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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
MONTHLY
LABOR REVIEW
NUMBER 2
VOLUME 26
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
FEBRUARY, 1928
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON
1928
C E R T IF IC A T E
T h is p u b lic a tio n is is s u e d p u r s u a n t t o th e
p ro v is io n s o f th e s u n d r y c iv il a c t (41 S ta ts
1430) a p p ro v e d M a r c h 4, 1921.
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Contents
Special articles:
Page
T rade-union old-age pensions a n d hom es for th e aged a n d tu b e rc u la r. 1-29
Science a n d th e w orker, b y Jam es J. D avis, S ecretary of L a b o r--------29-36
Public retirement systems:
F ederal em ployees’ re tire m e n t a c t----------------------------------------------------- 37-47
Public-service retire m e n t system s in foreign co u n tries---------------------- 47-73
Productivity of labor:
A ustralia— P ro d u c tiv ity of la b o r----------------------------------------------------- 74-76
Industrial relations and labor conditions:
M igration of U n ited S tates in d u s try ------------------------------------------------ 77-79
79
Ja p a n — In d u s tria l d istrib u tio n of w o rk ers--------------------------------------N ova Scotia— C ooperation betw een m ine w orkers an d o p e ra to rs----- 79, 80
S outh A frica— F a c to ry c o n d itio n s--------------------------------------------------- 80, 81
Women in industry:
Studies in p re p a ra tio n b y U n ited S ta te s W om en’s B u re a u ----------------82, 83
W age-earning girls in C in c in n a ti----------------------------------------------------- 83, 84
Child labor:
E m p lo y m en t certificates g ra n te d in various S tates a n d cities------------ 85, 86
In te rn a tio n a l prog ram for p ro tectio n of young w orkers-------------------- 86, 87
B razil—-Protection of m inors b y decree----------------------------------- — - 87
Industrial accidents:
A ccidents on steam railro ad s in th e LTnited S tates in 1923 a n d 1926._ 88, 89
A ccident experience in th e F ed eral d e p a rtm e n ts------------------------------ 89-91
New Y ork— D ecrease in sev erity of in d u stria l accid en ts------------------- 92, 93
93
P eru— In d u stria l accidents in Lim a, 1924 to 1926----------------------------
Health and industrial hygiene:
In d u stria l hygiene w ork of U n ited S tates Public H e a lth S ervice--------94-96
Sick leave am ong em ployees in th e D e p a rtm e n t of C om m erce during
1926__________________________________________________________________ -96
Workmen’s compensation and social insurance:
A laska— P rio rity of lien of com pensation la w ---------------------------------- 97-99
Chile— Sickness a n d in v a lid ity i n s u r a n c e . -----------------------------------99-101
G reat B ritain — N ew un em p lo y m en t insurance a c t------------------------ 101, 102
Workers’ education and training:
N eed of a clearing house fo r o ccupational stu d ies-----------------------------
103
Industrial disputes:
S trikes an d lockouts in th e U n ited S ta te s in D ecem ber, 1927--------- 104-110
C onciliation w ork of th e D e p a rtm e n t of L abor in D ecem ber, 1927__ 110—112
C olorado— C om pulsory in v estig atio n of in d u stria l d isp u te s----------- 113—117
C hina— S trikes in 1925 a n d 1926------------------------------------------------- 117, H 8
G erm any— E n d of lo ck o u t of cigar m a k e rs----------------------------------- 118, 119
In d ia— In d u s tria l disputes, first h alf of 1927-----------------------------------119
Wages and hours of labor:
In d ex n um bers of wages, 1840 to 1926---------------------------------------- 129> 121
C alifornia— W ages of m ilkers in th e d airy in d u stry , 1906 to 192 7 .. 121, 122
Belgium — R ep o rt of com m ission on eight-hour d a y ---------------------- 122-125
in
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IV
CONTENTS
W ages and h o u rs of lab o r— C ontinued.
B razil— W age ra te s in 1926__________________________
_
G erm any— P a y m e n t fo r o v e rtim e ______________________ ______ "~~125-12S
J a p a n — M inim um wages in T okyo build in g tra d e s ___
128
Sw itzerland— W ages in 1926___________________________
i 9 a
19Q
T rend of em plo y m en t:
E m p lo y m en t in selected m an u fa c tu rin g industries, D ecem ber, 1927. 130-152
E m p lo y m en t a n d p ay-roll to ta ls on Class I railroads, N ovem ber,
1926, an d O ctober a n d N ovem ber, 1927_____________________ _ ’
153
S ta te rep o rts on em p lo y m en t—
C aliforn ia---------------------------------------------------------------------------Io w a----------------------------------------------------------’
M ary la n d _______________________________ __
New Je rse y ---------------------------------- N i r N N N N N I N I I I I N N I s S , 15®
T 1 Y° r k ~;------------------------------------------------------------------------- 160, 161
P e n n sy lv a n ia ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 162> 163
W isconsin________________________________________
W holesale and re ta il p ric e s:
R etail prices of food in th e U n ited S ta te s ____________________
165-188
R etail prices of coal in th e U n ited S ta te s_____________________
188-192
R etail prices of gas in th e U n ited S ta te s___________________
193
R etail prices of electricity in th e U n ited S ta te s__________________ 195-198
Index num b ers of wholesale prices in D ecem ber, 1927____________ 199 200
A verage w holesale prices of com m odities, O ctober to D ecem ber 1927
ayd year, 1927------------------------------------------------------------------201-217
Cost of liv in g :
C hanges in cost of living in th e U nited S ta te s___________________ 218-231
R esolution in fav o r of new cost-of-living su rv e y ___________________
232
Increasing consum ption of p o rk p ro d u c ts in th e U n ited S ta te s
232 233
Econom ics of in sta llm e n t selling__________________
________
233-236
Illinois— Incom e an d living sta n d a rd s of unskilled lab o rers in Chicago 236 237
P eru— C ost of liv in g ______ y____________________ _ _ _____
’ 23g
Labor aw ards and d e c isio n s:
A w ards an d decisions—
L ocom otive firem en— W estern ra ilro a d s_____________________ 239 240
R ailroads D ecisions of T ra in Service B oards of A d ju stm e n t. 240-243
Signalm en L ouisville & N ash v ille R a ilro a d _______________
243
Im m igration and e m ig ra tio n :
S tatistics of im m ig ratio n for N ovem ber, 1927______________
244-248
In te rn a tio n a l C onference of P riv a te A ssociations for P ro tectio n of
M ig ran ts---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 248
240
A ctivities of State lab o r b u re a u s :
C alifornia, Iow a, M ary lan d , N ew Jersey, New York, P en n sy lv an ia
an d W isconsin__________________________________
’
P ublications relatin g to lab o r:
Official— U nited S ta te s_______________________________________
2 ^i
Official— Foreign countries _
o ro ’ otr a
Unofficial------------------------------
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Ifdlt
9^9
This Issue in Brief
The question of care for aged or disabled trade-unionists is receiving
more and more attention from labor organizations. At present 10
national or international unions pay old-age pensions to members
who fulfill certain requirements as to age, union membership, and
physical and financial condition. In addition, several other unions,
while not paying a regular pension, do provide some sort of old-age
benefit. There are also five homes for the aged or disabled members
and in two cases there is a tuberculosis sanatorium in connection
with the home. A number of other labor organizations which do not
operate their own sanatoriums, make financial contributions toward
the support of certain private institutions with the idea that this will
entitle members to treatment therein, and others either pay tubercu
losis benefits to the afflicted member or pay his expenses in a sanato
rium of his choosing (p. 1).
Accident rates among Government employees are in many instances in
excess of those in steel mills. During 1926 five branches of the
Federal service showed increases in rates over 1925 and four showed
decreases. The rate for all Government service was 15.33 as compared
with 15.37 in 1925 and an average of 14.64 for the six-year period
ending with 1926 (p. 89).
The employees’ retirement act of the United States Government, as
now in operation, is analyzed on page 37. This is followed by an
article describing the retirement systems in five European countries—
Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Switzerland. Simi
lar accounts of the French and English systems were given in the
January (1928) issue of the Review.
Discussing the benefits which wage earners have derived from scientific
discoveries and inventions, the Secretary of Labor holds that the gains
in greater productivity will be shared by all. “ In the new industrial
system hours will be shortened, wages will be maintained and more
broadly distributed, and the leisure that will come, the ‘time to
think/ may be used by the vast majority of our workers to obtain
better education, higher intellectual levels, and a still higher standard
of living” (p. 29).
The average amount of sick leave among approximately 3,500 em
ployees in the Department of Commerce in the District of Columbia
during the year 1926 was 6.36 days. This is somewhat below the
commonly accepted estimate of 8 days lost per person per year but
is a higher rate than that of many industrial establishments which
have stressed the preventive feature in their medical work (p. 96).
Studies of industrial health hazards, carried out by the division of
industrial hygiene and sanitation of the United States Public Health
Service during the fiscal year 1927, show a high rate of disability from
respiratory diseases among workers in dusty trades. In the cement
industry, diseases of the upper respiratory tract were most common
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VI
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
and the incidence of pneumonia and tuberculosis was relatively low,
while m granite cutting the chief hazard is a rapidly fatal form of
pulmonary tuberculosis. In anthracite coal mining, miners and
miners’ helpers are exposed to enormous quantities of dust, which,
however, contain relatively little free silica except in the case of rock
dust from new drilling operations, while in different kinds of metal
polishing there may be exposure to large amounts of silica (p. 94).
The cost of living in the United States was 0.8 j)er cent lower in
December, 1927, than in June preceding and 2.1 per cent less than in
December, 1926, according to the semiannual survey of cost of living
in various cities made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (p. 218).
. Compulsory investigation as a means of preventing major industrial
disputes is ol doubtful value, in the opinion of recent investigators of
the operation of the Colorado Industrial Commission act. A review
of the compulsory-investigation features of this act and of experience
under it, with a discussion ol the value of the plan and recommenda
tions looking toward greater effectiveness in its administration, is
published on page 113.
Average wages or earnings per hour in general industry, other than
farming, were 129 per cent higher in 1926 than in 1913, according to
a compilation snowing the index numbers of hourly wages from 1840
to 1926, prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A separate
compilation for farm labor covering the years 1866 to 1926, prepared
by the Department of Agriculture, shows that average farm wages
were 64 per cent higher in 1926 than in 1913 (p. 120).
Installment selling has a tendency to stabilize, increase, and speed up
production, according to Prof. E. R. A. Seligman, who has recently
directed an intensive survey of this credit system with special refer
ence to the automobile. While acknowledging that this method of
selling is “ subject to the perils of novelty” he suggests that in its
future refined development such credit may be recognized as a
significant and valuable economic contribution (p. 233).
A Chilean law providing for compulsory insurance against sickness
and invalidity grants the following benefits to an insured person: An
invalidity pension; an old-age pension; a sick benefit; funeral ex
penses of 300 pesos; medical attention and hospital care; and financial aid, medical care, and a nursing benefit for expectant mothers
(p. 99).
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MONTHLY
LABOR REVI EW
OF U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
vo l .
26, n o . 2
WASHINGTON
Feb r u a r y , 1928
Trade-union Old-age Pensions and Homes for the Aged and
Tubercular
r T",HE January, 1927, issue of the Labor Review contained the
first of a series of articles dealing with trade-union activities.
It covered the provision made by trade-union organizations
for their sick, aged, and disabled members by means of various types
of “ benefits” and insurance. The present article is a continuation
of the same subject.
A matter that is receiving more and more the attention of organized
labor is the question of what shall be done to care for members who
by reason of age or of mental or physical disability become unable
to work at the trade. A number of unions have expressed them
selves as being in favor of old-age pensions provided by the State or
Federal Government. Several States have already adopted such
measures, and the 1927 convention of the American Federation of
Labor authorized the executive committee to have drafted a bill
providing for old-age pensions, the passage of which local tradeunion bodies are to work for in States where there is as yet no such
legislation.
Pending the general acceptance of the principle, some labor
organizations are providing such care as they are able for their
infirm members, to prevent their becoming a public charge. To
date 10 national or international unions—those of the bridge and
structural-iron workers, bricklayers, electrical workers, granite
cutters, printing pressmen and assistants, street-railway employees,
printers, locomotive firemen and enginemen, locomotive engineers,
and railroad trainmen—have adopted an old-age pension plan for
those of their members who fulfill certain requirements as to age,
union membership, and physical or financial condition.1 Of these,
six also operate a home for aged or disabled members, there being a
choice between receipt of the pension and residence at the home.
The Order of Railway Conductors has established a home but has
discontinued its pension. In addition to these unions, several others
provide some sort of old-age benefit. Thus the quarry workers pay,
to their members who reach the age of 60 and have had 10 years’
continuous membership in the union, $50, which is deducted from the
funeral benefit. The oil field and gas well workers exempt aged
members from the payment of union dues, while in the paving
cutters’ union the dues of a superannuated member are reduced to
1
Some local unions also pay old-age benefits, but as tbe present study was confined to the organizations
of national scope, no attempt was made to gather local data.
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1
2
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
25 cents a month. Federal employees—postal clerks, letter carriers,
railway mail clerks, and other Government employees—are covered
by the Federal retirement law, thus relieving the respective unions
of the task.
There are five homes for the aged and disabled which are owned
and operated by labor organizations for the benefit of the member
ship. One of these—the Home for Aged and Disabled Railroad
Employees of America—is owned and operated jointly by three
train-service brotherhoods. Two institutions, those of the Inter
national Typographical Union and of the International Printing
Pressmen and Assistants’ Union, also have a tuberculosis sanatorium
in connection with the home. The local unions of the International
Stereotypers and Electrotypers’ Union own a small bungalow where
tubercular members live and receive treatment; and a tuberculosis
colony has been started by the telephone workers of Los Angeles.
These undertakings range from a very modest and unpretentious
plant to one which has become a model of its kind, entailing a very
large annual expense; but they are all doing, in a large or small way,
a most valuable work in caring for the sick and disabled members of
their crafts.
The question of providing a home for aged and disabled members
has frequently been before the conventions of the American Flint
Glass Workers’ Union, and the matter was referred by the 1924
meeting to the national officers for further study. They reported
to the 1927 convention that, in their opinion, such a step was im
practicable, because of the expense, for a union of the size of the
flint, glass workers’ organization.2
The same question has been agitated in the Brotherhood of Mainte
nance of Way Employees but no action has been taken.
OLD-AGE AND DISABILITY PENSIONS
UYF THE 10 unions which pay an old-age pension, the Granite
^
Cutters’ International Association of America was the pioneer,
establishing its pension in 1905. The street-railway employees’
organization had, prior to 1912, an old-age benefit of from $1 to $3
per week. In 1912 the system was changed, the benefit being com
muted to a lump sum upon the member’s reaching 65 years of age.
This was done in order to enable a retired member to engage in some
new business. Payment of benefits under the new scheme began in
1915. The International Typographical Union inaugurated its
pension system in 1907 and began payment of such pensions in 1909,
and the locomotive engineers followed suit in 1913 and the bricklayers
in 1915. The year 1920 saw the establishment of old-age pensions
by the bridge and structural-iron workers and the locomotive firemen
and enginemen. Two pension schemes were adopted in 1925—those
of the printing pressmen and of the railroad trainmen. The Brother
hood of Electrical Workers in its 1927 convention adopted an old-age
pension plan.
a 6,564 members in 1927, of whom 5,264 are actually employed at the trade.
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T R A D E -U N IO N OLD-AGE PE N SIO N S AND HOMES FOR AGED
3
Requirements for Receipt of Pension
HTHE age and membership requirements of the unions which have
established old-age pensions have undergone modification from
time to time. At present, however, the age at which the member
becomes eligible to the pension is set at 60 by the bricklayers, the
bridge and structural-iron workers, the printing pressmen, and the
printers;3 at 62 by the granite cutters; and at 65 by the electrical
workers, the locomotive engineers, the street-railway employees, and
the locomotive firemen and enginemen. The last named also pays
pensions for disability (1) to active members disabled for engine
service, and (2) to retired members disabled for any occupation; in
these cases there is no age requirement.
Requirements as to membership in the union vary considerably.
One year’s membership in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
entitles to the receipt of the old-age pension;4 membership of 2 years
is required by the locomotive firemen and enginemen and the railroad
trainmen, of 20 years by the bricklayers, the bridge and structuraliron workers, the electrical workers, the printing pressmen, and the
street-railway employees, and of 25 years by the granite cutters and
the printers. The bricklayers, the bridge and structural-iron workers,
the printing pressmen, and the street-railway employees require also
that the specified membership must have been continuous.
Applicants for the pension in the bricklayers’ and the bridge and
structural-iron workers’ unions must show that they are unable to
secure employment in any industry, because of bodily infirmity, and
that they are without other means of support. Members of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen who have been
retired from active service by reason of age or who attain the age of
65 and retire voluntarily become eligible for the pension of the
brotherhood without fulfilling any requirement as to their physical
or financial condition. To receive the pension for disability, how
ever, a member must show that he is permanently and totally dis
abled—for engine service, if he is still in active service at the time of
becoming disabled;6 if he is not in active service, for any kind of
employment in which his earnings are sufficient to support him.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers makes practically the
same provision, but adds two other classes of pensioners—members
who resign or are dismissed or lose their positions and those who were
not in active service at the time of joining the brotherhood. In the
former case, the member becomes eligible for pension only after a
membership of 12 years and upon reaching the age of 60 years, except
in cases where it is shown that the member is “ physically and men
tally unable to perform remunerative employment,” in which event
he becomes entitled to benefits on the same terms as active members.
In the latter case the member must reach 70 years before attaining a
pensionable status and must show inability, from physical, mental,
or other causes, to secure remunerative employment. Only members
3 B y action of 1927 convention; formerly 65 years. In cases of incapacitated members with continuous
membership of 20 years whom the Union Printers’ Home is unable to accommodate the age lim it required
for the pension may be waived.
4 Except in the case of members who resign or lose their positions or are dismissed,! n which case 12 years’
membership is required.
«If he ever becomes able to resume engine service he ceases to receive the pension.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
incapacitated for employment in the trade are entitled to the old-age
pension paid by the printing pressmen’s and the printers’ unions,
while the railroad trainmen require proof of permanent total disquali
fication for work from physical or mental causes or old age.
The bridge and structural-iron workers provide also that a disa
bility pension is payable to any member in continuous good standing
for 15 years who is disabled by an injury sustained in the course of
his employment, provided (1) that the injury “ was not contributed
to or brought about by his own improper conduct,” (2) that the
member is unable to secure sustaining employment at any occupation,
and (3) that he has no other means of support.
The locomotive firemen and enginemen and the railroad trainmen
specifically provide that “ no member will be entitled to a pension on
account of disability caused while under the influence of intoxicants or
narcotics or while participating in war, riots, disreputable or unlawful
acts,” and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers bars pensions
for disability caused by the use of intoxicants or by unlawful acts.
Return to active work causes a forfeiture of the pension paid by
the railroad trainmen, while the bridge and structural-iron workers
provide that a pensioner loses his pension for any month in which
his income from other sources than the pension reaches $60, the
pensioner being “ deemed to have secured sustaining employment for
that month.” The locomotive engineers cease payment upon return
to active engine duty, but the pensioner may perform remunerative
labor other than that of his trade and still retain his pension; this
provision is made also by the firemen and enginemen. The Inter
national Typographical Union formerly provided that any annuitant
who received pay for two days’ work in any week should forfeit his
pension for that week. The 1927 convention made a change in this
provision, taking the view that pensioners should be encouraged, as
an aid to preserving self-respect, to do whatever work they are able
to perform without being penalized by the loss of the pension. Here
after pensioners may perform not more than two days’ paid work
per week and still receive the pension. The Printing Pressmen and
Assistants’ Union has the same provision.
Amounts of Annuity, and Expenditure for Pensions
"TABLE 1, below, shows, for each of the unions which pay old-age
pensions, the number of annuitants, the size of the pension, and
the amounts paid in pensions during the union’s latest fiscal year and
during the whole period since the plan has been in operation. As the
table indicates, several of the unions continue payment of the pension
to the widow as long as she remains unmarried, or if she has reached
a specified age and has no means of support.
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FR A D E-Ü N lÖ N OLD-AGE PEN SIO N S AND HOMES FOR AGED
T
1 . — N U M B E R OF P E N SIO N E R S, A M O U N T OF PE N SIO N , A N D A M O U N T S D IS
B U R SE D T H E R E F O R IN LAST FISCAL Y E A R A N D W HOLE PE R IO D , B Y U N IO N S
able
Union
Bricklayers__ ____ _______________
Bridge and structural-iron workers.
Electrical workers______ _________
Granite cutters_________ ________
Locomotive engineers..........................
Locomotive firemen and enginemen.
Printers_________________________
Printing pressmen. _____ _________
Quarry workers__________________
Railroad trainmen_________ ____
Street-railway em ployees............. .
T o t a l....__________________
Number
at pres
ent in
receipt
of pen
sion
Amount paid in
pensions in—
Amount of pension
per member
Latest
fiscal year
Whole
period of
operation
i 2,954
331
(•)
405
* 4,467
230
2,430
244
7 18
2 110
7 80
$7 per w eek ................... $1,021, 858
$25 per month_______
86,300
$10 per m onth_______
«
$60 per year 3____ _
16,335
$25 to $65 per month 6.
988, 519
$30 to $70 per month 8.
(2)
$8 per week.. _ _____
990, 272
$7 per w eek______ . . .
60,974
$508________________
900
$35 to $70 per m onth. .
31, 080
$800 in lump sum . . .
64, 000
$7,160, 205
(2)
(“)
241, 044
4,832, 567
141,407
8, 740, 939
11,269
3,260,238
21, 584,842
6, 350
78, 330
384, 000
1 Includes 76 persons receiving “ disability relief” and 823 widows.
2 N o data.
3 $10 per month for six months of each year.
i Includes 1,533 widows.
5 From this, union dues of about $4 per month are deducted.
6 Widows receive pensions of $35 per month.
7 Received the lump sum in 1926.
8 Flat sum, deducted from death benefit.
9 Includes 13 widows.
° N o payments being made as yet. System adopted in 1927.
Payments to Wife, Widow, or Other Beneficiaries
l A f IFE.—The laws of the International Typographical Union
_
provide that if a member “ is admitted to an eleemosynary
institution, whether publicly or privately maintained, and such mem
ber has a wife dependent on him, the secretary-treasurer is author
ized to make the pension payable to the wife.”
Widow.—The widow of a pensioner of the bricklayers’ union may
receive his pension provided she is 60 years of age and has no other
means of support. A railroad trainman’s widow is entitled to receive
his pension as long as she remains unmarried and keeps his union dues
paid.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen and the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers both provide pensions for
widows of members, through a special department operated inde
pendently of the members’ pension department. The Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers also operates a widows’ and mothers’
pension department. Men who are in good standing and have not
reached a specified age (40 for firemen, 50 for engineers) may make
provision for their widows through the widows’ pension department.
The medical examination taken for membership in the men’s pension
department suffices also for this. Upon the member’s death the
widow of a fireman is entitled to a pension of $35 per month during
her life or until she remarries. The engineers provide pensions of $25
and $30 a month until remarriage for widows of engineers who took out
membership in the widows’ pension department, and of $30 per
month for the mother if covered by the beneficiary certificate. An
engineer is permitted to take out two beneficiary certificates, thus
doubling the above benefits in the case of men who joined the widows’
and mothers’ pension department.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
Assessments for the widows’ pension offered by the firemen’s
organization vary from $1 to $3.50 per month, according to the
husband’s age when he entered the scheme. The engineers require
monthly dues of $2 for each certificate in the widows’ pension and
dues ranging from $2 to $3 per month, according to the husband’s age
at entrance, for the “ widows’ and mothers’ pension.”
Other beneficiaries.-—The bridge and structural-iron workers’ rules
governing old-age and disability pensions provide that any pensioner
who becomes an inmate of an institution which makes a charge for
residence there may direct that his pension be paid to the institution.
In such cases the officers of the local union “ must visit such member
and see that he is properly cared for.”
Discontinued or Rejected Plans
rT ,HTC Order of Railway Conductors inaugurated a pension plan but
1 later was forced to discontinue it. Membership in the pension
department was optional with the members, and it developed that
only the older men took advantage of it. The result was that the
income of the fund was not sufficient to offset the heavy drain upon
the fund due to the retirement of the older members.
Perkins and Woll in their study, “ Trade-union benefits,” state that
the Order of Railroad Telegraphers has at different times tried two
old-age pension schemes. As neither proved satisfactory, the idea was
given up in 1924. The brewery workers had adopted the pension
idea and were about to put it into force, but the advent of prohibition
prevented the consummation of the plan, while the bakery workers
also made a start and had accumulated some funds for pension pur
poses, but the membership was unwilling to wait until sufficient
nioney was collected and therefore voted to divert the funds already
in hand to the erection of a headquarters building for the union.
The flint-glass workers by referendum vote rejected the old-age
pension plan submitted to them, and similar action was taken by the
barbers in 1926.
Proposed Pensions
r’THE 1927 convention of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International
Association by unanimous vote authorized its general executive
board to formulate a plan for caring for aged members. The board
is to report its findings to the next general convention, which will be
held in 1930.
The executive board of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America has been studying the subject of old-age pensions with a
view to establishing such a plan for the members, and it is possible
that action along this line will be taken at the next convention of the
organization.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
T R A D E -U N IO N OLD-AGE PEN SIO N S AND HOMES FOR AGED
HOMES FOR AGED, DISABLED, AND TUBERCULAR MEMBERS
Carpenters’ Home
A FTER much debate, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America decided to provide a home for its aged and
infirm members and their wives. Some years ago it acquired a
tract of 1,826 acres near Lakeland, Fla., at a cost of $750,000. Of
this, 600 acres was in orange, tangerine, and grapefruit groves. It is
expected that the income from the fruit will render the home selfsupporting to a great extent.
The contract for the home was let early in 1927 and it is expected to
be finished by January, 1928. It will then be furnished, a task which,
the general secretary states, will cost at least a quarter of a million
dollars and which it is hoped will be completed by the time of the
brotherhood’s convention in 1928.
The building will be three stories high. (See fig. 1.) It will cost
$875,000 and accommodate 400 persons. It will be 331 feet in
length and 265 feet deep, and be provided with its own laundry,
power plant, and water system. The building stands on an incline
facing the east and overlooking Lake Gibson.
It is planned to erect cottages for the use of superannuated members
who have their wives with them.
Conditions of admission and residence.—The conditions of age,
length of membership in the union, and other requirements that must
be met by the applicant for admission have not yet been determined
upon. The brotherhood has been gathering data from the local
unions concerning all carpenters of more than 20 years’ member
ship. The general secretary of the union states that, although “ the
sentiment at the present time seems to be that a man must be 65
years of age and must have held 30 years’ membership,” this will
be definitely determined upon and the laws and regulations govern
ing admission of applicants and the operation of the home will be
drawn up at the 1928 convention of the brotherhood.
The general secretary states that it will be the practice to admit
not only superannuated members but their wives also. In this
respect the carpenters’ home will be unusual among labor homes for
the aged, as the usual practice is to restrict residence to members
only.6 Usually in those unions which have established old-age pensions
as well as a home, the member who is eligible for retirement may choose
whether he will enter the home or will remain with his relatives or
friends and receive the pension; married men who elect to enter the
home must leave their wives behind.
Medical care and material and recreational provision.—The institu
tion will contain a large auditorium, library, parlors, and lounging
rooms. Recreation will be provided in the form of lectures, motion
pictures, radio, and fishing and boating.
Maintenance.—The construction of the building is being financed
by a per capita tax of 10 cents per month upon each of the nearly
400,000 members of the brotherhood.
6
There are several women in residence at the Union Printers’ Home, but these are members of the Inter
national Typographical Union in their own right. The new home of the Order of Railway Conductors
will, however, be open to wives and widows of members.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1219 J
8
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
Costello Home—Tuberculosis Sanatorium of Stereotypers
■"THE first step toward the provision of treatment for stereotypers
A and electro typers was taken in 1902 or 1903 when the Denver
local of the International Stereotypers and Electrotypers’ Union of
North America purchased a tent for the use of its tubercular members.
In October, 1924, a modern six-room bungalow on the outskirts of
Denver was purchased, as well as eight building lots 25 by 150 feet
each; the cost was $4,500. Since that time five 1-room cottages
have been built facing the north side of the main cottage, and it is
planned to add a sun porch running along the entire south side of
the main building (See fig. 2.) The present value of home and
grounds is about $6,500.
Each little cottage is equipped with an adjustable hospital bed,
dresser, straight-backed chair, rocker, medicine table, rug, and flattopped stove, also a reading lamp adjustable from the bed. The
matron can be summoned by an electric push button communicating
with the main cottage.
The main cottage contains the general living room, dining room
(where all the patients who are able assemble for meals), and kitchen,
as well as three bedrooms.
Conditions of Admission and Residence
The rules of the association provide that only cases which appear to
be capable of improvement shall be admitted to the home.
Candidates for admission to Costello Home must be members in
good standing of the International Stereotypers and Electrotypers
Union. No specified length of membership is required. The rules
require that the patient shall cease work at his trade upon entering
the home. All residents who are able are required to care for their
own rooms.
Medical Provision
There is no resident physician, but the home association has
engaged the services of a Denver physician, who visits the home
once a week, examines all the residents, and prescribes the necessary
treatment. He is also on call at any time for emergency treatment.
The general care of the patients is given by the resident matron,
under the direction of the physician.
The food for each patient is prescribed by the physician, as well as
any exercise that is to be permitted, and certain rest hours are enforced.
In order to insure the mental tranquillity of the patients the rules
specifically prohibit “ the discussion of religion, politics, or labor
matters * * * and the committee will not tolerate having
patients enter into these matters. Your health comes first and that
is what the patient is being cared for.”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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TRA DE-UNION OLD-AGE PENSION S AND HOMES FOR AGED
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
General Benefits Provided
The home was provided, by the general membership of the union,
with a player piano and an initial 50 records, to which additions are
being constantly made through donations. Entertainment is also
obtained through a radio.
Books, newspapers, magazines, etc., are also provided.
All clothing needed by the patient is furnished by the home associa
tion and each resident receives, for pocket money, $2.50 each week.
The rules provide that if he desires he may deposit this money with
the secretary-treasurer of the association, receiving interest upon it.
After a patient has been in residence for a year and if the home
physician and the patient’s local union consent, the home committee
may give him leave of absence to pay a visit to his home city. In
such cases the association furnishes transportation (including berth)
and money for his expenses during the trip.
Maintenance of Home
The home is operated through an organization known as the
Costello Home Association. This home is unique in that instead of
being operated and financed by the international union, it is still
largely a local matter, the Denver local, which inaugurated the home,
sponsoring it and being the main directing power.
It is financed entirely by voluntary donations from stereotypers
and electro typers’ local unions and by individuals. Of the 150 locals,
33 make regular monthly contributions to the support of the home;
others contribute at Christmas or on specific occasions only.
The Costello Home, while a modest undertaking, fills a real need
and that at comparatively small cost. Perusal of labor periodicals
reveals that several unions have considered the provision of a home
or of tuberculosis treatment for their members, but have hesitated
to do so because of the cost. The Costello Home is an example of
what can be done even when the union membership is comparatively
small7 and general union funds not available.
During the year ending July 31, 1927, the cost of maintenance of
the home was $5,854, divided as to the various items of cost, as
follows:
A dm inistratio n a n d lab o r:
Expenditure
M a tro n _________________________________________ $1, 072. 00
S ecre ta ry -tre a su re r______________________________
127. 35
O th e r___________________________________________
148. 49
M edical care :
P h y sic ia n _______________________________________
435. 00
D rug s a n d m edical supplies______________________
145. 35
L ab o ra to ry t e s t _________________________________
3. 00
N ursin g serv ice__________________________________
42. 00
A m bulance______________________________________
8. 00
P a tie n ts ’ allow ances_________________________________
402. 50
T elephone a n d te le g ra p h _____________________________
57. 40
L a u n d ry _____________________________________________
170. 45
1 , 052. 83
G roceries, m e a ts, e tc ________________________________
H e a t, lig h t, w a te r, ice________________________________
242. 86
P o stag e______________________________________________
24. 00
M iscellaneous p rin tin g _______________________________
9 5 .6 8
T ra n sp o rta tio n of p a tie n t_______________
25. 00
7
The membership of the International Stereotypers and Electrotypers’ Union on Dec. 31, 1926, was
7,178.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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T R A D E -U N IO N OLD-AGE P E N SIO N S AND HOMES FOR AGED
Im p ro v em e n ts to hom e:
E q u ip m en t
F u r n itu r e ..
P e rm a n e n t a d d itio n s to building.
A m usem ents a n d recreatio n
Legal services.
M iscellaneous.
T otal
11
Expenditure
$702.
78.
456.
8 405.
21.
138.
5,
14
20
07
29
25
70
853. 56
Printing Pressmen’s Home
HE International Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union of
North America has acquired a large tract of land in northeastern
Tennessee, where it has established a number of projects, including
a home for aged pressmen, a tuberculosis sanatorium, a hotel, a
technical trade school, etc. This group of projects forms what is
known as Pressmen’s Home. Situated in a valley in the mountains,
and covering an area of some 1,800 acres, Pressmen’s Home has
become a self-contained community.
Tuberculosis Sanatorium
The tuberculosis sanatorium is situated about half a mile to the
west of the main group of buildings. It is a white frame building
constructed in the shape of a cross (fig. 3), so that each room receives
the sunlight at some time in the day.
Each bedroom opens onto its individual screened porch, the wall
of the room on that side being formed of windows, so that the patient
can be in the open air and in his room at the same time. A door,
cut into the partition between porches, allows communication.
The sanatorium is equipped with an up-to-date kitchen and has its
own refrigeration plant. There are separate dining rooms for the
patients, for the nurses, and for the white and colored employees.
The number of patients varies from 15 to 35. At the time of the
agent’s visit, 17 were in residence.
Maj. George Berry, president of the pressmen’s union, addressing
the convention of the International Typographical Union in August,
1927, stated that since the opening of the sanatorium 185 cases of
tuberculosis have been arrested and discharged.
Medical care.—Patients at the sanatorium receive not only tuber
culosis treatment but any other medical attention necessary. This
includes minor operations, X-ray work, dental care, and treatment
for affections of eyes, ears, nose, and throat. The people of the
countryside around about come to the sanatorium for treatment for
their various ailments, although the resident physician states that
they must wait until all the resident patients have been given atten
tion. Employees at Pressmen’s Home receive free medical attention
also, but pay for medicines.
In case of death of a patient or of a resident at the home it is
provided that, if the body is unclaimed by friends or the local lodge,
burial expenses will be borne by the home.
The equipment at the sanatorium includes X-ray apparatus,
dental outfit, and a well-equipped laboratory.
8 Includes $275 for player piano and $61.40 for Christmas celebration and presents for the patients.
82645°—28----- 2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[223]
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
[224]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F i g . 3 .— T u b e r c u l o s i s s a n a t o r i u m o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l P r i n t i n g p r e s s m e n a n d A s s i s t a n t s ’ u n i o n . P r e s s m e n 's H o m e . T e n n
T R A D E -U N IO N OLD-AGE P E N SIO N S AND HOMES FOR AGED
13
The sanatorium has a resident physician. The medical director
resides at Rogersville, some 12 miles away, but visits at the sana
torium several times a week. There are three resident nurses. _
Conditions of admission and residence.—Applicants for admission
must have been members of the pressmen’s union for years. While
the rule is that only incipient cases shall be admitted, it was stated
that in practice many advanced cases are sent to the sanatorium and
“ they can’t be turned away.”
Material and recreational provision.—Special attention is given to
the menu of the patients, to insure a diet rich in protein. A large
flock of chickens and herd of cattle owned by the home association
provide the milk and eggs consumed at the sanatorium.
No monetary benefits are provided, but all necessaries are furnished,
including clothing and transportation to and from the sanatorium and
the patient’s home.
Although tuberculosis patients must avoid strenuous exertion and
are therefore debarred from many recreational activities, there are
certain quiet amusements that the sanatorium affords for its inmates.
A pleasant library, opening onto a glass-inclosed porch with flower
ing plants, contains several thousand volumes. A victrola, radio,
and billiard room are also furnished.
Home for Aged
The union has built at the foot of the mountain a building of 240
rooms, which will be used as a home for “ aged, invalid, or infirm”
members. It is furnished and ready for occupancy and it is expected
that it will be opened shortly after the convention of 1928. It is a
white frame building with broad verandas across the front and sides.
From the front of the home the lawn slopes down in broad terraces to
the foot of the valley. (Fig. 4.)
Conditions of admission and residence.—To become a resident of the
home the applicant must have reached the age of 60_years and have
been a member in continuous good standing in the union for 20 years.
He must also show that he is “ incapacitated for employment under
the jurisdiction of the international union.”
As already stated, an aged member eligible for the benefit may choose
between the old-age pension or residence at the home. If he chooses
the latter he is entitled to receive the difference between the pension
and the cost of his maintenance at the home. A member obtaining
a furlough from the home begins to draw his pension upon leaving,
relinquishing it again when he returns.
No services will be required of the residents at the home.
Material and recreational provision.—The home contains a large
handsomely furnished library and living room extending across the
eastern end of the building. A smoking room for the men and a
general clubroom for the women are also provided. Both are equipped
with couches, easy chairs, etc., and at one end of the room there is
electrical equipment for making coffee, toast, and other dishes.
The home building itself contains no specific recreational features.
At the foot of the terraces in front of the home is a building containing
a swimming pool, dressing rooms, etc. This will be open to the use
of the residents at the home, as also will be the gymnasium, billiard
room, and motion pictures at the hotel maintained by the union just
outside the grounds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[225]
F i g . 4— H o m e f o r S u p e r a n n u a t e d M e m b e r s o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l p r i n t i n g P r e s s m e n a n d A s s i s t a n t s ' U n i o n . P r e s s m e n 's H o m e . T e n n .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
m
^TRADE-UNION OLD-AGE PENSION S AND HOMES FOR AGED
15
Administration
Home and sanatorium are administered by a board of five members
selected by referendum vote of the members of the international
union. The sanatorium is under the immediate charge of the resident
physician, while the home is to be under the management of a matron
and her daughter.
Funds are secured by a per capita tax of 25 cents per month, levied
upon each of the more than 40,000 members of the international
union.
Home for Aged and Disabled Railroad Employees
HTHE Home for Aged and Disabled Railroad Employees of America
A was established in Chicago in 1891, but was moved to Highland
Park in 1903. Up to August 1, 1911, it was supported “ by soliciting
subscriptions from all possible sources,” and was open to members
of the four train-service brotherhoods—those of the locomotive engi
neers, the firemen and enginemen, the trainmen, and the conductors.
The 1909 convention of the trainmen appropriated from the
brotherhood funds the sum of $15,000 to be used toward the con
struction of a fireproof building. The engineers and firemen each
contributed a like amount, and the home was built. In 1924 the
building was remodeled, and a wing containing 39 rooms was added,
the whole costing some $172,000, the expense again being borne by
the same three brotherhoods. The Order of Railroad Conductors
ceased to have a voice in the management of the home in 1925. Its
retired members, however, continued to reside at the home, but since
the union had made no financial contribution to the building of the
home the order has since 1925 been charged for its residents one and
a half times the per capita cost of maintaining the home. The con
ductors, however, have recently completed the construction of a home
for aged members near Savannah, Ga., and to this its residents at
Highland Park were removed early in November, 1927.
The Brotherhood Home is situated at Highland Park, a suburb to
the north of Chicago, and is only four blocks from Lake Michigan.
The home building is a three-story brick structure. (See fig. 5.) Each
floor has a sun porch 10 feet wide and 50 feet long. The building
contains 64 single and 30 double rooms and can accommodate as
many as 150 at a pinch, although the normal capacity is 135. At
the time of the agent’s visit, in October, 1927, there were 97 in resi
dence; 13 of these, however, were conductors who were shortly to
leave for their new home in Georgia.
The power plant and laundry are in a separate building.
The home is surrounded by lawns comprising altogether some 2}/£
acres, and buildings and grounds are valued at nearly $350,000.
Conditions of Admission and Residence
The object of the home is to provide a refuge for “ worthy, aged
and disabled, helpless and destitute railroad men who are no longer
able to provide for themselves.” To gain admission to the institution
it is necessary that the applicant be a member in good standing in
one of the three brotherhoods and that he be eligible for insurance
therein. A certificate from a physician showing that he is “ per
manently incapacitated for railroad work” must accompany his
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[227]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TRADE-UNION OLD-AGE PEN SIO N S AND HOMES FOR AGED
17
application. The home does not accept “ insane or dangerous persons,
or persons afflicted with any contagious or infectious disease or
addicted to the use of liquor,” nor any person otherwise eligible “ if
suffering from a disabling incurable affliction or a progressive disease
which is liable to result in death within a reasonably short time after
admission to the home, or which requires at time of admission or is
liable to require shortly thereafter continuous hospital treatment
or other constant medical attention.”
The rules of the home require that “ every inmate of this institution
shall make himself useful in every way consistent with his physical
condition and cheerfully cooperate with the management in the per
formance of such duties as may be assigned to him” ; also that he
care for his own room, keeping it “ neat and tidy when his physical
condition will permit, attending to it the first thing in the morning
after a thorough airing.” In practice, the manager has rather dis
couraged the residents from helping around the building. He stated,
however, that when a section of the grounds was being beautified
and he called for volunteers to give 15 minutes’ time each day to
clearing the newly sown grass of weeds, he was surprised at the ready
and general response from the men.
It is pointed out that a member “ can not come and go at will. He
may be furloughed by the management to visit relatives and friends
at reasonable times.” In such cases, while the home does not under
take to provide transportation, the manager is usually able to secure
railroad tickets through the courtesy of the railroads.
Material, Medical, and Recreational Benefits Provided
All the necessaries required by the men are provided. When ill
they are cared for in the home hospital, which consists of two wards
and a diet kitchen. The two wards usually contain eight beds, but
on occasion can accommodate 16. In serious cases or for surgical
operations the patient is removed to an outside hospital, where he is
treated at the expense of the home.
A trained nurse is in attendance at the home hospital and a local
physician visits the home and gives any necessary treatment. The
services of dentist and oculist are also provided by the home as
needed.
The building is kept in immaculate condition and, in the interests
of sanitation, it is the present practice to furnish the new bedrooms
with steel furniture. The new wing contains 39 bedrooms, each of
which will be a “ memorial” room; i. e., a member of one of the
supporting organizations undertakes to furnish the room at a cost
of $100, the room being named for the person memorialized and a
bronze tablet to that effect being placed on the door of the room.
The furniture includes armchair, straight-backed chair, bed, and a
dresser one drawer of which pulls out and down to form a desk.
An automatic elevator enables those residents who are confined to
wheel chairs to move about from floor to floor without help.
The meals are prepared under the supervision of the manager’s
wife, who acts as matron. Especial care is taken to provide as much
variety in the menu as possible.
In addition to meals and lodging, each inmate is given clothing,
laundry, and barber service; tobacco, stamps, and numerous small
comforts are also provided.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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18
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
The home contains, for the recreational use of its inmates, a fine
library, smoking rooms, reading rooms, lounging rooms, billiard
room, and sun room. The institution has its own motion-picture
machine, donated by the ladies’ auxiliary of the locomotive engineers,
and pictures are shown in the chapel once a week during the year
(except during very hot weather). Cards, checkers, and a radio also
furnish amusement.
In 1923 the same ladies’ auxiliary presented the home with a
seven-passenger automobile, and since that time automobile rides
have been a regular recreational feature for the old men at the home.
This was an especially welcome addition to the recreational facilities,
since there are usually in residence men confined to wheel chairs or
on crutches who would otherwise be unable to leave the home
grounds.
Administration and Maintenance
The home is under the general supervision of a society composed
of the chief executive of each of the three supporting brotherhoods,
each of whom appoints two additional members of his organization
and three members from the ladies’ auxiliary of his order. The
society so composed then elects from its number a board of three
trustees who oversee the management of the home. The secretarytreasurer of the society is the manager of the home, hiring all employees
and paying all bills.
The funds are furnished by the three brotherhoods, which con
tribute on a pro rata basis according to the number of days’ occu
pancy by their members. As already stated, a higher rate has been
charged for members of the Order of Railroad Conductors. The
table below shows the expenditure for each item in 1926:
T
able
2 .—
O PER A T IN G E X P E N S E S OP R A ILROAD BROTH ER H O O D H O M E , 1926
Expendi
ture
Item
Building expenses:
Maintenance of building ________
Upkeep of grounds.^
_________
Maintenance of elevator and m a chinery______ _____
Maintenance of furniture and fixtures _ _ -_
Maintenance of heating plant........ .
Light and power
_________ _
Heating plant, fuel_________
Heating plant, wages___ ________
Depreciation, buildings, old
Depreciation, furniture, fixtures,
equipment, and machinery, o ld ..
T otal________
________
General expenses:
Administrative_________
Office, salary___________ ________
Office supplies____ ____
Telephone and telegrams.. — _
Transportation___ _______
.
General____________________
Publication__________
T o ta l-................................... .........
Table expenses:
Groceries...............................
Meats_________________ _
Water_____ _________ _
Freight and express___________
Range fuel__________ _____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$6,184. 60
206.80
Table expenses—Continued.
Kitchen and dining-room wages___
R e n e w a ls o f w a r e s a n d lin e n s
262. 55
288 04
90.43
1, 456. 66
3, 947. 00
2,416.30
1, 388.15
817.47
17,058. 00
4, 213.19
1,164. 00
120.60
146.80
314. 34
395. 95
937. 78
Expendi
ture
Item
T o ta l..
25, 946. 35
Home expense:
Care of rooms
Supplies
674.15
112.15
Total _
786. 30
Inmates’ expenses:
Clothing________________
Barber
Laundry
Amusements________
______
Total
13, 548. 98
5, 629. 88
600. 89
214. 95
957.12
[230]
A tte n d a n ts ’ w ages
M e d in a ! a t, te n d a n e e
Drugs and hospital supplies____ .
Automobile—
Depreciation___
Total
Total expenses
1, 658. 07
1, 079. 50
2, 596. 76
602. 28
134. 67
6, 071.28
Hospital expenses:
Salaries of nurses
7, 292. 66
$4, 552. 55
441. 98
. . . . ___
1,161.00
2, 001. 00
2, 310. 60
906.17
431. 07
232. 50
" 7, 042.34
64,196. 93
TRADE-UNION OLD-AGE PENSIONS AND HOMES FOR AGED
Railway Conductors’ Home
Order of Railway Conductors, until November, 1927, main
THEtained
its superannuated and disabled members at the Brother
I
hood Home owned by the other three train-service brotherhoods
those of the engineers, firemen and enginemen, and trainmen. The
question of the provision of a home owned by the order itself arose
some time ago, and when it became known that various localities
were being considered for the site of the home the citizens of Savan
nah, Ga., donated to the order 100 acres of land on Oatland Island,
near Savannah, and pledged $20,000 toward the construction of the
building. The 1925 conductors’ convention authorized the erection
of a building to house not only the superannuated members but also
their wives "and the widows of members. The contract of construc
tion was let early in 1927, and the building was formally opened No
vember 10, 1927. The contract price of construction is reported to
have been $242,000.
The home is a two-story building of reinforced concrete and brick.
(See fig. 6.) It is built in the form of an H, with a frontage of 250
feet; wings on each end run back 108 feet. The floors are connected
by automatic elevators. A glass-inclosed porch runs along the entire
length of one wing.
_
There are 75 bedrooms, 21 of which are on the first floor. The
living room is stated to be a large attractive room, with paneled
walls and a large fireplace. The kitchen is completely equipped with
electric appliances. The second floor contains bedrooms, linen
rooms, and sewing rooms. One wing on this floor is given over to
the medical department, with hospital wards, and sterilization,
anesthetic, and operating rooms.
The building will be steam heated and will have its own water sys
tem supplied from a pneumatic pump on the grounds. Accommoda
tions for 30 servants are provided at the rear of the building, and a
garage housing five cars has also been constructed.
It is also planned to erect individual cottages, each with its own
garden and orchard, for the use of family groups in residence at the
home.
Conditions of admission and residence.—At the time of the inquiry,
the rules and regulations governing admission to the home had not
been determined.
Medical care and recreational provision.—Reference has already been
made to the medical and hospital equipment for which provision has
been made. No definite action had been taken relative to medical
care, but officials stated that the services of some local physician
would probably be engaged.
The home contains a card room, billiard room, and a game room,
all situated in the right wing of the building, and recreational activities
will be centered there.
Administration and maintenance.—As already noted, 100 acres of
land and $20,000 were donated by citizens of Savannah. Additional
funds were raised by special assessments levied upon the 60,000 mem
bers of the Order of Railway Conductors, and individual contribu
tions were also received. Some members have pledged themselves
to pay $1 a week to the home.
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t r a d e -u n io n
o l d -a g e
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fo r
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21
A number of the rooms have been furnished by local divisions or
by the ladies’ auxiliary units.
No data are available as to what the source of funds for the current
expenses of operation will be. It was stated at the headquarters o
the order, however, that the organization owns some 3,500 acres of
land on which pecan trees have been set out. It is expected that the
income from the pecan groves will eventually cover the operating
expense of the home. Potatoes and cotton are being raised pending
the attainment of bearing age by the pecan groves.
The home will be managed by one of the deputy presidents ot the
order and his wife.
Union Printers’ Home
r-pHE Epochal History of the International Typographical Union,
A issued by the union, states that even in the earliest conventions
of that body the matter of the establishment of a home for aged and
infirm, members was brought up. Even though discouraged by committees time and again, the proposal kept recurring.
Finally in 1886, two wealthy men of Philadelphia made the union
an unconditional gift of $10,000. Several offers of land for a site were
received, but that of the city of Colorado Springs, Colo., was finally
accepted. The site included 80 acres of land on a hill situated about
a mile east of the city.
, .
Private subscription had increased the original $10,000 to more
than $20,000. Additional contributions were secured from the mem
bers, and union printers throughout the country donated an hour s
pay or the price of 1,000 ems of type composition. Later a per capita
tax was levied to increase the funds.
.
The home was formally dedicated May 12, 1892. This first
building cost approximately $60,000. Successive additions have been
built, and the present edifice has a frontage of some 300 feet. Building
and grounds are now valued at approximately $3,000,000.
The grounds of the home now cover some 300 acres situated on an
eminence overlooking the city of Colorado Springs. From the front
of the home can be obtained a panoramic view of the Pocky Moun
tains for about 120 miles, with Pike’s Peak straight ahead. I he land
slopes down to the city on the west and to Prospect Lake on the
southwest.
Home for Aged
On each side of the driveway, extending from the front gate to the
main building—a distance of 650 feet—there is a broad cement walk;
bordering it and surrounding the home are lawns comprising an area
of 12 acres. These lawns abound in flowers, shrubs and trees, maple
and elm alternating in front and along the driveway.
The main building is of white lava stone, with red sandstone
trimmings. (Fig. 7.) The main edifice is about 300 feet long by 50
feet wide, with a wing extending to the rear from each end.
The south wing is used exclusively for hospital purposes. Across
the east (rear) side of the building are screened sun porches, those at
the south end being devoted to the use of the tuberculosis patients
for sleeping purposes. Each story of the building contains a niam
hallway, extending the entire length of the building, into which all
the rooms open. An automatic electric elevator has been installed.
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TRADE-UNION OLD-AGE PENSION S AND HOMES FOR AGED
23
for the convenience of the residents. The most elderly residents,
however, are given rooms on the first floor.
There are three dining rooms, all located on the ground floor. In
the main dining room are served the meals of the able-bodied resi
dents, the nurses, and the office force; in an adjoining room are
served the meals of those sanatorium patients who are able to dress
and come to the table, while in still another are served those_ who,
while able to be out of bed, are yet too weak to bear the exertion of
dressing for meals. To this room they may come in their bathrobes
and slippers.
The kitchens are equipped with the most modern appliances.
The meals of the sanatorium patients are prepared under the super
vision of an expert dietitian in a special kitchen equipped for this
purpose. In addition there are diet kitchens located in convenient
places on the upper floors where special nourishment is prepared for
bed patients. An automatic dumb-waiter is also provided for carrying
trays from the ground-floor kitchen to the upper floors, to those
patients who are confined to their beds.
In August, 1927, there were 140 aged members in residence in the
home, of whom 6 were women. A dormer wing on the third floor
has been set aside for the use of these women.
Hospital and Tuberculosis Sanatorium
As already indicated, the hospital occupies the south wing of the
main building; it provides accommodations for 54 patients. The
tower room on each floor (except that on which the offices of the
medical department are located) is used as a recreation and lounging
room for the patients.
In addition, there are 20 octagonal tents grouped at the south end
of the main building. These tents are mounted on cement bases
and are securely anchored to withstand the most severe winds. The
walls are of the best army canvas, impervious to snow or rain. A
system of ventilators is provided in the floor on four sides of the tent,
as well as in the peak of the roof; these can be opened or closed at
will. Each tent is electric lighted and steam heated and is provided
with an electric call bell. If a patient needs attention he presses
the bell, which rings in the nurses’ room in the hospital and at the
same time causes a light over the tent door to glow. This remains
lighted until his call is answered.
To supply a central place for the use of the tuberculosis patients
a solarium was built in 1907. Still more space was found necessary,
and an open-air pavilion was then constructed, supplying accommo
dations for 30 additional patients.
In August, 1927, there were 140 patients in the hospital and
sanatorium.
The superintendent of the home occupies a six-room, modern,
white lava-stone cottage, located just north of the main building.
It has telephone connection with every department of the institution.
The medical director occupies a cottage just outside the main grounds
of the institution but on land belonging to it. The other two resi
dent physicians have quarters in the main building.9
9
Other buildings in connection with the institution include a building housing the laundry, carpenter
shop, and power plant; one containing a laboratory, sewing room, sleeping rooms, and barber shop; a
greenhouse' a dairy building, barns, garage, etc.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Conditions of Admission and Residence
Applicants for admission to the home must have been members
of the International Typographical Union for not less than 10 years,
at least 3 of which must immediately antedate the date of appli
cation for admission. Persons suffering from tuberculosis, however,
may be admitted after 18 months’ continuous membership except n
cases where it appears that the applicant joined the union for the
sole purpose of securing admission to the sanatorium.
No persons afflicted with any mental disease are admitted.
In case of there being more applications for admission than there
are vacancies the rules provide that preference shall be given “ (1) to
the afflicted as against the infirm; (2) to those of the afflicted to whom
the greatest probable good can be done by admission as against those
to whom a less degree of good is probable; and (3) to those of the
infirm whose infirmity is greatest.” If the prospective resident
is unable to defray his traveling expenses to the home, these are
borne by his local union. When he is discharged an amount equal
to that expended in his transportation to the home is appropriated
by the home to buy him a railroad ticket in whatever direction he
may select.
Residents who are able to do so are expected to care for their own
rooms, and may also be asked to perform light tasks relative to the
upkeep of grounds or buildings, subject to the judgment of the
medical director. “ It is recommended without being made a duty
* * * that landscape gardening, or some similar vocation, be
undertaken on said grounds as a source of exercise and recreation
to the persons domiciled at said home. But no task or duty shall
ever be imposed under the guise of exercise or recreation on any
inmate of said home.”
Medical Care
Within 48 hours after admission to the home or sanatorium the
resident is given a thorough physical examination, and during his
period of residence he receives all possible medical care, including
operations. In case of death, the home bears the burial expenses if
the body is unclaimed by friends or the local union.
The institution’s medical staff consists of a medical director, two
resident physicians, a consulting neurologist, a consulting ear, nose,
and throat specialist, a consulting eye specialist, a consulting surgeon,
and a dentist. In addition, when occasion demands, a specialist
in genito-urinary diseases is also called in. At the September, 1926,
meeting of the board of trustees of the home, the superintendent was
instructed to “ look into the feasibility and advisability of employing
an all-time dentist” on the same basis as the resident physicians.
Major operations are provided for by arrangement with a local
hospital.
The medical director is of the opinion that some system should
also be worked out by which discharged patients could be kept
under medical observation “ for a long period after leaving.”
The equipment of the medical department cost more than $10,000
and includes an up-to-date X-ray machine, ultra-violet lamp, dental
outfit, etc. The home has an arrangement with a local laboratory
clinical company whereby laboratory-test work is done by the
company, which also has supervision of the X-ray department of
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25
the home. The home employs a technician, who is also a nurse, to
do the X-ray work.
In order that the medical department may be in touch with the
latest developments in the medical field, the trustees last year
inaugurated the practice of sending the medical director or one of the
resident physicians to attend two medical meetings each year, all
expenses in connection therewith to be met by the home.
Material and Recreational Provision
The rules governing the home are very restrained in their promises
of care for the residents, providing merely that “ persons admitted
into this home shall be fed with plain but wholesome food, clothed
with plain but decent apparel (no distinctive dress ever to be worn),
and lodged in a plain but safe manner; due regard shall be paid to
their health, comfort, and happiness, and to this end their persons,
clothes, and apartments shall be kept clean.” 10
The actual spirit prevailing in the treatment of these aged and
tubercular printers in residence at the home, however, is much
better expressed in another article of the same document which de
clares that “ its bounty shall be unpurchasable; its charity shall be
given without price. ”
Each resident receives not only food, lodging, clothing, and
laundry, but also 50 cents a week. This sum is granted to those whose
local unions are unable to make any allowance to their members
who are at the home; if the local union supplies pocket money, the
home does not. As the funds of the home warrant, the amount
will be increased to $1 a week. Additional payment is made to those
residents who perform tasks on the grounds or in the buildings.
A room in the main building is equipped with tables for cards,
chess, or checkers for the use of the residents. From this room an
arched doorway leads into a library which contains between nine and
ten thousand volumes. More than 100 newspapers are received, as
well as magazines and several religious publications. A number of
the magazines are donated by the publishers, and the home subscribes
for two copies of each of the other leading monthlies.
The archway between card room and library is so arranged that
it can be converted into a stage. Here motion pictures are shown
once a week from October 1 to April 1 each year. A six-piece
orchestra furnishes the music accompanying the pictures. On this
stage the local lodge of Elks gives a performance of its minstrel
show every winter, and various other entertainments are given.
The library will seat 300 persons.
A billiard room with two tables furnishes recreation for those who
care for this type of amusement, while piano and victrola provide
for those musically inclined. Usually several dances are given dur
ing the winter, those on St. Valentine’s day and St. Patrick’s day
being costume affairs. As the inmates consist only of elderly or
sick people, outside amusements are few. There are, however,
two croquet grounds which seem to be well patronized. Tourna
ments are held and prizes are given to the most successful players.
During the year ending May 31, 1927, $1,792 was expended to
provide amusement of various sorts for the residents.
10
The rules of the printing pressmen’s union also contain this identical provision, presumably adopted
from the printers’ regulations.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Administration and Maintenance
The institution is managed by a superintendent acting under the
direction of a board of seven trustees, one of whom resides in Colorado
Springs. The superintendent’s wife acts as matron. The physi
cians are appointed by the board of trustees, but all other employees
are hired by the superintendent.
The institution is supported entirely by the membership of the
International Typographical Union.11 Each union printer pays to
the international union, as dues, 65 cents a month plus 1 per cent
of his earnings. Of this amount 40 cents goes to the home fund.
As would be expected, the cost of maintenance of this extensive
institution is heavy,^ amounting to $348,955 during the year ending
M a y 31, 1927. During that year the number of persons in residence
averaged 263. The cost of maintenance per member was therefore
$1,326.83 for the year, or $110.57 per month. Excluding such items
as permanent improvements to the building, insurance, care of ceme
tery, upkeep of grounds, etc.,'the average cost per resident was $69.79
per month.
The table below shows the expenditure for each item:
T
able
3 . — COST
OF O P ER A T IO N OF U N IO N P R IN T E R S ’ H OM E, Y E AR E N D IN G
M A Y 31, 1927
Item
Administrative expense:
Clerical work_______. . . .
Employees’ salaries__________ .
Trustees’ meetings____________
Medical care, drugs, etc.:
D entist________ ______
Drugs.. . _________ _
Special service____ _ .
Spectacles and repairs_____
Groceries and meats_____ ____
Sundry supplies____
Clothing_______ _
Furniture and fixtures____ _
Funeral and burial, etc., expenses:
For deceased residents____
Care of cemetery plots__________
Amusements. ______
Automobile______
Books, stationery, and office supplies..
Street-car tickets.. . _
Transportation of residents...........
Expendi
ture
$1,300. 00
79, 754. 26
5,199. 46
3, 044. 25
7, 965. 68
4,611. 30
' 583. 95
81, 580. 68
3, 790. 09
15,308. 63
25,614. 92
758. 23
305.00
1,791. 91
3, 997. 55
1, 949. 66
' 213. 00
5, 726.09
Item
Expense of farm____________
Freight and express
H ay and grain
Heat and light
W ater... _____ _ ___
Laundry
T a x e s a n d in s u ra n e e
T e l e p h o n e a n d te le g ra p h
Buildings:
G e n e r a l r e p a ir s
P e r m a n e n t im p r n v e m p n ts
Expense of trip to medical meeting___
Legal services
Library_____ ________
Miscellaneous printing
Residents’ allowances
Postage.
Miscellaneous
Total
Expendi
ture
$5, 005. 23
568. 72
10, 841. 70
16,148.88
2, 204. 20
2, 683. 62
5, 733. 97
492. 08
12, 773. 43
38,636.40
285.49
50.00
167. 02
372. 07
6,898.65
220.80
2, 377. 67
348, 954. 59
Conclusion
The Epochal History of the International Typographical Union
points out that of the benefits derived from the home not the least
has been “ the tightening of bonds of sympathy within the fraternity
and the growth of pride” in ^ In te rn a tio n a l Union. The value of
the institution has been recognized by the Women’s International
Auxiliary to the International Typographical Union, which has had
the matter of the establishment of a similar home under considera
tion for several years. At the 1927 convention of the auxiliary, by
unanimous vote, it was decided to erect a home for auxiliary members
who have become aged or incapacitated, the building also to be sit
uated at Colorado Springs.
11 Since the original gift of land and money individual donations have amounted to only $9,80S.
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OTHER TRADE-UNION PROVISION FOR TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT
"TUBERCULOSIS treatment is often one of the benefit features of
*■ those trade-unions whose trade involves factors or conditions
predisposing to that disease. In addition to the unions already
mentioned which have established their own sanatorium^ a number
of organizations either pay a tuberculosis benefit directly to the mem
ber or pay his expenses in some private sanatorium.12 These organi
zations include those of the headgear workers, the locomotive firemen
and enginemen, the photo-engravers, the potters, and the railroad
trainmen.
.
A member of the Brotherhood of Firemen and Engmemen afflicted
with tuberculosis may have his choice between benefits of $75^ per
month if he remains at home or treatment at the nearest sanatorium,
with treatment paid for and cash benefits of $15 per month paid to
him to cover his personal expenses while there.
The Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen pays no pecuniary bene
fits to members who contract tuberculosis. It does, however, pro
vide for treatment, unlimited as to time, in any sanatorium to which
the patient wishes to go. During his residence there the brotherhood
supplies him with everything he needs—or, as it was stated at the
headquarters of the brotherhood, “ everything from cigarettes to shoe
laces.” The report of the tuberculosis fund for 1926 showed a total
of 709 members given sanatorium treatment since this benefit was
inaugurated in 1923. At the end of 1926, persons receiving hospital
treatment for the disease numbered 266, the average cost per person
per month being $167.58.
The Union of Cloth Hat, Cap, and Millinery Workers pays a
tuberculosis benefit of a flat sum of $75, the payment of which relieves
the union from any further payments for this purpose to the afflicted
member. The International Photo-engravers’ Union allows $10 for
the physical examination of any member suspected of being tuber
culous. If found to have the disease he becomes eligible to benefits
of $15 per week, continuing as long as he is affected with the disease.
The secretary-treasurer of the union reports that “ The treatment of
these cases is not limited to any specific form or care, it being optional
with a memberwhether treatment is received at home, at asanatorium,
or any other place selected by the member himself.”
The National Brotherhood of Operative Potters provides for treat
ment in a sanatorium selected by the patient, at a cost not to exceed
$12 per week, except in “ extreme cases,” when the executive board
may authorize a higher rate. No more than 50 patients may receive
such treatment at any one time. If the patient fails to show improve
ment in six months the brotherhood reserves the right to discontinue
the treatment.
The Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, from a study
of the causes of mortality and sickness among its members, learned
that tuberculosis constitutes a real hazard among them. It therefore
appointed a committee to study the relative merits of Tennessee and
Colorado, with a view to establishing a sanatorium, and this commit
tee will report its findings to the next convention of the brotherhood.
12
Data as to amount paid by various labor organizations for tuberculous benefits or treatment were
given in the January, 1928, issue of the Labor Review (p. 11).
82015°—28----- 3
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
In the majority of cases receipt of tuberculosis treatment is not
limited to a specified period but is left to the discretion of the general
executive board or continues for whatever time is necessary.
A number of other unions give financial support to certain private
tuberculosis sanatoriums. This is true of a tuberculosis sanatorium
located at Duarte, Calif. The Bakers’ Journal13 is authority for the
statement that “ Every single structure on the grounds was put there
by some organization, labor group, or community organization. The
Amalgamated Clothing Workers put up the dining hall; the medical
building was put by the International Fur Workers’ Union; one of
the men’s cottages was put up by the Workmen’s Circle; another
building was put up by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’
Union.” With the idea of establishing a “ bakers’ building” on the
grounds, the Los Angeles bakers started a fund, raising the sum of
$4,000. Ground was broken and plans were drawn for a building
to cost $30,000. Funds to complete the building are now being col
lected within the ranks of the Bakery and Confectionery Workers’
International Union.
The sanatorium and its services are described as follows:
T he san ato riu m , founded in 1913, is located ju s t 20 m iles from Los Angeles, in
th e h e a rt of th e orange-grove c o u n try . I t a d m its p a tie n ts from all p a rts of th e
U nited S tates, w ith o u t charge or expense of a n y k in d ; one need only be sick w ith
consum ption a n d unable to p a y fo r care to h ave his req u est fo r adm ission con
sidered. Since its estab lish m en t i t h as cared for 2,263 p a tie n ts.
T o-day th e sa n ato riu m h as a c a p acity of 136 beds a n d a staff of 16 consulting
specialists, 3 resid en t physicians, 15 nurses, a n d 45 o th er a tte n d a n ts . T h e san a
to riu m occupies 20 acres of lan d a n d p resen ts th e ap p earan ce of a b e a u tifu l little
village, w ith spacious, sh ad ed avenues, a ttra c tiv e cottages, a n d im pressive hos
p ita l a n d a d m in istra tio n buildings. T h ere are tw o h o sp ital buildings for m en
an d one fo r w om en; these sh elter th e p a tie n ts so sick th a t th e y m u s t rem ain in
bed a t all tim es. In a d d itio n th e re are nine co ttag es fo r p a tie n ts able to go to
m eals a n d stro ll a b o u t th e gard en s fo r sh o rt periods. A fine recreatio n hall,
dining hall, an d o th e r a d m in istra tiv e stru c tu re s com plete th e facilities.
Another tuberculosis sanatorium which has received considerable
support from organized labor is the Ex-Patients’ Tubercular Home
of Denver, Colo. This is described as being “ the only hospital that
keeps incurable cases for an unlimited period of time and teaches its
improved patients a suitable profession” in order that they may not
have to return to an occupation that is harmful to them. This past
summer the Amalgamated Clothing Workers not only appropriated
$500 from the general office for this institution but issued a general
appeal to its locals, which responded generously.
The Locomotive Engineers’ Journal reports the formation of a
tuberculosis colony at Victorville, Calif., by Los Angeles telephone
workers. Ten acres were purchased, simple shelters erected, and a
physician near by was employed to give such treatment as was neces
sary. The report does not state whether this Lone Wolf Colony was
the result of union activities, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics has
been unable to obtain direct information.
Through the efforts of the Central Labor Union of Brooklyn and
Queens, the Medford Sanatorium, for working men, women, and
their families, was incorporated early in 1912 and the sanatorium was
opened to the public in 1913.
13 The Bakers’ Journal, Chicago, N ov. 19, 1927, p. 2.
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SCIENCE AND THE W ORKER
29
The sanatorium is located on 70 acres of rolling woodland on Long
Island. It is free to the public, treatment being given without cost.
Thus far the institution is equipped only for handling incipient cases.
It is supported by voluntary contributions from individuals, from
labor organizations, etc. In an endeavor to raise sufficient funds to
extend the facilities of the institution an attempt is being made to
induce labor and other organizations to make formal affiliation, pay
ing a fee of $1 per member per year.
Science and the Worker
B y J a m e s J. D a v is , S e c r e t a r y o f L a b o r
T HAS been said of ancient civilizations that only because the
millions were forced to do the work could the few find time to
think. To-day nearly every laboring man in the United States
has “ time to think.” And he owes this mostly to science.
The other nations of the world to-day are justly proud of what
they have done and where they stand. Their past and present are
sprinkled thick with the names of great artists, musicians, poets,
scientists, and inventors. And beyond all doubt these great thinkers
have vastly enriched human life. Yet I can’t help thinking their
great achievements have been mainly for the benefit of the people of
leisure and cultivation.
It seems to me that only here in America has the life of the working
man been really enriched. It may be that America has yet to take
her place in the realm of art, but if that is so it is because America
has been engaged in another and greater art. It seems to me that
the great work America has done is to take science and invention
wherever she finds them and put them to practical benefit for the man
who works.
The great art America has developed is the art of wiping the sweat
from the laborer’s brow, the art of lifting from his back the burdens
that have weighed him down through countless ages. Even in our
own short history he used to toil from sun to sun—in the fields, in
factory or shop, or under the ground in mines. He faced dangers
in the mine. In the factory he had back-breaking weights to lift.
His tools were poor, his pay was little, his hours were long. When
they were done, in the language of the street, he had nothing to do
but rest—if he could.
From that we have freed him. We have shortened his hours,
lightened his labors. He used to need muscle, and we have given
him endless steam and electric power instead. He used to need a
handicraft that it cost him years to acquire, and we have given him
machinery of wonderful cunning. With power and machinery one
man produces with ease more wealth than hundreds produced with
heart-breaking and back-breaking toil. And he shares in the wealth
he produces in the form of higher wages than workers were ever paid
before.
I
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Benefits of Science to the Worker
pTOR the first time in history we have not only given the worker
“ time to think” ; we have also given him things to think of and
an education to help him in his thinking. We have given him enjoy
ments in life unknown even to the kings of old. And we have given
him ample means to buy and possess these enjoyments. All this is
the work of science. This is what is meant by “ the application of
science to industrv.”
Science is as old as history itself, and has grown to be a great and
many-sided thing. Other peoples have played their part in its
development. But I believe it has fallen to America to develop the
highest science of all. I mean the science that takes all the other
sciences and puts them to practical use for the benefit of men—the
benefit of every man. I mean the science of management.
You learn what it is by what it does. It is the science that has
made us the richest of peoples. It is the science that has put within
reach nearly every good thing of life, for all to enjoy alike—the
automobile, and the broader life it brings; the well-warmed, wellfurnished home—the list is endless, but the worker begins to have
them all.
It is not the mechanical and chemical wonders that science per
forms to-day that interest me most. It is this effect that science
has had in a social way, in opening life in all its fullness to those who
throughout the ages never knew life at all. To appreciate what we
have to-day as the gift of science—to see this blessing to men in all
its tremendous scope and significance, you have to measure it against
the struggles that men, and especially the workingmen, have had in
the past.
If you do look back you will be struck with pity. Your pity will
be not only for the hard lot of the ancient slave or menial but for
his struggle to better that lot. You will also wonder at his ingenuity.
It seems that from the very beginning of things men have groped for
this or that invention that will save them work, cure their ills, and
make life better.
For example, an enormous ant exists in parts of the South American
jungle. One type of this ant has powerful pinchers or claws. When
he sinks them into anything these pinchers lock. They stay locked
even after the death of the insect itself. Nothing, in fact, will
unlock them but some mechanism within the insect. This fact the
primitive Indians of Guiana discovered and put to use. When one
of them suffered from a serious wound a few of these ants were allowed
to grip their claws through the sides of the cut and bring them to
gether until they had healed. In a way that was science.
But from that primitive surgery see the distance we have come.
Doctor Albee, of New York, will take a piece of your shin bone and
weld it into your arm or any other bone of the body that is broken
and refuses to heal. Between that feat of Doctor Albee and the
ants of the Guiana Indian lies the whole gamut of science in surgery.
And all this is now at the service of the man who works. For Doctor
Albee has applied surgery to industry as it has never been done
before, and the science of management has helped him—for legal
science in our compensation laws has made it pay to get the injured
worker back on the job as soon as possible. The science of the law
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has done that because the science of economics has taught us how
necessary it is for us all to be producers every minute ol the time.
To-day it has become almost silly to say that a man is hopelessly
crippled or can not recover. We have almost stricken the word
despair from the dictionary. In surgery it has been discovered that
the shin bone is the one bone in the body that if removed will replace
itself. The fact that a bone from the same individual grafted or
welded onto another bone elsewhere in the same individual is more
likely to heal than a bone from another source has developed the
further fact that each human being has within himself a factory for
the manufacture of the material to heal his own broken, crushed, or
diseased bones. So Albeeism has come to mean, in a measure, the
end of hopeless cripples.
I
cite this only to show what is going on everywhere in science.
The same progress in surgery, from the ant of the jungle to the art
of Doctor Albee, runs through industry in general. You see it in
sanitation, in devices to protect the worker from dangerous machines,
from health-destroying chemicals. In my estimation, that is one of
the finest sciences of all. It is not enough to help a man to produce
as men have never produced before. The great job of science is to
make life itself better than ever and to see that every man lias his
full share of it. And the achievements of Doctor Albee are only a
single proof that science is doing just that.
Lengthening the Working Life
A S THE scientists find new ways of meeting disease and lengthening life I foresee the worker living a longer life of usefulness.
Too many employers have still the notion that a worker, no matter
what his record or what his present skill, is through at 50. When I
was a youngster at work in the iron and steel mills the man who
reached that age was given a gold-headed cane—and his discharge.
His years of willing work, the contribution of his skill to the enter
prise that employed him earned him a little thanks. After they were
spoken the enterprise had no further use for him.
Science, I believe, will drive this foolish notion out of our heads.
It will stretch out the worker’s period of worth and ability to work.
And that work itself will be ever lightened by new and more wonder
ful automatic machinery. Instead of turning the still valuable
worker away at 50, an age we now regard as hardly more than middle
life, I believe we shall be proud of keeping the man of 70 still usefully
employed. The fact will be noted that he is still strong, healthy,
and able. His hand will control the new automatic machinery as
well as a man of 30. And a more enlightened employer will not see
a liability in that man’s years, but rather an asset, in the added skill
and experience his longer life of work will have given him. That, I
believe, will be the order of things in the near future.
We who live in this age too little realize what has been done for us
and the long labors that science has put in in order to bring us these
boons we enjoy. As it is, we little appreciate the debt we owe to
the pioneers of science long, long ago. Only yesterday invention
gave us the airplane, yet hundreds and possibly thousands of years
ago a savage race who knew nothing of the laws of air resistance and
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m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
pressure developed a weapon that remains a marvel of skill to this
day—the boomerang, a wooden blade so shaped, curved, and sharp
ened as to return to the hand of the thrower after being flung at an
object a hundred yards away. For its day and age the boomerang
was a more remarkable instrument than the flying machine of to-day.
It was by no means as useful, but it represents that inherent inge
nuity in man that has brought us to the exact knowledge we have
to-day.
It seems you will find man that busy inventor at all ages. When
Caesar conquered the Germanic peoples he found them using a
machine for harvesting their wheat. A pair of oxen pushed it through
the grain. Less than a generation ago the same type of machine was
used here in America and known as the header. A revolving wheel
bent the heads of wheat over a row of fingers or slots that tore off the
grain as the machine was pushed along. Thus a harvester better
than the one known to our grandfathers had been developed by a
people the Romans regarded as “ barbarous.”
I cite the above for a reason. When Csesar conquered those
inventive people slavery was introduced among them. The result
was that the machine passed out of use. It was cheaper and easier
to force the slaves to do the work. A good slave could be bought
for $5, and that harvesting machine disappeared for centuries.
What better proof could we want for the fact that the real conqueror
of human slavery is science with its machinery? If you want to see
at a glance what happens when science is not applied to industry, you
see it in Caesar’s blow to that promising invention.
Slavery No Longer Profitable
rT',HE truth is that the ancient peoples knew more than we give
A them credit for about the mechanical laws we have forced to
serve us in such stupendous fashion. More than a century before
the birth of Christ a man named Hero had invented a primitive
steam engine. And, again, a mechanical device that might have led
to the more rapid advancement of man was blighted by a less fortu
nate human device. Once more the abundance and cheapness of
human slaves entered in, and Hero’s engine remained a curiosity in a
museum. Once again you have to pity those ancient peoples. You
marvel at their beginnings in science. You pity them because they
could not see what science could have done for them if they had let it
free their slaves and do their work.
This same thing occurred in Rome itself. Water power was used
in many Roman pottery plants. But it was used simply to help the
slaves in turning the wheels that furnished the power. Those
Roman pottery manufacturers were right on the verge of discovering
automatic water power, and they never knew it. Once more the
cheapness and abundance of slave labor blinded their eyes.
In the history of chemistry you find the same sad story. The
spade of the explorer has turned up Babylonian tablets bearing five
different recipes for the making of glass. Not only the formula is
given but the process of manufacture is described. The wonderful
part of it is that the glass mixed in Babylonia 3,000 years before
Christ is the same as the glass of to-day, except that the Babylonian
glass was rough, whereas the laboratory has given us the vastly
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refined glass. But to-day marvelous machines turn out our glass, so
that thousands of workers whose lives used to be shortened by the
heavy work of blowing it are released to other pursuits. In Babylon,
of course, nobody cared if a $5 slave died early. His place was
quickly taken by another $5 purchase.
I can think of only one activity in which science has not placed us
far, far ahead of the ancients. That is in road building. To-day we
build roads overnight. We wear them out nearly as fast. But that
is because in this modern day we subject them to loads and usage
unknown in the long ago, unknown even 20 years ago. The roads
built by the Romans when Christ was a boy are still in use. Those
Romans were willing to employ hundreds of thousands of men for
many years in building a few miles of roadway. It is little wonder
that the highways they constructed have lasted for thousands of
years. Whether even their great roads would have lasted, however,
if subjected to wear and tear from the thundering thousands of
trucks and busses that rush at high speed over our concrete ways, is
doubtful. But the chief point about the Roman road is, once more,
that it was built by slave labor, and the labor broke the slaves.
What an enduring road for human progress we have built instead!
In Roman days slave labor was too cheap for time to be wasted on
machinery. To-day human life is too valuable to waste when machin
ery is so cheap and efficient. That is the road we have traveled,
with science to lead us. And what an immense distance we have come!
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the people of England were
building houses of stone. Even the partition walls were built of
stone, some of them 3 feet thick. Some of these structures are
standing to-day, and people still live in them. But not one of these
houses had window glass. They had no stoves, no ventilation, not
one of the things the humblest workman to-day regards as necessary
to a home.
One of the reasons why those old houses still stand is because it
would cost more to tear them down or blow them up than it would
to build a modern house on the same foundation. To-day we build
a house made in sections in a factory, so that they can be fitted
together in 30 hours. Or we frame houses of steel and pour concrete
about them in almost as short a time. In almost as short a time we
can tear them down if an elder daughter gets the notion that the place
is old and stuffy and we ought to have a new one. But while we let
our houses stand the steel and concrete in them make them stronger
than the 3-foot walls of old England.
Our houses may stand, but we ourselves do not. You will see
improvements in building every day. In the first years of steel con
struction the pneumatic riveter did its work to perfection, but it let
out a terrific noise while it was at it. Now science has turned to the
welding of structural steel by means of the acetylene and electric
torch, and one arc welder now does the work of eight or ten riveters.
Creation of New Commodities and New Demands
great stimulus science has received in the invention of new
THEmachinery
has been high wages. Yet hand in hand with the
science of mechanical invention has gone a science of another kind.
Each new labor-saving machine has thrown some numbers of men out
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°f
‘ i^°r a w^ . e ^ese have had a temporary setback until they
could fit themselves into new occupations. But the very machinery
bi ought about by the high cost of human labor has made more new
jobs for more workers at higher wages than ever. There, again, is
human ingenuity at work. _As fast as we improve the manufacture
ol the older commodities science and invention step in to create new
commodities and new demands for them.
\ 011 Jan see this at work in the linotype machine, which does the
work of four to six of the old-fashioned hand typesetters. For a
short time there was disturbance in the printing trade as a result of
the_ introduction and spread of this machine. Yet in a very brief
period the actual result of this machine was to cheapen the production
of printing so that great numbers of people were able to buy printed
things and to enjoy reading—a pleasure they had never had before.
A new profit and enjoyment was let into their lives. And so many
more people rose to this new opportunity to improve themselves that
the printing trade expanded, and thousands more printers are now
employed than during the old days of hand-set type. Not only that,
these thousands of printers who operate the linotypes receive more
than double the wages of the men who stood at the fonts.
In this remarkable example of what science does for humanity, but
especially for the worker, chemistry plays an important part. As
long as paper was made from rags the cost of paper production would
never have permitted the development of these mechanical improve
ments in printing. Not only would paper have been too scarce,
its cost would have been too high. But a Frenchman happened to
watch a swarm of hornets chewing the decayed fiber of a log and
mixing it with some fluid they secreted in their bodies. With this
they built their nest, and the Frenchman discovered that the material
used was practically paper. He said to himself, “ If hornets can
make paper from wood, why can’t human beings?” Now, thanks
to his experiments, we make from wood pulp unlimited quantities
of paper that enable any newspaper to issue 32 pages each day of
the week and many more on Sundays. As for the other uses of paper
made possible by this cheap process, the list is inexhaustible. The
whole field of industrial chemistry is covered in what the laboratory
has done for the improvement of paper alone. As for what this
added to life, the results are beyond calculation. You can not
touch our present existence at any point without hitting upon some
point where science has revolutionized it. But I think that in giving
us cheap books and papers science has performed her greatest miracle
of all. From the primer before the schoolboy’s eyes to the work of
science or history or biography that continues his father’s schooling
to his dying day, printing and paper seem to me the magic touch
of science that has lifted men’s eyes from the ground and pointed
them to heaven and to God.
Recently the industrial chemist has given us a quick process for
the making of silk in the form of rayon, which will soon supplant
the slow and limited supply of that important product. The utterly
amazing development of the automobile will either give us a substi
tute for rubber, or it will give us an auto tire which is not from
rubber at all.
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SCIENCE AND THE W ORKER
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This seething activity in the field of practical science is not con
cerned alone with merely bettering our ways of doing the old things,
either. It is reaching out to develop new wants and then to supply
them. It seems idle to speak of the radio as one of these. The air
plane is another just as familiar. At present, alarm has been created
for aviation because of recent deaths and accidents. It must be
remembered, however, that this high fatality record is to a large
extent the outgrowth of “ stunt” flying or the undertaking of hazard
ous flights poorly prepared for. On the other hand, commercial
flying has become so safe that 2,000,000 flying miles are now achieved
to each fatal accident. This is almost as safe as railroad travel and
far better than our scandalous accident record from the automobile.
General Employment Is True Measure of Prosperity
DECAUSE of all these things our whole method of measuring
AJ things is being changed. Prosperity used to be measured by
the number of things sold. I firmly believe that within f 0 years we
shall accept what is to my mind the only true measure of prosperity—
that is, the general distribution of employment. We are trailing
along the old lines of economic theory in the matter of production,
when the object sought was the production of more and more, and
ever more. I believe that within 10 years this theory of the old-time
economists will be obsolete. I believe the real object to be sought
in the future is the manufacture of just enough to satisfy the national
demand and the orders that come to us from other lands, and no
more.
Then we shall see at last some real conservation. Economics will
then live up to its name. We shall have real economy in the con
servation of our national resources, our raw materials, our national
energies, and, above all, a saving in our man power. We shall not
wear out our workers, but rather lengthen their lives and usefulness
at the same time that we lighten their labors.
Most important of all will be economy of time. With our work
done more easily and quickly, we shall have a larger remainder of
time for use in other and better purposes than the feverish production
of goods that we can not sell.
Every ounce of production over our capacity to consume is not
only a waste; it does more harm than good because it disturbs the
price and distribution of that which can not be consumed at a reason
able figure.
So, while science has accomplished wonders for industry that were
undreamed of a century ago, I believe the field of its usefulness is
barely opened. One opportunity for a new application of science
we see all around us. I believe the science of economics and organi
zation must sooner or later reorganize the whole industrial system.
Nothing less than that will serve to control and stop overdevelopment
of producing capacity, overproduction of commodities—that is, the
production of commodities that can not be consumed at a reasonable
price. This must be done in a way to avoid the unemployment of
labor or the cheapening of labor. On the contrary, we must recognize
our working population as in itself a great market. But in the new
industrial system hours will be shortened, wages will be maintained
and more broadly distributed, and the leisure that will come, the
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
“ time to think/’ may be used by the vast majority of our workers to
obtain better education, higher intellectual levels, and a still higher
standard of living.
Neither will this new industrial system be a cost to any one of its
groups. On the contrary, it will be not only self-sustaining but selfenlarging. The more highly educated our workers the more they
will demand of life. That is, they will demand more commodities to
satisfy their needs. The money to meet their wage demands will
come of this larger market for goods which they themselves will
create. And while this is coming about I believe we shall arrive at
a new conception of life itself. Its great goal will then be happiness
rather than the possession of many things.
It seems to me I see this coming about even now. More and more
our industries are paying for brains rather than muscle. Manual
skill alone is no longer enough. Brains are more and more demanded,
and we are training the brainier worker to supply the demand. It is
to be questioned whether automobiles, radio, the motion picture,
lectures, and night schools would have appealed to the workman of
a hundred and fifty years ago. A t the end of his long d a y’s work he
was too tired to feel any interest in such opportunities and forms of
amusement. Science has come to his aid, with lighter work, shorter
hours, higher pay, and more “ time to think.” But the job is not
finished, and science will carry us still farther.
If a Greek of 2,000 years ago were to return to earth he would be
amazed by these developments of modern practical science. He
would marvel at the steam engine and the radio, the telegraph and
the telephone, the automobile, the electric light, and the enormous
wealth our machinery is turning out. B u t after he had made the
round of shop and mine and field he might inquire whether we had
brought our minds and bodies along in pace with our machines.
For the people of Greece cared more for a sound mind in a sound
body than they did for amassing great wealth. The one thing that
might reconcile a returned Greek to much of our modern life would
be his discovery that human slavery as he once knew it has come to
an end and that the machine has become the slave.
This is the crowning glory of our modern world, and science has
been the giver. Having now freed man from much or most of his
ancient labors, the next great work for science is to make this new
freeman with “ time to think” happier not by what amazing things
he owns but by what amazing things he can think and do.
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PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
Federal Employees’ Retirement Act
HE first law creating a retirement system of general application
to Federal employees was approved on May 22, 1920 (41 U. S.
Stat. L., p. 614; see Labor Review, June, 1920, p. 184.) This
law was amended by four separate enactments of the sixty-seventh
Congress (42 U. S. Stat. L., pp. 364, 470, 651, 1047; see Labor
Review, November, 1922, p. 198.) After six years’ experience Con
gress reenacted the law with several material changes (44 U. S.
Stat. L., p. 904), the most important of which provided for more
liberal coverage; an increase in the percentage of contributions by
the Federal employees from 2 ^ to 3 ^ per cent of their basic annual
salaries; credit for every year’s and every month’s service up to 30
years instead of dividing the credit for services into three-year periods;
an increase in the maximum annuity from $720 to $1,000; and the
compilation of more complete and more valuable records.
T
System of Contribution
DEFORE analyzing the provisions of the law it might be advisable
to have in mind the general nature of the law. The retirement
act of 1920 provided for the creation of an old-age insurance system
for its employees in the service after the passage of the act, and for an
old-age pension system as regards service rendered prior to the act.
Under the old-age insurance system an employees’ retirement and
disability fund was set up. In 1920 proper statistics were not avail
able to show the cost of the system, and until sufficient time had
elapsed to enable actuaries to give a fair estimate of the cost an
arbitrary rate of 2.5 per cent was fixed by Congress as the amount
which would be deducted as premiums from the salaries of all persons
covered by the act. At the time Congress passed the act of 1920
it was believed that the law would cost the Government at least as
much as it would, the employees and that the cost to the Government
would be immediate. The Government impliedly assumed responsi
bility for the difference between the 2.5 per cent and the actual cost
of the system, but no appropriation was passed or percentage of
contribution fixed. In 1926 Congress reduced the basis of liability
of the Government to the fund from, roughly, three-eighths to oneeighth of the cost by increasing the amount of contributions or pre
miums deducted from salaries from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent. Again
there was an implied assumed responsibility on the part of the Gov
ernment for the difference between this 3.5 per cent and the actual
cost. Whether the Government will follow this tendency to increase
the share of the employees and eventually relieve itself of all liability
by placing the fund on a self-supporting basis or whether it will
contribute something as its share for the benefit it receives under the
act is for the future action of Congress to decide.
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In 1920 there were many old employees immediately eligible for
retirement. Under the terms of the act many were retired and were
entitled to benefits for which the Government assumed full responsi
bility. As they had contributed nothing to the fund, everything due
them was in the nature of a pension. They are solely pensioners of
the Government, and for their pensions the Government alone must
pay the entire cost. Present employees or their fund assume no
responsibility and can not be held to be liable in any way for any
payments of any nature made to these pensioners.
In 1920 many employees who had been for years in the service of
the Government were covered by the act, and thereafter a premium
of 2.5 per cent was deducted from their salary as their contribution to
the fund. As they did not enter the service after the act of 1920 they
are not solely under the insurance fund. As they did not immediately
retire they are not solely pensioners. To the extent that they ren
dered service and contributed to the fund after the act of 1920 the
fund is liable for their annuity, but to the extent that they rendered
service prior to the act of 1920 the Government alone is liable.
When the act of 1920 became effective it was assumed that Con
gress would appropriate its contribution to meet the pension pay
ments. Congress, however, failed to do this, and, in the absence of
an appropriation, those administering the act, in order to make pay
ments to annuitants who had immediately retired, took part of the
money which had been deducted from the salaries of employees and
deposited in the fund, and paid it to persons who had retired under
the act. This was done under the authority of the provision directing
payments under the law to be made out of the fund. It must be
assumed that Congress will in the future repay to the fund the
amounts taken and recognize its liability for these payments. The
amounts taken from the fund are in the nature of forced loans,
“ forced ” because the employees who contributed premiums to
create the fund had nothing whatever to say concerning the taking
of their deposits, and “ loans” because it must be assumed that Con
gress will repay them.
Under the present law the Government is liable (1) to the fund for
the difference between 3.5 per cent and the actual cost, (2) to annui
tants or pensioners to the extent of benefits allowed for service ren
dered prior to the act of 1920, and (3) to the fund for the forced loans.
The fact that the Government made no appropriations to meet
its liabilities complicated the situation. On June 30, 1927, the
persons administering the act had taken $40,035,989.95 from the
fund, which was the total amount paid to all retired employees as of
that day. On these forced loans the Government owed the fund
$4,796,549.97 interest. But as these superannuated employees had
contributed $2,178,123.36 in assessments to the fund, the Govern
ment owed the fund $42,654,416.59 as of June 30, 1927, for annuities
already paid.
The actuaries and those administering the act realized the danger
involved in the Government’s policy of postponing indefinitely the
payment of these obligations and. making further forced loans. In
creating a plan of Government contribution to the fund, the actuaries
have provided for the continuance of the system of loans, but it is
planned that the Government will annually make appropriations
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FEDERA L EM PLO Y EES’ R ETIREM ENT ACT
39
liquidating its debt to the fund by a system of amortization or part
payments which will completely pay off the debt and at the end of
a 30-year period have a sufficient sum deposited to balance the
accrued obligation for all service credited prior to the act of 1920.
The actuaries estimate the value of all future payments to present
annuitants and to persons now in active service who will in the future
go on the retired roll as $851,668,106, made up as follows:
F unds on h a n d ___________________________________
F u tu re contributio n s of em ployees________________
A ppropriations required of G o v ern m en t___________
$ 68, 336, 761
342, 772, 972
440, 558, 433
T o ta l---------------------------------------------------------
851, 668, 166
The $440,558,433 required from the Government may be divided
into two parts—$47,535,058, which represents the present value of
the future contributions, and $393,023,375, which represents the
amount which must be placed in the fund to offset the lack of con
tributions in the past as of June 30, 1927. This last amount is known
as the “ accrued liability.”
The actuaries believed that this accrued liability was too large to
be covered by a single payment. They calculated that 1.97 per cent
of the pay roll annually would liquidate this liability in 30 years if
the pay roll increased by approximately 3 per cent per year. An
annual contribution by the Government equal to 0.48 per cent of the
pay roll, plus the 3.5 per cent contributed by the employees would
equal 3.98 per cent, the normal cost of the plan. The actuaries
recommended a contribution by the Government of 2.5 per cent
instead of 2.45 per cent (1.97 per cent plus 0.48 per cent), as the time
of liquidation depended upon the level of the pay roll. Explaining this
the actuaries say:
As th e em ployees are p ay in g a n a rb itra ry co n trib u tio n of 3K p er cen t of th e ir
salaries, th e G overnm ent m ig h t v ery pro p erly co n trib u te a ro u n d sum e q u iv alen t
to 23^ p er cent of salaries in stead of 2.45 p e r cent, a n d in th is m a n n e r it w ould
a c tu a lly begin th e liq u id atio n of th e accrued lia b ility even if th e p ay roll did n o t
increase. If th e p ay roll does n o t increase, co n trib u tio n s a t th is p ercen tag e m ay
be expected to liq u id ate th e accru ed liab ility in 71 years; if th e p a y roll increases
by 1 per cent each year, th e percen tag e will liq u id a te th e accrued liab ility in
ap p ro x im ately 42 years; if it increases by 2 p e r cen t each year, 33 years will be
required for th e liq u id atio n of th e accrued liab ility ; while if th e p a y roll increases
by 3 per cen t each year, th e period req u ired to liq u id a te th e accrued lia b ility
w ould be only a b o u t 28 y e a rs .1
On the basis of 2.5 per cent the Budget Bureau recommended an
appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, of $19,950,000,2
and this item was approved by the Committee on Appropriations
(H. R. 9136) in its report to the House of Representatives, January
11, 1928.3 On January 12, 1928, Mr. Cramton explained the item in
the House of Representatives in part as follows:
We n iay fairly assum e t h a t th e n u m b er of persons th a t will re tire from y ear
to y ear in th e fu tu re will increase a t a b o u t th e sam e ra te th a t th e a c tiv e force
h as increased from y ear to y ear in th e p ast. T his m eans th a t pension p a y m e n ts
will p ro b ab ly increase w ith in th e n ex t 10 years to a p o in t w here th e y will finally
exceed th e em ployees’ n e t a n n u a l c o n trib u tio n s; t h a t is, a fte r m ak in g dedu ctio n s
1 United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions. Seventh Annual Report of the Board
of Actuaries as of June 30, 1927. Washington, 1927. (H. Doc. No. 131, 70th Cong., 1st sess., p. 7.)
2 Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929, p. 645.
3 United States. Congress. House of Representatives. Committee on Appropriations. Report.
Washington, 1927, p. 22. (H. Rept. No. 225, 70th Cong., 1st sess.) See also Hearing before Subcommittee
of House Committee on Appropriations, Interior Department Appropriation Bill, 1929, p. 732, H . R. 9136.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
for refunds to th o se dying or w ith d raw in g from th e service. Such n e t a n n u a l
co n trib u tio n s of em ployees now a m o u n t to ap p ro x im a te ly $20,500,000 ($24,358,882 —$3,862,288 = $20,493,594). W hen t h a t tim e is reach ed th e a m o u n t in th e
fu n d will begin to dim inish ra p id ly a n d in th e course of 10 y ears m ore th e fu n d
will be ex hausted a n d th e re a fte r th e G o v ern m en t will h av e to p ro v id e each
year th e difference betw een th e a m o u n t of th e em ployees’ n e t c o n trib u tio n s a n d
th e to ta l pension p ay m en ts. I t is fa ir to assum e t h a t w ith in th e n ex t 30 o r 40
years th e to ta l pension p a y m e n ts a n d refu n d s will h av e increased to a b o u t
$40,000,000 a year.
T he B oard of A ctuaries te ll u s th a t, according to th e v a lu a tio n w hich th e y
m ade as of Ju ly 1 , 1927, th e o b ligation w hich th e G o v ern m en t assu m ed w hen
th e re tire m e n t a c t becam e law in 1920, plus t h a t w hich i t h as in cu rred b etw een
th a t d a te a n d Ju ly 1 , 1927, am o u n ts to $393,000,000. T his is g enerally referred
to as th e “ accrued lia b ility .” T his d e b t m ig h t be held indefin itely a t its p resen t
am o u n t by sim ply a p p ro p ria tin g in te re st on it a t 4 p er cent, w hich w ould a m o u n t
to $15,720,000 a y ear. T h e p a y roll of th e em ployees covered u n d e r th e a c t
am o u n ted on Ju ly 1 , 1927, to $798,000,000. T his a p p ro p ria tio n of $15,720,000
am o u n ts to 1.97 p e r c en t of th e p a y roll. T herefore if th e G o v ern m en t w ere to
a p p ro p ria te 1.97 p e r c en t of th e p a y roll, th e accru ed lia b ility could be h eld a t
its presen t a m o u n t of $393,000,000. Such a n a p p ro p ria tio n w ould n o t, how ever,
fully m eet th e obligation of th e G overnm ent, fo r th e c o n trib u tio n s m ad e b y th e
em ployees a t th e ra te of 3.5 p e r c en t of th e ir salaries h av e been fo u n d b y a c tu a ria l
d eterm in atio n to fall sh o rt of th e a m o u n t req u ired to p a y th e benefits b y fo rty -eig h t
h u n d re d th s of 1 p e r cen t of th e a n n u a l p a y roll. F o rty -e ig h t h u n d re d th s of 1 p er
cent of th e p a y roll am o u n ts to $3,851,794. T herefore if th e G o v ern m en t w ere to
ap p ro p ria te 2.45 (1.97 + 0.48) p er c en t of th e p a y roll, or $19,572,729, it w ould
hold th e accrued liab ility a t its p resen t level a n d w ould pro v id e its sh are of th e
accruing liab ility d u rin g th e com ing year.
W hen I say t h a t to a p p ro p ria te 2.45 p e r c en t of th e p a y roll it will hold th e
accrued liab ility a t its p re se n t a m o u n t a n d p a y th e G o v e rn m e n t’s accruing
liability, I m ean pro v id ed th e p a y roll rem ains a t its p resen t level of $798,000,000.
If th e p a y roll increases beyond th is a m o u n t th e c o n trib u tio n corresponding
to th e increase w ould te n d to liq u id a te som e p a r t of th e lia b ility of $393,000,000.
In considering th is q u estio n of th e a m o u n t w hich th e G o v ern m en t m ig h t
properly a p p ro p ria te fo r a c co u n t of th e re tire m e n t fu n d , th e B u d g et B ureau
decided to recom m end a n ap p ro p ria tio n of a n even 2.5 p e r cen t of th e p a y roll,
or a to ta l of $19,950,000. T his w ould m ean t h a t th e difference betw een 2.45
p er cent an d 2.50 p e r cen t of th e p a y roll, or, roughly, $400,000, th e G o v ern m en t
w ould a p p ly to th e liq u id a tio n of th is accru ed lia b ility of $393,000,000 .4
This bill passed the House of Representatives on January 13 and
the Senate on February 4, 1928.
Analysis of Act of 1926
Employments Covered
rT ,H E employees within the scope of the act include:
A 1. All employees in the classified civil service of the United
States.
2. Certain specified employees working in the District of Columbia,
not otherwise covered, and superintendents of national cemeteries.
3. All employees of the Panama Canal on the Isthmus of Panama
who are citizens of-the United States.
4. Certain unclassified employees in cities and establishments in
which appointments are made under specified conditions.
5. All regular annual employees of the municipal government of
the District of Columbia appointed by the commissioners or other
competent authority.
6. All employees to whom the Federal employees’ retirement act
of May 22, 1920, and amendments shall have been extended by
executive order.
* Congressional Record, Jan. 12, 1928, vol. 69, p. 1442.
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FED ER A L EM PLO Y EES’ R ETIREM ENT ACT
41
7.
Postmasters of the first, second, and third class who have been
promoted, appointed, or transferred from the classified civil service.
Employees whose employment is intermittent or of uncertain
duration and who fall within groups 2, 3, and 4 do not come under
the act and any employee or group of employees so employed and
within one of the other groups may be excluded by the President from
coverage by the act.
Several classes of employees are specifically excluded from the
act. They are: (a) Certain employees of the lighthouse service,
(b) members of the police and fire departments and school officers
and teachers of the District of Columbia, (c) postmasters except those
described in group 7 above, (d) employees excluded by Executive
order from the benefits of the Federal employees’ retirement act of
May 20, 1920. Groups (a) and (6) are covered by special retirement
systems. Employees in the foreign service of the United States are
also provided for by a special retirement system. (43 U. S. Stat. L.,
p. 144.)
Any employee or group of employees in the civil service not covered
may be brought under the act by Executive order upon recommenda
tion of the Civil Service Commission.
Retirement
All employees covered by the act who have attained the age of 70
years and rendered at least 15 years of service are eligible for retire
ment and an annuity as described below; except that after 15 years
of service, letter carriers, post office clerks, sea post clerks, laborers,
and mechanics are eligible for retirement and the annuity upon
attaining 65 years; and after 15 years of service, railway postal
clerks, those employees whose occupations are hazardous or require
great physical effort or which necessitate exposure to extreme heat or
cold, and employees 15 years or more in service in the Tropics are
eligible upon attaining the age of 62 years.
The classification of employees for the purpose of assignment to
the various age groups is determined jointly by the Civil Service
Commission and the heads of the department, branch, or independent
office of the Government concerned. The term “ mechanics” is
defined to include certain employees of the Government Printing
Office and special provision is made for certain mechanics transferred
or reduced to minor positions.
The act provides that all employees covered by the act shall, on
arriving at retirement age and having rendered 15 years of service,
be automatically separated from the service and all salary shall
cease, but if the head of the department, branch, or office certifies
to the Civil Service Commission that by reason of the efficiency and
willingness of the employee to remain in the civil service the con
tinuance of such employee therein would be advantageous to the
public service, such employee may be retained in the service for two
years, receiving additional extensions for two-year periods thereafter;
after August 20, 1930, however, no employee may be continued in the
civil service more than four years beyond the age of retirement.
No person receiving the old-age annuity may be employed again in
any position covered by this act.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Any employee covered by the act who has had 15 or more years of
service and who, before becoming eligible for old-age retirement,
becomes totally disabled for useful and efficient service by reason of
disease or injury not due to vicious habits, intemperance, or willful
misconduct on his part shall, upon his request or the request or order
of the head of the department, branch or office concerned, be retired
and allowed the annuity described below. The application for retire
ment must be made prior to or within six months after separation
from the service. Medical examination and report by a medical offi
cer of the United States or physicians or surgeons designated by the
Commissioner of Pensions, showing disability, is required. At least
one annual medical examination is required in each case (unless it is
clearly evident that it is unnecessary) until the employee reaches the
regular retirement age. No person shall be entitled to both the
payments under this act and those under the United States employees'
compensation act for the same period of time, but the employee may
elect to receive the greater benefit conferred by either act for any
part of the time.
Employees, 45 years of age or over, who, after at least 15 years of
service and before becoming eligible for old-age retirement, become
involuntarily separated from the service, but not by reason of mis
conduct or delinquency, are entitled to certain allowances described
below. But these allowances cease if such employees be reemployed
in the Government service.
Annuities and Refunds
The annuity allowed an employee for old-age retirement under the
act is computed by multiplying the average annual basic salary(not to
exceed $1,500) received by such employee during the 10 years of allow
able service immediately preceding the date of retirement by the num
ber of years of service (not to exceed 30) and dividing the product by
45. The law provides that the maximum allowance per year shall be
$1,000 but it also provides that the annuity shall be fixed at the near
est multiple of 12, making the actual maximum $999.96
An employee retired under the act because of disability shall be
entitled to an annuity computed on the same basis as that for old-age
retirement but, if before reaching retirement age such employee is
found, after examination, to be restored to an earning capacity which
would permit him to be appointed to some appropriate position fairly
comparable in compensation to the position occupied at the time of
retirement, payments cease 90 days after such examination.
An employee, 55 years of age or over, involuntarily separated from
the service after at least 15 years of service and before becoming eligi
ble for old-age retirement may elect to be paid either (a) the total
amount deducted from his basic salary with interest or (b) an immedi
ate life annuity, beginning at the date of separation from the service,
having a value equal to the present worth of the annuity which would
have been allowed him at the age at which he would otherwise have
become eligible for retirement, or (c) a deferred annuity, beginning at
the age at which he would otherwise become eligible for retirement, of
the amount which would have been allowed him at that age. An
employee between 45 and 55 years of age, involuntarily separated
from the service after at least 15 years of service and before becoming
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F É D É R A L E M P L O Y E E S ’ R E T IR E M E N T ACT
43
eligible for retirement, shall be entitled to a deferred annuity, but
upon reaching 55 years of age he may elect to receive the immediate
life annuity based on its present worth at the time.
Any employee covered by this act, who is transferred to an employ
ment not under the act or who becomes separated from Govern
ment service before becoming eligible for retirement, shall be refunded
the amount deducted from his salary with interest. But if such
employee reenters the service in any employment covered by the act,
such refund must be redeposited, with interest, in order to receive any
benefit under the act. In case of the death of an annuitant after
retirement but before he has received payments equal to the deduc
tions from his salary, with interest, the excess shall be paid to his legal
representatives. If an employee dies before becoming eligible for
retirement or establishing his claim for an annuity, the amount
deducted from his salary, with interest, shall be paid to his legal
representatives. If a former employee entitled to a refund be
comes legally incompetent the refund shall be paid to his guardian or
committee.
None of the moneys mentioned in this act are assignable, subject to
execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process.
The aggregate period of service which forms the basis for calcu
lating the amount of any benefit is computed from the date of original
employment, including periods of service at different times and in one
or more departments, branches, or offices, and service overseas, and
in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. But in the case
of an employee electing to receive a pension or retired pay on account
of military or naval service, or compensation under the war risk
compensation act, the period of his military or naval service upon
which such pension is based is not included. He may, if so entitled,
receive both a pension for his military or naval service and an annuity
under this act. Employees who transfer from an employment covered
by this act to an employment not so covered but in Government
service and who later return to an employment covered by the act
receive credit for such time in the employment not covered upon
contributing to the fund the amount he would have contributed if he
had continued in the covered employment. Periods of separation
from the service and any leave of absence exceeding six months in
the aggregate in any calendar year shall not be included in computing
length of service.
All persons already retired under the provisions of the act of May
22, 1920, shall have their annuity computed and paid in accordance
with the act of 1926, but in no case is the annuity to be reduced.
The act provides that payments shall be made by check on the
first business day of each month following the period for which the
payment has accrued. The old-age retirement annuity commences
from the date of separation from the service and continues during the
life of the employee.
Source of Funds
Funds are secured by deductions from the basic salary of all em
ployees covered by the act. From July 31, 1920, to July 1, 1926,
deductions were at the rate of 2 3^2 per cent. Since that time, however,
employees have been required to contribute 3p2 per cent of their
basic salaries. These amounts so deducted are deposited in the
82645 —28------ 4
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m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
Tieasury of the United States to the credit of the “ civil-service
retirement and disability fund” out of which fund annuities, refunds,
and allowances are to be paid. All employees covered are deemed
to have consented to these deductions. The Secretary of the Treas
ury is authorized to receive as a supplement to the fund any dona
tions by private individuals or organizations for the benefit of civilservice employees. The Secretary of the Treasury is directed to
invest portions of the retirement fund in United States bonds and in
Federal larm loan bonds and the income from such investments is
made a part of the fund.
Administration
The administration of the act is placed in the Commissioner of
Pensions under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior. An
appeal from the final action of the Commissioner of Pensions is
allowed to the Secretary of the Interior. The Commissioner of
Pensions is required to make an annual report and to transmit to
Congress, through the Secretary of the Interior, the reports and
recommendations of the board of actuaries.
The Civil Service Commission is required to keep a record of
essential information concerning individual service and to furnish
the Commissioner of Pensions such reports therefrom as he shall
request. The commission is also required to prepare and keep
tables, records, and other information which may be used to serve as
a guide for future valuations and adjustments of the plan for retire
ment.
Three actuaries (one of whom shall be the Government actuary),
selected by the Commissioner of Pensions and known as the board of
actuaries, shall make an annual report upon the actual operations of
this act, make a valuation of the “ civil-service retirement and
disability fund ” at least every 5 years, prepare such tables as may be
required by the Commissioner of Pensions for the purpose of com
puting annuities under the act, and shall have authority to recom
mend such changes as in their judgment may be deemed necessary.
I he Secretary of the Interior shall submit annually to the Bureau
of the Budget, estimates of the appropriations necessary to finance
the retirement fund and to continue this act in full force and effect.
The Comptroller General shall establish and maintain an account
showing the annual liabilities of the Government under this act and
shall keep such other accounts as may be deemed necessary.
