The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
ETHELBERT STEWART, Commissioner
MONTHLY
LABOR REVIEW
NUMBER 1
VOLUME XIII
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
JULY, 1921
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1921
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A D D IT IO N A L C O PIE S
OF THIS PUBLICATION M AY B E P RO CU R ED FRO M
T H E S U P E R IN T E N D E N T OF DOCUM ENTS
G O V ERN M EN T PR IN TIN G OFFICE
W A SH IN G TO N , D . C.
AT
15 C E N T S P E f i C O PY
S u b s c r ip t io n P r ic e , $1.50 P e r Y e a r
Contents.
Special articles:
pag0
Discussion of an American accident table, by Carl Hookstadt.....................
1-5
Effect of the war on working children in Germany, by Anna K alet........... 6-17
Industrial relations and labor conditions :
Employee representation in the American Multigraph Co........................... 18-21
Canada. Labor unrest, by Mary T. Waggaman............................. ............. 21-32
India. Labor unrest, by Mrs. Victoria B. Turner........................................ 32-53
Japan. Labor unrest, by Anice L. Whitney................................................ 53-63
Prices and cost of living:
Retail prices of food in the United States.................................................... 64-83
Retail prices of coal in the United States .................................................... 84-87
Retail prices of gas in the United States...................................................... 87-90
Retail prices of dry goods in the United States............................................ 90-98
Changes in wholesale prices in the United States....................................... 98-101
Comparison of retail price changes in the United States and foreign coun
tries............................................................................................................ 101-104
Changes in cost of living in the United States........................................... 105-112
Argentina. Cost of living, 1910 to 1919.........................................................
113
Finland. Retail prices in 1920.................................................................. 114,115
Germany. Cost of living, February, 1920, toJanuary, 1921..................... 115,116
Netherlands. Prices and cost of living.....................................................
116
New Zealand. Wholesale prices and purchasing power of money..............
117
118
United Kingdom. Changes in cost of living................................................
Wages and hours of labor:
Average earnings of New York State factory workers, May, 1921........... 119,120
British Columbia. Wages in metalliferous mines of Slocan district...........
120
England. Wages in various occupations in Plymouth................................
121
Germany—
Wages in 1920 compared with prewar wages....................................... 122-128
Wages and employment among harbor employees in Hamburg, 1920 ..
129
Italy. Wages of agricultural workers......................................................... 130-134
Japan. WTages and wholesale prices..............................................................
135
New Zealand. Rates of wages.................................................................... 135,136
Western Australia. Recent wage rates.........................................................
137
Production and efficiency of labor:
Production schedule of Master Plumbers’ Association of Montreal.......... 138-140
Minimum wage:
California. Report of Industrial Welfare Commission, 1919-20............. 141,142
Agreements:
Recent labor agreements and decisions...................................................... 143-159
Collective wage agreements in Italy........................................................... 160,161
Employment and unemployment:
Employment in selected industries in May, 1921 ...................................... 162-165
Irregular employment in the building industry........................................ 165-168
Illinois and Ohio. Employment conditions.................................................
169
New York. Employment in State factories in May, 1921........................ 169,170
New York City. Coordinating committee on employment...................... 170,171
United Kingdom—
Report of employment exchanges........................................................ 171, 172
Volume of employment in April, 1921................................................. 172-174
Employment of ex-service men............................................... ...............
174
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
m
IV
C O N T E N T S.
Housing:
Page.
Building operations in representative cities, 1914-1920............................ 175-180
Housing conditions in foreign countries—
Canada. Joint conference on building............................................... 181-188
Netherlands. Improvement in housing conditions........................... 188,189
New Zealand. Housing conditions.......................................................
189
Turkey. Housing conditions in B eirut.............................................. 189,190
Industrial accidents and hygiene:
Metal-mine accidents in the United States during 1919........................... 191,192
Washington (State). Industrial accident experience, 1916 to 1920------ 193,194
Accidents among bridge and structural-iron workers....................... . ..........
195
Cost of industrial medical service............................................................... 195-197
Industrial dermatosis among printers......................................- - ................ 197,198
Workmen’s compensation:
Recent workmen’s compensation reports—
Wyoming.............................................. .. .............................................. 199, 200
Nova Scotia........................................................................................... 200, 201
labor laws and decisions:
Arkansas. Minimum wage law amended..............................
202
District of Columbia. Constitutionality of the minimum wage law........ 202-205
Indiana. Child labor law ........................................................................... 205, 206
Kansas—
Decision of Court of Industrial Relations in meat-packing company
case............................ * ....................................................................... 206-208
Industrial courts law heldconstitutional.............................................. 208, 209
New York. Transportationcompanieshandling nonunion goods............. 210, 211
Labor legislation in foreign countries:
Argentina, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Australia (Commonwealth), Victoria,
South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, Peru,
Poland....................................................................................................... 212-217
Strikes and lockouts:
Poland. Strikes and lockouts........................................................................
218
Cooperation:
Scheme for cooperative marketing of grain in the United States............. 219, 220
Development of the farmers’ union in the United States......................... 220, 221
Immigration:
The new immigration law............................................................................ 222-226
Current notes of interest to labor:
Railroad telegraphers to establish bank.........................................................
227
Belgium. Regulating wage reduction by cost of living index....................
227
The 44-hour week............................................................................................
227
Bolivia. Establishment of commission ofsocial reforms..............................
228
Czechoslovakia. A workmen’s company.............................
228
Great Britain. Training women in domestic crafts.................................. .228, 229
229
Netherlands. Eight-hour day..........................................................I .......... Spain. Proposed change in workmen’s compensation law .........................
229
Directory of labor officials in United States and Canada............................. 230-248
Publications relating to labor:
Official—United States................................................................................. 249-252
Official—foreign countries.......................
253-256
Unofficial....................................................................................................... 257-262
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
vol.
xiii-
no
.
i
WASHINGTON
JU LY, 1921
Discussion of An American Accident Table.1
By
*
Ca rl H o o k sta d t.
IX years ago Dr. I. M. Rubinow published bis famous S tandard
Accident Table which gives the severity distribution of any
given 100,000 industrial accidents. This table, which has
been extensively used in the form ulation of compensation insurance
rates, was based prim arily upon E uropean statistics since little
reliable accident experience in the U nited States was available a t
the time. Since then sufficient American experience has developed
to allow the compilation of an accident table based upon American
accident statistics. Such a table has been constructed by Miss
Olive E. O utw ater, actuary of the N ational W orkm en’s Compensa
tion Service Bureau. The severity distribution of this American
Accident Table was determ ined from two sets of data. The dis
tribution of the compensable accidents was based upon the returns
made by insurance carriers to the N ational Council on W orkm en’s
Compensation Insurance as shown by Schedule Z, while the distribu
tion of noncompensable accidents was based on the reports of cer
tain S tate industrial accident commissions.
The following tabular statem ent shows the severity distribution
according to each table:
S
S E V E R IT Y D IS T R IB U T IO N O F A C CID EN TS A C CO RD IN G TO A M ER IC A N A N D S T A N D A R D
T A B L E S.
Probable d istribution of a
given 100,000 accidents ac
cording to the—
T ype of in jury.
American
table
(O utw ater).
Standard
table
(R ubinow ).
F a ta l.............................................................................................................................
P erm a n e n t to ta l........................................................................................................
P erm a n e n t p a rtia l....................................................................................................
Tem porary to ta l........................................................................................................
762
62
3,788
95; 388
932
110
4,765
94,193
T o tal..................................................................................................................
100,000
100,000
An analysis of the Standard and American tables shows a rem ark
able sim ilarity of distribution of fatal, perm anent total, and perm a
nent partial disability accidents. This is brought out more clearly
in the following table, which shows the num erical relationship of
each group to the others.
1
P ap er read a t th e sem iannual m eeting of th e C asualty A ctuarial and Statistical Society of A m erica,
New Y o rk C ity, May 24, 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1]
2
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
D IS T R IB U T IO N O F F A T A L , P E R M A N E N T T O T A L , A N D P E R M A N E N T P A R T IA L D ISA
B IL IT Y A C C ID E N TS, A C C O R D IN G TO A M E R IC A N A N D S T A N D A R D T A B L E S .
N um ber of accidents
according to—
P er cent of accidents
of each type.
T ype of in jury.
Am erican
table.
Standard
table.
American
table.
F a ta l.............................................................................................
Perm anent to ta l........................................................................
P erm an en t p a rtia l....................................................................
762
62
3,788-
932
110
4,765
16.5
1.3
82. 1
16.0
1.9
82. 1
T o tal................................................................. - ..............
4,612
5,807
100. 0
100.0
Standard
table.
I t will be noted th a t the percentage of perm anent partíais is ex
actly the same in each table, namely, 82.1 per cent. The percent
age of fatals is 0.5 per cent more and the perm anent totals 0.6 per
cent less in the American table than in the S tandard table. The
American table, being based exclusively upon the accident d a ta of
insured employers, does not include a large proportion of the m in
ing and steel industries, which carry their own risks. In these the
fatality and perm anent total disability rates are proportionately
high. " H ad the accident experience of all employers, self-insured as
well as insured, been taken into account in constructing the Am eri
can Accident Table it m ight have produced slightly different results.
As regards the tem porary to tal disabilities the two tables show
considerable variation. According to the American table the ratio
of the combined fatals, perm anent totals, and perm anent partíais
to tem porary totals is 1 to 20.8 whereas according to the S tandard
table this ratio is 1 to 16.2. The form er table, therefore, produces
a relatively greater num ber of tem porary totals. This disparity
between tem porary totals and nontem porary totals is sufficiently
great to raise the question of accuracy. Inasm uch as the ratios
between fatals, perm anent totals, and perm anent partíais is prac
tically the same in each table it can probably be safely assumed
th a t these ratios are correct and th a t the error lies w ith the tem po
rary totals. E ither the num ber given in the American table (95,388)
is too large or the num ber in the S tandard table (94,193) is too small.
In all probability the American table produces too great a num ber
of tem porary totals as compared w ith all other accidents. This is
due to the fact th a t the compiler based her com putations upon
the inaccurate, dissimilar, and incom parable accident d a ta in S tate
reports.
As already noted the distribution of compensable accidents in
the American table was based upon Schedule Z returns while the
distribution of noncompensable tem porary total disability acci
dents was based upon the accident reports of State industrial com
missions. To obtain the greatest possible exposure the d a ta of
every S tate in which the statistics were presum ably comparable were
used. The num ber of accidents under 14 days was based upon the
data of five States (California, Ohio, Oregon, W ashington and W est
Virginia) b u t the distribution of this to tal into days was made upon
the California data alone, since no other statistics were available at
th a t time. While it is essential th a t the exposure be sufficiently
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 ]
D ISC U SSIO N OF AN A M ERICA N A CCID EN T TABLE.
3
large to eliminate chance variations, it is even more im portant th a t
the d a ta used be accurate and comparable. Merely to increase the
accident exposure by adding together an agglom eration of figures
w ithout regard to their accuracy or com parability does no t neces
sarily increase its dependability. In fact, enlarging the exposure
by the inclusion of inaccurate d a ta decreases its dependability.
The 95,388 tem porary total disability accidents in the American
table are stated to be tabulatable accidents, i. e., those in which
the disability extends beyond the day or shift on which the injury
occurred; and inasm uch as these figures are based upon S tate ac
cident statistics, it follows th a t the la tte r should also include only
tabulatable accidents. Again, in order th a t the statistics of the
several States m ay be comparable, all of the industrial accidents
which occur should be reported; in other words there should be com
plete reporting. I t is exceedingly questionable w hether either of
these tw o conditions obtains in the S tate data used. In some of
the States the statistics in all probability include non tabu! at able
accidents while in one State, at least, undoubtedly a large propor
tion of the m inor accidents are not reported.
The following table shows the per cent of tem porary total disability
accidents of seven days or less:
P E R C EN T O P T E M P O R A R Y T O T A L D IS A B IL IT Y A C CID EN TS O P S E V E N D A Y S
LE SS.
OR
P er cent ol tem porary to ta l disability
accidents ending in —
State.
3 days or less.
M assachusetts (1919).............................................................................
California (1915-1918)...........................................................................
California (1919) .................................................................................
Oregon (1916-1919).................................................................................
W ashington (1913-1917)................................... ...................................
Ohio (1914-15)............. ' ...................... ..................................................
Ohio (1915-16-) . .
................................................................
W est V irginia (1913-14).......................................................................
S ta n d a rd ta b le . . . . .
.................................................................
A m erican ta b le ......................................................................................
4 to 7 days.
7 days or less.
42
49
48
» 39
18
54
60
47
17
25
26
22
25
22
40
47
1 1916, 34 p e rc e n t; 1917, 3 5 per cent; 1918-, 4 2 per cent; 1919, 41 per cent.
I t will be noted th a t the per cent of accidents whose disability ends
in one week or less ranges from 18 in W ashington to 60 in Ohio.
M assachusetts (42 per cent), Oregon (39 per cent), and the S tandard
table (40 per cent) are approxim ately the same, as are California (48
and 49 per cent), W est Virginia (47 per cent), and the American table
(47 p e rc e n t). The great yariation in the per cent for W ashington
(18) m ay be due to a low m inor-accident frequency rate in the State
or it m ay be due to the fact, which is obviously the case, th a t a large
proportion of these m inor accidents are not reported. Oregon, with
similar industries, shows 39 per cent under eight days.
Let us examine in more detail the accident statistics of each State
under consideration and see j ust w hat accidents are included. Massa
chusetts is one of the few States in which nontabulatable disability
accidents are definitely excluded from its accident statistics. Cali
fornia excludes the no-disability accidents from its tabulations, b u t
apparently includes all disability accidents w hether or not tabulat-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
13]
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
4
able.2 Furtherm ore, California shows a large num ber of one-day dis
ability accidents. W hen one considers th a t in Oregon and In d ian a
(the only other States in which such d ata are available) the num ber
of accidents of one day’s disability is less than those of two d a y s’
disability, there is a strong presum ption in the belief th a t the Cali
fornia figures include accidents of less than one day s disability; in
other words, it includes nontabulatable accidents. In Oregon, which
has no waiting period, all disability accidents are compensated and
presum ably reported. In Ohio, which shows the largest percentage
of accidents under eight days (54 to GO per cent), all accidents requir
ing medical aid m ust be reported w hether or n o t such accidents result
in time loss. Possibly the Ohio figures also include a num ber of acci
dents resulting in no disability and requiring no medical aid. There
is nothing in the Ohio report which shows w hat accidents are or are
not included in the tables used. In W est Virginia all disability acci
dents are required to be reported. Since the accident report does
not state w hether the tabulations include only tabulatable accidents,
it is probably safe to assume th a t these tabulations include all dis
ability accidents reported, w hether or not tabulatable.
In view of their dissimilarity the above figures can not be combined
for purposes of comparison. I t is like trying to ascertain the correct
tim e by taking an average of several clocks; such an average can only
be accidentally correct. Furtherm ore, any errors due to dissim ilarity
in the data used are magnified by the weighted nature of the d ata.
For example, the two States of California and Ohio account for over
200,000 of the 223,000 accidents under eight days used in the American
table. These two States show the highest percentage of accidents
under eight days, and if they contain nontabulatable accidents, as is
apparently the case, their very preponderance will aggravate the error.
Another factor which will affect the distribution is the fact th a t
the compensable accidents as shown in the tabulations of the S tate
reports used have been adjudicated by the commissions and the non
industrial accidents have presum ably been eliminated, whereas such
nonindustrial accidents or those not arising out of the employment
have not been eliminated from the noncompensable accidents. The
ratios based upon these figures, therefore, would not be accurate since
the noncompensable accidents embody certain types of accidents not
found in the compensable classes.
Because of the inclusion, therefore, of nontabulatable and non
industrial accidents the reduction or conversion factors used by the
compiler of the American Accident Table are too large, and conse
quently the num ber of tem porary to tal disabilities thus produced in
this table is too large. Perhaps more reliable results would be pro
duced if a smaller exposure were used, if such d a ta are reasonably
accurate and complete, than to use a large exposure composed of
incomplete, dissimilar, and incom parable data. For example, the
accident data of M assachusetts, which S tate probably has the m ost
complete and m ost accurate system of accident reporting, would pro
duce more accurate results than the m ethod followed in the construc
tion of the American Accident Table. Incidentally it m ay be noted
th a t the M assachusetts distribution approxim ates th a t of the Standard
Accident Table.
_________
2
A com m unication received from th e California In d u stria l A ccident Commission states th a t th e acci
d en t tables in its 1920 rep o rt include only ta b u la tab le accidents.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[4]
D ISC U SSIO N OF AN A M ERICA N A CCID EN T TABLE.
5
The distribution of tem porary disability accidents under two weeks
in the American Accident Table is based upon the combined data of
the five S tates m entioned, b u t the distribution by days, as already
noted, is based exclusively upon the California data, inasm uch as these
figures were the only ones available. According to the California d a ta
the one-day accident group is the largest, the num ber gradually de
creasing up to the seventh day. I t is questionable w hether such a
distribution is in accordance w ith the actual facts. As already n o ted ,:{
the one-day group probably contains a num ber of nontabulatable
accidents. Furtherm ore, the Oregon and Indiana statistics and an
analysis of the accidents in the iron and steel industry 3 show an
increasing num ber up to the third day. Usually in the case of a m inor
injury the workm an will return to work the day following the injury
if a t all possible. If the injury is severe enough to prevent the worker
from returning to work the day after the injury, it is severe enough to
disable him for three or four days, since it will require several days for
the bruise or laceration to heal.
A nother factor which perhaps will affect the accuracy of the
American Accident Tfible is the fact th a t as far as compensable
accidents are concerned the distribution was based exclusively upon
the experience of the insured employers. A large bulk of the iron
and steel industry and of the mining industry, for example, are not
insured and consequently their experience is not incorporated in
schedule Z. Inasm uch as these industries have relatively high
fatality and perm anent total disability rates, their exclusion would
produce a distribution in which the num ber of fatalities and perm a
nent total disabilities would be too small.
The great variation in the severity distribution of accidents be
tween coal mining and all other industries m ay be seen from the
following table, which shows the accident rates per $10,000,000 of
pay roll, by industry and by type of injury, in Pennsylvania for the
years 1916 to 1919:4
S E V E R IT Y D IS T R IB U T IO N O F A C CID E N TS IN COAL M IN IN G A N D IN A L L O T H E R IN
D U S T R IE S IN P E N N S Y L V A N IA , 1916 TO 1919.
|
In d u s try .
All in d u stries except coal m in in g .....................................................
A n th racite coal m in in g ..
.
....................................
B itum inous coal m in in g .....................................................................
A ccidents p er $10,000,000 of p a y roll.
D eath and
p erm anent
to ta l.
Major
perm anent.
Tem porary
com pensable.
6.9
50.6
27.0
5.2
14.9
12.5
224
675
.531
I t would also be desirable if the distribution of tem porary total
disabilities be carried one week farther and show the num ber of
accidents in which the disability ends in the tw enty-sixth week.
The American table stops ju st one week short of a half year.
The above suggestions and comments, needless to say, are not
offered in a spirit of criticism, b u t in the hope th a t they m ay be of
some assistance in the form ulation of a more accurate and scientific
American accident table.
s U nited States B ureau of L abor Statistics, B u lletin No. 234, p. 192.
4 S tatistical analysis of w orkm en's com pensation insurance in P ennsylvania.from Jan . 1,1916, to Dec. 31,
1919, p p. 10,11. Compiled jo in tly b y th e insurance d e p artm e n t of P ennsylvania an d the P ennsylvania
Com pensation R atin g an d Inspection B ureau.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[5]
Effect of the War on Working Children in Germany.
By
A n n a K a l e t , C h i l d r e n ’ s B u r e a u , U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o p L a b o r .«
changes brought about by the war had a m ost significant
effect upon the working children of Germany. While frequent
discussions of this subject m ay be found in German periodicals,
the best available sources of inform ation are the reports of the factory
inspectors of the various German States for the years 1914 to 1918,
which have been used as the basis for this article.
he
T
Extent of C hiid Labor.
- of the m ost obvious effects of the drain on Germ any’s man
power caused by the war was an increase in the num ber of
employed children. Figures can be given only for establishm ents
subject to the factory inspection law—th a t is, in general, those
factories, workshops, and building works which employ a t least 10
persons, and also all industrial establishm ents using power m achin
ery, irrespective of the num ber of employees. Therefore large num
bers of children employed in small workshops and factories not using
power m achinery, in m ercantile establishments, hotels, and restau
rants, in messenger and delivery service, and in m any other kinds of
work, are not included. I t is, however, the unanim ous opinion of
the factory inspectors and of other students of the situation th a t
there was a great increase of child labor in these occupations also.
In the establishm ents subject to factory inspection, 536,512 chil
dren under 16 years of age were at work in G erm an y 1 in 1913. In
1917 this num ber rose to 617,688,2 an increase of over 15 per cent;
although there was a decrease in 1918, the last year of the war, as
compared with 1917, the total reached 590,618, or over 10 per cent
more th an in 1913.3 These figures, however, do not fully reveal the
situation. In a num ber of industries, as for instance the m anufacture
of textiles, m any thousands of children were throw n out of employment
because of curtailm ent of production. On the other hand a great
expansion took place in the m etal, m achine-m anufacturing, and
chemical industries, where the num ber of w ar orders was particularly
large. In the m etal industry, 74,784 children were employed in
1913, and 95,117 in 1918; for the chemical industry the figures were
7,363 and 22,063, respectively; and in the machine and tool-m anu
facturing industry the num ber rose from 87,558 in 1913 to 158,030
in 1918.4
D ureausbtau.
1 E xcepting th e S tates of Hesse an d A lsace-Lorraine, for which statistics for 1917 a n d 1918 were not avail
able, an d w hich were therefore n o t included in th e to ta ls for a n y year. In 1913 in these tw o S tates th e to ta l
w as 34,494.
2 Figures for 1917 were no t available for th e S ta te of B aden, an d th e to ta l for 1918 w as used for 1917 also.
Since‘in m ost S tates th e figures for 1918 did n o t exceed those for 1917, this m ay be considered a conservative
estim ate.
3 Jahresberichte der G ew erbeaufsichtsbeam ten u n d Bergbehörden fü r die Jahre 1914-1918, Vol. IV , pp.
22-28; sam e for 1913, Von IV , p p . 22-28.
4 Idem . Figures for th e S tates of Hesse an d A lsace-Lorraine are no t included. See footnote 1.
6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
E F F E C T OF T H E W AR OFT W O R K IN G C H IL D R E N I N G ERM A N Y .
7
Suspension of Legal Restrictions on Child Labor.
IM M ED IA TELY upon the outbreak of the w ar the Government
* enacted the “ w ar emergency la w ” of A ugust 4, 1914, which
authorized the granting of exemptions from m any provisions of the
labor laws, including those restricting the employment of children
under 16 years of age in establishm ents subject to factory inspec
tion. This opened the way for the suspension of the m ost im portant
safeguards for the protection of children in industry. During the
early p a rt of the w ar such exemptions were granted to a lim ited
extent only, b u t as the dem ands of the w ar industries increased,
they became more and more frequent. According to law, they
were to be perm itted only upon investigation of each case and a
showing th a t adult workers were not available, and it was the an
nounced policy of the factory inspection authorities to comply
strictly w ith this provision. B u t judging from the frequent com
plaints of the shortage of inspectors m ade by the inspection officials
themselves, it seems hardly probable th a t 4he investigations were
a t all thorough or even th a t they were m ade in every instance.
Perhaps the m ost frequent requests were for the suspension of
the legal rest periods, which were, for children under 14, a halfhour in a six-hour day, and, for children between 14 and 16, two
hours a day—one hour a t noon, a half-hour in the forenoon, and
another half hour in the afternoon. The employers claimed th a t
the greater frequency of the children’s rest periods interfered with
the o u tp u t of the adults, w ith whom they worked side by side; con
sequently in order to raise production to the highest lim it their inter
missions were either shortened or, when the pressure of w ar work
was greatest, often entirely eliminated.
Overtime work was also very common. Reports from alm ost
every district state th a t children under 14, for whom the law pre
scribed a six-hour day, were frequently allowed to work up to 10
hours daily. The working day of children between 14 and 16, nor
m ally 10 hours, was often extended to 11 and 12 hours. This was
particularly frequent in the m achine-m anufacturing, woodworking,
and m etal industries.
Em ploym ent of children under 16 on Sunday, prohibited by law,
was perm itted in a num ber of districts; in others, of less industrial
im portance, it was consistently refused.
N ight work was even more prevalent than overtime work. In
normal times children under 16 could n o t be employed between 8
p. m. and 6 a. m .; b u t during the w ar m any of them were perm itted
to work until late in the evening or in the early morning, and a very
large num ber were employed on the regular night shifts, which
often lasted 12 hours, including rest periods. The inspector of the
im portant industrial district of Cologne stated th a t children were
employed a t night in all the establishm ents in his district where
night shifts were used. In some localities the authorities, recogniz
ing the danger of night work to the health of children, placed cer
tain lim itations upon the exemptions granted. For instance, in the
district of Potsdam only boys who had reached the age of 15 could
be employed a t night, and then for not more than 10 hours, exclud
ing intermissions. In several other districts work of children on
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7]
8
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
the regular night shifts was allowed only in the case of boys over
14, the night work of girls being restricted to the early m orning or
late evening hours. In a few places a certificate from a publichealth physician was required from night workers under 16.
In 1918, em ploym ent of children between 14 and 16 years of age
a t night (either on the regular shift or in the late evening or early
morning) was perm itted in 61,285 cases,5 the num ber of nights for
which such permission was given averaging 109 to each case. In
1917 the corresponding average was 93.6 These figures adm ittedly
do not represent the total am ount of night work of children, for
in m any cases the necessary authorization was no t even requested,
i Another significant relaxation of protective standards due to
war-time disorganization was the admission of large num bers of chil
dren to unhealthful or dangerous occupations theretofore prohibited
to them . A few instances of such employment of children between 14
and 16 years of age perm itted by the authorities are: Underground
work in mines; work in quarries, sheet steel rolling mills, sugar
factories, foundries, glass factories, and rag-tearing establishm ents;
as machine tenders in paper factories; as assistants a t blast furnaces;
as assistant firemen and assistant switchmen on railroads; as machine
tenders in high tem perature rooms in factories; and as assistant
furnace tenders in rolling mills. Even children under 14 years of age
were engaged in dangerous or injurious work. They were employed
in glass factories both for carrying glass to the ovens and for other
work, in brickyards, and in tin factories. The general tendency was
to use boys on these processes in preference to girls, b u t sometimes boys
were n o t available. In Saxony, according to the report of the chief
inspector, the factory m anagers usually attem pted to assign to the
children work suited to their strength, “ b u t in a num ber of instances
they were given dangerous, responsible, or difficult work which would
not have been given them a t other tim es.” The report continues:
In this connection may be mentioned their employment on dangerous woodworking
machines, tending steam boilers, and in mining. In the last-named industry children
14 to 16 years of age constituted 3 per cent of the working force in 1918 against 1.7 per
cent in 1913, a large number of them working underground.7
Difficulties of Labor L aw Enforcement.
numerous exemptions known to have been granted, however,
uo n o t by any means show the total am ount of work done
by children in violation of prew ar standards, even in establishments
subject to factory inspection. M any employers, thinking th a t all
labor legislation was suspended during the war, at least as regards
work on war orders, did not even apply for exemptions. In the words
of the inspector for the Munich district—
a still worse effect than that of the temporary suspension of protective laws was produced by the impression prevailing generally in industrial circles at the outbreak
of the war that on account of the war emergency all protective labor laws were suspended.
This impression was strengthened by the directions accompanying war supply orders
from the military authorities, which might easily have led employers to believe that
they were once for all freed from all legislative restrictions so as to be able to fill those
orders satisfactorily and promptly. Under such circumstances it was very difficult
for the factory inspectors to demand proper protection of young workers.8
6 Figures for Alsace-Lorraine are n o t included because n o t available.
s Jahresberichte der G ew erbeaufsichtsbeam ten u n d B ergbehörden fü r die Jahre 1914-1918, p a rt 4, p p .
78, 79.
*7Idem , p a rt 3, p. 53.
8 Idem , 1914-1918, p a rt 2, p. 12.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8]
E F F E C T OF T H E W AR OFT W O R K IN G C H IL D R E N IN G ERM A N Y .
9
The chief inspector for Saxony reports:
The idea that during the war protective labor legislation was suspended to a verylarge extent, at least for the war industries, was prevalent not only among employers
but also among the local authorities, school principals, and district school inspectors,
and prevented better enforcement of even those legal provisions which concerned child
labor.7
A similar situation existed in m any other parts of Germany. In
some places, also, the press often spoke of a general suspension of the
provisions of the Industrial Code.
U nder such conditions, it is not surprising th a t m any cases were
discovered where the legal restrictions on the employment of children
were ignored w ithout even an attem p t to secure permission for
exemption. F or instance, in the district of Düsseldorf 15-year-old
boys were employed around blast furnaces in loading iron and in
other transportation processes not only on Sunday and a t night, bu t
also on 24-hour shifts. The inspector for Oppeln reports th a t em
ployers were often “ earnestly rebuked for employing persons under
16 on excessive overtime work, on Sunday, and in double shifts.”
Violations of the law occurred not only in the employment of
children betw een 14 and 16 years of age, b u t also in regard to the
work of children under IT who had not completed the required school
course and who therefore were supposed to be still attending school.
They could be employed outside school hours if they had reached
the age of 12,9 b u t not in dangerous occupations and not for more
than three hours on school days and four hours on other days. The
inspectors report m any cases where children still subject to the
school-attendance law had either left school to go to work or were
employed illegally outside school hours. The instances which follow
are typical. In Königsberg in two brickyards children under 14 were
working up to 11 hours daily. In Berlin, children of this age were
employed in moAung-picture theaters on week days and Sundays
until late in the evening in carrying films and locking doors. In
Düsseldorf m any children Avere employed in barber shops for very
long hours and even on Sundays. In Zwickau 15 boys 8 to 14 years
of age worked their entire free time outside school hours a t weavdng
baskets to be used as projectile containers; they Avere paid a t one-half
the rate paid adult women. In U pper Franconia children under 10
Avere employed a t home by their parents a t the same kind of work.
In Zwickau 140 boys between 12 and 14 years of age were Avorking
a t weighing and packing ground spices. In the district of Chemnitz
owners of small establishm ents run by power m achinery frequently
employed children of school age, taking it for granted th a t the pro
hibitory regulations had been suspended. In a wood-carving estab
lishm ent a 12-year-old boy took care of the steam boiler; in a card
board factory a boy under 14 broke an arm adjusting a driving belt.
In a Avoodenware factory a boy of the same age took care of a me
chanically driven band saw; and another was in charge of an eccentric
press in a m etal factory. In two cases boys 13 and 14 years old were
tending steam boilers. In Middle Franconia in a rural brewery a boy
under 14 was employed as a stoker a t the steam boiler.
7 Idem , p a rt 3, p. 53.
8Children could be employed outside school hours by their parents, »datives, parents by adoption, or
guardians, at the age of 10.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9]
10
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
In Saxony schoolboys under 14 were often employed for driving
wagons. Especially prevalent throughout Germ any was the em ploy
m ent of children, some of whom were under 10 years of age, as mes
sengers or for the sale of newspapers. Still more serious were the
numerous cases of employment of children 8 and 9 years old for
peddling in the early m orning and late evening hours. _ Punishm ent
was very rare, especially when the m other was responsible.
The chief inspector of Chemnitz discards the official im partiality
of some of his colleagues and says forcefully:
The exploitation of persons under 16 years of age was sometimes carried too far.
Their employment, a s at present, at tending steam boilers, on woodworking machines,
large presses and elevators, in putting driving belts on moving machines, and in
similar work should not be tolerated.10
Large as was the num ber of known cases where the legal regula
tions of child labor were ignored, the reports from nearly every dis
trict indicate th a t a great m any violations were never discovered.
This was due in p a rt to the inadequate num ber of enforcing officials,
both factory inspectors and the special inspectors who enforced the
provisions of the lav/ regulating the employment of school children.
In m ost places teachers were required to keep and transm it to the
enforcing officials lists of the employed children in their classes.
B u t during the war, owing to the shortage of teachers or the fact
th a t they were overburdened w ith other work, this duty was either
very much neglected or entirely discontinued.
One factory inspector reports th a t these school lists, from which
offenses against the law conld be ascertained, were—
during the war sent to the inspectors only irregularly and were f iled out incompletely.
If, therefore, in many districts only a comparatively small number of offenses was dis
covered, it should be accepted as a fact that their number was much larger, because
many a family was prompted by the high cost of living to add to its income by utilizing
the free time and energy of the children.11
Proper enforcement of the law was also hindered by the fact th a t
the enforcing officials were instructed to act w ith discrim ination
and leniency. The chief inspector of Saxony, in speaking of cases in
which the local authorities, prom pted by the need of the families,
themselves found work for children under 14 years of age, rem arks:
It was easy to understand that under such circumstances great leniency was exer
cised by the inspectors.
Similar testim ony comes from Chemnitz, where—
the enforcement of the child-labor law [on employment of school children] in the five
years of the war could be carried out only with great leniency. The woman childlabor inspector made an agreement with the woman chairman of the Social Demo
cratic Commission for Child Protection of the district of Chemnitz, whereby enforce
ment was to be limited to superficial inspection and occasional investigations, because
the commission, desiring to avoid dissatisfaction among the masses of workers, con
sidered enforcement of the legal restrictions on child labor impracticable.12
Even in the State of Hesse, widely known before the war for its
good adm inistration of the child-labor laws—
no very strict standards could he prescribed for the numerous occupations of chil
dren [of school age], in view of the conditions prevailing in our country, both as
io Jahresberichte der G ew erbeaufsichtsbeam ten u n d B ergbehörden für die Jahre 1914-1918, p a rt 3, p. 139.
u Idem , p a rt 1, p . 980.
I2 Idem , p a rt 3, p . 141.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 10 ]
E F F E C T OF T H E W AR ON W O R K IN G C H IL D R E N IN GERM A NY.
11
regards the distress of the children’s parents and the difficulties of some of the em
ployers. Supervision as exercised in time of peace was discontinued in order to
prevent needless bitterness.13
In the same State even the courts did not escape the accusation of
leniency.
Unfortunately the courts themselves in some cases in which children [of school age]
were employed even during part of the night, treated the offending employers with
so much leniency that the punishment almost amounted to a reward and made the
enforcement of the law impossible. Both on this account and because of the predomi
nance of other interests during the war the respect of the people and even of the
school authorities for the law [relating to employment of school children] decreased.14
A similar situation prevailed in other parts of Germany. In the
great m ajority of instances violators of the child-labor regulations
were merely warned, and if they were finally brought into court,
after repeated warnings, the fines imposed were too small to deter
them from repeating the offense. A large num ber of serious abuses
were left entirely unpunished. The following description of the
situation in the S tate of Saxony can be rightly considered as apply
ing also to other parts of the country:
To a much greater extent than in the other branches of factory inspection a relaxa
tion of the control [over the employment of school children] took place because of the
war and the call of new duties. Such control had to be limited to superficial inspec
tions and occasional investigations, and it can not be denied that evident evils existed
during the war in the child-labor situation.15
Equally difficult was the m aintenance of the legal standards
safeguarding the employment of children between 14 and 16 years
of age. In the words of The inspector for Munich:
Under such conditions [the generally prevailing impression that all labor laws
had been suspended] it was very difficult for the factory inspectors to enforce the
laws for the protection of young workers; the situation, therefore, left much to be
desired during the years of the war.8
Apprenticeship.
rT T iE apprenticeship system, which before had been regulated by
1 well defined and thoroughly enforced laws, was seriously affected
by the disorganizing influence of the war. In the first place, m any
of the older workers who instructed the apprentices were drafted.
As a result, the num ber of instructors was often so reduced th a t they
could give very little individual attention to their pupils. In such
cases the factory inspectors sometimes ordered the discharge of a
num ber of the apprentices. The shortage of raw m aterials was
another obstacle in the way of proper training, as was also the large
scale production and m inute subdivision of labor introduced in m any
war industries. Moreover, the children themselves and their parents
lost interest in apprenticeship. The much higher paid work in un
skilled occupations and in m unition factories not only induced m any
children already apprenticed to leave their employers, b u t also
attracted large num bers of boys and girls who in norm al times would
have taken up a trade.
8 Idem , p a rt 2 , p. 12.
13 Idem , p a rt 6, p p . 81, 82.
14 Idem , p a rt 6, p . 83.
15 Idem , p a rt 3, p . 56.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
H I]
12
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
Continuation Schools.
(CON TINU ATION school instruction suffered as a result of the war
^
even more than apprenticeship. Before the w ar attendance at
such schools was compulsory practically throughout Germany for all
workers under 18 years of age. The num ber of hours prescribed
varied from 2 to 12 per week, according to local regulations. The
system was well organized and th e law thoroughly enforced.
During the war, however, m any changes took place. Some schools
were closed entirely; even where this did not happen, their work was
very greatly curtailed. M any of the teachers were drafted. In a
num ber of cases the school premises were entirely or in p a rt requisi
tioned for m ilitary purposes. While not a single district inspector
fails to mention this situation, some are particularly em phatic in their
utterances. In Magdeburg—
continuation school education suffered to an unusual degree, due to the disturbances
created by the war. The largest continuation school of the district, in the city of
Magdeburg, was compelled at the outbreak of the war to put its buildings at the dis
posal of the military authorities and was transferred to insufficient quarters. The
shortage of light and fuel created further difficulties. The school, which in 1914
consisted of 185 classes with 5,113 pupils, was reduced in 1918 to 44 classes with 2,000
pupils. In order to utilize fully the energy of the teachers and the available space,
it was necessary to put even the unskilled workers into the specialized classes, so
that the specialized character of those classes was completely lost, and the training
for particular vocations was neglected.16
Decreasing the num ber of hours of attendance required a t con
tinuation school classes was very common. An even more serious
evil was the very frequent practice of perm anently excusing children
at the request of employers who, on account of the pressure of war
orders and the high value of child labor, objected to allowing their
young workers the tim e necessary for continuation school training.
Such requests apparently were always granted; a t least no case of
refusal has been reported. In the city of Magdeburg, for instance,
the num ber of pupils excused sometimes reached 38 per cent of the
enrollment. Moreover, m any emplojmrs kept their young workers
away from school w ithout asking permission from the authorities.
In some instances boys kept away from continuation school were
distressed a t being unable to go on w ith their studies and went them
selves to the factory inspectors asking th a t the exemption be annulled.
I t more often happened th a t children stayed away w ithout permis
sion. In Magdeburg, for instance, unexcused absences were rare
before the war; during the war they am ounted to 5 per cent of the
enrollment. The inspector for Schleswig says th a t such absences
were common, and th a t children under 16 often had to pay fines,
which they regarded very lightly, however, because of their large
earnings.
Even the children who attended continuation school were so worn
out by the unusually long hours and hard work in the factory th a t
they could not receive from the instruction the same benefit as in
normal times. The statem ent of the Coblenz inspector th a t
because of the strenuous work and insufficient food the pupils often lacked the neces
sary energy to listen to the instruction with attention,17
m ay be applied to m any other districts.
15 Idem , p a rt 1, p . 527.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
17 Idem , p a rt 1, p. 933.
[12 ]
E F F E C T OF T H E W AR ON W O R K IN G C H IL D R E N IN GERM A NY.
13
Exemptions from Elementary School Attendance.
/ATTENDANCE of the younger children at elem entary school also suf
fered during the war. In m any places the hours of teaching were
shortened. This often left the children twice as much free time as
before, and prom pted the mothers to find work for them and thus
obtain an addition to the family budget. Often, also, mothers kept
their children out of school for lack of shoes or clothing and occupied
them w ith any available home work.
1
a great m any places the school or city authorities perm itted
children to leave school to go to work before completing the required
course. This was done on the application of the parents, especially
the mothers, who, left alone by the drafting of the fathers, pleaded
poverty and the need of the child’s earnings. The school authorities
themselves, moreover, sometimes procured work for the children
still in school; in some cases this work proved to be illegal and was
later ordered discontinued by the inspectors. For instance, in an
apron factory in the district of B autzen 108 school children were
employed at cutting goods for ear protectors for the army. The
employer thought th a t such work done in her own home was not
industrial work, and since the police authorities, whose duty it is to
assist in the enforcement of the law, gave no satisfactory reply to her
question as to the legality of the work, and the school officials them
selves suggested the work to the children, she did not think she was
violating the law.18
Interesting statem ents were sometimes m ade in extenuation of the
granting of excuses from school attendance. For instance, in
Coblenz a large num ber of boys under 14 were perm itted to leave
school before completing the required course and go to work for 10
hours a day—
so as to remain under discipline and supervision, be prevented from running wild, and
be enabled to contribute to the support of the family.19
I t was significant of war time th a t even the school authorities, in.
normal times staunch guardians of the school-attendance and childlabor laws, relaxed their vigilance and witnessed, apparently with,
little or no protest, the crumbling of a system which it had taken
decades to build up.
Conduct of Working Children.
C E R IO U S complaints of the effect of war conditions on the conduct
of working children were m ade by practically every inspector,
especially in the im portant industrial centers. The great demand for
their labor, combined w ith unusually high wages and freedom from,
supervision, filled them w ith a sense of their own importance. Too
young to accept the responsibilities thru st upon them, they realized
merely th a t they were indispensable in the factory, and often became
indifferent to their work, lazy, and disobedient, tolerating no repri
m ands and resenting even criticism. Such an attitu d e led to fre
quent change of employment, as they would leave their positions on
the slightest pretext.
'8 Idem , p a rt 1, p. 109.
54039 °— 21-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
• w Idem , p a rt i, p. 931.
[ 13 ]
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
14
Much more severe was the criticism of the conduct of the young
people outside the factory. W ith the father in the arm y and the
m other at work, the children, left to themselves and deprived of the
beneficial influences of normal family life, spent their high wages in
any way they wished.
In one city in the district of Coblenz the saloons had to be closed on Sundays because
the boys under 16 years of age spent their money on wine and committed too many
excesses.
The same report also refers to their—
disorderly mode of living and licentiousness, especially evident on Saturday night
and Sunday.20
The Osnabrück-Aurich report m entions—
extravagant spending on tobacco and high-priced wines and frequent visiting of hotels
and similar places.21
According to a Bavarian inspector—
the high wages received by young workers [under 16] in the war industries in many
cases resulted not in an improvement of the economic conditions of the worker or his
family, but in frequent drinking bouts and other unnecessary expenses.
The working of both sexes in close proxim ity, taking place to a
much larger extent than before, combined w ith the general excite
m ent of w ar time and the lack of supervision caused by the scarcity
of foremen, often brought about undesirable conditions which were
the subject of serious complaint. This was particularly true where
both boys and girls were employed at night.
During the w ar large num bers of children, attracted by the high
wages and opportunities for amusement, left their small country
towns or villages to go to work in large cities.
The moving to the large city, the separation from family influences, the pleasures
of city life, and the high wages resulted naturally in a loosening of family ties, large
expenditures for drinking and similar purposes, boisterousness, coarseness, and
insubordination.7 * * *
In a num ber of cities the local authorities issued orders prescribing
compulsory savings by young workers or requiring the paym ent of
their wages to their parents, b u t the reports almost unanim ously
agree th a t such measures were ineffective in checking these tendencies.
The chief inspector of Düsseldorf, in summ ing up his sym pathetic,
bu t nevertheless pessimistic, account of the conduct of the children,
concludes:
And so the young people [under 16] grew up, some of them barely out of school,
left to themselves more or less; and the work in the factories among adults of both
sexes, who in their conversation and behavior usually paid little attention to the
young people working beside them, often exercised a moral influence by no means
favorable.11
Industrial Accidents to Working Children.
IN TIM E of peace the German law prohibiting the em ploym ent of
A children on dangerous machines was so strictly enforced th a t
industrial accidents among workers under 16 were alm ost unknown,
b u t during the war, according to the testim ony of factory inspectors,
the num ber of child victims of industrial accidents increased to a
very considerable extent. Many of the inspectors complain th a t
20 idem , p a rt 1, p. 932.
21 Idem , p a rt 1, p. 720.
7 Idem , p a rt 3, p. 53.
11 Idem , p a rt 1, p. 980.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 14 ]
E F F E C T OF T H E W AR OH W O R K IN G C H IL D R E N I N G ERM A N Y .
15
the young workers employed on or near machines failed to realize
the danger or to understand the im portance of following instructions;
they agree, however, th a t this lack of care was the natu ral result of
youth. According to the chief inspector of Saxony—the experience with young people [as regards industrial accidents] was less satis"
factory [than with young women] because they often lack steadiness and the nec
essary seriousness and at times brought about fatal accidents through their extreme
carelessness.23
A nother inspector attributes the increase of industrial accidents to
ignorance on the p a rt of young workers of the danger of carelessness;
for instance, they often attem pted to clean machines in m otion or
thoughtlessly came too near rapidly moving driving belts or driving
shafts. One girl lost her right arm in attem pting to p u t the belt on a
moving wheel. Two boys lost their lives while trying to p u t on driving
belts by hand, contrary to orders. A third boy was caught by th e
machine while putting the belt on a moving" shaft and received
serious injuries. In several cases girls w ith uncovered hair, or
wearing loose clothing or aprons w ith strings, were caught in moving
machines. One boy was severely injured by the bursting of an
emery wheel from which he had removed the protecting cover.
The em ploym ent of young people a t work to which they were n o t
accustomed also resulted in m any accidents. For instance, a boy
under 16, who was taking care of a kneading machine, put his hands
into the machine to free it from the obstructing dough; the knives
cut off the fingers of his left hand. While moving heavy barrels
filled w ith hot jam a boy had his hands and feet badly burned when
he upset a barrel.
In the great industrial center of Düsseldorf, Prussia—
it was repeatedly observed that the number of young boys who were victims of
industrial accidents was strikingly large. This was due to their increased employ
ment in the dangerous fire-process establishments and in machine work, where their
lack of attention and their thoughtlessness and playfulness, characteristic of youth,
produced especially serious results.21
Similar testim ony comes from Bavaria, where—
the employment of women on dangerous work usually performed by men resulted
in a considerable increase of accidents among women. To a still greater extent this
is true of young workers [under 16].25
The employment of young workers under 16 underground in mines,
in norm al times prohibited by law, b u t perm itted throughout Ger
m any during the war, was also “ one of the reasons for the consider
able increase in the num ber of industrial accid en ts/’ 23
The following comm ent by the inspector for Hesse is typical of
the situation throughout Germany:
Persons under 16 were frequently put to work on dangerous machines and were
ordered to carry out operations for which independent judgment, concentration,
experience, and calm reasoning were particularly necessary—qualities which one
can not expect to find in a child under 16 to the same degree as in a mature person.
The result was a number of accidents, some of them serious, which could be ascribed
partly to lack of experience and heedlessness, but which could have been avoided
by the exercise of careful judgment and would have been prevented by older, ex
perienced, and cautious workers.26
23 Idem , p a rt 3, p. 59.
25 Idem , p a rt 2, p. 28.
26 Idem , p a rt 6, p. 79.
24Idem, p a rt 1, p. 982.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 15 ]
16
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
Health of Working Children.
rT 'H E far-reaching changes in industrial and economic conditions
* brought about by the w ar undoubtedly affected injuriously the
health of the working children. Numerous statem ents to this effect
were m ade in the Germ an press, and even com paratively early in the
w ar agitation was going on in favor of repealing the w ar emergency
law o? August 4, 1914, previously referred to. In March, 1916, a
petition asking for its repeal was subm itted to the Reichstag by the
Social Democratic W omen of Germany and the women’s d epart
m ent of the General Commission of Trade-Unions of Germany. The
petition asserted th a t—Gainful employment of women, young persons, and children has increased to an
unforeseen extent. Many thousands of women and children of both sexes are to a
very considerable extent engaged in overtime, night, and Sunday work. This over
strain, combined with underfeeding due to the exceedingly high cost of living and the
scarcity of many food articles, has disastrous effects on their health. * * * These
conditions unfortunately have an especially unfavorable effect on young workers
who are not fully developed physically. Furthermore, constant overfatigue, which
leads to a loss of strength and injury to health, also accelerates the advent of invalidity
and increases the danger of accidents.27
Corroborating statem ents from physicians were appended.
Some of the factory inspectors, w ith the caution and im partiality
thought becoming to official investigators, claim th a t it is impossi
ble to m ake a definite statem ent concerning the effect of war-time
industrial em ploym ent of children on their health. Many others,
however, found num erous indications of a deterioration in the h e a lth
of youthful workers due to w ar conditions.
In the district of H anover—
an increase in the frequency of diseases due to cold and exposures was observed during
the war; the duration of these diseases also became longer, and the cases as a rule
were more serious than in peace time. Especially frequent was sickness among
women and young workers under 16. * * * The lack of fats in the diet also aggra
vated this condition in a number of cases. In addition, the factories, overcrowded
with machines and workers, made greater demands on their power of resistance.28
In the district of Hildesheim, the young workers—
frequently had to perform hard physical work beyond their strength. Undoubtedly
their health was also affected by the overtime work which was especially frequent in
the first years of the war, in most cases without authorization. As the Avar went on
overtime decreased, but in the evening and night Avork there arose new causes of
injury to the health of the workers, especially young persons.29
In this district also, as in Hanover, the overcrowding of the work
shops, especially in the m unition industry, and the insufficient num
ber of toilets, dressing rooms, and wash rooms are given as contribut
ing factors. The chief inspector of Coblenz found th a t—
because of the strenuous work, night shifts, and insufficient food, the young workers’
health and physical development suffered, as was plainly evident in their entire
oearing.30
In Cologne children under 16 were engaged in night work, which,
according to the inspector, “ could not be carried on over an ex
tended period w ithout injury to their health .” In the district of
27 B ulletin des In te rn a tio n a le n A rbeitsam tes, 1916, p. 239.
23 Jahresberichte der G ew erbeaufsichtsbeam ten u n d B ergbehörden fü r die Jahre 1914-1918, p a rt 1, p. 646.
29 Idem , p a rt 1, p. 668.
so Idem , p a rt 1, p. 932.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 16]
E F F E C T OF T H E W AR OH W O R K IN G C H IL D R E N I N G ERM A N Y .
17
Arnsberg it is said th a t no data are available concerning special
injury to the health of young persons, except in the m anufacture of
explosives; b u t from this—
it does not follow that the unhealthful mode of life of many young workers funder 16
years of age] will not result later in unfavorable consequences or serious injury to their
health.31
Much more definite is the statem ent made by the head of the lower
B avaria inspection district:
th e long duration of the war, the constantly deteriorating food conditions, and the
frequent overtime, night, and Sunday work, affected particularly unfavorably the
growing children, numbers of whom were obviously retarded in their physical develop
ment.32
Em ploym ent in harm ful or dangerous industries was also an impor
ta n t factor in causing injury to children’s health. In normal times
they were excluded from all such work, and even the adult workers
were protected by special measures. B ut during the war children
were employed in large num bers in the m unition factories, where they
were exposed to various harm ful substances, and in unhealthful or
harm ful occupations in other industries.
The report for Saxony, in discussing the situation, sta te s :
. To this [general insanitary conditions] must he added the employment of children
m work exposing them to excessive heat or harmful gases, as, for instance, at the ovens
or in dipping processes in pottery or enamel works. Under the pressure of circumstances, the efforts of the factory inspectors to keep young persons away from such
work could have only partial success.
As to the general question of the workers’ health we find from the
same account th a t—
nearly all the fac tory inspectors agree that the war period had a serious effect on the
health and physical efficiency of the workers, although it is very difficult to express
this effect in figures. * * * With the third year of the war their physical efficiency
began to decrease constantly, and exhaustion and the effects of underfeeding became
more apparent, in spite of factory kitchens, arrangements by the employers for sup
plying food, and large increases in wages.33
31 Idem , p a rt 1, p. 836.
32 Idem , p a rt 2, p. 68.
33 Idem , p a rt 3, pp. 68-70.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 17 ]
IN D U STRIA L R EL A T IO N S A N D LA B O R CO ND ITIO NS.
Employee Representation in the American Multigraph Co.
H E American M ultigraph Co., located a t Cleveland, Ohio, em
ploys approxim ately 1,000 workmen. ‘‘From our earliest
days,” says the company, “ we have by means of talks, charts,
and pam phlets, endeavored to show our men the correct relationship
between capital and labor and the p a rt th a t they as individuals play
in the world of business.” As a p a rt of this campaign of education
the employee representation scheme was introduced on M arch 1, 1919.
