Full text of Monthly Labor Review : February 1955, Vol. 78, No. 2

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Labor
Review
FEBRUARY

1955

VOL.

78

NO.

From the IRRA Annual Meeting—

Economics o f the Guaranteed Annual W age
Automation and Industrial Relations
The U A W and Management Decisions

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
BU R EAU OF L A B O R S T A T IS T IC S

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UNITED STATES D EPARTM ENT OF LABOR

James P. M itchell , Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
A r y n e ss J o y W ic k e n s , Acting Commissioner
H e r m a n B. B y e r , Assistant Commissioner
H e n r y J. F it z g e r a l d , Assistant Commissioner
C h a r l e s D . S t e w a r t , Assistant Commissioner
J o se ph P . G o l d b e r g , Acting Special Assistant to the Commissioner
W . D u a n e E v a n s , Chief Statistician
D orothy 8. B ra dy , Chief, Division of Prices and Cost of Living
H . M . D outy , Chief, Division of Wages and Industrial Relations
L eon G reenberg , Chief, Division of Productivity and Technological Developments
R ichard F. Jones, Chief, Division of Administrative Services
W alter G. K eim , Chief, Division of Field Service
P aul R . K erschbaum , Chief, Office of Program Planning
L awrence R . K lein , Chief, Office of Publications
H . E. R iley , Chief, Division of Construction Statistics
O scar W eigert , Chief, Division of Foreign Labor Conditions
F aith M . W illiams, Chief, Office of Labor Economics
Seymour L. W olfbein , Chief, Division of Manpower and Employment Statistics

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Monthly Labor Review
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR • BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

L a w r e n c e R. K l e in , Editor


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CONTENTS

Special Articles
159
159
165
170
175
183

From the IR R A Annual Meeting—
Economics of the Guaranteed Wage
Automation: A New Dimension to Old Problems
The UAW ’s Influence on Automotive Management Decisions
A Review of American Labor in 1954
The Sixteenth Annual Convention of the CIO

Summaries of Studies and Reports
188 Length of Pay Periods in American Industry
192 Employment Practices in Trenton, N. J., Manufacturing Plants
195 Changes in City Public-School Teachers’ Salaries
199 Wage Structure in Leather Tanning and Finishing, M ay 1954
204 Family Income and Expenditures in Panama City, 1952
207 National Output and Income, 1929-53
209 Injury Rates in Manufacturing, Third Quarter 1954

Departments
hi

212
216
219
224
231

The Labor Month in Review
Significant Decisions in Labor Cases
Chronology of Recent Labor Events
Developments in Industrial Relations
Book Reviews and Notes
Current Labor Statistics

February 1955 • Vol. 78 • No. 2

Scheduled for the M arch Issue
Public interest in manpower and the theoretical
problems related to labor force measurement has
quickened in recent months.
The Monthly Labor Review in March will carry six
special articles widely illustrative of pertinent topics
in these fields.
^ W hy Workers Quit Jobs
•Je Business Cycles and the Labor Market
^

Patterns ofW orking Life
Employment Statistics and Decision Making

^

Unemployment Statistics and Economic Policy

•fa Measuring Underemployment

In Addition

—

These regular features: Labor Month in Review . . .
Court Cases . . . Industrial Relations Developments
. . . Labor Chronology . . . Book Reviews . . . and Fifty
Pages of Labor Statistics.

Send new subscriptions or renewals to any of the following BLS regional offices:
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ii


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Single copies, 55 cents.

The Labor Month
in Review
A d e t a i l e d e l u e p r i n t for organic unity between
the American Federation of Labor and the Con­
gress of Industrial Organizations was signed in
Miami Beach on February 9 by the joint unity
negotiating committee of the two organizations.
Ratification by the AFL Executive Council took
place the following day, with CIO Executive
Board action scheduled for February 24. Pre­
liminary approval granted, the joint committee
will draft a constitution subject to adoption in
stages, through separate conventions, culminating
in a joint convention, the first in a biennial series
for the merged organization.
In summary, the merger agreement calls for:
retention of the CIO identity within the federation
as a department (equal in status to departments
of the AFL) known as the Council of Industrial
Organizations; the president and secretarytreasurer would initially be selected from the
AFL, with the first director of organization chosen
from the CIO; top policy and administrative
organs would be a small executive committee
(at the outset, 3 from each group, plus the execu­
tive officers), a 29-member executive council (17
elected from the AFL at the first convention),
and a general board (the committee and board
are current CIO organization features); a declara­
tion of the need for both craft and industrial
unions and of the sanctity of existing jurisdictions;
a gradual merger of local and State organizations
over a 2-year period.
Both parent organizations have conventions
scheduled for the fall of 1955 and it is hardly a
prediction that they are likely for the first time
to exchange fraternal delegates.
T h e M i a m i a r e a served as a backdrop to other
policy meetings of labor organizations in late
January and early February. Outstanding, of
course, was that of the AFL Executive Council
between February 1 and 7; but previously the


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executive board of the Teamsters, largest AFL
affiliate, met and also considered labor unity.
The Teamster union reiterated its refusal to
sign the no-raid agreement which most AFL and
CIO unions have ratified as a prelude to more
advanced unity plans. (The unity pact did not
compel unions to sign a non-raid pledge.)
Earlier, the union had announced its intention
of conducting a companywide organizing campaign
among the employees of Montgomery Ward, who
normally would fall within the jurisdiction of
another AFL union, the Retail Clerks. The
Teamsters’ Central States Conference (a regional
body) has recently acquired a financial interest in
the company through a $2 million investment of
health and welfare funds in Montgomery Ward
stock. Currently, a struggle for management con­
trol is taking place among the company’s stock­
holders.
The investment is in line with recent fiscal
policies of the Teamster’s international president.
The international union’s treasury balance ap­
proaches $35 million, chiefly in U. S. Government
holdings. A constitutional provision limits cor­
porate bond purchases to $50,000 in any one
concern and prohibits stock ownership. Mr.
Beck seeks to change this restriction to permit
investment of 20 percent of its funds in common
stock.
In another pre-executive council meeting, four
AFL building trades unions— Teamsters, Car­
penters, Operating Engineers, and Laborers—
pledged strike-free operations to certain contrac­
tors with whom they have collective bargaining
relationships, to forestall competition from Dis­
trict 50 of the United Mine Workers. Other
AFL building trades unions are expected to do
likewise. The move is designed to put employers
of AFL craftsmen in a better competitive position
in bidding for road jobs arising from the proposed
multi-billion dollar road program.
I n a n e x c e p t i o n a l l y a c t i v e quarterly meeting,
the AFL Executive Council decided, among other
items on a crowded agenda, to concentrate at the
Federal level its efforts to offset State “ right to
work” laws banning mandatory union member­
ship. The AFL will strive to amend the TaftHartley Act provision which, while permitting

in

IV

the union shop, defers to State laws which ban it.
In international affairs, the council approved
the administration’s Formosa policy. It ad­
amantly opposed admission of Red China to the
United Nations, urged a UN plebiscite to deter­
mine the government for that country, and called
for increased “ military, economic, and political
strength” to combat the “ Moscow-Peiping mili­
tary agression.” It importuned the West German
labor movement to cease opposition to rearma­
ment.
Other council actions included an economic re­
port pointing to 1954 wage increases which, due
to stable prices, were worth more than those of
any previous postwar year. It predicted better
business this year than last but possibly more un­
employment, and again complained about the
inadequacy of Federal unemployment statistics
relating to temporary layoffs and short workweeks.
It renewed its attack on NLRB policies and
charged laxity in enforcement of the prevailing
wage provision of the Davis-Bacon Act.
Forceful refusal by the council met the proposal
of the Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen to
absorb the International Fur and Leather
Workers. The latter had been expelled by the
CIO several years ago for Communist activity.
It was the second rejection of the merger plan by
the council, and this time the Meat Cutters were
informed that consummation of the plan would
jeopardize their standing in the Federation.
There was some speculation that the zeal of the
Fur Workers and some other unions branded as
Communist-controlled for sanctuary in the AFL
was prompted by the provisions of the new
Communist Control Act.
One of these unions, the Mine, Mill and Smelter
Workers, early in February was denied recognition
before the National Labor Relations Board because
of a false non-Communist affidavit filed by
Maurice Travis, an officer.
Meanwhile, a 3,800-member leather worker
local of the outcast fur union seceded to form the
nucleus of a Leathers Workers Organizing Com­
mittee of the CIO. R. J. Thomas, predecessor of
Walter P. Reuther as president of the United
Auto Workers, was named chairman.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

C limaxing nearly 20 months of negotiations, 13
nonoperating rail unions and most of the major
railroads on January 18 agreed to a comprehensive
hospital, surgical, laboratory, and medical benefit
program for 750,000 railroad employees. Benefits
begin on March 1.
Local and long-distance truck drivers in 22
midwestern and southern States have recently
been covered by new contracts between 4 major
employer groups and the Teamsters. An innova­
tion was a single agreement covering 12,000 midwestern truck operators and 110,000 drivers doing
local hauling. In addition to ultimate elimination
of area wage differentials and establishment of a
standardized 40-hour week, the agreement guaran­
tees most of the drivers 40 hours’ work or pay.
The long-haul contracts call for a minimum $75
weekly call-in rate, a 26-cent-an-hour increase
accumulated over 3 years, and larger pension and
welfare fund contributions by employers. Mile­
age rates will be increased one-fourth cent in each
of 3 years.
American Airlines and the AFL Airline Pilots
Association have settled the controversy which
caused a 24-day strike last summer. The agree­
ment permits westbound nonstop transcontinental
flights in excess of 8 hours. Pilots will receive 50
percent more flight-time credit and pay for time
actually in excess of 8 hours, and, in addition, pilots
and co-pilots will earn $1.50 and $1 an hour extra
for the entire period of a flight taking more than
8 hours.
Ford Motor Co. of Canada and 3 locals of the
UAW-CIO late in January ended a 109-day strike
with a contract calling for a 4-cent-an-hour wage
increase beginning next June; a limited union
shop; a company financed health plan; company­
wide bargaining; incorporation of the 8-centcostof-living allowance in the base rates; and improved
paid vacation and holiday allowances.
The UAW and American Motors have nego­
tiated a plan for preferential hiring of Detroit
Hudson workers at the corporation’s Kenosha and
Milwaukee Hudson and Nash plants. Hudson
cars had previously been produced in Detroit.
Such new hires will have seniority below regular
Kenosha or Milwaukee employees.

From the IR R A Annual Meeting
o t e .— The three papers which are excerpted under this
general heading were selected from among those presented at the annual
meeting of the Industrial Relations Research Association in Detroit,
December 28-80,1954. The selection, of course, is in no way intended
to deprecate the importance of the many other papers on the program,
including those read at the same sessions at which these three were
heard. The major considerations were space limitations and the
broadest possible reader interest. Suspension marks to denote unused
portions of text have been omitted in the interest of easier reading.

E d it o r ’ s N

Economics of
the Guaranteed Wage
T h e g u a r a n t e e d a n n u a l w a g e , guaranteed
employment, guaranteed wages, or whatever the
appropriate term, promises to become one of the
major economic issues of the next few years.
Many explanations can be adduced for the recent
vogue for the guaranteed wage. Dissatisfaction
with the unemployment compensation (UC) pro­
gram is surely one reason. This program covered
only one-quarter of the cost to labor of unemploy­
ment in a year of modest unemployment even
after almost 10 years of unparalleled prosperity.
(That is, in 1949, when 3.4 million persons were
unemployed, wage losses amounted to about
$7.6 billion, and unemployment benefits, $1.9
billion.) 1 Even in 1953, the average maximum
benefit was $27 per week; the average weekly
benefit, $23.58; the average potential duration,
22 weeks; the average duration of benefits, 10
weeks; and the duration for persons who ex­
hausted their benefits, 19 weeks.2
A second reason for the increased interest in the
guaranteed wage is the greater importance at­
tached to fringes. This emphasis on fringes may
be explained by the fact that the basic wage has
risen to a level where much more than minimum
needs are being met. Thus, from 1939 to 1953,
wages per employee (exclusive of supplements,
etc.) rose by 57 percent; real per capita disposable


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income (after taxes) of the entire population, by
46 percent. In this same period, the number of
jobs rose by more than 19 million, or about 40
percent, and, in relation to population 14 years and
over, from 46 to 56 percent. All these figures
point to much higher living standards.3
On the issue of the effects of economic adjust­
ments on the factory worker, there is much truth
in the position that factory workers suffer more
than others. This was evident, for example, in
1929-32, 1937-38, and 1948-49, when the relative
decline in employment for manufacturing was
greater than that in the services or in trade.
The Case for the Guaranteed Wage

Much can be said for the guaranteed wage.
On the assumption that the guaranteed wage
involves management in no additional wage costs,
i. e., that labor asks for a guaranteed wage rather
than for a rise in pensions or an increase in the
basic wage rate, the program can be supported on
the grounds that X percent of costs thus incurred
yield higher returns in the estimate of the worker
than alternative forms of wage increases. The
1 Figures from National Income, 1954 Edition (U. S. Department of C om ­
merce, Office of Business Economics, 1954, published as a supplement to the
Survey of Current Business); Social Security Bulletin, September 1954; and
Econom ic Report of the President transmitted to the Congress, January
28, 1954.
i U. S. Department of Labor, 1953 Supplement to Handbook of U nem ploy­
ment Insurance Financial Data, September 1954; cf. Hearings on U nem ploy­
ment Insurance, House of Representatives, W ays and Means Committee,
June 1954 (pp. 101-102); averages calculated.

5 Figures computed from Economic Report of the President, op. cit.

159

160
fact that workers seek their gains in this manner
supports this position. Of course, trade union
leaders may want the guaranteed wage partly
because they can achieve a higher wage increase
in this manner than through orthodox approaches.
The explanation of this fact may be that employers
can afford to pay more under a guaranteed wage
program because, under the pressure of higher
outlays charged to instability, the incentive to
reduce costs would be increased; or it may simply
be that bargaining for a guaranteed wage program
may be more effective than for a rise in the basic
wage rate. For example, in periods of inflationary
pressure it is easier to win public approval of a
program that does not add to inflationary pressures
currently. In fact, the large growth of pension
programs in the postwar years may be associated
partly with this consideration. In this connec­
tion, it should be observed that, as Chancellor
Clark Kerr and others have argued, trade unionism
has not succeeded in increasing the share of income
going to wages (the stability of proportions over
the years has been remarkable),4 and hence the
gains under a guaranteed wage program may
merely represent a changed pattern in the manner
of obtaining wages, the overall rise itself being
associated with gains of productivity. This
generalization applies, of course, to income taxes.
There is much evidence of substantial changes
toward equality in recent years when income after
taxes is considered.6 But the gains in distribution
relate, to a considerable extent, to increased
amounts of employment and the improvement in
the relative position of low-income workers.
Undoubtedly a guaranteed wage program, as it
spread, would increase the pressure to improve the
unemployment compensation program, for em­
ployers affected by the introduction of guaranteed
wages might feel under a competitive disadvan­
tage, either vis-a-vis competitors in their industry,
or in competition with producers or sellers of com­
peting products. Since payrolls vary from 10 to
90 percent of costs, it is obvious that any program
which imposes costs upon the basis of payrolls
would greatly affect the competitive position of
different products and firms. Even when one
union has exclusive jurisdiction in an industry,
costs of different firms may be affected unevenly.
Thus, according to one estimate, a limitation of
applicability of guaranteed wages to workers with
3e years’ seniority would cover 94 percent of the

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

workers in one company of an industry and 51
percent in another.6
The trade unions consider the guaranteed wage,
in part, as a weapon for improving unemployment
compensation and hence contend that the intro­
duction of guaranteed wages would increase the
pressure to improve unemployment compensation.
But I am inclined to believe that the parallel with
Old Age and Survivors Insurance is not so great as
they often assume, nor am I convinced that they
played as large a part in improving OASI as they
claim. It is well to remember that, under OASI,
in the early years in particular, large subsidies are
involved, and the improvement of benefits lightens
the burden on private pensions. Also relevant is
the fact that under OASI taxes are levied on both
employers and employees, whereas under unem­
ployment compensation, the tax is imposed on em­
ployers only (with unimportant exceptions), and
hence there is less incentive among employers to
urge expansion of the unemployment compensa­
tion program than there was to urge liberalization
of OASI with the surge of pension programs. In­
deed, should unemployment compensation become
a burden on the general taxpayer in part— as it
well might— employers, seeking to shift the burden
of the guaranteed wage from one on payrolls to
one on all taxpayers, may be more disposed to seek
alleviation through an improved unemployment
compensation tax.
In discussions of this aspect of the problem,
another issue has escaped attention. The guar­
anteed wage scheme would apply presumably to
all regions where unions operate on a national basis
and therefore costs would be roughly equal in all
regions. This would be an important advantage
for the guaranteed wage over unemployment com­
pensation wherever unions operate on a national
basis and enforce roughly equal demands (e. g., the
United Steelworkers and the United Automobile
Workers, both CIO), for under unemployment
compensation there is a strong and unfortunate
tendency for States to compete in keeping benefits
and taxes down.
Trade union leaders support the guaranteed
4
For excerpts from Dr. Kerr’s paper on Trade Unionism and Distributive
Shares, presented at the IR R A 1953 annual meeting, see M on th ly Labor
Review, February 1954 (p. 146).
8
See, especially, Goldsmith, Jaszi, Kaitz, and Leibenberg, Size D istribu­
tion of Income Since the Mid-Thirties, in The Review of Economics and
Statistics, February 1954 (p. 26, in particular).
* J. W . Garbarino, Guaranteed Wages, Berkeley, University of California,
1954 (p. 42).

ECONOMICS OF THE GUARANTEED WAGE

wage in part because they believe that it would
reduce the rate of technological improvements
Undoubtedly just as the economist far from the
smoke of the factory underestimates the signifi­
cance of the costs of change, so the trade-union
leader may overestimate the damage done. Yet
the trade unions may have a case here. There is
something to be said for slowing down technolog­
ical change when the costs of adjustment are
heavy. By imposing upon the employer part of
the costs to the displaced worker and thus forcing
him to bear part of the costs of change, the pro­
ponents of the guaranteed wage support the view
that change may be too rapid. One result of the
guaranteed wage may well be fewer improvements
in depression periods when employers would have
to include as costs the wages of displaced workers;
and more improvements in prosperous periods
when the potentially displaced workers would be
absorbed in jobs created by the growth in demand.
In the same vein, labor contends that, though a
guaranteed wage equal to 100 percent of wages
may slow up the transfer of workers into growing
industries, mobility may be excessive. Further,
they take the position that there is a case, on both
economic and noneconomic grounds, for eschewing
excessive mobility because, first, in depression,
high mobility may be of little use and, second, in
prosperous periods, there is a reservoir of workers
in the expanding labor force. Further, all workers
in an industry have a stake in a guaranteed wage
reserve and would resent excessive use (and hence
unjustifiable immobility) by a minority. But I
hasten to add that a guaranteed wage unwisely
formulated might interfere with required mobility.
In this connection, it is well to consider the
possibility of slowing up migration of firms from
one region to another in response to lower wage
costs and tax concessions—migrations which may
well destroy, and in fact have destroyed, the entire
industry of some towns. The guaranteed wage
might well make some of these migrations un­
profitable; and I would be inclined to support it
on these grounds. The employer has some re­
sponsibility to his workers, their families, and the
community.
Another appeal of the guaranteed wage may
well lie in its effects upon the distribution of income
among workers. The incidence of unemployment is
felt especially by the younger workers, for seniority
rights protect the older worker, and the younger


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

161
workers would especially gain from the protec­
tion of a guaranteed wage program. Therefore,
it would follow that if (say), instead of a 5-percent
rise in basic wage rates, a new contract provided a
guaranteed wage clause costing 5 percent of wages,
then the younger workers (exclusive of probation­
ary workers, who would not generally be eligible)
would gain disproportionately vis-a-vis contribu­
tions, and other workers would lose relatively.
Undoubtedly in order to restrict the resultant
redistribution of rewards, the UAW proposes that
employers, in the absence of notice, guarantee a
full week’s work and that funds in the guaranteed
wage reserves be rationed, once declines become
serious and it becomes apparent that those laid
off first might exhaust all or a large part of the
available funds, leaving older workers unpro­
tected. The first measure would especially profit
probationary workers, who might otherwise be the
first to lose employment, and would also protect
all workers against losses through a reduced work­
ing week; the second would assure the older workers
of some part of the total payments on account of
lost time.
Some Questions Raised by Guaranteed Wages

On the assumption that wages are determined
by marginal productivity, there should be no
opposition to guaranteed wages on the part of
employers. But there seems to be much oppo­
sition.
First, employers are fearful of the costs. Their
fears are greater the more uncertain the obligation
assumed—for example, a program which would
limit payments (e. g., 10 cents an hour as proposed
by the Steelworkers) would meet less opposition
from all but the highly stable industries than would
one with uncertain obligations. Indeed, if man­
agement fails to compensate for the increased
costs out of a rise of productivity, a reduction in
other rewards to workers, or a rise of prices, then
the additional costs must come out of profits.
Even so, when profits are high, the introduction
of a guaranteed wage may be consistent with
reasonable returns. It is conceivable that with
profits at about one-third of wages and salaries,
as they were in 1946-53,7 part of the costs of
guaranteed wages might be financed out of profits.
7 Profits of corporations before taxes and income of unincorporated enter­
prise (in part not profits) amounted to $472 billion. Wages and salaries
added up to $1,267 billion. Calculated from National Income, 1954, op. c i t

162
(But the historical trends already mentioned sug­
gest somewhat different conclusions.)
In orthodox theory, the payroll “ tax” will ulti­
mately be borne by the worker, but, in the short
run, capital may pay. Ultimately, however, on
the assumption that returns on capital are reduced
as a result of the guaranteed wage, new investment
will be discouraged in the industries subject to
guaranteed wages and this will create pressure for
passing the new burden on by reducing wages or
raising prices.8 When the coverage of guaranteed
wages is thus limited through reduced capital
entry, the returns on capital in the guaranteed
wage industries would tend to return to their
previous relative level— a tendency which would
be subject to all kinds of opposing forces. When
the guaranteed wage is widely established, workers
or (and) consumers would pay—but returns for
management and capital may be cut to some
extent.
No one can really estimate the costs of a
guaranteed wage, for they would depend upon
the benefits offered, the amount of unemployment,
taxes saved, and resultant reduction of costs.9
But, on the assumption that unemployment
would not exceed the low levels (average) of the
last 15 years and that the guaranteed wage would
provide benefits equal to wages, a very rough
guess of the cost would be three times that of
unemployment compensation, or about 4% percent
of payrolls— somewhat more if allowance is made
for the fact that wages of the unemployed when
they were employed were probably less than for
all workers. (Unemployment compensation pro­
vides benefits equal only to one-third of wages.)
To this must be added additional costs related
to the longer period of idleness covered under the
guaranteed wage, less strict disqualifications,
elimination of waiting periods, etc. But even if
workers are covered for a year, the costs will not
necessarily be raised by 52/19 (the numerator
being the number of weeks covered by the guar­
anteed wage and the denominator, the average
number of weeks covered prior to exhaustion of
benefits under unemployment compensation in
1953), but some allowance must be made for the
longer period covered under the guaranteed wage.
In 1953, the exhaustion rate (the ratio of exhaus­
tions to new claims filed) was 20 percent and
would be much higher in periods of substantial
unemployment. Perhaps 1 percent additional


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

should be allowed for this factor, and hence total
costs might be 6 percent (4^ plus 1 plus % for the
other items mentioned). But this 6 percent is an
overall figure based on the assumption of light
unemployment.10
The most careful survey of costs yet made, in
the Latimer report, was based on estimates for the
period 1937-1941, derived from analyses of 47
cases under various benefit schedules. For ex­
ample, under a guarantee of 40 hours for 52 weeks
covering all workers with 3 months’ service, ac­
cording to the report, costs varied from 0.4 to 33
percent of payrolls per year, the average being 10
percent and the highest costs accruing to plants in
unstable industries. Even a long secular decline
without a severe cyclical decline and without large
seasonal fluctuations may not result in high costs.
The report says: “ By selecting the limitations
which will meet the particular conditions out of
which the excessive costs arise, moreover, the costs
will be reduced to reasonable levels, while main­
taining guarantee benefits at the maximum level
feasible under all conditions. . . . the gross cost
was reduced, by appropriate limitations, to less
than an average of 6.0 percent annually even in
the highest cost cases.” 11
When the economist associates wages with
productivity, he does not mean that wages in
excess of a level determined by productivity may
not be paid; rather, he implies that the continu­
ance of such a policy would mean the eventual
liquidation of the business. When wages are high
relative to prices, the employer may be able to
reduce wages, raise productivity, or increase prices.
The troublesome feature of the guaranteed wage
program for the employer lies in the fact that here
he is committed to a substantial additional cost,
largely fixed, which may continue for a long period,
and that this is an element of cost which is in­
tractable. It therefore becomes necessary for the
employer to reduce the rigidity of the system if he
is to find it acceptable and workable. This may
be done by setting a ceiling on the costs (e. g., 10
percent of payrolls), by limiting the guarantees
(e. g., a reduced number of weeks, a payment less
8 S. E . Harris, Economics of Social Security, N ew York, M cGraw-Hill
Book C o., Inc., 1941.
9 Cf. Guaranteed Wages, Report to the President b y the Advisory Board,
Office of W ar Mobilization and Reconversion, Washington, 1947 (ch. V III).
191 have made no allowance for the fact that part of the workers w ould not
be covered under the guaranteed wage. This is roughly offset b y noncover­
age of part of wages under unemployment compensation.
11 Guaranteed Wages: Report to the President, op. cit. (p. 75).

ECONOMICS OF THE GUARANTEED WAGE

than 100 percent of wages), and by allowing a
reduction in numbers covered in the midst of a
secular decline (that is, a worker may lose rights
to guaranteed wages after the lapse of a designated
period). The workability of the guaranteed wage
would be enhanced if a period of accumulation were
required, as under unemployment compensation.
Finally, as payrolls decline, insofar as costs are
based on payrolls, they too would decline.
Obviously in growing industries it is much
easier to carry the burden of unemployment than
in declining industries. For example, this is in­
dicated by the trends in employment from 1899 to
1951. Obviously, it would be much easier, other
things being equal, to support the guaranteed
wage in chemicals, petroleum and rubber, metals,
machinery, and instruments than in textiles,
apparel, and shoes. In the last group, the impo­
sition of additional charges as a penalty for reduc­
ing the numbers of workers attached to the existing
firms might well accelerate the decline.12 In tex­
tiles, a continuation of losses in employment at the
rate prevailing in 1951-54 would result in the
disappearance of the industry from New England
in 9 years, and from the United States in 15 years.
In industries subject to great cyclical instability
or secular declines, it may be especially necessary
to set a limit of payments as a percentage of pay­
rolls. (The average annual cost of the whole
cycle would be considerably less than the ceiling
set for any one year.) Special provisions may also
have to be made in industries that are strongly
seasonal, in which the worker is often compensated
to some extent by higher pay for the losses involved
in seasonality.13
Relevant Unemployment Compensation Failures

One argument used against the guaranteed wage
is that concentration on it would weaken the
movement to strengthen unemployment com­
pensation, which is greatly in need of improve­
ment. Of course, unemployment compensation is
much more important than the guaranteed wage,
and it would be unfortunate if the campaign for
the latter greatly reduced interest in the former.
It would undoubtedly be a long time before as
12 S. E. Harris, Interregional Competition, Proceedings of the American
Econom ic Association, M a y 1954 (p. 375).
is Professors Samuelson and Hansen raised some doubts on this issue in
Guaranteed Wages: Report to the President, op. cit. (pp. 422-424).
u Figures from Survey of Current Business, N ovember 1954, and Social
Security Bulletin, September 1954.

328729— 55------ 2


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163
many as 10 million workers were covered by
guaranteed wages, but at the end of 1953, unem­
ployment compensation covered more than 70
percent of all wage and salary payments. As a
result of new legislation in 1954 affecting employers
in small establishments and Federal employees, the
number of workers covered rose by 4 million, only
10 million not now being covered. However,
only about one-half the unemployed (even in a
period of light unemployment, as in 1954) received
benefits under unemployment compensation— and
those at but one-third of wages. In fact, in the
first half of 1954 (prior to passage of the legislation
referred to), unemployment averaged 3.5 million,
but the unemployed receiving compensation under
the State unemployment laws and the Railroad
Unemployment Insurance Act averaged less than
2 million or 56 percent.14 The need for improve­
ment stems in part from the following important
failures of unemployment compensation.
First, contributions have been disappointing.
Whereas they amounted to 2.72 percent of taxable
payrolls in 1938-40, they were down to 1.40
percent in 1946-53 and 1.30 percent in 1953.
Reduced rates under experience rating account
for this decline. One unfortunate result has been
an unhealthy competition among States to keep
both benefits and contributions low. Another has
been the accumulation, after 15 years of un­
precedented prosperity, of a reserve of but $9
billion— an amount that could be wiped out in a
brief period of heavy unemployment. With the
uneven incidence of unemployment, the reserves
of vulnerable States have several times fallen to
dangerously low levels; but the Federal Govern­
ment has shown no disposition to provide reinsur­
ance or even an adequate loan system. (The
legislation of 1954 is a gesture in this direction.)
Second, even after more than 15 years of unem­
ployment compensation and despite the advances
in 1954, about one-fifth of all workers are still
uncovered. What is more, whereas taxable cov­
ered wages equaled 96 percent of total covered
wages in 1939, by 1953 the ratio was only 72
percent.
Third, there has been a serious decline in the
proportion of the average weekly benefit to the
total wages: 41.1 percent in 1938-40 to 32.5
percent in 1951-53, as compared with a goal,
according to the able long-time Administrator of
the Social Security Board, Mr. Arthur Altmeyer,

164
of 50 percent. In a period during which wages
tripled, the average weekly benefit rose only from
$10.72 (1938-40) to $22.82 (1951-53). This de­
cline in the ratio of benefits to wages is the more
serious in that, in relation to total compensation
(both wages and fringe benefits, the latter having
risen greatly), benefits have been reduced even
more than is suggested above.
The Guaranteed Wage and Employment

The guaranteed wage is suspect for an important
reason: it may cut down employment. One of the
most frequent complaints made against the guar­
anteed wage holds that if, in employing a worker,
the employer assumes the responsibility not only
of paying him when he is at work but also when
he is idle, he will be most reluctant to hire addi­
tional workers. Moreover, once the employer is
confronted with outlays to support idle workers
and especially when demand is declining, he will
reduce outlays in all possible directions, thus
contracting demand (and employment) of his
suppliers.
Is there any reply to this criticism? There are
some protective devices. Thus, the guaranteed
wage contract may restrict the program to workers
with some seniority and thus not confront the
employer with this additional liability at the time
of hiring workers. Other safeguards may include
the following: Limitations on the guaranty in
terms of employer costs in cents per hour of work
or percentage of payrolls, the number of workers
to be covered (e. g., only those with 1 year of
service or more), the period to be covered, the
number of weeks of guaranty, and the percentage
of weekly pay to be guaranteed; the recourse to
accumulation of reserves and hence reduced de­
pendence on charges on payrolls in periods of de­
clining demand; built-in protection related to the
reduced payrolls as demand declines; introduction
of the plan after a building-up period; and reinsur­
ance. It is especially important to make the
guaranteed wage responsive to secular declines
related to technological change and declines in
demand. Otherwise the guaranteed wage, in con­
trast to unemployment compensation, may ham­


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

per movement required in a dynamic economy.
The advantage of reinsurance lies in reducing
the charge on payrolls needed to accumulate
reserves when they are pooled. Management will
have to weigh these savings against the unwilling­
ness to assume responsibilities for the unem­
ployment of rival firms. Possibly a reinsurance
provision by government would solve this problem,
but this is not to be expected until the guaranteed
wage is widely used.
The guaranteed wage raises another important
issue: Is it safe to pay the worker as much or
almost as much when unemployed as when em­
ployed? In some unions, there seems to be a
disposition to demand, as a matter of principle,
100 percent of wages under the guaranteed wage.
But actually, when allowance is made for the non­
taxation of income received under unemployment
compensation (assuming integration) and the
savings of outlays when unemployed (lunches,
transportation, etc.), it would be possible to
maintain income with a guaranty of 80-90 per­
cent of wages. I am inclined to believe that a
guaranty of, say, 85-90 percent of wages would
be preferable when adjustments are made for tax
relief under unemployment compensation, etc.
This is not because I believe that workers are
happy being paid for idling. In fact, in some
States low-income workers seem to receive as much
as 90 percent of wages under unemployment com­
pensation. Nor am I convinced by the many
charges made by employers that the workers
drawing unemployment compensation do not seek
work and prefer to be idle at 30-40 percent of their
customary wages. Once jobs became available
not only did the 10 million or more persons who
were unemployed in the 1930’s find jobs in the
1940’s and 1950’s, but several million additional
(aside from normal accretions) joined the labor
market. But nevertheless it is my opinion that
the American people object to equal payments to
workers irrespective of whether they work or are
idle.
— S e y m o u r E. H

a r r is

Harvard University

Automation: A New Dimension
to Old Problems
B y i t s e l f , the word “ automation” has more
romance than meaning. When we try to go
behind the word itself and describe the kind of
technological change it represents, we quickly
come up against complexity and vagueness.
Nonetheless, there seem to be three quite distinct
developments which together embrace nearly
everything that can be brought under the auto­
mation rubric.

1. The linking together of conventionally sep­
arate manufacturing operations into lines of con­
tinuous production through which the product
moves “ untouched by human hands.” This first
development, which depends primarily on mechan­
ical engineering for its adoption, we shall refer to
simply as integration, a term already in wide use in
the metalworking industries.
2. The use of “ feedback” control devices, or
servomechanisms, which allow individual opera­
tions to be performed without any necessity for
human control. With feedback, there is always
some built-in automatic device for comparing the
way in which work is actually being done with the
way in which it is supposed to be done and for
making, automatically, any adjustments in the
work process that may be necessary. This second
development we shall refer to simply as feedback
technology; it is dependent primarily not on
mechanical but on electrical engineering knowledge
and techniques.
3. The development of general- and specialpurpose computing machines capable of recording
and storing information (usually in the form of
numbers), and of performing both simple and
complex mathematical operations on such infor­
mation. We shall refer to this aspect of automa­
tion as computer technology; it rests primarily on
new developments in electrical engineering.
Areas of Industrial Relations Affected

Some of the ways in which automation will affect
industrial relations will obviously depend on the
speed and mass with which it strikes the economy.
It is less likely to come as a tidal wave than as a
succession of ground swells that will reach different

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industries at different times and with quite
different impacts. Most affected industries will
probably have quite a bit of time in which to
think through the labor problems automation will
create and to plan whatever adjustments may be
necessary. It is often possible to do things over a
period of time that could not be managed if they
had to be done overnight, such as letting attrition
work off the surplus labor or retraining key
employees.
There are also likely to be some effects on labor
relations which are independent of the speed with
which automation comes; for example, the up­
grading of the level of skills required in the labor
force and the reversal of the past trend toward
more specialized, more routine, and less interesting
jobs. These two examples suggest that auto­
mation will not confront us solely with “ problems”
in the labor field, but will confer some benefits
on labor directly, as producers, and indirectly, as
consumers.
It is important to state quite explicitly that, at
this early date, probably no one can predict with
confidence the outcome of specific developments or
recommend specific solutions to hypothetical
problems. What is needed, and what alone seems
possible now, is the development of a general
awareness of the kinds of changes and problems
automation is likely to bring. Here, then, are
some general areas that seem likely to be affected
by automation:
1. Automation is likely to permit greatly
improved working conditions, including greater
safety and easier housekeeping.
2. Much thinking about incentive systems, par­
ticularly individual forms of piecework, will have
to be revised or discarded.
3. As some traditional processes and factory
layouts are changed, the job of pinpointing
managerial responsibility for the performance of
specific manufacturing operations may become
easier; buckpassing among departments may be
more difficult to get away with. Foremen are
likely to take on increased responsibility. On the
other hand, there may well be some forms of
automation that will work the other way, that is,
they may blur the boundaries of responsibilities
that are now clear.
4. Training (or perhaps retraining) problems
will probably require more attention than they
165

166
have since World War II. The training problems
are likely to center on the development of new and
complex skills for new grades of maintenance
technicians, with shifts in operators’ skills being
relatively minor.
5. A marked change in the work-content of jobs
resulting from automation may find expression in
three familiar forms: (a) Wage structures may
often require adjustment; (b) the traditional
jurisdictions of some unions may be disturbed; for
example, by the need to unify mechanical and
electrical skills in a new class of maintenance
workers; (c) the internal structure of some unions is
likely to undergo changes; in particular, it may be
important for some unions to give special recogni­
tion to new, small groups of highly skilled workers.
6. Managements and unions, accustomed to
thinking in terms of narrow and rigid job classiUcations, may need to broaden the scope of those
classifications somewhat. The same thing applies
to thinking about seniority units.
7. Finally, there is the employment effect.
The anxiety and fear which stem from uncertainty
concerning how employment will be affected by
automation give rise to the most difficult problems
of all. It is hardly surprising that union news­
papers and current contract demands often reflect
these fears, though it is worth noting that most
unions seem to be approaching automation with­
out hysteria and with a desire to plan intelligently
for what may lie ahead. We cannot shrug off
people’s fears of being left stranded, of having no
alternative job or the time and money to find one
in the event of layoff; we cannot down these fears
by citing the virtues of technological progress,
labor mobility, and individualism. Automation
seems sure to bring with it increased emphasis
on means of cushioning the shock to the worker
who is displaced, and of retraining him to a useful
and satisfying role in our society.
Each of the areas noted above deserves careful
consideration by managements and unions; and
each is worthy of considerably more academic
research than has been done up to now. Of course,
in many respects the problems are entirely familiar
and there is already at hand a large body of
research and experience for use as a guide in
working them out. As one experienced union
leader remarked, “ Automation? It may look
new to the engineers but, to me, it’s an old story.
Back in the thirties we called it technological

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

change.”
But, while broadly familiar, the
problems associated with automation do bring
some new twists, some new dimensions for con­
sideration. We propose to look briefly at three
areas, using as a basis for the discussion what we
have gleaned from the limited published informa­
tion available and our own observations. The
areas we have selected are these: (1) the effects
on the abilities required of the labor force, (2) the
effects on rigidly defined job classifications and
seniority units, and (3) the problem of displace­
ment.
Abilities Required of the Labor Force

What will be the impact of automation on the
abilities required of the labor force? Will it leave
us with a predominance of dull, routinized jobs,
in which people are forced to conform to the
dictates of the machine? Or is it more likely to
open up jobs with greater intellectual challenge
and to raise the skill composition of the labor force?
Any discussion of job mix is, of course, a dis­
cussion of proportions, of the relative weights of
managerial, professional, skilled, semiskilled, and
laboring jobs. Generally, automation appears
to bring about a change in the mix, so that the
resulting weights tend to emphasize the former,
more highly skilled rather than the latter, less
skilled types of occupations. We have observed
this upgrading effect in a limited number of cases,
but the conclusion must rest more on a priori
reasoning than on statistical grounds. It seems
reasonable to expect that the ratio of managers to
employees will increase, in view of the increased
value of the equipment for which an individual
manager would become responsible, and of the
increased proportion of the total work process
inevitably brought under the supervision of one
man. The value and complexity of the equipment
similarly indicate a need for a higher proportion of
engineers and, especially in the case of the
electronic feedback and computer technologies,
give rise to what amounts to a new occupation in
most concerns, that of electronic technician.
In the factory, the new technology takes over
most readily the materials-handling and com­
pletely routinized machine operations and tends
to emphasize, as far as the average plant workman
is concerned, jobs directed at “ keeping the process
going because we just can’t stand downtime.” As

AUTOMATION AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

one plant manager explained, “ You can’t afford to
chase all over the factory for a maintenance man
when something goes wrong. H e’s got to be right
there and he’s got to know something about elec­
trical and hydraulic problems, not just mechan­
ical.” So the proportion of maintenance people
is likely to increase as well as the skill required of
them. This is not to say that all routine or heavy
jobs will be eliminated or to overlook the fact that
many skilled jobs may disappear or become less
important quantitatively. But in terms of overall
proportions, it seems likely that automation will
have an upgrading effect on the job mix in those
areas of the economy where it is employed. This
conclusion may be further bolstered by reference
to the oil and chemical industries, where automa­
tion has had a relatively long history already.
The quantitative impact of automation on em­
ployment in those areas of our economy where it is
used is almost impossible to estimate. Obvi­
ously, firms install the new equipment because it
helps them reduce costs. While labor costs are not
the only area of savings involved, they are typically
a major consideration, so, on the face of the
question, we would expect a reduction in employ­
ment opportunities, given some framework of total
effective demand. But it is much easier to iden­
tify jobs that are being lost to technological change
than those it is creating. Neglecting the possi­
bility that greater demand may result from lower
product prices, there is the virtual certainty that
new products will be made technically or econom­
ically feasible, particularly by the feedback control
devices now being developed. The question, then,
is at least an open one. Neither optimists nor
pessimists can afford to be too dogmatic about the
long-run quantitative effects of automation on
employment.
But suppose we assume that the industries where
automation is used employ a smaller and smaller
proportion of the labor force. Despite a direct
effect of upgrading on the job mix, there might be,
in the overall picture, a downgrading effect if the
adjustments that take place are predominantly in
unskilled occupations or in such areas as personal
services. That seems to us unlikely, however. It
seems as certain as any social trend can be that
the demand for professional services, especially
i The M obility of Electronic Technicians, 1940-52, Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics’ Bull. 1150, 1954; for summary, see M onthly Labor Review, March
1954 (p. 263).


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167
medical and educational, will increase rapidly
during the next 10 years and be3Tond. And, with
the higher standards of living made possible by
technological advance, the adjustment may be
made through a continuation of present trends
toward longer vacations, more holidays, and a
shorter workweek. In that event, we may well
see another long-term trend continued: a further
reduction in the number of unskilled jobs and an
increase in emphasis on the more skilled and pro­
fessional occupations.
In short, our guess is that both the direct shortrun and the indirect longer-run effect of automa­
tion on employment will call for more and not less
skill on the part of our labor force. We are en­
titled to a cautious hope that automation may
afford a partial answer to those who look at the
rising educational levels in the country and ask,
“ What are people going to do with all that educa­
tion when they find themselves on the dull and
routine jobs of American industry?” Mechaniza­
tion may indeed have created many dull and
routine jobs; automation, however, is not an exten­
sion but a reversal of this trend: it promises to cut
out just that kind of job and to create others of
higher skill.
The training— or the educational job implied—
will obviously become more difficult and more
important as the speed of innovation increases.
Studies of the skilled labor force and its recruit­
ment, training, and movement, such as that on
electronic technicians recently made by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics,1 are given added significance
by the technological developments we are dis­
cussing. The same may be said for the work of
the Bureau of Apprenticeship, and of the many
opportunities for adult education in a wide variety
of fields. We can expect many of the more alert
engineering colleges and community vocational
schools to revise their curriculums to take account
of automation. Many company apprenticeship
programs may be similarly affected.
Job Classifications and Seniority Units

A frequently noted characteristic of our economy
is the tendency toward greater and greater special­
ization of knowledge and of tasks. Work has
typically been organized into the smallest possible
units, each one of which is a repetitive part of a
total process and is so small in relation to the whole

168
that a sense of identification with the total process
on the part of the person performing the job is
almost out of the question. In part, this tendency
has been a result of the developing technology.
But it is also a result, as we all recognize, of the
philosophy which says, (1) break the work process
down into the smallest possible components, (2)
fit jobs into a rigid structure that emphasizes the
duties and the boundaries of the job rather than
its part in the process, and (3) put everyone
possible on an individual or small-group incentive
system which gears pay to output on the particular
job. This philosophy inevitably has tended to
identify the individual with an ever more narrow
task, giving him positive incentives to restrict his
interests and no incentive at all to think beyond
his immediate work environment or to place his
own performance in the context of a total opera­
tion. This philosophy also brings with it a tend­
ency to think in terms of seniority units as rigid
and narrow as the job classifications in many cases.
Automation is likely to challenge these habits
of thought fostered by discontinuous and highly
specialized methods of production. From the
technical point of view, automation ties operations
together physically; in terms of systems, engineer­
ing and economics alike, automation requires a new
way of thinking about the flow and control of
work— a way of thinking that emphasizes con­
tinuous movement of work through a total process
rather than the stop-and-go progress which is the
sum of independent operations.
Almost as a corollary of the reasoning about the
effects on skills of automation, it appears that auto­
mation will necessitate broader thinking about job
classifications and seniority units. For example,
when 3 or 4 different types of grinding operations,
each now representing a separate job classification,
are tied together by automation, one man will be
able to operate the integrated grinding line. This
man must have a generalized knowledge of grind­
ing; and his changed, broader job classification is
likely to carry more pay than any of the old grind­
ing occupations.
As for seniority, existing contract clauses and
plant customs may be found unsatisfactory in the
light of new needs presented by automation.
Where seniority provisions have arisen from e rela­
tively stable operation with long established and
clearly defined occupational groups, we suspect
that the parties will want to change the rules to

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

provide for increased job changes and transfers of
personnel. For example, seniority rules that work
satisfactorily in a plant divided into machining,
heat-treating, grinding, and assembly depart­
ments may not make sense within a new depart­
ment that combines all these operations in one
integrated line; existing rules may also make it
difficult to staff a new integrated department with
those individuals both parties agree ought to get
the new jobs. One management group even sug­
gested that seniority standards would undergo an
evolution stemming directly from the need for a
more flexible work force. In this view, the de­
velopment of a work force willing and able to
adapt itself to the changing needs of an evolving
work process would mean more than mere applica­
tion of seniority protections to broader units of
work. As a standard for continued employment,
“ ability to learn” would gradually replace “ ability
to do” the job.
The Problem of Displacement

It would be silly to pretend that there will not
be many jobs which automation will abolish.
Whether or not it creates, directly or indirectly,
as many jobs as it wipes out, no one can know.
Despite the inevitable uncertainty as to the speed
and scope of automation’s impact, this much at
least seems certain: There is bound to be a new
influence at work which will strengthen the argu­
ments of people who feel that wage earners ought
not to bear the main brunt of technological change.
Social shock absorbers, such as severence pay,
the guaranteed annual wage, unemployment bene­
fits, careful timing of laborsaving innovations to
coincide with business upswings, and increased
information-sharing between managements and
unions, seem likely to receive increased attention,
as automation spreads. If some of these mobility
benefits add to the employer’s cost of technological
change, that alone would not disturb us greatly.
Indeed, it is important to recognize clearly at least
two types of costs incurred by the displaced
worker: (1) loss of income while looking for a
new job; and (2) loss of equities built up on the
old job in the form of seniority, pension rights, va­
cation rights, and so on. While unemployment
benefits of one kind or another are clearly a way
of approaching the first type of loss, the more gen­
eral adoption of the principle of severance pay for

AUTOMATION AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

people with substantial equities in existing jobs
may be one appropriate way to share some of the
initial gains involved. In addition, such gainsharing should strengthen the hands of both man­
agement and union officials as they confront the
inevitable short-run pressures that develop when­
ever jobs are eliminated.
In developing policies to cushion the impact of
automation, as with any major technological
change, the toughest situations are not likely to
be those in which some new machines and equip­
ment are installed in a given plant; the toughest
situations are likely to arise from competition be­
tween new plants designed for automation and
older on es that are not. Sometimes the two plants
will belong to the same company, sometimes not.
In cases where automation expresses itself as com­
petition among two or more firms not under com­
mon ownership, the policies appropriate to it seem
no different from those we would like to see in any
competitive situation.
But when automation takes the form of changes
within a particular firm, then managements and
unions have much greater control over the effects
it will have and the ways in which these will be
handled. For one outstanding characteristic of
automation is that it takes time to install. Even
after an exploratory stage has been completed,
equipment must be designed and manufactured,
men must be hired or trained for new occupations,
physical installation and transition problems must
be faced. All this takes time— not days or weeks,
but many months or years. And with problems
like displacement and personal adjustment, time,
of course, presents a major opportunity that alert
and socially responsible companies and unions can


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

169
use to good advantage. Social responsibility
would mean telling new employees that their jobs
were temporary, retraining old employees who
have the requisite ability, permitting those near
retirement to claim pension benefits, and so on.
Automation is likely to have its greatest imme­
diate impact on office occupations. In a sense,
that is fortunate, since it will affect a class of work­
ers for whom the blow can be softened most easily,
namely female employees working in large offices.
Not only is turnover markedly higher among fe­
male clerical employees, but the demand for them
in recent years has been high in most labor
markets.
One further point to be made here is both
obvious and obviously too important not to mention.
In considering the problem of the displaced and un­
employed worker, it is not so important to ask why
he lost his old job as how much trouble he has in
getting a new one, and what kind of new one he
gets. This brings to the fore the educational and
retraining problems already mentioned. But even
more, it serves to emphasize, for an era of marked
if not revolutionary change, the importance of
government economic policy directed toward the
maintenance of “ full employment.” Change the
level of unemployment by a few percentage points,
and the problem of displacement changes from a
relatively manageable question of adjustment to a
social catastrophe of alarming proportions, in
which orderly technological progress becomes im­
possible.
— G eorge

B.

B a l d w in

and

G eorge

P.

S hultz

Industrial Relations Section,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The UAW’s Influence on
Automotive Management Decisions
I n t h e p e r s o n n e l f i e l d , the United Automobile
Workers union (CIO) has had a profound influence
on automotive management decisions, but in other
fields it has had surprisingly little effect on deci­
sions of management. This thesis is based upon
a study of management policies in the fields of
personnel, prices and competitition, production,
finance and purchasing, and upon an examination
of union influences on management in these fields.

Personnel
The UAW ’s influence in the personnel field is
primary and direct, backed up by the legal power
granted to the exclusive bargaining agent. The
union does not control entrance into the industry,
but it has helped to shape the character of the work
force by easing introduction of Negro workers in
plants hitherto closed to them, and by obtaining
for them more equitable conditions of employment
than might otherwise have been the case. Like­
wise, the equal pay provisions regardless of sex are
a direct result of union pressure.
In the nonmonetary aspects of working condi­
tions— the shop rules or systems of industrial
jurisprudence—UAW influence is most complete.
Seniority, effective appeal to arbitration from the
decisions of supervision and management, brakes
on disciplinary measures, and the other rules and
regulations of the collective agreements are union
creations limiting and controlling the right of
management to direct personnel. Moreover, the
existence of the union-enforced collective agree­
ment forces management to consider the union
point of view before management acts in labor
matters. Human relations in the automobile
factory are, as a result, enormously different, and
undoubtedly more pleasant for the worker in
1954 than they were 20 or 30 years ago. This
may be the UAW ’s greatest accomplishment.
The UAW has imposed upon the industry
fringe items— vacations, holidays, health and
welfare, pensions— which add up to anywhere
from 10 to 20 percent of a company’s wage cost.
Perhaps these vestiges of the better life would
have come without the UAW, but the fact is that
they did not. Some, such as holidays, were taken
170


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in bargaining in lieu of wage increases. Others
were first imposed by the National War Labor
Board during World War II. None of these
fringe items were won before big unions in other
industries obtained them. In all cases, however,
it was the UAW pressure which put them into the
contract. Today they are part of the social cost
of doing business.
Since 1948, wages in the automobile industry
have been based on the General Motors contracts.
The 1948 contract represented the considered
decision of General Motors to get along with the
UAW, which at that time was being hard
pressed, along with other CIO unions, by industry’s
decision to hold the wage line. GM broke indus­
try’s ranks to make a 2-year contract, the prede­
cessor of the famous 5-year deal of 1950.
Although prime credit for the “ social engineer­
ing” involved in these two contracts belongs to
General Motors, the General Motors statement to
the UAW preceding the 1948 agreement attributes
its proposals to its desire to meet the economic
problems of workers as “ the union now and in the
past has interpreted” them. Moreover, after the
1953 contract negotiations, the UAW influence
on wage policies in the industry cannot be dis­
counted.
Did money wages rise faster in the automobile
industry because of collective bargaining than they
would have without such bargaining? Many
theoretical economists have expressed doubts that
this is the case, and one has even stated that the
UAW was “ responsible for preventing the wages
of . . . [its] members from rising as much as they
would in the absence of the union.” 1 This obser­
vation, and others similar to it, are based on poorly
interpreted statistical comparisons of union and
nonunion wage statistics without an understanding
of the pervasive influence on nonunion wage rates
of the big strikes and the big bargains in the
automobile industry.
Actually, the General
Motors settlements in 1947 and 1948 were con­
siderably above the average up to the time that
those agreements were reached.2 It is likely that,
if the Korean war and inflation had not intervened,
the same could be said for the 1950 agreement,
1 M ilton Friedman, in D . M cC . Wright (ed.), “ The Impact of the Labor
U nion,” Harcourt, Brace, 1951 (pp. 217-218).
2 S. H. Slichter, “ D o Wage Fixing Arrangements In the American Labor
Market Have an Inflationary Bias?” American Economic Review, Papers
and Proceedings, 1953 (pp. 336-343). Excerpts from this paper were pu b ­
lished in the M onthly Labor Review, February 1954 (p. 148).

UAW INFLUENCE ON MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

and I am certain that the 1953 “ living” document
fits into that pattern. One must agree with Pro­
fessor Slichter: “ It would be strange if the bar­
gaining ability of unions were so specialized that
unions were able to force employers to accept the
deeply abominated union or closed shop, and yet
not force them to pay somewhat higher money
wages than they would otherwise pay.” 3
In contrast to the union’s effect on money wages,
the data on the union’s influence on the share of
national income indicate, although not conclu­
sively, that labor’s share is fairly constant over the
years even in well-unionized industries such as
automobile manufacturing. The many variables
which enter into the computation of these figures
render it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible,
however, to draw any firm conclusions.4
This cursory review indicates, I believe, with­
out serious question that the UAW has had a pro­
found influence on personnel policies in the in­
dustry. However, the UAW ’s influence has had
a relatively minor effect on nonpersonnel decisions.
Prices and Competition

The post-World War II price history demon­
strates that the higher money wages won by the
UAW were generally followed by higher prices for
automobiles. I should argue that the prices of
automobiles are somewhat higher as a result of
UAW wage pressure than they would have been
without it. On the other hand, these higher
prices do not appear to have reduced the demand
for automobiles because, over a considerable price
range, that demand appears inelastic.
The U A W and the Ind epen d ents. But if the UAW
has not significantly influenced total effective de­
mand, has it altered the content and direction of
that demand? Is, for example, the UAW the
prime cause behind the recent mergers of the in­
dependents or the 1953-54 sales nosedive of
Chrysler?
After Kaiser merged with Willys and moved to
Toledo, the UAW negotiated a “ readjustment” of
its incentive plans at Willys in order to reduce
labor costs of the company. A similar cut has
a Ibid, (p 330).
4 For some brave attempts, see tbe addresses b y Professors Clark Kerr,
Harold Levinson, and Martin Bronfenbrenner, and the discussions b y Pro­
fessors John Troxell and Philip Taft in the American Economic Review,
Papers and Proceedings, 1953 (pp. 277-321).


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171
been negotiated with Studebaker at South Bend.
Both these agreements appear to be significant
admissions on the part of the companies and the
UAW that labor costs must be kept in line if the
independents are to survive.
But whether the recent mergers should be at­
tributed primarily to the squeeze of high labor
costs is another matter. It should be kept firmly
in mind that the automobile industry is the per­
fect example of an industry with economies of
large-scale production. The ability of the Big
Three to reduce the unit costs of plant, equip­
ment, tools, and other fixed costs by large-scale
production gives them a tremendous advantage.
In addition, the bigger the production, the more
the company can decentralize its assembly opera­
tions and effect great economies in freight rates
and transportation. With size also comes the
ability to afford more frequent model changes,
larger dealer organizations, more costly advertis­
ing, and a host of other expenses with which the
independents find it difficult to keep pace.
On the other hand, I find it difficult to believe
that, without the UAW pattern of wage and fringe
increases, the independents could have long
avoided their present attempts to survive by
mergers. If, for example, the independents were
able to cut prices substantially as a result of lower
wages, the Big Three would surely be able to
meet the price competition if necessary. But I
doubt if it would be necessary because a price
differential of considerable magnitude would prob­
ably be required for Nash or Studebaker to cut
substantially into the market of Ford or Chevro­
let. In view of the large-scale economies which
Ford and Chevrolet enjoy, such a price differential
is not likely to be gained even if the UAW were
eliminated as a factor in the plants of the inde­
pendents.
B ig Three C om petition. The most significant de­
velopment in the industry today is Ford’s fight
for first. This has introduced an entirely new
competitive factor in the industry, and paradoxi­
cally, greatly strengthened the UAW ’s power to
affect demand, for it means that the company
which sells the most cars is very likely to be the
company which remains strike free.
Most UAW -CIO contracts in the automobile
industry permit strikes during the life of the con­
tract on three issues: labor standards, rates for

172
new jobs, and health and safety. In 1953, the
UAW developed disputes over labor standards or
new job rates at two key Ford parts plants. By
striking these plants, the UAW shut down nearly
all Ford assembly operations and cost Ford an
estimated 80,000 cars. It was when this strike
was in progress that General Motors agreed to
make the 5-year contract5 a “ living” document.
Competition among the giants of the automo­
bile industry today makes them particularly vul­
nerable to strike action. Production officials,
anxious to continue the high rate of output, and
financial officials, equally anxious to continue the
high rate of profit, are likely to be willing to go far
to avoid shutdowns. Therein lies the power of the
UAW to exert a greater influence on management
decisions in the future and to alter significantly the
direction of demand as long as the demand for
automobiles remains strong enough for Ford or
General Motors to sell all they can produce.
By holding that the relative competitive posi­
tions in the industry have not been significantly
altered by UAW influence on management deci­
sions, I have, in effect, rejected the view that the
1950 U AW -G M agreement was critical for G M ’s
billion-dollar expansion. Of course, any factor
contributing to the stability of labor relations
will have a healthy influence on the propensity to
invest. On the other hand, the management
organization at General Motors was, in 1950,
sufficiently competent and self-confident to feel
that it could work out its labor problems. GM
pushed expansion because it felt the market was
there. The 5-year agreement was helpful, but
not required for the expansion. Industrialists
tend to act primarily on the basis of market and
profit potential, not on the prospects for labor
peace, which is just one aspect of the total busi­
ness situation.
Production

One would expect that, next to personnel, the
most effective UAW influence on management
decisions would be exerted on production. I
believe this is the case. However, I have found
that the net effect of union influence in production
is not to alter management’s decisions, but to en­
courage management to arrive at the same decision
in a somewhat different manner.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

There is general
agreement in the industry that the UAW has
slowed down the assembly lines from the preunion
days. It is also true, I believe, that the general
pace in the industry is more leisurely for the
worker than it was before UAW became a factor
to be reckoned with. Further, it is likely that
seniority rules, under which the oldest workers in
point of service, rather than the most efficient,
are promoted, tend to reduce the propensity of
workers to hustle in order to get ahead.
One might conclude from these observations
that the UAW has significantly altered the rate of
output. Such a statement might have been cor­
rect were it not for the fact that technological
advancement has taken up the slack. The
assembly line of 1954 is quite different from its
predecessor of 1935. Technological improvements
have permitted industry to increase output with­
out a speedup and, indeed, despite an alleged
slackening of labor’s effort. The industrial engi­
neers have proved an effective answer to labor’s
demand for a more humane rate of production.
Today we are getting the output which a reason­
able management can demand at a pace more
leisurely than that in the past. Just as UAW
influence affected prices without significantly
altering demand, so it affected the rate of produc­
tion without significantly affecting output.
Methods of scheduling production are much
improved over preunion days. Penalty overtime,
call-in pay, and other shop rules have effected the
change. The result is a more efficient utilization
of manpower and a greater regard for human
considerations in scheduling, but no drastic
changes in the basic science of coordinating men
and materials to produce a car.

P rod u ction R ates and Schedules.

Contracting Out W ork . The UAW has made
several attempts to alter Ford’s announced policy
of reducing its large construction and maintenance
force by turnover and transfers and of contracting
out more work. At Chrysler and General Motors
also the issue has come up a number of times, but
the companies have opposed making any commit­
ments because of the special skills and the special
5
Actually the G M agreement has been modified 22 times since it was signed
in 1950. However, only one, the 19th modification was a matter of unilateral
pressure, the remaining being mutual amendments to care for unforseen
situations which arose since 1950.

UAW INFLUENCE ON MANAGEMENT DECISIONS

equipment often required in maintenance and
construction. Direct action by some of the
Chrysler locals has, however, allegedly resulted in
some commitments not to contract out except
under certain conditions, but the evidence as to
the extent of such commitments is not clear.
Automation. The coiner of the word “ automa­
tion’ ’ may some day best be remembered as the
man who turned technology over to the public
relations men. The literature on the subject is
being overdone when it begins to discuss robot
factories and manless plants.
What we do have today, however, is a resurgence
of labor’s interest in technological advance and
the benefits therefrom as a result of adapting longknown laborsaving principles particularly to
materials-handling functions and to industrial
divisions; e. g., foundries which lagged behind other
operations in the substitution of machines for
men. There is general agreement among manage­
ments in the industry that high wage and fringe
costs imposed by the UAW, combined with the
fierce competition, makes further technological
progress both necessary and inevitable.
The 1950 U AW -G M agreement, which set the
pattern for the industry, states: “ The annual im­
provement factor provided herein recognizes that
a continuing improvement in the standard of
living of employees depends upon technological
progress, better tools, methods, processes, and
equipment, and a cooperative attitude on the part
of all parties in such progress. It further recog­
nizes the principle that to produce more with the
same amount of human effort is a sound economic
and social objective.”
Although the international union is thus on
record as encouraging technological advancement,
some locals have attempted to obstruct improve­
ments by demanding an especially high wage to
work on them.6 It now appears that, as part of
its guaranteed wage drive, the UAW is not only
dissatisfied with an annual increment of 5 cents
as labor’s share of technological progress, but
wants to control the rate and timing of new tech­
nology as well.7 As of now, however, union policy
has not had that controlling influence.
6See Arbitration N o. 14459, Ford Local 600.
7See United Automobile Worker, December 1954.


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173
Plant Location. As before the rise of UAW,
freight rates, availability of raw materials and
labor, and closeness to markets appear to be the
prime considerations which determine plant loca­
tions. Pressed for space at River Rouge, Ford
located a new forge plant in Canton, Ohio, which
is the center of the forging industry and where
there were steel, labor, and buildings available.
Ford also established additional stamping capac­
ity at Buffalo, again where steel and labor were
readily available; but in the greater Detroit area,
Ford also built its new Mercury plant, a new
transmission plant, is building its new Lincoln
Continental plant (near Dearborn), and has added
to its Ypsilanti facilities.
The General Motors situation is similar. As
batteries are heavy and expensive to transport,
GM located a new battery plant in California in
order to serve its assembly plants there. To get
closer to raw materials, it has located one plant
adjacent to a steel mill and another, to an aluminam mill. But most of G M ’s billion-dollar
expansion has been in Flint, Mich., where it had
the largest concentration of employees even before
the expansion. There is no decentralization plan
to run away from the union.
Labor-Management Cooperation. Neither Ford,
nor General Motors or Chrysler, has ever permitted
the development of labor-management committees
to discuss production problems or to suggest
methods of improving production or operations.
The independents have been much more willing
to engage in such activities, but the actual effect
of such union participation on actual policy
decisions is certainly not great.
Finance and Purchasing

As yet there has been no discernible direct
UAW influence on company financial policies.
Of course, it is quite likely that a serious strike or
a series of labor difficulties has in the past affected
the ability of a company to pay dividends or has
affected the timing of a stock issue or the flotation
of bonds. It is also quite possible that certain
company decisions as to whether to yield or
settle with the UAW have been determined in
the past by financial considerations of one type
or another. Beyond this, however, there is little

174
evidence of UAW influence or interest in this field.
In the current demands, however, the UAW
wants to have a voice in the actual handling of
the pension fund and, in the event it obtains some
sort of an annual wage guarantee, a like voice in
the policies of the reserve fund it wants set up
under that program. Both the pension fund and
the contemplated annual wage reserve fund
involve operations that are peripheral to the
principal financial operations of companies, but
the operators of both funds in effect would
determine how much of a company’s general
reserves would be transferred to these special
funds.
The UAW as a matter of policy does not
attempt to influence purchasing or procurement
by the automobile companies. There have been
a few attempts by local unions to induce one of
the Big Three companies to cease giving orders
to parts concerns with which the UAW was
having a dispute, but these attempts have never
been pressed.
Conclusions

UAW influence has probably not altered basic
managerial decisions in the automobile industry,
except in the personnel field. However, the
possibility that this conclusion might be different
if management had been examined as a whole
instead of by segments must be recognized.
Corporations are run by people who, like all of us,
are affected by the social setting in which they live.
Twenty years of living with a union, like the
UAW, must leave its imprint. The UAW and
other unions have certainly changed manage­
ment’s thinking over the years. High in man­
agement councils are the industrial relations
executives whose job it is to understand and
interpret union views, as well as to counteract
them. Even such understanding and interpreta­
tion would have been considered very radical 20
years ago, but today it is considered merely good
management.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

What is true about the automobile industry is
not necessarily elsewhere applicable. It would be
quite erroneous to assume that unions in other
industries have similarly affected managerial
decisions unless the same basic economics are
controlling. Where, for example, there are few
economies of large-scale production and the prod­
uct demand is quite elastic, the situation might be
expected to be quite different.
If the UAW does not have a significant influence
on management policies outside of the personnel
field, is management tilting with windmills when
it fights to defend its prerogatives? To some
extent that may be the case. But just as the
union-security issue has a slogan value to the
UAW, so the fight over managerial prerogatives
keeps the management organization morale high.
In the automobile industry, the situation appears
to be a drew: UAW has union security and the
management organizations have their preroga­
tives. If the latter are a little dented and diluted,
the fact remains that they appear to be intact.
The UAW is still just a challenger.
Perhaps the most significant conclusion of this
analysis is the additional verification of the
compatibility of trade unionism with the free
enterprise system, and of the ability of manage­
ment to operate a business on basic economic
foundations and still live amicably with a strong
union. Those who feel that trade unionism is
sounding the death knell of our system over­
estimate the ability of unions to combat basic
economics and underestimate the ability of
American management to roll with the punch.
Finally, my analysis raises doubts that the
UAW can influence basic decisions in the industry
to the extent it predicts it will if it gains the
annual wage. For even an annual wage cannot
alter the hard economic facts with which auto­
mobile management has been so successfully
contending all these years.
— H

erbert

R.

N

orth rup

Ebasco Services, Incorporated

A Review of
American Labor

in 1954
J oseph P. G o ld b e r g *

T h e d r i v e f o r l a b o r u n i t y was the outstanding
feature in labor affairs in 1954. Despite the many
practical operating problems still to be overcome,
the application of the no-raid agreement and the
forceful pronouncements of AFL and CIO leaders
attest their desire for early attainment of a mean­
ingful organic unity. A significant concomitant of
the unity drive was its solidifying effect among the
union leaders, particularly in the CIO.
The common positions increasingly taken by
both union centers provided a major underlying
impetus for unity. Both domestic and inter­
national policy proposals were much alike. Both
opposed governmental policies to meet the eco­
nomic recession in late 1953 and early 1954, and
recommended similar alternative policies.1 The
possibility of increased State activity in labormanagement relations as the result of certain pro­
posals for amending, and current administrative
interpretations of, the Taft-Hartley Act were a
major concern.
Generally, the economy remained at a relatively
high level despite recession and accompanying
unemployment. Overall production and earnings
continued high, and prices remained stable. The
downturn in production began in the fall of 1953
and, although decelerating, persisted until late
winter; thereafter, there was stability in production
until autumn, when new advances were made. It
was hoped that the more than seasonal upturn in
production at the end of the year augured a
resumption of the salutary economic progress
which had marked the postwar period.


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The Economic Climate

For the year, production dropped approximately
7.0 percent from the 1953 average. Durable goods
production accounted for virtually all of the
decline, as well as for the more recent recovery.
In considering the decline, it should be remembered
that the free world economy has remained re­
markably stable during this period, with produc­
tion levels maintained or rising throughout the
period.
The contrast between 1954 and 1953 is moderate
in terms of gross national product, involving a
decline of about 2.0 percent. The new peaks
reached by consumer expenditures, the record
levels of construction activity, and the increases
in State and local government expenditures have
sustained this high level, in counterbalance to
drops in defense expenditures, plant and equipmentoutlays by business, and business inventories.
Declines in factory employment, transportation,
and mining consequent to the production decline
were mainly responsible for the 1.9 million decline
in nonagricultural employment between mid-1953
and mid-1954. The monthly declines in factory
employment were increasingly moderate after
midwinter, with fewer industries affected by the
originally widespread decline. By summer, fac­
tory employment stabilized, and by late fall
greater than seasonal increases were reported.
However, the drop in nonagricultural employment
in 1954 from 1953 was approximately 3 percent.
Nonmanufacturing employment levels were
largely sustained, except for mining and trans­
portation, throughout the period of decline in
manufacturing. Nondurable goods industries sta*Of the Bureau’s Office of Publications.
i
in presenting his economic program in January 1954, the President stated:
“ it is not a legislative program of emergency measures, for the current situa­
tion clearly does not require one. Instead, it is a program for stimulating
economic growth and minimizing any chance there may be of serious eco­
nomic difficulty in the future.” Econom ic Report of the President, (p. 76).
The Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Economic Report wrote:
“ B y and large, the program presented in the Econom ic Report has found
favorable acceptance in the Congress. In several instances, notably foreign
trade and public housing, the programs have been carried forward, but
limited b y legislation to a shorter period than that originally proposed by the
President. In several other important respects, the Congress has taken
important economic steps which went beyond the specific recommendations
of the program. The reduction of excise taxes on April 1, and the increased
highway authorization are cases in point.” Joint Comm ittee on the E co­
nom ic Report, Congressional Action on M ajor Econom ic Recommendations
of the President, 1954 (p. iv).

175

176
bilized at the new lower levels earlier than the
durable goods industries, in which the losses were
greatest and most persistent. However, the rate
of loss in durables declined in the spring, seasonal
patterns reappeared in the summer, and, with
model changeovers in the automobile industry,
greater than seasonal gains were apparent in
October and November.
Unemployment averaged approximately 5.0
percent of the civilian labor force during 1954,
compared with 2.4 percent in 1953. During the
autumn months, however, unemployment rose less
than usual.
The production decline was also reflected in the
shortening of the workweek; again a sharper drop
occurred in durable goods manufacturing, and
again there was an upturn in the autumn. The
workweek in manufacturing averaged 39.7 hours
in 1954 against 40.5 in 1953; the workweek in
durable goods dropped 3 percent, in nondurable
goods, 1.5 percent.
The recession in production, employment, and
hours was not reflected in declines in average
hourly and weekly earnings. However, wage
increases were even more moderate this year than
in 1953. There was much divergence among
industries and settlements in 1954, although adjust­
ments around 5 cents an hour and supplementary
benefit liberalization were widespread among most
basic and durable goods industries. In many
instances, pension, health and welfare, or vacation
adjustments accompanied smaller wage adjust­
ments or were the sole adjustments. The rise in
gross hourly earnings in manufacturing from $1.77
in 1953 to $1.81 and the slight drop in gross
weekly earnings in 1954 reflects the offsetting
effect of the moderate wage increases on the work­
week decline. November and December earnings,
however, were at a new peak as the result of the
autumn workweek rise and wage increases over
the year.
The price level was markedly stable throughout
the year. The Consumer Price Index in 1954
averaged less than 0.5 percent above the 1953
level. The monthly fluctuations of the index,
although almost inconsequential economically
since mid-1953, have been sufficient to produce
several minor changes in wage levels under escala­
tion arrangements— there were four in the auto­
mobile industry in 1954.


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

The State of Collective Bargaining

The spread of economic uncertainty from a few
industries in 1953 to the economy at large and the
resultant intensification of competition among
companies affected the character of collective
bargaining during 1954. The low strike record
for the year, the lowest in the postwar period, was
the product of moderate union demands in antici­
pation of employer opposition; employer willing­
ness to settle to maintain competitive position;
and an announced governmental position of
minimum intervention in collective bargaining.
In large bargaining situations, strikes developed
in only a relatively few instances and were gen­
erally of brief duration.
Outstanding features of collective bargaining
were: (1) the moderate wage adjustments nego­
tiated; (2) the extent to which supplementary
benefits, particularly pensions, health and welfare
plans, and vacations, were liberalized, either in
combination with, or in lieu of, wage adjustments;
(3) the further elimination of escalation arrange­
ments; (4) the arrangements made to meet the
problems of economically depressed industries and
of marginal producers; (5) the general absence of
government intervention; and (6) intensified union
interest in some form of guaranteed employment
or wage plan.
The wage adjustments negotiated during the
year in the major companies of leading manu­
facturing industries were generally in the neighbor­
hood of 5 cents an hour, the amount of the auto­
mobile annual improvement factor increase and
of the steel settlement. Such increases, generally
accompanied by supplementary benefit liberaliza­
tion, were negotiated in the steel, rubber, paper,
electrical machinery, chemicals, railroads, nonferrous mining, aircraft, meatpacking, and cement
industries. In other industries, such as maritime
and apparel, and in many smaller plants, increases
were smaller or were restricted to supplementary
benefit liberalization. Wage rates were un­
changed in coal and textiles, except for decreases
in the northern woolen branch of the latter.
Pensions, health and welfare plans, and vaca­
tions were the most prominent and widespread
subjects of supplementary benefit liberalization.
The steel agreements raised pensions and made
the tie-in with Federal old-age benefits more

REVIEW OF AMERICAN LABOR IN 1954

flexible. Substantial segments of the maritime
industry negotiated increased pension and vaca­
tion allowances. In women’s apparel, there were
further agreements reducing the workweek to 35
hours with no change in basic weekly pay.
Escalation arrangements to meet rapidly chang­
ing price levels, so prominent 2 and 3 years earlier,
were diminishing in coverage in 1954. The non­
operating railroad unions followed the operating
unions in eliminating the clause, and in incorporat­
ing accumulated escalation allowances into base
rates. Some aircraft companies and unions did
the same. Under the escalation arrangements
continuing in effect under the long-term contracts
in the automobile industry, there were three
reductions of 1 cent, and one increase of 1 cent
during the year.
The problems of economically depressed indus­
tries and industrial segments, or marginal com­
panies became increasingly acute during the year,
and unions and management were required to meet
these realistically. Developments of this nature
affected the textile, coal, and hosiery industries
and some of the smaller automobile manufacturers.
The effects of the long-run problems of the
textile industry, with declines in employment due
to technological advance, increased use of chemi­
cally produced fabrics, and competition from
nonunion plants, were apparent during the year.
The textile unions indicated their willingness to
forgo wage increases early in the year, as they
had in 1953. However, there were widespread
reductions in wages and supplementary benefits in
the northern woolen and worsted industry, follow­
ing an arbitration award (9.5-cent-an-hour reduc­
tion) at Botany Mills and a strike at American
Woolen, which resulted in a 10.5-cent reduction.
In coal, there were no proposals for wage
changes, but the United Mine Workers’ anthracite
and bituminous welfare fund benefits were reduced
as a result of the reductions in royalty payments
tied to falling coal production. The International
Ladies’ Garment Workers pension plans were
also increasingly in the red during the period,
and long-term agreements negotiated with several
major employer associations waived wage increases
but raised contributions to the pension fund.
One union official urged the union to adopt mass8
Isidore Nagler (General Manager of the Joint Board for the W om en’s
Coat and Suit Industry), Analysis of the Problems of the W om en’s Coat
and Suit Industry and Suggested Recommendations for Their Solution, 1954.


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177
production methods in New York City to cope
with the relocation of the women’s coat and suit
industry from Manhattan to outlying areas.2
The American Federation of Hosiery Workers
(AFL) and the Full-Fashioned Flosiery Manu­
facturers Association agreed to terminate the
industrywide bargaining which had existed and to
permit flexible bargaining in the face of strong
competition from nonunion plants. The union
also agreed to the liquidation of the pension fund
established in 1950.
To supplement the merger efforts of the smaller
automobile companies to maintain their place in
the industry, the United Automobile Workers
(CIO) agreed to replace wage incentive plans, at
Studebaker-Packard, Kaiser-Willys, and American
Motors, by hourly wage rates comparable to those
of the Big Three.
The level of strike activity was the lowest in the
postwar period. Major strikes (over 10,000
workers) affected the Northwest lumber industry,
two major rubber companies, east coast shipping,
and construction and trucking operations. The
sole instance of active Government intervention
through the use of the Taft-Hartley A ct’s emer­
gency strike provisions involved atomic energy
workers at Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Paducah, Ky.,
represented by the CIO Gas, Coke and Chemical
Workers. Following recommendations of an emer­
gency board appointed under the Railway Labor
Act and judicial rejection of the companies’
position that there could be no bargaining on the
health and welfare proposals, agreements provid­
ing nonoperating railroad employees with health
and welfare benefits, and improved vacation and
holiday plans were near completion.
Guaranteed employment or wage plans received
much union attention during the year despite their
lack of achievement in actual collective bargaining.
The UAW -CIO unveiled its ‘‘Guaranteed Em­
ployment Plan” ; this union, as well as the CIO’s
Steelworkers and Electrical Workers, announced
that this demand would be sought in 1955.
Trade Union Policies

Unity. Major developments during the year
relating to the ultimate goal of organic unity
between the AFL and the CIO included: activa­
tion of the 2-year no-raiding agreement in June
1954, accompanied by a joint banquet “ to produce
the aura of friendship and fellowship that is an

178
essential to the long-range effectiveness of the
no-raiding agreement” ; 3 agreement of the CIO
and AFL Unity Committee in October “ to create
a single trade union center in America through
the process of merger, which will preserve the
integrity of each affiliated national and inter­
national union” ; and scheduling of a meeting
to draft a detailed plan to achieve this goal.
The successful operation of the no-raiding
agreement to date has done much to foster the
good feeling which is spurring on the unity move­
ment.4 Several disputes were settled by the
officials of the two organizations; one dispute
went to the impartial referee, appointed under the
agreement, and was settled.
Other Internal Affairs. The broad drive for organic
unity was implemented by efforts to strengthen
trade unionism internally. Exploration of the
ethics and efficiency of pension and welfare fund
administration, the AFL adoption of machinery to
preclude jurisdictional disputes, agreements among
individual unions to ban such disputes, and the
settlement of longstanding disputes during the
year, were all examples.
The administration of pension and welfare funds
received close scrutiny with the disclosure of
fraudulent and shady practices on the part of a
few local union officials of both organizations.
With two Congressional committees conducting
investigations, and with the possibility of legisla­
tion to curb such abuses, both the AFL and the
CIO expressed immediate and direct concern.
The AFL convention took a strong position against
such corrupt practices, calling on its constituent
organizations for action to establish and enforce
standards to prevent and eliminate abuses in the
administration of these funds.5 Several individual
unions have already acted within the spirit of this
resolution. The Upholsterers ordered an investi­
gation of reported padding of medical and hospital
bills in one area; the Plumbers established a na­
tional committee on health and welfare plans to
help locals establish efficient plans; Teamsters’
officials promised to review local health and wel­
fare fund practices; and the ILGWU started pro­
ceedings against certain union accountants and
employers on charges of collusion to defraud the
union welfare fund. The AFL Central Trades
and Labor Council in the New York City area

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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

established a committee to investigate and draft
standards.
The CIO took a different tack in seeking to
eliminate abuses. It directed one union to act
promptly to eliminate abuses brought to light by
an investigation of the New York State Depart­
ment of Insurance. It also established a “ Com­
mittee on Ethical Practices” to investigate alleged
abuses in, and to establish standards for, the ad­
ministration of pension and welfare funds. This
committee submitted a first report, unanimously
adopted by the CIO convention, which includ­
ed recommendations on a set of administrative
standards.6
Another major internal achievement adding to
trade union stability and responsibility was the
AFL’s adoption of a plan providing mediation and
arbitration procedures for the settlement of juris­
dictional disputes between affiliates who volun­
tarily agree to the plan. In the meantime, a
number of individual unions negotiated additional
bilateral and multilateral agreements during the
year. The Teamsters union, although nonsigna­
tory to both the no-raid pact and to the AFL
jurisdictional disputes plan, concluded two new
agreements. One, with the Meat Cutters, in­
cluded provision for $200,000 to organize food­
processing workers; the other, with the Laborers,
Carpenters, and Operating Engineers, set up
a fund of $60,000 to organize heavy construction
workers. The Machinists, a ratifier of both of the
broad pacts, settled its longstanding jurisdictional
dispute with the Carpenters and concluded bi­
lateral mutual assistance and jurisdictional settle­
ment pacts with the Plumbers and the Printing
Pressmen. Another longstanding dispute be­
tween the Boilermakers and the Bridge and
3 President’s Report to the C IO , 16th Constitutional Convention, 1954
(p. 8).
* Talk of a third federation of trade unions, centering around the Miners,
Teamsters, and Steelworkers, has all but disappeared, although it was w ide­
spread a year ago. Although neither the Steelworkers nor the Teamsters
have signed the pact as yet, the situation seems altered substantially from
that of last year, when there was widespread talk of secession and a new
organization. George M eany and Dave Beck were apparently able to re­
solve some of their differences prior to the A F L convention. D avid M ac­
Donald was an active participant in the C IO convention and a conspicuously
eloquent supporter of labor unity.
5 In supporting the resolution, President M eany stated: “ W e m ust go
out and help with any legitimate investigation. W e must see that the
investigation is fair, and, if legislation is necessary, let us have a hand in
writing the legislation.’ ’ The American Federationist, Novem ber 1954 ip. 22).
6 See p. 184 of this issue. The report stated that “ the C IO is concerned
with more than actions that m ay be technically illegal. There are practices
which m ay be technically legal, but which merit condemnation and exter­
mination on the ground that they violate the basic tenets of trade union ethics
and m orality.”

REVIEW OF AMERICAN LABOR IN 1954

Structural Iron Workers was also settled. Contrib­
uting to unity were the absorption of the Distrib­
utive, Processing and Office Workers by the
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union;
the granting of a charter to the Mechanics Educa­
tional Society; the merger of the United Railroad
Workers with the Transport Workers; and the
apparently imminent merger of the Oil Workers
and the Chemical Workers— all within the CIO.
In one area of internal action, joined with govern­
mental action, there was apparent failure. This
involved the efforts to dislodge the old Interna­
tional Longshoremen’s Association, accused of
gangster domination and corruption by a State in­
vestigation, from its hold over east coast longshoring. Two NLRB elections were held before
the representative was decided. They showed the
substantial gains made by the new AFL Inter­
national Brotherhood of Longshoremen; never­
theless, both gave the old ILA bare majorities, just
sufficient for it to maintain its position. Although
the top leadership of the old ILA has been changed,
the control over key locals apparently remains
unchanged. However, its decisions may come in
for critical review if the recent action of the rank
and file in initially rejecting an agreement negoti­
ated by the leadership with the N ew York Shipping
Association is indicative.
National Aßairs. The recession was of paramount
concern to both trade union centers. Both
attacked governmental policies, charging that a
growing crisis was not being met. Rather, in their
view, governmental policies were business oriented
and rested improperly on the “ second-best”
economic level of 1954. The AFL view, that it
wanted “ full employment from the point of view
of our country itself, our national security, and the
security of the free world,” 7 was similarly ex­
pressed by the CIO.
Both sponsored similar economic policies, ex­
cept that the CIO emphasized the “ guaranteed
annual wage.” Both referred to the effects of
7 American Federationist, October 1954 (p. 6).
8 “ While we have never claimed that guaranteed wages are a cure-all,
they are an important lever for raising the sights of business leadership so
that their planning takes into account the needs of the workers in their plants
and of the entire com m unity for a steady flow of income and purchasing
power.” Report of Resolutions Committee, 16th Constitutional C onven­
tion of CIO , 1954 (p. 4).
9 Report of Resolutions Committee, op. cit. (p. 68).
19 American Federationist, N ovember 1954 (p. 18).
11 American Federationist, October 1954 (p. 30).


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179
automation— the AFL proposed a long-range goal
of 30 hours as the basic workweek and a reduction
within 2 years from 40 to 35 hours under the Fair
Labor Standards Act, and the CIO proposed a
Congressional investigation into the present and
potential impact of technological developments on
the economy. The effects of automation were
cited as one justification for guaranteed employ­
ment or wage plans, although the CIO expressly
recognized that these were not “ cure-alls” for
cyclical or secular economic problems.8
Both the CIO and AFL acknowledged the im­
provements made in the Social Security Act in
1954, and the administration’s protection of the
insurance principle in the face of proposals to
merge social security and old-age assistance. The
need for further improvements along this line and
for disability insurance was cited. Also pro­
posed were tax policies geared to increase consumer
purchasing power through cuts for low-income
groups; a broad and comprehensive national
health program; an increase in the minimum wage
to $1.25, a reduction in the basic workweek, and
extended coverage under the Fair Labor Standards
Act; an improved unemployment insurance sys­
tem; and a vigorous housing program.
On labor legislation, while both reaffirmed the
need for repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act, their
criticism was directed primarily at governmental
failure to improve the act and at the “ packing”
of the National Labor Relations Board. The new
personnel on the Board were charged with pro­
mulgating “ widespread antiunion changes in wellestablished policies covering a large number of
important issues” 9 and with giving encourage­
ment to employers “ in resisting the organizing
efforts of workers, in frustrating their effectiveness
at the bargaining table, and in impairing their
ability to act in concert for protection or attain­
ment of their legitimate rights and objectives.” 10
The necessity of organizing effectively to fight the
spread of State “ right to work” laws, viewed as
anti-union-security laws, was emphasized by both.
The AFL view that “ large national antilabor
groups are pushing a systematic program of
attacking organized labor through the State
legislatures” 11 was also that of the CIO.
In the political arena, the CIO and AFL
emphasized, with equal vim, that they were not
appendages of any political party, but that they

180
would support the candidates who would foster
their programs.
Foreign Afairs. American labor’s interest in
foreign affairs was evident throughout the year.
It emphasized the need for an effective foreign
program geared to reinforcing the economic, social,
and military defenses against the inroads of com­
munism, while avoiding the equally disastrous
alternatives of stagnant coexistence or preventive
war.
They urged the spreading of democratic ideals
and material well-being among the peoples of the
free world, as well as the provision of mutual
military assistance. The strivings of colonial
peoples for independence should be fostered
through moral and material aid, at any cost, they
maintained. As Mr. Meany expressed it: “ If we
have to choose between a momentarily unbalanced
budget in Washington and a permanently and
gravely unbalanced free world, we should willingly
accept the unbalanced budget at home.” 12
The willingness to support the administration
in carrying out a foreign policy based on these
principles was reflected in the resumption of labor
participation in the Foreign Operations Admin­
istration in 1954, following agreement to reestab­
lish the office of labor affairs, with labor missions
and advisory posts abroad. This healed the
rupture which developed when the unions with­
drew in 1953, charging that their participation
was purely nominal. President Eisenhower re­
ceived support in, as the CIO expressed it, his
demonstration of “ restraint and realistic under­
standing which reflects the thinking of the
overwhelming majority of the American people
and our allies.” 13
Broader interest in foreign policy was imple­
mented by the continuing support given by
United States labor to the trade unions of the
free world through the International Confedera­
tion of Free Trade Unions. The trade union
centers have been especially active in the work
of ORIT, the ICFTU ’s regional organization in
the Western Hemisphere. In the ORIT, they
have been particularly concerned with effective
12 A F L News-Reporter, December 17,1954.
» Report of Resolutions Committee, op. cit. fp. 52).
u The President’s state of the Union message on January 6, 1955, recom­
mended a 90-cent minimum wage and extended coverage under the Fair
Labor Standards Act.
» American Federationist, N ovember 1954 (p. 19).


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

controls against the illegal entry of Mexican
laborers into the United States and with pro­
tection against the spread of Communist or
Fascist labor movements in Latin America.
Government and Labor

Social Security Legislation. The revisions in the
Social Security Act were considered by the trade
unions as the outstanding legislative achievement
of the year. The enactment extended coverage to
10 million additional workers, including over 5 mil­
lion farm operators and farm laborers. Benefits
were liberalized directly and through an increase
in the maximum earnings base used in computing
benefits and taxes. Railroad pension benefits were
also liberalized in two separate laws.
The unemployment insurance system was ex­
tended to cover approximately 3.8 million addi­
tional workers, including 2.5 million Federal civil­
ian employees and 1.3 million workers employed
in establishments with 4 or more employees (for­
merly 8 or more). The President also recom­
mended that the States should raise the potential
duration of benefits and their dollar maxima.
Secretary of Labor Mitchell, in a letter to the
Governors of the 44 States whose legislatures meet
in 1955, suggested that they study the adequacy
of their unemployment insurance systems, that
ultimately benefits be increased to 50 percent of
the workers’ gross earnings, and that benefit du­
ration be extended to conform to the 26-week
level prevalent for the majority of covered workers.
The President’s Economic Report stated that
recommendations to increase the FLSA minimum
wage would be made at the appropriate time.14
The President’s proposal for a $25 million health
reinsurance program was not acted on; the pro­
gram was intended to maintain the balance be­
tween the private relationship in medicine and
the need for more adequate health facilities.
Civil Rights and Liberties. Both the AFL and
CIO hailed the Supreme Court’s decision on seg­
regation in public schools. Both spoke out against
discrimination within the ranks of labor; they
called on the Federal Government to ban segrega­
tion in public housing projects. Both recognized,
as the AFL expressed it, that “ much still remains
to be done to assure equality of opportunity to all
Americans.” 15

REVIEW OF AMERICAN LABOR IN 1954

The statute outlawing the Communist Party
and depriving labor organizations found by the
Subversive Activities Control Board to be “ Communist-infiltrated” of legal rights before the
NLRB was received with substantially less en­
thusiasm. The CIO considered it “ a sign of
weakness rather than of strength,” and considered
the union provision “ a dangerous first step toward
State control of all trade unions.” 16 Both the
AFL and the CIO referred to their own successful
efforts to meet Communist infiltration; they em­
phasized the necessity for preserving basic civil
liberties. Both Presidents Meany and Reuther
took similar positions in August in favor of Con­
gressional investigation rather than regulation at
this time.
T a ft-H a rtley A c t R evision . Early in January,
President Eisenhower presented his proposals for
revision of the Taft-Hartley Act to Congress. He
stated that the act was basically sound, and that
his recommendations were intended to reinforce
its objectives. Leading recommendations included
easing of the secondary boycott provisions; pro­
tection of the representation rights of economic
strikers; permitting prehire contracts in industries
with casual and intermittent employment, with a
requirement for union membership after 7 days’
employment in these; requirement for employers
as well as employees to file Communist disclaimers;
making “ free speech” apply equally to labor and
management; giving the States authority to deal
with emergency strike situations; and establishing
a Government-conducted strike vote. The pro­
posals were received with mixed reactions in both
labor and management circles. In the bill
incorporating these recommendations, the trade
unions considered particularly antilabor the grant
of additional authority to the States. Senate
action on the proposals resulted in recommitting
the bill to the Committee on Labor and Public
Welfare. Appearing before the AFL convention

Report of Resolutions Committee, op. cit. (p. 53).
17 “ If necessary I will take those two and put them in one special package
b y themselves in order that i can say to you I kept that promise.” American
Federationist, October 1954 (p. 29).
18 See address b y N L R B Chairman G u y Farmer before the American
Society for Personnel Administration, at Cincinnati, Ohio, Novem ber 2,
1954; also, text of m ajority’s statement in the Jonesboro Grain Drying Coopera­
tive case, 110 N L R B 67, Case No. 32-RC-693.
19 The Board’s decisions in the Livingston Shirt Corp. and Peerless Plywood
Co. cases, overruling the Bonwit Teller decision, were issued in December
1953.


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181
in September, the President reaffirmed his deter­
mination to redeem his pledges to eliminate from
the act the provisions relating to non-Communist
affidavits and to economic strikers.17
While the basic statute remained
unaltered, the administrative decisions under the
Taft-Hartley Act were in a particularly fluid state
during the year. The National Labor Relations
Board, with the majority of its members appointed
since the summer of 1953, engaged in an extensive
reexamination of Board jurisdiction and policies.
To trade union charges that the Board is
abdicating to the States in narrowing its jurisdic­
tion recently, the Board majority replied that the
changes were due to experience and to changing
economic conditions and that State jurisdiction
played no part in its decision. The 1950 juris­
dictional standards required revision, the new
majority stated, “ in order better to attain the
Board’s long-established policy of limiting the
exercise of its jurisdiction to enterprises whose
operations have, or at which labor disputes would
have, a pronounced impact upon the flow of
interstate commerce.” 18
The majority replied to union contentions of
“ employer-orientation” and of “ law-making by
administrative decisions,” that many of its
decisions merely bring Board interpretations into
conformity with prevailing judicial opinion and
that others have favored union interests.
There have been several important reversals in
NLRB policy during 1954.19 No violation will
be held to have occurred where an employer merely
questions employees as to union affiliation, and no
threat is implied {B lu e Flash E x p r es s). Members
of an employer association dealing with a union
may now shut down their plants as a defensive
measure when a union strikes one of the members
during multiemployer bargaining (B u ffalo L in en
S u p p ly ). An employer statement that a plant
would be forced to move if its employees voted for
the union was held by the Board to be not a
“ threat,” but a “ prophecy,” and hence not
coercive {C hicopee M a n u fa ctu rin g C o.). Member­
ship cards need no longer be accepted as evidence
of majority representation if an employer insists
on an election {W a lm a c C o .). A union may no
longer strike merely after a 60-day notice of strike;
it can only strike, after such notice, at a time when
the contract specifically provides for either
N L R B P o licies .

182
reopening, renegotiation, or expiration {L io n Oil
C o.). In the L u d low T yp ograp h case, the strict
rule against elections within a year after certifica­
tion was modified to permit such elections if
contract terms expired or were subject to renewal
within the year. A rival union’s petition for a
representation election has been found to be no
bar to a contract with a union with which the
employer has been dealing for some time ( W illia m
D . Gibson C o.).

