty-first annual convention, held at Salt
Lake City May 10 to 15, 1926, were articles and sections relating to
membership and the minimum wages locals are allowed to insert
in their agreements. Article IX , section 9, and Article X III, fifth
paragraph, read as follows:
A r t i c l e IX , S e c t i o n 9. No local shall issue a card of membership to an applii
cant unless he be a citizen of the United States or Canada. However, if an
applicant does not hold citizenship in either country, he must, in order to become
eligible for membership, declare his intention of becoming a citizen of that country
wherein he makes application for membership by taking out his first papers; but
a member so accepted must complete his naturalization within the shortest
possible time provided by law. Failure to comply with the requirements of this
section shall be cause for annulment of membership.
A r t . X III. The following prices represent the minimum which members and
leaders of orchestras must charge. Prices to be paid to local members who
augment traveling orchestras during time that such orchestras visit jurisdiction
of their local are governed by rules of the local except on such engagements for
which the national law makes proviso that 30 per cent in excess of the local price
must be charged. In such cases the local members augmenting a traveling
orchestra must receive the additional 30 per cent.

The remainder of Article X III and all of Article X IV relate to
scales, of which those summarized below are the more important.
All wages are by the week per member.
Section 1: Traveling members with comic operas, musical comedies,
farce comedies, extravaganzas, spectacular shows, and all similar
attractions, $80 when playing eight times a week at week stands
and $85 when playing broken weeks; with vaudeville companies,
$85 a week for 12 performances; with musical or vaudeville acts or

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M O N T H L Y LABOR R EV IEW

burlesque companies, $73; with tabloid companies, $55; and with
dramatic companies, $75 where the price of the choicest seat, exclusive
of box seats, is $1 or more, and $55 where the price is less than $1.
Where an engagement ends with a fraction of a week, members of
comic operas, etc., receive $11 if there is one performance a day and
$20 if two; members of vaudeville companies receive $10 and $15,
respectively. Two rehearsals of three and one-half hours each are
given free before the season begins. Additional day rehearsals of
three hours each, $2; night, four hours for $5. For rehearsals held
outside the town from which the musician is engaged and before the
free rehearsals are held, $5; if two rehearsals in one day, $8. During
the season, each rehearsal of two hours, $3. Overtime at rehearsals
before the season begins, $1 per hour; during the season, $1 per
half hour.
Section 2: Members of orchestra with picture shows, $85 for 12
performances a week; $97 if no rest period of 15 minutes during
performance is allowed. One-twelfth extra for additional perform­
ances; $14.50 a day if engagement ends with a fraction of a week.
Before season begins, two rehearsals of three hours each, free; addi­
tional rehearsals, $8.50 for two in one day; $56 for twelve in one
week; $72 for each additional week; overtime, $2 per hour.
Section 3; Traveling leaders with comic operas, $95 for a week of
eight performances, with one-eighth extra for each additional per­
formance; $13.50 for one performance, $23.50 for two performances
in one day, if engagement ends with a fraction of a week. With
vaudeville or burlesque,-$90, with $5 for each extra performance;
$54 where the price of choicest seat is 35 cents or less; $75 with single
vaudeville acts; $65 with tabloid companies; $85 with dramatic
companies in houses where the price of choicest seat is $1 or more,
$65 where the price is less; $100 with picture shows, 12 performances
a week. For rehearsals prior to opening of engagement, leaders
receive half salary on week days up to six hours and $1 per half
hour Sundays and overtime. During engagement the leader is to
give one rehearsal a week, of two hours, free and is to receive $1 per
half hour for extra rehearsals.
Sections 4 and 5; Orchestra for grand opera, eight performances
a week, $150; $100 where the price of choicest seat does not exceed $4.
If the performance exceeds four hours the overtime charges are $3
per hour when the price of choicest seat exceeds $4 and $2 when the
price is $4 or less. Before the opening of the season three-hour
rehearsals during the day, $7; night, $10; double pay for extra time
after midnight. Overtime $1 per half hour. Rehearsals during the
season: Day, $2 for first hour and $1 for each additional half hour;
evening, four hours for the price of a performance. For engage­
ments closing with a fraction of a week, the rates are $16.25 for one
performance a day and $26 for two performances if the price of
choicest seat is over $4; $13.50 and $23.50 where the price is $4
or less.
Section 6: Members of symphony orchestras touring the country
between April 30 and September 1 are to receive for eight concerts
a week with three rehearsals of two and one-half hours each, $80;
$6 for each extra concert. Where the tour ends with a fraction of
a week, $10 for one concert a day, $18 for two. Extra rehearsals

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and overtime, $1 per half hour. First-class transportation to be
furnished.
Section 7: Members of orchestras engaged for musical festivals,
Chautauquas, or lyceum tours, two concerts a day, $100. Two pre­
liminary rehearsals of two and one-half hours each, free, with over­
time at $3 per hour. Day rehearsals during the season, two hours
for $5, with overtime at $1.50 per half hour.
Section 8: Where at Chautauqua or lyceum engagements an
orchestra renders miscellaneous service, $55 per man, $85 for leader;
where it plays light operas, $65 per man, $90 for leader.
Article X IV : Members of bands are to receive $60 per week, plus
$2 a day for traveling expenses, when at one or two day stands;
leaders, $90. Where service is rendered in the pit in addition to
band service, $70. Rehearsals before the season begins, three hours,
$2 ; extra rehearsals, three hours, during the season, $3. Members
of circus bands, $40; leader, $63; besides meals, satisfactory sleeping
accommodations., and transportation. Carnival and minstrel bands,
men, $32; leader, $55; or $45 and $70 where board and lodging are
not furnished.
Pocket-book W orkers—New Y ork C ity

A N A G R EEM EN T between the Associated Leather Goods Manu* * facturers of the United States of America and the International
Pocketbook Workers’ Union of New York City was made June 21 ,
1926, in effect to May 1, 1929, continuing the agreement that expired
May 1, 1926, extracts of which were given in the Labor Review for
March, 1925 (pp. 110-112).
Extracts from new articles are as follows:
2. Forty-four hours shall constitute a week’s work.
The regular working week may be arranged on a five-day basis between June
15 and September 1 by mutual consent of the employer and the workers, and
both sides hereby agree to interpose no obstacles that will hinder such
arrangement.
3. In case when and where, in the judgment of the employer, there is sufficient
work on hand to permit of overtime work for the pocketbook makers, he shall
so notify the shop chairman. If the pocketbook makers desire to avail them­
selves of overtime they are to notify the employer through the shop chairman
and they are to pay their helpers at the overtime rate; in cases where the request
to work overtime is on the part of the employer he shall pay the helpers the
difference between regular time and overtime. Notification to the shop chairman
by the employer of sufficient Avork to permit of overtime shall not be construed
as a request by the employer when such helpers work on a partnership or
percentage basis..
6. It is the sense of this agreement that the manufacturer is at liberty to
change his system of work from week to pieceAvork. Such change of system is
to take place not later than August 15, 1926. Manufacturers desirous of changing
from week work to piecework are to serve notice with the union on or before August
1, 1926. Said change of system shall apply to pocketbook makers and framers
only.
The manufacturer may employ workers on samples and specials by the week,
provided that such special or sample makers employed by the week shall not
work on general stock or orders as week workers, unless the price for said work
is first fixed as herein provided.
7. All piece prices shall be adjusted and agreed upon between the employer or
his representative and a price committee representing the particular branch of
work, which shall consist of not more than three workers each of whom shall
have been employed, as far as practicable, at least six months in the factory

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which he represents. The employer shall be informed of the names of such
committeemen immediately upon their selection. No worker shall be asked to
work on unsettled work, nor shall any worker refuse to work on settled work.
During price disputes between the price committee and the employer, the piece­
worker shall not be discriminated against for the sole reason of forcing a price
settlement, by not being given settled work wdiich may be on hand. All piece
prices agreed upon as heretofore provided shall remain fixed for the period of
this contract and shall not be subject to change, except by decision of the joint
board upon application of either the employer or workers.
8.
Equal standards and equal proportional division of work between the main
and subsidiary shop shall prevail when the class and kind of goods made in both
shops are the same.
14.
A pocketbook maker’s helper shall mean a worker who has worked at
pocketbook work for at least 18 months; is capable of performing all pocketbook
work except turning in of corners, chopping, creasing, trimming, and edging;
and is working with a teamer in the capacity of a helper. All exceptions to this
clause are to be decided by the chief clerks.
The principle of equal pay for equal work without regard to sex is hereby
reaffirmed.
27. The association agrees on behalf of its members not to charge any members
of the union for any damage of materials or goods unless the damage is caused
by direct neglect or actual carelessness; the chief clerks of the association and the
union shall be called upon to determine same.
28. This agreement is to function until May 1, 1929. The union, however,
reserves the right to open the question of shorter hours on March 1, 1928. In
the event that the union will decide to open negotiations on this question, the
matter shall be taken up by the union and the association. In the event of a
disagreement within 30 days, an impartial chairman selected by both sides shall
decide the question, and his decision, which shall be rendered not later than
April 30, 1928, shall be binding on both parties.

T eam sters—Chicago
IN THE agreement between the Chicago Feed Dealers’ Association
1 and the Chicago Hay and Grain Teamsters’ Union, Local No.
732, effective for one year from August 28, 1926, several new clauses
were inserted, of which the more prominent are the following:
A r t i c l e II. Under no circumstances are the men to be required to work on
Labor Day, and they shall receive pay for same.
They shall receive one hour’s pay for reporting and cleaning horses on rainy
days, the employer having the right to lay them off the rest of that day, pro­
vided that no discrimination shall be shown against any one man.
Any teamster or chauffeur who is not notified the night before not to report
for work the following $ay, and wrho reports for "work, shall have one hour’s pay,
and unless he is notified by 6.30 a. m. that there is no work that day he shall
have one-half day’s pay or be furnished with other employment at his scale of
wages; if not notified by 1 p. m. that there is no work in the afternoon, he shall
have one-half day’s pay or be furnished with other employment at his scale of
wages. Teamsters and chauffeurs so notified and not back at barn or garage by
1 o’clock shall be paid overtime at the regular rate for the time made after 1 p. m.