For about a year prior to the installation of this plan the com pany
had been giving a “ general shop efficiency course,” so-called. This
course, which was given to a group of about 200 men, who stayed
after hours to take it, covered various phases of the business as well
as industrial relations, and included a discussion of employee rep
resentation. In this way the employees were educated to the idea.
Following this course several informal committees were appointed to
investigate existing forms of employee representation ana to report.
The scheme decided upon as best suited to the com pany’s needs
was the Federal shop comm ittee scheme (the so-called Leitch plan) /
adapted to m eet the peculiar needs of the establishm ent. U nder
this scheme there are three separate bodies created w ithin the com
p an y ’s working organization, known respectively as the cabinet, the
senate, and the congress. The first two bodies represent the firm,
the last nam ed the employees.
The employees’ congress is subdivided into 15 working committees
whose duties involve the preparation and presentation to the em
ployees’ congress of all measures affecting the particular work which
they have in charge.
These committees are as follows:
T
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Employment and discharge.
Education and publications. _
Wages, rates, and compensation.
Health, sanitation, and safety.
Economies, suggestions, and improve
ments in the company product.
6. Rules, procedure, and elections.
7. Production control.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Time and motion study.
Spoiled work.
Machinery and tools.
Entertainment.
Attendance and tardiness.
Miscellaneous complaints.
Sales cooperation.
Special 8-hour committee.
Committee meetings are held as frequently as necessary. Arrange
m ents for the m eetings are m ade early enough to enable the secretary
(the head of the industrial relations departm ent) to be in attendance
and record the m inutes. All com m ittee meetings, both official and
unofficial, are held in the general assembly rooms of the com pany or
such other place as the secretary of the congress m ay designate. _
In each departm ent there is elected an individual whose d u ty it is
to gather m aterial for the congress and to in terp ret rulings of the
R
1 The distinguishing features of th e L eitch shop com m ittee p la n were given in th e MONTHLY LABOR
, A ugust, 1918, p p . 180-184, an d N ovem ber, 1919, p . 232.
e v ie w
18
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[18]
E M PL O Y EE R E PR E SE N T A T IO N .
19
congress to the employees of th a t departm ent. These representa
tives are w ithout vote in the congress, b u t have the right to appear
before any comm ittee for the purpose of testifying or presenting
evidence or testim ony from a departm ent.
The plan has now been in operation for more than two years. I t
operated successfully during the business boom and it is successfully
weathering the business depression. The company has furnished
this bureau w ith details of considerable interest concerning the two
outstanding features in the development of its plan, nam ely, the
reduction of hours from 10 to 8 w ithout loss of production, and the
successful operation of the scheme through the business depression.
An official of the company thus describes the introduction of the
eight-hour day:
The Eight-hour Day.
Shortly after the adoption of our plan, the employees, through congress, stated
that they desired to work eight hours a day, basing their request on the promise that
they could and would produce as much work in eight hours as they did in 10. They
also promised that if after a six months’ test production records showed a falling off
in production standards as based, they, the employees, would be willing to return to
a nine-hour workday at the same rate of pay.
Company conditions were investigated in detail by a specially appointed committee
from congress known as the eight-hour committee. They delved into matters of
production, inventory, overhead, manufacturing cost, productive and nonproductive
labor, materials, production control, and operations of all kinds. The economic
aspect was considered by them to the extent that their report in the final analysis
was indicative of a professional analyst’s work, and showed the management many
matters of improvement which had been overlooked through routine and detail work.
The report in itself was of much advantage to the firm and was accepted in its entirety
by congress. _ Congress then passed the measure along to the cabinet, who reinvesti
gated conditions as stated by the employees, and suggested in turn that the employees
go on a test basis of a nine-hour day with the same amount of pay, and if successful
after a three months’ trial, the eight-hour day go into effect with the same amount of
pay as had formerly been received for 10 hours, providing that production was
maintained or increased above the standards of the 10-hour day. This the employees
agreed to do and fulfilled to the letter.
After the management had accepted the suggestions from this committee as to
production improvements (production quotas were set for a monthly output with
the belief that as much work could be performed in nine hours as was being done in
10, and at less expense) the employees produced the required quotas.
As soon as quotas were made, the senate voted that the plant accept the congress
recommendation of a nine-hour working day and that it be initiated as a basis of
determining the possibilities of a future eight-hour day. This was done with the
same daily wage applying as wras received for the 10-hour working day. With this
change in hours came increased production at less expense. This was shown by the
congressional committee on eight hours in their final investigation. This committee
has unceasingly shown the employees and the management the value of cooperation
in all matters regarding the manufacturing of our product. This work has been of
great help to the company in bettering conditions for the employees, who at all times
reap the benefits of the constructive workings of congress.
We have been on an eight-hour workday since May, 1920. During this time the
employees have maintained production quotas as set, so long as conditions were in
their power to maintain them. Retrenchment activities and production require
ments have at times curtailed production, which of course was not the fault of the
employees. At the present time we have no thought of any kind to have the eighthour workday discontinued, and we hope that conditions will be such that it will be
maintained.
As to the operation of the plan during the business depression, the
company says:
Operation D uring Business Depression.
The real measure of the work of an employees’ congress, however, is found not in
what it does when times are good but rather in its record during a period of depression.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 19 ]
20
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
Many industrial democracies were born during the war period on a rising labor market
when conditions were most favorable to their success. The great test, however, is
now in progress and many managers are awaiting its results with keen interest.
I t was to be expected that any organization of employees would vote for and accept
gracefully any measure that increased wages or reduced working hours without loss
to the workers, but how would such an organization react when economic conditions
made retrenchment necessary? That was the question.
Our employees’ congress answered this question in a very fair and satisfactory
manner. I t became necessary for us to reduce the hours of work from six days a week,
44-2 hours working time, to five days a week, 40 hours working time, and to reduce
the force by about 20 per cent. Each of these moves was made after a committee of
the employees’ congress had gone into the matter thoroughly and concurred with the
management in the course taken.
In the case of the men laid off, three lists were prepared—one list from the produc
tion records of the company, one list from the general impression of the foremen, and
another list prepared by the wage and_rates_committee, who, then, meeting jointly
with the management, discussed each individual name and why it did, or did not,
belong to the lay-off list. In this way we have accomplished a shrinkage and the
men themselves were able to suggest just who should or should not be affected.
A further retrenchment becoming necessary, a committee from congress was called
into conference with the cabinet and presented with facte and figures pertaining to
relationship of production and sales. After a full discussion and study of the facts
presented, the committee made a brief investigation of inventories of raw and process
material and finished stock which, as shown, was increasing to a point that was caus
ing us to borrow large amounts of money to finance. This committee then reported
their findings to congress, which in substance were that in justice to the owners of
the company the only recommendation they could make was a complete shutdown
of the plant until such a time as the abnormal inventories could be sold.
Upon receipt of this report by congress it was approved and passed on to the cabinet.
The cabinet in turn offered the alternative of a three-day week without change of
hourly rates, with the thought of maintaining as much of the organization as possible.
This was in turn approved by congress and put into effect.
_
The value of handling a matter in this way can not be overestimated. The investi
gations and reports of workmen carry weight with their coworkers and stimulate con
fidence in the management. The men realized they were getting the best deal
possible under the existing circumstances.
I t later became necessary to figure further retrenchment, _due to reduced output
and heavy overhead. Graphic charts were prepared showing in detail actual financial
conditions of the company. These charts showed receipts from gross sales of prod
ucts, sales of securities, sales of capital assets, borrowed money, etc. They also
showed all disbursements, such as factory pay roll, office pay roll, purchases, market
ing costs, taxes, repayment of borrowed money, dividends and interests; illustrating
graphically how the company was depleting its liquid capital by building up an
inventory unnecessarily, the factory pay roll and purchase of raw material being
large factors of our outgo.
These different items were so charted that they showed the relation between the
cash income and outgo for each month of the company’s^ 1920 operations. ( harts
were also made up showing actual inventories of raw materials, stocks in process and
in finished stores, also at the company branches. Inventories and sales were shown
for a period of 10 years, and the increase of inventory in relation to sales for 1920 was
very evident.
. .
Statements of manufacturing cost were given with figures showing increases or de
creases of hours necessary to produce our different products. Also the percentage of
hourly increase in wages, increase in raw material and overhead spread o\er a term
of six years; in fact, all possible information regarding the operation of the company’s
business was given to congress for investigation. The best available figures showing'
reduction in living costs in Cleveland were given to the men, all of which showed
the justice and necessity of reducing hourly rates.
It was finally recommended by cabinet to congress that the company change from
a three-day week to full-time basis of 447, hours per week, with an average wage re
duction of 20 per cent. It was found from cost figures that the three-day week was
an uneconomic basis of operation due to the high fixed overhead which could not be
eliminated. Also on the three-day week the men were earning a weekly rate of slightly
over 50 per cent of their full-time rate, whereas by working the full time with a 20
per cent cut their weekly pay would amount to considerable more.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[20]
LABOR U N R E S T IN CANADA.
21
The wages and rates committee obtained all information needed for reclassifying
the men according to efficiency and length of service. The committee then estab
lished classifications for the work being performed. The worker’s individual case
was then taken up and all workers were placed in classifications according to rating
made. Length of service automatically determined how near the maximum rate the
worker would be paid.
In some cases, due to reducing the working force, assistant foremen were put back
on the bench or machines from which they had been previously advanced; in which
case their weekly reduction was in excess of 20 per cent, due to their having to take
the regular bench or machine rate. In other cases the reduction was not as much as
20 per cent, due to individual conditions. However, the average cut in the factory
pay roll after reclassification by the committee was approximately 18 per cent.
While no one likes to have his income reduced, our men were so thoroughly in
formed of the conditions that made a wage reduction necessary that it was accepted
in a spirit of fairness as a result of their knowledge of the facts."
The employee plan is only a factor in the com pany’s educational
scheme. In this connection the company says:
In our case our campaign of education was running for more than a year before we
said anything about any system of employee representation. Our plan came as a
factor in a whole campaign to have men understand what they were doing and why.
Never has it dominated the situation—and we hope it never will.
Labor Unrest in Canada.1
By
Maky
T.
7a g g a m a n .
W
ITH O U T full recognition of the economic bonds which unite
the nations there would be something of a sense of surprise
in finding in Canada—th a t democratic Dominion with its vast
agricultural areas, its great forests, and enormous mineral wealth—•
m any of the postw ar causes of industrial discontent, even though
they have far less intensity and scope than in various other nations.
Yet this land of opportunity—extending over 3,000 miles from east
to west and 700 miles irom north to south, w ith a population of
only about 8,000,000 and w ith only two cities, Toronto and Montreal,
having more th an 300,000 inhabitants—has also been affected by the
dearth of economic goods resulting from the war, has been burdened
by national debts, and has had to grapple w ith the difficulties aris
ing from an expansion of currency and of credit.
The Canadian industrial workers, particularly the returned soldiers,
have, along w ith so m any thousands of the workers of the world, felt
the nerve-racking strain of war, have known the democracy of
common danger and catastrophe, and are conscious of the im portant
share they had in bringing about victory. This experience in itself
would seem to make for readier dissatisfaction at any real or apparent
W
1 T he d a te on w hich th is article is based w ere secured from th e C anadian M unicipal Journal, F e b ru a ry
1921, M ontreal; C anada’s W ar Efforts, 1914-1918, issued b y tile D irector of P u b lic Inform ation, O ttaw a
C hristian Science M onitor, A pr. 23, 1921; C onservation of Life, A pril, 1918, a nd J an u a ry , 1919; In d u s tria l
Canada, Ju ly , 1920, Toronto; L abor O verseas, London; M odern Democracies, b y Jam es B ryce (V iscount
B ryce), vol. I , London, 1921; M o n t h l y L a b o b R e v i e w ; N ew Y o rk E v ening P ost, Ju n e 10,1912- Proceedmgs of th e F o rtieth A n n u al Convention of th e A m erican F ed eration of L abor, 1920; Q u arterly of
the N ational H ousing Association, A pril, 1921; R etraining of C anada’s D isabled Soldiers, b y W alter E .
Segsworth, M. E ., O ttaw a, 1920; The A m erican L abor Legislation R eview , M arch, 1921, New Y orkfine C anada Y ear Book; T he In d u stria l B anner, Toronto, Ja n u a ry 21 a nd May 6, 1921; T he New
D emocracy, Mar. 3, 1921 H am ilton, Canada; Tow n Planning a n d Conservation of Life, July-S eptem ber,
1920, O ttaw a; and from th e following rep o rts of th e C anadian D ep artm en t of L abor: A n n u a l R ep o rts for
1915, 1919, and 1920; B ui. No. 3, In d u stria l relations series, Jo in t Conference of th e B uilding C onstruction
Industries in Canada, O ttaw a, May 3-6, 1921; N in th and T en th A n n u al R eports on L abor O rganization.
1919 a nd 1920; R eport of Conference on In d u stria l R elations, O ttaw a, Feb. 21 and 22, 1921; a nd The
L abor Gazette.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[21]
22
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
economic injustice, especially in view of the m any revolutionary
social theories current, and in the face of the high cost of living, actual
or impending wage reductions, unem ploym ent, and a housing shortage.
Causes of Labor Unrest.
High Cost of Living.
FA ESPITE Canada’s various efforts at food control, the cost of the
necessities of life m ounted discouragingly from 1914 to 1920.
The cost per week of a fam ity budget of staple foods, fuel, and lighting
and rent, in term s of the average prices in 60 Canadian cities, was
$14.39 in March, 1914; in March, 1917, $17.16; and in March, 1920,
$25.01. In February, 1921, there was some decrease, the budget
then averaging $24.85, and in April, 1921, it had gone down to
$23.31.
While the high cost of living in Canada has been and is a problem
to be reckoned with, the situation has not been so difficult as in a
num ber of the other countries affected by the war. F or example,
taking 100 as the base for July, 1914, the Canadian retail food index
num ber in November, 1920, was only 206, while th a t of the U nited
Kingdom was 291. The French retail food index num ber had more
than quadrupled w ithin approxim ately the same period. The retail
food index num ber for the U nited Kingdom for April, 1921, was 238,
while th a t for Canada was only 171. In any international statistical
comparisons allowances should, of course, be m ade for the varying
bases and m ethods of com putation as well as differing depreciations
in currency.
Reduction of Wages.
In Canada as in other countries there is controversy as to how
closely wages have followed the cost of living. The index num bers
of average weekly and hourly rates of wages for 21 classes of employ
m ent for 1920 are considerably below the Canadian average retail
food index for th a t year, b u t it m ust be rem embered th a t wage rate
indexes, w ith disregard of overtime and underem ploym ent, only
partially picture the pay envelope.
Toward the close of 1920 there were rumors of wage reductions,
which were followed by more definite statem ents in the beginning of
the new year. For example, the press reported early in Jan u ary th a t
employers were demanding 15 to 20 per cent reductions in wages in
O ttaw a because of the decline in food costs. I t was decided to reduce
the wages of miners at Cobalt 75 cents a day on F ebruary 15, such
decision affecting about 900 men. In March 1,000 garm ent workers,
after a strike, accepted a wage reduction of $4 a week for men and
$3 for women. The proposed wage cut in this case had been $7 and
$6 per week. Prelim inary steps have been taken to reduce wages 12
per cent on Canadian railways on Ju ly 1, 1921. A study of the
causes of recent strikes indicates a shift from demands for increases
in wages to protests against wage reductions. According to the May
6, 1921, issue of the Ind u strial Banner, the official organ of organized
labor of Ontario, the workers from coast to coast are “ showing a
m ilitant spirit of resistance to wage cuts.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 22 ]
LABOR U N R E S T IN
CANADA.
23
Unemployment.
In June, 1918, less th an six m onths before the signing of the arm i
stice, although only 0.41 per cent of unem ploym ent was reported by
the Canadian trade-unions it was feared th a t the retu rn of the
expeditionary forces would create a serious unem ploym ent situation.
The process of reabsorption of discharged soldiers and w ar workers
into peace-time pursuits was m uch more successful in Canada th an in
some of the other allied countries w ith their great congestion of
population and more vital industrial derangements. Even in Feb
ruary, 1919, the percentage of unem ploym ent among trade-union
members, as shown by trade-union reports, was only 5.23, which is
the highest peak from th a t tim e up to October, 1920, when the per
centage was 6.09 and in December, 1920, 13.05— about two and a
half tim es as great as in February, 1919.
According to returns from 5,000 firms, the general employment
average declined during December, 1920, and a t the close of the year
75,000 more m en were out of employment than normally during th a t
season, the clothing, leather, rubber, and tim ber workers being notably
affected. The Canadian Labor Gazette of January, 1921 (p. 47),
reported th a t it was estim ated 17,000 were unemployed in Toronto
and from 6,000 to 8,000 in Vancouver. In M anitoba and northern
Ontario operations in m any of the lumber camps had ceased. On
Janu ary 3, the executive council of the Trades and Labor Congress
of Canada circularized its affiliated unions on the unem ploym ent
problem, stating th a t the distress was more serious than th a t caused
by unem ploym ent in 1914 because of the lower purchasing power of
the dollar. Recommendations were m ade th a t union members use
their influence to have public works inaugurated; to cooperate in the
carrying out of Government relief measures, and to impress employers
w ith the urgent necessity of retaining as great a num ber of workers
as possible by reducing hours.
Unlike the United Kingdom, Italy, and A ustria, Canada has no
compulsory insurance against unem ploym ent; and among the sug
gestions m ade by this executive council was the creation of a State
em ploym ent insurance fund by assessing industries, the fund to be
contributed to both by the Dominion and Provincial Governments.
At the beginning of March, 1921, the percentage of unemployment
among trade-union members had risen to 16.12 and at the beginning
of April to 16.48.
Housing Shortage.
The workers’ houses in the industrial sections of the cities in Canada
were by no m eans satisfactory prior to 1914, b u t from 1915 to 1918
the housing problem became more and more serious, the Government
having undertaken no housing projects during the w ar and the high
prices of building m aterials and labor having discouraged private
enterprise in the Dominion, as elsewhere. The conditions in m any of
the towns threatened the health and welfare of the citizens. U nder
the Dominion housing project of 1919, which will be discussed later
under “ Governmental action,” the situation has improved, not
w ithstanding the delays and difficulties in taking advantage of the
Government loans. So great, however, is the shortage in Canada of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[23]
M O N T H L Y LABOR REV IEW .
buildings, both public and private, th a t it is estim ated it would take
$780,000,000 to m eet the norm al requirem ents of the country. I t is
officially reported th a t 158,000 homes are needed. In 1920 approxi
m ately 70,000 couples were m arried in Canada, and only 11,117
houses built, the shortage of dwellings on this account alone being
nearly 59,000.
Manifestations of L abor Unrest.
Strikes and Lockouts.
TH E strike is one of the m ost acute m anifestations of labor
unrest, a brief survey of Canada’s recent record in this regard
will serve in a way to measure the more dynam ic discontent of the
workers during thè periods indicated. In 1917 there were 148 strikes
and lockouts as against only 44, 43, and 75 in the three preceding
years, respectively, and the resulting tim e lost th a t year was 1,134,970
working days. Y et even in days of peace there had been more severe
time losses due to strikes, for m 1911 there was a loss of more than
2,000,000 working days.
In 1918 the num ber of strikes and lockouts rose to 196, the highest
num ber in a period of 18 years, y e t the days lost were only 763,341.
These controversies were spread over various industries, m arkedly
shipbuilding and the m etal trades. The strikes and lockouts of 1919
num ber 298, involving 138,988 persons and a tim e loss of approxi
m ately 4,000,000 working days, an estim ated num ber of over
1,154,000 of these days being the result of the W innipeg strike.
T h e W in n ip e g g e n e r a l s t r i k e .—The Winnipeg general strike, the
gravest industrial disturbance in the Dominion either during or since
the war, involving over 40,000 persons, began on May 15, 1919, as a
sym pathetic strike in support of workers in the m etal trades who had
struck on May 1 for an increase of wages and a 44-hour week. The
general strike developed into a b attle to enforce the collective bar
gaining principle, the refusal to concede which was regarded as a blow
to labor organization. The deputy m inister of labor of Canada, in
his 1920 report, states th a t:
Telegraphic, telephonic, and postal communication was practically suspended.
Newspapers were forced to cease publication. Barely sufficient waterworks employees
were left on duty to maintain 30 pounds’ pressure, reckoned to be enough to supply
one-story houses in which, it was assumed, the workers mostly dwelt. The police,
recently unionized and dissatisfied, were also among the ranks of the strikers, after
being discharged for adhering to the union and the sympathetic strike principle.
Hospitals lacked milk. There were no ice deliveries and the weather was hot. Bread
and other foods threatened to run short. As a concession to safety, a limited supply
of bread and milk was delivered and placarded as “ By permission of the strike com
mittee.”
These conditions led to the organizing of the Citizens’ Committee
of One Thousand, which undertook to furnish volunteer workers for
public utilities. Parades were prohibited by “ civic proclam ation,”
but this was not effectual and recourse was had to the Royal N orth
west Mounted Police. A rio t ensued in which one m an was killed
and 30 persons injured. A ttem pts a t m ediation were futile and
sym pathetic strikes (of a somewhat m ilder form, however) were
inaugurated in various cities of western Canada, even the m etal
trades in Toronto beino; affected. In the fifth week of the strike a
num ber of the labor leaders were arrested, in m ost cases being charged
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[24]
LABOR U N R E S T IN
CANADA.
25
with conspiracy against the Government or sedition, and several were
convicted and sentenced to im prisonm ent. Facing a hostile public
opinion, the strikers, toward the end of June, showed a tendency to
return to work, and on June 26 announcem ent was m ade th a t the
strike was “ declared off.” Hon. H. A. Robson, of the Royal Com
mission, appointed to investigate this industrial disturbance, reported
th a t—The strike was an attempt by direct action to secure the demand of labor. The
general leadership in Winnipeg was dominant even to the extent of producing inde
pendent action by men whose union heads were elsewhere.
A nother large strike in 1919 involved the coal mines in D istrict
No. 18 in A lberta and southern B ritish Columbia, entailing a time
loss of 462,879 days. I t is estim ated th a t Canada’s producers lost
$100,060,000 by the strikes of 1919.
In 1920 there were 285 strikes and lockouts, or only 13 less than
in 1919, b u t the num ber of persons affected in the later year was less
than 40 per cent of the num ber affected in 1919 and the tim e loss
only 22 per cent of th a t of 1919. Y et there were some strikes of
considerable im portance in 1920, among them a strike for an increase
of wages, involving 2,000 shipyard workers a t H alifax which lasted
from Juno 1 to August 11 and resulted unfavorably for them ; a strike
for increase ot wages and reduction of hours, involving over 2,000
power developm ent workers on the Chippewa canal project, which
lasted from June 19 to July 12, and resulted in a compromise; and a
strike for union recognition, involving over 3,000 A lberta miners,
which lasted from October 5 to 19 and resulted unfavorably for them .
One hundred and twenty-five of the strikes and lockouts in 1920 ter
m inated favorably for the employers, 66 favorably for the employees;
69 were compromises, and 25 were indefinite or n o t term inated. One
hundred and ninety-eight involved demands for increased wages and
7 were against wage reductions. The first quarter of 1921 shows
considerably smaller time losses from strikes than the first qu arter of
1920. More than one-half of the strikes of the first three m onths of
the present year were against a reduction of wages, the largest strike
due to this cause during th a t tim e being among the garm ent workers
of Ham ilton, Ontario, and lasting from F ebruary 23 to March 10.
As already suggested, the validity of international comparisons of
social and economic statistics is questionable, b u t such comparisons
furnish rough approxim ations th a t are n o t w ithout interest. Such
an approxim ation is given in a table in the 1920 Annual R eport of the
D epartm ent of Labor of Canada, which shows the num ber of strikes
in 17 different countries for the first half of th a t year, together with
the num ber of employees affected. In proportion to its population
Canada holds the highest record for industrial peace, though it m ust
be remembered th a t the Dominion is largely an agricultural country.
A considerable additional am ount of labor unrest would be revealed
by a study of the cases involving discordant industrial relations
which were settled before an open rupture occurred.
Other Manifestations of Labor Unrest.
The rise and fall of labor union membership, the changing character
of labor organizations and the resolutions and recom mendations of
labor union congresses are closely correlated w ith labor unrest and
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 25 ]
26
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
m ay more or less be regarded as symptom s of its varying scope and
intensity.
C h a n g e s i n la b o r - u n io n m e m b e r s h i p .—In 1914 and 1915 there was
a decline of 32,456 in trade-union membership, a fact attrib u ted
p artly to recruiting, partly to m any Canadians taking up m unitions
work in England, and p artly to the industrial depression which imme
diately preceded the war. In the next three years the increase was
105,544, bringing the total up to 248,887. In 1919 the membership
figure reached 378,047, b u t fell again in 1920 to 373,842. The follow
ing table shows labor-union membership, by groups, for 1919 and
1920:
1919
L abor union.
J n f.q p T iiU .jm iiil
N T rm jn t n r n n .f i o n n l
L n ri pjv p rn i p n t .s
N ational r t v i f 'o t .h n l i l
Opp f fle r r j n j n n
Tntal
1920
...... ................................... ............... - ...................................................
..............................................................................................................................
............................................................ .........................................................
.................................................................................................................................
260,247
33,372
8,278
35,000
41,150
267,247
25,406
31,189
45,000
i 5,000
.............................................................................
378,047
373,842
.............. -
............................................................................
1 E stim ated.
I t is estim ated th a t the one big union in 1920 lost over 36,000 mem
bers. In all b u t one of the other labor organizations, however, mem
bership had increased. The change in classification of the Canadian
Brotherhood of Railroad Employees from noninternational to in ter
national increased the la tte r class by 7,000. I t will be^ noted th at
both the Independents and the N ational and Catholic Unions made
substantial gains in 1920.
I n t e r u n i o n p r o b le m s .—Canadian trade-unionism has, since the war,
tended to become more complex and heterogeneous. _ The Trades and
Labor Congress of Canada, the largest labor body in the Dominion,
w ith a m em bership of 173,463, is affiliated w ith the American Fed
eration of Labor, to which it concedes the right to deal with jurisdic
tional controversies, while the Federation in tu rn acknowledges the
congress as “ the mouthpiece of Canadian organized labor in dealing
w ith legislative m atte rs.”
I t is reported, however, th a t there has been in some quarters a
nationalist trend among those who are inclined to see the drawbacks
rather than the benefits of international bonds.
According to official reports, the Catholic trade-union m ovem ent in
Canada has made considerable advance since 1918, the membership
in 1920 reaching 45,000, as shown by the preceding table. These
unions have no connection w ith the Trades and Labor Congress. In
fact, the congress since 1902 has refused to grant national unions
recognition where international unions exist in the same craft. There
is a national Central Trades Council of the D istrict of Quebec, com
posed of Catholic unions whose constitutions emphasize the religious
viewpoint.
I t is reported th a t international organizers who have gone to
Quebec have run counter to those who favored the Catholic bodies,
m ost of which are made up of syndicates or local branches of workers
in crafts over which jurisdiction was claimed by the international
unions. These interunion difficulties in a measure reflect the racial
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[26 ]
LABOR U N R E S T IN
CANADA.
27
and religious cleavages between the French-speaking and Englishspeaking Canadians which are frequently felt in Dominion affairs.
Viscount Bryce, however, in his Modern Democracies, reports (p. 524)
th a t on various questions not concerned w ith race or religion “ English
speakers are in accord w ith French speakers—non-Catholics with
Catholics.”
W hile proposals to establish industrial unionism in C anada had
before the war been the subject of debate and resolutions, it was not
until March, 1919, at a m eeting at Calgary of labor representatives
from four W estern Canadian Provinces, th a t the plan for one big
union was actually put in operation. This was followed by a refer
endum among the Dominion trade-unions both in the east and in the
west on the adoption of this new form of organization. Five propa
ganda bulletins were issued and funds solicited to carry on the cam
paign. A num ber of international unions took away the charters of
their local bodies because the la tte r contributed to the new m ovement.
It is reported th a t m any of the international unionists believed th a t
the one big union promoters had chosen the postw ar period as a
particularly fitting time to stim ulate secession from the international
body. I t was thought by some th a t this endeavor was p a rt of a
larger scheme to wreck international trade-unionism on the N orth
American C ontinent. The one big union secured m any followers in
W estern Canada, among them the Vancouver Trades and Labor
Council, the Metalliferous Miners of B ritish Columbia, the organized
coal miners of Crows Nest Pass, form erly members of D istrict No. 18
of the U nited Mine W orkers of America, the Trades and Labor Coun
cil of Prince R upert, and several W innipeg trade-unions.
The progress of the one big union in E astern C anada was only
sporadic, and in 1920 it was estim ated from inform ation received
from various sources by the D epartm ent of Labor of C anada th a t the
membership was reduced more than 87 per cent.
L a b o r u n i o n c o n v e n tio n tr e n d s .—The W estern Canada Labor Con
ference, held a t Calgary, March 3, 1919, not onl}?- launched the one
big union, as has already been stated, b u t adopted w ithout discussion
a resolution subm itted by the British Columbia Federation of Labor,
declaring the convention’s “ full acceptance of the principle of ‘prole
ta ria t dictatorship ’ as being absolute and efficient for the transform a
tion of capitalistic private property to communal w ealth.” A nother
approved resolution demanded a six-hour day, five days a week. I t
was also proposed, “ the interests of all members of the international
working class being identical, th a t the conference recognize no alien
b u t the capitalist.”
There seems to have been a more conservative spirit at the conven
tion of the one big union in January, 1920, for after the consideration
of a resolution for a vote on a general strike to obtain the release of
the W innipeg strikers it was voted th a t all other means be exhausted
before having recourse to such a strike.
The American Federation of Labor held its fortieth annual conven
tion in M ontreal, June 7 to 19, 1920, which fact emphasized the sig
nificance th a t organization attaches to its Canadian connection. The
interunion antagonisms in the Canadian labor m ovem ent and the
problem of international affiliations were among the subjects discussed
of special interest to the Dominion workers.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 27 ]
28
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
The third annual meeting of the N ational and Catholic unions,
Chicoutimi, Quebec, July 17, 1920, was attended by 225 delegates,
representing about 40,000 members. Recom mendation was m ade
th a t sick benefit funds be established; th a t consideration be given in
the agenda of the next convention to the m atte r of the form ation of
industrial councils of employers and employees; th a t the Govern
m ent confiscate unduly large war-tim e profits; th a t the employment
of women in abattoirs and in tanning and currying shops be prohib
ited; th a t the law against Sunday work in barber shops be enforced;
th a t a compulsory court of arbitration be established for the adjusm ent of disputes involving firemen, policemen, and water-works
employees, and th a t technical schools be established in each indus
trial locality. Criticism was m ade of the defective enforcement of
various labor laws. A t the Septem ber, 1921, meeting, which is to
be held in Hull, it is proposed to take definite steps to form a national
federation of the Catholic workers of Canada.
The C anadian Federation of Labor held its twelfth annual conven
tion at H am ilton in the la tte r p a rt of August, at which the one big
union was repudiated. Disapproval was also voiced at the failure
of the Dominion Governm ent to apply the eight-hour day according
to the League of Nations covenant.
A t the thirty-sixth annual convention of the Dominion Trades and
Labor Congress, held at YVmdsor, Ontario, Septem ber 13—19, 1920,
the committee on officers7 reports approved recom mendations made
by a conference of international representatives for com bating the
one big union. Resolutions were adopted favoring old-age pensions,
self-determ ination of nations, the establishm ent of national councils
for the Federal Governm ent service, regarding salaries of Govern
m ent employees, proper representation of workers on certain Govern
m ent boards, land-value taxation, one day’s rest in seven, legislation
similar to the British trades disputes act with regard to injunctions
and seizure of trade-union funds, and exclusive S tate insurance for
all Provinces. The congress declared itself against alignment with
political parties of other countries to prom ote the establishm ent of
industrial production and against industrial unionism.
L a b o r 'p a r tie s .—From time to time the question of independent
political action for organized labor has been brought up in the Trades
and Labor Congress of Canada. T h at body is opposed to becoming
itself a labor party b u t has approved the form ation of an independent
labor p arty along privincial lines.
In 1919 there were one or more organized bodies in eight Provinces
of the Dominion whose aim it was to place labor representatives in
Canadian legislatures. There were 11 labor candidates elected to
the Ontario legislature in th a t year, and of 45 of the successful candi
dates of the U nited Farm ers of O ntario 5 had the indorsem ent of the
Labor P arty. In Quebec two provincial representatives ^ were
elected. The Labor P a rty in 1920, in conjuction w ith the U nited
Farm ers of Ontario, elected a labor-farm er candidate to the Dominion
Parliam ent. In the same year 11 provincial labor representatives
and 15 farm er-labor and independents were elected to the M anitoba
Legislature; 5 provincial labor candidates were seated in Nova
Scotia, 2 in New Brunswick, and 3 in British Columbia.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 8 ]
29
LABOR U N R E S T I N CANADA.
In the municipal elections contested, out of 271 labor represent
atives nom inated, 111 were successful.
Among the planks in the platform of the M anitoba Labor P a rty is
one in favor of the transform ation of capitalistic property into social
istic property. The Nova Scotia platform, calls for the “ democratic
control of industry on a cooperative basis.” In addition to other
measures, the Independent Labor P a rty of Ontario stands for public
ownership of public utilities, pensions for m others w ith dependent chil
dren, old-age pensions, and health and unem ploym ent insurance
Ameliorative Measures.
Increases in Wages.
have had not only to m eet the m ounting cost of
EM PLOYERS
living themselves b u t to offset the shrinkage of the purchasing
pov/er of the dollar among their employees by large increases in wages.
The official wage indexes for 21 classes in 31 cities of Canada, taking
1913 as the base year equaling 100, were in 1920, 179.3 for weekly
rates and 190.3 for hourly rates. For common labor in factories in
1920 the wage index for weekly rates rose as high as 198.3, while for
hourly rates it was 215.3, as compared w ith 100 in 1913.
The following are the 1920 wage index num bers for some of the
principal industries on the 1913 base:
IN D E X N U M B E R S OE W A G E R A T E S IN S P E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S IN 1920.
[R ato for 1913=100.]
In d e x num bers of
wage rates.
Trade.
P er week.
B uilding trades (seven classes)............................................................................................
M etal trades (five classes)......................................................................................................
P rin tin g trades (tw o classes)................................................................................................
Street railw ays (one class).....................................................................................................
171.9
189.3
181.7
179.1
Per hour.
180.9
209.4
184.0
194.2
H ie official sample rates of wrages and hours for certain occupations
in various trades throughout Canada show reductions in weekly
hours in a num ber of cases since the signing of the arm istice; for
example, in some occupations in cotton m anufacture and m eat
packing. The weekly hours of conductors and m otorm en have also
decreased considerably in some Canadian cities.
Nov/ th a t the cost of living is declining, reductions in v/ages are
■xbeing m ade in Canada as elsewhere, and the question as to how closely
wages have kept pace w ith the cost of living has its partisan contro
versialists. As has already been stated, over 50 per cent of the
strikes in the first q uarter of 1921 were against a reduction of wages.
Steps Taken by Employers.
The industrial relations committee, created in 1919 by the Canadian
M anufacturers’ Association, which has a mem bership of over 4,000,
reported in favor of the creation of industrial councils. Such councils
have already been inaugurated bj" a considerable num ber of employers.
54039 ° — 21-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
29 ]
30
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
The adoption of group insurance plans in various establishm ents is
also reported.
Governmental Action.
E arly in 1918 it was realized more and more clearly in Canada as
elsewhere how largely the winning of the w ar depended upon the
m aintenance of industrial peace, and in 1919 the Government
appointed a royal commission on industrial relations which traveled
through the entire Dominion and held hearings in various industrial
cities. A t such hearings any person was a t liberty to voice his views.
A t the recom mendation of this commission a national industrial con
ference m et a t O ttaw a, Septem ber 15-20, 1919, attended by Dominion
and provincial governm ent delegates and representatives of employers
and workmen. The conference declared itself in favor of uniform
labor legislation; an inquiry into S tate insurance against unemploy
ment, sickness, invalidity, and old age; Government effort to improve
housing conditions; equal opportunities for education; freedom of
speech and press; and adequate Governm ent provision to m eet unem
ployment. The employers’ and employees’ representatives were not
in accord on the establishm ent of the eight-hour day throughout the
Dominion, the employers, however, proposing an investigation into
the subject. The conference was also divided on the workers’ right
to organize and the recognition of labor unions. In February, 1921,
another Governm ent conference on industrial relations m et a t Ottaw a,
a t which im portant reports were heard upon the operation of indus
trial councils. A t the close of the conference _a resolution was
adopted expressing appreciation of the opportunity th a t had been
afforded “ to get together for a frank discussion of hum an relationship
in industry,” and declaring “ th a t the members of the conference
believe th a t the broad-m inded attitu d e of the m inister and members
of the departm ent can not fail to bring about a higher degree of con
fidence in the departm ent * * * and will eventually bring about
a better understanding of the problems of industry on the p a rt of all.”
P l a c e m e n t w o r k .—In 1918 the male population in Canada over 10
was 2,656,548. A pproxim ately 200,000 were engaged in w ar work
in the Dominion, while 350,000 were overseas. The replacing of
more than half a million m en into peace-time pursuits was an immense
problem, b u t during the first 15 m onths of the functioning of
the free em ploym ent offices which had been established in 1919
more than 600,000 persons had been placed in positions w ithout
charge to either employer or employee, the G overnm ent’s expense
per person being less than one-half the ordinary fee of a private
em ploym ent agency. During the w inter of 1919-20 about $5,000,000
was distributed in cash gratuities to unemployed returned soldiers.
This was only one-ninth of the am ount which it had been estim ated
would be required for the purpose. I t is reported th a t the activities
of the Canadian land settlem ent board in prom oting the economic
welfare of the men from overseas has been very successful. In
connection w ith the transfer of returned soldiers from m ilitary to
civil life the Canadian rehabilitation system has been no insignifi
cant factor.
A c t i v i t i e s o f th e E m p l o y m e n t S e r v ic e C o u n c il .—The Em ploym ent
Service Council of Canada a t its meeting, December 27-29, 1920,
adopted a resolution th a t private employers and the Dominion and
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 30 ]
LABOR U N R E S T I N CANADA.
31
provincial governm ents be requested to abolish all overtime and to
p u t the normal staff on short time rather than dismiss employees, and
a subcommittee was appointed to take up with the other Government
departm ents the question of public work for unem ploym ent relief.
R e s t r i c t i o n o f i m m i g r a t i o n — I n view of the unem ploym ent situ a
tion, im m igration except for domestic service and agriculture has
been m ade more difficult.
D o m i n i o n h o u s in g p r o je c t. —By an order of the governor general in
council, under date of December 3, 1918, authorization was given to
the m inister of finance to m ake loans at 5 per cent to the provincial
governments, in proportion to their populations, for the purpose of
prom oting the building of houses to relieve congestion. The total
of soch loans was not to exceed $25,000,000. According to a report
from the Canadian Commission of Conservation, published in the
quarterly of the N ational Housing Association for April, 1921,
$14,230,000 has been actually borrowed and $4,521,000 is ‘'u n d e r
comm itm ent by the Provinces to the m unicipalities.” One hundred
and fifty-seven municipalities have made use of the loan and 3,574
houses have been built. The town-planning adviser of the Dominion
declares th a t “ generally speaking, it seems as if the loan which the
Dominion Government granted has been completely successful be
cause of the opportune m om ent when it was made and the conditions
under which it was given.” There seem to be, however, varying
views as to the success of the plan in the Province of Quebec. * &
C o n fe re n c e i n b u ild in g c o n s tr u c tio n i n d u s t r i e s . —This conference,
called by the m inister of labor, was held in O ttaw a May 3-6, 1921,
a t which time a resolution was adopted by both employers and
employees th a t a “ m oderate and reasonable adjustm ent of wages
should be agreed upon w ithout further delay in such large centers
where an abnorm ally high peak has been reached.”2
G o v e r n m e n ta l h a r m o n i z i n g m a c h in e r y . —The Canadian industrial
disputes investigation act of 1907, the boards of conciliation and
royal commissions appointed to deal with particular labor disputes,
the m inister of labor and the fair wage officers of his departm ent, and
the director of coal operations have played im portant parts in reducing
industrial friction and preserving industrial peace.
The Canadian Railway Board of A djustm ent No. 1, a war-time
agency, has been continued in effect and the m inister of labor reports
th a t ‘‘the arrangem ent has been an unqualified success.”
The M anitoba Joint Council of Industry, a recently established
investigating and judicial body, is attracting considerable attention
as a harmonizing factor. The council, which is composed of two em
ployers and two employees and a chairm an appointed by the Govern
m ent, emphasizes service as the chief aim of industry, the all-impor
tance of the hum an element in industry, the advantages of cooperation
in securing the best possible results, and the adoption of the spirit
rather than the letter of an agreement, should differences of opinion
arise as to the meaning of terms.
Among other Government measures tending toward the relief of
industrial unrest m ay be cited the enactm ent of the luxury tax in
May, 1919, to discourage extravagance, which act it is alleged has
been largely instrum ental in bringing down prices; the creation
2 See p. — for digest.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
32
M O N T H L Y LABOE B E V IE W .
of the board of commerce in October, 1919, as an independent com
mission to supervise and control, under the authority of the combines
and fair prices act, dealers’ profits in food, fuel, and clothing; and the
establishm ent of a m inistry of health and public welfare.
D istinct gains for labor have been secured through the passage of
the technical education act of 1919 and the subsequent progress in
vocational education; the liberalizing of workm en’s compensation
legislation, and the extension of minimum-wage legislation for
women.
Conclusion.
’"TH IS brief survey of the causes of Canadian labor unrest and its
m anifestations, together w ith some of the outstanding attem pts
to m eet the problem, while showing some rath er abnorm al trends,
indicates th a t there is far less labor instability in the Dominion than
in various other parts of the world, and suggests the promise of social
progress in Canada along constructive lines rath er than any violent
discarding of existing Government m achinery. As Viscount Bryce
has said in his “ Modern Dem ocracies:”
Canada is well prepared by the character of her people, by their intelligence, and
their law-abiding habits to face whatever problems the future may bring, finding
remedies for such defects as have disclosed themselves in her Government and making
her material prosperity tbe basis of a pacific and enlightened civilization.
Labor Unrest in India.1
By Mr s . V ictoria B. T u r n e r .
YEN to a casual follower of the recent trend of Indian affairs it is
evident th a t the w ar has acted both as a m oral and a m aterial
stim ulus to all classes of the people. The m erited recognition
given India by Great B ritain through an active participation in the
imperial war conference and the imperial cabinet, and later the
admission of her delegates to the peace conference, have fostered a
growing feeling of national pride in her w ar record and a new sense of
esteem for her national achievements. Lord Sinha, an Indian of re
pute, discussing this change says:
India has a feeling of profound pride that she has not fallen behind other portions
of the British Empire, but has stood shoulder to shoulder with them in the hour of
their sorest trial.
Furtherm ore, during the war, the direct contact of large num bers of
native Indians w ith views of foreign peoples aroused among the more
progressive sections of them an interest in other than merely
focal affairs. Indian industries flourished to a degree hitherto unpre1 I n preparing this article the labor reports an d cu rren t num bers of th e publications listed below have
been used.
_
_ ,.
T
League of N ations. Supplem ental report on certain countries. W ashington, D. C., 1919; India. In d ia n
In d u stria l Commission, 1916-1918. London, 1919; In d ia . D ep artm ent of Statistics. Prices a nd wages
in In d ia . C alcutta, 1920; Labour R esearch D ep artm en t. M onthly circular, F ebruary, 1921. (B ritish);
M o n t h l y L a b o b R e v ie w , Jan u a ry , 1920; Jo u rn a l of th e In d ia n Economic Society, D ecember, 1919; G reat
B rita in . In d ia Office. E a st In d ia (progress a n d condition). S tatem ent exhibiting th e m oral a n d m aterial
progress a n d condition of In d ia, 1919. London, 1920. [Cmd. 950]; Labour Overseas (B ritish), A pnl-J une,
1920, July-Septem ber, 1920, October-December, 1920; Social Service Q uarterly, Jan u a ry , 1921; Contem
porary Review, Jan u a ry , 1920; R ou n d Table, March, 1921; W adia, B. P ., S tatem ent subm itted to th e joint
com m ittee on In d ia n Referees. London; B asan ta K oom ar R oy, L abor R evolt in India. New V ork, 1920;
C urrent issues of th e In d ia n D aily News, th e Englishm an, an d th e Journal of In d ia n Industries and Labor,
Feb., 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[32]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
33
cedented and industrial development w ith its a tten d an t accentuation
of labor problems created a m arked public interest in the necessity of
a greater and greater participation t>y the Indians themselves in the
industrial future of the country.
Among the poorer classes, whose economic condition has been
deplorable as a result of the evil effects of the war, there has been
engendered a feeling of poignant dissatisfaction w ith their working and
living conditions, a feeling which has undoubtedly been intensified by
the agitation of their leaders who in tu rn have been influenced by the
experiments of workers in other countries; and the educated In
dians have been visibly strengthened in their already existing desire
to make India one of the self-governing colonies of the Empire. In
fact, Mr. L. F. Rushbrook Williams, discussing the nationalist spirit
in India in the A tlantic M onthly for April, 1921, says:
It is this feeling of nationality * * * wh ich is behind all the changes that have
come over India during the last generation.
As a result a condition of internal unrest has prevailed for several
years and the whole country is in a state of political, industrial, and
economic change which is proceeding rapidly.
Labor Conditions.
Unorganized Industries.
[ ABOR conditions in India are exceptional and any consideration
of economic unrest m ust take into account her peculiar industrial
divisions. India is predom inantly an agricultural country, it being
estim ated th a t between 70 and 75 per cent of her population of
319,000,000 reside in small villages and depend upon agriculture for
their living. In addition to those whose livelihood is derived entirely
from the soil are the village artisans, the blacksm ith and carpenter,
as well as the weaver, potter, and others whose occupations m ake up
in large p art w hat is known as “ cottage industries.” And since these
classes of workmen have no m arket for their products outside of their
imm ediate vicinity their fortunes also are inseparably bound up in
the uncertainties of agricultural conditions. While it is impossible to
obtain accurate statistics regarding the num ber engaged in the cottage
industries found in every village and so called because they are carried
on in the homes of the workers, it is certainly very much larger than
th a t of those in organized industries. H and loom weaving is the m ost
im portant of these industries, w ith m etal working as second in
importance. I t is believed th a t between two and three million hand
looms are at work throughout the country. Unskilled rural labor is
also in great dem and upon the construction, maintenance, or working
of the great irrigation and transport systems, as well as in building,
mining, and forestry, almost entirely State-owned undertakings.
Organized Industries.
The organized industries of India are carried on in workshops or
factories which vary in size from simple rural factories engaged in a
single operative process to the large textile and ju te mills and engi
neering works which employ thousands of workers and in which corn-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
133]
34
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
plete organizations for both m anufacture and trade exist. The indus
trial working class proper constitutes a very small m inority of the
working population, the total num ber of workers in all industrial
establishm ents being about 17,500,000.
There is, generally speaking, no such distinct line of dem arcation
between industrial and agricultural workers as is found in other
countries. Labor for the organized industries, even in specialized
industrial districts like Bombay, Ahm edabad, and Calcutta, is also
drawn m ainly from the class of small farm ers and agricultural laborers.
And w ith the possible exception of the engineering workers who ordi
narily follow their occupation throughout their working lives, they
are, as a rule, either semiskilled or unskilled workers who drift back
and forth between the industrial cities and their home villages.
Many of the concerns classed as factories are seasonal establish
m ents engaged in pressing and ginning cotton and preparing other
agricultural products for m anufacture. They are small and often
isolated, the seasons are short, and the workers residing in near-by
villages alternate between agricultural and industrial employment.
P artial dependence upon agriculture and some other occupation is
also true in the mining industry.
The constant shifting of labor results from a num ber of causes,
chief among which are bad housing in the towns and cities, the
tendency of Indian laborers to work in fam ily groups, and the pov
erty of the farm ers due to bad m anagem ent, poor wages, and high
land taxes. The farm er is always in debt. In addition to heavy
land taxes which he pays in cash, he is assessed for police, roads, irri
gation, public works, etc. According to a recent official report, inves
tigations into the problem of agricultural indebtedness by the registrar
of cooperative societies in the Punjab revealed the fact th a t in the case
of large land proprietors the average total debt is seven times the land
tax paid by them , while the sm aller proprietors owning or cultivating
less than 8 acres have an indebtedness of tw enty-eight times the
land tax. Their principal m eans of relief is the aid secured from the
cooperative societies, whose im portance the same report strongly
emphasizes not. only from the point of view of reducing debt and
placing the agriculturist upon his feet b u t also because of their benefickil effects upon the habits and character of the people, in 'whom they
endeavor to inculcate the virtues of thrift, self-reliance, and m utual
help. To m eet his financial obligations the farm er is frequently
forced for p a rt of the year to take advantage of the higher wages paid
in industry.
A chronic state of indebtedness is, however, not confined to the
agricultural classes. T hat it is also a lam entable fact in the case of
other workers is evident from several cost of living budgets given on
pages 4 1 and 4 2 of this R e v i e w .
Unemp! oyment.
Unem ploym ent and underem ploym ent as they exist in other coun
tries are unknown in India. This should no t be interpreted to mean
th a t unem ploym ent does not exist. Quite the contrary. U nfortu
nately, statistics are not available as to the total num ber of unem
ployed, b u t it is known th a t considerable unem ploym ent results from
the seasonal character of industry. W orkers deprived of em ploym ent
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[34]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
35
because of the closing down of seasonal industries usually either return
to their little places in the country or are taken care of by the other
members of their c a ste u n til they find something else to do. For this
reason unem ploym ent is not as apparent as it would otherwise be and
does n o t constitute the problem found in other countries. The large
factories and workshops can not, however, as a rule obtain the skilled
workers they need, and the problem is to devise means for recruiting
sufficient reliable labor to m eet the increasing demand, while the
nearest approach to underem ploym ent is found in the casual labor
a t the docks in some of the seaports.
Hours oi Labor.
In accordance w ith the provisions of the Indian factories act as
amended in 1911 a m aximum working day of 12 hours, to be worked
between the hours of 5.30 a. m. and 7 p. m., was established for men,
11 hours for women, and 6 hours for children. B y children are m eant
minors between the ages of 9 and 14 years. The day a child com
pleted his fourteenth year he m ight work 12 hours a day. A lunch
period of 30 m inutes was established, which is often shortened to 12
or 15 because of faulty exits to the factory buildings.
B ut these regulations apply only to textile mills and factories
employing 50 people or more. W orkers in smaller textile mills and
factories and m an y other classes of industrial workers are n o t pro
tected against exploitation in this manner. Moreover, factory inspec
tion is not always strictly carried out, and for this reason those
actually covered by the law do not always benefit by it.
So far as found there is no restriction upon the hours of labor in
other industries, in the mines, tea gardens, wholesale m arkets, and
bazaars, the bazaars, for example, granting one day a m onth holiday
in addition to the annual fête days. In the coal fields the miners, of
whom in 1919 there were 249,156, 7,750 being children under 12 years
of age, are on piece rates and work as they like. Many of the miners
as well as other workers live in the country some distance from their
work and owing to inadequate transportation facilities m ust walk to
and from their work, thus adding m aterially to the length of the
working day.
In the ordnance factories and railway workshops an eight-hour day
is prescribed, though much overtime is worked in the shops. The
m arked curtailm ent of working time existing in these controlled indus
tries is due to special conditions. Both the railway shops and the
ordnance factories aim a t quality rath er than quan tity of o utput and
for this reason offer shorter hours and improved working conditions
to a ttra c t a more constant and a more reliable labor force. A few of
the private industries have shortened the hours of labor from. 12 to 10,
and in the ju te mills oi Calcutta, by a sytem of overlapping shifts, the
houi’s of the individual operatives have been reduced to 9 J or 10 hours
per day. In Bom bay since the mill strike of January, 1920, the
60-hour week has prevailed.