The Board has adopted several new policies.
Its decision in the Richfield Oil Co. case, requiring
a company contributing to an employee stockpurchase plan to bargain on it if requested by the
union, opens a new possibility for collective bar­
gaining. It restricted application of the previous
rule of nonseverance of craft units in industries
with highly integrated production processes to the
four industries to which it had been applied in the
past; it will now permit craft group severance in any
case where a true craft group is covered, and where
the craft union traditionally represents the craft
{A m erica n P ota sh ). The Board affirmed its pre­
vious view that “ hot cargo” clauses in contracts
are legal, although it held the union involved in
the M cA llis ter T ransfer Co. case in violation when
the employers repudiated the clause and the union
induced the employees to refuse to handle such
cargo.
It established more specific rules in several cases.
Thus, in Truitt M a n u fa ctu rin g Co., it ruled that a
company pleading inability to pay must furnish
reasonable proof to the union. Reaffirming prior
decisions, it was held that the employer must
furnish wage data on an individual basis for all the
employees in the unit {W h itin M a c h in e W o r k s ).
S u prem e Court D ecision s. Supreme Court actions
interpreting the Taft-Hartley Act tended to
strengthen Federal jurisdiction. The decision in
the Garner case, in December 1953, appeared to
preclude any State court injunctions against peace­
ful picketing if the dispute was subject to Federal
law. This was reinforced by the decision in the
C apitol Service, In c ., case which sustained the right
of the NLRB to obtain an injunction against any
action by a State court which would interfere in a
case being handled by the Board. In the L a ­
burnum case, however, the Court upheld a State


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

court judgment in a suit at common law for dam­
ages arising out of a union’s picketing activities.
Employer actions having the effect of discrimi­
nation in the interest of the union were held to be
unfair labor practices by the Court in several re­
lated cases. Furthermore, employers were not to
discipline employee members of the union on be­
half of the union, when the union itself had not
enforced its rules through expulsion. {R adio Offi­
cers’ and T eam sters’ decisions, Feb. 1, 1954.)
State uR ight to W o r k ” Law s. State “ right to work”
laws received increasing attention in 1954. The
continued spread of these statutes—4 States
enacted such laws during the past 18 months,
making a total of 17— and the prevalence of pro­
posals to grant increased authority to the States
in labor-management affairs are resulting in an
intensification of union efforts to obtain State
legislation which is more conducive lo collective
bargaining.
Both the AFL and the CIO have analyzed the
administration and effects of these statutes.20
There is basic similarity in the views expressed in
these analyses; these laws “ aid no one— neither
workers, business, nor the community— other than
a very small group of low-wage, antiunion em­
ployers” and “ this threat involves far more than a
narrow partisan issue between labor and manage­
ment. The living standards of ail Americans are
adversely affected by this legislation.”
The position taken by Secretary of Labor
Mitchell in opposition to the “ right to wrork”
laws points up the obstacles they present to col­
lective bargaining and effective union organization.
Acknowledging the States’ right to pass such laws,
Secretary Mitchell has called on the States with
such laws to give them “ further consideration”
because “ these laws do more harm than good.”
As he stated before the CIO convention in De­
cember, “ good relations between labor and man­
agement must be developed at the plant level.
Certainly an organized effort by employers to
promote State laws undermining union security is
not conducive to harmonious working relations be­
tween employers and their employees.” 21
20 American Federation of Labor, The “ Right to W reck,” 1954; Congress
of Industrial Organizations, The Case Against ‘ ‘Right to W ork” Laws, 1954.
si For other portions of statement, see p. 186 of this issue.

The Sixteenth
Annual Convention
o f the CIO
N e l so n M . B o r tz *

Tw o m a i n c u r r e n t s o f a c t i y i t y characterized
the Sixteenth Constitutional Convention of the
Congress of Industrial Organizations, held in Los
Angeles, December 6-10, 1954. On matters pri­
marily of internal concern to the 33-member body,
greater cohesiveness appeared than at any time
since the death of Philip Murray 2 years ago. The
CIO reiterated its basic principles in such major
areas as pressing forward with the unfinished
business of organizing the unorganized; advancing
its collective bargaining objectives, chief of which
is the guaranteed annual wage; and maintaining
high ethical and moral standards in the labor
movement, as exemplified by its prompt steps to
prevent malpractices in the administration of
health, insurance, and pension programs.
Externally, the dominant theme emphasized the
CIO’s desire for organic unity with the American
Federation of Labor at the earliest moment prac­
ticable. On economic and legislative matters,
criticism was expressed of the Government’s
handling of many domestic issues, such as unem­
ployment, labor legislation, and tax and fiscal
policies. Dissatisfaction with certain aspects of
this country’s foreign policies was tempered with
support of specific actions, particularly those
designed to strengthen economic aid to the free
world, to lend support to the United Nations and
its related organizations, and to deal soberly and
with restraint in coping with the provocative acts
of Red China.
Labor Unity

The growing rapprochement between' the CIO
and the AFL since the delegates last met a year

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ago was reflected in several significant steps. By
convention time, the no-raiding pact had been
ratified by 75 AFL unions and 30 CIO affiliates.1
The joint AFL-CIO Unity Committee had an­
nounced on October 15, following the AFL’s
convention, agreement “ to create a single trade
union center in America through the process of
merger, which will preserve the integrity of each
affiliated national and international union.” Fi­
nally, the greater amity between the two federa­
tions and their officials was demonstrated in an
exchange of fraternal greetings during their
respective conventions. President George Meany
reciprocated President Walter Reuther’s earlier
message to the AFL convention by a telegram to
the CIO expressing “ gratification” over the success­
ful operation of the no-raiding pact and the feeling
that “ the time is now ripe for action toward . . .
the greater goal of achieving organic unity between
our organizations.”
These various actions, coupled with a precon­
vention discussion by the CIO’s Executive Board
of the practical problems to be faced in achieving
labor unity, set the stage for the formal discussion
at the convention. This was launched by the
chairman of the resolutions committee, David J.
McDonald, president of the United Steelworkers.
Speaking in support of a resolution for unity, he
told the delegates that the CIO’s desire for organic
unity was no mere idle statement or pious hope
but, rather, a “ firm declaration of intent.”
Among the reasons advanced for unity, Mr.
McDonald stressed the desires of both the AFL
and CIO rank-and-file members for a united labor
movement; the need to strengthen and coordinate
labor’s legislative and political activities; and the
greater effectiveness which would flow from a
consolidated and concentrated campaign to organ­
ize the unorganized. Such united efforts, the
Steelworkers’ leader declared, would result in
“ another renaissance in the ranks of labor”
similar to that which followed the formation of the
CIO in the midthirties.
Two CIO members of the joint subcommittee
on unity negotiations—President Reuther and
Secretary-Treasurer James B. Carey— addressed
the convention in a similar vein. Each pledged
•Of the Bureau’s Division of Wages and Industrial Relations.
i
The 1953 C IO convention approved adherence to the no-raiding agree­
ment. B y the time of the 1954 convention, all C IO affiliates except the
United Steelworkers of America, the Amalgamated Lithographers of America,
and the Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of America had signed the pact.

183

184
to preserve the integrity of existing CIO affiliates
and neither minimized the practical difficulties.
Joseph Curran, secretary of the resolutions com­
mittee and president of the National Maritime
Union, likewise cautioned the delegates about the
dangers of demoralization within their ranks,
stating that there were some “ who would like to
see the CIO begin to disintegrate.” Expressing
his strong support of the resolution, Mr. Curran
declared that in unity organized labor will find
“ double strength” to drive out “ parasites in the
form of racketeers, gangsters, and Communists,
who may be clinging to the backs of any part of the
labor movement.”
President Reuther emphasized that the adoption
of the no-raiding pact, together with the AFL-CIO
agreement of October 15, had established the prin­
ciples on which final agreement could be reached.
He assured the delegates that the CIO had inter­
posed no roadblocks; it had made no precondi­
tions: “ We are not rigid on how the principles shall
be applied. We are not inflexible with respect to
the kind of mechanics and structure necessary to
the practical implementation of the principles.
But the principles must be protected and they
must be implemented, because these are the prin­
ciples that made us what we are.” Matters of
personal prestige or power are not involved;
“ for the first time we have completely and thor­
oughly depersonalized the question of achieving
organic unity,” Mr. Reuther added. He assured
the delegates that all members of the CIO nego­
tiating team “ will do everything within our power
to bring about sound, honorable, principled organic
unity at the earliest possible date.”
The delegates, by a standing vote, unanimously
approved the actions taken to date and instructed
the CIO members of the joint AFL-CIO commit­
tee “ to continue the unity negotiations in the
constructive spirit that has already been dis­
played.”
Ethical Practices

No subject coming before the convention better
exemplified the CIO’s continuing concern with the
morality of the American labor movement than
the report of its recently appointed Standing
Committee on Ethical Practices.2 For a number
of years, the CIO has repeatedly endorsed the
broad concept that its members “ shall not be


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

denied their right to an honest, decent, democratic
trade unionism, single-mindedly devoted to the
advancement of the interests of American workers
and the welfare of the Nation,” but it had not
established a mechanism for inquiring into the
conduct of its affiliates. However, following dis­
closures of some abuses in the administration of
welfare funds in a small number of local unions in
New York City, the Standing Committee on
Ethical Practices was created.
This committee was directed to investigate any
charges or allegations of maladministration of wel­
fare or other union funds within the CIO, to for­
mulate standards for welfare funds, and, if neces­
sary, to recommend legislation designed to promote
honest administration of welfare funds. The
committee immediately undertook two projects.
It circulated a questionnaire to all affiliated
unions, requesting detailed information on the
number of workers provided health and welfare
benefits under CIO contracts and on the pro­
cedures followed by CIO affiliates in the negotia­
tion of insurance and pension programs. It also
conducted 2-day public hearings in New York
City, at which representatives of the Government
and of insurance companies, private consultants,
and CIO health and welfare experts discussed
various aspects of the administration of health,
welfare, and retirement programs.
The findings of the committee, together with its
recommendations, were presented to the conven­
tion delegates in a detailed document.3 All eight
of its recommendations were unanimously ap­
proved by the convention. These were, in brief:
1. Trustees or administrators of programs have the
obligation to see that maximum benefits are provided from
the money available.
2. All welfare funds should be audited at least semi­
annually by independent certified public accountants.
3. A complete and detailed report to beneficiaries should
be made at least once a year.
4. Persons occupying full-time paid positions with unions
or companies should not receive additional compensation
for acting as trustees or administrators of their own
organization’s programs.
2
This Committee consists of Jacob S. Potofsky, president of the Amalga­
mated Clothing Workers, as chairman; Joseph Curran, president of the
National Maritime Union; and James G. Thimmes, vice president of the
United Steelworkers. It was appointed b y M r. Reuther on October 5,1954,
following authorization b y the C IO Executive Board. Mr. Thimmes died
January 16 and was replaced by I. W . A bel, secretary-treasurer of the
United Steelworkers.
8 Report of C IO Standing Comm ittee on Ethical Practices, Congress of
Industrial Organizations, Washington, December 1954.

ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE CIO
5. If welfare benefits are provided through an insurance
company, the carrier should be selected through com­
petitive bids on the basis of lowest net cost for given
benefits, and the insurance company should warrant that
no fee has been paid directly or indirectly to representa­
tives of the parties.
6. Insurance carriers should be required to file detailed
statements with the trustees of welfare programs with
respect to such matters as fees, dividend payments, and
claims experience.
7. Brokers performing no service should not receive any
fees or commissions and, if existing laws require such
payments, these laws should be changed.
8. International unions (and their locals), in handling
such programs, should (a) establish and enforce specific
standards and conditions of performance, (b) solicit expert
advice in the negotiation and administration of programs,
(c) provide for both internal and independent audits of
union-administered programs, (d) provide training pro­
grams for union representatives in the techniques and
standards of proper administration of welfare programs,
(e) conduct educational campaigns to acquaint members
with their rights and benefits under the programs, and
(f) act promptly to correct abuses in the administration of
such programs wherever abuses occur.

The committee’s report emphasized that these
recommendations were not meant to deal with the
content of health, welfare, and retirement pro­
grams. Rather, they related to standards of
administration which would not affect the content
of such plans or the autonomy of international
unions to manage their own collective bargaining
affairs. The committee’s report and the discussion
of it, however, left no doubt that, as President
Reuther put it, the recommendations would be
implemented without fear or favor, in the CIO’s
determination “ to keep our movement free of
corruption, racketeering, and other anti-social
and unethical practices.”
Economic Issues

It was perhaps significant that the second of
the 61 convention resolutions dealt with the
guaranteed annual wage.4 Throughout the con­
vention, one speaker after another alluded to it as
a bargaining objective. Unanimous adoption of
the resolution on the final day of the convention
* Resolution No. 1 related to the Philip M urray Memorial Foundation.
It was reported that a large number of organizations representing a wide
range of religious, social, and educational activities had received contribu­
tions from the Philip Murray Foundation and that not a single penny of the
Foundation’s funds had been expended for administrative purposes.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

185
came, in a sense, as an anticlimax, without any
discussion or comment except a remark from
President Reuther to the effect that from now on
there would be more action and less talk of a
guaranteed annual wage.
The resolution itself was, on the whole, temper­
ate and conciliatory in tone. It stressed the
practicality of the CIO’s proposals, geared “ to
the specific conditions of the industries in which
they operate.” In the words of the resolution:
. . . [Annual wage plans] take account of the problems
confronting business, and in many cases state clearly that
the employer’s liability shall be limited to a certain percent
of his current payroll. Such a limited-liability approach
is the answer of major CIO unions to the argument that
guaranteed wage plans would result in an impossible
burden. As a means of minimizing costs to employers,
CIO unions likewise propose that guaranteed wage pay­
ments be integrated with unemployment insurance. The
guaranteed wage payment due a particular worker would
thus be reduced by unemployment benefits he received.
The CIO unions pressing for the guaranteed annual
wage have developed their proposals with full considera­
tion, too, of their effects on the economy as a whole. They
are firmly convinced their proposals are sound, practical,
and desirable from the standpoint of the whole community
as well as the interests of their own members. They are
determined to win the guaranteed wage and will not be
swerved from that objective. They are fully prepared,
however, to give serious consideration to constructive
suggestions from management regarding the implementing
machinery.

Surely, the resolution continued, “ corporate
management has an obligation to join in such
discussions and seek to work out mutually satis­
factory solutions.” However, it was made clear—
not only in this resolution but also in others, such
as those dealing with collective bargaining objec­
tives, full employment, and technological change—
that “ annual wage guarantees, wherever feasible,
should be negotiated to eliminate unnecessary
fluctuations in employment and to promote
stability in workers’ incomes and spending.”
Concern over the present and prospective im­
pact of technological developments upon the
economy was expressed in a lengthy resolution,
“ Technological Progress and Full Employment.”
This statement, with its references to automation
and increasing productivity, pictured the advent
of a second industrial revolution with “ even greater
potentialities either to help or to harm mankind

186
than the first.” 5 The resolution continued:
“ Responsibly controlled in the interests of human
welfare,” the new technology will permit a vast
improvement in living standards and increased
leisure. But, “ irresponsibly introduced and ex­
ploited, it can result in unprecedented unemploy­
ment and an economic depression which may
threaten the very foundations of our free society.”
It concluded by calling upon the Congress to in­
vestigate and to report upon the present and
prospective impact of technological developments,
the plans of employers for further installation of
new processes and machines, and the geographical
and industrial sectors of the economy most likely
to be affected by such developments.
Other resolutions also dealt with the present
and future economic outlook as viewed by the
CIO. A 10-point program for “ economic prog­
ress” was outlined. This included a revision of
tax laws to strengthen consumer buying power,
especially among the lower and middle income
groups; an increase in the Federal minimum wage
to $1.25 per hour; modernized and expanded oldage, unemployment, health, and other social
security services; expanded housing, public works,
and farm programs; and a liberal credit policy.
Special attention to the plight of the textile in­
dustry was urged in a separate action.
Legislative Views

As in preceding years, repeal of the TaftHartley Act was demanded. Similarly, the CIO
pledged itself to continue its fight to secure the
repeal of “ State antilabor laws.” In connection
with the latter, Secretary of Labor James P.
Mitchell, who addressed the convention on the
second day, voiced his opposition to so-called
“ right to work” laws. Mr. Mitchell indicated
that he did not question the right of the various
States to legislate in this controversial area but
urged that the 17 States which had adopted such
laws give them further consideration. If they do,
Mr. Mitchell continued, “ I believe they will find
that these laws do more harm than good. In the
first place, they do not create any jobs at all.
In the second place, they result in undesirable and
unnecessary limitations upon the freedom of work­
ing men and women and their employers to bar­
gain collectively and agree upon conditions of
work. Thirdly, they restrict union security and


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

thereby undermine the basic strength of labor
organizations.”
With respect to the National Labor Relations
Board, the CIO declared that developments since
its last convention were such as to be a “ source of
serious concern to the labor movement.” Par­
ticular opposition was expressed, in a lengthy
recital of grievances, to the N LRB’s reversal, in
a series of decisions, of what the CIO termed
well-established Board policies. It deplored “ the
proemployer bias exhibited by the new majority
of the N LRB,” and accused it of “ legislating by
administrative action and adopting new policies
which are contrary to the plain intent of Congress.”
Remedying these and other complaints, the
convention urged, should constitute an important
objective of the CIO’s political action campaign
at both national and State levels. Particular
attention was to be focused upon the 44 State
legislatures scheduled to meet in 1955, and upon
the more than 600 city and county elections which
will also occur in 1955. “ We believe,” the resolu­
tion concluded, “ that political action is indivisible,
that lessons learned and accomplishments re­
corded on the national level have their impact on
the States and cities, and that the achievement of
good government on every level is the concern of
every citizen.”
Security and World Affairs

Almost 200 labor and government officials from
countries throughout the world, who attended the
convention as observers, heard the delegates dis­
cuss and approve a variety of resolutions indica­
tive of the CIO’s interest in developments abroad
and at home. Many of these resolutions re­
affirmed the position taken by the CIO in pre­
ceding years in supporting the work of the Inter­
national Confederation of Free Trade Unions, the
United Nations, and the Foreign Operations Ad­
ministration, including the point-4 program.
8 Expressions in a similar vein were made b y M r. Benjamin F . Fairless
of the United States Steel Corp. in an address on Novem ber 17, 1954, before
the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce.
M r. Fairless said, in part:
“ W e stand today at the gateway of what promises to be a great scientific
revolution which will probably work a far greater change in our m ode of living
than the so-called industrial revolution has wrought in the past century or
so. . . . It is certain, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that new and complex
automatic machines will replace, in ever-growing numbers, the muscles of
men on our industrial production lines. . . . Surely, we must do everythmg
in our power, I think, to anticipate these dislocations and to minimize—as
best we can—the consequences of th e m /’

ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE CIO

A separate resolution dealt with the current
situation in the Far East. President Eisenhower
was praised for his “ demonstrated restraint and
realistic understanding” in rejecting “ inflamma­
tory and reckless proposals” for an economic
blockade or preventive war against Red China.
The choice before the American people, the CIO
declared, is not between preventive war and naive
coexistence with a detested ideology. Rather,
“ the choice is between: (1) policies which threaten
war; and (2) a realistic, sustained policy of prodemocratic deeds and actions, as well as mutual
military security arrangements, which will win to
the cause of the free world the still uncommitted
peoples and . . . inspire those behind the Iron
Curtain to look forward with new hope to their
eventual freedom and achievement of a full meas­
ure of social and economic justice.”
Other resolutions dealt with the national secu­
rity of the United States. Approval was expressed
of recent administration proposals to assist Asia
in what the CIO described as a “ massive economic
offensive against want, fear, and insecurity.” The
CIO was more critical, however, of certain of the
Government’s present defense policies, particularly
those which, it said, placed budgetary considera­
tions above adequate security preparations. The
delegates also urged that the industrial base of
the national defense system be broadened so that
smaller businesses might obtain defense contracts
and thus gain experience in defense production.
Reference was also made to various internal
security measures and their alleged impingement
upon civil liberties. The Congress was called
upon to investigate infractions of civil liberties,
to adopt a code of fair procedures limiting the
scope of investigations “ to their proper functions,”
and to review all existing legislation dealing with
the Communist problem “ with a view of ensuring
both that Federal legislation contain all necessary
• Joseph Collis replaced Ralph N ovack for the American Newspaper Guild,
and,Russell Taylor replaced James J. M itchell for the United Shoe Workers,

328729- 55-

3


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

187
powers to deal with espionage and sabotage and
that all Federal legislation limiting what people
can think and say be removed from the statute
books.” Another resolution expressed criticism
of the Department of State’s administration of
the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 which, according
to the CIO, was not being carried out in the gen­
erous spirit that the Congress intended.
Other Convention Activities

As is customary, a number of speakers addressed
the delegates. In addition to Secretary of Labor
Mitchell, these included Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt;
Senator Wayne Morse; James G. Patton, president
of the National Farmers Union; and Thurgood
Marshall, special counsel to the National Associa­
tion for the Advancement of Colored People.
Elections of officers for the ensuing year, held
on the final morning of the convention, resulted
in the unanimous reelection of Mr. Reuther as
president, Mr. John V. Riffe as executive vice
president, and Mr. Carey as secretary-treasurer.
All 8 CIO vice presidents were similarly returned
to their posts, as were all but 2 members of the
CIO Executive Board to which each affiliated
union nominates a representative.6
During the past year the Mechanics Educational
Society of America, composed primarily of workers
in Midwest automobile and other metalworking
plants, was admitted as a CIO affiliate. The
United Railroad Workers, established by the CIO
in 1944, was merged with the Transport Workers
Union. Announcement of the formation of a
Leather and Tannery Workers Organizing Com­
mittee was made during the convention.
Resignation of Dr. Nathan P. Feinsinger as
arbitrator under the CIO’s internal jurisdictional
disputes program was reluctantly accepted. A
successor will be named at an early date, the CIO
stated, so that its jurisdictional disputes machin­
ery, created in 1951, can continue to resolve con­
flicts which may arise among CIO affiliates.

Summaries of Studies and Reports

Length of Pay Periods
in American Industry
b o u t three-fourths of all production workers or
nonsup ervisory employees in private nonfarm
industries were paid wages and salaries at weekly
intervals in 1953. This was an even greater
majority than the Bureau of Labor Statistics
found in its 1938 study.1 The increasing pre­
dominance of the 1-week pay period resulted
from many factors, including shifts in the geo­
graphic location and industrial composition of the
Nation’s nonfarm economy, the spread of collec­
tive bargaining agreements, the increasing com­
plexity of payroll records, and the advancing
versatility and speed of payroll-keeping equipment.
Information on the length of pay period for
October 1953 was obtained from the nearly
100,000 employment reports, covering more than
13.5 million workers, received by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics in its current employment sta­
tistics program operated in cooperation with
State agencies. Using these reports, the Bureau
compiled statistics on the number of establish­
ments and the number of production workers (or
nonsup ervisory employees) by pay periods of
specified duration. These data were then further
classified by industry, State, and size of firm.2
Despite the prevalence of weekly pay periods,
pay at biweekly and semimonthly intervals
was in widespread use in a few manufacturing,
as well as nonmanufacturing, industries. Fur­
ther, among the States, the proportion of workers
on weekly payrolls ranged from 97 to 27 percent,
influenced by the local practice, the requirements
of State laws, and the industrial composition of
the States’ nonfarm economy.

A

Factors Influencing the Pay Interval
The pay practice customary to an industry or
locality has very likely developed as a compromise
between the employee’s general preference for a
188


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

relatively short interval separating paydays and
the employer’s preference for a longer interval.
It developed, however, within such limitations as
those imposed by the method adopted for deter­
mining the worker’s earnings, the nature of the
firm’s operations, legal requirements, and in some
cases firmly established tradition.
The employee tends to prefer the shorter interval
because it aids him in personal budgeting. In
addition, if he is paid at hourly or piece rates, he
can more easily check on the amount in his pay
envelope. During a business depression, he might
fear that the firm will close before he is paid.
Also, the longer the period between paydays,
the more he has in his pay envelope which may
be stolen or otherwise lost. The most general
consideration is, of course, the desire to receive a
given payment now rather than later.
The employer, on the other hand, knows that
he adds to his costs every time a payroll is made
up. Payroll-keeping has grown into a more com­
plex operation with the introduction of payroll
taxes, group-insurance deductions, payroll-savings
plans, etc., even with some offsetting technological
advances in payroll-keeping machinery. Another
reason for the employer, especially in small firms,
to prefer the longer interval is that he thereby
has available more short-term working capital.
Most of the union agreements 3 which specify
pay periods have provided for a weekly payday.
In addition to specifying the frequency of pay­
day, some prescribe the time of wage payment—
often specifying the maximum number of days
between the end of the pay period and payday
and the day of the week on which payments shall
be made— and the form of payment, usually cash.
1 Frequency of Paydays in American Industry, M onthly Labor Review,
August 1939 (p. 311).
2 See P ay Period Practices of American Industry, B LS, 1955. (Processed,
4-p. pamphlet plus tables and graphs.) Partially summarized in M onthly
Labor Review, August 1954 (p. 890).
This report discusses the extent to which these data related to the pay
period ending nearest the 15th of the month—the standard pay period
established b y the Bureau of the Budget for all Federal agencies collecting
employment data on an establishment basis.
3 Collective Bargaining Provisions: General Wage Provisions, Bureau of
Labor Statistics Bull. 908—8, 1948 (p. 76 fl.) and other BLS information.

LENGTH OF PAY PERIODS IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY

Legislation setting the maximum interval be­
tween paydays is in effect in 44 States; only Dela­
ware, Florida, Idaho, Washington, and the Dis­
trict of Columbia have no such legal provisions.4
A 1-week pay period is the maximum specified
for almost all employees in Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York,
Rhode Island, and Vermont. Indiana’s law re­
quires weekly payments to employees in mining
and manufacturing, and South Carolina provides
for weekly payments to textile workers. A bi­
weekly pay period is the legal maximum in New
Jersey and West Virginia. In New Jersey, this
provision applies to all but railroad employees;
in West Virginia, the biweekly period applies only
to railroad employees. A monthly pay period is
the maximum for virtually all employees in North
Dakota and Oregon.
The remaining 31 States with wage-payment
laws require that wages be paid at least semi­
monthly, the coverage varying considerably among
the States. Some of the laws permit a ‘ ‘mutually
satisfactory agreement” on paydays which do not
conform to legal standards; others require the
legal standards to be observed only “ on the de­
mand of the workers.” In general, the State
laws provide that payment must be made at least
as frequently as specified; as a matter of fact,
employers may pay more frequently.
Pay Periods, by Industry

Of the seven industry divisions within the scope
of this study,5 five were characterized by a larger
proportion of employees paid weekly than for any
other period (table 1). Contract construction6
led all the industry divisions in this respect, with
97 percent of all construction workers paid weekly.
In second place was the manufacturing division,
with 81 percent of the production workers on
weekly payrolls. Almost three-fourths of the
nonsupervisory employees in the wholesale and
retail trade and transportation and public utili­
ties 7 industry divisions, and better than half in
the service and miscellaneous division, were paid
weekly. In contrast, semimonthly payrolls ap4 Wage Payment and Wage Collection Laws, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Bull. 58, 1943; see also Labor Policy and Practice, Bureau of National Affairs,
Inc., Washington, 1950, and information in that looseleaf service through
October 1953.
5 Excludes the government division.
11Excludes multistate construction companies.
7 Excludes interstate railroads.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

189
plied to the largest proportion of workers in the
mining division (61 percent) and in finance, insur­
ance, and real estate (39 percent).
The heavy concentration of employment in a
specified pay interval, shown in ill but one of the
industry divisions, concealed sharp intradivision
differences. In mining, for example, somewhat
over three-fourths of the bituminous-coal miners,
but only one-fifth of the nonmetallic miners, were
paid semimonthly, the latter group maintaining
predominantly a weekly pay period. In the trans­
portation and public utilities division, biweekly
and semimonthly pay periods were fairly com­
mon; however, practically all communications
workers were reported to be on weekly payrolls.
Although the weekly pay period was in effect for
nearly 60 percent or more of employment through­
out the trade division, almost one-fourth of the
workers in wholesale trade establishments were
paid semimonthly, and one-tenth of the employees
in general merchandise stores were paid monthly.
In manufacturing, the largest proportion of
workers in 20 of the 21 major industry groups
were paid weekly. This proportion was slightly
larger in the nondurable industries than in the
durables. In 17 of the major groups, more than
three-fourths of the workers were paid weekly;
for example, in the metal-using industries (fabri­
cated metals, machinery, transportation equip­
ment, instruments, and ordnance) the proportion
exceeded 85 percent. On the other hand, twothirds of the workers in the petroleum and coal
products industry were paid either biweekly or
semimonthly.
The monthly period occurred
most frequently in lumber and wood products.
State Comparisons

In October 1953, the largest proportion of
workers were paid weekly in 44 States, including
the District of Columbia. The proportion in
these States ranged from over 90 percent in the
New England States, New York, and Maryland,
to less than 50 percent in Washington, Oregon,
North Dakota, Arizona, and West Virginia
(table 2).
In the 5 remaining States— Idaho, New Mexico,
Nevada. Utah, and Wyoming— the greater propor­
tion of workers were paid semimonthly. The
semimonthly period was also popular in Kansas,
Oklahoma, and West Virginia, applying to more

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

190
than one-fourth of the workers, though the
weekly period was most common in these States.
In the 44 States where a plurality of the workers
were paid weekly, the semimonthly period placed
second in 21, the biweekly period in 17, and the
monthly period in only 6 States.8
The weekly pay period was, in general, used
more extensively in the eastern and central States
than in other areas. Only 2 of the 21 States
exceeding the national average were west of the
Mississippi River. West Virginia, with less than
50 percent of its workers paid weekly, was unique
in the East. Many of this State’s workers are in
bituminous-coal mining, an industry which pays
at semimonthly intervals. The States where less
T a b l e 1.—

D istr ib u tio n

than half the workers were paid weekly were
chiefly located in the Mountain and Pacific
regions. Pay-period practices in Oregon and
Washington were apparently influenced by the
lumber industry, in which semimonthly and
monthly pay periods are often used.
As noted earlier, the vast majority of State
laws require at least semimonthly wage and salary
payments; most employers prepare their payrolls
weekly. Florida and Delaware, with no legal
provisions covering the pay interval, both rank
high in the proportion of workers on weekly
payrolls— 81 percent and 78 percent, respectively.
8 The category "O ther” was excluded in this comparison.

o f p r o d u c t io n a n d n o n s u p e r v i s o r y w o r k e r s i n n o n a g r ic u lt u r a l e s ta b lis h m e n ts i n s electe d i n d u s t r i e s ,
b y len g th o f p a y p e r i o d , O c to b e r 1 9 5 3

Percent of workers in establishments reporting a pay period of—
Industry group and industry
A ll periods

1 week

2 weeks

14 month

1 month

Other 1

100.0

75.1

10.3

9.1

3.3

2.2

M i n i n g ................ ...........................................................
M etal mining................ ................... - .......... - .........
Bituminous coal_________________ ______ ______
Nonmetallic mining and quarrying.....................

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

14.5
22.8
6.6
52.9

13.0
22.1
5.3
19.9

61.0
37.5
76.7
21.0

10.2
17.4
9.4
4.1

1.3
.2
2.0
2.1

Contract construction *..................................................

100.0

97.3

.4

.4

.7

1.2

Manufacturing.............. .......... ..............- .......................
Durable goods-------- ----------------------------------------Ordnance and accessories--------------------------Lumber and wood products----------------------Furniture and fixtures— ----------- --------------Stone, clay, and glass products.....................
Primary metal industries_________________
Fabricated metal products________________
Machinery (except electrical).........................
Electrical machinery........................................
Transportation equipment.............................
Instruments and related products-------------Miscellaneous manufacturing industries—

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

80.9
79.7
89.1
51.9
76.4
58.2
50.0
87.3
88.4
93.0
89.7
90.1
90.5

11.5
12.4
8.5
9.2
16.3
27.6
35.8
7.9
6.6
4.5
5.4
6.0
5.9

3.7
3.4
.6
18.0
4.1
8.6
3.4
1.6
3.3
.9
2.8
1.2
1.9

1.8
2.6
0
17.9
.3
4.7
7.2
1.1
.3
.4
.6
.6
.5

2.1
1.9
1.8
3.0
2.9
.9
3.6
2.1
1.4
1.2
1.5
2.1
1.2

Nondurable goods-------------------------------------------Food and kindred p rod u cts..........................
Tobacco manufactures.....................................
Textile-mill products.......................................
Apparel and other finished textile products.
Paper and allied products...............................
Printing, publishing, and allied industries..
Chemicals and allied products------------------Products of petroleum and c o a l . . . ........ .......
Rubber products..............................................
Leather and leather p ro d u cts .,....................

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

82.9
84.0
98.3
82.4
84.6
82.4
95.2
79.4
28.9
94.6
91.9

10.1
6.6
1.1
11.3
10.7
10.2
2.3
14.2
38.1
4.3
5.3

4.1
6.7
.1
1.7
2.2
5.1
1.3
3.3
27.4
.5
.7

.6
.6
0
.2
.4
.7
.2
1.0
4.4
0
.3

2.3
2.1
.5
4.4
2.1
1.6
1.0
2.1
1.2
.6
1.8

Transportation and public utilities 4..........................
Transportation 4______________________________
Comm unication______________________________
Other public utilities...............................................

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

71.1
63.7
97.0
36.8

11.5
10.8
.8
28.8

11.3
18.2
1.8
20.5

4.4
4.3
.1
11.2

1.7
3.0
.3
2.7

Wholesale and retail trade........ ...................................
Wholesale trade_______________________________
Retail trade----------------------------------------------------General merchandise stores_______________
Food and liquor stores.....................................
Autom otive and accessories dealers________
Apparel and accessories stores........................
Other retail trade...................................... .......

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

72.9
58.8
81.6
72.2
90.3
68.2
80.2
77.0

4.9
7.3
2.9
5.7
3.5
2.7
2.8
2.8

13.3
23.7
12.1
7.5
4.3
21.7
14.6
15.3

6.7
8.6
2.4
10.7
1.6
4.1
1.4
3.5

2.2
1.6
1.0
3.9
.3
3.3
1.0
1.4

Finance, insurance, and real estate________________

100.0

27.5

17.4

38.9

8.8

7.4

Service and miscellaneous_________________________

100.0

57.6

4.2

27.7

8.0

2.5

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

i Includes workers in establishments reporting a pay period of 10 days
(0.2 percent of total) and those for which the length of pay period could not
accurately be determined (2.0 percent of total).


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* Excludes multistate construction companies, interstate railroads, and
Federal, State, and local government.
3 Excludes multistate construction companies.
4 Excludes interstate railroads.

LENGTH OF PAY PERIODS IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY

T able 2.—

D i s t r i b u t i o n o f 'p ro d u ctio n a n d n o n s u p e r v i s o r y
w o r k e r s i n n o n a g r i c u l t u r a l e s t a b l i s h m e n t s , b y len g th o f
p a y p e r i o d a n d S ta te , O cto b e r 1 9 5 8

Percent of workers in establishments reporting a pay
period of—
All
periods

1
week

2
weeks

month

1
month

O ther1

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

97.3
97.0
96.9
96.6
96.6
92.6
92.1
90.3

0. 2
,i
1.6
.4
0
2.2
2.0
1.0

0 7
.3
.7
.4
.5
3.5
2.8
3.7

0 4
l.i
.4
1.0
1.4
1.0
1.0
1.1

1 4
1.5
.4
1.6
1.5
.7
2.1
3.9

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

88.0
85.6
83.7
82.5
80.8
80.4
78.6
77.9
77.7
77.2
76.2
75.7
75.7

75.1

5.1
6.5
2.4
9.8
7.1
10.1
7.7
4.6
15.2
12.9
13.3
3.7
6.5

10. S

2.2
5.1
1.6
4.4
5.9
5.5
8.6
3.8
5.2
6.1
6.6
17.1
10.5

9.1

1.2
1.4
.5
2.2
2.9
2.6
3.6
7.2
.9
2.1
1.5
2.3
4.9

S.S

3.5
1.4
11.8
1.1
3.3
1.4
1.5
6.5
1.0
1.7
2.4
1.2
2.4

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

73.8
73.2
72.7
72.0
71.9
70.6
70.1
67.1
66.8
64.2
63.2
59.2
58.6
56.9
55.8
55.6
52.8
52.0
44.2
42.6
41.9
41.6
41.2
40.8
35.4
32.2
27.9
27.2

5.1
5.5
11.1
17.3
5.5
19.0
8.2
2.6
16.6
14.3
10.7
11.3
10.5
5.2
9.0
24.3
6.1
12.6
17.9
9.0
6.5
6.1
5.2
33.7
19.1
18.8
7.0
10.5

14.4
12.8
10.7
5.7
11.8
5.0
17.9
16.9
4.7
13.5
14.3
22.4
24.0
18.2
24.7
12.6
28.6
26.7
19.5
19.5
23.1
43.7
41.5
22.0
30.9
41.3
47.5
35.1

4.2
4.8
4.4
1.6
1.0
2.2
2.9
13.3
4.8
5.4
10.0
5.3
4.9
18.9
7.7
6.4
6.8
7.3
15.1
26.5
23.7
5.8
11.4
3.1
12.9
6.3
14.6
24.3

2.5
3.7
1.1
3.4
9.8
3.2
.9
.1
7.1
2.6
1.8
1.8
2.0
.8
2.8
1.1
5.7
1.4
3.3
2.4
4.8
2.8
.7
.4
1.7
1.4
3.0
2.9

M aine.
___________
Connecticut________
N ew Hampshire___ _
Rhode Island___ . . .
M aryland___________
N ew Y ork ___________
Vermont ___________
N ew Jersey_________
M ichigan____________
South Carolina______
Georgia_____________
Florida. ____________
W isconsin..
Virginia_____________
D e la w a re .__________
Indiana_____________
Tennessee__________
Illinois______ __
...
Arkansas. __________
Missouri_____________
United States 2 .
Iow a___ ____________
K e n tu ck y .. ________
M is s is s ip p i...____ _
Ohio___ . ...........
District of Columbia.
North Carolina___ . .
California___________
M ontana_______ .
Alabama____________
Louisiana___________
Minnesota_____ _____
Nebraska______ __ . . .
Texas_______________
South D akota____ .
Colorado____ _ . . .
Pennsylvania______ .
K a n sa s... .
___ _
Oklahoma___________
Washington___
O regon..
_____ _
North Dakota___ . .
N ew M exico_____ . .
Nevada_____________
Arizona_______
W est Virginia___ __
U tah________________
W yom ing__________
Idaho
_________ .

100.0

H

S.S

1 See footnote 1, table 1.
2 See footnote 2, table 1.

Maryland, with a semimonthly legal requirement,
has 93 percent of its workers paid weekly.
Obviously, the shorter the required pay period
the less the variation among firms. Thus, in the
New England States and New York, where the
weekly pay period is compulsory for most em­
ployers, more than 90 percent of the workers are
paid weekly.

* See footnote 1, supra.
M The BLS State Employment Statistics Program has in recent years
increased its sample coverage considerably in m any States, to meet the
needs of an expanded State and area statistics program. Nationwide
industry-by-industry comparisons of pay period data for 1938 and 1953 are
limited b y the extent of changes in industrial classification. State-by-State
comparisons are precluded b y major changes in sample structure in m any
States.


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191
Effect of Establishment Size

The weekly pay period overshadowed all others
throughout all sizes of nonagricultural establish­
ments. There is some variation in pay periods by
size of firm (table 3), but this appears to be more
the result of the industrial characteristics of the
large firms than of size per se; that is, in certain
industries characterized by large establishments
(such as primary metals and petroleum refining)
biweekly pay periods are quite common (see
table 1).
The proportion of workers on weekly payrolls
decreased steadily from 80 to 73 percent as the
size of establishment rose from less than 20 workers
to 500-999 workers. However, in the 1,000-plus
group, the proportion increased to 76 percent.
The coverage of the 2-week payrolls rose steadily
from less than 3 percent in the under-20 size class
to 13 percent in the 1,000-and-over class. The
proportion on semimonthly payrolls showed no
correlation with size in the smaller firms, while in
firms with 1,000 or more workers, the coverage
was less than half that of the smaller firms.
Changes Since 1938

The 1938 Bureau of Labor Statistics study9
affords a comparison of industry pay practices.
This 15-year period was marked by a shift toward
the weekly pay interval, away from the semi­
monthly. The proportion of workers paid weekly
increased from 66 to 75 percent, while the pro­
portion paid semimonthly declined from 24 to 9
percent. This shift may be due largely to the
relatively greater ease of application of a weekly
or biweekly period, with its fixed number of days,
than of a semimonthly period of varying length.
Detailed comparisons between 1938 and 1953
are limited by changes in industrial classification
and sample structure, especially sample expansion
in many of the States.10 It is clear, however, that
the more extensive use of the weekly pay period
has been accompanied by its predominance among
workers in a larger number of States: the number
in which a plurality of workers was paid weekly
increased from 33 States in 1938 to 44 in 1953.
Between 1938 and 1953, changes in pay prac­
tices in manufacturing continued a trend observed
during the 1930’s. An unpublished BLS study in
1929 indicated that 57 percent of the factory
workers were paid weeklv; this proportion rose

192

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T able 3.—

D i s t r i b u t i o n o f p r o d u c t io n a n d n o n s u p e r v i s o r y
w o r k e r s i n n o n a g r ic u ltu r a l e s t a b l i s h m e n t s , b y len g th o f
p a y p e r i o d a n d s i z e o f f i r m , O cto b e r 1 9 5 3

Employment Practices in
Trenton, N . J., Manufacturing Plants

Size of establishment
(number of workers)

Percent of workers in establishments reporting pay
period of—
All
periods

1
week

2
weeks

All size classes_______

100.0

75.1

Under 20__ _______
20-49________________
50-99________________
100-499______________
500-999______________
1,000 and over__ ____

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

80.1
77.7
75.3
73.4
72.5
76.3

month

1
month

O ther1

10.3

9.1

3.3

2.2

2.5
4.2
6.2
8.8
11.5
13.1

11.0
12.6
13.1
12.3
10.2
5.1

4.3
3.6
3.3
3.2
3.5
3.3

2.1
1.9
2.1
2.3
2.3
2.2

X

1 See footnote 1, table 1.

to 69 percent in 1938 and 81 percent in 1953.
Changes in pay practices between 1938 and 1953
were quite pronounced in a number of manufac­
turing industries. Among those producing dur­
able goods, for example, the proportion of workers
paid weekly increased from 54 to 80 percent, as
semimonthly payrolls declined from 30 to 3 per­
cent. Certain durable goods industries— sue
hydraulic cement and blast furnaces, steel­
works, and rolling mills— shifted large numbers of
workers from semimonthly to biweekly payrolls.
The pay-frequency pattern in nondurable goods,
on the other hand, remained almost unchanged
over the period, as weekly payrolls applied to 83
percent of its workers in both 1938 and 1953. A
slight shift did occur, however, from semimonthly
to biweekly payrolls in this group. This is most
strikingly indicated in the petroleum refining in­
dustry, in which the proportion paid weekly re­
mained close to 20 percent, while the use of bi­
weekly payrolls increased from 19 to 40 percent
of the employees, with a concomitant decline in
semimonthly payrolls.
Sharp changes over the 15 years are also evident
in nonmanufacturing. In the other-than-coal
mining industries, for example, the semimonthly
pay period has lost considerable ground to the
shorter intervals. The traditional semimonthly
period in the coal-mining industries, however, has
continued to predominate. The weekly pay period
predominated in both 1938 and 1953 in build­
ing construction, communications, wholesale and
retail trade, laundries, and cleaning and dyeing
plants, accompanied generally by a slight decline
in the proportion of workers paid semimonthly.
— P h il ip G r o ssm a n

Division of Manpower and Employment Statistics


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levels of wages did not appear to be a
decisive factor in attracting and holding labor
among the Trenton, N. J., factories studied by
the Department of Economics and Sociology of
nearby Princeton University. Nor did wide
intercompany differences in wage rates seem to
influence the prevalent view of management
officials that they did not compete for labor with
any particular firm, despite the relatively tight
labor supply in the area. Both these observations
are attributed, in a report on the study,1 to such
impediments to interfirm movement of workers as
company hiring practices and employee benefits
associated with seniority. Nevertheless, the man­
agers of these factories indicated that worker
mobility would be an important wage-determining
factor if wages in their individual plants were
more than, say, 10 or 15 or 20 percent below the
level in certain other firms, the amount depending
on current circumstances. Such a range elim­
inates the possibility of any simple relationship
between wages and labor mobility, as assumed in
traditional analysis in the wage-employment
field, according to the report.
This conclusion has obvious implications for
both theory and policy, which are reinforced by
the management stress on work-force stability,
the practice of hiring only for the bottom jobs,
and the significant role of worker morale in induc­
ing wage changes shown by the study. Further,
according to the report, methods of employee
recruitment and selection were so informal and
subjective as to make unrealistic any programs or
analyses based on the assumption that public
employment offices, in normal times, can or should
operate as comprehensive labor exchanges.

R e l a t iv e

Scope of Survey

The report is the first of a series based on a
1951-53 investigation by Princeton University of
industrial relations policies and practices of 82
manufacturing firms located within 12 miles of
Trenton, N. J. These firms employed a total
of 52,000 plant] workers, of whom 95 percent
1 Richard A . Lester, “ Hiring Practices and Labor Com petition,” Prince­
ton University, Research Report Series No. 88,1954. $2.50.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES IN TRENTON MANUFACTURING

worked in the 71 plants which were unionized.
Material was gathered largely through inter­
views with plant managers and by plant inspec­
tion. In addition, material was obtained in
interviews with local union officials, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania State Employment Services,
and various employer organizations.
This report discusses the recruitment, selection,
promotion, wage, and employee welfare policies
and practices of the firms during the early part
of the period covered. Other reports are to
present an assessment of the effect on personnel
administration in these companies of the indus­
trial expansion which was then beginning under
the stimulus of the construction of the new
Fairless Works of United States Steel Corp. and
the expansion of other firms, particularly those
which were tooling up for production on defense
contracts.
Aside from the question of whether Trenton,
with the structure and diversity of its industry
and the composition of its labor force, is repre­
sentative of other urban areas, the data have
several limitations. First, labor supply in manu­
facturing became increasingly stringent during
the survey period. Second, difficulties in deline­
ating the Trenton work area in terms of workers’
commuting practices led to its being defined some­
what arbitrarily as the section within a 12-mile
radius of the center of Trenton; thus it included
some territory usually considered to be in the
Philadelphia labor market area. Third, the study
was confined to plant workers in manufacturing.
Fourth, the 82 firms studied, which accounted for
72 percent of manufacturing employment in the
area, are, of course, a sample of the 553 manu­
facturing companies in the area, both in terms of
size of work force and of industrial composition
(except that the printing and publishing industry
was excluded because of its “ specialized work
force” ). Fifth, material obtained in interviews
varied in quality among the firms. Moreover,
difficult problems arose in attempting to make
intercompany comparisons of wages and benefits.
Hiring Practices

The least desirable jobs in the plant are the
ones for which outside applicants are usually
sought. Recruiting methods among the firms
varied, and included reliance on such sources of

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193

referral as unions and the public employment
service, with the latter estimated to account for
15 to 20 percent of placements. But, in 1952,
half of them recruited unskilled or semiskilled
workers by other informal methods involving no
expenditures for such items as advertising,
bonuses, fees to private agencies, and recruitment
campaigns. These firms relied on referrals by the
existing work force and “ gate applicants”
attracted by word-of-mouth.
In hiring, the plant managers usually selected
employees whom they expected to be able to hold
and train, and consequently they preferred
married workers in their middle or late twenties.
Selection may be determined, not by the appli­
cant’s physical characteristics or experience, but
by the plant interviewer’s judgment of “ the
applicant’s character traits, his worklife poten­
tialities for jobs up the line, and his social fitness
for the sort of work force the company has or seeks.
Judgment is really on a multijob basis. For a
variety of reasons, a company in hiring may
discriminate against some races, some nationality
groups, and some age classes, or against persons
with too much or too little education, intelligence,
or ambition.” Thus, management’s specifications
are often highly subjective; moreover, they may
change with the times.
Company Attachment and Labor Competition
Competition for labor was of a limited and
special character under the institutional arrange­
ments and practices prevailing in the area. In
management’s opinion, seniority, promotion, and
other ties had caused about four-fifths of their
employees to develop strong attachments to the
firm. Moreover, on-the-job training for certain
manufacturing operations did not give workers
knowledge and skills which would fit them for
work in other plants. Another limiting factor
was a code of hiring ethics generally followed by
the firms interviewed, especially those with over
150 employees. This code provided that, when
an employee in one plant applied for work at
another, the second plant would notify the
present employer and would allow ample notice
before hiring the worker. The code also pro­
vided for the other plant’s making sure that the
present employer would not be seriously incon­
venienced by the worker’s resignation. In addi-

194

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

tion to restricting competition, the code reduced
cost of labor turnover and training which was, in
fact, its aim. Such a code of ethics was some­
times supplemented by special efforts to avoid
labor competition among firms making the same
products or using similar production methods,
the report states. At any rate, the plant managers
were not very conscious of being in competition
with one another for labor, as illustrated in the
following excerpt from one of the interviews:

This company’s wage scales are the lowest we have run
across in our interviews thus far. The Personnel Director
of this rubber company cited the example of his mainte­
nance rates and “ acknowledged that they were low, point­
ing out that he knew that [a nearby plant’s] rates were
at least 20 cents an hour higher, plus a bonus which pushed
earning up more, and that his company could not compete
labor-wise with them. However, he said that he did not
think that his employees knew too much about wages
elsewhere and did much comparing so that, in his view,
comparison of wage scales with other firms was not too
important.”

The personnel director of this electrical-manufacturing
concern felt that he was not competing for labor with any
particular firm in the area. Even one firm which has a
section of its operations producing the same product that
his company does [and paying about 10 cents an hour
more], gets none of their employees. There is no move­
ment between the two firms.

Rather, for workers who had a strong attachment
to a firm, wage changes were induced, according
to plant managers, not so much by actual move­
ment or threat of movement (that is, labor mobil­
ity) as by morale and discontent of the employees
while continuing on the job. “ Employee morale
may affect productivity, which is not part of the
concept of labor mobility but can be included
under labor supply. Employee discontent may,
however, influence labor mobility by its effect on
a firm’s ability to recruit through its existing work
force. That ability depends on the firm’s reputa­
tion not only with respect to earnings’ possibilities
but also nonwage variables such as supervision.”
Fringe benefits, on the other hand, were an
important factor in holding employees, but “ the
widespread failure of applicants to inquire about
fringe benefits or to show much interest in them
may be revealing as to the role they play in em­
ployee recruitment.” In taking a job, manage­
ment reported, workers were likely to be interested
in the pay in terms of their immediate needs,
although, as already indicated, the supply of
applicants was not much affected by the company’s
relative wage level. But, management officials
explained, fringe benefits increased in importance
to the workers as their length of service expanded
and their family responsibilities accumulated.
Thus, “ presumably labor mobility is less effective
in reducing or limiting differentials in benefits
than it is in the case of wage differentials [and]
company benefit levels cannot generally be ex­
plained in terms of labor-supply factors.”

Even when hiring by the large new steel and
aircraft plants was expected to increase manu­
facturing employment in the area by 15 percent
over a period of a year and a half, all but a few
plants expected to keep most of their workers.
Wages and Labor Mobility

Comparisons of starting rates for male labor
among companies manufacturing the same type of
product, using the same equipment, or both, dis­
closed a spread in rates from the low to the high
plant ranging from 37 percent among 12 rubber
companies to 80 percent among 30 metalworking
companies. (The range in skilled maintenance
rates was somewhat smaller.) While the inter­
views failed to provide much positive material on
the relationship between wages and mobility,
several managers commented that the volume of
applications received b}^ their companies generally
was not correlated with their relative wage levels
but with such other variables as the “ need or lack
of need for new employees.” To illustrate:
The Director of Industrial Relations said that the [fact
that] rates [in his plant were 10 percent below] those in
basic steel meant that his company [in heavy metal­
fabricating] didn’t draw many job applicants from the
steel plants, but in his opinion that hadn’t hurt his company
much. He felt that, in general, firms paying the basic
steel wages have as much labor difficulty and just as many
problems in recruiting as his firm does.

Nor did the interviews with management indi­
cate that relative wage scales had much effect on
holding employees. For example:

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Implications for Public Policy

These findings on the relationship between
wages and labor mobility do not, according to the
report, support the economic theory which assumes
that, in resource allocation, price is the indicator

195

SALARIES OF CITY PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHERS

and governor in allocation of resources and, there­
fore, that relative wage changes will effect the
proper redistribution of labor. The interviews
with plant managers already cited give “ some
indication of the extent to which intercompany
wage differences appear not to be affected by
labor mobility or labor mobility by wage differ­
ences. ” Some of the surface differences between
companies in wages may have been offset, from
the workers’ point of view, by interfirm differences
in working conditions, in stability of employment,
or in other aspects of employment, the report
states. In any event, the labor-supply forces that
might have served to reduce or eliminate such
genuine wage differences as did exist appeared to
be absent or ineffective, at least within a range of
rates. Consequently, the report continues, “ if
wages are not efficient allocators of labor or are
only so beyond the bounds of a no-reaction zone
[in terms of the range of rates], they can hardly
be thought of as part of a delicate equilibrating
system of prices, and temporary wage freezes or
uniform application of wage controls can occur
without too great concern about the influence of
wages on labor allocation. Instead of directing
attention primarily to wages, more consideration
should perhaps be given to matters of company
attachment and worker morale.”
Another conclusion, based on the findings on
recruitment and selection policies, bears on the
role of public employment offices. Many manu­
facturers, particularly those employing relatively
large numbers of workers, have their own personnel
managers and employment offices. Moreover,
in firms of all sizes, the employment process is
informal and subjective, as already indicated, and
public employment offices, under the laws and
standards to which they are subject, find it difficult
to discriminate among job seekers or employers.
Therefore, according to the report, it is misleading
to think of public offices as central exchanges for
jobs. They can, however, play an important
though restricted role as a placement agency,
particularly for small firms that lack recruitment
facilities, the report adds. In addition, they can
“ continue to serve as integral parts of unemploy­
ment compensation operations and as a center of
information and broad-gauge planning with respect
to community employment patterns and the
effective use and development of human resources
for industrial production,” the report concluded.
328729— 55------- i


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Changes in City Public-School
Teachers’ Salaries
of public-school teach­
ers in cities of 50,000 or more population increased
$526, or 13.6 percent, from the 1951 to the 1953
school year.1 The percentage increase during this
period was substantially exceeded in only one
previous 2-year interval since 1925; from 1947 to
1949, average salaries rose by more than 20
percent. From 1951 to 1953, they rose almost as
much as hourly pay of factory workers and
salaries of another large group of municipal
workers—firemen and policemen— and more than
salary rates of Federal classified workers.2 In­
dexes which reflect the changes in teachers’ pay
from 1925 to 1953 are shown in table 1.
A v e r a g e a n n u a l s a l a r ie s

Salary Trends, 1951-53

In all communities studied, teachers’ pay scales
advanced from 1951 to 1953. Over 9 out of 10
teachers were employed in school districts where
the increases amounted to 7.5 percent or more.
Teacher employment was about evenly distrib­
uted among communities in which salaries in­
creased 7.5 but less than 12.5 percent, 12.5 but less
than 15 percent, and 15 percent or more. In
monetary terms, almost 7 out of 10 teachers were
in areas where salaries were raised by $400 but less
than $700. (See table 2.)
During the 1953 school year, the median salary
was approximately $4,400. About 25 percent of
the teachers were in school systems where salaries
1 The school year is defined in terms of a September-June period; for
convenience, all references in this article relate to the year in which the
school term ended, although the salary data are based on figures reported
early in the school year.
For discussion of trends in teachers' salaries from 1925 to 1951, see M onthly
Labor Review, March 1951 (p. 286) and February 1952 (p. 175); also Bureau
of Labor Statistics Wage M ovements bulletin, Series 3, N o. 5 (C ity Public
School Teachers: Salary Trends, 1925-1949). M ethods of constructing the
indexes of salary trends presented here were described in those publications.
The basic salary and employment data for the indexes were collected as of
September in alternating school years b y the National Education Associa­
tion of the United States and published biennially in its “ Special Salary
Tabulations.” The 1953 data cover approximately 244,700 teachers distri­
buted b y city size as follows: 102,200 in cities with population of 500,000 or
more; 36,100 in cities with 250,000 and under 500,000; 56,000 in cities with 100,000
and under 250,000; and 50,400 in those with 50,000 and under 100,000.
2 Salary rates of Federal employees rose b y 9.1 percent, hourly pay for
factory workers b y 14.3 percent, and salary scales of firemen and policemen
b y about 14 percent. The change in maximum salary rates for firemen and
policemen is partly estimated. The information for firemen and policemen
refers to scales in effect in January of each year; for Federal workers, in July;
and for factory workers, in September.

196

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

averaged $4,800 or more, and 28.5 percent were in
those where average salaries were less than $4,000.
Salaries of elementary-school teachers rose 13.9
percent from 1951 to 1953—slightly more than
the 13-percent increase recorded for instructors in
secondary schools (table 3). The greater per­
centage increase for elementary-school teachers
was traceable to the fact that their salaries were
about $500 lower on the average than those for
secondary-school teachers; actually, the dollar
increase was slightly greater for secondary-school
teachers ($543) than for grade-school teachers
($513).
Average salary increases for teachers in ele­
mentary schools varied narrowly among the four
city-size groups studied—from 13.0 to 14.6
percent. For secondary-school teachers, the vari­
ation was almost as narrow— from 11.9 to 13.8 per­
cent. Pay increases for both types of teachers
were proportionately the highest in the smallest
cities, but dollar increases were greatest in cities
of more than 500,000 population. In these cities,
over half of the teachers were in areas where
average salaries were increased $600 or more; in
contrast, less than a fourth of the teachers in the
smallest cities were employed where increases of
similar amounts were put into effect.

T

able

1.—

Dollar increases in the Southeast and South­
west, where salary levels were the lowest, were
smaller than for the other regions. Average
salaries of teachers in 6 of the 9 regions showed
higher relative gains than in the Southeast. The
11.4 percent increase for teachers in the Southwest
was the lowest recorded in any region (table 3).
School teachers in the Middle West showed the
highest relative gain over the 2-year interval—
16.4 percent.
Salary Trends, 1941-53
Over the entire period covered by the index
series— 1925 to 1953— the total advance in urban
teachers’ salaries amounted to about 122 percent.
Their salaries fluctuated up and down during the
1930’s; most of the gain occurred after 1941.3
From 1941 to 1953 urban teachers’ salaries rose
by about 93 percent on the average— equivalent
to an annual rate of increase of a little more than
5 percent.
3
Usually in a long-term analysis of this type, 1939 data are used for com ­
parison with later periods; however, in this instance, it was not feasible to
begin with 1939. Actually, the rise in average salaries between 1939 and 1941
was only about lj-i percent and presumably the distribution from 1941 to
1953 would he essentially the same as if the earlier period had been used.

I n d e x e s o f a v era g e s a la r ie s o f 'p u b lic -sc h o o l tea ch ers i n c it ie s o f 5 0 , 0 0 0 or m o r e , b y t y p e o f s c h o o l, s i z e o f c i t y , a n d
re g ion , 1 9 2 5 - 5 3 1

[1947-49=100]
Type of school
Year

1925_____________
1927_____________
1929_____________
1931_____________
1933_____________
1935_____________
1937_____________
1939_____________
1941_____________
1943_____________
1945_____________
1947_____________
1949_____________
1951_____________
1953_____________

All
teachers

60
62
65
67
63
60
64
68
69
73
79
90
110
117
133

Size of city

250.000 100,000 50.000
Ele­
and
and
and
men­ Second­ 500,000
ary
3
or
more
under under under
tary 2
500.000 250,000 100.000
59
61
63
66
63
60
64
68
70
73
79
89
111
118
134

61
63
66
68
63
61
65
68
69
73
78
91
109
116
131

64
64
67
71
69
65
69
73
74
77
80
92
108
114
130

58
62
65
67
58
55
60
65
66
72
79
88
112
118
134

57
60
63
64
59
56
60
64
65
69
78
88
112
121
136

1 In constructing the indexes for all teachers, the effects of period-to-period
changes in the proportion of elementary and secondary teachers and in the
proportions of teachers among city size groups were excluded from changes in
average salaries in this table and in table 3.
2 Includes kindergarten and regular and atypical elementary-school
teachers.
3 Includes junior and senior high-school teachers.
4 The regions used in this study are: New England— Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, N ew Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; Middle Atlantic—


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R egion 4

55
57
60
62
59
55
60
64
66
69
77
88
112
122
139

New
Eng­
land

62
64
66
67
65
62
68
70
71
76
80
88
112
120
136

M id d le Border
Atlantic States

64
65
69
73
73
68
72
76
77
79
82
94
106
112
129

53
58
61
62
59
57
60
63
65
69
77
87
113
123
139

South­
east

52
56
58
61
51
48
49
56
57
63
76
88
112
126
142

Great M id d le South­ M oun­
Pacific
Lakes
West
west
tain

61
62
65
66
58
55
60
63
64
70
79
88
112
121
135

59
62
65
66
62
58
61
64
65
70
75
88
112
119
138

54
58
60
61
50
51
54
58
59
63
73
86.
114
123
137

58
62
65
65
60
58
62
68
69
73
78
93
107
110
125

53
57
59
63
59
57
61
65
66
70
76
88
112
116
134

N ew Jersey, N ew York, Pennsylvania; Border States— Delaware, District of
Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, W est Virginia; Southeast—
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee; Great Lakes—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin; Middle West—Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota; Southwest—Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas; M ou n­
tain— Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, N ew Mexico, Utah, W yom ing;
Pacific— California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington.

SALAM ES OF CITY PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHERS

T able 2.—

P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r ib u t io n o f ’p u b l i c -s c h o o l tea ch ers
i n c itie s o f 5 0 , 0 0 0 or m o r e , a c c o r d in g to a vera g e s a la r y
in c r e a s e s , 1 9 5 1 - 5 3

Percentage of te a ch e rs1 e m p lo y e d in school
systems w ith specified average salary increases
C ities of—
Increase in average salary
A ll
cities

500,000
or m ore

250.000
and
u nd er
500.000

100,000
and
u nd er
250,000

50.000
and
u nd er
100.000

In percentage terms
U n d er 5 .0 - -.
5.0 and u nd er 7.5________
7.5 and u n d er 10.0___
.
10.0 and u n d er 12.5___
12.5 and u nd er 1 5 .0 ...
15.0 and u n d er 1 7 . 5 . . . ___
17.5 and u n d er 20.0-. _________
20.0 an d u n d er 22.5.
.. ..
22.5 an d u n d er 25.0___ _____
25.0 an d o v e r ______________
T o t a l__________

1.1
7.6
13.3
17.1
31.0
8.4
14.9
3.6
2.5
.5

0
1.9
15.3
9.9
48.5
4.6
14.8
2.4
2.6
0

0
9.5
9.6
38.3
10.0
4.0
28.6
0
0
0

3.6
16.4
13.6
15.6
23.4
7.4
11.4
3.6
5.0
0

1.1
8.1
11.5
18.0
18.9
20.2
9.2
8.8
1.5
2.7

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

T o t a l__________

__
...

_______

3.8
6.9
10.1
25.8
17.6
24.3
7.9
2.8
.8

0
1.9
0
28.4
12.9
41.3
10.5
5.0
0

4.9
4.6
15.8
32.0
25.1
12.1
0
0
5.5

12.4
11.5
19.8
22.5
12.9
14. 2
3.4
3.3
0

1.1
13.5
15.7
19.8
27.1

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

9.9
12.9
0
0

1 In this and in table 4, employm ent of all teachers in the school sys­
tem was distributed according to the average salary increase in the system.
Atypical teachers, who comprise 3.5 percent of the total number of teachers,
are not included.

The rise in teachers’ salaries from 1941 to 1953
exceeded that for policemen and firemen, whose
maximum salary scales rose an estimated 83 per­
cent. During the same 12-year period, salary
rates of Federal classified employees advanced
about 75 percent.4 However, teachers’ pay lagged
far behind the rise in average hourly earnings for
factory production workers, which increased 155
percent during this period.
From 1941 to 1953, communities employing
over half of the public-school teachers increased
their average pay by 80 but less than 120 percent,
as table 4 indicates. About 13 percent of the
teachers (almost all in New York City) were em­
ployed where there were increases of 50 but less
than 60 percent.
There was less intercity variation in dollar than
in percentage increases. Communities employing

4
For data on movements of salaries of firemen and policemen, see M onthly
Labor Review, June 1950 (p. 633), January 1952 (p. 52), and July 1953 (p. 723);
and of Federal classified employees, M onthly Labor Review, M ay 1951
(p. 537), M ay 1952 (p. 545), and September 1953 (p. 958).


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half of the urban-school teachers advanced salaries
an average of $1,900 but less than $2,200 between
1941 and 1953. Eleven of the 18 cities of half a
million or more population (including New York,
Philadelphia, and Chicago) gave increases within
this range. Eleven percent of the teachers were
in communities where increases averaged $2,600
but less than $2,700 over the 12-year period.
Among the communities with increases of this
magnitude were Minneapolis, Detroit, and Los
Angeles.
T able 3.—
tea c h ers,
1 9 5 1 -5 3

I n c r e a s e s i n a v era g e s a la r ie s o f
b y t y p e o f s ch o o l, s i z e o f c i t y ,

p u b l i c -s c h o o l
a n d r e g io n ,

Increases in salaries, 1951 to 1953, for—
City-size group and
region

In dollars per year
U n d er 200___ ______
200 and u n d er 300____
300 and u n d er 400. . _ _
400 and u n d er 500____
500 and u n d er 600____. .
600 an d u n d er 700_____
700 an d u nd er 800 ___
800 an d u n d er 900 ____
900 an d o v e r . . . ____

197

All teachers

ElementarySecondary-school
school teachers
teachers

Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent
T otal________ ________

526

13.6

513

13.9

543

13.0

13.4

City-size group
500,000 or m ore........
250,000
and
under
500,000_______________
100,000
and
under
250,000_______________
50,000 and under 100,000

599

13.8

582

14.1

627

491

13.3

483

13.7

503

12.7

435
500

12.5
14.2

430
487

13.0
14.6

441
520

11.9
13.8

475
636
455
365
483
579
381
478
645

13.0
14.9
12. 7
12.6
11.7
16.4
11.4
13.3
15.7

480
618
470
370
463
587
379
458
621

13.9
15.2
13.8
13.3
11.7
17.4
11.7
13.2
15.8

467
665
433
356
519
565
382
511
678

11.8
14.4
11.2
11.5
11.6
14.8
11.0
13.3
15.4

Region 1
N ew England__ _
__
M iddle Atlantic _
Border States--.
Southeast___
Great Lakes____ ____
M iddle W est__________
Southwest_________
M ountain______ .
Pacific. _____
_ . _

1 See footnote 4 to table 1 for composition of regions.

Average dollar increases varied relatively little
among communities of different size. There was
greater uniformity of dollar increases among com­
munities of 500,000 or more than among smaller
communities. This uniformity was due in part
to the fact that New York City alone employs
about 30 percent of all teachers in cities of half a
million or more and perhaps to the relatively
smaller number of cities of this size. In 1953,
average salaries of public-school teachers were
more than double their 1941 level in all but the
largest cities.
From 1941 to 1953, teachers’ salaries rose pro­
portionately more on the average in the South­
east and Southwest than in the other regions
(tables 1 and 4); dollar increases were greatest in
Great Lakes and Pacific Coast cities. All urban

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

198
T able 4.—

P e r c e n t a g e d i s t r ib u t io n o f p u b l i c -s c h o o l tea c h ers i n c it ie s o f 5 0 , 0 0 0 o r m o r e , a c c o r d in g to a v era g e s a la r y i n c r e a s e s ,
b y s iz e o f c ity a n d re g ion . 1 9 4 1 - 5 3

1

Percentage of teachers em ployed in school systems with specified average salary increases
R e g io n 2

Size of city
Increase in average salary
All
250.000 100,000 50.000
teachers 500,000
and
and
and
or
under under under
more
500.000 250,000 100.000

N ew
Eng­
land

M iddle Border
Atlan­
States
tic

South­
east

Great
Lakes

Middie- South­ M oun­ Pacific
tain
west
west

In percentage terms

_______

0.4
13.4
3.2
5.5
19.7
4.6
18.2
10.5
7.2
6.6
3.4
2.1
3.5
1.7

0
29.5
0
6.7
27.5
2.6
22.5
9.1
2.1
0
0
o
0
0

0
0
13.1
8.6
14.6
9.9
14.4
16.7
14.5
3.3
0
4.9
0
0

0
2.9
4.7
.8
13.7
5.9
17.1
6.5
13.0
18.1
8.1
1.8
5.3
2.1

1.7
0
1.5
5.8
13.0
3.9
12.6
13.3
6.2
10.4
8.3
5.1
11.9
6.3

0
0
6.8
4.7
45.3
0
28.6
14.6
0
0
0
0
0
0

1.3
52.0
1.1
9.1
23.7
4.8
8.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
31.7
0
5.5
27.5
25.7
3.8
5.8
0
0
0

0
0
11.8
0
0
0
7.5
0
5.1
36.9
17.7
0
13.0
8.0

0
0
0
3.6
32.5
0
21.1
11.7
11.8
6.6
2.3
1.9
5.7
2.8

0
0
0
21.3
0
0
14.9
10.3
15.2
30.1
0
0
8.2
0

0
0
0
0
0
7.8
6.3
36.3
14.7
0
11.1
12.4
7.4
4.0

0
0
39.5
0
0
0
20.3
0
14.0
0
0
26.2
0
0

0
0
4.5
6.5
9.6
19.9
49.6
9.9
0
0
0
0
0
0

T o ta l.______________________

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Under $1,500____ _________________
$1,500 and under $1,600__________
$1,600 and under $1,700__________
$1,700 and under $1,800. _ . .
$1,800 and under $1,900... . . . . .
$1,900 and under $2,000... - - - - - $2,000 and under $2,100____________
$2,100 and under $2,200____________
$2,200 and under $2,300___ - ____
$2,300 and under $2,400____ ____ _
$2,400 and under $2,500____________
$2,500 and under $2,600.-. . . . . . . .
$2,600 and under $2,700. . - . . - . . .
$2,700 and under $2,800. - - - - - - $2,800 and over ._ . . . . . . ________

1.9
1.6
1.0
4.5
6.7
23.7
11.6
14.9
5.7
7.8
6.0
2.3
10.9
.9
.5

0
0
0
0
0
41.9
9.3
17.7
0
6.3
5.5
0
19.3
0
0

7.1
0
4.5
6.0
0
14.6
4.7
24.8
15.8
13.5
3.3
5.7
0
0
0

2.8
3.6
0
9.4
16.5
8.2
22.2
11.5
3.9
7.9
3.4
4.5
3.9
1.1
1.1

1.4
4.0
1.6
7.8
15.5
8.0
9.5
5.2
12.8
6.9
12.1
2.3
8.1
3.3
1.5

4.3
0
4.7
9.0
18.2
22.4
4.1
25.2
4.6
7.5
0
0
0
0
0

2.5
1.3
0
1.2
8.4
64.6
8.5
2.8
2.0
5.5
0
3.2
0
0
0

0
0
0
16.8
12.2
22.6
0
11.3
5.8
27.5
0
0
3.8
0
0

11.8
14.4
7.5
11.5
7.0
0
20.6
19.2
2.7
5.3
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
4.0
4.8
32.8
5.0
8.9
9.1
2.5
26.6
3.9
2.4

0
0
0
0
14.9
21.3
18.2
0
6.6
15.2
15.7
8.1
0
0
0

0
0
0
2.9
4.9
14.2
43.0
15.8
7.8
3.2
8.2
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
59.8
0
0
14.0
0
0
0
26.2
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
5.9
6.3
7.8
9.3
15.5
4.6
13.2
3.3
34.1
0
0

T otal___________________ ___

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Under 50_________________ _______
50 and under 60___ _ __________ __
. ..
60 and under 70____ . . .
70 and under 80______
_____
80 and under 90___ ____ ______ __ _
90 and under 100____ . . . ______
100 and under 110________ _______
110 and under 120___________
___
120 and under 130________________
130 and under 140 . . . ___________
140 and under 150_________________
160 and under 170_____ __
170 and over____________

In dollar terms

1 Changes in average salaries for individual school systems were affected
b y shifts in the proportion of elementary- and secondary- school teachers
between 1941 and 1953. During this period, the proportion of elementary
teachers increased from about 56 to about 61 percent of all urban teachers;

as their salaries were lower in general, the average increases shown here are
below the rise that would have been shown if the proportions had remained
constant.
2 See footnote 4 to table 1 for composition of regions.

teachers in the Southwest, included in the survey,
were employed in communities where average
salaries were raised by at least 90 percent. In
the Southeast, over half were employed in com­
munities where the average increase amounted to
130 percent but less than 150 percent. In the
Middle Atlantic, New England, and Pacific re­
gions, no increase averaged as much as 120 per­
cent. The most common change in three re­
gions— New England, Border States, and Great
Lakes— was 80 to 90 percent. In the Middle
Atlantic region where almost half of the urban

teachers were in New York City, the average
increase was less than 60 percent.
The average dollar increase in cities employing
about 65 percent of the teachers in the Middle
Atlantic region was $1,900 but less than $2,000.
About 2 out of 5 urban teachers in the Southwest
were employed in communities in which the aver­
age salary was raised by $2,000 but less than
$2,100.


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— R u t h W. B e n n y
D ivision of Wages and Industrial Relations

WAGES IN LEATHER TANNING AND FINISHING

Wage Structure in Leather
Tanning and Finishing, May 1954
P r o d u c t io n w o r k e r s in the leather tanning and
finishing industry averaged $1.69 an hour in May
1954, exclusive of premium pay for overtime and
nightwork. Men earned, on the average, $1.72
an hour; this exceeded by 29 cents an hour the
average for women. Among the selected occupa­
tions studied, average hourly earnings for men
ranged on an industrywide basis from $1.38 for
janitors to $2.08 for shaving-machine operators.
Women’s earnings averaged from $1.35 for finished
leather sorters to $1.60 for machine ironers.
Regionally, earnings varied widely, ranging
from $1.18 an hour in the Southeast, where less
than 4 percent of the workers were employed, to
$1.81 in New England. Hourly earnings aver­
aged $1.66 in the Middle Atlantic States and
$1.74 in the Great Lakes.
Incentive systems of wage payment were com­
mon in the industry. Nearly half of the workers
had their pay based on some form of incentive,
and in many of the occupations studied, the
average for these workers exceeded that of time
workers by 35 cents or more. Most workers
were provided supplementary wage benefits, in­
cluding vacations, holiday pay, and various insur­
ance benefits.
Labor-management agreements covering wages
and working conditions were widespread through­
out the industry. Such agreements were in
effect in tanneries with 70 percent of the produc­
tion workers.

Industry Characteristics

The leather tanning and finishing industry, as
defined for purposes of the Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics study, includes establishments primarily en­
gaged in tanning, currying, and finishing sole and
belting leathers, upper and lining leathers, and
miscellaneous specialty leathers, and in emboss­
ing, japanning, and currying leather.1
Modern technology has brought changes in the
methods used in the tanning and manufacture of
leather and its products, as it has in many old


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199
handicraft processes. Tanning transforms hides
and skins of animals and reptiles into leather
through treatment with various chemicals and
bark extracts. Currently, the so-called vege­
table and the chrome tanning processes are the
two most commonly used. Vegetable tanning,
in which extracts from bark and wood of trees are
used, is a slow process that may extend over
several months. The chrome method, which uses
chromic salts as the tanning agent, is a much more
rapid process lasting from a few hours to a day or
more, according to the hides or skins being tanned.
Leather for shoe soles, industrial belting, and
luggage is usually produced from heavy hides
tanned by the vegetable process. Today most
shoe upper, garment, and glove leathers are made
of chrome-tanned light hides and skins. Some
leathers are tanned by a combination of the two
methods. A small proportion of skins are tanned
by the alum and oil processes. After tanning,
leather may be bleached, dyed, or finished.
Among the various finishes are smooth, embossed,
patent, and suede.
The type of hides and skins processed varies
from region to region. To a considerable extent,
individual centers of the industry tended to special­
ize in tanning certain types of hides and skins
as well as in the further processing of the leather.
For example, the tanning of calf and cowhide
upper leather and sheepskins for various uses was
important in the Boston area, which included
Peabody, Salem, and Lynn; kid tanning was
primarily concentrated in the Philadelphia-Wilmington area; glove-leather tanning was centered
in Fulton County, N. Y. (Gloversville-Johnstown);
and in the Great Lakes area, cowhide and calf
uppers were most important. Tanneries special­
izing in sole and belting leathers, however, were
distributed among several regions. This spe­
cialization was reflected in occupational struc­
tures and skill requirements— factors which, to­
gether with product differences, accounted for a
large part of the interarea or regional variations
in earnings.
i Industry classification 3111 as defined In the Standard Industrial Classi­
fication Manual, vol. 1, Manufacturing Industries, Bureau of the Budget,
November 1945.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics study excluded establishments having
fewer than 21 workers.

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

200

tanneries, and for 12 to 19 percent of the leather
workers in other regions, except the Southeast
where less than 1 percent of the workers fell into
this category. Conversely, hourly earnings aver­
aged from 75 cents to $1 for 30 percent of the
tanning and finishing workers in the Southeast
and for less than 1 percent in each of the other
regions.

Average Hourly Earnings

Exclusive of premium pay for overtime and
shiftwork, the earnings of production workers in
leather tanning and finishing plants averaged
$1.69 an hour in May 1954 (table 1). Relatively
few (1 y2percent) of the industry’s 34,000 workers av­
eraged under $ 1 an hour; a fifth had hourly earnings
of less than $1.40, and a similar proportion averaged
$2 or more. There was no marked concentration
of workers at any point of the earnings scale.
A lm ost half of the leather workers had earnings
of $1.30 to $1.75 an hour and were about equally
grouped in each of the 5-cent earnings classes
within this range (table 2);

By Sex. As would be expected in an industry in
which men accounted for 90 percent of the pro­
duction labor force, average pay levels and wage
distributions for men closely paralleled those for
all production workers combined. Average earn­
ings were, at most, 3 cents higher for men than
for all workers in the same region. On an industry­
wide basis, men averaged $1.72 an hour.
The comparatively small number (3,500) of
women production workers, generally employed
on leather finishing operations, earned $1.43 an

By Region? Hourly earnings averaged highest in
New England ($1.81) where 27 percent of the
leather workers were employed. In the Great
Lakes and Middle Atlantic regions, each with
slightly larger proportion of the industry’s
work force than New England, hourly earnings
were somewhat lower, averaging $1.74 and $1.66,
respectively. The lowest regional average was
$1.18 in the Southeast, where 4 percent of the
workers in the industry were employed.
Earnings averaged $2 or more an hour for 31
percent of the workers in the New England
T

able

1.—

N u m ber

of

2 The regions used in this study are: New England— Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, N ew Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle
Atlantic—New Jersey, N ew York, and Pennsylvania; Border—Delaware,
District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia;
Southeast—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Tennessee; Great Lakes—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, M inne­
sota, Ohio, and Wisconsin; Middle West—Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, and South Dakota; Southwest—Arkansas, Louisiana, Okla­
homa, and Texas; Mountain—Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New
Mexico, Utah, and W yom ing; Pacific— California, Nevada, Oregon, and
Washington.

p r o d u c t io n w o r k e r s a n d a v era g e s t r a ig h t -t im e h o u r l y e a r n i n g s 1 i n lea th er
e s t a b lis h m e n t s b y s electe d c h a r a c te r is tic s a n d r e g i o n , M a y 1 9 5 4

United States2
Item

Number
of
workers

$1.6 9

3 ,8 2 0
3 ,458
12,919
3 ,647
437
295
1,462
278
7,7 6 8

1.6 8
1.8 4
1.7 9
1.46
1.4 3
1.21
1 .8 0
1 .7 9
1 .5 7

Labor-management contract coverage:
Union establishments________________
Nonunion establishments____________
Establishment size:

23,774
10,310

workers_________________ _____

9 ,2 1 7

$1.81

1,982
4 ,7 6 8

1 .9 0
1 .8 0

Product:

101-250

Community size:
Under 100,000__________________ ________
100,000 or m ore..- -- ------------------------M ethod of wage payment:
T im e________________________________
Incentive____________________________

Border States

Southeast

Great Lakes

$ 1.66

2,7 1 4

$1.5 3

2,2 2 3

1.6 5

1,1 8 2

1.71

2,9 8 0
1,626

1 .7 6
1.5 6

1,011

10,458

1,215

$ 1.1 8

1 .3 9

585

1 .1 9

871

1 .2 4

Average
hourly
earn­
ings

9 ,5 6 2

$ 1.74

1 .073
4 ,2 8 5

1.7 4
1 .8 4

3 ,474

1.61

7 ,0 3 5
2, 527

1.7 9
1.58

1 ,193
1 ,793
6 ,5 7 6

1 .3 6
1.6 8
1.82

703

1.8 5

, Ï 58

1.7 4

376
278
2 ,412

1 .8 0
1.7 9
1.5 6

1.7 2
1.6 2

6 ,4 6 2
2, 755

1 .8 6
1.6 8

7,283
3 ,1 7 5

1 .6 4
1.71

1 ,434
1 ,280

1 .4 2
1 .6 4

7 ,177
9 ,395
17, 512

1 .5 5
1 .6 2
1.78

2 ,616
2 ,666
3 ,9 3 5

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

2 ,165
2 ,595
5,698

1 .5 4
1.6 5
1.71

1,144

1.39

14,345
19,739

1 .6 5
1.71

2,569
6 ,648

1 .6 0
1 .8 9

5. 223
5 ,235

1.6 8
1.6 4

1,372
1,342

1 .3 6
1 .7 0

951

1 .2 4

4, 230
5 ,332

1 .8 4
1.6 6

17, 9 C3
16,181

1 .4 9
1.91

4,081
5,1 3 6

1 .5 6
2 .0 0

5,658
4 ,8 0 0

1 .4 7
1 .8 8

1,489
1,225

1 .3 3
1.77

858
357

1 .0 9
1.3 9

5 ,030
4 ,5 3 2

1 .5 7
1 .9 5

1 Excludes premium pay for overtime and late-shift work.
2 Includes data for regions not shown separately.


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M iddle Atlantic

a n a fin is h in g

Average Number Average Number Average Number Average Number Average Number
hourly
hourly
hourly
hourly
hourly
of
of
of
of
of
earn­
earn­
earn­
earn­
earn­
workers
workers
workers
workers
workers
ings
ings
ings
ings
ings

34,084

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

N ew England

ta n n in g

ï

N ote .—D ashes indicate no data or insufficient data to warrant presenta­
tion.

WAGES IN LEATHER TANNING AND FINISHING
T a b l e 2. —

P ercent

d i s t r ib u t io n

of

'p ro d u ctio n

w ork ers

201
in

lea th er t a n n i n g a n d f i n i s h i n g e s ta b lis h m e n ts b y a v era g e
s t r a i g h t -t i m e h o u r ly e a r n in g s 1 a n d r e g io n , M a y 1951+

Average hourly earnings1 United
N ew
M iddle Border South- Great
(in cents)
States2 England Atlantic States east Lakes
75 and under 80_. _
80 and under 8 5 ________
85 and under 90__________
90 and under 9 5 ___ . . .
95 and under 100_____
100 and under 105..
105 and under 110______
110 and under 115. ___
115 and under 120______
120 and under 125_______
125 and under 130_____ .
130 and under 135______
135 and under 140... .
140 and under 1 4 5 . ..____
145 and under 150.. .
150 and under 1 5 5 ______
155 and under 160_. _
160 and under 165 . . .
165 and under 170____ . .
170 and under 175___ . . _
175 and under 180 __
180 and under 185... . . .
185 and under 1 90 ____
190 and under 195.. ._ .
195 and under 200___
200 and under 205___ ____
205 and under 2 1 0 _____
210 and under 2 1 5 ___ . . .
215 and under 220________
220 and under 225______
225 and under 230.
230 and under 235________
235 and under 240______
240 and under 245___
245 and under 250 . . . . .
250 and over_______ _
T otal___ __________
N um ber of w ork ers_____
Average hourly earnings A

0.1
.l
.2
.6
.5
1.0
1.4
2.0
1.5
2.4
3.4
4.7
4.9
5.4
5.8
5.8
5.7
6.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
4.3
3.6
3.5
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.3
1.7
1.7
1.6
1.6
.8
.9
.7
3.2

(3)
(3)

( 3)

(3)
0. 2
.4
.5
1.3
.8
1.1
2.5
1.7
4.9
3.1
5.5
5.2
5.0
9.0
5.8
4.2
3.6
4.1
3.4
3.4
3.3
3.4
4.4
4.0
2.6
2.8
2.9
2.4
1.1
1.1
1.2
5.0

0.1
.1
.6
.6
2.5
1.6
2.2
3.3
8.3
7.1
6.8
7.9
7.0
5.2
5.4
3.6
4.4
3.6
4.0
3.4
3.6
2.7
2.7
1.6
2.0
1.0
.8
.9
.9
.9
.8
.7
3.6

0.1
.5
3.4
2.6
3.7
5.9
5.9
10.5
7.1
6.3
7.0
5.4
6.9
3.1
4.9
3.5
2.1
2.4
2.3
1.4
2.6
.6
.7
2.0
.4
.6
.7
.8
1.4
.4
.1
.6
4. 2

1.3
2. 7
4.4
13.5
8.3
6.1
7.0
5.3
4.0
8.2
9.8
6.4
5.6
4.0
2.2
2.6
2.0
2.3
2.1
.7
.3
.3
.4

.1

.1
.1

(3)
(3)
0.1
1.3
.9
.6
1.9
1.8
2.9
2.5
5.4
4.7
5.6
8.8
5.8
6.4
6.4
5.5
5.8
5.3
4. 4
4.4
3. 5
2.4
1.9
2.1
2.0
1.6
2.1
.7
1.1
.6
1.4

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

34,084
$1.69

9, 217
$1.81

10,458
$1.66

2,714
$1. 53

1,215
$1.18

9, 562
$1.74

1
2

Excludes premium pay for overtime and nightwork.
Includes data for regions not shown separately.
3 Less than 0.05 percent.
N ote .—B ecause of rounding, sums of individual items do not necessarily
equal totals.

hour, on the average. Earnings of two-thirds of
the women ranged from $1.25 to $1.75. Regionally,
women earned the most ($1.55) in the Great
Lakes States, whereas men received highest pay
in New England. Very few women were employed
in the Southeast and none were found in the
Pacific region.
By Type oj Product. Straight-time hourly earn­
ings in tanneries primarily processing leather for
shoe uppers were from 22 to 41 cents an hour more
than in those producing leather for soles and shoe
linings. Workers processing cowhide uppers,
accounting for three-eighths of the employment in
the industry, had average earnings of $1.79 an
hour. Those working on calf and kid uppers,
each group representing a tenth of the industry’s
employment, averaged $1.84 and $1.68, respec­
tively.
Cowhide sole-leather workers, also a
tenth of the industry’s work force, averaged $1.46

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an hour. Within the smaller product groups,
workers producing leathers for shoe linings and
gloves from sheepskins averaged $1.43 and $1.79,
respectively. Belting-leather workers averaged
$1.21 an hour; clothing-leather workers, $1.80;
and workers on other types of leather, $1.57.
By Size oj Establishment and Area. In May 1954,
half of the industry’s employment was in tanneries
having a labor force of 251 or more workers,
slightly over a fourth in plants with 101 to 250
workers, and about a fifth in plants with 21 to 100
workers. Earnings in the industry tended to be
lowest in the smaller plants and to increase with
establishment size. For the country as a whole,
average hourly earnings ranged from $1.55 in
the smallest plants to $1.78 in the largest plants
(table 1).
Nearly three-fifths of the industry’s total em­
ployment was in communities of 100,000 or more
population. A comparison of job averages for
such communities with those for communities
of 100,000 or less population indicated that, for
the country as a whole, earnings were higher in
the larger communities. In the Middle Atlantic
and Great Lakes regions, however, higher job
averages prevailed in the smaller communities for
many of the occupations.
Among the 6 major production centers for which
separate estimates were obtained, hourly earnings
were highest ($1.89) in the Boston area where a
sixth of the industry’s workers were concentrated,
and lowest ($1.66) in the Philadelphia-Wilmington
area which has the second largest concentration.
Averages for the other centers were grouped at
the $1.72-$1.76 level.
incentive Earnings

Incentive methods of wage payment were ex­
tensively used in the leather tanning and finishing
industry and were applicable to nearly half of the
total production worker employment. About 55
percent of the men employed in New England
leather plants and approximately 45 percent of
those in the Middle Atlantic and Great Lakes
regions, had their pay computed under terms of an
incentive system. Half of the women leather
workers in New England, a third of those in the
Middle Atlantic region, and three-fifths of those
in the Great Lakes States were similarly paid.

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

202

Occupational Wage Levels

Industrywide, workers paid under incentive
methods in May 1954 earned, on the average,
$1.91 an hour, as compared with $1.49 for the
time-rated workers.
Average hourly earnings of men incentive work­
ers exceeded those of time workers by 22 percent
in the Great Lakes region and by 28 percent in
the New England and Middle Atlantic States.
Differentials favoring women incentive workers
showed a greater variation, ranging from 14 per­
cent in the Middle Atlantic to 34 percent in the
Great Lakes region; in New England the differ­
ential was 19 percent.
T

able

3 .— A v e r a g e

s tr a i g h t -t i m e

h o u r ly

e a r n in g s1 o f

Among the 31 selected occupations in the leather
tanning and finishing industry studied on a nation­
wide basis in May 1954, average hourly earnings
of men ranged from $1.38 for janitors to $2.08 for
shaving-machine operators.
Tackers, togglers,
and pasters, machine buffers, machine stakers,
and operators of glazing and splitting machines
also had earnings averaging over $1.90 an hour
(table 3).
Women were found in sufficient numbers in 10
of the jobs studied to warrant presentation of

w orkers

in

selecte d

o c c u p a t io n s

in

lea th er

ta n n in g

and

fin is h in g

establishments by region, M a y 1954
Average hourly earnings in—

United States *
Occupation and sex

N um ber
of workers

Average
hourly
earnings

N ew
England

Production Occupations—M en

Beamsters, hand______________________________
Bleachers....... ............ -........................................... .
Buffers, machine_____________________________
Buzzle----------- -----------------------------------------Small automatic___ _______________________
Large automatic__________________________
Overshot............................... .................-..........
Carpenters, maintenance..... .................. .................
Colorers, fat liquorers, or oilwheel operators............
Embossing- or plating-press operators....................
Firemen, stationary boiler_____________________
Fleshing-machine operators____________________
Glazing-machine operators......................................
Haulers....... - ...........................................................
Ironers, machine..-------------------------- ------ --------Janitors..---------------------- ------------------------------Laborers, material handling, dry work__________
Laborers, material handling, wet work__________
Liquor men..... ........................................................
Mechanics, maintenance______________________
Measuring-machine operators__________________
Rolling-machine operators_____________________
Seasoners, hand--------------------------------------------Seasoners, machine___________________________
Setters-out, machine__________________________
Shaving-machine operators......................................
Sorters, hide house-----------------------------------------Sorters, finished leather_______________________
Splitting-machine operators.....................................
Stakers, machine.....................................................
Staffers, hand-------------- --------------------------------Tackers, togglers, or pasters.....................................
Tackers..............................................................
Togglers.............................................................
Rasters------------------- -------------------------------Trimmers, beam or hide house, hand.....................
Trimmers, dry..... .................. ................................
Unhairing-machine operators___________________

M iddle
Atlantic

Border
States

Southeast

$1.20
1.25
1.37

$2. 09
2.12
2.08
2.10
2.06
1.86
1.68
1.79
1.63
1.93
2.01
1.67
1. 56
1.41
1.41
1. 54
1.71
1.80
1. 60
1.66
1.99
1.91
1.86
2.26
1.79
1.78
2.00
2.05

$1.88
1.89
1.93
2.00
1.95
1.89
1.67
1.61
1.57
1.63
1.48
1.88
1.94
1.62
1.52
1.37
1.42
1.56
1.66
1.69
1. 55
1.76
1. 51
1.55
1.72
2.04
1.89
1. 74
1.87
1.90

$1.55
1.39
2.10
1.47

1.62
1.49
1.42
1.53
2.02
1.72
1.66
1.40
2.22

1.42
1.11
1.31
1.16
1.18

2.14
2.06
2.11
2.22
1.95
1.86
1.95

1.91
2.08
2.05
1.75
1.91
1.68
1.81

1.86
1.81
1.88

1.25
1.03

1.41
1. 51
1.60
1.42
1.47
1. 52
1. 45
1.35
1.41
1.48

1.47
1.44
1.56
1.35
1.52
1.54

1.19

1.39
1.55
1.63
1.33
1.43
1.38
1.29

1. 50
1.48

1.23
1.21

202
67
1,262
230
576
369
87
150
958
708
504
620
526
1,350
81
218
1,047
896
202
535
280
363
252
582
1,032
874
194
465
425
1,060
46
2,322
347
904
1,071
690
239
253

$1.71
1.50
2.01
2.01
2.00
2.04
1.89
1. 70
1.66
1.78
1.54
1.84
1.96
1.62
1.43
1.38
1.44
1.55
1.64
1.74
1.60
1.68
1.65
1.80
1.77
2.08
1.84
1.75
1.91
1.97
1.53
1.99
1.93
2.01
1.99
1.81
1.71
1.81

127
82
127
164
338
478
43
61
95
367
132
101

1.21
1. 34
1.38
1.40
1. 51

1.66
1.64
1.59

$1.74

1.36

2.04
1.84
2.13
1.94

1.19
1.37
1.25
1.11
1.28
1.17
1.22

1.88
1.81
1.93
1.68
1.87
1.88
1.65

2.32
1.56
1.40
1.99
1.37
1.60
2.45
1. 57

Great
Lakes

1.16
1.24
1.43

1.46
1.26
1.26

1.37
1.23
1.30

1.43
1.53
1.63
1.79
1.83
1. 65
1.62
1.86
1.84
1.84
1.99
1.99
1.79
2.01
1.92
1.60
1.97
1.70
1.92
2.02
1.71
1.61
1.94

Production Occupations— Women

Embossing- or plating-press operators___________
Glazing-machine operators_____________________
Ironers, machine.....................................................
Measuring-machine operators.................................
Seasoners, hand..----- -------- ---------------------------Seasoners, machine.................................................
Setters-out, machine................................................
Sorters, finished leather_______________________
Tackers, togglers, or pasters____________________
Trimmers, dry_______________________________

1.21
1.45
1.57

1.46
1.42
1.37
1.24
1. 56
1.23
1.39

1.61
1.45

1. 77
1.51
1.71
1.46
1.56
1. 77
.85

1.69
1.83
1.46

Office Occupations—Women
Clerks, payroll................................................................
Stenographers, general..................................................
1 Excludes premium pay for overtime and nightwork.
s Includes data for regions not shown separately.


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1.29
1.38

1.84
1.79

N o t e .—Dashes indicate no data or insufficient data to warrant presentation.