Textile Workers—Passaic, N. J .
textile strike at Passaic, N. J., which had been in effect the
greater part of the year, came to an end in the plant of the
Passaic Worsted Spinning Co. in November, 1926, by the signing of
an agreement between that company and the United Textile Workers
of America, reading as follows:
1. Right of workers to organize in a legitimate organization.
2. If a grievance should arise, the right of collective bargaining.
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3. Closed shop not demanded.
# 4. If any other demand made, not agreed on by both parties, workers to con­
tinue working and the question arbitrated between these parties: Mill—workers—
third party.
5. Help taken back without discrimination.
6. No outside help employed after date of settlement until strikers reemployed.

U pholsterers—S acram en to , C alif.
IN TH E agreement of upholsterers’ local No. 4, Sacramento, Calif.,
1 a_ 44-hour week is provided for, with the following paragraphs
relative to traveling to and from country jobs.
In the event that a member of this union travels to or from country jobs outside
of the regular working hours, he must charge up at the rate of double time for
such overtime travel, and when going any long distance at night he must also
be provided with a sleeper. All fares must be paid by the employer.
Any member doing work out of town shall receive all expense for board and
lodging.

A w ard s a n d D ecisio n s
C loak M akers—New Y ork City

A N ARBITRATION award for the cloak making industry in
New York was made December 21, 1926, by a board consisting
of Judge Bernard L. Shientag, Col. Herbert H. Lehman and Prof.
Lindsay Rogers, formerly members of the Governor’s Special Advisory
Commission, acting at the request of the International Ladies'
Garment Workers’ Union and the American Cloak and Suit Manu­
facturers’ Association, the latter representing the organized cloak
manufacturers. These manufacturers consist of three groups, the
inside manufacturers, the jobbers, and the submanufacturers, the
jobbers being indirect manufacturers in that they purchase the
materials, which are made up by the submanufacturers according
to instructions. The association desired the suhmanufacturers to
be given the same rights as had just been accorded to the Industrial
Council of inside manufacturers who were not members of the
association.
The board in its opinion outlined the history of the origin of the
controversy, described the threatened strike of 1924 due to the rapid
growth of the jobbing-submanufacturing system, and told of the
appointment by Governor Smith of a commission of five to study the
conditions of the industry, and its first report in June, 1925. The
report was accepted by the inside manufacturers and submarmfacturers but was rejected by the union and the jobbers, resulting in a
strike.The following extracts from the opinion of the arbitrators show
the conclusion of the m atter:
Although the undersigned were members of this commission, we have as
arbitrators endeavored to disassociate ourselves from our prior connection with
the industrjr and have sought to arrive at our decision without in any way being
bound by our prior rulings while serving on the commission. We feel, however,
that we should not allow this opportunity to pass without expressing our apprecia­
tion of the action taken by the submanufacturers’ association and by the Indus­
trial Council of inside manufacturers, along the lines of industrial peace and
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harmony and to deplore the mistaken policy of the union in allowing the oppor­
tunity to pass to bring about a situation which would have compelled a readjust­
ment of the jobber-submanufacturer relationship from the evil effects of which
the workers themselves were the greatest sufferers.
One of the union’s objections to accepting the report of the commission was
the proposal made that larger shops be permitted to reorganize. The settlement
that was finally made between the union and the industrial council gave a much
greater degree of reorganization than had been recommended by the commission.
The principle that only larger units should be permitted to reorganize was given
up. The result was that striking to prevent any reorganization at all, the union
was finally compelled to accept a much more extensive plan of reorganization
than the commission had recommended.
The immediate occasion for the present arbitration proceeding is the separate
peace that the union is now negotiating with the submanufacturers. The position
of the submanufacturers now is that the old agreement which it has had with the
union for the past eight years should be discarded and in its place the agreement
just entered into between the union and the inside manufacturers should be used
as a basis.
The contention of the submanufacturers that failure to receive the same kind
of contract that the union has made with the inside manufacturers would involve
an unfair discrimination against the submanufacturers is in our judgment
untenable. No element of discrimination is involved because conditions of
employment in the inside shops and in the shops of the submanufacturers are
fundamentally dissimilar. Each form of production has its own peculiar prob­
lems which require different provisions for their solution. There is a difference
between the two forms of production in the number and size of the shops involved,
in the tenure and stability of employment afforded to the workers, in earnings,
and in the ability to supervise and control labor standards.
Hours of labor and minimum wage scales, however, have always been and
must necessarily continue to be uniform throughout the entire industry. That
the new contract with the submanufacturers will contain these changes does
not in the opinion of the arbitrators, require changes in the other respects con­
tended for by the submanufacturers’ association.
There is, however, the special question of reorganization. Periodical reorgani­
zation to a limited extent was recommended by the Governor’s Advisory Com­
mission to encourage inside production and an increase in the size of shops.
That the union in its contract with the Industrial Council abandoned the second
of these principles—the encouragement of large shops—is no reason why it should
not now be applied as far as possible to submanufacturing shops, particularly in
view of the different conditions existing in two systems of production, to which
reference has been made. We therefore decide that the contract between the
American Association and the union should contain a clause with reference to
reorganization in substance as follows:
Members of the American Association employing 35 workers from the date of
this agreement to June 1, 1928, and thereafter a regular force of 40 or more
workers, who have been manufacturers or submanufacturers in the industry for
two years, and who have given 32 weeks of employment, or its equivalent during
the year preceding the reorganization date, shall have the right to displace, not
to exceed 10 per cent of their workers subject to the following limitations:
(a) That the workers displaced shall be replaced through the employment
bureau.
(b) That workers discharged in pursuance of such reorganization shall receive
a week’s pay.
(c) That reorganization rights shall only be exercised in the months of June,
1927, June, 1928, and December, 1928.
(d) That there shall be no unfair discrimination for union activity in connec­
tion with such discharges.
(e) That the new firms admitted to membership in the American Association
shall not have the privilege of reorganization until they have been members of the
American Association for at least six months.
With reference to the other questions submitted to the arbitrators the decision
is that the old contract between the union and the submanufacturers should be
used as a basis for the contract which is now being negotiated between these
two parties. We therefore rule specifically as follows:
1. That there shall be no change in the clause of the contract relating to the
unionization of designers.

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2. That there shall be no change in the clause of the contract covering procedure
in discharge.
3. That there shall be no change in the clause of the contract covering access
to the shops of the American Association members and providing for the investi­
gation of complaints.
4. That the reduction in hours and increase in minimum wage scales stipulated
in the _coxitract recently entered into with the inside manufacturers shall be
embodied in the contract now being negotiated with the submanufacturers.
In conclusion we desire to thank the representatives of the two organizations
for the clear and forceful manner in which they present the contentions of their re­
spective bodies and to say that if there is any further service that the parties
feel we can render in this proceeding, we shall be available for that purpose.
The conditions as they have developed in this industry have demonstrated that
Industrial warfare is not the most satisfactory solution of disputes arising between
employers and employees. It has been shown, we are convinced, that better reisults could be secured for all concerned by the peaceful methods and mediation
.and by resort to arbitration, not through compulsion but through the voluntary
action of the parties themselves.

C loth in g in d u stry —Chicago

JN CASES No. 1049 and No. 1050 the impartial chairman of the
1 trade board, for the men’s clothing industry of Chicago delivered
an opinion December 13, 1926, in response to a request of the employer
to remove a shop chairman for interfering with the management and
of the union to discipline a foreman for misconduct. The remarks
follow:
It seems clear to the board that both the shop chairman and the foreman are
excitable and possess tempers which are not always well controlled. The evidence
against the shop chairman as to his interference with management is not very
clear. It would seem, however, that he gave linings to a worker after having
been told by the foreman not to do so. The admissions of the foreman—apart
from the testimony of the workers—are enough to convict him of lack of judgment,
disposition to talk, too much, and a tendency to familiarity which is frequently
unwise in managing a shop. It may well be that some of his remarks were misin­
terpreted, or that he did not intend to convey the implication which is now given.
Nevertheless, he should have better sense than to make such remarks, and he
should be able to control his temper if he expects to command the respect of the
workers and to continue to manage the shop. The board feels that the labor
manager and the firm should make clear to the foreman what his conduct is to be
in the future and explain to him what relationship should exist with the shop
chairman. On the other hand, the shop chairman should be told that he is to
respect the foreman if he himself would be respected, and that each has rights
which must be recognized. If this is done it should be unnecessary to take
further action.

G arm e n t In d u stry —New Y ork City

(^AN JU N E 29, 1926, the arbitration board decided a question of
^
stoppage of work. It seems that an employee who had worked
for the firm about a year and a half and had been shop chairman
for the preceding eight or nine months complained to one of the pro­
prietors that he was not getting a proper share of the work. An
argument arose over the correctness of the hours, and the proprietor,
irritated at the persistence of the employee, took him by the lapel
of the coat and pushed him away, uttering an abusive remark at the
time. The shop chairman thereupon directed the employees to stop
■ work. They gathered in groups and finally left the shop when the

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proprietor told them to go to work or get out. They went to the
union, whose officials ordered them back to work.
The evidence in this case shows that the proprietor and the shop chairman
were both guilty of a wrong action, but the initial wrong was committed by the
proprietor in laying his hands on the shop chairman and using abusive language.
The proprietor should have known better than to attempt to remove an irritation
by direct action. If he believed that the shop chairman was out of the bounds
of his authority, he should have called up the representative of his association
and notified him of the shop chairman’s action. Because of the proprietor’s
wrong action, the impartial chairman feels that he should be fined, and it is
therefore ruled that the firm is to pay a fine of $25, which amount is to be con­
tributed to_ some charity selected by the representative of the association, the
representative of the union, and the impartial chairman.
On the other hand, the shop chairman clearly committed an illegal act in
directing the workers to stop work. He claims that he did not know that this
was an illegal act. The position of shop chairman is a very important one and
requires considerable knowledge of the proper method of conducting the dealings
between the employer and the workers. Under ordinary circumstances an illegal
act of this kind would call for a discharge, and the only extenuating circumstance
of this case is that the proprietor committed the first wrong. Clearly, however,
he should not be shop chairman in this shop, and on and after the date of this
decision he is no longer to be considered as shop chairman. He does not lose
his position in this shop because of reasons given above, but it is understood
that any further wrong action on his part while working in this shop will justify
his discharge.