B u t these changes affect an insignificant percentage of the workers
in the organized industries only and m ay be considered m erely initial
steps in the direction of a gradual reduction of hours. The In te rn a
tional Labor Conference recommended a 60-hour week for those indus-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[35]
36
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
tries under the factory law and urged th a t the Governm ent make use
of its prerogative am freduce the unit of 50 persons now recognized as
constituting a factory to 10. thus adm itting a larger num ber of workers
to the benefits of the law. I t also recommended th a t the age of
children employed (a) in factories working w ith power and employ
ing more than 10 persons, (b ) in mines and quarries, and (c) on rail
roads and docks should be raised from 9 to_12 years.
Legislation conforming to these regulations was enacted by the
legislative assembly during March, 1921, amending the factory law
of 1911. According to the provisions of the new bill, the distinction
between textile and nontextile mills is removed, the 60-hour week
for men applying to all premises in which “ not less th an 20 persons
are sim ultaneously employed and steam , w ater, or other mechanical
power or electrical power is used in aid of any process for, or inci
dental to, making, altering, repairing, ornam enting, furnishing, or
otherwise adapting for use, for transport or for sale, any article or
p art of an article.” F urther lim itations m ay be imposed bv the
power given the local governments to declare premises in which 10
persons are employed a factory.
The age of children entering industry is raised from 9 to 12 years.
Em ployers’ representatives were opposed to this change on the
ground of a sudden depletion from the ranks of labor. As a con
cession to them the m inimum age for the admission of children to
employment in a factory is fixed a t 11 years as from July 1, 1921,
and a t 12 years as frorn Ju ly 1, 1922. The m axim um age at which
workers are classed as children is advanced from 14 to 15 years. In
addition to these provisions intervals of rest are provided as follows:
Adults, one hour of rest after every period of six working hours;
children, a rest period of not less than one-half hour after every four
hours of work for each child working more th an five hours a day.
Additional precautions are also provided regarding the certification
of children.
I t is expected th a t this bill when carried into effect will result in a
great im provem ent of the existing situation as to the m atte r of work
ing hours of children; b u t the criticism is made th a t since no lim ita
tion is placed upon the working day for adults, an employer will still
be able to work his force 12 hours a day for five days.
Wages.
The wages paid Indian labor are low as compared w ith those of
American and B ritish workers. The piece-rate system prevails, pay
m ent usually being made m onthly from one to three or four weeks
in arrears. While wages vary for the same occupation as regards
locality and geographical distribution of workers, the following
statem ent summarized from a report of the Indian statistical office
upon “ Prices and wages in In d ia ” is fairly indicative of the prevail
ing rates for the occupations given in January, 1920:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[36]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
37
M O N T H L Y W A G E S IN IN D IA , JA N U A R Y , 1920, B Y O C CU PA T IO N A N D L O C A LITY .
[1 rupee a t par=32.44 cents.]
Average
wages per
m onth.
In d u s try and occupation.
C otton m ills (Manockjee P e tit, B om
bay):
W eavers...................................................
W arpers (sizing d e p a rtm e n t)........... .
Reelers.....................................................
R overs (card ro o m )..............................
D raw ers (card ro o m )............................
D raw ers (sizing d e p a rtm e n t).............
Sweepers (card room )......................... .
Ju te m ills (Bengal):
C arders.....................................................
R overs......................................................
S p in n e rs...................................................
S h ifters.....................................................
W in d ers...................................................
B earners...................................................
W eav ers...................................................
Rice m ill (R angoon):
H ead black sm ith s..................................
F itte r s ......................................................
C arp en ters...............................................
Engine d riv ers........................................
T u rn ers....................................................
Mill coolies...............................................
R upees.
1 25-60
i 25-38
i 10-12
i 17-24
1 16-21
i 20-35
i8
11
21.6
17.32
8
23. 52
29.16
35.
60
65
75
65
70
22.5
In d u s try and occupation.
Average
wages per
m onth.
A rm y boot factory (Cawnpore):
R upees.
F o rem en ................................................
40
F itters a n d carp en ters..........................
25
M achine operatives......................
31.6
A ccouterm ent m akers.........................
27.8
S ad d lers....................
34
Saddlers’ a ssistan ts.............................
16.2
W ork d istrib u to rs............................
13.7
B elt m a k e rs.....................................
13.7
C u tte rs...................
15
C urriers.............................
15
Storem en.....................................
11.25
T a n n e rs......................
12.5
M essengers....................................
10
N orthw estern railw ay locomotive shops
(Lahore):
C arpenters (25 w orking days).............
35. 55
F itte rs (25 w orking d a y s]....................
30. 95
U nskilled labor (25 w orking d a y s ) ...
20.07
Coal com pany (R aniganj, Bengal):
M iners......................................
2 12. 24
1 A nd a bonus of 20 p er cent in case of persons w orking a t fixed wages and 40 p e r cent in case of those
on piecework.
2 For th e year 1920.
Since 1914 wages have increased b u t the changes have been erratic.
Take the group m the cotton mills, for instance. The range is from
no increase in the case of the sweepers to 66§ per cent in th a t of the
lowest class of the weavers. Among the employees of the arm y
boot factory the increases in 1920 over 1914 ranged from 33J per
cent in wages of foremen to 60 per cent for storemen and 64 per cent
for accouterm ent m akers. Miners’ wages for the company quoted
increased about 10 per cent during the same period.
I t is impossible from available data to get a definite general average
of increase, b u t one Indian w riter has estim ated it to have been about
50 per cent, and from individual increases as shown by the data at
hand this would seem a fair average.
Efficiency of Indian Labor.
Closely related to the wages and hours of labor prevailing in Indian
industries is the question of the efficiency of Indian workmen. The
charge is m ade th a t they are greatly inferior to the workers in other
countries as to o u tp u t and quality of work. Em ployers contend th a t
only about eight hours of actual work are done in a 12-hour day
and th a t the workers have a low standard of living to which they
will conform in spite of a rise in wages. For these reasons m any
of the employers profess to believe th a t any considerable advances
in wages or shortening of the hours of labor will merely increase
loafing and extravagance.
A dm itting th a t the Indian workers’ standard of living is low, the
advocates of labor argue th a t it can not be improved until the hours
of labor are shortened. They point to the fact th a t standards of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[37]
38
M O N T H L Y LABOR. R E V IE W .
living can no t be raised while about 95 per cent of the people are
illiterate, and th a t under present conditions they have no means of
securing an education. N ight schools started for the benefit of mill
hands have failed because the workers after 12 hours of labor are
too exhausted to attend them. Bad housing in the cities accounts
to a large extent for the prevailing labor turnover, laborers being
driven back into the towns and country because of insanitary condi
tions both in the factories and a t home. Hopeless poverty, they
point out, engenders recklessness and continued m alnutrition is
inimical both to m ental developm ent and to output. A bout onehalf the people have only one meal a day, and th a t not always a
“ square m eal.” Given the same working and living conditions as
the laborers of other lands they are confident the Indian workers
will show themselves equally as efficient.
Mr. Thom as Ainscough, in his R eport on Conditions and Prospects
of B ritish Trade in India, comparing the wages and efficiency of
Indian labor w ith those of British and American labor, points out
th a t until the living— and efficiency—standards of Indian workers
can be raised they can n o t tu rn out the same quality of work as their
overseas rivals. In order to effect this change, he is of the opinion
th a t wages will have to be raised and housing and general conditions
of labor will have to be m aterially improved.
Housing.
The m atte r of housing factory workers has received little attention
and conditions are therefore adm itted to be far from ideal. W here
factories are located a t a distance from the towns the laborers, as
stated before, live in the neighboring villages, their dwellings being
of the single-story type, consisting of single-room units. These the
observance of a few simple sanitary regulations, together w ith the
abundance of fresh air, m akes fairly habitable.
A more serious problem is m et in the large industrial centers where
the workers live either in collections of single-story hu ts known as
“ bustis,” located near the mills, and usually owned by the agents
who recruit labor, or in 2 to 5-story buildings of from 10 to
40 single rooms, called “ chawls.” According to the report of the
Indian Industrial Commission, 1916-1918 (p. 155), these dwellings
are often dark, damp, inadequately ventilated, and dirty. W ater
arrangem ents are insufficient and other sanitary conditions extrem ely
bad. The rooms, 10 feet square, w ith a small veranda in m ost
cases, ren t in the city of Bom bay for 3 to 7 rupees (97 cents to $2.27,
par) per m onth. Overcrowding is general. Chawls of the worst
type, the report states, constitute only about 10 per cent of the
whole, b u t m any of the rem ainder are distinctly insanitary.
A report upon labor conditions in India by Mr. A. E. Mirams,
consulting surveyor to the Governm ent of Bombay, presents a
darker picture of the Bom bay chawls. H e estim ates th a t 80 per
cent of the workers and their families live in 1-room houses, the
average num ber of inm ates being 4.5. Moral depravity and disease
resulting from such overcrowded conditions are a constant danger
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[38]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
39
to public health. The adult death rate is large, while the infantile
m ortality is said to reach 329 per 1,000.2
H ere and there the more enlightened factory owner provides
accommodations for p a rt of his workers a t least, either free or a t a
rate below an economic rent. The T ata Iron & Steel Co., for
instance, has erected suitable houses for all its workers. The in
dustrial concerns of Cawnpore have done more to provide com
fortable dwellings for their employees than those in alm ost any
other city in India. Two companies furnish accom modation for
4,000 workers apiece in settlem ents a t convenient distances from
their factories. In A hm edabad there is a distinct m ovem ent of this
kind. The distribution of the mills in Bom bay is such th a t the
housing of workers by the companies is im practicable if not im
possible. For this reason housing devolves upon the local authorities
and there is a project now on foot for State-aided housing in the city.
Social Reform.
HTHE immense need of social reform is being increasingly recognized
by the Indians themselves. The influence of such organiza
tions as the Society of the Servants of India and the Seva Sam iti is
growing, and reform leagues like the Bengal Social Service League
are springing up in various parts of the country.
These societies are able to accomplish a great deal along philan
thropic and educational lines. They assist in flood and famine relief,
by distributing food and clothes and providing medical supplies.
They im part sanitary education through leaflets and lectures.
Schools are m aintained by them in m any places. In Bom bay 600
half-time boys take advantage of the day schools, 650 adult workers
of the night classes. Em ploym ent is often provided for men and
women out of work, and they are interested in the prom otion of
m aternity and child welfare and in the general im provem ent of the
condition of women, only 1 per cent of whom receive any education.
Owing to the fact th a t social questions are often intim ately connected
w ith religious sentim ent, reform work is m ost successful when carried
on by Indian agencies.
Cooperative credit societies constitute an im portant feature of the
welfare work ^in the Bom bay mills. They are formed under the
supervision of the social service league and are financed p artly by
the mill agents, the am ount of capital subscribed by the workmen
being, as a rule, insufficient to cover the demands for loans. The
total membership is about 2,500. The total am ount of capital sub
scribed is 55,000 rupees, 25,000 of which belong to the workmen.
These societies are in a sound financial condition and afford a greatly
needed relief to the mill hands who m ight otherwise become victim s
of the usurious rates of interest charged by the money lenders who
carry on their business in the vicinities of the mills.
2 See Jo u rn al of th e In d ia n Econom ic Society, Dec., 1919, p. 206.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[39]
40
M O NTH LY LABOE REVIEW.
Present Labor Unrest.
W /H I L E low wages, long hours, and insanitary working and living
**
conditions are always provocative of economic uneasiness, and
have in this instance been contributory influences, the im m ediate
impelling cause of the recent unrest has been the economic distress of
the middle and lower classes due to high prices of foodstuffs and
clothing. And to this cause m ay also be added the nationalist move
m ent among the educated classes and the pro-Turkish sentim ent
among the advanced M ohammedans who constitute nearly one-fourth
of the*population. B ut the author of the B ritish report quoted pre
viously believes th a t the success of the political agitation has in large
measure been due to unfavorable economic conditions.
High Cost of Living.
Ordinarily the prices of articles in common use are kept a t a fairly
constant level in India, b u t during 1919 the rise in prices of all com
modities including the necessities of life became a serious m atter.
Prices of food grains reached an average of 93 per cent above the
prew ar level, while the increase in prices of cloth was a little less th an
190 per cent for im ported products and ju st above 60 per cent for
domestic goods. This unprecedented rise in prices was due in p a rt
to the prevailing world economic conditions, in p a rt to profiteering,
and in p a rt to climatic conditions peculiar to India. Someone has
rem arked ‘‘ th a t all Indian finance resolves itself into a gamble in
rain,” and since about 75 per cent of the population depend wholly
or in p a rt upon agriculture it is obvious th a t the prosperity of the
country m ust to a large degree depend upon the am ount of rainfall.
The year 1918-19 was m arked by an appalling failure of the
monsoon, the am ount of rainfall over the whole country being 19
per cent below the average. N ot a province escaped either a p artial
or complete crop failure, a conservative estim ate of the loss of pro
duction being 20,000,000 tons. As a result of the extraordinary high
prices and of this crop failure and because the m argin of subsistence is
considerably lower in India th an in other countries, the poorer classes
and those living in towns upon fixed incomes have suffered greatly,
notw ithstanding the G overnm ent’s efforts to equalize distribution and
to furnish aid wherever it was possible. In contrast to the economic
condition of m ultitudes of the people caused_ by high prices of cloth,
principally cotton, and of other commodities is the statem ent th a t the
average dividend of the Indian cotton companies for 1919 was 40 per
cent, th a t the average for 1920 as far as reported was about 70 per cent,
th a t one company has ju st declared a dividend of 365 per cent, and
th a t another has declared a dividend of 425 per cent.3
The inadequacy of the estim ated general increase in wages to m eet
the rise in cost of living, even when lim ited to the bare necessities of
life, is shown in several cost-of-living budgets for working-class families
taken from various sources.4
3 Common Sense (L ondon), A pr. 9,1921, p . 31.
1 B udgets 1, 2, a n d 3 were ta k e n from th e Social Service Q uarterly, Ja n u a ry , 1921, p p . 167 to 169.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[40]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
No. 1. A man and wife, two children, 8 and 11 years of age, and an old
woman (Bombay):
Monthly income Man.................*................................................. ........................
Wife................................................................................ ............
41
R u p e e s5 A nnas.6
Total..........................................
Monthly expenses—
Rent..............................................
F ood..............................................
Fuel...............................................
Lighting........................................
Pan , 6 tobacco, and miscellaneous
Children’s school fee....................
Sweets for children.......................
Clothing........................................
25
12
37
4
29
8
6
6
9
2
1
1
3
..
Total........................................................................................
47
7
This man was an oiler in the spinning department of one of the mills in Bombay
and his wife worked in the waste department of the same mill. Their items of ex
penditure do not include liquor, charities, amusements, or occasional extra expenses.
No days of absense, medical expense, or expenses incurred in going back to their
native village are provided for, and yet this man, apparently of steady habits, must
either borrow money to meet his monthly expenditures, in which case interest money
is added to his already heavy expenses, or his family must deprive themselves of a
sufficient amount of food.
No. 2. A man and wife, a child 4 years old, and an unemployed brother
11 years old (Bombay):
Monthly income—
R upees.6 A nnas.6
Total........................................................................................
Monthly expenses—
Rent............................................................................................
Food............................................................................................
Fuel.............................................................................................
Clothing......................................................................................
Lighting......................................................................................
Pan 6 and tobacco.......................................................................
Miscellaneous...............................
Total........................................................................................
36
4
20
4
3
..
8
.12
1
2
35
4
This budget also shows no item for liquor, medicine, or expenses due to climatic
changes. His fuel is less than usual because he lives where dry leaves can be had.
He just ekes out an existence.
No. 3. A single man (Bombay):
R upees.5
Monthly income........................................................................................
Monthly expenses:
Boarding (including rent).................................................................
Tea, tobacco, and pan 6.............................. ......................................
Toddy and liquor...............................................................................
Clothing and other miscellaneous expenses.....................................
Total.........................................................................................
6 1 ru p e e = 32.44 cents; 1 anna= 2.03 cents.
6 Betel-leaf m ixed w ith areca-nut, etc.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[41]
23
11
4
4
3
22
42
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
No. 4.7 Three brothers (one unmarried), two wives, a sister, a mother, and
3 children (Bengal):
Yearly income of the family—
The eldest brother’s 4 months’ work as a boatman---For two months’ work in the rice fields......................
Six months as a day laborer..........................................
The yearly salary of the second brother..................... .
For board...................................................................... .
For clothes......................................................................
Annual net income from three bighas [1 acre] of land
From sale of milk, eggs, vegetables, etc.......................
The women earn by husking rice for the landlord. ...
$35. 00
14.00
25.00
30.00
24. 00
2.50
25. 00
15.00
10 . 00
180. 50
Total
Expenditures—
Food (one meal a day)........
Clothes.................................
Tobacco................................
Interest on money borrowed
149.00
20 . 00
3.00
6 . 00
178.00
Total
The eldest brother’s work varies with the season. The second brother is employed
in the family of a landlord, while the youngest with occasional help from the older
brothers cultivates the farm.
According to Mr. M iram ’s inquiries8 into labor conditions in India,
the average members of a fam ily—
were 4.3, of which only 1.8 were earning members. The average monthly earnings
of a family Avere 25.7 rupees [$8.34, par]. Of this sum, 14 rupees [$4.54, par] were
spent on food, 4 rupees [$1.30, par] on house rent, and 1-8-0 rupees [48.7 cents, par]
on pan and bidis. Only 28 per cent of the employees drank tea and 32 per cent drank
liquors, i. e., to the extent of 2-8-0 rupees [81 cents, par] and 2-12-0 rupees [89 cents,
par] per family under each head, respectively. It is found that 80 per cent of the
population remain in debt, and that the average debt per head is 111.37 rupees
[$36.13, par]. Ten per cent of the employees pay interest at 2 annas in the rupee
[12]- per cent], and 62.5 per cent of them pay interest at 1 anna in the rupee [6[- per
cent] per month. An employee on an average has to pay 7 rupees [$2.27, par] by way
of monthly interest.
I t will thus be clear that the average expenses of a family, on a modest estimate,
without tea and liquor, but including 7 rupees payable to the money lenders, amount
to 26.5 rupees [$8.60, par] as against his earnings of 25.7 rupees [$8.34, par].
The reasons alleged for debt and the proportion of workers in
debt from principal causes are shown in the following statem ent from
the same source:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Marriages (20 per cent).
Funerals (7 per cent).
Occasional extra expenditure (28 per cent).
Initial expenditure for equipment (7 per cent).
Famine at home (3 per cent).
U nder such conditions it is obAuous th a t an ordinary employee at
the m ost can only make ends meet. He can never hope to be free
from debt.
Manifestations of Labor Unrest.
suffering of this large proportion of the people has manifested
xcself in two ways: (1) The increasing form ation of labor unions
and (2) the constant calling of strikes.
7 B asan ta K oom ar R oy. L abor revolt in In d ia . Nexv Y ork, 1920. p. 16.
8Journal of th e In d ia n Econom ic Society, Dec. 1919. p. 210.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[42]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
43
Organization and Growth of Labor Unions.
The first organization of working people in India was the Bom bay
M illhands’ Association, formed in 1890 by Mr. N arayan Meghajee
Lokhande, Mr. Lokhande himself being made president. In 1884,
under his direction, a conference of workers had been called in Bom
bay to present a set of demands looking toward the amelioration of
working conditions to a factory commission which was then investi
gating labor conditions in Bombay.
For several years subsequent to the founding of the Bom bay Millhands’ Association Mr. Lokhande w ith his organization and its paper,
the D inabandhu, or Friend of the Poor, did much to present the true
status of the laboring classes to the Government officials. He was
m ade a local mem ber of the factory commission th a t gathered data
upon which the factory act of 1891 was based and he subm itted to
the commission the demands of the m illhands’ association signed by
5,500 workers.
W ith his death active labor agitation died down and the move
m ent suffered for lack of leadership. I t did not, however, actually
die, b u t was carried on secretly by the workers themselves until
1910, when the cotton-factory workers of Bom bay again formed them
selves into an organization known as the K am agar H it V ardhak
Sabha, or Indian W orkm en’s Welfare Association. The principal
objects of the association were (1) the settlem ent of disputes between
employers and workers through intervention; (2) the publication of
a weekly paper called the Kam agar-Samachar, or Labor News, in
which the needs and demands of the workers should be fully dis
cussed.
The officers of the association consisted of a president, vice presi
dent, three secretaries, and a council on which several of the work
men served.
A t the time of the form ation of the Indian W orkm en’s Welfare
Association the 1911 amendm ent to the Indian factory law was be
ing discussed, and the association 'sent a statem ent of its attitude
tow ard the pending factory legislation to the Government of India.
I t supported the restriction of the working day for men to 12 hours
and showed the necessity of compensation for workers in case of
accidents in the course of employment; it asked for better housing
conditions and the removal of taverns from the vicinity of the mills,
and suggested th a t employers be compelled to furnish facilities for
the education of the workers’ children.
The year 1918 saw another revival of the labor movement, the first
union being formed by Mr. B. P. W adia, of the Home Rule for India
League, among the textile workers of three mills in Coolai, Madras.
Madras now has 27 unions and a central labor board.
Employers in Madras have refused to recognize the unions on the
ground th a t their constitutions are unsatisfactory and th a t they are
controlled by outsiders who use the labor m ovem ent for political
purposes. The unions, acknowledging their incapacity to conduct
their own affairs, contend th a t they m ust have educated leaders and
should therefore be recognized as they are.
During the la tte r p a rt of October an injunction was granted
against Mr. W adia and other leaders of the labor unions in connec
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ts]
44
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
tion w ith a strike of the textile workers in the Buckingham mills, on
the ground th a t the defendants were inducing workmen to break
their contracts. The workers demanded the recognition of the union
and the abandonm ent of legal proceedings. An agreement was
reached during the la tte r p a rt of January. Legal action was w ith
drawn, the union was recognized, and the membership of the union
was confined to the mill workers.
N otw ithstanding the opposition of employers, the extreme poverty
and lack of training of the workers, and other conditions m ilitating
against effective trade-union organization, the unions, which are
forming along industrial rath er than craft lines, are growing in
num ber and strength in other cities of India as well as in Madras.
They include textile workers, tram waym en, postm en, dockers,
teachers, barbers, masons, bricklayers, printers, steel workers, teleg
raphers, men in railway workshops, and m any other large labor
groups. Although the num ber of industrial workers to whom tradeunionism applies in the first place is small, when all the other possible
labor groups are taken into consideration the ultim ate field of organ
ization for Indian trade-unionism is very large.
In addition to the unions proper, 450 peasants’ associations have
been formed, and Indian laborers in the Fiji Islands and W est Indies
have similar organizations. The H indu workers of America have
organized themselves into a labor union w ith the double object of
m utual help and cooperation as well as of dissem ination of inform a
tion about India.
The first Indian trade-union congress was held on October 31,
1920. R epresentatives of about 40 organizations attended the con
gress and perfected a perm anent organization _consisting of' two
officers, Lala L ajp at Rai, president; Joseph B aptista, vice-president;
and a standing comm ittee of 60 members, 36 of whom represent
the workers, w ith headquarters at Bombay. The unions have as
yet no funds at their disposal, no well-defined program , no clear-cut
industrial policy, and the congress naturally partakes of the for
m ative character of its constituent bodies. I t does, nevertheless,
represent the increasing solidarity of labor, a force to be reckoned
w ith to an increasing extent in the future.
Strikes.
As suffering among the workers increased strikes became more and
more general, until during 1920 they can be said to have been of
alm ost daily occurrence.
A strike of steel workers in the T ata Steel W orks at Jam shadpur
involving 40,000 employees was called the la tte r p a rt of F ebruary
and lasted a m onth. Included among the m en’s demands were a
50 per cent increase in wages, a bonus on output, leave on full pay
in case of accidents at the works, a m onth’s annual leave w ith pay,
holidays on full pay on im portant religious festivals, and attention
of the town council to housing, sanitary, and ren t conditions. The
strike was characterized by violence, fin which several m en were
killed and a num ber wounded. Finalfy, on condition th a t the m en
return to work a revised wage scale was introduced granting a 25
per cent increase in wages to those receiving 50 rupees ($16.22, par)
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[44]
LABOIt U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
45
or less a m onth, a 20 per cent increase to workers receiving more
than 50 rupees. A decision upon other grievances was to be handed
down in a m onth.
On the 5th of May 15,000 railway workers employed by the
N orthw estern Railw ay were out a t Lahore. The ostensible cause of
the strike was the dismissal of seven workmen for refusing to be
transferred to another departm ent. L ater the recognition of the
railw aym en’s union was m ade an issue. Demanding increased wages
and paym ent of arrears, 28,000 railway shopmen of the G reat Indian
Peninsular Railw ay a t Bom bay struck on May 28. The strikers re
sumed work on May 31, having received small increases in pay and a
promised investigation of grievances. Bom bay has been an industrial
storm center. During 1920 strikes occurred -among textile workers,
clerks, longshoremen, postmen, gas workers, and other classes of
workers, one general strike early in the year involving 200,000
persons.
In May 50,000 textile workers struck a t Ahm edabad. D uring the
summer strikes occurred among the postm en a t Allahabad, engineers
in Serampore, and printers at Simla, U nrest in the Bengal coal
fields, due p artly to unsatisfactory wage rates, and partly, it is
claimed, to political agitation, occasioned stoppages of work in other
industries, such as paper mills, potteries, railways, and iron works,
the strikes in the iron industry alone including 17,000 workers. As
a result of the m iners’ strikes, increased wage rates were granted by
the Indian Mining Association.
On Ju ly 1, 1920, the director of industries for Bengal began the
collection of strike statistics for th a t district. Complete figures9
have been compiled for the m onths of July-Novem ber, inclusive,
and briefly summarized are as follows:
During the third quarter of the year (July-Septem ber) the num ber
of disputes, all of which were strikes th a t began and ended in the
quarter, was 19, involving 31,717 workpeople and aggregating 187,941
working days lost. Of these num bers the disputes of 18,196 jutemill hands aggregated 43,600 working days; of 10,000 tailors, 50,000
working days; and of 1,526 printers, 91,521 working days. The
relatively large proportion of the last item was due to strikes of com
positors in the Government of India press and the Governm ent of
Bengal press a t Calcutta for the abolition of piecework system
of pay.
Thirteen of the 19 disputes arose from demands for higher wages,
the rem aining six being noneconomic in origin. In four of the
strikes the workers won their dem ands; in nine modified term s were
conceded; and six resulted in failure for the workpeople. Among
these last were the two strikes in the Government printing estab
lishments.
The strike epidemic continued during the last quarter of the year
with increasing violence. In the m onths of October and November
there were 48 disputes resulting in stoppages of work. They involved
92,665 workers and aggregated 468,942 working days. Thirty-five
of them involving 50,865 persons were settled during the m onths
cited; the remaining 13 continued into December. Jute-m ill hands
9 Journ al of In d ia n In d u strie s an d Labor, F e b ru a ry , 1921, y. 1, P a rt 1, pp. 74-80.
54039°—21------- 4
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 45 ]
46
M O N T H L Y LABOE R E V IE W .
comprised 38,500 of these workers and employees of foundry and en
gineering works, 15,770, strikes among these groups aggregating
189,500 and 114,140 working days lost, respectively. Another strike of
commercial im portance was th a t of 1,100 cargo handlers on November
1, 1920, a t the p o rt of Calcutta, which lasted 11 days and which
seriously threatened to hold up the commerce of the city.
All of the strikes for this period grew out of demands for higher
wages. Of the 35 settled, 2 resulted in a concession of the workers’
demands, 27 in a concession of modified term s, and 6 in failure for the
strikers. Among the last-nam ed was a strike of the gas workers in
C alcutta which deprived the city of light for a week.
Industries affected by the strikes during this period were jute and
cotton mills, railways, tram ways, printing, transport, foundry,
engineering, and other m etal works, navigation, gas and m otor works,
docks and jetties, shops, tailoring establishm ents, and municipal
offices. Though labor organization had not a t th a t time secured any
foothold in the large jute industry, strikes of the hands in the jute
mills since 1917 have succeeded in effecting four increases in wages,
am ounting to a to tal advance of 60 per cent. A significant feature
of the disputes of the workers in jute mills was th a t the demands in
each case originated among the skilled workers in one or more of the
five mills forming a group in the vicinity of Calcutta. Concessions
made to the workers in one mill were im m ediately granted to those in
the other mills (22 in number) and industrial peace thus preserved.
Strikes among Indian workers are usually conducted along
industrial lines; all the workers, skilled and unskilled, high grade
and low, walk out together. They are generally accompanied by
picketing, and though violence is not commonly resorted to, solidarity
is said to have been secured in individual concerns by m ethods of
intim idation difficult to com bat. W hile m any of the strikes no
doubt have been called for im m aterial reasons, the Indian worker
is notably patient, and in the recent strikes unsatisfactory working
conditions and the inability of the workers to cope w ith the high cost
of living seem usually to have been the “ last straw s.” Generally
speaking, the demands of the workers include increased wages, pay
m ent of arrears in wages, reduction of hours from 12 to 10 or 8, leave
on full pay in case of accidents at the works, a m onth’s annual leave
on full pay, greater facilities for education, attention to housing, rent,
and sanitary conditions. In a num ber of cases political unrest and
the Caliphate agitation regarding the shrines of the Mohammedans
and the final disposition of Turkey are said to have complicated the
situation. The m ost rem arkable use of the strike weapon is w hat is
known as the m ovem ent for passive resistance which will be discussed
later.
Strike of the Calcutta Tramway Men in 1921.
Though there have been a num ber of smaller labor disputes since
January 1, 1921, the m ost im portant strike of the present year is th a t
of the tram w ay m en in C alcutta which assumed additional im portance
from the fact th a t it occurred a t the time of the Duke of Connaught’s
visit to open the new Governm ent of India.
On Jan u ary 25 the conductors and m otorm en of the C alcutta
tram w ay system presented to the company an unsigned list of
demands which included:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[46]
LABOR U N R E S T IN IN D IA .
47
1. An 8-hour instead of a 12-hour day. Overtime pay for work done in excess of 8
hours.
2. A fixed monthly salary on a graduated scale with a minimum pay of 30 rupees per
month.
Although wages at that time ranged from 24 to 28 rupees per month the men rarely
received a full month’s pay because they were paid by the hour and not by the day
and, owing to the large number of temporary men employed, could not always get
work when they reported in the morning.
3. The taking on of temporary men to cease until all of the regular men had been
provided with permanent jobs.
4. Fair distribution of work by the head starters.
5. Proper inquiries into cases reported by flying checkers and inspectors.
6. Allowances in cases of accident.
7. Provision for casual leave. The men had no leave granted during the year and
were liable to dismissal if they took it even in most urgent cases.
8. Men to be allowed to make up shortage of cash within a week without entailing
suspension.
9. Abolition of the forfeiture of a conductor’s deposit except in cases where men were
found guilty of cheating by a competent court of justice.
10. No employee to be dismissed without an inquiry conducted in his presence, he
to be represented by a lawyer or other creditable representative.
11. Attendance a t court under summons as a witness to be counted as attendance on
duty.
12. Provision of overcoats for the winter months free of cost.
13. Employment by the company of competent lawyers for purposes of defense.
The following day practically all the tram w ay men ceased work,
and street-car service was almost entirely suspended for four weeks.
Various attem pts to settle the strike having failed, the C alcutta
corporation on February 18 passed a resolution asking the Government
to appoint a comm ittee of inquiry or to take such action as it saw fit
to end the deadlock and to prevent the future recurrence of such
deadlocks. The Government communicated im m ediately w ith the
parties to the dispute, w ith the result th a t a tem porary settlem ent
was reached whereby on February 23 the men agreed to return to
work, the company to announce its decision on the m en’s grievances
within a week. Public sym pathy was w ith the strikers because the
company had up to this time absolutely refused to appoint a board of
inquiry asked by the men or even to recognize the fact th a t the men
had any grievances.
The tem porary settlem ent also provided th a t in case the men were
dissatisfield w ith the com pany’s decision the Governm ent would
constitute an im partial committee to investigate the wdiole m atter.
The men having expressed dissatisfaction w ith the com pany’s decision
a comm ittee was appointed by the Government on March 8. This
comm ittee made a report on April 11, in which the following recom
m endations were included:
1. Overtime pay in excess of nine hours. Men to be paid by shifts, one shift en
titling a man to a day’s pay. One-half hour granted for rest and food.
2. No advance in wages recommended.
3. (a) Permanent men to be increased to number required as calculated on a basis
of normal traffic.
(b ) Class of temporary men to be abolished.
(c) A reserve force to be maintained, and men of this class who report without
getting work to receive pay at the rate of one-fourth the daily rate.
4. Each case of disablement to be brought before the management for special
consideration.
5. Three weeks’ leave on half pay after 12 months’ service.
While the company and the men m ust still reach agreement on the
foregoing points, the company did make several very im portant con-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
147]
48
M O N T H L Y LABOE EE V IE W .
cessions. I t promised (1) th a t every perm anent m an who answered
his proper roll call on his proper shift would be given work; (2) th a t
any proven cases of the extraction of bribes on the p a rt of the in
spectors would surely be punished; (3) th a t every conductor would
be given a receipt for the actual cash deposited by him within 15
minutes after his bag was handed to the cashier; (4) th a t pay would
be granted an employee for time spent in court as a witness; (5) th a t
employees would be suspended only h j the traffic superintendent or
his assistant on certain specified serious charges, such as insubordi
nation, assault or abuse of passengers or the com pany’s staff, damage
to rolling stock, absence w ithout leave for seven days, etc., and then
only after full inquiry conducted in his presence by the traffic super
intendent and assistant traffic superintendent; (6) th a t a m an would
be paid for time lost in case a charge was not proved against him
(7) th a t the m anagem ent would ask the board of directors to grant
overcoats to last three years provided the recipient deposited 10
rupees as security.
A t the time of the strike of the C alcutta tram waymen, a tram
strike was in progress a t Madras, 5,500 men were out of the railway
work shops a t Bombay, and a smaller num ber at Lucknow. The
general agricultural situation has also caused m arked anxiety.
Agrarian riots recently occurred on such a scale in Rai Bareli th a t
troops were sent to preserve order. These disturbances are all the
more serious since owing to conditions already described the tenants
have undoubted grievances which so far have not been redressed.
Results of Labor Unrest.
AN effort to m eet the situation employers have in m any cases
either increased wages or shortened hours, or both. Since the
Bom bay mill strike of January, 1920, the 60-hour week has been in
operation. Measures are being taken to improve housing conditions.
A rbitration boards have been set up in a few industries and have
done satisfactory work in a ju st settlem ent of disputes. Works
committees have been established in the Government printing con
cerns in Bombay, and this example has been followed in the groups
of factories controlled by the T a ta ’s and Currim bhov’s.
These committees, based upon American models (many of the
engineers and managers in the T ata works are from the United
States), consider all welfare activities, better working conditions,
prevention of accidents, holidays, etc., b u t are precluded from deal
ing w ith wages, hours, and similar questions of policy, a settlem ent
of which m ay be made only by the trade unions dealing directly
w ith the employers. Owing to the present backward condition of
labor these works committees are considered as an experim ent only,
the result of which is being watched w ith a great deal of interest by
other employers.
A bureau of labor established in the departm ent of industries is
collecting inform ation throughout the country and special labor
bureaus have been set up by the Bom bay and Madras governments
to deal w ith local labor m atters. One of the m ost significant results
of Indian labor unrest has been the apparent initial breaking down
F
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
OS]
LABOR UNREST IN INDIA.
49
of the caste system, the workers finding th a t they m ust stand to
gether in their unions and their strikes in order to win their demands.
Indian Labor and the Political Situation.
HpHE unrest prevailing among the workers has been augm ented by
1
the general political agitation which has been sweeping India
since the armistice. The agitation for “ Sw araj,” or home rule, which
has been actively directed against the British Government in India by
the extreme nationalists led by Mr. M. K. Gandhi and other leaders,
has m anifested itself in the “ saty ag rah a” or passive resistance
strike and in the more recent m ovem ent of “ noncooperation,” or
boycott of everything English.
The passive resistance strike, in which no violence is strongly
advocated, takes the form of an ancient Indian institution called the
“ h a rta l” or day of public mourning. On appointed days a general
strike of the classes and the masses is called in protest against some
injustice, and business is practically suspended in one or several
large towns of a Province. Frequently the call extends to the towns
in several Provinces.
The passive strike movement, necessary, as the extrem ists believe,
to secure political justice and to restore India to the Indians, was
inaugurated in 1919 in rem onstrance to the R ow latt Act, which pro
vided for the expeditious trial of anarchical offenses by a strong
court consisting of three high court judges, w ith no right of appeal.
The act could be brought into operation only in case of established
revolutionary offenses and, to insure justice in this respect, provided
for an investigating committee of one judicial officer and one nonofficial Indian to examine all m aterial upon which charges against
any persons were based.
A t the time of the introduction of this bill a feeling of general
uneasiness prevailed. Although the Government, in response to
demands made by the nationalists for greater participation of Indians
in Indian affairs, had form ulated a scheme of reform, the delay in
adopting it made the educated classes apprehensive regarding the
future fate of Indian national aspirations and consequently suspicious
of the Governm ent’s attitude toward actual political reform. The
Mohammedans with whom patriotism and religion are inseparable,
were anxious regarding the position of Turkey and also feared the
H indu suprem acy in India, while the poorer classes, accustomed to
depending upon the Government for all their needs, felt th a t their
economic sufferings as a result of continued high prices were some
how due to governm ental neglect.
W hen the bill became a law imm ediate and em phatic opposition
developed. Local committees were organized throughout N orthern
In d ia to educate both the masses and the educated classes in the
principles of passive resistance. As a result “ the general discontent
of the educated and illiterate classes, combined w ith the specific
fears of the Mohammedan community, were all, as it were, brought
to a focus against the single objective of the R ow latt Act. To the
educated class, in general, the act stood as something symbolical,
the very embodiment of past resentm ent and future fear; as full
confirmation of these lively, if baseless apprehensions, th a t India was
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[49]
50
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
to be thw arted in her legitim ate aspirations, as proof unquestionable
th a t henceforth the sym pathetic policy pursued by the adm inistra
tion toward the political development of India would be replaced by
a régime of iron oppression. The masses, on the other hand, identi
fied the act w ith their own sufferings, reading into it all their deepseated disappointm ent at Governm ent’s failure to perform an
economic m iracle in the reduction of prices.’’10
The success which the m ovem ent has attained is due to Mr. Gandhi,
who, combining the qualities of a political w ith those of a religious
leader, has unquestioned influence. Moreover, his adherents are
not lim ited to any particular sect. His social work of various kinds,
his readiness to defend the oppressed as indicated by his years of
labor in behalf of indentured Indians in South Africa as well as his
devotion to the cause of the workers in Bom bay and other cities of
India, his complete selflessness, have caused him to be regarded
“ w ith a reverence for which adoration is scarcely too strong a word.”
U nder his leadership this agitation, the religious aspect of which
m ust ever be kept in mind, spread. W herever he was scheduled to
speak m ultitudes came to hear him. The Mohammedans, influenced
by his attitu d e toward their religious problems due to the wTar,
forgot, tem porarily at least, differences attrib u tab le to racial pride
and religion and joined forces with the Hindus. “ H a rta ls” were
called in m any places w ith varying success.
The m ost noted of these public dem onstrations occurred in the
Punjab, April 13, 1919, when Government forces fired upon a crowd
of several thousand which had gathered for a day of mourning,
killing 379 persons. This act, since disavowed by the Delhi govern
m ent, produced a profound impression upon Indian opinion. Racial
bitterness between the Indians and the English was intensified.
The gulf widened between the moderates, who, while not condoning
the affair a t A m ritsar (Punjab), favored the new reform measures for
India then under discussion in the British Parliam ent, and the ex
trem e nationalists who stood for absolute home rule.
The reform bill was passed, becoming operative Jan u ary 1, 1921,
and giving India a chance to work out her own political salvation.
The scheme concedes, in brief, provincial autonom y to the Indian
Provinces; Indian control of education, industrial development,
public health, agriculture, local governm ent, and (except in Assam)
public works and excise. The franchise, until recently exercised by
about 33,000 persons, has been extended to over 5,000,000 males
over 20 years of age, and this num ber m ay be greatly increased if
the Provinces decide, as one of them already has decided, to give
the suffrage to women upon the same qualifications as are required
of men. The present adm inistration reserves only such authority
as will enable it to preserve the peace, order, and security of India,
should they be threatened, w hether “ by malice or by incompe
tence.”
In view of the present obstacles to a purely Indian adm inistration
of the Government owing to race prejudices, creeds, the caste system,
and the inexperience of the Indians in Governm ental leadership modGreat B rita in . In d ia Office. S tatem en t ex h ib itin g th e m oral a n d m aterial progress a n d condition of
In d ia d u rin g th e y ear 1919. 55th No. London, 1920. P . 31.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[50]
LABOR W R E S T
IX I NDI A.
51
erates welcomed the reform scheme and have actively cooperated in
carrying it into effect. The extrem ists who consider it unsatisfactory,
disappointing, and unworkable, have found a new b attle cry in
“ noncooperation” ; th a t is, they are now using passive resistance in
an attem p t to retard if not prevent all Government and commercial
activity throughout India. Included among the demands which the
noncooperators m ake upon their adherents are:
(1)
Gradual withdrawal of children from schools and colleges owned, aided, or
controlled by Government, and in the place of such schools and colleges the establish
ment of national schools and colleges in the various Provinces. (2) The gradual
boycott of the British courts by lawyers and litigants and the establishment of private
arbitration courts by them for the settlement of disputes. (3) Refusal on the part
of the military, clerical, and laboring classes to offer themselves as recruits for service
in Mesopotamia. (4) Withdrawal by the candidates of their candidature for elec
tions to the reformed councils, and refusal on the part of the voters to vote for any
candidate who may, despite the congress advice, offer himself for election. (5) The
boycott of foreign goods.
A t the call of their leaders a host of students withdrew from the
Governm ent schools, b u t owing to the failure of the noncooperators
to provide the national schools cited in the demands large num bers
of them are said to have since returned. According to press reports
a determ ined effort was m ade by the extrem e nationalists to wreck
the elections by persuading candidates not to run for office and voters
to refrain from voting; b u t out of a total of 637 constituencies only
six elections failed through lack of candidates.
While the questions of wages and hours and other conditions
affecting workers do not enter directly into the demands of the
leaders of the m ovem ent for noncooperation, an economic and indus
trial phase of the situation does appear in the strikes and the boycott
of English goods. Upon the announcem ent of a hartal, thousands
of workers, among whom Mr. G andhi’s influence is especially strong,
leave the mills, factories, and workshops for the day, shops are closed,
and tram w ays and taxicabs cease to run. These stoppages of work
naturally result in a great loss of wages to people who can ill afford
to lose them ; and in addition crowds of illiterate people, largely
underpaid workers having distinct grievances of their own and little
conception of the real significance of the occasion, gather in the
streets w ith nothing to do. Though violence is strongly urged against,
from one cause and another these peaceful assemblages have fre
quently become disorderly mobs, the plausible idealism of the leaders
being translated into direct action by the masses which follow them.
In m any towns, especially in the early p a rt of the m ovem ent following
the Punjab hartal, railway lines and telegraph offices were attacked,
transportation crippled, banks burned, public buildings ruined, shops
looted, and other sources of employment cut off.
In the present m ovem ent to boycott English goods Mr. Gandhi is
touring India, urging the people to retu rn to the spinning wheel and
the hand loom in order to make their own cloth. Ju st w hat effect
this boycott, if it could be successfully carried out, would have upon
the large industries of the country, and ju st how 319,000,000 people
can be governed, clothed, and fed by this m ethod are not quite appar
ent. In fac t available sources do not indicate th a t Mr. G andhi’s
future plan for India includes anything more than a simple return
to the cottage industries and com m unity government. This does not
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 51 ]
52
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
appear to be true of some of the other leaders who are already en
deavoring to create a political structure from comm unity organization
up. No clash has, however, come yet.
The charge is openly made by some of the press th a t the leaders of
m any of the new trade-unions, especially among the railway and tele
graph employees, are extreme nationalists and are using the indus
trial crises which arise for political purposes. For instance, the
Englishm an (Calcutta) of F ebruary 3, 1921, expressing its firm belief
th at, the m en’s grievances being adm itted, the tram w ay strike was
tim ed to prevent the country people from coming into Calcutta on
the day of the opening of the new governm ent and thus to create the
impression th a t the m ajority of Indians were opposed to the now
reforms, adds th a t “ the strike in India is becoming now no t an eco
nomic b u t a political weapon used by hidden agitators for the un
w orthy ends of noncooperation.” In the same periodical (Mar. 3,
1921, p. 1) Mr. Gandhi opposes the strike as apolitical weapon, tie
does no t deny th a t strikes can serve political ends, b u t he says they
do no t fall w ithin his scheme for India. “ I t does not require,” he
writes, “ m uch effort of the intellect to perceive th a t it is a m ost dan
gerous thing to m ake political use of labor until laborers understand
the political condition of the country and are prepared to work for
the common good.”
While Mr. G andhi’s m otives are no t questioned, m any in a position
to know believe th a t his a ttitu d e in this respect is again no t th a t of
the leaders associated w ith him. Lala L a jp at Rai, president of the
Indian Trade Union Congress, addressing a largely attended meeting
of workmen on April 8, advised them, to join the noncooperative
congress, as it was trying to obtain Swaraj (home rule). W ith selfgovernm ent the workm en’s rights would be protected. They could
not, he said, expect any help from any foreign governm ent which
helped only capitalists.11
'
Some of the leaders, however, feel th a t such an alliance would be
futile for redressing im m ediate economic injustices. In a recent state
m ent to the press, Mr. W adia, who is and has been working consistentlv and earnestly for the gradual political enfranchisem ent of the
workers, especially industrial workers having fixed wages, says th a t
in his opinion the labor m ovem ent in India is suffering from two
things: (1) A lack of local workers, and (2) ignorance on the p a rt
of the leaders concerning the theories and facts upon which labor
institutions are based. “ O ften,” he continues, “ it is not realized
th a t we will not be able to solve the labor problems of our country
by haranguing the workers on home rule and noncooperation. A part
from the waste of time entailed in this we injure the laborer by divert
ing his energy and attention— and he has little of either to spare—
to political issues which touch him b u t secondarily.”
B u t w hatever m ay be the real relation of the labor and political
m ovem ents, the strikes in India to-day are quite different from those
in days gone by. The solidarity of the Indian workers is a peculiar
sign of the times, their organizing power and the tenacity w ith which
they pursue their aims are of recent origin— a force, as suggested
before, to be reckoned w ith by the new governm ent. Furtherm ore,
n In d ia n D aily News, A pr. 9, 1921, p. 1.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[52]
LABOR UNREST IN INDIA.
53
through the rapid developm ent of industry and the absence of unem
ploym ent in the more skilled trades, labor is placed in a position to
improve both its own condition and the developm ent of industry.
Labor Unrest in japan.1
By
A n ic e
L.
W h it n e y .
r ~ p H E sudden expansion of Japanese industry during the war
brought to the fore m any of the problems which had been
more or less _dorm ant during the period of industrial and
political reconstruction known as the “ Meiji R estoration.” In the
reign of the Em peror Meiji (1867 to 1912) the changes which took
place were more political than social and the political transform a
tion had a much more far reaching effect than did the inauguration
of a factory system somewhat approaching th a t of western nations.
The political revolution involved the overthrow of the power of the
Tokugawa “ shogunate” under which for three centuries the people
had been in the grasp of a feudal system which had enmeshed them in
a network of unbelievably intricate and intolerable laws and customs
and in which the Em peror enshrined in the holy city and worshipped
by all, was practically powerless. While this change included
granting a constitution to the country, it was not the complete revo
lution th a t m any suppose it to be, since in place of the feudal system
a bureaucracy was set up which retained the power and spirit of the
“ shogunate” and denied all representative governm ent to the people.
The limited extent of constitutionalism is seen in the fact th a t out of
a population of 60,000,000 the electorate num bers only about 3,000,000, although a law was passed by the 1919 Diet, effective in the
1921 elections, which reduced the tax-carrying eligibility to vote from
10 yen to 3 yen ($4.99 to $1.50, par). While the political change
was, therefore, more one of form than of reality, it inaugurated an
era in which the country was opened up to the influence of western
theories and ideas.
General industrial Conditions.
APAN in spite of its small size has always been an agricultural
and a large proportion of the industrial workers are
Jstill country,
engaged p a rt of the time in agricultural pursuits, com paratively
few being engaged in industrial occupations all their lives or con1 In preparing th is article th e following hooks and cu rren t n um bers of periodical publications have been
used:
Iw asaki, U ichi. T he w orking forces in Jap an ese politics, 1867-1920. New Y ork, 1921.
T he Ja p a n Y ear Book. 1919-1920.
K atay am a, Sen. T he labor m ovem ent in Jap a n . Chicago, 1918.
Oka, M iuoru. L abor legislation in Jap a n . A rticle in L abor as an In te rn a tio n a l Problem , edited b y
E . John Solano. London, 1920.
Great B ritain . Consulate, O saka. R eport on Japanese labor b y Oswald W hite. London, 1920.
Japan. D ep artm en t of Foreign Affairs. F actory law —ordinance and regulations for enforcem ent of
factory law . Tokio, 1919.
le a g u e of N ations. In te rn a tio n a l L abor Conference. Proceedings. W ashington, 1919.
T he Economic Journal. London.
L abor Research D ep artm en t. M onthly Circular. London.
T he Economic Review . Review of th e foreign press. London.
Labour Overseas. London.
The Ja p a n W eekly Chronicle. Kobe, Jap a n .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 53 ]
54
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
tinuously for any length of time. W oman and child workers form a
large p art of Japanese factory labor, particularly in the textile indus
tries, which rank first in point of num ber employed.
The m ajority of the operatives in spinning mills are girls between
the ages of 16 and 22 who work for short periods, usually from one
to three years. The mills collect the girls from country districts,
paying the railroad fare and sometimes a small advance to the
parents, and the girls usually work only long enough to obtain an
outfit of clothes and then retu rn home to be married. As a result of
the constantly changing labor supply the standard of efficiency is
very low, and it is said th a t it takes two girls in Japan to do the work
of one in England and they cause greater waste and do a poorer quality
of work. A study made by the D epartm ent of Agriculture and Com
merce, at the end of 1917, into the condition of workers in factories
e m p lo y in g five or more operatives showed th a t about 58 per cent of
the workers were women and girls and about 82 per cent of children
under 15 years of age were girls, while about 10 per cent of the total
num ber of employees were children under 15 years of age. In coal
mines in one district 40 per cent of the labor is said to be female.
Something of the conditions under which factory operatives work
m ay be seen from the results of an inquiry by the same departm ent,
in 1919, into the living conditions of workers in 534 spinning, weaving,
and dyeing factories. Most of the women are housed in factory
boarding houses, and the study showed th a t 43 per cent of the com
panies fed these workers chiefly on boiled rice. In the other fac
tories the rice is mixed w ith the cheaper barley, millet, or sweet
potato in the proportion of from 20 to 50 per cent. O ther food such
as vegetables, m eat, or fish are on the average served pot oftener than
eight times a m onth, and two factories were found in which no fish
or°meat was provided. W hile the workshops have improved some
w hat from the hygienic standpoint, the dorm itory conditions are
very bad except in a few large factories. Small factories do not
provide special dormitories, and the workers have to live and sleep
in a p a rt of the factory buildings or in attics w ith no sanitary conven
iences and greatly overcrowded. Considerably oyer half of the fac
tories had no sick rooms and only eight had physicians in attendance.
Hours of work are very long, 12 and 13 hours being the usual num
ber worked in m ost industries, while in cotton mills where machines
are run continuously it is not unusual when business is good to require
18 hours’ work. In such cases m onthly holidays are reduced to two
or are entirely withheld. The filatures in the leading silk center of
the country usually require from 14 to 16 hours’ work. The hours in
Government factories, however, are considerably better, since the
average is about 10, and they seldom exceed 12.
The cost of living in Ja p an was estim ated in November, 1920, to
have increased 176 per cent over the cost for the same period in 1914,
while on December 1 there had been a drop to 169 per cent, due m ainly
to reduced prices of sugar and clothing. Wages did n o t rise in any
such degree as living costs, and in general are exceedingly low as
compared w ith western standards. The wages for adult m ale work
ers in Kobe in July, 1920, ranged from 1.59 yen ($0.79, par) per day
for cotton spinning operatives to 3.50 yen ($1.74, par) for painters.