WAGES IN LEATHER TANNING AND FINISHING

separate data. Generally, these were in the
finishing departments and averaged between $1.41
and $1.52 an hour, except for finished-leather
sorters and machine ironers, the averages were
$1.35 and $1.60, respectively. In the jobs in
which both men and women were employed,
average earnings of men generally exceeded those
of women by 11 to 41 percent.
Among the three leading tanning regions,
occupational earnings generally averaged highest
in New England for men and in the Great Lakes
for women, and lowest in the Middle Atlantic
region for both men and women. Earnings levels
in the New England and Great Lakes regions
exceeded the industry average, while an opposite
tendency prevailed in the Middle Atlantic States.
According to major products of establishments,
average hourly earnings of selected occupations
were usually highest in the calf and cowhide upper
leather plants. For men, earnings averaged low­
est in sole and belting leather plants, and for
women, in tanneries producing kid uppers and
sheepskin shoe linings.
One of the factors affecting wage levels was the
method of wage payment. Over half the men in
17 of the 31 job categories studied had their pay
based on some form of incentive, such as piece­
work, bonus, or task system. Only in mainte­
nance and custodial jobs were incentive methods
of pay uncommon.
Earnings of incentive workers typically aver­
aged from 15 to 35 percent above those of time­
rated workers in the same job. On a cents-perhour basis, the differential in favor of incentive
workers generally amounted to 30 or more cents
an hour. These relationships held within indi­
vidual regions as well as on an industrywide basis.
Related Wage Practices

Work schedules of 40 hours a week applied to
nearly all production workers in the industry in
May 1954. About 5 percent of the workers in the
Middle Atlantic States were on a 32- or 35-hour
work schedule at the time of the study, and ap­
proximately 15 percent of the Great Lakes leather
workers had workweeks of 45 to 49 hours. Vir­
tually all other workers were on a 40-hour schedule.
Payment of premium rates for second- and
third-shift work was an established policy through­
out most of the industry. Usually, the differen­

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203
tial payments amounted to 5 cents an hour for
the second shift and from 5 to 10 cents for the
third shift. Shift operations, however, were in­
frequent at the time of the survey with secondand third-shift workers accounting for 9 and 2
percent, respectively, of the total industry employ­
ment.
Paid holidays were in effect for more than 90
percent of the production workers in the industry.
Seven days a year were provided a majority of
the production workers in the tanneries of the
New England, Middle Atlantic, and Border States.
In the Great Lakes region, most leather workers
were granted 6 paid holidays annually and a fifth
received 7 days a year (table 4).
T able 4.—

P e r c e n t o f p r o d u c t io n
w ork ers
em p lo yed
in
lea th er t a n n i n g a n d f i n i s h i n g e s t a b lis h m e n t s w ith f o r m a l
p r o v i s i o n s f o r s electe d s u p p l e m e n t a r y w a g e b e n efits 1 b y
r e g io n , M a y 1 9 5 4

Item

Paid vacations:
After 1 year’s service,
to ta l3---------- -------------1 week of regular pay __
2 weeks of regular pay.
2 percent of annual

United New
States2 Eng­
land

99
87
4

100
98

100
91
7

15

22

9

100
4
94

100
M
90

100
5
80

100

99
7
81

7

15

22

9

100
29
61

100
41
39

100
22
56

99
21
59

7
After 5 years’ service,
to ta l3 ----- ------------------1 week of regular pay- 2 weeks of regular pay.
4 percent of annual

99
4
87
7

After 25 years’ service,
total3_ __ -------2 weeks of regular pay.
3 weeks of regular pay.
4 percent of annual

99
28
59

100
25
69

6 days___________________
7 days___________________
Insurance and pension plans:6
Life insurance_____
Accidental death and dismemberment insuranceSickness and accident insurance.- __________ __
Hospitalization insurance.
Surgical insurance______
Medical insurance______
Retirement pensions_____

100
81
4

100
78

78

99
75
13

3

7

4
96
(<)
5
36
45
9

(<)
100

15
100

4
32
60
4

16
25
59

22
28

71
22

6 percent or more of
Paid h olidays:5 T otal_______

M id ­
dle Border South­ Great
A t­ States east Lakes
lantic

96
(<)
8
10
53
23

22
91
41

9
93

84

76

88

92

88

87

35

31

33

57

36

36

78
86
80
34
27

73
74
71
25
19

87
97
88
42
33

76
92
77
25
53

71
44
44
8
20

73
91
87
36
24

1 Supplementary benefits were treated on the basis that if formal provisions
in an establishment were applicable to half or more of the workers, the bene­
fit was considered applicable to all workers. Because of length-of-service
and other eligibility requirements, the proportion of workers currently
receiving the benefits m ay be smaller than estimated. Due to rounding,
sums of individual items do not always equal totals.
2 Includes data for regions not shown separately.
2 Includes provisions in addition to those shown separately.
* Less than 2.5 percent.
5 Lim ited to full-day holidays provided annually.
6 Includes only those plans for which at least a part of the cost is borne
b y the employer and excludes legally required plans, such as workmen’s
compensation and social security. In addition to the plans listed, data
were collected on sick leave provisions and catastrophe insurance. Fewer
than 10 percent of the workers were covered b y such plans.

204

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

Vacations with pay were established policies in
virtually all leather tanning and finishing plants.
In all regions, the typical vacation provisions for
production workers were 1 week after a year’s
service and 2 weeks after 5 years’ service. Threefifths of the production workers were in establish­
ments that provided 3 weeks’ vacation pay to
employees with 25 years’ service. Vacation pro­
visions for office workers tended to be more liberal
than for production workers.
Profit-sharing or Christmas bonus plans were
reported for tanneries employing three-tenths of
the industry’s work force. Among the regions,
such plans included tanning establishments with
seven-tenths of the leather workers in the Great
Lakes and three-tenths of those in the New
England and Southeast regions.

Insurance benefits in addition to those required
by law, for which at least part of the cost was paid
by the employer, were available to practically all
of the workers in the industry. Life, sickness
and accident, hospitalization, and surgical plans
were the most common type of insurance provided
(table 4).
Retirement plans were reported by leather
tanning establishments employing from a fifth to
a third of the production workers in each region
except the Border and Pacific. Half of the
workers in the Border States were in tanneries
with such plans. No pension plans were reported
for tanning establishments in the Pacific States.

Family Income and Expenditures

surveyed, 16 percent had average annua 1 income
below $1,000; 61 percent, between $1,000 and
$3,000; and 23 percent, more than $3,000. As
incomes rose, families devoted a smaller propor­
tion of their total outlay to food, housing, fuel
and utilities, and personal care (table 1). On the
other hand, the higher income families spent
proportionately more for clothing, housefurnishings and household operation, automobile pur­
chase and upkeep, medical care, education, recrea­
tion, tobacco and alcoholic beverages, and miscel­
laneous items, such as gifts and contributions to
persons outside the economic family. Public
transportation took the same share of the family
budget at all income levels.

in Panama City, 1952
T h e R e p u b l i c o f P a n a m a in July 1954 began
compiling its first comprehensive index of con­
sumer prices paid by families living in Panama
City. A study of incomes and expenditures of
449 families was carried out in the summer of
1953 to establish commodity weights for the con­
sumer price index.1 It also yielded valuable
byproduct information on the social and economic
status of Panama City families. For example,
food accounted for 41 percent of the expenditures
for low- and moderate-income families (table 1).
This is a lower percentage than that indicated in
recent studies available for other Latin-American
countries.2
The average income of all families surveyed
was $2,174 in 1952.3 The range, however, was
extremely broad, with family incomes being found
as low as $200 per year to more than $13,000.
The average family size was 5.0 persons.
Although not designed specifically for the
purpose, the Panama City study gives some
indication of differences in consumption habits
of various economic groups. Of the families


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— J ohn

F.

L a c is k e y

Division of Wages and Industrial Relations

1 The study was conducted b y Luisa E. Quesada under the direction of
Carmen A. M iró, Director of the Bureau of Statistics and Census. A
representative of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor,
assigned to the Institute of Inter-American Affairs of the Foreign Operations
Administration, acted as statistical consultant. The sample of families in­
cluded in the study was designed b y Dr. Pei-Ching Tang, a United Nations
sampling expert. Detailed results of the study are available upon request
to the Dirección de Estadística y Censo, Ciudad de Panamá, República de
Panamá.
2 Year Book of Labour Statistics, 1953, International Labor Office,
Geneva (summary data from 12 studies); Indice e Indices de Precios al
Consumidor para Familias de las Clases M edia y Obrera de Quito, Direc­
ción General de Estadística y Censo, Quito, Ecuador, Junio de 1953, and
Informe Preliminar sobre la Encuesta de los Gastos de 258 Familias de la
Ciudad de San José, Dirección General de Estadística, San José, Costa
Rica, Febrero de 1950.
3 The balboa, standard currency of the R epublic of Panama, has an ex­
change value of $1 in U. S. currency.

INCOME AND EXPENDITURES IN PANAMA CITY

Data for low- and moderate-income families
were tabulated separately since the consumer
price index for Panama City is designed to relate
to this group. Specifically included in this
category of “ index families” were those of wage
earners, clerical workers, and such self-employed
persons as operators of small businesses, whose
annual incomes were from $1,000 to $3,000. The
detailed expenditures of these families were used
to derive the index weights and form the basis
of the analysis which follows.
Income

The average annual income for the families
selected for the index was $1,716. Income from
wages and salaries accounted for 70 percent of
the total, and that from small-business activities
20 percent. Six percent of the total income was
derived from gifts and contributions from persons
outside the economic family. The average family
had two earners, both of whom worked during
the full survey year. The chief earner in most
families was the head of the household who pro­
vided two-thirds of the family’s income.
Members of the families surveyed were engaged
in many industries and trades; some families
T

able

1.—

A v e r a g e a n n u a l ex p e n d itu r e s o f fa m i li e s b y in c o m e
level, P a n a m a C i t y , 1 9 5 2

Families with average
annual incomes—
Item of expenditure

Num ber of families____
_______________
Average size of fam ily.__
___ _ ________
Average annual expenditures for current consum ption.
__ . . . . . . .
__
.....

All
families Un­ $1,000
$3,000
and
der
and
$1,000 under over
$3,000 1
449
5.0

71
3.6

$2, 282

$781

102
6.0

276
5.0

$1,825 $4, 561

Percentage distribution

Clothing_____ _____ _____ ___________
_ _
H ousing_____ _ ____ _____________________
Fuel, light, refrigeration, water, and telephone___________________
___ _____
H ousefurnishings________
. . . ___ _
Household operation
. . . . _____ . . . .
Recreation______________________ . . .
Medical care.. _____________ . . . _. _______
Personal care____________________ _ _ _ _ _ _
Automobile purchase and upkeep_____ _____
Other transportation______ . _
_ _____
E d u ca tion ._ ________ . . . _ ______ _ _____
Tobacco and alcoholic beverages____________
Miscellaneous2. . _
. . . _________ ._
T o t a l . . . _______ _____ _______________

36.7
13.5
10.0

47.6
8.8
12.9

41.2
13.5
9.1

30.6
14.0
10.7

3.8
5.2
4.4
7.1
2.8
2.7
2.9
3.0
1.6
2.9
3.4

5.3
2.7
3.7
6.0
2.6
3.3
2.8
.7
2.2
1.4

4.0
5.2
3.4
7.2
2.1
3.0
.8
3.1
1.1
3.4
2.9

3.4
5.5
5.6
7.1
3.7
2.3
5.4
2.9
2.1
2.5
4.2

100.0 100.0

100.0

100.0

1 Low - and moderate-income families whose expenditures were used to
derive weights for the consumer price index.
2 Includes gifts and contributions to persons outside the economic family,
interest, funeral expense, etc.


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205
T able 2.—

A v e r a g e w e e k l y e x p e n d i t u r e s f o r f o o d b y all
f a m i l i e s a n d l o w - a n d m o d e r a t e -i n c o m e f a m i l i e s ,1 P a n a m a
C ity, 1 9 5 3

Item

Average expenditure for—
Food and alcoholic beverages__________
Food prepared and eaten at home_______

All families

Low- and
moderateincome
families 1

$18.13
17.37

$16.46
15. 79

Percentage distribution—
Food prepared and eaten
at home
Meat, poultry, and fish________________ __
Dairy products___ _______ ___ ________
Eggs_______________ ___________
Fats and oils_______________ __ _ _ ...
Cereals and bakery products______
_____
Vegetables, fresh, dried, and canned________
Fruits, fresh, dried, and canned____________
Sugar____ _ _ _______________ _
Beverages, nonalcoholic___ ._ _________
Miscellaneous_____ ____ __________

32.5
12.8
2. 9
4.9
16.6
17.3
5.8
2.8
3.3
1. 1

31.4
12.0
2.5
5.2
17.9
17.8
5.8
3. 0
3.2
1.2

Total____________________ _________

100.0

100.0

1 Families with average annual incomes of $1,000 and under $3,000.

operated food stalls in the markets and others
sold cooked food, groceries, vegetables, or charcoal
from their homes. In many instances, family
members worked as street vendors or as laun­
dresses or dressmakers in their own homes.
Expenditures

The average expenditures of all index families
was $1,825 for current consumption during the
year and another $10 for personal insurance.
The excess of average expenditures over average
family income as reported was made up in part
by small sums from other sources— increased
debts; loans from banks, individuals, and pawn­
shops; disposal of assets; and withdrawals from
past savings. An average balancing difference of
$73 was unexplained.4
Food. The index families spent a weekly aver­
age of $15.79 for food prepared and eaten in the
home (table 2). Foods for which relative impor­
tance increased proportionately with higher in­
comes included chickens, dairy products, eggs,
and canned fruits and vegetables.
Among the most important items of food ex­
penditures are beef, which accounted for 56 per­
cent of all meat, poultry, and fish purchases;
evaporated and powdered milk; rice, bread, and
4
In studies of this nature, income figures are frequently understated and
the difference between average expenditures and average income cannot be
taken as an indication that the group as a whole spent more than it earned.

206

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

macaroni; lard and cooking oil; potatoes, ñame
(a root vegetable resembling potatoes), plátanos
(large cooking bananas), and eggs, coffee, and
sugar. Rice was of great importance, regardless
of the amount of family income. Weekly per
capita consumption averaged 2f pounds at an
average expenditure of 29 cents.
Housing and Household Operation. Even includ­
ing the cost of fuel and light, the index families
spent only 13 percent of their total expenditures
on housing. This low percentage is due partly
to the small size of dwelling units, lack of private
sanitary facilities, and the tropical climate which
eliminates the need for heat. Seven percent of
the families owned their own homes.
Most of the families lived in “ vecindads” —
dwelling units in structures containing two or
more units where all families share the use of the
sanitary facilities. More than two-thirds of
these units had 1 room, and about one-fourth had
2 rooms. Nearly all dwelling units had elec­
tricity. All families had access to cold water, but
many of them had to share the supply with other
families.
Eighty-three percent of the index families had
expenditures for kerosene, 30 percent purchased
charcoal, and only 12 percent had expenditures for
gas. Fuel purchases were entirely for cooking.
Over 70 percent of the families purchased ice for
refrigeration. Less than 2 percent of the families
had telephones. The monthly payments for
T able 3.— P e r

electricity, gas, and telephone service for those
families who had these conveniences averaged
$2.66, $4.34, and $4.37, respectively. Less than 8
percent of the families had servants, and usually
these were part-time workers.
The amount spent for housefurnishings in­
creased as income increased and the percent
distribution ranged from 4 to 6 percent of total
expenditures. On the average, about half of the
outlay for housefurnishings was made in cash, a
third at regular credit, and a fourth under the
“ club” or installment system. Each “ club”
purchase bears a number tied to the weekly
national lotteries so it is possible to “ win” the
article purchased before all payments are made.
Seventeen percent of all families surveyed reported
winnings of housefurnishings in 1952, averaging
$66.77 per family winning.
Clothing. Expenditures for clothing, including
yard goods and the expense for dressmaking and
tailoring, took 13.5 percent of total expenditures.
Because of Panama’s tropical climate, cotton
clothing is the most comfortable all year round.
Despite an average annual rainfall of around 70
inches, family expenditures for rainwear are
negligible. Local manufacturers produce shoes
for the family, work trousers and overalls, men’s
suits, and men’s and boys’ shirts and underwear.
All kinds of clothing and materials are imported
and subject to duty. Most imports are from the
United States, although clothing and yard goods

c a p i t a c lo th in g e x p e n d i t u r e s ( e x c e p t f o r i n f a n t s ) o f a ll f a m i l i e s a n d l o w - a n d m o d e r a t e -i n c o m e f a m i l i e s ,1 P a n a m a
C ity, 1 9 5 2

M en and boys 16 and
over
Item
All
families

Per capita annual expenditures.-...........................

$81.58

Low- and
moderateincome
families •
$71.62

W omen and girls 16 and
over

Boys 2 to 15

All
families

$28. 82

Low- and
moderateincome
families 1
$23. 93

All
families

$70.10

Low- and
moderateincome
families >

Girls 2 to 15

All
families

Low- and
moderateincome
families 1

$55.11

$36. 21

$24. 9$

19.1
11.4
2.5
4.6
23.4
20.8
7.4
5.8
5.0

16. 2
12.8
1.9
5,3
28.0
18.5
7.3

100.0

100.0

Percentage distribution
Suits, trousers, overalls_____________ _____ ______
Shirts........ . . . I . . . __________________ ______ ____
Dresses, skirts, blouses_________________________
Underwear__ 1_________________________________
Nightwear and bathrobes__________________ ____
Hosiery....................... ............................................ .
Footwear.___________________________________ .
Yard goods______________ ___________ ____ ____
Tailoring and dressmaking_____________________
Jewelry......... .......... ............ ............ ...........................
Accessories and miscellaneous__________________

22.7
17.9

20.1
17.8

28.8
13.3

27.4
11.9

8.6
2.0
3.6
17.5
6.8
7.4
6.9
6.6

8.8
1.8
3.2
18.2
8.2
8.8

4.3
2.3
4.6
29.7
7.9

4.6
1.6
4.6
32.7
9.0

3 .3

3.8

12. 4
19.1
5.3
4.3
22.8
15.1
4.8

7.3

1.8
4.0

.6

1 0 .0

5.8

3.8

6.2

8.5
21.0
4.5
3.1
23.2
17.2
4.7
11.4
6.4

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

1 0 0 .0

1 0 0 .0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

i Families with average annual incomes of $1,000 and under $3,000.


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5 .5

4. 5

N A T IO N A L OUTPUT A N D IN C O M E

from Mexico and Japan are beginning to appear in
the market. United States imports are high
priced relative to locally produced articles but
invariably are of better quality.
As in other Latin-American countries, sewing at
home is important. Table 3 shows that average
expenditures for ready-to-wear dresses, skirts, and
blouses for women and girls represented 8.5 percent
of the total clothing outlay, while those for yard
goods and dressmaking were 21.9 percent.
Miscellaneous. The types of expenditures which
were classified for the purpose of the study under
the heading of “ recreation” averaged 7 percent of
total annual expenditures for current consump­
tion. The largest proportion of money spent went
for national lottery tickets and similar expendi­
tures. Families spent an average of $177.91 a
year on games of chance. All but 2 percent of
them purchased lottery tickets. Average lottery
expenditures were $3.21 per week. Winnings
from the weekly lotteries, horse racing, and similar
activities were reported by 83 percent of the
families and averaged $127.11 per family during
1952. After deducting winnings from expendi­
tures, the study showed that the average index
family expended $50.80 in the year for various
forms of gambling.
Expenditures for transportation rose with family
income. The chief factor for the increase was the
automobile, since the average outlays for other
forms of transportation—principally bus fares —
increased but slightly with income. Four percent
of the families owned automobiles for family use.
About half of them purchased the cars during the
year. Net expenditures for the purchase of
automobiles—all used cars—averaged $180.88 per
family purchasing, and automobile operation cost
the families owning cars an average of $80.85
during the year.
Education claimed 1 percent of total expendi­
tures on the average. Two percent of the families
had members in the University of Panama and one
family had a member studying outside the country.
In general, the students enrolled in the national
university were between 25 and 35 years of age and
had full-time daytime jobs.
— P a u l in e B . P ar o
D ivision of Foreign Labor Conditions


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207

National Output and
Income, 1929-53
1929 and 1953, the physical volume of
goods and services produced by the United States
economy more than doubled, according to the 1954
National Income Supplement to the Survey of
Current Business.1 This rise in real output, from
which the influence of price change has been
eliminated, was somewhat smaller than the per­
centage increase in real personal income for the
Nation as a whole. With the sharply higher
taxes required by expanded governmental activi­
ties, however, real disposable personal income rose
considerably less than did either output or per­
sonal income.
The 1954 Supplement brings up to date the
material published in the 1951 Supplement, which
provided estimates and economic analysis for the
years 1929-50 2 and described fully the concepts,
methodology, and sources used in calculating out­
put and income figures. In addition to carrying
the figures and analysis through 1953, the new
report presents the data previously published but
with many of the figures (and, where appropriate,
the text) revised to reflect additional material—•
such as that provided by the postwar industrial
and population censuses— and improvements in
estimating techniques. Also, constant-dollar fig­
ures are given in terms of 1947 prices instead of
the 1939 prices previously used. The overall
patterns indicated in the earlier report are gener­
ally unchanged by this updating, and, in fact, the
revisions serve to confirm the adequacy of the
estimating techniques to produce reliable pre­
liminary measures of national output and its
major components on the basis of incomplete in­
formation. But the estimates for some of the
finer breakdowns are substantially altered.
B etw een

National Output

Computed in constant (1947) dollars, the gross
national product rose 105 percent between 1929
and 1953—from $149 billion to $307 billion. This
1 National Income, 1954 Edition. Washington, U. S. Department of
Commerce, Office of Business Economics, 1954 (a supplement to the Survey
of Current Business).
2 For a brief summary, see M onthly Labor Review, December 1951 (p. 694).

208

M ONTHLY

represented an average annual increase of 3 per­
cent, which, of course, reflected the steady growth
of both the labor force and man-hour productivity.
In the private sector of the economy (where the
method of measurement makes productivity esti­
mates possible), the number of persons engaged in
producing these goods and services rose an average
of about 1 percent annually over the 25-year
period, and man-hour productivity increased at
an average annual rate of more than 2 percent.
The latter resulted, the report notes, both from
factors directly affecting technical efficiency and
from shifts of products within industries and of
workers between industries (i. e., to products or
industries requiring more or less labor for a unit
of production).
Total output is distributed among four major
uses— personal consumption, private domestic in­
vestment, governmental purchase of goods and
services, and foreign investment— and the share
accounted for by each changed significantly over
the period covered. Most notable was the shift
from private to governmental use: the latter rose
from 9 to 23 percent of real output between 1929
and 1953. This increase was entirely attributable
to the growth of Federal Government activities,
as the national defense program expanded sharply
and foreign military and economic aid—nonexist­
ent in 1929—was undertaken. The figures show
that it was made at the expense of both the per­
sonal consumption and investment shares of total
output.
But consumers continued to receive the bulk of
the economy’s products— 72 and 64 percent of real
output in the 2 terminal years, respectively, as
compared with 18 and 13 percent for domestic
investment and about 1 and 0 percent for net
foreign investment. Moreover, with the growth
in product exceeding that in population, per capita
consumption expenditures increased substantially,
as shown below.
Amount per capita
ItCm

1929

1

1953

Percent
C rea se

I n c u r r e n t d o lla r s

Gross national product ___
Personal income__
_
Disposable personal income____
Personal consumption expendi­
tures______ ______


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$857
704
682

$2, 286
1, 792
1 567

167
155
130

648

1, 441

122

LABOR

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

Am ount per capita
Item
1929
i n c o n sta n t

1

1953

1955

Percent
increase

a o tla r s

Gross national product
Personal income
Disposable personal income____
Personal consumption expenditures__

1, 225
956
927

1, 921
1, 532
1, 339

57
60
44

880

1, 232

40

' Population of the continental United States (including the Armed Forces
abroad) rose from 121.9 million in 1929 to 159.6 million in 1953.

Personal Income

Higher consumer expenditures, in turn, reflected
the increase in personal income which accompanied
the rise in output. Personal income rose nearly
110 percent in constant dollars— from about $117
billion in 1929 to approximately $245 billion in
1953. Personal income, however, consists of the
current income received from all sources by indi­
viduals (and nonprofit institutions) and is meas­
ured without taking direct personal taxes into
consideration. The sharp rise in Federal income
taxes during this period raised total payments of
personal taxes and nontax items (such as fines)
from 3 percent to about 13 percent of personal
income and absorbed a sizable part of the increase
in the total. Nevertheless, real disposable per­
sonal income— a measure of personal income with
such payments excluded— rose 89 percent, totaling
approximately $113 billion in 1929 and $214
billion in 1953.
This income rise was sufficient to permit greater
proportionate personal saving too. For real cur­
rent consumption did not rise as much as income,
amounting to $107 billion in 1929 and $197 billion
in 1953, an 83-percent increase. Thus, the pro­
portion of disposable personal income spent for
current consumption was lower in 1953 than in
1929—with 8 percent going into personal saving
as compared with 5 percent in the earlier year.
The report cautions, however, that the exact
degree of the change in saving may differ some­
what from that indicated, since the saving esti­
mates are computed as residuals and hence are
sensitive even to minor statistical imperfections
in the disposable income and consumption ex­
penditures figures.

IN J U R Y

RATES

IN

M A N U F A C T U R IN G

Injury Rates in Manufacturing,

209

njury-Frequency Rates in Manufacturing, by Months,
January 1952 to September 1954

Third Quarter 1954
injury-frequency rate1—
11.8 disabling injuries per million man-hours—for
the third quarter of 1954 was a record low for that
period of the year. Although it increased by a
slightly greater-than-seasonal amount over the
second quarter, it was 16 percent below the pre­
vious third-quarter low of 14.0 set in 1953.
In the 11 years for which quarterly injury rates
are available, there has been an average increase
in the injury-frequency rate from the second to the
third quarter of 2.5 percent; in 1954, the increase
amounted to 6 percent. This difference resulted
largely from the greater-than-seasonal increase of
6 percent from July to August; changes during the
other months followed the usual seasonal move­
ment— a 4-percent increase from June to July, and
a 7-percent decrease from August to September.
Unusually low injury rates during the first 6
months of the year helped to bring the average for
the first 9 months of 1954 to the new record low of
11.7. This was 16 percent below the rate of 13.9
for the corresponding period in 1953. Since the
last 3 months of the year usually show a decline in
injury rates, the final average for the year is likely
to better the 1953 figure of 13.4 by a considerable
margin.
T h e a l l - m a n u f a c t u r in g

Although many individual industries showed
seasonal increases between the second and third
quarters of 1954, the third quarter rates were still
below those for the similar period of 1953 in most
instances. Lower rates in the first and second
quarters also helped to hold most of the averages
for the first 9 months of 1954 at or below those of
1953.
Of the 132 individual industries for which data
were available, 85 showed decreases of one fre­
quency-rate point or more in their 9-month rates
between 1953 and 1954. Little change was re­
ported by 38 industries, and only 9 had signifi­
cantly higher rates in 1954 than in 1953.
The small boatbuilding industry continued to
improve its safety record; its injury-frequency
rate for the first 9 months of 1954 was 26.0 as
compared with 37.9 for the similar period in 1953.
Since the first quarter of 1953 the injury rate for
this industry has been progressively decreasing.

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Other industries reporting decreases of 5 frequencyrate points or more in their 9-month rates between
the 2 years were: canning and preserving; millwork
and structural wood products; miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral products; hand tools, files, and
saws; fabricated wire products; steel springs; bolts,
nuts, washers, and rivets; screw-machine products;
insulated wire and cable; and paving and roofing
materials.
Industries which had exceptionally low rates for
the first 9 months of 1954 were: synthetic fibers,
2.1; explosives, 2.2; miscellaneous communica­
tion equipment, 2.5; electric lamps (bulbs), 2.8;
aircraft, 3.0; synthetic rubber, 3.0; rubber foot­
wear, 3.6; photographic equipment and supplies,
3.9; and radio tubes, 4.0.
1 The injury-frequency rate is the average number of d’sabling work
injuries for each million employee-hours worked. A disabling work injury
is any injury occurring in the course of and arising out of employment, which
(a) results in death or any degree of permanent physical impairment, or
(b) makes the injured worker unable to perform the duties of any regularly

established job which is open and available to him throughout the hours
corresponding to his regular shift on any one or more days after the day of
injury (including Sundays, days ofi, or plant shutdowns). The term
“ injury” includes occupational diseases.

M ONTHLY

210

LABOR

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

1955

I n j u r y - f r e q u e n c y ra tes f o r se le c te d m a n u fa c t u r i n g i n d u s t r i e s , th ird q u a rter 1 9 5 4

First 9 months

Third quarter, 1954
Industry
August

July
Average, all manufacturing......... - ............................
Food and kindred products:
M eat packing and custom slaughtering______
Sausages and other prepared meat p rod u cts..
D airy products................ .....................................
Canning and preserving___________ ______ —
Grain-mill products--------------------- ---------------Bakery products____________________________
Cane sugar__________________________________
Confectionery and related products__________
Bottled soft drinks---------------------------------------M alt and malt liquors_________ ____ ________
Distilled liquors_______________________ _____
Miscellaneous food products..............................
Textile-mill products:
Cotton yam and textiles------- ---------- ------------Rayon, other synthetic, and silk textiles------W oolen and worsted textiles_________________
K n it goods________________________ ____ ____
Dyeing and finishing textiles________________
Miscellaneous textile goods__________________

1954

12.3

11.5

11.8

11.7

19.2
26.6
23.5
21.3
19.8
17.0
19.5
6.7

17.6
33.4
14.5

19.4
25.7
14.6
21.3
19.6
16.8

18.6
28.6
17.7

18.1
25.6
17.8
21.5
19.7
17.0

(•)

17.3

(>)

15.9
8.2

7.4
17.2
5.1
16.0
14.6
5.8
13.2

Lumber and w ood products (except furniture):
Logging-------------------------------------------------------Sawmills and planing mills_________________
M illwork and structural w ood products_____
Plyw ood m ills______________________________
W ooden containers_________________________
Miscellaneous wood products_______________

72.4
41.7
25.5
25.3
36.0
23.6

22.1

19.8
16.8
23.4
11.9

(9

21.5

(9

14.1

14.3
21.4
15.5

10.1

1
15.7

(90

12.7
9.2

9.0
8.4
17.3
5.1
11.7
21.4

16.6
3.3

8.3
4.3

8.3
4.4
12.4

82.2
43.9
24.6

73.4
43.2
24.5
26.0
36.0

8.2

(')

11.2

(9

12.1

22.8

25.3
26.8
17.7

(9

21.0
21.1

6.8

12.1

19.9

20.1

18.8

(9

23.1
16.2

Annual
average,
1953

1953

11.6

Apparel and other finished textile products:
Clothing, m en’s and boys’___________________
Clothing, wom en’s and children’s______ ____
Miscellaneous fabricated textile products____

Furniture and fixtures:
Household furniture, nonmetal—.....................
M etal household furniture_____________ ____
Mattresses and b ed sp rin g s.......... ...............
Office furniture_____________________________
Public-building and professional furniture__
Partitions and fixtures______________________

September

Third
quarter

13.4
2 0 .7
1 9 .0
19.1

20.0

9.8
28.7
18.4
5.2
14.0

14 .4
3 1 .7
2 2 .4
7 .0
1 5 .0

20.4
18.6
25.6
16.7
16.0
19.5
13.9
30.6
21.4
6.5
15.0

7.5
17.1
4.5
13.0
18.9

8.8

8.3
6.4
14.0
4.7
13.3
17.8

9.0
7.5
16.8
6.1
15.0
18.1

8.7
7.3
16.1
5.8
14.5
17.8

8.3
4.8

7.7
4.9
12.7

8.4
5.9
12.5

8.0
5.6
12.4

75.9
43.0
24.8
24.9
32.5
23.5

74.6
40.9

78.9
45.6
27.0
29.9
34.6
31.9

76.8
44.3
25.3
29.1
34.0
31.7

17.1
13.4
21.9
17.8
26.3

16.9
20.7
20.9
17.4

20.9
16.2
17.4
17.9
20.9
20.2

21.6

19.8
16.9
18.0
9.8
33.1
18.2
7.6
14.2

12.6

20.0

21.6

26.6
30.0
27.5

26.8
1 6 .3
1 6 .4

20.0

22.0

23.9

21.3
18.0
16.8
18.3
21.7
22.4

22.0

Paper and allied products:
Pulp, paper, and paperboard m ills_________
Paperboard containers and boxes______ ____
Miscellaneous paper and allied products____

11.7
16.4
12.5

11.7
13.4
13.5

11.6

14.5
12.9

11.7
14.7
13.0

11.7
13.0
13.0

13.6
17.9
14.7

13.4
17.5
14.7

Printing, publishing, and allied industries:
Newspapers and periodicals________________
Miscellaneous printing and publishing_____

9.7
8.9

11.6

10.2

10.5
8.8

10.4
8.7

8.8

9.5

9.7
8.7

6.0

7.8
3.8

6.3
5.4

6.7
4.9
3.5
2.4

3.4
7.2
8.9
7.0

4.9
7.5

6.1

4.8
7.6
7.2
9.6
17.2
17.2
14.5
17.0

6.6
4.6
3.0
2.1
2.2
4.5
8.1
6.8
10.3
16.2
20.4
12.9
17.1

7.4
5.0
3.5
1.8
4.2
5.2
8.7
8.7
19.3
24.6
8.4
17.7

7.2
5.0
3.3
1.7
3.6
5.0
8.7
8.3
10.9
18.2
25.4
9.2
17.5

7.5
4.4
12.4

5.9
3.6
11.8

5.0
4.7
13.4

4.9
4.5
12.9

22.7
8.4
11.4

25.9
21.8
8.7
12.4

27.3
22.9
9.8
13.0

26.0
21.2
9.5
12.6

9.2
41.4
14.8
29.0
12.9

8.9
40.8
15.7
24.5
13.3

11.4
39.8
15.5
28.6
19.3

38.6
15.9
26.6
17.7

Chemicals and allied products:
Industrial inorganic chemicals_____ ____ ___
Plastics, except synthetic rubber____ ____ _
Synthetic rubber___________________________
Synthetic fibers____________________________
E xplosives-------------------------------------------------Miscellaneous industrial organic chem icals..
Drugs and medicines......... ........ ............... .......
Soap and related products__________________
Paints, pigments, and related products_____
Fertilizers__________________________________
Vegetable and animal oils and fats__________
Compressed and liquefied gases____________
Miscellaneous chemicals and allied products.
Rubber products:
Tires and inner tubes---------------------------------R ubber footwear----- ------- ---------------------------Miscellaneous rubber products____ ____ ___
Leather and leather products:
Leather tanning and fin ish in g............... ........
B oot and shoe cut stock and findings----------Footwear (except rubber)__________________
Miscellaneous leather products-------------------Stone, clay, and glass products:
Glass and glass p ro d u c ts ................. ...............
Structural clay products....... ............................
Pottery and related products_______________
Concrete, gypsum, and mineral w o o l ...........
Miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral products.
See footnotes at end of tahie.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

7.9

5.7

1.6

)

14.0

')

20.9

6.0

11.2

6.9
10.4

(9

(9)

(9

(9)

22.7
19.6

9.0
0)

8.0

(9

11.0

13.9

20.8

25.2

1
15.1
10.8

5.8

(9

12.3

21.9
7.5

8.5
8.9
43.8
12.2

(9

.0

10.0

48.1
14.8

(9

8.6

32.6
17.0

(9)

11.8

(9

8.9

11

11.0

INJURY RATES IN MANUFACTURING

211

I n j u r y - f r e q u e n c y ra te s f o r s electe d m a n u fa c t u r i n g i n d u s t r i e s , th ird q u a rter 1 9 5 4 —

Third quarter, 1954

Continued
First 9 months

Industry
July
Primary metal industries:
Blast furnaces and steel mills_______ ____ _
Gray-iron and malleable foundries_______
Steel foundries______ ____________________
Nonferrous rolling, drawing, and alloying _
Nonferrous foundries___________ _________
Iron and steel forgings.................... ......... .
Wire drawing____________________________
W elded and heavy-riveted pipe........ .........
Cold-finished steel_________ _______ _____

4.3
26.8
21.4
11.5
15.2
23.0
12.1
9.3
12.8

Fabricated metal products:
Tin cans and other tinware_____________________ __________________
Cutlery and edge tools___________________________________________ " "
Hand tools, files, and saws________________________________________
Hardware_____________________________________ _______ _________
Sanitary ware and plumbers’ supplies_____________ _____ _________
Oil burners, heating and cooking apparatus._____________________
Structural steel and ornamental metal work______________________
M etal doors, sash, frame, and trim_____________________________
Boiler-shop products______ __________
IIIII.IIIIIII
Sheet-metal work____________________
IIIIIIIII
Stamped and pressed metal p ro d u cts........................
I .I I
Fabricated wire products__________________________________________
M etal barrels, drums, kegs, and pails_______________________ ” ” ”
Steel springs________________________________________________
""
Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets____________________________
Screw-machine products________________________________________
Fabricated metal products, not elsewhere classified_________ _____

C)
G)

Transportation equipment:
M otor vehicles, bodies, and trailers_________
Motor-vehicle parts and accessories_________
Aircraft____________________________________
Aircraft parts______________________________
Shipbuilding and repairing_________________
Boatbuilding and repairing_____ ___________
Railroad equipment________________________
Instruments and related products:
Scientific instruments_____________________________
Mechanical measuring and controlling instruments.
Optical instruments and lenses____________________
Medical instruments and supplies_________________
Photographic equipment and supplies_____________
Watches and clocks________________________
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries:
Paving and roofing materials________
Jewelry, silverware, and plated ware.
Fabricated plastic products_________
Miscellaneous manufacturing________
Ordnance and accessories____________

G)

9.1
8.4
12.0

5.5
29.6
21.5
15.1
23.0
24.3
13.9
11.2
14.5

9.2

10.7
12.4
15.2

8.5
15.1
14.8
9.2
16.6
19.5
22.6
24.1
24.0
19.5
9.4
13.0
7.8
7.8
11.0
10.4
13.8

8.3
13.8
15.0
11.0
17.3
18.9
21.5
20.8
23.9
19.9
10.9
14.6
10.1
11.6
10.9
12.1
12.9

9.4
17.7
20.1
11.8
17.1
22.7
25.0
21.3
23.3
23.1
14. 7
20.5
11.4
16.9
16.6
17.6
12.5

9.3
16.4
19.6
11.5
16.7
21.9
23.9
19.9
23.6
22.1
14.3
19.6
10.6
15.6
15.2
16.3
12.5

G)
C)

G)
G)

12.6
7.0
16.7
18.5
25.2
23.2
22.7
24.3
8.2
14.9

7.8
8.8
15.2
8.6
13.9
11.9
15.2
16.0
19.6

7.8
9.6
16.8
10.0
12.8
9.9
15.7
12.9
18.6

8.8
10.6
17.5
10.6
13.3
9.8
15.5
14.9
15.4

9.4
13.0
21.8
13.3
16.5
12.0
17.6
16.7
17.4

9.2
12.3
20.5
12.6
17.2
11.4
17.0
15.7
16.5

9.3
15.4
7.1
14.3
6.0
18.6

13.3
18.2
9.0
17.4
6.5
15.2

7.3
16.2
7.4
14.5
7.4
20.3

9.8
16.6
7.8
15.5
6.7
18.0

11.2
16.2
7.6
13.4
8.3
14.8

13.0
16.6
15.9
12.5
15.9

12.7
16.0
8.5
15.7
11.9
15.6

5.7
9.4
17.2
5.2

7.3
12.4
14.9
5.2

6.2
7.6
11.6
5.2

6.4
9.7
14.3
5.2
2.5
5.2
3.9
2.5
15.9

6.5
9.1
10.0
4.1
2.8
5.2
4.0
2.5
12.9
5.2

7.2
9.6
15.0
4.5
3.7
6.4
4.3
3.1
12.3
8.6

7.1
9.5
14.3
4.1
3.9
6.2
4.2
3.0
12.1
7.8

4.2
4.6
2.9
5.6
20.2
25.1
7.9

4.3
5.4
3.0
5.4
19.3
26.0
9.0

5.1
7.2
3.9
6.4
22.5
37.9
11.4

5.0
6.9
3.8
6.3
21.1
36.3
11.3

5.0
7.5
7.1
7.6
4.1
4.8

5.1
7.7
6.8
8.7
3.9
6.6

6.1
7.3
7.2
7.2
5.6
8.0

5.5
7.1
6.6
7.1
5.6
7.7

8.1
9.4
12.3
13.4
6.0

8.5
8.4
12.7
12.4
7.4

13.6
8.1
16.4
15.3
8.4

13.3
7.5
15.9
15.0
8.0

G)

4.0
4.5
2.6
5.0
21.3

4.9
2.7
2.8
15.2

5.8

9.6
5.0

G)

G)

G)

G)

5.7
4.1
2.3
16.0

G)

9.9

6.9
3.9

G)

4.1
4.2
2.7
5.2
21.6
G)

4.5
8.7
G)

(>)

9.2
11.2
17.8
5.5

G)

4.6
5.0
3.6
6.7
17.5

3.9
6.2

1 Insufficient data to warrant presentation of average.

5.6
30.7
22.5
15.2
23.5
25.7
14.4
11.4
14.6

G)

G)

0)

4.3
26.7
17.9
12.6
19.1
20.8
11.4
8.0
12.2

8.9
8.0
18.4
11.0
10.4
8.4
15.1
12.7
22.2

5.0
5.6
2.6
16.7

G)

4.3
27.6
18.3
11.9
18.8
22.5
11.9
7.1
11.6

9.8

12.8
10.0
13.8

1953

4.0
26.3
14.4
13.4
18.8
22.2
11.5
4.6
10.9

G)

16.9
11.0
19.2
19.6
19.3
27.2
25.5
18.4
9.9
10.3

1954

Annual
average,
1953

6.6
11.8
16.7
10.6
14.1
9.0
16.9
9.7
13.4

G)

N ote .—T he monthly and quarterly injury-frequency rates presented in this
table were derived from a sample of about 14,500 establishments, covering
approximately one-third of the employees engaged in manufacturing. T hey
were adjusted to be comparable with the final averages for 1953, which were


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15.0
9.9
13.3
20.8
23.4
21.4
23.9
15.7
10.0
13.9

September

4.5
29.4
19.4
10.8
22.2
22.5
12.3
7.6
11.4

6.5
G)

Machinery (except electrical):
Engines and turbines______________________________ ____ _____ ______
Agricultural machinery and tractors_______________________________
Construction and mining machinery______________________________
Metalworking machinery______________________________________
Food-products machinery__________ _________________ _____ .
Textile machinery____________________________________I Z I I I ir illlll.
Miscellaneous special-industry machinery________________ I_______
Pumps and compressors____________________________________________
Elevators, escalators, and conveyors_______________________________
Mechanical power-transmission equipment (except ball and roller
bearin gs)...______________________________________________________
Miscellaneous general industrial machinery___________________ ___
Commercial and household machinery________ _____ _____ _____ ___
Valves and fittings_________________________________________________
Ball and roller bearings_________________________
Machine shops, general_______ ____________________ I I II I .IIIIIIIII!

Electrical machinery:
Electrical industrial apparatus_____________
Electrical appliances________ ____ _________
Insulated wire and cable___________________
Electrical equipment for vehicles___________
Electric lamps (bulbs)______________________
Radios and related products________________
Radio tubes________________________________
Miscellaneous communication equipment__
Batteries___________________________________
Electrical products, not elsewhere classified.

August

Third
quarter

8.3
6.2
7.6

G)

6.7
3.7

G)

10.7
10.5
12.6
7.0

G)

8.2
15.0
10.6
5.4

8 .8

based on a more comprehensive survey covering approximately 60 percent of
all employees engaged in manufacturing. Rates for 1954 are preliminary and
are subject to revision when final annual averages become available. See
M on th ly Labor Review, December 1954 (pp. 1353-1354) for comparable
quarterly rates for 1953 and the first 6 months of 1954.

Significant Decisions
In Labor Cases1

Wages and Hours 2

Exemption— Employees of Sardine Cannery. An
employer was engaged in the canning, sale, and
distribution of sardines at two plants in Maine
during a canning season from May to November.
All his employees were admittedly engaged in the
production of goods for interstate commerce within
the scope of the Fair Labor Standards Act. It
was conceded that the employees who performed
the actual physical operations of the canning pro­
cess came within the section 13 (b) (4) exemption
from the overtime provisions for employees en­
gaged in “ canning.” The question was whether
such exemption applied to the clerks, bus drivers,
watchmen, and offseason maintenance workers.
The district court had held that none of these
employees except bus drivers were exempt from
the overtime provisions of the act. The United
States court of appeals for the first circuit held 3
that the bus drivers were also not exempt. The
court concluded that Congress intended the
exemption to apply only to those employees en­
gaged in operations physically essential in the
canning of fish. It rejected as unpersuasive the
reasoning of the United States court of appeals
for the third circuit that the exemption in section
13 (a) (5) of the act applied to all the employees
of an employer in the fishing industry.4 Based
on the language employed and the legislative
history of the act, the first circuit court concluded
that Congress did not intend this to be an industrytype exemption.
Labor Relations

One-Year Certification Rule. The National Labor
Relations Board held a representation election in
the employer’s Chrysler-Plymouth agency on
April 12, 1951. The International Association of
Machinists (AFL), Local 727, won the election by
212

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an 8-to-5 vote, and the Board certified it as ex­
clusive bargaining representative on April 20. On
the day before the certification, the employer
received a handwritten letter signed by 9 of the
13 employees in the bargaining unit which stated:
“ We the undersigned majority of the employees
. . . are not in favor of being represented by
union local number 727 as bargaining agent.”
The employer refused to bargain any further with
the union.
The Board found that the employer had com­
mitted an unfair labor practice and ordered the
employer to bargain. The court of appeals
enforced this order, and the case was brought to
the United States Supreme Court.
Under the original Wagner Act, a certification,
if based on a Board-conducted election, was
honored for a “ reasonable” period, which was
ordinarily 1 year in the absence of unusual cir­
cumstances. The Labor Management Relations
(Taft-Hartley) Act provides that, after a valid
certification or decertification election has been
conducted, the Board cannot hold a second elec­
tion in the same bargaining unit until a year has
elapsed.
The Supreme Court held5 that if an employer
has doubts about his duty to continue bargaining,
it is his responsibility to petition the Board for
relief while continuing to bargain. Congress has
devised a formal mode for selection and rejection
of bargaining agents and has fixed the spacing of
elections with a view to furthering industrial
stability and with due regard to assuring adminis­
trative prudence. The Board’s view that the 1year period should run from the date of certifica­
tion rather than the date of election seems within
the allowable area of the Board’s discretion in
carrying out congressional policy, the Supreme
1 Prepared in the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor.
The cases covered in this article represent a selection of the significant
decisions believed to be of special interest. N o attempt has been made to
reflect all recent judicial and administrative developments in the field of
labor law or to indicate the effect of particular decisions in jurisdictions in
which contrary results m ay be reached, based upon local statutory provisions,
the existence of local precedents, or a different approach b y the courts to the
issue presented.
2 This section is intended merely as a digest of some recent decisions involv­
ing the Fair Labor Standards A ct and the Portal-to-Portal Act. It is not to
be construed and m ay not be relied upon as interpretation of these acts by
the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division or any agency of the
Department of Labor.
3 Mitchell v. Stinson (C. A. 1, Dec. 3, 1954).
4 McComb v. Consolidated Fisheries Co. (C. A . 3, 174 F. 2d 74).
8 Brooks v. N LRB (U. S. Sup. Ot. Dec. 6, 1954).

DECISIONS IN LABOR CASES

213

Court held. The judgment of the court of appeals
enforcing the Board’s order was affirmed.
D iscrim in a tion

A g a in st

W orkers

B u y in g

“ O ff

The employer, Studebaker
Corp., never had any rule requiring that its
employees buy its product exclusively, nor was
such a provision included in the collective bargain­
ing agreement with the union. The agreement
set up grievance procedures with a no-strike clause
until such grievance procedures had been com­
pletely exhausted.
However, the employees of Studebaker have
always had an “ unwritten law” or “ tradition” to
buy and drive Studebaker cars. This tradition
was not observed during and immediately after
World War II while there was a shortage of cars,
but, with the end of this shortage, the employer
was forced to cut back production; employment
was reduced materially. By the spring and early
summer of 1953, union officials had succeeded in
warding off any expression of union position on the
subject of the purchase of “ off brand” cars, but
feeling among the rank and file was running high.
In July 1953, a group of employees signed a
petition in which they stated that they were un­
willing to work with an employee who had pur­
chased a new “ off brand” car. This employee
was told by the employer that the company could
not afford a work stoppage on account of one man.
The employee was suspended, but he then sold the
offending car and went back to work.
The employer continued to apply the same pro­
cedure in similar cases. The employee was usually
told that he could return to work when he had
made peace with his fellow employees. Neither
the employer nor the union exercised any direct
coercion in these cases. However, charges were
filed with the NLRB on behalf of 19 suspended
employees, alleging discrimination under the terms
of the LMRA.
The Board decided 6 that the employer and the
union did not violate the provisions of the act.
The employer suspended certain employees in
order to prevent unauthorized work stoppages by
other groups of employees. The union, on its
part, exhibited no policy giving rise to a union

B ra n d ”

P rod u cts.

11 Studebaker Corp. (110 N L R B 214, Dec. 10, 1954).
7 Aiello Dairy Farms (110 N L R B 205, Dec. 13, 1954).
8 94 N L R B 142.


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obligation concerning the cars its members might
or might not buy and did not cause or attempt to
cause the suspensions nor the work stoppages
leading to the suspensions. The Board concluded
that neither the employer nor the union had in­
fringed any right protected by the act.
U nion Choice B etw een E lection or R efu sa l-to-B a rgain
Charge. The union filed a representation petition

with the NLRB, and a consent election was
scheduled. Between the time of filing the petition
and of holding the election, the employer engaged
in an unfair labor practice by refusing to bargain.
The union knew of this practice but did not file
charges under the LM RA at the time of the unfair
practice because such action would have prevented
the election. After losing the election, the union
filed unfair labor practice charges.
The Board stated that on learning about the
unfair labor practice, which occurred before the
election, the union had two courses of action to
establish officially its status as bargaining agent.
It could either file unfair labor practice charges or
continue with the election. If the union filed the
charges, even if waived later, the Board would not
have permitted the election to proceed because
these two procedures are incompatible. Further,
sound administrative practice requires that the
Board, as custodian of a public statute, “ should
not be compelled to diffuse its energy and expend
time and public funds in useless and repetitive
proceedings.” The union’s delay in filing the
charge caused the Board to conduct a futile elec­
tion. In view of these facts, the Board held,7 it
would not allow the union to revert to the unfair
labor practice charge as a means of establishing its
representative status. The Board’s action in this
case overruled its prior decision in the M . H .
D avidson Co. case.8
As to certain unfair labor practices supposed to
have occurred after the election, the Board held
that, since there was no showing that the union
was then the majority representative of the em­
ployees, it could not file such charges.
J u risd ictional Standards — R adio, Television, and
Telephone. The employer operated near Hanford,

Calif., a radio station called KINGS at which a
representation petition was filed. The station
employed 10 or 11 persons and was unaffiliated
with any national radio network or broadcasting

214

M ONTHLY

system.
Its secondary transmission coverage
spanned only a 75-mile radius and its gross
revenue for the first 7 months of its operations,
which commenced January 1, 1953, was $85,000.
Most of this amount was derived from local com­
mercial accounts, although some was from out-ofState sources.
The NLRB, in October 1950, adopted certain
standards to govern its assertion of jurisdiction.
In mid-1954, the Board announced a revision of
these standards on the basis of its experience since
their adoption and of changing economic con­
ditions.9
In the instant case, the Board applied, for the
first time, its revised standards for radio and
television stations and telephone and telegraph
systems. It determined 10 that, in future cases,
it will assert jurisdiction over such enterprises
only if the gross income of the particular enter­
prise amounts to at least $200,000 annually. The
W B S R , In corp ora ted 11 case and others following
the rule in that case were overruled. The peti­
tion was dismissed.
E m p loyer

to

F u rn ish

W age

D a ta

on

Reguest.

During the course of negotiations, a union asked
for the individual wage rates of the employees it
represented.12 The employer failed to supply
them, although he did furnish certain information
pertaining to hourly wage rates, existing rate
ranges paid at the plant, and names and cate­
gories of employees.
The NLRB held that the information furnished
was not enough for purposes of negotiation, and
that the employer’s failure to supply the required
information constituted a violation of the LMRA.
The union could not determine, from this informa­
tion, what each employee was earning, the Board
held; therefore, it ordered the employer to furnish
the requested information.13 Compliance with
the request would have caused no undue hardship
on the employer, the Board found; further, the
union wanted the information for negotiations to
obtain a wage increase as well as for the general
purpose of collective bargaining.
The court of appeals agreed with the Board’s
reasoning and held that the union, as bargaining
agent of the employees, was entitled to informa­
tion which would enable it properly and under­
standing^ to perform its duties in the general
course of bargaining. Such information, the court

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LABOR

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

1955

said, should not necessarily be limited to a matter
which would be pertinent to a particular existing
controversy.
The order of the Board was
enforced.
An
employee was unlawfully discharged on January
13, 1952, and at that time, was severely injured by
the action of a company official. Subsequently,
the employee received an award from the State
industrial commission as compensation for this
injury.
The NLRB awarded back pay for the period
following the unlawful discharge and declined to
deduct therefrom the amount of the compensation
award.
A workmen’s compensation award of this type
was held14 by the Board to be in the public
interest and the very type of collateral benefit
which the United States Supreme Court, in a
recent case, has established is not deductible from
back pay.15
Further, the Board said, in framing an order to
reimburse employees for lost earnings, no con­
sideration need be given to collateral benefits
in determining the amount of back pay.
One member, dissenting, distinguished this case
from the Supreme Court decision relied upon by
the Board majority. The instant case involved a
workmen’s compensation award, derived from
premiums paid to an insurance company by the
employer, whereas the cited case concerned an
unemployment compensation award paid by the
State from funds derived from public taxation.

D eductions jr o m B a ck P a y — A ccid en t A w ard.

U n ion S h op — A ssessm en t o j F in es. B y virtue of
a lawful union security contract between the em­
ployer and the union, employees were required to
“ maintain their union membership in good stand­
ing by the regular payment of dues and initiation
fees as a condition of continued employment.”
The union posted a notice on the plant bulletin
board to the effect that members not paying dues
in the current month would be assessed $1 and
that any member owing 2 months’ dues would be
s See M onthly Labor Review, September 1954 (p. 998) for a summary o f
the jurisdictional standards.
Hanford Broadcasting Co. (110 N L R B 208, Dec. 9, 1954).
u 91 N L R B 630.
12 N L R B v. Whitin Machine Works (C. A. 4, Dec. 8, 1954).
12 Whitin Machine Works (108 N L R B 223, June 28, 1954).
H Moss Planing M ill Co. (110 N L R B 155, N ov. 19, 1954).
15 N L R B v. Gullett Qin Co., Inc., 340 U. S. 361.

10

DECISIONS IN LABOR CASES

removed from the job if such dues and assessments
were not paid before the 15th day of the second
month.
About a month later, the union’s financial
secretary called the employer by telephone and
requested that 11 employees, including the em­
ployee in question, be discharged because of dues
deficiency. The employee, unable to show her
dues book, was discharged the same day.
The Board found16 that the posted notice made
the payment of assessments, imposed as a penalty
for dues delinquency, a condition of continued
employment.
Imposition of the penalty restrains and coerces
employees in violation of section 8 (b) (1) (A) of
the act, the Board held. The fines cannot be
called “ periodic” within the meaning of the act'
By their very nature, the Board held, the fines seek
to punish for nonpayment of dues on time rather
than to create revenue.
The Board also found that, as a matter of fact,
the employer was unaware of the notice; that
there was no evidence the company officials in
charge of this plant had authority to change any
contract provisions; and that there was no ground
for inferring that the company had agreed to
modify its lawful union security provisions in any
unlawful manner.
The discharged employee, the Board found, had,
in fact, paid her dues. The Board ordered the
union to reinstate her, to notify the employer that
it had no objection to her reemployment, and to
pay her back wages.
Unemployment Compensation
A rbitra tion A w a rd N o t W ages. Claimant was
discharged and later reinstated. Damages for
wrongful discharge were awarded by order of an
arbitrator. The court, reversing the employment
security commission, held17 that sums paid under
the arbitration award were damages and not
“ wages” within the meaning of the State law;


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

215

therefore, claimant was unemployed and eligible
for benefits during the period for which the sums
were paid.
U nem ploym ent A fte r a Strike.
Claimants were not
immediately rehired following settlement of a
strike because the employer was unable to resume
production due to lack of orders. The court,
reversing the appeal board, held18 that claimants
were not unemployed solely because of a labor
dispute and were eligible for benefits after the
strike ended.
E m p lo y er-E m p lo y ee R elation sh ip. Claimants, mem­

bers of the United Mine Workers of America
(Ind.), had been unemployed for some time prior
to the date when the union called a strike affecting
their last place of employment. The court held19
that the claimants were entitled to benefits because
their unemployment was not a result of the labor
dispute when an employment relation no longer
existed. The court also held that any work is
“ new work” within the meaning of the labor
standards provisions when no employment relation
exists between an individual and an employer.
L a y o ff P r io r to L abor D isp u te.
Claimants were
laid off during a temporary shutdown for repairs
but were assigned to work at another company on
a rotation basis. During a week when claimants
were not assigned to work, the union struck the
entire industry because of a dispute over contract
renewal. The court, reversing the board of review,
held 20 that the claimants were eligible for benefits
and were unemployed due to lack of work because
their employer continued to be shut down for
repairs during the dispute and was therefore not
affected by it.
1# Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (110 N L R B 146, N ov. 18, 1954).
17 In re Edwards (Super. Ct., Richm ond Co., N . C., N ov. 8,1954).
18 Krygowski v. Appeal Board (Cir. Ct. for Berrien Co., M ich., Case No.
10334, Oct. 25, 1954).
18 Davis v. Hix (W . Va. Sup. Ct. of Appeals, N o. 10603, N ov. 16,1954).
70 Bouvier v. Board of Review (13th Jud. Cir., Charleston, W . Va., N ov. 24,
1954).

Chronology of
Recent Labor Events

1954, MLR, Sept. 1954) under which it will assert juris­
diction over radio and television stations and telephone
and telegraph systems only if the gross revenue is at least
$200,000 a year.

December 10
rank-and-file membership of the International Long­
shoremen’s Association (Ind.) rejected (6,199 to 4,590)
the contract recently negotiated with the New York
Shipping Association for the Port of New York (see Chron.
item for Nov. 25, 1954, MLR, Jan. 1955). According to
ILA leaders, rejection was caused largely by the inclusion
of the no-strike clause, and when negotiations were
resumed shortly thereafter, union demands included
“ clarification” of this and other controversial provisions.
T he

December 5, 1954
Machinists (AFL) negotiated a contract with the
Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc., which, with another agreement
reached on December 12, covered more than 34,000 work­
ers at two California divisions. These contracts provided
for a general wage increase of 5 to 7 cents an hour, an in­
crease of more than 3 cents an hour in company contribu­
tions to health and welfare benefits, and other improve­
ments.
T he

December 6
M ost major railroads and the nonoperating unions an­
nounced negotiation of a contract providing for dropping
from their agreements the cost-of-living escalator clause
and incorporating the 13 cents an hour accumulated
thereunder into basic wage rates, thus following the
example of the operating unions.
T h e Congress of Industrial Organizations opened its 16th
annual convention at Los Angeles. During its 5-day
meeting, the convention approved measures (among
others) designed to: (1) improve the administration of
health, welfare, and pension funds, as recommended by
the Standing Committee on Ethical Practices; (2) achieve
the guaranteed annual wage; and (3) effect unity, through
a rapid merger, with the American Federation of Labor.
(For discussion of convention action, seep. 183 of this issue.)

Supreme Court of the United States, affirming de­
cisions of the lower court and the National Labor Relations
Board, held that an employer must bargain with a certi­
fied union for a “ reasonable” period after certification
(usually 1 year), even though the union, without fault of
the employer, lost its majority shortly after the election
and prior to certification. In such circumstances, the
remedy, according to the High Court, lay in petitioning
the NLRB, as provided in the Taft-Hartley Act. It
also upheld the Board’s authority to apply its 1-year
certification rule from date of certification rather than of
election. The case was B r o o k s , Van Nuys, Calif., v.
T he

N LRB.

December 9
NLRB (by 3 to 2), in H a n f o r d B r o a d c a s t i n g C o .
), Hanford, Calif., and E l e c t r ic a l W o r k e r s , R a d i o T V
T e c h n i c i a n s , L o c a l 2 0 2 ( A F L ) , for the first time
applied its new standard (see Chron. item for July 15,
T he

(K N G S

216

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December 13
NLRB, overturning a 3-year rule (Davidson), held
(4 to 1) that if a union proceeded with and lost a repre­
sentation election, it could not, in order to establish its
representative status, revert to an unfair-labor-practice
charge based on the employer’s refusal to recognize the
union prior to the election, since the latter, in effect,
alleges that no representation question exists. Moreover,
“ sound administrative practice requires that the Board
refuse to proceed with a representation election when
charges of refusal to bargain” are pending. The case was
L o u i s A i e l l o et a l., d . b. a . A i e l l o D a i r y F a r m s , Heuvelton,
N. Y., and C o n g r e s s o f I n d u s t r i a l O r g a n iz a t io n s .
T he

December 14
T h e United Automobile Workers (CIO) and the North
American Aviation Co. announced agreement on a new
15-month contract covering about 32,000 workers at
3 plants. The agreement provides for a 2.5-percent hourly
wage increase (averaging 5 cents) after incorporation into
basic wage rates of the 3-cent cost-of-living escalator
allowance, a company-financed retirement plan for hourly
rated employees, and other benefits.

unaffiliated International Longshoremen & Ware­
housemen’s Union and the Pacific Maritime Association
negotiated a new 2-year contract (on a wage reopening),
calling for increases in wages and employer contributions
to the union welfare fund totaling 7 cents an hour on
December 20 and an additional 7 cents in June 1955. A
pilot dental program for the workers’ children was also
extended to June 1956. The contract is subject to unionmembership and employing company ratification.
T he

T he NLRB ruled (3 to 2) that peaceful strikers who con­
tinued to picket without attempting to stop or repudiate
extreme violence during a long and bitter unfair-laborpractice strike were not entitled to reinstatement and back
pay, even though they were unlawfully discharged for
union activity. The case was B . V . D . C o ., I n c . , Pasca­
goula, Miss., and I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a d i e s ’ G a r m e n t W o r k e r s ’
U n io n ( A F L ) .

CHRONOLOGY OP LABOR EVENTS

December 15
T he NLRB, in a supplemental decision (3 to 2), revoked
its initial ruling in the case of F r i d e n C a lc u la tin g M a c h i n e
C o ., I n c . , and M a r c h a n t C a lc u la to r s , I n c . , San Leandro,
Calif., and T o o l a n d D i e C r a f t s m e n ( I n d . ) and held that a
union newly organized for the sole purpose of representing
members of a particular craft is qualified to represent such
employees in a separate unit. The majority found that
strict application of the “ traditional” union test enunciated
in the A m e r i c a n P o t a s h case (see Chron. item for March 1,
1954, MLR, May 1954) would be tantamount to granting
“monopoly rights to particular labor organizations.”
NLRB held (3 to 2) that refusal to work one scheduled
hour of overtime constituted a “partial strike”— an activity
not protected under the Taft-Hartley Act, although pro­
voked by the employer’s refusal to bargain.
Therefore, the Board found that the employer did not
violate the act by refusing to reinstate the strikers unless
they submitted, as a disciplinary measure, to a personal
interview at which no union representative would be present.
The case was V a l l e y C i t y F u r n i t u r e C o ., Grand Rapids,
Mich., and U n i t e d F u r n i t u r e W o r k e r s o f A m e r i c a , L o c a l
T he

4 1 5 (C IO ).

December 16
T he NLRB held (3 to 2) that local unions violated the
secondary-boycott prohibition of the Taft-Hartley Act by
inducing employees of secondary employers with whom
the union had “hot cargo” contracts not to handle so-called
“ unfair” goods of a nonunion employer, as part of their
efforts to force his employees to join the union. The case
was I n t e r n a t i o n a l B r o t h e r h o o d o f T e a m s t e r s ’ L o c a l s 5 5 4
a n d . . . 6 0 8 ( A F L ) and M c A l l i s t e r T r a n s f e r , I n c . , Lin­
coln, Omaha, and York, Nebr.
In the same case, the Board broadened the dollar-volume standard under which it will accept jurisdiction in
secondary-boycott cases to include, in addition to the
primary employer’s business, “ the entire business of the
secondary employer at the location affected” by the
boycott.
T h e NLRB directed (3 to 2) a representation election in
the case of D r y d e n R u b b e r D i v i s i o n , S h e lte r M a n u f a c t u r i n g
C o r y . , Keokuk, Iowa, and I n t e r n a t i o n a l C h e m i c a l W o r k e r s
U n i o n , L o c a l 4 3 7 ( A F L ) , although a 4-year contract be­
tween the employer and the United Rubber Workers
(CIO) had 2 more years to run. In so finding, one member
of the majority cited the dearth of contracts of more than
2 years’ duration in the industry; the others would not
permit any contract to bar a new election for more than
2 years. Moreover, the Board refused to permit with­
drawal of the local’s petition, as requested by the parent
organization, which had revoked the local’s charter because
the petition contravened the AFL-CIO no-raiding pact.
T h e NLRB ruled (3 to 2) that it would now assume juris­
diction over restaurants and restaurant operations if they


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217
met the standards recently enunciated for retail establish­
ments (in H o g u e & K n o t t S u p e r m a r k e t s ; for discussion, see
MLR, Jan. 1955, p. 61), thereby reversing a recent stand­
ard under which it would refuse jurisdiction over public
restaurants (see Chron. item for July 15, 1954, MLR,
Sept. 1954). The Board, in the present case of B i c k f o r d ’ s
I n c . , New York, N. Y., and Baltimore, Md., and B a k e r y &
C o n f e c t i o n e r y W o r k e r s ( A F L ) , ordered an election in a
commissary operated as part of a restaurant chain with
total public sales (including those of subsidiaries) of more
than the $10 million a year required as a yardstick.
T he NLRB ruled (3 to 2) that it would assert jurisdiction
over intrastate transit companies only when, in addition
to meeting the minimum requirement of $100,000 annual
revenue as a “link in the interstate transportation of pas­
sengers” (see Chron. item for June 30, 1954, MLR, Aug.
1954; and B r e e d i n g T r a n s f e r C o ., MLR, Jan. 1955, p. 61),
their operations met certain other standards. The Board
also announced that it would “assert jurisdiction in cases
involving transit companies that operate both intrastate
and interstate, or exclusively interstate, when the transit
company derives (1) $100,000 or more in revenue from the
interstate portion of its operations or when (2) the com­
bined total revenue from intrastate operations as a link in
the interstate transportation of passengers and from its
interstate operations exceeds $100,000.” The case was
R o l l o T r a n s i t C o r p ., Keyport, N. J.. and B r o t h e r h o o d o f
R a il r o a d

T ra in m en ,

Local

1007

( I n d .) .

T he NLRB ruled (4 to 1) that standards established for
taking jurisdiction over employers in any of the 48 States
will also apply in Puerto Rico, and refused to take juris­
diction over a retail pastry and food shop all of whose
purchases ana sales were made locally. The dissenting
opinion protested the abandonment of the Board’s policy
of exercising plenary jurisdiction over labor-relations
matters in Puerto Rico. The case was S i x t o O rteg a , d . b. a.
S i x t o , Santurce, P. R., and U n i o n N o . 1 , D e P a n a d e r o s ,
R e p o ste r a s, R a m a s A n e x a s de P . R ., F L T .

T he term of Albert C. Beeson, fifth member of the NLRB
(see Chron, item for Feb. 18, 1954, MLR, Apr. 1954)
expired, following an announcement that he would not
accept reappointment.
On December 20, expiration of the 4-year term of George
J. Bott left vacant the post of NLRB general counsel, in
which the Taft-Hartley Act vests sole authority to initiate
formal unfair-labor-practice charges.

December 19
Teamster (AFL) locals ratified a 2-year agreement
with an employing group of 300 truckers in the Greater
Philadelphia area, effective January 1, 1955, which will
provide wage increases ranging from 35 to 66 cents an
hour for the 20,000 truck drivers. Most of the workers
were to receive 30 cents an hour in January 1955 and an
additional 10 cents in 1956.
Seven

218
December 20
L o c a l 333, United Marine Division, composed of about
4,000 licensed and unlicensed tugboat and other harborcraft workers in the Port of New York seceded from Dis­
trict 50, United Mine Workers (Ind.) (see Chron. item for
May 11, 1954, MLR, July 1954), and was granted a
charter by the American Federation of Labor by direct
affiliation.

December 22
T h e Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority
approved a new wage contract, negotiated earlier by TVA
management with the Tennessee Valley Trades and Labor
Council (AFL) at their 20th annual wage conference, by
which 9,000 construction workers received wage increases
ranging from 5 to 12}£ cents an hour and 5,000 salaried
workers, $100 to $150 a year.

December 29
T h e superintendent of the New York State insurance de­
partment transmitted to the Governor the findings of a
2-year investigation into the administration of union wel­
fare funds, with legislative recommendations for State
regulation of such funds. The study uncovered “serious


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

abuses” — by unions, employers, or insurance companies—
in a fifth of the 500 welfare funds in the State, providing,
altogether, some direct protection to about 3,000,000
persons.

December 30
T h e Federal District Court for the District of Columbia
upheld the employer’s unilateral discharge of an employee
for refusing to testify before a congressional committee
regarding alleged Communist associations, as a lawful
exercise of the company’s contractual right to discharge
summarily for “obvious cause.” The case, United Elec­
trical Workers {Ind.) v. General Electric Co., arose out of
the company policy whict requires such employees either
to answer the questions or to obtain Federal security
clearance within a 90-day suspension period or be dis­
charged. According to the court, the “threatened loss of
good will, displeasure of stockholders and prospective
customers, disruption of plant morale, and the grave
doubts as to the security of employees and its plants, all
resulting from the refusal of its employees to testify,” . . .
justified the summary discharge. Moreover, it stated, the
discharge did not interfere with the constitutional rights
of the employee, as the Fifth Amendment does not guar­
antee immunity against unfavorable inference or severance
from employment.

Developments in
Industrial Relations’

T h e CIO convention in December unanimously
approved actions taken during the year by its
representatives to bring about organic unity with
the AFL; authorized its Standing Committee on
Ethical Practices to continue scrutiny of labormanagement practices affecting welfare funds,2
and adopted expressions of policy on a wide range
of economic and legislative matters. A number of
international unions sought changes in affiliation
or interunion understandings on organizing prob­
lems as the quest for organic unity moved nearer
realization. Major agreements were negotiated
in the aircraft industry.
Other settlements
covered Philadelphia trucking and West Coast
longshoremen, while in New York negotiators for
the International Longshoremen’s Association
(Ind.) and the New York Shipping Association
continued to seek an acceptable “ clarification”
of their November agreement.

Union Developments

Labor Unity. The 16th annual convention of the
Congress of Industrial Organizations in Los
Angeles, December 6 to 10, was characterized by
an apparent cohesiveness on internal problems
and a desire for organic unity with the American
Federation of Labor at an early date.3 Later in
the month, the AFL-CIO Labor Unity Committee
scheduled a meeting in Washington for January 4,
1955, to carry forward the merger discussions.4
A no-raiding and mutual cooperation agreement
between the AFL Teamsters’ Central States Con­
ference and the CIO Retail, Wholesale and
Department Store Union was announced early in
December. This pact covered 12 midwestern
States and 2 Canadian provinces. It provided
that neither organization would raid the other;
that in the event of conflict the authorized officials
of each union would, upon the request of either
party, meet to adjust the dispute. Both unions
328729— 55

—5


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

agreed to respect picket lines and to explore joint
organizing activity.
In mid-December, the Teamsters and the AFL
Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen worked out
a 2-year agreement for joint organization in the
food processing industry. A 10-man committee
will direct the drive “ to organize canneries,
frozen food plants, packinghouses, and other food
processing plants.”
The Railway Labor Executives’ Association
early in December announced the return of the
Brotherhood of Firemen and Enginemen (Ind.)
which had withdrawn in 1950 over a disagreement
since resolved. The association, which concerns
itself chiefly with legislative problems common
to railroad labor, is made up of the top officers
of 19 unions representing over a million railway
workers in the United States and Canada.
Changes in Affiliation. Approximately 4,000 or­
ganized harbor-craft workers in the Port of New
York seceded from District 50 of the United Mine
Workers (Ind.) and were received into the AFL
late in December and granted a charter as a
directly affiliated organization. The disaffiliation
of the tugboat union, known as Local 333, United
Marine Division, occurred 7 months after the
group had pulled out of the ILA (Ind.) to join the
Mine Workers.5 The tugboat union indicated
that the Mine Workers’ refusal to sign nonCommunist affidavits under the Taft-Hartley law
had made it impossible for the tug union to use the
facilities of the National Labor Relations Board.
Early in December, a major local of about 3,500
New England leather workers, took steps toward
seceding from the Fur and Leather Workers’
Union (Ind.)— expelled from the CIO about 5
years ago on charges of Communist domina­
tion 6— and requested a charter from the CIO.
Formation of a Leather and Tannery Organizing
Committee was announced during the CIO
Los Angeles convention. In another situation,
involving the Fur and Leather Workers, the AFL
executive council expressed its disapproval of a
proposed merger of the Meat Cutters (AFL) with
that union, saying that the proposed absorption
1 Prepared in the Bureau’s Division of Wages and Industrial Relations.
2 See M onthly Labor Review, January 1955 (p. 100).
3 For a summary of the CIO convention, see p. 183 of this issue.
4 See M onthly Labor Review, December 1954 (p. 1366)
5 See M on th ly Labor Review, July 1954 (p. 793).
• See M onthly Labor Review, January 1951 (p. 11).

219

220
of the Fur union “ would be completely contrary
to the longtime position of the American Federa­
tion of Labor in opposition to the control and
domination of American workers by Communist
agents.” Leaders of the two merging organiza­
tions announced, however, that they would pro­
ceed with unity arrangements, in the hope that
the AFL would reconsider. The Fur Workers’
executive board has approved the proposed
merger, subject to ratification by a special
convention of the Fur union early in 1955.
Seniority Lists. The integration of pilot seniority
lists of merging airlines has resulted in several
serious disputes in recent years. The Air Line
Pilots Association (AFL) at its 13th convention
in November formulated an internal procedure
designed to avoid the use of outside arbitrators to
resolve future seniority controversies between
pilots of merged companies. Association members
are to be polled by early 1955 as to whether they
want their seniority lists (in the event of merger)
to be based on (a) length of service with their
respective carriers, or (b) problems and factors
peculiar to the merger.
The procedure adopted for integrating pilot
seniority lists provided that a pilot and copilot
representative from each of the affected airlines
may agree on a single list. If they cannot agree,
the union president may intervene as a mediator.
If these discussions fail, arbitration is mandatory
and the decision is binding. The arbitration
board is to be composed of 2 representatives of
the pilots on each airline, 2 neutral pilots selected
by these representatives from an ALPA panel,
and 1 neutral (not necessarily a pilot) chosen by
the 4 pilots’ representatives. If no neutral proves
satisfactory to both sides, the National Mediation
Board will be asked to designate such a member.
Only the three neutrals will vote. The initial
stages of the procedure adopted by the convention
are being applied to the Pioneer and Continental
Air Lines merger, recently approved by the Civil
Aeronautics Board.
Bargaining Developments

Aircraft. Major settlements in the aircraft in­
dustry, affecting more than 160,000 workers, were
announced during December. North American
Aviation, Inc., reached agreement with the CIO


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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

Auto Workers representing 32,500 employees at
plants in California and Columbus, Ohio. The
contract provided for a 2%-percent (average,
5-cent) hourly wage increase, incorporation of
the prevailing 3-cent cost-of-living allowance into
base rates, continuation of the escalator clause,
and a company-financed retirement plan. The
contract was effective December 15, and will run
through March 14, 1956. Approximately 21,000
nonunion hourly and salaried employees also re­
ceived a 2%-percent increase.
Douglas Aircraft Co. and the Machinists (AFL)
reached accord on new agreements covering the
company’s Santa Monica and El Segundo, Calif.,
plants in the first half of December, effective
until March 31, 1956. Wages of the nearly 35,000
workers covered by the 2 agreements were raised
5 to 7 cents an hour (approximately 3 percent)
and health and welfare benefits were liberalized.
The total increase for Santa Monica workers, in­
cluding the upgrading of job classifications, was
estimated by the union as a 9%- to 10%-cent
package. Unlike prior agreements, the new pacts
did not contain cost-of-living escalator clauses.
The Lockheed Aircraft Corp. settlement, also
negotiated with the Machinists, covered 19,000
employees in the company’s Burbank and Palm­
dale, Calif., plants. It provided for wage in­
creases, averaging 6 cents an hour, effective
December 14, and additional fringe benefits. The
escalator clause was discontinued.
A new agreement between the Machinists and
the United Aircraft Corp., covering its Pratt and
Whitney division at several locations in Connecti­
cut, was also reached after brief negotiations. The
settlement, effective January 1, 1955, and covering
about 23,000 employees, provided for increases of
5 to 9 cents an hour. The company also an­
nounced that approximately 12,000 unorganized
salaried employees in its various divisions would
receive increases of 3 percent of their monthly base
rates.
Northrup Aircraft, Inc., of Hawthorne and
Anaheim, Calif., whose employees are not organ­
ized, put into effect a wage increase averaging 7
cents an hour for 16,750 hourly rated employees.
In addition to the general increase, ranging from
6 to 8 cents hourly, minimum and maximum
scales were raised and some job classifications
upgraded. The company also announced a 3-per­
cent increase for all salaried personnel, applving to

DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

about 4,500 supervisory, staff, engineering, and
other professional employees.
Longshoring. The 2-year pact between the ILA
(Ind.) and the New York Shipping Association
negotiated in November 7 was rejected by rankand-file union members (6,199 to 4,590) on
December 10. Less than half the Port’s 25,000
longshoremen voted. Contract talks were re­
sumed on December 14 and continued throughout
the month. The union’s wage scale committee
requested clarification of the no-strike pledge,
cited as an important factor in the contract rejec­
tion, and the arbitration clause.
A second agreement, essentially similar to the
one rejected by the membership but providing for
modifications of the controversial no-strike and
arbitration provisions, was approved by the Wage
Scale Committee on December 31. The principal
modifications consisted of “ clarifying” language
designed to give union members a more specific
understanding of the controversial clauses in the
original agreement. In addition, the pact guar­
anteed that existing port practices would remain
unchanged. Subsequently, on January 5, union
members overwhelmingly ratified the agreement
by a vote of 11,266 to 4,206.
West Coast dockworkers are to receive an 11cent hourly wage increase in two steps, under a
2-year agreement reached in mid-December be­
tween the Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s
Union (Ind.) and the Pacific Maritime Associa­
tion; 5 cents-of the increase was to be effective
December 20, and 6 cents in June 1955. In
addition, employer contributions to the union
welfare fund were to be raised immediately by 2
cents in December and by an additional 1 cent in
June. A dental program for the longshoremen’s
children, negotiated last May for a 1-year trial
period, was extended to June 1956.
Transportation. Cost-of-living escalator clauses
in contracts of 15 nonoperating railroad unions
with the Nation’s railroads were discontinued on
December 3, and the 13-cent increase in hourlypay
accumulated under these clauses was incorporated
into base rates. The agreement, announced on
7 See M onthly Labor Review, January 1955 (p. 102).
8 See the following M onthly Labor Review issues for 1954: February (p.
192), June (p. 670), August (p. 909), and October (p. 1139).
8 See M onthly Labor Review, N ovember 1954 (p. 1256).


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

221
December 6, averted a 1-cent hourly pay cut for
approximately 825,000 nonoperating railroad em­
ployees on January 1. Other railroad unions had
taken the same step late in 1953 or early in 1954.8
Pan American World Airways and the AFL
Railway and Steamship Clerks announced an
agreement affecting approximately 3,400 clerical
workers. The new contract, effective until March
1, 1956, provided a 5-cent-an-hour wage increase,
retroactive to November 2, 1954; an increase in
night shift differentials from 10 to 12 cents an
hour; and changes in rules relating to retirement,
overtime, and seniority. Eastern Air Lines and
the Airline Communications Employees Associa­
tion (Ind.) agreed late in December to submit
their longstanding wage dispute to arbitration.
The new agreement between the AFL Team­
sters and Motor Transport Labor Relations, Inc.,
which represents 300 truckers in the Greater
Philadelphia area, provided for wage increases
during the next 2 years ranging from 66 cents an
hour for drivers required to make overnight runs
down to 35 cents for other over-the-road drivers.
Most drivers (engaged in local cartage) will receive
increases of 30 cents an hour, effective January 1,
1955, with an additional 10 cents in 1956. Seven
Teamster locals, representing approximately 20,000
truckdrivers in the area, were involved in the
negotiations.
Lumber. A wage increase of 7K cents an hour in
the Douglas fir industry of the Pacific Northwest
was recommended in mid-December by a fact­
finding panel which investigated the issues in last
summer’s 12-week strike.9 The increase, if ac­
cepted, would be effective January 1, 1955, and
continue until April 1, 1956. The recommended
settlement did not conform to the agreement under
which strikers returned to work last September,
that any increase recommended would be retro­
active to the date of return to work. Panel mem­
bers were reported in unanimous agreement on
the wage recommendation, but the CIO Wood­
workers’ appointee reserved the right to comment
on the matter of retroactivity. The CIO W ood­
workers’ Northwest regional policy committee, at
a meeting on December 27, recommended accept­
ance of the panel’s proposal and announced that
it would be up to the local unions to put the
agreement into effect with individual employers.

222
The AFL Lumber and Sawmill Workers’ Union
(part of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners) Northwest executive committee scheduled
a meeting for January 5 to discuss the proposal.
Shipbuilding. The Newport News Shipbuilding
and Dry Dock Co. and the Peninsula Shipbuilding
Association (Ind.), representing an estimated
12,000 production, technical, and clerical workers,
reached agreement November 30 on a 2.65-percent
wage increase for all workers. The increase for firstclass mechanics amounted to 6 cents, bringing
their rate to $2.14 an hour.
Glass. The American Flint Glass Workers (AFL)
and Corning Glass Works announced a new 1-year
agreement covering approximately 8,000 produc­
tion and maintenance workers at its plants in
Corning and Horseheads, N. Y., and Wellsboro,
Pa. The settlement provided for a general in­
crease of 3 cents an hour, an improved pension
plan, a reduction in employee contributions for
group insurance, and increased health and accident
benefits. The wage increase was retroactive to
November 22, 1954, and the 3-year pension agree­
ment took effect January 1, 1955.
Electrical Products. General Electric Co.’s Lamp
Division announced that it had granted voluntary
pay increases of 3 to 10 cents an hour to correct
job inequities for about 2,300 of its 6,000 Cleve­
land area employees, effective December 7. The
company said that the raise was automatic for
nonunion employees and that the effective date
would be the same for organized workers if the
increase was accepted by then- union representa­
tives within a “ reasonable” period.
Raytheon Manufacturing Co. and the AFL
Electrical Workers announced agreement had been
reached November 29 on rate increases of 2% to 5
cents an hour for about 10,500 production and
maintenance workers in several Massachusetts
plants. The agreement also liberalized incentive
plans and seniority rules, as well as funeral leave,
sick benefit, and vacation provisions.
Other Settlements. Approximately 9,000 TVA con­
struction workers received increases ranging from
5 to 12% cents an hour, and 5,000 salaried workers
received annual increases of $100 to $150. These
increases followed approval by the Tennessee

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

Valley Authority board of directors of new wage
agreements negotiated in mid-December by TVA
management at their 20th annual wage conference
with the Tennessee Valley Trades and Labor
Council.
Warehousemen’s Local 636, affiliated with the
AFL Teamsters, was the second union to conclude
an agreement in the year-old Pittsburgh depart­
ment store strike. The 3-year contract provided
for a 5-cent-an-hour wage increase, effective
February 15, 1955. Lodge 1060 of the AFL
Machinists accepted a similar wage increase
several days later. Teamsters’ Local 249, repre­
senting truckdrivers and helpers, had ended its
strike on November 26.10 Members of these
unions will not return to work until the other
anions involved reach a settlement with the
stores. The new Warehousemen’s agreement
provided for a modified union shop, as in previous
contracts, but new workers will have 60 days,
instead of 45, to sign up as members. The con­
tract also incorporated a number of previous
verbal understandings.
On December 6, the Textile Workers Union
(CIO) announced that arbitrators had awarded
the Forstmann Woolen Co., Passaic, N. J., a
general wage reduction of 7 cents an hour, affect­
ing approximately 2,200 workers. The company
had requested a 16K-cent reduction when hearings
began in October.
Other Developments

Union-Employer Cooperation.
Approximately
1,100 employees of the Deepfreeze Appliance
Division of Motor Products Corp. at the com­
pany’s North Chicago and Lake Bluff, 111., plants
agreed late in December to enter a stock-buying
drive to counteract efforts by outside interests to
obtain control of the company. The move sup­
plemented a similar action by about 3,500 em­
ployees at the company’s Detroit plants. A local
official of the Auto Workers’ union (AFL), which
represents employees at the Illinois plants, said
union members feared that a change in ownership
or management might mean a loss of contract
benefits and fewer jobs. They term their stock­
buying plans “ a vote of confidence in the present
management and a move to support and preserve
it.” The management is cooperating by permit10 See M onthly Labor Review, January 1955 (p. 104).

DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

ting stock purchases through payroll deductions,
under the installment plan adopted by the New
York Stock Exchange early in 1954.
A program for counseling workers approaching
retirement age has been developed by the AFL
Upholsterers and representatives of 4 major
segments of the furniture industry. A joint
Industry-Labor Commission on Retirement has
been formed and will meet periodically to review
detailed programs to be prepared by the University
of Michigan’s Institute for Human Adjustment.
The commission agreed that the programs should
prepare prospective retirees to face new problems
some years before actual retirement. The union
president noted the completeness of agreement of
the industry and union representatives on the
nature and importance of the problem and the
need for an essentially educational approach to it .
The United Mine Workers, together with the
Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. and Poca­
hontas Fuel Co., Inc., in mid-December requested
the Secretary of Labor to establish a Federal
minimum wage for soft-coal miners, based upon
minimum daily basic rates now provided in the
UMW wage contracts. This action was requested
under the provisions of the Public Contracts Act,
ii

See M onthly Labor Review, March 1954 (p. 309).


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

223
which applies to Government contracts of $10,000
or more.
NLRB. An early election was ordered by the
NLRB on December 16, to determine a collective
bargaining representative for an estimated 6,000
seamen on vessels operating out of West Coast
ports for Pacific Maritime Association members.
The Board held that a single unit comprising all
unlicensed seagoing employees in the engine, deck,
and stewards’ departments was appropriate.
Currently there are three bargaining units: the
deck and below-deck units, both represented by
the AFL Sailors’ Union of the Pacific; and the
stewards’ unit, not represented by any union.
The Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union
(Ind.), ousted from the CIO in 1950 on charges
of Communist domination, had requested an
election only in the stewards’ unit.
The NLRB election conducted last spring11
for stewards’ department employees resulted in a
rejection of both unions on the ballot— the AFL
Marine Cooks and Stewards and the independent
National Union of Marine Cooks and Stewards,
the stewards’ former representative. During that
election the Longshoremen’s union campaigned
for a “ no union” vote.

Book Reviews
and Notes

Strong forces are pushing us away from workmen’s
compensation as we now know it, and no one can
deny that the present system leaves much to be
desired.
— F r a n k
S. M c E l r o y
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Special Reviews
Workmen’s Compensation.
By Herman Miles
Somers and Anne Ramsay Somers.
New
York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1954. 341 pp.,
bibliography. $6.50.
Almost half a century after the enactment of
the first workmen’s compensation law in the
United States, the authors of this book comment
despairingly, “ one of the most remarkable facts
about the oldest of our social security programs
is the lack of information available about it.” In
view of the large and ever-growing volume of
literature cataloged under the subject of “ work­
men’s compensation,” one may be tempted to
question this statement. The fact of the matter,
which the Somers’ volume ably demonstrates, is
that most of the literature consists of technical or
argumentative discussions of particular adminis­
trative problems. Few of the experts in the field
have made any effort to present an overall ap­
praisal of our workmen’s compensation system in
terms which the layman or neophyte student can
comprehend. In this book the authors have
attempted to fill this void, and, in large measure,
they have succeeded. They have produced an
excellent textbook for students of workmen’s
compensation, but most casual readers will find
the voluminous footnotes and quotations from
other works an annoying and possibly confusing
distraction (in 327 pages there are 574 footnotes—
one 55-page chapter has 110).
The authors’ conclusions are not encouraging
to advocates of our present system of workmen’s
compensation. By and large, they find that it has
failed to accomplish its basic objectives. Most of
its failings they ascribe to an inability to “ throw
off the administrative anomalies with which the
system was encumbered from the very beginning.”
They are, however, positive that the objectives
of workmen’s compensation will not be abandoned,
but may be achieved ultimately under a different
system of broad and inclusive social security.
224


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Long-Range Economic Projection. By Conference
on Research in Income and Wealth. New
York, National Bureau of Economic Re­
search, 1954. 476 pp., charts, maps. (Studies
in Income and Wealth, Vol. 16.) $9, Prince­
ton University Press, Princeton, N. J.
This sixteenth volume in the National Bureau
of Economic Research Studies in Income and
Wealth continues a series started in 1937 and
contains the papers delivered at the May 1951
meeting of the Conference on Research in Income
and Wealth. It is devoted primarily to the
methodological problems involved in making
longer-range economic forecasts and predictions.
An introductory paper by Simon Kuznets deals
with the basic concepts and assumptions involved
in long-term projections of the national product.
His illumination of the problems involved, and
his evident opinions on the present state and
perfectibility of the art, are somewhat discourag­
ing in view of the wisdom and experience he brings
to the task. Hence it is heartening to find a
following comment by Gerhard Colm, also an
eminent practitioner, which embodies a somewhat
more optimistic prognosis.
It is a little strange that there is no initial setting
of the stage in this volume to differentiate between
long- and short-range projection (except what may
be implied in several minor illustrative references
by Kuznets to 1980), especially as the succeeding
volume in the series is to deal with the latter sub­
ject. There is in any case bound to be some hazi­
ness in definition since the dividing line between
the two surely cannot be made sharp in a calendar
time sense, except arbitrarily. The reviewer sug­
gests that a distinction may be related to the extent
of opportunity for subsequent change in or review
of a policy or action based on the projection. For
a short-run forecast there can be little such oppor­
tunity; actions taken are likely to be nearly irrev­
ocable in terms of effect during the period con­
sidered. As ever longer periods are brought into
view, a situation gradually develops where it is in­
deed difficult to imagine that commitments, course

BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTES

of action, or policies based on the forecast will not
repeatedly be subjected to reexamination. In
other words, if our longer-run forecasts by their
nature must be less firm, so also will our longer-run
commitments be more pliable. It is perhaps this
practical safety hatch that Kuznets finds less com­
forting than Colm.
The two papers which complete Part I of the vol­
ume deal with subjects which are fundamental to
nearly any long-range economic projection. Har­
old Wool discusses the factors which influence the
size of the labor force, and presents alternative
quinquennial projections to 1975, by age and sex,
which undoubtedly will find many uses. John
Kendrick, in his important study of national pro­
ductivity and its long-term projection, must cope
not only with problems of estimation for the future
but with uncertainties of measurement for the past
as well. He meets the difficulties squarely in
terms of current statistical knowledge and points
out the lines along which improvements may per­
haps be achieved.
Part II begins with two papers on agriculture.
James Gavin’s “ Projections in Agriculture” ex­
amines two specific efforts to look ahead, one made
about 1945 by the U. S. Bureau of Agricultural
Economics and relating to 1950, and the “ Hope
Report,” prepared in 1948 for the Committee on
Agriculture, U. S. House of Representatives, and
containing projections to the period 1955-65 and
some to 1975. The special importance of agricul­
tural forecasts is indicated; while forecasts for
areas discussed in other papers undoubtedly in­
fluence policy in varying degrees, those for agri­
culture do so quite immediately and directly.
“ The B. A. E. projections have had a strong policy
motivation. Demand for such projections has
arisen as a result of long-range agricultural pro­
grams involving heavy financial commitments
. . . This is particularly true for such programs
as flood control, forestry, and valley development,
which require large-scale capital investments, and
in which comparisons have to be made between
current costs of these investments and the eco­
nomic benefits which are expected to accrue.
Projections are also becoming increasingly useful
to agencies making repayable loans to farmers on a
long-term basis.” The longer paper following,
“ Some Considerations in Appraising the LongRun Prospects for Agriculture,” by Rex Daly,
uses an extension and refinement of the method­

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225

ology of the “ Hope Report” to present estimates
under alternative high and low employment level
assumptions for the period centering around 1970.
An unusual and nearly unique feature of these
long-range projections is the attempt to take
explicit account of the trend in general price
levels. Harold Barnett, in “ Specific Industry
Output Projections,” subjects to his special
scrutiny a set of projections made in 1946 for 1950.
While the authors of these projections explicitly
stated they were not forecasts, they are here ana­
lyzed as if they were. Barnett uses value-addedweighted to check against implicitly price-weighted
indexes. He comments on the problem (“ At
various times . . . I found myself wondering
whether I was testing projections or testing the
quality of the index numbers which record the
‘actual’ ” ), but conquers his restraint. A single
example will show the difficulty. The physical
motor-vehicle production estimates prepared by
the original authors were higher than the actual
1950 physical figures; Barnett treats them as too
low. Comment from someone associated with the
original projections might have been a useful
addition. Part II closes with “ Productive Ca­
pacity, Industrial Production, and Steel Require­
ments,” by Paul Boschan, an attempt to analyze
the longer-run factors influencing the demand for
steel.
Part III opens with “ Long-Term Tendencies in
Private Capital Formation,” by William Fellner.
The general approach in this rather abstract paper
is the establishment of normative relationships
between changes in overall capital expenditures
and gross output over long periods of time. The
principal empirical tool employed is a series of
decade averages in the period 1869-1929 based on
Kuznets’ “ National Product since 1869.” The
possibility that a rather fundamental break in
capital-production relationships may have oc­
curred in this century, suggested in other recent
studies, is not given much weight. At the same
time, “ long-run” is here seen in somewhat shorter
perspective than in most of the other papers
included: e. g., “ the so-called long-run outlook
(over, say, a period of five years).”
Mary Smelker, in “ Problems of Estimating
Spending and Saving in Long-Range Projections,”
examines the ever-puzzling question of the factors
which tend to influence the rate of savings.
“ Long-Run Projections and Government Revenue

226

M ONTHLY

and Expenditure Policies” are examined briefly by
Arthur Smithies. Part III closes with a discus­
sion of “ Conceptual Problems Involved in Projec­
tions of the International Sector of Gross National
Product,” by Jacques Polak. Part IV consists of
a single paper, “ Regional and National Product
Projections and Their Interrelations,” by Walter
Isard and Guy Freutel. Beginning with the more
conventional approach, the authors go on to dis­
cuss more detailed formulations incorporating
regional interindustry structural relationships.
This volume represents, as do many others in
the same series, a publication which is at the same
time an informative text for the student and a
useful reference work for the expert.
— W . D uane E vans

Bureau of Labor Statistics

LABOR

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

1955

Though the greater part of the book covers
theoretical material published in journals avail­
able to American statisticians, some of the results
published in Indian journals may appear new to
American statisticians.
The main theoretical
development, not previously presented, is the
author’s treatment of nonsampling errors.
The author states that the prerequisites for
reading the book are college algebra, elements of
calculus, and principles of statistical methods.
Actually, most readers with this background will
find the going difficult in spite of the author’s
straightforward and clear method of presentation.
The book can be recommended very highly for
those statisticians seriously concerned with sam­
pling theory and applications. Mr. Sukhatme is
to be congratulated on the writing of an excel­
lent book.
— B e n ja m in L ip st e in

Sampling Theory oj Surveys, with Applications.
By Pandurang V. Sukhatme. New Delhi,
Indian Society of Agricultural Statistics;
Ames, Iowa, Iowa State College Press, 1954.
xxviii, 491 pp., bibliographies. $6.
The author, an Indian statistician of consider­
able reputation, has been making contributions to
the field of sample survey methods for over 20
years. This wealth of experience as a research
worker and teacher has made this new book
exceptionally good both as a basic reference and
an advanced study guide to this area of statistics.
The development is very systematic, following
the pattern of other books on sampling, with the
order of topics being basic theory, stratified sam­
pling, ratio and regression estimates, cluster
sampling, and systematic sampling. An out­
standing feature of the volume is the use of the
analysis of variance technique in the analytic
treatment of the various designs. This approach
is characteristic of statisticians in the agricultural
survey field.
Many examples from the author’s survey
experience in India are given to amplify the
theoretical development.
For the American
statistician, these examples have less value than
similar designs executed in the United States.
However, this does not detract from their useful­
ness in demonstrating the applications of sampling
theory.


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Bureau of Labor Statistics

Agricultural Labor
U sed fo r F ield C ro p s.
By Reuben W . Heeht and
Keith R. Vice. Washington, LL S. Department of
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1954.
45 pp.
(Statistical Bull. 144.)
Limited free dis­
tribution .