Leather G oods In d u stry — New York City
Discharge
PT'H E arbitration committee of the fancy leather goods industry in
1 New York City rendered a decision in case No. 147, Novem­
ber 2, 1926, relative to discharge.
A framer had been discharged for deception. He had worked for
a certain firm for 11 years, when he left because of a personal dis­
agreement with the superintendent. He next worked for one week
with a second firm, when he was sent to the third firm by the union
in response to a request for a framer. On his appearance he gave
the name of the second firm to the superintendent in reply to the
question where he had last worked. He was not asked for how long
a time he had worked for the second firm or whether he had ever
worked for another. The facts later came out, and after working
for the third firm three weeks he was discharged on the ground
that he had deceived the firm at the time of entering its employment.
_ All the phases of this case were not made clear to the impartial chairman.
For instance, it appears that the superintendent was perfectly satisfied with this
worker’s reply that he had come from the [second] shop and by the superintend­
ent’s own testimony he did not make further inquiries. Whether the worker
failed to state the real place of his last employment because he had the idea that
he would be refused work on that account, or whether it was because he disliked
to tell that he left [the first firm] because of a disagreement with the superintendent
was not disclosed.
Ethically, the man may not have been justified in keeping from the firm the
fact that he had worked for [the first firm] so many years. While there was no
deception in the letter, there was in the spirit. The chairman, however, can not
find any such deep wrong in [his] withholding the fact that he had -worked for
[the first firm] as would justify his discharge. He is therefore to be returned to
his position on Thursday morning, November 4, 1926, and is to be reimbursed
for time lost.

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Table Work
In case No. 133, decided September 23, 1926, the question was in
regard to division of work.
It was shown that at present this firm employs 12 teamers with 8 helpers and
19 general helpers, including 6 frame coverers. All the helpers are employed
regularly, but the pocketbook makers have been dividing the work, 6 teamers
working each week. The representatives of the union contend that there is
certain pocketbook work on bags and certain table work being done by the gen­
eral helpers, in which the teamers should be permitted to share. The agreement
says that “ table work by helpers alone should be eliminated as much as possible.”
The union asserts that the term “ table work” should include frame covering,
turning in, putting on ornaments, putting loops on handles, punching buttons,
setting together handles, punching holes, and finishing frames, all of which work
is being given to the general helpers.
The representative of the firm asserts that much of the work specified by the
union representatives does not come under table work. That the agreement
specifically defines table work as “ turned-in pullers and flaps, turned-in handles,
and turned-in purses,” part of which work is already being given to the pocketbook makers. That frame covering is skilled work and that special frame cover­
ers are employed, and pocketbook makers may or may not be able to do it.
This operation, however, has not been classified in the agreement as table work.
It is further asserted that the firm tried some of its pocketbook makers on frame
covering and they spoiled the work. The firm states that it would be walling,
during the slack season, to give the pocketbook makers more of the general
work, if it were not for the fact that when once work of this kind is given the
workers from that time on make claim to it. It is claimed that several times
work which belonged to a low-priced employee has been given to a higher-priced
worker during an emergency. Afterward, in the slack period, the high-priced
man would lay claim to this work because he had once done it.
In view of all the evidence presented, the chairman, taking into consideration
the amount of work done by the whole body of general helpers now employed by
this firm, was of the opinion that more of this work should be given the pocketbook makers.
To bring about such increase, the chairman personally visited the firm and
arranged for more of the general helpers’ work to be given to the pocketbook
makers. More of these changes may be made if necessary. In doing this, some
of the items which the firm claims do not technically belong to the pocketbook
makers are now being given to them. It is ruled, in that connection, that the
giving by the firm at this time of this work to the pocketbook makers does not
invalidate its contention that such work does not technically belong to the pocketbook makers.

R ailro ad s—T rain Service B oard of A d ju stm e n t for th e E astern
Region

Yard Helpers
IN DO CKET No. 352 of the Train Service Board of Adjustment
* (Eastern), decided November 30, 1926, the Boston & Maine Rail­
road had taken one yard helper from six switching crews in the yard
at Nashua, N. H., and added a portion of handling of swatches, pre­
viously performed by these helpers in certain parts of the yard, to
the regular duties of switch tenders who were stationed in the
vicinity.
The question before the board was whether the carrier had the
right to assign to switch tenders regularly the work of handling
switches, previously performed by yard helpers, and reduce the num­
ber of yard helpers.

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The committee contended that there were no interchangeable rights
between switch tenders and yard helpers permitting the carrier to
take yard helpers oil jobs and direct their work to be done by switch
tenders. Switch tenders have no seniority as yard helpers or yard
helpers as switch tenders.
The position of the carrier was as follows :
The switching crews in question work in various parts of the yard. A portion
of their work is in the vicinity where switch tenders are located, and when tire
number of helpers in the crew were reduced the switch tenders were required to
handle switches adjacent to the territory they had always covered.
Yard helpers’ duties may consist of handling switches, performing flagging
duties, riding cars, etc. There is nothing in the rules which prohibit manage­
ment from assigning any of these duties wholly or in part to other helpers or to
other employees. Handling switches is work usually performed by a member
of a switching crew at points where switch tenders are not located or because
switch tenders can not give continuous attention to a switching crew by reason
of other duties.
When switch tenders can take over the handling of switches and thereby
relieve yard helpers of that sort of work, it is surely proper to rearrange the work
accordingly, and if as a result of such rearrangement there are not so many
helpers required in the switching crew it is likewise the prerogative of the man­
agement to effect a reduction in the number of helpers.
It is without question proper to add to switch tenders the work of handling
switches regardless of what class of employee had previously handled them.
This is a principle followed, in rearranging work of all classes of employees and
it is clearly within the right of management to reduce the forces or change assign­
ments as a result.
There is no question at issue involving interchangeable rights as between
switch tenders and yard helpers.
No rules or agreements have been violated, neither have switch tenders been
required to do any work formerly done by yard helpers other than handling
switches.
D e c is io n .—Investigation of the circumstances surrounding this case discloses
the fact that there has been a reduction in the volume of business handled through
Nashua yard, and resulting therefrom the management reduced the number of
helpers from three to two on each crew. There seems to have been no increase
in the number of switch tenders in this yard, but perhaps a few more switches
are now handled by the switch tenders at the points where stationed than before
the discontinuance of the third helpers. These facts, however, do not seem to
constitute violation of any schedule rules nor does it indicate the reclassification
of work from helpers to switch tenders which would justify the claim of the
committee; therefore, the board decides the contention of the committee that
switch tenders have supplanted helpers is not sustained.


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IM M IGRATION AND EM IG RA TIO N
S t a t i s t i c s of im m igration for November, 1926
By

J. J.

K u n n a , C h ie f

S t a t is t ic ia n

U . S. B ureau

of

I m m ig r a t io n

T

H E R E was a decrease in both the inward and the outward alien
passenger movement in November, 1926, as compared with
the average for the preceding four months. In that month
46,941 aliens were admitted and 19,937 departed, while the monthly
average for the period from July 1 to October 31, 1926, was 51,424
aliens admitted and 22,503 departed. The same month, however,
saw an increase in debarments as well as in deportations. In Novem­
ber last 1,713 aliens were debarred from entering the United States
and 1,085 were deported after landing, against a monthly average
for the first four months of the current fiscal year of 1,682 debarred
and 980 deported.
Of the total admitted in November, 1926, 32,684 aliens, or over
two-thirds, came in at the seaports and 14,257 entered the country
at stations along the northern and southern land boundaries. New
York continues to be the principal port of landing for arrivals from
overseas, 27,419, or about five-sixths of the seaport admissions during
this month, being recorded as coming that way, while only 5,265
aliens entered at the other seaports.
Of the 1,713 aliens debarred this month, 1,499 were turned back
at the land border stations and 214 at the seaports. Of the latter
number only 76 were rejected at New York, and a vast majority of
these arrived without immigration visas. The comparatively small
number of regular alien passengers now debarred at that port is the
result of examining aliens abroad. At the other seaports over 2 out
of every 100 applicants in November failed to gain admission to this
country, but practically all of these were seamen or stowaways found
on board tramp steamers and combination freight-passenger vessels
who sought permanent entry to the United States without first
securing visas abroad as required by the immigration act of 1924.
The figures for November last show a decrease in immigration
from Europe as well as from Canada and Mexico compared with the
previous month, 17,374 immigrant aliens from Europe, 8,186 from
Canada, and 3,580 from Mexico having been admitted during
November, as against 18,953, 9,295, and 4,783 immigrants from,
these respective sources in October, 1926. There was, however, an
increase in emigration, 5,313 emigrant aliens having left the United
States for Europe in November, while in October only 3,729 depar­
tures of the same class were destined to that Continent.
Deportations during November, 1926, again passed the thousand
mark, 1,085 undesirable aliens having been deported from the United
States to the countries whence they came. About 40 per cent, or

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207

208

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW

414, of these deportees were sent to European countries, while 285
went to Mexico, 283 to Canada, and 103 to the other countries.
About two-fifths of the annual quota for the current fiscal year
have already entered the United States, 69,648 immigrants charged
to the quota having been admitted during the five months from
July to November, 1926, or a little over 42 per cent of the total quota
of 164,667. While this is an increase of only 2 per cent over the
number of the same class entering the country during the same
months of the previous year, when 65,461 quota immigrants were
admitted, it would seem to indicate that quota aliens are now not
only coming soon after obtaining visas from American consuls but
also that the^ annual quota for most of the countries will again be
exhausted before the close of the year, as they were during the other
two fiscal years ended June 30, 1925 and 1926.
T a b l e 1. — IN W A R D

AND

O U TW A R D P A S S E N G E R M O V E M E N T F R O M
N O V E M B E R 30, 1926
Inward

Period

1926
Ju ly -----------A ugust______
Septem ber___
O cto b e r_____
Novem ber___

JU L Y

1 TO

Outward

Aliens
Aliens
de­
de­
Aliens adm itted
Aliens departed
United
United
barred
ported
States
States
from
after
citi­ Total enter­
citi­ Total land­
N on­
zens
zens
ing i E m i­ NonIm m i­ im
in g 2
m
i­
Total
ar­
emi­
Total
de­
grant grant
grant grant
rived
parted

22,283
29,286
35, 297
34, 528
30, 756

16, 096
20, 467
25, 680
22, 059
16,185

38,379
49, 753
60, 977
56, 587
46, 941

25, 981 64,360
52, 683 102, 436
71, 268 132, 245
34,176 90, 763
21, 844 68, 785

T o ta l__ 152,150 100, 487 252, 637 205, 952 458, 589

1,746
1,601
1,817
1, 566
1,713

7, 052
7.376
6, 634
5.377
6,859

17,970
15, 410
16, 392
13, 803
13,078

25, 022
22, 786
23, 026
19,180
19, 937

60,223
42, 248
26, 268
18,150
17,992

85, 245
65, 034
49, 294
37, 330
37,929

816
1,121
885
1,100
1, 085

8,443 33, 298 76,653 109,951 164, 881 274, 832

5,007

1 These aliens are not included among arrivals, as they were not permitted to enter the United States.
2 These aliens are included among aliens departed, they having entered the United States, legally or
illegally and later being deported.


