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U N IT E D STA TES D E P A R T M E N T OF LA B O R
Frances P erk in s, S ecreta ry
B U R E A U O F L A B O R ST A T IST IC S
Isador L u b in , C om m issioner
+
p IM !C
M o n th ly FE6X51535
L a b o r R e v ie w
Hugh S. Hanna, Editor
V olum e 40, N um ber 1
Ja n u a ry 1935
+
U N IT E D S T A T E S
G O V E R N M E N T P R IN T IN G OFFICE
W A S H IN G T O N : 1935
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Contents
Special articles:
'
pa8b
Selection of employees’ representatives, by Emily Clark Brown------1
Subsistence homesteads for industrial and rural workers at the end
of 1934______________________________________________________
19
Historical review of trade-union incorporation------------------------------38
Employment conditions and unemployment relief:
Report of Virginia advisory commission on unemployment insurance - _
44
Employment among former members of Civilian Conservation Corps45
Employment on large-scale farms in the Soviet Union-------------------47
Employment offices:
Activities of United States Employment Service, October 1934------49
National Recovery program:
60
Regularization of employment in the automobile industry--------------Summary of permanent codes adopted under National Industrial
Recovery Act during November 1934---------------------------------------60
Social insurance and pensions:
Teachers’ retirement systems in the depression-----------------------------64
66
Industrial group insurance in 1933----------------------------------------------Old-age assistance in Wisconsin--------------------------------------------------68
Old-age pension law of West Virginia------------------------------------------71
Industrial and labor conditions:
Conference on labor standards, Washington, D. C., December 14,
1934__________________________________________________________
72
Report on competition of prison labor with cotton-garment industry-_
73
Labor laws and court decisions:
Railroad retirement act held unconstitutional by District of Columbia
Supreme Court_______________________________________________
76
Leave of absence of Government employees held not a property right77
Promise of life employment not enforceable in Louisiana---------------79
Workmen’s compensation:
Acceptance of State workmen’s compensation precludes recovery in
admiralty______________________________________________
80
Notice of compensation claim for occupational disease under Connect
icut act______________________________________________________
81
New workmen’s compensation law of South Africa------------------------83
Health and industrial hygiene:
High mortality rates of coal miners---------------------------------------------88
Education:
Vocational education in various foreign countries, 1933-----------------92
Women in industry:
Labor code for women in Cuba---------------------------------------------------99
Industrial disputes:
Industrial disputes in November 1934--------------------------------------------101
Conciliation work of the Department of Labor in November 1934----109
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hi
IV
CONTENTS
lab or agreements, awards, and decisions:
Decisions of National Labor Relations Board_________ *__________
Arbitration board grants wage increase in mining industry of South
Wales_______________________________________________________
Labor turn-over:
Labor turn-over in manufacturing establishments, October 1934___
Housing:
Building operations in principal cities of the United States, Novem
ber 1934 ____________________________________________________
Construction from public funds__________________________________
Relative cost of material and labor in construction of water and
sewerage systems_____________________________________________
Wages and hours of labor:
Average wage and salary payments in various industries in Ohio, 1916
to 1932: Part 3, by Fred C. Croxton and Frank C. Croxton_____
Wage-rate changes in American industries________________________
Farm wage and labor situation on October 1, 1934________________
India:
Wages in the cotton industry in Bombay, 1933_______________
Wages in jute mills in Bengal, 1933_________________________
Soviet Union— Wages and cost of production in large-scale industries,
1929 to 1932_________________________
Trend of employment:
Summary of employment reports for November 1934______________
Trend of employment in October 1934— Revised figures:
Employment in manufacturing industries_____________________
Employment in nonmanufacturing industries_________________
Employment in building construction________________________
Employment and pay rolls in cities of over 500,000 population
Employment on class I steam railroads in the United States___
Employment and pay rolls in the Federal Service_____________
Employment created by the Public Works Administration fund. _
Emergency work relief program_____________________________
Emergency conservation work_______________________________
Employment on State road projects__________________________
Employment on construction projects financed by the Reconstruc
tion Finance Corporation_________________________________
Employment on construction projects financed from regular gov
ernmental appropriations_________________________________
Unemployment in foreign countries______________________________
Retail prices:
Retail prices of food, November 1934____________________________
Retail prices of coal, November 15, 1934_________________________
Retail prices of food in the United States and in certain foreign
countries____________________________________________________
Wholesale prices:
Wholesale prices in November 1934______________________________
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States__________________________________________
Official— Foreign countries____________ :__________________________
Unofficial______________________________________________________
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Page
113
129
130
133
140
145
147
164
168
169
171
174
177
181
193
198
201
202
204
206
211
212
213
214
216
218
222
228
235
239
250
251
253
This Issue in Brief
Elections by employees to choose representatives jor collective bargain
ing were conducted by the National Labor Board in 546 separate
plants or industrial units. Over 100,000 employees participated in
these elections. In 74.7 percent of the cases trade-union representa
tives were chosen. Page 1.
Some 5,000families are to be provided for in the subsistence homesteads
projects being fostered by two agencies of the United States Government.
These agencies are the Subsistence Homesteads Division of the De
partment of the Interior and the Federal Emergency Relief Admin
istration. Up to the end of December 1934 the former had approved
62 projects; the work had reached the house-construction stage in 20
and in 8 the first group of houses had been completed. The Federal
Emergency Relief Administration had approved the creation of three
new rural industrial communities, in all of which some of the home
steaders have already taken possession of their new homes. All of
these projects are being financed from Federal funds. The homes in
the Subsistence Homesteads Division projects are to be purchased
on long-term contracts by the homesteaders, while those of the
F. E. R. A. will be rented to them. These homesteads will be occupied
by the families of workers who will combine home gardening with
part-time industrial employment. Page 19.
Diseases of the respiratory system cause a high rate of mortality among
both anthracite and bituminous-coal miners, according to a study by the
United States Public Health Service. Among anthracite miners a
higher relative mortality was shown for respiratory tuberculosis than
among the general population. Rates for nonrespiratory diseases did
not show any significant differences between miners and the other
groups, although somewhat higher rates were shown among miners
in this country for certain of the so-called “ degenerative diseases.”
Page 88.
The volume of group insurance held in this country has increased
since it was started in 1911 to an estimated total of nearly 10 billion
dollars at the end of 1933, according to a recent study by the National
Industrial Conference Board. The records of 8 of the large life
insurance companies, which have written more than 90 percent of all
the group policies in force, showed that the total number of policies
in force in those companies at the end of 1933 numbered 15,125 and
covered 4,487,377 persons. In addition to straight life insurance,
which was first written under the group plan, there has been a
development in the field of group policies covering accident and health
insurance and annuities guaranteeing a retirement income to
employees during their old age. Page 66.
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V
VI
THIS ISSUE IN BRIEF
The Virginia commission on unemployment insurance has reported
favorably on the enactment of such a law in that State. The commission
presented a tentative bill calling for contributions by the employers
alone, with the fund formed by the employers’ contributions to be ad
ministered by the State department of labor and industry. The com
mission estimated that the burden on industry of such a system would
amount to less than one-half of 1 percent of the value of the products
of the industries covered and to less than 1 percent of the value added
by manufacture. Page 44.
State teacher-retirement systems have suffered during the depression
from proposals advanced in State legislatures and by other groups
which threatened their continuance and stability, while the decrease
in school resources or attempts to revise school finance systems have
hindered the introduction of new retirement legislation and the revision
of unsatisfactory systems. A report by the National Education
Association covering the past 4 years shows that in general there have
been few legislative changes in the established systems during the
period, although in one State the required service period was length
ened and in another the system was revised to permit a relatively early
retirement age. Page 64.
Complete withdrawal of prison-made goods from competition with the
products of private industry is the only solution of a competitive prob
lem that has burdened American industrial and political life for a long
time, according to the findings of the special committee named to
study the relationship between prison goods and the output of the
cotton-garment industry. It recommended that prison goods be
devoted to State use and that to this end special appropriations from
the funds of the Public Works Administration be made to the States
to help them reorganize their prison industries. Pending the comple
tion of plans for removing prison goods from competitive trade, the
committee deemed it essential that the prison-labor compact be re
tained as the best instrument of control. Page 73.
In certain foreign countries the depression has been a stimulus to
research in vocational education and to the development of a new
branch of training designed to maintain the skill and efficiency of
jobless young people and to prepare them for new occupations.
Greater significance was attached abroad to vocational training in
1933 than in preceding years, the International Labor Office reports.
A review of recent national and international activities in this con
nection indicates that this type of education is considered a highly
important factor in the changing economic order. Page 92.
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M o n th ly Labor R ev iew
‘P ublished by the
L a bo r S ta tistic s
+
U
n it ed
S tates B u rea u
of
W A SH IN G TO N
V oi. 40, N o. 1
January 1935
Selection of Employees’ Representatives
B y E mily C lark B r o w n . V a ssa r C ollege
HE device of elections, in which wage earners were given oppor
tunity to indicate their choice of representatives for collective
bargaining, was extensively used by the National Labor Board.
During the life of the Board—from its establishment on August 5,
1933, to its dissolution and replacement by the National Labor
Relations Board on July 9, 1934—some 183 elections were con
ducted in 546 separate plants or other industrial units. Held under
the direct supervision of the National Labor Board or of some of its
19 regional labor boards, these elections took place in 36 States and
50 industries, and were participated in by over 100,000 employees.
In the larger number of cases they offered a choice between a trade
union and some form of nonunion employee representation; in a
smaller number of cases they offered an opportunity simply to accept
or refuse a trade union as representative; and in a few cases a choice
between rival trade unions. Among 546 plants or other units in
which elections were held, in 408 cases or 74.7 percent, a trade union
won the election. Of 103,714 votes counted, 71,931 or 69.4 percent
were cast for trade-union representation.
This use of employee elections arose to meet the need of special
situations developing under the National Industrial Recovery Act.
In certain cases the device had been used by the National War Labor
Board for the determination of collective-bargaining representatives
in war industries.1 It was revived by the National Labor Board in
1933 when disputes arose in numerous cases as to who were the bona
fide representatives of the employees, under the guaranty of section
7 (a) of the National Industrial Recovery Act “ that employees shall
have the right to organize and bargain collectively through repre
sentatives of their own choosing.” Neither in the President’s
announcement of the establishment of the National Labor Board on
i U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 287: The National War Labor Board, Washington, 1921,
pp. 60-61.
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1
2
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
August 5, 1933, nor in liis Executive order of December 16, 1933, in
regard to its continuance, was mention made of this problem, or was
specific authorization given for the conduct of elections in such
cases.2 Within 5 days of the establishment of the Board, however,
in the first large-scale dispute which it handled, the Board published
an agreement which it had made with the hosiery manufacturers
of Reading, Pa., and the representatives of their employees, in
settlement of a strike, that “ employees on the pay roll of the last
day on which they worked at each company shall hold a meeting,
elect their own chairman by secret ballot, and elect their representa
tives to deal with the management in working out agreements dealing
with the relationships of employees and employer.” 3
By the end of August 1933, elections had been conducted by the
National Labor Board in 52 plants, and in each succeeding month
the device was in use by the National Board and, beginning in Nov
ember, by some of the regional boards. On February 1, 1934, specific
authority to conduct elections was granted by the President in an
Executive order; an amendment to that order on February 23
strengthened the hands of the Board in regard to elections, by author
izing the Board to report with appropriate recommendations to the
Attorney General or to the Compliance Division of the National
Recovery Administration any cases in which it should find that an
employer interfered with the conduct of an election or declined to
recognize or bargain collectively with the representatives of his
employees selected in accordance with section 7 (a).4
These elections were held in situations where the form of repre
sentation for collective bargaining was a point of controversy.
Problems of policies and methods in holding elections were worked
out in the field on the basis of experience. The National Board
issued no general regulations for the conduct of elections. Its only
regulations were those issued on March 29, 1934, which limited the
use of Government-sponsored elections to cases in which there was
a real conflict over the desires of employees in regard to their col2 Decisions of the National Labor Board, August 1933-March 1934, pp. v, vi.
2 Idem p. 2.
4 Idem, pp. vii, viii. The paragraphs bearing upon this matter are as follows:
1. Whenever the National Labor Board shall determine, in such manner as it sees fit, that a substantial
number (as defined in the discretion of the Board) of the employees, or of any specific group of employees,
of any plant or enterprise or industrial unit of any employer subject to such a code or agreement, have
requested the Board to conduct an election to enable them to choose representatives for the purpose of
collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection in the exercise of the rights assured to them in said
section 7 (a), the Board shall make the arrangements for and supervise the conduct of an election, under
the exclusive control of the Board and under such rules and regulations as the Board shall prescribe. There
after the Board shall publish promptly the names of those representatives who are selected by the vote of
at least a majority of the employees voting, and have been thereby designated to represent all the em
ployees eligible to participate in such an election for the purpose of collective bargaining or other m utual
aid or protection in their relations with their employer. (Executive Order No. 6580, Feb. 1, 1934.)
2. Whenever the National Labor Board shall find that an employer has interfered with the Board’s
conduct of an election or has declined to recognize or bargain collectively with a representative or repre
sentatives of the employees adjudged by the Board to have been selected in accordance with section 7 (a)
or has otherwise violated or is refusing to comply with said section 7 (a), the Board, in its discretion, may
report such findings and make appropriate recommendations to the Attorney General or to the Compliance
Division of the National Recovery Administration. The Compliance Division shall not review the find
ings of the Board, but it shall have the power to take appropriate action based thereon. (Executive Order
NQ-6612-A, Feb. 23, 1934.)
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SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
3
lective-bargaining representatives.5 Meanwhile methods which
appeared useful were being developed by field agents of the Board
and of those regional labor boards which made extensive use of
elections. The use of the secret ballot, supervision by the Govern
ment representative of the preparation of ballots and of the ballot
ing and counting of votes, and efforts to prevent coercion from
either side, were the general practice.
Number and Distribution of Elections
D u r in g the existence of the National Labor Board—from August
5, 1933, to July 9, 1934—183 elections are recorded as having been
conducted by the National Board and its 19 regional labor boards to
determine the choice of representatives of employees for collective
bargaining. Usually an election covered only the employees of a
single company, but occasionally an election was held for a group of
units in one industry, such as the hosiery plants in Reading, Pa., or
the Pennsylvania “ captive coal mines” (i. e., mines owned by steel
companies). The 546 industrial units in which these elections were
held were in most cases separate companies, but occasionally were
separate plants, mines, or other branches under one company. The
National Board conducted 44 of these elections, covering 174 units,
while 18 of the regional boards conducted 139 elections in 372 units.
The total number of votes counted, hereafter termed valid votes,
was 103,714.
These elections were widely scattered, geographically and indus
trially, occurring in 36 States and in 50 industries. The States with
the largest number of units in which elections were held were the
following.
Number of industrial
State and number of elections:
units covered
Minnesota (8)________________________________________ 204
Pennsylvania (39)___________________________________ 113
New Jersey (6)______________________________________ 41
Alabama (25)________________________________________ 34
New York (13)______________________________________ 30
California (18)_______________________________________ 18
Washington (14)_____________________________________ 17
Massachusetts (9)___________________________________
14
Indiana (12)_________________________________________ 12
5 National Labor Board, Press release no. 4118, Mar. 29, 1934, the text of which was as follows:
The Executive order of Feb. 1, 1934, provides that the Board may order an election for the choice of repre
sentative or representatives of the employees when requested by a substantial number of such employees.
An election is merely a device for determining the representatives of a majority of the workers for collective
bargaining purposes. It is not the exclusive method for making such determination, and need not be em
ployed except in those cases where no other adequate method exists. Where, therefore, no controversy
exists between or among any groups or factions of employees as to which group represents the majority, or
where it is conceded by all concerned that a particular group represents the majority of the employees, an
election need not be ordered by the Board, despite the fact that a substantial number of employees may
request it.
It is only where the petitioning group desires representation through a certain agency, and another group
of employees or the employer denies that the agency so designated represents the majority of the employees,
th at the services of the Board are needed to determine the question in dispute. Of course, unusual cir
cumstances may arise where such a rule does not apply, but in general this should be the basis of'determination of whether an election should be ordered. It is important to note that the dispute between the em
ployer and the employees regarding the identity of the representatives should be more than a colorable
one, and the Board should not permit itself to be used merely as an agency to put its stamp of approval
Digitized forupon
FRASER
something to which the parties have already agreed.
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4
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The industries in which the largest number of units entered into
elections are shown below. They are all cases in which single elections
covered large groups of plants or other units.
Number of industrial
Industry and number of elections:
units covered
Coal yards (2)_______________________________________ 134
Laundry and cleaning (3)_____________________________ 96
Hosiery (14)---------------------------------------------------------------- 58
Jewelry (2)------------------------------------------------------------------ 37
Coal mines (3)________________________________________ 31
Shoe (9)______________________________
2
The detailed distribution by industry and State is shown in table 1.
14
30
2
41
113
1
12
204
34
18
2
1
6
2
3
31
1
2
2
58
9
37
96
4
6
8
12
5
3
6
2
1
2
54
3
All other
3
1
2
x
x
1
30
x
1
3
4
4
1
3
x
7
2
2
8
3
6
1
3
19
1
2
2
6
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
2
2
18
8
2
2
1
3
3
26
9
x
1
2
59
2
1
7
1
36
1
2
1
2
1
63
3
134
6
1
1
2
17
3
1
2
13
13
134
31
3
3
16
Washington
California
Alabama
Minnesota
Indiana
Pennsylvania
5
4
3
New Jersey
546
New York
All industries_________________
Automobile and airplane_______
Bakery______________________
_______
Brick ______ . . .
Cement________________ _____
Clothing, men’s ____________
Clothing, women’s____________
Coal yards__________________
Coalmining___
______ _ . . .
Electrical manufacture____
Flour mills. _________ _____
Furniture and woodworking___
Glass_____________________
H ats________________________
H osiery_____________________
Iron and steel. ______
Jewelry___ _______________
Laundry and cleaning. ________
Leather
____ ____
___
Longshore. _______ ______
Lumber_________ ______ .
Machinery and metal working...
Metal mining and smelting.. . . .
Milk distribution_____ _____
Neckwear____________________
Paper______________________
Printing and bookbinding. ____
Retail distribution ________
R ubber... _ _ ___________ .
Soap____________________ .
Shoe___________ _______
Street railway and motor coach ..
Textiles______________ _______
Miscellaneous________________
Number of industrial units covered by elections inMassachusetts
Industry
Total number of units
covered
Table 1.—Distribution of Unit Elections by Industry and State According to
Number of Units Covered
1
2
1
1
2
1
2
2
2
8
Results of Elections
N early three-fourths of the elections, with more than two-thirds
of the votes, were won by trade unions, as is shown in table 2.
Among the 546 industrial units in which elections were held, in 408
cases or 74.7 percent the election was won by a trade union; in 126
cases or 23.1 percent it was won by some form of nonunion employee
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5
SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
representation; while in 12 cases trade-union representation was
rejected but no alternative representation was chosen. Of the total
of 103,714 valid votes,6 71,931 or 69.4 percent were cast for tradeunion representation, while 29,644 or 28.5 percent were for nonunion
representation of some sort, and in 2,139 or 2.1 percent of the votes
no representative was chosen. There was no significant difference
on these points between the elections conducted by the National
Labor Board and those of all regional labor boards, although a slightly
larger proportion of the former were union victories, with a slightly
larger proportion of the total vote being cast for the trade unions.
Table 2.—Number and Percentage Distribution of Unit Elections and of Valid
Votes, by Type of Representation Chosen
Industrial units 1 cov
ered by elections
Type of representation chosen
Number
Valid votes
Percent
age dis
tribution
Percent
age dis
tribution
Number
All types_______________________________________
2 546
100.0
3 103, 714
100.0
Trade union____________________________________
Employee representation 4____________ __________
No representation chosen_________________________
408
3126
74.7
23.1
71,931
29, 644
2,139
69.4
28.5
12
2.2
2.1
1 The unit is usually a company, but in a few instances several plants, branches, etc., of 1 company, are
each counted as a unit.
2 2 additional elections which were conducted but invalidated on charges of intimidation are not included.
3 In 5 elections conducted by the National Labor Board no record of the actual vote is available.
4 Includes all types of employee representation not affiliated with outside trade unions; e. g., formal
employee-representation plans, company unions, independent local shop committees, or any informal
elected representation of nonunion character.
3 In addition in 2 cases reported, individual departments were won by the nonunion representation.
Table 3.—Distribution of Unit Elections and Valid Votes by Type of Choice
Offered, with Percentages Won by Trade Unions
Industrial units cov
ered by elections
Type of choice offered
Percent won
by trade
unions
Valid votes
Num Num
ber
ber
won
lost Total Trade Non Total Elec Votes
union union
tions
by
by
trade trade
unions unions
74.7
69.4
449 61, 231 30,095 91, 326
71.9
67.0
7,521
4,867
82.6
77.8
99.6
All types______________________________
408
138
546 71,931 31,783 103, 714
Trade-union or employee representation____
Trade-union without alternative représentation stated_______________
----------Rival trade unions_____________________
323
126
57
28
12
0
69 5,854
28 4,846
1,667
21
100.0
In table 3 the results are classified according to the three main types
of choice offered in these elections. Much the largest group, 449 unit
elections, were those in which there was a choice between trade-union
representation and some form of nonunion employee representation,
« Does not include the vote in 5 elections in small plants, for which no record of actual vote is available
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6
MONTHLY LABOE EE VIEW— JANUAEY 1935
however informal. Among these 449 cases, 323 or 71.9 percent were
won by trade unions, while 61,231 or 67 percent of the 91,326 votes
were union. In a second group of 69 cases in which no representation
alternative to the trade union was specifically offered, the unions won
in 57 or 82.6 percent of the units covered, while 5,854 or 77.8 percent
of the 7,521 votes were union. In the remaining 28 cases the issue
was a choice between rival trade unions, and the nonunion vote was
negligible.
Results of elections, by industry.—Table 4 gives the results of elec
tions, by industry, for all industries in which 2 units or more were
covered. The percentage of trade-union votes is given only in those
cases where 5 or more units were included. For most industries the
numbers are too small to be of any general significance, but it is
worthy of note that in the 31 “ captive coal mines ” (mines owned by
Table 4.—Number of Unit Elections and Valid Votes, and Number and Percent
age Won by Trade Unions, by Industries
Industry
Number of in
dustrial units
covered by
elections
Total
All Industries______ ________
Automobile and airplane_____
Bakery____________________
Brick______________________
Cement____________________
Clothing, men’s_____________
Clothing, women’s . - ________
Coal yards_________________
Coal mines_________________
Electrical manufacture..............
Flour mills_________________
Furniture and woodworking__
Glass______________________
H at____________ __________
Hosiery____________________
Iron and steel_______________
Jewelry____________________
Laundry and cleaning________
Leather____________________
Longshoremen______________
Lumber____ _______________
Machinery and metal working..
Metal mining and smelting___
Milk distribution__________ _
Neckwear__________________
Paper_____________________
Printing and bookbinding____
Retail trades_______________
Rubber____________________
Soap______________________
Shoe__ ___________________
Street railway and motor coach.
Textile____________________
Miscellaneous______________
546
5
4
3
2
13
3 13
3 134
4 31
3
3
16
2
2-
58
9
« 37
3 96
4
16
8
12
5
3
36
2
3
3
2
2
26
9
6
18
Won
by
trade
unions
408
5
2
3
2
18
2
103
22
3
3
13
0
1
47
7
22
i 80
0
4
7
10
4
3
6
1
2
1
2
2
1 23
6
4
10
Valid votes
Trade union
Total
103, 714
3, 522
292
248
251
3, 395
1,224
1,242
15,148
5,930
463
1,376
226
339
19,905
2,808
486
2, 829
1,234
2,976
3, 557
5,443
2,429
158
85
1,557
585
339
1,005
136
7,821
6,496
1,378
8,831
Number
71,931
2, 624
151
Per
cent «
69.4
74.5
202
249
2, 228
350
880
10, 625
4,029
406
997
82
65. 6
28.6
70.8
70.1
72.4
212
13,177
2, 252
286
2, 211
509
2,616
2,841
4,047
1,599
149
79
840
419
133
904
91
7, 098
3, 576
767
5, 302
66.2
80.2
58.8
78.1
87.9
79.9
74.3
65.8
92.9
90.7
55.0
55.7
60.0
° Percentage is given only in cases where 5 or more units were covered.
i Elections for choice between rival trade unions, in 2 men’s clothing plants, 7 laundries in Charleston.
W. Va., and 19 shoe plants, 18 in Brooklyn and 1 in Brockton, Mass.
8 8 in Kansas City.
3 All in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
4 Captive coal mines in Pennsylvania.
8 All but one were in Newark, N. J.
* 30 in Birmingham, Ala., 7 in Charleston, W. Va., 59 in Minneapolis.
7 Seattle election was counted as 4 units, of which the union won in 1 of 3 companies and in the unit of
unemployed.
1 All in Boston.
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7
SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
steel corporations) the vote was 70 percent union; in 58 hosiery mills
it was 66 percent union; and in 96 laundry and cleaning plants it was
78 percent union. On the other hand, in 9 street-railway and motorcoach elections, the vote was only 55 percent union. The total vote
for all industries was 69.4 percent union.
Results oj elections, by size oj unit covered.—An investigation of the
size of the units involved in these elections reveals that the great
majority of them were in small establishments, as is shown in table 5.
Units having from 1 to 250 employees eligible to vote accounted
for 298, or 73 percent of the 406 units for which the size is known.
There were 49 units with from 251 to 500 employees eligible to vote,
and 31 with from 501 to 1,000. There were, finally, 28 cases in which
over 1,000 employees were eligible to participate in the election, and
these large companies were responsible for a total of 45,035 votes, or
43 percent of the votes in all elections.
In the 298 smallest establishments, of 250 employees or less, the
trade unions won in 214 cases, or 71.8 percent. In the next two size
groups the unions won in 81.6 percent and 74.2 percent of the cases
respectively. In the group of largest units, the trade unions won
24 out of 28 elections, or 85.7 percent. Omitting two large elections
in which the issue was between rival unions, trade unions won in
22 out of 26 elections, or 84.6 percent in the group of largest plants.
The percentage of trade-union victories in all elections was 74.7.
Table 5.—Number of Elections, and Number and Percentage Won by Trade
Unions, by Size of Unit Covered
Industrial units covered by elections
Won by trade unions
Number of employees eligible to vote 1
number
1 to 250.......................... ................ ............................ ..........
251 to 500.................................. .................................... ......
501 to 1,000. ___________________________________
Over 1,000.............................................. ....................... ... .
Total rep o rtin g ...___ __________________ ____
No rep o rt2. _________________ _________________
Grand total........................................... .................
Number
298
49
31
28
406
140
546
Percent
214
40
23
24
301
71.8
81.6
74.2
85.7
74.1
408
74.7
1 Where number eligible to vote was not reported, number of votes cast is used.
2 Includes 134 coal yards in Minneapolis and St. Paul, reported only as a group, 1 shoe company without
record of the actual vote or of numbers eligible, and the longshore elections in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Because of their special interest, details for the 28 elections which
were held in establishments with 1,000 or more employees eligible to
participate are given in table 6. The industries covered represent a
large range of important industries from all parts of the country.
American Federation of Labor unions were the trade unions chiefly
involved in most of the elections. In 2 cases, however, 1 in the
canning industry and 1 in iron and steel, industrial unions affiliated
with the Trade Union Unity League were the chief contestants and
won
the elections. A new independent industrial union, the Electri
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8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
cal Industries’ Employees’ Union, in West Lynn, Mass., won by a
substantial majority over the General Electric Co. employee-repre
sentation plan and over the American Federation of Labor; the name
of the A. F. of L. had been added to the ballot shortly before the
election, but received relatively few votes. A local general labor
union, said to be an outgrowth of an Unemployed League, carried
the election in a large machinery plant in Racine, Wis. In several
large shoe companies independent unions won, although in a large
plant in Brooklyn the left-wing union lost to the Boot and Shoe
Workers’ Union (an A. F. of L. affiliate). The latter union won
its election also in a very large Virginia plant. Federal unions,
affiliated directly with the American Federation of Labor, were in
volved and won the election in seven cases, in the manufacture of
airplanes, automobile parts, electrical devices, refrigerators, and in
the lumber industry. In only one case were old-line craft unions
involved, and in this case several such unions in the metal trades
were cooperating. The A. F. of L. unions in the other elections were
unions involving all or substantial groups of the employees in the
industry, rather than single crafts. They included the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers, the American Federation of Full Fashioned
Hosiery Workers, the United Mine Workers, and others.
The 26 elections covered in table 6 6 involved 28 industrial units.
In 24 of these units the election was won by trade unions.
Inspection of table 6 shows that a substantial proportion of the
eligible employees voted in all but four of the cases in which the
number eligible to vote is known. This gives an indication of the
probably representative character of the results for these com
panies. The number of votes cast for trade unions was 30,848 or 68
percent of the total vote of 45,035. If the rival trade-union elections
are excluded, the union votes were nearly 67 percent of the total.
Indications are that in these plants, each with over 1,000 employees
eligible to vote, the proportionate union strength as indicated by
votes was only a little less than in the smaller plants. In elections
involving less than 1,000 employees eligible to vote, omitting the
rival trade-union elections, the union vote was 68.6 percent of the
total. The proportion of elections won by trade unions was, how
ever, somewhat higher for the large plants than for the smaller plants.
As to subsequent results in the plants, signed agreements were re
ported to have followed the elections in only 11 of the 24 cases in
which trade unions won these large elections, but there were nego
tiations and in some cases informal agreements in 7 other plants. In
five cases it was definitely reported that no agreement had resulted
by the date of the last report, in August 1934.
8 An additional election, conducted by the New York Regional Board, occurred in the case of the Fifth
Avenue Coach Co., on Mar. 1, 1934, involving approximately 1,000 workers eligible to vote. Only 12
votes having been cast, the election was invalidated. Intimidation on the part of the company was charged.
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Table 6.—Elections Covering Industrial Units of Over 1,000 Employees Eligible to Vote
Industry and company
Trade union involved
Result
Workers’ Federal Union__ _____
in minor
/ 856
16 1,156 Agreement
Airplane: Boering Airplane Co., Seattle, W ash... [Aeronautical
(.Independent Aircraft Workers’ Association___ }Mar. 29,1934 1,465 l 86 } 198
cases.
674
1,779 No agreement.
Automobile parts: Houde Engineering Co., United Automobile Workers’ Federal Labor Mar. 2,1934 1,800 1,105
Union.
Buffalo, N. Y.
2, 248 In negotiation.:
Canning: Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N. J...... Canners’ Industrial Union of America________ M ay 10,1934 2,397 1,247 1,001
Nov. 23,1933
1,036 Union lost.
Coal mines, captive: Footdale Mine, Frick Co., United Mine Workers____________ _______
(2) 500 536
Pa.
412
Mar. 20,1934 1,640 1,216
1,628 Signed agreement.
Clothing: Joseph & Feiss Co., Cleveland, O hio.. Amalgamated Clothing Workers_______
Electrical manufacturing:
(2,
774
[
Electrical
Industries
Employees’
Union.
>Mar. 28,1934 4,519 \ 85 }l, 513
9 4,381 In negotiation.
General Electric Co., West Lynn, Mass------- (.American Federation of Labor________
370
1,303 Signed agreement.
Oct. 3,1933 1,740
933
P. R. Mallory Co., Indianapolis, In d ............. Toy Workers’ Federal Union..................
Hosiery:
Reading, Pa., election:
2,396
Rosedale Mill............ ............. ................... American Federation of Full Fashioned Hosiery Aug. 26,1933
(3) 1,798 598
Workers.
Do.
___ do............ ................... ...................................... .......do--------2, 623
976
3, 599
Berkshire Knit Mills................. ...........
( 3)
___ do______________________________ ____ ___ do______
1,115
375
1,490
Nolde & Horst----------------. -----------( 3)
1,054 2,016
Real Silk Hosiery Co., Indianapolis, Ind_.
___ do_____________________________ _____ Oct. 4,1933
3, 070 Union lost.
( 3)
490
976
Do.
-----do___________________ _________ _ — Jan. 4,1934 1,200
486
Sterling Silk Glove Co., Bangor, P a------Lumber:
Loggers and Sawmill Workers’ Federal Union. Feb. 23,1934 1,500
842
22 1,119
Signed agreement.4
255
Long-Bell Lumber Co., Longview, Wash.
i__ do__________________________________
Mar. 1,1934 1,457 1,001
169
20 1,190
Do .4
Weyerhaeuser Timber Co., Longview, Wash. <Timber Workers’ Federal Union____________ J-May 18,1934 1,338
384 (5).
¡National Lumber Workers’ Union_____ ____
{ 31 } 38
Machinery:
[Racine County Workers’ Council____
[Mar. 19,1934 1,200 / 887 j 224
1,123 Signed agreement.
J. I. Case Co., Racine, Wis— ............ ........
(.American Federation of Labor.... ........
l 12
American Federation of Labor Unions.
Apr. 26,1934 1,741
515
1,303 (6) .
Hughes Tool Co., Houston, Tex.................
788
1 Employees’ committee established on proportional-representation basis.
2 No report. It is probable that some others of the captive coal mines in which elections were held had over 1,000 employees eligible to vote, but the number eligible is not avail
able. No other mine had a vote of over 1,000.
3 No report.
4 After a strike.
3 Mill closed after election, due to longshoremen’s strike.
8 An election held on Dec. 1, 1933 had resulted in 602 votes for the unions and 1,026 for the Employees’ Welfare Association. This election was declared invalid on the ground
of intimidation and a reelection ordered, of which the results appear above. At last report the company was meeting with the representatives of the minority groups as well as
of the majority.
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SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
Date of
election
Num
Number of valid votes
ber of
em
ploy
ees Trade Non
eligible union union Other Total
to vote
CC
Table 6 .—Elections Covering Industrial Units of Over 1,000 Employees Eligible to Vote— Continued
Number of valid votes
Industry and company
Result
Mining and smelting: Bunker Hill & Sullivan
Mining & Concentrating Co., Kellogg, Idaho.
Paper: West Virginia Pulp & Paper Co., Cov
ington, W. Va.
Refrigerator: Norge Corporation, Muskegon,
Mich.
Shoe:
Firestone Footwear Co., Hudson, M ass.........
W. L. Douglas Shoe Co., Brockton, Mass .7___
International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter
Workers.
Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill W orkers.______
(Federal Labor Union_____ _________________
<United Refrigeration Workers_______________ Apr. 27,1934
[Toilers’ League..... ................ _......................... ......
1,200
475
549
1,024
Union lost.
(3)
813
690
1, 503
Negotiations, with
formal agreement.
2,418
Shoe Workers’ Protective Association________ Nov. 14,1933 1,870
(Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied Craftsmen_____
(Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union................ .......... Nov. 16,1933 1,300
I. Miller Co., Brooklyn 7............ .................... (Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union_____ ________
(3)
(?)
(United Shoe and Leather Workers’ Union_____
Craddock-Terry Co., Lynchburg, Va..... ........ Boot and Shoe Workers’ Union___ __________ Mar. 6,1934 2,700
Steel:
Pressed Steel Car Co., McKees Rocks, P a __ Steel and M etal Workers’ Industrial Union____ Sept. 7,1934 3, 500
Superior Steel Co., Bridgeville, P a .................. Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel, and Jan. 12,1934 1,100
Tin Workers.
Street railways:
Los Angeles Railway Co____ _____________ Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Jan. 5,1934 2,300
Railway Employees.
Twin City Rapid Transit Co., Minneapolis, ----- do............ ................................................... ...... Mar. 21,1934 2,442
Minn.
Total number of votes.................................
Percentage distribution_______________
3 No report.
7 In 2 cases the issue was a choice between rival trade unions.
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913
975
20
9
842
r 924
. 293
r 820
. 307
1,760
413
368
973
no
No agreement.
919 Verbal agreement.
1,238 Signed agreement.
in effect before
1,127 "Agreement
I election.
2,173 Negotiations; no written
agreement.
(3).
423
1,054
Signed agreement.
1,290
767
2,057
No agreement.
1,287
1, 074
2,361
Signed agreement.
30,848 14,112
68
31
75 45,035
100
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Trade Non Other Total
union union
11
SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
Collective bargaining subsequent to .elections.:—Reports from regional
labor boards upon the extent to which collective bargaining followed
these elections had been received early in August 1934 on all but 21
of the cases in which trade unions won the elections. These reports
are summarized in table 7. Written agreements were reported to
have followed the election in 143 or 35 percent of the 408 cases
in which trade unions won, while informal agreements had resulted in
127 or 31 percent of the cases. Negotiations were under way at the
date of last report in 71 additional cases, or 17 percent. No agree
ment had resulted from negotiations in 22 cases, while in 24 cases no
negotiations had taken place.
Table 7.—Unit Elections and Elections Won by Trade Unions, Classified
According to Board Conducting Election and Subsequent Collective Bar
gaining
Industrial
units covered
by elections
Board conducting election
Collective bargaining subsequent to union
victories
Num
Negotia Under
No
No negoTotal ber won Written tions and negotia
tion at agree
No re
num
agree informal date
by
port
of ment tiaber
agree
trade ment
•
tions
last
re
ment
unions
port 1
All elections_____ _______ ______
546
408
143
127
71
22
24
National Labor Board
_________
Regional labor boards......... ............. .
Atlanta
Buffalo _ .
Chicago
Cleveland
Detroit
Indianapolis
Transas City
Los Angeles.
Minneapolis
Newark
_
_______
New England______________ New Orleans
New York
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
fit- Lnn is
San Antonio
174
372
40
133
275
39
87
56
33
5
22
4
18
4
24
7
4
5
4
3
4
3
1
17
205
3
15
15
156
S a n P r a n eisen
Seattle __ __________ ________
2
1
6
10
2
0
0
1
1
1
3
109
32
1
1
3
1
1
12
1
0
2
21
16
49
1
2
12
1
2
11
20
2
0
4
1
122
43
2
1
1
2
1
2
21
15
6
2 11
23
41
35
1
4
5
46
2
1
4
0
1
3
1
1
2
3
3
2
1 In August 1934.
.
2 Union had not requested meeting in 3 cases in Los Angeles and 1 each in New England and m M inne
apolis.
3 For 6 neckwear companies it was reported that “ in some cases” they met the elected representatives,
and “ a very few” agreements resulted, of which “ 1 or 2” were written. 5 of these companies are counted
as not reporting.
4 In 5 cases, after the election a strike occurred, which was settled by a written agreement.
The record of National Labor Board elections is distinctly better
than that of the regional labor board elections as a whole in the
number of agreements made following the elections. Union victories
in 133 industrial units in National Board elections were followed by
written agreements in 87 cases (65 percent), while 275 union victories
in regional labor board elections were followed by 56 written agree103148—35------2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
ments (only 20 percent). If the informal agreements are included,
the National Labor Board elections were followed by agreements in
69 percent of the cases in which unions won, while regional board
elections were followed by agreements in 65 percent of the cases.
Approximately 17 percent of the cases in both groups were in nego
tiation at the date of the last report (early in August 1934). Cases
in which no negotiations were entered into, or where no agreement
was reached in negotiation, were more numerous relatively in the
regional labor board elections than in those handled by the National
Board. The records of the various regional boards show marked
differences in this regard, as may be seen in table 7.
Results of elections, by type of trade union.—An analysis of the elec
tions and their results by specified types of trade unions is shown in
table 8. In the great majority of the cases, 439 out of 546, inter
national unions affiliated with the American Federation of Labor were
involved, while in 94 cases local federal unions, affiliated directly with
the A. F. of L., were the unions chiefly concerned. In 39 cases
independent unions, unafhliated with the A. F. of L., were involved;
in 26 of these cases the chief issue was a conflict between the inde
pendent union and an A. F. of L. international union and these cases
are accordingly counted twice, appearing in the total for each group.
The federal unions, which won in 75 or 79.8 percent of the 94
cases in which they were concerned, had the largest percentage of
victories. The international unions won 308 out of 439 cases, or
70.1 percent, while the independent unions won 25 out of 39 cases,
or 64.1 percent; the average percentage for all unions was 74.7.
In the 26 cases in which the contest was between the independent
and an international union, the independents won in 16 elections.
The federal-union elections were held in the airplane, automobile,
cement, laundry and cleaning, electrical manufacturing, flour mill,
lumber, neckwear, refrigerator, soap, and tire and rubber industries,
as well as others. They were chiefly in mass-production industries.
Although the unions won in 75 cases, they had secured signed agree
ments in only 7 cases and informal agreements in 3 others; 46 cases
were still in negotiation at the last report, but in 14 other cases,
nearly one-fifth, it was definitely reported that no agreement had
resulted.
The international unions had secured signed agreements in 124
cases out of their 308 victories and verbal or informal agreements with
122 others. In addition they were still in negotiation with 23 com
panies. However, for 31 companies, about one-tenth, the report was
“ no agreement” or “ no negotiations.”
Independent unions had participated in elections in the canning,
electrical, enamel, laundry and cleaning, tools and machinery, iron
and steel, and shoe industries, and others, in which they won in
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13
SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
25 out of 39 cases. In the 21 shoe elections in which they par
ticipated, they won in 10 shops. They had secured signed agree
ments in only 12 of the 25 cases in which they had won, but verbal
agreements had been reached in 2 cases, and in 2 others negotiations
were under way. No report was available for 8 companies, while in 1
it was definitely stated that no agreement had been reached.
Table 8.—Distribution of Unit Elections According to Specified Types of Trade
Unions, with Number and Percentage Won by Each, and Subsequent Collective
Bargaining
Units covered by
elections
Collective bargaining subsequent to union
victories
Won b y trade
union s Decided
Type of trade union
Total
Nego
tia
In
Signed tions negoti No
agree
and
in
agree
ation
Per
at last ment
Num cent of ment formal
report
1
agree
ber
elec
ments
tions
All trade unions__________
546
408
74.7
143
127
71
22
Independent unions_______
Federal unions
_________
International unions ______
2 39
25
75
308
64.1
79.8
70.1
12
2
2
1
94
2 439
7
124
3
122
3 46
4 23
14
7
No
nego
tia
tions
24
No
report
21
8
24
5
8
1 In August 1934.
2 In 26 cases, independent union and international union were both involved. Independent unions won
in 16 of these cases.
3 Include group of 43 laundries in Minneapolis.
4 Include group of 22 jewelry plants in Newark.
Procedures in Election
S ince the methods of conducting elections were in process of
development during the year, practices varied considerably between
the different boards and from time to time. The procedures were in
many cases decided upon by the two parties, when an agreement to
hold an election was made. In other cases in which the employer did
not cooperate, the methods used were decided upon by the Board or
its representative. The use of the secret ballot was, however, general.
Where the employees had no objections, elections were held in the
plant, but in many cases neutral territory was provided for the ballot
ing. Representatives of the Board supervised the preparation and
distribution of ballots, the balloting, and the counting and recording
of the votes. An important question was that of eligibility to vote.
In about one-third of the cases in which this information is available
the pay roll used was that of the date of the election, but the more usual
practice was to choose a date prior to the election. A few elections
covered only special groups of employees, but elections in which all
employees of the plant were eligible to vote were more numerous.
In about one-fourth of the cases, notices or instructions made specific
statement of the exclusion of executives and supervisors, and of the
office force.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The form of the ballot was also an important matter, on which
there was controversy in some cases. Ballots used are available in
151 of the 183 elections. They fall into two general classes, 104 of
them giving a clear choice of organizations for collective bargaining,
while 47 give a choice of individual representatives, nominated or
identified in various ways. The former group of ballots were usually
in some such form as shown below.
Do you choose to be represented in collective bargaining
with t h e ______________ Company by the Amalga
mated Clothing Workers Union?
Y e s __________
N o __________
Which do you choose as your collective bargaining
representative?
Amalgamated Clothing Workers U n io n _____
___ __________ Employee Association______
In those cases where the vote was for individual representatives
rather than for organizations, the individuals were sometimes identified
as the representatives nominated by a trade union or by an employeerepresentation organization, while occasionally no such identification
was given. The trend in the form of ballot was definitely towards
those which offered a straight vote on the choice of an organization.
Many of the early elections did not name organizations, and put only
individual names on the ballots as representatives. Later experi
ence, however, indicated that it was better policy to have a clear cut
vote for or against the organizations concerned, in order to avoid later
dispute over the meaning of the election results.
It does not appear that the form of the ballot influenced the results
appreciably. The proportion of elections won by trade unions was
approximately the same in the cases where the vote was for organiza
tions and in those where the vote was for individual representatives,
rather than for the organizations as such. The unions won a some
what smaller than average proportion of victories in those cases in
which the nonunion representation plan was organized definitely
enough to appear on the ballot by name, but this was true both in the
cases in which the vote was for organizations and in those in which
the vote was for individuals as representatives. The importance of
the underlying industrial situation was too great to be overbalanced
in any appreciable degree by the form of the ballot.
In some cases in which elections were requested it was found possible
to solve the problem without a formal election. Regional labor
boards reported on 56 cases of requests in which no election was held.
In 15 cases there were subsequent negotiations, union recognition and
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SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
15
agreements, and in 7 additional cases other satisfactory settlements
were reported by the boards, while in 4 cases negotiations were under
way when the report was made. In 23 cases the request was with
drawn or referred to other agencies. In only 7 cases was it reported
that the case had not been settled. The evidence is not sufficient,
either in these cases or in those in which elections were held, to judge
as to whether the results were satisfactory enough to create a stable
situation. Nevertheless, it is clear that in many cases less formal
methods than elections were proving useful in meeting the problem of
disputed representation.
Significance of Data
I t rem ains to discuss to what extent, if at all, the material here
analyzed is significant and representative. A primary limitation is
in the fact that only a small proportion of the cases handled by the
National Labor Board and its regional boards involved elections.
The final statistical report of the Board reported that more than 4,000
cases, involving over 2,000,000 workers had been handled by the
boards.7 Against these figures are the 183 elections, in 546 industrial
units, with somewhat more than 100,000 votes in the election cases of
the boards. The elections therefore do not necessarily represent the
relative strength of various types of representation among all cases
which reached these boards. They cover only those cases in which a
conflict existed over the question of who were bona fide representa
tives of the employees, and in which the conflict did not appear sub
ject to solution in any other way.
Any use of this material for generalization as to conditions in the
various sections covered by the regional boards would be of very doubt
ful validity. The differences between regions as to the number of
elections and the proportion of elections won by the trade unions are
dependent upon a number of very diverse factors, upon which in
many cases information is lacking. Among such factors are the
extent and success of union organizing activity; the extent and success
of employer opposition to such organizing activity; the attitudes of
the boards concerned in encouraging or discouraging the use of elec
tions or finding other methods to solve the representation problems;
and the techniques used in the elections in the particular region.
The absence of elections in a region may mean, for instance, lack of
active organizing on the part of trade unions, or such success in organ
izing that elections were unnecessary, or development of substitute
methods by the boards, or lack of aggressive and impartial perform
ance of its functions by a board. For these reasons no detailed
discussion of the differences by regions is attempted here, and it
should be clear that the material is not susceptible of such compara7 National Labor Board. Press release no. 6295, July 7, 1934.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW- JANUARY 1935
tive use except with the greatest care and knowledge of the back
ground.
Similar difficulties arise in any attemp.t to compare industries. In
most cases the number of plants covered is too small for the data to
be considered representative for the entire industry. It is clear that
in some cases, notably the women’s garment industry, where the
success of the union in organizing during this period is well known,
the device of elections was not particularly useful, and was used so
seldom that the results shown here are by no means typical. In only
a few cases can these data be used as indicating the general situation
in a particular industry at this period.
Taking this material as an aggregate, however, of over 500 indus
trial units with over 100,000 employees eligible to vote, in 36 States
and 50 industries, it appears to have some significance. In those
cases coming before the National Labor Board or its subordinate
boards, in which the question of the rightful representation of the
workers for collective bargaining was a serious issue which substantial
numbers of the workers wished to have settled under the supervision
.of Government, the relative strength of trade-union organization was
as has been shown above. This sample is so widely distributed
industrially and geographically that it is justifiable to believe it
representative of that part of industry in the period covered where
the same problem was to be seen. This sample is clearly not repre
sentative of that large sector of American industry where trade union
ism was not an active issue during this period. Equally clear,
it is not representative of other considerable sections of industry in
which trade unionism was already well established, or was strength
ening its position during this year without the type of controversy
which would have led to the use of this Government-sponsored
election device. It may be, however, that this sample is representa
tive of a considerable section of American industry where trade union
ism during the year in question was strong enough to raise the issue
of recognition and collective bargaining, while at the same time it
was not strong enough to secure these demands without opposition
from the employers. It is representative, if at all, therefore, of the
firing line on which the battle of labor organization was being actively
fought.
Value of Government'Sponsored Employee Elections
T he National Industrial Recovery Act created a situation in which
it was inevitable that Government should act to determine who
were the accredited representatives of wage earners for collective
bargaining. Section 7 (a) of the act declared the right of employees
to “ organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their
own choosing”, and to “ be free from the interference, restraint, or
coercion” of employers in the designation of such representatives.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SELECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES
17
The penalties written into the act are applicable to employers who
interfere with these rights of labor. When issues arose, therefore,
it was necessary for the Government to determine who were the
freely chosen representatives of employees. In some cases it proved
possible to settle such questions informally, but in others more formal
methods of determination were necessary. Under these circumstances
elections supervised by an impartial agency appeared to be needed,
in cases of real doubt as to who were the bona fide representatives
chosen by the employees, and in cases of an employer’s refusal to
recognize a collective-bargaining agency on the ground that it was
not the choice of his employees.
That Government-sponsored elections were necessary under these
conditions was further recognized by the Seventy-third Congress in
Public Resolution, No. 44, approved June 19, 1934, which authorized
the President to establish a board or boards “ to investigate issues,
facts, practices, or activities of employers or employees in any con
troversies arising under section 7 (a),” and authorized any such
board “ when it shall appear in the public interest, to order and
conduct an election by a secret ballot of any of the employees of any
employer, to determine by what person or persons or organization
they desire to be represented in order to insure the right of employees
to organize and to select their representatives for the purpose of col
lective bargaining as defined in section 7 (a) of said act and now
incorporated herein.” It was under the authority of this resolution
that the National Labor Relations Board, successor to the National
Labor Board, was established.
Experience of nearly a year with such elections under the National
Labor Board shows both certain values and certain definite limitations
of these elections. It is clear that in substantial numbers of cases
in which controversy arose over the representation question, the
Government-sponsored election clarified the situation, by proving
that in some plants nonunion, and in others trade-union, representa
tion plans were the choice of a majority of the employees concerned.
Moreover, in nearly two-thirds of the cases in which trade unions
won the elections, written agreements or at least negotiations and
informal agreements of some sort were reported. Information is
not available in most cases for an appraisal of the success of the
collective bargaining. Nevertheless it seems probable that in most
of these cases the fact that negotiations took place and led to agree
ment of some sort meant progress toward collective bargaining in a
real sense.
On the other hand, in a minority of cases the _record^shows an
election and Government certification of the choice of representatives,
but no further result. In some instances fruitless conferences
presented the form of collective bargaining without its reality, while
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
in others employers refused recognition of the group chosen by the
majority of the employees. It is clear that for such a minority of
cases some force is necessary if the purpose of the election is to be
secured. An election is not enough unless employees are enabled to
secure its fruits through reaching an agreement with their employers.
There were a few instances during the year in question in which a
trade union, having been elected as the representative for collective
bargaining, secured an agreement with the employers only after resort
ing to a strike. In certain other cases an unsatisfactory situation was
allowed to drag on, in which employers denied the right of collective
bargaining to a group chosen by a majority of their employees in an
election. In none of these cases was court action taken to enforce the
penalties of the act upon such employers, during this year.
On the basis of this experience it appears that Government-spon
sored employee elections may be a useful device in promoting the end of
peaceful and stable industrial relations through collective bargaining.
Through holding an election, a Government agency as umpire may
clarify a situation in which real doubt exists as to who are the repre
sentatives of the majority of the employees. It may also through
these elections educate both groups in industry in useful techniques in
collective bargaining, and thus promote constructive industrial
relationships. It is clear, however, that when the Government under
takes to secure to labor the right of collective bargaining, as it has
done under the National Industrial Recovery Act, it must be prepared
to apply sanctions in the occasional case in which these rights are
denied. Recognition of this fact has been clearly indicated in recent
months in many of the decisions of the National Labor Relations
Board which superseded the National Labor Board on July 9, 1934.8
8 See especially National Labor Relations Board, Press release no. 141 (decision in the matter of the Houde
Engineering Corporation and United Automobile Workers’ Federal Labor Union No. 18839), Aug. 30,1934.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SUBSISTENCE HOMESTEADS
19
Subsistence Homesteads for Industrial and R ural Workers
at the End of 1934
FEDERAL program of subsistence homesteads is being carried
out by which it is hoped to demonstrate the value and feasibility,
for wage earners, of the combination of part-time industrial employ
ment with home gardening on a scale large enough to furnish a con
siderable proportion of the family food supply. Two agencies of the
Federal Government are supporting this program—the Subsistence
Homesteads Division of the Department of the Interior and the
Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The Subsistence Home
steads Division was allotted $25,000,000 for the purpose, from funds
available under the National Industrial Recovery Act. The Federal
Emergency Relief Administration is promoting subsistence-home
steads projects as part of its program of rural rehabilitation. Thus
the homesteads projects of the former are mainly for industrial workers
and those of the latter for rural and agricultural workers.
Up to the end of December 1934 the Subsistence Homesteads
Division had approved 62 projects (43 of which had been publicly
announced) and study was being made of about two dozen more.
The house-construction stage had been reached in some 20 projects
and land-improvement work was under way in nearly all of the re
mainder. In 8 projects the first group of houses had been completed
and in 5 projects houses were occupied by their future owners.
As the program of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration
was begun later than that of the Interior Department, only three
communities have reached the actual construction stage. In each
of these, however, some families have already taken possession of
their new homes.
Some of the projects of the Subsistence Homesteads Division have
necessitated the establishment of entirely new communities with
their own municipal, school, water, power, etc., systems, others are
so located as to be able to make use of the facilities of existing towns
or cities, and still others are built within the town or city limits. All
three of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration projects have
involved the construction of new villages, with all the pio neering
work attendant thereon.
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration projects are de
signed to aid families now on relief to become self-supporting. Those
of the Subsistence Homesteads Division are intended as steps in a
process of redistribution of surplus populations and have provided
for stranded groups, part-time industrial workers, and (in small
measure) farmers on submarginal land; some of these families have
also been on relief but the program is not designed as a relief pro
gram primarily.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The homesteaders in the Subsistence Homesteads Division projects
will purchase their homes at 3 percent interest, and the amortization
period will be 30 years. While it is possible that a similar step will
be taken in regard to the Federal Emergency Relief Administration
projects, at the present the plan is to rent the homesteads to the
families selected for participation in the experiment.
In all cases it is expected that a considerable proportion of the
family’s food supply will be derived from the home garden, poultry,
etc., which will be features of every homestead. The net value of
the food produced per settler is expected to be about $200 per year,
but will vary somewhat according to the size of the homestead, the
fertility of the soil, and the methods of cultivation employed. It has
been found that half an acre of good land is sufficient to produce all
the fresh and canned vegetables for a family of five for the entire
year, while an acre and a half will produce not only the vegetables but
enough fruit and potatoes for the whole year.
One of the most difficult problems will be the provision of parttime employment at equitable rates in some industrial or other occu
pation which will yield a cash income. The ability of the leaders to
solve this problem satisfactorily will in a large measure determine the
degree of success of the program. It is planned that such employ
ment will be furnished through (1) self-help work on the project, paid
for partly in cash and partly in credit, (2) home crafts adapted to the
skills and aptitudes of the settlers, and (3) industrial enterprises which
it is hoped to attract to the community.
It is emphasized that these homesteads are intended to be not
merely a means of obtaining the family living but a new way of life.
They are regarded as an “ anchor of social security” in that they will
furnish both food and shelter, the two items most important in the
budget. The homestead life will also provide an outlet, in many
cases, for the creative instinct and skills of the settlers through
the development of handicrafts. Those thus far initiated are weav
ing, basketry, wood carving, metal work, and the making of craft
furniture. In several cases—as in West Virginia—handicrafts are
assuming an important role in community economy. Of particular
importance will be the social and cultural aspects of community life
which it will be one function of the program to develop.
Subsistence Homesteads for Industrial Workers 1
As o r i g i n a l l y undertaken, the program of the Subsistence Home
steads Division was designed to include five major t 37pes of homesteads,
i. e., workers’ garden homesteads located near (1) small industrial
centers or ‘(2) large industrial centers, (3) projects for the rehabilita1
For earlier accounts of these projects, see M onthly Labor Review, December 1933 (p. 1327) and
February 1934 (p. 245).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
s u b s is t e n c e
h o m e st e a d s
21
tion of stranded industrial groups, and rural projects for (4) reorgani
zation of rural communities, and for (5) farmers moved from sub
marginal land. The last two types of projects have since been dropped
from the program, but form the main types covered in the program
of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration.
The projects are of several different forms. In some cases the plan
has involved the building of an entirely new community and the work
has therefore included all the pioneering work inherent therein—
clearing the land, cutting roads, building water, sewage, and lighting
systems and laying the mains therefor, and providing community
recreational, social, educational, and religious facilities, as well as
facilities for the supplying of the material needs which cannot be met
by cooperative effort. In other cases the homestead project has been
near enough to a city or small town so that the facilities of the town
have been available. In still other instances the homesteads, in small
groups, are part of the city itself.
The Subsistence Homesteads Division states that it has found the
most fertile and promising field for the development of the program to
be the large and small industrial centers and that “ there are many
indications that every such community contains a large percentage of
people who would welcome the opportunity to live on subsistence
homesteads so long as their doing so did not involve a backward step
in their standard of living, either economically or culturally.”
Most of the projects approved by the Subsistence Homesteads
Division thus far have been for industrial workers. Three have been
strictly rural in character and four have been started in order to pro
vide for stranded groups. One project which will have 3 units is classi
fied as a “ Negro problem area” project; 1 of the units will be located
near Tuskegee, Ala., 1 will be on a tract close to a large Alabama
city, and the third will be a rural development in the region nearby.
The Reedsville, W. Va., project, which was the first to be undertaken,
is classified as an “ experimental” community.
Table 1 shows for each of the announced projects, the type, funds
allotted, number of families provided for, and acreage purchased.2
2
The northern Wisconsin project (see Monthly Labor Review, February 1934, p. 245), which was to
have been entirely agricultural in character, was transferred to the joint jurisdiction of the F. E. R. A.
and the Program Planning Division of the A. A. A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
22
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 1.—Location, Type, and Size of Announced Homestead Projects of
Subsistence Homesteads Division
Location of project
Alabama:
Birm ingham .________ __________
Jasper.............................. .................
Tuskegee..........................................
Arizona: Phoenix..................... ...............
California: Los Angeles......................... .
Delaware: Wilmington______________
Georgia: Jasper and Putnam Counties..
Illinois:
Lake County____ _______ ____ _
West Frankfort..................................
Indiana: Decatur.
Iowa: Granger........
Louisiana: Bastrop.
Minnesota:
Austin...............
D uluth..............
Mississippi:
Richton______
M eridian..........
Tupelo_______
Hattiesburg___
McComb..........
Laurel...............
Date of
announce
ment
Type of project
1934
Jan. 18
Mar. 6
Oct. 26
M ay 1
Mar. 15
Jan. 18
Jan. 6
Industrial_____ _____
----- do_____ _______
Negro problem area___
Industrial________
___do_________ __
----- do_______________
Rural____ ____
Num N um
ber of ber of
home
Funds al steads acres
pur
lotted
to be chased
pro for proj
vided
ect
$750,000
244, 000
300
100
2,109
2,096
1,934
75
210,000
1, 000, 000
75
300
140
70
500
309
15, 228
June 18 Industrial_________
Apr. 8 Stranded groups_____
275,000
550,000
220
90
1 900
1933
Dec. 20
200,000
500,000
410, 000
100
Industrial___________
145,000
48
80
1934
Mar. 15 ----- do______________
July 18 ----- do_______ ____
125,000
112,500
50
50
224
*250
Feb. 7 ___ do_________ _____
Mar. 22 ---- do_______________
125,000
104,000
44
40
216
400
400,000
80, 000
80, 000
80,000
80, 000
80,000
58
25
25
24
25
25
7,753
273
171
129
264
183
Apr. 14
Jan. 17
__do___
__do__
___do___
___do___
R u ra l... _____ . . .
Industrial . . . . . .
___d o _______
___ do_____
___ do____ ______
___ do__ : _____
New Jersey: Hightstown.
1933
Dec. 23
Cooperative industrial._
500,000
200
1,197
New York: Rochester.
1934
Jan. 24
Industrial____________
100,000
33
50
1933
Dec. 20
Rural___ _________
1, 000,000
300
4, 550
Oct. 26
Dec. 28
Cooperative industrial. _
Industrial____________
359,400
500,000
200
139
160
* 300
1934
July 1 ---- do_____ _____ ___
Jan. 17 Stranded groups______
125,000
625, 000
48
250
* 100
1,340
Apr. 12 Industrial_________ .
__ do___ ___ do____ _
Jan. 18 Stranded groups..........
50,000
825,000
350
11,000
Jan. 19
__do__
__do___
Apr. 14
Jan. 19
___do__
June 28
Mar. 19
Industrial____________
___ do________
___ do........ ...
___do_____ _______
----- do_______________
___ do .
Special type__________
Industrial!___________
125,000
250,000
250, 000
125,000
125', 000
125, 000
310,000
160,000
50
80
80
35
50
50
340
60
205
593
320
West Virginia:
1933
Reedsville.......................................... Oct. 12
Tygart Valley.................................... Dec. 22
Experimental..................
Stranded groups______
600,000
675, 000
200
270
2, 273
12,479,900
400,000
5,004
54,226
North Carolina: Pender County
Ohio:
Dayton__________ _______
Youngstown...........................
Oklahoma: Tulsa____ ______ _______
Pennsylvania: Westmoreland C ounty..
South Carolina:
Taylors......................... ........... .........
La France......... ........... ................... .
Tennessee: Crossville..........................
Texas:
Beaum ont.................. ............. .........
Dallas-Fort W o rth ......... ............
Houston..............................................
Marshall.................... ............ ..........
Three Rivers___________________
Wichita Falls__________________
Virginia: Shenandoah P ark...................
Washington: Longview....................... .
Total. ................. ........ ....................
Indian projects...... ...................................
100,000
40
20
230
116
160
223
140
1,100
1Approximate.
Considerable preliminary work has been done, and houses have
reached the contract or actual construction stage in the projects at
Birmingham and Jasper, Ala.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Los Angeles, Calif.;
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
s u b s is t e n c e
h o m estea d s
23
Monticello, Ga.; Decatur, Ind.; Granger, Iowa; Austin, Minn.;
Meridian and Hattiesburg, Miss.; Penderlea, N. C.; Westmoreland
County, Pa.; Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Wicliita Falls, Three
Rivers, and Beaumont, Tex.; and at Tygart Valley, W. Va. In the
projects at McComb and Tupelo, Miss.; Dayton, Ohio; Crossville,
Tenn.; and Reedsville, W. Va., the first units of houses have been
completed, and the first contingent of homesteaders has taken pos
session of the new homes.
In practically all of the other projects some land improvement
has been or is being done.
It is evident from the foregoing table that the homestead projects
approved and publicly announced are fairly well scattered over the
United States. In addition to those noted above, there are 19 projects
in the planning stage, for which tentative allotments have been made,
aggregating ,$3,797,570. Of these 19, 3 projects each will be in
Arkansas and Pennsylvania; 2 projects each in Colorado, Florida,
and Montana; and 1 project each in Connecticut, Kentucky, Mary
land, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virgin Islands.
It is expected that these will provide some 1,700 homesteads.
Characteristics of the Individual Homesteads
Each homestead consists of a dwelling situated on a plot of ground
large enough to permit the family to raise a considerable proportion
of its food (vegetables, berries, and small fruits) and to provide
space for a few chickens, perhaps a cow, pig, etc. The settlers have
their choice of location and style of house design.
The majority of houses being built consist of 4 and 5 rooms, though
there are a few each of 3 and 6 rooms. The 3-room houses, however,
are not constructed unless they can be expanded with a minimum of
alteration.
In planning the house, special consideration is given to the needs
of the family which will occupy it, and to the accommodation of the
furniture. “ Local architects who do much of the final designing
are required to show in their drawings just where the essential furni
ture will fit in.”
The homesteads at the Tupelo, Miss., project are described as
follows:
There are 12 different types of houses built on 3 basic floor plans. All houses
are equipped with modern plumbing in bathroom and kitchen, have a fireplace,
an individual well with automatic water pump, and an individual septic tank.
All walls and ceilings are plastered. The outbuildings include a garage, chicken
house, and cow barn. All pastures and chicken runs are fenced. Orchard trees
have been planted, including peaches, apples, pears, and plums. The gardens
have been plowed and planted to winter and cover crops. On the project an
artificial lake has been constructed covering about 12 acres and with a maximum
depth of 20 feet. The homestead community house, the cost of which is also
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24
m onthly
l a b o r r e v i e w — Ja n u a r y
1935
included in the homestead purchase price, stands on the shore of the lake.
lake will be stocked by the Government fish hatchery located nearby.
The
The architecture is being kept “ native” as far as possible. In the
southern regions the house plans generally follow the local traditions
and styles of building, in California and Florida houses of Spanish
or Mediterranean type are used, and in the northern sections designs
are generally colonial. Native building materials are also used
wherever available. Many of the houses at Crossville, Tenn. (see
fig. 1) are made of crab-orchard stone quarried on the site, and the
timbers are rough hewn from the forests there. In Arizona adobe
is used. This procedure, besides making the dwellings attractive
and adapted to their surroundings, is also a considerable factor in
keeping down the cost of construction.
The average cost varies from project to project, depending upon
the cost of the land, the size and type of dwelling, and the con
veniences provided, but it is the purpose to keep the cost as low as
possible consistent with good housing practice. The problem of
providing good, well-constructed houses within the means of the
purchasers, however, is a very real one. The Subsistence Home
steads Division has been able to solve it through utilization of cheap,
locally available materials, mass planning and buying, liberal financ
ing terms, and (particularly on the projects for stranded groups)
by the use of the “ self-help” method of construction, under which
the homesteaders do the major portion of the actual construction
work, being paid partly in cash and partly in credits against the
purchase price of their homestead.
This method, as stated, has been followed to a considerable extent
in projects the colonists of which are unemployed. On projects
where the homesteaders have some employment it can be used
only sparingly, if at all, and the general procedure in these cases
has been to let out the construction contracts to private firms.
In some cases the low cost has been made possible in part by
delaying the installation of some of the household improvements
and conveniences until such time as the householders feel able to
assume the extra expense. This is the situation, for example, in
West Frankfort, 111., and Granger, Iowa (both coal miners’ projects).
Payments are made monthly in nearly all cases, but where local
traditions demand it, may be made quarterly, semiannually, or even
annually. The payments are to be made over a period of 30 years,3
and the interest rate is set at 3 percent. Title will pass to the pur
chaser when he has paid 75 percent of the purchase price. In most
cases no down payment is required. In the Wilmington (Del.) project,
3
It was the original intention that the homesteads should be purchased at 5 percent interest over a
term, generally, of 20 years but running in some cases as long as 25 or even 30 years. A later decision made
the terms uniform on all projects at 3 percent for 30 years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
\\m
FLOOll PLAN
5LCOND LLOOH PLAN
F i g u r e 1.—E x t e r i o r a n d F l o o r p l a n s o f H o u s e o f C r a b - o r c h a r d
at S u b s is t e n c e -H o m e s t e a d p r o j e c t , C r o s s v il l e , T e n n .
stone
The cost of this house is about $2,600, about $800 of which will be paid for with “work credits” (see pp
24 and 30).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F i g u r e 2.—S u b s i s t e n c e H o m e s t e a d
at r e e d s v il l e ,
W. Va „ P r o j e c t .
F i g u r e 3.— V i e w o f d w e l l i n g a t s c o t t s . R u n .^w .IV a ., .T y p i c a D’o f F o r m e r
H o m e S u r r o u n d i n g s o f H o m e s t e a d e r s a t R e e d s v i l l e , w . Va .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
25
SU B SIS T E N C E HOM ESTEADS
however, a down payment of 10 percent may be required and in the
Hightstown (N. J.) project, $500.
Table 2 shows for each project the size of the individual home
steads and the estimated average cost. The cost shown includes
cost of house, land, improvements, seeds and fertilizer for the
first year, essential farm and garden tools, a small flock of chickens,
pig, and possibly a cow or horse.
Table
2 .—Size
and Estimated Cost of Individual Homesteads on Projects
Announced by Subsistence Homesteads Division
Location and type of project
Size of
home
stead
(in
acres)
Estimated
average
total
cost
Location and type of project
Size of
home
stead
(in
acres)
Estimated
average
total
cost
Cooperative industrial
Industrial
3- 5
Phoenix, Ariz__ - - - - - Los Angeles, C a lif .----- -- .
Wilmington, Del......... ..........
Lake County, 111_________
Bastrop, L a______________
Austin, M inn_______ _
Duluth, M inn_______ . . . .
20
1
1
c)
(2)
1- 2
2- 7
5
3- 5
5-10
5-10
5-10
5-10
5-10
6- 7
MfiComh, Miss
Meridian, Miss
Tupelo, Miss_____________
Rochester, N. Y__________
Youngstown, Ohio________ i n Tulsa, Okla______________
Tift Franne, S. C
33Beaumont, Tex----- --------Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex____
Houston, Tex____________
Marshall, Tex.:
1Unit I _______________
Unit II ---------------------Three Rivers, Tex________
Wichita Palls, Tex________
TiOnervifiw, Wash
1-
3
2
6
6
7
5
$2, 500
2,200
2,000-2, 500
2, 700-3,000
2, 894
3,000
2, 000- 2, 600
2, 500
2,000
2,800
2,000
2,000-2, 500
2, 000-21 500
2,000-21 500
3,000
2, 700-3, 200
2, 500-3,000
3,000
2,500
2, 600-2, 750
2, 600-2, 750
2,184-2; 765
2, 300-2,800
2,415
3 1,800-3,000
4 3 1, 800-3, 000
2,500
2,500
2, 600
3
1 No data.
3 Up to 10 acres.
Hightstown, N. J _________
Dayton, Ohio____________
1
3
$3,000
4 1, 750
Rural
Jasper and Putnam Coun20- 30
ties, Ga___ ____ ___
Richton, M is s ___________ 160-320
3 2,000
(2)
Stranded groups
West Frankfort, 111 __ _ . . 1H - 10
Westmoreland County, P a ..
15
Crossville, Tenn__ . __
Tygart Valley, W. Va_____
2,000
1,650
2, 000
Negro problem area
Tuskegee, Ala.:
Unit I ______________
Unit I I ......... . ______
60
40- 60
2, 968
2,162
2- 4
4, 396-5, 571
10
1, 500
Experimental
Reedsville, W. Va_________
Special types
Shenandoah National Park,
Va____________________
3 Or slightly less.
4 Plus about $1,000 in labor.
It is evident from the above table that in the industrial, cooperative
industrial, and experimental types the acreage is small, the largest
homestead being 10 acres and the majority averaging only from 1 to 3
acres each. The Negro homesteads are considerably larger, because
it is expected that a larger proportion of the family living will come
from the soil, while the rural homesteads are, as would be expected,
largest of all. In the rural projects the farming will be on a commer
cial basis but such crops are to be chosen as will not compete with
those of the other farmers in the region,
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Selection of Homestead Families
Type of persons chosen.—The homesteaders are selected by a local
committee of citizens chosen by the project manager. Each applicant
is required to fill in a form giving in detail information concerning his
family status, history, background, economic condition, employment
opportunities, etc. It has been the experience so far that the number
of applications has far exceeded the number of homesteads available.
By the middle of September 1934, over 22,000 applications had been
received for the 5,000 homes planned. (The largest discrepancy
between demand and supply occurred in connection with the Los
Angeles project, where there were 2,000 applications and only 140
homesteads planned.) It is evident, therefore, that the committees
have a wide field from which to make their selection and therefore a
better opportunity to obtain persons well fitted by background, train
ing, and aptitude to participate in the new experimental communities.
The committee, mainly by a process of elimination, first makes a
tentative selection. The applicants thus selected are then inter
viewed personally, generally by two persons at separate times, to
provide two checking impressions of the same applicant.
All the homesteaders must be American citizens, preferably with
some farming experience. No single persons are accepted and the
married couples must have at least one child or be of an age when
children may be expected. (The families thus far chosen have
generally consisted of 4 or 5 persons.)
In the case of the communities for stranded groups, the home
steaders have been for the most part without any employment and
generally receiving public relief. Usually, however, the attempt is
made to obtain persons who have some employment and an income
of from $600 to $1,200 per year. The authorities have calculated
that, what with the proceeds of the garden area, the homesteader can
devote 20 percent of his cash income to meeting the fixed charges on
the homestead. Thus, on an annual income of $1,000, the family can
purchase a $3,000 homestead and pay on it $200 a year.
The attitude of the applicant’s wife toward the plan is also a very
important consideration, for it is vital to the success of the community
that the wives be thoroughly convinced of the advantages of the plan.
Aptitude on the part of the wife for canning, sewing, gardening, etc.,
also adds to the eligibility rating of the husband.
Generally persons between 21 and 45 years are accepted. Because
of the long period (30 years) during which payments must be made
on the homestead, persons more than 45 years old must have in their
families children capable of assisting with the obligation, should the
wage-earning parent die or become disabled.
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SUBSISTENCE HOMESTEADS
27
Population M akeup and Employment Possibilities of Homestead Projects
Alabama.—For the Jasper, Ala., project the residents will be
selected from among the stranded coal miners, stranded workers in
the lumber industry, and “ white collar” workers with part-time
employment in Jasper. In Walker County, in which the town is
located, 40 percent of the population have been on relief.
The other Alabama project (in three units) will be for, Negroes and
will be carried on with the cooperation of the faculty of Tuskegee
Institute. The first unit will be agricultural in type, and is designed
for trained agriculturists who lack equipment or are farming very
poor land; these colonists, it is planned, will produce cotton, small
fruits, and dairy products. Unit II will also be agricultural and will
probably be devoted to a demonstration of the advantages of the
substitution of dairy farming for cotton farming. Unit III will be
an industrial project, whose occupants will be low-wage factory
workers.
Arizona.—The project located in the Salt River Valley near Phoenix
Ariz., will draw upon the low-income workers in the agricultural
processing plants and on the irrigated fruit and truck farms and per
sons on Government and other pensions who have moved to Arizona
for their health. A feature of this project will be the privilege of
leasing additional land held in a block of 96 acres, upon which colon
ists may add to the family income by the production of noncom
petitive cash crops, such as long-staple cotton.
California.—Pensioners and persons in the fixed-income groups will
likewise be included in the Los Angeles project; in that project also
will be workers from a wide variety of occupations throughout
Southern California. In the latter group, it is stated, some are now
unemployed, some working on a part-time basis, and others have full
time jobs but in seasonal industries. These homesteaders will be
able to raise for their own use a large variety of vegetables and small
fruits. A typically planned homestead will have 10 varieties of grapes,
8 varieties of berries and some 23 other varieties of fruits, these being
so selected as to insure the availability of some kind of fruit every
month of the year.
Delaware.—The Wilmington, Del., project is adjacent to a highly
industrialized and diversified area, and the trend of expansion is in
the direction of the new homestead section. For this project the
group will consist largely of low-income mechanics and operatives
who, even in times of full employment, have never been able to
attain the standard of living which will be possible on a homestead.
Illinois.—The Lake County project is in the urban industrial dis
trict of Chicago. No attempt will be made to establish a separate
community, but the homesteads will be on seven different tracts of
103148—35-----3
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
land so situated as to have access to all the facilities of existing com
munities. The homesteaders will be part-time workers in the local
industries.
The West Frankfort project will serve coal miners irregularly
employed in the mines of Franklin County and a small number of
skilled' and semiskilled industrial workers. Whereas the project in
Westmoreland County, Pa., was designed to care for stranded
workers in the coal-mining industry, the West Frankfort project is
in a region in which some employment is “ practically assured by
virtue of the existence of the huge supplies of accessible coal. The
introduction of labor-saving devices, however, together with the
generally depressed state of the coal industry, have produced a dis
tressed condition in parts of Southern Illinois.”
Indiana.—The Decatur project is situated at the edge of that small
city and the homesteaders were drawn from the industrial workers
there. Among the 48 settlers tentatively chosen are a doctor, fire
man, laborer, tool grinder, clerk, salesman, post-office clerk, molder,
machinist, theater projectionist, clothier, truck driver, barber,
electrician, plumber, dry cleaner, printer, millwright, and traffic
manager. Of the homesteaders 21 were raised on farms and all but
2 have had experience in home gardening. The incomes average
about $1,100 per year.
Iowa.—The Granger project is another planned for workers in the
coal-mining industry, but will also include a small number of stranded
farmers who have lost their farms because of the depression. Approx
imately 1,500 miners work in the 9 mines which lie within a 15-mile
radius of the homestead site. During 1933 these men averaged 165
days’ work and earned an average of $445. Most of these miners
are of Italian, Croatian, and Irish descent. Here, also, the huge
coal supply available promises employment for some 50 years to come.
“ Moreover, the homesteads will be located on a tract of fine Iowa
soil, so that a most auspicious combination of favorable agricultural
and industrial conditions is provided. * * * Mine operators
have also expressed their desire to cooperate by assuring part-time
employment to the residents of the subsistence homesteads so far as
is possible.”
Louisiana.—The pulp and paper industries of Bastrop give em
ployment to some 1,700 men, and several hundred others are employed
in nearby forests. The housing accommodations have never been
adequate and a bad situation has developed which the homestead
project will help to relieve. The homesteaders will be drawn from
the employees of these local industries.
Minnesota.—Somewhat the same housing situation existed in
Austin, Minn., where the supply of low-cost, well-built houses was
insufficient to meet the needs of the low-income workers in the town’s
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StTBSISTElsTCE HOMESTEADS
29
main industry—a food-packing plant. Tlie project is located about
2 miles from the town, but the school, church, and recreational
facilities, as well as the public utilities of the town, are available to
the homestead community. Approximately 40 acres will be set aside
for community purposes, including park, pasture, and wood lot.
The Duluth project is situated on cut-over land of good quality
some 7 miles from the center of that city. As many of the colonists
as possible will be given employment on the work of land clearing
that still remains to be done. The majority of the residents will,
however, be drawn from persons with some income from industrial
or other employment in the port or in the other industrial activities
of the region.
Mississippi.—Five of the six projects in Mississippi are industrial
in type and intended to accommodate part-time workers with small
incomes in the nearby towns (many of whom have been on relief),
craftsmen, and small tradespeople.
The Richton project is a rural development the purpose of which
is to demonstrate the value of subsistence homesteads as an element
in the economic rehabilitation of a cut-over forest region. The
abandonment of the sawmills and woodworking plants when the
forest resources were exhausted a few years ago created a serious
relief problem. The plans for the project call for a combination of
reforestation, subsistence gardening, and production of noncompeti
tive crops. The homesteads in this project are the largest of those
thus far announced, ranging from 160 to 320 acres each. Of this
land, 30 acres will be utilized for farming, and the remainder will be
devoted to forestry and grazing. Employment will be afforded to
some of the homesteaders on the reforestation program of the State
and Federal Forest Services, covering some 260,000 acres of land.
New Jersey.—At the Hightstown project4 subsistence farming is
being combined with a highly seasonal industry—the manufacture
of clothing. The colonists, many of whom were formerly employed
in New York, are now finding part-time employment in a factory
owned by themselves and located adjacent to the homestead units.
Ohio.—Self-help is the keynote at the Dayton units, the home
steaders doing most of the construction work themselves or obtaining
it through exchange of labor. In two of the five units the residents
are expected to be selected principally from the members of the selfhelp group, Cooperative Production Units, which was started several
years ago; in another unit from young Negro families; and in another
from professional people, office workers, and building-trades workers.
Most of these persons have some part-time employment but all the
units include some wholly unemployed members who can devote their
entire time to construction work in the project.
4 For more detailed data regarding this project see Monthly Labor Review, February 1934 (p. 245).
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Oklahoma.—The Tulsa project includes a cross section of the indus
trial workers of that city, notably those in the oil and allied industries,
trades, and business offices. The need for some means of supple
menting family income has been accentuated by the depression in
coal and zinc mining, and oil industries, -and the drought from which
Oklahoma agriculture suffered severely.
South Carolina.—Textile workers will benefit by the projects in
Taylors and La France, S. C., where the mills operate only seasonally.
Tennessee— One of the most interesting projects is that at Crossville, Tenn., located on a plateau 2,400 feet above sea level. This is
intended to provide for a group of stranded coal miners and lumber
workers, and farmers on submarginal lands, many of whom have been
on relief for 3 or 4 years and are regarded as “ permanently displaced
workers.’' This also is a self-help project. The underlying purpose
is not only to provide homes but to retrain these persons for self-sup
port. The homesteaders perform work either on their own houses
or on road or other work in connection with the project, receiving
“ work credits” therefor. The price of the homesteads is listed not
only in dollars but also in hours. The purchaser must not only con
tract to pay the cash price but must also have to his credit an equiva
lent number of hours. The stone used in the construction of many of
the houses is being quarried on the land and the timbers are also being
cut by the homesteaders. They have two sawmills in operation at
which they can turn out lumber at the rate of 12,757 board feet per
day, also a shingle mill, a planing mill, and a carpenter shop equipped
to produce doors and window sash. Waste lumber from the mills is
being used for picket fencing. Early in September 1934, of 167
homesteaders selected, 115 were working on the project. After the
community work is finished a program of adult education will be
undertaken.
Many of the settlers have talent which can be developed to enable
them to carry on handicraft industries in their own homes. A definite
effort will be made to encourage such activities and also the exchange
of products and services among the members. It is expected, also,
that private industries will establish small branches there which will
furnish some employment.
Texas.—In the six industrial projects being developed in Texas,
the homesteaders are being chosen from applicants with an income
of at least $600 a year. The projects are all so situated as to have
access to the community facilities of established cities or towns where
there is assurance of some employment—in the building trades, oil
fields, oil refining, lignite mining, etc.
W ashington.—The Longview project is situated some 3 miles from
the center of the town, which is a busy lumber port, besides having
other diversified industries which will supply employment for the
homesteaders.
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SUBSISTENCE HOMESTEADS
31
West Virginia.—Arthurdale, the Reedsville project, was the initial
one in the subsistence-homesteads program.5 As this was an entirely
new community, built on what was formerly an 1,100-acre farm, a great
deal of heavy preparation work had to be done before house con
struction could be begun. Much of the land had to be drained, roads
had to be cut, and water and other mains laid. By June 1934 the
first 50 of the 200 houses were ready for occupancy. By that time 12
miles of road had been cut, of which 8% miles had been graded and
surfaced, 12 miles of drain tile laid and covered and 47 culverts and
several bridges had been constructed. The community center, the
exhibition building, two industrial buildings, and the post office had
either been finished or were nearing completion. Some 412 acres
had been plowed and 185 acres planted to crops. In the building of
these homes and the land-improvement work, wages formed the great
est outlay, as many as 1,050 men being employed at one time. For
some of these the project “ represented the first opportunity to work
regularly for wages in several years.” It is explained that—
Experiment and demonstration in several factors contributing to a sound
community life will be the dominating note at Reedsville. Agriculture will
receive close attention in the operation of an experimental farm where new crops
will be tried out for the benefit of homesteaders not only in West Virginia but
throughout the country. At present the cultivation of small fruits and berries is
a main objective towards which this work is directed.
At the home economics cottage, moreover, housewives will be able to learn
the best means of planning their family diet with particular reference to the types
of foods which the subsistence homestead can provide. Instruction in canning
and preservation of foods for winter use will be afforded, as well as suggestions for
such necessary items as the arrangement and decoration of homes. Much of the
furniture to be used by the homesteaders will be made by their own cooperative
woodworking shop.
Functions of Federal Office in Subsistence^Homesteads Program
All financial operations connected with the program are being
carried on through the Federal Subsistence Homesteads Corporation,
chartered under the laws of Delaware. This corporation has capital
stock of $10,000 held in trust for the United States by the Secretary
and Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and the director of the Sub
sistence Homesteads Division, acting as trustees. It was originally
intended to turn over the local transactions to a local corporation
formed for each project. It was found, however, that that procedure
did not work so well as had been expected and in April 1934 the
Federal corporation took over the functions of the local corporations
which had thus far been set up. Most of the local bodies have now
been dissolved, though a few still retain their identity temporarily,
pending completion of property transfer, etc. Each project now has a
manager and disbursing officer appointed by the Federal corporation.
s For a detailed account of this community see M onthly Labor Review, December 1933 (p. 1329).
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Until the homesteads are three-quarters paid for, they remain
Federal property. It is the duty of the corporation to see to it that
the payments on the homesteads are made regularly and that the
houses are kept in good repair, and to oversee certain features of
community management.
Although the homesteaders are chosen from applicants with experi
ence in farming or gardening, a certain degree of supervision will be
exercised in order to see that they make the best possible use of their
land.
In its work the Division has studied every section of the country in
order to determine what locations are the most promising. In many
places groups of citizens had already become interested in the idea
and their cooperation has been utilized where the project has been
carried through.
A study is now being conducted on the basis of which a map will
be made which will be used as a basic chart for the establishment of
future subsistence homesteads. The use of this chart and the informa
tion being gathered for it will make it possible to locate such projects
accurately not only in relation to present industrial areas but also in
relation to areas affected by industrial migration. An attempt will
be made to obtain information as to the probable regional and tech
nical trends for the next 30 years so as to show what appear to be the
promising industries and regions and what the failing ones.
Our study, and the new map of industrial United States which it will produce,
will point out where industry is going and where industry ought to go under an
intelligent national plan. It will show where certain industries can benefit
themselves by a drastic move such as that taken by many textile mills, and
where others must remain in the regions in which they are now situated. It will
enable the Division of Subsistence Homesteads both to serve industry in following
the natural course of industrial trends, and to lead industry by pointing out
where the economic and social stability that goes with subsistence homesteading
can be achieved through planned decentralization.
The cooperation of business and industrial firms is being solicited,
in order to provide employment for the residents of homestead
projects.
We want the leaders of industry to establish branch factories near our home
steads projects. Instead of adding a wing to the old plant, let them consider
the possibility of establishing a small branch plant where they can draw upon
homestead labor, ready and anxious for employment. Let them remember that
these homesteaders are picked workers, that they have been carefully selected
for character, integrity, and native ability, from among the thousands of persons
who have made application.
It is also hoped by the Division that the homestead projects will
prove such a valuable demonstration that industrial leaders will
become interested in undertaking subsistence projects of their own,
to provide for their own labor force.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
33
SU B SIS T E N C E HOM ESTEADS
Progress of Program
Of 62 projects to which funds had been allocated, up to the middle
of December 1934, work had begun on about 30, and house construc
tion is under way on some 20 projects.
Up to the middle of December 1934 there were 1,064 houses either
completed, under construction, or under contract with construction
about to begin. Eighty-six houses were being occupied and 393 others
were almost ready for occupancy.
By the first of December completed houses were being occupied by
50 families at Reedsville, W. Va., 10 families at Tupelo, Miss., about a
dozen families at Dayton, Ohio, and a few families at McCoinb,
Miss. At Crossville, Tenn., 15 families were in their new houses and
some 75 to 100 families were living temporarily in their barns pending
completion of their dwellings. It was also expected that about a
dozen houses at the Westmoreland County, Pa., project and practically
all of the houses at Houston, Tex., would be ready by February 1,
1935.
While the primary purpose of the program is to demonstrate the
value of subsistence homesteads as a way of increasing family secu
rity, considerable temporary employment is being furnished in the
course of establishing the projects. The Division of Subsistence
Homesteads reports that during the 2 weeks ending August 25, 1934,
work on the projects furnished 167,200 man-hours’ employment. On
some of the different projects the average daily number of workers
employed during the period was as follows:
Average number of
men employed
per day
Birmingham, Ala__________________________________________341
Jasper, Ala______________________________________________ 58
Hattiesburg, Miss________________________________________ 15
McComb, Miss__________________________________________ 20
Tupelo, Miss____________________________________________
41
Pender County, N. C-------------------------------------------------------- 927
Westmoreland County, P a------------------------------------------------- 113
Crossville, Tenn--------------------------------------------------------------- 113
Beaumont, Tex---------------------------------------------------12
Houston, Tex____________________________________________ 120
Three Rivers, Tex_______________________________________
29
Wichita Falls, Tex------------------------------------------------------------ 35
Reedsville, W. Va________________________________________ 158
Tygart Valley, W. Va------------------------------------------------------- 88
During the 4 weeks ending September 22, 1934, on the 19 projects
farthest advanced, 289,832 man-hours’ employment was furnished,
the average number of men employed per project per day being about
130. The Chancellorsville (Jasper County, Ga.), project alone
accounted for 67,512 man-hours.
Employment has also been provided indirectly by the stimulation
Digitized forofFRASER
private industry through the purchase of materials. From June 2
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to October 14, 1934, the Division of Subsistence Homesteads spent
$667,863 for materials bought from the lumber, brick, cement, steel,
plumbing-supplies, hardware, and electrical-fixture industries.
Rural Subsistence Homesteads
T h e subsistence communities of the F. E. R. A. are being built as
part of the rural-rehabilitation program inaugurated early in 1934.6
The purpose of that program is to make it possible for destitute per
sons living in “ open country and towns having less than 5,000 popu
lation” and eligible for relief, to become self-supporting.
The general rehabilitation program is being carried out through the
relief administrations of the various States. These were directed to
submit to the Federal office suggested programs for their States. By
November 1934 some 45 States had done so and had been granted
funds to carry out the program, and 8 additional States had set up
administrative machinery but had not yet been granted funds.
Grants allowed up to that time totaled $22,812,771, and the families
accepted for inclusion in the rural-rehabilitation program numbered
some 84,000.
The funds may be disbursed as loans by the State offices for sub
sistence rations, capital goods (domestic livestock, poultry, tools), to
get the client started, or as work relief to furnish the budget require
ments pending the harvesting of the first crop or to assist him to
repay the funds advanced.
Three subsistence-homestead projects or “rural industrial com
munities” are being built in Arkansas, Texas, and West Virginia from
the grants thus far made, and preliminary surveys for 12 other com
munities have been made. The Texas community is situated in the
pine woods section 100 miles north of Houston, the Arkansas com
munity on a rich tract of land near Osceola, and the West Virginia
village on a 2,200-acre tract 27 miles west of Charleston.
The purpose of these communities, it is explained, is to demon
strate that “ needy unemployed workers and their families can become
self-supporting in organized rural communities with a moderate
amount of supervision, and with a reasonable investment of relief
funds.”
The rural industrial communities being established under the
F. E. R. A. are of the self-help type. These communities are being
“ hewn out of the wilderness” (as one of the descriptive statements
puts it) and there is an enormous amount of preliminary work to be
done before the house-construction stage is reached. For this work
the services of men on the relief rolls are being utilized.
The work in the Texas community was all done by the heads of the
families now living there, the men being allowed rations and 50 cents
8 For an account of that program see M onthly Labor Review, July 1934 (p. 39).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Su b s is t e n c e
h o m e st e a d s
35
per week. Their families, meanwhile, were being maintained on
direct relief in Houston.
The Arkansas project provided work for about 1,500 men and the
West Virginia project for some 450; among these were some whose
families were selected for settlement in the community. On these two
projects the men worked 48 hours per week at the local prevailing rate,
but their week’s wages constituted a month’s work relief. At the end
of the week they were through for the month, having earned their
relief budget. Thus a new shift came to the job each week. There
was little loss in efficiency, however, for there was a full-time group of
gang leaders skilled in the various types of work to be done and they
gave the new men instruction in the standardized construction
methods.
The men used in the preliminary construction were for the most
part housed in temporary barracks and ate at a common mess hall.
In the case of the West Virginia project, about 100 of the men were
transported daily from Charleston or Huntington.
Homestead Characteristics
The size of the individual homesteads varies in the different com
munities. In Woodlake they average 3 acres each, in Osceola 20 to 40
acres, and in Red House only from three-fourths of an acre to 1 acre
each.
In all of the communities the houses are of 3, 4, and 5 rooms. The
houses at Woodlake are described as being of “ simple, native, east
Texas architecture”, with modern plumbing and brick or stone fire
places. The 3-acre tract is large enough to provide space for garden,
orchard and vineyard, chicken house with 200 chickens, and com
bination barn, garage, and laundry. In Osceola, also, the native
style of architecture was followed. As the acreage per homestead is
considerable, each four houses are on adjacent corners of the tract,
in order to simplify the layout for roads and light and power lines,
and to provide neighborliness.
At Red House the houses are built chiefly of cinder blocks, wood
being for the most part used only in the interiors. As the homesteads
are small, no animals will be kept on the individual plots; there is
room, however, for poultry, barn, garden, and lawn. The 3-room
houses include living room, combination kitchen and dining room,
pantry, bedroom, bathroom, large unfinished attic, cellar, and front
and back porches. The larger houses differ only in having more
bedrooms.
The houses in all three villages are equipped for electricity and
running water.
The houses at Woodlake were built at an average cost of $1,490, of
which $670 represented the cost of the relief labor used. The cost at
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Osceola runs, according to size of dwelling, from $900 to approximately
$1,300. In both cases the costs have been kept down by the fact that
timber was available on the site and was cut at a sawmill set up for
the purpose. At Red House the cinder blocks used are made for 10
cents apiece in a temporary plant on the place; the lumber used is
bought and fabricated in the community shop. In this colony the
cost per homestead is greater than in either of the others, ranging
from $1,800 to $2,500 and averaging $2,150. The cost of community
utilities (roads, water, sewers, community farm, and nonfarm tract)
“ will be either prorated or placed on a self-liquidating basis.”
Community features.—One feature of the Texas colony is a park of
255 acres containing many oak and elm trees and two lakes. In this
section are located the school, bath house, community house (used also
as the church), and “ trading post.” On the outskirts of the village
are two large tracts of ground of about 600 acres each, which are to be
farmed cooperatively to provide feed and some cash crops which can
be used as payment of the homestead rents. There is a community
cooperative dairy of about 75 cows. The mules, heavy farm mach
inery, some 6,000 fowls, and 400 goats are also owned in common.
A trading post, canning center, a park, a recreation hall and several
other community features are included in the Osceola and Red House
plans but are not yet built.