Labor

M ig r a to r y

F a rm

W e ster n

W orkers

N ew

Y ork,

in

the

June

A tla n tic
1953— A

C oa st

S tre a m :

P r e lim in a r y

By Joe R. Motheral, Howard E. Thomas,
Olaf F. Larson. Ithaca, N. Y., Cornell University,
Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of
Rural Sociology (in cooperation with U. S. Depart­
ment of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service),
1954. 30 pp., map. (Mimeograph Bull. 42.)
R ep or t.

P u e r to R ic a n F a r m

W o r k e r s i n the M i d d l e A t l a n t i c S ta te s —

By William Mirengoff. Wash­
ington, U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Employ­
ment Security, 1954. 11 pp. Free.
H i g h li g h ts o f a S t u d y .

U n em p lo ym en t o f H ir e d F a rm

W o rk er s in P in e

B lu ff, A r ­

By Lester Rindler and William
Mirengoff. Washington, U. S. Department of Labor,
Bureau of Employment Security, and U. S. Depart­
ment of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service,
1954. 26 pp., chart, illus. Free.
k a n sa s,

M ay

1952.

One of four surveys made by the Bureau of Employment
Security in cooperation with the Agricultural Research
Service. The other localities covered were: Roswell and
Artesia, N. Mex., and selected areas of Louisiana, for which
the reports have been published; the report for Cordele,
Ga., is in preparation.

227

BOOK REVIEWS AND NOTES

A g r ic u l tu r a l L a b o r [in I n d i a ]— H o w

T h e y W o r k a n d L iv e.

By B. Ramamurti. Delhi, Ministry of Labor, 1954.
137 pp., charts. Rs. 3/8, Manager of Publications,
Delhi.

Statistics, 1954. 38 pp. (Bull. 1170.) 30 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
Annual

R ep ort

G overnor

W a ges,

H ou rs,

Department,
59 pp., charts.

of

the

N ew

C o m m is s io n e r

of

to

the

York]

L e g isla tu r e f o r

the

and

the

H o u sin g

New York, Executive
Department, Division of Housing, 1954. 131 pp.,
illus. (Legislative Doc. 34.)
Y ea r E n d in g M a r c h 3 1 , 1 9 5 4 -

Employment and Unemployment
C o n n e cticu t L a b o r S ta tistic s :

[of

E m p lo y m e n t,

U n em p lo ym en t,

Hartford, Connecticut Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1954.
etc.

Industrial Hygiene
C o n tro l o f R a d ia tio n E m itte r s .
By Gerald L.
Hutton. ( I n Public Health Reports, U. S. Depart­
ment of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public
Health Service, Washington, December 1954, pp.
1133-1140.)
Outlines the functions of various Federal and State
agencies in this field.
P u b lic

E s t im a t e s

of

P r iv a te

N o n fa rm

E m p lo y m e n t

and

A verage

W e e k ly E a rn in g s, A vera g e W e e k ly H o u r s, an d A vera ge
H o u rly

E a rn in g s

in

th e

C h ic a g o

M e tr o p o lita n

A rea ,

Chicago, Illinois Depart­
ment of Labor, Employment Service and Division of
Unemployment Compensation, 1954. 62 pp. Rev.
ed.
J a n u a ry

1 9 5 2 -J u ly

1954.

R a d io a c t iv e D u s t a n d G a s i n th e U r a n i u m
N o n a g r ic u ltu r a l

E m p lo y m e n t,

A verage

W e e k ly

E a rn in g s

H o u r s in N e w H a m p sh ire , [ 1 9 4 7 -5 4 ] Concord,
[Department of Labor], Division of Employment
Security, 1954. 32 pp., charts.

and

M i n e s o f U ta h .

By E. Elbridge Morrill, Jr. ( I n American Industrial
Hygiene Association Quarterly, Chicago, December
1954, pp. 269-276, bibliography, illus. 75 cents.)
L e v e ls F o u n d i n M i n e s i n N e w Y o r k S ta te .
By
Saul J. Harris. ( I n Monthly Review, New York
State Department of Labor, Division of Industrial
Hygiene and Safety Standards, New York, October
1954, pp. 37-40, bibliography.)

R adon
R e em p lo ym e n t

R ig h t s

H andbook

(R e v is e d ): Q u e stio n s

and

A n s w e r s A b o u t V e t e r a n s ' R e e m p l o y m e n t R ig h t s . Wash­
ington, U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Veter­
ans’ Reemployment Rights, 1954. 138 pp. 40 cents,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
M a in ta in in g

E m p lo ym en t in

the I r o n

and

S te e l I n d u s t r y .

By James A. Morris. ( I n Internationa] Labor Re­
view, Geneva, November 1954, pp. 385-400. 60 cents.
Distributed! n United States by Washington Branch
of ILO.)
By Stanley Lebergott. ( I n
Review of Economics and Statistics, Cambridge,
Mass., November 1954, pp. 390-400. $2.)
Discussion and evaluation of proposals for supplement­
ing and revising current concepts and measurement of
unemployment, with particular reference to U. S. Bureau
of the Census data.
M e a su r in g

U n em p lo ym en t.

T o x ic o lo g y o f P la stic s a n d R u b b er— P la sto m e r s a n d M o n o m ­

By Rex H. Wilson, M .D ., and William E.
McCormick. ( I n Industrial Medicine and Surgery,
Chicago, November 1954, pp. 479-486, bibliography.
75 cents.)

ers.

C oron a ry

H ea rt

D ise a se

in

[L on d on ]

T ra n sp ort

W ork ers.

By J. N. Morris and P. A. B. Raffle.
( I n British
Journal of Industrial Medicine, London, October
1954, pp. 260-264, charts. 12s. 6d.)

Industrial Relations
C o lle ctive

B a r g a in in g

A g r eem e n ts:

E x p ir a tio n ,

R e o p e n in g ,

a nd W a g e A d ju stm e n t P r o v isio n o f M a j o r A g r eem e n ts,

Housing
C en su s

of

1954.
Washington, U. S. Department of
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1954. 26 pp.;
processed. (BLS Report 75.) Free.
O cto b er

H o u sin g ,

1950:

C h a r a c te r is tic s — P a r t

V o lu m e
1,

U n ite d

II,

N o n fa rm

S ta te s

and

H o u sin g
D iv isio n s.

Washington, U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau
of the Census, 1954. Various pagings, maps. $3.25,
Superintendent of Documents, Washington.
Washington, U. S. Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1954. 19 pp.
(BLS Report 73.) Free.
Presents annual indexes, 1915-1953, and monthly
indexes, January 1949-July 1954.

R ecent

D ev elo p m en ts

U n der

L M R A

[L a b o r

M an agem ent

N. A. M. Law Digest, National
Association of Manufacturers, Law Department,
Washington, December 1954, pp. 1-16.)

R e la ti o n s A c t ] .

(In

C o n s t r u c t io n C o s t I n d e x e s .

By
Dorothy K. Newman and Adela L. Stucke. Wash­
ington, U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor

S tr u c tu r e o f the R e s id e n t ia l B u i l d i n g I n d u s t r y i n 1 9 4 9 .

328729- 55------- 6


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T a ft-H a r tle y A c t in A c tio n , 1 9 4 7 - 1 9 5 4 , a n d E sse n tia ls o f a
N e w L a bor P o lic y .
By Jack Barbash.
League for Industrial Democracy, 1954.
cents.

New York,
46 pp. 25

C o n flic t a n d its M e d i a t i o n .
By Clark Kerr.
American Journal of Sociology, Chicago, Novem­
ber 1954, pp. 230-245. $1.25.)

In d u str ia l
(In

228

M ONTHLY

“ Strilce-Proneness” and Its Determinants.

By K. G. J. C.
Knowles.
(I n
American Journal of Sociology,
Chicago, November 1954, pp. 213-229. $1.25.)
Discusses industrial and regional variables in strike
proneness, and the changing significance of strikes, with
particular reference to Great Britain.

LABOR

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

1955

Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, 1954.
xiii, 315 pp. (Publication 357.) $1.25, Superin­
tendent of Documents, Washington.

Labor Organizations
The Seventy-third Convention of the A F L . By H. M. Douty.

[Proceedings of] Institute on Human Problems in Industry,
M a y 27, 1954, Montreal. Montreal, Montreal Council

of Social Agencies, 1954.

23 pp.

$1.

Legislation and Practices Affecting Labor-Management
Relationships in Industry— Colombia and Brazil.

Washington, U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1954. 14 pp.; processed. (Foreign
and International Labor Information Report.) Free.

Washington, U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1954. 6 pp. (Reprint 2154; from
Monthly Labor Review, November 1954.) Free.
Analysis of the 1954 convention’s major actions.
White-Collar Unions Are Different. By George Strauss.
(In Harvard Business Review, Boston, September-

October 1954, pp. 73-82. Reprints $1 each.)
By Georges Lefranc. Paris,
Presses Universitaires de France, 1953.
125 pp.,
bibliography. (“ Que sais-je?” , 585.)
Reviews the development of French trade unionism from
its beginnings in the middle of the 19th century.
Le Syndicalisme en France.

Freedom of Association and Industrial Relations in the
Countries of the Near and Middle East: I. By
J. A. Hallsworth. (In International Labor Review,

Geneva, November 1954, pp. 363-384. 60 cents.
Distributed in United States by Washington Branch
of ILO.)
Outlines the development of workers’ and employers’
trade-union movements and gives an account of the
present law and practice concerning freedom of association
and industrial relations.

Labor and Social Legislation
By Robert T. Kimbrough
and Judson B. Glen; completely revised and rewritten
by William E. Shipley. Rochester, N. Y., Lawyers
Cooperative Publishing Co., 1954. xlviii, 1389 pp.
$15.
An encyclopedia of the rights and benefits of veterans,
and their dependents, arising from service during World
War II and the Korean conflict and later, with statutes
(Federal and State), regulations, forms, and procedure.

American Law of Veterans.

Federal Laws

Pertaining

to

Veterans— Supplement

II,

Washington, 1954. 232 pp. (House
Doc. 508, 83d Cong., 2d sess.) 65 cents, Superin­
tendent of Documents, Washington.
1 9 5 1 -1 9 5 4 .

Washington,
Congress of Industrial Organizations, [1954], 171

The Case Against “ Right to Work” Laws.

pp.

$2.

Trade Union Movement and the Redistribution of
Power in Postwar Germany.
By Clark Kerr.
(In

Quarterly Journal of Economics, Cambridge, Mass.,
November 1954, pp. 535-564. $1.50.)
Sixtieth Annual Report of the Irish Trade Union Congress,
Being the Report of the National Executive for 1953-54
and the Report of the Proceedings of the Sixtieth Annual
Meeting, Held in Limerick, July 2 1 - 2 3 , 1954 ■ Dublin,

National Executive of the Irish Trade Union Con­
gress, 1954. 198 pp.

Medical Care and Health Insurance
Edited by A. J. Fleming
and C. A. D ’Alonzo. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger,
1954. 414 pp., bibliographies, charts, forms, illus.
$ 10.
A stimulating guide to the protection of workers' health
in the plant, especially in the newer occupational fields,
authored by 20 staff members of a major chemical manu­
facturing organization.
Experiences of the company’s
extensive medical and toxicological programs, as well
as of a variety of related services, are drawn upon.
Modern Occupational Medicine.

Group Insurance Against Major Medical Costs. Princeton,

By Robert
G. Rodden. Washington, U. S. Department of Labor,
Bureau of Labor Standards, 1954. 57 pp. (Bull.
176.) Limited free distribution.

A Guide to State Mediation Laws and Agencies.

The New Trend in Labor Law. By
David L. Benetar and Robert C. Isaacs. (In Ameri­
can Bar Association Journal, Chicago, October 1954,
pp. 848-852, 918-919. 50 cents to Association
members, 75 cents to nonmembers.)

Pickets or Ballotsf

Occupational Health and Safety Legislation— A Compilation
of State Laws and Regulations. By Victoria M.

Trasko.

The

Washington, U. S. Department of Health,


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N. J., Princeton University, Industrial Relations
Section, 1954.
4 pp.
(Selected References, 61.)
20 cents.
Hospitalization Experience of a Government Hospital Care
Insurance Plan. By G. W . Myers.
(In Canadian

Journal of Public Health, Toronto, September 1954,
pp. 372-380; October 1954, pp. 420-429, charts.
50 cents each.)
Report on a survey among beneficiaries of the Sas­
katchewan hospital services plan, covering the 6 years
1947-52.
By Nathan
M. Simon and Sanford E. Rabushka. St. Louis, Mo.,

A Trade Union and Its Medical Service Plan.

BOOK

R E V IE W S

AND

229

NOTES

St. Louis Labor Health Institute, 1954.
47 pp.,
survey form.
Study of membership attitude toward the services and
administration of the St. Louis Labor Health Institute.
T h e E x t e n t o f V o l u n t a r y H e a lt h I n s u r a n c e

C o v era g e i n the

[New York],
31 pp., charts.

U n ite d S ta tes a s o f D e c e m b e r S I , 1 9 5 3 .

Health Insurance Council,
Free.

1954.

Personnel Management
By Henry Clay
Lindgren. New York, Hermitage House, 1954. 287
pp. $3.50.

E f fe c t i v e L e a d e r s h i p i n H u m a n R e la ti o n s .

C o m p e titio n .
By Richard A.
Lester. Princeton, N. J., Princeton University, De­
partment of Economics and Sociology, Industrial
Relations Section, 1954. 108 pp., map. (Research
report series, 88.) $2.50.
This report is summarized on page 192 of this issue of
the Monthly Labor Review.

E s t u d i o d e lo s I n g r e s o s , G a s to s y C o s to d e la V i d a , C i u d a d d e
P a n a m á , 1 9 5 2 -1 9 5 8 .
By Pauline B. Paro; translated
into Spanish by Luisa E. Quesada. [Panama City],
Contraloria General de la República, Dirección de
Estadística y Censo, 1954. 99 pp., charts, map.
A summary of the results of this study of incomes and
expenditures of Panama City families is given on page 204
of this issue of the Monthly Labor Review. The investi­
gation was made by a cost-of-living consultant loaned by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor
(Washington), who prepared the report.
A mimeographed publication in English describing the
methods used in the investigation, and in computing the
cost-of-living indexes presented in the report, is available
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Washington).

H i r i n g P r a c t ic e s a n d L a b o r

J o b E n g i n e e r i n g : M o d i f i c a t i o n o f J o b s f o r B e t t e r U t i li z a t i o n
o f M a n pow er.

Army, 1954.
39.)

Unemployment Insurance
A n n u a l - W a g e B e n e f it F o r m u l a s i n U n e m p l o y m e n t C o m p e n ­

By Olga S. Halsey. Washington, U. S. De­
partment of Labor, Bureau of Employment Security,
1954. 20 pp.; processed. Free.
s a t io n .

B e n e f it P a y m e n t P o l i c y a n d P r a c t ic e s

J u s t i f y i n g the P e r s o n n e l P r o g r a m — C o s t s , B u d g e t s , E v a l u a ­

Lawrence,
University of Kansas, School of Business, Bureau of
Business Research; [Topeka], State Department of
Labor, Employment Security Division, 1954. 167 pp.,
charts.

W ith a

S e c t i o n o n E m p l o y e e E d u c a t i o n a n d C o m m u n i t y R e la ­

New York, American Management Associa­
tion, 1954. 56 pp. (Personnel Series, 159.)

tio n s.

York

F in a n cin g U n e m p lo y m e n t In su r a n ce in K a n sa s .

New York, American Management Association,
1954. 51 pp., chart. (Personnel Series, 160.)

ti o n .

P e r s o n n e l M a n a g e m e n t i n a C o m p e t i t iv e E c o n o m y ,

U n d e r th e N e w

New York, State De­
partment of Labor, Division of Employment, 1954.
28 pp. Rev. ed.
U n em p lo ym en t In su r a n ce L a w .

Washington, U. S. Department of the
54 pp. (Civilian Personnel Pamphlet

Lincoln,
Department of Labor, Division of Employment Se­
curity, 1954. 199 pp., charts.

F in a n cin g U n em p lo ym en t In su r a n ce in N eb ra sk a .

A d m in is te r in g a S ic k -L e a v e P r o g r a m f o r S c h o o l P er so n n e l.

Washington, National Education Association of the
United States, American Association of School Admin­
istrators, 1954. 24 pp. 50 cents.

The

C ost o f

U n em p lo ym en t

In su r a n ce

in

S o u th

C a r o lin a .

Columbia, South Carolina Employment Security Com­
mission, 1954. 99 pp., charts.

Wages, Salaries, and Hours of Labor

Prices and Cost of Living
of

R e s u l t s o f the M i n i m u m - W a g e I n c r e a s e o f 1 9 5 0 : E c o n o m i c

By Anne Bezanson and
others. Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania,
Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, Industrial
Research Department, 1954. xxxv, 506 pp. (Re­
search Study X X X V I.) $10, University of Pennsyl­
vania Press.

E f f e c t s i n S e le c te d L o w - W a g e I n d u s t r i e s a n d E s t a b l is h ­

W h o lesa le

P rice s

R e la tiv e

in

P h ila d e lp h ia ,

M o n th ly

1 8 5 2 - 1 8 9 6 — S e r ie s

P rice s.

Washington, U. S. Department of Labor,
Wage and Hour and Public Contracts Divisions, 1954.
115 pp., bibliography, charts. 60 cents, Superintend­
ent of Documents, Washington.
m e n ts.

Wage Differences Among Labor Markets,
P ric e s

and

P rice

In d ex es

( W h o le sa le ,

F a rm ,

C on su m er,

S e c u r i t y ) [in C a n a d a ], 1 9 4 9 - 1 9 5 2 .

Ottawa, Dominion
Bureau of Statistics, Labor and Prices Division, 1954.
232 pp., charts. $1.50.
F i n a n c i n g the I n s t a l m e n t P u r c h a s e s o f the A m e r i c a n

Fam ­

i l y — T h e M a j o r F u n c t i o n o f the S a l e s F i n a n c e C o m p a n y .

By Clyde William Phelps. Baltimore, Md., Commer­
cial Credit Co., 1954. 105 pp. (Studies in Consumer
Credit, 3.)


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1953-54-

By

Toivo P. Kanninen. Washington, U. S. Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1954. 7 pp.,
charts. (Serial R. 2152; reprinted from Monthly
Labor Review, October 1954.) Free.
T exa s, S ep tem b er 1 9 5 4 .
By Bernard J. Fahres. Washington, U. S. Depart­
ment of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1954.
22 pp. (Bull. 1172— 3.) 20 cents, Superintendent of
Documents, Washington.

O c c u p a t io n a l W a g e S u r v e y : D a l la s ,

230

M ONTHLY

Wage Structure: Men's and Boys’ Dress Shirts and Night­
wear, M a y 1954 ■ By L. Earl Lewis. Washington,

U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics, 1954. 27 pp., chart. (BLS Report 74.) Free.
Fixing Wages [in Great Britain]: A Contrast From Holland.
(In Planning, PEP (Political and Economic Planning),

London, September 27, 1954, pp. 233-248.)
The Structure of Engineering Earnings [in Great Britain ].
By K. G. J. C. Knowles and T. P. Hill. (In Bulletin

of the Oxford University Institute of Statistics, Ox­
ford, September-October 1954, pp. 271-328, charts.
3s. 6d.)
Oslo, Statistisk SentralbyrS,,
1954. 125 pp., survey form. (Norges Offisielle Statistikk, X I, 176.) Ivr. 3.
This volume of Norwegian agricultural statistics forl953
contains data on wages of men and of women in 1953-54.
An English translation of the table of contents is provided.
JordbruksstatistikJc,

1953.

Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of Waterfront
Industry Commission, [New Zealand], for the Year
Ended March 31, 1954 ■ Wellington, 1954. 70 pp.

2s. 6d.
Includes data on wages, hours worked, man-days of
employment lost, and amount of cargo handled at New
Zealand ports.

Workmen’ s Compensation
Contemporary Trends in Compensation for Industrial Acci­
dents Here and Abroad.
By Stefan A. Riesenfeld.
(In California Law Review, Berkeley, October 1954,

pp. 531-578.

$1.50.)

The Legal Aspects of Causation in Workmen’s Compensation.
By Arthur Larson. (In Rutgers Law Review, New

LABOR

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

1955

By Harry A. Nelson. (In Public
Health Reports, U. S. Department of Health, Educa­
tion, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Washington,
October 1954, pp. 953-957.)
The Wisconsin Industrial Commission’s director of work­
men’s compensation discusses his State’s legislation to
compensate workers for damage to hearing suffered in
industry.
What Price Decibels?

Miscellaneous
Analysis of Social Problems, Supplemented by Case Materials
and Selected Readings. Edited by Morris G. Caldwell

and Laurence Foster. Harrisburg, Pa., Stackpole Co.,
1954. 715 pp., bibliographies, charts, illus. $6.50.
By Raymond
Villers. New York, Funk & Wagnalls Co., 1954. 546
pp., bibliography, charts, forms. $6.25.

The Dynamics of Industrial Management.

Edited
by Harold F. Williamson and John A. Buttrick. New
York, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1954. 576 pp., bibliog­
raphy. $9.

Economic Development— Principles and Patterns.

Proceedings of New York University Seventh Annual Con­
ference on Labor [and Social Security], New York, M a y
5 -7 , 1954- Edited by Emanuel Stein. Albany, N. Y.,

Matthew Bender & Co., 1954.

675 pp.

$11.50.

By Alexander Uhl.
Washington, Public Affairs Institute, 1954. 100 pp.
50 cents.

Trains and the M en Who Run Them.

Year Book of Labor Statistics, 1954 ■ Geneva, International

Labor Office, 1954. xv, 397 pp. In English, French,
and Spanish. $5. Distributed in United States by
Washington Branch of ILO.

Brunswick, N. J., Summer 1954, pp. 432-434.)
Brussels, Interna­
tional Confederation of Free Trade Unions, 1954.
116 pp. (ICFTU Study Guide 3.)
The title of number 1 in this series is “ Economic Sys­
tems in Change” , and of number 2, “ Problems of Inter­
national Migration.”
Workers’ Participation in Industry.

Medical Care and Rehabilitation Under Workmen’s Com­
pensation— Present Status and Critique. By Jerome

Pollack. [Detroit, United Automobile Workers (CIO),
International Union, Social Security Department?],
1954. 21, ix pp., bibliography.
Paper presented at 82d annual meeting of American
Public Health Association, Buffalo, October 13, 1954.
By Joseph S. Keiper
and others. New York, Commerce and Industry
Association of New York, Inc., 1954. 198 pp., charts.
$2.50.
Covers compensation experience, costs, and related mat­
ters for New York and nine other States.

Studies in Workmen’s Compensation.


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Edited by H. D. Ortlieb and
H. Schelsky. Hamburg, Akademie für Gemeinwirt­
schaft, 1954. 316 pp., bibliography.
This volume on “ Roads to Social Peace” reproduces lec­
tures before the Akademie für Gemeinwirtschaft, 1952-53,
on the subject of codetermination, a system under which
labor is represented on management boards of private
industrial firms in West Germany.
Wege Zum Sozialen Frieden.

Current Labor Statistics

A. —Employment and Payrolls
233

Table A - l :

234

Table A -2 :

238
241

Table A -3 :
Table A -4 :

241

Table
Table
Table
Table

242

A -5 :
A -6 :
A -7 :
A -8 :

Estimated total labor force classified by employment status, hours
worked, and sex
Employees in nonagricultural establishments, by industry division
and group
Production workers in mining and manufacturing industries
Indexes of production-worker employment and weekly payrolls in
manufacturing industries
Federal civilian employment by branch and agency group
Employees in nonagricultural establishments for selected States 1
Employees in manufacturing industries, by State 1
Insured unemployment under State unemployment insurance pro­
grams, by geographic division and State

B.—Labor Turnover
243

Table B - l :

244

Table B -2 :

Monthly labor turnover rates (per 100 employees) in manufacturing
industries, by class of turnover
Monthly labor turnover rates (per 100 employees) in selected groups
and industries

C.— Earnings and Hours
246

Table C - l :

262

Table C -2 :

262

Table C -3 :

263

Table C -4 :

263

Table C -5 :
Table C -6 :

Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory
employees
Gross average weekly earnings of production workers in selected
industries, in current and 1947-49 dollars
Average weekly earnings, gross and net spendable, of production
workers in manufacturing industries, in current and 1947-49 dollars
Average hourly earnings, gross and excluding overtime, of produc­
tion workers in manufacturing industries
Indexes of aggregate weekly man-hours in industrial and construc­
tion activity
Hours and gross earnings of production workers in manufacturing
industries for selected States and areas 1

1 This table is included in the March, June, September, and December issues of the Review.
N o t e . — Beginning with the June 1954 issue, data shown in tables A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, C -l, C-2, C-3, and C-4
have been revised because of adjustment to more recent benchmark levels. These data cannot be used with
those appearing in previous issues of the Monthly Labor Review. Comparable data for earlier years are avail­
able upon request to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
231


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

232

D. -~ Consumer and Wholesale Prices
264

Table D - l :

265
265

Table D -2 :
Table D -3 :

266
266
267

Table D -4
Table D -5
Table D -6

269
270
271
272

Table
Table
Table
Table

D -7
D -8
D -9
D -l(

Consumer Price Index— United States average, all items and com­
modity groups
Consumer Price Index— United States average, food and its subgroups
Consumer Price Index— United States average, apparel and its
subgroups
Consumer Price Index— United States average, all items and food
Consumer Price Index— All items indexes for selected dates, by city
Consumer Price Index— All items and commodity groups, except
food, by city
Consumer Price Index— Food and its subgroups, by city
Average retail prices of selected foods
Indexes of wholesale prices, by group and subgroup of commodities
Special wholesale price indexes

E.—Work Stoppages
253

Table E - l :

F.—Building and Constructio
274
275

Table F - l :
Table F -2 :

275

Table F-3:

277

Table F-4:

277

Table F-5:

278

Table F -6 :

278

Table F -7 :


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Expenditures for new construction
Value of contracts awarded and force-account work started on fed­

erally financed new construction, by type of construction
Building permit activity: Valuation, by class of construction, type
of building, and location in metropolitan areas
Building permit activity: Number of new dwelling units, by owner­
ship, type of structure, and location in metropolitan areas
Building permit activity: Valuation, by class of construction and
geographic region
Number and construction cost of new permanent nonfarm dwelling
units started, by urban or rural location, and by source of funds
Number of new permanent nonfarm dwelling units started, by
ownership and location, and construction cost

A: EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLLS

233

A: Employment and Payrolls
T a b l e A - l : E stim a ted total labor force classified b y em p loym en t status, hours worked, and sex
[In thousands!
Estimated number of persons 14 years of age and o v e r 1
1954 2

1953 s

Labor force status
Dec.

N ov .3

Oct.

Sept.3

Aug.

Ju ly3

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Total, both sexes
Total labor force........................................... .......

66,811

67,909

68,190

68,565

68,856

68,824

68,788

87,786

67,438

67,218

67,139

66,292

66,485

Civilian labor force............................................. .
Unemployment_________________________
Unemployed 4 weeks or less................
Unemployed 5-10 weeks.....................
Unemployed 11-14 weeks____________
Unemployed 15-26 weeks____________
Unemployed over 26 weeks__________
Em ploym ent__________________________ _
Nonagricultural_____________________
Worked 35 hours or more________
Worked 15-34 hours_____________
Worked 1-14 hours 5____ _______
With a job but not at work •____
Agricultural__________________ ______
Worked 35 hours or more________
Worked 15-34 h ou rs................. .
Worked 1-14 hours 8_____________
W ith a job but not at work •____

63,526
2,838
1,164
726
241
331
376
60,688
55,363
45,958
5,891
2,079
1,435
5,325
3,788
977
302
259

64, 624
2,893
1,274
705
183
379
352
61,731
55, 577
40, 506
11,195
2.322
1, 554
6,154
4, 598
1,126
259
171

64,882
2,741
1,129
635
181
406
391
62,141
54,902
43,666
7,144
2,194
1,899
7,239
5,353
1,464
295
126

65,243
3,099
1,284
642
341
451
383
62,144
54,618
23,999
25,559
1,984
3,076
7, 527
5,684
1, 527
219
97

65, 522
3,245
1,260
847
280
458
400
62,276
55,349
42, 514
5,727
1,753
5,355
6, 928
5,164
1,214
327
221

65,494
3, 346
1,394
853
250
510
339
62,148
54,661
21,936
23,005
1,886
7,833
7,486
5, 324
1,683
319
159

65,445
3,347
1,628
623
236
566
293
62,098
54, 470
43,502
6,226
1,904
2,838
7,628
5,932
1,336
234
126

64,425
3,305
1,157
764
336
672
375
61,119
54,297
43,962
6,211
2,133
1,991
6,822
4,957
1,436
285
144

64,063
3,465
1,160
854
403
740
307
60,598
54,522
43,603
6,480
2,379
2,060
6,076
4,231
1,336
283
226

63,825
3,725
1,301
932
484
741
267
60,100
54,225
44,291
5,804
2,364
1,765
5,875
4,294
1,100
304
178

63,725
3,671
1,434
1,198
408
470
160
60,055
54,351
42,825
7,246
2,265
2,013
5,704
3,844
1,283
301
272

62,840
3,087
0
to
o
0
59,753
54,469
0
0
0
0
5,284
0
0
0
0

62,993
2,313
0
0
0
0
0
60,680
55,310
0
0
0
0
5,370
0
0
0
0

0

Males
Total labor force....................... ............ ..............

47,005

47, 426

47, 586

48,007

48,964

48,948

48,619

47,791

47,671

47,408

47,539

47,203

47,194

Civilian labor force__________________________
Unem ploym ent...................................... .......
Em ploym ent___________________________
Nonagricultural------------------------------Worked 35 hours or more......... .
Worked 15-34 h o u r s ......................
W orked 1-14 hours *-------------------W ith a job but not at work •____
Agricultural_______ _______ ____ ____
W orked 35 hours or more...............
Worked 15-34 hours______ _____ _
Worked 1-14 hours 8_____ _____
W ith a job but not at work *____

43,759
1,996
41,762
36,954
32,071
2,972
900
1,011
4,808
3,600
711
256
241

44,180
1,875
42,305
37,134
28, 956
6,236
917
1,026
5,171
4,155
659
206
151

44,317
1,796
42,522
36,792
30, 780
3,782
864
1,366
5,730
4,579
822
201
128

44,724
1,993
42,730
36,905
17,978
16,118
814
1,994
5,825
4, 750
841
144
91

45,669
2,152
43, 518
37, 712
30,699
3,156
727
3,129
5,806
4,578
745
270
213

45,658
2,226
43,432
37,426
16,675
15,089
835
4,827
6,006
4,657
978
226
145

45,317
2,194
43,123
37,100
31,355
3,303
762
1, 673
6,023
5,135
621
145
123

44,471
2,197
42,274
36,660
31,184
3,241
956
1,279
5.614
4,502
761
214
137

44,337
2,343
41,993
36,682
31,100
3,257
981
1,344
5,311
3,987
891
224
209

44,057
2, 552
41,504
36,337
31,219
2,944
1,040
1,134
5,167
4,052
687
261
167

44,167
2,542
41,625
36, 592
30,399
3,829
1,053
1,309
5,033
3,633
884
273
243

43,793
2,061
41,732
36,992
0
0
0
0
4,740
0
0
0
0

43,746
1,575
42,171
37,345
0
0
0
0
4,826
0
0
0
0

Females

i
Total labor force____________________________

19,806

20, 484

20,604

20,559

19,892

19,877

20,170

19,995

19,767

19,810

19,600

19,089

19,291

Civilian labor force------------------ --------------------U nem ploym ent----------------- --------------------Em ploym ent....... — ............ .........................
Nonagricultural------------- ----------------Worked 35 hours or more________
W orked 15-34 hours_____________
Worked 1-14 hours 8______ ____
With a job but not at work 8 ___
Agricultural_________________________
W orked 35 hours or more________
W orked 15-34 hours___________ .
W orked 1-14 hours 8_____
. ..
W ith a job but not at work «____

19,767
841
18,925
18,408
13,887
2,919
1,178
424
517
188
266
46
17

20, 445
1,018
19, 427
18, 444
11,550
4,960
1,406
528
983
443
467
53
20

20, 565
945
19, 619
18,110
12,885
3, 362
1,330
533
1,509
775
642
94
0

20, 520
1,106
19, 413
17,712
6,020
9,441
1,169
1,081
1,701
933
686
76
6

19,853
1,093
18, 760
17, 638
11,816
2, 571
1,025
2,226
1,122
588
470
56
7

19,837
1,121
18, 716
17,235
5,263
7,916
1,051
3,006
1,481
669
705
92
14

20,129
1,153
18, 975
17, 370
12,141
2,922
1,142
1,164
1,605
797
716
89
4

19,954
1,108
18,846
17,637
12, 775
2,972
1,177
712
1,209
454
675
71
10

19, 726
1,121
18,605
17,840
12, 503
3,223
1,398
715
765
244
445
58
17

19, 768
1,173
18,596
17, 888
13,072
2,860
1,324
631
708
242
413
43
11

19,558
1,128
18,430
17,759
12,426
3,417
1,212
704
671
211
399
28
29

19,047
1,026
18,021
17,477
0
0
0
0
544
0
0
0
0

19,247
738
18,509
17,965
0
0
0

1 Estimates are subject to sampling variation which may be large in cases
where the quantities shown are relatively small. Therefore, the smaller
estimates should be used with caution. All data exclude persons in institu­
tions. Because of rounding, the individual figures do not necessarily add to
group totals.
* Data beginning January 1954 are based upon a new Census sample in
230 areas and are not entirely comparable with previously published estimated
for earlier months. The December 1953 figures shown here have been revised
for comparability with 1954 data. Revised m onthly data for 1953 were pub­
lished in the Census Bureau’s “ M onthly Report on the Labor Force: D e­
cember 1954.”


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to

544
0

to
0
0

* Census survey week contained legal holiday.
4 N ot available.
•Excludes persons engaged only in incidental unpaid family work (less than
15 hours); these persons are classified as not in the labor force.
3 Includes persons who had a job or business, but who did not work during
the census week because of illness, bad weather, vacation, labor dispute, or
because of temporary layofl with definite instructions to return to work
within 30 days of layofl. Does not include unpaid family workers.
Source: U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census.

234

M ONTHLY

LABOR

REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T a b l e A -2 : Employees in nonagricultural establishments, by industry division and group 1
(In thousands]

1954

1953

Industry group and Industry
Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Annual aver­
age
1953

1952

Total employees......................................... 49,432 48,830 48,668 48,526 48,045 47, 808 48,137 47, 935 48,068 47,848 47,880 48,147 50,197 49,660 48,306
Mining___________ __________ _______
713
722
716
737
744
737
735
772
719
749
790
805
822
844
885
Metal__________________________ ___
91.8
92.9
89.7
98.4 100.2
99.6
89.4
98.8
98.4 101.6 103.1 104.3 105.5 105.7
99.8
Iron............... ......................................
29.8
31.9
34.1
34.7
35.3
36.2
33.4
35.0
34.9
37.1
38.2
39.6
39.8
33.5
Copper................................................
28.6
24.8
28.3
28.4
28.3
27.5
27.4
29.0
22.6
29.1
29.4
29.3
28.6
26.5
Lead and zinc............................... .......
13.4
13.8
15.0
15.2
15.3
15.1
15.4
15.2
13.6
16.0
15.9
15.4
17.4
21.2
Anthracite...............................................
Bituminous-coal................................... .

202.8

Crude-petroleum and natural-gas pro­
duction___ ____ _________________

32.1
204.2

31.9
203.2

25.0
204.7

25.4
207.3

25.2
202.0

26.5
214.2

29.3
213.3

38.8
219.7

41.5
237.2

44.8
252.2

46.4
260.5

48.5
266.4

52.8
285.6

63.4
327.8
289.8

289.4

287.3

294.9

301.0

302.5

299.9

292.2

291.2

292.3

291.4

295.3

298.0

294.5

Nonmetalllc mining and quarrying____

100.5

103.1

103.7

104.6

105.1

105.0

104.1

103.2

101.0

99.0

98.1

98.8

104.0

105.1

103.8

Contract construction— ........... ................
Nonbuilding construction................. .....
Highway and street______________
Other nonbuilding construction____

2,550

2,722
553
250.7
302.2

2,777
584
273.1
310.6

2,817
598
281.9
316.5

2,851
612
287.3
324.9

2,795
599
281.4
317.5

2,729
582
270.7
311.7

2,634
550
243.6
306.7

2,535
497
208.0
289.3

2,415
443
173.3
269.7

2,356
420
155.9
264.1

2,349
415
149.9
264.6

2,632
490
195.9
293.7

2,644
518
218.1
299.9

2,634
514
209.4
305.0

Building construction,...........................

2,169

General contractors..............................

911.9

Special-trade contractors--...................
Plumbing and heating, .................
Painting and decorating................
Electrical work........ .....................
Other special-trade contractors___

2,193
926.1

2,219
945.6

2, 239
962.2

2,196
944.0

2,147
918.4

2,084
892.5

2,038
867.8

1,972
834.0

1,936
813.7

1,934
811.5

2,142
924.6

2,126
944.5

2,119
948.3

1,256.6 1,266. 4 1, 273. 8 1, 277. 2 1,251.9 1, 228.4 1,191. 7 1,169. 9 1,137.8 1,122. 5 1,122. 6 1,217.6 1,181.2 1,170.8
310.6 313.8 312.8 313.3 304.6 297.4 292.0 290.1 289.2 287.6 292.2 305.5 '293.1 ' 287.7
144. 5 149.4 158.0 161.0 155.2 150.7 139.2 134.5 127.1 122.4 124.1 142.9 148.1 156.5
169. 5 168.9 167.6 170.7 171.4 168.2 164.2 162.0 163.1 165.4 169.1 170.5 162.3 155.7
632.0 634.3 635.4 632.2 620.7 612.1 596.3 583.3 558.4 547.1 537.2 598.7 577.7 570.9

Mannfactnring...... .......... ....... ............ ..... 16,102 16,106 16,058 16,019 15,863 15,627 15,888 15,836 16,000 16,234 16,322 16,434 16,765 17,259 16,334
Durable goods i______ __________ _ 9,216 9,178 9,065 8, 950 8.875 8,863 9,123 9,152 9,260 9,389 9,480 9, 591 9, 773 10,129 9,340
Nondurable goods *______ ________ 6,886 6,928 6,993 7,069 6,988 6,764 6, 765 6,684 6,740 6, 845 6,842
6,843 6,992
7; i3i 6,994
Ordnance and accessories_____________

158.5

158.3

161.2

163.4

162.5

165.3

170.0

175.6

188.4

202.1

217.0

231.4

240.6

242.6

178.7

Food and kindred products.................... 1,476.5 1,529. 5 1,599. 2 1,685. 8 1,662.0 1, 583.3 1,511.3 1,457.8 1,434.9 1,431.1 1,428.9 1,444. 7 1,505.3 1, 555.0 1,548.2
Meat products.....................................
331.6 331.4 326.7 321.2 316. 6 317.4 310.0 310.6 316.7 319.3 326.0 335.9 ' 321. 5 319.0
Dairy products.......... ..........................
115.1 117.2 121.7 127.3 130.6 130.0 124.2 118.7 115.3 111.6 110.8 112.4 118.7 119.9
Canning and preserving— ...................
202.2 262.2 362.6 336.5 255. 2 193.7 172.6 163.2 153.6 152.9 159.7 178.1 235.3 227.6
Grain-mill products...... ......................
118.1 120.7 123.4 123.4 124.2 123.1 119.7 112.5 116.2 117.4 117.1 116.8 119.4 123.8
Bakery products---------------------------285.1 286.7 285.1 286.0 287.3 282.4 280.2 282.7 281.9 282.5 281.5 284.4 285.9 284.1
Sugar..'----------------- ------- --------------50.8
47.3
31.4
29.1
29.1
29.7
32.1
28.3
27.3
28.7
30.2
44.1
34.2
33.4
Confectionery and related products__
87.7
89.7
79,2
72.6
75.2
74.5
85.7
76.6
79.3
81.2
83.6
90.2
84.6
86.2
Beverages________________________
205. 4 207.7 211.7 218.6 226.1 219.1 209.6 205.1 202.3 198.0 200.8 206.4 214.9 215.6
Miscellaneous food products................
133.6 136.3 136. 8 138.4 141.0 141.3 137.9 137.2 138.5 137.3 135.0 137.0 140.6
138.7

•

Tobacco manufacturers__________ ___
Cigarettes........................................... .
Cigars.---------------------------------------Tobacco and snuff...............................
Tobacco stemming and redrying..........

110.7

111.4
33.0
40.9
7.7
29.8

121,2
32.9
40. 7
7.7
39.9

119.5
32.4
40.7
7.7
38.7

110.4
31.9
39.9
7.7
30.9

91.2
31.7
38.0
7.7
13.8

90.4
31.6
39.9
7.8
11.1

89.8
31.4
39. 5
7.9
11.0

89.9
31.6
39.2
8.0
11.1

92.1
31.8
39.8
7.9
12.6

98.2
31.9
40.3
7.9
18.1

105.6
31.8
39.4
7.8
26.6

112.9
32.0
40.8
8.0
32.1

103.6
31.4
40.6
8.0
23.7

105.6
30.4
41.1
8.5
25.5

Textile-mill products____________ ____ 1,089.4 1,086.0 1,081.6 1,080. 2 1,074.9 1,045.9 1,073.8 1,063. 2 1,073.8 1,083. 7 1,090.2 1,091.1 1,123.1
1,188. 5 1,195. 6
Scouring and combing plants________ —
5.0
5.2
6.3
5.4
5.8
6.2
5.6
5.4
5.1
5.0
5.2
5.8
6.6
6. 4
Yarn and thread mills._____ ________
125.3 124.3 123.8 123.5 120.1 124.0 122. 5 124.8 125.3 125.8 128.3 133.5 144.8 150.1
Broad-woven fabric mills_____ _____ —
483.3 481.9 481.7 481.4 471.0 485.5 481.1 484.9 489.6 493.1 494.8 506.2 534.1 538.4
Narrow fabrics and smallwares—.......__
29.4
29.1
28.8
29.0
29.1
29.0
28.4
29.4
29.2
29.1
29.2
30.2
31.5
31.3
Knitting mills____________________
225.7 225.5 225. 3 222.4 212.8 217.8 213.2 212.6 214.1 214.5 211.1 219.5 236.1 236.2
Dyeing and finishing textiles________
89.4
88.2
86.2
87.4
85.2
85.7
86.0
86.9
87.8
88.5
88.1
90.7
93.2
93.8
Carpets, rugs, other floor coverings___
50.7
51. 2
.50.2
51.2
49.3
50.1
50.1
52.9
53.3
54.1
54.1
55.0
57.6
55.6
Hats (except cloth and millinery)____
14.0
13.9
14.6
14.4
14.6
14.3
14.0
13.9
15.4
15.6
15.5
16.2
16.8
16.7
Miscellaneous textile goods__________
63.2
62.3
61.4
61.5
58.6
61.8
61.7
63.0
63.9
64.5
64.8
66.0
67.7
67.0

Apparel and other finished textile prod­
ucts____________________________ 1,182.1 1,179.5 1,176. 7 1,179.1 1,175.5 1,102. 8 1,110.4 1,107. 3 1,155.1 1, 226.8 1,213.8 1,188. 2 1,212.6
1,230.7 1,199.8
Men’s and boys’ suits and coats_____
119.0 122.6 127.0 128.2 119.0 121.5 118.5 123.7 134.4 135.0 133.0 134.2 134.4 129.9
Men’s and boys’ furnishings and work
clothing________________________
298.2 298.2 296.1 291.3 269.2 283.9 283.6 290.1 297.7 293.1 290.9 298.9 310.2 287.2
Women’s outerwear________________
353.1 345.4 352.2 356.9 334.3 321.5 324.1 353.2 389.4 384.7 372.7 371.1 363.1 369.6
Women’s, children’s undergarments__
115.0 114.7 112.1 108.8 102.0 107.5 109.9 111.3 111.6 111.3 108.6 110.9 115.0 109.6
Millinery____ ____________________
18.1
20.2
20.4
20.9
16.4
12.9
15.0
19.9
25.9
24.4
22.5
20.0
21.5
23.1
Children’s outerwear_________ _____
74.4
75.4
75.4
76.1
75.7
75.8
69.5
69.3
74.4
73.8
71.2
71.4
72.2
68.9
Fur goods____ ____________________
13.4
11.6
12.1
11.7
12.3
12.9
10.9
8.9
9.5
9.9
10.2
12.4
12.1
13.7
Miscellaneous apparel and accessories..
63. 5
63.2
62.1
60.6
56.4
57.4
55.9
57.1
59.3
58.4
56.5
60.9
63.9
65.0
Other fabricated textile products..........
124. 8 125.4 121.2 121.5 117.5 117.0 119.9 121.6 124.6 123.2 122.6 132.8 138.2 132.9
See footnotes at end oi table.


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

235

A : EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLLS

T a b l e A -2 : Employees in nonagricultural establishments, by industry division and group 1— Continued
[Id thousands]
1953

1954

Annual aver­
age

Industry group and industry
Dec.

Manufacturing—Continued
Lumber and wood products (except
furniture)_______________________ 762.3
Logging camps and contractors---------Sawmills and planing mills--------------- —
Millwork, plywood, and prefabricated
structural wood products--------------Wooden containers........................... —
Miscellaneous wood products-----------Furniture and fixtures_______________
Household furniture............................
Office, public-building, and profes­
sional furniture.................................
Partitions, shelving, lockers, and
fixtures-------------------------------------Screens, blinds, and miscellaneous
furniture and fixtures--------------------

352.7

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

M ar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

1953

1952

786.2
131. 2
408.5

7S9.3
130.7
410.3

765.0
112.6
406.3

681.4
96.1
360.1

671.8
92.2
352.8

769.4
125.6
401.2

747.1
116.1
390.5

716.5
96.7
380.3

710.0
96.7
375.9

694.2
85.7
372.1

684.5
74.8
372.5

722.5
89.6
388.9

775.4
102.1
418.2

788.7
99.7
439.3

135.0
58.4
53.1

135.6
59.5
53.2

134.3
58.7
53.1

117.3
56.6
51.3

117.3
57.4
52.1

128.0
61.2
53.4

125.9
60.9
53.7

123.4
61.1
55.0

121.5
61.0
54.9

120.4
61.3
54.7

120.7
61.5
55.0

124.4
63.0
56.6

130.8
65.5
58.8

125.6
64.1
60.0

353.6
252.3

352.4
250.9

349.6
248.0

341.5
240.5

326.2
228.7

329.0
228.3

330.6
230.7

337.0
236.8

344.4
242.1

346.1
241.9

347.7
241.7

356.0
248.7

373.6
265.9

361.4
257.1

41.5

42.1

41.9

39.9

40.3

39.9

40.0

40.7

41.4

41.5

42.2

42.7

41.9

33.6

33.4

32.9

31.2

33.3

33.0

33.3

34.1

34.7

35.6

35.6

35.7

34.0

26.1

26.4

26.1

26.2

26.4

27.1

27.0

26.9

27.5

28.1

28.9

29.5

29.2

28.4

532. 8

533.3
258.9
150.0
124.4

531.8
258.4
149.7
123.7

532.2
260 3
148.6
123.3

527.9
259.2
145.1
123.6

520.2
256. 6
140.3
123.3

525.8
259.2
142.5
124.1

522.7
256.9
142.1
123.7

522.7
256.5
142.0
124.2

525.1
257.7
143.6
123.8

525.2
257.7
144.4
123.1

525.7
257.5
145.6
122.6

530.7
260.0
148.2
122.5

529.6
257.5
148.2
123.9

503.7
252.8
132.6
118.4

819. 5

817.3
297.1
64.3
51.6
209.2
61.1
22.3
43.4

815.0
296.2
62.9
52.2
209.7
60.8
21.4
43.8

810.8
295.1
62.1
51.9
209.5
60.1
21.0
43.9

801.3
293.6
60.6
51.3
205.5
59.2
20.7
44.2

799.3
293.3
60.9
50.9
205.7
58.3
20.3
44.0

804.5
295.2
61.4
50.7
207.0
59.0
20.3
44.0

801.7
293.7
61.9
51.1
206.1
59.2
19.1
43.9

803.7
292.8
62.9
51.2
207.2
59.4
18.8
44.2

804.5
292.3
63.6
51.5
207.3
58.9
18.8
44.3

802.2
290.7
63.5
51.3
207.4
59.0
18.6
44.3

802.8
290.6
63.7
51.0
209.6
58.7
18.5
43.4

814.1
295.1
64.9
51.2
211.6
60.4
20.5
44.3

793.0
289.1
62.3
50.6
205.1
57.4
19.8
44.6

769.3
284.9
61.8
47.2
198.7
54.6
18.6
42.9

68.3

68.0

67.2

66.2

65.9

66.9

66.7

67.2

67.8

67.4

67.3

66.1

64.1

60.7

785.8
96.3
297.8
92.9

786.2
96.3
295.5
92.7

782.2
95.8
295.4
92.5

773.3
95.6
295.8
92.0

771.9
95.2
297.1
91.4

775.2
94.6
297.7
90.9

781.3
93.6
297.0
90.8

791.1
93.4
298.5
91.5

796.1
93.6
301.0
92.2

793.6
93.5
303.7
92.3

798.1
93.8
311.2
92.2

800.2
94.1
315.1
88.7

805.5
92.4
317.2
91.5

770.0
86.7
283.3
96.5

51.8
72.2
8.3
33.3
44.2
89.0

52.0
71.8
8.3
34.8
45.2
89.6

52.3
72.3
8.3
33.7
42.2
89.7

51.8
72.7
7.8
31-5
37.1
89.0

51.3
72.6
8.1
30.4
36.7
89.1

51.6
72.8
8.0
33.0
37.1
89.5

51.4
72.6
8.3
40.3
37.8
89.5

51.7
72.8
8.3
46.8
39.5
88.6

51.9
72.9
8.3
46.5
41.4
88.3

51.7
73.2
8.3
40.0
42.6
88.3

51.6
73.4
8.3
34.9
44. 5
88.2

51.3
74.1
8.3
32.9
46.3
89.4

51.4
75.0
8.1
37.2
42.7
90.0

50.4
73.1
8.0
36.9
44. 3
90.9

251.9
202.9

254.2
204.5

255.8
206.0

256.8
206.8

255.4
205.2

252.6
202.9

251.8
202.9

251.6
202.4

252.2
202.3

253.1
203.1

255.4
204.1

260.4
206.3

253.9
201.6

Newspapers......................— ...............
Periodicals..............- ....................... —
Books_______________ ____________
Commercial printing....................... —
Lithographing......................................
Greeting cards......................................
Bookbinding and related industries---Miscellaneous publishing and printing
services_________________________
Chemicals and allied products.................
Industrial inorganic chemicals..............
Industrial organic chemicals-------------Drugs and medicines----------------------Soap, cleaning and polishing prepara­
tions..... .................. - ........................
Paints, pigments, and fillers.................
Gum and wood chemicals___________
Fertilizers________________________
Vegetable and animal oils and fats......
Miscellaneous chemicals-------------------

Sept.

41.5

_________

Printing, publishing, and allied indus-

Oct.

33.7

_________

Paper and allied products------------------Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills---Paperboard containers and boxes-------Other paper and allied products---------

N ov.

786.0

—

Products of petroleum and coal-----------Petroleum refining-------------------------Coke and other petroleum and coal
products--------- ------ --------------------

249.3

251.0
202.2
48.8

49.0

49.7

49.8

50.0

50.2

49.7

48.9

49.2

49.9

50.0

51.3

54.1

52.2

Rubber products.................................
Tires and inner tubes--------- -----------Rubber footwear........ ........................
Other rubber products.........................

265.4

263.7
113.3
27.4
123.0

260.9
114. 5
27.0
119.4

255.9
113.5
26.1
116.3

229.8
92.1
25.8
111.9

226.0
91.5
25.3
109.2

255. 2
112.8
25.0
117.4

253.7
111. 5
25.0
117.2

252.8
111.2
24.5
117.1

256.3
112.1
24.9
119.3

259.4
112.3
25.9
121.2

262.3
113.0
27.0
122.3

265.9
113.3
28.3
124.3

278.3
119.8
29.3
129.2

266.7
118.8
28.3
119.7

Leather and leather products..................
Leather: tanned, curried, and finished.
Industrial leather belting and packing.
Boot and shoe cut stock and findings...
Footwear (except rubber).....................

374.4

370.3
42.7
4.6
15.6
240.4
14.9
34.7
17.4

368.2
42.7
4.6
14.9
237.6
15.8
34.6
18.0

369.4
42.5
4.5
14.3
240.9
15.8
33.5
17.9

376.8
42.9
4.4
15.7
248.4
15.4
32.6
17.4

366.8
43.3
4.4
15.9
242.9
14.7
29.0
16.6

363.2
43.6
4.7
16.0
241.3
14.6
26.6
16.4

353.5
43.1
4.7
14.9
234.4
13. S
27.0
15.5

364.0
43.3
4.8
15.7
241.7
13.4
30.0
15.1

377.5
44.3
4.8
16.9
250.6
13.3
32.9
14.7

378.4
44.7
4.8
17.2
250.2
14.3
33.3
13.9

371.0
44.6
5.0
16. Î
246.6
13.6
31.1
13.2

372.0
44.7
5. C
16.7
243.6
15.5
31.4
15.1

386.1
47.1
5.4
17.0
249.9
17.0
31.8
18.0

381.2
48.5
5.1
17.1
246.2
16.8
30.3
19.2

522.9

522.5
32.0
88.9
16.6
42.4
79.0
55.1

521. 2
30.2
89.1
16.5
42.9
78.9
54.5

520.6
28.9
89.0
16.2
42.9
79.5
54.1

516.5
27.9
89. 4
15.9
42.8
79.3
52.2

506.4
28.2
86.6
15.0
42.7
79.1
48.4

510.0
28.1
90.6
15.3
39.4
79.2
51.6

509.5
27.7
91.0
15.5
40.5
77.8
52.6

610.9
28.2
91.6
15.8
40. S
77.1
53.4

511.2
28.3
91.5
16.4
41.1
76.1
54.5

509.6
29.4
90.9
16.4
40.8
73.8
54.6

511.0
31. C
90.6
16.8
41.2
75. C
52.2

531.0
31.6
95.8
17.2
42.0
78.1
54.4

543.2
31.6
97.8
18.2
41.8
79.6
56.1

527.5
30.4
93.2
17.1
40.0
81.2
57.9

103.7
18.8

103.9
19.0

104.8
19.1

105.3
19.0

104.9
17.7

103.2
18.5

101.8
18.7

100.0
19. C

98.2
18.4

96.5
18.2

96.2
18. C

101.6
18.7

104.6
18.4

100.7
17. 5

86.0

86.2

86.1

84.7

83.8

84.1

83.9

84.9

86.7

89.0

90.0

91.6

95.0

89.7

Handbags and small leather goods........
Gloves and miscellaneous leather goods.
Stone, clay, and glass products--------------Flat glass....................................................
Glass and glassware, pressed or blow n ..
Glass products made of purchased glass.
Cement, hydraulic____________ _____
Structural clay products..........................
Pottery and related products--------------Concrete, gypsum, and plaster prod­
ucts..... ....................................- ................
Cut-stone and stone products-------------Miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral
products...................................................
See footnotes at end of table.


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

—

236

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T a b l e A -2 : Employees in nonagricultural establishments, by industry division and group 1— Continued
[In thousands)

1954

1953

Industry group and Industry
Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Annual aver­
age
1953

1952

Manu factoring—Contlnued
Primary metal industries........................ 1,185. 6 1,177.3 1,160.4 1,155.6 1,160.6 1,162.3 1,179.5 1,172. 4 1,186.8 1, 206.9 1,223.4 1, 249.0 1,273.7 1,333.2 1,232.0
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling
mills.._________________________ _________
572.8 567.4 570.0 570.9 573.2 579.0 573.9 580.1 593.3 601.4 614.2 626.6 653.3 570.7
Iron and steel foundries.......................
215.1 213. 5 213.1 215.4 214.7 219.6 219.1 223.0 223.9 225.5 228.7 232.0 249.8 256.6
Primary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals......... ........................
58.4
56.1
56.1
58.6
58.8
58.3
57.8
57.7
58.0
58.7
58.5
58.4
59.5
55.7
Secondary smelting and refining of
nonferrous metals_____ __________
12.4
12.2
12.3
12.0
12.3
12.4
12.6
12.7
12.4
12.4
12.8
12.9
13.5
12.7
Rolling, drawing, and alloying of nonferrous metals....................................
105.8 104.4
99.7 101.8 100.8 102.4 101.8 102.0 102.7 104.5 108.1 110.6 113.5 106.5
Nonferrous foundries_____ ____ ______
77.1
74.4
69.0
72.7
70.7
72.8
72.4
75.1
78.1
80. Î
82.9
85.8
91.5
87.6
Miscellaneous primary metal industries.
135.7 132.4 132.0 132.6 131.8 135.0 134.8 136.2 138.5 140.6 143.8 147.4 152.3 142.3
Fabricated metal products (except ord­
nance, machinery, and transporta­
tion equipment)._______ _________ 1,036.9 1,044. 4 1.034.4 1,026.4 1,024.9 1,015.0 1,037.6 1,040. 4 1,047.4 1,060.1 1,072.6 1,083.4 1,086.6 1,141.1 1,042.0
Tin cans and other tinware..................
51.6
53.5
59.1
57.6
58.2
56. £
55.3
54.2
52. S
52. £
53.3
33.1
55.4
55.4
Outlery, handtools, and hardware____
147.3 144.3 141.3 141.2 138.5 144.6 146.9 147.9 151.2 155.2 153.8 154.9 160.9 150.0
Heating apparatus (except electric) and
plumbers’ supplies........................... _________ 123. 6 124.2 124.3 121.2 116.4 118.0 115.9 116.0 117.9 117.6 118.8 124.3 135.0 133.0
Fabricated structural metal products... —
262.9 267.3 270.6 270.7 270.9 269.7 266.6 265.7 264.7 264.9 266.5 272.6 271.5 251.4
Metal stamping, coating, and engraving...
227.4 219.8 212.8 213.5 213.9 223.9 230.4 234.4 239.2 245.2 249.8 253.1 259.7 209.9
Lighting fixtures.___ ______________
46.5
44.3
41.9
42.5
41.5
43.2
43.3
44.6
45.8
46. S
47.6
48.7
60.3
46.0
Fabricated wire products....... ......... . - - - - - 55.1
53.1
51.4
51.6
53.2
53.8
51.6
54.6
55.5
56.2
58.3
62.0
64.4
59.8
Miscellaneous fabricated metal prod­
ucts....................................................
130.0 127.9 125.1 125.9 124.6 128.1 128.2 130.0 133.0 133.8 135.3 137.9 144.1 136.5
Machinery (except electrical).................. 1,494.6 1,486.3 1,485.8 1,494. 4 1,492. 7 1,509.9 1,550. 7 1, 567.7 1, 590.7 1,608.0 1,626.0 1,636.6 1,643. 4 1, 705.3 1,664.4
Engines and turbines...........................
71.0
73.0
71.5
74.3
75.4
76.4
77.3
78.9
70.9
80.3
81.8
84.2
88.5
85.8
Agricultural machinery and tractors__ —
138.6 136.1 138.0 138.0 145.2 149.9 149.7 151.2 149.2 145.1 140.3 138.4 167.3 179.9
Construction and mining machinery...
118.7 120.4 121.4 121.8 122.5 123.6 123.7 124.6 124.9 124.2 125.0 125.5 133.4 134.8
Metalworking machinery___ _______
264.8 264. 9 268.7 269.2 273.8 280.4 284.7 290.7 298.7 303.9 307.9 307.4 308.9 294.3
Special-industry machinery (except
metalworking machinery)_________ _________
167.1 168.0 170.3 170.2 171.0 174.1 175.6 177.2 179.3 180.1 181.8 183.5 187.9 190.9
General industrial machinery..... .........
222.0 221.9 224.5 222.3 222.4 226.5 227.9 230.8 235.1 237.8 241.5 244.7 243.7 235.8
Office and store machines and devices...
104.2 104. 9 103.7 101.9 102.7 103.5 103.3 104.8 105.7 107.9 108.6 109.6 109.3 108.7
Service-industry and household
machines.................. .......... ............ —
152.2 152.3 153.7 151.5 153.4 166.0 175.3 180.4 178.6 185.7 185.1 184.4 198.7 181.9
Miscellaneous machinery parts______
247.7 244.3 243.2 246.3 244.6 251.3 251.2 253.7 257.6 261.0 264.6 265.7 267.7 252.4
Electrical machinery________________ 1,126.6 1,128.2 1,114.4 1,099.3 1,081.4 1,064.9 1,074.8 1, 087.1 1,108.5 1,126.6 1,138. 4 1,157.6 1,187.5 1,228.5 1,084.1
Electrical generating, transmission,
distribution, and industrial appa­
ratus............ .......... ..........................
360.9 360.2 354.6 355.7 357.2 363.7 369.0 373.5 379.4 384.4 390.3 395.9 402.8 373.8
Electrical appliances_______________
64.1
63.9
60.9
60.8
62.6
65.0
60.1
66.2
67.2
68.6
71.1
63.7
70.8
56.5
Insulated wire and cable___ ____ ____ —
30.3
30.4
28.4
28.4
28.6
27.5
28.8
28.9
28.9
29.8
31.1
29.5
33.4
30.8
Electrical equipment for vehicles_____
73.2
66.3
65.9
70.9
72.1
67.7
73.5
75.1
77.5
78.3
79.0
68.7
82.0
75.9
Electric lamps___________ _________
27.7
27.4
27.1
27.6
27.7
28.1
27.0
28.7
29.1
29.5
27.2
29.8
28.4
25.6
Communication equipment_________
525.9 519.9 509.3 496.6 480.1 477.9 481.6 494.3 503.2 505.2 514.6 532.1 559.7 474.2
Miscellaneous electrical products_____
46.1
46.3
46.8
45.5
45.5
45.3
45.1
45.3
46.1
46.5
48.5
46.3
49.5
47.3
Transportation equipment................... 1, 799.1 1, 736. 7 1, 658.4 1, 596. 5 1,651. 7 1,694.9 1,737.9 1, 752. 5 1,793.4 1,823.7 1,846. 8 1,886.0 1,904.3 1, 955.0
1, 693.4
Automobiles..........................
771.8 691.1 619.8 677.6 706.7 739.5 744.8 770.9 785.3 803.1 828.2 862.9 920.2 790.2
Aircraft and parts.................. ...........I I
790.0 788.7 797.2 793.9 803.8 804.0 806.9 816.6 823.1 823.7 830.1 810.9 790.3 660.7
Aircraft..... ..................................... .
495.7 491.6 496.4 499.8 498.8 493.8 496.2 498.9 497.9 496.9 502.7 483.3 479.1 425.9
Aircraft engines and parts_________
158.3 159.9 161.6 154.2 162.8 166.3 169.5 174.5 178.2 178.8 179.5 181.6 177.3 138.8
Aircraft propellers and parts_______
16.6
16.9
17 3
17.4
17.5
13.1
13.8
17.5
17.8
18.1
18.2
17.2
18.0
14.5
Other aircraft parts and equipment...
119.4 120.3 122.0 122.6 124.8 126.4 128.1 129.4 129.5 130.2 129.8 127.8 115.9
81.8
Ship and boat building and repairing... —
114.2 118.1 116.8 117.7 125.1 127.5 132.0 132.7 136.9 139.5 143.3 143.7 152.8 152.0
Shipbuilding and repairing________
95.2 100.3
98.8 104.4 105.6 109.1 111.8 114.0 117.4 121.7 123.2 130.5 134.2
99.0
Boatbuilding and repairing...............
19.0
17.8
18.9
21.9
22.9
20.7
20.9
22.1
22.9
21.6
20.5
22.3
18.4
17.8
Railroad equipment_________ I I ____ I I
51.0
49.9
57.4
52.0
49.5
59.8
64.5
69.9
72.1
76.1
77.5
80.4
51.9
78.3
Other transportation equipment_____
9.7
10.6
10.5
9.8
9.5
9.0
8.7
8.5
8.4
8.3
9.3
11.3
11.0
10.8

Instruments and related products______
Laboratory, scientific, and engineering
instruments_____________________
Mechanical measuring and controlling
instruments__ _____ ____________
Optical instruments and lenses_____ I I
Surgical, medical, and dental instru­
ments___________ _______________
Ophthalmic goods__________
HH
Photographic apparatus..................... I I
Watches and clocks___________ _____

303.8

Miscellaneous manufacturing industries..
Jewelry, silverware, and plated ware__
Musical instruments and parts...........
Toys and sporting goods__________
Pens, pencils, and other office supplies..
Costume jewelry, buttons, notions___
Fabricated plastic products__________
Other manufacturing industries______

473.2

S e e f o o t n o t e s a t e n d o f t a b le .


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

302.8

302.9

302.8

299.4

300.3

305.4

310.5

315.3

321.2

325.0

329.7

332.9

332.8

47.7

47.2

46.8

46.4

48.5

49.3

51.4

52.5

53.7

54.7

55.4

55.9

54.9

49.4

78.3
13.3

78.2
13.6

77. 4
13.7

76.1
13.5

76.3
13.4

74.7
13.7

76.9
13.8

77.3
14.1

78.3
14.3

79.1
14.6

79.3
14.8

80.4
14.3

80.7
14.9

74.0
14.1

39.4
24.8
67.3
32.0

39.5
24.6
67.5
32.3

39.8
24.4
68.2
32.5

39.6
24.2
67.4
32.2

39.6
24.2
67.4
30.9

39.8
25.5
67.0
35.4

39.7
25.8
66.8
36.1

40.0
26.2
67.6
37.6

40.8
26.7
68.2
39.2

40.9
27.2
68.4
40.1

41.8
27.3
69.4
41.7

42.5
27.6
69.3
42.9

43.3
27.3
63.1
43.5

40.8
27.3
64.9
39.7

481.7
56.5
16.7
83.8
30 0
66.9
73.8
154.0

484.5
56.7
16.7
89.1
29 8
67.5
71.8
152.9

476.6
54.7
16.3
87.6
29 7
66.0
70.6
151.7

462.0
52.0
15.9
83.7
*>9 2
64.4
68.5
148.3i

446.1
50.3
15.2
80.6
28 5
59.9
66.5
145.1

458.9
51.5
15.2
81.9

458.3
51.9
15.5
81.2

464.7
52.9
15.9
80.0

475.1
54.2
16.3
80.1

480.4
55.6
16.5
81.1

473.8
55.3
16.7
78.3

494.7
56.1
17.0
85.9

500.2
53.6
17.2
94.1

457.4
49.7
16.1
80.3

62.0
69.8
149.3

59.6
70.1
150.7

60.7
71.5
154.3

62.6
73.6
158.5

65.1
73.8
158.5

62.7
75.2
156.4

64.9
76.8
163.9

67.0
77.2
161.5

61.2
67.8
152.5

310.2

237

A : EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLLS

T a b l e A - 2 : Employees in nonagricultural establishments, by industry division and group 1— Continued
[In thousands]

1953

1954

A n n u al aver­
age

In d u stry group and in du stry
D e c.

N ov.

O ct.

Sept.

A u g.

July

June

M ay

A p r.

M a r.

F eb .

Jan.

D e c.

1953

1952

3,988 3,989 4,012 4,032 4,030 4,043 4,032 4.008 4,008 3,992 4,039 4,069 4,187 4,224 4,185
Transportation and public utilities.............. 2. 685 2,685 2,670 2, 719 2, 747 2,861 2,899 2,899
T ran sp ortation ------------------------------------------- 2, 668 2, 670 2, 691 2,704 2,692 2,702 2,703
L ocal railw ays and buslines____________
T ru ck in g and w arehousing........ ............. . _______
A ir transportation (com m on carrier).
C om m u n ica tion ......................................... ........

738

T elegraph.....................................................
O ther p u b lic u tilities___ _____ _______ _____

5S2

Wholesale and retail trade................ ...............
W holesale trade.......... ................. .....................
R etail trade__________________ _____ _______
G eneral m erchandise stores.......................
F o o d and liqu or stores— ........................
A u tom otiv e and accessories dealers........
A p parel and accessories s t o r e s ................
O ther retail trade...........................................

1,186.9 1,206.8 1, 215. 7 1,224.1 1,231.8 1,228.9 1, 215. 6 1,206. 4 1,215.2 1,243. 7 1, 266.4 1,328.6 1,376.9 1,399.8
L 035.4 1, 054. 6 1,062. 8 1,070. 5 l| 077. 9 1,074.7 1,061. 9 1,052.4 1,058.8 1,086.1 1,107.6 1,155.1 1,206. 5 1,226.2
118.1 119.6 120.4 121.1 122.0 122.5 123.5 125.4 125.7 ’ 126.1 126.5 127.1 127.6 133.1
707. 0 705.4 702.0 687.5 684.5 684.2 680.1 683.7 685.4 690.4 698.5 729.5 724.4 699.1
658.3 659. 5 666.2 659.2 663.7 667.3 665.4 669.8 643.8 658.4 655.5 676.0 669.9 666.9
47.0
46.3
49.1
50.8
51.2
52.2
47.9
48.4
48.6
48.6
48.5
52.4
48.2
48.5
104.4 104.3 105.0 104.4 106.4 105.7 105.3 105.3 104.8 104.8 104.8 105.7 104.4
97.1
736
736
742
742
744
741
741
744
747
747
720
738
747
742
o94.3 693.9 696.2 702.7 705.1 698.8 698.6 699.6 700.0 700.5 701.3 704.0 702.2 678.4
41.0
40.9
42.1
40.8
41.2
41.4
40.9
43.7
41.2
40.9
41.2
42.7
40.4
41.5
583
582
585
594
594
580
578
578
579
578
566
590
588
581
558.7 560.0 564. 4 568.7 568.7 563.3 557.1 556.3 555.2 553.9 554.5 555.5 554.2 543.3
24.4
24.7
23.7
23.9
22.6
25.5
25.5
24.4
24.5
24.3
23.8
23.6
25.1
24.8

11,327 10,787
2,837 2, 841
8,490 7,946
1,904. 5 1,526.6
1,455.6 1,438.0
817.0 807.8
721.1 630.0
3, 591. 5 3, 543.4

Finance, insurance, and real estate...... .........

2,114

Service and miscellaneous........... ............. .......
H otels and lodging places...............................
Personal services:

5,475

10,581 10,480 10,350 10,377
2,815 2, 786 2,781 2,780
7, 766 7,694 7,569 7,597
1,409. 8 1,359.6 1,289. 7 1,290.4
1.427.7 1, 413. 2 1,405.1 1,413.9
801.3 803.9 809.8 812.1
612. 7 594.5 547.9 557.3
3, 514. 7 3,522. 5 3, 516.4 3, 523.4

10,414 10,375 10,496 10,305 10,310 10,421 11,361 10,533 10,281
2,757 2, 746 2, 762 2, 780 2,792 2, 794 2,830 2, 782 2,743
7,657 7,629 7,734 7, 525 7,518 7,627 8,531 7, 751 7,537
1,325.1 1,339.3 1,408. 6 1,318.8 1,304.6 1,368.8 1,960.4 1,447.2 1,446.1
1,421.6 1, 416.3 1, 419. 6 1, 398. 5 1,406. 4 1,401.1 1,428. 7 1,387. 8 1,346.1
811.7 808.8 807.7 811.8 818.2 824.9 839.3 812.5 767.8
595.6 600.0 659.0 574.1 563.1 583.7 720.7 602.0 589.1
3,502. 7 3,464. 6 3,438.6 3,421.8 3,425.7 3,448. 9 3.582. 2 3, 501. 9 3,388.2

2,108
526.5
69.9
783.6
727.8

525. 7
69.2
782. 3
733.0

2,115
527.2
68.8
782.0
737.3

2,126
534.2
69.2
785.9
736.9

2,126
534.6
68.3
785.3
737.7

2,104
525.6
66.8
775.7
736.1

2.081
521.3
65.8
770.9
723.2

2,075
522.6
65.4
771.2
715.4

2,057
522.5
64.8
768.4
701.1

2,044
520.3
64.4
764.9
694.3

2,033
516.1
63.9
759.4
693.3

2,040
515.8
64.1
761.4
699.0

2,025
506.3
65.7
740.8
712.5

480.0
65.1
704.8
707.1

5,509
467.7

5,549
478.8

5,606
515. 7

5,634
583.2

5,638
584.1

5,601
527.1

5,563
501.7

5,506
488.0

5,406
474.3

5,380
473.5

5,377
466.7

5,435
474.7

5,486
510.2

5,423
493.3

328.0
165.3
228.6

329. 5
166.4
234.4

329.1
163.4
237.4

332.2
161.6
237.1

337.9
167.4
236.2

337.3
172.3
236.0

333.6
171.3
235.7

330.8
170.9
233.4

328.8
164.4
225.0

330.0
163.2
223.1

332.6
164.5
223.8

334.8
167.2
225.2

339.2
167.6
232.7

340.2
166.0
240.1

2,110

1,957

7,163 6,887 6,865 6,738 6,454 6,467 6,625 6,701 6,699 6,667 6,639 6,659 6,955 6,645 6,609
Government.................................... .......................
2,141 2,156 2,161 2,164 2,160 2,168 2,173 2,175 2,184 2,480 2,305 2,420
Federal.................................................................. 2,468 2,170 2,147
4, 541 4, 531 4, 494 4,464 4,475 4,475 4,340 4,188
State and local 4................................................ 4, 695 4, 717 4,718 4,597 4,298 4,306 4,461
i T h e B ureau o f L a b or Statistics series o f e m p lo y m e n t In nonagricultural
establishm ents are based u p on reports su bm itted b y coop eratin g firm s.
T h ese reports cov er all full- an d p art-tim e em ployees in p rivate n o n a gricu l­
tural establishm ents w h o w ork ed d u rin g, or received p a y for, a n y part o f
the p a y period en d in g nearest the 15th o f the m o n th . B ecause o f this, persons
w h o w ork ed in m ore than 1 establishm ent du rin g the reporting period w ill
b e cou n ted m ore than once. In Federal establishm ents the data generally
refer to persons w h o w ork ed o n , or received p a y for, the last d a y o f the m o n th ;
in State and local govern m en t, to persons w h o received p a y for a n y part o f the
p a y period en d in g on , or im m ed ia te ly prior to, the last d a y o f the m on th .
P roprietors, self-em ployed persons, u n p aid fa m ily w orkers, and dom estic
servants are excluded. T h ese em p lo y m e n t series have been adjusted to first
quarter 1953 ben ch m ark levels in d ica ted b y data from govern m en t social
insurance program s. R ev ised data in all except the first 3 colu m n s w ill be
id en tified b y asterisks the first m on th they are published.
T h ese d ate differ in several respects from the n onagricultural em p lo ym e n t
d ate show n in the M o n t h ly R e p o rt on the L a b o r F orce (table A - l , civilian
labor force), w h ich are obtain ed b y household interview s. T h is M R L F
series relates to the calendar w eek w h ich contains the 8th d a y o f the m onth.
It in clu d es all persons (14 years a nd over) w ith a jo b w hether at w o rk or n o t,
p roprietors, self-em ployed persons, u n p a id fam ily w orkers, an d d om estic
servants.


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1

D u rable goods in clu d e: ordnan ce and accessories; lu m b e r an d w o o d
produ cts (except fu rn itu re); fu rniture an d fixtures; stone, cla y, and glass
p roducts; p rim a ry m etal industries; fabricated m etal produ cts (except ord ­
nan ce, m ach in ery, and transportation e q u ip m e n t); m ach in ery (except
electrical); electrical m ach in ery; transportation e q u ip m e n t; instru m en ts
and related produ cts; and m iscellaneous m anufacturin g industries.
! N on du rable goods in clu d e : food and k in dred products; tobacco m an u ­
factures; textile-m ill produ cts; apparel and oth er finished textile p roducts;
paper and allied p roducts; p rin tin g , pu b lish in g, and allied industries; ch em ­
icals an d allied products; produ cts o f petroleu m and coal; ru b b er p roducts;
and leather and leather products.
4 State and local govern m en t date exclude, as n o m in a l em ployees, p aid
volunteer firem en an d elected officials o f sm all local units.
See

N oth on

p. 231.

Information on concepts, methodology, etc., is
given in a technical note on Measurement of Industrial
Employment, which appeared in the September 1953
Monthly Labor Review.
N o t e .—

238

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955
T a b l e A -3 : Production workers in mining and manufacturing industries 1
[In thousands]

1954

1953

In du stry group and industry
N ov.
M ining:
M e ta l.....................
Ir o n ................... .
C o p p e r ________
L ea d and zin c.

O ct.

Sept.

A u g.

July

June

M ay

A p r.

M a r.

F eb .

Jan.

D e c.

A n nual
average
1953

1952

78.5
25.4
24. (
11.6

76.1
27.6
20.7
11.2

75.4
28.8
18.6
11.4

84.4
29.5
24.2
12.7

86.2
30.4
24
13.0

85.3
30.1
24. Í
12.8

84.8
30.9
23.4
12.8

84.2
30.4
23.2
12.8

87.2
31.5
24.
13.0

f

88.7
32.5
24. f
13.5

90.0
33.5
25.1
13.5

91.1
34.9
25.2
12.9

91.3
35.1
24.5
14.8

86 6
29 3
22 9
18.5

A n th ra cite_______________ ____________ ___
B i t u m i n o u s - c o a l _________ ______________

29.2
185.6

29.2
185.3

21.4
186.7

21.6
189.2

21.3
182.2

21.9
195.1

26.0
194.9

35.4
200.8

38.0
217.8

41.5
232.7

42.8
241.2

45.0
246.7

49 1
264. 5

59. 5
304.4

C rude-petroleum and natural-gas p ro­
d u ction :
P etroleum an d natural-gas pro d u ctio n
(except contract services)..................... .

126.1

127.4

131.5

135.7

136.5

134.2

129.0

128.7

128.4

128.9

128.4

128.8

131.4

129.0

88.0

89.0

89.7

89.9

90.2

89.0

88.6

86.6

84.5

83.8

84.3

89.1

90.6

89.9

N on m eta llic m in in g and qu a rryin g.
Manufacturing....... .............
D urable goods *____
N on d u rable goods ».
O rdnance an d accessories______ _____ _____

7,283
5,419
109.2

.1

12,711 12,652 12,611 12,449 12,212 12,480 12,437 12,590 12,818 12,906 13,002 13,319 13,850 13 144
7,252
7,133
7,015 6,933
6,917
7,208
7,177
7,309
7, 430 7, 520 7,616
7,791
8,167
7,539
5,459
5, 519 5,596 5,516
5,295
5,229
5,303
5,388
5,386
5,281
5,386
5,528
5,683
5, 604
108.9

111.9

114.0

112.9

116.6

120.3

125.2

136.8

150.4

164.5

176.5

183.6

186.3

135.0

F o o d and k in dred p rod u cts.......................... 1,054.8 1,106.3 1,168. 8 1,251. 6 1, 224.0 1,142.3 1,078. 7 1.031.1 1,011.1 1, 009.1 1,009.1 1,024.2 1,082. 7
1,133.5 1,137. 2
M ea t p rod u cts...................... ...................
262.5
262.2
257.0
245.9
250.7
246.9
241.1
246.0
238.6
249.7
256.4
267.1
254. 9 252 9
D a iry p rod u cts___________ _______ _
75.2
76.8
80.5
88.2
88.2
85.3
80.2
76.6
74.1
84.0
73.4
74. 4
80 7
82 7
C anning an d preservin g_____________
176.1
233.5
332.2 306.3
225.3
165.4
144.2
135.2
125.9
125.3
132.0
148.7
204 5 197 9
G rain-m ill p rod u cts___ _____ ________
85.8
88.1
90.9
91.7
90.8
91.3
84.7
87.9
80.6
85.8
85.7
85.2
87.3
93 2
B a k ery p rod u cts_____________________
174.4
175.1
172.9
175.5
173.5
171.9
174.2
174.2
174.4
174.7
173.1
176.6
180.1
181. 6
Sugar........................ ...................................
44.9
41.0
22.1
26.7
24.3
26.0
23.8
23.8
23.0
23.2
24. 7
37.9
28 0
28.6
C on fection ery an d related p ro d u c ts .
73.4
75.3
71.5
61.2
65.0
58.1
65.5
67.0
60.3
62.0
69.0
75.6
70. 4
71 6
Beverages........ ....................... ..................
118.3
118.6
122.1
115.1
132.5
126.8
127.3
121.8
117.1
111.9
115.1
119.7
126. 2 129 3
M iscellaneous food p ro d u cts...............
95.7
98.2
97.8
100.8
101.1
97.4
98.9
98.8
98.6
97.7
94.8
97.5
100.9
99.9
T o b a c c o m anufactures___________________
C igarettes.......................................................
C igars..................... .........................................
T o b a c co and sn u S _____________________
T o b a c co stem m ing an d red ryin g ...........

102.0

T extile-m ill p rod u cts__________________
Scouring and com b in g p l a n t s .. .........
Y a m and thread m ills ..........................
B road -w oven fabric m i l l s . . ...............
N arrow fabrics and sm allw ares_____
K n ittin g m ills_______________________
D y ein g and finishing textiles___________
C arpets, rugs, other floor co ve rin gs..
H ats (except cloth and m illin e r y ) ...
M iscellaneous textile g o o d s..................... ..

998.3

102.8
30.0
39.0
6.6
27.2

111.6
29.7
38.7
6.6
36.6

110.3
29.4
38.7
6.7
35.5

102.0
29.2
37.9
6.7
28.2

82.9
28.8
36.1
6.6
11.4

82.4
28.7
37.9
6.7
9.1

81.5
28.3
37.5
6.7
9.0

81.7
28.6
37.2
6.8
9.1

84.0
28.7
37.9
6.7
10.7

89.9
28.8
38.5
6.7
15.8

992.9
4. 5
116.4
455.1
25.6
204.0
78.4
42.6
12.4
53.9

988.0
4.7
115.0
453.1
25.4
204.2
77.4
42.9
12.3
53.0

986.5
5.3
114.5
452.7
25.3
204.4
76.7
42.8
13.0
51.8

981.3
5.8
114.3
452.0
25.1
201.7
75.4
41.7
13.0
52.3

953.0
5.7
111.0
442.1
24.8
192.0
74.8
40.6
12.6
49.4

980.9
5.0
114.7
456.8
25.5
197.0
75.2
41.1
13.0
52.6

968.6
5.1
113.1
451.5
25.3
192.2
75.5
41.0
12.5
52.4

979.0
4.9
115.3
455.2
25.7
191.6
76.6
43.8
12.2
53.7

989.0
4.6
115.7
460.1
25.5
193.0
77.5
44.3
13.8
54.5

994.6
4.5
116.2
463.2
25.3
193. 5
77.8
45.0
14.0
55.1

Apparel and other finished textile products. 1,053.1 1, 051.6 1,049.7 1,053.1 1,049. 5
M e n ’ s and b o y s ’ suits and co a ts_______
106.1
109.9
114.3
115.2
M e n ’s an d b o y s ’ furnishings an d w ork
cloth in g........ ................................................
275.4
275.8
272.7 268.7
W o m e n ’ s outerw ear_______ _____ _______
312.6 305.1
312.]
317.0
W o m e n ’ s, ch ild ren ’s u n d e rg a rm e n ts ...
102.5
101.8
99.7
96.0
M illin e ry .......................... ........................... ..
16.0
18.0
18.7
18.2
C h ild ren ’ s outerw ear...................................
67.2
68.5
68.7
69.5
F u r good s............................... ................. .......
10.3
8.7
9.1
8.9
M iscellaneous apparel and accessories..
56.8
56.5
55.6
54.4
O ther fabricated textile p rod u cts______
104.7
105.4
102.2
101.6

979.8
106.6

987.0
108.2

984.9 1,029.7 1,100. 5 1,087.6 1,061. 6 1,083. 5 1,102.1 1,074 7
110.2
120.8
121.5
105.3
119.2
120.5
121.1
116.9

247.6
295.9
89.5
14.2
68.8
9.2
50.2
97.8

262.4
283.6
95.1
10.9
69.0
9.9
50.9
97.0

261.4
286.8
97.2
13.1
63.0
8.2
49.4
100.5

267.7
314.2
98.8
17.9
63.0
6.3
50.3
101.3

275.0
349.4
99.2
23.6
68.0
6.9
52.8
104.8

270.6
344.4
99. 0
22.2
67.4
7.3
51.9
103.3

268.1
332.9
96.2
20.2
65.0
7.5
49.8
102.7

275.2
330.5
98.3
17.7
64.9
9.7
54.2
112.5

287.3
322.7
102.5
19.1
65.5
9.3
56.8
117.8

266.2
329.3
97.9
20 5
62.8
10. 7
57 7
112.9

L u m b er and w ood produ cts (except fur­
n itu re)________________________________
L ogg in g cam ps an d con tractors________
Saw m ills and planing m ills____________
M illw o rk , p ly w o o d , and prefabricated
structural w o o d p ro d u cts ____________
W ood en containers__________ _____ _____
M iscellaneous w o o d p ro d u cts__________
F urniture and fixtures..... ......... .....................
H ou seh old fu rniture..... ................. .............
Office, pub lic-bu ildin g,an d professional
furniture_______________________ _______
Partitions, shelving, lockers, and
fixtures______________ ____________ ____
Screens, blin ds, and m iscellaneous fu r­
niture and fixtures___________ ________
See footn otes at en d o f table.


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

694.1

297.4

97.2
28.9
37.5
6.6
24.2

104.3
28.8
38.8
6.8
29.9

95.1
28. 4
38. 5
6.8
21.4

96 7

27. 5

39 0
7 3
22.9

996.5 1,028. 2 1,092.6 1,100. 5
4.6
5.2
6.1
5 9
118. 7 123.9
134.9
139 8
466.0
477.0
504.1
508.6
25.5
26.4
27 8
27. 9
190.0
198.6
215. 2 215 6
77.5
79.9
83. n
82 3
44.9
45.9
48.6
47. 2
13.9
14.6
15. 2
9
55.4
56.7
58.4
57.7

14

717.3
123.2
379.1

720.1
123.1
380.8

696.8
104.8
377.6

613.1
88.6
331.1

603.7
84.6
323.8

700.7
117.8
372.0

678.5
108.3
361.3

648.7
89.9
350.8

642.6
89.6
346.8

627.3
78.6
343.3

616.9
67.6
343.7

653.5
82.2
359.0

705.3
94 8
387.1

719.1
93 2
406.7

114.4
54. 0
46. 6

114.5
55. 0
46.7

113.5
54.1
46.8

96.3
52.1
45.0

96.4
52.9
46.0

107.4
56.4
47.1

105.5
56.1
47.3

103.3
56.4
48.3

101.4
56.4
48.4

100.5
56.7
48.2

100.6
56.8
48.2

104.0
58.4
49.9

110.5
60.7
52.2

106.4
59. 3
53.3

299.2
219.6

298.5
219.1

295.5
215.9

287.6
208.8

272.2
196.9

274.5
196.0

276.5
198.6

282.7
204.3

290.0
209.3

291.7
209.1

293.2
208.5

301.4
215.8

319.0
233.0

300.3
225.5

33.5

33.3

33.9

33.7

31.9

32.1

31.9

32.1

32.9

33.5

33.9

34.3

35.0

34.5

25.9

25.6

25.4

24.9

23.1

25.2

24.9

25.2

26.0

26.8

27.8

27.9

27.8

26.5

20.2

20.5

20.3

20.2

20.3

21.2

21. l|

21.1

21.8

22.3

23.0

23.4

23.3

22.7

239

A : EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLLS
T a b l e A - 3 : Production workers in m ining and m anufacturing industries 1— Continued
[In thousands]

1953

1954

Annual aver­
age

In d u stry group and in du stry

Dec.
M an u factu rin g— C on tin u ed
P a per and allied p rod u cts........................ .
P u lp , paper, and paper board m ills .. .
Paper board containers and boxes____
O ther paper and allied p rod u cts______

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

1953

1952

439.8

440.6
217.7
124.6
98.3

440.0
217.6
124.0
98.4

440.9
220.0
122.9
98.0

435.9
218.8
119.1
98.0

429.9
217.1
114.9
97.9

435.6
219.5
117.2
9S.9

432.5
217.9
116.3
98.3

432. 7
217.3
116.3
99.1

435.9
218.6
118.0
99.3

436.5
218.3
119.1
99.1

437.5
218. 7
119.9
98.9

442.4
220.7
122.3
99.4

441.0
218.9
122.2
99.9

420.9
215.7
109.9
95.3

526.6

524.1
148.2
25.6
31.4
169. 5
46.5
16.6
34.3

524.8
148.4
26.1
31.8
169.6
46.5
16.0
34.6

523.3
147.3
25.8
31.9
170.4
46.0
15.8
34.8

513.8
145.1
25.0
31.1
166.7
45.3
15.3
35.1

512.9
145. 2
24.8
30.7
167.3
44.6
15.2
34.9

518.5
147.9
25.5
30.6
167.9
45.5
15.0
34.7

514.7
146.6
25.6
30.6
166.5
45.6
14.0
34.5

516.4
145.8
26.0
30.4
168.0
45.7
13.8
34.8

516.8
145.9
26.3
30.5
168.1
45.2
13.7
34.7

513.6
143.3
26.0
30.3
168.6
45.3
13.5
34.5

514.2
142. 4
26.4
30.3
170.9
44.7
13.4
33.8

524.5
147.8
26.3
30.1
172.8
46.2
15.3
34.6

513.3
145.1
28.6
29.7
167.5
44.4
15.0
35.1

500.*
143. 6
27.5
28.2
163.0
42.2
14.1
33.9

52.0

51.8

51.3

50.2

50.2

51.4

51.3

51.9

52.4

52.1

52.3

51.4

50.1

48.2

527. 6
—

528.3
68.2
204.7
57.5

528.9
68.2
202.0
57.8

524.3
67.3
200.9
57.5

515.7
67.5
201.1
56.5

512.7
67.2
201.2
56.0

517.2
67.4
201.3
56.0

525.3
67.1
201.0
56.2

533.8
66.7
201.7
56.6

538.6
66.8
204. 3
57.2

536.1
66.5
207.1
57.7

539.5
67.0
214.1
57.5

540.1
67.1
217.3
54.1

551.4
65.9
222.0
56.9

536.9
62.2
203.9
61.3

—

31.6
45.5
7.1
25.0
31.6
57.1

31.7
45.4
7.0
26.1
32.7
58.0

32.0
45.7
7.0
25.3
30.4
58.2

31.6
45.9
6.5
23.1
25.9
57.6

31.1
45.6
6.9
21.9
25.3
57.5

31.6
45.7
6.8
24.5
26.0
57.9

31.7
45.6
7.1
31.7
26.7
58.2

32.0
46.0
7.0
38.4
28.4
57.0

32.2
45.9
7.1
38.1
30.0
57.0

32.2
45.8
7.1
31.7
31.1
56.9

31.8
45.8
7.1
26.6
32.6
57.0

31.1
46.2
7.1
24.8
33.9
58.5

32.1
47.4
6.9
29.0
31.3
59.9

32.0
46.6
6.9
29. 2
32.9
61.9

173.2

174.3
135.1

174. 5
135.1

177.1
137.2

179.3
139.1

181.2
140.6

181.1
140.3

178.6
138.4

176.2
137.0

176.5
137.2

177. 6
137.7

177.8
137.7

180.7
139.4

186. 5
142.4

182.«
140.2

39.2

39.4

39.9

40.2

40.6

40.8

40.2

39.2

39 3

39.9

40.1

41.3

44.1

42. 4

R u b b er p r o d u c ts ________
Tires and inner t u b e s ..
R u b b er footw ear______
Other ru bber p rod u cts.

207.9

206 6
85.6
22.2
98.8

204.2
80.5
21.9
95.8

198.9
85.2
21.0
92.7

177.0
68.0
20.5
88.5

173. 1
67.3
20.1
85.7

198.4
85.0
19.8
93.6

197 0
83.9
19.8
93.3

195.2
83.2
19.2
92.8

199.4
84.7
19.6
95.1

202.9
85.3
20.5
97.1

205.7
86.4
21.5
97.8

208.7
86.7
22.9
99.1

220.8
93.0
23.7
104.1

211.7
92.9
22.9
96.0

Leather an d leather p r o d u c t s .......... .
Leather: tanned, curried, an d fin is h e d .
Industrial leather belting and packing
B oot and shoe cut stock and fin d in g s.
Footwear (except rubber).................. .....
L u ggage---------------------- -------------------------H andbags and sm all leather g o o d s ___
G loves and m iscellaneous leather goods.

335.7

331.7
38.4
3.5
13.9
216.9
12.7
31.2
15.1

328.7
38.4
3.5
13.2
213.1
13.6
31.3
15.6

330.0
38.1
3.5
12.6
216.6
13.6
30.1
15.5

337.2
38.5
3.4
14.0
223.8
13.2
29.2
15.1

327.0
38.9
3.4
14.1
218. 1
12.5
25.7
14.3

323.6
39.1
3.6
14.2
216. 7
12.4
23.3
14.3

315.1
38.6
3.6
13.2
210.8
11.8
23.7
13.4

325.1
38.8
3.6
14.0
217.8
11.3
26.7
12.9

337.7
39.8
3.7
15.1
225.8
11.1
29.6
12.6

338.6
40.2
3.7
15.4
225.4
12.2
30.0
11.7

331.9
40.0
3.9
15.2
222.4
11.6
27.8
11.0

332.4
40.0
4.0
14.9
219.3
13.3
28.0
12.9

346.7
42.4
4.4
15.1
225.8
14.8
28. 5
15.6

342. 5
41.9
4.3
15.3
222.7
14.7
27.0
16.7

439.7

439.7
28.8
75.8
14.4
35.7
70.4
49.1
84.6
16.6

437.9
27.1
75.9
14.2
36.0
70.3
48.3
85.0
16.7

437.2
25.7
75.7
13.9
36.1
70.6
48.0
85.9
16.8

433.8
24.7
76.2
13.7
36.0
70.5
46.4
86.4
16.8

423. 8
25.0
73.6
12.9
35.9
70.3
42.7
86.0
15.5

427.2
24.9
77.6
13.2
32.7
70.5
45.6
84.2
16.2

426.9
24.7
77.9
13.3
33.7
69.2
46.4
83.3
16.3

428.3
25.0
78.4
13.7
34.2
68.5
47.1
81.4
16.8

429.1
25.3
78.2
14.2
34.5
67.7
48.2
79.6
16.2

427.2
26.2
77.6
14.2
34.2
65.4
48.3
78.2
16.0

428.4
27.6
77.4
14.6
34.6
66.4
45.8
78. 1
15.8

447.7
28.3
82.6
15.0
35.2
69.8
48.1
82.8
16.5

460.2
28.2
84.8
15.8
35.2
71.2
49.8
86.0
16.2

447.7
26.9
80.4
14.6
33.9
73.0
51.7
82.3
15.3

64.3

64.4

64.5

63.1

61.9

62.3

62.1

63.2

65.2

67.1

68.1

69.4

72.9

89.3

991.1 1,009.6 1,026. 7 1,048. 8 1,074.3 1,131. 5 1,043.7

Printin g, publishing, and allied industries.
N e w sp apers............................... ....................
P eriodica ls.......................................................
B o o k s....................................................... .........
C om m ercial p r in tin g ..................................
L ith ograp h in g......... ......................................
G reeting card s__________________________
B ook bin d in g and related industries........
M iscellaneous publishing and printing
services.........................................................
C hem icals and allied p r o d u c ts ....................
Industrial inorganic ch em icals......... .......
Industrial organic c h e m ic a ls ................
D rugs and m ed icin es........... ..................... .
Soap, cleaning and polishing prepara­
tion s.......... ............. .................. ................ .
Paints, pigm ents, and fillers___________
G u m and w o o d ch em icals........ ............... .
F e r t iliz e r s ...................... .............. ............ .
Vegetable and anim al oils and fats____
M iscellaneous c h e m ic a ls ...........................
P rod u cts of petroleu m and coa l__________
P etroleum refining.....................................
C ok e an d other petroleu m and coal
p rod u cts.................................................... .