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209

STA TISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
T

2 . — IM M IG R A N T A L I E N S A D M I T T E D TO A N D E M IG R A N T A L I E N S D E P A R T E D
F R O M T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1928, A N D F R O M J U L Y 1 TO
N O V E M B E R 30, 1926, B Y R A C E O R P E O P L E , S E X , A N D A G E G R O U P

a ble

Im migrant
Race or people

Em igrant

Ju ly to
Ju ly to
November, IMovember,
November,
November,
1926
1926
1926
1926

African (black)______________________________ _____ _
Armenian______________ _ ________________________
Bohemian and M oravian (Czech)______ ____________
Bulgarian, Serbian, and Montenegrin ______________
Chinese________ ________________________________
Croatian and Slovenian___
______________________
Cuban __________ ___________________ ___________
Dalm atian, Bosnian, and Herzegovinian_____________
Dutch and Flem ish______ ___________________ ____
E ast Indian___ . . .
_
_____ _____ ________ ______
. . . . ______
English______________ ___ . . . .
__________________ _________
F i n n i s h ..______
French_________ _ . . . . __________________ ______
German____________ _____ _________________ . . . ___
Greek_________________ __________ ____ _ _______
H e b re w ______ ___________________ _____________
Irish_______ ______ __________ . . _________ ____ _
Italian (north)___ _______ . . . _____ . . . . ________
Italian (south)_____
.................
_____
Ja p a n e s e ...________________________ _______________
K o re a n .. _________________________________ ____ _
Lithuanian. ______ ____ _________________ ____ ___
M agyar___________________________________________
Mexican. _____________ _______________ . _. . . .
Pacific Islander______ __ ________ ______________
Polish . . . . . . . . . _______ ____ _______ ______________
Portuguese____ . _ ______________________________
R um anian. _______________________________________
R u s s ia n .___ __________,.________ . . . ____ _________
Ruthenian (Russniak)
__ ______ _____ _
______
Scandinavian (Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes)............
Scotch. _________________________________________
S lo v a k ... ________________________________________
Spanish ......................
...
. . . _____ . . . _ ___
Spanish American . _________ _____ _ . ______ ____
S y r ia n ___ ____ ____________________ ______________
Turkish. . _____ . . . _____________________________
Welsh_____________________________________________
West Indian (except C u b a n ) .______ _______ ________
Other peoples__________________________ ____ _______

95
106
319
67
107
68
242
6
293
1
3.971
70
1, 765
6,153
287
1,123
4,327
276
1,661
61
5
47
129
3,484
503
81
25
144
40
2,154
2,547
34
89
181
80
7
130
50
28

454
456
1,367
307
716
323
1,115
26
1,400
30
20,765
305
9, 857
23, 901
1,102
4,387
22, 460
1,099
7,229
337
29
231
517
25, 872
5
1,948
393
147
543
184
8,247
12,910
149
462
1, 465
348
50
602
199
213

77
2
82
133
470
25
38
33
49
10
483
33
99
252
364
13
134
197
2,164
129
1
7
61
276
1
153
627
71
43
192
151
39
226
113
13
15
5
52
26

303
28
677
770
1. 957
148
306
197
390
41
3, 208
188
725
1,730
1, 670
113
863
1, 242
7,278
497
29
190
426
1,124
6
1,406
1, 510
614
253
10
1,209
1, 218
381
1,232
671
100
92
31
327
120

T o tal. ____________ _______ _________________

30, 756

152,150

6,859

33, 298

M a le ______ . ___________________________________
Fem ale. ________ _________________ ____ ___________

16, 882
13, 874

85.314
66, 836

5, 434
1,425

23,062
10, 236

Under 16 years_____________________ ________ _______
16 to 44 y e a r s . . _______ ______________ __________
45 years and over . . . _____________________________

5,160
22, 765
2,831

24, 382
113, 926
13, 842

211
5,147
1, 501

1, 397
24, 060
7,841


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW

210

T a b l e 3.—LA ST P E R M A N E N T R E SID E N C E OF IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D TO

A N D F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S I D E N C E OF E M IG R A N T A L I E N S D E P A R T E D F R O M
T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M J U L Y 1 TO N O V E M B E R
30, 1926, B Y C O U N T R Y
[Residence for a year or more is regarded as permanent residence]
Em igrant

Immigrant
Country

Ju ly to
Ju ly to
November, November,
November, November,
1926
1926
1926
1926

Albania
_
_
_____ _____________________
Austria ___________________ _____________________
Belgium _________________________________________
Bulgaria___________________________________________
Czechoslovakia_____________________ ____________
Danzig, Free C ity of
_
_ _ ________
D enm ark____
_________ _______________________
Esthonia . . ______________________________________
Finland___________________________________________
France, including Corsica____ ______________________
G erm any, __________________________ ______ _______
Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
E n g lan d .,
___________________ _________ . .
Northern Ireland___________ _ ________________
Scotland _
________
______
W ales________________________________
_____
Greece .
_ _________________ ________ __
H ungary.
_ _________________________
Irish Free State____________________________________
Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia__________________
L atv ia . . . .
_
. _ ___________
Lithuania__________________ ______________________
Luxem burg
__ ___________ Netherlands_____
____ _ _________ _______
N orw ay_______ _________________ __________________
P o la n d ,______
______ ___ ___
Portugal, including Azores, Cape Verde, and M adeira
Islands___________________________________________
R um ania__________________________________________
R u ssia _____ . . .
.............
. . . . . . . . . . ________
Spain, including Canary and Balearic Islan d s________
Sweden______ ________________________ _________ . .
S w itze rlan d ........... .......... . . _ . . . . ________________
Turkey in Europe _____________ ______ _________
Y ugoslavia.____1___________ ____ _____ _____________
Other E urope_______________________ _______ ______
Total, Europe _ ____________ _________ ______
Arm enia_____ _
China.................................................................................... _
India__ ________ __________ _______ ____ _____ ___
Japan __________
Palestine________________________ _________________
Persia_____________ . . . . . .
. . . __ . . . . . .
S y r ia ..______ ________________ ________________ ____
Turkey in A sia.____ _
______________________ . . .
Other A sia............ ................................................................. ..
Total, A sia................. .............................................. .......

15
105
70
28
353
13
299
19
43
402
5,348

104
409
340
146
1, 581
146
1,183
95
204
1.942
20,154

32
21
24
2
118

982
17
1,211
121
258
84
2,664
1, 820
31
75
20
133
687
1,010

4,343
108
5, 559
511
944
393
13, 792
7,758
203
281
34
729
2, 516
3,639

308
19
92
5
370
51
85
2,363

22
103
147

2,335
121
972
21
1, 686
366
603
8,501
8
183
4
159
561
1,387

75
112
98
32
915
179
14
105
36
17,374

279
468
502
230
3, 516
990
90
514
204
73, 907

625
73
25
209
49
36
3
168
1
5,313

1, 510
623
125
1,023
346
250
15
1,005
4
25, 871

156
1
70
46
3
78
6
8
368

5
873
55
373
197
14
277
24
106
1,924

477
14
127
5
1
13
6
3
646

14
2,005
66
521
96
17
85
40
26
2,870

167
39
277
61
163
3
50
17
75
852

749
150
1,124
' 502
825
8
272
96
506
4, 232

19
2
30
80
224

7

140
195
208
75
929
2
213
9
164
630
1.498

C anada__ _________________________________ . . . . .
Newfoundland___________________ _____ ___________
M e x ico __________________________________________
C uba.................................................... ......................................
Other West Indies______ ______ _____________________
British H onduras................ .......................................... ...........
Other Central America_________________________
Brazil. ___ _. ___________________________________
Other South Am erica............................................. ................
Total, A m erica....................... ..................................

78
63
211
12, 923

43, 510
1,391
26, 276
1, 618
438
80
709
489
1,187
75, 698

E g y p t... __________________________ _______________
Other Africa_____________ ____ _____ _______________
Australia ____________________________________ ____
New Zealand.. _______________ ________ __________
Other Pacific Islands............................................................ .
Total, others......................................... ........................

15
23
31
21
1
91

117
143
207
132
22
621

4
14
17
12
1
48

13
42
179
74
17
325

30, 756

152,150

6,859

33, 298

Grand total, all countries............. ..........................