Statistics of Operation of the Act
T H E report relating to the Bureau of Pensions for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1927, found in the annual report of the Secre
tary of the Interior, contains some interesting statistics showing the
operation of the act. In presenting figures on the number of claims
for refund^ settled each year since the first retirement law became
operative in 1920, the report states that it is believed that these
figures present a fair index of turnover in the civil service as a whole
and concludes that employment conditions in the civil service are grad
ually becoming stabilized and that unless some unusual condition
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FED ER A L EM PLO Y EES’ R ETIREM ENT ACT
arises the annual turnover will soon reach a normal proportion. The
number of claims for refund settled during each fiscal year are:
1921
1922
1923
1924
_______________ 26,
______________ 70,
______________ 58,
______________ 45,
116
978
502
434
1925
1926
1927
______________ 36, 742
______________ 34, 005
_______________ 31, 760
The following tables were taken from the report relating to the
Bureau of Pensions:
R e c e ip ts
a n d
d is b u r s e m e n ts , c iv il-s e r v ic e r e tir e m e n t,
y e a r
e n d in g
J u n e
3 0 ,
1 9 2 7
B alance in th e fu n d Ju ly 1, 1926_____________________________ $54, 629, 004. 93
T ransfers on th e books of th e T re a su ry D e p a rtm e n t to th e
cred it of th e “ civil-service re tire m e n t a n d d isab ility f u n d ”
[am ount d educted from salaries a n d cred ited to fu n d ]----------- 24, 355, 882. 00
In te re st, profits, an d m iscellaneous item s_____________________
2, 812, 581. 84
T o tal in fu n d __________ _______________________________
8 1 ,7 9 7 ,4 6 8 .7 7
D isbursem ents on acco u n t of a n n u itie s_______________________
9, 598, 285. 73
D isbursem ents on acco u n t of refunds (including $329,869.02 ------------------------in te re s t)___________________________________________________
3, 862, 288. 82
T reasu ry s e ttle m e n t_________________________________________
133. 27
T o ta l d isb u rsem e n ts____ _____________________________
13, 460, 707. 82
B alance in th e fu n d Ju n e 30, 1927__________________________ -
68, 336, 760. 95
N U M B E R , SE X . A N D CAUSE FOR W HICH R E T IR E D OF C IVIL-SERVICE A N N U IT A N T S
ON T H E ROLL JU N E 30, 1927, A N D AG G R EG A TE C O N T R IB U TIO N S M A D E BY T H E M
Female
Male
Aggre
con
Retired gate
Retired
Retired Retired
dis for age for dis tribu
tions
for age for
ability
ability
Class
Total
num
ber
Mechanics __
______ _____ _______________ -City and village letter carriers
Rural letter carriers . . . ________ . . - - ____. . .
Post-office clerks
________ _ _____ _______
Railway mail clerks
_ ______ _____
Departmental and other clerks.
------- ---------------Classified and unclassified laborers___ _ _____ _
Tropical service and hazardous occupation___ _ . . .
3,195
2,414
2,205
1,222
1,132
3,112
805
34
2, 595
1, 793
1,918
842
1, 017
1, 880
532
17
396
621
279
226.
115
543
113
17
Total
.......... 14,119
Average contributions__________________________
10, 594
2, 310
N u m b e r
o f c iv il-s e r v ic e
a n d
a n n u ita n ts
a n n u a l v a lu e
r e c e iv in g
ea ch
c la s s ifie d
o f r e tir e m e n t r o ll,
Amount of annuity
J u n e
167
37
2
100
6
54
395
95
294
65
759
456 1,705, 290
120. 77
a m o u n t,
3 0 ,
a vera g e
$361, 619
324, 759
268,861
156, 663
136, 731
376,845
73,136
6, 671
a n n u ity ,
1 9 2 7
Number of annuitants
U n d er $100_____________________________________
B etw een $100 an d $200_________________________
B etw een $200 a n d $300--------------B etw een $300 a n d $400_________________________
B etw een $400 a n d $500_________________________
B etw een $500 a n d $600---------------B etw een $600 a n d $700_________________________
B etw een $700 an d $800_________________________
B etw een $800 a n d $900_________________________
B etw een $900 a n d $999.96______________________
$999.96________________________________________
T o ta l____________________________________
1,
1,
1,
1,
2,
1,
2,
10
106
409
831
765
560
508
528
117
545
740
14, 119
A verage an n u al r a t e ____________________________
$721. 39
A nnual value of re tire m e n t ro ll-------------------------- $10, 185, 305. 41
N o t e .—The annual value of the retirement roll is reached by multiplying the number of annuitants by the
average annual rate, and it represents the amount necessary to pay such annuitants for one year.
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M ONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
AVERAGE SALARY R E C E IV E D D U R IN G LAST 10 Y E A R S OP SERVICE B Y A N N U IT A N T S
ON R E T IR E M E N T ROLL, JU N E 30, 1927
Eligible for retirement at—
Average salary
Total on
roll
Age 62
Less than $300_____
$300 to $600_____________
$600 to $900__________
$900 to $1,200 ____
$1,200 to $1,500________ _
$1,500 to $1,800________
$1,800 to $2,100 . _ _
$2,100 to $2,400__________
$2,400 to $2,700________
$2,700 to $3,000 _ _____
$3,000 to $3,300__________
$3,300 to $3,600________
$3,600 and over__________
Total_____ ______
Age 65
Aggregate
annuities
Age 70
Aggregate
compensation
26
179
1,141
2, 603
4, 981
3, 652
965
308
130
56
43
16
19
1
5
27
354
414
262
87
9
4
1
2
21
138
702
1,966
3, 679
2,748
397
106
41
20
13
4
6
5
40
434
610
948
490
306
115
80
32
29
10
13
43, 781
467; 427
1, 363, 028
3,819, 210
3,117, 814
855,444
277, 778
117,368
52,166
39,016
14,197
16,231
83, 910
889,990
2,819; 676
6; 682; 737
5 , 913; 517
1,855,125
' 682; 165
328; 070
159; 184
134; 956
54; 998
83; 855
14,119
1,166
9,841
3,112
10,186, 837
19, 694, 426
A verage a n n u ity -------------------------------------------------------------------------- $721. 39
A verage annual com pensation________________________________ i 394. 88
N u m b e r
o f
c iv il-s e r v ic e
a n n u ita n ts
a n d
a m o u n t
o f
a n n u itie s
Annuitants
at end of
year
1920192119221923192419251926-
21------------------------------------------22------------------------------------------23------------------------------------------24------------------------------------------25------------------------------------------26------------------------------------------27-------------------------------------------
6, 471
7, 576
9, 334
10, 548
1 1 , 689
12, 524
14, 119
p a id ,
b y
fis c a l
ye a rs
Annuities paid during
year
$2, 590,
4, 188,
4, 964,
5, 692,
6, 235,
6, 766,
9, 598,
568. 52
258. 89
001. 92
443. 59
830. 16
601. 17
285. 73
The total annual deductions from the salaries of Federal employees
covered by the act have been sufficient, since the passage of the act,
to meet the annuities of retired employees and allow a balance to
accumulate in the retirement and disability fund. As noted above, this
balance in the fund as of June 30, 1927, amounted to $68,336,760.95.
The board of actuaries in its sixth annual report, for the year ending
June 30, 1926, estimated that 3.98 per cent of the basic annual
salaries of employees covered by the act would be sufficient to cover
the continuing or normal cost of the system (not including the accrued
liability). As noted above, by act of Congress, deductions are made
from the salaries of employees at the rates of 3.5 per cent, regardless
of the age, salary, length of service, or physical condition of the
employee. Under this provision one employee may contribute 3.5
per cent over a 50-year period on an average salary of $3,000 and
yet receive the same annuity as another employee who has been con
tributing only 30 years on an average salary of $1,500.
The board of actuaries, commenting on the retirement act as
amended July 3, 1926, says:
T he rep o rts of th e b o ard of actu a rie s h av e rep e a te d ly stressed several im
p o rta n t p o in ts in resp ect to th e re tire m e n t a c t as it existed before th e re c e n t
am endm ents. T h e m ain p o in ts w ere as follow s: F irst, th e b o ard believed
th a t th e p lan w as u n fair to em ployees because i t exacted un ifo rm c o n trib u tio n s
from em ployees on th e basis of th e ir full salaries a n d th e n p ro v id ed benefits
based on lim ited salaries irrespective of th e em ployee’s age, so t h a t certain
em ployees p aid a sm all p a r t of th e cost of th e ir allow ances while o th ers w ith
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g reater service a n d ap p a re n tly g re a te r claim s to consideration from th e G overn
m en t were forced to p ay p ractically th e en tire cost of benefits; second, th e re tire
m e n t allow ances w ere on th e av erag e to o sm all to offer a satisfacto ry m eans of
retirin g em ployees; th ird , no sy stem of records to p ro te c t th e G o vernm ent a n d
th e em ployees w as p rov id ed fo r u n d er th e a c t; a n d fo u rth , th e system w as n o t
being properly financed b y ap p ro p ria tio n s to cover th e cu rre n tly accruing liability,
so t h a t th e G overnm ent w as piling up a trem en d o u s accrued liab ility to be m e t
b y fu tu re tax p ay e rs or to be rep u d ia te d w ith h ard sh ip a n d em b arrassm en t to
em ployees.
An exam ination of th e new law to determ ine how fa r th e defects of th e original
law h ave been rem oved indicates th a t while th e new a c t is a n im p ro v em en t over
th e previous law , th e p lan is still so in eq u itab le th a t th e b o ard believes it will
u ltim ately h av e to be am ended.
The situation covered by the first point raised by the actuaries has
not been changed. As to the second point due to the amendment of
1926 which raised the amount of the annuity, the act, the actuaries
say, now comes nearer to providing an adequate means of retirement.
With reference to the third point raised, the actuaries say that under
the new law undoubtedly the Comptroller General will inaugurate a
system of records to protect the Government and the employees and
this will mean a very substantial improvement in the administration
of the system. As to the fourth point, Congress has not yet properly
financed the system by appropriations to cover the accrued and cur
rently accruing liability.
Public-Service Retirement Systems In Foreign Countries
HIS is the second article on public service retirement systems in
foreign countries, and comprises part of the study on various
retirement systems now being made by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The retirement systems of Great Britain and France are
described in the Labor Review for January, 1928 (pp. 33-42),
T
AUSTRIA 1
Legislation
'"THE main laws on which the present Austrian civil-service retirement and pension system is based are the Austrian Constitu
tion; the law of January 25, 1914; the pension law of December 17,
1921; and the salary law of July 18, 1924. There are other laws 2
affecting retirement and pensions, but they are rather of a supple
mentary nature, concern certain details, or contain temporary
measures in connection with war-time emergencies and the rise of
the cost of living.
1 The data on which this section is based are from Reichsgesetzblatt, Jan. 27,1914, and July 31,1917; Staats
gesetzblatt, N ov. 30, 1918, Dec. 18 and 30, 1919, and June 5 and Oct. 13, 1920; Bundesgesetzblatt, Dec. 29,
1921, July 29 and Oct. 22, 1922; M ay 16 and July 24, 1924, Dec. 18 and 31, 1926, and Apr. 14, 1927; unpub
lished material furnished to the Department of Labor through the Department of State.
2 These laws which are still in force either in whole or in part, are the following: Imperial decree of Dec.
9,1866 (granting pensions to civil-service employees); law of M ay 21,1868 (relating to civil-service employees
in the judiciary); law of M ay 14, 1896; imperial decree of June 9, 1915, and administrative resolution of
Dec. 10, 1915; decree of Ministry of Finance of June 20,1917; executive order of State Finance Office of N ov.
28, 1918; law of Oct. 20, 1919 (relating to the military police); law of Oct.30, 1919 (relating to guards in the
Finance Bureau); law of Oct. 30, 1919 (relating to the police); law of Oct. 1, 1920 (concerning civil-service
employees in the post and telegraph service); law of Oct. 1, 1920 (known as the accident survivor law);
law of July 14,1921; decree of April 27, 1922; law of July 24,1922; resolution of Sept. 28, 1922; resolution of
Feb. 14, 1923; law of Mar. 21,1925; law of Apr. 3,1925; executive order of M inistry of Commerce and Trans
portation of April 7, 1925, No. 11470 (referring to the postal service); law of M ay 26, 1926; decree of Dec.
7, 1926 (referring to mail carriers on a commission basis and to their survivors); law of Dec. 10, 1926; law
of April 1, 1927; decree of Apr. 12, 1927 (referring to postal employees and their survivors); decree of Min
istry of Social Welfare of M ay 4, 1927.
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The officials and employees in Government offices and establish
ments, including State corporations, have the right to pension, with
the exception of contract civil employees. “ Contract employees”
are employees engaged for a specific task.
Provisions as to Retirement and Pensions
Ç jEN ER AL provisions.—A civil-service employee, upon retirement
from service, is paid either a pension or a lump sum. He draws
his pension from the 1st of the month following his retirement, of
which he is formally notified, and until that date he continues to
receive his salary in full.
Retirement age^ and disability.—A civil-service employee is entitled
to retire if he is disabled for service, either permanently or temporarily.
In the first case he retires permanently and in the other temporarily.
Any civil-service employee may be compelled to retire if he is per
manently disabled or has passed the age of 60 and has acquired the
right to full pension. An employee is pensioned, under legal regula
tions, when he has been absent from his work more than one year on
account of sickness.
1 he cause, degree, and probable duration of disability of a civilservice employee must be ascertained by an officially appointed
physician. In doubtful cases the proper authorities may reexamine
the case. No examination is required when a civil-service employee
has passed his sixtieth birthday.
Judges retire on December 31 following their sixty-fifth birthday.
A judge may be compelled to retire permanently or temporarily on
the ground of bodily or mental defect, ascertained by a disciplinary
court.
Appeal.—If a civil-service employee is dissatisfied with the dis
position of his pension claim, he may appeal to the administrative
authorities, and it not satisfied with their decision he may, within
six months, carry his case to the constitutional court for redress.
Basis for calculation of pension.—The annual pension is calculated
on 78.3 per cent of the salary or income from service (that income
which is recognized by the proper authorities as the basis for cal
culation). This 78.3 per cent of the income is called the “ pension
calculation basis” (Ruhegenussbemessungsgrundlage), and the max
imum pension may not exceed this amount.
Length of service. As a rule, a pension claim arises only after 10
years’ service. For a shorter term of service than 10 years a lump
sum is usually paid, which for a term of from 3 to 5 years of service
amounts to the equivalent of the pension calculation basis, and for
a term of _5 to 10 years of service is equal to twice the pension calcu
lation basis.
After more than 10 years’ service the pension is 40 per cent of the
pension calculation basis. The pension increases by 2 per cent for
each additional year of service, so that the maximum pension is
reached after 40 years of service.
The pension increase to a civil-service employee who has completed
a university course is 2.4 per cent of the pension calculation basis
for each year after 10 years of service, so that he can obtain the maxi
mum pension after 35 years of service.
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Pension privileges.—The special per cent of 2.4 of the pension cal
culation basis for each year of service after 10 years is also granted
to civil-service employees in executive positions in the post, telegraph,
and telephone service and in supervisory positions in Federal prisons
and jails.
_
.
For civil-service employees in the customs service and lor police
officers three years’ service is counted as four.^ For military police
officers one full year of service is counted as 16 months.
War-time privileges.—If a civil-service employee is retired because
of permanent disability half a year is added to the period of his
civil service for every calendar year of the war during which he was
at least six months in active civil service, provided he is not entitled
to other war pension privileges under paragraph 2 of the law of No
vember 28, 1918. One year is added to his civil service time for each
calendar year in which a civil-service employee had at least three
months of active military service, and in case he took part in fighting,
was wounded by the enemy, or became disabled through war service
(by disease), the counting of the calendar year as a “ war year” is
his right without regard to the duration of his military service.
Lump-sum payment.—A lump sum will be granted a civil-service
employee at his request, provided he renounces for himself and his
family all claims which may have arisen from his service. The lump
sum amounts to the total salary for two years calculated at the rate of
his last annual salary ; that is, the salary or income which serves as
the basis for calculation of pension.
Widow’s and Orphans’ Pensions
provisions.—In case of death of a civil-service employee
GENERAL
his surviving family are entitled to a death benefit either in the
form of a lump sum or of a pension amounting to three times his last
monthly salary.
.
The “ family” as used in the pension law, includes the widow, unless
a divorce can be proved in which the wife was the guilty party, and
the legitimate children or children who have been legitimated by a
subsequent marriage. The children of a civil-service employee are
entitled to the death benefit only if there is no widow with a valid
claim.
_
.
Widow's pension.—If a civil-service employee at the time of his
death had not acquired the right to a pension, his widow is entitled to
a lump-sum payment amounting to one-fourth of the last annual
salary which serves as the basis of pension calculation; otherwise she
is entitled to a widow’s pension, equal to 50 per cent of the pension
which her deceased husband was receiving or would have been entitled
to at the time of his death.
The widow of a civil-service employee who had passed his sixtyfifth year of age before the marriage took place is entitled to a widow’s
pension only if such employee had had at least 15 years of service and
if the marriage had lasted at least two years, or, in the case of the
marriage of a retired employee, three years. In the latter case the
difference in age between the married couple may not exceed 25 years.
However the condition as to the duration of a marriage contracted
by a civil-service employee after he was 65 years of age is not insisted
upon if a child has been born in wedlock or has been legitimated by
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the marriage, or if proof can be furnished that the widow, at the time
of the death of her deceased husband, was pregnant.
Orphans’ pension.—Besides the widow’s pension a widow is granted
for each of her children for their education an amount equal to onefifth of the widow’s pension. The total of the widow’s pension and
the orphans’ pensions may not exceed the pension calculation basis
of a civil-service employee who died during service. The pension of
a widow of a retired employee may not exceed the sum of his pension.
The orphan’s pension is paid until the child reaches 21 years of
age, or has been otherwise provided for; if by reason of physical or
mental defect the child is unable to earn a livelihood, the pension may
be granted for a longer time, i. e., for the lifetime of the child. Should
a child, because of studies or extended special training, not be able
to earn its living at the age of 21 years, the pension may be continued
until its twenty-fourth year.
The children, if no widow files a claim, are entitled, in case the
civil-service employee at the time of his death was not entitled to a
pension, to a lump sum, amounting to one-fourth of the last annual
salary which serves as the basis of pension calculation; otherwise
they are entitled to an undivided orphans’ pension amounting to half
the customary widow’s pension.
If the total sum of the orphans’ pension to which the widow would
have had a claim exceeds the amount of the widow’s pension, the
excess is to be allotted as a supplement to the widow’s pension, for
the orphans’ pension may not exceed that of the widow. Whenever
a child starts earning its own living, this supplement is reduced by
the sum representing the portion for one child.
Loss of Right to Pension
n rilE right to a pension expires on the loss of Austrian citizenship
A or when a civil-service employee is sentenced for a crime, or
declares his intention to leave the service and renounces his claim to
the pension, or when a disciplinary court decrees the forfeiture of the
pension.
The widow loses her right to a pension when she marries again.
If a widow has not claimed the lump sum which may be paid instead of
a pension, the widow’s pension is suspended as long as the second
marriage lasts.
Contributions of Civil-Service Employees
CIVIL-SERVICE employee pays pension contributions equal
to 3.2 per cent of his salary for the duration of his service if he
is entitled to a full pension before the fortieth year of service, and
amounting to 2.8 per cent in the case of a pension payable after 40
years of service.
Contract Civil-Service Employees
the ordinance of January 16, 1925, a contract civil-service
employee in full-time employment, when prevented by illness
from performing his service and this is not due to carelessness or
design, has a claim to full pay for a month, or, if he has served more
than two years, for two months. In exceptional cases the salary
may also be paid for a third month.
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B EL G IU M 3
^IV IL-SERV ICE retirement and pensions in Belgium, are governed
and regulated by numerous laws. The most important is,
perhaps, the law of July 21, 1844, covering the system of civil-service
pensions. This law was successively amended and modified by the
laws of February 17, 1849, January ‘lO, 1886, June 3, 1920, and July
29, 1926. There have also been enacted special laws relating to
pensions of judges (law of July 25, 1867), high school teachers (law
of July 30, 1879), grammar school teachers and professors and
teachers in public or elementary schools (laws of 1876, 1884, 1901,
and 1912), and the clergy (law of April 24, 1900).
Since July 1, 1924, all pensions are composed of a fixed sum and
of a changeable sum. The latter varies according to the fluctuations
of the value of the franc in relation to the cost of living. This com
bination has given satisfactory results to all concerned so far, except
that it has somewhat complicated the administrative work. Whether
it will be retained or will be abandoned or modified, owing to the
stabilization of the franc, remains to be seen.
In examining the existing laws governing civil-service retirement
and pensions in Belgium, a decided line must be drawn between
pensions to civil-service employees themselves and pensions to their
widows and orphans.
Pension of Civil-Service Employees
y IIE pensions to civil-service employees are gratuitous, being
charged to the public treasury. There is no special pension
fund to maintain these pensions, the necessary sums for their pay
ment being included yearly in the budget of public debt.
The pensions paid are, as a general rule, proportioned to the
salaries and the length of service. The payment of more than one
pension to a civil servant or the payment of a pension and a salary
to him is authorized only under certain conditions.
The regulations as to retirement and the payment of pensions of
civil-service employees in various administrative departments may
be summed up as follows:
Magistrature
Age and length of service.—Retirement is required at the age of
70 years in the jurisdiction of lower courts, and from 70 to 75 years
m the jurisdiction of higher courts. For 30 years of civil service, of
which at least 15 years have been in the magistrature, a pension is
paid equal to the average salary of the last three years.
In case a civil-service employee has reached the retirement age
and has been in civil service less than 30 years his pension is onethirtieth less than the average salary of the last three years.
. Disability 'pensions.—When a civil-service employee who has been
in the service five years or over is disabled from any cause other than
accident in the service, he is entitled to a pension of one-sixth of the
8 The data on which this section is based are from Les Codes et les lois spéciales les plus usuelles en vigueur
Brus.sels>
Axters, Henry, Commentarie de la loi organique, Brussels, 1898, X IV , pp
De part ment of S
^
unpubllshed material furnished to the Department of Labor through the
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MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
average salary of the last five years, and in addition one thirty-fifth
of the same average salary for each year of service over five years.
Accident pension.—In case of a permanently disabling accident
occurring in the service the employee is entitled to a pension equal
to one-fourth of the last year’s salary, and in addition one thirtyfifth of the last year’s salary for each year of service over five years.
Maximum pension.—The maximum pension in each of the above
cases in the magistrature is a sum equal to the salary or income
which served as a basis for the settlement.
High-School Instruction Service
Age, length oj service, disability, and pension.—When a civil-service
employee has been 30 years in the service, or when he has reached
the age of 70 years and has been in the service 10 years, or when he
has served 20 years and has been permanently incapacitated in the
service by a cause other than accident, he is entitled to a pension
equal to the average salary of the last five years of service. When he
has reached the age of 60 years and is disabled in service by a cause
other than accident, he is entitled to a pension amounting to onesixth of the average salary of the last five years of service and in
addition to one thirty-fifth of the same average salary for each year
of service over five years.
Accident pension.—In case a civil servant has suffered an accident
in service, permanently disabling him, he is entitled to a pension
equal to one-fourth of the last salary and, in addition, one thirty-fifth
of the last salary for each year of service over five. This is increased
to one-third of the last salary when he has shown extraordinary
courage and devotion.
Maximum pension.—The maximum pension in each of the above
cases in the high-school instruction service is equal to the salary or
income which served as a basis for settlement.
Normal-School and Intermediate Instruction Service
Age, length of service, disability, and pension.—When a civil-service
employee has reached the age of 55 years and has served 30 years,
or the age of 60 years and has served 15 years, or when he is perma
nently disabled in the service by a cause other than accident, he is
entitled to an annual pension amounting, per year of service, to
one fifty-fifth of the most favorable average salary of five consecutive
years during his service. The maximum pension is two-thirds of the
most favorable average salary of five consecutive years during his
service.
Accident pension.—In case of a permanently disabling accident the
employee is entitled to a pension amounting to one-fourth of the last
annual salary, and in addition one fifty-fifth of the last annual salary
for each year of service over five years.
Maximum pension.—The maximum pension in each of the above
cases in the normal and intermediate instruction service is equal to
two-thirds of the salary or income which served as a basis for settle
ment.
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Public or Elementary School Instruction Service
Age, length of service, disability, and pension.—When a civil-service
employee has reached the age of 50 years and has been in service
30 years, or the age of 60 years and has been in service 15 years, or
when he has been in service 10 years and is permanently disabled in
the service by a cause other than accident, he is entitled to a pension
amounting, for each year of service, to one-fiftieth of the average
salary of the last five years of service.
Accident pension.—When a civil-service employee has suffered an
accident in service which permanently disables him he is entitled to
a pension equal to one-fourth of the last salary, and in addition onefiftieth of the same salary for each year of service over five years.
Maximum pension.— The maximum pension in each of the above
cases in the public or elementary school instruction service is equal
to two-thirds of the salary or income which served as a basis for
settlement.
All Other Civil-Service Employees
Age, length of service, disability, and pension.—When a civil-service
employee has reached the age of 65 years and has been in the service
30 years, or when he has been in the service 10 years and is perma
nently disabled in the service by a cause other than accident, he is
entitled, in case of office service, to a pension amounting, for each
year of service, to one-sixtieth of the average salary of the last five
years, or in case of field service to one-fiftieth of the average salary
of the last five years for each year of service performed.
Accident pension.—An employee, who, in the course of his employ
ment has suffered a permanently disabling accident is entitled to a
pension amounting to one-fourth of the last annual salary, and in
addition one-sixtieth of the same salary for each year of service over
five years.
Maximum pension.— The maximum pension in each of the above
cases is equal to three-fourths of the salary or income which served
as a basis for the settlement.
Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions
'"THE pensions to widows and orphans are paid from special funds
* established and regulated by law. These funds are maintained
by means of deductions made from the salary of their members,
and, at least in principle, the funds can not be subsidized by the
public treasury. However, it became necessary to break this rule
in 1920 after a general revision and owing to the depreciation of the
franc.
The funds for widows and orphans are placed under the control
of a board of governors composed of civil-service employees appointed
by the Government. The funds must be converted into State securi
ties or treasury bonds.
The law simply outlines the organization of the funds, and so
each fund has its own by-laws, which differ greatly in respect to
deductions and the conditions as to payment of pensions.
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The most important points in the by-laws of the various funds
for widows and orphans of civil-service employees in the Depart
ments of Finance, Justice, and Colonies are as follows:
Department of Finance
Amount of deductions.—For all employees in the department:
(a) Four per cent of the salary and a supplementary deduction for
married employees amounting to 1 ^ per cent of the salary from
the time of entering the administration; (b) salary of first month
and a supplementary deduction for married employees amounting to
1 per cent of the salary in case of disproportion in age of the married
couple; (c) first two months of all increases and a supplementary
deduction amounting to 5 per cent on pensions of married employees;
and (d) 5 per cent on all pensions of widows and orphans.
Conditions for approval of pensions.— Five years’ service and three
years’ married life in cases of widow’s pension and five years’ service
only in cases of orphans’ pensions are required for approval of pension.
Widow’s pension.—For 10 years’ service or less, 20 per cent of
average salary of last 5 years and 1 per cent for each year of service
over 10 years, this 1 per cent not to exceed 140 francs per year. The
maximum annual pension is 10,000 francs, or one-half of the last
annual salary.
Orphans’ pensions.—The pension paid to whole orphans up to 18
years of age is a sum equal to three-fifths of the widow’s pension in
case of one orphan to four-fifths in case of two orphans, and to the
widow’s pension in case of three orphans; and in addition, 2 per cent
of the average salary per orphan in excess of three, with maximum
of 10 per cent. Where the mother is living the orphans’ pension
is, for each child, 2 per cent of the average salary, with maximum
of 10 per cent.
Department of Justice
Amount of deductions.—For all employees in the department:
(a) Five per cent of the salary and a supplementary deduction for
married employees amounting to 23^ per cent of the annual salary
during 10 years and 1 per cent of salary thereafter; (b) salary of
first month and a supplementary deduction for married employees
amounting to 5 per cent on pensions of married employees; (c) first
three months of all increases; and (d) 5 per cent on all pensions of
widows and orphans.
Conditions for approval of pensions.— Five years’ service and three
years’ married life in cases of widow’s pensions and five years’ service
only in cases of orphans’ pensions are required for approval of pension.
Widow’s pension.—The basis for the calculation of widow’s pen
sion is 2 6 ^ per cent of total deductions from husband’s salary,
with maximum of 10,000 francs, and in case of disproportion in age,
1 per cent less for each year of difference in age.
Orphans’ pension.— The orphan’s pension is equal to three-fifths
of the widow’s pension in case of one orphan; to four-fifths in case
of two orphans; to the widow’s pension in case of three orphans;
and to 10 per cent of the mother’s pension for each child in excess of
three. Where the mother is living, the pension to each child amounts
to 10 per cent of the mother’s pension.
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Department of Colonies
Amount of deductions.—For all employees in the department: (a)
Five per cent of salaries and a supplementary deduction for married
employees amounting to 1 per cent of salary; (6) salary of first
month and a supplementary deduction for married employees
amounting t o ‘10 per cent on pensions of married employees less
than 65 years of age; (c) first three months of all increases and a
supplementary deduction for married employees amounting to 3 per
cent on pensions of married employees over 65 years of age; (d) 5 per
cent on all pensions of widows and orphans.
Widows’ and orphans’ pensions— Pensions to widows and orphans
are calculated on actuarial or insurance bases.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA 4
CZECHOSLOVAKIA is a new State composed of certain Provinces
^
which formerly belonged to Austria, Hungary, and Germany.
The new State inherited from these countries their civil-service
retirement, pension, and insurance systems, which have been coordi
nated and amended to include certain new features. The successive
laws and amendments have each included new groups of employees
under the insurance system until practically all employees in private
and Government service who are not otherwise entitled to pensions
or compensation in some form are under compulsory insurance.
As a result of the numerous laws and amendments, the present-day
Czechoslovakian pension and insurance system has become quite
complicated. According to information obtained from the Czecho
slovakian Legation in Washington, a new system is now under con
sideration.
Law of February 5, 1920
CZECHOSLOVAKIA became an independent Republic on October
^
28, 1918. On February 5, 1920, a law (No. 89) was passed,
effective July 1, 1920, which amended the old imperial pension law
of December 16, 1906.
The law of February 5, 1920, made insurance compulsory for all
employees in the Czechoslovakian Republic between the ages of 16
and 55 years, including brain workers and employees in supervisory
positions, clerical workers in offices, commercial houses, warehousetransportation enterprises, and law and notary offices, but excluding
unskilled and day laborers and those employees of the Government
and of religious organizations recognized by the Government who
were already insured.
Employees liable to compulsory insurance were grouped into 16
salary classes, the first class including those with an annual salary
up to 900 crowns, and the sixteenth or highest class those with an
annual salary of 9,000 crowns and over.
The law declares that the objects of the insurance are to provide:
(a) Disability benefits; (b) old-age benefits; (c) educational allowances
(for bringing up children) in addition to disability and old-age pension;
(d) widow’s pensions; (e) educational allowances for orphans; (/)
4 The data on which this section is based are from Sbirka zakonu a nafizeni, st&tu Ceskoslovenskeho,
pt. XVIII, February 24, 1920, pt. CXLIV, Dec. 31, 1920, pt. 112, October 30, 1924, pt. 24, N ov. 15, 1924, and
pt. 93, Nov. 1, 1925; financi Zakon Republika Ceskoslovenske (Statni Rozposnet-budget) 1924-1927.
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funeral allowances; and (g) lump-sum payments to widow, orphans,
or needy parents.
To be entitled to full benefits the insured employee must have
contributed to the fund for 120 months, (called “ waiting time” or
“ term”). If disability or old age or death occurs after 60 payments
but before 120 monthly payments have been made the benefits are
payable in reduced amounts proportioned to the number of payments
made. In case of a disabling accident, the employee is entitled to
full benefits regardless of the number of his monthly contributions.
Disability and old-age benefits.—The benefit consists of two parts,
“ regular” and “ additional.”
The size of the “ regular” benefit is determined by the salary class
of the insured employee, the income of the last 24 contribution
months being used as the basis of calculation. The regular dis
ability benefit per year is as follows: Class 1, 180 crowns; class 2,
270 crowns; class 3, 360 crowns; class 4, 540 crowns; class 5, 720
crowns; class 6, 900 crowns.
If the wage class is higher than the sixth the benefit is computed
by adding to the benefit in class 6 the following specified amount for
each month for which the insured employee has paid his contribu
tion: Class 7,
crowns; class 8, 3 crowns; class 9, 4 ^ crowns;
class 10, 6 crowns; class 11, 7)^ crowns; class 12, 9 crowns; class 13,
lOj^ crowns; class 14, 12 crowns; class 15, 13^2 crowns; class 16,
15 crowns. The regular disability benefit, however, may not be
less than one-fourth of the sum of the total contributions of the
insured employee for the entire waiting time (120 months) or up to
the date of injury.
The “ additional” disability benefit begins after the completion
of the waiting time (120 months) and amounts annually to one-eighth
of the contribution paid after the required 120 months’ contribution.
After 60 months of contribution the insured employee is entitled
to an annual benefit equal to two-thirds of the “ regular” benefit,
and for every additional contributing year one-fifteenth of the
regular disability allowance is added, but the reduced disability
pension payable after 60 contributing months must not be less than
one-sixth of the amount of the contributions paid to date.
The disability benefit may be increased as much as 50 per cent if
the insured employee is so disabled that he requires care by persons
outside his family.
The old-age benefit is a life pension, payable from the day the
insured becomes 65 years of age.
Survivors’ benefits.—A widow’s pension is payable from the day
of the death of her husband until she remarries or dies.
Every child under 18 years of a deceased insured father or mother
who received or was entitled to a disability or old-age benefit at
the time of his death is entitled to an educational benefit. Illegiti
mate children are also entitled to this benefit if the paternity of the
deceased insured was legally established before his death Educa
tional allowances are payable from the day of the death of the parent
until the child is 18 years of age or until the child dies, marries, or
finds other means of support. In exceptional cases this allowance
may be continued beyond the time the child reaches 18 years.
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The disability or old-age benefit of a person whose child or children
would be entitled to an educational allowance in case of his death
may be increased to allow for his care of such children. For each
child this addition amounts to one-sixth of the regular disability
benefit. If the person receives a reduced benefit the additional
allowance shall be only one-sixth of this amount for each child.
But the total of such additional allowances may not be more than
50 per cent of the regular or partial disability allowance received.
If the insured dies before the completion of 60 contributing months,
but not as the result of an industrial accident, and if all other condi
tions necessary for a widow’s pension or educational allowance are
met, the widow may claim a final settlement. If there is no widow
of if she is not entitled to make such a claim the orphan children
may claim it in equal parts. If there are neither widowr nor orphan
children entitled to such a settlement claim to it may be made by
the needy mother of the deceased, provided she was dependent on
him for support. If there is no mother a needy father previously
dependent on the deceased may claim it.
As a final settlement the widow or. children get twice the regular
annual disability allowance of the deceased, while the father or
mother receive only the amount of the annual disability allowance
to which the deceased was entitled, according to the wage class and
after the completion of 120 contributing months.
Funeral benefits.—The survivors of an employee who under this
law was entitled to disability or old age or widow’s or educational
allowances and who had completed 60 contributing months, if they
have given him burial, are entitled to funeral benefits equal to onefourth of the benefit which the deceased received or to which he was
entitled.
Time of payment of benefits.—All benefits, including educational
allowances, are payable monthly and in advance.
Law of December 22, 1920
X H E law of December 22, 1920, amends the workmen’s insurance
law of March 30, 1888, as amended May 15, 1919. It provides
for medical aid, maternity pensions, and funeral allowances, but
does not apply to those Government employees who are entitled to
at least a year’s salary in case of illness.
Sick benefits.—If illness continues beyond three days and the
patient is incapable of work he receives the following daily sickness
benefit from the day sickness began.
Crowns
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
1__________________
1. 4
2 __________________ 2. 7
3 __________________ 4. 0
4 __________________ 6. 0
5 __________________ 8. 0
6 __________________ 10. 0
7 __________________ 12 . 0
Crowns
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
class
class
class
class
class
class
8 ___________________
14. 0
9 ___________________ 16. 0
10 ....__________________18. 0
1 1 ___________________ 20. 0
12 __________________ 22 . 0
13___________________ 24. 0
Sick benefits are paid at the end of each week until the patient
recovers, but not longer than one year.
Maternity benefits.—Maternity benefits are paid in the above
amounts for six weeks preceding and six weeks following childbirth,
provided the mother does not engage in remunerative labor during
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that period. A mother who nurses her baby shall receive, in addition
to the sick benefit, one-half of that amount for 12 weeks following
childbirth. This period may be extended to 26 weeks.
Funeral benefit.—If the sick person dies within six months after
his claim to sick benefit expires his survivors may receive as a funeral
allowance an amount equal to thirty times the average daily wage
of the insured, but not less than 150 crowns.
Benefits to members offamily of insured.—The sick benefits enumer
ated above are also available to the members of the family of the
insured, including husband, wife, legitimate, illegitimate, and step
children, until the completion of their sixteenth year of age, parents,
brothers, sisters, grandparents, father-in-law and mother-in-law,
who constitute the household of the insured and who are not subject
to compulsory insurance. But funeral benefits may not exceed 60
crowns for a child up to 2 years of age, 180 crowns for a child over
2 and under 14 years of age, and 300 crowns for a person of 14 years
of age or older. Insured employees having a taxable annual income
exceeding 20,000 crowns are not entitled to sickness insurance
benefits for members of their household.
A maternity benefit of up to one-half of the regular sick benefit may
be paid for six weeks before and six weeks after childbirth to mothers
in the family of the insured.
The allowance to a member of the family of the insured may run
up to one-fourth of the regular sick benefit and may be extended up
to 26 weeks.
Persons and prospective mothers who are being cared for at home
may, with their consent, be supplied nursing care. Prospective
mothers, with their consent, may be sent for confinement to insti
tutions caring for such cases. In this event the expenses shall be
charged against the sick benefit but may not consume more than
one-half of it.
Wage and contribution classes.—The wage and contribution classes
of the employees insured for sickness are as follows:
D aily wage in crowns
W age
W age
W age
W age
Wage
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
W age
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
class
1--------- -----------------------------------------------------------u p to 3
2 ------------------------------------------------ o v er 3
an d u p to 4
3 ------------------------------------------------ over 5
a n d u p to 746
4 ------------------------------------------------ over 746 a n d u p to 1046
5 ------------------------------------------------ o v er 1046 a n d u p to 1346
6 ------------------------------------------------ over 1346 a n d u p to 1646
7 ------------------------------------------------ o v er 1646 a n d u p to 1946
8 ------------------------------------------------ o v er 1946 a n d u p to 2246
9 ------------------------------------------------ o v er 2246 a n d u p to 2546
10---------------------------------------------- o ver 2546 a n d u p to 2846
11---------------------------------------------- o ver 2846 a n d u p to 3146
12---------------------------------------------- o ver 3146 a n d u p to 3446
13______________________________over 3446________________
Monthly
contribu
tions in
crowns
2
4
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
33
36
By a special ruling sick benefits may be increased beyond those
specified above as follows: The daily sick benefit in class 1 may be
raised to 2% crowns and in the other classes to 90 per cent of the
lowest wages in each class, and the funeral allowance may be raised
to forty-five times the daily average wage.
The sick benefit may be increased 10 per cent of the regular benefit,
if the sickness continues beyond 13 weeks, 20 per cent if sickness
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continues beyond 26 weeks, and 30 per cent if sickness continues
beyond 39 weeks.
For employees whose daily wage is over 373^ crowns a special wage
class may be created with average daily wage of over 39 and up to
42 crowns and with a daily sick benefit of over 26 and up to 28
crowns.
Law of December 30, 1920
HTHE law of December 30, 1920, amends the previous laws in the
following respects: If the insured dies after the completion of
the waiting time (120 months) the final settlement made to his
surviving mother or father is calculated on the basis of the income
of the deceased during his last 24 contributing months. However,
the amount may not be less than one-fourth of the contributions
paid during the last 120 contributing months.
Law of October 9, 1924
HTHE law of October 9, 1924, relates to insurance of the employees
in private and Government service in case of sickness, disability,
and death. Those employees who are already insured or have a
right to pension or compensation are excluded.
Contributions by employees.—The employees are divided into the
following wage classes :
Basie daily
wage in
crowns for
calcu latio n
of contribuDaily wage in crowns
Class
Class
C lass
C lass
C lass
C lass
C lass
C lass
C lass
C lass
fir m s
1 ___________________________________________________ up to 6
2 _________________________________________ from 6 u p to 10
3 _________________________________________ from 10
u p to 14
4 _________________________________________ from 14
u p to 18
5 _________________________________________ from 18
u p to 22
6 _________________ ____________ ____ .______ from 22
u p to 253^
7 _________________________________________ from 25)/£ up to 2 8 ^
8 _________________________________________ from 2 8 )^ u p to 31)/^
9 _________________________
from 31^2 up to 3 4 ^
10________________________________________ from 343^_____
4
8
12
16
20
24
27
30
33
36
The actual size of the contribution in each class is calculated on an
actuarial or mathematical basis. The law specifies only that the
employee’s contribution is not to exceed 5 per cent of his average
daily wage. The contribution is paid half by the employees and
half by their employers (Government and private).
The sickness-insurance wage and contribution classes are grouped
into the following classes for disability and old-age insurance:
Employees’
weekly con
tributions
in crowns
Class
Class
Class
Class
A
B
C
D
(classes
(classes
(classes
(classes
1 -3 )___________________________________
4 a n d 5 )_______________________________
6 a n d 7)________ - ______________________
8 -1 0 )__________________________________
4.
5.
7.
8.
3
7
1
8
Government contributions.—The Government contribution to the
disability and old-age insurance fund is as follows: (a) 500 crowns
a year for each employee insured; (6) 250 crowns a year for each
widow or widower receiving benefits; (c) 100 crowns a year for each
82645°—28-----5
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
half orphan receiving benefits; and (d) 200 crowns a year for each
whole orphan receiving benefits._ The total Government contribu
tion for orphans in a single family is not to exceed 500 crowns per
annum. The Government does not, however, contribute anything to
the fund for the benefit of employees whose income the previous year,
exclusive of any insurance benefits, was large enough to be subject to
an income tax.
Sickness insurance benefits.— The sickness-insurance benefits are as
follows: Free medical attention, nursing care, medicine, etc., are
given from beginning of illness, but not to continue longer than one
year. Medical attention is also given to the members of the family
of the insured during his illness. From the fourth day of illness the
following daily benefit payment, to continue only for one year, is
provided :
D aily benefit:
Crowns
C lass 1 _________________
2. 7
C lass 2 ____________________
5. 3
C lass 3 ____________________
8. 0
C lass 4 ____________________ 10 . 6
C lass 5 ____________________ 13. 3
D aily b e n e f it :
Crowns
Class 6 ____________________ 16. 0
C lass 7_____
18. 0
C lass 8 ______________________20. 0
C lass 9 ______________________22. 0
C lass 10 ____________________ 24. 0
Funeral benefits.—Funeral benefits are as follows: If the insured
dies within six months after the expiration of his claim to sick bene
fits his family receives for funeral expenses thirty times the amount
of his average daily wage, but not less than 150 crowns.
For funeral expenses of immediate members of the family of the
insured the following benefit payment is made: 60 crowns for each
child under 2 years of age; 180 crowns for each child from 2 to 14
years of age; 250 crowns for each person over 14 years of age.
Maternity benefits — Maternity benefits are as follows: Free serv
ice of midwife and, if necessary, of physician; sick benefits for six
weeks preceding and six weeks following childbirth. To mothers
who nurse their children an additional benefit for 12 weeks following
childbirth in an amount equal to one-half of the sick benefit is pro
vided for.
Disability and old-age benefits.—The insured person receives 500
crowns a year plus one-fifth of the amount he contributed to the dis
ability and old-age fund. At the age of 65 years the disability bene
fit becomes an old-age benefit if the insured is no longer able to perform
his usual service because of his age even though he is not disabled.
Dependents’ benefits.—A widow is entitled to one-half of her hus
band’s former disability or old-age benefits, provided her physical
condition renders her incapable of earning more than one-third of the
wage she might otherwise earn.
A half orphan under 17 years of age is entitled to one-fifth of the
disability or old-age benefit received by the deceased insured parent.
A whole orphan under 17 years of age is entitled to two-fifths of the
disability or old-age benefit received by the insured parent. The
total of orphans’ benefits in a single family, however, may not exceed
the amount of the disability or old-age benefits to which the deceased
insured was entitled.
Dependent grandchildren are considered as children.
Contributions and expenditures.—Contributions of civil officials, em
ployees, and laborers to the pension and insurance funds from 1924
to 1926 were as follows: 1924, 71,145,000 crowns; 1925, 77,212,000
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61
crowns; 1926, 59,800,000 crowns. State expenditures for pensions to
and insurance of civil officials, employees, and laborers during the
same period were: 1924, 459,810,360 crowns; 1925, 469,179,000
crowns; 1926, 404,555,230 crowns.
G ER M A N Y 5
Legislation
March 31, 1873, a law was enacted which granted pensions to
O N civil
officials. This law was modified by the laws of April 20,
1881, April 21, 1886, March 5, 1888, May 18, 1907, and June 18, 1923.
It should be observed that the German system of civil-service
retirement and pensions makes a distinction between officials (Beamte)
and employees (Angestellte). The distinction lies in a certain varia
tion in nature of employment.
The law of 1907 defines an “ official” as any official either directly
appointed by the Kaiser or appointed according to the constitution of
the State or to regulations issued by the Kaiser. At present officials
are appointed, in the main, either by the President or under adminis
trative general regulations, while employees are appointed under the
regulations of the specific department, Government corporation, or
establishment. Their appointment might be considered temporary
in the sense that they can be discharged when the conditions of
service require their retirement. Officials, on the contrary, are as a
rule appointed for life.
The civil employees called “ contract employees” are engaged for a
specific task or serve a preliminary term before they can be appointed
to the position of officials.
Civil employees in the service of the Federal Government, of the
States, and of the municipalities or communes have, in contrast to the
officials, no claim whatsoever at the time of their retirement to any
pension on account of their service. Therefore, no special funds
exist in the Government departments for the granting of pensions to
such retired employees.
All such employees, however, are subject to insurance in accordance
with the insurance regulations of November 20, 1911, as stated in the
proclamation of May 28, 1924, if their annual salaries do not exceed
a certain limit, which at the present time is 6,000 reichsmarks. If
the conditions are complied with they receive a pension from the
Government insurance office.
The employees’ insurance laws have since been changed by the
following rules and ordinances: Law of August 30, 1924 (relating to
State railroad employees); ordinance of December 12, 1924; and
laws of March 23, 1925, July 28, 1925, June 25, 1926, April 3, 1927,
and April 8, 1927.
5 Data on which this section is based are from Reichsgesetzblatt, 1873, 1881, 1886, 1888, 1907, 1923-1927;
unpublished material furnished the Department of Labor by the Department of State; unpublished
material collected and compiled by the legislative reference division, Library of Congress; Die Angestell
tenversicherung nach dem Stande Vom. 1, Juli, 1926, an official publication.
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Retirement and Pensions of Civil Officials
Old Age, Length of Service, and Disability
A CIVIL official leaving the service at the age of 65 years has the
right to a pension if he applies for retirement. The granting
of the pension rests with the central authority (oberste Reiclisbeholde)
if he was appointed by departmental authority ; if he was appointed
by the President the latter’s approval is required.
A civil official of the Federal Government who has completed 10
years’ service and is not physically able to continue his service has
the right to a pension. If he is permanently disabled for service by
reason of sickness, wound, or accident incurred in the service he has
the right to a pension before he has served 10 years. If, before
completing 10 years’ service, he is disabled outside the service and
can not continue the latter, he may be granted either a temporary
or a life pension by the Federal Council.
The length of service is counted from the day of taking oath
of office. The time of service of an official when he is employed on
half pay, or when he is in the service of one of the German States,,
or when appointed on probation as a former soldier entitled to a
civil pension in the service of a State, or of a local government, is
counted. _ The time spent in military service is added to the time of
civil service.
Amount, Computation, and Time of Payment of Pensions
The annual pension for service of 10 years or under is thirty-live
one-hundredths of the annual salary. It increases from the tenth
to the twenty-fifth year of service by two one-hundredths for each
additional year and thereafter by one one-hundredth. A pension is
not to exceed eighty one-hundredths of the salary. In case of re
tirement on account of disability incurred outside service a pension
is not to exceed thirty-five one-hundredths of the salary.
The pension is calculated on the basis of the last aggregate annual
salary received by a civil official. This includes, under certain cir
cumstances, gratuities, allowances, fixed fees, and perquisites, but
does not include money for keeping up the official State and office;
expenses.
A pension starts from the end of the quarter following the month
during which official notice has been given the retired civil official
of the pension and its amount, when a shorter term is not fixed in
the application or by formal consent of the official. Pensions are,
payable quarterly and in advance.
When a deceased pensioner leaves a widow or other legitimate
heirs a lump sum is paid to them in an amount equal to three monthly
payments of pension.
Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions
The widow and legitimate or legitimated children of a civil official
who at the time of his death would have had the right to a pension,
and those of a retired official receiving a life pension, have the right
to widows’ and orphans’ pensions.
A widow’s pension is forty one-hundredths of the pension which
the deceased received or would have been entitled to at the time of
his death.
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Each child whose mother is living and entitled to a widow’s pen
sion on the death of the official is entitled to an orphan’s pension
equal to one-fifth of the widow’s pension, and in the ease of children
whose mother is dead or not entitled to a widow’s pension on the
death of the official each orphan has the right to a pension of onethird of the widow’s pension.
Widows’ and orphans’ pensions, separately or together, are not to
exceed the amount of pension which the deceased official was re
ceiving or would have been entitled to. If in the aggregate they
would reach a higher sum they are proportionally reduced.
If the widow is more than 15 years younger than her deceased
husband was her pension is reduced by one-twentieth per year of
difference in age from the sixteenth to the twenty-fifth year. But
for each additional year of marriage after five years her pension is
increased by one-tenth until the full amount of the widow’s pension
is reached. A widow is not entitled to a pension if the marriage
took place less than three months before death and was for the
purpose of securing a widow’s pension.
The widow and orphans of a retired civil official are not entitled
to pension if the marriage took place after his retirement. Widows’
and orphans’ pensions are payable monthly and in advance.
The right to a widow’s pension ceases at the end of the month in
which she marries or dies. In case of an orphan the right to pension
ceases at the end of the month during which he completed his eight
eenth year or of his death before that age.
Pensions Paid by Government
Pensions of civil officials are paid out of funds provided entirely
by the Government. Pensions to widows and orphans of such officials
are paid partly out of Government funds and partly out of a special
‘contribution by the officials of 3 per cent of their salary or pension.
Insurance of Civil Employees
INSURANCE of employees in the Government service and that of
employees in private service are governed by the same laws, rules,
and regulations, but in this review we are concerned only with employ
ees in the service of the Federal Government, States, communes, and
Government corporations and establishments.
General Provisions of the Law
The insurance laws apply: (a) To those employees who are subject
to compulsory insurance (Versickerungspflichtige) in the services speci
fied by the law; (b) to those employees who, having left such service
after having made insurance contributions for at least four months
and who are still fit for service, of their own free will again become
subject to insurance (freivnllig weiterversichern); and (c) to those
employees who have not been insured and are not subject to compul
sory insurance, but who voluntarily become subject to insurance
(Selbtversicherte).
If the annual salary of a civil employee is more than 6,000 marks
he is not subject to compulsory insurance. If he formerly received
.an aggregate annual salary of not more than 6,000 marks and was
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
therefore compulsorily insured, then, in case of an increase of his
salary to more than 6,000 marks per annum, he falls out of the group
of employees liable to compulsory insurance, but may of his own free
will continue or again become subject to insurance.
Contributions Toward Insurance
The amount of contribution toward the insurance is in proportion
to the employee’s salary, as may be seen from the following table:
M O N T H L Y C O N T R IB U T IO N IN S P E C IF IE D SA LA R Y CLASSES O F C IV IL E M P L O Y E E S
Salary class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
A ________________________
B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______
C_____________________
D ............... . _____ _
E ___ _____ _____________
F ____ _____ ____ _ . .
Annual salary
M onthly salary
M onthly
contri
bution
M arks
Under 600 marks .
From COOto 1,200 marks
From 1,200 to 2,400 m arks.. .
From 2,400 to 3,600 m a rk s...
From 3,600 to 4,800 marks.
From 4,800 to 6,000 m arks.. .
Under 50 marks
From 50 to 100 marks
From 100 to 200 marks
From 200 to 300 marks
From 300 to 400 marks
From 400 to 500 marks
2
4
8
12
16
20
The highest monthly salary in any group subject to compulsory
insurance is 500 marks. If an employee works only half time the
contribution for insurance is only half the amount he would pay if
he were on full time.
Employees pay 50 per cent and the Government pays 50 per cent
of the contribution; for instance, the entire monthly contribution on
a monthly salary of from 100 to 200 marks (class C) is 8 marks, the
insured employee paying 4 marks and the Government 4 marks. If
the monthly salary of an employee is not more than 50 marks the
Government pays the entire contribution. The same rule applies to
apprentices.
Each employee receives an insurance card from the local insurance
office. The National Insurance Office, through the local insurance
offices, sells insurance stamps to the employers, the salary class and
the money value being designated on the stamp. The employer
affixes the proper stamps to the insurance cards of his employees on
a pay day near the end of each calendar month and writes the date
in ink on the stamps. Half of the value of the stamps so used is deduc
ted from the salary of the employee.
Insurance Pensions or Benefits
An insured employee receives a pension in the event of either old
age or disability^ and, in case of his death his survivors get a pension.
To become eligible for a pension an employee must have paid
contributions for a certain minimum period of time specified by law,
which is called the waiting time or term (Wartezeit). Its length is as
follows:
(a) For pension to an insured female employee, 60 contribution
months; (b) for pension to an insured male employee, 120 contribu
tion months; (c) for pension to survivors of employees of both sexes,
120 contribution months.
_When an employee has passed his sixty-fifth year or is permanently
disabled in service he is entitled to a pension.
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When an employee is disabled continuously for 26 weeks he is
entitled to a pension during the further continuation of his occupa
tional disability (sickness pension).
Survivors’ Pensions
The widow’s or widower’s pension amounts to six-tenths and the
orphan’s pension to five-tenths of the retirement pension exclusive
of the additional sum known as “ child support” (Kinder zuschut z).
The child support is an addition to the pension of 90 marks per
annum for each child up to 15 years of age, or up to 21 years of age
when the child is in school or in occupational training or when the
child, as a result of bodily or mental defect, is not able to earn its
living.
“ Children” include legitimate children, legitimated children,
adopted children, illegitimate children of an insured male employee
when their paternity is legally proven, illegitimate children of an
insured female employee, stepchildren when they are dependent upon
the insured.
The pension, together with the total amount of child support, is
not to exceed the highest salary in the class of the insured; if it does
exceed that amount the child support is accordingly reduced.
The following is an example of the pension to survivors: After the
death of an employee whose pension was, or would have been in case
of permanent incapacity, 1,263.8 marks, the survivors’ annual pension
for the widow and the two children is as follows:
Marks
W idow ’s pension (six-tenths of th e pension of h er deceased h u sb an d ,
or 1,283.8 m a rk s)_________________________ ,______________________
770. 28
O rp h an ’s pension (five-tenths of 1,283.8 m ark s, or 641.9 m arks) for
tw o ch ild ren _____________________________________________________ 1, 283. 80
T o ta l_________ ______________________________________________
2 ,0 5 4 .0 8
Medical Treatment
To prevent an insured employee from becoming permanently
disabled as a result of sickness the National Insurance Office may
provide for medical treatment if it can be expected that medical
treatment will restore his ability for further service. During his
medical treatment in a hospital or in an institution for convalescents
his dependents receive from the insurance office an allowance for the
support of the family, called “ house money” (Hausgeld), amounting
daily to 23 per cent of the last monthly contribution made by such
employee. For instance, if his last monthly contribution was 12
marks the daily allowance for the support of his family will be 2.76
marks.
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66
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Amount of Retirement Pensions
The amount of the annual pension paid to a retired employee who
is unmarried and to one who is married and has two children, after
10, 20, and 30 years’ contribution, in the various salary classes, is
shown in the following table:
A M O U N T OF A N N U A L PE N SIO N S PA ID TO M A R R IE D A N D U N M A R R IE D R E T IR E D
E M PL O Y EE S IN SP E C IF IE D SALARY CLASSES
After 10 years’ contri
bution
Salary class
Class A _________________
Class B ____ ________________
Class C . . __________
Class D __________ _ ____
Class E^_.
____
Class F_ __ _______
Class G ___________
Class H . __ __________
After 20 years’ contri
bution
After 30 years’ contri
bution
Unmarried
employee
Married
employee
with 2
children
Unmarried
employee
Married
employee
with 2
children
Unmarried
employee
Married
employee
with 2
children
M a rks
M a rks
M a rks
M arks
M a rks
M arks
516
552
624
696
768
840
930
1,020
600
732
804
876
948
1,020
1,110
1,200
552
624
768
912
1,056
1,200
1,380
1, 560
600
804
948
1,092
1,236
1,380
1,560
1,740
588
696
912
1,128
1,344
1,560
1,830
2,100
600
876
1,092
1,308
1, 524
1,740
2, 010
2, 280
Insurance Offices
A local insurance office consists of an official appointed by the
Government, who acts as chairman, one representative of the insured
employees, and one representative of the employers.
A district or provincial insurance office consists of an official
appointed by the Government, who acts as chairman, six represen
tatives of the insured employees, and six representatives of the
employers. The office is divided into various chambers.
The National Insurance Office is composed of permanent members
appointed by the Government, and six members elected by the
employees and six by the employers, and its decisions are final.
Appropriations for Pensions
The appropriations for civil pensions granted during the past
three years were as follows: 1925, 45,445,566 reichmarks; 1926,
85,466,000 reichmarks; and 1927, 87,626,000 reichmarks (estimated).
SWITZERLAND 8
Legislation
I N S T E A D of pensions the Swiss Government has a system of
obligatory or compulsory insurance of civil-service employees
( fo n c tio n n a ir e s , e m p lo y é s , e t o u v r ie r s f é d é r a u x ) , based upon the laws
of September 30, 1919, and October 6, 1920, amplified and inter
preted, in certain particulars, by the decisions of the Federal Council
of January 18, 1921, and of M a y 8, 1923.
The data on which this section is based are from Statuts de la caisse d ’assurance des fonctionnaires,
employés et ouvriers fédéraux du 6 octobre 1920; Arrêté du Conseil fédéral concernant l ’execution de cer
taines dispositions des statuts de la caisse d ’assurance du 17 janvier 1921; Decisions du conseil d ’adminis
tration concernant 1 admission des, ouvriers et du personnel auxiliaire dans la caisse d ’assurance du 18
janvier 1921; Annexe au Comte d’Etat de la Confédération suisse, la caisse d ’assurance des fonctionnaires
employés et ouvriers fédéraux en 1921-1925.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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PUBLIC SERVICE R ETIREM ENT— SWITZERLAND
67
General Provisions
T H E insurance laws provide benefits for civil-service employees in
1 case of old age and disability caused either by sickness or
accident and, in case of death, for their survivors.
Those insured are the elected or appointed civil employees. Per
sons who have left the service for the third time and those who are
provided for from communal or other sources are not eligible for
insurance.
Civil-service employees who can not present a certificate of good
health or who are over 40 years of age when entering the service
can be insured only as savings contributors. If during their service
their health appears to be good they may be insured, and in that
case the savings contributions they have made are converted into
insurance contributions.
Insurance begins at the time of entering the service, and leaving
the service means giving up the insurance. If a civil-service employee
leaves the service for any cause other than disability or death and
if he has not the right to a lump-sum payment his insurance contri
butions are returned to him without interest. The return of his
contributions or the payment of a lump sum precludes all claim to
insurance benefits. Should he reenter the service, which means
again becoming subject to insurance, he must return his refunded
contributions or the lump-sum payment and his previous service time
is added to his second period of service.
A service year for officials and employees is considered as consisting
of 12 months’ service, and for laborers as consisting of 330 days’
labor, except that for those laborers who work also on Sundays and
holidays it consists of 365 days’ labor.
The maximum yearly salary or wages considered for insurance
purposes is 15,000 francs.
Benefits
INSURANCE benefits consist of pensions or lump-sum payments.
1 A pension is paid to the insured employee when he, having reached
70 years of age or having had 50 years’, or in the case of a woman
35 years’, service,7retires, not being able to continue service, or when,
after 5 years’ service in the case of a married employee or 15 years’
service in the case of an unmarried employee, he is permanently
disabled in service either by sickness or accident, or when after
15 years’ service he is not reelected or is discharged for no fault of
his. In case of his death his survivors receive a pension.
A lump sum is paid to the insured if he is disabled during his
first 15 years of service.
Relief is given in certain specific cases out of a relief fund.
A m o u n t o f th e p e n s i o n .— The amount of pension is calculated as a
percentage of the last annual salary when a civil-service employee
retires.
i Retirement after 70 years of age or 50 years’, or in the case of a woman 35 years’, service is
not compulsory.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
68
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
Annual payments in the case of a life pension are made according
to the following scale:
Years of
service
Less th a n 1 vear
1 year
2 years
3 years
4 years
5 years
6 years
7 years
8 years
9 years
10 vears
11 years
12 vears
13 vears
14 years
15 years
Percentage of test
annual salary
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
15.
20.
25.
30.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Years of
service
Percentage of last
annual salary
16
17
18
19
y ea rs___________________ 4 7.0
y ea rs___________________ 48. 0
4 9 .5
y ea rs-------------------------------y ea rs___________________ 5 1 .0
20 y ea rs___________________ 52. 5
21 y ea rs___________________ 54. 0
22 y ea rs-------------------------------- 55. 5
23 y ea rs___________________ 57. 0
24 y ea rs________ __________
58 .5
25 y ea rs___________________ GO. 0
26 y ea rs___________________ 62. 0
27 y e a rs___________________ 64. 0
28 y ea rs___________________ 66. 0
29 y ea rs-------------------------------68. 0
30 y ea rs___________________ 8 70. 0
In c r e a s e a n d d ecrea se o f p e n s i o n . —A female civil-service employee
who has served at least 15 years in the first or second classes of the
telephone and telegraph service has the right to an increase of her
disability pension by 1 per cent per year of the yearly salary which
served as the basis for calculation of her pension, but the increased
pension is not to exceed 70 per cent of her annual salary at retirement.
If a retired employee receives a pension from other sources for
previous service his disability pension is decreased in the amount of
his other pension.
P a r t i a l p e n s i o n . —When an employee is disabled in service and as a
result is transferred, at a lower salary, to some other work which he
is still able to perform he has the right to a partial disability pen
sion as compensation for his lost earning power.
If an employee who receives a pension is reelected or reappointed
for service his pension ceases and he again comes under the insurance
system, making corresponding contributions if his annual salary is
higher than the pension he received. If his salary is lower than the
latter he receives a partial pension in order to equalize his income
from his service with his pension.
Survivors’ Pensions
J A / 'I D O W ’S p e n s i o n . —The
widow’s pension is normally 50 per cent
of the pension of her deceased husband, but never less than
25 per cent and never in excess of his pension. If the widow is 20
years younger than her deceased husband she is entitled to only half
of the usual widow’s pension. If the marriage took place after her
deceased husband had reached 60 years of age the widow has no
right to a pension. If a widow remarries she is paid a lump sum
equal to three times her annual pension.
. O r p h a n s ’ p e n s i o n s . —Each legitimate child of the deceased insured
civil-service employee is entitled to 10 per cent of the annual salary
of the deceased till he reaches the age of 18 years, but if the child is
not capable of remunerative employment by reason of some physical
8 Maximum.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[280]
PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREM ENT— SW ITZERLAND
69
or mental defect he is entitled to a pension during his lifetime. A
child over 18 years of age at the time of the death of his father is
not entitled to a pension.
The aggregate sum of the pensions to all the children of the deceased
must not exceed 30 per cent of his annual salary. If after the death
of an insured employee no widow appears, or if she loses her right to
pension or dies the orphan’s pension is doubled.
Lump-Sum Payments
unmarried employee during his first five years of service is
F AN
disabled in service he is paid a lump sum equal to a percentage
of his annual salary as follows: When disabled in the first year of
service, 50 per cent; in the second year, 75 per cent; in the third
year, 100 per cent; in the fourth year, 125 per cent; and in the fifth
year, 150 per cent.
If after five years’ service and before the completion of the fif
teenth year the insured is not reelected or is discharged^for no fault
of his, he receives a lump-sum payment as follows: From 5 to 8
years’ service, 125 per cent of the last annual salary; from 8 to 12
years’ service, 150 per cent; from 12 to 15 years’ service, 200 per cent.
Relief
is paid out of a special relief fund in particular cases of
RELIEF
need. For instance, if the deceased had dependent grandparents
or other close relatives, except widow and children, dependent upon
him, an annual relief payment of not to exceed 20 per cent of his
annual salary is made. The relief is also given as an addition to the
pension of a disabled civil-service employee it after his retirement
there appears in his family an additional dependent. A hether relief
is needed and in what amount are decided in each case by the
governing council.
Contributions
T H E Government contributes 7 per cent of the annual salary of
* the insured, a sum equivalent to five monthly payments of any
increase in the salary of the insured, and expenses of the upkeep of
the insurance offices, and also makes up any deficits that may occur,
The employee contributes 5 per cent of his annual salary and four
monthly payments of any increase in his annual salary,
When an insured male civil-service employee has reached the age
of 70 years, or when he has been in the service 50 years, he is released
from making contributions; a female employee is released after 35
years of service.
.
. .
For the relief fund the Government contributed an initial amount
of 250,000 francs. The insured employees contribute 1 per cent of
their annual salary on December 31 of each year. The relief fund is
augmented by gifts, legacies, uncollected pensions, etc.
Savings Deposits
official or employee is not able at the time of entering service
Pr AN
to present a certificate of good health or is over 40 years of age
he is not eligible for insurance, but must make savings deposits equal
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 281 ]
70
M ONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
to the insurance contributions he would make if insured. The Govern
ment contributions are the same as in the case of the insured employee.
The savings deposits bear interest, which is compounded at certain
intervals.
When a savings depositor leaves the service his savings deposits,
with interest, are returned to him, or, in case of his death, are paid
to his heirs, in which case the Government contributions are added
to the general relief fund.
When a savings depositor, after at least five years’ service, resigns
on account of disability acquired in the service, or because he is not
reelected or is discharged for no fault of his, his savings deposits
plus^ the Government contributions, with interest, are paid to him
or his heirs.
Insurance Offices
C''ENERAL control over the insurance system is vested in the
Federal Council. The highest executive office is the governing
council, while the actual insurance business is done by various offices
of the Federal financial departments.
The governing council consists of a president and 18 members.
The Federal Council appoints the president and 10 members, and 8
members are elected by the insured, the method of election being pre
scribed by the Federal Council. The tenure of service of the president
and the members is three years. Important questions are brought to
the governing council for mediation and decision. The rights, duties,
and procedure of the governing council are prescribed by the Federal
Council.
Total Contributions and Payments
T H E total contributions and the contributions by the Govern
ment and by the civil-service employees to the insurance fund,
the savings deposits, and the relief fund, and the amount paid out in
pensions and lump sums and for relief, and the deposits returned are
shown in following table:
FIN A N C IA L ST A T E M E N T OF SWISS IN S U R A N C E SY ST E M
E M P L O Y EE S, 1921 TO 1925, B Y YEAR S
Contributions to the insurance fund
FOR
C IVIL-SERVICE
Savings deposits (contributions)
Year
By Govern B y insured
ment
1921_____ .
1922_________________
1923________________
1924____________
1925____________ ____
F rancs
12, 925, 294
10,498, 514
9,855, 054
12, 052, 099
9, 934, 833
F ra n cs
Total
B y Govern B y insured
ment
F ra n cs
9,619,652
7,913, 934
7,026,421
8, 795, 654
7,134,523
F rancs
22, 544,946
18,412,448
16,881,475
20,847, 753
17,068,356
775,334
599, 259
520,689
520,951
510, 321
Contributions to relief fund
Year
1921_________________
1922__________________
1923___________________
1924____________________
1925______________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
B y Gov
ernment
By
insured
Total
F rancs
F rancs
250, 000
3, 330
3,850
F rancs
180, 000
159, 000
159, 000
146,000
139, 000
430, 000
162, 330
162,850
146, 000
139, 000
[ 282]
F rancs
560, 235
429, 571
375,772
378,401
370, 373
Paid in
pensions
Paid in
lump
sums
F rancs
F rancs
F rancs
498,150
144, 083
224,406
200,145
116, 249
4,040
9,357
697, 993
789, 013
800, 388
7,328,127
9,836,394
10, 933, 207
12,835, 990
13,891,312
Total
F ra n cs
1,335, 569
1,028, 830
896,461
899,352
880,694
Paid for Deposits
relief
returned
F ra n cs
54, 263
245,875
299,113
2, 055, 368
552, 200
72
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
C O M PARISON OF E U R O PE A N CIVIL SERVICE
Item
Austria
Belgium
Czechoslovakia
Principal laws. Constitution; acts of
1914, 1921, and 1924.
Acts of 1844, 1849, 1886, 1920,
and 1926.
Acts of 1920 and 1924.
Type of system. Insurance.
Pension (noncontributory)...
Insurance__________
B y whom ad
ministered.
E m p lo y e e s
covered.
Ministry of Finance___
Ministry of Social Welfare. .
Government employees.
Employees in Government
offices, estab lish m en ts,
and corporations.
Age 65 y ears, after 30 y e a rs ’
service. Disability; Acci
dent, no service require
ment; other, 10 years’ serv
ice; special provisions for
magistrature and school
services.
Age 65 years, after 10 years’
service; minimum 5 years’
service. Disability: Acci
dent, no service require
ment; other, 10 years’
service; m in im u m , 5
years’ service.
Service and disability bene
fits: From 180 to 900
crowns annually for salary
classes 1 to 6; 900 crowns
plus V / i to 15 crowns for
each month of contribu
tions for classes 7 to 16.
In addition one-eighth of
contributions paid after 10
years’ contributions. Pro
portionate amounts for 5
10 years’ service. Sick
benefits: 1.4 to 24 crowns,
varying with salary.
C o n d itio n s for
retirement.
Federal M inistry of Fi
nance.
Employees in Govern
ment offices, establish
ments, and corpora
tions.
Age 60 years, after 10
years’ service for an
nuity; 3 to 10 years’
service for lum p sum.
Disability: No serv
ice requirements.
Retirement al
lowances.
Service and disability
benefits: Annuities—
Maximum, 78.3 per
cent of last annual in
come from service.
Lump sum for less
than 10 years’ serv
ice—Maximum, twice
78.3 per cent of last
annual income from
service.
Service and disability pen
sions: One-sixtieth of aver
age salary of last five years,
or in field service one-fiftieth
of such salary for each year
of service. Accident pen
sion: One-fourth of last
annual salary plus one-six
tieth of such salary for each
year of service over 5 years.
Maximum pension in any
case, three-fourths of salary
used as basis for calculation.
Special provisions for magis
trature and school services.
Provision for
survivors.
W id o w :
Half of benefits
Of deceased husband.
O r p h a n s : One-fifth of
widow’s annuity for
each child up to 21
years; if no widow,
undivided orphans’
annuity of one-half of
widow’s annuity.
No provision under retirement
system, but special funds,
established and regulated
by law, are maintained by
deductions from salaries of
members. Provision varies
from fund to fund; in D e
partment of Finance it is:
W i d o w —From 20 per cent
of average salary of deceased
for last 5 years to 50 per cent
of last annual salary; maxi
mum, 10,000 francs. O r
p h a n s —For each child up to
18 years, from 2 to 10 per
cent of average salary of de
ceased; if no widow, threefifths of widow’s pension for
1, four-fifths for 2, and en
tire amount for 3, plus 2
per cent of average salary
per orphan in excess of 3—
maximum, 10 per cent.
Government bears entire cost,
appropriating annually the
necessary sums.
Contributions.. Calculated on actuarial
or mathematical ba
sis—50 per cent by
G o v e r n m e n t and
50 per cent by em
ployees. Civil-service
employees contribute
3.2 per cent of salary
for benefits for service
under 40 years, and
2.8 per cent for bene
fits for service exceed
ing 40 years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Half of benefits of
deceased husband. O r
For each child un
der 17 years, one-fifth of
benefits of deceased; if no
widow, two-fifths of such
benefits.
W id o w :
ph a n s:
Calculated on actuarial or
mathematical basis—50
per cent by Government
and 50 per cent by em
ployees. Law stipulates
employee’s contribution
shall not exceed 5 per cent
of daily wage.
73
PUBLIC SERVICE RETIREM ENT
R E T IR E M E N T , PE N SIO N , A N D IN SU R A N C E SYSTEM S
Great Britain
Prance
Germany
Switzerland
Superannuation acts, 1834 to
1919, and acts of 1920 and
1924.
Pension (noncontributory)
Acts of 1924 and 1926___ Acts of 1873, 1881, 1886,
1888, 1907, and 1923.
Acts of 1919 and 1920.
Pension (contributory).
Insurance.
Commissioners of the Treas
ury.
Civil-service employees and
Crown appointees.
Ministry of Finance.
Pension
(noncontrib
utory) for officials; in
surance for employees.
National Insurance Of
fice.
Government officials,
employees, and la
borers.
Officials: Age, 65 years.
Employees: Age, 65
years after 10 years’
service for males, 5
years’ service for fe
males. D is a b ilit y :
Officials and employ
ees—No service re
quirement.
Age 70 years or 50
years’ service for
males 35 years’
service for females.
D i s a b i l i t y : No
serv ice req u ire
ment.
Service pensions: Offi
cials—From 35 to 80
one-hundredths of last
annual incline from
service, varying with
years of service. Em
ployees—From 516 to
2,280 marks per an
num, varying with
salary, years contrib
uting, and whether
married and having
children or not. Dis
ability Officials—Not
to exceed 35 one-hun
dredths of the income
from service. Em ;
p lo y e e s — Sam e as
service pensions.
Service and disabil
ity benefits: From
15 to 70 per cent of
last annual salary,
varying with years
of service.
Age 60 years after 10 years’
service. Disability: Ac
cident, no service require
ment; other, 10years’ serv
ice for pension; no service
requirement for gratuity.
Service and disability (after
10years’ service) pensions:
M en—O ne-eightieth of
average of final (last three
years) income from service
multiplied by years of
service plus lum p sum
equal to one-thirtieth of
average of final income
from service for each com
pleted year of service or
one and one-half times the
in com e, w hichever is
smaller. W omen—Onesixtieth of average of final
income from service multi
plied by years of service.
Lump-sum gratuity for
disability if less than 10
years’ service or in case of
accident in service.
On death incurred in dis
charge of duty widow
and orphans may be
granted a gratuity not ex
ceeding 1 year’s salary of
deceased, or annual al
lowance not exceeding sal
ary of deceased or £300,
whichever is smaller.
Government bears entire
cost, appropriating an
nually therefor.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Permanent employees in
Government offices,
and industrial estab
lishments.
Age 60 years after 30
years’ service or 55
years after 25 years’
service, including 15
years’ field service.
Disability: N o serv
ice requirement, ex
cept when disability is
incurred outside serv
ice, when it is 15 years.
Service pensions: From
one-h alf to threefourths of average in
come from service dur
ing last three years;
m a x i m u m , 18,000
francs per annum.
Disability pension:
For disability in
curred in service, at
least 1,500 francs or
one-half of last salary,
or longevity pension;
for disability incurred
outside service, after
15 years’ service, onesixtieth of average sal
ary in case of office
service or one-fiftieth
in case of field service.
Half of pension
of deceased husband.
O rph a n s:
For each
child under 21 years,
10 per cent of pension
of deceased; if no
widow, 10 per cent of
pension of deceased
plus proportionate
share of widow’s pen
sion.
Officials—40 per
cent of pension of de
ceased husband. E m
ployees—60 per cent of
basic retirement bene
fits of deceased. O r
p h a n s : Officials—Onefifth of w idow ’s pen
sion; if no widow, onethird of such pension.
Employees—For each
child under 15 years,
50 per cent of basic re
tirement benefits of
deceased.
Federal Council.
Government officials,
employees, and la
borers.
From 25 to
100 per cent (nor
mally, 50 per cent)
of benefits of de
ceased
husband.
O r p h a n s : For each
child under 18
years 10 per cent
of annual salary of
deceased;
if no
widow, 20 per cent
of such salary.
W id o w :
W id o w :
W id o w :
9 per cent of salary by
Government (appro
priating annually nec
essary sum s); 6 per
cent of income from
service by employees.
Officials: Government
bears entire cost; bene
fits to their widows
and orphans, partly
by Government and
partly by officials,
who contribute 3 per
cent of salary. E m
ployees: 50 per cent
by Government and
50 per cent b y em
ployees. Employees
contribute from 1 to
10 marks per month,
varying with wage.
7 per cent of annual
salary of insured
plus 5 monthly
payments of any
increase in salary,
cost of administra
tion, and any defi
cit, by Govern
ment; 5 per cent of
his annual salary
and 4 m o n t h l y
payments of any
increase in salary,
by employee.
[285]
PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOR
Productivity of Labor in Australia
. C. H. WICKENS, the Commonwealth statistician for Aus
tralia, has computed an index of Australian productive effi
ciency for the period 1908 to 1924.1 The index covers all
primary and manufacturing industries, but separate indexes were
constructed for (1) agriculture, (2) pastoral, (3) dairying, poultry,
and bee farming, (4) forestry and fisheries, (5) mining, and (6)
manufacturing. The indexes of productivity were obtained by divid
ing indexes^ of production by indexes of employment, the resulting
figure showing the changing output per person on the 1911 base.
The indexes of employment are based upon the numbers of persons
engaged in the several industries each year. For manufacturing the
numbers are obtained from the returns made annually by manu
facturers, and for mining the numbers employed are obtained by the
mines departments of the several States. But for the other' four
groups the only data available were the census figures for 1901, 1911,
and 1921, so the figures for intermediate years had to be estimated.
In constructing the indexes of production Mr. Wickens does not
use data on actual physical output. The indexes are derived from the
value added by manufacture in each group of industries. In manu
facturing, the data on value of output, cost of raw materials, and the
resulting value added in the process of manufacture are obtained
from the annual census returns. But in the case of the five primary
groups of industries the value of production had to be obtained by
multiplying physical quantities produced by the prices of the various
commodities.
Having obtained the money value of the production of each group
of industries and the number of persons engaged in each group,
Mr. S ickens then constructs a table for the average value of produc
tion per person engaged, without reference to the changing value of
money over the period. This last factor is then corrected by pro
duction price indexes, which show the variations in the price level of
each of the six groups of industries for the years 1908 to 1924 on a
base of 1911. The production price indexes vary considerably from
one group to another, as is shown by the fact that in 1920 the price
index for dairying, poultry, and bee-farming products is 249.3 while
that for mining is 166.2, yet in 1924 the indexes are 155.1 and 160.3,
respectively. The average value of production per person engaged
in each group of industries is corrected by the production price index
of that group, the result giving the average value of production per
person corrected to the 1911 price level.
This last set of figures was then reduced to indexes on a 1911 base
and the result is a table showing productive efficiency.
M
r
»The Economic Record, Melbourne, November, 1927, pp. 175-188.
74
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PRODUCTIVITY OF LABOR IN AUSTRALIA
The productive efficiency index is stated to have been obtained
“ by taking the to tal^ production of each industry expressed in terms
of money, by correcting this for the variation in the numbers of per
sons engaged, and for the changes in price level, and by relating the
results to those for an arbitrarily selected base year, 1911.”
The following table presents the principal findings of the study,
the base being changed from 1,000 to 100 in order to facilitate com
parison with existing data for the United States:
PR O D U C T IV E E F F IC IE N C Y I N D E X E S B Y IN D U S T R Y GR O U P
[1911 = 100.0]
Year
1908_____________
1909______ _
1910____ .
1911_____ _ .
1912_____________
1913_____
1914___________
1915_____
1916___________
1917_____________
1918_______
1919_______
1920_______
1921___________
1922________________
1923_____________ .
1924_____
Agri
culture
98.3
116.3
124. 6
100. 0
124.1
127.0
55.0
176.2
144.4
118.8
94.2
75.2
139.0
129. 1
122. 0
131. 1
150.5
Pastoral
Dairy
ing,
poultry,
and bee
farming
Agricul
ture and
kindred
indus
tries 1
82.6
85.3
98. 7
111.0
80.7
93.3
105.2
100.0
85.4
99. 1
97.0
70.6
69.3
75.5
78.2
86. 1
70.5
87. 0
83.0
74. 2
' 91.0
100. 0
96. 7
102.5
100.2
83.6
100.8
116.6
117.5
111. 7
121.9
148. 5
139.9
143.4
177.9
85.9
98.9
100.0
100.0
108.5
77.0
100.4
91.9
91.9
86.4
81.8
97.9
107.2
99.0
93.6
112.2
Forest^
and
fisheries
Mining
87.8
83.8
92.6
94.8
94.3
95. 1
100. 0
100. 0
106.9
109. 0
87. 5
77.6
67. 5
62. 6
65.8
76.0
85. 3
95. 6
91. 0
89.6
89.6
104. 4
105. 3
104.3
111.0
108.1
103.6
110.4
83.5
91. 3
101.7
110.3
114.2
113.9
Manu
All
facturing industries
98. 0
98.8
99. 1
100. 0
101. 5
102.6
103.4
104.1
104.9
103.6
100.8
104.3
103.2
104.4
105.4
107. 2
107. 5
92.0
99.6
105.8
100.0
100.8
105.3
86.3
102.2
96.4
95.1
91.3
87.0
97.9
103.2
99.9
97.6
107.9
1A combination of preceding three columns.
The most striking things about the figures are fl) the compara
tively small increase in productivity and (2) the wide variations
from year to year in all except the manufacturing group. Since
the variations mentioned are primarily due to the droughts and
other influences affecting agricultural production, the data for (1)
agriculture, (2) pastoral, and (3) dairying, poultry, and bee farming
were combined into a general index for “ agriculture and kindred
industries.”
The following conclusions are presented:
T he evidence disclosed by th e investigations here m ad e fo r th e period of 17
years from 1908 to 1924 a re (1) th a t th e re h av e been flu ctu atio n s in p ro d u ctiv e
efficiency during th e period b u t th a t th e m o st m ark ed of th ese h av e been u sually
due to d ro u g h t; (2) th a t in th e group w hich m ay be d esignated “ g re a te r a g ri
cu ltu re,” alth o u g h th ere have been severe d ro u g h t reversals, th e re has been, on
th e whole, a stead y upw ard m ovem ent a n d th a t th e p ro d u ctio n p er person
engaged is a b o u t 3 per cen t g reater for th e term in al th a n fo r th e in itial q u in
quennium of th e period; (3) th a t in th e case of m a n u factu rin g th e re has been a
sim ilar increase of ab o u t 6 p e r cen t; (4) th a t fo r th e com bined group of in d u s
tries d ealt w ith th ere has been a sim ilar increase fo r th e sam e p eriod of a b o u t
1 %
per cent; (5) th a t for th e com bined industries, w hen allow ance is m ad e for
progress in num bers a n d v ariatio n in price level, th e m ost strik in g fe a tu re of th e
results is th e relative uniform ity of efficiency in th e in d u stries concerned, except
in years of drought.
There are several points which deserve some comment. One is
his method of using value of product adjusted for price levels as the
index of production. Productivity efficiency must be expressed in
82045°—28-----0
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
physical product. The question then becomes one as to what extent
the adjusted value of product approximates the physical product of
each industry.
The slow regular upward trend of productivity in manufacturing
indicates that a value of product index serves very well as an index
of physical production, but it is possible to conceive of situations in
which this would not be the case.
Referring to the other five groups of industries, it is evident that,
with the possible exception of mining, annual productivity indexes
are almost meaningless. As Mr. Wickens points out, the influence
of droughts and other uncontrollable factors are of so much greater
influence in determining output than the efficiency of management
or workers in the industry that the index gives almost no indication
of the latter. Even when five-year averages are used the weather
influences are likely to predominate in the index.
Lastly, it is interesting to compare the situation in Australia
with that in the United States. The best available figures on man
hour output in this country for the period 1900 to 1925 indicate an
increase in productive efficiency in manufacturing of nearly 50 per
cent, most of which must have taken place during the period covered
by the Australian figures. Yet the latter show an increase of less
than 10 per cent—from an index of 98 in 1908 to 107.5 in 1924.
This does not necessarily mean that productive efficiency in Aus
tralia is lower than in the United States. Productivity may have
been high at the beginning of the period, thus leaving less oppor
tunity for improvement. Again, the marked difference in the manu
facturing industries in the two countries must be taken into con
sideration. The industries which have contributed largely to the
increase in productivity in the United States, such as automobiles,
iron and steel, rubber manufacturing, and petroleum refining, are
relatively small and undeveloped in Australia. On the other hand,
the leading Australian industries, measured by value added in the
process of manufacture, are sawmilling, ironworks and foundries,
printing, electric light and power, railway and tram repair shops,
etc., which would not, even in the United States, show any marked
increase in productivity over this period. The food and drink
industries, such as flour milling, baking, brewing, etc., are, in respect
to the value added by manufacture, fully as large as all metal indus
tries combined. Therefore, the productive efficiency index for
Australia applies to quite a different set of industries than that for
the United States, and no conclusions can safely be drawn concern
ing the relative efficiency of manufacturing industries in the two
countries.
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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND LABOR
CONDITIONS
Migration of United States Industry
N ANALYSIS of the relative outputs of the 11 States which
produce two-thirds of the manufactures of the United States
indicates that the recent gains of Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana
in value added, by manufacture and in number of wage earners are
at the expense of certain eastern and western groups. This conclu
sion is from an article by Sidney G. Coon in the Iron Age of January
5, 1928. In order to determine the migration of industry in this
country, the writer has studied the reports of the United States
Bureau of the Census and also the reports of the American Iron and
Steel Institute and the Iron Age on iron and steel production.
A
Shift of the Center of Manufacturing
TNISREGARDING separate districts and taking into consideration
“ the movement of the center of activity of the country as a
whole,” calculations based on the 1904 United States Census of
Manufactures showed the center of such manufacture to be approxi
mately 91 miles to the eastward and almost 19 miles to the north
ward of Columbus, Ohio.
The shift of the manufacturing center from 1904 to 1925 was as
follows:
Miles east of
Columbus
Year
1904_____________________________________________
1909______________________________________________
1914_____________________________________________
1919_______________________
1921_____________________________________________
1923_____________________________________________
1925_____________________________________________
Miles north of
Columbus
91
74
71
23
34
17
19
16
17
18
13
13
8
Percentage Comparisons
IN ORDER to do away with the uncertain influences of changing
* business conditions, Mr. Coon, instead of comparing the total
production or number of employees or dollar value, showed the per
centage of output which each State or section contributed to the total
for the country. This method, according to the writer, seemed to
be the most rational for his purpose, even though it takes no account
of the fact that all sections are not proportionately affected by
changing business conditions.
Production of Rolled Iron and Steel
IN STUDYING rolled iron and steel production in the United States
* from 1911 to the present a well-defined movement into Indiana,
Michigan, and Ohio, as a group, is shown. This movement is both
from the East and West but not from the South, which also shows a
steady expansion in production.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
In 1911 and 1914 Pennsylvania’s output was approximately 49)4
per cent of the country’s total. The percentage of this State is now
[1926?] under 39. In the meantime Indiana’s proportion of the total
output has advanced from 6 to 13 per cent and Ohio’s has risen from
18 to approximately 22 per cent. As a consequence, even though
the percentage in Illinois has experienced a decline (compared with
that in Pennsylvania), Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois as a group in 1926
produced 42 per cent of the total output of the United States, while in
1911 their combined contribution was only 34 per cent.
The territory south of the Ohio River, exclusive of the two Virginias,
shows a rise from less than 3 per cent of the total in 1911 to nearly
5 per cent of the total in 1926. The expansion in the Birmingham
district was a very important factor in this increase in the South’s
share in production.
The Manufacturing Movement in General
IN THE course of the study special attention was given to that
section of the United States west of New England, east of the
Missouri River, and north of the Ohio River, which includes 11
States, constituting “ the most intensive large manufacturing area in
the country.” While these States cover only 18% per cent of the
Nation’s territory “ they contain 49 per cent of its inhabitants and
produce 67 per cent of its manufactured products.”
In 1904, 1909, and 1914 the “ Empire group” (New York, New
Jersey, and Pennsylvania) contained 34 per cent of the total wage
earners in the country; in 1919 and 1921, approximately 32 per
cent; and in 1923 and 1925 some 30 per cent. In the same period
the proportion of wage earners in Ohio and Michigan increased from
10 per cent in 1904 and 1909 to approximately 14 per cent in 1923
and 1925.
From 1904 to 1914, inclusive, Indiana and Illinois together had
10 per cent of the total employment, which percentage in recent
years has risen to 10%.
Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin as a group have held
for years practically the same proportion of the total wage earners
of the country—7% per cent.
Without taking into consideration New England, the South, and
the Far West, the Ohio-Michigan group was found to have gained
in industrial expansion at the expense mainly of the Empire group.
“ This study does not show in the same way as with the rollingmill study, a movement from both west and east into the middle
section. It does show, however, that that middle section is growing
faster than the sections surrounding it and to the (relative) loss of
some of them.”
Study of 68 Cities
A STUDY of the changing volume of production in 68 principal
manufacturing cities in six sections of the country showed in
certain respects results similar to those yielded by the preceding
analyses.
T here has been a slight falling off in th e te rrito ry covered b y N ew Y ork, New
Jersey, a n d eastern P en n sy lv an ia, in w hich 14 of th ese cities are located. T here
has been a slight falling off in th e section a ro u n d C hicago, including 11 cities,
in th a t area from Louisville a n d K an sas C ity on th e so u th up to M inneapolis
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NO VA SCOTIA— COAL M IN ER S AND OPERATORS
on th e n o rth . T here has been a decided gain, as show n b y th e o th e r studies
m th e area com prised by M ichigan, Ohio, a n d w estern P en n sy lv an ia, re p resen ted
by 10 cities.
New E n g la n d ’s p ro portio n h as declined steadily, as show n by records of its
11 cities. T he S outh h as show n a m o d erate gain, rep resen ted by figures from
10 cities, w hile th e F a r W est a n d th e S outhw est h a v e show n a co n sisten t gain,
considerably exceeding t h a t of th e S outh. T his w estern area, w hich co n tain s
12 of the_ cities, has alm o st reached th e New E n g lan d p ercen tag e of th e to ta l,
alth o u g h in 1914 it w as only six -ten th s as g reat as N ew E ngland.
The movement recorded in the foregoing paragraphs may probably
be attributed to the enormous growth of the automobile industry.
The_ chief seat of that industry and also of its principal auxiliary
services of supply is located in the Michigan-Ohio-Indiana group.
And it is precisely into that area that we have found industry
going from contiguous areas on either side.” Attention is called by
Mr. Coon to the industrial recession in these three States in 1921
and to the correspondingly heavy decline in the same year in auto
mobile production. “ Only 41 per cent as many cars were produced
in 1921 as in 1923, whereas for manufacturing as a whole the ratio
was 72 per cent.” The “ tie-up” between the automobile industry
“ and the relative movement of manufacturing activity into the area
dominated by that industry is striking.”
Industrial Distribution of Workers in Japan 1
and sex of 4,676,666 workers in Japan at the
of June, 1927, are shown in the following table:
THEcloseemployment
IN D U S T R IA L D IS T R IB U T IO N OF W ORKERS IN JA PA N AT E N D OF JU N E , 1927
Number of workers
Kind of employment
Males
Females
Total
Factories:
State_________________________
Public________________________
Private_______________________
99, 357
6, 520
977,863
28, 752
2, 234
1,022, 677
128,109
8, 754
2,000,540
Total_______________________
1,083, 740
1,053, 663
2,137,403
Mines____________________________
Transportation and communications.
Casual workers and others_________
226, 637
393, 842
1,418, 266
69,378
28, 366
402, 774
296,015
422, 208
1,821,040
Grand total_________________
3,122, 485
1,554,181
4,676,666
Cooperation between Nova Scotia Mine Workers and Operators
HE mistrust and open hostility which formerly existed between
the Nova Scotian coal miners and operators have given place
to a new spirit—a spirit of good will and confidence, according
to a recent issue of the Canadian Coal Mining Journal quoted in the
Canadian Labor Gazette of November, 1927.
One of the latest manifestations of this good, feeling “ is the joint
action of the executive officers of the mine workers’ coal-pit commit
tees traveling the mine together with the president, mine superin-
T
i International Labor Office. Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, Dec. 12, 1927, p. 330.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
tendents, and other colliery officials for the purpose of ascertaining
and removing all cause of complaint.” During these joint journeys
numerous useful suggestions were made both by the workers affected
and the committee of union and company officials, which have
facilitated the solution of various remaining grievances.
The most discontented colliery was tackled first. The difficulties of
other collieries were then taken up in the same way with similar grati
fying results. Attention is called to the fact that the discussion of
mine grievances right on the spot, underground, is quite a different
matter from grappling with them in an open union meeting in which
passion frequently sways reason and “ side issues enter to stir up and
inflame the mind. Free from all distracting influence, disputed
questions can be viewed from all angles, the very discussion of them
in such a place by the best minds acting as a challenge to settle them
there and then.”
Early in October, 1927, President John W. McLeod and other
officials of the United Mine Workers were invited by Dr. A. C. Jost,
provincial health officer, to cooperate with the Nova Scotian Depart
ment of Health with a view to improving the sanitary conditions in
mining districts, special reference being made to the possibilities of a
recurrence of infantile cholera in 1928. The officials of the union
willingly promised cooperation in this important undertaking.
Factory Conditions in South Africa
CCORDING to the annual report of the chief inspector of
factories, the year 1926 in South Africa was marked by a
steady progress in industrial developments. Employment on
the whole showed no striking fluctuations, though there were
some changes in the racial distribution of employment. Thus in
some districts there was a marked falling off in the number of male
Asiatics employed in factory work, and in others, though there was
no change of this kind, there was a distinct tendency to take on
European instead of native or colored workers. Some factories had
even adopted the policy of employing only Europeans. In all districts
t h e r e w a s a steady increase in the number of women employed,
especially in the clothing and printing industries.
A
An in terestin g fa c t recorded w as th a t th e aversion to w ork in factories show n by
so m an y E uropean s w as d isappearing a n d t h a t w om en of a m ore in tellig en t ty p e
w ere ta k in g up fa cto ry w ork. T he effect of th is change w as t h a t m an y factories
w hich h ad h ith e rto em ployed n o n -E u ro p ean s w ere endeavoring to staff th e ir
factories w ith E uro p ean s only.
Concerning the employment of juveniles, conditions were not uni
form. In general there seems to have been a decrease in the number
employed under 14, while for those between 14 and 16 conditions
varied from district to district. The report notes that when older
workers can be secured employers are generally unwilling to take
juveniles, owing to the restrictions placed upon their hours of work.
“ Manufacturers find it inconvenient to employ a class of labor which
is not permitted to work the same hours as the remainder of the staff.”
The department finds that work concerning the safety and health
of employees is becoming more and more important, and it suggests
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FACTORY CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
81
that the time is ripe for the adoption of systematic measures along
such lines. South Africa, it is pointed out, has many problems of
this kind not encountered elsewhere. The majority of its workers
are not accustomed to industrial life; the rural population has been
attracted to industrial centers where no proper preparation for their
reception has been made. Consequently, dangerous or unhealthful
conditions are common in the factories and slum areas are increas
ing rapidly outside them. Organized scientific research into the
problems of industry is almost nonexistent, and South Africa is
thereby placed at a disadvantage when compared with other industrial
countries.
During the year 339 industrial accidents were reported, including
40 fatalities, which is an increase over the preceding year of 85
accidents and 12 fatalities. Only 121 of the accidents, including 9 of
the fatalities, involved Europeans, and it is suggested that this pre
ponderance of natives points to the fact that ignorance may be an
important cause of accidents. The industrial schools and technical
colleges try to train their students in safety-first methods, but “ there
is still a remarkable indifference displayed by manufacturers with
regard to the instruction of non-European workers.”
T he absence of shop rules dealing w ith such m a tte rs as th e w earing of loose
clothing, th e shifting of belts in m otion, th e rep lacem en t of guards, a n d m an y of
th e o th er w ell-know n causes of accid en t is still a conspicuous om ission c o n sta n tly
com m ented on by all inspectors. T h e prom u lg atio n of reg u latio n s dealing w ith
th e g uarding of transm ission a n d w oodw orking m ach in ery has done m u ch to
im prove th e physical conditions, b u t th e b a ttle ag ain st unnecessary in ju ry can
only be w aged successfully w ith th e help of ed u catio n a n d discipline.
A discussion of welfare work indicates that progress in this line is
slow. An improvement in washing facilities is noted, but there is
still difficulty in securing the provision of hot water, soap, and towels.
A proper supply of drinking water is often lacking, and seating
arrangements leave much to be desired.
T he pressing need, how ever, ap p eared to be for th e provision of seats for occa
sional use by w orkers whose norm al d u ties are perform ed stan d in g . In th e
la u n d ry in d u stry th e w ork of ironing is heav y a n d tirin g , a n d th e provision of
chairs for occasional rests w ould be of g re a t benefit. * * * I t is freq u en tly
found t h a t w orkers are m ad e to sta n d a t th e ir w ork unnecessarily eith er on acco u n t
of th e m istak en idea t h a t th e y will w ork h a rd e r a n d b e tte r or because it h as been
th e general rule to do so. T h e in tro d u c tio n of m echanical a n d o th e r m eans
w ould enable m uch w ork t h a t is now done sta n d in g to be perform ed sitting.
The practice of introducing rest periods is becoming more general,
but is largely confined to industries employing female workers. An
account is given of the effect of rest periods in one of the Government
offices in which 14 girls were employed at copying work. “ The
department complained that the accommodation and the lighting of
the office in which the work was being carried on was unsatisfactory;
that the attendance of the girls was irregular, and the output poor.”
Lighting and ventilation were improved, and rest periods, totaling
50 minutes in a seven-hour day were introduced. The girls were
required to spend this time in the open air.
T he re p o rt received from th e d e p a rtm e n t w as as follows:
W ith th e in tro d u ctio n of th e schem e a stead y increase in th e o u tp u t of th e
w ork resulted, w hich, h av in g reach ed a v ery satisfacto ry m ark , d id n o t fall
below it. Cases of absence w ere rare, a n d th e experim ent, w hich w as in op eratio n
for m ore th a n five m o n th s a n d w as applied to 14 ty p ists, p roved a success.
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WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
Studies in Preparation by United States Women’s Bureau
NUMBER, of special studies on questions concerning the
industrial employment of women are in course of preparation
by the United States Women’s Bureau and are outlined in
the annual report of that bureau for the fiscal year 1926-27.
An extensive field investigation, covering many different sections
of the country and many different types of industry, has been con
ducted to secure information regarding the various types of women’s
employment and “ any relation which could be found between
opportunities for such employment and legislative regulation.’’ The
report, which the bureau expects to have ready for distribution
within the next few months,1will include a chronological study of the
laws and amendments to laws regulating the employment of women
in each State; a history of the labor legislation affecting women in
New York, Massachusetts, and California, showing the origin of the
various laws and the forces that proposed and opposed them, and a
special study of trade-unions in relation to labor legislation for
women.
Another bulletin which is in process of publication contains the
results of the bureau’s research study of the development of minimum
wage laws in the United States, 1912 to 1927, analyzes the provisions
of the laws, as well as orders issued under them, and summarizes the
methods used in carrying them out. In addition, the relation of the
courts to these laws is discussed. It is pointed out that the bulletin
is primarily a report on the ways in which the various States have
worked out machinery for administering this new type of legislation
rather than a report on the results of it.
A report on wages, hours, and working conditions of women indus
trially employed in Flint, Mich., now in course of preparation, is
considered of general significance by the Women’s Bureau in that
Flint is a one-industry city, owing its unusual growth during the past
30 years entirely to the manufacture of automobiles and their ac
cessories.
Other reports on which the bureau is engaged include a study of
foreign-born women in industry, based on interviews with women
living in Philadelphia and its vicinity and in the Lehigh Valley.
Information has been obtained concerning ages, residence in United
States, marital status, size of family, number of wage earners in the
family, and the industrial experience of these women in their native
countries and in the United States. An analysis is being made of
employment statistics for men and women collected by the State of
Ohio during the 11-year period 1914 to 1924 but not published by
that State since 1915. A compilation of the material already col-
A
1 Since the manuscript of this article was sent to the printer the report (Bui. 63) has been issued.
82
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W A G E -E A R N IN G G IRLS IN CIN CIN N A T I
oO
lected by the bureau on earnings of woman workers in 13 States is
being pushed to completion as other work permits. The buieau is
also continuing the collection of figures on time lost by men and
women employed in certain textile mills covered in the study of that
subject published in 1926.
Wage-earning Girls in Cincinnati
HE Helen S. Trounstine Foundation and the Young Women’s
Christian Association of Cincinnati have recently made public
a study 1 of certain conditions of the liie and needs of a group
of wage-earning young women in that city, regarded as fairly repre
sentative of the wage-earning girls in general. The study, which
was carried out by the questionnaire method, covers 368 girls, divided
into two groups—one, known as the general sample group, including
105 factory girls, 109 store girls, and 73 office girls, while the other,
known as the institutional group, is made up of 50 girls, variously
employed, living in the Young Women’s Christian Association, and
31 in other similar institutions.
For the general sample group it was found that the average weekly
wage was $18.11 for those living at home and $19.09 for those living
elsewhere, but this differed according to occupation, the figures being
as follows:
^
T. . . ,
Living at home Living elsewhere
T
F a c to ry g ro u p ---------------------------------------------- $19. 03
Store g ro u p ------------------------------------------------ 14. 74
Office g ro u p _________________________________ 21. 12
$20. 17
17. 95
20. 3b
For the institutional group the average weekly wage was $17.79.
Data given for the several groups show that of the factory group 5
per cent, of the office group 3 per cent, and of the store group 34 per
cent received less than $12 a week, while the percentages receiving
under $15 a week were, respectively, 15, 16, and 51. Unemploy
ment varied considerably, only 1 per cent of the store group having
been unemployed for four weeks or more during the year, against 4
per cent of the office group and 52 per cent of the factory group.
The study deals carefully with the question of the adequacy of the
wages reported and reaches the following conclusions:
1. A review of bu d g ets m ade up by different a u th o ritie s in d icates th a t a
m inim um wage for h e a lth a n d decency for a w orking girl, d ep en d en t upon her
ow n resources, in a n Ohio city, should be n o t less th a n $17.25.
2. T he p ractice of excusing low wages for w orking girls on th e g round th a t
th e y live a t hom e is n o t justified from a social view point, a lth o u g h ap p ro x im ately
80 per cent of such girls do live a t home.
3. T w o-thirds (66 per cent) of th e girls of th e general sam ple group a n d 14 per
cen t of th e girls of th e in s titu tio n a l group gave som e p o rtio n of th e ir wages
regularly to th e ir fam ilies.
4. F orty-seven per cent of the general sam ple group contributed 810 or more
per w eek regularly to their fam ilies.
The report includes a study of the organized homes for working
girls in Cincinnati, which shows that the accommodation provided
by such institutions is inadequate and that the girl who is obliged to
take a room where she can get it is likely to fare badly.
1 Helen S. Trounstine Foundation and Young W omen’s Christian Association of Cincinnati.
earning girls in Cincinnati. Cincinnati, 1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2951
V age
84
M O N TH LY LA BO R R E V IE W
T he findings reg ard in g th e housing situ a tio n for w orking girls living aw ay from
h ° m e i n C incin n ati in d ic a te : (1) T h a t only a sm all percen tag e of such girls
pro b ab ly less th a n one-fifth, can be accom m odated in in stitu tio n s such as th e
Young W om en’s C h ristian A ssociation; (2) th a t th e prices of room s o utside of
/ o w u n?t l tu t l°-ns are m uch h i?her th a n [the prices of] room s in th e in stitu tio n s;
t'1»)
houses fu rn ish hom es to m ore girls th a n do th e in stitu tio n s;
an d (4) th a t th e hygienic a n d m oral conditions in such room ing houses are gen
erally undesirable.
Housing conditions in Cincinnati, as in other large cities, constitute a serious
problem for the working girl who lives away from home * * *. If a nonfamily girl of low income and lim ited education or experiences can not find a
home in one of the regular institutions she should have the most careful and
friendly assistance in finding a suitable place to live. Such service should be
regarded as an im portant responsibility of the institutions tow ard the girls whom
they themselves can not accommodate.
Other recommendations deal with the desirability of making a
study of the diet and the amount spent for food by working girls,
the results of the investigation indicating “ that many workinggirls
may be seriously decreasing their vitality and undermining their
health through undue curtailment of their food,” and with the need for
careful and intelligent provision of opportunities for recreation and for
educational development for the working girls, especially for those
living away from home.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CHILD LABOR
Employment Certificates Granted in Various States and Cities
HE annual report of the United States Children’s Bureau for
the fiscal year 1926-27 contains statistics of the number of
children of 14 and 15 years of age who received first regular
employment certificates in 10 States, 24 cities in other States, and the
District of Columbia.
The records show that 107,257 children of 14 and 15 years of age
received first regular employment certificates in 1926, an increase
of 5 per cent as compared with 1925, in those States and cities for
which comparable figures are available.
T
V aluable as are these rep o rts of th e n u m b e r of w ork p erm its issued, it m u st
be rem em bered th a t a v ariatio n from one y ear to th e n ex t in th e n u m b er of
children receiving first certificates in a n y p a rtic u la r locality m ay be due n o t to
a c tu a l increases or decreases in th e to ta l n u m b er of w orking children b u t to o th er
factors. M ore children, for exam ple, m ay receive certificates because th e
application of th e child-labor law has been extended to occupations n o t previously
covered or because th e a d m in istra tio n of th e law has been im proved. Also,
ac tu a l increases or decreases in th e to ta l n u m b er of working^ children m ay be due
to o th er causes th a n changes in th e child-labor law or in its enforcem ent
p articu larly to th e fluctu atio n s of business a n d in d u stria l conditions.
The age at which children receive first regular employment certifi
cates was reported bv 8 States, 21 cities in other States, and the
District of Columbia. Nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) of the 90,046
children whose ages were reported went to work for the first time
when they were 14 years of age. The influence of a high-grade
requirement for the issuance of employment certificates is reflected
in the fact that the proportion of children going to work at 14 years
of age was more than twice as large in places where there was no
eighth-grade requirement as it was in places where this restriction
was in effect. Of the 42,949 children to whom certificates were
issued in 4 States and 7 cities where the educational requirement
was less than graduation from the eighth grade, 56 per cent obtained
first regular certificates at the age of 14, as compared with 24 per
cent of 42,786 children in 3 States and 6 cities where graduation
from the eighth grade was required without exceptions.
The educational attainment of the children is affected of course
by the educational requirements for employment certificates set
up by the State. In Indiana and Minnesota, for instance, in which
the eighth-grade standard was in effect for children of both 14 and
15 years of age and from which both grade and age reports were
received, practically 100 per cent of the children had actually com
pleted the eighth grade.
* * * In San Francisco, Calif., a n d in N ew York C ity , ^Niagara Falls,
R ochester, Syracuse, a n d Y onkers, N. Y.— S tates w hich h a d th e eighth-grade
req u irem en t for 14-year-old children only a n d a low er req u irem en t for 15-yearold children— 67 per cen t of 38,692 child ren receiving first certificates (including
practically all those aged 14 a n d m ore th a n one-half of those aged 15) h ad
a tte n d e d ‘or com pleted th e eig h th grade. R ep o rts on certificates issued m 4
S tates an d 13 cities havin g less th a n a n eighth-grade req u irem en t for b o th 14 a n d
15 year old children show ed th a t 49 p er c en t of th e children receiving certificates
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[297]
85
86
M O NTH LY LA B O R R E V IE W
h ad com pleted or la s t a tte n d e d th e eighth or a higher grade a n d th a t 22 p er cent
h ad n o t ad v an ced fu rth e r th a n th e sixth (or a lower) grade.
The occupations of 34,034 children who received first regular
certificates were reported by 8 States, 16 cities in other States, and
the District of Columbia. Forty-six per cent of these children
entered manufacturing or mechanical industries, 30 per cent went
mto mercantile establishments, and 25 per cent into “ other” employ
ment, which comprises a large number entering messenger and errand
work.
. ^ h e records of w ork p erm its issued to children betw een 14 a n d 16 years of age
m th e places rep o rtin g to th e b u reau , a lth o u g h th e y do n o t include th e large
nu m b er en terin g o ccupations fo r w hich certificates are n o t req u ired u n d er th e
b ta te law s, n o r those going to w ork illegally, a re rep rese n ta tiv e of conditions
m m ost of th e im p o rta n t child-em ploying centers as regards a t lea st th e legal
em ploym ent of children of w ork -p erm it age in m ost in d u stria l a n d com m ercial
p u rsu its. B u t th e n u m b er of first reg u lar certificates issued does n o t ind icate
th e to ta l n u m b er of children a t w ork a t a n y given tim e b u t only th e n u m b er
beginning w ork during a single year.
International Program for Protection of Young Workers
A C C O R D I N G to the press reports of the International Federa1 ~ \ i 10?1 oi Trade Unions, that body, in conjunction with the
Labor and Socialist International, and the Socialist Youth
International, recently adopted the following as the minimum
program for the protection of young workers:
th e f(m rteenth°year ^
Wage"earning w ork for children up to th e com pletion of
earn in g >w orkS° ry atdendance ^ an elem en tary school u n til adm ission to wage3; In tro d u c tio n of com pulsory in stru c tio n (vocational) u n til th e com pletion
ol th e eig h teen th year.
l J J e extension u p to th e com pletion of th e eig h te e n th y ear of p ro te c tiv e
eg sliition applicable to ap p ren tices a n d young w orkers (m an u al a n d n o n m a n u a l).
5.
E stab lish m e n t of a m axim um _48-hour week, to include vocatio n al in stru ctio n an d th e tim e req u ired fo r clearing up.
fr«o'iAifru e S,atT rday half day and a free Sunday; if not Saturday, some other
free half day to be given during th e week.
7. P ro h ib itio n of n ig h t w ork fo r young w orkers.
8. A m inim um th re e weeks of p aid holiday fo r w age-earning young persons
u n d er 16 (inclusive of ap p ren tices), a n d tw o w eeks’ p aid holiday for wageearm ng young persons betw een 16 a n d 18 (inclusive of ap p ren tices).
9. R egulations p ro viding for th e w elfare, un em p lo y m en t relief, a n d tra in in g of
unem ployed young w orkers.
+™1? ' T1-e reg u lati° n °f vocatio n al train in g , in th e o rganization of w hich th e
trad e-u n io n s shall be en title d to an eq u al share w ith th e unions of th e em ployers.