The houses will be rented to the settlers during the first year; it is
possible that at the end of that period some arrangement may be made
to enable the homesteaders to buy their places. At Woodlake the
rent is fixed at $180 per year, with a 3-year lease.
Population M akeup, and Employment Possibilities
The Texas community will ultimately have about 100 families, that
in Arkansas some 700, and that in West Virginia 150. At the Texas
community the houses were completed several months ago and are
occupied, the first 100 families moved in at Osceola early in November,
while at Red House about two-thirds of the homesteads were ready for
occupancy at that time. The settlers include former “ white collar”
and industrial workers as well as those with a farming background.
They are selected with a view to including in the community popula
tion various types of skills and capabilities. In the Texas settlement
a number of the people are college graduates and one woman is a
graduate nurse; there are also farmers, mechanics, a blacksmith, and
an architect. The V est Virginia group includes carpenters, miners,
electiicians, plumbers, and farmers, most of whom came originally
from a farm or rural environment. The families selected have a record
of successful earning capacity.
It is expected that the livelihood of the settlers will be obtained
through either farming or industrial employment. The industrial
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SUBSISTENCE HOMESTEADS
3'7
workers, while raising part of their food in their gardens, will otherwise
probably not do much farming. That, it is expected, will be carried
on by the farmers who will operate the cooperative farm enterprises.
One of the most difficult problems is the provision of industrial
employment, to provide a cash income for expenses that cannot be
met otherwise. (Gardens are to be primarily for the raising of food for
use; commercial farming is “ not contemplated as a principal activity.”)
It is the opinion of one of the authorities that “ very likely the full
solution will be found only gradually as economic recovery takes place.”
At Red House it is expected that industrial employment will be
provided partly by several private firms which have asked permission
to establish plants there, and partly in the cooperative canning center
and workshop. Some temporary employment will be supplied in the
construction of community buildings and roads, and work will also
be available on nearby public works and State roads. It is expected
that these activities will furnish enough employment to tide over until
the regular income-producing features are established.
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H isto ric a l R e v ie w o f T ra d e -U n io n In c o rp o ra tio n
NE consequence of the explicit recognition by Federal statute
of the right of workers to organize and to bargain collectively,
and of the extension of organization into fields heretofore unreceptive to the philosophy of unionism, has been to revive the question of
trade-union incorporation. In some quarters an opinion seems to be
developing that since organized labor has been given absolute statu
tory recognition it must also be given legal entity, and must accept
full responsibility before the law for its actions as a corporate body.
Thus indications point to a resurgence of what was a controversial
issue of considerable vitality 30 years ago, but which had dropped com
pletely out of sight until very recently. The possibility of the reap
pearance of the question of trade-union incorporation as a phase of
the changing status of labor organizations serves to bring into review
the history of a policy which is interesting because apparently so
curiously inconsistent.
The earliest American trade unions, in the first quarter of the 19th
century, were benevolent organizations primarily. Their economic
activities were subordinate to their mutual-aid program, as a rule,
and as the societies grew the tendency was toward strengthening the
beneficial aspect at the expense of the economic.
This was particularly true of the typographical societies of that
period, which in the years 1800-20 developed considerable bargain
ing power and were able to fix wage scales and to discipline members
who worked for less. As the membership grew, naturally the benefit
funds grew. Incorporation as a means of protecting these funds was
instituted first by the Philadelphia Typographical Society in 1809,
which sought at the same time to preserve its wage-fixing activities
by a clause in its charter which reserved to the society “its power of
making laws.” Notwithstanding that definite purpose, the Phila
delphia society did not, as a matter of fact, submit a wage scale after
1810, and the interest of the membership turned wholly to the benefit
features of the society.
The New York Typographical Society had been from its inception
a militant organization intent upon improving the conditions and
increasing the very low wages of journeyman printers. It was a
younger organization than the Philadelphia society and, following the
example of the older and larger group, it established a benefit fund
to provide relief for sick and indigent members, and a burial fund.
By 1816 these funds were substantial enough to call for protection,
so the society voted to incorporate and applied to the State legisla
ture for a charter. The senate amended the bill of incorporation
passed by the assembly by adding a clause which prohibited the
society from concerning itself with trade matters or attempting to
regulate wages. The society refused to accept the condition, but
O
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TRADE-UNION INCORPORATION
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when the same proposal was made in 1818, and amended the same
way, the New York Typographical Society finally decided to incor
porate under those terms. By adding a clause to its constitution
that “ in no case shall the society interfere in respect to the price of
labor,” the society ceased to exist as a trade union.
Only the vote of the president of the Columbia Typographical
Society of Washington, D. C., in a tie between the trade unionists
and the “ almoners,” as their opponents called the advocates of incor
poration, saved that society from economic oblivion when the issue
came up in Washington in 1821. As a result it never incorporated,
and thus escaped the limitation upon its activities which crippled its
contemporaries.
Demand for Right to Incorporate
T h e s e early experiences in the incorporation of trade unions had
no relation, however, to the policy adopted later. It is in fact
doubtful if the trade unionists who in the last quarter of the century
demanded incorporation knew very much about the history of their
antecedents.
The first movement toward national organization of wage earners
which attained any vitality developed after the close of the Civil
War. This led to the establishment of the National Labor Union,
founded in 1866, which, while not a union or even a federation of
unions in the present-day sense, did serve to coordinate union activi
ties, particularly in legislative matters, and to interpret problems
and developments from the workers’ viewpoint. One of the planks
in the platform of the National Labor Union declared that “ Voluntary
associations of working men and women are entitled * * * to
the same chartered rights and privileges granted to associated capital,
and we demand their practical recognition and enforcement.” This
was apparently merely an expression of equality and of the inherent
right to organize, with no declaration of the definite practical ends
to be attained. When, 10 years later, the National Labor Union had
been succeeded by the Knights of Labor as the representative and
mouthpiece of the organized workers, we find this declaration on the
matter of incorporation: “ The recognition, by incorporation, of
orders and other associations organized by the workers to improve
their condition and to protect their rights.”
The contention of the Knights of Labor for the right to organize
and for the recognition of workers’ organizations as legal entities was
not based on abstract principles alone. Rather, recognition was
demanded as a countermove to the enactment of conspiracy laws
which followed the general strikes of 1877. Common law had always
regarded, or could be made to regard, workers’ organizations as
“ conspiracies.” After the serious labor disturbances of 1877 many
States embodied that principle into statute law. It was to fight that
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
subversive move that the Knights of Labor demanded legal recog
nition through State and national charters. The legal sanction and
1ecognition given to English trade unions by act of Parliament in
1871 was pointed to as precedent.
The Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of 1881,
out of which the American Federation of Labor grew, also had as the
first plank in its platform a resolution calling for incorporation under
State and lederal laws, this declaration, however, did not mention
the principle of recognition. Instead, the emphasis was on giving
the property of the laboring classes the same protection as the
property of other classes.”
Incorporation Legislation
T h u s , with organized labor of that day united in the desire for
recognition of unionism as a legitimate activity and for protection of
its benefit funds through the device of incorporation, the next step
was the effort to secure the necessary legislation. This effort was
successful in some States, but a national act was considered imperative
to eliminate differences. Accordingly, a bill was introduced in Con
gress in 1883 which sought to make it possible to incorporate trade
unions as national entities under a general law. One of its pro
ponents met the doubt of Federal jurisdiction in the matter by assert
ing that if Congress has not the power it should assume the power,
and, if necessary, amend the Constitution to do it.”
In 1883 the Senate Committee on Education and Labor held
extended hearings upon “ the relation between labor and capital,” as
authorized by a Senate resolution of August 7, 1882. This resolution
directed the committee to study these “relations” and to recommend
“legislation calculated to promote harmonious relations between
capitalists and laborers, and the interests of both, by the improvement
of the conditions of the industrial classes of the United States.”
Among the numerous laws advocated by spokesmen of the organized
workers toward that end was the incorporation law. Most of the
prominent labor men of the time, Samuel Gompers among them,
emphasized it in their testimony as being of especial benefit in the
piomotion of harmonious relations and vitally necessary to the
welfare of the workers. The same points of protection of funds,
recognition of the right to organize as legal and fundamental, and
repudiation of the doctrine of criminal conspiracy, were developed by
the various witnesses. In addition they expressed the belief that as
legal entities trade unions would be in a better position to enforce
contracts, discipline members, control strikes, and institute arbitra
tion proceedings.
In short, these early trade unionists saw in incorporation a useful
instrument for the solution of many of labor’s problems and the
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TRADE-UNION INCORPORATION
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improvement of conditions. The legislative committees of both
wings of the labor movement—the Knights of Labor, and the craft
organizations represented in the Federation of Organized Trades and
Labor Unions—worked determinedly for the passage of their incor
poration measure. On June 29, 1886, the act “ to legalize the incor
poration of national trades unions” became a law. A “ national
trades union” was defined as—
any association of working people having two or more branches in the States
or Territories of the United States for the purpose of aiding its members to
become more skillful and efficient workers, the promotion of their general intelli
gence, the elevation of their character, the regulation of their wages and their
hours and conditions of labor, the protection of their individual rights in the
prosecution of their trade or trades, the raising of funds for the benefit of sick,
disabled, or unemployed members, or the families of deceased members, or for
such other object or objects for which working people may lawfully combine,
having in view their mutual protection or benefit.
If and when incorporated under this act, such an association
became a corporation with “ the right to sue and be sued, to implead
and be impleaded.”
At the 1886 convention of the Federation of Organized Trades and
Labor Unions the matter was reported thus:
The law is not what was desired, covering only those organizations which
have or may remove their headquarters to the District of Columbia or any of
the Territories of the United States, but it recognizes the principle of the lawful
character of trades unions, a principle we have been contending for for years.
Change of Attitude
T h e records of the labor movement for several years after 1886
scarcely mention the incorporation policy, and no trade union made
any effort to take advantage of the law of 1886 by securing a national
charter. When the question again became a live one it wore a very
different aspect. In 1901 President Gompers, in his annual report
to the convention of the American Federation of Labor, issued a
warning against the law which, 15 years before, trade unionists had
considered so vitally important to them as to justify a Constitutional
amendment if necessary. Mr. Gompers said:
Some years ago the Federal Congress passed a law for the incorporation of our
trade unions. Beyond question the advocates of that bill really believed they
were doing the organized workers a real service; but at the time, and since, we have
repeatedly warned our fellow-unionists to refrain from seeking the so-called pro
tection of that law.
Back of that warning, which proved to be the opening gun in the
American Federation of Labor’s long fight against the doctrine of
incorporation, lay the decision of the British House of Lords in the
Taff-Vale. case. That decision held that a registered trade union was
subject to a civil suit for damages, was responsible collectively for the
acts of its officers as individuals, and that its funds were liable to
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
attachment to satisfy claims. The case involved a strike against a
railroad in which the road sued for damages and won a judgment
amounting to about $150,000.
Accepting the Taff-Vale decision as a precedent in establishing the
legal responsibility of trade unions for the acts of their members, a
movement sprang up in this country to make incorporation of Ameri
can trade unions compulsory. The National Civic Federation con
ducted a symposium on the question: “ Should unions incorporate?”
which was published in the first issue of the National Civic Federation
Monthly Review (April 1903). One opinion may be quoted as repre
senting fully the position of those employers who were disposed to
demand incorporation.
Legislation should be had to provide for the incorporation of trade unions just
as we have it for forming other corporations or trusts, and self-constituted bodies
founded to coerce employers would have no status under the law and would
become conspiracies, where they failed to comply with the requirement to incor
porate. * * *
Large sums of money are raised by the unions from individual assessments, but
not 1 cent of this is reachable to recompense the industry that bears the brunt of
the conflict. When the suggestion is made to the average labor leader that such
incorporation ought to be enforced, we at once meet with the answer that it would
be fatal to their methods, which is an open confession that their methods are
illegal and wrong. Business men incur millions of responsibility in obedience to
the law, while labor, much more closely knit, is immune.
More than 10 years later many of the organized employers were
still of the same opinion, to judge by the testimony of the general
counsel of the National Association of Manufacturers before the
United States Commission on Industrial Relations, in which he said:
While the labor organization may develop an immense power for inflicting
injury and ruin upon others,, it occupies a unique position of possessing absolute
legal immunity for the injury thus inflicted. Power without corresponding
responsibility this fact is, in my judgment, the one most important fundamental
fact connected with the legal status of the union. What human institution can
successfully endure possession of power without responsibility?
While the American Federation of Labor regarded that attitude as
part of the destructive tactics of its enemies, the principle of incor
poration still found support and advocacy among its friends. Mr.
Gompers debated the question in Boston, on December 4, 1902,
with Mr. Louis D. Brandeis, who was spoken of in the newspaper
report of the debate as “ a well-known Boston attorney.” Mr. Brandeis’ position was that the very lack of corporate reality was bringing
upon organized labor one of its greatest grievances, the issuance of
injunctions in labor disputes. He gave it as his opinion that “ if the
courts had been dealing with a responsible union instead of irre
sponsible defendants, they would, in many of the cases, have refused
to interfere by injunction.”
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TRADE-UNION INCORPORATION
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Many other friends of organized labor, and some of the organiza
tions as well, took the same view. Incorporation in fact was fre
quently advocated as the way to meet the injunction menace, just as
25 years before it had been regarded as a means of escaping the charge
of criminal conspiracy.
Nevertheless President Gompers took a position of uncompromising
opposition to the doctrine, declaring that “ we will not submit to this
new snare for labor’s despoilment.” The official attitude of the
American Federation of Labor thus came to be that incorporation of
trade unions and destruction of trade unions were synonymous.
So far as the injunction side of the issue was concerned, it proposed
other measures to deal with that growing danger. The official state
ment on the matter became, and remains, that the policy of the
American Federation of Labor as well as of the international unions
connected with it is at all times to discourage organizations from apply
ing for or receiving charters as incorporated bodies.
Repeal of Law of 1886
I n t h e light of the intensity of feeling that enveloped both aspects
of the incorporation idea—the early fight for it and the later opposi
tion to it—an act of the Seventy-second Congress, on July 22, 1932
(Public Act No. 306), repealing the incorporation law of 1886 afforded
an interesting anticlimax. The measure was introduced by Senator
Sheppard of Texas who desired to have the law repealed because it
was being used to give apparent legal status to organizations that had
no relation to labor unions but which incorporated as beneficiary soci
eties under the law for the purpose of carrying on an insurance busi
ness. Most of these agencies, according to the report accompanying
the repeal bill, insured against divorce. Senator Sheppard’s bill
passed both Houses of Congress with no discussion whatever, providing
a curious requiem for what seemed at the time the end of a longforgotten controversy.
S o u r c e s : United States, Bureau of Labor, Bulletin No. 61, Washington; Monthly Labor Review, Sep
tember 1932, p.550; United States, Senate, Committee on Education and Labor (48th Cong.), Report and
testimony, Washington, 1885, vol. 1; United States, Commission on Industrial Relations, Final report and
testimony (64th Cong., 1st sess., S. Doe. No. 415), vol. 11, Washington, 1916; American Economic Asso
ciation Quarterly, July 1909; Documentary History of American Industrial Society, vol. IX, by John R.
Commons and others, Cleveland, Arthur H. Clark Co., 1910; American Federation of Labor, Proceedings
of Conventions of 1881, 1886, 1901, and 1904; United States Statutes, vol. 24, p. 86; Knights of Labor, Con
stitution of the General Assembly, Philadelphia, 1893; National Civic Federation, Monthly Review, April,
1903; and Boston Globe, Dec. 5, 1902.
103148—35-----4
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND UNEM
PLOYMENT RELIEF
R e p o rt o f V irg in ia A d v is o ry C om m ission o n U n e m p lo y m e n t
In s u ra n c e
HE enactment of a State unemployment-insurance law in Vir
ginia is recommended in the report of a special commission
appointed by the Governor of that State to consider the problems
arising from insecurity of employment.1
For reasons of principle, administrative difficulties, or expediency,
the commission considered that certain workers cannot be covered in
a State plan such as the one advocated. Such persons include agri
cultural workers, domestic workers in establishments not operated for
profit, those engaged in interstate commerce, emplo3^ees of the State,
persons without a certain employment record or who have not been
resident in the State for a certain period, persons ordinarily selfemployed, persons employed in an establishment having only a small
number of workers, and persons receiving more than a stipulated
amount in wages in a year.
The plan agreed upon by the commission, and offered in the form
of a tentative bill, recommends that a reserve fund should be set up
by the employer financed b37 contributions amounting to 2 percent
of the pay roll of employees covered by the plan during the first 2
years. Thereafter, whenever the reserve amounts to $65 but less
than $100 per employee, the contributions should be at the rate of
1 percent for the duration of the accounting period, and when the
reserve at the beginning of an accounting period amounts to $100
per employee, no further contributions should be required during that
period. The bill provides for the administration of the fund by the
Department of Labor and Industry, with a separate account kept by
the department for each employer. In addition to the unemploy
ment-reserve fund, the proposed bill provides for an unemploymentinsurance fund, to be formed by the payment by each employer of
one-half of 1 percent per annum of his pay roll. This fund would be
administered by the Commonwealth to pay benefits to those eligible
employees who, because of the exhaustion of reserve accounts, are
T
V irginia. Governor’s Advisory Commission on Unemployment Insurance. Stabilization of employ
ment in Virginia and building up of unemployment reserves. Richmond, 1934.
44
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
45
unable to collect their benefits from such accounts. Regular benefits
would be payable to workers who have been employed by one or more
employers in the State for not less than 13 weeks during the 52 weeks
preceding unemployment, if they are capable of and available for
employment but are unable to obtain work at their usual employment
or at work for which they are reasonably fitted, and to partially unem
ployed workers whose loss of wages amounts to more than 50 percent
of their average weekly wages. A 4-week waiting period would be
required before the payment of the benefits which would amount to
$15 per week or 50 percent of the average weekly wage, whichever is
lower. The maximum period for which a worker could receive bene
fit in any 12-month period is fixed at 26 weeks. Benefits for partial
unemployment would amount to the difference between the employee’s
actual wages and the amount to which he would be entitled if totally
unemployed.
The commission estimated that the burden on industry of such a
system would amount to less than one-half of 1 percent of the value
of the products of the industries covered and to less than 1 percent of
the value added by manufacture. Contributions by the workers were
not advocated by the commission, as it was felt that they share heavily
in the cost of unemployment through benefit payments representing
only 50 percent of their usual earnings, by suffering the delay of a
waiting period before benefits are paid, and by having a limitation
put upon the number of weeks for which benefits are payable, while,
in addition, the worker is, of all persons concerned, the one least
responsible for his own unemployment.
E m p lo y m e n t A m o n g F o rm e r M em bers o f C iv ilia n C o n s e rv a tio n
C orps
ORMER members of the second period (winter 1933-34) of the
Civilian Conservation Corps found employment opportunities
during the spring and summer of 1934 much greater than did those
of the first period (summer 1933) during the preceding winter. The
proportion of employed men was twice as great among the secondperiod group as among the first-period group. In every State there
was a substantial increase of former C. C. C. members who were
employed, and indications were that this increase was not entirely
seasonal. This information was gained in a survey,1 the second of a
series, conducted by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration
during July, August, and September 1934.
F
1 United States. Federal Emergency Relief Administration. Division of Research, Statistics, and Fi
nance. Report of the findings in a survey of former members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, winter
1933-34 term. Washington, 1934. (Mimeographed.) See Monthly Labor Review for August 1934 (p.
308) for a summary of the findings of the first survey.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Of the 300-odd thousand men who enrolled for the winter term of
the C. C. C., nearly 150,000 left the corps during the term or failed
to reenroll at the end of the term. More than 110,000 of these men
were traced and interviewed as to their employment status, and it was
found that 36.4 percent of them had secured jobs. Virtually all of
these were in private employment, only a comparatively few being
employed in governmental (State, county, or local) activities.
Table 1 shows the total number of traced second-period enrollees
who left the corps, those who resigned before the end of the term,
and those who completed their period of service, and their employ
ment status at the time of the survey.
Table 1.—Number of Traced Second-Period Civilian Conservation Corps
Enrollees who Left During or at Close of Period, by Employment Status
Left
camp
early
Com
pleted
period
Total
E m ployed_____________
Unemployed. _____________
Otherwise engaged__________
20, 566
30,116
1,945
19, 760
36, 723
1,631
40, 326
66, 839
3,576
Total traced__________
52, 627
58,114
110, 741
Employment status
A percentage comparison of the employment status of traced
former members of the first and second periods of the Civilian Con
servation Corps is presented in table 2.
Table 2 .—Percent of Traced Former Members of First and Second Periods of
Civilian Conservation Corps who were Employed, Unemployed, or Otherwise
Engaged, by Time of Departure from Corps
Left camp early
Employment status
Completed period
Total
Second
period
First
period 1
Second
period
First
period 1
Second
period
First
period 1
Employed
____ __________________
U nem ployed_______________________
Otherwise engaged. __________________
TTnspAr.ifiAd
24.3
64.2
9.0
2.5
39.1
57.2
3.7
15.3
77.0
5.7
34.0
63.2
2.8
18.8
71.9
7.0
2.3
36.4
60.4
3.2
Total _________________________
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
2.0
1 Percentages based on final tabulations.
Of the 3,576 young men who were classified as “ otherwise engaged ”,
1,051 reenrolled in the C. C. C. Many others were unable to reenroll
because of the limit placed upon the time a man could serve therein.
There were 512 in the Army, Navy, and Marines, 284 were in school,
1,298 were sick or dead, and 431 were in jail. The number and percent
of the young men in these groups, both among those who left camp
early and those who completed their term, are shown in table 3.
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS— UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF
Table 3.—Number and Percent of Young Men Classified as “ Otherwise
Engaged” , by Reason for Nonemployment
Left camp early
Completed period
Total
Reason for nonemployment
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
In school__________ _____ ___________
Reenrolled in C. C. C _________________
Army, Navy, and Marines_____________
Sick and dead________________________
In jail..____________________ _________
159
254
298
905
329
13.1
15.3
46.5
16.9
8.2
125
797
214
393
7.7
48.9
13.1
24.1
6.2
284
1,051
512
1,298
431
7.9
29.4
14.3
36.3
Total__________________________
1,945
100.0
1,631
100.0
3, 576
100.0
102
Percent
12.1
The proportions of these former members who had found employ
ment in the different geographical divisions differed greatly. For the
men of the second period, both the Mountain and Pacific divisions
had percentages about one-third higher than the country as a whole
and the Middle Atlantic division one-fifth lower, as it also did for the
men of the first period. The South Atlantic division, however, had
the highest percentage of employed of the men of the first period.
In nine States more than one-half of the former members of the
winter term (in one of them nearly two-thirds) were employed at the
time of the survey. As six of these States are generally classified as
agricultural rather than industrial, the seasonal factor may have
entered into their high proportion of employment. In seven States,
including such industrial States as Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
and Rhode Island, as well as the less industrial States of Missouri,
New Mexico, and the District of Columbia less than one-third of the
former C. C. C. members were employed.
E m p lo y m e n t o n Large-Scale F arm s in t h e S o v ie t U n io n
A N INCREASE in the number of both wage earners and salaried
/ i employees on the large-scale farms in the Soviet Union (U. S. S. R.)
took place each year from 1927 to 1932; the percentage of wage earners,
however, decreased yearly, while that of salaried employees increased
each year.1 On July 1, 1927, wage earners formed 95.4 percent of the
total workers on such farms, but by 1932 the percentage had fallen to
92.4; the percentage of salaried employees, on the other hand, rose
from 4.6 on July 1, 1927, to 7.6 on August 1, 1932.
The number and percent of wage earners and salaried employees on
the large-scale farms (SovJchozy’s) in the Soviet Union in each year
from 1927 to 1932 are shown in table 1.
1 Soviet Union (U. S. S. R.). State Planning Commission. Central Office of the Accountancy of the
People’s Economy. Sotsialistieheskoe stroitel’stvo. Statisticheskii ezhegodnik. Moscow, 1934, p. 349.
(In Russian.)
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 1.—Number of Wage Earners and Salaried Employees on Large-Scale
Farms in Soviet Union, 1927 to 1932
July 1,
1927
Class of workers
July 1,
1928
July 1,
1929
Aug. 1,
1930
Aug. 1,
1932
Aug. 1,
1931
Number
. ---------
589,700
599,000
659, 200
1,088,400
2,035,100
2, 682,100
Wage earners. . -------- - -------- -Perm anent... ---- --------Seasonal--------- --------------Temporary___
___
Salaried employees.----------------------
562, 700
68,300
74,400
420, 000
27,000
570,700
71,000
71,100
428, 600
28,300
627,700
89, 000
124,300
414,400
31, 500
1,026,100
247,800
340, 300
438, 000
62,300
1,908,900
706, 700
576,100
626,100
126, 200
2,477,300
1,065,400
699,100
712,800
204,800
Total workers. . ---------
Percent
---------
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Wage earners------- ---------------Permanent-------- .
---- -- . .
Seasonal. _________ . -------- . . .
Tem porary..
----... .
Salaried employees..
----- - -
95.4
95.3
11.9
11.9
71.5
4.7
95.2
13.5
18.8
62.9
4.8
94.3
93.8
34.7
28.3
30.8
92.4
39.7
26.1
26.6
7.6
Total workers..
-----
11.6
12.6
71.2
4.6
22.8
31.3
40.2
5.7
6.2
Table 2 shows the number of female workers in percent of total
workers employed on the large-scale farms in 1932.
Table 2.—Percent Female Workers Form of Total Persons Employed on
Large-Scale Farms in the Soviet Union, 1928 to 1932
Percent female workers form of total
workers of specified class
Date
Permanent
July 1, 1928
July 1, 1929
Aug. i, 1930
Aug. l' 1931
Aug 1, 1932
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
_______ __________- ___________
_________________________
_______________________________
____________________________
... . . .
....
_____
13.1
13.4
15.4
22.1
27.6
Seasonal
35.6
36.8
43.9
44.2
47.1
Temporary
69.8
66.3
52.6
46.9
50.3
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES
A c tiv itie s o f U n ite d S ta tes E m p lo y m e n t S ervice, O c to b e r 1934
HE persons placed in work opportunities by the offices of the
United States Employment Service in October exceeded by 14.2
percent those placed in September. During October 284,000 place
ments were reported by the Service as compared with 249,900 for
September. Applicants were placed both with private employers and
on Public Works Administration projects. The positions filled
covered a broad range of occupations including technical experts and
members of professions as well as all classes of skilled, semiskilled,
unskilled and domestic workers. A slight increase occurred in
applications made by persons seeking employment—a gain of 10.5
percent over the previous month. Of the total number, 901,000,
calling at the offices, 340,000 represented persons applying for the
first time at the Employment Service for jobs.
Approximately 25 percent of the October placements were made by
the 23 State employment services cooperating with the United
States Employment Service. Placements made by State employ
ment services were 27.2 percent greater than those in September.
The State services also handled 36.8 percent of all applications made
with the Service. The balance of applications and placements were
reported by the offices of the National Reemployment Service through
out the country.
Placements of veterans during October accounted for 39,700 of the
total of all placements, a 20.5 percent increase over the September
total. During the month 20,600 veterans applied for employment
through the Service for the first time.
The active file of persons seeking employment through the offices
declined to 6,785,000 at the end of October. Despite the increase in
the current level of placements, the number of new applications
received during the month was more than sufficient to offset the
reduction in the active files. The decline was caused principally by
failure of applicants to keep the offices informed of their continued
need for employment. Registrations in the active file at the end of
October equaled 5.5 percent of the total 1930 population of the
country and 13.9 percent of the number of persons reported gainfully
employed in that year.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
49
50
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
For every hundred persons placed in October, applications were'
received from 120 new applicants applying to the Service. On the
average there were 23.9 applications remaining in the active file for
each placement made. In September there were 133 new applications
for each 100 placements and 27.8 applications in the active file per
placement during the month.
The greatest pressure of unemployment as reflected in the activities
of the employment offices was felt in the Middle Atlantic States of
New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These three States in
1930 contained 21.4 percent of the total population of the country and
22.4 percent of the gainfully employed. However, in October they
reported 31.1 percent of all persons applying to the Employment
Service for the first time and contained 30.1 percent of all persons
registered. Placements in this area represented 16.7 percent of the
Nation’s total. For every 100 persons placed, 223 new applicants
registered for the first time, and for every person placed there were 43
actively seeking employment in this area during October.
The New England and East North Central districts, likewise
heavily industrialized areas, showed below-average employment pos
sibilities, as did also the Pacific States.
The Mountain and West North Central areas had the most favor
able showing in current placements for October. The Mountain
States, with 3 percent of the country’s population, had 8.4 percent
of all placements. Placements exceeded new applications in this
region by a ratio of 2 to 1, although there were 9.7 persons remaining
in the active file for every person placed. The West North Central
States with 10.8 percent of the total population reported 20.2 percent
of all placements. In these States there were 69 new applicants per
100 placements, while the active file of job seekers contained 12.5
registrations for each placement reported during the month.
Table 1.—Geographic Analysis of Placement Ratios, U. S. Employment Service,
October 1934
Geographic division
New England- ......... - -------------- - --------------------Middle Atlantic______ - --------------------- ----------East North Central--------- ------------------ ------ ------West North Central______
----------------South Atlantic--- ------------ -- - ------------------- --East South Central----- ------- -------- ---- ----------West South Central____________ -- -- - -- --------M ountain___________
____________
- -------Pacific------------ ------ ------------------------------------------United States
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
--------------------- ------------------
appli Active file
appli New
cations per per place
Placements New
cations placements
ment
15, 733
47, 473
43, 390
57,573
42, 224
15, 337
25,067
23, 903
13, 629
24, 453
105, 832
71. Ill
39,918
38, 580
13,121
25, 763
11,773
9,402
1.55
2.23
1.64
.69
.91
284, 335
339,953
1.20
.86
1.03
.49
.69
27.5
43.0
23.6
12.5
19.9
36.8
25.1
9.7
22.1
23.9
51
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES
Table
2 .—Percentage
Distribution of Operations of U. S. Employment Service,
by Geographic Divisions, October 1934
U. S. Employment Service
Popula Gainfully
tion in employed
1930
in 1930
Geographic division
New England- ----------- --------------------Middle Atlantic__________ __________
East North Central. - --------------------West North C e n tral------------- -----------South Atlantic ----- -------------- East South Central-------------- - -----West South Central----------- -------------M o u n ta in ------ __
................. ...... ...
Pacific____ - ---------------- -- --- ------United States------------
-------------
Place
ments
5.5
16.7
15.3
20. 2
14.9
5.4
9.9
3.0
6.7
7.0
22.4
20.7
10.3
12.4
7.7
9.3
2.9
7.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
6.7
21.4
20.6
10.8
2.9
8.1
8.8
8.4
4.8
New ap Total ap
plications plications
7.2
31.1
20.9
11.7
11.3
3.9
7.6
3.5
5.2
22.4
19.1
14.5
Active
file
6.4
30.1
15.1
10.6
12.6
6.8
2.8
10.4
5.3
3.7
12.4
8.3
9.3
3.4
4.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
Table 3.—Percentage of Population of Principal Geographic Divisions Registered
with Offices of U. S. Employment Service, October 1934
Registrations in active file of
U. S. Employment Service
Oct. 31, 1934
Geographic division
Population
in 1930
Gainfully
employed
in 1930
Number
New England------------- -------------------------Middle Atlantic.----------- -----------------East North Central---- ----------------- -------West North Central------------ -------------------South Atlantic .
---------------------------------East South Central---- ------------- _ ------West South Central-------- ----------------------M ountain_______ _____ - --------------------Pacific----- ----------- ------------------------------United States_______________ _____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8,166,341
26,260, 750
25, 297,185
13, 296,915
15, 793, 589
9,887, 214
12,176,830
3, 701, 789
8,194,433
122,775,046
Percent
of popu
lation
Percent
of gain
fully em
ployed
3, 431,167
10, 957, 546
10,108, 321
5, 052,837
6, 055, 304
3, 736, 681
4, 518,232
1, 394,813
3, 575,019
432,766
2,039, 693
1, 024,961
720, 605
839, 817
564,904
630, 379
231, 305
301,175
5.3
7.8
4.1
5.4
5.3
5.7
5.2
3.7
14.3
13.9
15.1
14.0
16.6
8.4
48,829,920
6, 785, 605
5.5
13.9
6.2
12.6
18.6
10.1
52
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 4.—Placements Made by Offices of Combined State Employment and
National Reemployment Services, September and October 1934
N ew ap p lic a
tio n s p er p lace
m ent
P lac em en ts
A c tiv e file
p e r p lace
m ent
S ta te
S ep te m
ber
O ctober
5,512
1,323
i 5,414
5; 844
2,814
4,045
1,904
5,213
5,850
3,853
- 2 6 .6
+ 4 3 .9
C o n n e c tic u t.__ _ ____ _______________
D ela w are - _____ __ _____
F lo rid a ____________ _______
_ _
G eorgia______
________ _ ___
_
I d a h o __________ ____ _______________
2,457
844
4,350
4,517
2,532
I l l i n o i s __ ______ _______________
In d ia n a _________ .................................
Io w a ______ ____ _
_________________
K a n s a s . - _____ . . . _____ - __ ____
K e n tu c k y ______ ______________
____
P e rc e n t
S ep
of change te m b er
O cto
b er
S ep
te m b er
1.31
.75
1 92
.69
.82
16.8
15. 5
7 4
10.7
25.4
20. 5
10.9
+ 3 6 .9
0. 62
.59
. 71
.89
1.17
3, 274
1,242
5,631
4, 525
3,179
+ 3 3 .3
+ 4 7 .2
+ 2 9 .4
+ .2
+ 25. 6
2.01
.64
.68
1. 76
.36
1. 95
.74
.83
1.99
.45
21.2
15.8
29.8
41.1
12.4
17.1
10.7
18.2
46.0
9.3
13, 765
5,188
2 7, 687
4, 533
2,968
12,479
5, 646
9,127
5, 663
2,827
- 9 .3
+ 8 .8
+ 1 8 .7
+ 2 4 .9
- 4 .8
1. 37
1.28
2 .51
.74
1.07
2. 37
1.11
.46
.52
.98
14.4
40.5
2 8. 6
31.4
* 76.8
16.3
31.3
6.5
23.7
78.6
L o u isia n a ___ __
_____________ ___
M a i n e . ____
... _ .
M a ry la n d
......
M a s sa c h u s e tts _____ __ __________ _____
M ic h ig a n .._____
___ _____ _
___
2, 500
957
3,115
4,878
4,861
2,108
2,102
3, 592
5,330
4,950
- 1 5 .7
+ 11 9 .6
+ 1 5 .3
+ 9 .3
+ 1 .8
.82
1.66
1.10
1.51
1. 55
.98
.89
1. 29
2. 25
59.9
25.9
27.1
62.1
6S 0
69.2
7.1
23.3
52.3
M in n e s o ta ___________ _ ______ _
M ississip p i________________________ . . .
M isso u ri_________
...
. .
M o n ta n a ______ _ _ . . . ____
N e b ra s k a ____ _______ ___________
_
13, 766
4,438
9, 533
3,889
5, 327
16, 066
5, 269
12,137
6, 673
7,876
+ 1 8 .2
+18. 7
+ 2 7 .3
+ 7 1 .6
+ 4 7 .9
.56
.50
2.07
.28
.66
.55
.47
1.32
.18
.48
9.5
7.4
14. 2
18. 7
6. 6
8.0
N e v a d a _____ . _ ____ _ . . . ______
N ew H a m p s h ire .____________________ .
N ew Je rs e y — ___________ . . _ . .
N ew M e x i c o . . . ____ ________ ___ ____
N ew Y o rk ____
_____ _______ ____ _
1,212
3, 657
4,081
1 1, 619
13 ; 851
1,294
3,160
4,809
1, 721
16, 525
+ 6 .8
- 1 3 .6
+ 1 7 .8
.78
. 62
1.95
7fi
+ 1 9 .3
.92
.55
1.93
. 77
1.88
N o rth C a ro lin a . . . . . ___________ _
N o rth D a k o t a . ____ ____ . . .
O hio_____________ ____________ . . . . .
_ ________
O k lah o m a____ ________ _
O re g o n ...................
. . . ______________
5,229
2,331
11,465
3,744
3,281
9,385
3,219
12,073
4,168
3, 389
+ 7 9 .5
+ 38. 1
+ 5 .3
+ 1 1 .3
+ 3 .3
1.04
.68
1.89
.57
.55
P e n n s y lv a n ia ________________ . . . ____
R h o d e Is la n d ____ _____________ _______
S o u th C a ro lin a ____ ________ ________
S o u th D a k o ta _____ __ ________________
T e n n essee_________ ________
____
20,473
728
5, 238
3,257
3,188
26,139
769
5, 675
3,485
3,196
+ 2 7 .7
+ 5 .6
+ 8 .3
+ 7 .0
+ .3
A la b a m a - __ A rizo n a_____ .
A rk a n s a s ____ _ _ ___
C alifo rn ia ___
______
C o lo ra d o __________ ____ ___________
18.0
23.7
11.5
12.7
O cto
b er
10.4
16.4
4.7
5.6
22.2
1.99
4.8
4.8
25.7
20 fi
64.2
.63
.49
1. 77
.70
.56
15.9
11.3
23.5
65.0
27.1
8.4
7. 9
19.7
58.2
25.9
4.58
1.13
.51
.35
.77
2.43
1. 70
.63
.67
.80
5.1
65.8
27.6
29.0
57.2
4.0
66.4
24.8
26.6
57.9
53.0
T e x as___ .
_________
_______ . . .
U ta h ___ __ _ _ ____ _ _______ . ____
14, 689
13, 578
- 7 .6
.68
.79
12.3
13.0
Vermont_____ _ .. ___________ ..
Virginia _________ . . . _________
Washington_________ . . . _ _
3 , 307
765
5 ,8 1 7
4 , 632
3 , 747
1 ,0 9 8
6 , 052
4 ,3 9 0
+ 1 3 .3
+ 4 3 .5
+ 4 .0
- 5 .2
.4 8
.8 8
.6 5
.6 5
.4 0
.8 5
.7 2
.7 9
8 .6
1 8 .1
1 4 .6
3 2 .6
5 .9
1 2 .8
1 4 .3
3 4 .7
West Virginia_____________________
Wisconsin____________________ _
Wyoming___________ ________ ____
District of Columbia____________ _ .
3 , 776
7 ,2 1 7
1 ,9 5 0
1 ,4 0 9
4 ,2 9 3
8 ,2 4 8
1 ,5 3 2
1 ,8 2 9
+
+
+
1 3 .7
1 4 .3
2 1 .4
2 9 .8
.7 8
1 .0 5
.4 1
1 .7 1
.5 6
.9 5
.4 8
1 .7 5
2 5 .2
1 2 .3
5 .3
2 7 .1
2 0 .9
9 .1
6 .9
1 9 .9
2 2 4 9 ,9 2 8
284 , 335
3 + 1 4 .2
1 .3 3
3 1 .2 0
2 7 .8
2 3 .9
Total___________ ____ ______
Incomplete.
Revised figures.
Computed from comparable reports only.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
53
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES
Table
5 .—Registrations
with Offices of Combined State Employment and
National Reemployment Services, September and October 1934
New applications
State
Total applications 1
Active file
Per Septem
Per
Septem October cent
of
October cent of
ber
ber
change
change
Alabama_________
Arizona__________
A rk an sas...............
C alifornia__ . . .
Colorado _______
2 3, 835
Connecticut
D elaw are__ ___
Florida______ ____
Georgia__________
Idaho_______ ____
4, 944
541
2,971
7, 937
916
Illinois___________
Indiana__ ______
Iowa___ ____ . . .
Kansas, . ____
Kentucky_____
3 3, 938
3,434
772
- 2.2
62; 566
71,414
82,821
20, 792
64, 634
ei; no
63, 045
-2 .3
-11.7
+24.5
- 0.0
+28.5
+63.6
+62.7
52,109
13, 346
129, 587
185,425
31, 328
56,122
13, 236
102, 330
208, 244
29, 542
- 21.0
+ 12.3
-5 .7
58, 564 +31.9
11,113 -17.4
18, 077 +18.8
15, 331 +8.4
12, 524 +71.2
197,921
210,156
202, 808
3, 353
3,169
29, 579 +56.6 44, 415
6, 247
- 6.1
13, 460
4,194 +6.5 3 15, 211
14,145
2,946 - 12.1
2, 770 - 12.6
7,317
3 65,949
142,145
227,864
176,931
59,444
134,114
222,329
+2.5
-15.8
-9 .9
-5 .6
-2 .4
Louisiana________
Maine______ ___
M ary lan d ,,. __
Massachusetts___
Michigan.
2,060
1,586
3,420
7, 345
7,512
2, 061
1,864
4, 624
11,992
4 8, 072
+17.5
+35.2
+63.3
5, 250
5,016
15, 081
12, 794
17,848
5,439
+3.6
6,420 +28.0
9, 752 -35.3
19, 831 +55.0
18, 247 + 2. 2
149, 638
24, 798
84, 502
302,961
330, 662
145, 953
14, 873
83,820
278, 843
332, 596
-2 .5
-40.0
M innesota... ____
M ississip p i.___.
Missouri __
Montana . .
__
Nebraska________
9,128
2, 214
19, 708
3 1, 078
3, 532
9,121
2, 500
15, 992
1, 214
3, 765
-1 .3
+12.9
-18.9
+ 12.6
+ 6.6
28,975
6, 529
39, 328
3 7,168
12,691
32, 751
10, 306
36,921
8,979
13, 509
+13.1
+57.8
-8 .7
+25.3
+6.4
131,148
79, 895
225, 650
44, 663
67, 418
119, 450
74, 584
226, 595
45, 214
62, 944
-8 .9
- 6.6
Nevada__________
New Ham pshire,,.
New Jersey. . . . ..
New Mexico... .
New York . _ ..
1,118
2,019
7,873
2 1, 248
25,991
1,013
1, 963
9, 363
1,312
32,965
-9 .4
- 2.8
+18.9
2,123
5, 404
21,017
4, 754
79, 570
- 12. 1
- 6.6
+37.8
+29.9
5,796
17,451
104, 893
2 33, 382
888, 602
6,077
17, 767
106,902
33, 818
876,040
+4.8
+ 1.8
+1.9
+26.8
2,415
5,784
15, 254
2 3, 697
61, 259
North Carolina. ,_
North Dakota. ..
O h io _______
Oklahoma ............
Oregon
. . . ___
5,452
1, 580
21, 636
2,138
1,814
5, 885 +7.9
-. 1
1, 579
21, 399
- 1.1
2, 905 +35.9
1,897 +4.6
16, 051
6, 856
50, 526
10,170
5, 697
18, 277 +13.8
7, 169 +4.6
58, 779 +16. 3
12, 875 +26.6
7,107 +24.7
83,363
26, 439
269,337
243, 461
88, 912
78,995
25, 306
237,855
242, 685
87, 729
-5 .2
-4 .3
-11.7
- .3
-1 .3
Pennsylvania— . . .
Rhode Island., _ .
South Carolina,
South D akota,. ..
Tennessee________
93, 715
819
2, 662
1, 135
2,457
63, 504 -32.2
1,310 +60.0
3,568 +34.0
2, 321 + 104.5
2, 553 +3.9
140, 252
1,448
9,968
4, 277
14,428
101,009 -28.0
2,068 +42.8
12,045 + 20.8
6, 556 -j-53. 3
20,467 +41.9
1, 044,121 1,056, 751
47,886
51,085
144, 667 140, 733
94, 519
92, 752
182, 248 185,170
+ 1.2
+6.7
- 2 .7
-1 .9
+ 1.6
Texas___ . . . ___
U tah____________
V erm ont.. ______
Virginia., . . . ___
Washington_____
9, 957
1,593
673
3.800
3,033
10, 770 + 8.2
-6 .5
1,490
936 +39.1
4,328 +13.9
3, 486 +14.9
39,076
9,172
1,523
12, 749
9,357
42, 689 +9.2
9, 700 + 5 .8
2,159 +41.8
18,177 +42.6
13,656 +45.9
West Virginia__ _
Wisconsin___ ___
Wyoming___ __ ..
District of Columbia
2, 955
7, 580
801
2, 403
8,145
24, 940
3,174
3, 704
8,834
25,821
3,166
5, 045
+8.5
+3.5
- .3
+36.2
Total_______ 3331, 898 339,953 8 + 1.0 3797,887
901, 004
+ 10. 5
18,883
6,655
6, 388
924
4, 655
8; 999
1,437
2,401
7,814
730
3,196
+29.2
+70.8
+56.7
+13.4
+56.9
0
-18.7
+3.1
-8 .9
+33.0
8,823
2, 663
9,461
16, 255
4,447
1 Includes new applications, reregistrations, and renewals.
2 Incomplete.
3 Revised figures.
4 Detroit not included.
8 Computed from comparable reports only.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18,114
2, 924
32,655
12, 639
8,815
+25.1
+25.0
10, 985
2, 662
12,155
26, 590
7,234
92,856
20, 536
Per
October cent of
change
2 39, 893
5, 227
3,288
14, 476
5, 298 +54.3
1,434 +85.8
2, 340
10,027
2 12, 589
4,019 -23.1
12, 667
-4 .4
3,143
9,013
Septem
ber
-.2
- 10.8
+ 1.2
+7.7
- .8
-.8
- 8.0
+ .6
+ 1.2
- 6.6
-1 .4
181,174
28, 304
13,854
84, 863
151,148
177,107
22, 283
14,076
86, 336
152,333
- 2.2
-21.3
+ 1.6
+1.7
95, 213
89, 078
10, 357
38,192
89, 766
74, 771
10, 534
36, 357
-5 .7
-16. 1
+1.7
-4 .8
6,951,690 6,785, 605
‘ - 2.8
.
+ .8
54
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 6.—Veteran Activities of Combined Offices of State Employment and
National Reemployment Services, September and October 1934
Percent of
change
September
September
243
73
i 226
700
240
Connecticut_____
Delaware________
F lo rid a ....... ..........
Georgia________
Idaho___________
209
85
413
449
193
314 +50.2 1.63 1.14 22.5 16.5
148 +74.1 .06 .18 9.2 5.3
483 +16.9 ■.28 .41 23.3 18.3
438 -2 .4 .79 .92 22.1 26.6
338 +75.1 .33 .30 13.8 7.2
341
5
114
354
64
Illinois.... ............... 1,330
785
Indiana_________
Iowa___________ 2 1,215
793
Kansas.................
595
Kentucky_______
1,384 +4.1 .91 1.54 14.3 14.1
1,019 +29.8 .51 .44 21.9 14.1
1,701 +40.0 2 .18 . 18 2 4.6 2.8
1,115 +40.6 .51 .18 9.5 8.3
746 +25.4 .35 .29 27.8 21.9
1,214 2,128 +75.3 18,977 19, 540 +3.0
402 446 +10.9 17,174 14,340 -16.5
2 215
310 +44.2 25,611 4,796 -14.5
407 200 -50.9 9,418 9, 230 - 2.0
209 218 +4.3 16, 520 16,364 - . 9
Louisiana_______
Maine_______
M aryland_______
Massachusetts___
483
149
349
543
498
397 -17.8 .33 .38 22.2 25.3
278 + 86.6 .72 .36 73.8 4.7
443 +26.9 .49 .54 10.9 7.5
679 +25.0 .89 1.13 41.1 28.8
17.8
563 +13.1 1.43
159 150 -5 .7 10, 707 10,042 - 6.2
108 100 -7 .4 2,049 1,305 -36.3
172 240 +39.5 3, 797 3,328 -12.4
484 768 +58.7 22,338 19, 562 -12.4
2 8, 843 10,189
711 2 375
Minnesota..... ........
Mississippi______
Missouri________
M ontana________
Nebraska________
1,664
457
1,450
379
1,352
1,808 + 10.0
475 +3.9
1,765 +21.7
743 +96.0
953 -29.5
.18
.19
5.8 4.5
.28 14.8 12.9
.49 10.6 8.4
.11 7.7 3.7
.20 3.4 4.3
Nevada_________
New Hampshire..New Jersey-...........
New Mexico__
New York..........
284
244
396
i 453
1,596
.99
285
236 -3 .3 .43
688 +73.7 1.29
.29
710
1,923 +20.5 .75
.72 1.8 1.4
.39 5.8 5.8
.92 20.1 13.3
. 18 6.3 3.7
.81 41.7 34.1
281 206
92
105
510 635
i 130 129
1,199 1,559
North Carolina___
North Dakota___
Ohio____________
O klahom a______
Oregon_________
615
196
1,720
637
507
1,069 +73.8
251 +28.1
1,868 + 8.6
663 +4.1
661 +30.4
.30
.49
.67
.26
.36
.24 8.6 4.4
.30 6.5 4.7
.77 11.3 11.0
.31 31.8 28.3
.21 13.7 10.1
187 260 +39.0
96
75 -21.9
1,160 1,440 +24.1
166 208 +25. 3
184 138 -25.0
Pennsylvania____
Rhode Island-----South Carolina___
South Dakota____
Tennessee_______
2,395 4,086 +70.6
117
95 -18.8
439
502 +14.4
606 +30. C
466
458
467 + 2.0
1.61
.53
.32
.14
.37
.91 21.2 12.3
.71 19. 6 23.9
.30 16.6 14.2
.20 13.9 11.0
.37 28.0 28.3
3,847 3,728 -3 .1 50, 696 50,198 - 1.0
62
67 + 8.1 2,288 2, 273 - . 7
140 153 +9.3 7, 295 7,115 -2 .5
64 119 +85.9 6,490 6, 671 + 2.8
171
175 +2.3 12,823 13, 204 +3.0
Texas___________
U tah__________
Vermont ______
Virginia____ ____
Washington_____
2,340
448
7S
618
728
2,244 -4 .1
585 +30.6
82 +3.8
672 +8.7
769 +5.6
.30
West Virginia____
Wisconsin_______
Wyoming. _____
District of Columbia___________
772
874
265
717 -7 .1
1,091 +24.8
258 - 2.6
230
.28
.32
.68
.21
463
144
991
68
257
311 +28.0
179 +145. 2
525
444 -36.6
217 -9 .6
5, 345
1,926
i 2,977
6, 253
8,298
October
577 -2 .9 0.41 0. 54 9.0 8.5
271 +81.9 .49 .66 12.9 7.6
.51 1.10 6.8 9.9
479
1,056 +6.5 .71 .42 6.3 6.4
680 +67.9 .59 .32 20.5 11.2
October
594
149
i 439
992
405
October
Alabama________
A rizona............ .
Arkansas
California_______
Colorado________
October
October
September
September
Percent of
change
State
Veteran active file
Percent of
change
Veteran new ap
plications
September
Veteran Veteran
new ap
file
Veteran placements plications active
place
per place perment
ment
4,906
2, 054
4, 756
6, 755
7,601
- 8.2
+ 6.6
+ 8.0
-8 .4
358 +5. 0 4,708 5,168 +9.8
784
787 +• 4
26 +420.0
196 +71.9 9, 608 8,835 - 8.0
405 +14.4 9,903 11,652 +17.7
101 +57.8 2, 670 2,431 -9 .0
358
134
869
79
191
-16.2 9, 702 8,184 -15.6
-6 .9 6,781 6,140 -9 .5
-12.3 15, 321 14,788 -3 .5
+16.2 2,908 2,768 -4 .8
-25.7 4,664 4,110 -11.9
392 - 21.8
501
1,419 1,362 -4 .0
7,966 9,181 +15.3
i 2,873 2,623
+30.0 66, 513 65, 592 -1 .4
-26.7
-12.4
+24.5
5, 262 4,652 - 11.6
1,274 1,174 -7 .8
19,450 20, 566 +5.7
20, 265 18, 742 -7 .5
6,967 6,695 -3 .9
7.0 7.0
5.7 2.6
9+ 8.6
.42 8.3 7.8
.33 17.1 16.4
691
53
23
206
217
+2.9 16,485 15,692 -4 .8
1, 533 -39.5
54 +134.8
707 -9 .9
785
281 +36.4 5,109 5, 237 +2.5
252 +16.1 12,413 12,610 + 1.6
.34
.52
.26
.48
.24
8.0
.21
9. i
4.1
7.9
6. c
4.0
263
456
60
184 -30.0
525 +15.1
63 +5.0
6,171
8,116
1,086
5,665 - 8.2
6,834 -15.8
1,041 -4 .1
315 +37.0
.87
.63 14.1
8.7
201
199
3,235
2,756 -14.8
T o ta l......... . 232,847 39, 696 4+20.5
.57
.52 14.5 11.6 218,836 20, 669 *+10. 5 2475,298 462,146 1-3.5
.12
.21
.33
.30
.32
.15
.66
711
88 + 66. C 2, 534
- 1.0
i Incomplete. 2 Revised figures. 2 Detroit not included. ‘ Computed from comparable reports only.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
55
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES
Table 7.—Placements Made by Offices of State Employment Services, September
and October 1934
State
Septem
ber
Arizona......... ................... .........
Colorado_________ __________
Connecticut................ ................
Illinois............ ............................
Indiana_____ _______________
Iowa______ ________________
Kansas (not affiliated)..............
Louisiana (not affiliated)_____
Massachusetts__________ ____
Michigan....... ..............................
M innesota.____ ____________
Missouri___________________
Nevada___________ ___ ______
New Hampshire_____________
New Jersey............ ........ .............
New Mexico._____ __________
New York.___ _____________
Ohio_______________________
Oklahoma___ ______________
Pennsylvania_______________
Virginia______ _____________
West Virginia_______________
Wisconsin_____________ _____
Total_____ ___________
291
714
1. 616
6,428
2,422
i 2,256
1,146
2,500
1,609
1,633
3,690
1,649
648
514
2,971
76
7,612
5, 670
1,196
6,300
560
748
3,036
i 55,285
Septem
October ofPercent
change
ber
316
1,004
2,282
6.832
2,024
2,906
1,456
2,108
2,401
2,172
4,704
2, 004
669
610
3,639
74
9,322
6.441
1,084
12,590
480
878
4, 263
70,259
Active file per
placement
New applications
per placement
Placements
+ 8.6
+40.6
+41.2
+6.3
-16.4
+28.8
+27. 1
-15.7
+49.2
+33.0
+27. 5
+21.5
+3.2
(2)
+22.5
- 2.6
+22.5
+13.6
-9 .4
+99.8
-14.3
+ 17.4
+40.4
3 +27. 2
1.30
1.84
2. 32
2.21
1.67
• .82
1.09
.82
2.63
3.00
1.30
3.30
1. 28
.41
2.07
1.43
2.14
2. 71
.83
October
Septem
ber
1.89
1.17
2.13
3. 78
1.99
.71
14.7
48.7
18.9
11.1
34.6
i 8.9
25.4
59.9
94.2
150. 7
16.9
.66
.98
3. 35
1.03
2. 76
1. 13
.63
1.84
1.36
2.39
2. 50
21.2
5.3
3.8
27.2
69.7
79.1
17.6
7.2
91.1
21.7
23.8
13.0
42.8
1.01
11.12
3. 75
.82
1.03
1. 64
2.97
1.10
October
.61
.59
2. 32
15.6
33.7
14.9
12.4
34.0
6.1
15.6
69.2
53.9
115.3
11.7
18.5
5.6
4.3
21.3
51.3
64.5
20.5
8.5
46.2
25.6
19.6
11.0
33.8
1 Revised figures.
2 Not comparable due to transfer of Manchester and Nashua from National Reemployment Service to
State employment service.
3 Computed from comparable reports only.
Table 8.—Registrations with Offices of State Employment Services, September
and October 1934
New applications
State
Sep
tember
379
A rizo n a_____________
1,317
Colorado_____________
3, 745
Connecticut__________
Illinois_______________ 14, 203
Indiana______________
4,045
Iowa________________ 2 1,856
1,245
Kansas (not affiliated).,.
2,060
Louisiana (not affiliated).
4, 236
Massachusetts________
M ichigan_______ ____
4,895
4,792
Minnesota__________ _
5, 434
Missouri_____________
831
Nevada _____________
212
New H am pshire______
6,152
New Jersey___________
109
New Mexico....................
New York____________ 16, 309
Ohio_________________ 15, 349
Oklahom a.......................
997
Pennsylvania_________ 70, 087
458
Virginia............................
769
West Virginia_________
4,989
Wisconsin____________
T o ta l................ . 2 164,469
Total applications 1
Per
Octo cent
Sep
of tember
ber change
598
1,170
4, 853
25, 817
4, 020
2,073
960
2, 061
8,047
3 4, 262
4,855
5, 556
756
458
6, 702
101
22, 286
16. 121
1, 095
47,173
528
535
2,508
162, 535
+57.8
- 11.2
+29.6
+81.8
-.6
+11.7
-22.9
0
+90.0
+1.3
+ 2.2
-9 .0
(0
+8.9
-7 .3
+36.6
+5.0
+9.8
-32.7
+15.3
-30.4
-49.7
« - 1.0
844
3, 049
6, 357
25, 222
7,328
2 6, 336
3,196
5, 250
7,002
8, 186
10, 754
13, 949
1,434
916
10,513
255
45, 569
37, 707
3,209
99,616
738
1,728
13,461
2 312,619
1 Includes new applications, reregistrations, and renewals.
2 Revised figures.
3 Detroit not included.
Active file
Per Septem
Octo cent
of
ber change
ber
4, 292
4, 933
34, 753
33, 884
30, 462
33, 977
84,592
+62.3
71, 569
-12.3
83, 710
68,820
+18.7
2 20,139
17, 678
+19.3
29,127
22,652
149,638 145,953
+3.6
+79.1
151,528 129,327
+ 21.2
246,091 250,364
+29.3
62,470
55,138
+ 11.2
35,013
37, 074
3,411
3, 734
- 10.6
1.976
6,638
(0
+24.2 . 80,718
77,686
+224. 7
5,299
3, 797
+37.1
601,883 600,912
+7. 3
99, 757 132,197
+13.3
8, 567
9,227
-32.9
574, 013 581, 357
+93.9
12,135
12,298
17,802
17, 217
-22.3
39,429
-17.5
46,890
s +5.9 2 2,363, 782 2,376,345
868 + 2.8
2, 353 - 22.8
8, 475 +33.3
40, 943
6,428
7, 520
3,813
5,439
12,544
9,918
13,902
15,505
1,282
1,282
13, 058
828
62,459
40,449
3, 636
66,806
1,431
1,342
11,105
331,386
Per
October cent of
change
+14.9
-2 .5
+11.5
+18.2
-17.8
- 12.2
- 22.2
-2 .5
-14.7
+1.7
-11.7
+5.9
+9.5
0)
-3 .8
-28.3
-.2
+32.5
+7.7
+1.3
+1.3
-3 .3
+18.9
5+. 3
4 Not comparable due to transfer of Manchester and Nashua from National Reemployment Service to
State employment service.
6 Computed from comparable reports only.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
56
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 9.—Veteran Activities of Offices of State Employment Services, September
and October 1934
Iowa----------------Kansas (not affiliated)_____
Louisiana (not affiliated). ____
Massachusetts___
Michigan
i 451
Minnesota______
Missouri__ _ _ _
Nevada_________
New Hampshire--.
New Jersey______
New Mexico__
New Y o r k - ..___
Ohio___________
Oklahoma _ _ _
Pennsylvania____
Percent of
change
October
September
October
September
Percent of
change
+14.8
-2 .9
+ 12.1
+18.5
-22.3
.17 i 4.6
2.2
i 105
124 +18.1
i 2,082
1,616 -22.4
6.2
92
53 -42.4
2, 273
2,041 - 10.2
397 -17.8 .33 .38 22.2 25.3
350 + 110.8 1.54 1.32 77.5 29.5
223 +97. 3 4. 44
18. 7 15. 8
488
185
196
47
584 +19.7 .48
308 +66.5 1.27
207 +5.6 1.29
63 0 )
. 15
493 +124.1 1.80
.35 9.1
.82 25. 2
.84 1.9
.35 3.9
.94 25.0
42 +50.0 .79 .24
28
718 862 + 20.1 .94 1.11
1.32 1.89
618 619
140 -32.0 .35 .55
206
1,068 2,445 +128.9 2. 96 1.26
30
738
5,135
3, 251
8, 307
5,811
. 16 10.9
483
166
113
365
643
5,289
2,899
6, 993
7, 478
.44
33C +57. 9
212
78 + 110.8
37
72
75 +4.2
272 277 + 1.8
931 1,916 +105.8
272 249 -8 .5
732 +62.3 i. 23
209
220
Virginia_________
West Virginia.
W isconsin_____
23.1
20.5
16.3
13.7
15.9
Percent of
change
540
461
32 +77.8 2. 05 2. 44 35.7
250 +155.1 .73 .30 54.0
199 +79.3 2. 45 1.39 26.1
605 + 12.0 1.72 3.17 13. C
365 - 20.8 .59 .68 16.2
Veteran active file
October
111
Veteran new
applications
September
18
98
Arizona___
___
Colorado_____ __
Connecticut_____
Illinois . . ______
Indiana_________
October
September
State
! October
Veteran Veteran
new appli active
file
cations
place
per place perment
ment
September !
Veteran placements
21 -30.0
179 -15.6
544 +49.0
6.7
14.7
1. 2
2.8
12.0
159
150 -5 .7
255 463 +81.6
502 2 248
233
235
252
7
395
203 -12.9
253 +7.7
173 -31.3
27 (3)
461 +16.7
22
14.9 9. C
10 -54.5
675 954 +41.3
59.1 4.9
14.9 20.6
816 1, 172 +43. 6
72
8.3 14.6
77 +6.9
27.7 12.2 3,160 3,072 - 2.8
.70 i. 33 34.8 48.4
.36 .17 4.6 4.4
.83 .28 9.6 8.0
21
76
304
28 +33.3
31 -59.2
152 -50.0
10, 707 10. 042 - 6.2
12, 862 10, 328 -19.7
2 2,112 3, 520
4,421
4,666
363
184
5,492
3,926 - 11.2
4, 536 - 2.8
241 -33.6
460 (3)
5,924 +7.9
416
377 -9 .4
42, 405 42, 634 + . 5
9, 179 12, 726 +38.6
1,702 2,043 + 20.0
29, 571 29, 772 + .7
1,044
966
3,490
1,016 -2 .7
792 -18.0
4, 366 +25. 1
Total______ 7,031 9,990 *+42.1 1.28 1.02 22.4 16.0 18,965 10, 246 *+17. 9 1157, 237 159,602 i - 6". 0
1 Revised figures.
2 Detroit not included.
• Not comparable due to transfer of Manchester and Nashua from National Reemployment Service to
State employment service.
* Computed from comparable reports only.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
57
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES
Table 10.—Placements Made by Offices of National Reemployment Service,
September and October 1934
N ew ap p lic a
tio n s p er
p la c e m e n t
P lac em en ts
A ctiv e file p er
p la cem e n t
S ta te
S ep te m
b er
A la b a m a ________ _ _____ _ _
A rizo n a________
______ . .
A r k a n s a s ...
___ _ _
C alifo rn ia___ ___________ _ ____ . .
C o lo ra d o __________
_____
O ctober
5, 512
1,032
i 5,414
5, 844
2,100
4,045
1,588
O, 213
5, 850
2,849
C o n n e c tic u t_____ _ ____
D ela w are . .
. . .
F l o r i d a . . . ______
. . . ____
G eo rg ia______ ______ _ .
I d a h o ______________
841
844
4, 350
4,517
2, 532
992
1,242
5, 631
4, 525
3,179
Illin o is _____ ___________
I n d ia n a ___________
________
Io w a ________
____
K a n s a s ___
______ _ . . . _ _ _
K e n tu c k y ___________ ____
_
7,337
2, 766
5, 431
3, 387
2,968
5, 647
3, 622
, 221
4, 207
2,827
M a in e .. _ . . . . . . . . . . .
M a r y la n d ____ _ _ . . .
___
M a ssa c h u s e tts. .
____
M ic h ig a n ..
_____ __________
______
M in n e s o ta _________ .
6
P e rc e n t
Sep
S ep
of
O ctober
te m b e r O ctober
change te m b e r
- 2 6 .6
+ 5 3 .9
0.62
.38
71
.89
.94
1.31
.53
16.8
15.7
20.5
'.m
10.4
.69
10.7
17.5
10.2
+ 1 8 .0
+ 4 7 .2
+ 2 9 .4
1.43
.64
+ 2 5 .6
1.76
.36
1.55
.74
.83
1.99
.45
25.7
15.8
29.8
41.1
12.4
22.3
10. 7
18.2
46.0
9.3
- 2 3 .0
-130.9
+ 1 4 .5
+ 2 4 .2
- 4 .8
.64
.94
.38
.62
1.07
.67
.61
.34
.47
.98
17.2
45.7
8.4
33.4
76.8
20.9
29.8
6.7
26.5
78.6
.89
1.29
1.35
.65
.38
25.9
27.1
46.3
26.2
7.1
23.3
51.0
29.6
5.7
18.0
24.2
11.5
12.7
4.2
14.2
18.7
21.8
4.9
5.8
25.0
46.0
15.9
38! 2
8.4
.49
.94
.59
.56
1.21
11.3
29.3
92.2
27.1
33.2
7.9
18.8
75.7
25.9
35.1
1.13
.51
.35
.77
1.70
.63
.67
.80
.79
65.8
27.6
29.0
57.2
12.3
66.4
24.8
26.6
57.9
13.0
.48
.40
.85
+ 3 5 .7
+.2
2,102 + 119.6
.68
1.66
1.10
957
3,115
3, 269
3,228
10,076
3, 592
2,929
2, 778
11,362
+ 1 5 .3
- 1 0 .4
- 1 3 .9
+ 1 2 .8
4, 438
7,884
3,889
5, 327
564
5, 269
10,133
6,673
7,876
625
+ 18.7
+ 2 8 .5
+ 7 1 .6
+ 4 7 .9
+ 10.8
.50
1.81
.28
.51
.47
1.03
.18
.48
.41
3,143
(2)
+ 5 .4
6,239
5,229
2, 550
1,170
1, 647
7,203
9, 385
+ 15.5
+ 7 9 .5
.58
1.55
74
1. 55
1.04
. 62
2. 27
74
1.48
.63
N o r th D a k o ta _____ ______ _ _________
O h io _______ . . . ____ . . . .
O k la h o m a _______ . _____ . . .
O reg o n_______ _____________ _______
P e n n s y lv a n ia _____ _______ __ _________
2,331
5,795
2, 548
3, 281
14,173
3,219
5, 632
3,084
3,389
13, 549
+ 3 8 .1
- 2 .8
+ 2 1 .0
+ 3 .3
- 4 .4
1.08
.45
.55
1.67
R h o d e I s la n d ________ _______
_____ _
S o u th C a ro lin a __________________________
S o u th D a k o ta _______________ ________
T e n n essee_______
_ ....
_____
T e x as__________
_ ________
728
5,238
3, 257
3,188
14, 689
769
5, 675
3,485
3,196
13, 578
+ 5 .6
+ 8 .3
+ 7 .0
+ .3
-7 .6
U ta h ____________ _ _ _____
V e rm o n t________________ _____
V irg in ia _______________ ___________
W a sh in g to n __________ __________
W e st V irg in ia ___________________________
3,307
765
5, 257
4,632
3,028
3, 747
1,098
5, 572
4,390
3,415
+ 1 3 .3
+ 4 3 .5
+ 6 .0
- 5 .2
+ 1 2 .8
W is c o n s in .. __________
W y o m in g ___________
________
D is tr ic t of C o lu m b ia ____________ _______
4,181
1,950
1,409
3,985
1,532
1,829
-4 .7
- 2 1 .4
+ 2 9 .8
M is siss ip p i____ _ ._ . . . .
M i s s o u r i __ . . .
...
M o n ta n a ___ . . . . . . .
_____ _
N e b ra s k a _______ _________________ _
N e v a d a _________ ____ ____________ .
N e w H a m p s h ire . . .
_ _______
N e w J e rs e y ________ ____________
N e w M exico_____ . . . . _____ _ ._
N e w Y o rk _____ . . _ _ _____ __
N o r th C a r o lin a ... . . . _______
_______
T o ta l________ __________
______
1,110
11, 543
i 194, 643
214,076 3 + 1 0 .9
.95
.81
.43
.66
.68
.68
.88
.64
.65
.72
.62
.41
1.71
.86
6.8
8.6
10.0
6.6
8.0
3.7
5.9
12.8
.55
18.1
13.8
32.6
25.6
21.2
1.33
.48
1.75
11.9
5.3
27.1
7.0
6.9
19.9
.83
23.6
20.6
.68
.79
13.3
34.7
1 I n c o m p le te .
2 N o t co m p a r a b le d u e to tran sfer o f M a n c h e s te r a n d N a s h u a fro m N a tio n a l R e e m p lo y m e n t S e r v ic e to
S ta te e m p lo y m e n t se r v ic e .
3 C o m p u te d from co m p a r a b le re p o r ts o n ly .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
58
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 11.—Registrations with Offices of National Reemployment Service,
September and October 1934
New applications
State
Active file
Per
Per Septem
Septem October cent
October cent of September
of
ber
ber
change
change
Alabama^__ ---- -A rizona_______ California
Colorado
Total applications 1
___ _
3, 434
393
2 3,835
5, 227
1,971
October
Per
cent of
change
14, 476
5,298 +54.3
1,496
836 +112.7
2 12, 589
10,027
12, 667
4, 019 -23.1
5,964
1,973
+ .1
18,114 +25.1
2, 056 +37. 4
32, 655
12, 639 - . 2
6, 462 +8.4
92,856
16, 244
2 39,893
62, 566
36, 661
82,821
15, 859
64, 634
61,113
29,161
-10.8
-2 .4
-2 .3
-20.5
Connecticut,-Delaware -------Florida
- _____
Georgia.
___
Idaho. .
_
1,199
541
2, 971
7, 937
916
1,535
924
4, 655
8,999
1,437
+28.0
+70.8
+56.7
+13.4
+56.9
2,466
2, 663
9, 461
16, 255
4,447
2,510 +1.8
2, 662 -0 .0
12,155 +28.5
26, 590 +63.6
7, 234 +62.7
21, 647
13,346
129, 587
185,425
31, 328
22,145
13, 236
102, 330
208,244
29,542
+2.3
- .8
-21.0
+ 12.3
-5 .7
Illinois
. . .. .
Indiana__ _ __
Io w a..
___ _ .
Kansas. _
____
Kentucky___ _ _ .
4, 680
2, 610
2, 082
2,108
3,169
3, 762
2, 227
2,121
1,986
2, 770
-19.6
-14.7
+1.9
-5 .8
-12.6
19,193
6,132
8, 875
10,949
7,317
17, 621
4, 685
10,557
11,518
12, 524
-8 .2
-23.6
+19.0
+5.2
+71.2
126,352
126,446
45,810
113,018
227,864
118, 216
108, 111
41,766
111, 462
222,329
-6 .4
-14. 5
-8 .8
-1 .4
-2 .4
Maine.
M aryland.- Massachusetts-- _ _
Michigan
.. -.
Minnesota__
1,586
3,420
3,109
2,617
4, 336
1,864
4, 624
3,945
1,810
4, 266
+17.5
+35.2
+26.9
-30.8
-1 .6
5, 016
15, 081
5, 792
9, 662
18, 221
6,420
9, 752
7,287
8, 329
18,849
+28.0
-35.3
+25.8
-13.8
+3.4
24,798
84, 502
151,433
84, 571
68, 678
14,873
83,820
149, 516
82, 232
64,312
-40.0
- .8
-1 .3
-2 .8
-6 .4
Mississippi____ _ 2,214
Missouri___ ____ 14, 274
3 1, 078
Montana _ ____
3, 532
Nebraska-- _______
287
Nevada__ - ____
2, 500
10, 436
1,214
3, 765
257
+12.9
-26.9
+12.6
+6.6
-10.5
6,529
25, 379
s 7,168
12, 691
981
10,306
21,416
8,979
13, 509
841
+57.8
-15.6
+25.3
+6.4
-14.3
79, 895
190, 637
44, 663
67,418
2, 385
74, 584
189,521
45, 214
62,944
2, 343
-6 .6
- .6
+1.2
-6 .6
-1 .8
1, 505
2, 661
1,211
10, 679
5,885
(4)
+54.6
+10.3
+7.9
4, 868
4, 741
2 3,442
15, 690
16,054
4,122
(4)
7,959 +67.9
3,926
17,111 +9.1
18, 277 +13.8
15,475
24,175
228,083
286, 719
83, 363
11,129
29, 216
30,021
275,128
78,995
(4)
+20.9
New York
- - -_
North Carolina
1,807
1,721
2 1,139
9, 682
5,452
North Dakota- ___
Ohio.
--.
- -Oklahoma___
Oregon..
_
Pennsylvania__ . . .
1, 580
6, 287
1,141
1,814
23, 628
1,579
5,278
1,810
1,897
16,331
-. 1
-16.0
+58.6
+4.6
-30.9
6,856
12,819
6,961
5,697
40, 636
7,169
18, 330
9,239
7,107
34,203
+4.6
+43.0
+32.7
+24.7
-15.8
26,439
169, 580
234,894
88,912
470,108
25,306
105, 658
233,458
87,729
475, 394
-4 .3
-37.7
- .6
-1 .3
+1.1
Rhode Island______
South Carolina____
South D akota_____
Tennessee ____
Texas_______ ____
819
2, 662
1,135
2,457
9,957
1,310 +60.0
3,568 +34.0
2, 321 +104. 5
2, 553 +3.9
10, 770 +8.2
1,448
9,968
4, 277
14,428
39, 076
2, 068
12, 045
6, 556
20,467
42, 689
+42.8
+20.8
+53.3
+41.9
+9.2
47,886
144, 667
94,519
182, 248
181,174
51,085
140,733
92,752
185,170
177,107
+6.7
-2 .7
-1 .9
+1.6
-2 .2
U tah_____________
Vermont _____ _
Virginia___ _ ____
W ashington..
West Virginia_____
1,593
673
3,342
3,033
2,1.86
1,490
936
3,800
3,486
1,866
-6 .5
+39.1
+ 13.7
+14.9
-14.6
9,172
1,523
12, Oil
9, 357
6, 417
9, 700
2,159
16, 746
13, 656
7,492
+5.8
+41.8
+39.4
+45.9
+16.8
28,304
13, 854
72,728
151,148
77,411
22,283
14,076
74,038
152, 333
72,549
-21.3
+1.6
+1.8
+• 8
-6 .3
Wisconsin___ _____
Wyoming. - ..
District of Columbia.
2,591
801
2,403
5,306 +104.8
730 -8 .9
3,106 +33.0
11,479
3,174
3, 704
14, 716 +28.2
- .3
3,166
5, 045 +36.2
49, 649
10,357
38,192
27,881
10,534
36, 357
-43.8
+1.7
-4 .8
177,418 s +2.5 3485, 268 569,618 «+13.9
4,587,908
New Hampshire
New Jersey . . .
- -
Total________ 3167,429
- 4 .0
-5 .2
4,409, 260 5 -4 .5
1Includes new applications, reregistrations, and renewals.
2 Incomplete.
s Revised figures.
4
Not comparable due to transfer of Manchester and Nashua from National Reemployment Service to
State employment service,
s Computed from comparable reports only.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
59
EMPLOYMENT OFFICES
Table 12.—Veteran Activities of Offices of National Reemployment Service,
September and October 1934
Veteran place
ments
Veteran Veteran
new appli active
cations
file per
per place place
ment
ment
Veteran new ap
plications
Veteran active file
Percent of
change
September
Percent of
change
115
148
483
438
338
+17.3
+74.1
+16.9
-2 .4
+75.1
.70
.06
.28
.79
.33
.70
. 18
.41
.92
.30
18.5
9.2
23.3
22. 1
13.8
16.7
5.3
18.3
26.6
7.2
69
5
114
354
64
81 +17.4
26 +420. 0
196 +71.9
405 +14.4
101 +57. 8
Illinois_____ _____
Indiana____ . . . ..
Iowa_____
Kansas__________
Kentucky________
790
324
764
584
595
779 -1 .4
654 + 101.9
969 +26.8
785 +34.4
746 +25.4
.36
.40
. 14
.54
.35
.27
.30
. 19
.19
.29
15. 2
29.9
4.6
12. 2
27.8
14.4
13.0
3.3
9.2
21.9
283
130
110
315
209
212
197
186
147
218
-25.1
+51.5
+69. 1
-53.3
+4.3
11,984
9,696
3, 529
7,145
16, 520
11,233 -6 .3
8,529 -12.0
3,180 -9 .9
7,189
+ .6
16,364
- .9
.72
.49
.61
.54
.20
.36
.54
.93
.37
.13
13.8 4.7
10.9 7.5
25.1 28. 1
17.5 19.6
4.5 3.5
108
172
229
209
230
100
240
305
127
155
-7 .4
+39.5
+33.2
-39.2
-32.6
2,049
3, 797
9,476
6,731
5,281
1,305 -36.3
3, 328 -12.4
9, 234 -2 .6
6, 669 - . 9
4,258 -19.4
457 475 +3.9
Mississippi . . . . . .
1,265 1,457 +15.2
Missouri__ . . . .
379 743 +96.0
M ontana. . ____
N ebraska... -------- 1,352 953 -29.5
88
78 -11.4
Nevada___ . . . . . .
.32 .28 14.8 12.9
.60 .42 8.4 7.0
.18 .11 7.7 3.7
. 19 .20 3.4 4.3
.33 .42 1.6 1.9
144
756
68
257
29
134
616
79
191
33
-6 .9 6, 781 6,140 -9 .5
-18.5 10, 655 10, 252 -3 .8
+16.2 2,908 2, 768 -4 .8
-25.7 4, 664 4,110 -11.9
138
151 +9.4
+13.8
New Hampshire__
197 173 f2)
New Jersey... . .
176 195 +10.8
New Mexico... . . . i 425 668
New York_______
878 1,061 +20.8
North Carolina... _ 615 1,069 +73.8
.50 .40
.65 .89
. 25 . 18
.60 .57
.30 .24
North D akota.. . _ 196 251
Ohio____________ 1,102 1,249
431 523
Oklahoma___. . .
507 661
Oregon_______ . . .
Pennsylvania. . . 1,327 1,641
.49
.31
.22
.36
.52
+28.1
+13.3
+21.3
+30.4
+23.7
Rhode Island_____
117
95 -18.8
South Carolina___
439 502 +14.4
466 606 +30. C
South Dakota____
Tennessee..
458 467 +2.0
Texas___ ________ 2,340 2, 244 -4 .1
6.3 6.4
98
14.1 16.7
115
5.8 3.4 i 108
2.7 21.6 524
187
8.6 4.4
311 +28.0
101 +180. 6
525
444 -36. 6
142 -15.5
5, 345
1,283
i 2,977
6,253
3,009
October
98
85
413
449
193
October
October
Connecticut______
Delaware________
Florida....
. ___
Georgia_________
Idaho____ ____.
+86.6
+26.9
-12.7
-11.7
+4.1
September
September
243
8.5
5.5
36
9.9 i 226
6.4
700
5.7
168
October
9.0
9.8
6.8
6.3
9.8
October
594 577 -2 .9 0.41 0.54
Alabama.... _
131 239 +82.4 .27 .42
Arizona.. ___ . . .
Arkansas_________ i 439 479
. 51 1.10
California _____ _ 992 1,056 +6.5 .71 .42
307 430 +40.1 .55 .33
Colorado_________
149 278
M aine.. .... . . . . . .
Maryland . . . .
349 443
377 329
Massachusetts____
385 340
Michigan__ . . . . .
Minnesota... . . . . 1,176 1,224
September
Percent of
change
September
State
4,906 -8 .2
1, 316 +2.6
4, 756
6, 755 +8.0
2,466 -18.0
1,809 1,917 +6.0
784
787
9, 608 8,835 -8 .0
9,903 11, 652 +17.7
2,670 2,431 - 9 .0
902 (2)
1,235
65 (2)
174 +51.3 2, 474 3, 257 +31.6
i 2,457 2, 246
119
605 +15.5 24,108 22,958 -4 .8
260 +39.0 5,262 4,652 -11.6
-21.9 1,274 1,174 -7 .8
-22.1 10, 271 7,840 -23.7
+39.4 18, 563 16, 699 -10.0
-25.0 6,967 6, 695 -3 .9
-4 .5 21,125 20,426 -3 .3
.30 6.5 4.7
. 21 9.3 6.3
.25 43.1 31.9
. 21 13.7 10.1
.40 15.9 12.4
96
344
94
184
687
75
268
131
138
656
.53 .71 19.6 23.9
.32 .30 16.6 14.2
. 14 .20 13.9 11.0
.37 .37 28.0 28.3
.30 .32 7.0 7.0
62
140
64
171
691
67 +8.1
153 +9.3
119 +85. 9
175 +2.3
711 +2.9
2,288 2,273
7,295 7,115
6, 490 6, 671
12,823 13, 204
16,485 15, 692
- .7
-2 .5
+2.8
+3.0
-4 .8
U tah____ ______
Vermont_________
Virginia.. . . . . . .
Washington____ _
West V irginia... ._
448
79
588
728
560
585 +30.6
82 +3.8
651 +10.7
769 +5.6
538 -3 .9
.12
.29
.31
.30
.33
.15 5.7 2.6
.66 9.9 8.6
.39 6.9 6.5
.33 17.1 16.4
.28 9.3 9.1
53
23
185
217
187
88 +66.0 2, 534 1,533 -39.5
54 +134. 8
785
707 -9 .9
253 +36.8 4, 065 4, 221 +3.8
252 +16.1 12,413 12, 610 +1.6
153 -18.2 5,205 4,873 -6 .4
Wisconsin___ ____
Wyoming___ ___
District of Columbia_______
509
265
547
258
.30
.23
.68
.24
9.1
4.1
4.5
4.0
152
60
373 +145. 4 4, 626
63 +5.0 1,086
2,468 -46. 6
1,041 -4 . 1
230
315 +37.0
.87
.63 14.1
8.7
201
199
2, 756 -14.8
Total. . . . . . 25, 816 29, 706 3+14.7
.38
.35 12.3 10.2 9,871 10,423 3 +2.9 318,061 302, 544 3 -5 .4
+7.5
-2 .6
-1 .0
3,235
1 In c o m p le te .
2 N o t c o m p a r a b le d u e to tran sfer o f M a n c h e s te r a n d N a s h u a fro m N a tio n a l R e e m p lo y m e n t S e r v ic e to
S ta te e m p lo y m e n t serv ice.
2 C o m p u te d from c o m p a ra b le re p o r ts o n ly .
103148—35-----5
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
NATIONAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
R e g u la riz a tio n o f E m p lo y m e n t in t h e A u to m o b ile I n d u s tr y
N NOVEMBER 21, 1934, the President authorized a survey of
the possibilities of regularizing employment and otherwise im
proving the conditions of labor in the automobile industry.1 The
survey is to be undertaken by a group of impartial public officials,
making use of all existing sources of information and the cooperation
of all Government departments and agencies dealing with the problem
presented. Opportunity for presentation of factual data in written
or oral form must be given representatives of all economic interests.
The National Recovery Administration, as the agency directly
responsible for the formulation of codes, is made responsible for
supplying the necessary facilities for the study and is to handle it
through its Research and Planning Division in collaboration with
the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and such other Federal
agencies as may appear desirable.
The finished report is subject to review of the National Industrial
Recovery Board before transmittal to the President, and when trans
mitted is to be accompanied by a summary statement of the views
of the Board. Pending allowance of adequate opportunity for inter
ested parties to review the results of the study, no other action by
the National Industrial Recovery Board is to be expected, according
o the statement of the President.
S u m m a ry o f P e rm a n e n t Codes A d o p ted U n d e r N a tio n a l
In d u s tria l R e c o v e ry A c t D u rin g N o v e m b e r 1934
'H E principal labor provisions of codes adopted during November
JL 1934, under the National Industrial Recovery Act, are shown in
summary form in the following tabular analysis. This summary is
in continuation of similar tabulations carried in the Monthly Labor
Review since December 1933.
In presenting the code provisions in this manner the intention is
to supply in readily usable form the major labor provisions, i. e.,
those affecting the great bulk of employees in the industries covered.
Under the hours’ provision in every instance the maximum hours per1 N a tio n a l R e c o v e r y A d m in is tr a tio n .
60
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P r e ss re lea se n o . 8951, N o v . 24, 1934.
NATIONAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
61
mitted are shown for the industry as a whole or for factory workers,
office workers, or the principal groups in service industries, where the
codes provide different schedules of hours. There has been no
attempt to enumerate the excepted classes, of which one or more are
allowed for in practically all codes, such as (under the hours provi
sions) executives and persons in managerial positions earning over a
stated amount (usually $35), specially skilled workers, maintenance
and repair crews, and workers engaged in continuous processes where
spoilage of products would result from strict adherence to the hours
as established. Similarly, the existence of specific classes, exempted
from, the minimum-wage provisions is not indicated here, as, for
example, apprentices, learners, and handicapped workers. For com
plete information relative to the exempted classes under the hours
and wages sections, special provisions for the control of home work,
sale of prison-made goods, and studies of occupational hazards, it is
necessary to refer to the original codes. Provisions for overtime
rates of pay and employment of minors lend themselves to fairly
complete analysis within a restricted space, and code limitations
thereon are described in the accompanying tabular analysis.
A special section at the end of the table is devoted to amended
codes that have already been printed in original form.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Tabular Analysis of Labor Provisions in Codes Adopted Under National Industrial Recovery Act During November 1934
Minimum wages (excluding apprentices
and learners)
Maximum hours
Brattice cloth manufacturing (Dec. 6).
$12 per week in 10 southern States, $14 per
week elsewhere.
40 per week (in peak periods, 48 per week during
8 weeks in 1 year), general.
40 per week, 8 in 24, work outside shop (salesmen
excluded). 37A per week, 8 in 24, others. 4
per week additional, emergency work. 6 days
in 7.
Horsehair dressing (Dec. 4). 35 cents per hour, females; 40 cents per hour, 40 per week, 8 per day, general. 44 per week,
watchmen, firemen, or engineers. 6 days in 7.
males.
Car advertising trade (Dec.
3).
Stained and leaded glass
(Dee. 12).
Window glass manufactur
ing (Dee. 3).
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$15 per week____________ . -------------
40 cents per hour, helpers (not to exceed 1 40 per week, 8 in 24 (in peak periods 48 per week
during 6 weeks in 6 months), general. 48 per
helper to 2 skilled craftsmen). 80 cents
week, watchmen. 40 per week, office. 6 days
per hour, class B products, and $1 per
in 7.
hour class A products, general. $15 per
week, office. 90 percent of above rates
in 11 southern States.
35 cents per hour in South and 40 cents per 72 in 14 days, 8 in 24, 6 days in 7 (in peak periods
6 per week additional), general. 84 in 14 days,
hour in North, general. $15 per week,
6 in 24 (to provide for (1) rotation of shifts, 6 ad
office.
ditional in 24 in 14 days and (2) failure of other
regular workers to report for duty, 6 additional
in 7 days, without overtime pay), employees
on continuous processes. 40 per week, 8 in 24,6
days in 7 (2 additional on 1 day per week pro
vided average of 40 per week is not exceeded),
office and sales. 40 per week averaged over 1
month or 4 weeks (9 in 24, and 45 per week in 1
week in 4, without overtime pay), bookkeepers
and accountants. 84 in 14 days, watchmen.
to
of specified age ex
Provisions for overtime pay Minors
cluded from employment
regular rate after 8 hours
per day and 40 per week,
general. 1 regular rate
after 40 hours per week,
emergency work.
1 A regular rate after maxi
mum hours specified,
emergency work up to 4
hours per week.
1 A regular rate after 10 hours
in 24 and 48 per week,
emergency work.
i n regular rate after 8 hours
per day and 40 per week,
general, emergency work.
1A
regular rate after 8 hours
in 24, general. Equiva
lent time off for overtime
employment, bookkeepers
and accountants, i n reg
ular rate after maximum
hours specified, emergency
work.
in
Under 16, general. Under 18, hazardous or
unhealthful
occupa
tions.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Industry and date effective
O
A m en d ed C od es1
Handkerchief (Oct. 19,
1933; amended Oct. 31,
1934).
Millinery (Dec. 25, 1933;
amended Nov. 9, 1934).
Wholesale food and grocery
(Nov. 27, 1933; amended
Nov. 23, 1934).
Wood plug (Nov. 24, 1933;
amended Nov. 7, 1934).
40 per week, 8 per day (of 24 hours), general. 45
per week, repair-shop crews, etc. 40 per week,
8 per day (maximum 48 per week during 16
weeks in any year), shipping crews. Opera
tion limited to 1 shift. No Saturday or Sunday
work, except dampening crews not to exceed 4 per
sons in 1 plant may work on Saturday provided
average of 40per week is not exceeded.
$13—
$14 per week, according to geographic 35 per week, 7 per day, general. 43'/, per week,
area, general. 40-59 cents per hour
8H per day, office, shipping and receiving
according to geographic area, milliners.
crews, others. 45 per week, 9 per day, design
$0.65-$l .08 per hour, according to geo
ers, foremen, engineers, firemen and watchmen.
graphic area, cutters and operators.
Peak periods in 6 weeks in 6 months, 7\<i per week
$0.75-$1.18 per hour according to geo
additional between Monday and Friday, general,
graphic area, blockers.
office, designers, etc., others. 5 days in 7 (de
signers, office, engineers, firemen, watchmen and
1 shipping clerk excepted).
40 cents per hour.
40 per week (48 per week during 12 weeks in 1
year), 8 per day, 5-day week (Monday to Fri
day), general. 8.8 per day (44 per week during
6 weeks in 6 months), care and maintenance,
stock clerks, etc. 56 per week, 6 days in 7,
watchmen. 40 per week, 9 in 24 (normal day
8), office.
$10—
$15 per week in North; $9-$14 per week 44 per week, 9 per day, 6 days per week, general.
in South, according to population and
6 days per week, outside salesmen, and collec
store hours.
tors, 56 per week, 6 days in 7, watchmen. 48
per week, outside service and sales department
employees, and maintenance men. 52 per
week (10 per day) in peak periods, during 2
weeks in first half of year and 3 weeks in sec
ond; 8 additional during 1 week for inventory,
all employees. 6 days in 7, executives.
27 cents per hour for 1 year and 30 cents per 40 per week, 8 per day (of 24 hours), 6 days in 7,
hour thereafter in South; 32H cents per
general. 48 per week, {)'/, per day (of 24 hours),
hour for 1 year and 35 cents thereafter in
shipping clerks, firemen and engineers. 48 per
North, general. $12-$15 per week, ac
week, 8 per day (of 24 hours), watchmen. 48
cording to population, clerical, etc.
per week, maintenance or repair work.
No general provision. Reg
ular rate after 40 hours,
shipping crews. Regular
rate, emergency work, re
pair-shop crews, etc.
l \ i regular rate after maxi
mum hours specified, gen
eral, office, others, design
ers, etc.
Under 16.
Do.
1H regular rate after 8 hours
per day and 40 per week,
general, and outside serv
ice employees on emer
gency work.
Under 16, general. Under
18, hazardous or unhealthful occupations.
No general provision. 1/,
regular rate after 48 hours,
outside service and sales
department, and emer
gency maintenance and
repair. i'A regular rate
for hours in excess of maxi
mum specified, all employ
ees in peak periods.
No general provision. i y
regular rate after 48 hours,
watchmen. I 1/
regular
rate after 40 hours, mainte
nance or repair work.
Under 16.
Under 16, general. Under
18, hazardous occupa
tions.
NATIONAL RECOVERY PROGRAM
Textile print roller engrav
ing (Mar. 18, 1934;
amended Nov. 16, 1934).
$12 per week of 40 hours, South; $13 per
week of 40 hours, North.
1 Amendments in italics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
05
CO
SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
Teachers’ R etirem ent Systems in the Depression
HE continuance and stability of State retirement systems for
teachers have been threatened during the past 4 years by pro
posals advanced in State legislatures and by other groups, while
decreased school resources or attempts to revise school finance systems
have hindered the introduction of new retirement legislation and the
revision of unsatisfactory systems. A recent report by the National
Education Association 1 describes the effects of the depression on the
operation and organization of teacher-retirement systems between
1930 and 1934, as reported by secretaries of 16 State teacher-retire
ment systems, as well as significant trends in retirements, income, and
investment experience of State systems.
Prior to 1930 there were 22 State-wide teacher-retirement systems
in effect and since that time legislation has been enacted in New
Mexico establishing a retirement system and a very restricted teachers’
pension law has recently been enacted in Florida. The Territory of
Alaska which formerly had a retirement system has discontinued it.
The charge has been made in recent years, it is stated in the report,
that in some instances school boards have used retirement regulations
as a means of removing from the active pay roll the older, more ex
perienced and higher-salaried teachers in order to substitute younger,
less-experienced teachers at lower salaries. From the reports re
ceived in this inquiry it appeared that there was some foundation for
the charge, although it is pointed out that this does not constitute any
argument against a retirement system, since without such a system
the situation of experienced teachers who are unjustly dismissed would
be worse than under a pension system. While a number of retirement
systems reported that attempts to reduce salary budgets had resulted
in the retirement of teachers earlier than would normally be the case,
the report states that it is not safe to conclude that all increases in
the number of retirements during the past 4 years have resulted from
economic pressure on school budgets, since in systems recently estab
lished there will naturally be an increase from year to year. An
increase in the number of retirements since 1930 on the age basis was
reported by 10 systems, 2 secretaries reporting definitely that older
teachers had been forced out of the service.
T
1 National Education Association. Committee on Retirement Allowances. Retirement systems in the
depression. Washington, D. C., 1934.
64
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
65
Eight systems reported an increase in the number of disability
retirements, while 1 system reported a decrease in such retirements,
and 1 secretary reported that disabled teachers seemed reluctant
to give up even when it would be to their advantage and that of their
pupils.
In general, there were few legislative changes in the systems during
the 4-year period. In Washington the period of service which must
be rendered within the State as a basis for ordinary retirement was
lengthened. The Minnesota system was revised to permit a relatively
early retirement age. Bills to establish a compulsory retirement age
or to lower existing retirement ages, which were introduced in several
States, failed of enactment.
Two State systems are entirely supported by public funds but in the
others the teachers pay either a specified amount or a percentage of
their salaries toward their future annuities. In 1934, it is said, the
average salary of teachers, principals, and supervisors was probably
about 26 percent below the average salary received in 1930. Salary
arrears were reported in a number of cities and States. In all of these
States and cities the teachers contribute to the support of the retire
ment plan, but the systems financed wholly by teachers’ contributions
were naturally most adversely affected by the salary reductions. As
annuities are in some cases related to the teacher’s average salary over
a few years immediately preceding retirement, the benefits of teachers
nearing retirement were in such systems affected by the reduction in
salaries which had taken place. Two State legislatures in 1933, how
ever, provided that temporary salary reductions should not affect
benefits or contributions.