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[458]

8,186
323
3, 580
400
82

211

STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
T

4 . —A L IE N S A D M I T T E D TO T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T OF 1924 D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M J U L Y 1 TO N O V E M B E R 30, 1926, B Y
C O U N T R Y OR A R E A OF B IR T H

a ble

[Quota immigrant aliens are charged to the quota; nonimmigrant and nonquota im migrant aliens are
not charged to the quota]
Adm itted

Country or area of birth

Annual
quota

Nonimmigrant
and nonquota
immigrant

Quota
immigrant

Grand
Total
total,
during Ju
ly to
Novem ­ Novem
­
ber,
ber,
Ju ly to Novem ­ Ju ly to Novem ­
1926
Novem ­
Novem ­
ber,
ber,
1926
1926
ber, 1926
1926
ber, 1926
46
3
351
232
84
1,424
138
1, 230
94
198
1,544
20, 561

4
1
96
55
10
310
19
302
27
48
323
5,441

346
3
832
899
119
2,114
31
1,131
65
1,038
3, 396
7,852

39
1
122
142
27
329
4
165
8
136
527
1,031

43
2
218
197
37
639
23
467
35
184
850
6, 472

392
6
1,183
1,131
203
3, 538
169
2,361
159
1,236
4, 940
28,413

5,263
289
6,075
557
98
218
36
15, 357
1,895
100
14
140
35
4
644
2, 596
2,493
210
300
805
71
95
3,747
918
47
313
111

1,235
70
1, 335
124
18
56
10
2,986
443
16
3
34
24
1
112
697
782
55
69
204

13, 731
279
5,716
597
1,963
1,001
11
3, 428
16,026
156

1,832
23
612
95
516
154

Total, E urope...... ........................ i 161,422

68, 336

100
100
124
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

1
4
28
1
75
54
47
18

100
A lbania.....................................................
100
Andorra_____________________ ____
785
A ustria......................................................
1 512
Belgium ----------- ----------------------100
Bulgaria _ ........ .....................................3,073
C zechoslo vakia_______ _____ ______
228
Danzig, Free City of________ ______
1 2, 789
Denm ark________ ____ -.....................
124
Esthonia....................................................
471
Finlan d__________________ ______
» 3,954
France_____________________ ______
51, 227
Germany_________________________
Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
England...... ............................... ....... |
Northern Ireland______________
S c o t la n d .........................................
W ales.......... .................................... j
100
Greece.............................................-.........
473
H ungary..................................... -...........
100
____________________
Iceland
28, 567
Irish Free State__________ ______
1 3,845
Italy ___________________ ________
142
L atvia __________________________
T>iech t,fvnstei n
100
344
L ithuania.......... ...................................
100
Luxem burg........................ .............. .......
100
Monaco
____________________
i 1, 648
Netherlands_________ _______ _____
6, 453
N o rw a y ._________________________
5,982
Poland __________________________
1 503
Portugal________ _________________
603
R um ania_________________________
i
2,
248
R ussia. .......................... ....... ..................
100
San Marino __
_________
1 131
Spain........... ..............................................
9, 561
Sweden _______ ______________
2,081
Switzerland......................... .............. . . .
i 100
Turkey in Europe............................ .
671
Y ugoslavia........................_....................
Other E urope......................................
9)

Afghanistan
______________ -___
A ra b ia ..______ ____________ ______
Arm enia.______ _________ _________
China____________________________
India____________ _______________
Iraq (M esopotamia)___________ . . . .
Japan .......... ...................... - ................ .
Palestine........................... ......................
P e rsia ............................................. .........
Siam
_____ ____________
Syria_____________ _______ ________
Turkey in A sia .......................................
Other A sia. ...........................................
Total, A sia................. .................

!
I
i
1

84
12
2
176
390
651
278
177
298

17
978
161
12
59
29

435
76
4
1, 310
2,308
3, 154
1, 226
960
1,409
1
2, 387
2, 350
1, 485
676
1, 261
84

3, 067
93
1,947
219
532
210
10
3,425
4,137
36
3
118
36
3
288
1,087
1,433
333
246
502

463
360
195
148
259
8

480
1, 338
356
160
318
37

18,994
568
11, 791
1,154
2, 061
1, 219
47
18, 785
17,921
256
14
575
111
8
1,954
4,904
5, 647
1,436
1,260
2,214
72
2,482
6, 097
2, 403
723
1, 574
195

16,164

79, 860

13, 417

29, 581

148,196

3
4

1
1
51

1
14

4
18

79

4,963
284
19
3,396

918
32
5

937
41

2

559

565

47
11

58
21

101
45
26

108
50
40

276
97
19
483
290
181

1,759

1,849

10, 291

19
9
2
6

11
10

0)
(•)

100
43
1
87
33
89

5
14

176
54
18
396
257
92

1, 424

581

90

9,710

7

439
3,694
20

7

2
5
1
5,038
338
66
3,414
2

1 Annual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in Other Europe, Other A sia, Other Africa,
Other Pacific, and in America, is included with the annual quota for the European country to which they
belong. Quota for Turkey in Asia is included with that for Turkey in Europe.


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212

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW

T a b l e L —A L I E N S A D M I T T E D TO T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N

A C T OP 1924 D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D P R O M J U L Y 1, TO N O V E M B E R 30,1926, B Y
C O U N T R Y O R A R E A O F B I R T H —Continued.
Adm itted

Country or area of birth

Annual
quota

Nonimmigrant
and nonquota
immigrant

Quota
immigrant

Grand
Total
total,
during
Ju
ly to
Novem ­
Novem
­
ber,
Ju ly to Novem ­ Ju ly to Novem ­
ber,
1926
Novem ­
ber,
Novem ­
ber,
1926
ber, 1926
1926
ber, 1926
1926

Cameroon (B ritish)..........................
Cameroon (French)___ ___________
E g y p t.------------ ----------------------Ethiopia_________________________
Liberia ____________________ .
Morocco____________________
Ruanda and U ru n d i... ___________
South Africa, Union of
. _____
South West Africa________________
Tan gan yika______________________
Togoiand (B ritish )________________
Togoland (French)________________
Other Africa.............................................

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
(>)

32

10

Total, Africa _______ ________

1,200

190

35

A u str a lia ................................. ..............
N a u ru .. . . . . . . . . ______________
New Zealand. . . . . . . . . . _____
New Guinea_____________________
Sam oa_____________________ _____
Y a p ____________________________
Other Pacific_______ _______ ______

121
100
100
100
100
100

84

14

71

7

621

162

1
67
2
10

7

62
1
2
10

79

11

188

C a n a d a ... . _____________________
Newfoundland___________________
M exico________ _________________
Cuba____________________________
Dominican R e p u b lic .. _____ . .
__________________
Haiti _____
British West Indies’. ___________
Dutch West Indies________________
French West Indies______ ____ _

0
0
(0

284
14
16

British H onduras_________________
Canal Zone________ __________
Other Central Am erica__________

(1)
(1)
0

35

Brazil........................................... .........
British G uiana_____________ ______
Dutch G uian a.__ ______ _____
French G uian a________________
Other South America................... .

0
0)
0

26
2

Greenland_____________ _____
M iquelon and St. P ie rre _________

0
0

10
34

267

58

13

23

90

322

45

80

512

1,840

198

212

1,924

525

59

66

596
9
3
86

6
3
82

13

13

2, 456

270

291

2, 618

090
372
989
789
401
112
2,267
70
28

7 844
’ 480
4 008
909
55
21
360
8
7

7 844
’ 480
4 008
909
55
21
448
11
11

491 090
9 279
29* 989
4 789
401
119
2, 551
84
44

45
0
1 674

3

3

210

210

80
0
1 074

079
69
4

100
7

100
12

072
95
6

2,434

363

363

2 434

2
21

4

5

2
23

42
2
32
4

Total, Am erica______________
Grand total, all countries____

3
23

4
21

164, 667

2

88
3
4

5

1

1
6

13

129
1
4
20

3

0

Total, Pacific______________

7

379

101

90, 641

15,039

15,140

91,020

69, 648

16,411

182,989

30,530

46, 941

252, 637

1Annual quota for colonies, dependencies, or protectorates in Other Europe, Other Asia, Other Africa,
Other Pacific, and in America, is included with the annual quota for the European country to which they
belong. Quota for Turkey in Asia is included with that for Turkey in Europe.


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213

N E W IM M IG R A T IO N D EC R E E OF PANAM A

T a bl e 5 .—A L I E N S A D M I T T E D TO T H E U N I T E D S T A T E S U N D E R T H E IM M IG R A T IO N
A C T OF 1924, D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D F R O M J U L Y 1 TO N O V E M B E R 30, 1926, B Y
S P E C IF IE D C LA SSE S
[The number of im migrants appearing in this table and in Table 4 is not comparable with the number of
statistical im migrant aliens shown in the other tables, by races, countries, States, and occupations]
Ju ly to
Novem ­ Novem
­
ber, 1926 ber,
1926

Class

Nonimmigrants
Government officials, their families, attendants, servants, and employees........ ............
Tem porary visitors for—
Business.......... .................................................. ............................................ ............................
Pleasure_____ _______________________ . . ____________________
In continuous transit through the United States______ _____ _________________
To carry on trade under existing tr e a ty ............................................................ ....................

437

2,701

2,006
2, 305
2,177
110

9,814
17,165
12,042
596

7,035

42,318

i 998
» 832
7,934

i 3, 905
i 2, 997
51, 064

212, 698
i 121
1 23
58
31
56
7
7
5
96
392
110
127

2 76,614
U34

T otal___________________________ _____________ _________

23,495

140, 671

Quota immigrants (charged to quota)________________________________

16, 411

69, 648

46, 941

252, 637

T o ta l.........

........ ... . . . _ . . . _ ._ _________________________ ______

Nonquota immigrants
W ives of United States citizens......................
...... ..............................................
Children of United States citizens____
...
_________ _______
R esidents of the United States returning from a visit abroad_______________
N atives of Canada, Newfoundland, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, H aiti,.
Canal Zone, or an independent country of Central or South America . . . ____I
Their w ives________________
.
_________ ________ . .
Their children______ ___ _ ______ ________________ .
M inisters of religious denominations___ ______________ _____ ___________ .
Wives of m inisters________________________ ____ _____ ___________
Children of m inisters___ _______
. . _____________________ _
Professors of colleges, academies, seminaries, or universities_______ ___________
Wives of professors__________________________________
Children of professors_________________
. . . ______________ . . .
Students_____ ________________________________
Veterans of the World War_____________
_ _________________ _
Wives of veterans.......... ................ ............. ............... .............. .................. . _
Children of v eteran s..._________________________ ____ __________
Spanish subject adm itted into Porto Rico (act approved M ay 26, 1926)________

Grand total adm itted______________ ______ ____ ________

174

296
152
280
86
28
11
1,228
2,640
373
488
1

1
2

Wives, and unmarried children under 18 years of age, born in quota countries.
Does not include aliens born in nonquota countries who were adm itted as Government officials, visitors,
returning residents, etc.