—
—

—

—

Stone, cla y, and glass p r o d u c t s ...........
Flat g la ss.___________________________
Olass and glassware, pressed or b l o w n ..
Glass products m ade o f purchased glass.
C em ent, h y d r a u lic ................................
Structural cla y p r o d u c t s .....................
P ottery and related p r o d u c ts _______
C oncrete, gypsu m , and plaster products
C ut-stone and stone p rod u cts__________
M iscellaneous
nonm etallic
m ineral
p r o d u c t s ..__________ ___________ _____
P rim ary m etal industries_________ _______
Blast furnaces, steel w orks, and rolling
m ills_______________ __________________
Iron and steel foundries.............................
Prim ary sm elting and refining o f nonferrous m etals____________________
Secondary sm elting and refining o f nonferrous m etals______ _______ ______
R ollin g, draw ing, an d alloying o f nonferrous m etals_______________ _____
N onferrous foundries_______________
M iscellaneous prim ary m etal industries
Fabricated m etal p roducts (except o rd ­
nance, m achinery, and transporta
tion eq u ip m en t). . . .............................
T in cans and other tin w a re ___________
C u tlery, handtools, and hardw are____
H eating apparatus (except electric) and
plu m bers’ supplies........ .........................
Fabricated structural m etal p ro d u cts .
L ighting fixtures_______________ ____
Fabricated w ire p r o d u c ts --------------Miscellaneous fabricated m etal products
Sec footn otes at end o f table.


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

989.0

969.1

965.3

967.8

969. 0

983.0

975.6

488.7
187.0

481.2
184.5

485.0
184.0

483.5
186.8

485.4
186.4

488.1
191.0

483.3
190.4

490.8
194.2

502.0
195.0

511.3
196.4

522.2
198.9

534.0
202.5

559.6
219.9

486.5
226.7

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

47.6

45.2

45.5

48.1

48.0

47.6

47.1

47.1

47.6

48.6

48.3

48.3

49.3

46.1

_________

9.2

9.0

8.8

9.1

9.1

9.2

9.3

9.3

9. 1

9.0

9.3

9.6

10.0

9.5

84.4
63.
108.6

83.2
60.6
105.4

78.4
58.6
105.0

83.7
54.5
105.1

79.6
56.1
104.4

81.0
58.2
107.9

80.6
57.6
107.3

80.9
60. (
108.8

81.4
63. Í
111.2

83.2
65.1
113.1

86.7
67.6
115.8

89.5
70.8
119.6

92.2
76.4
124.3

86.2
73.0
115.7

839.7
45. C
119.7

829.2
46.8
116.7

819.9
51.3
113.9

819.1
52.2
113.8

809.2
50.7
111.4

831. I
50.2
117.3

833.3
48.8
119.;

839.5
47.5
120.;

852.1
46.1
123. ‘

863.6
46.0
127.4

873.5
46.3
125.5

874.9
26.4
126.7

932.1
48.6
132.9

847.5
48.7
123.3

97. £
198."
189.
37.
45.
105.

97.9
202.8
182.2
35. 2
43.9
103.7

97.7
205.4
175.2
33.4
42.2
100.8

95.3
205.6
175. £
32. £
42.1

90.1
206.8
175.9
32.6
42.6
99.7

92.0
205.7
185.2
34.2
43.5
103.0

91.3
89.2
89.0
202. 8 201. 7 201. (
200.2
195. :
191.:
36.
35.5
34.;
45.
44.;
45.
103.H 105. ! 107.

91.1
201.3
205.3
37.6
46.4
108. £

92.2
203.1
209.1
38.4
48.5
110. 4

97.3
209.0
211.5
39.4
52.0
112.6

107.8
209.4
219.0
41.2
54.3
19.1

106.0
194.1
175.2
37.2
49.8
113.1

995.5
—

832.7

101. Í

240

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955
T a b l e A -3 : Production workers in mining and manufacturing industries 1— Continued
[In thousands]

1954
In d u stry group and Industry

1953

______
D e c.

N ov.

O ct.

Sept.

A u g.

J u ly

June

M ay

A p r.

M a r.

F eb .

Jan.

D e c.

A n nual
average
1953

1952

Manufacturing— C on tin u ed
M a ch in e ry (except electrical)_____________1,101.9 1,094.7 1,091.3 1, 095.1 1,092.5 1,108.4 1,150.6 1,165.0 1,186.6 1,201.9 1,219.8 1,230.0 1,238.4 1,301.5 1, 279.9
Engines an d tu rbin es___________________________
49.5
51.6
49.6
49.8
52.3
53.3
54.2
54.6
55.8
57.0
58.3
60.6
63.4
64.7
A gricultu ral m ach in ery a n d tractors___________
100.8
97.8
98.5
98.1
105.0
110.2
110.1
111.6
109.7
105.4
100.9
98.8
125.8
137.0
C on struction an d m in in g m a ch in e ry __________
84.3
86.1
87.5
87.3
88.5
89.8
90.4
89.6
90.7
90.5
91.5
91.9
102.4
99.2
M eta lw ork in g m a ch in e ry .........................................
203.1
202.2
205.0 205.1
209.7
216.1
219.5
224.9
232.2
237.3
235.7
241.0
244.8
242.0
S pecial-Industry m a ch in ery (except
118.5
m etalw ork in g m a ch in e ry )....................................
119.2
120.6
120.9
121.0
124.6
125.8
127.8
129.7
130.7
142.6
132.1
134.3
138.0
150. 0 149.3
General Industrial m a ch in e ry .................................
151.2
149.0
149.3
154.1
155.7
158.2
162.2
164.5
167.7
167.9
170.7
171.8
82.5
O ffice an d store m achines a nd de v ice s_________
83.0
82.1
80.4
80.8
81.7
81.3
82.8
83.6
86.0
86.7
87.9
88.5
89.0
Service-Industry and household m a ­
114.1
ch in es............................................................. ...............
113.7
114.1
111.1
112.9
124.6
133.4
138.0
135.6
142.9
142.4
141.3
154.6
140.7
M iscellaneous m ach in ery p a r t s .............................
191.9
188.4
186.7
190.6
188.9
196.2
195.4
198.3
202.4
205.5 209.4
201.3
210.9
214.2
E lectrical m a c h in e r y ............................. .........
E lectrical generating, transm ission,
distribution, and Industrial apparatu s.
Electrical a pp lian ces........................ ...........
Insulated w ire and c a b l e ...........................
Electrical eq u ip m en t for v eh icles______
E lectric l a m p s . . . _________ ______________
C om m u n ication eq u ip m en t......................
M iscellaneous electrical p ro d u cts............
T ran sp ortation e q u ip m e n t........................
A u to m o b ile s ..............................................
Aircraft and parts____ __________ _____
A ircra ft____________ _______ _________
A ircraft engines an d parts..................
A ircraft propellers and parts_______
O ther aircraft parts and equipm ent.
Ship an d b oa t b u ild in g and repairing.
S h ip bu ild in g and rep airin g ...............
B oa tb u ild in g an d repairing...............
Railroad e q u ip m e n t -................................
O ther transportation e q u ip m e n t......... .

827.7

831.6

817.3

802.0

781.9

765.4

775.8

791.2

810.9

827.4

838.9

855.1

882.7

930.4

817.4

251.6
51.5
24.5
59.1
24.0
386.8
34.1

250.6
51.7
24.6
51. 7
23.7
380.8
34.2

244.6
51.4
23.8
54.4
23.5
369.8
34.5

244.4
48.6
22.4
51.3
23.4
357.0
34.8

245.1
47.5
21.9
53.3
23.4
340.4
33.8

253.0
48.3
22.7
56.6
23.9
337.5
33.8

259.2
50.4
23.1
57.7
24.2
342.6
34.0

263.2
52.9
23.2
58.9
24.5
354,3
33.9

268.5
54.6
23.4
60.5
25.0
361.9
33.5

272.7
55.4
23.4
62.9
25.5
364.4
34.6

277.1
57.0
24.2
63.9
25.9
371.9
35.1

282.4
59.0
25.5
64.3
26.2
388.2
37.1

290.7
59.0
27.7
67.5
24.9
422.6
38.1

269.8
46.0
25.6
ea*
22.0
35a 6
36.6

1,383.8 1,323.3 l ,2 i5 .8 1,184.1 1,236.6 1,276. 5 1, 324.1 1,342. 4 1, 380.4 1,408.6 1, 434.6 1, 469.8 1, 486.8 1, 543.6 1,334.2
629. 6 548.7 478.1
533.5
560.5
593.5
600.9
625.0 637.0
644.4
655.0
676.8
707.1
759.9
551.7
550. 7 559.1
555.8
564.9
570.0
591.9
584.5
575.0
596.0
602.3
586.4
576.8
483.6
344.5
341. 2 346.0 350.3
349.2
348.6 353.3
356.2
355.5
356.2
362.9
347.8
311.6
346.0
107.6
106.5
109.1
101.5
109.4
113.4
116.2
125.5
121.3
127.3
98.8
127.3
129.1
126.5
11.6
11.9
12.1
12.3
12.5
12.6
9.1
9.3
12.6
12.9
13.4
10.4
13.2
13.2
89.1
90.0
91.9
91.7
93.8
95.4
96.4
97.7
98.3
99.6
98.9
62.7
97.9
89.3
97.6
102.1
100. 7 101.5
108.8
111. 1 115.2
115.6
119.5
121.8
134.4
125.3
125.9
134.6
81.4
86.9
85.3
85.5
90.7
91.8
97.2
99.1
95.0
102.1
118.1
106.2
107.9
114.5
16.2
15.2
16.2
15.2
18.1
19.3
18.4
20.2
20.4
19.7
ia e
19.1
19.8
18.0
36.4
35.5
37.2
37.0
34.2
41.7
44.1
53.4
48.3
55. 2
61.9
58.9
59.9
62.9
8.0
8.8
9.0
8.8
8.1
7.8
7.0
7.2
6.6
6.8
9.8
6.5
9.6
7.5

Instrum ents a n d related p r o d u c ts ..............
213.9
L a boratory, scientific, an d engineering
in stru m en ts..... ........................ ....... ........... ...............
M ech an ical m easuring and controlling
Instrum ents............................... ......... .................. ...
O ptical instru m en ts and le n s e s .._______________
Surgical, m edica l, and dental insirum e n t s .................... ....................................... ..............
O ph th alm ic goods______________________________
P h otograp h ic a pp aratu s............................. ...............
W atch es an d clock s...................................... ...............

212.8

213. 2

213.6

209.7

210.0

214.8

219.5

223.9

229.4

232.5

237.0

240.8

242.3

28.7

28.1

27.8

27.1

28.4

29.1

30.6

31.7

32.6

33.6

34. 1

34.5

34.4

32.2

55.2
10.3

55.3
10.6

54.9
10.8

53.4
10.7

53.4
10.6

51.6
10.8

54.0
10.8

54.4
11.0

55.4
11.1

56.0
11.4

56.1
11.6

57.5
11 3

58.1
11.7

53.0
11.3

27.1
19.6
45.6
26.3

27.2
19.5
45.9
26. 6

27.5
19.3
46.5
26.8

27.3
19.1
45.5
26.6

27.4
18.9
45.7
25.6

27.7
20.2
45.9
29.5

27.7
20.5
45.7
30.3

28.0
20.8
46.3
31.7

28.8
21.3
47.0
33.2

28.7
21.8
47.1
33.9

29.6
21.9
48.1
35.6

30 2
22.2
48.3
36.8

31.0
22.0
47.5
37.5

29.5
22.0
45.6
33.8

M iscellaneous m anufacturin g In d u stries.. 386.8
Jew elry, silverw are, an d plated w are_________
M u sica l Instrum ents and parts_________________
T o y s and sportin g g o o d s .__________ ____________
Pen s, pencils, and oth er office su pplies________
C ostu m e jew elry, bu tton s, n o tio n s_____________
Fabricated plastic p ro d u cts ......................................
O ther m anufacturin g In dustries.............................

395.3
46.1
14.3
70.5
22.4
56.1
60.1
125. 8

398.2
46.0
14.3
75.2
22.4
56.7
58.7
124.9

391.5
44.7
13.9
73.8
22.4
55.6
57.3
123.8

377.6
41.9
13.5
70.2
21.9
54.0
55.4
120.7

362.5
40.4
12.8
67.2
21.3
49.6
53.9
117.3

375.0
41.6
12.9
68.6
22.0
51.7
56.9
121.3

373.9
41.9
13.2
67.9
22.1
49. 1
57.3
122.4

380.1
42.6
13.5
67.0
22.1
50.5
58.8
125.6

389.0
44.0
13.8
66.8
22.5
52.3
60.6
129.0

393.2
45.3
14.1
67.4
22.4
54.5
60.9
128.6

386.4
44.8
14.5
64.5
22.0
52.2
62.2
126.2

407.1
46.1
14.7
72.3
22.8
53.9
63.7
133.6

414.8
43.8
14.9
81.0
22.3
56.2
64.6
132.0

378.1
40.4
13.7
69.1
22.7
50.8
56.6
124.8

* See footn ote 1, table A -2 . P ro d u ctio n and related w orkers Include w o rk ­
ing forem en and all n onsup ervlsory workers (including leadm en and trainees)
engaged in fabricating, processing, assem bling, Inspection, receiving, storage,
handling, packing, warehousing, shipping, m aintenance, janitorial, w atch ­
m an services, produ cts develop m en t, auxiliary prod u ction for p la n t’s ow n


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

227.6

use (e. g., powerplant), and recordkeeping and other services closely associ­
ated with the above production operations.
* See footn ote 2, table A -2.

* See footnote 3, table A-2.
See Note on p. 231.

A : EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLLS

241

T able A -4 : Indexes of production-worker employment and weekly payrolls in manufacturing
industries 1
[1947-49-100]

E m ploy­
ment

Period

1939:
1940:
1941:
1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:
1946:
1947:
1948:

Average...........................
Average.......... - ............ .
Average...........................
Average....................... __
Average____ _________
Average______ _______
Average......................... .
Average.......... ..............Average...........................
Average..................... .

66.2
71.2
87.9
103.9
121.4
118.1
104.0
97.9
103.4
102.8

W eekly
payroll
29.9
34.0
49.3
72.2
99.0
102.8
87.8
81.2
97.7
105.1

E m ploy­
ment

Period

W eekly
payroll

Average........ - ............ ..
Average.......... —............
Average_________ ____
Average______________
Average____ _________

93.8
99.6
106.4
106.3
112.0

97.2
111.7
129.8
136.6
151.6

1953: December.......... - ..........
1954: January..........................
F eb ru a ry ......................
M arch___ _____ ______

107.7
105.1
104.3
103.6

147.2
140.8
140.5
138.4

1949:
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:

E m ploy­
ment

Period

1954: A pril..............................
M a y......... .................... .
June................................
July__________________
August_______________
September_____ ______
October. ...... ........ .......
N ovem ber......................
December. __________

101.8
100.5
100.9
98.7
100.6
102.0
102.3
102.8
102.7

W eekly
payroll
135.0

135.1
136.6
132.3
135.1
138.4
139.5
142.8

• See footnote 1, tables A -2 and A -3.
See N ote on p. 231.

T able A -5 : Federal civilian employment by branch and agency group
[In thousands]

Execiiti ve 1
Year and month

All branches
Total

Department of
Defense

Post Office
Department

Legislative

Judicial

Other agencies

Continental United States 1
1952: Average..........................................
1953: Average...........................................

2,420
2,305

2,394.0
2,279.0

1,199.2
1,130.6

538.3
526.5

656.6
621.9

22.6
22.2

3.9
3.9

1953: November......................................
December________ _____________

2,203
2,480

2,177.0
2,454.6

1,069.0
1,063. 5

505.2
792.8

602.8
598.3

21.7
21.7

3.9
3.9

1954: January--------------------------- ------February__________ ___________
March_________ _______________
April_________________________
May__________________________
June_________ _____ ___________
July__________________________
August ________________________
September__________ __________

2,184
2,175
2,173
2,168
2,160
2,164
2,161
2,156
2,141
2,147
2,170

2,157.9
2,149.0
2,147.2
2,141.9
2,134. 2
2,138.1
2,134. 7
2,130.1
2,115.1
2,120. 5
2,143. 7

1,058.0
1,048.4
1,041.4
1,036.0
1,028. 6
1,025.2
1,022.1
1,020.6
1,012. 6
1,011.1
1,011.7

504.4
502.2
500.8
502.6
502.4
504.8
507.4
505.7
503.3
501.8
506.2

595.5
598.4
605.0
603.3
603.2
608.1
605.2
603.8
599.2
607.6
625.8

21.7
21.9
21.8
21.8
21.8
21.9
22.1
22.0
22.0
22.1
22.1

3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
4.0
4.0
3.9
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0

October. _______________________

November______

____________

Washington, D. C.3
1952: Average_____________ _______ _
1953: Average_____ ______________ ___

258.7
241.4

237.2
220.3

92.9
90.4

10.0
9.5

134.4
120.4

20.8
20.3

0.7

1953: November____ ________________
December.___ ________________

230.3
233.7

209.6
213.0

88.6
88.2

9.1
13.3

111.9
111.5

19.9
19.9

.8
.8

1954: January...................... ....... ............
February____ _________________
March...... ................... ..................
April_______ _______ ___________
May.___ ______________________
June................. .......... .......... . .

228.4
228.1
228.0
227.8
226.6
228.7
227.1
226.1
224.5
225.3
225.7

207.7
207.2
207.2
207.0
205.8
207.8
206.2
205.2
203.6
204.4
204.8

87.8
87.4
87.3
87.1
86.4
87.2
87.2
87.0
86.5

9.0
9.0
9.1
9.2
9.0
8.9
8.9
8.8
8.7
8.7
8.7

110.9
110.8
110.8
110.7
110.4
111.7
110.1
109.4
108.4
108. 9
109.1

19.9
20.1
20.0
20.0
20.0
20.1
20.2
20.2
20.2
20.2

.8
.8
.8
.8
.8

July_______________________________

August_______________________
September________________
October _______ _______________
November_________ __________

1 Inclu des all executive agencies (except Central Intelligence A g e n cy ) and
G overn m en t corporations. C ivilian em p lo ym e n t in n a v y yards, arsenals,
hospitals, and on force-account construction Is also included.
1 Inclu des the 48 States and the D istrict of C olum bia.
1 Inclu des all Federal civ ilia n em p lo ym e n t In W ash in gton standard m etro­
politan area (D istrict o f C olu m b ia and adjacent M a ry la n d and Virginia
counties).


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

86.8

87.0

20.2

.7

.8

.7
.7
.7
.7
.7

N o t e .— Beginning with July 1954, approximately 1,200
Howard University and Gallaudet College employees
located in the District of Columbia are excluded from
Federal Government figures and are included in Service.
See N ote on p. 231.

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

242

T a b l e A -8 : Insured unemployment under State unemployment insurance programs,1 by geographic

division and State
[In thousands]

1952

1953

1954
Geographic division and State

N ov.

N ov.

Continental United States__________ 1,463.3 1,465. 8 1,580.4 1,691. 7 1,861.9 1,924.0 2,070.4 2,181.6 2,174.8 2,169.3 2,033.8 1, 508.9 1,115.1

685.8

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec,

160.9
13.7
9.7
3.4
76.1
28.0
30.0

161.2 _ 153.8
14.4
14.9
10.2
9.4
3.6
3.8
75.7
78.3
24.5
27.2
28.3
24.7

118.7
13.5
9.3
2.7
60.3
17.3
15.6

91.6
10.1
8.8
1.5
45.9
13.6
11.7

60.4
5.8
4.7
1.4
33.3
8.3
6.9

622.0
277.3
91.9
252.8

589.4
261.7
87.9
239.8

575.6
264.5
89.0
222.1

563.9
265.1
91.0
207.8

430.1
209.9
65.8
154.4

331.3
168.9
50.0
112.4

223.4
122.6
32.4
68.4

465.7
105.3
56.8
168.0
103.9
31.7

486.7
113.5
64.1
153.3
118.9
36.9

480.4
116.2
67.0
124.5
129.9
42.8

472.3
109.3
65.8
126.9
127.8
42.5

426.1
99.0
60.4
117.8
107.0
41.9

318.1
72.2
40.7
86.2
83.3
35.7

233.2
50.2
28.4
60.4
69.4
24.8

101.9
20.9
10.2
38.8
24.7
7.3

84.2
23.0
8.1
41.2
.6
.5
2.9
7.9

103.0
31.6
9.6
46.6
1.3
.9
3.8
9.2

123.1
40.4
12.1
47.6
3.6
1.9
5.6
1L9

130.3
41.1
15.6
43.2
5.1
3.0
7.7
14.6

127.8
35.3
17.1
42.0
5.4
3.3
8.9
15.8

119.7
33.5
16.2
40.2
4.2
2.7
7.6
15.3

81.9
19.8
10.1
32.9
2.4
1.4
4.3
11.0

56.0
9.8
6.2
28.8
.8
.4
1.9
8.1

28.7
6.3
2.8
14.9
.8
.4
.8
2.7

236.1
3.0
31.8
5.1
26.5
40.1
51.5
19.7
34.0
24.4

237.7
2.8
32.3
5.2
30.5
43.3
52.3
18.9
34.2
18.2

241.6
3.3
33.6
5.6
23.8
46.6
58.8
20.7
33.8
15.4

237.9
4.0
32.0
6.6
21.6
47.2
59.1
21.0
32.8
13.6

224.9
4.5
26.8
7.6
23.0
41.4
54.5
20.8
31.9
14.4

221.5
4.6
27.5
7.5
22.4
36.3
54.1
21.1
33.7
14.3

213.6
4.0
24.8
6.3
21.0
32.5
54.6
22.4
34.0
13.4

148.2
3.0
16.5
4.4
14.3
20.5
36.6
15.9
25.2
11.8

113.9
2.4
12.6
3.4
10.3
15.4
28.9
12.6
17.0
11.3

71.3
.8
6.8
1.9
5.3
12.2
16.7
6.8
10.1
10.7

127.7
42.9
42.1
29.0
13.7

141.9
44.6
48.7
31.3
17.3

150.5
49.2
52.1
31.7
17.5

156.9
53.9
54.9
30.3
17.8

159.8
52.8
57.0
31.6
18.4

154.4
49.7
54.9
30.4
19.4

151. 5
45.3
56.3
28.9
21.0

139.7
40.3
52.6
26.9
19.9

103.2
30.9
36.9
21.3
14.1

77.4
23.0
28.8
16.5
9.1

51.9
14.2
18.1
12.8
6.8

62.1
10.7
16.2
10.9
24.3

71.8
13.3
19.2
12.2
27.1

79.0
15.1
22.0
12.4
29.5

83.8
15.3
22.4
13.1
33.0

93.5
18.3
23.1
14.9
37.2

101.9
20.4
24.4
16.2
40.9

106.5
20. 5
26.0
17.7
42.3

107.9
22.1
25.0
18.8
42.0

94.1
19.8
22.2
17.0
35.1

64.8
13.1
13.9
12.4
25.4

47.2
9.2
9.4
9.3
19.3

32.6
6.8
9.2
6.8
9.8

18.3
2. 2
1.9
.7
2.5
2.4
4.3
2.7
1.6

20.0
2.2
1.9
.6
2.6
2.8
5.1
3.3
1.5

21.5
1.3
2.1
.8
3.1
3.5
5.1
4.1
1.5

23.7
1.4
2.2
1.3
3.8
3.9
5.2
4.4
1.5

25.7
2.0
2.5
1.2
3.8
4.1
5.5
4.9
1.7

33.3
3.3
3.8
2.1
5.5
4.8
5.9
6.0
1.9

47.4
5.9
6.7
3.1
8.0
5.9
6.7
7.8
3.3

57.7
7.2
9.7
3.9
10.1
6. 5
7.0
9.6
3.7

60.0
8.4
11.8
3.7
9.2
6.5
6.5
10.0
3.9

51.6
6.9
11.0
2.2
7.8
5.7
6.0
8.7
3.3

33.9
3.2
7.9
1.1
5.0
4.4
4.6
5.2
2.5

19.5
1.3
3.8
.4
3. 1
2.8
3.8
2.7
1.6

9.6
1.2
1.9
.2
1.0
.9
2.0
1.5
.9

132.6
26.5
14.4
91.7

130.6
24.9
13.1
92.6

139.6
25.9
14.4
99.3

152.1
23.0
15.8
113.3

158.0
18.2
11.8
128.0

185.2
23.7
15.0
146.5

229.9
33.9
22.9
173.1

270.6
47.6
32.5
190.5

291.5
63.4
42.3
185.8

271.3
66.1
43.9
161.3

209.9
49.4
36.2
124.3

144.9
34.9
23.8
86.2

106.0
25.3
14.9
65.8

143.5
9.9
9.5
2.9
64.7
21.2
35.3

147.7
11.1
10.6
3.6
68.6
22.1
31.7

168.3
16.6
13.7
4.3
75.2
26.7
31.8

172.8
18.1
12.3
3.5
78.4
28.3
32.2

494.5
196.2
76.3
222.0

575.9
254.7
86.6
234.6

609.7
279.3
89.1
241.3

623.2
275.8
94.9
252.5

424.1
87.2
40.9
113.0
159.1
23.9

428.9
91.7
50.0
133.9
131.0
22.3

431.9
95.0
48.4
148.1
115.6
24.8

426.4
97.3
51.0
161.4
89.2
27.5

70.8
16.0
5.3
39.5
.4
.4
2.0
7.2

69.1
15.4
5.3
38.6
.3
.4
2.0
7.1

71.9
18.0
6.5
36.5
.3
.5
2.6
7.5

77.5
20.0
7.3
38.9
.4
.5
2.8
7.6

147.4
2.9
20.1
4.4
12.0
27.4
29.3
14.4
22.0
14.9

154.4
2.9
20.5
4.2
12.9
29.4
28. 6
14. 1
22.1
19.7

176.0
3.0
24.5
4.3
15.4
33.2
32.1
14.9
24.8
23.8

205.2
3.4
28.6
4.9
20.1
36.7
38.3
17.1
30.1
26.0

East South Central._______ ________
K entucky_________ ____ _______
Tennessee...................... ..................
Alabama.................... ................
Mississippi_____________ _______

108.1
34.4
39.1
23.1
11.5

105.1
34.9
37.4
22.6
10.2

110.3
37.2
37.7
24.6
10.8

West South Central____ ___________
A rk a n sas................ .......... .......... .
Louisiana............ .......................... .
Oklahom a._______ _____ _______
Texas............................ ...................

64.4
12.1
16.7
11.5
24.1

60.0
10.4
15.5
10.5
23.6

M ou n tain .____ ________ ___________
M ontana..........................................
Idaho____________ _____________
W yom ing ........ ................. ............
Colorado........ ......... ......................
New M e x ico ..._____ ___________
Arizona................................. ..........
U tah........ .........................................
Nevada............ ........ .................... .

23.1
2.2
3.7
1.0
3.4
2.8
4.2
3.5
2.3

P a cific........... ................... .......... ..........
Washington...................................
O regon ...........................................
C alifornia.-______ _____________

169.3
36.1
20.6
112.6

New England.........................................
M aine____________ ____________ .
New Hampshire...................... .
Verm ont- ......................................
Massachusetts..............................
Rhode Island....... ..............
Connecticut.......................

116.1
11.0
8.2
3.4
56.9
12.0
24.6

117.5
8.2
9.8
3.1
56.7
13.5
26.2

128.9
8.3
10.8
2.9
60.8
19.0
27.1

130.6
9.2
9.2
2.9
58.5
18.7
32.1

M iddle Atlantic_____ _
New Y o r k ......................
New Jersey....... ..............................
Pennsylvania................................

445.4
194.1
71.3
180.0

445.8
184.5
70.8
190.5

459.1
184. 5
69.7
204.9

East North Central..............................
Ohio..................................................
Indiana________________________
Illinois________ _____
M ich ig a n ____________ _________
W isconsin_____ ________ _______

311.4
77.7
32.6
95.0
80.3
25.8

360.9
79.2
34.6
101.9
121.6
23.6

West North Central......................... .
Minnesota______________________
Iowa ____ ___________ _______ _
Missouri............ .......................... .
North Dakota_____ ___________ _
South Dakota........ ........................
Nebraska........................... ............
Kansas............................... ..............

78.2
20.2
5.7
39.4
1.5
.8
2.6
8.0

South Atlantic_____________________
Delaware............................ ............
M a ry la n d ... __________________
District of Colum bia.....................
Virginia________________________
West Virginia................. ................
North Carolina_________________
South Carolina......................... .
Georgia....... .................... ................
Florida...... .......... ...........................

1A verage of w eekly data adjusted for split w eeks in the m on th . F o r a
technical description o f this series, see the A p ril 1950 M o n th ly L a bor R ev iew
(p. 382). Figures m a y n ot add to exact colu m n totals because o f rounding.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Mar.

Source : U . S. D epartm en t o f L a bor, B ureau o f E m p lo y m e n t Security,

243

B : LABOR TURNOVER

B: Labor Turnover
T able B - l : Monthly labor turnover rates (per 100 employees) in manufacturing industries, by class of
turnover 1
Class o f tu rnover and year

Jan.

F eb .

M ar.

A p r.

M ay

July

June

A u g.

Sept.

O ct.

N ov.

D ec.

T o ta l s eparation!
1939..........- ________________ __________________
1947............................ ....... ........... ....................... . .
1948..................- ................... ........................... . . .
1949.................. ........... .............................................
1950.............. ...........................................................
1951............................................... ..................... ..
1952.................... ......... ............................. ...............
1953________________________________ ________
1954

3.2
4.9
4.3
4.6
3.1
4.1
4.0
3.8
4.3

2.6
4.5
4.7
4.1
3.0
3.8
3.9
3.6
3.5

3.1
4.9
4.5
4.8
2.9
4.1
3.7
4.1
3.7

3.5
5.2
4.7
4.8
2.8
4.6
4.1
4.3
3.8

3.5
5.4
4.3
5.2
3.1
4.8
3.9
4.4
3.3

3.3
4.7
4.5
4.3
3.0
4.3
3.9
4.2
3.1

3.3
4.6
4.4
3.8
2.9
4.4
5.0
4.3
3.1

3.0
5.3
5.1
4.0
4.2
5.3
4.6
4.8
3.5

2.8
5.9
5.4
4.2
4.9
5.1
4.9
5.2
3.9

2.9
5.0
4.5
4.1
4.3
4.7
4.2
4.5
3.3

3.0
4.0
4.1
4.0
3.8
4.3
3.5
4.2
3 2.9

3.5
3.7
4.3
3.2
3.6
3.5
3.4
4.0

0.7
3.1
2.9
1.4
1.8
2.4
2.2
2.5
1. 1

0.8
4.0
3.4
1.8
2.9
3.1
3.0
2.9
1.4

1.1
4.5
3.9
2.1
3.4
3.1
3.5
3. 1
1.8

0.9
3.6
2.8
1.5
2.7
2.5
2.8
2.1
1.2

0.8
2.7
2.2
1.2
2.1
1.9
2.1
1.5
3 1.0

0.7
2.3
1.7
.9
1.7
1.4
1.7
1.1

0.1
.4
.4
.2
.3
.3
.3
.4
.2

0.1
.4
.4
.3
.4
.4
.3
.4
.2

0.1
.4
.4
.2
.4
.3
.4
.4
.2

0.2
.4
.4
.2
.4
.4
.4
.4
.2

0.2
.4
.4
.2
.3
.3
.4
.3
*.2

0.1
.4
.3

2.1

1.6
.9

1.8
.9
1.2
2.3

2.0

2.7

.8

.9

1.4
2.5

2.0

.8

1. 1

1.4
.7
1.8
1.6

1.7
.7
3.3
1.6

2.5

0. 1
.1
.1

0. 1
.1
.1
.3

Q uit
1939 3________ ________________ ______ ________
1947_________ __________ _______ _____________
1948_________________ _______________________
1949..................................................... ............. .......
1 9 5 0 -........ ......................... ........................... .........
1951______ ________________ _____ _____________
1952_______________________________ _________
1953 .................. —................................... ...............
1954

0.9
3.5
2.6
1.7
1.1
2.1
1.9
2.1
1. 1

0.6
3.2
2.5
1.4
1.0
2.1
1.9
2.2
1.0

0.8
3.5
2.8
1.6
1.2
2.5
2.0
2.5
1.0

0.8
3.7
3.0
1.7
1.3
2.7
2.2
2.7
1.1

0.7
3.5
2.8
1.6
1.6
2.8
2.2
2.7
1.0

0.7
3.1
2.9
1.5
1.7
2.5
2.2
2.6
1.1
D ischarge

1939........................ ..................................................
1947_______ _________________________________
1948................................... ......... ............... .............
1949................................................................. .........
1950.................. ............................. ....................... —
1 9 5 1 ............................................... .........................
1952........................................... ................... ...........
1953____ _______ _________________ ________ _
1954

0.1
.4
.4
.3
.2
.3
.3
.3
.2

0.1
.4
.4
.3
.2
.3
.3
.4
.2

0.1
.4
.4
.3
.2
.3
.3
.4
.2

0.1
.4
.4
.2
.2
.4
.3
.4
.2

0.1
.4
.3
.2
.3
.4
.3
.4
.2

0.1
.4
.4
.2
.3
.4
.3
.4
.2

.2
.3

.3
.3
.2

Layoff
1939..................................... ....................... .............
1947...... ................... ................................... .............
1948— .................. ..................... ........................... ..
1949_____________________________ ___________
1950.............................. ..................... ......... ............
1951__________________ _____ _______ _________
1952._____ ____________________ ______________
1953.. __________ __________________ _____ _
1954

2.2
.9
1.2
2.5
1.7

1.9

.8
1.7
2.3
1.7

2.2
.9
1.2
2.8
1.4

2.6
1.2
2.8
1.2

1.0

1.0

.8

.8

1.0

1.4

1.3

1.1

1.3
.9
2.4

.9

.8

.8

2.8

2.2

2.3

2.7
1.4
1.1
3.3

2.5

2.5

1.1
1.1

1.0
1.0

2.5

1. 1

.9
1.0
1.1
.9

2.1
.6
1.3
2.2

1.2

1. 1
1.0
1.9

1.7

1.1
1.6

.8
1.2
1.8
.6
1.4

1.0
1.3
1.7

1.0
1.8
.7
1.3
.7
1.5
1.7

1

2.2
1.3
1.5

1.0

Miscellaneous, including military
0.1
.1
.1
.4

0.1
.1
.1
.4

.3
.3
.3

.4
.3
.3
.3

.4
.3
.3
.2

.3
.4
.3
.3
2.2

5.1
5.3
5.0
4.4
6.6
4.5
5.9
4.3
3.3

6.2
5.9
5.1
4.1
5.7
4.3
5.6
4.0
3.4

5.9
5.5
4.5
3.7
5.2
4.4
5.2
3.3
3.6

4.1
4.8
3.9
3.3
4.0
3.9
4.0
2.7
33.3

1947____ _________ ______ ___________________ _
1 9 4 8 ..._____________ ________________________
1949....................... ............... ............... ...................
1 9 5 0 -........................................ ......... .....................
1951........................................... ........... ......... ..........
1952.________________________________________
1953 .............. ....................................... ...................
1954

0.1
.1
.1
.1
.7

0.1
.1
.1
.1
.6

0.1
.1
.1
.1
.5

0.1
.1
.1
.1
.5

0.1
.1
.1
.1
.4

0.1
.1
.1
.1
.4

0.1
.1
.1
.2
.4

0.1
.1
.1

.4
.4
.3

.4
.4
.2

.3
.3
.2

.3
.3
.2

.3
.3
.2

.3
.3
.2

.3
.3
.2

1939___________ ___________________ ______
1947..________ _________ ______ __________
1948.............. .............................. ......................
1949_____________________ _______________
1950_____________________________________
1951_______ _____ _______________ ________
1952......... ................................... .......................
1953.................... ........... ..................................
1954
_______
. .
________

4.1
6.0
4.6
3.2
3.6
5.2
4.4
4.4
2.8

3.1
5.0
3.9
2.9
3.2
4.5
3.9
4.2
2.5

3.3
5.1
4.0
3.0
3.6
4.6
3.9
4.4
2.8

2.9
5.1
4.0
2.9
3.5
4.5
3.7
4.3
2.4

3.3
4.8
4.1
3.5
4.4
4.5
3.9
4.1
2.7

.3
.4

.3
.3
.2

Total accession

1 Month-to-month changes In total employment in manufacturing Indus­
tries as indicated b y labor turnover rates are not comparable with the changes
shown by the Bureau’s employment and payroll reports, for the following
reasons:
(1) Accessions and separations are computed for the entire calendar month;
the employment and payroll reports, for the most part, refer to a 1-week pay
period ending nearest the 15th of the month.
(2) The turnover sample is not so large as that of the employment and
payroll sample and includes proportionately fewer small plants; certain
industries are not covered. The major industries excluded are: printing,
publishing, and allied industries; canning and preserving fruits, vegetables,
<vnd seafoods woroeD’ misses’ and children’ (outerwear: and fertilizers.


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

3.9
5.5
5.7
4.4
4.8
4.9
4.9
5. 1
3.5

4.2
4.9
4.7
3.5
4.7
4.2
4.4
4.1
2.9

2.8
3.6
2.7
3.2
3.0
3.0
3.3
2. 1

(3)
Plants are not included in the turnover computations in months when
work stoppages are in progress; the influence of such stoppage is reflected,
however, in the employment and payroll figures. Prior to 1943, rates relate
to production workers only.
3 Preliminary.
3 Prior to 1940, miscellaneous separations were included with quits.
tBeginning with data for October 1952, components m ay not add to tota
because of rounding,

N ote .— Information on concepts, methodology, etc., is
given in a technical note on Measurement of Labor Turn­
over, which appeared in the May 1953 Monthly Labor Review.

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

244

T a b l e B - 2 : M o n th ly labor turnover rates (per 100 em ployees) in selected groups and industries 1
Separation

Industry group and Industry

Quit

Total
N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Discharge
N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

Total accession

Mise. incl.
military

Layoff

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

M a n u fa c tu r in g

1.0
.9
1.1

1.2
1.2
1.3

0.2
.2
.2

0.2
.2
.2

3.4

.7

1.0

.1

4.2
4.6
2.8
3.4

1.1
.8
.9
1.2

1.4
.9
1.4
1.7

.2
.2
.4
.2

2.9
2.9
2.9

3.3
3.4
3.0

Ordnance and accessories.................................

1.8

Food and kindred products...........................

4.0
3.5
2.7
3.1

All manufacturing.............................................
Nondurable goods * ........................... .......

Grain-mill products...... ............... .............
Bakery products.................... ...................
Beverages:
M alt liquors___________ ______ _____

1.6
1.6
1.5

1.6
1.8
1.3

0.2
.2
.1

0.2
.2
.1

3.3
3.8
2.5

3.6
3.9
3.0

.1

.8

2.2

.2

.1

1.7

2.5

.3
.3
.3
.4

2.5
2.2
1.2
1.5

2.3
3.2
1.0
1.2

.1
.2
.2
.1

.1
.3
.1
.1

2.8
3.6
1.9
1.9

4.2
4.7
2.6
3.2

4.9

4.3

.3

.5

.1

.1

4.4

3.5

.2

.2

2.0

2.1

Tobacco manufactures.................................... .
Cigarettes....................... ........................... .
Cigars_________________ ______ _________
Tobacco and snuff......................................

1.6
1.2
2.1
1.1

2.0
1.7
2.3
1.6

1.1
.7
1.4
.5

1.3
.8
1.8
.8

.2
.3
.1
.1

.2
.2
.2
.1

.3
.1
.4
.1

.5
.7
.2
.5

.1
.1
.1
.3

.1
.1
.1
.3

1.3
1.0
1.6
.7

2.2
2.6
2.2
1.1

Textile-mill products_________________ _____
Yarn and thread mills...............................
Broad-woven fabric mills_____________
Cotton, silk, synthetic fiber............
Woolen and worsted..........................
Knitting mills____________ _______ _____
Full-fashioned hosiery.......................
Seamless hosiery___ J............. .........
Knit underwear............... ...................
Dyeing and finishing textiles...............
Carpets, rugs, other floor coverings___

2.8
2.8
2.7
2.4
5.8
3.2
2.0
2.4
4.4
2.5
2.3

3.4
3.4
3.3
2.9
7.9
3.4
2.7
2.5
4.0
2.2
4.1

1.2
1.2
1.3
1.3
.9
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.3
.9
.6

1.4
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.2
1.5
1.6
1.4
1.6
1.0

.2
.1
.2
.2
.3
.2
.2
.2
.1
.3
.3

1.2
1.1
.9
.7
4. 5
1.6
.5
.7
3.0
1.2
1.2

1.5
1.5
1.2
.8
6.1
1.6
.8
.7
2.3
.7
2.8

.1
.1
.2
.2
.2
.1
.1
.2

.2
.1
.3
.3
.2
.1
.1
.2

.7

.2
.3
.3
.3
.2
.2
.2
.2
.1
.3
.1

.2
.3

3.2
3.7
3.2
3.1
4.8
2.9
2.0
3.6
1.5
3.6
2.1

3.2
4.1
3.3
3.2
3.3
3.3
2.2
4.5
2.6
2.9
2.0

4.9
8.0

3.8
4.1

1.9
1.0

2.3
1.7

.1
.2

.1
.1

2.7
6.4

1.2
2.0

.1
.3

3.0
2.5

3.6
3.1

4.1

3.9

1.8

2.5

.1

.1

2.2

1.2

4.4
5.8
3.6

5.0
10.2
4.0

.3
.6
.3

.3
.5
.3

2.5
2.4
1.9

Apparel and other finished textile prod­
ucts________ _________ ________ ________
M en ’s and boys’ suits and coats______
M en ’s and boys’ furnishings and work
clothing..................................... .............
Lumber and wood products (except furniture)_________________
_______. . .
Logging camps and contractors_______
Sawmills and planing mills___________
Millwork, plywood, and prefabricated
structural wood products......... ...........

1.5
2.6
1.4

2.7
5.5
2.2

(4)

.1
.3

(4)

.1
.4

2.8

3.2

1.8
3.9
1.3

.1
.2
.1

.3
.3
.1

3.0
5.0
2.6

4.6
9.0
3.5

(4)

(4)

1.6

2.2

.9

1.3

.2

.3

.3

.4

.2

.2

2.0

2.7

Furniture and fixtures...................................
Household furniture..................................
Other furniture and fixtures....................

4.3
4.9
2.7

3.6
3.8
3.1

1.2
1.3
1.0

1.8
2.0
1.4

.3
.3
.3

.5
.5
.3

2.7
3.3
1.3

li

.2
.2

.3
.4
.3

2.2
2.0
2.8

3.6
4.2
2.1

Paper and allied products.._______________
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills___
Paperboard containers and boxes..........

2.1
1.5
2.5

2.1
1.6
2.6

.8
.6
1.2

1.1
.8
1.5

.2
.1
.3

.2
.1
.4

.9
.6

.6
.5
.5

.1
.1
.2

.2
.2
.2

1.6
1.2
2.3

3.0
1.7
3.0

Chemicals and allied products.......................
Industrial inorganic chemicals...............
Industrial organic chemicals...................
Synthetic fibers...............................
Drags and medicines.................................
Paints, pigments, and fillers...................

1.7
1.7
1.4
2.4
.8
1.8

1.6
1.6
1.3
1.7
1.3
1.5

.6
.9
.3
.3
.6
.9

.6
.8
.4
.3
.6
.7

.1
.1

.1
.2
.1

.5

.8
.5
.7
1.3
.4
.7

.1
.1
.1
.1
.2
.2

.1
.1
.1
.1
.2
.1

1.3
1.6
1.1
1.8
.6
1.0

1.2
1.5
1.2
2.0
.9
1.3

Products of petroleum and coal___________
Petroleum refining______ _______ ______

.7
.6

1.4
.6

.3
.2

.4
.2

.1
.2

.8
.2

.2
.2

.2
.2

.3

.3

.6
.3

Rubber products__________________________
Tires and inner tubes.............................
Rubber footwear...... ......... .......................
Other rubber products..............................

2.1
1.3
2.3
2.7

2.3
2. 1
1.8
2.6

.8
.6
1.8
.8

.9
.6
1.5
1.0

.1
.l
.l
.2

.1
.1
.1
.2

1.0
.5
.3
1.6

1.1
1.2
.1
1.2

.1
.2
.2
.1

.2
.2
.1
.1

3.4
2.9
3.0
3.9

3.8
2.8
4.3
4.7

Leather and leather products..... ..............
Leather.. ______ ____________
Footwear (except rubber)........................

2.5
1.3
2.7

2.6
2.1
2.7

1.4
.6
1.5

1.6
.9
1.7

.2
.1
.2

.2
.1
.2

.8

.7
1.0
.7

.1
.1
.1

.2

.9

3.0
1.5
3.2

2.8
2.6
2.8

8tone, clay, and glass products..................
Glass and glass products...........................
Cement, hydraulic........ .............................
Structural clay products____________
Pottery and related products.................

2.1
3.1
1.4
1.9
1.7

2.0
2.6
1.1
2.2
1.6

.6
.5
.4
.6
.9

.7
.7
.6
.8
.9

.1
.1
.2
.2

.1
.1
.2
.2

.2

1.0
1.6
.1
1.1
.5

.1
.2
.1
.2
.1

.1

.2

1.2
2.4
.7
.9
.6

2.4
3.4
.7
1.6
2.1

2.7
4.1
1.0
2.2
2.6

Primary metal industries...............
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling
m ills ...................... ............
Iron and steel foundries..............
Gray-iron foun dries.........................
Malleable-iron foundries___
Steel foundries___________ ______
Primary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals:
Primary smelting and refining of
copper, lead, and zinc*..................
Rolling, drawing, and alloying of nonferrous metals:
Rolling, drawing, and alloying of
copper................................................
Nonferrous foundries_______________
Other primary metal industries:
Iron and steel forgings.......................

1.8

2.5

.5

.6

.1

.1

.9

1.6

.2

.2

2.5

2.8

1.3
2.9
2.3
2.1
4.2

1.9
3.4
3.6
3.1
3.4

.3
.8
.8
1.0
.7

.4
.8
.9
1.2
.6

1.3
2.3
2.4
1.6
2.5

.2

.3
.1

.2
.2
.2
.2

.7
1.8
1.2
.6
3.2

.1
.1
.1

.2

.1
.1
.1
.1
.1

1.8
3.7
4.2
5.4
2.0

1.8
3.5
3.8
3.8
3.0

1.9

1.9

1.4

.7

.1

.1

.3

.7

.1

.3

2.2

1.9

1.0
2.9

.9
3.2

.4

.4
.8

.1

.3

.3

.2

.3

.1
.3

1.6

1.8

.1

.2
.2

2.0

.9

7.1

2.2
7.0

2.3

3.0

.3

.5

.1

.1

1.8

2.1

.1

.2

2.1

4.0

See footnote* at end of table,


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

(4)
(4)

.1
.2
.1

(4)

(4)

.2
.2

(4)

.8
.4

.9
1.9

.1
.1

(4)
(4)

(4)

.8

(4)

.4

1.0
1.2

.1
9

.1
.2
.1
(4)

245

B : LABOR TURNOVER
T able

B -2: Monthly labor turnover rates (per 100 employees) in selected groups and industries 1—
Continued
Separation
Total

Industry group and industry

N ov.
1954

Quit
Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Mise. incl.
military

Layoff

Discharge
Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

M a n u fa c tu r in g —Continued

Fabricated metal products (except ord­
nance, machinery, and transportation
eanipment)................. ................... - ..........—
Cutlery, handtools, and hardware____
Cutlery and edge tools......................
Handtools_________________________
Hardware__________________________
Heating apparatus (except electric)
and plumbers’ supplies______________
Sanitary ware and plumbers’ supplies_____________________________
Oil burners, nonelectric heating
and cooking apparatus, not elsewhere classified_____ ___________
Fabricated structural metal products.
M etal stamping, coating, and engravtag------------------------------------------------------

3.2
1.9
1.4
1.8
2.1

3.9
2.6
1.0
2.5
3.1

0.8
.9
.6
.5
1.2

1.0
.9
.6
.5
1.2

0 .2
.1
.2
.1
.2

5.1

4.9

1 .2

1.5

2.6

3.8

1.4

1.3

7.2
3.4

5.7
4.2

1.0
.7

1.7
.9

4.4

0

Machinery (except electrical)_____________
Engines and turbines__________________
Agricultural machinery and tractors. . .
Construction and mining m achinery..
Metalworking machinery____________
Machine tools_____________________
Metalworking machinery (except
machine tools)___________________
Machine-tool accessories__________
Special-industry machinery (except
metalworking machinery)___________
General industrial machinery_________
Office and store machines and devices.
Service-industry and household machines........................... ...............................
Miscellaneous machinery parts..........

1.0

(s)

0.3
.2
.1
.1
.3

2.0
.7
.5
1.0
.5

2.4
1.3
.2
1.7
1.4

.3

.6

3.5

2.6

.5

.7

.6

1.6

.2
.2

.5
.2

5.7
2.3

3.4
2.9

.2
.1

.2

.2

0

2.9

0

0 .2
.2
.1
.2
.2

0 .2
.2
.2
.2

3.0
3.0
1.8
2.0
3.7

.1

.2

3.4

4.3

.2

.1

4.8

5.1

.2
.1

2.2
2.1

3.7
1.9

0

.3

0

5.0
4.0
2.2
2.3
5.3

9.5

0

.1
.1
.1
.1

1.2
2.5
1.1
1.2
1.2
1.5

1.7
1.8
2.7
1.7
1.6
1.7

.2
.2
.3
.1
.1
.1

.2
.2
.3
.2
.2
.2

2.5
3.2
5.9
1.9
1.7
1.2

2.1
1.6
3.4
1.6
1.7
1.4

.2
.2

.1
.2

.6
1.0

1.3
1.8

.1
.2

.3
.1

1.4
3.2

1.1
3.4

.8
.8
1. 1

.1
.1
.1

.2
.1
.2

.8
1.7
.5

1.8
1.7
.6

.1
.2
.1

.1
.2
.2

1.5
1.9
2.7

1.5
1.9
2.7

.8
.8

.5
.2

.5
.2

1.5
.9

2.7
.7

.3
.2

.4
.2

3.1
2.2

2.8
2.1

.3

2.7

2.9

1.9
3.3

1.6
3.3
4.0

2.3
3.6
2.2
2.3
2.1
2.2

2.9
2.7
3.6
2.8
2.8
2.6

.7
.8
.6
.8
.6
.5

.8
.7
.5
.8
.8
.6

.2
.1
.1
.2
.1
.1

1.7
2.4

2.8
3.1

.7
1.0

1.1
.9

1.6
2.8
1.5

2.9
2.9
2. 1

.6
.8
.8

2.8
1.9

4.4
1.9

.7
.6

0)

2.8

2.8

1.2

1.2

.2

.2

1.2

1.1

.1

1.6
3.3

1.9
3.0

.6
1.7

.6
1.6

.1
.3

.1
.2

.7
1.2

.9
.9

.2
.1

.2
.3

3.7

3.5

1.7

1.7

.3

.3

1.5

1.3

.2

.4

3.1

2.0

1.2

1.3

.7

.1

.1

.3

.2

.3

.3

2.8

1.3

3.6

4.0

.9

1.2

.1

.3

2.3

2.3

.2

.3

2.6

3.3

3.1
2.9
1.7
1.5
1.9
4.6

4.2
4.6
2.4
2.3
2.2
4.3

.9
.8
.9
1.0
.7

1.0
.6
1.2
1.3
.9
1.2

.2
.1
.1
.1
.2
.1

.2
.1
.2
.2
.2
.2

1.7
1.4
.6
.3
.9
3.7

2.8
3.6
.9
.7
.9
2.7

.3
.5
.1
,i
,i
.1

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

8.8
15.5
2.2
2.4
1.4
.7

6.9
11.3
2.1
2.1
1.9
.9

3.1

1.0

.3

.3
.6
.2
.1
.2
.1

1.6

6.7
9.2

2.3
9.3
7.8
14.8
4.9
1.8

.2

1.4
.7

1.2
2.0
.9
.4
1.1
.9

0
0
0

10.1

3.9
12.1
9.5
16.6
6.6
3.0

.4
.1

.2
.2
.6
1.2
.3
.3

2.5
0
0
0
10.2
.6

3.2
12.6
9.8
3.4
12.5
.6

Instruments and related products............ ..
Photographic apparatus...........................
Watches and clocks_________________ . .
Professional and scientiflcinstruments.

1.6
1.4
2.7
1.4

2.5
3.3
2.1
2.4

.5
.5
.5
.5

1.1
2.5
.9
.7

0

.1
.1

.8
.7
1.9
.5

1.1
.6
1.0
1.2

.3
.2
.2
.3

.3
.2
.1
.3

1.7
.7
2.0
2.1

1.6
.7
2.3
2.0

Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...
Jewelry, silverware, and plated ware.

5.5
3.8

4.0
2.8

1.5
1.1

2.1
1.6

.3
.2

3.5
2.3

1.4
.8

.1
.1

.2
.1

2.9
2.7

4.8
3.0

4.6
3.6

2.8
.1

.3

0
0

1.1
2.7

2.5
5.7
.4
.8

.5
.8

3.0
.6

Electrical machinery.................. .......................
Electrical generating, transmission,
distribution, and industrial apparatus______________________________ _
Communication equipment___________
Radios, phonographs, television
sets, and equipment------------------Telephone, telegraph, and related
equipm ent.. -----------------------------Electrical appliances, lamps, and misceilaneous products..............................
Transportation equipment..............................
Automobiles---------------------------------------- Aircraft and parts......... .............. .............
Aircraft........................ ...........................
Aircraft engines and parts............
A ircraft propellers and parts______
Other aircraft parts and equipShip and boat building and repairing.
Railroad equipment___________________
Locomotives and parts................ ..
Railroad and street e a r s .................
Other transportation equipment______

0
0

08.7

0
0
0

.3
.1

.1

.1
.1
.1

0
0
0

0

.3
.2

0
0
0

N o n m a n u fa c tu r in g

1.0

4.6
6.5
2.2
3.1

.7

1.3
.3
1.3
1.1

.1

.4
.5
.2
1. 2

1.1

2.4
.7
3.0
2.1

Anthracite m in in g ...........................................

2.0

1.5

.1

.3

0

0

1.4

.9

.4

.2

1.6

3.2

Bituminous-coal m ining------- ---------------------

1.4

2.7

.4

.4

(0

0

.9

2.1

.1

.1

1.1

1.2

1.1
.7

0
0

0
0

M etal m in in g ................................................. ...
Iron m ining__________________ _________
Copper mining.............................................
Lead and zinc mining______ ______ ____

Communication:
Telephone______________________________
Telegraph6________________________ ....

0

0
0

1.5
1.4

0

0
0

»See footnote 1, table B - l . Current month data subject to revision without
notation; revised figures for earlier months will be indicated by footnotes.
* See footnote 2, table A -2.
« See footnote 3, table A -2. Printing, publishing, and allied industries are
excluded.
* Less than 0.05.


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

.2
0
.1

.2
.1

0
0

0)
0

.2
.4

0

0
0

.1
.2

0

0
0

1.3
1.4

1 Data are not available.

• Data relate to domestic employees except messengers and those employees
compensated entirely on a commission basis.
•Primary smelting and refining of copper, lead, and zinc— August 1954 rates
revised to: 8 .0 ,0 .8,0.2,6 .8,0.3, and 2.2, respectively; September 1954 accession
rate to 7.6.

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

246

C: Earnings and Hours
T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1
M ining
Coal

M etal
Total: M etal

Year and month

Avg.
w kly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

1952: Average............ $81:65
1953: Average............
88.54
November____
90.72
December____
92.40
1954: January.......... .. 92.00
February.........
85. 49
M arch...............
82.62
April..................
81.19
M a y .................
82.00
June...................
83.84
July---------------83.63
August_______
83.85
September____
84.03
October.
83.62
November____
84.24

43.9
43.4
43.2
44.0
43.6
41.7
40.5
39.8
40.0
40.7
40.4
40.9
40.4
40.2
40.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Iron
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.86 $80.34
2.04
90.74
93.44
2.10
92.62
2.10
2.11
90.45
2.05
86.03
2.04
83.03
2.04
76.74
2.05
77.80
2.06 81.32
83.82
2.07
2.05
82.94
80. 81
2.08
2.08 80.30
77.92
2.08

43.9
42.4
41.9
42.1
41.3
40.2
38.8
36.2
36.7
38.0
38.1
38.4
36.4
36.5
35.1

Lead and zinc

Copper
Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.83 $85.73
2.14
91.60
2.23
95.63
2.20
97.97
99.22
2.19
88.56
2.14
2.14
83.22
2.12 84.25
84.25
2.12
2.14 87.34
2.20 83.03
2.16 84.22
2. 22 87.54
2.20 86.94
2.22
89. 20

Avg.
wkly.
hours
45.6
45.8
46.2
47.1
46.8
43.2
41.2
41.5
41.5
42.4
40.5
41.9
42.7
42.0
43.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.88 $81.60
2.00 80.06
2. 07
77.99
2.08
84.08
84.32
2.12
74.64
2.05
2.02
73.10
75.24
2.03
2.03
75.76
2.06
74.07
2.05
74.19
2.01
75.20
2.05
74.03
2.07
75.30
2.06
78.21

Avg.
wkly.
hours
42.5
41.7
40.2
42.9
42.8
39.7
39.3
39.6
40.3
39.4
40.1
40.0
39.8
40.7
41.6

M ining— Con tinued
Petroleum and
natural- gas production
(except contract
services)
1952: Average_______ $85.90
90.39
1953: Average............
94.39
Novem ber____
December......... 90.45
92.80
1954: January...........
91.08
February..........
90. 45
M arch________
90. 45
A p r il................
94.58
M a y . .............
90.63
June__________
92.57
J u ly .................
93. 98
A u g u s t_______
93. 02
September____
90.85
October_______
91.30
November____

41.1
40.9
41.4
40.2
40.7
40.3
40.2
40.2
41.3
40.1
40.6
41.4
40.8
40.2
40.4

Anthracite

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
w kly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

$1.92 $71.19
1.92
72.91
63.49
1.94
1.96
64. 71
70.93
1.97
74.84
1.88
1.86 63. 74
1.90 64.45
62.74
1.88
1.88 96.20
1.85 73.58
1.88 82.50
56.88
1.86
1.85 86.27
1.88 85.26

31.5
29.4
25.6
26.2
28.6
29.7
25.6
26.2
25.4
36.3
29.2
33.0
23.6
34.1
33.7

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Bituminous
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$2.26 $78.09
2.48
85.31
2.48
81.17
2.47
82.25
2.48
82.34
2.52
79.04
2.49
73.06
2.46
71.67
2.47
76.32
2.65 83.00
2.52
75.39
2.50 82.09
2.41
81.17
2.53
87. 54
2.58
87.79

Avg.
wkly.
hours
34.1
34.4
32.6
33.3
33.2
32.0
29.7
28.9
30.9
33.2
30.4
33.1
32.6
35.3
35.4

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$2.29
2.48
2.49
2.47
2.48
2.47
2.46
2.48
2. 47
2 .5 0

2.48
2.48
2.49
2.48
2.48

Contract construction
Nonbuilding construction

Nonmetallic mining
and quarrying

$2.09 $71.10
2.21
75. 99
2.28
76.99
2.25
76.12
2.28
70.93
2.26
73.79
2. 25 74.22
2.25
75.08
2.29
77.88
2.26
78.58
2.28
80.46
2. 27 79. 83
2.28
79. 57
2. 26 79.92
2. 26 78. 77

45.0
44.7
44.5
44.0
41.0
42.9
42.9
43.4
44.5
44.9
45.2
45.1
44.7
44.9
44.5

Total: Contract con­
struction

$1.58 $87.85
91,61
1.70
1.73 93.00
1.73
92. 37
1.73
87.12
1.72
92.85
93.24
1.73
1.73
92. 87
1. 75 94.50
1.75
95.63
1.78
95. 63
1.77
95.38
1.78 93.84
1.78 95. 74
1.77
94.98

38.7
37.7
37.2
36.8
34.3
36.7
37.0
37.0
37.5
38.1
38.1
38.0
36.8
37.4
37.1

Total: Nonbullding
construction

$2.27 $86.72
2.43
90.27
2. 50 91.01
2. 51 89.93
2. 54 83.88
2.53
91.14
2.52
90.12
2. 51 89.60
2. 52 93. 79
96.14
2.51
2. 51 97.29
2. 51 97.44
2. 55 92. 97
2. 56 94.13
95.12
2.56

41.1
40.3
39.4
39 1
36.0
39.8
39.7
39.3
40.6
41.8
42.3
42.0
39.9
40.4
41.0

Highway and street

$2.11 $80.26
2.24 85.28
2. 31 86.67
2. 30 81.87
2.33
71.69
2.29
81.37
2.27
80.98
82.53
2.28
2.31
88.97
91.81
2.30
2.30 95.26
2. 32 93.09
88. 75
2.33
86. 62
2.33
2.32
90.91

41.8
41.2
40.5
38.8
34.3
39.5
39.5
39.3
41.0
42.7
43.9
42.7
40 9
40. Ì
41.7

$1.92
2.07
2.14
2.11
2.09
2.06
2.05
2.10
2.17
2.15
2.17
2.18
2.17
2.16
2.18

Other nonbuilding
construction
$91. 35
93.85
94.18
95.50
91.02
97.20
95.92
94. 71
97.93
100.28
99.39
100.77
96.33
100.53
98. 82

40.6
39.6
38.6
39.3
37.0
40.0
39.8
39.3
40.3
41.1
40.9
41.3
39.0
40.7
40.5

$2.25
2.37
2. 44
2.43
2.46
2.43
2.41
2.41
2.43
2.44
2.43
2.44
2.47
2. 47
2. 44

Building construction
Special-trade contractors
Total: Building con­
struction
1952: Average............ $88.01
91.76
1953: Average............
93.59
November____
93. 29
Decem ber____
87.46
1954: January_______
93.24
February..........
94.28
M arch............. .
94.17
A p r i l................
94.69
M a y . .................
95.72
June...................
95.20
July....................
96.20
August_______
94.32
September____
96.26
October_______
94. 58
Novem ber____

38.1
37.0
36.7
36.3
33.9
36.0
36.4
36.5
36.7
37.1
36.9
37.0
36.0
36.6
36.1

General contractors

$2.31 $82.78
2.48
87. 75
2.55
88.45
2.57 87.85
2.58 82.13
2.59 88.94
2.59 90.41
2.58
89.55
2.58
89.67
2.58 90.04
2. 58 89. 55
2.60
91. 51
2.62 89.00
2.63
91.62
2.62
89. 86

38.5
37.5
36.7
36.3
33.8
36.3
36.9
36.7
36.6
36.9
36.7
36.9
35.6
36.5
35.8

Total: Special-trade
contractors

$2.15 $91.99
2.34
95.05
2. 41 97.62
2.42
97.19
2.43
91.80
96. 30
2.45
2.45
97.11
2.44
97.28
2. 45 98.36
2.44
99.70
2.44
99. 80
2.48
99.90
2.50
98.10
2. 51 99. 46
2. 51 98.37

37.7
36.7
36.7
36.4
34.0
35.8
36.1
36.3
36.7
37.2
37.1
37.0
36.2
36.7
36.3

$2.44
2.59
2.66
2.67
2. 70
2.69
2.69
2.68
2.68
2.68
2.69
2.70
2. 71
2.71
2. 71

Special-trade
contractors— Con.

Other special-trade
contractors

1952: Average............
1953: Average............
November____
December____
1954: January............
February_____
M arch________
April__________
M a y . _______
June__________
July---------------August..............
September____
October_______
Novem ber____

$88.43
91.04
93.70
91.00
83.21
90.90
91.87
93.10
94.68
95.89
96.15
96.10
94.08
94. 87
95.23

See footnotes at end of table.


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

37.0
35.7
35.9
34.6
31.4
34.3
34.8
35.4
36.0
30.6
36.7
36.4
35.5
35.8
35.8

Plumbing and heating
$94.92
98. 30
101.08
102.94
99.96
101.30
101.68
101.41
101.95
103.41
103.14
103. 52
102.92
103.63
100. 27

38.9
38.1
38.0
38.7
37.3
37.8
37.8
37.7
37.9
38.3
38.2
38.2
37.7
38.1
37.0

Painting and
decorating

$2.44 $82. 72
2.58
87.10
2.66
88.41
2.66
88. 67
82.36
2.68
87.28
2.68
2. 69 88. 58
89. 27
2.69
2. 69 89. 78
92.04
2.70
2. 70 92. 39
92. 31
2.71
92. 57
2.73
92.75
2.72
2. 71 91.61

35.2
34.7
34.4
34.5
31.8
33.7
34.2
34.6
34.8
35.4
35.4
35.1
34.8
35.0
34.7

$2.35
2. 51
2. 57
2. 57
2. 59
2. 59
2. 59
2. 58
2.58
2.60
2. 61
2.63
2. 66
2. 65
2.64

Electrical work
$110.30
111.61
114.17
116.11
111.07
112.42
112. 42
110. 98
113. 59
113.39
112.40
113.88
110. 08
115.05
111.45

40.7
39.3
39.1
39.0
38.3
38.9
38.9
38.4
38.9
39.1
38.1
39.0
37.7
39.0
38 3

$2.71
2.84
2.92
2.91
2.90
2.89
2.89
2.89
2.92
2.90
2. 95
2.92
2.92
2.95
2 . 91

Manufacturing

Total: M an u ­
facturing

$2. 39 $67. 97
2. 55 71.69
2.61
71.60
2.63
72.36
2.65
70.92
71.28
2.65
2.64
70. 71
2.63
70.20
2.63
71.13
2.62
71.68
2. 62 70. 92
2.64
71.06
2.65
71.86
2. 65 72. 22
2. 66 73. 57

40.7
40.5
40.0
40.2
39.4
39.6
39.5
39.0
39.3
39.6
39.4
39.7
39.7
39.9
40.2

Durable goods *

$1.67 $73. 46
1. 77 77. 23
76.73
1.79
1.80
77. 52
76. 59
1.80
76.38
1.80
1. 79 76.00
1.80
75.43
76.21
1.81
1.81
76.40
1.80
75.83
1.79
76.59
1.81
77.39
1.81
77. 97
1.83
79.15

41.5
41.3
40.6
40.8
40.1
40.2
40.0
39.7
39.9
40.0
39.7
40.1
40.1
40.4
40.8

Nondurable goods *

$1. 77 $60.98
1.87
63.60
1.89
63.73
1.90 64.45
1.91
63. 53
64.02
1.90
64.02
1.90
1.90
62.87
1.91
63.91
1.91
64. 57
1.91
64. 74
1.91
64. 68
1.93
65.24
1.93
65. 07
1.94 65. 97

39.6
39.5
39.1
39.3
38.5
38.8
38.8
38.1
38.5
38.9
39.0
39.2
39.3
39.2
39.5

Total: Ordnance
and accessories

$1.54 $77.47
1.61
77.90
1.63
76. 21
1.64
78.94
1.65
77.60
78.40
1.65
1.65
79.19
1.65
78. 21
1.66 78.80
1.66 79.40
1.66
79.80
1. 65 80.20
1.66 80.60
1.66 81.41
1.67 82. 01

42.8
41.0
39.9
40.9
40.0
40.0
40.2
39.7
40.0
40.1
40.1
40.1
40.1
40.5
40.8

Food and kindred
products
Total: Food and
kindred products

$1.81 $63.23
1.90 66. 33
1.91
68.31
1.93
68.15
1.94
68.71
1.96
67.64
1.97
67. 87
1.97 67.54
1.97
68. 54
1.98 69.55
1.99
69. 72
2.00
67. 57
2. 01 68.48
2.01
68.30
2.01
70.79

41.6
41.2
41.4
41.3
40.9
40.5
40.4
40.2
40.8
41.4
41.5
41.2
41.5
40.9
41.4

$1.52
1.61
1.65
1.65
1.68
1.67
1.68
1.68
1.68
1.68
1.68
1.64
1.65
1.67
1.71

247

C: EARNINGS AND HOURS

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
M anufacturing— Continued
Food and kindred products— Continued

Year and month

M eat products 4

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
1962: Average______
1953: Average______

Novem ber___
December........
1954: January...........

February_____
M arch..............
April_________
M a y ____ ____
June__________
July__________
August............
September___
October______
N ovem ber___

$70.30
74.57
82.51
76.54
76.78
73.05
73.05
72.68
74. 74
75.85
77.98
76.07
77.87
78.02
83.42

Avg.
wkly.
hours

41.6
41.2
43.2
41.6
41.5
39.7
39.7
39.5
40.4
41.0
41.7
40.9
41.2
41.5
43.0

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

N ovem ber___
December........
1951: January...........
February.........
M arch..............
A pril_________
M a y _ ...............
June_________
July--------------August.............
September___
October______
N ovem ber___

$51.88
53.18
49.95
53.44
55.04
54.38
53. 95
52.85
64.72
53.27
54.77
55.89
56.30
52.99
52.68

39.3
39.1
37.0
37.9
37.7
37.5
36.7
36.2
38.0
38.6
39.4
40.5
40.8
38.4
37.1

Novem ber___
December____
1954: J an u a ry..........

February_____
M arch_______
April............. .
M a y ................
June......... ........
July..... ............
August—..........
September___
October...........
N ovem ber___

$61.57
64.84
65.60
66.42
66.10
66.42
66.50
67.08
67.65
68. 31
68.64
68.14
68.88
68.38
68.14

41.6
41.3
41.0
41.0
40.8
41.0
40.8
40.9
41.0
41.4
41.1
40.8
41.0
40.7
40.8

1952: Average______
1953: Average______

$52.27
53.45
53.45
N ovem ber___
64. 94
December____
64.60
1964: January...........
65.16
February.........
55. 52
M arch_______
55.34
April_________
M a y . . ......... — 55.34
57.17
June__________
54.91
July_________
55.95
August.............
57.08
September___
October...........
55.55
55.30
Novem ber___

39.9
39.3
39.3
40.1
39.0
39.4
39.1
38.7
38.7
39.7
38.4
39.4
40.2
39.4
39.5

See footnotes at end of table.


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

41.7
41.3
43.6
41.9
42.2
39.8
39.9
39.4
40-3
41.1
41.8
41.1
41.4
41.9
43.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

31.0
29.8
26.6
29.3
30.5
27.9
26.8
27.5
29.7
31.6
36.6
30.4
30.7
27.4
26.5

41.7
41.4
41.2
41.3
40.9
41.0
40.9
41.2
41.4
41.5
41.3
41.2
41.3
41.0
41.2

39.9
39.2
39.2
40.2
39.0
39.3
38.9
38.8
38.5
39.6
37.8
39.2
40.1
39.3
39.6

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

42.0
41.7
42.6
41.3
41.1
40.3
39.8
40.4
41.5
41.3
42.3
41.6
41.5
40.8
42.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.0
40.7
39.4
39.4
39.7
39.5
38.6
38.1
39.8
40.5
40.1
41.6
42.0
40.0
39.5

Dairy products 4

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.66 $63.80
68.05
1.76
1.80 67.94
1.80 68.73
1.80 69.39
1.82 69.71
1.82 69.12
1.83
68.85
1.84
69. 01
1.85 71.36
1.84
71.81
1.85 69. 55
71.07
1.85
1.87 70.47
1.89 68.59

Canned fruits, vege­
tables, and soups

$1.47 $54.12
55.76
1.51
62.80
1.51
1.61
55.16
57. 57
1.65
1.52
57.67
57.13
1.54
1. 55 55.63
57.31
1.57
1.42
56.70
54.94
1.54
1.50 57.82
58.38
1.52
1.39 55.60
55.30
1.63

41.3
41.2
40.1
39.7
40.4
41.0
40.3
39.5
39.4
40.8
40.1
39.2
40.0
39.7
39.1

$1.32 $69.15
71.88
1.37
72.04
1.34
72.38
1.40
73.81
1.45
72.65
1.46
71.38
1.48
71.94
1.46
73.37
1.44
76. 32
1.40
76.73
1.37
•1.39 74.42
77.92
1.39
75.31
1.39
75. 77
1.40

$1.27 $71.14
76.04
1.32
75.41
1.32
75.39
1.33
75.06
1.35
76.80
1.35
77.79
1.37
78.57
1.39
78.18
1.38
1.39 80. 56
82.17
1.37
78.76
1.37
79.17
1.37
78.78
1.37
79.00
1.35

41.6
41.1
39.9
40.1
39.3
40.0
40.1
40.5
40.3
41.1
41.5
40.6
40.6
40.4
39.9

44.0
43.9
43.0
43.5
43.1
43.3
43.2
43.3
43.4
44.6
44.6
43.2
43.6
43.5
42.6

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

44.9
44.1
43.4
43.6
44.2
43.5
43.0
43.6
44.2
45.7
45.4
44.3
45.3
44.3
43.8

42.1
43.4
48.5
47.7
42.7
41.2
42.9
39.2
41.2
41.5
41.0
41.0
41.1
41.5
49.7

43.2
42.6
41 0
41.1
39.8
41.0
41.0
41.7
41.1
42.7
43.2
42.2
42.5
41.9
40.5

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

45.8
45.9
44.9
45.1
45.7
45.0
44.9
45.2
45.7
47.2
46.3
45.2
46.3
44.5
44.2

45.1
44.5
45.0
44.4
45.3
44.3
42.9
44.2
43.9
44.7
45.7
44.7
46.0
45.3
45.7

41.1
42.1
40.5
41.7
40.1
39.3
43.9
39.3
41.8
42.0
41.7
41.1
41.4
39.8
42.8

Malt liquors

$1.29 $82.20
89.79
1.42
1.46 89.04
90.05
1.46
88.20
1.47
80.95
1.48
1. 48 91.37
1.47 92. 46
1.47 92.92
1. 49 95.30
97. 00
1.48
1. 47 93.03
1.45 93.60
1.47 91.80
1.48 91.96

41.1
41.0
39.4
40.2
39.2
39.8
39.9
40.2
40.4
40.9
41.1
40.1
40.0
39.4
39.3

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
w kly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

43.6
43.1
42.0
43.2
41.7
42.5
42.6
42.4
42.2
43.2
44.2
42.4
43.1
42.7
42.0

$1.47
1.59
1.64
1.66
1.67
1.68
1.6«
1.66
1.65
1.67
1.68
1.67
1.69
1.68
1.69

Prepared feeds

$1.59 $67.62
1.70 69.30
1.76 68.77
70.18
1.74
1.76
71.10
69. 52
1.74
1. 71 70.28
70.47
1.69
1. 74 70.53
74.10
1.75
1.78 72. 85
1.78 72.05
1.84 73.92
72.19
1.82
71.77
1.85

Cane-sugar refining
$1.63 $66.58
74.94
1.64
72.90
1.53
75.06
1.56
73.78
1.72
72.31
1.73
1. 79 82.53
72.31
1.76
77.33
1.77
76.86
1.75
77.15
1.77
75.62
1.75
1.77 77.00
1.64 74.03
1.58 81.32

Ice cream and ices

$1.45 $64.09
1.52 68.53
1.52 68.88
71.28
1.53
1.55 69.64
71.40
1.56
1. 56 70.72
1.56
70.38
1. 57 69.63
1.59 72.14
74.26
1.60
1.58 70.81
72.84
1.61
71.74
1.58
1.59 70.98

Flour and other grainmill products

$1.54 $71.71
75.65
1.63
79.20
1.66
77.26
1.66
79.73
1.67
77.08
1.67
1.66
73. 36
74.70
1.65
1.66 76. 39
1.67
78.23
81.35
1.69
1.68 79.57
1.72 84.64
82.45
1.70
84.55
1.73

Bottled soft drinks

$1.71 $55. 73
1.85 60.49
1.89 59.86
1.88 60.01
58. 51
1.91
60.68
1.92
60.68
1.94
1.94 61.30
1.94 60.42
1.96
63.62
1.98 63.94
1.94 62.03
1.95 61.63
1.95 61.59
1.98 59.94

Condensed and evap­
orated milk

$1.45 $66.41
69.77
1.55
68.25
1.58
1.58 69.00
70.84
1.61
70.20
1.61
1. 60 70.04
70.51
1.59
1. 59 71. 75
75.05
1.60
74.08
1.61
1. 61 71.42
74.54
1.63
70.31
1.62
70.28
1.61

Sugar 4

$1.36 $64.41
71.18
1.43
74. 21
1.46
74.41
1.47
73.44
1.49
71.28
1.49
76. 79
1.53
68.99
1.54
1.54 72.92
72. 63
1.55
72.57
1.54
1. 55 71.75
72. 75
1.56
1.56 68.06
78.53
1.56

Beverages 4

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Grain-mill products4

Biscuits, crackers, and
pretzels

$1.52 $56.17
58.92
1.60
58.55
1.64
58.36
1.65
1.65 60.20
61.09
1.65
61.66
1.65
60.83
1.66
60.68
1.67
1.68 63.24
61.75
1.70
1. 70 60. 76
62. 40
1.71
1. 71 61.93
61.00
1.70

Confectionery

$1.31 $50.67
51.74
1.36
51.74
1.36
53.47
1.37
52.65
1.40
63.06
1.40
53.29
1.42
53.93
1.43
53.13
1.43
55.04
1.44
51.79
1.43
1. 42 53.70
54.94
1.42
53.84
1.41
53.46
1.40

Sausages and casings

$1.76 $69.72
73.39
1.88
76.68
2.00
74.34
1.91
73.98
1.91
1.89
73.35
7144
1.90
73.93
1.90
1.91
76.36
1. 91 76.41
77.83
1.94
1.92 76. 96
1.96
76.78
1.95
76.30
79.95
2.02

Bread and other bakerg
products

$1.48 $63.38
66.24
1.57
67.57
1.60
1.62
68.15
1.62 67. 49
1.62
67.65
67.49
1.63
1.64
68.39
1.65 69.14
69. 72
1.65
70.21
1.67
1.67 70.04
70.62
1.68
1.68
70.11
70. 04
1.67

Confectionery and
related products4

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Seafood, canned and
cured

$1.32 $45.57
45.00
1.36
1.35 40.17
47.17
1.41
50.33
1.46
42.41
1.45
41.27
1.47
1.46
42.63
46.63
1.44
44.87
1.38
56.36
1.39
1.38 45.60
46. 66
1.38
1.38 38. 09
1.42 43.20

Bakery products4

1952: Average______
1953: Average______

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.69 $73.39
77.64
1.81
87.20
1.91
1.84 80.03
1.85 80.60
75.22
1.84
75.81
1.84
74.86
1.84
1.85 76. 97
1.85 78.50
81.09
1.87
78.91
1.86
1.89 81.14
1.88 81.71
1.94 87.47

Canning and pre­
serving 4
1962: Average...........
1953: Average______

Meatpacking, whole­
sale

46.0
45.0
43.8
44.7
45.0
44.0
44.2
44.6
45.5
47.5
46.4
45.6
46.2
45.4
44.3

$1.47
1.54
1.57
1.57
1.58
1.58
1.59
1.58
1.55
1.56
1.57
1.58
1.60
1.59
1.62

Beet sugar

$1.62 $65.94
69.80
1.78
77.12
1.80
77.24
1.80
78.85
1.84
75.78
1.84
1. 88 70.20
66. 97
1.84
71.38
1.85
70. 88
1.83
70. 80
1.85
1. 84 72.16
71.28
1.86
67.78
1.86
1.90 84.24

42.0
42.3
48.5
47.1
44.8
42.1
39.0
37.0
40.1
40.5
40.0
41.0
40.5
42.9
52.0

$1.57
1.65
1.59
1.64
1.76
1.80
1.80
1.81
1.78
1.75
1.77
1.76
1. 76
1.58
1.62

Distilled, rectified, and
blended liquors
$2.00 $70.88
71.42
2.19
71.80
2.26
70.12
2.24
73.34
2.25
73.54
2.26
73.73
2.29
75.26
2.30
73.53
2.30
74.31
2.33
2.36
75. 66
2.32
73. 73
74.11
2.34
76. 25
2.33
80.40
2.34

39.6
38.4
38.6
37.7
38.4
38.3
38.6
39.2
38.7
38.5
39.2
38.4
38.2
39.1
40.2

$1.79
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.91
1.92
1.91
1.92
1.90
1.93
1.93
1.92
1.94
1.95
2.00

248

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T a b l e C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing— Continued
Food and kindred products— Continued
Miscellaneous food
products *

Year and month

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
1952: Average............
1953: A v e ra g e -.........
November____
December____
1954: January............
February..........
M arch________
April__________
M ay
________
June___________
July----------------August_______
September____
October_______
Novem ber____

$60.35
63.12
65.67
64.95
66.20
66.36
65.36
65.16
65.78
65. 31
66.10
66.99
66. 94
67.68
68.43

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

42.2
41.8
42.3
41.9
41.9
42.0
41.9
41.5
41.9
41.6
42.1
42.4
42.1
42.3
42.5

Corn s ir u p , su ga r, oil,
and starch

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.43 $77.00
80.94
1.51
1.55 85.80
1.55
82.52
1.58
81.95
80.90
1.58
1. 56 81.02
1.57
79.49
82.84
1.57
1. 57 80.90
1.57
84. 74
1.58
90.29
1.59
84.97
1.60 86. 96
1.61
87.16

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

43.5
42.6
42.9
42.1
41.6
41.7
42.2
41.4
42.7
41.7
42.8
45.6
42.7
43.7
43.8

Tobacco manufactures

M a n u fa c tu r e d Ice

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.77 $59.80
1.90 63.34
2.00
65.21
65.00
1.96
65.04
1.97
1.94
64.16
1. 92 64.30
1.92 65.42
1.94
65.71
1.94 64.18
1.98
67. 45
1.98 66.46
66. 27
1.99
1.99 65.86
1.99 65. 99

Avg.
wkly.
hours

46.0
45.9
45.6
46.1
45.8
45.5
45.6
46.4
46.6
45.2
47.5
46.8
45.7
44.8
45.2

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Total: Tobacco
manufactures
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.30 $44.93
1.38
47.37
1.43
47.49
1.41
49.13
1.42
45.97
1.41
46.31
47.52
1.41
1.41
49.01
1. 41 49.98
1.42
51.71
1.42
51.54
1.42
49.67
1.45 48.86
1.47
49. 72
1.46
47. 60

Tobacco manufactures— Continued

Tobacco and snuff

1952: Average---------- $47.74
1953: Average............
50.90
November____
50.69
51.34
December____
50.18
1954: January............
50.92
February..........
M arch________
49. 76
A p ril.................
51.80
53.02
M a y . ............ .
53.02
June....................
51.97
July___________
55.10
August_______
55.63
September____
October_______
54.53
53.20
Novem ber____

37.3
37.7
37.0
37.2
36.1
36.9
35.8
37.0
37.6
37.6
36.6
38.8
38.9
38.4
37.2

39.3
38.2
36.9
39.3
35.5
34.8
35.2
36.2
36.4
37.9
35.1
36.4
39.8
41.2
33.4

38.4
38.2
38.3
39.3
36.2
35.9
36.0
36.3
37.3
38.3
37.9
38.5
39.4
40.1
36.9

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.17 $56.45
1.24
58.59
1.24
60.84
1.25 63.96
1.27
58.40
1.29
54. 91
1.32
56.68
1.35 60.96
1.34 61.60
1.35 65. 53
1.36 67.32
1.29
68.30
1.24
66.91
1.24 66. 99
1.29 61.88

39.2
38.8
39.0
41.0
37.2
35.2
36.1
38.1
38.5
40.7
41.3
41.9
41.3
41.1
38.2

Cigars

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.44 $40.13
1.51
42.71
1.56
44.35
1.56
43.66
1.57
40. 57
1.56 41.95
1. 57 41.52
1.60 40. 25
1.60 42.09
1.61
42.21
1.63
41.86
1.63
42. 90
1.62 43.73
1.63
44.66
1.62 45.08

37.5
37.8
38.9
38.3
35.9
36.8
36.1
34.7
36.6
36.7
36.4
37.3
37.7
38.5
38.2

$1.07
1.13
1.14
1.14
1.13
1.14
1.16
1.16
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.15
1.16
1.16
1.18

Textile-mill products

Tobacco stemming
and redrying

$1.28 $38.91
1.35 39.73
1.37
36.90
1.38 40.87
1.39 37.63
1.38 38.63
1. 39 41.54
1.40
44.53
1.41
45.14
1.41
47.00
1.42
42.12
1.42
37. 86
1.43
38. 21
1.42 39. 96
1.43
34.07

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Cigarettes

Total: Textile-mill
products

$0.99 $53.18
1.04 53.57
1.00 52.33
1.04
52.61
1.06 50.86
52.06
1.11
1.18
51.68
1.23
50.46
51.10
1.24
51.41
1.24
1.20
51.41
1.04 52.36
52.50
.96
53.31
.97
1.02 54.66

39.1
39.1
38.2
38.4
37.4
38.0
38.0
37.1
37.3
37.8
37.8
38.5
38.6
39.2
39.9

Scouring and combing
plants

$1.36 $62.80
1.37
62.40
1.37
52.46
1.37 60.29
1.36
58.78
1.37 60.74
1.36
60. 04
1.36
58.09
1.37
61.30
1.36 65.03
1.36
65. 51
1.36
62.78
1.36
60. 61
1.36 55.03
1.37
56.25

40.0
39.0
31.6
38.4
37.2
38.2
38.0
37.0
38.8
40.9
43.1
41.3
39.1
35.5
35.6

Yarn and thread
mills 4

$1.57 $49.15
1.60
48.51
1.66
45.75
1. 57 45.26
1.58
44.13
1.59
44.75
45.14
1.58
1.57
43.90
1. 58 45.00
1.59
45.50
1.52 45.88
1.52 46.88
1.55 46. 75
1.55 47.00
1.58 48.00

38.7
38.2
36.6
36.5
35.3
35.8
36.4
35.4
36.0
36.4
37.0
37.5
37.1
37.6
38.4

Yarn mills

$1.27 $49.15
1.27
48.26
1.25 45.38
1.24 44.76
1.25 43.25
1.25 44.13
1.24
44.39
1.24
43. 65
1.25 44.50
1.25
45.13
1.24 45. 51
1.25 46. 25
1.26 46. 49
1.25 47.13
1. 25 47. 88

38.7
38.0
36.3
36.1
34.6
35.3
35.8
35.2
35.6
36.1
36.7
37.3
36.9
37.7
38.3

$1.27
1.27

1.25
1.24
1.26
1.26
1.24
1.24
1.25
1.25
1.24
1.24
1.26
1.25
1.25

C otton , silk , sy n th etic fib er

Broad-woven fabric
mills 4

Thread m ill»

W o o le n

United 8tates
1952: Average............
1953: Average............
November____
December____
1954: January............
February_____
M a rch ..............
A p ril.................
M a y . ________
June...................
July----------------A u gu st.............
September____
October_______
Novem ber____

$49.79
49.53
47.23
47.00
46.61
46.36
48.89
45. 47
47.37
47.63
48.01
49.28
49.02
44.80
47.74

38.6
39.0
36.9
37.3
36.7
36.5
38.8
35.8
37.3
37.5
37.8
38.5
38.3
35.0
37.3

$1.29 $51.99
1.27 52.80
51.21
1.28
51.34
1.26
1. 27 49.13
50.03
1.27
50.16
1.26
48.73
1.27
48. 97
1.27
1.27 49. 63
49.52
1.27
1.28 50.69
51.08
1.28
52.14
1.28
1.28 53.33

38.8
39.4
38.5
38.6
37.5
37.9
38.0
37.2
37.1
37.6
37.8
38.4
38.7
39.5
40.4

$1.34 $49.79
1.34
51.09
1.33
49.92
1.33 49.67
47.87
1.31
1.32
48. 76
1.32
48.76
1.31
47.36
1.32
47. 34
1.32 47. 49
1.31
47.87
1.32 49.15
1.32 49.54
50. 96
1.32
1.32
52.39

38.6
39.3
38.7
38.5
37.4
37.8
37.8
37.0
36. 7
37.1
37.4
38.1
38.4
39.5
40.3

North

$1.29 $55.25
1.30
56.37
54.81
1.29
1.29
54.99
1.28
53.86
54.14
1.29
1. 29 54.43
1.28 53.44
1.29
53.72
54.53
1.28
1.28 54.14
1.29
54. 57
1.29
55.38
1.29
55. 81
1.30 57. 77

38.1
39.7
38.6
39.0
38.2
38.4
38.6
37.9
38.1
38.4
38.4
38.7
39.0
39.3
40.4

$1.45 $48.76
49. 78
1.42
1.42 48. 76
1.41
48.38
1.41
46.50
1.41
47.50
1.41
47.50
1. 41 46.00
1.41
45.86
1.42
46.13
1.41
46. 50
1.41
47.88
1.42 48.26
1.42
50.17
1.43
51.18

38.7
39.2
38.7
38.4
37.2
37.7
37.7
36.8
36.4
36.9
37.2
38.0
38.3
39.5
40.3

F u ll-fa sh ion ed h osiery

Narrow fabrics and
small wares

$54.27
54.53
53.54
54. 51
54.21
54.79
54.65
53.96
54.65
54. 23
53.68
53.98
54.39
54.60
55.44

40.2
39.8
38.8
39.5
39.0
39.7
39.6
39.1
39.6
39.3
38.9
39.4
39.7
39.0
39.6

See footnotes at end of table.