While the retirement funds receive support from public funds in all
but 3 of the State systems, it was found that public expenditures in the
case of 8 systems for which this information was available did not con
stitute much over 1 percent of the cost of government. Lowered
incomes from members’ deposits or contributions were reported by
several of the systems, due to the retrenchment program in the schools,
decrease in the rate of assessment, or to reduced Scilaries.
It is pointed out in the report that as the accumulated reserve in
creases in States operating under the actuarial-reserve plan, increasing
difficulty will be met in convincing State legislatures of the necessity
lor making further State appropriations. One State in which the
accumulated reserve amounted to more than $95,000,000 had met
with this difficulty and stated that “ as the reserve increases, it
becomes increasingly necessary to educate State legislators in regard
to the necessity for the accumulation of these large reserves.” How
ever, bills to postpone or eliminate payment of public funds to
established teacher-retirement systems were unsuccessful in recent
legislative sessions in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington,
Wisconsin.
Digitizedand
for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
66
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
I n d u s tria l G ro u p In s u ra n c e in 1933
HE total value of group-insurance policies in the United States
at the end of 1933 was estimated to be nearly 10 billion dollars,
according to a study 1 recently published by the National Industrial
Conference Board. This estimate is based on the records of 8 of the
large life insurance companies which have written more than 90 per
cent of all the group policies now in force, the value of the group life
insurance outstanding in these companies at the close of 1933 amount
ing to $8,951,000,000. Included in this total were policies amounting
to $744,000,000 for accidental death and dismemberment, while in
addition these companies had policies outstanding for $16,000,000 of
weekly benefits for group accident and health insurance and monthly
retirement incomes aggregating $8,500,000.
Group insurance was first introduced in 1911 and the periods of
greatest increase in the volume of insurance written were in 1914
when the country was getting organized to meet war production and
in 1917 when the United States entered the war. Decreases in the
amount of insurance in force took place in the depression years of
1921, and 1932, and 1933, although for the entire period from 1912
to 1933 the average annual rate of increase was 11.8 percent.
The total number of policies carried by the 8 companies at the end
of 1933 was 15,125, 14,488 of which were in companies employing
1,000 or fewer employees, with an average coverage in these com
panies of 121 employees per policy. There were 506 policies in force
in companies employing between 1,000 and 5,000, with an average
coverage of 2,056 per policy; 115 policies in companies employing
from 5,000 to 25,000, with an average coverage of 8,959; and 16
policies in companies employing more than 25,000 workers, with an
average number of 41,029 covered per policy. The total number of
employees covered by the 15,125 policies was 4,487,377. These fig
ures are interesting as showing the surprisingly large number of rela
tively small companies which have purchased group-life insurance.
It is shown, however, that while the number of policies and amounts
of insurance in force decline fairly steadily with the increase of com
pany size, the average amount of insurance per employee increases
with the increase in the size of the establishments. Thus, it appears
that the average protection afforded to employees of very large estab
lishments is 55.4 percent greater than that given to employees in
plants of less than 1,000 workers. The average insurance protection
for all groups combined was $1,828, while the range in the four groups
was from $1,577 in the group of small plants to $2,451 in the group
of largest plants.
i National Industrial Conference Board. Recent developments in industrial group insurance. New
York, 1934,
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
67
Although there have been a large number of cancelations resulting
from the depression, the value of policies in force at the end of 1933
totaled 51.7 percent more than in 1926 and more than in any year
prior to 1929. As there is a direct relation between pay rolls and
employment and the volume of group-life insurance it was to be ex
pected that the unprecedented depression would result in drastic
reductions in the amount of such insurance carried by the companies.
Though the cancelations of policies amounted to more than 3 billion
dollars in the past 3 years, new sales held up so well that the net loss
in policies between 1930, the peak year, and 1933 amounted to only
about 14 percent. One insurance company reported that financial
troubles of insured employees were the cause of 60 percent of its
group life cancelations, while 20 percent were transfers of policies
to another company or to another type of plan; another insurance
company stated that among the small companies it was found that
cancelations were frequently caused by reductions in the number of
employees below the minimum of 50 eligible employees required for
a group life policy.
In addition to the purchase of group-life insurance by industries,
group policies are also issued covering accident and health insurance
providing weekly benefits for temporary or permanent disability
caused by nonoccupational accident or diseases, and for accidental
death and dismemberment, the latter type of insurance never being
sold alone but always in conjunction with group-life insurance or
group accident and health insurance. A fourth, and the newest
development in the group-insurance field, is the provision of group
annuities which have been developed to meet a growing need for con
tractual pension plans guaranteeing a retirement income to employees
during their old age. A total of 226 group annuity and pension poli
cies was reported by the 8 insurance companies at the close of 1933,
with a total of 193,796 employees covered by this form of insurance.
A form of group-insurance policy which is said to enjoy increasing
popularity among employers and employees is that known as a
“ blanket policy” or a “ package plan” in which two or more of the
four types of group insurance are combined in a single contract. In
such a case a single pay-roll deduction from individual employees is
required for the different coverages. Although, the report says, the
employer signs a contract with the insurance company to cover each
type of risk to be insured, from the employee’s viewpoint it is a single
contract which protects him and his dependents against all his eco
nomic hazards except unemployment.
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68
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
O ld-A ge A ssistan ce i n W isconsin
ISCONSIN was the fourth State in the Union to enact legis
lation in the old-age pension field.1 As its law was passed in
1925, there have been 9 years of pension experience in that State.
The act provides for pensions of not to exceed $30 per month to
persons 70 years of age or over2 who have been citizens of the United
States for 15 years, and residents of the State and county for the same
period, whose income does not exceed $1 per day and whose other
assets do not exceed $3,000.
Acceptance of the law has been optional3 with the counties, and
the system could be discontinued by vote of the county commissioners
at the end of any year. The number of counties with the system in
force has therefore varied from year to year and at no time has the
total number exceeded 9 (out of a total for the State of 71 counties).
No county has had the system in effect during the whole period, and
only 3 counties since 1926. Some of the largest and most populous
counties have adopted the system—including Milwaukee County—
but the largest proportion of the State population covered by the
pension system in any year has been 37.3 percent.
W
Experience Under Act
T h e experience under the act since its enactment in 1925 is reviewed
in the annual report on old-age pensions of the Wisconsin State Board
of Control,4 from which the following data are taken.
The following table shows the extent of the system each year
since 1925.
Table 1.—Extent of Old-Age Assistance in Wisconsin, by Years, 1925-1933
Cost of pensions
Year
1925__________
1926__________
1927__________
1928__________
1929_________
1930__________
1931__________
1932__________
1933__________
Number Number
of
of pen
adopting sioners
counties
1
5
4
4
6
8
9
9
8
8
352
295
290
392
990
1,597
1, 938
1,971
Total
amount
$180
67,927
49, 639
52, 440
67, 503
156, 525
283,848
336,997
395,807
Percent of
total cost
borne by
State
33. 33
33. 33
33. 33
33. 33
33. 33
33. 33
26. 42
20.44
18. 95
1 Wisconsin was preceded by Montana (1923, law still in effect), Nevada (1923, but law repealed in 1925
and replaced by tbe present act), and Pennsylvania (1923, but law repealed in 1924 and no other enacted
until 1933).
2 A State-wide referendum, held Apr. 3, 1934, under a joint resolution of the Wisconsin Legislature, re
sulted in the people’s authorizing the legislature, by a vote of 531,915 to 154,729, to lower the age of eligibility
from 70 to 60 years. The legislature has not yet acted upon this authorization.
3 But becomes mandatory July 1, 1935.
l W is c o n s in .
S t a t e B o a r d o f C o n tr o l.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
O ld -a g e a s sista n c e in W is c o n s in , 1925-1933.
M a d is o n , 1934.
69
SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
The law provides that the State shall reimburse the counties for onethird of the amounts spent in pensions. For each of the years from
1925 to 1928 the legislature appropriated the sum of $200,000 to meet
the State’s share of the expense, and during this period the appropri
ation was more than sufficient, as the amounts actually needed for the
purpose ranged from only $60 in 1925 to $22,642 in 1926. In 1929 the
appropriation was cut to $35,000 but this was still sufficient to pay
one-third of the cost, as was also the $55,000 appropriated in 1930.
For each of the years from 1930 to 1933, $75,000 was set aside by the
State, but, as table 1 shows, in each successive year the amount has
fallen farther below the one-third supposedly borne by the State.
Since 1925 aid has been granted to 2,814 persons, and 1,769 were
still receiving assistance at the end of 1933. Of the 1,045 pensions
discontinued, 551 discontinuances were on account of the death of the
beneficiary, 53 pensioners were committed to the county home and
5 to the county asylum, 5 moved out of the county, and in 8 cases
the pensioner went to live with relatives. Other revocations were
on order of the county board (31), “ abolition of aid” (316), and other
ineligibility (76).
Amount of pension.—Table 2 shows the number of grants of classi
fied amounts made each year. The most common amount granted
appears to have been $15, as 23.9 percent of the pensioners received
that amount in 1933, while 19.9 percent received $20. Less than 20
percent received $30, the maximum payable under the law.
Table 2.—Number of Allowances of Classified Amount in Wisconsin, 1927-1933
19 53
1927
1928
$5_____________________________________
Over $5 and under $10________________ ____
$10____________________________________
Over $10 and under $15— --------- -----------$15 ____________________________________
Over $15 and under $20__ ______ ______
$20_____________________________________
Over $20 and under $25------------ ---------------$25____________________________________
Over $25 and under $30____ ___ ---$30_____________________________________
2
3
24
19
82
17
60
12
22
1
53
1
3
24
14
108
13
62
6
26
1
32
Total___ __________________________
295
290
Amount of pension
1930
1931
1932
1
7
32
45
133
22
77
7
32
1
35
1
13
71
66
246
33
218
17
169
10
146
3
16
151
108
394
35
325
22
249
16
272
11
20
171
133
482
49
369
23
311
16
353
392
990 i 1,597
1929
Num Per
ber cent
9
17
190
123
472
38
392
33
319
13
366
0.5
.9
9.6
6.2
23. 9
1.9
19.9
1. 7
16. 2
.7
18. 6
1,938 i 1,971
100.0
Average monthly pension-------------------------- $18.87 $18.17 $17. 71 $18.98 $19. 49 $19. 59 $19. 60 .........
i Not the exact sum of the items, but as given in report.
The average monthly pension for the whole State in 1933 was $19.60.
In Milwaukee County the average pension was somewhat over $22,
while in the other paying counties it was $17.50.
Under the act both husband and wife may be granted allowances if
both are eligible and can establish their claim of need. In 1933 there
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
70
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
were 83 cases in which such joint grants were made, the monthly
amounts ranging from 1 joint grant of $12 to 5 joint grants of $60 each.
Composition of Pensioned Group
A nalysis of the pensions with regard to birthplace of pensioner
showed a relatively smaller proportion of foreign born receiving aid
(35 percent) than their numerical importance in the general population
(53.7 percent of persons 65 years of age and over) would seem to
warrant. The report explains that this is probably due to the difficulty
experienced by foreign-born persons in satisfying the citizenship and
residence requirements of the law.
The data appear to show that the number of males receiving old-age
assistance is declining relatively and that the number of females is
increasing relatively. Of the 1,971 pensioners in 1933, 47.3 percent
were women and 52.7 percent were men as against 38.4 and 61.6
percent, respectively, in 1926.
All but 243 of the pensioners in 1933 were in the age group 70-79
years; 231 were between 80 and 89 years and 12 were between 90 and
99 years. The largest group (645) were living with their children,
411 with wife, 133 with husband, 138 with friends, and 209 with
relatives, and 436 were living alone.
Resources of Pensioners
S ome of the applicants still had some means at the time of applying
for aid. Thus, of the 1,971 pensioners receiving assistance at the end
of 1933, there were 182 who had some savings, 44 had some income
from insurance, 70 from rent, 5 from boarders, and 2 from a Govern
ment pension. Nearly two-fifths (768) had no resources or income
whatever, 514 were dependent on their children, 79 on friends, 194 on
charity, and 113 on relatives.
No person can be given aid who owns property in which his equity
exceeds $3,000. In 1933, there were 420 of the beneficiaries who
owned their modest homes, 48 who owned some land, and 656 who
had insurance. In most instances the insurance was in comparatively
small amounts, ranging up to $500, and generally hardly enough to
cover burial expenses.
Effect of System upon Almshouse Population
As u a very imperfect measure” of the influence of the pension
system in keeping down the almshouse populations, the report gives
data showing, by years, the population of county and city homes in
41 counties not having the pension system and in 6 counties paying
pensions. The two most important counties from the pension stand
point, Milwaukee and Kenosha, did not adopt the system until 1930.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
SOCIAL INSURANCE AND PENSIONS
71
As these two counties affect the ratios decidedly, the deductions in
the report are based upon the years since that time.
During the ensuing 3 years the 6 counties having old-age assistance showed an
increase of 230 or 17.8 percent in population in their poor homes, whereas in the
other 41 counties the increase was 622 or over 40 percent. This is a rather scant
basis for judgment of the value of old-age assistance in keeping aged people out
of poorhouses and is submitted as being evidential rather than conclusive proof.
This is especially true because some counties not paying the aid had a lower
population growth in homes than did some of those providing old-age assistance.
Grouping the counties shows some favorable evidence that counties paying old-age
assistance have not had quite as rapid a growth in the number of inmates of the
county or city homes as have other counties.
O ld-A ge P e n sio n L a w o f W est V irg in ia
HE August 1934 issue of the Monthly Labor Review contained
the results of the Bureau’s annual survey of operations under the
State old-age pension acts. One section of that report gave a brief
résumé of the general pension situation, by States. With regard to
West Virginia it was stated (p. 264) that the law of that State had
been amended to make it compulsory in 1935. That statement was
incorrect. No action was taken by the legislature in 1934 and the
State pension act remains, as before, a voluntary act which for adop
tion requires a favorable vote of a majority of all the votes cast at
a general or special election.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
C o n feren ce o n L ab o r S ta n d a rd s, W a sh in g to n , D . C ., D ecem ber
14, 1934
CONFERENCE having for its purpose the establishment of
cooperation between national organizations and the Division
of Labor Standards of the United States Department of Labor in
bringing about higher standards for the protection of workers in the
different States was called by the Secretary of Labor in December 1934.
It was the purpose of the conference to bring about agreement upon
goals for State labor legislation in the light of the present economic
situation and to plan an immediate program to be worked for during
the next legislative year. The topics on the program for discussion
included hours of labor and minimum wage legislation, workmen’s
compensation, homework, unemployment, insurance, old-age pensions,
and other questions relating to economic security. In an address of
welcome Secretary Perkins urged the members of the conference to
stick to realities, declaring that since the N. R. A. has furnished a
practical demonstration of the abolition of child labor, of a short
working week, and a minimum wage “no reasonable American wants
to go back to the old system of unregulated hours, wages, and child
labor.”
Representatives of various State departments of labor attended the
conference as well as delegates from a great variety of civic, religious,
patriotic, and welfare organizations, and certain objectives were
agreed upon for State legislative action by the members of the con
ference.
The conference went on record as favoring the establishment, insofar
as possible, of the following measures: The 40-hour week, 8-hour day,
5-day week; minimum wage laws for women and minors with the hope
of the eventual establishment of minimum wage laws for both sexes;
ratification of the child labor amendment in the States which have not
yet ratified it and an immediate program for improvement of State
child-labor legislation in States which have already ratified; elimina
tion of industrial homework; liberalization of workmen’s compensation
acts; acceptance by the States of the Wagner-Peyser Act providing for
State-Federal employment services; prompt enactment of some form
of unemployment-insurance legislation and of old-age pension legisla
tion ; and improvement in State labor law administration.
72
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
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R e p o rt o n C o m p e titio n o f P ris o n L ab o r w i t h C o tto n -G a rm e n t
I n d u s tr y
O REAL solution of the prison-labor problem other than com
plete withdrawal of prison-made products from competitive
trade and commerce is seen by the special committee appointed to
study the competition of products of prison labor1 with those of the
cotton-garment industry. This committee was named in accordance
with the Executive order of October 12, 1934,2which reduced working
time and increased wages in the cotton-garment industry. Although
the prison-labor compact3 was drawn up as a result of a real desire to
solve the problems arising out of competition of prison-made goods
and has been fairly administered, the committee found that it has
failed to meet the existing needs. This is true because (1) the basic
aims of labor are incompatible with the purposes of the compact;
(2) the cotton-garment industry regards it as unworkable, thereby
making it so, since the cooperation of this industry would be essential
to success of the compact; and (3) other industries fear the competi
tion of prison-made goods, should the market for prison products
expand into new fields under the N. R. A. label. The committee
believed, however, that pending the development of a comprehensive
regulatory system governing the products of prison labor the compact
is the best instrument of control. With this in mind, it was believed
essential that the compact be whole-heartedly supported and that
only its ultimate purpose should be modified. State use of prisonmade goods was recommended by the committee. If these products
are kept off the general market, the committee pointed out, the price
structure will not be affected by this type of production, and the
labor involved will not enter into direct competition with free labor,
thus preventing any demoralization of the wage structure for free
labor.
Testimony heard by the committee showed that the competition of
prison goods creates present and potential problems for the cottongarment industry that call for immediate attention and relief. Owing
to the present overexpanded condition of the cotton-garment industry,
prison activity in this field endangers the existence of that industry.
Withdrawal of the cotton-garment industry from its code as a result
of such competition, the committee stated, would be a disaster for
labor, as it would mean a return to sweatshop conditions. This
should be avoided at any cost and cooperation is necessary so that the
cotton-garment industry may be rehabilitated, even though this may
temporarily increase prison idleness and add to the cost of prison
maintenance for the present.
N
1 Report of committee, Nov. 26, 1934. (Mimeographed.)
2 See Monthly Labor Review, December 1934 (p. 1351).
3 Idem, March 1934 (p. 529).
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The committee outlined its plan for solving the problem, recom
mending that the National Industrial Recovery Board use its good
offices to secure from the President a fund of $50,000,000 from the
Public Works Administration to help the States reorganize their
prison industries so that they may not compete in the open market.
The Committee hoped in this way to “end the prison-labor controversy
which has burdened American industrial and political life for so long
a time. ” Until such time as the reorganization of the prison industries
can be effected, it was suggested that the National Industrial Recovery
Board seek to establish a system whereby the Federal Emergency Re
lief Administration will purchase foods from the prisons or utilize prison
labor to manufacture garments that may be needed, whichever is
deemed preferable. Such purchases should be scheduled on a declin
ing scale so that all orders may cease at the end of 2 years. Accom
panying this program the committee recommended that the Blue Eagle
label be withdrawn from prison goods or that it be modified to read
“prison made.” This action should not be taken, the committee sug
gested, until 15 days after the publication date of the report, so as to
allow sufficient time for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration
to take over the goods in question. It was the opinion of the com
mittee that the prison-labor authority should be continued and that
any loss in funds accruing to that body from the withdrawal of the label
or its modification be made up from funds set aside by the Public Works
Administration. Where industries compete with prison goods, it was
recommended that an Executive order be promulgated empowering
the National Industrial Recovery Board to require the prison-labor
authority and the code authorities of industries affected by prison
goods to enter into agreements each time a change in price or costs
occurs. If this is not accomplished voluntarily, an impartial chair
man should be designated to see that an agreement is reached. It
was suggested that the National Industrial Recovery Board, the
prison-labor authority, and code authorities establish a quota system
limiting the production of prison goods for the open market at the
level of production existing at the time the prison-labor compact
came into existence. To meet fully the new conditions the committee
recommended that all State, county, and city institutions producing
for the open market subscribe to the compact if they have not already
done so.
Action Resulting from Committee’s Recommendations
A cting upon the recommendations of the committee, the National
Industrial Recovery Board announced on December 3, 1934, that it
had designated two of its members and a division administrator to
conduct negotiations with the Federal Emergency Relief Adminis
tration looking toward the utilization of prison-made clothing by the
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
75
latter body.4 The Board deferred action on the other recommenda
tions submitted pending the collection of further data, legal and other
opinions.
On December 6, 1934, the Attorney General of the United States
announced that the President had appointed five persons as the board
of directors of the Federal Prison Industries Corporation. The
appointees are: Sanford Bates, Thomas A. Rickert, John P. Miller,
M. L. Brittain, and Sam A. Lewisohn. It was stated that this body
would use its influence to secure greater variety in the goods produced
by prisons in order that no one industry, such as the manufacture of
cotton garments, would bear more than its share of the competition
of prison-made products.
4
N a t io n a l R e c o v e r y A d m in istr a tio n .
103148—35------6
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P r ess release no. 9078, D e c . 3, 1934.
LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
R a ilro a d R e tir e m e n t A c t H e ld U n c o n s titu tio n a l b y D is tric t
o f C o lu m b ia S u p rem e C o u rt
N A recent decision the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
declared the Railroad Employees’ Retirement Act unconstitutional
and enjoined its enforcement. (Alton Railroad Co. et al. v. Railroad
Retirement Board et al., 62 Washington Law Reporter, 833.)
Action to enjoin the enforcement of this law was brought by 134
class I carriers or their receivers or trustees, the Pullman Co., and
several railway express companies.
The Railroad Employees’ Retirement Act set up a mandatory
retirement and pension system for employees of carriers subject to the
Interstate Commerce Act. It provided for retirement after 30 years
of service or upon reaching 65 years of age. Funds for the payment
of annuities and for the administration of the act were to be secured
by requiring the employees to contribute 2 percent of their pay and
the carriers twice that amount; the rate of contribution could be
increased if necessary, providing the employers’ contributions were
always twice those of the employees.
The act was held unconstitutional primarily because it “ confers its
benefits upon all employees of any company to which it relates with
out regard to distinction between interstate commerce, intrastate
commerce, or activities which do not constitute commerce at all.”
The Supreme Court has held that Congress cannot extend its regu
latory powers to all employees of an interstate carrier regardless of
their duties,1 but the retirement applied to all employees of carriers.
About one-fifth of the employees of carriers do not work in interstate
commerce or in work closely connected thereto; these include me
chanics, executives, accountants, workers constructing new buildings
or equipment, those administering funds or caring for buildings or
lands, and those working in coal mines. The act also included as
employees every one who had been employed within 1 year previous
to its enactment. It was shown that 143,000 men were in that group,
some having been dismissed for the good of the service and that 80,000
of these were not apt to return to railroad service.
Proof showed that certain railroad companies had a large number of
employees engaged solely in intrastate commerce. Also, a number of
I
1 See Employers’ Liability Oases, 207 U. S. 463.
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LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
77
railroad companies had physical holdings classified as “ noncarrier”
by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Employees engaged in
work in connection with this property were included in the act, as
were also the intrastate employees. No distinction was made between
interstate and intrastate commerce.
In declaring that the act violated the due process clause of the
Constitution the court said, in part:
Furthermore, the act provides annuities for all persons who, at the time of its
enactment, were, or within the period of 1 year before its enactment had been, in
carrier service and who had attained, or thereafter should attain, the age of 65
years, or had completed or thereafter should complete 30 years of such service.
The right to the annuities is not dependent upon the rendition of service subse
quent to enactment and the computation of the annuities is not confined to
service rendered subsequent but includes service rendered prior thereto. * * *
The statute provides that upon the reemployment hereafter by any carrier of
any man previously in railroad service all of his prior service is to be counted as
part of the service entitling him to the annuity. The evidence tended to show
that there are today over a million persons with that possibility.
To require the plaintiffs to contribute huge sums of money to be devoted to the
payment of pensions or annuities based upon services long since completed and
fully paid for seems to me to take their property without due process of law.
This act was therefore declared unconstitutional, and an injunction
was granted. The decision will be reviewed by the Supreme Court
of the United States.
L eav e o f A bsence o f G o v e rn m e n t E m ployees H e ld N o t a
P r o p e r ty R ig h t
HE “ annual leave” of Government employees was held by a
recent decision of the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia
not to be a property right. (Field v. Giegengack, Public Printer, 62
Washington Law’ Reporter 938.)
The plaintiff, a proofreader in the Government Printing Office,
sought a writ compelling the Public Printer to grant him the leave
with pay provided for by an act of 1896. Judgment was against him
in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, and he appealed
to the United States Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia.
It appeared that the denial of leave was based upon the authority
of the Economy Act (47 U.S. Stat. L. 399), which provided that—
T
After June 30, 1932, no civilian officer or employee of the Government who
receives annual leave with pay shall be granted annual leave of absence with pay
in excess of 15 days in any 1 year, excluding Sundays and legal holidays: P r o v id e d ,
That the part unused in any year may be accumulated for any succeeding year:
* * *
All rights now conferred or authorized to be conferred by law upon any officer or
employee to receive annual leave of absence with pay are hereby suspended during
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1933.
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Subsequently this latter provision was repealed by section 4 (d) of
the act of March 20, 1933 (48 U. S Stat. L. 12), the repeal to be
effective April 1, 1933.
The plaintiff based his claim upon section 1 of the act of June 11,
1896 (29 U. S. Stat. L. 453; sec. 45, title 44, U. S. C.), which provided:
L e a v e o f a b s e n c e .— The employees of the Government Printing Office, whether
employed by the piece or otherwise, shall be allowed leaves of absence with pay
to the extent of not exceeding 30 days in any one fiscal year under such regulations
and at such times as the Public Printer may designate at the rate of pay received
by them during the time in which said leave was earned; but such leaves of absence
shall not be allowed to accumulate from year to year.
Field contended that, if the above-quoted passages of the 1932
Economy Act prohibited the Public Printer from granting the leave
requested, they were a violation of the due-process clause of the fifth
amendment to the Constitution and were unconstitutional in that
they suspended without compensation petitioner’s right to leave with
pay, a property right which had accrued under the prior 1896 statute.
In its decision the Court of Appeals held that a public office and its
emoluments are not vested legal interests within the protection of the
due-process clause, as the statutory creation of an office does not
establish contractual or property rights and does not deprive a sub
sequent legislature of its power to change, suspend, or revoke that
office. Nor is leave of absence from an office a contractual right
where that office itself is not such a right.
The court was of the opinion that the 1896 statute did not cover
the plaintiff. That statute provided (sec. 1) that “ leaves of absence
shall not be allowed to accumulate from year to year,” while the leave
sought in the present case was requested and denied more than 2
months after the expiration of the fiscal year within which it accrued.
The court, in the light of previous cases, then examined the nature
of such leave.
Under these statutes leave of absence tentatively accrues to a beneficiary by
virtue of his service yet is not earned in the sense that his wage is earned, which
becomes absolutely due and inevitably payable upon his performance of his work.
But the leave must be specially sought, granted, and used, under certain condi
tions and within certain times, determined within the statutory maximum and
regulations, by the Public Printer, with due regard to the needs of the service and
justice to the individual.
The words “ to the extent of not exceeding 30 days” used in the
statute indicate that tne Public Printer is authorized to exercise his
discretion in the granting of such leave.
If the Public Printer may so regulate or reduce this leave because of a local
exigency of his service, a fortiori the Congress, in a national emergency, may
reduce or suspend it as it may deem necessary.
The court therefore affirmed the judgment of the District Supreme
Court.
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P ro m ise o f Life E m p lo y m e n t N o t E n fo rceab le in L o u isian a
1 EMPLOYER’S promise of life-time employment was held to
be void under the Louisiana law, by a decision of the United
States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. {Hill v.
Missouri Pacific Ry. Co., 8 Fed. Supp. 80.)
After an injury, Hill, a telegraph operator employed by the Missouri
Pacific Ry. Co., signed a release absolving the employer from liability,
in consideration for which the company promised him employment
for life or until his retirement on pension at 70 years of age. About
19 months before he reached the retirement age Hill was discharged.
He brought action requesting either a lump-sum settlement in lieu of
pension, or his pay of $150 per month for the period between his dis
charge and the date at which he would have become eligible for the
pension and thereafter the payment of the pension.
The court held that Hill had no cause of action and decided the
case in favor of the employer. The decision was based upon two
sections from D art’s Civil Code, 1932. Section 2749 requires an
employer who discharges a laborer, hired for a certain time, before
the time has expired, to pay such laborer the whole of the salary to
which he would have been entitled had the full term of his services
arrived. Section 167, however, declares that persons who have
attained the age of majority cannot bind themselves for a longer term
than 5 years. The court therefore held that a promise of employment
for a longer time than 5 years (Hill had been employed under this
promise for 7 years) was null and void because contrary to article 167,
and that Hill could not recover salary for the time remaining until he
reached 70 years of age.
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WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
Acceptance of State Workmen’s Compensation Precludes
Recovery in Admiralty
A N INJURED seaman who has accepted workmen’s compensation
J l. cannot recover in admiralty for maintenance. This was the
decision in a case, Owens v. Hammond Lumber Co. (8 Fed. Supp. 392),
recently before the United States District Court for the Northern
District of California.
John Owens, a seaman employed on the ship Eureka, owned by the
Hammond Lumber Co., was injured when he jumped from the ship to
the dock in San Francisco. He recovered an award under the State
workmen’s compensation law, and a review of this award was denied
later by the Supreme Court of California. The seaman brought court
action to recover the cost of maintenance while he was an “ outpatient.”
In a case previously decided it had been held that even though a sea
man was injured on land he had a right to maintenance under the
admiralty law unless barred by the proceedings before the California
Industrial Accident Commission.1
In the present case the court was asked to determine whether or not
the seaman could recover for maintenance in addition to the award
already made in his favor. It was argued in his behalf that the right to
recover for maintenance was cumulative to that of indemnity for
unseaworthiness under admiralty law or of damages under the Jones
Merchant Marine Act. As Owens had received compensation in lieu
of damages, he contended that maintenance was therefore cumulative
to recovery. This contention was based on the case, Pacific S. S. Co.
v. Peterson (278 U. S. 130). The court however, said that the question
raised in the present case was not involved in the case cited, and pointed
out the following distinction:
jL
In that case a plaintiff had received wages, maintenance, and cure, and it was
held that he was not thereby barred from bringing an action under the Jones Act,
section 33 (46 U. S. C. A. sec. 688). The language used in the opinion as to the
remedy for maintenance being cumulative when considered in the light of the cases
therein cited does not support libelant’s view.
The court also referred to the case of Roebling’s Sons Co. v. Erickson
(261 Fed. 986), which involved the relation of the right to sue for
1The Montezuma (19 Fed. (2d) 356).
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81
indemnity and maintenance and repeated the language expressly
stating the relation of the remedies.
The plaintiff should not have been required to elect whether to stand upon his
claim for indemnity or upon his right to wages and expenses of cure and mainte
nance to the end of the voyage. To the latter the seaman is entitled, under any
and all circumstances, except his own willful misconduct. If he recover indemnity,
it will be included; but if he claim indemnity, and fail to get it, he is not for that
reason to be deprived of his right to wages and expenses of cure and maintenance to
the end of the voyage.
The court showed that all of the elements of loss recoverable under
maintenance and cure are included in the damages in a suit therefor in
admiralty or under the Jones Act, and if a seaman recovers on either,
he may not also recover for maintenance and cure. However, the
court pointed out, if the seaman fails to recover under either cir
cumstance, “ he may still recover for maintenance and cure, which
arises from his relationsliip to the vessel and is based upon liability
without fault. ”
The compensation award, given by the laws of California, is a substitute for
either the admiralty indemnity or damages under the Jones Act, and includes the
amounts recoverable under maintenance and cure. In fact, it is much closer in its
theory to maintenance than it is to either of the above-named rights of action. In
both there is liability without fault imposed on the employer by the relationship
of employer and employee, and in both the recovery is granted to care for the
injured employee during the period of his disability.
The acceptance of the award by the employee, the court held, was
an accord and satisfaction, and the employee might not recover again
in a court action. The case, therefore, was decided in favor of the
employer.
Notice of Compensation Claim for Occupational Disease Under
Connecticut Act
N A case presented to the courts of Connecticut it was held that
a symptom must be clearly recognized as a particular occupa
tional disease for which the employee claims compensation, before
duty to give notice of claim arises. (Bremner v. Marc Eidlitz & Son,
Inc., 174 Atl. 172.)
For many years Alexander Bremner had worked as a stonecutter.
He began his employment with Marc Eidlitz & Son, Inc., in July
1928 as a supervisor of masonry work on buildings and at times did
some cutting and fitting of stones. On January 3, 1931, he contracted
a cold and visited a doctor who found symptoms of pneumoconiosis.
Certain medicines were prescribed and Bremner was directed to take
his temperature daily and produce some sputum for examination.
Two weeks later his condition had improved and the doctor was of
the opinion that he did not have an active tuberculosis and discharged
I
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him. About a year later Bremner returned to the doctor, complain
ing of bronchial ailment. Subsequently he was forced to stop work—
April 29, 1932—and never resumed his employment. A written
notice of a claim for compensation was not filed until March 15, 1933.
The State compensation commissioner found that the first mani
festation of a symptom of silicosis was in January 1931. It was
Bremner’s contention that while he believed in January 1931 that he
had bronchitis, the symptoms of which are similar to silicosis, never
theless he did not actually know that he had the disease of silicosis
until within a year prior to March 15, 1933. He contended therefore,
that he was not bound to give written notice of a claim except within
1 year from the date when it became actually known that he was
disabled on account of a disease resulting from his employment.
The commissioner of compensation dismissed the claim, as no
written notice for compensation had been made within 1 year from
the date of the first signs of a symptom of an occupational disease
appeared. This decision was upheld in the Superior Court of New
Haven County and an appeal was taken to the Supreme Court of
Errors of Connecticut.
This was the first time, the court observed, that a question such as
this one had been presented in Connecticut. The case was based
and determinable according to section 5245, General Statutes 1930,
which provides in part that no proceeding for compensation shall be
maintained unless a written notice of claim for compensation shall
be given within 1 year from * * * the first manifestation of a
symptom of the occupational disease.” Webster’s New International
Dictionary defines the verb “ to manifest” as meaning “ to show
plainly” or “ to make to appear distinctly”. After referring to the
Oxford dictionary defining the adjective “ manifest”, the court
said that—
No doubt the legislators used the word manifestation with something of this
significance, intending that the duty of giving notice, and the risk that an em
ployee might forfeit compensation for an occupational disease, should arise only
when a symptom of that disease should plainly appear, not when it was merely
suspected or doubtful.
The use of the word in the statute, the court opined, implied also
two things:
One is that the duty to give the notice is not conditioned upon actual knowledge,
but upon the fact that the symptom of the disease manifests itself; an employee
cannot close his understanding to that which is clear and plain, and if the circum
stances are such that a reasonable man would clearly recognize the existence of
a symptom of an occupational disease, it must be regarded as manifest in the
sense of the statute; for in the law it is usually so that what a man ought to know
he is conclusively deemed to know. ( N e h r in g v. C o n n e c tic u t C o ., 86 Conn. 109,
123, 84 Atl. 301, 524.) The other implication arising out of the phrase in question
is that there must be a clear recognition of the symptom as being that of the
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WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION
83
occupational disease in question; however plain is the presence of the symptom
itself, unless its relation to the particular disease also clearly appears, there cannot
be said to be a manifestation of a symptom of that disease.
To whom must the symptom of the disease be manifested? the court
inquired. The law ordinarily does not give a right to impose a
liability based upon knowledge unless it is personal to the one whose
right or liability is in question. The notice given, therefore, must be
one by the employee or some one in his behalf. This, the court said—
* * * very forcibly suggests that the manifestation of a symptom of an
occupational disease which sets running the time within which notice is to be
given must mean its manifestation to the employee claiming compensation.
The court cited several examples to show the injustice under the
law, “ if the manifestation of a symptom of a disease be not construed
to mean its manifestation to the employee affected.” The legislature
must have intended, therefore, the court concluded, “ that the mani
festation should be to the employee or some one standing in such a
relation to him that the knowledge of such a person would be imputed
to him, and be such as is or ought to be recognized by him as symp
tomatic of an occupational disease.”
The case was therefore reversed and ordered returned to the com
missioner of compensation for further proceedings.
New Workmen’s Compensation Law of South Africa
^EW system of workmen’s compensation for accidents and indus
trial diseases in South Africa was provided by law on June 8,1934,
to take effect on a date to be fixed by proclamation.1 By the terms
of the act the coverage includes Europeans, colored persons, and
natives, a special system being provided for the last-named group.
Benefits are increased and employers must cover their liability by
insurance under the terms of the new law. Injured workers will no
longer have the choice between bringing an action at common law or
claiming compensation under the workmen’s compensation act, as
under the earlier legislation,2 but are subject to the act alone. The
main provisions are summarized below.
Coverage.—Workers and apprentices employed under a contract
whose annual pay is not over £600 a year are eligible for workmen’s
compensation. The act applies to workers irrespective of race, but it
does not cover out-workers, workers employed casually but not in
connection with the employer’s trade or business, those who contract
or subcontract for jobs and engage labor to perform the work, persons
in naval or military establishments, or agricultural workers (except
those employed on machinery).
1 International Labor Office, Industrial and Labor Information (Geneva), Oct. 8, 1934, p. 44.
2 See M onthly Labor Review, November 1925, 1934, p. 214.
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Risks insured.—All accidents arising out of or in the course of the
individual’s employment are insured, provided they occur within the
territorial boundaries of the Union of South Africa, with the exception
that seamen and crews of aircraft may be compensated for accidents
outside the boundaries of the country. Compensation is also author
ized under the same conditions for the following diseases: Cyanide
rash, lead poisoning, mercury poisoning, and ankylostomiasis (hook
worm). Hookworm, which was formerly not recognized as an indus
trial disease, is still not compensable for Asiatic or native workmen.
Other diseases may be added to the schedule by the Minister of Labor.
Although the provisions of the act are compulsory, special arrange
ments may be made to pay aged or infirm workers below the scheduled
rate of benefit. Such action is permissible provided the rate of benefit
is not less than one-half of the regular benefit, that the district surgeon
has certified to the fact that the worker is prone to accident by reason
of old age or serious physical infirmity, and that an agreement has been
lawfully entered by the employer and employee and approved by the
commissioner.
Benefits receivable under the act include medical aid, cash benefits
to the injured person, and survivors’ benefit, if the worker involved
in an accident dies. Separate scales of compensation are provided for
native labor.
Compensation for Other Than Native Labor
I n general it is provided that every enterprise be equipped with
the necessary first-aid appliances. In case of accident employers must
bear the cost of removing injured workmen to hospitals, expenses for
medical, surgical, or hospital treatment, skilled nursing services, and
the supply and repair of artificial limbs and apparatus for a period
not to exceed 1 year and to a cost of not over £100. Fees and charges
for medical aid must conform to the scale prescribed by the Minister
of Labor after consultation with the Medical Association of South
Africa.
The amount of compensation receivable may be agreed upon in
writing by employers and the injured workmen. To be valid such
agreements must be reported to the commissioner by both parties
affected. Compensation is calculated according to the earnings of the
injured without taking into account that part of the wage in excess
of £33 6s. 8d. a month, or £400 a year. For temporary total disability
compensation is allowed at the rate of 60 percent of the regular
monthly earnings up to £20 per month, plus 35 percent of the monthly
earnings up to £33 6s. 8d. In case the injured person is under 21
years old or cannot maintain himself and his dependents on the
amount allowed, the sum may be increased by not more than £6 10s.
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a month, or £78 a year, provided the total payment allowed does not
exceed the earnings of the worker. The period of compensation is
limited to a maximum of 12 months. When disability continues
beyond 12 months the rate of monthly compensation is reduced to
50 percent of the monthly earnings up to £20 per month, and 25 per
cent of the amount earned in excess of that sum up to the limit of
£33 6s. 8d. Compensation at the latter rates may continue for an
additional 6 months.
For temporary partial disability the rate of compensation may be
fixed at such portion of the rates for temporary total disability as
may be agreed upon.
When the injury sustained results in permanent disablement, the
rate of compensation is based upon the degree of impairment sus
tained. For a 70 percent disability a monthly pension is allowed;
for 40 to 70 percent, a pension and a lump-sum payment; and for 40
percent or less, a lump-sum payment. The monthly pension for
total disability amounts to 50 percent of the monthly earnings up to
£20, and 25 percent of earnings in excess of £20. For disability of
70 to 100 percent, the monthly pension payable bears the same pro
portion to the maximum pension as the degree of disablement bears
to 100 percent. For 40 percent disability the compensation equals
16 times the monthly earnings up to £20, plus 9 times the monthly
earnings in excess of £20, with a maximum of £440. If the dis
ability is under 40 percent the compensation is reduced propor
tionately. For disablement of over 40 and under 70 percent onehalf of the compensation is payable in a lump sum and the balance
in a monthly pension bearing the same proportion to a pension for
total disability as the pension thus involved bears to 100 percent.
Thus, for a 50 percent disablement a lump sum is paid equal to 25
percent of £440, or £110, and a monthly pension in the amount of
25 percent of £13 16s. 8d., or £3 6s. 8d.
If a monthly pension is not over £3, it may be commuted to a
lump sum in an amount approved by the commissioner. A schedule
for estimating the degree of disablement is attached to the compen
sation act.
Survivor's benefits.—Widows or dependents of workers, who die as
a result of accident, are entitled to a payment of not over 2 years’
earnings of the worker or £500, whichever is less. If a widow and
one dependent child are left, the payment due to the widow may not
exceed 18 months’ pay or £375, whichever is less. In addition to the
payment allowed the widow, children under 16 are entitled to a pen
sion calculated according to the pension that would have been granted
the worker for permanent disability. The pension varies according
to the number of children, from 20 percent of the total disability
pension where there is 1 child to 70 percent for 6 or more children.
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Compensation for Native Labor
I f a n employer does not provide medical, surgical, and hospital
treatment free of expense for native labor disabled in connection with
employment, the officer appointed by the Native Affairs Department
may award a suitable allowance for such costs, to be paid by the
employer, but not to exceed £25.
For temporary total disability compensation to native labor is
fixed at 60 percent of the monthly earnings for a period of 6 months
if the earnings do not exceed £13 6s. 8d. a month or £160 a year. If
foods, quarters, and medical attention satisfactory to the officer are
furnished to the injured during the period of disability, the worker
is not entitled to compensation for the first 6 weeks of disablement,
and for the remaining period compensation up to 25 percent of the
regular earnings may be allowed in the discretion of the officer.
Permanent total disability is compensable by a lump-sum payment
of £75 to £225 for those who earn not more than £13 6s. 8d. per
month and for those who earn in excess of that amount the rate of
compensation is 25 times the monthly earnings of the worker up to
£20, plus 10 times his monthly earnings in excess of £20 up to £33
6s. 8d. The maximum receivable is £633 6s. 8d. Compensation is
reduced on a proportional basis if the disablement is partial.
Equitable payments, as arrived at by the officer of the Native
Affairs Department, are authorized in case a native dies as the result
of an accident, leaving dependents. The payment may not exceed
80 percent of the sum the worker would normally receive for total
permanent disability, or £373, or 18 months’ earnings, whichever is
the lowest.
Compulsory Insurance
E mployers are required to insure their liability with a society, or
association, or company licensed under the act within 3 months of
its passage. Coverage must be complete for all employees. Failure
to comply with these requirements renders an employer liable to fine
not exceeding £5 for each uninsured employee or to 6 months’ im
prisonment. There is no obligation for agricultural employers to
insure. A group of employers proving to the satisfaction of the
Minister of Labor that it has established a fund sufficient to meet all
liabilities that may arise, may be exempted from the compulsion to
insure. Unless mutual associations, or societies, or companies are
licensed by the minister to write compensation they are subject to
fine up to £5 for each workman insured. The licensed insurance
societies or companies must provide the commissioner with statistics
showing the ratio of expenses to benefits, etc.
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Inspection of the System
T he act provides for the appointment by the Minister of Labor of
a workmen’s compensation commissioner. His duties include in
vestigation of claims, assistance in making agreements, examination
of settlements, and arranging for review of settlements before a
magistrate. He is authorized to hold lump-sum payments exceeding
£200, or £50 for minors, and to pay out such sums to or for the
beneficiary. The commissioner is also responsible for arrangements
with respect to medical care and must maintain a register of licensed
insurers, collect statistics, etc.
Settlement of Disputes
D ispu t e s arising out of the act are subject to handling by the
magistrate of the district where the accident occurs. The Minister
of Justice may, however, assign a magistrate to determine questions
in two or more districts. Appointees to such service must have at
least 7 years’ standing to act in this capacity. The Minister of
Justice may draw up a list of persons qualified to act as assessors.
A magistrate is empowered to nominate two special medical arbitra
tors to determine the extent, nature, or duration of an injury. Of
the two arbitrators selected to determine a case, one is chosen by the
employer and the other by the injured worker. If they fail to reach
an agreement, they may submit the pending case to an independent
medical practitioner selected by them jointly, or if they cannot agree
on this the magistrate may make a nomination. Parties to a case
are entitled to be represented before the magistrate by members of
their families, advocates, trade-union officials, or officers of em
ployer groups. Natives may be represented by officers of the Native
Affairs Department. Costs of cases, which are fixed by the regula
tion, are usually borne by the unsuccessful party, but the magistrate
may decide otherwise. Appeals from decisions are permissible if the
compensation appears either excessively high or low, or if there is
disagreement as to the interpretation of the law, or for other major
reasons. A magistrate may revise orders or agreements for periodic
payments on application of either affected party. Employers and
employees may also revise agreements on pensions without reference
to the magistrate if they agree in writing to a suspension of or an
increase or decrease in payments, provided the agreement has not
been made an order under the act. Any worker receiving compensa
tion under the act must appear at reasonable intervals for examina
tion by a medical practitioner chosen by the employer, if the em
ployer requires it. Failure to do so results in suspension of benefit
payments.
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HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
High M ortality Rates of Coal Miners
HIGH rate of mortality among coal miners—both anthracite and
bituminous—from diseases of the respiratory system is shown
in a study 1 published by the United States Public Health Service.
The data for anthracite miners were obtained from the death records
ol the city of Wilkes-Barre for the period 1915—
23 and for the smaller
cities and towns in that region for varying periods between 1906 and
1925. The data on mortality for bituminous miners were supplied
by the United States Bureau of Mines.
Since the number of men in the occupation among whom the deaths
occurred is not known and adequate occupational histories of the
decedents are lacking, mortality rates cannot be based on the number
of miners known to be living at a given time, and it is necessary to
base the rates on proportionate mortality, that is, the percentage of
deaths from any given cause. “ Since the mortality from all causes
will not be the same, ” the report states, “in any two groups compared,
the percentage of deaths from a specific disease is not an altogether
reliable index of the mortality from that cause. Real differences in
mortality may be deduced, however, from rather wide differences
in the proportion of deaths from a given cause in one group of dece
dents as compared with another group at the same ages. ”
A
Mortality Rates of Anthracite Miners
A large proportion of the deaths among coal miners at ages 15
to 65 in the Wilkes-Barre region—39 percent—were due to accidents
as compared to 10 percent of the deaths of nonminers from this cause
in the same age group. In order to avoid obscuring any excessive
death rate from any given disease, therefore, the deaths from accident
were not included in the mortality data. It was found, after exclud
ing deaths from accident, that a relatively high proportion of deaths
from influenza and pneumonia occurred among anthracite miners,
the proportion being 39.8 percent among coal miners as against 25.3
percent among males in Wilkes-Barre and vicinity who had been
employed in other occupations. The proportionately higher death
rate from this cause prevailed also in 1918, the year of the great
1 United States. Treasury Department. Public Health Service. Public Health Bulletin No. 210:
Mortality of coal miners, by Dean K. Brundage. Washington, 1933.
88
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influenza epidemic when the percentages were 82.1 among coal miners
as against 61.3 among other adult males. In 1920 when there was
another, but less severe epidemic, the rates were 40.4 and 26.9,
respectively, and in other years, between 1906 and 1925, the rates
were 23.9 and 13.4. The latter figures cover 2 years in which there
were minor epidemics, but the total number of years covered is so
large that the effect of these years on the rates is comparatively small.
Although the rates were naturally much lower in the nonepidemic
years, the rates from influenza-pneumonia were relatively more
unfavorable to the anthracite miners in those years.
It is well known that there was heavy excess mortality in the 1918
epidemic at the younger adult ages, especially in the 25 to 35 year
group. While the highest proportion of deaths in the anthracite
group as well as in the general population occurred at these ages, the
mortality was relatively greater among the miners between the ages
of 45 and 65 than at ages below 45. This indicates, it is stated, that
the hard-coal miners possessed less resistance to the disease than did
other males of the same ages in the same localities. Approximately
the same condition obtained in the epidemic year of 1920. During
the period 1906-25, exclusive of 1918 and 1920, the heaviest excess
mortality from influenza-pneumonia among the miners occurred
between the ages of 45 and 65, the ages at which the slow effect of
an industrial dust hazard usually becomes apparent. As a matter
of fact, the report states, “ the conclusion appears inescapable that
the older anthracite coal miners are exceptionally liable to death from
influenza and pneumonia, not only during heavy outbreak of epi
demic influenza, but also during interepidemic periods.”
A study of mortality among Welsh coal miners in a district mining
mainly anthracite in which the death rates were standardized to
eliminate differences due to the age composition of the groups showed
that the rate from influenza and pneumonia among hewers and getters
of coal was 44 percent higher in the years 1921-23 than among men
of similar social status in England and Wales as a whole. These
figures appear to confirm the conclusion reached in the Wilkes-Barre
study that hard-coal mining seems to involve an abnormal mortality
from influenza and pneumonia.
A higher relative mortality among anthracite miners in this country
than among the general population is shown also for respiratory tuber
culosis. The percentage of deaths from this cause after deaths due to
accidents, influenza, pneumonia, and anthracosis or miners’ asthma
were excluded, was 18.1 males in anthracite mining between the
ages of 15 and 65 and 12.7 for males in other industries. The stand
ardized death rate among hewers and getters in the South Wales
coal field did not show with certainty that these workers suffer an
excess of mortality from tuberculosis of the lungs, but in the absence
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of actual death rates for American miners the proportion of deaths from
tuberculosis was computed for Welsh miners in the same way as for
the Wilkes-Barre group, accidents, influenza, pneumonia, and pneu
moconiosis being omitted. This showed that 30.1 percent of the
deaths among Welsh anthracite miners resulted from tuberculosis of
the respiratory system as compared with 21.9 percent among other
men of the same social class. In both Wales and Wilkes-Barre the
proportion of cases was 1.4 times the rate of that for the popula
tion group with which they were compared. As the figures for
Wilkes-Barre cover about 4.5 times the number of hard-coal miners
included in the English data it appears that greater reliance may be
placed on the ratio of 1.4 shown for Wilkes-Barre, and that Pennsyl
vania anthracite miners may therefore have a significantly high death
rate from respiratory tuberculosis, although this cannot be proved in
the absence of knowledge of the number of miners aipong whom the
deaths occurred. An excess of tuberculosis, it is said, may be expected
in view of the rock drilling necessary in connection with the actual
coal mining, which often results in exposure to quantities of dust
containing free silica.
Bringing the disease data for all respiratory diseases together it was
found that the proportion of deaths from this cause among the
anthracite miners was 57.6 percent as compared with 37.2 percent
among other men in the community at the same ages. Among the
Welsh miners it was found that the mortality for the ages 16 to 65
was 53 percent for all respiratory diseases and 38.2 among males in
the same social class.
Rates for nonrespiratory diseases do not show any significant
differences between miners and the other groups, although somewhat
higher rates are shown among miners in this country for certain of
the so-called “ degenerative” diseases. The outstanding feature in
the data for both Wilkes-Barre and Wales is said to be the extraordi
nary mortality from influenza and pneumonia both during influenza
epidemics and at other times.
Mortality of Bituminous Miners
T h e mortality records of bituminous-coal miners relate to the
States of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Wyoming, but Illinois was
considered separately as data were not available according to 10year age groups. As in the anthracite study, all deaths from acci
dents were excluded.
The study showed that influenza and pneumonia caused 31 per
cent of the mortality among coal miners aged 16 to 70 in Indiana,
Missouri, and Wyoming as compared with 19 percent among both
farmers and all males at these ages in the same localities. The rates
in 1918, the year of the great epidemic, were 55 percent among
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HEALTH AND INDUSTRIA J HYGIENE
91
miners, 27 percent among farmers, and ,‘¡4 percent among all other
males. Among the bituminous workers the greatest excess mortality
in 1918 in comparison with the general population was experienced
at ages 40 to 60. This excess mortality was also experienced among
the older miners in the epidemic year of 1920. In interepidemic
years, however, the differential mortality from influenza and pneu
monia among bituminous miners was greatest at ages 16 to 40.
A rather favorable condition in regard to respiratory tuberculosis
in the mining group was shown, as the rate was lower than for all
other males up to the age of 60, although between the ages of 60 and
70 it was slightly higher.
The mortality figures for bituminous-coal miners in Illinois, al
though not on a strictly comparable basis, showed little difference
from the rates for miners in the other three States.
In England and Wales, while the rate for tuberculosis among
hewers and getters of soft coal was generally favorable, there was an
excess mortality rate for bronchitis among these workers. The
favorable rate for tuberculosis, however, offset the unfavorable death
rates for the other respiratory diseases so that the mortality from
respiratory disease as a whole was about the same as for others in the
same social class.
In summing up the data for the anthracite and the bituminous
groups, the report states that the percentage of deaths caused by all
respiratory diseases was higher among the soft-coal miners than
among other males at the same ages in the coal-producing counties
in Indiana, Missouri, and Wyoming, in spite of their more favorable
tuberculosis mortality, and an even larger proportion of deaths from
these causes was found among the anthracite miners in Pennsylvania.
103148—35-----7
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EDUCATION
V o c a tio n a l E d u c a tio n in V a rio u s F o re ig n C o u n trie s , 1933
OR several years the International Labor Office has called atten
tion to the quickening influence of the depression on research in
vocational education and to the development of a new branch of
training for the purpose of maintaining the skill and efficiency of
young persons without jobs or of preparing them for new occupations.
That office reports that greater significance was attached to voca
tional training in 1933 than in preceding years. This type of educa
tion “is becoming more and more accepted as an important factor of
the economic system taken as a whole ”, according to the I. L. O.
Year-Book of 1933 from which the following information is taken.
F
National Developments
Argentina.—In 1933 a vocational guidance section to continue the
work of the former Institute of Psychotechnics and Vocational
Guidance was set up by the Argentine Social Museum. During the
first half year of the section’s existence 1,336 persons availed them
selves of this agency.
Australia— The State apprenticeship commissioner of New South
Wales amended the regulations regarding apprenticeship in the
metal trades. The employers’ financial obligations under former
drastic provisions of the apprenticeship contract were made less
burdensome. Under certain circumstances employers may at present
take on trainee apprentices without indentures instead of indentured
apprentices, both types of workers being assured of securing proper
technical training. It was estimated that approximately 1,000 young
persons would be engaged at once under the changed condition.
In accordance with the Queensland Apprenticeship and Minors Act
of 1929, joint apprenticeship committees were created in a number of
trades in that State.
Austria.—New measures were provided to improve the conditions
of handicraftsmen. Masters’ examinations were made obligatory
and the requirements for the employment of apprentices made stricter.
Certain changes were effected in the organization of vocational
guidance and in the placement of apprentices. A central agency for
vocational guidance and for the placement of apprentices was attached
to the Vienna District Industrial Committee functioning under the
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Federal Ministry of Social Administration. The Viennese Vocational Guidance Office was discontinued, and a committee of repre
sentatives of industry, commerce, handicrafts, employers, and workers
was attached to the above-mentioned central agency to assist this
new service.
Belgium.—A Royal Order of March 9, 1933, included final provi
sions with reference to the organization of the Technical Education
Board established by the Royal Order of December 20 in the preceding
year.
Royal Orders of March 11 and June 10, 1933, set up provisional
regulations for technical education, including vocational schools,
apprentices’ workshops, commercial schools, applied art schools, etc.
Rules concerning the payment of State subsidies to various ap
proved institutions are set forth in a Royal Order issued July 14,
1933. The higher technical schools may now confer the title of
“ Technical engineer.”
The committee set up to draft a program of technical education for girls met
at the Ministry of Education, and decided that girls of 14 who have reached the
fourth form at school may be admitted to technical schools as first-form pupils.
The period of study in such schools is 3 years. A certificate of “ family studies”
may be obtained after the second year, and a certificate of occupational compe
tence on completion of 3 years’ study.
The Minister of Education, who also acts as chairman of the Technical Edu
cation Board, has called on the authorities and institutions concerned to cooperate
in the centralization of the large industrial and domestic economy schools in
important centers. The 23 vocational schools of Brussels have already been
centralized under the Brussels Institute of Arts and Crafts.
Canada.—An amendment to the Saskatchewan Vocational Educa
tional Act demanded higher requirements from candidates for admis
sion to technical schools.
Chile.—A committee appointed by the Government to investigate
the organization of industrial and mining studies in Chile has finished
some of its work and has defined the principal objective of such
studies.
China.—At the close of 1932 a series of amendments to the Factory
Act of 1929 was adopted by the Government, among them the lowering
of the admission age of apprentices from 14 to 13 years.
Czechoslovakia.—Inspectors of the complementary vocational
schools have been asked by the Ministry of Education “ to take steps
to insure that when new buildings are being constructed for these
schools, premises should be provided to house the social institutions
for apprentices.” In this connection inspectors are obliged to confer
with juvenile committees and other social organizations whose collab
oration is considered helpful.
France.—At the 1933 Congress of the General Confederation of
Labor at Paris a resolution was adopted calling for uniform regulations
for both public and private technical schools, for subsidies to the
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best schools, and for the elimination of exemptions from the appren
ticeship tax. Recommendation was also made that vocational
guidance should in every case precede vocational training. Strict
application of the act of March 20, 1928, providing for a written con
tract of apprenticeship was called for by the Congress, which also
suggested the granting of allowances to parents who during the
existing depression had made heavy sacrifices to apprentice their
children. It was advocated that certificates of compliance should
be awarded on the completion of apprenticeship, and that a special
diploma be given to the more highly skilled workers.
The General Confederation of Handicraftsmen has formulated a
bill regarding apprenticeship in handicrafts, the object of which is the
improvement of the supervision and regulation of medical examina
tions as a help in the vocational guidance of future craftsmen. The
National Crafts Institute has undertaken an investigation to deter
mine whether or not compulsory medical supervision is desirable and
would be of benefit in the exercise of the different crafts.
In June 1933 the Tenth National Congress of French Handicrafts
men gave considerable time to discussion of the problem of the rational
organization of apprenticeship in handicrafts as constituting a part
of the French craftsmen’s economic recovery program.
A 2-week course for experts in vocational guidance was again
organized by the National Vocational Guidance Institute.
The First National Congress of French Watchmakers which con
vened at Besançon in July 1933, drew up regulations for training
pupils in schools and apprentices in workshops and for establishing
uniform conditions in awarding certificates of proficiency,
fce The Building Congress for Western France passed a resolution,
sponsored by the Building Trades Federation, favoring entire reor
ganization of the building trades’ apprenticeship, such reorganization
to be in the hands of representatives of all the skilled trades involved.
In accordance with an order of May 23, 1933, the administration of
technical education in Algeria was assigned by the Governor-General
of that country to the Rector of Algiers Academy. Another order
issued in October of the same year made provision for the reorganiza
tion of technical, commercial, and vocational education. All tech
nical educational institutions will be under direction of the Rector
of Algiers Academy. It was also provided that an Algerian Higher
Council of Technical Education be established, to which Depart
mental and communal.committees would be attached.
Germany.—The National Youth Directorate, the official central
organization for dealing with questions concerning young people, now
has a social department which is responsible for all vocational training
problems. The function of 1 of its 4 divisions is the coordination
of existing labor legislation. As a result of unemployment among
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professional workers a number of measures were adopted in the inter
est of young people leaving secondary schools. On March 12, 1933,
special instructions for the vocational guidance of youth were issued
by the Federal Institute for Employment Exchanges and Unemploy
ment Insurance. In various high schools and universities probation
guidance offices were established to counsel students and procure
them employment as probationers. In domestic science schools,
practical 6-month courses were made available to girls leaving sec
ondary schools, in order to train them in domestic and even agricul
tural matters. Attendance at such courses is to be considered as time
spent in apprenticeship.
The Württemberg Education Department issued a decree requiring
school doctors to record in each child’s file when he leaves school
“ whether he is physically fit to exercise any trade, or is unfit for cer
tain trades, or has any special aptitude for others.” These files are
available to experts in vocational guidance.
A conference of representatives of the Labor Front and of economic
interests, held at the Hesse Labor Office, reached a decision that the
future placement of apprentices in employment should be exclu
sively the function of the public vocational guidance offices of the
public employment exchanges, which should cooperate closely with
the representatives of national economic interests. “ Only employers
who can prove that their undertakings guarantee the necessary stand
ard of occupational training will be allowed to engage apprentices.”
During 1933 a number of new technical schools opened their doors,
among them a central handicrafts school in Thuringia, a high school
to train service chiefs and foremen for industrial enterprises, and a
technical school for airplane manufacture.
The German Technical Training Institute, which is concerned with
problems relative to the training of youth and adult workers and the
maintenance of the knowledge and technical skill of jobless persons
was taken over by the Labor Front July 26, 1933.
Great Britain.—The National Advisory Councils have been re
quested by the Ministry of Labor to ascertain how far the existing
vocational guidance system meets the requirements of industry and
secures the welfare of girls and boys leaving school. The industrial
schools and reformatories established for the education and training
of youthful delinquents placed there by the juvenile courts have been
reorganized.
Italy.—A royal decree of April 20, 1933, made some change in the
organization of the secondary vocational schools.
An agreement between the Association of Managers of Undertakings
and the Ministry of Education resulted in the preparation of a plan
for more effective collaboration by the association’s members in the
matter of technical education. It is provided that in each Province
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a permanent joint committee of the association’s representatives and
of the directors of vocational training establishments be organized.
Luxemburg.—Attendance at courses for general education or for
vocational training or retraining may also be made a requirement for
the payment of unemployment relief, according to a Grand Ducal
Order of April 20, 1933.
New Zealand.—Although the apprenticeship bill which had been
under consideration for some time was not proceeded with, the
Finance Act of 1932 became operative in 1933. This law empowered
the proper authorities, under certain conditions, to amend, suspend,
or cancel an apprenticeship contract. As a consequence of the
adoption of these provisions wages of apprentices fell. Moreover,
in a number of instances apprenticeship had to be interrupted because
of the economic depression. In view of these problems the employ
ment conditions of juveniles were investigated. Among the recom
mendations made in the report embodying the findings of this inquiry
was one that apprentices who had been obliged to interrupt their
apprenticeship should be allowed to enter the technical schools and if
their “ attendance was satisfactory, the time so spent should be counted
towards the completion of apprenticeship.”
Poland.—A decree of October 27, 1933, which abolished the public
employment exchanges and transferred their functions to the Unem
ployment Fund—the public agency charged with the administration
of unemployment insurance—also placed vocational guidance under
the control of this agency.
The Ministry of Social Welfare prepared a draft order under which a certain
amount of latitude will be allowed in the enforcement of the 1924 act prohibiting
the employment of young persons in certain dangerous occupations. Juveniles
may now be admitted by way of exception to certain of these occupations, pro
vided that the technical equipment is such as to guarantee a high degree of
safety and that the work is deemed necessary for the training of foremen and
skilled labor. Admission to such work is subject to the previous authorization
of the district factory inspector, who may allow exceptions only after consulta
tion with the employers’ and workers’ organizations concerned.
Switzerland.—On January 1, 1933, the Federal Vocational Training
Act of 1932 became operative. This legislation is to be enforced by
the Cantons, which are obliged to establish the requisite regulations
by decree or order. In some Cantons proposed legislative measures
have already been drafted to regulate vocational training matters
along the lines of the new Federal law which includes only general
provisions. An outstanding feature of the act is the required col
laboration of the proper authorities and occupational organizations.
In March 1933 a meeting was held by representatives of the Swiss
Union of Arts and Crafts, the Swiss Trade Union Federation, and the
Swiss Congress of Apprenticeship Offices for the purpose of formu
lating a new model apprenticeship contract for handicrafts.
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A series of lectures on the activities of the Conference of GermanSwiss Apprenticeship Offices has been organized in the interest of
cantonal officials in services concerned with apprenticeship problems.
In Zurich a vocational guidance office was established for woman
commercial travelers.
Soviet Russia (U. S. S. R .).—In conformity with orders of July 17
and September 15, 1933, craft apprenticeship “ must be organized
either in the industrial schools attached to undertakings or in the
schools and workshops of craftsmen’s cooperative production asso
ciations.” Individual apprenticeship in craftsmen’s homes, however,
is only allowed in occupations and districts in which apprenticeship
has not been organized. To be eligible for apprenticeship, persons
must be 15 years of age and must have completed their primary
education.
Two additional orders issued September 15, 1933, were concerned
with the reorganization of certain features of vocational guidance.
Stricter selection and guidance methods, shorter training periods, etc.,
were provided. The second of these orders had for its objective an
increase in the number of young engineers and technical engineers.
Young specialists leaving technical colleges and universities where
they have been trained at the State’s expense are obliged to work at
least 5 years in industry as technicians or engineers. Employment of
young experts on work “ outside their specialty” is prohibited. A
committee is to be set up in each undertaking to test the ability of
specialists and to examine applicants for each vacant position in order
to assure the advancement of the most experienced and competent
members of the administrative and technical personnel.
International Developments
A mong the international bodies interested in 1933 in the progress
of vocational training were the International Bureau of Technical
Education, the International Society for Commercial Education, the
International Office of Agricultural Education, the International
Bureau of Education, the International Federation of Teachers’
Associations, the International Students’ Service, the International
Congress on Vocational Guidance in the Choice of Careers and Trades,
and the International Labor Office.
The Council of the International Bureau of Education at a meeting
in Geneva in July 1933 was directed to investigate various existing
systems of selection and guidance which were designed to lessen over
crowding in the liberal professionsjmd to effect a better distribution
of workers in the labor market.
The General Congress of the International Federation"of Teachers’
Associations in August 1933 discussed overcrowding in certain careers
and at the universities, and the conference of the International Stu-
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
dents’ Service held the next month in Geneva also considered over
crowding in the highest institutions of learning. Unemployment
among young persons will be one of the subjects on the agenda of the
1935 session of the International Labor Conference. Many unem
ployed young people are in the pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship,
or post-apprenticeship stage, and problems of vocational education
and retraining will, therefore, have a conspicuous place in investiga
tions and deliberations of the near future.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
WOMEN IN INDUSTRY
L ab o r Code fo r W om en in C u b a 1
ONDITIONS of employment for women in Cuba are regulated
by decree-law No. 598, promulgated by the Provisional President
of the Republic, and effective 30 days after October 19, 1934, the
date of its publication in the “ Official Gazette.” The President in
his proclamation refers to the convention relative to women in industry
adopted at the first meeting of the International Labor Conference in
Washington, D. C., in 1919, which Cuba ratified, and adds that
“ ratification means the obligation of making the laws in force equiva
lent to the text” of the convention.
Night work.-—In conformity to the international labor convention,
the employment of women at night by private individuals or by public
or private enterprise is prohibited. A comprehensive definition of
industrial enterprises is incorporated in the decree, and the Secretary
of Labor is given authority to “ determine the dividing line between
industry, on the one part, and commerce and agriculture, on the
other.” Night is defined as “ a period of 11 consecutive hours at
least, including the interval between 10 o’clock at night and 5 o’clock
in the morning.” During the summer the night period may be
reduced to 10 hours, in which case a rest period during the day must
be permitted.
The night-work regulation shall not be made applicable to work
involving materials subject to rapid deterioration, when such night
work is necessary to prevent their absolute loss.
Where women were employed at night at the time the decree became
effective, their employers were called upon to make the necessary
adjustments “ so that these women may work during the day, in order
that they may not lose their positions.”
Physical examinations.—Women may not be employed in industrial
or commercial establishments without physical examination. Medical
certificates are to be issued without costs, and reexamination must be
made annually and whenever the nature of the work is changed.
Hazardous occupations .—The employment of women in hazardous
occupations is prohibited, and certain occupations are specifically
listed in the decree. These include work in dangerous or poisonous
chemicals, alcohol or the manufacture of liquor, subterranean work,
moving or lifting heavy weights, greasing or cleaning machinery in
motion, and work involving abrasives or dusts.
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100
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The National Board of Sanitation and Charities is directed to deter
mine periodically, “ in view of scientific progress”, the occupations and
employments which shall be regarded as dangerous and unhealthful.
In case of illness or accident proved to be the result of work or
tasks prohibited by the act, or arising under conditions which indicate
an infringement of its provisions, the employer shall be considered
directly responsible, and he shall be required to pay, exclusive of the
insurance due, an additional 50 percent of the indemnity to which
the injured woman may be entitled.
Shop conditions.—Separate sanitary facilities must be provided for
men and women in establishments employing both sexes. Where
the nature of the work requires that women change into work clothes,
adequate quarters must be provided. Wherever women are em
ployed, enough chairs with backs must be provided to accomodate
every woman, and their use must be permitted.
Sex equality.—The decree declares that “ an equality of labor is
recognized for women * * * and they shall be entitled to
receive for similar work the same wage or salary as men receive.”
Employers are expressly prohibited from dismissing their woman
employees upon marriage.
Homework.—Several articles of the decree deal with homework.
Women who are employed in industrial establishments during the day
are forbidden to take work home, and persons who are permitted to do
homework may not sublet it or allow it to be done elsewhere than on
their own premises or by any persons except members of their own
families or their regular assistants. Persons giving out homework
must be licensed by the Department of Labor and must keep a
registry showing names and addresses of all persons receiving work,
the kind of work to be done, and the amount of money to be paid
for it.
A commission is created by the act, composed of the Secretary of
Labor or his representative, a representative of the homeworkers, and
a representative of organized labor. This commission “ annually,
and in accordance with the conditions of the work and the cost of
living, shall fix the minimum salary to be paid for homework.”
Enjorcement and penalties.—Violations of this code may be reported
to the correctional judge of the district in which the violation
occurs. Penalties of a fine of $30 for the first offense, $100 for the
second, and $500 for each subsequent offense, are provided. The
proceeds from such fines are to be paid into the maternity fund of the
proper fiscal zone.
It is recommended that preference should be given to women, in
employing inspectors charged with the enforcement of labor laws
applying to women.
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INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
In d u s tria l D isp u tes in N o v e m b e r 1934
OVEMBER 1934 showed the usual seasonal decline in the
number of industrial disputes and the number of workers in
volved in disputes. Among the larger disputes which were started
in October and settled in November were those involving the Great
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Stores in Cleveland and the anthracite coal
miners’ strike in the Nanticoke area in Pennsylvania. Agreement
between the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. and the seven unions
involved was reached on November 3 with the adoption of the
proposal submitted by the National Labor Relations Board. By
the terms of this agreement all employees were reinstated to their
former positions without discrimination, and the company is to
recognize the unions for the purpose of collective bargaining.
Two unions came into open conflict in the Nanticoke area of the
Pennsylvania coal fields on October 31 when about 1,000 United
Mine Workers clashed with some 300 United Anthracite Miners.
The latter union called the strike in protest against the discharge of
five of its members by one company and attempted to close all col
lieries in the area. Within 3 days, however, the miners voted to
end the conflict, intimating they would carry the matter of their
discharged members to court.
Strike of New York elevator operators.—The largest dispute during
November was the 2-day strike of 7,000 elevator operators in the
garment, fur, and millinery center of New York City. For a number
of weeks the Building Service Employees’ International Union had
threatened to call a general strike of all elevator operators in the
entire city if the Real Estate Board did not grant union recognition,
increased wages, and a reduction of the existing 60-hour week. Un
able to reach an agreement, the union called a strike in the district
where users of the elevators were most likely to be sympathetic. As
thousands of garment workers refused to ride to work in elevators
manned by nonunion operators, tenants were compelled to appeal
to their landlords for a quick settlement in order that there would
be no delay in the delivery of rush season orders.
A number of small owners immediately made individual settle
ments, although the large owners and the Real Estate Board held
N
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
101
102
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
out until the early morning of November 3, when a settlement was
effected in Mayor LaGuardia’s office with a representative of the
^Regional Labor Board acting as mediator. The union had demanded
recognition and a $35 minimum wage for a 40-hour week. By the
terms of the agreement the union was recognized and the question of
wages and hours was referred to a board of arbitration.
Silk and rayon dyers’ strike in New Jersey.—A complete tie-up of
the silk- and rayon-dyeing industry in the Passaic Valley occurred
when the locals, affiliated with the United Textile Workers’ Union,
went on strike October 25, demanding an increase from 57% cents
to $1 an hour, a reduction from 40 to 30 hours per week, and the
closed shop. The newly created Textile Labor Relations Board im
mediately started negotiations, and by November 11 representa
tives of the unions and the companies came to an agreement on wages
and hours. The rank-and-file members of the union, who were
strongly united in purpose, would listen to no peace terms which did
not include closed-shop conditions. Although a few companies made
individual settlements with their locals, the general strike persisted
until December 3.
The contract signed by the Institute of Dyers and Printers and the
Federation of Silk and Rayon Dyers and Finishers of America calls for
a 36-hour week, with a 4-hour tolerance during the peak seasons, and
a minimum wage of 66 cents for men and 48 cents for women. The
settlement provides recognition of the union under a modified prefer
ential union-shop agreement. All workers are to be reemployed
without discrimination and the employer agrees not to interfere or
hinder the union in its efforts to organize the workers. In the event
of a vacancy in a position previously held by a union member, the
employer must replace such employee by a member of the union. All
grievances are to be handled through the shop committees. If an
employee is ordered to report for work and does so report, he or she
shall start work within 1 hour or be paid 2 hours’ pay.
Industrial Disputes, 1919 to November 1934
T h e number o f industrial disputes, workers involved and mandays lost during each of the months from January 1933 to November
1934, and for the years since 1928, are given in table 1. Similar
information about industrial disputes in previous years is not avail
able, the only complete record being the number of disputes which
began each year since 1919. Figures for the months January to
September 1934 have been revised and represent the latest known
information about industrial disputes occurring during that time.
These figures are not final, however, and may be further revised as
additional data are procured. Figures for October and November are
preliminary and in very few cases represent information which has
been confirmed by the parties concerned in the disputes.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
103
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Subsequent tables give various analyses of disputes data for
September, this being the latest month for which verified information
is available. In all of these tabulations disputes involving fewer than
six workers and less than one day have been omitted. The number
of man-days lost is an estimate based on the number of employees
within a given establishment who stopped work or were thrown out
of work because of the dispute and the number of days these persons
would probably have worked had there been no dispute. The present
industry classification conforms to that used by the Census Bureau
and the Division of Trend of Employment of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. Future tables will use this revised classification.
Table 1.—Industrial Disputes, 1919 to November 1934
Workers involved
in disputes
Number of disputes
Year or month
Man-days
lost in
disputes
effect Begin In prog during
Ended In
ress
end ning in
year or
Total in during at year
during
month
year or year
Prior to During progress year or of or
or
month month month month
year or year or
month
month
Beginning—
1Q1Q
1990
1Q21
1Q92
1Q?2
3,030
3', 411
2,385
i; n 2
1, 553
1924
1995
1920
1927
1928________________________
1,249
1, 301
h 035
734
629
687
656
903
653
894
808
1,562
934
674
901
829
1, 574
913
667
880
817
1,544
58
31
1929________________________
1930________________________
1931_______________________
1932_______________________
1933_______________________
21
12
1933
January—
_
.. - February___________________
M arch_____________________
April___ - - - - — ----- M a y ....
----- - - - - - Ju n e.-- ------------------------------
32
35
39
47
50
12
75
67
98
80
140
137
87
99
133
119
187
187
55
64
94
72
137
135
July________________ — ---August__
- .
September
---- - - - October . .
_- - - —November. ___ - - - - - December.- _
-----------------
52
84
99
125
98
52
240
246
223
129
07
60
292
330
322
254
165
1934
January.- __ - ..
.. February------ ------- --------------March_______
... . . . —
April_____
- - - . .
M a y . . __ . . . __
-----June____
----- -- -
30
37
43
54
84
94
80
79
141
184
196
141
119
92
124
149
117
161
84
July_______ - ---August__ -Septem ber.. .
October 1________ .. _ - - Novem ber 1 . _________ ____
1 P re lim in a ry
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
21
7
102
81
111
438, 374
31, 556,947
230, 463 266, 305
7 158,114 160,457
21 279,299 284,443
12 242, 826 244,144
30 812,137 813,134
9,975,213
2, 730,368
6, 386,183
6,462,973
14,818,846
31
357,145
21
20,172
11,114
40, 548
23,793
44, 589
42, 233
21,169
19,989
47, 463
36,874
64,891
61, 330
251,829
113,215
348,459
551,930
664, 689
576, 535
208
231
197
156
113
82
84 111,051
99 157,953
125 244, 636
98 56,164
52 38,062
30 21,822
139, 099
211, 524
298,480
219,846
139, 208
45,612
1, 505,408
1, 570, 512
3, 873, 662
3,659,502
1,298,113
404,993
110
116
184
238
280
235
73
73
130
154
186
116
37
43
54
84
94
119
38,913 78,165
83, 507 115, 542
88, 205 120,830
133, 640 170,812
152, 228 224,209
39, 521 100,959
653, 202
915, 673
1, 345,310
2, 258,084
2,086,900
1, 593,369
243
241
219
242
195
151
139
138
131
58
151,127 215,298
57, 807 114,917
410,873 483,357
111
78, 540 107,163
137 26, 983 100, 712
1,969, 266
1, 698,810
4, 053, 532
1,003,143
1, 310, 613
112
32
35
39
47
50
52
92
102
81
104
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The number of disputes beginning in September and the total in
progress, which includes those continued from previous months,
together with workers involved and man-days lost, is given in table 2.
Although there were fewer strikes in September than in August, the
number of persons involved is much greater due to the general textile
strike. Excluding textiles, the building and construction industries
experienced the largest number of strikes, although there were many
more persons involved in disputes in coal mining, agriculture, leather
goods (mostly pocketbook manufacturers), aluminum, and steel
industries.
Table
2 .—Industrial
Disputes Beginning in and in Progress in September 1934,
and Man-Days Lost, by Industry
Beginning in
In progress in
September September
1934
1934
Industry
All industries________
Iro n a n d steel a n d th eir p ro d u cts, n o t in c lu d in g m a
ch in ery ___ ___
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling mills
Cutlery (not including silver and plated cutlery) and edge
tools___________________
Plum bers’ supplies and fixtures___ _
Stoves___ __________
Structural and ornamental metalwork
Other___________
M achinery, n o t in clu d in g tra n sp o rta tio n eq u ip m e n t
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies
Foundry and machine-shop products _
T ran sp o rtatio n e q u ip m e n t______
Automobiles, bodies, and parts__
Shipbuilding____________
N onferrous m etals a n d th eir products
Aluminum m anufactures...
Brass, bronze, and copper products______
Smelting and refining—copper, lead, and zinc..
Stamped and enameled ware
L u m b e r a n d allied p ro d u c ts...
Furniture________
Sawmills_______
Other__________
S tone, clay, a n d glass p ro d u c ts...
Brick, tile, and terra cotta____ _ .
Glass_____________
^M arble, granite, slate, and other products
Textiles a n d th eir p ro d u c ts..
Fabrics:
Carpets and rugs__________ _
Cotton goods.. ________ _
Cotton small w a re s___
Dyeing and finishing textiles_______
Knit goods______ _____
Silk and rayon goods.........
Woolen and worsted goods__
Other______________
Wearing apparel:
Clothing, men’s__ _________
Clothing, women’s. ____
Men’s furnishings (neckwear) _
M illin ery ..__________
Shirts and collars..........
Other_____________
Num Num
ber of
ber of workers
dis
in
putes volved
Man-days
lost in
Septem
Num Number
ber
ber of of workers
1934
dis involved
putes
117
483, 357 4,053,532
5
2
2
i
2
1
1
J9
1,"330
653
260
360
160
i
200
1,010
1
1,010
2
i
470
70
i
400
7
1.400
1.400
7
2
t#, 4
1,330
1
100
3
2 952
3
l
8
391
174
1,148
160
988
1,573
563
1
7
3
2
23
10, 344
8 680
330
400
934
1 Alit
9
1 490
8
5
1
1
1
1
i 37 359,595
1
1,400
5 212,420
3 1,122
2
7,126
3
5 22, 344
4 66, 500
3
510
3
1
1
3
4
976
55
600
435
279
3
i
i
i
i 53
1
8
3
6
9
g
4
2
3
i
i
g
4
3,090
49,161
1,160
s 849
14,611
160
14,451
19,782
7,070
61,126
32, 310
4,800
17 746
61,850
27, 099
1,132
800
23°
100
387,198
1,122
9,020
23 284
66, 500
100
3,447,456
8,400
2,162,801
11, 423
84,016
259,319
246,142
661,214
1,574
105
976
55
4, 212
779
279
3,625
1,792
'in 1
t}?e general te x tile s trik e is considered as one strik e alth o u g h it is s e p a ra te ly in c lu d e d in
each.of th e fabric in d u stries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
105
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Table 2.—Industrial Disputes Beginning in and in Progress in September 1934,
and Man-Days Lost, by Industry—Continued
B eg in n in g in
S e p te m b e r
1934
I n d u s tr y
L eath er a n d its m a n u f a c tu re s ...... .......................................
Boots and shoes___________________ ________________
Leather___________________________________________
Other leather goods---------- --------------------------------------Food a n d kin d red p ro d u c ts----------- ------ ----------------------Baking-------- --------------------- ------- ---------------------------Beverages_______________________ _________________
Flour and grain mills------ --------------- ---------------- -----Slaughtering and meat packing----------------------------------Other------ --------------------------------------- ------ --------------Tobacco m a n u fa c tu re s ---- -----------------------------------------Cigars and cigarettes------------------------------------------------P aper a n d p rin tin g ------------------ ------ ------ ------ --------------Paper and pulp____________________________________
Printing and publishing:
Book and job------------------ ------ -------------------- ------ Newspapers and periodicals______________________
Chem icals a n d allied p ro d u c ts------------ -------- --------------Soap________________________ _____________________
R ubber p ro d u c ts -.------- --------------------------------------------Other rubber goods_________________________________
M iscellaneous m a n u f a c t u r i n g ...-------------------------------Furriers and fur factories------------ -----------------------------Other------ ------------------------------------------------------------E x tractio n o f m in e r a ls ......... ........................... .......................
Coal mining------- ------------------------ ------ -------- ------- ----Metalliferous mining----------- --------------------- ------- ------Quarrying and nonmetallic mining-----------------------------T ra n sp o rta tio n a n d c o m m u n ic a tio n --------------------------Water transportation--------------------- -------------------------Motor transportation---- ------ ------------------------------------Electric railroad____________________________________
Telephone ajad telegraph.------------- -------------------------—
T rad e_______________________________________________
Retail------------------ ---------------- ------ ------------------------D om estic a n d personal service------------------------------------Hotels, restaurants, and boarding houses------ ------ ---------Laundries---- ------- ------------------------ ------------------------Dyeing, cleaning, and pressing................. ................... .........
Elevator and maintenance------------------ ---------------------Professional service---------------------- -........ ------- --------------Recreation and amusement__________________________
Professional pursuits........ ................................. .....................
B uilding a n d c o n s tru c tio n .............. ................................... Buildings, exclusive of P.W .A .--------- --------------------- All other construction (bridges, docks, etc., and P.W.A.
buildings)-------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------A g ricu ltu re-------------------- ------ ---------------- -------------------Agriculture----------------------------------------------------------- Relief w ork.......... .........................----------------- ----------------O th er..... ..........—----------------------------- ---------------------------
I n progress in
S ep te m b er 1934
M an -d ay s
lo st in
S e p te m
N um
N u m b er of N u m N u m b e r
ber
b er of w o rk ers b e r of of w orkers
d is in v o lv ed
d is
in
p u te s v o lv ed p u te s
18
7
7
3
1
3
9
5
5,736
471
250
5,015
495
163
1
2
64
260
2
345
4
1
1
120
2
1
225
4
1
3
9
8
339
225
114
29,616
29,601
1
7
3
2
1
1
3
3
3
15
1,159
226
434
470
29
32
32
3,067
2
1
3
3
3,017
50
126
126
11
7
544
401
4
3
3
2
143
4,240
4,240
96
1
8
1
10
13
8
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
7
4
3
15
11
2
2
11
3
5
2
1
4
4
7
1
3
2
1
4
3
1
15
10
5
4
4
2
1
64
260
200
83,778
35,149
1,500
47,129
9,615
4,655
120
640
2,800
1,400
22
1,007
650
22
6,739
5,200
132
225
400
400
514
514
3,229
3,115
114
40,475
34,516
5,837
122
1,423
226
591
577
29
72
72
3,194
6
121
3,017
50
145
126
19
1,799
1,603
864
675
5,600
5,600
12,336
12,336
11,541
10, 215
1,326
139,436
61,642
76,694
1,100
10, 098
366
5,460
4,127
145
992
992
37,194
12
1,098
36,034
50
864
522
342
14,599
12,426
196
12,240
12,240
96
28
2,173
24,130
24.130
867
672
7,756
1,927
250
5,579
890
358
8
22
22
Table 3 shows the number of industrial disputes in each State,
starting in September, and the total in progress which includes those
continued from previous months. Pennsylvania and Massachusetts
experienced the greatest number of strikes although most of those in
Massachusetts were small. Excluding the textile strike, there were
more man-days lost because of strikes in Illinois, Montana, New
York, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin than in Massachusetts.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
106
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The three interstate disputes beginning in September include the
general textile strike, a sympathetic strike of hosiery workers, and a
strike on the interurban electric railway between Washington and
Baltimore.
Table 3.—Disputes in September 1934 Classified by States
Beginning in Septem In progress in Septem
ber 1934
ber 1934
State
All States______ ____
Alabama_____________
Arkansas_________ _
California____ _ .
Colorado___________ .
Connecticut.
. ...
District of C o lu m b ia____
Florida_________
Georgia_____ .. . . . .
Illinois_________ _
Indiana........ . . . .
Iowa. _________
Kansas______ _____
Kentucky____ .
Louisiana______
Massachusetts___ _ . . .
Michigan__ . . .
M innesota... ._
Missouri_______ .
M ontana______ _ _ .
Nebraska_______ .
New Jersey._______
New Y ork... . .
North Carolina______ .
Ohio__________
Oklahoma_______
Oregon... ___
Pennsylvania_______ .
Rhode Island______ . .
Tennessee.. . ____
Texas___________
Virginia_______ .
W ashington.. _
West Virginia____
Wisconsin_______
Wyoming _ ._
Interstate_______ .
Man-days
lost during
Number Number Number Number September
1934
of dis of workers of dis of workers
putes
involved
putes
involved
117
410,873
1
450
1
1
2
5
2
7
4
1
1
1
1
17
2
1
i
5
9
1
6
3
5
24
2
3
1
6
1
3
65
1,262
176
206
3,821
1,346
878
21
17
100
2, 797
78
28
40
1,336
7,142
32
776
37
4,220
48,430
532
219
4
1
2
1
5
6
2
2
10
7
1
1
\
i
20
4
4
3
2
1
9
22
2
19
3
41
1
3
3
2
8
1,678
35
334,970
4
10
14
4ft3 3^7
23,114
68
Q 007
65
1,731
198
206
620
£
2, 752
878
21
4, 053, 532
5,986
8,007
13, 674
1,551
3,206
49,059
15,582
6,146
17
100
3, 111
9ft
94.7
837
200
26,749
4,558
196
1,210
12
9 7AA
11 1 1Q
152
3,687
37
4,220
59,837
350
2,206
385
9 o so
13,616
82,049
64
61,800
11, 230
156, 512
11,871
2,114
100
3, 309
o0
87, 651
70
3, 241, 840
1 491
5,681
Industrial disputes beginning in September, distributed by indus
try group and number of workers involved, are given in table 4. The
largest number of disputes involved between 100 and 500 workers.
All the disputes involving over 5,000 workers were connected with the
general textile strike. Besides the general textile strike itself, there
were the sympathetic strike of coal miners in Hazleton, Pa., which
lasted for 1 day in order to permit a mass demonstration, a general
hosiery strike in Philadelphia, and a general strike of hosiery workers
in 20 other localities.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
107
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Table 4.—Disputes Beginning in September 1934, Classified by Number of
Workers and Industrial Group
Number of disputes beginning in Septem
ber 1934, in which the number of workers
involved was—
Industrial group
Total
500
1,000
6 and 20 and 100
and
and
and
under under under
under
under
20
100
600
1,000 5,000
All industrial groups_______________________
40
9
5
3
2
2
1
2
2
117
20
36
5,000
and
over
8
Manufacturing
Iron and steel and their products (not including ma
chinery)______________ _______
Machinery, not including transportation equipment.
Transportation equipment-___ _____
Nonferrous metals and their products... . . .
Lumber and allied products_____ _____
Textiles and their products..______ _______
Leather and its manufactures______________
Food and kindred products____ __________
Paper and printing’___________________
Miscellaneous manufacturing__________________
7
37
7
9
2
1
2
i
5
4
1
2
12
i
2
3
1
3
13
4
1
1
5
1
2 *
2
i
Nonmanufacturing
Extraction of minerals____ _ _______
Transportation and communication............................
Trade_________________________
Domestic and personal service_______________ _.
Professional service________________________
Building and construction_______ _______ ____
Agriculture____________ . . . . ___
Relief work___________________ .
9
7
3
3
3
11
3
2
1
1
3
1
1
4
1
3
4
3
2
1
2
5
1
2
1
i
2
1
1
The size of disputes ending in September according to duration in
weeks and months is given in table 5. Almost 40 percent of the
disputes lasted less than 1 week. Disputes lasting less than 1 day
are not counted.
The three disputes lasting 3 months or more were a strike involving
174 employees in a steel barrel manufacturing concern where strikers
gained a closed shop and a 10 percent increase in wages, a 4 months’
strike of nearly 5,000 copper mine workers in which a 50 cent per
day increase in wages was won, and a 5 months’ dispute of 100 silk
workers which was settled with a slight increase in wages.
103148—35----- 8
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
108
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW—JANUARY
1935
Table 5.-—Duration of Disputes Ending in September 1934
Number of disputes with duration of—
Industrial group
All industrial groups......................
2
1
H
3
Total Less lweek,
less month, month, months, months
than than
less
less
less
or
1
than 1 than 2 than 3
H
week month
month months months more
23
32
19
1
1
1
2
5
5
1
1
2
8
1
4
7
7
14
3
3
4
3
4
1
1
2
6
1
2
2
13
8
6
1
i
i
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
3
2
2
138
53
6
4
6
7
9
1
3
8
Manufacturing
Iron and steel and their products (not including
machinery)------------------------------ ----------- -........
Machinery, not including transportation equipment.
Nonferrous metals and their products-----------------Lumber and allied products...................... - ...............
Stone, clay, and glass products--------------------------Textiles and their products___________________
Leather and its manufactures_________________
Food and kindred products---- ------ --------------- ----Tobacco manufactures____________ ____________
Paper and printing________ ________ _______ ___
Chemicals and allied products__________________
Miscellaneous manufacturing__________________
1
33
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
i
1
1
1
1
Nonmanufacturing
Extraction of minerals___________
Transportation and communication
Trade________ ____ ____________
Domestic and personal service____
Professional service______________
Building and construction..............
Agriculture____________________
Relief work_______ _____________
10
2
5
3
11
4
2
1
2
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
The causes of disputes beginning in September are listed in table 6.
Wages were a dominant factor in 34 percent of the disputes; questions
of recognition, closed shop, and discrimination toward union members
were dominant factors in 44 percent of the disputes.
Table 6.—Causes of Disputes Beginning in September 1934
Workers involved
Disputes
Cause
Percent
of total
Number
Percent
of total
Number
All causes-------------- ------- ----------------------------------------------
117
100.0
410,873
100.0
W age inerfia.se
_____________________
Wage decrease
_ _ ___________________________
Wage increase, hour decrease
_ ________________________
Recognition of union
_____________________
Recognition and wages _ _______________________________
Recognition, wages and hours
___________ _______
Recognition and working conditions______________ _______
Working conditions
___________________________ ___
Closed shop _________________________________________
Jurisdiction ____ _____________________________________
Sympathy
___________________________________
Discrimination in employment, or discharge________________
Violation of agreement
__________
Different unions competing for control_______ ____________
Other
__- ________ -- -- _________
25
4
5
15
13
7
21.4
3.4
4.3
7,664
1,219
6, 470
3,235
315, 043
2,133
433
1,463
468
63
67, 284
3,183
1.9
.3
• Less than Ho of 1 percent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
5
9
3
9
10
2
1
8
12.8
11.1
6.0
.9
4.3
7.7
2.5
7.7
8.5
1.7
.9
6.8
100
15
2,100
1.6
.8
76.6
.5
.1
.4
(9
.1
16.4
(9
(9
.8
.5
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
109
C o n c ilia tio n W o rk o f t h e D e p a rtm e n t o f L ab o r in N o v e m b e r 1934
By H ugh L. K e r w i n , D irecto r
of
C on cil ia tio n
HE Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised her good offices in connection with 50 labor disputes during
November 1934. These disputes affected a known total of 30,619
employees. The table following shows the name and location of the
establishment or industry in which the dispute occurred, the nature
of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy not having
reached the strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade concerned, the
cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of settlement, the
date of beginning and ending, and the number of workers directly and
indirectly involved.
In addition to the cases shown, the commissioners of conciliation,
at the request of the National Labor Relations Board and the Textile
Relations Board, also assisted in handling 50 cases involving viola
tions of the National Industrial Recovery Act, investigations of
conditions, etc.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Labor Disputes Handled by Conciliation Service During the Month of November 1934
O
Duration
Nature of Craftsmen concerned
Company or industry and location controversy
Cause of dispute
Present status and terms of
settlement
1934
W ages______________________ Pending______________________ Oct. 30
Dutch Neighborhood Stores, Spo Controversy. Clerks ____
kane, Wash.
_ do__
Hardware workers. Alleged violation of agreement___ ___ do------------------------------------ Oct. 29
George E. Prentice Mfg. Co., New
Britain, Conn.
Universal Electric Construction ___ do_____ Electrical workers... Contract for electrical work let to Adjusted. S a t i s f a c t o r y settle Sept. 10
ment; union contractors and
nonunion contractor.
Co., Minneapolis, Minn.
workmen for future work.
Springfield Ladies Handbag Co., Strike_____ Handbag makers__ Asked closed shop and 36-hour Pending------ ------ -------------------- _ do___
week.