!t0 forwF rd. this Plan, these international bodies call upon
ail amliated organizations to incorporate the program in their social
policy, to advocate it at meetings and by manifestoes, to secure
wherever possible the cooperation of other sections of the public
mteiested in the welfare of the young, and to press vigorously for
the ratification by the various countries of the international agree
ments relating to the minimum age for the admission of children to
industrial work, night work for young persons, minimum age for
admission to such occupations as work on board ships, trimming and
stoking, and the like, and conditions under which children may be
employed in agriculture.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[298]
PROTECTION OF MINORS IN BRAZIL
87
Special stress is laid on the point that where existing legislation is
in any respect more advantageous than the projected plan the latter
must be modified accordingly, so that no gain already made shall
be imperiled.
Protection of Minors by Brazilian Decree 1
HE following are the outstanding provisions of the Brazilian
child-labor law, Federal decree (No. 5083) of December 1,
1926, the operation of which will extend throughout the
Republic.
The law forbids the employment of young persons under 12 years
of age in any kind of work and those over 12 and under 14 years who
have not completed their primary-school education. A special per
mit for the latter to work may be obtained, however, when the minor s
subsistence or that of his parents depends upon his employment,
provided he is able to receive some school instruction. _ No minor
under 14 years of age may be engaged in manual work in factories,
shops, shipyards, mines or other underground work. The law
prohibits the employment of minors under 18 years of age in work
which may endanger their health, life, or morals.
A health certificate is required before a minor under 18 years of age
may be employed. Labor inspectors may request any minor under
18 years of age to submit to a medical examination in order to deter
mine whether the work is suitable to his physical condition. Upon
the advice of the examining physician, the inspectors may require a
minor to discontinue any particular work.
.
The working hours of minors under 18 years may not exceed six a
day, and one or more rest periods aggregating not less than one hour
must be granted these workers. The law forbids night work (i. e.,
work done between 7 p. m. and 5 a. m.) for minors under 18 years.
Boys under 16 years of age and girls under 18 years may not be
engaged to act or to appear in theaters or in other places of amusement
before a public audience, nor under 21 years to appear in music halls
or cabarets. A fine of 1,000 to 3,000 milreis 2 will be imposed for
failure to comply with this provision.
Boys under 14 years of age and girls under 16 years may not engage
in street trades. Minors found so engaged are liable to be regarded
as public charges and their relatives or guardians may be fined from
50 to 500 milreis and required to serve a jail sentence of from 10 to
30 days.
Circus directors or those employing minors under 16 years to per
form dangerous acrobatic exhibits, gymnastics, or animal training are
subject to a fine of from 100 to 1,000 milreis and imprisonment from
three months to one year. The same penalty will be imposed on
parents forcing their children under 12 years of age to take part m
such performances.
Employers, parents, or guardians of young persons under 16 years
of age who will permit them to engage in the occupations prohibited
by this law will be punished by a fine of from 50 to 500 milreis and
imprisonment for from 10 to 30 days.
T
Brazil. Diario Official, Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 4, 1926, pp. 22126, 22127.
2 The average exchange rate of the milreis in 1926= 14.44 cents.
1
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 9 9 ]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
Accidents on Steam Railroads in the United States in 1923
and 1926
UPPLEMENTING the statistics of steam railway accidents in
the United States for 1923 and 1926, published in the Labor
Review for August, 1927 (p. 45), the revised official data herein
are presented as given by the Interstate Commerce Commission in its
forty-first annual report recently issued. The bureau of statistics of
the commission reports that the casualties in connection with the
operation of trains numbered 6,689 killed and 49,649 injured and
states that—
S
T he sta tistic s of railw ay accidents show a decided ten d en c y in th e direction of
g reater safety. O ver a long p eriod of years th e im p ro v em en t is strik in g . So
recently as 1917 th e n u m b er of railw ay fa ta litie s w as over 10,000. In 1926 th e
corresponding n u m b er was a b o u t 7,000. T h e n u m b e r of railw ay accidents
fluctuates to som e e x te n t w ith th e volum e of business done, b u t if a com parison
is m ade betw een th e figures for 1926 a n d 1923, tw o re c e n t years of large traffic, it
appears th a t th e safety efforts of th e railw ays a re m aking them selves felt.
The following table illustrates the point:
T able
1 .—N U M B E R
OF PE R SO N S K IL L E D A N D IN JU R E D IN R AILW AY A C C ID E N T S
IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T ES, 1923 A N D 1926, BY CLASS OF PER SO N S
1923
1926
Class of person
Number
killed
Number
injured
Number
killed
Number
injured
Trespassers _______________________ .
E m ployees.-. _______ _ ________ _
Passengers_________________ . . . ____ _
Persons carried under contract (mail clerks, Pullman
conductors, e tc.)__________ ______ _________
Other nontrespassers_____________
________
2,779
1, 645
138
3,047
39, 734
5,847
2, 561
1, 371
152
2,545
34, 202
4,461
21
2,339
674
7,162
13
2, 592
664
7, 777
Total, train______ ______________ .
Nontrain_________
. _______
6,922
463
56,464
115, 248
6,689
401
49, 649
80, 586
7, 385
171, 712
7,090
130, 235
Grand total___
.
________ _ _____
Table 2 shows the number of killed and injured in 1926 compared
with 1924 and 1925, by type of accident.
88
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[300]
89
ACCIDENT E X P E R IE N C E IN FED ER A L DEPARTM ENTS
T able
2
.—N U M B E R OF PE R SO N S K ILL E D A N D IN JU R E D IN RA ILW A Y A C C ID E N T S IN
1924, 1925, A N D 1926, B Y T Y P E OF A C C ID E N T
Highway grade crossings__
___
Highway grade crossings involving automobiles.
Derailments of trains as result of collisions befwftfin trains and automobiles
_____
Total
- - ________ ___________
1926
1925
1924
Type of accident
Number Number Number Number Number Number
killed injured killed injured killed injured
2,149
1,688
6, 525
5,650
2,206
1, 784
6, 555
5,916
2,491
2,062
6,991
6, 358
16
69
15
30
11
54
3,853
12, 244
4,005
12, 501
4, 564
13,403
Highway grade crossing accidents involving automobiles show an
increase each year in number of persons killed and injured, but when
based upon automobile registration the rates per million automobiles
are as follows: In 1924—lulled, 96; injured, 321.2; in 1925—killed,
89.4; injured, 296.5; in 1926—killed, 93.7; injured, 289.
Accident Experience in the Federeil Departments
HE following table is derived from figures compiled by the
United States Employees' Compensation Commission. It con
cerns only civilian employees. The period covered is the six
years ending with 1926.
In the computation of rates it was necessary, due to lack of precise
information, to assume a uniform working-day of eight hours. Since
a considerable portion of Federal employees are on duty a less number
of hours, it follows that the number of man-hours used as a divisor
in the computation of rates is larger than it should be. The effect is
to depress the rates somewhat. The comparison of the departments
is also disturbed by the fact that they have varying proportions of
seven and eight hours work. In general the effect of this lack of
detailed information is to render the rates smaller than they would
be if the data were more complete.
When the 1925 figures became available it was noted that the
Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, the Navy
Department, and Government Printing Office showed declining rates
from 1924 to 1925. The situation is somewhat more satisfactory
from that aspect. The following show some decline from 1925 to
1926: All services (15.37 to 15.33), Department of the Interior
(31.39 to 19.09), Department of Labor (12.40 to 9.66), Treasury
(8.05 to 5.04), Department of War (60.64 to 43.82), all other services
(14.94 to 10.34).
The following show increases: Department of Agriculture (26.21
to 33.95), Department of Commerce (9.82 to 12.58), Government
Printing Office (2.71 to 4.05), Department of Navy (15.74 to 17.62),
Post Office (9.91 to 11.43).
The fact that 5 out of 10 show declining rates and that these
declines are sufficient to produce a slight favorable balance on the
entire group is reason for a degree of satisfaction. It can not be
very pronounced when it is observed that many of these rates are
markedly in excess of those prevailing in the better steel mills.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 0 1 ]
90
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
N U M B E R OP A C C ID E N T S A N D A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A TE S IN T H E G O V E R N
M E N T SE R V IC E, 1921 TO 1926, B Y D E P A R T M E N T S A N D YEAR S
[Based on number of employees shown by the Civil Service Commission’s yearly reports and on num
ber of accidents reported to the United States Em ployees’ Compensation Commission]
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000
hours ’ exposure)
Number of accidents
Number of
employees
Year
Fatal
Nonfatal
Fatal
Nonfatal
accidents accidents
Total
Total
All Government Services
1921_________
1922________________
1923_____________
1924_____________
1925_______ _______
1926_______________
Total____ _ ____
560, 673
535,185
535, 781
546, 981
538, 290
536,426
362
353
279
278
314
318
18, 042
17, 905
17, 713
20, 260
20, 374
19, 209
18,404
18, 258
17, 992
20, 538
20, 688
19, 527
0.25
. 26
.20
. 20
. 23
. 25
12.88
13. 38
13. 22
14. 82
15. 14
15.08
13.13
13. 64
13. 43
15. 02
15. 37
15. 33
3, 253, 336
1,904
113, 503
115,407
. 24
14. 40
14. 64
Department of Agriculture
1921__________
1922_______________
1923__________
1924________
1925___________
1926____ _____
T o t a l . . . _______
18, 722
19, 773
20, 078
20, 385
20, 098
20, 688
10
11
17
25
26
34
638
919
971
1,287
1,291
1,652
648
930
988
1,312
1,317
1,686
0. 22
.22
.34
.49
. 52
.68
13. 63
18. 59
19.34
25. 25
25. 69
33. 27
13. 85
18. 82
19.68
25. 74
26. 21
33. 95
119, 744
123
6, 758
6,881
.43
23. 52
23. 95
Department of Commerce
1921__________
1922___________
1923....................
1924_________
1925____ ____
1926_____ . .
Total_________
11, 748
11,267
11,199
12,119
14, 631
14, 682
9
15
11
8
11
11
246
272
332
319
348
433
255
287
343
327
359
444
0. 31
.53
.40
.26
.30
.30
8. 38
9. 66
11. 86
10. 52
9. 52
12. 28
8. 69
10. 19
12.25
10. 79
9.82
12. 58
75,646
65
1,950
2,015
.33
9. 95
10,28
8. 27
6.36
4. 21
4 13
2 71
4. 05
Government Printing Office
1921....................
1922__________
1923
1924
1925
1926__________
4,403
4,024
3, 989
4,269
3,984
4,109
2
1
Total___
24, 778
___
91
64
42
44
27
40
0. 18
.10
1
89
63
42
44
27
39
. 10
8. 09
6. 26
4. 21
4.13
2. 71
3. 95
4
304
308
. 17
6. 55
6. 72
Department of the Interior
1921________
1922______
1923______
1924_____
1925_______
1926__________
Total_________
19, 735
17, 834
17, 092
16, 679
13,125
13,468
14
18
16
19
11
8
957
1,041
1,415
1,676
1,019
. 609
971
1,059
1,431
1,695
1,030
617
0. 29
. 41
. 37
.46
.34
.25
19.39
23. 35
33. 12
40. 20
31. 06
18.84
19. 68
23. 75
33. 49
40. 64
31. 39
19.09
97, 933
86
6, 717
6,803
. 37
28. 58
28.35
11.99
10. 90
11. 72
11.56
12.40
9. 66
11. 73
Department of labor
1921__________
1922________
1923.
1924________
1925____
1926______________
Total__________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3, 768
3,744
3,821
3,876
3,614
4, Oil
22,834
1
2
113
102
112
112
112
92
0.11
.22
1
5
2
112
100
112
111
107
90
. 11
.55
. 21
11. 89
10. 68
11. 72
11. 46
11.84
9. 45
11
632
643
.20
11. 53
[302]
Ac c id e n t
e x p e r ie n c e
in
federal departm ents
91
N U M B E R OF A C C ID E N T S A N D A C C ID E N T F R E Q U E N C Y R A TES IN T H E G O V E R N
M E N T SE R V IC E , 1921 TO 1926, B Y D E P A R T M E N T S A N D Y E A R S—Continued
[Based on number of employees shown by the Civil Service Commission’s yearly reports and on num
ber of accidents reported to the United States Employees’ Compensation Commission]
Frequency rates (per 1,000,000
hours’ exposure)
Number of accidents
Year
Number of
employees
Fatal
Nonfatal
Total
Fatal
Nonfatal
accidents accidents
Total
Department of the Navy
1921__________________
1922__________________
1923................................ .
1924......................... ..........
1925__________________
1926_______________
60, 653
42, 515
40, 557
42, 686
42,842
42, 973
36
27
30
28
24
39
2,918
1,516
1,423
1,882
1,662
1, 778
2, 954
1,543
1,453
1,910
1,686
1,817
0.24
.25
.30
.26
. 23
.38
19. 25
14. 27
14. 04
17. 64
15. 52
17. 24
19. 48
14. 52
14. 33
17. 90
15. 74
17.62
Total______ ____
272, 226
184
11,179
11,363
.28
17. 11
17. 39
5,280
6, 260
6, 609
7, 437
7, 535
7, 952
0. 08
. 10
.07
.06
.06
.08
7. 42
8. 72
8. 92
9. 83
9. 85
11. 35
7.50
8. 81
8. 99
9. 89
9.91
11.43
41,073
.08
9. 67
9. 75
Post Office Department
1921__________________
1922________________ .-.
1923__________________
1924. ________________
1925.._______________
1926 ________________
281, 658
284, 207
294, 226
301, 000
304, 092
289, 980
62
64
50
42
47
56
5,218
6,196
6, 559
7, 395
7, 488
7,896
T otal......................
1, 755,163
321
40, 752
.
Department of the Treasury
1921__________________
1922. ________________
1923__________________
1924__________________
1925_________________
1926_________________
68, 648
56, 392
53, 604
53,121
52, 607
51, 569
30
44
17
16
22
19
1,157
1,203
938
1,013
1,037
864
1,187
1,247
955
1,029
1,059
883
0.18
.31
. 13
. 12
. 17
. 11
6. 74
8. 53
7. 00
7. 63
7. 88
4. 93
6. 91
8. 84
7. 13
7. 75
8. 05
5.04
Total............. . . . .
335, 941
148
6, 212
6, 360
. 18
7. 70
7.88
Department of War
1921 __________ _____ _
1 9 2 2 ...______________
1923. ................. ................
1924_________________
1925_________________
1926________________
53, 553
46, 840
44, 842
45, 906
38, 975
45, 285
124
104
96
102
115
63
6,125
5, 648
4, 913
5,295
5, 793
4,700
6, 249
5, 752
5, 009
5, 397
5, 908
4, 763
0. 92
.89
.85
.89
1. 18
. 58
45. 74
48. 23
43. 82
40. 14
59. 45
43. 24
46. 68
49. 12
44. 68
47. 03
60.64
43. 82
Total__________ _
275, 401
604
32,474
33, 078
.91
49. 13
50.04
Other Government Services
1921__________________
1922__________________
1923__________________
1924 ________________
1925..................................
1926......................... ...........
37, 785
48, 589
46, 373
46, 940
44, 322
49, 661
74
67
42
37
53
85
582
947
1,008
1,238
1, 602
1,148
656
1,014
1,050
1,275
1,655
1,233
0. 78
.55
.36
.31
.48
. 71
6.16
7. 80
8. 70
10.55
14. 46
9. 63
6. 95
8.34
9. 06
10.86
14.94
10. 34
Total___________
273, 670
358
6, 525
6, 883
. 55
9.93
10.48
82645°— 28------7
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[303]
92
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Decrease in Severity of Industrial Accidents in New York State
W
HAT appears to be a steady decrease in the severity of in
dustrial accidents in New York State, as measured by the
average weeks of compensation paid in permanent partial
disability cases over a period of years, is set forth in a brief report
prepared by the State department of labor and published in its
bulletin for December, 1927. This is indicated by the average weeks
of compensation awarded per case of permanent partial disability
for the years ending June 30, 1924 to 1927, as follows: 1923-24, 50.9
weeks; 1924-25, 50 weeks; 1925-26, 45.4 weeks; 1926-27, 42.9 weeks.
Attention is called to the fact that prompt first aid to prevent
infection, X-ray examinations to locate fractures, and treatment to
eliminate stiffness, for all of which the compensation law provides,
are responsible for this decrease, in four years’ time, of eight weeks
per case. It is further suggested that the improvement is even more
significant when it is remembered that on July 1, 1924, laws became
effective increasing the periods of compensation awards for loss of
eye from 128 to 160 weeks and for loss of thumb from 60 to 75 weeks.
In spite of this fact, the following year, 1925, showed a decrease in
the average number of weeks compensation was paid instead of an
increase as might be expected, indicating that “ even then some
favorable factors were at work tending to decrease the severity of
some types of accidents.”
A study of awards by types of injury was also made to determine
those in which improvement was shown. As a result it was found
that in each type, except two—foreign bodies in the eye and all
other—there was an almost continuous decline during the four years.
Except for concussions, the number of which is too small to be sig
nificant, the largest improvement occurred in dislocations, from 77.1
weeks in 1924 to 55.3 weeks in 1927, or a drop of 28.3 per cent.
Foreign bodies in the eye show an apparent increase over the fouryear period, due to the change in the law noted above, which caused
an increase to 87 weeks in 1925. Since that year, however, the de
crease has been continuous.
The following table shows the changes in average weeks for which
compensation was awarded during the year 1927 as compared with
1924:
A VERAGE W EEK S OF C O M PE N SA T IO N A W A R D E D IN P E R M A N E N T PA R T IA L D IS
A B IL IT Y CASES, 1927 C O M PA R E D W ITH 1924, B Y N A T U R E OF IN JU R Y
1924
Nature of injury
Bruises, contusions, and abrasions_______
Burns and scalds___________ __________
-----------------Concussions ---- -----Cuts, punctures, and lacerations_________
Traumatic amputations-_____ Dislocations______
___
_____
Fractures__________ _________ _____ ___
Sprains and strains- ----------------------------Foreign bodies in eye-- ______ . . All other--------------------- -----------------------Total____________________________
Decrease
in average
number
of
Average
Average
Number of number of Number of number of
weeks
cases
cases
weeks
weeks
859
384
5
6,389
1,942
236
5,060
328
73
250
43.5
65.6
171. 4
39. 7
60.4
77. 1
59. 1
53.6
76. 2
63.3
1,164
447
6
7,425
1,693
276
6, 703
611
92
101
37.0
59.0
49. 2
32.9
58.7
55.3
48. 1
45. 2
76.5
86.7
6.5
6.6
122.2
6.8
1.7
21.8
11.0
8.4
1.3
i 23.4
15, 526
50.9
18, 518
42.9
8.0
i Increase.
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1927
[304]
93
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN LIMA, PE R U
A similar showing is made by an analysis of awards in temporary
disability cases, in which every group except concussions showed a
decrease in average weeks. The total decrease was 1.6 weeks; con
cussions showed 1.8 weeks increase. Asphyxiation showed the largest
decrease, from 9.1 to 6.1 weeks.
Industrial Accidents in Lima, Peru, 1924 to 1926
HE Statistical Abstract of Peru for the year 1926 contains official
figures showing the number of industrial accidents which have
occurred in Lima.
The following table, taken from this report, gives the number of
industrial accidents each year from 1924 to 1926, by industry:
T
N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L A C C ID E N T S IN LIM A, P E R U , 1924 TO 1926, BY IN D U S T R Y
Industry
Agriculture and forestry------Alcohol and liquors- ---- -- Pottery and ceramic works—Tanneries and shoe factories..
Electrical__________ _ _
Railway___________________
Automobile
---- --------------Gas______________________
Food____ ____
___ _ -- Metal work and engineeringSawmills. ________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1924
1925
1926
71
101
26
17
621
119
50
2
47
41
68
51
146
16
20
686
223
48
2
51
21
64
31
147
4
29
393
237
52
4
73
29
66
Industry
Building __ --------- ------------Textiles and weaving_______
_ . . ...
Furniture.__...... .
Paper and printing_________
Government service... -----Tobacco---- --------------------Glass
__________________
Various. . . ----------------------
[305]
Total______________
1924
1925
546
74
7
31
4
10
511
93
10
16
5
5
1926
156
152
485
167
5
21
6
1
29
146
1,991
2,120
1,925
HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
Industrial Hygiene Work of United States Public Health Service
HE annual report of the Surgeon General of the Public Health
Service of the United States for the fiscal year 1927 gives an
account of the activities of the office of industrial hygiene and
sanitation. The recent studies carried out by this division include
an investigation of the hazards of tetraethyl lead; studies of various
occupational health hazards and occupational diseases and of the
causes of industrial absenteeism;1 and studies carried on in coopera
tion with other Government departments and with industrial and
other agencies.
The first investigation of tetraethyl lead gasoline2 was carried out
principally in Ohio, where it was being used at the time, although
its sale had been temporarily discontinued by the corporation manu
facturing the gasoline. In connection with this investigation it was
found that appreciable amounts of lead were present in garage dust
even where no lead-containing motor fuel had been used. A sub
sequent survey was made in cooperation with the health officers of
a number of large cities, therefore, to determine how general this
dissemination of small but distinct amounts of lead might be. In
this study samples of air were collected from garages and other work
places and, although the analyses have not yet been completed, the
results so far as determined indicate that there is as high lead content
in the air in some other industrial establishments supposed to be
free from lead exposure, as in garages.
The studies of occupational health hazards also included a number
of investigations of the hazards of dusty trades. The dust studies
which have been completed deal with the effects of dust in the cement,
granite-cutting, metal-polishing, and anthracite-mining industries,
while studies dealing with soft-coal dust, vegetable dust, and municipal
dust are still being carried on.
The cement study showed that as the period of service in the indus
try increased there was a rapid increase in the disability from respir
atory diseases but that there was also an interesting process of
self-selection of the employees in that those who were least susceptible
to the effects of the dust were more likely to remain in the industry
while those who were less resistant tended to leave the industry.
The rate of disability from respiratory diseases among a group of
persons who had been employed from 1 to 8 years was 235 cases
per 1,000 men. With longer periods of employment the rate
rose rapidly, so that among a group of men with from 12 to 20
years of service there were 769 cases of respiratory disability per
1,000 men. This higher rate was not associated with advancing age,
as the same tendency toward respiratory disability was found among
the men under 45 as among those over 45. Diseases of the upper
respiratory tract were most common among these workers and the
T
1 See Labor Review, April, 1926, pp. 131, 132; June, 1927, pp. 57-59.
2 Idem, March, 1926, pp. 126-129.
94
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3061
H Y G IEN E W ORK OF U . S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
95
incidence of pneumonia and tuberculosis was relatively low. The
rate among men exposed to the dustiest work in the mill and quarry
and, in addition, to the inclemency of the weather ranged from 60
to 109 per cent higher than that in the relatively nondusty depart
ments of the plant. Furunculosis, diseases of the eye, including
conjunctivitis, and diseases of the stomach and intestines were
frequent among those working in the more dusty trades, while
rheumatism was especially frequent among outdoor workers.
The sickness records and the physical examinations of workers in
the granite-cutting industry show that the chief hazard is a rapidly
fatal form of pulmonary tuberculosis, to which the cutters, both
those doing hand-pneumatic work and those working with surface
machines, are particularly liable. Workers in occupations in which
they are not exposed to more than the average dustiness of the sheds
did not appear to be seriously affected, so it appeared that it is prac
ticable to reduce the dust to an approximately safe level through
proper ventilation.
Severe disability from granite dust does not appear, ordinarily,
except after years of exposure, although the presence of silicosis can
be detected in most workers within a very few years after entering
the industry. The mortality rate from tuberculosis among granite
cutters has been rising rapidly in recent years and the present sur
vey showed a rate of 18 per 1,000 in the population which was
under direct observation.
An unfinished study of the effects of the cotton dust on the work
ers in a spinning and weaving plant shows from the preliminary
analyses of the sickness records and physical examinations that there is
a high rate of sickness of short durations and a large number of cases
of postnasal and pharyngeal catarrh. There was also more sickness
among night workers than among day workers, especially in the weav
ing room, where the relative humidity was necessarily kept high, and
in the carding room, where there was the most dust.
The study of the dust hazard in anthracite mining showed that
there was exposure to enormous quantities of dust. The miners
and miners’ helpers were exposed in some cases to as much as
233,000,000 particles per cubic foot of air, and the men engaged in
breaking new ground for mining by means of rock drilling had an
average exposure of about 130,000,000 particles per cubic foot as con
trasted with an exposure of about 2,500,000 particles for the main
tenance men.
The petrographic analysis of the dusts in the different industries
showed that in silver polishing free silica was present in amounts
varying from one-tenth of 1 per cent to 1.75 per cent, although in
one case the dust contained 19 per cent free silica; hard-coal dust
averaged about 1.5 per cent free silica and the rock dust from these
mines about 31 per cent, while the granite dust from Barre, Vt.,
contained approximately 31 per cent and the mixture of granite dust
and the dust from the grinding machines showed approximately 38
per cent of free silica, with a small amount of steel fragments.
Other studies carried out by the division of industrial hygiene
include an investigation of the problem of ventilation with a view to
obtaining accurate information on the efficiency and operating
requirements of ventilating systems in actual use; an investigation
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[307]
96
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
of lead poisoning in a storage-battery plant in Connecticut; and
studies in illumination covering the effect of varying conditions of
illumination upon vision and production, and showing the distribu
tion of daylight within factories and schoolrooms with windows of all
sizes, heights, and locations, and ceilings of varying heights.
In addition to these and other similar studies, a general investiga
tion of industrial morbidity among large groups of workers is con
tinued from year to year, monthly reports being received of sickness
causing a disability of one week or longer among 135,000 employees,
members of 35 sick benefit associations. Analyses of these figures
are published periodically and show the frequency and severity of dis
abilities, by sex, and according to the type of sickness, season of the
year, etc., for this representative sample of the industrial population.
Sick Leave Among Employees in the Department of Commerce
During 1926
TATISTICAL information as to the amount of sickness occurring
among any large group of workers is of interest, since the effort
in the majority of industrial and commercial establishments at
the present time is in the direction of prevention, and any information
as to the extent of the problem is therefore of value in carrying out
sickness-prevention work.
The report of the Secretary of Commerce for the year 1927 gives
the amount of annual and sick leave taken by the employees of the
department in the District of Columbia. The figures cover a total
of 3,469 employees. The average sick leave reported for the entire
group—6.36 days—is somewhat below the commonly accepted
estimate of eight days lost per person per year, although many
individual companies which have stressed the preventive feature in
their medical work have been able to reduce the time lost on account
of sickness much below that reported in this instance.
The following table shows the average amount of sick leave in the
different offices of the Department of Commerce during the year
1926, by sex:
S
SICK LEAVE R E PO R T E D IN T H E D E P A R T M E N T OF C O M M ER C E D U R IN G T H E Y E A R
1926, BY SEX
[In the count of leave all periods of one-half day or over were counted as a whole day; periods of less than
one-half day were omitted]
Bureau
Male
Female
Total
Number of Number
Average
Number
Average
Number
Average
em
of
per em
of
per em
of
per em
ployees days
ployee
days
ployee
days
ployee
Office of the Secretary________ _
Bureau of-the Census
_____
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce___
_ __ ___ ___________
Bureau of Standards___ ____ ____
Bureau of Fisheries_________ _________
Bureau of Lighthouses... ___________
Coast and Geodetic Survey___________
Bureau of Navigation___ __________
Steamboat Inspection Service_________
Patent Office____________ _____ ______
Bureau of Mines___ _______ ____ ___
105
736
214
1,085
3. 45
3.83
339
3,812
7.88
8.42
553
4,897
5.27
6.65
481
667
67
34
176
48
13
954
188
1,430
2,197
205
131
1,016
122
30
3,747
496
5.67
3. 73
4. 77
5. 46
6. 35
6.10
5. 00
5. 63
4.68
2,446
748
233
117
110
319
62
2,412
806
10. 68
9. 47
9.71
11. 70
6.87
11. 39
8. 86
8. 35
9.83
3,876
2,945
438
248
1,126
441
92
6,159
1,302
8. 06
4. 42
6. 54
7.29
6. 40
9. 18
7. 08
6. 46
6.93
Total and average__________ . . .
3,469
10, 673
4.83
11,404
9.05
22,077
6.36
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[308]
WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND
SOCIAL INSURANCE
Priority of Lien of Alaskan Compensation Law
ARIOUS legal methods have been provided from time to time
to protect workmen entitled to awards under the State work
men’s compensation laws. These laws have been of the same
nature as those relating to the protection of the payment of wages.
They fall generally into six classes:
1.
Those restricting or making invalid the waiving of a right to
compensation.
2.
Those restricting, prohibiting, or making illegal the assignment
of compensation.
3.
Those exempting awards from attachment, garnishment, and
execution.
4. Those making an award a lien on the employer’s property.
5.
Those giving the award or lien a preference over claims or
liens of other creditors in the event of bankruptcy, receivership, or
death of employer.
6.
Those giving a prior lien upon the real estate of the employer.
There are also cases of special protective provisions in favor of the
State in the collection of premiums due the State fund by an employer,
as in Oregon and Washington, where the premium is made a lien upon
property.
.
. . .
Alaska has taken the initiative in creating the sixth class given
above. Section 5 of the 1927 Alaska workmen’s compensation law
reads as follows:
V
S e c t i o n 5. Every employee and every beneficiary entitled to compensation
under the provisions of this act shall have a lien for the full amount of such com
pensation, including costs and disbursements of suit and attorneys fees therein
allowed or fixed, upon all of the property in connection with the construction,
preservation, maintenance, or operation of which the work of such injured or de
ceased employee was being performed at the time of the injury or death of such
employee. For example, in the case of any employee injured or killed while
engaged in mining or in any work connected with mining, the lien shall extend
to the entire mine and all property used in connection therewith; and in the case
of an employee injured or killed while engaged in fishing or in the packing, canning,
or salting of fish, or other branch of the fish industry, the lien shall extend to the
entire packing, fishing, salting, or canning plant or establishment and all property
used in connection therewith; and the same shall be the case vith^
other
“ businesses, industries, works, occupations, and employments. The lien herein
provided for shall be prior and paramount and superior to any other lien on the
property affected thereby, except liens for wages or materials as is now or may
hereafter be provided by law, and shall [be] of equal rank with all such liens for
wages or materials. The lien hereby provided for shall extend to and cover all
right, title, interest, and claim of the employer of, in, and to the property affected
by such lien, and also all right, title, interest, claim, or lien of any other person
in or to such property, unless such person, who is not the employer of the employee
so injured or killed, but who claims some right, title, or interest in or to or lien
upon such property, shall at least 10 days prior to the injury out of which the
claim for compensation arises have posted and used reasonable diligence to keep
[309]
97
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
98
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
posted in a t least th re e conspicuous places on th e p ro p e rty su b ject to such lien
a notice th a t th e right, title, claim, in terest, or lien of such person in or to such
p ro p erty shall n o t be su b ject o r su b o rd in ate to th e lien of a n y claim for com
pensation by th is a c t p ro v id e d . P r o v i d e d , h o w e v e r , T h a t n o th in g herein contained
shall be deem ed to affect th e obligation of a n y valid c o n tra c t existing on or before
A ugust 8, 1927. A ny person claim ing a lien u n d er th is a c t shall, w ith in four
m onths a fter th e d a te of th e in ju ry from wdhch th e claim of com pensation arises,
file for record in th e office of th e recorder of th e p recin ct in w hich th e p ro p erty
affected by such lien is situ a te d a notice of lien, signed a n d verified by th e claim an t
or some one on his o r h er behalf, a n d sta tin g in su b stan ce th e nam e of th e person
in ju red or killed o u t of w hich in ju ry or d e a th th e claim of com pensation arises,
th e nam e of th e em ployer of such in ju red or deceased person a t th e tim e of such
in ju ry or d eath , a d escription of th e p ro p e rty affected or covered by th e lien so
claim ed, an d th e n am e of th e ow ner or re p u te d ow ner of such p ro p erty .
T he lien for com pensation herein p rovided m ay be enforced by a su it in eq u ity ,
as in th e case of th e enforcem ent of o th e r liens upo n real or p ersonal p ro p erty ,
a t an y tim e w ith in 10 m o n th s a fte r th e cause of actio n shall arise. N oth in g in
th is section contained shall be deem ed to p re v e n t a n a tta c h m e n t of p ro p e rty as
security for th e p a y m e n t of a n y com pensation as in th is a c t provided.
A su it or actio n for th e lien for com pensation herein p rovided m ay be joined
w ith a n actio n for com pensation otherw ise p rovided u n d er th e term s of th is ac t
in th e sam e declaratio n or com plaint.
Laws making certain debts liens upon the property of the debtor are
not unusual. Those most generally known are taxes, judgments,
mortgages, and mechanics’ liens. In the field of labor legislation
there are three outstanding types of debts which have in many
States been made liens: Liens for wages for work done, mechanics’
liens, and liens for workmen’s compensation awards. The first is
but a development of the common-law lien of the worker for the
value of his services. This originally applied only to personal prop
erty upon which he had performed labor, as a jeweler’s lien upon a
watch he has repaired. The mechanics’ lien, also a development of
the common-law lien, in actual practice more directly protects the
contractor and subcontractor than it does the wage worker. The
award for compensation has been made a lien upon the property of
the employer in several States. The reason for the lien is evident
when it is noticed that the award has replaced the old judgment for
damages and the judgment was a lien upon the real estate of the
employer.
Some States merely make the compensation award a lien. Others
go further and give the award preference or priority over the claims
and liens of other creditors in the case of bankruptcy, receivership,
or in the administration of estates. This is for the purpose of allow
ing a more equitable distribution of the assets of the bankrupt or the
estate of the deceased. The law quoted above goes further than
either of these two types of laws. It is similar to them in that it
makes the award a lien and in that it gives the award or lien priority
of payment. It is different in that it gives priority over existing
liens even in cases of the solvency and during the life of the employer.
A brief reading of the above section raises a question of constitu
tionality. It appears on its face that a person who has held a mort
gage or lien against the property, created prior to the injury, is de
prived of his property without due process of law. But this conten
tion, if raised, is apparently met by the protection that the law gives
to persons having such liens. They may protect their rights by
complying with the provisions of the section as to posting notice of
their rights upon the property.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 1 0 ]
SICKNESS AND INVALIDITY IN SURA NCE IN CHILE
99
In the absence of the enforcement of strict requirements for insur
ance carriage with responsible insurance companies or the filing of
bonds or other securities to protect a possible award and also further
protection against insolvency of employer or insurance company,
there is always a possibility that the workman may be left with a
valueless award which he can not collect. The above law was en
acted to provide for such a contingency or probably a worse case,
where the employer deliberately intended, in the case of large awards,
to avoid payment. The possibilities of this are greater than one may
suspect. In the case of a mine explosion where there are several
deaths and the possibilities of large awards great, a mine owner, with
property depreciated in value because of the explosion, may prefer
to allow the property to be sold on the foreclosure of a mortgage
rather than attempt to pay the award. In this case it would be very
likely that the workman or his dependents would have a valueless
award. If the owner holds title to the mine in the name of a corpo
ration, he could readily organize a new corporation and buy in the
same property, on foreclosure of a prior lien, in the name of the new
corporation and continue operations relieved of the burden of the
compensation awards.
________
Sickness and Invalidity Insurance in Chile 1
Scope of Law
ACCORDING to a decree (No. 34) of January 22, 1926, promulZA gating the text of the Chilean law (No. 4054), insurance
* * ■ against sickness and invalidity is compulsory for all persons
under 65 years of age who normally have no income or means of
subsistence other than the wages paid them by their employer,
provided that the said wage or salary does not exceed 8,000 pesos 2
a year. The law covers apprentices and person's employed on pro
bation even if they do not receive wages; also artisans and crafts
men who work independently, persons who perform public service,
small manufacturers, and small tradesmen, provided their average
annual income does not exceed 8,000 pesos a year.
Persons subject to the law but who belong to a mutual benefit
society which insures its members are exempt from insurance if the
society has been approved by the central insurance fund.
Employers, employers’ associations, and lawfully constituted mu
tual benefit societies may undertake the duties assigned by this law
to the local funds as regards sickness insurance only. In order to
assume these obligations, they must obtain a permit from the Presi
dent of the Republic and bind themselves to provide the medical
attention and sick benefits as provided by this law.
Persons not liable to insurance who are under 45 years of age and
whose income does not exceed 8,000 pesos a year may voluntarily
insure themselves in order to secure the benefits of this law, provided
that they obtain a health certificate from the physician appointed
by the fund. Insured persons whose income increases to over 8,000
pesos may continue their insurance voluntarily, provided that the
income does not exceed 16,000 pesos a y e a r . ________________ __
1 Chile. Diario Oficial, num. 14,411, Santiago, Mar. 3, 1926, pp. 538-640.
2 Average exchange rate of the peso in 1926=12.08 cents.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
Benefits
rT ’HE fund shall grant the following benefits to insured persons: (1)
A Medical attention shall be granted from the first day of the
illness and in addition hospital care upon the orders of the physician.
Medical attention shall be provided by a qualified panel of physicians
under a contract with the fund, the insured person having the right
to select his physician from the panel. The insured shall be reim
bursed for expenses incurred for specialists who have been called in,
with the authorization of the governing body. Medical attention
shall be furnished for a period of 26 weeks and in special cases the
local funds may extend it to a year. (2) A sick benefit shall be paid
for the first week equivalent to the entire wage of the insured, for
the second week one-half of the said amount, and thereafter onequarter for the duration of the illness, provided he has a family to
support. If the sick person has no family, he shall be entitled to
only half of the benefit. (3) Medical care shall be granted woman
workers during pregnancy, confinement, and the post-confinement
period, and also financial aid amounting to one-half of the regular
wage of the worker for a period of two weeks before and two weeks
after childbirth and a nursing benefit equal to one-fourth of the
mother’s wages to be paid to her as long as she nurses her child.3
(4) A sum of 300 pesos is to be paid to the family of the insured
person in case of the death of the latter for funeral expenses. (5) An
invalidity pension is to be granted to persons suffering from a chronic
disease causing permanent total disability except in the cases entitled
to compensation under the workmen’s compensation law, provided
that the disease was not caused intentionally or by a criminal act
or serious fault on the part of the insured person. The amount of
the pension shall be equal to the average wage received by the
insured person during the preceding year if he had been insured for
10 years or more, to 75 percent thereof if he had belonged for 5 and
under 10 years, and to 50 per cent thereof in other cases. (6) An
insured person becomes entitled to an old-age pension upon reaching
the age of 55 years but may declare at the time of registration that
he wishes to draw this pension at the age of 60 or 65 years instead
of at the age of 55 years.
Under the law persons shall not be entitled to draw the invalidity
pension and the old-age pension at the same time.
Capital of the Funds
rTTIE cost of the insurance shall be defrayed from the following
* sources: (1) Contributions from the employers, the workers,
and the State, amounting to 3, 2, and 1 per cent, respectively, of the
employees’ weekly wage; contributions from small manufacturers
and tradesmen and those who work independently equal to 3^2 per
cent of the proportionate income for each week, the State paying an
equal amount; (2) the proceeds of fines imposed for violations of this
law, the public health code, and certain provisions of the penal code;
3
In order to carry out effectively this provision of the law, the fund has decided to establish a national
maternity council. Plans for the work of the council provide for the organization of prenatal, maternity,
and infancy consultation centers, maternity homes, dispensaries for the treatment of venereal diseases,
and a system of home visiting. El Mercurio (Santiago), Apr. 4, 1926.
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N E W UNEM PLO YM ENT IN SU R A N C E ACT IN ENG LAN D
101
(3) the interest on the capital of the funds, income derived from their
property, legacies, donations, and bequests which they may receive;
(4) the proceeds of a tax of 1 per cent on all payments made by the
State or municipal councils, with the exception of payments in con
nection with the foreign debt and grants to institutions for charitable
purposes; (5) the proceeds of an additional tax imposed on insurance
companies, the management and capital of which are not established
in Chile, amounting to 2 per cent of their gross receipts from policies
other than life-insurance policies, on which the tax shall be equal to
1 per cent.
The amounts to be paid for apprentices or persons employed on
probation shall correspond to the lowest wage paid for the kind of
work on which they are employed. The employer shall pay both his
own contribution and that due from the insured person of this class.
Administration of Funds
A N ORGANIZATION consisting of a central fund and local funds
situated in the principal towns shall be set up for the purpose of
organizing and directing the operation of sickness and invalidity
insurance. Funds may also be set up in other towns or villages and
in mining or industrial establishments specified by the local fund
concerned, in agreement with the central fund. A governing body
consisting of nine persons, three of whom shall be elected at a general
meeting of the insured persons, three by the employers who pay for
the insurance, and three appointed by the President, shall direct and
manage the local funds.
New Unemployment Insurance Act in Great Britain
HE Labor Review for December, 1927, contained an account of
a bill then before Parliament, recasting and consolidating the
legislation dealing with unemployment insurance. This was
passed and received royal assent shortly before the close of the
month, the bill having received numerous amendments in its passage
through Parliament. The text of the act, as passed, is not yet
available, but the Manchester Guardian, in its issue for January 2,
1928, makes the following summary of its provisions:
T he changes effected, or sought to be effected, by th e unem p lo y m en t insurance
act, w hich comes in to op eratio n on A pril 19, 1928, are as follows:
Slight changes in th e ra te s of benefit.
C reation of a new class of insured persons betw een th e ages of 18 an d 21,
whose ra te s of co n trib u tio n a n d benefit will be less th a n those of a d u lts, b u t
m ore th a n those of boys an d girls u n d er 18.
D isallow ance of claim s u n d er th e “ 30 c o n trib u tio n s” rule, a fte r a tra n sitio n a l
period of one year. D iscretionary pow er of th e M in istry of L abor to disallow
claim s b y certain classes to cease.
U nem ployed persons to be called upon to perform suitable w ork o th er th a n
th a t to w hich th e y h ave been accustom ed.
Of the changes introduced by the act, the enforcement of the 30
contributions rule is likely to have the most far-reaching consequences.
Under the acts which this supersedes, the Ministry of Labor was given
power to waive at discretion the requirement that the claimant for
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
extended benefit must have paid 30 contributions into the fund
within the two years preceding the year in which he made his claim.
Under the new law this power is withdrawn, and after the lapse of
the transitional period of one year no one may draw benefit unless
he can qualify in respect to the 30 contributions. This requirement
met with strong opposition, as its effects were feared for the regions
of greatest industrial depression, where unemployment has been so
serious and prolonged that many persons may find themselves unable
to qualify. The Government issued a White Paper while the ques
tion was before Parliament, giving data on which it based the con
clusion that the number who would be excluded from benefit under
this provision would not exceed 56,000, and might, if the industrial
situation should improve, be much less. On the other hand, approxi
mately 26,000 excluded under the old law would become eligible
under the new provisions, so that the changes would not result in the
exclusion of more than 30,000 from benefit. These findings, however,
have not met with unqualified acceptance.
One feature of the new bill, the putting all benefit upon the basis
of a right, is looked upon with general favor. Under the old legis
lation a claimant who could meet certain requirements was entitled
to benefit for a definite length of time, which was known as standard
benefit and was his as a right. If, after exhausting his standard
benefit, he still could not secure employment, he might apply for
the so-called extended benefit, which was regarded as a matter of
grace and might be given or withheld at the discretion and according
to rules laid down by the Ministry of Labor. Under the new act
the limitation of the period during which benefit may be drawn as
a matter of statutory right is abolished, and the applicant is entitled
to benefit as long as genuinely unemployed. This, however, is
coupled with the provision that if, after a reasonable time, employ
ment in the claimant’s own trade or occupation can not be secured,
he may be required to take any suitable work which can be found,
and, if he refuses, further benefit will be withheld.
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WORKERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Need of a Clearing House for Occupational Studies
HE need for a clearing house for occupational studies is empha
sized by Winifred M. Hausam, director of the Los Angeles
Bureau of Vocational Service, in the Vocational Guidance
Magazine of December, 1927.
The occupational research section of the National Vocational
Guidance Association is endeavoring to work out some scheme for
meeting this need, and last winter the Personnel Research Federation
appointed a committee for the same purpose.
The problem is one which has to be solved by all technical and
professional associations. Some of them, Miss Hausam states,
have attempted to meet the situation by having their professional
journals and magazines report on the studies made and books pub
lished along their respective fields. The American Management
Association and certain other organizations have instituted an
abstracting service which covers a large amount of material and
presents it to the members in digested form. Some such scheme is
necessary in order to use occupational studies with discrimination
and to avoid duplication in experiments.
May Rogers Lane’s Bibliography and Reviews of Occupational
Studies, which was issued in February, 1927, is declared to be “ a
splendid initial contribution” to the clearing-house scheme. In
addition to being a history of occupational studies which have been
issued in pamphlet form this bibliography points out the need there
is for “ elucidating standards of content and presentation.”
Improvement in standards for the making of occupational studies
can only be accomplished, the writer holds, through the process of
experimentation and comparison of results. Technique for the
measurement of results must also be developed by similar methods.
In one city a research department head sent out a questionnaire
to teachers of occupations, in order to ascertain the value of the
occupational studies made. As the results of the inquiry were not
satisfactory to her, she went into the teaching field herself for the
purpose of finding out by actual experiment the value of the research
department’s work.
If similar efforts were made wherever occupational studies are
being used and the results of such investigations and experiments
compared, at least one step would be taken “ toward measuring those
values of occupational studies which are measurable.”
T
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i
\
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Strikes and Lockouts in the United States in December, 1927
D
ATA regarding industrial disputes in the United States for
December, 1927, with comparable data for preceding months,
are presented below. These reports are made possible through
the cooperation of the conciliation service of the Department of Labor
and other agencies.
Disputes involving fewer than six workers and those lasting less
than one day have been omitted. Data for November and December
are subject to revision because of the fact that reports for these months
are more or less incomplete.
Table 1 shows in summary form for each of the months, June to
December, inclusive, the number of disputes which began in these
months, the number in effect at the end of each month, the number of
workers involved, and the economic loss (in man-days) involved.
The number of workdays lost is computed by multiplying the number
of workers affected in each dispute by the length of the dispute meas
ured in working days as normally worked by the industry or trade in
question. It is to be noted that the figures given include only those
disputes which have been verified by the bureau.
T a b l e 1. — IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN A N D IN E F F E C T AT E N D OF EA CH
M O N TH , JU N E TO D E C E M B E R . 1927
Number of disputes
Number of workers
involved in disputes
M onth and year
June, 1927. ..
------- -July, 1927______________________________
August, 1927. ______ .
. ------- _
September, 1927____
______
- --October, 1927 _____ _ November, 1927 U
_____ December, 19271
- - -----
Beginning
in month
In effect
at end of
month
Beginning
in month
In effect
at end of
month
75
62
53
46
48
22
18
82
62
50
49
56
50
49
18, 585
33,763
8,066
12, 514
12, 695
4,122
3,488
196,047
199, 087
198, 367
197, 588
81, 766
82, 973
81,511
Number of
man-days
lost during
month
4,859,468
5,307,089
4,998, 596
4,960,249
2,722,110
2,049,155
2,138,079
! Preliminary figures, subject to revision.
Occurrence of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
n r ABLE 2 gives, by industry, the number of strikes beginning in
October, November, and December, and the number of workers
directly involved.
104
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STRIK ES AND LOCKOUTS IN UNITED STATES
T
able
2 — IN D U S T R IA L
D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN OCTOBER,
D E C E M B E R , 1927, BY IN D U S T R IE S
NOVEMBER, AND
Number of workers involved
in disputes beginning in—
Number of disputes begin
ning in—
Industry
October
Automobiles
Barbers
Brewery and soft-drink workers
Building trades ______ __ __
Chauffeurs and teamsters
Clerks and salesmen
____ ___
C lo th in g __
Electrical supplies
Food workers
Furniture
_
Glass
Leather
Metal trades
_____
Mining
. __
Motion-picture and theatrical workers___
Oil and chemicals
_________________
Printing and publishing
Slaughtering and meat packing
Stationary engineers and firemen
Steamboat men
Street-railway employees
____
Textile
_
Miscellaneous - ______________________
T otal. __. . .
Novem
ber
Decem
ber
October
Novem
ber
Decem
ber
135
1
21
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
1
4
3
2
7
2
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
9
3
4
1
1
48
22
18
15
196
172
420
246
350
132
1,427
362
7, 544
23
27
159
118
720
888
245
93
32
520
65
52
2,009
45
26
1,375
21
75
149
600
24
175
50
675
722
173
150
74
12,695
4,122
3 ,4 8 8
Size and Duration of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
'"TABLE 3 gives the number of industrial disputes beginning in December, classified by number of workers and by industries:
T
able
3 —NUMBER
OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN D E C E M B E R ,
C L ASSIFIED B Y N U M B E R OF W ORKERS A N D BY IN D U S T R IE S
1927,
Number of disputes beginning in December, 1927,
involving—
Industry
6 and
under
20
workers
20 and
under
100
workers
Barbers
. . . . . .
.
Building trades
. ______
____________
Clothing
_
Electric and gas supplies
Furniture
_____
Leather
__ __ _
M etal trades
. . . . .
Mining
............................
Oil and chemicals
Printing and publishing
_
_______ ____
Slaughtering and meat packing
Textile
1
Total______________________ ______ _________
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1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
100 and
under
500
workers
500 and
under
1,000
workers
1
1
1
1,000 and
under
5,000
workers
1
1
1
1
3
2
1
106
M O N T H L Y LABO R R EV IEW
In Table 4 are shown the number of industrial disputes ending in
December, by industries and classified duration:
T a b l e 4 .—N U M B E R OE IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S E N D IN G IN D E C E M B E R , 1927, BY
IN D U S T R IE S A N D C LASSIFIED D U R A T IO N
Classified duration of strikes ending in
December, 1927
Industry
One-half
month
or less
Barbers_________ ____ _____________ .
Building trades_________________ _________
Chauffeurs and teamsters_______
______ _
Clothing . . .
_
__ _____
Electrical and gas supplies. __ __________ ______
Furniture
____ . . .
. ____
M e ta ls ________ . _ _______ _________
Mining
_ . ______ _ _ _ _ . . . _
Oil and chemicals
_ ________
Printing and publishing__________ _ _ ______
Slaughtering and meat packing .
.....
____________ _ ______
Miscellaneous________
*
Total
_________ ____ _______
Over onehalf and
less than
1 month
1 month
and less
than 2
months
2 months
and less
than 3
months
1
2
2
1
I
1
3
1
3
1
13
1
1
1
3
1
2
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in December, 1927
^ O A L miners, Pennsylvania.—Fix & mines of the Jeddo-Highland
^ Coal Co., Jeddo, Pa., were affected by a strike of 1,150 miners
from December 9 to December 19, because of a dispute growing out
of the discharge by the company of a shopman “ for refusing to do
part of his duties.” The colliery local claimed jurisdiction and struck,
rendering the_mines idle. The men “ returned to work uncondition
ally after which the grievance was considered on its merits as per
contract.”
Building trades, Massachusetts.—A dispute between the building
trades council on the one hand and the Building Trades Employers’
Association on the other as to the correct interpretation of an arbi
tration award, resulted in a strike of 600 building-trades workmen in
Boston on December 28.
According to press reports, employees of the Waterproofing Co.
were awarded $1,373^ an hour, and the unions contended that this
award applied to all cement finishers and waterproofing workers
employed by any and all contractors connected with the Building
Trades Employers’ Association, while the contractors interpreted it as
applying only to those employed by the Waterproofing Co. Accord
ing to a statement given out by the secretary of the Building Trades
Employers’ Association, the Waterproofing Co. was the only employer
of the association at issue in arbitration and, therefore, the only con
cern affected by the award. The other contractors, it is said, are pay
ing cement finishers $1.25 an hour, the rate agreed upon under an
agreement which is binding until next April and which carries a pro
vision that any dispute arising under it shall be submitted to arbitra
tion, without a strike.
The spokesman for local union 534, which includes the cement
finishers, claims that the association is not complying with the terms
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S T R IK E S A N D
LO C K O U T S I N U N IT E D
STA TES
107
of the arbitration decision in refusing to pay the higher rate to all
cement men under its control.
This strike was called off, it is understood, on January 10, following
the entering of a stipulation in equity court which provides for the
return of the men and the withdrawal of action by one of the employ
ing companies against the unions.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into December, 1927
1DITUMINOUS coal miners.—The strike of April 1 continues in part.
The Secretary of Labor on December 12 addressed a second tele
gram to the operators who had declined to attend the conference
called by him on December 9. The text of his second telegraphic
request was as follows:
D eep ly regret your decision not to attend conference called b y me and ask th at
you reconsider. T he subject for consideration is far broader than any im m ediate
w age question. As said in m y previous telegram , this conference is for frank and
free discussion of all questions at issue.
The public is now aware of overproduction, overdevelopment, the vast waste
of our natural resources, and hopes for some move toward permanent stabilization
of the industry to guarantee steady supplies of coal with fair profit to the operator
and steady employment at fair wages to the miner.
It is a great mistake to assume this conference is called in the interest of labor
only. I, personally, and representatives of the Department of Labor, have dis
cussed the matter with more operators and miners.
A ll previous conferences attended b y miners could also have been attended by
operators had th ey so desired. N othing is ever lost b y conference, and with
m any operators losing m oney and thousands of miners out of w ork, the public
has becom e very m uch interested.
E ven if the mines be more or less fu lly manned, as stated, does this guarantee
the in dustry a future free from the same grievance and the same unsettlem ent and
unem ploym ent as now exist?
T he present tim e seems to me the more apporpriate for conference because
the existing supply of coal will perm it discussion w ithout passion or prejudice.
On behalf of the public and the thousands of miners unem ployed and in the
interest of the in dustry itself, I would strongly urge you to be present for full
consideration of the problem in its broad hum anitarian as well as economic
aspects.
The conference began on the morning of the 13th and after three
days’ session took a recess on December 15, subject to call by the
Secretary at a later date. The Secretary gave out on December 15,
the following statement concerning the conference :
T h e com m ittee of three operators and three representatives of the miners,
formed a t the conference on the coal situation called b y Secretary of Labor
D avis, recessed D ecem ber 15. T his com m ittee is ready to confer again w ith
Secretary D avis on an y date he m ay name, or it m ay hold sessions of its own.
In the m eantim e the parties com posing it w ill from tim e to tim e file reports or
suggestions w ith Secretary D avis.
In reviewing the work of the conference the Secretary said:
The coal situation will take all the thought this country can give it. And
the subject ought to be aired and discussed, particularly at this time. The
public is not now angered by the inconvenience of a coal shortage, and the problem
can be faced without passion or prejudice. If this conference had accomplished
nothing else, it served to arouse and focus this public attention.
T he present economic condition in coal m ining is all the more a m atter for the
public because this conference proved again th a t the job of bringing it to order is
beyond the reach of a n y Federal authority, and is so big th a t no one m ind or
group of minds within the in dustry is able or w illing to tack le it.
T ack le the coal situation from w hat angle you w ill, overdevelopm ent is the
snag you strike every tim e, and the snag is a tough one. W h at overdevelopm ent
costs individual operators, in ruinous com petition, low or no profits, or loss and
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M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
insolvency, is their own affair. B ut in the bulk, these losses affect the prosperity
of the entire country, and so becom e ve ry distinctly the n ation ’s affair.
T his chaos in coal becomes all the more a m atter of concern to the entire country
in view of the effect it has on the producing and purchasing power of a potential
3,000,000 of our population. T his overdeveloped in dustry provides only parttim e em ploym ent to more than 600,000 miners. In m any cases, even where the
highest daily w age is paid, the great m ajority of these workers are poorly em
ployed, w ith a w eekly earning such as to leave their fam ilies little to live on.
W ith wages cut, th e y have even less.
Leavin g aside the hum anitarian aspect, the economic loss these people repre
sent to the country is serious enough. It means th a t the coal industry is hitting
every other industry in the country to the extent of taking 3,000,000 buyers out
of the m arket. And to th a t extent the coal industry, as now run or not run, is a
liab ility on the country a t large.
I t is not a case of bad or vicious m anagem ent. I t is a situation where the
mass of evil conditions is too great for the industry as now consituted to wipe out.
If ever an in dustry needed a “ czar,” coal is th a t industry. T his conference, as I
have already stated, developed the suggestion of one w ay out. T he other is for
leaders in the coal industry to subm it the industry to control b y an um pire or
overlord. If th ey did so, th ey could bring about order and stabilization a t a
stroke.
Such a man would, in himself, tak e over the functions of a suggested rationing
and arbitration commission. T he m an selected would have to be one of ability,
courage, decision and heart, a man of the ty p e of Charles E van s Hughes.
In declining to attend the conference, T. N. Moran, secretary of
the Fairmont Coal Operators’ Association, West Virginia, stated
that “ coal production in Fairmont region, 1927, exceeded all previous
records with the greatest number of men working in its history.”
The Monongahela Coal Operators’ Association, West Virginia,
through its executive secretary declined to attend the conference,
with the statement that all of the operators in that association “ are
now, and for several years past have been, operating full time and
are now operating as continuously as the conditions of the market
will permit in a peaceful manner and without friction or trouble of
any kind as between the respective companies and their employees.
There is no strike in any mine over which this association has juris
diction.”
The reply by S. H. Robbins, of the Ohio Coal Operators’ Associ
ation, declining the Secretary’s invitation was as follows:
I acknowledge your m essage in vitin g coal operators to m eet w ith represen
tatives of U nited M ine W orkers of Am erica on T uesd ay m orning next. The
m atter of accepting or declining an in vitatio n from a C abinet officer of the
United States is one of such im portance th a t I have oalled into consultation the
executive com m ittee of the coal operators of Ohio and this telegram is sent you
after full consideration. W e will not m eet w ith representatives of the United
M ine W orkers of Am erica w ith whom we have no contract, w ith whom we have
severed all relations, and, who have no interest in the properties we control. For
more than six m onths we endeavored conscientiously to negotiate a w age scale
w ith the officials of the union, but th ey arbitrarily refused to recognize known
economic and com petitive conditions in the coal business, and a furth er conference
would lead to no beneficial results. I t w^ould not benefit the general public because
it is now abund an tly supplied w ith coal a t very low prices. I t would not benefit
the miners who remain unem ployed because we have already offered and yet
continue to offer them em ploym ent at the highest wages now possible. Our
mines are not closed to them as individuals and our inform ation and belief is th at
m any w ould return to w ork bu t for the m isleading and unwarranted advice of
the union officials. I t would not benefit the thousands of miners who are now
regularly a t w ork a t satisfactory wages and whose w elfare you m ust consider.
I t would not benefit the owners of coal mines because the w ages w hich can be
paid and the operation of mines are governed by the laws of supply and demand
which th ey can not control. F or these and m any other reasons w e respectfully
decline yo u r in vitation.
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S T R IK E S AND LO CK O U TS IN U N ITED ST A TE S
109
J. D. A. Morrow, president of the Pittsburgh Coal Co., in tele
graphing Secretary Davis a second time declining to attend the con
ference, said:
Your further suggestion as to the scope of your proposal does not change the
fact that you are attempting to draw this company into a conference with officials
of the miners’ union. We have definitely and permanently severed all relations
with that organization. We repeat, therefore, that we can not attend your
conference.
Replying to Secretary Davis’s second telegram urging central
Pennsylvania operators to reconsider their refusal to attend the
Washington conference, Charles 0 ’Neill, president of the Association
of Bituminous Operators of Central Pennsylvania, wired: “ It is
necessary for me to advise that you have the final answer of this
association.” His telegram continued as fellows:
T h e operators of central Pennsylvania m ade every effort to avoid the develop
m ent of the present situation. Protracted jo in t conferences considering a new
w age agreem ent were held w ith the U nited M ine W orkers of Am erica, district
No. 2, in M ay and June this year. A com plete presentation of facts affecting
the coal industry of this district w as subm itted to the miners a t th a t tim e. T he
financial losses borne b y the union operators for three years under the so-called
Jacksonville agreem ent were pointed out. T h e diversion of millions of tons of
business to other com peting fields reaching the same m arkets w as shown. T he
m uch lower w age levels paid in fields com petitive w ith this district were proven.
T h e alarm ing depreciation in property values w as considered. T he num ber of
idle mines and idle miners was discussed. T he general property and business
depression prevalent in m any com m unities was adm itted. No consideration was
given to these facts. T h e operators were asked to renew an im possible w age
agreem ent. T h e mines were forced to close down July 1 a fter this conference
had failed. T he mines remained idle for 30 days, during w hich period the mine
w orkers were asked to place them selves in a position to really negotiate a w ork
able agreem ent. T his th ey refused to do. M any of the miners of central Penn
sylvania, realizing the u tter folly of the p olicy th a t w as bringing greater chaos to
the industry, solicited the operators for em ploym ent. T h e mines were opened
and are now producing as m uch coal as th ey can m arket. Stabilization of the
in dustry m ust be sought when there is more peace in the in dustry and when
passion and prejudice w ill have been entirely rem oved from the discussion. ^ Such
consideration m ust also include the great coal fields of southern W est Virginia
and K e n tu ck y as w ell as those which you have in vited to p articipate in a join t
conference w ith the United M ine W orkers of Am erica. F o r these and m any
other sound reasons the central Pennsylvania operators m ust again decline your
in vitation .
The Governor of Ohio again endeavored but without success,
to bring about a conference between Ohio coal operators and striking
miners. The president of district 6, United Mine Workers, an
nounced on January 7 that the miners would accept the governor’s
invitation to participate in a conference at Columbus on January
16, but the Ohio Coal Operators’ Association on January 10 declined
to participate.
Coal miners, Colorado.—The strike of October 18 is apparently
nearing termination. By the middle of December, reports indi
cated that miners had returned to work until production approached
normal throughout the State. Production in the southern field
was reported to be practically normal by December 23. Disturb
ances, however, continue to occur sporadically and arrests are being
made from time to time by State police.
An investigation of the industry in the northern field is being
conducted by the State industrial commission to determine the
cause of the strike, to be followed by hearings in other parts of the
State.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
110
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
On December 29 it was announced that, effective January 1, the
Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., operating in the southern fields, and said
to be the largest producing coal operator in Colorado, would increase
the basic wage of miners to $0.52 per day.
It was also announced on December 31 that the new year would
bring a wage increase of 50 cents per day to the men employed by
10 coal operators in northern Colorado, thus bringing the day rate
in these mines up to $6.77. The few other small operators in that
territory are expected to meet the prevailing wage.
Conciliation Work of the Department of Labor in December,
1927
By
H ugh
L.
K e r w in ,
D irector of C onciliation
HE Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection with 24 labor disputes
during December, 1927. These disputes affected a known
total of 34,607 employees. The table following shows the name and
location of the establishment or industry in which the dispute oc
curred, the nature of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or con
troversy 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 involved.
On January 1, 1928, 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.
T
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LABOR D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y TH E U N IT E D STA TES D E P A R T M E N T OF LA BO R TH R O U G H ITS C O N C IL IA T IO N SE R V IC E , D E C E M B E R , 1927
Workers
involved
Duration
Company or industry and location
.Nature of
controversy
Craft concerned
Clothing workers. Violation of agreement.
Unclassified. Returned pending dis
position by impartial chairman
tefore arrival of commissioner.
Pending. Casting department dis
continued .
Pending..................................... ..................
Lockout___
Molders_________
[323]
Eastern Steamship Co., Clyde
Mallory Lines, Ocean Steamship
Co., South Pacific Steamship Co.,
and Morgan Lines, New York
City.
Jeddo Highland Coal Co., Jeddo,
Pa.
D . Becker & Sons, Philadelphia,
Pa.
Leather goods workers, Brooklyn,
N . Y.
St. M ary’s College, Oakland, Calif.
Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co.,
Sugar Notch, Pa.
Dode Fitzgerald, Orpheum, and
Regent Theaters, Anderson, Ind.
1 N ot reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Drivers.
Molders discharged___
______
Asked union recognition and
union wage scale.
___ Union dispute_____________
____do
___
Tuckers.._
____do
___
Oil rig builders__
Asked 12]^ per cent increase..
Lockout___
Headwear makers. Violation of agreement_____
Strike..
Miners_________
____do_____
Miners were refused confer
ence on grievance.
Lighter captains. . Asked increase— $2.50 per
week.
____do
___
Miners_________
Working conditions.
____do
___
Upholsterers
____do
___
Leather goods___
Asked union recognition and
signed agreement.
Asked union recognition------
__
Asked $9 per day; now receiv
ing $7 and $8 per day.
____do ___ Plumbers _____
Asked pay for transportation
to and from work.
Miners__________ Promotion of men not en
Strike
titled thereto.
Controversy. Operators, musi- Asked recognition__________
cians, and stage
hands.
Strike_____ Hosiery workers... Wage cut of 10 per cent.
Controversy. Carpenters_____
_do.
Begin
ning
Ending
1927
1927
(0
Dec.
Indi
rectly
G)
l
N ov. 7
N ov.
D i
rectly
200
26
1
3
150
400
6
6
Adjusted. Allowed 10 cents increase
per hour on rig building.
Pending___________________________
Dec.
75
Adjusted. Conference granted and Dec. 5
miner given a place as desired.
Adjusted. Returned without change. Oct. 29
Dec.
130
2
Dec.
260
1,000
220
Adjusted. Returned; officials to fix
terms.
Pending___________________________
Dec.
1,210
10
G)
85
125
Pending. Injunction against picket
ing in force.
Pending______ ______ ______________
Sept. 26
45
40
G)
25
.d o .
Adjusted. Returned; district officials
to fix terms.
Pending___ ____ _________ ______ ___
.d o .
9
Dec. 16
G)
10
1, 012
9
G)
28
50
G)
150
1,350
N ov. 29
Dec.
1
CONCILIATION WORK OF THE DEPARTM ENT
Pending___ . .. _____________________
Garage workers—
Strike____
Present status and terms of settlement
G)-----------------------
White Motor Truck Co., Jersey Strike . . .
City, N . J.
Superior Fashion Clothing Co., ____do ___
N ew York City.
Barstown Stove Co., Providence,
R. I.
Wet Wash Laundry, N ew York
City.
Correct Tucking Co., N ew York
City.
Clark Rig Building Co., Ventura,
Calif.
Cloth headwear makers, Chicago,
111.
Tomhicken Mines, Hazelton, P a ...
Cause of dispute
LABOR D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E U N IT E D ST A TES D E P A R T M E N T OF LABOR T H R O U G H ITS CO N C ILIA TIO N SE R V IC E , D E C E M B E R , 1927—
Workers
involved
Duration
Company or industry and location
Nature of
controversy
Craft concerned
Cause of dispute
Present status and terms of settlement
Begin
ning
Ohio Rake Co., Dayton, Ohio____
Strike_____
[324]
Total____ ________________
'N o t reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M iners______
Wages and conditions______
Adjusted. Continued at work pending decision by officials.
Adjusted. Allowed S1.37J4 per hour;
conditions improved.
Laundry workers . Asked union recognition_____ Adjusted. Union agreement signed;
no change in wages.
Plumbers, e l e c - Asked closed s h o p _______ _ Unable to adjust___________________
trie workers, and
plasterers.
Cement workers - Wages______________
Dec.
5
Ending
D i
rectly
Dec. 28
26
Dec. 23
(')
Dec. 20
Dec. 22
Dec
Jan.
9
28
Dec. 14
Jan
3
15
Dec.
Jan.
9
120
5
159
15
20
1928
Jan. 7
27
Indi
rectly
400
1,200
5, 056
26, 000
29, 551
M ONTHLY LABO R R E V IE W
Farm implements- Wage cut of 35 per cent, 9-hour Unable to adjust
day, piecework, and open
shop.
Moving-picture theater musicians, Controversy- Musicians_______ Alleged violation of agree- Adjusted. Tentative settlement____
N ew Bedford, Mass.
ment; wage scale.
Building trades, Indianapolis, Ind _ ____do ___ Iron workers . . . Jurisdiction of placing boilers Pending___ _ _ ____________ .
Coal Bluff Mining Co., Terre Threatened
Haute, Ind.
strike.
Keith Albee Building, Boston, Strike ___
Mass.
Excelsior Cleaning & Dyeing Co., __ __do ___
New York City.
Shepherd Construction Co. and ____do __ _
Curtis Construction Co., WilkesBarre, Pa.
t—'-
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
113
Compulsory Investigation of Industrial Disputes in Colorado
N 1915 a law was passed in Colorado, modeled in the main after
the Canadian industrial disputes investigation act, which provides
that all industrial disputes occurring in Colorado and involving
four or more workers must be held in abeyance until the State indus
trial commission holds hearings and renders a decision. The Journal
of Political Economy for October, 1927, contains an article 1 giving
an analysis of the compulsory-investigation features of this act and
its amendments, a summary of operations under the act, and a dis
cussion of the value of the plan, from which the data given in this
review have been taken.
I
General Provisions of the Legislation
HE Industrial Commission of Colorado was created to administer
the act. This commission is composed of three members
appointed by the governor for a term of six years, with the arrange
ment that the appointment of one member will expire every two
years. Not more than two of the commissioners may belong to the
same political party. One commissioner represents the employers,
one the employees, and the third is assumed to represent the public,
although this is not specifically stated in the law.
All disputes concerning wages, hours, or working conditions, which
involve four or more men, come under the jurisdiction of the commis
sion, except that domestic servants, farm laborers, elective officials,
and members of the National Guard are exempt from the operations
of the act. The jurisdiction of the commission continues until after
a final hearing and award or until a prior voluntary termination of
the dispute. The law provides that “ employers and employees shall
give to the industrial commission and the one to the other at least
30 days’ prior written notice of an intended change affecting con
ditions of employment or with respect to wages or hours.” It is
unlawful for an employer to declare a lockout or for employees to go
on strike before the commission terminates jurisdiction, even if the
commission fails to file an opinion within the 30-day period. How
ever, any individual worker may quit work at will, and an employer
may discharge an employee, if such action is not taken as part of a
strike or lockout. Furthermore, there is a provision which states
that “ nothing in this act shall prohibit the suspension * * * of
any industry or any part of the activities of an industry for any cause
not constituting a lockout.” The decisions of the commission are not
binding, unless it has been selected as arbitrator.
In holding hearings, which are informal, the commission is empow
ered to summon witnesses and to examine them under oath, to order
the submission of books and documents, and to admit all evidence
whether strictly legal evidence or not. Deputies may be sent to
examine the books of employers involved in disputes and to visit
places of employment.
The act provides severe penalites for disobedience, the following
being examples: For failure to give access to records, not less than
i Journal of Political Economy, Chicago, October, 1927, pp. 657-683: “ Eleven years of compulsory investi
gation of industrial disputes in Colorado,” by Colston E . Warne and Merrill E. Gaddis.
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[3 2 5 ]
114
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
$50 a day; for striking within the prohibited period, not more than
$50 for each day on strike or six months’ imprisonment, or both;
for inciting, encouraging, or aiding such a prohibited strike, not more
than $1,000 a day or six months’ imprisonment, or both; for locking
out employees, not more than $1,000 a day or six months’ imprison
ment or both; for failure or refusal to testify or produce books, not
more than $100 a day or 30 days’ imprisonment; for refusal to obey
a lawful order of the commission, not more than $100 a day.
Operations under the Act
T H E figures on the number of controversies, workers involved,
etc., from 1915 to 1924, as given in the article, have been
taken from the records of the industrial commission. According to
these data, the number of controversies from 1915 to 1923 ranged from
80, involving 36,110 2 workers (in the period from December 1, 1918,
to December 1 , 1919), to 286, involving 23,641 workers (in the period
from December 1, 1920, to December 1, 1921). The smallest number
of employees involved in disputes occurring in any year from 1915 to
1923 was 18,037 in the 107 controversies which took place during
1919—
20, and the highest number was 36,110 in the 80 controversies in
1918-19. During 1923-24 the number of disputes declined to 59,
involving only 1,836 workers. However, in the opinion of the writers,
it is a matter of conjecture whether this decline was due to increased
respect for the commission’s decisions, to a lessening of the challenge
of organized labor, or to a more stabilized wage situation.
Factors Entering into Commission’s Wage Decisions
IN THE settlement of wage controversies by the commission, it is
reported, not less than five different factors have been taken into
consideration: (1) The cost of living, (2) the profitableness of the
industry (3) the possible effect of the wage change on the consumer,
(4) the wage situation in the same industry in other States, and (5)
payment in occupations requiring an equal degree of skill. Of these,
the commission is said to regard cost of living as the most important.
In attempting to arrive at a basis for the determination of the cost
of living, the commission has prepared its own budget estimates of
the expenses of a family of five at the minimum-of-subsistence level.
From these estimates index numbers have been prepared purporting
to show monthly changes in the cost of living since 1914. However,
the authors of the report under review state that these estimates
“ have proved to be neither accurate nor scientific in method,” but
add that ^most awards have contained only an apparent guess at the
changes in the cost of living,” and that “ other factors have played
a prominent role in shaping the decisions.”
Among these other factors they consider as outstanding the ques
tion of the profitableness of the industry, although to obtain informa
tion on this point “ no thoroughgoing examination of the books of a
company has yet been made under its [the commission’s] direction.
2The authors call attention to the fact that the 24,865 men involved in the street-railway, steel, and coal
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
reCOTd3 f°r 1918“19- TWS nUmber haS bee* added
[3 2 6 ]
IN V E S T IG A T IO N O F IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S
115
*' * * Apparently the statements of the employers have been
relied upon.”
As regards the possible effect of wage changes on the consumer, it
was found that in a few cases attention was given to this question.
In respect to the fourth factor listed, namely, the wage situation in
the same industry in other States, the commission is said to have
“ stoutly contended that Colorado industry should not be penalized
in interstate competition by an excessive wage scale. * * * As
a result of this position of the commission, companies with strong
interstate competition (or those which have out-of-state plants) have
been alert in calling attention to low wages prevailing in other States.”
In a few instances, also, definite attention has been given to wages
paid in occupations requiring a degree of skill similar to that required
in the particular occupation under consideration. The commission
has not prepared any occupational analyses but bases its decisions
in this matter on statements of the contestants in the disputes.
In addition to the above factors, reference is made to other prob
lems which have been met:
C oupled w ith wage disputes, o th er vexatious problem s have been encountered.
One of these, th e d o sed shop, h as been h an d led indecisively. I t ap p e a rs th a t
th e com m ission eith er believes th is issue o u tside of its ju risd ictio n o r holds th e
p ractice to be undesirable. A no th er bone of co n ten tio n , t h a t of allow ing w orkers
to be represented b y a g en ts of th e ir own choosing, is n evertheless decided in
fav o r of th e unions. L im itatio n of o u tp u t a n d ju risd ictio n al d isp u tes a re o u t
law ed. T he refusal to use m aterials m ade b y n o n union la b o r is te rm e d ‘‘u n fair
an d unreasonable, inasm uch as it is punishing an em ployer w ho h a s been frien d ly
w ith, an d fair to, m em bers of [organized lab o r].” 3 A ny a tte m p t b y em ployers
to victim ize “ d is tu rb e rs” am ong th e ir em ployees is likewise forbidden. T hus,
during th e w ave of w age red u ctio n s in th e coai fields, m an y em ployees who were
discharged for refusing to sign th e red u ctio n agreem ent were ordered re in sta te d
w ith p a y m en t for th e tim e lost.
Effectiveness of the Industrial Commission Act
A CCORDING to the authors of the present article, the commission
seems to have been unable to do anything to prevent the
major disputes which have developed out of controversies subject to
its jurisdiction. The most prominent of these were the coal strikes
of 1919, 1921, and 1922, the steel strike of 1919 in the Minnequa
works of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co., the Denver street-railway
strike of 1920, the printers’ strike of 1921, and the packing-house
strike of 1921. However, it is pointed out that although the commis
sion has been unable to ward off extensive strikes, it has often impaired
the effectiveness of unlawful walkouts. It has also to its credit
some “ settlements of consequence” in metal-mine disputes. In
recent years, a number of union groups have invoked the aid of the
commission to a greater extent in the handling of their troubles,
these groups including such organizations as the typographical union,
the bakery workers, the pressmen, and the building-trades unions,
as well as certain smaller unions. Still, the article states, “ as a
general rule the successful work of the commission has centered in
the cases where the union has doubted its ability to strike effectively
or wdiere the workers have been unorganized. * * * Frequently
? The source of this quotation is given as Journeymen Stone Cutters’ Association of N . A. r. Fernaid
and Walton, file 1149, Sept. 4, 1924.
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M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
unorganized workers have no option but to accept the decision;
indeed they may welcome the intervention of the commission. In a
number of cases they have been afraid to protest wage cuts. * * *
Organized labor has more confidence in its economic power than in
an appointive commission.”
The investigators found that a wide difference of opinion appears
to exist as to the effectiveness of the act, which they sum up as
follows:
* * * Sup p o rters stress th e com m unity benefit of holding in d u stria l
struggles in abeyance w hile b o th p a rtie s are b ro u g h t in to conference. S trikes
an d lockouts are decreased in num ber, p ro d u ctio n continues, ju stice m ay be
su b stitu te d for economic pow er, a n d good will ta k e s th e place of th e h a tre d w hich
follows in d u stria l conflicts. O pponents a re equally in siste n t for trad e-u n io n ism
a n d th e closed shop. T h e strik e, th e stro n g est w eapon of th e unions, can no t
be effective because of th e lim ita tio n s th ro w n a ro u n d its use. In its place th e
d oubtful expedient of a n a p p eal to th e com m ission is given. F u rth e rm o re , th e y
hold th a t th e com m issioners m ay be, a n d generally are, biased. T he com m ission
often w orks slowly, is o p p o rtu n istic, can n o t enforce its decisions, a n d is n o t able
to p rev en t th e victim izatio n of union leaders.
Ill considering the advantages and drawbacks which have accom
panied the administration of this law, as they see them, the authors
analyze the situation as follows:
T o th e credit of th e com m ission it m ay be said th a t: (1) In th e sm aller dis
p u tes in d u strial stoppage h as been m inim ized; (2) open in d u stria l w arfare has
been m ade less p ro b ab le; (3) em ployers a n d em ployees h av e increasingly come
to use th e p lan v o lu n tarily in o b tain in g settlem en ts; (4) th e com pulsory fe a tu re s
of th e law h av e been k e p t in th e back g ro u n d , stress being placed on conciliation;
(5) e m b ittered d isp u ta n ts h a v e been b ro u g h t to g e th e r w ith o u t loss of d ig n ity or
d isad v an tag e in b arg ain in g position; a n d (6) m an y form alities a n d techn icalities
have been avoided to g et a t th e facts.
O n th e o th e r h an d , serious lim ita tio n s h av e ap p eared . (1) T h e com m ission
has em ployed u n tru stw o rth y cost-of-living sta tistic s as a basis for w age decisions.
T h a t ap p ro p riatio n s h av e n o t been av ailab le lessens in no w ay th e necessity of
accu rate sta tistic a l calculations as a basis of sound ju d g m e n t w hen responsi
bility for m akin g w age aw ard s is assum ed. (2) T h e com m ission h as failed to
analyze carefully th e ab ility of a n in d u stry to p a y a given wage. (3) N o a d e
q u a te or uniform principle h as been used as th e basis for w age fixation. (4) T he
com m ission h as freq u en tly failed in large disputes, e ith e r th ro u g h ta r d y actio n
or b y th e lack of a co n sisten t policy. (5) In te rs ta te disp u tes h av e n o t been
well handled, a difficulty w hich seem s in h eren t in a n y p lan for S ta te reg u latio n
of in d u stria l controversies. (6) T h e com m ission h as n o t been able or willing
to p ro te c t th e w orkers from th e p re p a ra tio n s m ade by em ployers du rin g th e
30-day period. T he strateg ic pow er of lab o r h as been m aterially red u ced by
th e law . (7) P rev en tiv e w ork has been neglected, v ery little h av in g been
accom plished (as c o n tem p lated b y th e law) to p re v e n t d isp u tes th ro u g h inspec
tio n s t h a t w ould rev eal sw eated conditions, u n sa n ita ry env iro n m en t, unsafe or
dangerous m achinery. In fact, a ctio n is o rdinarily ta k e n only a fte r disp u tes
h ave arisen. (8) T h e com m ission h as failed to gain th e su p p o rt of public opinion
b y m ak in g its a n n u a l re p o rt^ uniform , clear, a n d sufficiently d etailed to be of
value e ith e r to th e s tu d e n t of in d u stria l problem s or to th e general read er. (9)
A dequate steps have n o t been ta k e n to p re v e n t com panies from victim izing
m en w ho have been a ctiv e in pressing dem ands for w age increases. I t is easy
for a com pany to find such m en to be “ inefficient.” (10) I t is a m oot q uestion
w hqther unorganized w orkers are benefited by th e e n actm en t. Such w orkers
are seldom ad eq u a te ly a n d coherently represented. F u rth erm o re, th e y find
organization difficult, if n o t im possible, to a tta in because of th e ineffectiveness
of th e suspended strike. M oreover, u n d er th e open shop th e y are h e sita n t to
ask th e com m ission to in terv en e in th e a d ju s tm e n t of wages.
The writers consider that it is an open question whether trust
should be placed in this plan of compulsory investigation, and they
consider as even more doubtful the advisability of extending the
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[328]
S T R IK E S IN
117
CHINA, 1 9 2 5 AND 1 9 2 6
experiment in its present form to other States, “ where the problems
would be more complex and where the voice of public opinion would
be even less pronounced than in Colorado.” However, they make
specific suggestions which they believe would insure the greater
effectiveness of the plan, which are quoted below:
F irst, sufficient ap p ro p riatio n s should be g ra n te d to allow th e com m ission to
carry on its w ork ad equately . (C areful sta tistic a l studies are especially needed.)
Second, th e law should include some principle or principles of w age fixation for
th e guidance of com m issioners; especially should a clear a n d specific m inim um
w age basis be established. T h ird , th e 30-day w aitin g period should be scaled
dow n to 10, or possibly 5, days. T his procedure w ould secure th e benefit of
allowing b o th p arties to “ cool off,” while m inim izing th e ad v a n ta g e given th e
em ployer by th e w aiting period. F o u rth , th e law should c o n tain a n expressed
recognition of collective barg ain in g to be exercised by b o th p a rtie s th ro u g h
agencies of th e ir ow n choosing. As a n experim ent, a suggestion m ig h t be to
insist upon all w orkers’ h aving o rganizations th ro u g h w hich n eg o tiatio n s w ould
be carried on. Such organizations w ould be registered by th e com m ission. In
th is w ay m uch of th e existing difficulty could be avoided. * * * Finally,
th e com m ission should m ake its rep o rts uniform , clear, a n d sufficiently detailed
to reveal th e n a tu re of resu lts obtain ed . Steps should also be ta k e n to give such
rep o rts w idespread publicity .
Strikes in China, 1925 and 1926 4
HERE was a remarkable increase in the number of strikes in
China in 1926 in comparison with preceding years, the record
being 535 for 1926 and 318 for 1925, while for the 8-year period,
1918 to 1925, there were were only 698, counting those directly
resulting from the “ Shanghai affair” of May 30, 1925.
This phenomenal rise in the number of strikes is declared to be a
fair indication of “ the growing labor movement and its increasing
complexities.” At the same time it is pointed out that strike report
ing and data collection for 1926 were more satisfactory than for former
periods, and consequently the number of unreported strikes should
be fewer in 1926 than for previous years.
The number of strikes and of strikers and the duration of strikes
in 1925 and 1926 are shown in the following statement. The figures
in parentheses used here, as well as in the tables following, include
the strikes arising from the incident in Shanghai on May 30, 1925.
T
1925
T o ta l n u m b er of strikes _ __ _
183
S trikes for w hich n u m b er of strik ers w as rep o rted
103
T o tal n u m b er of strikers
. . . 403, 334
3,916
A verage n u m b er of strik ers p e r d isp u te .
S trikes for w hich d u ra tio n w as re p o rte d .
95
T o ta l n u m b er of d ay s lost
505
5 .3 2
A verage d u ra tio n of strik es (d ay s). _
1926
(318)
535
(198)
(784, 821)
(3, 964)
(120)
(2, 266)
(18. 88)
313
539, 585
1, 723. 91
340
2, 335
6. 87
* Labor Review, October, 1926, pp. 99-112; and Chinese Economic Journal, Peking, December, 1927,
pp. 1077-1079.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
118
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
The number
of strikes of 1925
and
1926,
classified by industries,
is
as follows:
1925
T extile trades______________________________________
Foods and foodstuffs________________________________
Household goods___________________________________
Construction and building____________________________
T ool m aking and m anufacturing_______________________
Com m unication and transp ortation _____________
Basic industries____________________________________
E ducational enterprises______________________________
Personal hygiene and public h ealth ____________________
Ornam ents and luxuries______________________
M iscellaneous______________________________________
73
11
7
9
8
30
7
14
3
6
15
1926
(105)
(25)
(12)
(15)
(27)
(42)
(9)
(20)
(10)
(11)
(42)
T o ta l_______________________________________________ 183 (318)
201
34
10
19
64
77
5
41
18
23
43
535
T h e n u m b e r o f r e p o r t e d s t r i k e s f o r 1 9 2 5 a n d 1 9 2 6 , c la s s if ie d b y
c a u s e s , is a s f o l l o w s :
E conom ic pressure:
1925
H igh cost of liv in g _____________________________________
11
(11)
W age in crease________________________________
78
(79)
Increase in fees________________________________________
4
(4)
Increase in ta x e s___ ___________________________________
2
(2)
W age deductio n or re d u c tio n , ________________________
9
(9)
T re a tm e n t of labor:
3
(3)
W orking h o u rs___________________________ ____ •________
M a ltre a tm e n t__________________________________________ 27
(27)
C hange of w orking c o n d itio n s__________________________
4
(4)
11
(11)
Policy of em p lo y e r_____________________________________
F o re m a n _______________________________________________
7
(7)
Tips, bonuses, e tc __ ______________________________________________
A gainst dism issal of w o rk m a n _____________________________________
M iscellaneous_____________________________________________________
P o p u lar m o v em e n ts:
P a trio tic d em o n stra tio n s_______________________________
2 (136)
N ew -though t m o v e m e n ts_______________________________
5
(5)
R ig h t to organize u n io n s____________________________________
4
(4)
O utside conflicts____________________________________________
4
(4)
S ym p ath etic strik e s____________________________________________________
M iscellaneous______________________________________________
11
(11)
C ause u n k n o w n ____________________________________________
1
(1)
1926
19
210
9
4
8
T o ta l________________________________________ 183
535
(318)
13
30
10
14
45
8
36
16
16
3
11
15
16
23
29
With reference to mediation methods it should be noted that in
1926 “ the part played by the Kuomintang government as an arbitra
tor was appreciably more important than in former years, because in
1926 the Kuomintang gradually extended its influence in the Wu-han
area and the lower Yangtze Valley and wherever the party has gone
it has carried with it the tactics of directing the labor movement. In
1926, out of a total of 535 strikes, 266 cases were settled either
through the efforts of the representatives of employers and employees
or of third parties.”
End of Lockout of Cigar Makers in Germany
REPORT from Egmont C. von Tresckow, consul in charge at
Berlin, states that the strike of 120,000 cigar workers in
Germany was brought to an end on December 1, 1927, as a
result of negotiations between the workers and employers held in
conjunction with the Federal Minister of Labor. An agreement
A
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[330]
IN DU STRIAL D ISPUTES IN IN DIA, FIR ST HALF OF 1927
119
was reached which provides that the reprisals taken by the hostile
parties shall be repealed immediately, work is to be resumed without
delay, and no punishments are to be inflicted upon the strikers.
The existing wage agreement which was to expire March 31, 1928,
is extended until March 31, 1929, and the current wages will, from
March 31, 1928, be increased 12 per cent, and for the districts of
Hamburg and Bremen 10 per cent. At the suggestion of one of the
parties, conditions in the industry may be reinvestigated after
October 1, 1928, with a view to determining whether the cost of
living warrants a revision of the wage scales. Such an investigation
would be made by three neutral persons, to be appointed by the
Federal Minister of Labor.
Industrial Disputes in India, First Half of 1927
HE Government of India has recently issued a bulletin con
taining statistics relating to the industrial disputes occurring
in India during the six months ending June 30, 1927, which is
summarized in the October, 1927, issue of the Bombay Labor Gazette.
During this period there were 74 disputes, involving 78,698 work
people and occasioning an aggregate loss of 977,244 working-days.
Grouped by the kinds of estabhshments in which they occurred, the
disputes were as follows:
T
G E N E R A L E FF E C T S OF D ISPU T E S, B Y E ST A BL ISH M EN T S '
Number
of dis
putes
Number of
workpeople
involved
Number of
working-days
lost
Cotton mills--_ .
Jute mills____
____
. _____
Engineering w orkshops____
Railways (including railway workshops)____ _____- ____ _ _ _
Others____ . . . ______ ________
27
7
5
2
33
12,220
23,596
3,642
23,114
16,126
129,749
178,415
26,295
563,421
79,364
__________ ____ ________ _
74
78,698
977,244
Kind of establishment
Total_____
While the greatest number of disputes occurred in cotton mills,
they were apt to be less important than in some other industries.
All the 27 disagreements which occurred in cotton mills involved
fewer people and far less loss of time than the 7 occurring in jute
mills or the 2 railway disputes. These last were by far the most
serious disputes of the half year, accounting for 57.7 per cent of the
total time lost in all disputes.
Exactly half of the disputes, 37, arose over questions of pay, 20
were due to matters of personnel, 3 related to question of leave and
hours, and 14 are grouped as due to other causes. The two railroad
disputes arose over questions of personnel. In cotton mills, disa
greements as to pay caused the greatest number of disputes, 14,
personnel accounted for 10, and miscellaneous causes for 3.
Seventy-two of the disputes were settled during the half year.
The employees were entirely successful in 8 of these (11 per cent),
partially successful in 25 (35 per cent), and wholly unsuccessful in
54 per cent. In the two large railway disputes they were partially
successful. In the cotton-mill disputes they were wholly successful
in 2 cases, partly so in 5, and unsuccessful in 20. Two disputes were
still pending at the close of the period covered.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1331]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Index Numbers of Wages, 1840 to 1926
General Index of Hourly Wages
N THE Labor Review of February, 1921, an index of earnings
per hour of wage earners generally was given for the period 1840
to 1920. In the preparation of that index number use was
made of such wage data as were available for the various lines of em
ployment, except that figures for agricultural labor were excluded.
Frequent demand has been made for the continuation of this index
down to a later year from persons who want to follow the trend of
the broad field of wage rates rather than rates in specified industries
and occupations.
There never has been a wage-rate census in the United States.
Satisfactory wage-rate data have been collected in many of the major
industries, but there are other industries for which wage figures have
not been compiled. However, while the information is not all
inclusive, sufficient data are available to warrant continuation of
the index down to 1926.
I
T able
1
.— IN D E X
N U M B E R S OF W AGES P E R H O UR, 1840 TO 1926 (E X C LU SIV E OF
A G R IC U L T U R E )
[Currency basis during Civil War period.
Year
Index
number
Year
Index
number
Year
1913 = 100]
Index
number
Year
Index
number
•>'
1840
1841
1842___
1843___
1844,.
1845..
1846—
1847—
1848 .
1849
1850
1851
1852 1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
I860
1861
33
34
33
33
32
33
34
34
35
36
35
34
35
35
37
38
39
40
39
39
39
40
1862
1863
1864__________
1865__________
1866__________
1867______
1868. 1869. .
1870_______
1871____
1872. 18731874 ___
1875____
1876--1877____
1878.
1879
18801881
1882.
1883- -
41
44
50
58
61
63
65
66
67
68
69
69
67
67
64
61
60
59
60
62
63
64
1884__________
1885--,
1886__________
1887__________
1888__________
1889__________
1890__________
1891__________
1892__________
1893__________
1894__________
1895_________
1896__________
1897__________
1898__________
1899__________
1900__________
1901__________
1902__________
1903__________
1904__________
1905__________
64
64
64
67
67
68
69
69
69
69
67
68
69
69
69
70
73
74
77
80
80
82
1906___________
1907___________
1908___________
1909___________
1910___________
1911___________
1912___________
1913___________
1914___________
1915___________
1916___________
1917___________
1918___________
1919___________
1920___________
1921___________
1922___________
1923___________
1924___________
1925...... ............ .
1926___________
85'
89
89
90
93
95
97
100
102:
103
111
128
162:
184
234
218
208:
217
223
226
229
The early part of 1920 was a period of great industrial activity,
and in this period employment and hourly earnings reached their
highest point. A sharp downward trend of employment occurred
in the latter part of the year. There was a great reduction in employ
ment in the depressed year, 1921, accompanied, as might be expected,
by a reduction in wage rates. The slump continued in 1922. As
business conditions improved in 1923 there was a gain in wage rates
which has been augmented each succeeding year,
120
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[332]
121
WAGES OF M ILK ERS— CALIFORNIA
It must not be assumed that changes have been alike in all lines of
employment. Heavy factors in the upward trend since 1922 are the
trades engaged in baking, building, stonework, auto driving, freight
handling, and printing. All of these trades were particularly active
during recent years and they have had very substantial wage
increases. The building trades and all of these trades collectively
had a wage rate 26 per cent higher in 1926 than in 1920. Anthracitecoal workers had an increase of 10 per cent in the latter part of 1923.
On the other hand, earnings per hour in many lines were considerably
lower in 1926 than in 1920. To illustrate, there was a decrease of
32 per cent in hourly earnings in cotton manufacturing, of 22 per
cent in woolen manufacturing, of 15 per cent in the iron and steel
industry, and of 6 per cent in railroad wages, all as between 1920
and 1926.
Farm-wage Index
t r A R M - W A G E rates are collected by the Department of Agriculture,
and that department has computed index numbers therefor.
Average rates and index numbers computed from them for the period
1866 to 1926 are published in the Yearbook of Agriculture for 1926.
The index numbers as computed by the Department of Agriculture
have the average for the five years, 1910-1914, as the base or 100.
In Table 2 the index numbers are printed in their original form on the
1910-1914 base. In addition these index numbers have been con
verted to a 1913 base to permit a comparison with the general index
above.
T able
Z
—IN D E X N U M B E R S OF FARM -W AGE RA TES, 1866 TO 1926
(Years 1866 to 1878 in gold)
Index numbers of
farm wage rates
on basis of—
Year
Index numbers of
farm wage rates
on basis of—
Year
Year
Average,
1910-1914 1913 = 100
= 100
1866________
1869________
1874 or 1875__
1877 or 1879. __
1879 or 1880-_1880 or 1881__.
1881 or 1882...
1884 or 1885__
1887 or 1888.__
1889 or 1890...
1891 or 1892...
1893________
Index numbers of
farm wage rates
on basis of—
55
54
59
56
59
62
65
65
66
66
67
67
53
52
57
54
57
60
63
63
63
63
64
64
Average,
1910-1914 1913 = 100
= 100
1894.
1895______
1898________
1899________
1902________
1906________
1909________
1910________
1911________
1912________
1913________
1914
61
62
65
68
76
92
96
97
97
101
104
101
59
60
63
65
73
88
92
93
93
97
100
97
Average,
1910-1914 1913 = 100
= 100
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
109
112
140
176
206
239
150
146
166
166
168
171
Ô8
108
135
169
198
230
144
140
160
160
162
164
Wages of Milkers in the Dairy Industry in California, 1906 to
1927
S T U D Y of the economic aspects of the dairy industry in
California, made at the request of the various dairy interests
of that State, has recently been published by the agricultural
experiment station of the College of Agriculture of the University
of California.1
A
1
University of California. College of Agriculture. Agricultural Experiment Station.
aspects of the dairy industry, by Edwin C. Voorhies. Berkeley, 1927. (Bulletin 437.)
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[333]
Economic
122
m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
In considering the question of labor in the dairy industry, data
were obtained on the wages paid to workers whose sole occupation
is the milking of the cows. This work is done in most States by the
regular farm help or by the dairyman’s family, but in California
many of the dairy farms employ professional milkers, who possess a
skill that the average farm laborer does not attain. On the larger
dairy farms these milkers are employed to milk “ strings” of cows
varying in number from 20 to 33.
The following table shows the maximum, minimum, and average
monthly wages paid to milkers in California from 1906 to 1927, in
addition to board and keep. The figures were obtained by the
investigator from employment agents operating at San Francisco,
Stockton, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.
M A X IM U M , M IN IM U M , A N D AVER A G E M O N T H L Y W AGES PA ID TO M IL K E R S IN
CALIFO RN IA , 1906-1927
Index numbers (1910-1914=100)
Wages per month
Year
Minimum Maximum
1906________________________
1907________________________
1908________________________
1909________________________
1910________________________
1911________________________
1912________________________
1913________________________
1914________________________
1915________________________
1916________________________
1917________________________
1918________________________
1919________________________
1920________________________
1921________________________
1922________________________
1923________________________
1924________________________
1925________________________
1926________________________
1927 (through October), _____
$30. 00
30. 00
35. 00
35. 00
35. 00
35. 00
35. 00
35. 00
35. 00
40. 00
40.00
45. 00
60. 00
80. 00
90. 00
90. 00
70. 00
75. 00
80. 00
80. 00
80. 00
70. 00
$40. 00
40.00
40. 00
40.00
40. 00
40.00
40. 00
45.00
45. 00
50. 00
50. 00
55. 00
77. 50
100. 00
100. 00
110. 00
90. 00
95. 00
100. 00
100. 00
100. 00
100. 00
Average
$35. 00
35.00
37. 50
37. 50
37. 50
37. 50
37. 50
40. 00
40.00
45. 00
45. 00
50. 00
68. 75
90. 00
95. 00
100. 00
80.00
85. 00
90. 00
90. 00
90. 00
85.00
Minimum
wage
Maximum
wage
85.7
85.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
114. 3
114. 3
128.6
171. 4
228. 6
257. 1
257.1
200.0
214.3
228.6
228.6
228.6
200.0
95.2
95. 2
95. 2
95.2
95.2
95. 2
95.2
107. 1
107.1
119.0
119.0
131. 0
185.0
238. 1
238.1
261. 9
214.3
226.2
238.1
238. 1
238.1
238.1
Average
wage
90.9
90.9
97.4
97.4
97.4
97.4
97.4
104.0
104.0
113.9
116.9
129.9
178.6
233. 8
246.8
259. 7
207.8
220.8
233.8
233.8
233.8
220.8
Report of Belgian Commission on Eight-Hour Day 2
1924 a commission was appointed by the King of Belgium to
inquire into the effects of the law of June 14, 1921, instituting in
that country an 8-hour day and a 48-hour week. Among the 41
members of this body were Government officials, university professors,
industrialists, and representatives of labor organizations.
The full report of the commission, published in 1927, contains 467
pages and includes hearings, replies to questionnaires, reports of
subcommittees, and the recommendations adopted by the commis
sion. It is, however, frequently and emphatically pointed out in
this volume that replies to the commission’s inquiries were often mere
expressions of opinions which were backed by neither investigation
nor proofs. The fact that so many undertakings and organizations
I
N
2
Belgium, Ministère de l ’Industrie, du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale, Compte-rendu des travaux
de la commission chargée de s’enquérir des effets de la loi du 14 juin 1921 instituant la journée de huit
heures et la semaine de quarante-huit heures, Brussels, 1927, pp. 455-457, 462, 463; and International
Labor Office, Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, M ay 23, 1927, pp. 299-304.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 3 4 ]
REPO RT OF B ELG IA N COMMISSION ON E IG H T-H O U R D A Y
123
failed to re p ly a t all also a d v e rse ly affects th e v a lu e of th e findings.
W ith th e se sh o rtc o m in g s in view , v a rio u s e x c e rp ts fro m th e re p o rts
of th e th re e s u b c o m m itte e s a re g iv en below :
Reports of First Subcommittee
AJATIONAL 'production.— In 1923-24 production in coal mining
and in the iron and cement industries was about up to the pre
war level. In about 50 per cent of the undertakings working up
iron and steel the output was very much above that level, while in
quarries, work on zinc and allied metal, and in the mechanical and
in the metal-construction industries there was deficit in production.
I n c e rta in b ra n c h e s of th e te x tile in d u s try n a tio n a l p ro d u c tio n in
g en e ral w as re p o rte d to b e a p p re c ia b ly g re a te r th a n befo re th e w a r
as w as also p ro d u c tio n in ta n n e rie s a n d ch o co late, m a rg a rin e , an d
to b acc o fa cto ries. O n th e o th e r h a n d , som e b ra n c h e s of th e tex tile
in d u s tr y a re e ith e r a t th e p re -w a r lev el o r slig h tly ab o v e it. L ow er
p ro d u c tio n is re co rd e d in th e w oolen in d u s try of th e V e n d e rs d is tric t,
in th e sh o e fa c to rie s a n d in th e clo th in g in d u s try .
Hourly production.— A m o n g th e in d u s trie s in w hich i t w as re p o rte d
h o u rly p ro d u c tio n h a d in c re a se d w ere coal m in in g , m e ta l m in in g ,
th e e x tra c tio n a n d p re p a ra tio n of m in e ra l, c e rta in q u a rrie s, a n d th e
w o rk in g u p of iro n a n d steel. H o u rly o u tp u t h a d in cre ased in h alf
of th e sc re w -b o lt fa c to rie s a n d in th e m a jo rity of m ech a n ical a n d
m e ta l-c o n s tru c tio n u n d e rta k in g s. A d ecrease w as re p o rte d , ac c o rd
ing to th e re p lie s re c e iv e d fro m em p lo y ers, in c o a l-ta r d istilla tio n an d
in th e m a n u fa c tu re of a rtific ia l silk, glue a n d g e latin e, m atch e s, u ltra m a rin e b lu e, a n d p a p e r.
Labor.— I n th e te x tile in d u s try in F la n d e rs a sc a rc ity of ap p re n tic e s
w as n o te d , a s w as also a sh o rta g e of la b o r, esp ecially skilled lab o r, in
c e rta in u n d e rta k in g s in q u a rrie s a n d m ech a n ical engineering. T h e
n u m b e r of w o rk e rs h a s in cre ased in th e ch em ical an d p a p e r in d u strie s
an d c o st p rice s h a v e risen .
Equipment.— Im p ro v e m e n t in e q u ip m e n t w as re p o rte d in v ario u s
in d u strie s. M a n y of th e em p lo y ers, h o w ev er, re g a rd th is im p ro v e
m e n t as n o rm a l a n d n o t as th e re s u lt of th e h o u rs-o f-w o rk law .
Report of Second Subcommittee
J J HEMPLOY M E E T.— The law would seem to have had no general
or uniform effects on unemployment. The provisions of the
act permits of special adaptation to circumstances in order not to
interfere with the needs of production. There is a conflict of opinion
as to whether the act has influenced the seasonal trade, 9 employers
declaring that it had and 13 that it had not. On the same question
22 replies from workers were on the positive side and 29 on the nega
tive. Legislators hoped that the shortening of the working-day
would immediately give work to the jobless. However, the taking
of work from those who have it to give it to those who have it not is
declared to be far too simple a scheme to solve such a complex prob
lem as unemployment, influenced as it is by the fluctuating demands
for commodities, slowing down of production, cost prices, and other
factors.
82645°—28-----9
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
Migration.—The conclusion is reached that in general there is no
relation between immigration and the eight-hour law, and the exodus
of Belgian labor is attributed to the higher wages and other special
advantages given to workers in France as well as to the more liberal
application of the eight-hour law in that country.
Report of Third Subcommittee
T TTILIZATION of workers'1 spare time.—A great majority of the
^
employers’ replies are heavy with pessimism in regard to the
manner in which the workers utilize the leisure secured under the
eight-hour act. iti general, employers consider that the workers
use this time to go to theaters, motion pictures, cabarets, dances,
etc. A much smaller group of employers state, however, that seriousminded workers devote their spare time to the cultivation of small
plots of ground or to working for farmers or to other remunerative
employment. Young unmarried workers prefer sports and other
amusements.
For the most part the workers ’ replies present a sharp contrast to
those of the employers. With a few exceptions, employees answer
that the new leisure contributes to their physical and intellectual
development and “ raises their social level.” Among the more fre
quently reported uses of their spare time were gardening, small-scale
land cultivation and stock breeding, reading, the following of trade
courses, attendance at adult schools, study circles, conferences, and
membership in musical and dramatic societies. A few of the workers’
replies stated that trade courses were not so well attended or attended
no better than before the law was enacted.
Recommendations of Commission
rT",HE commission as a whole recommended a simplification of “ the
formalities and negotiations” provided in article 7 of the law
to secure authorization for overtime “ to meet an extraordinary
accumulation of orders.”
In the commission’s judgment, it was also advisable to authorize
making up days lost, with the proviso, however, that the number of
hours worked per day should not exceed 10 or not exceed an average
of 48 hours a week for a six months’ period.
The commission was of the opinion that the difficulties arising
from the “ regrettable prejudices and numerous misunderstandings”
disclosed by its inquiry might be solved in part by a loyal and exact
interpretation of the act and in part by agreement between the heads
of undertakings and the labor organizations.
Decision of Minister of Labor, Industry, and Social Welfare
r \N JANUARY 11, 1927, in conformity with the views of the
commission, the Ministry of Industry, Labor, and Social Wel
fare rendered a decision, which is reproduced in part below:
As regards the conditions required for the grant of authorizations prolonging
hours of work under section 7 of the act, it seemed desirable, as a result of the
work of the committee of inquiry into the effects of the act, to define clearly
certain circumstances which might justify the grant of such authority. From
this point of view, the fact that production has been interrupted by a circum[336]
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125
PAYM ENT FOR OVERTIME IN GERMANY
stance outside the control of the employer and the workers may be henceforth
assimilated to the “ extraordinary accumulation of orders” provided for explicitly
in the text of section 7. As circumstances of this nature may be quoted disasters
such as accidents, fires, floods, collapses of buildings, and incidents of industrial
life such as the breakage of machines, the installation of new apparatus, etc.,
always^ provided, however, that strikes, lockouts, and stoppages of work due to
local fêtes continue to be excluded.
Generally speaking, the Factory Inspection Department must do its utmost
to hasten so far as possible notification of requests for exemptions under section 7
of the act. For this purpose the Provincial Factory Inspection Service is requested
to proceed with such notification as often as possible on the same day as the
reception of the requests, so that it may be possible on the day after the reception
to send the full dossier of the question to the Central Factory Inspection Depart
ment, which will examine them without delay and pass them to the third section
of Labor Office. This department will immediately draw up the necessary decree
and submit it to me on the same day.
Wage Rates in Brazil in 1926
H E p re v a ilin g w age ra te s fo r a selec ted list of o cc u p atio n s in
B raz il d u rin g th e y e a r 1926 a p p e a re d in a co m m u n icatio n
from C o n su l D ig b y A. W illson a t B io d e Ja n e iro , d a te d S ep
te m b e r 14, 1927. The follow ing ta b le w as co m piled fro m th is re p o rt:
T
W AGES IN SP E C IF IE D OCCUPATIONS A N D LOCALITIES IN BRAZIL, 1926
[Conversions into United States currency made on basis of milreis=12 cents]
Occupation
Federal
District
Rio de
Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Santas
Pernam
buco
Daily wages
Mechanics, sk ille d .............................
Carpenters______________________
Bricklayers______________________
Electricians, skilled______________
Electricians, ordinary____________
Stevedores_______________________
Chauffeurs______ ______ __________
Motormen, railway_______________
Conductors, railway______________
Factory workers, male____________
Factory workers, female___________
Factory workers, minors____ _____
Laborers, unskilled_______________
Agricultural workers, during harvest
season_________________________
Agricultural workers, other seasons..
$1. 80 $3. 00 $1. 44-$2.16
1. 80- 3. 60
1.44- 2.40
1. 44- 3. 00
1. 20- 2. 40
1. 80- 4. 20
1. 44- 1. 92
1. 20- 1. 68
. 98- 1. 20
1. SO
1. 80
1. 80- 2. 40
1. 44- 1. 80
1. 44- 2. 40
. 96- 1. 80
. 96- 1. 44
.72- .84
. 96- 3. 00
. 72- 1. 80
.84- 1.68
. 36- 1. 08
.36- .76
. 24- . 60
.36- .84
.36- .60
.48- . 84
.48
$1. 80-$2. 40 i$42.00-$60.00 $1. 44-$2. 40
2.40- 3. 60
1. 92
.96- 1.44
1.44- 2.16
1.92
.96- 1.20
1. 80- 3. 60 148. 00- 84. 00 1. 80- 2.16
1.20- 1.80 130. 00- 36. 00
.96- 1.44
1 80
1. 80- 3. 00
1. 80- 2. 40
.96- 1.80
1. 44- 2. 40
1. 20- 1. 92
. 96- 1.44
. 96- 1. 44
. 96- 1. 20
.96- 1.08
1. 20- 2. 64 i 24. 00- 30. 00
.48- .60
. 60- 1. 44 118. 00- 24. 00
.25- .48
.36- .72 112. 00- 18. 00
.25
.36- .78
. 36- . 72
.60
.60- 96
. 48- . 72
.24- .42
M onthly wages
Waiters.
C ooks..
M aids..
$12. 00-$21. 00
18. 00- 36 00
12. 00- 24. 00
$3. 60-$7. 20 $12. 00-$18. 00
12. 00-24. 00 18. 00- 42. 00
9. 00-12. 00 12. 00- 24. 00
$3. 60-$9. 00 $4. 80-$7. 20
15. 00-30. 00 9. 00-18. 00
9. 00-15. 00 4. 20- 9. 00
1 Per month.
Payment for Overtime in Germany3
NFORMATION (based on statements in the German press) is
given below of provisions governing hours of work and payment
of overtime incorporated in collective agreements or arbitration
awards in the main German industries (metal, mining, textile,
chemical, woodworking, and tobacco) under the emergency act of
April 14, 1927.
I
3
Reprinted from International Labor Office, Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, Nov. 28,1927,
pp. 264-266.
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MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
It will be remembered that the act prescribes an eight-hour day for
all classes of workers covered by the orders of November 23, 1918,
and March 18, 1919 (industrial workers and employees). Whereas,
however, previous regulations did not fix special rates of remuneration
for overtime, section 6a of the act provides that overtime shall be
conditional on an increase of 25 per cent as from the forty-ninth
hour, unless the interested party has made some other arrangement
after the coming into operation of the act or special circumstances
justify a different regulation.
The act adds that where on April 1, 1927, overtime was regulated
by a collective agreement or authorized by official permit, section 6a
shall not come into operation until the expiration of the collective
agreement or the official permit, but in no case later than July 1, 1927.