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

w orsted

$1.26 $62.56
1.27
61.93
1.26
57.88
1.26 60.84
1.25
59.14
1.26
59.36
1.26
59. 21
1.25
60. 06
1.26
62.16
1.25 62.68
1.25
60. 65
1.26 60.55
1.26
61.41
1.27 60. 80
1.27 61.86

40.1
39.7
37.1
39.0
38.4
38.8
38.7
39.0
40.1
40.7
39.9
40.1
40.4
40.0
40.7

$1.6«
1.56
1.56
1.66
1.54
1.53
1.53
1.64
1.55
1.54
1.52
1.61
1.52
1.52
1.52

S ea m less hosiery

Knitting m ills4
United States

1952: Average........ ..
1953: Average............
N o v e m b e r ....
December........
1954: January............
February..........
M arch________
April...... ...........
M a y . ..............
June___________
July___________
August_______
September____
October_______
Novem ber____

and

South

$1.35 $49.02
1. 37 48. 75
1.38 48. 73
1.38
48.60
1.39
47.65
1.38
48.84
1.38
48. 71
1.38
46.99
47. 65
1.38
1.38 48.34
1.38
47.58
1.37
48.88
1.37 49.13
1.40
50.17
1.40 50. 95

38.3
37.5
37.2
37.1
36.1
37.0
36.9
35.6
36.1
36.9
36.6
37.6
37.5
38.3
38.6

$1.28 $57.61
1.30
66.70
1.31
57. 75
1. 31 57.98
1.32
55.95
1.32
57. 75
1. 32 57.83
1.32
54.53
1.32
55.12
54.09
1.31
1.30
52.98
1.30
54.46
1.31
54.31
1.31
54.96
1.32 56. 94

37.9
37.3
38.5
38.4
37.3
38.5
38.3
36.6
36.5
36.3
35.8
36.8
37.2
37.9
39.0

$1.52 $57.00
1.52
57.00
1.50
59.04
1.51
59. 89
1.50
56. 78
1.50
57.98
1. 51 58.83
52.35
1.49
1.51
54. 87
1.49
54.96
1.48
54.81
1. 48 53. 79
1.46
54.24
1.45
53.00
1.46
56.45

North
37.5
37.5
39.1
39.4
37.6
38.4
38.2
34.9
36.1
36.4
36.3
36.1
36.9
36.3
38.4

South
$1.52 $58.06
1.52
56.24
1.51
56.85
1.52
56.63
1. 51 55.65
1.51
57.37
1.54
57.07
1.50
56.02
1.52
55. 20
1.51
53.58
1.51
51.83
1. 49 54.68
1.47
54.46
1.46
56.12
1.47 57.38

38.2
37.0
37.9
37.5
37.1
38.5
38.3
37.6
36.8
36.2
35.5
37.2
37.3
38.7
39.3

United States
$1. 52 $40.39
40.26
1.52
1.50
39.93
1.51
40.26
1.50
39.18
1.49
40.32
1.49 39. 87
1.49
37.97
1. 50 39.31
1.48
40.63
1.46 39.74
1.47
41.78
1.46 41.58
1.45 43. 66
1.46 44.05

37.4
36.6
36.3
36.6
35.3
36.0
35.6
33.9
35.1
36.6
35.8
37.3
36.8
38.3
38.3

$1.08
1.10
1.10
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.12
1.11
1.11
1.12
1.13
1.14
1.15

C : EARNINGS AND HOURS
T able

249

C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees1— Continued
_____________________________

Manufacturing— Continued
Textile-mill products—Continued

Seamless hosie ry— Continued
Knit outerwear

Year and month
North
A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
1952: Average______ $43.62
1953: Average—........
43.88
N ovem ber____ 41.07
41.18
December____
1964: January...........
40.80
February_____
42. 72
M a rc h -...........
43. 32
April................ 39.63
M a y ...... .......... 42.72
June_________
44.25
July__________
43.88
August_______
44.46
September___
43. 52
O cto b e r... .
44.72
N ovem ber____ 44.39

Avg.
wkly.
hours
38.6
37.5
35.1
35.5
34.0
35.6
36.1
33.3
36.2
37.5
37.5
38.0
37.2
37.9
37.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.2
40.8
39.4
40.3
39.7
39.9
40.3
39.5
39.3
39.3
39.5
40.7
41.4
41.3
40.5

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.13 $39.33
1.17 39.31
1.17 39.89
1.16 40.11
1.20 39.05
1.20 39.71
1.20 39. 52
1.19 37.74
1.18 38.85
1.18 40.15
1.17 39.05
1.17 41.29
1.17 41.10
1.18 43.39
1.19 43.78

Carpets, rugs, other
floor coverings 4
1952: Average._____ $68.39
1953: Average.........
70.58
N ovem ber___
68.16
December____
69.72
1954: January______
68.68
February.........
69.83
M arch_______
69. 72
April_________
67.94
M a y _________
68.38
June_________
68.38
July..... ..........
69.13
August_______
71.63
September___
73.69
October______
72.28
N ovem ber____ 70.47

Knit underwear

South
Avg.
wkly.
hours
37.1
36.4
36.6
36.8
35.5
36.1
35.6
34.0
35.0
36.5
35.5
37.2
36.7
38.4
38.4

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.06 $49.14
1.08 50.81
1.09 52.30
1.09 50.83
1.10 49.07
1.10 50.82
1.11 50.46
1.11 49.90
1.11 51.32
1.10 52.13
1.10 52.03
1.11 52.72
1.12 53. 65
1.13 53.38
1.14 54.00

Wool carpets, rugs,
and carpet yarn

$1.66 $65. 74
1.73 69.08
1.73 65.91
1.73 68.38
1.73 66.95
1.75 66.99
1.73 67.69
1.72 66.26
1. 74 65.19
1.74 65.02
1.75 65.57
1. 76 67. 99
1.78 69. 65
1.75 67.82
1.74 66.22

39.6
39.7
38.1
39.3
38.7
38.5
38.9
38.3
37.9
37.8
37.9
39.3
39.8
39.2
38.5

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

39.0
38.2
37.9
37.1
35.3
36.3
36.3
35.9
36.4
37.5
37.7
38.2
38.6
38.4
38.3

$1.26 $45.55
1.33 45.12
1.38 42.23
1.37 42.33
1.39 42.33
1.40 43.08
1.39 43.44
1.39 41.97
1.41 43.68
1.39 45.02
1.38 44.53
1.38 45.13
1.39 45.26
1.39 45.74
1.41 46.87

Hats (except cloth
and millinery)

$1.66 $53.20
1.74 56.47
1.73 54. 77
1.74 56.70
1.73 54.53
1.74 54.66
1.74 53.10
1.73 46.11
1.72 52.39
1.72 54.96
1.73 53.76
1.73 59.90
1.75 54.60
1.73 53.59
1.72 57.82

37.2
37.4
35.8
37.3
36.6
36.2
35.4
31.8
35.4
36.4
35.6
38.4
36.4
34.8
37.3

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

38.6
37.6
34.9
34.7
34.7
35.6
35.9
34.4
36.1
36.9
36.8
37.3
37.1
37.8
37.8

40.6
40.8
40.2
40.9
40.1
40.0
40.2
39.4
39.5
39.8
39.3
39.9
40.1
40.3
40.7

1952 Average........... $64.17
1953: Average
65.19
64.64
N ovem ber___
66.02
December____
1954: January...........
69. 55
65. 51
F ebruary........
M arch. _____
67. 65
April................ 66.66
M a y _________
69.14
64. 71
J u n e .............
J u ly .............
67.60
65.67
August.............
64.19
September___
October______
67.57
N ovem ber____ 69.64

41.4
41.0
39.9
40.5
41.9
39.7
41.0
40.4
41.4
39.7
40.0
39.8
38.9
41.2
41.7

$1.65 $51.24
1.59 51.30
1.62 50.87
1.63 50.58
1.66 50.82
1.65 49.73
1.65 50. 51
1.65 50.02
1.67 51.73
1.63 51. 29
1.69 52.03
1.65 50.68
1.65 51.83
1.64 52.08
1.67 52.45

M en’s and boys’
furnishings
and
work clothing 4
1952: Average...........
1953: Average...........
N ovem ber___
December____
1954: January______
February_____
March ______
April____ ____
M a y _________
June.............. .
July__________
August_______
September___
October______
N ovem ber____

$40.50
41.18
40. 81
40.70
39.56
41.29
41.15
39.10
39.67
40.00
39.76
41.70
41.84
41.58
41.72

37.5
37.1
35.8
35.7
34.4
35.9
36.1
34.6
34.8
35.4
35.5
36.9
36.7
36.8
36.6

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Processed waste and
recovered fibers
42.7
42.4
41.7
41.8
42.0
41.1
41.4
41.0
42.4
41.7
42.3
41.2
41.8
42.0
42.3

Shirts, collars, and
nightwear

$1.08 $39.96
1.11 41.40
1.14 42.75
1.14 41.27
1.15 39.45
1.15 41.52
1.14 41.50
1.13 39.22
1.14 39. 67
1.13 39.67
1.12 39.55
1.13 41.47
1.14 42.44
1.13 42.75
1.14 43.70

37.0
37.3
37.5
36.2
34.3
36.1
36.4
34.4
34.8
34.8
35.0
36.7
36.9
37.5
38.0

44.2
44.5
44.3
45.8
42.6
43.7
42.7
42.5
42.4
43.5
40.9
42.4
44.2
44.0
45.3

37.6
37.5
35.3
36.1
36.2
37.8
37.6
35.6
34.8
34.6
35.7
36.1
36.5
35.7
35.8

Cordage and twine

$1.71 $53.06
1.80 53.33
1.83 52. 25
1.83 53.33
1.80 52.25
1.82 53.18
1. 81 53.84
1.81 51.41
1.83 52.20
1.83 52.06
1.81 52.88
1.80 53.99
1.84 53.31
1.86 53.54
1.87 52.22

Separate trousers

$1.08 $42.86
1.11 44.63
1.14 43.07
1.14 44.04
1.15 44.16
1.15 46.12
1.14 45.87
1.14 42. 72
1.14 41.41
1.14 40.83
1.13 41.77
1.13 43.32
1.15 43.44
1.14 42.13
1.15 42. 24

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours
42.0
41.1
40.5
40.7
39.4
40.9
40.9
39.9
39.7
40.2
40.0
40.5
40.6
41.5
42.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.49 $62.16
1.50 61.65
1.62 61.46
1.52 61.76
1.51 59.40
1.52 62.06
1.52 62.06
1.50 59.60
1.50 59.30
1.49 59.64
1.50 59.60
1. 51 60. 90
1.51 61.05
1. 51 62.55
1.52 64.18

Felt goods (except
woven felts and hats)
40.3
41.3
41.2
40.9
39.5
39.2
40.1
39.8
38.4
40.8
39.9
39.8
39.8
40.8
41.1

Avg.
wkly.
hours
42.0
41.1
40.7
40.9
39.6
41.1
41.1
40.0
39.8
40.3
40.0
40.6
40.7
41.7
42.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.48
1.50
1.51
1.51
1.50
1.51
1. 51
1.49
1.49
1. 48
1.49
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.51

Lace goods

$1.68 $57.07
1.72 61.85
1.75 61.88
1.73 61. 92
1.72 57.24
1.73 59.84
1.70 60. 59
1.72 58.81
1. 72 57.96
1.75 60.31
1.75 60.39
1.74 61.55
1.77 62.54
1.76 61.38
1.76 62.05

38.3
38.9
38.2
38.7
36.0
37.4
37.4
36.3
36.0
37.0
36.6
37.3
37.9
37.2
38.3

$1.49
1.59
1.62
1.60
1.59
1.60
1.62
1.62
1.61
1.63
1.65
1.65
1.65
1.65
1.62

Apparel and other finished textile products

Artificial leather, oil­
cloth, and other
coated fabrics

$1.20 $75.58
1.21 80.10
1.22 81.07
1.21 83.81
1.21 76.68
1.21 79.53
1.22 77.29
1. 22 76.93
1.22 77. 59
1. 23 79.61
1.23 74.03
1.23 76.32
1.24 81.33
1.24 81.84
1.24 84. 71

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.48 $67.70
1.53 71.04
1.55 72.10
1.54 70.76
1.54 67.94
1.55 67.82
1.54 68.17
1. 54 68. 46
1.55 66.05
1. 55 71.40
1.57 69.83
1. 55 69. 25
1.56 70. 45
1.56 71.81
1.57 72.34

Textile-mill products—Continued

Paddings and uphol­
stery filling

Dyeing and finishing
textiles (except wool)

$1.18 $62.58
1.20 61.65
1.21 61.56
1.22 61.86
1.22 59.49
1.21 62.17
1.21 62.17
1.22 59. 85
1.21 59. 55
1.22 59.90
1.21 60.00
1.21 61.16
1. 22 61.31
1.21 62. 67
1.24 64.30

Miscellaneous textile
goods 4

$1.43 $60.09
1.51 62.42
1.53 62. 31
1.52 62.99
1.49 61. 75
1.51 62.00
1. 50 61.91
1.45 60.68
1.48 61.23
1. 51 61.69
1.51 61.70
1.56 61.85
1.50 62. 56
1.54 62.87
1.55 63.90

Dyeing and finishing
textiles 4

39.6
39.5
38.7
39.5
38.7
39.1
39.3
37.8
38.1
38.0
38.6
39.7
39.2
38.8
38.4

Work shirts

$1.14 $35.15
1.19 34.32
1.22 31.58
1.22 33.56
1.22 31.39
1.22 34.24
1.22 33.79
1.20 34.69
1.19 34.20
1.18 34.04
1.17 33.37
1.20 34.78
1.19 33.44
1.18 33.65
1.18 32.30

37.8
36.9
33.6
35.7
32.7
35.3
35.2
36.9
36.0
36.6
35.5
37.0
35.2
35.8
34.0

Total: Apparel and
other finished tex­
tile products

$1.34 $47.58
1.35 48. 41
1.35 48.06
1.35 48.82
1.35 47.68
1.36 49.46
1.37 49. 59
1.36 45.62
1.37 46. 07
1.37 46. 55
1.37 47.17
1.36 48.87
1.36 48.82
1.38 47.84
1.36 48.37

36.6
36.4
35.6
35.9
34.8
36.1
36.2
34.3
34.9
35.0
35.2
36.2
35.9
35.7
36.1

$1.30 $52.15
1.33 57.93
1.35 57.48
1.36 58.19
1.37 55.84
1.37 57.96
1.37 57.32
1.33 52.64
1.32 52.97
1.33 55.08
1.34 56.80
1.35 57.05
1.36 57.35
1.34 53.63
1.34 54.92

W om en’s outerwear 4

$0.93 $52.39
.93 52.65
.94 50.76
.94 53.61
.96 52.44
.97 54.62
.96 54.93
.94 49.01
.95 49.76
.93 48.53
.94 50.81
.94 53.15
.95 52.17
.94 50.40
.95 51.65

35.4
35.1
34.3
35.5
34.5
35.7
35.9
33.8
34.8
33.7
34.1
35.2
34.1
33.6
34.9

M en’s and boys’
suits and coats

35.0
36.9
35.7
36.6
34.9
36.0
35.6
32.9
32.9
34.0
35.5
35.0
35.4
32.9
33.9

$1.49
1.57
1.61
1.59
1.60
1.61
1.61
1.60
1.61
1.62
1.60
1.63
1.62
1.63
1.62

Women’s dresses

$1.48 $51.48
1.50 52.15
1.48 51.15
1.51 52.80
1.52 50.96
1.53 53.25
1.53 55.18
1.45 52.25
1.43 53. 45
1.44 47. 91
1.49 48.67
1.51 52.69
1.53 52.86
1.50 52. 05
1.48 52. 65

35.5
35.0
34.1
35.2
34.2
35.5
36.3
34.6
35.4
33.5
33.8
35.6
34.1
33.8
35.1

$1.45
1.49
1.60
1.50
1.49
1.50
1.52
1.51
1.51
1.43
1.44
1.48
1.55
1. 54
1. 50

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

250
T able

C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing— Continued
Apparel and other finished textile products— Continued

Household apparel

Year and month

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
1852: Average--------- $39.96
39.74
1853: Average______
N ovem ber___
39.53
40. 77
December____
38.26
1964: January______
40.26
February.........
41.18
M arch_______
40.04
April................
39. 79
M a y _________
38.86
June_________
July________ _ 37.66
38.91
August_______
39.96
September___
October______
40.18
41. 51
N ovem ber___

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

37.7
36.8
36.6
37.4
35. 1
36.6
37.1
36.4
36.5
34.7
35.2
35.7
36.0
36.2
37.4

37.2
36.4
35.7
35.7
35.9
37.4
37.3
34.8
36.6
37.2
37.2
37.9
36.5
36.2
37.0

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.06 $64. 94
1.08 64. 81
1.08 60.96
1.09 65. 86
1.09 66.80
1.10 67.94
1.11 65. 47
1.10 51. 43
1.09 51.44
1.12 60. 59
1.07 66.44
1.09 66. 92
1.11 63. 60
1.11 59. 40
1.11 61. 46

33.3
32.9
31.1
33.6
33.4
33.8
32.9
27.5
28.9
32.4
33.9
33.8
31.8
29.7
31.2

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.17 $43.15
1.22 44. 52
1.24 44. 77
1.26 44.41
1.27 42.83
1.26 43. 92
1.25 43.80
1. 21 40.92
1.21 43.19
1.22 42. 59
1.22 42.12
1.23 43.92
1.24 44. 77
1.22 45.38
1.21 45.63

37.2
37.1
36.4
36.7
35.4
36.6
36.2
34.1
35.4
35.2
35.1
36.3
36.7
37.2
37.4

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.95 $43.62
1.97 44.28
1.96 44. 77
1.96 44.04
2.00 42.33
2.01 44.28
1.99 44. 65
1.87 42.58
1.78 43. 67
1. 87 43.91
1.96 42.24
1.98 43.80
2. 00 44.65
2.00 45. 50
1.97 45.51

Miscellaneous
apparel and
accessories

Children’s
outerwear
1952: Average______ $43. 52
1953: Average......... .
44.41
44. 27
N ovem ber___
44.98
December____
1954: January........... 45.59
47.12
February.........
March ______
46.63
April................
42.11
M a y, _______
44. 29
June_________
45.38
July________ _ 45.38
46. 62
August....... .
September___
45.26
O c t o b e r ..___
44.16
N ovem ber___
44. 77

Underwear and night­
Women’s suits, coats, W om en’s and chil­
dren’s undergarments 4 wear, except corsets
and skirts

37.6
36.9
37.0
36.4
34.7
36.0
36.6
34.9
35.5
35.7
35.2
36.2
36.9
37.6
37.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.16 $41. 03
1.20 41. 58
1. 21 42.67
1. 21 41.38
1.22 39. 79
1.23 41.63
1.22 41. 95
1.22 39. 79
1.23 40.14
1.23 40.24
1.20 39.78
1.21 41.02
1.21 41.92
1.21 43.05
1.22 42.98

Other fabricated
textile products 4

$1.16 $46. 46
1.20 47.75
1.23 48.38
1.21 47. 21
1. 21 45. 92
1.20 47.06
1.21 47.60
1.20 46.70
1.22 47. 47
1.21 47.23
1.20 46.85
1.21 48.00
1.22 48.76
1.22 49.02
1. 22 49.54

38.4
37.6
37.5
36.6
35.6
36.2
36.9
36.2
36.8
36.9
36.6
37.5
37.8
38.3
38.4

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours
37.3
36.8
37.1
36.3
34.9
36.2
36.8
34.9
34.9
35.3
35.2
36.3
37.1
38.1
37.7

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

38.1
37.0
37.2
35.4
34.1
35.8
36.8
35.9
36.0
35.7
35.9
37.2
38.1
39.0
38.7

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.10 $47.24
1.13 48.10
1.15 48. 21
1.14 48.18
1.14 45.89
1.15 47.97
1.14 48.64
1.14 46.63
1.15 48. 78
1.14 48.51
1.13 45.89
1.13 48. 01
1.13 48. 55
1.13 49.18
1.14 49. 55

Curtains, draperies,
and other housefurnishings

$1. 21 $42.67
1.27 42.18
1.29 42.41
1.29 40. 71
1.29 39.56
1.30 41.53
1.29 42. 69
1.29 41.64
1.29 41.40
1.28 41.41
1.28 41.29
1. 28 42.78
1.29 44.58
1.28 45.24
1.29 44.89

Corsets and allied
garments
Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

38.7
38.1
37.7
38.3
37.9
36.2
37.5
36.4
37.1
37.0
37.9
39.1
39.9
38.3
38.9

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.24 $58.60
1. 30 68.64
1.31 51.48
1.32 58.08
1.33 59.29
1.34 67.09
1.34 67.20
1.34 45.90
1.34 44.68
1.34 52.33
1.30 55.71
1.33 62.58
1.33 64. 51
1.34 59.13
1.35 51.90

38.1
37.0
36.8
36.5
34.5
35.8
36.3
34.8
36.4
36.2
35.3
36.1
36.5
36.7
36.7

Avg.
wkly.
hours
36.4
36.2
33.0
36.3
36.6
39.7
40.0
30.6
29.2
32.5
34.6
37.7
38.4
36.5
33.7

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.61
1.62
1.56
1.60
1.62
1.69
1.68
1.50
1.53
1. 61
1.61
1.66
1.68
1.62
1. 54

Canvas products

Textile bags

$1.12 $47.60
1.14 49.53
1.14 50.14
1.15 51.32
1.16 50.41
1.16 47.78
1.16 49.50
1.16 48.78
1.15 49. 71
1.16 49. 95
1.15 50.79
1.15 53.18
1.17 54.26
1.16 51.71
1.10 52. 52

Millinery

$1.23 $49.88
1.30 51.09
1.33 49.37
1.34 50.41
1.33 50.01
1.32 50.25
1.32 50. 76
1.34 51.84
1.34 53.33
1.35 53.19
1.34 52.27
1.36 52.26
1.36 55.58
1.35 52.50
1.35 51.71

39.9
39.0
37.4
37.9
37.6
37.5
37.6
384
39.5
39.4
39.3
39.0
39.7
38.6
38.3

$1.25
1.31
1.32
1.33
1.33
1.31
1.3$
1.31
1.35
1.35
1.33
1.34
1.40
1.36
1.35

Lumber and wood products (except furniture)

Total: Lumber and
wood products (ex­
cept furniture)
1952: Average........... $63.86
65.93
1953: Average...........
65.20
N ovem ber___
64. 32
December____
1954: January......... . 62.65
February....... . 63.76
64.40
M arch_______
65.93
April_________
67. 03
M a y ______ _
68.71
June_________
July__________ 63.24
A ugu st............ 65. 57
67.47
September___
70.14
October______
69.31
N ovem ber___

41.2
40.7
40.0
40.2
39.4
40.1
40.0
40.2
39.9
40.9
40.8
41.5
40.4
41.5
41.5

$1. 55 $77.68
1.62 79.00
1.63 75. 85
1.60 71.81
1.59 72. 74
1.59 73.92
1.61 72.96
1.64 80.30
1.68 76.80
1.68 79.18
1.55 63.00
1.58 67.30
1.67 68.16
1.69 77.03
1.67 77.01

Millwork, plywood,
and prefabricated
structural wood
products 4
1952: Average........... $66. 94
1953: A verage..........
68.89
N ovem ber___
68. 54
December........ 69.22
1954: January...........
68.28
February_____
69.19
March ___ _
68.54
April_________
68.78
M a y _________
69. 77
June................. 71.90
69.72
J u ly........ ........
August_______
71.99
71.28
September___
October______
74.12
N ovem ber___
73.43

42.1
41.5
40.8
41.2
40.4
40.7
40.8
40.7
40.8
41.8
41.5
42.6
41.2
42.6
42.2

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Sawmills and planing mills, general
Logging camps and
contractors
41.1
39.5
38.5
37.4
38.9
38.7
36.3
37.7
36.4
39.2
37.5
38.9
35.5
39.3
39.9

Sawmills and plan­
ing mills 4

Millwork

$1.59 $65.83
1.66 68.55
1.68 67.98
1.68 68.89
1. 69 67.80
1.70 68. 47
1.68 68.47
1.69 67.73
1.71 69. 55
1.72 71.99
1.68 70.90
1.69 72.84
1.73 72.85
1.74 73.96
1.74 73.27

42.2
41.8
41.2
41.5
40.6
41.0
41.0
40.8
41.4
42.6
42.2
43.1
42.6
43.0
42.6

United States

$1. 89 $63.24
2.00 65.37
1. 97 65.76
1.92 64.64
1.87 62.72
1. 91 63. 92
2.01 64.96
2.13 65.77
2.11 67.23
2.02 68.80
1.68 64.64
1.73 67.10
1.92 70.06
1.96 70.81
1.93 69.72

40.8
40.6
40.1
40.4
39.2
40.2
40.6
40.6
40.5
41.2
41.7
42.2
41.7
41.9
42.0

Plywood
$1.56 $70. 62
1.64 71. 32
1.65 69.43
1.66 71.48
1.67 72.83
1.67 73.25
1. 67 71.31
1.66 71.62
1.68 71.10
1.69 71.81
1.68 66.50
1.69 68.69
1.71 71.81
1.72 77.51
1.72 76.36

42.8
42.2
40.6
41.8
42.1
42.1
41.7
41.4
40.4
40.8
40.8
42.4
40.8
43.3
42.9

$1. 55 $63. 65
1.61 66.18
1.64 66.17
1.60 65.04
1.60 63.11
1.59 64.32
1.60 65.37
1.62 66.34
1.66 67.64
1. 67 69.38
1.55 65.21
1.59 67.68
1.68 70.47
1.69 71.40
1.66 70.14

40.8
40.6
40.1
40.4
39.2
40.2
40.6
40.7
40.5
41.3
41.8
42.3
41.7
42.0
42.0

W ooden containers 4

$1.65 $50.39
1.69 51. 25
1. 71 49.85
1. 71 50.10
1.73 47. 72
1.74 48.83
1. 71 49.08
1. 73 49.20
1.76 49. 97
1.76 51.16
1.63 49.48
1.62 48.98
1.76 50. 82
1.79 51.82
1.78 51.03

41.3
41.0
40.2
40.4
38.8
39.7
39.9
40.0
40.3
40.6
39.9
39.5
39.7
40.8
40.5

South

$1.56 $43.03
1.63 43.78
1.65 43.99
1.61 43.99
1.61 41.61
1.60 43. 57
1. 61 43.26
1.63 43.68
1.67 43. 26
1.68 44.20
1.56 45.15
1.60 45. 57
1.69 45.68
1.70 46.11
1.67 45. 57

42.6
42.5
42.3
42.3
40.4
42.3
42.0
42.0
41.6
42.5
43.0
43.4
43.5
43.5
43.4

West
$1.01 $81. 51
1.03 83. 81
1.04 82.94
1.04 82.22
1.03 80.35
1.03 80.85
1.03 82.68
1.04 84.10
1.04 84.85
1.04 86.76
1.05 85.69
1.05 89. 42
1.05 86.19
1.06 88.44
1.05 87.64

Wooden boxes,
other than cigar

$1.22 $50.82
1. 25 51.34
1. 24 48.56
1.24 49.04
1.23 47.46
1.23 47.95
1.23 49.20
1.23 49. 45
1.24 49.85
1.20 51.56
1.24 49.20
1.24 47. 95
1.28 50.43
1.27 51.56
1.26 50.90

42.0
41.4
39.8
40.2
38.9
39.3
40.0
40.2
40.2
40.6
40.0
39.3
39.4
40.6
40.4

39.0
38.8
38.4
38.6
37.9
38.5
39.0
39.3
39.1
39.8
38.6
40.1
39.0
40.2
40.2

$2.09
2.16
2.16
2.13
2.12
2.10
2.12
2.14
2.17
2.18
2.22
2.23
2. 21
2.20
2.18

Miscellaneous
wood products

$1.21 $53.63
1.24 55.46
1.22 54.54
1.22 55.34
1.22 53.07
1.22 64.67
1.23 54.54
1.23 54.54
1.24 54.68
1. 27 55.08
1.23 53.07
1.22 54.13
1.28 56.17
1.27 56.72
1.26 57.41

41.9
41.7
40.7
41.3
39.9
40.8
40.7
40.7
40.5
40.8
39.9
40.7
40.7
41.1
41.3

$1.28
1.33
1.34
1.34
1.33
1.34
1 34
1.34
1.35
1. 35
1.33
1.33
1.38
1.38
1.39

C : EARNINGS AND HOURS

251

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing— Continued
Furniture and fixtures
Year and month

Total: Furniture
and fixtures
A vg .
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

1952: Average______ $61.01
1953: Average........... 63.14
N ovem ber___
63. 49
December.......
63.90
1954: January______
61.78
February_____ 62.16
M arch- _____
62. 56
April................
61.00
M a y _________
60. 53
June............. .
62.17
J u ly .................
62.02
August_______
63. 74
September___
64. 46
October______
65.10
N ovem ber___
64.78

41.5
41.0
40.7
40.7
39.6
40.1
40.1
39.1
38.8
39.6
39.5
40.6
40.8
41.2
41.0

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Wood household fur­
niture ( except up­
holstered)

Household
furniture 4
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.47 $58. 93
1.54 60. 38
1. 56 61.00
1.57 60.70
1.56 58. 41
1. 55 59.30
1. 56 59. 85
1. 56 58.20
1.56 57. 30
1. 57 59.19
1.57 59.04
1.57 61.00
1.58 61. 71
1.58 62. 62
1.58 61.91

Avg.
wkly.
hours
41.5
40.8
40.4
40.2
39.2
39.8
39.9
38.8
38.2
39.2
39.1
40.4
40.6
41.2
41.0

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.42 $53.38
1.48 55.21
1. 51 55.35
1.51 54.68
1.49 53.60
1. 49 54.14
1.50 54. 54
1. 50 52.92
1.50 52. 52
1. 51 54.26
1.51 52.92
1. 51 54.81
1. 52 55.08
1. 52 56. 44
1. 51 56. 58

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.7
41.2
40.7
40.5
40.0
40.4
40.4
39.2
38.9
39.9
39.2
40.6
40.5
41.5
41.6

Wood household
furniture, upholstered
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.28 $64.58
1.34 65. 45
1.36 66.58
1.35 68.80
1.34 60.10
1.34 63. 41
1.35 63. 57
1.35 62.16
1.35 58.48
1.36 61.13
1.35 62.10
1. 35 65. 27
1.36 67.49
1.36 68. 89
1.36 69. 47

Avg.
wkly.
hours
41.4
40.4
40.6
41.2
37.1
38.9
39.0
37.9
36.1
37.5
38.1
39.8
40.9
41.5
41.6

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Mattresses and
bedsprings
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.56 $64. 87
1.62 66.23
1.64 63.69
1. 67 83.25
1.62 64.08
1.63 66.30
1.63 65. 97
1.64 64. 30
1.62 63. 74
1. 63 65.63
1.63 67.70
1. 64 69. 38
1.65 69.97
1.66 68. 95
1.67 65.80

Furniture and fixtures—Continued

Wood office furniture
1952: Average______ $60.86
1953: Average___ . . .
61. 71
N ovem ber___
60. 89
December____
61.86
1954: January______
59. 60
February____
59. 55
M a r c h ............ 59.10
April_________
56.17
M a y _________
57. 75
June_________
58. 80
July..... ............
58.84
August—.......... 61.69
September___
60.68
October______
60. 49
N ovem ber___
58.65

41.4
40.6
39.8
40.7
40.0
39.7
39.4
37.2
38.5
39.2
40.3
41.4
41.0
40.6
39.1

Metal office furniture

$1.47 $72. 80
1.52 75.70
1.53 77. 71
1.52 78.09
1.49 77.11
1.50 77.30
1.50 77. 71
1. 51 75.98
1.50 75.60
1.50 77.14
1.46 75.64
1.49 77. 39
1.48 78. 36
1.49 78. 34
1.50 79.32

41.6
40.7
40.9
41.1
40.8
40.9
40.9
40.2
40.0
40.6
39.6
40.1
40.6
40.8
41.1

40.9
40.8
41.0
40.5
40.4
40.0
39.7
39.5
39.7
40.4
39.1
39.5
40.1
39.5
39.8

Screens, blinds, and
miscellaneous fur­
niture and fixtures

$1. 74 $57. 69
1. 81 62.31
1.86 63. 57
1.85 64.90
1. 86 62. 47
1. 84 62.88
1.84 62.58
1. 84 62.42
1.86 64. 48
1.86 64. 74
1.89 64.90
1.90 64.84
1.93 65.00
1.92 65. 41
1.93 64.21

41.6
42.1
42.1
42.7
40.3
41.1
40.9
40.8
41.6
41.5
41.6
41.3
41.4
41.4
40.9

1952: Average__. . .
$64. 45
1953: Average______
67.68
N ovem ber___
68.10
Decem ber____
66. 65
1954: January______
65.36
February_____ 66. 09
M arch_______
66. 75
April_________
66.33
M a y _________
67. 89
June.—........... 69.14
July— .............
69.05
August_____ _ 70. 56
September___
70.98
O cto b e r..........
71.23
N ovem ber___
71.99

42.4
42.3
42.3
41.4
40.1
40.3
40.7
40.2
40.9
41.4
41.1
42.0
42.0
42.4
42.6

Paperboard boxe»

$1.52 $64.18
1.60 67.42
1.61 68.00
1.61 66.08
1.63 65.12
1.64 65.69
1.64 66. 34
1.65 65.93
1.66 67. 65
1.67 69.06
1.68 68.39
1.68 70. 47
1. 69 70. 47
1.68 71.14
1.69 71.90

Periodicals
1952: Average......... . $83.60
1953: Average.......... 86.98
86. 24
N ovem ber___
86.33
December____
1954: January______
89. 87
February_____ 90.27
M arch_______
88.58
April................
86. 63
M ay ________
86.14
June............... . 85.63
July_____ ____
87.58
August_______
91.03
September___
89. 95
October______
89. 55
N ovem ber___
89.04

40.0
39.9
39.2
39.6
40.3
40.3
39.9
39.2
38.8
38.4
39.1
40.1
39.8
39.8
39.4

Se* footnotes at end of table.

328729— 55-

-7


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

42.5
42.4
42.5
41.3
40.2
40.3
40.7
40.2
41.0
41.6
41.2
42.2
42.2
42.6
42.8
Books

$2.09 $71. 24
2.18 73.84
2.20 73.68
2.18 74. 84
2.23 74.49
2. 24 73.91
2.22 75.84
2.21 73.92
2. 22 75. 27
2. 23 75.66
2.24 75.66
2. 27 78. 98
2.26 78.18
2. 25 76. 82
2. 26 77. 22

39.8
39.7
39.4
39.6
39.0
38.9
39.5
38.5
38.8
39.2
39.2
40.5
40.3
39.6
39.0

Fiber cans, tubes,
and drums

$1.51 $66.01
1.59 71.65
1.60 70.24
1.60 72.08
1.62 69.60
1.63 71.69
1.63 71.69
1.64 71.20
1.65 71.82
1.66 72.47
1.66 74. 21
1.67 73.63
1.67 74. 48
1.67 74. 80
1.68 72.31

41.0
41.9
40.6
42.4
39.1
40.5
40.5
40.0
39.9
39.6
39.9
39.8
39.2
40.0
39.3

40.2
40.2
40.1
40.5
39.9
39.3
39.8
39.3
39.1
39.0
39.5
39.4
39.4
39.4
39.6

Avg.
wkly.
hours
42.2
41.9
41.6
42.2
41.2
40.9
41.0
40.1
40.4
40.3
40.5
41.9
41.8
41.7
41.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1. 62
1.70
1.72
1.73
1.72
1. 71
1. 73
1.72
1.71
1. 72
1.72
1. 74
1.73
1.75
1. 75

42.8
43.0
42.9
42.8
41.9
41.9
42.1
41.6
42.1
42.4
42.4
42.6
42.5
42.7
42.8

Pulp, paper, and
paperboard mills

$1.61 $73. 68
1.69 78. 76
1.71 80.08
1. 72 80.08
1. 72 78. 55
1. 72 78.37
1.73 78. 99
1.72 77. 47
1.73 78.19
1. 75 79.79
1.76 81.47
1.76 81.10
1.77 81.97
1.78 82.16
1. 77 81.91

43.6
44.0
44.0
44.0
43.4
43.3
43.4
42.8
43.2
43.6
43.8
43.6
43.6
43.7
43.8

$1.69
1.79
1.82
1.82
1.81
1.81
1.82
1. 81
1.81
1.83
1.86
1.86
1.88
1.88
1.87

Printing, publishing, and allied industries
Other paper and
allied products

$1.61 $62. 40
1. 71 65.31
1.73 65.19
1.70 66.72
1.78 65.53
1.77 65. 85
1.77 66.01
1.78 65.37
1.80 66. 42
1.83 66.83
1.86 66.83
1. 85 66. 83
1.90 66. 67
1.87 67.65
1.84 67.82

Commercial printing
$1.79 $80.00
1.86 84. 42
1.87 85. 41
1.89 86. 67
1.91 85. 79
1.90 84. 50
1.92 85.57
1.92 84.50
1.94 84.46
1.93 85.02
1.93 85.72
1.95 85.10
1.94 85.89
1.94 86.29
1.98 86.72

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1. 59 $68.30
1.66 71.23
1. 65 71. 56
1.66 73.01
1.66 70. 86
1.67 69. 94
1.67 70.93
1.67 68. 97
1.66 69. 08
1. 67 69.32
1.68 69.66
1. 68 72.91
1.69 72.31
1.69 72. 98
1.67 72.63

Total: Paper and
allied products

$1.39 $68. 91
1.48 72. 67
1. 51 73. 36
1.52 73.62
1.55 72.07
1.53 72.07
1.53 72.83
1. 53 71.55
1.55 72.83
1. 56 74.20
1.56 74.62
1. 57 74. 98
1. 57 75. 23
1.58 76.01
1.57 75.76

Paper and allied products—Continued
Paperboard con­
tainers and boxes 4

40.8
39.9
38.6
38.1
38.6
39.7
39.5
38.5
38.4
39.3
40.3
41.3
41.4
40.8
39.4

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Paper and allied products

Partitions, shelving,
lockers, and fixtures

$1.75 $71.17
1.86 73.85
1.90 76.26
1.90 74.93
1.89 75.14
1.89 73.60
1.90 73.05
1.89 72.68
1.89 73.84
1.90 75.14
1.91 73.90
1.93 75. 05
1.93 77. 39
1.92 75.84
1.93 76.81

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Office, public-build­
ing, and profes­
sional furniture 4

41.6
41.6
41.0
41.7
40.7
40.9
41.0
40.6
41.0
41.0
41.0
41.0
40.9
41.0
41.1

$1.50 $81.48
1. 57 85. 58
1.59 86.14
1.60 88. 43
1.61 86.02
1.61 85.95
1. 61 86. 85
1. 61 86.11
1.62 86. 71
1. 63 86.94
1.63 86.94
1. 63 87. 40
1.63 88.39
1.65 87. 94
1.65 88.17

Lithographing

$1.99 $81. 61
2.10 85.26
2.13 84. 65
2.14 85. 44
2.15 83. 07
2.15 84. 96
2.15 87.05
2.15 84. 32
2.16 85. 97
2.18 88.91
2.17 88.66
2.16 89.54
2.18 89.98
2.19 88.00
2.19 88.04

40.2
40.6
40.5
40.3
39.0
39.7
40.3
39.4
39.8
40.6
40.3
40.7
40.9
40.0
40.2

T o t a l: P r in tin g ,
p u b lish in g , and
allied industries
38.8
38.9
38.8
39.3
38.4
38.2
38.6
38.1
38.2
38.3
38.3
38.5
38.6
38.4
38.5

$2.10 $87.12
2.20 91.22
2.22 92. 57
2.25 96.87
2. 24 90. 07
2.25 90. 42
2.25 90.68
2.26 92. 26
2. 27 93. 86
2. 27 93.50
2. 27 92.01
2. 27 91.85
2.29 94. 68
2. 29 94.32
2. 29 93.70

Greeting cards

$2.03 $45.84
2.10 48. 50
2.09 51.34
2.12 52.22
2.13 51.61
2.14 53.10
2.16 53.20
2.14 53.16
2.16 54. 05
2.19 51.65
2.20 51.06
2.20 53. 62
2.20 53. 34
2.20 52. 68
2.19 55. 52

38.2
37.6
38.6
38.4
37.4
38.2
38.0
37.7
37.8
37.7
37.0
38.3
38.1
37.9
39.1

Newspapers
36.3
36.2
36.3
37.4
35.6
35.6
35.7
35.9
36.1
36.1
35.8
35.6
36.0
36.0
35.9

$2.40
2.52
2. 55
2. 59
2.53
2.54
2.54
2. 57
2.60
2. 59
2. 57
2.58
2. 63
2.62
2.61

B ookbinding and
related industries

$1. 20 $62. 33
1. 29 66.30
1.33 67. 49
1.36 68. 61
1.38 67.16
1.39 66.95
1.40 67.82
1. 41 66.91
1.43 67.64
1.37 68.34
1.38 67.94
1.40 67. 60
1.40 67. 47
1.39 68.38
1.42 68. 95

39.2
39.7
39.7
39.6
38.6
38.7
39.2
38.9
39.1
39.5
39.5
39.3
39.0
39.3
39.4

$1.59
1.67
1.70
1.73
1. 74
1. 73
1.73
1.73
1. 73
1. 73
1.72
1. 72
1. 73
1.74
1.75

2'52

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
M anufacturlng—Continued
Printing, publishing,
and allied Indus­
tries—Continued
Year and month

Chemicals and allied products

Miscellaneous pub­ Total: Chemicals and Industrial Inorganic
lishing and print­
allied products
chemicals ‘
ing services
Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg.
wkly. wkly.
hrly. wkly.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ hours earn­ earn­ wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings
ings hours ings
ings hours

1952: Average.........
1953: Average-........
November___
December___
1954: January_____
February.......
March______
April........... .
May________
June...............
July----------. . August______
,. September___
October_____
November___

$98.25
104.15
105. 20
106.66
104. 41
103. 33
106. 79
102.98
104.13
103. 60
104. 49
105. 30
105. 84
104. 99
106.11

39.3
39.6
39.4
39.8
39.4
38.7
39.7
38.0
39.0
38.8
38.7
39.0
39.2
38.6
39.3

$2.50
2.63
2.67
2.68
2. 65
2. 67
2. 69
2. 71
2. 67
2. 67
2. 70
2.70
2. 70
2. 72
2. 70

Syntheticrubber
1952: Average......... $80.60
1953: Average......... 87.29
November___ 87. 82
December....... 88. 51
1954: January_____ 88.29
February...... . 88. S8
March.. ____ 89.20
April-............ 89. 69
89. 20
May_______
June________ 90. 76
July------------- 91.39
August______ 91.39
September___ 94. 92
October_____ 91.39
November___ 93.30

41.5
41.8
41.6
41.4
41.0
41.0
40.7
41.2
41.2
41.6
41.7
41.3
40.8
41.0
41.4

41.2 $1.71
41.8
1.83
41.3
1. 86
41. 5 1.87
41.1
1. 87
1. 87
41.1
41.1
1. 87
41.1
1.88
40.9
1.90
1.92
41.2
40.9
1.94
40.9
1.93
41.2
1.93
41.2
1.91
41.3
1.93

Syntheticfibers

40.3 $2.00 $66. 47
40.6
2.15 69. 87
2.19 69. 24
40.1
40.6
2.18 71. 56
40.5
2.18 71.60
40. 4 2.20 69. 42
40.0
2.23 70.71
40.4
2.22 72. 47
40.0
2.23 72.98
2. 23 74.07
40.7
40.8
2.24 75.11
2.24 72. 07
40.8
42.0
2.26 75. 52
40.8 2. 24 72.40
41.1
2. 27 73.12

Paints, pigments,
and fillers «
1952: Average........ . $71.38
1953: Average.......... 76.08
November___ 76. 54
77.00
December___
1954: January_____ 76. 67
February____ 76, 67
March______
76.11
April________ 77.04
May________ 77. 87
June___ ____ 79. 04
July________
79. 65
August______ 78.88
September___ 77.93
October_____ 77.90
November___ 79.07

$70. 45
75.58
76. 82
77. 61
76. 86
76. 86
76.86
77.27
77. 71
79.10
79.35
78.94
79. 52
78.69
79. 71

39.8
39.7
38.9
40.2
40.0
39.0
39.5
39.6
40.1
40.7
40.6
39.6
40.6
40.0
40.4

$1. 67
1.76
1.78
1.78
1. 79
1.78
1.79
1.83
1.82
1.82
1.85
1.82
1.86
1.81
1.81

Paints, varnishes,
lacquers, andenamels

$1.72 $70. 47
1.82 74. 64
1.84 75.53
1. 86 75.58
1.87 75. 26
1.87 75. 44
1. 87 74.70
1.87 74.70
1.89 76. 45
1.90 77. 00
1.91 77.38
1.91 76.86
1.91 75. 74
1.90 76.11
1. 91 77. 46

41.7 $1.69
41.7
1.79
41. 5 1.82
41.3
1.83
40.9
1. 84
1. 84
41.0
40.6
1. 84
40.6
1.84
41.1
1.86
41.4
1.86
41.6
1.86
41.1
1.87
40. 5 1. 87
40.7
1.87
41.2
1.88

$77. 08
82. 81
84. 05
85.28
84. 87
84.46
85. 06
84. 66
85. 06
85. 89
86.88
86. 48
88.32
87.31
87.53

Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings
ings hours

41.0
41.2
41.0
41.4
41.0
40.8
40.7
40.7
40.7
40.9
40.6
40.6
40.7
40.8
40.9

$1.88 $76. 52
2.01 82.39
2.05 82. 62
2.06 83. 64
2.07 83.23
2.07 82.82
2.09 82. 82
2.08 83.22
2. 09 82. 21
2.10 81.58
2.14 83. 50
2.13 84.38
2.17 85.36
2.14 86.67
2.14 86.07

Explosives
$70.09
74.84
77.38
77.78
77.78
78.96
76.63
76.44
77. 81
78.40
76.05
78. 21
78.60
78.01
79. 00

39.6
39.6
40.3
40.3
40.3
40.7
39.5
39.2
39.7
40.0
38.8
39.7
39.9
39.6
39.9

$1.77 $63.44
1.89 68.71
1.92 71.97
1.93 72.66
1.93 72.28
1.94 73. 39
1.94 72.45
1. 95 70.64
1.96 71.46
1.96 71. 81
1.96 71.46
1.97 71.63
1.97 72. 34
1.97 73.34
1.98 73.75

42.1
41.7
42.0
41.6
41.4
41.9
41.7
42.7
41.1
42.6
43.5
43.0
42.0
42.1
42.0

$1. 41
1.54
1. 55
1. 55
1. 56
1. 56
1.56
1.59
1. 61
1. 59
1. 59
1.60
1.67
1. 60
1.64

40.7
41.4
40.9
40.8
41.0
40.6
40.4
40.4
40.1
39.6
39.2
39.8
39. 7
40.5
40.6

$1.88 $75.11
1.99 80.18
2.02 81.20
2.05 81.81
2.03 81.41
2. 04 81.20
2.05 81.20
2.06 82. 62
2. 05 82. 62
2.06 84. 05
2.13 84.24
2.12 83.43
2.15 85.07
2.14 83.64
2.12 84. 46

42.6
42.4
41.1
42.1
41.5
42.2
43.8
44.2
42.4
42. 4
42.0
41.7
41.6
41.8
41.8

Chemicals and allied products—Continued

Animal oilsandfats
1952: Average_____ $70.34
1953: Average_____ 74.29
November___ 76. 44
December....... 75. 26
1954: January_____ 76. 39
February____ 76.88
March.......... 75.75
April.............. 75.58
75. 99
May______
June......... .
77. 98
July...... ......... 78.88
August........... 78. 66
September___ 78.43
October_____ 77. 63
November___ 81.60

44.8
45.3
45.5
44.8
45.2
44.7
44.3
44.2
44.7
45.6
46.4
46.0
45.6
45.4
46.1

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Miscellaneous chem­
icals 1

$1. 57 $65.35
1.64 69. 94
1.68 70.99
1.68 71.05
1.69 70.35
1.72 71. 46
1.71 71.10
1. 71 70.53
1.70 70.93
1.71 71.10
1.70 70.98
1. 71 71. 33
1.72 71. 51
1. 71 72.09
1.77 72. 90

41.1
40.9
40.8
40.6
40.2
40.6
40.4
40.3
40.3
40.4
40.1
40.3
40.4
40.5
40.5

$1. 59
1. 71
1. 74
1. 75
1. 75
1.76
1. 76
1. 75
1. 76
1.76
1. 77
1.77
1. 77
1.78
1.80

Essential oüs, per­
fumes, cosmetics
$54. 49
57.66
60.44
60.13
59. 44
61.86
60. 45
60. 22
59. 90
60. 68
58.28
59. 68
60.14
60.76
60.76

39.2
38.7
39.5
39.3
38.1
39.4
38.5
38.6
38.4
38.9
37.6
38.5
38.8
39.2
39.2

$1.39
1. 49
1.53
1.53
1.56
1. 57
1. 57
1.56
1.56
1. 56
1.55
1. 55
1.55
1. 55
1.55

40.6 $1.85 $76.31
40.7
1.97 82. 88
40. 4 2. 01 83. 58
40. 7 2. 01 82. 94
40.5 2.01 81.32
40.4
2 01 82.12
40.2
2.02 81.34
40.3
2.05 82.15
2. 04 82. 76
40.5
41.0 2. 05 83.60
40.5
2.08 83.02
40.5 2.06 84. 02
40.9
2. 08 85. 24
40.6 2.06 85. 87
40.8 2.07 85. 85

41.3
41.3
41.3
41.0
41.2
409
41.2
40.7
41.1
41.4
40.9
41.2
41. 5
40.8
41.0

$61. bl
64.89
66.58
66.83
66.17
66. 87
67. 33
68.25
68. 53
69.89
70.78
69.99
67.74
67. 68
69. 58

45.9
45.7
47.9
47.4
46.6
45.8
45.8
45.2
44.5
44.8
44.8
44.3
46.4
47.0
46.7

$1.34
1. 42
1.39
1. 41
1. 42
1. 46
1.47
1. 51
1.54
1.56
1. 58
1.58
1.46
1.44
1.49

41.7
42.5
42.0
42.1
41.7
41.9
41.6
41.7
41.8
41.8
41.1
41.8
42. 2
42.3
42.5

$1.83
1.95
1.99
1.97
1.95
1.96
1. 96
1.97
1.98
2.00
2.02
2.01
2. 02
2.03
2.02

Soapandglycerin

$1.79 $81.14
1.90 85. 90
1.93 87. 77
1.93 87. 76
1.94 86.07
1. 94 87. 97
1.96 88. 58
1.96 87.29
1. 97 88. 56
1.98 89. 19
1.99 89.16
2.01 90. 86
2. 01 91.74
2.01 89. 54
2.02 90.61

Vegetable and animal
oils and fats *
$1.32
1.40
1.40
1.44
1. 43
1. 41
1. 40
1. 42
1.47
1. 46
1.48
1.47
1.50
1.44
1.46

Plastics, except syn­
theticrubber

Avg. Avg.
Avg.
hrly. wkly. Avg. hrly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
earn­
ings
ings hours ings

Soap, cleaning and
polishing prepara­
tions *

39.9 $1.59 $73.93
40.9
1.68 78. 47
1.73 79. 71
41.6
1.73 79.13
42.0
41.3
1. 75 79.93
41. 7 1.76 79. 35
41.4
1. 75 80. 75
40.6
1.74 79. 77
40.6
1.76 80. 97
1.76 81. 97
40.8
40.6
1. 76 81.39
1.76 82. 81
40.7
41.1
1.76 83. 42
41.2
1.78 82. 01
41.2
1.79 82.82

Fra-tilkters
$56.23
59.36
57. 54
60. 62
59. 35
59.50
61.32
62.76
62. 33
61.90
62.16
61.30
62.40
60.19
61.03

Industrial organic
chemicals *

Avg. Avg. Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­ wkly.
ings hours
ings

Drugs and medicines

Oum and wood
chemicals
$59.36
64.22
65.10
64.48
64.58
65.36
65.05
67.89
66. 17
67. 73
69.17
68. 80
70.14
67.36
68.88

Alkalies andchlorine

41.4
41.1
41.4
41.2
40.6
41.3
41.2
40.6
41.0
41.1
40.9
41.3
41.7
40.7
41.0

$1.96
2.09
2.12
2.13
2.12
2.13
2.15
2.15
2.16
2.17
2.18
2.20
2.20
2.20
2.21

Vegetable oüs
$57.07
59. 67
62.10
62.82
61.36
61. 58
62. 44
63.66
63. 35
64. 53
64.96
64. 37
62. 38
63.10
63.92

46. 4 $1.23
45. 9 1.30
1.27
48.9
48. 7 1. 29
47.2
1.30
1.33
46.3
1.34
46.6
45.8
1. 39
44. 3 1.43
1. 46
44.2
1.49
43.6
43.2
1.49
46.9
1.33
47.8
1.32
47.0
1.36

Products of petroleum and coal

Compressedand
liquefiedgases
$74.10
80.37
80. 67
80. 10
81.67
80.67
80.10
82.06
81.29
81.71
82. 52
82. 71
83.13
82. 74
83.80

42.1
42.3
41.8
41.5
42.1
41.8
41.5
42.3
41.9
41.9
42.1
42.2
42.2
42.0
41. 9

$1.76
1.90
1.93
1.93
1.94
1. 93
1. 93
1. 94
1.94
1.95
1.96
1.96
1.97
1.97
2.00

Total: Products of
petroleum and coal
$84. 85
90.17
92. 21
91.98
91.53
90.68
90. 45
91. 08
93. 52
93.98
94. 53
93. 07
95. 58
92. 57
93.43

40.0
40.8
40.8
40.7
40.5
40.3
40.2
40.3
41.2
41.4
41.1
41.0
41.2
40.6
40.8

Petroleum refining

$2.09 $88. 44
2.21 94.19
2.26 96. 46
2.26 96.05
2. 26 95.58
2.25 94. 47
2.25 94.47
2. 26 94. 87
2. 27 97. 17
2. 27 97.17
2.30 97. 51
2. 27 96.05
2. 32 97. 85
2. 28 95. 75
2. 29 96. 87

40.2 $2.20
40. 6 2.32
40. 7 2.37
40. 7 2.36
40.5
2.36
40.2
2.35
40.2
2.35
40.2
2.36
41.0
2. 37
41.0
2. 37
40.8
2.39
40.7
2. 36
40.6
2.41
40.4
2. 37
40.7 2. 38

0 : EARNINGS AND HOURS

253

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing— Continued
Products of petro­
leum and coal— Con.

Year and month

Coke and other pe­
troleum and coal
products
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average............
1953: Average_______
N o v e m b e r ....
December____
1954: January............
February_____
M arch...............
April..................
M a y ...................
June__________
July....................
August..............
September____
O ctober............

N ovem ber____

$73. 74
78. 81
78.72
77. 36
77. 57
77.52
75. 9S
76. 95
80. 06
83. 27
83.78
83. 13
87. 67
82.17
81.77

Avg.
wkly.
hours

41.9
41.7
41.0
40.5
40.4
40.8
40.2
40.5
41. 7
42.7
42.1
42.2
43.4
41.5
41.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average_______
1953: Average_______
November____
December____
1954: January_______
February_____
M arch________
April..................
M ay .............
June...................
J u l y . . . .............
August..............
September____
October.............
Novem ber____

$64. 48
68.23
68. 38
69. 43
68. 68
68.34
67.64
67. 34
68. 25
69. 70
68. 43
68. 99
68. 32
69. 60
70.88

39.8
39.9
39. 3
39.9
39.7
39.5
39.1
38.7
39.0
39.6
39.1
39.2
38.6
39.1
39.6

Total: Rubber
products
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.76 $74.48
1. 8£
77.78
1. 92 75. 65
1. 91 75.66
1.92
75.08
1.90
75. 47
1. 89 74. 31
75. 08
1.90
1. 92 77. 81
1.95
79.66
1.99
76.83
1.97
76. 25
2. 02 77. 81
1.98
81.26
1.98 83.22

Leather: tanned, curried, and finished

Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.7
40. 2
39.1
39. 2
38.7
38. £
38.5
38.7
39.7
40.2
39.4
39.1
39.3
40.4
41.2

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.1
41.7
40. 5
41.9
41.2
40.0
38.9
39. 1
38.0
39.4
38.8
40.1
39.9
39.6
40.2

Tires and inner
tubes
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.83 $85. 65
1.93
88.31
1. 92 85. 0£
82. 43
1.93
1.94
82. 8S
1.94
83. 03
1. 93 80. 8£
1.94
84.14
1. 96 88.65
92 06
1.98
1.95 87. 01
1.95
85. 65
86.18
1.98
90. 3£
2.01
2.02
95. 47

Industrial leather
belting and packing

$1. 62 $64.12
1. 71 67. 97
1. 74 66. 02
1. 74 70. 39
1. 73 69.22
1. 73 66.80
1. 73 64. 57
1. 74 64. 91
1.75
61. 94
1. 76 65.01
63. 63
1.75
66. 97
1.76
1.77
66.63
1.78 66.53
1.79 68.34

Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.4
39.6
38. 5
37.3
37.5
37.4
36.6
37.9
39.4
40.2
38.5
37.4
38.3
39.3
40.8

1952: Average_______
1953: Average_______
November____
December____
1954: January.......... ..
February_____
M arch......... ..
April..............
M a y __________
June...................
July_____ _____
.
August..............
September____
October_______
November____

$44.15
44.04
44. 41
44.53
43.54
44. 02
44.27
43. 77
44. 02
43. 65
43. 79
44.90
45.14
45. 38
46.38

37. 1
36.4
36.4
36.5
35.4
35.5
35.7
35.3
35.5
35.2
35.6
36.5
36.7
36.6
37.4

$1. 56 $49. 40
1.63
50.16
1.63
48. 33
1. 68 51.72
1. 68 50.65
1. 67 50. 67
50.52
1.66
1.66
48. 06
1.63 48. 96
1.65
50.12
1.64
49. 50
1.67
48. 55
1.67 49.68
1.68 47. 66
1.70 50.18

38.9
38.0
35.8
38.6
37. 8
38.1
37.7
35.6
36.0
37.4
37.5
36.5
36.8
35.3
36.9

1952: Average______ $56. 30
60. 01
1953: Average...........
60. 98
N ovem ber___
61.24
December____
1954: January______
57. 57
February_____ 59.94
60. 49
M arch_______
59.19
April_________
59.10
M a y ........ ........
58.29
June_________
59. 95
July....... ..........
61.76
August_______
62.47
September___
O cto b e r.......... 63.72
63.72
N ovem ber___

40.8
41. 1
41.2
41. 1
38.9
40.5
40.6
39.2
39.4
38.6
39.7
40.9
41.1
42.2
42.2

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Other rubber
products

Rubber footwear

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$2.12 $62. 22
2.23
65.6C
2. 21 63. 57
2. 21 65. 41
2. 21 62. 98
2.22
65. 57
2. 21 65. 51
2. 22 63. 58
2. 25 65. 46
2. 29 67.36
2. 26 68.45
2. 29 66. 40
2. 25 66. 08
71.34
2.30
2.34
71.51

Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.4
40. t
39. C
39. £
38.1
39.5
39.7
38.3
39.2
40.3
40.5
40.0
39.1
41. C
41.1

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.54 $66. 58
1.61
70. 93
1. 63
70.55
72. 45
1.61
1. 64
70. 62
70. 4C
1.66
1.65
70 22
1. 66 69. 3C
70. 9S
1.67
1.67
70. 98
70.62
1.69
71.15
1.66
72.36
1.69
1.74 74. 98
75.12
1.74

Footwear (except
rubber)

$1.27 $48. 26
1. 32 49. 10
1. 35 45. 80
1. 34 49.10
1. 34 49. 37
50.41
1.33
1. 34 49.98
1.35
46. 42
45.89
1.36
1.34
47. 75
1.32 48. 73
1.33
48. 71
1.35
46. 68
1.35
45. 62
1.36 47. 26

38.0
37.2
34.7
37.2
37.4
37.9
37.3
34.9
34.5
35.9
37.2
36.9
35.1
34.3
35.8

Avg.
wkly.
hours

41.1
41. t
40.3
40.7
39. £
40. C
39.9
39.6
40.1
40.1
39. £
40.2
40.2
41.2
41.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

40.5
39.1
39.2
35.6
35.4
34.2
37.2
36.4
38.4
39.0
38.4
38.0
38.8
40.0
39.2

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.62 $50.69
51. 65
1.7c
1. 75 49. 82
52.03
1. 75
1. 77 51. 8£
1. 76 52. 44
1.76
52. 40
1. 75 49.13
1.77
49. 21
1.77
51.01
1.77
51.38
1. 77 51.24
1.80
49. 96
1.82 49. 62
50.92
1.81

Avg.
wkly.
hours

38.4
37.7
36.1
37.7
37.6
38.0
37.7
35.6
35.4
36.7
37.5
37.4
36.2
35.7
36.9

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.32
1.37
1.38
1.38
1. 38
1. 38
1.39
1.38
1.39
1. 39
1.37
1.37
1.38
1.39
1.38

Handbags and small
leather goods

Luggage

$1.27 $56.70
1. 32 57.09
1. 32 58. 02
1. 32 53. 40
1. 32 53.10
51.64
1.33
1. 34 56.17
1.33
54.60
1.33 57.60
58.11
1.33
56.83
1.31
56.24
1.32
59.36
1.33
61.20
1.33
1.32
59.58

Total: Leather and
leather products

$1. 40 $45. 08
1. 46 46. 99
1. 48 49.13
1. 50 48. 24
1. 50 46.38
48. 88
1.51
1. 51 49. 38
1. 50 45. 00
1. 50 45.18
1.49 47.13
1.48
46. 62
1.48
47. 82
1.53
48. 09
1.53
48.63
1. 52 50. 40

38.2
38.2
39.3
38.9
37.1
39.1
39.5
36.0
35.3
37.7
37.9
39.2
39.1
38.9
40.0

$1.18
1.23
1.25
1.24
1. 25
1.25
1.25
1.25
1.28
1. 25
1.23
1. 22
1.23
1.25
1. 26

Stone, clay, and glass products
Total: Stone, clay,
and glass products

$1.19 $66.33
1. 21 70. 35
71. 05
1.22
1. 22 71.23
69.48
1.23
1.24
70.70
1.24
70.30
1.24
70.18
71.10
1.24
1. 24 70. 70
71.33
1.23
72.04
1.23
72. 85
1.23
1.24 73.34
73.98
1.24

Glass products made
of purchased glass

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Boot and shoe cut
stock and findings

Leather and leather
products— Con.
Gloves and miscella­
neous leather goods

Leather and leather
products

Rubber products

41.2
40.9
40.6
40.7
39.7
40.4
40.4
40.1
40.4
40.4
40.3
40. 7
40.7
41.2
41.1

$1.61
1. 72
1. 75
1.75
1. 75
1. 75
1.74
1. 75
1. 76
1.75
1.77
1. 77
1. 79
1.78
1.80

Cement, hydraulic

$1. 38 $67. 72
1.46
73.39
1. 48 72. 75
73. 46
1.49
1. 48 73. 51
74.05
1.48
1. 49 73. 81
1.51
74. 05
73. 98
1.50
1.51
77.10
1.51
78.44
1. 51 76.36
1. 52 80.22
1. 51 76. 91
75. 35
1.51

41.8
41.7
41.1
41. 5
41.3
41.6
41.7
41.6
41. 1
41.9
41.5
41.5
42.0
41.8
41.4

Glass and glassware,
pressed or blown ‘

Flat glass
$85. 65
97. 34
97. 77
98. 42
99. 31
100.28
96.00
96.80
99. 38
96.64
97.84
96. 29
100. 44
102.12
111.14

40.4
40.9
40.4
40.5
40.7
41. 1
40.0
40.0
40.4
40.1
40.1
39.3
40.5
42.2
42.1

$2.12 $62. 09
2.38
67.89
2. 42 70.13
2.43
69. 34
2. 44 68.64
2. 44 70. 09
2. 40 70 49
2. 42 68. 94
2. 46 69. 81
2.41
69. 45
2. 44 69. 50
2. 45 70. 77
2. 48 71.53
2.42 72. 25
2. 64 71.74

Structural clay
products 4

$1. 62 $60. 09
1. 76 64.06
1. 77 65. 92
1. 77 65.03
62. 81
1.78
1. 78 64. 40
1. 77 64. 08
1. 78 65. 85
1.80
66. 74
1. 84 66. 33
1.89
66.17
1. 84 67. 23
1.91
67. 49
1.84
67. 40
1.82 67. 40

40.6
40.8
41.2
40.9
39.5
40.5
40.3
40.9
41.2
41.2
41.1
41.5
40.9
41.1
41.1

39.8
39.7
39.4
39.4
39.0
39.6
39.6
38.3
39.0
38.8
38.4
39.1
39.3
39.7
39.2

$1.56 $63.12
1. 71 69.60
1. 78 72. 09
1. 76 72.50
1. 76 70.35
1. 77 72.54
1. 78 72. 80
72. 52
1.80
1. 79 73. 38
1. 79 72. 83
1.81
70. 98
73. 45
1.81
71.41
1.82
1.82
73.63
1.83
73. 45

Brick and hollow tile

$1. 48 $58. 51
1. 57 61. 77
1. 60 64. 22
1. 59 63. 77
1.59
59.13
1. 59 62. 05
1. 59 62. 31
1.61
65.53
1.62
65.82
1.61
65.23
1.61
65. 21
1.62
66.40
1. 65 65. 76
1.64 65. 79
1.64 65. 91

42.4
42.6
43.1
42.8
40.5
42.5
42. 1
43.4
43.3
43.2
42.9
43.4
42.7
43.0
42.8

Glass containers
39.7
40.0
40. 5
40.5
39.3
40.3
40.0
39.2
40. 1
39 8
39.0
39. 7
38.6
39.8
39.7

$1. 59 $60.89
1. 74 65. 46
1. 78 68. 00
1. 79 65. 53
1. 79 ' 66. 61
1. 80 66. 95
1. 82 67. 47
1. 85 63. 81
65. 25
1.83
1.83 65. 25
1.82
66. 75
1.85 66. 85
1.85
71.96
1.85 70.31
1.85 69. 48

Floor and wall tile

$1. 38 $62. 64
1. 45 67. 47
1. 4'j 68. 95
1. 49 66. 90
1. 46 66. 36
1. 46 66. 36
1. 48 67.54
1. 51 67.03
1.52
68.40
1. 51 70.18
1.52 68. 68
1. 53 69.19
1.54
69. 08
1. 53 68. 28
1.54 68. 28

39.9
40.4
40.8
40.3
39.5
39.5
40.2
39.9
40.0
40.8
40.4
40.7
40.4
40.4
40.4

Pressed and blown
glass
39.8
39.2
38.2
38.1
38.5
38.7
39.0
37.1
37.5
37.5
37.5
38.2
40.2
39.5
38.6

$1.53
1.67
1. 78
1.72
1.73
1.73
1.73
1.72
1. 74
1.74
1.78
1.75
1.79
1.78
1.80

Sewer pipe

$1. 57 $59.98
1. 67 64. 56
1.69 67. 23
64. 55
1.66
63.20
1.68
64. 40
1.68
1.68 64.96
66. 26
1.68
1. 71 68.06
1.72 67. 57
68.64
1.70
1.70 69.22
68.45
1.71
1.69 69.19
1.69 68. 71

39.2
40.1
40.5
39.6
39.5
40.0
40.1
40.4
41.0
41.2
41.1
41.7
40.5
40.7
40.9

$1.53
1. 61
1.66
1.63
1.60
1. 61
1.62
1.64
1.66
1.64
1.67
1.66
1.69
1. 70
1.68

254
T able

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees1— Continued
Manufacturing—Continued
Stone, clay, and glass products—Continued

Clay refractories

Year and month

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
1952: Average......... $61.60
1953: Average........... 66. 85
67.28
N ovem ber___
December____
67. 79
1954: January.......... 67.11
February....... . 66.93
65.16
M arch---------64.44
A p r il......... .
66.06
M a y .................
June................. 64. 98
66.06
J uly. ----------67.16
August---------69. 33
September___
68.63
October______
N ovem ber------ 69. 56

Avg.
wkly.
hours

38.5
38.2
37.8
38.3
37.7
37.6
36.4
36.0
36.7
36.1
36.7
36.9
36.3
36.9
37.4

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Pottery and related
products

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.60 $61.15
1.75 62.04
1.78 62.42
1.77 61.62
1.78 60.14
1.78 61.62
1.79 62.66
1.79 60.79
1.80 60.82
1.80 59. 95
1.80 57.63
1.82 60.33
1.91 60.33
1.86 64. 26
1.86 64.56

Avg.
wkly.
hours

38.7
37.6
37.6
36.9
35.8
36.9
37.3
36.4
36.2
35.9
34.1
35.7
35.7
37.8
38.2

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Concrete, gypsum,
and plaster products4

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.58 $70.65
1.65 72.87
1.66 73.35
1.67 73.25
1.68 70. 31
1.67 72. 48
1.68 72.38
1. 67 73. 04
1. 68 73. 48
1.67 73. 54
1.69 75. 99
1.69 76.05
1.69 75.82
1.70 76. 27
1.69 75.31

45.0
43.9
43.4
43.6
42.1
43.4
43.6
44.0
44.0
44.3
44.7
45.0
44.6
44.6
44.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Concrete products

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.57 $70.22
1.66 71.56
1.69 71.28
1.68 71.94
1.67 68.30
1.67 70.63
1.66 70. 79
1.66 70.56
1. 67 71.44
1.66 72. 45
1.70 73.35
1.69 73. 51
1.70 72.86
1.71 74. 09
1.70 72.65

Avg.
wkly.
hours

45.3
43.9
43.2
43.6
41.9
43.6
43.7
44.1
44.1
45.0
45.0
45.1
44.7
44.9
44.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average........... $73.45
79.98
1953: Average______
78.41
N ovem ber___
79.20
December____
1954: January........... 76.44
75.86
February.........
75.47
M arch_______
74.69
A pril________
75.86
M a y _________
75. 27
June_________
July--------------- 73.06
73. 48
August_______
75.04
September___
78. 20
October______
79. 79
N ovem ber___

39.7
40.6
39.4
40.0
39.0
38.9
38.7
38.3
38.9
38.8
36.9
37.3
37.9
39.1
39.5

Asbestos products

$1,85 $71. 57
1.97 76.43
1.99 77.04
1.98 76.44
1.96 75.07
1.95 75.81
1.95 74. 52
1.95 74. 37
1. 95 77. 23
1.94 79.71
1.98 78.40
1.97 78. 25
1.98 79.57
2.00 78. 66
2. 02 78. 66

Electrometallurgical
products

42.6
42.7
42.1
42.0
40.8
41.2
40.5
40.2
41.3
42.4
41.7
41.4
42.1
41.4
41.4

Iron and steel
foundries 4

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

41.1
41.5
41.6
42.8
39.8
41.0
41.1
41.2
41.5
40.5
40.3
41.0
41.1
41.8
42.0

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.46 $69.83
1.54 74.07
1.54 72.86
1.55 74. 56
1.54 73.08
1.55 72.68
1.56 72.50
1. 56 71.02
1. 57 72. 52
1.56 73. 47
1.56 72. 91
1. 58 73. 28
1.59 74.24
1.58 75. 58
1.57 76.14

Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.6
40.7
39.6
40.3
39.5
39.5
39.4
38.6
39.2
39.5
39.2
39.4
39.7
40.2
40.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.72
1.82
1.84
1.85
1.85
1.84
1. 84
1 84
1.85
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.87
1.88
1.88

Primary metal Industries

Nonclay refractories

$1.68 $65.70
1.79 71.51
1. 83 67.97
1.82 73.00
1.84 71.64
1.84 69.95
1.84 65.14
1.85 61.74
1.87 61.04
1.88 60.28
1.88 63.24
1. 89 65. 93
1.89 68.71
1.90 72.00
1.90 77.34

Miscellaneous nonmetallic
mineral
products4

$1.55 $60.01
1.63 63.91
1.65 64.06
1.65 66.34
1.63 61.29
1.62 63. 55
1.62 64.12
1.60 64. 27
1.62 65.16
1.61 63.18
1.63 62.87
1. 63 64. 78
1.63 65.35
1.65 66.04
1.64 65. 94

Stone, clay, and glass products— Continued

Abrasive products

Cut-stone and stone
products

36.3
36.3
34.5
36.5
36.0
34.8
32.9
31.5
31.3
30.6
32.1
33.3
34.7
36.0
38.1

Total: Prim arym etal
Industries

$1.81 $77.33
1.97 84. 25
1.97 82.78
2.00 82.78
1.99 81.74
2.01 79.52
1. 98 78.28
1.96 77.90
1.95 79.49
1.97 80. 70
1.97 80.81
1.98 80.64
1.98 82.39
2. 00 82.64
2. 03 84.10

Gray-iron foundries

40.7
40.9
39.8
39.8
39.3
38.6
38.0
38.0
38.4
38.8
38.3
38.4
38.5
38.8
39.3

Blastfurnaces, steel­
works, and rolling
mills 4

$1.90 $79.60
2.06 87. 48
2.08 86.33
2.08 85. 46
2.08 84.80
2.06 81.27
2.06 79.12
2. 05 79. 39
2.07 81.22
2. 08 83. 22
2.11 84.00
2.10 82. 43
2.14 84.90
2.13 84.45
2.14 86. 40

Malleable-iron
foundries

Blast furnaces, steel­
works, and rolling
mills, except electro­
metallurgical prod­
ucts

40.0
40.5
39.6
39.2
38.9
37.8
36.8
37.1
37.6
38.0
37.5
37.3
37.4
37.7
38.4

$1.99 $79.60
40.0 $1.99
2.16 87.48
40.5
2.16
2.18 86.33
39.6
2.18
2.18 85.46
39.2
2.18
2.18 84.80
38.9
2.18
2.15 81.27
37.8
2.15
2.15 79.12
36.8
2.15
2.14 79.18
37.0
2.14
2.16 81. 22
37.6
2.16
2.19 83. 22
38.0
2.19
2. 24 84.00
37.5
2.24
2. 21 82. 43
37.3
2. 21
2. 27 84. 90
37.4
2.27
2. 24 84. 45
37.7
2.24
2.25 86.40
38.4
2. 25
Primary
smelting
Steel foundries
and refining of nonferrous metals 4

41.1 $1.85 $72.22
1952: Average.......... $76.04
40.8 $1.77 $69.89
40.4 $1.73 $70. 56
39.2 $1.80 $77. 70
42.0 $1.85 $75.48
41.7 $L81
1953: Average______
80. 36
41.0
1.96 76.33
40.6
1.88 74.89
1.84 76.95
40.7
40.5
1.90 79.98
40.6
1.97 80.93
41.5
1.96
N ovem ber___
78.99
40.3
1.96 73.90
1.89 73. 47
39.1
39.5
1.86 71.63
37.9
1.89 76.63
38.7
1.98 82.98
41.7
1.9«
December____
78.40
40.0
1.96 75.43
39.7
1.90 74. 40
1.86 73.34
38.6
40.0
1.90 78.80
39.6
1.99 82. 54
41.9
1.97
1954: January______
77.41
39.9
1.94 74. 30
1.91 73. 51
38.9
39.1
1.88 72. 77
1.91 76.43
38.1
38.6
1.98 83. 40
41.7
2.00
February_____
77.61
39.8
1.95 72.77
1.89 71.61
38.5
1.86 70.11
38.5
36.9
39.3
1.90 77.81
1.98 79.98
40.6
1.97
77.02
M arch_______
39.7
1. 94 72. 77
38.5
1. 89 71. 42
38.4
1.86 74.68
39.1
1. 91 76.43
38.6
1. 98 78.20
39.9
1.96
A p r i l.............. 80.18
40.7
1. 97 72. 96
38.4
1. 90 72. 56
38.8
1. 87 72.58
37.8
1.92 73.68
37.4
1. 97 78. 41
39.8
1. 97
M a y ................. 78. 41
39.8
1. 97 72. 77
38.3
1.90 72. 56
38.8
1.87 72.01
37.7
1.91 73. 48
37.3
1.97 78.40
40.0
1.96
June_________
79.00
39.7
1.99 73. 53
38.7
1.90 73.30
39.2
1. 87 71. 25
37.7
1.89 74. 45
37.6
1.98 79. 39
40.3
1.97
J u l y . .............. 79.80
39.7
2.01 72.95
1.89 72. 73
38.6
39.1
1.86 69. 55
36.8
1.89 75.04
37.9
1.98 79.60
39.8
2.00
39.5
2. 00 74.10
August—.......... 79.00
39.0
1.90 73.49
39.3
39.1
1. 92 75. 62
1.87 75.07
38.0
1. 99 79.60
40.2
1.98
82.82
September___
40.6
2.04 74.11
38.8
1.91 73. 51
39.1
1.88 74.11
38.2
1.94 75. 62
1.99 79.39
38.0
39.3
2.02
82.01
40.4
2. 03 75.66
October______
39.2
1.93 75. 05
39.5
1.90 77.02
39.7
1.94 76.00
38.0
2.00 80.40
40.0
2.01
81. 81
40.3
N ovem ber___
2.03 75.85
39.3
1.93 75.83
39.7
1.91 77.61
39.8
1.95 75. 20
37.6
2.00 81.00
40.3
2.01
Primary
smelting
Secondary smelting Rolling,
drawing,
Primary refining of
Rolling, drawing, and Rolling, drawing, and
and refining of cop­
and
refining
of
and
alloying
of
nonaluminum
alloying of copper
alloying of aluminum
per, lead, and zinc
nonferrous metals
ferrous m etals4
1952: Average______
1953: Average______
N ovem ber___
December____
1954 January______
February........
M a r c h ...........
A p r il............
M a y _________
June................
J u l y ...............
A u g u s t ..........
September___
October............
N ovem ber___

$75.06
80. 41
82. 45
81.60
82.49
77.93
74.66
74.28
74. 66
76.21
75.85
76.59
74. 69
76.43
78.00

41.7
42.1
42.5
42.5
42.3
40.8
39.5
39.3
39.5
39.9
39.3
40.1
38.3
39.6
40.0

See footnotes at end of table.


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

$1.80 $76. 08
1. 91 81.81
1.94 85. 06
1.92 84. 25
1. 95 84. 66
1.91 82.80
1. 89 83. 84
1.89 84.45
1.89 84. 45
1.91 84. 45
1.93 85.24
1. 91 84. 82
1.95 85.01
1.93 86.46
1.95 86. 90

41.8
40.5
40.7
40.9
40.9
40.0
40.5
40.6
40.6
40.6
40.4
40.2
40.1
40.4
40.8

$1 82 $68.15
2.02 73.63
2.09 72. 92
2. 06 75.36
2. 07 73.62
2. 07 73.03
2. 07 72. 85
2.08 72.85
2.08 73.80
2. 08 75.12
2.11 73.31
2.11 72. 67
2.12 75.00
2.14 77.15
2.13 78.12

41.3
41.6
41.2
42.1
40.9
40.8
40. 7
40.7
41.0
41. 5
40.5
40.6
41.3
41.7
42.0

$1.6.' $74. 29
1. 77 82.91
1. 77 80.38
1. 79 80.59
1.80 78.21
1 79 77.82
1. 79 77. 82
1. 79 78.41
1. 80 80.20
1 81 81.19
1.81 79.60
1. 79 80.60
1.84 83.43
1.85 83.44
1.86 85. 69

41.5
42.3
40.8
40.7
39.7
39.5
39.5
39.6
40.3
40.8
40.0
40.1
41.1
40.7
41.8

$1.79 $76.49
1.96 85.37
1.97 81.39
1.98 81.20
1. 97 77. 21
1.97 75.64
1. 97 76. 43
1. 98 76.23
1.99 79.80
1.99 82.01
1.99 81.40
2.01 80.40
2.03 84.46
2.05 83.64
2.05 88. 61

41.8
42.9
40.9
40.6
38.8
38.2
38.6
38.5
39.9
40.8
40.7
40.0
41.4
40.6
42.6

$1.83 $69. 95
1.99 77.93
1.99 76.82
2.00 77.79
1.99 77.90
1.98 78. 57
1.98 77.99
1.98 79.58
2.00 79.58
2. 01 79. 77
2.00 75.85
2.01 80.00
2.04 82.22
2.06 81.61
2.08 81.61

40.2
40.8
39.6
40.1
40.2
40.5
40.2
40.6
40.6
40.7
38.5
40.0
40.5
40.4
40.6

$1.74
1.91
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.96
1.96
1.96
1.97
2.00
2.03
2.02
2.01

0 : EARNINGS AND HOURS
T able

255

C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing—Continued
Fabricated metal
products (except ord­
nance, machinery,
and transportation
equipment)

Primary metal Industries— Continued
Year and month
Nonferrous foundries
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
1952: Average—........
1953: Average...........

Novem ber___
December........
1954: January...........
February_____
M a r c h --.........
A p ril...............
M a y _________
June_________
July__________
August.............
September___
October______
N ovem ber___

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$77. 79
80.97
80.00
81.61
80.40
80.20
79.00
78. 01
79.00
79.19
77.79
79.80
80.39
84. 25
84.24

41.6
41.1
40.0
40.6
40.0
40.1
39.5
39.2
39.5
39.4
38.7
39.7
39.6
40.9
40.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

N ovem ber___
December____
1954: January______
February.........
March_______
April_________
M a y ________
J u n e ... _____
July__________
August_______
September___
October______
N ovem ber___

$69.31
75. 71
75.70
77.93
77.79
81.71
79.32
78. 94
82.74
83.13
82.12
83.13
81.34
80.00
79.60

41.5
41.6
40.7
41.9
40.1
41.9
41.1
40.9
42.0
42.2
41.9
42.2
41.5
40.2
39.8

Novem ber___
December____
1964: January______
February_____
M a r c h ...........
A pril________
M a y _________
June_________
July__________
August_______
September___
October.........
N ovem ber___

$73.60
75.64
76.04
75.66
74. 69
74.69
76.04
72.58
75. 66
77. 79
75.83
79.38
76.44
79. 59
81.39

40.0
39.6
39.4
39.2
38.9
38.9
39.4
37.8
39.2
40.1
39.7
40.5
39.2
40.4
40.9

1952: Average______
1953: Average______

Novem ber___
December____
1954: January______
February....... .
M a rch .. ........
April ______
M a y _________
June..............
July--------------August_______
September___
October______
N ovem ber____

$75.18
80.22
80.90
80.93
77.95
76.80
77. 59
77.18
79.73
79.93
79. 54
79.37
79.17
78.78
77. 79

42.0
42.0
41.7
41.5
40.6
40.0
40.2
40.2
41.1
41.2
41.0
40.7
40.6
40.4
40.1

See footnotes at end of table.


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

41.7
41.5
40.2
40.4
39.6
39.4
39.0
38.7
39.4
39.9
39.3
39.5
39.7
39.9
40.0

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.1
41.6
41.0
41.1
40.2
40.1
39.8
39.9
40.4
39.7
39.5
40.4
40.6
40.7
40.8

41.1
40.4
39.3
40.0
38.5
39.5
39.3
38.6
39.5
40.1
38.8
40.4
40.3
40.8
39.7

41.5
41.7
40.9
41.4
41.2
40.6
40.4
40.3
41.0
40.6
39.2
40.0
40.8
41.7
42.2

Avg.
wkly.
hours
42.2
41.8
40.6
40.7
40.0
39.8
38.9
38.0
38.2
38.2
38.2
38.6
38.3
38.7
39.1

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.0
41.3
41.8
40.9
39.1
39.8
39.9
38.9
40.0
39.6
39.2
40.1
40.3
40.6
41.4

42.3
42.5
42.2
42.9
41.8
41.4
41.2
41.0
41.3
41.7
41.0
41.1
40.9
40.8
40.9

37.5
38.6
38.2
38.6
38.2
38.5
38.5
38.5
38.4
36.2
35.3
37.1
37.8
39.0
39.1

Avg.
wkly.
hours
41.3
41.0
39.0
39.8
39.2
39.2
39.1
39.1
40.1
41.0
40.0
40.4
40.7
41.0
41.1

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.3
41.5
40.9
40.7
40.2
39.9
39.7
39.4
39.3
39.2
38.5
39.6
39.6
39.3
39.9

41.8
42.0
41.0
41.4
41.4
40.6
40.5
40.5
41.3
40.9
39.5
40.1
41.1
41.9
42.3

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$1.68 $70. 69
1.80
75.89
1.81
74. 26
1.82
77.00
1.83
76.33
1.84
75. 76
1.84
74.03
1.83
75. 95
1.84
78.50
1.84
75.01
1.84
75. 79
1.85
77. 93
1.85 78.50
1.86
79.30
1.86
78.72

41.4
40.6
40.2
40.3
39.7
39.5
39.5
39.7
40.6
40.8
40.4
39.6
40.2
40.2
38.9

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

41.1
41.7
40.8
41.4
40.6
40.3
39.8
40.4
41.1
39.9
40.1
40.8
41.1
41.3
41.0

41.7
41.5
40.7
41.9
40.1
39.4
39.9
39.8
40.1
41.2
40.9
40.4
40.5
40.5
40.3

40.0
40.5
40.5
41.3
40.1
39.6
39.4
39.3
39.9
39.5
39.6
39.5
40.4
40.9
41.5

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours
41.6
41.7
41.0
41.5
40.7
40.6
40.4
40.1
40.7
40.7
40.0
40.5
40.7
40.9
41.2

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.74
1.85
1. 87
1.88
1. 89
1.88
1.88
1.88
1. 90
1.89
1. 89
1.90
1.91
1.92
1.93

B eating apparatus
(except electric) and
plumbers’ supplies 4
$1.72 $70.99
1.82
73. 57
1.82
72.31
1.86
73.63
1.88
71.80
1.88
73.10
73.10
1.86
1.88
70.66
1. 91 73.28
74. 59
1.88
1.89
72.34
1.91
75.14
1.91
75. 20
76.92
1.92
1.92
75. 79

40.8
40.2
39.3
39.8
38.6
39.3
39.3
38.4
39.4
40.1
39.1
40.4
40.0
40.7
40.1

$1.74
1.83
1.84
1.85
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.84
1.86
1.86
1.85
1. 86
1.88
1.89
1.89

Boiler-shop products

$1.78 $74.80
80.94
1.89
1.88
81.48
82.60
1.90
80.87
1.88
80. 67
1.90
1. 91
79.30
1.92
78.94
1. 92 78. 74
78.74
1.92
1.94
77. 79
1.94
78. 76
1.97
79.15
1.98
78.39
1.98
79.17

Lighting fixtures

$1.85 $68.00
1.95
72.50
1.96
72.90
1.98
75.58
2.02
72.58
1.99
70.49
1.98
70.13
1.99
70.35
2.01
71.82
2.01
71.10
2.01
71. 28
2.01
70. 71
2.04
72. 32
2.05
76.48
2.07
79.68

Total: Fabricated
metal products

$1.96 $72.38
77.15
2.08
76.67
2.10
78.02
2.13
76. 92
2.10
76. 33
2.08
75.95
2.08
75. 39
2.09
77.33
2.09
76.92
2.11
75.60
2.11
2.10
76.95
2.14
77. 74
2.12
78.53
79. 52
2.11

Metal doors, sash,
frames, molding, and
trim

$1.77 $74.23
1.89
78.44
1.94
76.52
1.94
79. 61
1.92
75.39
74.86
1.91
1.90
76. 21
76.42
1.90
1.91
76.99
1.91
79.10
1.91
79.35
1. 93 78. 38
1.92
79. 79
1.93
80.19
1.93
79. 79

Stamped and pressed
metal products

$1.44 $77.33
1.53
81.90
1.56
80.36
1.57
81.97
1.62 83.63
1.60 80. 79
1.58
80.19
1.58
80.60
1.59
83.01
1.63
82. 21
1.59
79.40
1. 61 80.60
1. 62 83. 84
1.62
85.90
1.62 87. 56

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Hardware

Structural steel and
ornamental metal­
work
42.4
43.0
42.9
43.9
42.8
42.3
42.1
41.8
42.1
42.8
41.6
41.9
41.3
41.4
41.6

Welded and heavyriseted pipe

$1.95 $81.14
2.07
84. 45
2.08
84.42
2.08
85.84
2.07
83.37
2.08
82.16
2.08
82.16
2.08
82. 97
84. 85
2.10
86.09
2.12
2.12
85. 24
2.12
83.16
2.14 86. 03
2.13
85.22
2.14
82.08

Handtools

$1.77 $75.05
1.90
81.27
1.94
83.23
1.94
85.17
1.92
82.18
80. 79
1.92
79. 99
1.91
1.92
79. 42
80.41
1.92
1.92 81.75
79. 46
1.93
1. 94 80. 87
1.94
79. 30
79. 90
1.95
1. 94 80.29

Vitreous-enameled
products

$1.79 $54.00
1.89
59.06
69.59
1.91
1.93 60.60
1.97
61.88
1.94
61.60
60.83
1.93
1. 94 60.83
1.96
61.06
1.96
59.01
56.13
1.95
1.96
59. 73
1.98
61.24
1.99
63.18
2.00 63.34

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.55 $69. 38
1.63
74.70
1.66
74.03
1.66
74.07
1.64
73. 57
1.65
73.42
1.64
73.05
1.63
72.10
1. 65 72.31
1.66
72.13
1.64
70. 84
1. 65 73. 26
73. 26
1.66
1.68
73.10
74. 21
1.69

Fabricated structur­
al metal p roducts4

$1.70 $74.87
1.79
80. 75
1.81
81.87
1.82
83.23
1.83
80. 26
1.83
79.49
78.69
1.83
78. 72
1.81
1. 83 79. 30
1.83
80.06
1.82
79.13
1.82
79.73
1.85
79. 35
1.86
79.56
1.85
79.35

Wire drawing

$2.04 $80. 54
84.87
2.18
81.12
2.22
2.22
82. 78
2.21
81.14
81.54
2.20
81.33
2.20
2.19
81. 33
84.21
2.20
2. 21 86. 92
2. 22 84.80
85.65
2.23
2. 24 87.10
87.33
2.26
87. 95
2.27

Cutlery and edgetools

$1.68 $63. 55
67.32
1.78
69.39
1.79
67.89
1.81
64.12
1.82
1.83 65.67
1. 81 65.44
1.82
63.41
1.85
66.00
1.83
65. 74
1.83
64. 29
1.85 66.17
1.85 66.90
1.86 68.21
1.86 69. 97

Metal stamping,
coating, and engrav­
in g 4

$1.79 $74.29
1.91
78.81
1.94
78.12
1. 95 79.90
81.16
1.92
1.92
78.76
1.93
77.97
1.92
78.18
1.94
80. 36
1.94
79.58
1.94
76.44
1.95
78.40
1.95 80.78
82. 98
1.95
1.94 84.40

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.97 $86.09
2.11
91.12
2.13
90.13
2.13
90. 35
2.12
88.40
2.12
87. 56
2.11
85.58
2.11
83.22
2.12
84.04
2.14
84. 42
2.14
84.80
2.14
86.08
2.16 85. 79
2.16
87.46
2.17
88. 76

Oil burners, nonelec­
tric heating and cook­
ing apparatus, not
elsewhere classified

$1.84 $69.87
1.91
72.32
1. 93 71.13
1.93
72.80
1.92
70.46
1.92
72.29
71.92
1.93
1. 92 69. 87
1.93
72.29
1.94
73.38
1.91
70.62
1.96
73. 53
1.95
74. 56
75.89
1.97
1.99
73.45

Sheet-metalwork

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Cutlery, handtools,
and hardware 4

$1.67 $69.05
1. 82 74.05
1.86
73.39
1.86
74.39
73.16
1.94
1.95
73.38
1. 93 72.04
72.62
1.93
74.74
1.97
72. 65
1.97
72.29
1.96
1.97
74.74
1.96
75.11
1.99
75.70
2.00
75. 89

Sanitary ware and
plumber)’ supplies
1952: Average______
1953: Average______

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.87 $82.15
1.97
87.57
2.00
85.63
2.01
86.05
2.01
83. 95
2.00
83. 53
2.00
82.29
1.99
81. 66
2.00
83. 53
85.39
2.01
2.01
84.10
2.01
84.53
2.03 85. 75
2.06
86.18
2.08
86.80

Tin cans and other
tinware
1952: Average______
1953: Average___ —

Miscellaneous prima­
ry metal industries 4 Iron and steel forgings

42.5
42.6
42.0
42.8
41.9
41.8
41.3
40.9
40.8
40.8
40.1
40.6
40.8
40.2
40.6

$1. 76
1.90
1.94
1. 93
1.93
1.93
1. 92
1.93
1.93
1.93
1.94
1.94
1.94
1.95
1.95

Fabricated wire prod­
ucts

$1.70 $68.30
1.79
72. 62
1.80
73.12
1.83
71.31
1.81
73.02
1. 78 72.04
1.78
72.76
1.79
71.46
72.58
1.80
1.80
72.80
72.94
1.80
1.79
73.12
1.79
72. 76
1.87
73.89
1.92
76.78

40.9
40.8
40.4
39.4
39.9
39.8
40.2
39.7
40.1
40.0
40.3
40.4
40.2
40.6
41.5

$1.67
1.78
1.81
1.81
1.83
1.81
1. 81
1.80
1.81
1.82
1.81
1.81
1.81
1.82
1.85

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

256

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing—Continued
Machinery (except
electrical)

Fabricated metal products (except ordnance, machinery, and transportation equipment)—Continued

Year and month

1952: Average______
1953: Average...........
Novem ber___
December........
1954: January______
February_____
M arch_______
April.................
M a y _________
June_________
July--------------August_______
September___
October______
N ovem ber___

Miscellaneous fabri­
cated metal prod­
ucts 4

Metal shipping barrels
drums, kegs, and pails

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
w kly.
hours

$73. 02
78. 51
76. 36
77. 52
74. 70
75. 85
74.34
72.47
73.78
74. 56
73.28
74.00
75. 70
77.08
79.23

42.7
42.9
41.5
41.9
40.6
41.0
40.4
39.6
40.1
40.3
39.4
40.0
40.7
41.0
41.7

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1. 71 $79. 61
1.83 82.35
1.84 82.21
1.85 83. 84
1.84 81.41
1.85 82. 01
1. 84 82.61
1.83 80.60
1. 84 85.68
1.85 84. 84
1.86 77. 99
1.85 85.08
1.86 83.44
1.88 83. 64
1.90 83.84

Avg.
wkly.
hours

43.5
41.8
40.7
41.1
40.3
40.6
41.1
40.1
42.0
42.0
38.8
41.1
40.7
40.6
40.5

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average........... $82. «8
1953: Average........... 85.28
N ovem ber___
85.88
88. 61
December____
1954: January.........
86. 51
February_____
86.30
M arch_______
86.28
83. 39
A pril___ ___
M a y _________
86.07
83. 81
June_________
July__________
85.44
A u g u st______
84.77
85. 84
September___
October
___
85.97
N ovem ber___
86. 46

42.4
41.2
40.7
41.6
41.0
40.9
40.7
39.9
40.6
40.1
40.3
39.8
40.3
39.8
40.4

$1.95 $89.02
2.07 93.66
2.11 94.24
2.13 99. 72
2.11 97.02
2.11 97.06
2.12 99.03
2.09 89. 60
2.12 94.76
2.09 86.14
2.12 92. 34
2.13 95.17
2.13 93.94
2.16 97.34
2.14 100. 67

42.8
42.0
41.7
42.8
42.0
42.2
42.5
40.0
41.2
38.8
40.5
41.2
41.2
40.9
41.6

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.83 $74.26
1.97 83.13
2.02 81. 81
2.04 84.22
2.02 81.40
2. 02 79.00
2.01 77.03
2.01 75. 07
2.04 75. 04
2. 02 77.81
2.01 76. 04
2. 07 74.48
2.05 73. 30
2.06 77.01
2.07 85.70

Engines and turbines4 Steam engines, turbines,
and water wheels

Bolts, nuts, washers,
and rivets

Steel springs

Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.8
42.2
40.7
41.9
40.7
40.1
39.3
38.3
37.9
39.1
38.6
38.0
37.4
38.7
41.4

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.82 $72.83
1.97 79.18
2.01 75. 85
2.01 77. 19
2.00 74.00
1.97 75.92
1.96 73.66
1.96 72. 52
1. 98 72.91
1.99 73.68
1.97 73.14
1. 96 74.26
1.96 77. 52
1.99 78. 91
2.07 80. 48

Diesel and other in­
ternal combustion
engines, not else­
where classified

$2.08 $80. 37
2.23 82. 41
2.26 82.62
2.33 84. 87
2.31 82. 42
2.30 82.62
2. 33 81.20
2.24 81.00
2.30 82. 82
2. 22 83.23
2.28 83. 02
2.31 80.36
2.28 82. 59
2. 38 81.56
2. 42 81.00

42.3
41.0
40.3
41.2
40.6
40.5
40.0
39.9
40.4
40.6
40.3
39.2
39.9
39.4
39.9

N ovem ber___
December____
1954: January______
February........
M arch..............
April.................
M a y ............
June.................
J u l y ................
August_______
September___
October______
N ovem ber___

43.6
41.8
40.7
41.0
40.9
41.5
41.2
40.8
40.9
41.0
40.0
40.3
39.6
39.8
39.9

$77.61
79.42
78. 55
79.54
79.76
80.93
79.93
78.74
79.76
79. 95
78.00
78.59
77. 62
78. 01
78.60

$1.78 $76.64
1.90 78.85
1.93 77.18
1.94 78.17
1.95 77. 59
1.95 78.36
1. 94 78. 74
1.93 77.57
1.95 78. 57
1.95 78.98
1.95 77. 21
1.95 76.82
1.96 77. 42
1.96 77. 22
1.97 77. 42

Machine-tool acces­
sories

1952: Average___ _
1953: A v era g e_____

$95. 53
100.93

N ovem ber___ 100.11
December____ 101. 47
1954: January......... . 99.23
February_____
98. 34
M arch_______
97. 66
April................. 98. 08
M a y .............
99.62
June.................
99.36
July--------------99. 59
August_______ 100.02
September___
98.18
October______
98. 60
N ovem ber___
97. 94

46.6
46.3
45.3
45.5
44.7
44.1
43.6
43.4
43.5
43.2
43.3
43.3
42.5
42.5
42.4

See footnotes at end of table


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

43.3
41.5
40.2
40. 5
40.2
40.6
40.8
40. 4
40.5
40.5
39.8
39.6
39.7
39.6
39.5

$1. 77 $79. 48
1.90 80. 98
1.92 81.93
1.93 83.33
1.93 84. 77
1.93 86. 33
1.93 81.90
1. 92 81.93
1. 94 82. 54
1.95 82.52
1.94 78. 99
1. 94 82.96
1.95 78.01
1.95 79. 79
1.96 81.20

Special-industry ma­
ch in ery (ex cep t
metalworking ma­
chinery) 4

$2.05 $77.40
2.18 81.32
2. 21 81.48
2.23 83.23
2.22 80.51
2.23 81.29
2. 24 80.67
2.20 79.13
2.29 79.15
2.30 78. 55
2.30 77.78
2.31 77.78
2. 31 78.98
2.32 79.37
2.31 79. 76

43.0
42.8
42.0
42.9
41.5
41.9
41.8
41.0
40.8
40.7
40.3
40.3
40.5
40.7
40.9

44.4
42.4
41.8
42.3
42.6
43.6
42.0
41.8
41.9
42.1
40.3
41.9
39.4
40.3
40.6

$1.80 $77.96
1.90 81. 56
1.94 81.09
1.94 83.89
1.94 84.15
1.94 84. 94
1.93 83. 95
1.93 81.36
1. 94 80.97
1.93 79.97
1.93 79.18
1. 93 79. 58
1. 95 80.18
1.95 79.59
1.95 79.79

42.6
42.7
41.8
42.8
42.5
42.9
42.4
41.3
41.1
40.8
40.4
40.6
40.7
40.4
40.5

42.1
42.8
41.0
41.5
40.0
40.6
39.6
39.2
39.2
39.4
38.7
39.5
40.8
41.1
41.7

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.73 $76. 37
1.85 81.07
1.85 78. 75
1.86 78. 75
1.85 75. 76
1.87 75. 95
1.86 74. 62
1. 85 72.25
1.86 74.12
1.87 73.93
1.89 71.92
1. 88 72. 62
1.90 75. 26
1.92 76. 45
1.93 78. 68

39.9
39.8
39.3
39.3
39.5
39.6
40.1
39.6
39.8
39.8
39.3
39.2
39.4
38.6
39.2

46.4
45.8
44.7
45.0
44.0
43.9
43.6
42.8
42.6
42.3
42.1
42.3
41.8
41.7
41.5

$1.83 $68. 54
1.91 71.93
1.94 71.15
1.96 73.63
1.98 70.09
1.98 71.69
1.98 71.33
1.97 70.05
1. 97 69. 52
1.96 69.65
1.96 67.16
1.96 68. 60
1.97 68.64
1.97 70.18
1.97! 71.63

40.8
41.1
40.2
41.6
39.6
40.5
40.3
39.8
39.5
39.8
38.6
39.2
39.0
40.1
40.7

44.4
44.3
42.8
42.8
41.4
41.5
41.0
39.7
40.5
40.4
39.3
39.9
40.9
41.1
42.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

39.7
39.6
39.5
39.5
39.7
39.3
39.9
39.3
39.4
39.0
39.0
39.2
39.8
38.6
39.6

47.1
46.3
45.5
45.8
44.6
44.8
44.6
43.2
42.6
41.8
41.0
41.4
41.6
41.7
41.0

45.6
44.3
43.2
45.3
43.7
44.2
44.5
43.2
43.2
43.6
42.7
42.0
42.7
42.1
42.7

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

42.9
42.3
41.6
42.0
41.2
41.3
41.1
40.5
40.6
40.5
40.1
40.2
40.3
40.2
40.3

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1. 88
1. 96
1.99
2.01
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.01
2.01
2.01
2.01
2.03
2.03
2.03

Agricultural machinery
(except tractors)

$1.94 $73. 97
2.00 75.20
2.00 72. 52
2.02 73.70
2.02 74. 47
2.03 76.02
2.04 77. 38
2.04 76.61
2.05 76.99
2.02 77.97
2.02 75. 45
2.05 74. 67
2.07 75.46
2.06 73.73
2.07 74.69

40.2
40.0
39.2
39.2
39.4
39.8
40.3
39.9
40.1
40.4
39.5
39.3
39.1
38.6
38.9

$1.84
1.88
1.85
1.88
1.89
1.91
1. 92
1. 92
1.92
1.93
1.91
1.90
1.93
1.91
1.92

Metalworking ma­
chinery (except ma­
chine tools)

$1.91 $85. 95
2.05 89. 52
2.09 86.92
2.10 87.95
2.10 85. 27
2.09 86. 51
2.09 86.10
2.07 84.46
2.08 84. 46
2.09 84.87
2.08 86.10
2.08 85. 70
2.10 84. 45
2.11 83. 41
2.11 83.42

Paper-industries ma­
chinery

$1.68 $82.08
1. 75 82.84
1.77 81.65
1.77 86.98
1. 77 83.03
1.77 83.98
1.77 84.11
1. 76 82.08
1.76 82.94
1.75 83.28
1.74 81.98
1.75 81.06
1. 76 83.27
1.75 82.10
1.76 82.84

Total: Machinery
(except electrical)

$1.72 $79. 79
1.83 82.91
1.84 82. 78
1.84 84. 42
1.83 82.40
1.83 82.60
1. 82 82.20
1. 82 81.00
1.83 81.61
1.83 81.41
1.83 80.60
1.82 80. 80
1.84 81.81
1.86 81.61
1.86 81.81

Machine tools

$1.98 $89.96
2.11 94.92
2.14 95.10
2.15 96.18
2.15 93.66
2.19 93.63
2.15 93. 21
2.16 89. 42
2.18 88. 61
2.19 87.36
2.19 85. 28
2.19 86.11
2.20 87. 36
2. 21 87.99
2.20 86. 51

Textile machinery

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Tractors

$1.89 $77.02
1.94 79.20
1.92 79.00
1.95 79.79
1.95 80.19
1.96 79. 78
1.97 81.40
1.98 80.17
1.98 80. 77
1.97 78.78
1.96 78. 78
1.97 80.36
2.00 82.39
1.99 79. 52
2.00 81.97

Metalworking ma­
chinery 4

$1.79 $91.87
1.91 96.64
1.96 95.66
1.97 96. 75
1.99 94.60
1.98 94.39
1. 95 93.74
1.96 92. 45
1.97 92.87
1.96 92.64
1.96 92.20
1.98 92.64
1.98 91.96
1.98 92.16
2. 00 91.30

Food-products ma­
chinery

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Agricultural machin­
ery and tractors 4

$1.90 $75. 41
2.01 77. 21
2.05 75. 46
2.06 76.64
2.03 77.03
2.04 77.62
2.03 79.00
2.03 78.41
2.05 78. 80
2.05 78.41
2.06 77.03
2.05 77. 22
2. 07 78.80
2. 07 76. 81
2. 03 78. 40

Construction and m in­ Construction and min­ Oilfield machinery and
ing machinery, ex­
ing machinery 4
tools
cept for oilfields

1952: Average______
1953: A v era g e_____

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Screw-machine
products

45.0
44.3
42.4
42.9
41.8
42.2
42.0
41.0
40.8
41.0
41.0
41.2
40.6
40.1
40.3

$1.91
2.03
2.05
2.05
2.04
2.05
2.05
2.06
2.07
2.07
2.10
2.08
2.08
2. 08
2. 07

Printing-trades ma­
chinery and equipment

$1.80 $87.36
1.87 94. 59
1.89 97. 46
1.92 97.24
1.90 89.24
1.90 91.38
1.89 92.23
1.90 87.74
1.92 91. 56
1.91 87. 53
1. 92 90.73
1.93 85. 86
1.95 87. 72
1.95 88.32
1. 94 88.13

43.9
44.2
44.3
44.0
41.7
42.5
42.5
41.0
42.0
40.9
42.2
40.5
40.8
40.7
40.8

$1.99
2.14
2.20
2.21
2.14
2.15
2.17
2.14
2.18
2.14
2.15
2.12
2.15
2.17
2.16

C : EARNINGS AND HOURS

257

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees1— Continued
Manufacturing— Continued
Machinery (except electrical)—Continued
Year and month

General industrial
machinery'
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average-........- $79. 24
1953: Average...........
83. 42
Novem ber___
83.33
December........ 83.95
1954: January.........
81.16
February....... . 81.36
79. 77
M arch_______
April................. 78.99
M a y ............. .
79. 39
80.19
June_________
July--------------79.40
80.20
August_______
80.80
September____
October______
81.20
80.40
N ovem ber___

Avg.
wkly.
hours

43.3
43.0
42.3
42.4
41.2
41.3
40.7
40.3
40.3
40.5
40. 1
40.3
40.4
40.4
40.0

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

43.0
42.2
41.5
42.1
41.7
41.8
41.3
40.5
40.2
39.8
39.5
39.7
40.8
40.3
40.0

43.9
42.3
41.8
41.8
40.4
40.9
40.6
41.1
41.0
40.3
39.4
40.2
39.9
40.1
40.3

Machine shops (Job
and repair)
1952: Average......... . $78. 55
1953: Average______
80.28
N ovem ber___
81.22
December........ 82. 22
1954: January______
79.68
79. 49
February.........
M arch............. 79. 71
April................
77.74
79. 52
M a y . .. _____
79.32
June...............
July--------------78. 55
August_______
78.55
September____
79.38
79. 54
October............
N ovem ber____
79.93

43.4
42.7
42.3
42.6
41.5
41.4
41.3
40.7
41.2
41.1
40.7
40.7
40.5
41.0
41.2

S e e f o o t n o t e s a t e n d o f t a b le .