Holyoke, Mass.
Edw. Eaton & Co., Inc., Post Controversy- Electrical workers... Dispute as to union or nonunion.. ___ do............ ................................... Oct. 26
Office Annex, New York City.
Joseph Bancroft & Sons Co., S trik e .___ Textile workers____ Wages and working conditions— ___ do.............................................. Oct. 31
Reading, Pa.
Hill’s Taxicab Co., Columbus, Threatened Drivers__________ Working conditions; discharges.— Adjusted. S a t i s f a c t o r y agree Nov. 3
ment; men reinstated.
Ohio.
strike.
Asked closed shop; working con Pending.----- -------------------------- Nov. 5
Midwest Rubber Reclaiming Co., ___do______ Rubber workers...
ditions.
East St. Louis, 111.
Northwest Furniture Manufac Strike_____ Upholsterers______ Wages, hours, and union recog Adjusted. Returned without dis Oct. 1
crimination. Regional board
nition.
turers’ Association, Seattle and
will assume jurisdiction if de
Tacoma, Wash.
sired.
Theater workers, Danville, Va___ Controversy- Theater workers___ Asked wage increase___________ Adjusted. Increase $5 per week Nov. 6
allowed.
High-school building, Alexandria, Strike_____ Carpenters, roofers, Nonunion plumbers and steam- Adjusted. S a t i s f a c t o r y settle Oct. 31
ment.
fitters employed.
a n d e le c tr ic a l
Va.
workers.
Seamen, New York City................ Controversy- Seamen on harbor Wages, hours, and conditions___ Pending..... ...................................... Nov. 8
boats.
McNamara’s Motor Express, Inc., Threatened Drivers__________ Failure to consummate working ___ do___________ ____________ Nov. 7
agreement.
strike.
Kalamazoo, Mich.
Working conditions________ .. Unclassified. Referred to New Nov. 14
Cudahy, Armour, Swift, and Strike_____ Meat c u tte rs ___
England Regional Board.
Chamberlin Packing Cos., Bos
ton, Mass.
Adjusted.
S a t i s f a c t o r y settle Nov. 13
Jurisdiction
of
setting
steel-bar
Ironworkers
and
P. W. A. projects, Rock Island, Controversy.
ment; international unions to
carpenters.
joists.
111.
fix final terms.
Flynn Dairy Co., Des Moines, ___ do-------- Dairy workers and Dispute between union and non- Pending_______ ________ ______ Oct. 31
union workers.
drivers.
Iowa.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Ending
1934
D i Indi
rectly rectly
(9
40
5
Nov. 11
11
400
(i)
(')
2
Nov. 5
130
Nov. 10
200
100
24
__
Nov. 8
6
21
_._do___
20
80
1,100
33
10
Nov. 22
300
700
Nov. 15
25
60
(9
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Begin
ning
Workers
involved
Filipino vegetable workers, Santa
Maria Valley, Calif.
Carpenters, St. Paul, Minn.
Gradiaz Annis Cigar Co., Tampa,
Fla.
Dewey Portland Cement Co.,
Dewey and Bartlesville, Okla.
Kaynee Clothing Co., Cleveland,
Ohio.
Apex Electric Co., Cleveland,
Ohio.
Street-railway workers, Los An
geles, Calif.
Ashtabula Lettuce & Vegetable
Co., Ashtabula, Ohio.
Sheet-metal workers, Chatham
County, Ga.
P. W. A. project, Springfield, 111..
Molders, Dayton, Ohio_________
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Mil
waukee, Wis.
Vegetable workers... Wage cut
Adjusted. R e t u r n e d rates as
before strike. A r b i t r a t i o n
accepted.
Controversy. Carpenters________ Wage rates...................................... Unclassified. Referred to com
pliance board.
Threatened Cigarmakers............ Asked for arbitration proceedings Adjusted. Agreed on arbitration
strike.
under existing agreement.
by Federal authorities.
Controversy- Portland
cement Asked agreement covering wages Unclassified. Referred to N a
workers.
and conditions.
tional Labor Relations Board.
Strike.......... Clothing workers__ Wages and working conditions... Pending__ _________ __________
Threatened Electrical workers... Requested dismissal of foreman... Adjusted. Strike averted; agreed
strike.
to abide by decision of commis
sioner acting as arbitrator.
Controversy. Plum bers___
Wage rates for area.......... ......... . Pending______________________
Strike_____ Stove workers.
Union representation_____ ____ _ Adjusted. Satisfactory agreement.
Controversy- Carpenters and glass Working conditions,
___ do—
workers.
Threatened Laundry workers— Price regulation___
Pending.
strike.
Strike_____ Upholsterers______ Rates for piecework; asked 15 Adjusted. Increased piecework
percent increase.
rates from 10 to 15 percent.
___ do.......... Shirt workers.......... Asked union recognition and shop Unclassified. Referred to Phila
conditions.
delphia Regional Board.
Threatened Street-railway work Wages and working conditions... Pending. (Regional board coop
strike.
ers.
erating.)
Strike_____ Greenhouse workers. Wage increase____ ___________ Adjusted. Increased to 35 cents
per hour; all returned to former
positions.
Controversy. Sheet-metal work Working conditions___________ Pending______________________
ers.
___ do_____ Building trades___ Investigation of prevailing rates.. Adjusted. Satisfactory Settlement___ do_____ Molders................... Asked wage increase___________ Pending__________ ____________
Strike_____ Meat cutters........... Wages, hours, and working con Adjusted. Reinstated; agreement
ditions.
covering wages for clerks and
managers; 48-hour week; holi
days allowed.
Controversy- Millmen.
Asked union recognition.
Adjusted. Agreement covering
wages, and collective bargaining.
Strike_____ Butchers_________ Company ordered men out who Unclassified. Settled before ar
belonged to union.
rival of commissioner.
Controversy- Electrical workers.._ Asked 15 percent wage increase... Adjusted. Increased from 75 to 90
cents per hour.
Strike_____ Retail clerks______ Asked union recognition........ ...... Pending____ _______ __________
Carr, Ryder & Adams Co. and
Farley & Loetscher Mfg. Co.,
Dubuque, Iowa.
Decker Packing Plant, Mason
City, Iowa.
Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment
Co., Kalamazoo, Mich.
Boston Store, Sears-Roebuck, and
Gimbel department stores, Mil
waukee, Wis.
Hill’s Taxicab Co., Columbus, Controversy. Drivers
Ohio.
1 Not yet reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Discharge of employee.
Adjusted. Driver r e i n s t a t e d .
Satisfactory agreement.
Nov. 6
Nov. 26 3,100
1,500
Nov. 12 Nov. 15
15
Nov. 14
Nov. 19
52
7,000
Nov. 7
Nov. 14
188
15
Nov. 12
26
Nov. 1 Nov. 20
800
Nov. 13
Nov. 9
Nov. 17
0)176
Nov. 10
Nov. 15
60
Nov. 17
28
5,000
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
30
6
Oct. 18
Nov. 23
15
38
Nov. 21
Sept. 21
(0
Nov. 19
Nov. 22
8
3
(0
Nov. 19
Nov. 22
Oct. 25
Nov. 23
Nov. 24
Dec.
8
480
Nov. 27
Nov. 28
1,000
...d o ___
Dec. 11
Nov. 27
Nov. 30
Nov. 20 Nov. 23
0)
140
40
20
600
1
120
100
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
Plumbers, Tampa, Fla_________
Hayes-Custer Stove Co., Bloom
ington, Ind.
Owens-Illinois Glass Co., Toledo,
Ohio.
Cash and Carry Laundries, Chi
cago, 111.
Midwest Upholstering Co., St.
Louis, Mo.
Blyler Shirt Co., Gratz, P a_____
Strike.
Labor Disputes Handled by Conciliation Service During the Month of November 1934—Continued
to
Workers
involved
Duration
Nature of Craftsmen concerned
Company or industry and location controversy
Hunkens Stores, San Francisco,
Calif.
Birmingham Florists, Birming
ham, Ala.
Broom and whisk makers, Chi
cago, 111.
Birmingham Paper Co., Birming
ham, Ala.
S. S. McCormack Line, Portland,
Oreg.
Hecht Co., Inc., Baltimore, M d ...
Faultless Caster Co., Evansville,
Ind.
Thomas Blast Furnace Co., Bir
mingham, Ala.
L. B. Lockwood Co., Cleveland,
Ohio.
Ludlow Mfg. Co., Ludlow, Mass,
Total____ _________ ____
1Not yet reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Truck drivers.
Controversy. Employees.
Present status and terms of
settlement
Objection to change in conditions. Adjusted. Drivers agreed to new
conditions. Wages, $33.50 per
week.
Working conditions___________ Pending___________ __________
Horticultural work ___ do____________ _______ ___ Unable to adjust- Strikers’ places
filled by others.
ers.
Adjusted. Accepted arbitration
_do.
___ do-------- Broom makers____
board selected by commissioner.
Asked union recognition............ . Pending............. ................... .........
Threatened Bookbinders__
strike.
Union men refused work with Adjusted. Settled as per existing
Strike_____ Longshoremen.
agreement.
nonunion men.
Wages, hours, and union recogni Adjusted. Drivers increased $2.50.
Teamsters____
.do.
helpers $1.25 per week, $27.50
tion.
and $22.50 respectively.
Controversy. Employees___ ____ Working conditions. Decision of Pending.______ _______________
regional board violated.
Strike_____ M a c h i n i s t s a n d Union recognition and working Unclassified. Referred to Atlan
ta Regional Board.
smelter workers.
conditions.
Threatened Shoddy makers___ Violation of contract in refusing Adjusted. Worker was restored
to his position.
to restore injured worker to his
strike.
position.
Wage increase and union recogni Adjusted. Allowed recognition.
Strike.
Textile workers.
Wage increase not allowed.
tion.
___ do_____
Begin
ning
Ending
1934
Nov. 22
1934
Nov. 23
Nov. 14
Nov. 30
D i Indi
rectly rectly
70
1, 630
(9
Dec.
5
Sept. 30 Nov. 27
Oct. 16
26
0)
82
68
Oct. 30
Oct. 30
40
860
Nov. 15
Dec.
1
20
430
Nov. 21
Dec.
4
485
Nov. 15
Dec.
1
Nov. 27
Dec. 10
Nov. 23
40
1
15,368
2, 000
250
15, 251
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
P . H. Butler Co., Pittsburgh, P a .. Strike.
Cause of dispute
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND
DECISIONS
Decisions of the National Labor Relations Board
HE National Labor Relations Board in 12 of 23 decisions ren
dered from November 5 to December 5, 1934, ruled that the
companies had violated section 7 (a) of the National Industrial
Recovery Act by the discharge of employees for union activities, and
ordered the reinstatement of such employees to their former positions.
In two decisions the Board ruled that the companies had violated
section 7 (a) by refusal to bargain collectively with the organization
representing the majority of their employees, and ordered the com
panies, on request of the organizations, to proceed immediately to
bargain with such organization and endeavor to arrive at a collective
agreement. In one case the Board ruled that the company’s refusal
to bargain collectively with the union representing its employees was
a violation of section 7 (a) and had been the cause of a strike. The
Board ordered the company to bargain with the union, and to rein
state the strikers, even if it became necessary to discharge the em
ployees hired during the strike. In another case the Board, while not
convinced by the evidence that the company had failed to bargain
collectively, recommended that the company demonstrate its good
faith by reinstating the men on strike.
In two cases two members of the Board, acting as arbitrators, made
awards. In one case the award called for the reinstatement of a
number of employees and the transfer of others. In the other case
the award was “ that the present crew should be retained during any
month that the company’s schedule of production is large enough to
make it possible for the crew to obtain 20 hours of work a week.”
In two decisions the Board ordered that elections be held by secret
ballot under the supervision of a representative of the Board within
3 weeks of the date of the decisions to determine the person, persons,
or organization the employees desired to represent them for the
purpose of collective bargaining. In two decisions the Board denied
the request of employees that an election be held; in one of these the
Board declared that employees making the request did not constitute
a proper unit for collective bargaining; in the other the Board ruled
that it was not to the best interest of the public, nor to the employees
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
113
114
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
who were working under an arbitration award effective to June 30,
1935. In one case the Board ruled that the company had interfered
with an election to determine the organization desired by its employees
to represent them for purposes of collective bargaining; an estab
lished union and a shop organization were the two candidates on the
ballot.
San Francisco Call-Bulletin—An Employee
T h e National Labor Relations Board on December 3, 1934, an
nounced its decision of the complaint of Dean S. Jennings against the
San Francisco Call-Bulletin. Testimony was taken by the San Fran
cisco Regional Labor Board on October 5, 1934, and a hearing on this
record was held before the National Labor Relations Board on No
vember 13. The publisher declined to appear before the regional
labor board, but counsel for the publisher appeared at the hearing in
Washington specially to challenge the jurisdiction of the Board to hear
the case.
In its decision the Board overruled the objection to the jurisdiction.
It pointed to section 2 (c) and section 4 (c) of the Executive order of
June 29, 1934, as clearly conferring jurisdiction upon the National
Labor Relations Board to hear 7 (a) complaints even where the code
for the industry involved had set up an industrial board authorized
to consider such cases. This Executive order, the Board said, is not
a modification of the code of fair competition for the daily newspaper
publishing business, because the code does not purport to vest in the
Newspaper Industrial Board exclusive jurisdiction in such cases; and
even if it were a modification of the code, the President is empowered
to make such modification under the express provisions of article VII
of the code and section 10 (b) of the National Industrial Recovery
Act. The provision of article VII of the code that “ in submitting or
subscribing to this code the publishers do not thereby consent to any
modification thereof, except as each may thereto subsequently agree,”
was said by the Board to have been inserted merely to avoid the pos
sible danger that the publishers by assenting initially to the code
thereby waived their right to object that some subsequent modifica
tion of the code by the President, pursuant to his reserved power of
amendment, operated to abridge the freedom of the press. Article
VII of the code did not therefore prevent the President from modify
ing the code in terms that did not operate to abridge the freedom of
the press. The Board said:
No genuine issue of freedom of the press can be fabricated out of the Executive
order giving the National Labor Relations Board authority “ to hold hearings
and make findings of fact regarding complaints of discrimination against or
discharge of employees or other alleged violations of section 7 (a)” by newspaper
publishers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS
115
On the merits of the case the Board found that the San Francisco
Call-Bulletin had interfered with the self-organization of its employees
in violation of section 7 (a) in that the agreed date for Jennings’ vaca
tion was changed in order to embarrass him in his plan to attend as a
delegate to the national convention of the American Newspaper
Guild held at St. Paul, Minn., June 4, 1934, whereby he was forced to
resign his job, an action which alarmed other employees and led to
their wholesale resignation from the guild. The Board added:
The publisher having declined to contest on the merits, our decision is neces
sarily based upon ex parte testimony. The objection to our jurisdiction now
having been overruled, we are inclined to give another opportunity to the pub
lisher to offer evidence. If, within the period of grace stipulated in the enforce
ment order, the publisher signifies a desire to submit evidence on the merits to
this Board, we shall arrange the necessary further hearing.
It was stipulated in the enforcement clause of the decision that
“ unless within 10 days from the date of this decision the San Fran
cisco Call-Bulletin notifies this Board in writing that it has offered
Dean S. Jennings reinstatement to his former position”, the case
would be transferred to the enforcement agencies for appropriate
action.
Firestone Tire 6? Rubber Co. and B. F. Goodrich Co.—United Rubber
Workers’ Federal Labor Union
E lections to be held at the plants of the Firestone Tire & Rubber
Co. and the B. F. Goodrich Co., of Akron, Ohio, were ordered by the
National Labor Relations Board, on November 20, 1934, for the pur
pose of determining the employees’ choice of representatives in
collective bargaining. Petitions requesting an election were filed
with the Board by Local No. 18321 of the United Rubber Workers’
Federal Labor Union, in the Firestone case, and Local No. 18319 of
the same union, in the Goodrich case. Hearings were held by the
National Labor Relations Board on October 18 and October 19 on
the two petitions.
In each case the Board ordered that the election be held within
3 weeks, the date to be set by the director of the Regional Labor
Board for the eighth district. The petitions having been presented
on September 7, 1934, eligibility to vote was extended to production
and maintenance employees who were on the pay rolls of the com
panies on that date, and, in addition, to such employees who have
been added to the pay rolls in the period from September 7 to 2 days
before the date set for the election. The companies were ordered to
submit their pay-roll lists to the Board to facilitate conduct of the
elections.
Since the petitions in each case merely requested an election, and
the notices of hearing were limited to that issue, the Board refrained
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
116
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
from deciding in these proceedings whether the companies had
violated section 7 (a) of the National Industrial Recovery Act by
their conduct in connection with the organization and financial
support of the Firestone Employees’ Conference Plan and the Good
rich Cooperative Plan, respectively. The Board adhered to its
decision in the Kohler case in the matter of placing “ company
unions” on the ballot. In the Firestone decision the Board stated:
Insofar as the company’s conduct in assisting and supporting the organization
of the plan is concerned, even though that conduct may have been an improper
interference with self-organization under section 7 (a), a secret election held
under our auspices can remedy the wrong already done, as we held in the Kohler
case.
The elections will involve over 9,000 employees of the Firestone
Co. and 12,000 employees of the Goodrich Co.
United Dry Docks, Inc.— International Association of Mechanic Welders
T h e United Dry Docks, Inc., owns and operates five shipbuilding
and ship-repairing plants in and about New York City, one of which
is located at Staten Island. A controversy, concerned solely with the
Staten Island plant, came before the National Labor Relations Board
on the request of the International Association of Mechanic Welders,
Local No. 13 (made up of a number of the welders employed at the
Staten Island plant) for an election to determine by whom the welders
desired to be represented in collective bargaining with the company.
The total number of productive workers employed by the company
at the Staten Island plant fluctuates from 300 to 1,500 and includes
48 distinct crafts. The welders (including not more than 100 workers
out of a maximum of 1,500 employees) have been on strike since
September 19, 1934.
The Board on November 6, 1934, ruled that the group of welders
employed at the Staten Island plant of the company does not, under
the particular facts disclosed, constitute an appropriate unit with
which the company is obliged to negotiate separately in collective
bargaining. The Board pointed out that other larger bargaining
agencies exist which include the welders, and that the interests of all
the workers employed at the plant are so closely intertwined that to
permit welders to bargain separately might effect adversely the
larger number of workers and crafts.
Omaha U* Council Bluffs Street Railway Co. and Omaha 6? Council Bluffs
Employee Protective Association—Amalgamated Association of Street and
Electric Railway Employees and Motor-Coach Operators
I n it s decision of November 20, 1934, the National Labor Rela
tions Board denied the petition of Local Division No. 1002 of the
Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employees
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and Motor-Coach Operators, for an election among the employees of
the Omaha and Council Bluffs Street Railway.
The Board in its opinion detailed its reasons for denying the
quest for an election as follows:
The company has negotiated with Local Division No. 1002, has made con
cessions to the employees as a result of the local division’s efforts and has entered
into an arbitration agreement with the local division affecting all of the em
ployees. There is nothing in the record which would indicate that the company
would not negotiate with the local division at the present time if any matters
should arise requiring negotiation and there is nothing in the record which would
indicate that the Employees’ Protective Association is competing with the local
division as a collective-bargaining agency. For these reasons and because an
arbitration award was made on July 12, 1934, covering all matters in dispute at
that time, effective for 1 year by agreement between the company and the local
division, the public interest does not require an election at this time.
The Board stated that the decision was made without prejudice to
the rights of the union to petition the Board to order and conduct an
election early in June 1935, just prior to the expiration of the term of
the arbitration award, or sooner if “ a subject of collective bargaining
arises on which the company refuses to negotiate with the local
division.”
C. V. Hill 6? Co., Inc.—Refrigerator Workers’ Federal Labor Union
Two members of the National Labor Relations Board, acting as
arbitrators in the controversy between C. V. Hill & Co., Inc., of
Trenton, N. J., and certain of its employees represented by the
Refrigerator Workers’ Federal Labor Union No. 18666, rendered
their award on November 28, 1934.
A strike, which began in the company’s plant on December 7,
1933, was settled by the National Labor Board on February 8, 1934,
through an agreement between the company and the union. The
union subsequently charged that the company was discriminating
against its members, both by failing to reinstate them in accordance
with the preferential list provided in the February agreement, and
by delaying their reinstatement by means of the interdepartmental
transfer of men already working in the plant.
The reinstatement of certain employees, the transfer of others, and
(in the case of two men whose reinstatement was improperly with
held by the company) back pay was provided for in the award. The
company was not required to make any immediate change in the
status of seven of the complainants. In conclusion, the Board
pointed out that the award constituted final settlement of all con
troversies between the parties which were submitted to arbitration.
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Charles Pfizer 6? Co.—United Chemical Workers’ Union
T h is case involved the alleged discriminatory discharge by the
Charles Pfizer & Co., of New York City, of four workmen, members of
the Independent Chemical Workers’ Union No. 19695, which was
established on April 22, 1934, and later received a charter from the
American Federation of Labor. The four complainants in the case
were active in the union, and one of them—John LoCascio—became
its first president. The complainants asserted that prior to their
discharge their work was satisfactory. Each complainant received
two increases in pay during his period of employment except LoCascio,
who received no increase. The four employees were discharged at a
time when the company was increasing its personnel.
On December 5, 1934, the National Labor Relations Board ruled
that the company had violated section 7 (a) of the National Indus
trial Recovery Act by discharging John LoCascio, Stephen Machel,
Frank Rogers, and Joseph Halik because of their union activities.
The Board declared that unless within 10 days the company sub
mitted written notice that it had offered immediate and full rein
statement to the four men involved, the case would be referred to
the proper enforcement agencies of the Government.
Commonwealth Shoe & Leather Co.— Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied
Craftsmen
Two members of the National Labor Relations Board were re
quested to act as an arbitration board in a controversy between the
Commonwealth Shoe & Leather Co., Whitman, Mass., and the
Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied Craftsmen.
The production of shoes at the Whitman plant of the company
suffered a pronounced decline during the last 3 years. Instead
of laying off or discharging any members of its crew of approximately
425 employees, the company spread the available work among all of
its employees.
The company submitted figures which, if accepted at their face value, indicate
that if the plant operated according to the proposed schedule for 40 hours a
week with a reduced crew, operating costs would amount to between $15,000 and
$20,000 less than if the plant operated according to the same schedule for 20
hours a week with the present crew. The company does not, however, emphasize
the decreased operating costs as much as it does the heightened morale which it
would expect to result if a smaller crew were doing a full week’s work at a full
week’s pay. The company produces high-grade shoes, and its theory is that
improved morale would reflect itself in the quality of the workmanship.
The position of the brotherhood is that unemployment among shoe workers in
the so-called Brockton” area, which includes Whitman, is already very serious,
that many of the Commonwealth employees have been with the company for
many years and, despite the pessimistic outlook of the management, look forward
to improved conditions, and thus desire to hold fast to their present tenure,
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insecure though it be, and that these workers would, under present conditions,
find it impossible to secure places elsewhere, and would consequently be compelled
to join many of their brother craftsmen on the relief rolls.
The award of the Board on December 1, 1934, was as follows:
Our examination of the pay-roll figures submitted by the company leads us to
conclude that if the present crew were retained, average weekly earnings would be
sensibly higher than the relief rates, and than the minima fixed by the code for
the industry, only when there is sufficient production to give the crew 20 hours
of work a week. We also believe that under the circumstances it would be
unjust to demand of the company that it retain the present crew when there is
less than 20 hours of work a week.
We therefore rule that the present crew should be retained during any month
that the company’s schedule of production is large enough to make it possible
for the crew to obtain 20 hours of work a week. If, however, the retention of
the present crew would result in less than 20 hours of work a week, averaged for
any particular month, the company may reduce the crew, but only to the extent
necessary to give the remaining employees 20 hours of work a week. Production
during the season should be balanced * * * so that it will be unnecessary
to make any serious readjustments from month to month. Lay-offs, discharges,
and reemployment should be effected solely on the basis of seniority.
This award shall be effective during the production season from December
1934 through June 1935, but if, in the opinion of the parties, the objective factors
which are involved in this award shall remain unchanged, this award shall con
tinue in effect during the next following season. If, however, in the opinion of
one or both of the parties, such factors shall then have changed, and if the parties
cannot come to an agreement respecting the method by which the changed situa
tion can best be met, the question shall again be submitted to this Board for
arbitration. Any and all disputes regarding the application of this award shall
be referred to this Board for decision.
Carl Pick Manufacturing Co.—United Automobile Workers’ Federal Labor
Union
I n a decision on November 10, 1934, in the case of the Carl Pick
Manufacturing Co. of West Bend, Wis., and employees who had been
active in forming a local of the United Automobile Workers’ Federal
Labor Union, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that the
company had violated section 7 (a) by its discharge of 11 employees
for their union activities, and ordered the immediate reinstatement
not only of the discharged employees but also of the employees who
struck in protest against the discharges.
The Board found that the group of 11 men included the officers and
the leading spirits in the newly formed union. The first union meet
ing was held on May 21, and the second on May 25. On May 25
the president of the company called three of the men later discharged
into his office and questioned them as to their membership in the
union, and asked them to name the leading union advocates among
the employees.
The Board gave the company 10 days to reinstate the 11 men dis
charged and to establish a preferential list for the reinstatement of
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the men who struck on June 24, 1934, provided they made applica
tion to the company either individually or through their represent
atives within 7 days of the date of the decision.
General Printing Corporation—An Employee
O n N ovember 26, 1934, the National Labor Relations Board
rendered a decision in the case of the General Printing Corporation
and Raymond Arnold, a discharged employee.
On July 18, 1934, Raymond Arnold, employed by the company as a
paint-machine operator since February 1933, was discharged. Arnold
was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Book
binders, and recruited membership for the union among his fellow
workers. He was also a member of the employees’ committee for col
lective bargaining, and, on the day before his discharge, had partici
pated in a conference with the company to determine the provisions
of a proposed wage and hour agreement. Prior to June 1934, in the
course of which month his work load was doubled by the company,
his work had been satisfactory.
The Board found that the General Printing Corporation in violation
of section 7 (a) had, “ by its discharge of Raymond Arnold, interfered
with, restrained, or coerced its employees in their self-organization
and in their designation of representatives for the purpose of collective
bargaining” and ruled that—
Unless within 7 days from the date of this decision the General Printing Cor
poration shall have notified this Board in writing that it has offered immediate
and full reinstatement to Raymond Arnold, the case will be referred to the Com
pliance Division of the National Recovery Administration and to other agencies
of the Federal Government for appropriate action.
Consolidated Film Co.-—International Printing Pressmen and Assistants’
Union
T his case came before the National Labor Relations Board on the
petition of the Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union for a review
of the decision of the National Labor Board which, on June 30, 1934,
recommended that the striking employees of the Consolidated Film
Co. of New York City and Fort Lee, N. J., be placed on a preferential
list for purposes of reinstatement.
The principal business of the company is the preparation of motionpicture films for exhibition purposes. It also does a printing business
of which there are two divisions or departments, described as commer
cial printing and photo-gelatine printing. The present controversy
was confined solely to the printing departments. In the winter of
1933 these two departments became thoroughly unionized. All but
1 of the 12 employees in the commercial printing department became
affiliated with Local 337 of the Printing Pressmen and Assistants’
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Union. In the photo-gelatine printing department 47 of the 49 em
ployees were members of the Gelatine Workers’ Union No. 351, and
one of the nonmembers had delegated the union to represent him.
During the winter of 1933 the union attempted to deal collectively
with the concerns in the New York area doing photo-gelatine printing,
but upon failure of such negotiations to materialize the union ap
proached each employer with proposals for collective bargaining.
The Consolidated Film Co. appointed a representative to confer with
the employees.
After several conferences with the representatives of the union, the
representative of the company called the union officials on the tele
phone and informed them that the company refused to grant any of
their requests and refused to arbitrate. On April 4, 1934, the union
men voted to strike, and on the following day failed to report for
work. The company filled the places of the striking employees with
strike breakers.
In its decision of December 5, 1934, the National Labor Relations
Board ruled that the company had violated section 7 (a) by failing to
bargain collectively with its employees through representatives of
their own choosing; and that the failure of the company to live up
to its obligations under section 7 (a) was the direct cause of the strike.
The following enforcement order was issued by the Board:
Within 10 days from the date of this decision the Consolidated Film Co. shall
notify the National Labor Relations Board that it has reinstated in their former
positions those employees in the photo-gelatine printing department who struck
on April 5, 1934, provided that those employees apply for reinstatement within
such time either individually or through their union representatives. If neces
sary to comply with this order the company shall discharge those employees who
were hired to take the places of the striking employees.
In the event that after this order is complied with there should remain unem
ployed by the Consolidated Film Co., due to a decline in production in the photo
gelatine printing department since April 5, 1934, any employees in that depart
ment who went out on strike on that date and who have applied for reinstatement,
the Consolidated Film Co. shall notify the National Labor Relations Board
within 10 days from the date of this decision that it has established a preferential
list of such employees and agrees to give such employees first preference in filling
jobs as they become available in the photo-gelatine department.
Should the Consolidated Film Co. fail to observe the above-stated require
ments the case will be referred to the Compliance Division of the National
Recovery Administration and to the enforcement agencies of the Federal Govern
ment for appropriate action.
Pacific Gas 6? Electric Co.-—International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
T e n t a t iv e findings on September 7, 1934, of the National Labor
Relations Board in the case of the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. of San
Francisco and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
Local No. 36, were reaffirmed and made final by the Board in its
decision of November 16, 1934. The findings of fact were based upon
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records of hearings held in Sacramento on May 28 and in San Fran
cisco on July 2, 1934.
Barr was laid off on February 28 and Walker and Livengood on
March 3, 1934, after approximately 10, 9, and 5 years of employment,
respectively, by the Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and its predecessor,
the Great Western Power Co. Five of the six full-time mechanics
laid off, including Barr, Walker, and Livengood, were known to be
members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
Local No. 36. Barr was treasurer and Livengood vice president of
the local; both had been active in urging employees to attend a union
meeting and in recruiting members.
The board concluded that Barr, Walker, and Livengood had been
discriminated against in violation of section 7 (a), and ruled that the
case would be referred to the proper agencies of the Government for
enforcement unless, within 15 days of the date of the decision, the
company had notified the board in writing that it had reinstated to
their former positions the three named employees. The Board de
clared that the company would be deemed to have complied with its
direction as to Walker if he was restored to a place as a “ groundman”
and was returned to his more recent job as truck driver at the first
opportunity, in preference to an employee newly hired.
Eagle Rubber Co.—United Rubber Workers’ Federal Union
T h e National Labor Relations Board, on November 8, 1934, con
curred in the findings of the National Labor Board that the Eagle
Rubber Co. had failed to bargain collectively with the duly chosen
representatives of its employees, members of the United Rubber
Workers’ Federal Union No. 18683, and that this violation of section
7 (a) had provoked a strike on November 29, 1933. The Board
ruled that, as an appropriate method of restitution for this violation
of law, the National Labor Board properly required the company to
reinstate the strikers as the volume of work permitted, in preference
to workers newly hired since the inception of the strike.
The Board found that the company had on its pay roll 44 workers,
hired since the beginning of the strike, and was unwilling to displace
them in favor of the strikers. The company had failed to show
cause why particular strikers should not be reinstated in accordance
with the requirements of the National Labor Board.
The National Labor Relations Board therefore concluded that—
The case will be referred to the Compliance Division of the National Recovery
Administration and to other agencies of the Government for appropriate action,
unless within 10 days of the date of this decision the company reinstates to their
former positions all workers on the pay roll of November 28, or temporarily laid
off prior thereto, who make application either individually or through their rep
resentatives within 7 days of the date of this decision, displacing if necessary
workers newly hired since November 29, 1934.
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New York Rapid Transit Corporation—Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Railway Employees’ and Transport Worker’ Union
I n it s decision of November 21, 1934, the National Labor Rela
tions Board ruled that the New York Rapid Transit Corporation
(operating subsidiary of the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corpora
tion) had violated section 7 (a) by the discharge of 20 employees for
their union activities, and declared that unless within 10 days from
the date of the decision the company had reinstated the 20 discharged
employees the case would be referred to the proper agencies of the
Government for appropriate action.
A group of employees on the night shift of the Coney Island shops
of the company began in February 1934 the organization of a local of
the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Em
ployees. Beginning July 23 and through a period of 2 weeks all 39 of
the union employees were called individually to the office of the super
intendent and warned that the 2 percent wage increase granted July
15 would necessitate a lay-off. In the case of at least 10 of those
interviewed, the superintendent inquired directly or indirectly regard
ing their union activities, or endeavored to solicit information with
respect to the union. Employees, who were not members or who had
not applied for membership in the union, were not interviewed.
Sixteen of the men interviewed were discharged between July 27 and
August 3. Four men were discharged after having signed affidavits
regarding these facts which were submitted to the New York Regional
Labor Board.
Zenith Radio Corporation—Radio Workers’ Union
I n t h e case of the Zenith Radio Corporation of Chicago, 111., the
National Labor Relations Board, on November 26, 1934, ruled that
the company had violated section 7 (a) by its discharge of an em
ployee named Herbert Breit.
The Board found that the company’s definite decision not to put
Breit back to work after a lay-off, in resentment against his union
activity and his action in filing a 7 (a) complaint with the Chicago
Regional Labor Board, constituted in effect a discharge in violation
of the President’s Executive order of May 15, 1934, providing that—
No employer subject to a code of fair competition approved under said title
shall dismiss or demote any employee for making a complaint or giving evidence
with respect to an alleged violation of the provisions of any code of fair com
petition approved under said title.
The company was ordered to reinstate Breit in his former position
within 10 days or the case would be referred to the Compliance
Division of the National Recovery Administration and to other
agencies of the Government for appropriate action.
103148—35------9
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Southeast Portland Lumber Co.— Employees
T h e National Labor Relations Board, on November 27, 1934, ruled
that the Southeast Portland Lumber Co. of Portland, Oreg., had
violated section 7 (a) by discharging H. W. Martin and G. E. Beers.
The company was ordered to reinstate the two men within 10 days,
or lose its Blue Eagle.
Martin, a fireman, was a member of the Loyal Legion of Loggers
and Lumbermen, a local of which was organized among the employees
of the company during the summer of 1933. Beers, a sawyer, was
chairman of the local and of the so-called conference committee of
the local, which was composed of three members whose principal
duty it was to represent the local in its dealings with the management.
Martin was discharged after Beers, acting as chairman of the
conference committee, had urged the management to grant an
increase to Martin because of added duties and responsibilities.
Beers was discharged immediately after Martin had complained
about his own discharge to the local compliance officer.
Wabash Fibre Box Co.—Employee
T h is case came before the National Labor Relations Board because
of the failure of the Wabash Fibre Box Co. of Terre Haute, Ind., to
comply with the decision of the Indianapolis Regional Labor Board
on June 4, 1934, which ordered the reinstatement of Pearl Lawhorn,
who was discharged because of his union activity.
During the period of 2 or 3 weeks preceding Lawhorn’s discharge
he had been active in a movement to organize a local of the Inter
national Brotherhood of Bookbinders. Lawhorn was repeatedly
questioned by officers of the company, one of whom admitted threat
ening him with discharge not long before the actual discharge took
place. The company contended that he was discharged for insub
ordination and certain personal defects which it claimed rendered
him an undesirable employee.
The Board in its decision of November 5, 1934, declared that, but
for Lawhorn’s union activity, he would not have been discharged
when and as he was, and that the company had violated section
7 (a). In view of the substantial evidence tending to show the
existence of the defects urged by the company and their relationship
to his fitness for his prior position, the Board held that the company,
in reinstating Lawhorn, might, if it deemed it necessary, decline to
accord him certain minor supervisory duties which he performed
at the time of his discharge.
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North Shore Coke 6s? Chemical Co.—Employees
T h e complaint in this case was that the North Shore Coke &
Chemical Co. of Chicago had violated section 7 (a) by the discharge
of several employees who had expressed their intention of attending
a union meeting. About 15 of the 75 employees of the company had
been asked to attend the union organization meeting which was held
on January 15, 1934.
Nine of the 11 workers who had been discharged complained to the
Regional Labor Board. Only 6 of the 9 complainants appeared at
the first meeting of that Board, and 1 of these failed to appear at
the second meeting. The evidence before the National Labor Rela
tions Board related to only five of the original complainants. Inci
dentally it may be noted that two of the complainants who did not
appear and testify were rehired.
The company refused to attend any of the hearings on the ground,
as stated by letter, that the Board has no jurisdiction “ to make any
order or determination in this matter which is in any way binding
upon us.”
On November 13, 1934, the Board ruled that the North Shore Coke
& Chemical Co. had violated section 7 (a) by the discharge of the five
employees because of their union activities, and ordered the company
to reinstate these employees within 10 days upon penalty of being
cited for removal of the Blue Eagle and for other action by the
Government.
Glabman Brothers, Inc.—Upholsterers, Carpet & Linoleum Mechanics’ Union
T h is case involved the alleged failure of Glabman Brothers, Inc.,
of Chicago, 111., to bargain collectively with the Upholsterers, Carpet
& Linoleum Mechanics’ Union, Local No. 18, as the representative
of its employees.
On October 27, 1933, after a strike of approximately a month’s
duration, a written agreement between the company and its employees
was signed. Shortly before Christmas the company induced its
furniture workers to accept a lower piecework rate on a certain type
of chair, conditioned upon reestablishment of the normal rate after
the holidays. The company, however, refused to reestablish the
normal rate as promised. The situation developed with considerable
bitterness on both sides and culminated in a strike on May 16, 1934.
The union charged that the company, by not adhering to its several
agreements and by sham negotiations cloaking an arbitrary fixing of
rates, had failed to bargain collectively in good faith and should be
adjudged guilty of a violation of section 7 (a).
The Board in its decision of November 8, 1934, ruled that the
evidence did not support a finding that the company made the agree
ments in bad faith. The written agreement of October 27, 1933,
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which provided that piece rates should be increased 20 percent, ap
peared to have been substantially adhered to by the company.
Although the Board concluded that the company had not violated
section 7 (a) by failure to bargain collectively, acting in its mediatory
capacity it recommended to the company that it demonstrate its good
faith by reinstatement of all the men on strike, and, if all could not
be reinstated at once, that the remainder be placed upon a prefer
ential list and the men thereon be reemployed in the order of seniority
before any new men were hired.
Columbian Iron Works—International Mulders’ Union
T h e National Labor Relations Board, on November 8, 1934, ruled
that the Columbian Iron Works of Chattanooga, Tenn., had violated
section 7 (a) in that it deliberately set out to bargain with its employees
individually after being informed by them that they desired to be
represented for the purpose of collective bargaining by Local 53 of the
International Molders’ Union. The Board held, however, that the
evidence did not warrant a finding that upon resumption of operations
the company refused employment to union men because of union
affiliation. All of the hand molders reemployed were union men
and only one union molder who regularly operated molding machines
was replaced by a nonunion worker.
The Board held that unless within 5 days of the decision, the
Columbian Iron Works notified the Board that it would upon request
of the International Molders’ Union, Local No. 53, immediately
proceed to bargain with that union as the representative of its em
ployees, and endeavor in good faith to arrive at a collective agreement,
covering the terms of employment for a definite period of time, the
case would be referred to the Compliance Division of the National
Recovery Administration and to other agencies of the Government
for appropriate action.
Atlanta Hosiery Mills—-American Federation of Hosiery Workers
T h e National Labor Relations Board, in its decision of November 5,
1934, in the case of the Atlanta Hosiery Mills and Local No. 76 of the
American Federation of Hosiery Workers, reaffirmed its interpretation
of the collective-bargaining provisions of section 7 (a) announced in
the Houde Engineering Corporation and the National Aniline &
Chemical Co. cases.
Early in April 1934 the local union, which comprised about 90
percent of the employees, presented to the company a collective
agreement the terms of which were avowedly to serve as a working
basis for future negotiations.
The proposed agreement provided that for a period of 1 year, sub
ject to further renewals, there be no strike, lockout, or controversy;
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that the hosiery code and modifications thereof be an “ integral p a rt”
of the agreement; that all matters of dispute which could not be settled
by conciliation be submitted to arbitration, that both parties under
take to promote harmony; that no employee be discharged without
apparent cause; and that seniority prevail in reductions of force, in
reemployment, and in distributing overtime work. It further pro
vided that existing wages above the code minima be maintained, and
in general attempted to adjust upward the piecework rates to con
form to the decrease in hours under the code. The company’s posted
reply flatly rejected the arbitration and seniority provisions, and
with respect to wage scales, asserted that the company was in many
cases paying its employees in excess of the code minima, could not
afford any increases, and was subject to strong competition which
might at any time require modifications of the existing scales. The
notice stated, however, that the company favored the maintenance of
harmonious relations, recognized the hosiery code “ as authority”,
and expected to abide by its terms and requirements; that it had
not theretofore had any controversy with its employees and did not
anticipate any; that “ there will be no lockout” ; and that it had never
discharged an employee without just and apparent cause and did not
expect to do so in the future.
The company seems unwilling to bind itself in a collective agreement, whether
oral or written, for any period of time, with a union designated by a majority of
the employees as representative of all. Its vice president expressly stated before
this Board that “ we do not want to sign an agreement with the union unless they
are going to control the entire force.” It offers instead a process of adjustment of
particular differences as they arise, which we have repeatedly ruled is not collective
bargaining.
The Board declared that the company had violated section 7 (a)
by failing to bargain with its employees after being informed that
the latter desired to bargain collectively, and made the following
enforcement order:
Unless within 7 days from the date of this decision, the Atlanta Hosiery Mills
notifies this Board in writing that it recognizes the American Federation of Hosiery
Workers Local No. 76 as its employees’ exclusive agency for collective bargaining,
and that when requested by that union, it will enter into negotiations and endeavor
in good faith to arrive at a collective agreement, the case will be referred to
the Compliance Division of the National Recovery Administration and to other
agencies of the Government for appropriate action.
Danbury 6? Bethel Fur Co.—United Hat Fur Workers’ Union
T h e National Labor Relations Board on November 22, 1934, ruled
that the Danbury & Bethel Fur Co., of Danbury, Conn., had coerced
and intimidated a large majority of its employees into refraining from
voting in an election which the New York Regional Board, with the
consent of the company, conducted at Danbury on August 17, 1934.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
128
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Of more than 100 employees, only 26 voted in the election. The
complaint was registered by the United Hat Fur Workers of Danbury
and Bethel, Conn., an established union of local hat fur workers. The
United union and a shop organization were the two candidates on the
August 17 ballot.
The evidence showed that, upon the settlement about the middle
of July 1934, of a 2 months’ general strike in the industry in Danbury,
the company initiated and actively promoted a company union, and
had indicated to the employees that the company union must succeed
or the shop would close down. The record further showed that, at
noon on the day of the election, the shop organization overwhelmingly
voted at the plant not to attend the election. Because of many
incriminating circumstances showing that the shop organization was
promoted and actively controlled by the employer even at the date of
the election, the Board held that the failure of many employees to
vote in the regional board election was due to their fear, induced by
the company, that they w'ould lose their employment if they did so.
In addition to requiring the company to refrain from requiring
membership in or otherwise aiding or dealing with the shop organiza
tion, the Board directed the company to deal with the United union,
which prior to the strike had represented the great majority of the
employees, as the accredited collective-bargaining agency of its
employees. As a basis for this latter requirement, the Board pointed
out that, since the strike was apparently a success and the company
had agreed at its termination to reinstate the strikers without dis
crimination, the United would no doubt have continued after the
strike as the representative of the employees had it not been for the
company’s coercive conduct in initiating, aiding, and requiring mem
bership in the company union.
Winters U Crampton Manufacturing Co.— Metal Polishers’ Union
T e n t a t iv e findings of the National Labor Relations Board on
September 11, 1934, in the case of the Winters & Crampton Manu
facturing Co., Grandville, Mich., and the Metal Polishers’ Union
No. 7, involving interference by the company with the self-organiza
tion of its employees, were reaffirmed and made final by the Board’s
decision on November 12.
The Board found that at intervals during the spring and early sum
mer of 1934, various foremen and officials of the company had warned
employees that union activity would not be tolerated, that nonunion
men would be the company’s steady men, that employees must leave
the union or leave the company, and that, when slackening business
caused a partial lay-off, nonunion men would be retained and union
men let go.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR AGREEMENTS, AWARDS, AND DECISIONS
129
On May 25, 1934, approximately 200 employees of the company
went on a strike in protest against interference by the company with
the desire of the employees to affiliate, or remain affiliated with the
Metal Polishers’ Union No. 7.
The decision of the Board was that the company had violated
section 7 (a), had interfered with, restrained, and coerced its em
ployees in their self-organization, and that the case would be sent
to the proper enforcement agencies of the Government unless within
10 days the Board was informed, in writing, by the company that it
had offered the men immediate and full reinstatement.
A r b itr a tio n B o ard G ra n ts Wage In crease in M in in g I n d u s tr y o f
S o u th W ales
' THE expiration, in October 1934, of the 3-year wage agreement
in the mining industry of South Wales, the miners presented
demands for increased wages as a condition for entering negotiations
for a new agreement. The employers on their part refused to con
sider increases, taking the position that the condition of the industry
was such as to make it impossible to increase costs. They were on
the contrary prepared to propose wage reductions.
A strike was imminent, but was prevented by the intercession of the
Secretary for Mines, who secured an agreement to arbitrate. Three
arbitrators were appointed jointly by the Minister of Labor and the
Secretary for Mines. They were Viscount Bridgeman, former Secre
tary for Mines, Sir David Shackleton, former permanent secretary of
the Ministry of Labor and now a member of the Industrial Trans
ference Board, and Mr. L. A. P. Warner, secretary and general
manager of the Mersey Docks and Harbor Board. They were ap
pointed not only to adjudicate the current wage dispute, but to consti
tute a permanent court of arbitration for the duration of the new
agreement.1
The award of the board of arbitration, announced on November 5,
grants wage increases retroactive to October 1, in accordance with the
terms of the agreement to arbitrate. Men paid a daily wage have
been granted a rate of 7s. 8d.2 per day, instead of the 7s. 3d. and 7s.
6d. rate in the 1931 agreement. The minimum percentage rate for
workers paid on a tonnage basis has been increased from 20 percent
to 22b percent. The decision affects about 130,000 miners. The men
had asked for 35 percent for tonnage men, and 8s. 6% d. a day for day
workers.3
1 Data are from report by Ray Atherton, counselor of the American Embassy at London, Oct. 22, 1934.
2 Shilling at par=24.33 cents; penny=2.03 cents.
3 Data are from report by Alfred Nutting, clerk of the American Consulate-General at London,
Nov. 5. 1934.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR TURN-OVER
L ab o r T u r n - O v e r in M a n u fa c tu rin g E stab lish m e n ts, O c to b e r 1934
R
EPORTS from more than 5,000 representative plants in 144
* manufacturing industries to the Bureau of Labor Statistics show
that during October 1934 the separation rate was 5.30, while the
accession rate was 4.09. During October employees quit their jobs
less frequently than during the previous month or during the same
month of the previous year. The rate of discharge, while higher than
for September, was lower than for October 1933. Both the lay-off
and accession rates were higher in October 1934 than during either
the previous month or the corresponding month of 1933.
Table 1 shows, for manufacturing as a whole, the total separation
rate subdivided into the quit, discharge, and lay-off rates, together
with the accession rate and the net turn-over rate for each month of
1933 and for the first 10 months of 1934. These firms employ more
than 1,000,000 workers.
Table 1.—Monthly Labor Turn-Over Rates in Representative Factories in 144
Industries
Separation rates
Month
January________________
February ___________ __
March_________________
April__________________
May___ __ _____ ______
June____ _
________
Ju ly ----------------------------August__
September______________
October- _ _ ___ _ ____
__
November.- ___
December- _
------
Quit
Discharge
Lay-off
Total sepa
ration
1933
1934
1933
1934
1933
1934
1933
1934
0. 65
.49
.53
.63
.84
1.03
1.25
0. 90
.85
.93
0.15 0.18
. 13 . 19
. 14 .21
.15
.23
.22
.18
.26
.18
.26
.19
.31
. 19
.27
.16
.24
. 19
2. 76
3.78
3.93
3. 56
4.40
4. 60
2. 04 2. 78
3. 65 2. 36
3.48 2.47
2. 96 3.49
3.56 3.40
3.41 4. 26
4.38 4. 58
4. 79
4. 69
3.43
2.89
3.22
3.38
4.88
4.60
3. 85
4.50
5.12
5. 30
1.22
1.65
.87
. 78
. 72
1.11
1.01
.94
.70
.75
1.55
.73
.22
. 18
2.00
1.34
1.18
1.98
1.87
2. 34
3.47
3. 79
3.79
2. 35
1.85
2. 08
Accession
rate
Net turn
over rate
1933
1933
3. 48
2. 56
2. 22
1934
5.81
6. 71
6. 33
3. 48
2. 56
2. 22
4. 87 5.18 2. 78
7.21 4.19 2. 36
3.58 2.47
9. 48 3. 71 3.49
8.59 3. 24 3.40
5. 53 3.61 4. 26
3.97 4.09 3.97
3. 71
3. 71
3.37
3.37
10.21
1934
3. 43
2. 89
3.22
3.38
4. 19
3. 58
3.71
3.24
3.61
4.09
The net turn-over rate is the rate of replacement; that is, the num
ber of jobs that are vacated and filled per 100 employees. In a plant
which is increasing its force, it is necessary to offset all separations
before there can be any effective enlargement of the staff. Hence,
the net turn-over rate will be equal to the separation rate. In a plant
130
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
131
LABOR TURN-OYER
which is reducing its force, all accessions must be offset before there
can be any effective reduction in personnel. It follows that the net
turn-over rate would be equal to the accession rate. The excess of
accessions or separations in each case is due to an expansion or reduc
tion of force, and, therefore, cannot be considered a turn-over expense.
Table 2 shows the quit, discharge, lay-off, accession, and net turn
over rates for the 10 industries for which the Bureau’s sample covers a
sufficiently large number of firms to justify the publishing of separate
industry figures.
In the 10 industries for which separate indexes are shown, reports
were received from representative plants employing at least 25 percent
of the workers in each of these industries as shown in the 1929 Census
of Manufactures.
Table 2.—Monthly Turn-Over Rates in Specified Industries
Octo
ber
1933
Class of rates
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo Octo
ber
ber
1934 1933
Automobiles
Quit- ______ _____________ ___
Discharge _
Lay-off- ___
.
Total separation _
Accession _ _
_
____ __
Net turn-over
Q u i t ............ - Discharge- Lay-off - Total separation .......
Accession..
Net turn-over
_
_
___
__
1.69
1.34
14. 28
17.31
6. 20
6. 20
0.59 0. 53
. 16
. 14
13.31 12.31
14. 04 13. 00
2. 53 5.31
2. 53 5.31
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0. 60
. 20
2.89
3. 69
2. 35
2. 35
0. 64
. 17
2.33
3.14
1. 09
1. 09
0. 55
. 11
3. 25
3.91
1.21
1.21
1.32
.34
2. 74
4. 40
3. 59
3. 59
0. 54
.24
3.26
4.04
4. 44
4. 04
6. 49
.33
2. 46
9. 28
3. 60
3. 60
1.12
.31
3. 37
4.80
8. 05
4.80
0.85
. 12
2.22
3.19
1. 79
1. 79
0.60
.04
3. 39
4.03
.98
.98
0. 63
.04
1.70
2.37
1.92
1. 92
0. 97
.35
8. 73
10. 05
7. 56
7. 56
1. 39
2.11
. 46
.56
7.12 22.27
9. 69 24. 22
16.35 9.16
9.69 9.16
0. 51
. 13
5. 62
6. 26
2. 60
2. 60
0. 56
.16
4. 63
5. 35
4.19
4.19
0. 59
.07
10.98
11.64
6. 65
6. 65
0. 72
.07
5.43
6.22
2.36
2. 36
0. 64
.07
2.23
2.94
3.02
2.94
Octo
ber
1934
0.80
.08
15. 55
16. 43
4. 39
4. 39
1.06
. 17
8. 94
10.17
11.95
10.17
Furniture
0. 68
.79
3.83
5. 30
3. 87
3. 87
1.45
.22
3. 57
5. 24
4. 44
4. 44
0.59
. 18
3. 62
4. 39
3. 52
3. 52
Sawmills
M en’s clothing
0.85
. 12
1.85
2.82
2. 49
2. 49
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Brick
Boots and shoes
Foundries and ma
chine shops
Slaughtering and
meat packing
Quit
Discharge
Lay-off
Total <?oparation
Apppssion
Octo Octo
ber
ber
1934 1933
Cotton manufaeing
Iron and steel
Quit.- . .
__
- . . .
____
Discharge
_
_.
Lay-off. _ _ . . . . ________
Total separation. _ _______
Accession
_
_ __
Net turn-over
_ _ - ___
Sep
tem
ber
1934
1.37
.41
4. 97
6. 75
4.49
4. 49
0. 95
.50
5. 56
7. 01
6.76
6. 76
1.16
.31
6.08
7. 55
7. 27
7. 27
132
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
During October 1934 the highest quit rate was shown in the slaugh
tering and meat-packing industry, which also had the highest dis
charge and lay-off rates. The lowest quit rate occurred in the auto
motive industry, while the lowest discharge rate and the lowest
lay-off rate occurred in the iron and steel industry. The highest
accession rate was registered in brick manufacturing, and the lowest
in the boot and shoe industry.
Since January 1932 the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been collect
ing and publishing turn-over data quarterly. Prior to that
date, information was collected and published monthly. Beginning
with October the Bureau returned to the monthly reporting system.
An important reason for the change is that when figures are published
quarterly it is impossible to determine the changes with sufficient
detail to show the nature of the seasonal variation. Although the
data were collected and published quarterly for the period January
1932 to September 1934, the quarterly reports showed information
for each month separately.
The Bureau has recomputed the rates for the period for which
quarterly reports were published, so that monthly comparisons can
be made.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
HOUSING
B u ild in g O p e ra tio n s in P rin c ip a l C ities o f th e U n ite d S tates,
N o v e m b e r 1934
B
UILDING operations in the principal cities of the United States
declined in November as they characteristically do at this season
of the year. Compared with the previous month there was a decrease
of 28.3 percent in the number and a decrease of 14.5 percent in the
value of buildings for which permits were issued. All types of con
struction shared in this decline; the estimated cost of new residential
buildings decreased 13.7 percent, the cost of new nonresidential
buildings fell off 2.1 percent, while the estimated cost of additions,
alterations, and repairs was 28.2 percent lower in November than in
the previous month.
In spite of this decline, the present level of building operations
remains substantially above that of the corresponding month of
1933.
Although private construction declined in November, the value of
contracts awarded by the Federal and State governments for buildings
in 778 reporting cities increased, amounting to $7,293,368, as against
$2,261,637 in October.
This information is based on reports received by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics for 778 identical cities having a population of 10,000
or over. The permit data are collected from local building officials
on forms mailed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, except in the States
of Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsyl
vania, where the State departments of labor collect and forward the
data to the Federal Bureau. The cost figures shown are the estimates
made by prospective builders on application for their permits to
build. No land costs are included. Only building projects within
the corporate limits of the cities enumerated are shown. The Federal
and State contract figures are collected from the various officials who
have the power to award contracts.
Comparisons by Geographic Divisions
T a b l e 1 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs,
and of total building operations in 778 identical cities having a
population of 10,000 or over, by geographic divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
133
134
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 1.—Estimated Cost of Building Construction in 778 Identical Cities in
October and November 1934
New residential buildings (esti
mated cost)
New nonresidential buildings (esti
mated cost)
Geographic division
T o ta l._ .
..
______
New England_____ _______
Middle A tlantic. __________
East North Central ________
West North Central_________
South Atlantic. . _____ ..
East South C e n tr a l..___ . . .
West South Central______ . _
M ountain_______________ _.
Pacific________________ .. .
Percent November
age
1934
change
October
1934
$9,930,353
$11,508,883
-13.7
$19,059,337
$19,465, 244
- 2.1
985,125
3,442, 295
1,165,440
590,028
1, 376,977
109,463
870,334
177,918
1, 212, 773
1,183,835
4,438,150
1, 228,087
687, 232
1, 265, 587
131, 780
815, 825
260,000
1,498,387
-16.8
-22.4
-5 .1
-14.1
+ 8.8
-16.9
+6.7
-31.6
-19.1
1, 266, 701
8,969,240
2,423, 609
1,444,778
1,393,573
208,372
1,379,869
317,564
1,655,631
2, 277,498
4,184, 674
4,021,317
1, 220, 731
2, 692,571
656,308
934, 697
166,870
3, 310,578
-44.4
+114.3
-39.7
+18.4
-48.2
-68.3
+47.6
+90.3
-50.0
Additions, alterations, and
repairs (estimated cost)
Geographic division
November
1934
Total___. . .
New E n g la n d _____________
Middle Atlantic ________ _ .
East North Central__
. _
West North Central. .
South Atlantic .
East South Central_________
West South Central. . . _ ..
M o u n tain ... ______________
Pacific___ . . ______ . . .
Percent' age
change
November
1934
October
1934
$12,965,925 $18,068,866
1,239, 036
3, 914, 292
1,954,749
616, 228
1,866,949
596, 709
756,920
235,847
1, 785,195
1,909,077
6,399,409
2,877,091
1,012,530
1,870,347
597, 054
711,357
334,809
2,357,192
October
1934
Total construction (estimated
cost)
Per
centage November
1934
change
October
1934
Num
ber of
Per cities
centage
change
-28.2 $41,955, 615 $49,042,993
-14.5
778
-35.1
-38.8
-32.1
-39.1
- 0.2
- 0.1
+6.4
-29.6
-24.3
-35.0
+8.7
-31.8
-9 .2
-20.4
-34.0
+ 22.1
-4 .0
-35.1
114
166
182
71
78
35
49
23
60
3,490, 862
16, 325, 827
5, 543, 798
2, 651,034
4, 637,499
914, 544
3,007,123
731, 329
4, 653, 599
5,370,410
15,022, 233
8,126,495
2,920,493
5,828, 505
1,385,142
2,461,879
761, 679
7,166,157
The value of residential buildings for which permits were issued in
these 778 cities decreased 13.7 percent comparing November with
October. Only two geographic divisions, the South Atlantic and the
West South Central, showed increases in this type of building.
New nonresidential buildings decreased 2.1 percent in value, com
paring these 2 months. Four of the nine geographical divisions regis
tered increases, however. In the Middle Atlantic States the increase
was over 100 percent.
There was a decrease of 28.2 percent in the value of additions, altera
tions, and repairs. Only the West South Central States showed an
increase.
The value of total construction increased in two of the nine geo
graphic divisions.
Table 2 shows the number of new residential buildings, of new
nonresidential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs, and
of total building operations in 778 identical cities, by geographic
divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
135
HOUSING
Table 2 .—Number of Buildings, Alterations, and Repairs, and Total Building
Construction in 778 Identical Cities, October and November 1934
Geographic division
Additions, altera Total construction
tions, and repairs
New residential
buildings
New nonresiden
tial buildings
PerNo
vera- Octo- centber 1934 age
1934
change
Per
Novem- Octo- centber 1934 age
1934
change
Per
Novem- Octo- centber 1934 age
change
1934
Per
Novem- Octo- centber 1934 age
change
1934
Total_____ ____ 2,078 2,435 -14.7 5, 768 7, 717 -25.3 20,868 29,877 -30.2 28, 714 40, 029
800 1, 037 -22.9 2,193 N ou -27.3 3,199 4,283
206 229 - 10.0
384 533 -28.0 1,098 1,441 -23.8 4,202 7,355 -42.9 5, 684 9, 329
206 248 -16.9 1,176 1,795 -34.5 2,698 3,890 -30.6 4,080 5,933
544 845 -35.6 1, 351 1,859 -27.3 2, 065 2,952
170 248 -31.5
364 331 +10. C 552 641 -13.9 3,170 3, 975 -20.3 4, 085 4,947
162 204 - 20.6 1, 096 1,556 -29.6 1,306 1, 825
65 -26.2
48
395 501 - 21.2 1,337 1,851 -27.8 2, 044 2, 670
312 318 -1 .9
852 1,037
607 779 - 22.1
185 187 - 1.1
60
71 -15.5
856 1,066 -19.7 4, 214 5, 595 -24.7 5, 398 7,053
328 392 -16.3
New England- - - - Middle A tlantic.. ___
East North Central___
West North Central__
South Atlantic ___ .
East South Central___
West South Central-. .
M ountain_______ _
Pacific______________
-28.3
-25.3
-39.1
-31. 2
-30. 0
—17. 4
—28. 4
-23. 4
—17. 8
—23. 5
The number of new residential buildings decreased in eight of the
nine geographic divisions, comparing November with October.
There were decreases in the number of new nonresidential buildings,
additions, alterations, and repairs, and total building construction in
each of the nine geographic divisions.
Table 3 shows the estimated cost of housekeeping dwellings and
the number of families provided for in such dwellings for which per
mits were issued in 778 identical cities, by geographic divisions.
Table 3.—Estimated Cost and Number of Family-Dwelling Units Provided in
778 Identical Cities, October and November 1934
2-family dwellings
1-family dwellings
Estimated cost
Geographic division
November October
1934
1934
N p.w Knul and
_____
Middle A tlan tic______
East North C e n tr a l.__
West North Central____
South Atlantic ___ ___
East South Central____
West South Central____
M ountain___________
Pacific____ __________
$955,325 $1,149,035
1,614, 815 2,057,520
1,027,440 1,153, 705
681,957
559, 528
1, 203,027 1,186,992
117, 780
94,463
409, 714
802, 384
223, 600
156,318
1,073, 753 1, 236, 762
Total
_______ - 7,487,053
-8 .9
P ci con Ldj-,0 cliàll§8 -------
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8, 217,065
Families pro
vided for
Estimated cost
Novem Octo November
1934
ber 1934 ber 1934
199
330
197
165
323
46
293
56
310
1,919
-14. 3
223
470
235
240
312
56
270
69
365
$16,800
230,980
38,000
26, 000
63,950
2,240
548, 600
-42. 2
0
61,950
7,600
103,320
Families pro
vided for
October Novem Octo
ber
ber 1934 1934
1934
$23, 500
305,980
50, 900
20,000
59,495
7,000
376, 295
1,000
6
79
13
7
49
0
28
2
8
80
14
4
30
6
86
1
104, 650
25
31
948,820
209
—19. 6
260
136
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 3.—-Estimated Cost and Number of Family-Dwelling Units Provided in
778 Identical Cities, October and November 1934— Continued
Total, all kinds of housekeeping
dwellings
Multi family dwellings
Families pro
vided for
Estimated cost
Geographic division
November
1934
October
1934
Novem October November October Novem Octo
ber
ber
ber 1934 1934
1934
1934
1934
1934
New England__ _ . . . _
$8, 000
Middle Atlantic.
1, 593, 500
East North Central____
100,000
West North Central____
4, 500
South A tlantic.. ... . . .
110, 000
East South Central____
15,000
West South Central____
6, 000
Mountain______ _____
14, 000
Pacific______________
35, 700
$14, 000
2, 078, 500
39, 082
8, 800
29, 000
7,000
24, 221
0
150, 600
13
19
Total___. . . _ ._
Percentage change_____
2, 351, 203
661
- 22.1
1,886, 700
-19.8
Families pro
vided for
Estimated cost
4
495
42
4
68
6
10
6
$980,125 $1,186, 535
702 3,439, 295 4,442,000
18 1,165,440 1, 243, 687
590, 028
20
710, 757
16 1, 376, 977 1,275, 487
4
109,463
131,780
19
870, 334
810, 230
0
177, 918
224, 600
63 1,212,773 1,492, 012
209
904
252
176
440
52
331
71
354
237
1, 252
267
264
358
9,922,353 11, 517,088
—13. 3
2,789
—16. 7
3,348
848
66
375
70
459
There were decreases in indicated expenditures and in the number of
families provided for in 1-family dwellings, 2-family dwellings, and
multifamily dwellings, comparing November with October.
Table 4 shows the index numbers of families provided for and the
index numbers of indicated expenditures for new residential buildings,
for new nonresidential buildings, for additions, alterations, and repairs,
and for total building operations.
Table 4.—Index Numbers of Families Provided for and of Indicated
Expenditures for Building Operations
[Monthly average, 1929 = 100]
Indicated expenditures for
Month
1929
November..
October ____ . . . ____ _
November__
October_________
51.7
64.4
44.8
61.6
89.6
107.9
95.2
115.2
85.7
52.9
58.3
42.5
44.9
KA A
Oi.
53. 5
37.8
58.1
46.3
49.7
23.8
33.7
19.0
25.4
oQ/1
tt. oC
39.8
26.2
30.8
6.4
Qñ
6.6
?n’ r
lz.
o
14.9
22.8
13.0
12.1
8.6
J-U. o
±i o . i1
in ^
o
18.3
30.1
11.0
12.1
Iß
1
ID . 1
16.4
31.2
43.5
13.7
16.0
68.1
___
on 7
1932
November.. .
October ______
November.. .
October_____
New resi New non Additions, Total builddential
residential alterations, ing conbuildings buildings and repairs struction
1930
1931
November__
__________
October
November...
October_____
Families
provided
for
4.9
1933
_
6.5
5.2
1934
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
8
2
9.9
5.9
6.8
11.0
137
HOUSING
The index numbers of families provided for in new residential
buildings were lower than for either October 1934 or November 1933.
The index numbers of new nonresidential buildings, of additions,
alterations, and repairs, and of total building operations were lower
than for October 1934, but higher than for November 1933.
Comparisons, November 1934 with November 1933
T able 5 shows the estim ated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs,
and of to tal building operations in 772 identical cities having a p o p u la
tion of 10,000 or over, by geographic divisions.
Table 5.—Estimated Cost of Building Construction in 772 Identical Cities,
November 1933 and November 1934
New residential buildings
(estimated cost)
Geographic division
November
1934
Total______________ __
New England- _ . _ ...
Middle A tlantic.. _________
East North C entral.. . . . .
West North Central. __. . .
South A tla n tic ____ _______
East South Central________
West South Central______ . . .
M ountain________ . . . ___
Pacific____. . . ______ . . . . . .
November
1933
$9, 929, 253 $13, 699, 299
984,025
3, 442, 295
1, 165, 440
590,028
1, 376, 977
109,463
870, 334
177, 918
1, 212, 773
Percent November
age
1934
change
-27.5
-10. 5
1, 098,900
-64.0
9, 549, 925
519,935 +124. 2
421, 862 +39.9
620,334 + 122. 0
50, 660 +116.1
313, 579 +177. 5
101, 050 +76.1
1,023, 054 +18.5
Additions, alterations, and
repairs (estimated cost)
Geographic division
November
1933
Percent
age
change
$19,142, 502 $13, 606,925
1, 374,361
8,970, 640
2,420,459
1,434,778
1, 383, 573
208, 372
1, 378,174
316, 514
1, 655,631
1,911,235
2, 526,874
1, 035, 370
497,881
968, 437
479, 794
1,955,482
120, 570
4, 111, 282
+40. 7
-28.1
+255. 0
+133. 8
+188. 2
+42.9
-56.6
-29.5
+162. 5
-59.7
Total construction (estimated
cost)
Number of
Per
Per
No\ ember November centage November November centage cities
1934
1934
1933
1933 .
change
change
T o ta l______ ____ ____ $13,(71,606
New England . . . _______
Middle Atlantic _. _________
East North Central_________
West North Central_____ ___
________
South Atlantic
East South Central. _____ .
West South Central_________
Mountain
. . . ___
Pacific._________ _________ .
New nonresidential buildings
(estimated cost)
1,358,142
3, £16, 292
1+51, 328
(16,228
1,560, 299
(96. 709
754, 510
732,903
1,7 85,195
$8,110, 500
+19.0
772
4, 036,001
-7 .9
14, 771,839 +10. 5
2, 693,803 +105. 6
1, 261, 559 +109. 3
2, 512,888 +83. 9
783, 650 +16.7
2, 692, 862 +11.5
346,928 +109. 7
6, 317,194 -26.3
113
167
181
70
77
35
48
+61.2 $42,143, 361 $35,416, 724
3, 716, 528
1,025, 866 +32.4
2, 695,040 +45.3 16, 329, 227
5, 537, 227
1,138,498 +71.4
341,816 +80. 3 2, 641, 034
924,117 +101.3
4, 620, 849
914, 544
253,196 +135. 7
3, 003, 018
423, 801 +78.0
727, 335
125, 308 +85.9
4, 653, 599
1,182,858 +50.9
21
60
There was a decrease of 27.5 percent in indicated expenditures for
new nonresidential buildings, comparing November 1934 with the
corresponding month of last year. Seven of the nine geographic divi
sions, however, showed increases in residential building. The decrease
was caused by the falling off in the Middle Atlantic States.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
138
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
In November 1933 permits were issued for several large apartment
buildings in the Borough of the Bronx in New York. If data for these
buildings were excluded there would have been an increase in residen
tial building, comparing these two periods:
The value of new nonresidential buildings for which permits were
issued increased 40.7 percent, comparing November with the same
month of the previous year. Five of the nine geographic divisions
showed increases in this type of construction. Increases ranged from
42.9 percent in the South Atlantic States to 255 percent in the
Middle Atlantic States. The large increase in the Middle Atlantic
States was caused by the contract awarded for a new Federal office
building costing nearly $6,000,000 in New York.
The estimated cost of additions, alterations, and repairs increased
over 61 percent, comparing these 2 months. Increases were shown in
all nine of the geographic divisions.
Table 6 shows the number of new residential buildings, of new non
residential buildings, of additions, alterations, and repairs, and of
total building operations in 772 identical cities, by geographic divi
sions.
Table 6.—Number of Buildings in 772 Identical Cities, as Shown by Permits
Issued in November 1933 and November 1934
Geographic division
Total_____
New residential
buildings
New nonresiden
tial buildings
Additions, altera
tions, and repairs
Total construc
tion
No- No- Pervem- vem- centher her
age
1934 1933 change
No- No- Pervem- vem- centher her
age
1934 1933 change
No- No- Pervem- vem- centher her
age
1934 1933 change
No- No- Pervem- vem- cent
ber ber
age
1934 1933 change
-- 2,077 1,451 +43.1 5, 750 4,843 +18.7 20,950 16,802 +24.7 28, 777 23, 096 +24. 6
New England________
Middle Atlantic. .
East North Central___
West North Central__
South Atlantic___ . . .
East South Central___
West South Central__
Mountain___________
Pacific...........................
205
384
206
170
364
48
312
60
328
229 -10.5
797 1,040 -23.4 2,309 2, 999 -23.0 3, 311
337 +13.9 1,096 846 +29.6 4,192 3, 602 +16.4 5, 672
101 +104. 0 1,174
772 +52.1 2,692 1,798 +49.7 4, 072
135 +25.9
543 443 + 22.6 1, 351 717 +88.4 2, 064
149 +144. 3 549 451 +21.7 3,161 2, 439 +29.6 4,074
43 + 11.6
162 114 +42.1 1,096
609 +80.0 1, 306
146 +113.7
391 290 +34.8 1, 332 1,107
2,035
27 + 122. 2 182 179
603 386 +56.2
845
284 +15.5
856 708 +20.9 4,214 3,145 +34.0 5,398
4,268
4,785
2, 671
1,295
3,039
766
1,543
592
4,137
- 22. 4
+18. 5
+52. 5
+59. 4
+34. 1
+70. 5
+31. 9
+42. 7
+30. 5
Increases were shown in the number of new residential buildings,
new nonresidential buildings, additions, alterations, and repairs, and
of total building operations, comparing November 1934 with the same
month of a year ago.
Table 7 shows the estimated cost of housekeeping dwellings and th e
number of families provided for in the new dwellings for which per
mits were issued in 772 identical cities during November 1933 and
November 1934, by geographic divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
139
HOUSING
Table 7.—Estimated Cost and Number of Family-Dwelling Units Provided in
772 Identical Cities in November 1933 and November 1934
1-family dwellings
Estimated cost
Geographic division
2-family dwellings
Families pro
vided for
Estimated cost
November November Novem Novem November November
1934
1933
ber 1934 ber 1933
1934
1933
New England_________
Middle Atlantic_______
East North Central____
West North Central____
South Atlantic________
East South C e n tra l____
West South Central____
M ountain.. __________
Pacific_______________
$954,225 $1,078,000
1, 614,915 1,431,025
1,027,440
498,835
394,162
559, 528
1, 203,027
587,169
94,463
49, 700
802, 384
223,961
156, 318
100,300
941,800
1,073,753
Total___________
Percentage change_____
7,486,053
+41.1
5, 304,952
198
330
197
165
323
46
293
56
310
209
259
98
129
142
42
129
26
267
$16, 800
229, 880
38,000
26, 000
63, 950
1,918
+47.4
1,301
547,500
+23.1
Estimated cost
61,950
7,600
103,320
21,100
22, 700
5,830
960
81,718
750
57, 600
444, 658
Families pro
vided for
Estimated cost
November November Novem Novem November November
1934
1933
ber 1934 ber 1933
1934
1933
New England_________
$8,000
0
Middle A tla n tic ...____ 1, 593, 500 $7,884,000
East North C e n tra l___
100, 000
0
West North Central___
4, 500
5.000
South Atlantic________
110,000
27,335
East South Central___
15.000
0
West South Central____
6,000
4.000
M ountain___________ .
14.000
0
Pacific____________ . . .
35, 700
23,600
Total __________
Percentage change........ .
1,886, 700
-76.2
7,943,935
4
495
42
4
2,477
68
6
10
0
13
19
661
-73.6
No
vem
ber
1934
No
vem
ber
1933
5
60
6
79
13
7
49
6
7
6
2
0
28
28
25
28
209
+45.1
144
2
2
Total, all kinds of housekeeping
dwellings
Multifamily dwellings
Geographic division
0
$20,900
233,100
Families pro
vided for
0
0
4
16
4
0
7
2,508
Families pro
vided for
No
vem
ber
1934
No
vem
ber
1933
$979,025
3,438,295
1,165,440
590,028
1,376,977
109,463
870,334
177,918
1, 212, 773
$1,098,900
9, 548,125
519,935
421,862
620, 334
50, 660
309, 679
101,050
1,023,000
208
904
252
176
440
52
331
71
354
214
2, 796
104
140
164
44
161
28
302
9,920, 253
-27.6
13, 693, 545
2,788
-29.5
3,953
There were increases in both the estimated cost and the number of
families provided for in 1-family and 2-family dwellings comparing
the 2 months under discussion.
Indicated expenditures for apartment houses decreased over 76
percent. This was caused by the large decrease in New York City.
103148—3;
■10
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
140
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Construction from Public Funds
ABLE 1 shows for the months of October and November the
value of contracts awarded for Federal construction projects to
be financed from Public Works Administration funds, by geographic
divisions.
T
Table 1.—Value of Contracts Awarded for Federal Construction Projects
Financed From Public Works Administration Funds 1
Building construction
River, harbor, and floodcontrol projects
Public roads
Geographic division
November
1934
October
1934
November
1934
October
1934
November
1934
October
1934
$12, 523,824
$12,240,911
0
Total___________ .
$2, 795, 366
New England- _ ________
Middle Atlantic_________
East North Central. ____
West North Central______
South Atlantic . . . ............
East South Central______
West South Central_____
Mountain____ __________
Pacific___ ______ . . .
Outside continental United
States________________
143, 630
500,915
293,476
586,822
389,551
4, 239
256,629
11,434
345,765
207, 528
639,190
315, 740
121, 581
449, 554
114,158
42, 386
176, 595
213, 023
1,708,773
5,026,391
2,820,425
6, 592,931
1,888, 554
2, 424, 273
2,461,302
3,130,474
2,144,691
584,575
3, 344,170
1,994,194
3,447, 235
2,571,447
1, 747, 614
156,485
2, 535,414
1,014,899
118, 016
1,898,137
214,695
2,781,041
183,670
175,093
7,153,172
0
524,076
873,004
1,846, 367
1,465,913
879,479
1,433,943
3,154,158
1,939, 561
42, 760
262, 905
7,110
0
0
0
81,650
$2, 286,865 $28,197, 814 $17,396,033
Streets and roads 2
Geographic division
Naval vessels
Novem October Novem
ber
ber
1934
1934
1934
Reclamation projects
Octo
ber
1934
___________ $574,012 $378, 916
$62, 697
$17, 531
New England. ________ 135,195
0
Middle A tlan tic___ _
0
37, 757
East North Central____ .
0
24, 272
West North Central______
0
0
South Atlantic . ___
9,247
76,825
East South Central______
5, 000
0
West South Central______ 22,296
1,709
M ountain______________
99,836 237,314
Pacific_____ . . .
241,868
0
Outside continental United
States _______________
60, 570
1,039
0
0
0
0
0
Total
Octo
October Novem
ber
ber
1934
1934
1934
$130,304 $1,129, 360
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
59,357
17, 531
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
123, 548
6, 756
1,083,890
43,270
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2,200
0
0
0 $30,850
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3,340
1 Preliminary, subject to revision.
2 Other than those reported by the Bureau of Public Roads.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
November
1934
Forestry
0
0
22, 062
0
0
2,318
0
6,470
0
0
141
HOUSING
Table 1.—Value of Contracts Awarded for Federal Construction Projects
Financed From Public Works Administration Funds—Continued
Water and sewage
systems
Miscellaneous
Total
Geographic division
November
1934
Total
___ . ______
New England _ ______
Middle A tlantic,.. _____
East North Central___
West North Central__
South Atlantic, _ _____
East South Central______
West South Central______
M ountain________ ____
Pacific_______ _
_
Outside continental United
States ___ _________
October
1934
November
1934
$229,689
$71, 067
$549,443
10,500
0
406
73,152
112,503
18,840
60,776
21,494
15,950
9,037
237,285
1,151
0
25,178
25,569
108, 850
1,013
7,316
35,000
16,263
43,830
3,941
0
0
0
0
22,145
0
0
October
1934
$1,580,424
¡
November
1934
October
1934
$45,161,327 $35,131, 957
^
'
|
¡
35,358
526,854
20,823
19,595
509,966
32,488
61,961
5,131
36,039
1,998, 504
5, 721,814
5,149,719
7,438,857
5.297,376
2,639,689
2,938, 586
10,562, 501
2,992, 628
1,351,537
5, 422,126
4, 223, 458
5,054, 324
4, 531,465
3,328, 203
3,423,169
6, 021, 735
1,353, 932
98,178 ¡
332,209
421, 653
422,008
i
During November contracts valued at over $45,000,000 were
awarded for Federal construction projects to be financed from the
Public Works Administration fund. This is an increase of over
$10,000,000 as compared with October. Increases in contract valua
tion were recorded in the following types of construction: Building,
public roads, river, harbor, and flood-control projects, naval vessels,
and water and sewage systems. Several large projects for river,
harbor, and flood control were awarded during November. At Fort
Peck, Mont., a contract amounting to over $7,000,000 was awarded
for a spillway. A contract amounting to over $1,700,000 was
awarded for levee construction near Clewiston, Fla.
Table 2 shows the value of contracts awarded from Public Works
Administration funds for all non-Federal projects during October and
November 1934, by geographic divisions.
Table 2.—Value of Contracts Awarded for Non-Federal Construction Projects
Financed From Public Works Administration Funds 1
Building construction
Streets and roads 2
Water and sewage sys
tems
Geographic division
November
1934
October
1934
November October
1934
1934
Total________________ $13,398,724 $15,177,787 $2,803,498 $4,099,601
New England______________
Middle Atlantic____________
East North Central_________
West North Central____ _____
South Atlantic______________
East South Central,, _____ _
West South Central__ ______
M ountain__________________
Pacific.. _______ _________
Outside continental United
States____________________
1,315,798
5, 942,010
872,653
329,154
979,097
2,109,030
583,255
381,322
864, 505
2,618, 650
5,057,983
790, 232
1,928, 645
424, 702
435,643
757,041
246,074
2,847,551
907,576
21,900
71, 266
0
1 Preliminary, subject to revision.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0
189,656
676,408
578,621
0
266,321
81,613
103,303
1,975,893
333,517
290,260
647,036
497,684
291,451
November
1934
October
1934
$7,010, 233 $11,818,540
63,760
895,977
723,872
1,779,406
407,984
840,558
133,473
936,301
587,204
661,458
1,145,974
2,185,907
2,814,873
2,192,072
1,255,576
344,786
966,179
412,587
419,745
0
44,000
80,841
0
0
2 Other than those reported by the Bureau of Public Roads.
142
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 2.— Value of Contracts Awarded for Non-Federal Construction Project s
Financed From Public Works Administration Funds— Continued
Railroad construction
and repair
Total
Miscellaneous
Geographic division
October
1934
November
1934
October
1934
Total________________ $14, 604, 023 $4,442,882 $1, 208, 673 $2,679,416
$39, 025,151
$38,218,226
3, 204,498
November
1934
New England. ______ . . . . . .
0
Middle Atlantic . _________ 14, 604, 023
East North C en tral.............. .
0
West North C e n tral________
0
South Atlantic______________
0
East South Central__________
0
West South C entral... ______
0
Mountain___________ ______
0
Pacific______ . . . _____ ____
0
Outside continental United
0
States______________ _____
October
1934
November
1934
85,147
11, 395
314, 302
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
347,591
0
615,087
626, 258
18,220
763
60, 996
11,500
14, 391 1,346,258
26,458
111,663
0
74,202
21, 281,300
2,841, 715
2,039,804
2,399, 039
2, 303, 499
1,800, 268
1,161,802
1, 703,468
6,054,819
12,020,289
4,242,956
5,382,840
2,196,182
1,083,380
3,069,478
685,119
3,331,056
0
223,858
0
289, 758
152,107
0
4, 442, 882
The value of contracts awarded for Public Works Administration
non-Federal projects totaled more than $39,000,000 during November.
This is an increase of nearly $1,000,000 as compared with October.
Non-Federal Public Works construction projects are financed by
loans and grants awarded by the Public Works Administration. For
the most part these awards are made to State governments or to
political subdivisions thereof. In a few cases loans are made to private
firms. By far the larger number of private loans have been made to
railroad companies. In the case of allotments to States, cities, and
counties, the Federal Government grants outright not more than 30
percent of the cost of construction. Loans made to private firms must
be paid in full during the time specified in the loan contract. Interest
is charged for all loans.
Contracts were awarded during November for the following large
projects: An additional award on the New York subway amounting
to nearly $1,100,000; for a wharf and warehouse at Gulfport, Miss.,
to cost nearly $1,000,000; and for the construction of a hospital in
Jersey City, N. J., to cost over $2,000,000.
Table 3 shows the value of contracts awarded or force account work
started during October and November 1934 on Federal construction
projects financed by appropriations made by the Congress direct to
the Federal departments.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
143
HOUSING
Table 3.—Value of Contracts for Federal Construction Projects Financed
From Regular Governmental Appropriations 1
Building construction
River, harbor, and floodcontrol projects
Public roads
Geographic division
November
1934
October
1934
November
1934
October
1934
Total___________
$7,923, 298
$1,515, 505
$1,562,663
$2,871,778
$926,893
$4,821,728
New England _ . . . __
Middle Atlantic__
East North Central. .
West North Central___
South A tlan tic________
East South Central___
West South Central____
M ountain______
Pacific________ ______
O u tsid e c o n tin e n ta l
United S t a t e s ..___
36,453
5,876,187
824,192
8,928
464,999
33, 820
19, 602
3,810
29, 648
27, 303
183,699
395,180
404, 354
225,055
204,985
53,910
6,481
10,953
114,224
0
0
0
0
0
549,875
821,981
716,762
422,483
3, 250
52, 427
85,153
748, 295
24,490
48, 280
137, 660
18,825
49,157
776,961
3,689, 242
37, 768
77,113
625, 659
3,585
0
0
0
0
0
0
76, 583
0
0
0
November
1934
Total___________
New England... . ______
Middle Atlantic_____ _
East North Central. . .
West North Central____
South Atlantic ________
East South Central____
West South Central____
Mountain_____________
Pacific_______ ______
O u tsid e c o n tin e n ta l
United States________
345,337
1, 288, 742
0
98,454
0
Naval vessels
Streets and roads 2
Geographic division
November
1934
November
1934
October
1934
0
October
1934
0
Reclamation projects
October
1934
November
1934
October
1934
$207,685
$44,864
$773,861
$15,879,900
4 $137,800
3 $146,400
0
4,459
2, 550
4,345
0
30,000
7,568, 000
7,128,000
0
0
0
0
0
0
. 42,114
4,859
563,061
271,600
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4,360
0
0
118, 500
161,112
28, 750
62, 300
Water and sewage
systems
0
0
9,000
7,700
13, 000
7, 700
706,400
67,000
39, 900
69,000
43,500
205,900
0
0
0
0
0
0
10,000
0
8,000
Total
Miscellaneous
Geographic division
November
1934
Total___________
New England. ________
Middle A tlantic.. ____
East North Central____
West North Central____
South Atlantic
. ...
East South Central____
West South Central__ _
M ountain__________ .
Pacific___ . . . .
O u tsid e c o n tin e n ta l
United States________
November
1934
October
1934
$20, 408
$10, 750
$255,978
6,419
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13,989
0
0
0
0
0
104, 466
86, 228
13,537
0
5,700
15,000
1, 360
76, 758
0
5, 458
0
854, 529
5,050
0
0
0
0
0
4Includes $4,200 not allocated by geographic divisions.
October
1934
$118,995 4$11, 809, 568 3$25, 409,92C
158, 078
5,947, 212
831,092
97,761
1, 248, 756
205, 201
777,897
635,865
1, 049,157
36, 566
6,900
1 Preliminary, subject to revision.
2 Other than those reported by the Bureau of Public Roads.
3 includes $5,200 not allocated by geographic divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
November
1934
October
1934
9,157
4, 073
0
0
0
15,470
7.631, 500
7,368, 397
878,177
1,724,921
576,958
1, 080,400
3, 770,982
792, 243
1,342,907
238, 235
144
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Contracts awarded during November totaled over $11,000,000.
This compares with $25,000,000 awarded in October.
Valuations shown in table 3 are in addition to work financed from
the Public Works Administration fund. (See tables 1 and 2.)
The following types of construction show increases in valuation,
comparing November 1934 with the previous month: Building,
streets and roads, and water and sewage systems.
Table 4 shows the value of public-building and highway-construc
tion awards as reported by the various State governments for Novem
ber 1933 and for October and November 1934.
Table 4.—Value of Public-Building and Highway-Construction Awards as
Reported by State Governments
Value of awards for public buildings
Value of awards for highway con
struction
Geographic division
November
1934
Total________________ $1,310, 548
New England_____ - Middle A tlan tic___________
East North Central_____ . _
West North Central________
South Atlantic_____________
East South Central_________
West South Central________
. ___ _
Mountain____
Pacific,. _________________
62, 534
11,387
623, 889
33, 397
21, 224
0
544, 631
0
13, 486
October
1934
November November
1933
1934
October
1934
November
1933
$871, 013
$2,139, 587
$4,955, 644
$5, 922, 884
$4. 604, 952
28, 600
266,926
329, 365
141, 665
143, 688
302,116
15,440
134,013
364, 224
1,317,954
1,101,027
890, 360
39,344
177,914
98, 951
26,110
939, 760
204, 275
345, 564
1, 440,075
392,459
394,393
921, 816
21, 844
125,818
566,883
949,419
156,129
23, 282
0
108, 906
0
67,923
550
68, 743
0
597, 230
0
805,435
0
29, 777
2,194, 525
0
90,913
2, 670, 664
Contracts awarded by the various State governments for public
buildings amounted to $1,310,000 in November, an increase of
nearly $500,000 compared with October, but a decrease of over 38 per
cent as compared with November 1933.
Contracts awarded for road building by the State governments
totaled nearly $5,000,000 in November, a decrease of $1,000,000 as
compared with October, but an increase of nearly $400,000 as com
pared with November 1933. The values shown in table 4 do not
include projects financed from Public Works Administration funds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
145
H O U S IN G
R e la tiv e C ost o f M a te ria l an d L ab o r in C o n s tr u c tio n o f W a te r
an d S ew erag e System s
1ALYSIS of 16 completed water and sewerage projects financed
by Public Works Administration loans and grants reveals
that 26.3 percent of the contract price is paid to labor on the
job; that manufacturers of materials received orders to account for
50.4 percent; and that 23.3 percent goes for profit and overhead.
Overhead and miscellaneous includes such items as office workers,
rent, insurance, workmen’s compensation, depreciation of equipment,
etc., and profit.
The contract price for the 16 jobs amounted to $1,045,184. The
projects are located in the following States: Georgia, Illinois, Iowa,
Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Mon
tana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Washington, and Wisconsin.
Nearly 462,000 man-hours of work were provided at the site.
Fabrication of material in the final step before use created over 270,000
man-hours of labor. This accounts only for the labor in fabrication
of material in the form in which it is to be used. For example, only
labor in manufacturing brick is counted, not the labor involved in
taking the clay from the pits or in hauling the clay and other materials
used in the brick plant. In fabricating steel beams only the labor in
the rolling mill is counted, not labor created in mining and smelting
the ore, nor labor in the blast furnaces, the open-hearth furnaces, nor
the blooming mills.
The contract price for individual projects ranged from slightly
more than $7,000 to nearly $375,000.
Table 1 shows the amount and percentage of money spent for pay
rolls, materials, and profit and overhead.
Table 1.—How the Water and Sewerage Construction Dollar Goes
Item
Contract price.
Pay rolls on the job
Cost of materials-_Overhead and miscellaneous
Amount
$1, 045,184
275,116
526, 910
243,158
Percent
100.0
26.3
50.4
23.3
Table 2 shows the value of material used in erecting 16 water and
sewerage projects.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
146
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table
2 .—Value
of Material in Erecting 16 Water and Sewerage Projects,
Public Works Non-Federal Projects, by Type of Material
Value of material
orders placed
Type of material
Value
Bolts, nuts, washers, etc____
- ___
_
__ ___ .
Brick and hollow tile _
. .
..........
Cast-iron pipe and fittings________ - ___ ___ . - - - - - ____ - _____ - ____
Cement and lime
Concrete products- - - - - - Crushed stone___
________
Electric wiring and fixtures___________
__
__
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies _
Engines, turbines, tractors, water wheels, and windmills
__ --Explosives - - - - - - __- - - - - Forgings, iron and steel __
_
Foundry and machine-shop products, not elsewhere classified___
Glass___ ______
______ __________
_ __----- _
Hardware, miscellaneous__ ____________________ _ _
Heating and ventilating equipm ent-.
.
_
Lumber and timber products, not elsewhere classified
Marble, granite, slate, and other stone p ro d u cts___ - Metal doors, shutters, and window sash and frames, molding and trim .
- - - - --. . ______
Nails and sp ik es____ Paints and v a r n is h e s .......................................
. _.
Paving mixtures _
. . _
.........
Petroleum products _____ _ _ ____ . . . ____ _
_
. .
Planing-mill p ro d u cts____ __ _______ ______ ____
_ ________ _
Plumbing supplies .
__
_
______ _ ___
__
--- -............ _ .
Pumps and pumping equipment-- ..............
Roofing materials _
- - - - - - - - __ __
____
Sand and gravel
-- ______
___
Steel-works and rolling-mill products, not elsewhere classified__
Structural and reinforcing steel - _
-_ . _
Tiling, floor and wall, and terrazzo
- ....
...........
Wire products, not elsewhere classified- _
__
Miscellaneous ___________ _____
_
___
___
T o ta l ___ _____________ _______ - ___ ___
___- - -- - -- -
Percent
$99
28,192
172, 675
19, 288
86,183
4, 680
238
2,869
73, 719
1,298
22
40,486
1, 872
679
3,827
23, 602
606
856
42
153
7,235
9, 379
157
458
8,905
438
12,486
4,027
10, 723
29
132
11, 555
526,910
0. 02
5. 35
32. 77
3. 66
16. 35
.89
. 05
. 54
13. 99
. 24
(')
0)
(>)
7.68
. 36
. 13
.73
4. 48
. 15
. 16
.03
1.37
1.78
.03
. 09
1.69
. 08
2. 37
.76
2.03
.03
2.19
100. 00
1 Less than 1/100 of 1 percent.
Of the $527,000 spent for materials for use on these projects, over
$172,000, or 32.8 percent, was spent for cast-iron pipe and fittings.
Concrete products accounted for 16.4 percent of each dollar and
engines and turbines 14 percent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Average Wage and Salary Payments in Various Industries in
Ohio, 1916 to 1932: Part 3
By F red C. C r o x to n , C o lu m bu s , O hio ,
and
F r a n k C. C r o x to n , W h it in g , I n d .
ANUFACTURE of textiles, manufacture of tobacco, and mis
cellaneous manufactures are the groups covered in this article,
which concludes the series of studies published in the Monthly Labor
Review, beginning in January 1934. These three groups have been
combined due to the necessity for economy in printing.
As explained in previous studies, changes in average wage and
salary payments do not provide any measure of changes in wage or
salary scales or rates of pay, nor do the average wage and salary pay
ments show full-time earnings for any year. Full-time earnings may
be either greater or less than the computed average wage and salary
payment.
M
Source and Scope of Study
T h e reports made annually, as required by law, to the Division of
Labor Statistics, Department of Industrial Relations of Ohio, form
the basis of this study, and of others published in recent issues of the
Monthly Labor Review. The reports were furnished by Ohio em
ployers immediately after the close of each calendar year and show,
among other items, the number of persons employed on the 15th of
each month and total wage and salary payments during the year.
Employers are not requested to furnish, in connection with such
reports, information concerning full-time, part-time, and overtime
work and reduction of hours and other plans for spreading work
during slack periods.
Prior to 1924, reports were requested of all employers of five or
more persons, and beginning with 1924 reports have been requested
of all employers of three or more. Some reports were received each
year from employers of fewer than the minimum indicated and all
such reports are included in the compilations. The number of estab
lishments reporting varied from year to year, but the returns were
from identical establishments throughout the 12 months of each year.
Reports are not requested concerning government employment and
interstate transportation.
Employers in their annual reports to the Ohio Division of Labor
Statistics show the number of persons employed on the 15th of each
147
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
148
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
month. The average was computed by dividing by 12 the sum of
the numbers employed on the 15th of each month.
In their annual returns, employers were requested to report for
the year total wage and salary payments in dollars, including bonuses
and premiums and value of board and lodging furnished. Employers
were instructed not to include salaries of officials.
Average wage and salary payments were computed by dividing
total wage and salary payments by average number of persons
employed.
M an u fa ctu re o f Textiles
In
manufacture of textiles in Ohio the average number of
employees (wage earners; bookkeepers, stenographers and office
clerks; and salespeople—not traveling) declined 26.7 percent from
1929 to 1932, total wage and salary payments decreased 48.5 percent,
and average wage and salary payments decreased 29.8 percent.