Metal Industry
CAXO NY.—An arbitration award of April, 1927, provides for the
réintroduction of the 48-hour week; prior to that date it was
permissible to prolong the working week up to 52 hours. Whenever
authorized, overtime must be paid at special rates. The award does
not define these rates.
Iron and steel group oj northwest Germany.—By an award given at
the end of July, 1927, weekly hours of work were reduced, as from
August 2, 1927, from 59 to 57 for continuous process iron foundries;
as from August 8, from 56 to 54 hours; and after October 3 from
54 to 52 hours for establishments engaged in the transformation of
metal. The award contains no special provisions respecting the
payment for overtime.
Cologne.—An arbitration award made compulsory on July 24, 1927,
fixes 48 hours as the working week. Employers may order a weekly
prolongation of four hours until November 1 and of three hours
after that date. Wages are increased by 20 per cent from the fortyninth to the fifty-second hour.
Aix-la-Chapelle.—An arbitration award provides for a 10 per cent
increase in wages from the forty-ninth to the fifty-fourth hour from
July 1 to November 1, and a 25 per cent increase after that date.
From July 1 an increase of 25 per cent must be paid from the fiftyfifth hour.
Berlin— A standard collective agreement, concluded at the end of
May, 1927, establishes a 48-hour week. Where necessary an extra
hour per day may be ordered from Monday to Friday, inclusive.
The average working hours may not exceed 51 per week for a period
of 12 weeks. The agreement provides for an increase of 15 per cent
for overtime and of 50 per cent for work done on Sundays and public
holidays.
Wurtemberg.—An arbitration award in operation since June 1,
1927, provides for a normal week of 48 hours and the following
increases in respect of overtime: 10 per cent from the forty-ninth to
fifty-second hour; 20 per cent from the fifty-third to the fifty-fourth
hour; 25 per cent from the fifty-fifth to the fifty-sixth hour; 50 per
cent after 56 hours.
Lower Silesia.—According to an award of July 1,48 hours are worked
per week. The increase for overtime is 15 per cent from the fortyninth to the fifty-fourth hour and 25 to 50 per cent from the fiftyfifth hour.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[338]
PAYM ENT FOR OVERTIME IN GERMANY
127
Mining Industry
Silesia.—According to an arbitration award made compul
L OWER
sory on J u n e 1927, daily hours of work for surface workers vary
1 ,
from 9 to
according to circumstances. Overtime wages are in
creased by 15 per cent for the 9th hour and by 25 per cent for the
10th hour.
Saxony.—According to an arbitration award issued during April,
1927, workers received, as from July 1, an increase of 15 per cent for
the 9th hour and of 25 per cent for the 10th hour.4
Textile Industry
A S IT was not found possible to draw up new regulations by
common consent in the textile industry, awards were issued in
April, May, June, and July, 1927, at the request of one or the other of
the parties concerned.
The normal working week was fixed at 48 hours, increases for over
time varying from 10 to 25 per cent from the forty-ninth hour up to
the fifty-sixth hour, according to the districts and branches of the
industry concerned.
Chemical Industry
IN ACCORDANCE with section 6a of the emergency act of April
14, 1927, an arbitration award allows workers in the chemical
industry a 25 per cent increase in wages for every hour of overtime
worked according to the provisions of the act.
Woodworking Industry
'“THE standard collective agreement previously in force in the Ger*■ man woodworking industry granted for the first three hours
worked in excess of the 48-hour week an increase of 10 per cent of the
average wage. In virtue of an arbitration award made on July 1
at the request of the Federal Minister of Labor, an increase of 25 per
cent must be paid for the first three hours of overtime.
Paper, Cardboard, Cellulose, and Wood-pulp Industry
system was previously in force in this industry.
THEAntwo-shift
arbitration award accepted by both parties at the end of
July, 1927, prescribes the 8-hour day and 48-hour week. The threeshift system was to be brought into operation before September 30,
but in case of necessity this date could be extended to December 31,
1927. Wages are increased by 10 per cent from the forty-eighth to
the fifty-fourth hour and by 25 per cent after the fifty-fourth hour.
4
Attention should also be drawn to the following three arbitration awards given before the coming into
operation of the act of April 14, 1927:
,
.
T h e R u h r .— An award of Mar. 18,1927, prescribes the 8-hour day for underground workers, the reduc
tion of working hours from 10 to 9 for surface workers in continuous-process establishments, and a reduction
of the daily hours of attendance from 12 to 10. Wages are increased by 25 per cent after the 9th hour in
continuous-process undertakings where a 10-hour day is in operation.
A i x - l a - C h a p e l l e . — A n arbitration award of Mar. 26, 1927, establishes a shift of 7 hours for underground
workers Overtime must be carried out so that the-shift does not exceed 83^ hours. Since June 14 the
length of the shift has been reduced to 8 H hours. The hours of work of surface workers are the same as
those underground.
., ,
.
.
.
. ..
,
U p p e r S i l e s i a .—An arbitration award of Feb. 22, 1927, provides for underground workers a reduction of
one-quarter hour as from Mar. 1, and a second one-quarter hour as from Sept. 1, 1927. Wages are increased
by 25 per cent for the 9th hour in continuous-process undertakings.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[339]
128
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Tobacco Industry
DEFORE the coming into operation of the emergency act weekly
hours of work were 54 but could be prolonged to 56 without
extra renumeration being paid. The arbitration award accepted by
the two parties provides for a 48-hour week as from May 21, 1927.
Wages are increased by 20 per cent from the forty-ninth to the fiftyfourth hour and by 25 per cent after the fifty-fourth hour.
Minimum Wages in Tokyo Building Trades 5
AT A RECENT conference of the Bureau of Social Affairs of
/ - \ Tokyo it was decided to establish the following standard min
imum daily wages for building workers placed through the
municipal employment exchange on public and private undertakings
of that city:
M IN IM U M WAGES IN B U IL D IN G T R A D E S OF TOKYO
[Conversions into United States currency based on exchange rate in October, 1927, of yen=46.56 cents]
First class
Occupation
Yen
Carpenters _______
. ________
Stonemasons
_ . __
_ _____
Plasterers. . . . . .
Forem en.._ __________ . . .
Navvies . .
________ . . . . ______
Unskilled laborers:
Males. _. _________ . __________ ___________
Females _____
Foremen____ _ ______ . . ________
United
States
Cur
rency
Second class
Yen
Third class
United
States
Cur
rency
Yen
United
States
Cur
rency
2. 70
1. 30
2. 80
2.00
1.90
$1. 26
1. 54
1. 30
.93
.88
2.40
2. 70
2. 50
1. 80
1. 70
$1.12
1. 26
1.16
.84
.79
2.10
2. 40
2. 20
1. 60
1.50
$0. 98
1. 12
1. 03
.74
.70
1. 50
.80
2. 50
.70
.37
1.16
1. 40
.75
.65
.35
1. 30
.70
.61
.33
1
It is anticipated that these minimum standards will be applicable
from October 1, 1927, to March 31, 1928.
The fixing of this minimum wage scale in the building trades will
indirectly have an effect on the wage standards for similar workers
not engaged through the municipal employment exchange, and even
tually may affect the wages in allied industries.
Wages in Switzerland, 1926 6
REPORT of the wages of workers in various industries in
Switzerland who were injured in industrial accidents during
the year 1926 is given in the December, 1927, issue of the
bulletin published by the Federal Labor Bureau.
The wages are reported for five classes of workers—foremen and
master workmen, skilled and partly skilled workers, unskilled work
ers, women, and young persons under 18 years of age. In general
A
5International Labor Office. Industrial and Labor Information. Geneva, Dec. 5, 1927, p. 297.
6 Switzerland. Office fédéral du Travail. Informations de Statistique sociale. December, 1927, up.
342-349.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[340]
129
WAGES IN SW ITZERLAND, 1926
the wages showed little variation from the average for 1925. There
was no change in the average wages of unskilled workers in 1926,
while there was an increase of 2 per cent in the wages of foremen
and of 1 per cent in each of the other three groups over the average
wages paid in 1925.
The daily wages of the four classes of adult workers mentioned
above who were injured in accidents in 1926 were from 106 to 108
per cent higher than in 1913, but real wages, measured by the cost
of living, were only from 27 to 28 per cent higher than in the pre-war
year. There was a slight decrease in the cost of living in 1926 over
"that of 1925, resulting in a slight increase in the real wages of adult
workers.
The following table shows the average daily wages of Swiss workers
in 1913 and 1926 and index numbers of actual wages and real wages
in 1926, by industry groups:
AVERAGE D A IL Y W AGES OF W OR K ER S IN JU R E D IN A C C ID E N T S IN SW ITZER LAN D
IN 1913 A N D 1926 A N D IN D E X N U M B E R S OF A C TU A L WAGES A N D R E A L WAGES
[Average exchange rate of franc in 1926=19.31 cents]
Average wages paid Index numbers of—
Actual
wages
Industry group
1913
Real
wages
1926
1913 = 100
Foremen:
M etal industry__________________ _.. ---------- ------Building___
__________ _ _ __ ---------------Wood industry_____
- _ . . ---- --------------Textiles. . . . ---- -- _ ------- -- ---------- ---------Food products and tobacco_____ . _________ - ---------Skilled and semiskilled workers:
M etal and machine industries
_____ . . ------------B uild ing.. ________
- ------- -- - --------Wood industry______
______
______
- Clocks,
------ -------- ---------- _ ----------- -,
------Food products and to b a cc o -,----------------Manufacture of vehicles_________ _ ------------ _ _
-----Electricity____
___________
___ - --- - ------------Gas and water stations------- --------- --------- -------------------Unskilled workers:
Metal and machine industries-------- -------------- -------------B u ild in g -- ,___
________
- --------- ----------Wood industry. _ _______ - , ------- - - ---------- -----Stone and earth produ cts---------------- _ -------------Chemicals-------------- ------------------ ------------------------------Food products and tobacco--------------- -- ---------------Commercial establishments ------------- , _ ------------- -Mines and quarries___________
_____ _ -----------------Forestry.............................................................................................
Women:
Textiles__________________ ______
____________
___
. ........ - ----Clocks __________
Food products and tobacco.
----------- - . ---------------Young persons (under 18 years of age) :
---------- -------------M etal and machine industries. . . . Building .- ______
______ _ ---------- - - -- -----Textiles____
.
---------Stone and earth products...............................-----------------------
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13411
F rancs
F rancs
8. 85
7. 60
7. 61
7.41
7.89
16. 65
16. 22
15. 36
14. 65
18. 58
188
213
202
198
235
116
131
125
122
145
6. 36
6. 20
5. 58
6. 78
5. 86
4. 78
6.19
6. 35
12. 58
13. 23
11. 90
12. 72
13. 54
10.69
13. 79
16.04
198
213
213
188
231
224
223
253
122
131
131
116
143
138
138
156
4. 88
4. 75
4. 29
4.41
4. 59
5. 30
5. 28
5.09
4. 57
9.90
10.10
9.00
9. 42
10. 43
10. 95
11.04
9. 27
8. 77
203
213
211
214
227
207
209
182
192
125
131
130
132
140
128
129
112
119
3.18
3.83
2. 63
6.83
7.42
5.88
215
194
224
133
120
138
2. 78
3.88
2. 60
3. 26
4.90
7. 43
4. 60
5. 48
176
191
177
168
109
118
109
104
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment in Selected Manufacturing Industries in
December, 1927
MPLOYMENT in manufacturing industries decreased nine-tenths
of 1 per cent in December as compared with November, while
pay-roll totals increased 1.7 per cent.
The level of employment in December, 1927, was 6.4 per cent
below the level of employment in December, 1926, and pay-roll totals
were 6.6 per cent lower in December, 1927, than in December, 1926.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ weighted index of employment for
December, 1927, is 85.1, as compared with 85.9 for November, 1927,
87.6 for October, 1927, and 90.9 for December, 1926; the weighted
index of pay-roll totals for December, 1927, is 89.3, as compared
with 87.8 for November, 1927, 91.2 for October, 1927, and 95.6 for
December, 1926.
The report for December, 1927, is based on reports from 10,607
establishments in 54 of the chief manufacturing industries of the
United States. These establishments in December had 2,922,922
employees whose combined earnings in one week were $77,975,546.
E
C o m p a r iso n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in D e c e m b e r a n d
N o v e m b e r, 1927
CEVENTEEN of the 54 separate industries had more employees
in December than in November and 33 industries reported
increased pay-roll totals.
Agricultural-implement factories increased their employees nearly
7 per cent; automobile plants increased 4.3 per cent; rubber-boot
factories increased 4.4 per cent; the slaughtering and meat-packing,
silk-goods, carpet, pottery, and rubber-tire industries each gained in
the neighborhood of 2.5 per cent in employment. The increases in
each of the remaining 9 industries were between 1.7 per cent and less
than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
The increases in pay-roll totals, in December as compared with
November, in general were considerably greater than in employ
ment for example, the pay rolls of the agricultural-implement and
the rubber-tire industries were each over 10 per cent higher in
December than in November, automobile-plant pay rolls were 8.7
per cent higher, and silk-goods mills reported an increase of 6.8 per
cent. Men’s clothing and cast-iron pipe with very small increases
in employment reported increases in pay-roll totals of 6.8 and 5.7
per cent, respectively, while several industries, such as iron and steel,
boots and shoes, and chemicals coupled decreased employment with
increased pay-roll totals.
130
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EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
The outstanding decreases both in employment and pay-roll totals
were for the greater part seasonal, the industries most affected being
cement, brick, steam fittings, stoves, sawmills, furniture, paper boxes,
glass, ice cream, sugar refining, and cigars and cigarettes.
The contrasting increases of considerable size in pay-roll totals and
smaller decreases in employment are clearly illustrated by the changes
in the totals of the 12 groups of industries. Eight groups show larger
pay rolls, ranging from an increase of 8 per cent in the group of
miscellaneous industries to 1.3 per cent in the chemical group, while
only 3 groups show increased employment—paper, 0.3 per cent,
vehicle, 0.9 per cent, and miscellaneous, 0.8 per cent. The lumber,
stone-clay-glass, tobacco, and food groups reported decreases in both
items.
The East Central divisions—both North and South—alone of the
9 geographic divisions show increases in December as compared with
November both in employment and pay-roll totals; the outstanding
decreases were in the Pacific and Mountain divisions.
T able 1.—C O M PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
E ST A E L iSH M E N T S D U R IN G ONE W E E K E A C n IN N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R ,
Number on pay roll
Industry
Estab
lish
ments Novem
ber,
1927
Amount of pay roll
Per
Per
cent
cent
Decem
of
of
ber,
change November, December, change
1927
1927
1927
Food an d kindred p r o d u cts__
Slaughtering and meat pack
ing—
Confectionery______________
Ice cream__________________
Flour______________________
Baking____________________
Sugar refining, cane_________
1, 609
228,012
225,956
(')
186
301
195
320
593
14
84, 967
39,611
8,782
16,034
68,361
10, 257
86,885
38,123
8,429
15, 660
67, 213
9, 646
+ 2 .3
- 3 .8
- 4 .0
- 2 .3
- 1 .7
-6 .0
Textiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts___
Cotton goods_______________
Hosiery and knit goods______
Silk goods__________________
Woolen and worsted goods__
Carpets and rugs__________ _
Dyeing and finishing textiles Clothing, m en’s__ ____ _____
Shirts and collars___________
Clothing, women’s _________
M illinery and lace goods____
1,863
605,340
0)
- 1 .9
-1 . 7
+2.1
- 0 .7
+2. 4
- 0 .3
+ (2)
- 0 .6
+ 0 .5
+ 1 .3
11,964,498 12,171,904
17,604,106 17,861,759
ir o n an d steel a n d th eir prod
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 apparatus.
Stoves_____________________
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u cts_____
Lumber, sawm ills__________
Lumber, millwork__________
Furniture__________________
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts_____
Leather____________________
Boots and shoes____________ I
454
245
196
187
28
99
281
94
206
73
1,762
609,913
234, 200
83,610
54, 566
65, 227
23, 825
32,879
61, 781
20, 754
22,066
11,005
618,315
611,075
204
42
153
252, 248
12, 537
23, 269
248, 554
12, 596
23,064
0)
- 1 .5
+ 0.5
- 0 .9
950
71
149
219,170
31,747
27,809
218, 811
31, 644
27,793
107
86
36,164
15, 371
34,146
14,467
1,136
216,688
208,836
449
264
423
351
123
228
li7 ,817
31, 658
67, 214
116,620
27, 002
89, 618
Footnotes at end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
229, 747
82,150
55, 724
64, 801
24,400
32, 771
61, 799
20, 625
22,172
11,151
[3 4 3 ]
li2, 774
31,214
64,848
114,177
26, 974
87,203
$5,804,215 $5,797, 794
2,197,558
735,461
290,495
433, 685
1,844, 620
302, 396
3,782, 547
1, 628, 584
1,136, 230
1,458, 587
633,939
803, 308
1,376,397
345,134
553,193
246,579
3, 740,333
1,622,019
1,213, 754
1,474, 739
670, 206
811,776
1,469, 461
346, 606
568, 618
254,392
7, 344, 692
274, 939
675, 666
7,413, 703
290, 742
702,001
- 0 .3
- 0 .1
6,268, 229
779,393
852, 681
6,435,068
786, 229
869,560
- 5 .6
- 5 .9
981,067
427,439
960,402
404,054
4,894,200
0
- 4 .3
2,465, 651
- 1 .4
760, 374
- 3 . 5 J 1, 668,175
2,333,342
754,483
1,610,141
2,450,845
2.489,500
-0 .2
0
- 0 .1
- 2 .7
(9
2, 265, 723
739,419
279, 783
426, 596
1,799,827
286,446
4,697,966
667,493
688,048
1,789,352 1 1,801,452
+3.1
+ 0.5
-3 .7
1.6
-
- 2 .4
- 5 .3
1.1
-
- 0 .4
+6.8
+ 1.1
+ 5 .7
+ 1.1
+ 6.8
+ 0 .4
+2.8
+ 3 .2
(')
+0.9
+5.7
+3.9
+2.7
+ 0.9
+ 2.0
-
2.1
-5.5
-5.4
-
0.8
-3.5
(')
+3.1
+0.7
132
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 1.— COM PA R ISO N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
E ST A B L ISH M E N T S D U R IN G ONE W E E K E A CH IN N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1927—Continued
Amount of pay roll
Per
Per
cent
cent
of
Decem
of
December, change
ber,
change November,
1927
1927
1927
Number on pay roll
Estab
lish Novem
ments
ber,
1927
Industry
Paper and printing ___________
901
178,880
179,153
Paper and pulp _ ______ .
Paper boxes______ __________
Printing, book and job _
Printing, newspapers___
212
172
308
209
57,851
20,813
50,906
49,310
57,305
20,168
51, 739
49,941
Chemicals and allied products.
357
88,726
87,535
Chemicals . . .
Fertilizers. . . .
Petroleum refining ________
129
171
57
33, 050
10,485
45,191
32,476
10,447
44, 612
Stone, clay, and glass products
659
110,906
105,526
Cement
________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta . .
Pottery _________ . . .
G lass..-------------- ----------------
99
386
63
111
25, 386
32, 574
13, 734
39, 212
23, 661
30, 502
14, 127
37, 236
Metal products, other than
iron and steel___
____
224
49,932
49,579
70
19, 600
154
Tobacco products.
171
Chewing and smoking tobac
co and snuff
. .. .. .
Cigars and cigarettes--------. .
29
142
8, 386
39, 234
8,325
37, 026
Vehicles for land transporta
____
tion___
1,173
Stamped and enameled w are..
Brass, bronze, and copper
products________ ______ _
_______
Automobiles .
________
Carriages and wagons. ---Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad. _. .
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad____________
Miscellaneous industries____
Agricultural implements
Electrical machinery, appa
ratus, and supplies. _____
____
Pianos and organs
Rubber boots and shoes_____
Automobile tires
Shipbuilding, steel ________
All industries
............ .
$5,834,361
0
- 0 .9
1, 522, 216
475, 718
-3 . 1
1, 795, 869
+ 1.6
+ 1.3
2, 040, 558
$5,955,593
0
-1 . 7
- 0 .4
- 1 .3
2,575,380
2,591,779
899, 706
199,497
1,476,177
922, 484
204, 373
1,464, 922
0)
- 6 .8
- 6 .4
+ 2.9
-5 .0
2,900,304
2,764,835
745, 203
825, 680
363,512
965,909
683,855
765, 093
381,186
934, 701
0
- 2 .0
1,320,668
1,337,790
19, 211
30, 332
30, 368
+0.1
47,620
45,351
495,130
1, 535,352
458, 569
1,879, 356
2, 082, 316
474,683
0
+ 0.9
- 3 .6
+ 4 .6
+ 2 .0
0
+2. 5
+ 2.4
- 0 .8
0)
-8 . 2
- 7 .3
+ 4.9
-3 .2
0
- 4 .1
825, 538
863,107
+ 4 .6
828,107
799,937
0
- 0 .7
- 5 .6
127,402
700, 705
131, 031
668, 906
+ 2.8
- 4 .5
13,473,458
14,143,550
8, 692, 944
37, 706
9,447,432
37, 573
0
+ 8.7
- 0 .4
0
432,836
441,999
200
61
274, 757
1,745
286, 520
1, 774
(')
+ 4.3
+ 1 .7
378
24, 825
24, 708
- 0 .5
774, 992
785, 593
-[■I. 4
131, 509
128,997
- 1 .9
3,967,816
3, 872, 952
- 2 .4
401
247,583
248,395
7,363,139
92
24,317
26,006
0
+ 6 .9
6,983,641
687, 202
758, 602
(0
+10.4
168
39
10
55
37
120, 818
7, 787
19,197
49, 749
25, 715
117, 767
7,494
20, 037
50, 980
26,111
- 2 .5
- 3 .8
+ 4.4
+2. 5
+ 1 .5
3,395,746
236,108
491, 557
1,428, 839
744,189
3,472,885
234, 323
501,145
1, 572, 928
823, 256
+ 2.3
- 0 .8
+ 2.0
+ 10.1
+10.6
76,639,783
77,975,546
0
$9, 606, 268
23, 018, 293
27,131,494
3, 793, 916
5,196,149
2,065,463
+0. 1
1, 794, 585
-1 . 6
752, 338
-4 . 2
3, 281, 277
- 3 .2
$9, 678, 092
23, 252, 639
28, 256, 562
3, 756, 050
5, 203, 970
2, 093, 274
1, 798, Oil
693,195
3, 243, 753
+ 0 .7
+ 1 .0
76,639,783
77,975,546
0
534
10,607 2,946,032 2,922,922
R e c a p itu la tio n
b y
G e o g r a p h ic
0
D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew England _ ______________
Middle A tlantic. ______________
East North Central _________
West North Central _______
South Atlantic . . . _______ East South Central ------ --------West South Central_______ . . M ountain. __________________
P acific------------------- ---------------
All divisions... . ... . . . .
1,359
2,493
2,855
983
1,117
505
442
186
667
403,440
830, 708
938,512
153,139
279, 261
111,027
85,137
27, 288
117, 520
395, 313
819, 030
946, 602
150,465
276, 685
111, 104
83, 800
26,137
113, 786
10,607 2,946,032 2,922,922
-2 .0
- 1 .4
+ 0 .9
-1 . 7
- 0 .9
0
+ 4.1
- 1 .0
+0. 2
+ 1.3
+ 0 .2
- 7 .9
- 1 .1
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 may
represent all establishments of the country in the industries here represented, see Table 2.
a Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[344]
133
E M P L O Y M E N T IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
T a b l e s — PE R C ENTS OP C H A N G E, N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1927—12 GROUPS OF
IN D U S T R IE S A N D TO TAL OF ALL IN 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, 1927,
to December, 1927
Per cent of change,
November, 1927,
to December, 1927
Group
Group
Number
on pay
roll
Food and kindred products...
Textiles and their products.
Iron and steel and their products___________
Lumber and its products____
Leather and its p ro d u cts___
Paper and printing
Chemicals and allied products
Stone, clay, and glass products
Amount
of pay
roll
- 1 .1
- 0 .6
- 0 .2
+ 1 .9
—1 1
- 3 .9
- 2 .0
+ 0 .3
- 1 .4
- 4 .5
+ 1 .5
- 4 .5
+ 1 .6
+ 2 .0
+M
- 4 .0
Metal 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
—0. 6
- 5 .2
+ 2.4
- 3 .7
+ 0.9
+ 0.8
+2.3
+ 8.0
-0.9
+1.7
C o m p a r iso n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in D e c e m b e r , 1927, a n d
D e c e m b e r , 1926
'"THE level of employment in manufacturing industries in December
1927, was 6.4 per cent below the level of employment in Decem
ber, 1926, and pay-roll totals were 6.6 per cent lower.
Comparing conditions in December, 1927, with December, 1926,
each of the 12 groups of industries shows a decrease in employment
and all except the paper group decreases in pay-roll totals over the
12-month period. The outstanding decreases were 11.2 per cent in
employment and 14 per cent in pay-roll totals, both in the iron and
steel group. The smallest decreases in both items were in the food
and the textile groups, ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 per cent.
The notable increases in separate industries were 1 per cent in
employment and 14.7 per cent in pay-roll total in the automobile
industry and 11.8 and 8 per cent in the rubber-boot and shoe indus
try. Agricultural implements, baking, sugar refining, dyeing and
finishing textiles, shirts and collars, women’s clothing, newspaper
printing, carriages and wagons, and chewing tobacco also show con
siderable improvement.
The pronounced decreases in employment over this 12-month
period were 18.6 per cent in shipbuilding, 16.8 per cent in petroleum
refining, 13.1 per cent in machine tools, 12.7 per cent in stoves, 12.5
per cent in steam-railroad car building and repairing and pianos,
12.2 per cent in foundry and machine-shop products, 11.8 per cent
in cast-iron pipe, 10.6 per cent in iron and steel and sawmills, and
10.5 per cent in millwork.
Each geographic division showed a falling off in employment from
December, 1926, to December, 1927, the greatest decrease being in
the West South Central, Middle Atlantic, and New England divi
sions, and much the smallest decrease being in the South Atlantic
States.
The East North Central division, which showed a decrease of 2.8
per cent in employment, showed an increase of 0.2 per cent in pay
roll totals, while each of the remaining 8 divisions showed decreased
pay-roll totals ranging from 1 per cent to 11.1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[345]
134
T
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
able
3 — C O M PARISON
OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS, D E C E M B E R ,
1927, W ITH D E C E M B E R , 1926
[The per cents of change for each of the 12 groups of industries and for the total of all industries are
weighted in the same manner as are the per cents of change in Table 2]
Per cent of
change, Decem
ber, 1927, com
pared with D e
cember, 1926
Industry-
Per cent of
change, Decem
ber, 1927, com
pared w ith D e
cember, 1926
Industry
N um Amount
of
ber on
pay roll pay roll
N um Amount
of
ber on
pay roll pay roll
Chemicals and allied prod
ucts ___ . ----
Food a n d k in dred p ro d u cts.
Slaughtering and meat
packing________________
Confectionery-----------------Ice cream................................
Flour_____ ______________
Baking _________________
Sugar refining, cane........... .
- 0 .6
- 0 .6
- 2 .4
- 1 .1
- 5 .3
- 0 .8
+ 1 .7
+ 5.1
- 2 .4
- 1 .6
- 3 .9
+3. 1
+ 0 .8
+ 1 .4
Stone, clay, and glass products.. __
- ---------
Textiles a n d th eir p rod u cts.
Cotton goods_____________
Hosiery and knit goods----Silk goods-----------------------Woolen and worsted goods.
Carpets and rugs-------------Dyeing and finishing tex
tiles___________________
Clothing, men’s . .......... ........
Shirts and collars_________
Clothing, women’s_______
Millinery and lace goods__
- 1 .3
+ 0 .7
- 1 .0
- 1 .7
- 6 .2
+ 0 .5
- 1 .5
- 0 .7
+ 2.0
+ 1.5
- 7 .6
- 2 .1
Metal products, other than
. . .
iron and steel___
+ 2 .0
- 6 .0
+ 0.7
+1.1
- 2 .3
+ 2 .4
- 9 .4
+ 3.5
+ 2 .8
- 2 .4
Tobacco products.. . . . . .
-1 1 .3
-1 0 .6
-1 1 .8
- 8 .0
-1 4 .0
-1 4 .2
-1 3 .3
- 7 .9
-1 2 . 2
- 5 .9
-1 3 .1
-1 4 .7
- 9 .3
-1 3 .9
Automobiles ._
---------Carriages and wagons_____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad________
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad____ ____
- 7 .9
-1 2 .7
-1 0 .5
-1 5 .6
Miscellaneous industries___
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir
p ro d u cts_________________
Iron and steel_____ _____
Cast-iron pipe____________
Structural ironwork---------Foundry and machine-shop
products_______________
Hardware_______ ________
Machine tools____________
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
apparatus_____________
Stoves______________ ____
Chewing and smoking to
bacco and snuff
_____
Cigars and cigarettes..........
- 8 .7
- 8 .5
—11 7
- 7 .3
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts. _
Leather_________________
Boots and shoes_________
- 8 .1
- 3 .9
- 9 .5
-1 1 .0
- 3 .9
-1 4 .4
Paper a n d p r in tin g -----------Paper and pulp........... .........
Paper boxes_________ _
Printing, book and job___
Printing, newspapers.........
- 0 .7
- 2 .2
- 3 .3
- 0 .9
+ 1.9
+ 0.6
- 2 .8
- 0 .7
+ 0.8
+ 3 .4
b y
IVTirliile Atlantic
North Central
West North Central__________
Smith Atlantic
East South Central
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Agricultural implements___
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies___
Pianos and organs. ______
Rubber boots and shoes___
Automobile tires____ ___
Shipbuilding, steel_______
A ll
industries ____
+ 2 .7
- 2 .7
-
1.8
+14.7
+ 3 .3
-1 0 .5
-
9.0
+ 1.1
+ 1.8
- 7 .1
-1 2 .5
- 6.8
-1 4 .6
+11.8
+ 8.0
- 2.2
-1 8 .6
- 1.0
-1 4 .1
-
6.1
-G .6
1
G e o g r a p h ic
D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION—COntd.
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew E n g lan d
+ 2 .7
- 2 .7
Vehicles for land transportation _______________ ____ _
-1 0 .6
-1 0 .5
- 5 .9
R e c a p itu la tio n
Cement __
. . . . -Brick, tile, and terra cotta..
Pottery__________________
Glass ---------- -------------------
Stamped and enameled
ware____ ___________
Brass, bronze, and copper
products........... ....................
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u c ts..
Lumber, saw m ills._______
Lumber, millwork_______
Furniture...............................
-9 .5
Chemicals_________ ______
Fertilizers..
. . ----------Petroleum refining............
-7 . 6
-8 . 4
—2. 8
- 5 .0
- 1 .4
- 5 .4
-8 . 1
-9 . 7
+ 0 .2
-4 . 4
- 4 .4
- 8 .3
West South Central________
M ountain.. _______
____
Pacific______ _______
[346]
All
d iv is io n s
._ . . _ ____
- 9 .1
- 6 .9
- 3 .4
- 7 .9
-1 1 .1
- 1 .0
- 6 .4
-6 .6
135
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING IN DU STRIES
P er C a p ita E a r n in g s
earnings in December, 1927, for the 54 industries
PER,combined were
2.6 per cent higher than in November, 1927,
C A P ITA
and 0.3 per cent lower than in December, 1926.
Increases in per capita earnings in December, 1927, as compared
with November, 1927, are shown in 45 industries, 11 of the increases
being between 4 and 9 per cent. The shipbuilding industry leads
among these 11 with an increase of 8.9 per cent, followed by rubber
tires with 7.4 per cent, men’s clothing with 6.7 per cent, cast-iron
pipe with 5.2 per cent, and electrical machinery with 4.9 per cent;
the automobile industry shows an increase of 4.2 per cent.
Employees in 22 industries were averaging greater earnings in
December, 1927, than in December, 1926. The automobile indus
try shows an increase in per capita earnings of 13.6 per cent, ship
building an increase of 5.4 per cent, flour an increase of 4.2 per cent,
while silk goods, hosiery, shirts, and chemicals show increases of
over 3 per cent each.
T
able
4
—C O M PA R ISO N OF P E R C A PITA E A R N IN G S D E C E M B E R ,
B E R , 1927, A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926
Industry
Industry
Shipbuilding __ ______ - -----Automobile tires_____ _______ . .
Clothing, men’s , . . . ______ .
Cast-iron p ip e,.
___ ____
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies________ _______
Structural ironwork,. ________
Silk goods_______ ____ _
____
Confectionery, . ------- ---------Brass, bronze, and copper prod
ucts
_________
________
Chemicals-------------------------------A utom obiles_________________
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating a pp aratus.____
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff____________________
Boots and shoes. . , , ------------Agricultural implements___ ____
Carpets and rugs---------------------L eather., ------- -------------- -----Pianos and organs. .
---- -------Printing, book and job. . -------Fertilizers. . . --------- ---------. . .
Foundry and machine-shop products _ _________________ ____
Iron and steel.
------- . -----Clothing, women’s
--------------Machine tools. _____
Car building and repairing, elec
tric-railroad________________
i No change.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W ITH N O V E M
Per cent of
change De
cember, 1927,
compared
with—
Per cent of
change D e
cember, 1927,
compared
with—
No
vem
ber,
1927
1927,
N o
vem
ber,
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1926
+ 8 .9
+7.4
+ 6 .7
+ 5 .2
+ 5 .4
+ 1 .2
- 3 .7
- 1 .6
+ 4 .9
+ 4 .8
+ 4 .6
+ 4 .5
+ 0.1
+ 0 .2
+ 3 .3
- 0 .4
+ 4 .4
+ 4 .4
+ 4 .2
- 1 .3
+ 3 .9
+13.6
+ 3 .7
- 3 .1
+ 3 .6
+ 3 .5
+ 3 .2
+ 3 .2
+ 3 .2
+3.1
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .8
- 0 .1
- 5 .4
+ 0 .3
- 2 .5
0)
- 2 .4
+ 1 .8
- 0 .6
+ 2 .8
+2.4
+2.3
+2.1
- 3 .1
- 4 .0
+ 1 .7
- 0 .8
+ 1 .9
+ 1.3
Glass _________________________
Pottery .
_. ____ _______
Millinery and lace goods___ ___
Paper and pulp________ ______
Woolen and worsted goods__
Dyeing and finishing textiles. _. _
Hosiery and knit goods-------------Cigars and cigarettes. _____ .
Hardware . . .
. . --------------Shirts and collars_______________
Slaughtering and meat packing. __
Cotton goods__________________
Printing, newspapers--------- . . .
Flour
___ _____
Sugar refining, cane_______ . . . .
Lumber, m illw ork_____ . . .
Petroleum refining__________
Stoves ___
___ _ _______ Ice cream------ --------- . . . . ----Furniture . . . ----------- .
----Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad ______________
Paper boxes. --------------------- . .
Baking_____ _______ _ _
Brick, tile, and terra cotta--------Lumber, sawmills .
--------Cement .
.
------------Carriages and wagons ---------- .
Stamped and enameled ware___
Rubber boots and shoes______ _
2 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
[347]
D e
cem
ber,
1926
+ 1.9
+ 1.9
+ 1.8
+ 1.8
+ 1.8
+ 1.4
+ 1.3
+ 1.2
+ 1 .2
+1.1
+ 0 .9
+ 0 .8
+ 0.8
+ 0.7
+ 0 .7
+ 0.6
+ 0.5
+ 0.4
+0.3
(2)
- 1 .8
+0.1
- 0 .2
- 0 .8
- 1 .4
+ 0.3
+3.1
+ 0.3
—3. 5
+ 3.1
- 0 .1
- 1 .3
+ 1 .6
+ 4 .2
- 3 .4
- 1 .3
+ 0.7
- 3 .3
+ 1 .5
- 1 .4
- 0 .5
- 0 .5
- 0 .7
- 1 .1
- 1 .1
- 1 .5
- 2 .0
- 2 .2
- 2 .3
- 0 .2
+ 2.5
- 0 .9
- 4 .0
+ 2.1
- 0 .4
- 4 .2
C1)
- 3 .4
136
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
W age C h a n g e s
■"TEN establishments in 8 industries reported increases in wage rates
1 during the month ended December 15, 1927. These increases
averaged 7.9 per cent and affected 318 employees, or 8 per cent of
the total employees in the establishments concerned.
Twenty-six establishments in 13 industries reported decreases in
wage rates during the same period. These decreases averaged 10.2
per cent and affected 9,234 employees, or 86 per cent of the total em
ployees in the establishments concerned.
The only significant increases or decreases reported in this period
were the decreases of 10 per cent each reported by 9 cotton-goods
establishments, which affected 7,291 employees, or 94 per cent of the
total employees in those establishments.
T a b l e 5 .—WAGE A D JU ST M E N T S OCC 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, 1927
Establishments
Per cent of increase
or decrease in wage
rates
Employees affected
Per cent of employees
Industry
Number
report
Total
ing in
num
ber re crease or
porting decrease
in wage
rates
Range
Average
Total
number
In estab
lishments
In all
reporting establish
increase or ments re
decrease in porting
wage rates
Increases
Foundry and machine-shop
products
___________ . __
Hardware^ ______________ .
Machine tools. ______________
Printing, newspapers.. _ _____
Chemicals..
. . . ____
Brick, tile, and terra cotta_____
Glass_______ _____ ______ __
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies___________
950
71
149
209
129
386
111
168
1
1
1
2
1
1
5 .0
8 .0
5 .6
1 1 .0
5. 0 -1 0 . 0
5. 0 -1 0 . 0
9 .0
5 .0
8 .0
5 .6
1 1 .0
8 .4
7 .5
9 .0
8
50
9
21
111
45
41
10
8
27
13
6
98
5
1
5 .0
5 .0
33
8
2
(i)
(i)
(i)
(i)
0)
(!)
(1)
0
Decreases
Slaughtering and meat packing.
Baking. __ ____________
Cotton goods_________________
Clothing, men’s . ____________
Structural ironwork__________
Foundry and machine-shop
products_________________ _
Lumber, millwork ______
Paper and pulp
________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta . . .
Glass_____ _ ___________ . . .
Cigars and cigarettes. ____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad____ .
Automobile tires_____________
186
593
454
281
153
1
1
9
1
1
2 0 .0
5 .0
1 0 .0
5 .0
1 0 .0
2 0 .0
5 .0
1 0 .0
5 .0
1 0 .0
50
21
7 ,2 9 1
34
150
75
84
94
52
950
264
212
386
111
142
2
1
1
3
3
1
5 .0 - 1 0 . 0
2 0 .0
1 0 .0
5. 0 -1 0 . 0
8. 5 -1 5 . 0
1 0 .0
9 .5
2 0 .0
10. 0
8 .6
12. 2
1 0 .0
95
20
66
346
1, 040
34
27
37
50
90
96
( i;
0
0)
22
0)
1
1
5 .0
5 .0
5 .0
5 .0
39
48
100
13
(0
0
378
55
1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[348]
68
(0
(!)
3
0
1
1
3
137
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING IN DU STRIES
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 ta ls in M a n u fa c tu r in g I n d u s tr ie s
Table 6 shows the general index of employment in manufacturing
industries and the general index of pay-roll totals from January,
1923, to December, 1927.
T a b l e 6 . — G E N E R A L IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U
F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO D E C E M B E R , 1927
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Pay-roll totals
Employment
Month
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
January____ ______
February _______
March____________
April___________ __
M ay__________ June __________ July
August_____ _____
Septem ber... _ . . .
O ctober_______
N ovem ber________
December_________
98.0
99.6
101.8
101.8
101.8
101. 9
100. 4
99.7
99.8
99.3
98.7
96.9
95.4
96.6
96.4
94.5
90.8
87. 9
84. 8
85.0
86.7
87.9
87.8
89.4
90.0
91.6
92.3
92. 1
90.9
90. 1
89. 3
89.9
90.9
92.3
92.5
92.6
92.3
93.3
93.7
92.8
91.7
91. 3
89. 8
90.7
92. 2
92.5
91.4
90.9
89.4
91.0
91.4
90.6
89.7
89. 1
87. 3
87.4
88.0
87.6
85.9
85.1
91.8
95.2
100.3
101. 3
104.8
104.7
99.9
99.3
100.0
102.3
101.0
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
90.9
96.4
97.7
96.6
95.6
93.3
89.1
91.0
90.1
91.2
87.8
89.3
A verage..........
100.0
90.3
91.3
91.9
88.5
100.0
90.6
93.6
95.8
93.4
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 in
dexes for the combined 12 groups of industries, are shown in Table 7
for each month of 1927, together with average indexes for the years
1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1927. This is in continuation of the tab
ulations presented in the Labor Review for August, 1925, and Feb
ruary, 1927, which recorded data, by months, from July, 1922, to
December, 1926.
In computing the general index and the group indexes the index
numbers of separate industries are weighted according to the impor
tance of the industries.
Following Table 7 is a series of graphs, made from index numbers,
showing clearly the course of employment for each month of 1927 as
compared with the corresponding month of 1926. 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
[349]
138
T
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
7 . — IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S —JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D Y E A R L Y A V ER A G ES, 1923, 1924,
1925, 1926, A N D 1927
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
able
Food a n d k in dred produ cts
G eneral in d ex
M onth and
year
Em
ploy
ment
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb_____
Mar____
Apr. _
M a y .. . .
J u n e ___
July____
Aug------Sept____
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec_____
Pay
roll
totals
100.0
90.3
91.2
91.9
88.5
89.4
91.0
91.4
90.6
89.7
89.1
87.3
87.4
88.0
87.6
85.9
85.1
100.0
90.6
93.6
95.8
92.4
90.9
96.4
97.7
96.6
95.6
93.3
89.1
91.0
90.1
91.2
87.8
89.3
G roup ind ex
Slaughtering
and meat
packing
Confectionery
Em
ploy
ment
Em
ploy
ment
Em
ploy
ment
100.0
95.6
90.9
89.8
89.3
88.5
88.1
87.2
86.0
86.6
90.7
89.9
89.1
92.1
92.6
90.9
89.9
Pay
roll
totals
100.0
97.9
93.7
93.8
93.8
92.7
92.1
91.0
90.0
92. 7
96.4
95.5
93.7
95.9
96.3
94.8
94.6
100.0
93.7
85.0
81.4
81.0
84.4
82.7
79.2
77.5
78.4
83.6
83.6
80.2
80.1
79.6
80.5
82.4
Pay
roll
totals
100.0
94.4
86. 7
84.5
84.4
87.7
84.0
80.6
80.0
83.1
87.6
88.2
83. 7
83.8
82.9
84.2
86.8
Food a n d kin dred p ro d u cts—Continued
Flour
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb_____
Mar____
Apr
M ay._
June____
July____
Aug------Sept___ _
Oct_____
N ov____
Dec_____
100.0
94.7
90.4
87.6
87.0
86.1
85.8
85.5
82.4
84. 3
85.3
87.6
88. 6
90. 9
91.2
89. 3
87.2
Sugar refining,
cane
Baking
100.0
97.6
92. 5
90.2
89.7
87.9
87.4
86.4
83. 5
8 7 .4
88. 9
88. 5
90. 5
92. 5
97.7
93. 5
92.0
100.0
101.3
99. 5
100/8
102.2
98.7
100.0
101.1
101.0
100. 5
104.8
103.0
102. 1
104. 7
105.6
103. 6
101.8
100.0
103.8
102.4
105.5
107.8
103. 5
106.2
107.1
106.5
107.4
110.4
108.7
107.4
110.1
110.8
109. 1
106.4
100.0
97.9
97.8
93.6
92.5
83.1
84.3
89.9
93.0
96.4
98.7
100.0
98. 7
95. 1
95.9
90. 1
84.7
100.0
100.8
100.0
95.6
94.4
83.6
87.7
91.5
94.5
100.8
104.4
101.0
100. 2
95. 2
97.3
90.9
86.1
100.0
88.7
84.4
86.0
83.0
83.0
81.4
79.3
75.9
75.0
77.5
73.1
77.9
93.1
97.5
93.0
89.5
Pay
roll
totals
100.0
93.4
90.1
93.5
91.5
91.5
90.6
89.0
82. 2
84.4
87.6
80.7
85.6
101.1
104.5
100.1
100.6
Ice cream
Em
ploy
ment
100.0
96.5
97.5
96.2
90.4
80.3
80.9
83.4
87.9
95.8
103.5
107.6
104.2
95.7
86.7
81.2
78.0
Pay
roll
totals
100.0
97.2
102.6
104.4
97.5
83.1
86.0
90.1
95.1
102.8
110.7
110.6
111.9
104.4
94.0
87.7
84.5
Textiles a n d th eir p rod u cts
G roup index
100.0
88.2
89.3
86.1
87.2
88.1
89.7
89. 7
88.3
86.8
86.0
84.2
85.3
86.9
87.6
87. 1
86.6
100.0
86.8
89.5
85.9
88.5
88.8
94.0
94. 0
88.9
87. 0
86. 2
83. 5
86.5
88.6
90.2
86. 3
87.9
Cotton goods
100.0
83.0
84.0
83.1
87.3
86.2
87.4
87.8
87.6
87.3
87.6
87.2
86.6
87.5
87.9
87.9
86.2
100.0
80.7
81.9
81.0
87.9
85.9
89.0
90.4
89.1
88.8
88.5
86.1
86.8
88.1
89.3
87.0
86.0
T extiles a n d th eir p ro d u cts—Continued
Ilosiery and
knit goods
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Eeb_____
Mar____
Apr_____
M ay____
June____
July____
Aug------Sept____
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec..........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
90.7
98.1
97.9
96.9
97.7
98.3
98.2
98. 3
97.6
97.2
91.0
92.6
96.5
98.1
99.5
97.8
100.0
90.9
105.6
109.6
112.1
109.4
115.1
116.5
114. 8
115.7
112.0
98.9
104.7
108.3
117.0
116.3
115.9
Woolen and
worsted goods
Silk goods
100.0
94.3
103.3
100. 2
98.6
98.9
99.4
101.3
101. 2
100.3
97.8
96. 7
97.7
98.1
97.2
96.1
98.2
100.0
94.3
109.4
106.5
105.6
101.9
109.5
111.5
106.0
108.3
105.6
101.3
104. 7
104. 5
105.3
100.9
107.8
100.0
91.0
88.9
80.3
80.0
85.0
85.2
82.1
79.7
77.8
78.2
74.7
78. 1
78.9
79.8
80.7
80.1
[350].
100.0
90.1
87.2
78.9
79.4
85.0
85.6
80. 7
77.4
76.5
77. 5
73.4
77.6
78. 6
80.4
79.6
80.5
Carpets and
rugs
100.0
92.1
94.6
93.9
98.3
98. 2
98.4
98.4
97.8
96. 5
96.0
95.0
94. 3
94.2
94.0
95.4
97.7
100.0
86.4
91.8
90.8
94. 5
96. 6
99.4
99.1
95.0
96. 6
95. 2
88.3
93.2
90.8
90.5
92.1
97.4
Dyeing
and finishing
textiles
100.0
92.1
99.5
97.9
98.8
98.2
99.4
100.0
100. 1
98.3
97.2
95.3
96. 5
98.3
100.1
101.0
100.7
100.0
91.9
102.4
100.1
102.9
101.6
106.4
107.1
105.8
101.3
99.7
95.0
98.6
103.3
106.3
104.3
105.4
139
EM PLOYM ENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U ST R IE S
T a b l e 7 .—IN D E X E S OP E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S—JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D Y E A R L Y A V ER A G ES, 1923, 1924,
1925, 1926, A N D 1927—Continued
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Iron and steel
and their
products
Textiles and their products—Continued
M onth and
year
Clothing, men’s
Shirts and col
lars
Clothing, wom
en’s
Millinery and
lace goods
Group index
Pay Employ Pay
Pay Employ Pay
Pay
Employ roll
to ment roll to Employ roll to Employ
to ment roll to
ment
ment roll
ment
tals
tals
tals
tals
tals
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan ____
Feb_____
Mar_
Apr ___
M ay____
June.July____
Aug------Sept-- . .
Oct_____
N ov ___
D ec_____
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
90.1
86.9
84.3
82.5
83.8
86.7
85.1
79.6
78.5
82.5
82.7
84.8
83.9
83.1
79.5
79.6
86.4
82.4
77.9
75.8
78.9
84.1
81.4
67.4
67.4
77.3
79.3
81.0
78.6
75.4
67.0
71.5
84.6
86.9
84. 1
79.9
81.4
82.2
80.3
79.0
78.3
77.7
76.7
76.5
79.0
81.2
83.3
82.8
83.3
88.2
85.4
82.2
80.9
83.4
83.6
81.6
81.0
79.6
79.3
78.9
80.4
85.8
85.8
86.2
88.7
83.6
79.2
83.5
85.3
90.2
93.3
90.6
85.4
77.3
75.2
76.8
80.8
84.1
81.3
81.7
87.3
87.9
80.4
86.3
87.8
99.9
102.7
92.9
82.3
72.4
75.2
79.3
87.3
90.3
81.8
84.1
87.1
84.8
72.4
69.2
72.0
74.7
74.4
73.5
69.8
64.9
62.4
66.8
70.0
67.0
67.0
67.9
87.9
87.0
75.1
72.7
75.5
80.2
78.9
78.5
72.7
68.2
62.0
69.8
75.2
73. 1
68.1
70.3
100.0
86.3
87.3
92.0
85.7
88.1
89.8
90.3
89.4
88.1
86.9
85.1
84.4
84.0
82.6
80.6
79.7
100.0
86.6
90.6
97.2
89.3
90.9
96.4
97.8
96.4
93.5
91.8
81.6
87.1
84.7
84.4
81.6
82.8
Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Iron and steel
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb_____
Mar____
Apr
M ay____
J u n e.. . .
July____
Aug------Sept____
Oct_____
N ov___
D ec_____
100.0
93.5
95.9
97.9
91.0
93.0
94.4
95.6
95.3
94.4
92.3
90.4
89.3
88.7
87.6
86.0
84. 7
100.0
93.9
99. 1
102.8
93.9
94.9
100.9
104.0
104.9
99.2
97.0
86.3
90.5
88.2
88.3
86.1
86.9
Cast-iron pipe
100.0
104.1
101.3
106.0
95.2
97.2
96.6
99.4
99.8
101.7
99.9
98.1
95.6
91.5
88.8
86.8
87.3
100.0
105.4
103. 6
107.7
94.9
91.0
96.6
101.9
103.5
104. 1
99.9
100.6
97.4
92.5
87.2
79.5
84.1
Structural iron
work
100.0
91.0
91.8
99.2
94. 1
94. 1
94. 1
93.5
94.2
94.5
95.7
95.5
97.1
96.0
93.1
91.4
90.6
100. 0
91.9
97.4
106.5
101.1
98.1
100.5
100.4
97.9
101. 9
105.0
101.3
108.0
100. 7
101. 7
97.1
100. 9
Iron and steel and their products—Continued
Machine tools
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan ____
Feb_____
Mar____
Apr_____
M ay.
J u n e.. ..
July____
A ug------Sept- . . .
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec_____
100.0
83.6
87.5
101.9
94.6
102.8
102.0
100.7
98.8
96.2
95.1
92.3
82.6
92.1
91.9
90.3
90.2
100.0
84.7
94.4
113.1
104.3
113.2
112.7
112.1
107.8
107.1
105.5
98.5
91.2
101.3
101.0
99.8
101.8
82645°—28----- 10
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Steam fittings
and steam and
hot-water heat
ing apparatus
100.0
95.4
96.8
96.8
89.6
87.9
91.9
90.9
91.0
89.9
90.6
91.1
91.5
93.0
90.7
85.5
80.7
100.0
97.3
99.3
102.0
93.7
90.9
99.3
98.1
96.2
96.0
96.4
92.7
97.6
96.7
95.4
83.6
81.8
[351]
100.0
80.6
80.7
86.7
81.3
84.2
86.2
86.3
.85.0
83.2
82.3
81.2
80.8
79.0
77.4
75.1
74.9
100.0
78.8
81.8
90.3
83.5
86.0
91.6
91.8
88.7
87.2
85.4
81.4
82.2
78.5
77.6
74.7
76.7
100.0
88.7
85.9
87.8
79.4
73.8
83.1
84.6
83.1
82.3
81.7
64.8
78.5
80.9
84.1
80.2
75.8
Hardware
100.0
91.9
91.4
88.2
81.3
83.9
84.7
84.9
84.1
82.9
82.0
79.4
76.8
80. 3
79.7
78.9
78.6
100.0
93.9
96.6
98.1
89.2
92.7
96.0
96.3
94.0
91.8
90.4
83.1
83.1
85.5
86.7
84.7
85.5
Lumber and its products
Group index
Stoves
100.0
86.3
84.1
86.0
78.4
74.8
80.0
82.1
80.4
80.8
80.5
67.3
76.9
80.6
82.1
80.2
75.4
Foundry and
machine-shop
products
100.0
94.8
93.1
90.8
83.4
84.0
83.2
82.9
82.8
83.8
84.0
83.7
84.5
85.1
84.5
83.0
79.8
100.0
97.3
98.1
97.7
91.0
87.1
89.3
90.6
89.5
92.7
92.7
89.4
92.5
93.7
94.5
92.1
88.0
Lumber, saw
mills
100.0
93.9
90.0
86.9
79.1
79.1
78.1
77.9
78.3
80.4
80.7
80.4
100.0
96.5
95.5
93/9
86.7
81.9
83.7
85.2
84.2
89.5
90.1
86.7
80.9
88.7
81.2
79.8
78.0
74.6
90.3
90.0
87.7
82.9
140
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T a b l e 7 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S —JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D Y E A R L Y A V ER A G E S, 1923, 1924,
1925, 1926, A N D 1927—Continued
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts—
Continued
M onth and
year
Lumber, millwork
L eather a n d its produ cts
G roup index
Furniture
Leather
Boots and shoes
Employ Pay-roli Employ Pay-roll Employ Pay-roll Employ Pay-roll Em ploy Pay-roll
ment
totals
ment
totals
ment
totals
ment
totals
ment
totals
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan _____
Feb_____
Mar__ _
Apr_____
M ay____
J u n e.. . .
July____
Aug------Sept___
Oct__ . .
N ov____
D ec_____
100.0
99. 7
101.5
98.5
87.9
90.1
88.8
88.2
89.0
89.0
89.9
89.3
89.4
87.7
86. 1
84.0
82.9
100.0
102.7
106.6
104.7
93.4
91.5
91.7
92.7
95.0
93. 8
97.5
94.1
97.8
93.3
93.1
88.9
88.2
100.0
94. 8
98. 7
99.6
95. 7
97.0
97.3
93.9
94.4
92.3
91. 6
91.6
94.1
97. 1
99. 7
99.7
98.2
100.0
96.3
101. 5
106.2
104.3
102. 1
107. 3
107.8
104.4
100.9
98.8
95. 7
102. 3
105. 7
111. 1
109.5
105.7
100.0
90.6
92.5
90.3
88.4
91.6
92.1
91.6
87.1
85.5
85.2
88.2
91.0
91.3
89.4
84.6
82.9
Paper
Group index
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb_____
Mar____
Apr_____
M ay____
June____
July____
Aug------Sept
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec_____
100.0
100.3
100.8
103.6
103.7
104.3
104.4
104.4
103.6
102.8
102.4
101.8
102.4
103.4
104.2
105.1
105.4
100.0
102.2
102. 9
111.5
112.8
112.7
113. 3
114.2
113.0
112.6
111.0
109.0
110.6
111.7
113. 7
114.7
117.0
Paper and
pulp
100.0
94.3
94.4
95. 6
93. 3
94.4
94.5
94.3
94.2
92. 2
92.0
92. 2
93.2
93.3
93.3
93. 1
92.3
and
88.3
89.4
87.8
85.5
87.3
92.3
90.0
84.2
81.8
82.5
88. 7
93.3
91.0
85.4
75.3
76.5
100.0
99.3
99.9
101. 1
97.9
98.9
97.0
95.9
95.3
94.4
94. 5
95. 0
96.3
99. 6
102.9
103.8
100.6
100.0
89. 5
91. 2
93. 5
90.9
95.4
97.2
94. 3
89. 9
88.4
89.1
87.8
90.4
88.8
89.0
88.7
91.4
100.0
102. 2
104.7
109. 5
108.4
105.8
106.3
106. 0
105.0
104. 2
102.8
103.8
107.2
110.8
117. 6
117.5
113.3
Printing, book
and job
100.0
102.0
101.5
104. 1
104.4
105. 5
105.9
106.5
104. 1
103. 6
103. 2
101. 6
102.9
104.0
102. 9
105. 5
107.2
100.0
103.5
106.0
113.9
116. 2
118.5
117.8
119.6
115.9
115.2
114.4
111.6
113.9
114.9
114.3
116. 7
122. 1
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb_____
Mar___
A p r ... .
M ay____
June____
July____
Aug------Sept . . .
Oct____
N ov____
D ec_____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
91.6
94.2
98.4
95.1
98.3
100.0
105.0
105.3
94.3
90.3
89.4
90.0
93.8
92.6
91.7
90.4
100.0
92.7
95.9
101.8
100.9
101.9
106.0
110.0
109.5
100.2
100.0
95.1
96.4
98.5
98.3
96.9
98.2
Chemicals
100.0
91. 7
92. 7
95.3
95.3
96.1
96.3
96.9
96.7
93. 2
94.0
92.9
93.3
95.3
96.3
97.2
95.5
Fertilizers
100.0
95.8
97.6
103.5
107.3
106.0
107.9
110. 6
108.8
106.0
108.1
102.6
104.2
104.6
108.9
108.6
111.3
100.0
90. 3
98.8
103.9
94.7
97.0
105. 7
134. 6
142. 3
89.9
65.6
64.5
71.7
95. 2
91.8
89.4
89.0
[352]
100.0
87.9
88.6
85.5
83.4
84.1
90.4
88.3
81.9
79.2
79.9
86.3
94.4
91.9
83.9
70.0
70.5
100.0
91.0
98.6
108.9
102.3
103.3
110. 6
131. 8
144. 9
95. 2
76.0
76. 5
83.8
110. 7
99.0
96.8
99.1
Printing, news
papers
100.0
104.1
106.7
111.8
115.6
115.1
115.8
115.8
116.0
115.9
115. 3
114.4
113. 5
114.0
116.4
116.8
118.3
100.0
106. 1
110.1
118.3
123. 7
121.0
121. 5
122. 9
124.6
125.6
123.3
121.0
120. 2
122.9
125.3
126.7
129.2
Stone, clay,
and glass
products
Chemicals and allied products
Group index
100.0
91.4
92.6
90.0
87.9
91.1
91.3
91.2
86.6
84. 9
84.4
88. 2
91.8
92.0
89.6
83.2
81.0
printing
Paper boxes
100.0
93.8
99. 2
102. 5
99.0
100.0
102. 1
102.0
100.2
98.7
97.0
95.3
98.0
96. 7
99.5
99.0
99.9
100.0
88.4
90.0
91.2
89.7
93.0
94.7
92. 9
88.8
87.4
87. 5
88.2
88.6
89.2
88.8
88.9
88.8
100.0
Petroleum
refining
100.0
92.1
94.3
100. 3
94.9
101.9
102.4
103.0
100.3
97.6
96.2
95.7
93.5
91.1
87.9
85. 2
84.1
100.0
89.8
93. 2
97.9
93.6
97.0
102.6
103. 3
100.4
95. 2
97.9
92. 2
91. 5
88. 5
86.6
84. 2
83.6
Group index
100.0
90. 7
97.6
99. 7
94.2
89.4
91.1
94.8
97.8
98.9
99.0
94.4
94.8
95.0
93.4
93.0
88.8
100.0
101.3
103.5
106.4
100.3
91.8
98.2
102.8
105. 8
107.9
105.6
96.9
100.7
99.4
100.6
98.6
141
EM PLOYM ENT IN M ANUFACTURING IN D U STR IES
T a b l e 7 .—IN D E X E S OP E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S —JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D Y E A R L Y A V ER A G ES, 1923, 1924,
1925, 1926, A N D 1927—Continued
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Metal prod
ucts other
than iron and
steel
Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued
M onth and
year
Brick, tile, and
terra cotta
Cement
Group index
Glass
Pottery
Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll Employ- Pay-roll
ment
ment
ment
totals
totals
totals
ment
totals
ment
totals
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927— Jan_____
F eb_____
Mar
Apr__ ___
May .
June__
July____
Aug------Sept____
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec. . . .
1 0 0 .0
9 9 .9
9 6 .6
91. 7
8 7 .9
8 2 .0
80. 1
8 4 .8
8 8 .2
9 0 .4
9 2 .3
9 3 .3
93. 2
9 2 .4
9 0 .0
8 6 .7
8 0 .8
1 0 0 .0
103. 6
100. 7
9 6 .0
92. 6
8 0 .4
81. 5
8 8 .0
9 4 .8
1 0 1 .8
1 0 0 .0
97. 5
99. 1
97. 5
96. 1
9 1 .0
8 3 .5
1 0 0 .0
9 8 .1
9 9 .6
100. 7
9 5 .0
8 6 .4
84. 5
91. 3
99. 7
1 0 4 .0
104. 1
103. 5
1 0 0 .9
9 7 .8
9 2 .8
90. 1
8 4 .3
1 0 0 .0
1 0 3 .6
104. 2
105. 2
9 9 .0
86. 7
8 9 .7
97. 1
104. 2
112. 3
110. 8
1 0 6 .9
1 0 5 .6
1 0 0 .6
9 6 .3
92. 5
8 5 .8
1 0 0 .0
107. 5
104. 9
1 0 6 .8
1 0 0 .9
1 0 3 .8
1 0 9 .2
1 0 8 .8
105. 7
103. 7
1 0 2 .6
8 1 .6
9 4 .8
96. 7
9 8 .6
1 0 1 .0
1 0 3 .9
Metal products, other than
iron and steel—Continued
Stamped and
enameled ware
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb_____
Mar___
Apr_____
M ay____
June____
July____
Aug------Sept____
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec_____
100.0
90.1
94.2
95.1
84.6
83.7
86. 1
89.6
88.2
86. 1
84.2
82.8
82.5
82.9
83.4
83.5
81.8
100.0
85.3
91. 7
91. 5
82.9
76.6
86.4
91. 2
86.7
85.9
83.2
78.4
82. 1
78.8
82. 7
82.8
79.4
Brass, bronze,
and copper
products
100.0
94.0
97.9
98.7
93.2
96.4
95.4
96.8
96.5
96.8
93.7
92. 5
93.4
91.6
89.9
87.9
87.9
100.0
93.9
100.2
101. 1
93.0
97.5
98.5
100.3
93.0
98.5
94.6
90.0
90.6
88. 7
88.2
86.0
90.0
1 0 0 .0
9 0 .4
9 3 .4
9 9 .0
9 3 .2
8 9 .7
9 4 .7
9 6 .6
9 6 .4
9 4 .9
9 4 .9
9 0 .3
8 9 .4
92. 5
93. 3
95. 2
9 0 .4
1 0 0 .0
1 1 0 .9
112. 2
116. 6
1 0 9 .8
104. 3
1 2 2 .9
124. 5
1 2 0 .3
1 1 1 .4
1 0 5 .4
8 1 .3
103. 2
104. 4
111. 1
1 1 1 .8
1 1 7 .3
1 0 0 .0
95. 2
1 0 0 .9
1 0 8 .0
1 0 0 .9
9 6 .4
1 0 3 .7
106. 0
106. 3
105. 2
103. 1
9 3 .0
96. 2
97. 3
102. 5
102. 3
9 9 .0
1 0 0 .0
92. 7
90. 7
9 7 .5
90. 5
9 2 .4
9 2 .5
9 4 .0
9 3 .9
9 3 .5
90. 7
8 9 .5
9 0 .0
8 8 .9
8 7 .9
8 0 .5
8 0 .0
1 0 0 .0
9 1 .0
8 9 .8
9 8 .5
9 0 .3
9 1 .9
9 5 .2
9 7 .9
9 1 .3
9 5 .1
9 1 .5
8 0 .9
8 8 .3
8 0 .0
8 0 .7
8 5 .1
8 7 .1
Tobacco products
G roup
100. 0
94.0
92.0
85. G
84. 0
77.8
83. G
83.5
81. G
82.4
84. G
84.6
78.5
87.8
89.8
89.1
84.5
index
100. 0
95. G
92. 7
87.7
85.2
77. G
80. G
82.1
79.0
84. G
87.8
86.7
80.8
91.4
92. 3
91.3
87.9
Chewing and
smoking tobacco
and snuff
100.0
99.9
92.0
94.9
92.7
92.3
98.9
97.8
90.6
89.0
89.2
87.3
91.1
91.3
95.7
94.9
94.2
100.0
101. 1
98.2
99.9
97.6
102.5
105. 1
100.0
91.3
94.4
98.9
96.4
95.3
93. 1
102. 2
94. 5
97.2
Cigars and
cigarettes
100.0
93. 3
92. 1
84.5
82.9
75.9
81.6
81.6
80.4
81.6
84.0
84.3
76.9
87.4
89.0
88.3
83.3
100.0
94.9
92.0
86.3
83.7
74.7
77.7
80.0
77.6
83.5
86.5
85.6
79.1
91.2
91.1
90.9
86.8
Vehicles for land transportation
Group index
1923 average___
1924 average.
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average ___
1927—Jan_____
Feb____
Mar____
Apr_____
M ay____
June____
July____
Aug------Sept____
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec........ .
in«, n
88. G
91.0
91.2
82.8
81.2
85.3
86.3
86.8
8G.9
85.1
82.3
83.0
81.7
80.9
76.8
77.5
100.0
87.5
93.5
92.8
85.0
73.6
88.8
91.3
93.1
94.2
85.8
81.4
85.8
81.«
84.2
79.0
80.8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Automobiles
100.0
93.6
106. 5
107. 6
98.2
90.3
101. 7
106. 1
106.9
107. 2
101. 6
95.3
99. 1
96. 2
95. 2
87. 2
91.0
100.0
91.1
111.3
108. 7
98.2
69. 0
102.9
112. 6
115.8
116. 5
96.4
91.9
100. 1
94.5
98.1
86.3
93.8
Carriages and
wagons
100.0
83. 5
92.1
91.9
72.3
62.6
73.4
74. 5
73.3
74. 1
70. 5
67.6
72. 5
76.2
74.8
73.5
74.8
100.0
87.7
92.6
92.3
77.2
66.4
77.0
79.7
80.8
80.4
76.3
73.6
78.8
81. 2
81.5
75.3
75.0
Car building
and repairing,
electric-railroad
100.0
88.7
88.4
88.7
89.5
88.1
89. 1
89.5
89.5
88.4
89.8
90.3
90.8
90.8
90.0
88.9
88.4
100.0
88.8
91.3
90.8
91.8
89.6
90.6
92. 5
91.9
92.6
93.1
90.4
92.3
91.5
91.2
92. 1
93.4
Car building
and repairing,
steam-railroad
100.0
85.5
81.3
80.8
72.9
75.5
75.0
73.9
74.2
74. 3
74.7
74.0
72.6
72.0
71.4
69.5
68.2
100.0
85.0
82.2
82.7
76.3
75.8
80.0
77.9
78.9
80.4
78.8
74.3
76.5
72.8
74.9
73.7
71.9
142
T
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
a b l e 7 — IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G
IN D U S T R IE S—JA N U A R Y TO D E C E M B E R , 1927, A N D Y E A R L Y A V ER A G ES, 1923, 1924.
1925, 1926, A N D 1927—Continued
[M onthly average, 1923=100]
Miscellaneous industries
Group index
Month and
year
Agricultural
implements
Electrical ma
chinery, appara
tus,and supplies
Pianos and
organs
Rubber boots
and shoes
Pay Employ Pay
Pay Employ Pay
Employ Pay
roll Employ
roll
roll Employ
roll
roll
ment
ment
ment
ment
ment
totals
totals
totals
totals
totals
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan_____
Feb____
Mar____
Apr__ _ _
M ay____
Ju n e..
July------Aug-----Sept _ _
Oct_____
N ov____
D ec_____
10«. 0
87.8
91. 6
96. 8
96. 3
100. 7
102.5
102. 5
101.8
100. 2
98. 7
94.2
92.6
91.4
90.8
89.7
90.4
100.0
90.6
94.6
101.9
102.8
107.2
109.2
111 4
113.3
109.3
104.9
99.5
96.6
93.2
96. 5
92.4
99.8
100.0
80. 1
92.4
98. 7
90.7
93.8
96.6
96.6
93.8
91.2
89.5
85.3
86.6
84.0
87.6
88.6
94.7
100.0
83.8
101. 1
111.4
102.7
104.1
112.2
109.5
107.8
106.2
101.1
93.1
99.0
90.7
98.4
99.7
110.1
100.0
93.8
90.9
98.7
93.8
96.3
95.1
93.8
93.5
92.7
94.8
92.0
92.4
93.9
95.1
94.4
92.0
100.0
97. 7
95.0
103. 1
98.7
101.1
100.1
100.4
100.2
100.2
101. 7
93.6
97.7
94.3
100.4
96.0
98.2
100.0
94.9
94.0
95.0
85.9
93.3
90.2
87.4
84. 5
82.9
82.9
79. 2
83. 8
85. 5
87.8
88.4
85.0
100.0
101.8
103.1
105.4
92.1
98.0
93.7
92.3
87.4
88.1
86.0
79.0
89.2
96.0
100.0
98. 1
97.3
Miscellaneous industries-—Continued
Automobile
tires
1923 average___
1924 average___
1925 average___
1926 average___
1927 average___
1927—Jan ___
Feb_____
M ar. . .
Apr_____
M ay____
June____
July____
Aug------Sept
Oct_____
N o v ___
Dec_____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
97.3
112.2
109. 8
106.8
102.4
104.3
105.9
111.8
116.0
113.8
111.4
110.4
106.7
102.1
97.3
99.7
100.0
99.9
113.9
113.4
111.4
103.8
112.2
114. 1
121.5
124.5
120.2
114.2
114.0
109.7
104.3
94.1
103.6
Shipbuilding,
steel
100.0
83.1
85.3
92.1
96. 5
105.5
109.6
.1
107.4
103.2
99.7
93.3
89.3
86.3
84.9
83.9
85.1
110
100.0
86. 2
87.7
97. 1
102.8
112.0
113. 2
117.5
119.5
110.9
103.7
100.1
91.4
87.5
91.6
88.1
97.5
[354]
100.0
70.9
83.3
85. 7
88. 5
89. 5
89.4
87.6
86.4
87.0
86. 5
80.6
80.7
89.
92.0
94.4
98. 6
1
100.0
71.5
91.2
93.3
100.5
102.9
100.0
97.5
97.5
100.6
97.4
90.2
91.3
102.3
105.1
109.6
111.8
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING IN DU STRIES
143
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
MONTHLY INDEXES - 1926& 1927.
M O N T H LY
AVERAGE.
192.3 —100.
EM PLOY ML NT
100
95
90
85
PAY-ROLL^ T O T A L 5
100
95
90
85
si AN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JWL. AUÛ. SEF>. OCT.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[355]
NOV- DEC.
144
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT.
M ON TH LY
AVERAGE
SLAUGHTERING* MEAT PACKING
1923=100
CONFECTIONERYa
/
V1926
\——s
V [ 9 2 t\
\\
\\
/
//
/)
~/ Z
FLOUR
¡ 92.6
¡9 2 7
BAKING
I 9 2 7 ^ _
1926
COTTON GOODS.
1927
\
1926
\
E C 0 £ k
t u.
>
___¿L
>
/
s— /
z
J < 9 & ; | - > o
¿ c 0 K
‘F > z ; J O > r - ' | - > O
00uJ
-<u3<^:
> u E < s<o=5=>Sj
;-)-7<<oO
rQ
E < £ t t < wocq
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[356]
\
145
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
TREN D OF EMPLOYMENT.
MONTHLY
SILK
AVERAGE.
GOODS
1923=100
WOOLELN & WORSTED GOODS
1926^
'Ï9Z7
\ vN
DYEING & FINISHING TEXTILES.
1926
1927
—' ~~--'V
CLOTHING. MENS.
z: «o
SF
E -»
&
t
OC > r J <3 £ U >• O
^Zn utû
uj- F.K< Û
. < 3 3 D u O O üJ
< Z n n <*: vi o z: a
h > H
- j u - S ,T 2 r - 7 - j < v n Oz o
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3571
146
m onthly
TREN D
labor
OF
M O NTH LY
r e v ie w
EMPLOYMENT.
AVERAGE:
IRON Sc S T E E L
100
Ï926
1923- 100.
CAST-IRON PIPE
___, x
N
\
90 132.7
X
/
no.
100
X
1927
60
** STRUCTURAL IRON WORK
no
X
192^-—
. 90
FOUNDRY ¿c MACHINE-SHOÌNMWCl
*
100
\
X
1927
1ÌZG,__
90
1927
— —'"
--- —
—
^ —
80 1926
70
HARDW ARE
MACHINE TOOLS
110
I926_
100
— ------
—
^
1927
r
1926
X
1927
V
90
V
V
_
■------- —
80
"
STEAM
'—
FITT IN G S , E T C .
STOVES.
1 10
I9Z 6
100
----\
v '
1927
'X
^ \
\ --\--
90
y
1926
r
SO
/ ^
V /
v / iw
'
-, —
^
\
\
\
A
s:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
JUN.
-,
APR.
MAY
70
— co oe
$ u4 <
34
~7
z cö £ ft? >
a
ui <£ D. <
^ u- z:
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[358]
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3
n
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O 2> u4 o o u
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147
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
TREN D
OF EMPLOYMENT.
M ONTHLY
LUMBER.
AV ERAGE:
SAWMILLS
LUMBER. MILLWORK
110
100
1923-100
1926
-------- ---
90
192 6
s ______ /
J9 27
^s
\
FU R N IT U R E
1 926
v '
^
s.
192 7
/
LEA TH ER
too
.
1927
/ /
^
\
80
no
/
V----- J * \ \
192 7
-
90
1926 ^ X
Vn
80
BOOTS
& SHOES.
PA P E R X- PULP
I10
100
I9Z6
/ / ----- N7
'1927 ^
\
90
1 9 2 6 __ --------1927
_____ ___.
80
PAPER
BO X E 5 .
PRINTING , BOOK 2^ JO B
1927
1926
y
>
100
192.6
1927"90
80
■j u. E
zrcOt£<^>z:_ii3oIi->u
<
ul- E
<t < <
nU
£ -SOOUJOObJ
i -}<^> oz : q
E -3 i < <6 o n q
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 5 9 ]
148
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
MONTHLY
AVERAGE.
PRINTING, NEWSPAPERS.
I9Z3= IOO
C H EM IC A LS
1927
____ ,
1926
i FE R T IL IZ E R S .
PETROLEUM
cuid o<ea. <> zir =_>i d fc
i-‘ > <->
u o o ui
u. 2T< £ t -) .< <n o 2r c>
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
R E F IN IN G .
r< ui i k< ot- .V< r= >J ovaoti av-o>o ljJ
8
-> u E i r T T < l/) o r Q
[360]
149
EMPLOYMENT IN MANUFACTURING IN DU STRIES
OF
T R E N D
E M P L O Y M E N T .
MONTHLY A V E R A G E ! I9Z3-100
POTTERY.
— V
19'
^1926
GLASS-
no
r " ' ""
'A
\ /
k/
V
V .
100
.- - N
------ T r
*V
1 92 6,
\
O "90
\/ l9 2 7
ao
£E N A M E L E D
STAM PED
W ARE.
110
BRASS, B R O N Z E* COPPER
1926
19 2,6^ —
V —___ •A
Vj
100
/
/
/
19 2 7
N
19 2 7 / ' " "
\
C H E W IN G
go
2r S M O K I N G TOBACCO
- ____ _
_____ ¿A
C IG A R S
no
.A
N
90
i
80
1926
1927
J ---- -
/
/
v
/
V I9 2 6
____ ^
\
10 0
\
\
\
\
90
f
t \
l
c a r r ia g e s a- ^ a g o n s .
1 9 2 ^ ,^
I9 Z T /'
\
V
V/
A U T O M O B IL E S .
no
Xr C I G A R E T T E S .
10 0
J/
N
J 1926
12 0
------—
90
A
------ ^
19' ,7 J r \
PROD.
1927___ _
\
. ___ \____
7—
'
\
\_
v /
N/
\
\
100
90
\
\
80
X
70
\
80
IV
z ri £ £ > £
£
■>• J
- ) i L E < t i- ) < C [ / ) o r o
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
- ) U . E i C T T < m o r û
[3611
60
150
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT.
MONTHLY AVERAGE.' 1923= IOO
ELECTRIC R.R.
CAR BUILDING Sc REPAIRING
100
S T £/\M
R R
90
I9Z 7
80
I9Z6^ ----_192/7
70
•9*6
—
_^
\
--------
AUTOMOBILE T I R E S .
r
-
ai oc or > ¿
)
U
.
E
<
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
I
t
S H IP B U ILD IN G , S T E E L .
¡r ij > o'
-
)
<
i/
1 0 Z
u- 2 I < e
Û
[362]
- 7- ) <' OOZ: o
151
E M P L O Y M E N T I N M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
P r o p o r tio n o f T im e W ork ed a n d F orce 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 , 1927
from 8,991 establishments in December, 1927, show that
1 v 1 per cent of these establishments were idle, 79 per cent were
operating on a full-time schedule, and 20 per cent on a part-time
schedule; 31 per cent had a normal full force of employees and 68
per cent were operating with reduced forces.
The establishments in operation were employing an average of 84
per cent of a normal full force of employees and were operating an
average of 96 per cent of full time. These percentages indicate a
drop of 1 per cent in average force employed and no change in
operating time since the November report.
DEPORTS
T a b l e 8 —E ST A B L ISH M E N T S W ORKING FU L L A N D PA R T T IM E A N D E M PL O Y IN G
FU LL A N D PA R T W ORKING FO RCE IN D E C E M B E R , 1927
Establish
ments
reporting
Industry
Total Per
num cent
ber
idle
Food an d kindred p r o d u c ts.. . .
Slaughtering and meat packing_____
Confectionery_______
____
Ice cream
Flour_________________
Baking . . . ____
Sugar refining, cane. _____________
1,3(10
152
241
140
273
543
11
Textiles a n d th eir p ro d u cts_______
Cotton g o o d s__________
Hosiery and knit goods___________
Silk goods______ _____ _
Woolen and worsted goods ________
Carpets and rugs.. _____ __________
Dyeing and finishing textiles_______
Clothing, men’s . . _ ______
Shirts and collars__________
Clothing, women’s . ____. . .
Millinery and lace goods . ______
1,435
390
178
160
163
20
87
195
62
133
47
Iron an d steel a n d th eir p ro d u cts.
1,579
Iron and steel . ______
159
Cast-iron pipe . . . ___
36
Structural ironwork. . . . . .
147
Foundry and machine-shop products.
863
Hardware____ . _______
51
Machine tools_____
138
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus_______
103
Stoves__ _____ _______
82
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts__
Lumber, sawmills______
Lumber, millwork__ ______
Furniture-._ __________________
972
379
219
374
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts_____
Leather .
___
Boots and shoes________________
310
114
196
Paper a n d p r in tin g _________
Paper and pulp . . . _______
___
Paper boxes_____ _______ _____
Printing, book and job.
_ ____
Printing, newspapers______________
764
172
152
293
147
C hem icals a n d allied p ro d u cts____
Chemicals______
________
Fertilizers ____ _ ____________
Petroleum refining______ _______ ...1
298
99
158
41
14
9
14
9
27
9
18
97
99
97
98
92
99
94
34
52
28
6
45
33
18
66
48
72
94
55
67
82
88
91
82
64
88
93
82
82
82
89
79
81
100
71
77
87
87
79
17
18
H
21
18
29
21
11
12
19
97
97
98
97
96
100
95
96
99
97
98
40
51
47
39
36
45
45
33
44
17
21
59
48
53
61
63
55
55
64
55
82
77
91
93
92
93
84
101
93
86
98
89
83
63
74
53
78
60
53
70
36
23
47
22
40
47
30
93
94
86
97
93
93
96
20
14
19
28
17
10
17
80
82
81
72
82
90
83
80
82
79
83
77
82
82
1
54
60
45
10
91
89
28
35
71
65
82
85
1
2
78
84
65
79
21
14
35
20
97
97
95
97
29
26
20
38
69
72
80
61
82
79
74
91
77
90
69
23
10
30
95
99
92
30
32
29
69
68
70
86
86
86
92
90
86
94
100
8
10
14
6
99
98
98
100
100
55
42
43
52
87
45
57
57
48
13
97
94
91
99
103
83
91
73
100
16
9
25
98
99
96
100
19
40
7
17
79
60
91
83
77
93
55
77
1
(>)
1
1
1
3
2
1
2
1
4
(>)
1
1
1
(')
1
1
3 J
1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Average
per cent
of normal
full force
employed
by estab
lishments
operating
86
91
85
91
73
91
82
(>)
(0
«
Per cent of
Per cent of
establish Average
establish
per cent
ments
ments oper
operating— of full
ating with—
time oper
ated in
establish Full
Part
Full Part
ments
norma]
time time operating norma
force force
[363]
152
M O NTH LY LA B O R R E V IE W
T able 8 —E ST A BL ISH M EN T S W ORKING FU L L A N D PA R T T IM E A N D E M P L O Y IN G
FU LL A N D PA R T W ORKING FO RCE IN D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
Establish
ments
reporting
Industry
Total Per
num cent
ber
idle
S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ cts _____
C e m e n t______
..
___________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta
______
Pottery___________________________
Glass__ ________ ________________
533
85
295
60
93
M etal p ro d u cts oth er th a n iron a nd
steel
. . .
__
Stamped and enameled w are..
Brass', bronze, and copper products..
205
64
141
T ob acco p ro d u cts___________________
Chewing and smoking tobacco and
snuff . . .
..
. . . __
Cigars and cigarettes........................
142
26
116
V ehicles for la n d tr a n sp o r ta tio n ____ 1,057
Automobiles __________________ _
177
Carriages and wagons
57
Car building and repairing, electricrailroad ...... ................
358
Car building and repairing, steamrailroad_________ ______________
465
M iscellaneous in d u s tr ie s ______
Agricultural implements___ _____ _
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and
_____________ ___
su p p lies___
Pianos and organs
________ _ .
Rubber boots and shoes. _______ _
Automobile t ir e s _____ ___ _ _
Shipbuilding, steel________________
T o ta l__________________________
2
1
3
2
77
85
68
85
94
21
14
29
13
6
95
94
94
97
99
17
14
11
35
24
81
85
86
63
76
82
79
77
94
84
73
81
70
27
19
30
95
97
95
21
28
18
79
72
82
82
80
84
1
80
19
97
42
57
93
1
77
81
23
18
97
97
46
41
54
58
94
92
87
77
79
13
23
21
98
96
97
32
18
25
67
82
75
78
77
75
95
(0
90
9
99
56
44
89
11
99
21
79
79
336
88
74
64
26
36
97
96
25
19
75
81
85
84
129
35
10
46
28
77
77
80
70
93
23
23
20
30
7
97
96
99
94
99
28
26
80
15
25
72
74
20
85
75
87
84
103
83
72
79
20
96
31
68
84
8,991
(0
1
i Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent of
Per cent of
Average
establish Average
establish
per cent
ments
ments oper per cent
of
full
of
normal
operating—
ating with—
time oper
full force
ated in
employed
establish Full
Part by estab
Full Part ments
normal lishments
time time operating normal
force force operating
[364]
153
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -r o ll T o ta ls o n C lass I R a ilro a d s,
N o v e m b e r , 1926, a n d O c to b e r a n d N o v em b er, 1927
-HE number of employees on the 15th of November, 1927, and
the total earnings of employees in the entire month of Novem
ber, 1927, on Class I railroads of the United States are shown
in the table following', together with similar information for October,
1927, and November, 1926. The data are presented for all occupa
tions combined, excluding executives and officials, and also for the
six general groups of occupation; under each group data are shown
separately for a few of the more important occupations.
Class I railroads are roads having operating revenues of $1,000,000
a year and over.
T
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D TOTAL M O N TH LY EA R N IN G S OF RAILROAD E M PL O Y EE S—
N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D OCTOBER A N D N O V E M B E R , 1927
[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. As data for only the more important occu
pations are shown separately, the group totals are not the sum of the items under the respective groups]
Number of employees at
middle of month
Occupation
Professional, clerical, and general
C lerks..
Stenographers and typists___. . .
Maintenance of way and structures
Laborers, extra gang and work
train___________ . .
Laborers, track and roadway
section._________________ _
Maintenance of equipment and
stores . .
Carmen____ .
M achinists___ _
Skilled trades helpers__________
Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power plants, and stores)____
Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and
stores)................... .......................
Transportation, other than
train, engine, and yard__ . ...
Station agents_____________
Telegraphers, telephoners, and
towermen
...
... .
Truckers (stations, warehouses,
and platforms)_____ _ . _ _
Crossing and bridge flagmen and
gatemen_________ __________
Transportation
(yardmasters,
switch tenders, and hostlers)...
Transportation, train and engine ------ -------- „-----------------------
Road conductors. . ._ . . _____
Road brakemen and flagmen
Yard brakemen and yard helpers.
Road engineers and m otorm en...
Road firemen and helpers............
1926
1927
Total earnings
1926
1927
Novem
ber
October
287,625
169,049
25,598
279,337
162,102
25,026
278,023 $39,388, 763 $40,103,740 $39,420,646
160, 8C8 21,876,885 22,114,927 21, 557, 016
25, 043
3,143,369
3,202,968
3, 180, 231
423,616
444,943
408,838
38,608,293
41,668,794
69,099
76,682
67, 345
5,190,889
6,044,881
5,034, 575
213,913
230,553
206, 290
15,295,282
17,141,946
14, 512,068
519, 706
113,718
60, 880
115, 277
482,368
104,052
58,207
106,583
479,329
102, 856
58, 116
105, 745
67,808,900
16,696,328
9, 650,738
12, 768, 700
65, 374, 505
16,052,270
9,432,834
12,264,930
62,384,589
15,104, 995
9,006, 858
11, 626,962
42,926
40,409
40,306
4,067,626
3,958,265
3,819,957
60,210
54,579
53,833
4,797,725
4,575,148
4,288,541
212,743
30,599
206,841
30,271
203,243
30, 212
25,735,546
4,707,685
26,134,844
4,810,645
25,098,670
4, 723,021
25,628
24,420
24,094
3,817,870
3,830,830
3, 671,035
41,040
38,455
37, C86
3,732,087
3,753,790
3,440,433
22,085
21,753
21, 590
1,659,501
1,677,708
1, 665,474
24,409
23,089
22,895
4,498,063
4,529,309
4,403,395
342,917
38,288
78,052
57,800
45,841
47,124
329,951
37,531
75,551
54,481
44,654
45,552
319,749
35,915
72, 524
53,674
42, 786
44,218
68,897,365
9,081,271
13,621,386
10,099,113
12,376,226
9,200,964
70,035, 165
9,342,127
13,955,596
10,306,206
12,516, 603
9,392,012
63,346,384
8, 425, 214
12,369, 783
9,485, 901
11,209, 366
8, 399,641
Novem N ovember
ber
October
Novem
ber
37,345,361
All occupations__ _ ____ 1,811,016 1,766,529 1,712,075 244,936,930 247,846,357 231,999,045
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1365]
154
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
State Reports on Employment
C a lifo rn ia
HE following data, taken from the December, 1927, issue of the
Labor Market Bulletin, issued by the State department of
industrial relations, show changes in number of employees and
in amount of weekly pay roll of 790 industrial establishments in
California from November, 1926, to November, 1927:
T
PE R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN N U M B E R OF E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN T O TAL A M O U N T OF
W E E K L Y PA Y ROLL IN 790 C A LIFO RN IA E ST A B L ISH M E N T S B E T W E E N N O V E M B E R ,
1926, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1927
Employees
Weekly pay roll
Number
Per cent
Per cent
of estab
Number ofaschange
lish
Amount of change
com
as com
in N o
ments re in N o
pared
pared
porting vember, with N o vember, with
N o
1927
1927
vember,
vember,
1926
1926
Industry
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Miscellaneous stone and mineral products______
Lime, cement, piaster^ _____________________
Brick, tile, pottery____________________ _____
Glass___________________________________
12
8
21
8
1,543
1,643
3,424
812
+14.0
-2 6 . 2
-.6
+4.1
$45,334
50, 928
84, 583
25, 752
+ 4.3
-2 8 .3
+5.1
- 1 .2
______
49
7,422
- 4 .9
206,597
- 6 .5
Metals, machinery, and conveyances:
Agricultural implements^ _____ _____________
Automobiles, including bodies and parts_______
Brass, bronze, and copper products ______ ___
Engines, pumps, boilers, and tanks.. . . . _____
Iron and steel forging, bolts, nuts, etc . . . _____
Structural and ornamental steel____ . . . ___
Ship and boat building and naval repairs.. . . . .
Tin cans... _______ ______ _ ___
Other iron foundry and machine-shop products .
Other sheet-metal products_______ ______
Cars, locomotives, and railway repair shops____
6
14
9
9
8
20
6
7
74
22
16
1,642
1,422
919
826
2,726
3,761
5, 257
2,019
7,037
1,586
7,120
+33.4
-4 8 .2
- 8 .6
+ 3.0
-1 2 .8
-8 . 5
-12. 5
-2 1 .0
-1 3 .6
- 4 .4
- 2 .6
46,855
50, 479
26, 541
25,065
81,384
120, 717
170, 649
55,085
214, 989
45,084
222, 648
+32.6
-4 5 .4
- 9 .3
191
34, 275
-1 1 .3 1,059,496
-1 1 .7
26
62
42
12, 483
10,195
5, 386
+ 2 .8
-6 . 1
+ 7 .7
349,179
268, 401
159,105
0
-1 0 .7
+11.0
Total_____________________________
T otal..
_____________________________
Wood manufactures:
Sawmills and loggin g... ________ ____
Planing mills, sash and door factories, etc
Other wood manufactures_______________
T otal________ _
_____ _____ _____
-1 9 .9
- 4 .2
-1 2 .2
-1 9 .1
-1 4 .7
-1 0 .2
- 1 .4
130
28,064
+ .3
776, 685
- 2 .1
Leather and rubber goods:
Tanning. . . .
________ . . . .
Finished leather products___ . . . _ .
Rubber products_____________________ .
8
5
7
751
448
2,253
-1 3 .0
-1 2 .8
-2 2 .6
22, 364
8, 431
61, 607
- 5 .8
-2 0 .7
-2 0 .5
Total________________________________
20
3, 452
-1 9 .5
92,402
-1 7 .4
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.:
Explosives______ _ ______________
Mineral oil refining. .
. ____ . . . ____ _
Paints, dyes, and colors
_ ______ _ _
Miscellaneous chemical products _______ ____
4
6
8
13
498
5,185
701
1,944
+5. 5
-2 9 .5
- 1 .4
-1 5 . 6
15, 029
195, 160
16, 781
51, 331
+ 2 .5
-2 9 .2
- 3 .3
-1 6 .6
Total_____ ____ ____________________
31
8,328
-2 3 .2
278, 311
-2 4 .6
Printing and paper goods:
Paper boxes, bags, cartons, e t c ___________
P rinting... __________ _________ . . . .
Publishing
_______________ . _____ _
Other paper products________________________
13
59
16
10
2,003
2,481
3,612
1,195
- 3 .9
- 2 .3
+ .1
- 5 .3
. 56,065
86, 497
138, 094
30, 604
+ 5.7
- 4 .0
+ .7
+ .2
Total________________________________
98
9,291
-2 . 2
311, 260
+ .2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[366]
155
REPORTS ON EMPLOYMENT— CALIFORNIA
P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN N U M B E R OF E M PL O Y EE S A N D IN TO TAL A M O U N T OF
W E E K L Y PA Y ROLL IN 790 C A LIFO RN IA E ST A B L ISH M E N T S B E T W E E N N O V E M B E R ,
1926, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1927—Continued
Employees
Number
of estab
lish
Number
ments re in No
porting vember,
1927
Industry
Textiles:
Knit goods . __________________ _____ _
...
Other textile products________ ______ _______ _
Weekly pay roll
Per cent
of change Amount
as com
in N o
pared
with N o vember,
1927
vember,
1926
Per cent
of change
as com
pared
with N o
vember,
1926
12
6
1,158
1, 512
+ 0 .8
- 8 .1
$24, 621
31, 042
0
-1 5 .9
18
2,670
- 4 .5
55, 663
-9 .5
26
10
7
23
3, 036
868
570
3,485
- 3 .8
-8 .0
+ 7 .3
+ 3 .0
66, 131
16, 404
9,951
76, 806
-1 .8
- 5 .4
+ 4 .9
-1 .0
Total___________________________________ _
66
7,959
- .7
169, 292
- 1 .4
Foods, beverages, and tobacco:
Canning, preserving of fruits and vegetables
Canning, packing of f is h ___________________
Confectionery and ice cream________________
Groceries not elsewhere specified____ - .
Bread and bakery produ cts____ _ ____ _____
Sugar. ______ _____
. ______ ._ __
Slaughtering and meat products.. . . . ______
Cigars and Other tobacco p ro d u cts__________
Beverages.. _________________ ______ _____
Dairy products__________ ______ __________
Flour and grist mills____ __ ______________
Ice m an ufactures.________ _________________
Other food products.. ______________________
36
7
22
5
22
4
14
5
3
9
12
15
13
7, 220
849
1, 668
497
3,690
2,778
2, 616
967
419
2,705
1, 341
1, 233
1, 704
- 6 .1
-4 0 .3
+ .9
-5 .0
+ 1 .8
+ .5
- 1 .6
- 7 .8
+ 5 .8
- 4 .1
- 7 .8
+ 2 .2
+ 9 .7
135, 786
7, 875
38, 353
12, 865
104, 387
76, 423
78, 019
17,863
10, 275
95, 541
37, 635
40, 573
34, 766
- 5 .2
-6 4 .7
+ 4 .3
+ 1 .6
+ 1 .3
+ 3 .2
-1 .6
-6 .0
- 1 .1
-.8
- 4 .5
0
+17.8
______
167
27, 687
- 3 .9
690, 361
- 2 .3
Water, light, and power. . . . . . . ________ _______
Miscellaneous _ ________________________________
5
15
8,391
2, 288
- 2 .4
-1 5 .5
253, 782
63, 295
- 5 .7
-8 .6
790
139, 827
- 6 . 8 3,957, 144
- 7 .6
Total_________________ ______ ____________
Clothing, millinery and laundering:
M en’s clothing ____________________________
.......
Women’s c lo th in g .._____. . . . . . . .
M illin ery________ ____ ____________________ _
Laundering, cleaning, and dyeing _______ __
T o ta l_______ . . .
__________ .
Total, all industries______________________
82645°— 28----- 11
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[367]
156
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Iow a
r"PHE December, 1927, issue of the Iowa Employment Survey,
1 published by the bureau of labor of that State, shows the follow
ing changes in volume of employment from November to December,
1927:
CHANGES IN VOLUM E OF E M P L O Y M E N T IN IOWA, N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1927
Employees on pay
roll, December, 1927
Num
ber of
firms
re
port N um
ing
ber
Industry
Food and kindred products:
Meat p a ck in g _____
Cereals____ _______
Flour___
____
Bakery products___
C onfection ery.,___
Poultry, produce,
butter, e tc .. .
Sugar, starr*,h, sirup,
glucose, etc..
Other food products,
coffee, etc_______
Total______ .
..
Textiles:
Clothing, man’s
M illinery________
Clothing, women’s,
and woolen goods
Hosiery, awnings,
etc. ________ ___
Buttons, pearl____
T otal___________
Iron and steel works:
Foundry and machine shops.
Brass, bronze products,
plumbers’
supplies
Autos, tractors, and
engines
Furnaces_________
Pumps____________
Agricultural implements
_ ____
Washing machines..
T otal_____ ______
Lumber products:
Millwork, interiors,
etc
Furniture, d e s k s ,
etc
Refrigerators. _ _ _
Coffins, undertakers’ supplies..
Carriages, wagons,
truck bodies_____
Total___________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per cent
of change
as com
pared
with
Novem
ber, 1927
7,643
1,086
112
961
151
+14.2
+4. 3
0.0
+ 1 .5
+ 8 .6
5
760
+16.9
3
1,917
+ 4 .5
8
2
3
9
4
9
369
+ 6 .6
43
12,999
+10.5
ID
2
992
151
10 0
+ 7 .9
3
531
-j-2 5
4
8
806
706
0.0
+ 8 .0
27
3,186
- 1 .0
30
2,682
-7 . 6
5
543
-f1 8
G
6
4
2 095
'248
337
-f3 8
-is
- 1 .5
9
8
945
2,647
+4. 1
+ 1 .6
68
9, 497
-. 7
16
2, 214
- 2 .3
8
3
826
140
98 9
-1 2 .0
5
154
0.0
91
-1 8 .8
3, 425
-1 0 .8
5
37
Employees on pay
roll, December, 1927
Industry
Leather products:
Shoes________
Saddlery and harness._
Fur goods and tanning__ _________
Gloves and mittens
Total
Paper products, printing and publishing:
Paper products
Printing and publish in g ... _____ _
Num
ber of
Per cent
firms
of change
re
port N um as com
pared
ber
ing
with
Novem
ber, 1927
3
396
- 2 .7
6
239
+ 7 .2
4
3
74
255
+ 2.8
- 6 .6
16
964
- 1 .1
5
354
- 1 .1
16
2, 761
+ .9
Total___________
21
3,115
+ .7
Patent medicines, chemicals, and compounds.
8
506
+ .8
8
12
1, 394
739
—14 8
- 8 .1
Stone and clay products:
Cement,
plaster,
gypsum
Marble and granite,
crushed rock and
stone . . .
_____
Total
4
94
+ 8.0
24
2, 227
-1 1 .9
Tobacco and cigars... _
4
289
+ •7
Railway car shops___
7
9, 731
+6.3
Various industries:
Auto tires and tubes
Brooms and brushes.
Laundries
Mercantile
___
2
3
5
6
151
101
231
3,548
+ 1.3
- 2 .0
—1 3
+31.8
Seeds
Wholesale houses
Commission houses
Other ind ustries___
3
24
10
7
451
1,232
340
1,201
13
+ .7
-.9
- 2 .5
63
11, 135
+ 7.6
318
57,074
+ 3.3
[3681
T otal___ ________
Grand total
157
REPO ETS ON EMPLOYMENT— MARYLAND
M a ry la n d
rFH E commissioner of labor and statistics of Maryland furnished
A the following report showing the changes in volume of employ
ment and weekly pay rolls in Maryland from November to December,
1927.
CH A N G ES IN E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN M A R Y L A N D ,
i
N O V E M B E R TO D E C E M B E R , 1927
Employment
Industry
Beverages and soft drink s..._________ __________
Boots and shoes___ _ __________________ _. . . .
Boxes, paper and fancy________________________
Boxes, wooden___________ . . . . . . . . . . . ______
Brass and bronze_____________ . . . _______ . . _
Brick, tile, etc________ . . ___________________
Brushes____________________ ________________
Car building and repairing ___________ _______
Chemicals _____________________ . . . . . . . . .
Clothing, men’s outer garments _______________
Clothing, women’s outer garments_________ _____
Confectionery___________ . . . ___ . . . . ____
Cotton goods___. . . . . . ____ _____
. _ . ...
Fertilizer... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __ _______ ____
Food preparations_______ . . ________ ____ _
Foundry ___________________ _______ . . . .
Furnishing goods, men’s____ . . . ______. . . . .
Furniture. _________________________________ .
Glass manufacture..... .................................. . . _. .
Ice cream..
___________ . . . . . . . _____ . . .
Leather goods________ . . . ______________ _____
Lumber and planing______ . . . . . .
____ . . . . .
Mattresses and spring beds_____________________
Plumbers’ supplies_________ . . .
. . . ______
_ ____ . . .
P r in tin g _____________________ .
Rubber tires 1____
. . . . . . . . . . . _________
Shipbuilding_____ ____________________ ____ _
Shirt manufacture __. . . . .
..
... ____
Silk goods_____________________________________
Stamping and enameling w a r e _____ . . . . . .
Tinware____________ . . . -------------- ----------T ob acco_______ . _ . . . _______ ____________
Umbrellas------------ -----------------------------------------M iscellaneous.. ___________ . . ______________
1 Half-monthly pay-roll period.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Pay roll
Estab
lishments
Per cent
Per cent
report Number of change
of change
as com Amount,
as com
ing for
of em
December,
both
ployees,
pared
pared
months Decem with No
1927
with No
ber, 1927 vember,
vember,
1927
1927
[3691
3
6
8
4
3
4
4
3
4
4
5
6
4
5
4
8
4
9
3
4
4
6
4
4
7
1
3
3
3
4
4
5
3
18
112
998
368
163
2,031
622
667
273
719
1, 481
750
897
1,395
535
136
923
755
822
765
247
500
390
186
1, 111
851
2, 392
656
459
383
994
2,718
338
331
4, 080
- 8 .2
-1 5 .5
-1 4 .7
+ 1.8
- 7 .2
- 1 .9
+ 1.0
-1 . 1
+ 2 .2
+27.3
- 4 .8
-.7
- 1 .0
+1.1
-2 . 2
+ 3.4
- 4 .8
- 1 .4
- 9 .7
-.5
- 1 .6
- 4 .0
+ 1.0
+ 2 .4
+ 1.3
-.9
+24.4
+ 2.1
- 2 .7
- 1 .1
-27. 1
+ .6
$3, 080
15, 586
4,989
2,484
51, 030
14,489
10, 781
8,973
17, 856
29, 650
8,165
13, 767
20, 700
12, 802
3, 169
22, 416
10, 829
22, 070
16, 631
8, 288
10, 410
10,938
4. 941
29, 933
29,947
117, 338
16, 731
7, 224
5,918
18, 100
59, 620
5, 640
5,108
104, 415
- 3 .6
- 7 .2
-1 4 . 1
- 2 .7
-2 .8
- 5 .9
+ 2 .5
-7 .4
+63.9
-1 6 .5
+ 10.6
-1 .7
+ 11.5
-5 .3
-.7
-3 .0
- 3 .9
+ 6 .3
+.3
+13.5
- 3 .4
- 1 .5
+15.4
+ 5 .0
-13. 8
+19.1
+11.3
+ 11.5
- 9 .4
-.9
- 8 .9
-3 0 .8
+ 2 .1
158
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
N ew J e rsey
'"THE New Jersey Department of Labor has furnished the following
A data showing the changes in volume of employment and weekly
pay rolls from October to November, 1927, in 844 establishments in
that State :
PE R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN N U M B E R OF E M PL O Y EE S A N D IN TO TAL A M O U N T OF
W E E K L Y PA Y ROLL IN 844 N E W JE R SE Y E ST A B L ISH M E N T S, N O V E M B E R , 1927, COM
P A R E D W ITH OCTOBER, 1927
Employees
Weekly pay roll
Per cent
Per cent
Number
Amount ofaschange
of plants Number ofaschange
com
com
in
N
o
in
N
o
reporting
pared
pared
vember,
vember,
with
with
1927
1927
October,
October,
1927
1927
Industry
Food and kindred products:
Baking___ _ _____________________________
Canning and preserving ____________________
Confectionery and ice cream_ _________________
Provisions.
____________________ _____ ___
Other food products__________________________
16
8
7
3
12
1,406
4,167
400
1,295
2,906
+ 0.4
-12. 2
+ .2
- 1 .8
- 6 .9
$44, 819
88,854
8, 753
39, 828
80,888
+ 0.6
- 5 .3
+ .6
- .9
-1 0 .6
Total_____________ _______________________
46
10,174
-7 .4
263,142
- 5 .3
3
29
15
37
6
17
9
9
57
18
10
1,233
4,141
7, 306
12, 282
1,009
4,006
849
2,051
8,436
10, 632
1,825
+ 2 .2
+ 1.5
39,482
79, 222
140, 690
317, 896
30,633
106,051
16,246
39, 769
207,872
284, 624
37,628
- 7 .3
- 3 .6
- 3 .4
+ 9.3
+20.6
- 2 .2
- 4 .1
- 2 .2
+ .1
-.4
- 1 .8
210
53, 770
+ 1.9 1, 300,113
+ 1 .2
6
28
79
7
8
21
3,263
20,186
16, 918
882
827
3,469
-.8
- 2 .9
- 3 .2
- .3
- 7 .4
+ 2.7
85,002
541,138
467, 585
25,123
25,068
97,180
- 4 .9
- 2 .8
- 7 .1
-.3
- 5 .2
+ 5.9
13
10
3, 683
1,665
- 5 .5
+ 5.4
102,470
51,060
- 8 .6
+ 8.5
172
50,893
- 2 .5 1,394, 626
- 4 .0
5
13
1,312
682
+5.1
- 3 .8
40,189
18,809
+ 9.3
- 7 .4
18
1,994
+ 1 .9
58,998
+ 3.4
6
21
4
1,017
3,331
531
- 1 .1
+ 3 .6
+2. 5
23, 370
94, 422
15, 359
- 2 .9
- .9
+ 8.6
Textiles and their products:
Carpets and rugs.........................................................
Clothing___ _____ ___________________________
Cotton goods_______________ _________________
Dyeing and finishing textiles _ ___________ _
Hats and caps__________ . ________________ _
Hosiery and knit goods____
_ ____________
Millinery and lace___ __
. __________ _ _
Shirts and collars____________ _____________
Silk goods____________ . _ __ ___________
Woolen and worsted goods___ . ________
Miscellaneous textile products_______________
Total_____________________________________
Iron and steel and their products:
Cast-iron pipe________ . _____________ ___
ElectricaLmachinery, apparatus, and supplies .
Foundry and machine shop products______
_____
Hardware_____ . . . __ . . . ________
Iron and steel forgings... . . . _ ____ . _ _____
Machine tools_____ _ ______ _______
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water heating
apparatus_____________________ _
Structural-iron work......... .............. .............
Total___________________________________ . .
Lumber and its products:
Furniture
____
_ _______ .
Lumber and millwork_______________
Total____________________________________
Leather and its products:
Boots and shoes_____________________
. . . ____
Leather____ _ __ ...........
Leather products________________________
Total____
__________________________
+ 7.4
-5 .1
+ 2.3
+ 1.2
+ .1
+ .3
-.2
- 2 .0
31
4,879
+2. 5
133,151
- .3
Tobacco products_______________________
12
3,808
- 2 .2
70,932
- 2 .7
Paper and printing:
Paper and pulp________________ _____
Paper boxes __________________ _____
Printing, book and jo b .. ___
Printing, newspaper ___________ . . . .
22
18
12
10
4, 206
1,578
2,549
2,080
+ 2 .2
+17.3
+2.1
116,437
33,161
97,333
87, 204
+ .3
+7.1
+45.7
+ 1.5
62
10, 413
+ 5 .2
334,135
+11.5
Total_______ ___________ __________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 7 0 ]
159
REPORTS ON EMPLOYMENT— N EW JE R SEY
PE R C E N T OF CHANGE IN N U M B E R OP E M P L O Y E E S A N D IN TO TAL A M O U N T OF
W E EK LY PA Y ROLL IN 844 N E W JE R SE Y E ST A B L ISH M E N T S, N O V E M B E R , 1927, COM
P A R E D W ITH OCTOBER, 1927—Continued
Weekly pay roll
Employees
Per cent
Per cent
Number
of change
of plants Number as com Amount ofaschange
com
in N o
reporting in N o
pared
pared
vember,
vember,
with
with
1927
1927
October,
October,
1927
1927
Industry
Chemicals and allied products:
C hem icals,......... ......... .............................................
Explosives. ________________________________
Oils and greases. . . . ________________________
Paints and varnishes_________________________
Petroleum refining......... .............. ............................
42
6
9
13
*8
9,117
2,445
1,547
1,689
13, 602
Total_____________________ ■________________
78
Stone, clay and glass products:
Brick, tile, and terra cotta........................................
Glass________________________ ___________ ___
Pottery____ _______ _____________________
Other products__________________ ______ _____
+ 1 .8
+• 1
+ 6.5
+ .2
- 2 .7
$260,988
72,061
42, 256
49, 567
453,017
+ 3.6
+L7
+ 3.6
- 2 .3
- 3 .7
1 28, 398
-.4
877, 889
-.8
26
7
19
2
3,993
3,241
3, 970
993
-.8
+ 5 .5
- 2 .5
+ .9
116, 991
72,112
113,683
36,140
- 3 .5
+ 5.9
-1 0 .0
- 2 .1
54
12,197
+ .4
338,926
- 3 .9
M etal products, other than iron and steel:
Brass, bronze, and copper products........................
Sheet-metal and enamel ware
Smelting and refining______________ ____ _____
Wire and wire goods_________________________
10
21
9
14
582
4, 526
3, 763
7, 277
- 7 .5
-.2
—. 5
17,495
125,875
118,993
192, 214
-1 0 .1
+ 3.3
- 1 .4
- 8 .0
T otal_______________ _____ ________________
54
16,148
-.6
454, 577
- 3 .5
Vehicles for land transportation:
Automobiles and parts ...........................................
Car building and repairing, steam railroad_____
13
9
5,874
4,741
-1 .3
-.7
182,112
147, 374
- 5 .1
+ 1.3
22
10,615
-1 0
329,486
- 2 .4
5
1,510
3,824
943
8,743
8, 812
4,836
3,177
+ .3
- 1 .5
36,703
134,063
18,902
270,184
217, 704
151, 853
94,139
-3 .2
+ .7
-1 .7
+ .8
-1 0 .9
-1 9 .4
-2 .2
Total_____________________ ______________ _
Total____________ ______
________________
Miscellaneous industries:
Cork and cork specialties.. ....................... ................
Jewelry and novelties___________ _____ ________
Laundries. _____ ___________________________
Musical instruments_____ ____________________
Rubber tires and goods_______________________
Shipbuilding . . . _
___ __________________
M iscellaneous________________________ ______ _
Total_________ _ . . . . . .
. . . _______ ____ _
Grand total, all industries............ .....................
i As given in the report; not the correct sum of the items.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 7 1 1
28
8
3
28
6
7
85
31,845
844
235,134
+ 1.5
- 1 .0
-1 7 .4
- 3 .0
- 3 . 2 1 915,548
-.8
6,471,523
- 6 .5
- 2 .0
160
m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
N ew Y ork
TTHE following statistics of changes in number of employees and in
amount of weekly pay rolls were furnished by the New York
State Department of Labor. The figures are based on reports from
a fixed list of about 1,600 factories, having in November 475,571
employees, the total of the weekly pay rolls for the middle week of
November being $13,670,997.