New I m m ig r a tio n D ecree of P a n a m a

T

HE following important provisions of Immigration Decree No.
45 of Panama of August 19, 1925, are taken from a report of
J. C. South, the United States minister at Panama City, dated
November 1, 1926.
Immigrants are defined in the law as those persons who enter the
country with the intention of establishing themselves there in the
service of the Government, an individual, or company, or as private
individuals. After receiving permission to enter Panama, immi­
grants must present to the Panaman diplomatic or consular official
who is to visa their passports the following documents: (1) An
authentic copy of their birth certificate; (2) if married, an authentic
copy of their marriage certificate; (3) a good-conduct certificate
specifying that the person has not been found guilty of a criminal
offense; (4) a medical certificate.
Persons entering Panama under the following circumstances are
not considered as immigrants for the purposes of this law: (1) Those


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214

M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW

who are financially independent; (2) those who have lived previously
in Panama for a period of over 5 years and whose conduct was good
during that time; (3) those who enter Panama in order to follow a
profession.
Citizens or natives of American States, who are not immigrants,
are not required to have their passports visaed, provided they are
not of the races whose immigration is prohibited.
A person wishing to bring immigrants into the country must
accompany his request with proof of his residence as well as of his
business which justifies their entry into Panama.

N eed fo r A g r ic u ltu r a l L a b o r e r s in B r a z il

B

RAZIL’S urgent need for agricultural laborers is the subject of a
report from the American consul at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, dated
October 29, 1926. _The writer cites the fact that the total area of
Brazil is oyer three million square miles, and yet only 20.6 per cent
of the territory was designated in the last census as rural property.
Of the four most important agricultural products cultivated in Brazil,
namely, tobacco, rice, wheat, and coffee, 80.7 per cent is produced in
the three most thickly populated States, Rio Grande do Sul, Sao
Paulo, and Minas Geraes.
In former years the number of common laborers was sufficient to
take care of the increasing demand for farm products in the popu­
lated areas. During the past five years, however, the high wages
offered by industrial concerns have attracted many of the better-class
workers from the rural districts to the industrial centers. For instance,
in 1924 a farm worker received from 5 to 8 milreis 1 per day in the
State of Sao Paulo, where the highest wages were paid, whereas indus­
trial workers received from 7 to 20 milreis per day.
In spite of the unemployment problem at various times in the
cities the call of the country districts for a greater supply of agri­
cultural laborers has remained unanswered.
Although this migration to the cities has been partially offset by
the immigration of Europeans, this has not been sufficient to cause
any important advance in the cultivation of crops. Immediately
following the European v^ar, immigration increased, but since 1924
it has taken a definite slump.
In spite of attempts which have been made to select immigrants
who will settle in the rural districts, they also tend to settle in the
cities. The inability of the European immigrants to settle in the
northern regions because of climatic conditions has tended to restrict
agriculture to a limited area.
Unless immigration increases and the Government more efficiently
selects immigrants for rural labor the large areas available for
cultivation in Brazil will go begging.
A report significant in this connection is one from American Consul
Digby A. Willson at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, dated September 1, 1926,
which describes a society recently inaugurated in Sao Paulo to encour­
age immigration for the purpose of increasing the coffee production in
that State.
1 The average exchange rate of the milreis for the year 1924 was 10.94 cents.


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N E E D FO R A G R IC U L T U R A L LA BO RERS IN BR A Z IL

215

The society plans to contract for agricultural laborers in foreign
countries and to place them in districts most advantageous from the
standpoint of both workers and the State. Assistance will be given
the colonists in their dealings with the Federal, State, and municipal
authorities. Other aims of the organization are as follows: (1) The ,
establishment of a rural service for medical assistance to colonists;
(2) the organization of an efficient system of propaganda for labor in
the coffee areas throughout Brazil; (3) the encouragement to invest
in agricultural properties in Sao Paulo; (4) the acquisition of fertile
areas which are to be divided into small farms and sold under liberal
conditions of payment.


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[4 6 3 ]

ACTIVITIES OF S T A T E LABOR BUREAUS
A M ONG the labor activities of State bureaus the following, reported
either directly by the bureaus themselves or through the
medium of their printed reports, are noted in. the present issue of the
Labor Review:

California.—Collection of unpaid wages, page 18; and changes in
volume of employment and pay rolls, page 104.
Hawaii.—Labor conditions in Hawaii continue to be very satis­
factory, according to the annual report of the governor of that
Territory for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1926 (p. 5). The impor­
tance of the Filipino labor supply is emphasized. The families now
going to the Territory from the Philippines are mainly from the
farming districts. Many of these workers save enough money in
three years to go back to their native land and buy homes there
or raise sugar cane in connection with some of the Philippine
undertakings.
Building activities in the Honolulu business district, the erection of
many new homes, together with the municipal and Territorial
contracts for the improvement of public structures, and for harbors
and highways have given very steady employment to the workers
in the building trades.
The report also contains data on the work of the Hawaiian Homes
Commission (reviewed on p. 30 of this issue).
Illinois.—Changes in employment and earnings in certain indus­
tries, page 106.
Iowa.—Report of volume of employment in the industries of the
State, page 108.
. Maryland. Report on volume of employment and amount paid
m wages in Maryland industries, page 109.
Massachusetts.—New minimum wage order for the toys, games,
etc., industry, page 25; and changes in volume of employment,
page 110.
New York.—Report of operations under the State workmen’s
compensation act, page 31; and changes in employment and pay
rolls in factories in the State, page 111.
The following table summarizes the activities of New York State
Department of Labor in connection with the inspection of factories
and mercantile establishments for the fiscal years ended June 30,
1925 and 1926. The figures are taken from the annual report of the
Industrial Commissioner of New York State, 1926 (pp. 114 and 117).
During the fiscal year 4,857 factories were found to have closed.
216


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217

A C T IV IT IE S OF ST A T E LABOE B U R E A U S
FA CTO RY

AND

M E R C A N T I L E IN S P E C T IO N B Y N E W Y O R K D E P A R T M E N T
L A B O R F O R Y E A R S E N D E D J U N E 30, 1925 A N D 1920

OF

Factory inspection

Mercantile inspection

1924-25

1924-25

K ind of work
1925-26

1925-26

Regular in spections.____
Building surveys___. ___
Special inspections______
Com plaint investigations.
Special investigations___
Compliance visits..............
Departm ent office c a lls...
Information calls................

63,145
45, 778
25, 398
670
3,816
95, 763
3, 500
57, 880

64,838
46, 784
42,158
649
5,062
90, 718
3,314
61, 255

Orders issued :
Adm inistration____
Sanitation...................
Accident prevention
Fire p rotection ... . . .
Women and m inors.
D ay of rest________
Paym ent of w ages...

51,531
45, 852
97, 606
6,177
309
1, 674
47

70, 080
42, 886
64, 236
7, 677
242
1,210

94
3, 349

105,155
23, 925
6,565
933
73
2, 712

T o tal.......................

203,196

186, 391

140, 625

139,365

Compliances secured:
A dm inistration.........
Sanitation............. .
Accident prevention
Fire protection.
Women and m inors.
D ay of rest................
Paym ent of w ages...

52,669
43, 764
82,089
5,864
185
1, 590
49

70, 089
44,109
82, 264
8,444
338
1,156
44

108, 584
21,160
8,760

105,152
23, 510
0,579
186
90
2,723

T o ta l........................

186, 210

206,444

142,253

54

90,109
176
6,210

872
33, 276

108, 256
22,112

6,813

1

134
3, 612
3

91, 970
511
7,146
835
32, 779

2

1

138, 241

North Dakota.—Report of operations under the State workmen’s
compensation, act, page 34.
Oklahoma.—Fluctuations in employment and pay roll in industries
in the State, page 113.
Porto Rico.—Report of operations under the State workmen’s
compensation act, page 37.
Wisconsin.—Changes in volume of employment and amounts paid
out in wages in the industries in that State, page 114.

28261

-27

-15


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[465]

P U B LIC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LA B O R
O fficial— U n ite d S t a t e s
C a l i f o r n i a .-—Bureau

1 9 2 5 -1 9 2 6 .

of Labor Statistics.

S a c r a m e n to , 1 9 2 6 .

T w en ty -seco n d
2 7 7 p p ., c h a rts.

b ie n n ia l

re p o rt.

Summaries of certain sections of this volume are published on pages 18 and 66
of this issue.
M a r y l a n d .— Bureau of Mines.
T h ir d a n n u a l re p o rt, 1 9 2 5 . B a ltim o r e [1 9 26}
84 pp.

The total coal production for the State in the year covered by the report was
2,694,476 net tons. The number of fatal coal-mining accidents for the same
period was 12, or 1 for every 224,540 net tons produced.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s .— Department of Industrial Accidents.
A n n u a l rep o rt f o r the
y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 5 .
N o. 105.

B o sto n , 1 9 2 6 .

8 8 p p ., c h a rts.

P u b lic d ocu m en t

N e w Y o r k .— Department o f

Labor. S p e c i a l b u lle tin : A n a n a l y s i s o J lO O accid en ts
i n p a p e r a n d p u lp fa c to r ie s , with su g g e stio n s a s to s a f e p r a c tic e a n d su ita b le
m a ch in e g u a r d s , p r e p a r e d by the B u r e a u o f I n d u s t r i a l H y g ie n e . N ew Y ork
1 9 2 6 . 3 6 p p ., U lu s.

----------- S p e c i a l

b u lle tin N o . 1 4 7 : H o m ew ork i n the m en ’ s cloth in g in d u s tr y in
N e w Y o rk a n d R och ester, p r e p a r e d by B u r e a u o f W om en i n I n d u s t r y .
N ew
Y o rk , 1 9 2 6 . 6 9 p p ., c h a rts.

This bulletin is summarized briefly on page 14 of this issue.
----------- Industrial Commissioner. A n n u a l re p o rt f o r the 1 2 m on th s
30, 1926.

A lb a n y , 1 9 2 6 .

x iv , 4 8 6 p p .