During the 17 years covered by this study the average number of
employees reached the highest point in 1923 and both total and
average wage and salary payments reached the highest amount in
1926. Employment reached the lowest point in 1932 and both total
and average wage and salary payments the lowest amount in 1916.
Table 1 shows by general occupation groups the average number of
persons reported employed each year. The highest average number
of wage earners and of bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks
was employed in 1923 and the lowest in 1932.
t h e
Table 1.—Average Number of Persons (Both Sexes) Employed in the Manufacture
of Textiles, 1916 to 1932, by General Occupation Groups
Number of employees
Year
1916 i____________________
1917 1_______________
1918____________
1919___________________
1920________________
1921_______
1922________________
1923_________________
1924. __________ . .
1925______________
1926_________________
1927_____________________
1928_____________________
1929_____________________
1930____ _______
__
1931__________________
1932________________
Number of
establish
Bookkeepers,
ments
Salespeople All employees
Wage earners stenographers,
and office
(not travel
clerks
ing)
719
751
757
767
810
680
689
679
687
705
707
679
662
647
627
587
567
40,336
41,291
40, 503
39, 364
41, 058
34,170
37,556
44, 316
40, 234
41,601
43, 721
42,138
41, 500
43, 272
38, 674
34, 359
31, 788
2, 330
2, 535
2,486
2, 786
2,959
2, 661
2,467
3, 285
2, 953
3, 066
3, 228
2, 915
2,916
2,972
2, 675
2, 405
2,131
2 385
2 320
266
326
294
253
292
278
290
297
312
259
252
235
223
180
170
43, 051
44,146
43, 255
42,476
44, 311
37, 033
40, 315
47,879
43, 476
44, 965
47, 261
45, 312
44, 669
46, 479
41, 572
36, 944
34, 088
1 Manufacture of mattresses classified by Ohio Division of Labor Statistics under “ Manufacture of
textiles” beginning in 1918 and therefore transferred in this study from “ Miscellaneous manufactures”
for 1916 and 1917.
2 Number of salespeople (not traveling) in the manufacture of mattresses and spring beds not known
Total wage and salary payments $2,488 in 1916 and $8,565 in 1917.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
149
WAGES AND HOURS OE LABOR
More than 90 percent of the employees in the manufacture of
textiles were classified as wage earners in each year of the period
covered. Table 2 shows fluctuation in employment of wage earners
from 1930 to 1932. Maximum employment in the 17-year period
was 45,693 in October 1926 and minimum employment was 27,260
in July 1932. The month of second lowest employment was January
1921.
Table
2 .—Fluctuation
in Employment of Wage Earners (Both Sexes) in the
Manufacture of Textiles, 1930 to 1932 1
Number of wage earners
(both sexes) employ
ed in—
Month
January
February_________ _ __
March_______________
April_______________
May.. ____ _________
Ju n e .,.
...
_ _ __
July__________________
August.
September.. ___ ______
October .. .. _____ .
1930
1931
1932
40, 531
41,216
40, 906
40, 954
40,317
39,871
36,844
37,101
37, 427
37,426
33, 702
34,892
35,235
35,024
34, 635
34,986
33. 780
34, 700
35| 857
34, 509
31,661
33, 757
33,649
31, 304
30, 739
30,255
27, 260
28,974
33, 010
34,967
Number of wage earners
(both sexes) employ
ed in—
Month
1930
1931
1932
November
December. .
36,314
35,183
33, 248
31,761
34, 061
31,814
Maximum
Minimum
Variation from maxi
mum—
Number
Percent
Number of establish
ments. .- ___________
41, 216
35,183
35,857
31, 761
34,967
27, 260
6, 033
14 6
4, 096
11 4
7, 707
22. 0
627
587
567
1 For years 1916 to 1929 see Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 553.
Table 3.—Average Wage and Salary Payments in the Manufacture of Textiles,
1916 to 1932, by General Occupation Groups 1
Average wage and salary
payments to—
Year
1916 2________
1917 2________
1918_________
1919_________
1920 ______
1921 _______
1922_________
1923_________
1924_________
Num
ber of
Book
estab
keepers,
lish Wage stenog
ments earners raphers,
and
office
clerks
3 719
3 751
757
767
810
680
6 689
679
687
$540
592
700
856
1,054
1, 043
967
1,012
1,039
$806
814
1,032
1,128
1,382
1,519
1,378
1,336
1,396
All
em
ployees
1 $562
* 610
724
878
1,081
1,082
998
1.039
1,070
Average wage and salary
payments to—
Year
1925...... ......
1926_________
1927_________
1928_________
1929_________
1930_________
1931_________
1932_________
Num
ber of
Book
estab
keepers,
lish Wage stenog
A11
em
ments earners raphers,
and
ployees
office
clerks
705 $1,069
707
1, 080
679
1,055
662 1,035
647 1,026
954
627
587
865
567
705
$1,463
1, 360
1,458
1,417
1,449
1,502
1,389
1,303
$1,105
1, 107
1,087
1,066
1,062
996
904
746
1 Averages for salespeople (not traveling) not computed, owing to small number involved.
2See note 1 to table 1.
3 Number of establishments reporting employees; number reporting total wage and salary payments
greater by 5.
4 Amounts indicated in note to table 1 deducted before computing averages.
3 Number of establishments reporting employees; number reporting total wage and salary payments
less by 3.
6 Number of establishments reporting employees; number reporting total wage and salary payments
greater by 2.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
150
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 3 (p. 149) shows average wage and salary payments to wage
earners, to bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks, and to the
general occupation groups combined. Averages for salespeople (not
traveling) were not computed because of the small number involved.
The average wage and salary payments to wage earners reached
the highest amount in 1926 and declined each year since. The lowest
average paid was in 1916. The average payment to bookkeepers,
stenographers, and office clerks reached the highest amount in 1921
and the lowest in 1916.
Chart 1 shows graphically average wage and salary payments to
wage earners.
F i g u r e 1.—A v e r a g e W a g e
and Salary Pa y m en ts to
m a n u f a c t u r e o f T e x t i l e s , 1916 t o
W a g e Ea r n e r s
1932
in t h e
Industries in the Manufacture of Textiles
S everal of the smaller industries classified by the Ohio Division
of Labor Statistics under the manufacture of textiles have been com
bined in this study under “ Textiles, other.” The manufacturing
industries combined are: Bags, other than paper; buttonholes; car
pets and rugs; cotton goods, including small wares; dyeing, finishing,
and sponging textiles; men’s furnishing goods; hats and caps, other
than felt, straw, and wool; horse clothing; oil cloth and linoleum;
shoddy; and textiles, not otherwise classified.
Table 4 shows average wage and salary payments to wage earners
in each of 12 industries and in the group “ Textiles, other.” These
averages should not be taken as exact measures but as approximate
figures.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
151
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
The highest average wage and salary payment during the period
covered was in 1920 for women’s clothing, gloves, and woolen and
worsted, in 1921 for men’s clothing, in 1923 for custom tailoring and
mattresses, pillows, etc., in 1924 for cordage, etc., in 1926 for millinery
and lace goods, in 1927 for hosiery and knit goods and the group
“ Other”, and in 1929 for awnings, etc., flags, banners, and regalia,
and silk and silk goods. The lowest average was paid in 1916 for 9
industries and the group “ Other”, in 1917 for flags, banners, and
regalia, and in 1932 for gloves and silk and silk goods.
Table 4.—Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in the
Manufacture of Textiles, 1916 to 1932, by Industries
Year
1916_________________________
1917_________________________
1918_________________________
1919_________________________
1920_________________________
1921________________________
1922_________________________
1923_________________________
1924______________________
1925_________________________
1926_________________________
1927_________________________
1928_________________________
1929_________________________
1930_________________________
1931_________________________
1932_________________________
Year
1916_________________________
1917_________________________
1918_________________________
1919_________________________
1920_________________________
1921_________________________
1922_________________________
1923_________________________
1924_________________________
1925_________________________
1926_________________________
1927_________________________
1928_________________________
1929_________________________
1930_________________________
1931_________________________
1932_________________________
Awnings, Clothing,
Custom
tents,
men’s, Clothing, Cordage,
Flags,
twine, tailoring, banners,
and sails, includ women’s, jute,
Gloves,
and
men’s
including ing shirts including linen
and
cloth
and
auto
and coat corsets
regalia
goods women’s
fabrics
pads
$519
707
686
940
1,142
1,018
(2)
984
(2)
1,083
1,036
1,079
1,161
1,203
1,106
950
769
Hosiery
and knit
goods
$429
467
565
665
787
763
(2)
830
864
852
878
913
896
886
900
765
682
$505
(«)
636
803
1,059
1,249
(2)
1,054
1,053
1,108
1,104
997
1,003
995
925
870
667
$459
569
722
734
912
753
(2)
900
956
937
917
929
872
862
856
807
841
$637
705
801
1,066
1,296
1,186
(2)
1,168
1,178
1, 294
1,295
1, 242
1, 147
1,091
1,010
868
753
$604
(')
653
936
1,226
1, 100
(2)
1,389
1,312
1,212
1, 263
1, 244
1,309
1,335
1,081
985
824
$522
405
670
809
983
915
(2)
971
953
977
977
1,014
1,023
1,037
983
894
599
Millinery
Woolen,
and lace
worsted,
Silk and
Mattresses, goods,
in silk
and woolpillows,
goods,
cluding
goods,
including felt
and cotton artificial
including
felts
flowers and throwsters
fur and
felt hats
feathers
$655
706
780
965
1,165
996
(2)
1,187
1,126
1,149
1,171
1,184
1,130
1,144
1,133
979
798
$548
584
713
915
1,108
1,000
(2)
998
1,024
1,047
1,168
1,112
1, 111
1,018
994
936
733
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
$1, 002
(2)
1,071
1,173
1,213
1,171
1,216
1,231
1,276
1,193
1,027
905
$504
650
925
799
1,075
887
(2)
930
937
965
869
926
964
1,013
919
792
644
$450
410
510
578
700
555
(2)
626
629
595
698
693
635
642
545
469
346
Tex
tiles,
other
$563
597
742
894
1,017
918
(2)
944
945
1,146
1,206
1,366
1,106
1,110
1,070
987
854
1 Apparently some employees classified under custom tailoring should be under manufacture of men’s
clothing, but further verification not possible, therefore omitted.
2 Data not available.
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152
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Indexes of Employment and Wage and Salary Payments
T able 5 shows indexes of average number of wage earners employed
and of total and average wage and salary payments to wage earners.
The base is the year 1926. The indexes cover the period during which
the Ohio Division of Labor Statistics has requested reports annually
from all employers of 3 or more persons. Indexes are shown for the
manufacture of textiles and for each of 12 industries.
The 1932 index for employment of wage earners was above 75 for
7 of the 12 industries and below 50 for 3 industries. The 1932 index
for total wage and salary payments to wage earners was above 50 for
7 industries and below 25 for 2 industries. The 1932 index for average
wage and salary payments to wage earners was above 75 for 3 indus
tries and below 60 in 2 industries.
Custom tailoring shows the lowest indexes for employment of wage
earners and total wage and salary payments. In that industry, the
1932 index for employment was 18.4, for total wage and salary pay
ments 12, and for average wage and salary payments 65.2.
Chart 2 shows graphically the indexes for the manufacture of
textiles.
Table 5.—Indexes of Average Number of Wage Earners Employed and Total
and Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in the Manufacture
of Textiles, 1924 to 1932, by Industries
[1926 = 100.0]
Awnings, tents, and
sails,
including
auto fabrics
Textiles
Year
1924_________
1925_________
1926_________
1927_________
1928________
1929_________
1930_________
1931_________
1932_________
Wage
earn
ers (av
erage
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
92.0
95.2
88,5
94.1
100. 0
100. 0
96.4
94.9
99.0
88.5
78.6
72.7
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
94. 1
90.9
93.9
78.1
63.0
47.4
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
96.2
99.0
100.0
Wage
earn
ers av
erage
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
80.5
108.5
113.0
(0
0)
104.5
100.0
102. 6
97.7
95.8 101.5
95.0 118.3
88.3
98.2
80. 1 90.9
65. 3 78.0
100.0
106.8
113.6
137.4
104.8
83.4
57.8
Clothing, men’s, in
cluding shirts and
coat pads
Wage
earn
ers (av
erage
num
ber)
84.2
94.6
100.0
100.0
112.1
116. 1
102.1
104. 2
106.8
91.7
74.2
97.0
93.4
93.4
84.1
79.2
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
80.3
95.0
100.0
87.6
84.9
92.0
78.3
66.3
47.8
Clothing, women’s,
including corsets
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
Wage
earn
ers (av
erage
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
95.4
100.4
117.9
96.3
107.2
96.2
100.0
90.3
90.9
90.1
83.8
78.8
60.4
100.0
124.6
137.6
133.3
125.1
120.4
91.2
100.0
119. 5
121.9
112.3
97.6
80.7
53.0
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
91.0
99.9
100.0
95.9
88.6
84.2
78.0
67.0
58.1
153
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Table 5.—Indexes of Average Number of Wage Earners Employed and Total
and Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in the Manufacture
of Textiles, 1924 to 1932, by Industries— Continued
Cordage, twine, jute and
linen goods
Year
1924____________
1925_________
1926_____
1927_
1928_______
1929____
.
1930__________
1931____
1932__________
1924_ _
1925___________
1926_______
.
1927_________
1928__________
1929__
1930_________ _
1931__
1932_________
107.3
96.8
112. 0
100.0
100.0
96.7
99.1
99.3
84.7
85.2
78.4
104.3
99.0
102.2
100.0
97.9
94.3
93.4
79. 1
75.0
72.0
101.3
95.1
94.0
93.3
88.0
91.7
1924__________
1925_
1926 _
1927_
1928_
1929_
1930_
1931 „
1932_
97.8
101.0
100.0
66 2
67.0
47.8
25.4
21.4
18.4
101.6
96.9
100.0
65.2
69.4
50.4
21. 7
16.7
12.0
103.9
96.0
100.0
98.5
103.6
105.7
85.6
78.0
65.2
Hosiery and knit goods
130.4
129.8
100.0
122.0
141.7
145.8
126.4
110.2
86.7
127.2
129.8
100.0
126.5
148.3
154.7
128.9
100.8
53.1
97. 5
100.0
100.0
103.8
104.7
106. 1
100.6
91.5
61.3
Mattresses, pillows, and
cotton felts
Wage
Total Average Wage
Total Average Wage
Total Average
earners wage and wage and earners wage and wage and earners wage and wage and
(average salary
salary (average salary
salary (average salary
salary
numpaypaynumpaynumpaypaypayber)
ments
ment
ber)
ments
ment
ber)
ments
ment
112. 7
97.1
100.0
111.2
94.8
101. 6
95.8
63.9
56.5
101.5
82.8
100.0
110.4
86.2
93. 5
74.8
42. 9
28.0
90. 1
85.2
100.0
99.3
91.0
92 0
78.1
67 2
49.6
Millinery and lace goods,
including artificial flow
ers and feathers
Year
Flags, banners, and regalia
Wage
Total Average Wage
Total Average Wage
Total Average
earners wage and wage and earners wage and wage and earners wage anc wage and
(average salary
salary (average salary
salary (average salary
salary
numpaypaynumpaypaynumpaypayber)
ments
ment
ber)
ments
ment
ber)
ments
ment
Gloves, cloth
Year
Custom tailoring, men’s
and women’s
Wage
earners
(average
number)
85.5
85.8
100.0
92.0
80.6
55.7
48. 3
35.6
38.8
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Total
wage
and
salary
payments
75.0
76.9
100.0
87.5
76.7
48.5
41.1
28. 5
24.3
101. 5
106. 7
100.0
96.2
95. 6
98.5
90.4
75.2
91.9
103.4
100. 0
100.1
97. 5
99.4
92.6
65.6
71.3
87.7
89.6
95.2
95. 1
87.2
85.1
80. 1
62.8
104. 0
102.1
100.9
102.5
87. 1
77.7
76.9
86.2
100.0
79.9
79.4
87.8
66.3
56.1
47. 1
73.9
84.6
100.0
80.8
76.7
85.8
64. 1
46.9
32. 1
96. 2
98.1
100.0
101.1
96. 5
97.7
96.8
83.6
68.1
Silk and silk goods, includ- Woolen, worsted, and woolfelt goods, including fur
throwsters
and felt hats
Average
Total
wage
Wage
wage
and
earners
and
salary (average salary
pay- number) payment
ments
100.0
97.0
100.0
65.7
82.4
100.0
88.8
90.7
91. 1
90.4
90.5
78. 6
65.8
85.3
100.0
92. 2
95.3
99.2
92. 1
79.4
60.8
Average
Total
wage
Wage
wage
and
earners; and
salary (average salary
pay- number! Payment
ments
100.2
103.6
100.0
103.8
105.1
109.0
101.9
87.7
77.3
97.4
93.6
100. 0
95.7
81.3
100.1
96. 5
75.6
71.3
105.1
104.0
100.0
102.0
90.2
116.7
102.1
68.9
52.9
Average
wage
and
salary
payment
107.8
111. 0
100.0
106.6
110.9
116.6
105.8
91. 1
74.1
154
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
F i g u r e 2.— In d e x e s o f W a g e E a r n e r s E m p l o y e d a n d W a g e a n d S a l a r y
P A Y M E N T S T O W A G E E A R N E R S IN T H E M A N U F A C T U R E O F T E X T I L E S , 1924 T O
1932
M a n u factu re o f Tobacco
I n t h e manufacture of tobacco the highest average wage and salary
payment to all occupations combined during the 17 years was $957
in 1920 and the lowest was $457 in 1916. The average payment in
1932 was $525 which was the lowest since 1917. In this industry
group employment and total and average wage and salary payments
have declined each year since 1926.
Table 6.—Average Number of Persons (Both Sexes) Reported Employed in the
Manufacture of Tobacco, 1916 to 1932, by General Occupation Groups
Number of employees
Year
1916__________________________
1917__________________________
1918__________________________
1919__________________________
1920__________________________
1921__________________________
1922__________________________
1923__________________________
1924__________________________
1925__________________________
1926__________________________
1927__________________________
1928__________________________
1929__________________________
1930__________________________
1931__________________________
1932__________________________
Number
of estab
lishments
242
239
246
249
269
226
210
213
191
175
172
160
157
137
144
133
127
Wage earn
ers
12,065
13,405
12,991
13,211
15,725
13, 400
12, 756
12,995
12, 667
10, 680
11,071
10, 631
10,079
8,930
8,250
7,245
6,334
Bookkeepers, Salespeople
stenogra
(not travel
phers, and
ing)
office clerks
24
185
185
190
217
247
20
21
32
22
29
202
203
219
203
192
216
198
191
171
143
133
122
(0
0)
0)
0)
(')
(0
(0
(')
0)
0)
(0
All employ
ees
12, 273
13, 610
13, 203
13,459
15,994
13, 631
12,959
13,213
12,870
10,872
11, 287
10, 830
10,270
9,101
8 ,393
7, 378
6,457
i
Carried with “ Manufactures, not otherwise classified” in tabulations of Ohio Division of Labor
Statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
155
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
The average number of persons reported employed in each of the
three general occupation groups is shown in table 6. The highest
average was reported in 1920 and the lowest in 1932. There was a
decline each year since 1926.
More than 95 percent of the employees in the manufacture of
tobacco were classified each year as wage earners. Table 7 shows for
that occupation group fluctuation in employment from 1930 to 1932.
Maximum employment reported during the 17-year period was 16,259
in June 1920 and minimum employment was 5,644 in June 1932.
Table 7.—Fluctuation in Employment of Wage Earners (Both Sexes) in the
Manufacture of Tobacco, 1930 to 1932 1
Number of wage earners
(both sexes) employed
in—
Month
January---- ----------- . . .
February. ------- ---------M arch. . ____________
April .. -------- -------M ay___ __________ . . .
J u n e ... .. . . . - -------July_________________
August... ----------- . _ _
September______ ____ _
October---- -- -------------
1930
1931
1932
7,926
8,674
8, 241
8, 421
8,151
8,318
7,974
8, 271
8,242
8,404
5,740
7,181
7,945
7, 748
8,318
7,718
7, 258
7,109
6,954
7,180
6,452
6,748
6,705
6,917
6, 597
5, 644
5, 963
6, 290
6,492
6,064
Number of wage earners
(both sexes) employed
in—
Month
1932
1930
1931
N ovem ber_______
December. --------------
8,158
8,219
7, 013
6,773
6,109
6,029
----- . . .
Maximum. .
M inimum. __________
Variation from maxi
mum—
Number ___
Percent. -------------Numberof establishments.
8, 674
8,318
5,740
6,917
5,644
748
2, 578
31.0
133
1,273
18.4
127
7,926
8.6
144
1 For years 1916 to 1929 see Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 553.
Average wage and salary payments in the manufacture of tobacco
are shown in table 8. The highest average payment was reported in
1920 and the lowest in 1916. There was a decline each year since 1926.
Table 8.—Average Wage and Salary Payments in the Manufacture of Tobacco,
1916 to 1932, by General Occupation Groups 1
Year
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924_____________
Number
of establistments
242
239
246
249
269
226
2 210
213
191
Average wage and
salary payments
to—
Wage
earners
$448
492
558
645
948
690
693
741
553
Year
All em
ployees
$457
499
571
657
957
705
2 705
2 752
3 562
1925_____________
1926_____________
1927_____________
1928_____________
1929_____________
1930_____________
1931_____________
1932____________
Number
of estab
lish
ments
175
172
160
157
137
144
133
127
Average wage and
salary payments
to—
Wage
earners
$713
717
688
676
660
627
599
507
All em
ployees
3 $726
3 729
3 701
3 691
3 676
3 643
3 614
3 525
1 Bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks—averages not computed owing to small number in
volved. Salespeople (not traveling)—1916 to 1921, average not computed owing to small number involved;
1922 to 1932, carried with “ Manufactures, not otherwise classified” in tabulations of Ohio Division of
Labor Statistics.
2 Number of establishments reporting employees; number reporting total wage and salary payments
was greater by 4.
2
Total wage and salary payments to salespeople (not traveling) deducted before computing average, as
average number in that group could not be determined from detailed tabulation.
103148—35------ 11
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
156
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 9 shows average wage and salary payments to wage earners
in each of the 3 industries each year, 1918 to 1932. These averages
should not be taken as exact measures but as approximate figures.
The highest average payment was reported in 1920 in 2 indus
tries and in 1930 in 1. The lowest (omitting 1924 for chewing and
smoking tobacco and snuff) was reported in 1918 in 1 industry and
in 1932 in 2.
Table 9.—Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in the
Manufacture of Tobacco, 1918 1 to 1932, by Industries
Chewing
and smok Cigars
ciga
ing tobacco and
rettes
and snuff
Year
1918__________
___
1919
1920
___
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925_________
$681
742
964
877
0
903
(3)
1,004
Tobacco
re han
dlers
$549
643
975
673
0
743
570
696
$509
575
754
628
0
Chewing
and smok Cigars
ciga
ing tobacco and
rettes
and snuff
Year
597
623
581
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
___
$999
990
Tobacco
rehan
dlers
$682
658
637
617
579
518
413
1,000
987
1,011
1,003
811
$631
561
556
530
519
573
493
1 Data by industries not available for 1916 and 1917.
2 Data not available.
3 Omitted due to apparent error in reporting or tabulating; no further verification possible.
Indexes of Employment and Wage and Salary Payments
I n d e x e s of average number of wage earners employed and of total
and average wage and salary payments to wage earners are shown in
table 10 for the manufacture of tobacco as a whole and for each of the
3 industries. The base is the year 1926. The indexes for each of the
three items in the manufacture of tobacco as a whole and in cigars
and cigarettes show a decline each year since 1926, except for a slight
increase in one item in 1928.
Table 10.—Indexes of Average Number of Wage Earners Employed and Total
and Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in the Manufacture
of Tobacco, 1924 to 1932, by Industries
[1926=100.0]
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff
Manufactures of tobacco
Year
1924______________________
1925______________________
1926______________________
1927______________________
1928______________________
1929______________________
1930______________________
1931______________________
1932______________________
Average Wage earn Total wage Average
Wage earn Total wage wage
and ers (average and salary wage and
ers (average and salary salary
pay number)
pay
number) payments
payments salary
ment
ment
114.4
96.5
100.0
96.0
91.0
80.7
74.5
65.4
57.2
88.3
96.0
100.0
92.2
85.8
74.3
65.2
54.7
40.5
77.1
99.4
100.0
96.0
94.3
92.1
87.4
83.5
70.7
81.2
78.6
100.0
96.5
89.4
87.6
76.0
73.3
87.6
0
78.9
100.0
95.6
89.5
86.5
77.0
73.6
71.1
1Omitted due to apparent error in reporting or tabulating; no further verification possible.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0
100.5
100.0
99.1
100.1
98.8
101.2
100.4
81.2
157
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Table 1 0 .— Indexes of Average Number of Wage Earners Employed and Total
and Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in the Manufacture
of Tobacco, 1924 to 1932, by Industries—Continued
Cigars and cigarettes
Year
1924______________________
1925______________________
1926______________________
1927_____ ________________
1928______________________
1929______________________
1930______________________
1931______________________
1932______________________
Tobacco rehandlers
Average Wage earn Total wage Average
Wage earn Total wage wage
and ers (average and salary wage and
ers (average and salary salary
pay number)
pay
number) payments
payments salary
ment
ment
126.8
102.7
100.0
97.1
97.3
80.9
70.9
69.0
54.7
106.0
104.8
100.0
93.6
90.9
73.5
60.2
52.4
33.1
83.6
102.1
100.0
96.5
93.4
90.5
84.9
76.0
60.6
90.8
85.3
100.0
91.4
66.8
74.1
88.2
44.7
43.0
89.7
78.6
100.0
81.4
58.9
62.3
72.5
40.6
33.7
98.7
92.1
100.0
88.9
88.1
84.0
82.3
90.8
78.1
M iscellaneous M an u factu res
I n m is c e l l a n e o u s manufactures in Ohio during the 17 years, 1916
to 1932, the highest average wage and salary payment to all occupation
groups combined was $1,458 in 1926 and the lowest $759 in 1916. The
average in 1932 was $1,043 which was the lowest since 1917.
The decline in average wage and salary payments from 1929 to
1932 was $439, or 31.8 percent, for wage earners; $297, or 16.3 percent,
feu bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks; and $398, or 27.6
percent, for the 3 general occupation groups (including salespeople—not traveling) combined.
The Ohio Division of Labor Statistics classified the manufacture of
mattresses and spring beds and the manufacture of airplanes and
parts and ship and boat building under miscellaneous manufactures
during the first years of the period covered. Beginning with 1918,
the manufacture of mattresses was classified by the Ohio division
under the manufacture of textiles and beginning with 1919 the other
two industries were classified under the manufacture of vehicles. In
order to secure in this study as far as possible, a comparison of the
same groups throughout the period from 1916 to 1932, all data con
cerning the three industries enumerated above (except as noted in table
11) have been transferred from miscellaneous manufactures to the
manufacture of textiles and the manufacture of vehicles. The figures
in this study, therefore, will not be in agreement in 1916 to 1918 with
the study of Average Wage and Salary Payments in Manufactures
published in the Monthly Labor Review for March 1934.
Table 11 shows the average number of persons reported employed
in each of the three general occupation groups.
The highest average number of wage earners was employed in 1918
with 1929 second in order. The lowest average was reported in 1921.
The highest average number of bookkeepers, stenographers, and office
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158
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
clerks was employed in 1929 and the lowest in 1916. For the three
general occupation groups combined, the highest average was reported
in 1929 with 1918 second in order and the lowest was reported in 1921.
Table 11.—Average Number of Persons (Both Sexes) Reported Employed in
Miscellaneous Manufactures, 1916 to 1932, by General Occupation Groups
[Figures for 1916 to 1918 will not be in agreement with the study of Average Wage and Salary Payments
in Manufactures, Monthly Labor Review for March 1934, due to transfer of industries. See statement
in text]
Number of employees
Year
1916__________________________
1917__________________________
1918__________________________
1919__________________________
1920__________________________
1921__________________________
1922__________________________
1923_________ ________________
1924__________________________
1925__________________________
1926__________________________
1927__________________________
1928__________________________
1929__________________________
1930__________________________
1931__________________________
1932__________________________
Number of
establish
Bookkeepers,
stenog
ments
Wage earners raphers,
and
office clerks
604
649
690
694
776
686
700
733
798
878
898
946
949
959
982
950
884
47,444
45,466
66,876
49, 861
52,949
31,754
37,800
41,902
44,093
48, 764
54,994
54,682
58,801
66,319
55,063
44,971
36,959
4,401
4,826
3 7,168
6,195
6,990
5,757
5,596
5,842
6,444
6,946
7,952
7,951
8,596
9,685
8, 729
8,050
7,203
Salespeople
(not travel All employees
ing)
i 483
2 467
3 470
308
302
306
270
314
317
391
355
367
347
406
347
329
348
152,328
2 50,758
<74,514
56,365
60,241
37, 816
43,666
48,058
50,854
56,100
63,302
63,001
67,744
76,410
64,139
53,350
44,510
1 Includes few salespeople in the manufacture of mattresses and spring beds and ship and boat building.
Number could not be determined. Total wage and salary payments $2,488 and $7,200, respectively, and
those amounts were added before computing the average shown in table 13.
2 Includes few salespeople in the manufacture of mattresses and spring beds and ship and boat building.
Number could not be determined. Total wage and salary payments $8,565 and $2,600, respectively, and
those amounts were added before computing the average shown in table 13.
3 Includes bookkeepers, stenographers, and office clerks in the manufacture of airplanes and parts.
Number could not be determined. Total wage and salary payment $46,627 was added before computing
the average shown in table 13.
1 Includes few salespeople in the manufacture of airplanes and parts. Number could not be determined.
Total wage and salary payment $2,700.
3 Amounts shown in 2 preceding notes added before computing average shown in table 13.
More than 80 percent of the employees in miscellaneous manufac
tures were classified each year as wage earners. Table 12 shows for
that general occupation group fluctuation in employment from 1930
to 1932. Maximum employment for the 17-year period was 76,308
in November 1918, and minimum employment was 29,872 in January
1922, which was a reduction of 46,436, or 60.9 percent in a period of
3 years and 2 months following the World War armistice.
Average wage and salary payments in miscellaneous manufactures
are shown in table 13.
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159
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Table
1 2 .—Fluctuation
in Employment of Wage Earners (Both Sexes) in
Miscellaneous Manufactures, 1930 to 1932 1
Number of wage earners
(both sexes) employed
in—
Month
1930
January—,
February,..
_
__
M arch___
April
M ay______
June_________________
July_________________
August. — ___ .... _ __
September,
__
O ctober______________
55,989
56,633
59,389
61,174
60, 525
58,427
54,928
53,440
52,008
50, 385
1931
Month
1932
44,629 39,688
45, 000 40, 534
46, 294 . 39,681
47,450 38,181
48,073 38,175
47,959 37, 771
46,173 35, 684
44, 742 33,877
44,392 34,167
42, 650 35,215
Number of wage earners
(both sexes) employed
in—
1930
November
__.
49,181
December_____________ 48,678
1931
1932
41, 662
40,625
35, 718
34,820
Maximum____________ 61,174 48,073
M inimum......................... 48,678 40,625
Variation from maximum—
Num ber_________
12,496 7,448
Percent___ ______
20.4
15. 5
Number of establish
982
ments______________
950
40, 534
33,877
6,657
16.4
884
1 For years 1916 to 1929 see Bureau of Labor Statistics Bui. No. 553.
The highest average wage ancfsalary payment to wage earners was
in 1920 with 1926 second in order, and the lowest was in 1916. The
highest average payment to bookkeepers, stenographers, and office
clerks was in 1925 and the lowest in 1916. The average payment to
the three general occupation groups combined was highest in 1926
and lowest in 1916. The average payment in 1932 to wage earners
and to the general occupation groups combined was the lowest since
1917. Chart 3 shows graphically average payments to wage earners.
Table 13.—Average Wage and Salary Payments in Miscellaneous Manufactures,
1916 to 1932, by General Occupation Groups 1
[Figures for 1916 to 1918 will not [be in agreement with the study of Average Wage and Salary Paym ents
in Manufactures, Monthly Labor Review for March 1934, due to transfer of industries. See statement
in text]
Average wage and salary
payments to—
Year
1916_________
1917_________
1918_________
1919 ________
1920_________
1921_________
1922_________
1923_________
1924_________
Num
ber of
Book
estab
All
lish Wage keepers,
stenog
em
ments earners
raphers, ployees
and office
clerks
2 604
3 649
690
694
776
686
* 700
733
798
$745
799
1,090
1,161
1,432
1,206
1,166
1,224
1,309
$891
1,021
1,151
1,262
1,437
1,436
1,441
1, 504
1,566
$759
824
1,099
1,176
1,435
1,247
1,204
1,273
1,347
Average wage and salary
payments to—
Year
1925_________
1926_________
1927_________
1928_________
1929_________
1930_________
1931_________
1932_________
Num
ber of
Book
estab
lish Wage keepers,
All
stenog
em
ments earners
raphers, ployees
and office
clerks
878 $1,341
898 1,420
946 1,387
949 1,373
959 1,379
982 1,285
950 1,196
884
940
$1,835
1,676
1,785
1,783
1,823
1,798
1,825
1,526
$1,410
1,458
1,443
1,431
1,441
1,361
1,297
1,403
1 Average for salespeople (not traveling) not computed, owing to small number involved.
2 Number of establishments reporting employees; the number reporting total wage and salary payments
was greater by 2.
3 Number of establishments reporting employees; the number reporting total wage and salary payments
was greater by 1.
1 Number of establishments reporting employees; the number reporting total wage and salary payments
was less by 9.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
160
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW ---JANUARY 1935
I6C 0
1400
1200
1000
800
600
r
m
o1
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
F i g u r e 3 . —A v e r a g e W a g e a n d S a l a r y P a y m e n t s
M i s c e l l a n e o u s M a n u f a c t u r e s , 1916
1928
to
to
1930
W a g e Ea r n e r s
1932
1932
in
Industries in Miscellaneous Manufactures
T h e Ohio Division of Labor Statistics classifies under miscel
laneous manufactures several industries which employ comparatively
large numbers of persons and also a number of industries employing
but few people. In this study the manufacturing industries listed
below have been combined under “ Miscellaneous manufactures,
other” : Artists’ materials; belting and hose; brooms and mops;
brushes; buttons; dairymen’s, poulterers’, and apiarists’ supplies;
enameling and japaning; fancy articles; fire extinguishers, chemical;
fireworks, flares, and signals; foundry supplies; fur goods; hair work;
hand stamps, stencils, and brands; instruments, professional and
scientific; jewelry and instrument cases; mucilage and paste; optical
goods; paving materials; pens, fountain, stylographic, and gold;
photographic apparatus and supplies; soda-water apparatus; stationery
goods; steam packing; surgical appliances and artificial limbs; um
brellas and canes; upholstering furniture (not manufacturing furni
ture); washing machines and clothes wringers; window shades and
fixtures; and miscellaneous manufactures, not otherwise classified.
Average wage and salary payments to wage earners in each of the
16 manufacturing industries and in the group “ Other” are shown in
table 14. These averages should not be taken as exact measures but
as approximate figures.
As far as data are available, the highest average wage and salary
payment to wage earners was reported for 1 industry (munitions)
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
161
W A G E S AND H O U R S OF LA B O R
in 1919, for 4 in 1920, for 1 in 1925, for 2 in 1926, for 1 in 1926 and
1927, for 2 in 1927, and for 6 in 1929. The lowest average was
reported in 1916 for all industries for which data are available for the
whole period except in manufactures of pianos, organs, and materials
where the lowest average was reported in 1932. The lowest average
was reported in 1932 for 4 industries for which data are not available
for the whole 17-year period.
Table 14.—Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in Miscellaneous
Manufactures, 1916 to 1932, by Industries
Den
tists’
sup
plies
Agricul Batteries,
tural im dry and Coke
plements storage
Year
1916____________
1917____________
1918____________
1919____________
1920____________
1921____________
1922____________
1923____________
1924
1925____________
1926-_ _________
1927- ________
1928 ___
1929 ________
1930 ___
_____
1931
1932____________
$728
848
1,081
1,239
1,471
1, 149
(>)
1,267
1,322
1,308
1,376
1,382
1, 282
1, 358
1,275
1,150
879
Year
Musical in
struments
and mate
rials, other
than pianos
and organs
1916_____________
1917_____________
1918_____________
1919_____________
1920_____________
1921_____________
1922_____________
1923_____________
1924_____________
1925_____________
1926-___ ________
1927_____________
1928_____________
1929_____________
1930_____________
1931_____________
1932_____________
(0
0)
$968
1,219
1,340
1,067
(>)
1,166
1,131
1, 151
1,315
1,455
1,379
2 1, 789
1,513
1, 459
882
0)
(')
(*)
(')
(>)
0)
0)
0)
(0
$1,334
1,469
1,422
1,476
1,504
1, 333
1,183
992
Pianos,
organs,
and ma
terials
$815
867
992
1,156
1, 223
1,197
(0
1, 191
1,248
1, 335
1,338
1,305
1,312
1,358
1,241
1,109
702
$878
1,170
1,423
1,675
2, 260
1,616
0)
1,703
1,825
1,834
1,817
1,862
1,860
1,864
1,979
1, 637
1, 504
$580
588
772
899
1,232
1, 137
(0
1, 142
1,179
1,163
1,254
1,259
1,313
1,338
1, 213
1,379
1,205
Radios
and
parts
Electrical
machin
ery, ap
paratus,
and sup
plies
$743
803
1,048
1,186
1,465
1, 217
(>)
1,165
1, 318
1,378
1,464
1,425
1,406
1,352
1,257
1,147
870
(>)
(>)
(>)
O)
(')
(‘)
$977
1,051
1, 182
848
877
928
866
744
(')
0)
(')
(>)
0)
(!)
(0
0)
(>)
(>)
(')
(!)
$1, 559
1, 633
1,493
1,382
1,004
875
1,105
1,342
1,953
1.583
(U
1,797
1,816
1, 659
1,724
1,601
1,677
1,855
1, 516
1, 540
1,116
$551
590
664
742
1,159
1.106
(0
1,073
1,146
1,041
1,270
1,270
1,259
1,247
1,239
1,073
895
$816
961
1,300
1,610
1,945
1,507
(>)
1,603
1,615
1,748
1,808
1,754
1,865
2, 111
1,692
1,720
1,253
$866
946
1, 139
1,347
1,637
1,605
(>)
1,570
1,620
1,651
1, 602
1,590
1, 583
1,539
1,515
1,613
1,407
and Sporting
Roofing Signs
and ath
mate advertis
ing
nov
letic
rials
goods
elties
$688
(0
(')
0)
Models
Housepat M u
furnish Ice, m an and
terns,
ni
ing goods, ufac
other
tions
miscella tured
than
neous
paper
$625
701
842
995
1,289
1,165
(>)
1, 224
1,244
1,253
1,347
1,312
1, 305
1,297
1,268
1,084
930
Toys
and
games
$561
580
745
858
1. 005
924
(')
1, 000
956
1,063
1,066
1,085
1,061
1,065
990
879
692
$834
848
1,217
1, 246
Miscel
laneous
manu
factures,
other
$617
691
845
956
1,229
1,081
0)
1, 173
1, 221
1,238
1,346
1,260
1,254
1,308
1, 207
1,082
881
<Data not available.
2 In accord with compilations of the Ohio Division of Labor Statistics but possibly some error in reporting
or tabulating.
Indexes of Employment and Wage and Salary Payments
I n d e x e s of average number of wage earners employed and of total
and average wage and salary payments to wage earners are shown in
table 15. The base is 1926. The indexes cover the period during
which the Ohio Division of Labor Statistics has requested reports
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
162
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
from all employers of three or more persons. Indexes are shown for
miscellaneous manufactures as a whole and for each of the 14 indus
tries for which data are available.
Considering miscellaneous manufactures as a whole, the index in
1932 was 67.2 for average number of wage earners employed, 44.5
for total wage and salary payments, and 66.2 for average wage and
salary payments. Chart 4 shows graphically the indexes for wage
earners in miscellaneous manufactures.
F i g u r e 4.— I n d e x e s o f W a g e E a r n e r s E m p l o y e d a n d W a g e a n d S a l a r y
P a y m e n t s t o W a g e E a r n e r s in M i s c e l l a n e o u s M a n u f a c t u r e s , 1924 t o
1932
Of the 14 industries, 2 (batteries and radios) are of comparatively
recent development or have had a remarkable expansion in business
and the increase in average number of wage earners employed and in
total wage and salary payments since 1926 (the base year) produces
extremely high indexes for the later years of the period covered.
Considering the 12 other industries, the 1932 index of average
number of wage earners employed was below 50 for 6 and above
90 for 1. The 1932 index of total wage and salary payments to wage
earners was below 50 for 7 of the 12 industries and the index for
5 of the 7 was below 25. Considering the 14 industries, the 1932
index of average wage and salary payments to wage earners was below
75 for 11 industries but none was below 50.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
163
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Table 15.—Indexes of Average Number of Wage Earners Employed and Total
and Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in Miscellaneous
Manufactures, 1924 to 1932, by Industries
[1926 = 100.0]
Miscellaneous man
ufactures
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
Year
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
___ 80.2 73.9 92.2
___ 88.7 83.7 94.4
___ 100.0 100.0 100.0
___ 99.4 97.1
97.7
___ 106.9 103.4 96.7
_
120.6 117.1
97.1
__________
100.1 __________
90.6 90.5
___ 81.8 68.9 84.2
__ 67.2 44.5 66.2
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
Dentists’ supplies
Year
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
1924
___
__
1925
1926
_. . .
1927
__
1928
___
1929
___
1930
___
1931_________
1932
___
87.5
99.0
100.0
87.8
90.4
107.8
104.0
104.1
84.0
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
82.2
91.8
100.0
88.1
94.7
115.0
100.6
114.5
80.7
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
94.0
92.7
100.0
100.4
104.7
106.7
96.7
110.0
96.1
Agricultural imple
ments
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
84.1
93.4
100.0
98.7
68.5
74.5
57.3
35.0
22.1
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
80.8
88.8
100.0
99.2
63.8
73.6
53.1
29.2
14.1
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
96.1
95.1
(0
102.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.4
93.2
98.7
92.7
83.6
63.9
Electrical m a c h i n
ery, apparatus, and
supplies
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
74.8
78.3
100.0
90.8
83.6
102.6
81.0
63.9
52.8
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
67.3
73.7
100.0
88.4
80.2
94.8
69.6
50.1
31.3
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
___ 100.2
___ 93.6
__ 100.0
___ 91.3
___ 108.4
___ 28.5
___ 30.3
___ 22.4
___ 22.2
Total
■wage
and
salary
pay
ments
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
86.2
86.0
100.0
101.0
98.7
96.4
92.0
96.2
100.0
110.6
100.0
100.0
81.9
113.6
38.8
34.8
24.9
14.9
1 Data not available.
87.5
104.9
(2)
115.1
111.0
67.1
91.3
66.9
47.1
39.7
31.2
24.4
89.1
65.6
47.8
36.8
25.8
12.8
203.7
220.7
211.7
169.3
157.4
170.5
0)
92.7
197.2
221.8
216.8
153.6
126.8
115.2
Coke
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
0)
90.8
110.0
110.4
108.8
100.4
100.9
100.0
101.0
100.0
100.0
96.8
100.5
102.4
90.7
80.5
67.5
Ice, manufactured
107.8
100.0
98.6
91.7
101.4
72.6
27.4
28.2
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
90.0
94.1
106.0
123.9
107.2
127.7
101.1
103.1
72.6
87.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
97.3
96.0
92.3
85.9
78.3
59.4
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
93.3
99.8
100.0
97.5
98.1
101.5
92.8
82.9
52.5
100.0
98.8
100.0
105.0
106.7
115.6
97.8
100.0
98.0
98.8
100.9
101.0
116.4
85.9
99.3
98.8
96.1
94.6
100.7
87.8
Radios and parts
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
0)
82.3
100.0
131.8
306.9
454.5
436.3
316.5
230.9
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
0)
76.5
100.0
148.2
247.5
379.2
385.2
260.9
163.4
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
0)
93.0
100.0
112.5
80.7
83.4
88.3
82.4
70.8
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
97.2
91.1
127.0
107.7
58.3
38.6
102.5
102.4
102.6
108.9
90.1
82.8
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
64.9
84.3
100.0
94.3
93.9
148.2
100.8
55.5
26.7
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
89.3
96.7
100.0
97.0
103.2
116.8
93.6
95.1
69.3
Roofing materials
Wage
earn
ers
(aver
age
num
ber)
84.7
92.3
100.0
105.0
89.4
87.8
90.4
86.0
79.4
' Omitted, due to possible error in reporting or tabulating; no further verification possible.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
93.9
104.0
79.1
24.7
23.3
Models and patterns,
other than paper
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
Musical instruments
and m aterials, Pianos, organs, and
other than pianos
materials
and organs
Year
Batteries, dry and
storage
Total
wage
and
salary
pay
ments
89.2
88.8
100.0
97.5
86.9
94.5
79.5
76.8
51.4
Aver
age
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
105.3
96.2
100. 0
92.9
97.3
107.6
87.9
89.3
64.7
164
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW — JANUARY 1935
Table 15.—Indexes of Average Number of Wage Earners Employed and Total
and Average Wage and Salary Payments to Wage Earners in Miscellaneous
Manufactures, 1924 to 1932, by Industries— Continued
Sign and advertising
novelties
Total
Wage
wage
earners
and
(aver salary
age num pay
ber)
ments
Year
1924_____________
1925_____________
1926_____________
1927_____________
1928_____________
1929_____________
1930_____________
1931_____________
1932_____________
98.7
104.8
100.0
81.3
114.8
123.7
114.4
82.3
81.0
89.1
85.9
100.0
81.3
113.8
121. 4
111.6
69. 6
57.1
Sporting and athletic
goods
Total
Average Wage
wage
wage earners
and
and
(aver salary
salary age
num
pay
pay
ber)
ments
ment
90.2
82.0
100.0
100.0
99.1
98.2
97.6
84.5
70.5
95.5
97.9
100.0
108.4
120.5
120.6
135.9
113.2
87.3
Toys and games
Total
Average Wage
wage
wage earners
and
and
(aver salary
salary age
num pay
pay
ber)
ments
ment
88.3
91.1
100.0
105.6
116.8
116.2
128.1
91. 1
60.3
92.4
93.0
100.0
97.4
96.9
96.3
94.1
80.5
69.0
104.1
94.1
100.0
105.3
105.7
114.3
78.8
31.7
25.8
93.4
93.9
100.0
107.2
105.3
114.2
73.2
26.2
16.8
Average
wage
and
salary
pay
ment
89.7
99.7
100.0
101.8
99.5
99.9
92.9
82.5
64.9
W ag e-R ate C hanges in A m e ric a n In d u s trie s
Manufacturing Industries
HE following table presents information concerning wage-rate
adjustments occurring between September 15 and October 15,
1934, as shown by reports received from 25,283 manufacturing
establishments employing 3,600,140 workers in October.
One hundred and sixty-four establishments in 39 industries re
ported wage-rate increases averaging 8.1 percent and affecting 70,218
employees. Nine establishments in eight industries reported de
creases which averaged 7.8 percent and affected 1,245 workers.
The outstanding wage-rate adjustment was an average increase of
8.1 percent received by 58,204 workers in 62 slaughtering and meat
packing establishments.
Four paper and pulp establishments reported an average wage-rate
increase of 9.3 percent to 1,643 employees, 1,400 workers in 1 soap
manufacturing establishment received a 10-percent increase, 1,277
employees in 4 furniture manufacturing establishments received one
of 9.9 percent, and 1,010 workers in 3 canning establishments were
given an average increase of 10.8 percent. The increases in each of
the remaining industries affected 897 employees or less.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
165
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Table 1.—Wage-Rate Changes in Manufacturing Industries During Month
Ending October 15, 1934
Industry
All manufacturing industries.
Percentage of total...........
Iron and steel and their products,
not including machinery:
Blast furnaces, steel works,
and rolling mills___ ____..
Bolts, nuts, washers, and
rivets,...................................
Cast-iron pipe.................... .
Cutlery (not including silver
and plated cutlery) and
edge tools_________ _____
Forgings, iron and steel____
Hardware________________
Plumbers’ supplies________
Steam and hot-water heating
apparatus and steam fit
tings......................................
Stoves..................... — .........
Structural and ornamental
metalwork............................
Tin cans and other tinware..
Tools (not including edge
tools, machine tools, files,
and saws)______________
Wirework................................
Machinery, not including trans
portation equipment:
Agricultural implements........
Cash registers, adding ma
chines, and calculating ma
chines..............................•—
Electrical machinery, appara
tus, and supplies.................
Engines, turbines, tractors,
and water wheels___ _____
Foundry and machine-shop
products........... ....................
Machine tools________ ____
Radios and phonographs.......
Textile machinery and parts..
Typewriters and parts...........
Transportation equipment:
Aircraft_________ _______ _
Automobiles______________
Cars, electric- and steam railroad.......................... ......
Locomotives______________
Shipbuilding................ .........
Railroad repair shops:
Electric railroad......................
Steam railroad____________
Nonferrous metals and their prod
ucts:
Aluminum manufactures___
Brass, bronze, and copper
products________________
Clocks and watches and time
recording devices.............
Jewelry___________ ______
Lighting equipment— .........
Silverware and plated w are..
Smelting and refining—copper
lead, and zinc___________
Stamped and enameled ware.
Lumber and allied products:
Furniture...............................
Lumber:
Millwork......................... .
Sawmills_____________
Turpentine and rosin__ _—
« Less than Ho of 1 percent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Estab Total
lish
ments number
of em
report ployees
ing
25, 283 3, 600,140
Number of establish
ments reporting—
Number of employees
having—
No
Wage- Wage- No wage- Wage- Wagewage- rate
rate in rate de
in rate de rate
rate creases
creases changes creases creases
changes
25,110
99.3
164
0.6
(>)
3, 528,677
98.0
100.0
100.0
239
246, 415
246, 348
8,667
9,446
8,667
9, 446
163
91
108
13,334
9,145
20,380
9, 664
93
70, 218
2.0
89
13,372
9,145
20,403
9,671
93
214
21,360
26,043
211
21,360
25,524
519
291
52
19,129
9,925
287
52
19,116
9, 925
13
139
108
10,055
10,977
138
108
9,927
10,977
82
18,243
165
91
110
18, 243
16,219
16, 219
122,234
122,224
107
36,603
107
36.603
1,665
207
51
163
13
145,191
21, 726
39,335
14,101
11,651
1,655
205
49
163
13
144,663
21, 695
38,824
14,101
11,651
34
341
6, 546
224, 460
34
341
6,546
224,460
70
14, 243
4,798
33,004
69
110
14,114
4,798
32,878
129
11
18.604
78,132
20
11
111
202
31
511
126
351'
588
18, 624
78,132
351
588
33
6,695
32
6,441
254
37, 292
303
36,941
347
201
8,694
12,151
4,588
10,028
26
199
78
73
8,684
11,916
4,577
10,028
235
43
218
16,122
22, 719
43
217
16,122
22,595
124
56,069
578
54,792
1,277
25,350
74,711
1,814
624
649
30
25,350
74,711
1,814
308
27
624
649
30
1,245
0)
10
11
326
166
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 1.—Wage-Rate Changes in Manufacturing Industries During Month
Ending October 15, 1934—Continued
Industry
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Brick, tile, and terra cotta..C e m e n t_______________ .
G la s s __ ________________
Marble, granite, slate, and
other products____ ____ ..
P o ttery .. ______ _______ .
Textiles arid their products:
Fabrics:
Carpets and rugs_______
Cotton goods _________
Cotton small wares. _____
Dyeing and finishing textiles.
Hats, fur-felt---------------Knit goods..---------------Silk and rayon goods___
Woolen and worsted goods
Wearing apparel:
Clothing, men’s...............
Clothing, women’s-------Corsets and allied gar
ments____________ ..
Men’s furnishings______
Millinery_____________
Shirts and collars______
Leather and its manufactures:
Boots and shoes___________
Leather_______ ___ ___
Food and kindred products:
Baking_________________
Beverages___ __________
Butter___ . .
______
Canning and preserving____
_____
Confectionery____
Flour.......................................
Ice cream_______ _
Slaughtering and meat pack
ing____________________
Sugar, beet_______________
Sugar refining, cane________
Tobacco manufactures:
Chewing and smoking to
bacco and snuff_________
Cigars and cigarettes . . . .
Paper and printing:
Boxes, paper________
Paper and pulp_____ . . . . .
Printing and publishing:
Book and job. . . -------Newspapers and periodi
cals________________
Chemicals and allied products,
and petroleum refining:
Other than petroleum refin
ing:
Chemicals___ ________
Cottonseed—oil, cake, and
meal_______________
Druggists’ preparations..
Explosives____ _______
Fertilizers____ ______
Paints and varnishes___
Rayon and allied products
Soap_______ _________
Petroleum refining________
Rubber products:
Rubber boots and shoes____
Rubber goods, other than
boots, shoes, tires, and in
ner tubes_______________
Rubber tires and inner tubes.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Estab Total
lish
ments number
of em
report ployees
ing
Number of establish
ments reporting—
Number of employees
having—
No
Wage- WageWage- Wagewage- rate
in rate de
rate
rate in rate de
rate creases
changes
creases
creases
creases
changes
522
116
178
18,231
15,849
49| 075
522
116
178
255
132
4,982
20,255
255
129
27
687
123
182
47
501
290
533
11,763
274,933
10,596
42' 541
7,496
120,643
48,356
105, 592
27
687
123
182
47
499
289
527
5
1,634
763
123,635
45; 792
1,634
761
40
92
154
175
6,075
9,677
8^782
27,509
40
92
154
174
346
169
109,151
31,814
346
169
1,152
549
322
763
331
428
369
70,125
29, 751
4,970
78,022
41,090
17, 695
9,824
1,149
549
322
760
328
428
369
3
324
53
16
133,364
21,106
10,432
262
53
16
62
40
246
10,135
52; 990
40
245
1
10,135
52,965
681
425
35,889
105,076
680
421
4
1
35,847
103,433
42
1,643
1,487
59,368
1, 475
12
59,072
296
555
53,697
544
11
52,800
897
126
25, 719
125
1
25,643
97
74
31
316
579
30
97
74
31
316
575
30
109
163
4
164
6,204
9,660
4,375
Hi 347
18, 361
43,989
17, 227
54,147
6,204
9,660
4,375
11, 347
16,200
43,989
15,827
54.131
6
8,171
6
196
37
30, 272
50,436
195
37
110
18, 231
15,849
49,075
2
4,982
20,113
33
109
1
1
1
11,763
274,933
10,596
42, 541
7,496
120,004
48,320
104, 782
624
'676'
15
36
134
2
123,635
45,692
100
1
6,075
9,677
8,782
27,068
1
1
109,151
31,814
69,952
29,751
4,970
77,012
40,744
17,695
9,824
3
3
75,160
21,106
10,432
1
1
8,171
1
29,678
50,436
1,010
346
58,204
161
1,400
16
167
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Nonmanufacturing Industries
D a t a concerning wage-rate changes occurring between September
15 and October 15, 1934, reported by cooperating establishments in
17 nonmanufacturing industries are presented in table 2.
Increases averaging 11.8 percent and affecting 2,531 employees
were reported by 5 metalliferous mining establishments, while 4
electric light and power establishments gave an average increase of
6.4 percent to 585 workers. The increases in the remaining industries
affected 386 employees or less.
Decreases in wage-rates were reported by 25 wholesale trade estab
lishments. These decreases averaged 10.2 percent and affected 679
workers. Twenty-one brokerage establishments reported an average
decrease of 15.3 percent to 378 employees. The remaining wage-rate
decreases which were reported were negligible.
Table 2.—Wage-Rate Changes in Nonmanufacturing Industries during Month
Ending October 15, 1934
Industrial group
Estab
lish
ments
report
ing
Number of establish
Number of employees
ments reporting—
having—
Total
number
No
of em
No
Wage- Wage- wageWage- Wageployees wage- rate
in rate de rate rate in rate de
rate creases
creases
creases
creases
changes
changes
Anthracite mining
____
160 81,195
160
Percentage of total
100. 0
100. 0
100.0
Bituminous-coal mining.— ________ 1,447 249,849 1, 446
100. 0
99.9
Percentage of total____________ 100.0
Metalliferous mining ____________
280 29,435
275
Percentage of total.
________
100. 0
98. 2
100.0
Quarrying and nonmetallic mining
1,118 34,149
1,116
Percentage of total
___
100. 0
100. 0
99.8
Crude petroleum producing
248
249 23,995
Percentage of total
____
100.0
100. 0
99.6
Telephone and telegraph .
8, 216
8, 217 261, 524
____
100. 0
100.0
100. 0
Percentage of total
Electric light and power and manufactured g a s . . ____ __________
2, 726 243,165 2,722
100.0
Percentage of total
_______
100. 0
99.9
Electric-railroad and motor-bus oper520
ation and m aintenance____
527 133,153
100. 0
98.7
Percentage of total
_______
100.0
Wholesale trade.. . _________ .. . 16,940 300, 020 16,894
100. 0
99.7
100.0
Percentage of total . ------------Retail trad e.. ___________________ 62,022 928,940 61,986
Percentage of total_______ _
100.0
99.9
100.0
Hotels.
2, 517 142, 678 2,517
Percentage of total
100. 0
100. 0
100. 0
Laundries.. _ . . . _______________
1,383 73, 758 1,379
100.0
99.7
Percentage of total____________ 100.0
Dyeing and cleaning__________
744 18,175
740
99.5
Percentage of total_________ .. 100.0
100.0
Banks_____________________ _____ 3,081 97, 042 3,079
99.9
Percentage of to ta l... . . . . . . 100. 0 100. 0
386
Brokerage__
407 12, 242
100. 0 94.8
Percentage of total
100. 0
Insurance
1, 091 70, 202 1,091
Percentage of total
100. 0 100. 0 100. 0
974 24,189
970
Real estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100.0
100.0
99.6
Percentage of total___________
Loss than Ho of 1 percent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
81,195
100.0
5
1.8
2
0.2
1
0.4
i 249, 823
0.1
100. 0
26,904
91.4
33, 995
99.5
23, 990
100.0
1
261, 459
100.0
(')
21
0.1
31
«
154
0.5
5
(‘)
65
(0
585
132,767
99.7
299,190
25
0.1
99.7
5 928, 753
100.0
0)
142, 678
386
0.3
151
0.1
0.2
0)
1
2
0.2
3 73, 629
99.8
3 18,115
0.4
99.7
1 97, 035
100.0
0)
21 11, 864
5.2
96.9
70, 202
0.2
2
0.2
100.0
24,155
99.9
679
0.2
0.1
140
(>)
100.0
1
0.1
1
0.1
(>)
8.6
242, 580
99.8
4
7
1.3
26
2,531
47
(')
62
67
0. 1
0.1
55
0.3
5
(0
2
5
(')
(0
7
27
0.1
378
3.1
(0
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Farm Wage and Labor Situation on October 1, 1934
ARM wage rates without board averaged $1.34 per day and $27.83
per month on October 1, 1934, as compared with $1.25 per day
and $25.89 per month on October 1, 1933, according to. a press release
dated October 12 issued by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics of
the United States Department of Agriculture. For the first time
since January 1, 1932, the day rate with board reached $1, but in the
individual States the rates ranged from 55 cents in South Carolina to
$1.95 in Rhode Island. Day rates without board ranged from 75 cents
in South Carolina to $2.70 in Rhode Island. There was a slight
decrease in both supply of and demand for labor between July 1 and
October 1, although the supply as a percentage of demand increased.
Table 1 shows average farm rates, supply of and demand for farm
labor, and number of persons employed per farm on October 1, 1934,
in comparison with July 1, 1934, July and October 1933, and the
annual average 1910-14.
F
Table 1.—Average Farm Wage Rates and Employment in October 1934, as
Compared with July 1934 and July and October 1933
Item
Farm wage index.
_ ............ .
Farm wage rates:
Per month, with board.
Per month, without board___ ______________
Per day, with board____ ______ ___ ___
Per day, without board__ . . . _ . ____.. . . . _
Supply of and demand for farm labor (percent of
normal):
Supply. ________ _
__
Demand_____ ___ _ _
____ . . . .
Supply as a percentage of d e m a n d __ _
Farm employment1 (persons per farm):
Family labor . . . . . .
Hired labor_______________ . . . _
Combined. . . ____ .
_ _.
...
Annual
average
1910-14
July 1,
1933
Oct. 1,
1933
July 1,
1934
Oct. 1,
1934
100
78
86
90
93
$20.41
$29. 09
$1.10
$1.43
$15.84
$24. 27
$0. 82
$1.12
$17. 19
$25.89
$0. 91
$1. 25
$18.18
$27. 29
$0. 97
$1. 30
$18. 63
$27.83
$1.00
$1.34
116. 2
65. 5
177. 5
111. 4
163. 6
105. 7
70. 0
151. 0
104 7
68 5
152.9
2. 37
2 17
94
3.11
2. 37
1.01
3. 38
68.1
2. 25
1. 05
3.30
1 02
3.39
1 On farms of crop reporters.
Average farm wage rates per month and per day, with board and
without board, on October 1, 1934, are given in table 2, by State
and geographic division.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
169
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Table 2 .—Average Farm Wage Rates on October 1, 1934, by State and
Geographic Division
P e r m o n th
P er day
S tate
P er day
S ta te
W ith
b o ard
W ith W ith W ith
o u t b o ard o u t
b o ard
b o ard
U n ite d S ta te s _________ $18. 63 $27.83 $1.00
N e w E n g la n d __ ______
M a in e . __________
N ew H a m p s h ire —.
V e rm o n t
. _ ...
M a s sa c h u s e tts ____
R h o d e I s la n d _____
C o n n e c tic u t___ _
M id d le A tla n tic ______
N ew Y o rk ________
N ew J e rs e y _______
P e n n s y lv a n ia _____
E a s t N o rth C e n tra l___
O h io _____ _______
I n d ia n a ___________
Illin o is ___________
M ic h ig a n _ ______
W is c o n s in ._______
W e st N o rth C e n t r a l...
M in n e s o ta ________
I o w a .. __________
M is so u ri________ .
N o r th D a k o ta ____
S o u th D a k o ta ____
N e b ra s k a _________
K a n s a s . . __ _____
S o u th A tla n tic _______
D ela w a re _________
M a r y la n d ________
P e r m o n th
27.07
27. 25
27.00
24. 75
27.25
37. 00
27.00
23.17
24.00
27.00
21.00
19. 74
18. 75
19. 75
21.25
18. 75
19. 50
19.17
19. 50
21. 25
17.50
20. 50
17. 50
18.75
19.00
14.45
18.00
22.75
47. 68
43. 50
47. 50
39. 75
54.00
63. 25
48. 75
37. 64
38. 50
46. 25
34.00
28.83
28. 50
28.00
29.00
28. 75
29. 75
27. 56
29. 50
28.25
24. 75
31.00
26.50
26.50
28.00
21.20
28.00
33.00
1.61
1.55
1.65
1.40
1.60
1. 95
1.80
1.46
1.50
1.65
1.35
1.13
1.15
1.10
1.15
1.15
1.10
1.04
1. 15
1.15
.85
1.05
.95
1.05
1.05
.77
1. 45
1.25
W ith
b o ard
$1.34
S o u th A tla n tic —C o n td .
2.29
2.15
2.40
W e st V irginia
N o rth C a ro lin a ___
S o u th C a ro lin a ..
G eorgia_______
F lo rid a
E a s t S o u th C e n tra l___
K e n tu c k y
T ennessee
A la b a m a . .
M ississip p iW e st S o u th C e n t r a l..
A rk a n s a s _____ • ....
L o u isia n a ___ _____
O klahom a
T exas . . ________
M o u n ta in
___
M o n ta n a . _____ _
I d a h o _________ . .
W v o m in g ___ ____
C olorado
N ew M exico______
A rizo n a___________
U ta h .. .
N evada
Pacific . . .
W ash in g to n _
O regon _________
C alifo rn ia_______
2.00
2.45
2. 70
2. 35
1.98
2. 05
2.10
1.85
1.49
1.55
1.40
1.45
1.60
1. 50
1.44
1.65
1. 50
1.15
. 60
1.40
1.45
1.45
1
1.02
1.65
1.65
18.50
15.50
11.00
10. 50
15. 00
13.21
16. 00
14.75
. 00
11.25
16. 20
13. 50
13. 00
17.00
18. 25
28.95
34.00
33.00
28. 75
11
22.00
22.00
34. 50
34. 50
33. 50
33. 62
26. 00
27.00
37.00
W ith
W ith
W ith
out
out
b o ard
b o ard
b o ard
27. 75
23. 25
16. 25
15. 25
21.50
19. 40
23.00
21.00
17.00
16. 75
23. 45
19. 75
. 00
25. 00
25. 75
41. 26
45.00
47. 75
42. 25
35.00
34.00
45.00
45. 50
45. 00
53. 68
45.00
44.00
58. 00
20
.95
.80
.55
.60
.75
.69
.80
.75
.60
.60
.82
.65
.65
.95
.90
1.35
1.45
1.60
1.40
1. 30
1.05
.75
.80
1.05
.89
1.05
.90
.80
.80
1.06
.90
.90
1.15
1.15
1.85
2.20
2.15
1.90
1.10 1. «
1.10 1.40
1.90
1.50
2.00
1. 55
1. 50
2. 00
2. 30
1. 57
1. 55
2. 20
1.45
1.60
1.95
2.40
Wages in the Cotton Industry in Bombay, 1933
SURVEY of the cotton-textile industry in Bombay, India, was
made early in 1934 by the Bombay Labor Office.1 The study,
which was made at the request of the Indian Government, covered
166 mills, and reported upon wages, cost of living, real wages, tech
nological changes, and unemployment, affecting about 200,000 textile
workers in the Bombay Presidency, embracing Bombay City,
Ahmedabad, and Sholapur, the three principal textile centers. A
similar survey was made in 1926, and the present report compares
wages paid in December 1933, with those shown in the earlier study.
Technological changes.—The system of production which in the
United States has come to be known as the “ stretch-out”, or the tend
ing of an increasing number of machines by each operative, has made
its most marked progress in Bombay City, where some weavers are
now operating four looms instead of two, although less than one-third
of the mills have adopted that practice. In Ahmedabad technological
changes have consisted chiefly in improving the types of machinery
used and its efficiency, although the sytem of working both sides of the
spinning frames with one operative is developing.
A
i
B o m b a y (In d ia ).
B o m b a y , 1934.
L a b o r Office.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W ages a n d u n e m p lo y m e n t in th e B o m b a y c o tto n -te x tile in d u s try .
170
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY
1935
The general effects of technological improvements are reported to be
beneficial, either because the operatives are working fewer hours
or because their work has been made easier. Some mills in Bombay
did not cut piece rates for multiple-loom operation and hence weavers
in those mills are earning substantially higher wages than before; in
other cases, bonuses for tending more looms have been offset by gen
eral reductions in wages, usually in the form of reduced cost-of-living
allowances. Textile operatives in Ahmedabad who are attending
more machines than formerly have for the most part been given
increased wages ranging from 35 to 60 percent in ring spinning, and
50 to 75 percent on the speed frames. No material technological
displacement of labor has occurred, because of the introduction of
night work which has absorbed the surplus.
Volume of employment.—While definite data on unemployment were
difficult to obtain, changes in the volume of employment between
1926 and 1933 were reported. The permanent or partial closing
down of certain mills in Bombay City had thrown about 28,000
Workers out of employment in that time, while employment in Ahmed
abad had increased by 26,551 in the same period. Sholapur showed
a shrinkage of 389 in the volume of employment in 1933 as compared
to 1926.
Wages.—The cotton-textile industry in the Bombay Presidency is
composed of various units with no common standard of wages or
working conditions. In this study the Bombay Labor Office has
treated the three main textile centers separately, and presented data
on wages and cost of living for each of them. Average daily earnings
in the principal occupations in each center as developed in the surveys
of 1926 and 1934 are shown in the following table. These represent
actual earnings, with allowances included and fines deducted, at
piece rates for all workers except ring-siders, piecers, and doffers, who
are paid on a time basis.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
171
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
Average Daily Earnings in Cotton-Textile Industry, 1926, and December 1933,
in Three Principal Textile Centers in Bombay Presidency, India, by Occupa
tion and Sex
[Former par value of rupee in United States currency=36.5 cents; anna=2.28 cents; pice=0.57 cents.
Exchange rate of rupee in December 1933 was 38.39 cents.]
Bombay City
Occupation
July 1926
Drawing tenters:
Male______ . ________
Female________________
Slubbing tenters:
Male__________________
Female________________
Inter tenters:
Male__________________
Female________________
Roving tenters:
Male____ ___________ -Female______ - _ _____
Ring siders:
Male___ i -------------------Female________________
Piecers:
Male______
_ - _____
Female________________
Doffers, male and female____
Weavers, male:
1 loom______ __________
2 looms________________
Winders, grey:
Male....... . . - _______
Female________________
Winders, color:
Male____ . _ . _ ____
Female_______________
Heelers:
Male-- - -- ________
Female______________ _
All workers________ _
Rs. a.
1 4
A hm edabad
December
1933
P■ Rs. a.
8
1
2
May 1926
P■ Rs. a.
8
1
6
3
1
3 10
1
4
6
1
1 1
0 15
1
1
4
4
December
1933
3
1
1
5
5
h
0 13
3
0 14
8
3
2 11 2 0 11
1 0 15 10 1 1
5
h
0 12
9
0 13
2
2
4 21
3 1
3 10
0 11
4
0 12
3
0 10 40 11
8 0
5
4 0 10
7
1
1
1 0
0 15
3
0 14 10 3 0 15 2 3 1
0 14 10 5 1 6 10 5 1
0 15
0 14
0 12
5
3
1
0 13 2
0 13 2
0 10 10 «0
1 13
4
1
0 11
9 70 11
1
4
8
0 4 21
2 0 15 10 2 1
10
6 «0
1
11
1
6
0
9
9
0
8
0
7 80
8
2
60
7
3
o 12
5
Ó
5
1 14 11
o 14
1 9
9
9
0 14 10
0 11 9
0 12 1
0 10 11
0
6
9
1 2
0 14
3
6
Q 13 11
0 12 11
0
0
0 11
0
0 15
0 14
o 14 11
1
2
1
8 10
0 14 11 70 11
0 10 11
December
1933
P. Rs. a. P.
4
0 12 11
8
2
July 1926
P. Rs. a. P■ Rs. a.
3 1 3 11 0 12
1 2 4
8
3
1
Sholapur
1
1 13
5
4 10
6
1
8
2
0
4 11
6
6
0
6
4
0 12
2
0
6
9
0
5
6
1
0
0 13
1
0 12
0
6
1 Double side.
2 Two sides, time and piece workers.
3 Single side, male and female.
4 Single side, male only.
5 Double side, male and female.
6 Ring and frame doffers.
7 Combined earnings of grey and color winders.
Cost of living and real wages.—Cost-of-living indexes in December
1933 computed on a 1926 base, as shown in the report, were 72 for
Bombay City, 69 for Ahmedabad, and 71 for Sholapur (base, February
1927). Index numbers for real wages in December 1933 were in
consequence raised to 115 in Bombay City, 154 in Ahmedabad, and
130 in Sholapur.
Wages in Jute Mills in Bengal, 1933
F 455,018 operatives in registered factories in Bengal at the
close of 1933, 246,717 were working in jute mills, such establish
ments employing 37,337 women or approximately 65 percent of the
total female labor in factories. These and the following statistics
are given in the Annual Report on the Administration of the Indian
Factories Act in Bengal for the year 1933.
O
103148—35-----12
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172
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
At that time the jute mills were continuing on the restricted 4-day
week of 40 hours.1
Altogether 69 jute mills supplied the data on wages compiled in the
accompanying table. All mills, however, did not report for all
occupations. In most instances when no report was made, the mill
was not employing any person with such occupational designation.
In addition to the average monthly wages reported below, the
workers had living quarters at a nominal rent, free water supply, free
lighting in their living quarters, free medical assistance, and mater
nity benefits.
Average Monthly Wages in Jute Mills of Bengal, by Occupations, 1933
[Rupee at former par = 36.5 cents; U. S. currency; exchange rate in 1933 = 31.8 cents]
Number of mills paying specified average
monthly wages
Occupation
Batchers:
Head foremen ____
_ _
_ ___
__
Line foremen__________ _________________
Selectors_________
_________ _____ ___
C utters__________ ____________________ ...
Softeners:
Line foremen______
_
__ ._ __
Feeders (women). _______________________
Receivers (women)_________ _ ___ ________
Teasers:
Line fo rem en ..._____
....
Feeders (men)________________________ ____
Feeders (women) ______________________
Receivers____________ __________________
Carrying coolies___________________________
Dust shakers:
Line foremen... _______
.
__
Coolies_____________ ..
Breaker carding machines:
___ _
Head foremen________ _ _ _ _ _ _
Line foremen (m en )__
Feeders (men). . ____ ____
________
Feeders (women)__ _________ ______________
Receivers (men) _______ . . _
Receivers (women)________________________
Pickers _________________________________
Finishing carding machines:
Line foremen... __________________________
Feeders (men) ............ ........ ......... . . . ______
Feeders (women)__________________________
Receivers ( m e n )..._____ _ _______
. .
Receivers (women)_____________________ .
Beltmen _____________________________ .
Coolies___ ____________________________ _
Drawing machines:
Head foremen____________ _______ . _ _
Line foremen____________________________
Feeders (women)__________________________
Receivers (women)..
. . . .
_
__
Coolies_____________ ___________________ .
Total
number
50
of mills
8 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 to 50 rupees reporting
rupees rupees rupees rupees and
over
i
4
21
55
62
16
30
5
34
10
33
23
18
41
57
31
33
13
7
25
61
12
30
17
36
16
35
8
9
46
12
45
3
6
45
9
48
8
48
50
12
10
23
15
19
56
27
15
16
14
13
17
55
3
31
21
18
47
5
1
30
47
32
1
36
3
58
54
64
63
65
63
67
2
66
31
51
54
67
37
68
31
2
5
19
69
27
64
60
1
33
53
68
3
63
21
39
4
18
36
21
1
61
23
61
60
63
1
43
68
69
68
59
i “ In the jute industry, when the general change over to the single-shift system was made, a regular
4-day week of 10 hours per day was established in place of the previous 4-day week of 13L hours per day
with an idle week each month. In effecting this change managers in the different areas tried to work
together to establish a standard rate of pay for the various classes of workers, but apparently they have
not been too successful. One attem pt to level up wages with those paid in a neighboring mill was the
cause of a prolonged strike.” (Annual Report on the Administration of the Indian Factories Act of Ben
gal for the year 1931.) See Monthly Labor Review, December 1932, p. 1415.
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WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
173
Average Monthly Wages in Jute Mills of Bengal, by Occupations, 1933— Con.
Number of mills paying specified average
monthly wages
Occupation
Roving machines:
Head foremen______________
Line foremen_______________
Feeders (women)___________
Rovers____________________
Coolies____________________
Coolie foremen....... ....................
Shifting foremen____________
Shifters____________________
Sweepers (women)__________
Spinning frames:
Head foremen_______ ______ .
Line foremen________ ____ . . .
Shifting foremen...... ........... ......
Coolie foremen_______ _____
Warp spin n ers..........................
Weft spinners.______ _______
Coolies..... ......................... ..........
Bobbin cleaners_____________
Beltmen___________________
Full-time shifters____________
Half-time shifters___________
Twist frames:
Foremen.............. .................... .
Twisters (women)____ ____ _
Coolies__________ ________ _
Winding department:
Head foremen______________
Foremen_____ _____________
Coolie foremen______________
Coolies____________________
Warp winders (pieceworkers)...
Weft winders (pieceworkers)__
Weaving department:
Head foremen___ ___________
Line foremen_______________
Daily foremen______________
Hessian weavers (pieceworkers)
Sacking weavers (pieceworkers)
Coolie foremen______________
Coolies___ ____ ____________
Sweepers__________ ____ ____
Mochis____________________
Dressing and beaming:
Foremen_______ ____ _______
Beamers and dressers________
Dampers—coolies________ ______
Calender workers:
Forem en..................... ................
Coolies___________________ _
Measuring workers:
Markmen______ ____________
Coolies.____ ________ ______
Press workers:
Foremen___________________
Packing coolies______________
Lapping-machine workers—lappers.
Sewing-machine workers:
Foremen-----------------------------Machine sewers (pieceworkers)..
Hand sewers:
Women_____ ______________
Coolies (women)_____ _____ _
Engine staff:
Head m istry«.-....... .................
Engine mistry......................... .
Head electric mistry__________
Assistant electric mistry______
Fitters................................. .........
Oiler foremen-------- --------------Oilers----------- ---------------------Firemen tin d a l................. .........
1 3 of these mills below 8 rupees.
2 All under 8 rupees.
3 4 of these mills paid under 8 rupees.
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Total
number
50
of mills
8 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 to 50 rupees reporting
rupees rupees rupees rupees and
over
45
65
69
69
66
i 34
46
67
69
63
62
68
68
66
5
i 25
69
69
67
60
64
69
8
38
65
52
58
48
20
66
69
69
61
69
27
69
69
r,8
69
63
61
63
69
64
65
67
55
65
49
57
63
65
67
66
25
58
52
65
60
54
47
65
63
4 1 of these mills paid under 8 rupees,
s Mechanic or artificer.
174
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Average Monthly Wages in Jute Mills of Bengal, by Occupations, 1933— Con.
Number of mills paying specified average
monthly wages
Occupation
Engine staff—Continued.
Firemen
_ ____________
Coal cool tes
_
___ ______
Cranemen
- _____ ____ - _____ ___ Head masons
_ _ _ _ _______ ________ Machine and fitting shops:
Head mistry ________ ___________ ______
Ritters
_
________
Carpenters (Chinese)
_ __________
Head carpenters (Indian)
______ _________
Carpenters (Indian)
____ ______
Head wood turners
_____ ________
Wood turners
- ____ ___ ___
Head turners (metal)
___ ______________
Turners (metal)
_______________
Machine men (drillers, planers, etc.)
Head painters
____ __________ _______
Painters
_________ ___ -Tinsmithy:
Head mistry
_ _ ________ ______ ___
Tinsmiths
_____ ____ ___ Blacksmith shop:
Head mist.ry (foremen)
Plaolrsmiths
_ ______ __________
Hammermen
__ _________
Masons
- ____________
___ ____ _________ ____
Oilers
Coolies
___________
Total
number
50
of mills
8 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 to 50 rupees reporting
rupees rupees rupees rupees and
over
l
16
46
19
2
36
17
32
24
4
43
3
3
26
4
7
1
12
16
1
6
1
3
62
19
45
60
2
1
7
43
26
28
3
41
38
14
66
36
i
64
62
63
38
19
4
44
23
63
11
24
9
20
12
2
43
17
20
17
23
2
27
11
29
42
34
9
2
15
43
4
39
9
43
18
22
66
29
60
66
41
56
63
67
62
46
50
65
67
59
67
67
63
54
65
5
2
It will be noted from the above tabulation that few mills are paying
50 or more rupees per month to any but foremen or other supervisors
and Chinese carpenters. Most of the persons in this wage group
received from 50 to 70 rupees.
The number of jute mills reporting paying more than 100 rupees
per month for specified work is given below:
N um ber
o f m ills
Head
Head
Head
Head
foremen, spinning frames-----------------------------foremen, weaving department----------------------mistry, engine staff-------------------------- ---------electric mistry, engine staff---------------------------
1
6
9
3
Wages an d C ost o f P ro d u c tio n in Large-Scale In d u s trie s in th e
S o v ie t U n io n , 1929 to 1932
ERTAIN labor conditions in the Soviet Union (U. S. S. R.)
during the years 1927 to 1932 1are shown in the following tables.
In table 1 are given the average yearly money wages of the workers
C
i Soviet Union (U. S. S. R.). State Planning Commission. Central Office of the Accountancy of the
People’s Economy. Sotsialisticheskoestroitel’stvo. Statisticheskii ezhegodnik,Moscow, 1934, pp. 306-349.
(In Russian.)
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
175
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
employed in the people’s economy in the Soviet Union in 1929-32.
There was an increase of over 78 percent in the average yearly money
wage from 1929 to 1932-—from 800 rubles in the earlier year to 1,427
rubles in the latter.
Table 1.—Average Yearly Money Wages in the Soviet Union in 1929-32
Average yearly wages in rubles 1
Industry and trades
1929
1930
All industries and trades.-___ __________
2 800
2 936
Large-scale in d u s tr y - .-..- ______________
Wage earners______ . . . . ___________
Salaried employees__________ - .........
Young workers___ ________ ____ . . . . .
Building trades______________ _________
Transport-______ _____________________
Railways______________________ _
Water transport___________________
Other transport____________________
Communication_______________________
Commerce____________________________
Public feeding______________ ________ _
Credit__ _______ ______ ______________
Institutions__________________________
Educational_________ _____ _______
Public health______________________
Other institutions, including a rt______
Enterprises of local government__________
Day laborers and house workers, female___
Agriculture, including forestry and fisheries.
Agriculture________________________
Sovuhozy’s_________ ___________
Forestry_______________________
Fisheries______________________
957
925
1,008
614
1,025
929
906
1, 031
987
721
798
733
971
893
788
727
1,035
991
1,817
679
1,082
1, 064
1,030
1,162
1,147
760
893
778
1,199
1,047
978
799
1,170
814
431
2 547
557
608
2 497
889
1,020
712
400
2 399
363
399
2 493
880
1931
1932
8 1,127
8 1,427
1, 484
1,153
1,466
1,385
2,685
2,101
776
1,243
1,196
1,159
1,273
1,279
1,029
1,071
837
1,518
1,310
1, 253
938
1,471
1,099
483
3 799
786
3 817
984
888
1,509
1,506
1,496
1,509
1,539
1,333
1,351
1,059
1,834
1, 722
1, 633
1,248
1,943
1,453
828
3 914
866
844
3 1, 094
1,319
1 Gold ruble=51.5 cents on the basis of gold dollars. There are no available data as to the value of the
ruble in relation to prices of commodities in home markets, socialized and private, in the Soviet Union.
2 Excluding workers with their own horses in forestry work.
8 Including workers with their own horses in forestry work.
Table 2 shows the composition of production cost per unit in
certain industries in the Soviet Union in 1933.2
Table 2.—Composition of Production Cost per Unit in Certain Industries in the
Soviet Union, 1932-34
Percent of total cost of a unit formed by—
Industry
Materials
1932: Coal mining________________ _______________
Metallurgy___________ _______ _____________
Machine construction_______________________
Chemical.. . . . . ______________________
Small-scale industry______ _________________
Food___________ ________________ . _______
Forestry________________________ _________
Wages with Amortiza
supple
tion
ments
16.5
38.2
39.6
35.8
54.8
72.8
35.3
46.2
43.0
48.2
34.6
15.4
52.4
____
50.7
1933: All industries_______________ ___________ ___
1934: All industries............................................................
53.7
55.6
All industries_________________ .
68.0
3.9
7.4
3.4
9.2
Overhead
and ad
ministra
tion
11.6
8.2
14.0
2.6
6.8
8.0
33.6
3.6
12.1
31.6
30.5
3.6
3.7
11.1
10.2
3.4
2.4
8.4
9.9
8 Soviet Union (U. S. S. R.). State Planning Commission. Central Office of the People’s Economic
Accountancy. Planned Economy, No. 7, 1934, pp. 105 and 117. (In Russian.)
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
176
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
From 1932 to 1934 the cost of materials rose by about 9 percent
and the wage cost decreased by about 9 percent, while the amorti
zation, overhead, and administration costs remained approximately
the same per unit of production.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
S u m m a ry o f E m p lo y m e n t R e p o rts fo r N o v e m b e r 1934
Comparison of November 1934 with October 1934 and November 1933
HE four tables presented below summarize the reported data
regarding trend of employment in November 1934. Employ
ment and pay-roll indexes, per capita weekly earnings, average hours
worked per week, and average hourly earnings, as well as percent
age changes from October 1934 and November 1933, are shown for
manufacturing and for the nonmanufacturing groups insofar as the
information is available.
The principal changes shown in these tables are briefly as follows:
Factory employment and pay rolls decreased 1.9 percent and 2.5
percent, respectively, from October to November. The greater
decrease in pay rolls was due in part to the observance of Armistice
Day during the November pay period.
Thirty-seven of the 90 manufacturing industries surveyed, reported
gains in employment over the month interval and 38 reported gains
in pay rolls.
Among the decreases in employment were declines, due to labor
disturbances, of 14.4 percent in the textile dyeing and finishing indus
try, and 1.2 percent in the silk and rayon goods industry. A decrease
of 11.4 percent in employment in electric and steam car-building
establishments was due to the completion of orders placed under
P. W. A. contracts, while one of 7 percent in the slaughtering and meat
packing industry was due largely to the decrease in receipts of govern
ment cattle.
Dividing the manufacturing industries into “ durable” and “ non
durable” goods groups, the former showed decreases in employment
and pay rolls from October to November of 1 percent and 0.6 percent,
respectively. The latter group showed losses of 2.8 percent in em
ployment and 3.8 percent in pay rolls.
The November employment and pay-roll indexes were 62.2 and
46.1, respectively, for the “ durable” goods group, and 92.4 and 76.6,
respectively, for the “ nondurable” goods group.
In nonmanufacturing, 5 of the 18 industries covered showed gains
in employment and an equal number, although not the same indus
tries in all cases, showed increased pay rolls.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
177
178
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Comparing November with October, there was an estimated decrease
in employment of 86,000 workers in the reporting groups, other than
class 1 steam railroads, shown in table 1. The estimated decrease in
weekly pay rolls in these groups was $3,900,000.
There was a decline of 2.7 percent in the number of people on the
pay rolls of the various services of the United States Government,
comparing November with October. Disbursements for pay rolls,
however, increased six-tenths of 1 percent. The number of em
ployees in the executive service of the United States Government in
November registered a decrease as compared with the previous month.
This is the first time since January 1934 that such a decrease has
occurred.
There was an increase in November in the number of people given
employment by the emergency work program of the Federal Relief
Administration. A slight decrease, however, occurred in the number
of people in Civilian Conservation Camps.
Table 1.—Employment, Pay Rolls, and Earnings in All Manufacturing Industries
Combined and in Nonmanufacturing Industries, November 1934 (Preliminary
Figures)
Employment
Percent of
change from—
Index
NovemNo
ber 1934 Octo vem
ber
ber
1934 1933
Percent of
Percent of
change from— Ave_- change from—
age
in
Index
No
Novem
No vem Octo No
ber 1934 Octo vem
ber
vem
ber
ber
ber
ber
1934 1934
1934 1933
1933
(1923-25
=100)
76.8
54.8
+ .8
- 1.8
(1923-25
= 100)
59.5
(2)
+ 6.1 +7.1
+1.3 +15.0
+ .9 +11.3
24.57
19.14
21.42
+ 2.2
+ 1.2
+7.5
+7.8
+4.6
15.43
27. 72
-4 .2
- 2.0
+7.2
+7.5
Industry
All manufacturing industries
combined____ ______ _____
Class I steam railroads 1______
Coal mining:
Anthracite______________
Bituminous__________- .
Metalliferous mining_________
Quarrying and nonmetallic
mining________________
Crude petroleum producing___
Public utilities:
Telephone and telegraph__
Electric light and power
and manufactured gas___
Electric-railroad and motorbus operation and main
tenance_______________
Trade:
Wholesale_______________
Retail____ _______ ____
Hotels (cash payments only)__
Laundries......... ........ __
Dyeing and cleaning______ . . .
Banks_____________________
Brokerage____ _____________
Insurance__ -___
Real estate___ . _______ ____
Building construction________
Per capita weekly
earnings
Pay roll
- 1 .9
-3 .2
-2 .5
«
+7.2 $18.86
(2)
(2)
-0 .5
(0
(1929
=100)
60.7
79.8
43.2
+3.8
- .3
- .5
+6.7
+6.4
(1929
=100)
51.2
58.3
28.5
49.5
78.8
-4 .3
- .9
+3.1
+9.1
29.4
59.0
-8 .3 +3.9
- 3 .0 +17.3
69.9
- .5
+1.5
72.2
-3 .5
+ 6. 6
27. 33
-3 .1
+5.1
85.5
- .4
+3.5
79.6
- 1.2
+ 6.8
29. 50
-.8
+3.2
71.8
- .6
+ 1.1
61.8
- 1.8
+4.0
27.55
-1 .3
+2.9
3 85.1
382.0
83.7
80.3
75.8
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
+ .9
+1.5
+4.3
+• 1
- . 6 +10.4
-1 .7 +2.4
-5 .6
- .4
3 64.2
3 61.8
64.9
63.7
53.9
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
- .5
+ 6.1
26.05 - 1 .4
19.94 - 2.1
13. 40
0)
14.81 + .1
17.32 -3 .4
31.43
34.20 + 1.0
35.06 -0 .9
21.58
+ .7
23.60
- .7
+6.5
+2.5
+3.0
+1.3
-3 .2
+2.9
+ .9
+5.6
+ .6
-.1
+ .1
- 1.2 -26.4
- .4
- .3
-2 .3
+1.3
+2.7
-1 .7
-.2
-.6
-1 .7
- 8.8
+ .4
-.2
- 1.2
+ .4
-3 .0
+17.6
+4.9
+2.7
+ 1.2
-28.8
+4.2
+3.7
+3.6
1 P r e lim in a r y . Source: I n te r s ta te C o m m e r c e C o m m is sio n .
2 N o t a v a ila b le .
2 R e v is e d . C o m p le te series o f in d e x e s w ill a p p e a r in M a r c h is s u e of M o n t h ly L a b o r R e v ie w .
*No change.
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+6.5
+ 1.8
179
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Private employment.—Table 1 shows the November employment and
pay-roll indexes and per capita weekly earnings for all manufacturing
industries combined, for various nonmanufacturing industries and for
class I steam railroads in November 1934 with percentage changes
over the month and year, except in the few cases, referred to in foot
notes, for which certain items cannot be computed. Table 2 shows
for the same industries as in table 1, as far as data are available,
average hours worked per week and average hourly earnings, together
with percentage changes over the month and year intervals.
Table 2.—Hours and Earnings in November 1934 in All Manufacturing Industries
Combined and in Nonmanufacturing Industries (Preliminary Figures)
Average hours worked
per week
Industry
All manufacturing industries combined — . _______
Class I steam railroads.. ______ _ ______________
Coal mining:
Anthracite. _.
. . ________________________
Bituminous. _ . . . _____________ __________
Metalliferous mining_______________________ _____
Quarrying and nonmetallic mining. ______________
Crude petroleum producing___________ _________
Public utilities:
Telephone and telegraph____________ _________
Electric light and power and manufactured gas...
Electric-railroad and motor-bus operation and
maintenance_________ ____________________
Trade:
Wholesale_____ . . . . _______ . .
___
Retail— ___________ . ______________ ______
Hotels_______________ ___ _______ .. _______
Laundries ______ _________ . . . . . . . . .
Dyeing and cleaning.. _________________ . . . ____
Banks______________ _______ ___________ .. ..
Brokerage________ . . . . . . ________________ . . .
Insurance_________ __________________________
Real estate... . . .
....
. . . . . . ___ _____
Building construction ----------------- ------- ------- -------
Average hourly earn
ings
Percent of
Percent of
Aver change from—i Aver change from—1
age in
age in
Novem
Novem
ber October Novem ber October Novem
1934
1934
ber
ber
1934
1934
1933
1933
34.1
- 0.6
-0 .4
Cents
55.4
29.4
26.7
36.0
32.3
34.9
+1.7
+ 1.0
-7 .6
-4 .3
+ 1.0
+ 2.0
+ .8
+ .6
-4 .2
-1 .7
(2)
+5.8
82.8
71.5
58.9
47.8
78.4
+ .5
- .3
+ 1.2
-.6
+ .6
+3.9
+ 20.8
+ 10.1
+6.4
+5.1
+4.6
+5.5
38.2
38.8
-1 .3
-.8
+2.9
+ .3
73.5
76.2
-1 .7
+ .7
44.8
- .9
+1.5
60.6
-.8
+8.4
40.7
40.3
47.1
39.2
39.6
0)
0)
0)
0)
28.9
- .5
+. 5
(2)
- 6.1
+2.9
- 2.1
0)
0)
0)
0)
0)
63.6
51.9
3 27.9
37.1
43.6
0)
0)
0)
0)
81.9
- .3
+1.3
+3. 9
+ 12. 2
+• 2
+5.9
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
(4)
- 1.0
-.2
(2)
- 2.0
(0
(4)
0)
0)
-2 .7
- 1.0
+ .7
(2)
+1.4
0)
(4)
(4)
(4)
+2.4
1 Percentage changes over year computed from indexes.
2 No change.
3 Cash payments only. The additional value of board, room, and tips cannot be computed.
4 Not available.
Public employment.— Employment created by the Federal Govern
ment is of two general classes: (1) Employment either in the execu
tive, judicial, legislative, or military service, and on various construc
tion projects financed by the Federal Government; and (2) employ
ment on relief work, where the work itself and the system of payment
is of an emergency-relief character. These two types of Federal
employment are shown separately in tables 3 and 4.
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180
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 3.—Employment and Pay Rolls in Various Services of United States
Government, November and October 1934 (Preliminary Figures)
Employment
Kind of service
Pay roll
Percent of
October
change November
1934
1934
November
1934
October
1934
Total service-. . _________________
1,458,184
1,498,417
Executive service_________________
Judicial service_______ . _________
Legislative service.
. . . _________
M ilitary service__________ ______
Construction projects financed by
P. W. A_______________________
Construction projects financed by
R. F. C ________________________
Construction projects financed by
direct governmental appropriations..
675,442
1,885
3,698
272, 572
683,505
1,846
3,700
270,492
- 1.2
+ 2.1
-. 1
469,874
507, 799
16, 502
18,211
Percent of
change
-2 .7 $155,397, 670 $154, 457,968
+ 0.6
+ .8
100, 715, 284
451, 653
976,441
21, 786,447
101,516,284
453,217
975,850
19,945, 777
- .3
+. 1
+9.2
-7 .5
28,831,432
29, 280, 240
-1 .5
17,482
-5 .6
1, 621,468
1, 596, 996
+1.5
13, 593
+34.0
1,014,945
689, 604
+47.2
- .8
Table 4.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Relief Work of Various Federal
Agencies, November and October 1934 (Preliminary Figures)
Pay roll
Employment
Kind of service
Total service ..