P E R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D IN PA Y ROLLS IN N E W YORK
ST A T E FA C T O R IE S IN N O V E M B E R , 1927, C O M PA R E D W ITH N O V E M B E R , 1926 A N D
O C T O BER , 1927
Per cent of change
%
October, 1927, to
November, 1927
Industry
Stone, clay, and glass_________
Miscellaneous stone and minerals
Lime, cement, and plaster
Cement ___________
Brick, tile, and pottery______
Brick................. .
Pottery_________________
Glass...................... . .
Metals and machinery___ _
Silver and je w e lry ____ _
Brass, copper, and aluminum ________
Iron and steel____
Structural and architectural iron
Sheet metal and hardware___
Hardware____
Stamped and enameled ware
Firearms, tools, and cutlery____
Cutlery and tools____ .
Cooking, heating, and ventilating apparatus..
Steam and hot-water heating.
Stoves___________
Machinery, including electrical apparatus.
Agricultural implements_______
Electrical machinery and apparatus
Foundries and machine shops
Automobiles, carriages, and airplanes
Automobiles and parts.
Railroad equipment and repair.
Locomotives and equipm ent..
Railway repair shops__ _
Boat and ship building...
Instruments and appliances____
Wood manufactures..
Saw and planing mills__ _______
M illw ork..
Sawmills__________
Furniture and cabinet w o r k ____
Furniture_________
Pianos and other musical instruments
Miscellaneous wood, e tc ...
Furs, leather, and rubber goods______
Leather___ ___
Furs and fur goods_____
Shoes_____ ______
Other leather and canvas goods
Rubber and gutta-percha .
Pearl, horn, bone, etc____ _
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc . .
Drugs and chemicals______
Paints and colors________
Oil products . . . _____. . .
Petroleum refining______ . . .
Miscellaneous chemicals_________ _
Paper____ ____ _____
1 Change of less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[3 7 2 ]
November, 1926, to
November, 1927
Em
ployees
Pay rolls
Em
ployees
- 2 .7
+ 1.3
- 8 .4
o f “
-1 1 .4
—£ 3
Pay rolls
-1 0 7
iy. 0
y. /
.y
.0
y. y
y. 0
- 6 .9
s 7
10.0
+15.3
7/. 9Z
-f-o. O
kn
lo. 1
10
/
- \- z .
- 1 .4
+• 4
- 3 .3
- 3 .6
- 1 .6
- 6 .2
- 8 .6
- 3 .8
+L9
0)
- 2 .6
+19.' 1
- 7 .4
a
0)
- 1 .3
- 1 .4
- 5 .3
- 2 .4
-1 2 .9
-1 3 .2
-1 0 .5
—L 7
+ 7.3
- 5 .7
+ 4.4
- 6 .4
- 3 .4
9
- ¿ 0
+ 1.1
+. 9
-3 . 3
-1 5 .0
+2.6
+24.8
+ .9
- 1.6
- 3 .7
- 5 .2
0 )
- 2 .8
- 4 .0
-2 0 .2
+ 3.4
+50. 0
- 1 .9
-3 . 1
- 3 .8
- 4 .2
-
3 .0
4 .2
1
- 7 .6
T. O
- 2 .4
-16. 5
- 4 .4
- 4 .4
-13. 1
-24. 5
- 7 .4
- 1 .3
- 1 .9
-13. 5
9 ^
- 1 .7
+ . 2
+ . 2
- 4 .2
- 5 .6
(0
-3 . 7
- 2 .6
- 5 .8
- 4 .8
-
10 .5
5 .1
-1 5 .3
- 5 .6
-4 .0
- 2 .4
+ 1.0
4
-. 1
-. 1
g
—3! 9
g
+L9
2
9
-
-
-
2 .6
9
—¿ 8
- 4 .1
+ .4
- 1 .7
0)
-2 . 5
+2. 1
- 2 .3
0)
- 1 .8
- 1 .9
-.8
+ 5 .0
+ 4 .2
- 2 .8
No change.
9
4 .8
2 1.2
- 6 .2
a0 . 7/
-1 3 .7
-2 9 .9
- 5 .9
+14.4
-6 8
11
9
11. O
. 1K Q
I /. O
9 ^
_Ai±. QO
.y
-1 9 .2
a R
fi n
10
13 7
+ . 9
-1 4 .7
- 5 .0
- 5 .0
-1 . 1
7
-0 6
O. 0
1. /
-1 1 .9
-
n
8 .0
+ . 2
11 1
- 5 .1
+ 1.3
-4-1h 9^
T
0)
13
- 5 .7
+ 4.8
- 3 .1
161
REPORTS ON EMPLOYMENT— N EW YORK
P E R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D IN P A Y ROLLS IN N E W Y OR K
ST A T E FAC TO R IES IN N O V E M B E R , 1927, C O M PA R E D W ITH N O V E M B E R , 1926, A N D
OCTOBER, 1927—Continued
P e r c e n t of c h a n g e
O c to b e r, 1927, to
N o v e m b e r , 1927
In d u stry
Em
p lo y e e s
P r in tin g a n d p a p e r goods
_______________________________
P a p e r b o x e s a n d t u b e s ...................................................... ..........................
M is o e lla n e o iis p a p e r g o o d s
______________________
P r i n t i n g a n d b o o k m a k in g
___________ _________ -________________ ______
P r in t in g , n e w s p a p e r s
P r in t in g , h o o k a n d jo b
________________________
T e x tile s
__ __ _ _______________________________ _________________________
S ilk a n d s ilk g o o d s
_______________
W o o l m a n u f a c tu r e s
C a r p e ts a n d r u g s
__________ __________
W o o le n s a n d w o r s te d s
______ ____________________
C o t to n g o o d s
_ ____________________________
K n i t g o o d s (except* s ilk )
_ _ _________________ _____
O t h e r te x tile s
__ __________________________
D y e i n g a n d f in is h in g
___________ ___________
C lo th i n g a n d m il li n e r y
_ _____________________________
M e n ’s c lo th in g
________________
____________
M e n ’s f u r n is h in g s
_ _____________________ - --------S h i r t s a n d e o lla rs
_ _________ _________
W o m e n ’s c lo th in g
__ ________________________
W o m e n ’s u n d e r w e a r
__ __
____
- - ---------W o m e n ’s h e a d w e a r
____ ______________ _________
M is c e lla n e o u s s e w in g
_____ ________
_________
L a u n d e r i n g a n d c le a n in g _ __________________________________
P o o d a n d to b a c c o
_ ___ ____________________________
____
P l n n r , fe e d , a n d c e re a ls
_ _ _ ____ ______
F lo u r
- __________ _______ __________
C a n n i n g a n d p r e s e r v in g
_ ____________________________
O t h e r g ro c e rie s
_____________________________
S u g a r r e f in in g
________________ _________
M e a t a n d d a ir y p ro d u c ts
_ _____________________________
M e a tp a c k in g
_ _ __________________ -P a k e ry p ro d u c ts
_ _______________________________
C andy
_
_________ __________________________
L e v e ra g e s
.. ___________________________ T obacco
______ __ ____ ______ —
"W ater l ig h t, a n d p o w e r
_ . _ _ _ __ ____ ______________
T o ta l
_ _
i C h a n g e o f less t h a n o n e - t e n th o f 1 p e r c e n t.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[373]
P a y ro lls
N o v e m b e r , 1926, to
N o v e m b e r , 1927
Em
p lo y e e s
- 1 .4
- 7 .2
- 4 .2
+ 1 .0
- .4
- 1 .7
+ 1 .7
+ 1 .4
+ 1 .9
+ .1
+ 4 .4
+ .1
+ 1.2
+. 1
- 2 .6
- .7
(')
0)
- 4 .8
- 1 1 .7
+ 1 .0
+ .7
- 3 .4
+ 1 .7
- 7 .7
- .2
+ 1 .6
- 5 .1
- 2 .7
- 2 .9
- 4 2 .3
- 3 .3
- 4 .0
+ 1 .0
+ 1.8
- 2 .6
(2)
- 1 5 .6
- .5
+ .2
+ 2 .0
- 1 .4
- 1 .3
+ 2 .8
+ 1 .7
+ 3 .0
- 2 .6
+ 3 .2
- 1 .2
- .9
- .2
- 7 .8
- 4 .4
- 3 .8
- 2 .0
- 9 .3
- 1 4 .7
+ 1 .4
- 1 .9
- 1 3 .8
(>)
- 1 4 .2
+ 5 .4
+ .5
+ 7 .0
- 2 .0
- 1 .0
+ 2 .8
- 1 .4
+ 2 .4
-1 5 . 4
- .2
- .9
- 3 .4
- 1 .0
- 5 .1
- 9 .2
- 7 .3
- 8 .1
+ 8 .4
-2 2 . 9
- 1 .0
- 9 .8
+ 8 .0
-2 . 1
- 7 .3
- 7 .6
-2 5 . 7
+ 8 .7
+ 1 9 .4
+ .3
+ 1 .0
+ 1 .2
- 1 2 .8
-. 1
- .3
+ 1 .1
- 1 .9
- 3 .7
- 4 .8
- 1 0 .0
- 1 .0
+ 1 .4
- 2 .9
+ 3 .6
+ 2 .4
- 3 9 .3
- 4 .2
- 3 .4
+ 2 .0
+ 2 .7
1 N o change.
P a y ro lls
+ 0 .6
- 8 .4
- 5 .8
+ 2 .3
+ 1 0 .6
- 1 .0
- 3 .2
+ 3 .6
- 4 .0
- 1 .9
- 1 2 .9
- 5 .2
- 1 .3
- 6 .7
- 4 .6
- 3 .5
- 1 0 .0
- 6 .6
- 5 .5
+12. 1
- 2 2 .4
- 2 .4
- 6 .4
+ 8 .3
- 1 .1
- 3 .3
- 3 .1
- 2 3 .2
+ 2 .6
+ 7 .2
+ 1 .8
+ 2 .7
+ 1 .2
- 7 .4
+ .4
- .4
+ 1 .3
- 6 .1
162
MONTHLY LABOE R EV IEW
P e n n s y lv a n ia
bureau of statistics of the Department of Labor and Industry
of Pennsylvania furnished the following report on changes in
employment, in weekly man-hours and in weekly pay-roll totals in
Pennsylvania from November to December, 1927:
^ E R C E N T OF CHANGE IN N U M B E R OF E M PL O Y EE S, IN TOTAL W E E K L Y MAW
B E T ^ ^ eS
! ^
£ £ P E N N SY L V A N IA E ST A B L ISH M E N T S
Number of wage
earners
Industry
N um
ber of
Per cent
plants Week of change
report ending as com
ing
pared
Dec. 15,
with N o
1927
vember,
1927
Metal products:
Blast furnaces.
Steel works and rolling m ills.
Iron and steel forgings______
Structural-iron work_________________
Steam and hot-water heating apparatus.
Foundries__________
Machinery and parts,
Electrical apparatus.
Engines and pumps.
Hardware and tools______
Brass and bronze products.
Jewelry and novelties.
T otal.
2,073
38,428
1,312
961
3,458
6, 693
6, 791
3, 224
2,719
4,404
440
1,155
167
Total.
33
Textile products:
Cotton goods.
Woolens and worsteds.
Silk goods.
Textile dyeing and finishing.
Carpets and rugs.
Hosiery_________
Knit goods, other.
Total.
Foods and tobacco:
Bread and bakery products.
Confectionery_____________
Ice cream______________ ’
Meat packing____________ 1
Cigars and tobacco________
Total.
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Brick, tile, and pottery...
Cement__________________
G lass......................
T otal.
Lumber products:
Lumber and planing mills.
Furniture_______________
Wooden boxes_________
Total.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Week
ending
Dec. 15,
1927
110, 296
1, 723, 303
66, 750
44, 266
137, 307
303, 573
328, 494
153, 092
114,813
200, 278
21, 494
57, 440
Per cent
of change
as com
pared
with N o
vember,
1927
+ 8.0
-.3
Total
weekly
pay roll:
Per cent
of change,
Novem
ber to
Decem
ber, 1927
+ 8.1
+. 1
+.4
+ 9 .2
-1 2 .4
+ 4.1
+ 3 .9
+ 4 .6
-1 3 .4
+ 6.9
+ 3.7
+ 3.3
+.5
3, 261,106
+ 1.0
+ 1.1
3, 756
5, 835
5, 543
2,460
2,109
180, 587
327, 329
249, 758
95, 788
92,403
+14.0
+ 9.6
- 5 .3
+ 3 .7
+14.1
2.6
- 1 .5
19,703
945, 865
+ 4 .2
+ 4 .2
1,486
3,005
10, 919
763
1,808
1, 664
1,186
74,119
150, 846
524, 202
35, 391
89, 640
82,130
59, 201
71,658
Transportation equipment:
Automobiles_______________
Automobile bodies and parts.
Locomotives and cars.
Railroad repair shops.
Shipbuilding.
Total weekly man
hours
2.1
+10.0
- 11.8
+ 6 .9
+ 4 .5
+ 5.6
-1 3 .5
+ 6.5
+ 2.2
-.9
-
+ 8.8
-7 .2
+ 8.8
67
20, 831
+ 1 .8
1, 015, 529
+ 4.1
+ 5.3
17
5
7
8
5
1,516
1,977
658
1, 226
207
+ .3
.0
- 3 .1
+• 1
-4 .2
78, 076
86,083
40,007
63,357
7, 787
+ 2 .2
- 9 .5
+ .5
-.4
- 6 .2
+ 1 .0
- 8 .0
- 1 .6
- 2 .6
- 7 .6
42
5, 584
- .4
275, 310
- 2 .8
- 3 .1
17
7
13
2,835
3,296
4,220
-5 .2
- 6 .8
- 3 .3
126, 223
187,463
164, 502
- 8 .3
- 7 .5
-1 8 .4
- 9 .1
- 8 .2
-2 0 .6
37
10, 351
- 5 .0
478,188
-1 1 .8
-1 3 .5
15
16
4
1,043
1,420
222
-2 .2
+10.4
-1 7 .2
47, 590
67, 326
10, 667
-2 . 7
+ 8 .8
-1 9 .8
- 3 .0
+13.7
-1 9 .0
35
2,685
+ 2 .5
125, 583
+ 1 .2
+4.1
[374]
163
REPORTS ON EMPLOYMENT— W ISCONSIN
P E R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN N U M B E R OF E M PL O Y EE S, IN TO TAL W E EK LY M A N
HOURS A N D IN W E EK LY PA Y ROLLS, IN 489 PE N N SY L V A N IA E ST A B L ISH M E N T S
B E T W E E N N O V E M B E R A N D D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
Number of wage
earners
N um
ber of
plants Week
report ending
ing
Dec. 15,
1927
Industry
Construction and contracting:
Buildings___ _________
Street and highway_________________
General________________ .
T otal_______________
Per cent
of change
as com
pared
with November,
1927
Total weekly man
hours
Week
ending
Dec. 15,
1927
Per cent
of change
as com
pared
with November,
1927
Total
weekly
pay roll:
Per cent
of change,
Novem
ber to
Decem
ber, 1927
16
3
8
1 ,2 7 1
973
1,617
-1 5 .4
-4 2 .4
-9 . 8
49, 640
48, 730
84,018
-12. 3
-5 0 .3
-1 0 .1
- 9 .8
-5 1 .4
-1 4 .0
27
3,861
-2 2 .5
182, 388
-2 6 .5
-2 6 .9
Chemical products:
Chemicals and drugs..
__________ .
Paints and varnishes, _________. . .
11
6
801
929
+ 1 .0
- 4 .5
47, 209
46, 905
+ 1 .4
- 2 .7
+ 1 .0
- 2 .4
T otal______ ____ __________________
17
1, 730
- 2 .0
94,114
-.7
-.8
Leather and rubber products:
Leather tanning... . . _ _____________
Shoes _______ _
.................
Leather products, other
................. .
Rubber tires and goods__ __________
9
11
4
4
2,138
1, 789
198
939
- 3 .0
-. 1
—1.0
+ 2 .3
106, 540
82, 691
9,163
47, 691
- 3 .9
+ 1 .2
-4 . 7
+19.1
- 3 .5
—6. 2
- 4 .2
+20.2
28
5, 064
- 1 .0
246,085
+ 1 .6
+ .5
8
3
25
2,607
211
1,621
+ .7
- 1 .9
+ 1 .2
143, 767
10, 728
76, 442
+ 1.1
—1. 0
+ 2 .5
+ 2 .0
—5.1
+ 2.4
T otal____________
Paper and printing:
Paper and wood p u lp ..
. _______
Paper boxes and bags_____ _ ________
Printing and publishing
_____
Total _____ _____ _ _ . ____
Grand total, all industries__________
36
4,439
+ .7
230, 937
+ 1 .5
+ 2 .0
489
145, 906
- 2 .0
6,855,105
—. 3
—.3
W isc o n sin
'"THE November, 1927, issue of the Wisconsin Labor Market,
issued by the State industrial commission, contains the following
data showing changes in number of employees and in amount of
weekly pay rolls in Wisconsin industries in October, 1927:
P E R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN N U M B E R OF EM PL O Y EE S A N D IN TOTAL A M O U N T OF
PA Y ROLL IN ID E N T IC A L E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN W ISCONSIN FROM OCTOBER, 1926,
A N D SE P T E M B E R , 1927, TO OCTOBER, 1927
Per cent of change
Industry
September, 1927, to
October, 1927
October, 1926, to
October, 1927
Employ Pay roll
ment
Employ
Pay roll
ment
M anual
A griculture--....................................... .....................
L ogging__________________________
Mining _______________________
Lead and zinc__________________ __________ Iron
. _______ _ ________ _
Stone crushing and quarrying-- _ . ...................... _ _ ______
Manufacturing.. _ _
. ________
___________
Stone and allied industries
_
_______
Brick, tile, and cement blocks.-, ________ _
Stone finishing......................................... .................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[375]
.0
—6. 3
—1. 8
+• 4
—6.9
-3 .0
—1.1
-6 . 6
—17. 0
-.2
- 7 .3
- 7 .5
16
—1. 9
—1.1
-3 . 0
—1.1
—2. 2
—22. 9
+ 7 .4
+ 5 .3
+18.5
-1 .7
+ .9
-7 .4
+25.3
—3 3
+10.8
—9 3
+25. 1
+ 6 .2
- 4 .9
-1 .0
-.12. 8
+52.2
-7 .8
+ 5 .7
-1 3 .6
+14.2
164
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
P E R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN N U M B E R OF E M PL O Y EE S A N D IN TO TAL A M O U N T OF
PA Y ROLL IN ID E N T IC A L E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN W ISC ON SIN FROM OCTOBER, 1926,
A N D SE PT E M B E R , 1927, TO OCTOBER, 1927—Continued
Per cent of change
Industry
Manufacturing—Continued.
Metal
____________________________________
Pig iron and rolling-mill products
_______
Structural-iron work
________________________
Foundries and machine shops _ ______ ________ ____
_______ __________
Pail road repair shops
Stoves
______ _ _________ -- ___________
Aluminum and en am elw are
_
_
______________________ ___________
Machinery
Automobiles
_______________________ _________
Other metal products
___________ _______
Wood
______ - _______________
Sawmills and planing mills
_ ____
Box factories
_ _______ _____________________
Panel and veneer mills
________
Furniture
________ _________
Sash, door, and interior finish _ ________ _________
Other wood products
_ ____ ______ __ ______ __
Rubber
_______________ -- -____
- ___
Leather
_ ______________ Tanning
_ ____________
_ _ _
____
Boots and shoes
_________________
_____
Other leather products
_ __ ________ _________
Paper
_____________ _____ ___ ___
Paper and pulp mills
_ ______ _______ -Paper boxes
_______ ___ ___ _____ ______ -- -Other paper products
_ ________________ _
_____________ - __
Textiles
__ __
Hosiery and other knit goods
_ __ ______
- -Clothing
_____ _
_
-Other textile products __________ __________________
Foods
___ _ __ _- __- - _____ ____
M eatpacking
_______ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Baking and confectionery
_______________ ______
Milk products
_____ __ __ __ __Canning and preserving
Flour mills
_ ______ - ____________
Tobacco manufacturing
___
__
_ _ _
Other food products
_ ____ __ _ _ _ _
______ _
______ - _____ - Light and power
Printing and publishing
_ ____ ____ _ ___________
Laundering, cleaning, and dyeing
__
_ _______ Chemical (Including snap, glue, and explosives) _________
Construction:
Building
___________ - ___________ ___
Highway
____________ ___ _______ ______ Railroad
_ _____ _____
- - ___ ___
Marine, dredging, sewer-digging. ____________________
Communication:
Steam railways
____________________ _________
Electric railways ________ ___ _________________ ____
Express, telephone, and telegraph_______ _______________
Wholesale trade
______________ __ _____ _______
Hotels and restaurants
_ ________________________
September, 1927, to
October, 1927
October, 1926, to
October, 1927
Employ Pay roll
ment
Employ Pay roll
ment
-3 . 6
- 2 .9
+ 4 .3
-.6
-. 5
+ 5.5
+ 2 .8
-5 . 2
-1 3 .0
- 4 .4
+ •4
- 5 .4
- 4 .5
+ 2 .2
+ 5.4
-.7
+ 9.9
+5. 6
+1. 1
+ 1.4
+ .7
+ 1.4
+ .4
+ .9
+ .3
- 1 .5
+ 2 .5
+ 5.6
- 3 .0
+4.7
- 2 .9
- 5 .0
+ 3 .2
+12.7
-2 4 . 6
+41.7
+ 3.9
-.9
-5 .0
-.8
+. 2
+ 6.5
- 6 .9
+ 2 .8
+ 3 .2
+ 1 .5
+ 2 .3
+ 10.3
+9. 1
- 2 .3
-4 1 .9
+ 1.3
+ 6.1
- 4 .7
+■5
+10.8
+ 15. 6
+6. 0
+20.4
+ 8.5
+ 4 .0
+ 9.8
- 1 .4
+ 6 .9
-.6
- 1 .3
+ 3 .4
.0
+ 7 .2
+16.0
-3 .4
+ 4 .8
-3 .4
- 8 .0
+ 2.1
- 6 .7
-2 4 .1
+56.7
+3. 0
+ 4.1
- 4 .9
+ 2.4
+ 2 .6
+ 3 .6
-1 1 .5
-2 1 . 2
- 2 .4
- 9 .5
- 3 .7
- 7 .5
+ 2 .3
- 3 .9
-2 7 .5
-1 5 .5
-4 .6
- 8 .9
-1 7 .7
-1 5 .6
+ 2 .5
-2 .2
+ 5 .0
+32.1
-1 6 .5
-3 2 .3
-2 0 .3
+12.2
+ 1.3
+ 1.0
- 5 .0
+ 8.3
+10.3
+10.3
+13.8
+ 2.3
+ 7 .6
+ 5.5
+ 1.9
-6 .0
+84.7
- 4 .0
+ .9
- 4 .4
+ 2.1
+ 4 .0
+ 4.7
- 4 .1
-1 9 .7
-2 6 .9
- 6 .9
-1 6 .8
-2 .3
-9 .5
+■ 1
-1 0 .0
-4 8 .5
-2 0 .4
-4 .6
-7 .8
-2 3 .3
- 1 5 .0
+ 1 .9
-.8
-4 .1
+40.9
-1 8 .4
-3 2 .4
-2 1 .5
+15.5
-1 .5
-3 .0
- 4 .3
+ 9 .3
+11.7
+11.3
+15.3
+ 4 .2
+ 3 .3
+15.9
-.8
- 9 .4
+31.8
+5. 2
—2.2
-3 .2
+ 4 .5
+ 6 .3
- 1 .1
-1 2 .9
- 6 .6
-1 1 .0
- 2 .3
-1 2 .7
- 4 .2
-1 2 .2
- 3 .5
-1 8 .2
- 6 .4
+ 6.5
+18.1
+99.0
+19.9
+121. 6
+ 3.4
- 4 .5
- 6 .7
+ 5 .2
- 2 .1
+ 6 .1
-3 .4
-4 .3
+17.8
+ 8 .5
- 1 .2
+ 6.7
+ 1.7
-6 .0
+16.7
+ 2 .3
+ 6 .6
-1 .2
+• 1
+ 2 .6
-. 1
+ .5
+ 4 .6
-. 2
+ .2
-.8
+ 5 .0
-3 .8
-1 . 1
+ 5 .5
+ 5 .2
+ 3 .0
+10.6
+1. 0
+ 5.8
+16.7
+9. 6
+ 3 .3
+ 4 .8
+13.6
+ 2 .8
+ 5 .6
+ 9 .4
+ 4 .7
+ 3.7
N onm anual
Manufacturing, min as, and quarries
__ _ ________ ______
Construction
_ _ __________ __ _ ________ ____ _
Communication
____________________________ - _____
Wholesale trade
_____ _
______
- - Retail trade—sales force only ______ ________ _ . _____
Miscellaneous professional services _ _________________ _ __
Hotels and restaurants
_____________________ __________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[376]
..............
1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
Retail Prices of Food in the United States
H E following tables are compiled from monthly reports of
actual selling prices 1 received by the Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics from retail dealers.
T
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food on De
cember 15, 1926, and November 15 and December 15, 1927, as well
as the percentage changes in the year and in the month. For ex
ample, the retail price per pound of bacon was 49.6 cents on December
15, 1926; 46.3 cents on November 15, 1927; and 45.3 cents on Decem
ber 15, 1927. These figures show decreases of 9 per cent in the year
and 2 per cent in the month.
The cost of the various articles of food combined shows a decrease
3.6 per cent on December 15, 1927, as compared with December 15,
1926, and a decrease of 0.3 per cent on December 15, 1927, as com
pared with November 15, 1927.
of
T able 1 .—AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OP SP E C IFIE D FOOD A R TIC LES A N D PE R C E N T
OP IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE D E C E M B E R 15, 1927, C O M PA R ED W ITH N O V E M B E R
15, 1927, A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
U nit
Dec. 15,
1926
N ov. 15,
1927
Dec. 15,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
Per cent increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Dec. 15,1927,
compared with—
Dec. 15,
1926
N ov. 15,
1927
Sirloin steak.
Round steak
Rib roast___
Chuck roast.
Plate beef__
Pound
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
40.7
35.3
30.2
22.7
14.9
43.5
37.8
31.9
24. 5
16.2
43.9
38. 2
32.4
25. 1
16.7
+8
+8
+7
+ 11
+12
+1
+1
+2
+2
+3
Pork chops..
Bacon______
Ham _______
Lamb, leg of.
H e n s ...........
.do
.do.
.do.
do.
37. 2
49.6
57. 1
37.7
37.2
36.3
46.3
53.0
37.6
35.6
32.8
45.3
51.9
37.5
35.7
-1 2
-9
-9
-1
-4
-1 0
-2
-2
- 0 .3
+ 0.3
____do_______
Quart...............
15-16 ounce can
Pound.......... .
____do_______
34.1
14. 2
11.4
59.3
29.6
34.8
14. 2
11. 5
56.4
27.9
35.0
14.3
11.5
58.4
27.9
+3
+ 1
+ 1
-2
-6
____do_______
____do_______
____do_______
Dozen_______
____do_______
37.4
20.4
25.4
65. 2
46.9
Salmon, canned, red............................
Milk, fresh_____ ______ _______ ___
Milk, evaporated________________
B utter______________________ ____
Oleomargarine (all butter substi
tutes).
Cheese.____________________ _____
Lard____________________________
Vegetable lard substitute__________
Eggs, strictly fresh ................... ..........
Eggs, storage_____________________
.d o .
+1
+1
0
+4
0
38. 6
39.0
+4
+1
19. 5
19. 2
-6
-2
25. 1
25. 2
-1
+ 0 .4
61.7
59.6
-9
-3
43.8
42.9
-9
-2
1
In addition to retail prices of food and coal, the bureau publishes the prices of gas and electricity from
each of 51 cities for the dates for which these data are secured.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[377]
165
166
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 1 .—AVER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF S P E C IF IE D FOOD A R TIC L ES A N D P E R C E N T
OF IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE D E C E M B E R 15, 1927, C O M P A R E D W ITH N O V E M B E R
15, 1927, A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1926—Continued
Per cent increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) Dec. 15,1927,
compared with—
Average retail price on—
Article
U nit
Dec. 15,
1926
N ov. 15,
1927
Dec. 15,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
Dec. 15,
1926
N ov. 15,
1927
1
o
o
o
0
Bread,_______________________
Pound
Flour. _ __________ _
do
Corn meal _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _
_ do
Rolled oats_______________________ __ do
Corn flakes. ____________________ 8-ounce p k g ...
9. 4
5. 6
5.1
9.1
10.9
9. 3
5. 4
5. 2
9. 0
9.7
9 2
54
5 2
9 0
9.7
Wheat cereal_____________________ 28-ounce pkg__
Macaroni. _______ _ _
Pound
Rice _______________ ___________ ___do
Beans, navy ___________________
_ do
___________ __________ __ do _
Potatoes.
25.4
20. 2
11. 2
9. 3
4. 0
25. 5
20. 0
10. 4
9. 5
3.0
25.5
20 0
10 3
9 5
3. 0
+ 0 .4
1
—8
+2
—25
0
o
—1
o
o
Onions________________________ _ ___do
Cabbage. _ _____________________
__ do
Beans, baked
_____________ __
No. 2 can
Corn, canned
________________
__ do
Peas, canned_____ _____________
__ do
5. 0
4. 2
11. 7
16. 2
17. 3
4. 8
3. 7
11. 5
15. 7
16. 6
4
3
11
15
16
7
8
4
7
7
—6
—10
—3
—3
—3
—2
+3
1
o
+1
Tomatoes, canned______________ _ __ do
Sugar _ _ ___________ ________
Pound
T ea. _ ._
_____________________
__ do
Coffee. ________ _ __ ______ _
_ do
12. 2
7. 3
76.9
50. 7
11. 8
7. 2
77. 5
47 8
11 8
7 1
77. 3
48 1
—3
—3
+1
—5
o
1
0 3
+1
Prunes. ___________________ .
Raisins__________________________
Bananas. ______________________
Oranges________________________
16 2
14. 4
34. 9
49.3
14 1
13 8
34 4
53.2
13 8
13 7
34 8
52.3
15
5
0 3
+6
2
1
+1
2
-0 .3
- 3 .6
do
__ do
Dozen
__ do
Weighted food index______________
—2
—4
+2
—1
-u
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 1921 to 1927, together with percentage changes in December of
each of these specified years, compared with December, 1913. For
example, the retail price per pound of lard was 15.8 cents in December,
1913; 15.9 cents in December, 1921; 17.5 cents in December, 1922;
18.9 cents in December, 1923; 22.1 cents in December, 1924; 22.6
cents in December, 1925; 20.4 cents in December, 1926; and 19.2
cents in December, 1927.
As compared with December, 1913, these figures show increases of
1 per cent in December, 1921; 11 percent in December, 1922; 20
per cent in December, 1923; 40 per cent in December, 1924; 43 per
cent in December, 1925; 29 per cent in December, 1926; and 22 per
cent in December, 1927.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 50.0 per cent in December, 1927, as compared with December, 1913.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[378]
167
RETA IL PR IC ES OF FOOD
T a b l e 2 — A V ERAGE R E TA IL PRIC ES OF SP E C IFIE D FOOD A R TIC L ES A N D PE R C E N T
OF INC R E A SE D E C E M B E R 15 OF C E R T A IN SP E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M PA R ED W ITH
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 Dec. 15—
Unit
Article
Per cent of increase Dec. 15
of each specified year com
pared with Dec. 15, 1913
1913 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927
Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts. Cts.
Sirloin steak _ __________
Round steak____ ________
Rib roast _ _ _ _ _
Chuck roast __ ________
Plate beef________________
P ou n d ,_ 25.1 35.3 36.8 38.6 38.2 40.3 40.7 43.9
___do __ 22.6 30.8 31.5 32.9 32.4 34.4 35.3 38.2
19.9 26.7 27.3 28.3 28.0 29.6 30.2 32.4
__ do
__ do __ 16.2 19.2 19.4 20.4 20.2 21. 7122. 7 25.1
___do___ 12.4 12.8 12.7 13.0 13.1 14.1 14.9 16.7
41
36
34
19
3
47
39
37
20
2
54
46
42
26
5
52
43
41
25
6
Pork chops.. __ _ _______
Bacon __
__
____
Ham___
__ _________
Lamb, leg of. _____ _____
Hens________ _ ________
_ _do __ 20.3 30.4 29.5 26.5 29.3 35.7 37.2 32.8
26.7 38.7 40.3 37.5 39.9 48.6 49. 6 45.3
___do
__do
26.5 44.4 45.4 44.7 46.6 53.1 57.151.9
___do __ 18.5 32.3 35.6 35.5 35.4 38.5 37. 7 37. 5
_ _ _ d o __ 20.8 35.8 33.6 33.4 34.4136. 5 37. 2 35. 7
50
45
68
75
72
45
51
71
92
62
31
40
69
92
61
44 76 83 62
49 82 86 70
76 100 115 96
91 108 104 103
65 75 79 72
Salmon, ran nod rad
do
33.9 31.4 31.3 31.8 36.9 34.1 35. 0
M ilk, fresh _
_ _ ___ Quart __ 9.1 14.1 13.7 14.313.8 14.314.2 14.3
(l)
TVTi1k avapor at,ad
12. 7 11.9 12. 211. 0 11. 6 11. 4 11.5
Butter____ ___ .
Pound _ 39. 7 52.1 60.2 60. 3 52. 5 58. 6 59. 3 58.4
29.1 28.0 59 5 30 3 31. 3 29. 6 27. 9
substitutes).
33.0
36. 6 37. 7 34.9 37.5 37.4 39.0
22.5
Cheese __ ______________ __do_
__do
15.8 15. 9! 17. 5 18.9122.1 22.6 20.4 19.2
Lard .................................
Vftgfttablft lard substitute
do
21. 6 23. 3 24. 0 25. 5 25. 7 25.4 25.2
Eggs, strictly fresh_______ Dozen 47.6 70.5 66.5 64.9 69.8 66.2 65.2 59.6
Eggs, storage_____________ . .. d o ___ 34.5 49.1 40.8 41.4 48.2 47.4 46.9 42.9
Bread___________ ____ _
P o u n d ._ 5.6 9.1 8.6 8.7 8.9 9.4 9.4
Flour
__ _____________ __do
3.3 5.0 4. 9 4. 5 5. 6 6. 1 5. 6
Corn meal_ ____ ___do ___ 3. 1 4. 1 4.0 4.4 5.2 5.2 5.1
Rolled oats
do
9. 6 8. 7 8. 8 9.0 9. 1 9. 1
(2)
Corn flakes
11. 9 9. 7 9. 7 10.8 11. 0 10. 9
Wheat, pereel
Maearoni
Rice
...............
"Beans, navy
Potatoes_______________
(3)
Pound
__ do
do
__d o __
Onions
Cabbage
Beans baked
Corn panned
Peas panned
do
do
(4)
(4)
(4)
9.2
5.4
5.2
9.0
9. 7
29 3 25. 5 24. 3 24.4 25.3 25. 4 25. 5
2 0 . 2 2 0 . 0 19. 6 19.8 20.4 20. 2 20. 0
9.7 10.6 11. 4 11. 2 10.3
9 .5
9 .3
8. 2 1 0 . 5 10.3 10.1 9.8 9. 3 9. 5
1.8 3.1 2 . 1 2.6 2.3 5.2 4.0 3.0
8. 7
do
do
Oranges
do
62
56
52
40
20
75
69
63
55
35
55
51
57
52
57
56
57
31
52
52
32
48
49
47
47
1
63
11
68
20
55
40
67
43
66
29
73
22
48
42
40
18
36
20
47
40
39
37
37
36
25
24
63
52
32
54
48
29
55
36
42
59
70
68
68
85
68
68
70
65
64
64
68
31
7
9
11
22
29
18
72
17
44
28 189 122
67
20
24
20
54
26
24
93
29
27
63
35
70
24
39
73
31
42
62
8. 0 4 . 6 6. 0 5.3 5.7 5. 0 4.7
5.1 3. 6 4.1 4.0 4. 6 4. 2 3.8
13 8 13.1 12. 9 12. 6 12.3 11. 7 11.4
16 0 15. 2 15. 6 17.1 16.9 16. 2 15.7
17 8 17. 4 17. 7 18.4 17.9 17.3 16.7
(4)
Tomatoes panned
13 0 1 2 7 12 9 13. 7 12. 7 12. 2 11.8
Sugar, granulated __ . ___ Pound__ 5.4 6 . 5 8 . 3 10.4 8.8 6.7 7.3 7.1
_ _do
54.5 67.7 6 8 . 5 70.2 73.8 75.8 76.9 77.3
Tea_ _ _ _ _ _
29.7 35.6 36.7 37.8 50.5 51.3 50.7 48.1
Coffee___________________ ___do
Primes
Raisins
61
52
49
34
14
35
41
71
18. 7 20.1 17.8 17.3 17.1 16.2 13.8
25. 5 19. 2 16. 0 14.6 14.4 14.4 13.7
37 3 37.1 39.1 36. 9 35. 5 34.9 34.8
60.3 4 8 . 5 41. 5 43.2 48.9 49.3 52.3
44.1 41.0 44.5 45.7 59.2 55.7 50.0
Weighted food index 3 ___
115-16 ounce can.
28-ounce package.
328-ounce package.
4No. 2 can.
5Beginning 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
family. 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
[379]
168
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Table 3 shows for the United States average retail prices of speci
fied articles of food for the years 1913 and 1927 and for each month
of 1927.
T
able
3 — A V ERAGE
R E TA IL PR IC ES OF SP E C IF IE D FOOD A R TIC LES IN T H E U N IT E D
STA TES BY Y EAR S, 1913 A N D 1927, A N D BY M O N TH S FOR 1927
Article
Unit
1927
Av
Av
er
er
age
age
for Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. M ay June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. for
1927
1913
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
41. 1
35. 6
30.4
22.8
14.9
41.8
36.4
30.9
23.3
15.2
C ts .
40.8
35.3
30. 3
22.7
15.0
40.9
35.4
30.4
22.7
14. 9
C ts .
Sirloin steak.__ . . . Pound. 25.4
Round steak
__ __ do_ _ 22. 3
19.8
Rib roast
..........
do
Chuck roast __ _ . ___do___ 16.0
do___ 12.1
Plate beef . ____
42. 3
36. 9
31.2
23. 5
15.2
42.4
37.0
31.1
23.5
15.2
43. 6
37. 9
31. 7
23.9
15.3
43.7
38. 1
31. 7
23.9
15.3
43. 8
38. 1
31.8
24.0
15.5
43. 7
37.9
31.9
24.3
15.8
43.5
37.8
31.9
24.5
16.2
43.9
38.2
32.4
25. 1
16.7
42.6
37. 1
31.3
23.7
15.4
Pork chops
do
21.0
___do ___ 27.0
Bacon, sliced
Ham, sliced.
___do__ 26.9
_ do_ _ 18.9
Lamb, leg of __
H ens____________ ___do___ 21.3
36.6
48.9
56.8
37.4
38.5
35.9
48.5
56.7
37.3
38.5
36.6
48.4
56.5
38.4
38.7
36.9
48.1
56.7
40.0
38.9
36.4
47. 6
56.3
41.0
38.4
34.7
47.1
55.5
41.0
36.3
34.9
46.6
54.6
40. 3
35.6
37.7
46. 5
54.3
39. 2
35.4
40.7
46.5
53.8
38. 5
35.4
41.5
46.6
53.6
38.2
35.7
36.3
46.3
53.0
37.6
35.6
32.8
45. 3
51.9
37.5
35.7
36.8
47.2
55.0
38.9
36.9
Salmon, canned,
red.
M ilk, fresh______
M ilk, evaporated..
Butter___________
Oleomargarine (all
butter“ substitu tes).
Cheese
... _
Lard____________
V egetable lard substitute.
Eggs, strictly fresh.
Eggs, storage
Bread___________
Flour____________
Corn meal_______
33.5 33.2 33.0 32.7 32.5 32.3 32.3 32.9 33.9 34.4 34.8 35.0 33.4
Cl.«.
___do___
Quart.. 8.9 14. 1
11.4
0)
Pound. 38.3 58.4
_ do___
29. 2
14.1
11.4
58.8
29.0
C ls .
14.1
11. 4
59.2
28.7
C ts .
14.0
11.4
58.4
28.6
13.9
11.5
53.4
28. 4
13.9
11. 5
51.8
28.2
14.0
11.5
51.4
28.0
14.1
11.6
51.4
28.0
14.1
11.6
53.4
27.8
14.2
11.5
55.7
27.9
Dozen . 34. 5 55.9 44.2 35.4 33.9 33.6 33.5 36.9 42.0 48.7 56.6
45.0 37. 7
42. 1
__ do
Pound _ 5.6 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.3 9.3 9.3 9.3 9.3
__.do___ 3.3 5.6 5.6 5.5 5. 5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.6 5.5 5.5
-_.do_.__ 3.0 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 5. 1 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2
Beans, navy_____ ___do___
Potatoes.. ____ _ _ do___
Onions__________ ___do___
Cabbage__ _ _ __ ___do___
Beans, baked___
(4)
w
M
9.1
10.9
25. 5
20.1
8.7 11.0
i. 7
14.2
11.5
56.4
27.9
14.3
11.5
58.4
27.9
C ts .
14.1
11.5
55.6
28.3
9.1
10.9
25.4
20.1
10.8
9.1
10.8
25. 5
20.1
10.8
9.0
10.2
25. 4
20.0
10.7
9.0
10. 1
25. 5
20.0
10.6
61.7 59.6 45.2
43. 8 42.9
9.3 9.2 9.3
5.4 5.4 5.5
5.2 5.2 5.2
9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0
10.0 9.8 9.7 9.7 9.7 9. 7 9.7 10. 1
25.4 25. 4 25. 5 25. 5 25. 5 25.5 25.5 25.5
20.0 20 0 20.1 20. 1 20.1 20.0 20.0 20.1
10.7 10. 7 10.7 10.6 10.5 10.4 10.3 10.7
9.2 9.2 9.1 9.1 9.0 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.6 9.5 9.5 9.3
4.0 3.8 3.7 3.7 4. 5 6.0 4. 2 3.4 3.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.8
5.5 5.7 5.9 7.4 8.7 8.8 7.8 6.4 5.5 5.0 4.8 4.7 6.4
4.7 4.9 5.2 5.5 8.7 9.6 5.5 4.4 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.8 5.3
11. 7 11.7 11.6 11.6 11.6 11. 5 11. 5 11. 5 11.4 11. 5 11. 5 11.4 11. 5
15.9
17.0
12.2
7.4
77.6
15.8
17.0
12.1
7.3
77.6
15.6
16.8
12. 1
7.3
77.4
15.6
16.7
12. 0
7.3
77.3
15.5
16. 7
12.0
7.4
77.5
15.6
16.7
12.0
7.3
77.6
15.6
16.7
11.9
7.2
77.2
15.7
16.7
11.9
7.2
77.5
15.7
16.6
11.8
7.2
77.5
15.7
16.7
11.8
7. 1
77.3
15.7
16.8
12.0
7.3
77.5
___do__ 29.8 50.2 49.9 49.3
...d o ___
16.0 15.8 15. 8
___do___
14.4 14.4 14.3
Dozen .
34.5 34.7 34. 1
___do___ —
46.9 47. 1 46.9
48.8
15. 5
14.3
34.0
48.3
48.2
15. 4
14.3
33.9
49.8
47.9
15. 6
14.3
33. 5
49.3
47.6
15. 7
14. 4
33.4
50.2
47.4
15. 5
14.3
33.7
53.8
47.3
15. 2
14.3
33.5
55.3
47.4
14. 6
14.2
33.9
57.8
47.8
14. 1
13.8
34.4
53.2
48.1
13. 8
13. 7
34.8
52.3
48.3
15.3
14.2
34.0
50.9
Corn, canned
Peas, canned
Tomatoes, canned.
(4)
Sugar, granulated.. Pound _ 5.5
Tea_____________ ___do___ 54.4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C ts .
___do___ 22.1 37.6 37.6 37.3 37.1 37.0 37.0 36.9 37.0 37.7 38.3 38.6 39.0 37.6
___do___ 15.8 20.0 19.6 19.4 19.1 19.0 18.8 18.8 18.9 19.2 19.6 19.5 19. 2 19.3
25.2 25.2 25.2 25.1 25.0 25.1 25.0 25.0 25.1 25.2 25. 1 25.2 25.1
___do___
___do___
Rolled oats.
Corn flakes. ____
(2)
Whear cereal
. .
(a)
Macaroni________ Pound.
Rice...................... . ___do___
Coffee___________
Prunes____ ______
Raisins__________
Bananas_________
Oranges_________
C tS .
16.1
17.2
12. 3
7. 5
77.5
16.1
17.1
12. 2
7.5
77.4
' 15-16 ounce can.
* 8-ounce package.
3 28-ounce package.
4 N o. 2 can.
[380]
169
RETA IL PRICES OF FOOD
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
$1 in specified years, 1913 to 1927, and in each month of 1927.
T able 4 —A VERAGE R E TA IL PR IC ES OP SP E C IFIE D A R TIC LES OF FOOD A N D
A M O U N T PU R C H A SA BLE FOR $1 IN EACH Y E A R , 1917 TO 1927, A N D IN EACH M O N TH
OF 1927
Sirloin steak
Year
L b s.
3.9
2.3
2.6
2.7
2.6
2.5
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
2.3
25.4
43.7
38.8
37.4
39.1
39.6
40.6
41.3
42.6
40.8
40. 9
41.1
41.8
42.3
42.4
43.6
43.7
43.8
43. 7
43.5
43.9
Bacon
C e n ts
p e r lb .
1913................. .
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
1927__________
January___
February..
March____
April_____
M ay______
June______
July---------August___
September.
October .
November.
December..
Rib roast
Chuck roast
Plate beef
Pork chops
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Amt.
age
age
Amt.
age
Amt. age
Amt. age
Amt. age
Amt.
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
C e n ts
p e r lb .
1913................
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924....................
1925__________
1926__________
1927__________
January___
February..
March____
A pril... . .
M ay.......... .
June______
July______
August___
September.
October___
November.
December..
Round steak
27.0
52.3
42.7
39.8
39.1
37.7
46.7
50.3
47.2
48.9
48.5
48.4
48. 1
47.6
47.1
46.6
46.5
46.5
46.6
46.3
45. 3
C e n ts
p e r lb .
L b s.
22.3
39.5
34.4
32.3
33.5
33.8
34.7
35.6
37.1
35.3
35.4
35.6
36.4
36.9
37.0
37.9
38.1
38.1
37.9
37.8
38.2
4.5
2.5
2.9
3.1
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
Ham
L b s.
3.7
1.9
2.3
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.1
2.0
2.1
2.0
2. 1
2. 1
2. 1
2. 1
2.1
2. 1
2.2
2.2
2. 1
2.2
2.2
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C e n ts
p e r lb .
26. 9
55.5
48.8
48.8
45. 5
45. 3
52.6
57.4
55.0
56.8
56.7
56.5
56.7
56.3
55.5
54.6
54.3
53.8
53. 6
53.0
51.9
C e n ts
p e r lb .
L b s.
19.8
33.2
29.1
27.6
28.4
28.8
29.6
30.3
31.3
30.3
30.4
30.4
30.9
31.2
31.1
31.7
31.7
31.8
31.9
31.9
32.4
5.1
3.0
3.4
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
3.3
3.3
3.3
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1
3.7
1.8
2.0
2.0
2.2
2.2
1.9
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
C e n ts
p e r lb .
L b s.
21.3
44.7
39.7
36.0
35. 0
35.3
36.6
38.8
36.9
38.5
38.5
38.7
38.9
38.4
36.3
35.6
35.4
35.4
35.7
35.6
35.7
[381]
L b s.
6.3
3.8
4.7
5.1
5.0
4.8
4.6
4.4
4.2
4.4
4.4
4.4
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.2
4. 1
4. 1
4.0
16.0
26.2
21.2
19.7
20.2
20.8
21.6
22.5
23.7
22.7
22.7
22.8
23.3
23.5
23.5
23.9
23.9
24.0
24.3
24.5
25.1
Milk
Hens
L b s.
C e n ts
p e r lb .
4.7
2.2
2.5
2.8
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
2.8
C e n ts
p e r a t.
8.9
16.7
14.6
13. 1
13.8
13.8
14.0
14.0
14.1
14.1
14. 1
14. 1
14.0
13.9
13.9
14.0
14.1
14.1
14.2
14.2
14.3
Q ts .
11.2
6.0
6.8
7.6
7.2
7.2
7.1
7.1
7.1
7.1
7.1
7.1
7.1
7.2
7.2
7. 1
7.1
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
C e n ts
p e r lb .
12.1
18.3
14.3
12.8
12. 9
13.2
13.8
14.6
15.4
15.0
14.9
14.9
15.2
15.2
15.2
15.3
15.3
15.5
15. 8
16. 2
16.7
L b s.
8.3
5.5
7.0
7.8
7.8
7.6
7.2
6.8
6.5
6.7
6.7
6.7
6.6
6.6
6.6
6.5
6.5
6.5
6.3
6.2
6.0
Butter
C e n ts
p e r lb .
38.3
70.1
51.7
47.9
55.4
51.7
54.8
53.1
55.6
58.4
58.8
59.2
58.4
53.4
51.8
51.4
51.4
53.4
55.7
56.4
58.4
L b s.
2.6
1.4
1.9
2.1
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.9
1.8
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.8
1.8
1.7
C e n ts
p e r lb .
L b s.
21.0
42.3
34.9
33.0
30.4
30.8
36.6
39.5
36.8
36.6
35.9
36.6
36.9
36.4
34.7
34.9
37.7
40.7
41. 5
36.3
32.8
4.8
2.4
2.9
3.0
3.3
3.2
2.7
2.5
2.7
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.9
2.9
2.7
2.5
2.4
2.8
3.0
Cheese
C e n ts
p e r lb .
22.1
41.6
34.0
32.9
36.9
35.3
36.7
36.6
37.6
37.6
37.6
37.3
37.1
37.0
37.0
36.9
37.0
37.7
38.3
38. 6
39.0
L b s.
4.5
2.4
2.9
3.0
2.7
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.7
2.6
2.6
2.6
170
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T A B L E 4 . — A VERAGE
R E TA IL PR IC ES OP SP E C IF IE D A R TIC L ES OP FOOD A N D
A M O U N T PU R C H A SA B L E FOR $1 IN EA CH Y E A R , 1913 TO 1925, A N D IN EA CH M O N TH
OF 1926—Continued
Lard
Year
Eggs
Bread
Flour
Corn meal
Rice
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
Aver
age
Amt.
age
Amt.
age
Amt.
age
Amt.
age
Amt.
age
Amt.
retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1 retail for $1
price
price
price
price
price
price
C e n ts
p e r lb .
1913__________
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
1927__________
January___
February.,.
March____
April_____
M ay______
June____
•July______
A u gust... September.
October---N ovem ber.
December..
15.8
29.5
18.0
17.0
17.7
19.0
23.3
21.9
19.3
20.0
19. 6
19.4
19. 1
19.0
18.8
18.8
18.9
19.2
19.6
19. 5
19. 2
L b s.
6.3
3.4
5.6
5.9
5.6
5.3
4.3
4.6
5.2
5.0
5.1
5.2
5.2
5.3
5.3
5.3
5.3
5.2
5.1
5. 1
5.2
Potatoes
C e n ts
p e r lb .
1913__________
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1926__________
1927__________
January___
February. _
March____
April____
M ay______
June______
July.........
A u g u s t___
September _
October___
November.
December..
1. 7
6.3
3.1
2.8
2.9
2.7
3.6
4.9
3.8
4.0
3.8
3.7
3.7
4. 5
6.0
4. 2
3.4
3.2
3.0
3.0
3.0
L bs.
58.8
15.9
32.3
35.7
34. 5
37.0
27.8
20.4
26.3
25.0
26.3
27.0
27.0
22. 2
16. 7
23.8
29.4
31. 3
33.3
33.3
33.3
C e n ts
p e r doz.
D ozs.
34. 5
68.1
50. 9
44.4
46.5
47.8
52.1
48. 5
45.2
55.9
44.2
35.4
33.9
33.6
33.5
36.9
42.0
48.7
56. 6
61.7
59.6
2.9
1. 5
2. 0
2.3
2.2
2.1
1.9
2.1
2.2
1.8
2.3
2.8
2.9
3.0
3.0
2.7
2.4
2.1
1.8
1.6
1.7
Sugar
C e n ts
p e r lb .
5. 5
19.4
8.0
7.3
10.1
9. 2
7.2
6.9
7. 3
7. 5
7.5
7.4
7.3
7.3
7.3
7.4
7.3
7.2
7.2
7.2
7.1
L bs.
18. 2
5.2
12.5
13.7
9.9
10.9
13.9
14. 5
13. 7
13.3
13.3
13.5
13. 7
13. 7
13.7
13. 5
13. 7
13.9
13.9
13.9
14.1
C e n ts
p e r lb .
5.6
11.5
9. 9
8.7
8.7
8.8
9.4
9.4
9.3
9.4
9.4
9.4
9.4
9.4
9.3
9.3
9.3
9.3
9.3
9.3
9.2
L b s.
17.9
8.7
10. 1
11.5
11. 5
11.4
10.6
10.6
10. 8
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.6
10.8
10.8
10.8
10.8
10.8
10.8
10.9
Tea
C e n ts
p e r lb .
54.4
73.3
69.7
68.1
69.5
71.5
75.5
76.7
77.5
77. 5
77.4
77.6
77.6
77.4
77.3
77. 5
77. 6
77. 2
77. 5
77. 5
77.3
C e n ts
p e r lb .
3.3
8. 1
5.8
5.1
4.7
4.9
6.1
6.0
5.5
5.6
5.6
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.5
5.6
5. 5
5.5
5.4
5.4
L bs.
30.3
12.3
17.2
19.6
21.3
20.4
16.4
16.7
18.2
17.9
17.9
18.2
18. 2
18.2
18.2
18.2
17.9
18.2
18.2
18.5
18.5
C e n ts
p e r lb .
3.0
6.5
4. 5
3.9
4. 1
4.7
5.4
5.1
5.2
5.1
5. 1
5.1
5.1
5.1
5.2
5.2
5. 2
5.2
5.2
5. 2
5.2
L bs.
33.3
15.4
22.2
25.6
24.4
21.3
18.5
19.6
19.2
19.6
19.6
19.6
19.6
19.6
19.2
19. 2
19. 2
19.2
19.2
19.2
19.2
C e n ts
p e r lb .
8.7
17.4
9. 5
9.5
9.5
10.1
11.1
11.6
10.7
11.0
10.8
10.8
10.7
10.6
10.7
10.7
10.7
10.6
10.5
10.4
10.3
L b s.
11.5
5.7
10.5
10.5
10.5
9.9
9.0
8.6
9.3
9.1
9.3
9.3
9.3
9.4
9.3
9.3
9.4
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
Coffee
L b s.
1.8
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.4
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.3
C e n ts
p e r lb .
29. 8
47.0
36.3
36.1
37.7
43.3
51. 5
51.0
48.3
50.2
49.9
49.3
48.8
48.2
47.9
47.6
47.4
47.3
47.4
47.8
48.1
L bs.
3.4
2. 1
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.3
1.9
2.0
2.1
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2. 1
2. 1
2. 1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
In d ex N u m b e r s o f R e ta il P r ic e s o f F ood in t h e U n ite d S ta te s
IN TABLE 5 index numbers are given which show the changes in
1 the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, from 1913 to
1927,2 and by months for 1926 and 1927. These index numbers,
or relative prices, are based on the year 1913 as 100 and are computed
by dividing the average price of each 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 sirloin steak for the year 1926 was 162.6, which means that
2For index numbers of each month, January, 1913, to December, 1926, see Bulletin No. 396, pp. 44 to
Bulletin No. 418, pp. 38 to 51; and Bulletin N o. 445, pp. 36 to 49.
61;
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[382]
171
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
the average money price for the year 1926 was 62.6 per cent higher
than the average money price for the year 1913. As compared with
the relative price, 159.8 in 1925, the figures for 1926 show an increase
of nearly 3 points, but an increase of 1.75 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 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 156.5
for November and 155.9 for December, 1927.
The curve shown in the chart on page 173 pictures more readily
to the eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the
index numbers given in the table.
T a b l e 5 — IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL PR IC ES OP P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FOOD
B Y Y EAR S, 1913, 1920 TO 1927, A N D B Y M O N TH S FOR 1926 A N D 1927
[Average for year 1913=100.0]
Year and month
Sirloin Round Rib Chuck Plate Pork
steak steak roast roast beef chops
Ba Ham Hens Milk B ut
con
ter Cheese
1913_________________
1920_________________
1921_________________
1922_________________
1923_________________
1924_________________
1925_________________
1926_________________
1927,................... ...........-
100.0
172.1
152. 8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162.6
167.7
100.0
177.1
154.3
144. 8
150. 2
151. 6
155.6
159.6
166.4
100.0
167.7
147.0
139. 4
143. 4
145.5
149.5
153.0
158.1
100.0
163.8
132. 5
123.1
126.3
13u.0
135.0
140.6
148.1
100.0
151.2
118. 2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114.1
120.7
127.3
100.0
201.4
166.2
157. 1
144.8
146. 7
174.3
188.1
175.2
100.0
193.7
158.2
147.4
144.8
139.6
173.0
186.3
174.8
100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169.1
168.4
195.5
213.4
204.5
100.0
209.9
186.4
169. 0
164.3
165.7
171.8
182.2
173.2
100.0
187.6
164. 0
147.2
155.1
155.1
157.3
157.3
158.4
100.0
183.0
135.0
125.1
144.7
135.0
143.1
138.6
145.2
100.0
188.2
153.9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166.1
165.6
170.1
1926: Janu ary_______
February ____
M arch_______ __
April _ _ __ ___
May__ _______
June. .
- ___
Ju ly ___________
A ugust_________
September
October. __ _ . .
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
162.8
162.3
163.2
161.4
159.2
158.3
151. 5
148.0
151.0
152.5
153. 5
154. 5
155.1
153. 5
154. 5
154. 5
152. 5
152. 5
138.1
138.1
138.1
139.4
140.6
141.9
141.9
140.6
141.9
142. 5
141. 9
141.9
119.8
120.7
120.7
121. 5
120.7
120.7
119.8
118.2
119.8
120. 7
121. 5
123.1
173.8
172.9
177.1
182.4
191.9
200.0
198. 6
192.9
202.4
202. 9
187.1
177.1
178.5
181.1
179.3
179. 6
182.6
190.7
193. 7
192. 6
192.2
191. 5
188. 9
183.7
198.1
199. 3
200.7
202.6
207.8
221.9
226.4
225.7
224.5
222.3
217.1
212.3
181.2
182.6
185.0
190.1
192.5
188.7
184.0
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
157.3
158.4
159.6
144.6
142.3
139. 9
132.9
130.5
131.3
130.8
132.1
137.1
141.8
145.4
154.8
170.1
169.7
168.3
165.2
162.9
161. 5
161.1
161.5
163.3
166.1
167.0
169.2
1927: J a n u a r y .._____
February _____
M a r c h .................
April___________
M ay. . .
June_________
Ju ly___________
A ugust________
September____ _
October_____ . .
November
December...........
160. 6
161. 0
161. 8
164.6
166.5
166.9
171.7
172.0
172.4
172.0
171.3
172.8
158.3
158.7
159. 6
163.2
165.5
165. 9
170. 0
170.9
170.9
170.0
169.5
171.3
153.0
153.5
153.5
156.1
157. 6
157.1
160.1
160.1
160. 6
161.1
161.1
163. 6
141.9
141. 9
142.5
145.6
146.9
146.9
149.4
149.4
150. 0
151. 9
153.1
156.9
124.0
123.1
123. 1
125. 6
125. 6
125.6
126.4
126.4
128.1
130.6
133.9
138.0
174.3
171.0
174.3
175. 7
173.3
165. 2
166.2
179.5
193.8
197.6
172. 9
156.2
181.1
179.6
179. 3
178.2
176. 3
174.4
172.6
172. 2
172.2
172.6
171.5
167.8
211.2
210.8
210.0
210.8
209.3
206.3
203.0
201. 9
200.0
199.3
197.0
192.9
180.8
180.8
181.7
182.6
180.3
170.4
167.1
166.2
166.2
167. 6
167.1
167.6
158.4
158.4
158.4
157.3
156.2
156.2
157.3
158.4
158.4
159.6
159.6
160.7
152.5
153.5
154.6
152.5
139.4
135.2
134.2
134.2
139.4
145.4
147.3
152.5
170.1
170.1
168.8
167.9
167.4
167.4
167.0
167.4
170.6
173.3
174.7
176.5
82645°—28----- 12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1383]
172
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 5 — I N D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL PR IC E S OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FO OD,
BY Y EA R S, 1913, 1920 TO 1927, A N D B Y M O N T H S FO R 1926 A N D 1927—Continued
Year and month
Lard
Eggs
Bread Flour
Com
meal
R ice
Pota Sugar
toes
Tea
All
Coflee arti
cles 1
1913____ ____ _________
1920__________________
1921__________________
1922__________________
1923__________________
1924__________________
1925__________________
1926__________________
1927_______ ____ ______
100.0
186.7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
138.6
122.2
100.0
197.4
147.5
128.7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140.6
131.0
100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155.4
157.1
167.9
167.9
166.1
100.0
245.5
175.8
154. 5
142.4
148.5
184.8
181.8
166.7
100.0
216.7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156.7
180.0
170.0
173.3
100.0
200.0
109.2
109.2
109.2
116.1
127.6
133.3
123.0
100.0
370.6
182.4
164.7
170.6
158.8
211.8
288.2
223.5
100.0
352.7
145.5
132.7
183.6
167. 3
130.9
125.5
132.7
100.0
134.7
128. 1
125.2
127.8
131.4
138.8
141.0
142.5
100.0
157.7
121.8
121.1
126.5
145.3
172.8
171.1
162.1
100.0
203.4
153.3
141.6
146.2
145.9
157.4
160.6
155.4
1926: January_________
February . . ___
March _
April___________
M a y ____ ______
J u n e-.. ____ ___
Ju ly------------------August_______ -September_______
October_________
N ovem ber______
December.. _____
141.1
140.5
138.6
136.1
136.1
143.0
144.9
143.7
141.1
138.6
133.5
129.1
156.2
127.0
111.6
111.9
112.8
118.0
122.0
130. 1
149.3
168.7
191.3
189.0
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167.9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
187.9
190.9
187.9
184.8
184.8
184.8
181.8
181.8
175.8
172.7
172.7
169.7
173.3
173.3
173.3
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
133.3
133.3
134.5
134.5
134.5
134.5
134.5
133.3
134.5
133.3
129.9
128.7
341.2
335.3
329.4
394.1
352.9
294.1
241.2
211.8
229.4
223.5
235.3
235.3
121.8
121.8
121.8
120.0
121.8
125.5
125.5
127.3
127.3
129.1
129.1
132.7
139.9
139.9
139.9
140.3
140.4
141.4
141.5
141.7
141.5
142.1
141.7
141.4
172.1
172.1
172.1
171.5
171.1
171.1
171.5
171.1
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
161.6
161.8
1927: January___ _____
February _____
M arch__________
April___________
M ay .
June
. _______
J u ly ------------------August -_
September. .
October____ ____
N ovem ber..
December_______
126.6
124.1
122. 8
120. 9
120.3
119.0
119.0
119.6
121.5
124.1
123.4
121.5
162.0
128.1
102.6
98.3
97.4
97.1
107. 0
121.7
141.2
164.1
178.8
172.8
167.9
167.9
167. 9
167.9
167.9
166.1
166.1
166.1
166.1
166.1
166.1
164.3
169.7
169.7
166. 7
166. 7
166. 7
166. 7
166.7
169.7
166. 7
166. 7
163.6
163.6
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
170.0
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
173.3
126.4 235.3
124.1 223.5
124. 1 217.6
123.0 217. 6
121.8 264.7
123.0 352.9
123. 0 247.1
123.0 200.0
121.8 188.2
120.7 176.5
119.5 176.5
118.4 176.5
136.4
136.4
134.5
132.7
132. 7
132.7
134.5
132.7
130.9
130.9
130.9
129.1
142.5
142.3
142.6
142.6
142.3
142.1
142.5
142. 6
141.9
142.5
142.5
142.1
168.5
167.4
165.4
163.8
161.7
160.7
159.7
159.1
158.7
159.1
160.4
161.4
159.3
156.0
153.8
153.6
155.4
158.5
153.4
152.4
154.0
156.1
156.5
155.9
1 22 articles in 1913-1920; 43 articles in 1921-1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
173
RETA IL PRICES OF FOOD
ISO
I TO
I 60
150
140
I 30
I ZO
110
100
JAN. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. 5EP. OCT.
NOV. DEC.
Table 6 shows by index numbers the trend in the retail cost of food
in the United States from 1890 to 1927. The percentage decrease in
the cost from 1926 to 1927 was 3, while the percentage increase from
1890 to 1927 was 123. This means that the cost of food in 1927
was nearly two and a quarter times as much as it was in 1890.
T able 6 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S SHOW ING T H E T R E N D IN TH E R E TA IL COST OF FOOD
IN TH E U N IT E D STA TES, B Y Y EAR S, 1890 TO 1927 i
[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________
1904________
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
1927
Relative
price
203 4
153 3
141 6
146 2
145 Q
157 4
160 6
155.4
1 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, 15 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
[385]
174
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
R e ta il P rice s o f F ood in 51
A VERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 7 for 40 cities
15, 1927. For 11 other cities prices are shown for the same
scheduled by the bureau until after 1913.
T able 7 —A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E PR IN C IPA L
[Exact comparisons of prices in different cities can not be made for some articles,
Atlanta, Ga.
Baltimore, Md.
Birmingham, Ala.
Article
Unit
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
23.7
21.3
19. 7
15.8
40.8
36.8
32.9
25.4
43.5
38.5
33.0
25.5
22.3
20.8
17.5
15.3
37.8
34.7
29.6
21.5
40.7
37.9
31.9
24.1
41. 5
38.3
32.5
24.6
C ts.
Pound___
-__do_____
-__do_____
-.-d o ...........
43.5
39.2
32.8
25.8
C ts.
Sirloin s t e a k ................... .
Round steak ___________
Rib roast . . . . ____. . .
Chuck s te a k .......... ............
28.0
23.0
20.5
16. 1
41.1
35.8
28.8
22.9
42. 5
36.8
30.4
23.5
42.5
36.8
30.4
23.3
Plate beef______________
Pork chops ..
. _ ____
Bacon, sliced___
Ham, sliced
_________
_.._do_____
-__do_____
-__do_____
__do_____
9.9
23.3
31.4
30.0
13.3
35.8
46.9
58.8
15.5
36.2
45.2
55.4
14.9
33.8
43.9
52.9
12. 6
17.0
20. 5
27.5
15.0
35.8
43.7
58.3
16.6
32.5
42. 1
56.0
17.5
30.5
40.0
53.8
10.0
20.6
33.0
32. 0
14.0
36.9
48.7
57.0
15.4
36.8
46.9
53.8
15.3
34.4
45.3
53.0
Lamb, leg of_____ ______
Hens __
.
_____
Salmon, canned, red
M ilk, fresh... __________
___do_____ 20.2 40.0 40. 2 39.4 17.5 37.1 37.9 37.7 21.9 38.6 40.9 40.9
-__do_____ 20.3 36.8 36.1 36.8 20. 7 37.8 38.1 37.8 19.3 36.8 33.4 33.5
33.8 34.0 34.5
31.2 32.6 33.1
__do__........
35.4 35.6 36.3
Quart........ 10.8 19.0 18.0 18.0 8.7 14.0 14.0 14.0 10.0 18.0 16.7 18.3
M ilk, evaporated________
B utter_______
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese_______ ________
Lard .
__________
Vegetable lard substitute
Eggs, strictly fr e s h _____
13.2 13.5 13.5
11.2 11.4 11.5
15-16 oz.can
12.5 12.6 12.4
Pound___ 40.4 58.6 56.7 58.0 40.2 63.8 61.0 62.5 44.6 60. 58.9 59.0
26.9 27.3 26.9
___do_____
30.0 28.0 27.8
36.5 32.8 32.0
__do_____
___do_____
_ do__
Dozen___
Dec. 15— N ov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec.
15, 15,
15, 15,
1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913
25.0 36.4 37. S
15.5 19. 7 19.4
21.9 22.9
43.3 61.1 57.0
Nov. Dec.
15, 15,
1927 1927
38.2 23.3 35. 5 37. 0 37.3 23. 0 37.3 38.
19.2 14. 8 18.3 18. 5 18. 1 15. 7 21.3 19.6
22.4
23.9 22.9 22. 6
21.7 22.1
59.5 40.4 65.2 61.8 60.0 41.8 60.9 53.8
39.6
18.9
22.0
57.3
Eggs, sto r a g e.______ . __do_____ 28. 5 45. 2 44.3 46.0 33.1 45. 5 41. 5 39. 5 35. 0 47.8 43.7 42.6
Bread__________________ Pound___ 5.6 10. 7 10.8 10.8 5.5 9.8 9.8 9.8 5.4 10.3 10. 4 10.4
3.4 6. 5 6.4 6.4 3. 1 5. 3 5.1 5.1 3. 6
__do_____
Flour.
6. 7 6.6
2. 6 4.0 4.1 4. 1 2. 5 3.9 4. 2 4.1 2.5 4.1 4.2 4.2
Corn meal______________ __do_____
6.8
Rolled oats._____________
Corn flakes__ _________
Wheat cereal____________
M acaroni.._____________
__do_____
8-oz. pke.
28-oz. Dkg
Pound. .
Rice_________
_______ _ _do___ _
Beans, n a v y ___
_
_do___
Potatoes_________ .
-__do____
Onions______________ . . . __do_____
Cabbage.. . __________
d o ____
Beans, baked _________ No. 2 can.
Corn, canned____
___ _ _do__ _
Peas, canned____________ ___do_____
9. 7 9.4 9.6
11. 5 9.8 10.0
25.9 27.3 27.1
21.9 21.4 21.6
8. 6 11.3 9.9 9. 3
10.4 10.8 10. 7
2.3 4.8 4.1 4.0
7. 2 7.1 6. 7
4. 8 4.7 4. 7
11. 5 11.4 11. 0
17. 5 18.0 17. 7
20. 0 19.7 19. 7
8. 3 8. 3 8. 2
10.1 9. 2 9. 2
24.3 24. 6 24. 6
18. 6 19. 3 19. 2
9. 0 10. 3
8. 3
1.8 4.3
5. 0
9. 5
8. 7
3.0
4.1
9. 7
8. 6
2.9
4. 2
4. 3 3.1 3. 4
10. 5 10. 8 10. 8
14. 7 14. 8 14. 5
15. 0 15. 0 14. 8
10.0 10.3
12.2 10.5
26.9 27. 7
18.7 18.8
10.2
10.5
27.6
18.9
8.2 11.2 10.5 10.4
10.5 10.3 10.4
5.3 4.5 4.4
6.9 6.5 6.7
2.1
5.6 5.2 5.2
11.9 11.9 11.8
18.4 16.8 16.6
21.4 21.3 20.8
Tomatoes, canned.._ _ . . . . _do_____
11. 0 11.1 10.8
10. 7 10 3 10 4
11.2 10.9 11.0
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound___ 5.5 7.5 7.7 7.5 4.9 6.5 6.5 6.4 5.2 7.7 7.8 7.5
T ea_______________ ____ __do_____ 60. 0 105. 9 103.1 103. 3 56. 0 73 5 73. 0 71J) 61 3 96.4 96.2 98.8
Coffee._________________ __ do___
32. 0 51. 5 48.2 48. 6 24.4 47 5 43 8 44J2 28.8 53.9 50.9 51.1
Prunes_______ __________
Raisins.___ ____________
Bananas________________
Oranges________________
__do_____
.--d o _____
Dozen___
__ do_____
17. 8
16. 5
27.3
34.5
14.8
15. 5
28.6
41.2
14. 3
15. 3
28. 2
38.1
14. 0
13. 0
26. 3
44. 2
12 0
12. 6
26. 2
50.8
11 7
12. 7
26. 3
49.9
18.7
15.4
37.3
44.5
17.4
15.0
37.5
46.5
17.1
15.0
37.7
46.8
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
175
R E T A IL PR ICES OF FOOD
C itie s o n S p ecified D a te s
for December 15, 1913 and 1926, and for November 15 and December
dates with the exception of December, 1913, as these cities were not
A R TIC LES OF FOOD IN 51 C ITIES ON SP E C IF IE D D A TE S
particularly meats and vegetables, owing to differences in trade practices]
Bridgeport,
Conn.
Boston, Mass.
Charleston, S. C.
Butte, Mont.
Buffalo, N . Y.
1913
Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— STov Dec.
Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec.
15,- 15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
15,
15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
1926
C ts .
C ts.
Dec. 15—
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
1 33.0 1 64.3 1 71. 1 1 74.4 49.2
34.3 49.5 55.6 55.3 41.9
23.7 37.8 41.3 41.6 36. 1
16.2 28.5 30.7 32.0 27.5
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
54.6
47.6
40.9
31.1
55.4
47.8
41.8
32.1
21. 6
18.8
16.4
15.0
39.6
34.2
30.5
23.9
42.5
36.3
31.8
25.3
43.2
36.9
32.7
26.0
29.6
26.4
26.5
19.0
33.0
30.3
28.0
20.3
33.2
29.8
27.9
20.4
22.5
21.0
20.0
15.0
32.7
30.0
25.0
19.4
32.7
30.3
27.0
20.3
32.5
29.7
26.3
20.3
11.8
17.6
20.6
26.3
14.7
39.3
45.9
56.3
15.6
38.5
41.2
49.0
12.5
25.0
27.0
27.5
14.2
35.6
44.0
51.7
14.2
33.2
39.5
47.4
14.6
32.0
37.9
46.1
19.0
39.8
49.1
61.8
21.9
39.6
45.8
58.9
21.8
34.6
44.8
57.9
11.9
39.9
54.3
61.9
12.9
38.4
49.9
57.0
13.6
33.9
49.7
55.7
16.3
34.3
40.3
48.2
12.5
36.5
56.9
61.3
13.6
37.1
52.5
58.8
13.8
32'.7
51.7
57.9
38.9
40. 6
33. 0
15.3
39.3
39.1
33.9
15.5
38.1
38.9
34. 5
16.5
38.3
41.1
32. 8
16.0
38.1
40.2
33.3
16.0
37.8 15.4 32.6 32.7 33.1
39.8 19.8 38.4 36.6 37.5
32.5 33.1 34.1
32.3
16.0 8.0 13.0 13.0 13.0
36.3
32.4
31.9
14.3
36.3
32.9
32.7
14.0
35.7 24.0 40.0 38.8 39.4
31.5 21.8 38.4 35.5 35.5
32.7
29.6 33.1 33.4
14.0 12.0 19.0 19.0 19.0
12. 2
57.8
12.1
47. 1
27 9
11.2 11.3 11.3
12.1 11.6 11.6 11.6
58.6 57.4 56. 0 57.6 39.1 62.8 57.7 59.9
29.8 27.8 28. 1
28 3 29. 4 26.8 26.8
11.1
53.0
10.9
53.2
9Q 9
11.1
11.9 11.8 11.8
55.6 39.0 56. 5 53.0 53.9
31.7 29.5 29.2
57.5
38.3
20.2
24. 5
85.0
39.1
19.4
25. 4
85.1
40.6
19.0
25.3
81.7
42.9 21.5 37.6 38.7 39.2
18.4 14.2 19.8 19.0 18. 6
25.4
26.2 25.7 25.8
80.3 47.6 69.3 67.8 63.8
35.7
24.7
29.3
66.3
37.5
23.0
30.6
59.6
37.5 21.0 35.0 36.4 37.1
23. 2 15.0 20.9 21.3 20.7
30.3
23.5 22.1 21.9
61.9 46.7 66.7 57.0 57.3
36.0
5.9
3.6
3.6
54.3
9. 1
6.0
6.2
49.3
8. 5
5.9
6.4
50.6 51.4 48.6 46.4 31.4 45. 5 43.6 43.4
8.6 8.8 8.8 8.8 5.6 8.8 8.7 8.7
5.9 5.8 5.6 5.6 3.0 5. 1 4.8 4.8
6.7 7.7 7.9 7.7 2.6 5.1 5.1 5.2
45.5
9.8
5.4
5.9
38.1
9.8
5.3
6.1
36.7 35.2 44.3 39.6 39.2
9.8 6.4 10. 2 10.9 10.9
5.3 3.7 7. 1 6.9 6.8
6.3 2.6 3.9 3.9 3.9
9. 3
10. 7
24. 7
22. 5
9.1
9.9
25.1
21.9
9. 0 8. 6 8. 5 8.4
9. 8 10. 4 9. 6 9. 6
24.9 24. 7 24. 7 24. 6
22. 3 22. 7 22.6 22.5
8.7 8.8 8.8
10. 2 9.3 9.4
24. 6 24.8 24.8
21. 5 21.5 21.5
7.3
12.2
28.3
19.6
7.6
10.5
28.5
19. 7
7.6
10.5
28.5
19.7
11. 5
9.9
4.0
5.1
12. 1
10. 2
3.0
4. 7
12.1 10.9 11.3 11.1
10. 3 9.7 9. 6 9. 5
3.0 3.8 3.0 3.0
4. 6 5. 0 4.9 5.2
9.9
9.1
2.8
5.4
11.7
10.4
3.0
4.5
11.0
9. i
1.5
3. i
11.0
9. £
1.6
4.2
5. 2
12.9
18 8
20. 3
4. 5
13. 3
18. 0
20. 0
4.4 4.5 4. e 3.9
13. 3 11.3 11.5 11. 7
17. 6 19. 1 19. 0 19.2
19.9 21.5 20. 5 20.9
3.0 2.8 3.0
10.0 10.0 10. (
16.3 15.8 16.0
16.2 16.0 16.2
4.8
14.1
16.0
15.2
3.4
13.5
14.6
13.8
4.1
13.4
14.6
13.5
12. 4
7.3
74.9
55.3
11. 3
7. 2
73.
51.5
13.9 13.3 13.
11. 3 13.1 13.4 13.1
7.0 7.1 7.0 5.1 7.1 6.8 6.8
7.
72.4 59.5 60.9 60.9 45.0 69.8 68.5 69. (
52.8 48.6 46.6 47.5 29.3 48.7 45.5 45.7
13.3
8.5
83.3
56.0
12.8
8. (
82.
54.1
10.2 9.9 9.8
12.8
8. 6 5. 0 6.9 6.7 6.7
83. 50.0 73.9 82.4 82.4
54. 26.8 46.5 43.2 43.8
15 (
13
46.
49.
14.
13. f
46.
60.
13
12.
47. (
56.1
21.9
24.3
30.7
20.2
24.0
8.9
37.9
23.4
15.8
9.4
1.7
5.3
58. (
33.0
39.3
19 7
25.9
87.3
15. 8
14.8
34.
50.7
2Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
41.6
18.7
25. 4
83.2
15. 2
13.8
36.
66.8
15.3
14.0
37.
61.7
9.3 11.2 10.0
9.2 9. 4
1.7 4.1 2.9
5. t 5.6
._
15.9
13 8
42. (
55.7
13.7
13.4
41. (
58.4
13.. 18.4 14.5 14.8
13.1 15.2 14.1 14. (
43. 2 14. 2 13. ( 2 12.8
54.
60.' 58.8
59.
9.6 9.4 9.5
12.0 9.9 9.9
26.2 25.7 25.7
18.6 18.7 18.9
5.6
2.2
8.4 7.1 6.9
9.8 10.1 10.1
4.4 3.4 3.4
5.5 5.6 5.3
4.2 4.1 4.1
9.8 10.0 9.9
15.0 14.3 14.2
17.5 16.4 16.4
..
__
14.7
14.
30."
29.'
12.2
14.
25.
31.
10.7
12.8
27.5
31.3
176
M O NTH LY LABO R R E V IE W
T able 7 —AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC E S OF T H E PR IN C IP A L
Chicago, 111.
Article
Sirloin steak____________
Round steak____________
Rib roast_______ ____ ___
Chuck roast____________
Plate beef___
Pork chops,__
Bacon, sliced.
Ham, sliced,.
Lamb, leg of_______
Hens______________
Salmon, canned, red.
Milk, fresh,,........ ......
Unit
c. 15—
Dec. 15—
Nov Dec.
Nov.
15, 15,
15,
1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927
Cts.
P o u n d .—
—do____
—do____
..d o ____
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cts.
45.2 47.8
2 36.8 38.8
7 36. Í 36.5
25.9 27.9
.d o__
-do_____
,d o__
-do_____
—d o ...
~do—
-,d o —
Quart-
Cleveland, Ohio
Dec. 15—
Nov Dec.
15,
1913 1926 1927 1927
15,
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
49.]
39. 1
37.4
28.3
36.4
33.4
30.2
21.6
Cts.
23.1
20.7
19.5
15.3
39.3
35.7
31. 7
23.4
Cts.
Cts
40.2
36.6
32.6
24.0
Cts
24.6
21.7
18.
17.0
Cts
37.3
31.3
27.1
23. 1
41.6
35.5
28.8
25
42.7
36.3
29.7
25.9
11.8
18.9
22. 6
27.8
15.2
32.2
44.4
56.8
16.3
32.5
40. 1
52.0
17.4
26.9
39.1
50.2
12.5
19.4
27.9
36.3
13.4
35.
50.3
58.3
15.0
35.7
44.6
52.5
16.1
31.4
43.7
51.8
15.1
36.5
55. C
58.7
16.0
35.9
50.7
53.7
16.3
31. 1
49. 4
53.4
38.4
37.6
37.4
14.0
37.7
36. C
36.1
14.0
37.7 17.5 35.1 35.6
36. 1 22. 7 36.1 35.0
35.3
30. S 36. 4
14.0 8.0 14.0 13.3
35.4 18.0 34.9 35.8 35.2
36. 19.3 36.5 35.0 35.3
35.6
33.8 34.8 35.0
13.3
14.3 14.0 14.0
8.0
Milk, evaporated_______
Butter_________________
Oleomargarine (all butter
substitutes).
Cheese_________________
Lard___________________
Vegetable lard substitute.
Eggs, strictly fresh______
11.2 11.3 11.3
15-16oz.can
10.8 11.2 11.3
Pound.
38.3 60.6 56.2 58.8 39.3 59.2 55.6 58.7
—-do__
27.6 27.5 27.2 —
28.6 28.7 28.7
...d o ___
...d o __
.—do__
D ozen,.
42.4
20.9
26.7
66.8
Eggs, storage___
Bread__________
Flour__________
Corn meal______
—do__
Pound.
-_do___
..d o __
50.3 44.8 45.6 30.6 43.1 41.3 41.4 34.3 48.8 41.5 41.9
9.8 9.9 9.9 4.8 9.0 8.7
5.6 7
7.7 7.7
5.3 4.9 4.9 3.3 5.8 5.6 5.5 3.1 5.7 5.5 5.5
6.6 6.7 6.8 2.8 3.9 4.4 4.4 2.9 5.3 5.5 5.4
Rolled o a ts,..
Corn flakes.—
Wheat cereal,
Macaroni___
—do_____
8-oz. pkg._
28-oz. pkg.
Pound___
8.6 8.6 8.6
10.1 9.5 9.4
25.4 25.5 25. 6
19.7 19.0 18.9
Rice__________
Beans, n a v y___
Potatoes___ ___
Onions________
-d o ..
Cabbage____
Beans, baked.
Corn, canned.
Peas, canned-.
—do____
No. 2 can.
..d o _____
--do_____
Tomatoes, canned__
Sugar, granulated___
T ea________________
Coffee_____________
-_do__
Pound.
.-d o __
..d o __
Prunes_____________________ do—
Raisins_____________________d o ...
Bananas------------------------ DozenOranges------------------------------ do.—.
43.8 21.4 36.8 40.4
19.6 13.9 18.5 18.0
26.6
25.6 26. 1
61.2 38.0 63.8 64.8
40.6 24.0 38.1 39. 39.6
16.8 16.4 21.8 21.0 20.9
26.1
27.8 26.9 27.1
60. 48. Ö 70.1 66.4 65.0
8.6
_do—
_do—
- d o ..
43.4
19.8
26.5
59.6
11.3 11.4 11.4
64.7 59. 63.0
31.9 28. 28.6
1.7
! 11.8 10.6 10.6
9.6 9.6 9.7
3.9 2.8 2.9
5.4 5.0 4.9
4.8 4.0 4.5
12.9 12.6 12. 6
17.3 15.9 15.8
17.5 16.0 16.2
8.6 8.9
10.4 9.6 9.6
24.4 25 1 25.1
18.8 18.6 18.5
8.8 10.8 10.0
8.0 8.8
1.8 4. 1 3.0
4.4 4.6
8.4
3.0
4.7
4.2 3.4 3.3
10.9 10. 5 10.4
14.7 15.2 15.2
16.8 17. 1 17.1
9.4 9.3 9.4
11.2 9.9 9.9
25.3 25.4 25.5
21.9 21.9 22.1
9.01 11.9 10.7 10.7
8.5 8.7
4.3 3. 1 3.1
4.7 4.3 4.1
8.8
2.0
4.3
3.6
3.7
12.8 12.8 12.8
17.0 16.7 16.5
17.6 17.6 17.8
14.2 13.8 13.8
11.9 11.9 11.7
14.0 14.0 14.1
5.1 7.0 6.9 6.8 5.2 7.4 7.4 7.3 5.4 7.6 7.6 7.5
55.0 74.3 71.8 71.4 60.0 76.4 79.1 79.1 50.0 79.4 81.2 81.2
30.7 50.9 46.7 47.0 25.6 45.4 44.1 44.7 26.5 54.5 51.4 51.7
18.9
15.4
40.8
58.9
15.6
14.4
39.3
61.4
15 6
14 4
40.9
61.5
16.7
14.7
37.5
40.2
13.7
14 0
38.3
47.8
13.7
14.1
38.9
47.2
16.2 13.9
14.5 13.7
210.8 2 10.5
53.5 55.6
13.4
13.5
11.3
57.7
• \ T Sei t-ea^ or which prices are here quoted is called “ rump” 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
r388]
177
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD
A R TIC L ES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SP E C IF IE D D A T E S—Continued
Columbus,
Ohio
Detroit, Mich.
Denver, Colo.
Dallas, Tex.
Fall River, Mass.
Dec. 15—
Dec. 15—
Dec. 15—
Dec. 15—
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Dec. \Tov. Dec.
15,
15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15, 15,
1927 1927
1927
1927
1927
1826 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927
1913 1926
1913 1926
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
39. 7
34.9
30.8
24.7
41.5
36.7
31.9
26.4
41.8
37.4
32.3
26.6
23.6
21.3
20.6
16.4
36.2
32.9
27.6
22.9
37.8
34.0
29.2
24.0
37.5
34.0
28.8
24.3
22.9
20.7
16.7
15.0
32.3
29.6
23.9
18.7
34.4
31.4
25.5
20.1
35. 2
32.3
26.5
21.1
24.8
20.4
20.2
15.4
41.4
33.6
30.9
22.9
43. 9
36.6
32.3
25.3
45. 0(l 34.3
37. 1| 27. 3
33. 51 23.3
25.81 18.3
60.5
46.0
31.2
22.6
16.0
35. 6
61. 2
58.7
17.0
35.8
48. 5
53.3
17.3
32.8
47.7
53.1
13.6
21.6
37.5
31.6
17.8
35.2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9.7 9.7
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AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OF TH E PR IN C IPA L
Houston, Tex.
Article
Sirloin steak.
Round steak.
Rib roast___
Chuck roast..
Plate beef___
Pork ch o p s...
Bacon, sliced.
Ham, sliced ..
Lamb, leg of.______
H ens______________
Salmon, canned, red.
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Unit
Dec. Nov Dee.
15, 15, 15,
1926 1927 1927
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Bread_______
Flour_______
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28-oz. pkg.
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Dec. 15—
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15, 15,
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Oleomargarine (all butter ----- do_____
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Jacksonville, Fla.
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https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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38.8 39.8 32.8 46.0 45.8 46.0 40.0 44.7 41. 3
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179
R ET A IL PRICES OP FOOD
A R TIC L ES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON SP E C IF IE D D A T E S—Continued
Kansas City, Mo.
Dec. 15—
Little Rock, Ark.
Dec. 15—
Los Angeles, Calif.
Louisville, Ky.
Manchester, N . H.
Dec. 15—
D ec 1.5—
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
15,
15, 15
15, 15,
1927
1927
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https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
14.7
15.0
3 9. 5
47.1 — -
15.3
12.9
310.4
44.6
12.7
11.9
310.0
58.5
can.
12.7
11.8
3 9. 9
54.8
15.5 14.3 14. 5
14.4 14.0 13.7
310. 2 310. 8 310. 0
39.5 44.6 41.7 —
3 Per pound.
[3 9 1 ]
15.2
13.9
3 9.6
49.6
13.3
13.6
3 9. 5
51.7
13.7
13.3
3 9.7
55.7
180
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 7.—A V ER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OF T H E P R IN C IP A L
Memphis, Tenn.
Article
Milwaukee, Wis.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Dec. 15—
Dec. 15—
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1927
1927
1927
1927
1913 1926 1927 1927
1913 1926
1913 1926
Unit
Dec. 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......................... Pound__ .
Round steak____________
doi_____
Rib roast______ ____ ____ ___do_____
Chuck roast_____________ — do_____
24.0
20.0
21.0
15.0
35.9
32.7
25.9
19.4
38.9
36.4
28.8
22.3
38.9
36.4
28.9
22.4
23.4
21.6
18.8
16.4
37.8
33.2
28.0
24.5
41. 1
35. 9
29. 5
26.3
40.8
36.0
29.4
26.3
19.3
18.0
18. 7
14.7
31. 1
27.9
24.4
20.4
35. 2
31. 2
27.8
23.0
34.8
31.2
28.0
23.3
Plate b e e f _____ _______
Pork chops______________
Bacon, sliced _ .
Ham, sliced____________
__ d o _____
___do_____
_ do ____
__do______
12. 5
20.0
30 0
29.0
15. 2
33. 2
42. 7
55.0
18 8
30.7
39. 2
51.4
19. 2
29. 1
38 9
50. 6
12.1
17.4
27 4
27.8
14. 5
33.0
48.8
51. 3
16.0
33. 1
46.8
47.6
16. 3
28.4
46. 1
46.8
10.0
17.2
26. 7
28. 3
12.4
32. 4
48. 8
52.5
14.3
34.4
46.4
50.8
15.0
30.2
46.7
48.5
Lamb, leg of____________
Hens ________ _____ . . .
Salmon, canned, red _ . .
M ilk, fresh _____________
___do_____ 20.6 37.9 35.7
__ do __ _ 19. 6 31. 0 30. 5
__ do ___
34. 3 30.4
Quart____ 10.0 15.0 15.0
M ilk, evaporated. _ _____ 15-16 oz.can
B utter__________________ Pound___
Oleomargarine (all butter __ do_____
substitutes).
Cheese____________ . . . _ __ do _____
Lard.. ____________ ____ __do____
Vegetable lard substitute.. __ do ____
Eggs, strictly fresh ............ Dozen___
35.2 18.5 36.5 37.2
30. 9 17.2 32. 1 29. 9
33. 6 33.8
30. 4
15.0 7.0 11.0 11.0
37.0 14.6 34.4 33.6 33.7
31. 2 16.4 32.8 30. 7 33.4
34. 2
39.0 36.0 36.1
11.0 8.Ö 11.0 12.0 12.0
11.4 11.6 11.8
11.2 11.6 11.6
11.0 11.3 11.3
38.8 56.8 55.6 57.3 38.8 60. 1 54.2 58.6 36.9 60.0 53.9 57.1
25.8 25.6 25.6
27.4 25.1 25.3
27.2 27. 1 27.1
22. 0 33. 8
15. 0 17. 6
21. 2
39.0 52.2
37. 3
16.4
21. 8
48.8
38.4 22. 3 35.4
16. 2 16. 0 20. 4
22. 8
26. 7
51.4 40.0 63.3
37.1
19. 5
26. 7
61.8
38.0 21.3 35.4 36. 5 37.5
19 6 15.4 18.9 18. 5 18.5
27.4 27.0 27.1
26 5
61. 5 39. 1 54.8 50.6 53.9
Eggs, storage____________
B re a d ________ ____ . .
Flour. ____ __________
Corn meal______________
. —do_____ 30.0 43.3 38.5 38.3 33.0 43.1 39.1 39.0 31.6 39.6 37.5 40.0
Pound___ 6.0 9.5 9.5 9.5 5. 7 9.0 9. 1 9. 1 5.6 8.9 8.7 8.7
__do ___ 3. 5 6. 1 6. 0 6.0 3. 0 5. 2 4. 8 4 7 2 8 5.4 5. 1 5.1
. —do_____
2.5 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.2 5.7 5.6 5.7 2.5 5.2 5.3 5.4
Rolled o a ts ________ ____
Corn f la k e s ____
___
Wheat cereal _____ . . .
Macaroni___ ___________
__ do ____
8-07,. pkg
28-oz.pkg
Pound___
Rice___ _____ ___________
Beans, n a v y ____________
Potatoes.
. . . _____
Onions ............... ..................
_—do_____
-_ do_____
__do ____
. —do_____
Cabbage
. __________
Beans, baked___ _______
Corn, canned___ ________
Peas, c a n n e d ___________
__ d o _____
No. 2 can ..
— d o _____
___do_____
5 84 84
2 9 3 9 3
6 24. 6 24 7
0 17.4 17 8
8 2 8.1 8.1
10 8 9. 8 9.8
25. 3 25. 5 25.6
18.9 18. 8 18.8
8.3
9.4
3. 2
4. 7
9.0 11.3 10.4 10.3
8 5 8. 6 8 7
1.7 3 5 2 5 2J)
4 6 4.3 4J)
8.6 11.0 10.3 10.2
9 5 9. S 9.9
1.6 3 2 1. 9 2. 2
5 0 4. 5 4.3
3.9 3.4 3.4
11.6 11.0 11.0
15.6 14. 7 14.6
16.9 15.0 15.0
4 0 28 33
11.1 11.2 10.9
15 5 15. 8 15 9
16. 3 15. 2 15 7
3 7 2.8 2.9
12.4 12.4 11.8
14 3 14. 0 14.2
14. 7 14.4 14.7
9.1 9 0 9.0
10. 9 9 8 9.8
25.1 25. 8 25. 7
19.2 19.4 19.4
8.1
2.0
9.4
9.1
4 5
5.1
8.6
9. 5
32
4.6
8
10
24
18
Tomatoes, ca n n ed ______
d o _____
10.4
Sugar, granulated_______ Pound___ 5.3 7.1
T e a ... ._ _ _ _______
_ do_____ 63.8 99 C
Coffee ___ ___________ __do______ 27.5 49.6
9.9 10. 1
13.4 13 2 13 4
13 7 13. 5 13 3
7. 1 6.9 5.5 6.9 6.8 6.8 5.0 7.3 7.3 7.3
OO 0 00 0 00 8
98 4 98 4 50 0 71 0 70 0 70 3
47. 6 47. 6 27.5 46 8 42 7 43 0 3o! 8 53 9 50 3 50 8
Prunes _______________
Raisins_________________
B ananas.. ___________ _
Oranges........................
13. 9
14. 6
2 9. 0
42.9
i Whole.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
__do ____
__do ____
D ozen
. —do
___
15. 9
14. 6
2 9.0
37.3
14. 1
14. 2
2 9. 0
42.0
16. 5 14 1 14 0
14 6 13 9 14 6
2 9. 9 210. 0 210 1
52. 9 53.2 52.6
10 8 14 9 14J)
14 4 14 3 13 4
211 8 2113 211 5
57.6 60.4 59.4
181
R ETA IL PRICES OF FOOD
A R TIC L ES OF FOOD IN 51 C ITIES ON SP E C IF IE D D A T E S—Continued
Mobile, Ala.
Newark, N . J.
N ew Haven, Conn.
N ew Orleans, La.
N ew York, N . Y.
Dec. 1,5—
Dec. 15—
Dec 15—
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
Nov. Dec.
15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
1927 1927
1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926
1913 1926 1927 1927
Dec. Nov. Dec.
Dec. 15—
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cis.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
27.2
26. 5
21.0
17.3
44.5
42.7
35.4
24.8
Cts.
Cts.
35.9
35.5
29. 1
23.8
Cts.
Cts.
35.9
35.0
29.5
23.6
Cts.
Cts.
34.5
33.6
28.2
22.3
48.7
46.4
37.8
28.6
49. t
46.9
10. t
29.2
30.8
28.4
22.8
18.8
53.5
43.7
35.9
26.8
58. 7
47.3
38.9
29.2
58.7
47. 6
39.2
30.0
21.5
19. 1
18.5
15.4
34.9
31.0
29.6
20.9
36.3
32. 5
30.8
21.7
37.0
33.3
31. 0
22.5
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
25.7
25.3
21.3
15.8
44.1
43.0
38.8
24.6
50.3
47.1
42.6
28.4
50.6
47.1
43.0
29.5
17.3
39. 1
51. 2
54.3
18.4
37.7
44.8
52.7
18.4
37.3
42. 8
49.6
12.4
21.0
25.3
19.8
13.0
37. 2
48.4
56.2
16.0
36.4
45.0
55.2
17.2
15.5 16.2
33.6 19.6 38.2 38.3
43.9 28.2 49.7 46.2
52.0 30.8 62.9 58.7
16.4
33.8
45.9
58.5
12.0
24.0
30.4
27.0
18.2
36.9
51.4
54.0
18.6
35.7
46.9
49.3
19.4
32.7
44.5
46.8
14.5
18.4
25.5
29.0
20.2
41.5
50.1
61.3
22.6
40.6
49.2
58.0
23.6
36.9
47.8
56.5
40.7
36.8
34.0
17.8
41.4
36.3
34.7
17.8
40.7 20.0 37. 3 38.5 36.9 18.7 38.8 39.3 38.5 20.5 38.6 38.8 38.5 15.4 36.9
35.0 >23.4 38.3 36.4 35.7 23.3 42.0 39.9 40. 1 22.0 37.3 35.0 36.0 20.7 40.3
34.4
32.4 32.8 32.8
32.8 34.3 34. 3
37.4 37.0 37.0
31.9
18.0 9.0 15.0 16.0 16.0 9.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 9.8 14.0 14.0 14.0 9.0 15.0
37.0
38.5
34.2
16.0
36.3
37.5
34.6
16.0
11.8 11.8 11.5
11. 2 11.5 11.1
12.1 12.1 12.1
11.1 11. 1 11.2
11.1
60.2 56. 6 57.0 43.7 63.6 59.3 61. 7 37.3 57.7 54. 9 55.6 39.8 58. 5 56.4 58.5 41.1 63.3
30.9 29.4 29.4 —
30.5 30.2 30.5 —
29.9 29.5 29.4 —
31.7 29.0 29.1 —
31.3
11.1 11.1
59.0 61.3
28.0 27.3
37.5
20.3
20.6
64.6
40.3
20.6
25.9
80.0
38.1
19.8
21.3
53.0
38.1 24.8 39.8 40.9
19.7 16.3 20.8 19.7
21.3
25.8 25. 4
53.4 57.2 73.8 74.7
48.2 42.0 43.6 35.6 48.1
9.8 10.1 10. 1 5.5 9. G
6.4 6. 1 6. 1 3.6 5.5
4.0 4.1 4. 1 3.6 6.7
39. 9 23.5 38.3 40. 1 40.3 21.9 36.7 39.2 39.9 20.2 37.7
19. 5 15. 6 20.4 18.7 18.7 15.0 20.1 19. 5 19.3 16.1 20.5
25. 6
26.0 25.4 25.6
19.7 20.0 19. 6
26.2
70. 6 56.4 89.1 80.9 82.6 34.0 56.1 46.6 48.7 54.3 76.8
42.9 43.1
9.5 9. 1
5.3 5. 2
7.0 6.9
34.2 52.2 49. 6 47.5 30.0 41.5 38.0 38.7 36.7 48.0
6. 0 9.2 9. 2 9.2 5.0 8.8 8. 7 8.7 6. 1 9.6
3. 1 5. 7 5.4 5.2 3.7 7.0 6.6 6.6 3.2 5.4
3.2 6.7 7.0 7.0 2.7 4.0 4.1 4.4 3.4 6.5
8.6 8.6 8.5
11.1 9. 5 9.5
25.4 24. 5 24.5
20.9 20.7 20.7
—
10.4
8.9
5.0
5.1
9.0 10.9 10.2 10. 2 9.3 11.6 10.2 10.0
_ 9.5 10.0 10. 1
9.7 9.4 9.5
4. 4 3.3 3.3 1. 7 3.9 3.2 3.2
5.0 5.0 4.8 —
—
5.5 5.3 5.3
8.5 8.2 8. 2
10.0 9.3 9.2
24.3 24.2 24. 2
21.0 21. 4 21.4 —
9.3 9.7 9.3
10.8 10.2 10.2
24.9 24. 6 24.1
22.4 22.3 22. 2 —
9.0 8.8 8.9
10.3 9. 7 9.6
24.6 24.6 24. 6
10.0 10.6 10.7 —
40.5
20.3
25.5
73.2
42.1 42.9
9.6 9.6
5.4 5.4
6.7 6.5
8 6
10.0
24.1
21.1
8 fi 8 fi
9.1 9.1
24.0 23.9
21.1 21.1
9.2
8.9
3.8
4.4
8.0 10.1
10.2
4.3
—
5.0
10.1 9.9
10.2 10.2
3.5 3.5
4.9 5.0
4.1 4.5 4.1
10.7 11. 1 10.6
15.4 14. 4 14.7
17.5 17.6 17.6
4 2
10.6
14 5
15.3
8 F t 8 fi
11.0 11.0
14 5 14J)
14.9 14.7
10.8 10. 2 10. 2
11.3 10.5 10. 5
12.6 13.0 12.8
11.8 10. 5 10.3
10.8
7.4 7.1 7.0 5.3 6.6 6. 7 6. 7 5.5 7.2 7. 1 7.0 5. 1 6.9 6.6 6.6 4.9 6.5
80.7 80.3 80.0 53.8 62.9 60. 1 60. 1 55. 0 60.4 60.3 58.9 62. 1 82. 6 79.3 79.5 43.3 65.7
50.1 47.8 48.4 29.3 49. 1 46.9 47.4 33.8 52.2 49.4 49.9 25.0 35.5 35.4 35.4 27.2 47.4
11.2 11.0
6.3 6.2
67.3 66. 5
45.8 46.4
15.4
14.4
23.0
38.7
12.8
13.6
38.5
67.4
9. 5
9.2
3.7
4.5
9.3
9.2
4.0
4.6
4.9 4.7 4.5
10.9 10.2 10.3
17.5 15.8 15.8
16.6 15.3 15.6
12.5
13.8
25.0
46.0
12.7
13.4
24.4
43.9
7.5
_
2.5
—
__
4. 1 4.4 4.4
10.6 10.3 10.3
16.4 15.1 15. 3
17.0 17.8 17.9 —
14.8
14.8
38. 1
50.7
14.0
14.4
38.0
57.4
2 Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13.0
14.5
38.0
57.8
2.2
—
4.5 4.5 4.5
11.2 11.7 11.5
18. 9 18.1 18. 1
20.3 18.8 18.6 —
15.9
14. 0
34. 5
53.2
14. 2
13.5
32.5
54.9
13.9
13.7
33.4
53.1
—
9.9
8.5
4.7
4.3
17.8
14. 2
14. 6
40.0
9.4
8.7
3.9
4.5
15. 4
13. 1
15. 8
43.8
14.3
13.2
17.5
46.9
2.4
—
14.6
14.3
40.3
58.5
12.2
13.2
37.8
62.7
182
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 7 —A V ER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF T H E P R IN C IP A L
Norfolk, Va.
Article
Sirloin steak_________
Round steak_________
Rib roast____________
Chuck roast__________
Plate beef___
Pork chops--.
Bacon, sliced.
Ham, sliced. .
Lamb, leg of.............. .........
Hens________ ____ _____
Salmon, canned, red____
Milk, fresh........................ .
Unit
Omaha, Nebr.
Peoria, 111.
Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. N ov. Dec.
15, 15, 15, —
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Pound.
___ do..
___ do..
___ d o..
Cts.
Cts.
41.9
36.4
32.9
23.9
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
40.6
38.8
31.6
22.7
42.3
37.0
32.6
24.4
26.0
22.4
20.0
16.6
37.1
34.5
26.3
22.0
39.1
36.8
26.6
23.2
38.9
36.1
26.5
23.1
34.8
34.1
25.1
22.2
35.5
34.4
25.3
22.5
34.8
34.0
25.6
22.8
_do.
_do.
_do.
-d'o.
16.3
34.8
48.0
49.5
15.9
34.2
41.7
47.0
17.5
32.0
43.1
46.3
11.2
19.7
28.0
30.0
12.8
36.2
53.0
58.7
13.6
34.5
48.8
50.4
14.6
30.5
48.1
49.3
15.0
34.7
50.4
56.8
15.3
32.3
48.8
53.8
15.3
31.3
47.7
50.4
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
Quart..
38.6
37. 1
34.0
17.5
39.2
37. 1
35.9
18.0
40.5
36.5
35.7
18.0
16.3
15.6
36.2
31.2
36.0
11.3
37.5
29.5
35.5
11.3
37.6
29.8
35.8
11.3
40.0
33.3
35.6
12.0
40.0
31.7
34.5
13.0
39.4
32.2
35.5
13.0
11.6
53.9
28.0
11.8
52.6
26.2
11.8
53.9
26.4
11.4
57.8
29.4
11.2
53.0
28.2
11.3
55.9
28.9
38.6
20.3
25.4
46.1
38.7
20.2
25.6
51.1
37.0
20.4
27.1
64.7
37.8
18.8
27.6
55.7
38.3
19.2
27.7
60.2
8.7
Milk, evaporated_________ 15-16 oz. can.
Butter___________________ Pound_____
Oleomargarine (all butter ___ do_____
substitutes).
Cheese________ _________
___ do_____
Lard_____________________ ___ do-------Vegetable lard substitute__ ___ do_____
Eggs, strictly fresh________ Dozen_____
34.7
19.1
21.9
64.7
37.5
19.1
23.0
63.0
36.0
36.3
23.4
27.3
52.1
Eggs, storage________
Bread.............................
Flour_______________
Corn meal......................
____do..
Pound.
___ do..
___do..
48.0 45.4 47.5
9.9 9.9 9.9
5.8 5.5 5. 5
4.5 4.6 4.6
31.7
5.2
2.8
2.5
43.2
10.2
4.7
4.9
35.9
9.7
4.5
4.7
40.1
9.7
4.5
4.6
45.4
10.1
5.6
5.0
39.9
10.0
5.2
4.8
40.1
10.0
5.2
4.9
Rolled oats-..
Corn flakes.
Wheat cereal.
Macaroni___
___ do____
8-oz. pkg._
28-oz. pkg.
Pound___
8.7 8.5 8.4
10.3 9.7 9.7
23.8 24.8 24.8
19.0 19.1 19.0
10.4
12.8
28.0
21.2
10.1
10.1
27.8
21.3
10.1
10.1
27.8
21.3
9.1
11.9
25.2
19.4
9.3
10.2
26.3
18.6
9.3
10.1
26.1
18.6
R ic e...............
Beans, n avy.
Potatoes........
O nions..........
.do.
-do.
-do.
-do.
12.3 11.6 11.4
8.6 8.4 8.5
4.6 3.7 3.7
6.0 5.3 4.8
11.4
9.9
4.0
5.3
10.9
10.0
2.2
5.3
11.0
10.1
2.3
5.3
11.7
9.0
3.8
5.8
11.2
9.1
2.3
5.5
11.3
9.0
2.4
5.0
Cabbage_____
Beans, baked.
Corn, cannedPeas, canned..
___ do___
No. 2 can.
___ do___
___ do___
4.7 4.5 4.2
9.8 9.9 9.9
15.4 14.6 14.8
19.8 17.3 17.4
4.3
13.7
15.6
16.1
3.3
13.0
15.9
15.4
3.4
12.9
16.3
15.9
3.7
11.7
16.2
18.1
3.1
11.1
15.0
17.8
3.1
11.1
15.3
17.4
Tomatoes, canned____
Sugar, granulated........ .
T e a ....................... ...........
Coffee.............................
____do..
Pound.
___ do..
-----do..
9.9 9.7 9.7
7.0 6.8 6.8
89.4 96.4 96.4
51.3 48.4 48.8
13.6
7.6
78.8
55.0
13.1
7.4
78.1
53.6
13.2
7.3
77.8
53.7
13.3
7.7
70.1
51.3
12.7
8.4
70.8
47.8
12.9
8.3
70.5
48.1
Prunes...
Raisins...
Bananas .
Oranges..
___ do.
___ do.
Dozen.
___ do.
15.0
14.5
33.3
43.9
11.2 11.8 11.8
59.6 58.9 60. 5
27.2 27.4 25.0
36.4
19.4
22.4
62.2
14.1
14.1
34.0
50.9
13.3
13.5
34.5
51.1
37.2
23.5
17.6
8.5
2.0
5.7
56.0
30.0
16.4 14.4 14.0 18.6 18.0 17.1
15.3 14.9 14.7 15.1 14.3 14.2
3 11.7 3 11.8 311.9 3 10.7 310.4 3 11.2
55.1 47.1 54.4 52.1 47.6 49.7
1The steak for which prices are here quoted is called “ sirloin” in this city, but in most of the other
cities included in this report it would be known as “ porterhouse” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[394]
183
RETA IL PRICES OF FOOD
A R TIC L ES OF FOOD IN 51 C ITIES ON SP E C IF IE D D A T E S—Continued
Pittsburgh-, Pa.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Portland, Me.
Portland, Oreg.
Providence, R. I.
Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— N ov. Dec.