Seamen were getting 25 or 26 yen ($12.46 or $12.96, par) a m onth
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
154]
LABOR U N R E S T I N
TAPA N.
55
plus an extra allowance of 200 per cent, m aking 75 yen ($37.39, par)
a m onth, and woman cotton operatives earned from 40 to 60 yen
($19.94 to $29.91, par) a m onth. Prim ary teachers received as little
as 40 yen ($19.94, par) a m onth, and there was a very general exodus
from the ranks of teachers and the lower class of Governm ent em
ployees for work which would pay them better wages.
Unemployment, which began to be serious in the early summer,
had extended in the autum n so th a t mines were closed and textile
and other factories had reduced their output. There were wholesale
dismissals of railway workers, and out of 320,000 registered seamen
in 1919 only 62,000 were actually working in the fall of 1920. Several
companies replaced their Japanese seamen with Koreans and Chinese,
whose wages were considerably lower.
Labor sentim ent in Japan has naturally been affected by the sur
vival of the traditions of feudalism, and the feudal teaching th a t the
laborer has no interest in politics and can not understand its work
ings was carried over into the Meiji period and fostered by the bureau
crats in control during th a t time. The feeling of subordination of
feudal days has therefore had great effect in retarding the develop
m ent of class consciousness among the workers of Japan, and p ar
ticularly among the women, who form such a large proportion of the
factory workers of the country. In addition to the feeling of class
inferiority is added the inferior position which women occupy in the
home and which has m ade it doubly hard for them to throw off the
attitu d e of submission acquired through so m any centuries.
Craft guilds flourished under feudalism, and it is this psychology
of the feudal craftsm an which the worker of this generation has in
herited. In feudal times trades were passed from father to eldest
son. A m aster craftsm an (o y a b u n ) was obliged to teach his craft
and bequeath his business to his son, or if he had no son he was re
quired to adopt one. After the apprentice (the son of the oyabun)
had learned something of his trade he started out as a journeym an
or kobun. The journeym an was furnished work, food, and shelter
by any oyabun to whom he applied, and if the journeym an wished
to move he was given money for his traveling expenses. For this
protection he was expected to give absolute obedience, and when
home industry began to develop into factory industry about half a
century ago the workers had it impressed upon them th a t the old
relations of oyabun and kobun were the same, and the workers owed
obedience to employers as in former days, in return for which they
would receive protection. The effects of this teaching have m ade the
workers slow in realizing the new conditions and in combining to
change them.
There are prim itive guilds, consisting of unskilled workers grouped
under “ oyakata,” or bosses, who act as a medium between employers
seeking labor and workers seeking employment. These groups be
come quite powerful, b u t there is a tendency for the irresponsible,
reckless, and lawless to join the group, since the bosses are jealous
of encroachments on their territory, and as the lim its are ill-defined,
fierce quarrels take place in which all those in the gang are expected
to take a part. As a result the more peaceful class of workers prefer
not to join such a group. Also employers are subjected to a kind of
blackmail, for if one wishes to bring in outside labor he is obliged to
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 55 ]
56
M O NTH LY LABOE EE VIEW.
pay the local boss or bosses for the privilege of doing so. B oth the
employer and the steady workmen are interested, therefore, in doing
away w ith these organizations, and public and private employment
agencies are tending to take their places. As there is no a ttem p t at
democratic governm ent in these groups, there is practically no chance
th a t such organization would b etter conditions or further the cause
of labor generally.
Development of Trade-Union Movement.
n p H E Japanese labor m ovem ent m ay be said to have started in 1897,
following the war w ith China, when the industries were in a
flourishing condition, owing to the war indem nity taken from th a t
country. "T he ironw orkers’ union, formed in Tokyo in th a t year, the
first union to be organized in Japan, started w ith more th an a thou
sand members, and a union of railroad engineers and firemen, organ
ized the following year, conducted a strike in which the com pany was
compelled to recognize the union and establish the closed shop.
A labor paper called the Labor W orld was published alm ost from the
outset of the m ovem ent for organization.
Trade-union growth was fairly rapid in the next few years, although
governm ental opposition began to be felt a t an early period. In 1900
a bill was passed called the public peace police law, in which article
17 is as follows:
No violence shall be inflicted upon others, nor threat of violence made against
others, nor the character of others defamed in public with the following enumerated
objects in view, and no inducement or instigation shall be offered to others with the
objects in view expressed in clause 2:
1. To make others join or prevent others joining associations formed for the purpose
of cooperation in regard to conditions and rewards of labor.
2. To make employers discharge employees or refuse applications for employment
or to make employees neglect their duties or refuse applications for employment in
order to effect a lockout or strike.
3. To compel by force others to agree in regard to conditions of labor or rewards of
labor, or to inflict violence upon others, or make threat of violence against others to
compel them by force to agree in regard to conditions of rent of land for agricultural
purposes.
Tliis act has had a repressive effect, labor leaders contend, upon
organization, as it has been easy to construe any a tte m p t a t combined
m ovem ent by laborers as a violation of the law.
The Japan-R ussia w ar (1904-5) gave an added im petus to the
labor m ovem ent through the developm ent of industry, b u t the
economic slump which came after the w ar p u t labor a t a disad
vantage, so th a t it was not until 1912 th a t any large strike or labor
m ovem ent occurred. A t th a t time, however, the street-car workers
of Tokyo went on strike and so com pletely paralyzed the system
th a t the strike was won in a few days.
In 1912, shortly after this strike, the L aborers’ Friendly Society
( Y u a i - l c a i ) was formed. This organization was founded by Mr. Bunji
Suzuki, a law graduate of the Tokyo U niversity and a trade-unionist
of m oderate tendencies who wished to build up a federation of
trade-unions. The m ovem ent was supported by Baron Shibusawa
and others of the upper classes and thus a t the outset came to have
a character not strictly th a t of a labor organization. The objects
of the society are the organization of labor, am elioration of working
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[56]
LABOE U N K E ST IN JA P A N .
57
conditions by the education and assistance, m onetary and other
wise, of the workers, and m ediation in labor disputes. I t was
assumed th a t the patronage and support of these persons of the
upper classes, which was no doubt influenced to a certain extent
by the philanthropic desire to better the position of the workers,
was strongly prom pted by the feeling th a t since a labor m ovem ent
was bound to develop it was better to guide it along m oderate
lines than to allovr it to become a m ovem ent imbued w ith radical
ideas. In spite of the fact, therefore, th a t the society has been
affected by influences not of a purely labor character, it has grown
w ith the growth of labor consciousness and has, since 1918, more
and more identified itself with the strictly labor side of the question.
During 1919 unions of all kinds came into existence, and it was
estim ated th a t by the end of th a t year there were nearly 150 tradeunions w ith a membership of between 80,000 and 100,000. In 1919
the Tokyo Yuai-kai united w ith a num ber of other unions to form a
federation of trade-unions, and the unions of the factory district of
western Japan, of which Kobe, Osaka, and K yoto are the chief
centers, m et in Osaka in March, 1919, to form the W estern Federa
tion of Trade-Unions. Somewhat later in the year another labor
federation (R e d o D o m e i-k a i ) was formed in Tokyo, advocating the
principle of direct action.
The Yuai-kai was reorganized in 1920 on the basis of industrial
departm ents—transport, textile, mining, etc.— and its nam e changed
to General Federation of Labor of Japan ( D a i N ih o n R o d o S o d o m e i
Y u a i - k a i ) . The control of the organization instead of being in the
hands of one person as form erly was placed in the hands of a board
of directors w ith Mr. Suzuki, the founder of the society, as president.
The aims of the federation are entirely trade-union, th a t is, shorter
hours, b etter working conditions, etc., and do not include socialistic
aims such as nationalization or socialization of industries.
While woman workers occupy such a large place in factory life—
about 825,000 out of a total of 1,676,860 workers in factories em
ploying over 15 persons according to the 1918 census—it was not
until the spring of 1919 th a t they became active in the work of labor
organization. A t th a t time the first labor union in which woman
workers were predom inant was formed in Tokyo among the spinners.
This spinners’ union soon reached about 2,000 members, m ostly
women and girls, and a few hundred other woman workers were
scattered about through the Y uai-K ai and other labor organizations.
The m ost im portant of these other unions are the printers’ union
and the ty pists’ union of Tokyo. One of the branches of the YuaiK ai showing the m ost activity has been the seam en’s union, which
num bered about 15,000 members. There were a num ber of smaller
unions outside, and consolidation of all these seam en’s organiza
tions which was taking place last w inter was expected to bring
30,000 members under one general seam en’s union.
The growing im portance of labor questions is shown in the or
ganization of the Labor-Capital H arm onization Society (R o s h i
K y o c h o -k a i) for the purpose of establishing and m aintaining friendly
relations betw een workers and employers. Enorm ous contribu
tions were made by various firms and m any of the influential pro-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[57]
58
M O N T H L Y LABOR R E V IE W .
gressives who were active in the form ation of the Y uai-kai in 1912,
notably Baron Shibusawa, became promoters of the new society.
A report made by R. Soeda of the Kyocho-kai, in January, 1921,
states th a t it is estim ated th a t there are now more th an 300 tradeunions in the country, nearly all of them being organized during
1919. The weaknesses of the trade-unions, he states, lie in their
poor financial status; the lack of a definite program, caused by
extrem e m obility of labor which is constantly passing from factory
to factory and from one occupation to another; the lack of soli
darity, which shows in the small rem uneration of trade-union officers
and the constant dissolution of trade-unions when the leading mem
bers of a union are dismissed from a factory following a labor dis
pute; lack of confidence in trade-union leaders, and the hereditary
attitu d e of loyalty and devotion among the laboring classes tow ard
those who employ them.
T he Socialist Movement.
COCIALISM has been closely identified w ith the labor m ovement.
^
The leader of the socialistic m ovem ent is Dr. Sen K atayam a,
who m ay be said to have introduced socialistic opinions into the
country in 1898. There had been some attem p ts to spread such
theories previous to th a t tim e and some socialist literature had been
translated into Japanese, b u t these earlier attem pts had died out.
The m ovem ent spread rapidly, chiefly among the “ intellectuals,”
and after a few years of developm ent a political p a rty called the
Social Dem ocratic P a rty was form ed on the same platform and
principles as those in other countries. This p a rty was im m ediately
suppressed, b u t in spite of th a t its form ation had had a considerable
propaganda effect. In 1906, owing to a change in the m inistry, a
new socialist p a rty was form ed which lasted for about a year, b u t
a t the first convention of the p a rty the tone of the speeches and a
radical resolution adopted showed th a t the program of the p a rty
was such a revolutionary one th a t it was im m ediately suppressed
b y the Government. In 1908 the red flag riots which took place
in Tokyo a t a m eeting of M arxians and direct actionists, where the
red flag was displayed and revolutionary songs sung, resulted in the
arrest and im prisonm ent of both anarchist and socialist leaders.
From th a t tim e a small group of anarchists decided upon measures
sufficiently desperate to be recorded as their protest against w hat
they regarded as intolerable tyranny. As a result, m 1911 24
leaders were arrested charged w ith being anarchists, 12 of whom
were executed and the rest sentenced to life im prisonm ent. A fter
the term ination of the anarchist trials the revolutionary m ovem ent
was to all appearances dead, b u t gradually w ith the lifting of Gov
ernm ent surveillance the m ovem ent began to revive, although the
different schools of thought began to be differentiated instead of
trying to continue a unity which had proved impossible.
Radical ideas were also developed through contact w ith revolu
tionary groups in foreign countries and the first Russian revolution
in March, 1917, and the one in November had a m arked influence on
the Japanese socialist m ovement. In 1918 the opportunists gained
control of the Tokyo organization and started the State socialist
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[58]
LABOR U N R E S T IN JA P A N .
59
movement, so th a t m any of the younger members gradually left the
party. Interest in socialism and demand for socialistic literature
increased through 1919, and although the police did not relax their
vigilance attem pts to hold meetings became more and more frequent.
The movem ent for universal suffrage, which had been first sponsored
by the socialists, became a powerful movement of its own, leaving
the socialists even more free to preach the doctrine of the dictator
ship of the proletariat, with the consequent drawing together of
labor and socialist forces.
Anarchist doctrines, which had been spread considerably, chiefly
by underground methods, received wide publicity in 1920 through
the trial and im prisonm ent of a member of the faculty of the Tokyo
Im perial U niversity and the editor of the college journal because of
the publication of an article by Prof. Morito on the social and political
views of K ropotkin, in which the author was considered to deal too
sym pathetically w ith his subject. The effect of the trial was to
create an interest in anarchist ideas, which spread through all classes
of the population.
In December, 1920, the social-democratic, syndicalist, and an
archist elements of this movement combined to form the Japan
Socialist League. Delegates from all parts of the country m et in
Tokyo and, although the police prevented any protracted meeting
and m any of the members were arrested, the league was finally
launched. The present membership of the league is about 2,000,
although there are m any times this num ber of persons who believe
in and sym pathize w ith the theories of the association, b u t who
because of the repressive measures of the authorities fear to ally
themselves w ith a radical socialist organization.
Manifestations of Labor Unrest.
A NY account of present m anifestations of social unrest in Japan
m ust begin w ith the rice riots of 1918, since this was the first
popular uprising in which the laboring classes realized to some
extent the power of mass action. The prim ary cause of the riots,
which started among some fishermen’s wives in a small town, was
the enormously increased price of necessaries of life, principally rice,
although the extravagance of the well-to-do and the various ine
qualities of existence were underlying causes. The shops of rice
dealers were raided everywhere and either destroyed or the dealers
were forced to sell at reasonable prices. The riots spread over the
country rapidly, to all the large cities and the principal industrial
districts. In m any places serious fighting between the police and
the rioters took place and m any stores and business places were
burned. Troops were called out in more than 20 places, and after
the riots and the general strike wave subsided the num ber of killed
was found to be in the hundreds, while thousands had been injured.
Arrests were on the wholesale order, there being 7,000 prosecutions,
and the rioters were severely dealt with, some being sentenced to
life im prisonm ent and severe sentences being imposed upon indi
viduals whose only crime was buying rice at the forcibly reduced
prices. Some steps, generally unsuccessful, were taken by the Gov
ernm ent to reduce the price of rice, and collections were taken in
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
59 ]
60
M O N T H L Y LABOE EE V IE W .
m any places to supply cheap food to the poor. The m inistry of
Count Terauchi, which had not been answerable to any of the political
parties, fell in Septem ber as a result of the riots and Mr. H ara, the
chief of the Seiyu-kai party, was m ade premier, the first commoner
to be elevated to this post.
Although among the people generally there was little interest in
politics, it was clear th a t a cabinet had fallen because of the popular
uprising, and this fact and the reduction of the am ount of property
tax, which carried with it the right to vote and which had resulted
in practically doubling the num ber possessing the franchise, were
regarded as evidences of the growing power of the working classes.
The tendency to reject middle or upper class leadership, which had
been growing since the 1918 riots, was increased by a strike among
the printers in Tokyo in the summer of 1919 in which there was
every prospect of success for the strikers until the m ovement was
disorganized by a politician who had had himself m ade president of
the printers’ organization. The outcome of this strike had con
siderable influence in determ ining the workers generally to retain
control of the labor m ovement themselves.
The question of the selection of delegates to the International
Labor Conference a t W ashington arose at this tim e and was another
factor in cementing the solidarity of the labor forces. The workers
demanded a labor delegate who should really represent them, while
the Government was apparently not desirous of sending a direct
representative of the workers. A conference of delegates was
selected by the governors of the different Provinces to elect repre
sentatives to m eet a t a general conference for the purpose of selecting
the labor representative. After a storm y session of three days a
resolution to elect a real labor delegate was defeated and three candi
dates were finally selected to be offered the post in turn. The first and
second, a journalist and a professor, declined, b u t the third, Mr. Masumoto, a director of a large steam ship company, accepted. Meetings
of protest were held throughout the country, mock funerals for the
labor delegate were held in Tokyo and Yokohama, and threats made
against his life so th a t the authorities smuggled him on board
the steamship bringing him to this country His course a t the
labor conference, however, was such as to commend him to the
workers, since he argued for the eight-hour day and against special
exemption for Japanese industries. The feeling among the woman
trade-unionists was very bitter, also, since they had been com pletely
ignored in the choice of a woman adviser to the Japanese delegation,
and a niece of Baron Shibusawa, Mrs. Tanaka, had been appointed
to this post, although she knew nothing of factory conditions. She
a t once m ade a tour of the country to find out something of the
working conditions of girls and women, and at the labor conference
she took a stand w ith Mr. Masumoto in favor of labor legislation
which should be for the betterm ent of existing conditions.
A t the time there was so much agitation over the choosing of the
labor delegates th a t 15,000 workers in a Kobe shipyard conducted a
strike inside the factory, in which the entire force reported for work
each day and rem ained the full 10 hoars although no work was done.
A t the end. of a week the company announced th a t the eight-hour
day would be granted together w ith increased wages. Many other
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 60]
LABOR U N R E S T IN JA P A N .
61
companies, principally shipyards and iron works, immediately insti
tuted the eight-hour day, so th a t in a short time over 100,000 workers
had gained this concession, frequently with actual wage increases,
and m any thousand others had been given the nine-hour day.
Strikes continued to be frequent throughout 1919 and reduction
of output and sabotage (ta ig y o ) were practiced with increasing
frequency, partly because the workers had found w hat a powerful
weapon it is and partly because of the severe penalties inflicted on
the strike leaders, which made them hesitate to go out on actual
strike.
The early p art of 1920 saw a change in the situation, for the period
of prosperity due to the war had begun to decline, and w ith increas
ing unemployment strikes naturally became less frequent. Em
ployers seized this opportunity in reducing forces to let the labor
leaders go first, and there were m any defections from the ranks of
the labor unions, while the loss of the less m ilitant members of the
unions tended to strengthen the radical elements in the labor organi
zations. The women’s section of the Yuai-kai lost a large p a rt of
its membership through a strike in a textile mill in Tokyo in July,
1920, which was started because of the dismissal of several men who
were active in union affairs. The strike, which lasted over two
weeks, resulted in the m ajority returning to work, the dismissal of
the ringleaders in the strike, and a big drop in the membership of
the women’s organization.
A “ go-slow” strike of tram w ay men in Tokyo took place in the
spring of 1920. The car crews adopted different tactics, some carrying
passengers far past the points where they wished to get off, while
others ran their cars so slowly and m ade so m any stops th a t it took
hours to go a few miles. In addition, cars were constantly breaking
down and being sent to the shops for repairs. The strikers were
successful in gaining the 10-hour day and increased wages, b u t
the agitation soon broke out again and m any of the men were dis
missed and some of the strike leaders were arrested. The press was
divided in its sentiments. Most of the newspapers were hostile to
the men, but a few attacked the inefficiency of the m anagem ent and
the repressive attitu d e of the Government.
During the first half of 1920 there were 182 strikes reported, in
volving 25,000 workers. One hundred and tw enty of the strikes
were for higher wages and 27 were protests against wage reductions,
while demands for better working conditions and for dismissal of
unpopular foremen figured in a num ber of the others. From the
beginning of the summer, however, the strike m ovem ent declined
so th at it became negligible as an index of popular dissatisfaction
and unrest.
Demands and Gains of Labor.
A FACTORY law was passed in 1911 bu t was not p u t into effect
until September, 1916. The law applies to factories which
employ regularly not less than 15 persons or to those engaged in
dangerous or unhygienic work, although m any factories employing
more than 15 persons are exempted from the provisions of the law .
The normal working hours are fixed a t 12, b u t exemptions are made
in regard to factories employing only male operatives, and factories
54039 ° — 21 - ----- 5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 61 ]
62
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
m anufacturing silk goods were allowed to have a 14-hour day
a
period of 15 years. Compensation for accidents was also provided
for in the law. The age lim it is fixed at 12 years, or 10 years in “ light
and sim ple” occupations. As a result of the W ashington conference
a bill was introduced to reduce th e hours of labor for women to 10
hours a day and to prohibit the employment of girls under 14 years
of age. The bill, however, did not pass. Several measures were
also introduced to govern the organization and membership of tradeunions. One which was fairly liberal aimed a t preventing discrimi
nation on the p art of employers between union and nonunion work
men and also a t preventing unions from being dissolved merely on
the ground of a breach of rules. The other less liberal bill placed
m any restrictions on the membership and activities of the unions.
The slowing down of the labor m ovem ent as the result of the unem
ploym ent crisis caused the abandonm ent, tem porarily at least, of
these legislative plans, and while little was accomplished even the
consideration of such measures m ust be considered as a step for
ward in a country where practically no protective labor legislation
has been enacted. Universal suffrage was a p a rt of the platform of
the labor unions during 1918 and 1919 b u t the movement lost ground
in 1920 as* the tendency toward direct action rather than tow ard
legislative reform grew stronger.
There have been some attem pts a t inauguration of shop-committee
systems, chiefly among Government works such as arsenals and navy
yards, b u t these attem pts are still in the experim ental stage. L ittle
has been done tow ard improving the sanitation of workplaces or
caring for the health of employees.
A D epartm ent of Social Welfare, corresponding to the D epartm ent
of Labor in western countries, was established in the M inistry of the
Interior in the summer of 1920.
A Japanese official, form erly director of th e Bureau of Commerce
and Industry of the Japanese Government, has outlined the m ost
pressing reforms which need to be instituted for the benefit of Japanese
labor, as follows:
1. The protection of workers should not be confined to the particular factories pro
vided for in the Japanese factory act, butshould be extended to all factories. Further,
due protection should be assured for all the workers employed outside factories.
2. The present conditions under which workers are employed should be improved,
and their properly constituted trade-unions should be accorded public recognition
with a view to stimulating a healthy development of their aspirations.
3. Existing working hours should be curtailed.
4. Definite methods of paying wages should be established.
5. Sunday rest should be enforced.
6. Child labor should be abolished.
7. A compulsory system of insurance for the benefit of workers should be estab
lished.
_
.
. . .
.
,
8. Industrial councils for the solution of industrial difficulties should be estab
lished .
.
..
. ,
9. Generally speaking, not only the material but also the moral conditions ol indus
trial life should be improved and raised to a higher plane.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
r©2]
LABOR UNREST IN JAPAN.
63
Conclusion.
A L T H O U G H Japanese labor has seemed to be on the verge of
*• becoming a real force in the life of the country, it is easy to
overestim ate the power and scope of the labor m ovem ent. The
poverty of the workers makes it impossible for them to accum ulate
large strike funds, which are so necessary for the successful carrying
out of large-scale strike movements, and the hostile a ttitu d e of officials
generally has undoubtedly kept m any of the rank and file workers
out of the movem ent who would otherwise have been inclined to join
it. Only one union, the seam en’s union, has so far succeeded in
•establishing a regular contract with employers, and th a t is the case
w ith only one shipping concern. The strength which the unions
attained during 1919 was largely fictitious, as the economic conditions
which brought it about were so exceptional. Em ployers were anx
ious to m ake profits while the opportunity lasted, and every day a
strike continued m eant to them a loss which they m ight n o t be able
to retrieve later, so th a t they were inclined to accede to alm ost any
demand of their employees. The economic crisis, bringing w ith it
unemployment for a large num ber of workers, showed the workers,
however, th a t their tem porary power was gone and resulted in large
defections from the ranks of the labor unions. Labor unions can
hope for nothing from participation in politics, even with a more
representative governm ent than they possess, since they lack leaders
trained in the intricacy of politics and also because the expense of
m aintaining an effective political party is greater than they could
expect to stand for m any years. For these reasons labor is likely to
tu rn to industrial weapons and develop along radical lines, since there
is a tendency toward adopting extrem e socialist or syndicalist ideas.
There is danger, too, th a t the repressive policy of the Governm ent
m ay direct and strengthen the ideas of labor leaders tow ard the
more radical -schools of thought. The policy of the Government
tow ard the “ control of ideas” was expressed by the Prem ier, Mr.
Hara., in the House of Peers, on Jan u ary 27, in the following words,
quoted from the Jap an Chronicle:
1
It is neither possible nor proper for the Government to interfere with the freedom
ofindividuals in all particulars. A certain liberty of speech, publication, and action
must be permitted. The Government, however, feels constrained to exercise strict
control over those ideas which are calculated to work havoc with the guiding prin
ciples of the national polity, and with the public peace and order. The Government’s
policy of control over socialists is formulated along these lines. As regards the pre
vention of the spread of undesirable ideas, the authorities are taking every possible
measure. As they are cognizant of the futility of all efforts to attain this end by a
temporary expedient, they .are giving their earnest attention to the question of insuring
the security of living for the masses of the people as an antidote against the aggravation
of popular ideas.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[63]
P R IC E S A N D C O ST O F LIVING
Retail Prices of Food in the United States.
H E following tables are based on figures which have been received
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from retail dealers through
m onthly reports of actual selling prices.1
T
T a b l e 1.—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E MAY 15, 1921, C O M PA R E D W IT H MAY 15, 1920, A N D A P R .
15, 1921.
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 p er cent an d over are given in whole num bers.]
Average retail price on—
Article.
Sirloin Steak............................................
R ound s te a k ...........................................
R ib ro a s t..................................................
Chuck ro a s t.............................................
P la te beef. .
P o rk chops...............................................
B acon........................................................
H a m ..........
....................................
L am b, leg o f............................................
H en s............
Salmon, ca n n e d ......................................
Milk, fre s h ...............................................
Milk, ev ap o rated ....................................
B u tte r . . T.................................................
O leom argarine........................................
N u t m a rg a rin e ......................................
Cheese.......................................................
L a rd ..........................................................
Crisco........................................................
Eggs, stric tly fresh ........
B read ___
F lo u r.........................................................
Corn m e a l...
Rolled o ats__
Corn flakes...............................................
C ream of W h ea t.....................................
M acaro n i.................................................
R ic e ...........................................................
B eans, n a v y ___
....................................
P o ta to e s......
O nions........
C abbage...................................................
B eans, b a k e d ..........................................
Corn, can n e d ..
............................
P eas, c a n n e d ..
Tom atoes, can n ed .................................
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ..................................
T ea... w .. .
................................
Coffee........................................................
P ru n es..............
................................
R aisin s......................................................
B a n a n a s ...................................................
O ranges__
U nit.
P o u n d ..............
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
Q u a rt...............
15-16-oz. c a n . .
P o u n d ..............
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
Dozen...............
P o u n d ..............
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
8-oz. p a ck a g e ..
28-oz. package.
P o u n d .............
...d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ..................
No. 2 c a n .........
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
P o u n d ..............
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
. ..d o ...................
Dozen...............
. ..d o ...................
All articles com bined 2............... _.........
M ay 15,
1920.
A pr. 15,
1921.
M ay 15,
1921.
C en ts.
C en ts.
C en ts.
43. 4
39. 9
33. 4
26. 5
18. 8
42. 5
52. 6
55. 5
42. 1
47. 1
37.1
16. 2
14.7
71. 6
43. 3
36. 5
42. 9
29. 8
37.2
52. 9
11. 5
8. 7
6. 7
10. 5
14. 1
30. 1
20. 7
18.7
11. 8
9.6
8.0
8.4
16.8
18.6
19. 1
15. 1
25.4
74.0
49.2
28.3
27.4
43.2
71.8
40. 0
35.6
30. 4
22. 4
15. 4
37.1
44. 4
49. 3
34. 6
43. 1
36. 9
14.9
14. 6
32. 4
29. 1
37.3
18. 4
23. 1
34. 3
10. 3
5.9
4. 6
10. 0
12. 8
29. 8
20. 9
9.2
8. 1
2. 3
3.9
5.1
14.9
16.3
17. 8
11.5
9.7
70.4
36.6
19. 5
31.3
40.9
44.4
40.1
35. 6
30. 2
22. 0
15. 0
35. 1
43. 5
48. 7
34. 7
41. 3
36. 3
14. 4
14. 3
42. 5
30. 8
28. 2
31. 5
16. 7
21. 7
33. 4
9. 9
5. 7
4. 5
9. 9
12. 6
29. 8
21.0
8. 8
7. 9
2. 2
5.6
5.6
14.6
15.9
17.5
11.4
8. 4
70.0
36. 1
18.7
31. 0
40. 1
46.7
P er cent of increase
( + ) or decrease
( - ) M ay 15,1921,
com pared w ith—
M ay 15,
1920.
A pr. 15,
1921.
- 8
—11
-1 0
-1 7
-2 0
-1 7
-1 7
-1 2
-1 8
-1 2
- 2
-1 1
- 3
-4 1
-2 9
-2 3
-2 7
-4 4
-4 2
-3 7
-1 4
-3 4
-3 3
- 6
-1 1
- 1
+ 1
-5 3
-3 3
-7 7
-3 0
-3 3
-1 3
-1 5
- 8
-2 5
-6 7
- 5
-2 7
-3 4
+ 13
- 7
-3 5
+ 0.2
0
—1
- 2
—3
—5
- 2
- 1
+ 0.3
- 4
- 2
- 3
- 2
-2 4
- 5
- 3
-1 6
- 9
- 6
- 3
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 1
- 2
0
+ 0.4
- 4
- 2
- 4
+ 44
+ 10
- 2
- 2
- 2
- 1
-1 3
- 1
- 1
- 4
- 1
- 2
+ 5
-3 3
- 4.8
1 I n add itio n to m o n th ly retail prices of food a n d coal, th e bu reau secures prices of gas a n d d ry goods
from each of 51 cities. Gas has heretofore been published in th e Ju n e issue, b u t appears this year in th e
Ju ly issue. D ry goods appears regularly in th e April, Ju ly , October, an d December issues of th e Monthly
L abor R eview .
2 See n ote 2, p . 65.
64
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[64]
65
RETAIL PRICES. OF FOOD,
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food on May 15,
1920, and on April 15 and May 15, 1921, as well as the percentage
changes in the m onth and in the year. For example, the price of
b u tte r on May 15, 1920, was 71.6 cents; on April 15, 1921, 55.6 cents;
and on May 15, 1921, 42.5 cents. These figures show a decrease of
41 per cent in the year and 24 per cent in the m onth.
The cost of various articles of food,2 combined, showed a decrease
of 33 per cent in May, 1921, as compared w ith May, 1920, and a
decrease of 4.8 per cent in May, 1921, as compared w ith April, 1921.
.—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D FO O D A R T IC L E S A N D P E R C E N T
O F IN C R E A S E OR D E C R E A S E M AY 15 O F C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M PA R E D
W IT H MAY 15, 1913.
table 2
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 p e r cen t a n d over are given in w hole num bers.]
P er cent of increase ( + ) or de
crease (—) M ay 15 of each
specified year com pared w ith
M ay 15, 1913.
Average re ta il prices M ay 15A rticle.
U n it.
1913 1914 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1914 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921
P o u n d ..........
. . . d o ..............
. . . d o ..............
. . .d o ..............
. . . d o ..............
. . . d o ..............
.. .d o ..............
. . .d o ..............
. . . d o ..............
__d o ...............
.. .d o ..............
Q u a rt............
15-16-oz. can.
P o u n d ..........
. . .d o ..............
__d o ...............
. . . d o ..............
. . .d o ..............
__d o ...............
D ozen...........
P o u n d ..........
. . .d o ..............
. . .d o ..............
R o l le d o a ts
__d o .............
C o r n fla k e s
8-oz. p k g ___
C r e a m o f \V hea,t.
28-oz. p k g __
M a ea ro n i
P o u n d ..........
Rice ....................... . . . d o . ............
B eans, n a v y
.d o ............
P o ta to e s .. [ ............. . . . d o ..............
Sirloin s te a k ............
R oun d s te a k ............
R ib ro a s t..................
C huck ro a s t..............
P la te beef.................
P o rk c h o p s...............
B aco n ........................
H a m ...........................
L a m b , leg of............
H e n s ........................
Salm on (can n ed )__
Milk, fre s h __
Milk) ev ap o rated .
B u tte r .......................
O leom argarine___
N u t m a rg a rin e .
Cheese.......................
L a rd ...........................
Orison
Eggs, s tric tly fre s h .
B re ad .........................
F lo u r.........................
Corn m e a l.................
O n io n s
C abbage
B eans baked
O n rn p a n n e d
Peps panned
T o m a to e s ea-n n ed
. d o ...............
do.
N o. 2 can
do.
do.
do.
C ts.
C ts.
25.5
22.2
20. t
16.1
12.2
20. £
26. t
26.7
19.4
22.2
25.8
23.3
20.3
10.5
12.5
22.3
26.8
26.7
19.8
22.7
8. 8
Cts.
32.3
29.6
25.8
21.5
16+
30.6
41.8
38.7
29.7
29.3
25.7
8.9 10. 4
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
40. 0
38. t
31.8
27.8
21. £
36.7
50.5
45.6
36.8
37.8
29.6
13.2
44. 4
41.6
35.2
29.7
22.5
43.0
56.7
54.5
39.6
43. 5
31.9
14.9
15.1
67.9
40.4
35.3
42.2
38.8
33.9
53.1
9.8
7.5
6.2
8.5
14.1
25.1
19.3
13.4
12. 0
3.3
10. 7
9.6
17. 5
19.1
19.0
15.8
10.6
69.8
40.5
23. 2
16.5
38.8
54.1
43. 4
39. i
33.4
26.5
18.8
42.5
52.6
55.5
42.1
47.1
37.1
16.2
14.7
71.6
43.3
36.5
42.9
29.8
37.2
52.9
11.5
8.7
6.7
10.5
14.1
30.1
20.7
18.7
11. 8
9.6
8.0
8.4
16.8
18.6
19.1
15.1
25.4
74.0
49.2
28.3
27.4
43.2
71.8
40.1
35.6
30.2
22.0
15.0
35.1
43.5
48.7
34.7
41.3
36.3
14.4
14.3
42.5
30.8
28.2
31.5
16.7
21.7
33.4
9.9
5.7
4.5
9.9
12.6
29.8
21.0
8.8
7.9
2.2
5.6
5.6
14.6
15.9
17.5
11.4
8.4
70.0
36.1
18.7
31.0
40.1
46.7
35.9 32.7 46.7 51.0
21.9 22.8 33.8 33.4
15.8
27. 8 32.9
26.3 26.7 40.0 42.4
5.6 6.2 9.5 9.9
3.3 3.3 8.8 6.6
2.9 3. 1 5.3 7.0
8.6
1.6
8.7 10.5 12.3
19.1 17.8
1.9 6.0 2.2
8.6 5.6
..
Sugar, g ra n u la te d .. P o u n d .......... 5.4 5.0 10.1 9. i
T e a ..
............... .. .d o .............. 54.4 54.7 55.9 63.8
. . .d o .............. 29.8 29.7 30.1 30.1
Coffee
P ru n es
do.
15.3 16.5
14.4 15.1
do.
R a i s in s
B ananas
O ra n g e s
D ozen
do.
+ 1
+ 5
+ 2
+ 2
+ 2
+ 7
- 0 .4
0
+ 2
+ 2
+56 +73 + 70 +57
+71 +87 +80 +60
+ 59 +76 +67 +51
+ 73 + 84 + 65 +37
+ 80 + 84 + 54 +23
+76 + 106 + 103 +68
+ 88 + 111 -1-96 +62
+71 + 104 + 108 +82
+53 +90 + 104 + 117 +79
+32 + 71 +96 + 112 +86
+ 1
+ 18 +50 +69 + 84 +64
- 9
+30 +42 + 89 +99 +18
+ 4
- 2
+54 + 53 +93 +96 +44
+76 +108 +146 + 89 + 6
+ 2
+ 11
0
+ 7
+52 +61 + 102 +101
+70 +77 +75 + 105
+ 167 + 100 + 127 +164
+ 83 + 141 + 114 +131
+27
+77
+73
+55
+ 1
+22 +43 +56 +117 + 2
+19
+275 +38 +106 +500 +38
- 7
+87 +69 +96 +370 +56
+ 3 + 17 + 28 +36 +29
+ 1
- 0.3 + 1 + 1 +36 + 65 +21
+ 1
All a rt,ie le s eom bined.2
+26
+33
+29
+34
+34
+46
+55
+56 +64 +91 +123 +50
2 T he following 22 articles, weighted according to th e consum ption of th e average fam ily, h av e been used
from Jan u a ry , 1913, to D ecember, 1920: Sirloin steak, ro u n d steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork
chops, bacon, h am , la rd , hens, flour, corn m eal, eggs, b u tte r, m ilk , bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice,
coffee, tea. T he rem ainder of th e 43 articles show n in Tables 1 a n d 2 have been included in th e weighted
aggregates for each m o nth, beginning w ith Jan u ary , 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[65]
MONTHLY LABOE KEVIEW.
66
Table 2 shows for the U nited States average retail prices of speci
fied food articles on May 15 of each year, 1913 and 1914, and for each
year from 1917 to 1921, together w ith the percentage changes in May
of each of these specified years compared w ith May, 1913. For
example, the price of butter in May, 1913, was 35.9 cents; in May,
1914, 32.7 cents; in May, 1917, 46.7 cents; in May, 1918, 51.0 cents;
in May, 1919, 67.9 cents; in May, 1920, 71.6 cents; and in May, 1921,
42.5 cents. As compared w ith the average price in May, 1913, these
figures show the following percentage changes: Nine per cent decrease
in 1914; 30 per cent increase in 1917; 42 per cent increase in 1918;
89 per cent increase in 1919; 99 per cent increase in 1920; and 18 per
cent increase in 1921.
Table 3 shows the changes in the retail price of each of 22 articles
of food3 as well as the changes in the am ounts of these articles th a t
could be purchased for $1, each year, 1913 to 1920, and in May, 1921.
T a b l e 3 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O F FO O D A N D AM O U N T
P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1, B Y Y E A R S , 1913 TO 1920, A N D F O R MAY, 1921.
Sirloin steak. R ound steak.
Y ear.
R ib roast.
Chuck roast.
P la te beef.
P ork chops.
A ver
A ver
A ver
Aver
Aver
A ver
A m t.
A m t.
age
age
A m t.
A m t.
A m t.
age
age
A m t.
age
age
retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for $1. retail for $L
price.
price.
price.
price.
price.
price.
P e r lb.
1913................... $0.254
1914..................... . 259
1915..................... .257
1916..................... .273
1917..................... .315
1918..................... .389
1919..................... .417
1920..................... .437
1921: M ay____
.401
L bs.
Bacon.
P e r lb.
1913..................... $0. 270
1914..................... .275
1915..................... .269
1916..................... .287
1917..................... .410
1918..................... .529
1919..................... .554
1920..................... .523
1921: M ay.......... .435
P e r lb.
L b s.
L bs.
P e r lb.
P e r qt.
P e r lb.
Q ts.
P e r lb.
L b s.
L bs.
P e r lb.
P e r lb.
P e r d z.
4.7 $0.345
4.6
.353
4.8
.341
4.2
.375
3.5
.481
2.7
.569
2.4
.628
2.2
.681
2.4
.334
Flour.
17.9 $0.033
15.9
.034
.042
14.3
13.7
.044
10.9
.070
10.2
.067
.072
10.0
.081
8.7
10.1
.057
L b s.
L b s.
P e r lb.
L b s.
4.8
4.5
4.9
4.4
3.1
2.6
2.4
2.4
2.8
B u tte r.
D zs.
P e r lb.
L bs.
2.9 $0.383
2.8
.362
2.9
.358
2.7
.394
2.1
.487
l.S
.577
1.6
.678
1.5
.701
3.0
.425
Corn m eal.
30.3 $0.030
29.4
.032
23.8
.033
22.7
.034
14.3
.058
14.9
.068
13.9
.064
.065
12.3
.045
17.5
P e r lb.
8.3 $0.210
7.9
.220
.203
8.3
7.8
.227
6.4
.319
4.9
.390
5.0
.423
5.5
.423
6.7
.351
Eggs.
L bs.
6.3 $0.213
6.4
. 218
6.8
.208
.236
5.7
.286
3.6
3.0
.377
2.7
.411
3.4
. 447
6.0
.413
L bs.
P e r lb.
6.3 $0.121
0.0
.126
6.2
.121
5.8
. 128
4.8
.157
3.8
.206
3.7
.202
3.8
.183
4.5
.150
H ens.
B read.
11.2 $0.056
11.2
.063
11.4
.070
11.0
.073
.092
9.0
7.2
.093
6.5
.100
.115
6.0
6.9
.099
P e r lb.
5.1 $0.160
4.9
.167
.161
5.0
.171
4.7
.209
4.0
.266
3.3
.270
3.1
.262
3.0
.220
3.3
3.7 $0.158
.156
3.7
.148
3.8
3.4
.175
.276
2.6
2.1
.333
.369
1.9
.295
1.8
2.1
.167
Milk.
5 $0.089
4.4
.089
.088
4.3
.091
.3 .9
.112
.3 .0
. 139
2.8
.155
2.3
2.4
.167
3.2
. 144
L b s.
L ard.
L b s.
3.7 $0.269
3.6
.273
3.7
.261
3.5
.294
.382
2.4
1.9
.479
1.8
.534
.555
1.9
.487
2.3
L b s.
P e r lb.
4.5 $0.198
4.2
.204
4.3
.201
.212
4.1
3.4
.249
.307
2.7
2.6
.325
.332
2.5
.302
2.8
H am .
Cheese.
1913..................... $0.221
1914....
.229
1915..................... .232
1916....
.258
1917...................
.332
1918...................
.359
1919..................... .426
1920...............
.416
1921: M ay.......... .315
P e r lb.
3.9 $0. 223
3.9
.236
3.9
.230
.245
3.7
3.2
.290
2.6
.369
2.4
.389
.395
2.3
2.5
.356
L b s.
2.6
2.8
2.8
2.5
2.1
1.7
1.5
1.4
2.4
Rice.
P e r lb.
33.3 $0.037
.088
31.3
30.3
.091
29.4
.091
17.2
.104
14.7
.129
.151
15.6
.174
15.4
22.2
.088
L b s.
11.5
11.4
11.0
11.0
9.6
7.8
6.6
5.7
11.4
8 A lthough m o n th ly prices h av e been secured on 43 food articles since J an u a ry , 1919, prices on only 22
of these articles have been secured each m o n th since 1913.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[66]
BETAIL, PRICES OF FOOD.
67
T a b l e 3 .— A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O F FO O D A N D A M O U N T
P U R C H A S A B L E F O R $1, B Y Y E A R S , 1913 TO 1920, A N D F O R M AY, 1921—Concluded.
Potatoes.
Y ear.
Sugar.
Coffee.
Tea.
A ver
A ver
A ver
A ver
age
A m t.
A m t.
age
A m t.
age
age
A m t.
re ta il for $1. retail fo r$ l. retail for SI. re ta il for $1.
price.
price.
p rice.
price.
P e r lb.
L b s.
1913........................................................................... $0.017
1914........................................................
.018
1915........................................
.015
1916.........................................................
.027
1917........................................................
.043
1918.....................................................................
.032
1919...........................................................................
.038
1920...........................................................................
.063
1921: M ay.................................................................. .022
P e r lb.
58.8 80.055
55.6
.059
66. 7
.066
37.0
.080
.093
23. 3
31. 3
.097
26. 3
.113
15.9
.194
45.5
.084
L bs.
P e r lb.
18.2 $0. 298
16.9
.297
15.2
.300
12. 5
. 299
10. 8
.302
10.3
.305
8.8
.433
5.2
.470
11.9
.861
L bs.
P e r lb.
3.4 $0. 544
3.4
.546
3.3
.545
3.3
.546
.582
3.3
3.3
.648
2.3
.701
2.1
.733
2.8
.700
L bs.
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.7
1.t>
1.4
1.4
1.4
Index Numbers of Retail Prices of Food in the United States.
IN Table 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in the
1 retail prices of each of 22 food articles,4 by years from 1907 to
1920, and by m onths for 1920 and 1921.5 These index num bers, or
relative prices, are based on the year 1913 as 100, and are computed
by dividing the average price of each comm odity for each m onth and
each year by the average price of th a t comm odity for 1913. These
figures m ust be used w ith caution. For example, the relative price
of rib roast for the year 1920 was 168, which means th a t the average
money price for th e year 1920 was 68 p e rc e n t higher than the average
money price for the year 1913. The relative price of bacon for the
year 1919 was 205 and for the year 1920, 194, which figures show a
drop of 11 points b u t a decrease of only 5 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index num bers showing the
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food, combined. From
January, 1913, to December, 1920, 22 articles have been included in
the index, and beginning with January, 1921, 43 articles have been
used.5 For an explanation of the m ethod used in m aking the link
between the cost of the m arket basket of 22 articles, weighted ac
cording to the average fam ily consumption in 1901, and the cost of
the m arket basket based on 43 articles and weighted according to
the consumption in 1918, see M o n t h l y L a bo r R e v ie w for March,
1921 ( p . 25).
The curve shown in the chart on page 69 pictures more readily to
the eye the changes in the cost of the fam ily m arket basket and the
trend in the cost of the food budget than do the index numbers
given in the table. The retail cost of the food articles included in
the index has decreased since Ju ly , 1920, until the curve is brought
down in May, 1921, to approxim ately where it was in April, 1917.
The chart has been drawn on the logarithm ic scale,0 because the
percentages of increase or decrease are more accurately shown than
on the arithm etic scale.
4 See note 2, p . 65.
5 F o r in d e x n um bers of each, m o n th , Jan u a ry , 1913, to D ecember, 1920, see M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w
for F e b ru a ry , 1921, pp.. 19-21.
e For a discussion of th e logarithm ic ch art, see article on “ Comparison of arithm etic a n d ratio c harts,”
b y L ucian W . Chaney, M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w for M arch, 1919, p p . 20-34. Also, “ The ‘ra tio ’ c h arts,”
by Prof. Irving Fisher, rep rin ted from Q u arterly Publications of th e A m erican S tatistical Association,
June, 1917, 24 p p .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 67 ]
T able 4 .—IN D E X N U M B ER S SH O W IN G C H A N G E S IN T H E R E T A IL P R IC E S OE T H E P R IN C IP A L A R TIC LE S OF FOOD IN T H E U N IT E D ST A TES, BY
Y E A R S , 1907 TO 1920, AND B Y M ON TH S F O R 1920 AN D 1921.
O
00
Average for y ear 1913=100.]
R ound R ib C huck P la te Pork Ba H am . L a rd . H ens. Eggs. B u t Cheese. Milk. Bread. Flour. Com Rice. P ota Su
Y ear and m o n th . Sirloin
meal.
toes. gar.
ter.
steak. steak. roast. roast. beef. ch o p s. con.
i
1907
1Q0R
1QOQ
1Q10
1Q1 I
1913............................
1914............................
1915............................
1916............................
1917............................
1918............................
1919............................
1 9 2 0 : Av. f o r y e a r . .
Jan u a ry .'...........
F e b ru a ry ...........
M arch.................
A p ril...................
M ay....................
Ju n e ...................
J u ly ....................
A ugust...............
Septem ber........
October..............
N ovem ber.........
D ecem ber..........
1921:
J a n u a ry .............
F e b ru a ry ..........
M arch.................
A pril...................
M ay....................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
100
104
100
106
130
170
167
151
201
152
152
150
157
155
157
158
154
152
147
146
136
178
180
186
206
202
194
208
219
238
238
210
157
74
77
83
95
91
91
100
102
100
106
152
196
205
194
186
186
186
191
195
200
203
203
202
202
196
176
171
156
168
177
167
171
166
155
164
161
166
167
168
179
179
191
202
196
193
188
178
160
100
104
101
107
131
166
169
164
158
157
157
166
166
174
179
172
170
162
f58
145
163
153
157
160
160
157
148
152
154
153
148
138
141
140
138
140
129
130
127
124
68
71
01
100
102
101
108
124
153
164
89
100
106
103
172
177
159
160
161
170
171
182
192
186
185
177
171
156
159
151
154
157
158
81
74
76
83
92
85
91
100
105
96
108
152
186
201
76
78
81
85
85
94
100
103
101
107
126
155
164
168
159
159
161
169
169
176
181
170
175
168
165
152
71
73
77
80
74-
78
7Q
n o
130
165
174
187
188
190
199
206
215
222
223
225
222
212
186
94
100
99
93
111
175
211
134
187
215
204
192
191
189
185
184
177
177
185
183
162
197
210
215
224
221
216
211
212
214
207
201
189
84
86
93
98
93
99
100
102
99
109
139
165
182
197
240
199
161
153
153
155
166
184
206
234
250
268
180
179
181
183
181
141
131
124
116
106
200
201
203
202
194
229
139
121
99
97
76
78
82
91
89
91
100
102
97
109
142
178
209
206
81
80
90
104
88
81
83
89
94
91
93
100
102
97
111
134
177
193
210
85
86
90
94
100
104
105
117
150
162
193
188
196
196
194
194
194
189
186
183
184
184
180
176
87
90
91
95
96
97
100
100
99
102
125
156
174
188
187
188
187
183
182
182
188
191
193
194
194
189
175
174
176
169
143
183
173
171
167
162
88
98
100
94
93
103
127
151
177
183
194
190
196
199
187
175
177
175
179
180
181
162
159
148
150
145
111
100
112
124
130
164
175
179
205
195
198
200
200
205
211
213
213
213
211
207
193
95
102
109
108
102
105
100
104
126
135
211
203
218
245
245
245
242
245
264
267
264
255
252
236
221
200
92
94
95
94
102
100
205
198
113
192
227
213
217
220
217
217
217
223
230
233
230
227
213
197
183
193
189
188
184
177
203
197
194
179
173
173
167
160
153
150
Cof
fee.
105
108
107
109
117
115
100
108
120
146
169
176
205
208
210
211
214
215
215
214
210
202
185
163
152
105
111
112
101
130
135
100
108
89
159
253
188
224
371
318
353
400
535
565
606
524
294
229
200
194
188
324
342
340
367
462
485
482
416
333
253
235
191
100
100
101
100
101
102
145
158
165
165
165
165
165
165
165
162
153
146
139
133
137
121
113
106
101
176
153
147
135
129
176
162
176
176
153
129
126
125
123
121
88
100
101
104
105
119
148
174
200
353
All
Tea. articles
com
bined.
82
84
89
93
92
98
100
102
101
114
146
168
186
100
100
100
100
107
119
129
135
203
132
131
135
135
136
136
137
137
137
133
135
133
201
200
200
211
215
219
219
207
203
198
193
178
133
131
131
129
129
172
158
156
152
145
m
O
tzj
1-3
M
F
k!
F
&
o
3
T R E N D O F R E T A IL COST O F 22 FO O D A R T IC L E S , C O M B IN E D , F O R T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S , B Y M O N T H S, JA N U A R Y , 1913, TO M AY , 1921.
[Average cost for 1913=100.]
400
375
350
325
300
275
250
200
175
150
[69]
125
100
75
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
225 '
50(
40
>a M b
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
d S a*® d d'iO c ib 2P a.*»’ 5; 8 c -^ i3 S
jb*'SP pL+* d d d ^ d d ^ a i ^ S’a.-**'
Spa,** ^ £ d-® d d
e
SP a.*» d « ¿ x : b d
d d - ,d b d £>« >> ‘¿'d.+i > 6
t£ h
>-,£>> be -d • > rj
05
co
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
10
Retail Prices of Food in 51
A VERAGE retail food prices are shown in Table 5 for 39 cities for
For 12 other cities prices are shown for the same dates with
bureau until after 1913.
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
[The prices shown in th e tables following are com puted from reports sent m o nthly to th e B ureau b y retail
B irm ingham , Ala.
B altim ore, Md.
A tla n ta , Ga,
May 15—
M ay 15—
A p r. M ay
A p r. M ay
A p r. M ay
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1921. 1921, 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
1921.
1921.
1913 1920
1913 1920
A rticle.
U n it.
C ts.
Cts.
Sirloin s te a k ......................
R ound s te a k .....................
R ib ro a st...........................
Chuck ro a st.......................
P la te beef...........................
P o u n d ..........
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
24.0
21.0
19.1
14.9
10.8
41.0
38.3
31.8
25.6
19.1
36.3
33.7
28.8
21.2
14.0
P o rk chops........................
B acon..................................
TTa m .
L am b, leg o f.....................
TTen s .
.........................
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. .. d o ...............
. ..d o . . ...........
22.5
31.0
29.0
20.0
19.6
42.3
56.3
55.-8
49.3
41.9
33.0
ftal rn on (ean n ed 1_
.d o ...............
Milk, fresh .................. ...... Q u a rt........... 10.0 25.0
16. C
Milk, ev ap o rated ............. 15-16-oz. ean.