___ ____
____
__
Emergency work program
..
Emergency conservation work___ .
Novem
ber 1934
October
1934
2, 537, 329
2,390, 061
2,150,000
387,329
1,998,167
391, 894
Per
cent of
change
Per
cent of
change
November
1934
October
1934
+ 6.2
$80, 622,110
$69,800, 633
+15.5
+7.6
- 1.2
64,000,000
16, 622,110
52,861,038
16,939,595
+ 21.1
-1 .9
Coverage of Reports
M onthly reports on trend of employment and pay rolls are now
available for the following groups: (1) 90 manufacturing industries;
(2) 18 nonmanufacturing industries, including building construction;
(3) class I steam railroads; and (4) Federal services and agencies.
The reports for the first two of these groups—manufacturing and
nonmanufacturing—are based on sample surveys by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, but in practically all cases the samples are sufficiently
large to be entirely representative. The figures on class I steam
railroads are compiled by the Interstate Commerce Commission and
include all employees. The data for the various Federal services and
agencies also cover all employees on the pay rolls of such organizations.
In total, these four main groups include a majority of the wage and
salary workers in the United States. Unfortunately, however, no
such complete information is available as yet for certain other large
employment groups—notably, agricultural work, professional service,
and domestic and personal service.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TREND OP EMPLOYMENT
181
Changes in Method of Publishing Trend of Employment Data
As
in the October 1934 issue of the Monthly Labor
Review a change has been made in the form of publication of the
trend-of-employment reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Previously these reports were published each month in pamphlet
form and, in addition, for the purpose of a convenient permanent
record, the contents of the pamphlet were reprinted, without change,
2 months later in the Monthly Labor Review. Under the modified
plan, each issue of the Monthly Labor Review will contain a summary
of employment data for the second month preceding the date of the
Labor Review and figures in detail for the third preceding month.
Thus, under this procedure, the present (January) issue of the Month
ly Labor Review carries in this article a summary of the November
trend-of-employment figures and in the following article the revised
figures in detail for October. As a result of this change, it will be
possible to incorporate in the permanent trend-of-employment record,
as printed in the Monthly Labor Review, certain revisions and cor
rections which at times are made necessary in the monthly pamphlet.
At the same time those who wish the detailed information as early
as possible may secure the pamphlet, which will be published as
formerly and distributed, without charge, upon request.
e x p l a in e d
T re n d o f E m p lo y m e n t in O c to b e r 1934: R ev ised F ig u res
HIS article presents the detailed figures on volume of employ
ment, as compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the
month of October 1934. The tabular data are the same as those
published in the Trend of Employment pamphlet for October except
for certain minor revisions and corrections.
E m ploym ent in M a n u fa ctu rin g In du stries, October 1934
F acto ry employment increased 3.8 percent from September to
October and factory pay rolls increased 4.8 percent over the month
interval. These increases reflected, to a large extent, the settlement
of labor difficulties in textile plants. Altogether 50 manufacturing
industries reported gains in employment from September to October.
Sixty of the ninety industries surveyed reported gains in pay rolls.
Unusual conditions affecting employment, which prevailed in
October, were: The settlement of strikes (mentioned above) in the
woolen and worsted goods, cotton goods, silk and rayon goods, dyeing
and finishing textiles, cotton small wares, and knit-goods industries;
the completion of car-building (electric and steam railroad) orders
financed through P. W. A. loans; and the falling off in the slaughtering
drought cattle.
Digitized of
for FRASER
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
182
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The general indexes of employment and pay rolls for October
1934 are 78.7 and 60.8, respectively. A comparison of these indexes
with those of October 1933 shows a loss over the year interval of 1.1
percent in employment and a gain of 2.4 percent in pay rolls.
The indexes of factory employment and pay rolls are computed
from data supplied by representative establishments in 90 important
manufacturing industries of the country. Reports were received in
October from 25,508 establishments employing 3,639,095 workers
whose weekly earnings were $68,834,960 during the pay period ending
nearest October 15. The employment reports received from these
cooperating establishments cover more than 50 percent of the total
wage earners in all manufacturing industries of the country.
Comparing the level of employment and pay rolls in the 90 separate
industries in October 1934 with October 1933, 40 industries showed
increased employment over the year interval and 53 industries showed
increased pay rolls.
Dividing the manufacturing industries into “ durable” and “ non
durable’’ goods groups, the former group showed a decrease of 2.2 per
cent in employment from September to October and an increase of 2.2
percent in pay rolls. The latter group showed gains in employment
and pay rolls of 7.7 and 7.4 percent, respectively. The October
employment and pay-roll indexes were 62.8 and 46.4, respectively, for
the “durable” goods group and 95.1 and 79.6, respectively, for the
“nondurable” goods group. The “durable” goods group is composed
of the following subgroups: I r o n a n d s t e e l , m a c h i n e r y , t r a n s
p o r t a t io n
E Q U IP M E N T ,
R A IL R O A D
R E P A IR
SH O PS,
NONFERRO US
M E T A L S , L U M B E R AND A L L IE D P R O D U C T S , A ND S T O N E -C L A Y -G L A S S .
Per capita weekly earnings for all manufacturing industries com
bined gained 1 percent from September to October and 3.6 percent
from October 1933 to October 1934. Gains over the month interval
were shown in 63 of the 90 individual industries surveyed and ranged
from 0.2 to 18.8 percent.
The per capita earnings shown in the following table must not be
confused with full-time weekly rates of wages. They are per capita
weekly earnings, computed by dividing the total amount of pay roll
for the week by the total number of employees (part-time as well as
full-time workers).
Man-hour data supplied by identical establishments in September
and October 1934 showed an increase over the month interval for all
manufacturing industries combined of 2.7 percent in average hours
worked per week and no change in average hourly earnings. Fiftyeight of the industries covered showed increases in average hours
worked and 42 reported increased hourly earnings. As all reporting
establishments do not furnish man-hour information, the Bureau’s
figures on average hours worked per week and average hourly earnings
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
183
are necessarily computed from data furnished by a smaller number of
establishments than are covered in the monthly survey of manufac
turing industries. Average hours worked per week and average
hourly earnings are presented for only those manufacturing industries
for which available information covers at least 20 percent of all the
employees in the industry.
In table 1 are shown indexesfof employment and pay rolls in
October 1934 for each of the 90 manufacturing industries surveyed,
for the 14 major groups and 2 subgroups into which these industries
are classified, and for manufacturing as a whole, together with per
centage changes from September 1934 and October 1933. Per capita
weekly earnings in October 1934, together with percentage changes
from the previous month and from October of the previous year
for each of the 90 manufacturing industries and for manufacturing
as a whole, are also presented in this table. Average hours worked
per week in October 1934 and average hourly earnings, together with
percentage changes from September 1934 and October 1933, are like
wise presented for manufacturing as a whole and for each industry
for which man-hour data covering at least 20 percent of the total
employees in the industry were received.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 1.—Employment, Pay Rolls, Hours, and Earnings, in Manufacturing Industries, October 1934
Industry
All industries 4 ____ - . _________ ___________
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir p rod u cts, n o t in c lu d -
ing m aetiin p ry
Blast furnaces, steel works, and rolling m ills.,Bolts, nuts, washers, and rivets...................... .
Cast-iron pipe................... .....................................
Cutlery (not including silver and plated cutlery), and edge tools_____________________
Forgings, iron and steel. . . _______ ______
Hardware. . _________ __________________
Plumbers’ supplies_______ . _______________
Steam and hot-water heating apparatus and
steam fittings..... ............................................... .
Stoves__ _______ _____ . . . _____ ______ .
Structural and ornamental metalwork______ .
Tin cans and other tin w a re ___________ .
Tools (not including edge tools, machine tools,
files, and saws)......... ........ .................................
Wirework. . ......... .............. . . . . .
_
M ach inery,
not
in c lu d in g
tr a n sp o rta tio n
Agricultural implements___________________
Cash registers, adding machines, and calculating machines____________________________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies...
Engines, turbines, tractors, and water wheels...
Foundry and machine-shop products_________
Machine tools____________________________
Radios and phonographs. ___ ______ . . . . .
Textile machinery and parts________________
Typewriters and parts *_____ _______________
Aircraft__________________________________
Automobiles______ . . . _____ ___________
Cars, electric- and steam-railroad................ ........
Locomotives-......................... ..............................
Shipbuilding_____________________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per capita weekly
earnings 1
Aver
age in
Octo
ber
1934
Percentage
change from—
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo
ber
1933
Average hours worked
per week 1
Aver
age in
Octo
ber
1934
Percentage
change from—
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo
ber
1933
Average hourly
earnings 1
Percentage
change from—
Average in
Octo
Sep
ber
tem Octo
ber
1934
ber
1933
1934
61.0
+5.2
+2.7
$18. 95
—
+ 1.8
+4.4
—
2 34.5
+2.7
-3 .3
Cents
2 55.4
—5.4
- 6.8
-13.9
+7.4
42.8
39.2
43.9
27.5
+4.1
+4.9
+10.9
-2 .5
- 10.1
-18.3
-19.4
+18.5
16. 30
15.41
14. 27
+4.8
+9.8
-.1
-12.4
- 6.1
+10.4
25.1
29.2
29.2
+4.6
+15.0
- .7
-23.9
- 11.2
+15.2
+ 2.1
+3.6
-3 .6
+3.8
- .3
+4.2
-24. 1
-10.9
55.9
31.5
31.8
36.3
+5.1
+ 8.1
+9.2
+17.0
+3.1
- .3
-18.7
-2 .9
19. 63
18. 32
17. 36
18. 28
+2.9
+4.3
+13.3
+12.7
+3.3
-3 .9
+7.3
+9.2
36.8
30.8
31.7
33.3
+3.4
+4.8
+ 12.0
+12.9
49.6
95.3
57. 1
93.9
+1.7
+4.0
- 2 .5
-7 .1
-10.5
- .9
+4.6
+10.5
32.4
71.9
40.8
82.5
+5.8
+9.4
-14.2
+5.5
+3.9
13.6
+9.1
21.18
23.87
19. 93
18.36
+4.0
+5.1
+3.4
-7 .6
+18.2
+5.3
+8.5
-1 .4
35.1
37.4
34. 1
35.0
57. 7
121.4
+ .8
+ 1.0
-1 .9
-1 .9
47.4
95.9
+ .7
+4.3
+5.1
18.99
18. 06
- .2
+ .2
+3.3
+7.2
+1.9
77 9
- 1
+7.6
+39! 1
+6 7
57. 0
74.4
+2 5
+'ll! 6
+13 5
+57.0
21.75
+3.6
100.7
65.0
72.3
66.4
69. 1
+ .7
-1 .3
+ 1.7
+14.9
+7.3
+35.4
+4.4
+28.0
-6 .5
-21.9
+34.1
78.7
49.3
48.4
47.6
50.3
137.8
44.8
92.5
49 4
234.9
52.0
31.6
17.0
56.2
24.32
78.3
+3.3
08 0
65.4
72.5
50.8
( 3)
+ i.i
-2 .4
78.3
49. 2
44. 2
61.9
72.9
222.8
60.8
104.1
63 9
265! 0
68.7
34.1
38.0
71.2
+ .1
-.6
-.8
+ 1.3
-2 .3
+ 2.8
—13 4
—lo! 5
-1 5 .0
-18.4
+ .7
-.2
+ 1.6
+8 1
-17.2
+7.0
+ 2 2 .2
+ 68.1
+7.7
—
+ .8
+
-7 .5 + 15.1
+ 2.8 + 18.8
+5.0 +52.7
+9.9
+ 2.1
- 1.1 +27.0
+ 8. 5 -3 .5
-1 .3 -31.2
+53.4
-(•)
—4 8 +14 1
- 8.1 -15.6
-4 .2 + 12.8
-13.9 +30.6
-2 .7 + 100.0
-1 .4 + 18.3
21.21
24. 42
20. 14
21.83
19. 69
20. 37
22. 05
25.14
22. 38
19. 80
21.91
23. 07
(3)
+7.7
64.8
52.8
48.3
- 0.2
-4 .3
+ .6
+14.6
+5. 4
- 1.1
- 1 .9
-13. 1
-3 . 1
+ 1.3
53. 5
59. 5
54.5
54.8
—. 2
- .3
+ 1.1
+ .4
+ 8. 2
+6.9
+ 11. 5
+ 6.8
+2.9
+3.9
+3.0
-7 .7
-. 1
- 6.0
- .9
-4 .5
60. 4
55.3
58.5
52.4
+ .2
+ .8
+ .7
+ .7
+ 10. 2
+9. 3
+9.4
+3.9
34.5
32.7
- 2.0
+3.8
-5 .3
+9.0
54. 9
54.6
+ 2. 2
- .4
+14. 5
+6.5
+ 12.2
37.5
+3.0
+ 2.2
58.1
+ .5
+12.3
-.1
- 8.1
+4. 1 +10.5
+3.2 + 13.1
+5.7
+2.7
-.6
- .3
+7.2
+3.4
+ 1.0 - 11.1
- 2.8 +14.0
35.2
34.0
37.9
33.9
35.7
35.7
33.0
38.5
-8 .3
+4.9
+3.0
+3.4
-7 .5
+2.4
+ 8.0
- .4
- 6.1
- 1.6
-13.3
69. 5
61.8
64.4
59. 5
61. 0
52.4
61.8
57.3
—.6
+ 6.8
+8.9
+4. 8
+7.8
+4.8
+9.7
+2.4
+14.7
+• 7
-9 .8
+2.3
+16.5
-2 .3
66.6
+2.7
+ 12.7
+5.7
-3 .3
- 1.2
-4-1.9
+5.4
+6.9
+ 18.3
+ 10.2
-.6
+8.5
-.6
-3 .7
- .3
38.5
31. 1 +14.3
+ 6.2
32.6
-1 .4
35.2
30.1
(3)
+ .2
72.4
61.0
62. 2
77.1
+ .2
+ .2
—.5
(3)
-1 .3
+ 1.6
+ 1.1
+ 2.6
- .5
—. 7
- 2.0
+ .4
+5.4
+ 13.8
+4.3
+ 2. 5
+14.9
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Employment
Pay roll
Index
Index
Percentage
Percentage
Octo change from— Octo change
from—
ber
ber
1934
1934
(3-year
(3-year
Sep
Sep
aver
Octo aver
tem
tem Octo
age
age
ber
ber
ber
ber
192319231933
1933
1934
1934
25 =
25=
100)
100)
Railroad repair sh o p s
_____ .
.
_____
Electric railroad.. _______ ___ _____________
Steam railroad______________ __________ . .
N on ferro u s m e ta ls a n d th eir p ro d u cts____
Aluminum manufactures.. .'.____________ ..
Brass, bronze, and copper products__________
Clocks and watches and time-recording devices.
Jewelry__________ ________ _______________
Lighting equipment____________ ____ ______
Silverware and plated ware_________________
Smelting and refining—copper, lead, and zinc..
Stamped and enameled ware............. ..................
L um b er a n d allied produ cts
_______
Furniture_____ T_______ ____ __________
Lumber:
Millwork___ _____________ _ . . . . . . .
Sawmills.___ ____________________ _____
Turpentine and rosin..
_______________
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p ro d u cts_______________
53.9
65. 1
53. 1
75.1
61.8
71.0
75. 1
79.6
67. 1
70.6
73.1
82.9
- 2.0
- 1.1
- 1.8
- .7
-25.7
-8 .4
+ .2
+3.7 +17.5
+ 8.1 +14.4
+4. 1 +8.9
+ 1.5
+4.0
+4.7 +14.2
- 1.8 - 11. 1
-3 .2
-.8
-3 .4
+ 2.6
+7.5
46,8
+ 2.6
57. 1
46. 2 +2.9
57.5
+ 6.5
51. 1 +23.6
49.5
+ 1.6
61.8
+4.4
65.4 + 13.5
56.3
+8.3
53.8
+3.3
45.9
+7.6
70.4
+5. 5
-4 .3
+5.4
-4 .9
+6.9
-17.8
-5 .7
+19.3
+20.4
+ 20.6
+6.3
+24.1
+5.7
+ 6.6
+ 6.2
- 2.8
42.9
38.5
+ .5
+7.5
-1 .3
-3 .2
59.1
63.0
(3)
- .3
+7.3
+1.9
19. 05 +15.0
19. 59 + 1.3
19. 10
+ .6
20.09
+5.0
19. 76 +3.9
20. 68
+ 1.8
20. 56 +2.7
17. 90 +7.4
+ 10.8
+3.3
+1.5
+5.4
+ 10.8
+ 2.1
+ 8.6
+19.0
38.0
33.9
39.7
38.8
38.1
36.7
37.6
35.3
49. h
36. 7
+ 6.1
+ .9
+1.3
+4.9
+3.5
+1.9
+3.6
+7.3
+ .4
+3.7
+27.4
-4 .2
-7 .5
-1 .3
+2.5
-2 .9
+3.0
+11.4
-10. 3
-5 .9
53.3
57.9
48. 1
50. 5
52.8
56.1
54.4
50. 7
35.2
44.2
+. 2
+ 1.0
- .4
+ .4
- .4
- .7
+• 4
+3.8
- .5
+13.0
+10.5
+6.7
+6.4
+7.9
+6.5
+7.2
+ 11.1
-7 .6
+5.7
36.0
33.7
+7.5
+1.5
+5.7
- 2.6
44.7
44.3
-1 .3
+ .7
+3.1
+5.6
+ .6
35.5
44.1
57.6
56.8
+5.7
+15.1
+6.9
+5.8
+ 10.2
+15.4
25. 92
24.21
66.5
+2.3
-15.3
47.2
+5.8
-14.2
16. 51
+3.5
+ 1.2
36.3
33.9
89 3
+4.8
-.6
- 6.2
-6 .4
-14.1
24. 1 + 10.6
22.6
+ 1.2
45.1 -13. 6
+ 2.6
-3 .0
—6. 6
16.01
14. 74
11.89
+5.5
+ 1.8
-7 . 0
+9.7
+3.7
+8.4
29.9
50.7
86. 1
29.7
68.4
92.3
89 7
63.4
94.5
82.2
106.7
75.6
109.5
75.9
68. 1
94. 4
-1 .7
- 6. 1
-1 .4
-7 .7
+3.3
+26.3
+44. 7
- 1.8
+81.9
+ 15.4
+17. 2
-9 .9
+ 8.8
+30.4
+90.5
- 1. 2
-3 .0
-f. 6
+. 7
+5.6
-9 . 5
16.9
32.4
69.4
18.6
45.7
74. 7
73.1
46.3
78.6
69.2
83.0
60.5
107.1
63.7
46.9
73.4
62.6
94. 8
79.4
78.6
54.8
99.8
+4.8
-4 .5
+3.0
- 8.1
+ 11.2
+29. 9
+48.9
' - .3
+94.7
+24.0
+9.8
-23.4
+17.7
+55.0
+93.1
+3. 5
+. 6
+ 11. 3
- 2.0
+ 16.5
—27. 4
+7.1
+13. 4
+31.2
+9.3
-25.3
-3 .0
—3.5
-5 . 7
-28.9
-2 .7
-1 . 7
+21. 7
-27.8
14.64
18. 98
18.83
20. 32
17. 39
+6.5
+ 1.8
+4.4
- .5
+ 8.8
+19.5
+6.7
+3.2
-1 .4
- .3
51. 9
32.1
33.0
33.2
31.1
33.9
-1 .9
+ 2.6
+1.9
+3.1
+ .3
+7.3
-5 .6
-15.3
50.6
+2.3
+ 1. 1
(3)
+ .5
- .5
+ 1.2
+3.7
-29. 5
+ 1. 0
(3)
+3. 9
+5.4
- 3 .0
-7 .1
- 2.1
16. 72
13.21
16. 45
17.81
17. 97
16.64
15.47
15. 59
+1.5
+7.1
+7.4
-6 .3
-14.9
+ 8.2
+18.8
+1.3
-11.5
+3.8
+4.5
(3)
- 20.2
+5.2
+ 8.0
- 6.2
- .3
29. 1
+5.4
34.9
36.2 + 12.8
- 3 .4
34.2
24.5 - 11.6
34.9
+7.1
33.8 +19.9
+2.3
31.5
-23.7
+ .9
+3.1
-7 .1
- 10.0
- 1.1
+1.5
-8 .9
56.7
38.0
45.2
52.2
70.1
47.9
45.7
49.6
+• 4
+1.9
- 2.2
-2 .4
-1 .3
+ 1.1
-1 .9
- 1.0
+18.3
+3.4
+4.9
+ 6.6
+7.5
+7.4
+6.7
+3.6
16.90
19. 52
15.43
14. 54
19. 17
13.24
+3.7
+ 10. 6
-2 .7
+10.3
-19. 8
+7.2
+ 1.2
+ 1. 5
27.4
+3.4
- 6.6
60.7
-.2
+10.4
+ .6
- 1.0
- 6.1
+6.3
- 11.0
+6.5
47.4
40.7
(3)
+1.5
+3.3
+15.4
+5. 0
+7.8
31.0
33.6
33.6
83.4
30.7
35.9
119.5
39.4
37.6
+5.3
-2 . 7
- 7 .5
+ 1.7
- 6.0
- 2.0
-1 .3
+5.1
- 6.2
- 20.1
-3 .6
+3. 1
-3 .4
-7 .6
38.6
64. 3
50.9
55.2
103.4
53.9
73.8
(3)
-7 . 1
- 1.0
+ 1.1
—5. 4
+ .4
- .3
+5.8
- 11.1
+6.9
+ 6.8
+ 13.5
+8.3
+16.5
32.9
37.4
39.4
-2 .7
- .6
36.8
42.4
54.8
+3.4
+ .5
+ 13.1
+ 6.0
+5.8
-7 .1
-.1
- 6.0
+22.5
+ 6.2
-24.4
-1 . 7
—5. 5
-7 . 2
-19.8
- 6.2
-5 .8
+21.9
-9 .7
-4 . 1
-4 .2
-24. 9
—1. 5
-i. i
+ 2. 6
+5.3
- 2.0
—11. 2
-8 .9
Boots and shoes__________________________
Leather--------------- --------------- . . . . --------
82.3
88.2
-3 .7
+ 1.6
- 6.8
+3.5
60.4
76.9
-10.7
+4.5
-13.8
- 2 .4
15.48
20. 18
-7 .3
+2.9
-7 .6
+ 1.2
Baking............____________________________
Beverages---------- --------------- . . . ----------Butter
Canning and preserving _________________
Confectionery_____________________ ______
Flour_______________________________ ____
See footnotes at end of table.
116.1
168.2
77. 7
137.3
96.6
80.5
+ .3
-4 .8
-4 . 2
-32.8
+3.8
+ .3
+5.4
+ 11. 7
-5 . 2
-13.4
-3 .0
+7.8
98.3
157. 2
58. 3
134.4
84. 1
68.5
-1 .3
-5 .9
-3 . 4
-32.6
+1.9
+8.5
+ 19. 2
- 8. 5
+ 1.4
+4. 6
+14.4
21.37
28. 00
20. 24
12.23
16. 14
21. 64
- 1.6
- 1.2
+3.1
+ 6.6
-3 . 4
+35.3
+7.8
+6.3
Brick, tile, ancf terra’cotta__________________
Cement_____ ___________ _______________
Glass___ ________________________________
Marble, granite, slate, and other products..........
Pottery_________________ _______ _______
Textiles a n d th eir produ cts
Fabrics
Carpets and rugs____________ _________
Cotton goods--------- ----------------------------Cotton small wares______ ____ ________
Dyeing and finishing textiles___ _________
Hats, fur-felt______________ ___________
Knit goods___________________________
Silk and rayon goods___________________
Woolen and worsted goods__________ . . .
Wearing apparel
Clothing, men’s______ ____ ____________
Clothing, women’s
Corsets and allied garments_____________
Men’s furnishings_____________________
Millinery
Shirts and collars______________________
-Leather a n d its m a n u fa c tu r e s ..
.
Food a n d kin dred p r o d u cts...........
_ _________
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
__
- .6
86.8
121 7
89.2
107.0
68. 8
103.4
-.2
+ .8
+ .8
+ .2
- 1.8
- .4
-.8
(3)
+ 1.2
+3.5
- .8
+3.5
+ 1.2
66.0
-.2
GO
Or
Table 1.—Employment, Pay Rolls, Hours, and Earnings, in Manufacturing Industries, October 1934— Continued
Employment
Industry
Pay roll
Index
Octo
ber
1934
(3-year
Octo aver
ber
age
19231933
25 =
100)
Percentage'
change from—
Sep
tem
ber
1934
69.8
- 9 .7
+ 2.6
-3 .0 +15.9
117.6
200.4 +160. 5 - 11.2
90.9
+3.1
+ .4
65.3
+ .9
+ 1.1
73.5
- .3
-6 .5
64.2
+ 1.2
+ 2.1
-4-2.0
90.4
+ 1.2
- 2.1
89.7
+3.7
+2.4
106.6
+ 1.1
Percentage
change from—
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo
ber
1933
- 8 .7
55.2
- 2.0
107.0
125.6 +114.8
74.0
+ 2.2
49.0
—3.6
- 7 .0
63.9
- 1.6
47.1
82.7
+3.0
+ 6.2
82.6
83.2
+4.6
+4.9
+37.7
-17.9
+ 6.2
-4 .3
-7 .3
-3 .9
+ 8.8
+9.3
+7.4
Average hours worked
per week 1
Percentage
change from—
Percentage
change from—
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo
ber
1933
Aver
age in
Octo
ber
1934
$25.16
22.82
16. 07
20.99
+ 1.2
+ 1.1
-17.5
-.8
+2.9
+19.0
-7 .5
+5.7
13.26
13.10
- 6.6
- 2.8
18.19
19.61
Aver
age in
Octo
ber
1934
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo
ber
1933
43.3
41.0
38.2
36.3
-5 .3
-4 .9
-8 .4
-2 .9
- 0 .5
+4.6
-26. 1
-.8
- 6.0
32.9
35.1
-5 .2
-3 .0
+2.3
+3.5
+ 11.8
+5.0
37.0
37.2
35.7
37.1
I—1
Average hourly
earnings *
Percentage
change from—
Aver
age in
Octo
ber
1934
Sep
tem
ber
1934
Octo
ber
1933
+ .8
Cents
57.1
54.8
42. 9
54.8
+5.9
+ 6.0
- 12.8
+ .9
+0.5
+14.0
+14.9
+4.0
-9 .4
-7 .5
40.4
37.2
-1 .7
-.8
+7.7
+1.9
+3.1
+3.3
+2.4
- 4 .0
49.0
52.5
-.6
0
+ 10.2
+11.3
+ .3
(3)
+3.9
- 1.2
72.8
84.9
+ .7
+1.4
+4.4
+ 6.8
39. 1 +3.4
47.7 +12.5
39.2
+3.2
34.6
+4.5
34.2
+• 6
37.9
+2.7
36.4
0
36.6
-5 .7
34.9
+2.9
+15.6
+4.8
- 3 .0
-9 . 7
-3 .1
-4 .1
-5 .1
- 1.8
-.2
61.9
21.9
50.2
62.1
36.3
56.9
51.6
58.9
75.7
-3 . 1
-12.4
- 1.6
- .5
-3 .2
- .5
+7.9
- .9
+3.6
-11.4
+ 1.3
+4.4
+19.5
+6.7
+ 11.8
+16.8
+9.2
+ .7
+4.9
+ 1.2
73.7
89.9
+1.9
+ 2.0
+12.3
+6.5
26.29
32.97
+ 1.1
+1.3
+7.2
+5.4
101.4
108. 5
106.5
109.3
106.8
91.8
91.5
99.6
307.0
105.7
112.9
77.4
54.7
+. 7
+. 8
- 1 .4
+11.4
+3.7
-1 .5
-3 .7
+ .3
—. 6
+3.2
-19.0
+7.0
- .9
91.6
89. 6
92.4
+1.9
+ 1.9
24. 03
10.38
20. 45
22. 38
12. 46
21. 55
18. 79
21. 83
27.18
+ 1.8
-1 .3
+3.5
+5.8
-2 .9
+ 2.2
+ 1.1
+ 1.6
-1 .3
-3 .1
+ 6.0
-7 .3
+3.9
+3.8
-12.7
-14.4
+7.1
+ 6. 3
+7.8
-15.8
+8.9
+5.2
+7.5
+10.5
- .5
+16.6
+9.5
-7 .3
-14.2
+4.8
+4.5
+ 1.8
+6.4
+7.0
+4.3
+7.2
+ 12.0
+5.6
17.88
+2.9
+3.5
33.4
+ 2.1
-2 .3
50.5
+3 3
+ 6.0
113.1
69.4
- .4
-1 .5
-18.9
-7 .1
-14.6
18. 08
22. 76
+5.6
+ 6.0
+5.4
+7.7
35.2
28.6
+ 6.0
+ 2.1
- 2 .7
- 6.6
51. 1
79.9
- .4
+ .9
+7.0
+15.3
87.0
99.2
+ .8
+ .8
+ .5
+7.2
+ 0
99.1
72.5
73.5
78.1
217.2
94.6
97.9
58.3
50.3
+9.8
+7.4
+4.2
-6 .4
+3.0
+. 8
+8.4
+ 1.7
+3.9
- .3
88.1
+ 5.2
+4.3
101.0
49.6
-.2
+ .2
+ .2
1 Per capita weekly earnings are computed from figures furnished by all reporting establishments. Average hours and average hourly earnings are computed from data furnished
by a smaller number of establishments, as some firms do not report man-hour information. Figures for groups not computed. Percentages of change over year on per capita weekly
earnings, average hours worked per week, and average hourly earnings computed from indexes. Percentage change over month on per capita weekly earnings in “ All industries”
also computed from indexes.
3Weighted.
3 No change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Food a n d k in d red p ro d u cts—Continued.
Ice cream________________________ ______
Slaughtering and meat packing______________
Sugar, beet___ ___ . _____________________
Sugar refining, cane________________________
Tobacco m a n u fa c tu re s
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snufi______
Cigars and cigarettes..____ _________ ______
Paper a n d p rin tin g _____ ______ . . . _____ . . .
Boxes, paper__ ____________________ . . . ..
Paper and pulp___________________________
Printing and publishing:
Book and job______________________ . . .
Newspapers and periodicals_______ _____
Chem icals a n d allied p roducts, a n d petroleum
refining .
Other than petroleum refining
Chemicals____________ ________ _______
Cottonseed—oil, cake, and meal__________
Druggists’ preparations____________ . . . .
Explosives____________________________
Fertilizers______ ______________ ______
Paints and varnishes___________________
Rayon and allied products__________ ____
Soap____ ____ _______________________
Petroleum refining.._______________________
R u b b er p r o d u c ts .. . . . ______ ______
Rubber boots and shoes__________ _________
Rubber goods, other than boots, shoes, tires, and
inner tubes.. __________________________
Rubber tires and inner tu b es.___ ___________
Index
Octo
ber
1934
(3-year
aver
age
192325=
100)
Per capita weekly
earnings 1
* Data for July, August, and September revised. Corrected tabulation follows:
103148—3i
Employment
Percentage
change from—
Industry and month
Index
* Less than Ho of 1 percent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
79.0
78.9
78.0
96.8
99.7
101.3
78.7
79.5
75.8
- 2.2 +36.0
- . 1 +22.3
- 1.1 +11. 7
+50.1
+3.0
+ 1.6
Percentage
change from—
Index
58.5
58. 1
55.6
+75.4
+49.9
+39. 1
84.8
- 2.8 + 10. 1
+ 1.0
+4.1
-4 . 7 -5 .2
60.5
62.2
58.0
86.6
92.5
Pre Same
vious month
month 1933
- 5 .0
- .7
-4 .3
Percentage
change from—
Average
Pre
Same
vious month
month
1933
Percentage
change from—
Average
Pre
Same
vious month
month
1933
+19. 1
+9. 5
-1 .9
Percentage
change from—
Average
Pre
Same
vious month
month
1933
Cents
+49.6
+33.6
+19.3
+58.7 +136. 2 $21. 85
+ 2.1 +77.1
21. 66
+ 6.8 +70.7
22.78
- 6.6
+ 2.8
- 6.8
Average hours worked Average hourly earnings
per week
18. 60
18. 89
18. 55
+5.8
- .9
+5.1
+35.0
+18. 3
+22.7
38.9
38.4
40.0
+4.0
-1 .3
+4.4
- 0.8
+ 2.8
+9.3
56.1
56.4
56.9
+1.4
+ .5
+ .7
+33.4
+14.6
+12.9
-3 .9
+1.7
- 2.2
+8.3
+5.2
+3.5
33.4
33.9
33.3
- 4 .3
+ 1.8
- 2. 1
-19.5
- 10.1
- 6 .7
55.6
55.7
55.9
+ .9
+31.4
+15. 7
+9.4
-.2
+ .7
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Machinery, not including transportation equip
ment:
July------------------------------------------------ -----August____ _____ _________________ .
September_______________ .
Typewriters and parts:
July_______ _______ _____________________
August____________________________ . _
September______________________ . . . .
All industries:
July________________________________ ____
August__________________________________
September______________________ .
Pre
Same
vious month
month 1933
Per capita weekly
earnings
Pay roll
00
188
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Estimated Number of Wage Earners and Weekly Pay Rolls in Manufacturing
Industries
I n t h e following table are presented the estimated number of wage
earners and weekly pay rolls in all manufacturing industries combined
and in the 14 groups into which these manufacturing industries have
been classified, for the years 1919 to 1933, inclusive, and for the first
10 months of 1934. These estimates have been computed by multi
plying the weighting factors of the several groups of industries (num
ber employed or weekly pay roll in the index base period 1923-25)
by the Bureau’s index numbers of employment or pay rolls (which
have been adjusted to conform with census trends over the period
1919-31) and dividing by 100. Data are not available for all groups
over the entire period shown. The totals for all manufacturing
industries combined, however, have been adjusted to include all
groups. The estimated total employment and weekly pay rolls for
all manufacturing industries combined do not include the manufactured-gas industry (which is included in the Bureau’s electric light
and power and manufactured-gas industry) or the motion-picture
industry.
Table
2 .—Estimated
Number of Wage Earners and Weekly Wages in All
Manufacturing Industries Combined and in Industry Groups
Year and month
Total manu
facturing
Iron and
steel and
their
products
Machinery,
not includ Transpor
tation
ing trans
portation equipment
equipment
Railroad
repair
shops
Nonferrous
metals and
their prod
ucts
E m p lo y m en t
1919 average_____
_____
1920____________________
1921____________________
1922___ ________________
1923_____ _______________
1924.______ _____________
1925._______ ____________
1926____________________
1927____________________
1928____________________
1929____________________
1930____________________
1931____________________
1932____________________
1933____________________
1934: January________ . . .
February . . . . . . ._
March_____________
April______________
M ay______________
June_______________
Ju ly_______________
August____________
September_________
October____________
8,983,900
9,065, 600
6, 899, 700
7, 592,700
8, 724,900
8, 083, 700
8,328,200
8,484,400
8,288,400
8,285,800
8, 785,600
7, 668,400
6,484,300
5,374, 200
5,778,400
6,146,000
6,514,200
6,770,100
2 6,906,100
2 6, 912, 600
2 6, 799, 900
6, 593, 500
6, 666, 200
6, 351,900
6,569, 500
1 Comparable data not available.
2 Revised.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
858, 600
926, 300
572,400
722, 500
892,400
833,700
851, 200
880, 200
834,900
829, 800
881,000
766,200
598,400
458,100
503,400
545,500
572,200
601,400
623, 700
646, 000
656,400
603, 900
589, 300
567, 000
567, 900
1,026, 800
1,131, 700
680, 700
717,400
928, 600
835,400
870,500
946, 700
897, 800
922, 500
1,105, 700
918, 700
687, 000
494,600
517,100
614, 700
640,100
674,400
705,100
713,900
709, 500
693, 700
692, 800
684, 900
684, 000
(0
0)
(>)
(0
606,200
524,500
559, 600
558,600
495,100
541,900
583,200
451,800
373,800
315,700
305,600
401,200
2 476, 700
526, 300
2 560,100
2 561, 800
2 538, 700
2 498,100
2 471, 700
2 418,100
361, S00
0)
0)
(0
(')
523,700
464,900
458,100
460,700
428,900
404, 000
398, 200
353, 800
309, 000
257,400
250,600
254, 500
257,400
267, 600
278, 700
287, 300
288, 300
281,100
266,100
268, 500
259,900
(')
(0
0)
0)
0)
0)
(l)
(0
(>)
0)
0)
0)
209, 000
164,200
175, 200
190, 200
200,400
212, 200
217, 300
219,900
214, 500
206,600
207,400
206,900
212,200
189
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 2 .—Estimated Number of Wage Earners and Weekly Wages in All
Manufacturing Industries Combined and in Industry Groups—Continued
Year and month
Total manu
facturing
Iron and
steel and
their
products
Machinery,
not includ Transpor
ing trans
tation
portation equipment
equipment
Railroad
repair
shops
N onferrous
metals and
their prod
ucts
(>)
(O
(»)
0)
$14,856,000
12,972,000
12,847,000
13,025,000
12,475,000
11,817,000
12,255,000
10,316,000
8,366,000
5,793,000
5, 652,000
5,710,000
6,185,000
6,578,000
7,188,000
7,297,000
7, 297,000
6,931,000
6,578,000
6,185,000
6,347,000
0)
(o
W eekly pay rolls
1919 average__ ____ ______ $198,145, 000 $23,937,000
1920.
238, 300,000 30, 531,000
1921
155,008,000 14,049,000
1922.
165,406,000 17,400,000
1923.
210,065,000 25,442,000
1924.
195,376,000 23,834,000
1925.
204,665,000 24, 680,000
1926.
211,061,000 25,875,000
206,980,000 24,289,000
1927.
1928.
208,334,000 24, 740,000
1929.
221,937,000 26, 568,000
180, 507,000 21,126,000
1930.
1931.
137, 256,000 13,562,000
1932
93,757,000
7,164,000
1933.
98, 623,000 8,925, 000
1934: January____________ 109,806,000 10,134, 000
February___ ____ ___ 123,395,000 11,269,000
M arch______ . ___
131,852,000 12, 650,000
April_______________ 136,962, 000 14,006, 000
M ay_______________ 136,575,000 15,115,000
June_______________ 131,839,000 15,436,000
July_______________
123, Oil, 000 11,737,000
August_____________ 126,603,000 11,219,000
118, 089,000 10,134,000
September____ ____ _
October____________
123,734,000 10, 554,000
Year and month
Lumber
and allied
products
Stone,
clay, and
glass
products
$24,534,000
31,982,000
16,450,000
16,982,000
24,618,000
22,531, 000
23,843,000
26,310,000
25,095,000
26,334,000
31, 761,000
24,197,000
15,135,000
8,546,000
8,975,000
11, 260,000
12, 253,000
13,199,000
14,311,000
14,713,000
14, 571,000
13, 838,000
13. 744,000
13,152,000
13,483, 000
(')
0)
(>)
(>)
$18,532,000
15,636,000
17,478,000
17,126,000
15,450,000
17,494,000
18,136,000
12,076,000
9, 008,000
7,012,000
6, 799,000
9,072,000
2 12, 377, 000
214, 529,000
2 15,906,000
2 15, 200,000
213, 513,000
2 11,361, 000
212,119,000
2 9,003, 000
8,555,000
Textiles and their products
Fabrics
Wearing
apparel
Entire
group
(0
(>)
0)
(>)
(')
0)
(0
0)
0)
(■)
$4,622,000
2,865,000
3,039,000
3,452,000
3,826,000
4,163,000
4, 317,000
4, 441, 000
4, 243,000
3,928,000
3,899,000
3,958,000
4, 214,000
Leather
and its
manu
factures
E m p lo y m e n t
1919 average_____________
1920____________________
1921.___ ________________
1922____________________
1923___ ________________
1924____________________
1925_____ _______________
1926____________________
1927____________________
1928____________________
1929.____ _______________
1930____________________
1931____________________
1932____________________
1933____________________
1934: January____________
February___________
M arch___ . . _
April------- --------------M a y ................... ..........
June_______________
July_______________
August_____________
September__________
October____________
1 Comparable data not available.
2 Revised.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
863,800
821, 200
703,000
894, 300
932,100
901,300
921,600
922,300
864,100
848,100
876,500
699,400
516,900
377,800
406,100
418,800
432,600
445, 400
453,700
468,400
459, 200
448, 200
450,000
452,800
454,600
302, 700
314,500
253,000
299,600
351,400
346,400
352,700
363,500
349,800
334,900
328,500
280, 800
222,800
156,000
157, 500
165, 700
174,400
182, 500
193,700
202,100
200,000
189,900
186,000
185,300
181,800
1,052,600
1,045, 300
994, 300
1,054,900
1,164,400
1,041,900
1,109,500
1,095,700
1,119,200
1,062,400
1,095,900
950,400
886, 700
794,100
952,600
988,400
1,065,800
1,087,900
1,070, 200
1,049, 200
993,900
961,900
946,400
685, 500
991,700
507,800
519,400
473,900
487,800
499,300
455,800
466, 500
472,800
501, 400
513,100
536,700
497, 700
472,000
401,800
418,100
385,900
442,800
471, 300
474,100
449, 000
423, 400
378, 300
427, 200
452,800
447, 600
1,609,400
1,612,400
1, 509,400
1,585, 500
1,714,300
1,545,500
1,627,400
1, 628,000
1,694,400
1, 651,300
1, 706,900
1,513,000
1,421,000
1,250,300
1,432,700
1,437,100
1, 577,300
1,629,400
1,614,700
1, 565,900
1,481,100
1,399, 700
1,437,100
1,191,100
1, 503,900
349, 600
318,600
280,100
314, 600
344, 800
311, 700
314, 200
312, 700
316, 000
309,400
318,600
295,100
272,800
255,500
269,400
268, 200
292,100
299,900
298, 600
295, 700
283, 700
289, 200
294, 700
277, 200
269,800
190
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW — JANUARY 1935
Table 2 .—Estimated Number of Wage Earners and Weekly Wages in All
Manufacturing Industries Combined and in Industry Groups—Continued
Year and month
Lumber
and allied
products
Stone,
clay, and
glass
products
Textiles and their products
Fabrics
Wearing
apparel
Entire
group
Leather
and its
manu
factures
W eekly p ay rolls
1919 average_____________
1920____________________
1921____________________
1922________________ ____
1923____________________
1924____________________
1925____________________
192(3____________________
1927______ _____ ________
1928..___ _______________
1929____________________
1930____________________
1931____________________
1932____________________
1933____________________
1934: January. _____ . . . .
February___________
March_____________
April.___ __________
M ay_____________
June_______________
July_______________
August___ _________
September__________
October____________
$16, 549,000 $6,397,000
20, 358, 000 8, 239,000
13,161,000 5,907,000
15, 234,000 6,442,000
18,526,000 8, 726,000
18, 228,000 8,926,000
18,824,000 8, 985,000
18, 997,000 9,257,000
17,916,000 8,929, 000
17,454,000 8, 541,000
18,062,000 8,323,000
13,464,000 6,828,000
8, 641,000
4, 786,000
4, 656,000 2, 588,000
4, 900,000 2,455,000
5,075,000 2, 655,000
5, 650, 000 2, 956,000
5,909,000 3,081,000
6,168, 000 3,445,000
6,409,000 3, 507, 000
6, 279,000
3,445, 000
5,853,000 3, 205,000
6, 205,000
3,098,000
6, 279,000
3,081,000
6, 520,000
3,161,000
Year and month
Foods and
kindred
products
$17,494,000 $10, 121,000
21,005,000 12,124, 000
17, 235,000 10,266, 000
17, 747,000 10,438,000
21, 590,000 10,919,000
19, 014,000 9,804,000
20, 497, 000 10, 281,000
20, 241,000 10, 297,000
21, 135, 000 11,123,000
19,510, 000 11,114,000
20,251,000 11,476,000
16,167,000 9, 680, 000
14,308, 000 8,338,000
10,367,000 5, 733,000
12, 664,000 5, 757,000
13, 647,000 5,850,000
15,948,000 7,473,000
16,457,000 8,414, 000
16,152,000 7,866,000
15, 256,000 7,039,000
13,626,000 6, 377,000
13,117,000 5, 716,000
13,178,000 7, 297,000
10, 001,000
7, 328,000
14,889,000 7, 587, 000
Tobacco
manufac
tures
Paper and
printing
$28,440,000
34,115,000
28, 284,000
28,962,000
33, 511,000
29, 712,000
31, 795,000
31,731,000
33,817,000
32,199,000
33,321,000
27,115,000
23,799, 000
16,947,000
19,394,000
20, 526,000
24,676,000
26,164,000
25, 277, 000
23,472, 000
21,033,000
19, 798,000
21, 571,000
18, 214,000
23, 662,000
$6,978, 000
7,437, 000
6,040,000
6,711,000
7,472,000
6, 654,000
6,831,000
6,909,000
7,009,000
6, 696,000
6,915,000
5, 748,000
5,035,000
4,060,000
4,394,000
4, 716,000
5,708,000
5,896, 000
5,736.000
5, 512,000
5,093,000
5,393,000
5, 498,000
4,834,000
4,492,000
Chemicals
and allied
products
Rubber
products
0)
(0
(■)
(>)
E m p lo y m e n t
1919 average____ _____ ______
1920_________________________
1921_________________________
1922_________________________
1923_________________________
1924_________________________
1925_________________________
1926_________________________
1927_________________________
1928_________________________
1929_________________________
1930_________________________
1931_______ _________________
1932_________________________
1933_________________________
1934: January______________ _
February_______ ___ _ _
M arch_________ . . . . . .
April_____ _____________
M ay___________________
June____________ _____ _
July-----------------------------August_________________
September_______ . . . ___
October_________________
1 Comparable data not available.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
733,600
713,000
626,400
651,400
681,900
657,800
664,400
664, -400
679,400
707,100
753,500
731,100
650,500
577,100
631,000
628, 700
627,800
643,100
649, 500
665,400
702,600
735,800
816,100
849, 700
798,900
157,000
154,000
149,900
146,400
146,300
136,700
132,100
125, 700
129,300
125, 600
116,100
108,300
99, 700
88, 600
82, 700
75,400
85,900
89,100
89,500
84,800
86,400
84,600
90,100
89,500
90,400
510,100
549,100
467, 100
489,400
527,400
529, 200
537,100
553,600
553,500
558,300
591, 500
574,100
511,800
451, 700
458,400
490, 700
494, 500
497,600
505,100
509,300
503,000
496,000
498, 200
506,100
512,000
(')
(>)
342, 700
322, 200
334, 200
355,100
346, 700
342, 500
384,800
364, 700
316,800
279, 700
315,400
359,200
368, 300
375, 600
377,400
353,500
348,100
350,800
356,000
361,800
364,300
(0
(')
137,800
123,200
141,800
141,200
142,000
149, 200
149,100
115,500
99,200
87,800
99,300
110,100
113,600
117,000
120,900
119, 700
115,000
112, 700
108, 400
105, 300
103,900
191
TREND OE EMPLOYMENT
Table 2.—Estimated Number of Wage Earners and Weekly Wages in All
Manufacturing Industries Combined and in Industry Groups—Continued
Year and month
Foods and
kindred
products
Tobacco
manufac
tures
Paper and
printing
Chemicals
and allied
products
Rubber
products
W eekly pay rolls
1919...... .................................... .
1920.. _______________________
1921_________________________
1922_________________________
1923______________ ___________
1924____________________ . . . .
1925_________________ ______
1926_________________________
1927 ____ ___________________
1928_________________________
1929_________________________
1930_________________________
1931_________________________
1932_________________________
1933_________________________
1934: January. ______________
February________________
March________________
April_______ . _________
M ay_____ ______________
June____________ ______
July____________________
August__________________
September__________
.
O cto b er_____ ____ ______
$14,879,000
16,698,000
14,333,000
14,142,000
15.296,000
15,155, 000
15,268,000
15, 503,000
15, 838,000
16,388,000
17,344,000
16, 593,000
14,173,000
11,308,000
11,604,000
12, 30i,000
12,352,000
12,522,000
12,663, 000
13,296,000
i4,008, 000
14,571,000
16,022,000
16, 661,000
15,752.000
$2,386,000
2, 772,000
2,325,000
2,206,000
2,317,000
2,213,000
2,147,000
2, 049, 000
2,025, 000
1,916, 000
1,819,000
1,617,000
1,336,000
1,052,000
944,000
886,000
1. 012,000
1,019,000
1,028,000
1,030,000
1,057,000
1,052,000
1,097,000
1,119,000
1,090,000
$10,873,000
14, 729,000
12,259,000
12, 762,000
14,304,000
14, 797,000
15. 506,000
16,478,000
16, 501, 000
16,691,000
17, 771,000
17,036,000
14,461,000
11,126,000
10,299,000
11,045,000
11,297,000
11,550,000
11,847,000
11,981,000
11, 728,000
11,491,000
11,654, 000
11,937,000
12,293,000
(D
«
(')
(»)
$8,499,000
8,013,000
8,444,000
9,055,000
8,978,000
8,997,000
10,068,000
9, 334, 000
7,643,000
5,861,000
6, 179,000
7,035,000
7,257,000
7,417,000
7,683,000
7,352,000
7,333,000
7,381,000
7,487,000
7,471,000
7,621,000
(>)
(>)
(‘1
(D
$3,500,000
3,223,000
3,676,000
3, 707, 000
3,810,000
4,069, 000
3, 986,000
2, 934,000
2,165,000
1,555,000
1,740,000
2,036,000
2,261,000
2,445,000
2,546,000
2,438,000
2,306,000
2,147,000
2,039,000
1,946,000
2, 022,000
1 Comparable data not available.
Index Numbers of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals in Manufacturing
Industries
G e n e r a l index numbers of factory employment and pay rolls by
months, from January 1919 to October 1934, inclusive, together
with average indexes for each of the years from 1919 to 1933, inclusive,
and for the 10-month period, January to October 1934, inclusive,
based on the 3-year average, 1923-25, as 100, are shown in the follow
ing table. A chart of these indexes also follows.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
fco
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CO
193
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 3 .—General Indexes of Employment and Pay Rolls in Manufacturing
Industries—January 1919 to October 1934
[3-year average, 1923-25=100]
E m p lo y m e n t
Month
1919
January____
February___
M arch____ _
April_______
M ay_______
June_______
July— ...........
August_____
September, —
October,
November__
December__
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934
105.3 114.9
102.0 113.7
102.4 116.0
102.5 114.5
103.1 112.0
104.3 111. 1
106.9 108.5
109.7 108.8
111.7 107.5
111.3 103.7
112.6 97.4
114. 4 89.7
81.0
82.6
83.2
82.1
81.9
81.0
79.8
81.2
83.4
84.1
84.2
83.3
82.5
84.6
85.9
85.8
87.9
89.8
88.2
91.4
94.5
97.0
99.0
100.5
100.7 100.2 96.3
102.5 101.5 98.1
104.6 101. 7 98.8
105.0 99.9 98.7
105.3 96.8 98.1
106.0 93.8 98.0
104.9 91.0 97.8
105.2 92.1 99.5
105.7 94.4 101.5
104.5 95.3 102.2
103.2 94.8 101.8
101.4 96.1 101.5
100.5 98.2 95.0 100.8
101.5 99.7 96.5 102. 9
102.1 100.2 97.6 104.1
101.4 99.6 97.1 105.3
100.4 99.1 97.0 105.3
100.3 99.1 97.8 105.6
99.4 98.1 97.7 106.1
101. 4 99.3 100.1 107.9
103.4 100.5 102.2 109.0
103.1 99.6 102.6 107.7
101. 4 97.4 101.7 103.6
100.0 96.1 101.2 99.8
97.3
97.4
96.9
96.3
94.8
92.9
89.5
88.8
89.6
87.7
84.6
82.3
79.6
80.3
80.7
80.7
80.1
78.4
77.0
77.1
77.4
74.4
71.8
71.0
68.7 60.2 73.3
69.5 61.1 77.7
68.4 58.8 80.8
66.1 59.9 182.4
63.4 62.6 182.5
61.2 66.9 181.1
58.9 71.5 178.7
60.1 76.4 79.5
63.3 80.0 75.8
64.4 79.6 78.4
63.4 76.2
62.1 74.4
A verage.— 107.2 108.2 82.3 90. G 104.1 96.5 99.4 101.2 98.9 98.9 104.8 91.5 77.4 64.1 69.0 279.0
P a y rolls
J a n u a ry ,___
February___
M arch_____
April_______
M ay_______
Ju n e ,, ____
July_______
A u g u st____
September .
October .......
November__
December---A v e ra g e ...
95.3
89.6
90.0
89.2
90.0
92.0
94.8
99.9
104.7
117.2
115.5
123.7
120.9
122.4
124.2
119.3
121.6
119.8
102.2 115.8
107.0
106.7
114.0 98.0
82.8
81.3
81.7
79.0
77.3
75.4
71.7
73.9
73.4
72.6
71.7
73.3
69.6
72.4
74.9
73.8
77.2
80.5
78.5
83.0
87.0
89.5
93.4
95.7
94.6 98.8 95.4
97.9 104. 1 100.8
102.5 104. 1 102.4
103.8 101.8 100.0
107.3 97.5 100.7
107. 5 92.4 98.7
103.3 85.7 96.8
103.8 89.3 99.3
104.3 92.5 98.8
106.6 95.1 104.6
104.5 93.7 104.6
102.9 97.6 105.2
100.9 98.4 96.0 102.3
105.0 104.4 101.2 109.3
106.5 105.7 102.5 111.6
104.4 104.5 100. 5 112.6
103.1 104.0 101.3 112.9
103.3 102. 4 101, 7 111.2
99.0 98.5 99.0 107.2
103.4 101.9 103.3 112.0
104.4 101.4 104.7 112.9
107.6 102.1 108.2 112.4
104.1 98.5 105.0 104.1
103.5 99.5 105.6 100.7
95.9
98.8
98.8
97.7
95.4
92.3
84.3
83.3
84.1
82.2
76.8
75.2
70.0
74.3
75.6
74.4
73.4
69.7
66.2
65.9
63.4
61.3
58.1
57.6
53.5
54.6
53. 1
49.5
46.8
43.4
39.8
40.6
42.9
44.7
42.9
41.5
39.5 54.0
40.2 60.6
37.1 64.8
38.8 67.3
42.7 67.1
47.2 164.9
50.8 160.5
56.8 162.2
59.1 >58.0
59.4 61.0
55. 5
54.5
97.4 117.1 76.2 81.3 103.3 96.1 100.6 103.8 101.8 102.4 109.1 88.7 67.5 46.1 48.5 262.0
i Revised.
2 Average for 10 months.
E m ploym ent in T ^onm anufacturing In du stries in October 1934
I n c r e a s e s in employment from September to October were reported
in 8 of the 17 nonmanufacturing industries surveyed monthly by the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and gains in pay rolls were
reported in 13. Data for the building-construction industry are not
presented here, but are shown in detail under the section “ Building
construction. ”
There were increases of 1.4 percent in employment in bituminouscoal mining and 2.7 percent in anthracite mining reflecting seasonal
demands. The gain of 2.4 percent in employment in metalliferous
mining was due to the resumption of operations in one locality, follow
ing the settlement of labor difficulties. Combined reports received
from 62,022 retail trade establishments employing 928,940 workers in
October showed an increase of 1.5 percent in employment. The
gains in retail trade were confined largely to the group of establish
ments composed of department, variety, and general merchandising
stores and mail order houses. This group showed an increase of 3
percent in employment from September to October. Employment in
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194
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
the remaining 57,153 retail trade establishments increased 0.4 percent
from September to October.
In the 9 industries in which decreased employment was reported, the
largest decline (5 percent) was in brokerage establishments, which
have reported decreases in employment for a number of months.
The remaining decreases ranged from a seasonal drop of 2.9 percent
in the quarrying and nonmetallic mining industry to less than onetenth of 1 percent in the power and light industry. Employment in
the crude-petroleum industry declined 2.8 percent over the month
interval and the laundry industry, reflecting seasonal recessions,
reported 1.4 percent fewer employees in October than September.
The decreases in the remaining industries were: Telephone and
telegraph, 0.9 percent; banks 0.5 percent; electric-railroad operation
and maintenance, 0.4 percent; and hotels, 0.2 percent. The decrease
in the last-named industry was due to the closing of summer-resort
hotels. Employment in hotels other than resort hotels showed a
gain of 1.2 percent from September to October.
In table 4 are shown indexes of employment and pay rolls, per
capita weekly earnings, average hours worked per week, and average
hourly earnings in October 1934 for 13 of the nonmanufacturing
industries surveyed monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
together with percentage changes from September 1934 and October
1933. Per capita weekly earnings in banks, brokerage, insurance,
and real estate, together with percentage changes from September
1934 and October 1933 in these per capita earnings and in employment
and pay rolls are also presented. Indexes of employment and pay
rolls for these industries are not available.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Table 4.—Employment, Pay Rolls, Hours, and Earnings in Nonmanufacturing Industries, October 1934
Industry
Coal mining:
Anthracite— ....... ...... ................................. ......
Bituminous.... ................................................. —
Metalliferous mining...... ........ ............................. - _
Quarrying and nonmetallic mining_________ _ . . .
Crude-petroleum producing........ .................. ............
Public utilities:
Telephone and telegraph___________________
Electric light and power and manufactured gas.
Electric-railroad and motor-bus operation and
maintenance_____ ______________________
Trade:
Wholesale________________________________
Retail___________________________________
Hotels (cash payments only )4___ _______________
Laundries___________________________________
Dyeing and cleaning__________________________
B a n k s_____________________________________
Brokerage________________ _________________
Insurance____________ ____ ________ _________
Real estate__________________________________
Per capita weekly
earnings 1
Pay rolls
Employment
Average hours worked
per week >
Average hourly
earnings 1
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
Index
Index
October change from— October change from— Aver change from— Aver- change from— Aver- change from—
1934
1934
age in
(aver
(aver
Octo
Octo October
Sep
Sep
Octo October
Sep
age
Sep
Octo
age
Octo October
Sep
1934 tember
1934 tember
1934 tember
ber
ber
ber
. 1929 tember ber
1929 tember ber
1933
1934
1934
1934
1933
1933
1934
1934
1933
1933
= 100)
= 100)
+ 2.6
48.3
57.6 + 12.1
+9.2
28.2
32. 1
-.8
+ 1.8
60.8
- 21.6
+30.6
+8.9
+2.9
+21.4
$24. 04
18. 80
21. 23
15. 90
27.83
-«
+ 10.6
+ 6.6
+2.3
+4.7
-23.7
+11.9
+2.4
+5.8
+7.7
29.1
26.2
35.8
33.4
35.5
-0 .3
+11.5
+3.2
+3.1
+3.5
-27.9
-9 .3
-8 .3
-1 .5
+ .3
Cents
82.5
71.4
58.2
48.2
74.8
- 0.8
- .3
+3.2
+ .7
+2.5
+23.8
+ 11.6
+9.0
+3.5
+3.7
+ 1.6
+ 11.8
+5.8
28.22
29.79
+4.6
+ 1.6
+9.2
+1.3
38.5
39.3
+ 1.0
+5.6
+3.4
+ .4
74.9
75.7
+3.3
-3 .7
+7.9
+3.6
+5.4
27.87
+1.3
+3.1
44.9
+1.4
- 2.1
61.7
(3)
+9.3
+3.5
+■ 4
+16.2
+3.7
+3.0
+ 1.6
-29.7
+8.5
+3.5
26.49
20.41
13.41
14.89
18. 11
31.39
34.04
35. 33
20.90
+ .3
+ 1.1
+1.7
+. 3
+ 1.2
+6.3
+3.1
+4.7
+ 1.2
- 3 .0
+6.5
40.9
40.7
47.1
39.1
40.4
(5)
(s)
(5)
(5)
+ 1.0
+ 1.0
- .4
+ 2.1
-5 .7
+2.9
- 1.8
(5)
(5)
«
«
64.1
52.5
27.8
37.6
44.7
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
- .5
+ (3)
+ .7
+ .5
+ .9
(5)
58.5
79.3
43.3
51.8
79.5
+2.7
+1.4
+2.4
-2 .9
- 2.8
+ 2.8
+16.6
+6.4
- 2.6
+ 12.6
70.3
85.8
- .9
~ ( 2)
+2.3
+4.4
72.2
- .4
+2.3
63.0
+ .9
+ 1.1
+1.5
+3.2
68.3
72.6
65.3
64.8
59.1
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
+1.4
+ 2.6
+ 1.6
-1 .7
86.2
88.9
84.2
81.7
80.3
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
- .2
-1 .4
+ .4
- .5
-5 .0
+ .7
+ .6
- .8
+9.4
+ .5
- 1.6
-27.6
+1.9
+3.4
74.9
80.6
+ .2
- .3
-5 .9
+4.1
+ 1.6
-.2
-.2
+ .2
- 1.0
+3.3
+ 1.0
+ .1
+ .2
-.8
- 1.2
(5)
(5)
«
(s)
-.2
(0
(5)
«
-.2
+1.3
+11.9
+. 5
+6.5
(5)
(5)
«
(5)
* Per capita weekly earnings are computed from figures furnished by all reporting establishments. Average hours and average hourly earnings are computed from data furnished
by a smaller number of establishments, as some firms do not report man-hour information. Percentage changes over year computed from indexes.
8 Less than Ho of 1 percent.
3 No change.
4 The additional value of board, room, and tips cannot be computed.
5 Not available.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CO
Cn
196
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Indexes of Employment and Pay-Roll Totals for Nonmanufacturing Industries
I n d e x numbers of employment and pay-roll totals for 13 nonmanu
facturing industries are presented in table 5. These index numbers
show the variation in employment and pay rolls in these industries
by months, from January 1931 through October 1934.
A revision of the indexes, similar to that made for the manufactur
ing industries, was made for the laundry and the dyeing and clean
ing industries in March 1934. The indexes of employment and pay
rolls in these industries were adjusted to conform with the trends
shown by the 1929 and 1931 census reports and this new series will
be continued until further adjustments, if necessary, are made when
1933 census data become available.
Table 5 .—Indexes of Employment and Pay Rolls for Nonmanufacturing
Industries, January 1931 to October 1934
[12-month average, 1929=100]
Bituminous-coal mining
Anthracite mining
Pay rolls
Employment
Month
Pay rolls
Employment
1931 1932 1933 1934 1931 1932 1933 1934 1931 1932 1933 1934 1931 1932 1933 1934
January________
February___ _ M arch_________
April__________
M ay__________
Ju n e .. ____ July___________
August _ - __
Septem ber..- . . .
October. _____
November___..
December---------
76.2
71.2
73.7
70.1
66.9
53.0
44.5
49.2
55.8
86.8 63.9
83.5 62.7
79.8 62.3
90.6
89.5
82.0
85.2
80.3
76.1
65.1
67.3
80.0
52.5
58.7
54.6
51.6
43.2
39.5
43.8
47.7
56.8
56.9
61.0
54.5
64.1 89.3
63.2 101.9
67.5 71.3
58.2 75.2
63.8 76.1
57.5 66.7
53.6 53.7
49.5 56.4
56.9 64.9
58.5 91.1
79.5
78.4
—
61.5
57.3
61.2
72.0
58.0
37.4
34.5
41.4
47.0
66.7
51.0
56.2
43.2 73.2
56.8 65.8
48.8 82.4
37.4 51.7
30.0 64.0
34.3 53.3
38.2 42.3
46.6 39.7
60.7 47.0
61.6 48.3
47.8 __
44.3 ..........
93.9 80.8 69.8 75.8
91.5 77.4 69.3 76.1
88.8 75.2 67.6 77.8
85.9 65.5 63.7 72.2
82.4 62.6 61.2 76.7
78.4 60.5 61.3 76.7
76.4 58.6 63.2 77.0
77.0 59.4 68.6 77.1
80.4 62.4 71.8 78.2
81.3 67.0 68.0 79.3
81.1 69.4 74.8 __
81.2 70.0 75.4 —
73.3
68.3
65.2
58.6
54.4
52.4
50.4
50.6
53.6
56.2
54.6
52.3
47.0
47.0
46.8
33.9
30.7
27.3
24.4
26.4
30.2
37.8
38.0
37.7
36.1 51.3
37.2 54. 6
30.7 58.9
26.6 51.4
26.9 54.4
29.2 55.1
33.6 49.7
43.3 50.4
44.1 51. 4
44.1 57. 6
50.7 —
50. 8 ..........
Average---- 80.5 62.5 51.7 1 59.3 75.4 53.7 45.8 i 56.8 83.2 67.4 67.9 176.7 57.5 35.6 37.8 i 53.5
Metalliferous mining
January________
February______
March_________
April__________
M ay__________
June_____ ____
July___________
August — _____
September_____
October ___. . .
November_____
December---------
68.3
65.3
63.5
63.9
62.4
60.0
56.2
55.8
55.5
53.8
52.8
51.2
49.3
46.9
45.0
43.3
38.3
32.2
29.5
28.6
29.3
30.5
31.9
33 .3
32.4
31.5
30.0
29.4
30.0
31.5
33.0
36.8
38.9
40.7
40.6
40.6
39.6
40.3
39.8
41.7
40.8
41.0
39.9
42.7
42.3
43. £
55.0
54.6
52.8
51.4
49.2
46.1
41.3
40.2
40.0
37.4
35. 1
34.3
18.1 25.4
17.8 26.0
17.4 25.9
16.4 27.2
17. C 25.6
20.1 18.3 26.7
16.9 19.0 25.1
16.5 21.1 27. C
17. C 23.9 25.9
18. C 25.1 28.2
18.7 25.6
18.7 26.2 —
29.7
27.8
26.5
25. C
23.8
Quarrying and nonmetallic mining
64.4 48.9
66.6 47.4
70.0 46.0
76.1 48.6
75. t 50.6
72.3 49.5
71. C 49.5
68.9 51.1
66.6 52.4
64.5 52.4
59.3 49.4
53.9 42.3
35.1 39.7
34.8 38.8
35.1 42.0
39.3 48.7
43.4 54.3
47.3 56.6
49.5 55.6
51.6 54.7
52.6 53.3
53.2 51.8
51.1 __
45.3 —
50.4
54.4
58.2
62.6
62.3
60.1
57.3
55.1
51.2
48.7
43.3
36.9
30.2
29.6
28.7
30.0
32.3
30.0
29.1
29.7
30.5
30.1
27.1
18.1 21.3
17.4 21. 0
17.8 24.1
20.2 29.9
23.8 35.0
27.5 37.0
28.4 35.0
29.9 34.0
29.3 32.4
31.2 32.1
28.3 —
22.1 24.4 —
Average__ 59.1 36.5 34.6 i 41.1 44.8 21.6 20.6 i 26.3 67.4 49.0 44.9 i 49.6 53.4 29.1 24.7 i 30.2
See footnotes at end of table.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TREND
197
OF EM PLOY M ENT
Table 5.-—Indexes of Employment and Pay Rolls for Nonmanufacturing
Industries, January 1931 to October 1934—Continued
Telephone and telegraph
Crude-petroleum producing
Month
Pay rolls
Employment
Pay rolls
Employment
1931 1932 1933 1934 1931 1932 1933 1934 1931 1932 1933 1934 1931 1932 1933 1934
January________
February- ____
March_________
April....................
M ay__________
June_________ _
July— ----- ------A ugust............ .
September_____
October ______
November_____
December______
Average__
90.5 83.0 74.6 70.2
89.2 82.0 73.9 69.8
88.6 81.7 73.2 70.0
88.1 81.2 72.3 70.2
87.4 80.6 70.1 70.2
86.9 79.9 69.2 70.4
86.6 79.1 68.5 71.0
85.9 78.1 68.1 71.0
85.0 77.4 68.3 70.9
84.1 76.2 68.7 70.3
83.5 75.5 68.9 ______
83.1 74.8 69.4 .......
65.7 55.3 62.2 i 77.5 61.7 44.1 44.1 i 56.4 86.6 79.1 70.4 i 70.4
74.8
73.2
72.2
69.8
67.8
65.0
65.3
62.4
61.2
60.4
57.6
58.2
54.9
54.4
51.4
54.9
54.5
54.2
55.4
57.4
56.2
56.8
56.5
57.2
57.2
57.0
56.5
56.8
56.9
58.0
59.5
60.8
73.2
72.4
72.8
74.0
76.7
80.0
81.6
82.7
66.2 81.8
70.6 79.5
72.2
75.0 —
71.5
70.0
73.2
66.3
64.7
62.7
59.2
56.3
55.2
54.4
52.0
54.9
46.5
46.9
43.2
44.5
47.1
44.8
44.6
42.9
41.9
42.5
42.4
41.7
39.9 53.0
41.7 50.5
42.5 52.5
40.1 53.4
41.6 56.4
40.6 56.9
42.2 60.0
42.5 61.2
44.4 59.7
50.1 60.8
50.3
53.2 —
Electric light and power and manufac
tured gas
January________
February______
M arch_________
April...................
M a y ...................
June.....................
Ju ly .................. .
August.................
September.........
October................
November...........
December............
99.2
97.8
96.7
97.1
97.6
97.2
96.7
95.9
94.7
92.7
91.3
90.3
89.3
87.2
85.5
84 8
84.0
83.2
82.3
81.5
81.0
79.9
79.1
78.4
77.7
77.4
76.9
76.9
76.9
77.3
77.5
78.1
80.3
82.2
82.6
81.8
82.2 98.6
81.2 99.7
81.7 102.4
82.4 97.6
83.1 98.7
84.0 98.3
85.0 97.4
85.6 96.2
85.8 94.3
85.8 93.2
93.3
91.2
88.4 73.0
86.0 71.6
85.4 71.9
82.4 69.4
84. 2 69.9
80.5 69.9
78.7 70.0
76.7 70.9
74.7 71.8
74.4 76.2
73.2 74.5
73.2 74.4
73.8
74.4
75.6
76.8
77.6
77.8
81.1
79.9
79.3
80.6
89.1 71.7 69.0
89.6 71.9 67.9
88.2 71.6 70.4
83.4 67.8 68.8
82.8 68.5 71.4
82.1 66.6 71.3
79.6 66.7 72.3
79.1 66.1 74.0
75.9 64.6 72.2
75.7 67.0 74.9
74.3 67.7 ______
73.5 67.7 .......
93.7 81.1 68.2 i 71.2
96.3
94.8
97.9
95.0
94.1
95.0
93.3
92.3
92.1
91.6
89.7
92.7
Electric-railroad and motor-bus operation
and maintenance 2
86.9 79.5 70.6 70.5 85.6 75.4 60.9 59.2
86.6 78.9 70.4 71.0 87.1 74.8 60.6 60.1
86.4 77.6 69.8 71.7 88.1 73.6 59.4 62.2
86.8 78.0 69.5 72.2 86.6 71.8 58.1 62.9
85.9
85.3
85.6
84.8
84.0
82.7
81.5
79.9
76.9
76.5
75.6
74.1
73.5
72.3
71.8
71.4
69.1
69.3
69.4
69.5
69.7
70.6
71.0
70.8
72.6
73.2
73.1
72.8
72.5
72.2
85.1
84.8
83.3
81.9
81.2
79.0
79.7
77.8
72.2
70.2
66.4
63.8
62.5
61.5
61.7
61.9
58.2 63.0
58.0 63.2
57.4 63.8
58.2 62.8
57.8 62.4
59.8 63.0
59.4 __
59.6
Average__ 95.6 83.0 78.8 i 83.7 96.7 79.8 72.0 1 77.7 84.7 75.5 70.0 i 72.2 83.4 68.0 58.9 ' 62.3
Retail trade
Wholesale trade
January....... ........
February______
March_________
A p ril............... .
M ay...................
June__________
July___________
August............. .
September...........
October...............
Novem ber..........
December______
89.5 81.8
88.2 80.9
79.8
78.9
77.9
77.0
86.8 76.6
86.5 76.4
86.1 77.1
85.2 77.8
84.1 77.6
83.7 77.0
87.4
87.4
87.1
87.1
75.3
74.1
73.1
73.3
74.0
75.7
76.9
79.7
82.1
83.5
83.4
83.3
82.4
83.0
83.6
83.9
84.6
84.1
84.0
84.3
85.3
87.5
88.4
89.1
85.2
84.7
84.1
83.3
82.1
81.4
86.2 79.9
79.7
77.8
63.9 90.0 84.3 76.9
64.6 87.1 80.5 73.4
65.7 87.8 81.4 71.4
66.8 90.1 81.6 78.6
66.3 89.9 80.9 77.0
66.2
66.5 89.1 79.4 78.3
64.7
67.6 83.9 74.6 74.6
63.2
66.4 81.8 72.6 78.1
63.1
67.4 86.6 77.8 86.0
63.9 66.0 68.3 89.8 81.3 89.6
90.9 81.7 91.6
63.3 64.1
106.2 95.2 105.4
62.6 64.5
74.1
72.5
71.3
68.9
69.7
61.7
58.6
57.1
56.0
57.4
57.3
59.1
60.8
62.3
84.6 89.4 78.0 62.7
83.8 86.7 73.7 58.4
87.2 87.5 73.4 55.1
88.2 88.3 72.7 60.4
88.8 88.0 71.1 59.5
88.2 87.6 68.2 60.5
83.3 83.3 63.3 58.1
81.8 80.3 60.7 62.7
87.6 83.5 64.6 69.2
88.9 84.6 67.1 72.3
85.4 66.9 72.6
94.1 73.6 80.3
68.8
67.7
69.5
71.5
71.8
71.6
69.5
67.3
70.8
72.6
Average__ 86.6 78.2 77.9 i 84.1 83.6 67.0 60.4 i 66.4 89.4 80.9 81.7 i 86.2 86.6 69.4 64.3 i 70.1
Dyeing and cleaning
Laundries
January________
February______
M arch_________
April__________
M a y ....................
June__________
July......................
August................
September_____
October________
November_____
December............
94.3
93.7
93.2
94.3
94.1
94.8
95.6
94.0
93.0
91.8
89.8
88.2 78.6 78.5 90.7 80.0 60.7 61.7 82.1 75.8 67.4 68.1 73.7 62.4 44.2 46.8
86.3 77.5 78.4 89.6 76.7 58.1 61.7 80.7 74.4 65.6 68.1 71.2 59.0 40.2 46.3
85.4
85.4
84.8
84.4
83.6
82.2
81.9
80.7
79.4
88.8 79.1
76.1
76.5
76.6
79.2
79.5
81.1
82.6
81.3
78.4
78.4
79.2
80.5
82.1
84.0
84.6
83.7
82.9
81.7
89.6
90.9
90.5
91.2
91.5
88.6
88.0
85.6
82.6
81.0
75.0
74.7
73.9
71.8
69.4
66.9
65.8
64.1
61.9
61.4
55.4
56.6
57.1
59.4
58.7
60.3
63.5
62.5
60.7
61.1
81.3
88.4
89.3
91.4
68.2 91.1
66.6 86.4
65.9 88.0
64.8 87.0
83.2
78.4
62.7
64.4
66.9
68.3
74.4
76.9
78.0
78.6
76.1
73.4
76.9
76.0
72.0
69.5
65.8 72.4
74.9 79.9
75.7 84.3
79.1 84.9
76.6 80.5
76.8 78.6
81.9 80.0
81.6 80.3
76.1 _____
70.5
71.7
81.9
82.1
84.5
81.8
75.9
78.3
77.2
70.8
64. 4
58.5
62.5
63.8
62.4
56.9
53.4
57.9
55.8
49.6
45.9
38.9 51.7
51.7 60.8
51.0 65.1
53.7 64. 1
50.0 58.9
50.0 56.7
57.1 59.0
57.4 59.1
52.5 —
47.3
Average__ 93.1 83.5 78.8 •81.6 88.3 70.1 59.5 i 65.1 85.6 75.2 74.3 ' 77.7 76.1 57.3 49.5 i 56.9
Digitized forSee
FRASER
footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
198
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
T a ble
5.— Indexes of Employment and Pay Rolls for Nonmanufacturing
Industries, January 1931 to October 1934—Continued
Hotels
Month
Employment
1931
January__________ _____ _________
February _______________________
March____ ______________________
April________ _____ _____ _ ___ . . .
M ay____________________ . . . . . .
June________________________ __ _
July____________________________
August... . . . ______ . . . ___ _____
September______ - - - - - October----------. . . ......................
November_____ . . . . .
_______
December______ . . . _____________
Average____________________
1932
1933
Pay rolls
1934
95.0
96.8
96.8
95.9
92.5
91.6
93.3
92.8
90.6
87.4
84.9
83.1
83.2
84.3
84.0
82.7
80.1
78.0
78.4
77.6
77.0
75.4
74.3
73. 2
73.8
73.8
72.4
71.9
71.9
73.6
75.6
77.1
78.7
77.0
75.8
77. 6
81.5
84.8
86.4
91.7
79.0
74.9
i 85.2
86.6
85.7
86.2
86.3
86.2
84.4
84.2
1931
1932
1933
91.0
93.7
93.4
89.9
87.7
85.4
85.2
83.8
81.9
79.7
77 1
75.4
73.9
73.9
72.4
69.6
67.0
63.8
61.8
59.6
59.1
58.6
57 5
56.6
55.7
55.9
53.5
51.7
51.8
52.3
53.3
54.0
55.6
56.2
55 2
57.6
85.4
64.5
54.4
1934
60.8
65. 2
66.6
66.5
65.9
66.2
65.6
64.5
64.3
65.3
‘ 65.1
1 Average for 10 months.
2 Not including electric-railroad car building and repairing; see transportation equipment and railroad
repair-shop groups, manufacturing industries, table 1.
E m ploym ent in B u ild in g C on stru ction in October 1934
T able 6 is based on returns made by 10,810 firms engaged in
public and private building-construction projects not aided by Public
Works Administration funds. These reports include all trades,
from excavation through painting and interior decoration, which
are engaged in erecting, altering, or repairing buildings. Work on
roads, bridges, docks, etc., is omitted. The reports cover buildings
operations in various localities in 34 States and the District of
Columbia.
For purposes of comparison in this study, all reports were reduced
to a 1-week basis if not originally so reported.
In October the average weekly earnings were $23.74, as compared
with $23.16 for September. These are per capita weekly earnings,
computed by dividing the total amount of the weekly pay roll by the
total number of employees—part time as well as full time.
The average hours per week per man—29.8 in October and 28.9 in
September—were computed by dividing the number of man-hours by
the number of workers employed by those firms which reported
man-hours.
The average hourly earnings—80.1 cents in October and 80.4 in
September—were computed by dividing the pay roll of those firms
which reported man-hours, by the number of man-hours.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
199
T R E N D O F E M PL O Y M E N T
Table 6.—Employment, Pay Rolls, Hours, and Earnings, in the BuildingConstruction Industry, October 1934
[Figures in italics are not compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics but are taken from reports issued
by cooperating State bureaus]
All localities___________ 10, 810 86, 761
Alabama: Birmingham...
California:
Los Angeles. . . ------San Francisco-Oak land_____ ____ _ .
Other localities_____
The State________
91
22
rO
a
d
XJ4
C
OO
l
t-t
rO
O
O
Percentage change
from September 1934
a
<1
S-4
O
rO
O
O
Average
hourly
earnings 1
Dollars
+3.4 2, 059, 302
+5.9
Dollars
23.74
+2.5
29.8
+3.1
Cents
80.1 -0 .4
10,872
+ .8
17.48
-9 .4
28.3
-6 .9
62.1 -2 .5
622 +11.3
20 1,065 +9.1
SO
a
0
Average
hours per
week per
man 1
Percentage change
j irom September 1934
d
£
t-4
C
D
-Q
O
4-3
O
O
^ CO
flS
d
Percentage change
from September 1934
a
rO
4O
-3
O
o
4-3CO
AS
d
o
Percentage change
from September 1934
SD
-i
C
rO
o
o
O
J, CO
Ss
pO
Percentage ch an g e
from September 1934
Number of firms reporting
Locality
Average
weekly
earnings
Pay rolls
Employment
791, -28.1,
191 -29.0
72 2,050 -12.9
24,162 +15.2 22.69 +5.6 33.6 +9.4 67.5 -3 .6
19.562 - 16.4 24-64 +16.8 28.6 +10.9 86.3 +5.6
4,242 -16.6 22.21 +17.5 28.0 +4-1 79.3 +13.0
47,966 -3 .0 23.40 +11.4 31.1 + 11.1 75.1 (2)
Colorado: Denver______
199
625 +13.2
14,083 +17.2
22. 53
+3.5
27.8
+ 1.8
81.4 + 1.0
Connecticut:
Bridgeport_________
Hartford___________
New H aven................
115 615 +24.5
257 1, 126 + 6.2
160 907 +7.2
15, 350 +34.9
26,974 +9.0
23, 380 +4.7
24. 96
23.96
25. 78
+8.3
+ 2.6
-2 .3
32. 2 + 2. 2
33.7 + 1.8
34.6 -4 .9
78.1 +5.7
70.7 + .6
74.8 +2.7
The State________
532 2,648 +10.3
65, 704 +12.4
24.81
+ 1.8
33.7
- .9
73.7 +2.5
Delaware: W ilm ington...
District of Columbia____
100 1,089 ~ +4+
22, 228
+8.4
+9.5
20.41
29. 43
+3.9
+5.3
31.7
33.4
+6.7
+7.7
64.3 -2 .7
87.9 -2 .7
17. 34
Florida.
Jacksonville_______
Miami____________
The State________
376 4, 521
+4.0
239
- .4
+9.6
4,145 +8.9
25, 735 +25.0
+9.3
68 1,225
21.01 +14.1
29.1
30.2
+ 8.6
+7+
59.6 + . 8
69.5 +6.3
113 1,464
+7.8
29,880 +22.5
20.41 +13.6
30.0
+7.5
67.9 +5.6
-6 .7
14, 042
26.6
-■7
61.5 +5.3
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
«
45
854
Georgia: Atlanta_______
134
Illinois:
Chicago___________
Other lo c a litie s..----
135 1,873 - 12.1
91, 2,116 +38.9
The State................
Indiana:
Evansville_________
Fort Wayne________
Indianapolis________
South Bend________
133,034
229 3,989
+9.1
-3 .4
16.44
+3.5
54,038 -8 .2
40, 792 + 45.I
28.85
19.28
+4-6 (?)
+4- 4 (3)
+9.0
23.77
94, 830
-.1
(3)
60 554 +50.1
80 407 +65.4
149 1,185 + 2.2
35 193 + 6.0
11,901 +71.3
8,178 +73.9
28, 532 +9.1
4,013 +17.0
21.48 +14.1 30.9 + 16.2
20.09 +5.1 32.7 +29.2
24.08 + 6. 7 31.0 + 2.0
20. 79 +10.3 28.9 +12.5
324 2, 339 +19.6
52,624 +27.6
69.5
61.4
77.7
73.1
-1 .7
-18.7
+4.9
+ 2.0
22.50
+6.7
31.1
+8.7
72.4 -1 .5
Iowa: Des Moines--------Kansas: W ic h ita .......... .
Kentucky: Louisville___
Louisiana: New Orleans..
Maine: Portland.... ........ .
Maryland: Baltimore___
Massachusetts: All locali
ties—
504
351
841
936
319
88
111 2,565
-3 .8
+18.2
+17.8
-19.4
-9 .9
+83.0
11, 496
6 , 160
17, 289
17, 651
7,493
46,125
-5 .1
+14.4
+23.5
-16.5
-8 .9
+80.9
22.81
17. 55
20. 56
18.86
23.49
17.98
-1 .3
-3 .1
+4.9
+3.6
+ 1.1
-1 .1
29.2
25.7
32.4
30.2
30.4
29.4
+4.3
-5 .2
+6.9
+3.4
-5 .5
+1.9
- .3
- .7
77.8
68.3
64.9
62.4
77.3
60.8
699 5,583
+2.8
136,251
+.9
24.40
-1 .9
29.8
-2 .3
82.0
+ .7
Michigan:
Detroit......... ............. F l i n t . . . .....................
Grand Rapids.............
487 3,269 -3 .4
48 177 -16.9
104 395 +16.9
The State............. .
The State.................
92
63
146
109
639 3,841
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
-2 .4
84,016 + 1.0
3,498 -28.8
7,329 +25.3
94,843
+ 1.C
25. 70 +4.6
19.76 -14.3
18. 55 +7.2
24.69
+3.4
- 1 .
f
+• 2
+2.9
-8 .8
31.3 -1 .3
28.0 -14.9
31.2 + 12.6
82.1 +5.8
70.7 + .7
59.4 -4 .7
-l.C
79.3 +4.2
31.1
200
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Number of firms reporting
Table 6.—Employment, Pay Rolls, Hours, and Earnings, in the BuildingConstruction Industry, October 1934—Continued
Locality
Minnesota:
Duluth____________
Minneapolis________
St. Paul___________
Employment
©:£
U
rQ
O
o
O co
03
U 1"H
©
rO
a
c3 .
rQ Q}
o 9
5 ft
§GQ
s®ao
3
Ph £
»-i
©
rQ
o
o
O 03
co
a
q
o
CD^
s2
rQ
ü rQ
®§
m2
a a
g£
ga
a
<<
f t*
D o lla r
Average
hours per
week per
man i
Average
weekly
earnings
Pay rolls
©
rQ
O
o
O CO
03
a
q
o
a
<32^
Average
hourly
earnings 1
U
M g
nS
,.
£
»Jo
oS
mS
a ft
rQ
O
4-3
©
OS
«2
03 .
rQ (JJ
ü rQ
œS
S®
^ ft
gw
§ ao
©
43
gS
3
£
§3
03
Si
03
a
<
g§
CO
03
©
rQ
O
o
o
l |
<D S
E ft
a ®
gœ
2a
2
ft
D o lla r s
52
172 - 1 6 . 9
207 1, 582
—6. e
149
692 + 6 . 8
3, 770
- 9 .6
34, 441 - 1 0 . 3
17,167 + 1 0 .9
21.92
21.77
24.81
+ 8 .8
- 4 .2
+ 3 .9
30 .3
28. 5
31.1
+ 9 .0
- 8 .9
+ 2 .3
72 0 (2)
75. 7 + 5 . 1
79 .6 + 1 . 3
The State________
408 2,446
- 3 .9
55, 378
- 4 .6
22.64
- .7
29.4
- 4 .5
76 .6
+ 3 .9
Missouri:
Kansas City * ______
St. Louis__________
263 1,690
562 2,813
- 2 .1
- 2 .2
43,064
79,303
+ 1 .2
+ 4 .4
25. 48
28.19
+ 3 .3
+ 6 .7
2 8 .2
27 .8
+ 3 .7
+ 8 .2
9 0 .8
101.3
- .5
- 1 .2
825 4,503
The State
______
- 2 .2
122,367
+ 3 .2
27.17
+ 5 .5
27.9
+ 6 .5
97 .3
- .9
Nebraska: Omaha______
155
639
+ .9
14,256
- 1 .4
22.31
- 2 .3
30 .2
+ 2 .7
7 4 .0
- 4 .8
New York:
New York C ity____
Other localities...........
536 8,324
354 9, SIS
- 2 .9
+ .9
244,808
218,261
+2.1
- .3
29.41
23.44
+1.2
+2.7
27.8
29.4
+1.5 105.7 - . 3
+1.4 79.7 +1.4
The State. ____ _
890 17,637
26.26
-1 .2
463,069
+ .9
+2.1
28.6
+ 1 .1
91.7
+ .9
326
+ 7 .9
6,671
+ 2 3 .2
20. 46 + 1 4 .2
3 0 .8
+ 1 3 .2
66 .4
+ .9
Ohio:
Akron____ . . _
Cincinnati * __ _____
Cleveland.. ___ . . .
Dayton___________
Youngstown_______
94
362
418 1,815
601 2,640
139
548
86
466
+ 7 .1
+ 1 1 .4
+ 1 0 .2
+ 2 4 .5
+ 1 9 .8
8,584
43,621
70,568
11,613
11,513
+ 1 3 .8
+12. ]
+ 1 1 .8
+18. 5
+ 3 2 .0
23. 71
+ 6 .3
24.03
+ .6
26.73
+ 1 .5
21.19
- 4 .9
24. 71 + 1 0 .2
30 .8
+6. 2
29 .2
+ 3 .2
2 7 .2
+ 3 .8
28. 7 —3. 7
30.1 + 1 1 .9
7 7 .0
82 .3
99 9
— 2 .5
—.7
82.1
- 1 .6
The State________
1,338 5,831
+ 1 2 .3
25.02
+ 1 .4
28 .5
+ 4 .0
8 8 .2
- 1 .9
17. 39
17. 34
- 3 .5
- 7 .4
25 .5
28 .0
- 5 .9
- 2 .4
67. 8 + 1 . 6
62 .8 - 5 . 3
North Carolina: Charlotte.
51
Oklahoma:
Oklahoma City_____
Tulsa_____________
89
52
401 - 2 5 . 5
- 4 .4
328
The S t a t e _______
141
729 - 1 7 . 3
Oregon: Portland______
173 1,042
Pennsylvania: «
Erie area_________
Philadelphia area___
Pittsburgh area.........
Reading area_______
Scranton area_______
Other areas_____ .
n
260 -28.4
375 3,542 +4-S
m 1,621 +3.6
40 254 -7 .0
32 228 +16.9
263 2,160 +11.5
The State________
Rhode Island: Providence.
935 8,065
35
38
70
83
165 - 2 1 . 4
368 - 1 2 . 4
373 + 1 3 .7
800 + 1.1
226 1,706
See footnotes at end of table.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
+4-3
231 1,433 + 1 3 .7
Tennessee:
Chattanooga_______
Knoxville.. ............
Memphis____ _
Nashville_________
The State________
+ 8 .8
- 2 .5
145,899 + 1 3 .9
6,973
5,689
- 2 8 .1
- 1 1 .5
12,662 - 2 1 . 4
17.37
- 5 .1
21,579
H~8. 6
20. 71
- .
3,496
79,013
48,114
6,351
5,102
46,581
-17.2
+11.4
+3.2
-4 -9
+18.3
+16.3
187,657
(2 )
73 7 — 1 5
26.6
- 4 .0
65.5
- 1 .7
25 .2
- 4 .2
82 .7
+ 3 .6
IS. 45 +15.6 19.8 +28.6
22.81 + 6 . 8 31.1 +10.3
29.68
- . 3 32.0 +5.6
21.07 +2.2 31.4 +4.7
22.38 +1.2 31.2 +2.6
21.57 +4- 4 33.3 + 8 . 8
63. 6
73.7
93 7
67.1
72 1
64.7
- 8.4
—2.3
—5 1
—2 2
—1. 6
-3 .7
1
+9.3
23.27
+4-7
31.6
+9.7
74.8 -3 .6
34, 224 + 2 3 .1
23.88
+ 8 .3
32 .8
+ 5 .5
73.3 + 3 . 2
2,354
5, 554
7,371
14, 226
- 2 7 .5
- 2 2 .1
+ 2 7 .7
+ 1 6 .8
14. 27
- 7 .6
15.09 - 1 1 . 1
19.76 + 1 2 .3
17.78 + 1 5 .5
22.8
24 .8
27 .9
27 .7
- 1 0 .2
+ 5 .3
+ 4 .5
62. 5 + 2 . 6
60. 7
1 5
70 .9 + 6. 6
64.3 + 1 0 .5
29, 505
+ 4 .1
+6.7
26.6
(2)
64.9
17.29
—10.1
—
+ 6.6
201
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 6.—Employment, Pay Rolls, Hours, and Earnings, in the BuildingConstruction Industry, October 1934—Continued
Texas:
Dallas_____________
El Paso___________
Houston....... ...............
San Antonio_______
191 679
24
93
190 1,192
91 311
+ 1.2
+4.5
+8.4
+3.3
The State________
496 2,275
+5.3
Dollars
Dollars
11,802 + 10.2 17. 38 + 8.8
1,598 -17.2 17.18 - 20.8
23,093 +14.6 19.37 +5.8
4, 537 + .3 14.59 -2 .9
41,030 + 10.0
Average
hourly
earnings 1
CO
CO
t-t
o
o
O
CO
rO
Percentage change
from September 1934
Percentage change
from September 1934
Average
hours per
week per
man 1
Number O c t o b e r
1934
Percentage change
from September 1934
Average
weekly
earnings
Amount O c t o b e r
1934
Percentage change
from September 1934
Pay rolls
Amount O c t o b e r
1934
Percentage change
from September 1934
Locality
Number O c t o b e r
1934
Number of firms reporting
Employment
27.0 +10.7
25.1 -14.3
28.2 +2.5
- .4
24.8
Cents
64.6 + .5
68.5 -7 .3
69.4 +3.0
58.9 -2 .5
18.04
+4.5
27.2
+3.8
66.6 + 1.2
24.3
-7 .3
79.6 - 2.1
253 -10.3
5,002 -17.1
19. 77
-7 .6
-2 .3
+3.7
8,019 +3.1
21,704 + 10.8
19.14
+5.6
+ 6.8
30.2
33.3
+ 6.0
+7.8
63.3
22.12
66.6
-.6
+ 8.6
21.23
+ 6.6
32.4
+7.6
65.6
- .5
655 -33.
177 -15.3
206 +26.4
13,363 -35.9
4, 207 -19.2
4, 231 +20.5
20.40
23. 77
20.54
-3 .7
-4 .5
-4 .6
21.9
28.2
23.1
- 2.2
+ .7
-5 .3
93.1 -1 .7
84.3 -5 .4
89.0 + .9
______
292 1,038 -23.5
21,801 -26.3
21.00
-3 .7
23.2
-1 .3
90.5 -2 .5
West Virginia: Wheeling..
Wisconsin: All localities..
56 304 +16.9
151 1,993 +7.5
5,355 +9.4
40,553 +11.4
17. 62
30.35
-6 .4
+3.7
28.5
33.9
-3 .4
+1.9
61.8 -3 .1
61.7 +3.3
Utah: Salt Lake C ity___
129
Virginia:
N orfolk-Portsmouth..
Richmond_________
120
The State________
Washington:
Seattle. ....................
Spokane____ ______
Tacoma___________
The State
75
419
981
196 1,400
159
52
81
+ 1.8
29, 723
- .5
1 Averages computed from reports furnished by 10,366 firms.
2 No change.
3 Data not available.
„„
T7.
4 Includes both Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kans.
5 Includes Covington and Newport, Ky.
• Each separate area includes from 2 to 8 counties.