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
130.0 1 54.4 1 59.0 1 61.4 27.0 45.3 49.3 50.3 1 60.1 1 64.7 1 64.3 2 1 . 8
26.0 41.2 45.2 46.8 2 2 . 8 38.8 41.0 41.3 46.0 47.0 47.7 2 1 . 0
2 1.8
36.3 39.0 40.4 2 1 . 8 34. 1 35.6 36. 6 29.7 32.2 32.5 18.7
17.8 26.0 28.7 30.4 16.7 25.0 27.8 28.5 2 1 . 6 2 2 . 8 23.1 16.0
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
29.4
26. 1
24.6
18.6
31.0
28.8
26.2
19.9
31.3 1 39.2 ‘ 70.2
29. 1 31.0 49.4
26.2 23.8 38.3
20.4 18.8 29.0
13. 5
38. 1
55.0
57.4
15.1
36.4
53.4
55.4
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
1
Cts.
76.2 ‘ 76.4
50.9 53.0
40. 7 41.1
30.5 31.7
12 .1
12 .8
14.7
40.9 38.8
2 0 .6
25.0 47.5 45. 1
29.1 59.7 54.8
15.8 12.7 13.6 15.4 16.4
36.3 2 0 . 8 37.6 39.2 34.6
43.9 28.8 53.5 50.7 49.3
53.3 29.0 62.4 57.3 56.7
16.6
39.5
45.5
57.9
18.5
39.6
43. 1
52.0
19.3
33.1
43.6
51.0
15.7
18.0
34.6 19.6 40.0
51.7 2 2 . 8 45.9
54.8 32.7 60.4
19.1
40.1
41.9
54.8
19.3
35.5
41.2
55.0
18.8 40.2
40.9
29.9
8 . 0 ' 13.0
39.8 20.7 40.0 40.1
39.8 24.8 44.1 41. 6
34.4
32.9 33. 1
13.0 9.2 14.7 15.0
37.5
41.3
33.1
13.8
36.9
40.2
35.4
13.8
36.2 17.1 35.8 35.9 35.4 19.0 40.2
40. 1 2 1 . 0 35.0 32.2 32.2 24.2 42.5
36.2 35.0 35.7
35.3
35.2
15.0 9.7 1 2 . 0 1 2 . 0 1 2 . 0 9.0 15.2
39.8
41.0
32.9
15.7
38.2
39.6
33.9
15.7
12 .2
12 .2
2 2 .6
40.8
40.0
34.7
13.0
40.4
41. 2
33.0
15.0
13.0
21.4
30.3
30.8
11.5 1 1 . 8 11.7
11.4 1 1 . 2 1 1 . 2 12.4 12.5 12.5
12 .2
10.7 10.5 10.5
46.6 65.3 61.9 63.7 42. 0 64.0 59. 4 63. 2 58. 9 57.4 58.8 41. 5 55.6 55.9 57.8 38.8 56.6
30.8 28.9 29.0 —
32.0 31.4 31.5 28.0 26.4 26.7 —
28.9
30.3 26.3 25.3 —
53.9 54.1
27.4 27.5
25.0 39.3 40.8
15. 2 19.2 18.3
25. 1 25.2
48.3 74.0 66.5
37.4
18.7
26.6
83.1
—
41.0 24.5 39.7 41.3 41.4
18. 1 15.6 20.9 19.7 19.9
25.0
27.5 27.3 27.5
68.5 49.2 70.6 63.4 65.4
37.9
19.1
25.8
80.3
38.7
18.6
26.6
77.9
39.5 2 0 . 8 38.2 38.6 38.3 2 2 . 0 36.8
18.6 17.3 2 2 . 8 2 1 . 0 2 0 . 6 15.8 18.9
26.6
26.6
28.9 28.7 28.6
72.4 50.8 53.5 54.9 47.1 57.3 76.5
34.7 49.3 46.7 45.2 35.1 49. 1 43.8 45.2 52.4 48.1 48.8 37. 5 44.0 41.0 35.0 35. 6 50.4
4. 8 9.5 9.4 9.4 5.4 9.2 8.4 8 . 6 9.9 10.3 1 0 . 2 5.5 9.5 9.2 9.2 6 . 1 9.2
3. 1 5.4 5.1 5.0 3.2 5.3 5.1 5.0 5.6 5.3 5.3 2.9 5.2 4.8 4.7 3.4 5.9
2 .8
4.7 4.9 5.0 3.0 5.9 5.7 5.9 5.1 5.0 5.0 3.6 5.5 5.5 5.6 2.9 5.0
__
..
9.8
2.3
..
8.5 8.5 8.5
9.4 9.4
10 .1
24.4 24.6 24.6
2 0 .8
20. 5 20.9
11.8
9.0
4.7
4.8
11.2
9.5
3.5
4.5
.1
9.4
3.6
4.2
—
9.2 12.5
11
4.6 3.2 2.9
10. 5 1 0 . 8 1 0 . 8
14.8 14.0 14.3
15.3 14.3 14.6
9.4 9.2 9.1 8 . 1 7.8 7.8
10. 5 9.9 9.9 1 1 . 6 9.7 9.8
25.0 24.9 25. 1 25.8 25.5 25.5
23.7 23.6 23.4 24.9 24. 1 24.2
8 .8
1.9
—
4. 0
5.4
.1
8.9
2.9
4.9
1 1
13.5
9.0 9.5
2.9 3.6
4.8 4.6
11.2
10.3 1 0 . 2 10.4
11.4 9.6 9.6
26.8 27.0 26.8
18.0 18.3 18.3
—
11.9
9.9 9.8
8 .6
10.4
9.8
2 .8
2 .8
1.2
2 .6
4.3
4.4
12 .2
9.6
2.4
3.4
—
9.3
2 .2
1.7
3.7
25.4
23.7
8.9 9.0
9. 5 9.5
25.1 25.1
23.0 23.1
11.8
10 .8
10 .8
9.7
9.6
..
47.0 47.5
9.1 9.0
5.5 5.6
5.1 5.1
9.9
3.7
5.0
9.9
2.9
4.5
10 .8
9.9
2.9
4.6
3.9
11.4
18.1
19.5
3.7 3.9
10.9 1 0 . 8
17. 1 16.8
18.4 18.7
12.5 11.7 11.5 12. 5 12.5 1 2 . 2
13.4
2 16.1 2 16.4 2 17.3
5.0 6.7 6.7 6 . 6 5.5 7.4 7.4 7.3 7.5 7.2 7.1 6 . 0 7.3 7.2 7.0 5.1 7.1
54. 0 69.4 67. 9 67.8 58.0 85. 1 83.0 82.8 61.9 62.2 62. 2 55.0 76.6 76. 7 76.4 48.3 60.8
24. 5 45.9 40.2 40.4 30.0 51.3 47.2 47.6 53.7 49.1 50.1 35.0 51.9 51.9 51.9 30.0 53.6
12.9
12 .8
6.9 6.9
61.1 61.1
49.2 50.0
______
—
—
12 .1
11.8
14.4
13.6
30.7
45.7
12.7 1 2 . 8
13.3 13.2
31.9 33.0
52.9 49.4
5.0 3.9 3.7 3.4 2.7 2.4
12 .6
12 .6
15.4 14.6 14.2
12 .6
16.8 16.2 16.3 16.9 13.9 14.4
17.1 17.0 17.3 18.4 17.3 17.4
3.7
—
10 .1
9.2
38.3
18.4
26.2
69.4
—
3.6
12 .8
2.9
12 .0
3.5
12 .0
18.1 18. 1 18.4
19.0 17.5 17.8
—
—
11.6
17.1
14.6
40.3
47.6
—
2 No.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
23
15. 6
14.0
41. 5
51.4
14.2
13.6
42.4
52.0
3
10 .2
9.9
15.1 13.0 13.3
10 .1
13.5 1 2 . 8 12.9
13.8 13.0 13.3
10.9 3 11.4 3 11.7
3 12.9 3 13.0 3 11.9
52.7 64.0 56.0 ........ 51.1 57.1 55.9 —
^ can.
5
[395]
Per pound.
15.2
14.3
32.5
53.0
13.5
13.7
32.5
6 . 04
13.0
13.6
31.4
59.3
184
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 7 —AVERAGE R E TA IL PR IC ES OF T H E P R IN C IP A L
. Rochester,
N . Y.
ichmond, Va.
Article
Unit
15— Nov.
Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
C ts.
Sirloin steak. _
Round steak.
Rib roast____
Chuck roast. _
Pound.
___ do.
___ do.
----- do.
Plate beef___
Pork chops...
Bacon, sliced.
Ham, sliced - .
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
___ do.
St. Louis, Mo.
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
22.2 40. 1 42. 2 42. 2 41. C 43.1 43.8 26.6 36.7 40.5 39.7
20.0 35. 1 37. 1 37. a 34. 5 37. a 37.3 23.6 35.2 39.2 38.5
18.9 31.5 33.5 33.6 30.0 32.4 32.6 19.5 30.4 32. 2 32.5
15.9 23.3 24.2 24.5 24.8 27.6 27.7 15.9 21.7 24.0 23.3
13.2 16. 1 17.3 17.6 14.0 15.6 15.7 12.8 16.0 16.8 16.2
20.8 37.9 37. c 33.6 39.2 39.8 35.3 17.8 33.0 32.5 28.8
25. 0 45. S 43.8 42.7 44.8 41. 1 40.6 25. 0 46.2 43.3 41. 9
25.0 47. 1 44.8 46.1 56.3 52.4 51.4 27.3 53.9 51.9 51.0
Lamb, leg of.
..d o .
19.3 44.1 43.8 41.5
Hens_______
19.3 35.8 34. t 34.3
._do.
Salmon, canned, red.
34. 4 35.5 35.3
-do.
Milk, fresh_________________ Quart______ 10.0 14.0 14.0 14.0
36.8
39.1
32.3
12.5
Milk, evaporated___________
Butter_____________________
Oleomargarine (all butter sub
stitutes).
Cheese____________________
Lard______________________
Vegetable lard substitute____
Eggs, strictly fresh__________
15-16 oz. can
Pound____
___ do_____
___ do.........
___ do.........
----- do.........
Dozen.........
22.3 36.6 36.7
15.4 19.5 19.4
25.4 25.9
38. Ö 60.6 59.5
36.3
19.2
24. 5
72.7
Eggs, storage.. .
B read........... .
Flour_________
Corn meal___i.
____do.
Pound.
____do.
........ do.
33.2 45.6 42.2 41.7 47.4 47.2 44.9 28.8 41.7 36.1 36.8
5.3 9.3 9.4 9.3 9.0 9.0 9.0 5.6 9.8 9.9 9.9
3.2 5.8 5.4 5.4 5.6 5.3 5.2 2.9 5.3 5.2 5.1
2.3 4.5 4.8 4.8 5.5 6.1 6.2 2.6 4*3 4.4 4.3
Rolled o a ts...
Corn flakes, iWheat cereal .
Macaroni___
___ do___
8-oz. pkg._
28-oz. pkg.
Pound___
Rice_______
Beans, navy.
Potatoes____
Onions...........
.d o .
-do.
.d o .
.d o .
Cabbage____
Beans, baked.
Corn, canned.
Peas, canned.
----- do___
No. 2 can.
----- do___
----- do___
Tomatoes, canned .
Sugar, granulated.
Tea-------------------Coffee___________
___ do.
Pound.
----- do.
----- do.
Prunes..
R aisins..
Bananas.
Oranges .
___do.
___ do.
Dozen.
___do.
37.9 18.3 37.8 36.4 35.7
39.2 17. a 33.9 31.0 31.8
36.4
35.5 35.8 35.3
13.5 8.8 13.0 13.0 13.0
12.4 12.6 12.5 11.9 11.3 11.3
10.3 10.9 10.9
62.9 59.6 60.6 57.5 55.8 56.2 39.6 63.6 58.9 61.3
31.9 30.7 30.7 30.1 29.9 29.0 —
27.6 26.7 26.8
37.1
19. 1
25.6
58.4
39.6
18.3
26.0
68.7
39.9 20.7 36.3 38.7 38.6
18. 1 12.7 16.4 15.6 15.6
25.6
25.7 25.3 25.3
64.6 40.8 57.6 51.4 54.2
8.9 8.5 8.5 9.2 9.1 9.2
10.9 9.7 9.7 10.6 9.6 9.5
25.4 25.9 25.9 25.4 25.7 25.6
20.2 20.9 20.9 20'. 7 20.2 20.8
10.0 12.7 11.6 11.4 10.2 10.5
2.Ö
9.3
4.5
6.8
9.5
3.2
5.7
9.5
3.2
5.0
9.1
3.3
4.8
9.4
2.6
4.4
9.9
9.3
2.6
4.3
4.6 3.7 3.9 3.0 2.2 2.2
9.9 10.2 10.1 10.4 10.1 10.2
15.4 15.3 15.2 16.8 16.6 16.3
20.0 18.4 18.5 18.4 17.7 17.5
8.4 8.4 8.4
10.0 9.0 9. 1
24.5 24.7 24.7
20.9 20.1 20.1
8.2 10.7 10.1
8. 1 8.8
1.7 4.3 3.0
5.0 5.0
9.9
8.4
3.0
5.1
3.8 3.4 3.5
10.6 10.3 10.2
15.8 15.6 14.7
15.6 15.1 14.7
10.3 10.3 10.1 13.8 13.6 13.6
11.5 11.1 11.0
5.4 7.1 7.0 7.0 6.9 6.6 6.4 5.1 7.4 7.0 6.9
56.0 88.9 92.2 92.2 68. 7 69. 6 69.0 55.0 73.8 76.1 75.7
26.8 48.7 45.5 45.8 47.7 45.3 46.0 24.4 48.2 45.4 45.8
16.7
13.9
37.7
45.4
1No. 2Li can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
38.4
38.7
35.6
13.5
[396]
14.7
13.9
39.0
47.9
14. 1
12.9
39.0
46.8
15.8
13.9
37.7
52.4
14.2
14. 6
36.4
53.9
14.1
13.5
38.3
51.3
17.9
14. 5
32.3
48.7
15.2
13.7
31.5
50.8
14. 8
13.4
32.1
50.3
R ETA IL PRICES
185
OF FOOD
ARTIC LES OF FOOD IN 51 CITIES ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Continued
St. Paul, Minn.
Salt Lake City,
Utah
San Francisco,
Calif.
Savannah Ga.
Scranton, Pa.
Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov.
Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec. Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15,
15,
1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927 1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
25.0
20.8
19.6
16.0
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
37.6
32.1
30.3
24.6
38.7
34.1
31.8
25.9
22.6
20.0
19.0
14.5
30.4
27 7
23.9
18.5
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
35. i
30.2
28.3
22.9
33.2
30.5
25.6
20.4
33.8
31.8
26.5
21.9
21.0
20.0
21.7
15.0
32.0
29.4
30.0
19.1
34.2
32.6
31.9
21.4
35.8
34.0
33.7
22.7
33.6
26.8
27.3
18.2
35.4
29.2
26.3
18.4
35.4
28.8
27.9
19.0
25.5
21.5
22.8
17.6
50.5
42.5
37.6
28.1
54.5
46.1
39.8
31.0
54.7
45.3
39.6
31.2
10.3
17.4
26.0
27.0
13.3
32. 7
47.6
49.7
15.1
32.2
45.3
47.2
15.5
28.5
44.6
44.7
12.5
23.4
29.0
30.0
13.2
38.0
50.8
60.0
14.6
37.3
47.4
56.2
15.2
34.4
46.9
54.2
15.0
24. 2
34. 4
34.0
15.7
45. 0
61.8
66.2
16.9
43.8
57.3
63.8
18.7
40.5
56.8
61.4
13.7
34.5
46.9
48.8
15.7
32.5
41.7
44.2
15.2
31.1
40.7
43.8
11.3
20.8
25.8
27.7
13.3
42.7
52. i
60.6
14.3
40.5
48.6
55.5
14.6
37.3
47.1
55.0
34.5 16.6 37.0
30.5 24.5 45. 1
34.5
31.5
11.0 10. Ó 14.0
38.6
43.1
33.0
14.0
39.6
42.6
33.3
14.0
39.0
35.7
35.6
17.0
38.0
31.8
33.6
17.0
40.0 18.7 44.3
30.8 21.8 43.9
34.6
34.2
17.0 8.8 12.0
44.1
42. 7
36. 1
12.0
43.5
42.4
35.9
13.0
16.3 31.8 32.1
16.8 30. 6 29.1
37.7 37.6
7.8 11.0 12.0
_____
31.9 18.0 34.6 34.7
30.2 22.6 33.3 30.3
38.3
36.8 35. 7
12.0 8.7 11.3 11.0
C ts.
Cts.
11. 7 12.1 11.9
10.6 10.6 10.5
10.1 10.3 10.1 11.0 11.5 11.5
11.8
36.9 57. 3 52.0 55. 1 40. 0 52.4 51.8 53.4 38.6 55.8 58.7 58.5 59.2 56.7 59.1 37.8 56.4
26.4 25.2 25.1 ........ 29.2 27.0 26.8 —
30.8 25.3 25.8 34.9 31.5 30.9 ........ 29.2
11.9 11.9
56.4 57.2
28.4 28.4
21.0 25.5 37.6
14.8 19.8 18.8
27.6 28.7
37.6 55. 4 47.9
36.6
19.9
26. 1
67.0
—
_____
37.9 24.2 30.2 30.7
18.7 19.7 23.2 21.5
28.7 __ 29.4 29. 1
54.6 48.3 50.1 49.2
30.8 42. 4 37.1 40.8 37.0
6.0 10. 0 9.5 9.5 5.9
2.8 5. 5 5. 1 5.2 2.4
2.5 5.0 5.0 5.2 3.3
10. 0
12. 0
26.8
18.7
10.1
10.2
26.3
18.3
10.1
10.0
26.5
18.3
9.9
4.2
5.4
9.9
4.1
5.6
31.0 21.0 38.9 39.7 39.8
21.4 18.0 24.5 23.3 23.3
28.9
28.4 27.8 28.2
45.4 53.3 53.3 55.6 49.4
9.7
4.1
5.6
35.6
19.3
16.6
62.9
37.6
19.4
17.9
58.8
37.5 18.3 35.9
19.6 16.5 21.2
17.7
26.8
58.2 52.5 72.7
4L 7 44.8 44.3 45.0 46.8 43. 4 43.6 35.3 50.2
5.9 9.8 9.5 9.5 10.5 10.7 10.7 5.5 10.4
3.4 5.9 5.6 5.6 6.7 6.6 6.6 3.6 6.1
3.5 6.3 6.3 6.3 3.6 3.7 3.7 ........ 7.7
8.9 8.8 8.7
12.4 10.2 10.4
25.3 25.8 25.8
20.2 19.4 19.6
9.8 9.8
10.1 10.1
25.2 25.3
22.9 23.2
9.8 8.5 11.7
9.7
11.3
3.7 Ï.9 4.1
5.7 ........ 5.4
10.7 10.4
11.0 10.9
3.0 3.0
4.8 4.6
4.8 4.5 4.5
3.6
13.4 12. 9 12.7 12.3 12.2 12.2
11.0
18.3 18.0 18.1 15.1 14.7 14.8
17.5
18.4 17.8 17.8 16.5 16.6 16.6 ........ 17.1
3.4 3.3
11.2 11.2
16. 8 16.9
17.3 17.6
14.3 14.0 14.0
14.0 14.1 14.0
114. 6 114.9 114. 7 10.2 9.9 10.0
12.6
5.1 7.6 7.3 7.3 5.8 8.2 8.0 8.1 5.4 7.1 6.9 6.9 7.3 6.9 6.9 5.5 7.2
45.0 68.7 65.4 63.2 65.7 87.7 87.2 87.0 50. 0 69.3 72.8 72.8 81.3 81.9 82.7 52.5 67.9
30.0 52.8 52.4 51.7 35.8 56.0 54.3 54.3 32.0 53.4 52.5 52.6 47.7 45.4 45.5 31.3 52.8
12. 2 12.4
7.1 7.0
71.5 71.2
49.5 49.7
10.0 11.9 10.6 11.0 8.2 10.4
9.6 9.5 9.8
9.1
1.4 3.2 1.8 1.8 1.4 2.6
4.7 4.1 4.2 ........ 2.7
9.1
8.9
1.9
2.7
_____
—
14.8
14.9
211.8
58.8
14.2
15.2
212.0
57.7 ........
15.6
13.6
214.2
45.2
13.4
13.1
212.3
54.0
J Per pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
10.0 8.9 8.7 8.7
10. 1 10. 3 9. 6 9.7
25.3 24.3 24.3 24.5
15.9 18.3 18.3 18.5
8.6 8.5 11.9 10.6 10.7 9.9
8.7
9.5 9.9 9.8 10.2
1.8 Ï. 9 3.9 3.0 3.0 4.6
2.6 ........ 4.0 3.8 3.8 6.2
3. 7 1.8 3.4
3.2 2.7 2.8
13. 9 13.7 13.7
14. 1 12.8 13.1
15. 0 14.4 14.6
14.9 14.7 14.9
15.6 15.4 15.5 ........ 16.1 15.6 15.6
16.4
15. 4
212. 0
........ 58.1
10.1
10. 1
25.2
16.0
45.4 45.7
10.7 10.6
5.8 5.8
7.6 7.5
9.9
11. 0
25.5
23.0
__
9.7
10.5
25.3
16.0
37.3
19.7
25.7
70.9
—
12.9
12.9
212.3
51.3 ........
14.0
12. 8
30.5
50.3
11.3
12. 2
31.3
53.6
11.2
11.9
31.9
50.6
14.9
14.4
31.0
32.3
9.6
9.6
3.8
5.9
13.5
14.4
31. 2
40.3
13.3
14.0
31.7
42.5
—
16.9
14.7
33.0
56.3
15.0
14. 4
33.0
56.8
14.9
13.9
33.3
58.1
186
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 7.—A V ER A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S OF T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OF FO O D IN 51
C ITIES ON S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Continued
Seattle, Wash.
Article
Unit
Sirloin steak---------------Round ste a k .-........ .........
Rib roast_____________
Chuck r o a s t ............ .......
Pound_____
___ do_____
___ do-------___ do_____
Springfield, 111.
Washington, D . C.
Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
Dec. Nov. Dec. Dec. 15— Nov. Dec.
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15, 15,
1927
1927
1926 1927 1927 1913 1926 1927 1927
1913 1926
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
32.7
29.0
27.2
19.5
C ts .
C ts.
23.6
20.6
20.0
15.6
C ts .
35.1
31.4
28. 7
21.8
C ts .
35.7
32.3
29.4
22.9
35.4
35.0
23.8
21.9
36.3
35. 7
24.8
22. 5
36.8
35.9
25.2
23.1
26. 5
22.6
21.0
17.3
46.4
39.3
34.5
25.4
48.2
41.9
35. 2
26. 2
48.2
41.6
34.4
26.5
12.9
24. 0
33.0
30.0
14.7
39.5
56.9
61.5
16.5
38.3
56.4
58.1
16.7
37.8
55.4
58.2
14.0
33.8
48.1
55.4
15. 1
31.8
45.8
48.8
15.6
27.5
44.5
46.8
12.4
19.9
24.9
29.0
14.1
39.8
48.6
60.3
14.8
37. 2
44.2
56.8
15.0
32.2
43.0
56.5
____do_____ 18.0
____do_____ 24.6
____do_____
Quart______ y. 8
15-16 oz.can.
Pound_____ 43.8
Oleomargarine (all but ____do_____
36.3
35.1
34.8
12.0
10.7
56.4
28.7
35.0
32.2
34.8
12.0
10.5
55.0
26.1
35.3
32.9
35.3
12.0
10.5
57.7
26.0
37.5
31.7
37.9
14.4
11.8
61.5
30. 3
38.3
32.0
36.0
14.4
11.8
54.8
28. 2
37.5 19.4 40.3 38.8 38.5
33.6 22.0 39.3 37.9 38.2
31.9 34.4 34.0
35. 7
14.4 9.0 15. 0 15.0 15.0
12. 1 12. 1 12.1
11.8
58.7 42.3 63.7 59.4 61.7
30.6 28.4 28. 5
28. 2
22. 3
16.9
35.0
22.2
28.2
35.3
21.0
27.2
35.4
20.9
26.9
38.0
20.8
28.0
39.4
18.6
27.3
3 9 .3
Plate beef__________
Pork chops_________
Bacon, sliced________
Ham, sliced...............
.do
_do.
_do.
-do.
Lamb, leg of__________
Hens-------------------------Salmon, canned, red----M ilk, fresh___________
M ilk, evaporated_____ _
B utter________________
ter substitutes).
Cheese_______________
Lard_________________
Vegetable lard substi
tute.
Eggs, strictly fresh_____
------do_____
____do_____
------do-------Dozen_____
54.2
51.8
54.5
47.6
65.8
58.2
59.1 42.1 72.8 65.8 65.0
Eggs, storage.
Bread........ .
Flour_______
Corn meal__
___ doPound.
___ do_
----- do.
37.0
6.6
2.9
3.3
37.5
9.8
5.0
5.1
44.0
9.8
4.7
5.7
41.5
9.7
4.6
5. 5
48.3
10.1
5.9
4.9
42.1
10.3
5.4
4.9
41.4 35.0 49.8 45.2 46.5
10.3 5.5 8.9 9.1 9.1
5.3 3.8 6.3 5.6 5.6
4.8 2.6 5.0 5.1 5.5
Rolled oats_.
Corn flakes. .
Wheat cereal.
Macaroni___
----- do___
8-oz. pkg.
28-oz. pkg.
Pound__
9.0
11.4
27.6
18.4
8.6
10.1
27.5
18.1
8.6
10.2
27.1
18.2
10.1
11. 8
27.3
19. 3
10. 2
10. 2
27.5
18. 9
10.1
10. 2
27.6
18. 6
R ic e .......... .
Beans, navy.
Potatoes___
Onions_____
do.
do.
do.
do.
12.2
9.8
2.9
3.8
11.0
10.4
1.9
3.2
11.1
10.2
1.9
3.5
11.2
9.4
4.0
4.6
10.9
9. 5
11.0
2 .6
4 .2
2 .6
4 .4
Beans, baked.
Corn, canned
Peas, canned.
Cabbage____
----- do___
No. 2 can.
___ do___
-do.
4.0
12.9
18.2
20.1
3.2
11.6
17.3
18.0
3.7
11.8
17.4
18.4
4.2
10.9
15. 2
17.1
3.1
10. 3
15. 0
16. 3
3. 6
10. 2
15.1
16.1
Tomatoes, canned.
Sugar, granulated .
T ea_____________
Coffee___________
117.4 116.5 116.1
----- do_____
7.4
Pound_____ 6.1
7.1
7.1
----- do_____ 50.0 78.1 75.2 76.0
----- do-------- 28.0 51.5 49.5 49.9
13.8
8.2
82.1
54.0
13.6
7.8
84.6
50.8
14.0
11.3 10.0 10.5
7.7 5.0 7.0 6.8 6.7
84.2 57.5 89.5 89. 1 90.4
49.7 28.8 48.5 43.9 44.1
P run es..
Raisins..
Bananas.
Oranges .
----- do.
----- do.
Dozen
----- do
1 No 2
—
7.7
1.5
2
14.0
14.1
13.9
50.4
2
12.0 12.0 15.9 14. 3
13.3 13.2 15. 9 14.4
12. 9 2 13. 0 2 11.2 2 10. 3
56.0 52.5 60.8 52.1
can.
23.5 40.2 41.1 41.4
18.5 15.0 19.4 18.1 17.8
25.1 23.8 24.3
27.7 —
9. 3
14. 3
14.1
2 10 .1
58.5
9.2 9.2 9.4
10.8 9.4 9.5
24.5 24.5 24.3
23.9 22.4 22.5
9.4 12.4 11.6 11.2
8. 7 8.9 9. 2
1.8 4.4 3.4 3.5
5.5 4.7 4.5
4.7 3.8 4.5
10. 5 10.0 10.1
15. 7 14.7 15.5
16.6 14.8 15.6
17.8
14. 2
35 0
50.0
14.4
13.6
34. 2
48.2
14.5
13. 7
37. 0
51.5
2 p er pound.
C h a n g e s in R e ta il F ood C o sts in 51 C itie s
r~TABLE 8 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
1 in the retail cost of food 3 in December, 1927, compared with
the average cost in the year 1913, in December, 1926, and in Novem
ber, 1927. For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the oneyear and the one-month periods. These cities have been scheduled
by the bureau at different dates since 1913. These percentage
changes are based on actual retail prices secured each month from
3
For list of articles see note 5, p. 167.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[398]
187
RETA IL PRICES OF FOOD
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 CHANGE IN T H E R E TA IL COST OF FOOD IN D E C E M B E R , 1927,
C O M PA R E D W ITH T H E COST IN N O V E M B E R , 1927, D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D W ITH
T H E A V ER A G E COST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C ITIES
Percent
Percent age de
age in crease De
crease De cember,
cember,
1927,
compared
1927,
compared with D e
with 1913 cember,
1926
City
Atlanta
B altim o ra
Birmingham
Boston
Bridgeport__
Buffalo
Butte
Charleston, S. C,_
Chicago
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus
Dallas— ________
Denver__
Detroit
i 0.5
i 0.6
0.5
0.6
1 0.5
Minneapolis _____
Mobile___________
Newark.
N ew Haven .
N ew Orleans_____
61.1
4.7
3.0
4.8
4.3
4.0
i 0.4
0.9
i 0.4
0.5
1 0.8
N ew York, .
.
Norfolk__________
Omaha....... ..............
Peoria—
- , __
Philadelphia______
63.0
4.8
4.8
2 0.4
4.6
3.8
0.1
0.5
1.3
0.7
10.2
Pittsburgh — ___
Portland, M e, ___
Portland, O reg___
Providence _____
Richmond- _____
39.0
56.9
62.7
0.7
1.2
1 0.3
1 1.0
i 0.5
Rochester________
St. Louis, ______
St. Paul
______
Salt Lake C i t y ___
San Francisco____
0.8
1 1.5
0.1
i 1.4
0.4
0.2
Savannah________
Scranton ____—,
Seattle____
____
Springfield, 111, _ _
Washington, D . C_
55.9
66. 6
56.3
54.8
58.2
41.0
62.4
In d ia n apolis
50. 9
46.8
48.8
1.5
4.6
4.3
7.9
5.2
48.3
43.4
53. 0
53 8
46.7
58.5
4.0
3.0
3. 6
2.7
2.5
3.5
Little Rock
Los Angeles
Louisville
TVTan C h e ste r
M emphis.
_____
Milwaukee_______
City
2.9
3. 9
3.1
1.3
1.9
59.7
__-
Percent Percent
age in
Percent age de
age in crease De crease De
crease D e cember, cember,
1927,
cember,
1927,
compared compared
1927,
compared with De with No
with 1913 cember, vember,
1926
1927
60.0
62.3
62.7
61.6
Fall River
Houston
Jacksonville
Kansas City
Percent
age in
crease De
cember,
1927,
compared
with No
vember,
1927
1 Decrease.
53.3
52.7
59.6
53.0
64.4
48.4
60.0
58.2
33.7
52.5
65.3
43.5
63.7
2.2
4.3
2.2
3.0
3.3
1.3
0.1
i 1.1
0.0
0.4
1.0
2.0
6.3
4.6
3.3
1 1.0
0.1
0.7
1.1
0.8
4.0
2.1
2.2
3.3
3.8
1.0
0.1
i 1.6
12.1
1 0.6
2.4
4.2
3.6
2.8
1.5
i 1.1
10.1
1.8
10.7
i 0.8
3.2
1.6
2.6
6.1
5.1
0.0
1.1
10.4
0.2
0.0
2 Increase.
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 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the 51
cities sent in a report promptly. The following-named 37 cities had
a perfect record; that is, eivery merchant who is cooperating with
the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in
the city averages: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Bridge
port, Butte, Charleston, S. C., Cincinnati, _Cleveland, Columbus,
Dallas, Detroit, Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville,
Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Mobile, Newark, Nor
folk, Omaha, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Portland, Me., Portland, Oreg.,
Providence, Richmond, Rochester, St. Louis, St. Paul, San Francisco,
Scranton, Springfield, 111., and Washington.
* Tlie consumption figures used from January, 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city were
given in the November, 1918, issue, pp. 94 and 95. The consumption figures which have been used for
each month beginning with January, 1921, were given in the March, 1921, issue, p. 26.
82645°—28-
-13
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[399]
188
m onthly
labor
r e v ie w
The following summary shows the promptness with which the
merchants responded in December, 1927:
R E TA IL PR IC E R E PO R TS R E C E IV E D FOR D E C E M B E R , 1927
Geographic division
United
States
Item
Percentage of reports received- _ _____
Number of cities in each section from
which every report was received_______
R e ta il P r ic e s
North
Atlantic
South
Atlantic
North
Central
South
Central
99.0
98.0
99.4
99.0
99.4
97.0
37
9
7
11
7
3
Western
of Coal in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s “
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15 and July 15, 1913, December 15, 1926, and Novem
ber 15 and December 15, 1927, 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.
T
T atu.e 1.—AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OF COAL P E R T O N OF 2,000 PO U N D S, FOR H O U SE
HOLD USE, ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JULY 15, 1913, D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D N O V E M B E R 15
A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1927
1913
1927
City, and kind of coal
J a n .15
U n ited S tates:
P en n sy lv a n ia a n th ra cite—
Stove—
Average price____ . . .
Index (1913 = 100)
C h e stn u t—
Average price ____________
in d ex (1913=100)____ __
B itu m in o u s —
Average price . . . . . . . _ .
Index (1913=100)___________ _
Atlanta, Ga.:
Bitum inous____________________ . . .
Baltimore, Md.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________________
Chestnut.... _________ ________
Bituminous _______ ______________
Birmingham, Ala.:
Bitum inous________________________
July 15
1926,
Dec. 15
N ov. 15
Dec. 15
$7. 99
103.4
$7.46
96.6
$15.66
202.7
$15. 44
199.9
$15.45
199.9
$8.15
103. 0
$7.68
97.0
$15. 44
195. 0
$15. 07
190. 5
$15.08
190.6
$5.48
.8
100
$5.39
99.2
$10.15
186.8
$9. 32
171. 5
$9.31
171.3
$5.88
$4.83
$9.10
$8.37
$8.37
17. 70
i 7. 93
17.24
1 7.49
1 16.00
115. 50
8.38
1 16. 00
1 15. 25
8.11
i 16. 00
i 15. 25
8.14
4. 22
4.01
8.09
7.81
7. 79
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
“ Prices of coal were formerly secured semiannually and published in the March and September issues.
Since July, 1920, these prices have been secured and published monthly.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[400]
189
RETA IL PR IC ES OF COAL
T able 1.—A VERAGE R ETA IL PR IC ES OF C OAL P E R TO N OF 2,000 PO U N D S, FOR H O U SE
HOLD USE, ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JULY 15, 1913, D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D N O V E M B E R
15, A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1927—Continued
1927
1913
1926,
Dec. 15
City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
E'Oston, Mass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_______________ _________
Chestnut______ _ ____________
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
-. - ___
Chestnut
___
Buffalo, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite
Stove
__ _______ _________
Chestnut____________ _________
Butte, Mont.:
Bituminous _
_________
Charleston, S. C.:
Bitum inous________________________
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
________
Stove
.
Chestnut_______ . - ___
Bitum inous________________________
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Bituminous__________ ____________
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove __________________ - ___
Chestnut_________ _______ ..
Bituminous ______________
_____
Columbus, Ohio:
Bituminous
Dallas, Tex.:
Ark ansas anthracite—
Egg
Bitum inous_________ _____ ___ ___
Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 m ix e d ________
Stove, 3 and 5 m ix e d ___ _______
Bitum inous____________
_____
Detroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove _______ _
________
Chestnut___________ _ _____
Bitum inous____________ _______ .
Fall River, Mass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ___________
______
Chestnut_______ ______ _
Houston, Tex.:
Bituminous
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Bituminous _________
______
Jacksonville, Fla.:
Bitum inous_________________ ______
Kansas City, Mo.:
Arkansas anthracite—
Fnm a,op,
ftto v p , No. 4
Bituminous __ ______
______
Little Rock, Ark.:
Arkansas anthracite—
Egg
_ _ __ _____
Bituminous __________ ______ Los Angeles, Calif.:
----B itum inous.------ ------ --------Louisville, Ky.:
Bitum inous_____________ _________
Manchester, N . H.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ________ _____
___
Chestnut____. . .
-------Memphis, Tenn.:
Bitum inous--- -------------------- 1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$8. 25
8. 25
July 15
$7. 50
7.75
N ov. 15
Dec. 15
$16. 50
16. 25
$16. 25
16. 00
$16. 25
16. 00
16. 00
16. 00
15. 00
15.00
15.00
15. 00
13. 97
13. 57
6. 75
6. 99
6.54
6.80
13. 76
13. 39
13.97
13.57
11.04
11.03
10.95
i 6. 75
i 6. 75
11.00
11.00
11. 00
8.00
8. 25
4. 97
7. 80
8. 05
4. 65
17.00
16. 80
10. 34
16.95
16. 46
9. 29
16. 95
16. 46
9.17
3. 50
3. 38
8. 90
7.10
7.08
7. 50
7. 75
4.14
7. 25
7. 50
4.14
15. 40
15.00
10. 38
15.20
14. 70
9. 03
15. 20
14. 80
9. 01
8.29
7. 24
7. 24
8. 25
7.21
16. 00
13. 22
15. 50
12. 70
15.50
12.70
8. 88
8.50
5. 25
9. 00
8. 50
4. 88
16. 00
16. 50
10. 71
16.10
16.10
10. 61
16.10
16.10
10.58
8.00
8. 25
5.20
7. 45
7. 65
5.20
16.17
15. 83
11.05
16.00
15.50
9. 35
16.00
15.50
9. 31
8. 25
8. 25
7. 43
7.61
16. 75
16. 25
16. 75
16. 25
16. 75
16.25
13.50
12. 20
12. 80
3.81
3.70
7. 94
7. 35
7.28
7. 50
7.00
14. 00
14.00
14.00
4. 39
3. 94
14.50
15. 83
7. 93
14.10
15. 33
7. 81
14.20
15.33
7.50
6.00
5. 33
14. 00
10. 83
13.50
10.43
13.50
10.55
13. 52
12.50
16. 50
16.50
16. 50
4.20
4.00
8.40
7.50
7.50
10.00
10.00
8. 50
8.50
17.50
17.50
17.50
17. 25
17. 50
17. 25
2 4.22
8 . 78
8 . 30
8.30
2 4. 34
2 Per 10-Barrel lot (1,800 pounds).
1401]
190
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T able 1.—A VERAGE R E TA IL PR IC ES OE COAL P E R TO N OF 2,000 PO U N D S, FOR H O USE
HOLD USE, ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JU LY 15, 1913, D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D N O V E M B E R
15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1927—Continued
1913
1927
City, and kind of coal
Jan. 15
July 15
1926,
Dec. 15
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania, anthracite—
Stove______________________
$8.00
$7.85
$16. 80
Chestnut______ _____
8 25
8.10
16. 65
Bitum inous________ _______ .
6. 25
5. 71
11.40
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove . ___ ______ _______
9. 25
9.05
18.10
Chestnut_________ _
9 50
9. 30
17.95
Bitum inous______ _____
5.89
5. 79
11.83
Mobile, Ala.:
Bitum inous______ __________
10.12
Newark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove _
_ __ _
6. 50
6. 25
14.00
Chestnut
__ _______
6. 75
6.50
13.50
N ew Haven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
_______
Stove _ ______
7.50
6. 25
15. 30
Chestnut_______
____
7. 50
6. 25
15. 30
N ew Orleans, La.:
Bituminous
_______________
26.06
2 6.06
11.21
New York, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__ ___ ___________ _ ______
7 07
6. 66
14. 75
Chestnut______________________
7.14
6.80
14.50
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e_ _______
_ ______
16.00
_
_____
C h e stn u t_______
16.00
Bitum inous_____________________
10.25
Omaha, N ebr.:
Bitum inous____ ____________ _
6.63
6.13
10.32
Peoria, 111.:
Bitum inous_________________
7.45
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_____________ ___
i 7.16
1 6.89
1 15. 79
Chestnut________ _________
i 7.38
i 7.14
1 15. 61
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Chestnut____ _ _ ______
i 8.00
1 7.44
15. 50
Bitum inous______________
3 3.16
3 3.18
6.49
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S t o v e ._____________ __
16.80
Chestnut__________
______
16.80
Portland, Oreg.:
Bitum inous______________
9. 79
9.66
13.46
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove __ ____ _
_____
4 8.25
4 7.50
4 16. 50
Chestnut_______
______
4 8.25
4 7. 75
4 16. 50
Richmond, V a.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________
8. 00
7.25
16. 50
Chestnut_____ ________
8. 00
7. 25
16. 50
Bitum inous__________
5. 50
4.94
11.84
Rochester, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____________
14. 60
Chestnut_____________________
14.15
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
_ _______________
8. 44
7.74
17. 45
C h e stn u t___________________
8.68
7.99
17. 20
Bitum inous_______
3. 36
3.04
7. 50
St. Paul, M inn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ______
___
9. 20
9. 05
18.10
Chestnut_________ _________
9.45
9. 30
17. 95
Bitum inous_______________
6. 07
6.04
12.16
1 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
2 Per 10-barrel lot (1,800 pounds).
3 Per 25-bushel lot (1,900 pounds).
4 The average price of coal delivered in bin is 50 cents higher than here shown,
delivered m bin.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[402]
N ov. 15
Dec. 15
$16. 65
16.20
9. 51
$16.65
16.20
9.48
18.15
17.70
11.81
18.15
17.70
11.72
9.46
9.71
14.00
13.50
14.00
13.50
15.10
15.10
15.10
15.10
10.29
11.29
14. 75
14. 46
14.75
14.42
15.00
15.00
9.07
15.00
15.00
9.07
10. 21
10.21
7.16
7.12
i 15.04
114.54
1 15. 04
>14.54
14.88
5.69
14.88
5.69
16.80
16.68
16.80
16.80
13. 52
13.39
4 16. 25
4 15.94
4 16.25
4 16.00
15. 50
15. 50
9.68
15. 67
15. 50
9. 75
14.60
14.15
14.60
14.15
16.90
16.45
7. 29
16.90
16.45
7.14
18.15
17. 70
11. 98
18.15
17. 70
11.98
Practically all coal is
191
RETA IL PRICES OF COAL
T
1 .— AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OF COAL PE R TO N OF 2 ,0 0 0 PO U N D S, FOR H O U SE
HOLD USE, ON JA N U A R Y 15 A N D JULY 15, 1913, D E C E M B E R 15, 1926, A N D N O V E M B E R
15 A N D D E C E M B E R 15, 1927— Continued
able
1927
1913
1926,
Dec. 15
City, and kind of coal
J a n .15
Salt Lake City, Utah:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed .... ._
Stove, 3 and 5 mixed _________ .
Bitum inous___ _ _________________
San Francisco, Calif.:
N ew Mexico anthracite—
________________
Cerillos egg
Colorado anthracite—
Egg
_ _____ ____ - ...................
B itu m in o u s__ ____________________
Savannah, Ga.:
Bituminous
____________
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
________________
Chestnut ____________________
Seattle, Wash.:
Bitum inous________________________
Springfield, 111.:
Bituminous
Washington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ________________________
Chestnut ____________________
Bituminous—
P r e p a r e d sizes, low volatile
Prepared sizes, high volatile
July 15
Nov. 15
Dec. 15
$11. 00
11.00
5.64
$11. 50
11.50
5.46
$18. 00
18. 00
8.46
$18.00
18.00
8. 34
$18.00
18.00
8. 32
17.00
17.00
26. 50
25. 50
26.50
17. 00
12.00
17. 00
12. 00
25. 75
17.11
25.00
16. 63
25.75
17.25
» 13. 50
« 11.25
»11.13
4. 25
4. 50
4.31
4.56
11.00
10.67
10. 75
10. 50
10.75
10.50
7.63
7.70
10.44
10.06
10.06
4. 38
4. 44
4.44
1 7.50
i 7. 65
1 7.38
i 7. 53
B u n of m in e m ix e d
115. 91
115. 59
1
1
15.51
14. 99
1
112. 00
19. 75
18.94
1 11.08
1
1
1
1
9.00
7.88
1 P e r t o n o f 2,240 p o u n d s .
.
15. 51
15.01
11. 00
i 8.75
1 7.88
,
« All coal sold in Savannah is weighed by the city. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is made.
This additional charge has been included in the above price.
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 1925, and for each month of 1926 and 1927. 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.
T able 2 —A VERAGE A N D R E LA T IV E PR IC ES OF COAL FOR T H E U N IT E D STA TES
' ON SP E C IFIE D D A T E S FROM JA N U A R Y , 1913, TO D E C E M B E R , 1927
Bituminous
Pennsylvania anthracite, white ash
Year and month
Average
price
1913—
A v e ra g e for year _______
Janu ary_______ - ____
July
_______________
1914—
J anuary _______________
July
_ ___________
1915—
j anuary
_____________
J u ly ..'.----------- ------ ------
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Chestnut
Stove
Relative
price
Average
price
Relative
price
price
$5 . 4 3
5. 48
5. 39
Relative
price
m o
7.46
103.4
96.6
$7. 91
8. 15
7. 68
103.0
97.0
7. 80
7. 60
100.9
98.3
8.00
7. 78
101.0
98.3
5 .9 7
5.46
109.9
100.6
7. 83
7. 54
101.4
97.6
7. 99
7.73
101.0
97.7
5.71
5. 44
105.2
100.1
$7 . 7 3
7 .9 9
1 0 0 .0
[403]
10 0 .0
10 0 .8
99 .2
192
T
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
2 .—A VERAGE A N D R E LA T IV E PR IC ES OP COAL FOR T H E U N IT E D ST A TES
ON SP E C IFIE D D A T E S FR OM JA N U A R Y , 1913, TO D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
able
Pennsylvania anthracite, white ash
Stove
Year and month
Average
price
1916_____________
January____________ _
July- -------------------------1917—
January________________
July -------------------------1918—
January-._ . _________
July. -------------------------1919—
January ______ _ . ___
July -------------------------1920—
January_______ _______ _
July -------------------------1921—
January_________ _____ _
July- -------------------------1922—
Janu ary________ _____ .
July- -------------------------1923—
Januarv... ________ __
July. -------------------------1924—
January________________
July-----------------------------1925—
January.- _________
July-----------------------------1926—
January_____ _____ ____
February
___________
March __________
April____ _____ _ . . .
M a y _____ __________
June___ ______ _____
July- -------------------------A u g u st_____ _________
September
_ ______
October._____ ______
November __ ________
December_______________
1927—
January________________
February
- _______ .
March . . ______
April__ _____
M ay_______ ________
June_____________
July. -------------------------A u g u s t..-_____ - _____
September .
______._
October
N ovem ber__
December.. ____________
Chestnut
Relative
price
Average
price
Relative
price
Average
price
Relative
price
$7. 93
8.12
$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
152 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 O
174.6
15.43
15.10
199.7
195. 5
15.46
15. 05
195.3
190.1
11.18
10.04
205 7
184.7
15. 77
15. 24
204. 1
197.2
15. 76
15.10
199.1
190.7
9. 75
8.94
179 5
164.5
15.45
15.14
200.0
196.0
15.37
14.93
194.2
188.6
9. 24
8. 61
170 0
158.5
0)
(0
16.12
15. 54
15.41
15. 40
15. 43
15. 49
15. 55
15. .56
15.64
15.66
(!)
C1)
208.6
201. 2
199. 5
199.3
199.7
200.4
201. 3
201.4
202.4
202. 7
(>)
(')
15.91
15.37
15.18
15.18
15. 19
15.23
15. 30
15.31
15.41
15.44
(‘)
(')
201. 1
194.2
191.8
191.8
191. 9
192. 5
193.4
193. 5
194. 7
195.0
9. 74
9. 72
9. 25
9.11
8. 76
8. 67
8. 70
8 81
9. 25
9. 59
10. 24
10.15
17Q 3
178 8
170 2
167 6
161 2
159 5
160 1
162 1
170 3
176.5
188 4
186Ì8
15.66
15. 65
15.80
14.94
14.88
15.06
15. 15
15. 15
15. 38
15. 42
15. 44
15.45
202. 7
202. 6
201. 9
193.4
192. 6
194.9
196. 1
196. 1
199. 1
199. 6
199.9
199.9
15. 42
15. 44
15. 36
14. 61
14. 53
14. 70
14.81
14. 80
15. 03
15. 07
15. 07
15. 08
194.8
195.0
194. 0
184. 6
183.6
185.7
187. 1
187. 0
189.9
190.4
190. 5
190.6
9. 96
9. 86
9. 74
8. 95
8. 88
8. 89
8. 91
8. 99
9. 20
9. 33
9. 32
9.31
183 3
181 4
179 3
164. 7
163 4
163.6
163 9
1 Insufficient data.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Bituminous
[404]
165 4
169 3
171 7
171 5
171.3
MONTHLY L A B O R REV IEW
193
Retail Prices oiF Gas in the United States
r-p H E net price per 1,000 cubic feet of gas for household use in
each of 51 cities is shown in the following table. In Table
A
1 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 and for manu
factured and natural mixed gas are shown in Table 2 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.
T
1 . — N E T PR IC E PE R 1,000 CUBIC F E E T OF M A N U F A C T U R E D GAS BA SE D ON A
FA M IL Y C O N SU M PT IO N OF 3,000 CUBIC F E E T , IN SP E C IF IE D M O N TH S FROM
A PR IL, 1913, TO D E C E M B E R , 1927., BY CITIES
able
City
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. May Mar. Mar. June 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 1925 1926 1927 1927
A tlanta________ $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 .80 .80 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .92 .92 .85 .85 .85 .85 .85
Birmingham____ 1.00 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .88 .88 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80
Boston_________
.81 .81 .80 .80 .80 .86 1.05 1.08 1.40 1.34 1.25 1.20 1. 18 1.18 1. IS 1. 18
B ridgeport____ 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.10 1.10 1.47 1. 60 1. 50 1. 45 1.45 1.45 1. 45 1.45
Buffalo
1 00 1. oo 1 00 1. 00 1 00 1. 00 1. 45 1. 45 1. 45 1. 45
B u tte .__ ____ . . 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.49 1. 49 2. 10 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.10 2.15 2.10 2.10
Charleston_____ 1. 10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.00 1.10 1. 10 1.25 1.55 1. 55 1.55 1. 55 1. 55 1.55 1. 55 1.55
Chicago ______
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .72 .90 .87 1.20 1.07 1. 07 1.02 1. 02 1.02 1.02 1. 02
Cleveland
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .80 1.25 1. 25 1.25 1.25 1.25
Denver ___
.85 .80 .80 .80 .80 .85 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .90 .90
Detroit ._ _____ .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .79 .79 .85 .79 .79 .82 .82 .79 .79 .79
Fall River . . .
.80 .80 .80 .80 .80 .95 .95 1.05 1.25 1. 15 1.15 1. 15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1. 15
Houston
1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 ]. 00 1. 00 1. 00 1.09 1.09 1.09 1. 09 1.09 1.05
In d ian ap o lis----- .60 .55 .55 .55 .55 .55 .60 .60 .90 .90 1.20 1. 15 1.10 1.05 1.05 .95
Jacksonville____ 1.20 1. 20 1.15 1.15 1.15 1. 25 1. 25 1.50 1. 75 1. 75 1.65 1.97 1.97 1.97 1.92 1.92
M an c h e ster .___ 1.10 1.10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.18 1. 18 1.58 1.48 1.48 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1. 38
M em phis___ . . .
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 .93 .93 .93 1. 27 1.35 1. 35 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1. 20
M ilwaukee. ___ .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .75 .90 .90 .86 .82 .82 .82 .82 .82
Minneapolis . . . .85 .80 .80 .77 .77 .77 .95 .95 1. 28 1.02 1.03 1. 01 .95 .97 .96 .94
M obile.________ 1. 10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.35 1. 35 1. 80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.76 1.76
Newark________ 1.00 .90 .90 .90 .90 .97 .97 1.15 1.40 1.40 1.25 1. 20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1. 20
N ew Haven ___ .90 .90 .90 .90 .90 1.00 1.10 1.10 1. 27 1.27 1. 18 1. 18 1.13 1.13 1.13 1. 13
N ew O rleans___ 1. 10 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.30 1. 30 1.30 1.45 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1. 30 1.30
N ew Tork______ .84 .84 .83 .83 .83 .83 .85 .87 1. 40 1.32 1.23 1.23 1.23 1. 23 1. 24 1.24
Norfolk________ 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.20 1.20 1.60 1.40 1.45 1.40 1.40 1.40 1. 33 1.33 1.33
Omaha_____ . . . 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.00 1.00 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.47 1.27 1. 18 1. 18 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.00
Peoria ____ . . . .90 .90 .90 .90 .85 .85 .85 .85 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20
Philadelphia------ 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Pittsburgh
1 00 1. 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1. 00 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 1. 55 1. 55 1.55 1.50 1. 42 1.42
Portland, Oreg... .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.38 1.25 1. 16 1. 16 1. 16 1.19 1. 17 1. 17
Providence . ----- .85 .85 .85 .85 .85 1. 00 1.30 1.30 1.42 1. 42 1.27 1.22 1. 17 1. 17 1. 13 1. 13
Richmond
___ .90 .90 .90 .80 .80 .80 1.00 1.00 1.30 1. 30 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.29 1. 29 1.29
R o c h e ste r .------- .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.18 1. 10 1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
.80 .80 .80 .80 .75 .75 .75 .85 1.05 1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1. 00 1.00
St. Louis..
---.95 .90 .90 .85 .85 .85 .85 .85 1.00 1.00 1.00 .85 .85 .90 .90 .90
St. Paul . . . . Salt Lake C ity—- .87 .87 .87 .87 .87 .87 1.15 1.35 1. 57 1. 57 1. 57 1. 57 1.54 1.53 1.52 1. 52
San Francisco . . . .75 .85 .85 .85 .85 .85 .95 .95 1. 05 1. 04 .92 1.00 1.05 .95 . 95 .95
1.25 1. 6(J 1. 60 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45
Savannah _ . __
S c r a n to n ...------ .95 .95 .95 .95 .95 1.15 1.30 1.30 1.70 1.70 1. 60 1.50 1.50 1.50 1.40 1.40
Seattle.. . . . — 1.00 1.00 1 .0 0 1.00 I . 00 1.20 1. 20 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45
Springfield, 111___ 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 LOO 1.00 1.10 1. 10 1.40 1.40 1.40 1.35 1.35 1.25 1.25 1.25
.93 .93 .93 .93 .80 .90 .95 .95 1.25 1. 10 1.05 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
W ash ington, D . C.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[405]
194
M ONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T ^ ? b h ih —N E T PR IC E P E R 1,000 CU BIC F E E T OF GAS B A SE D ON A FAMTTV C O N D E ^ E M B^ER?1F927;()B Y ° C IT IE S E E T
S P E 0 I F I B D M O N T H S F R O M A P R I L ,^ 1 3 ^ ° t O
N a tu r a l g a s
Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. Apr. May Mar. Mar. June June June June
15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, Dec.
15,
1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1927
City
Buffalo_________ $0.30 $0. 30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.30 $0.35 $0.35 $0. 35 $0.42
Cincinnati_____
.30 .30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .35 .35 .50 $0. 50 $0. 50 $0.75 $0.75 $0.75 $0.75
Cleveland______
.30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .35 .35 .35 .40 .40 .55 .55
.60 .60
C olum bus__
.30 . 30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .30 .45 .45 .45 .55 .60
.55 .48 .48
Dallas__________ .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45
45 .68 .68 .68 .68 .74 .74 .79 .79
Houston______
.75 .75 .75
Kansas City, M o. .27 .27 .27 .27 .30 .60 .80 .80 .90 .90 .95
.95 .95 .95 .95
Little R ock_____ .40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .40 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .95
.65
.65
.65
.65 .65
Los Angeles . . . _
.91 .91
Lo lisville______
.45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45 .45
Pittsburgh_____ *’.'28 .28 .28 .28 .28 .28 .35 .35 .45 .50 .50 .53 .60
.60 .60 .60
M a n u fa c tu r e d
Buffalo_______
Los Angeles_____
a n d
I
—
n a tu r a l g a s
m ix e d
I
in
------$0. 68 J$0. 68 $0.68 $0. 68|$0. 75 $0.75 $0.75 $0. 76
.68
6 0 <p u .
.68
ou $0. 65
.68 .68
From the prices quoted on manufactured gas, average prices have
been computed for all of the cities combined and are shown in the
next table for April 15 of each year from 1913 to 1920, and for M a y
15, September 15, and December 15, 1921; M arch 15, June 15, Sep
tember 15, and December 15, 1922, 1923, and 1924; and June 15 and
December 15, 1925, 1926, and 1927. These prices are based on an
estimated average family consumption of 3,000 cubic feet.
Relative prices have been computed by dividing the price of each
v year by the price in April, 1913.
. The price in manufactured gas in December, 1927, showed an
increase of 28.4 per cent since April, 1913. From June, 1927, to
December, 1927, there was no change in the price of gas.
T able 3 .
AVER A G E A N D R E LA T IV E N E T PR IC E PE R 1 000 C U B T O F F T T m r
iv t a m ti
SPECIFIEED M0NTHASS 0F EACHFYEMiRm9?3°¥oUi ? 2 r i6N ° F 3’°°0 ° UBIC FEET 1N
Date
Apr. 15,1913___________
Apr. 15, 1914________
Apr. 15, 1915______
Apr. 15, 1916______
Apr. 15, 1917______
Apr. 15, 1918_____
Apr. 15, 1919______
Apr. 15, 1920____
M ay 15, 1921______
Sept. 15, 1921_______
Dec. 15, 1921_______
Mar. 15, 1922_____
June 15, 1922_____
Sept. 15, 1922____
Dec. 15, 1922________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Average Relative
net price
price
$0.95
.94
.93
.92
.91
.95
1.04
1.09
1.32
1.31
1. 30
1.29
J. 27
1.26
1. 25
100. 0
98. 9
97.9
96. 8
95.8
100.0
109. 5
114. 7
138.9
137.9
136. 8
135. 8
133. 7
132. 6
131.6
Date
Mar. 15, 1923______
June 15, 1923______
Sept. 15, 1923___
Dec. 15, 1923___
Mar. 15, 1924______
June 15, 1924_______
Sept. 15, 1924______
Dec. 15, 1924_______
June 15, 1925___
Dec. 15, 1925___
June 15, 1926___
Dec. 15, 1926_____
June 15, 1927___
Dec. 15, 1927_____
[4 0 6 ]
Average Relative
net price
price
$1. 25
1.24
1. 24
1.25
1. 24
1. 24
1.24
1.24
1.23
1.23
1.23
1. 22
1. 22
1.22
131. 6
130. 5
130. 5
131. 6
130. 5
130.5
130. 5
130. 5
129. 5
129. 5
129. 5
128. 4
128.4
128.4
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
195
Retail Prices of Electricity in the United States
Explanation of Prices
table shows for 51 cities the net rates per kilowattT ^HEhourfollowing
of electricity used for household purposes for specified
months, in 1913, 1925, 1926, and 1927. For the cities having
more than one tariff for domestic consumers the rates are shown for
the schedule under which most of the residences are served.
Several cities have sliding scales based on a variable number of
kilowatt-hours payable at each rate. The number of kilowatt-hours
pay able at each rate in these cities is determined for each customer
according to the watts of installation, either in whole or in part, in
the individual home. The number of watts so determined is called
the customer’s “ demand.”
In Baltimore the demand is the maximum normal rate of use of
electricity in any half-hour period of time. I t may be estimated or
determined by the company from time to time according to the cus
tomer’s normal use of electricity and may equal the total installation
reduced to kilowatts.
In Buffalo the demand consists of two parts—lighting, 25 per cent
of the total installation, but never less than 250 watts; and power,
2^2 per cent of the capacity of any electric range, water heater, or
other appliance of 1,000 watts or over and 25 per cent of the rated
capacity of motors exceeding one-half horsepower but less than 1
horsepower. The installation is determined by inspection of premises.
In Chicago the equivalent in kilowatt-hours to 30 hours’ use of
demand has been estimated as follows: For a rated capacity of 475
to 574 watts, 11 kilowatt-hours; 575 to 674 watts, 12 kilowatt-hours;
675 to 774 watts, 13 kilowatt-hours; and 775 to 874 watts, 14 kilo
watt-hours. Although the equivalent in kilowatt-hours to 30 hours’
use of demand of from 1 to 1,500 watts is given on the printed tariff,
the equivalent is here shown only for installations of from 475 to 874
watts, the connected load of the average home being as a rule within
this range.
In Cincinnati the demand has been estimated as being 70 per cent
of the connected load, excluding appliances.
In Cleveland, in December, 1913, Company A determined the
demand by inspection as being 40 per cent of the connected load.
From December, 1919, to the present time there has been a flat rate
for all current consumed.
In Houston the demand is estimated as 50 per cent of the con
nected load, each socket opening being rated at 50 watts.
In New Orleans the demand in 1913 was the full connected load.
In New York the demand for Company C, when not determined
by meter, has been computed at 50 per cent of total installation in
residences, each standard socket being rated at 50 watts and all
other outlets being rated at their actual kilowatt capacity.
In Omaha the demand in 1913 was the full connected load.
In Pittsburgh since December, 1919, the demand has been deter
mined by inspection, the first 10 outlets being rated at 30 watts
each, the next 20 outlets at 20 watts each, and each additional outlet
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[407]
196
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
at 10 watts. Household utensils and appliances of not over 660
watts each have been excluded.
In Portland, Oreg., the demand for Company A has been esti
mated as one-third of the connected lighting load. Ranges, heating
devices, and small power up to a rated capacity of 2 kilowatts are
not included.
For Company B the demand, when not based on actual measure
ment, has been estimated at one-third of the connected load, no
demand being established at less than 233 watts.
In Springfield, 111., the demand for Company A in December,
1913, was the active load predetermined as follows: 80 per cent of
the first 500 watts of connected load plus 60 per cent of that part
of the connected load in excess of the first 500 watts—minimum
active load, 150 watts.
In Washington, D. C., the demand is determined by inspection and
consists of 100 per cent of the connected load, excluding small fans
and heating and cooking appliances when not permanently connected.
N E T PR IC E PE R KILO W ATT-HOUR FOR E L E C T R IC IT Y FOR H O U SEH O LD USE IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913, D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D JU N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926 A N D 1927, FOR
51 CITIES
City
Measure of consumption, per month
Atlanta —
Baltimore A
De
cem
ber,
1913
D e
cem
ber,
1925
June,
1926
D e
cem
ber,
1926
June,
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
_ __ First 100 kilowatt-hours
8 1
8 1
8 1
17 0
___ First 20 hours’ use of demand
8 0
8 0
8 0
38 5
Next kilowatt-hours up to 800. _
4. 0
4. 0
4 0
Birmingham _
First 100 kilowatt-hours_______
4 8. 5
7 7
7 7
7 .7
Boston:
Company A ___ First 1,000 kilowatt-hours____ _ . . .
« 10.0
8 .5
8 .5
8 .5
Company B ___
do__ _______ ______ __ _
8 fi
8 fi
8 fi
5 io 0
Bridgeport_____ __ All current- _____
- . .
6 fi
fi fi
fi fi
9 0
Buffalo A - ____ __ First 60 hours’ use of demand
fi 0
fi 0
fi 0
7 0
Next 120 hours’ use of demand
_
5.0
4 .0
4 .0
4 .0
__________ .
Excess
_
1.5
1.5
1 .5
1.5
Butte
6 9 .5
First 25 kilowatt-hours
8 0
8 0
8 0
Next 25 kilowatt-hours _____ . .
4 0
4. 0
4 0
Charleston__ ___
7 10 0
First 50 kilowatt-hours___
10 .0
10 .0
10 .0
Next 50 kilowatt-hours . . .
8.0
Chicago 2 ________ First 30 hours’ use of demand
10 0
8 0
8 0
8 0
Next 30 hours’ use of demand___ . . .
5.0
5 .0
5 .0
5 .0
Excess___ - .
____________
4.0
3 .0
3 .0
3 .0
C incinnati.., _
First 30 kilowatt-hours
8 fi 8 8 fi 8 8 fi
89 5
Next 60 kilowatt-hours _________
9 6. 7 9 6. 5 9 6. 5 9 6. 5
Excess__ ____
_ ___________
3.8
3.5
3.5
3.5
Cleveland:
Company A ___ First 500 kilow att-hours________
io 10. 0 6 5.0
5.0
5.0
Excess___ ____________________
5.0
Company B ___ All current______ _ _______
H8.0 12 3.0 12 3.0 12 3.0
Next 690 kilowatt-hours. _________
5.0
Columbus,- _ - . First 75 kilowatt-hours . .
5 7 n
7 0
7 0
5 7 0
Dallas
___
First 800 kilowatt-hours
10 0
fi 0
fi 0
Denver. - _
First 15 kilowatt-hours
6 8.0 « 8.0 6 8. 0 6 8.0
Next 30 kilowatt-hours___
_ ___
Excess____ ___ .
Detroit____
First 3 kilowatt-hours per active room is 12. 6
9.0
10.8
9.0
E x ce ss...
____
___
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.6
Fall R iv er...
. . _ First 25 kilowatt-hours
9 0
8 fi
8 fi
14 9 5
Next 975 kilowatt-hours . _
8. 5
7. 5
7 5
Houston 2 __ ____ First 30 hours’ use of demand
7 2
15 12 4
7 2
Excess__________________
7.0
4 .5
4 .5
4 .5
Indianapolis:
Company A ___ First 50 k ilo w a tt-h o u rs..-_____
« 7.5
6.8
6.8
6.8
Next 50 kilowatt-hours _______ . . .
17 6. 3
17 6 3
17 6 3
Company B ___ First 50 kilowatt-hours ___________ 1 4 7.0
6.8
6.8
6.8
Next 150 kilowatt-hours____________
6.3
6.3
6.3
For footnotes see end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[408]
8 1
7 0
4 0
8 1
70
4 0
7 .7
7 .7
8 .5
8. 5
8 fi
fi 0
fi 0
4.0
1.5
£ 0
4 O
8 fi
fi fi
fi 0
4 .0
1 .5
8 0
4 0
10 .0
8 0
5 .0
3 .0
8 8 fi
9 6. 5
3.5
10 .0
£ 0
5.0
3.0
7 5
5 .0
3 .5
5.0
5 .0
.O
12 3 .0
123
7
0
6 0
fi 0
70
70
fi 0
fi 0
9 .0
9 .0
3. 6
8 fi
7 fi
3. 6
8 5
7 fi
7 2
4 .5
4 .5
6 .5
6 .0
6 .5
6 .0
197
RETA IL PRICES OF ELECTRICITY
N E T PR IC E PE R KILOW ATT-HOUR FOR E LE C T R IC IT Y FOR HOUSEH O LD U SE IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913, D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D JU N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926 A N D 1927, FOR
51 CITIES—Continued
De
cem
ber,
1913
D e
cem
ber,
1925
June,
1926
De
cem
ber,
1926
June,
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
All current--. __ ________
______
7.0
First 5 kilowatt-hours per active room 18 9.9
(minimum, 3 rooms).
Next 5 kilowatt-hours per room__
Excess_____ - ____ ______________ 4.5
Little R o c k ____ - First 200 kilow att-hours_________ __ « 13. 5
Los Angeles __ __ First 50 kilowatt-hours______________ 6 5. 5
1 to 149 kilowatt-hours__ ___________
7.6
Louisville
- Marichester____ _ First 25 kilowatt-hours - ______ -- 11.4
Next 50 kilowatt-hours______________
M emphis_________ First 6 kilowatt-hours per room__ ___ 5 10.0
Excess
Milwaukee........ .
First 9 kilowatt-hours for each of the 1011. 4
first 6 active rooms.21
Additional energy up to 9 kilowatt- 224. 8
hours for each active room.
Excess- _____
.. _________
3.8
8.6
Minneapolis______ First 3 kilowatt-hours per active room
Next 3 kilowatt-hours per active room. 23 5.7
First 50 kilowatt-hours_____ ________
7.0
Mobile . ______
2110. 0
______ First 20 kilowatt-hours
_____
Newark
Next 30 kilowatt-hours_______ ____
New Haven _
All current
__ -. _______________
9.0
New Orleans___
8 13. 0
First 20 kilow att-hours__________
23 6.0
Next 30 kilowatt-hours........................
New York:
Company A ___ First 1,000 kilowatt-hours___________ 22 10. 0
Company B ___ All current 9.5
______________
Company C 2_— First 60 hours’ use of demand_______
11.0
9.0
Norfolk___________ First 100 kilow att-hours____________
Omaha___________ All c u r re n t.____ _________________ 8 11.4
Next 125 kilow att-hours________
23 5.7
Peoria................. ....... First 5 kilowatt-hours for each of the 31 9.9
first 2 rooms.30
Second 5 kilowatt-hours for each of
the first 2 rooms.30
Philadelphia:
Company A ___ First 12 kilowatt-hours______________ « 10.0
Next 36 kilowatt-hours______________
Company B ___ First 20 kilowatt-hours______________ 2110.0
Next 30 kilowatt-hours
- _______
Pittsburgh 2______ First 30 hours’ use of demand_______ 3 10.0
Next 60 hours’ use of demand___ _ First 30 kilowatt-hours
______
« 9. 0
Portland, M e____
Next 70 kilow att-hours_____________
Portland, Oreg.:
Company A ___ First 9 kilow att-hours______________
7.6
Next kilowatt-hours 33______________ 31 6.7
Next 50 kilowatt-hours______________ 33 5.7
Company B ___ First 13 kilowatt-hours______
-- - 30 9.0
Next kilowatt-hours 38.........................
31 7.0
Next 50 kilowatt-hours--- - ________ 23 4.0
10. 0
Providence___ ___ All current ..........
____
9.0
Richmond- First 100 kilowatt-liours_____________
Rochester. _ _ _ __ All current _______________________
8.0
St. Louis:
Company A ___ First 9 kilowatt-hours per active room. 18 9.5
5.7
E x ce ss... . . . _____________________
Company B ___ First kilowatt-hour i0 _______________ 11 9.0
5.7
Excess. . _______________________
First 3 kilowatt-hours per room______ 12 9.9
St. Paul____ ____
Next 3 kilowatt-hours per room______
6.6
Excess
_________________________
9.0
Salt Lake C ity____ First 250 kilowatt-liours_____________
San Francisco:
Company A ___ First 50 kilow att-hours._____ ______ « 7.0
Next 125 kilowatt hours
Company B ___ First 10 kilowatt-h ours______________ « 7.0
Next 40 kilowatt-hours . __________
Savannah.................. First 100 kilowatt-l iours ___________ 1112. 0
Excess
6. 0
Scranton__________ First 150 kilowatt-hours_____________ 5 9. 0
7.0
7.5
7.0
7.5
7.0
7.5
7. 0
7.5
7.0
7.0
5.0
2.5
10.0
« 5.6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
20 7.6
5.0
2.5
10.0
« 5. 6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
20 7. 6
5.0
2.5
10.0
0 5. 6
7. 6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
6.7
5.0
2.5
10.0
0 5. 6
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
6.7
5.0
2.5
10.0
5.0
7.6
12.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
6.7
City
Measure of consumption, per month
Jacksonville___Kansas City______
For footnotes see end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[409]
5.7
5.7
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
23 8.0
6. 5
28 9. 1
20 7.8
3.1
9.5
7.1
9.0
9. 0
23 8.0
6. 5
20 9.1
20 7.8
2.9
9.5
7.1
9.0
9. 0
23 8.0
6. 5
20 9. 1
20 7.8
2.9
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.5
20 9.1
20 7.8
2.9
9.5
7.1
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
20 9.1
20 7.8
28 7 . 2
28 7. 2
9. 5
28 7. 8
22 9. 0
5.5
28 7 . 2
9.5
28 7.8
9.0
5.5
9.5
28 7.8
22 9.0
5.5
28 7.3
9.5
28 7.3
8.5
5.5
287.3
9.5
287.3
8.5
5.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
8.0
32 7.0
9.0
23 8. 0
8.0
5.5
«8.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
23 8.0
8.0
5.5
3 8.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
23 8. 0
8.0
5.5
«8.0
8.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.5
3 8. 0
8.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
5.5
8.0
5.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
30 6.8
9.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
30 6. 8
20 9.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
39 6.9
29 9.0
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
39 6.8
8.5
8.0
7.6
6.7
2.9
7.3
6.7
2.9
6.5
8.5
8.0
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
« 9.9
6.6
8.1
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7. 1
2.9
8.1
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1
6.7
2.4
6.7
2.4
9.5
7.1
2.9
8.1
11 9.0
33 6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
11 9.0
« 6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
11 9.0
« 6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
11 9.0
« 6.0
9.0
6.0
9.0
5.0
2.5
9.0
6.0
9.0
1 0 .0
Ï 5 .0
10.0
IÖ .5
1 0 .0
198
MONTHLY LBBOR R EV IEW
N E T PR IC E PE R KILO W ATT-HOUR FOR E L E C T R IC IT Y FOR HOU SEHOLD USE IN
D E C E M B E R , 1913, D E C E M B E R , 1925, A N D JU N E A N D D E C E M B E R , 1926 A N D 1927, FOR
51 CITIES—Continued
City
Measure of consumption, per month
Seattle:
Company A _____ First 40 kilowatt-hours_____ __ ____
Next 200 kilowatt-hours. _________
Company B ___ First 40 kilowatt-hours_____
_____
Next 200 kilowatt-hours __________________ _
Springfield:
Company A ___ First 30 kilowatt-hours _____ .
_ ____
Next 70 kilowatt-hours..
___________
Company B _____ First 30 kilowatt-hours ________ __ ______
Next 70 kilowatt-hours.
_
W ashington,D.C.2.. First 120 hours’ use of demand. _____
D e
cem
ber,
1913
D e
cem
ber,
1925
June,
1926
D e
cem
ber,
1926
June,
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
Cents
29 6.0
23 4.0
29 6.0
23 4.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5. 5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
5.5
2.0
8 10.0
9 7.0
6.0
3. 0
6. 0
3. 0
7.5
6.0
3.0
. 0
3. 0
7.0
6.0
3.0
6. 0
3 0
7.0
6.0
3.0
6 0
3 0
6.3
6.0
3.0
6 0
3 0
6.3
10.0
6
1 First 150 kilowatt hours.
2 For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
3 First 50 kilowatt-hours.
4 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.
{ All current.
6 First 100 kilowatt-hours.
7 First 25 kilowatt-hours.
8 First 30 hours’ use of demand. For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
8 N et 30 hours’ use of demand. For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
10 First 36 hours’ use of demand. For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
11 First 10 kilowatt-hours.
12 Service charge 30 cents per month additional.
13 First 2 kilowatt-hours per active room.
14 First 200 kilowatt-hours.
15 First 2 kilowatt-hours per 16 candlepower of installation.
16 All 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% cents with a
minimum of $1 per month.
17 N ext 150 kilowatt-hours.
18 First 3 kilowatt-hours per active room; minimum, 3 rooms.
19 First 4 kilowatt-hours for each of the first 4 active rooms and the first 2% kilowatt-hours for each addi
tional active room.
20 First 5 kilowatt-hours for each of the first 5 active rooms and the first z y 2 kilowatt-hours for each addi
tional active room.
21 And the first 7 kilowatt-hours per month for each active room in addition to the first 6.
22 Additional energy up to 100 kilowatt-hours.
23 EXC6SS.
24 First 500 kilowatt-hours.
25 Next 480 kilowatt-hours.
28 Service charge, 25 cents per month additional.
27 First 250 kilowatt-hours.
28 Price includes a coal charge.
29 First 60 kilowatt-hours.
30 And 4 kilowatt-hours for each additional active room.
311 to 200 kilowatt-hours.
32 Next 48 kilowatt-hours.
33 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 rate
can be applied. For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
34 Next 70 kilowatt-hours.
35 Next 100 kilowatt-hours.
36 First 6 per cent of demand. For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
37 Next 6 per cent of demand. For determination of demand see explanation of prices.
38 For an installation of 600 watts or less 7 kilowatt-hours will apply. For each 30 watts of installation
in excess of 600 watts 1 additional kilowatt-hour will apply.
39 Service charge, 50 cents per month additional. Rate is 7 cents with reduction under a fuel clause.
40 For a house 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.
41 For a house of 6 rooms or less, 15 kilowatt-hours; for a house of 7 or 8 rooms, 20 kilowatt-hours.
42 First 30 kilowatt-hours.
43 Next 40 kilowatt-hours.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4 1 0 ]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
199
Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices in December, 1927
jR A C T IC A L L Y no ch an g e in th e g en eral level of w holesale prices
fro m N o v e m b e r to D e cem b er is sh o w n b y in fo rm a tio n collected
in representative markets by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
the United States Department of Labor. The bureau’s revised
index number, computed on prices in the year 1926 as the base and
including 550 commodities or price series, stands at 96.8 for December
as compared with 96.7 for the month before, an increase of only onetenth of 1 per cent. Compared with December, 1926, with an index
number of 97.9, a decrease of 1yo Per cent is shown.
Farm products as a group remained at about the same price level
as in November, grains advancing and beef steers, hogs, and lambs
declining sharply. Cotton and potatoes also were cheaper, while
poultry, eggs, and tobacco were higher.
Foods as a whole showed a slight decline, with butter above and
pork products below November prices. Hides and leather products
advanced sharply in price, while small increases are shown for metals
and metal products, building materials, and miscellaneous commodi
ties, slight decreases took place in the groups of textile products, fuel
and lighting materials, and chemicals and drugs, with practically no
change reported for house-furnishing goods.
Of the 550 commodities or price series for which comparable
information for November and December was collected increases
were shown in 147 instances and decreases in 139 instances. In 264
instances no change in price was reported.
Comparing prices in December with those of a year ago, as
measured by changes in the index numbers, it is seen that farm
products and hides and leather products were considerably higher,
while textile products were slightly higher. Fuel and lighting
materials, owing to large decreases in bituminous coal and coke and
petroleum products, were 17 per cent cheaper than in December,
1926. Smaller decreases are shown for metals and metal products,
building materials, chemicals and drugs, and miscellaneous com
modities, while prices of foods and house-furnishing goods were at
exactly the same level as in December of last year.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1411]
200
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W HOLESALE PR IC ES B Y G R OUPS A N D SUBGR OU PS OF COM
M O D IT IES
[1926 = 100]
1927
Farm products______
_____ .
____________
Grains_________
_ ...............
Livestock and poultry___ _ ________ _____ .
Other farm p rodu cts,.. . ___________ _____
Foods ___ _____
________ ____ ______
Butter, cheese, and m ilk .. ............... . . . . .
M eats.. . .
. . . _________ _ ________ _
Other foods__ _ .
______
_ ...
Hides and leather products... . . .
._
.....
. . . __
Hides and skins__________ _
Leather. . . .
. . .
Boots and shoes . . . . .
. . . __
. . . . ..
Other leather products____________ __ _ . . .
Textile products_________________ _____ ____ _ _
Cotton goods . . . .
_
. . . .
Silk and rayon_____________________________
Woolen and worsted goods_______
........
Other textile products
..
____ . . . .
Fuel and lighting*.___
_ . _ ________ _
Anthracite coal .
. . . .
Bituminous coal______ . . .
____ ___
Coke. _
_
Manufactured gas .
. ______ _ _______
Petroleum products _
______
_
___
Metals and metal products. ________ __
...
Iron and steel___ . .
______
...
___
Nonferrous metals
Agricultural implements_________ _ . ______
Automobiles______
_
_____ _
Other metal products________. . .
______
Building materials______
Lumber ________
Brick________________ _______
Cement___________ ____ _
Structural steel
. _ ________ ____ _
Paint materials .
_ ________ ____ _______
Other building materials............... _ _ _____
Chemicals and d ru g s____________
_____
Chemicals.. _________
_ ______
Drugs and pharmaceuticals________ _______
Fertilizer m aterials________
______
Fertilizers_______________
_________
Housefurnishing goods____
____
Furniture____________ ____
F urnishings__________
. . ..
M iscellaneous___________ .
Cattle feed__________ _
Paper and pulp_______
______
Rubber _ . .
______
Automobile tires.
________
Other miscellaneous_________
All commodities. _
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
___________
November
December
Purchasing
power of
the 1926
dollar in
December
(cents)
94. 9
96. 9
93.5
95.2
100. 7
107. 4
98. 4
99. 6
100. 4
103. 3
99 4
99. 8
100. 0
95. 2
93. 3
92. 4
98.4
99. 7
99. 4
98. 8
107. 9
103. 3
98.1
93. 7
100. 4
100.0
96. 9
100. 0
102 3
99. 4
99. 2
98. 9
97. 5
99. 4
102.1
97. 6
100. 1
98. 8
97.7
101. 2
99. 3
100 0
98 8
99. 5
98. 3
89. 9
105. 3
93. 7
78. 1
78. 6
99.7
104 3
99.6
100 8
108. 3
101. 5
108. 3
100 9
99 1
114. 3
131. 6
117 1
106 3
109 2
97 5
104 6
83. 6
98.1
94. 9
82. 9
96. 9
97 8
92 7
97. 2
66. 6
97.0
93. 5
90. 3
98. 9
102 2
100 7
90 2
89 2
91 3
96. 5
89 4
85. 7
91. 2
97 4
102. 3
85 2
94 9
92.9
98.9
97.2
100 0
88. 3
122 4
91 3
77 8
71 2
99. 1
104. 4
102 0
97. 9
109. 7
100 7
110.0
99. 6
97. 7
116. 9
136. 4
122 4
107.1
109. 4
97. 2
103 3
83. 2
98. 4
96 7
82 5
96.8
97. 4
91 9
96. 2
66. 2
98. 4
93. 7
92. 3
98. 8
104 6
100 7
90 4
88 0
92. 2
96. 5
91. 9
86. 5
92.5
97 2
102. 2
81.9
95. 0
95.2
98 8
97.1
99 8
89. 0
128. 9
90. 9
84.2
69. 9
98.6
95 8
98.0
102 1
91. 2
99. 3
90. 9
100. 4
102. 4
85. 5
73.3
81. 7
93. 4
91. 4
102. 9
96. 8
120. 2
101. 6
103. 4
121. 2
103. 3
102.7
108 8
104. 0
151.1
101.6
106. 7
108. 3
101. 2
95. 6
99 3
110.6
113 6
108.5
103. 6
108. 8
115 6
108 1
102 9
97 8
122 1
105.3
105.0
101.2
103.0
100.2
112.4
77.6
110.0
118.8
143. 1
101.4
97.9
96.7
96.8
103.3
December,
1926
Groups and subgroups
_______
[4 1 2 ]
201
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Average Wholesale Prices of Commodities, October to December,
1927, and Year, 1927
of the plan of publishing each quarter in the
Labor Review a detailed statement of wholesale price changes,
there is presented herewith a list of the more important commodi
ties included in the bureau’s revised compilation, together with the
’N C O N T IN U A T IO N
]
JAM. FEB. MAR. APR. MAY Jl/N. JU L .
AUG. SEP. OCX
NOV. DEC.
latest record of price changes available at the time of its preparation.
For convenience of comparison, index numbers based on average
prices in the year 1926 as 100 are shown in addition to the money
prices wherever such information can be supplied. Index numbers
for the several groups and subgroups also are included in the table.
To show more minutely the fluctuation in prices, all index numbers
are published to one decimal fraction. Figures are given for October,
November, and December, 1927, and the year, 1927.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[413]
202
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
W HOLESALE PR IC E S OF C O M M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927
Average prices
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
No
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem Year,
ber,
1927
1927
ALL C O M M O D IT IE S___
97. 0
96. 7
96 8
G R O U P I.—FARM
PR O D U C T S________
105. 0
104. 3
104.4
99 4
99. 3
99. 6
103.0
100.9
G rains
_____
Barley, feeding, per bushel,
C hicago_______ _____ _____
Com, per bushel, Chicago—
Contract grades____________
N o. 3, mixed ______________
Oats, No. 2, white, per bushel,
Chicago______ . . . . . . . . . . .
Rye, No. 2, per bushel, Chicago.
Wheat, per bushel—
No. 2, red winter, Chicago.. .
No. 2, hard, Kansas City___
No. 1, northern spring, Minneapolis_________ ______
No. 2, dark northern spring,
Minneapolis____ ____ ______
N o. 1, hard white, Portland,
Oreg______ ___________
No. 2, red winter, St. L o u is..
L ivestock a n d p o u ltr y ______
Cattle, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Calves, good to choice,
vealers__________ ____ ___
Cows—
Pair to good______ _____ _
Good to choice.__________
Steers—
Fair to good_____________
Good to choice....................
Hogs, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Fair to choice, heavy butchers____ ___ ____ ________
Fair to choice, light butchers.
Sheep, per 100 pounds, Chicago—
Ewes, native, all grades, fair
to best _ __________ _____
Lambs, western, fair to good.
Wethers, fed, poor to best___
Poultry, live fowls, per pound—
Chicago................................. .
New Y o rk .______________
O th er farm p r o d u cts______
Beans, medium, per 100
pounds, New Y ork... _____
Cotton, middling, per pound—
Galveston___________ ____
New Orleans______________ _
New York_________________
Eggs, fresh, per dozen—
Western, Boston_________
Firsts, Chicago.. _ _________
Extra firsts, Cincinnati_____
Candled, New Orleans . . . .
Firsts, New York . ______
Extra firsts, Philadelphia___
No. 1, extras, San Francisco..
Fruit—
Apples fresh—
Baldwins, per barrel—
Chicago__________ _____
New York .
_____
Winesaps, medium grade,
per box, Portland, Oreg..
$0.823
$0.842
$0. 876
$0. 825
118.5
121.3
126.3
118.8
.878
.862
.868
.846
.867
.852
.882
.851
115. 7
117.1
114.4
114.9
114.3
115.8
116.2
115.7
.498
.999
.512
1. 056
.554
1.088
.497
1. 046
115.8
104.8
119. 1
110.7
128.8
114.0
115.5
109.6
1. 344
1. 339
1. 354
1. 349
1.384
1.363
1.378
1. 372
87.1
89. 5
87.8
90.1
89.8
91.1
89.3
91.7
L 275
1. 264
1. 275
1. 369
82.4
81.6
82.3
88.4
1.343
1.341
1.375
1.405
86.3
86.2
88.4
90.3
1.273
1.421
1. 300
1.442
1.370
1.449
1.377
1.414
88. 6
91.4
90.6
92.8
95.4
93.2
95.9
91.0
105. 5
100. 8
97. 9
98.9
14.150
13. 250
12. 531
12. 709
116.6
109.2
103.3
104.7
7.310
8.425
7.106
8.269
7.656
8.844
6.882
7.801
126.8
129.8
123.3
127.4
132.8
136.3
119.4
120.2
12. 526
14. 325
13. 906
15. 938
13. 719
15. 500
11.241
12. 688
142.9
150.3
158. 7
167.3
156.6
162.7
128.3
133.2
11. 055
11.185
9.469
9. 306
8. 575
8.463
10.137
10. 602
89.6
85.3
76.8
71.0
69.5
64.5
82.2
80.8
5. 250
13. 865
7.000
5. 469
13. 581
7.000
5.625
13. 013
7.125
6.097
13.860
7.721
79.6
101.2
85.6
83.0
99,1
85.6
85.3
95.0
87.1
92.5
101.2
94.4
.186
.233
.191
.225
.204
.241
.225
.268
74.1
78.1
75.9
75.6
81.3
81.0
89.6
89.9
106 7
108.3
109.7
99.2
6.519
6.395
6.406
6.102
119.8
117.5
117.7
112.1
.209
.208
.211
.202
.202
.203
.193
. 192
.196
. 173
.172
.176
122. 5
123.8
120.3
118.6
120.0
115.9
113.6
114.1
111.6
101.8
102.4
100.2
.393
.369
.465
.298
.395
.485
.346
.438
.423
.546
.335
.436
.550
.368
.442
.426
.515
.374
.453
.500
.329
.319
.300
.338
.264
.320
.362
.264
110.1
110.2
130.7
87.8
111. 1
122.7
116.3
122.8
126.4
153.5
98.7
122.6
139.2
123.4
124.0
127.3
144.7
110.3
127.5
126.5
110.5
89.5
89.7
94.9
77.9
89.9
91.5
88.8
0)
3,719
(i)
6.050
7.000
6.625
4. 522
4.408
92.2
150.0
170 7
164.3
110. 2
109.3
1.675
2.075
2.375
2.179 1 78.5
97.3
111.4
102.2
1 N o quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
95.4
[4 1 4 ]
203
W HOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W HOLESALE PR IC E S OF C O M M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
A verage prices
Commodity
October, Novem- Decernber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
NoOcto vember,
ber,
1927
1927
December,
1927
Y ear,
1927
G R O U P I.—FA R M P R O D U C T S—Continued
O th er fa r m p ro d u cts—Con.
Fruit—Continued.
Lemons, choice or fancy,
California, per box, Chi
cago______ _____________
Oranges, choice, California,
per box, Chicago ________
Hay, per ton—
Alfalfa, Kansas C ity ________
Clover, mixed, No. 1, Cinc in n a t i..._____ ________
Timothy, N o. 1, Chicago___
Hops, prime to choice, Pacific,
per pound, Portland, Oreg__
Milk, fluid, per 100 pounds—
Chicago.
_______________
New York_________________
San Francisco ____________
Peanuts, per pound, N orfolk...
Seeds—
Alfalfa, per 100 pounds, Kansas City_________________
Clover, per 100 pounds, Chicago______________ ______
Flaxseed, per bushel, Minneapolis___ _____________
Timothy, per 100 pounds,
Chicago_____ _________
Tobacco, leaf, average warehouse sales, per 100 pounds,
K entucky.. _______________
Vegetables, fresh—
Onions, per 100 pounds, Chicago____________________
Potatoes, white, per 100
pounds—
Boston.. ______ __________
Chicago. ________ ____ __
New York___ ___________
Portland, Oreg____ _____
Potatoes, sweet, per ^-bushel,
Philadelphia.. __________
Wool, per pound, Boston—
Ohio, grease basis—
Fine clothing. _________
Fine delaine. __________
Half b lo o d .. ........................
Medium grades__________
Territory, scoured—
Staple, fine and fine medium. _______________
Half blood_______________
Foreign—
Argentine crossbreds, quar
ter blood, grease basis---Australian, Geelong 56’s,
scoured basis___________
M ontevideo, one-fourth
blood, 50’s, grease basis..
$11.969
$11.400
$9.125
$7. 826
214.9
204.6
163.8
140.5
8. 938
9. 600
7.594
7. 094
150. 0
161.2
127.5
119.1
18. 800
18. 625
20. 050
18. 594
89.4
88. 5
95.3
88.4
15. 875
18. 000
11.600
18. 250
15. 500
17. 938
17. 899
19. 447
71. 5
76.6
65. 7
77. 7
69.8
76.4
80.6
82.8
.251
.238
.214
.220
104.0
98.8
88.8
91.3
2. 994
3. 936
3. 140
.063
994
3.981
3. 140
.048
2. 994
3.981
3.140
.061
2. 975
3. 679
3.140
.055
101.9
109.9
100.3
126.3
101.9
111.2
100.3
97.2
101.9
111.2
100.3
122.2
101.2
102. 7
100. 3
110.5
2.
13.000
17. 550
17.000
16. 380
78.9
106.5
103.2
99.4
26. 360
28. 292
28. 933
31. 440
82.8
88.9
90.9
98.8
2.103
2.105
2.104
2. 202
90. 3
90.4
90.4
94.6
3.140
3.500
3. 500
4. 164
51.4
57.3
57.3
68.1
11. 331
9.812
20. 220
11. 276
133.7
115.8
238.7
133.1
1.906
1. 575
1.875
3.020
77.9
64.4
76.6
123.4
1.906
1.756
2.240
1.825
2.050
1. 765
2.156
1.380
1.945
1.675
2.052
1. 550
2. 347
2.309
2. 673
2. 949
54. 1
58.3
59. 3
63. 5
58.2
58.6
57.1
48.0
55.2
55.6
54. 3
53.9
66.6
76.6
70.8
102.6
.630
.744
.860
.879
41.2
48.6
56.2
57.4
.390
.460
.460
.470
. 390
.470
.470
.480
.390
.470
.470
.480
.386
.455
.451
.447
97.1
98. 6
99. 6
102.9
97.1
100.7
101.8
105.1
97.1
100.7
101.8
105.1
96.0
97.5
97.6
97.8
1.131
1.033
1.135
1.040
1.135
1.039
1.107
1.015
98.2
98.7
98.6
99. 3
98. 6
99.2
96.1
97.0
105.7
.322
.325
.325
.300
113.6
114.7
114.7
.666
.690
.690
.674
98.2
101.7
101.7
99.4
.394
.405
.417
.372
106.8
109.8
113.1
100.7
G R O U P II.—FO ODS
B uttei', cheese, and milk
Butter, creamery, per pound—
Boston—
Extra___________________
Firsts _________________
Seconds_________________
Chicago—
E xtra.. _ ______________
Extra firsts _ __________
Firsts___________________
82645°— 28—
14
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
101.5
100.7
96.5
107.2
108.3
110.0
104.0
.474
.438
.401
.478
.444
.409
.498
.453
.416
.469
.446
.417
107. 9
104.0
102.6
108.8
105. 3
104.5
113.4
107.4
106.3
106.8
105.7
106.6
.464
.442
.404
.483
.454
.413
.507
.479
.427
.458
.443
.415
108. 1 112. 5
106. 7 109. 7
103.5 105.8
118. 2
115.5
109.4
106.9
106.9
106.5
[415]
204
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October, N ovem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem Year,
ber,
1927
1927
GROUP II.—FOODS—Con.
Butter, cheese, and milk —Con.
Butter, creamery, per pound—
Continued.
Cincinnati, as to score______
New Orleans—
Fancy. ________________
Choice__________________
New York—
E x tr a .._ . _________ ____
Firsts___ ____________ . . .
Seconds_________________
Philadelphia—
E xtra.. _________________
Extra firsts____________ . .
Firsts___________________
St. Louis, extra. . . . --------San Francisco—
Extra------- ------- ---------Firsts
_ -----------------Cheese, whole milk, per pound—
Chicago. ________________
New York__ . . . .
-------San Francisco. _______ ____
Milk, condensed, per case, New
---. . .
Y ork ...
M ilk, evaporated, per case,
N ew Y ork .. ------ ------------Milk, fluid. (See Farm product.)
Meats.
$0. 413
$0.430
$0.455
$0.425
104. 5
108.9
115.3
107.7
.484
.430
.482
.448
.525
.470
.493
.457
101. 7
93.8
101.3
97. 8
110. 3
102. 6
103.5
99.7
.484
.446
.406
.498
.452
.406
.519
.466
.411
.473
.446
. 416
109. 1
106. 4
104. 6
112. 3
107. 7
104.7
117.0
111. 2
105.9
106.6
106.3
107.1
.494
.475
.424
.480
.506
.485
.424
.500
.529
.504
.437
.523
.480
.467
.431
.474
108. 6
107. 2
104. 2
109. 0
111.4
109. 5
104. 2
113. 6
116.4
113. 8
107. 5
118. 7
105.6
105.4
105.9
107.8
.485
.446
.490
.453
.486
.471
.454
.436
111. 3
106.8
112.4
108.3
111. 5
112. 7
104.1
104.3
.268
.273
.233
.254
. 275
.250
.267
.281
.246
.241
.249
.225
123. 5
120. 3
101. 6
117. 2
121. 1
109. 3
123.0
123. 6
107. 5
111.2
109.4
98.3
6.000
6. 020
6.000
5.870
102.4
102. 8
102.4
100.2
4. 575
4. 585
4. 569
4. 564
104. 1
104.4
104.0
103.9
100.0
100.9
99.6
93.7
113.3
117.5
______ ______
Beef, fresh, carcass, steers, per
pound—
C hicago_________________
N ew York_________________
Beef, cured, family, per barrel
(200 pounds), New Y o r k ... .
Lamb, fresh, per pound, Chicago----- -------------- --------Mutton, fresh, dressed, per
pound, N ew York_____
Pork, cured—
Bacon, per pound, Chicago. _.
Hams, per pound, C hicago...
Mess, per barrel (200pounds),
New York___________
Sides, clear, per pound, Chicago... -------------------Sides, rough, per pound, Chicago------------------------Pork, fresh, dressed hogs, per
pound, Chicago_________
Poultry, per pound, dressed—
Chicago __________ ______
New Y o rk .. _____ ____
Veal, fresh, good, per pound,
Chicago___________________
.210
.225
.215
.234
.223
.238
. 186
.201
127. 9
131.8
130.9
137.0
135.8
139.4
25. 500
28. 000
30. 875
22. 750
108.6
119.2
131.4
96.8
. 245
.240
.234
.262
93. 7
91.7
89.4
100.2
.115
.123
. 130
. 141
79. 8
85. 3
90.2
97.9
.279
.233
.285
.220
.251
.214
.272
.246
91. 7
75.6
93.8
71.3
82.6
69.5
89.6
79.9
33. 375
34. 500
34. 000
34. 500
89. 1
92. 1
90.8
92.1
. 184
.177
. 169
. 187
91.6
88. 1
84. 1
93.2
. 164
. 161
. 156
.179
82.6
81.0
78.8
90.1
.213
.218
.210
. 190
85.4
87.1
84.1
76.2
.224
.279
.224
.264
.211
.270
.232
.286
82. 7
88.8
82.8
84. 1
78. 1
86.0
85.8
91.0
.225
.188
. 182
.197
120.3
100.2
97.3
105.5
97.2
99.1
97.7
9G.2
Other foods______ .... _ __
Beans. (See farm products.)
Bread, loaf (per pound before
baking)—
Chicago...... ...................... ........
Cincinnati____
. . . _____
New Orleans. _____________
New York__ ___________
San Francisco___________ _
Cocoa beans, Arriba, per
pound, New York__________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.075
.070
.070
.070
.069
.075
.070
.070
.070
.069
.075
.070
.070
.070
.069
.075
.070
.069
.070
.069
100. 0
98. 9
97. 8
100.0
89.8
100. 0
98. 9
97. 8
100. 0
89.8
100. 0
98. 9
97. 8
100. 0
89.8
100.0
99.2
96.2
100.0
89.8
.179
.185
.173
.196
99. 2
102. 3
95.7
108.8
[4 1 6 ]
205
W HOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y EAR , 1927—Continued
A verage prices
I Index numbers (1926=100.0)
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
Year,
1927
78.0
97. 1
81.3
83.9
GROUP II.—FOODS—Con.
Other foods—Continued.
Cotfee, Brazilian grades, per
pound, New York—
Rio, No. 7____
________
$0.147
Santos, No. 4 _____ _ ___
.209
Copra, South Sea, per pound,
New York. _________
.052
Crackers, soda, per pound,
New York______ _________
.140
Eggs. (See Farm products.)
Fish—
Cod, pickled, cured, per 100
pounds, Gloucester, M ass..
7. 250
Herring, pickled, per pound,
N ew York _
..
. ...
. 170
Mackerel, salt, per pound,
N ew York_____
. . . _.
.110
Salmon, canned, Alaska, red,
per dozen cans, factory____
3.175
Salmon, smoked, Alaska, per
pound, N ew York______ .
.400
Flour, rye, white, per barrel,
Minneapolis_____ __________
5.244
Flour, wheat, per barrel—
Standard patents, hard, win
ter, Buffalo ._ .
7. 270
First clears, Buffalo-----6. 575
Short patents, winter, Kan
sas C ity. . ___________
7.225
Straights, winter, Kansas
C ity___ _____ __________
6. 535
Standard patents, Minneapo
lis_____ . _ ____________
7.231
Second patents, Minneapolis.
6.950
Patents, Portland, Oreg
7.042
Short patents, soft, winter,
St. Louis . . . .
. . .
6. 570
Straights, soft, winter, St.
Louis.
____. . . . _
5. 690
Standard patents, soft, winter,
Toledo. ___
. . ___ _ ' 6.320
Fruit, canned, per dozen, New
York—
Peaches, 23^’s__ ___________
1. 775
Pineapples, 2)^’s_ . . . .
2. 250
Fruit, dried, per pound, New
York—
Apples, evaporated. ______
. 131
Currants, cleaned.. ______
. 115
Prunes, California, 60-70 ___
.061
Raisins, coast, seeded______
.069
Fruit, fresh—
Apples. (See Farm prod
ucts.)
Bananas,
Jamaicas,
per
bunch, New York________
2. 500
Lemons. (See Farm prod
ucts.)
Oranges. (See Farm prod
ucts.)
Glucose, 42° mixing, per 100
pounds, N ew York
____
3.160
Hominy grits, white, per 100
pounds, m ill_______________
1.653
Lard, prime, contract, per
pound, N ew York . _____
.130
Meal, corn, per 100 pounds—
White, m ill________________
1.653
Yellow, fancy, Philadelphia
2.838
Molasses, New Orleans, fancy,
per gallon, N ew York______
.650
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$0.145
.222
$0.142
.217
$0.148
. 187
80.7
93.6
79.7
99.3
.053
.054
.052
90.3
91.0
92.8
89.7
.140
.140
.140
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
7.500
7.500
6.821
99.9
103.3
103.3
94.0
.175
.160
. 158
128.7
132.5
121.1
119.2
106.7
. 120
. 120
. 107
110.0
120.0
120.0
3.200
3.200
2. 868
95.5
96.2
96.2
86.2
.420
.420
.432
104.4
109.6
109.6
112.6
5. 550
5.700
5. 666
93.6
99.1
101.8
101.2
7.294
6. 606
7.213
6. 625
7.724
7. Oil
83. 7
78.5
83.9
78. 9
83.0
79.1
88.9
83. 7
7.188
7. 250
7.388
89.9
89.4
90.2
91.9
6. 575
6. 563
6. 686
90.1
90.7
90.5
92.2
7.145
6. 840
6.913
7. 100
6. 856
7.371
7.433
7.157
7. 475
85.8
85.3
88.2
84.8
83.9
86.6
84.3
84. 1
92.3
88.2
87.8
93.6
6. 631
6. 800
6.814
83.9
84.7
86.8
87.0
5.963
5. 938
5.991
80.1
83.9
83.5
84.3
6.356
6. 344
6.481
82.9
83.4
83.2
85.0i
1.775
2.250
1. 775
2.250
1.888
2. 223
91. 0
104. 7
91.0
104. 7
91.0
104. 7
96.8
103.4
.148
. 128
.059
.069
.164
. 135
.058
.069
.116
.114
.067
.074
111. 2
127. 6
78.3
75.1
125.6
142.1
75.6
75.1
138.7
149. 8
73.7
75.1
98.4
126.2
85.5
80.5
2.500
2.500
2. 202
102. 0
102.0
102.0
89.8
3.160
3.160
3.261
91.9
91.9
91.9
94.8
1.555
1.628
1.731
106.1
99.8
104.5
111.1
.125
.120
.129
86.7
83.5
80.1
85.6
1.555
2.750
1.628
2. 550
1.731
2. 764
106.1
106.5
99.8
103.3
104. 5
95.7
111.1
103.8
.650
.650
.650
123.1
123.1
123.1
123.1
[4 1 7 ]
206
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
WHOLESALE PR IC ES OP CO M M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Average prices
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem Year,
ber,
1927
1927
GROUP IL —FOODS—Con.
Other foods—Continued.
Oatmeal, in 90-pound sacks,
per 100 pounds, N ew York__
Oleomargarine, standard, uncolored, per pound, Chicago - _
Oleo oil, extra, per pound, Chicago ___ _ __ .............
_
Pepper, black, per pound, New
Y ork
Rice, head, clean, per pound,
N ew Orleans—
Blue Rose, medium to good—.
Honduras, medium to choiceSalt, Chicago—
American, medium, per barrel (280 pounds)_________
Granulated, per ton_ _
Sugar, per pound, New York—
Granulated ______________
Raw, 96° .
_____
Tallow, edible, per pound, Chicago .......... ..........._____
Tea, Formosa, fine, per pound,
New York__
_
Vegetables, canned, per dozen—
String beans, New York
Corn, factory- _ ________
Peas, N ew York- ______
Tomatoes, New York___ __
Vegetables, fresh—
Onions. (See Farm products.)
Potatoes. (See Farm products.)
Vegetable oil—
Coconut, per pound, New
Lork __
Corn, per pound, New York.
Cottonseed, per pound, New
York
_
- _
Olive, per gallon, N ew York. .
Peanut, per pound, mill _ .
Soya bean, per pound, New
1 ork ___________ _____
Vinegar, cider, per gallon, New
Lork __ ________________
$3. 403
$3.494
$3. 722
$3. 504
110.7
113.7
121.1
.245
.235
.235
.223
107.4
103.0
103.0
97.8
.158
.170
.178
.134
130.8
141.4
147.4
111.3
.368
.379
.366
.318
143.6
147.9
143.1
124.4
.039
.051
.038
.051
.037
.051
.041
.059
63.2
70.0
61.4
69.7
60.4
69.3
66.9
80.2
2.195
6 600
2.195
6.600
2.195
6 600
2.195
6. 754
100.0
87.9
100.0
87.9
100.0
87.9
100.0
89.9
.057
.047
.056
.047
.056
.046
.058
.047
104.2
107.8
102.0
107.1
101.3
105.5
106.2
109.0
.106
.102
.094
.089
110.7
106.8
98.3
92.8
.345
.329
.325
.342
97.3
92.8
91.7
96.4
1.025
1.013
1.075
1.400
1.025
1.075
1.225
1.400
1.025
1.075
1.225
1.400
1.097
.991
1.208
1.492
114.8
112.4
81.7
97.7
114.8
119.4
93.1
97.7
114.8
119.4
93.1
97.7
122.8
110.1
91.8
104.1
.098
.118
.098
.120
.098
.120
.097
.108
92.4
97.6
92.2
99.7
91.9
99.7
91.0
90.0
.109
2.150
.114
.106
2.040
.105
. 100
1.900
.096
.097
2.125
.113
92.4
112.5
101.2
89.3
106.8
93.3
84.1
99.4
85.3
81.8
111.2
100.5
.120
.122
.123
.120
95.2
96.4
97.2
95.6
.215
.215
.220
.193
115.7
115.7
118.4
103.8
113.0
114.3
116.9
197.9
128.0
131.6
136.4
120.4
GROUP III.—HIDES AND
LEATHER PRODUCTS—.
Hides and skins. _ . . __
Hides, per pound, Chicago—
Country c o w s ___ _______ _
Packers’—
___
Heavy, native steers
Heavy, Texas steers _____
Skins, per pound—
Calf, No. 1, country, Chicago.
Goat, Brazil, first selection,
N ew York
Kip, No. 1, country, Chicago.
Sheep, packers’, per pelt,
Chicago.______ __________
.174
.181
.191
.150
180.7
187.1
198.2
155.1
.233
.218
.242
.231
.250
.242
.195
.184
165.7
162.9
172.1
172.7
178.2
181.2
139.0
137.7
.218
.228
.250
.197
125.4
131.5
144. 2
113.6
.775
.220
.756
.220
.754
.225
.751
.191
105.8
141.8
103.2
141.8
102.9
145.0
102.6
122.9
1.375
1.375
1.375
1.976
63.4
63.4
63.4
91.1
117.1 122.4
109.2
Leather__________________
Chrome calf, B grade, per
square foot, Boston _ . . . ..
Galzed kid, top grade, per
square foot, Boston _ _
Harness, California oak, per
pound, general market______
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
114.0
116.5
.510
.510
.535
.489
112.5
112.5
118.0
107.8
.675
.675
.700
.677
100.0
100.0
103.7
103.3
.495
.505
.527
.468
113.3
115.6
120.7
107.0
[4181
207
WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF CO M M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
No
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem Year,
ber,
1927
1927
GROUP in .—HIDES AND
LEATHER PRODUCTS—Con.
Leather—Continued.
Side, black, chrome, tanned, B
grade, per square foot, Boston.
Sole, oak, per pound, Boston—
In sides__________ _______
Scoured b a c k s ____
Sole, union backs, steers, per
pound, N ew Y o r k ____ . ._
$0.370
$0.370
$0.390
$0. 320
146.1
146.1
154.0
126.3
.425
.550
.425
.550
.440
.590
.384
.493
120.3
125.5
120.3
125.5
124.5
134.6
108.7
112.5
.540
.556
.575
.488
126.0
129.8
Boots and shoes, factory____
Children’s, per pair—
Child’s, gun metal . . - ____
Little boy’s, tan calf, blucherMisses’, gun metal__ _
Youths’, tan calf, blucher___
M en’s, per pair—
Black, calf, bal
. _______
Black, calf, blucher. . . ____
Black, dress, welt, side leather
Black, vici kid . ___________
Chocolate, elk, blu ch er_____
Dress, medium grade_______
Gun metal, blucher. ______
Mahogany, chrome, bal_____
Tan, dress, welt, calf _.
.
Tan, dress, welt, side leather.
Work, medium grade_______
Women’s, per pair—
Black, kid, dress. ____________
Black, kid, M cKay sewed.
Medium grade_____________
Better grade_____ _______
Colored calf.
_ _
_____ __
Patent-leather pump_______
Other leather products
_
1.615
1. 663
1.900
1.853
1.615
1.663
1.900
1.853
1.425
1.536
1.678
1.726
121.4
112.9
121. 2
111.4
121.4
112.9
121. 2
111.4
121.4
112.9
121.2
111.4
107.1
104.3
107.1
103.8
5. 000
6.500
3.400
6.250
2.028
3. 550
4. 750
3. 650
5.000
3. 600
2. 250
5.000
6.500
3. 400
6. 250
2.070
3. 550
4. 750
3.650
5. 000
3.600
2. 350
5.000
6. 500
3.400
6. 250
2.115
3. 750
4. 750
3. 650
5. 000
3. 600
2. 450
4.929
6. 433
3. 268
6.081
1.897
3.475
4.675
3.625
4. 929
3.464
2.183
101.6
101.6
106.3
104.2
117.7
106. 0
103.3
101.4
101. 6
106.7
109.8
101.6
101.6
106. 3
104.2
120. 1
106.0
103.3
101.4
101.6
106. 7
114.6
101.6
101.6
106.3
104.2
122.7
111.9
103.3
101.4
101.6
106.7
119. 5
100.1
100.5
102.2
101.3
110.1
103.7
101.6
100.7
100.1
102.6
106.5
4. 000
3. 650
2. 200
3.050
4.250
3.750
4.000
3. 650
2. 300
3. 050
4.250
3. 750
4.000
3. 650
2.129
3. 150
4. 250
3. 750
4.000
3. 625
2.192
2.967
4. 200
3. 675
98.2
101.4
98.2
101.4
115.0
107.0
102.4
104.2
98.2
101.4
117.5
110. 5
102.4
104.2
98.2
100.7
106.5
104.1
101.2
102.1
108.9 109.2 109.4
104.1
100.0
106.7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 1 0
.