B u tte r ................................ P o u n d .......... 39.3 77.2
45.6
. ..d o ...............
Ol eom arg arin e..........
M ay 15—
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
36.8
34.5
29.3
20.8
13.7
23.3
22.0
18.7
15.7
12.8
42.6
40.7
33.7
26.3
18.7
39.5
36.5
31. 5
23.1
16.1
39.2
36.0
31.3
22.5
15.9
26.8
22.5
19.9
16.8
10.5
43.9
40.8
32.4
27.7
19.8
40.2
36.2
29.6
24.6
15.5
39.6
35.4
29.9
23.5
14.6
34.2
45.4
47.6
35.7
35.2
33.9
43.5
46.9
35.7
32.7
18.3
23.3
31.0
18.0
22.6
42.4
45.9
50.2
43.9
49.2
34.5
37.9
54.0
33.7
45.8
33.3
36.4
52.8
34.6
44.6
20.8
33.1
30.0
21.7
18.0
41.4
58.5
56.5
45.0
40.6
34.6
49.4
50.4
36.8
37.5
33.7
48.5
50.6
36.8
34. 5
22.4
20.0
15.2
59.1
37.3
35.0
21.8
20. 0 8.8 16.0
15.1
13.9
48.1 38.6 78.2
37.2
42.6
33.4
14.0
14.4
61.5
31.3
33.2
38.8
14.0 iÖ. 3 25.0
15.8
13.8
49.4 41. Ö 76.8
44.8
30.6
38.8
20.0
15.9
62.4
37.3
38.0
20.0
15.6
46.7
36.4
C ts.
N u t m arg arin e___
Cheese............
L ard
f!ri sco
Pggs stric tly fresh .. .
39.3 33.9 31.5
39.4 32.3 31.0
. ..d o ...............
35.5 29.1 28.7
. ..d o ............... 25.0 42.6 35.2 27.9 22.0 43.6 38.3 31.5 21.8 43.4 37.1 29.1
. ..d o ............... 15.5 29.7 17.8 17.2 14.3 28.6 16.9 14.7 15.8 30.2 18.5 17.1
34.2 20.3 18.9
37.6 26.8 25.9
.. .d o ...............
35.6 22.5 19.5
D ozen........... 22.6 49.5 31.6 30.6 22.4 49.7 31.6 32.0 23.8 49.3 32.9 30.3
B re ad ............... ..................
F lo u r..................................
Corn m e a l.........................
Rolled oats...................... .*
Corn flak es..........
P o u n d ..........
. ..d o ....... .......
. ..d o ...............
. .. d o ...............
8 oz. p k g ___
6.0 11.5 11.5 11.1 5.4 11.3 9.9 9.2
3.7 8.5 6.4 6. C 3.2 8.8 5.9 5.6
2.5 6.0 3.5 3.4 2.4 5.8 3.7 3.7
11.8 11. £ 11.0
9.8 9,5 9.6
14.3 13.7 13.4
13,3 11.8 11.8
Cream of W h e a t..............
M acaroni............................
R ice....................................
Beans, n a v y ......................
P o tato es...”.......................
28 oz. p k g ...
P o u n d ..........
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
31.4 31.4 31.6
21.5 22.4 22.6
8.6 18.1 7.8 7.7
14. ( 10. 2 9.7
2.0 11.8 3.2 3.2
O nions................................
C abbage..............................
Beans, b a k e d ..............
Corn, can n ed__ .
Peas, can n ed .....................
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
No. 2 e a n . . .
. ..d o ...............
. .. d o ...............
13.0 4.9 7.3
8.4 4.8 3.8
16.3 13.8 13.8
19.9 15.1 15.2
20.7 17.4 18.1
. ..d o ...............
14.7
Tom atoes, can n ed.......
Sugar, g ra n u la te d . .
P o u n d .......... 5.3 28.8
T e a ..................................... . ..d o ............... 60.0 89.5
.. .d o ............... 32.0 53.3
Coffee.
P ru n es............................
R aisins....... ...............
B a n a n a s .............................
O ranges.......................
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ..............
Dozen...........
. ..d o ...............
28.5
24. 1
33.8
63.2
5.3 11.4 10.2 9.4
3.8 8.6 6.8 6.5
2.2 5.8 3.5 3.2
11.8 11.6 11.6
14.9 14.4 14.1
31.3 32.1 32.1
28.8 28.1 27.8
21.6 22.5 22.0
19.8 20.9 21.1
9.0 17.7 9.6 9.3 8.2 18.7 8.8 8.5
10. £ 7. £ ,7.-S
13. S 9.8 9.0
1.9 9.4 1.9 1.9 1.9 11.0 3.5 3.3
11.4 3.5 6.3
8.9 5.5 4.7
15.2 14.0 13.0
18.2 15.9 15.9
18.9 16.0 16.1
11.5 5.0 7.6
7.5 5.2 4.8
18.4 16. 4 16.2
18.7 16.4 16.3
21.1 21.5 21.1
10.3 10.3
14.0 9.7 9.6
14.5
10.0 8.6 4.5 22.4 9.1 7.6 5.2 28.6
91.1 91. 1 56.0 70.4 68.0 67.0 61.3 88.1
33.3 33.0 25.2
31.5 31.3 28.8 49.7
19.5
32.8
29.5
38.7
18.5
35.0
30.5
43.8
26.3
26.7
30.4
74.1
18.1
29.8
33.5
45.4
18.0
29.1
30.4
54.1
10.3 10.2
10.0 8.8
88.9 86.2
39.4 39.0
29.5 23.1 21.2
24.3 33.0 32.5
44.3 43.0 40.9
42.1 45.0
1 The steak for which prices are here quoted is k n o w n as “ porterhouse” in m ost of the cities included in
this report, b u t in th is city it is called “ sirloin” steak
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 70 ]
BETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
71
Cities on Specified Dates.
May 15, 1913, for May 15, 1920, and for April 15 and May 15, 1921.'
the exception of May, 1913, as these cities were not scheduled by the
O F FO O D F O R 51 C IT IE S ON C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S.
dealers. As some dealers occasionally fail to report, tlie n u m b er of quotations varies from m o n th to m onth]
B oston, Mass.
M ay 15—
B ridgeport, Conn.
Apr.
May
C ts.
May A pr.
May
Buffalo , N . Y .
M ay 15—
B u tte, M ont.
A pr. M ay M ay A pr. M ay
C harleston, S. C.
M ay 15—
1913
1920
A pr. M ay
15,
1921. 1921. 1920. 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1920. 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts..
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
C ts.
44.4
40.9
34.4
24.5
11.5
Cts.
C ts.
44.6
41.3
34.2
24.1
11.5
22.3
19.3
17.5
15.3
11.8
40.3
36.8
32.2
25.8
17.5
37.1
32.4
29.3
20.9
13.4
37.7
32.5
28.9
21.0
13.6
C ts.
49.9
46.2
37.8
29.8
15.1
40.1
34.8
32.3
25.9
18.5
31.6
27.6
24.6
18.6
13.1
31.5
27.3
24.7
18.4
13.1
21.8
20.5
20.8
15.0
12.0
40.9
40.9
33.1
27.3
21.4
40.3
39.4
32.6
25.3
19.3
39.7
38.8
32.2
25.1
1S.1
19.8
22.0
25.7
18. 7
22.5
43.5 38.0
45.6 34.7
53. ¿V 46.9
35.8 28.1
44.9 42.4
36.5
33.5
47.1
29.4
41.9
43.9
62.5
62.0
39.2
48.0
34.7
53.2
52.9
30.4
41.2
34.7
54.3
54.7
30.1
40.7
22.3
25.5
26.7
21.3
21.4
43.0
52.4
53.4
47.5
48.4
40.3
44.3
47.9
42.3
44.1
40.2
44.1
47.8
41.5
43.5
35.4
14.0
13.9
56.5
30.7
42.0
14.9 Ü .7
15.3
.35 7 36.2
32.5
36.5
23.7
14.1
78.3
44.4
34.3
20.7
13.6
55.3
31.8
34.3
21.0
13.3
45.1
30.6
1 37.0 1 62.0 1 59.0 1 60.2
34.0 56.6 51.8 53.8
24.4 41.1 38.2 37. C
17.0 31.2 25.5 25. C
16.7 16.7
23.4
25.4
31.8
23.5
25.6
8.9
36.0
22.1
16.0
32.1
5.9
3.7
3.6
9.2
1.8
5.2
58.6
33.0
)..........
45.3
47.8
59.8
43.1
51.4
39.6
40.6
54.4
36.5
47.8
39.8
39.4
55.0
38.2
47.5
43.7
58.4
64.5
42.8
48.5
38.4
48.6
57.3
34.1
46.6
36.3
47.5
56.3
35.6
45.3
36.5
16.3
14.8
73.2
45.4
37.5
15.5
15.1
56.7
36.5
36.9
15.3
14.8
45.4
33.5
37.8
15.0
14.4
71.5
42.1
40.1
15. C
14.4
54.9
31.9
39.9
15.0 8.Ó
14.5
44.5 34. Ì
30.7 ...
34.7
14.0
13.5
41.1
31.0
44.0
15.6
15.2
69.7
41.7
43.1
15.2
15.2
50.6
35.0
36.5
42.4
29.2
35.9
70.9
30.8
38.5
18.2
23.0
52.3
30.0
35.4
17.0
21.6
51.1
35.5
42.2
27.7
34.8
65.1
28.0
37.8
16.8
21.4
43.2
34.5 28.4 27.8
28.1
35.1 Ì9.Ò 40.3 36.4 31.3
15.5 14.3 27.5 16.7 14.9
35.0 21.5 19.6
20.2
45.6 25.4 53.5 35.7 35.5
40.5
42.8
36.3
43.2
59.5
31.5
40.3
24,5
30.1
38.1
11.3
9.6
7.5
9.4
13.9
10.0
6.5
5.8
9.0
13.2
9.9
6.4
5.9
9.0
12.8
12.3
8.7
8.5
10.4
13.6
11.0
6.0
8.4
10.0
11.5
11.0
5.7
8.6
9.9
11.4
5.6 11.1 10.4 8.8 14.3 9.7 9.6 6.0 11.5 11.6 11.4
3.0 8.4 5.0 5.0 9.1 6.3 6.3 3.7 8.8 7.0 6.6
2.5 6.2 4.2 4.4 7.8 5.1 5. C 2.3 5.5 3.2 3.1
8.8 7.8 7.6 10.0 8.6 8.6
11.2 10.9 11.0
12.9 11.3 11.2 14.0 14.4 14.5
14.8 12.9 12.9
30.4
24.2
19.6
10.9
8.5
29.6
24.6
11.2
8.0
2.1
29.4
24.4
10.8
8.0
1.7
28.6
24.7
17.8
11.5
8.7
28.6
24.9
10.0
9.2
2.1
28.8
24.8
9.4
8.8
1.8
27.5 27.8 28.1 33.5 33.6 33.4
22.4 22.1 22.0 22.9 22.2 22. 0
9.3 18.4 8.5 8.4 18.9 9.9 10.1
11.5 7.8 7.8 12.7 9.3 9.1
Ì. 4 8.8 1.4 1.2 9.0 1.3 1.3
30.0 30.4 30.2
21.9 22.1 20.7
5.5 16.2 6.3 6.0
14.5 10.0 10.0
2. Ô 10.2 2.7 2.8
11.0
10.5
18.1
20.5
21.4
3.4
6.8
16.6
19.5
20.5
5.8
7.0
16.9
19.6
20.5
11.5
11.2
15.3
21.4
20.4
3. 7
5.8
12.9
19.8
20.2
5.8
5.8
13.1
19.8
20.2
11.3 3.6 5.4 11.8 3.4 3.2
9.5 5.3 5.4 8.6 5.1 5.6
14.1 12.3 11.9 21.6 20.8 20.8
18.0 15.9 15.9 18.9 17.8 17.5
17.9 15.9 15.7 18.3 18.7 17.8
14.9 5. 7 5.3
7.9 2.9 2.6
14.9 12.5 12.2
19.1 15.2 15.0
22.1 19.0 18.7
15.6
23.9
69.9
53.3
12.7
9.5
65.8
41.6
12.1
7.9
66.3
41.7
16.1
25.3
67.1
48.4
11.1
9.4
58.6
35.6
11.7
15.7 11.6 11.6 16.4
7.8 5.3 21.2 9.4 7.7 23.3
58.6 45.0 67.0 64.1 64.1 77.2
34.8 29.3 47.3 34.4 33.5 60.3
27.6
26.6
50.7
84.7
18.8
31.8
48.7
48.4
18.5
31.4
48.0
49.5
26.8
27.8
40.0
71.6
18.9
31.1
40.9
45.4
17.8
31.6
39.4
47.4
35.7
14.5
13.7
70.0
42.4
27.4
26.6
47.5
82.4
2 P er pound.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[71]
19.5
30.5
49.3
50.2
13.4
12. 0
75.9
48.7
30.4
43.5 29.2 30.0
37.2 20.3 42.5 36.2 28.4
22.3 15.0 30.0 19.4 18.9
37.0 21.6 20.8
28.9
38.3 25.4 50.9 34.8 31.8
13.2
14.8 10.3 10.2
10.4 5.0 21.7 9.3 7.6
75.4 50.0 79.4 74.9 75.2
48.6 26.0 47.8 33.2 33.1
17.8 29.7 20.2 19.8
30.2 30.7 31.5 32.2
48.9 215.7 217. 0 217.1
52.8 69.1 40.4 39.9
27.1
25.3
47.8
62.7
19.7
31.7
45.5
40.0
17.9
31.0
45.5
44.6
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEW,
72
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
C incinnati, Ohio.
Chicago, 111.
Cleveland, Ohio.
May 1-5—
May 15—
Apr. May
Apr. May
Apr. May
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
1921.
1921.
1921.
1921.
1913 1920 1921. 1921.
1913 1920
1913 1920
M ay 15—
Article.
U n it.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Sirloin ste a k .....................
R ound s te a k .....................
R ib ro ast............................
Chuck ro a st.......................
P late beef..........................
P o u n d ..........
. . .d o .............
. . .d o .............
__do..........
__d o .........
22.6
19.1
19. 1
15. 2
11.3
41.0
34. 7
33. 5
26. 0
17. 9
38.4
31.2
31.6
21. 7
14.6
38.1
31. 0
30. 4
21.1
13. 8
23.9
21.0
19. 3
15. 6
12. 4
37.5
35. 7
31. 7
23.8
20. 4
35.4
32. 4
30. 2
20.9
16.8
35.5
33.0
30.1
20. 7
16. 9
25.2
22.0
20. 0
17. 2
12.1
43.0
38.8
31.2
28.0
19.2
37.9
33.2
27.2
22.0
14. 7
38.0
33.0
27.4
21.7
13.5
P ork chops........................
Bacon................................
H a m ....................................
Lam b, leg o f.....................
H en s............................
__do .............
. do .........
.. .d o ...............
.. .d o ..............
__d o ...........
18.0
31. 4
32. 5
20.3
21. 2
37. 4
57.1
56.0
42.3
45. 5
36.0
52.2
51. 7
33.6
41.1
31.1
52. 3
50. 9
34.4
39. 6
19. 5
25. 7
28. 5
16.8
24. 6
39. 3
47.1
57.5
41.0
50. 7
35. 4
33. 5
51. 7
33.9
47.2
33. 7
37. 6
51.1
36. 4
44. 5
21.0
27.1
36.0
21.0
22. 9
42. 7
53. 7
59. 4
43.2
49. S
37. 3
45. 3
54.0
31.9
44. 2
34.5
43.1
52.2
32.8
41.8
Salm on (canned).............
Milk, fresh .......................
Milk' e v ap o rated .............
B u tte r . . f .........................
O leom argarine..................
. . . do.............
Q u art
8.0
15-16-oz. can.
Pound
32. 5
. . . do..............
38.1
14.0
13.9
66.1
39.6
37.5
14.0
14.0
53.5
26.5
36.8
37.1
14.0 8.0 15.0
13.8
14.0
37.6 35.9 70.2
25.2
40. 7
34.8
14.0
14. 4
57.1
30.6
34.5
13.0 8.0
13.9
39.8 36. 8
29. 9
38.1
15.0
14.9
70.5
44.1
38.3
14.0
14.5
58. 4
31.0
37.2
14.0
14.2
40.7
29.9
N u t m arg arin e.................
C h e e s e . ...........................
L a rd ...................................
Crisco..................................
Eggs, stric tly fresh ..........
.. .d o ..............
33.5
.. .d o .............. 25.3 43.6
.. .d o .............. 14.7 28. 5
.. .d o ...............
35.1
Dozen........... 23.7 50.7
24.5
39.0
17. 6
22.6
32.5
23.7
34.9
35.8 21.0 45.3
15. 9 14.1 26. 4
21.3
34.6
32.4 22.0 46.7
28.0
38.4
15. 7
21.5
28.7
35.6 28.6
27.9
34.0 23.0 42. 4 37.6
13.6 16. 5 30.0 18.9
37.7 23. 5
20.9
27.9 25.6 54.5 33.6
28.3
29.3
17.7
21.0
33.1
B read..................................
F lo u r...........................
Corn m e a l......................
Rolled oats........................
Corn flakes........................
P o u n d ..........
.. d o ...........
. ..d o ..............
.. do __
8-oz. p k g ___
6.1 12.3 11.2 9.9
2.8 8.7 5. 3 5.2
2.9 6.8 6.2 6.1
9. 2 9. 4 9. 5
13.1 12. 3 11. 9
4.8 10.8 10.0 10.0
3. 3 8.7 6.1 5. 9
2.6 5.7 3.8 3.6
10.2 10. 2 10.0
13.9 11. 7 11.9
5. 5 10.8 8.7 8.7
3. 2 8.8 6. 0 5.8
2.7 7.0 4.9 4.7
11.0 10.3 9.8
14. 4 13.3 13.0
Cream of W h e a t..............
M acaroni..........................
R ice...................................
Beans, n a v y ......................
P o ta to e s. . I .......................
28-oz. p k g ...
P o u n d . ..
__do ...........
__do .............
.. .d o ..............
29.3 28.2 28.3
19.5 19. 4 20.0
8. 7 18.1 9.1 8.8
11.6 7. 9 7.5
1.3 8.9 2.0 1.8
30.3 29. 5 29. 7
18.9 19. 3 19.1
8.8 18.1 9. 4 8. 7
10. 7 6. 6 6. 5
1.6 9.2 2. 7 2. 5
29.6 29.3 28.3
20. 5 22.2 21.0
8. 5 19.0 8.5 8.0
11.2 6.9 6.8
1. 5 10.0 2.0 1.9
O nions................................
Cabbage............................
Beans,“b a k e d ....................
Corn, canned.....................
Peas^ canned.....................
.. .d o ..............
__do ___
No. 2 c an __
. . .d o .............
.. .d o ..............
9. 7 3.5 5.1
6. 5 5. 4 5. 7
16.1 15.1 14. 9
17. 5 15. 4 15.0
17.5 14. 9 15. 3
10.4 3. 7 5.7
7.3 5. 3 5. 3
15. 3 13.5 13.3
18. 4 15. 7 15. 3
17.8 17.3 17.2
10.3 3.1 6.6
8.3 6.0 6.1
16.2 14.2 13.8
20.5 18.0 17.4
21. 4 17.8 17.5
Tom atoes, canned...........
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ...........
T e a ....................................
Coffee..................................
.. .d o ..............
15.8 12.8 12.2
15.0 11.8 11.8
15.1 11.2 11.2
P o u n d .......... 4.9 27.7 8.9 8.0 5.Ó 29.2 9.5 8.2 5.1 24.2 9.9 8.3
__do ............. 53.3 68.6 65. 5 65. 7 60.0 76.8 71 4 73.2 50 0
68.3 68.9
. . .d o .............. 30.7 45.1 33.5 32.6 25.6 43.2 32.0 32.1 26. 5 52.1 38.8 37.7
P ru n es................................
R aisins................................
B an a n a s.............................
Oranges..............................
. .. d o ..............
.. .d o ..............
Dozen...........
.. .d o ...............
29.5
27. 7
40.5
71.0
20.1
31. 4
39.1
41.6
19.4
30.5
39. 7
42.6
29.9
31.1
43. 9
68.2
23.3
31.8
42.8
45.6
22.3
31.2
41. 4
45.1
28.6
29.1
52. 4
70.2
17.6
30.3
53.7
46.8
17.7
30.0
51.6
49. 9
1 The steak for w hich prices are here q uoted is know n as “ p orterhouse” in m ost of th e cities included in.
th is report, b u t in th is city it is called “ r u m p ” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[72]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
73
OF FO O D F O R 51 C IT IE S ON C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
C olum bus,O hio
D allas, Tex.
D enver, Colo.
D etroit, Mich.
F all R iver, Mass.
May 15—
M ay 15—
M ay 15—
M ay 15—
May Apr. May
Apr. May
Apr. May
Apr. MayA pr. M ay
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1920. 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
1921.
1921.
1921.
1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
1913 1920
1913 1920
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts
C ts.
C ts.
39. 1
36.0
30. 8
26.9
19.7
C ts.
36.8
31.9
29.6
23.8
15.4
36.5
32.2
29.4
23.5
15.4
22.5
20. 3
19. 2
16.3
12.9
40.4
37.7
33.5
29.2
23.5
C ts.
37.5
35.5
30.5
24. 2
19.7
C ts.
23.9
21.8
17.8
15.8
9.4
39.7
35.6
30.0
23.8
16.1
C ts.
C ts.
38. 1
36.1
31. 5
25.6
20.0
32.3
27.6
24.1
18.3
11.9
C ts.
32.5
28. 1
24.3
18.5
11.4
23.8
19.4
19.2
15.0
11.5
43.9
38.5
34.4
26.2
18.2
38.4
32.2
29.4
21.4
14.3
38.6 134.5 161.5 155.4 156.4
32. 5 27.0 49.6 43.9 44.4
29.3 23.8 36.4 29.8 29.8
21.2 18.5 27.8 22.8 23.0
13.9
15.7 15.0
38.4
48.1
57.2
38.5
42.7
32.1
40. 9
48.7
38.5
39.0
32.3
39.7
48.9
38.0
35.6
20.8
38.0
31.3
22.0
19.1
42.0
54.4
58.1
46. 7
43.0
37.5
50.1
53.1
40.0
33.5
34.9
49.2
51.3
40.0
32.8
20.3
28.0
30.0
17.9
21.6
40.7
56.2
59.2
37.3
43.1
33.6
48.3
54.2
31.3
40.0
31.5
46.9
53.8
31.9
37.4
19.2
23.5
25.0
17.8
22.4
42.4
53.4
61. 9
43.8
48.9
36.9
42.9
52.6
32. 7
43.7
34.9
42.0
52.6
33.2
42.1
36.4
14.0
14.3
68.3
42 1
36.3
14. 5
15.0
56.1
28.9
39.3
13.0
13.6
65.9
44.1
39.0
11.8
13.5
51.2
37.2
38.8
38.7
10.8 8.6 15.0
13.4
14.7
36.3 34.7 70.3
44.0
34.1
38.3
13.0
14.7
56.4
31.9
38.5
38.5
13.0 9.Ó 16.8
16.4
14.5
40.0 36.4 71.9
40.0
30.5
37.8 37.0
15.0 13.0
15.8 15.9
52.3 43.8
34.2 35.4
35. 1
41.6
26. 4
36.0
45.2
25.9
36.3
14.6
21. 9
27. 1
38.4 33.5 33.0
36.1
13.0 ió.ó 19.7 15.0 15.0 8.4
15.4 15.4 15.3
15.0
40.2 36. 0 70. 9 53.8 42.6 34.3
38.3 27.0 19.0 ........
28.6
37.7 30.1 29.9
25.9
27.6 20.0 43.5 37.1 32.2 26. i
13.0 17.0 32.4 22.3 21.8 16.3
21.3
37.0 20.5 19.5
25.5 2Ì. Ô 43.3 29.2 27.4 23.6
36.2
44.9
33.4
39.2
51.8
29.7
38.5
20.7
24.1
31.8
28.9
32.1 20. 3
18.9 16.1
21.9
30.0 25. Ó
28.4
35. 7
17.4
22.2
33.2
27.9
37.4
31.3 23.8 42.3
15.8 15.0 28.2
20.9
36.1
33.1 30.3 70.8
34.0
39.4
17.3
24.3
46.9
34.9
42.6
30.5
36. 3
53.7
10.5 10.4 10.4 5.5 12.2 10.2 10.2 5.4 11.9 10.7 10.0 5.6 11.5 9.4 9.4
8.4 5.7 5. 5 3.3 8.7 5.9 5.6 2.6 7.5 4.1 4.2 3.1 8.4 5.6 5.4
6.4 3.7 3.8 2.7 6.7 4. 1 3.8 2.4 6. 1 3.6 3.5 2.8 7.2 5.0 4.8
11.9 11.7 11.7
10.4 9.9 9.8
11.7 11.0 10.6
10.7 10.3 10.4
14.6 12.3 12.2 ........ 14.0 13.0 13.0 ........ 14.7 13.4 13.1 ........ 13.8 11.7 11.6
29.9 30.4 30.4
20.3 20.0 21.0
19.1 9.9 9.8
10. 4 6.9 6.9
9.8 1.9 1.8
32. 3 31.4 31.4
21.5 21. 7 21.7
9.3 19.2 9.2 8.9
12.1 9.4 9.1
1.8 11.6 4.0 4.1
12.7 4.2 6.8
8.7 6. 1 6.8
16. 0 14.3 13.8
15.4 13.8 13.6
16.3 15.3 15.8 ........
10.4
6.8
19.0
21. 1
22.7
14.5
22. 1
86.3
49.1
15.4
10.5 10.0
9.7 8.3 5.7 27.6
84.2 84.2 66.7 92.1
36.3 35.6 36.7 55.0
29.1
27.6
42.7
68.7
17.8
31.3
41.7
46.3
17.6
31.3
41.7
47.9 ........
29.3
26.3
42.5
59.6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
30.4 29.5 29.6
19.8 20.4 20.2
8.6 18.9 9.1 8.9
13.2 9.1 8. 9
1.2 10.3 2.6 2.6
5.2 6.0
5.1 5.3
16.7 16.4
18.0 17.9
21.5 21.4 ........
21.0
33.9
38. 3
49.3
21.3
33.7
34.3
48.7 ........
31.3
26.5
49.1
63.3
22.5
25.8
31.3
20.5
25.8
C ts.
41.6
48.1
55.5
36.6
50.0
C ts.
34. 7
42.6
51.2
35.0
49.7
C ts .
34.3
40.1
50.1
35.5
49.7
32.5
34.4
15.6
21.5
49.0
6.2 12.0
3.3 9.1
3.4 9.0
10.6
... 14.7
10.6 10.4
6.1
5.8
7.1 6.8
11.0 11.1
14.0 13.9
29.7 29.4 29.6
28.5
20.2 19.8 20.0
26. 3
8.4 19.0 9.1 8.4 io.ô 19.0
11.1 6.5 6.4
11.9
1.3 8.3 1.4 1.3 Î.8 9.0
30.8 30.1
25.0 24.8
10.8 9.8
8.0 7.9
2.2
1.9
11.5 3.2 4.3
7.3 4.4 6.3
17.8 17.0 16.4
18.3 15.7 15. 1
19.1 17.9 17.5
12.2 12.2
15.1
10.2 9.2 5.3 15.6
86.1 84.3 52.8 72.3
40.5 39.6 29.4 49.5
C ts.
11.1 3.0 6.4
10.0 5.5 6.2
15.6 13.2 13.1
19. 7 17.0 16.3
19.2 17.2 16.9 ........
11.7
11.5
16.8
19.3
19.6
4.3 7.1
6.7 6.8
14.9 14.1
17.1 16.4
18.4 18.6
12.6 12.7
14.9 11.5 11.3
10.3 9.1 4.9 27.0 9.4 7.7 5.3
71.1 71.0 43.3 67.5 64.9 64.7 44.2
37.2 36.8 29.3 50.8 35.5 35.9 33.0
15.1
26.0
61.7
51.3
12.1 12.1
9.8 8.3
57.6 57.6
41.3 41.1
30.2
26.9
37.6
71.1
26.0
28.0
43.7
76.0
18.5 18.3
30.6 30.0
42.5 38.8
44.5 50.2
20.4
33.2
46.2
41.4
[ 73 ]
18.9
33.0
45. 6
44.6
._
19.0
29.7
36.9
44.8
19.0
29.4
34.3
47.6 ........
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
74
T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
H ouston, Tex.
Indianapolis, In d .
Jacksonville, F la.
May 15—
May 15—
Apr. May
May Apr. May
Apr. May
15, 15,
15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1920. 1921. 1921. 1913. 1920. 1921. 1921. 1913. 1920. 1921. 1921.
A rticle.
U n it.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
38.9
37.5
31.6
27.8
22.5
35.0
35.0
29.2
25.0
19.6
Cts.
24.7
23.3
17.9
16.1
12.1
40.9
40. 0
30.1
27.4
19.0
36.3
36.4
26.9
23.0
16.5
36.5
35.1
27.0
22.9
15.3
26.0
22.0
23.3
14.0
10.3
40.5
37.0
29.9
23.6
17.6
Cts.
B o u n d ..........
__do ...............
.. .d o ..............
__d o ...............
__do ...............
34.2
34.2
28.8
24.2
18.9
Cts.
Sirloin stea k .......................... —
R ound stea k ...............................
R ib ro a S t......................................
C huck ro ast............................
P la te beef.....................................
37.3
33.7
29.8
21. .8
13.5
37.9
33.6
29.2
21.5
13.0
P o rk Ob ops - ____________ B ac o n ........................................- ..........................
H am
R am b leg of........................ .
H ens .........................................
.. .do...............
.. .d o ..............
__do ...............
__do...............
.. .d o ..............
42.3
62.9
54. 6
37.0
41.17
35.0
54.9
53.9
36.7
35.0
34.5
53.4
51.5
37.0
31.8
21.7
29.0
30.3
20.7
22.0
40.9
52.8
60.3
46.4
44.0
33.3
43.-8
52.3
34.5
42.4
32.6
41.9
52.3
34.3
37.6
21.3
26.3
28.3
19.3
22.0
41.7
50.3
53.1
40.0
44.0
36.5
41.8
48.8
37.2
37.8
35.3
41. 6
49.8
32.5
35.7
Salmon (c a n n e d )................... ..
Milk fresh...................................
Milk, e v a p o ra te d .......................
H o tter..........................................
O leom argarine............................
__do ...............
Q u a rt...........
15-16-oz. can
P o u n d ..........
.. .d o ..............
36.8
20.0
14.7
68.3
44.1
34.5
17.5
15.1
50.6
36.7
34.2
32.4
16.0 8.0 14.0
14.8
14.9
37.5 34.7 68.8
33.1
43.1
29.4
13.0
14.-8
54.6
30.4
34.8 29.5 28.4
28.3
12.0 12.5 25.0 22.7 21.0
14.3
14.7 14.6 14.4
38.9 39.2 79.3 58.6 43.8
29.2
45.0 34.3 31.5
H u t m arg arin e...........................
Cheese .....................................
T,ard
...............................................................
Cfisco ...................................................................
Pggs stric tly fresh....................
.. .do...............
.. fcdo..............
.. .d o ...............
__do...............
B ozen...........
37.4
42.2
30.-8
41.1
40.1
30.7
32.8
19.4
23.0
27.8
35.3 28.3 27.3
28.9
40.6 31.6 30.7
26.4 20.8 44.-8 36.5 30.3 22.5 42.9 36.0 25.9
19.4 15.2 27.3 16.3 14.1
31.4 20.4 18. 8
21.4
36.1 22.4 21.8
38.3 22.1 20. S
24.2i 21. 8 47.1 26.8 25.8 28.8 52.8 33.« 31.5
B re a d ---------- ------------------------------------------d o u r .............................................
Corn m eal .......... ................ ....................
R ol 1ed o a ts ________ ________ __
Corn flakes ...............................
65
P o u n d ........ . 10.3 8.9 8.9
8.6 6.5 6.1
.do..............
6.3 4.0 4.0
__do...............
. .. d o ............... 11.4 11.0 10.7
8-oz. p k g ___ 14.5 13.4 13.4
5.1 11.6 9.5 9.2
3.2 8.6 5.5
2.5 6.2 3.7 3.:3
11.1 9.7 9.7
14.5 12.6 12.1
3.8
2.9
. .
.
11.9
9. C
5.8
11.8
15.1
10.4 9.9
6.8 6.5
3.3 3.5
11.3 11.3
14.1 13 9
Cream of W h e a t.........................
M acaroni......................................
Rice ......................................................
R e a m s ; n a v y ...................................
P o tato es............. ..........................
28-oz. p k g . . .
P o u n d ..........
__do...............
__do...............
__do ........................
29.4 29.6 29.8
20.5 20.7 20.6
16.9 -6.6 6.6
11.8 8.4 8.8
11.9 4.1 3.9
31.6 31.9 31.8
20.8 20.7 21.0
9.2 19.6 9.4 9.2
11.2 7.0 6.9
1.3 9.4 1.8 1.7
31.1 30.0 30 0
22.3 21.7 22 0
6.6 17.1 7.4 7.3
13.0 9.3 9 2
2.3 10.5 3.2 3 2
O n io n s .................................................................
C abbage ....... ........................................................
Beans, b a k ed ....... .........................................
Corn, c a n n e d .................................................
Peas, c a n n e d .................................................
8.6 4.4 4.6
. . . d o ......................
__do ......................... 5.5 3.4 3.6
N o.2:can _____ 16.5 14.1 13.4
__do ......................... 16.7 12.9 12.8
. .. d o ........................ 19.1 17.9 17.6
11.9 3.4 6.0
7.8 5.2 6.1
16.4 14.2 13.9
16.7 13.3 13.5
16.7 14.4 14.4
10.0 4.9 4.8
5.5 2.9 3 4
17.3 14 2 13 7
19.9 16 8 15 8
22.3 20.4 19 3
Tomotoes, c a n n e d ..................................
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ................ ...
T ea.................................................
Coffee.......................................................................
__do .........................
P o u n d ................
__do ...............
__do .........................
P ru n e s ................................................................... . . .do ........................
R aisin s ................................................................... __do ........................
B an an as ............................................................... B ozen ..................
O ranges ................... ... ......................................... ___ do ........................
14.6 10.9 10.6
15.5 11.9 11.7
14.7 10 3 1 0 4
28.« 9.6 8.3 5.6 28.1 9.9 8.6 5.9 28.7 9.7 8.4
74.8 71.4 71. C 60.0 87.6 80.1 80.8 60.0 90 -9 86 7 86 7
45.9 30.8 30.8 30.8 51.0 38.9 39.0 34.5 55. 7 38 1 37’ 9
26.7
27.8
39.3
55.3
18.6
32.8
33.8
43. 8
18.3
32.2
32.8
45.2
29.4
30.3
35.0
67.2
20.5
34.3
31.0
42.9
19.3
34 1
29 3
47.4
28.1 16 6 17 1
29 9 34 1 3 3 1
33 1
73.3 37! ó 40M
40 0
1 T he steak for w hich prices are here quoted is know n as “ porterhouse ” in m ost of th e cities included in
th is report, b u t in th is c ity i t is called “ sirlo in '’ steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 4 ]
75
RETAIL PRICES OE FOOD,
OF FO O D F O R 51 C IT IE S ON C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
K ansas -City, Mo.
Mav 15—
L ittle Rock, Ark.
Los Angeles, Calif.
Louisville, K y.
Manchester, N. H .
Mav 15—
M ay 15—
A pr. May
A pr. May
Apr.! May
A pr. May
1i)j
15,
1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
A pr. May
C ls. C ls. C ts.
C ts.
C ts. C ts. C ts.
C ts.
C ts. C ts. C ts.
21.7 39. 5
21. 6 35. .5
18. 4 29. 0
14.9 22.0
12.1 16.7
36.7
32.5
27.0
19.5
14. C
37.4
32.4
27.3
18. 8
13.7
26.3 40.6
20.0 3S. 1
19.4 33.3
16.3 27.7
13. 5 22.1
C ts.
37.3
34. 4
30.3
23.3
17.2
24. 0 37.5
20.8 32.7
19.1 31.1
15.5 22.6
12.4 17.8
C ts. C ts.
C ts.
36.6
31.3
30.0
22.7
17.3
36.1
30.8
29.7
20.0
16.0
35.7
31.2
29.6
19.8
15.7
23.2
19.6
17.6
14.9
12.4
38.2
37. 1
29.4
26. 1
22. 0
32. 8
31.5
26.1
21.2
17. 6
32.8
31.3
25.7
21.2
17.1
19.2 37.2
28.8 56.2
27.8 61. 7
18. 7 37.2
18.7 41.1
33.4
51.1
50. 6
31.3
37.3
30.1
50.0
50.2
31.9
35.4
21.3 41.1
37.0 56.8
31.3 57.4
20.2 43.9
20.0 40.4
35.7
50.4
53.1
40. 0
36.2
35. 4
48.6
53.1
40.0
34.0
25.4 47.2
33.8 63.6
35.0 63.3
19.2 37. 0
25.8 51.7
40.2
54.0
61.1
34.3
45. 9
39.6
54. 6
60.9
31.6
45.3
19.6
27.8
28.6
17.5
24.1
40.8
50.3
55. 7
46.3
43.7
33.6
37.8
47.1
33.8
38. 0
32.3
37.5
47.3
35.0
36.6
44.5
48.1
52. 4
42.1
50.3
37.5
37.9
45- 1
33.4
51.1
37.8
44.8
34.3
50. 7
36. 8
8.7 16.0
15.2
35.3 70.3
41.8
33. 4
14.3
15. 0
53. 3
31.0
33.1
36.7 41.9 41.8
46.3 45.4
14.3 it). 6 20. 0 15.0 15.0 iô. 6 16.0 16.0
15.4 15.8 15.3
15. C
13.2 12.8
39.8 39.6 73.6 57.9 45.1 35.0 63.2 46.3
29. 6
44.0 32.-6 31.6
45.3 33.1
45. 5
30.9
16.0 8.8 16.0
12.3
15.4
43.4 38.6 69.1
32.0
43.7
28.6
11. 0
14.«
55. 9
31.5
39.3
28.6
11.0 8.0 15.0
14.7
16.8
40.3 38.3 79.7
44.3
30.3
38. 5
15.0
16.4
61.7
34.6
36. 6
15.0
16.2
50.7
31.4
29.3
37.3
18.2
24.9
44.9
2«. 0
33.8
16.4
22.7
45.6
35. 2 28.7
21.7 43.8 37.2
16.2 30.1 19.1
38.9 24.8
21.4 49.1 28.9
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ls.
135.8 159.8 155. 3 i 56.1
28.8 52.4 47.1 47.9
20.7 34.1 29.2 .28.7
16. 8 29.2 24.6 24.5
18. 8 18. 9
20.5
23.5
28.5
20.7
24.7
27.8
38. J 29.7 30.0
36.9 28.5 27.5
34.6 29.4 29.0
30.1 21.7 42.9 36.9 31.1 19. 5 44. (1 41.6 34.6 21.7 42. 8 34.0 29.0 22.0
17.4 15.6 3L.2 19.5 19.7 17.9 32.2 19.7 17.5 15.4 28.3 15.1 13.1 16.0
23.8 ... 38.9 21.2 20.8
35.9 21.1 20.9
35.4 23.9 20.8
26.9 23.0 45.6 29.5 28.9 27.5 50.5 33.8 32.6 ¿1.7 45.1 25.1 24.8 28.3
36.0
42.0
29.9
37.7
67.1
6.0 12.4 11.4 10.7 ■6.0 10.5 9.5 9.5
3.0 7. S 5.8 5.5 3.6 8.4 ö. 5 6.0
2.5 7.6 5.0 4.8 .2.4 6.4 2.9 2.9
11.8 10.4 10.2 __ 11.8 11.8 12.0
15.0 14.2 13.7 ... 14.8 13.3 12.4
6.2 9.9 9.4 9.2
3.6 8.1 6.0 5.9
3.2 7. 9 5.4 5.2
10.0 10.6 10.4
... 13.9 13.0 12.7
5.7 11.1 10.0 8.9
3.6 8.3 6. 0 5.8
2.3 6.0 2.7 2.6
10.8 10.2 10.3
13.9 12.2 12.0
6.1 10.6 8.7 8.6
3.4 9.3 6.3 6.1
3.6 7.5 5.9 5.7
10.3 10.0 9.7
15.0 13.5 13.1
30.2 30.7
30.5 31.8 31.1
20.3 22.4 22.9
18. 4 21.4 21. 5
8.7 19.1 '8.7 8.5 8 .3 18.5 7.1 7.2
12.2 ■8.3 8.2 ____ 12.3 8.5 8.4
1.4 9.7 .2.6 2.5 1.8 1U.7 3.0 2.7
29.6 28.8 29.0
18.2 18.1 18. 2
7.7 18.5 9.3 8.9
10.2 7.8 7.6
1.1 9.6 8.0 3.2
28.3 29.4 29.8
20. 0 20, 5 20 1
8.1 18.9 8.7 8.4
11.5 6.5 6.0
i. 7 9.7 1.7 1.8
29.1 30.0
25 5 25 X
8.5 18.8 ¿ 6
11.8 8.1
1.5 8.3 1.9
__ 30.6
—
11.1 4.5 6.4
6.0 4.8 6.2
17.3 15.1 14.8
15.5 13.6 12.7 ____ _
16. 3 14.7 14.5 ...
11.0 6.6 6.2
6.3 5.0
16.2 15.4 14.1
19.1 15.7 15.2
19.2 18.0 17.5 —
__ 15.1
11.0 10.8
14.8
5.5 29.5 9.8 8.8 5.5 26.7
54.0 81.5 81.5 79.8 50.0 88.9
27.8 49.0 36.8 37.2 30. S 53.3
—
—
30.2
30.1
50.0
72.3
19.3
34.1
48.3
46.0
1No.
18.4
34.0
47.9
47.1
can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
27.0
26.0
38.6
68.4
8.2 2.6 2.8
3.7 2.3 3.1
18.1 17.0 16.6
18.7 18.4 17.6
19.8 18.9 18.5
...
10.9 3.3 5.3
7.1 5. 0 6 1
15.5 13.2 12.7
17.6 16.3 16.1
16.5 17.4 16.9 —
29.4
8.5
7.5
1.6
11.5 3.3 6. 8
(i 7 7 1
17.2 16.9 16! 4
21.0 18. 9 1-8.9
22.1 20.4 20.6
12.2 11.5
215.1 213.2 M3.1
14.1 11.1 11.6
323. 0 318. 5 319. 3
10.6 9.4 5.3 25.1 9.7 8.5 5. i 32.1 9.7 8.4 5.1 .24.2 9.8 8.4
92.2 91.5 54.5 72.6 70.5 68.7 62.5 84. 5 83.0 81.7 46.3 63.5 59.3 59.5
38.9 38.6 36.3 46.3 38.9 37.2 27.5 50.1 36.2 35.8 .32.0 51.4 39. 4 38.8
24.8
33.8
44. 0
48.8
22.7
27.6 17.5 17.4
33.3 ........ 25.1 29.0 29.2
45. 0
412.7 413. 2 413.6
47.5
49.6 24.6 27.9
8 No. 3 can.
27.5
27.9
39.2
62.6
22.7
31.0
37.5
39.6
22.5
29.9
38.0
40.0
27.9 19.7 18.4
29. 4 32. 5 31.9
412.5 412. 5 411.8
80. 0 45.3 45.1
4 P er pound.
76
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T
able
5 — A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
M emphis, Tenn.
Article.
M ilwaukee, W is.
M inneapolis, M inn.
15—
U nit.
May 15—
May 15—
Apr. May
Apr. May
A pr. May
15, 15,
15. 15,
15, 15,
1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
32,7
29.8
26.5
18.6
14.5
22.0
20.5
18.5
16.5
11.5
38.6
35.4
31.5
27 0
18.0
37.4
33.6
29.5
24.3
15.1
37.2
33.2
28.7
22.8
14.6
22.2
20.0
19.0
15.5
10.3
36.3
32.9
30.0
24.1
15.6
32.8
28.8
25.9
20.3
11.4
32.7
28.9
25.8
20.0
10.8
20.4 39.7 33.2 30.2
30.0 56.5 44.0 42.7
29.3 56.8 48.9 47.9
20 46.1 33.7 32.8
20.0 42.9 35.9 33.1
19.5
26.8
27.3
20.0
22.0
38.0
55.4
54.3
44.0
46.3
36.5
46.9
47.6
35.8
42.0
30.3
44.8
47.1
36.1
39.4
18.4
25.0
27.5
17.0
21.2
36.8
56.7
56.5
38.9
41.8
32.9
46.8
48.2
30.0
38.8
30.6
46.1
48.2
31.8
32.8
Salmon, c an n e d ..
Milk, fresh ............
Milk, evaporated.
B u tte r...................
O leom argarine. . .
39.5
. .d o ..............
36.8 38.9 38.3
Q u a rt........... 10.0 18.5 17.3 17.3 7.0 12.0
15.5 15.8 15.6
15-16-oz. can
15.2
P o u n d .......... 38.6 73.2 55.3 39.8 33.5 65.8
. .d o ..............
43.9 28.8 28.3
40.6
39.5
10.0
14.9
53.5
28.4
39.1
45.3
9.0 7.0 13.0
15.2
14.8
37.6 33.4 64.8
27.1
41.6
43.2
11.3
14.9
50.7
32.9
41.6
11.0
14.6
37.2
30.6
N u t m arg arin e........
Cheese.......................
L a rd ...........................
Crisco.........................
Eggs, strictly fresh.
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
. .d o ..
Dozen.
B read..........
F lo u r..........
Corn m eal.
Rolled oats.
Corn flakes.
P o u n d ___
. .d o ..........
. .d o ..........
. .d o ..........
8-oz. p k g ..
6.0 12.5 10.1 10.1
8.5 6.3 6.2
5.4 2.7 2.7
11.2 11.1 10.9
14.2 12.4 12.4
5.6 10.8 9.9 9.4
3.1 8.7 5.7 5.4
3.0 6.8 5.1 5.1
8.6 7.3 7.0
14.0 12.5 12.2
5.6 10.4 10.3 9.6
2.9 9.0 5.4 5.5
2.4 6.8 4.6 4.6
9.1 8.0 8.0
14.7 13.1 12.8
Cream of W heat.
M acaroni.........
R ice.....................
Beans, n a v y .. . .
P o tato es..............
28-oz. p k g .
P o u n d ___
.. .d o ..........
. .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
29.9 29.3 29.3
19.1 18.0 17.9
7.5 17.6 6.5 6.3
12.7 7.5 7.2
10.1 2.6 2.4
30.0 29.7 29.6
18.3 20.7 20.2
9.0 19.0 10.3 9.9
11.1 7.5 7.3
i . i 9.1 1.7 1.5
31.1 30.5 30.2
18.3 17.9 17.4
9. i 19.6 9.0 8.6
11.6 8.5 8.2
i . i 9.0 1.8 1.7
O nions.............
C abbage..........
B eans, b ak ed .
Corn, canned.
Peas, c a n n e d ..
.. .d o ..........
. .d o ..........
No. 2 c an .
.. .d o ..........
.. .d o ..........
9.4 3.4 5.2
5.3 3.9 4.3
16.9 15.2 14.6
18.2 15.2 14.3
18.9 18.1 16.7
10.3 2.8 5.3
7.9 5.9 6.4
15.8 13.4 13.2
17.7 15.0 15.0
17.0 15.4 15.3
10.6 4.0 6.1
7.6 4.5 6.1
18.5 16.9 16.5
17.5 14.3 13.9
17.7 15.5 14.6
Sirloin steak .
R ound s te a k .
R ib ro a s t___
Chuck ro a st..
P late beef___
P ork ch o p s...
Bacon.............
H a m ...............
L am b, leg of.
H en s...............
Pound.
..d o .. .
. .d o ...
. .d o ...
. .d o ...
.d o .
.do.
.d o .
.do.
.do.
. .d o ..
Tom atoes, canned.
Sugar, g ra n u la te d .
T e a ...........................
Coffee.......................
. .d o ...
Pound.
. .d o ...
..d o . ..
P ru n e s ...
R aisin s..
B an an as.
Oranges..
.. . d o . .
..d o ..
Dozen.
. .d o ..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C ts.
C ts.
23.2 39.9 33.7
19.3 37.3 30.7
21.1 32.5 26.4
15.5 25.0 19.1
12.2 20.7 15.3
38.5 29.3
21.3 43.2 33.2
15.5 28.6 16.0
36.9 21.0
22.! 48.4 30.5
3.6
2.0
27.9
33.8 27.1 26.0
33.4 26.3 25.9
25.9 21.3 39.7 33.3 25.6 19.8 40.8 34.0 28.6
15.0 15.5 29.6 19.1 17.3 15.4 28.8 17.3 15.5
36.0 23.4 22.4
20.8
37.1 23.6 21.5
27.6 21.3 46.8 29.2 27.7 21.4 46.5 28.8 26.5
14.9 10.9 10.7
15.2 12.7 12.8
5.2 29.1 9.9 8.6 5.3 27.2 9.5 7.9 5.5
63. 94.5 88.8 88.4 50.0 71.0 71.2 70.2 45.0
27.5 51.2 36.4 36.3 27.5 46.6 32.8 32.1 30.8
30.9
25.1
40.4
61.1
21.5
33.7
38.2
41.7
20.5
34.1
37.3
47.6
28.1
29.4
312.4
71.1
21.1
30.4
312.8
44.1
2 No. 3 can.
i W hole.
[76]
20.1
30.4
311.8
45.9
16.4 14.2 14.2
27.7 9.8 8.7
65.5 67.0 65.8
51.9 39.9 38.7
31.0
28.3
313.4
71.5
19.3
30.8
314.5
48.1
19.8
30.1
313.8
49.2
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
77
O F F O O D F O R 51 C IT IE S ON C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
Mobile, Ala.
N ew ark, N . 3.
New H aven, Conn.
New Orleans, La.
New Y ork, N . Y .
M ay 15—
M ay 15—
May 15—
M ay 15—
May Apr. May
Apr. May
Apr. May
Apr. May
Apr. M ay
15, 15,
15, 15, 15,
1-5
15,
15, 15,
15,
15,
1920. 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
1921.
1921.
1913 1920
1913 1920 1921. 1921.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
C ts. Cts.
Cts.
36. 7
36. 2
32. 0
27.0
22. 9
34.1
33. 7
28. 1
23. 0
17. 8
34.0
33. 3
28. 1
22.2
17.7
26.8
26.6
21.2
17.6
12.0
47.6
47.9
37. 7
27.3
16.5
43.1
42.1
33.9
23.0
13. 7
54.4
48.5
39.6
31.8
49.1
41.6
35.7
26.9
17. 8
48. O'
41.1
35.5
26.4
17.8
22.0
19.0
20.0
15.5
11.1
36.2
33.6
32.6
24. 3
19. 3
C ts.
31.6
28.4
23.4
18.8
33. 5
30.7
28.8
21. 8
17. 7
32.9 26.3
29. 8 25. 0
28. 8 '22.3
21.6 16. 3
16. 9 14. 5
C ts.