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

43.7
42.7
41.8
41.7
41.1
41.1
40.4
40.3
39.5
40.0
39.9
40.1
40.5
40.6
40.0

40.9
40.3
40.2
40.4
39.9
39.7
39.6
39. 5
39.3
39.6
39.7
39.7
40.0
39.9
40.1

40.6
39.9
39.7
39.6
38.8
39.8
40.0
39.6
39.8
40.1
39.5
39.5
39.6
40.2
40.5

Conveyors and con­
veying equipment

Avg.
Avg.
hrly. wkly.
earn­ earn­
ings
ings
$1.80 $79. 79
1.92 84. 44
1. 95 85. 77
1.94 85.80
1. 96 81. 76
1.96 82.76
1. 94 81.16
1. 94 79.79
1.94 82.00
1.94 82. 61
1.95 85.04
1.97 80.60
1.98 80.80
1.98 81.20
1.97 79.15

A vg.
wkly.
hours

42.9
43.3
43.1
42.9
41.5
41.8
41.2
40.5
41.0
41.1
42.1
40.1
40.0
40.0
38.8

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

40.9
40.2
40.1
40.3
40.0
39.9
40.1
39.5
39.2
39.3
40.0
40.0
39.8
39.6
40.1

41.1
40.9
39.1
39.6
39.9
39.7
39.7
38.8
39.2
38.9
38.3
38.6
39.3
39.7
39.5

Avg.
wkly. Avg.
wkly.
earn­
hours
ings

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

42.8
42.5
41.3
41.6
40.8
40.8
39.9
40.0
40.1
40.5
39.4
40.2
39.8
40.0
39.8

41.0
40.3
40.3
40.3
39.4
39.5
38.4
39.2
39.2
39.8
39.6
39.8
40.8
40.6
40.9

42.1
41.5
41.1
41.5
40.5
40.3
40.3
39.8
40.0
40.1
39.2
39.5
39.8
39.7
40.3

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

43.2
42.6
42.3
41.3
38.1
39.4
39.5
39.7
39.7
40.4
38.4
39.5
39.4
40.5
40.6

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$1.68 $75.81
1.76 78. 74
1.80 77.03
1.81 78.01
1.81 77. 62
1.81 78.01
1.82 78. 01
1.83 76.05
1.84 77.22
1.85 75.85
1.84 75.27
1.84 76.44
1.85 78.80
1.84 79.80
1.88 79.40

41.2
40.8
39.5
39.8
39.6
39.8
39.8
38.8
39.2
39.1
38.8
39.2
39.8
40.1
39.7

41.7
41.0
41.4
41.6
40.4
40.4
40.4
40.0
40.0
40.1
38.6
38.8
40.1
39.1
40.3

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

43.0
43.4
42.3
42.5
41.7
41.2
40.1
40.0
40.3
40.2
39.6
40.1
40.2
40.7
40.5

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.86
1.98
2.01
2.02
2.01
1.99
1.98
1.98
1. 98
1.99
1.99
1.99
2.01
2.03
2.03

Domestic laundry
equipment

$1.84 $74.89
1.93 78. 57
1.95 78.20
1.96 77.03
1.96 73.91
1. 96 77. 42
1.96 79.20
1.96 74.25
1.97 74. 88
1.94 75. 27
1.94 79. 79
1.95 81.20
1.98 85. 90
1.99 87.35
2.00 84. 87

Fabricated pipe, fit­
tings, and valves

$1.79 $73.39
1.90 77.90
1.94 80.73
1.95 81. 54
1.94 78. 78
1.94 78.78
1.94 79.18
1.93 77.60
1.94 78. 40
1.94 78.20
1.94 75. 27
1.95 76.44
1.98 80.20
1.98 78.20
1.98 81. 00

Mechanical powertransmission equipment

$1.88 $79. 98
1.96 85.93
1.99 85.02
1.95 85.85
1.92 83.82
1.93 81.99
1. 94 79.40
1.94 79.20
1. 95 79. 79
1.95 80.00
1.97 78.80
1.97 79.80
1.99 80.80
2. 01 82.62
2.02 82.22

Service-industry and
household m achines4

Miscellaneous ma­
chinery parts *

$1.85 $75.36
1.95 78. 85
1.97 79.73
1.98 80.93
1.99 78. 57
1.99 78.18
1.98 78.18
1.97 76.81
1.99 77.60
1.95 77.79
1.95 76.05
1.96 77.03
1.99 78.80
2.00 78.61
2.01 79.79

Industrial trucks,
tractors, etc.

$1.74 $81.22
1.80 83.50
1.84 84.18
1.84 80.54
1.84 73.15
1.82 76.04
1.83 76.63
1. 81 77.02
1.83 77. 42
1.85 78.78
1.87 75.65
1.86 77. 82
1.90 78.41
1.91 81.41
1.88 82.01

Typewriters

$2.00 $68.88
2.07 70.93
2.10 72. 54
2.12 72.94
2.11 71.31
2. 11 71.50
2.11 69.89
2.12 71.74
2.12 72.13
2.14 73.63
2.17 72.86
2.16 73.23
2.16 75. 48
2.17 74.70
2.17 76.89

Refrigerators and airconditioning units

$1.89 $76.04
1.93 79.76
1.98 77.03
1.99 78.41
2.00 79.40
1. 99 79.00
1.99 78.61
1.99 76.44
2.00 78.01
1.99 75.86
1.98 74.69
1.97 75.66
2. 00 78.21
2.00 79.40
2.01 79.40

Blowers, exhaust and
ventilating fans

$1.86 $74. 47
1.95 76.50
1.99 75. 99
2.00 76. 54
1.97 75.07
1.98 74.26
1. 97 73.02
1. 97 72.40
2.00 73. 38
2.01 74.93
2.02 73.68
2.01 74. 77
2. 02 75. 62
2.03 76.40
2.04 74.82

Computing machines
and cash registers

$1.84 $81.80
1.92 83.21
1.95 84. 21
1.97 85. 44
1.97 84.40
1.96 84.19
1. 96 84.61
1.97 83.74
1.97 83.10
1.98 84.10
2.00 86.80
2. 00 86.40
2.00 85. 97
2.00 85.93
2.01 87.02

Sewing machines

$1. 74 $76.73
1.81 77.01
1.84 78. 61
1.86 78.80
1.83 77. 60
1.84 79.20
1. 85 79.60
1.84 78.80
1.85 79.60
1.85 79.80
1.83 78. 21
1. 87 77. 82
1.84 79.20
1.86 80.40
1.84 81.41

Machinery (except
electrical)— Con.

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Office and store ma­
chines and devices 4

$1.79 $75. 26
1.92 77.38
1.97 78.39
1.98 79. 59
1.99 78.60
1.98 77.81
1.98 77. 62
1. 98 77. 82
1.98 77. 42
2.01 78. 41
1.99 79.40
1.99 79. 40
2.01 80.00
2.02 79.80
2.00 80.60

Commercial laundry,
dry-cleaning, and
pressing machines
1952: Average...,___ $76.39
1953: A verage.......... 76. 56
N ovem ber____ 76.91
December____
77.75
1954: January______
73.93
February_____ 75.26
75.11
M arch_______
A p r il..............
75.62
75.85
M a y ...... ..........
74. 56
J u n e ........... .
July................. 72.10
75.17
August. . . ___
73. 42
September____
74. 59
October______
N ovem ber___
74.15

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.83 $78. 66
1. 94 81.98
1.97 81.51
1.98 80.90
1.97 80. 56
1. 97 80. 56
1.96 78.38
1. 96 78.18
1. 97 76. 63
1.98 77.60
1.98 77.81
1.99 79. 00
2.00 80.19
2.01 80.39
2.01 78.80

Mechanical stokers
and industrial fu r­
naces and ovens
1952: Average______ $76.97
81.02
1953: Average______
N ovem ber____ 81.76
83.36
Decem ber____
1954: January.......... 82.98
February_____ 82.76
81.77
M arch_______
April_________
80.19
M a y ............... .
79.60
80.00
June_________
July--------------78.61
79. 00
August_______
82.01
September____
O ctober........... 81.41
80.00
N ovem ber___

P um psy air and gas
compressors

40.7
40.5
39.9
39.3
38. 1
39.7
39.8
37.5
38.6
38.6
40.5
40.4
41.7
42.2
41.4

$1.84
1.94
1.96
1.96
1.94
1.95
1.99
1.98
1.94
1.95
1.97
2.01
2.06
2.07
2.05

Ball and roller bear­
ings

$1. 76 $74. 57
1.90 77. 71
1. 95 76.04
1.96 78.59
1.95 77. 42
1.95 75.85
1.96 75.08
1.94 73. 73
1.96 74.50
1.95 75.46
1.95 74. 69
1. 97 75.46
2.00 75. 66
2.00 77.42
2.01 77.22

41.2
40.9
39.4
40.3
39.5
39.1
38.9
38.4
38.8
39.1
38.5
39.1
38.6
39.1
39.2

$1.81
1.90
1.93
1.95
1.96
1.94
1.93
1.92
1.92
1.93
1.94
1.93
1. 96
1.98
1.97

Electrical machinery
Electrical generating,
Total: Electrical ma­
transmission, dis­ Wiring devices and
chinery
tribution, and in­
supplies
dustrial apparatus *

$1.81 $68.80
1.88 71.81
1. 92 72.14
1.93 72.36
1.92 70. 74
1. 92 72. 22
1.93 71.28
1. 91 70. 56
1. 93 71.50
1.93 72.07
1.93 71.53
1.93 72.04
1.96 72.98
1.94 73.93
1.94 74.48

41.2
40.8
40.3
40.2
39.3
39.9
39.6
39.2
39.5
39.6
39.3
39.8
40.1
40.4
40.7

$1.67 $74.40
1. 76 77.83
1.79 78.12
1.80 78. 91
1.80 76.99
1.81 77.38
1.80 76.40
1.80 75.45
1. 81 76.22
1.82 76.61
1.82 76. 42
1. 81 77. 78
1.82 78.76
1.83 78.76
1.83 79.76

41.8
41.4
40.9
41.1
40.1
40.3
40.0
39.5
39.7
39.9
39.8
40.3
40.6
40.6
40.9

$1.78 $64.78
1.88 68.54
1.91 68. 74
1. 92 69.60
1.92 67.20
1.92 67.32
1.91 67.49
1.91 65.23
1. 92 66.08
1.92 66.47
1. 92 65.79
1.93 67.60
1.94 68.85
1.94 69.89
1.95 70.76

41.0
40.8
40.2
40.7
39.3
39.6
39.7
38.6
39.1
39.1
38.7
39.3
39.8
40.4
40.9

Carbon and graphite
products (electrical)

$1.58 $75.58
1.68 77.83
1.71 75.58
1.71 77. 11
1.71 75.39
1.70 76.14
1.70 74.43
1.69 74. 61
1. 69 74.82
1.70 74.07
1.70 73.49
1.72 74.80
1.73 74.80
1.73 74.96
1.73 74.34

41.3
41.4
40.2
40.8
40.1
40.5
39.8
39.9
39.8
39.4
39.3
40.0
40.0
40.3
40.4

Electrical indicating,
measuring, and re­
c o r d in g i n s t r u ­
ments

$1.83 $71.48
1.88 73. 57
1.88 73.89
1.89 74.66
1.88 71.92
1.88 73.16
1.87 72. 25
1.87 71.50
1.88 72.44
1.88 72.98
1.87 72. 58
1.87 73.16
1.87 74. 52
1.86 74.89
1.84 73.42

41.8
41.1
40.6
40.8
39.3
40.2
39.7
39.5
39.8
40.1
40.1
40.2
40.5
40.7
39.9

$1. 71
1.79
1.82
1.83
1.83
1.82
1.82
1.81
1.82
1.82
1.81
1. 82
1.84
1.84
1.84

258
T able

MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW, FEBEUAEY 1955

C - l : Hours and gross earnings

production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1—Continued

of

M anufacturing— Continued
Electrical machinery—Continued
Year and month

Motors, generators, and
motor-generator sets
Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average______ $80.22
1953: Average______
84.03
N ovem ber___
84. 05
December........ 84. 67
1954: January.......... 82. 62
February........
83.23
M arch.............. 82.01
April................
80.59
M a y ____ ____
80.78
June_________
80. 99
July_________
81.80
A ugu st........... 83. 64
85. 08
September___
October______
84.87
N ovem ber____ 84. 66

Avg.
wkly.
hours

42.0
41.6
41.2
41.3
40.5
40.6
40.2
39.7
39.6
39.7
40.1
40.6
41.1
41.0
40.9

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

40.1
40.8
40.0
39.6
39.3
39.6
39.0
38.4
40.5
39.2
38.3
39.0
38.8
41.0
40.0

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1. 91 $72.04
2.02 76. 33
2.04 76. 81
2.05 76.63
2.04 75. 85
2.05 76. 24
2.04 78.20
2.03 76.44
2.04 79.19
2.04 78. 59
2.04 77.02
2.06 78.98
2.07 76.14
2.07 79. 76
2.07 81.38

Electric equip­
ment for
vehicles
1952: Average______ $72.98
1953: Average______
76.70
fcg
N ovem ber___
76.00
74.84
December____
1954: January..........
75. 06
75.24
February_____
M arch_______
73. 32
April_________
72.19
M a y _________
78.17
June_________
75.26
July--------------73.54
74.10
August_______
74. 50
September___
October_____
81.18
N ovem ber.......
78.40

Power and distribu­
tion transformers

Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.7
40.6
39.8
39.5
39.1
39.3
40.1
39.2
40.2
40.3
39.7
40.5
40.5
40.9
41.1

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

39.0
40. 5
40.4
39.9
39.1
39.4
39.3
38.9
39.3
38.6
36.4
38.6
39.3
40.1
40.3

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.77 $72.16
1.88 75.84
1.93 76. 54
1.94 76. 91
1.94 75.11
1. 94 75.48
1.95 74.37
1.95 73.66
1.97 74.99
1. 95 75. 36
1.94 75. 39
1.95 75. 98
1.88 76. 76
1.95 76. 78
1.98 79.73

Electric lamps

$1.82 $58.89
1. 88 65. 21
1.90 65. 85
1.89 65. 44
1. 91 64.12
1.90 65. 01
1. 88 65.24
1.88 64.19
1.93 64.85
1. 92 63. 69
1.92 60. 42
1.90 63.69
1.92 65. 63
1.98 67.77
1.96 68. 51

Switchgear, switch­
board and industrial
controls
Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

42.2
41.9
41.6
41.8
40.6
40.8
40.2
39.6
40.1
40.3
40.1
40.2
40.4
40.2
41.1

40.9
40.4
39.8
39.7
38.8
39.7
39.5
39.0
39.2
39.6
39.1
39.9
40.2
40.5
40.8

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.71 $91.28
1.81 85.20
1.84 81. 77
1.84 81. 38
1.85 78. 21
1.85 78.39
1.85 80.56
1.86 83.73
1.87 81.99
L 87 83.42
1.88 83.23
1.89 86.48
1.90 87. 55
1.91 83.64
1.94 83. 63

Communication
equipm ent4

$1. 51 $64. 21
1. 61 66.66
1.63 67.26
1.64 67. 49
1.64 65.96
1.65 67.89
1.66 67. 55
1.65 86.30
1.65 67.42
1. 65 68. 51
1.66 67.64
1.65 69.03
1.67 69. 55
1.69 70.88
1.70 70.99

Electrical welding
apparatus

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

46.1
42.6
41.3
41.1
39.7
40.2
41.1
42.5
41.2
41. 5
40.8
42.6
42.5
41.0
41.4

40.6
39.9
39.9
39.9
38.7
39.7
39.4
38.9
39.1
39.6
39.3
39.8
40.2
40.3
40.6

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.98 $72.32
2.00 76.92
1. 98 77. 76
1.98 76. 21
1.97 74. 87
1.95 76.02
1.96 76.03
1.97 75.26
1.99 76.22
2.01 74.68
2.04 75.46
2.03 75. 46
2. 06 76.43
2.04 73.73
2.02 79.17

Radios, phonographs,
television sets,
and equipment

$1. 57 $62.12
1.65 64. 64
1.69 66.23
1. 70 67.03
1. 70 65. 02
1. 71 67.09
1. 71 66. 59
1.70 65.35
1.72 66.08
1.73 67.32
1.73 67.20
1.73 67.66
1.73 68.34
1.75 69.32
1. 74 69.02

Electrical appliances

1952: Average______ $65.93
1953: Average______
67.94
68.00
N ovem ber___
December........ 68.51
1954: January______
68.43
February_____ 69.60
M arch__ ____
69.13
April....... ........
68.73
M a y ........ ........
67. 51
June........ ........
69. 52
July__________ 68.43
August _____
67. 25
September___
67. 82
O ctob er... ._ 69.48
70. 58
N ovem ber___

40.7
40.2
40.0
39.6
39.1
40.0
39.5
39.5
38.8
39.5
39.1
39.1
39.2
39.7
40.1

$1.62 $73. 34
1. 69 76. 67
1.70 76. 95
1.73 75.83
1. 75 76.22
1. 74 76. 99
1.75 74. 69
1.74 75.84
1.74 75. 66
1. 76 79.00
1.75 76.24
1. 72 75.06
1.73 75. 66
1.75 78. 60
1.76 81.19

Motor vehicles, bodies,
parts, and accessories
1952: Average______
1953: Average______
N ovem ber___
December____
1954: January..........
February_____
M arch..............
April....... ........
M a y .__
June.................
July__________
August.............
September___
O c t o b e r .____
N ovem ber____

$83. 64
88.78
87.82
88.22
90.42
86.11
85.10
88.07
89.16
85.85
86.07
88.58
89. 95
91.35
95. 82

40.6
41.1
40.1
40.1
41.1
39.5
39.4
40.4
40.9
39.2
39.3
39.9
39.8
40.6
42.4

See footnotes at end of table.


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

Storage batteries
41.2
41.0
40.5
39.7
39.7
40.1
38.9
39.5
39.2
40.1
39.3
39.3
39.0
39.9
40.8

Truck and bus
bodies

$2.06 $70.18
2.16 74.26
2.19 74.70
2.20 78. 77
2.20 75.58
2.18 72.68
2.16 74.89
2.18 74.96
2.18 77.08
2.19 77.71
2.19 74.10
2. 22 78.09
2. 26 76.22
2. 25 75.83
2.26 76.22

40.8
40.8
40.6
41.9
40.2
39.5
40.7
40.3
41.0
40.9
39.0
41.1
39.7
39.7
39.7

39.9
40.0
39.6
39.7
38.9
40.0
39.7
39.4
38.1
39.2
38.9
38.6
39.1
38.9
38.8

$1.53 $57.49
1. 62 62.27
1.66 58.19
1.68 59.19
1.68 59.72
1.69 61.78
1. 69 61.39
1.68 62.02
1.69 62. 65
1.70 63.27
1.71 61.99
1.70 64.08
1.70 63.99
1.72 66.99
1.70 67.24

41.0
40.0
40.4
40.1
38.8
39.3
39.4
39.5
40.3
41.1
39.1
39.2
38.7
41.4
41. 5

X-ray and nonradio
electronic tubes

$1. 42 $72. 93
1.48 72. 36
1. 52 73.63
1.53 74. 74
1. 52 74.64
1. 52 77. 74
1.53 80. 32
1. 53 77. 57
1.52 77.59
1. 51 76.62
1.50 79. 79
1.50 77.60
1.49 78. 41
1.50 79. 00
1.50 78.98

Trailers (truck and
automobile)

$1. 72 $70. 52
1.82 73.60
1.84 75.95
1.88 75.79
1.88 72.56
1.84 73. 49
1.84 72.89
1. 88 72.68
1.88 76.17
1.90 78.91
1.90 74. 29
1.90 73.70
1.92 74.69
1.91 79. 49
1.92 80.93

40.4
40.7
40.5
39.9
39.2
39.8
39.6
39.2
39.7
39.1
39.3
39.3
39.6
38.2
40.6

40.2
40.7
37.3
37.7
37.8
39.1
39.1
39.5
39 4
39.3
38.5
39.8
39.5
40.6
41.0

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

$1.79 $72.11
1. 89 72.24
1.92 69.60
1. 91 69. 77
1.91 67.20
1. 91 69.32
1.92 68. 57
1.92 67. 77
1.92 69.14
1. 91 69. 77
1.92 70. 30
1.92 69. 95
1.93 73. 39
1.93 72.39
1.95 73.28

Avg.
wkly.
hours

43.7
42.0
40.7
40.8
39.3
40.3
40.1
39.4
40.2
40.1
40.4
40.2
41.7
40.9
41.4

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.65
1.72
1. 71
1. 71
1.71
1. 72
1. 71
1. 72
1.72
1.74
1.74
1.74
1. 76
1.77
1.77

Telephone, telegraph,
and related
equipment
$1.43 $82.03
1.53 82. 49
1. 56 82. 71
1. 57 81.12
1. 58 77. 78
1. 58 79.38
1. 57 78. 99
1.57 77.03
1. 59 78.41
1. 61 79. 40
1.61 78.21
1.61 80. 60
1.62 81. 60
1.65 83. 43
1.64 84. 86

43.4
42.3
42.2
41.6
40.3
40.5
40.3
39.5
39.8
39.9
39.5
40.3
40.8
41.1
41.6

$1.89
1.95
1.96
1.95
1.93
1.96
1.96
1.95
1.97
1.99
1.98
2.00
2.00
2.03
2.04

Transportation equipment

Primary batteries
(dry and wet)

$1. 78 $56.66
1.87 59.20
1.90 60.19
1.91 60.74
1. 92 59.13
1. 92 60.80
1. 92 60.74
1. 92 60.28
1.93 57.91
1. 97 59. 19
1.94 58.35
1. 91 57.90
1.94 58. 26
1.97 58.35
1.99 58.20

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Radio tubes

Electrical machinery— Continued
Misee llaneous eleetrieril products 4

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Insulated wire
and cable

42.9
40.2
39.8
40.4
39.7
40.7
41.4
40. 4
40.2
39.7
40.3
40.0
39.8
40.1
40.5

Total: Transporta­
tion equipment

$1.70 $81.14
1.80 85.28
1.85 84.84
1.85 85.88
1.88 85.86
1. 91 84. 82
1.94 84. 21
1.92 84.82
1.93 85. 67
1. 93 84.59
1.98 84. 38
1.94 85.63
1.97 86.00
1.97 87.26
1.95 90. 69

Aircraft and
parts4

$1. 72 $81.70
1.84 83. 80
1.88 84.03
1.89 85. 27
1.87 83.23
1.87 85.28
1.85 84 46
1.84 83. 43
1.89 83.84
1.92 84 86
1.90 84.66
1.88 85. 27
1.93 85.68
1.92 85. 47
1.95 87.77

43.0
41.9
41.6
41.8
40.6
41.2
41.0
40.5
40.7
40.8
40.7
40.8
40.8
40.7
41.4

41.4
41.2
40.4
40.7
40.5
40.2
40.1
40.2
40.6
39.9
39.8
40.2
40.0
40.4
41.6

Aircraft
$1.90 $79.66
2.00 82.19
2.02 82.61
2.04 83.43
2.05 82. 21
2.07 85.49
2.06 84. 67
2.06 83.22
2.06 83.84
2.08 84.86
2. 08 84.86
2.09 85. 07
2.10 85.89
2.10 85.47
2.12 88. 40

42.6
41.3
41.1
41.1
40.1
41.3
41.1
40.4
40.7
40.8
40.8
40.9
40.9
40.7
41.7

Automobiles4

$1.96 $82. 82
2. 07 87. 95
2.10 87. 02
2.11 87. 42
2.12 89.79
2.11 85. 72
2.10 84. 93
2.11 87. 26
2. 11 88.34
2.12 85. 28
2.12 85.06
2.13 88.00
2.15 89.15
2.16 90. 54
2.18 94.98

40.6
41.1
40.1
40.1
41.0
39.5
39.5
40.4
40.9
39.3
39.2
40.0
39.8
40.6
42.4

$2.04
2.14
2.17
2.18
2.19
2.17
2.15
2.16
2.16
2.17
2.17
2. 20
2.24
2.23
2. 24

Aircraft engines and
parts
$1.87 $86. 92
1.99 87.29
2.01 86.93
2.03 87.96
2. 05 84.67
2.07 85.28
2.06 84.24
2.06 83.84
2.06 83.42
2.08 84. 65
2.08 86. 51
2. 08 86.10
2.10 84.63
2.10 84.63
2.12 84.63

43.9
43.0
42.2
42.7
41.3
41.0
40.5
40.5
4Q.3
40.5
41.0
41.0
40.3
40.3
40.3

$1. 98
2.03
2.06
2.06
2.05
2.08
2.08
2.07
2.07
2.09
2.11
2.10
2.10
2.10
2.10

259

O: EARNINGS AND HOURS

T able C -l: Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing—Continued
Transportation equipment—Continued
Year and month

Aircraft propellers and
parts

Other aircraft parts
and equipment

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

1952: Average.......................... $92.25
1953: Average.........................
85.90
Novem ber___________
85.28
D e ce m b er....................
85.08
1954: January......................... 78.28
February____________
84. 04
M arch_______________
85.67
April__________ _____ _ 82. 76
M a y _ „............................ 79. 87
80.26
June...............................
79.87
July......... ............ ..........
82.53
August_______________
83.35
September___________
83.37
October______________
N ovem ber . . . . . . .
84. 21

45.0
41.9
41.4
41.3
38.0
40.6
40.6
39.6
38.4
38.4
38.4
39.3
39.5
39.7
40.1

$2.05
2.05
2.06
2.06
2.06
2.07
2.11
2.09
2.08
2.09
2.08
2.10
2.11
2.10
2.10

$81.22
85.17
85. 45
87.95
85.07
84.04
84.05
83. 85
85. OS
84. 87
83. 84
84.85
86.10
87.34
88. 61

Ship and boat building
and repairing 4

Shipbuilding and
repairing

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

43.2
42.8
42.3
42.9
41.7
41.4
41.2
40.9
41.3
41.2
40.5
40.6
41.0
41.2
41.6

$1.88
1.99
2.02
2.05
2.04
2.03
2.04
2. 05
2.06
2.06
2.07
2. 09
2.10
2.12
2.13

$75.58
79.37
78.62
82. 37
78.66
81.12
81.95
80.70
80.94
80.55
80.11
81.12
78.83
80.85
80.88

40.2
39.1
37.8
39.6
38.0
39.0
39.4
38.8
39.1
39.1
38.7
39.0
37.9
38.5
38.7

$1.88
2.03
2.08
2.08
2. 07
2. 08
2.08
2.08
2. 07
2.06
2.07
2.08
2. 08
2.10
2.09

$76. 78
80.91
80.30
83.92
80.14
83. 25
84.28
82.18
82.82
82. 64
82.22
83.03
80. 09
82. 51
83.16

40.2
38.9
37.7
39.4
37.8
38.9
39.2
38.4
38.7
38.8
38.6
38.8
37.6
38.2
38.5

$1.91
2.08
2.13
2.13
2.12
2.14
2.15
2.14
2.14
2.13
2.13
2.14
2.13
2.16
2.16

$66.23
70.58
69.66
73.62
70. 53
70.45
70.93
71. 58
72.34
71. 23
68. 95
70. 75
71.06
71.82
69.92

39.9
40.1
38.7
40.9
39.4
39.8
40.3
40.9
41.1
40.7
39.4
40.2
39.7
39.9
39.5

Locomotives and

1952: Average......................... $77.33
1953: Average.........................
80.39
N ovem ber...................
80.11
82. 76
December____________
82.32
1954: January ......... .............
February____________
82.95
M arch...... ...................
81.93
April__________ ______
80.08
M a y _________________
80- 85
81. 45
June________ ________
80. 60
July— ................... .
A u gu st..____ ________
81. 79
78. 02
September.......... ..........
October____________ _ 82. 51
87.20
N ovember --------------

40.7
39.6
38.7
39.6
39.2
39.5
39.2
38.5
38.5
38.6
38.2
38.4
36.8
38.2
40.0

parts

$1.90
2.03
2.07
2.09
2.10
2.10
2.09
2.08
2.10
2.11
2.11
2.13
2.12
2.16
2.18

Laboratory, scientific,
and engineering
instruments
1952: A verage........................ $93.11
1953: Average______ ______ _ 89. 25
N ovem ber____ _____ _ 89.25
88.83
December________ . . .
1954: January______________
80. 50
February____________
83.22
M arch_______ _______
83.43
82.18
April..............................
81.56
M a y ________ . . ___
82. 59
June_________________
79. 72
July______________
August_______________ 82. 59
84.63
September___________
84.63
October________ ____
86.30
N ovem ber______ ____

45.2
42.5
42.3
42.1
38.7
40.4
40.5
39.7
39.4
39.9
38.7
39.9
40.3
40.3
40.9

$2.06
2.10
2.11
2.11
2.08
2.06
2.06
2. 07
2.97
2. 07
2.06
2. 07
2.10
2.10
2.11

$81.14
82. 00
81.54
84.35
82.89
84. 21
82.97
81.97
82.78
85. 22
84. 38
86.43
78. 81
83. 71
86.40

41.4
40.0
39.2
39.6
39.1
40.1
39.7
39.6
39.8
40.2
39.8
40.2
37.0
39.3
40.0

$1.96
2.05
2. 08
2.13
2.12
2.10
2.09
2. 07
2.08
2.12
2.12
2.15
2.13
2.13
2.16

Mechanical measuring
and controlling
instruments
$71.66
74.16
75.26
75.85
72.83
74.70
74.12
73.60
73. 60
74. 77
74. 24
72. 54
74. 26
75.39
75.39

42.4
41.2
40.9
41.0
39.8
40.6
40.5
40.0
40.0
40.2
39.7
39.0
39.5
40.1
40.1

$1.69
1.80
1.84
1.85
1.83
1.84
1.83
1.84
1 84
1. 86
1.87
1.86
1.88
1.88
1.88

40.0
39.4
38.4
39.6
39.2
39.1
38.9
37.7
37.5
37.3
37.3
37.2
36.6
37.5
40.0

1952: Average........... .............. $76. 73
1953: Average.................. ....... 77. 49
N ovem b er....................
80.83
80.83
December_____ ______
81.16
1954: January.........................
February____________
80. 57
M arch____ __________
79.98
79.99
April_________________
79. 79
M a y ____ ___ ______
80.98
June................... ............
79. 59
July_________________
79.79
August_______________
80.60
September___________
81.20
October____ _________
81.60
N ovem ber __________
See footnotes at end of table.


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

41.7
41.0
42.1
42.1
41.2
40.9
40.6
40.4
40.3
40.9
40.4
40.5
40.3
40.6
40.8

$1.84
1.89
1.92
1.92
1.97
1.97
1.97
1.98
1.98
1. 98
1.97
1.97
2. 00
2.00
2.00

$76.68
79.00
76. 45
78. 35
75.11
73.38
73.20
72.65
74. 52
75. 41
74.64
73.68
76.73
76.78
78.69

42.6
42.7
41.1
41.9
40.6
40.1
40.0
39.7
40.5
39.9
39.7
39.4
40.6
40.2
41.2

40.1
41.6
41.0
40.9
39.4
39.5
39.4
38.3
38.4
37.6
38.6
38.5
39.5
40.4
39.6

$1.80
1.85
1.86
1.87
1.85
1.83
1.83
1.83
1.84
1.89
1.88
1.87
1.89
1.91
1.91

$1. 51
1.61
1.64
1.65
1.64
1.63
1.64
1.63
1.64
1. 64
1.65
1.66
1. 67
1.66
1.66

$1.66
1.76
1.80
1.80
1.79
1.77
1.76
1.75
1.76
1. 75
1.75
1. 76
1. 79
1.80
1.77

$73.02
73.49
70.86
69.34
68.78
71.31
71.31
71.16
73. 35
77. 27
71.97
74.43
74. 40
71.23
70.86

42.7
40.6
38.3
38.1
38.0
39.4
39.4
39.1
46.3
41.1
38.9
39.8
40.0
38.5
38.3

$1. 71
1.81
1.85
1.82
1.81
1.81
1.81
1.82
1.82
1. 88
1.85
1.87
1.86
1.85
1.85

Surgical, medical, and
dental Instruments
$64.68
66.74
65.85
66.83
66. 00
67.73
67.23
66.30
65. 97
67.13
65. 97
67. 47
67.13
65.46
66.63

41.2
41.2
40.4
40.5
40.0
40.8
40.5
39.7
39. 5
40.2
39.5
40.4
40.2
39.2
39.9

$1.57
1.62
1.63
1.65
1.65
1.66
1.66
1.67
1.67
1. 67
1.67
1.67
1. 67
1.67
1.67

Total: Instruments and
related products
$72.07
73.69
74. 75
75.17
72.22
73.12
72. 76
72.07
72. 07
72.83
72. 29
72. 29
73. 82
74.19
74.56

41.9
41.4
41.3
41.3
39.9
40.4
40.2
39.6
39.6
39.8
39.5
39.5
39.9
40.1
40.3

$1.72
1.78
1.81
1.82
1.81
1.81
1.81
1. 82
1.82
1. 83
1.83
1.83
1.85
1. 85
1.85

Ophthalmic goods

$56.63
58.69
60. 24
60.09
58. 76
58. 76
58.71
58.20
58 20
58. 50
58. 35
56.70
59. 65
59.04
59.70

39.6
40.2
40.7
40.6
39.7
39.7
39.4
38.8
38. S
39.0
38.9
37.8
39. 5
39.1
39.8

$1.43
1.46
1.48
1.48
1.48
1.48
1.49
1.50
1.50
1.50
1. 50
1.50
1.51
1. 51
1. 50

Miscellaneous manufacturing Industries
Total: Miscellaneous
manufacturing Industries

Watches and
clocks
$60. 55
66.98
67.24
67. 49
64.62
64.39
64.62
62.43
62.98
61. 66
63.69
63. 91
65.97
67.06
65. 74

$1.85
2.01
2.07
2. 07
2.08
2.10
2.09
2.09
2.11
2.10
2.11
2.11
2.11
2.17
2.19

Optical Instruments
and lenses

Instruments and related products—Continued
Photographic
apparatus

Other transportation
equipment

Railroad and
streetcars
$74.00
79.19
79. 49
81.97
81.54
82.11
81.30
78.79
79.13
78. 33
78.70
78. 49
77.23
81.38
87.60

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Instruments and related
products

Transportation equipment—Continued
Kail road
equipm en t4

Boatbuilding and
repairing

$61.50
64.06
65.12
65. 53
63.43
64.16
64.00
62. 72
63. 43
63. 36
62. 79
63.84
64.40
65.21
65.04

41.0
40.8
40.7
40.7
39.4
40.1
40.0
39.2
39.4
39.6
39.0
39.9
40.0
40.5
40.4

$1.50
1.57
1.60
1.61
1.61
1.60
1.60
1.60
1.61
1.60
1.61
1.60
1.61
1.61
1.61

Jewelry, silverware,
and plated ware 4
$65.99
68.85
72. 31
71.98
66.58
68.22
67.24
65.69
66.00
65. 85
64.06
66. 26
70. 05
71.71
71.98

42.3
42.5
43.3
43.1
40.6
41.6
41.0
40.3
40.0
40.4
39.3
40.9
42.2
43.2
43.1

$1.56
1.62
1.67
1.67
1.64
1.64
1.64
1.63
1.65
1.63
1.63
1.62
1.66
1.66
1.67

Jewelry and
findings
$63.33
65.41
68.05
68. 53
63.65
64.95
64.12
63.34
62.80
62. 93
60. 30
62. 58
66. 99
68.89
68.53

42.5
42.2
42.8
43.1
40.8
41.9
41.1
40.6
40.0
40.6
38.9
40.9
42.4
43.6
43.1

$1. 49
1. 55
1.59
1.59
1.56
1. 55
1.56
L 66
1.57
1. 55
1. 55
1. 53
1.58
1.58
1.59

260

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T able C - l : Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1— Continued
Manufacturing—Continued
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries—Continued
Year and month

1952: Average.......................
1953: Average______________
N ovem ber___________
December____________
1954: January............. ..........
February............ .........
M arch_______________
A p ril.............................
M a y ____________ ____
June______ _____ ____
July__________________
August_______________
Septem ber....................
O ctober.. __________
Novem ber___________

Silverware and plated
ware

Musical
instruments
and parts

T oys

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
$70. 81
75.86
80.00
77.83
71.33
73.98
73. 03
70. 27
71.60
70. 62
71.02
74. 03
76.68
77.65
79. 06

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings
$68.64
71. 81
73. 51
73. 51
70.75
70. 40
69.13
67.90
67.06
71. 06
70.88
71.20
74. 98
77. 65
77.28

Avg.
wkly.
hours
41. 9
43.1
44.2
43.0
40.3
41. 1
40.8
39.7
40.0
39.9
39.9
40.9
41.9
42.2
43.2

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1. 69
1. 76
1. 81
1. 81
1. 77
1.80
1. 79
1.77
1.79
1.77
1.78
1.81
1.83
1.84
1.83

Avg.
w kly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

41.1
40.8
41.3
41.3
40.2
40.0
39.5
38.8
38.1
39.7
39.6
40.0
41.2
42.2
42.0

$1.67
1.76
1.78
1. 78
1.76
1.76
1.75
1. 75
1.76
1.79
1. 79
1. 78
1.82
1.84
1.84

$58. 73
60.70
62. 93
61.69
60.22
60.30
59.98
57. 76
59.01
57.66
56. 77
58. 41
58.50
59. 40
58. 50

and
sporting
goods »
Avg.
wkly.
hours

40.5
40.2
40.6
39.8
38.6
38.9
39.2
38.0
39.1
38.7
38.1
39.2
39.0
39.6
39.0
Manufacturing—Continued

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1. 45
1. 51
1. 55
1. 55
1.56
1. 55
1.53
1.52
1.51
1. 49
1.49
1. 49
1.50
1. 50
1.50

Games, tops, dolls, and
children’s vehicles

Sporting

and
goods

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

$58. 84
61. 35
64.84
61. 70
59. 63
60. 83
61.15
58. 52
59.13
57. 28
56. 09
58.31
58. 26
59. 45
57. 96

40.3
40.1
41.3
39.3
37.5
38.5
39.2
38.0
38.9
38.7
37.9
39.4
39.1
39.9
38.9

$1. 46
1.53
1 57
1.57
1.59
1. 58
1.56
1.54
1. 52
1. 48
1.48
1.48
1.49
1.49
1.49

$58.90
60. 35
59. 65
61.41
60. 65
59.49
58. 65
56.77
58 71
58. 20
57. 98
58.74
58. 98
59.58
59.04

40.9
40.5
39.5
40.4
39.9
39.4
39.1
38.1
39. 4
38.8
38.4
38.9
38.8
39.2
39.1

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings
$1.44
1.49
1.51
1.52
1. 52
1.51
1. 50
1.49
1.49
1.50
1.51
1. 51
1.52
1.52
1.51

Transportation and
public utilities

Miscellaneous manufacturing industries— Continued
Pens, pencils, and other
office supplies
1952: Average__________ . . . $57. 26
40.9
$1.40
1953: A verage........................
40.4
58. 98
1.46
N o v e m b e r................. . 60.79
40.8
1.49
December__________
1. 48
61.12
41.3
1954: January________ ____
59. 30
39.8
1. 49
February. ............. .
41.2
1.50
61.80
M arch_______________
1. 49
40.8
60. 79
April___________
1.51
61. 61
40.8
M a y .....................
1. 51
61.31
40 6
June_____________
1. 50
61. 05
40.7
July--------------------------39.8
1.49
59.30
August____________
59. 35
1.48
40.1
September___________
1.50
60. 45
40.3
O ctober..
62.58
40.9
1.53
Novem ber_____ . . . .
1.54
63. 76
41.4

athletic

Costume jewelry, but­
tons, notions
$55. 74
$1.39
40.1
59.09
40.2
1. 47
38.9
67. 57
1. 48
39.7
1. 47
58. 36
57.42
1. 48
38.8
1. 46
67.67
39.5
39.6
1.46
57.82
1.46
55.63
38.1
56.45
1.47
3«. 4
1.47
39.3
57.77
1.46
38.5
56.21
1.44
39.4
56.74
56.50
1.46
38.7
1.47
57. 77
39.3
57.67
1.46
49.5

Fabricated plastic prod­ Other manufacturing
ucts
industries
$64. 79
41.8
$1. 55 $62. 02
$1.52
40.8
67. 97
1.63
41.7
64.80
40.5
1.60
67. 73
41.3
1. 64
65. 53
40.2
1.63
68.31
41.4
1. 65
66. 50
1.65
40.3
66.23
39.9
1.66
65. 46
39.2
1. 67
40.4
67.06
1.66
66.00
1.65
40.0
67. 40
66.40
1.66
40.6
40.0
1.66
65.40
65.18
39.4
1.66
39.5
1.65
66. 86
39.8
1.68
66.13
39.6
1. 67
40.0
67. 20
1.68
66. 30
39.7
1. 67
67.60
40.0
1.69
65. 35
38.9
1.68
68. 61
1.69
40.6
66.63
39.9
1.67
69. 36
1.70
40.8
66. 23
39.9
1.66
69.53
40.9
1.70
66.57
40.1
1.66
41.4
70.38
1. 70
66. 23
39.9
1.66
Transportation and public utilities—Continued

Class I railroads 5
$74. 30
76. 33
76.04
76. 78
75.08
79.18
78.66
78. 50
76. 06
79.84
77. 59
79.10
80.32
78.38

40.6
40.6
39.4
40.2
38.7
40.4
41.4
41.1
39.2
41.8
40.2
41.2
41.4
40.4

$1.83
1.88
1.93
1.91
1.94
1.96
1.90
1. 91
1.94
1.91
1.93
1.92
1.94
1.94

Communication
Local

1952: Average___________
1953: A verage.............
N ovem ber___________
December___________
1954: January__________
February_______
M arch________
April___________
M a y ___________
June______________
J u ly .._______ ________
August____________
September________ _
October___ _____ . . .
Novem ber____

railways
buslines *

and
Switchboard operating
employees 1

Telephone

46.4
$76. 56
$1. 65
77.12
45.1
1. 71
77.18
44.1
1. 75
1.74
77. 43
44.5
44.4
78. 59
1. 77
77. 25
43.4
1.78
77.33
43.2
1.79
77.58
43.1
1.80
77.94
43.3
1.80
79.10
43.7
1. 81
78. 51
42.9
1.83
78. 26
43.0
1.82
78.14
42.7
1.83
78. 32
42.8
1.83
42.4
77. 59
1.83
T ra n sp orta tion and
public utilities—Con.

$61. 22
65.02
67. 90
65.84
65.70
65. 74
65.70
66.09
67. 38
67. 34
68.60
67. 69
71.60
72. 04
72. 65

38.5
38.7
38.8
38. 5
38.2
38.0
38.2
38.2
38.5
38.7
39.2
38.9
40.0
39.8
39.7

$1. 59
1.68
1. 75
1. 71
1.72
1.73
1.72
1.73
3.75
1.74
1. 75
1. 74
1.79
1.81
1.83

$51.43
54. 39
57.88
53. 58
54. 30
54.36
53.64
54. 09
56 98
56.39
57.15
56.47
58. 90
60. 04
60. 86

37.0
37.0
37.1
36.2
36.2
36.0
36.0
36.3
37.0
37.1
37.6
37.4
38.0
38.0
37.8

$1. 39
1. 47
1.56
1. 48
1.50
1. 51
1.49
1.49
1.54
1.52
1.52
1. 51
1. 55
1.58
1.61

Wholesale and retail trade

Other public utilities
Total: Gas and electric
utilities
1952: Average_____ ____ ___
1953: Average..................
N ovem ber. _________
December___________
1954: January..........
F ebruary.. ______
M arch______
April__________ .
M a y ________ _
June.......... ...........
J m y .._______ ________
August_______________
September___________
October______________
N ovem ber____ ______

$75.12
80. 51
82.98
82.37
81. 77
80.97
80. 77
80. 77
81.59
82.40
83.83
83.43
85. 49
86.94
85.08

See footnotes at end of table.


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41.5
41.5
41.7
41.6
41.3
41.1
41.0
41.0
41.0
41.2
41.5
41.3
41.7
42.0
41.3

$1.81
1.94
1. 99
1. 98
1.98
1. 97
1.97
1.97
1.99
2.00
2.02
2.02
2.05
2. 07
2.06

Line construction, in­
stallation, and mainte­
Telegraph
nance employees 8
$86. 51
42.2
$2.05 »$72.48
»43.4
» $1. 67
92. 23
42.5
2.17
74.23
1.78
41.7
95. 87
2.24
42.8
73. 34
41.2
1.78
95.44
42.8
2.23
41.1
73. 16
1. 78
91.94
41.6
2.21
72.80
40.9
1. 79
92.57
41.7
2.22
73.69
41.4
1.78
93.91
2. 22
42.3
73. 75
41.2
1.79
93. 46
42.1
2.22
75.78
42.1
1.80
93. 88
42.1
2.23
42.1
75. 78
1.80
94. 75
42.3
2.24
77.15
41.7
1. 85
96. 95
42.9
2.26
41.7
77.15
1.85
95.18
42.3
2. 25
41.8
77.33
1. 85
105. 77
45.2
2.34
77.93
1.86
41.9
104.13
44.5
2. 34
42.1
78.31
1.86
104. 55
44.3
2.36
76.78
41.5
1.85

Retail trade
Wholesale trade

$67.80
71. 69
72.50
73.26
72.76
72.36
72.76
73.16
73. 93
73.93
74. 34
74. 34
74.74
74. 93
74.93

40.6
40.5
40.5
40.7
40.2
40.2
40.2
40.2
40. 4
40.4
40.4
40.4
40.4
40.5
40.5

$1. 67
1. 77
1. 79
1.80
1. 81
1.80
1.81
1.82
1.83
1. 83
1. 84
1. 84
1.85
1.85
1.85

Retail trade (except
eating and drinking
places)

General

$52. 67
55. 02
55.10
54. 49
55. 77
55. 91
55. 91
55.91
56.41
57.38
58.51
58. 36
57. 62
57.18
56. 65

$38. 41
38.96
38. 64
39.93
40.14
39.90
40.13
39. 76
39. 91
41.30
42.35
41. 76
40.83
40.48
41.06

39.9
39.3
38.8
39.2
39.0
39.1
39.1
39.1
3.8.9
39.3
39.8
39.7
39.2
38.9
38.8

$1.32
1. 40
1. 42
1.39
1. 43
1.43
1.43
1.43
1.45
1.46
1.47
1. 47
1.47
1.47
1.46

merchandise
stores *
35.9
35.1
34.5
36.3
34.9
35.0
35.2
35.5
34.7
35.3
36.2
36.0
35.2
34.9
34.8

$1.07
1.11
1.12
1.10
1.15
1.14
1.14
1.12
1.15
1.17
1.17
1.16
1.16
1.16
1.18

Department stores and
general mail-order
houses
$44. 77
44.88
44.60
47.13
45.31
45.47
45.49
45. 74
45. 82
47.06
47. 84
47.32
46.93
46.41
47.52

37.0
35.9
35.4
37.7
35.4
35.8
36.1
36.3
35.8
36.2
36.8
36.4
36.1
35.7
36.0

$1. 21
1.25
1.26
1.25
L 28
1.27
1.26
1.26
1.28
1.30
1.30
1.30
1.30
1.30
1.32

261

C : EARNINGS AND HOURS

T able C -l: Hours and gross earnings of production workers or nonsupervisory employees 1—Continued
Wholesale and retail trade—Continued
Retail trade—Continued
Other retail trade
Year and month

1952: Average................
1053: Average............... .
Novem ber______
December........... .
1954: January_________
February..............
M arch__________
April.................... .
M a y ......................
Ju n e.................. .
J u l y .................... .
A ugust.................
September______
October_________
N ovem ber______

Food and liquor stores

Automotive and acces­
sories dealers

Apparel and accessories
stores

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
w kly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

$56.52
58.89
59.75
59.83
59. 75
59. 59
59. 75
59. 75
59. 82
60. 92
62.57
62.09
61.53
60. 80
61.34

39.8
39.0
38.3
38.6
38.3
38.2
38.3
38.3
38.1
38.8
39.6
39.3
38.7
38.0
38.1

$1.42
1.51
1. 56
1.55
1.56
1.56
1.56
1.56
1.57
1. 57
1. 58
1.58
1.59
1.60
1.61

$70.06
73. 92
74.32
72.37
71.60
72.82
73.26
74.76
75. 75
76.37
76.37
75. 75
74.70
75.14
74.42

45.2
44.8
44.5
44.4
44.2
44.4
44.4
44.5
44.3
44.4
44.4
44.3
44.2
44.2
44.3

$1.55
1.65
1.67
1.63
1.62
1.64
1.65
1.68
1.71
1.72
1.72
1. 71
1.69
1.70
1.68

$43.68
44. 96
45.63
46.90
46.11
46.15
45. 80
46.37
45.37
46.51
47.29
47. 06
46. 51
46. 95
46.68

35.8
35.4
35.1
35.8
35.2
35.5
35.5
35.4
34.9
35.5
36.1
36.2
35.5
35.3
35.1

$1.22
1.27
1.30
1.31
1.31
1.30
1.29
1.31
1.30
1.31
1.31
1.30
1.31
1.33
1.33

$61.06
62.31
62. 97
66.07
63.00
61.89
62.46
62.31
62.73
63. 30
64. 30
63. 84
63. 99
64. 99
64. 57

42.7
42.1
41.7
42.9
42.0
42.1
42.2
42.1
42.1
42.2
42.3
42.0
42.1
42.2
42.2

$1.43
1.48
1.51
1.54
1.50
1.47
1.48
1.48
1.49
1.50
1. 52
1. 52
1.52
1.54
1.53

$61.19
64.65
66.22
65. 79
64.14
65.33
65.33
66.22
67.39
67. 70
67. 86
68. 45
67.98
68. 85
68. 57

43.4
43.1
43.0
43.0
42.2
42.7
42.7
43.0
43.2
43.4
43.5
43.6
43.3
43.3
43.4

Furniture and appliance
stores

Lumber and hardware
supply stores

Personal services

Avg.
w kly.
earnings

1952: A v era ge_____

1953: Average____
N ovem b er...
December___
1954: January____
February___
M arch______
April_______
M a y ________
June..............
J u l y . ........... .
August_____
Septem ber...
October_____
N o v e m b er..

$52.50
54.84
55.33
55.68
56.51
56. 79
56.47
56. 76
57.19
57.09
57.66
57.75
57. 71
58. 02
57.88

Avg.
wkly.
earnings

$81.08
82.94
81.73
84.19
86.83
86. 57
89. 53
92.09
91. 53
92. 97
94. 89
97.66
96.75
97.24
99.18

Insurance
carriers

Hotels, year-round11

$63.38
67.29
68.54
68. 43
68.74
68.66
69.06
68.99
69. 72
69.78
71.12
71.09
70.68
70.90
70. 62

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

Avg.
wkly.
earn­
ings

A vg.
wkly.
hours

Avg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

$37.06
38.40
39. 67
39.81
39. 71
39.90
39.81
39. 62
40.13
39.81
40.03
40.13
40.64
40.87
41.26

42.6
42.2
42.2
41.9
41.8
42.0
41.9
41.7
41.8
41.9
41.7
41.8
41.9
41.7
42.1

$0.87
.91
.94
.95
.95
.95
.95
.95
.96
.95
.96
.96
.97
.98
.98

$38.63
39. 69
40.00
40. 60
39.70
39.80
39.60
40.80
40.30
40. 50
40.00
39. 40
40. 50
40. 50
40.00

41.1
40.5
40.0
40.6
39.7
39.8
39.6
40.4
40.3
40.5
40.0
39.4
40.1
40.5
40.0

$0.94
.98
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.01
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.01
1.00
1.00

$45.10
45. 71
45.98
46.68
45. 08
45. 55
46.26
50.40
47.32
49.20
45.78
45. 46
47.24
47. 72
46.73

41.0
40.1
39.3
39.9
38.2
38.6
39.2
42.0
40.1
41.0
38.8
38.2
39.7
40.1
39.6

$1.10
1.14
1.17
1.17
1.18
1.18
1.18
1.20
1.18
1.20
1.18
1.19
1.19
1.19
1.18

i Data are based upon reports from cooperating establishments covering
both full- and part-time employees who worked during, or received pay for,
any part of the pay period ending nearest the 15th of the month. For mining,
manufacturing, laundries, and cleaning and dyeing plants, data refer to pro­
duction and related workers only. For the remaining industries, unless other­
wise noted, data relate to nonsupervisory employees and working supervisors.
Data for the most recent month are subject to revision without notation;
revised figures for earlier months will be identified b y asterisks the first month
they are published.
J See footnote 2, table A-2.
* See footnote 3, table A-2.
* Italicized titles which follow are components of this Industry.
• Figures for class I railroads (excluding switching and terminal companies)
are based upon monthly data summarized in the M-300 report by the Inter­
state Commerce Commission and relate to all employees who received pay
during the month, except executives, officials, and staff assistants (ICC
Group I).
• Beginning with January 1953, data include only privately operated estab­
lishments. Averages for earlier years include both privately operated and
Government operated establishments.
TData relate to employees in such occupations in the telephone industry as


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Cleaning and dyeing
plants

Laundries

A vg.
wkly.
earnings

$1.41
1.50
1.54
1.53
1.52
1.53
1. 53
1.54
1.56
1. 56
1.56
1. 57
1.57
1.59
1. 58

Service and miscellaneous

Finance, insurance, and real estate10

Security
Banks and
trust com ­ dealers and
exchanges
panies

A vg.
hrly.
earn­
ings

M otionpicture pro­
duction and
distribu­
tion 18

Avg.
wkly.
earnings

$90. 56
90.04
92.38
95.25
92.18
92.97
92. 55
92. 25
97.30
101. 81
102. 79
101.65
98. 90
102.28
95.87

switchboard operators, service assistants, operating-room instructors, and
pay-station attendants. During 1953 such employees made up 45 percent of
the total number of nonsupervisory employees in telephone establishments
reporting hours and earnings data.
teM
8 Data relate to employees in such occupations in the telephone industry as
central office craftsmen; installation and exchange repair craftsmen; line,
cable, and conduit craftsmen; and laborers. During 1953 such employees
made up 24 percent of the total number of nonsupervisory employees in
telephone establishments reporting hours and earnings data.
* 10-month average.
10 Data on average weekly hours and average hourly earnings are not avail­
able.
« M oney payments only; additional value of board, room, uniforms, and
tips not included.
See N ote ou p. 231.

N ote .— Information on concepts, methodology, etc., is
given in a technical note on Hours and Earnings in Nonagricultural Industries, which appeared in the April 1954
Monthly Labor Review.

262

M ONTHLY

T able

Bituminouscoal mining

Laundries

Period

1955

Manufacturing

Bituminouscoal mining

Laundries

Period

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

Cur­ 1947-49
rent
dollars
dollars

A verage.................. $23.86
Average___________
25.20
Average.................... 29.58
Average___________
36. 65
A verage...................
43.14
Average.____ ______ 46.08
Average........... ......... 44.39
Average___________
43.82
Average.................... 49. 97
A vera g e..............
54. 14
Average......... ..........
64. 92
Average....... .......... . 59.33
Average_____ ____ _ 64. 71
Average___________
67.97
Average................ .
71.69

$40.17
42.07
47.03
52.58
58.30
61.28
57.72
52.54
52.32
52. 67
53.95
57. 71
58. 30
59.89
62.67

$23. 88
24.71
30. 86
35.02
41.62
51.27
52. 25
58.03
66. 59
72.12
63.28
70.35
77.79
78.09
85.31

$40.20
41.25
49.06
50.24
56.24
68.18
67. 95
69. 58
69.73
70.16
62.16
68. 43
70.08
68.80
74. 57

$17. 64
17.93
18.69
20.34
23.08
25.95
27.73
30.20
32.71
34.23
34. 98
35. 47
37.81
38.63
39.69

$29. 70
29.93
29. 71
29.18
31.19
34. 51
36.06
36. 21
34. 25
33.30
34.36
34.50
34.06
34.04
34. 69

1953: N ovem ber________ $71. 60
December_________
72.36
1954: January___________
70. 92
February..................
71.28
M arch____ ____ _
70. 71
A pril_____________
70.20
M a y ____ _________
71.13
J u n e _____ ____ _
71.68
July______________
70.92
August............ ......... 71.06
September________
71.86
October___________
72. 22
Novem ber 2______
73. 57

$62.26
62.98
61. 56
61.98
61. 59
61.26
61.85
62.28
61.56
61.79
62.65
63.07
64.20

$81.17
82.25
82.34
79. 04
73.06
71.67
76.32
83.00
75.39
82.09
81.17
87.54
87.79

$70.58
71.58
71.48
68.73
63.64
62.54
66.37
72.11
65.44
71. 38
70.77
76.45
76. 61

$40.00
40. 60
39.70
39.80
39.60
40.80
40.30
40.50
40.00
39. 40
40. 50
40.50
40.00

1 These series indicate changes in the level of average weekly earnings prior
to and after adjustment for changes in purchasing power as determined from
the Bureau’s Consumer Price Index, the years 1947-49 being the base period.

T able C -3 :

$34.78
35.34
34. 46
34. 61
34.49
35.60
35.04
35.19
34. 72
34.26
35. 31
35.37
34.90

» Preliminary,
„
° ee N ote on p. 231.

Average weekly earnings, gross and net spendable, of production workers in manufacturing
industries, in current and 1947-49 dollars 1

Gross average
weekly earnings

Net spendable average weekly
eanlings
Worker with
no dependents

Period

Amount
1939:
1940:
1941:
1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:
1946:
1947:
1948:
1949:
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:

R E V IE W , F E B R U A R Y

C -2: Gross average weekly earnings of production workers in selected industries, in current and
1947-49 dollars 1
Manufacturing

1939:
1940:
1941:
1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:
1946:
1947:
1948:
1949:
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:

LABOR

Average___________ $23.86
Average___________
25.20
A vera g e__________
29.58
Average . ________
36. 65
A vera g e__________
43.14
Average___________
46.08
Average___________
44.39
Average________ _. 43.82
Average___________
49.97
Average___________
54.14
Average____ ______
54. 92
Average___________
59.33
Average___________
64. 71
Average___________
67. 97
Average___________
71.69

Index
Cur­
(1947rent
49 = 100) dollars
45.1
47.6
55.9
69.2
81.5
87.0
83.8
82.8
94.4
102.2
103. 7
112.0
122.2
128.4
135.4

$23.58
24. 69
28.05
31.77
36.01
38.29
36.97
37. 72
42.76
47.43
48.09
51.09
54.04
55. 66
58. 54

Worker with 3
dependents

1947-49
dollars

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

$39.70
41.22
44.59
45.58
48. 66
50. 92
48.08
45.23
44. 77
46.14
47.24
49.70
48.68
49.04
51.17

$23.62
24. 95
29.28
86.28
41.39
44.06
42.74
43.20
48. 24
53.17
53.83
57. 21
61.28
63.62
66.58

$39. 76
41.65
46. 55
52.05
55.93
58. 59
55. 58
51.80
50. 51
51.72
52.88
65. 65
55. 21
56.05
58.20

1 N et spendable average weekly earnings are obtained b y deducting from
gross average weekly earnings, social security and income taxes for which the
specified type of worker is liable. The amount of income tax liability de­
pends, of course, on the number of dependents supported b y the worker as
well as on the level of his gross income. Net spendable earnings have, there­
fore, been computed for 2 types of income-receivers: (1) A worker with no
dependents; (2) a worker with 3 dependents. See footnote 1, table C-2.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

N et spendable average weekly
earnings
Gross average
weekly earnings
Worker with
no dependents

Period

Amount
1953: N ovem ber____
December____
1954: January______
February_____
M arch________
A pril.................
M a y ........... ......
June........ .........
July__________
A u g u s t ...........
September____
October_______
N ovem b er2___

$71. 60
72.36
70. 92
71.28
70. 71
70.20
71.13
71.68
70. 92
71.06
71.86
72.22
73.57

Index
Cur­
(1947rent
49=100) dollars
135.2
136.7
133.9
134.6
133.5
132.6
134.3
135.4
133.9
134.2
135.7
136.4
138.9

$58. 47
59. 06
58.80
59. 09
58.63
58.22
58. 97
59. 41
58.80
58. 91
59. 55
59.84
60.92

Worker with 3
dependents

1947-49
dollars

Cur­
rent
dollars

1947-49
dollars

$50.84
51. 40
51.04
51.38
51.07
50.80
51.28
51.62
51.04
51. 23
51.92
52.26
53.16

$66.50
67. 11
66.00
66. 30
65. 83
65. 41
66.18
66.63
66.00
66.12
66. 78
67.07
68.18

$57.83
58. 41
57.29
57.65
57. 34
57.08
57. 55
57.89
57.29
57.50
58.22
58. 58
59.49

The computation of net spendable earnings for both the worker with no
dependents and the worker with 3 dependents are based upon the gross aver­
age weekly earnings for all production workers in manufacturing industries
without direct regard to marital status and family composition. The pri­
mary value of the spendable series is that of measuring relative changes in
disposable earnings for 2 types of income-receivers.
2 Preliminary.
See N ote on p. 231.

263

C : EARNINGS AND HOURS

T a b l e C - 4 : A verage hourly earnings, gross and excluding overtim e, of production workers in m a n u ­
facturing industries 1
Manufacturing

Excluding
overtme

Period
Gross
amount

Amount

1941:
1942:
1943:
1944:

Average........
Average____
Average........
Average____

1951: Average........
1952: Average____
1953: Average____

Durable goods

$0.729
.853
.961
1.019
1.023
1.086
1.237
1.350
1.401
1.465
1.59
1.67
1.77

Index
(194749 = 100)

$0,702
.805
.894
.947
* .963
1.051
1.198
1.310
1.367
1.415
1.53
1.61
1.71

Nondurable
goods

Manufacturing

54.5 $0.808 $0. 770 $0,640
.947
.881
.723
62.5
69.4 1.059
.976
.803
.861
73.5 1.117 1.029
.904
* 74.8 1.111 *1.042
81.6 1.156 1.122 1.015
93.0 1.292 1.250 1.171
101.7 1.410 1.366 1.278
106.1 1.469 1.434 1.325
109.9 1.537 1.480 1.378
118.8 1.67
1.60
1.48
1.54
1.70
125.0 1.77
132.8 1.87
1.80
1.61

$0.625
.698
.763
.814
* .858
.981
1.133
1.241
1.292
1.337
1.43
1.49
1.56

Excluding
overtime

Period

Ex­
Exclud­
cluding
Gross over­ Gross ing over­
time
time

Durable goods

Gross
amount

1953: N ovem ber.—
D ecem b er...
1954: January........
February___
A p ril....... .
July________
August_____
September...
October____
N ovem ber 3.

Gross
Amount

Index
(194749=100)

$1.74
1.74
1.76
1.75
1.75
1. 75
1.76
1.76
1.76
1. 74
1. 76
1.76
1.77

135.1
135.1
136.6
135.9
135. 9
135.9
136.6
136.6
136.6
135.1
136.6
136.6
137.4

$1.79
1.80
1.80
1.80
1. 79
1.80
1.81
1.81
1.80
1. 79
1.81
1.81
1.83

$1.89
1.90
1.91
1.90
1. 90
1.90
1.91
1.91
1.91
1.91
1.93
1. 93
1.94

Nondurable
goods

Ex­
Ex­
cluding
cluding
over­ Gross over­
time
time

$1.83
1.84
1.86
1.85
1.85
1.85
1.86
1.86
1.86
1.85
1.87
1.87
1.88

$1.63
1.64
1.65
1.65
1.65
1.65
1.66
1.66
1.66
1.65
1. 66
1. 66
1.67

$1.59
1.59
1.61
1.61
1.61
1. 61
1.62
1.62
1.62
1.60
1.61
1.61
1.62

1 11-month average; August 1945 excluded because of V -J holiday period.
* Preliminary.
See N ote on p. 231.

i Overtime is defined as work in excess of 40 hours per week and paid for
at time and one-half. The computation of average hourly earnings excluding
overtime makes no allowance for special rates of pay for work done on holidays.

T a b l e C - 5 : Indexes of aggregate w eekly m an-hours in industrial and construction a c tiv ity 1
[1947-49=100]

Annual
average

1953

1954
Major industry group and industry
July

June

May

April

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

Nov.

1953

1952

102.9

100.2

102.1

100.4

99.9

101.8

102.4

101.9

108.4

110.6

113.5

109.7

74.8

72.5

75.4

72.3

71.5

73.9

78.0

80.3

82.9

83.2

86.6

90.9

129.4

135.4

132.7

129.4

122.5

115.9

109.8

106.0

98.3

120.6

130.1

124.2

127.6

101.4

100.1

97.4

100.0

99.5

102.5

103.5

103.8

108.4

109.6

113.7

108.4

107.2 108.1
542.0 587.8

110.6
654.3

112.5
712.1

113.7
764.1

118.4
812.7

119.6
809.2

125.5
826.7

116.6
625.0

85.3
91.6
97.3
92.8

84.1
96.2
98.2
94.4

82.3
96.7
97.8
97.5

79.6
96.1
96.2
101.4

86.1
101.4
103.2
105.4

91.2
103.8
105.4
106.7

94.0
108.2
106.6
114.0

96.9
106.2
104.3
104.6

107.8
102.0
122.0
136.0
112.0

106.9
103.7
123.8
138.6
114.3

109.4
106.6
127.9
141.0
118.9

111.5
108.6
130.6
144.0
120.9

112.9
109.4
131.1
148.6
121.9

115.4
112.3
138.3
151.1
128.1

117.8
111.4
143.3
146.3
129.1

123.7
118.9
148.0
158.7
129.1

112.1
118.4
131.2
138.0
122.7

96.4

95.6

96.6

101.0

102.1

98.7

107.5

112.1

109.8

100.5

91.6
89.4
78.4
78.0

89.4
84.2
75.5
76.0

89.2
81.3
73.5
76.5

92.9
81.5
75.0
79.2

92.8
81.8
80.1
79.5

92.1
83.8
87.3
78.5

96.4
89.4
101.7
83.2

97.6
95.1
96.1
84.2

99.7
93.5
90.1
90.0

98.6
94.7
92.2
90.7

91.9
108.5

91.5 93.8
106.9 105.7

106.1
107.8

104.3
107.5

98.2
107.6

103.5
111.1

102.8
112.3

106.8
111.4

104.5
105.9

104.9
101.0
99.3
100.1
87.4

104.0 104.0
101.8 103.8
97.4 94.0
98.3 95.0
82.2 85.3

105.4
104.9
94.0
96.4
93.8

103.7
104.4
94.9
99.1
94.9

104.3
105.0
95.3
100.1
91.9

109.0
106.1
97.3
102.8
92.3

107.2
107.2
99.3
104.0
88.7

105.5
107.8
100.9
111.7
96.4

102.7
104.7
98.2
108.4
96. fit

Sept. Aug.

N ov .3

Oct.

Total*____________ __________________

104.5

103.8

103.1

Mining------- -------- -----------------------------

73.5

73.0

71.3

Contract construction........................... .

125.3

129.3

____________________ 103.6

102.2

Durable. --------------------------------------- 110.1
Ordnance and accessories __________ 480.8
Lumber and wood products (except
97.5
furniture). _____________________
Furniture and fixtures______________ 101.4
Stone, clay, and glass products_______ 102.4
95.7
Primary metal industries______ ____
Fabricated metal products (except
ordnance, machinery, and trans­
portation equipment)...................... 109.9
Machinery (except electrical)________ 95.3
Electrical machinery______ ____ _____ 132.1
Transportation equipment.......... ....... 137.5
Instruments and related products____ 110.4
Miscellaneous manufacturing indus­
tries. ..... ............ ...................... —. 103.7

107.3
490.5

104.7
494.7

103.5
489.9

102.2
506.1

107.0
522.1

97.7
101.7
102.2
92.7

92.3
99. 7
100.7
91.5

83.2
96.6
99.9
91.6

80.6
88.9
96.7
91.5

93.8
90.0
97.8
94.0

88.5
88.8
97.6
92.4

108.0
94.8
128.7
125.6
110.0

106.0
95.3
125.5
118.3
109.8

105.5
94.9
121.5
124.2
106.6

102.8
95.9
117.2
127.0
106.8

107.5
100.6
119.8
131.9
110.2

104.6

101.6

97.8

91.6

Nondurable_____________ ______ ___
Food and kindred products.................
Tobacco manufactures______________
Textile-mill products______________
Apparel and other finished textile prod­
ucts____________________________
Paper and allied products___________
Printing, publishing, and allied indus­
tries. _______________ . _______
Chemicals and allied products...........
Products of petroleum and coal______
Rubber products__________________
Leather and leather products________

95.8
91.6
94.1
83.4

96.1
95.8
111.0
81.6

97.6
103.9
107.9
80.2

96.1
101.0
97.4
79.6

91.7
94.8
78.1
75.8

100.9
110.9

99.6
110.4

100.6
110.2

101.0
109.0

91.8
107.2

106.6
103.3
94.3
106.9
90.3

106.5
103.1
94.0
103. 6

106. 7 104.5
102.3 99.9
96.7 97.5
98.2 87.0
88.1
92.9

103.9
99.4
98.6
85.8
90.3

Manufacturing._

86.6

1 Aggregate man-hours are for the weekly pay period ending nearest the
15th of the month and do not represent totals for the month. For mining and
manufacturing industries, data refer to production and related workers. For
contract construction, the data relate to construction workers.


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

99.1

1 Preliminary.
* Includes only the divisions shown,

264

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

D : Consumer and Wholesale Prices
T able D - l : Consumer Price Index 1— United States average, all items and commodity groups
[1947-49-100]
H ousing8
Year and month

All
Items

Total
food 8

Total
apparel
T otal«

1947:
1948:
1949:
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:

Rent

Gas and
Solid
House
House­
electric­ fuels and furnish­ hold op­
ity
fuel oil
ings
eration

Reading Other
Trans­
and
goods
porta­ M e d ica l Personal
care
care
recrea­
and
tion
tion
services«

Average_________
Average—........... _
Average_________
Average_________
Average.......... .
Average________
Average....... ........

95.5
102.8
101.8
102.8
111.0
113.5
114.4

95.9
104.1
100.0
101.2
112.6
114.6
112.8

97.1
103.5
99.4
98.1
106.9
105.8
104.8

95.0
101.7
103.3
106.1
112.4
114.6
117.7

94.4
100.7
105.0
108.8
113.1
117.9
124.1

97.6
100.0
102.5
102.7
103.1
104.5
106.6

88.8
104.4
106.8
110.5
116.4
118.7
123.9

97.2
103.2
99.6
100.3
111.2
108.5
107.9

97.2
102.6
100.1
101.2
109.0
111.8
115.3

90.6
100.9
108.5
111.3
118.4
126.2
129.7

94.9
100.9
104.1
106.0
111.1
117.2
121.3

97.6
101.3
101.1
101.1
110.5
111.8
112.8

95.5
100.4
104.1
103.4
106.5
107.0
108.0

96.1
100.5
103.4
105.2
109.7
115.4
118.2

1951: January_________
February_______
M arch............. .
A p r il....................
M a y ............. .........
June____________
July.......................
A u g u st................
September______
October_________
N ovem ber______
December_______

108.6
109.9
110.3
110.4
110.9
110.8
110.9
110.9
111.6
112.1
112.8
113.1

109.9
111.9
112.0
111.7
112.6
112.3
112.7
112.4
112.5
113.5
114.6
115.0

103.8
105.6
106.2
106.4
106.6
106.6
106.3
106.4
109.3
109.2
108.5
108.1

110.4
111.2
111.7
111.9
112.2
112.3
112.6
112.6
112.9
113.2
113.7
113.9

110.6
111.3
111.9
112.2
112.5
112. 7
113.1
113.6
114.2
114.8
115.4
115.6

103.1
103.1
103.1
102.8
103.2
103. 0
103.1
103.2
103.2
103.3
103.3
103.4

115.1
116.4
116.7
116.7
115.2
115.4
115.9
116.2
116.6
117.1
117.4
117.6

109.3
110.5
111.1
111.6
112.1
112. 0
112.0
111. 1
111.3
110.9
111. 1
110.8

107.2
108.1
108.4
108.3
108.7
108. 7
109.1
109.0
108.8
109.6
110.4
111.1

114.7
115.8
116.9
117.2
117.6
117.5
117.8
118.7
119.7
120.5
122.1
122.2

108.5
108.9
109.9
110.3
110.7
111.0
111.0
111.2
111.8
112.6
113.1
114.3

109.8
110.6
110.7
110.7
110.8
110.8
110.6
110.4
110.0
110.0
110.6
111.1

105.6
106.4
107.0
107.3
107.3
106.5
106.6
106.4
105.8
105.9
106.3
106.5

108.4
108.7
108.9
109.0
109.2
109.1
109.1
109.1
109.6
109.6
112.4
112.8

1952: January...............
February_______
M arch__________
A p ril___________
M a y ____________
June____ _______
July____________
A ugust_________
September______
October_________
N ov em b er..........
December_______

113.1
112.4
112.4
112.9
113.0
113.4
114.1
114.3
114.1
114.2
114.3
114.1

115.0
112.6
112.7
113.9
114.3
114.6
116.3
116.6
115.4
115.0
115.0
113.8

107.0
106.8
106.4
106.0
105.8
105.6
105.3
105.1
105.8
105.6
105.2
105.1

113.9
114.0
114.0
114.0
114.0
114.0
114.4
114.6
114.8
115.2
115.7
116.4

116.0
116.4
116.7
116.9
117.4
117.6
117.9
118.2
118.3
118.8
119.5
120.7

103.5
103.8
103.8
103.9
104.1
104.3
104.2
105. 0
105.0
105 0
105.4
105.6

117.7
117.6
117.7
117.3
115.6
115.8
118.6
119.0
119.6
121.1
121.6
123.2

110.2
110.0
109.4
108.7
108.3
107.7
107.6
107.6
108.1
107.9
108.0
108.2

110.9
110.8
111.0
111.0
111.2
111.2
111.8
111.9
112.1
112.8
113.3
113.4

122.8
123.7
124.4
124.8
125.1
126.3
126.8
127.0
127.7
128.4
128.9
128.9

114.7
114.8
115.7
115.9
116.1
117.8
118.0
118.1
118.8
118.9
118.9
119.3

111.0
111.1
111.0
111.3
111.6
111.7
111.9
112.1
112.1
112.3
112.4
112.5

107.2
106.6
106.3
106.2
106.2
106.8
107.0
107.0
107.3
107.6
107.4
108.0

113.2
114.4
114.8
115.2
115.8
115.7
116.0
115.9
115.9
116.8
115.8
115.9

1953: January________
F e b r u a r y ..____
M arch__________
April __________
M a y ____________
June......................
July____________
August_________
September______
October_________
Novem ber______
December_______

113.9
113.4
113.6
113.7
114.0
114.5
114.7
115.0
115.2
115.4
115.0
114.9

113.1
111.5
111.7
111.5
112.1
113.7
113.8
114.1
113.8
113.6
112.0
112.3

104.6
104.6
104.7
104.6
104.7
104.6
104.4
104.3
105.3
105.5
105.5
105.3

116.4
116.6
116.8
117.0
117.1
117.4
117.8
118.0
118.4
118.7
118.9
118.9

121.1
121.5
121. 7
122.1
123.0
123.3
123.8
125.1
126.0
126.8
127.3
127.6

105.9
106.1
106.5
106.5
106.6
106.4
106.4
106.9
106.9
107.0
107.3
107.2

123.3
123.3
124.4
123.6
121.8
121.8
123.7
123.9
124.6
125.7
125.9
125.3

107.7
108.0
108.0
107.8
107.6
108.0
108.1
107.4
108.1
108. 1
108.3
108.1

113.4
113.5
114.0
114.3
114.7
115.4
115.7
115.8
116.0
116.6
116.9
117.0

129.3
129.1
129.3
129.4
129.4
129.4
129.7
130.6
130.7
130.7
130.1
128.9

119.4
119.3
119.5
120.2
120.7
121.1
121.5
121.8
122.6
122.8
123.3
123.6

112.4
112.5
112.4
112.5
112.8
112.6
112.6
112.7
112.9
113. 2
113.4
113.6

107.8
107.5
107.7
107.9
108.0
107.8
107.4
107.6
107.8
108.6
108.9
108.9

115.9
115.8
117.5
117.9
118.0
118.2
118.3
118.4
118.5
119.7
120.2
120.3

1954: January_________
February_______
M arch_______ . . .
April _________
M a y . ...................
June____________
July____________
August.................
September______
October_________
N o v e m b e r _____
December_______

115.2
115.0
114.8
114.6
115.0
115.1
115.2
115.0
114.7
114.5
114.6
114.3

113.1
112.6
112.1
112.4
113.3
113.8
114.6
113.9
112.4
111.8
111. 1
110.4

104.9
104.7
104.3
104.1
104.2
104.2
104.0
103.7
104.3
104.6
104.6
104.3

118.8
118.9
119.0
118.5
118.9
118.9
119.0
119.2
119. 5
119.5
119. 5
119.7

127.8
127.9
128.0
128.2
128.3
128.3
128. 5
128.6
128.8
129.0
129.2
129.4

107.1
107.5
107.6
107.6
107.7
107.6
107.8
107.8
107.9
108.5
108.7
109.1

125.7
126.2
125.8
123.9
120.9
120.9
121.1
121.9
122.4
123.8
124.2
125.5

107.2
107.2
107.2
106.1
105.9
105.8
105.7
105.4
106.0
105.6
105.4
105.4

117.2
117.3
117.5
116.9
117.2
117.2
117.2
117.3
117.4
117.6
117.8
117.7

130.5
129.4
129.0
129.1
129.1
128.9
126.7
126.6
126.4
125.0
127.6
127.3

123.7
124.1
124.4
124.9
125.1
125.1
125.2
125.5
125.7
125.9
126.1
126.3

113.7
113.9
114.1
112.9
113.0
112.7
113.3
113.4
113. 5
113.4
113.8
113.6

108.7
108.0
108.2
106.5
106. 4
106.4
107.0
106.6
106. 5
106. 9
106. 8
106.6

120.3
120. 2
120.1
120. 2
120.1
120.1
120.3
120.2
120.1
120 1
120 0
119.9

»A major revision was incorporated in the Consumer Price Index tw inning
January 1953. The revised index, based on 46 cities, has been linked to the
previously published “ interim adjusted” indexes for 34 cities and rebased on
1947-49=100 to form a continuous series, For the convenience of users, the
“ All-items” indexes are also shown on the 1935-39=100 base in table D-4.
The revised Consumer Price Index measures the average change in prices
of goods and services purchased by urban wage-earner and clerical-worker
families. Data for 46 large, medium, and small cities are combined for the
United States average.
For a history and description of the index, see: The Consumer Price Index—
A Laym an’s Guide, Bulletin 1140; The Consumer Price Index, in the Feb­
ruary 1953 M onthly Labor Review; The Interim Adjustment of Consumers’
Price Index, in the April 1951 M onthly Labor Review; Interim Adjustment
of Consumers’ Price Index, Bulletin 1039, and the following reports: Con­
sumers’ Price Index, Report of a Special Subcommittee of the House C om ­


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

mittee on Education and Labor (1951); and Report of the President’s Com ­
mittee on the Cost of Living (1945).
Mimeographed tables are available upon request showing indexes for the
United States and 20 individual cities regularly surveyed by the Bureau for
“ All items” and 8 major components from 1947 to date. Indexes are also
available from 1913 for “ All items,” food, apparel, and rent, for all large cities
combined, and from varying dates for individual cities.
8 Includes “ Food away from home” (restaurant meals and other food
bought and eaten away from home); prior to January 1953, prices for this
category were estimated to move like prices for “ Food at home” but, since
that date, have been measured by prices of restaurant meals.
8 Includes “ Other shelter.”
4 Includes tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and “ miscellaneous services” (such
as legal services, banking fees, and burial services).

265

D : CONSUMER AND WHOLESALE PRICES

T a b l e D -2 : Consumer Price Index 1— United States average, food and its subgroups
[1947-49=100]

Food at home

Year and month

A v g ...........
A v g ...........
A v g ______
A v g ______
A v g ______
A v g ...........
A vg______
Jan........... .
F eb ........ _.
M ar______
A p r.......... M a y _____
June______
July......... .
A ug---------Sept......... .
Oct.............
N o v ______
D e c............
1953: Jan....... .
F eb ______
M ar...........
1947:
1948:
1949:
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:
1952:

Total
food >

95.9
104.1
100.0
101.2
112.6
114.6
112.8
115.0
112.6
112.7
113.9
114.3
114.6
116.3
116.6
115.4
115.0
115.0
113.8
113.1
111.5
111.7

Total
food
at
home

95.9
104.1
100.0
101.2
112.6
114.6
112.5
115.0
112.6
112.7
113.9
114.3
114.6
116.3
116.6
115.4
115.0
115.0
113.8
112.9
111.1
111.3

Cereals Meats,
and
poul­
bakery
try,
prod­
and
ucts
fish
94.0
103.4
102.7
104. 5
114.0
116.8
119.1
115.3
115.5
115.7
115.6
117.2
116.9
117.6
117.5
117.4
117.5
117.5
117.7
117.7
117.6
117.7

93.5
106.1
100.5
104.9
117.2
116.2
109.9
117.1
116.7
115.2
114.8
114.5
116.5
116.4
119.4
119.2
116.9
114.3
113.0
110.9
107.7
107.4

Food at home

Year and month

Dairy
prod­
ucts

Fruits
and
vege­
tables

Other
foods *

96.7
106.3
96.9
95.9
107.0
111.5
109.6
112.0
112.7
112.0
110.4
109.3
108.9
110.2
111.0
112.5
113.2
113.3
112.7
111.6
110.7
110.3

97.6
100.5
101.9
97.6
106.7
117.2
113.5
118.2
109.5
113.7
121.1
124.3
122.4
124.0
118.7
111.5
111.3
115.9
115.8
116.7
115.9
115.5

100.1
102.5
97.5
101.2
114.6
109.3
112.2
109. 1
105.8
104.4
105.0
104.4
105.2
111.5
113.1
113.7
115.1
114.3
110.6
109.7
107.3
109.1

i See footnote 1 to table D - l . Indexes for 18 food subgroups (1935-39=
100) from 1923 to December 1952 were published In the March 1953 M onthly
Labor Review and In previous Issues.

1953: A pr.......... .
M a y . ___
June..........
July.........
A u g ..........
S ept............
O ct..............

N o v ______
D e c _______

1954: Jan.............
F eb ............
M ar______
A p r........ .
M a y ..........
June..........
July--------A u g...........
Sept______
O ct_______

N o v ______
D ec______

Total
fo o d J

111.5
112.1
113.7
113.8
114.1
113.8
113.6
112.0
112.3
113.1
112.6
112.1
112.4
113.3
113.8
114.6
113.9
112.4
111.8
111.1
110.4

Total
food
at
home

111.1

111.7
113.7
113.8
114.1
113.5
113.3
111.4
111.7
112.6
112.0
111.4
111.8
112.8
113.3
114.2
113.3
111.6
110.9
110.1
109.2

Cereals Meats,
and
potrlbakery
try,
and
prod­
fish
ucts

Dairy
prodnets

Fruits
and
vege­
tables

Other
foods1

106.8
109.2
111.3
112.0
114.1
113.5

109.0
107.8
107.5
108.3
109.1
109.6

115.0
115.2
121.7
118.2
112.7
106.6
107.7
107.4
109.2
110.8
108.0
107.8
110.0
114. 6
117.1
120.1
114.7
110. 5
111.1
109.6
108.4

110.4
110.3
110.9
112.3
114.4
116.7
117.4
114.8
113.5
113.5
114.0
112.3
113.6
114.5
115.2
117.3
119.6
116.0
115.7
113.7
112.0

118.0
118.4
118.9
119.1
119.5
120.3
120.4
120.6
120.9
121.2
121.3
121.2
121.1
121.3
121.3
121.6
122.3
122.6
122.7
123.1
123.3

111.1

110.1

107.0
107.8
110.2
109.7
109.5
110.5

110.5
110.3
109. 7
109.0
108.0
104.6
103.5
102.9
104.3
105.1
105.8
106.7
106.6
106.8

111.0
111.1

109.7
107.6
106.7
103.9
103.5
102.2

> See footnote 2 to table D - l .
» Includes eggs, fats and oils, sugar and sweets, beverages (nonalcoholic),
and other miscellaneous foods.

T a b l e D - 3 : Consumer Price Index 1— United States average, apparel and its subgroups
[1947-49=100]

Year and month

1948: A v g . . ......................

1952: A v g . . ...................
1953: A v g .. ....................
Feb_______________

Feb............................
M a r ........................

Total
apparel

97.1
103. 5
99.4
98.1
106.9
105.8
104.8
107.0
106.8
106.4
106.0
105.8
105. 6
105.3
105.1
105. 8
105. 6
105.2
105.1
104. 6
104.6
104.7

M en ’s
and
boys’
97.3
102. 7
100.0
99. 5
107. 7
108.2
107. 4
109. 6
109.1
108. 7
108. 5
108.3
108.3
108.1
108.0
107.8
107. 7
107. 5
107.4
107.1
107.3
107.3

W om en’s
and
girls’
98.0
103.8
98.1
94.8
102.2
100.9
99. 7
101.6
101.8
101.4
100.8
100. 6
100. 5
100.1
99.9
101.6
101.6
100.6
100. 4
99. 7
99.3
99.6

Foot­
wear

94. 5
103.2
102. 4
104.0
117.7
115.3
115.2
117.1
116.7
116. 4
116.1
115.9
115. 4
114.9
114. 5
114.2
113.9
114.1
114.4
114.3
114.6
114.6

Other *
apparel

(*)
108.6
93.2
92.0
101.6
92.1
92.1
94. 0
93. 6
92.8
92.0
91.5
91.3
91.1
91.2
91. 5
91. 7
92.3
92. 5
92.0
92 3
92.4

1 See footnote 1 to table D -l .
includes diapers, yard goods, and an unpriced group of Items represented


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

Year and month

1953: Apr.......................
M a y ______________

Sept_________ _____

1954: Jan_______________
Feb_____ _________
M ar.................. . . .
M a y ... __________
June...................... ..
A u g _______________
Sept..........................
N o v ______________
Dec____ _____ _____

Total
apparel

104.6
104. 7
104. 6
104.4
104. 3
105. 3
105. 5
105. 5
105.3
104. 9
104. 7
104.3
104.1
104.2
104.2
104.0
103.7
104. 3
104.6
104.6
104.3

M en’s
and
boys’
107.3
107.4
107.2
107.4
107.3
107.5
107.6
107.8
107.6
107.4
107.4
107.2
107.1
107.3
107.0
106.6
106.4
106.4
106.4
106.5
106.5

W om en’s
and
girls’
99.4
99. 4
99.2
98.9
98. 7
100. 5
100.8
100. 7
100. 5
99. 8
99. 5
99.0
98. 4
98. 5
98.5
98. 2
97. 7
99.0
99.6
99.5
99.0

Foot­
wear

114.8
115.1
115.3
115.0
115.0
115.3
115.8
116.2
116.1
116.2
116.1
116.1
116.1
115.9
116.3
116. 5
116.9
116. 5
116. 7
117.0
116.9

Other1
apparel

92.1
92. 5
92.3
92. 2
92.0
92. 5
92.3
91.3
90. 9
90. 4
90. 4
90. 0
90. 4
90.9
91.0
90.8
90. 7
90.9
91.1
91.2
91.1

In the Index by the weighted average of prices for all priced items in the total
apparel group.
* N ot available.