E m ploym ent a n d Pcty R olls in OctoheY 1934 in C ities o f OveY
500,000 P opu lation
F
in employment and pay-roll totals in October
1934 as compared with September 1934 in 13 cities of the United
States having a population of 500,000 or over are presented in the
following table. These changes are computed from reports received
from identical establishments in each of the months considered.
In addition to reports received from establishments in the several
industrial groups regularly covered in the survey of the Bureau,
excluding building construction, reports have also been secured from
other establishments in these cities for inclusion in these totals.
Information concerning employment in building construction is not
available for all cities at this time and therefore has not been included.
l u c t u a t io n s
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
202
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 7.—Fluctuations in Employment and Pay Rolls in October 1934 as
Compared With September 1934
Number of Number on pay roll
establish
ments re
porting in
both
September October
months
1934
1934
Cities
New York City_____
Chicago, 111... . .
Philadelphia, P a____
Detroit, M ich .. . _
Los Angeles, Calif___
Cleveland, Ohio____
St. Louis, M o______
Baltimore, M d ____
Boston, Mass.............
Pittsburgh, P a_____
San Prancisco, Calif..
Buffalo, N. Y_ ____
Milwaukee, Wis____
16,329
4,018
2,950
1, 582
2,603
2,270
2,712
1,362
3,459
1,565
1,595
1,021
866
629, 290
346,758
202, 910
227,781
108,547
124, 587
125, 502
84,410
144, 254
121,141
60, 609
61,741
64, 783
635,309
340, 634
210,777
197,785
109,427
126, 570
122,176
84,016
144, 672
123, 637
61,798
59,854
64,824
Amount of pay roll
Per
(1 week)
centage
change
from
Sep
October
tember September
1934
1934
1934
Percentage
change from
September
1934
+ 1.0 $15, 991, 313 $16,240, 533
- 1.8
8,074,936 8,196, 287
+3.9
4, 504,988 4, 753,371
-13. 2 4, 930, 556 4,610,527
2, 519,174 2, 589,139
+ 0.8
+ 1.6
2, 603, 513 2, 773,640
-2 .7
2, 590,253 2, 584, 754
-0 .5
1, 622,240
1, 598,058
+0.3
3,292, 658 3, 278,039
+ 2.1
2,435,068 2,579,931
+ 2.0
1,478, 449 1, 537,182
-3 .1
1, 310,632
1, 278,905
+ 0.1
1,384,016
1,420,627
+ 1.6
+1.5
+5.5
- 6. 5
+ 2.8
+ 6. 5
- 0. 2
-1 .5
-0 .4
+5.9
+4.0
-2 .4
+ 2.6
E m ploym ent on Class I Steam R ailroads in the U n ite d States
R e p o r t s of the Interstate Commerce Commission for class I rail
roads show that the number of employees, exclusive of executives and
officials, decreased from 999,729 on October 15, 1934, to 967,251
(preliminary) on November 15, 1934, or 3.2 percent. Data are not
yet available concerning total compensation of employees for
November 1934. The latest pay-roll information available shows an
increase from $121,368,674 in September 1934 to $127,411,527 in
October 1934, or 5 percent.
The monthly trend of employment from January 1923 to October
1934 on class I railroads—that is, all roads having operating revenues
of $1,000,000 or over—is shown by index numbers published in
table 8. These index numbers, constructed by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, are based on the 3-year average, 1923-25 as 100,
and cover all employees.
Table 8.—Indexes of Employment on Class I Steam Railroads in the United
States, January 1923 to October 1934
[3-year average, 1923-25=100]
Month
1923
January____________
February___________
M arch_____________
April______________
M ay............................
June_______________
J u ly ._____ ________
August_________ . . .
September_________
October .
... . .
November__________
December__________
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
98.4
96.7
98.6 96.9
100.4 97.3
101.9 98.8
104.8 99.1
107.1
97.9
108.2 98.0
109. 2 98.9
107.7 99.6
107.1 100.7
105.0 98.9
99.1
96.0
95.5
95.3
95.1
96.5
97.7
98.5
99.3
99.5
99.7
100.4
98.9
96.9
95.6
95.8
96.5
98.6
98.0
95.2
95.0
95.6
97.1
99.1
100.7
100.7
99.2
98.8
98.5
95 5
91.7
89.1 88.0
88.7 88.6
89.7 89.8
91.5 91.9
94.4 94.6
95.8 95.8
95.4 96.3
95.5 97.1
95.1 96.5
95.2 96.6
92. 7 92 8
89.5 88.5
99.8
97.3
92.7
Average_______ 104.0
98.2
1 Preliminary.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
97.8
100.0
101.3
102.6
102.4
102.5
103.1
101.0
1929
93.1
1930
1931
1932
1933
86.1 73.5
85.2 72.6
85.3 72.7
86.7 73.4
88.3 73.8
86.3 72.7
84.5 72.3
83.5 71.0
82.0 69.2
80.2 67.6
7fi 9 fi4 4
74.8 62.5
61.1
60.2
60.5
59.9
59.6
57.7
56.3
54.9
55.7
56.9
53.0
54.1
52.7
54. 6
51.5 55.9
51.8
56.9
52.5
58. 5
53.6 59, 0
55.4 58. 7
56.8
57.8
57.7 1 57.3
57.4 1 56. 6
5L 7
54.0
83.3
57.8
54.4 a 56.9
70.6
2 Average for 10 months.
1934
......
203
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 9 shows the total number of employees by occupations on
the 15th day of September and October 1934, and by group totals
on the 15th day of November 1934; also, pay-roll totals for the entire
months of September and October. Total compensation for the
month of November is not yet available. In these tabulations data
for the occupational group reported as “executives, officials, and
staff assistants” are omitted. Beginning in January 1933 the Inter
state Commerce Commission excluded reports of switching and ter
minal companies from its monthly tabulations. The actual figures
for the months shown in the following table therefore are not com
parable with the totals published for the months prior to January
1933. The index numbers of employment for class I railroads shown
in table 8 have been adjusted to allow for this revision and furnish a
monthly indicator of the trend of employment from January 1923 to
the latest month available.
Table 9.—Employment on Class I Steam Railroads, September to November 1934,
and Pay Rolls September and October 1934
[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. As data for only the more important occu
pations are shown separately, the group totals are not the sum of the items under the respective groups.
Employment figures for November 1934 are available by group totals only at this time]
Number of employees at
middle of month
Total earnings
Occupations
Septem October Novem September
1934 ber 1934
ber 1934
1934
All employees................................. ......................... , 006,361
999, 729 967, 251 $121,368,674
Professional, clerical, and general_____________
Clerks-._______ ________ ________ ______
Stenographers and ty p ists..............................
Maintenance of way and structures___________
Laborers, extra gang and work train .......... .
Laborers, track and roadway section_______
Maintenance of equipment and stores..................
Carmen_______________________________
Electrical workers.......................... .................
M achinists.______ _______ ______ ______
Skilled trades helpers_____ __________ ___
Laborers (shop, engine houses, power plants,
and stores)____________________ ______
Common laborers (shop, engine houses,
power plants, and stores)________ _____
Transportation, other than train, engine, and
y a rd .............................. ........ ................_...........
Station agents__________________ _____ _
Telegraphers, telephoners, and towermen__
Truckers (stations, warehouses, and plat
forms)___ _____________ _____________
Crossings and bridge flagmen and gatemen__
Transportation, yardmaster, switch tenders, and
hostlers_________________ ________________
Transportation, train and engine...... ....................
Road conductors_______ _______________
Road brakemen and flagmen.____ _______
Yard brakemen and yard helpers.......... ......
Road engineers and m otorm en......................
Road firemen and helpers...............................
164,888 164, 253
86, 161
15,460
217,939 195,510
23,100
108, 092
269, 720 264, 937
55,996
8,573
37,472
59,368
103148—35-----14
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
165,499
86, 536
15,519
222,386
26, 761
109, 529
269,980
56,269
8, 501
37,824
59,332
October 1934
$127,411, 527
22, 793, 727
11,240,155
1,903,173
17,842,875
1,457, 580
6,266,156
29,496,187
6,838, 230
1,141,281
4,808, 534
5,359,333
23,360, 725
11,640,416
1,948,629
18, 791,163
1,372,723
6,770,900
31,634,304
7,449,951
1, 247,930
5,150,358
5,816,568
1,658,091
20,888
20,837
1,577,214
17,952
17,829
1,060,314
1,156,827
126,051
23, 799
14,821
125,185
23, 766
14, 727
14,106,996
3,359,209
2,039,615
14, 623,185
3, 521, 741
2,116,304
18, 296
16,886
18,763
16,659
1,423,256
1,132,394
1, 537, 202
1,133, 565
12,388
12,259
12,195
210, 057 209, 738 206, 698
23, 310 23,252
48,503 48, 501
35, 774 35, 740
28, 514 28,340
31, 277 31,046
2,117,625
35, 011,264
5,029,232
6,872,677
4,559,851
6, 723,290
4, 866,101
2,155,026
36,847,124
5,232,196
7, 200,013
4,890, 663
7,020, 092
5,074, 943
123, 658
204
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY
1935
E m ploym ent d u d P ay R olls in the F ederal Service, October 1934
T h e number of employees in the executive departments of the
United States Government in October 1934 totaled 1,668 more than
the number in September 1934, and 85,570 more than the number
in October 1933.
Data concerning employment in the executive departments are
collected by the United States Civil Service Commission from the
various departments and offices of the United States Government.
The figures are tabulated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In
formation concerning the legislative, judicial, and military branches
of the United States Government is collected and compiled by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Table 10 shows the number of employees in the executive depart
ments of the Federal Government.
Data for the District of Columbia are shown separately. Approxi
mately 13 percent of the employees in the executive branches of the
Federal Government work in the city of Washington.
Table 10.—Employees in the Executive Service of the United States, October
1933 and September and October 1934
Item
District of Columbia
Outside the District
Entire service
Perma Tempo Total
rary s
nent
Perma Tempo Total
rary 1
nent
Perma Tempo Total
rary i
nent
Number of employees:
October 1933-. ________ 64,846 6,386 71,232 461,155 65,548 526, 703 526,001 71,934 597,935
8, 626 92, 557 501,822 87,458 589, 280 585,753 96, 084 681,837
September 1934 _______ 83,931
8,431 93,322 502,157 88, 026 590,183 587,048 96,457 683, 505
October 1934— ________ 84,891
Gain or loss:
October 1933 to October
1934 _____________ +20, 045 +2,045 +22, 090 +41,002 +22,478 +63,480 +61,047 +24,523 +85,570
September 1934 to Oc
+373 + 1,668
+903 +1,295
+568
+335
+765
-195
+960
tober 1931__________
Percentage change:
October 1933 to October
1934 ___ ____ _____ +30.91 +32.02 +31.01 +8.89 +34. 29 +12. 05 +11.61 +34. 09 +14. 31
September 1934 to October 1934____ ______ +1.14 -2.26 +0.83 +0. 07 +0.65 +0.15 + 0.22 +0.39 +0.24
Labor turn-over, October
1934:
7,169 23, 281 30,450 9, 378 24,698 34,076
1,417 3,626
2,209
Additions 2_ _________
1,612 2,849 6,837 22,422 29,259 8,074 24,034 32,108
1,237
Separations 2__________
4. 70
1.38 24. 96
4.96
1.36 25. 57
3. 07
1. 47 16. 61
Turn-over rate per 100.-1 Not including field employees of the Post Office Department.
2Not including employees transferred within the Government service as such transfers should not be
regarded as labor turn-over.
Table 11 shows employment in executive departments of the United
States Government, by months, January to October 1934, inclusive.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
205
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 11.—Employment in the Executive Departments of the United States, by
Months, 1934
Months
January— ............
February________
M arch__________
April____________
M a y .-.......... ..........
District
of Co
lumbia
Outside
District
of Co
lumbia
78, 045
79,913
81, 569
83,850
85,939
530,094
531,839
541, 990
560, 258
573,147
Total
Months
608,139
611, 752
623,559
644,108
659, 086
June____________
July____________
August_____ _____
Septem ber.. _____
October_________
District
of Co
lumbia
Outside
District
of Co
lumbia
87,196
87,978
91, 065
92,557
93, 322
573,898
583, 531
585, 772
589, 280
590,183
Total
661, 094
671, 509
676.837
681.837
683, 505
Over the 10-month period employment in the executive departments
in the city of Washington increased 19.6 percent, while such employ
ment outside the District increased 11.3 percent.
Table 12 shows the number of employees and amount of pay rolls in
the various branches of the United States Government during Septem
ber and October 1934.
Table 12.—Employment and Pay Rolls for the United States Government,
September and October, 1934
Number of employees
Branch of service
September
Executive service__________________ . . . . . .
M ilitary service___ _ . ____ _ . _________
Judicial service.„
___ _________ ____
Legislative service... . . .. . . . . . . _____
Total.
___________________
October
Amount of pay roll
September
October
681,837
269,489
1,777
3, 721
683, 505
270, 490
1,846
3, 700
$99,152,554
20,855, 093
486, 410
976, 516
$101,888,573
19,945,777
453, 217
975,851
956, 824
959,541
121, 470, ft73
123,263,417
Table 13 shows the number of employees and amount of pay rolls
for all branches of the United States Government, by months, Decem
ber 1933 to October 1934, inclusive.
Table 13.—Employment and Pay Rolls for the United States Government,
December 1933 to October 1934
Executive service
Month
M ilitary service
serv
Judicial service Legislative
ice
Num Amount Num
Number Amount of Number Amount of ber
of of pay ber of Amount
of em
of em
of pay
pay
roll
em
pay
roll
em
ployees
ployees
ployees roll
ployees roll
1933
December____________ 608,670
$82,011,601
263, 622 $17,656,909
1,872 $432,435
3,864
$886, 781
1934
January______ _______
February_______ _____
March_____ ________
April.___ ___________
M’ay........................ ........
June______ __________
Ju ly ________________
August______________
September____ ______
October____ _________
77,450,498
83,524,296
84,837,493
85,090,283
89, 577,479
91,540, 629
94, 636,232
97,919, 636
99,152, 554
101,888,573
262,942 18,499,516
263,464 19, 532,832
266, 285 19, 050,158
266,923 18,816,636
266, 864 19, 216,150
267, 038 19,539,020
268, 257 20,391,629
268, 712 20,501,900
269,489 20,855,093
270,490 19,945,777
1,780 417, 000
1,742 430,843
1,854 443, 505
1,904 432,401
1,913 442,896
1,881 439,170
1,750 434, 736
1,690 439,014
1,777 486,410
1,846 453,217
3,845
3,852
3,867
3,865
3,862
3,878
3,713
3,723
3,721
3,700
871,753
926, 363
928,368
926,484
940, 666
944, 758
978,908
977,966
976,516
975,851
608,139
611,752
623, 559
644,108
659,086
661,094
671, 509
676,837
681,837
683,505
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
206
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
E m ploym ent C reated by P u blic W or\s A d m in istra tio n F und,
O ctober 1934
T h e r e were nearly 510,000 employees working at the site of Public
Works Administration construction projects during the month ending
October 15, 1934. This construction is financed wholly or in part
from the Public Works Administration fund. Pay rolls for these
workers totaled nearly $30,000,000.
Employment on Construction Projects, By Type of Project
T a b l e 14 shows, by type of project, employment, pay rolls, and
man-hours worked during the month of October 1 1934 on Federal
projects financed by the Public WTorks Administration fund.
Table 14.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Federal Projects Financed from
Public Works Funds, October 1934
ISubject to revision]
Type of project
Building construction. -------------------- -Public roads..
------- -------- ---------River, harbor, and flood control ------ . . .
Streets and roads 1____ ____________ _____
Naval vessels.. . _______________ ________
Reclamation____________ _____ ______
Forestry
_____ _______ - __- ___
Water and sewerage----------- -----Miscellaneous_________ .. . -------- - ----Total
_________________________
Number Amount of Number of Average
earnings
of wage
pay rolls man-hours
per hour
worked
earners
27,105 $1,771,498
192,498 7, 513,176
57,034 3,976,176
655,584
14, 256
19, 274 2,412,961
18,018 1, 689,292
281,152
4,528
65, 307
1,218
1, 289, 023
15,129
349, 060 19, 654,169
2,218, 291
14, 837, 396
6, 002,868
1,261,487
2,852, 746
2, 740,846
410,114
99,310
2, 122,122
32, 545,180
$0.799
.506
.662
.520
.846
.616
.686
.658
.607
.604
Value of
material
orders
placed
$2,562, 590
13,680, 000
6,900,810
525,228
2,105, 213
5, 321,163
128, 341
110,878
1 284,057
32, 618, 280
i Other than those reported by the Bureau of Public Roads.
Federal construction projects are financed entirely by allotments
made by the Public Works Administration to various departments and
agencies of the Federal Government. The construction work is per
formed either by commercial firms to whom contracts have been
awarded by the Federal agencies or b}r day labor hired directly by such
agencies.
There was a great difference in the hourly earnings of men engaged
in the different types of construction. Road workers earned 50 cents
per hour while workers on naval vessels earned 84 cents per hour.
Table 15 shows, by type of project, employment, pay rolls, and
man-hours worked during the month of October on non-Federal
construction projects financed from the Public Works Administration
fund.
i Whenever the month of October is spoken of in this study it is assumed to mean the month ending
Oct. 15.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
207
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 15.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Nonfederal Projects Financed from
Public Works Funds, October 1934
[Subject to revision]
Number Amount of Number of Average
of wage
earnings
pay rolls man-hours
earners
worked
per hour
Type of project
Building construction. ___ _ .
_____
Streets and r o a d s .._________________
Water and sewerage_________
_________
Railroad construction______ . _________
Miscellaneous___________________________
Total______ _________
.
44,815 $2,857, 797
23,020 1,112,694
37,842 2,133, 398
24, 787 1,472,818
1,237
67,962
131, 701
7, 644,669
Value of
material
orders
placed
3, 273, 261
1,736, 883
3, 086,785
2, 758, 554
95,979
$0.873
.641
.691
.534
.708
$5,932,753
2,085,173
3, 434, 850
628, 757
662,015
10,951, 462
.698
12, 743,548
Non-Federal construction projects are financed by allotments made
from the Public Works Administration fund to a State or political
subdivisions thereof, or in some cases, to commercial firms. In the
case of allotments to States and their political subdivisions, the Public
Works Administration makes a direct grant of not more than 30
percent of the total construction cost. The public agency to which
the loan is made finances the other 70 percent. In some cases this
70 percent is obtained as a loan from the Public Works Administration;
in other cases, the loan is procured from outside sources. Where the
loan is made by the Public Works Administration it bears interest
and must be repaid within a given period.
No grants are made to commercial firms. Commercial allotments
consist entirely of loans. By far the largest part of the commercial
allotments have been made to railroads. Railroad work falls under
three headings: First, construction, such as electrification, laying of
rails and ties, repairs to buildings, etc.; second, building and repairing
of locomotives, and passenger and freight cars in railroad shops; third,
the building of locomotives and passenger and freight cars in com
mercial shops.
Data concerning employment on railroad construction projects are
shown in table 15. Employment in railroad car and locomotive shops
is shown in table 18, page 209. Employment in commercial car and
locomotive shops is shown in table 19, page 209.
Employment on Construction Projects, by Geographic Divisions
Table 16 shows employment, payrolls, and man-hours worked dur
ing October 1934 on Federal construction projects financed from the
Public Works Administration fund, by geographic divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
208
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 16.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Federal Projects Financed from
Public Works Funds, October 1934
[Subject to revision]
Geographic division
New England____________________
Middle Atlantic__________________
East North Central______ ____ _____
West North Central----------------------South Atlantic____________ _______
East South Central________________
West South Central_________ ____ M ountain-----------------------------------Pacific___________
___
___
Total continental United States >.
Outside continental United States____
Grand total..................................
W age earners
Average
of Number of earnings
Number Weekly Amount
pay rolls man-hours
worked
per
hour
em
ployed average
15,178 $1,047, 771 1, 568,946
15,657
38,304 37, 058 2,283,589 3,620,889
41, 690 2, 499,467 3, 742, 709
42,953
51,377 49,142 2, 270,342 3,890,768
5,183, 645
52, 717 50,200 3,173,905
1,944, 679 4, 028, 543
40, 563 39,691
1, 712,351 3, 512,177
42,836 41,149
35,717 34,183 2,660,382 4,050, 263
20,032 1, 669,757 2,142, 287
20,821
341, 205 328,583 19,290, 709 31,767,737
6,834
363,460
777,443
7,855
349,060 335,417 19, 654,169 32,545,180
$0. 668
.631
.668
.584
.612
.483
.488
.657
.779
.607
.468
.604
Value of
material
orders
placed
$723,716
1,459,604
1,579,346
1,996,664
3,008,779
928,676
1,772,187
5,975,212
1,154,222
2 32, 284,027
334, 253
32,618,280
1 Includes date for 260 wage earners which cannot be charged to any specific geographic division.
2 Includes $13,680,000, estimated value of material orders placed for public-road projects which cannot be
charged to any specific geographic division.
Table 17 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked during
October 1934 on non-Federal projects financed from the Public Works
Administration fund, by geographic divisions.
Table 17.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Nonfederal Projects Financed from
Public Works Funds, October 1934
[Subject to revision]
Wage earners
Geographic division
Average
of Number of earnings
Number Weekly Amount
pay rolls man-hours
worked
per
hour
em
ployed average
New E ngland.,----------------------------- 19,830
Middle Atlantic..................................... 20,414
19,230
East North Central_______________
16,089
West North Central_________ _____
27,971
South Atlantic________________ _
5,783
East South C entral,......... ............ ......
6.417
West South Central______________
Mountain............ ...................................
5, 628
Pacific------------- --------------------------- 10, 008
Total continental United States. 131,370
331
Outside continental United States___
Grand to ta l.-___ ___________ 131,701
16, 691 $1,158,599
17, 726 1,368, 812
16, 250 1, 272,448
799, 376
13, 788
24, 774 1, 685,914
5,081
298,013
5,343
267,134
4,390
275, 025
500, 802
8,297
112,340 7,626,123
298
18,546
112,638 7,644,669
1,752,853
1, 739,908
1,525, 670
1,025, 773
2,825,769
494,249
458,044
394,145
701, 269
10,917, 680
33, 782
10,951,462
$0. 661
.787
.834
.779
.597
.603
.583
.698
.714
.698
.549
.699
Value of
material
orders
placed
$1,637, 745
2,870.989
2,381,408
2,070,025
1, 545,217
486,864
589,144
502,505
643,894
12, 727,791
15,757
12,743,548
Table 18 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked in
car and locomotive shops operated by railroads on work financed from
the Public Works Administration fund during October 1934.
Table 19 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked in
commercial car and locomotive shops on contracts financed from the
Public Works Administration fund during October 1934, by geographic
divisions.
Table 20 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked by
employees since the inception of the public-works program in August
1933 to October 1934, inclusive.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
209
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 18.—Employment and Pay Rolls in Railroad Shops on Work Financed
from Public Works Funds, October 1934
[Subject to revision]
Number Amount of Number of Average
of wage pay rolls man-hours earnings
worked
per hour
earners
Geographic division
467
4,305
3,379
1,167
1,143
2,682
1,870
747
3,134
$49,590
247,818
304, 770
60,975
60, 765
219,850
90,616
27, 617
141,519
74, 647
387,357
477,411
95,782
98,439
361,996
149,508
43,929
224,332
$0.664
.640
.638
.637
.617
.607
.606
.629
.631
$22,979
203,354
145,405
33,024
235,189
11,166
53,032
19,453
65,371
18,894
1,203, 520
1,913,401
.629
788,973
New England...... ......................- .........................
Middle Atlantic—. . - ....... -....................... - ........
East North Central— ............................. ..........
West North Central....... ............ ...... ................
South Atlantic.................. ......................-..........East South Central--------- ------- ------- ---------West South Central.............. - ..........- ................
Mountain
__________ ______________
Pacific................................... ................................
Total
_________________ ________
Value of
material
orders
placed
Table 19.—Employment and Pay Rolls in Commercial Car and Locomotive
Shops on Contracts Financed from Public Works Funds, October 1934
[Subject to revision]
Number of Amount of Number of
wage
pay rolls man-hours
worked
earners
Geographic division
N e w E n g la n d
____________________________
Middle Atlantic
______________________
Ea^t North central
___________________
West N o r t h Central
_________________________
South Atlantic---------------------------- -------------------T o ta l
_
____________________________________
Average
earnings
per hour
462
4,379
1,711
870
722
$22, 527
428,895
182,032
68, 741
75, 687
38, 723
651,739
267,179
134, 608
115,324
$0.582
.6 5 8
.6 8 1
.5 1 1
.6 5 6
8,144
777,882
1, 207, 573
.6 4 4
Table 20.—Employment and Pay Rolls During August 1933 to October 1934,
on Projects Financed from Public Works Funds
[Subject to revision]
Month
1933
September___ ___ _______________
October _ ____ _________________
N ovem ber_____________________
"Dpoem h e r
_______
1934
February______________ ________
March________________ - _____
April______________ _______ ____
May __________ ______________
June
- ____________ - _____ _
July . . . _____________________
August
_ ____ ______________
September _ _________ ________
October ____ . . . . . --------------Total
________________ -
__________
Average Value of ma
earnings terial orders
placed
per hour
Number of
wage earners
Amount of
pay rolls
Number of
man-hours
worked
4,699
33,836
121,403
254,784
270,408
$280,040
1,961,496
7,325,313
14,458,364
15,424,700
539,454
3,920,009
14, 636, 603
27, 862, 280
29,866, 249
$0.519
.500
.500
.519
.516
$202,100
1, 622,365
i 22,513,767
24,299,055
24,850,188
273,583
295,741
292,696
371,234
491,166
592,057
624,286
602,581
549,910
507, 799
14,574,960
15,246,423
15, 636,545
17,907,842
25,076,908
32,783, 533
33,829,858
35,142,770
31, 720,317
29, 280,240
290, 649, 309
27,658, 591
28,938,177
29,171,634
31,559,966
44,912,412
58,335,119
59,436,314
59,943,328
51, 699,495
46,617,616
515, 097, 247
.527
.527
.536
.567
.558
.562
.569
.586
.614
.628
.564
23,522,929
24, 565,004
2 69,334,408
2 66,639,862
2 49,720,378
2 57,589,895
2 49,299,174
2 46,961,648
2 44,487,057
2 50,593,683
556,201,513
1 Includes orders placed for naval vessels prior to October 1933.
s Includes orders placed by railroads for new equipment.
During the 15-month period covered by the Public Works Adminis
tration, over $290,000,000 has been paid out for labor on the job,
and purchase orders have been placed for material to cost over $556,000,000. Earnings for the workers at the site of the construction
project have averaged over 56 cents per hour over the 15-month
period.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
210
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Rates of Wages, Railroad Construction Employees
D u r in g the early spring of 1934 the Public Works Administration
began allotting money to various railroads for construction projects.
From these funds the railroads purchased material for the use of such
construction projects as replacing rails and ties, electrifying right-ofways, etc. These loans created work which would otherwise have
been deferred for some time.
Table 21 shows average rates paid by railroads to employees per
forming construction work financed from Public Works Administra
tion fund, by occupation and by geographic division.
Table 21.—Average Rates Paid by Railroads on Improvements to Ways Financed
from Public Works Funds
Basic
rate
Geographic division
Rate
in
force
prior
to
July 1,
1934
Rate
force
subsequent
to
July 1,
1934
Gang foremen (section
laborers)
New England_____
Middle Atlantic___
East North Central.
West North Central.
South Atlantic_____
East South C entralWest South Central.
M ountain.................
Pacific___________
United States.
Gang foremen (extra gang
and worktrain laborers)
Laborers (extra gang and
worktrain)
Hourly
$0.402
.409
.355
.380
.402
.250
.265
.361
.372
.377
Hourly
$0. 362
.368
.320
.342
.362
.225
.239
.325
.335
.339
Hourly
$0. 372
.378
.328
.352
.372
.231
.245
.334
.344
.349
Carpenter’s helpers
New England_____
Middle Atlantic........
East North C entralWest North CentralSouth Atlantic_____
East South C entralWest South Central.
M ountain..................
Pacific____________
United States__
to
July 1,
1934
Rate
in
force
subsequent
to
July 1,
1934
Rate
Rate
in
force
force
prior subsequent
to
to
July 1, July
1,
1934
1934
Basic
rate
Assistant gang foremen
(section laborers)
Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Monthly Hourly Hourly Hourly
‘$141. 72 ¡$127. 55 •$131.09 i$146. 39 ‘$131. 75 ‘$135.41 $0.550 $0.495 $0. 509
.544
.503
142. 73 128.46
132.03 1146. 64 1131. 98 ‘ 135. 64
.490
.492
.506
126.17
113.55
116.71
137. 62 123.86
.547
127. 30
120.90
108.81
111.83
142.00 127. 80 131.35
.518
.466
.479
141. 63 127.47 131.01
.486
.500
148.00
133.20 136.90
.540
114. 55 137. 70 123.93
123.84
111.46
127. 37
133. 25
119. 93 123. 26 130.07
.378
.389
117. 06 120. 31
.420
129. 45 116. 51 119. 74 143.13
.494
.534
.481
128. 82 132.40
121.10
130.92
117.83
.483
.497
142.14
127. 93 131.48
.537
130. 77 117.69 120.96
143. 94 129.55
.542
.488
.501
133.14
Laborers (section)
New England..........
Middle Atlantic___
East North CentralWest North Central.
South Atlantic____
East South Central..
West South Central.
M ountain................ .
Pacific.................... .
United States.
Basic
rate
Rate
in
force
Hourly
Hourly
Hourly
$0. 525
.455
$0.473
.410
$0.486
.421
. 522
.487
.430
.511
.511
.508
.470
.438
.387
.460
.460
.457
.483
.450
.398
.473
.473
.470
Hourly
$0.393
.351
.351
.222
.250
.250
.356
.354
.346
Hourly
$0.354
.316
.316
.200
.225
.225
.320
.319
.311
Hourly Hourly Hourly Hourly
$0. 364 $0. 684 $0.616 $0. 633
.632
.649
.702
.524
.325
.567
.510
.560
.605
.545
.325
.692
.623
.640
.205
.550
.231
.595
.536
.525
.231
.568
.511
.329
.652
.603
.587
.614
.327
.664
.598
.613
.320
.663
.597
Signalmen and signal
maintainers (excluding
foremen)
Hourly
$0. 795
.821
.804
.733
.820
Hourly
$0. 716
.739
.724
.660
.738
.750
.773
.780
.814
.675
.696
.702
.733
Carpenters
Assistant signalmen and
assistant signal main
tainers (excluding
helpers)
Hourly Hourly Hourly Hourly
$0.735 $0. 538 $0.484 $0.498
.581
.597
.759
.645
.744
.567
.583
.630
.592
.678
.640
.576
.759
.694
.715
.722
.753
.490
.670
.690
.600
.441
.603
.621
.540
.453
.620
.638
.555
1 As computed by the Bureau on the basis of an 8-hour day and a 26-day month from hourly and daily
wage rates.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
211
TUEND OF EMPLOYMENT
The data show average rates paid 24,000 wage earners in 9 occu
pations. Rates are shown as paid prior to July 1, 1934, and as
paid subsequent to that date. There was considerable variation of
rates in the different geographic divisions. For example, rates
paid section laborers since July 1, 1934, ranged from 23 cents in
the East South Central States to nearly 38 cents in the Middle
Atlantic States. Monthly rates for gang foremen (section laborers)
ranged from $112 in the West North Central States to $132 in the
Middle Atlantic States.
Em ergency W o r\ R elief P rog ram
D u r in g the week ending October 25 more than 1,400,000 persons
were given employment by the emergency work program of the
Federal Emergency Relief Administration. This is an increase of
3.1 percent as compared with the last week in September. The
amount of pay rolls for the week increased nearly 6 percent.
Table 22 shows the number of employees and the amounts of pay
rolls for workers on the emergency work program for the weeks end
ing September 27 and October 25.
Table
2 2 .—
Employment and Pay Rolls on Emergency Work Relief Program
Number of employees
week ending—
Amount of pay roll week
ending—
Geographic division
Sept. 27
Oct. 25
Sept. 27
Oct. 25
New England____________________________
Middle Atlantic__________________________
East North Central_______________________
West North Central_______________________
South Atlantic___________________________
East South Central_________ _____________
West South Central.......... ......... . .......................
Mountain . - _ __________ ____________
Pacific.. _______________ ______________
110.649
171,974
268,147
220.649
189,483
115,396
157,914
64,945
88,383
119,411
211,796
238,209
258,620
188,496
81,442
168, 287
58,605
105,808
$1,333, 656
2,911,195
2, 646,963
1,613,626
1,187,183
539,814
1,146,601
762, 313
1,013,176
$1, 369, 669
3,458, 329
2,357,145
2,088,821
1,242,007
440,939
1,176,869
647,223
1,114, 546
Total _____________________________
Pfirftfintagfi change
1,387,540
1,430,674
+3.11
13,154,527
13,895,548
+5. 63
Table 23 shows the number of employees and amounts of pay rolls
for those given employment by the emergency work program of the
Federal Emergency Relief Administration, by months, from the
inception of the program in March to October 1934, inclusive.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
212
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY
1935
Table 23.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Emergency Work Relief Program,
by Months, 1934 1
Month
Number
of em
ployees 2
Amount of
pay roll
Month
Number
of em
ployees 2
Amount of
pay roll
March____ __________
April _______ _______
May - . ____________
June__________________
22,934
1,176,818
1, 341, 853
1, 478, 200
$842,000
38,953, 678
42,214,039
42, 221, 757
J u l y _________________
August ______ _______
September____________
O ctober__________ ____
1,706,455
1,908,993
1,949, 267
1, 950,000
$47,244, 553
54,792,488
50,110,074
51,000,000
1 Revised.
2 Wage earners in this report represent the number that worked any part of the month. These em
ployees are allowed to work each month till a certain specified maximum is earned, then replaced by other
workers taken from the relief rolls.
At the present time, there are nearly 2,000,000 workers carried on
the rolls of the Emergency Work program. This does not mean,
however, that as many as 2,000,000 people are working at any
given time. Because of the fact that a limit is placed on the earnings
of employees, not more than 60 percent of this number are working
during any given week.
Em ergency C onservation W o r\
C o m pa r in g October with September, there was an increase of over
56,000 in the civilian conservation camps throughout the country.
The gain in enrolled personnel accounted for 54,600 of the total
increase.
Table 24 shows employment and pay rolls for emergency conser
vation work during the months of September and October 1934, by
type of work.
Table 24.—Employment and Pay Rolls in the Emergency Conservation Work,
September and October 1934
Number of employees
Amount of pay rolls
Group
September
"Enrolled personnel_______________________
Reserve officers____ ____________ __________
Educational advisers---- -------------------- --------Supervisory and technical 1-------------------------
294,969
6,163
1,098
2 33,555
Total _____________________________
335, 785
October
September
October
3 34,934
$9, 211,878
1, 540,109
176,362
4,094,620
$10,918,755
1,558, 522
176,609
4,285,709
391,894
15,022,969
16,939,595
349, 624
6,235
1,101
• Includes carpenters, electricians, and laborers.
2 28,842 included in the table for executive service.
3 29,417 included in the table for executive service.
There was an increase of nearly $2,000,000 in disbursements for
pay rolls for Emergency Conservation Work comparing October with
September. Increases for enrolled workers amounted to over
$1,700,000.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TREND OE EMPLOYMENT
2l3
In addition to their pay, enrolled workers received free board,
clothing, and medical attention.
Employment and pay roll data for emergency conservation work
are collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from the War Depart
ment, Department of Agriculture, Treasury Department, and the
Department of the Interior.
The pay of the enrolled workers is figured as follows: 5 percent are
paid $45 per month, 8 percent $36 per month, and the remaining
87 percent $30 per month.
Table 25 shows monthly totals of employees and pay rolls in emer
gency conservation work from the inception of the program in May
1933 to October 1934, inclusive.
Table
2 5 . —Employment
Number of Amount of
employees pay roll
Month
M ay..........
June..........
J u l y - .......
August___
September.
October__
November.
December.
and Pay Rolls in the Emergency Conservation Work
1933
191,380
283,481
316,109
307,100
242,968
294,861
344, 273
321, 701
$6,388,760
9,876,780
11,482,262
11,604,401
9,759,628
12,311,033
14, 554, 695
12,951,042
Month
1934
January...
February..
M arch___
April........
M ay_____
June_____
July..........
August___
September.
October.
Number of Amount of
employees pay roll
331, 594 $13,581, 506
321,829 13,081,393
247, 591 10,792,319
314,664 13, 214,018
335,871
14,047, 512
280,271
12,641,401
389,104
16,032, 734
385,340 16,363,826
335,785 15,022,969
391,894 16,939,595
Employment on this program has ranged from less than 192,000 to
more than 391,000, the high point to date being reached in October
1934.
The pay roll for the 18-month period covered by the program
amounted to $230,645,874.
E m ploym ent on S tate R oad Projects
T h e r e were over 240,000 men employed by the various State gov
ernments in building new roads and maintaining existing roads.
This is 9,000 fewer than on the rolls in September.
Table 26 shows the number of employees engaged in building and
maintaining State roads during the months of September and October
1934, by geographic divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
214
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 26.—Employment on State Roads, During September and October 1934 1
New
Number of
employees
Geographic division
Sep
tember
Octo
ber
New England---------------- 14,071
Middle Atlantic________ 5,869
East North Central-.11,487
West North Central------- 6, 220
South Atlantic ------------ 10,169
East South Central-------- 2,880
West South C en tral------- 6,282
2,148
Mountain_____________
2,739
Pacific________________
20,926
6,601
12,963
7,625
9,118
2,452
5, 515
2,887
2,921
Maintenance
Amount of pay
rolls
Septem
ber
October
$590,852
342, 563
$764,476
393, 366
655,935
263,424
177, 265
105, 777
244,678
159,485
170,050
Number of
employees
Amount of pay
rolls
Octo
ber
Septem
ber
October
7,465 6,405
60, 564 55,479
30,887 23, 217
17,316 18,067
32,318 29,917
12, 293 11,010
12,419 10,599
8,351 8,435
6,032
6, 710
$581,196
2, 960, 348
2,113,130
972,804
1,375,652
432,348
844, 957
576,022
530,457
$509, 935
2,890,043
1, 531, 652
987, 239
1, 294, 370
373,152
754,826
592,978
563,217
Total, continental
United States----- 61,865 71,008 22,616,000 2,934,456
+ 12.17
+14. 78
Percentage of change - Outside continental
0
0
0
0
United S ta te s .--------
188,323 169,161 10, 386,914
-10.18
9,497,412
-8.56
9,391
7,870
71,008 2 2,616,000 2,934,456
188,406 169,235 10, 396,305
9, 505,282
Grand total_______ 61,865
2 597, 790
231,827
193, 789
119,040
232,419
132,862
174,858
Sep
tember
83
74
1 Excluding employment furnished by projects financed from public-works funds.
2 Revised.
Table 27 shows the number of employees engaged in the construction
and maintenance of State roads, January to October 1934, inclusive.
Table
2 7 .-—Employment
on Construction and Maintenance of State Roads1
Number of employees working
on—
Month
Month
New
roads
January_____ ____
February________
March__________
April_______ ____
M ay____________
Number of employees working
on—
25, 345
22,311
19, 985
21. 510
27,161
Mainte
nance
136,440
126,904
132,144
136,038
167, 274
New
roads
Total
161, 785
149,215
152.129
157, 548
194, 435
June__July------------------August-------------September____ ..
October . . . _ ___
37,642
45,478
53,540
61,865
71,008
Mainte
nance
170.879
168,428
180, 270
188, 323
169,161
Total
208, 521
213,906
233,810
250,188
240, 169
i Excluding employment furnished by projects financed from the public-works fund.
E m ploym ent on C on stru ction Projects F inanced by the R econ stru ct
tio n Finance C orporation , October 1934
D u r in g the month ending October 15, over 17,400 workers were
engaged on Reconstruction Finance Corporation construction projects.
These men drew for their month’s pay nearly $1,600,000.
Table 28 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked
on construction projects financed by the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation, by type of project.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
215
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Table 28.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Projects Financed by the Reconstruc
tion Finance Corporation, October 1934, by Type of Project
[Subject to revision]
Number of Amount of Number of
wage
pay rolls man-hours
earners
worked
Type oi project
Railroad construction_________________
Building construction_________________
Bridges--- _____ ______ - .
Reclamation—. _____________________
Water and sewage_____________ ______
Miscellaneous.___ ___________________
Total.............. .................................. .
19
2, 535
5,621
2, 619
4,931
1,757
17,482
$1,041
239,830
420,870
160,295
595, 566
179,394
1, 596,996
2,046
210,975
505,041
369, 302
842,683
251, 799
2,181,846
Average
earnings
per hour
$0. 509
1. 137
.833
.434
.707
.712
.732
Value of
material
orders
placed
$349
90, 662
1,258, 435
63, 706
393,872
467,150
2, 274,174
Table 29 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked on
construction contracts financed by the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation, by geographic divisions.
Table 29.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Projects Financed by the Reconstruc
tion Finance Corporation, October 1934, by Geographic Division
[Subject to revision]
Number
of wage
earners
Geographic divisions
New England_________ _ ____________
Middle A tlantic.______ _______________
East North Central . . . _ . . _ _________
West North Central___________________
South Atlantic_______________________
East South Central___________________
West South Central___________________
M ountain__________________________
Pacific___________________________
Total________
____
_ _ ___
0
Amount
of pay
rolls
0
Number
of man
hours
worked
0
Average
earnings
per hour
0
Value of
material
orders
placed
0
3,958
284
57
305
109
1,206
2,639
8,924
$369,249
34, 223
3,428
9,896
5,495
84, 286
161,169
929, 250
355,844
33,164
4,581
25,334
18, 538
116,769
370,409
1,257,207
$1.037
1.031
.748
.391
.296
.722
.435
.739
5, 335
349
29, 212
63, 706
1,302,038
17,482
1, 596,996
2,181,846
.732
2,274,174
$865, 281
8, 253
0
More than 50 percent of the workers on Reconstruction Finance
Corporation construction projects were employed in the Pacific States
and over 20 percent in the Middle Atlantic States. There was a
great difference in hourly earnings, comparing geographic divisions.
The East South Central States averaged less than 30 cents per hour,
and the Middle Atlantic and East North Central States over $1.03
per hour.
Table 30 shows data concerning employment, pay rolls, and man
hours worked during the months, April to October, inclusive, on
construction projects financed by the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
216
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 30.—Employment and Pay Rolls on Projects Financed by the Recon
struction Finance Corporation, April to October 1934
[Subject to revision]
Month
April
. . . . _________________
May
. . ________________________
June____________ ___________________
July ____ __________________________
August . . _______________________
September
. _________________ _____
October__________________________ ___
Number
of wage
earners
18, 638
19,274
19, 218
17,760
17,149
17,088
17,482
Amount
of pay
rolls
Number
of man
hours
worked
$1,618,479
1,636, 503
1,743,318
1,624, 924
1,688,012
1,648,618
1,596,996
2,302,739
2, 334,060
2,412,342
2,183,560
2,286,286
2,231,069
2,181,846
Average
earnings
per hour
$0. 659
.701
.723
.744
.738
.739
.732
Value of
material
orders
placed
$2,297,479
2,120,498
2,189, 538
2, 332, 554
2,303,516
2,500,638
2, 274,174
E m ploym ent on C on stru ction P rojects F inanced fro m R egu lar
G overn m en tal A p p ro p ria tio n s
A t t h e request of the Secretary of Labor, the Director of Procure
ment has caused the following paragraph to be inserted in all Govern
ment contracts awarded after July 1, 1934:
The contractor will report monthly, and will cause all subcontractors to report
in like manner, within 5 days after the close of each calendar month, on forms to
be furnished by the Department of Labor, the number of persons on the respec
tive pay rolls, the aggregate amount of such pay rolls, the man-hours worked, and
the total expenditures for materials. He shall furnish to the Department of
Labor the names and addresses of all subcontractors on the work at the earliest
date practicable, provided that the foregoing shall be applicable only to work at
the site of the construction project.
Whenever a contract is awarded by a Federal department, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics is immediately notified, by the department
making the award, of the name and address of the contractor. This
information is supplied on post-card forms furnished by the Bureau.
Blanks are then mailed to the Bureau showing the number of men
employed, amount of pay rolls, number of man-hours worked, and the
value of material orders placed. The primary contractor also notifies
the Bureau on the same form of the name and address of all firms
receiving subcontracts. Blanks are in turn mailed to each sub
contractor doing work at the site of the construction project.
The following tables show data concerning work on construction
projects on which work has started since July 1. Except for road
projects, the Bureau has no information concerning employment on
Federal construction projects financed from regular appropriations
that were under way previous to July 1, 1934. For employment on
construction projects financed from Public Works Administration
funds, see pages 206 to 209.
Table 31 shows employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked on
construction projects on which work started subsequent to July 1,
financed from direct appropriations to the various Government
agencies.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
TREND
217
OF EM PLOY M ENT
Table 31.—Employment and Pay Rolls for Construction Projects Financed from
Regular Governmental Appropriations, October 1934, by Type of Project
[Subject to revision]
Number
of wage
earners
Types of projects
Building construction____ ____ ________
Public roads_________________________
River, harbors, and flood control________
Streets and roads_____________________
Naval vessels_________________________
________________________
Forestry.
Water and sewage____________________
M iscellaneous________________________
Total__________________________
Amount
of pay
rolls
Number
of man
hours
worked
Average
earnings
per hour
Value of
material
orders
placed
5, 766
2,911
3, 505
502
301
4
149
455
$323,610
152, 072
156, 722
16, 659
22, 098
206
5,894
12,343
433,877
265,608
322, 857
27,748
22,455
274
10,462
20, 242
$0. 746
.573
.485
.600
.984
.751
.563
.610
$417,589
206, 872
99, 419
11, 408
226, 606
54
6,978
13,909
13, 593
689, 604
1,103, 523
.625
982,835
There were over 13,500 workers employed on construction projects
financed by regular governmental appropriations. More than 40
percent of these men were employed on building construction, 3,500
on river, harbor, and flood-control work, and 2,900 on road building.
The pay rolls for the month totaled $689,000. More than 1,100,000
man-hours of labor were provided, and the men earned an average of
62.5 cents per hour. Earnings for river, harbor, and flood-control
work averaged 49 cents per hour. In contrast, earnings of workers
on naval vessels averaged 98 cents per hour.
Orders were placed by contractors working on these construction
projects for material to cost over $980,000.
Table 32 shows for the month of October employment, pay rolls,
and man-hours worked on construction projects started since July 1,
which are financed from regular governmental appropriations, by
geographic divisions.
Table 32.—Employment and Pay Rolls for Construction Projects Financed from
Regular Governmental Appropriations, October 1934, by Geographic Division
[Subject to revision]
Geographic divisions
Number
of wage
earners
Amount
of pay
rolls
Number
of man
hours
worked
Average
earnings
per hour
Value of
material
orders
placed
New England_________ _______________
Middle Atlantic___________ ___________
East North Central_______________ ____
West North Central___________________
South Atlantic. _________ ______ _ .
East South Central____ _______ _____
West South Central___________________
M ountain________ __________________
Pacific_______ _______ _______________
415
1,031
3, 610
500
1,591
1,647
2,256
781
1,237
$23, 077
60,136
207, 530
19, 269
63, 035
70, 013
102,380
31,619
80,107
37,841
102, 559
275,021
32,252
94, 834
154,873
199, 027
46, 658
108, 796
$0. 742
.586
.755
.597
.665
.452
.514
.678
.736
$234, 638
12, 795
227,106
20,469
95,187
25,916
84,446
9,128
63,331
Total continental United States____
Outside continental United States.............
13, 068
525
662,166
27,438
1,051,861
51, 662
.630
.531
>979,888
2,947
Grand total___ _______ __________
13, 593
689, 604
1,103,523
.625
1 982,835
1 Includes $206,872 estimated value of orders placed for public-roads projects which cannot be charged to
.any specific geographic division.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
218
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Workers in the New England, East North Central, and the Pacific
States earned over 70 cents per hour, and only one geographic divi
sion, the East South Central, earned less than 50 cents per hour.
Table 33 shows for the months of August, September, and October
employment, pay rolls, and man-hours worked on construction
projects starting since July 1, which are financed from regular gov
ernmental appropriations.
Table 33.—Employment and Pay Rolls for Construction Projects Financed from
Regular Governmental Appropriations, August to October 1934
___________________________________ [Subject to revision!
Number
of wage
earners
Month
August ________________ _____
September_____________
October_____________
Amount
of pay
rolls
5, 601
9,800
13, 593
$329,440
493,363
689, 604
Number of
man-hours
worked
Average
earnings
per hour
557, 747
773, 685
1,103, 523
$0. 591
.638
.625
Value of
material
orders
placed
$150, 506
842, 292
982,835
Comparing October with August, there was an increase of nearly
8,000 in the number of wage earners and over $360,000 in monthly
pay rolls.
U n e m p lo y m e n t in F o re ig n C o u n trie s
HE table following gives statistics of unemployment in foreign
countries, as shown in official reports for the years 1927 to 1933,
and by months beginning with September 1933 to the latest avail
able date.
T
Statement of Unemployment in Foreign Countries
Australia
Year and date (end of
month)
1927.
1928.
1929.
1930.
1931.
1932.
1933.
September.
October__
November.
December.
Ja n u ary ...
February..
M arch___
April.........
M ay..........
June........
July...........
August___
September.
October__
November.
Austria
Belgium
Unemployment-insurance societies
CompulTrade-unionists un- sory insuremployed
ance, num
Partially unem
ber of un- Wholly unemployed
ployed
employed
in receipt
of benefit
Number Percent
Number Percent Number Percent
31, 032
45, 669
47,359
84,767
117,866
120,454
104,035
19.3
27.4
29.4
25.1
104,560
25.1
95, 745
23.0
92,297
21.9
88.413
20.9
86,652
20.4
7.0
10.8
11.1
172,450
156,185
164.509
208,389
253, 368
309,969
11,112
5,386
8,462
23, 250
79,186
161,468
167,189
.9
1.3
3.6
10.9
19.0
17.0
1.8
23,763
22,293
18,831
50,918
121,890
175, 259
170,023
3.9
3.5
3.0
7.9
16.9
20.7
17.2
279,053
280,381
300,477
335,919
138,131
146,988
156,690
194,279
13.8
14.5
15.8
19.9
163,067
144,998
148,023
163,537
16.1
14.4
14.8
16.6
357,291
352,451
325,657
295,814
273,576
263,883
257, 213
248,066
243,874
249,275
275,148
206,855
195,405
182. 561
188,478
170, 261
165, 342
167,979
164,969
173,118
173,368
21.5
20.3
18.8
19.4
17.5
17.1
17.4
17. 1
17.9
18.0
183,712
178, 556
162, 780
170.352
162,511
163, 216
175,974
169,255
156,408
153,422
18.9
18.6
16.7
17.6
16.7
16.9
18.2
17.5
16.2
15.9
1933
1934
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
219
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Statement of Unemployment in Foreign Countries—Continued
Canada
Year and date (end of
month)
Danzig,
Free City
of
Czechoslovakia
Trade-union insur
ance funds—un
employed in re
ceipt of benefit
Percent
of tradeunionists
unem
ployed
Number
of unem
ployed
on live
register
4.9
4. 5
5.7
52,869
38,636
4i; 630
105,442
29, 332
554,059
738, 267
17,626
16| 342
23; 763
52, 047
102,179
184, 555
247,613
2.2
4.6
8.3
13.5
16. 9
12,905
18, 291
24,898
33, 244
31,408
622, 561
629,992
691,078
779,987
210,426
213, 753
210, 771
236,423
14.1
14.3
15.3
17.1
838,982
844,284
789, 789
704, 338
624,850
582,810
569,450
572, 428
576, 267
599,464
1672; 179
268,708
294,184
275, 026
250, 629
226,470
227,501
226, 711
233, 227
230, 224
19.4
20.9
19.5
17.8
15.8
15.8
15.8
16.3
16.1
1927___________________
1928___________________
1929___________________
1930___________________
1931___________________
1932____________ ______
1933__________
1933
September_______
October _______________
November... _ . _ ______
December. ____ ______
1934
January . . . . . . _____
February_____________ _
March_________________
April_____ __________
M ay__ ____ ________
June
Ju ly ___________________
August
September .
. . .
____ _
October .
November__
....
11.1
16.8
22.0
22. 3
19.8
19.8
20.4
21.0
21. 2
20.0
19.5
19.1
18.5
18.0
17.9
16. 5
16.4
16. 2
17.5
Number
Number
of unem
ployed
registered
22.5
18. 5
15.5
13.7
17.9
31.7
28.9
25, 219
24, 628
25, 486
28, 368
74,139
80, 565
89, 948
122,499
23.2
25.7
35.0
27, 525
25, 718
21,907
20, 332
18, 462
17, 774
16,852
16,941
16, 588
18,835
20,395
122, 620
Finland
France
Number
unem
ployed re
maining
on live
register
Number
of unem
ployed
registered
Number
of unem
ployed in
receipt of
benefit
Number of
unemployed
registered
1927_______________________
1928_______________________
1929_______________________
1930_______________________
1931_______________________
1932_______________________
1933_______________________
3,037
2, 629
3,181
3,054
3, 632
7,121
8, 207
1, 735
3,906
7,993
11, 522
17, 581
17,139
1,868
33,549
4, 993
905
2,432
54, 587
264,845
275, 395
1, 353, 000
1,353, 000
1, 678,824
3,144,910
4, 573, 218
5, 579,858
4,733, 014
1933
September___ _____________
October_____ _ _ _ ________
November _
December, ,
_
3,881
6,491
10, 375
9,214
17,134
17, 752
19, 729
17,062
226, 375
232, 632
251, 949
312,894
3,849, 222
3, 744,860
3, 714,646
4, 059,055
1934
January, _________ .
F e b ru a ry _____
M arch,
_ __________ __
A pril,.
M ay___ _ __________ _
June___ . , . _______ .
J u ly .. ____________
August____________
S eptem ber___ ___
October ____ ________ ...
November________. . . .
7, 720
6; 149
6,005
3; 062
1, 990
' 903
493
838
1,016
i; 796
20,109
17; 510
14; 026
9; 942
5; 996
5,946
5; 691
6; 064
6,834
7, 629
332, 266
350; 930
345; 783
334; 370
323,427
310; 934
320; 427
325; 655
323,132
343; 795
369i 248
3, 772,792
3; 372; 611
2, 798', 324
2. 608, 621
2,528,960
2,480; 826
2,426; 014
2, 397; 562
2, 281,800
2, 267, 657
12; 354,000
1 Provisional figure.
103148—35— 15
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Percent
61, 705
50; 226
42, 817
39, 631
53, 019
99, 508
1.6
Estonia
Year and date (end of month)
Trade-union unem
ployment funds—
unemployed
Number
Percent
1.4
Denmark
112, 277
102, 262
80, 047
62, 216
57, 491
56,849
57,875
61, 348
68, 509
85,106
22.0
34.4
31.3
28.4
21.6
16.8
15.5
15.3
15.5
16. 4
18.3
22.7
Germany
Trade-unionists
Percent
wholly
unem
ployed
Percent
partially
unem
ployed
8.7
34.3
43.8
35.5
22.2
3.
5.
7.
13.
20.
22.
18.
22.3
20.9
20.3
24.7
11.
14.
13.
9.
8.6
13.2
25.4
20.1
16.3
15. 4
14.9
15.6
15. 3
15.2
15. 2
220
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— -JANUARY 1935
Statement of Unemployment in Foreign Countries— Continued
Great Britain and Northern
Ireland
Great
Britain
Hungary
Compulsory insurance
Year and date (end
of month)
Wholly unem
ployed
Number
Temporary
stoppages
Per
cent Number
1927________________
1928________________
1929________________
1930________________
1931________________
1932________________
1933________________
899,093
980, 326
994, 091
1,467,347
2,129, 359
2, 272,590
2,110, 090
16.7
17.6
16.4
263,077
309Ì 903
268,400
526, 604
587,494
573,805
456, 678
1933
September__________
October... . _____
November__________
December___________
1,976,870
1,973,120
1,965,138
1,949, 477
15.3
15.3
15.3
15.1
398, 214
361,434
343, 641
313,419
1934
January___ _______
February.
________
M a rch ... _____ _ _
April__ _ . . . . . . .
M ay__________ . . . _
June____ _______ .
Ju ly . --------------------August. _ . . . _ .......
September. . . . . .
October____ ________
November_____ _____
2, 045, 636
1,996, 344
1,907,908
1,813, 550
1, 751,983
1,672,644
1, 663,463
1,672, 742
1, 721, 737
1, 776, 244
15.9
15.5
14.8
14.1
13.6
13.0
12.9
13.0
13.4
13.7
361,479
346, 450
316,960
334,180
345, 268
451,805
498, 782
462,413
358,599
342,896
Irish Free
State
Year and date (end of Compulmonth)
sory in
surance—
number
unem
ployed
1927.
1928.
1929.
1930.
1931.
1932.
1933.
1933
Septem ber...
October____
Novem ber...
December__
1934
January____
February___
M arch_____
April______
M ay..............
June_______
July........
August.........
Septem ber...
October____
Novem ber...
2.3
2. 6
2. 2
4.8
4.6
4.5
3.5
3.1
2.8
2.6
2.5
2.8
2.7
2.5
2.6
2.7
3.5
3.9
3.6
2.7
2.7
Employ
ment ex
changes,
applica
tions for
work
1,107,000
1, 355,000
1, 281,000
2,297,000
2, 668, 000
2,757, 000
2, 520, 616
13,881
14, 715
15,173
43, 592
52,305
66,235
60, 595
852
951
977
1,026
1,085
15,322
21,339
27,635
29,772
26, 716
2,336, 727
2,298, 753
2,280, 017
2,224,079
50,978
56,671
60,929
55,523
1,028
1,024
1,149
1,118
23,955
23,971
24,099
25,926
2,389,068
2,317,909
2, 201, 577
2,148,195
2, 090, 381
2,092,586
2,126, 260
2,136, 578
2,081,987
2,119, 635
2,120,785
56,478
57,882
60, 821
52,575
50,901
46,863
45,486
48, 365
46,715
52,987
1,120
26,280
26,066
24,235
23,586
22,848
22,467
Christian
(Buda
pest)
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Number of unem
ployed registered
Official esti
mates, un
employed
Number
unem
ployed
remain
ing on
live reg
ister
Wholly
unem
ployed
22, 721
20,860
22,176
25,230
3 62,817
3 72,255
278,484
324,422
300,787
425,437
734, 454
1,006,442
1, 018,955
3 58,937
3 71,586
3 82,565
3 79,414
3 94, 266
3 98, 642
3 100, 521
3 98,144
3 94, 420
3 90,408
3 89,736
3 98, 252
3 110,186
3 117,057
123,890
21,100
3 Registration area extended.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
7.4
8. 2
8.2
11.8
Per
cent
Trade-unionists
unemployed
Number
of persons
registered
with em
ployment
exchanges
Partially
unem
ployed
97,054
38,457
16,154
23,408
28, 721
33,468
Number
Per
cent
1,118
1,085
980
948
882
935
959
911
927
Social
Demo
cratic
21,212
20, 737
20,058
19,410
Netherlands
Unemploy
ment insur
ance socie
ties—unemployed
Number
Per
cent
368,465
413, 248
489,168
413,853
5.2
5.9
6.9
5.7
3,131
4, 700
5,617
4,851
8,709
14,582
8,156
907,463
962,868
1, 066, 215
1, 132,257
400,118
392, 294
383,582
378, 921
5.5
5.3
5.2
5.1
3,140
4, 404
10,209
10,605
116,237
119,092
121, 680
213,349
22.4
23.0
23.6
35.7
1, 158,418
382, 315
390, 243
385, 343
381,114
382,977
378,065
372, 070
367,950
5.2
5.2
5.2
5.1
5.1
5.1
5.0
4.9
10,435
11,041
10,480
7,265
1,831
1,019
904
949
999
1,796
187,438
146, 327
165,367
127,404
125, 762
123,898
1. 53
24.7
27.3
23.5
25.1
24.9
1, 103,550
1, 056,823
995, 548
941,257
830,856
886,998
866, 570
887, 345
905,114
969,944
26,868
22,009
27, 775
41,281
87,659
162,638
176,429
9.0
6.9
7.5
9.7
18.2
30.1
31.4
116,073
122,837
131,069
221
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
Statement of Unemployment in Foreign Countries—Continued
New Zea
land
Poland
Norway
Rumania
Number
Number
Trade-unionists (10
Number unemployed
Number
Year and date (end of month) unemployed
u n i o n s ) unem unemployed
unemployed
registered
registered
ployed
remaining
remaining
with em
by employ
on live
on live
ployment
ment ex
register
register
Number
changes *
offices
Percent
14, 790
16, 588
25.4
19.2
15.4
16.6
23.3
30.8
33.4
23,889
21, 759
19, 089
19, 353
27, 479
» 32; 705
« 35,591
165, 340
125,552
129, 450
226, 659
299, 502
255,582
249, 660
10, 373
7,288
25,338
35,851
38,890
29, 060
56,173
54,105
50,140
48,334
15,431
15,682
16, 720
19, 570
30.9
31.3
33.4
39.2
32, 674
34, 682
38,893
41, 663
200, 030
211, 926
246, 577
342, 058
17,551
17, 031
20,125
25, 765
46, 527
45,125
44,441
45,052
45, 952
48, 393
49, 931
50, 545
50,026
148, 350
20, 349
19, 276
18,454
16, 945
14, 637
14, 073
12, 934
12, 998
13,690
40.6
38.5
36.6
33.4
28.7
27.2
24.7
24.6
25.6
40, 792
42, 365
40,869
38,975
32, 839
28, 794
25,386
27,210
31.083
35,528
39,670
399, 530
409, 892
388, 906
363,146
329, 366
306, 387
294, 238
289, 388
289, 220
296, 801
332,818
28,323
27, 721
26,915
16, 462
12, 527
14, 482
12, 758
13,069
11,795
1927____________________
1928____________________
1929____________________
1930____________________
1931 ______ _____________
1932____________________
1933____________________
2,895
5,037
41, 430
51' 549
53,382
1933
S e p te m b e r.._____ _ ___
October.. _ ----- -----------November_______________
December.. . . . . . . . . . .
1934
January....... .............. ........
February_________ ___ .
M arch.. . . .
___ ____
April__________________ .
M ay____ _____ . . .
June____ ______________
July____________________
August___
. _______
Septem ber.. .
...........
Saar Ter
ritory
Year and date (end of
month)
Number
of unem
ployed
regis
tered
8, 561
6, 502
5,902
7,175
Sweden
Switzerland
Trade-unionists
unemployed
Unemployment funds
Number
Percent
Wholly unem
ployed
Yugo
slavia
Partially unem
ployed
Number
of unem
ployed
regis
tered
Number Percent Number Percent
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
.......................
___
.
31,076
29, 716
32,621
42,016
64,815
89| 922
97,316
..
__________
__________ _____
1933
September____ ___
.. ...
O ctober...........
November. . .
December______ _____
35, 287
35,836
37,096
39,900
109,778
27.6
40, 719
39,749
37,223
34,112
32, 797
32,042
31,954
32,055
32, 077
32,539
91, 762
101,794
104,442
85,857
67,555
63,421
59,002
60,153
61, 088
71,417
24.3
24.3
24.2
1934
January_____________
F ebruary......................
March______________
A p r il__________________ .
M a y _____________________
J u n e .................................. ........
J u l y ............................................
A u g u s t ......................................
Septem ber.....................
October .
77,013
79, 678
88,100
2.1
1.8
17.2
22.8
23.7
19.6
20.2
15.7
14.7
13.7
13.8
13.7
15.7
1.7
7.2
3.4
5.9
9.1
12.2
20.2
22.2
2.0
1.1
2.7
12.0
10.6
10.7
6,591
9, 286
20', 963
41,373
38,749
12.1
12.2
8.5
10.8
38, 578
42,800
52,000
84,239
84, 600
77, 600
56,853
43,000
37,800
35,244
36,000
37,300
37,958
7.3
8.4
10.1
15.8
16.0
14.7
10.6
8.2
7.2
6.6
7.1
7.3
7.0
36,349
32,900
34, 700
38,153
40,600
40,300
34,267
32,400
30,400
28,520
29,700
31,034
6.9
6.3
6.6
7.1
7.7
7.6
6.4
6.1
5.7
5.3
5.2
5.5
5.7
i P r o v is io n a l figure.
4 I n c lu d e s n o t o n ly w o r k e r s w h o lly u n e m p lo y e d b u t a ls o th o s e in t e r m it t e n t ly e m p lo y e d .
e v is e d fig u re s.
Digitized for5 RFRASER
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
6,781
8,465
8,198
10, 018
14,761
15,997
10,043
10, 419
11,409
17,733
27,768
29, 001
21,077
18,915
11,691
9,186
9,551
10,623
9,918
11, 211
RETAIL PRICES
Retail Prices of Food, November 1934
URING November 1934 retail prices of food in the larger cities
of the United States decreased four-tenths of 1 percent. The
index number (1913 = 100) as computed by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics fell from 115.4 for the October 23 period to 114.9 for the
November 20 period.
Meat prices continued a decline which began in September and
which included every commodity in that group. Fruit prices also
moved downward. The drop in orange prices was the most marked
commodity change for the month. Increases during October were
due chiefly to seasonal advances for eggs and dairy products, and to
higher prices for onions and for fats.
Retail prices of food are received from 51 of the larger cities of the
United States. All index numbers and relative prices representative
of the United States as a whole are based upon averages of the prices
received from these cities. Index numbers represent the average
retail cost of 42 foods purchased by wage earners.
The 42 foods included in the index are grouped as follows:
Cereals.—White bread, flour, corn meal, corn flakes, rolled oats,
wheat cereal, macaroni, and rice.
Meats.—Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate
beef, pork chops, sliced bacon, sliced ham, leg of lamb, and hens.
Dairy products.—Fresh milk, evaporated milk, butter, and cheese.
Eggs.
Fruits and vegetables.—Bananas, oranges, prunes, raisins, navy
beans, beans with pork, cabbage, canned corn, onions, canned peas,
white potatoes, and canned tomatoes.
Miscellaneous foods.—Coffee, lard, sugar, and tea.
D
Table 1.—Indexes of the Average Retail Cost of 42 Foods in the United States
By Commodity Groups
November and October 1934 and November 1933
Percentage change Nov. 20, 1934,
compared with—
Index (1913=100)
Article
1934
1933
1934
1933
Nov. 20 Nov. 6 Oct. 23 Oct. 9 Nov. 21 Nov. 7 Nov. 6 Oct. 23 Oct. 9 Nov. 21
All foods_________
Cereals..... .........
Meats________
Dairy products—
Eggs--------------Fruits and vegetables.. .
M iscellaneous
foods________
114.9
150.9
115.3
152.1
120.6
108.4
116.2
122.6
107.6
113.9
115.4
151.8
126.4
105.4
109.0
115.6
152.0
128.4
105.4
103.5
106.8
143.5
104.1
98.5
104.6
106.7
143.4
105.9
98.6
100.3
104.2
96.4
105.3
96.4
108.3
96.4
110.8
117.2
87.5
116.6
87.5
222
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
96.1
-0 .3
-0 .4
- 1.6
+. 8
+ 2.0
-4 .6
+2.9
+ 6.6
- 1.0
-3 .8
.0
.0
-.8
-.6
- 0.6
- .7
- 6.1
+ 2.8
+ 12.3
+7.6
+5.2
+15.9
+ 10.1
+ 11.1
- 6.0
+ .3
- 11.1
+ 10.2
223
RETAIL PRICES
Recent changes in the prices of 34 staple foods are indicated in the
relative prices shown in table 2.
Table 2 .—Relative Retail Prices of 34 Staple Foods in the United States
November and October 1934 and November 1933
[1913=100]
1934
1933
C o m m o d itie s
Cereals:
Bread, white____
Corn meal______
Flour, wheat____
Rice_____ _____
Dairy products:
B utter_________
Cheese-................
Milk, fresh______
Eggs----------------- Fruits and vegetables:
Bananas___ _____
Oranges________
Prunes_________
Raisins___ - _____
Beans, navy_____
Beans with pork _Cabbage________
Com, canned____
Onions_________
Peas, canned____
Potatoes, white- -.
Tomatoes, cannedMeats:
Beef:
Chuck roast—.
Plate beef___
Rib roast____
Round steak..
Sirloin ste ak ..
Hens_________ ...
Lamb, leg of____
Pork:
Bacon, sliced..
Ham, sliced...
Pork chops__
Miscellaneous foods:
Coffee.____ _____
Lard, pure______
Sugar...................
Tea____________
Nov. 20
Nov. 6
Oct. 23
148.2
160.0
154.5
94.3
150.0
160.0
154.5
95.4
150.0
156.7
154.5
94.3
150.0
156.7
154.5
95.4
142.9
133.3
145.5
79.3
142.9
130.0
145.5
79.3
91.6
108.1
131.5
116.2
89.6
107.7
131.5
113.9
85.1
107.2
130.3
109.0
83.8
108.6
131.5
103.5
74.2
103.2
124.7
104.6
74.2
104.5
124.7
100.3
149.0
111.7
97.4
91.5
110.5
59.5
113.0
105.1
162.5
152.3
124.7
98.3
91.5
112.3
59.5
113.0
105.1
158.3
154.9
131.3
97.4
91.5
114.0
59.5
117.4
103.4
154.2
121.0
102.0
121.0
100.0
102.0
156.2
119.7
98.3
91.5
114.0
59.5
126.1
101.7
158.3
119.6
101.0
111.8
101.0
156.9
92.0
90.6
87.7
105.3
58.6
156.5
93.2
141.7
95.1
135.3
96.1
156.9
95.7
90.6
88.7
105.3
59.5
139.1
93.2
141.7
95.1
135.3
97. 1
106.3
94.2
116.7
124.2
123.6
114.6
123.3
108.1
95.9
117.2
126.5
126.4
114.6
124.3
95.0
120.7
130.5
130.7
116.4
127.0
133.6
133.1
117.8
130.7
94.4
81.8
103.0
112.2
95.6
82.6
105.1
114.3
115.4
95.3
112.7
123.3
148.0
116.2
124.4
149.8
120.5
127.0
153. 5
128.6
129.6
156.1
130.5
86.3
119.0
105. 7
86.3
119.3
110.5
94.0
95.6
94.0
93.0
103.6
132.9
94.3
93.7
103.6
132.7
94.0
93.7
103.6
132.5
121.0
100.0
101.8
132.5
105.9
110.6
Oct. 9
111.9
95.9
121.2
Nov. 21
112.1
113.4
93.9
Nov. 7
89.3
62.0
89.3
60.8
101.8
101.8
122.4
123.2
The Bureau receives biweekly prices for 78 articles of food. Aver
age prices of these foods in 51 of the larger cities of the United States
are shown in table 3.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
224
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW“—JANUARY 1935
Table 3.—Average Retail Prices of 78 Foods in the United States
November and October 1934 and November 1933
1933
1934
Article
Cereal foods:
Flour, wheat, white—______ pound..
Cora meal....... ........... ________do---Rolled oats_________ ................do___
Cora flakes_________ - 8-oz. package—
Wheat cereal_______ 28-oz. package-.
Rice
___________ ______ pound-Macaroni____ ____ ~ ________do---Bakery products:
Bread, white, wheat-- _______ do___
Bread, rye_________ ...........___do___
Cake, pound_______ ............ ..d o ---Beef:
Sirloin steak......... ...... ________do___
Round steak_______ ................do___
Rib roast_____ ____ - ________do___
Chuck roast________ ________do___
Plate______________ ________do___
Lamb:
Leg_______________ ________do---Rib chops__________ ............ __do___
Breast_____________ ________do_._
Chuck or shoulder__ ________do----•
Pork:
Chops_____ _______ ________do___
Loin r o a s t.......... ...... ___ ____do---Bacon, sliced........... . ....... ........do___
Ham, sliced________ ________do----Ham, whole___ . - __ _____ do____
Ham, picnic, smoked. _______ do____
Salt pork__________ ............ _.do___
Veal:
Cutlets____________ ................do___
Poultry:
Roasting chickens___ ________do---Fish:
Salmon, canned, pink ____16-oz. can..
Salmon, canned, red.- ________do___
Dairy products:
Butter____ ________ _____ pound..
Cheese_____ _______ ___ ____do___
Milk, fresh_________ _______q uart..
Milk, evaporated___ . —14H-oz. can..
Cream............. ........... ______ Yi p in t..
Fats and oils:
Lard, pure_________ ............pound..
Lard, compound__ ________do___
Vegetable lard substitute_____ do---Oleomargarine—......... ________d o ...
Eggs--------------------------- _______ dozen.
Fruits, fresh:
A p p les____________ ______ pound._
Bananas............. ... . ....... ...... dozen..
do __
Oranges_____ _____ ................do___
Vegetables, fresh:
Beans grp,p,n
. pound..
Cabbage_____ ____ - ________do
bunch..
Carrots
stalk
head..
Onions___ ________ ______ pound..
Potatoes. ________ ________do---do .
Spin a,oh
_ do___
Fruits, canned:
Peaches....................... ___no. 2 can..
________do___
P e a r s _____ ____
Pineapple-------------- ________do___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Nov. 21
Nov. 7
Nov. 20
Nov. 6
Oct. 23
Oct. 9
Cents
5.1
4.8
7.3
8.4
24.3
Cents
5.1
4.7
7.2
8.4
24.3
15.8
Cents
5.1
4.8
7.3
8.4
24.3
8.3
15.9
Cents
5.1
4.7
7.2
8.4
24.3
8.3
15.9
Cents
4.8
4. 0
6.5
8.9
24.0
6.9
15.8
Cents
4.8
3.9
6.5
8.9
24.0
6.9
15.9
8.3
8.9
9. 0
22.7
8.4
8.9
9.0
22.7
8.4
8.9
9.0
8. 4
8. 0
8.6
8. 0
8.6
22.8
22.8
31.4
27.7
23.1
17.0
11.4
32.1
28.2
23.2
17.3
33.2
29.1
23.9
17.7
11.5
33.8
29.8
24.0
17.9
28.8
25.0
20.4
15.1
9.9
29.3
25.5
23.3
30.4
23.5
30.7
10.3
17.6
24.0
31.3
24.7
32.1
21.2
21.3
10.6
10.6
17.9
18.2
24.4
19.8
33.3
39.8
23.3
15.9
21.9
25.3
20.7
33.6
40.3
23.8
16.2
27.0
21.9
34.3
41.3
24.3
16.8
27.4
22.5
35.0
42.0
25.4
17.3
22.2
23.2
23.3
32.0
23.3
32.1
21.8
22.0
22.2
31.1
31.9
32.2
32.3
24.4
24.4
24.8
25.1
20.0
20.3
13.6
21.2
13.6
21.3
13.7
21.3
13.9
21.4
20.9
20.7
35.1
23.9
11.7
6.7
14.3
34.3
23.8
11.7
6.7
14.2
32.6
23.7
32.1
24.0
11.7
6.7
14.4
28.4
28.4
23.1
15.1
13.0
19.6
15.5
40.1
14.7
14.8
12.8
12.6
5.7
27. 5
33.5
8.2
10.1
17.4
11.6
8.2
15.9
11.6
6.7
14.2
8.9
9.0
11.6
22.8
11.1
6.8
20.8
15.3
10.0
11.1
6.8
19.3
15.0
37.6
14.8
12.4
19.4
14.6
35.7
36.1
5.7
23.3
28.4
37.4
5.7
23.7
28.6
39.4
5.6
23.9
27.9
35.9
24.0
24.0
27.6
28.7
12.7
10.9
8.6
3.2
4.9
8.3
7.9
2.9
4.9
8.3
3.6
5.0
3.8
1.9
3.9
3.4
2.3
3.4
2.3
20.6
17.4
17.3
20.5
22.8
2.6
8.8
8.1
19.4
15.3
39.3
2.6
8.1
2.7
4.8
8.2
8.2
3.8
1.7
3.7
6.6
6.6
6.8
19.4
22.5
19.3
22.5
22.7
19.2
22.4
19.2
22.3
22.7
22.6
3.7
8.8
3.9
1.7
3.8
6.7
1.8
3.7
22.6
9.8
9.6
19.1
19.1
13.1
34.6
12.8
225
R E T A IL P R IC E S
Table 3.—Average Retail Prices of 78 Foods in the United States—Continued
November and October 1934 and November 1933
1933
1934
Article
Vegetables, canned:
no. 2 can.
Asparagus
__do___
Beans, green
Corn______________ ________do___
Peas....... ........... .......... ________do___
Tomatoes__________ ________do___
Pork and beans_____ . -16-oz. can..
Fruits, dried:
______ pound..
Peaches — . . . .
Prunes........ ................ ________do___
Raisins____________ ________do___
Vegetables, dried:
______ do___
Black-eyed peas
Lima beans ____ ________do___
Navy beans________ ......... ...... do___
Sugar and sweets:
Sugar, granulated___ ________do___
Corn sirup
-24-oz. can
Molasses
18-oz. can
Beverages:
............
pound..
Coifee_____________
Tea___________ ____ ................do___
Miscellaneous foods:
Peanut butter
__ do___
Salt, table
__do___
1fUC-nz nan
Soup, tomato
Tomato iniee
1314-nz. can
Nov. 20
Nov. 6
Oct. 23
Cents
24.6
11.9
12.3
17.3
10.4
6.9
Cents
24.5
11.9
12.3
17.3
10.4
6.9
Cents
24.5
17.3
10.3
6.9
Cents
24.4
11.9
11.9
17. 1
10.3
6.9
16.0
11.4
9.7
15.9
11.5
9.7
15.8
11.4
9.7
15.7
11.5
9.7
7.9
9.9
6.3
8.2
8.0
9.9
6.4
9.9
6.5
8.0
5.6
13.2
13.9
5.7
13.1
13.9
5.7
13.2
13.9
5.7
13.0
13.9
28.0
72.1
28.0
72.3
28.1
72.2
28.0
72.1
17.6
4.3
17.4
4.3
17.2
4.3
17.0
4.3
8.1
8.5
8.1
8.6
11.8
12.1
8.1
8.6
Oct. 9
9.9
6.5
Nov. 21
Nov. 7
Cents
Cents
6.8
10.9
13.6
9.9
6.9
10.6
10.6
6.0
6.0
5.6
5.6
26.6
26.6
67.0
10.9
13.6
9.8
9.3
66.6
9.4
8.1
8.8
Food prices decreased from October 23 to November 20, 1934, in
30 of the 51 cities reporting to the Bureau. For eight cities there was
no change. Thirteen cities showed slight increases.
These 51 cities have been grouped into five regional areas as follows:
North Atlantic.—Boston, Bridgeport, Buffalo, Fall River, Man
chester, Newark, New Haven, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,
Portland (Maine), Providence, Rochester, and Scranton.
South Atlantic.—Atlanta, Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville,
Norfolk, Richmond, Savannah, and Washington (D. C.).
North Central.—Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit,
Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, Peoria,
St. Louis, St. Paul, and Springfield (111.).
South Central.—Birmingham, Dallas, Houston, Little Rock, Louis
ville, Memphis’, Mobile, and New Orleans.
Western.—Butte, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland (Oreg.), Salt Lake
City, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Table 4 presents index numbers for 39 cities and percents of price
change for all of the 51 cities for specified periods in 1934 and 1933.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
226
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 4.—Indexes of the Average Retail Cost of 42 Foods
By Cities
November and October 1934 and November 1933
Percentage change Nov.
20, 1934, compared
with—
Index (1913=100)
City
1934
1933
1934
1933
Nov. 20 Nov. 6 Oct. 23 Oct. 9 Nov. 21 Nov. 7 Nov. 6 Oct. 23 Nov. 21
United States____________
North Atlantic:
Boston__ ____________
Bridgeport................ ......
Buffalo______________
Fall R i v e r . . . . . ___
Manchester___________
N ew ark._____________
New Haven__________
New York____________
Philadelphia__________
Pittsburgh___________
Portland, Maine_____ .
Providence_________ .
Rochester____________
Scranton_____________
South Atlantic:
Atlanta______________
Baltimore___________
Charleston, S. C_____ .
Jacksonville__________
Norfolk___________ . . .
Richmond__________ _
Savannah____________
Washington, D. C_____
North Central:
Chicago______ ____ ___
Cincinnati___________
Cleveland.. ............ ......
C olum bus___________
Detroit______________
Indianapolis__________
Kansas C ity ........... ........
Milwaukee___________
Minneapolis_________
Omaha_______________
Peoria______ _________
St. Louis..........................
St. P a u l... __________
Springfield, 111________
South Central:
Birmingham____ _____
Dallas_______________
Houston___ __________
Little Rock__ ______ _
Louisville.. . ______
Memphis______ ______
Mobile_______ ______
New Orleans__________
Western:
B utte________________
Denver. _____________
Los Angeles__________
Portland, Oreg________
Salt Lake City________
San Francisco_________
Seattle...... ......................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
114.9
115.3
115.4
115.6
106.8
106.7
-0 .3
-0 .4
-1 .5
+11
- .4
- 1.8
+12
- .7
- .5
+ 1. 1
113.7
115.4
115.7
115.2
108.1
108.0
118. 1
114.1
116. 1
116.0
119.0
114.6
114.9
117.0
121.9
120.9
119.1
114.8
119.5
114.0
115.7
115.6
111.7
105.1
108.3
108.2
111.8
118.7
115.2
118.6
113.8
117.6
116.4
120.5
120.9
119.0
114.8
112.3
116.4
116.3
116.4
113.2
122.5
115.2
108.2
114.7
107.5
121.0
120.8
105.4
107.6
108.0
112.7
114.6
111.3
104.2
121.6
111.8
120.1
111.2
117. 1
116.9
108.5
109.1
116.9
117.1
117. 8
114.0
113.5
113.0
113.9
123.2
114. 1
107.9
115.4
122.7
115.2
109.1
102.9
112.4
108.0
99.1
105.0
113.2
107.8
99.4
122.2
120.3
114.1
104.3
120.4
120.4
120.6
121.2
110.1
110.9
124. 1
124.4
123.5
123.5
114.6
114.3
116.9
115.5
117.0
115.1
111.7
117.0
115.0
117.8
115. 1
110.5
109.1
103.2
111. 1
111.2
112.1
112.6
107.4
102.4
115.3
106.2
115.8
119.4
118.6
105.0
110.6
115.4
107.4
115.1
120.3
117.9
106.3
111.2
114.4
103.5
115.8
119.2
115. 1
110.9
111.1
102.7
109.2
106.1
100.5
103.6
109.8
106.2
99.6
118.5
118.1
118.7
119.0
107.4
107.6
113.6
114.4
114.8
113.6
115.3
113.5
115.6
113.2
104.0
104.5
103.7
103.4
107.0
113.1
108.9
107.9
113.0
109. 1
108. Ì
111. 7
109.3
108.5
111.7
109.4
101.0
101.2
116.3
117.2
116.4
117.3
105.9
105.8
113.6
103.4
114.2
119.7
115.4
111.0
106.5
107.6
102.2
121.1
113.1
111.3
107.5
106.9
103.0
121.4
112. 7
111.2
105.2
106.0
102.8
113.4
112.5
112.0
106.4
106.6
102.0
118.5
111. 1
101.2
97.6
99.3
99.3
100. 1
94.5
93.0
110.3
103. 1
100.6
97.1
99.2
100.5
101.9
94.6
91.0
110.0
103. 3
+ .2
- 1.2
- .3
+ .4
-. 1
- .3
+ .3
—. 2
+ .1
—3
- .4
+• 1
+ .2
+ .4
+ .7
+. 4
-. 1
+ 4
- .3
-. 1
+ .3
- .4
—. 7
-.6
-. 1
-1 .4
+ .4
+ .2
+ .2
+1 0
- .4
+ 4
+ .4
- 1.0
+ .7
—. 3
- .9
+ .2
-.2
+. 4
- .8
- .7
-. 1
- .4
+ .4
+. 7
- .6
—. 6
- .6
-.6
- .5
+ 1.0
+ .3
-f. 4
- .2
4- 1
+ .5
-. 1
+ .4
- .9
—1. 4
-1 .4
- 2.6
-1 .3
+8 1
+ 10.0
+9.0
+6.7
+9.2
-j-7 fi
+9.3
+8.3
-2 .7
+ .5
+1 0
-.2
+10Ì 4
+ .2
14
—2
-1 .4
+ .7
—. 1
- 1.1
+1.3
- .4
o
- .8
-.1
-H 1
+ .3
+5.2
+5. 7
+ 8. 5
+7.3
+7.3
+ 8.2
+5.8
+6.7
+ 10.5
+7 3
+7.3
-j-fi Q
+ 2. 1
+5.8
+5.8
+7.8
-j-Q fi
+ 6! 9
+ 2.2
+ 11.2
+9. 7
+ 8.8
+ 10.6
-f 7
- .3
- .9
+ .6
-.8
-.2
+7.6
- .2
+1.3
+1.4
- .6
+6.7
+ .5
+6.9
+9.2
+9.4
+9. 6
+ 12.0
+9. 7
-j-8 4
+9.8
+ 11.7
+6.4
+ 13.8
+9.9
+9. 7
+9.6
227
RETAIL PRICES
The trends of the retail cost of food from 1913 to date are shown
in table 5 for commodity groups.
Table
5 .— Indexes
of the Average Retail Cost of 42 Foods in the United States
By Commodity Groups
1913-34 Inclusive
[1913 = 100]
Y ear and
month
All
foods
Cere Meats Dairy
prod
als
ucts
Other
foods
Year and
month
All
foods
Cere Meats Dairy
prod Other
als
ucts foods
145.9
157. 4
160. 6
155.4
154. 3
156. 7
147.1
121. 3
160. 4
176. 2
175. 5
170. 7
167. 2
164.1
158.0
135. 9
99. 7
126.6
By years
1913________
1914________
1915________
1916________
1917________
1918________
1919________
1920________
1921________
1922________
1923________
100.0
100.0
102.4 106.7
101.3 121.6
113.7 126.8
146.4 186.5
168.3 194.3
185.9 198.0
203.4 232.1
153. 3 179.8
141. 6 159.3
146.2 156.9
100. 0 100. 0
103.4 97.1
99. 6 96.1
108. 2 103. 2
137.0 127.6
172.8 153.4
184.2 176.6
185.7 185.1
158.1 149. 5
150.3 135.9
149.0 147.6
100. 0
103.8
100. 1
125.8
160. 4
164. 5
191. 5
236.8
156.1
147.0
154.3
1924
1925__
1926 .
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933 ....... .
102.1
121.1
150 2 142 8
163.0 147.1
171. 3 145. 5
169. 9 148. 7
179. 2 150 0
188. 4 148.6
175 8 136. 5
147.0 114. 6
116. 0 96 6
102.7 94.6
154 3
169.8
175 9
160 8
152 4
157.0
148 0
115 9
98 6
98.3
100. 8
104 6
105.8
106.7
106 5
105.7
104 8
104.1
102.7
By m o n th s for 1933 a n d 1934
1933
Jan. 15_____
94.8
112. 3
99.9
93. 3
94.1
Feb. 15_____
90.9
112.0
99.0
90.3
84.8
Mar. 15____
90.5
112.3
100.1
88.3
84.3
Apr. 15_____
90.4
112.8
98.8
88.7
84.3
May 15_____
93.7
115.8
100.1
92.2
89.0
June 15.........
96.7
117.2
103.7
93.5
94.9
July 15_____
104.8
128.0
103.5
97.7
110.3
106. 7
107.1
107.0
107.4
107.3
106.6
106. 7
106.8
105.5
103.9
137.8
138.8
140. 2
142. 7
143.8
143.3
143.4
143.5
142.5
142.0
105.7
106.9
104.4
107.8
107.3
106.3
105.9
104.1
96.5
97.5
97.8
97.9
98.6
98.4
98.6
98.5
98.7
94.7
110.2
Aug. 15_____
Aug. 29_____
Sept. 12____
Sept. 26____
Oct. 10_____
Oct. 24_____
Nov. 7_____
Nov. 21____
Dec. 5______
Dee. 19.........
101.2
100.4
109. 2
109.4
107.2
105.9
104.7
105.2
106.5
105.0
103.8
1934
Jan. 16___ _
Jan. 30_-_ . _
Feb. 13
Feb. 27_____
Mar. 13
Mar. 27____
Apr. 10_____
Apr. 24_____
May 8
May 22_____
June 5 _
June 19_____
July 3______
July 17_____
July 31_____
Aug. 14
Aug. 28_____
Sept. 1 1 ___
Sept. 2 5 ___
Oct. 9______
Oct. 23____
Nov. 6
Nov. 20 -
104. 5 142. 4
105.2 142.5
105.8 142.8
108. 3 143. 3
108.1 143.4
108. 5 143.4
108.0 144.7
107.4 144.7
107.3 144.0
108. 2 144. 2
108.4 144.4
108.4 145.7
109.1 146.5
109.6 146.6
109.9 147.7
110.4 149.0
111.8 149. 6
115.3 150.8
116.8 151.6
116.4 151. 7
115. 6 152.0
115.4 151.8
115. 3 152.1
114.9 150.9
102.3
103.0
106 7
107.8
109.1
109.7
110.5
112.6
115.3
115.3
116.1
117.8
120.0
120.5
120.2
121.1
95. 7
96.0
95.9
102. 6
101.8
102 3
101.1
99.7
99.0
99. 9
99.9
100.4
101.1
101.1
100.8
101.6
103.4
129.2 105.6
133.8 105.4
131. 7 105. 3
128.4 105. 4
126.4 105. 4
122.6 107. 6
120. 6 108.4
102.1
102 4
102.7
101' 2
101.2
101.2
101.4
101.9
103 8
107.2
108.8
108 7
108.1
108.8
109 0
109.3
The accompanying chart shows the trend in the retail cost of all food
and of the classified groups, cereals, meats, dairy products, and other
foods in the United States (51 cities) from January 15, 1929, to
November 20, 1934, inclusive.
History and method.—In 1904 the Commissioner of Labor of the
Department of Commerce and Labor published retail prices of the
foods shown to be most important in the wage earners’ market basket
by a study of family expenditures in 1901.1 Price quotations were
secured for 30 foods from 1890 through 1903. Annual statistics
from 1904 to 1933 have been published in various bulletins on retail
* Eighteenth Annual Report of the Commissioner of Labor, 1903.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
228
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
RETAIL PRICES
229
prices. Since July 1915 the Monthly Labor Review has included
much information on this subject. Additions to and modifications
in the foods priced and the cities reporting have been made from time
to time. An index of the cost of food at retail is now computed,
weighted by purchases in 1918-19. Weighted average prices for
1913 are used as the base. The weights used in constructing this
index are based on the quantities of 42 foods purchased by wage
earners and low-salaried workers.
Subject to certain minor qualifications, Bulletin No. 495, “ Retail
Prices 1890-1928”, may be used as a reference for the history and
statement of method used in computing the indexes of the cost of
food that wage earners buy.
Data for the tabular statements shown in this report are compiled
from averages of actual selling prices. Since August 15, 1933, the
Bureau has collected food prices every 2 weeks in order that current
information may be available. Prior to this time prices related to
the 15th of the month. Reports are now received for 78 commodities
from retail dealers in 51 cities. In addition to the 42 articles in the
index, 3 commodities were added to the Bureau’s list of food items
beginning with August 29, 1933. These items are rye bread, canned
peaches, and canned pears. Thirty-one food commodities were
added beginning January 30, 1934. These items are lamb chops,
breast of lamb, chuck or shoulder of lamb, loin roast of pork, whole
ham, picnic ham, salt pork, veal cutlets, canned pink salmon, lard
compound, whole-wheat bread, apples, lemons, canned pineapple,
dried peaches, fresh green beans, carrots, celery, lettuce, sweetpotatoes, spinach, canned asparagus, canned green beans, dried blackeyed peas, dried lima beans, corn sirup, molasses, peanut butter, table
salt, tomato soup, and tomato juice. Two food commodities, cream
and pound cake, were added beginning March 13, 1934. Weights
for these additional foods are to be computed in the near future so
that they may be included in the food-cost indexes.
R e ta il P rices o f C oal, N o v e m b e r 15, 1934
ETAIL prices of coal as of the 15th of each month are secured
^ from each of the 51 cities from which retail food prices are
obtained. The prices are representative of curb delivery of the kinds
of coal sold to wage earners. Charges are not included for storing the
coal in cellar or bin where an extra handling is necessary.
Average prices for the United States for bituminous coal of several
kinds, and for stove and chestnut sizes of Pennsylvania anthracite
are computed from the quotations received from retail dealers in all
cities where these coals are sold for household use. In addition to
E
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
230
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are shown for Colorado,
Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those cities where these coals
form any considerable portion of the sales for household use.
An average price for the year 1913 has been made from the averages
for January and July of that year. The average price for each month
has been divided by this average price for the year 1913 to obtain the
relative prices.
Table 1.—Average Retail Prices of Coal in the United States
November and October 1934 and November 1933
Average retail price per
ton of 2,000 pounds
Percentage change
Nov. 15, 1934,
compared with—
Relative retail price
(1913=100)
Article
1934
1933
1934
1933
1934
1933
Nov. 15 Oct. 15 Nov. 15 Nov. 15 Oct. 15 Nov. 15 Oct. 15 Nov. 15
Bituminous______________
Pennsylvania anthracite:
Stove________________
Chestnut____________
$8.35
$8.35
$8.18
153.7
153.6
150.6
+ 0.1
+ 2.1
13.25
13.04
13.32
13.11
13.46
13. 26
171.6
164.8
172.4
165.7
174.3
167.5
—. 5
- .5
- 1.fi
- 1.6
Table 2 shows retail prices of bituminous coal for household use in
38 cities in November and October 1934 and in November 1933.
Table 3 shows similar data for anthracite coal in 31 cities.
Table
2 .—Average
Retail Prices of Bituminous Coal per Ton of 2,000 Pounds
By Cities
November and October 1934 and November 1933
1934
City, and grade and size of
coal
Nov.
15
Oct.
15
1933
Nov.
15
1934
City, and grade and size of
coal
North Atlantic area:
South Atlantic area—Con.
Pittsburgh:
Savannah:
Prepared sizes__ ______ $4.19 $4. 20 $4. 82
Prepared sizes_______
South Atlantic area:
Washington:
Atlanta:
Prepared sizes:
Prepared sizes_________ 7.02 7.02 7.05
High volatile_______
Low volatile..............
Baltimore:
Run of mine:
Prepared sizes:
Mixed____________
Low volatile_________ 9. 38 9. 38 9. 56
North Central area:
Run of mine:
Chicago:
High volatile_______
7.29
7. 36 7.61
Prepared sizes:
Charleston, S. C.:
High volatile_______
Prepared sizes_______
10.00 10. 00
9.92
Low volatile...............