42.9
41.9
34.1
23.2
13. 4
44.3
45.0
39.5
27.8
23.6
42.9
41.9
38.0
23.9
20. 4
42.9
42.1
37.3
24.0
19. 2
47.5
' 59. 5
57. 8
37. 5
45. 0
37. 7
48. 2
48.3
35.0
43. 1
36.0
47.1
47.3
35.0
41.0
22.6
24. 4
120.3
20. 8
23. 4
44.0
46. )
Ml. 1
44. 7
48.3
38. 1 37.4
37.9 37.3
133.3 !32. 1
35. 7 36.2
44.9 45.2
23.0
28.2
32.4
19. 3
23.8
43.8
.54. 2
61.0
43.6
50.1
30.8
46.9
53.4
35.1
48.1
36.0
46.3
53.2
35.6
47.2
22.5
29. 8
26.0
20. 1
21.1
46.6
53.7
55.5
43.9
47.1
41.2
48.5
48.9
38. 2
42.9
37.5
47.9
47.5
36.3
40.5
21.8
25. 3
29.0
17.6
22.2
44.0
50.6
61.1
35.8
46.0
39.7
41. 8
53. 1
33. 8
44.6
38.3
40.9
52.7
34.3
42.9
38.7
23. 5
15. 1
78. 1
43.0
33. 8
20. 0
15. 1
59. 7
34.7
32.9
38. 8
19. 0 9.0 16.3
14. 5
13.6
47. 4 36.6 72.4
32.3
41.9
41.1
16.5 9.0
14. 1
42.6 35. 4
30.0
43.0
15.0
13.6
70.6
43.6
41.4 40.7
15.0 15.0
13.8 13.1
57.2 41.5
33.3 32.1
41.0
44.9
30.4
38. 7
49.3
30.9
35. 8
17. 3
22. 5
32.3
29.4
35. 9 28.1 27.1
27. 1 24.5 43.3 40.1 36.3 22. Ô
16.3 15.8 29.9 16.4 15.1 15.7
19.2
34.9 20.7 19. 2
29.6 32.8 63.5 43.5 43.3 31.3
10.5
9. 1
6.6
11. 7
14. 7
9.9 9.8
6.0 5.8
3.3 3.2
10. 6 10.3
12.6 12.2
5.6 11.4 10.4 9.3
3.6 9.0 5.9 5.4
3.6 7.7 6.7 6. 8
9.5 8.8 8.8
12.5 11. 1 10.6
6.0 12.2 10.2 9.6
3.2 8.9 5.7 5.5
3.2 7.8 6.2 6.2
10.8 10.1 9.9
13.9 11.2 11.0
5.2 10.1 9.3 8.5
3.8 8.6 6.8 6.5
2.6 5.4 3.2 3. 1
10.1 10.3 9.8
13.8 11.6 11.4
6.0 11.8
3.2 9.3
3.4 7.8
9.3
12.5
10.6 10.7
6.0 5.6
6.6 6.6
8.5 8.5
11.0 10.8
31. 2 29.2 29.1
21. 0 19.7 19. 5
18.4 7.8 7.4
13.4 8.6 8.3
11. 1 2.9 3.0
28.5 27.9 28.3
24.6 22.2 21.8
9.Ó 18. 5 8.3 8.1
11. 7 7.8 7.7
2.4 9.2 2.7 2.4
29.7 28.5 20.1
22. 6 22.2 21.8
9.3 19.1 10.5 9.6
11.6 7.9 7.5
1.8 8.8 2.1 1.9
30.0 29.8 29.6
11.5 10.2 10.1
7.4 16.4 7.2 7. 1
10.9 7.0 6.9
1.9 9.9 3.4 3.3
28. 5
23.5
8.0 18.2
12.3
2.5 10.3
28.9 28.7
22.2 21.9
9.3 8.9
9.0 8.6
3.2 2.9
10.5 3.7 5.4
5.3 2.8 2.8
16.2 14.6 14.4
19. 1 15.9 15.3
19.3 17.6 17. 1
12.2 6.8 8.2
10.2 6.1 5.7
14. 4 12.2 12.2
18.6 16.3 15.8
18.6 18.2 17.5
12.3 4.2 7.4
11.5 ■6.2 6.0
17.0 14.3 14.2
22.0 20. 1 19.9
23.2 22.2 22.0
6.5 3.4 3.6
3.3 3.0 2.7
16.6 14.9 14. 7
16.4 14.3 13.6
17.2 18.2 17.8
11.4
11.3
15.5
18.4
18.3
3.8 6.1
6. 1 5.3
13. 5 13.4
15.5 15.2
16.6 16.5
15.2 10.8 10.3
26. 3 9.9 8.6 5. i
81.3 76. 1 75.6 53.8
46.5 33.8 33.0 29.3
13.8 9.8 9.7
222.9 221.8 221.9
22.3 8.7 7.4 5.2 25.9 9.3 7.8 5. i
55.3 50. 1 48.6 55.0 63.8 56.9 55.7 62. 1
45.7 30.3 30.8 33.8 51.7 38.0 37.3 26.7
14.9 11.8 11.4
14.6
24.6 9.3 7.6 4.8 23.0
73.6 71.8 72. 1 43.3 58.1
41.4 30.6 30.0 27.5 46.3
10.5 10.6
8.9 7.3
53. 5 52.4
32. 2 32.2
28.1
28.2
18.3
69.0
19.4 19.0
30.8 30.4
42.6 42.6
50.5 55.4
27.8
25. 7
33.0
62.3
19.8
29.2
23.5
44.4
17.8
29.2
22.8
50.6
26.3
26. 3
45.7
85.8
36.8
17.0
13.7
57.4
31.6
16.7
30.3
45.8
49.2
37.4 41.3
36.1
39.6 39.5 39.5
17. 0 9.0 16.0 16.0 15.0 ÌÓ.Ó 17.5 16.5
13. 1
14.7 14. 2 14.0
14.3 14.7
42.5 35.8 71.4 54.5 44.0 35.0 74.9 59. 1
29.9
44.0 31.4 29.3
45.3 31.2
16.2
29.9
45.8
53.2
36.2
41.7
28.7
35.1
67.5
29.0
27.1
40.9
91.8
29. 0
37.3
17.1
21. 8
46.1
18.2
30.3
38.2
45.6
3 Pound.
54039°—21-----6
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[77]
28.3
36. 3
34.7 22.0 42. 5
15.5 14.9 27. 1
20.2
37.6
46.6 23.6 43.2
17.7
29.8
38.8
48.7
28. 7
37.5
17. 5
23.2
31.9
19.6
30.8
24.3
40.9
C ts.
28.1
35.3
28.7 19.4 43.0
16.2 15.7 29.7
34.9
22.7
29.0 30. 8 62.5
17.6
30.2
26.0
50.0
26.5
27.5
43.4
84.6
27. 8
38.6
19.1
21. 9
43.7
27.3
36.3
17.6
20.2
42.5
MONTHLY LABOE EEVIEAY,
78
T a b l e 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
U n it.
A rticle.
Peoria, III.
O m aha N ebr.
N orfolk, Va.
May 15—
M ay A pr. May
15,
15,
15,
1920. 1921. 1921.
1913
1920
A pr. May May A pr. May
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1921. 1921. 1920. 1921. 1921.
C ts.
C ts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
Cts.
4ft. 8
41.5
36.6
27.8
17.9
44.1
37.2
34.8
22.8
16.7
43.2
37.0
34.7
22.8
15.9
25.1
22.0
18.1
15.6
10.4
41.1
38.8
30.2
24.7
16.3
36.8
32.4
26.8
19.9
12.2
36.5
32.8
26.6
20.2
11.9
37.7
35.9
27.9
24.2
18.1
34.4
33.2
25.4
22.3
15.3
42.2 34.6
.d o ..............
.d o ..............
51.6 42.8
48.6 43.5
.d o ..............
46.7 41.1
.d o ..................................
.d o __ ____ 50.2 44.4
33.9
42.8
43. 5
38.5
43.2
19.0
28.0
29.0
18.8
19.5
39.1
57.1
61.6
41.5
43-8
34.6
50.3
52.4
32.4
36.7
31.9
50.6
52.6
32.8
35.2
38.6
53.4
56.0
41.7
44.7
35.3
46. »
50.0
34.3
39.8
31.0
45.3
49.7
33.8
36.1
Sirloin s te a k .......................
R oun d steak _............... .....
B ib ro a st.................. ...........
Chuck ro a s t................... .
P late beef............................
P o u n d ..........
.. .d o ..............
.. .d o ..............
__do...............
.. .d o ..............
P ork chops..........................
B acon....... ............................
H a m ......................................
L am b, leg o f.......................
H ens........................._..........
..
..
..
..
..
34.2
32.7
25.5
22.0
14.2
Salmon (canned)............... . . . do ..............
Milk, fre s h . . . . ........
Q u a r t ..........
Milk^ ev ap o rated............... 15-16-oz. can.
R u tte r .................................. P o u n d ........
O leom argarine................... .. .d o .............
36. 2
21. 3
14.5
79. 4
45. 6
28.2
20.0
15.0
60.3
39.5
28.2
20.0
14.8
49. 6
29.0
7. 9
35.0
39.8
35.9
14.'9
67.6
44.7
38.4
12.8
14.9
53.9
36.6
37.9
12.0
14.8
39.0
32.0
35.6
14.3
15.1
68.5
43.1
37.0
13.3
14.7
52.2
31.2
35. S
13. 3
14.7
39.5
30.4
N u t m a rg a rin e ...................
Cheese..................................
L a rd ......................................
Crisco....................................
Eggs, stric tly fresh ..........
.. .d o ..............
.. .d o ...........
. . .d o ...........
.. .d o __ ____
D ozen... .
35.5
42.2
31. 7
36. 6
50. 5
29.0
36. 5
18.9
22.4
32.2
28.5
28.6
17.0
20.2
33. 4
22. 5
17.8
36.4
43.1
31.4
38.7
47.4
31.5
36.8
21.1
25.2
27.2
28.9
30. 3
18.6
23.4
26.6
35.8
43.7
29.5
38.6
44.4
30.2
36. 9
18.6
24.9
27.5
28.8
29.8
16.9
23.2
26.9
B read ....................................
F lo u r....................................
Corn m eal................. ...........
R olled o ats..........................
Corn flakes............_.............
Pound... .
. . . do..............
__d o .........
.. .d o ...........
8-oz. p k g ___
11. 4
8. 5
6.1
10.9
14.4
10.0
6.2
4.1
9. 9
13.0
9. 7
5.9
3.7
9.9
12.3
12.2
8.2
6.3
11. 4
15.0
11.8
5.3
4.4
11.4
14.5
11.1
4.9
4. 4
11.2
14.5
12.4
9.0
6.6
11.8
14.9
10.8
5.9
4.3
11.6
14.1
10.8
5.8
4.3
11.1
13.8
Cream of W h e a t................
M acaroni..............................
R ic e .....................................
B eans, n a v y .......................
P o ta to e s........ .....................
28-oz. p k g . . .
Pound .
.. .d o — ........
.. .d o ...............
.. .d o __ ____
28.7
21. 2
19.9
12. S
10.3
28.1
20 .4
10.5
8.8
2.8
23.9
20.2
10.0
8.0
2.3
31.2
22.0
19.3
12.5
9.9
31.3
21.3
9.0
8.1
2.3
31.0
20.0
8.0
7. 6
2.2
31.5
19.5
19.6
11.8
9.4
31.3
19.6
9.3
7.5
1..9
30.4
20.1
8.9
7.2
1.8
O nions.................... .............
Cabbage...............................
Beans, b a k e d ...... _.............
Com, can n ed ......................
Peasi can n ed .......................
__do...............
__do ...............
No. 2 c a n . . .
. . . d o ..............
.. .d o ..............
13.5
10.0
14.2
21.1
22.2
4.4
7.5
4.8
4.3
11.7 11.6
16.8 "16.6
21.4 21.5
11. 1
70
20.2
18.3
18.6
3.4
4.7
17.5
14.7
15.4
5.8
5.4
17.5
14.4
15.1
11.8
9Í.0
n :5
17.0
18.3
4.5
5.0
15.8
15.5
17.1
6.6
6.7
15.0
15.2
17.0
Tom atoes, can n ed.............
Sugar, g ra n u la te d .............
T e a ........................................
Coffee....................................
.. .d o ..............
P o u n d ..........
.. .d o __ ____
. . . do...............
15.3
23.8
90. 4
52.2
11.4
9.4
84.3
41.2
10.8
8.1
83.2
41.6
16.4
28.2
81. 5
52.3
12.3
10.0
74.9
38.6
11. 7
8.9
74.9
38.1
15.1
29.1
73.4
47.8
12.0
9.8
66.4
34.1
12.0
9.1
63.9
33.9
P ru n es..................................
R aisins..................................
B an an as...............................
Oranges.................................
. . .d o ..............
. . .d o ..............
Dozen...........
__do...............
28.8
26.0
40.4
71.7
17.9
30.9
39.5
48.5
16. 7
30.9
38.2
46.7
30.0
29.0
20.9
33.9
19.6
33.2
31.7
28.1
24.8
32.2
23.5
32.0
67.1
38.8
40.5
67.7
42.1
43.6
22. 3
5.2
2.8
2.3
8.5
1.3
5.7
56.0
30.0
s 12. 4 * 14.3 a 12.6 3 11.4 »12.4 s 12.2
1 T he steak for w hich prices are here quoted is know n as “ p o rterh o u se” in m ost of th e cities included in
this report, b u t in this city it is called “ sirloin” steak.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
178]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD,
79
O F FO O D F O R 51 C IT IE S ON C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —C ontinued.
P ittsb u rg h , P a.
P h ilad elp h ia, P a .
P o rtlan d Me.
P o rtlan d , Oreg.
Providence, R I.
M ay 15— Apr. M ay M ay 15— A pr. May May A pr. May M ay 15— Apr. May May 15— A pr. May
15, 15,
15,
15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
192Î. 1921.
1921. 1921.
1921. 1921. 1920. 1921. 1921.
1921. 1921.
1913 1920
1913 1920
1913 1920
1913 1920
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
i 30.0 i 53.0 i 50.0 i 50.0
25.6 48.1 42.2 41.9
22.3 40.0 35.7 35.2
17.6 30. ! 22.3 22.0
11.8 16.4 12.5 12.3
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
27.0
23.3
21.8
16.5
11.9
47.1
42.7
34.9
28.5
17.4
45.1
38.9
34.0
25. e
12.7
44.4 159.3 156.6 157.0
38.4 49.7 45 9 45.5
33.5 32.4 30.3 29.9
23.1 25.2 20.2 19.2
15.0 15 7
12.5
23.5
21.2
19.3
16.9
14.0
34.9
32.9
31.4
24.2
18.6
30.2
28.6
26. 9
20. <J
15 5
30.7 1 39.6 i 68.4 1 65.7 i 65.9
28.3 30.6 54.0 50.3 49.7
26.8 23.8 42.9 37.2 36.8
19.1 19.1 32.7 28.6 28.5
14.5 ... ........ 19.5 19.4
22.0
28.8
29.4
21.2
27.3
21.1
30.0
30.0
19.1
22.0
C ts.
C ts .
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
45.9
49.1
61.3
47. 3
49.1
39.0
40.4
54.2
37.5
47.0
38.6
39.2
53.9
37.8
46.0
44.2
56.2
62.3
44.2
51.5
38.5
47.6
56.2
37.7
49.1
35.6
46.0
51.5
38.3
46.5
43.0
49.8
56.2
39.5
52. 5
37.9
42.6
49.4
32.9
51.1
36.9
41.9
49.2
33.6
49.1
42.9
56.6
57.3
41.8
44.6
36.0
48.3
47.7
32.7
39.2
34. 5
46.7
47.7
29.2
35.9
21.8
22.4
31. C
20.3
24.4
46.5
49. S
64.6
46.8
53.3
41.9
39.5
55.5
38.6
49.1
35.9
8.0 14.0
14.3
40.3 78.7
... 45.3
33.5
13.0
14.7
64.2
32.7
32.2
39.7
13.0 8.6 15.0
14.4
14.7
51.5 37.2 73.7
41.3
30.0
38.3
14.0
14.7
58.5
29.1
37.5
14.0
14.4
43.6
28.3
38.4
15 0
15 6
78.4
44.0
36.8
15.5
15 2
61.6
37.9
37.0
42.8
15.5 9.3 14.8
13. 7
14.9
52.6 35.5 62.6
42.1
36.6
43.8
13.8
14.0
48.0
30. 0
43.3
12.9 9. C
13.3
36.2 36,6
30.0 —
42.0
16.6
151
74.7
41.4
40.3 39.9
15.1 14.9
15.4 14.8
55.1 4 5 3
352 32.0
35.9 27.7 25.8
28.6
39.3 24.5 43.7 38.0 33.6
28.4
15.5
16.9 14.1
14.9
35.7 23.1 20.8
19.6
34.4
24.
i
53.8
36.0
33.9
35 6
43.7
28.9
36.0
62.5
29.9
38.3
17.5
24.6
41.2
29.2
36.3 20. 5
15.9 18.2
22.3 „ . . .
44.1 25 0
30.4
40.6
23.6
25.7
28.8
29.1
35 3
30.8 21.3 41.7
22.0 15.2 28.5
36.2
21.7
26.1 30.5 68.5
20.8
25.6
30.8
21.4
23.0
37.0 29.3
25.0 45.7 41.7
15.3 28.8 17.0
35.1 21.2
26.1 55.9 36.7
4.8 10.6 9.6 8.4
3.1 8.9 6.0 5.6
2.7 6.2 4.6 4.4
9.2 8.9 9.1
... 12.3 11.8 11.2
5.4 11.9 10.7 9.4 12.0 10.0 10.0
3.1 8.7 5.9 5.7 8.9 6.0 5.8
2.7 7.7 5.3 5.0 6.9 5.1 4.8
10.4 10.9 10.8 8.9 8.1 8.0
13.5 12.0 11.7 14.3 13.0 12.7
28.5 28.3 28.3
21.5 21.6 21.5
9.8 19.2 10.3 9.4
11.0 8.5 8.1
2.3 9.4 2.3 2.0
29.5 29.2 30.0 29.5 29.3 29.6
20.7 22.3 22.2 23.0 23.9 23.4
9.2 19.1 10.1 9.8 19.1 10.4 10.2
11.4 7.3 7.1 11.4 7.9 7.7
Ï. 6 8.8 1.8 1.8 8.4 1.9 1.4
38.6
43.8
34.5
40.7
47.7
5.6 1Ö.5 9.5 9.5 5 9 11.9
2.9 7.6 5 2 5 1 3.4 9.7
3.3 7.3 4.8 4.7 2.9 6.3
11.8 9.7 9.2 ...... 10.7
... 14.7 14.0 13.6 ... 13.9
28.9
38,2
17.1
23.6
47.2
40.6
38.8
56.0
38.9
48.8
27.7
34.4
15.8
22.0
47.8
10.6 10.9
6.3 6.2
4.7 4.6
10.8 19 6
12.9 12.6
34.4 32.5 32.0
17.0 16.5 17.8
8.6 20.0 10. 1 9.5
10.5 7.5 7.2
.5 8 7 1.8 1.7
30.2
24.4
9.3 18. S
11.3
1.7 8.6
30.0 30.0
23.8 23.5
10.3 9.9
8.1 7.8
2.1
1.7
10.9 3.1 5 1
9.6 2.5 3.0
8.1 4.9 6.1
9.5 1.9 3.4
20.8 19.2 19.0
19.6 18.0 17.1
19.6 17.0 17.1
20.7 19.0 18.4
20.9 19.9 19.1 ........ 20.3 17.6 17.5
11.5
10.8
16.6
20.3
20.9
3.5 4.9
6.0 5.9
14.6 14.1
18.5 18.2
20.1 19.7
2 17.3 214.8 2 14.3
14.4 11.0 11.3 16.7 12.8 13.2
15 9
14.7 11.2 10.5
4.9 23.7 8.7 7.5 5.5 22.5 9.8 8.4 24.3 9.8 8.3 6.1 24.9 10.3 9.4 5 Ö 26.0
54.0 62.9 61.7 61.8 58.0 79.2 77.6 77.4 63.7 57.3 56.5 55.0 64.4 65.0 64.7 48,3 61.3
25.0 44.0 30.2 30.2 30.0 48.0 37.8 36.8 51.0 39.5 38.2 35.0 50.0 38.8 37.9 30.0 52.4
13.1 13.1
9.6 8,3
60.1 60.5
40.0 39.7
...
10.9 3.0 5.9
9.4 5.6 4.9
15.0 13.1 13.0 __
17.7 15.8 15.6 ...
18.6 16.3 16.2 ........
25.9
26.0
42.2
........ 76.8
18.1
28.4
37.3
45.3
17.0
28.9
38.1
47.9
10.6 6.2 6.7
8.0 5.7 6.8
16.4 14.9 14.6
17.7 15.1 15. 4
18.2 16.5 16.7
30.1
29.0
50.0
87.0
—
20.1
30.5
46.7
47.9'
20.0 26.2 18.0
29.3 28.3 30.6
45.9 3 11.9 313,2
47.5 82.4 43.6
251 10.2 10.1
_ 27.4 30.6 30.9
__ 3 14.4 3 15.3 3 14.1
69 4 45.6 48.0
:P er pound.
2No. 2 \ can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
17.0
30.2
s 12.6
49.1
[79]
27.4
27.3
40.8
87.4
20.1
30.3
43.3
50.8
19.2
29.4
42.1
54.9
80
M O N TH LY LABOE EE VIEW.
T able 5 .—A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S
R ichm ond, Va.
R ochester,N .Y .
St. Louis, Mo.
May 15—
Anr. May
Apr. May May Apr. May
15, 15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
1921. 1921. 1920. 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1921. 1921.
1913 1920
May 15—
A rticle.
U nit.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C is.
Sirloin steak ................................
R oun d steak ................................
R ib ro a s t.....................................
Chuck ro a s t.................................
P late beef.....................................
P o u n d ..........
....... do............
........do ............
........do ............
........do............
21.8
19. 6
18.9
15.3
12.4
44.2
42.1
34. 7
29.5
23.0
41.3
37.4
32.5
24.8
19.0
41.3
37.2
32.1
24. 8
19.1
41.1
37. 5
32.2
28. 5
18.6
38.6
33.2
28.9
23.3
14.5
39.6
34.1
29.9
23.8
13.7
23.3
21.1
1S.0
13.7
11.0
39.7
38.8
31.6
23.9
18.3
36.0
33.9
30.4
20.9
15. 4
35.6
33.4
29.9
20.3
14.9
P ork chops. _
Racon
__
.....................
H a m ..............................................
Lam b, leg of................................
H e n s . . .... ...................................
........do............
........do............
........do............
........do............
........do............
20.8
25.0
25.7
19.7
21.0
44.1
46.1
52.2
49.3
48.5
35.6
38.4
44.7
39.1
42.5
36.2
38.5
43.9
42.0
42.5
44.3
43.6
55.0
43.3
51.0
36.0
35.4
48.1
34.1
47.5
37.5
35.3
48.2
35.0
47.2
19.5
25.3
28.7
19.0
18.5
38. 7
48.0
57.3
41.3
43. 4
34.6
40.2
48.9
33.4
37.5
31.4
39.4
47.4
32.9
35. 5
m nn (pan n p.d )
Milk, fresh....................................
Milk, ev ap o rated .......................
R u tte r ..
Oleomargarine............................
28.1 21.1 19.8
.d o ...........
Q.uart............ io.o 16.0 14.0 14.0
16.2 15.3 15.1
15-16-oz. can
P o u n d .......... 39.0 83.1 62.5 52.0
45.4 35.6 33.5
........do............
38.9
13.0
15. S
73.5
44.3
36.6
12.5
15.0
54.9
33.3
35.7
36.6
12.5 8.Ô 15.0
14.3
14.8
42.8 33.3 73. 0
40.5
31.0
3o. 6
14.0
13.8
56.7
30. 4
35.4
14.0
13.4
41.5
29.4
Tsfnt m argarine
Cheese...........................................
Hard
................................
Criao.n .
Eggs, strictly fresh....................
........do ..............
38.1 31.9 30.3
........do............ 22.3 43.8 37.6 31.9
....... do............ 15.0 31.5 18.2 17.4
38.8 23.6 22.1
........do ............
Dozen........... 24.0 51.7 31.4 33.0
35.1
40.2
29.7
35.6
54.3
28.1
37.4
18.3
22.5
33.9
34.8 27.1 .26.3
27.9
32.4 Î9.2 41.8 33.6 27.6
16.7 13.7 24.3 13.0 12.0
35.0 22.1 21.5
20.0
34.1 20.6 46.5 28.5 26.8
(Its.
B road ............ .............................. P o u n d ..........
F l o u r ............................................ ........do............
C o rn m e a l . r r
........do............
P o l le d o a ts
........do ..............
C o rn fla k e s . .
......................... 8-oz. p k g ___
Cream of W h e a t ..............................
M acaroni .............................................
R iee ........................................................
R e a ,n s, n a v y ..
Potatoes........................................
2S-oz.pkg__
P o u n d ............
........do ..............
........do ..............
........do............
5.3 12. 8 10.8 10.7 11.2 10.0 8.6
3.3 9.1 6.1 5.8 9.1 6.0 5.6
2.0 6.7 4.2 4.2 7.4 5.7 5.4
11.4 11.1 11.0 8.1 8.2 8.1
14.6 13.4 12.9 13.9 12.6 12.7
5.5 12.4 10.6 10.6
3.0 8.1 5.2 5.1
2.1 5.8 3.4 3.4
9.4 9.5 9.7
13.0 10.8 10.7
29.8 28.9 28.8
21.3 20.3 20.8
18.9 9.7 8.7
12.0 8.4 8.0
8.7 1.3 1.1
30.5 30.3 30.4
16.6 20.7 21.2
8.3 17.8 7.1 7.9
10. f 6.1 6.7
1.3 9.9 2.4 2.2
4.7 5.3 11.5 2.5 6.0
10.7 5.4 4.8 9.6 4.9 5.7
14.6 12.1 12.0 14.5 12.1 12.0
19.4 15.8 15.1 19.6 16.9 16.1
21.4 20.6 20.0 19.3 18.6 18.6
10.0 3.3 5.5
5. 2 4.1 5.3
15.8 12.1 12.1
15. 8 14.9 14. 9
15.8 16.1 15.7
29.4 30.6 30.7
20.7 21.2 21. C
9.8 19.9 10.5 10.5
13.9 9.0 8.8
1.7 10.4 2.4 2.2
........do............
........do...........
No. 2 can ___
Corn, c an n e d .................................... ......... do...........
......... do............
P e a s o a n n e d __
O n io n s . .
C abbage
R can s b a k e d
T o m a to e s c a n n e d
Sugar, granulated......................
Tea,
C offee
.d o .............
P o u n d .......... 5.0
........do ............ 56. C
........do ............ 26.8
P ru n es ..
........do ...........
R a i s in s
......................................... ........do ............
Dozen...........
R a n a n a s .....................
O ran g es _
........................... ..
........do ..............
14.8
23.2
90. C
50.2
11.7 12. 1
9.7 8.6
84,2 83.1
37.1 36.7
15.8 12.3 12.6
22.3 9.2 7.7 5.2
65. ( 60. 5 60.6 55. C
47.7 34.5 33.0 24.3
28.4
26.3
47.8
67,9
21.6
31.7
43.3
41.8
28.4
28.7
45.6
82.3
1 N o. 2 | can.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
C ts.
C80]
21.8
32.0
40.6
44.1
21.3
30.4
46.8
41.9
21.0
30.3
45.3
46.9
14.4 10.7 10.7
29.9 9.3 8.0
75.1 70. f 69.7
45.0 33.1 32.9
28.7
26.4
37.3
63.2
20.1
30.7
35. £
42.0
19.2
30.4
33.7
43.6
RETAIL PRICE'S OF FOOD.
81
O F FO O D F O R 51 C IT IE S ON C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S—C ontinued.
St. P a u l, M inn.
May A pr. M ay
15,
15,
15,
1920- 1921. 1921.
Salt L ake City, U ta h .
San Francisco, Calif. S avannah, Ga.
Scranton, P a.
M ay 15—
1913
M ay 15—
M ay 15A pr. M ay
A pr May
Apr. May
Apr. May
15,
15,
15, 15, 15, 15, 15,
15, 15,
1921.
1921.
1921.
1921. 1920. 1921 1921.
1920
1913 1920
1913 1920 1921. 1921.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
39.5
34.9
33.0
25.6
15.3
35.9
29.9
30.1
23.0
13.3
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
35.8
29.9
29.3
22.3
12.8
C ts.
22.5
20.0
19.6
15.7
11.7
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
34.8
31.6
27.4
22. S
15.8
C ts.
30.8
27.3
24. 7
19. £
13.6
30.5
27.9
25.0
19.7
13.5
20.3
19.0
20.7
14.6
13.3
32.5
30.7
31.1
22.0
18.2
31.0
28.9
29.1
19.4
15.8
C ts .
31.0
28.9
29.0
18. 8
15.2
C ts.
C ts.
40.9
37.9
32.3
25.0
20.7
34.4
29.
20.9
18.9
15.8
35.8
30.8
27.1
18.
16.1
36.4
53.2
55.2
40.4
41.5
33.2
44.2
48.7
31.9
37.4
30.4
43.9
47.1
31.2
34.1
23.1
30.8
29.3
19.6
24.3
41.4
53.6
53.5
35. 5
42.5
36.0
46.5
46. £
30.8
42.5
34.5
45.4
46.2
30.2
41.0
24.0
32.8
30.0
16.7
25.2
44.8
60. 8
59.7
35.2
51.9
39.3
57.2
55.0
31.6
48.2
38.9
56.4
54.3
30.2
45.3
43.8
51.0
52.2
41.3
47.0
35.0
41.1
44.0
42.0
37. 3
35.0
40
42.8
38.8
34.2
41.2
13.0
15. 3
64.8
42.4
40.0
12.0
14.7
51. 1
34.0
39.6
11.0
14.0
36.5
30.3
37.9
12.5
13.7
66.5
41.0
39.2
12.5
14.7
50.2
35.0
39.6
34.1 32.8 32.8
12.5 ÌÓ.Ó 16.0 14.6 14.6
13.5
1.2.9 13.1 12.7
38.5 33.6 64.4 45.5 41.8
35.0
39.3 27.4 26.8
43.3
24.7
14.9
77.1
45.1
34.7
41.9
29.4
40.4
46.4
28.3
35.9
19.0
28.2
28.8
27.1
29.2
16.6
24.4
25.8
39.0
40.7
33.5
43. 7
49.3
30.5
33.2
21.3
28.3
30.5
27.2
28.4 20. Ó
19.0 18.3
26.8
31.0 24.5
41.0
44.2
31.8
38.0
52.3
10.6
9.1
6.9
9.6
14.7
10.4
5.6
4.4
9.4
14.0
9.5
5.5
4.7
9.4
13.9
12.4
7.3
7.4
10.3
14.8
10.3
3.7
4.3
9.4
14.6
31.4
20.4
19. 5
11.7
9.0
30.0
19.4
8.9
9.1
1.7
29.8
19.4
8.9
9.0
1.4
33.8
21.5
18.7
12.3
9.1
13.8
8. 5
19.4
18.6
17.2
3.0
5.1
18.1
16.5
16.6
3.3
6.2
17.8
16.5
16.1
15.0
29. 7
70.9
51.2
13.5
10.1
72.5
40.9
13.3
9.0
70.8
40.8
8.7
35. é
23.3
19.2
.
23.8
5.9
2.6
3.3
8.2
1.1
5.9
65.7
35.8
31.2 19.9 19.7
28. 7 32.1 32.3
13. 0 2 13.6 2 13. 1
78. 7 53.8 52.7
35.6
40. 3
33.2
38.4
51.2
27.2
27.0
20.9
22.3
30.3
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
22.3 37.6 36.2 35.9
17.0 31.1 25.9 26.5
12.1 19.6 13.7 13.1
2Q.5
27.3
29.3
21.7
23.7
46.6
57.9
60.4
47.4
50.9
39.4
42.6
53.2
43.3
49.6
39.9
42.2
53.1
43.3
49.1
39. 41.7 41.4
8.6 13,0 13.0 13.0
14.5 14.6 14.2
14.0 14.0
58.4 45.7 36."6 72.7 56.2 43.9
43, 31.9 30.5
38.0 36.6
35.7 34.8
20.0 20.0
31.1 30.2 ........ 36.6
35.9 29.9 18.3 40.8
19.6 17.2 15.6 30.0
20.8 20.0 . . . . I 36.
32.8 31.4 25. 0 ‘ 56.0
30.3
36.5
19.2
24.4
36.0
29.4
32.4
17.5
22.9
36.1
9.8
3.4
4. 1
9.3
14.4
5.9 10.9 9.6 9.6 11.7 11.2 10.6 5. ôj 13.2 12.3
3.3 8.2 6.3 6.3 8.9 6.4 5.9 3.5 9.2 6.8
3.4 6.9 5.4 5.1 5.3 2.9 2.8
8.7 7.7
11.0 10.6 10.3 11.9 10.9 11.1
11.1 11.1
14.0 13. 5 13.0 14. 7 12.7 12.1
14.3 13.0
11.0
33.5
22.5
9.1
9.3
1.6
32.8
22.5
8.3
9.1
1.7
28.8 29.0 28.8 31.5 29.8 29.0
14.3 13.4 14.5 22.3 19.4 20.0
8.5 17.5 9.1 9.0 17.8 7.7 7.3
9.4 7.1 6. 7 14.0 9.8 9.7
1.4 9.5 3.2 3.3 10.2 3.0 2.6
13.2
9.1
20.0
18.3
17.5
2.8
5.3
17.0
17.2
16.4
2.9
7.5
18.1
17.0
15.8
8.6 2.1 1.8 11.7 5.0 6.8
8.4 4.6 3.7
18.5 17.4 17.7 17.7 14.1 14.2
19.1 18.3 18.3 19.2 15.5 15.0
18.5 19.0 18.8 19.0 17.7 18.0
16.5
27.0
80.4
58.3
10.9
10.8
83.3
48.1
10.6
U3.6 U L I 111.4 15.7 11.1 10.3
9.4 5.3 25.6 9.8 8.8 22.2 9.3 8.0 5.5
83.3 50.0 58.6 57.9 '58.1 77.7 70.6 69.2 52.5
47.3 32.0, 46.0 36.8 35.6 47.7 32.2 30.5 31.3
28.5 16.6 16.7
27.8 30.9 30.9
2 15. 3 2 17. 4 2 17.8
65. 4 39.9 45. 4
23.4
23.9
50.0
65. 1
2 P er po u n d .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
28.2
36.8
22.3
23.8
33.5
C ts.
24.3 48.3 48.4 49.4
21.0 42.9 40.3 40.3
[ 81 ]
15.9
28.9
45.0
43.1
15.6
29.1
41.4
43.3
27.5
25.5
45.0
82.8
19.2
31.2
43.0
38.7
16.5
31.1
45.0
45.0
29.3
25.0
19.2
13.3
8.5
12.4
10.0
6 .6
7.6
11.1
12.9
28.9 29.1
24.2 24.2
10.1 9.7
10.3 10.0
1.9 1.6
7.1
7.4
6.6 6.2
15.9 14.1 13.9
18.1 16.2 16.0
18.6 17.2 16.4
15.8 12.1 12.1
22.3 9.8 8.2
69.7 64.0 63.6
51.2 39.4 39.1
26.9
27.6
39.1
74.1
18.8
31.1
37.1
46.9
18.3
30.7
36.8
47.5
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
82
T a b l e 5 . -A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F T H E P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S O F FO O D F O R
51 C IT IE S O N C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D D A T E S —Concluded.
Springfield 111.
Seattle W ash.
U nit.
Article.
W ashington, D . C.
May 15—
Apr. May
A pr. May May A pr. May
15, 15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
15,
1921. 1920. 1921. 1921. 1913 1920 1920. 1920.
1921.
1913 1920
May 15—
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
C ts.
ftfrlnin steak
Rroind steak .
R ib roast
Chuck roast,
P la te beef__
P o u n d ..........
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
23.8
21.5
19.6
16. 8
12.9
37.4
34.7
30.6
23.4
19.0
33.6
29.9
27.3
20.0
16.0
33.4
30. 1
27.5
19. 8
16.1
39.2
38.6
27.5
24. 5
18.7
38.2
36.4
25.7
21.2
14.6
37.9
36.4
25. 4
20.9
15.5
27.5
23.6
21.9
17.6
12.1
51.0
46.8
40. 0
30.0
18.2
47. 8
41.3
36.7
25. 5
15.2
P ork chops........................
Paeon
TTam
L am b, leg of .
H en s
. ..d o ......... —
. ..d o ...............
. .. d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
24.6
31.7
30. 8
20.8
24.5
47.0
62.0
60.0
40.0
48.5
39.2
54.3
54.1
32.5
40.1
37.6
53.8
53.9
30.8
36.1
39.9
50.5
53.8
43.8
42.3
35.0
42.3
48.6
35.0
35.0
32.0
39.7
48.5
35.8
34.5
21.1
26.5
28.0
20.9
22.4
48.5
48.9
60.3
49.5
51.3
40.5
41. 9
55.7
39.6
47.6
38.7
40.5
55.5
41.2
47.5
palmon (oan n ed )
Milk, fre s h ..
Milk, evaporated
B u tte r .
O leom argarine..................
Tint m argarine
Cheese..
L a rd ..........
Prison
Eggs, stric tly fresh ..........
B re ad .............
F lo u r..
Com m e a l. . . .
Rolled oat-55
Com flakes........................
Cream of W h e a t...............
M acaroni..
Itie e . . . .
Beans, n a v y ......................
P o ta to e s. . " __
Onions
Cabbage .
Beans, baked
C orn. canned
Peas,’ can n ed.....................
T om a t oes ean n ed
Sugar, g ra n u la te d ...........
T e a ...............
Coffee__________
P ru n es................................
R aisins__
B an an as. .
O ranges..............................
. ..d o ...............
Q u a rt............ &5
15-16 ox.c&n.
P o u n d .......... 35.6
...d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ............... 21.7
. ..d o ............... 17.6
..d o ...............
Dozen........... 25.0
P o u n d .......... 5.5
...d o ............... 3.0
. ..d o ............... 3.0
.d o ........... ..
8-oz. p k g ----28-oz. p k g ...
P o u n d ..........
. ..d o ......... ..... 7.7
. ..d o ...............
. ..d o ............... i.o
.d o ...............
.d o ...............
No. 2 c an __
.d o ...............
. ..d o ...............
do ............. P o u n d .......... 5.9
. ..d o ............... 50.0
. ..d o ............... 28.0
. ..d o ...............
.d o ...............
B ozen...........
. ..d o ............... .....
36.8 36. 5
35.7 38.4 39.2 39.1
12.0 14.3 12.5 12.5 8.6 16.0 15.7
14.9 14.8
12.3 16.1 15.8 15.6
35.4 68.6 57.3 40.9 33.7 77.2 61. 4
27.5 44.2 30.0 29.9 ........ 43.6 33.8
36.2 30.2
28.5 35.7 28.8 27.8
31.3 45.1 39. 4 32.4 23.5 43.3 39.6
20.9 29.7 18.7 16.2 14.8 29.7 17.7
35. 9 22.5
24.4 38.8 23.8 23.7
28.8 46.6 29.8 28.7 23.9 52.7 34.5
9.9 13.5 11.5 10.4 5.6 12.2 10.5
8.9
6.2
5.9 3.7 8.9 0.5
5.1
7.4
4.5 2.4 5.6 3.9
4.7
4.6
11.4 11.3
8.8 11.5 11.4 11.3
13.8 15.0 14.5 14.6 ........ 13.9 12.2
30.0 29.3
30.7 30.8 30.3 30.5
18.1 20.5 22.4 23.1 ..... 23.5 22.5
9,5 9.4 19.2 9.9
10.0 19.7 10.2
7.6 ........ 12. 1 8.0
7.8
7.3 12.7
2.2 2 1 9.6 2.1
2.2
9.9
2.4
7.6
3.2 12.0
4.4
11.0 5.6
10.6 5.3
7.1
6.7
5.5
6.5
14.5 12.3
18.0 18.3 15.0 15.4
18.0 14.3
16.6 16.4 14.7 14.0
18.0 15.9
17.1 17.6 17.4 17.1
15.3 11.3
112.5 15.6 12.5 12.2
9.3 4.9 22.6 9.6
9.5 31.7 10.1
64.4 86.3 82.0 81. 3 57.5 78.7 75.8
37.4 50.9 37.2 37.0 28.8 48.0 34.4
28.9 21. 8
16.1 29.4 23.5 22.0
25.7 31. 2
30.4 29.7 34.8 31. 2
46.9 43.6
210.8 211.7 211.8 211.0
83.3 40.7
40.7 65.7 43.9 45.4
37.0
14.0
14.6
46.7
33.0
29.1
34.0
15.8
21.0
34.6
10.5
6.2
3.9
11.2
11.9
29.1
22.1
9.4
7.8
2.0
6.7
5.3
12.1
13.8
15.3
11.2
8.0
74.0
33.9
21.1
30.3
42.5
48.5
37.0 36.3
12.6 12. G
13.3 12.4
61.5 45.9
44.6 36.7
37.3 30.6
41.7 39.4
30.8 22.3
40.4 25.3
50.0 32.8
11.5 10.0
7.6
5.1
7.3
4.9
10.1
8.8
14.7 13.9
32.0 30.9
18.3 18.3
19.8 10.4
10.3
7.4
9.3
2.1
10.3
3.1
8.6
5.3
20.5 18.3
19.9 17.5
20.5 17.7
U 6.2 U 2.8
26.0 10.1
67.5 64. 5
49.1 38.1
27.7 17.2
26.6 30. 5
314.9 217.0
64.7 42.2
i No. n ra il.
C ts.
C is.
C ts.
C ts.
47.2
41.3
36.7
25,3
14.5
2 P er pound.
Comparison of Retail Food Costs in 5 I Cities.
'"TABLE 6 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase or decrease
1 in the retail cost of food 7 in May, 1921, compared w ith the
average cost in the year 1913, in May, 1920, and in April, 1921.
For 12 other cities comparisons are given for the one-year and the onem onth periods. These cities have been scheduled by the bureau at
different dates since 1913. These percentage changes are based on
actual retail prices secured each m onth from retail dealers and on
the average fam ily consumption of these articles in each city.8
i For list of articles, see note 2, p . 65.
. . .
.
8 The consum ption figure used from Jan u a ry , 1913, to December, 1920, for each article m each city is
given in th e M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w for N ovem ber, 1918, p p . 94 a n d 95. The consum ption figures
which have been used for each m o n th beginning w ith Jan u a ry , 1921, are given in th e M o n th ly L a b o r
R e v ie w for M arch, 1921, p . 26.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[82 ]
RETAIL PRICES OF FOOD.
83
Effort has been m ade by the bureau each m onth to have perfect
reporting cities. For the m onth of May, 99 per cent of all the
firms reporting in the 51 cities sent in a report prom ptly. The
following were perfect reporting cities; th a t is, every m erchant in
the following-named 36 cities who is cooperating w ith the bureau
sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in the city
averages: A tlanta, Baltimore, Bridgeport, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve
land, Columbus, D etroit, Fall River, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson
ville, Kansas City, L ittle Rock, Louisville, Manchester, Milwaukee,
Minneapolis, Mobile, Newark, New Haven, Norfolk, Omaha, Peoria,
Philadelphia, Portland, Me., Providence, Richmond, Rochester, St.
Louis, St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Savannah, Scranton, Springfield, 111,,
and W ashington, D. C.
The following sum m ary shows the prom ptness w ith which the
m erchants responded in May:
R E T A IL P R IC E R E P O R T S R E C E IV E D D U R IN G MAY.
Geographical division.
U nited
States.
Item .
Percentage of reports received......................
N um ber of cities in each section from
which every rep o rt was received..............
N orth
South
Atlantic. A tlantic.
N orth
C entral.
South
C entral.
W estern.
99
99
99
100
96
95
36
10
7
114
4
1
1 T o tal n u m b er of cities in this division.
T a bl e 6 .—P E R C E N T A G E
CH A N G ES IN T H E R E T A IL COST O P PO O D IN MAY 1921
C O M PA R ED W IT H T H E COST IN A P R IL , 1921, MAY, 1920, A N D W IT H T H E A V E R A G E
COST IN T H E Y E A R 1913, B Y C IT IE S.
City.
Percent P e r c e n t a g e de
crease M ay, 1921,
age
compared w ith —
increase
May, 1921,
compared
w ith
May,
April,
year 1913.
1920.
1921.
A tla n ta .....................
B altim ore.................
B irm in g h am ............
B oston.......................
B ridg ep o rt...............
44
48
50
48
34
32
33
28
29
4
5
6
3
3
B uffalo......................
B u tte .........................
C harleston, S. C___
Chicago.....................
C in c in n ati................
42
34
38
28
34
34
7
5
4
6
5
C levelan d.................
C olum bus.................
D allas........................
D e n v er......................
D etro it......................
P a ll R iv e r................
H o u sto n ...................
In d ia n a p o lis............
Jacksonville.............
K ansas C ity .............
L ittle R o ck ..............
Los Angeles.............
L ouisville.................
M anchester..............
M em phis...................
41
36
33
32
37
36
31
33
37
33
34
33
30
39
30
37
5
5
4
7
4
5
6
5
5
5
4
2
5
3
5
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
55
46
46
44
32
46
45
38
38
46
41
36
33
48
37
C ity.
M ilw aukee...............
M inneapolis.............
M obile.......................
N ew ark, N. J ..........
New H a v en ..........
New O rlean s...........
New Y o rk ................
N orfolk.....................
O m aha.......................
P eo ria........................
P h ilad e lp h ia ............
P ittsb u rg h ...............
P o rtlan d , Me...........
P o rtlan d , Oreg........
Providence...............
R ic h m o n d ................
R ochester.................
St. Louis...................
St. P a u l.....................
S alt L ake C ity ........
San Francisco..........
S a v a n n ah .................
S cran to n ...................
S e a ttle .......................
Springfield, 111........
W ashington, D. C..
[ 83 ]
Percent P e r c e n t a g e de
crease M ay, 1921,
age
com pared w ith —
increase
May, 1921,
compared
w ith
M ay,
A pril,
year 1913.
1920.
1921.
41
41
39
43
44
49
44
44
44
27
51
55
46
29
39
51
32
53
37
37
35
30
31
31
29
30
37
35
32
31
30
36
30
31
34
37
37
36
31
33
29
35
36
29
8
6
5
6
5
7
4
4
6
4
6
6
3
6
3
3
5
4
8
5
3
5
6
5
5
5
84
M O N T H L Y LABOR REVIEW ,
Retail Prices of Coal in the United States.1
H E following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
January 15, 1920, and on April 15 and May 15, 1921, for
the United States and for each of the cities included in the
total for the U nited States. Prices for coal are secured from the cities
from which m onthly retail prices of food are received.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales for
household use.
The prices shown for bitum inous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds used. The coal dealers in each city are asked to quote
prices on the kinds of bitum inous coal usually sold for household use.
The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers, b u t do not
include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin where an
extra handling is necessary.
T
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F COAL, P E R TO N O F 2,000 PO U N D S, FO R H O U S E H O L D
U SE , ON JA N . 15, 1920, A N D ON A P R . 15 A N D MAY 15, 1921.
1921
•Tan. 15,
1920.
City, a n d k in d of coal.
A pr. 15.
U n ite d S ta te s :
P en n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove....................................................................
C h e s tn u t..............................................
B itu m in o u s .... .....................................................
A tla n ta , Ga.:
B itu m in o u s.......................................................
B altim ore, Md.:
Pen n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove...................... ............................................
C h estn u t.....................................................
B itu m in o u s................................................
B irm ingham , A la .:
B itu m in o u s....................................................
B oston, Mass.:
P ennsylvania anth racite—
Stove.................................................
C h e s tn u t.............................................................
B ridgeport, Conn.:
P ennsylvania anth racite—
Stove.....................................................
C h e s tn u t.........................................................
Buffalo, N. Y .:
P ennsylvania anth racite—
Stove.......................................................................
C h e s tn u t.......................................................
B u tte , M ont.:
B itu m in o u s................................................
Charleston, S. C.:
P ennsylvania anth racite—
Stove...................................................................
C h e s tn u t.................................................
B itu m in o u s....................................................
Chicago, 111.:
P en n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove....................................................................
C h e s tn u t...................................................
B itu m in o u s....................................................
C incinnati, Ohio: •
P en n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove........................................................
C h e s tn u t................................................................
B itu m in o u s.........................................................
M ay 15.
$12. 588
12. 768
8. 808
$14. 872
14. 859
10. 577
$14. 794
14. 878
10. 392
9.050
8.688
8.813
a 12. 500
a 12.600
a 7.500
a 14. 500
a 14.500
a 14. 500
a 14.500
8.833
8.139
7.496
8.696
8.733
12. 750
12. 750
15.000
15.000
15. (X)0
15.000
12. 500
12.500
14. 000
14. 000
14.000
14. 000
10. 890
10. 990
12.580
12.580
12. 720
12. 720
10.381
12. 290
12.014
a 13. 400
a 13. 500
« 17. 250
a 17.100
a 17. 000
a 17.100
8.500
12. 000
12. 000
12. 590
12. 690
8.020
14.690
14. 890
8. 598
14. 910
15. 060
8.588
12. 500
15. 500
15. 500
12. 667
15. 750
15. 750
6. 739
6. 929
6. 929
1 Prices of coal were formerly secured sem iannually a n d published in th e M arch a n d Septem ber issues
of th e M o n th ly L a bo r R e v ie w . Since Ju n e, 1920, theso prices have been secured a n d published m o n th ly .
“ Per to n of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 84 ]
85
RETAIL PRICES OF COAL.
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F COAL, P E R T O N O F 2,000 PO U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE ON JA N . IS , 1920, A N D ON A P R . 15 A N D MAY 15, 1921—C ontinued.
1921
Jan . 15,
1920.
C ity, and k in d of coal.
A pr. 15.
Cleveland, Ohio:
P enn sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove...................................................
C h e s tn u t.........................................
B itu m in o u s..................................
Colum bus, Ohio:
P en n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
C h e s tn u t......................................
B itu m in o u s....................................................
Dallas, Tex.:
A rkansas an th racite—
Eger...........................................................................................
B itu m in o u s..........................................
D enver, Colo.:
Colorado a n th ra c ite —
Stove, 3 a n d 5 m ix e d .......................
Furnace, 1 a n d 2 m ix ed...........
B itu m in o u s.....................................
D etroit, Mich.:
P ennsy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove.......................................................
C h e s tn u t......................................
B itu m in o u s........................................
F all R iver, Mass.:
Penn sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove............................................................
C h e s tn u t..........................................
B itu m in o u s....................................................
H ouston, Tex.:
B itu m in o u s............................................
Indian ap o lis, In d .:
P ennsy lv an ia a n th racite—
S tove....................................................................
C h e s tn u t....................................
B itu m in o u s..........................................
Jacksonville, Fla.:
Pennsy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove..................................................................
C h e s tn u t........................................
B itu m in o u s..............................................
K ansas C ity, Mo.:
A rkansas a n th ra c ite —
F u rn ac e .................................................
Stove, or No. 4 ............................................. .
B itu m in o u s......................................
L ittle Rock, A rk.:
A rkansas an th racite—
E g g ....................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s........ ................................
I.os Angeles, Calif.:
B itu m in o u s.............................................................
Louisville, K y.:
Pennsy lv an ia an th ra c ite —
Stove...........................................................................
C h e s tn u t............................................................
B itu m in o u s.........................................................
M anchester, N . H .:
Pennsy lv an ia a n th ra c ite —
Stove.....................................................................................
C h e s tn u t...........................................................
B itu m in o u s.........................................................
M em phis, Tenn.:
Pennsylvania a n th ra c ite —
Stove......................................................................
C h e s tn u t...................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................
M ilwaukee, W is,:
Pennsy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove......................................................................
C h e s tn u t...........................................................
B itu m in o u s.................................................
M inneapolis, M inn.:
Pennsy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove.........................................................................
C h e s tn u t...........................................................
B itu m in o u s..........................................
Mobile, Ala.:
B itu m in o u s.........................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
85 ]
M ay 15.
7. 911
«14 125
14 138
8 500
«1Q yio
mo
«¡?io.
13. 938
ft. ziz
919
O
12.900
6. 513
11 Q17
7 731
14. 833
7 638
18.500
14.583
17 167
14 549
17
nnn
1/. U
UU
1a . O
KU
nrv
1A
U
14.000
13. 500
8.908
16.000
16. 000
in AA7
16.083
16.083
12.650
12. 750
8. 781
9 971
11ai. <
k)dU
rn
11-i.
i oou
Knn
n ooz
oqo
y.
13.000
12. 750
10. 000
15 950
15 083
11 500
1c).
k ocn
A
ZdU
15 000
11
~nn
11. O
UU
12.000
1Q Z71
13 000
188
8 638
110.
K 0/1)
Q7K
15 117
QA
Kn
0.
oou
17.000
17.000
on nnn
$12.300
13.000
8.