Data from this report are published on page 216 of this issue.
Workmen’s Compensation Bureau. Seven th

N o r t h D a k o t a .—

f o r the f is c a l y e a r e n d in g J u n e SO, 1 9 2 6 .

[ B is m a r c k ? ] 1 9 2 6 .

en ded J u n e

a n n u a l re p o rt
27 pp.

This report is briefly reviewed on page 34 of this issue.
P e n n s y l v a n i a .—-Department of Labor and Industry. S p e c i a l
S a fe ty o r g a n iz a tio n s a n d ac c id e n t s ta tistic s.

bu lletin N o . 1 5 :
H a r r is b u r g , 1 9 2 6 . 3 7 p p .

This bulletin was prepared as a guide for industrial executives in developing
safety organizations within their plants, and contains descriptions of plans
adaptable to plants employing 25 or more employees. One section is devoted
to the preparation and use of accident statistics.
P o r t o R i c o .— Workmen’s Relief Commission.
A n n u a l rep ort, 1 9 2 5 - 2 6 . S a n
Ju a n , 1926. 38 pp.

Data from this report appear on page 37 of this issue.
W y o m i n g .— Department of Labor and Statistics.
F ifth
1926.

C h eyenne, 1 9 2 6 .

48 pp.

b ie n n ia l re p o rt, 1 9 2 5 -

Information on collection of wage claims, taken from this report, is published
on page 21 of this issue.
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— Department o f Agriculture.
D ep artm e n t b u lletin N o . 1 4 6 6 :
Th e f a r m e r ’s s ta n d a r d o f liv in g — a socio-econom ic stu d y o f 2 ,8 8 6 w hite f a r m
f a m i l i e s oj selected lo c a litie s in 11 S ta te s, by E . L . K ir k p a t r ic k .
W a sh in ato n
1 9 2 6 . 6 3 p p ., ch arts.

A brief review of this study is given on page 192 of this issue.
218

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219

P U B L IC A T IO N S R E LA T IN G TO LABOE
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— Department of

Commerce. Bureau of Mines.

T e c h n ic a l p a p e r

402 : S a fe t y ru le s f o r in st a llin g a n d u s in g e lectrical eq u ip m en t i n c o al m in e s,
sp o n so red by U n ite d S ta te s B u r e a u o f M in e s a n d A m e r ic a n M in in g C o n g ress.
W a sh in g to n , 1 9 2 6 . v, 21 p p .

-----Department of Labor.
ended J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 6 .

Bureau of Immigration.
W ash in gto n , 1 9 2 6 .

---------— Bureau of Naturalization.
1926.

W a sh in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .

A n n u a l rep ort, fis c a l y e ar
vi, 221 p p .

A n n u a l rep ort, fis c a l y e a r ended J u n e 3 0 ,

IfY p p .

----------- Children’s Bureau.
SO, 1 9 2 6 .

Fou rteen th a n n u a l rep ort, fis c a l y e a r ended J u n e
W a sh in gto n , 1 9 2 6 . H i, 3 5 pp .

----------- Women’s Bureau.
1926.

W a sh in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .

E ig h th a n n u a l rep ort, f is c a l y e a r ended J u n e 3 0 ,
H i, 21 p p .

Brief reviews of the activities of these four bureaus of the United States
Department of Labor were given in the summary of the Secretary’s report,
published in the January issue.
----------- Bureau of Labor Statistics. B u lle tin N o . 4 1 3 : R e ta il p ric e s, 1 8 9 0 to
1925.

W a sh in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .

iv, 2 2 9 p p ., ch arts.

Contains the basic data on retail prices of food, coal, gas, and electricity in
the United States from 1890 to the end of 1925. Current retail price figures
bringing up to date the most important information given in this bulletin are
published each month in the Labor Review.
----------- Employment Service. D irectory o f pu b lic em ploym en t offices. W a sh ­
in g to n , N ovem ber, 1 9 2 6 .

19 pp.

----------- Women’s Bureau.

B u lle tin N o . 5 2 : L o st tim e a n d lab o r turnover in
cotton m ills— a stu d y o f c a u se a n d extent.
W ash in gto n , 192 6 . x , 2 0 3 p p .,
illu s tr a tio n s , ch a rts.

----------------- B u lle tin

N o . 5 5 : W om en in M i s s i s s i p p i in d u s tr ie s — a stu d y o f
h o u rs, w ag e s, a n d w o rk in g co n d itio n s.
W ash in gto n , 1 9 2 6 . vi, 8 9 p p .

Reviews of the two studies listed above are given on pages 39 and 42 of this
issue.
-----Department of the Interior. A n n u a l report of the Governor o f H a w a ii to the
S e c re ta ry o f the In te r io r, f o r f is c a l y e a r ended J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 6 .
1 9 2 6 . iv, 1 2 2 p p ., m a p , illu str a tio n s.

W ash in g to n ,

Portions of this report are reviewed on pages 30 and 216 of this issue.
-----Employees’ Compensation Commission. Tenth a n n u a l report, J u l y 1,
to J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 2 6 .

W ash in g to n , 1 9 2 6 .

This report is reviewed briefly on page 35 of this issue.
----- Interstate Commerce Commission. F ortieth a im u a l
1926.

1925,

H i, 5 0 p p .
rep ort.

W ash in g to n ,

v, 3 0 6 p p .

Data on average number of railway employees, and their average earnings, in
the year ending June 30, 1926, are published on page 62 of this issue.

O fficial —Foreign C ountries
A u s t r a l i a .—Court

of Conciliation and Arbitration. C om m onw ealth a r b itra tio n
re p o rts, vol. 2 2 : A rep o rt o f c a se s decided a n d a w a r d s m ad e i n the C om m o n ­
w ealth C o u rt o f C o n c ilia tio n a n d A r b itra tio n , in c lu d in g conferences convened
by the p re sid e n t a n d d ep u ty p re sid e n ts fr o m A u g u s t 1, 1 9 2 5 , to D ecem ber 3 1 ,
1 9 2 5 . M elb o u rn e [1 9 2 6 ], x l, 1 1 1 5 p p .

B u l g a r i a .—Direction

Générale de la Statistique.

R o y a u m e de B u lg a r ie , 1 9 2 5 .

S o fia , 1 9 2 6 .

A n n u a ir e
x x x ii, 5 4 8 p p .

sta tistiq u e

du

The seventeenth yearly issue of the statistical yearbook of the Kingdom of
Bulgaria. Of interest to labor are the statistics on strikes, industrial accidents,
prices, cooperative societies, social insurance, etc.
C a n a d a ( B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a ) . —Department of Labor.
A n n u a l rep o rt, 1 9 2 5 .
V ic to r ia , 1 9 2 6 .


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7 5 p p ., ch arts.

[467]

220

M O N T H L Y LABO E K EV IEW

C h i l e .— Comisión

del Carbon. E l p ro b lem a carbonero. In fo rm e p resen tad o a l
S u p re m o G obierno, se g ú n decreto N o . 3 3 4 , A p r i l 1 9 , 1 9 2 3 . S a n t ia g o , 1 9 2 6 .
1 0 0 p p ., ta b le s, m a p s , illu str a tio n s.

This report presents the findings of the Chilean coal commission which was
appointed by the Ministry of Industry and Public Works in accordance with
decree No. 334 of April 19, 1923. Of interest to labor are the average daily and
annual wages as well as the annual working days of the interior and exterior
workers in the Chilean coal mines. A summary of the above data for the years
1911 to 1924 is given on page 74 of this issue.
G r e a t B r i t a i n .—[Home Office. Factory Department.] F a c to r y a n d w ork sh op
o rd ers, 1 9 2 6 ed itio n .

London, 1926.

3 2 4 PP-

These orders cover conditions of employment, home work, dangerous and
unhealthy industries, welfare, etc.
-----Industrial Fatigue Research Board. R e p o rt N o . 3 8 : A p sy ch o lo g ical stu d y
o f in d iv id u a l d ifferen ces i n accid en t ra te s, by E r i c F a r m e r a n d E . G. C h am b ers.
L o n d o n , 1 9 2 6 . iv, 4 4 PP-> d ia g r a m s .

Certain accident studies in Great Britain have seemed to prove that persons
differ in their individual susceptibility to accident so that under equal conditions
of risk some will incur accidents while others will not. This study is an attempt
to establish tests by which this liability to accident may be measured with a
view to placing workers in occupations involving a minimum of risk to them­
selves and others.
•----- Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Scottish Office. Interdepart­
mental Committee on Agricultural Unemployment Insurance. R e p o rt.
London, 1926.

I n t e r n a t io n a l

107 pp.

L abo r

O f f i c e .— T h e in te rn a tio n a l lab o r o r g a n iz a tio n

protection o f ch ild ren .

G eneva, 1 9 2 6 .

a n d the

36 pp.

U n o fficial
D o c u m e n ta ry h isto ry , 1 9 2 4 1 9 2 6 . R e p o rt o f the g e n e ra l executive b o ard a n d p ro c e ed in g s o f the seventh
b ie n n ia l con ven tion , M a y 1 0 - 1 5 , 1 9 2 6 , M o n tre a l, C a n a d a .
N ew Y ork C ity ,
1 9 2 6 . 4 2 9 p p ., c h a rts.

A m a l g a m a t e d C l o t h in g W o r k e r s o f A m e r ic a .

Reviews the history and activities of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America, including sections on the labor banks and housing undertakings of the
union. The latter part of the volume contains the proceedings of the biennial
convention of 1926.
F e d e r a t io n o f T e a c h e r s .
T h e p ro m o tio n a n d m a in te n a n c e o f
w o rk e rs’ e d u c a tio n .
T h ir d a n n u a l con feren ce o f teach e rs i n w o rk e rs’ e d u c atio n
a t B ro o k w o o d , F e b r u a r y 1 9 - 2 2 , 1 9 2 6 .
K a t o n a h , N . Y ., 1 9 2 6 . 1 0 5 p p .