266

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T a b l e D -4 : Consumer Price Index 1— United States average, all items and food
1947-49=100

1935-39=100

Year

1913:
1914:
1915:
1916:
1917:
1918:
1919:
1920:
1921:
1922:
1923:
1924:
1925:
1926:
1927:
1928:
1929:
1930:
1931:
1932:
1933:
1934:
1935:
1936:
1937:
1938:
1939:
1940:
1941:
1942:
1943:
1944:
1945:
1946:

1947-49=100

1935-39 = 100

1947-49=100

Year and month

All
items

Total
food 8

42.3
42.9
43.4
46.6
54.8
64.3
74.0
85.7
76.4
71.6
72.9
73.1
75.0
75.6
74.2
73.3
73.3
71.4
65.0
58.4
55.3
57.2
58.7
59.3
61.4
60.3
59.4
59.9
62.9
69.7
74.0
75.2
76.9
83.4

39.6
40.5
40.0
45.0
57.9
66.5
74.2
83.6
63.5
59.4
61.4
60.8
65.8
68.0
65.5
64.8
65.6
62.4
51.4
42.8
41.6
46.4
49.7
60.1
52.1
48.4
47.1
47.8
52.2
61.3
68.3
67.4
68.9
79.0

Average______
Average______
Average.........
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average...........
Average______
Average...........
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average--------Average..........
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average____ _
A vera g e_____
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average_____
Average......... .
A verage..........
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average______

1 See footnote 1 to table D - l .

All items

70.7
71.8
72.5
77.9
91.6
107.5
123.8
143.3
127.7
119.7
121.9
122.2
125.4
126.4
124.0
122.6
122.5
119.4
108.7
97.6
92.4
95.7
98. 1
99.1
102.7
100.8
99.4
100.2
105.2
116.6
123.7
125.7
128.6
139.5

1935-39=100

Year and month

1947:
1948:
1949:
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:
1950:

Average______
Average_______
Average_______
Average______
Average______
Average______
Average.......... January______
February_____
M arch__ „____
_______
April
M a y _______ __
June__________
July___________
August_______
September____
October_______
November____
December____
1951: January______
February.........
M arch________
April__________
M a y __________
June_________
July...................
August_______

September___
O cto b e r______
Novem ber____
December___
1952: January_______
February_____

All
items

Total
food 1

95.5
102.8
101.8
102.8
111.0
113.5
114.4
100.6
100.4
100. 7
100.8
101.3
101.8
102.9
103. 7
104.4
105.0
105.5
106.9
108.6
109.9
110.3
110.4
110.9
110.8
110.9
110.9
111.6
112.1
112.8
113.1
113.1
112.4

95.9
104.1
100.0
101. 2
112.6
114. 6
112.8
97.0
96.5
97.3
97.7
98.9
100.5
103.1
103.9
104.0
104.3
104.4
107.1
109.9
111.9
112.0
111. 7
112.6
112.3
112. 7
112.4
112.5
113. 5
114.6
115.0
115.0
112.8

All
items

All items

159.6
171.9
170.2
171.9
185.6
189.8
191.3
168. 2
167.9
168.4
168. 5
169.3
170.2
172.0
173.4
174.6
175.6
176.4
178.8
181. 5
183.8
184.5
184.6
185.4
185.2
185.5
185.5
186.6
187.4
188.6
189.1
189.1
187.9

September____
November____

A p r il...
June__________
August.......... .
September___
November____
December___

June__________
August________
September___
Novem ber___
December___

Total
food 8

112 4
112 9
113 0
113 4
114 1
114 3
114.1
114 2
114.3
114 1
113 9
113 4
113 6
113 7
114 6
114.5
114 7
115.0
115.2
115 4
115.0
114.9
115 2
115 0
114 8
114 6
115 0
115.1
115 2
115.0
114.7
114 5
114.6
114.3

All items

112 7
113 9
114 3
114 6
lift a
116 6
115.4
115 0
115.0
113 8
113 1
111 5
111 7
111 5
112 1
113.7
113 8
114.1
113. 8
113 6
112.0
112.3
113 1
112 0
112 1
112 4
113 3
113.8
114 6
113.9
112.4
111 8
111.1
110.4

188 0
188* 7
189 0
189 0
190 8
191 1
190.8
190 ft
19l! 1
190 7
190 4
189 0
190* 1
190 0
19L4
191 8
192.3
192.6
192 ft
192.3
192.1
192 0
192 a
191 ft
191 0
192 a
192.4
192 0
192.3
191.8
191 4
191.6
191.1

1 See footnote 2 to table D -l .

T a b l e D -5 : Consumer Price Index 1— All items indexes for selected dates, by city
1935-39
= 100

1947-49=100
City
Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

Sept.
1954

Aug.
1954

July
1954

June
1954

M ay
1954

Apr.
1954

Mar.
1954

Feb.
1954

Jan.
1954

Dec.
1953

June
1950

Revised
series
Dec.
1954

United States average 8..................................

114.3

114.6

114.5

114.7

115.0

115.2

115.1

115.0

114.6

114.8

115.0

115.2

114.9

101.8

191.1

Atlanta, Ga______________________________
Baltimore, M d __________________________
Boston, M a s s ________ ____ ______ ______
Chicago, 111______________
_________
Cincinnati, Ohio--------------------------------------

115.7
114.8
0
117.0
113.3

(3)
0
0
117.6
0

0
0
113.5
117.1
0

116.3
115.2
0
117.4
114.3

0
0
0
117.7
0

0
0
113.8
118.0
0

117.6
115.5
0
117.3
114.2

0
0
0
117.3
0

0
0
112.9
116.5
0

117.0
114.8
0
116.7
114.2

0
0
0
116.7
0

0
0
112.7
116.7
0

117.1
114.5
0
116.4
114.6

0
101.6
102.8
102.8
101.2

196.2
197.3
0
199.3
190.8

Cleveland, Ohio________ _____________
Detroit, M ich ___________________________
Houston, Tex____________________________
Kansas C ity, M o ____ ___________________
Los Angeles, Calif_______________________

(3)
116.2
0
0
115.3

115.3
116.9
116.7
0
115.0

0
116.0
0
115.7
114.8

0
116. 2
0
0
115.4

115.3
116.8
116.5
0
115.1

0
117.5
0
115.6
114.9

0
117.1
0
0
115.7

115.3
116.9
116.7
0
115.9

0
116.7
0
115.5
115.7

0
116.5
0
0
116.2

115.2
116.4
116.9
0
116.6

0
117.0
0
115.0
116.8

0
116.4
0
0
115.8

0
102.8
103.8
0
101.3

0
196.1
0
0
192.7

Minneapolis, M in n ______________________
0
New York, N . Y .......................................... . 112.2
Philadelphia, Pa_______ ____ ____________ 115.6
Pittsburgh, Pa___________________________
0
Portland, Oreg__________________________
(3)

0
112.7
115.9
0
0

116.9
112.6
116.1
114.3
115.2

0
112.7
116.2
(3)
0

0
113.0
116.2
0
0

117.3
113.3
116.3
115.4
115.5

0
112.9
115.9
0
0

0
112.9
115.3
0
0

116.3
112.5
115.1
114. 5
114.8

0
112.4
114.9
0
0

0
112.8
115.2
0
0

116.6
113.0
115.3
114.4
115.4

0
113.0
115.0
0
0

102.1
100.9
101.6
101.1
0

0
185.7
192.4
0
0

115.4
115.7
(3)
(3)
(3)

0
0
112.3
115.7
113.5

0
0
0
0
0

115.7
116.2
0
0
0

0
0
112.4
116.2
114.1

0
0
0
0
0

117.4
116.8
0
0
(*)

0
0
112.3
116.3
113.7

(»)
0
0
0
0

116.9
116.5
0
0
0

0
0
113.2
116.2
114.1

0
0
0
0
0

116.9
116.9
0
0
0

101.1
100.9
0
0
(»)

192.6
197.7
0
0
0

St. Louis, M o _______ ___________________
San Francisco, Calif_______ _____________
Scranton, Pa_____________________________
Seattle, Wash________________ _________ _
Washington, D . C ____________ ____ _____

1 See footnote 1 to table D -l. Indexes are based on time-to-time changes
in the cost of goods and services purchased b y urban wage-earner and clericalworker families. They do not indicate whether It costs more to live in one
city than in another.
1 Average of 46 cities beginning January 1953. See footnote 1 to table D - l.


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

* Prior to January 1953, Indexes were computed monthly for 9 of these cities
and once every 3 months for the remaining 11 cities on a rotating cycle.
Beginning in January 1953, indeies are computed m onthly for 5 cities and
once every 3 months for the 15 remaining cities on a rotating cycle.

D : CONSUMER AND WHOLESALE PRICES

267

T a b l e D -6 : Consumer Price Index1— All items and commodity groups, except food,2 by city
[1947-49=100]
All items

Personal care

Medical care

Reading and
recreation

Transportation

Other goods
and services

City and cycle of pricing
Decem­
ber 1954

Decem­
ber 1953

Decem­
ber 1954

Decem­
ber 1953

Decem­
ber 1954

Decem­
ber 1953

Decem­
ber 1954

Decem­
ber 1953

Decem­
ber 1954

Decem ­
ber 1953

Decem ­
ber 1954

114.3

114.9

113.6

113.6

126.3

123. 6

127.3

128.9

106.6

108.9

119.9

120.3

117.0
116.2
115.3
112.2
115.6

116.4
116.4
115.8
113.0
115.0

115.2
119.1
117.1
108.3
117.6

114.1
119.5
117.9
108.1
117.1

126.1
127.6
122.9
124.6
133.7

122. 7
122.0
121.2
123.4
123.1

133.1
122.7
126.4
130. 8
137.9

132.8
122.6
123. 4
133.7
135.3

110.7
108.6
96.9
104.2
113.0

108.7
112.8
102.8
108.9
110.8

118.2
124 7
114.3
121. 0
123.9

119.3
125.1
115.8
121.2
122.9

115.7
114.8
113.3
115.4
115.7

117.1
114.5
114.6
116.9
116.9

115.5
107.5
109.0
113.6
111.7

115.9
108.1
109.3
110.0
113.0

121.6
133.4
126 3
139.9
123.7

119.5
132.9
124.6
133.6
123.0

125.7
138.9
123.5
130.6
141.3

129.0
139 6
130.5
136.5
144.1

106.3
117.1
99.3
93.4
107.6

112.5
113.1
99.7
99.6
104. 5

118.0
123.0
116.3
113. 6
115.5

118.2
121.0
118.1
116.7
117.4

N ovem ber 1954

N ovem b e r 1953

N ovember 1954

N ovember 1953

N ovem ber 1954

N ovember 1953

N ovem ber 1954

N ovember 1953

N ovember 1954

N ovem ber 1953

Novem ber 1954

115.3
116.7
112.3
115.7
113.5

115.5
117.3
113.4
116.4
114.3

114.7
119.7
112.0
117.6

114.5
120.1
112.7

111.0

111.6

130.8
119.9
119.6
130.2
118.6

127.6
119.2
119.5
129.5
117.9

122.0
125.8
132.0
128.9
129.4

124.0
126.9
130.4
132.6
128.4

118.0
111.6
117.3
109.3
104.6

119.5
114.9
125.4
115.2
111.4

119.4
119.1
116.1
126.0
129.9

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

113.5
115.7
116.9
114.3
115.2

113.8
115.7
116.6
114.7
116.1

111.8
116.6
115.9
116.6
110.5

112.3
115.9
117.1
112.7
111.7

124.3
136.0
142. 0
126.1
122.8

124.3
119.6
137.9
120.8
121.0

132.8
124.0
118.4
134.2
121.6

136.7
130.6
121.3
140.8
126.5

105.2
115.2
116.6
98.3
116.1

110.1
116.9
116.8
97.1
117.0

118.5
117.3
125.6
120.5
118.7

United States average.......... .
M onthly:
Chicago, 111______________
Detroit, M ic h .__________
Los Angeles, C a l i f...........
New York, N. Y ...............
Philadelphia, P a _________
M ar., June, Sept., and D ec.:
Atlanta, Ga.. ................. .
Baltimore, M d ....................
Cincinnati, Ohio....... .......
St. Louis, M o ___________
San Francisco, C alif. ___

Decem­
ber 1953

N ovember 1953

F e b - M ay, Aug., and Nov.:
Cleveland, Ohio_________
Houston, T ex-------- ---------Scranton, P a................ .......
Seattle, W ash....... .......... .
W ashington, D . 0 . ........ .

111.1

120.0
119.4
115.5
127.2
127.2
October
1953

Jan., Apr., July, and Oct.:

Boston, Mass. __________
Kansas Gity, M o ________
Minneapolis, M in n _____
Pittsburgh, P a __________
Portland, Oreg....... ...........

117.7
118.2
124.7
119. 6
119.8

Apparel
Total

United States average........
M onthly:
Chicago, 111_____________
Detroit, M ich __________
Los Angeles, C alif______
New York, N. Y _______
Philadelphia, P a .......... .
M ar., June, Sept., and Dec.:
Atlanta, G a____________
Baltimore, M d _________
Cincinnati, Ohio_______
St. Louis, M o _________ _

San Francisco, Calif____

M e n ’s and boys’

W om en’s and girls’

December
1954

December
1953

December
1954

December
1953

December
1954

December
1953

104.3

105.3

106.5

107.6

99.0

100.5

106.2
102.4
104.7
103.7
105.8

108.1
103.2
104.2
105.5
106.9

111.3
108.3
108.4
105.9
104.8

113.8
110.0
108.2
106.8
105.1

98.0
94.6
98.5
98.0
104.6

101.3
94.8
98.9
101.4
106.6

110 3
102.5
103.2
103.7
101.9

110.5
102.4
103.8
105.3
105.0

112.1
101.4
104.0
107.8
105.3

114.0
101.9
106.1
109.7
106.8

105.1
98.9
98.1
95.7
96.3

N ovember
1953

November
1954

November
1953

105.0
108.1
106.8
107.3
103.8

107.9
106.2
107.8
108.7
105.4

109.1
107.0
108.8
110.1
106.3

N ovember
1954

Footwear
December
1954

Other apparel5

December
1953

December
1954

116.1

91.1

90.9

120.1
113.0
118.5
115.9
111.2

117.5
113.4
114.5
114.6
110.8

93.6
87.3
83.4
94.1
92.9

93.6
87.5
82.2
94.4
93.7

105.1
98.7
98.0
98.3
102.0

123.2
117.0
122.2
118.9
115.4

120.6
117.2
122.6
117.8
113.8

92.0
94.4
87.1
95.8
87.2

92.1
93.1
86.8
96.0
89.0

November
1954

November
1953

N ovember
1954

November
1953

N ovember
1954

96.8
100.9
100.2
100.4
96.8

98.3
103.4
101.9
102.4
99.4

118.0
127.6
120.0
118.6
114.7

115.9
127.2
120.2
118.7
114.5

93.0
90.9
92.1
86.6
90.5

116.9

December
1953

Novem ber
1953

F eb -M a y , Aug., and Nov.:
Cleveland, Ohio________
Houston, T ex__________
Scranton, P a .....................
Seattle, W ash.................. .

Washington, D. C ........ .

104.1
106.9
105. 7
105.8
102.3
October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

93.0
89.6
91.8
87.3
90.5
October
1953

Tan., Apr., July, and Oct.:
Boston, M ass________
Kansas C ity, M o ____
Minneapolis, M i n n ...

Pittsburgh, Pa______

Portland, Oreg.............
See footnotes at end of table.

8729— 55-------8


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

104.2
104.6
106.0
103.7
107.5

103.6
105.3
106.6
104.5
106.8

103.8
107.1
108.5
106.3
111.2

105.1
108.5
109.5
107.0
111.8

100.2
100.1
101.9
96.5
100.4

98.5
100.1
102.5
98.9
98.6

112.8
114.2
113.9
118.4
120.6

112.1
115.0
113.8
113.8
120.6

104.9
88.0
92.8
98.7
95.4

104.7
89.6
93.3
99.7
95.5

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

268

T a b l e D -6 : Consumer Price Index1— All items and commodity groups, except food,1 by city— Continued
[1947-49=100]
Housing

C ity and cycle of pricing

United States average........... —
M onthly:
Chicago, 111___________ -Detroit, M ich____________
Los Angeles. Calif.........
N ew Y ork, N . Y _________
Philadelphia, Pa_________
M ar., June, Sept., and D ec.:
Atlanta, G a—_ — - ........
Baltimore, M d __________
St. Louis, M o _______ ____
San Francisco, C a lif.........

Feb., M ay, Aug., and N ov.:
Cleveland, O h io ......... .......
Houston, T ex......................
Scranton, Pa........... ...........
Seattle, W ash_____ _____ _
Washington, D . C ............

Jan., Apr., July, and Oct.:
Boston, Mass____________
Kansas C ity, M o _______
Minneapolis. M in n ______
Pittsburgh, Pa._.................
Portland, Oreg......... .........

Total housing

Solid fuels and
fuel oil

Housefumishings

Household operation

Decem ­
ber 1954

Decem ­
ber 1953

Decem ­
ber 1954

Decem ­
ber 1953

Decem ­
ber 1954

D ecem ­
ber 1953

Decem ­
ber 1954

Decem ­
ber 1953

D ecem ­
ber 1954

Decem­
ber 1953

Decem ­
ber 1954

119.7

118.9

129.4

127.6

109.1

107.2

125.5

125.3

105.4

108.1

117.7

117.0

128.5
122.4
125.1
116.1
114.5

124.2
121.3
124.7
115.5
113.2

(9
(4)
(4)
(4)
0)

(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)

106.2
109.0
113.6
108.2
102.3

99.9
110.5
109.5
108.9
102.3

124.6
119.3
(4)
129.8
123.4

124.5
119.2
(*)
130.1
123.0

108.4
109.0
106.7
105.0
109.3

109.5
110.3
110.6
108.0
110.1

121.1
110.3
108.1
119.1
114.7

120.8
106.7
108.1
119.6
113.2

124.0
115.1
117.6
119.9
117.8

123.8
113.7
116.4
118.9
118.0

(4)
(4)
131.6
135.5
130.8

(4)
(4)
126.9
130.0
127.8

113.3
100.0
119.5
103.8
130.1

111.8
97.5
113.2
103.8
130.1

119.5
127.2
127.2
138.7
(4)

119.5
124.1
127.2
132.9
(4)

109.3
99.1
101.0
101.3
105.2

112.9
102.7
103.9
109.3
109.1

128.6
112.6
120.1
119.8
108.9

128.2
109.1
121.3
118.2
109.5

N ovem ber 1954

N ovem ber 1953

N ovem ber 1954

N ovem ber 1953

N ovem ber 1954

N ovem ber 1953

N ovem ber 1954

N ovem ber 1953

N ovem ber 1954

N ovem ber 1953

N ovem ber 1954

120.3
124.8
115.7
119.7
117.2

119.4
124.1
116.3
118.9
118.3

(4)
(4)
123.0
(4)
123.0

(4)
(4)
121.9
(4)
122.7

106.8
106.6
112.2
88.5
114.3

106.8
106.5
112.2
99.0
118.1

123.5
(4)
133.2
127.3
130.3

123.8
(4)
139.9
127.0
134.0

103.0
102.4
101.0
105.6
106.9

105.6
103.8
103.3
107.9
110.3

110.9
130.6
110.0
114.2
117.0

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

October
1953

October
1954

119.6
120.6
122.1
117.0
120.1

117.7
118.5
119.3
116.2
119.8

(4)
137.0
(4)
123.9
(4)

(4)
131.5
(4)
121.3
(4)

108.4
118.0
110.0
118.8
107.8

105.8
104.0
110.0
114.5
105.2

124.6
112.1
113.9
119.7
128.0

125.7
113.2
114.8
121.8
127.3

104.8
104.5
106.6
105.1
108.0

108.8
108.0
107.8
106.7
111.3

116.7
122.5
121.1
120.0
112.0

i See footnote 1 to table D -l.
• See tables D -2, D -4 , D-7, and D -8 , for food.


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

Gas and electricity

Rent

* See footnote 2 to table D-3.
* Not available.

Decem ­
ber 1953

N ovem ber 1953
110.8
128.9
107.8
111.5
114.4
October
1953
109.8
121.1
117.4
118.4
111.9

D : CONSUMER AND WHOLESALE PRICES

269

T a b l e D - 7 : Consumer Price Index1— Food and its subgroups, by city
[1947-49-100]
Food at home
Total food *
Total food at home

City
Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Dec.
1953

Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Cereals and bakery products

Dec.
1953

Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Meats, poultry, and fish

Dec.
1953

Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Dec.
1953

United States average 3.._____

110.4

111.1

112.3

109.2

110.1

111.7

123.3

123.1

120.9

102.2

103.5

107.8

Atlanta, Ga..... ................... .......
Baltimore, M d ______________
Boston, M a s s ,......................
Chicago, 111__________________
Cincinnati, Ohio_____________

110.0
111.4
108.5
108.2
112.0

110.5
112.4
108.9
109.6
113.0

112.7
112.9
109.3
110.5
114.8

108.3
110.0
106.8
106.7
111.1

109.0
111.1
107.3
108.5
112.3

112.2
112.1
107.8
109.6
114.4

117.0
122.3
119.1
116.7
124.7

116.5
122.4
119.1
116.5
124.5

115.1
121.0
119.1
117.2
120.4

104.9
104.4
99.2
97.5
104.3

106.6
105.8
100.4
99.4
106.2

115.3
109.9
104.1
103.4
111.9

Cleveland, Ohio........................
Detroit, M ich________________
Houston, T ex........... ...............
Kansas City, M o . . _________
Los Angeles, Calif_____ ____ _

108.9
113.0
109.8
107.1
110.7

109.7
113.9
110.3
107.9
110.9

110.3
114.4
112.4
109.4
113.4

107.7
111.7
108.8
105.7
108.6

108.6
112.6
109.4
106.8
109.0

109.5
113.4
lit .7
109.0
112.1

120.5
119.8
118.2
120.3
127.5

120.3
117.7
118.2
120.0
127.1

117.0
118.3
116.9
120.3
122.3

99.9
102.2
98.7
97.9
102.0

100.5
103.1
99.8
99.8
103.1

105.2
107.5
105.8
105.0
108.9

Minneapolis, M in n ____ _____
N ew York, N . Y ....... ................
Philadelphia, Pa_______ ____ _
Pittsburgh, Pa______________
Portland, Oreg_______________

109.9
110.1
112.6
110.8
109.7

110.8
111.0
113.4
111.8
109.8

111.8
110.9
114.7
112.9
112.0

109.1
109.0
111.3
110.0
108.8

110.3
110.5
112.4
111.1
108.9

111.2
110.6
113.9
112.5
111.6

125.4
127.3
120.7
124.6
124.4

125.1
127.3
120.8
124.4
124.5

122.3
125.3
121.2
119.2
117.0

97.8
103.4
104.5
98.7
103.7

98.4
105.1
105.3
99.7
105.4

100.4
108.0
110.3
103.5
110.8

St. Louis, M o . . . ......................
San Francisco, Calif..................
Scranton, P a_________________
Seattle, W ash__________ _____
Washington, D . C ___________

112.3
111.8
108.1
110.8
109.7

113.5
112.6
109.8
110.6
110.1

115.1
114.2
111.8
111.0
110.7

110.1
110.7
107.8
110.5
108.1

111.6
111.7
109.7
110.2
108.7

114.2
113.8
111.5
110.7
110.0

118.8
130.3
118.6
127.4
120.8

118.6
130.3
118.7
126.9
120.7

115.9
127.3
119.3
122. 0
115.4

102.3
105.9
102.3
102.7
98.2

103.6
106.8
103.8
103.5
98.7

108.8
107.8
107.6
105.3
105.0

Food at home—Continued
Dairy products

City
Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Fruits and vegetables
Dec.
1953

Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Other foods at home 4

Dec.
1953

Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Dec.
1953

United States average_____________________

106.8

106.6

110.3

108.4

109.6

109.2

112.0

113.7

113.5

Atlanta, Ga______________________________
Baltimore, M d ___________________ ________
Boston, Mass______________________ _____ __
Chicago, 111 _ _____________________________
Cincinnati, Ohio________________________

108.3
109.1
111.4
105.5
111.3

108.0
108.8
110.0
105.6
111.2

110.2
112.1
111.3
108.8
112.3

110.1
105.5
106.2
107.2
105.9

111.3
106.5
105.0
110.9
106.6

110.9
108.2
102.5
107.0
110.3

105.1
112.6
103.7
116.6
117.4

105.8
114.9
105.8
119.2
119.4

107. 5
111.3
104.1
118.7
119.4

Cleveland, Ohio___________________________
Detroit, M ich____________________________
Houston, Tex _______ _____________________
Kansas City, M o __________________________
Los Angeles, Calif_________________________

103. 5
106. 5
108. 7
108.5
103.3

103.3
106.3
108.9
108.3
103.3

108.0
109.7
110.6
108. 2
108.7

103.9
119.3
113.0
103.9
107.0

106.7
121.7
114.2
105.7
106.5

103.7
116.0
113.6
104.5
107.5

116.1
113.1
112.3
105.6
110.5

117.6
115.4
112.4
106.6
111.4

115.3
li3. 7
114.1
109.9
114.6

Minneapolis, M inn________________ ______
New York, N . Y __________________________
Philadelphia, P a___________________________
Pittsburgh, Pa____________________________
Portland, Oreg______________ _____________

102.9
107.0
112.5
110.0
102.5

102.4
107.2
112.3
110.0
102.4

106.8
109.7
114.1
112.4
109.3

114.3
103.6
110.2
105.5
109.1

115.5
105.3
111.1
107.6
107.4

117.9
104.7
113.2
110.2
106.2

117.5
112.9
112.4
120.9
110.4

121.8
115.8
115.4
123.2
110.2

119.2
111.4
111.8
122.9
115.0

St. Louis, M o _____________________________
San Francisco, Calif_______ _______ _______
Scranton, P a _________________________ ____
Seattle, W ash_______ . ___________________
Washington, D . C _________________________

98.2
104.7
108.3
105 9
110.8

99.9
104.4
108.2
105.9
111.2

106.8
110.3
112.7
107.0
114.4

115.7
110.4
102.0
115.0
105.1

118.1
111.6
108.2
111.7
103.5

118.4
116.6
107.3
112.8
106.9

120.6
110.3
109.8
109.9
111.9

122.6
112.3
112.1
110.6
114.4

122.6
113.5
111.4
110.8
110.2

i See footnote 1 to table D -l. Indexes for 56 cities for total food (193539=100 or June 1940=100) were published in the March 1953 M onthly Labor
Review and in previous issues. See table D -8 for U. S. average prices for 46
cities combined.


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

J See footnote 2 to table D - l.
* Average of 46 cities beginning January 1953.
‘ See footnote 3 to table D-2.

See footnote 1 to table D - l .

270

MONTHLY LABOE REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955
T a b le D -8 : Average retail prices of selected foods
Comm odity

Cereals and bakery products:
Flour, wheat____________ _ ........... 5 poun ds..
Biscuit mix i________________ _____ 20 ounces _.
Oornm eal3____ _________ . . . ............... p ou n d..
Rice 3- 71 _________ ____ _____ ________ l_d o___
Rolled oats___ ______ _______ _____ 20 ounces..
Cornflakes A .............................
Bread_______________________ ________ p ou n d..
Soda crackers_______________
Vanilla cookies 8_____ _____ _ ______ 7 ounces..
Meats, poultry, and fish:
Beef and veal:
Round steak 7___________ .... .......... poun d..
Chuck roast8...................... ...............l .d o ___
R ib roast8______________
Hamburger______________ ...... ............ d o___
Veal cutlets.......... .............. __________ d o___
Pork:
Pork chops, center cut ___ .................. d o___
Bacon, sliced..................... ............... .. d o ___
Ham, whole 1____________ ............. ___do___
Lamb, leg 7. . . ........................... ...............__do___
Other meats:
Frankfurters____________
Luncheon meat, canned.. _____ 12 ounces..
Poultry:
Frying chickens:
Dressed 7____________ ............... pound..
Ready-to-cook 8_____ __________ d o___
Fish:
Ocean perch fillet, frozen __________ d o___
Haddock, fillet, frozen 8. . __________ d o___
Salmon, pink____________
Tuna fish______ ____ ___ ___ 7-ounce ca n ..
Dairy products:
M ilk, fresh (grocery)________ .............quart..
M ilk, fresh (delivered) 1_____ ____ ____ _do
Ice c r e a m .. ._____ __________
Butter______________________ ............. .pound..
Cheese, American process___ __________ do . . .
M ilk, evaporated____________ .MJ^-ounee can.
All fruits and vegetables:
Frozen fruits and vegetables:
Strawberries 77__________ _____ 10 ounces..
Orange Juice concentrate. ______ 6 ounces..
Peas, green 73____ _______ _____ 10 ounces..
Beans, green_____________ ----------------d o___
Fresh fruits and vegetables:
Apples__________________ ________ pou n d..
Bananas_____ _________ __________ d o___
Oranges, size 200____ . . . _________ d ozen..
Lemons_________________ ________ p ou n d..
Grapefruit*____ ____ ___ ............ ...... each..

Dec.
1954

N ov.
1954

Dec.
1953

Cents Cents Cents
54.0
27. 4
12.6
17.6
18.6
22.0
17.6
27.2
23.8

53.8
27.4
12.6
17.6
18.5
22.0
17.5
27. 2
23.8

52.8
27. 7
12.4
19.6
18.4
21.8
16.9
27. 2
23.4

92.3
52.7
72.1
40.0
107.9

92.4
53.0
71.8
40.0
108.4

90.2
51.9
69.9
41.2
108.3

77. 2
71.3
64.1
68.9

81.2
71.4
63. 7
69.9

81.1
79.3
70.0
69.4

54.1
48.7

54.4
48.8

55. 7
50.0

39.9
49.6

41.4
51.5

45.5
57.7

43.7
48.3
53.8
38.3

43.4
48.9
53.3
38. 5

43.3
49.1
51. 8
38.4

All fruits and vegetables—Continued
Fresh fruits and vegetables—Continued

22.3
23.4
29. 2
72.2
56.8
13.7

22. 2
23. 3
29.4
71.4
56. 8
13.7

22. 7
23.7
29. 9
79.6
59.5
14.3

30.7
18.5
19.4
24.2

30.6
18.4
19.3
24.0

36.8
20.4
22.8
24.2

13.5
16.8
48.2
18.5

13 1
17 4
52.5
18.8

13. 9
16.8
49.4
19.5

N ov.
1954

Dec.
1953

Cents Cents Cents
23.1

Sweetpotatoes____ _______ ........... 1pou n d..
Carrots.......... ...................... ................ d o____
Lettuce................................... ............. .h ea d ..
Celery....... ........................ ............. p ou n d..
T o m a to e s ........................... .................d o___
Beans, green.____ _______ _________ d o___
Canned fruits and vegetables:
Orange juice.____ _______ ..46-ounce can..
Peaches.—............................. ...N o . 234 can..
Fruit cocktail........ ............
Peas, green___ 1 __________
Tomatoes 70- 73 _________ _________ do____
Dried fruits and vegetables:
Prunes___________ ____ _ ........... .p o u n d ..
N avy beans......................... .................d o___
Other foods at home:
Partially prepared foods:
Vegetable soup............ ....... 11-ounce ca n ..
Beans with pork____ ____ —16-ounce can.
Condiments and sauces:
Beverages, nonalcoholic:

1 45 cities.
8 44 cities.
5 39 cities.
7 8 cities.
3 33 cities.
8 37 cities.
< 38 cities.
8 36 cities.
* 42 cities.
10 40 cities.
11 Specification changed from 12 ounces to 10 ounces, effective O ctober 1954.
13 Specification changed from 12 ounces to 10 ounces, effective Febru ary
1954.
18 Specification changed from N o . 2 can to N o . 303 can, effective O ctober
1954.


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

Dec.
1954

Comm odity

Tea
Fats and oils:
Margarine, colored 8______ _________ d o___
Lard_____ _______________ _________ d o___
Salad dressing____________ .................p in t..
Sugar and sweets:
Sugar_____________________
C om syrup_______________ ____ 24 ounces..
Grape jelly _______________ ........12 ounces..
Miscellaneous foods:
Gelatin, flavored.................

78.1
12.4
7. 7
14.2
14.4
13.5
7.8
29.1
21.8

78. 2
11.4
7 6
13.9
17.3
13.5
6 5
24.9
25.1

67.7
12.6
6. 2
13.8
13.8
13.3
6.7
33.9
21.2

35.2
32.9
38. 7
41.0
17.5
21.4
14.8
9. 7

35.7
32.7
38 7
4L0
17 7
21 5
14.7
9.7

35.1
33.1
38. 6
40.8
18.9
21.2
17.2
9. 8

32.1
18.2

31.9
17.9

29.3
17.1

14.3
14.5

14.3
14.5

14.3
14.3

29. 2

29 5

22.3

22.2

29. 9
22. 3

105.3
36.1
32. 2

105 1
35 4
32.4

91. 5
32. 9
30.7

35.4

35 4
29.1
25.3
35.8
49 7

34.5
30.0
25.4
35.2
49.1

52.3
23.7
25.9
5. 3

53.6

52.3
23.7
25.9
5 2
58.1

52.6
23.5
24.8
4. 5
69.3

8.5

8.5

8.6

29.3
24.5
35.6
50. 4

14 E x clu din g long grain rice beginning N o v e m b e r 1954.
•Priced o n ly in season.

N ote .— T h e U n ited States average retail food prices appearing in table
D -8 are based on prices collected m o n th ly in 46 cities for use in the calculation
o f the food com pon en t o f the
C onsum er P rice Index. A verage retail
food prices for each of 20 large cities are published m o n th ly and are available
u p o n request. Prices for the 26 m edium -size and sm all cities are n o t published
on an in d ivid u al city basis.

revised

D : CONSUMER AND WHOLESALE PRICES

271

T able D-9: Indexes of wholesale prices, by group and subgroup of commodities 1
11947-49-100]

Com m odity group

Dec. N ov.
1954 1 1954

Oct.
1954

Sept.
1954

Aug.
1954

July
1954

June
1954

M ay
1954

Apr.
1954

Mar.
1954

Feb.
1954

Jan.
1954

Dec.
1953

June
1950

All com m odities.................................. .........

109.5 *110. 0

109.7

110.0

110.5

110.4

110.0

110.9

111.0

110.5

110.5

110.9

110.1

100.2

Farm p rod u cts--..............................................
Fresh and dried produce........... ...................... .
Grains- _______________________ .
Livestock and poultry....................................
Plant and animal fibers.........................
Fluid m ilk.......... ....................... ................
Eggs___________________ _______ _____________
Hay and seeds......... ............................ ...............
Other farm products.......................................

90.0
96.9
92.5
74.0
105.0
93.5
64.8
93.8
157.7

*93.2
103.2
93.5
76.4
104.5
*95.1
83.5
*92.0
164.6

93.1
101.9
92.9
77.5
107.1
93.8
82.5
91.7
159.6

93.6
99.8
93.6
80.7
107.4
91.7
77.3
87.5
164.6

95.8
108.3
91.2
83.4
106.7
89.7
86.4
94.2
168.8

96.2
110.9
88.1
83. 2
107.2
87.7
84.4
94.8
184.0

94.8
96.6
86.5
87.7
106.9
83.7
70.8
96.0
181.7

97.9
104.4
91.2
93.0
107.0
84.1
69.0
95.3
181.2

99.4
97.4
92.9
94.9
105.5
88.3
77.9
96.5
182.2

98.4
89.6
93.0
92.4
105.9
93.4
80.1
93.4
181.2

97.7
89.7
91.6
91.3
106.5
95.0
89.6
91.6
168.0

97.8
91.2
91.3
91.8
104.2
97.5
92.7
90.5
161.0

94.4
39.8
90.6
83.9
103.2
99.5
97.2
89.7
148.1

04 fi
89. 8
89 ?.
99 8
107! 3
81 6
70 6
87 ft
122’ 4

Processed foods_______________________
Cereal and bakery products............ .
Meats, poultry, fish______ ____ ______
Dairy products and ice cream___________
Canned, frozen, fruits and vegetables___
Sugar and confectionery...... ..................
Packaged beverage materials______
Animal fats and oils...... ... ................
Crude vegetable oils....................... ........
Refined vegetable oils______ _________
Vegetable oil end products......... ...........
Other processed food s.....................................

103.4 103.8
116.8 116.5
85.2
86.3
108.2 108.8
105.6 *105. 5
111.6 112.3
203.4 197.8
77.4 *84.8
65.5
65.1
73.7
73.2
83.5 *83.1
98.4
97.8

103.7
114.5
85.8
108.7
105.5
112.0
206.3
84.5
65.0
76.4
84.5
99.8

105.5
113.8
92.0
106.6
105.0
113.0
206.0
96.2
69.0
76.5
87.3
103.5

106.4
113.2
92.0
105.9
104.8
114.5
226.5
96.9
73.5
78.8
87.3
109.6

106.5
114.0
94.1
105.1
104.7
113.7
231.3
94.0
72.2
79.1
87.3
101.4

105.0
113.5
92.3
102.4
104.7
113.3
231.3
90.0
73.0
79.1
87.3
96.8

106.8
113.3
98.3
101.7
104.5
113.1
229.6
99.7
71.8
76.4
87.2
101.3

105.9
113.2
94.3
103.0
103.3
112.6
229.6
108. 5
72.1
76.5
84.4
102.9

105.3
112.6
92.8
106.1
103.0
112.8
209.1
95.3
67.9
73.1
83.2
106.5

104.8
112.7
92.9
107.4
103.0
110.2
191.4
94.7
65.2
69.8
81.4
108.9

106.2
112.4
96.4
109.4
103.8
110.1
182.1
93.5
64.0
72.7
83.8
111.5

104.3
112.2
89.7
111.3
103.9
108.9
171.6
92.7
66.3
74.2
84.4
113.9

9« R
9ft fi
102* 4
90* 0
98 n
94 7
13fL_9
63 9
67 0
67* 4

79 2

106.6

A ll commodities other than farm and foods .

114.9 *114.8

114.5

114.4

114.4

114.3

114.2

114.5

114.5

114.2

114.4

114.6

114.6

102.2

Textile products and apparel...............
Cotton products—.....................................
Wool products.............. ................................
Synthetic textiles........... ...........................
Silk products..........................................
Apparel____________________________
Other textile products.........................

95.2
90.0
106.9
87.2
123.9
98.4
76.9

95.2
89.9
106.6
86.9
127.4
98.4
77.6

95.4
89.9
108.4
86.1
127.0
98.6
80.9

95.3
89.2
109.6
85.8
128.4
98.6
80.3

95.3
89.1
110.3
85.7
126.3
98.6
79.8

95.1
88.9
109.8
85.7
124.2
98.4
79.1

94.9
88.4
110.1
85.6
123.9
98.1
79.0

94.8
88.3
109.5
85.2
131.6
98.2
78.8

94.7
88.5
109.2
84.6
132.3
98.2
78.9

95.0
88.5
109.3
84.9
135.1
98.6
80.6

95.3
88.8
109.0
85.4
135.8
98.8
83.1

96.1
90.4
111.0
85.4
142.1
99.1
82.7

95.8
90.9
112.1
85.5
139.3
97.9
82.4

93 3
90 0
105 3
91 3
88" 8
92 v
90! 3

Hides, skins, and leather products................
Hides and skins______ ____ ______
Leather _____________________
Footwear______________ ____________
Other leather products........ ...................

91.8
47.4
81.5
111.6
95.9

*92.8
52.7
*82.0
111. 7
*96.0

92.4
49.5
82.1
111.8
96.1

93.0
51.5
82.9
111.8
96.5

94.0
55.8
84.4
111.8
96.7

94.9
58.2
86.5
111.8
97.0

95.6
60.6
87.4
111.9
97.5

96.0
62.5
87.6
111.9
97.5

94.6
56.5
86.0
111.9
97.4

94.7
56.0
86.3
111.9
97.6

94.9
55.4
87.4
111.9
98.0

95.3
56.8
88.1
111.9
98.1

95.6
57.7
88.7
111.8
98.2

99.1
94 3
98 2
102 1

Fuel, power, and lighting materials...........
Coal................ ................... .................
C oke________________ ________
G a s _____________ ___________ . .
Electricity . . ______ ____________
Petroleum and products____ _____ __

107.8 *107. 4
105.2 105.1
132.4 132.4
107.3 *107. 3
103.0 *103.0
110.4 109.5

106.9
105.1
132.4
105.8
101.8
109.3

106.9
105.5
132.4
106.0
101.2
109.4

106.9
105. 2
132.4
105.4
102.4
109.3

106.2
104.9
132.4
105.4
101.8
108.2

107.8
104.7
132.4
107.8
101.8
110.9

108.2
104.6
132.4
109.0
101.8
111.7

108.6
104.1
132.4
112.3
101.8
112.1

109.2
107.9
132.5
111.5
102.9
111.5

110.5
110.9
132.5
113.5
101.3
113.5

110.8
111.9
132.5
111.8
100.7
114.2

111.1
112.5
132.5
109.6
100.7
114.9

102. *

104 8
115 6
94 8
101. 3
103.1

Chemicals and allied produots...............
Industrial chemicals__________ . . .
Prepared paint........ .....................................
Paint materials_______ _____ ___________
Drugs, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics...........
Fats and oils, inedible________ ___________
Mixed fertilizer___________________
Fertilizer materials_______________
Other chemicals and products..............................

107.0 107.0
117.4 *117. 7
112.8 112.8
96.3
96.6
93.6
93.6
58.9
57.8
108.9 109.1
113.3 112.2
107.8 107.6

106.9
117.6
112.8
97.2
93.6
56.5
109.2
112.1
107.6

106.8
117.4
112.8
97.0
94.0
54.0
109.3
112.3
107.6

106.8
117.4
112.8
97.8
94.0
53.5
109.8
112.1
107.6

106.7
117.1
112.8
97.6
94.0
52.0
109.7
112.1
107.9

106.8
117.0
112.8
96.8
94.0
55.7
109.9
111.6
107.7

107.1
117.3
112.8
95.3
94.0
59.3
109.9
114.0
108.1

107.2
117.4
112.8
94.7
94.0
59.8
109.9
114.1
108.1

107.4
117.9
112.8
95.2
93.9
60.5
110.0
114.0
108.1

107.5
118.4
112.8
95.2
93.9
63.5
110.0
114.0
106.8

107.2
118.4
112.8
96.5
93.9
61.2
111.1
114.0
105.3

107.1
118.6
112.7
96.6
93.8
58. 6
111.4
113.9
105.2

92 1
96. 3
98 6
8ft 8
91 3
48 8
101.2
98 ft
91.1

Rubber and products_________________ .
Crude rubber_________ __________
Tire casings and tu b es............................
...................
Other rubber products................ .

132.0
137.6
134.9
125.2

131.4
134.1
134.9
125.4

128.5
132.0
129.6
125.2

126.9
125.6
129.6
124.0

126.4
123.5
129.6
123.7

126.8
126.5
129.3
123.7

126.1
122.8
129.3
123.7

125.1
117.5
129.3
123.7

125.0
117.0
129.3
123.7

124.9
113.8
130.3
123.7

124.6
112.9
130.3
123.3

124.8
113.4
130.3
123.7

124.8
114. 5
130.1
123. 2

109 5
129 0
106 1
103.0

Lum ber and wood products__
Lumber...... .......... ............ ................. .
M illwork_____ _______ _____ _____ _
P lyw ood .........................................................

120.0
119.8
130.2
104.3

119.9
119.6
130.2
104.3

119.8
119.5
130.2
104.3

119.3
119.0
130.2
103.2

119.1
118.7
129.7
105.4

119.1
118.6
130.7
103.0

116.3
115.5
130.8
99.7

116.1
115.0
130.8
101.4

116.2
115.3
130.8
100.7

116.7
115.6
131.1
102.9

116.8
115.5
131.1
105.0

117.0
115.9
131.1
103.5

117.4
116.4
131.3
103.9

112 4
113 5
110 9
101.7

Pulp, paper, and allied products.................................
W ood pulp......................... .....................
Wastepaper____________ __________ .
Paper........ .................................................
Paperboard _ ........... .................... ..........
Converted paper and paperboard....................
Building paper and board.....................................

115.9
109.6
85.5
126.9
124.1
111.0
127.6

116.0
109.6
87.3
126.5
124.1
111.3
127.6

116.3
109.6
83.8
126.5
124.2
111.9
127.6

116.3
109.6
80.0
126.5
124.2
112.0
127.6

116.3
109.6
80.0
126.5
124.2
112.0
127.6

116.2
109.6
79.2
126.5
124.2
111.9
127.9

115.8
109.7
70.1
126. 5
124.2
111.5
127.9

115.8
109.7
67.2
126.5
124.4
111.5
127.9

116.3
109.7
83.2
126.8
124.8
111.8
127.9

116.6
109.7
84.1
126.8
124.6
112.3
127.9

117.1
109.7
85.7
126.8
125.1
113.2
127.9

117.0
109.7
79.1
126.8
125.5
113.2
127.9

117.1
109.7
79.1
126.8
125.9
113.4
123.0

«95.9
90.0
79.0
103. 3
97.2
93.2
106.3

Metals and metal products__
Iron and steel.......................... .............
Non ferrous metals______________________
M etal containers. ............. .................
Hardware ..........................................
Plumbing equipment___ ______ __________
Heating eq u ip m en t____________________ .
Structural metal products__
Nonstructural metal p r o d u c ts ...........................

129.8
135.0
127.6
131.6
142.3
118.7
114.3
117.8
125.9

129.9
135.5
127.2
131.6
142.0
118.7
114.3
117.4
126. 2

129.7
135.0
127.4
131.2
141.6
118.7
114.3
117.9
126.0

129.1
134.1
126.2
131.2
140.9
118.5
114.1
118.0
126.0

128.6
133.8
125.1
131.2
138.9
118.5
114.1
117.7
126.0

128.0
133.6
124.2
130.3
138.2
118.5
114.0
115.9
125.3

127.1
131.8
123.7
130.0
137.9
118.5
113.8
115.9
125.3

127.1
131.8
123.6
130.0
137.9
118.2
113.9
116.5
125.3

126.8
131.1
123.4
130.0
138.5
118.2
114.5
116.6
125.3

126.3
130. 6
121.2
130.0
138.0
118.2
114.4
116.8
126.3

126.2
131.0
119.8
130.0
137.9
118.2
114.8
116.8
126.5

127.2
132.0
121.5
130.0
137.5
118.2
115.3
117.6
127.2

127.5
132.8
122.1
128.7
137.2
118.2
115.5
117.3
127.2

108.8
113.1
101.8
109.0

S e e f o o t n o t e s a t e n d o f t a b le .


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

A

95.2

111.1

103.2

102.0
100.1

113.2

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

272

T able D -9 : Indexes of wholesale prices, by group and subgroup of commodities 1— Continued
[1947-49 = 100]
Dec.
1954 2

C om m odity group

N ov.
1954

Oct.
1954

Sept.
1954

Aug.
1954

July
1954

June
1954

M ay
1954

Apr.
1954

Mar.
1954

Feb.
1954

Jan.
1954

Dec.
1953

June
1950

M achinery and motive p r o d u c ts ,__________ _____
Agricultural machinery and equipment_______
Construction machinery and equipment______
Metalworking machinery and equipm ent..... _..
General purpose machinery and equipment___
Miscellaneous machinery, __________________
Electrical machinery and equipm ent, ......... ..
M otor v e h icle s ___ __________________ ______ _

125.6
121.3
131 9
134.2
128.2
125.9
126.7
121.6

*125. 3
*121.3
*131.8
*134. 0
128.1
126.0
*126. 7
*121.0

124.3
122.0
131.6
134.0
128.1
126.1
125.2
118.6

124.4
121.9
131.6
133.3
128. 1
125.9
125.6
118.9

124.3
122. 1
131.5
132.7
127.9
125.6
125.7
118.9

124.3
122.3
131.5
132.6
127.8
125.5
125.8
118.9

124.3
122.3
131.5
132.6
128.2
125.5
125.9
118.9

124.4
122.6
131.5
132.6
128.2
125.2
126.0
118.9

124.4
122.3
131.6
132.6
128.2
125.2
126.5
118.9

124.5
122.3
131.7
133. 0
128.5
125.1
126.8
118.9

124.5
123.0
131.5
133.0
128.2
124.9
126.8
118.9

124.4
122.7
131.2
132.8
128.2
124.7
126.8
118.9

124.3
122.5
131.1
132.8
128.6
124.5
126.8
118.5

106.3
108.3
108.1
108.8
107.0
105.0
102.1
106.7

Furniture and other household durables__________
Household furniture
_____ _____ ___________
Commercial furniture.................................... .......
Floor covering, ______________ ____ _____ ____
Household appliances_______ ______ _____ _ .
Radios ____ _____ ___ ______________________
Television sets_______________________________
Other household durable goods_______________

115.7 *115.6
112.9 112.9
128. 6 128.6
124.0 124.0
109.4 *109.1
95.4
95.4
69.2
69.2
131.5 131.5

115.6
112.8
127.3
124.0
109.5
95.4
68.7
131.3

115.3
112.8
126.2
124.4
109.4
95.4
68.7
130.5

115.3
112.9
126.2
123.5
109.7
95.4
68.5
130.4

115.3
112.8
126. 2
122.7
109.7
95.6
70.3
130.4

115.4
113.1
126.2
122.6
109.8
95.6
70.6
130.4

115.5
113.5
126.2
122.6
109.9
95.7
73.8
130.4

115.6
113.6
126.2
122.6
109.9
95.7
73.8
130.4

115.0
113.7
126.2
122.6
109.5
95.7
73.8
128.2

115.1
113.9
126.2
122.3
109.7
96.1
73.8
128.1

115.2
114.2
126.2
122.5
109.6
96.1
73.5
128.1

115.0
114.1
126.2
124.8
109.1
94.3
74.0
127.7

103.1
101.8
106.2
109.1
100.1
(*)
(*)
106.8

Nonmetallic minerals—structural_________________
Flat glass — _________________________________
Concrete ingredients_________________________
Concrete prod ucts-.. _____________ _ _______
Structural clay products— ............. ....................
Gypsum products........ ................................ ..........
Prepared asphalt roofing______________________
Other nonmetallic minerals___________________

121.8
123.9
122.3
117.4
135.4
122.1
106.1
119.5

121.8
123.9
122.1
117.4
135.4
122.1
106.1
119.5

121.9
123.9
122.1
117.8
135.4
122.1
106.1
120.8

121.7
123.9
122.1
117. 8
135.4
122.1
104.1
120.8

120.5
124.7
122.2
117.9
132. 3
122.1
98.6
120.8

120.4
124.7
122.1
117.7
132.0
122.1
98.5
120.2

119.1
124.7
120.1
117.5
132.0
122.1
94.2
120.2

119.3
124.7
120.0
117.3
132.0
122.1
96.3
120.2

120.8
124.7
119.8
117.3
132.0
122.1
108.4
120.2

121.0
124.7
119.9
117.3
132.0
122.1
109.9
119.8

121.0
124.7
119.8
117.6
131.9
122.1
109.9
119.8

120.9
124.7
119.9
117.2
131.9
122.1
109.9
119.8

120. 8
124. 7
119.6
117.2
132.1
122.1
109.9
118.9

105.4
105.6
105.7
104.5
110.5
102.3
98.9
105.7

T obacco manufactures and bottled beverages........
Cigarettes____________________________________
C igars.-- _________ ____ __________________ __
Other tobacco products..........................................
Alcoholic beverages_______________________ . .
Nonalcoholic beverages___________ ___________

121.4 *121.4
124.0 124.0
103.7 103.7
121.4 121.4
114.3 *114. 3
148.1 148.1

121.5
124.0
103.7
121.4
114.3
148.1

121.5
124.0
103.7
121.4
114.3
148.1

121.5
124.0
103.7
121.4
114.3
148.1

121.4
124.0
103.7
121.4
114.2
148.1

121.4
124.0
103.5
120.7
114.2
148.1

121.4
124.0
103.5
120.7
114.3
147.9

121.5
124.0
103.5
120.7
114.6
147.9

117.9
124.0
103. 5
120.7
114.6
125.1

118.0
124.0
103.5
120.7
114.6
125.1

118.2
124.0
103.5
120.7
115. C
125.1

118.1
124.0
103.5
120.7
114. £
125.1

101.4
102.8
100.6
103.3
100.9
100.8

Miscellaneous ____ ___________________________
Toys, sporting goods, small arms_____________
Manufactured animal feeds—.............................
Notions and accessories_______________ ____ _
Jewelry, watches, photo equipment___________
Other miscellaneous__________________________

98.0
97.0
112. £ *112. 8
86.8
85.0
101.2 101.2
103.5 103. 5
120.9 *120. 9

96.7
112.7
84.3
101.2
103.5
120.8

99.1
112.7
89.0
101.2
103.2
121.2

102.3
113.4
95.2
101.6!
102.8
121.2
Í

103.9
113. 5
98.3
101.6
102. 7
121.2

105.1
113.6
100.6
101.6
102. 1
121.3

109.2
113.6
109.!
93.5
102. ;
121.3

110.3
113.6
111.1
93. 5
102.7
121.3

104.9
113. C
101.1
93.5
102. C
121.2

102.8
113.0
97.2
93.5
102. C
120.4

101.1
113.1
94. (
93.5
102.1
119.8

100.1
113.2
92.2
93.5
101.9
119.7

96.9
104.8
93.7
88.7
96.6
105.4

> The revised wholesale price index (1947-49=100) is the official index for
January 1952 and subsequent months. The official index for December 1951
and previous dates is the former index (1926—100). The revised index has
been computed back to January 1947 for purposes of comparison and analysis.
Prices are collected from manufacturers and other producers. In some cases
they are secured from trade publications or from other Government agencies
which collect price quotations in the course of their regular work. For a more

1

detailed description of the index, see A Description of the Revised Wholesale
Price Index, M onthly Labor Review, February 1952 (p. 180), or reprint
Serial No. R . 2067.
* Preliminary.
* Not available.
* Revised.
« Correction.

T able D -10: Special wholesale price indexes1
[1947-49-100]
1954

1953

1950

Dec.

June

Comm odity group
Dec.2
All foods..................................................................
All fish________________ _____ ________
Special metals and metal products______
Metalworking machinery________________________
Machinery and equipment.................................
Total tractors_________________ _____ ______
Steel mill products__ __________________ ____
Building materials— .......................................... ........
Soaps___________________________________ _______
Synthetic detergents..... .......................................
Refined petroleum products_______ ___
East coast petroleum ,......................
Mid-continent petroleum_________
Gulf coast petroleum........................
Pacific coast petroleum___________
Pulp, paper and products, excl. bldg, paper_______
Bituminous coal, domestic sixes *___________ _____
Lum ber and wood products, excl. millwork . _
1 See footnote 1, table D-9.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

* Preliminary.

N ov.

101.0 102.7
100.5 102.8
127.7 *127. 6
140.1 140.1
127.7 127.7
122.1 *122. 0
145.8 145.8
122.0 121.9
96.7
96.4
93.4
93.4
108.4 107.4
105.3 102. £
105.5 105.2
116.9 115. £
103.1 102.6
115.7 115.8
112.3
112.3
118.6 118.4

Oct.

Sept.

102.4 103.7
101.8 113.9
127.1 126.6
140.2 140.2
127.4 127.4
123.2 123.2
145.8 145.7
121.7 121.3
96.1
96.1
93.4
93.4
107.2 107.3
102.9 101.1
104.6 104.0
115. £ 114. £
102.6 108.8
116. C 116.0
112.1 110.8
118.4 117.8

Aug.
105.5
111.1
126.3
140.2
127.2
123.2
145.6
120.8
96.0
93.4
107.2
101.1
103.7
114.9
108.8
116. C
108.5
117.6

July
105.6
103.5
125.8
139.9
127.2
123.9
145.6
120.5
96.6
93.4
105.9
104.7
102.8
109.0
108.8
115.9
106.7
117.4

1 Comparable to former code 05-12-01.12.

June
102.7
97.4
125.2
139.9
127.3
123.9
141.9
118.5
96.3
93.4
109.1
106.1
104.8
113.1
115. S
115.5
104.2
114.3

M ay
104.6
103.7
125.2
139.9
127.4
123.9
141.9
118.6
97.1
93.4
110.0
107.3
105.4
113.1
118.8
115.5
103.6
114.0

Apr.

Mar.

103.9
105.7
125.0
139.9
127.5
123.9
141.9
119.0
97.1
93.4
110.5
108.1
105.7
114.1
118.8
116.1
103.7
114.1

4 N ot available.

103.0
107. 5
124.6
140.1
127.6
123.7
141.9
119.3
97.1
93.4
109.7
108.7
106.3
110.0
118.8
116.3
106.3
114.7

Feb.
103.1
107.2
124.6
140.1
127.6
124.9
142.0
119.2
94.8
91.0
112.2
109.9
107.7
116.0
118.8
116.9
112.2
114.7

Jan.
104.5
114.0
125.3
139.7
127.4
124.5
142.4
119.6
91.1
9i a
112.9
109.4
109.9
116.2
118.8
116.8
113.0
115.0

* Revised,

103.1
109.4
125.4
139.7
127.5
124.1
142.4
119.6
90.5
91.0
113.8
112.0
109.6
117.8
118.8
116.9
112.5
115.4

95.0
92.4
108.3
109.8
106.1
107.5
114.9
107.5
80.9
82.9
102.1
98.1
101.8
109.7
94.1
95.6
106.8
«

273

E : WORK STOPPAGES

E: Work Stoppages
T able E -l: Work stoppages resulting from labor-management disputes 1
Workers Involved In stoppages

Number of stoppages

Man-days Idle during month
or year

M onth and year
Beginning In
month or year

1935-39 (average).
1947-49 (average)
1945
........
1946
........
1947
..................... .....................
1948
........
1949
........
1950
....... .
1951
....... .
1952
....... .
1953.................... .

In effect dur­
ing month

2,862
3,573
4,750
4,985
3,693
3,419
3,606
4,843
4,737
5,117
5,091

Beginning In
month or year

In effect dur­
ing month

Number

16, 900, 000
39, 700, 000
38, 000, 000
116,000, 000
34, 600,000
34.100, 000
50, 500,000
38,800, 000
22, 900,000
59.100, 000
28, 300, 000

1,130, 000
2, 380, 000
3, 470, 000
4, 600,000
2,170, 000
1, 960,000
3,030, 000
2, 410,000
2 , 220 , 000

3, 540, 000
2, 400,000

1953: December.

145

354

76,300

173,000

1,880,000

1954: January *__
February
March J____
A p ril»..........
M a y J...........
June 1______
July *.......... .
August *___
Septem bers.
October *....
N ovember J.
D ecem b er2.

250
200
225
300
350
350
375
350
350
300
225
125

400
350
375
450
500
650
575
550
550
500
400
275

80,000
50,000
100,000
130, 000
180,000
180, 000
230.000
140, 000
130, 000
170.000
70, 000
30, 000

150.000
100, 000
150.000

1, 000, 000

200 , 000

1, 200 , 000

i A ll work stoppages known to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its
various cooperative agencies, involving six or more workers and lasting a
full day or shift or longer, are included in this report. Figures on “ workers
involved” and “ man-days idle” cover all workers made idle for as long as one


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

230.000
280.000
370.000
300, 000
280.000
280,000
140, 000
75, 000

750,000

1,300, 000
1, 750,000
2 200,000
3.750.000
3.600.000
2, 400, 000
1.800.000
1, 200, 000
500, 000

,

Percent of esti­
mated work­
ing time
0.27

.46
.47
1.43
.41
.37
.59
.44
.23
.57
.26

.20
.12
.09
.14
.13

.21
.24
.43
.39
.27

.21
.05
.14

shift in establishments directly involved in a stoppage. They do not measure
the indirect or secondary effects on other establishments or industries whose
employees are made idle as a result of material or service shortages.
!Preliminary.

274

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

F: Building and Construction
T a b l e F - l : Expenditures for new construction 1
[Value of work put In place]
Expenditures (in millions)
T ype of construction

1955
Jan.2

1954
Dec.

N ov.

Oct.

Sept.

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

1954

1953

Total

Total

T otal new construction *............ .................. . $2,761 $2.985 $3,285 $3.479 $3,614 $3,637 $3, 522 $3,364 $3,114 $2, 813 $2,567 $2,346 $2, 444 $37,170 $35,256
Private construction_____________ ________ 2,027 2,202 2,347
Residential building (nonfarm)________ 1,091 1,214 1,292
New dwelling units_______________ 1,000 1,115 1,175
Additions and altera tion s...............
70
77
95
Non housekeeping •________________
21
22
22
Nonresidential building (nonfarm )»___
527
534
551
Industrial............................................
175
172
169
Commercial_____ _________________
185
186
200
Warehouses, office, and loft
buildings....... .......................... .
87
88
94
Stores, restaurants, and garages.
98
98
106
Other nonresidential building______
167
176
182
Religious______________________
54
57
59
Educational___________________
48
51
53
Social and recreational...............
14
15
17
Hospital and institutional»...
27
28
29
Miscellaneous____________ ____
24
25
24
Farm construction................... .................
93
93
106
Public utilities.................................. ........
302
349
386
Railroad______________ ____________
22
29
34
Telephone and telegraph...............
47
49
53
Other public utilities..........................
233
271
299
A ll other private 7.................... .................
14
12
12
Public construction ______________________
734
783
938
Residential building 8________ _________
23
22
23
Nonresidential building (other than
military facilities)..................................
337
339
358
In d u strial............................................
95
100 103
Educational_______________________
175
174
179
Hospital and institutional.................
24
24
27
Other nonresidential...........................
43
41
49
M ilitary facilities 8.....................................
85
83
90
Highways______ ____ _________________
145
185
300
Sewer and water________________ ____
75
77
84
Miscellaneous public service enterprises10_____________________________
11
12
14
Conservation and developm ent..............
48
55
59
A ll other p u b lic11...... ................................
10
10
10

2,410
1,321
1,195

102

24
541
163
197

2,457
1,326
1,195
106
25
551
160
207

110
28
552
160
207

88

2,392
1,267
1,125
113
29
649
161
203

2,278
1,193
1,050
114
29
528
164
189

2,122

81

1,107
970

111

26
490
165
167

1,927
980
860
96
24
464
169
151

1,779
863
770
71

1,637
758
675
61

469
173
154

474
176
157

69
82
144
40
39
16
27

70
84
142
40
38
16
27

73
84
141
41
38
16
26

127
348
33
50
265

106
292
25
45

34

114
326
31
50
245
7
788
34

119
185
55
53

122
185
61
51

76
113
175
46
47

126
410
35
57
318

89
118
184
57
54
19
29
25
153
415
34
56
325

29
28
167
415
33
56
326

29
34
164
400
31
55
314

28
34
157
389
32
54
303

1,069
25

1,157
26

1,178
26

1,130
25

1,086
28

72
95
158
42
43
17
28
28
145
371
31
54
286
9
992
31

378
105
184
30
59
96
390
87

403
109
189
32
73
96
445
91

423
130
187
35
71
93
440
94

409
130
181
33
65
89
415

397
130
176
34
57
89
385
84

387
132
172
33
50
78
320
80

377
138
165
30
44
79
230
78

17
64
15

15
60
13

89
108
181
58
54
18
29

22

12

19
62

12

1Joint estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. 8. Department of
Labor, and the Business and Defense Services Administration, U. S. Depart­
ment of Commerce. Estimated construction expenditures represent the
monetary value of the volume of work accomplished during the given period
of time. These figures should be differentiated from permit valuation data
reported in the tabulations for building permit activity (tables F-3, F-4,
and F-5) and the data on value of contract awards reported in table F-2.
8Preliminary.
8Includes major additions and alterations.
•Includes hotels, dormitories, and tourist courts and cabins.
•Expenditures by privately owned public utilities for nonresidential
building are included under “ Public utilities.’ ’


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

2,459
1,313
1,175

12

20

63
13

20

12

22
65
15

20

12

88
22
67
15

20

11

20
68
15

22

8
886

22

22

1,710 25,720 23,877
816 13,450 11, 930
730 12,035 10. 555
63 1, 119 1,108
23
296
' 267
486 6,189 5,680
179 2, Oil 2,229
164 2, 182 i; 79i
75
89
143
42
39
16
26

964

1, 218

1, 996
' 588
560

210

739
1,052
1,660
472
426
163
317
282
1,731
4; 416
442
615
3, 359

20
102

222

335
303
1, 560
4, 400
375
625
3, 400

299
27
46
226
7
121 120
734 11, 450 11,379
37
345
'556

365
140
158
26
41
75
160
75

345
138
150
23
34
69
125
69

354
145
150
23
36
73
130

4, 535
l" 500
2,065
350
620

14
52
13

45

21

20

7
709
34

12
10

68

13
50
9

1,010

3, 525
'975

200
710
150

4, 352
1,771
1, 728
353
500
1,307
3| 165
'861

201

830
107

« Includes Federal contributions toward construction of private nonprofit
hospital facilities under the National Hospital Program.
7Covers privately owned sewer and water facilities, roads and bridges, and
miscellaneous nonbuilding items such as parks and playgrounds.
* Includes nonhousekeeping public residential construction as well as
housekeeping units.
• Covers all construction, building as well as nonbuilding (except for
production facilities, which are included in public industrial building).
Covers primarily publicly owned airports, electric light and power
systems, and local transit facilities.
11 Covers public construction not elsewhere classified such as parks, play­
grounds, and memorials.

F : BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

275

T a b l e F - 2 : V alu e o f contracts awarded and force-account work started on federally financed new
construction, b y ty p e of construction 1
Value (In thousands)
1953

1954

T ype of construction
N ov.8

Sept.

Oct.

Aug.

July

M ay

June

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Jan.

Dec.

N ov.

1953

1952

Total

Total

Total new construction ». $177,136 $234,121 $216, 454 $187,271 $238,135 $361,182 $237,110 $400,886 $182, 918 $112, 333 $161, 616 $169, 447 $171,082 $3, 457, 466 $4,808,151
Airfields A . . . ...................
Building......................... .
Residential__________
Nonresidential.............
E ducational8______
Hospital and institutional_____ ____
Administrative and
general6—............
Other nonresidential building, .
Airfield buildings7.
Industrial 8______
Troop housing___
Warehouses_____
Miscellaneous9___
Conservation and development_________
R eclam a tion ________
River, harbor, and
flood control_______
H igh w a ys_____________
Electrification_________
All other 70________

7,000
67,573
27
67,546
4,844
17,574

87, 659
9,772

14,197
57, 217
260
56. 957
9. 264

11,219
46, 799
28
46, 771
5,201

11,619

4,246

1,879

9, 250
87, 659

0

12,928 14, 584
81,501 142, 254
0
181
81, 501 142,073
7,227
7,527

16, 511 20,342
81,341 218,371
46
2,346
81,295 216,025
6,674
6,679

8,296
55, 903
463
55, 440
3, 446

19, 241
20, 672
397
20, 275
2,562

11, 497
84, 749
104
84, 645
11, 051

2, 778
39, 403
79
39,324
6, 916

10,318

18, 493

11,919

15, 084

7,163

5, 977

9, 780

2,332

28,068

4,166

2, 292

4,699

2,864

3, 252

7, 549

3,024

3,117

1, 766

2,145

1,873

40,962
7,633
27, 603
875
463
4,388

63, 976
6, 367
17, 728
29, 826
3,019
7, 036

38, 748
1,656
16, 606
8, 556
1,612
10,318

36, 827
508
19, 515
3, 210
3, 376
10, 218

60,704
3, 611
19, 261
757
25,077
11,998

98,929
16,047
44,098
5,951
7,106
25, 727

53, 796 194, 403
6,309 17,220
20, 463 142,848
8, 473 2,859
6,070 24, 370
12, 481
7,106

33, 793
10, 365
11, 331
951
5, 776
5, 370

8, 784

1, 382
3,403
1, 394
511
2,094

65,472
12, 913
42,419
2.483
2,617
5,040

20, 755
1,076
16, 476
372
751
2,080

16,001
11,292

32, 221
1,990

23, 555
3, 303

7, 318
3,121

6, 510

29,939
10,442

16,842
2,765

12, 385
782

7, 296
810

4, 763
1, 339

11, 252
7,701

1,680

23,292
797

6, 038
58, 957

1, 818, 626

9, 627

142, 227

214, 941

1,150

45, 731

43, 450

143,144
2, 663, 802
15, 009
23, 071
58, 889 1, 803, 617 2, 640, 731
174,
305
131,
901
10, 291

68

111, 634

37, 821 1, 441, 354 2, 250, 439
78, 712
76, 292
7, 474
23, 722 1,151, 882 1, 409,845
1,002 60, 683 286, 525
279, 864
64, 767
992
195,493
4, 631
87, 730
9,729
3, 673

225, 519
63, 604

291,831
92, 916

4,197
4,830 19, 497 14,077 22, 495 11, 603
6, 486 3, 424 3, 551 6, 056 161, 915 198, 915
30, 231 20,252
98,011 112,886 115,815 133,102 158,931 112, 343 129, 794 90, 547 47, 679 50, 837 92, 047 88, 176 1, 050, 607 1,006, 453
6,175
707
4, 598
6, 905 13,413 3,585 20,130 1,226 156, 788 517, 690
4, 998
1,801
3,988
3,605
4, 319
9,299
6,085
4,489
3,601
3,387
8. 882 4. 032 6.185 3, 837 6. 956 94. 292 185, 231
3, 375
• Includes projects under the Federal School Construction Program, which
1Excludes classified military projects, but Includes projects for the Atomic
provides aid for areas affected by Federal Government activities.
Energy Commission. Data for Federal-aid programs cover amounts con­
6Includes armories, offices, and customhouses.
tributed by both owner and the Federal Government. Force-account work
7Includes all buildings on civilian airports and military airfields and air­
is done not through a contractor, but directly by a Government agency, using
bases with the exception of barracks and other troop housing, which are in­
a separate work force to perform nonmaintenance construction on the agency’s
cluded under “ Troop housing.”
own properties. Beginning with January 1953 data, awards with a value of
s Covers all industrial plants under Federal Government ownership, in­
$25,000 or less are excluded; the combined value of such awards during 1951cluding those which are privately operated.
53 amounted to less than 1 percent of the annual totals.
9 Includes types of buildings not elsewhere classified.
* Preliminary.
70Includes sewer and water projects, railroad construction, and other types
3Includes major additions and alterations.
of projects not elsewhere classified.
4Excludes hangars and other buildings, which are included under “ Other
nonresidential” building construction.
4,709
82,474
1,369
2, 719

T able F-3: Building' 'permit 'activity: Valuation, by class of construction, [type of building, and
location in metropolitan areas 1
V aluation (in m illions)
1954

Class o f con stru ction an d t y p e o f b u ildin g
O ct.2

S ept.3

A u g.

J u ly

June

M ay

A p r.

$1,469.1

$1,446.6

$1, 539. 3

$1,519.2

$1,649.1

$1,426.4

$1,519.4

891.2
878.7
876.8
816.5
16.9
9.2
34.2
2.0
12.5
457.5
134.5
8.3
7.8
10.6
25.8
82.1
154.3
97.2
18.7
38.4
17.6
82.9
28.6
20.3
19.1
120.3

912.6
905.0
892.0
837.0
17.4
6.8
30.8
13.0
7.6
408.0
134.4
7.9
6.5
11.0
37.1
71.8
143.3
89.1
23.3
30.8
19.2
48.1
32.8
14.4
15.9
126.0

928.8
920.6
906.4
847.5
18.2
6.3
34.4
14.2
8.2
470.1
143.3
9.6
3.3
12.2
41.5
76.7
166.1
106.2
24.5
35.3
18.2
53.1
48.6
21.1
19.8
140.5

923.7
908.3
892.4
824.5
19.7
6.3
41.9
15.9
15.4
455.6
189.0
7.2
6.4
11.0
90.6
73.8
162.9
109.3
20.4
33.2
17.6
47.3
13.9
11.6
13.3
139.9

1,005.4
996.5
961.0
890.8
19.1
6.9
44.2
35.5
8.9
485.7
130.8
15.2
3.1
11.3
28.0
73.3
203.9
103.6
61.0
39.3
17.3
57.5
29.0
21.4
25.8
158.0

868.9
859.3
851.0
791.3
18.0
6.7
34.9
8.3
9.6
428.2
128.4
13.1
6.3
10.0
30.8
68.2
155.1
93.5
24.0
37.7
17.0
75.7
11.9
24.8
15.2
129.3

923.0
909.7
900.4
831.8
20.3
8.8
39.6
9.3
13.3
457.2
148.3
12.3
6.9
11.6
29.4
88.2
180.3
114.6
36.7
28.9
15.9
52.5
21.8
20.4
18.0
139.2

F eb .

First 10
m onths

$1,426.5

$975. 6

$13,885.8

854.2
839.5
822.0
747.9
20.7
9.0
44.4
17.5
14.7
448.2
133.1
13.1
7.2
9.9
28.1
74.9
180.9
110.8
42.6
27.5
11.9
73.3
13.0
18.8
17.1
124.1

577.6
571.0
560.1
505.2
14.4
5.8
34.7
10.9
6.6
300.0
93.8
3.8
2.9
6.9
28.0
52.2
112.9
81.1
12.6
19.2
6.8
28.7

8,390.1
8,282.7
8,137.7
7,476.6
177.5
73.1
410.4
145.1
107.4
4, 230.3
1,314.9
93.2
52.5
100.2
359.4
709.7
1,593.8
997.0
287.0
309.8
146.5
575.5
248.0
176.7
174.9
1,265.4

M ar.

U n ited States total

2-fam ily____

__________________ ______________

C o m m u n ity b u ild in g s....... ......... ........... ............... .........
E du cation a l b u ild in gs............. ......... ...........................

P u b lic utilities b u ild in g s -.

_____________________

A d d ition s, alterations, and r ep a irs..................................

See footnotes at end of table.


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

33.1
11.5
13.2
98.0

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

276

T a b l e F - 3 : Building' permit activity: Valuation, by class of construction,

type of building, and

location in metropolitan areas x*— Continued
Valuation (in millions)
1954

Class of construction and'type of building
Oct.3

Sept.3

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

Mar.

Feb.

Fist 10
months

Metropolitan area total *

All building construction— ......................

$1,143. 5

$1,146.9

$1, 236.8

$1,227. 9

$1, 304.2

$1.099. 7

$1,211.8

$1,146. 2

$774. 6

$11,064.2

New residential building_______________
New dwelling units (housekeeping only).
Privately owned---------------------------1- family.......................... ........... .
2- family........................................
3- and 4-family-.................................
5- or-more family________________
Publicly owned_______ _________ _
Nonhousekeeping buildings.............. .....
New nonresidential building____ ______
Commercial buildings_______________ _
Amusement buildings_____________
Commercial garages-----------------------Gasoline and service stations________
Office buildings___________________
Stores and other mercantile buildings..
Community buildings_______________
Educational buildings_________ _____
Institutional buildings_____________
Religious buildings________________
Garages, private residential....................
Industrial buildings.___ _____________
Public buildings____________________
Public utilities buildings........................
All other nonresidential buildings...........
Additions, alterations, and repairs.............

719.5
714.6
712.6
658.0
14.4
7.9
32.4
1.9
4.9
330.5
109.2
6.7
6.7

740.2
735.7
724.6
674.7
14.9
5.7
29.2

757.3
752.2
738.4
685.3
15.6
5.4
32.1
13.8
5.2
369.3
111.9
7.3

762.1
750.0
734.2
671.2
.17.1
5.4
40.5
15.8

826.1
820.3
786.9
722.2
16.9
5.7
42.1
33.4
5.8
356.4
96.9
8.3
2.5
6.7
23.1
56.4
145.4
72.4
47.8
25.3
14.0
46.0
14.5
19.4

706.1
700.4
692.2
637.9
15.4
5.2
33.7

759.0
751.4
743.1
679.7
17.4
7.4
38.6
8.4
7.6
345.1
118.0
7.6

704.2
694.0
677.1
609.2
17.1

477.7
474.3
463.4
412.4

6,881.8
6,813.6
6,676.7
6,067.5
152.3
61.2
395. 7
136.9

343.0
104.3
11.3

24.5
73.0
126.6
79.6
26.4

6.3
23.2
56.9
126.6
74.6
31.9

6.6
22.6

66.5
109.0
61.9
16.3
30.8
13.6
50.4
16.5
17.8
14.1
93.5

11.1

4.5
310.4
105.2
6.7
5.9
6.4
32.1
54.2
105.7
69.1
14.7
21.9
14.9
40.9
17.4
12.4
13.9
96.2

2.6
8.1

33.0
60.9
131.8
82.9
22.5
26.4
14.5
42.0
40.9
13.4
14.8

110.1

12.1

355.8
160.4
4.7
5.6
. 7. 1
84.6
58.5

112.2
77.4
9.9
25.0
14.0
40. 7

8.8
9.6
9.9

110.1

20.2
121.8

8.2

5.7
293.4
95.7

6.1
5.1
6.1

24.3
54.1
104.5
61.6
16.4
26.5
13.6
51.6

6.1
11.6

10.3
100.3

6.2
6.8

20.6

12.5
43.7
15.9
14.9
13.6
107.6

8.0

42.8
16.9

10.2
6.6

20.1
9.4
66.6

12.2

5.1
33.7
10.9
3.4
218.7
72.7
2.3

2.6

4.0
23.7
40.2
78.4
55.6

8.1

14.7
5.4

21.8
23.3
8.2
8.8

8.4
14.1
13.6
99.0

78.3

68.2

3,191.9
1,037. 7
62.7
45.7
61.9
307.8
559.4
1,153.9
710.5
216.5
226.9
115.8
456.3
163.8
131.2
133.3
990.5

Total in central cities of metropolitan areas
All building construction.................................

$435.5

$435.4

$465. 6

$471.5

$523.8

$391.0

$445.8

$438.4

$322.3

$4,283.8

New residential building.............. ............. ......
New dwelling units (housekeeping only).
Privately owned_______________________
1family___________________________
2family____________________ ______ _
3- and 4-family........ ................. ................
5- or-more family_____________ _______ _
Publicly owned________________________
Nonhousekeeping buildings______________
New nonresidential building_______________
Commercial buildings....................................
Amusement buildings................... ............
Commercial garages____________________
Gasoline and service stations__________
Office buildings........................ ............. .
Stores and other mercantile buildings..
Community buildings___________________
Educational buildings................................
Institutional buildings_________________
Religious bu ild in gs....................................
Garages, private residential______________
Industrial buildings........................................
Public buildings.......................... .....................
Public utilities buildings_________________
All other nonresidential buildings_______
Additions, alterations, and repairs_________

204.8
201.7
199.8
165.0

218.6
215.9
204.8
175.2

223.5
221.3
205. 5
165.9
9.2

223.6
218.6
211.3
171.5
9.0
3.4
27.3
7.3
5.0
158. 3
57.3
3.6
5.4
3.0
17.4
27.9
62.8
35.8
16.1
10.9
4.5
16.4

219.7
213.3
196.5
160.0
8.9
2.9
24.7
16.9
6.4
159.9
59.1
9.4
5.4
2.7
14.3
27.2
73.5
39.8
23.3
10.4
3.4
9.2
2.7
4.0

151.7
149.7
139.9

3.0
18.4

255.4
252.6
221.5
180.4
9.7
1.9
29.5
31.1
2.7
193.3
53.3
4.3
1.7
3.1
15.7
28.6
90.1
38.2
38.6
13.3
5.1
14.9
4.0
13.2
12.7
75.1

201.8

4.1
22.5
1.9
3.1
173.0
64.0
3.2
5.1
3.0
14.9
37.8
63.5
29.1
14.1
20.4
4.8
20.9
3.2
9.6
6.9
57.7

215.0
211.9
199.8
167.1
7.8
2.4
22.4

2,080.3
2,047.9
1,919.7
1, 538.2
79.3
25.8
276.4
128.2
32.4
1,599.5
581.9
34.8
35.6
28.5
214.3
268.7
606.1
328.2
155.6
122.3
41.1
161.3
82.0
60.6
66.5
604.0

8.2

8.2

11.1
2.6

159.4
63.1
4.3
4.9
2.9
25.1
25.9
55.3
37.1
7.0

11.2

5.1
17.7
5.4
5.1
7.7
57.5

1These statistics on building construction authorized b y local building
permits measure building activity in all localities having building-permit
systems—rural nonfarm as well as urban. Such localities (over 7,000) in­
clude about 80 percent of the nonfarm population of the country, according
to the 1950 Census. The data cover both federally and nonfederally owned
projects. Figures on the amount of construction contracts awarded for Fed­
eral projects and for public housing (Federal, State, and local) in permit­
issuing places are added to the valuation data (estimated cost entered by
builders on building-permit applications) for privately owned projects;
construction undertaken b y State and local governments is reported by


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12.1

3.1
185.3
62.1
3.6
1.7
4.1
18.6
34.1
62.4
30.9
18.8
12.7
4.9

12.8

33.5
4.1
5.6
65.3

2.1

28.2
15.8

2.2

182.0
94.2

2.8

4.3
3.3
58.2
25.5
49.3
30.6
5.7
13.0
4.7
19.2
4.8
5.9
3.9

66.0

198.8
192.3
157.9
7.6
1.9
24.9
6.5
3.1
129.5
54.3
1.5
4.3
2.9
18.4
27.1
43.8

22.2

8.3
13.4
4.7
17.3
.5
4.8
4.1
59.6

2.6

7.2
7.4
63.9

8.0

58.7

110.8
5.7
1.9
21.4
9.7

2.0

119.8
39.4

1.2

1.5
1.7
19.3
15.6
43.3
29.6
4.7
9.0

2.1
9.8
20.8
2.1
2.3
50.8

local officials. N o adjustment has been made in the building-permit data
to reflect the fact that permit valuations generally understate the actual
cost of construction, nor for lapsed permits or the lag between permit issu­
ance or contract-award dates and start of construction. Therefore, they
should not be considered as representing the volume of building construction
started. Components may not always equal totals because of rounding.
3Preliminary.
3Revised.
4Comprised of 168 Standard Metropolitan Areas used in 1950 Census,

F : BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

277

T a b le F -4 : Building permit activity: Number of new dwelling units, by ownership, type of structure,

and location in metropolitan areas 1
Num ber of new dwelling units (housekeeping only)
Ownership and type of structure

1954
Oct.8

Sept.8

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr.

First 10
months

M ar.

Feb.

3,192
1,532
6,136
1,106

94,995
93,044
79,023
3,411
1,831
8, 779
1,951

66,148
64,926
55,179
2,472
1,191
6,084

908,901
892,582
784,205
28,346
13, 687
66,344
16,319

80,489
79,484
69,635
2,623
1,277
5,949
1,005

76,394
74,493
61, 781
2, 705
1, 586
8,421
1,901

53,132
51,910
43,004
2,042
1,018
5,846

727,153
711,637
613,685
23.339
11.339
63, 274
15,516

25,271
23, 370
17,262
1,407
571
4,130
1,901

18,414
17,313

237,079
222,495
163,340
12,379
4,686
42,090
14,584

United States total
A ll new dwelling u n its............................................. .
Privately owned........................................................
1fam ily..............................................
2fa m ily .......................................... .
3- and 4-fam ily..................................................
5- or-more fam ily................... ...........................
Publicly owned..........................................................

94.086
93,877
84, 239
2,658
1,474
5,506
209

97,334
95.871
86,670
2,755
1,349
5,097
1,463

99,845
98,170
88, 279
2,862
1,234
5,795
1,675

98,059
96,218
85,094
3,052
1,186

6,886
1,841

92,263
91,260
81, 547
2,887
1,217
5,609
1,003

108,121
104,236
93,043
2,954
1,268
6,971
3,885

100,187
99,081

88,221

1,222

Metropolitan area to ta l1
All new dwelling u n its...................................................
Privately ow n ed........................................................
1family......... ....................................
2fam ily......... ....................................
3- and 4-family_____________________________
5- or-moref a m ily ...............................................
Publicly owned.........................................................

74,400
74,193
65,674
2,173
1,269
5,077
207

77,332
76,017
67,843
2,235
1,117
4,822
1,315

79,146
77, 524
68,833
2,354
1,025
5,312
1,622

79,132
77, 292
67,087
2, 553
1,008
6,644
1,840

86,357

72,875
71,879
63,241
2,351
914
5,373
996

82, 743
72, 744
2,505
1,035
6,459
3,614

1,222

Total in central cities of metropolitan areas
All new dwelling units....................................... ............
Privately owned______________ _______________
1family_________________________
2fam ily......... ....................................
3- and 4-family.................. .................................
5- or-more family................................................
Publicly owned..........................................................

22,485
22,278
16,935
1,261
631
3,451
207

24,602
23,287
18, 525
1,230
603
2,929
1,315

1See table P-3, footnote 1.
8Preliminary.

24, 398
22,936
17,619
1,192
464
3,661
1,462

25, 537
23, 697
17,340
1,446
390
4,521
1,840

28, 649
25,261
19,082
1,486
345
4,348
3,388

22,856
22,119
16, 683
1,214
343
3,879
737

25,349
24,446
18,396
1,379
589
4,082
903

12,012
964
387
3,950

1,101

8Revised.
*Comprised of the 168 Standard Metropolitan Areas used in the 1950 Census.

T a b l e F - 5 : Building permit activity: Valuation, by class of construction and geographic region 1
Valuation (in millions)
Class of construction and geographic region

1954
Feb.

First 10
months

$1,426. 5
322.0
408.4
369.9
326.2

$975. 6
212.0
249.5
273.8
240.4

$13,885.8
3,099.2
4,122.1
3,473.6
3,191.0

839.5
199.9
231.6
205.5
202.5
448.2
91.7
141.0
125.7
89.8
124.1
27.9
30.4
34.7
31.1

571.0
121.3
140.4
160.8
148.6
300.0
65.8
82.6
83.8
67.8
98.0
23.4
24.9
27.0
22.6

8,282.7
1,836. 7
2,486.9
1,949.4
2,009.6
4,230.3
' 953.7
1,254.5
1,154.2
867.9
1,265.4
’ 292.2
352.1
335.9
285.1

Oct.8

Sept.8

Aug.

July

June

M ay

Apr,

M ar.

All building construction 4..................................................
Northeast_________________________________________
North C entral.................................................................
South._________________________________ __________
W e s t .................................................................... .............

$1,469.1
295.3
435.2
386.2
352.4

$1,446.6
288.2
431.0
389.9
337.5

$1, 539.3
361.1
480.0
354.3
344.0

$1, 519.2
369.0
465.5
346.6
338.0

$1, 649.1
346.4
491.7
423.2
387.8

$1,426.4
319.2
460.0
336.2
311.0

$1, 519.4
356.4
874.9
342.8
341.4

N ew dwelling units (housekeeping o n ly )..................
Northeast...........................................................................
North C entral............................. ......... ................. .......
South__________________________ _______ ___________
W est______________________________________________
N ew nonresidential buildings_____________ _________ _
Northeast_________________________________________
North Central____________ _____ _______ _____ _ ._
S o u th ..._______________ __________ _____ _________ _
W est............... ..................................................................
Additions, alterations, and repairs___________________
Northeast_________________________________________
North Central.......................—
................ ...............
South........ ........... ................................ .............................
W est................................................................................. .

878.7
171.8
268.1
210.7
228.1
457.5
96.6
126.8
144.1
90.1
120.3
25.7
37.8
29.2
27.6

905.0
186.1
283.1
225.0
210.8
408.0
74.6
110.1
129.5
93.8
126.0
26.1
36.2
32.1
31.6

920.6
210.3
284.1
214.5
211.8
470.1
117.9
154.2
100.6
97.3
140.5
31.8
39.5
36.8
32.3

908.3
204.8
285.5
203.9
214.0
455.6
127.9
134.2
98.8
94.7
139.9
34.6
41.2
37.1
27.1

996.5
228.6
306.5
223.4
238.0
485.7
80.4
137.1
155.0
113.2
158.0
35.8
45.0
43.0
34.1

859.3
194.2
277.9
186.7
200.5
428.2
89.3
142.2
114.7
81.9
129.3
34.7
35.8
32.2
26.6

909.7
199.3
293.3
193.9
223.3
457.2
122.1
141.5
110.1
83.5
139.2
31.2
42.0
36.0
30.0

1See table F-3, footnote 1.
8Preliminary.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

8 Revised.
4Includes new nonhousekeeping residential building, not shown separately.

278

MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1955

T a b l e F - 6 : N u m b er and construction cost of new perm anent nonfarm dwelling units started, by
urban or rural location, and by source of funds 1
Number of new dwelling units started
All units

Period

1925...............................................
1933 »..................... — .................
19414.............................................
1944 »______ _________________
1946_____ _____ ______________
1947........................- .....................
1948.................... ....... ................ .
1949.................................... ........ .
1950«____ ____________________
1951____ _____________________
1952..............................................
1953......................... ................... .
1953:

Privately owned

Estimated construction cost
(in thousands) »

Total
nonfarm

Urban

Rural
nonfarm

Total
nonfarm

Urban

Rural
non­
farm

937, 000
93,000
706,100
141,800
670, 500
849,000
931,600
1,025,100
1,396,000
1,091,300
1,127,000
1,103,800

752,000
45,000
434,300
96,200
403, 700
479, 800
524, 900
588,800
827, 800
595, 300
609, 600
565,000

185,000
48,000
271, 800
45, 600
266,800
369, 200
406, 700
436,300
568, 200
496,000
517, 400
538, 800

937,000
93,000
619, 500
138, 700
662, 500
845, 600
913, 500
988,800
1,352, 200
1,020,100
1,068, 500
1,068, 300

752,000
45, 000
369, 500
93,200
395, 700
476, 400
510. 000
656,600
785,600
531, 300
554,600
533,200

185,000
0
0
0 $4,475,000
48.000
0
285, 446
0
0
250,000 86, 600 64, 800 21,800 2,826,192
45, 500 3,100 3,000
496,054
100
266,800 8,000 8,000
0 3,769, 767
369,200 3,400 3,400
0 5, 643, 436
403, 500 18,100 14,900 3,200 7,203, 119
432, 200 36, 300 32, 200 4,100 7, 702, 971
566,600 43, 800 42, 200 1,600 11, 788, 595
488, 800 71, 200 64,000 7,200 9,800,892
513, 900 58, 500 55, 000 3, 500 10, 208, 983
535,100 35,500 31,800 3, 700 10,488,003

72,100
79, 200
105, 800
111, 400
108, 300
104, 600
96, 700
93,200
95,100
90,100
81,500
65, 800

38,400
43,100
59,100
57, 400
55,200
53,300
48,100
46, 400
47,100
43,100
38, 800
35,000

33,700
36,100
46, 700
54,000
53, 100
51,300
48,600
46,800
48,000
47,000
42,700
30,800

68, 200
73,800
96,100
107,400
105,600
102,000
96, 400
92,200
92,100
90,100
79, 900
64, 500

35,400
38,600
49, 800
54,100
52,500
51, 400
47,800
45, 400
44,100
43,100
37,200
33,800

January............................
February...........................
March.......... ............ .......
April.............. ............. .
May________ __________
June__________________
July------ ---------- ----------August— ........... .............
September____ ______ _
October_______________
November___ __________
December... .....................

1The estimates shown here do not include temporary units, conversions,
dormitory accommodations, trailers, or military barracks. T hey do include
prefabricated housing units.
These estimates are based on building-permit records, which, beginning
with 1945, have been adjusted for lapsed permits and for lag between permit
issuance and start of construction. T hey are based also on reports of Federal
construction contract awards and beginning in 1946 on field surveys in non­
permit-issuing places. The data in this table refer to nonfarm dwelling units
started, and not to urban dwelling units authorized, as shown in table F-3.
All of these estimates contain some error. For example, if the estimate
T able F -7 :

Publicly owned
Total
non­
farm

32, 800
35,200
46,300
53,300
53,100
50, 600
48, 600
46,800
48,000
47,000
42, 700
30,700

Urban

3,900
5,400
9, 700
4,000
2, 700
2, 600
300
1,000
3, 000
(7)
1,600
1,300

3,000
4,500
9,300
3,300
2, 700
1,900
300
1,000
3. 000
(7)
1,600
1,200

Rural
nonfarm

900
900
400
700
(7)
700
C7)
(7)
(7)
(7)
0
100

Total

641, 703
720, 234
984, 276
1, 057,899
1,027, 221
998,136
941, 943
911, 681
923,983
883, 455
777,479
619,993

Privately Publicly
owned
owned
$4,475,000
285,446
2, 530, 765
483,231
3, 713, 776
5,617,425
7,028, 980
7, 374,269
11,418,371
9,186,123
9, 706, 276
10,181,185

0
0
$295,427
12,823
55,991
26,011
174,139
328, 702
370,224
614, 769
502, 707
306,818

610, 344
674,399
898,967
1,022,836
1,001, 693
975, 591
938. 871
902, 501
897, 896
882, 838
764,774
610,475

31,359
45,835
85.309
35,063
25, 528
22, 545
3,072
9,180
26, 087
617
12. 705
9,518

of nonfarm starts is 100,000, the chances are about 19 out of 20 that an actual
enumeration would produce a figure between 96,000 and 104,000.
* Private construction costs are based on permit valuation, adjusted for
understatement of costs shown on permit applications. Public construction
costs are based on contract values or estimated construction costs for
individual projects.
» Depression, low year.
4Recovery peak year prior to wartime limitations.
5Last full year under wartime control.
• Housing peak year.
7 Less than 50 units.

N u m b e r of new perm anent nonfarm dw elling units started , b y ownership and location,
and construction c o s t 1
Number ot new dwelling units started

Period
Total

1954 ».
First quarter__________
January____________
February__________
M a r c h _____________
Second quarter_______
April...... .......................
M a y . . ..........................
June________________
Third quarter4. . . ___
July____ ____________
August_______________
September 4 _______
Fourth quarter.. ___
October 3____________
November 4 ________
December4_________

Privately
owned

Publicly
owned

M etro­
politan
places

Nonmetro­
North­
politan
east
places

1,215,500

1,196,100

19, 400

897, 700

317,800

236,800
66, 400
75, 200
95, 200
332, 700
107, 700
108, 500
116,500
346, 000
116,000
114,300
115, 700
300, 000
106, 000
103,000
91, 000

232,200
65,100
73, 900
93, 200
326,500
106, 500
107, 400
112,600
339, 300
112, 900
113,000
113, 400
298, 100
105, 800
102,700
89, 600

4,600
1,300
1,300
2,000
6, 200
1,200
1,100
3,900
6, 700
3,100
1,300
2,300
1,900
200
300
1,400

174,300
49, 700
53, 500
71,100
244,000
79, 400
77,100
87,500
252, 800
87, 500
82.600
82, 700
226, 600
80, 600
77, 500
68, 500

62, 500
16, 700
21, 700
24,100
88, 700
28,300
31, 400
29,000
93, 200
28, 500
31,700
33,000
73,400
25, 400
25. 500
22, 500

1This new series on housing starts begins with January 1954 data, and is
continuous with statistics for earlier dates except that the urban-rural non­
farm distribution shown previously is replaced by metropolitan-nonmetro­
politan and regional data. The new series is based on recently revised esti­
mating techniques which combine (1) a monthly reporting system expanded
to include almost all building-permit-issuing localities (accounting for nearly
80 percent of total nonfarm population), with (2) field surveys of dwelling-unit
starts in nonpermit-issuing places—based on a newly designed sample of
counties that permits more efficient operations and a greater degree of accu­


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Estimated construction cost
(in thousands) »

Location

North
Central

South

W est

47,400
13, 000
13,300
21,100
67,300
21, 700
21,600
24.000
72, 500
25,300
24,800
22,400

52, 700
13,300
16, 200
23,200
98,400
31,100
32. 900
34,400
97, 800
33, 300
32, 600
31,900

77,600
22, 500
26,100
29,000
90,900
29, 300
30, 000
31,600
99, 900
32,200
31, 700
36,000

59,100 $2,240,448 $2,199, 446
17, 600
618, 313
' 605, 951
19, 600
701,934
690' 760
21, 900
920, 201
902] 735
76,100 3, 454, 574 3, 398, 901
25, 600 1,106, 809 1, 095, 557
24, 000 1,137, 562 1,128, 751
26, 500 1,210,203
1,174,593
75, 800 3, 590, 366 3, 528, 471
25, 200 1,213,311
1,182, 830
25,200
1,186,019
1,175, 766
25, 400 1,191, 036
1,169, 875

0)
(5>
(5)

«
(5)
(5)

(«)
(s)
(!)

(5)
(5)
(')

Total

1,107,572
1, 070,951
(5)

Privately
owned

Publicly
owned

1,105,610
1,068] 080
(s)

$41,002
12] 362
11,174
17,466
55] 673
11,252
8,811
35,610
61,895
30,481
10,253
21,161
1,962
2] 871
(s)

racy than previously. The error in the total private nonfarm estimate due to
sampling in the nonpermit segment is such that for an estimate of 100,000
starts the chances are about 19 out of 20 that a complete enumeration of all
nonpermit areas would result in a total private nonfarm figure between 98,000
and 102,000. For metropolitan-nonmetropolitan or regional components, the
relative error is somewhat larger. Data on type of structure (1-famiiy houses
versus rental type structures) are available on request.
* See table F-6, footnote 2.
»Preliminary.
4 Revised.
« N ot yet available.
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