15.950
16.583
8.625
17
1A7
1 / . 10/
17
C7K
1 /. o/O
12 208
sn
11 9
Z. 9zou
16 583
17.313
9 650
1a
1^ ^00
Finn
10.O
UU
17.188
0
Ann
y. ouu
16 000
13 059
10
19 229
18 111
13.750
13.750
6.836
16.875
17 000
7.750
17
13.417
13.417
10.000
16.500
16.500
11.667
16.500
16 500
11 333
16.000
16.000
8.000
18. 000
18.000
8.198
18.000
18.000
8.196
12.600
12.700
8.960
16.200
16.260
10. 788
15.800
15.800
10.639
14. 000
14.100
10.425
17.200
17.300
12.433
17.220
17.320
12.292
10.333
11.000
10.813
000
nnn
1l. U
UU
17
(W
1(. U
Uin
U
7 923
86
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P COAL, P E R TO N O F 2,000 P O U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U S E , ON JA N . 15, 1920, A N D ON A P R . 15 A N D M AY 15, 1921—C ontinued.
1921
Jan . 15,
1920.
City, and k in d of coal.
A pr. 15.
N ew ark, N . J.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h e s tn u t..........................................................................................................
New H aven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania an th ra c ite —
Stove................................................................................................................
C h e stn u t..........................................................................................................
New Orleans, La.:
Pennsylvania an th ra c ite —
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h e s tn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
New Y ork, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove...............................................................................................................
C h e stn u t....................................................................................................
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania a n th racite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h e s tn u t.......................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
O m aha, Nebr.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
^
Stove ...........................................................................................................
C h estn u t.......................................................
B itu m in o u s..........................................................................................................
Peoria, 111.:
Pennsylvania an thracite—
Stove............................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
P hiladelphia, P a.:
P ennsylvania an thracite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h estn u t..................................................................... ..................... ............
P ittsb u rg h , Pa.:
Pen n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove...............................................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
P o rtla n d , Me.:
Pen n sy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
P o rtlan d , Oreg.:
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
Providence, R . I.:
Pen n sy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove................................................................................................................
C h estn u t......................................................... ................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
R ichm ond, Va.:
P ennsylvania an th racite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
Rochester, N . Y .:
P en n sy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove..
C h estn u t................................................. .......................................................
St. Louis, Mo.:
P en n sy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
St. P au l, M inn.:
P en n sy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove.................................................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................................................
B itu m in o u s............................................................................................................
1 P er to n of 2,240 pounds.
2 F ifty cents per to n additional is charged for “ bin n in g .”
th e coal in to th e cellar.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[86 ]
May 15.
$10.483
10.483
$12.250
12.250
$12.375
12.375
12.250
12.250
13.708
13. 708
13.708
13.708
17.500
17.500
9.269
22.250
22.500
11.691
20.750
20.750
10.409
11.536
11.600
13.167
13.167
13.133
13.117
13.000
13.000
9.750
14.000
14.000
11.464
14.000
14.000
11.464
17.275
17.450
10.108
22.000
22.000
12.119
22.000
22.000
12.281
13.000
13.000
6.000
16.000
16.000
6.438
15.500
15.500
6.250
1 11. 881
1 11.906
1 13.688
i 13. 688
1 13. 813
1 13.813
1 13.750
1 14. 000
6.179
1 15.000
1 15. 833
7.844
1 15. 000
1 15. 467
7. 781
13.440
13.440
9.370
15.120
15.120
9.963
15.120
15.120
9. 800
11.618
13.056
13.105
2 12.950
2 13. 000
2 10. 000
2 15.000
2 15.000
2 11. 000
2 15.000
2 15.000
2 10. 500
12.125
12.125
8.931
13. 750
13. 750
10.917
14.188
14.188
10. 816
10. 800
10.900
13.050
13.050
13.050
13.050
13.100
13.225
5.970
16.188
16.250
6.882
16.000
16.188
6. 895
14.000
14.100
11.531
17.392
17.475
13.081
17.217
17.317
13.414
Most custom ers require binning or basketing
RETAIL, PRICES OF COAT,.
87
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P COAL, P E R TO N O F 2,000 PO U N D S, F O R H O U S E H O L D
U SE, ON JA N . 15, 1920, AN D ON A P R . 15 A N D MAY 15, 1921—Concluded.
1921
Jan. 15,
1920.
City, and k in d of coal.
A pr. 15.
Salt L ake City, U tah.:
Colorado a n th racite—
Furnace, 1 an d 2 m ix ed ................................................... ..
Stove, 3 and 5 m ix e d .............................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................................
San Francisco, Calif.:
New Mexico a n th racite—
Cerillos egg................................................................
Colorado an th racite—
E g g .........................................................................................
B itu m in o u s........................................................................
Savannah, Ga.:
Pennsylvania an th racite—
Stove.........................................................................
...
C h estn u t...................................................................
B itu m in o u s.........................................................
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsy lv an ia an th racite—
Stove..........................................................................................
C h estn u t..........................................................................
Seattle, W ash.:
B itu m in o u s...............................................................
Springfield, 111.:
B itu m in o u s...............................................................
W ashington, D . C.:
P ennsy lv an ia a n th racite—
Stove.........................................................................
C h estn u t.........................................................
B itu m in o u s.....................................................................
$16. 313
16. 583
8.236
$17. 400
19.200
9.750
M ay 15.
$18.100
19. 200
9.488
23.000
28.650
26. 500
21.750
15.100
26. 750
19.455
26.000
18. 455
3 15.100
3 15.100
3 11.100
3 17.100
3 17.100
3 12. 500
3 17.100
3 17.100
3 12. 500
8.233
8.300
9.333
9.333
9.517
9. 517
4 9. 588
4 11.582
4 11. 597
3.950
4.250
4. 300
1 12. 447
112. 538
18. 267
1 14.029
1 14.029
1 10.191
1 14. 229
1 14.171
1 10.136
1 Per Ion of 2,240 pounds.
3 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed by th e city. A charge of 10 cents per to n or half to n is m ade. This
additional charge has been included in th e above prices.
4 Prices in zone A. T h e cartage charge in zone A is SI.85, w hich has been included in th e average. Tho
cartage charges in Seattle range from $1.85 to $3.15, according to distance.
Retail Prices of Gas in the United States.1
H E following table shows for 51 cities the net price per m onth
for the first 1,000 cubic feet of gas used for household purposes.
Prices are, in m ost cases, for m anufactured gas, b u t prices for
natural gas have also been quoted for those cities where it is in
general use. For Los Angeles prices are given for natural and m anu
factured gas, mixed. The prices shown do not include any extra
charge for service.
T
1 R etail prices of gas have heretofore been secured in A p ril of each year an d published in th e Ju n e issues
of the Monthly L abor R eview .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[87]
88
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
N E T P R IC E P E R M O N T H F O R T H E F IR S T 1,000 CUBIC F E E T O F GAS F O R H O U S E H O L D
U S E ON A P R . 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1920, A N D ON M AY 15, 1921, B Y C IT IE S .
Manufactured gas.
C ity.
A pr. 15, A pr. 15, A p r. 15, A p r. 15, A p r. 15, A pr. 15, A pr. 15, A p r. 15, M ay 15,
1920.
lff21.
1918.
1919.
1916.
1915.
1917.
1913.
1914.
$1.15
.75
.95
1.02
1.10
$1.15
.75
.95
1.07
1.10
$1.90
.75
.88
1.42
11.30
1.00
1.50
1.10
.755
.80
1.45
1. 50
1.10
.94
.80
1.45
1.50
1.25
.90
.80
11.45
2.10
1.55
1.29
.80
.80
.75
.80
1.00
.55
.85
.75
.95
1.00
.55
.95
.79
.95
1.00
.60
.95
.79
1.05
1.09
.60
.95
.85
1.25
1.09
.90
1.15
1.00
1.00
.75
.77
1.15
1.00
L 00
.75
.77
1.25
1.00
1.00
.75
.77
1.25
1.10
1. 00
.75
.95
1.50
1.10
11.10
.75
.95
1. 75
2 1.50
1.35
.90
1. 28
1.10
.90
.90
1.00
.83
1.10
.90
.90
1.00
.83
1.10
.90
.90
1.00
.83
1.10
.97
1.00
1.00
.83
1.35
.97
1.10
1. 30
.85
1.35
1.15
1.10
1.30
.87
1.80
1.40
11.10
1.30
1.35
1.00
1.15
.90
LOO
1.00
1.00
1.15
.90
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
.90
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
.85
1.00
1.00
1.20
1.15
.85
1.00
1.00
1.20
1.15
.85
1.00
1.00
1.60
1.15
.85
1.00
(3)
1.40
1.63
1.65
1.00
(3)
1.1C
.95
.85
.90
.95
1.00
.95
.85
.90
.95
1.00
.95
.85
.90
.95
1.00
.95
.85
.80
.95
1.00
.95
.85
.80
.95
1.00
.95
1.00
.80
.95
1.40
.95
1.30
1.00
.95
1.40
.95
1.30
1.00
.95
1.85
1.67
1 1.25
1.30
4 1.05
St. Louis, M o.............................
St. P a u l, M in n ..........................
Salt Lake C ity, U ta h ..............
San Francisco, C alif..............
S avannah, Ga ..
.80
.95
.90
.75
.80
.90
.90
.85
.80
.90
.90
.85
.80
.85
.90
.85
.75
.85
.90
.85
. 75
.85
.90
.85
.75
.85
1.10
.90
.85
.85
1.30
.95
1.25
1.05
1.00
2 1.52
1.05
1.60
Scranton, P a .............................
Seattle, W a s h ...........................
Springfield, 111...........................
W ashington, D . C ....................
1. 08
1.00
1.00
.93
1.08
1.00
1.00
.93
1.08
1.00
1.00
.93
1.08
1.00
1.00
.93
1.08
1.00
1.00
.80
1.15
1.25
1.00
.90
1.30
1.25
1.10
.95
1.30
1.50
1.10
.95
1.70
1.50
1.40
1.25
$0.30
.35
.30
.30
.45
$0.35
.35
.35
.30
.45
$0.35
.35
.35
.30
.45
$0. 35
.35
.35
.30
.67^
.60
.40
.65
.28
.80
.45
.65
.35
.80
.45
.65
.35
1.80
.45
.65
.45
$0.68
$0.75
$0.75
0.75
A tla n ta , G a . .............................
B altim ore, M d...........................
B irm in g h a m , A la.....................
B oston, M ass.............................
B ridgeport, C onn.....................
$1. 00
.90
1.00
.82
1.00
$1.00
. 80
.95
.82
1.00
$1.00
. 80
. 95
.80
1.00
$1.00
.75
.95
. 80
. 100
$1.00
.75
.95
.80
1.00
Buffalo, N . Y ............................
B u tte , M ont...............................
C harleston, S. C .......................
Chicago, 111................................
Cleveland, O h io .......................
1.00
1.50
1.10
.80
.80
1.00
1.50
1.10
. 80
. 80
1. 00
1.50
1.10
.80
.80
1.00
1. 50
1.10
.80
.80
1.00
1.50
1.00
.80
.80
D enver, Colo.............................
D etro it, M ich.............................
F a ll R iver, M ass.......................
H ouston, T e x ............................
In d ian ap o lis, I n d .....................
.85
.75
.80
1.00
.60
.80
.75
.80
1.00
. 55
.80
.75
.80
1.00
.55
.80
.75
.80
1.00
. 55
Jacksonville, F l a ......................
M anchester, N . H ....................
M emphis, T e n n ........................
M ilwaukee, W is .......................
M inneapolis, M inn...................
1.20
1.10
1.00
.75
.85
1.20
1.10
1.00
.75
.80
1.15
1.00
1.00
.75
.80
Mobile, A la................................
N ew ark, N . J .............................
New H av en , C onn...................
New O rleans, L a .....................
New Y ork, N . Y ......................
1.10
LOO
.90
1.10
.84
1.10
.90
.90
1.00
.84
Norfolk, V a ................................
O m aha, N e b r.............................
Peoria, 111...................................
Philadelphia, P a ......................
P ittsb u rg h , P a .........................
1.00
1.15
.90
1.00
1.00
P o rtla n d , M e.............................
P o rtla n d , O reg.........................
Providence, R . I .......................
R ichm ond, V a ..........................
R ochester, N . Y .......................
$1.00
.75
.95
.85
1.00
N atural gas.
B u ffalo ,N . Y ............................
C incinnati, O hio.......................
Cleveland, O h io ........................
Colum bus, O h io __
D allas, T ex ................................
$0. 30
.30
.30
.45
.45
.45
.45
$0.30
.30
.30
.30
.45
K ansas C ity, Mo.......................
L ittle Rock, A rk ......................
.Louisville, Ivy...........................
P ittsb u rg h , P a .........................
.27
.40
.27
.40
.62
.28
.27
.40
.65
.28
.27
.40
.65
.28
.30
.40
.65
.28
.28
$0.30
.30
.30
$0. 30
.30
.30
$0.30
.30
.30
Manufactured and natural gas.
Los Angeles, C alif,
0.68
1 P lu s 50 cents per m o n th serviee charge.
2 P lu s 25 cents p er m o n th service charge.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$0.68
$0.68
3 Sale of m anufactured gas discontinued.
4 P lu s 40 cents per m o n th service charge.
[88]
«
T R E N D IN R E T A IL P R IC E O P GAS, F O R T H E U N IT E D ST A TES, A P R IL , 1913, TO M AT, 1921.
BETAIL PRICES OE GAS
[89]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
00
CO
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
90
From the prices quoted on m anufactured gas in 43 cities, average
prices have been com puted for the 43 cities combined and are shown
in the next table for April 15 of each year from 1913 to 1920 and for
May 15, 1921. R elative prices have been com puted by dividing the
price of each year by the price in April, 1913.
As m ay be seen in the table, the price of m anufactured gas changed
b u t little until in 1921. The price in May, 1921, was 40 per cent
higher th an in April, 1913, and 22 per cent higher than in April, 1920.
A V E R A G E i AND R E L A T IV E P R IC E S O F M A N U F A C T U R E D GAS F O R H O U S E H O L D U SE
P E R 1,000 CUBIC F E E T , ON A P R . 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1913 TO 1920, F O R 43 C IT IE S COM
B IN E D .
[Average p rice in A pril, 1913=100.]
Year.
April
April*
April
April
A pril,
1Ql ,T
1914
191A
1917..................................
Average
price.
30.95
.94
.94
.93
.92
R elative
price.
Year.
100
99
99
98
97
A pril, 1918..................................
A pril, 1319-................................
A pril, 1920..................................
M ay, 1921..................... ..............
Average
price.
R elative
price.
100
108
115
140
SO. 95
1.01
1.09
1.33
1 Net price.
The chart on page 89 showing the trend in the average retail price
of gas for the U nited S tates has been draw n from the figures as
shown in the preceding table.
Retail Prices of Dry Goods in the United States.1
n p H E following table gives the average retail prices of 10 articles of
1 dry goods on May 15 of each year, 1915, to 1921, by cities.
The averages given are based on the retail prices of standard
brands only.
1Retail prices of dry goods are published in th e A pril, Ju ly , October, an d D ecember issues of the Monthly
L abor R eview .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
I
[90]
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O P 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS ON MAY 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1915 TO 1921, B Y C IT IE S .
A rticle.
U nit.
1915
B altim ore, Md.
B irm ingham , A la.
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1916
1917
1918' 1919
1920
1921
1915
1910
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
$0.063 $0.075 $0. 094 $0.210 $0.150 $0.257
$0.073 $0,085 $0.100 $0.200
$0.069 $0.075 $0,098 $0,235
Y ard
do
$0,548 $0.250 .123 . 125 . 190 .316 .315 $0.510 $0,238 . 125 . 132 . 190 .305 .317 .474 $0.250
. 125 . 138 . 158 .299
. . . d o . . . .094 .100 .131 .267 .233 .368 .158 .078 .089 .122 .276 .240 .350 .161 .074 .088 .138 .258 .213 .324 .148
. . . d o . . . .117 .130 .146 .306 .343 . 454 .245 .120 .125 .160 .290 .347 .490 .238 .105 .113 . 162 .287 .326 .450 .249
.350 .525 .686 .483 .150 .150 .250 .350 .531 .668 .368 .150 .150 .180 .350 .532 .645 .419
...d o ...
. . . d o . . . .103 .108 . 146 .321 .272 .425 .214 .100 .112 .152 .345 .273 .529 .216 .097 .110 .146 .250 .270 .410 .175
.. . d o . . . .315 .375 .423 .730 .724 1.208 .668 .303 .340 .430 .798 .793 1.237 . 673 .270 .309 .385 .639 .640 1. 019 .591
E a c h ... .803 .938 1.068 1.964 1. 849 2.650 1.591 .768 .863 1.058 2.077 1.929 3.076 1.736 .697 .767 .960 1. 594 1.716 2.548 1.469
Y a rd ... .111 .118 .142 .306 .293 . 465 .248 .110 .122 .157 .300 .346 .488 .223 .104 .111 .158 .287 .293 .380 .205
.740 .690
1.070 .974
1. 117
1.000 1.100 1.213 LOSO
d o.
.663 1.000 .925
P a ir__
5.900 7.300 5.894
2.750 3.000 6.560 6.600 4.154
3.500
3. 500 4.375 4.987 5. 830 4.740
B o sto n , Mass.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale..........................
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 inch
G ingham / dress/27-inch...
G ingham, dress/ 32-inch
M uslin, bleached. . . .
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4..
Sheets, bleached, 8Í b y 90..
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
Flannel, white, wool, 27-in eh
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80
1915
Y ard __ $0,068 $0,073 $0,100 $0.197 $0.190 $0.290 $0.150
.125 .125 .177 .325 .279 .493 .240
do.
.d o . . .086
.125 .305 .250 .350 .206
.d o . _
. 125 .125 .166 .310 .267 .443 .248
do
. 150 .210 .223 .390 .523 .664 .499
.121 .129 . 157 .309 .291 .529 .238
.d o . . .
.752 1.085 .659
.. . d o .. . .316 .345 .465
E a c h ... .820 .950 1.242 1.950 1.909 2.732 1.698
Y a r d ... .123 .127 .160 .391 .312 .392 .259
do.
.670 .950 1.117 1.370 .891
P a ir__
3.000 4.000 4.750 6.125 4.368
B rid g e p o rt,'C o n n .
B uffalo, N Y .
$0.064 $0.079 $0.102 $0.193 $0.178 $0.290 $0.119
$0.107 $0.147 $1.150 $0.250
.170 .250 .295 .523 $0.255 . 125 .137 .190 .316 .308 .553 .259
.123 .260 .245 .340 .182 .084 .100 . 130 .277 .230 .380 .160
. 163 .350 .304 .493 .237 .121 .128 .170 .328 .319 .486 .257
.583 .690 .522
. 173 .290 .501 .635 .488 .235
.240
.158 .290 .275 .491 .208 .105 .118 .164 .328 .289 .483 .226
.443 .723 .768 1.220 .677 .335 .386 .470 .784 .766 1.193 .689
1.140 1.668 1.887 2.858 1.855 .865 .994 1.279 1.925 1.880 2.828 1. 718
.283 .432 .231
.125 .235 .289 .430 .252 .116 .122 .162
.577 1.000 .745 1.000
.782 1.013 .882 1.115
2.840 4.413 6.298 5.919 5.416
2.750 3.500
5.850
RETAIL, PRICES OF DRY GOODS.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
Gingham , dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached...........
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch___
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80..
A tla n ta , Ga.
<D
CO
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS ON M AY 15 OF EA C H Y E A R , 1915 TO 1921, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued.
Article.
U nit.
1915
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
G ingham, dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham, dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
B u tte , M ont.
C hicago, 111.
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
1916
1917
1918
1919
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1921
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
C leveland, Ohio.
Y a rd ... $0.062 $0.076 $0.098 $0.233 $0.160 $0.277 $0.15C $0.066 $0.067 $0.090 $0. 201 $0.150 $0.235 $0.125
. . . d o . . . .125 .130 .170 .283 .290 .495 .268 .125 .125 .168 .320 .339 . 559 .249
. . . d o . . . .076 .091 .125 .253 .230 .317 .145 .080 .086 .117 .267 .250 .358 .174
. . . d o . . . .113 .129 .165 .290 .275 .458 .242 .125 .125 .157 .300 .329 .480 .229
.515 .738 .508
. . . d o . . . .150 .165 .180 .390 .562 .664 .561 .250 .250 .250
. . . d o . . . .105 .116 .137 .269 .256 .400 .208 .116 .117 .158 .338 .290 .461 .238
. . . d o . . . .279 .341 .398 .726 .701 1.020 .639 .336 .374 .486 .776 .758 1.148 .696
E a c h ... .683 .846 1.063 1.743 1.830 2. 500 1.617 .887 1.023 1.190 1.965 1.777 2. 917 1.523
Y a rd ... .117 .125 .150 .343 .300 .410 .215 .119 .117 .146 .360 .298 .468 .204
1.000 1.000
.875 1.250
1.000 .983
.600 .850
3.750 5.333 6.542 6.636 4.779
4. 771
D a lla s, Tex.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h ---Gingham, dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham, dress, 32-inch.................
1920
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919 1920
1921
Y a rd ... $0.068 $0.079 $0.100 $0.150 $0.150 $0.250 $0.150 $0.065 $0.078 $0.113 $0.220 $0.158 $0.306 $0.131 $0.062 $0.076 $0.100 $0.183 $0.181 $0.248 $0.126
. . . d o . . . .150 .150 .197 .300 .330 .483 .310 .125 .142 .178 .338 .316 .520 .244 .125 =144 .195 .355 .348 .513 .279
. . . d o . . . .083 .100 .100 .250 .220 .303 .188 .080 .095 .116 .258 .197 .316 .153 .076 .091 .125 .250 .222 .317 .142
. . . d o . . . .138 .138 .187 .317 .328 .414 .270 .113 .130 . 154 .326 .308 .468 .217 .121 .140 .186 .343 .330 .457 .245
.190 .350 .432 .562 .373 .250 .250 .280 .500 .581 .758 .559
.448 . 583 .471
. . . d o . . . .188 .250 .250
. . . d o . . . .129 .129 .158 "."333 .259 .467 .244 .100 .113 .142 .303 .244 .490 .194 .098 .113 .151 .307 .294 .437 .208
. . . d o . . . .375 .398 .479 .725 .836 1.217 .788 .330 .352 .411 .670 .729 1.180 .602 .314 . 356 .439 .822 .765 1.244 .641
E a c h ... 1.069 1.175 1.483 2.000 2.133 3.000 1.992 .890 .981 1.197 1.796 1.801 2.756 1.539 .787 .924 1.218 2.040 1.831 2. 912 1. 569
Y a rd ... .125 .129 .173 .250 .314 .398 .286 .117 .121 .148 .318 .280 .408 .218 .119 .132 .174 .349 .288 .447 .200
.950
.800 1.095
.600
1.010 .713
.920 1.020 1.013
.850
3.500 4.500 5.304 6.220 4.986
4.135
4.500
5.800 6.770 5.190
2.950
C in cinnati, Ohio.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
Gingham, apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
Gingham, dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham, dress, 32-inch.................
Muslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
fcO
C h arlesto n , S. C.
D enver, Colo.
g
o
tzj
H
K
>
w
o
w
Colum bus, Ohio.
$0.110 $0.196 $0.176 $0.288 $0.141
.185 .336 .343 .646 .251
.125 .250 .212 .363 .176
.215 .350 .354 .461 .279
.254 .433 .588 .733 .584
.170 .309 .263 .445 .209
. 456 .769 .726 1.323 .709
1.214 1.908 1.S77 2. 991 1.777
.164 .361 .329 .430 .250
.850 1.200 .900 1.417
2.750 5.500 5.980 6. 475 4.711
D e tro it, Mich.
$0.263 $0.145 $0.070 .$0.077 $0.101 $0.210 $0.164 $0.249 $0.136
Y a rd ... $0.056 $0.072 $0.098 $0.198 $0.186 $0.250 $0.125 $0.070 $0.080 $0.100 $0.229
. . . d o . . . .150 .125 .159 .330 .330 . 455 .246 .144 .150 .200 .450 $0.360 .630 .321 .125 . 129 .193 .326 .337 .520 .282
. . . d o . . . .077 .100 .119 .225 .197 .294 .143 .090 .100 .117 .300 .250 .380 .170 .084 .096 . 130 .268 .241 .354 .181
. . . d o . . . .114 .117 .150 .310 .320 .461 .225 .128 .151 .180 .350 .332 .482 .242 . 125 .125 .198 .275 .317 .469 .219
.270 .500 .489 .729 .520
.250 .400 .671 .773 .565 .150
...d o ...
.300 .527 .689 .542
>
3
54039°— 21 ----- 7
Muslin, bleached
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...........
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90---O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..
F lannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch.
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
..d o . .
..d o . .
E ach.
Y ard.
. .d o ..
P a ir—
104
277
767
116
.106
.315
.858
.110
.140 .282 .254 .418 .187
.391 .672 .658 1.033 .570
.981 1.628 1.656 2.683 1. 514
.150 .276 ._274 .411 .184
1.000
.500
6.500 5.667 6.950 4.350
P all River, Mass.
Y a rd ...
...d o ...
...d o ...
...d o ...
...d o ...
...d o ...
...d o ...
E a c h ...
Y a rd ...
...d o ...
P a ir—
070 80.070 $0.090 $0.190 » . 170 80.290
125 .125 . 163 .363 .308 .453 80.246
088 .097 . 120 .266 .223 .343 . 145
119 .119 .150 .310 .293 .423 .238
.476 .645 .402
112 .131 . 150 .304 .260 .480 .203
335 .400 .440 .727 . 794 1.150 .688
880 .920 1.183 1.690 1.824 2.583 1.690
108 .110 . 145 .240 . 297 .370 .254
.980
5.980 5.410
[93]
Jacksonville, Fla.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ...................
Percale..........................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham , dress, 27-inch...........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch...........
M uslin, bleached........................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90___
O u tin g flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ...
F lannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch..
B lan k ets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
.118 .167 .361 .287
.382 .496 .939 .839
.963 1.461 2.397 2.082
.145 .188 .390 .356
1.163 1.500 1.025
4.875 6.057
H ouston, Tex.
.520 .239
1.312 .754
3. 361 1. 922
.503 .218
1.000 1.425
7.313 5.646
.123 .129 .180 .345 .291 .512 .220
.323 .373 .471 .771 .760 1.117 .693
.900 1.043 1.320 2.083 1.908 2.987 1.770
.121 .125 .159 .320 .293 .420 .247
.913 1. 488 .995 .988 1.233
5.238 6.214 4.708
Indianapolis, Ind.
80.150 SO. 29oi*0.123 $0,058 $0.074 $0.102 SO. 200 $0.164 $0,253 $0.128
.348 .518 .282 . 125 .133 .183 .314 .313 .483 .285
.225 .338 . 158 .077 .092 .124 .245 .263 .345 .164
.297 .408 .204 . 120 .122 .188 .277 .320 .465 .242
.553 .685 .523
.250 .370 .468 .613 .381
.259 .429 .173 .108 .114 .147 .302 .292 .461 .220
.608 1.038 .518 .305 .357 .441 .752 .780 1.207 .671
1. 577 2. 664 1.528 .788 .889 1.070 1.688 1.897 2. 910 1.571
.265 .353 . 188 .118 .121 .149 .326 .293 .439 .226
.980 .895 1. 290 .997
.722 .880 .723
3. 490 4.827 5.495 6.858 4.503
6.433 6. 500 4. 983
K ansas City, Mo.
L ittle R ock, Ark.
Y a rd ... $0.070 $0.080 $0.125 $0.193 $0.225 $0.250 80.144 $0.071 $0.075 $0.100 $0.235 $0.184 80.275 80.149 $0.065 $0.077 $0.100 $0.229 $0.188 $0.270 » . 133
..d o .... .125 .138 .200 .320 .445 .643 .270 .142 .150 .178 . 350 .373 .545 .260 .131 .138 .185 .317 .322 .480 .261
..d o __ .080 .095 .150 .300 .263 .390 .170 .086 .100 . 133 .295 .250 .364 . 181 .087 .096 .125 .238 .225 .298 .156
..d o __ . 113 .138 .180 .343 .370 .463 .243 .120 .138 . 166 .326 .369 .503 .267 .119 .121 .158 .285 .316 .371 .208
.432 .636 .399
.610 .714 .534
.500 .528 .720 .446
..d o .... .150 .170
..d o .... .100 .128 .173 .338 .330 .523 .216 .115 .122 .160 .319 .324 .486 .204 .113 .115 .157 .284 .269 .443 .200
...d o .... .325 .360 .460 .740 .850 1.310 .642 .327 .383 . 441 .790 .828 1.275 .699 .309 .344 .450 .700 .729 1.181 .583
E a c h ... .760 .900 1.145 2.003 2.117 3.016 1.482 .765 .893 1.150 1.760 1.910 3.063 1.675 .760 .828 1.108 1.708 1.819 2.818 1.543
Y a r d ... .108 .117 .150 .317 .288 .483 .210 .113 . 12C .158 .310 .351 .428 .223 .114 .121 .150 .291 .281 .394 .197
.650 .750 1.000 1.348 .771
.750
.690 1.167
1.000 .850
.650 .750
. .do__
3.250 3.750 5.000 5.140 3. 875
2.615 3.750 6.000 6.333 4.969
3.500 6.000 6.500 6.500
P a ir.. . .
RETAIL PRICES OE DRY GOODS,
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
P ercale................................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
G ingham, dress, 27-inch.................
G ingham, dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch........
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80.............
.117
.322
.836
.125
to
CO
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS ON M AY 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1915 TO 1921, B Y C IT IE S —C ontinued.
Article.
U nit.
1915
Louisville, K y.
M anchester, N . H .
A verage retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
SO. 186 $0,203 $0.125 $0.063 $0.075 $0.093 SO, 180 $0,190 SO. 246 $0.129 SO. 070 SO. 080 $0.117 $0.223 $0.215 SO. 303 $0.129
Y a rd ... *0.070 SO. 076 SO. 098
,233
. ..d o __
,150 .150 .194 $1X329 .379 .531 .317 .124 .145 .181 .325 .340 .523 .246 . 122 . 124 .163 .305 .277 .461
.082 .098 .138 .280 .263 .368 .185 .074 . 068 ,123 .263 .202 .322 .159 .082 .094 .125 .300 .220 .303 .163
. ..d o —
,222
.281
.399
.353
,159
.121
.119
.458
.261
.322
.323
.161
.
129
.117
.251
. ..d o —
.118 ,125 .190 .297 .381 .445
.408 .617 ,439
.390 .564 .766 .550
. ..d o __
.138 .180 .250 .375 .600 ,737 .557
.226
.514
.334
.283
.160
.
112
.124
.292
.427
.
189
.286
.148
.109
.091
.230
. ..d o —
.114 .120 .159 .339 .275 . 445
1.127 .633
. ..d o __ .316 .368 , 455 .740 .755 1.038 .666 .269 .341 .400 ,689 .730 1.042 .609 .328 .366 .469 .777 .699 2.651
1.636
1.688
2.101
1.293
1.006
,863
1.604
1.967
2.725
1.147
1,818
.937
.755
E a c h ... .817 .975 1.275 1.914 1.853 2.650 1.586
Y a rd ... .117 .115 .161 .350 .360 .433 .255 .113 , 117 ,156 ,377 ,377 .388 .220 .103 .114 .142 ,283 .277 .391 .240
1.095 .885
.795 1,250
1,375 .670
,670
1.000 1.250 .900 1.000 1.317
...d o __
5.426 5.988 4.009
2.980
5.500 5.000
4.500
2. 750 4.500 6.494 6.388 4.633
194]
M emphis, T enn.
M ilw aukee, W is.
M inneapolis, Minn.
130
Y a rd ... SO. 061 $0.069 SO. 099 $0,235 $0.184 $0.257 $0.153 $0,060 $0.074 $0.100 SO. 180 $0.153 $0.270 $0,122 $0,070 $0.078 $0.107 $0.183 $0.166 SO. 261 SO..244
...d o __
.125 .135 .200 .333 .356 .580 .295 .125 .130 .180 .316 .344 .597 .260 ,131 .145 .187 .313 .366 .465 .165
.326
.237
.129
.220
...d o —
.0S5 .100 .133 .280 .230 .283 .146 .080 .098 .124 .258 .226 .350 ,173 .092 .096
.265
. ..d o —
.117 .120 .167 .333 .288 .463 .250 .123 . 123 .177 .280 .330 . 457 .243 .131 .133 .194 .306 .329 .454
.563 .638 .548 .150 .180 .200 .363 .510 .701 .502 .250 .250 .295 . 450 .581 .832 .671
... d o .. .,
.228
.278
.465
.313
.149
.130
.
129
.481
.219
.295
.313
.114
.155
.109
.284
.480
.203
.322
... d o .. .. .105 .117 .146
.622
. ..d o __
.316 .355 .466 .786 .738 1.098 .659 .299 .350 .434 .752 .739 1.214 .681 .321 . 354 .427 .750 .698 1.133 1.682
2.650
1.896
1.142
1.998
.970
,876
2.954
1.760
2.248
1.887
1.367
.930
2.
904
1.635
.767
2.024
1.981
E a c h ... .836 .891 1.181
Y a rd ... .114 .100 .108 .288 .290 .375 .191 .115 .121 .160 .320 .329 .395 .201 .120 .126 .155 .328 .313 .402 .198
.720
.865 .977 1.000
.850
.825
.660
1. 310 .875
. 750 1.250
2.817 4.250 5.732 6.363 4.992
3.167 5.377 5.904 6. 721 4.368
3.250 5. 500 5.921 7.067 4.945
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80............. P a ir__
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .......... .
Percale........................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h __
Gingham , dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham , dress, 32-inch..............
M uslin, bleached.............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90..............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
P e r c a l e . . . . . . . . . ...............................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
Gingham , dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90..............
O u tin g flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch........
L o s A ngeles, C alif.
M obile, A la.
Y a rd ...
. ..d o __
. . .do__
.. .do__
. ..d o __
. ..d o __
. ..d o __
E a c h ...
Y ard__
. ..d o __
P a ir__
$0.154 $0.255 SO. 150 $0.065 $0.072 SO. 095 SO. 200 SO. 177 $0.277 $0.100
.311 .517 .256 . 125 .125 .183 .350 .330 .564 .277
. 193 .326 .150 .080 .090 . 117 .260 .203 .317 .163
.301 .429 .220 .125 . 125 .179 .328 .290 . 4S3 .236
.477 .624 .476 .183 .183 .217 . 468 .533 .718 .504
. 25S .436 .213 . 100 . I ll . 149 .293 .317 .475 .218
1.025 .620 .340 .390 .450 .776 .771 1.157 .670
1. G20 2. 506 1.570 . S80 .990 1.150 1.877 1.916 2.870 1.769
.276 .359 .225 .120 .121 .154 .354 .272 .480 .228
.050 .867 .763
.935 1.367 1.250 1.320 1.068
6.298 4.858
3. 250 4.240 4.958 5.370 4.521
N ew O rleans, L a.
[ 95 ]
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
Gingham , dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ..........
F lan n el, w hite, wool, 27-inch.
"Blankets, cotton, 66 by 80
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N ew Y ork, N. Y.
Y ard.
...d o ..
...d o ..
. ..d o ..
. ..d o ..
...d o ..
...d o ..
Each.
Y ard.
...d o ..
P a ir..
$0.057 $0.073 0.095 $0.209 SO. 162 $0.232 $0.127
126 Y 134 .17
.328 . 348 .521 .276
074 .084 .113 .250 .232 .334 .182
121 .125 .150 .294 .337 .489 .252
.596 .704 .529
.116 .140 .292 .2.89 .439 .204
.341 .406 .732 .720 1.160 .720
.911 1.100 1.956; 2.013 2.795 1.096
.122 .144 .330 .328 .419 .215
.875 1.123' 1.150 1.250 1.210
3.000 4.345 6.381 6.904 4.382
$0.159 $0.250 $0.250
.335 .330 .536 $0.258
.290 .250 .350 . 175
.317 .355 .406 .244
.424 .536 .694 .455
.301 .277 .503 .216
.718 .792 1.136 .67?
1.752 1.786 2.632 1.685
.288 .310 .453 .231
1.125 1.125 1.035
5.990 5.487
P e o ria , 111.
.138 $0.180 $0.190 $0.125
.315 .336
.240
.230 .230 .360 . 156
.287 .328 . 490 .249
.440 .581 .920 .522
.279 .277 .474 .213
.705 .824 1.288 .087
.773 2.148 3.258 1.619
.316 .353 .382 .226
.980
5.700
4.620
$0.075 SO. 097 SO. 190
$0.250 SO. 136
.125 . 177 .290 SO.321 .502 .236
.089 . 125 .290 . 194 .336 .168
. 125 . 167 .296 .257 .434 . 240
. 170 .210 .330
.679 .439
. 115 . 150 .331 .269 .470 .210
.360 .417 .773 .670 1.094 .647
.971 1.120 1.878 1.696 2. 575 1.512
.119 . 151 .295 .243 .383 .213
.800 1.238 .883
.838
3.000 3.500 4. 796 5.620 4.496
N orfolk, V a.
Y a rd ... SO. 053 SO. 073 SO. 100 $0.200 SO. 150 SO. 250 SO. 131 $0.070 $0.085 SO. 109 $0.265 SO. 205 ■SO. 260 SO.125
. ..d o __ .102 .120 .150 .400 .350 .435 .226 .126 .138 .180 .357 .343 .541 .254
__do___ .080 .100 .117 .288 .250 .290 . 170 .079 .091 .117 .281 .212 .371 . 152
.. .do__ .107 .108 .150 .313 .287 .450 .224 .115 . 121 . 168 .315 .335 .453 .262
__do___
.508 .732 .598 .138 .148 . 185 .390 .616 .776 .588
. ..d o __ .095 .100 .125 .267 .227 .393 . 178 . 103 . 117 . 152 .343 .288 .459 .213
.. .d o __ .317 .323
.660 .620 .975 .508 .320 .374 .428 .809 .757 1.183 .644
E a c h ... .740 .848 .900 1.067 1.788 2.383 1.407 .803 .930 1.112 2.055 1.878 2. 900 1.593
.300 .300 .350 .184 .106 .108 .170 .386 .307 .417 .223
Y a rd ... .094 .100
.800 1.046 1.029 .953 .991
. .d o ...
.800 .850 .500 1.250
P air
5.980
3.125 5.250 5.524 6.288 4.517
O m aha, N e b r.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
Gingham , dress, 27-inch.................
G ingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90..............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in ch ..........
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch........
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80.............
.125
.080
.125
.125
.101
.305
.820
.107
P h ila d e lp h ia , P a .
.069
.125
.083
.122
.250
.104
.320
.797
.107
.084 $0.125 $0.225 $0.
.129 .197 .338
.090 .119 .290
.123 .162 .330
.250 .315 .480
.121
.157 .303
.367 .454 .715
.908 1.206 1.780
.125 . 149 .330
.667 .993
2.950 5.000
SO.
$0.119
.251
.161
BETAIL PRICES OF DRY GOODS,
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
Gingham , apron, 27 to 28 in ch___
Gingham , dress, 27-inch.................
G ingham , dress, 32-inch.................
.....................
M uslin, bleached.
Sheeting, bleached. 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 93..............
O uting flannel, 27 to 23 in ch ___
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch........
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80.............
N ew H aven, C onn.
N ew ark, N. J .
.221
.526
.231
.657
1.581
.203
1.068
3.737
cC
Cn
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F 10 A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOO D S ON M AY 15 O F EA CH Y E A R , 1915 TO 1921, B Y C IT IE S -C o n c lu d e d .
A rticle.
U n it.
1915
a
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Portland, Me.
Portland, Oreg.
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on May 15—
Average retail price on M ay 15—
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
$0.167 $ 0.
.310
.192
.309
.541
.267
.727
1.707
.302
.785
5.750
1921
.144
.265 ,
.172
.229 .
.563 ,
.201
.640 .
.703 .
.205 .
.813 ,
.350.
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
$0,356 $0.438 $0.250
.250 .290 .190
.330 .400 .250
.507 .633 .521
.271 .426 .206
.689 .999 .674
1.813 2.467 1.649
.310 .424 .247
1.398 .935
5.417 5.740 4.058
[96]
Richmond, Va.
Providence, R . I.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ......................... Y a rd .. . $0.069 0.078 SO. 098 $0.196 SO. 190 $0.277
Percale.......................................................do—
.124 .125 .176 .300 .300 .482
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h .............do.............089 .100 .133 .278 .214 .363
G ingham , dress, 27-inch........................do___ .121 .125 .160 .282 .316 .437
.190 .390 .495 .654
Gingham , dress, 32-inch........................do............. 150
i ‘23 . 152 .313 .257 .489
M uslin, bleached.....................................do............. 105
.357
.418 .727 .676 1.102
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4..........................do............. 311
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90............. E a c h ... . 795 .908 1.105 1.853 1.734 2.930
.255
O uting flannel, 27 to 28in c h ......... Y a rd ... .100 .118
” ."795 i." 013 .915
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch.............. do..
3.243 4.410 6.058 6.276
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80............. P air.
1915
$0.064 $0,079 $0.103 $0.203 $0.164 $0. 248 $0.162
.125 .125 .171 .297 .318 .485 .252
.080 .089 .122 .263 .206 .320 .157
.120 .123 .157 .305 .290 .391 .236
.190 .390 .436 .639 .468
. 107 .131 .169 .320 .273 .483 .222
.307 .363 .446 .854 .742 1.077 .647
.789 .928 1.107 2.000 1.849 2.601 1. 594
.241 .115 .123 .148 .290 .308 .399 .219
.935 . 852 1. 094 .906
5.678 5.892 5.274
2 . 987
.241
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
$0. 064 $0,076 $0,094 $0.179 $0.148 $0.235 $0.135
.150 .150 .175 .300 .358 .490 .329
.080 .090 .108 .250 .200 .287 .178
.119 .125 .147 .263 .338 .421 . 245
.693 .704 . 561
.108 . Î15 . 143 .290 .277 .454 .239
.328 .364 .450 .732 .700 1.071 .633
.950 1.000 1.213 1.993 1.889 2. 756 1. 753
.115 .113 .167 .360 .335 .392 .222
1.100 1.323 1.217
5.690 6.639 4.748
R ochester, N . Y .
$0.067 $0,086 $0.185 $0.128 $0.205 $0.125
. 125 .158 .325 .277 . 450 . 260
.080 .115 .227 . 194 .300 . 156
. 125 .191 .246 .276 .424 . 242
.210 .250 .410 .561 .652 . 589
. 103 .144 .269 .246 .436 .201
.337 .424 .688 .712 1.177 .637
.961 1.167 1. 830 1. 783 2.820 1. 748
.109 .156 .284 .282 .370 . 233
1.375 1. 125
4.240 5.865 5.500 6.990 4.566
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h ......................... Y a rd ... $o. 069 0.072 SO. 100
Percale......................................................do—
. 125 .130 .187
G ingham, apron, 27 to 28 in ch............do—
.078 .085 .113
G ingham, dress, 27-inch.......................do___ . 125 .125 .165
G ingham, dress, 32-inch.......................d o .... . 173 .150 .205
M uslin, bleached....................................do —
. 103 .114 .159
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4........................ do—
. 322 .356 .447
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90---- . . . . E a c h .. .
.776 .918 1.147
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h ......... Y a rd . . . . 108 .118 .153
.640
Flannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch.............. do.
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80.............. P air.
3.000
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
CD
S t. Louis, Mo.
Y a rd ... $0.063 $0.075 $0.103 SO. 192 $0.195 $0.257 $0.144 W 062 SO. 073 $0.087 SO. 202 $0,156 $0. 277 SO. 128 SO. 068 $0.083 SO. 110 SO. 183 $0.158 $0.250 SO. 132
__do ___ .125 . 15C . 190 . 350 . 320
273
490
131
150
.483 . 262 .146 . 15C .20C .335 .351 .545 .285
.075 .090 .125 .250 .220 .300 .149 .074 .100 .115 .255 .220 .314 .158 .080 .110 .125 .250 .245 .312 . 150
. .. d o __
.. .d o __ .118 . 125 . 17C .313 .289 . 455 .243 .119 .125 .147 .314 .309 .459 .244 .125 .143 .173 .331 .329 .448 .247
. ..d o __ .125 . 125
.594 .741 .508 . 150
.484 .666 .530
. 29C .350
.635 . 70S . 558
__do___ .094 . 107 . 142 . 298 .249 .445 .203 .115 . n s
277 .521 .227 .110 .123 .149 .304 .294 .468 .218
10Q 353
.285
.339 .554 .725 .689 1.075 .652 .292 .355 ! 386 ! 788
.. .d o __
733 1.115 .643 .333 . 39E .442 .757 .762 1.103 .741
E a c h ... .700 .871 1.09C 1. 871 1.900 2.563 1.627 .843 .984 1.078 2.147 1.86] 2.638 1.686 .960 1.128 1.363 2. 233 1.971 3.003 1.864
Y a rd ... .116 .119 .156 .333 .351 .410 .220 .115 .123 .142 .316 .278 .398 .201 .125 .132 .168 .311 .319 .438 .241
__do___
.700 1.100 .933
QKO . 98C
.960
.785 1.115
.633 1.050 1.258 1 450 1 217
P a ir__
6.500 6.161 4.628
5.’ 698 6.554 5.393
6.980 6.912 4 987
San Francisco, Calif.
t9 7 ]
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
G ingham , dress, 27-inch___
G ingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
F lan n el, w hite, wool, 27-inch___
B lan k ets, cotton, 66 by 80.............
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Savannah, Ga
Y a rd ... «3.067 $0.079
SO. 100
.150 .150 SO. 208 $0.392 $0.417 SO. 567 .337
. . .d o __
. ..d o __ .086 .100 .125 .283 .288 .350 .175
.116 .121 .163 .306 .333 .414 .259
.. .d o —
.. .d o__
.350 .500 .642 .600
.. .d o__ .113 .122 .161 .328 .286 .430 .240
.321 .375 .493 .838 .771 1.207 .687
.. .d o —
E each.. .900 . 955 1. 270 2.090 1.905 3.050 1.782
Y a r d ... .114 .123 .162 .356 .359 .444 .269
. . .d o __
.969 1.590 .750 1.500 1.250
P a ir__
5.943 6.125 5.104
S ea ttle, W ash.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
G ingham , dress, 27-inch.................
G ingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4...................
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28 in c h .........
F lannel, w hite, wool, 27-ineh........
B lan k ets, cotton, 66 b y 80.............
S alt Lake City, U tah.
Scranton, P a.
$0,490 $0.257
.366 .150
.436 .243
.613 .503
.459 . 199
1.116 .608
2.783 1. 370
.430 .209
1.000
6.500
Springfield, 111.
$0. 060 $0 068
.123 .132
.077 .083
.112 .121
.097
.301
.798
.110
. 190
.110
.151
.350
.268
.301
. 102 . 145 .324
.350 .422 .711
.864 1.070 1.988
.107 .150 .308
. 590 . 750
2.740 5.000
.285
.220
.291
.493
.282
.752
1.902
.312
. 980
6.288
.450 .250
.320 . 159
.441 .246
.608 . 548
.471 .229
1.101 .705
2.619 1.756
.451 .211
1 125
5.863 3l 990
W ash in gton , D . C.
Y a rd ... $0.070 80.077 SO. 103 SO. 219 SO. 180 SO. 250 SO. 145 SO. 061 SO. 073 $0.100 SO. 207 $0.160 SO. 254 SO. 134 $0. 071 SO. 073 SO. 102 SO. 263
$0. 370 SO. 160
do
125
283
. 150 .150 . 200 .342 . 357 . 540
.441 .258 .125 .138 .178 .350
.601 .277
.082 .091 .125 .250 .240 .350 . 192 .083 .100 .125 .256 .240 .330 .168 .076 .088 .134 .300 $0.338
. .. d o —
.243 .350 .170
.121 .123 .164 .338 .328 .419 .244 .120 .125 .146 .319 .320 .414 .253 .125 .125 .194 .410 .381 .538
. .. d o __
.255
... d o ., ..
.170 .350 .560 .700 .537
4QQ .594 .411 .150 .142 .215 .415 .534 .705 .498
__do___ . 100 .121 . 170 .353 .253 .500 . 235 . 100
114
314
202 .397 .199 . 112 .121 .154 .350 .278 .472 .214
. . .d o .... .337 .375 .526 .850 .767 1.177 .70S .310 ! 334 .448 ! 719 ! 737 1.028 .653 .333 .365 .461 .831 .740 1.258 .669
E a c h ... .900 1.000 1.313 2.167 1.929 3.118 1. 785 .829 .925 1.225 1.664 1.967 2.730 1.617 .815 .909 1.138 2.081 1.876 2. 909 1.598
Y a rd ... .117 .123 .170 .335 .338 .441 .237 .117 .113 . 142 .286 .284 .392 .221 .119 .121 .168 .400 .304 .425 .198
.713 1.200 .875 1.467 1. 288
875 .850 .750
. . .d o __
.600
. 700 .900
1. 250 . 826
3.450 5.750 5.675 6.071 4.479
P a ir ....
4.650 5.175 4.203
3.000 4.500 7.500 6. 527 5.403
RETAIL PRICES OF DRY GOODS.
Calico, 24 to 25 in c h .........................
Percale................................................
G ingham , apron, 27 to 28 in c h ___
G ingham , dress, 27-inch.................
Gingham , dress, 32-inch.................
M uslin, bleached..............................
Sheeting, bleached, 9-4___
Sheets, bleached, 81 by 90.............
O uting flannel, 27 to 28-inch.........
F lan n el, w hite, wool, 27-inch.. . .
B lankets, cotton, 66 by 80.............
S t. Paul, Minn.
CD
-a
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
98
The following table shows for the U nited States average retail
prices of specified articles of dry goods on May 15 of each year,
1915 to 1921:
A V E R A G E R E T A IL P R IC E S O F S P E C IF IE D A R T IC L E S O F D R Y GOODS F O R T H E U N IT E D
ST A T E S O N M AY 15 O F EA C H Y E A R , 1015 TO 1021.
Average retail price on May 15—
Article.
U nit.
1915
Calico, 24 to 25 inch....................
Percale...........................................
Gingham , ap ro n , 27 to 28 inch.
G ingham, dress, 27-inch...........
G ingham , dress, 32-inch...........
M uslin, bleached........................
Sheeting, bleached, 9 -4 ............
Sheets, bleached, 81 b y 90___
O uting ilannel, 27 to 28 in c h ...
F lannel, w hite, wool, 27-inch..
B lankets, cotton, 66 b y 80___
Y ard.
...d o .
...d o .
..d o .
..d o .
. .d o .
..d o .
Eaeh.
Y ard.
.. .d o .
P a ir ..
1916
1917
1918
$0.065 SO. 075 SO. 100
.129
.181
.135
.081
.094
.123
. 120
. 126
. 169
.192
.175
.228
.108
.117
.154
.444
.314
.359
.819
.940 1.179
.120
.114
.157
.754
(')
0) 3.128
0)
0)
$ 0,202
.326
.264
.310
.402
.312
.754
1. 916
.324
1.099
4.726
1919
1920
$0.175 $0,260
.356
.515
.227
.335
.319
.448
.539
.687
.465
.277
.741 1.147
1.869 2.806
.307
.417
.945 1.159
5. 821 6.291
1921
$0.135
.264
.164
.242
.513
.214
.660
1.651
.222
.967
4. 714
1 Prices n o t published u n til May 15, 1917.
Changes in Wholesale Prices in the United States.
H E general level of wholesale prices in the U nited States was
only slightly lower in May than in the preceding m onth, accord
ing to inform ation gathered by the U nited States D epartm ent
of Labor through the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bureau’s
weighted index num ber, which gives to each commodity an influence
equal to its im portance in the country’s m arkets, dropped from 154
in April to 151 in May, a fall of nearly 2 per cent. The May figure
is 44-f per cent below the high peak of prices in May, 1920.
Farm products reacted from the low level reached in April, the
index num ber for this group rising from 115 to 117, a gain of I f per
cent. Metals and m etal products showed no change in the general
price level for the two m onths. In all other groups decreases from
April to May took place. Food products as a whole showed the
largest decrease, the decline being nearly 5f per cent. House-fur
nishing goods followed next in order, w ith a drop of nearly 4 \ per
cent. Cloths and clothing were about 2f per cent lower and fuel
and lighting m aterials were about 2 f per cent lower in May than in
April. Chemicals and drugs were nearly I f per cent cheaper and
building m aterials nearly one-half of 1 per cent cheaper m May,
while in the group of miscellaneous commodities, composed of
im portant articles not falling w ithin other groups, the decrease was
about 2 per cent.