A m e r ic a n

Among the subjects discussed at this meeting were: The problem of opening
the field, the gaining of union support, the development of a worker's demand,
summer institutes as a promotion measure, the social significance of dramatics,
how to build on the worker’s experience, and workshop economics as taught in
Philadelphia.
B a r n e s , G e o r g e N. H is to r y o f the I n te r n a tio n a l L a b o r Office. L o n d o n , W illia m s
& N o r g a te ( L t d ) ., 1 9 2 6 . 1 0 6 p p ., U lu s.
P r o c e d u r e s i n em p loy m en t
p sy c h o lo g y : A m a n u a l f o r d ev elo p in g sc ie n tific m eth od s o f v o c a tio n al selection .
C h ic a g o a n d N ew Y o rk , A . W . S h a w C o ., 1 9 2 6 . x i , 2 6 9 p p ., c h a rts, illu s .

B in g h a m , W a l t e r V a n D y k e , a n d F r e y d , M a x .

This volume formulates a technique of investigation based not only on the
authors’ own experience but on the accumulated knowledge of numerous experts
who are contributors to the research literature of vocational selection.


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P U B L IC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LABOR

221

The process of finding sound scientific and economical methods of gauging
abilities is declared to be a complex task. Measurement, however, in vocational
selection is emerging gradually as “ a feasible though slowly attainable goal.”
B r a i l s f o r d , H. N., a n d o t h e r s .
T h e liv in g w age. L o n d o n , In d e p e n d e n t
L a b o r P a r t y P u b lic a t io n D e p a r tm e n t, 1 9 2 6 .
B u ffa lo

C it y

P l a n n in g

B u f f a lo , N . Y ., 1 9 2 5 .

55 pp.

R e c re atio n su rv ey o f B u ffa lo .
8 6 9 p p ., m a p s , i llu s tr a tio n s .
A s s o c ia t io n

( I n c .).

This report on the recreation facilities existing and needed in Buffalo, N. Y.,
contains a chapter on business and industry which discusses the effects of industrial
and commercial expansion on housing and on living conditions, and describes
briefly the recreation facilities provided by business concerns for their em­
ployees.
o f R a il w a y N e w s a n d S t a t is t ic s .
R a ilw a y sta tis tic s o f the U n ite d
S ta te s o f A m e r ic a f o r the y e ar ended D ecem ber 3 1 , 1 9 2 5 .
C h icag o , 192 6 .
148 pp.

B u reau

Contains data on number of employees and yearly and daily wages in the
various railway occupations and on accidents to employees and passengers.
G a t l i n , VfARREN B.
T h e lab o r problem i n the U n ite d S t a t e s a n d G reat B r it a in .
N e w Y o rk a n d L o n d o n , H a r p e r & B r o s ., 1 9 2 6 . x , 6 5 9 p p ., chart.
An attempt to bring together in a unified and fairly brief form the great mass
of literature and the numerous specialized studies relating to the different aspects
of the labor problem in the United States and Great Britain.
C o l e , G. D. H. A sh o rt h isto ry o f the B r it is h w ork in g c la s s m ovem ent, 1 7 8 9 - 1 9 2 5 .
V ol. I I , 1 8 4 8 - 1 9 0 0 . L o n d o n , G eorge A lle n & U n w in {L td .) a n d The L a b o r
P u b lis h in g Co. {L t d .) , 1 9 2 6 .

211 p p .

S t u d ie s i n h isto ry , econ om ics, a n d p u b lic law , N o . 2 8 0 :
F o o d costs a n d city co n su m e rs— sig n ific a n t fa c to r s i n m e tro p o litan d istrib u tio n
o f p e rish a b le s, by C h a r le s E n o s A r tm a n .
N ew Y o rk , 1 9 2 6 .
1 7 0 p p ., m a p ,
ch arts.

C o l u m b ia U n iv e r s it y .

C. S o c ia l s ta tis tic s : S t a t is t ic a l m ethods a p p lie d to sociology .
L o s A n g e les, J e s s e R a y M ille r , 1 9 2 6 . 3 0 6 p p ., ch arts.

E lm er, M anu el

This book is a summary of the principles of statistics, intended primarily for
the use of students of sociology and practical .social workers.
F e d e r a t io n

I n t e r n a t io n a l e

des

O u v r ie r s

du

T r a n spo r t.

tr a v a il d u p e rso n n e l des ch em in s de f e r d a n s les d iffe ren ts p a y s .
1 9 2 5 . 181 p p .

C o n d itio n s de
A m ste rd a m ,

A discussion of labor conditions, including wages and hours, of railroad workers
in Canada and several European countries, at different periods.
F o r s b e r g , A l l e n B e n n e t t , Editor.
Selected a rtic le s on u n em p lo y m en t i n ­
su ra n c e [in c lu d in g a com prehen sive b ib lio g rap h y ].
N ew Y o rk , I I . W . W ilso n
C o., 1 9 2 6 .

cvii, 4 8 7 p p .

G., a n d S t r o n g , M a b e l A. C h ild lab o r in M a ssa c h u se tts.
B o sto n , M a ssa c h u se tts C h ild L a b o r C om m ittee, 1 9 2 6 . v ii, 1 7 0 p p .

F u lle r , R aym ond

The underlying thesis of this study is that the child-labor movement is much
more than a negative attempt to regulate through legislation the ages at which
children may begin work and the hours for which they may be employed. It is
really an. integral part of all social effort to promote the welfare of boys and girls.
“ A valid and comprehensive program for dealing with child labor and achieving
its disappearance calls for consideration not only of what child labor does to
some children, but of what society ought to do for all children. A society that
does consistently and completely what it ought to do for all children will have no
child-labor problem.” Proceeding on this basis, the study treats of conditions
now existing in Massachusetts, and of the lines along which constructive effort is
needed.


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[469]

222

M O N T H LY LABOR R EV IEW

H ayw ard,

fu tu r e .

W. R.,

and

J o h n so n ,

G. W.

T h e evolution o f lab o r, p a st, presen t, a n d
2 2 4 PV-

L o n d o n , D uckw orth, 1 9 2 6 .

L a id l e r , H a r r y

W.,

and

N ew tactics in so c ia l conflict.

T h o m a s, N o r m a n .

N ew Y o rk , V a n g u a r d P r e s s , 1 9 2 6 .

x, 230 pp .

Based on the proceedings of the twelth annual conference of the League for
Industrial Democracy, held June 25 to 27, 1926, at Camp Tamiment, Pa.
M u l l i n s , G e o . W. U n em p lo y m en t, the gatew ay to a new life . L o n d o n , L o n g m a n s ,
G reen & Co. ( L td .) , 1 9 2 6 .
N e a r in g , S c o t t .

x iii, l l f i pp.

T h e B r itis h gen eral strik e.

N ew Y ork, V a n g u a r d P r e s s, 1926.

x x i, 186 p p .

Not a history of the general strike, but a study of some of the more important
events connected with it, designed to show its significance in the course of events
since the war. An introduction by Miss Ellen Wilkinson, one of the woman
members of Parliament, gives the workers’ point of view as to the nature and
outcome of the strike.
N o r t h w e st e r n U n iv e r s it y .
Bureau of Business Research. The w id en in g
re ta il m ark et a n d c o n su m e rs’ b u y in g h ab its.
S h a w C o ., 1 9 2 6 . v iii, 1 8 6 p p ., m a p s , charts.

C h icago and, N ew Y ork, A . W.

Bureau of Business Research. M o n o g ra p h N o . 3 :
A stu d y o f h o u se w iv e s’ b u y in g h ab its i n C o lu m b u s, O hio, 1 9 2 4 , by F re d e ric k E .
C roxton . C o lu m b u s, 1 9 2 6 . v, 1 4 pp-

O h io S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y .

P o llo ck, M a rga ret

( L td .) , 1 9 2 6 .

A., Editor.

W o rk in g

d a y s.

London,

Jo n a th a n

C ap e

276 pp.

Personal records of 16 English working men and women, written by themselves,
and representing a, wide range of skilled and unskilled occupations.
P o w e l l , L e o n a M.
T h e h isto ry o f the U n ited Typothetse o f A m e r ic a .
C h icago,
U n iv e rsity o f C h icago P r e s s, 1 9 2 6 .

x i, 2 1 9 p p .

An account of the origin, development, and policies of the United Typothetse
of America, which is the association of master printers of the United States and
Canada. Contains chapters on national agreements with the unions, and the
eight-hour day.
R e n a r d , G., a n d W e u l e r s s e , G.
L i f e a n d w ork in m od ern E u r o p e (fifteenth
to eighteenth c e n tu r ie s).
illu s .

N eiv Y o rk , A lfr e d A . K n o p f, 1 9 2 6 .

xvi, 3 9 5 p p .,

One of the recent volumes in the series entitled ‘‘ The history of civilization,”
edited by C. K. Ogden, of Magdalen College, Cambridge, England. The aim of
the series is to present in accessible form the results of modern research and
scholarship throughout the whole range of the social sciences, including the field
of labor and industry.
T h o m p s o n , A l b e r t W., Editor.
A i r c o n d itio n in g in textile m ills: A h andbook on
h u m id ific a tio n f o r textile m a n u fa c tu r e rs, en g in eers, a n d stu d en ts.
P a r k s - C r a m e r C o., 1 9 2 5 . 4 ^ 7 p p ., illu s tr a tio n s , c h a rts. 2 d ed ition .

B oston ,

One chapter is devoted to the effect of atmospheric conditions on health.
B l o w . A g u id e to the p rin te d m a te r ia ls f o r E n g lish so c ial
a n d econ om ic h isto ry , 1 7 5 0 —1 8 5 0 .
N ew Y o rk , C o lu m b ia U n iv e rsity P r e ss,
1 9 2 6 . 2 vols.

W il l ia m s , J u d it h

Volume 2 contains a section on social and economic conditions and movements,
including references on condition of the working class, the factory system and the
factory acts, friendly societies, cooperation, trade-unions, etc.
W o o l m a n , M a r y S ., a n d

B.
T e x tile s: A h an dbook f o r the
N ew Y o rk , M a c m illa n C o., 1 9 2 6 . xiv, 5 7 2 p p .,

M cG ow an, E lle n

stu d en t a n d the co n su m er.
illu s .
R ev ised e d itio n .

This handbook on the manufacture of textiles contains chapters on hygiene
of clothing, economic and social aspects of textile purchase, and clothing budgets.
[4701

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O