Jacksonville:
Run
of mine:
Prepared sizes_________ 11.13 11.13 11.13
Low volatile_______
Norfolk:
Cincinnati:
Prepared sizes:
Prepared sizes:
High volatile________
8.00
8.00
8.00
High volatile...............
Low volatile________
9. 50 9. 50 9. 50
Low volatile..............
Run of mine:
Cleveland:
Low volatile_________ 8.00
7.88 8.00
Prepared sizes:
Richmond:
High volatile_______
Prepared sizes:
Low volatile________
High volatile___ ____ _ 7.67 7.67
7. 83
Columbus:
Low volatile_________ 8.87 8.87 8.87
Prepared sizes:
Run of mine:
High volatile—............
Low volatile_________ 7.75
7.75
7.25
Low volatile.............
1 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed by the city. A charge of 10 cents per ton
This additional charge has been included in the above price.
2 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Nov.
15
Oct.
15
1933
Nov.
15
>$10.03 >$10.03 >$10.04
2 9.00 2 9 . 00
>10.47 210.47 210.31
2 8 .02
2 8 .02
7. 98
8.24
8.24
10. 01
10.01
10.83
7. 76
7. 71
7.76
5. 85
7. 50
5.85
7. 50
6.10
6.75
6.75
8.79
6.34
9. 09
8. 79
6.45
8 . 21
7.98
6.47 6. 08
7. 75 7. 70 7.50
or half ton is made,
231
RETAIL PRICES
Table 2.—Average Retail Prices of Bituminous Coal per Ton of 2,000
Pounds— Continued
By Cities
November and October 1934 and November 1933
North Central area—Con.
Detroit:
Prepared sizes:
High volatile________
Run of mine:
Indianapolis:
Prepared sizes:
High volatile------------Low volatile...... .........
Run of mine:
Kansas City:
Milwaukee:
Prepared sizes:
High volatile-------------
Nov.
15
$7.12
8 52
7 98
Oct.
15
Nov.
15
$7. 17 $6. 84
8. 52 7. 56
7. 98
6. 70
6.42
8. 53
6. 42
8. 55
5.93
8. 20
7. 51
7. 45
7.00
5.98
6.31
5.79
7.98
10. 65
7.98
10. 70
7.51
9. 62
10 33
Low volatile_________ 12.95
Omaha:
Prepared sizes------------- 8. 57
Peoria:
Prepared sizes... --------- 6. 76
St. Louis:
Prepared sizes— ............ 5.51
St. Paul:
Prepared sizes:
10. 16
Low v o la tile ...-------- 13.07
Springfield, 111.:
Prepared sizes-------------- 4.54
10. 31
12.97
9.88
12. 24
8. 55
8. 55
6.73
6.44
5.63
5. 54
10.15
13.10
9. 98
12. 33
4.54
4.08
Minneapolis:
Prepared sizes:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1934
1933
1934
City, and grade and size of
coal
City, and grade and size of
coal
South Central area:
Birmingham:
Prepared sizes-------------Dallas:
Prepared sizes_________
Houston:
Prepared sizes .. ______
Little* Rock:
Prepared sizes-------------Louisville:
Prepared sizes:
High volatile---- ------Low volatile________
Memphis:
Prepared sizes________
Mobile:
Prepared sizes-------------New Orleans:
Prepared sizes_________
Western area:
Butte:
Prepared sizes. . ______
Denver:
Prepared sizes-------------Los Angeles:
Prepared sizes . . . -------Portland, Oreg.:
Prepared sizes-------------Salt Lake City:
Prepared sizes________
San Francisco:
Prepared sizes_________
Seattl'e:
Prepared sizes--------------
Nov.
15
1933
Oct.
15
Nov.
15
$6. 29 $6. 29
$6. 00
10.25
10.25
10. 50
11.75
11.25
11.60
8.17
8.17
8. 33
6.16
7. 98
6.25
7.79
5.63
8. 00
7.15
7.18
7. 14
8. 97
8. 64
8.48
10. 60
9.93
10. 07
9.80
9. 80
9. 71
7.81
7.81
8. 24
16.78
16. 78
17. 30
11.53
11.59
12.88
7.38
7. 38
7. 78
15.04
15. 04
16. 06
9. 82
9. 82
9. 70
232
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Table 3.—Average Retail Prices of Anthracite Coal per Ton of 2,000 Pounds
By Cities
November and October 1934 and November 1933
1934
City, and size of coal
Nov.
15
1933
Oct.
15
Nov.
15
1934
City, and size of coal
Nov.
15
Oct.
15
P e n n sy lv a n ia a n th r a cite
North Atlantic area:
Boston:
Stove________________
Chestnut- __________
Bridgeport:
Stove________________
Chestnut.........................
Buffalo:
Stove_______________
C h e stn u t.......................
Fall River:
Stove.. . ____________
Chestnut . . _________
Manchester:
S to v e... ____________
Chestnut____________
Newark:
Stove_________ ______
Chestnut____________
New Haven:
Stove_______ ________
Chestnut____________
New York:
Stove_______________
Chestnut___________
Philadelphia:
Stove________ _____
Chestnut. __________
Pittsburgh:
Stove_____ __________
Chestnut ______ ____
Portland, Maine:
Stove__________ _____
Chestnut- __________
Providence:
Stove______ _ _______
Chestnut. . _________
Rochester:
Stove.. . ____________
Chestnut .......................
$13.75 $13. 75
13.50 13. 50
$13. 75
13.50
13. 50
13. 50
13. 50
13.50
13. 75
13. 75
12.94
12.65
12. 90
12.65
12.85
12. 60
14. 50
14.25
14. 50
14.25
14. 50
14. 25
15.50
15. 50
15.33
15.33
15.00
15.00
11.70
11.45
13. 20
12.80
12.75
12. 50
13.65
13.65
13. 65
13. 65
13.90
13.90
12.45
12.20
12. 45
12.20
12. 55
12.30
11.13
10.88
11.25
11.00
12. 25
12.00
12.75
12.75
12. 75
12. 75
13. 00
14. 50
14.25
14.50
14.25
14.50
14.25
14.75
14. 50
14. 75 1 15.00
14.50 i 14. 75
12. 98
12.73
13. 10
12.85
13.10
12.85
North Atlantic area—Con.
Scranton:
Stove
Chestnut
South Atlantic area:
Baltimore:
Stove
C h e stn u t..____ _____
Norfolk:
Stove
Chestnut- ................... .
Richmond:
Stove
Chestnut______ ____
Washington, D. C.:
Stove
Chestnut_______ ____ _
North Central area:
Chicago:
Stove........... ...................
Chestnut
Cleveland:
Stove________________
Chestnut
Detroit:
Stove_______________
Chestnut
Milwaukee:
Stove_________ ______
$8 fi3 $3 03
8.38 8. 38
8. 60
1.3 00
12.75
13 00
12.75
13 ?Q
13! 04
13 50
13.50
13.50
14! 00
13. 00 13 00
13. ÒÒ 13.00
14! 00
2 14 30
2 14.00 2 14.00 2 h ! 15
13.82
13.57
13.82
13. 57
13.99
13. 79
12.43
12. 23
12.48
12.23
12. 44
12.19
12.40
12.19
12.27
12.15
12.62
12.36
13. 55
13.30
Minneapolis:
Stove______ _________ 15. 80
15. 55
St. Louis:
Stove.................. ............. 13. 73
13.45
St. Paul:
Stove________________ 15.80
15. 55
13. 55
13. 30
13.25
13.00
15.80
15.55
15. 50
15. 25
13. 70
13.51
13.91
13. 72
15.80
15. 55
15. 50
15.25
$15.50 $15.50
15. 50 15.50
$15. 56
15. 56
O th er a n th r a cite
North Central area:
Kansas City:
Arkansas, furnace.
stove...
South Central area:
Dallas:
Arkansas, egg.......
Houston:
Arkansas, egg___
Little Rock:
Arkansas, egg.......
$10. 50 $10. 78
11.40 11.35
$10. 50
12.58
13. 50
13. 50
14. 50
14. 50
14. 67
10. 50
10.50
10.50
14.00
Western area:
Denver:
Colorado, furnace......... stove_________
San Francisco:
New Mexico, egg............
Colorado, egg..................
25. 63
25.11
25.63
25.11
25.63
25.11
1 The average price of coal delivered in bins is 50 cents higher than here shown. Practically all coal is
elivered m bins.
2 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
233
RETAIL PRICES
Retail prices of coal were collected on January 15 and July 15 for
the years 1913 through 1919 from the cities covered in the retailfood study. Beginning with June 1920 prices have been collected on
the 15th of each month.
Table 4 shows for the United States average prices of bituminous
coal and of Pennsylvania white-ash anthracite, stove and chestnut
sizes, on January 15 and July 15, 1913 to 1932, and for each month
from January 15, 1933, to November 15, 1934.
T able 4.—Average Retail Prices of Coal in the United States
1913-34 Inclusive
Pennsylvania anthra
cite, white ash—
Bituminous
Year and
month
1913: Yr.av.
Jan __
July—
1914: Ja n ....
July—
1915: Jan. .
Ju ly ...
1916: J a n ..
Ju ly ...
1917: J a n . . .
Ju ly ...
1918: Jan __
Ju ly ...
1919: Jan __
July—
1920: J a n ..
Ju ly ...
1921: J a n . . .
Ju ly ...
1922: Jan __
Ju ly ...
1923: Jan__
July—
1924: Jan. .
Ju ly ...
1925: J a n ...
July—
1926: Jan__
July—
1927: Jan__
Ju ly ...
1928: Jan__
July—
Stove
Av
erage
price,
2,000
lb.
Rela
tive
price
(1913
= 100)
Dol.
5.43
5.48
5.39
5.97
5. 46
5.71
5.44
5. 69
5. 52
6.96
7.21
7. 68
7.92
7.90
8.10
8.81
10. 55
11.82
10.47
9.89
9.49
11.18
10. 04
9. 75
8. 94
9. 24
8.61
9. 74
8. 70
9.96
8.91
9.30
8.69
100.0
100.8
99.2
109.9
100.6
105.2
100.1
104.8
101.6
128.1
132.7
141.3
145.8
145.3
149.1
162.1
194.1
217.6
192.7
182.0
174.6
205.7
184.7
179.5
164.5
170.0
158.5
179.3
160.1
183.3
163.9
171.1
159.9
Av
erage
price
2,000
lb.
Dol.
7. 73
7.99
7.46
7.80
7.60
7.83
7.54
7.93
8.12
9.29
9.08
9.88
9. 96
11.51
12.14
12.59
14. 28
15.99
14.90
14.98
14. 87
15.43
15.10
15. 77
15.24
15.45
15.14
C1)
15.43
15.66
15.15
15.44
14.91
1Insufficient data.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Rela
tive
price
(1913
= 100)
100.0
103.4
96.6
100.9
98.3
101.3
97.6
102.7
105.2
120.2
117.5
127.9
128.9
149.0
157.2
162.9
184.9
207.0
192.8
193.9
192.4
199.7
195.5
204.1
197.2
200.0
196.0
0)
199.7
202.7
196.1
199.8
192.9
Chestnut
Av
erage
price
2,000
lb.
Dol.
7.91
8.15
7.68
8.00
7. 78
7. 99
7. 73
8.13
8.28
9. 40
9.16
10.03
10. 07
11.61
12.17
12. 77
14. 33
16.13
14.95
15. 02
14.92
15. 46
15. 05
15. 76
15.10
15. 37
14. 93
0)
15. IS
15.42
14.81
15. 08
14.63
Bituminous
Year and
month
Rela
tive
price
(1913
= 100)
100.0
103.0
97.0
101.0
98.3
101.0
97.7
102.7
104.6
118.8
115.7
126.7
127.3
146.7
153.8
161.3
181.1
203.8
188.9
189.8
188.5
195.3
190.1
199.1
190.7
194.2
188.6
(0
191.9
194.8
187.1
190.6
184.9
1929: Jan__
July—
1930: Jan---July—
1931: Jan__
July—
1932: Jan __
July—
1933: Jan__
F e b ...
M ar...
A p r...
M a y ..
Ju n e ..
July—
Aug—
S ep t..
Oct—
N ov...
D ec...
1934: Jan—
F e b ...
M ar...
A p r...
M a y ..
Ju n e ..
Ju ly ...
Aug—
S ep t..
Oct__
Nov—
Pennsylvania anthra
cite, white ash—
Stove
Av.
erage
price,
2,000
lb.
Dol.
9.09
8.62
9.11
8.65
8. 87
8.09
8.17
7.50
7.46
7.45
7. 43
7.37
7.17
7.18
7. 64
7.77
7.94
8. 08
8.18
8.18
8.24
8. 22
8. 23
8.18
8.13
8.18
8.23
8.30
8.31
8. 35
8.35
Rela
tive
price
(1913
= 100)
167.2
158.6
167.6
159.1
163.2
148.9
150.3
138.0
137.3
137.0
136.7
135.6
132.0
132.1
140.7
143.0
146.0
148.7
150.6
150.6
151.6
151.3
151.5
150.5
149.5
150.5
151.5
152.6
153.0
153.6
153.7
Av
erage
price,
2,000
lb.
Dol.
15.38
14.94
15.33
14.84
15.12
14.61
15. 00
13. 37
13. 82
13. 75
13. 70
13. 22
12.44
12.18
12.47
12.85
13.33
13.44
13.46
13.45
13.44
13.46
13.46
13.14
12. 53
12. 60
12. 79
13. 02
13. 25
13.32
13.25
Chestnut
Rela Av
tive erage
price price,
(1913 2,000
= 110) lb.
199.1
193.4
198.4
192.1
195.8
189.1
194.2
173.0
178.9
178.0
177.3
171.1
161.0
157.6
161.3
166.3
172.5
174.0
174.3
174.0
174.0
174.3
174.2
170.1
162.2
163.0
165.5
168.5
171.4
172.4
171.6
Dol.
15. 06
14. 63
15. 00
14. 53
14.88
14.59
14.97
13.16
13.61
13. 53
13.48
13. 00
12. 25
12.00
12. 26
12.65
13.12
13.23
13.26
13.24
13. 25
13.27
13.27
12.94
12. 34
12. 40
12.60
12.83
13. 05
13.11
13.04
Rela
tive
price
(1913
= 100)
190.3
184.8
189.5
183.6
188.1
184.3
189.1
166.2
171.9
171.0
170.4
164.3
154.8
151.6
155.0
159.8
165.8
167.1
167.5
167.2
167.4
167.7
167.6
163.5
155.9
156.7
159.2
162.1
164.9
165.7
164.8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
to
co
o
3H
w
t-1
1-4
t*
p>
bd
O
bd
bd
H
td
I—I
3
>
d
b>
bd
RETAIL PRICES
235
The accompanying chart shows the trend in retail prices of stove
and chestnut sizes of Pennsylvania anthracite and of bituminous coal
in the United States. The trend is shown by months from January
15, 1929, to November 15, 1934, inclusive.
Retail Prices of Food in the United States and in Certain
Foreign Countries
HE index numbers of retail prices of food published by certain
foreign countries have been brought together with those of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of
Labor in the subjoined table, the base years in all cases being as
given in the original reports. As stated in the table, the number of
articles included in the index numbers for the different countries differs widely. These results, which are designed merely to show price
trends and not actual differences in prices in the several countries,
should not, therefore, be considered as closely comparable with one
another. In certain instances, also, the figures are not absolutely
comparable from month to month over the entire period, owing to
slight changes in the list of commodities and the localities included
on successive dates. Indexes are shown for each year from 1926 to
1930, inclusive, and by months since January 1931.
103148—35-----16
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
236
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Index Numbers of Retail Food Prices in the United States and in Foreign
Countries
Country.....................
United Australia
States
Austria
Belgium Bulgaria
Canada
China
Czecho
slovakia
Ministry
of Federal of Indus General Domin National Central
Bureau of Bureau
Tariff Bureau of
Direction ion Bu
try,
Census
Statistics
Computing agency— Labor and Sta
Labor, of Statis reau of Commis Statistics
Bureau and
Statistics tistics
sion
Statistics
Social
tics
Welfare
Number of localities—
51
30
Vienna
59
12
69
Shanghai
Prague
Co m m o d i t i e s i n
cluded__________
42 foods
46 foods
and gro
ceries
18 foods
33 foods
35 foods
46 foods
24 foods
35 foods
Base—100_________
1913
1923-27
(1,000)
July 1914
1921
1926
1926
1926
July 1914
160.6
155.4
154.3
156.7
147.1
1027
1004
989
1047
946
116
119
119
122
118
i 170. 7
1 207.5
4 207.4
i 218.4
4 208. 6
December_________
132. 8
127.0
126.4
124.0
121.0
118.3
119.0
119. 7
119. 4
119.1
116. 7
114.3
876
864
854
851
840
833
811
805
804
805
812
809
109
106
105
104
104
108
110
109
109
111
110
110
1932
January____ ______
February__________
M arch____- - _____
April__ . . . . .
M ay___ __________
June_______ ______
July______________
August___
-----September— —
October___________
November_________
December____ _____
109.3
105.3
105.0
103.7
101.3
100.1
101.0
100.8
100.3
100.4
99.4
98.7
814
829
825
824
812
803
800
796
792
786
764
759
1933
January___________
February______ . . .
M arch____________
April________ _____
M ay______________
June______________
July______________
August___________
September . --------October ___________
November_____ . . .
December_________
94.8
90.9
90.5
90.4
93.7
96.7
104.8
4 106.9
4 107. 2
4 107. 0
4 106. 8
4 104. 7
4 105.2
4 108. 2
4108.3
4 107.4
4 108.3
4108.8
4 110.0
4 113. 6
4116. 6
4115 5
4 115.1
1926__________ ____
1927.............................
1928______________
1929............ ...... ........
1930______________
1931
July
1934
January___________
February__________
March____________
April_____________
M ay______________
June______________
Ju ly ______________
i Computed average.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100.0
97.8
102.5
106.4
86.7
100.0
98.1
98.6
101.0
98.6
100.0
106.7
92.1
98.4
118.8
2 117.8
2 126. 2
195.1
186.8
183.1
180.1
176.6
176.5
174.8
171.5
172.9
170.2
167.9
160.7
368.0
89.1
85.6
82.8
80.5
77.7
75.0
74.7
75.5
73.5
71.4
71.5
71.2
104.9
122.0
117.4
98.7
98.7
99.6
96.4
116.5
124.4
110.0
103.2
97.0
107.0
105.6
104.2
106.2
107.0
109.3
107.9
102.2
104.3
103.1
99.6
99.1
111
110
109
107
108
113
110
109
110
110
109
109
156.5
151.3
148.2
144.3
144.8
143.8
144.4
142.9
150.8
155.4
159.4
156.9
67.1
65.7
65.8
65.2
64.8
65.1
65.0
63.2
62.6
62.8
62.8
62.1
69.6
66.5
66.0
65.4
62.9
62.1
61.4
63.5
63.0
63.6
63.9
64.0
98.2
122.8
114.2
99.1
98.4
107.3
101.4
103.6
102.6
94.9
87.9
84.5
98.0
95.6
100.1
97.3
100.8
101.4
97.5
94.4
97.6
100.0
102.3
102.3
747
742
734
746
750
759
754
767
768
764
750
769
106
103
103
103
103
106
104
• 104
104
104
104
104
154.4
156.1
150.4
147.7
143.0
143.4
144.0
146.6
151.2
153.3
153.6
153.6
61.9
62.3
62.2
60.9
59.6
59.2
60.0
59.5
59.5
59.8
60.7
61.4
62.8
60.6
60.4
61.3
61.9
62.2
63.2
67.8
65.9
65.4
65.8
66.6
87.3
94.8
92.3
85.2
86.0
84.1
86.3
90.0
88.0
88.1
83.2
79.8
100.4
99.3
94.9
94.1
96.8
98.8
96.8
95.2
94.2
94. 2
94. 6
92. 7
767
771
774
791
798
777
779
789
791
104
102
101
101
100
102
100
100
101
101
150.3
146.8
141.1
136.5
132.1
134.0
136.8
143.3
146.1
61.9
63.0
61.8
60.6
59.9
59.8
60.8
67.7
69.4
72.9
71.0
68.6
67.6
68.4
69.3
68.8
69.4
69.9
78.0
80.4
75.0
74.2
74.4
75.4
90.2
102.8
106.7
98.9
92.9
91.3
75.9
75.5
76.8
79.6
79.6
78.9
77.1
77.1
2 July.
3 Average for year.
4 Average.
2 125.5
2 123.1
114.3
237
RETAIL PRICES
Index Numbers of Retail Food Prices in the United States and in Foreign
Countries—Continued
Country.
Estonia
F in la n d
France Germany Hungary
I n d ia
Commis Federal
of Ministry
sion of Statistical
Computing agency... Bureau
Social Cost
Statistics ofAffairs
of Bureau
Living
C en tra l
O ffice of
S ta tis tic s
Number of localities..
Budapest Bombay
Commodities
eluded.........
Base =100.
1926.
1927.
1928.
1929.
1930.
Tallin
52 foods
1913
14 foods
1107.8
1115.1
1150. 2
1123. 5
971.2
1931
January____
February___
March_____
April..............
M ay_______
June_______
Ju ly ...............
August..........
Septem ber...
October.........
November__
December__
95
96
96
96
95
93
94
91
87
83
82
80
893.2
882.6
878.8
869.8
849.4
842.4
846. 0
869.5
844.3
847.9
885.2
918.8
1932
January____
February___
M arch_____
April.............
M ay_______
June_______
July...............
August_____
Septem ber...
October........
November__
December__
81
81
83
83
81
80
83
80
79
77
76
75
915.8
908.3
911.2
886.3
875.7
871.0
885.7
897.8
891.4
894.5
919.8
910.2
1933
January____
February___
M arch_____
April_______
M ay_______
June..............
Ju ly ..............
August_____
Septem ber...
October.........
November__
December__
75
74
75
73
74
74
77
81
81
77
78
79
894.1
883.5
869.8
868.0
867.8
881.7
907.1
919.9
920.1
923.2
911.0
881.2
1934
January____
February___
March_____
April_______
M a y ............
J u n e ............
Ju ly...............
August........
Septem ber...
October____
November__
78
79
78
79
79
77
77
75
73
853.4
843.1
865.3
853.8
850.5
852.0
854.6
884.2
885.7
903.3
1 Computed average.
72
Foods
24 foods
October
January- January- 1913-July
June 1914 June 1914
1914
118
112
120
126
103
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Paris
1 529
1 536
1 539
1 584
1 609
641
642
607
555
561
567
534
531
542
532
530
548
548
544
12 foods
1913
Labor
Office
17 foods
Ir e la n d
I t a ly
Depart
Office
ment of
Industry Provin
cial of
and Com Economy
merce
105
Milan
29 foods
18 foods
JanuaryJuly 1914 July 1914 June
1914
144.4
151.9
152.3
154.5
142.9
113.3
124.8
127.7
124.1
105.1
1 152
1 151
1 144
1 146
1 134
133.5
131.0
129.6
129.2
129.9
130.9
130. 4
126.1
124.9
123.4
121.8
119.9
93.5
94.1
96.3
95. 7
96.6
96.5
98. 9
99.7
99.6
96.8
94.1
93.0
111
106
103
104
102
101
100
100
100
100
100
101
116.1
113.9
114.4
113.4
112.7
113.4
113.8
111.8
110.5
109.6
109.5
109.0
91.8
89.9
89.8
89.9
93.4
93.3
92.1
93.8
92.9
92. 0
88.4
86.7
103
102
103
99
99
99
102
102
101
102
103
103
107.3
106.5
106.2
106.3
109.5
110.7
110.5
110.2
111. 1
112.3
113.4
114.2
86. 5
86.2
86.1
85. 5
84.7
84.4
79. 2
77.8
77.3
73. 7
72.2
74.3
101
98
98
93
91
95
95
94
94
91
92
88
114.1
113.8
113.5
113. 7
113.3
115.5
117.8
118.5
116.7
119.3
74.8
76.1
75.7
76.1
80.2
79.6
77 2
77.9
77.9
86
85
84
83
83
85
87
87
90
179
170
169
169
160
151
139
143
155
151
144
134
135
130
126
129
140
133
129
134
654.7
558.7
517.0
542.8
519.3
467 1
462.8
464.7
466. 8
460.0
456.6
452 0
444.1
438.3
435 1
436.8
437.8
431 2
432.5
445.6
450 4
441.8
438.0
426 8
411.1
409.7
423 4
428.0
433.9
426 1
422.8
416.6
405 1
398.3
402.9
402 4
391.2
401.5
405 1
400.5
408.9
421.9
407.9
406.8
404 8
341.7
383.3
383 5
376.7
377.8
238
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Index Numbers of Retail Food Prices in the United States and in Foreign
Countries—Continued
County.
Nether
lands
New
Zealand
Bureau Census
Sta
Computing agency—. of Statis and
tistics
tics
Office
Norway
Poland
58 foods
89 foods
25 foods
1911-13
1926-30
July 1914
1928
( 1000)
1198
1026
1 161. 3
1926............................
i 175
1 163.0
983
1927
_______
1 166.4
1004
168
1928
__________ __________
__________
1 162. 4
158
1013
1929
___ ____
152
1 150. 2
974
1930
______ _
1932
January__
February..
M arch___
April.........
M ay....... .
June____
July_____
August___
September.
October__
November.
December.
1933
January__
February..
M arch___
April____
M ay_____
June_____
July_____
August___
September.
October__
November.
December.
1934
January__
February..
M arch___
April____
M ay_____
June_____
July_____
August___
September.
October....
November.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
139.9
140.6
136.9
125.5
118.8
119.2
119.7
119.2
115.5
116.5
121.1
128.3
125.5
123.1
123.6
Switzer United
Kingdom
land
99.5
100.0
101.4
94.4
20 foods
1914
( 1000)
43 foods
1 1178
i 1185
1 1169
1 1153
1 1101
160
158
157
156
152
164
160
157
154
145
148
146
144
142
141
141
140
139
139
138
137
134
138
136
134
129
129
127
130
128
128
128
130
132
132
129
128
128
126
125
124
123
122
123
122
120
131
131
129
118
117
116
116
116
116
116
116
117
117
117
117
123
117
116
115
115
115
115
115
114
114
114
124
1081
1074
1071
1073
1082
1064
1043
1031
1022
1026
1022
1004
132
S27
810
792
797
787
778
761
761
758
765
745
713
135
990
992
993
987
981
963
944
933
927
927
928
926
127
707
727
712
714
727
723
732
741
746
753
751
750
130
130
130
130
130
130
132
133
132
132
130
129
57.4
58.6
60.0
60.4
60.0
59.5
60.4
55.3
56.0
55.9
55.9
56.5
931
938
950
966
976
989
980
971
987
1029
1052
1050
123
750
763
769
777
780
778
780
774
771
128
128
128
130
130
132
133
136
135
135
54.8
55.3
54.6
55.0
52.6
51.2
51.5
52.1
51.4
51.4
1035
1038
1038
1054
1055
1041
1032
1035
1027
120
* Computed average.
134
133
134
133
134
132
14 foods
1 158
1 152
1 154
1 150
1 140
146
144
143
141
139
138
140
138
130
136
136
136
135
134
133
133
28 foods
July 1914 June 1914 July 1914
910
879
856
851
847
839
824
820
812
834
832
835
135
Ministry
of Labor
509
49
Warsaw
Commodities i n
cluded...... ............... 15 foods
1931
January__
February..
March___
April____
M ay_____
June.........
July_____
August___
September.
October...
November.
December.
Sweden
Central Central Office of Board of Federal
Bureau Statisti Census
Labor
Social
of Sta cal Office and Sta Welfare
Office
tistics
tistics
Number of localities.. Amster
dam
Base=100...... .............
South
Africa
* July.
130
127
128
125
124
125
119
120
123
120
123
125
126
125
123
125
123
123
125
125
125
122
119
115
114
114
118
119
122
123
126
126
122
120
118
116
117
122
123
126
125
127
WHOLESALE PRICES
Wholesale Prices in November 1934
HE general level of wholesale commodity prices was unchanged
from October to November. The index of the Bureau of Labor
Statistics of the United States Department of Labor remained at
76.5 percent of the 1926 average.
The November index registered an advance of 6 percent over the
low point of the year (January), when the index was 72.2, and a
decrease of 1.4 percent from the 1934 high, 77.6, in September. The
November 1934 index was 7.5 percent above November 1933; 19.7
percent above November 1932, and 9 percent above November 1931.
However, when compared with November 1930, November 1934
prices were down 6 percent, and when compared with November 1929
were 18 percent lower.
Of the 10 major groups of items covered by the Bureau, 4—farm
products, foods, hides and leather products, and miscellaneous com
modities—registered increases from October to November. The
remaining groups—textile products, fuel and lighting materials,
metals and metal products, building materials, chemicals and drugs,
and house-furnishing goods—showed slight decreases. Changes in
prices of the 784 items by groups of commodities were as follows:
T
Table 1.—Number of Items Changing in Price from October to November 1934
Groups
Increases
Decreases
No change
. - ________________ ____ ___ _______________
145
180
459
Farm products ______ ____________________
__________
Foods__
____ ___________ - ________________
Hides and leather products_________________________ ______
Textile products
______________ ______________ ____
Fuel and lighting m aterials_________________________________
Metals and metal products_______________________ _________
Building materials_____ _ ________________________________
Chemicals and drugs- __________________________________ ___
House-furnishing goods - ___________________________________
Miscellaneous com m odities___ _____ ______________ _______
29
55
10
15
7
4
6
7
3
9
28
31
10
40
8
20
11
10
10
12
10
36
21
57
9
106
69
72
48
31
All grouqs___
Raw materials, including farm products, coffee, hides and skins,
coal, crude petroleum, iron ore, crude rubber, and other similar com
modities, registered an advance of one-tenth of 1 percent, and were
15.7 percent above the November 1933 level. Finished products,
among which are included more than 500 manufactured articles, also
advanced one-tenth of 1 percent over October and were 5.5 percent
above the corresponding month of 1933. Semimanufactured articles,
including such items as raw sugar, leather, iron and steel bars, pig
iron, and other similar goods declined by six-tenths of 1 percent as
239
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
240
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3
K
O
te*
0te2i
>
te1
tel
tel
S
tei
02
to
242
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
compared with the preceding month and four-tenths of 1 percent below
November of last year.
The combined index of “ All commodities exclusive of farm products
and processed foods’’ registered no change between October and No
vember, but was higher than a year ago by 1 percent. The nonagricultural commodities group, which includes all commodities except
farm products, advanced one-tenth of 1 percent, to a point 4.7 percent
above a year ago.
Miscellaneous commodities, with an index of 70.6, were higher by 1.3
percent, due to an advance of nearly 11 percent for cattle feed and 6.3
percent for automobile tires and tubes. Crude rubber, on the other
hand, decreased 7 percent, while paper and pulp and other miscella
neous commodities showed smaller declines.
A 5.7 percent increase in hides and skins and four-tenths of 1 percent
for leather fdrced the index of hides and leather products up one-half
of 1 percent to 84.2. The subgroups of shoes and other leather prod
ucts registered slight declines.
The foods group advanced four-tenths of 1 percent to 75.1 percent
of the 1926 average, showing an increase of 16.8 percent over Novem
ber 1933, when the index was 64.3, and an increase of 23.9 percent
over November 1932, when the index was 60.6. The wholesale food
price index for November 1934 was 13 percent lower than for Novem
ber 1930, and 24 percent below that of November 1929, when the in
dexes were 86.2 and 98.9, respectively. Important price advances in
this group were reported for butter, cheese, cured beef, lamb, mutton,
dressed poultry, lard, oleomargarine, pepper, salt, raw sugar, and most
vegetable oils. Lower prices were recorded for flour, macaroni, fresh
beef, bacon, ham, mess pork, fresh pork, veal, coffee, granulated sugar,
and tallow.
Farm products also registered an advance during November
amounting to one-fourth of 1 percent. Commodities in the group
contributing to this rise were corn, oats, rye, wheat, lambs, cotton,
eggs, fresh apples, sweet potatoes, and tobacco. Barley, cattle, hogs,
live poultry, lemons, oranges, hay, hops, fresh milk at Chicago, pea
nuts, seeds, dried beans, onions, white potatoes, arid wool, on the other
hand, decreased. The November level of farm products prices was
25 percent above that of a year ago and 51% percent higher than No
vember 1932. As compared with November 1929, however, they were
down by 30 percent.
Textile products declined nearly 1 percent to a new low for the
year. Average prices of cotton goods were lower by 2% percent;
woolen and worsted goods and clothing approximately 1 percent.
Silk and rayon, on the other hand, advanced 4 percent and knit
goods eight-tenths of 1 percent. The subgroup of other textile
products remained unchanged. The index for the group, 69.7, was
lower than November a year ago, when the index was 76.8.
9 percent
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
243
WHOLESALE PKICES
Table
2 .—Index
Numbers of Wholesale Prices, by Groups and Subgroups of
Commodities
11926= 100.01
Groups and subgroups
Novem October Novem Novem Novem Novem Novem
ber 1934 1934 ber 1933 ber 1932 ber 1931 Iber 193C ber 1929
All commodities____________ _________
76.5
76.5
71.1
63.9
70.2
81.3
93.5
Farm products_________________________
Grains_______________________ .
Livestock and poultry________________
Other farm products................... ...... ..........
70.8
87.2
54.0
75.8
70.6
85.0
55.3
75.4
56.6
61.3
41.2
64.3
46.7
33.2
41.9
53.9
58.7
51.3
55.7
63.1
79.3
64.0
77.7
85.4
101.1
94.9
93.7
108.1
Foods____________________________
Butter, cheese, and milk_____ _________
Cereal products______________________
Fruits and vegetables__________ _____
M eats________________ ___ . . . .
Other foods_______________ . . . .
75.1
78.6
91.0
65.3
68.4
74.0
74.8
77.1
91.0
67.6
70.0
71.0
64.3
67.2
85.8
61.7
48.2
66.4
60.6
62.3
62.7
52.4
53.7
67.7
71.0
80.7
73.1
65.1
67.7
68.0
86.2
95.6
75.7
82.9
91.4
81.5
98.9
103.5
87.5
106.0
102.5
95.8
Hides and leather products______ _____ _ .
Boots and shoes______ ______ . . .
Hides and skins____________________ .
Leather____________________ ______
Other leather products____ ___________
84.2
97.3
63.1
70.8
85.7
83.8
97.7
59.7
70. 5
85.9
88.2
99.0
70.1
79.3
87.9
71.4
84.2
46.1
61.9
81.9
81.6
92.5
49.0
78.8
101.1
94.2
100.3
75.1
93.2
104.8
108.3
106.1
109.3
113.3
106.3
Textile products........... ...................................
Clothing________________________
Cotton goods________________________
Knit goods_______ _____ _____________
Silk and rayon______ _______________
Woolen and worsted goods____________
Other textile products________________
69.7
78.4
84.4
61.0
25.8
74.1
68.5
70.3
79.1
86.6
60.5
24.8
74.9
68.5
76.8
88.0
86.0
72.5
30.4
84.4
75.8
53.9
62.2
53.6
51.0
29.5
55.3
67.1
62.2
72.6
58.1
59.0
41.8
64.2
72.5
74.2
83.5
77.5
72.8
46.6
74.7
78.0
88.6
89. 1
97.4
86.8
76.8
86.3
90.1
Fuel and lighting materials_______________
Anthracite________________ .
Bituminous coal
...
Coke..
_____
Electricity_____________________ . .
Gas________ ________ __________
Petroleum products_________________
74.4
82.1
96.4
85.6
(>)
(0
50.5
74.6
82.0
96.4
85.6
94.5
96.9
50.4
73.5
81.8
90.7
83.2
93.8
94.6
51.6
71.4
88.8
80.4
75.6
103.1
100.0
48.2
69.4
94.2
83.7
81.4
103.4
100.1
42.5
75.3
89.6
89.1
83.9
102.2
97.0
53.3
83.2
91.2
92.0
84.4
95.9
92.4
70.9
Metals and metal products_______________
Agricultural implements____________
Iron and steel______________ _____ .
Motor vehicles_____________
Nonferrous m etals.___ ____ _________
Plumbing and heating___ ____ ________
86.2
91.9
86.0
94.7
67.7
68.8
86.3
92.0
86.2
94.7
68. 1
68.1
82.7
83.7
81.5
90.9
68.0
73.7
79.6
84.6
79.4
92.7
49.1
67.5
82.6
85.5
81.5
95.2
54.7
81.4
87.8
94.5
86.8
96.1
70.6
83.3
98.7
97.6
94. 0
104.2
103. 0
92.2
Building materials_________________ ___
Brick and tile__________ __________
Cement___________ _______
Lumber_______________________
Paint and paint materials_____ _______
Plumbing and heating_______________
Structural steel____________________
Other building materials________ _____
85.0
91.2
93.9
81.2
78.8
68.8
92.0
89.4
85.2
91.2
93.9
82.0
79.4
68.1
92.0
89.3
84.9
84.7
91.2
86.5
76.3
73.7
86.8
88.4
70.7
75.4
79.0
56.6
68.5
67.5
81.7
80.1
76.2
31.4
74.6
65.9
77.5
81.4
81.7
81.9
85.5
89.4
91.1
80.2
84.7
83.3
81.7
89.2
94.4
93.9
86.6
91.8
98.0
92.2
97. 0
96.7
Chemicals and drugs._____ _____ _____ _
Chemicals____ _______ _______
Drugs and pharm aceuticals...___ _____
Fertilizer m aterials.. _______________
Mixed fertilizers_____________ _____
76.9
80.9
73.5
64.6
73.5
77.1
81.1
73.5
65.7
73.0
73.4
79.2
58.4
67.8
68.5
72.4
79.7
55.0
63.5
65.6
76.1
80.6
61.3
70.1
77.7
86.0
90.1
66.9
82.1
91.1
93.8
99.0
71.4
89.9
97.4
Housefurnishing goods__________ ____ ___
Furnishings..................... .......................
Furniture____________ ____________
81.3
84.3
78.4
81.7
84.4
79.0
81.0
82.8
79.4
73.7
74.7
72.7
80.9
79.7
82.3
91.5
89.9
93.2
94.6
93.9
95.4
Miscellaneous_____ ________ ________ _
Automobile tires and tubes____________
Cattle feed______________ _____ _
Paper and pulp______________________
Rubber, crude_______ _____ _____ _
Other miscellaneous__________________
70.6
47.5
108.2
82.1
26.6
80.8
69.7
44.7
97.6
82.4
28.6
81.1
65.5
43.2
63.5
82.5
17.5
78.4
63.7
44.6
40.8
73.4
7.2
81.5
68.7
46.0
59.8
80.8
9.6
86.7
74.1
50.2
83.0
84.6
18.6
91.1
82.4
53.0
124.1
88.7
34.5
100.0
Raw materials________________________
Semimanufactured articles................................
Finished products................... ......................... .
Nonagricultural commodities................. .........
All commodities other than farm products
and fo o d s................... ...................................
72.2
71.1
79.3
77.7
72.1
71.5
79.2
77.6
62.4
71.4
75.2
74.2
54.2
58.9
69.3
67.5
62.0
64.9
74.8
72.6
76.8
76.1
84.1
81.6
94.8
93.1
92.9
91.8
78.0
78.0
77.2
69.8
73.5
81.1
90.8
1 Data not yet available,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
244
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
The group of house-furnishing goods registered a decrease of onehalf of 1 percent. Both furniture and furnishings shared in the de
cline.
Higher prices for anthracite coal and petroleum products were
offset by lower prices for electricity and gas, causing the group of
fuel and lighting materials to drop one-fourth of 1 percent. Bitu
minous coal and coke remained unchanged.
In the group of chemicals and drugs, falling prices for fertilizer
materials more than counterbalanced a slight rise in average prices
of mixed fertilizers, resulting in the group of chemicals and drugs
declining one-fourth of 1 percent.
Building materials also declined one-fourth of 1 percent, due to
lower prices of lumber and paint materials. Plumbing and heating
materials and other building materials registered slight increases,
while brick and tile, cement, and structural steel were unchanged.
Metals and metal products showed a fractional decrease between
October and November, because of declining prices for agricultural
implements, certain iron and steel products, and nonferrous metals.
Increases were recorded in average prices for scrap steel, antimony,
bar silver, and pig tin. The November index, 86.2, was one-tenth
of 1 percent below the October level.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index, which includes 784 price
series, weighted according to their relative importance in the coun
try’s markets, is based on the average prices of 1926 as 100.0.
Index numbers for the groups and subgroups of commodities for
November 1934, in comparison with October 1934 and November
of each of the past 5 years are contained in the accompanying table.
Purchasing Power of the Dollar at Wholesale, November 1934
C h a n g e s in the buying power of the dollar expressed in terms of
wholesale prices from 1913 to November 1934 are shown in table 6.
The figures in this table are reciprocals of the index numbers. To
illustrate, the index number representing the level of all commodities
at wholesale in November 1934 with average prices for the year 1926
as the base is shown to be 76.5. The reciprocal of this index number
is 0.01307 which, translated into dollars and cents, becomes $1,307.
Table 6 shows that the dollar expanded so much in its buying value
that $1 of 1926 had increased in value to $1,307 in November 1934 in
the purchase of all commodities at wholesale.
The purchasing power of the dollar for all groups and subgroups of
commodities for the current month in comparison with the previous
month and the corresponding month of last year is shown in table 3,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
245
WHOLESALE PRICES
Table 3.—Purchasing Power of the Wholesale Price Dollar, by Groups and
Subgroups of Commodities, November and October 1934 and November
1933
[1926=$1]
'
Groups and subgroups
November
1934
October
1934
Novem ber
1933
All commodities___ ____ __________________ ________________
$1.307
$1. 307
$1. 406
Farm products________ ____________________________________
G ra in s.__________ __________________ _________ ________
Livestock and poultry_______ _____ ______________________
Other farm products_____________________
1.412
1.147
1.852
1.319
1.416
1.176
1.808
1.326
1. 767
1.631
2. 427
1.555
Foods________________________________ _____
Butter, cheese, and milk_____________ ___________________
Cereal products_______________________ _
Fruits and vegetables___________________________________
Meals__________________ ____________ ___ _
Other foods...___ ______________________________________
1.332
1.272
1.099
1.531
1. 462
1. 351
1.337
1.297
1.099
1.479
1. 429
1.408
1. 555
1.488
1.166
1. 621
2.075
1.506
Hides and leather products____________ ____________________
Boots and shoes_________ ______________________________
Hides and skins___ ___________________________
Leather___ . . . . _____________________ ______
Other leather products_______________ ___
1.188
1.028
1.585
1.412
1.167
1.193
1.024
1.675
1.418
1.164
1.134
1.010
1. 427
1.261
1.138
Textile products_________________ __________________________
Clothing_____ ______ ____________________ ________ ____
Cotton goods_____________________ ____ _____________ . . .
Knit goods_____ ______________________
Silk and rayon___ _______________________ ___ _______
Woolen and worsted goods__________________
Other textile products__________________
1.435
1.276
1.185
1.639
3.876
1.350
1.460
1. 422
1.264
1.155
1.653
4.032
1.337
1.460
1.302
1.136
1.163
1. 379
3.289
1.185
1.319
Fuel and lighting materials__________________________________
Anthracite_________________________ .
Bituminous coal____________________________________ . . .
Coke______________________________ .
Electricity_____________________________________________
Gas_____________________________ ____________________
Petroleum products_____________________________________
1.344
1.218
1.037
1.168
(9
(9
1.980
1.340
1.220
1.037
1.168
1.058
1.032
1.984
1.361
1.222
1.103
1.202
1. 066
1.057
1.938
Metals and metal products_________ . . . ___________________
Agricultural im plem ents...___ ______ ____________________
Iron and steel_______________________ . ________ . . . . . .
Motor vehicles _________________________________ ______
Nonferrous m e ta ls_______________________ _____
_ __
Plumbing and heating____________________________ ..
1.160
1.088
1.163
1.056
1.477
1.453
1.159
1.087
1.160
1.056
1.46S
1.468
1.209
1.195
1.227
1.100
1.471
1.357
Building materials.— ______________________________________
Brick and tile______ ____
...
......
... ... .
Cement______________________ ______. . . _____. . . _____
Lumber________________ ___
.
. . . . . . .
Paint and paint materials_____________________________ ..
Plumbing and heating___________________________________
Structural steel_______________________ _________________
Other building materials_____________________________ ___
1.176
1.096
1.065
1.232
1.269
1. 453
1.087
1.119
1.174
1.096
1.065
1.220
1.259
1.468
1.087
1.120
1.178
1. 181
1.096
1.156
1.311
1.357
1.152
1.131
Chemicals and drugs__________ ________ ____________________
Chemicals.. . ____
Drags and pharmaceuticals______ _________________ ______
Fertilizer materials___________________ _________________
Mixed fertilizers._____ _________________________________
1.300
1.236
1.361
1. 548
1.361
1.297
1.233
1.361
1.522
1.370
1.362
1. 263
1. 712
1.475
1.460
House-furnishing g o o d s.___ _________ __________________
Furnishings___________________________________________
F u rn itu re.____________________________________________
1.230
1.186
1.276
1.224
1.185
1. 266
1.235
1.208
1.259
Miscellaneous__ ___________________________________________
Automobile tires and tubes_______________________________
Cattle feed.. . ____________________ ______ ___________
Paper and pulp________________________________________
Rubber, crude_________________________________________
Other miscellaneous_____________________________________
1.416
2.105
.924
1. 218
3. 759
1.238
1.435
2.237
1.025
1.214
3.497
1.233
1.527
2.315
1.575
1.212
5.714
1.276
Raw materials__ __________________________________________
Semimanufactured articles__ ___ ___________________________
Finished p ro d u cts____ ____________________________________
Nonagri cultural com m odities___ __ ________________________
All cnrrimnditifts other than farm products and foods_____________
1.385
1.406
1. 261
1.287
1.282
1.387
1.399
1.263
1.289
1.282
1.603
1.401
1.330
1.348
1.295
1 Data not yet available.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
246
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Wholesale Prices, 1913 to November 1934
T a b l e s 4 and 5 present index numbers of wholesale prices and
purchasing power of the dollar by groups of commodities, by years
from 1913 to 1933, inclusive, by months from January 1933 to
November 1934, inclusive, and by weeks for November 1934.
Table 4.—Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices
[1926=100]
Period
By years:
1913____________
1914........................
1915_______ _____
1916____________
1917______ _____
1918____________
1919____________
1920____________
1921____________
1922____________
1923____________
1924____________
1925____________
1926____________
1927____________
1928____________
1929____________
1930__________
1931.____ _______
1932____________
1933____________
By months:
1933:
January_____
February____
March__ _ .
April________
M ay________
June_______
July------------August.. ----September___
October
. _
November___
December.._ .
1934:
January_____
F ebruary... .
March ______
April________
M ay____ _ _
June________
July------------August______
September___
October____
November___
By weeks:
November 3,1934..
November 10,1934.
November 17,1934.
November 24,1934.
Hides Tex Fuel Metals B uild Chem HouseAll
MisFarm
and
and
furtile
and metal
ing
icals nishcel- com
prod Foods leather prod
light
and
mate
lanemodi
ucts
prod ucts
ing
ing prod
ties
ucts
ucts rials drugs goods ous
71.5
71.2
71.5
84.4
129.0
148.0
157.6
150.7
88.4
93.8
98.6
100.0
109.8
100.0
99.4
105.9
104.9
88.3
64.8
48.2
51.4
64.2
64.7
65.4
75.7
104.5
119. 1
129.5
137.4
90.6
87.6
92.7
91.0
100.2
100.0
96.7
101.0
99.9
90.5
74.6
61.0
60.5
68.1
70.9
75.5
93.4
123.8
125. 7
174.1
171.3
109.2
104.6
104.2
101.5
105. 3
100.0
107.7
121.4
109. 1
100.0
86.1
72.9
80.9
42.6
40.9
42.8
44.5
50.2
53.2
60.1
57.6
57.0
55.7
56.6
55.5
55.8
53.7
54.6
56.1
59.4
61.2
65.5
64.8
64.9
64.2
64.3
62.5
68.9
68.0
68.1
69.4
76.9
82.4
86.3
91.7
92.3
89.0
88.2
89.2
51.9
51.2
51.3
51.8
55.9
61.5
68.0
74.6
76.9
77.1
76.8
76.4
58.7
61.3
61.3
59.6
59.6
63.3
64.5
69.8
73.4
70.6
70.8
64.3
66.7
67.3
66.2
67.1
69.8
70.6
73.9
76.1
74.8
75.1
89.5
89.6
88.7
88.9
87.9
87.1
86.3
83.8
84.1
83.8
84.2
69.9
71.1
71.5
70.6
75.4
75.9
75.5
75.0
84.4
84.9
84.9
84.9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
57.3
61.3
54.6
56.6
54.1
51.8
70.4
74.3
98.7 105.4
137.2 109.2
135.3 104.3
164.8 163.7
94. 5 96.8
100.2 107.3
111.3 97.3
106.7 92.0
108.3 96.5
100.0 100.0
95.6 88.3
95.5 84.3
90.4
83.0
80.3
78.5
66.3
67.5
54.9 70.3
64.8 66.3
90.8
80.2
86.3
116.5
150.6
136.5
130.9
149.4
117.5
102.9
109.3
106.3
103.2
100.0
96.3
97.0
100.5
92.1
84.5
80.2
79.8
56.7
52.7
53.5
67.6
88.2
98.6
115.6
150.1
97.4
97.3
108.7
102.3
101.7
100.0
94.7
94.1
95.4
89.9
79.2
71.4
77.0
80.2
81.4
112.0
160.7
165.0
182.3
157.0
164.7
115.0
100.3
101.1
98.9
101.8
100.0
96.8
95.6
94.2
89.1
79.3
73.5
72.6
56.3 93.1
56.8
89.9
56.0 86.9
61.4 100.6
74.2 122.1
93.3 134.4
105.9 139.1
141.8 167.5
113.0 109.2
103.5 92.8
108.9 99.7
104.9 93.6
103.1 109.0
100.0 .100.0
97.5 91.0
95.1
85.4
94.3 82.6
92.7 77.7
84.9 69.8
75.1
64.4
75.8 62.5
69.8
68.1
69.5
85.5
117.5
131.3
138.6
154.4
97.6
96. 7
100.6
98.1
103.5
100.0
95.4
96.7
95.3
86.4
73.0
64.8
65.9
66.0
63.6
62.9
61.5
60.4
61.5
65.3
65.5
70.4
73.6
73.5
73.4
78.2
77.4
77.2
76.9
77.7
79.3
80.6
81.2
82.1
83.0
82.7
83.5
70.1
69.8
70.3
70.2
71.4
74.7
79.5
81.3
82.7
83.9
84.9
85.6
71.6
71.3
71.2
71.4
73.2
73.7
73.2
73.1
72.7
72.7
73.4
73.7
72.9
72.3
72.2
71.5
71.7
73.4
74.8
77.6
79.3
81.2
81.0
81.0
61.2
59.2
58.9
57.8
58.9
60.8
64.0
65.4
65.1
65.3
65.5
65.7
61.0
59.8
60.2
60.4
62.7
65.0
68.9
69.5
70.8
71.2
71.1
70.8
76.5
76.9
76.5
75.3
73.6
72.7
71.5
70.8
71.1
70.3
69.7
73.1
72.4
71.4
71.7
72.5
72.8
73.9
74.6
74.6
74.6
74.4
85.5
87.0
87.1
87.9
89.1
87.7
86.8
86.7
86.6
86.3
86.2
86.3
86.6
86.4
86.7
87.3
87.8
87.0
85.8
85.6
85.2
85.0
74.4
75.5
75.7
75.5
75.4
75.6
75.4
75.7
76.5
77.1
76.9
80.8
81.0
81.4
81.6
82.0
82.0
81.6
81.8
81.8
81.7
81.3
67.5
68.5
69.3
69.5
69.8
70.2
69.9
70.2
70.2
69.7
70.6
72.2
73.6
73.7
73.3
73.7
74.6
74.8
76.4
77.6
76.5
76.5
69.5
69.4
69.3
69.3
74.9
75.6
76.1
75.6
85.5
85.4
85.3
85.3
84.9
85.1
85.0
84.9
76.9
76.8
77.0
77.1
82.8
82.7
82.7
82.7
69.6
70.5
70.6
70.6
76.0
76.6
76.7
76.3
247
WHOLESALE PRICES
Table 5.—Purchasing Power of the Dollar Expressed in Terms of Wholesale
Prices
[1926=$1]
Period
By years:
1913.......................
1914.____ ______
1915.................. .
1916____________
1917.........................
1918____________
1919____________
1920_____ ______
1921____________
1922____________
1923..__________
1924____________
1925____________
1926_____ _____
1927........................
1928____________
1929____________
1930...................... .
1931____________
1932____________
1933____________
By months:
1933:
January_____
February____
March______
April________
M ay________
June________
July_________
August______
September___
October_____
November___
December.. ..
1934:
January_____
February____
M arch_______
April________
M ay........ ........
June________
Ju ly .............
August______
September__
October______
November___
By weeks:
November 3, 1934..
November 10, 1934.
November 17, 1934.
November 24, 1934.
Hides Tex Fuel Metals B uild Chem HouseMisAll
Farm
and
and
furand metal
ing
icals nishcel- com
prod Foods leather tile
prod
light
mate
and
lanemodi
ucts
prod ucts
ing
ing prod
ties
ucts
ucts rials drugs goods ous
$1. 399
1. 404
1.399
1.185
.775
.676
.635
.664
1.131
1.066
1.014
1.000
.911
1.000
1.006
.944
.953
1.133
1. 543
2.075
1.946
$1. 558
1.546
1.529
1.321
.957
.840
.772
.728
1.104
1.142
1.079
1.099
.998
1.000
1.034
.990
1.001
1.105
1.340
1.639
1.653
$1. 468
1. 410
1.325
1.071
.808
.796
.574
.584
.916
.956
.960
.985
.950
1. 000
.929
.824
.917
1.000
1. 161
1. 372
1. 236
$1. 745
1.832
1.848
1.420
1.013
.729
.739
.607
1.058
.998
.898
.937
.923
1.000
1.046
1.047
1.106
1.245
1.508
1. 821
1.543
$1. 631
1. 767
1.931
1.346
.949
.916
.959
.611
1. 033
.932
1.028
1.087
1. 036
1.000
1.133
1.186
1. 205
1.274
1.481
1.422
1.508
2.347
2.445
2. 336
2.247
1.992
1.880
1.664
1.736
1.754
1.795
1.767
1.802
1.792
1.862
1.832
1.783
1.684
1.634
1.527
1. 543
1.541
1.558
1.555
1.600
1.451
1. 471
1.468
1.441
1.300
1.214
1. 159
1.091
1.083
1.124
1.134
1.121
1.927
1.953
1.949
1.931
1.789
1.626
1.471
1.340
1.300
1.297
1.302
1.309
1.515
1. 572
1.590
1.626
1.656
1.626
1.531
1.527
1.420
1. 359
1.361
1.362
1. 279
1.292
1.295
1.300
1.287
1. 261
1.241
1.232
1.218
1.205
1.209
1.198
1.704
1. 631
1.631
1.678
1.678
1.580
1.550
1.433
1.362
1.416
1.412
1.555
1.499
1.486
1.511
1. 490
1.433
1.416
1. 353
1.314
1.337
1.332
1.117 1.307
1. 116 1.300
1. 127 1.307
1.125 1.328
1.138 1.359
1.148 1.376
1.159 1.399
1. 193 1.412
1.189 1.406
1.193 1.422
1. 188 1.435
1.368
1.381
1.401
1.395
1.379
1.374
1.353
1.340
1.340
1.340
1.344
1. 431
1.406
1. 399
1.416
1. 326
1.318
1.325
1.333
1.185
1. 178
1.178
1.178
1.335
1.323
1.314
1.323
1.439
1. 441
1.443
1.443
$1.101 $1. 764
1.247 1.898
1.159 1.869
.858 1.479
.664 1.134
.733 1.014
.764
.865
.669
.666
.851 1.027
.972 1.028
.915 .920
.941
.978
.969 .983
1.000 1.000
1.038 1.056
1.031 1.063
.995 1.048
1.086 1.112
1.183 1. 263
1. 247 1.401
1.253 1.299
$1. 247
1.229
.893
.622
.606
.549
.637
.607
.870
.997
.989
1.011
.982
1.000
1.033
1.046
1.062
1. 122
1.261
1. 361
1.377
$1. 776
1.761
1.786
1.629
1.348
1.072
.944
.705
.885
.966
.918
.953
.970
1.000
1.026
1.052
1.060
1.079
1.178
1.332
1.319
1.427
1.433
1.422
1.425
1.401
1. 339
1.258
1.230
1.209
1.192
1.178
1.168
1.397
1.403
1.404
1.401
1.366
1.357
1. 366
1.368
1.376
1.376
1.362
1.357
1.372
1. 383
1.385
1.399
1.395
1.362
1.337
1.289
1. 261
1.232
1.235
1.235
1. 634
1. 689
1.698
1.730
1.698
1.645
1.563
1.529
1.536
1.531
1.527
1.522
1.639
1.672
1.661
1.656
1.595
1.538
1.451
1.439
1.412
1.404
1. 406
1.412
1.170
1.149
1.148
1.138
1.122
1.140
1.152
1.153
1.155
1.159
1.160
1.159
1.155
1.157
1.153
1.145
1.139
1.149
1.166
1.168
1.174
1.176
1.344
1.325
1.321
1.325
1.326
1.323
1. 326
1.321
1.307
1.297
1.300
1.238
1.235
1.229
1.225
1.220
1.220
1.225
1.222
1.222
1.224
1.230
1.481
1.460
1.443
1.439
1. 433
1.425
1.431
1.425
1.425
1.435
1.416
1.385
1.359
1. 357
1.364
1.357
1.340
1.337
1.309
1.289
1.307
1.307
1.170
1.171
1.172
1.172
1.178
1.175
1.176
1.178
1.300
1.300
1.299
1.297
1.208
1.209
1.209
1.209
1.437
1.418
1. 416
1.416
1.316
1.305
1.304
1.311
$1. 074 $1.433
1.112
1.468
1.151
1.439
.994
1.170
.819
.851
.744
.762
.719
.722
.597
.648
.916
1.025
1.078
1.034
1.003
.994
1.068
1.019
.917
.966
1.000
1.000
1. 099
1.048
1.171
1.034
1. 211 1.049
1.287
1.157
1.433
1.370
1. 553 1. 543
1.600
1.517
Index Numbers and Purchasing Power of the Dollar of Specified Groups of
Commodities, 1913 to November 1934
I n table 6 the price trend since 1913 is shown for the following
groups of commodities: Raw materials, semimanufactured articles,
finished products, nonagricultural commodities, and all commodities
other than farm products and foods.
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In the nonagricultural commodities group all commodities other
than those designated as “ Farm products” have been combined into
one group. All commodities with the exception of those included in
the groups of farm products and foods have been included in the
group of “All commodities other than farm products and foods.”
The list of commodities included under the designations of “ Raw
materials”, “ Semimanufactured articles”, and “ Finished products”
are contained in the December 1934 issue of the Monthly Labor
Review.
Table 6.—Index Numbers by Special Groups of Commodities
[1926 = 100]
Year
1913________
1914________
1915________
1916 ______
1917 .
1918 . ___
1919
____
1920 .
1921________
1922________
1923________
1924________
1925________
1926________
1927________
1928________
1929
____
1930
1931
1932 _
1933
All
com
modi
NonSemities
Fin agriother
Raw manuculfac- ished tural
than
mate tured
com farm
rials arti prod
ucts modi
prod
cles
ucts
ties
and
foods
69.4
68.8 74.9
70.0
67.8
67.6
67.2 81.2
68.9
82.6 118.3 82.3
122.6 150. 4 109.2
135.8 153.8 124.7
145.9 157.9 130.6
151.8 198. 2 149.8
88.3 96.1 103.3
96.0 98.9 96.5
98.5 118.6 99.2
97.6 108.7 96.3
106.7 105.3 100.6
100.0 100.0 100.0
96.5 94.3 95.0
94.5 95.9
99.1
97.5 93.9 94.5
84.3
81.8 88.0
65. 6 69. 0 77.0
59. 3 70.3
55.1
56. 5 65.4 70.5
69.0
66.8
68.5
85.3
113.1
125.1
131.6
154.8
100.1
97.3
100.9
97.1
101.4
100.0
94.6
94.8
93.3
85.9
74.6
68.3
69.0
70.0
66.4
68.0
88.3
114. 2
124.6
128.8
161.3
104.9
102.4
104.3
99.7
102.6
100.0
94.0
92.9
91.6
85.2
75.0
70.2
71.2
Month
NonSemimanu- Fin agriRaw
fac- ished culmate tured prod tural
rials arti ucts com
modi
cles
ties
1933:
January__ 50.2
February. _ 48.4
March____ 49.4
April_____ 50.0
M ay_____ 53.7
June_____ 56.2
July______ 61.8
August___ 60.6
September. 61.7
October___ 61.8
November. 62.4
December.. 61.9
1934:
January__ 64.1
F ebruary.. 66.0
M arch___
65.9
April.......... 65.1
M ay........... 65.1
67.3
June____
July______ 68.3
August___ 71.6
September. 73.9
October .. 72.1
November. 72.2
All
com
modi
ties
other
than
farm
prod
ucts
and
foods
56.9
56.3
56.9
57.3
61.3
65.3
69.1
71.7
72.9
72.8
71.4
72.3
66.7
65.7
65.7
65.7
67.2
69.0
72.2
73.4
74.8
75.4
75.2
74.8
64.9
63.7
63.8
63.7
65.4
67.4
70.7
72.0
73.7
74.4
74.2
74.0
67.3
66.0
65.8
65.3
66.5
68.9
72.2
74.1
76.1
77.2
77.2
77.5
71.9
74.8
74.3
73.9
73.7
72.9
72.7
72.6
71.8
71.5
71.1
76.0
77.0
77.2
77.1
77.8
78.2
78.2
79.2
80.1
79.2
79.3
75.0
76.1
76.2
76.2
76.6
76.9
76.9
77.8
78.4
77.6
77.7
78.3
78.7
78.5
78.6
78.9
78.2
78.4
78.3
78.3
78.0
78.0
Table 7 shows the purchasing power of the dollar in terms of the
special groups of commodities as shown by index numbers contained
in table 6. The period covered is by years from 1913 to 1933, in
clusive, and by months from January 1933 to October 1934, inclusive.
The method used in determining the purchasing power of the dollar
is explained on page 244.
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249
WHOLESALE PRICES
Table 7.—Purchasing Power of the Dollar by Special Groups of Commodities
[1926=$!]
Period
1913...............
1914....... ........
1915...............
1916....... ......
1917...............
1918________
1919________
1920________
1921________
1922________
1923________
1924________
1925-....... — .
1926________
1927________
1928________
1929 ___ __
1930-....... ......
1931________
1932________
1933............ -
SemiRaw manufacmate tured
rials prod
ucts
NonFin agriculished tural
prod com
ucts modi
ties
All
com
modi
ties
other
than
farm
prod
ucts
and
foods
$1.453 $1.335 $1. 441 $1.449 $1. 429
1.479 1.429 1.475 1.497
1.506
1.488 1.232 1.451 1.460
1.471
1. 211 .845 1. 215 1.172 1.133
.816 .665
.916 .884
.876
.736 . 650 .802 . 799
. 803
.685 .633
. 766 . 760
. 776
. 659 . 505 .668 . 646
. 620
1.133 1. 041 . 968 .999
.953
1.042 1.011 1.036 1.028
.977
1.015 .843 1.008 .991
.959
1.025 .920 1.038 1.030
1.003
.937 .950 .994 .986
.975
1.000 1.000 1.000 1. 000 1.000
1.036 1.060 1.053 1.057 1.064
1.009 1.058 1.043 1.055 1.076
1.026 1.065 1. 058 1.072 1. 092
1.186 1.222 1.136 1.164 1.174
1. 524 1.449 1. 299 1.340 1.333
1.815 1. 686 1.422 1.464
1.425
1.770 1.529 1.418 1.449
1.404
Period
NonSemiFin agriRaw manuculfac- ished tural
mate tured
rials prod prod
com
ucts modi
ucts
ties
All
com
modi
ties
other
than
farm
prod
ucts
and
foods
1933:
January__ $1.992 $1. 757 $1.499 $1. 541 $1.486
F ebruary.. 2.066 1.776 1.522 1. 570 1.515
M a r c h .__ 2.024 1. 757 1. 522 1.567 1. 520
April_____ 2.000 1.745 1.522 1.570
1 531
M ay_____ 1.862 1.631 1.488 1. 529 1 504
J u n e . . ___ 1. 779 1. 531 1.449 1.484 1. 451
July............ 1. 618 1.447 1.385 1.414 1. 385
August__ 1. 650 1.395 1. 362 1.389 1. 350
September. 1.621 1.372 1.337 1.357
1. 3i4
October___ 1.618 1.374 1.326 1.344 1.295
November. 1.603 1. 401 1.330 1.348 1.295
December— 1. 616 1.383 1.337 1.351
1.290
1934:
January__ 1.560 1.391 1.316 1.333 1. 277
F ebruary.. 1.515 1.337 1.299 1.314
1.271
March____ 1.517 1.346 1.295 1.312 1. 274
April_____ 1.536 1.353 1.297 1. 312 1. 272
M ay........... 1.536 1.357 1.285 1.305
1.267
June_____ 1.486 1.372 1.279 1. 300 1.279
July______ 1.464 1.376 1.279 1.300 1.276
August___ 1.397 1.377 1.263 1.285
1. 277
September. 1.353 1.393 1.248 1.276 1.277
October___ 1.387 1.399 1.263 1.289
1.282
November. 1.385 1.406 1. 261 1. 287 1.282
The December 1934 issue of the Monthly Labor Review gives a
brief history of the Bureau’s wholesale price work. Reference is
made to previous reports containing a discussion of the method used
in calculating the indexes.
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e n d in g N o v e m b e r 3 0 , 1 9 3 3 .
B o s to n , 1 9 3 4 .
A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e y e a r
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M a n i l a , 193J+- 3 0 4 P P -, U lu s .
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tion in the Philippines during 1933 was the notable increase in the enrollment of
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R hode I s l a n d .— Unemployment Relief Commission. R e p o r t, J a n u a r y 1, 1 9 3 3 ,
to F e b r u a r y 1, 1 9 3 4 -
P r o v id e n c e , 1 9 3 4 -
3 4 p p . , c h a r ts .
V ir g in ia .— Governor’s Advisory Commission on Unemployment Insurance.
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R ic h m o n d , 1 9 3 4 •
157 pp.
Reviewed in this issue.
W isc o n s in .-—State Board of Control.
1933.
M a d is o n , 193 4 .
O ld -a g e a s s is ta n c e i n
W is c o n s in , 1 9 2 5 -
3 5 p p .'
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U n it e d S t a t e s .— Congress.
House. C i v i l s e r v ic e p r e fe r e n c e , r e tir e m e n t, a n d s a l
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W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 152 pp.
--------------------- R e p o r t
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R e p o r t [to a c c o m p a n y H . R . 9 4 0 4 ] o f M r . T a r v e r , C o m m itte e o n th e J u d i c i a r y .
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3 pp.
----------------------R e p o r t
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4 PP-
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M i n o r i t y r e p o r t [to a c c o m p a n y H . R . 9 6 2 0 ] o f M r . P r a l l , C o m m itte e on
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W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 4 PP-
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N o . 2 0 2 1 { 7 3 d C o n g ., 2 s e s s .) : F e d e r a l c r e d it- u n io n s y s te m .
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C u rren cy.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 4 PP-
——
------ Senate.
m e n t.
m erce.
R e p o r t N o . 1 1 6 5 { 7 3 d C o n g ., 2 d s e s s .) : C e n s u s o f u n e m p l o y
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W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 16 p p .
--------------------- Committee on Education and Labor.
I n v e s tig a tio n o f th e r e la
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J u ly 1934W a s h in g to n , 1934■
656 pp.
I n tw o p a r ts .
------ Department of Labor.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. S e r i a l N o . R . 1 8 3 :
L a w s r e la tin g to p r i s o n la b o r i n th e U n ite d S ta te s e n a c te d i n 1 9 3 3 a n d 1 9 3 4
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250
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U n it e d S t a t e s .— Department of Labor.
Women’s Bureau. B u l l e t i n N o . 114:
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W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 .
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W a s h in g to n [ 1 9 3 4 ].
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--------------Office of Education.
V o c a tio n a l E d u c a tio n B u lle tin N o . 1 0 5 : A n a l y s i s
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19 p p .
( R e v is e d 1 9 3 4 -)
------;— ---------- V o c a tio n a l
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11 p p .
(.R e v is e d 1 9 3 4 4
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o f th e
1934-
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34 pp.
( M im e o g r a p h e d .)
w in te r
1 9 3 3 -1 9 3 4
te r m .
W a s h in g to n ,
Reviewed in this issue.
------National Recovery Administration. Industrial Advisory Board. Unem^ployment Insurance Committee. R e p o r t. W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 . 8 0 p p .
The Wisconsin law, the British and German unemployment-insurance sys
tems, and various proposed plans are briefly summarized, while an outline" is
given of the committee’s proposed plan for a compulsory Federal law.
------ [Treasury Department.] P u b l i c w o r k s o f a r t p r o je c t: R e p o r t o f th e A s
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D ecem ber 8, 1 9 3 3 -J u n e 30, 1 9 3 4 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 .
8 9 p p . , U lu s.
------------- Public Health Service.
P u b lic H e a lth B u lle tin N o . 2 1 0 : M o r t a l i t y o f
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W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 3 .
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O fficial—F o reig n C o u n trie s
A msterdam
1 9 3 2 —3 3 .
( N e t h e r l a n d s ). — Bureau
A m s te r d a m , 1934•
184 PP-
van Statistiek.
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ja a r b o e k
Contains statistical information on housing, public relief and persons receiving
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------[Centrale^ Commissie voor Georganiseerd Overleg in Werkliedenzaken
(C. C. W.).] V e r s la g o m tr e n t d e b e m o e iin g e n d e r g e m e e n te A m s t e r d a m in
a r b e id s z a k e n
en
de
v e r z e k e r in g
te g e n
w e r k lo o s h e id
in
1933.
[A m s t e r d a m
1 9 3 4 ?] 1 0 2 p p .
A report on public unemployment insurance in the city of Amsterdam, Nether
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Chief Inspector of Factories. A n n u a l r e p o r t o n th e a d m i n i s
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116 pp.
B en gal (I n d ia ).
Wage data from this report are given in this issue of the Monthly Labor Review.
Labor Office. W a g e s a n d u n e m p lo y m e n t in th e B o m b a y c o tto n -
B ombay (I n d ia ).
te x tile i n d u s t r y .
B om bay, 1934.
3 2 0 p p . , c h a r ts .
Wage data from this report are given in this issue of the Monthly Labor Review.
C e y l o n .— Controller of Labor. A d m i n i s t r a t i o n r e p o r t f o r 1 9 3 3 . C o lo m b o , 1 9 8 4 .
82 pp.
Includes data on labor legislation, unemployment relief works, industrial dis
putes. and Indian immigrant labor.
C oorg (India).— Commissioner.
R e p o r t o n th e w o r k in g o f th e c o o p e r a tiv e s o c ie tie s
i n C o o rg f o r th e y e a r e n d in g J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 3 .
B a n g a lo r e , 1 9 3 3 .
23 pp.
1Q3148—35
17
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
F e d er a ted M alay S t a t e s .— Labor Department.
1938.
K u a la L u m p u r , 1934-
A n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r th e y e a r
60 pp.
Includes some data on wages.
F r a n c e .— Ministère du Travail.
Conseil Supérieur du Travail.
tr e n te - s e p tiè m e s e s s io n , N o v e m b r e 1 9 8 8 .
P a r i s , 1984■
[C o m p te - r e n d u j,
859 pp.
The proceedings of the tnirty-seventh session of the French Superior Labor
Council. The questions considered were the application of the law requiring
notice of dismissal from employment and the payment of an indemnity for
breaking the labor contract, and derogations to the law on weekly rest.
------------- Direction du Travail. S t a t i s t i q u e d e s g rè v e s s u r v e n u e s p e n d a n t V a n n é e
1930.
P a r i s , 1934■
381 p p .
The report of the French Ministry of Labor on strikes occurring during 1930.
G er m a n y .— Reichsversicherungsamt. G e s u n d h e its fiir s o r g e i n d e r I n v a l i d e n v e r s ic h e r u n g , 1 9 8 3 .
B e r lin , 1 9 8 4 •
8 8 p p . , c h a r ts .
Annual report on health care under the public disability insurance system in
Germany during 1933, including preventive measures against tuberculosis and
other diseases, legislation, etc.
G r ea t B r it a in .— Ministry of Health. H o u s in g : S u m m a r y o f th e p r i n c i p a l
p r o v is io n s o f th e h o u s in g a c ts a n d p u b lic h e a lth a c ts i n r e la tio n to th e m a in te
n a n c e o f d w e llin g h o u se s i n a r e a s o n a b ly f i t c o n d itio n f o r h u m a n h a b ita tio n .
London,
1934. 8 pp.
-------------- O n
th e s ta te o f th e p u b lic h e a lth :
A n n u a l r e p o r t o f th e c h ie f m e d ic a l
officer, f o r th e y e a r 1 9 3 3 .
L on don , 1934•
395 pp.
This report deals with vital statistics, maternity and child welfare services,
relation between unemployment and national health, medical services connected
with the national health insurance system, care of epidemic and chronic diseases,
etc.
------ Ministry of Labor. R e p o r t o n c o lle c tiv e a g r e e m e n ts b e tw e e n e m p lo y e r s a n d
w o r k p e o p le i n G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d N o r th e r n I r e la n d .
V o l. I.-— M i n i n g a n d
q u a r r y in g i n d u s t r i e s ; e n g in e e r in g , s h i p b u i l d i n g , ir o n a n d ste e l, a n d o th e r m e ta l
i n d u s t r i e s ; b u ild in g , w o o d w o r k in g , a n d a llie d i n d u s t r i e s .
L o n d o n , 1934x x x iv , 4 5 4 PP-
I n t e r n a t io n a l L abor O f f ic e .— T h e r e c r u itin g o f la b o r i n c o lo n ie s a n d i n o th e r
te r r ito r ie s w ith a n a lo g o u s la b o r c o n d itio n s .
( F o u r th it e m o n a g e n d a o f I n t e r
n a tio n a l L a b o r C o n fe r e n c e , 1 9 th s e s s io n , G e n e v a , 1 9 3 5 ; R e p o r t I V , f i r s t d i s
c u s s io n .)
G eneva, 1 9 3 4 .
282 pp.
( W o r ld P e a c e F o u n d a tio n , A m e r ic a n
a g e n t,
B o s to n .)
------ S t u d i e s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s N , N o . 1 9 : T h e i n te r n a tio n a l s t a n d a r d i z a t i o n o f
la b o r s t a t i s t ic s — A r e v ie w o f th e s t a t i s t ic a l w o r k o f th e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r
O ffice a n d o f v a r io u s i n t e r n a t i o n a l s t a t i s t ic a l c o n fe r e n c e s .
G eneva, 193464 pp.
( W o r ld P e a c e F o u n d a tio n , A m e r i c a n a g e n t, B o s to n .)
------ S t u d i e s
a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s N , N o . 2 0 : I n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m p a r is o n s o f c o st o f
liv in g — A s t u d y o f c e r ta in p r o b le m s c o n n e c te d w ith th e m a k in g o f in d e x n u m b e r s
o f f o o d c o s ts a n d o f r e n ts .
G eneva, 1934146 p p .
M e x ic o .— Departamento del Trabajo.
de D erech n o I n d u s tr ia l.
M e m o r ia d e l P r i m e r C o n g r e so M e x ic a n o
M e x ic o C ity , 1 9 3 4 . [ V a r io u s p a g i n g ], U lu s.
Proceedings of the First Congress of Industrial Legislation in Mexico, held on
August 18-23, 1934, in Mexico City, attended by representatives of workers,
employers, Government officials, and technical experts. The discussion covered
the following: I, Collective labor organization— (a) labor unions, fib ) trade agree
ments, and (c) strikes and unemployment; II, Boards of conciliation and arbitra
tion— (a ) organization and jurisdiction and (b) procedure; III, Social security—
(a ) organization of security and (b) its working.
Included in the volume are
various reports, and resolutions proposed by the representatives of various groups
and adopted by the Congress.
N ew S outh W ales (A u st r a lia ) . — Department of Labor and Industry. R e p o r t
o n th e w o r k in g o f th e F a c to r ie s a n d S h o p s A c t, 1 9 1 2 , d u r in g th e y e a r 1 9 3 3 .
S y d n e y , 1934-
85 p p .
Includes statistics on child labor, accidents, employment, etc.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
253
Q u e e n s l a n d (A u st r a l ia )/ —Bureau of Industry.
th e p e r io d f r o m F e b r u a r y 2 2 , 1 9 3 3 , to J u n e
p p . , m a p s , c h a r ts , U lu s .
F ir s t a n n u a l r e p o r t, c o v e r in g
3 0 , 1 9 3 4 - B r is b a n e , 1934■
4%
A digest of activities, including measures to alleviate unemployment and a
discussion of economic trends in various pursuits.
------Insurance Office. E ig h te e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t f o r th e y e a r e n d e d J u n e 3 0 , 1 9 3 4 .
B r is b a n e , 1934■
8 8 P P -, U lu s.
The report deals with workmen’s compensation, and fire, life, miscellaneous
accident, and marine insurance.
S tr a it s S e t t l e m e n t s .— Labor Department. A n n u a l r e p o r t, f o r th e y e a r 1 9 3 3 .
S in g a p o r e , 1 9 3 4 -
29 p p .
Includes some data on wages.
S w it z e r l a n d .— Caisse Nationale Suisse d’Assurance en cas d’Accidents.
a n n u e l et c o m p te s p o u r I’e x e r c ic e , 1 9 3 3 .
[ B e r n ? ], 1 9 3 4 .
R apport
51 p p .
Report of the Swiss national accident insurance fund for the year 1933, covering
both industrial and non-industrial accidents.
T okyo (J a p a n ).— M u n icipal Office.
T oyko, 1932.
T oyko, 1934.
Bureau of S ta tistic s.
1 5 5 p p . , c h a r ts .
S t a t i s t i c a l a b s tr a c t f o r
( I n E n g lis h .)
The section on labor statistics includes data on number of factories and their
workers; working hours and wages; labor disputes; trade unions; and unemploy
ment.
T oronto (C a n a d a ). — Lieutenant-Governor’s Committee on Housing Conditions
in Toronto. R e p o r t. [ T o r o n to , 1 9 3 4 -] 1 4 2 p p . , p la n s , U lu s .
Covers the relation of housing conditions to health and social problems, causes
of slum growth, control of housing development in the city of Toronto and else
where, and the reconstruction of bad areas. The committee recommends the
immediate establishment of a city planning commission, the elimination of exist
ing unfit houses as soon as possible, and the initiation of an extension program of
slum demolition and construction of low-cost housing. To these ends it urges
that the city seek the cooperation of the Federal and Provincial authorities.
T u r k e y .— Office Central de Statistique. A n n u a i r e s ta t i s t iq u e , 1 9 3 2 - 3 3 . A n k a r a ,
[1984% ].
5 1 4 P P -, m a p s , c h a r ts .
( I n T u r k is h a n d F r e n c h .)
This Turkish statistical yearbook for 1932-33 contains, in addition to statistics
of population, hygiene and public assistance, public works and communications,
etc., a section on economic conditions covering the results of the industrial census
of 1927, statistics of the agricultural population, production, and foreign and
domestic commerce.
U n io n of S outh A f r ic a .— Office of Census and Statistics. O ffic ia l y e a r b o o k o f
th e U n io n , e tc ., 1 9 3 2 - 3 3 .
P r e to r ia , 1 9 8 4 .
xvh 1 1 1 9 p p ., m a p s.
The section on labor and industrial conditions covers industrial disputes, wages
and hours, miners’ phthisis, apprenticeship, etc. Another section is devoted to
wholesale and retail prices, housing and rents.
V ictoria (A u st r a l ia ).— D ep artm en t of Labor.
R e p o r t o f th e c h ie f i n s p e c to r o f
f a c t o r i e s a n d s h o p s f o r th e y e a r e n d e d D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 3 8 .
M e lb o u r n e , 1 9 3 4 •
39 pp.
Includes a statistical analysis of employment by occupations.
Unofficial
A l l e n , L. W.
L i m i t e d c a p i t a l i s m — th e r o a d to u n l i m i t e d p r o s p e r i t y : A n e c o n o m ic
th e o r y a n d a p o l i t i c a l p l a tf o r m .
N e w Y o r k , S t r a n d P u b lis h e r s , 1 9 3 4 70 pp.
A discussion of the causes of depressions, booms, and economic insecurity, with
a tax program designed to maintain an unobstructed flow of goods through the
market, thereby maintaining production and employment.
A m er ica n P u blic W e l fa r e A sso c ia tio n .
s i t y o f C h ic a g o P r e s s .
1 9 3 4 p r o c e e d in g s .
C h ic a g o , U n iv e r
( I n S o c ia l S e r v ic e R e v ie w , S e p te m b e r 1 9 3 4 , p p . 3 9 7 - 6 0 2 . )
Contains papers on social planning for the future, organization of a national
welfare program, employment in penal and correctional institutions, etc.
B e n n e t t , W ilm a .
m a te r ia l.
N ew
O c c u p a tio n s a n d v o c a tio n a l g u id a n c e : A s o u r c e l i s t o f p a m p h le t
Y o r k , H . W . W ils o n C o ., 1 9 8 4 85 p p.
( M im e o g r a p h e d .)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
254
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
Institute for Government Research. S t u d i e s i n A d
m i n i s t r a t i o n N o . 2 8 : N e w F e d e r a l o r g a n iz a tio n s — a n o u tlin e o f th e ir s tr u c tu r e
a n d f u n c tio n s , b y L a u r e n c e F . S c h m e c k e b ie r .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 4 .
199 p p .
B rookings I n st it u t io n .
Brief descriptions of the purpose of the individual new Federal organizations
established since March 4, 1933, authority for their creation, extent of their
field organization, and a brief statistical measure of their activities.
B urn, B runo.
C o d e s, c a r te ls , n a tio n a l p l a n n in g : T h e r o a d to e c o n o m ic s t a b i l i t y .
N e w Y o r k a n d L o n d o n , M c G r a w - H i l l B o o k C o ., I n c ., 1934■
413 pp.
A study of iecent changes in American industrial policy by a noted student of
the tendencies toward integration of business enterprise in Europe.
C ha m ber of C ommerce of the U n it e d S t a t e s . Department of Manufacture.
P r o v i d i n g re se r v e s a g a in s t u n e m p lo y m e n t.
A m a n u a l o f in fo r m a tio n a n d p ro
c e d u r e f o r c o d e a u th o r itie s a n d tr a d e a s s o c ia tio n s .
W a s h in g to n , 1934■
38 pp.
Discusses purpose and extent of unemployment reserve plans, factors affecting
applicability of plans to various fields of business, and legislative proposals.
C l a ir e , Guy S. A d m i n i s t o c r a c y : T h e r e c o v e r y l a w s a n d th e ir e n f o r c e m e n t. N e w
Y o r k , M a c m il l a n C o ., 1934■
118 pp.
An outline of the functions and set-up of the more important administrative
agencies established under President Roosevelt. Attention is called to the four
coordinating agencies— Science Advisory Board, National Emergency Council,
Executive Council, and Industrial Emergency Committee.
C la r k , M arjo rie R u t h .
O r g a n iz e d la b o r m M e x ic o .
N o r th C a r o lin a P r e s s , 1934■
3 1 5 p p . , i l lu s .
C h a p e l H i ll, U n i v e r s i t y o f
A history of the development of labor movements in Mexico before and since
ihe revolution of 1910, and an analysis of the relations between successive political
parties and governments and the organized industrial and agricultural workers.
D u k e U n iv e r s it y . School of Law. L a w a n d C o n te m p o r a r y P r o b le m s , V o l. 1,
N o . 1: T h e p r o te c tio n o f th e c o n s u m e r o f f o o d
D u r h a m , N . C ., D e c e m b e r 1 9 3 3 .
133 pp.
and
dru gs
(a s y m p o s iu m ).
The first issue of a new periodical which, it is explained, will be a departure
from the usual publications of university law schools in that its contributors will
include not only lawyers but experts in other fields. The subject matter, how
ever, will relate to matters in which the legal factor is prominent.
— --------- L a w a n d C o n te m p o r a r y P r o b le m s , V o l. 1, N o . 2 : L o w - c o s t h o u s in g a n d
s lu m c le a r a n c e .
D u r h a m , N . C ., M a r c h 1 9 3 4 •
E mergency W ork B u rea u (New York City).
th e p s y c h i a tr i c c o n s u ltin g s e r v ic e .
132 pp.
Women’s Division.
[ N e w Y o r k ] , 1934■
R ep o rt of
39 pp.
The story of the effort to maintain at a reasonable level the mental health and
morale cf a particular group of jobless women.
F ed er a l R e se r v e B ank of S a n F r an c isc o . Industrial and Banking Com
mittee. T h e p r a c tic a l s o lu tio n o f th e u n e m p lo y m e n t p r o b le m . S a n F r a n c is c o
[1 9 3 2 ? ].
32 pp.
Recommends the distribution of available work to the largest possible number
of workers but advocates a readjustment in pay so that no “ inequitable burden
be placed upon industry.”
I n d u str ia l W e lfa r e S ociety
1934■
of
J a pan.
I n d u s t r i a l lif e i n J a p a n .
[T o k y o ? ],
3 2 p p . , c h a r ts , i l lu s .
A report on welfare activities conducted by various factories in Japan.
I n ter n a t io n a l F ed e r a t io n
for H o u sin g and T ow n P l a n n in g .
S p e c ia l
R e p o r t N o . 2 : I n t e r n a t i o n a l g lo s s a r y o f te c h n ic a l te r m s u s e d i n h o u s in g a n d
to w n p la n n in g .
L o n d o n , W . C . 1 , 2 5 B e d fo r d R o w , [ 1 9 3 4 ?]• 8 0 p p .
(I n
E n g lis h , F r e n c h , G e r m a n , a n d I t a l i a n . )
L ondon S chool
of
E conomics
L o n d o n lif e a n d la b o r,
3 2 3 p p ., m a p .
and P olitical S c ie n c e .
T he n ew su rvey of
V o l. V I I I : L o n d o n i n d u s t r i e s , I I I .
L o n d o n , 1934-
This is the third and concluding volume in the study of London industries.
It covers land transportation; fine metal and instrument trades; hotel and cater
ing trades; electricity, gas, and water works; and clerical work.
M etropo litan L ife I n su r a n c e Co. Policyholders Service Bureau. P r o d u c t
d e v e lo p m e n t: H o w c e r ta in s u c c e s s fu l c o m p a n ie s h a v e w id e n e d m a r k e ts a n d
in c r e a s e d p r o f its b y r e -c r e a tin g e x is tin g p r o d u c ts o r d e v e lo p in g n e w o n e s .
N ew
Y o rk , 193423 pp.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
M in n e s o t a , U n iv e r sit y
of.
255
Employment Stabilization Research Institute.
A d e m o n s tr a tio n o f i n d i v i d u a l i z e d tr a i n i n g m e th o d s f o r m o d e r n office w o r k e r s ,
b y E d w a r d G . E r ik s e n a n d o th e rs .
M in n e a p o lis , 1 9 3 4 • 6 0 p p .
A report on an investigation of limited scope, the results of which, however,
indicate the possibilities of making use of diagnostic tests in selecting students
for commercial schools. The experiments on instruction methods suggest pos
sibilities of abridging and strengthening the process of training.
•------------- A s t u d y o f th e n e e d s o f a d u lts f o r f u r th e r t r a in in g , b y M . R . T r a b u e a n d
B e a tr ic e J . D v o r a k .
M in n e a p o lis , Ï9 3 4 -
35 pp.
The results of the study suggested that possibly the greatest educational need
of jobless adults is for reliable information concerning their own vocational
resources and liabilities.
------ -—-— E m p l o y e d a n d u n e m p lo y e d w o r k e r s — D if f e r e n tia l f a c to r s i n u n e m p l o y
m e n t s ta tu s , b y J o h n G . D a r le y a n d D o n a ld G . P a te r s o n .
26 pp.
M in n e a p o lis , 1934•
Included in the findings of this sample study are the following: More indi
viduals over 45 years old. and 24 years of age and under, were unemployed than
employed; unemployment is inversely related to length of time the worker was
engaged in his chief or modal occupation and is also inversely related to length
of time spent on last job. Economic factors are shown to be an important cause
of unemployment, but technical change and personal factors are increasingly
frequent.
------------- R e s e a r c h s tu d ie s i n i n d i v i d u a l d ia g n o s is , e d ite d b y D o n a ld G . P a te r s o n .
M in n e a p o lis , 1934-
5 5 p p . , c h a rts .
The editor points out that, although the research specialist will find the results
of these seven studies lacking in completeness and finality, the reports will be
significant and helpful to persons endeavoring to meet the problems with which
the studies deal.
N atio nal E duc a tio n A sso c ia tio n . Committee on Retirement Allowances.
R e tir e m e n t s y s te m s i n th e d e p r e s s io n .
193429 p p .
(M i m e o g r a p h e d .)
W a s h in g to n , 1 2 0 1 S ix te e n th S tr e e t, N W . ,
Reviewed in this issue.
N ational I n d u str ia l C o n fe r e n c e B oard , I n c .
7 3 d C o n g ress.
------
T h e e c o n o m ic le g is la tio n o f th e
N ew Y o rk , 2 4 7 P a rk A ven u e, 1934•
256 pp.
I n d i v i d u a l a n d c o lle c tiv e b a r g a in in g i n p u b lic u t i l i t i e s a n d o n r a ilr o a d s ,
O c to b e r 1934■
N e w Y o r k , 2 4 7 P a r k A v e n u e , 1934■
1 6 p p . , d ia g r a m s .
The study shows that in the public utilities the great majority of the employees
were covered (October 1934) by employee-representation plans, while on the
railroads representation for the purpose of collective bargaining was preponder
antly through labor unions. About three-fourths of all railroad employees covered
were found to deal with their managements through organized labor unions
while in public utilities 11.7 percent of the employees dealt through unions.
------ R e c e n t d e v e lo p m e n ts i n i n d u s t r i a l g r o u p in s u r a n c e . N e w Y o r k , 2 4 7 P a r k
A v e n u e , 1934■
46 pp.
Reviewed in this issue.
S c h w eizerisc h er H a n d els -
und
I n d u s t r ie -V e r e in .
I n d u s tr ie d er S c h w e iz im J a h r 1 9 3 3 .
Z ü r ic h , 1 9 3 4 •
B e r ic h t ü b e r H a n d e l u n d
269 pp.
Report on commerce and industry in Switzerland in 1933, including data on
wages, employment service, strikes and lockouts, etc.
S h e f fie l d S ocial S u r v ey C om m ittee .
h o u s in g p r o b le m i n S h e ffie ld .
S u r v e y P a m p h l e t N o . 2 : A r e p o r t o n th e
S h e ffie ld { E n g la n d ) , 1 9 3 1 .
6 8 p p . , c h a rt.
S ociedad P ara
el P rogreso S ocial .
C o m p a r a c ió n e n tr e el c o s te d e la v id a en
M a d r i d , P a r í s y B e r lín , p o r J o s é S a i n z .
M a d r i d , 1 9 3 4 • 1 7 p p . , c h a r ts .
The booklet contains a comparison of the cost of living of a family of four—
husband, wife, and two children—in Madrid, Paris, and Berlin in 1934.
S outh M a n c h u r ia R a il w a y . F o u r th r e p o r t o n p r o g r e s s i n M a n c h u r ia , to 1 9 3 4 •
D a ir e n , 1934■
2 9 4 PP-> m a p s , c h a r ts , i l l u s .
Includes data on the government, natural resources, industries, education,
Manchuria and the League of Nations, etc.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
256
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW— JANUARY 1935
S t a r n e s , G eorge T alm a dg e , and H amm , J ohn E d w in .
S o m e p h a s e s o f la b o r
r e la tio n s i n V i r g i n i a . N e w Y o r k , D . A p p l e t o n - C e n t u r y C o ., 1 9 3 4 - 1 5 1 p p . ,
c h a r ts .
( M o n o g r a p h N o . 2 0 , I n s t i t u t e f o r R e s e a r c h i n th e S o c i a l S c ie n c e s ,
U n i v e r s i t y o f V i r g i n ia .)
The history of the rayon and tobacco industries in Virginia and the growth of
trade-unionism within the State. The book covers personnel relations as well as
hours of labor and wages.
T aylor , P a ul S. M e x ic a n la b o r i n th e U n ite d S ta te s : M i g r a t i o n s t a t i s t ic s , I V .
B e r k e le y , U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a P r e s s , 1 9 3 4 (R e p r i n t , U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i
f o r n i a P u b l i c a t i o n s i n E c o n o m ic s , v o l. 1 2 , n o . 3 , p p . 2 3 - 5 0 , m a p s .)
This study (covering the years 1930-33) is the tenth of a series on Mexican
labor in the United States, projected by the Social Science Research Council’s
committee on scientific aspects of human migration and continued by the council’s
committee on population.
T r ad es
and L abor C on g r ess of C a n a d a . R e p o r t o f th e p r o c e e d in g s o f th e 5 0 th
a n n u a l c o n v e n tio n , T o r o n to , S e p te m b e r 1 0 - 1 4 , 1934■
O tta w a , 1 9 3 4 2,05 p p .
Summarized in the December 1934 issue of the Monthly Labor Review.
V e b l e n , T h o r s t e in .
E s s a y s i n o u r c h a n g in g o r d e r , e d ite d b y L e o n A r d z r o o n i.
N e w Y o rk , V ik in g P r e s s , 1 934412 pp.
A collection of essays in economics, miscellaneous papers, and war essays. This
volume and a former collection contain all the important shorter essays and
articles by Veblen with the exception of book reviews, a list of which is appended.
W orld A sso ciation
for
A d u lt E d u c a t io n .
m e n t o f a c c o u n ts , 1 9 3 3 - 3 4 .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F if te e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t a n d s ta te
L o n d o n , W . C . 1 , 1 6 R u s s e ll S q u a r e , 1934■ 2 7 p p .
o
@FedFRASER