0
107.0
102.4
104.2
33. 840
22. 560
33. 840
22. 560
33. 840
22. 560
33. 840
22. 560
100.0
106.7
100.0
106.7
100.0
106.7
50.008
50.342
50. 627
47.157
111.2
111.9
112.6
104.9
9.543
9.543
9. 543
8.561
120.8
120.8
120.8
108.3
6.894
6.843
6.843
6. 679
105.8
105.1
105.1
102.5
98.4 97.5 97.2
106. 0 104.6 103.3
97.9
G R O U P IV.—T E X T I L E
PRODUCTS______
Cotton goods .
. . ..
Blankets, colored, per pair,
Boston____________
... . .
Denims, Massachusetts, 28inch, per yard, mill . . . . .
Drillings, brown, per yard,
mill—
Massachusetts, 30-in ch_____
Pepperell, 29-inch-------------------------Duck, per yard, mill—
8-ounce, army_____ __________ _
Wide, 36-inch______________
Flannel, per yard, mill—
Colored, 27-inch____________
Unbleached, 33-inch ............. ...
Gingham, per yard, mill—
Amoskeag, 27-inch... --------Security, 3 2 -in c h ..___
Hosiery, per dozen pairs, mill—
M en’s, combed yarn . .
Women’s, mercerized..............
113.8
102.5
1.615
1. 663
1.900
1.853
...
Gloves, per dozen pairs, factory—
M en’s _________________
'Women’s __________ _______
Harness (composite price), per
s e t .. _____________________
Suit cases (composite price),
each____ _______ _ . . . ___
Traveling bags (composite
price), each________________
134.2
105.6 100.3 107.1
95.7
1.150
1.150
1.150
1.065
93.1
93.1
93.1
86.3
.201
,201
.196
.170
118.8
118.8
115.9
100.5
.142
.145
.139
.139
.129
.132
.
.124
120
107.8
114.0
105. 3
109.0
97.6
103.9
93.9
94.4
.229
.447
.219
.417
.207
.399
.192
.395
116.1
107.0
111.0
99.9
105.1
95.6
97.5
94.4
.123
.220
.123
.220
.123
.217
.112
.178
97.3
125.1
97.3
125.1
97.3
123.5
89.0
101.1
. 105
.140
.105
. 140
.105
.140
.095
.128
116.7
114.6
116.7
114.6
116.7
114.6
105.7
104. 2
1.600
2. 275
1. 600
2. 275
1.600
2. 275
1.592
2. 275
98.5
97.7
98.5
97.7
98. 5
97.7
98.0
97.7
[4 1 9 ]
208
Mo n t h l y
labor
r e v ie w
W HOLESALE PR IC E S OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R . AND
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Average prices
Index numbers (1926=100.0)
Commodity
October, N ovem Decem
1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
99.5
92.8
106.9
110.6
Year,
1927
G R O U P IV.—T E X T I L E
PRODUCTS—Continued
Cotton goods—Continued.
M uslin, bleached, per yard,
mill—
Fruit of the Loom__________
Lonsdale-._ . . . ___________
Rough Rider______________
Nainsook, W amsutta____ . .
Percale, Scouts, 38/^-inch, per
yard, mill_______ __________
Print cloth, per yard, mill—
27-inch _ _ ______________
38Ji-inch- _ ____________
Sheeting, bleached, per yard,
mill—
10/4, Pepperell___ __________
10/4, Wamsutta____________
Sheeting, brown, per yard,
mill—
Indian Head, 3 6 -in ch .-_____
4/4, Pepperell
. . .. _ ...
4/4, Trion _ _ ___________
Thread, 6-cord, 100 yards, per
spool, mill „ _ _ .
Ticking, Amoskeag, 32-inch,
per yard, mill______________
Underwear, mill—
M en’s shirts and drawers,
per dozen garments
Women’s union suits, per
dozen _ _
_ _ ______
Yarn, per pound, mill—
Carded, white, northern,
10/1, cones - ___
Carded, white, northern,
22/1, c o n e s_____ -_ _
Carded, single warp, 40/1 ’s,
southern spinning ___
Twisted, 20/2, carded, weaving--------------------------------Twisted, 40/2, carded, weaving-----------------------------
$0.166
.147
.158
.252
$0.166
.147
.155
.252
$0.166
.140
.153
.252
$0.161
.140
.151
.232
99.5
97.5
110.3
110.6
.145
.145
.145
.133
111.9
111.9
111.9
103.0
.063
.087
.060
.083
.057
.080
.055
.076
120.7
114.9
115.5
109.4
109.8
105.4
105.4
101.1
.404
1.140
.418
1.140
.411
1.140
.385
1.140
97.0
100.0
100.5
100.0
98.8
100.0
92.6
100.0
.145
.140
.111
.145
.135
.110
.142
.135
.105
.120
. 121
.093
118.4
114. 2
119.8
118.4
110. 1
118.7
116.2
110.1
113.1
97.8
98.3
99.6
.036
.036
.036
.036
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.250
.245
.219
122.2
122.2
119.7
106.8
6.709
6.683
6.683
6.234
98.1
97.7
97.7
91.2
9.500
9.500
9.500
8.864
96.2
96.2
96.2
89.8
.353
.333
.324
.306
109.0
102.8
99.9
94.4
.402
.383
.371
.351
112.1
106.8
103.5
98.0
.546
.530
.522
.491
107.4
104.3
102.7
96.6
.369
.355
.350
.319
114.0
109.5
108.2
98.4
.495
.476
.467
.453
104.9
100.8
98.9
96.0
85.4
83.6
83.3
88.1
1.500
1.450
1.300
1.280
1.500
1.450
1.300
1.280
1.500
1.450
1. 300
1.280
1.489
1.439
1.289
1. 265
82.9
85.7
81.1
84.9
82.9
85.7
81.1
84.9
82.9
85.7
81.1
84.9
82.3
85.0
80.4
83.9
5.196
3.965
5.110
5.145
4.987
3.866
4.925
4.802
4.841
3.876
4.940
4.998
5.559
4. 007
5.358
5.443
81.9
85.2
84.5
83.1
78.6
83.1
81.5
77.5
76.3
83.3
81.7
80.7
87.6
86.1
88.6
87.9
3.724
4.704
4.508
3.675
4.655
4.508
3.626
4.606
4.508
4.022
4.954
4.817
79.4
78.8
77.9
78.3
78.0
77.9
77.3
77.2
77.9
85.7
83.0
83.3
10. 780
2.450
10. 780
2.450
10. 516
2.450
11. 003
2.496
88.6
87.8
88.6
87.8
86.4
87.8
90.4
89.4
4.250
4.250
4.250
4.250
88.6
Woolen and worsted goods__
Blankets, all wool, 4 to 5
pounds, per pound, mill____
Flannel, No. 6400, 54-inch, per
yard, mill
- .
______
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
96.3
92.9
105.6
101.7
.250
Silk and rayon__
Rayon, per pound, New York—
150 A denier.— _ _ _______
150 B denier_______________
300 A denier_______________
300 B denier__ _ _ ______
Silk, raw, per pound, New
York—■
China, steam filature, third
category__ _ __ . ___
Canton, double extra A-crackJapan, double extra cracks__
Japan, 13-15___
______
Silk, spun, per pound, New
Y ork—
Domestic, 60/1 ___________
Domestic, 60/2
________
Imported, 200/2, first quality.
Hosiery, per dozen pairs, mill—
Women’s, pure silk. ______
Women’s, artificial silk_____
M en’s, silk, mercerized top,
heel, and toe..................... .
99.5
97.5
108.3
110.6
1.313
1.313
1.313
1.313
1.715
1.715
1.715
1.715
[4 2 0 ]
88.6
88.6
88.6
98.0
98.1
98.4
97.6
97.3
97.3
97.3
97.3
102.2 | 102.2
102.2
102.2
209
WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
Year,
1927
G RO UP I V . - T E X T I L E
PRODUCTS—Continued
Woolen and worsted goods—
Continued.
Overcoating, per yard, mill—
Heavy __________________
L ight_. __________________
Suiting, per yard, mill—
Serge, 116 M. B .. . ............ Serge, 11-ounce, 56-58 inch—
Uniform serge, fine grade,
12-ounce_____ . . --- --Uniform
serge,
medium
grade, 12-ounce - . . . --- -Unfinished worsted, 13-ounce.
Trousering, 2,900 range, cotton
warp, 11-ounce, per yard, mill.
Underwear, men’s, mill—
Starts and drawers, per dozen
garments____ _________
Union suits, per dozen
. .
Women’s dress goods, per yard,
mill—
Broadcloth, 9 ^ -o u n c e ------Flannel, 12-ounce
..
Flannel, W FD , 54-inch ____
French serge, 39-inch. . . . .
Serge, 36-inch, cotton w arp ...
Sicilian cloth, 54-inch, cotton
warp______ ____________
Yarns, per pound, mill—
2/32’s, crossbred stock, w hite.
2/40’s, half-blood, weaving---2/50’s, fine, weaving________
$3. 000
4. 350
$3. 000
4. 350
$3. 000
4. 350
$3. 063
4. 400
98.6
95.8
98.6
95.8
98.6
95.8
100.7
96.9
3.848
2.048
3. 848
2.048
3. 938
2.084
3. 855
2. 051
100.8
94.5
100.8
94.5
103.1
96.1
101.0
94.6
2. 678
2. 678
2.686
2.675
97.3
97.3
97.6
97.2
1. 935
1.913
1.935
1.913
1.945
1. 917
1.933
1.911
96.9
95.4
96.9
95.4
97.4
95.6
96.8
95.4
1.500
1.500
1. 500
1.500
98. 2
98.2
98.2
98.2
28. 000
27. 440
28. 000
27. 440
28. 000
27. 440
28.000
27. 603
93.3
90.3
93.3
90.3
93.3
90.3
93.3
90.9
2. 325
1.900
1.375
1.000
.510
2. 441
1. 900
1. 375
1.000
.510
2.441
1.900
1.375
1.000
.510
2.292
1.896
1.349
.987
.508
98.5
97.7
94.8
96.7
111.3
103.5
97.7
94.8
96. 7
111.3
103.5
97.7
94.8
96.7
111.3
97.1
97.5
92.9
95.4
110.9
.800
.800
.800
.783
101.0
101.0
101.0
98.9
1.400
1.795
2. 035
1. 400
1. 775
2.025
1.400
1. 775
2.025
1.367
1.806
2.089
97.5
96.8
96.6
97. 5
95.8
96.1
97.5
95.8
96.1
95.2
97.4
99.2
95. 7
94.9
96.7
95.4
6. 056
6.056
6. 056
6.136
92.7
92.7
92.7
93.9
.104
. 104
. 114
.098
113.0
113.5
124. 1
106.3
Other textile products... _____
Binder twine, standard, per
bale (50 pounds), mill____ .
Burlap, lOH-ounce, 40-inch, per
yard, mill
______________
Hemp, manila, per pound,
New York_____________ . . .
Jute, raw, medium grades, per
pound, New York.
Linen, shoe thread, 10’s, Barbour, per pound, New York..
Rope, pure manila, 5^-inch and
larger, per pound, New York.
Sisal, Mexican, per pound,
York____ __________ . . . _
GROUP V.—F U E L AND
LIGHTING_______
Anthracite coal, per gross ton
(composite price)... _____
Chestnut____________________
Egg------------------------------------Pea___ . . . . ____________
Bituminous coal, per net ton
(composite price)__ .....
M ine run___
Prepared s iz e s ________ . . .
Screenings. . . ____ _____ . . .
Coke, per net to n ___
.144
.133
. 130
.142
97.3
89.7
88.2
95.8
.073
.065
.070
.071
80.9
72. 5
78.1
78.8
1.946
1. 946
1.946
1. 946
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.240
. 240
.240
.244
95.5
95.5
95.5
97. 1
.076
.072
.071
.076
83.4
79.4
78.7
83.8
83.8
82.9
82.5
86.5
96.9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
96.9
97.2
97.4
101.0
96.8
97.2
97.4
100.8
13. 389
12. 944
10.754
13. 389
12. 943
10. 733
13. 298
12. 840
10. 720
101. 1
4.199
4. 932
3. 376
4. 160
4. 800
3. 280
4. 144
4. 759
3.314
4.264
4.820
3.636
97.3
102.9
98.7
100. 1
95.8
96.0
99.3
96.9
93.9
93.7
99.6
97.8
96.4
97.4
96.3
96.6
96.6
100.6
100.4
98.8
100. 5
106.3
91.9
94.4
6. 000
2. 906
5. 700
2. 825
5. 500
2. 788
5. 894
3.199
108.0
70.8
102. 6
68.8
99.0
67.9
106.1
77.9
5. 750
10.180
5.450
10.162
5.125
10.180
5. 582
10.198
100.4
95.8
95.1
95.7
89.5
95.8
97.4
96.0
.
Beehive—
Alabama, foundry, oven____
Connellsville, furnace, o v en ..
By-product—
Alabama, Birmingham_____
N ew Jersey, Newark_______
97.2
97.4
13. 389
12. 950
10. 764
[4 2 1 ]
210
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF CO M M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Average prices
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
Octo N o
ber, vem
ber,
1927
1927
De
cem Year,
ber,
1927
1927
GROUP V ..- F U E L A N D
L IG H T IN G —Continued
Manufactured gas (composite price), per 1,000 cubic
feet .
____
$1. 009
$1. 006
$0.995
$1,013
Petroleum products_______
Petroleum, crude, per barrel,
wells—
California __________ .
Kansas-Oklahoma___ _
Pennsylvania___ ____ ______
Fuel oil, refinery—
Oklahoma, per barrel
Pennsylvania, per gallon____
Gasoline, per gallon, refinery—
California_______________ .
Oklahoma__ _____ _ ____
Pennsylvania_____________
N orth Texas ______
.
Natural, Oklahoma________
Kerosene, refined, per gallon—
Standard, N ew Y ork_
Water white, refinery . . . . .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
97.2
96.3
97.9
67.5
66.6 66.2
73.7
.850
1.240
2. 650
.850
1.230
2. 650
0. 850
1.220
2. 775
0.916
1.285
2. 907
77.9
65.8
75. 7
77.9
65.3
75.7
77.9
64. 8
79. 3
83.9
68. 2
83. 0
.865
.047
.838
.045
.800
.045
.978
.051
66.8
73.0
64.7
70. 7
61. 8
70. 2
75.6
79. 9
.071
.060
.081
.061
.057
.070
.060
.080
.060
.054
.070
.060
.082
.060
.044
.078
.068
.092
.067
.053
62.7
58. 3
63. 0
59.3
63. 8
61. 8
58. 0
62.9
58. 5
60. 5
61. 8
57. 7
64. 4
58.2
49. 3
68. 6
65.2
71.8
65. 3
58. 3
.073
.073
.070
.073
.070
.072
.071
.076
84. 5
69. 7
81. 6
69.7
81. 6
69. 1
82. 5
73.3
97 1
94 0
97 0
ns 4
98 2
93.5
93.7
95.9
GROUP VI.—METALS AND
METAL PRODUCTS..
Iron and steel_______
Iron ore, Mesabi, per gross ton,
lower lake ports—
Bessemer
_ __________
Non-Bessemer .
_______
Pig iron, per gross ton—
Basie, furnace . ________ __
Bessemer, Pittsburgh. _ ..
Foundry, No. 2, northern,
Pittsburgh_____ _______
Foundry, N o. 2, southern,
Birmingham__________ _
Ferromanganese, furnace___
Speigeleisen, furnace____
Bar iron, per pound—
Best refined, Philadelphia__
Common, refined, Pittsburgh.
Bars, concrete reinforcing, % inch and larger, per 100
pounds, m ill___ ___________
Nails, wire, per 100 pounds,
Pittsburgh_____ _________
Pipe, cast-iron, 6-inch, per net
ton, New York ._ ____
Pipe, black steel, per 100 feet,
P ittsb u rg h ______ ______
Skelp, grooved, per 100 pounds,
Pittsburgh ______ _
Steel billets, open-hearth, per
gross ton, Pittsburgh____
Steel merchant bars, per 100
pounds, Pittsburgh____
Steel plates, tank, per pound,
Pittsburgh___________
Steel rails, open-hearth, per
gross ton, mill. _
Steel scrap, per gross ton, Chicago__ _ ______ __ _
Steel sheets, No. 27, box annealed, per pound, m ill_____
Steel, structural, per 100
pounds, m ill._______
Terne plate, No. 8, I. C. package, per 200 pounds, m ill____1
97.5
4. 400
4. 250
4.400
4. 250
4. 400
4.250
4. 400
4.250
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
17. 000
19. 760
17. 000
19. 760
17. 000
19. 385
17. 697
20. 437
91. 7
92. 7
91. 7
92. 7
91. 7
90. 9
95. 4
95. 9
19. 260
19. 210
19. 010
19. 755
93.4
93.2
92. 2
95. 8
17. 250
90. 000
31. 250
16.000
90. 000
30. 400
16. 000
100. 000
30. 000
17. 462
94. 423
34. 404
81. 5
94. 9
92. 5
75. 6
94. 9
90. 0
75. 6
105. 5
88. 8
82. 5
99. 6
101. 9
.027
.028
.026
.028
.026
.028
.028
.028
90.1
91.7
86. 7
91. 7
86 7
91. 7
94 9
93 0
93. 7
1.800
1. 800
1. 800
1. 867
90.4
90.4
90. 4
2. 638
2. 600
2.600
2.638
95.9
94. 5
94. 5
95. 9
37. 000
36. 750
37. 500
43. 315
72.1
71. 6
73. 0
84. 4
4. 261
4.261
4.261
4.261
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
1.750
1.770
1.800
1.830
92.1
93.2
94.7
96.3
33.000
33. 000
33. 000
33.269
94.3
94. 3
94 3
95_L
1.750
1.770
1.800
1.835
87.7
88.7
90 2
91.9
.018
.018
.018
.018
93.1
94.1
95.7
96.8
43. 000
43. 000
43.000
43.000
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100. 0
11.688
11.500
12.063
12.365
70.7
85.3
89. 5
91 7
.031
.030
.030
.031
96.5
93.7
93.4
96. 2
1.800
1.750
1.800
1.854
91.9
89.4
91.9
94.7
11. 400
11.400
11.400
11. 556
97.4
97.4
97.4
98.8
[422]
211
W HOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W H O LESALE PRIC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926=100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
Year,
1927
GROUP VI.—METALS AND
METAL PRODUCTS—Con.
Iron and steel—Continued.
Tin plate, domestic, standard,
coke, per 100 pounds, Pitts
b u rg h -.......................................
Wire, fence—
Barbed, galvanized, per 100
pounds, m ill....................... .
Galvanized, No. 9, per 100
pounds, Pittsburgh---------Plain, annealed, per 100
pounds, P itts b u r g h ....—
Woven, per 100 rods, P itts
burgh_____________ _____
$5. 500
$5.500
$5. 250
$5.481
100.0
100.0
95.5
99.7
3. 300
3. 250
3.250
3. 290
97.1
95.6
95.6
96.8
3.000
3.000
3.000
3.013
96.8
96.8
96.8
97.2
2. 550
2. 550
2.550
2.555
96.2
96.2
96.2
96.4
20.030
20.030
20.030
20.030
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
89.9
90.3
92.3
91.8
. 253
.248
.245
.254
93.7
92.0
91.
94.2
.110
.183
.109
.183
.112
.187
.125
.182
69.2
96.0
68.1
96.4
70.2
98.5
78.4
95.4
.130
.133
.138
.130
94.1
96.4
99.9
93.9
.210
.212
.215
.208
97.2
97.9
99.5
96.3
.153
.153
.159
.152
94.2
94.3
98.0
93.6
.063
.063
.068
.068
74.1
74.5
77.2
80.2
7.628
7.600
7.840
8.216
76.9
76.6
79.1
82.9
Nonferrous metals------------Aluminum, per pound, New
York_____________________
Antimony, per pound, New
York_____________________
Cirpper, ingot, electrolytic, per
pound, refinery-----------------Copper, sheet, hot rolled, per
pound, New York_________
Copper wire, bare, per pound,
m ill______________________
Lead, pig, desilverized, per
pound, New York------------Lead pipe, per 100 pounds,
New York________________
Nickel, ingot, per pound, New
York_____________________
Quicksilver, per 76-pound flask,
New York________________
Silver, bar, fine, per ounce,
New York-----------------------Tin, pig, straits, per pound,
N ew York________________
Zinc, sheet, per 100 pounds, La
Salle, 111__________________
Zinc, pig, slab, per pound, New
Y ork------- -------------- ----------
Agricultural implements, fac
tory------------------ --------
Binder, grain, each_____ ____
Cultivator, each_____________
Drill, grain, each------------------Engine, 3-horsepower, each___
Barrow, each—
Spike, peg tooth.................—
Spring tooth— ------- ---------Loader, hay, each----------------Mower, hay, each----------------Picker, corn, each___________
Planter, corn, each---------------Plow, tractor, e a c h ............. .
Plow, walking—
1horse (composite
each____________________
2horse (composite
each_________________ _
E.ake, each—
Self-dump________________
Side delivery______________
Separator, cream, each---------Shelter, corn, each----------------Spreader, manure, each--------Tractor, each----------------------Wagon, 2-horse, each.................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.350
.350
.350
.350
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
125. 700
128.125
125. 329
117. 099
136.7
139.3
136.3
127.3
.564
.578
.583
.567
90.3
92.6
93.3
90.8
.588
.577
.585
.644
90.0
88.3
89.5
98.5
9. 023
9.023
9.023
9.241
85.2
85.2
85.2
87.3
.064
.061
.061
.066
82.6
79.4
78.9
85.6
98.9
98.9
98.8
99.2
156. 750
41. 320
90. 720
76. 000
156. 750
41. 320
90. 720
76. 000
156. 750
41. 320
90. 720
76. 000
156.750
42. 030
90. 720
76. 000
100.0
93.5
99.0
100.0
100. 0
100. 0
93.5
99.0
100.0
93.5
99.0
100.0
100.0
95.2
99.0
100.0
15. 670
18. 050
84. 310
59.140
310. 000
57. 710
104. 500
15.670
18. 050
84. 310
59.140
310. 000
57.710
104. 500
15. 670
18. 050
84. 310
59.140
310. 000
57.710
104. 500
15. 670
19.120
84. 310
59.140
318.750
57.710
104. 500
93.7
81.9
98.9
93.7
81.9
98.9
100. 0
100. 0
95.4
100.0
100.0
93.7
81.9
98.9
100.0
95.4
100.0
100.0
95.4
100.0
100.0
93.7
86.8
98.9
100.0
98.1
100.0
100.0
7. 200
7.200
7.265
99.1
99.1
99.1
99.8
15.300
15. 300
15.850
95.0
95.0
95.0
98.5
94.8
98.8
103. 2
94.8
98.8
103. 2
94.8
98.8
102.8
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
94.8
98.8
103.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
price),
7. 200
price),
15. 300
30.400
77. 420
61. 270
26. 600
114. 000
680. 000
103. 070
30. 400
77. 420
61. 270
26. 600
114. 000
680. 000
103. 070
[423]
30.400
77. 420
61. 040
26. 600
114. 000
680. 000
103. 070
30. 400
71.420
61. 250
26. 600
114. 000
680. 000
103. 070
100.0
100.0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
100. 0
100.0
212
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
W H O LESA LE PR IC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
’
Average prices
Index numbers (1926=100.0)
Commodity
Octo
ber,
1927
Noveinber,
1927
D e
ce nber,
1927
162 2
[0,490.000 $1,490.000 $1,490.000 $1,492.000 101. 5
1,837. 000 3,837. 000 3, 837. 000 3, 671.000 102. 8
611. 000
611. 000
611. 000
613. 000
99.5
878. 000
878. 000
878. 000
884. 000
99.3
453. 000
453. 000
482. 000
456. 000 109.8
, 263.000 3, 263.000 3, 263.000 3,403.000
90.7
102 ?
ioi: 5
102.8
99.5
99.3
109.8
90.7
101.5
102. 8
99.5
99. 3
116. 7
90.7
101.6
98.4
99. 8
100 0
110. 5
94.5
October, Novem Decem
1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
Year,
1927
GROUP VI.—METALS AND
METAL PRODUCTS—Con.
A u t o m o b i l e s (composite
price), each, f. o. b. factory,
Buick___________________
Cadillac_____________
Chevrolet._______________
Dodge________________
Ford_________________
Packard_____________
Other metal products_____
Sewing machines (composite
price), each—
Electric___________________
Treadle___________________
Stoves, cooking (composite
price), each—
Coal______________________
Gas_______
Oil____________
loo
7
82. 250
51. 000
82. 250
51.000
82. 250
51.000
80. 250
50.150
106.1
103.8
106.1
103.8
106.1
103.8
103.5
102.1
61. 600
63. 400
61. 550
61. 600
63. 400
61. 550
61. 600
63. 400
61. 550
61. 600
63.400
61. 550
98.0
100.8
98.9
98.0
100.8
98.9
98.0
100.8
98.9
98.0
100.8
98.9
GROUP VIL—BUI LDING
MATERIALS______
Lu m ber____________
Cypress, shop, per 1,000 feet, St
Louis_______________
Douglas fir, per 1,000 feet, mill—
No. 1 common sheathing___
No. 2 and better drop siding
Gum, plain, sap, per 1,000 feet,
St. Louis__________________
Hemlock, northern, No. 1, per
1.000 feet, Chicago_________
Maple, hard, No. 1, per 1,000
feet, Chicago______________
Oak, plain, white, No. 1, per
1.000 feet, C incinnati..
Pine, white, No. 2, per 1,666
feet, Buffalo_______________
Pine, yellow, flooring, per 1,000
feet, m ill__________________
Pine, yellow, timbers, per 1,000
feet, m ill___________
Poplar, No. 1, per 1,666’feet,'
Cincinnati_________________
Spruce, eastern, per 1,000 feet,
Boston____________________
Lath, per M —
Douglas fir, No. 1, Chicago...
Pine, yellow, No. 1, m ill..
Shingles, per M , mill—
Cedar, red______________
Cypress________________
10ft 7
91.6
92.5
43. 750
38. 750
38. 750
43. 315
89.7
79.5
79.5
88.9
15.170
29. 560
15. 480
28. 400
15.480
27. 500
16. 285
29. 592
92.0
88.3
93.9
84.9
89.8
82.2
98 8
88.4
106.2
56.000
54. 000
53.000
58. 761
101.2
97.6
95.8
37. 750
36. 000
34.000
33. 750
110.7
105.5
99.7
98.9
50. 750
52. 750
55. 000
52.327
91.2
94.7
98.8
94.0
62.000
62. 000
60. 500
63. 635
93.9
93.9
91.6
96.4
45. 000
44. 000
44. 000
46. 231
89.9
87.9
87.9
92.4
37. 980
36.420
80.7
24. 740
(■)
35. 540
38. 481
84.2
24. 980
25. 438
88.9
78.8
85.3
89.7
91.4
50. 000
50. 000
50.000
53.173
90.2
90.2
90.2
96.0
32. 500
32. 938
33.000
32. 659
98.4
99.8
100.0
98.9
5. 900
3.290
5. 900
3.270
5.900
3.200
6. 365
3. 380
77.8
66.3
77.8
65.9
77.8
64.5
83 9
68.2
2.700
5. 750
2. 570
5.750
2. 4C0
5.750
2. 541
5.833
99. 1
98.7
94.4
98.7
90. 3
98.7
93 3
100.1
13.996
39. £00
11. 000
13. 950
39. £00
11.000
13. 907
40.625
11. 000
14. 021
41. 324
11. 000
100.6
80.8
95.3
100.3
80.8
95.3
100.0
83. 1
95.3
100 8
84 5
95.3
42. 500
42. 500
42. 500
42.500
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1.683
1.686
96.5
91.9
96.5
89.4
96.5
91.9
94.7
Brick, per M_____________
Common, building, plant (com
posite price)_______________
Brick, front, N ew York______
Brick, sand lime, plant_____
Paving blocks, 3^-inch, St.
Louis_____ _____ _______
Cement, Portland, per barrel,
plant (composite price)___
Structural steel.
93.2
1. 683
1.683
..................
1 N o quotation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[424]
96.7
213
W HOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y EAR , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October, Novem Decem
1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
D e
cem
ber,
1927
Year,
1927
GROUP VII. — BUILDING
MATERIALS—Continued
Paint materials
Barytes, western, per ton, New
York . _ _ ____ ___
____
Bone black, powdered, per
pound, New York
.. ..
Copal gum, manila, per pound,
mill
Lampblack, velvet, per pound,
N ew Y o rk ..
Linseed oil, raw, per pound,
N ew York
. ....
Litharge, commercial, per 100
pounds, N ew Y ork.. _ ____
L ith o p o n e , d o m estic , per
pound, N ew York
...
Putty, commercial, per pound,
N ew York__ _____
___
Red lead, dry, per 100 pounds,
New York__ ______
Rosin, B grade, per barrel,
New York__ __________ . .
Shellac, T. N ., per pound, New
York
_____ ___ .
Turpentine, southern, per gal
lon, New York. _ ............. .
W hite lead, in oil, per pound,
New York____ ______ ____
Zinc oxide, leaded grades, per
pound, New York _______
Other building materials
Asphalt, bulk, per ton, refinery.
Crushed stone, lj^-inch, per
cubic yard, New York___
Glass, plate,’ per square foot,
New York—
3 to 5 square feet ..
5 to 10 square feet. ___
Glass, window, per 50 square
feet, works—
Single A ______________ . .
Single B __ ____________ . .
Gravel, building, per ton, plant
(composite price)___________
Hollow*tile, building, per block,
Chicago _ __
. . .
Lime, building, per ton, plant
(composite price)
Lime, hydrated, per ton, plant
(composite price) ______
Sand, building, per ton, plant
(composite price) ___ . . .
Slate, roofing, sea green, per 100
square feet, q u a r r y ..______
Copper, sheet. (See Metals
and metal products.)
Copper, wire. (See Metals and
metal products.)
Nails, wire. (See Metals and
metal products.)
Pipe, cast-iron. (See Metals
and metal products.
Pipe, lead. (See Metals and
metal products.)
Pipe, black steel. (See Metals
and metal products.)
Reinforcing bars. (See Metals
and metal products.)
Terneplate. (See Metals and
and metal products.)
Zinc, sheet. (See Metals and
metal products.)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
87.0
85.7
86.5
91.0
$30. 500
$30. 500
$30. 500
$32.349
89.7
89.7
89.7
95.1
. 055
.055
.055
.055
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
. 100
.096
.095
.099
96.3
92.8
91.5
95.6
. 120
.120
. 120
. 120
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
93.7
.099
.099
.096
. 105
88.6
88.3
86.1
8.750
8. 750
9.000
9. 380
77.9
77.9
80.1
83.5
. 053
.053
.053
.053
95.8
95.8
95.8
95.8
. 055
.055
.055
.056
137.5
137.5
137.5
139.8
9.750
9. 750
10.000
10.200
83.1
83.1
85.3
87.0
9.238
8. 545
8.700
10.023
74.4
68.8
70.1
80.7
.474
.488
.544
.476
138.1
142.0
158.5
138.6
.531
.506
.544
.621
57.0
54.3
58.4
66.7
.138
. 135
. 133
. 140
90.3
88.7
87.1
92.1
.006
.066
.066
.066
90.2
90.2
90.2
89.7
91.2
100.0
92.5
100.0
94.1
100.0
12. 000
12. 000
12.000
12. 000
91.7
100.0
1. 750
1.750
1.750
1.803
98.7
98.7
98.7
101.7
.350
.400
.320
.355
.350
.385
.323
.395
80.3
83.6
80.3
74.2
87.9
80.5
81.0
82.6
3. 456
2. 736
3.417
2. 693
3. 300
2. 565
3. 533
2. 980
88.6
88.0
87.6
86.6
84.6
82.5
90.6
95.8
.898
.902
.932
.910
95.5
95.9
99.1
96.8
.076
.076
.076
.076
97.1
97.1
97.1
97.1
8. 933
8. 959
8. 817
8. 825
99.4
99.7
98.1
98.2
9. 753
9.757
9.750
9. 722
97,7
97.7
97.7
97.4
.586
.579
.608
.592
92.3
91.3
95.8
93.3
14. 000
14. 000
14. 000
14. 000
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
[4 2 5 ]
214
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Average prices
Index numbers (1926=100.0)
Commodity
October,
1927
N ovem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
GROUP VIII. -CHEMICALS
AND DRUGS______
C h em ica ls__________ _____ ___
Acid, New York—
Acetic, 28 per cent, per 100
pounds__________________
Boric, per pound___________
Carbonic, per pound_______
Muriatic, 20°, per 100 pounds,
works___________________
Nitric, 42°, per 100 pounds__
Oleic, distilled, per pound...
Salicylic, U . S. P., per pound.
Stearic, triple-pressed, per
pound___________________
Sulphuric, 66°, per to n ______
Alcohol, per gallon, New Y o r k Denatured________________
Wood, refined______________
Aluminum sulphate, commer
cial, per 100 pounds, New
York______________________
Ammonia, anhydrous, per
pound, New York__________
Anilin oil, per pound, New
York______________________
Arsenic, white, powdered, per
pound, New York__________
Benzine, pure, per gallon, works.
Bleaching powder, per 100
pounds, w o r k s ...__________
Borax, crystals, per pound,
New York_________________
Calcium arsenate, per pound,
New York_________________
Calcium chloride, solid, 73-75
per cent, per ton, New York.
Caustic potash, 88-92 per cent,
per pound, New York______
Coal-tar colors, per pound, New
Y orkBlack, d ir e c t...............
Brown, sulphur.................
Indigo, paste_____ ________
Jet, nigrosine.............................
Copper sulphate, per 100
pounds, N ew York________
Cooperas, per ton, works_____
Copra. (See Foods.)
Creosote oil, grade 1, per gallon,
works___ ____ _____________
Formaldehyde, per pound, New
York______________________
Lime, acetate, per 100 pounds,
N ew York_________________
Naphthalene flake, per pound.
New York_________________
Sal soda, per 100 pounds, N ew
York........... .................................
Salt cake, ground, per ton,
works_______ _____ ________
Soda ash, light, 58 per cent, per
100 pounds, works....................
Soda, bicarbonate, per 100
pounds, works_____________
Soda, caustic, per 1Ó6 pounds,"
works__________ ____ _____ _
Sodium silicate, 40°, per 100
pounds, works________ ____
Sulphur, crude, per ton, mines _
Tallow, packers’ prime, per
pound, Chicago................... .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
De
cem
ber,
1927
Year,
1927
97 1
101 $
$3. 375
.083
.060
$3.375
.083
.060
$3. 375
.083
.060
$3. 375
.083
.060
103.7
93.1
100.0
103. 7
93. 1
100.0
103.7
93.1
100.0
103. 7
93.1
100.0
1. 070
6. 500
.090
.400
1.100
6. 500
.090
.400
1. 100
6. 500
.090
.400
1.008
6. 500
.088
.400
115.1
101. 4
97. 1
116.9
118.3
101.4
97.1
116.9
118.3
101. 4
97. 1
116.9
108. 6
101.4
95.0
116.9
. 133
15. 200
.133
15. 500
.133
15. 500
. 136
15.104
81.4
104.1
81.4
106.9
81.4
106.9
83.8
104.1
.550
. 534
.550
.480
.550
.480
.478
.674
149.8
84.2
149.8
75.7
149.8
75.7
130.1
106.2
1. 400
1. 400
1.400
1. 400
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.118
.120
.120
. 114
89.9
91.4
91.4
87.0
. 150
.158
.158
.151
91.4
95.9
95.9
92.1
.040
. 230
.040
.210
.040
.210
.038
.230
114.3
95.1
114.3
86.8
114.3
86.8
108.6
95.1
2. 000
2.000
2.000
2. 000
1G0. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.040
.040
.040
.042
82. g
82.3
82.3
85.8
.067
.065
.065
.072
91.7
88.9
88.9
98.8
21.000
21. 000
21. 000
21. 000
100. 0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.075
.071
.071
.073
105.2
100.0
100.0
102.9
.400
. 240
. 140
.400
.400
.240
.140
.400
.400
.240
. 140
.400
.400
.240
. 140
.400
116.2
113.0
100.0
87.8
116.2
113.0
100.0
87.8
116.2
113.0
100.0
87.8
116.2
113.0
100.0
87.8
5.000
13. 000
5.000
13. 000
5.010
13. 000
4. 916
13. 000
106. 4
104.6
106.4
104.6
106.6
104.6
104. 7
104.6
.160
.160
.162
.160
113.6
113.6
115.1
113.8
.085
.085
.085
.100
88.0
88.0
88.0
103.1
3. 500
3. 500
3. 500
3. 500
106.7
106.7
106.7
106.7
.047
.050
.050
.046
85.5
90.9
90. 9
84.4
.900
.900
.900
.900
89.0
89.0
89.0
89.0
18. 000
17. 250
17. 000
17. 925
90.0
86.3
85.0
89.6
1.375
1. 375
1.375
1.375
96.2
96.2
96.2
96.2
1. 900
1.900
1.900
1.900
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
3. 060
3. 000
2.990
3.078
95.6
93.8
93.4
96.2
.750
18. 000
.750
18. 000
. 750
18. 000
.750
18. 000
96.2
98.8
96. 2
98.8
96. 2
98.8
96. 2
98.8
.089
.091
.089
.081
102.8
104.9
102.1
93.3
[4261
215
WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OP COM M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926 = 100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October, Novem- Decernber, 1927 ber, 1927
1927
Year,
1927
NoOcto vember,
ber,
1927
1927
December,
1927
Year,
1927
G R O U P V III.—CHEM IC A LS
A N D D R U G S -C o n tin u ed
C h e m icals—Con tinued.
Toluene, pure, per gallon,
works _ _ _______________
Vegetable oils, per pound—
Coconut. (See Foods.)
Corn. (See Poods.)
Palm, niger, N ew York . __
Palmkernel,crude,New York.
Soya bean. (See Foods.)
$0.350
$0.350
$0.350
$0. 350
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.071
.092
.071
.092
.070
.091
.071
.091
88. 6
92.2
88.5
92.1
87.4
91.5
88.1
91.0
86.2
85.2
81.9
87.3
99. 5
122.8
99.5
122.8
98.7
118.1
Dru gs and pharmaceuticals-
Acid, New York—
Citric, domestic, per pound,
crystals
______________
Tartaric, per pound, crystals.
Alcohol, grain, per gallon, New
York
_______
Camphor, Japanese, refined,
slabs, per pound, New Y ork..
Castor oil, medicinal, per
pound, N ew York
_______
Cream of tartar, powdered, per
pound, New York ______
Epsom salts, U. S. P ., per 100
pounds, N ew Y o r k ___ ____
Glycerine, chemically pure, per
pound, N ew York
______
Menthol imported, per pound,
New York
_____.
Opium, U. S. P., per pound,
_____ _
New York
Peroxide of hydrogen, U. S. P.,
per gross 4-ounce bottles, New
Y o r k ._________
____
Phenol, U. S. P., per pound,
New York
_____
_ __
Quinine, sulphate, domestic,
per ounce, New York
Soda phosphate, commercial,
per pound, N ew York_____
Zinc chloride, granular, per
pound, N ew York__________
.445
.368
.445
.360
.445
.360
.442
.346
99. 5
125. 5
3. 750
3. 750
3.541
3.741
77.2
77.2
72.9
77.1
.643
81.0
86.9
.606
.610
.600
81.8
82.4
.130
.130
.132
.132
102.9
102.9
104.5
104.3
.276
.268
.268
.256
128.9
125.2
125.2
119.8
2.250
2.438
2.500
2. 337
90.9
98.5
101.1
94.5
.234
.220
.201
. 249
85.0
79.9
73.0
90.5
4. 060
4. 013
4.100
4. 299
79.6
78.7
80.4
84.3
12. 000
12. 000
12. 000
12. 000
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
7.750
7.750
7.750
7. 750
100.5
100.5
100.5
100.5
.170
.170
.170
.169
86.3
86.3
86.3
85.6
.400
.400
.400
.400
92.9
92.9
92.9
92.9
.033
.033
.033
.033
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
.065
.065
.065
.064
99. 7
94.1
100.5
94.9
100.5
95.0
98.9
96.2
8. 500
28. 000
8. 500
28. 000
8. 500
28. 000
8.547
28. 000
88.6
105.6
88.6
105.6
88.6
105. 6
89.1
105.6
Fertilizer materials .
Acid phosphate, per ton, Baltimore___ ________ ____ __
Bones, ground, per ton, Chicago
Kainit, 12.4 per cent, per ton,
New York _
_ . . __
Manure salts, 20 per cent, per
ton, N ew York
Muriate of potash, 80-85 per
cent, per ton, N ew York____
Nitrate of soda, 95 per cent, per
100 pounds, N ew York_____
Phosphate rock, Florida land
pebble, per ton, mines
Sulphate of ammonia, per 100
pounds, New York_________
Sulphate'of potash, 90-95 per
cent, per ton, N ew York . . .
Tankage, per ton, Chicago------
Fertilizers, mixed, per ton
(composite price)
N ew England
____________
Middle A tlantic.-________
South Atlantic, 8-3-3_________
South Atlantic, other.
South Central and Southwest
Middle West— .........................-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
9. 000
9.000
9. 000
9. 000
108.5
108.5
108.5
108.5
12. 400
12. 400
12. 400
12. 400
105. 2
105. 2
105.2
105.2
36. 400
36. 400
36. 400
36. 400
103.6
103.6
103.6
103.6
2.365
2. 400
2.400
2.495
92.8
94.1
94.1
97.9
3. 000
3.000
3.000
3. 011
95.5
95.5
95.5
95.9
2.430
2.450
2. 450
2.427
92.5
93.2
93.2
92.4
47. 300
33. 770
47. 300
35. 750
47. 300
36. 650
47. 300
34. 086
102.7
97. 6
102.7
103.3
102.7
105.9
102.7
98.5
38. 176
30. 745
21. 400
26. 805
25. 463
26. 017
38. 671
31. 205
21. 400
26. 805
25. 463
26.017
43. 066
31. 205
22. 900
26. 805
25. 463
26. 017
37.762
30. 804
21. 792
26. 975
24. 889
26. 544
92.5
98.5
94.6
92.2
89.6
91.2
93.5
92.9
99.7
96.0
92.2
89.6
91.2
93.5
95.2
111. 1
96.0
98.7
89.6
91.2
93.5
93.0
97.4
94.8
93.9
90.2
89.1
95.4
[427]
216
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
W HOLESALE PR IC ES OF C O M M O DITIES, OCTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Average prices
Index numbers (1926=100.0)
Commodity
October, Novem- Decern1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
GROUP IX.—HOIJSE-FURNISHING GOODS
98.5
Furniture, factory (composite
price) 2__
Bedroom, each—
Beds_____. . . . . .
Chairs________
Dressers and vanities___
R o c k e rs._____
Dining room—
Buffets, china cabinets, and
servers, each .
Chairs, set of six___
Tables, each____ _
Kitchen —
Cabinets, ea ch .. ____
Chairs, per dozen .
Refrigerators, each___
Tables, e a c h __
Living room, each—
Chairs__
Davenports. . . .
Tables_________
December,
1927
Y ear,
1927'
98.9
97 0
$30. 694
7. 950
42. 299
7.522
$30. 694
7. 950
42. 322
7. 522
$30. 694
7. 950
42.322
7. 522
40. 051
47. 936
39. 385
40. 716
48.311
39. 723
40. 716
48.311
39. 723
39. 000
14. 675
17. 770
5. 817
39. 000
14.175
17. 770
5. 817
39. 000
14.175
17. 770
5. 817
43. 583
63. 393
22. 450
43. 583
63.107
22. 450
43. 583
62. 714
22. 450
Furnishings
Blankets—
Cotton. (See Textile prod
ucts.)
Wool. (See Textile products.)
Carpets, per yard, factory—
Axm inster.. _
B ru ssels______
Wilton
Cutlery, factory—
Carvers, per pair..
Knives and forks, per gross...
Pails, galvanized iron, per gross,
factory
Sheeting, 10/4—
P e p p e r e l l . (See Textile
products.)
W a m s u t t a . (S e e Textile
products.)
Tableware, factory—
Dinner sets, 100-piece, semivitreous, per set
Dinner sets, 104-piece, vitreous, per set___
Nappies, glass, 4-inch, common, per dozen...
Pitchers, glass, ^-gallon,
common, per dozen.
Tumblers, 3%-pint, common,
per d o z e n ___
Plates, white granite, per
dozen..
Teacups and saucers, white
granite, per dozen _.
Ticking, Amoskeag. (See Textile products.)
Tubs, galvanized iron, per
dozen, factorv
Sewing machines,
factorv.
(See Metals and metal prod
ucts.)
Octo November,
ber,
1927
1927
99.4
100.0
3.120
2.976
4.800
3.120
2. 976
4.800
3.120
2. 976
4.800
$3.120
2.976
4. 840
’ \
yn l .o
97. 1
94.6
97.1
94.6
100 0
97 1
95.4
1. 350
12. 500
1. 350
12. 500
1. 350
12. 500
1. 350
12. 500
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
20. 488
20. 075
20. 075
20. 732
y¿>. o
91.7
91.7
94.7
100. 0
19. 860
19. 860
19. 072
19. 794
100.0
100.0
96.0
96.7
47.160
47.160
47.160
46.133
103.2
103.2
103.2
100.9
.200
.200
.200
.200
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.100
2.250
2. 250
2.125
98.1
105.1
105.1
99.2
.160
.180
.180
.167
98.2
98.2
90.9
.980
.976
.930
100.0
99.6
94.9
99.5
1.260
1. 255
1. 200
1.255
100.0
99.6
95. 2
99.6
6.350
6.225
6.225
6.376
96.9
95.0
95.0
97.3
♦ n fS î™ +f jndividual articles of furniture are only roughly comparable from month to month, owing
to frequent change in patterns announced by manufacturers.
ë
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[428]
217
WHOLESALE PRICES OF COMMODITIES
WHOLESALE PR IC ES OF CO M M O DITIES, O CTOBER, N O V E M B E R , D E C E M B E R , A N D
Y E A R , 1927—Continued
Index numbers (1926== 100.0)
Average prices
Commodity
October,
1927
Novem Decem
ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Year,
1927
N o
Octo vem
ber,
ber,
1927
1927
88.3
88.3
89.0
89.9
122.4
120.4
128.9
128.6
117.8
116.4
124.7
D e
cem Year,
ber,
1927
1927
GROUP IX.—HOUSE-FUR
NISHING GOODS—Contd.
Furnishings—Continued.
Stoves, cooking—
C oal. (See Metals and metal
products.)
Gas. (See Metals and metal
products.)
Oil. (See Metals and metal
products.)
GROUP X.—MISCELLANE
OUS
ratlliR feed
Bran, per ton, Minneapolis----Cottonseed meal, prime, per
ton, Memphis _______
Linseed meal, per ton, New
York .
______
Middlings, standard, per ton,
Minneapolis_______________
$27. 800
$29. 688
$26.861
1IB. 7
111.0
39. 250
42. 250
35. 604
134.0
137.5
148. 0
49. 000
49. 500
46.962
101.8
102.7
103.7
98.4
26.875
28. 550
29. 563
29.127
114.7
121.9
126.2
124.3
91.6
91.3
90.9
92.2
41.184
51. 084
64. 350
41.184
51. 084
64. 350
38. 995
51. 084
64. 350
41. 002
51. 084
64. 969
105. 6
104.4
105. 0
105. 6
104.4
105. 0
100. 0
104.4
105. 0
105.1
104.4
106.0
3. 250
3.250
3.250
3. 250
94.2
94.2
94. 2
94.2
9. 250
9. 150
9.130
9.230
83.9
83.0
82.8
83.7
28. 500
28. 100
28. 000
28. 712
92.5
91.2
90.9
93.2
2. 525
2.525
2.525
2. 633
88.1
88.1
88.1
91.9
.249
.273
.294
.268
70.5
65.5
77.8
71.8
84.2
77.3
77.9
70.6
.344
.380
.411
.381
70.7
78.1
84.5
78.2
13. 342
10. 716
6.256
12. 792
9. 798
6.127
12. 792
9. 798
6.127
13. 777
10. 758
6.925
74.9
73.0
76.5
71.1
71.2
69.9
69.9
69.7
69.9
69.9
69.9
69.7
76.3
75.3
76.8
78.7
99.9
99.1
98.6
99.9
$25. 625
38. 250
48. 600
Paper and pulp
Box board, per ton, mill—
Chip
___________
Mariladined chip ______ _
85-pound test liner________
Paper—
Newsprint, rolls, contract,
per 100 pounds, mills
Wrapping, manila, No. 1,
Jute, per 100 pounds, New
York........... .............................
Wood pulp—
Mechanical, No. 1, domestic,
per ton, m ill.
______
Sulphite,
domestic,
un
bleached, news grade, per
100 pounds, N ew York.-
Rubber, crude, per pound,
New York
Para, island,fine_____________
Plantation, ribbed, smoked
sheets________ ___________
Automobile tires (composite
price), each, factory
Balloon. ________________
Cord. __________________ _
Fabric______________________
Other miscellaneous
Cylinder oil, per gallon, re
refinery—
Oklahoma _ _____________
Pennsylvania____
_____
Neutral oil, per gallon, re
finery—
Gulf coast ___________ ___
Pennsylvania ______ ______
Soap, laundry, per 100 cakes—
Cincinnati - . __________
Philadelph ia___ ___ _ _
Starch, laundry, per pound,
N ew York
_______
Tobacco, N ew York—
Plug, per pound
_____ _
Smoking, * 1-ounce bag, per
gross____________________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
. 170
.253
. 170
.245
. 170
.245
. 174
.251
94.4
95.8
94.4
92. 7
94.4
92.7
96.4
95.2
.102
.340
. 100
.330
. 100
.320
.110
.332
79.3
121. 5
77.8
117.9
77.8
114.4
85.5
118.6
4.180
4. 851
4.180
4. 851
4.180
4. 851
4. 176
4. 851
93. 5
100.0
93.5
100. 0
93.5
100.0
93.4
100.0
.058
.058
.058
.058
98.6
98.6
98.6
98.6
.696
.696
.696
.696
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
8. 320
8. 320
8. 320
8. 320
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
[429]
COST OF LIVING
Changes in Cost of Living in the United States
HE cost of living in the United States in December, 1927, was
0.8 per cent lower than in June preceding and 2.1 per cent less
than in December, 1926, according to the data compiled by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics in its semiannual survey of cost of living
in various cities. These data, together with the data that have
been given in previous reports, are shown in the tables following.
The information is based on actual prices secured from merchants and
dealers for each of the periods named. The prices of food and of fuel
and light (which include coal, wood, gas, electricity, and kerosene)
are furnished the bureau in accordance with arrangements made with
establishments through personal visits of the bureau’s agents. In
each city food prices are secured from 15 to 25 merchants and dealers,
and fuel and light prices from 10 to 15 firms, including public utilities.
All other data are secured by special agents of the bureau who visit
the various merchants, dealers, and agents and secure the figures
directly from their records. Four quotations are secured in each city
(except in Greater New York, where five are obtained) on each of a
large number of articles of clothing, furniture, and miscellaneous
items. The number of houses and apartments for which basic rental
figures are shown vary in the different cities approximately in pro
portion to population, the number per city, in round numbers, rang
ing from 400 to 2,200.
In Table 1 are given index numbers, with 1913 as the base or 100,
showing changes in the total cost of living in the United States from
1913 to December, 1927.
T
T able
1 .—
IN D E X N U M B E R S SHO W ING C H A N G ES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN T H E U N IT E D
ST A TES, 1913, TO D E C E M B E R , 1927
Date
Index
num
bers
Average, 1913________ _
100.0
December, 1914______ .
December, 1915________
December, 1916________
December, 1917________
December, 1918________
June, 1919___ __________
December, 1919 _______
June, 1920_____________
December, 1920____ . . .
103.0
105.1
118.3
142.4
174.4
177.3
199.3
216.5
200.4
Date
M ay, 1921____________
September, 1921______
December, 1921_______
March, 1922....................
June, 1922...............
September, 1922____
December, 1922_______
March, 1923
June, 1923________
September, 1923 ____
December, 1923______
Index
num
bers
180.4
177.3
174. 3
166.9
166. 4
166. 3
169. 5
168. 8
169. 7
172.1
173.2
Date
March, 1924
June, 1924_____
September. 1924
December, 1924
June, 1925
December, 1925
June, 1926
December, 1928
June, 1927
December, 1927
Index
num
bers
170.4
169.1
170.6
172.5
173.5
177.9
174.8
175.6
173.4
172.0
Table 2 shows the per cent of change in cost of living from June,
1920, December, 1926, and June, 1927, respectively, to December,
1927, in 32 cities, and in the United States, as determined by a con
solidation of the figures for the 32 cities.
218
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[430]
219
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
In the period from June, 1920, which represents the peak, to
December, 1927, all of the 32 cities show decreases ranging from 15.2
to 26.2 per cent, the average being 20.6 per cent.
T able
2
.—P E R C E N T OF CHANGE IN COST OF L IV IN G IN SP E C IFIE D CITIES FROM
JU N E , 1920, D E C E M B E R , 1926, A N D JU N E , 1927, TO D E C E M B E R , 1927
Per cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) from—
City
Atlanta.....................
B altim ore..............
Birmingham_____
B oston .......... ..........
Buffalo____ ______
Chicago__________
Cincinnati_______
Cleveland________
Denver .................
Detroit___________
Houston_________
Indianapolis ____
Jacksonville______
Kansas C ity______
Los Angeles
Memphis _______
Minneapolis _____
Mobile___________
Decem
June,
1920, to ber, 1926,
to De
Decem
ber, 1927 cember,
1927
-2 2 .1
-1 8 .6
-1 8 . 5
-1 9 . 6
-1 8 . 7
—18.8
-1 7 . 5
-1 8 .7
-2 2 .4
-2 4 . 2
-2 0 .9
-20. 6
-2 0 . 1
-2 6 .2
—15. 4
-1 9 .9
-1 9 .5
-2 0 .0
-2 . 6
- 2 .3
- 1 .8
- 1 .4
- 1 .9
- 2 .6
-2 .0
- 1 .4
-3 .2
- 2 .8
-1 . 6
-2 . 5
- 4 .6
-2 .7
—9
-2 .2
- 3 .4
- 1 .5
Per cent of increase (+ ) or
decrease (—) from—
City
June,
1927, to
Decem
ber, 1927
Decem
June,
June,
1920, to ber, 1926, 1927, to
to D e
Decem cember,
Decem
ber, 1927
ber, 1927
1927
—1. 6
—.5
+ .8
+• 8
+ .2
—1.6
—1. 6
—. 7
-1 . 5
—2. 0
+ 1 .0
—1.8
-1 . 5
-1 . 8
—5
NftW Orleans
New York
Norfolk
Philadelphia______
Pittsburgh
Portland ]VTp
Portland, Oreg
Richmond
St. Louis
San Francisco
Savannah
Scranton
Seattle
Washington
-1 5 .5
-1 8 .3
-22. 0
-1 6 .5
-1 6 .3
-1 9 .6
-2 3 .8
-19. 1
-1 8 .5
-1 8 .0
-2 4 .5
-1 5 .2
-2 0 .7
-2 0 .1
- 1 .5
- 1 .0
- 1 .3
- 3 .1
— 9
—1.5
+■ 1
—. 1
+ .2
-1 .5
+ .2
- .7
Average, United
States
-2 0 .6
- 2 .1
—,8
-1 .5
+ .2
- 1 .5
-0 .3
+ .2
-2 .2
-1 .9
- 1 .3
- 1 .5
- 2 .4
-2 .5
+ .2
—.5
+ .1
Table 3 shows the changes in each item of expenditure in 19 cities
from December, 1914, to December, 1927. Figures for certain
months are omitted from Tables 3 and 4 to curtail space.
In studying this and the following tables it should be borne in
mind that the figures for the 19 cities in Table 3 are based on the
prices prevailing in December, 1914, the figures for the 13 cities in
Table 4 are based on the prices prevailing in December, 1917, while
the figures for the United States, shown in Table 5, are a summariza
tion of the figures in Tables 3 and 4, computed on a 1913 base.
82645°— 28----- 15
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1431]
220
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 3 —C H ANGES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN 19 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927
B a ltim o r e ,
M d .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Clothing
Food
December, 1915______________ _ ._
December, 1916__________________
December, 1917______________ ____
December, 1918____. _ . _
June, 1919. .
.
December, 1919___
June, 1920.. ______
December, 1920______ _______ . .
May, 1921..
December, 1921__________________
June, 1922___________
December, 1922______
______
June, 1923___ ____
_____ . .
December, 1923 ___
__
June, 1924.. ________
December, 1924 _______
June, 1925__ __________ _
December, 1925__________ .
June, 1926__ __________________ . .
December, 1926______________ . .
June, 1927____________________
December, 1927_______________
1 4. 1
20.9
64. 4
96. 4
91.1
92. 5
110. 9
75. 6
43. 4
46.9
39. 9
46.1
46.5
50. 6
44.0
53.0
57. 7
66.2
62.2
63.0
56. 7
56.7
2.7
24.0
52.1
107.7
128.9
177.4
191.3
159. 5
123. 2
88.6
78. 9
80.5
81.4
81.8
78.3
76. 2
76.0
76.2
73.0
72.5
71.3
68.2
B o s to n ,
December, 1915
December^ 1916_______ _ . .
December, 1917_________ _______ December, 1918________ _ . _ .
June, 1919..
_________ _
__
December, 1919__________________
June, 1920.. ________
December, 1920. .
.
May, 1921.. _____
December, 1921______
. . .
June, 1922__
December, 1922____________ ____
June, 1923__ _____ _ ________ .
December, 1923__________________
June, 1924__ ______ __
December, 1924__________________
June, 1925__ _____________________
December, 1925__________________
June, 1926.. _____ _____ _ _____
December, 1926______ _______ ____
June, 1927.. . ____________ _
December, 1927________________
1 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
50.5
54.4
2.4
30.1
64.1
87.8
82. 9
94. 7
115. 7
78. 5
37. 7
50.8
38. 5
48.8
41.6
51. 9
39. 5
51.6
52.0
66. 5
60. 9
63. 6
56. 7
55.9
1 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
69.9
68.0
6. 6
21. 9
47.5
117. 5
137.9
192. 4
211.1
192. 7
150. 3
106.3
96. 7
92.0
93.0
92.6
91.2
89.1
88.9
87.8
85.9
85.3
82.9
80.2
1 0.1
.1
1.1
2.8
5.1
12. 2
16. 2
25. 8
29.8
33.8
34.4
36.7
40.2
47.0
50.7
52.4
52.9
54.0
53. 2
53. 5
53. 2
52.4
N .
9.0
29.6
58. 5
123.1
140. 7
190.8
210. 6
168.7
131. 6
96. 5
83. 6
81.4
83.4
83.8
81.7
79.9
80.3
79.8
76. 7
74. 6
72.2
71.2
decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
House
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
0. 5
9.1
25.5
46. 0
37.1
48.1
57.6
79. 0
70. 9
85.5
84.8
94.9
91.6
93.5
84.8
88.7
85.3
90.9
89.8
87.3
82.2
85.5
5. 6
26.4
60.8
122.3
134.6
167.0
191.8
181.9
147. 5
123.7
113.3
116. 6
127.5
130.2
129.4
125. 7
122.8
122.1
112. 8
110.5
106.9
104.8
i 1.4
18.5
51.3
78.7
82.8
99.4
111.4
112. 9
111.8
108.6
104.4
102.6
103.8
105.2
109.9
107.1
111.0
111.6
111. 2
112.3
112.9
112.3
il.4
18.5
51.3
84.7
84.0
98.4
114.3
96.8
77.4
73.2
67.6
70.9
72.0
74.8
71.9
74.8
77.3
81.2
78.4
78.6
75.3
74.5
1.1
10.5
29.2
56.6
55.0
63. 2
83. 6
106.0
97.8
98. 5
92. 5
99.9
88.8
97.0
90. 7
93.7
90.4
107.2
94.4
98.7
92. 5
96.5
8.4
26.3
58.4
137. 6
153. 7
198. 7
233.7
226.4
171.2
136. 9
124. 2
133.6
150. 5
148.2
136.9
138.1
136.9
136. 7
133.1
129.6
125. 5
124.4
1.6
15.7
38.1
62.0
64.8
81.1
91.8
96.6
96. 2
93.0
89.5
87.8
89. 2
93.0
88.0
85.9
86.3
91.0
91.0
92.3
91.5
91.3
1.6
15.7
38.1
70.6
72.8
92.3
110. 7
97.4
74.4
70.2
59.6
65.1
63.5
69.4
63.2
67.3
65.8
74.7
69.4
71.9
68.1
69.5
1.3
9.3
23.5
49.3
51. 9
55.7
69.8
74/9
73.9
79.7
78.8
115.7
119.1
120.4
116. 6
117.9
115. 5
117. 9
127.3
127.1
126. 9
128.5
7.1
24.1
50. 2
106. 3
118.1
165.4
199. 7
189.2
151. 3
124. 7
108. 0
112.8
127.9
127.5
121.0
121.0
119. 5
118.2
113. 6
110.2
106. 2
106.0
3.5
24.4
51.1
76.0
78. 7
90.3
101.9
107.4
107.8
103. 0
97.9
97.5
100.5
102.5
101. 9
100. 9
107.7
107. 9
110. 6
112.5
111.4
116.1
3.5
24.4
51.1
80.9
84. 2
102. 7
121. 5
101.7
80.3
76.8
68. 6
73.9
74.1
78.6
73.9
77.8
79.7
84.8
82. 8
83.6
79.8
80.1
All
items
M a ss.
B u ffa lo ,
December, 1915... . . . . . ___. . .
December, 1916________________
December, 1917_________________
December, 1918.. . . .
___________
June, 1919..
December, 1919________
....
June, 1920.. ________
December, 1920________ . . . . .
May, 1921___________
December, 1921_______
June, 1922.. _______ _____ ______
December, 1922. . . .
June, 1923.. _____ ___ ____ _____
December, 1923 ____. .
June, 1924..
____ . ________
December, 1924.
_____ ____ ____
June, 1925__ ___ _________ _ ____
December, 1925 _________________
June, 1926__ _
December, 1926______
____ _ _
June, 1927__ _________
December, 1927________ ________
Rent
[432]
Y .
1.2
4.7
9.4
20.7
28. 0
29. 0
46. 6
48. 5
61.1
61. 7
64. 7
64.9
70.0
71.8
76.3
76.8
79.1
79. 5
78.1
77.4
75.8
73.7
221
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T a b l e 3 .—CHANGES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN 19 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
C h ic a g o ,
III.
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
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, 1 9 2 6 .___ ___ _
June, 1927. _______
December, 1927____________
2.7
25.2
53.4
78.7
73.3
93. 1
120.0
70.5
41. 9
48.3
41.6
44.8
45. 1
52. 5
47. 9
56.2
61.4
69.4
67.2
69.6
68. 2
63.4
Clothing
7.5
24.2
50.6
138.9
157.1
224.0
205.3
158.6
122.7
74.3
63.0
67.5
72.2
76.0
72.6
67.8
65.8
65.3
62.7
61.9
58.7
53.8
C le v e la n d ,
Decern oer, 1915______
December, 1916 _. _______
December, 1 9 1 7 .____
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..
June, 1927.
December, 1927____
1.4
26. 4
54.3
79. 4
79.7
92.9
118. 7
71.7
37.4
40.9
34.6
41. 1
42. 1
43.6
37.2
46. 2
53. 8
58.3
60. 0
58. 7
56.6
55.1
2.0
18.0
43.7
102.6
125.2
171.2
185.1
156.0
124. 0
85.8
72.4
70.9
77.6
79. 6
78.4
72.9
71.9
71.9
70.7
68.3
67.5
66.0
D e tr o it,
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, 1 9 2 4 ._____
___
June, 1925______________
December, 1925________
June, 1926.. _________
December, 1926_____ ___
June, 1927________________
December, 1927_____________
4. 1
26.5
59.7
82. 5
86.4
99.5
132.0
75.6
41. 1
47.3
43.1
44.8
46.7
47.5
45.5
49. 7
60. 6
68. 1
65.7
63.8
65. 2
57. 6
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
305.8
105.6
104.4
99.5
96. 7
93.9
90.0
Fuel and House
Miscel
furnishing laneous
light
goods
All
items
i 0.9
6.6
19.3
37.1
35.7
40.1
62.4
83.5
65.3
69.4
55.4
65.6
54.9
59.3
53.0
56.1
53.9
65.8
55.4
64.4
57.2
59.2
5. 9
20. 0
47.5
108.9
126.9
176.0
215.9
205.8
162.4
133.7
108. 5
120.4
133.1
132.9
122. 2
121.9
118.1
118.5
112.4
109.2
105. 2
104.4
3. 0
19. 5
41.8
58.7
61.7
84.3
87. 5
96. 5
98. 5
94. 5
87.9
86. 7
87.7
88.1
90. 7
90. 7
93. 9
93.9
94. 3
95. 7
96. 7
99.7
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
73.7
72 6
75. 3
77 1
80.6
77.8
79.0
77 1
74.3
0.3
10.0
26.8
51. 9
47.9
62.9
90.3
94.5
89.6
103.8
102.2
116. 3
151. 6
147.0
142.6
144. 1
143.9
168.8
162.3
170.7
163.9
164.2
4. 7
19. 7
47. 8
102.4
117.0
165.5
186.5
176.8
133. 6
100.8
87.8
104.8
129. 6
129.3
118.0
113. 4
111. 9
113.4
106.1
105.3
103. 2
97.9
14
19.1
42. 9
67.1
74. 7
85.9
117. 9
134.0
129. 6
123.2
110. 7
109.4
108 1
113.1
112. 7
112.1
112. 3
111.5
111. 9
112. 7
115. 9
115.9
14
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
80 2
79.0
1. 6
9.9
30.2
47.6
47.6
57.9
74.9
104.5
83.6
77.5
75.2
95.5
87.3
84.9
81.8
82.7
78.9
101.1
76.4
86.8
73.4
76.9
8 7
24. 5
50. 4
107.3
129. 3
172. 6
206.7
184.0
134.0
96. 8
76.0
81.1
105. 7
105.3
103.4
98. 1
94. 1
93.7
91.8
88.7
86.8
84.7
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
125.1
128.3
3 5
22 3
49 9
78. 0
84. 4
107.9
136.0
118.6
93.3
82.4
75.3
78.2
81. 7
84.7
82.8
82. 2
84.5
87. 8
84.7
84.1
82. 7
79.0
O h io .
0.1
.9
11.3
16. 5
21.8
39.9
47.3
80.0
88. 1
81.2
69.6
74.0
73.8
78.7
77. 7
78.6
76.8
75.6
71.6
71.8
67.5
66.3
M ic h .
2.3
18.9
46.7
113.8
125.2
181.8
208.8
176.1
134.1
92.5
81.4
79.9
84.0
85.3
82.3
76.1
75.2
74.8
73.4
71.0
68.2
64. 1
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Rent
[433]
2.1
17.5
32.6
39.0
45.2
60.2
68.8
108. 1
101.4
91. 1
86.9
92. 1
96.9
107.5
105.6
103.8
98. 7
97. 7
95.5
95.5
89.6
84.1
222
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T able 3 .—CH A N G ES IN COST OF LIV IN G IN 19 C ITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
H o u s to n ,
T e x .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Clothing
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__________________
June, 1927_______________________
December, 1927__________________
1 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
50.4
52.5
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 - . _ . __________
June, 1927_______-- --- ________ -.
December, 1927_______________
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
45.0
41.3
Rent
2.7
25.0
51.5
117.3
134.8
192.0
211.3
187.0
143.4
104.9
98.4
98.2
100.4
102.6
100.8
95.6
95.6
92.5
91.2
88.9
86.8
86.2
i 2.3
17.3
17.7
11.7
1.9
13.4
25.3
35.1
39.4
39.8
38.5
37.3
36.7
36.4
34.9
34.7
34.3
33.0
32.9
32.6
32.2
31.8
J a c k s o n v ille ,
L o s
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-____. . . __
June, 1927__________ ___________
December, 1927_____________ . . __
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
10.5
33.7
71.9
130.5
139.8
217.2
234.0
209.3
167.5
117.9
99.9
99.3
101.1
104.5
102.7
94.6
94.0
93.6
93.4
90.9
88.0
85.4
A n g e le s ,
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
40.4
40. 4
2.8
14.3
45.0
109.1
123.3
167.6
184.5
166.6
127.4
94.3
81.3
78.0
82.5
83.0
81.4
80.4
79.0
77.7
75.7
75.2
74.0
71.6
1Decrease
House
Miscel
Fuel and furnishing
laneous
light
goods
10.9
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
38.2
43.7
32.8
34.3
6.1
29.6
62.3
119.9
144. 5
181.8
213.9
208.2
173.7
148.2
133.7
140.4
150.2
148.2
143.7
143.0
142.5
143.2
138.6
137.9
136.7
134.1
10.3
16.4
44.9
67.6
72.3
88.2
90.4
103.9
100.8
99.0
94.0
93.0
91. 5
93.2
89.5
88.0
87.8
88.0
87.4
86.8
86.6
91.8
i 0.3
16.4
44.9
75.7
80. 2
101.7
112.2
104.0
79.7
73.6
65.9
68.4
67.2
70.6
65.0
70.5
71.1
74.3
69.2
70.6
66.3
67.9
(2)
2.3
15.1
55.2
49.2
64.1
72.6
92.6
80.7
68.9
58.9
65.7
63.6
75.1
72.1
72.9
69.3
87.1
95.3
91.2
87.8
84.0
15.1
43.4
73.7
126.5
140.0
186.2
224. 2
222.3
182.7
134.9
115.3
127.1
137.9
139.4
132.9
132.4
134.0
135.6
134.7
128.1
126.0
124.6
1.3
14.7
41. 6
60.5
65.9
80.9
102.8
105.6
107.5
99.3
95.5
94.7
95.3
96.6
95.0
99.1
99.3
105.3
105.5
105.7
104.5
104.5
1.3
14.7
41.6
71.5
77.5
101.5
116. 5
106.2
85.8
75.1
65.7
67.8
67.7
71.9
67.3
70.4
70.9
81.7
81.8
81.3
75.7
73.0
0.4
2.3
10.4
18.3
18.6
35.3
53.5
53.5
52.7
52.7
39.1
35.6
33.7
34.1
33.6
34.4
34.0
34.4
34.1
34.8
61.0
56.8
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
120.4
118.6
i 1.9
7.7
28.9
52.0
59.1
76.9
86.6
100.6
96.8
99.6
103.8
101.2
100.8
104.2
105.4
104.2
108. 9
110.6
104. 7
105.7
108.2
108.0
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
71.5
70.6
F la .
16.9
1 18.2
i 18.7
5.9
9.7
22.0
28. 9
34.1
36.5
38.3
35.3
35.1
34.3
33.4
33. 3
33.5
33.5
55.3
66.6
69.9
57.2
51.2
C a lif.
12.7
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
59.9
57.7
2 N o change.
[434]
All
items
223
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T able 3 .—CHA N G ES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN 19 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
M o b ile ,
A la .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1915_____ ____________
December^ 1916...... ..............................
December, 1917.......................... .........
December, 1918__________ ________
June, 1919. _ .....................................
December, 1919..________________
June, 1920. __________
December, 1920__________________
May, 1921. . . . _________ ________
December, 1921................. ....................
June, 1922___ ___________________
December, 1922 ________________ .
June, 1923 __________ ___________
December, 1923__________________
June, 1924
. _________________
December, 1924
June, 1925
___________________
December, 1925 ___________ . . . . .
June, 1926
_________ ________
December, 1926_____________ . ._
June, 1 9 2 7 1 .________ ___________
December, 1927.............................. .
Clothing
i 1. 0
19. 9
57. 3
80. 6
83. 6
98. 4
110. 5
73. 5
39. 1
42. 4
33. 2
39. 1
37. 7
44. 7
33. 4
49. 7
50. 3
59.0
53. 1
58.0
52. 0
51. 1
N e w
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__________________
June, 1927.. ___________________
December, 1927__________________
1. 3
16. 3
55. 3
82. 6
75. 3
91. 0
105. 3
73. 5
42. 5
51. 8
40. 0
49. 5
44. t
52.0
41. 1
50. 0
48. 9
62. 6
56. 0
59. 1
54. 0
57.5
2.0
9.0
38.8
86.0
94. 0
123. 7
137.4
122. 2
90. 6
57. 7
49. 7
50.8
51. 8
55.4
54.3
53. 4
52. 0
49.4
49. 5
48.8
47.6
47.6
0.8
22.4
63. 9
86. 2
89.8
91. 5
107. 8
76. 3
45. 4
43.4
33. 5
38. 6
36.9
40. 7
33. 1
46. 0
47. 9
60.8
56. 0
58. 7
54. 7
55. 5
4. 8
22. 3
54. 2
131. 3
151. 6
219. 7
241. 4
201.8
159. 5
117.8
103.0
98. 3
100. 7
102. 7
100. 7
97.7
97. 5
95.9
94. 7
93. 7
92.9
91.4
0.8
6.0
31. 6
94. 6
104.8
158.4
176. 5
153.6
121. 6
90.2
77.6
73. 2
79.1
80.8
78.6
75.4
74.7
74.0
73.0
72.8
71. 1
70.9
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
i 1.9
1 4. 3
1 3. 6
11. 2
11. 9
29. 6
34. 6
53. 6
53.3
49. 9
47. 7
43.8
42. 5
42. 6
41. 4
40. 9
40. 1
40. 4
39. 7
40. 5
40.4
41.9
Y o rk ,
N o r fo lk ,
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 _ __________ _ _
June, 1927.. ________________ ___
December, 1927__________________
Rent
N .
House
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
(2)
8.8
27.1
57.1
66. 6
75. 6
86. 3
122. 3
102. 1
98. 2
84.4
96.4
93. 3
98. 1
91.4
90. 2
85. 6
89. 1
94. 6
97. 7
91. 8
93. 5
4.1
15. 3
42 8
108 3
113 9
153. 3
177 9
175. 4
140. 7
116. 9
97. 8
97.9
114. 0
114. 8
109. 3
107. 2
104. 3
103. 7
100. 8
96.4
97. 2
97.2
10.4
13 8
43 2
72 4
75.3
87 0
100 3
100 7
96. 9
94 3
87. 5
91. 0
89 8
91. 3
93. 7
94. 3
95. 5
102. 0
102. 2
102. 2
102 4
104.0
i 0.4
13.8
43.2
71.4
76.6
94.5
107.0
93.3
73.8
63.6
55.6
58.8
58.6
62.6
58.0
63.9
63.9
68 5
66.2
68.1
65.3
65.6
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
92.2
96.0
8.4
27. 6
56. 5
126. 5
136 6
172. 9
205. 1
185. 9
156. 5
132. 0
118. 3
121. 6
130. 3
131. 5
121.4
119. 4
110. 6
110.4
106. 6
106.0
102. 5
102.9
2 0
14. 9
44. 7
70.0
75. 1
95.8
111 9
116. 3
117. 6
116. 9
112. 8
111. 6
110. 8
113. 5
115 0
116. 7
116 9
118. 2
117. 3
117. 5
119. 0
118.8
2.0
14.9
44.7
77.3
79.2
103.8
119.2
101.4
81.7
79.3
70.7
74.2
72.6
77.3
72.5
76 5
75.8
83 2
78 6
80 0
77.8
79.1
(2)
17.0
33.3
74. 6
69. 7
89.9
110. 6
128.9
97. 3
91.6
87.7
106. 5
102.1
96.9
94.4
99.1
96.7
107.9
102.1
109. 6
96.8
98.2
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
88.9
88.5
0. 6
14. 7
45.2
76. 8
83. 7
97. 5
108.4
106.3
106.3
109.3
100.8
99. 6
102.2
104.4
103.0
103.4
103.4
103.8
100.5
103.7
114.9
112.5
0.6
14.7
45.2
80 7
87 1
107. 0
122 2
109. 0
88.1
79.2
69. 5
69.9
71.1
72.4
68.4
72.1
71.9
76.4
73.1
74. 6
73. S
73.4
Y .
1 0.1
i. 1
2. 6
6. 5
13. 4
23. 4
32.4
38. 1
42. 2
53. 7
55. 7
56. 7
59. 4
62. 4
64. 5
67.1
67.8
69. 5
69. 5
70.2
70.2
70.2
V a .
0. 1
1 1. 7
i 1. 7
39. 0
46. 5
63. 3
70. 8
90. 8
94. 6
93.4
88. 1
77.2
73.0
67.0
64.2
59.4
58.4
53.0
52. 1
49. 2
45.9
43.6
2 No change.
[435]
All
items
224
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
T a b l e 3 —CH A N G ES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN 19 C ITIES, D E C E M B E E , 1914, T O
D E C E M B E E , 1927—Continued
P h ila d e lp h ia ,
P a .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1915.____ _____________
December, 1916__________________
December, 1917_________ ________
December, 1918__________________
June, 1919- _ ___________________
December, 1919__________________
June, 1920 .
__ __
December, 1920________________
May, 1921 ___________ _______
December, 1921_____
__________
June, 1922__ _____ ______ ______ _
December, 1922 ______________
June, 1923__ ______________
___
December, 1923______ _ ________
June, 1924_______________________
December, 1924__________________
June, 1925___ ______ _____________
December, 1925_______ . . . .
June, 1926.. _________ . . . _____ December, 1926__________________
June, 1927. - _______
. . . - ___
December, 1927__________________
Clothing
0.3
18.9
54.4
80.7
75.5
87.2
101. 7
68. 1
37.8
43.9
38. 1
43.4
42.7
45. 1
39.3
46.4
51.3
62.0
56.6
61.2
53.8
55.9
3.6
16.0
51.3
111.2
135.9
190.3
219. 6
183.5
144. 7
104.6
89. 5
87.6
87.6
88.2
85.5
84.4
83.8
83.6
82.5
80.3
79. 2
77.4
P o r tla n d ,
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, 1926December, 1926 ______ - __
June, 1927__
___ December, 1927__________________
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
59.4
60.0
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
67.6
66.8
P o r tla n d ,
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 __ _
_ _ _ __
June, 1927-_ ____________________
December, 1927-_________________
1 3.8
9.8
42.2
70.6
67.1
81.6
107.1
60.9
26.0
33.1
26.5
34.3
29.5
35. 1
28. 5
36. 1
40.6
43.2
38.6
40. 6
39.2
37.5
3.0
15. .8
44.4
96.6
115.5
142.1
158.6
122.1
91.2
65.3
53.2
54.9
61.3
61.8
61. 1
59. 2
57.6
57.0
56. 5
54. 0
53.2
51. 1
i Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[436]
Eent
i 0.3
1.7
2.6
8.0
11.3
16. 7
28.6
38.0
44.2
48. 1
49.6
52.9
58. 1
66.9
72.4
75.3
76.0
77. 1
77. 1
77.3
75.3
72. 1
HouseFuel and furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
All
items
i 0.8
5.4
21.5
47.9
43.3
51.3
66.8
96.0
85.6
92.0
85.7
93.0
89.9
102.2
91. 7
94.8
87.0
100.5
98.3
98. 5
89.4
90.5
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
88.6
87.7
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
120.8
121.2
1.2
14.7
43.8
73.9
76.2
96.5
113.5
100.7
79.8
74.3
68.2
70.7
72.1
74.7
71.5
76. 1
77.6
82.6
80. 6
82.3
78. 0
78.3
0.4
11.4
28.9
67.7
58.4
69.8
83.9
113.5
96.8
99.5
96.1
94.7
94.9
100.0
96.2
99.6
95.8
100.3
100.5
102.9
98.6
102.2
6.2
20.9
43.5
110.8
126.4
163.7
190.3
191.2
152. 2
123.6
108.1
114.2
129.7
130.2
126. 7
126.0
126.0
126.9
121.7
120.8
118.8
118.4
i 0.4
13.8
38.0
65.6
72.1
83.2
89.4
94.3
94.1
91.2
88.2
88.0
88.0
89.3
87.9
87.2
• 87.8
87.6
88.4
88.6
88.6
89.0
i 0.4
J3.8
38.0
72.2
74.3
91.6
107.6
93.1
72.1
69.6
59.7
64.1
63.3
66.9
62.4
66.0
65.3
70.3
67.3
69.2
66.8
67.0
i 1.0
3.4
20.2
30.9
31.3
42.3
46.9
65.9
67.1
59.4
50.3
65.7
61.3
67. 1
55.5
62.4
52.2
60. 0
50.9
61. 9
56.9
65. 7
2.9
18.0
54.5
109.0
122.1
145. 1
183.9
179. 9
148.0
121.9
101.9
102.9
109.8
109.0
102.2
102.2
98.6
100.6
95. 2
90. 7
87.8
86. 1
1 3.1
6.1
31.2
57.9
62.3
71.6
79.7
81. 1
81.1
80.0
78.5
79.4
75.8
79.6
73.0
74.4
73.0
73. 0
74.2
76. 6
76.4
77.1
13.1
6.1
31.2
64.2
69.2
83.7
100.4
80.3
62.2
58.3
52.1
56.1
54.6
57.8
52.8
55.8
55.8
56.9
54.6
55.1
53.7
52.8
M e .
0.2
.6
2.4
2.5
5.7
10.7
14.5
20.0
23. 1
26. 6
24.8
30.7
27.3
31.7
27.4
28.8
25.5
24.4
23.7
23.8
23.6
23.0
O reg.
1 10.9
i 19.6
i 22. 2
12.3
20.1
27.7
33.2
36.9
42.9
43.3
43.3
43.6
42.5
42. 7
43.3
42.9
40.9
40. 1
37.9
33. 5
30.3
26.9
225
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T a b l e 3 .—CH A N G ES IN COST OF LIVING IN 19 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
S a n
F r a n c is c o
a n d
O a k la n d ,
C a lif.
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1915................... ..............
December, 1916_______________. . .
December, 1917__________________
December, 1918.
June, 1919___ .
_ _ _____
December, 1919___. . .
June, 1920___
. . _________
December, 1920_____ __________
May, 1921_______________________
December, 1921.
_
______
June, 1922__
_________________
December, 1922.
June, 1923__
...
. . . ______
December, 1923. . _________ ____
June.. 1924_______________________
December, 1924. _
......
June, 1925.........................
. _____
December, 1925 . . . ___________
June. 1926___ ____ _______ ____
December, 1926 __________
__ . .
June, 1927_______________________
December, 1927_________
______
Clothing
14.3
9.6
35. 9
66.2
63 3
74.2
93 9
64.9
33.3
40 4
31.1
38. 8
34. 2
42.3
35 0
42 1
47 6
53. 3
44.3
48 3
45. 4
46 1
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
83. 7
82.4
S a v a n n a h ,
December, 1915_______________ _ _
December, 1916_____ . . .
. . ___
December, 1917________________ .
December, 1918 .
. . . . .
June, 1919__
____ _
...
December, 1919
June, 1920___ . . . _ . . . .
December, 1920 ____ ______
May., 1921______________________
December, 1921.. _____ _
_____
June, 1922___ . . . ______
___
December, 1922 __________ _ ___
June, 1923..
... . ..
December, 1923
....
. ..
. . . . . . . .
June, 1924__
December, 1924 ________ _
June. 1925
___________ . . .
December, 1925. . . . ______ _ .
June, 1926..
._ _ ______
_ ._
December, 1926 ___ ______
_.
June. 1927___ ________________
December, 1927 ______________ _
10. 3
17. 6
50. 8
76. 2
74. 2
80. 9
91. 7
63. 5
28. 7
33. 7
22. 7
27 6
22. 6
25. 0
17 5
25.1
31. 5
44 9
39. 1
39. 7
35. 4
35. 3
0.8
24. 1
56.6
133.6
146.3
195.9
212. 1
171. 5
133.2
84.2
71. 7
76.2
81.3
80.9
79. 1
75.8
75. 1
73. 7
73. 7
72.0
69.8
68.6
S e a ttle ,
December, 1915__________________
December, 1916_____ _ _ _______
December, 1917__________________
December, 1918_____
_ __ _
June, 1919. _______ _
______
December, 1919___
______ _
June, 1920. _ ____
December, 1920____
__ _ __ __
May, 1921 __ _ ___
__ ___
December, 1921.
_ _
June, 1922 __
______ _ ______
December, 1922 ______
______
June, 1923__
______
____
December, 1923___ ___ _ ______
June, 1924 ___ _ __
_ _____
December, 1924
_
_ _
June, 1925 _ _ _______________
December, 1925
_____ __
June, 1926 _
_____
December, 1926__________________
June, 1927___
________ _
_ _
December, 1927_____________
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
43. 0
37. 9
i 0. 7
i 2. 5
14.0
i 3.9
13.5
4.7
9.4
15.0
21. 7
25.8
29.4
30.0
33.4
36.0
38.0
39.4
40. 1
40.0
39.6
39. 5
38. 7
37.3
House
Fuel and furnishing
Miscel
light
laneous
goods
1
0.1
4.6
14.4
30.1
28.9
41.3
47.2
66.3
63.3
65.3
59.5
52. 5
42. 6
48.8
49.9
53. 5
54.3
50.8
48. 5
51.0
47. 1
48. 6
6.0
21.7
48.2
103.4
116.6
143.8
180. 1
175.6
143.9
113.9
104.4
105.4
116.7
116.9
113.4
114.7
115. 1
115. 7
105. 6
104. 6
103.8
103.4
1
1.3
1.7
21.1
37.5
35. 5
52. 2
65. 3
94.4
74.2
66.1
55.2
68. 3
61.9
64. 1
59.7
62.2
59. 1
62.9
61.9
68.4
58.3
59.9
1.8
12.8
50. 7
128.6
136.5
182. 1
207.2
206. 6
175.9
133. 7
120. 1
123. 8
135.9
133.4
130. 6
128. 7
128.2
128.9
126.6
123.9
121.7
121.9
1
1 0.2
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
136.8
134. 7
All
items
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
77.8
79. 2
i 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
60.5
60.7
0.2
14. 6
42.5
67.3
71.2
82.0
83.8
91. 5
93.0
87.4
81. 1
79.5
77.4
76.7
77. 5
77. 5
77. 5
79. 1
79. 5
79.0
80. 6
80.8
0.2
14.6
42.5
75.0
79.8
98. 7
109.4
98.7
77.6
66.2
56.8
59.2
57.9
58.2
54.8
56.3
57.9
62.9
60.6
60.5
58.3
58.1
1.0
7.4
31.1
58.5
71.4
86.8
90.4
95.5
105. 5
102. 6
97.6
96.4
96.6
96.6
94.6
96.4
96. 4
97.0
97.0
97.6
98.4
98.2
1.0
7.4
31. 1
69.9
76.9
97.7
110.5
94. 1
80.2
71. 5
67.0
66.7
66.4
68.5
66.7
67.8
70.5
71.7
69.4
69. 1
69.4
66.9
G a.
1 1.4
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
37. 7
37.1
1
1
1
W a sh .
1.2
11.3
36.4
88.0
110.2
154. 5
173.9
160. 5
128.7
88.7
78.0
74. 2
76.7
77. 6
76. 2
74.4
74. 6
74.8
74.8
73. 1
71.9
69.5
1Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Rent
[437]
1
1
2.4
5.4
1 . 6
44.3
51.5
71.5
74.8
76. 7
74.8
69. 2
64.7
63. 1
62.3
62.9
64. 0
63. 7
64. 7
63.7
62.6
60. 3
59.0
56.9
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
59. 3
59.8
1
1
226
T
able
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
3 . — CHANGES
IN COST OP LIVING IN 19 CITIES, D E C E M B E R ,
D E C E M B E R , 1927 —Continued
W a s h in g to n ,
D .
1914, T O
C .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1915__________________
December, 1916________________ . .
December, 1917________________
December, 1918________ ________
April, 1919______________________
November, 1919___ _____ _____
June, 1920___ . . . . . . . . .
_____ _
December, 1920________ ______
May, 1921_______________________
December, 1921__________________
June, 1922_______________________
December, 1922 _______ ________
June, 1923
. ________ . .
December, 1923---------- _ . --------June, 1924 __
_____
December, 1924.
...............
June, 1925
..
-------December, 1925_____„ __________
June, 1926
- ----December, 1926 _________
________ _
...
June, 1927
December, 1927.......................... . .
Clothing
0.6
15.7
61.1
90.9
84.6
93.3
108.4
79. 0
47. 4
51. 1
44.3
49.2
48.8
52.3
43. 7
53.6
57.2
65.6
63.3
66.3
55.0
57.9
3.7
23.2
60.1
112. 6
109.5
165.9
184.0
151. 1
115.9
87.1
77.5
74.8
78.9
81.2
78.9
75.8
75.4
73. 5
73.3
70.9
69.2
67.0
Rent
i 1.5
‘ 3. 7
13.4
i 1.5
1 1.4
5.4
15.6
24.7
28.8
30.4
31.4
32.6
33.9
34.3
35.7
36.7
37.7
40.3
38.6
37.4
36.4
33.8
1 Decrease.
House
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
6.3
30.5
72.1
127.4
126.0
159.3
196.4
194.0
149.0
122. 4
108.1
112.6
129. 0
128.8
124.5
125.2
119.8
115.0
112.6
107.5
104.4
103.2
0.4
15. 3
44.3
55.9
57.4
62.7
68.2
73.9
72.0
75.8
73.7
72.0
72.5
74.9
75.0
76.5
76.5
75.4
75.0
75.0
73.6
73.8
(2)
7.3
24.9
40.9
41.8
42.8
53.7
68.0
57. 1
49.9
44.5
55.1
51.2
47.0
42.9
44.9
39.8
48.7
41.7
45. 7
39.3
40.3
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
66.0
60.5
60.8
2 N o change.
Table 4 shows the changes in the cost of living from December,
1917, to December, 1927, for 13 cities. The table is constructed in
the same manner as the preceding one and differs from it only in the
base period and in the length of time covered.
T a b l e 4 .—CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING IN 13 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927
A tla n ta ,
G a.
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1918__
______ ______
June, 1919
_________ _____
December, 1919 . . . _____
June, 1920 ___ _
December, 1920
May, 1921_______________________
December, 1921 June, 1922..
_______ .- ____
December, 1922__ _ __
_____
June, 1923 _
December, 1923------------------June, 1924_
December, 1924.. ------ ------- —
June, 1925.---------------------December, 1925-.- ---------- -----June, 1926- _- . . - ---------December, 1926- __ ________ June, 1927___ _____ - --- - -------December, 1927_______________ --
19.0
18.0
27. 9
34.0
12.8
i 8.9
2 7.2
1 10.5
1 8. 9
i 10.3
1 6.3
i 10.2
2 5.5
2 1.2
6.5
4.5
4.3
4.1
1.3
Clothing
29.1
40.7
66.9
80.5
56.5
35.2
8.3
.4
2.8
5.9
6.9
5.7
4.9
4.5
4.3
3.9
2.9
2. 1
.2
1Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[438]
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
41.5
39.5
House
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
17.0
17.9
30.8
61.0
66.8
56.1
43.7
39. 1
57.6
42.7
39.3
32.0
33.1
26.2
34.7
36.6
46.0
31.7
38.0
24.9
30.1
49.9
65.0
58.4
38.0
23.0
15. 2
17.4
23.9
23.5
20.4
20.4
19.9
18.8
17.4
15. 5
14.6
15.9
Miscel
laneous
14.8
21.5
31.7
34.6
39.7
40. 5
39.7
34. 5
34. 1
32. 8
33.3
33.8
33.7
34.9
35. 6
34.0
33.9
33.9
31.5
All
items
19.7
23.3
37.9
46.7
38.5
25.2
18.7
13.7
15. 1
14.2
16.0
13.6
14.9
16.2
19.0
17.3
17.4
16.2
14.3
227
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T a b l e 4 .—C H A N G ES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN 13 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
B ir m in g h a m ,
A la .
Per cent of increase over December, 1917, in expenditure for—
Date
Clothing
Food
December, 1918
_______
June, 1919.. __________
. __
December, 1919________
June, 1920.. ________________
December, 1920______
. .
May, 1921'.______________________
December, 1921____
June, 1922..
____________
December, 1922______________ .
June, 1923___________
. ______
December, 1923 . .
June, 1924____________ ________
December, 1924
.. . . .
June, 1925__________ . _________
December, 1925 ________________
June, 1926..
__
.
_______
December, 1926 ________ . . . .
June, 1927
. _____________ __
December, 1927___________
17.7
18.3
26.5
36.4
11.9
i 9.1
i 8.5
i 13.1
i 9.9
i 9.9
i 6.6
i 12.6
13.1
1.9
4.5
1.5
1.8
i 3.1
i 1.3
8.1
12.8
34.9
40.3
68.5
77.4
70.9
67.0
62.3
63.1
67.9
68.6
68.6
68.3
68.0
66.5
65.8
64.5
61.7
23.9
29.8
57.6
66.4
45.1
24.8
i .4
16.1
1 1.7
1.8
3.8
3.2
1.6
1.5
1.3
1.9
1 1.9
13.1
14.1
C in c in n a ti,
December, 1918
______
June, 1919 __ _ ________ _
December, 1919 ______
___
June, 1920___ ______
___
December, 1920 . . .
- ______
May, 1921'. _____________________
December, 1921. _______________
June, 1922..
________
December, 1922.
________
June, 1923 . .
___
______
December, 1923 ____
____ ______
______
June, 1924
....
_____
December, 1924 ____ . .
June, 1925.
___
. ________
December, 1925__ ____
________
June, 1926.. . _________________
December, 1926 ________ . .
June, 1927.
__ _____ ___ ______
December, 1927__________________
15.3
18.1
22.9
38.7
10.3
i 7.4
i 8.3
i 8.9
i 10.4
i 9.3
i 6.7
i 10.2
i 8.3
1.9
3.9
2.7
3.1
3.9
i 1.0
December, 1918_____________
June, 1919.. ___ . . __ _____
December, 1919
.
__
June, 1920..
__
_________
December, 1920 _.
_______ . .
May, 1921. __________ _______
December, 1921___________ _____
June, 1922..
. ______
December, 1922 _____
______
June, 1923
__
. . . _____
December, 1923 __
June, 1924
. . .
. . .
December, 1924 ____ _ __
___
June, 1925 _ ________ ___
December, 1925__________
June, 1926 __ ____________ ___
December, 1926 ____ ___________
June, 1927 __ _______ __
December, 1927 ________________
20.0
20.7
26.0
41.5
7.9
i 13. 1
i 8.8
i 14.2
i 9.0
111.5
i 8.7
i 13.5
i 7.8
i 5.3
i 1.3
i 3.8
i 3.0
1 2.8
‘ 6.9
Miscel
laneous
22.8
31.9
39.8
55.3
74.2
54.3
44.1
25.0
49.9
40.7
50.2
40.5
45.7
33.8
41.4
41.0
51.3
39.6
45.9
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
11.2
14.1
13.8
16.3
26.8
28.7
30.4
33.8
35.5
30.4
29.6
28.5
27.2
27.2
27.3
27.2
27.8
26.9
26.9
26.4
28.5
17.0
19.8
34.3
41.9
33.3
22.1
16.2
10.7
13.2
13.6
16.0
13.1
16.8
16.9
19. 2
17.5
17.8
14.8
15.7
10.0
5.6
11.0
26.9
34.1
15.7
42.4
35.2
61.0
51.9
53.0
39.3
44.5
61. 1
70.4
62.2
83.6
66.7
66.9
25.7
30.5
51. 1
75.5
66.7
39.7
22.3
15.8
17.2
24.3
26.2
23.2
23.2
23.4
21.3
17.7
16.9
16.1
16.6
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
9.9
50.5
50.5
50.0
50.0
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
23.3
21.3
8.1
8.4
19.6
22.3
47. 1
37.5
39.7
32.8
40.7
30.4
37.2
19.7
25.4
27.0
37.4
25.3
38.1
20.8
32.9
22.6
31.3
46.3
60.2
58.9
42.5
27.9
20.4
21.2
26.1
27.0
23.8
24.2
24.8
25.2
24.2
23.5
22.9
21.2
14.8
17.7
32.3
35.4
38.8
42.8
43.1
38.1
37.6
37.1
36.8
35.1
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.1
36.6
36.1
34.2
20.7
25.3
38.2
50.3
38.7
26.9
24.5
18.8
21.6
19.9
22.1
17.8
20.2
21.1
22.5
19.7
20.4
18.4
16.6
All
items
C o lo .
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
10.1
8.9
i Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
House
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
O h io
0.2
.8
12.8
13.6
25.0
27.6
28.5
31.0
35.2
40.7
45.6
49.3
50.1
51.2
51.8
54.8
55.9
56.8
57.9
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
i 2.3
1 3.9
D e n v e r,
Rent
[439]
12.8
21.8
33. 5
51.9
69.8
76.9
82.6
84.8
86.9
85.4
88.9
84.4
84.0
82.5
78.5
71.9
65.5
61.2
58.3
228
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 4 .—C H A N G E S IN COST OF LIV IN G IN 13 C IT IES, D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
In d ia n a p o lis ,
In d .
Per cent of increase over December, 1914, in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1918_____________ .
June, 1919._ . . .
_____
December, 1919.
___ ___
June, 1920___ . .
....
December, 1920 .
May, 1921..
__ . ____
December, 1921 . _ . . .
June, 1922..
..
_____
December, 1922. . ____
June, 1923..
_____
December, 1923 ..............
......
June, 1924_______ _ . _____
December, 1924. . . . . . .
___
June, 1925__ .
___
December, 1925_____ ____ _____
June, 1926__
_____
December, 1926... _____ ___
June, 1927_______________
December, 1927________ ____
Clothing
17.8
16.4
28. 2
49.0
11.0
1 10. 1
18.4
19.9
1 11. 1
18.0
1 6.5
1 10.0
14.9
12.3
4.4
2.6
2.9
3.5
1 1.5
32.4
40.1
73.8
87.9
72.3
45.8
16.2
7.9
8.6
11.6
13.4
11.9
10.4
9.8
7.5
7.4
5.4
5.9
4.3
K a n s a s
December, 1918. _ .
_____
June, 1919. _ . . . .
December, 1919. . .
June, 1920__ _
. ..
December, 1920 . . . .
May, 1921_____ ___
. .
December, 1921
June, 1922___ . . . _____
December, 1922. _____
June, 1923.. __ . . . _ ____
December, 1923. . . . . . . _____
June, 1924__ ______ _
December, 1924____
_ _____
June, 1925___________________
December, 1925. __ _______
June, 1926
. . .
...
December, 1926.
_____
June, 1927_______________
December, 1927___________
17.3
15.1
24. 5
44. 9
10.2
1 8.3
16.6
1 13.5
1 12.0
1
1
1
12. 5
10. 2
12.7
1 7.7
1 3.9
2.0
.5
1 1.7
1 2.2
1 6.8
M e m p h is ,
December, 1918_____ _____
June, 1919.._ _____ _______
December, 1919_____ _____ _
June, 1920.. __ . . . . . . . .
December, 1920. _. . . . . .
May, 1921.. . . . ______
December, 1921 . .
. .
June, 1922. . _______ _
December, 1922. . . . . . . .
June, 1923.
______
December, 1923 _______ _ ___ _
June, 1924 ____ _ _ __ _ . .
December, 1924. __ _ _ _ _ _
June, 1925________
December, 1925_____ ______
June, 1926. _
December, 1926.
June, 1927__ _
December, 1927_______ ___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20. 3
22. 7
28. 4
38. 8
7. 0
> 14 2
1 11. 2
1 15 1
1 14. 9
1 13. 9
1 11. 2
1 17 1
1 9. 2
1 7.1
1 2. 0
14 1
1 5. 7
1 7.2
18 .0
1.6
2.6
11.6
18.9
32.9
37.4
43.8
41.3
44. 1
44.6
47.1
46.5
46.7
44.1
41.7
38.3
36.5
34. 6
33.4
C ity ,
40.7
44.8
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
3.7
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
1.9
1.6
1Decrease.
House
Fuel and furnishing
Miscel
light
laneous
goods
Rent
19.8
16. 7
27. 3
45.6
60.3
49.4
42.5
44.9
73.4
54.9
41.5
38.2
41.5
33.9
44.9
33.9
47.8
34.6
34.2
18.9
24. 8
48.4
67. 5
63.0
35.3
22. 5
13.7
16. 7
23.2
24.0
21.4
21.5
20.6
21.8
20.6
19.9
18.0
17.5
21.9
26.8
38. 2
40. 5
47.5
47.4
46.2
45.4
46.7
46. 1
49.2
51. 5
53.3
53.8
54. 1
51.6
51.8
52.3
52.6
18.0
9.6
27.5
35.2
55.1
43.3
42.6
36.3
40.2
36.1
36.7
34.5
32.9
32.8
32.3
29.4
33.5
29.8
29.0
31.1
37. 9
61.8
73. 0
68.7
50.0
26. 2
11. 6
12.1
22.5
22.6
16.8
16.1
15. 6
14.1
12.8
10.8
8.6
7.7
15. 6
20.8
31. 5
37. 1
40.3
40. 4
37.6
32.3
33.3
33.8
36. 2
35.3
34. 3
36.4
36.3
36.3
36.3
' 36.6
36.5
26.8
23.4
34. 1
49.7
105.4
64. 5
67.1
56. 3
68.5
62.8
65.0
66.2
66. 2
55.7
71.4
63.3
80. 1
79.4
76.0
25.4
30.7
53.2
67.1
53.9
29.9
14.7
6.8
12.2
23.2
23.4
18.6
20.1
20. 1
20. 1
18. 2
17. 1
16.0
16.0
16.1
20.9
28.3
38.8
43.2
42.9
42.3
37.8
37.4
38.1
37.3
36. 3
37. 4
38.5
37.8
36. 7
37. 7
36.6
36.6
19.1
21.1
36. 5
50. 2
37.6
23. 9
19.3
16.4
18.8
19.4
20.6
19.3
21.4
21. 5
24.2
21.9
22.3
21.4
19.2
M o .
5.4
6.7
26.0
29.4
63.9
65.0
69.7
59.4
61.4
53.7
56.8
49.5
46.2
40.6
39.5
35.9
34.1
29.1
28.3
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
14.0
11.9
T e n n .
(2)
8.2
23. 1
35.9
66. 2
79.7
77.3
74.8
72.5
72.3
72.5
72.4
68.6
66.4
60.4
57.0
53. 9
50.2
47.3
2 No change.
[440]
All
items
18.3
23.3
35.2
46.4
39.3
26.7
23.2
18.2
18.6
19.9
21.0
18.2
20.4
20.5
22. 0
19.9
19. 9
18.1
17.3
229
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING
T able 4 .—C H ANGES IN COST OF L IV IN G IN 13 CITIES, D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
M in n e a p o lis , M in n .
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, 19241
___________________
December, 1924 ___________ ____
June, 1925'
____________
December, 1925_________ _________
June, 1926 _ __ _______ - ____
December, 1926 ____ _ _________
June, 1927 _ _____ _____ _ ____
December, 1927 _______ _ _____
17. 7
21.4
34.1
50. 0
13.0
1 7.9
14. 9
16.0
i 5. 3
1 6.4
14.7
1 7.9
1 4.3
1.8
6.9
5.8
2.3
4.1
«
Clothing
33.5
40.1
67.0
76.7
63.6
41.0
14.3
7.9
6.5
9.2
9.3
7.4
5.6
4.9
4.4
3.4
2.5
1.1
11.4
Rent
10.1
12.0
8.0
10.7
36.8
39.0
46.7
44.6
46.8
42.5
47.4
44.7
44.9
40. 7
41. 0
36.8
36.1
30.2
29.9
HouseFuel and furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
All •
items
14.7
13.4
22.4
36.9
60.3
52.8
50.2
43.7
47.0
44.9
45.6
42.2
43.2
40.9
42.6
45.9
46.6
44.3
45.6
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
15.1
14.9
12.3
15.9
25.4
31.3
37.6
37.9
37.4
32.6
32.6
32.8
32.0
31.3
31.2
31.1
30.6
32.8
33. 5
32.6
33.0
15.8
18.8
32.7
43.4
35.7
23.7
20.7
17.3
18.0
17.4
18.8
16.2
17.3
17.6
20.3
19.6
18.2
17.2
15.4
19.7
20. 8
24.7
36.3
41.5
29.2
40.4
33.4
38.5
32.9
37.1
32.9
36.2
33.7
34.2
39.6
43.8
38.5
38.5
23.8
30.0
57.7
75.9
63.9
47.7
28.5
17.9
26.2
34.8
33.6
29.2
30.0
27.0
27.5
26.6
25.0
21.8
21.8
15.9
17.5
35.1
42.8
57.1
58.2
60.2
58.6
51.9
50.1
50.3
48.7
48.7
48.3
47.9
46.7
47.4
48.6
48.5
17.9
HO. 7
33.9
41.9
36.7
23.8
22.7
18.9
18.6
17.7
20.2
16.8
20.6
20.2
22.7
20.1
21.7
20.3
19.9
9.2
9.4
9.8
31.7
64.4
59.8
66.2
66.0
72.8
68.4
76.9
74.8
92.2
91. 2
89.9
88.0
91.9
88.8
88.0
26.3
34.1
63.1
77.4
78.1
58.2
31.6
20.1
25.1
29.4
29.0
29.0
29.8
27.7
28.0
25.3
24.3
22.6
21.9
16.3
16.7
28.3
41.2
46.3
48.6
48.0
43.4
42.8
44.1
43.1
45.3
46.6
46.7
46.8
46.1
46.4
46.3
46.2
19.8
21.8
36.2
49.1
39.3
27.7
22.8
17.8
20.1
21.3
22.9
22.4
24.9
26.0
28.5
26.2
27.2
25.4
24.8
N e w O r le a n s, L a .
December, 1918 _____ _
____
June, 1919 _
_______
_ __
December, 1919 ________ ___ _____
June, 1920___ __
______
December, 1920 _ ______ _ _
May, 1921
_ ____
December, 1921 __ ________ ______
June, 1922' _ ___________________
December, 1922
June, 1923
______
__ ____December, 1923 __ _
__ ___
June, 1924 _ _______ _______ _ _
December, 1924_ _ _ _
_
June, 1925__
_ ______ _ ______
December, 1925 ___ __ _____ _ _
June, 1926
_ __
December, 1926 ______ ___
June, 1927' _ __________________
December, 1927 ______ _
_ _ _
16.6
17. 4
21.1
28.6
10.7
i 10.7
i 9.3
i 12. 8
i 10. 5
i 13. 2
18.7
i 14. 6
i 5.7
i 5.7
.9
1 5.2
i 1.6
i 3.9
i 4.9
36.8
48.8
83.2
94.9
69.4
45.0
24.9
15.6
16.2
17.8
19.5
18.6
17.2
17.0
15.9
15.7
15.6
13.4
13.4
(2)
0. 1
10.8
12.9
39.7
46.7
57.9
58. 5
54.7
55.5
57.4
57.1
57.2
57.0
56.8
57.0
56.2
56.0
56.2
P itts b u r g h , 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, 1928
__
____
December, 1926 ___ ____
_____
Jure, 1927
_ _ _
December, 1927
__
18.8
16.2
25.1
36.5
14. 3
i 8.8
i 5. 6
i 12.2
i 5.4
i 5.4
i 2.1
i 7. 5
i 2.4
1.2
6.2
2.6
5.6
2.2
1. 4
35.9
45.3
82.8
91.3
75.4
50.7
23.6
17.3
13.1
14. 8
14.9
13.7
11.2
11.1
10. 5
7.8
5.5
5. 2
3.8
2 No change.
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
7.6
13.5
15.5
34.9
35.0
55.5
55.3
56.7
56.7
60.4
60.7
71.8
72.1
75.2
75. 2'
75.4
75.0
74. 7
74. 4
[4 4 1 ]
230
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
T able 4 .—C H A N G ES IN COST OF LIVING IN 13 CITIES, D E C E M B E E , 1917, TO
D E C E M B E R , 1927—Continued
R ic h m o n d , V a .
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, 1 9 2 5 .______
June, 1926___________
December, 1926______ ___ _
June, 1927_________
December, 1927______
Clothing
20.5
20.6
23. 1
36. 1
11.9
i 7.4
i 2.9
i 7.8
16.3
17.2
14.8
i 11.3
13.3
12. 4
4.8
1.6
.9
1 1.2
12.9
33.8
42.3
78. 6
93. 6
69. 0
43.8
21.2
12.9
10. 6
12.5
12.9
11.9
8.9
8.6
8.4
8.1
7. 0
5.8
5.3
Kent
1.0
3. 6
9.8
12. 5
25.9
29.4
34. 1
34. 5
35.3
35.7
39.4
39. 5
41.3
41.4
40.4
39.6
36.0
34.0
31.1
Fuel and House
furnishing
light
goods
Miscel
laneous
All
items
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
41.2
53. 6
51. 0
61.4
51.9
54.2
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
38.7
35.6
35.3
9.0
13.5
24. 0
32.4
36. 0
38. 7
38.4
34.7
33. 5
33. 9
35.4
35.8
35.7
36. 0
39.1
40. 8
40.8
40. 9
40.9
17.9
20.6
32. 0
43. 8
33.3
20.2
18. 3
13. 2
14.4
14.9
17.1
13. 5
16. 5
16. 7
20.8
19. 7
19.3
17.4
16.4
4.8
3.7
8.2
19. 6
42. 6
30.9
33.4
32.3
48.9
30. 8
32.1
21.6
24.6
19.5
26.9
18.3
38.9
34.0
34.3
21.8
32.5
52.9
73.1
70.2
43. 5
19. 2
12.8
14.9
29.8
30.5
26.2
27.4
28.0
27.9
27.1
22.7
22.3
23.3
14.5
15.7
30.3
37.6
43.2
42.1
40.6
33.2
33.4
33.4
35.8
35.7
35.8
36.6
37.0
36.6
36.6
36.5
36.9
16.7
17.9
34.2
48.9
35.4
23.1
18.5
15.1
17. 0
17.7
20.6
18.8
20.7
22.4
25.0
24.1
24.5
23.2
21.4
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
71.4
75.3
27.0
35.6
48.9
62.8
62.0
48.6
30.7
24.2
28.5
34.7
34.9
31.6
34.6
33.9
33.9
34.4
33.7
32.4
32.1
21. 4
24. 9
34. 7
47. 9
50. 4
54. 6
52. 4
49. 9
49. 3
51. 4
51. 7
53. 7
53. 7
54. 8
55. 4
55. 9
55. 9
55. 7
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
28.2
28.5
S t . L o u is , M o .
December, 1918.
June, 1919_____
December, 1919.
June, 1920_____
December, 1920.
May, 1921_____
December, 1921.
June, 1922_____
December, 1922.
June, 1923_____
December, 1923.
June, 1924..........
December, 1924.
June, 1925_____
December, 1925.
June, 1926_____
December, 1920.
June, 1927_____
December, 1927.
18. 0
16. 1
26. 2
46. 2
8. 8
i 10. 1
i 11.6
i 12.1
19.5
1 11.5
1 7.5
1 11.4
16.5
!2. 5
3.4
2.8
2.0
1. 2
12.3
32.4
39.3
78.1
89. 7
70.0
43.8
17.2
7.9
6.3
9. 0
9.6
8.6
7.9
7.4
6.9
6.8
7.0
4.4
3.4
2. 7
3.8
16.8
29.8
42.4
52.5
63.8
65. 7
68.0
74. 6
79. 5
83.4
83.4
85.2
85.4
84.7
83.2
81.0
78.3
S c r a 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____ ____
June, 1927________ ______
December, 1927.. . . .
21. 3
18.1
26. 9
41. 4
17. 8
1 4.0
4 .1
1 6 7
1 2.1
15 1
.2
1 8 7
1 1. 6
14
9. 6
4. 7
6. 7
4.2
5.0
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
17.2
16.3
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[442]
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
73.1
73.4
CH ANG ES IN
231
COST O F L IV IN G
The following table shows the increase in each item of expenditure
in the United States from 1913 to December, 1927. These figures
are a summarization of the figures for the 32 cities, the results of
which appear in the preceding tables, but computed on a 1913 base.
T able 5 .—C H ANGES IN COST OF LIVING IN TH E U N IT E D STATES, 1913, TO D E C E M B E R ,
1927
Per cent of increase over 1913 in expenditure for—
Date
Food
December, 1 9 1 4 .______ _ . _______
December, 1915__________________
December, 1916._ ___________ ____
December, 1917_____________ _____
December, 1918.. _ _______ _______
June, 1919___ _ .
. . . . . . .
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___ _. _________
June, 1927
__ __ _ _ _______
December, 1927__________________
5.0
5.0
26. 0
57.0
87.0
84.0
97.0
119. 0
78.0
44.7
53.1
49.9
38. 7
40.7
39.7
46.6
41. 9
44. 3
49.3
50. 3
43.7
42.4
46). 8
51.5
55. 0
65. 5
59. 7
61.8
58. 5
55. 9
Cloth
ing
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
.2
66.7
64.9
62.9
68
Rent
House
Fuel and furnishing
light
goods
1.0
1.0
(>)
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
.5
67.0
8.4
24.1
47.9
45.6
56.8
71.9
94.9
81.6
80.9
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
80.7
88.3
80.8
83.2
66
68.0
68.0
68.2
67.4
67.1
65.4
64.2
62.1
60.2
4.0
10.6
27.8
50.6
113.6
125.1
163. 5
192.7
185.4
147. 7
124. 7
118.0
106.2
102.9
102.9
108. 2
117.6
122.2
122.4
122.4
121.3
116.0
114.9
116.0
114. 3
114.3
110.4
107. 7
105.2
104.6
Miscel
laneous
3.0
7.4
13.3
40.5
65.8
73.2
90. 2
101.4
108.2
108.8
107.8
106.8
103.3
101. 5
101.1
100. 5
100.3
100.3
.1
101. 7
.1
101
101
101.1
101.1
101.7
102.7
103.5
103.3
103.9
104. 5
105.1
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
66.4
66.3
69.5
68.8
69.7
72.1
73.2
70.4
69.1
70.6
72.5
73.5
77.9
74.8
75.6
73.4
72.0
1N 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 average prices for
household use in 32 cities and are included in the preceding tables
under the item “ Fuel and light.”
T able 6 .—P E R C E N T OF D E C R E A SE IN T H E PR IC E OF E L E C T R IC IT Y AT SP E C IF IE D
PE R IO D S AS C O M PA R E D W ITH D E C E M B E R , 1913
Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem
ber, 1913
Date
December, 1914
December, 1915__
December, 1916
December, 1917
December, 1918
June, 1919
December, 1919
June, 1920
Deeember, 1920
M av, 1921____
3. 7
___
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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 _ _ ______
September, 1922 _____
December, 1922_______
March, 1923__________
June. 1923..
______
September, 1923
December, 1923_______
[443]
Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem
ber, 1913
4. 9
4. 9
4.9
.2
.2
7.4
7.4
7.4
6
6
8.6
8.6
Date
March, 1924 _
__
June, 1924 __ ______
September, 1924._ _ . . .
December, 1924___ . . .
June, 1925____________
December, 1925_______
June, 1926.. ________
December, 1926___ _
June, 1927____________
December, 1927_______
Per
cent of
decrease
from
Decem
ber, 1913
8.6
8.6
8.6
8.6
9.9
9.9
11.1
11.1
12.3
12.3
232
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
Resolution in Favor of New Cost-of-Living Survey
TTE following resolution in favor of a new cost-of-living survey
to be made by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
was adopted by the American Association for Labor Legis
lation at its annual meeting held in December in Washington, D . C.
Similar resolutions were passed by the American Economic Associa
tion and the American Statistical Association at their December
meetings, also held in Washington:
T
Whereas the latest official cost of living study made by the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics dates from 1918-19; and
Whereas the bureau itself now feels that this study is not a true reflection of
U® American workers’ family budget owing to obvious changes in the character
oi tamily consumption: Be it
R eso lved , That the American Association for Labor Legislation feels that a new
survey of the cost of living is imperatively needed to bring these statistics up to
date; and be it further
R eso lv ed , That the matter be referred to the executive committee of the associainstructions to consult with the United States Commissioner of Labor
Statistics and to take any action necessary with a view to securing an appro
priation from Congress for such a survey.
Increasing Consumption of Pork Products in the United States
N V E S T I G A T I O N S of meat and animal fats by the United States
Department of Agriculture continue to show the popularity of
pork m the American diet. Food habits in the United States diffei bom those in many other countries largely in our very extensive
use of pork products. This country, though possessing only about 6
per cent of the population of the world, has contained in recent years
about 2 0 per cent of the world’s swine.
i
|ncreas^1S control of hog cholera, swine parasites, and other
losses has made the production of swine a much safer enterprise than
formerly. A report just issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry of
the Department of Agriculture shows an increase of more than 2 200 000 hogs slaughtered under Federal inspection during the last fiscal
year as compared with the previous year.
The total federally
inspected hogs slaughtered last year exceeded 42,500,000 out of a
total of approximately 70,000,000 food animals.
The unusual prominence of pork andits products in the American
diet has Also been the subject of special studies conducted by the
-Bureau of Animal Industry. In addition to former investigations
showing the high nutritive value of pork protein and the ability of
poik products to enhance the food value of cereal and vegetable prod
ucts _consumed at the same time, recent studies of sausage are of
Particular interest. A chemical examination of more than 200 samples
showed pure pork sausage to have an exceptionally high fuel value
furnishing more than 2,000 calories per pound. This is approxi
mately twice the number of calories ordinarily consumed by the average person at a meal. A careful selection from the very wide range of
pork products makes possible diets containing, on the one hand an
abundant supply of fuel for hard manual labor and, on the other, by a
different choice, diets containing a lesser quantity of energy and more
I
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ECONOM ICS OF IN STA LLM EN T SELLIN G
233
protein, which may be more suitable for persons leading sedentary
lives. In general the winter season calls for a greater consumption of
foods high in fuel value.
Previous experiments showed pork to be relatively rich in the antineuritic vitamin, as determined by feeding experiments with large
numbers of pigeons. More recent tests have shown that as small a
quantity as 5 per cent of dried, lean pork in the diet of the birds pro
tected them against polyneuritis. This disease results from the same
vitamin deficiency that causes beriberi in man. Other experiments,
conducted to determine the value of pork as a source of the growthpromoting vitamin B, indicate that pork contains a reasonable supply
of this valuable nutritive factor. These studies are of special signifi
cance since pork amounts to approximately 50 per cent of the entire
meat dietary in the United States.
The large and efficient production of pork in the country likewise
has made it possible for this food to reach the market at compara
tively low prices. Its economy, combined with high food value,
department officials believe, helps to explain the very liberal use of
pork products in the American diet.
Economics o f Installment Selling 1
INSTALLMENT selling has a tendency to stabilize, regularize,
A increase, and speed up production, according to the findings of
an intensive survey made by Prof. E. B. A. Seligman and a corps
of investigators. The results of this study are embodied in two
volumes covering nearly 1,000 pages. Among the important con
clusions reached are the following:
Volume of Installment Selling Exaggerated
jV/IANY of the estimates in regard to installment selling were found
to be enormously exaggerated. The durable consumption
goods to which the installment system is primarily applied totaled
at the close of 1926 approximately $4,500,000,000 or a little less than
12 per cent of the total retail sales, which approximated $38,000,000,000. The total outstanding installment paper amounted to approxi
mately $2,000,000,000. Less than 60 per cent of the automobiles
were reported as being sold, on the installment plan as compared
with the common estimate of 75 to 80 per cent.
Prejudices Against Installment Credit
NTEARLY all prevalent opinions concerning installment credit are
^
declared to be the result of prejudice or prepossession and with
out satisfactory factual foundation or “ adequate economic analysis.”
A careful study of consumption and production credit has led the
author to conclude that “ the economic nature of installment credit
must be considered in the light of the doctrine of utilization. To
1 Seligman, Edwin R. A.: The Economics of Installment Selling.
special reference to the automobile. N ew York, 1927.
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A study in consumers’ credit with
234
M O NTH LY L A B O R R E V IE W
object to installment selling on the ground that it is consumption
credit, with the further implication that consumption credit is in
some way or other less legitimate than production credit, is essen
tially invalid.”
It is emphasized that a distinction must be drawn between using
a thing and using up a thing. “ True surplus is to be envisaged from
the point of view of creative capacity or of finer living.” Instead of
defining consumption as productive or unproductive it should be
classified as creative, neutral, wasteful, or destructive.
In Professor Seligman’s judgment, the legitimacy of consumption
credit depends upon the character of its utilization. Productive or
neutral utilization makes credit legitimate. Wasteful or destructive
utilization makes credit illegitimate.
Evolution of Installment Credit
'"TH E investigator shows how new forms of credit have been evolved
with every great change in economic conditions. Although
these forms of credit met with opposition at first, they were later on
greatly^ appreciated. “ Installment credit represents the latest stage
of credit.”
The essential points of difference between installment credit and
other forms of consumption credit are (1) the kind of terms on which
installment credit is granted; (2) the character of the security upon
which installment credit is granted.
The gravest problems, therefore, of installment credit center in
the facts of defaults and delinquencies. Consequently, special
attention was given to a study of repossessions, which resulted in the
conclusion that “ there are few undesirable factors (i. e., factors lead
ing to delinquencies, repossessions, and losses) which may be con
sidered as permanently inherent in installment selling; and in the
further conclusion that the control of delinquencies, repossessions,
and losses lies in the hands of those selling on installment.”
What is a Luxury?
IN R E F E R R I N G to the common criticism of installment credit,
that it stimulates the buying of luxuries, attention is called to the
greater production, larger profits, and increased wages made possible
by modern capitalism and the factory system and to the important
influence such changes have had on standards of living. What is
considered a luxury to-day may be regarded as a necessity to-morrow.
“ While the force of the old objections against certain forms of sense
less and extravagant luxury on ethical grounds remained unimpaired,
attention ought primarily to be directed to the validity of the eco
nomic argument which explains the transition from luxuries to
necessities.”
Discussing the automobile in particular, the writer maintains that
it should not be considered either a luxury or as a form of wasteful
consumption. He holds that “ the advent of the automobile has
marked a revolution in economic and social life which is comparable
to that produced by the introduction of the railway.” The benefits
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ECONOM ICS OF IN STA L LM E N T SELLIN G
235
of the automobile must be weighed against its resultant evils. He
holds that there is “ little doubt as to where the balance of advantages
lies.”
Effect on the Consumer
rT T l E breaking up of payments makes it possible for the consumer of
A
moderate means to have immediate possession of high-priced
durable goods. “ Installment credit must therefore be regarded pri
marily as making it possible for the consumers to increase that satis
faction of their wants which is rendered by certain forms of modern
durable goods.”
In regard to the alleged dangers in installment credit because of
the irrationality of consumers it is acknowledged in the report that
“ consumers as a class undoubtedly do not possess the same skill in
financial arrangements nor practice the same careful budgetary meth
ods as producers or business men as a class.” Yet it is pointed out
that “ irrationality can not well be predicated of consumers in general.”
It is also maintained that in many cases installment credit tends to
make the consumer arrange his program of expenditures with greater
intelligence.
Furthermore, the report states that installment buying has on the
whole a tendency to strengthen the motives which prompt individuals
to save and increases their capacity to do so. As to the economic
slavery resulting among the improvident from debts through install
ment credit, consideration should also be given to the fact that under
proper conditions the purchase of the right kind of articles through
installment payments may mean liberation rather than slavery.
Reflex on Business Conditions
D O I N T I N G out that there are no boundaries to the multiplication
A
of demands except those set by the physical and economic limits
of production, Professor Seligman concludes “ that at both ends of the
business structure installment selling exerts a well-defined beneficial
influence.”
A study of the depression resulting from the coal strike several
years ago in the anthracite district led to the conclusion that “ the
dangerous effects of installment selling on the credit structure have
been exaggerated.” While as yet the data available are not sufficient
to constitute a basis for a definite pronouncement, “ installment
credit under proper conditions is probably not open to the charges so
often preferred against it in this respect.”
Summary
IN B R I E F , Professor Seligman concludes that installment selling,
* like every innovation, “ is subject to the perils of novelty.” It
has brought forth new devices, has established a new technique, and
has indisputably “ come to stay.” That there are certain dangers
and abuses connected with the system is undeniable, but in the course
of time experience will show the kinds of goods and the social strata
to which installment credit is economically applicable.
82645°—28----- 16
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236
M O N TH LY LA B O R R E V IE W
B y the gradual elimination of undesirable practices’ quite definite
and generally acceptable standards may be set up for discriminating
between the sound and the unsound, the real and the specious.
When these criteria are applied to installment selling “ we may
expect to learn that the innocuous and the salutary must not be con
founded with the inappropriate and the regrettable and that, in its
ultimate and refined forms, installment credit will be recognized as
constituting a significant and valuable contribution to the modern
economy.”
Income and Living Standards of Unskilled Laborers in Chicago1
NLY slightly over 50 per cent of the 467 families of able-bodied
unskilled laborers included in a recent survey in Chicago were
able to maintain a standard equivalent to the budget (1925
revision) proposed for the use of the charitable organizations of that
city. The investigation was made under the auspices of the local
community research committee of the University of Chicago, the
Chicago Council of Social Agencies and several large employers of
labor to ascertain whether this budget did not provide a higher stand
ard of living than the average unskilled laborer in Chicago was able
to secure for himself.
This budget had been carefully worked out with a view to adaptation
to_ varying family circumstances; for example, the food cost (1924
prices) for a man at hard muscular work in a family where bread is
bought is estimated at $14.30 per month and for a woman under the
same conditions at $11.30 per month. Additional allowances are
provided when members of the family need special diets. An increased
estimate for clothing is considered necessary when the man’s work
“ involves unusual exposure.” A reduction of 10 to 25 per cent is
made in the clothing costs for younger children when wearing apparel
is handed down to them. Details from the budget are published as
Appendix A to the study.
O
The two main lines of inquiry based upon this budget were (1)
the extent to which the family income was supplemented from other
sources than that of the earnings of the chief breadwinner, and (2)
the sufficiency of the total family income to maintain a normal living
standard.
As the line of demarcation between “ unskilled” and “ semiskilled”
was found to be hazy, both classes were included in the survey. The
earnings in both groups ranged from about $800 to $2,200 per annum,
the majority being under $1,500. A comparison of the earnings of
the chief breadwinner and the estimates of the budget showed that
in over two-thirds of the families such earnings were not sufficient
for a standard of living equivalent to that contemplated in the Chicago
budget. In this connection it should be noted, the investigators
point out, that the group of wage earners covered was unusually
well situated, having had regular employment throughout the year
1924. Moreover, most of them had been with their employers for
several years.
1 Houghteling, Leila: The Income and Standard of Living of Unskilled Laborers in Chicago. Chicago,
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[44S]
237
L IV IN G STANDARDS OF U N SK IL LE D LA BO R ER S
In the face of these findings the significance of other sources of
income was obvious. It was then ascertained that 355 families had
other sources of income, which included earnings of wives and child
ren, returns from keeping lodgers and boarders, property income,
benefits, gifts from relatives and friends, and borrowed money.
The results of having recourse to some of these supplementary
sources were clearly undesirable. For example, in 108 families the
mothers felt it necessary to work and their jobs were especially
arduous. According to the survey, this fact undoubtedly meant “ a
lowering of the standard of living in those families and the consequent
sacrifice of the welfare of the dependent children.”
I t is also pointed out that the boarders and roomers in 100 families
and the consequent overcrowding contributed to lower the standard
of both physical and moral well-being in such families.
A study of the general living conditions of all the families and of
the dietaries of a smaller number of families showed quite plainly
that the families whose standard of living was lower than that con
templated by the Chicago budget were existing under conditions
which failed “ utterly to provide a standard of living that will make
possible a high standard of physical, mental, and moral health and
efficiency for adults, the full physical and mental growth and develop
ment of children, and make provision for their moral welfare.”
This conclusion is given an added emphasis by the fact that 134
of these families during 1924 found they must avail themselves of
the free services which the social agencies provide. As these services
are rendered principally by medical agencies, the importance of such
aid to both these families and to the community as a whole can read
ily be seen. Without this assistance the general standard of living
would drop “ to an extremely low level.”
Among the many interesting tables presented in this study is the
following statement showing the number and per cent of wage earners’
families having each specified number of dependent children:
N u m b er of d ep en d en t children 1
N one 2____________________
1 ____________________
2 ____________________
3 ________________________
4
___________________
5 ________________________
6 ___________________
7 or m o re ________________
T o ta l______________
Number
of families
2
77
112
103
79
41
34
19
467
Per cent
of total
0. 4
16. 5
24. 0
22. 0
16. 9
8. 8
7. 3
4. 1
100. 0
1 No age limit was set, and 40 children of 16 years or over were included because they were not contribut
ing to the family exchecquer. Also includes 35 children who contributed very small amounts.
2 The children in these families are dependent nieces and nephews and therefore were not in this table
classified with the other dependent children.
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238
M O N TH LY LA B O R R E V IE W
Cost of Living in Peru
THE Statistical Abstract of Peru for the year 1926 the Peruvian
IN Bureau
of Statistics has published a table showing the average
retail prices of 15 food articles in Peru for the years 1913 to 1926,
from which the following table has been prepared. The price equiv
alents in Punted States currency have been computed for 1926.
AVERAGE R E TA IL PR IC ES OF SP E C IF IE D A R TIC L ES OF FOOD IN P E R U , B Y Y E A R S
[Exchange rate of sol Dec. 29, 1926=35.7 cents ; 1 kilogram=2.2 pounds; 1 liter = 1.06 quarts]
1926
Article
Unit
1913
(Sols)
1918
(Sols)
1920
(Sols)
1925
(Sols)
Sols
Beef______
___ _
_ _ . _ ___
M utton. . . . _ __
Pork _ . ______ ___ .
Sweet oil_____ _____ _ _
___ _____
Rice____________________
Sugar _ ______________ __ ________
Vermicelli
__
___ _____
Kidney beans
_ _ __________
Flour__ ___________ _ _
_______
M ilk, fresh .
__
______ _
M ilk, condensed _____ __
Corn. ___ _________________ ______
Lard__
___________
. ____
Bread __
____________
Potatoes____________________________
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Kilogram__
_ do ____
__ do_____
_do_____
__d o _ ____
__ do_____
_ _ do____
____ do_____
___do____ _
Liter _____
Can
Kilogram__
____do_.........
___do______
____d o ..........
[450]
0.70
.60
.85
.65
.20
. 13
.30
.20
. 17
. 30
. 25
.09
.61
. 12
.286
1. 05
. 95
1. 80
1. 06
.34
.24
.46
.26
.34
.45
.40
. 17
1. 48
.23
.40
1. 35
1. 10
2.00
1. 28
.51
.24
.61
.34
.38
. 55
.42
.21
1.64
.21
.625
1.30
1. 10
2.00
.79
.37
.28
.51
.32
.36
.52
.34
.22
1. 32
.26
.438
1. 32
1. 36
2. 00
. 84
.40
. 26
. 53
. 44
.40
.50
.38
.24
1.40
. 21
.399
u . s.
cur
rency
30. 47
.49
.71
.30
. 14
. 09
. 18
. 16
. 14
. 18
. 14
.09
. 50
.07
. 14
LABOR AWARDS AND DECISIONS
Awards and Decisions
L o c o m o tiv e F ir e m e n — W e ste r n R a ilro a d s
HE Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Enginemen made
a claim for increase of wages on the managements of the
various western railroads, June 25, 1926, which was denied
by the carriers July 8, 1927. As both sides invoked the services of
the United States Board of Mediation, mediation proceedings fol
lowed. These, however, were without result, and by agreement,
August 6, 1927, both sides left the question to an arbitration board
consisting of Albert Phillips and S. A. Boone, representing the brother
hood; R. V. Fletcher and John W. Higgins, representing the carriers;
and Judge Haslett P. Burke and Paul A. Sinsheimer, appointed by
the United States Board of Mediation.
The arbitration hearings began September 29 and ended November
11, 1927. The board agreed that a decision should be made by
December 20, met in executive session from November 28 to Decem
ber 5, and then issued a statement that it was unable to agree upon
an award. At the suggestion of the United States Board of Media
tion, Judge Burke called the members of the arbitration board to
meet December 17, and was later notified that, acting on advice
from the Department of Justice, the United States Board of Media
tion suggested that if a majority of the board appeared December 17,
those present make an award according to the arbitration agreement.
Following a protest of the chairman of the conference committee of
managers of western railroads against convening the board, the
arbitrators representing the railroads declined to attend the meeting.
Four of the six members of the board met and rendered a decision,
of which the following is a part:
The award was followed by statements made by the four arbitrators
present, as follows:
T
D em and 1: E xcept as otherw ise p rovided herein existing ra te s of p a y for
firemen, helpers, hostlers, a n d ou tsid e h o stler helpers shall be increased $1 p e r day.
On th is d em and th e b o ard decides t h a t th e ra te s of p a y fo r firem en in ro ad
passenger service shall be in creased 30 cen ts p er d a y a n d th e ra te s of p a y of all
o th er em ployees involved shall be increased 35 cen ts p er day.
D em and 2: In freig h t service on steam , electric, or o th e r pow er w eighing
250,000 pounds a n d over on drivers a n d on M allet engines, existing ra te s of p ay
shall be increased $1.25 p e r day.
T his d em an d th e b o a rd denies, except to th e ex te n t g ra n te d in No. 1, above.
D em and 3: G rad atio n s on locom otives, according to w eights on drivers, to be
extended to 550,000 pounds an d over in freig h t service, w ith a n ad d itio n a l increase
of 25 cents p er day to be applied for each 50,000 pounds above 250,000 p o unds on
drivers.
T his dem and th e b oard denies.
D em and 4: T he w eight of all o th e r pow er-driven wheels will be ad d ed to th e
w eight on drivers of locom otives t h a t are equipped w ith boosters, a n d th e w eights
produced by such increased w eights shall fix th e ra te s for th e respective classes
of service.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[451]
239
240
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
This dem and th e bo ard grants.
D em and 5: In all passenger service th e earnings from mileage, overtim e, or
o th er rules applicable for each d ay service is perform ed shall be n o t less th a n
$6.25 for firemen.
T his dem and th e b o ard g ran ts to th e e x te n t of $5.55; otherw ise denies.
T h e a w a rd w as follow ed b y s ta te m e n ts m a d e b y th e fo u r a r b it r a
to rs p re s e n t, a s follow s:
S ta te m e n t
o f
c h a ir m a n
On th e m eetin g of th e m em bers of th e b o ard of a rb itra tio n , whose sig n atu res
are affixed to th e foregoing aw ard, a t th e C apitol B uilding in D enver, a t 2 p. m .,
D ecem ber 17, 1927, th e first q u estio n fo r consideration w as w h e th e r th e said
b o ard could legally reconvene fo r a n y p u rpose a t t h a t tim e a n d p rio r to its
reconvening a n d reo rg an izatio n as a b o ard I s ta te d to a rb itra to rs Sinsheim er,
Boone, a n d Phillips th a t, in m y opinion, no fu rth e r legal m eetin g of said bo ard
of a rb itra to rs could be held, b u t t h a t on th e opinion of th e D e p a rtm e n t of Ju stic e
a n d th e req u est of th e B o ard of M ed iatio n to th e c o n trary , I w as w illing to p a r
tic ip a te th erein in o rd er t h a t a n a w ard m ig h t, if possible, u n d e r th e circu m
stances, be rendered a n d filed in th e U n ited S tates d is tric t co u rt a n d its legality
th e re determ ined by th e only trib u n a l co m p eten t to a u th o rita tiv e ly pass upon
th e question.
S ta te m e n t
o f r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s
o f b r o th e r h o o d
W e believe i t a p p ro p ria te to s ta te in connection w ith th e foregoing aw ard
th a t, in o u r careful a n d considered ju d g m e n t, th e em ployees inv o lv ed in th is
a rb itra tio n are e n title d to increases in ra te s of p ay su b sta n tia lly larg er th a n
those aw arded. N evertheless, w e believe i t o u r d u ty to jo in in a n aw ard w hich
will give these m en th e benefit of a t least a p o rtio n of th e increased wages to
which, in our ju d g m en t, th e y are e n titled .
S ta te m e n t
o f
S in s h e im e r ,
a r b itr a to r
I believe th e aw ard h erein fails to accord th e full m easure of w age increase
justified upon th e record of th e case. T his increase, in m y opinion, should
range from 35 to 45 cen ts in th e s ta n d a rd w age ra te s now in effect a n d should
ap p ly in ap p ro p ria te p ro p o rtio n s to all firem en, hostlers, a n d h o stler helpers
in service on w estern railroads.
I have joined in th e aw ard so th a t som e m easure of increase m ay be m ad e
effective, even th o u g h n o t in th e full am o u n t I hold to be justified.
R a ilr o a d s— D e c is io n s o f T r a in S e r v ic e B o a r d s o f A d j u s t m e n t
Southeastern Region
A D I S P U T E b etw e en th e L o u isv ille & N a sh v ille R a ilro a d Co.
a n d its en g in eers w as s e ttle d b y th e T ra in S ervice B o a rd of
A d ju s tm e n t fo r th e S o u th e a s te rn R eg io n D e c e m b e r 13, 1927, in
D o c k e t N o . 280. T h e fa c ts w ere as follow s: O n M a rc h 18, 1925,
follow ing a cy clo n e w h ich destroyed^ w ire c o m m u n icatio n b etw een
L o u isv ille a n d L a to n ia , a f r e ig h t en g in ee r a f te r a tta c h in g h is engine
to a tr a in set_ to d e p a r t fo r S o u th L o u isv ille a t 8.20 p . m ., becau se
of th e im p o ssib ility o f m o v in g th e tr a in to L a to n ia , w as in s tru c te d
to r e tu r n to th e ro u n d h o u se , w h e n ce h e w as m o v ed o n a n en g in e in
c h a rg e of a h o s tle r to T e n th S tr e e t y a r d , w h ere h e p erfo rm e d em er
gen cy w o rk tr a in serv ice re p a irin g w ires, re tu rn in g to S o u th L o u is
ville w h en h e w as re lie v ed a t 10 o ’clock th e n e x t m o rn in g .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[452]
AWARDS AND DECISIONS— RAILROADS
241
He was paid on continuous time and mileage basis at work-train
rates for the entire service. He claimed, however, two days’ pay,
one at through-freight rate and one at work-train rate, basing his
claim on the following articles in the agreement.
A rticle 24 (f). W hen crews are called fo r ro ad service an d n o t used th e y
will be p aid a m inim um of th re e hours a t reg u lar or pro r a ta ra te s a n d stan d
first o u t in th e class of service assigned to. If n o t relieved w ith in six hours
of th e tim e th e y are called to re p o rt th e y will be p aid 100 m iles on th e class of
service fo r w hich th e y w ere called a n d sta n d la s t out.
A rt . 6. I n all ro ad service tim e will be com puted from 30 m in u tes before
tim e set fo r d e p a rtu re of tra in or 30 m in u tes before th e a c tu a l leaving tim e,
if earlier, an d end a t th e tim e a n d p o in t w here relieved of th e engine.
If required to re p o rt fo r th e ir engines earlier th a n 30 m in u tes before th e
leaving tim e of th e ir tr a in th e ir tim e will be com puted from th e tim e th e y are
required to re p o rt for d u ty .
The committee stated:
I t is, therefore, o u r c o n ten tio n t h a t w hen engineer B cleared th e re ad y tra c k
sw itch a t th e roundhouse, S o u th Louisville, coupled on to his tra in , received
orders a n d s ta rte d for L ato n ia, his destin atio n , w as sto p p ed an d in stru c te d by
p ro p er a u th o rity to re tu rn to th e roundhouse, deliver his engine a n d re p o rt to
th e caller, he h ad com pleted a d a y ’s w ork a n d w as en title d to p a y fo r 100 m iles
in th ro u g h -freig h t service, a n d w hen he re p o rted fo r a n o th e r engine in a different
class of service a t T e n th S tre e t roundhouse, w hich is ap p ro x im ately 3 miles
d is ta n t from th e first rep o rtin g p o in t, a n d cleared th e read y tra c k sw itch a t th a t
p o in t he h ad begun a new d ay a n d should be com pensated accordingly.
The carrier objected to the claim on the following grounds:
1. T h a t th e e n tire service w as continuous an d pro p erly p aid for u n d er section
(a), article 10— tw o or m ore classes of service, w hich read s: “ R oad engineers,
firem en, a n d helpers perform ing m ore th a n one class of road service in a d ay or
trip will be p aid for th e en tire service a t th e h ighest ra te applicable to a n y class
of service perform ed, w ith a m inim um of 100 m iles for th e com bined service.
T he ov ertim e basis for th e ra te p aid will a p p ly fo r th e en tire tr ip .”
2. T h a t th e re is n o th in g in th e agreem ent w hich su p p o rts th e claim for 100
m iles for a m ovem ent from one p a rt of a te rm in a l to a n o th e r p a rt of a term in al
in cid en t to a trip in ro a d service.
3. T h a t p a ra g ra p h (f), article 24, referred to by th e com m ittee, is n o t applic
able to th e case, in t h a t i t applies only to crews who a re called a n d n o t used.
4. T h a t article 6, referred to by th e com m ittee, h as no bearing on th e case, as
it m erely provides w hen tim e will end a fte r com pleting service.
Quoting article 6 of the agreement before given, the board said:
E vidence before th e b o ard shows engineer B ac tu a lly p erform ed service u n d er
th e original call a n d w as th e n directed to re tu rn his engine to th e engine house,
w here he w as relieved of it, th e trip ending u n d er th a t p o rtio n of th e rule reading:
“ A nd end a t th e tim e a n d p o in t w here relieved of th e en g in e .” T he claim is,
therefore, sustained.
Western Region
Several decisions settling disputes between the Los Angeles & Salt
Lake Railroad and its trainmen have been rendered recently by the
Train Service Board of Adjustment for the Western Region, of which
number three were as follows:
Changing rate of pay.—October 26, 1926, the wage of the engine
foreman at Yermo, Calif., was reduced from $7.04 to $6.64 per day,
on the ground that the latter rate was the proper rate of pay under
the yardmen’s agreement with the carrier, effective March 1, 1925,
since the engine foreman at that point did not perform the usual
duties required of footboard jmrdmaster receiving the higher rate.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[453]
242
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
A request for restoration of the rate was decided October 14, 1927,
by Decision No. 2501.
The management held that:
W hen a y a rd forem an is also req u ired b y th e com pany to a c t as y a rd m a ste r
we ap p ly th e 40 cen ts p e r d ay to th e fo re m a n ’s ra te , b u t we con ten d t h a t i t is a
m anagerial question as to w h eth er th e com pany will req u ire engine forem en to
a c t as y ard m aste rs o r n o t. W hen th e y a rd m a s te r’s d u ties are assum ed b y su p er
vising a g e n t or his re p resen tativ e, as in th is case, th e re is no obligation on th e
p a r t of th e com pany to p ay th e fo o tb o ard y a rd m a s te r’s ra te .
P osition op th e com m ittee : C ontinuously since t h a t t i m e '[1918] engine
forem en a t Y erm o h av e been p aid fo o tb o ard y a rd m a s te r’s ra te of p a y u n til on
O ctober 26, 1926, th is m eth o d of p a y m e n t w as a rb itra rily d iscontinued b y th e
carrier. T h ere has been no change in req u ired d u ties of engine forem en a t Y erm o.
I t is th e position of th e com m ittee t h a t th e carrier is n o t privileged to a rb itra rily
reduce th e ra te of p ay , a n d req u est is th erefo re m ad e t h a t ra te be resto red a n d
ad ju stm e n ts m ad e to cover since th e d a te i t w as discontinued.
D e c is io n : In v iew of th e fa c t th a t th ere h as been no change in th e d u ties and
responsib ilities, claim is su stained.
Duty to 'place name on list.—An extra brakeman on the Los Angeles
board while protecting a temporary vacancy at San Bernardino was
called to attend an investigation at Los Angeles. The investigation
closed at 1 p. m., but he was assigned to no duty during the afternoon.
On inquiry for the reason at 7 p. m., he was informed that he had been
marked “ off list” for the day. He demanded pay for a day’s work “ on
the ground that he should have been marked up on the board by the
officers at the close of the investigation.”
P osition of th e com m ittee : T h e officers who caused his nam e to be placed on
"off list,” as show n in s ta te m e n t of facts, should have a u th o rized his re tu rn to
th e w orking board.
P osition of m a n a g e m e n t : W hen th e in v estig atio n w as concluded a t 1 p. m.
M arch 23 he w as released a n d inform ed t h a t his presence w as no longer required.
I t w as th e n u p to M r. S to re p o rt to th e crew d isp a tc h e r t h a t he w as re a d y fo r
service. T his he did n o t do u n til 7 p. m . M arch 24. A ccordingly, no one w as to
blam e b u t b rak em an S fo r loss of tim e on M arch 24.
D e c is io n : I n view of circum stances a n d fa c ts involved, claim is sustained.
D ecision No. 2497 O ctober 13, 1927.
Pay.—On a 21-mile branch extending from St. Thomas to Moapa,
Nev., a gasoline-motor car superseded a locomotive and coach April
10, 1926. On that day the crew, on arriving at Moapa from St.
Thomas, took a freight train from Moapa to Las Vegas. The brakemen were paid continuous time at the local rate of pay, from time of
reporting at St. Thomas until released at Las Vegas in accordance
with article 11 (c), which reads as follows:
T rainm en perform ing m ore th a n one class of ro a d service in a d ay or trip will
be p aid for th e en tire service a t th e hig h est ra te ap p licable to a n y class of service
perform ed. T he overtim e basis fo r th e ra te will a p p ly fo r th e en tire trip .
One of the brakemen, however, claimed two minimum days’ pay
in accordance with articles 9 (d) and 11 (a) reading as follows:
A rticle 9 (d). Should a n assigned local fre ig h t crew be used fo r a sh o rt trip
w ith in its assigned te rrito ry continuous w ith its assigned ru n a n d p rio r to th e
a rriv a l a t its objective term in al, it will be p a id co n tin u o u s tim e or miles. An
assigned crew used for a n y o th e r sh o rt trip will be allow ed a t least a m inim um day
for such trip .
A r t . 11 (a). In all ro a d service, except passenger service, 100 m iles o r less,
eight ho u rs or less (straig h taw ay o r tu r n a ro u n d ), shall c o n stitu te a d a y ’s w ork.
M iles in excess of 100 will be p aid for a t th e m ileage ra te provided.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4 5 4 ]
AWARDS AND DECISIONS— SIGNALMEN
243
The decision of the board was as follows:
D e c is io n : In th e opinion of th e board, th e language of article 9, section (d),
su stain s th e claim, a n d so decides.
D ecision No. 2491, O ctober 13, 1927.
S ig n a lm e n — L o u is v ille & N a s h v ille R a ilro a d
A Correction
TN the January issue of the Review (p. 197) certain typographical
*■ errors occurred in the wage figures taken from the arbitration
award handed down November 12, 1927, in a wage dispute between
the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen of America and the Louisville
& Nashville Railroad. The correct figures are as follows:
Old rate
Signal co nstruction fo rem an _______________
Signal m ain ten an ce forem an _______________
A ssistant signal forem an ___________________
L eading signalm en, leading m a in tain ers____
Signalm en, signal m a in ta in e rs_____________
Signal linem en____________________________
Signal groundm en________________________
Signal h elp ers____________________________
p er m o n th . _ $200. 61
______d o ____ 185. 20
__ p er hour__
. 84
______d o ____
. 79
______d o ____
. 74
______d o ____
. 70
______d o ____
.6 4
______d o ____
. 49
New rate
$215. 61
195. 20
. 88
. 83
. 78
. 74
. 66
. 52
R a te s of sig n al la b o re rs w ere in cre ased 2 c e n ts p e r hour.
Assistant signalmen and assistant maintainers start at 54 cents
per hour, instead of 51 cents, as before, receiving an increase of 2
cents per hour every six months for four years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[455]
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
S t a t is t ic s o f I m m ig r a tio n fo r N o v em b er, 1927
By J. J. K u n n a , C h ie f S t a tistic ia n U . S. B u r e a u
of
I m m igration
TOTAL of 41,599 aliens entered the United States in November,
1927; the immigrant class, newcomers for permanent resi
dence in this country, numbered 27,758, the remaining 13,841
being tourists or other temporary visitors. During the same month
22,757 aliens left the United States, 16,886 of whom were of the visit
ing class or nonemigrants, and 5,871 were emigrants leaving to make
their homes abroad again. American citizens returning to and de
parting from the United States in November totaled 24,325 and
22,612, respectively. Compared with the previous month, there
was a decrease in both the inward and outward passenger movement.
In November last 65,924 persons entered the United States and 45,369
left for foreign countries as against 103,551 entering and 47,222 de
parting in October, 1927.
A
T h e p rin c ip a l ra c e s c o n trib u tin g im m ig ra n t aliens in N o v e m b e r,
1927, w ere th e G e rm a n (5,823), I r is h (4,095), M ex ican (3,886),
E n g lish (3,181), S c o tc h (2,123), F re n c h (1,693), S c a n d in a v ia n (1,522),
I ta lia n (1,343), a n d H e b re w (1,010). T h ese n in e races su p p lied 88.9
p e r c e n t of th e to ta l.
T h e r e _ w as a d ecrease in im m ig ra tio n fro m b o th C a n a d a a n d
M exico in N o v e m b e r as c o m p a re d w ith th e p reced in g m o n th . In
N o v e m b e r la s t 7,055 im m ig ra n ts w ere re co rd e d as com ing from
C a n a d a a n d 3,993 fro m M exico, w h ile d u rin g O c to b e r la s t 7,641
im m ig ra n ts ca m e fro m C a n a d a a n d 4,301 fro m M exico. E u ro p e a n
im m ig ra tio n also d ecreased , 18,096 im m ig ra n ts b ein g a d m itte d fro m
c o u n trie s o n t h a t c o n tin e n t in O c to b e r as a g a in st 15,504 in N o v e m b e r.
O v e r tw o -th ird s , o r 27,005 of th e 41,599 aliens of all classes a d m it
te d d u rin g N o v e m b e r, 1927, w ere b o rn in E u ro p e a n c o u n trie s; 12,447
g av e c o u n trie s in th e W e s te rn H e m isp h e re as th e ir p lace of b irth ,
p rin c ip a lly C a n a d a a n d M ex ico ; 1,774 a re n a tiv e s of A sia; 56 of
A frica; a n d 317 of A u s tra lia a n d th e P acific islands.
A total of 1,723 (1,273 male and 450 female) aliens were debarred
from entering the United States, only 188 having been rejected at the
seaports of entry, while 1,535 were turned back at the international
land border. Practically the entire number, or 96.7 per cent of the
total, was refused admission for failure to present proper immigration
visas under the immigration act of 1924, 1,666 aliens having been
debarred for this reason. In November last 1,030 aliens were de
ported from the United States under warrant proceedings for various
causes under the immigration laws.
244
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[456]
245
STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
T able 1
—
IN W A R D A N D OUTW ARD PA SSE N G ER M O V E M E N T D U R IN G JULY,
AUGUST, SE P T E M B E R , OCTOBER, A N D N O V E M B E R , 1927
Inward
Period
1927
July------------August __ _
September___
October
November___
Outward
Aliens
Aliens
de
de
Aliens admitted
United
United
barred Aliens departed
ported
States
States
from
after
citi
citi
enter
landN on
zens Total ing 1 Emi N on
zens Total , ing 2
Immi imm
i
ar
Total
emi
T
otal2
de
grant
grant2
rived
grant
grant 2
parted
23,420
28,418
31,000
31,719
27, 758
15, 973
19, Oil
25, 619
21, 578
13, 841
39, 393
47, 429
56, 619
53, 297
41, 599
29, 935 69, 328
57, 701 105,130
75, 557 132, 176
50, 254 103, 551
24, 325 65, 924
Total___ 142, 315 96,022 238, 337 237, 772 476,109
2,002
1,574
1,600
1, 567
1, 723
9, 230
6, 322
7, 625
6,402
5, 871
18, 509
17,014
16, 885
16,424
16, 886
27, 739
23, 336
24, 510
22, 826
22, 757
65, 686
43,039
39, 748
24, 396
22, 612
93,425
66, 375
64, 258
47, 222
45, 369
700
1,346
901
932
1,030
8, 466 35,450 85, 718 121,168 195,48lj316, 649
4,909
1 Not included among inward numbers, as they were not permitted to enter the United States.
2 Deported aliens are included among the emigrant or the nonemigrant aliens.
T
2 — LAST P E R M A N E N T R E SID E N C E OF IM M G R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D A N D
IN T E N D E D F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E SID E N C E OF E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D ,
D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D FROM JULY 1 TO N O V E M B E R 30, 1927, B Y C O U N TR IES
able
[Residence for a year or more is regarded as permanent residence]
Immigrant
Country
July to
July to
November, November,
November, November,
1927
1927
1927
1927
Albania______________________
Austria___ ________
Belgium _ __
_ _____
Bulgaria, ______ . . . ____ _
Czechoslavakia. _____
Danzig, Free City of_ . . .
Denmark
Estonia. . ________ ______
F in lan d .._
France, including Corsica________
Germany . . . . _ ______
Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
England____
_____
___
N orthern Ireland. . . . . . . . . . .
S cotla n d ...
._ . . .
_____
W a le s ..__________________
Greece
_____ _______ _ __________
Hungary__________ __ ____________
Irish Free State _________________
Italy., including Sicily and Sardinia.. .
.....
Latvia_____________ _ . . . _________
Lithuania__________
___________
Luxemburg._. ._ . . . _______
Netherlands______ ________
Norway. . ____ _______
Poland _. .
Portugal, including Azores, Cape Verde, and Madeira
______
Islands _.
R u m an ia _______
R ussia.. . . . _____
Spain, including Canary and Balearic Islands _ _____
Sweden . . __
Switzerland.
.
___
Turkey in Europe ___________
Y u g o s la v ia ...____
____________
Other Europe__________ ______ _____
Total, Europe........................................ .........
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Emigrant
[457]
29
146
53
15
400
23
238
15
39
458
4,990
149
568
309
98
1,428
173
1,022
110
218
1,998
18,294
746
8
972
154
215
87
2,749
1,190
28
48
16
185
321
880
3,484
81
5,097
761
1,145
410
11,208
7, 391
119
228
48
767
2,366
3,947
85
139
100
30
723
216
32
140
34
315
579
593
<• 204
3,111
954
170
630
172
213
9
514
475
179
860
474
324
26
930
26
15, 504
68,147
4,074
26, 337
7
39
45
11
111
16
1
28
98
416
434
148
1
278
54
110
1,234
5
10
33
192
152
86
89
47
102
70
35
44
254
274
61
882
1
235
4
258
1,050
2,576
2,901
1
817
19
1,215
403
628
8,064
19
167
0
299
058
1,733
246
T
M ONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
2 —LAST P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E OP IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D
A N D I N T E N D E D F U T U R E P E R M A N E N T R E S ID E N C E OF E M IG R A N T A L IE N S
D E P A R T E D , D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D FR O M JU L Y 1 TO N O V E M B E R 30,
1927, B Y C O U N T R IE S—Continued
able
Immigrant
Country
July to
July to
N ovember, November,
November, November,
1927
1927
1927
1927
Armenia_____________
China_________________
India ____ _ _ ____
Japan
_ ___
Palestine_____ _ ____
Persia______ __ ___ _ .
Syria________ _ _______
Turkey in Asia_____ _______
Other Asia__________ .
1
96
9
27
46
3
41
5
31
Total, Asia_____________________
Canada___ _________________
Newfoundland_______ ______
M ex ico ______ ________
( uba _ _ ____
____ .
Other W est Indies__ ____
British Honduras ____
Other Central America __ _ _____
B r a z il___ _
Other South America_______ _______
Other America_______ _____
12
740
53
265
233
33
242
30
128
2
457
26
111
5
9
8
6
10
2,334
99
529
39
12
114
40
32
259
1,736
624
3,209
7,055
200
3,993
167
83
176
64
301
173
187
1,223
324
1,551
767
720
2
39, 549
1,160
26,051
1, 658
570
25
952
478
1,449
6
11,917
71,898
1,104
23
10
31
13
114
128
183
3
13
42
1
21
7
4
78
534
69
263
27, 758
142, 315
5,871
35,450
4
111
107
195
Total, America______________
E gypt____________________________________________
Other Africa.
_____ _ ______ __
Australia _
N ew Zealand __ _____ _ . . . .
Other Pacific Islands_______________
Total, oth ers______________ _
Grand total, all countries . . .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Emigrant
[458]
88
4
10
47
13
139
330
41
675
5, 641
7
69
137
43
7
247
STATISTICS OF IMMIGRATION
T a ble 3 —IM M IG R A N T A L IE N S A D M IT T E D
A N D E M IG R A N T A L IE N S D E P A R T E D
D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D FROM JULY 1 TO N O V E M B E R 30, 1927, BY RACE OR
PE O PLE , SE X , A N D AGE PE R IO D S
Emigrant
Immigrant
Race or people
July to
July to November,
November, November,
November,
1927
1927
1927
1927
African (black)
__ ___________________________
Armenian
__ __ _
_______ __________
Bohemian and Moravian (Czech)
_______________
Bulgarian, Serbian and Montenegrin . __
_______
Chinese.
_ . .... ......................... ......... .
... ____
Croatian and Slovenian _
______________________
Cuban
__ ____
_ ______________
Dalmatian, Bosnian, and Herzogovinian....... ...... ..........
Dutch and Flemish __ ___________________________
East Indian _________ _ _ _ . . ...... .........................
English
______________________________________
Finnish
________________________________________
French
___________ ________ _________________
German
_ _ __ _ _ ______ _________________
Greek
______________________________________
Hebrew
_____________ ___ _______ _______________
Irish
__ _ ________________________________
Italian (north)
______ ___ ____________
Italian (south)__ _______________ _________________
Japanese
_ _ __________________ ____________
Korean
____________________ _____________ _____
Lithuanian_________ ______________________________
Magyar
_ _ __ ___ ________ ____
______ ___ _ _____________________
Mexican
Pacific Tslander
_____ ___ _______________
Polish
__________________ _____ ____________
________ _ ____ _____________ Portuguese
Rumanian
________ __ ___ __________________
_______ ___ ___________ Russian
Rnthenian (Russniak)
____ ___ ____ ________
Scandinavian (Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes)______
___
________ ___ ____________
Scotch
Slovak
_____________________________________
_______ _
__ ____ _________
Spanish
Spanish American____ __________ ________________
Syrian
_________ _____ __ ________
Turkish
_________ _______ ______________
Welsh
__________________________
West Indian (except Cuban) __________________ ____
Other peoples
________________________________
Total
__________________________________
Male
Female
______________ ______ __ _________
__________________________________
Under 16 years
16 to 44 years
________________________________
______________________________ --
45 y e a r s a n d o v er
T
__ _________________ ________
-
42
3
58
147
455
71
103
30
90
16
742
36
95
489
284
23
136
68
1,201
114
1
11
57
315
1
138
87
80
58
2
296
200
54
140
140
7
10
2
48
21
254
22
509
733
2, 301
285
510
90
516
62
4, 263
290
964
3, 250
1,252
134
793
850
7,275
506
16
183
452
1,486
2
1,703
543
407
292
35
1,479
1,189
349
1,172
775
118
80
46
172
92
142,315
5,871
35, 450
75, 006
67, 309
4,436
1,435
24, 706
10, 744
23, 894
105, 266
13,155
279
4,142
1,450
1,667
24, 831
8,952
76
124
161
58
61
80
114
12
287
3
3,181
37
1, 693
5,823
263
1,010
4,095
215
1,128
23
2
44
100
3,886
458
550
625
288
514
394
1,185
52
1, 343
22
17,827
303
9,995
22,164
1,395
5, 321
18,176
1,138
6,800
252
11
167
501
25, 500
538
103
52
115
42
1, 522
2,123
187
72
207
38
19
175
39
50
1,868
396
188
586
155
7,618
11, 422
1, 016
588
1,743
316
93
850
250
245
27, 758
14, 675
13, 083
4, 339
20,839
2,580
4 . — A L IE N S A D M IT T E D D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D FROM JULY 1 TO N O
V E M B E R 30, 1927, SHOW ING PR IN C IP A L CLASSES U N D E R TH E IM M IG R A T IO N ACT
OF 1924, BY PR IN C IP A L PLACES OF B IR T H , AS SP E C IFIE D
able
Aliens admitted
Place of birth
Nonimmigrant and
nonquota immi
grant
Grand
total
Total
during July 1 to
Novem N ovem
July
to
July to Novem
ber 30,
Novem Novem
Novem ber, 1927
1927
ber, 1927 ber, 1927 ber, 1927 ber, 1927
Quota immigrant
Europe...............................................................
Asia _ _____________________________
______
____________
Africa
Australia and Pacific Islands-----------------Canada, Mexico, and other America.
15, 143
100
19
23
67
63, 641
645
174
153
306
11,862
1, 674
37
294
12, 380
82,135
8,956
364
2,448
79, 515
27, 005
1, 774
56
317
12,447
145, 776
9, 601
538
2, 601
79, 821
Total____________________________
15, 352
64,919
26, 247
173, 418
41, 599
238,337
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[459]
248
M O NTH LY LA B O R R E V IE W
T a b l e 5 .—A LIEN S A D M IT T E D D U R IN G N O V E M B E R , 1927, A N D FROM JULY 1 TO NO
V E M B E R 30, 1927, B Y CLASSES U N D E R TH E IM M IG R A T IO N ACT OF 1924
[The number of immigrants appearing in this table and in Table 4 is not comparable with the number of
statistical immigrant aliens shown in the other tables, by ports of entry, race, or people, etc.]
Novem
ber, 1927
Class
July to
N ovem
ber, 1927
N o n im m ig r a n ts
Government officials, their families, attendants, servants, and employees
___
Temporary visitors for business or pleasure
_ . __ ________ ____________
In continuous oassage through the United States _ _ _____________________
To carry on trade under existing treaty_____________________________________
T otal____ _
_
_ ___________________________
465
4, 776
1,808
112
3,110
29, 384
11, 304
633
7,161
44, 431
2,073
6,787
9,962
57
90
11,432
51, 827
63,154
403
653
7
104
N o n q u o ta im m ig r a n ts
Wives and children of United States citizens 1_____________________________
Returning residents _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _______ ____________________
Natives of nonquota countries2 _
__
__ _______ __________
_ _
Wives and children of natives of nonquota countries1__ _
_____ _
Ministers of religious denominations and their wives and children
Professors of colleges, academies, seminaries, or universities and their wives and
children
__ _____ _
___ ____ ________
Students
__ _
_____
__ _ _
______________________ ___
Veterans of the World War and their wives and children, _________ _______
Spanish subjects admitted to Porto Rico, __________________________________
6
137
1, 257
104
20
___ _________________________________ __
19, 086
128, 987
Quota immigrants (charged to quota)_______________________________________
15, 352
64, 919
41, 599
238, 337
T otal__
_ __ _________
Grand total admitted _ _____________
____________________
______
1 Wives and unmarried children under 18 years of age born in quota countries.
2 Does not include aliens born in nonquota countries who were admitted under the act as Government
officials, visitors, returning residents, etc.
I n t e r n a t io n a l C o n fe r e n c e o f P r iv a te A s s o c ia tio n s for P r o te c tio n
o f M ig r a n ts 1
HE fourth session of the International Conference of Private
Organizations for the Protection of Migrants was held at
Geneva, September 8 and 9, 1927. Delegates were in attend
ance from 44 associations in various European countries and in the
United States.
Among the subjects for discussion were:
T
(1) S eparation of fam ilies of m ig ran ts in various countries.
(2) Official recognition of p riv a te organizations fo r th e p ro tectio n of m igrants.
(3)
A ction to be ta k e n concerning frau d s co m m itted by certain tra n sp o rta tio n
agents a t th e expense of m igrants.
(4)
R ep o rt on th e m ethods of cooperation of organizations m em bers of th e
conference in th e different countries.
(5) Q uestion of re tu rn in g em igrants disem barking w ith o u t resources.
The following recommendations with reference to the separation
of families were approved:
(1)
D raw ing a tte n tio n to th e im p o rtan ce of preserving th e u n ity of th e fam ily
in connection w ith m igration.
(2)
U rging th e need fo r long notice to be given of a n y m easures w hich m ay
have to be a d o p te d fo r special reasons a n d w hich m ay ren d er difficult th e a p p li
cation of th e above principle.
(3)
U rging th e au th o ritie s a n d o th e r bodies to give info rm atio n to em igrants
on an y difficulties w hich m ay be m et w ith in reu n itin g fam ilies in foreign coun
tries.
1International Labor Office.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
M onthly Record of Migration, Geneva, October, 1927, pp. 392-395.
[460]
CO N F E R E N CE — PR O TECTIO N OP M IGRANTS
249
(4) U rging th e passing of legislation to p re v e n t individuals from em igrating
unless th ey have a chance of being jo in ed by th e ir n e a r relatives a n d to give
p rio rity to such relatives am o n g th o se a u th o rized to m igrate.
(5) N oting th e desirab ility of a n in te rn a tio n a l convention being concluded to
gu aran tee an d facilitate th e carry in g o u t of fam ily obligations by relatives living
abroad.
(6) C alling upon th e p riv a te associations to do w h at th e y can to bring a b o u t
th e application of th e above recom m endations a n d to help m ig ran ts in every
possible way.
Furthermore, a decision was reached to call public attention to
serious cases of separated families and a recommendation made for
a future study of the various causes of suffering among the families
of migrants in relation to nationality laws, marriage, divorce, inheri
tances, lack of adequate representation, etc.
In connection with the situation in the United States the conference
declared:
(1) T h a t em igrants to th e U nited S tates should be inform ed as to th e m eaning
of th e regulations of th a t country.
(2) T h a t p rio rity should be g ra n te d am ong em igrants to persons desirous of
joining n ear relatives alread y in th e U n ited States.
(3) T h a t th e m easures w hich h a d been a d o p te d eith er by th e S enate or th e
H ouse of R epresentatives for th e purpose of enlarging th e categories of non q u o ta
im m igrants should be ad o p te d a n d applied.
(4) T h a t places be reserved eith er inside or outside th e q u o ta for special cases
involving extrem e hardship.
Although aware of the importance of the right kind of cooperation
between governments and the private associations for migrant aid,
the conference agreed to leave to the national organizations them
selves the matter of deciding as to the most desirable form of cooper
ation in their respective countries. It also agreed to issue a brief
memorandum based on the experience of the different organizations,
explaining the present cooperative methods in use in the various
countries.
The conference will continue its endeavors to secure legal recog
nition by official international bodies and will communicate its
decision to do so to the international bodies concerned with migration
problems.
In line with this program a decision was reached to present a
report to the Havana conference on international migration 2 on the
official recognition of private organizations for the protection of
migrants. “ This report should aim at facilitating and obtaining,
if possible, (u) the effective recognition of the conference by inter
national bodies; (b) the accomplishment of the tasks of all the inter
national private associations which are concerned with the protection
of migrants. ”
Considerable progress was reported in methods of cooperation
between the member organizations of the conference in a number of
countries.
3
To be held March, 1928.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[461]
ACTIVITIES OF STATE LABOR BUREAUS
MONG 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.—Report on changes in number of employees and in
amount of weekly pay roll in 790 industrial establishments, page 154.
Iowa.—Report on changes in volume of employment, page 156.
Maryland.—Statistics of change in volume of employment and
weekly pay rolls in industries in that State, page 157.
New Jersey.—Data showing changes in the volume of employment
and in weekly pay rolls in 844 industrial establishments, page 158.
New York.—Decrease in severity of industrial accidents, page 92;
and report on changes in number of employees and in amount of
weekly pay roll in some 1,600 factories in that State, page 160.
Pennsylvania.—Report on changes in volume of employment and
pay-roll totals, page 162.
Wisconsin.—Data on changes in number of workers employed and
total pay rolls in Wisconsin industries, page 163.
250
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4621
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
Official—United States
I l l in o is .—-Board for V ocational E ducation.
J u ly
1,
1 9 2 6 , to
J u n e
3 0 , 1 9 2 7 .
B u lle tin
N o .
4 3 :
A n n u a l
S p r in g fie ld , N o v e m b e r, 1 9 2 7 .
4 3
r e p o r t,
p p .;
m a p s.
In th e y ear covered by th e rep o rt, vocational courses in agriculture, in d u stria l
education, a n d hom e economics were carried on in 237 cities in Illinois. T rad e
a n d in d u strial education classes were conducted in 27 cities, a n d th e pupils
enrolled in such classes to ta le d 27,986.
K a n s a s .— Public Service Comm ission.
Coal M ine Insp ectio n a n d M ine Rescue
D ep artm en ts. A n n u a l r e p o r t , 1 9 2 6 . T o p e k a , 1 9 2 7 . 1 3 1 p p .
W ith a p roduction of 4,562,955 tons, a n av erage w orking y ear of 144.6 days
p er m ine, a n d a to ta l of 8,130 m en em ployed, th e m ines of th e S ta te were respon
sible fo r 16 fa ta l an d 475 n o n fa ta l accidents in 1926, a n increase over 1925 of
5 fatalities a n d a decrease of 229 in n o n fatal accidents. I t should be sta te d ,
how ever, th a t these accidents included “ each sm all a n d insignificant in ju ry
such as a slight scratch. ” M ost of th e m caused no loss of tim e.
K e n t u c k y .— D e p artm e n t of Mines.
1 9 2 6 .
L e x in g to n ,
1 9 2 7 .
3 0 6
A n n u a l rep o rt fo r
th e
y e a r e n d in g
D ecem b er,
p p .
C ontains th e usu al pro d u ctio n statistics, by m ine, by county, a n d by years
back: to 1890; also a com plete directo ry of mines. T he e x te n t of em ploym ent
is also given by county , by m ine, a n d by n atio n ality . An average of 62,006
persons were em ployed a t th e m ines a n d coke ovens during th e year, th e o u tp u t
of coal being 1,026 tons p er m an, w hich is a n e t increase of 72 tons p er m an over
1925. T here were 178 fa ta l accidents, 9 being caused by explosions a n d 87 by
falls of roof. A fa ta lity ra te of 2.8 p e r million tons of coal is indicated. N early
22 p er cen t of those killed h ad been w orking over 10 years.
M a ssa c h u se t t s .— D e p a rtm e n t of E d u catio n .
a id e d
4 6
v o c a tio n a l
p p .
a n d
(R e p r in t
p a r t-tim e
fr o m
th e
e d u c a tio n
n in e te e n th
B u lle tin ,
in
1 9 2 7 ,
N o .
M a s s a c h u s e tts .
a n n u a l
re p o rt
o f
th e
1 0 :
S ta te -
[ B o s to n ]
1 9 2 7 .
d e p a r tm e n t
o f
e d u c a tio n .)
T ables 1 to 8 give sta tistic s of S tate-aid ed a n d v o cational schools fo r 1925-26
an d T able 9, statistics concerning th e em ploym ent in 1926 of children 14 to
16 years of age.
N ew M e x ic o .— In sp ecto r of C oal M ines.
O c to b e r 3 1 ,
1 9 2 6 .
A lb u q u e r q u e
[1 9 2 6 ? ].
R e p o rt
3 9
fo r
th e
fis c a l
y e a r
e n d in g
p p .
N otes th e occurrence of 15 fa ta l an d 610 n o n fatal accidents, th e la tte r causing
a tim e loss of 12,610 days. T h e p ro d u ctio n of coal am o u n ted to a to ta l of
2,792,360 tons, giving a fa ta lity ra te of 5.4 p e r m illion tons, w hich is an im prove
m en t of a b o u t 33 p er cen t over th e preceding year.
P e n n s y l v a n ia .— D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r a n d In d u stry .
C hildren.
S p e c ia l
B u lle tin
d e p a r tm e n t
s to r e s .
H a r r is b u r g ,
N o .
1 3 :
T h e
1 9 2 6 .
5 6
p e rso n n e l
B ureau of W om en an d
p o lic ie s
o f
P e n n s y lv a n ia
p p .
T his stu d y covers th e hours of w ork a n d earnings of em ployees in P en n sy lv an ia
d e p a rtm e n t stores as well as th e various personnel policies, including m eth o d s
82645°—28-
-17
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1463]
251
252
M O N T H L Y L A B O R R E V IE W
of em ploym ent, sto re train in g , insurance provisions, a n d recreatio n a n d o th e r
facilities for th e h e a lth a n d com fort of em ployees.
U n ited S t a t e s .— B ureau of Efficiency. A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r t h e p e r i o d f r o m
N o v e m b e r
1,
1 9 2 6 ,
to
O c to b e r
8 1 ,
----- D ep artm en t of C om m erce.
fo r
th e fis c a l y e a r
e n d e d
J u n e
1 9 2 7 .
W a s h in g to n ,
B ureau of M ines.
8 0 ,
1 9 2 7 .
1 9 2 7 .
v,
S e v e n te e n th
W a s h in g to n ,
1 9 2 7 .
2 1
p p .
a n n u a l
r e p o r t,
v , J+ 8 p p . ;
c h a r ts .
T his re p o rt contains brief sta te m e n ts reg ard in g th e different stu d ies of p ro b
lem s of h ealth, san ita tio n , an d v en tilatio n , m ad e by th e b u reau du rin g th e year.
T he subjects covered included v en tilatio n of m e ta l m ines; effects of poisonous
petroleum vapors; poisoning from carbon m onoxide, te tra e th y l lead, a n d from
lead in m ining of lead ores; d evelopm ent of effective ty p e s of re sp irato rs a n d
gas m asks; an d a stu d y of sy n th etic atm ospheres in caisson disease.
------ D e p artm en t of L abor. B ureau of L abor S tatistics. B u l l e t i n N o . 4 5 4 H o u rs
a n d
in g to n ,
e a r n in g s
1 9 2 7 .
6 6
in
b itu m in o u s
co a l m in in g ,
1 9 2 2 ,
1 9 2 4 ,
a n d
1 9 2 6 .
W a s h
p p .
An ad vance su m m ary of th is bu lletin was published in th e L ab o r R eview for
July, 1927 (pp. 89-97).
---------------------- B u l l e t i n N o . 4 5 5 ; P r o c e e d i n g s o f t h e f o u r t e e n t h a n n u a l c o n v e n t i o n
o f
th e
A s s o c ia tio n
C a n a d a ,
131
h e ld
a t
o f
G o v e r n m e n ta l
P a te r s o n ,
N .
J .,
L a b o r
M a y
O ffic ia ls
3 1 - J u n e
o f
8 ,
th e
1 9 2 7 .
U n ite d
S ta te s
W a s h in g to n ,
a n d
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
A brief accoun t of th is co nvention was published in th e L abor Review for
July, 1927 (pp. 39, 40).
-------------- E m ploy m en t Service. I n d u s t r i a l , a g r i c u l t u r a l , a n d g e n e r a l e m p l o y m e n t
p r o s p e c ts f o r
1 9 2 8 .
W a s h in g to n ,
------ G overnm ent P rin tin g Office.
tio n ,
o f
n a tu r a liz a tio n ,
p u b lic a tio n s
m e n ts ,
c itiz e n s h ip ,
r e la tin g
W a s h in g to n ,
to
D .
1 9 2 7 .
C h in e s e ,
above
C .
in ,
2 0
p p .
S u p erin ten d en t of D ocum ents.
J a p a n e s e ,
s u b je c ts
fo r
W a s h in g to n ,
— 1 2 th e d .
------ In te rs ta te Com m erce Com m ission.
s a le
N eg ro es,
b y
a n d
Im m ig r a
a lie n s .
S u p e r in te n d e n t
S e p te m b e r ,
1 9 2 7 .
1 0
o f
L is t
D o c u
p p .
P r ic e
lis t 6 7
1 9 2 6 ,
to
O c to b e r
3 1 ,
1 9 2 7 ].
F o r ty -fir s t
W a s h in g to n ,
a n n u a l
1 9 2 7 .
v,
re p o rt
3 1 9
[N o v e m b e r
1,
p p .
D a ta on accidents to em ployees, passengers, a n d others, on th e ste a m railroads
of th e U nited S tates in 1926, ta k e n from th is rep o rt, are published on page 88
of th is issue.
-------------- B u reau of S tatistics. A c c i d e n t b u l l e t i n N o . 9 5 : C o l l i s i o n s , d e r a i l m e n t s ,
a n d
o th e r
a r is in g
y e a r
a c c id e n ts
fr o m
1 9 2 6 .
th e
r e s u ltin g
o p e r a tio n
W a s h in g to n ,
o f
in
in ju r y
s te a m
1 9 2 7 .
to
p e rso n s,
r a ilw a y s
v,
1 1 6
in
e q u ip m e n t,
in te r s ta te
o r
ro a d b ed ,
co m m erce,
c a le n d a r
p p .
Some of th e d a ta included in th is rep o rt, derived from th e a n n u a l re p o rt of
th e In te rs ta te Com m erce Com m ission, a p p ears in an article on page 88 of th is
issue.
------ Law s, S ta tu te s, etc. C o m p i l a t i o n o f l a w s r e l a t i n g t o m e d i a t i o n , c o n c i l i a t i o n ,
a n d
r ie r s
a n d
a r b itr a tio n
a n d
b e tw e e n
e m p lo y e r s
e m p lo y e r s ’
lia b ility
D o c u m e n t R o o m ,
------ T reasu ry
S u rg e o n
m a p s,
a n d
H o u se
D e p a rtm e n t.
G en era l fo r
th e
e m p lo y e r s
a n d
s u b o r d in a te
la w s .
e m p lo y e e s ;
o ffic ia ls
C o m p ile d
o f R e p r e s e n ta tiv e s .
Public
fis c a l
H e a lth
y e a r
1 9 2 7 .
u n d e r
b y
E lm e r
la w s
d is p u te s
L a b o r
A .
L e w is ,
W a s h in g to n ,
Service.
B o a rd ;
1 9 2 7 .
A n n u a l
W a s h in g to n ,
1 9 2 7 .
b e tw e e n
8 -h o u r
ca r
la w s ;
S u p e r in te n d e n t
6 6
re p o rt
v ii,
p p .
o f
3 5 5
th e
p p .;
c h a r ts .
A review of th e w ork of th e division of in d u stria l hygiene a n d sa n ita tio n
is given on page 94 of th is issue.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[464]
253
PU B L IC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LABO R
Official—Foreign Countries
A u st r a l ia .— R oyal C om m ission on N atio n al In su ran ce.
C a s u a l s ic k n e s s ,
5 3
-------------- S e c o n d
---------------T
11
p e r m a n e n t in v a lid ity ,
m a te r n ity ,
o ld
F ir s t
[M
age.
p ro g ress
r e p o r t.
e l b o u r n e ?]
1 9 2 5 .
p p .
p r o g r e s s r e p o r t.
h ir d
p ro g ress
U n e m p lo y m e n t.
r e p o r t.
D e s titu te
[ M e lb o u r n e ? ]
[M
a llo w a n c e s .
1 9 2 7 .
4 -3 p p .
e l b o u r n e ?]
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
--------------- F
o u r th
a n d
[ M e lb o u r n e ? ]
f i n a l
1 9 2 7 .
r e p o r t.
2 0
M e m b e r s h ip ,
------ (Q u e e n s l a n d ). — Insurance office.
e n d ed
J u n e
3 0 ,
1 9 2 7 .
fin a n c e ,
a n d
a d m in is tr a tio n .
p p .
B r is b a n e ,
E le v e n th
1 9 2 7 .
4 0
a n n u a l
r e p o r t,
fo r
th e
y e a r
p p .
T he re p o rt show s a successful year, p a rtic u la rly in th e d e p a rtm e n ts of fire
a n d life insurance.
“ I stress th e fa c t th a t th e fu n d s of th e life d e p a rtm e n t, w hich com m enced
business on Ja n u a ry 1, 1918, now sta n d a t £1,189,163, a n d th a t fo r th e y ear
ended D ecem ber 31,1926, on th e a c tu a ry ’s recom m endation, * * * bonuses
on w ith p ro fit’ policies, of 30s. endow m ent assurance a n d endow m ents, a n d
45s. on ‘whole of life ’ policies (an increase of 25 p er cen t on th e bonuses declared
fo r th e preceding year) have been d eclared .”
------ (T asm an ia ). — In d u stria l d ep a rtm e n t.
w a g es
b o a rd s,
sh o p s,
e tc .,
1 9 2 6 -2 7 .
T w e lfth
H o b a r t,
a n n u a l
1 9 2 7 .
2 6
re p o rt
o n
fa c to r ie s ,
p p .
T he nu m b er of persons em ployed in factories w as 9,171 in 1926-27, as ag ain st
9,099 in th e preceding year.
B e l g iu m .— Ministère de l ’Industrie
C o m p te -r e n d u
la
lo i
d e
1 4
d es
tr a v a u x
ju in
1 9 2 1
q u a r a n te -h u it h e u re s,
de
la
du Travail et de la Prévoyance Sociale.
c o m m is s io n
in s titu a n t
la
1 9 2 4 -1 9 2 6 .
ch a rg ée
jo u r n é e
B r u s s e ls ,
de
d e
h u it
1 9 2 7 .
s ’e n q u é r i r
h e u re s
4 6 7
et
d es
la
e ffe ts
de
s e m a in e
de
p p .
R eview ed on page 122 of th is issue.
C a n a d a .— D e p a rtm e n t of L abor.
1 9 2 7 .
8 8
L a b o r
G reat B r it a in .— M in istry of Labor.
o n
th e
le g is la tio n
in
C a n a d a ,
1 9 2 6 .
O tta w a ,
p p .
n u m b e r
o f
p e rso n s
E ffe c t
d r a w in g
o f
b e n e fit.
th e
u n e m p lo y m e n t
L o n d o n ,
1 9 2 7 .
in s u r a n c e
6
p p .
b ill
{C m d
2 9 8 7 .)
An
m ent
m ent
o th er
a tte m p t to calculate how m an y persons will be excluded from u nem ploy
benefit by th e provisions of th e bill now before P arliam en t. T h e G overn
estim ates th a t, allow ing for th e hoped-for decrease of u n em p lo y m en t a n d
factors, th e n u m b er will be reduced by 30,000.
------ N atio n al H e a lth In su ran ce (In te rn a tio n a l A rrangem ents) B oard.
to
th e
n a tio n a l
h e a lth
c o m m is s io n e r s .
in s u r a n c e
L o n d o n ,
1 9 2 7 .
jo in t
2 7
c o m m itte e
p p .
{C m d .
a n d
to
th e
I r is h
R e p o rt
in s u r a n c e
2 9 6 5 .)
W hen th e Irish F ree S ta te was established in 1922 i t becam e necessary to
se p arate th e system of n atio n al h e a lth in su ran ce w ith in its a rea from th e system
in th e re s t of th e U nited K ingdom . T his re p o rt contains th e recom m endations
a n d arran g em en ts m ad e by th e In te rn a tio n a l A rrangem ents B oard concerning
th e ap p o rtio n m en t of funds a n d th e financial a d ju stm e n ts req u ired as a re su lt of
th e severance.
I n d ia .— D e p artm en t
a b s tr a c t
I n d ia n
fo r
of
B r itis h
S ta te s , fr o m
C om m ercial Intelligence
In d ia ,
1 9 1 6 -1 7
w ith
to
s ta tis tic s ,
1 9 2 5 -2 6 .
w h ere
an d
S tatistics.
a v a ila b le ,
C a lc u tta ,
1 9 2 7 .
r e la tin g
x i,
7 0 7
S ta tis tic a l
to
c e r ta in
p p .
Includes d a ta on cooperative societies, em igration, w holesale an d re ta il prices,
num ber of persons em ployed in different in d u stries, a n d d istrib u tio n of popu latio n
b y occupation as ob tain ed in th e in d u stria l census of 1921.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[465]
254
M O NTH LY L A B O R R E V IE W
I n ter n a t io n a l L abor O f f ic e .—
n a tio n a l
tw o
L a b o r
p a r ts .
C o n fe r e n c e ,
2 5 4 ,
1 4 5
R e p o rt
te n th
o f
th e
s e s s io n ,
d ir e c to r
G en eva ,
[s u b m i t t e d
1 9 2 7 ].
to
G en eva ,
th e
In te r
1 9 2 7 .
I n
p p .
P a rt I review s th e general a ctiv ities of th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r O rganization,
its in tern al developm ent, e x tern al relations, a n d th e resu lts produced. P a rt I I
sum m arizes th e a n n u a l re p o rts su b m itte d in p ursuance of article 408 of th e
Versailles T re a ty of Peace.
------ S t u d i e s a n d r e p o r t s , s e r i e s A ( i n d u s t r i a l r e l a t i o n s ), N o . 2 8 : F r e e d o m o f A s s o c ia tio n .
------ S t u d i e s
•
m e n t in
V o l.
a n d
1,
C o m p a r a tiv e
r e p o r ts ,
E u ro p e ,
b y
s e r ie s
P a u l
B
a n a ly s is .
(e c o n o m ic
D e v in a t.
G en eva ,
1 9 2 7 .
c o n d itio n s ),
G en eva ,
1 4 0
N o . 1 7 :
1 9 2 7 .
x v ,
2 6 1
p p .
S c ie n tific
m a n a g e
p p .
T his stu d y w as u n d e rta k e n on behalf of th e X X th C en tu ry F u n d to fu rnish a
basis on w hich to e stim a te th e chances of success a n d to determ in e w h a t should
be th e pro g ram of w ork of a n in te rn a tio n a l in s titu tio n such as h a d been proposed
for th e stu d y of questions connected w ith th e scientific org an izatio n of p roduction.
T he volum e p resen ts in fo rm atio n on th e g row th a n d progress of th e m ovem ent
for scientific m an ag e m en t in in d u stry , th e in stitu tio n s w hich h av e been created
to deal w ith th e subject, a p p licatio n of th e p rinciples of scientific m an ag em en t,
an d opinions reg ard in g it. A b ibliography of G erm an a n d 'F re n c h w orks on
scientific m an ag em en t is appended.
A nother appendix gives th e c o n stitu tio n an d rules of th e In te rn a tio n a l M anage
m en t In s titu te w hich w as founded in 1927 w ith M r. P au l D ev in at, th e a u th o r of
th is w ork, as th e d irector. T h e in s titu te will be m anaged by a b o ard of 12 m em
bers com posed of 3 re p resen tativ es of th e X X th C e n tu ry F u n d , 3 re p re se n ta tiv e s
of th e governing b ody of th e In te rn a tio n a l L ab o r Office (representing th e govern
m ents, em ployers, a n d w orkers, respectively), a rep rese n ta tiv e of th e In te rn a
tio n al C om m ittee for Scientific M anagem ent, a n d 5 experts n o m in ated by th e
first seven founder m em bers of th e in stitu te .
N e t h e r l a n d s E a st I n d ie s .— D e p a rte m e n t v an L andbouw , N ijv erh eid en
H andel. C en tra a l K a n to o r voor de S tatistiek . M e d e d e e l i n g e n N o . 4 6 :
P r ijz e n ,
x x x ii,
in d e x c ijfe r s
1 7 3
p p .;
e n
w is s e lk o e r s e n
o p
J a v a
1 9 1 3 -1 9 2 6 .
B a ta v ia ,
1 9 2 7 .
c h a r ts .
A re p o rt on prices, price indexes, a n d exchange ra te s in Ja v a , 1913 to 1926.
R ik sfo rsik rin g san stalten . S y k e -
N orw ay .— [D ep a rte m e n te t for Sociale Saker.]
fo r s ik r in g e n
s ta tis tik k ,
fo r
a ret
V I I I ,
1 9 2 6 .
O s lo ,
1 9 2 7 .
[6], 8 2
p p .;
c h a r t.
(N o r g e s
o ffis ie lle
4 3 .)
A nnual re p o rt of th e S ta te In su ra n c e In s titu tio n of N orw ay on sickness
insurance in th a t co u n try in 1926, w ith som e co m p arativ e d a ta for earlier years.
P e r u .— D e p a rtm e n t of T reasu ry a n d Com m erce.
tic a l a b s tr a c t o f P e r u ,
1 9 2 6 .
L im a ,
1 9 2 7 .
x i.
B u reau of S tatistics.
2 0 7
S ta tis
p p .
Besides com parativ e v ital, financial, a g ricu ltu ral, a n d com m ercial statistics,
th is volum e contain s d a ta on w holesale a n d re ta il prices a n d cost of living an d
in d u strial acciden t statistics. A verage re ta il prices of specified food articles a n d
in d u strial acciden t statistics, ta k e n from th is rep o rt, are given on pages 238 an d 93
of th is issue.
S w e d e n .— [S ociald ep artem en tet.] Socialstyrelsen.
K o o p e r a tiv
v e rk sa m h e t
i
S v e r ig e ,
d r
1 9 2 5 .
S to c k h o lm .
1 9 2 7 .
[ V a r io u s
p a g in g .]
R ep o rt on th e Swedish cooperative m o v em en t for th e y ear 1925.
U n io n of S outh A fr ica .— D e p a rtm e n t of L abor. Chief In sp e c to r of F ac
tories. A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r t h e y e a r 1 9 2 6 . P r e t o r i a , 1 9 2 7 . 3 7 p p .
D a ta on facto ry conditions, ta k e n from th is rep o rt, a p p e a r on page 80 of th is
issue.
------ Office of C ensus a n d S tatistics. F o u r t h c e n s u s o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f t h e U n i o n
o f S o u th
A fr ic a , e n u m e r a te d
M a y
4 ,
1 9 2 6 .
P a r t I —P o p u la tio n :
N u m b e r,
sex,
1 9 2 7 .
a n d
g e o g r a p h ic a l
x i,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8 5
d is tr ib u tio n
o f
p p .
[466]
th e
E u r o p e a n
p o p u la tio n .
P r e to r ia ,
255
PU B L IC A T IO N S R E L A T IN G TO LABO R
Unofficial
A c h in s t e in , A s h e r .
C o lu m b ia
s tu d ie s
B u y in g
U n iv e r s ity
in
h is to r y ,
p o w e r
P re ss,
e c o n o m ic s ,
o f
1 9 2 7 .
a n d
la b o r
164-
p u b lic
a n d
P P -1
la w ,
p o s t-w a r
c h a r ts .
N o .
c y c le s .
N e w
( C o lu m b ia
Y o r k ,
U n iv e r s ity
2 9 2 .)
T his stu d y , w hich is confined chiefly to fa cto ry labor, co n tain s d a ta on cyclical
flu ctu atio n s of p ay rolls a n d of purch asin g pow er a n d p ro d u ctio n in m an u factu rin g
establishm ents, 1919-1925, a n d cyclical flu ctu atio n s of p ecu n ia ry volum e of
production, p ay rolls, a n d lab o r cost, w ith an analysis of th e flow of p u rchasing
pow er as a causal fa c to r in th e course of th e p o st-w ar business cycles. M any
tab les a n d ch arts are included.
A m erican F ed e r a t io n of L a bo r . M etal tra d e s d e p a rtm e n t. P r o c e e d i n g s o f
th e
n in e te e n th
1 9 2 7 .
a n n u a l
c o n v e n tio n ,
[ W a s h in g to n f]
1 9 2 7 .
61
h e ld
a t
L o s
A n g e le s , C a lif., S e p te m b e r
2 8 -3 0 ,
p p .
T he re p o rt of th e p resid en t of th e d e p a rtm e n t to th is m eeting included special
com m ent on th e enorm ous d ev elopm ent of th e flying-m achine in d u stry , in which
th e w orkers are to ta lly unorganized. T he need fo r th e u n ionization of w om en
in th e m etal tra d e s w as also stressed a n d organized la b o r’s position reem phasized
in regard to equal p a y for eq u al w ork.
------ New Y ork branch . O f f i c i a l b o o k . P r o c e e d i n g s , s i x t y - f o u r t h a n n u a l c o n
v e n tio n ,
a t S y ra c u se ,
A u g u s t
2 3 -2 5 ,
1 9 2 7 .
A lb a n y ,
1 9 2 7 .
2 1 9
p p .
Among th e resolutions ad o p ted a t th is co nvention were th e following, fa v o r
ing : A m endm ents an d ad d itio n s to th e w orkm en’s com pensation law ; legislation to
p ro te c t union bakeries a g a in st tru s ts ; increased ap p ro p ria tio n s to th e S ta te
em ployees’ retirin g fu n d ; am en d m en ts to S ta te law s so as to elim inate in ju n ctio n s;
th e in tro d u ctio n of a bill to p re v e n t w om en a n d children living on lighters, scows,
an d barges in th e p o rt of New Y ork; a clause in c o n tra c ts fo r m unicipal w ork
stip u latin g t h a t th e m aterials th erefo r shall be m ad e in A m erica.
A m erican S ociety
lite r a tu r e (u p
to
of
M ec ha nic al E n g in e e r s .
F e b ru a ry , 1 9 2 7 ).
N e w
Y o rk , 2 9
B ib lio g r a p h y
W e s t 3 9 th
o f
m a n a g e m e n t
S tr e e t, 1 9 2 7 .
6 7
p p .
Includes sections on econom ics; fatig u e (in d u strial); in d u stria l relations, cover
ing em ployee rep resen tatio n , housing, lab o r tu rn o v e r, stab ilizatio n of em ploy
m ent, and unem ploym en t; personnel; safety ; a n d wages.
A m erican T rade U n io n D eleg a tio n
y e a rs.
N e w
Y o rk ,
In te r n a tio n a l
to the
P u b lis h e r s ,
S oviet U n io n .
1 9 2 7 .
9 6
p p .;
R u s s ia
a fte r te n
m a p .
A brief account of th e findings of th e A m erican lab o r delegation w hich visited
R ussia in 1927. T he ch airm an of th e delegation w as Jam es H . M aurer, p resid en t
of th e P ennsylvania S ta te F e d eratio n of L abor.
A t k in s o n , H e n r y .
L o n d o n ,
E rn e st
B a r g er o n , L.
l ’o u v r i e r
C o o p e r a tiv e
B e n n
{ L td .) ,
L ’O r i e n t a t i o n
p r o d u c tio n —
1 9 2 7 .
2 1 4
p r o fe s s io n n e lle :
b ijo u tie r -jo a illie r .
P a r is ,
F é lix
th e
P r ie s tm a n -A tk in s o n
s y s te m .
PPC o n tr ib u tio n
A lc a n ,
1 9 2 6 .
a
3 8
l ’é t u d e
d es
m é tie r s
—
p p .
T his m onograph on th e jew elry in d u stry is in ten d ed for use in th e vocational
guidance of young persons. T h e w orking conditions in th e m an u factu re of
jew elry a n d th e physical a n d m e n ta l a ttrib u te s necessary for success in th is tra d e
are outlined. In fo rm atio n is also given as to th e term s of app ren ticesh ip in
F ran ce a n d th e o p p o rtu n ities for em plo y m en t a fte r ap p ren ticesh ip is finished.
B a r o u , N. T h e c o o p e r a t i v e m o v e m e n t i n t h e U . S . S . R . a n d i t s f o r e i g n t r a d e .
L o n d o n ,
1 9 2 7 .
3 2
B im b a , A n th o n y .
In te r n a tio n a l
p p .
T h e
h is to r y
P u b lis h e r s ,
o f
1 9 2 7 .
th e
3 6 0
A m e r ic a n
w o r k in g
c la s s .
N e w
Y o r k ,
p p .
A survey of lab o r a n d th e lab o r m o v em en t in th e U n ited S tates from colonial
tim es to th e p resen t d ay . E m phasizes th e m a te ria list conception of historical
m ovem ents a n d events.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4 6 7 ]
256
M O NTH LY LA BO R R E V IE W
B u ffa lo E duc a tio na l C o u n c il .
th e f a c ilitie s
c ia tio n fo r
e x is tin g
in
th e
c ity
A d u lt E d u c a tio n ,
A d u lt
e d u c a tio n
o f B u ffa lo ,
4 1
E .
4 2 d
S t.
N .
in
a
Y .
c o m m u n ity —
N e w
[1 9 2 7 ? ].
Y o r k
x v ,
1 9 2
,
a
su rv e y
A m e r ic a n
o f
A s s o
p p .
P a rt I is a stu d y of in s titu tio n s com prising th e Buffalo E d u catio n al Council.
P a r t I I is a stu d y of th e in d iv id u al a d u lt stu d e n t, w hich is based upon d a ta
secured from th e s tu d e n t him self.
C a l if o r n ia , U n iv e r sit y o f . College of A griculture. A gricultural E x p erim en t
S tation. E c o n o m i c a s p e c t s o f t h e d a i r y i n d u s t r y , b y E d w i n C . 1 o o r h i e s .
B e r k e le y ,
1 9 2 7 .
1 9 2
p p .;
m a p s ,
c h a r ts .
(B u lle tin
4 3 7 .)
Figures show ing th e wages of m ilkers in th e d airy in d u stry in C alifornia, ta k e n
from th is rep o rt, are published on page 121 of th is issue.
C a r n e g ie E n d o w m en t
s o c ia le
N e w
d e
la
H a v e n ,
Y a le
I n ter n a t io n a l P e a c e .
for
g u e rre
m o n d ia le :
U n iv e r s ity
C h ô m a g e
P re ss,
et
H is to ir e
p la c e m e n t,
1 9 2 7 .
x ii,
1 2 8
p a r
é c o n o m iq u e
A n d r é
et
C réh a n g e.
p p .
T he volum e deals w ith th e d isru p tiv e effect of th e w ar upo n ag ric u ltu ra l a n d
in d u strial em ploym en t in F ran ce a n d gives th e resu lts of th e m eth o d s em ployed
in m eeting th e situ atio n , including th e in s titu tio n of n atio n al u n em p lo y m en t
funds an d organization of a n em plo y m en t system . T h e appendixes co n tain th e
te x t of th e princip al m in isterial circulars a n d decrees issued.
•-------------- L ’ o r g a n i z a t i o n d u t r a v a i l d a n s l a r é g i o n e n v a h i e d e l a F r a n c e p e n d a n t
l ’o c c u p a t i o n ,
x x ,
16 1
p a r
P ie r r e
B o u lin .
N e w
H a v e n ,
Y a le
U n iv e r s ity
P re ss,
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
T he lab o r conditions to w hich th e F ren ch p o p u latio n of th e te rrito ry in v ad ed
during th e W orld W ar were su b jected form s th e su b je c t of th is volum e. An
acco u n t is given of th e econom ic im p o rtan ce of th e in v ad ed te rrito ry , a n d of th e
forced lab o r of th e civilians a n d conditions u n d er w hich th e y w orked.
C o h e n , J . L. M o t h e r s ’ a l l o w a n c e l e g i s l a t i o n i n C a n a d a — a l e g i s l a t i v e r e v i e w a n d
a n a ly s is
w ith
a
p ro p o se d
“ s ta n d a r d ”
a c t.
T o r o n to ,
1 9 2 7 .
1 3 4
PP-
A nalyzes th e various provisions of th e m o th e rs’ allow ances a c ts w hich a re in
force in five o u t of th e nine C an ad ian Provinces.
C oo perative P roductive F e d e r a tio n (L t d .).
L e ic e s te r ,
A llia n c e
D a n e , E dm und.
th e o r y
C h a m b e rs,
W a g e s
o f w a g es.
a n d
H o r s e fa ir
la b o r
L o n d o n ,
S t.,
c o s ts :
M a c m illa n
A
&
C o -o p e r a to r s ’
1 9 2 7 .
1 3 6
s ta te m e n t
o f
C o .
{ L td .),
p p .,
th e
1 9 2 7 .
y e a r
b o o k
1 9 2 7 .
illu s tr a te d .
e c o n o m ic
ix ,
la w s
1 9 4
a n d
PP-
D iscusses th e rise of th e m odern w age sy stem ; th e econom ic source of wages;
th e q u a n tita tiv e , q u a lita tiv e , d istrib u tiv e, a n d com petitive law s of wages; prices
a n d wages; flu ctu atio n s in w ages; ta x a tio n a n d wages; fu tu re of th e wage sys
tem ; th e “ in d u stria l re v o lu tio n ” ; a n d effects of public policy on wages.
D elpeuch , A n dr é.
L e
c in é m a .
P a r is ,
G a s to n
D o in
et
C ie ,
1 9 2 7 .
v i,
2 9 2
p p .
T his is a general acco u n t of th e d ev elopm ent of th e m oving-picture in d u stry .
D ouglas , P a ul H . W a g e s a n d t h e f a m i l y .
C h ic a g o , U n iv e r s ity o f C h ic a g o P r e s s ,
1 9 2 7 .
x iv ,
3 0 4
p p .
2 d
ed.
Some slight changes in th e te x t have been m ade in th is new edition w hich also
has a su p p lem en tary appendix giving various im p o rta n t d evelopm ents in th e
fam ily-allow ance m ov em en t in th e 18 m o n th s a fte r th e first issue w'as published.
E m ploy ers ’ F e d e r a tio n
m e e tin g ,
S e p te m b e r
of
2 9 ,
N ew S outh W a l e s .
1 9 2 7 .
S y d n e y ,
1 9 2 7 .
R e p o rt
4 5
o f tw e n ty -fifth
a n n u a l
p p .
Among th e in terestin g sections of th is re p o rt is one on th e basic wage in q u iry ,
1926-27, an d an o th e r on th e fam ily endow m ent a c t a n d th e basic w age act.
F é d é r a tio n
d e
la
p p .,
N a tio na le
c o o p é r a tio n
des
{ 5 e a n n é e ),
C oo pér ativ es
1 9 2 6 —1 9 2 7 .
de
P a r is ,
C onsom m ation .
8 5
R u e
C h a r io t,
A n n u a ir e
1 9 2 6 .
6 3 9
illu s tr a te d .
F ifth yearbook of th e N atio n al F ed eratio n of C onsum ers’ C ooperative Societies
of France. In th re e p a rts. P a rt I contains d escriptions of th e fed eratio n , th e
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[468]
257
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
regional federations, th e wholesale society, th e B ank of th e C ooperative Societies,
th e Superior C ouncil of C ooperation, a n d articles by w ell-know n cooperators.
P a r t I I gives a list of consum ers’ societies, b y locality a n d D e p a rtm e n t, an d
certain statistic s concerning th e societies.
P a rt I I I con tain s th e te x ts of th e
law s governing cooperative societies, describes th e procedure to be followed by
cooperative societies, a n d gives sam ples of by-law s, form s, etc.
F o reign L a ng ua g e I nform ation S e r v ic e .
U n ite d
1 8 0
S ta te s ,
p p .;
b y
M a r ia n
S c h ib s b y .
H a n d b o o k
N e w
Y o r k ,
fo r
im m ig r a n ts
2 2 2
F o u r th
to
A v e .,
th e
1 9 2 7 .
m a p .
Issued in th e hope of enabling im m ig ran ts to ta k e th e ir p a rt m ore quickly in
A m erican life, to m ake th e m ost of th e ir o p p o rtu n ities, a n d to co n trib u te th e ir
best to th e ir new country .
F o r se y , E u g e n e .
T o r o n to ,
v e r s ity
E c o n o m ic
M a c m illa n
e c o n o m ic
C o.
s tu d ie s ,
a n d
o f
s o c ia l a s p e c ts
C a n a d a
N o .
(L td .)
o f th e
N o v a
[1927?].
S c o tia
1 2 6
co a l
p p .
in d u s tr y .
( M c G ill
U n i
5 .)
T he problem of th e coal in d u stry in N ova Scotia is declared to be one of
m arkets. T he a u th o r th in k s it q u ite im p o rta n t th a t th e m ines of th e Province
should n o t have to m eet u n fair com petition from cen tral C an ad a or th e U nited
States.
G e n e r a l E lectric Co. S a f e t y r u l e s f o r c o m p r e s s e d g a s e s a n d g a s a p p a r a t u s .
S c h e n e c ta d y ,
O c to b e r
H a r d y , G eo r g e .
P ro p a g a n d a
1 9 2 7 .
4 8
1 9 2 7 .
T h e
1 1 7
s tr u g g le
C o m m itte e
o f
p p .;
o f
d ia g r a m s .
B r itis h
T r a n s p o r t
se a m e n .
W o rk e rs,
3 8
L o n d o n ,
G rea t
In te r n a tio n a l
O rm o n d
S t.,
W C
1,
p p .
H e l e n S. T r o u n st in e F o u n d a tio n and Y oung W o m e n ’s C h r ist ia n A sso
ciation of C in c in n a t i .
W a g e -e a r n in g
g ir ls
in
C in c in n a ti— th e
w a g es,
e m p lo y m e n t,
F ra n c e s
h o u s in g ,
Iv in s
fo o d ,
R ic h .
r e c r e a tio n ,
C in c in n a ti,
a n d
1 9 2 7 .
e d u c a tio n
7 6 , H i
p p .,
o f
a
s a m p le
g ro u p ,
m im e o g r a p h e d ;
b y
c h a r ts .
R eview ed on page 83 of th is issue.
H o u g h t e l in g ,
in
L e il a .
C h ic a g o .
T h e
C h ic a g o ,
in c o m e
a n d
U n iv e r s ity
s ta n d a r d
o f
o f
C h ic a g o
liv in g
o f
P re ss,
u n s k ille d
1 9 2 7 .
x v ii,
la b o r e r s
2 2 4
P P-
R eview ed on page 236 of th is issue.
I n d r i, G io v a n n i.
d e
2 7 8
P o u r
V a s s is ta n c e .
p p .,
la
s a n té
R o m e ,
d es
C a is s e
o u v r ie r s —
N a tio n a le
d e u x
a n s
p o u r
le s
d ’a c t i v i t é
d a n s
A ssu ra n c e s
le
d o m a in e
S o c ia le s ,
1 9 2 7 .
illu s tr a te d .
An acco u n t of th e w ork of th e Ita lia n N atio n al Social In su ran ce F u n d in th e
reh ab ilitatio n of w orkers. A description is given of th e m ethods of tre a tm e n t a n d
care given in th e different convalescent hom es.
I n st it u t e
P a c ific
of
g en era l
s e s s io n ,
h is to r y
a n d
1 9 2 7 .
1 6
-------------- A
-------------- E
w h ic h
ffe c t
B y
O ffic e .
I n t e r n a t io n a l
I I .
G . H .
im m ig r a tio n
1 9 2 7 .
o f
1 0
A s ia tic
p a p e r
p re p a re d
im m ig r a tio n
S c h o le fie ld ,
a n d
T .
D .
in
fo r
N e w
H .
se c o n d
Z e a la n d ,
H a ll.
its
H o n o lu lu ,
go.
G .
L .
W o o d .
a s p e c ts
F e d e r a t io n
31
o n
th e
D iffe r e n c e s
H o n o lu lu ,
A m s te r d a m ,
la w s
a n d
th e ir
w o r k in g ,
b y
A .
H .
C h a r te r is .
p p .
m ig r a tio n
------ -------- L e g i s l a t i v e
L a b o r
b y
P r e lim in a r y
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
m ig r a n ts
g r a tio n .
1 5 -2 9 ,
le g is la tio n ,
u s tr a lia n
H o n o lu lu ,
R e l a t io n s .
J u ly
e c o n o m ic
in
H o n o lu lu ,
o f
c o n d itio n
s ta n d a r d s
A s ia tic
1 9 2 7 .
2 8
of
T rade
1 9 2 7 .
o f la b o r e r s
o f
liv in g
1 5
p p .
m ig r a tio n ,
a s
p re p a re d
a
in
th e
b a r r ie r
b y
la n d s
to
to
im m i
In te r n a tio n a l
p p .
U n io n s .
T e s s e ls c h a d e s tr a a t,
1 9 2 7 .
F ifth
8 0
y e a rb o o k ,
1 9 2 7 .
P a r t
p p .
C ontains brief rep o rts on m em bership, activ ities, etc., for 1925 a n d 1926, from
th e n atio n al centers affiliated w ith th e In te rn a tio n a l F ed eratio n of T rad e U nions
a n d from th e in te rn a tio n a l tra d e secretariats.
P a rt I of th is yearbook was n o ted in th e Ju n e, 1927, issue of th e Review .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[469]
258
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
L ie u , D . K .
C h i n a 's
in d u s tr ia l
E c o n o m ic
a n d
in d u s tr ie s
fin a n c ia l
In fo r m a tio n ,
a n d
fin a n c e ;
q u e s tio n s .
1 9 2 7 .
x iv ,
b e in g
P e k in g ,
2 3 8
a
s e r ie s
C h in e s e
o f
s tu d ie s
in
G o v e rn m e n t
C h in e s e
B u r e a u
o f
p p .
T he seven sections of th is volum e deal, respectively, w ith th e following su b jects:
(1) T he in d u stria l d ev elopm ent of C hina; (2) th e financial o rganization of C hina;
(3) in d u strial a n d financial sta tistic s of C hina; (4) th e Liken sy stem a n d its effects
on industries an d finance; (5) in te rn a tio n a l a d m in istra tio n a n d financial control
of Chinese railw ays; (6) th e iron a n d steel in d u stry in C hina— its cost a n d p ro
duction; an d (7) developm ent of C hinese silk w eaving in d u stry .
N a tio n a l
C iv ic
a lm s h o u s e s
W om an’s D e p a rtm e n t.
F e d e r a t io n .
in
C o n n e c tic u t,
N e w
J e r s e y ,
N e w
Y o r k ,
S tu d y
a n d
o f
a
g ro u p
P e n n s y lv a n ia .
o f
N e w
Y o r k , 1 0 5 W . 40 t h S t . , 1 9 2 7 .
9 5 p p .
A rep o rt based u pon visits of in v estig atio n to 20 alm shouses in New Y ork, 12
in New Jersey, 19 in C onn ecticu t, a n d 24 in P en n sy lv an ia. A brief re p o rt upon
th e in dividual in stitu tio n s follows a discussion of th e general situ a tio n disclosed.
T he conclusion reached is th a t th e evils of th e alm shouse system arise from
p o p u lar indifference to th e m a tte r, a n d th a t th e y can be easily an d effectively
rem edied w henever th e people in general so desire.
“ M ost earnestly it [the w o m an ’s d e p a rtm e n t] pleads for general realizatio n of
th e fa c t th a t th e A m erican alm shouse is a social problem , a n d th a t it needs only
an aw akened social conscience to m ak e it th e in s titu tio n it can be— a hum an e,
decent hom e for those for w hom society m u st care, a n d a scientific, efficient, a n d
even m ore h um an e refuge fo r th e chronic sick fo r w hom society has no o th er
place.”
N a tio n a l
I n d u s t r ia l
ea rn ers,
ix ,
6 0
C onference
s u p e r v is o r s ,
a n d
B oard.
e x e c u tiv e s .
S u p p le m e n ta l
N e w
Y o r k ,
2 4 7
b o n u se s
P a r k
fo r
w a g e
A v e n u e ,
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
T he re p o rt covers th e su p p lem en tal bonus plans of 107 com panies em ploying
326,175 w orkers, of w hom 135,228 p a rtic ip a te d in th e bonus. An appendix
gives a list of th e firms covered.
N a tio n a l
L amp
W orks.
n a tio n
d e s ig n
d a ta fo r
a n d
E .
C .
W e itz .
E ngineering D e p a rtm e n t.
in d u s tr ia l
C le v e la n d ,
a n d
S e p t.
c o m m e r c ia l
1 5 ,
1 9 2 7 .
B u lle tin
in te r io r s ,
3 6
p p .;
4 1 -D :
b y
W a r d
illu s tr a tio n s ,
I llu m i
H a r r is o n
d ia g r a m s .
In ten d ed as a h a n d b o o k for lig h tin g specialists, electrical co n tracto rs, engi
neers, arch itects, stu d e n ts, a n d in stru cto rs. P resen ts a m eth o d of illu m in atio n
design “ w hich has becom e th e s ta n d a rd for illu m in atin g engineering w o rk .”
•-------------- B
S e p t.
u lle tin
1,
---------------B
1 9 2 7 .
O rm sbee,
P re ss,
4 3 -B :
F a c to r y
1 9 2 7 .
4 ^
u lle tin
5 3 :
3 6
illu s tr a te d .
p p .,
H azel
1 9 2 7 .
p p .;
F a r m
G rant.
x iv ,
1 2 4
lig h tin g
illu s tr a tio n s ,
lig h tin g ,
T h e
d e s ig n s ,
b y
C .
E .
W e itz .
C le v e la n d ,
d ia g r a m s .
b y
y o u n g
W
.
C .
B ro w n .
e m p lo y e d
g ir l.
C le v e la n d ,
N e w
Y o r k ,
S e p t.
1 5 ,
W o m a n ’s
PP-
A stu d y of th e educational, in d u strial, a n d social sta tu s of young em ployed
girls, based on interview s w ith 500 girls in c o n tin u atio n schools an d on in fo rm a
tio n ob tain ed in visits to 263 homes.
P a r a f , M a t h il d e
e t C ie .,
1 9 2 7 .
P ie r r e .
3 2 8
L a
d e n te lle
et
la
b r o d e r ie .
P a r is ,
G a s to n
D o m
p p .
A h isto ry of th e lace in d u s try w ith a n acco u n t of w h a t h as been done since th e
w ar in F ran ce to revive th e in d u s try a n d to te a c h th e a r t of lace m aking.
P a s q u e t ,^ L o u i s .
L e s
E d itio n s
Im m ig r a tio n
R ie d e r ,
1 9 2 7 .
et
2 0 5
m a i n - d ’œ u v r e
é tr a n g e r s
e n
F ra n c e .
P a r is ,
p p .
A handbook for th e use of F ren ch em ployers, trad e-u n io n s a n d lab o r exchanges,
an d foreign laborers in F rance. In clu d es reg u latio n s fo r th e re c ru itm e n t of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[470]
259
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
foreign w orkers a n d info rm atio n as to th e ir d uties, rights, a n d o th e r m a tte rs of
in te re st to them .
R enard, G eorges.
L ’O u v r i è r e
à
d o m ic ile .
P a r is , É d itio n s
R a d o t,
1 9 2 7 .
1 8 8
p p .
A law establishing a m inim um w age fo r hom e w orkers in th e clothing in d u stry
w as passed in F rance in 1915 a n d su b seq u en t a m en d m en ts h av e included m ost of
th e in d u stries w hich em ploy th is class of labor. T h e a u th o r describes conditions
prevailing before th e en a c tm e n t of th e law a n d outlines m easures w hich should be
ta k e n to p re v e n t th e explo itatio n of th ese w orkers.
R ottlandef,
W .
H e y m a n n s ,
A lm a n a c h
1 9 2 6 .
v iii,
d es
1 2 5
D e u ts c h e n
G e n o s s e n s c h a fts w e s e n s .
B e r lin ,
C a rl
p p .
D irecto ry of G erm an consum ers’ cooperative organizations, giving also y ear
of establishm ent, m em bership, etc.
R udhardt,
P aul.
a c tiv ité ,
1 6
e tc .)
Im p o r ta n c e
d a n s
de
l ’o r i e n t a t i o n
q u e lq u e s
fa c te u r s
p r o fe s s io n n e lle .
m o ra u x
G en eva ,
{v o l o n t é ,
G eorg
&
a tte n tio n ,
C o .,
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
T he results of te s ts in th e telephone a n d clock industries, show ing th e im p o r
ta n c e of such factors as th e will, pow er of application, a c tiv ity , etc., for success
in different kinds of em ploym ent, a re given in th is p am p h let.
R u t n a g u r , S. M .
J o u r n a l
B o m b a y
{ L td .),
1 9 2 7 .
in d u s tr ie s :
x v i,
7 4 4
T h e
c o tto n
m ills .
B o m b a y ,
I n d ia n
T e x tile
P P -, illu s tr a te d .
A review of th e co tto n in d u stry in B om bay from its inception to 1926. T he
volum e includes a stu d y of th e operatives, a n acco u n t of fa cto ry legislation an d
w orkm en’s com pensation, an d d a ta on th e financial position of th e m ills since
1920, associations of em ployers a n d w orkers, w elfare w ork a n d housing, w ages
in co tto n , woolen, ju te, an d p a p er mills, an d o th er details b earin g on co tto n tex tile m anufacturing.
S e l i g m a n , E d w i n R. A.
T h e e c o n o m ic s o f in s ta llm e n t s e llin g : A
s tu d y in
c o n
s u m e r s ’ c r e d it
B r o s .,
1 9 2 7 .
w ith
2
s p e c ia l
v o ls .
8 5 7 ,
r e je r e n c e
6 2 3
to
th e
a u to m o b ile .
N e w
Y o rk ,
H a r p e r
&
p p .
R eview ed on page 233 of th is issue.
S im o n , O d e t t e .
F é lix
L ’o r i e n t a t i o n
A lc a n ,
1 9 2 7 .
x v ,
1 7 8
p r o fe s s io n n e lle
e n
F ra n c e
et
à
l ’e t r a n g e r .
P a r is ,
p p .
T he au th o r discusses th e purpose of v o cational guidance, its developm ent in
F rance a n d o th er countries, an d th e m eth o d s followed a n d th e resu lts o b tained
in these countries.
S o c ia l S e r v ic e C o u n c il o f C a n a d a .
In d u stria l Life C om m ittee. T h e m a n o u t
o f w o rk :
31
A
re p o rt o n
a
s tu d y
o f fiv e
h u n d re d
u n e m p lo y e d
m e n .
J a n u a r y ,
1 9 2 7 .
p p .
T his is a stu d y of th e unem ployed as a c tu a l h u m an beings— a collection of
in d iv id u al case records.
S t o c k s , M. D .
T h e c a se fo r fa m ily e n d o w m e n t.
L o n d o n , L a b o r P u b lis h in g C o .
{ L td .),
1 9 2 7 .
9 5
p p .
T he a u th o r holds th a t th e econom ic case for fam ily endow m ent is based on th e
declaration t h a t th e low er w age levels can n o t be so established as to m eet th e
reasonable req u irem en ts of even a " s ta n d a rd fa m ily ” a t its com p arativ ely brief
peak period of dependence. T his being g ran ted , he believes t h a t e ith e r some
m achinery m u st be devised to am plify th e incom e of th e fam ily du rin g such peak
period or we m u st perforce fran k ly acknow ledge th e position t h a t th e p ersisten t
d e s titu tio n ” of a high percen tag e of th e children of th e N atio n " is a necessary
featu re of its econom ic sy ste m .”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[471]
260
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T aylor,
H arold.
L e ic e s te r ,
P ro d u c e rs’
C o o p e r a tiv e
c o o p e r a tio n :
C o p a r tn e r s h ip
W h a t
P r o p a g a n d a
w o rk e rs’
c o n tr o l
C o m m itte e
h a s
[1927?].
1 0
d o n e .
p p .
E ndeavors to define th e purpose of th e cooperative w orkshops, p o in ts o u t
th e distinction betw een th ese a n d th e p rofit-sharing schem es, a n d show s th a t
these societies are th e resu lt of p ro te st a g a in st th e in secu rity of em ploym ent,
th e injustices, an d th e lack of recognition of th e w orker as a h u m an being, u n d er
th e presen t organization of in d u stry .
T e s s ie r , G a sto n .
1 9 2 6 .
2 3
L a
g reve
d es
e m p lo y é s
de
b a n q u e .
P a r is ,
M a is o n
S y n d ic a le ,
p p .
An account of th e strik e of b an k em ployees in F ran ce during th e spring an d
sum m er of 1925, b y a m em ber of th e F ren ch Superior C ouncil of L abor.
W il l ia m s , S id n e y
J.
T h e
A . W . Shaw Co., 1927.
m a n u a l
o f in d u s tr ia l
s a fe ty .
C h ic a g o
a n d
N e w
Y o rk ,
v iii, 207 p p .
T his book is dev o ted chiefly to safety o rganization a n d m ethods ra th e r th a n to
m echanical safeguarding, a n d " a tte m p ts to set fo rth th e essential in form ation
needed by a m an who devotes all or p a rt of his tim e to in d u stria l sa fe ty .” C hap
ters in th e book deal w ith safety com m ittees, th e forem an, th e new em ployee,
records, safety a n d p roduction, h e a lth a n d san ita tio n , a n d th e elim ination of
h azards specifically noted.
Zentralverband
H a m b u rg ,
1 9 2 7 .
D eutscher
[ V a r io u s
K o n s u m v e r e in e .
J a h rb u c h ,
1 9 2 7 .
3
v o ls .
p a g in g .]
Y earbook of th e C en tral U nion of G erm an C onsum ers’ C ooperative Societies.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
o
[472]
@FedFRASER