Of 327 commodities, or series of quotations, for which comparable
d ata for April and May were obtained, decreases were found to have
occurred for 139 commodities and increases for 86 commodities. In
102 cases no change in price took place in the two months.
Some of the more im portant changes occurrmg betw een April and
May, as measured by average prices in each m onth, are as follows:
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
98 ]
CHANGES IN WHOLESALE PRICES.
99
IM P O R T A N T A R T IC L E S IN C R E A S IN G OR D E C R E A S IN G IN A V E R A G E P R IC E IN MAY
AS C O M P A R E D W IT H A P R IL , 1921, B Y G R O U P S O E C O M M O D ITIES.
Increases.
C om m odity.
Per
cent.
Commodity.
Per
cent.
Commodity.
F a r m 'produc ts.
F o o d , etc. —Concluded.
B u i ld in g m a te r ia ls.
C otton, m iddling, New
Y ork ..................................
Flaxseed, M inneapolis__
Corn, No. 3, m ixed, Chi
cago............................ .......
Rye, No. 2, cash, Chicago.
W heat:
No. 1, n o rth e rn spring,
Chicago.........................
No. 2, red w inter, Chi
cago................................
No. 2, h a rd w in ter,
K ansas C ity.................
No. 1, n o rth e rn spring,
M inneapolis.................
No. 1, hard w hite, P o rt
land, O reg....................
H ay, alfalfa, No. 1, K an
sas C ity .............................
H ides, Chicago:
Calfskins, No. 1 ..............
Packers, heavy native
stee rs.............................
Packers, h eav y Texas
stee rs.............................
Hops, Pacifies, P o rtla n d .
L am bs, Chicago.................
P eanuts, No. 1, N orfolk..
Maple, New Y o rk ..............
Linseed oil, raw , New
Y ork..................................
T u rp en tin e, N ew Y o rk ..
R ed cedar shingles, m ill..
9.4
A pples, B aldw ins, Chi
cago...................................
Lem ons, Chicago...............
Oranges, Chicago...............
P runes, N ew Y o rk ............
Meal, corn, w hite, Deca
tu r, 111..............................
L am b, dressed, C hicago..
Milk, fresh, New Y o rk . . .
13.1
C loths a n d clo th in g .
6.5
17.8
9.8
9.5
12.1
6.1
5.0
3.7
24.5
17.3
F u e l a n d lig h tin g .
28.6
14.3
14.3
7.2
Coal, anthracite, New
York:
C hestnut..........................
Sto v e........ ........ ..............
Petroleum , crude, P e n n
sylvania, a t w ells..........
3.5
3.0
M e ta ls a n d m e ta l
p r o d u c ts .
6.2
Copper, ingot, N ew Y o rk .
Lead, pig, New Y o rk ___
Steel p lates, ta n k , P itts
b u rg h ................................
Spelter, New Y o rk ............
T in, pig, N ew Y o rk ..........
F ood, etc.
Coffee, Rio, New Y o rk ...
Flour, rye, M inneapolis..
Flour, w heat:
P a t e n t, K ansas C ity . . .
S tandard p a te n t, Minneapolis.................
Soft p a te n t, St. L o u is..
Soft w in ter p a te n t,
Toledo.............
Y arn, cotton, B oston:
Carded, 10/1.....................
Carded, 22/1....................
T w isted, 20/2...................
T w isted, 40/2....................
Y arn, wool, B oston:
Crossbred, stock, 2/32s..
B lankets, cotton, New
Y ork.
10.0
7.1
10.9
19.1
20.0
9.0
19.7
4.2
17.6
8.1
4.3
2.8
1.7
2.1
4.2
20.0
1.0
Per
cent.
23.5
15.9
21.3
6.2
C h em ic a ls a n d d r u g s.
Copper sulphate, New
Y o rk .................... ............
Soda, New Y ork:
Caustic, 76 per c e n t____
N itra te of......................
A sh, 58 per c e n t.............
1.9
3.3
4.2
7.9
M is c e lla n e o u s .
Cottonseed m eal, New
Y ork .................................
Cottonseed oil,New Y o rk .
W ood p u lp , N ew Y o rk ...
Sisal, M exican, New
Y ork..................................
Vegetable oil, crude:
Coconut, Pacific c o a st..
Soya bean, N ew Y o r k ..
9.0
19.7
15.9
10.0
11.2
6.3
1.5
5.1
2.9
15.7
4.8
2.3
6.1
Decreases.
F a r m p r o d u c ts .
F o o d , etc. —Concluded.
Hops, New Y ork State,
New Y o rk .......................
Live stock, Chicago:
C attle, steers, good to
choice............................
Hogs, lig h t.......................
Sheep, ewes.....................
P o u ltry , live, Chicago___
Tobacco, Louisville, K y .
H ay, tim o th y No. 1,
Chicago............................
R aisins, N ew Y o rk ...........
Lard, prim e contract.
New Y o rk .......................
Meat:
B ason, rough sides,
Chicago.........................
Beef, fresh, good n ativ e
sides, New Y o rk ........
Pork, salt m ess, N . Y ..
P o u ltry , dressed, Chi
cago...................................
Sait, Chicago..... .................
Sugar, New Y ork:
R a w ...............................
G ra n u la te d ......................
M ilk, fresh, Chicago..........
Tea, Formosa, New Y ork.
Potatoes, w hite, Chicago.
15.6
3.4
4.5
6.4
14.8
11.5
8.7
F o o d , etc.
Beans, m edium , New
Y ork.................................
B u tte r, cream ery, extraChicago .............................
New Y o rk .......................
San Francisco.............. .
Cheese:
Chicago............................
New Y o rk .......................
San Francisco'................
Eggs, fresh:
Chicago.............................
New Y o rk .......................
San Francisco.................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
7.5
35.1
31.1
8.2
22.5
27.5
21.6
8.4
8.6
15.8
C loths a n d clo th in g —Con.
8.2
7.8
7.3
6.9
9.7
11.1
2.8
9.8
12.8
12.6
7.2
14.5
C loths a n d clo th in g .
Shoes, factory:
C hildren’s g u n m etal,
b u tto n ______ _
Men’s, ta n , grain, blucher................................
W om en’s, McKay, Md,
lace................. ..............
[ 99 ]
7.4
Shoes, factory—concld.
Y ouths, gun m etal, bluc h e r...
C arpets, B russels; 5fram e Bigelow, New
Y o rk ...
D rilling, brow n, M ass. D .
stan d a rd , N e w Y o rk . . .
Sheeting, bleached, Pepperell, iO/4, N ew Y o rk ..
M uslin, bleached, F ru it
of Loom , 4/4, New Y ork.
Suiting, M iddlesex, wool
dyed blue, New Y o rk ..
B roadcloth, 91 oz., New
Y o rk ... 1
W ool,
Ohio, scoured
fleece, Bosfon:
F ine clothing.................
F ine de la in e ....................
H alf blood .......................
1/4 a nd 3/8 g ra d e s_____
10.6
23.3
5.9
4.8
8.6
4.4
10.9
6.7
4.8
5.7
3.4
F u e l a n d lig h tin g .
12.8
2.6
Coke, Connellsville, furnace, a t ovens.................
10.6
100
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW,
IM P O R T A N T A R T IC L E S IN C R E A S IN G O R D E C R E A S IN G IN A V E R A G E P R IC E IN M AY
AS C O M PA R E D W IT H A P R IL , 1921, B Y G R O U P S O F C O M M O D ITIES—Concluded.
D ecreases —Concluded.
P er
cent.
C om m odity.
Per
cent.
C om m odity.
F u e l a n d lig h tin g —
B u i ld in g m a te r ia ls .
Concluded.
Petroleum , crude, K ansas-Oklahoma, a t wells.
Petroleum , refined w ater
w hite, 150°, New Y o rk .
14.3
5.5
M e ta l a n d m e ta l
p ro d u c ts .
Nails, wire, P ittsb u rg h ...
Pig iron:
Basic, furnace.................
Bessemer, P ittsb u rg h ..
F o u n d ry No. 2, n o rth
ern P ittsb u rg h ...........
F o u n d ry N o. 2, south
ern , C incinnati............
Steel billets, Bessemer,
P ittsb u rg h ................... ..
T in plate, dom estic, coke,
P ittsb u rg h .......................
Zinc, sheet, factory...........
2.3
3.8
3.0
5.1
4.6
1.3
2.9
4.7
Per
cent.
Com m odity.
C h em ic a ls a n d d ru g s
Brick, common, building:
C in cin n ati.......................
New Y o rk .......................
Glass, N ew Y ork:
P late, 3 to 5 square fe e t.
W indow , single, B ........
Lime, eastern, common,
New Y o rk .......................
Douglas fir, N o. 1, m ill...
Oak, w hite, p lain , New
Y o rk ..................................
Spruce, eastern, B o sto n ..
Concluded.
4.3
3.3
23.1
21.7
6.2
8.0
7.7
2.8
C h em ic a ls a n d d r u g s.
Acid, N ew Y ork:
M uriatic, 20°...................
Sulphuric, 66°.................
Alcohol, grain, 19Ö proof.
New Y o rk .......................
Borax, New Y o rk.............
G lycerin, refined, New
Y o rk................................
Carbonate of soda, New
Y ork..................................
8.3
H o u s e -fu r n is h in g goods.
Bedroom sets, 3 pieces,
Chicago............................
Glassware, tum blers, fac
to ry ....................................
Galvanized iron tu b s, fac
to ry ....................................
7; 9
8.9
1.5
M is c e lla n e o u s .
14.7
5.3
2.1
4.2
1.3
L ubricating oil, paraffin,
New Y o rk .......................
P aper, w rapping, M anila,
N ew Y o rk .......................
Soap, C incinnati...............
Linseed meal, New Y ork.
Tankage, 9 a nd 20 per
cent, Chicago...................
28.6
4.0
5.0
18.0
10.2
Comparing prices in May w ith those of a year ago, when m ost com
modities were at their peak, it is seen th a t farm products have declined
52 per cent, and foodstuffs, composed largely of m anufactured
articles, have declined 53^- per cent. Cloths and clothing articles,
m easured by changes in their index num ber, show a decrease of nearly
48 per cent, and building m aterials a decrease of nearly 41 per cent.
Metals and m etal products were 28^ per cent cheaper in May than in
the same m onth of last year, chemicals and drugs were 22f per cent
cheaper, house-furnishing goods were 22J per cent cheaper, and fuel
and lighting m aterials were 17J per cent cheaper. In the group of
miscellaneous commodities, the decrease was 38-J per cent.
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S A N D M O N T H S, 1913
TO MAY, 1921, B Y G R O U P S O F C O M M O D ITIES.
[1913—100.]
Y ear a n d m o n th .
1913 ........
Jan u ary .
A p r il.. .
J u ly ----O ctober.
1914 ........
Jan u ary .
A p ril__
J u ly ----O ctober.
1915 ........
Jan u ary .
A p ril__
J u ly ___
O ctober.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
arm
rodcts.
Food,
etc.
Cloths
and
cloth
ing.
Fuel
and
lig h t
ing.
100
97
97
101
103
103
101
103
104
103
105
102
107
108
105
100
99
90
102
102
103
102
95
104
107
104
106
105
104
103
100
100
100
100
100
98
98
99
99
97
100
96
99
99
103
100
103
98
99
100
96
99
98
95
93
93
93
89
90
96
Metals B u ild
Chemi HouseAll
and
Miscel
cals
fur
com
m etal ming
lane m
ate
and
nishing
odi
prod
ous.
rials. drugs. goods.
ties.
ucts.
[100]
100
107
102
98
99
87
92
91
85
83
97
83
91
102
100
100
100
101
101
98
97
98
99
97
98
94
94
94
93
93
100
101
101
99
100
101
100
100
99
105
114
103
102
108
124
100
100
100
100
100
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
100
100
98
101
100
99
99
101
97
96
99
100
99
98
99
100
100
98
100
101
100
100
98
100
99
101
99
100
101
101
CHANGES IN WHOLESALE PRICES.
101
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN S P E C IF IE D Y E A R S A N D M ON TH S
1913 TO MAY, 1921, B Y G R O U PS O F C O M M O D ITIES—Concluded.
Y ear a n d m o n th .
1916........ ......................
Ja n u a ry ...................
A p r il......................
J u ly ..........................
O ctober...................
1917...............................
Ja n u a ry ...................
A pril.........................
J u ly ..........................
O ctober...................
1913...............................
J a n u a ry ...................
F e b ru a ry ................
M arch......................
A pril........................
M ay..........................
J u n e .........................
J u ly ..........................
A ugu st.....................
S eptem ber..............
O ctober...................
N ovem b er..............
D ecem ber...............
1919..............................
J a n u a ry ...................
F e b ru a ry ................
M arch......................
A p ril........................
M ay ..........................
J u n e .........................
J u ly ..........................
A ugust.....................
Septem ber..............
O ctober...................
N ovem ber..............
D ecem ber................
1920..............................
Jan u a ry ...................
F e b ru a ry ................
M arch......................
A p ril........................
M ay..........................
J u n e .........................
J u ly ..........................
A u g u st....................
Septem ber..............
O ctober...................
N ovem bcr..............
D ecember................
1921:
Jan u a ry ...................
F e b ru a ry ................
M arch......................
A pril........................
M a y 1.......................
F arm
prod
ucts.
Food,
etc.
122
10S
114
118
136
189
148
181
199
208
220
207
208
126
113
117
121
140
176
150
182
181
183
189
187
186
177
178
177
179
184
191
199
201
206
210
210
207
196
203
Cloths
and
clo th
ing.
128
110
119
126
138
181
161
169
187
193
239
211
217
214
217
224
230
237
224
221
222
234
222
218
228
235
240
231
246
243
226
230
240
244
218
246
237
239
246
244
243
236
222
210
1S2
165
144
214
204
216
227
211
211
219
234
236
253
244
246
270
287
279
268
235
223
204
195
172
216
223
232
237
245
249
252
255
257
256
250
261
234
223
216
217
228
258
282
304
306
313
325
335
302
350
356
356
353
347
335
317
299
278
257
234
220
136
129
125
115
117
162
150
150
141
133
208
198
192
186
181
212
211
Fuel Maetals
nd
an d
etal
lig h t m
prod
ing.
ucts.
B uild Chemi HousefurMiscel
ing
cals
nishlane
m ate
and
ing
ous.
rials. drugs. goods.
AH
com
modi
ties.
119
105
108
108
133
175
176
184
192
146
163
157
157
158
157
160
159
166
166
167
167
171
171
173
170
169
168
167
167
170
171
175
181
181
179
181
238
184
187
192
213
235
246
252
268
284
282
258
236
148
126
147
145
151
208
183
208
257
182
181
174
176
176
177
178
178
184
185
184
187
188
184
181
172
168
162
152
152
154
158
165
160
161
164
169
186
177
189
192
195
193
190
191
193
192
184
170
157
101
99
101
99
101
124
106
114
132
134
151
136
138
144
146
148
150
154
157
159
158
164
164
192
161
163
165
162
164
175
186
208
227
231
236
253
308
268
300
325
341
341
337
333
328
318
313
274
266
159
150
172
156
150
198
159
170
198
252
221
232
232
232
229
223
219
216
222
220
218
215
195
179
191
185
183
178
179
174
171
172
173
174
176
179
210
189
197
205
212
215
218
217
216
222
216
207
188
115
105
108
121
124
144
132
139
152
152
196
161
161
165
172
173
198
199
221
226
226
226
227
236
218
218
218
217
217
233
245
259
262
264
299
303
337
324
329
329
331
339
362
362
363
371
371
369
346
221
225
217
220
220
220
238
227
227
230
238
246
247
243
240
239
229
220
205
207
204
206
206
212
203
197
201
203
207
207
218
226
220
223
230
238
243
248
249
253
265
272
289
232
250
242
225
207
189
228
218
207
199
194
152
146
139
138
138
239
221
208
203
202
182
178
171
168
166
'
283
277
275
274
262
190
180
167
154
151
177
167
152
154
151
120
107
no
120
132
155
138
149
153
163
193
178
181
184
191
194
196
190
191
194
196
203
204
217
212
208
217
216
213
212
124
110
117
119
134
176
151
172
186
181
193
185
186
187
190
190
193
198
202
1 Prelim inary.
Comparison of Retail Price Changes in the United States and Foreign
Countries.
H E index num bers of retail prices published by several foreign
countries have been brought together w ith those of this bureau
in the subjoined table after having been reduced to a common
base, viz, prices for July, 1914, equal 100. This base was selected
instead of the average for the year 1913, which is used in other tables
of index num bers compiled by the bureau, because of the fact th a t in
some instances satisfactory inform ation for 1913 was not available,
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 101]
102
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
For Belgium, Denm ark, G reat B ritain, Norway, Sweden, and the
city of Rome, Italy , the index num bers are reproduced as published
in the original sources. W ith two exceptions all these are shown on
the July, 1914, base in the source from which the inform ation is taken.
The index num bers for Belgium are com puted on April, 1914, as the
base period, while those for Rome are based on the first half of 1914.
The index num bers here shown for the rem aining countries have been
obtained by dividing the index for each m onth specified in the table
by the index for July, 1914, or the nearest period thereto, as pub
lished. As shown in the table, the num ber of articles included in the
index num bers for the different countries differs widely. These
results should not, therefore, be considered as closely comparable one
w ith another. In one or two instances, also, the figures here shown
are not absolutely comparable from m onth to m onth over the entire
period, owing to slight changes in the list of commodities included at
successive dates.
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S AN D C E R T A IN O T H E R
C O U N T R IE S.
[July, 1914=100.]
France: Fam ily
budget, 13 articles.
Y ear a n d
m onth.
U nited
States: 22 A ustralia:
food
foodstuffs; 46
51 eities 30stuffs;
tow
ns.
(variable). W eighted.
W eighted.
Great
D enm ark:
Belgium:
B ritain:
Fam ily
54 articles Canada:
food
21 food
Cities over
food
(variable); 29
10,(»0
Brussels. 60stuffs;
Paris only. stuffs;
cities. 5budget;
persons. population W eighted. 600 tow ns.
N ot
Weighted.
weighted. W eighted. W eighted. (except
Paris).
W eighted.
.
1914.
J u ly ................
October
100
103
100
99
1915.
Ja n u a ry .........
A p r i l . .........
J u ly ................
O ctober..........
101
97
98
101
1910.
Ja n u a ry .........
A p ril. T..........
J u ly ................
O ctober..........
1917.
Ja n u a ry .........
F eb ru ary
M arch.............
A p ril..............
M ay . . . .
J u n e ...............
J u lv ................
A u g u st. . ..
S e p te m b e r.. .
O ctober..........
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber..
1918.
J a n u a ry .........
F ebruary
M arch._
A p ril..............
M ay ................
2 100
100
100
112
2 110
100
108
100
107
113
131
133
107
105
105
105
128
2 123
120
114
120
118
118
124
132J
140
105
107
109
119
129
131
130
125
112
112
114
125
146
2 133
2 137
2 141
2 146
134
132
129
135
145
149
161
168
125
130
130
142
]48
149
143
146
150
154
152
154
125
126
126
127
127
127
126
129
129
129
129
128
138
141
144
145
159
160
157
157
157
159
163
165
2 154
139
2 171
147
2 184
183
2 200
184
187
1S9
192
194
198
202
204
202
206
197
206
205
157
158
151
151
155
1 A pril, 1914.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
129
130
131
131
132
1 100
158
166
2 2U
167
169
173
170
2 232
169
171
2 Q uarter beginning m o n th specified.
[ 102]
191
218
206
208
207
206
207
103
COMPARISON OF RETAIL PRICE CHANGES.
IN D E X N U M B ER S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S AND C E R T A IN O T H E R
C O U N T R IE S —C o n tin u ed .
Y ear an d
m onth.
U nited
States: 22 A ustralia:
food
foodstuffs; 46
51 cities 30stuffs;
tow
ns.
(variable).
W eighted. W eighted.
France: Fam ily
budget, 13 articles.
Belgium:
D
enm
ark:
Great
54 articles C anada:
F am ily
B ritain:
food
(variable); 29 food
Cities
over
21
food
budget,
10,000
Brussels. 60stuffs;
stuffs;
cities.
N ot
population
P
a
ris
only.
5
persons.
600
tow
ns
weighted. W eighted. W eighted. (except W eighted. W eighted.
Paris).
W eighted.
1618—Conoid,
J u n e . . ..........
J u ly ..............
A u g u st.........
S e p te m b e r..
O ctober........
N o v e m b er...
D ecem ber...
159
104
168
175
177
179
183
132
131
128
128
131
133
134
1919.
J a n u a ry __
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch.........
A p ril...........
M ay ............
J u n e ............
J u ly ............
A ugust
Septem ber.
O ctober___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber..
181
109
172
178
181
180
186
188
184
184
188
193
140
141
143
145
146
147
147
148
148
156
158
158
639
534
424
374
351
344
354
348
342
337
341
359
186
181
176
180
182
185
186
195
193
192
192
198
1920.
J a n u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch.........
A p ril...........
M ay............
J u n e ............
J u ly ............
A u g u st. . . .
Septem ber.
October___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber..
197
196
196
207
211
215
215
203
199
194
189
175
160
163
163
173
176
187
194
194
197
192
186
184
410
445
473
488
492
490
479
480493
505
499
493
206
212
215
215
224
228
227
221
215
213
206
200
1921.
J a n u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry ..
M arch.........
169
155
153
186
184
181
477
457
195
190
190
Y ear and
m o n th .
1914.
Ju ly ________
O ctober..........
1915.
J a n u a ry .........
A pril...............
Ju ly .................
O ctober..........
Italy :
India: 46
Fam ily
foodstuffs;
food
budget;
C alcutta.
N ot
5 persons;
w eighted.
Rome.
W eighted.
100
108
8 100
172
175
181
179
182
182
184
210
200
218
210
188
2 278
2 293
2 289
2 20Ì
2 319
2 379
2 388
2 450
270
2 429
’¿38
229
233
229
248
227
248
257
268
264
261
238
259
283
280
285
230
230
220
213
207
204
209
217
216
290
297
339
358
379
369
373
373
407
420
420
424
236
235
233
235
246
255
258
262
267
270
291
282
410
382
359
278
203
249
222
231
234
N ether
Switzer
New
South
lands: 27 Zealand: Norway:
Sweden:
land: 9
F am ily Africa: 18 21
foodstuffs; 59 food
articles;
groups
of
foodstuffs; 44 tow ns. foodstuffs.
food
A m ster
stuffs;
9 tow ns. W eighted.
d am . N ot 25 tow ns. Wbudget.
Not
eighted. W eighted.
w eighted.
weighted. W eighted.
< 100
95
107
95
100
1916.
J a n u a ry ..........
111
116
A pril...............
Ju ly .................
111
110
111
O ctober..........
2 Q uarter beginning m o n th specified.
8 Jan u a ry -Ju ly .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
208
187
100
102
100
111
113
112
112
116
118
119
120
< Y ear 1913.
100
i 100
107
1103
2 113
' 107
•114
>119
2 121
s 107
8 160
s For calendar year.
[103]
5 100
2 124
2 128
2 130
2 134
2 142
2 152
6 Previous m o n th .
8 A ugust.
5 116
’
120
¡126
¡ 129
'<140
¡144
104
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F R E T A IL P R IC E S IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T E S A N D C E R T A IN O T H E R
COUN T R IE S —Concluded.
Y e a ra n d
m onth.
Ita ly :
N ew
N eth er
South
N orw ay:
Fam ily
In d ia: 46
la n d s: 27 Zealand:
Fam ily Africa: 18
foodstuffs;
food
foodstuffs;
59
food
foodstuffs;
food
C alcutta. budget;
A m ster
stuffs;
9 towns.
budget.
N ot
5 persons; dam
. N ot 25 tow ns. W eighted. W eighted.
weighted.
Rom e.
W eighted.
weighted.
W eighted.
1917.
Ja n u a ry __
F e b ru a ry . .
M arch.........
A p ril...........
J u n e ............
J u ly ............
A ugust.......
Septem ber.
O ctober___
N o v em b er.
D ecem ber..
123
136
137
143
142
148
166
157
127
126
126
127
128
128
127
127
129
130
130
132
1918.
Jan u ary .
F e b ru a ry . .
M arch.........
A pril__
M ay.............
J u n e ............
Ju ly .............
A u g u s t.....
Septem ber.
O ctober___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber..
133
134
134
137
139
139
139
141
141
140
144
150
279
124
131
134
135
134
177
181
199
200
202
199
203
208
219
235
249
254
143
155
151
154
153
153
151
259
258
243
230
232
225
206
207
214
241
246
252
195
212
205
196
186
204
210
207
203
204
202
199
275
299
300
310
325
325
318
322
324
341
361
375
367
376
386
124
127
121
120
May.........
1919.
Ja n u a ry ___
F e b ru a ry . .
M arch.........
A pril...........
M ay.............
Ju n o ............
Ju ly .............
A ugust.......
Septem ber.
O ctober___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber..
1920.
Ja n u a ry __
F e b ru a ry . .
M arch.........
A pril...........
M ay.............
J u n e ............
Ju ly .............
A u g u st.......
Septem ber.
O ctober___
N ovem ber.
D ecem ber..
1921.
Ja n u a ry ...
F e b ru a ry .
M arch___
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
113
117
118
121
153
154
151
151
159
164
170
167
166
165
161
5 128
214
Switzer
land: 9
Sweden:
groups
of
21 articles,
44 tow ns. foodstuffs;
N
ot
W eighted. w eighted.
160
166
170
175
175
175
177
181
187
192
200
212
275
275
128
129
131
134
136
135
134
134
135
139
135
134
221
227
235
247
258
261
268
280
284
310
320
330
145
142
141
142
142
143
144
146
148
150
153
155
279
27S
278
276
283
290
289
291
298
300
297
299
136
137
137
139
139
141
139
145
145
154
167
170
339
334
331
337
328
319
310
313
309
307
309
307
203
205
205
206
209
210
217
219
223
226
220
208
158
160
162
162
163
163
299
297
298
305
311
311
319
333
336
340
342
342
177
187
183
183
188
194
197
196
195
197
196
188
298
290
291
297
294
294
297
308
307
306
303
294
199
200
199
178
175
169
334
308
172
165
160
283
262
253
167
171
173
177
176
179
6 Previous m onth.
&F o r calendar year.
[104]
e 148
158
179
192
197
201
230
251
252
257
261
215
214
COMPARISON OF RETAIL PRICE CHANGES.
105
Changes in Cost of Living in the United States.
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics has secured data on cost of living
for May, 1921, the results of which are shown in the following
tables.
Table 1 shows the decreases in the cost of living from June and
December, 1920, to May, 1921, in 32 cities in the U nited States.
These changes are based on actual prices secured from m erchants and
dealers for each of the periods named. The prices of food are fur
nished to the Bureau of Labor Statistics by from 15 to 25 m erchants
and dealers in each city in accordance w ith arrangem ents made
through personal visits of the bureau’s agents. All other d a ta are
secured by special agents of the bureau, who visit the various mer
chants, dealers, and agents and secure the figures direct from their
records. Four quotations are secured on each of a large num ber of
articles of clothing, furniture, fuel and light, and miscellaneous
items. There are a few exceptions to this rule, such as gas, electric
light, street car fares, etc., where, in the n ature of things, only one
or two quotations can be secured. R ental figures are secured for
from 250 to 850 houses and apartm ents in each city.
T
T able 1.—D E C R E A S E IN T O T A L COST O F L IV IN G FR O M JU N E A N D D E C E M B E R ,
1920, TO MAY, 1921.
Per cen t of de
crease from—
City.
A tla n ta .............................................
B altim o re........................................
B irm ingham ...................................
B o sto n ..............................................
B uffalo.............................................
Chicago.............................................
C incinn ati........................................
C leveland.........................................
D enver.............................................
D e tro it.............................................
H ouston...........................................
Indianap o lis....................................
Jacksonville....................................
K ansas C ity, Mo...........................
Los Angeles.....................................
Memphis
M inneapolis....................................
June,
1920, to
May,
1921.
14.7
17.2
14.0
17.2
18.6
16.9
17.3
14. 8
15.6
18.1
15.3
17.5
14. 2
15. 7
11. 4
13. 5
13.7
P e r cent of de
crease from—
City.
Dec.,
1920, to
May,
1921.
9.6
9.9
8. 4
11. 7
10.6
7. 7
9. 7
9. 5
8.5
11. 6
11. 9
10.0
9. 9
8. 7
9.2
9. 0
8.8
June,
1920, to
Mav,
1921.
Dec.,
1920, to
May,
1921.
Mobile................................
New O rleans.........
New Y ork.......................
N orfolk................................
P h ilad elp h ia..............
P ittsb u rg h ...........................
P o rtlan d , M e ...........
P o rtlan d , Oregon__
R ic h m o n d ...
St. L ouis..........
San Francisco..........
S a v a n n a h ........................................
S cran to n ..........................................
Seattle............................
W ashington, D . C .........................
17. 5
12. 8
17.1
15.3
15. 8
14. 4
17.1
19.1
16. 4
17 3
14. 9
15. 2
15. 4
14. 4
17. 0
11.6
9 4
9 8
10 0
10.4
83
10 9
10 0
9 8
9 1
9 Q
10.6
7 8
72
11.0
A verage, U nited S ta te s ...
16.7
10.0
Table 2 shows the changes from December, 1914, to May, 1921,
by specified periods, in 19 cities.
I t will be noted th a t from December, 1914, to June, 1920, there
was, w ith an occasional exception, a steady increase in prices, be
coming m uch more decided during the la tte r p a rt of th a t period.
From June to December, 1920, however, there was an appreciable
drop in the figures representing the combined expenditures. While
rents and fuel and light continued to advance considerably and
miscellaneous item s to a less extent, the large decrease in food and
clothing and the somewhat smaller decrease in furniture and house
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 105 ]
106
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
furnishings had the effect of reducing the totals for December by
from 2.5 to 10 per cent, in the several cities, below the prices for
June. There were also decided decreases from December to May.
T a b l e 2 .—C H A N G ES IN COST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
MAY, 1921.
B a ltim o r e , M d.
Ite m of expenditure.
P er cent of increase from December, 1914, to—
P er
cen t of
to ta l
e x p en d Dec.,
1915.
itu re.
Dee.,
1916.
Dec.,
1917.
Dec.,
1918.
lu n e ,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dee.,
1920.
May,
1921.
Food...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel a n d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re an d furn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
42.0
15.1
14.0
5.0
4.3
19.7
14.1
2.7
1.2
.5
5.6
11.4
20.9
24.0
.9
9.1
28.4
18.5
64.4
52.1
3.0
25.5
60.8
51.3
96.4
107.7
13. 8
46.0
122.3
78.7
91.1
128.9
16.8
37.1
134.6
82.8
92.5
177.4
25. 8
48.1
167.0
99. 4
110.9
191.3
41.6
57.6
191. 8
111. 4
75.6
159. 5
49. 5
79. 0
181.9
112. 9
43.4
123. 2
63. 0
70.9
147.5
111. 8
T o tal...............................
100.0
1 1.4
18.5
51.3
84.7
84.0
98.4
114 3
96.8
77.4
B o sto n , M ass.
Food...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F u e l a n d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
44.5
15.5
12.8
5.6
3.3
18.3
1 0.3
6.6
i.l
1.1
8.4
1.6
18.0
21.9
.1
10.5
26.3
15.7
45.8
47.5
i.l
29.2
58.4
38.1
74.9
117.5
2.8
56. 6
137.6
62.0
67.9
137.9
5.1
55. 0
153. 7
64.8
80.8
192.4
12.2
63.2
198.7
81.1
105.0
211.1
16.2
83.6
233. 7
91.8
74.4
192.7
25.8
106.0
226.4
96.6
41.9
150.3
29.8
97.8
171.2
96.2
T o ta l...............................
100.0
1.6
15.7
38.1
70.6
72.8
92.3
110.7
97.4
74.4
B u ffa lo , N . Y .
F ood...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F u e l a n d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings-.M iscellaneous...........................
36.1
17. 5
15.4
4.9
5.6
20.6
2.4
8.9
1.2
1.3
7.1
3.5
30.1
29.6
4.7
9.3
24.1
24.4
64.1
58.5
9.4
23. 5
50.2
51.1
87.8
123.1
20.7
49.3
106.3
76.0
82.9
140. 7
28.0
51.9
118.1
78.7
94.7
190.8
29.0
55.7
165.4
90.3
115. 7
210.6
46.6
69.8
199.7
101. 9
78.5
168.7
48.5
74.9
189.2
107.4
37.7
131.6
61.1
73.9
151.3
107.8
T o tal...............................
100.0
3.5
24.4
51.1
80.9
84.2
102.7
121.5
101.7
80.3
Chicago, I I I .
F ood...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F uel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
37.8
16.0
14.9
6.0
4.4
20.6
2.7
7.5
i .1
1 .9
5.9
3.0
25.2
24.2
.7
6.6
20.0
19.5
53.4
50.6
1.4
19.3
47.5
41.8
78.7
138.9
2.6
37.1
108.9
58.7
73.3
157.1
8.0
35.7
126.9
61.7
93.1
224.0
11.0
40.1
176.0
84.3
120.0
205.3
35.1
62.4
215.9
87.5
70.5
158.6
48.9
83. 5
205.8
96.5
41.9
122.7
78.2
65.3
162.4
98.5
T o ta l...............................
100.0
3.0
19.5
41.8
72.2
74.5
100.6
114.6
93.3
78.4
C leveland, O hio.
F ood...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing................................. ...
F uel a n d l i g h t . .......................
F u rn itu re an d furn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
35.6
16.0
16.4
4.1
6.0
21.8
1.4
2.0
.1
.3
4.7
1.4
26.4
18.0
.9
10.0
19.7
19.1
54.3
43.7
11.3
26.8
47.8
42.9
79.4
102.6
16.5
51.9
102.4
67.1
79.7
125.2
21.8
47.9
117.0
74.7
92.9
171.2
39.9
62.9
112.3
85.9
118.7
185.1
47.3
90.3
129.1
117.9
71.7
156.0
80.0
94.5
121.3
134.0
37.4
124.0
88.1
89.6
86.8
129.6
T o ta l...............................
100.0
1.4
19.1
42.9
71.4
77.2
95.1
116.8
104.0
84.7
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[106]
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING,
107
T able 2 .—C H A N G E S IN CO ST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
MAY, 1921—C ontinued.
Detroit, Mich.
Per
cent of
to ta l
ex pend Dec.,
itu re.
1915.
Ite m of expenditure.
P er cent of increase from December, 1914, to—
Dec.,
1916.
Dec.,
1917.
Dec.,
1918.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
99.5 132.0
181. 8 208.8
60. 2 68.8
57. 9
74.9
172.6 206.7
100. 1 141.3
75.6
176.1
108.1
104.5
184.0
144.0
41.1
134.1
101. 4
83.6
134. 0
140.1
May,
1921.
F ood...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F uel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re an d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
35.2
16.6
17.5
6.3
5.9
18.3
4.1
2.3
2.1
1.6
8.7
3.5
26.5
18.9
17.5
9.9
24.5
22.3
59.7
46.7
32.6
30.2
50. 4
49.9
82.5
113. 8
39. 0
47.6
107.3
72.6
86.4
125. 2
45.2
47.6
129. 3
80.3
T o t a l ..............................
100.0
3.5
22.3
49.9
78.0
84.4
107.9
136.0
118.6
93.3
H ouston, Tex.
F ood...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F u e l and lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re an d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
38.4
15.2
13.2
4.2
5.6
23.4
1 1.0
•2.7
1 2.3
1 .9
6.1
! .3
19.9
25. 0
1 7.3
8.3
29.6
16. 4
57.3
51. 5
1 7. 7
22. 7
62. 3
44,9
86.1
117.3
1 1.7
47. 5
119. 9
67.6
85.7
134. 8
1.9
37.6
144. 5
72.3
97.5
192.0
13.4
60. 0
181.8
88.2
107.5
211.3
25.3
55.1
213.9
90.4
83.2
187.0
35. 1
74.2
208.2
103.9
143. 4
39.4
46.0
173.7
100.8
T o ta l...............................
100.0
1 .3
16.4
44.9
75.7
80.2
101.7
112.2
104. 0
79.7
17. 6
50.8
33.7
71.9
1 18. 2 118. 7
2.3
15.1
43.4
73.7
14.7
41.6
76.2
130.5
5.9
55.2
126. 5
60. 5
74.2
139.8
9. 7
49.2
140.0
65.9
80.9
217.2
22. 0
64.1
1.86. 2
80.9
90.1
234. 0
28.9
72.6
224.2
102.8
65.6
209. 3
34.1
92.6
222.3
105.6
32.6
167.5
36.5
80.7
182.7
107.5
41.6
71.5
77.5
101.5
116.5
106.2
85.8
Jacksonville, Fla.
Food...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F uel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re an d furn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
34.6
16.8
12.3
4.6
5.4
26.3
1 0.3
10.5
1 6.9
(2)
15.1
1.3
T o tal................................
100.0
1.3
14.7
Los Angeles, Calif.
F ood...........................................
C lothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
F uel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
35.8
14.9
13.4
3.1
5.1
27.7
14.1
2. 8
1 2.7
.4
6.3
11.9
0.4
14.3
1 2.5
2.3
23.1
7.7
33.4
45.0
1 .6
10.4
56.4
28.9
61.8
109.1
4.4
18.3
118.5
52.0
60.7
123. 3
8.7
18.6
134.2
59.1
71.0
167. 6
26. 8
35.3
175.5
76.9
90.8
184.5
42.6
53. 5
202. 2
86.6
62.7
166.6
71.4
53.5
202.2
100.6
33.2
127.4
85.3
52.7
156.6
96.8
T o ta l...............................
100.0
1 1.9
7.7
28.9
58.0
65.1
85.3
101.7
96.7
78.7
Mobile, Ala.
F ood...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
F uel and lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rnishings...
M iscellaneous...........................
39.1
18.6
10.3
5.1
4.3
22.5
il.O
2.0
1 1.9
(2)
4.1
1 .4
19.9
9.0
14.3
8. 8
15.3
13.8
57.3
38.8
13.6
27. 1
42. 8
43.2
80.6
86.0
11.2
67.1
108.3
72.4
83.6
91.0
11.9
66.6
113.9
75.3
98. 4
123.7
29.6
75. 6
163. 3
87. 0
110. 5
137.4
34.6
86. 3
177. 9
100.3
73.5
122.2
53.6
122.3
175. 4
100.7
39.1
90.6
53.3
102.1
140.7
96.9
T o tal................................
100.0
1.4
13.8
43.2
71.4
76.6
94.5
107.0
93,3
70.8
}Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
:No change.
[107]
108
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T a b i e 2 .— C H A N G ES IN COST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
M AY, 1921—C ontinued.
N ew Y ork, N . Y .
Ite m of expenditure.
Per
cent of
to ta l
expend Dec.,
itu re.
1915.
P er cent of increase from December, 1914, to—
Dec.,
1916.
Dec.,
1917.
Dec.,
191S.
June,
1919.
Dec.,
1919.
June,
1920.
Dec.,
1920.
May,
1921.
Food...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel a n d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re and furnishings...
M iscellaneous...........................
42.0
16.6
14.3
4.3
3.3
18.7
1.3
4.8
i.l
i.l
8.4
2.0
16.3
22.3
i.l
11.0
27.6
14.9
55.3
54.2
2.6
19.9
56.5
44.7
82.6
131.3
6.5
45.5
126.5
. 70.0
75.3
151.6
13.4
45. 4
136.6
75. 1
91.0
219.7
23.4
50.6
172.9
95. 8
105.3
73.5
241.4 201.8
32.4
38.1
60. 1 87.5
205. 1 185.9
111.9 116.3
T o tal...............................
100.0
2.0
14.9
44.7
77.3
79.2
103.8
119.2
101.4
81.7
42.5
159.5
42.2
95.9
156.5
117.6
N o rfo lk , V a.
Food...........................................
Clothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
34.9
21.1
11.8
5.4
6.7
20.2
0.8
.8
.1
(2)
.6
.6
22.4
6.0
11.7
17.0
8.7
14.7
63.9
31.6
11.7
33.3
39.0
45.2
86.2
94.6
39.0
74.6
105. 5
76.8
89.8
104.8
46.5
69.7
110.7
83.7
91.5
158.4
63.3
89.9
143.6
97.5
107.6
176.5
70. 8
110.6
165.0
108.4
76.3
153.6
90.8
128.9
160.5
106.3
121.6
94.6
97.3
129.0
106.3
T o tal...............................
100.0
.6
14.7
45.2
80.7
87.1
107.0
122.2
109.0
88.1
P h ila d e lp h ia , P a
Food...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re an d fu rn ish in g s ..
M iscellaneous...........................
40.2
16.3
13.2
5.1
4.4
20.8
0.3
3.6
1.3
1 .8
6.9
1.2
18.9
16.0
1.7
5.4
19.9
14.7
54.4
51.3
2.6
21.5
49.8
43.8
80.7
111.2
8.0
47.9
107.7
67.5
75.5
135.9
11.3
43.3
117.8
71.2
87.2
190.3
16.7
51.3
162.8
88.6
101.7
219.6
28.6
66.8
187.4
102.8
68.1
183.5
38.0
96.0
183.4
122.3
37.8
144.7
44.2
85.6
135.5
119.2
T o tal...............................
100.0
1.2
14.7
43.8
73.9
76.2
96.5
113.5
100.7
79.8
P o r tla n d , M e.
Food...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel an d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
41.2
17.4
12.4
6.4
4.1
18.5
12.0
2.1
.2
.4
6.2
1 .4
18.6
9.7
.6
11.4
20.9
13.8
49.8
32.8
2.4
28.9
43.5
38.0
86.8
85.8
2.5
67.7
110.8
65.6
80.6
103.8
5.7
58.4
126.4
72.1
91.9
148.5
10.7
69.8
163.7
83.2
114.5
165.9
14.5
83.9
190. 3
89.4
78.7
147. 8
20.0
113.5
191.2
94.3
46.7
116.3
23.1
96. 8
152.2
94.1
T o tal...............................
100.0
1.4
13.8
38.0
72.2
74.3
91.6
107.6
93.1
72.1
42.2
44.4
122.2
20.2
54.5
31.2
70.6
96.6
12.3
30.9
109. 0
57.9
67.1
115. 5
20.2
31.3
122.1
62.3
81.6
142.1
27.7
42.3
145.1
71.6
107.1
158.6
33.2
46. 9
183.9
79. 7
60.9
122.1
36. 9
65. 9
179. 9
81.1
26. 0
91. 2
42. 9
67 1
148. 0
81.1
31.2
64.2
69.2
83.7
100. 4
80.3
62.2
P o rtla n d , Oreg.
Food...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel a n d lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re and fu rn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
34.3
16.1
12.8
4.9
6.1
25.7
T o tal...............................
100.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1 3. 8
9.8
3.0
15.8
1 10. 9 119.6
1 1.0
3.4
2.9
18.0
13.1
6.1
13.1
6.1
1 Decrease.
2 No change.
[ 108]
109
CHANGES IN COST' OF LIVING.
T able
2 .—C H A N G E S IN COST O F L IV IN G IN 19 C IT IE S FR O M
D E C E M B E R , 1914, TO
MAY, 1921—Concluded.
S a n F rancisco a n d O akland, C alif.
Ite m of expenditure.
P er j
P er cent of increase from December, 1914, to—
cent o f ________________________________________________ _
to ta l
expend Dec., Doc., Dec., Dec., June, Dec., June, Dec.,
iture.
1915. 1916. 1917. 1918. 1919. 1919. 1920. 1920.
Food...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing....................................
Fuel and lig h t.........................
F u rn itu re and fu rn ish in g s..
Miscellaneous...........................
37.9
16.6
14.8
4.1
4.2
22.4
14.3
2.5
i .7
i .1
6.0
1 1.7
T o tal...............................
100.0
il.7
May,
1921.
9.6
14.5
i 2.5
4.6
21.7
8.3
35.9
43.6
i 4.0
14.4
48.2
28.6
66.2
109.0
i 3.9
30.1
103.4
50.5
63.3
134.6
i 3.5
28.9
116.6
61.0
74.2
170.4
4.7
41.3
143.8
74.7
93.9
191.0
9.4
47.2
180.1
79.6
64.9
175.9
15.0
66.3
175.6
84.8
0.33
14.93
21.7
63.3
143.9
84.4
8.3
28.6
57.8
65.6
87.8
96.0
85.1
66.7
S avannah,, Ga.
Food...........................................
C lothing....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel a nd lig h t..........................
F u rn itu re and furnishings...
M iscellaneous...........................
34.3
18.8
12.9
5.7
5.1
23.2
10.3
.8
U .4
11.3
1.8
1 .2
17.6
24.1
13.0
11.7
12.8
14.5
50.8
58.6
14.3
1 21.1
50.7
42.5
76.2
133.6
5.9
37.5
12S. 6
67.3
74.2
146.3
10.2
35.5
136.5
71.2
80.9
195.9
22.0
52.2
182.1
82.0
91.7
212.1
33.5
65.3
207.2
83. 8
63.5
171.5
58.6
94.4
206.6
91.5
28.7
133.2
61.9
74.2
175.9
93.0
T o tal...............................
100. 0
1 .2
14.6
42.5
75.0
79.8
98.7
109.4
98.7
77.0
S e a ttle , Wash.
Food...........................................
Clothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel and lig h t.........................
F u rn itu re a n d furn ish in g s...
M iscellaneous...........................
33.5
15. 8
15.4
5.4
5.1
24.7
1 2.8
1.2
12.4
1.2
8.5
11.0
8.5
11.3
5.4
2.9
27.4
7.4
38.7
36.4
1 .6
23.9
52.3
31.1
72.5
88.0
44.3
51.8
141.5
58.5
69.3
110.2
51.5
51.8
154.4
71.4
80.9
154.5
71.5
63.8
201.0
86.8
102.3
173.9
74.8
65.8
221.2
90.4
54.1
160.5
76.7
78.7
216.4
95.5
'27.1
128.7
74.8
78.7
177.2
105.5
T o ta l...............................
100.0
11.0
7.4
31.1
69.9
76.9
97.7
110.5
94.1
80.2
W a sh in g to n , D . C.
Food...........................................
Clothing.....................................
H ousing.....................................
Fuel and lig h t.........................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings. ..
M iscellaneous...........................
38.2
16.6
13.4
5.3
5.1
21.3
0.6
3.7
1 1.5
(2)
6.3
.4
15.7
23.2
1 3.7
7.3
30.5
15.3
61.1
60.1
i 3.4
24.9
72.1
44.3
90.9
112.6
1 1.5
40.9
127.4
55.9
(3)
84.6
109.5
1 1.4
41.8
126.0
57.4
(4)
93.3
165.9
5.4
42.8
159.3
62.7
108.4
184.0
15.6
53.7
196.4
68.2
79.0
151.1
24.7
68.0
194.0
73.9
47.4
115.9
28.8
57.1
149.0
72.0
T o ta l...............................
100.0
1.0
14.6
47.3
73.8
71.2
87.6
101.3
87.8
67.1
1 Decrease.
2 No change.
3 Figures in th is colum n are for A pril, 1919.
* Figures in th is colum n are for N ovem ber, 1919.
Table 3 shows the changes in the cost of living from December,
1917, to December, 1920, semiannually, for 13 cities. The table is
constructed in the same m anner as the preceding one and differs
from it only in the base period, and in the length of tim e covered.
54039°— 21------8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[109]
110
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T a b u s 3 . —C H A N G ES IN T H E COST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R
1917 TO
MAY, 192L
Atlanta, Ga.
Ite m of expenditure.
P er cent of increase from December, 1917, to—
Per cent
of to ta l
expendi Decem
June, . DecemJune, 1 Decem
May,
tu re.
b e r, 1918.
1919.
:ber, 1919.
1920.
ber, 1920.
1921.
F o o d .................................................
Clothing...........................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel a n d lig h t............................. .
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings..........
M iscellaneous.................................
38.5
IS. 6
10.4
5.65,6
21.4
19.0
29.1
14.0
17.0
24.9
14.8.
IS. 0
40.7
14.5
17.9
30.1
21.5
27.9
66,9
32.6
30.8
49.9
31.7
34.0
80.5
40.4
61.0
65.0
34.6
12.8
56. 5
73.1
66. 8
58.4
39.7
i 8.9
35.2
78.8
56.1
38.0
40.5
T o ta l.....................................
100.0
19.7
23.3
37.9
46. 7
38.5
25.2
B ir m in g h a m , A la .
F o o d .......... .......... ............................
C lo th in g ............. ..........................
H ousing................... ........... .......... ...
Fuel and. lig h t..................... ...........
F u rn itu re and furn ish in g s_____
Miscellaneous..................................
T o tal.....................................
38.1
16.5
12.2
4.6
5.3 ;
23.3
100.0.
17.7
23.9
8.1
22.8
19.4
13.8
18.3
29.8
12.8
31.9 ,
20.2
16.3
26,5
57.6
34.9
39.8
45,1
26. S
36.4
66.4
40.3
55.3
55.0
28.7
11.9
45.1
68.5
74.2
48.1
30.4
i 9.1
24.8
77.4
54.3
32.0
33.8
17.0
19.8
34.3
41.9
33.3
22 1
C in c in n a ti , O h io .
F o o d ............................................. ...
Clothing............................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel an d lig h t..................... ...........
F u rn itu re a n d furn ish in g s..........
Miscellaneous..................................
40.6
15.2
14.4
4.1
5.2
29.3
15.3
33.8
.2
10.0
25.7
29.4
18.1
48,3
,8
5.6
30.5
21.8
22.9
84.2
12.8
11.0
51.1
40.3
33.7
96.7
13.6
26.9
75 5
47.6
10.3
73.5
25.0
34.1
66.7
53.4
17.4
49.0
27.6
15 7
39.7
"'-‘'$2.3
T o tal......................................
100.0
17.3
21.1
35.2
47.1
34.7
21.7
D e n v e r „ C o lo .
F oo d.................................................
38.3
C lothing.......................................... ’
16,2
H o u sin g .................... ; ..................
12.0
Fuel a n d lig h t................................
- 5.7
5.5
F u rn itu re and fu rn ish in g s..........
M isc e lla n e o u s ______________ _
22.4
T o t a l . .. . ..............................
100. Q
20.0
40.1
12.8
8.1
22.6
14.8
20.7
53,2
21.8
84
31.3
17.7
26.0
82.1
33.5
19.6
46.3
32.3
41.5
90.8
51.9
22.3
60.2
35,4
7.9
78.3
69.8
47.1
58.9
38. &
i 13.1
53.9
76.9
37.5
42.5
42.8
20.7
25.3
38.2
50.3
38.7
26.9
In d ia n a p o lis,. In d .
F ood.................................................
Clothing____________ . _____
H ousing..........................................
F uel a n d lig h t.............................. .
F u rn itu re an d furnishings...........
Miscellaneous...................L ..........
37.0
15 8
13.1
5 9
5 9
22.2
17.8
32.4
1.6
19.8
18.9
21.9
16.4
49.1
2.6
16.7
24.826.8
28.2
73.8
11.6
27.3
48,4
38.2
49.0
87.9
18.9
456
67.5
40.5
11.0
72. 3 !
32.9
60.3
63.0
47.5
T o tal......................................
100.0
19.1
21.1
36.5
50.2
37.6
1 Decrease.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[HO]
i 10.1
45.8
37.4
49.4
35.3
47.4
23.9
CHANGES IN COST OF LIVING.
I ll
TABLE 3 .—C H A N G ES IN T H E COST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
MAY, 1921—C ontinued.
K a n s a s C ity, M o.
Per cent of increase from December, 1917, to—
Per cent
of to tal
Decem
Decem
June,
May,
expendi Decem
June,
ber, 1919.
1920.
ber, 1920.
1921.
ture.
ber, 1918.
1919.
Ite m of e x p en d itu re .
F o o d .................................................
Clothing............................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel a n d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re an d fu rn ish in g s..........
Miscellaneous..................................
38. 7
15.2
13. 6
5. 7
4. 9
21.8
17.3
40.7
5. 4
18. 0
31.1
15.6
15.1
•14.7
6.7
9. 6
37. 9
20.8
24.5
89. 9
26.0
27.5
61. 8
31.5
44.9
104.5
29. 4
35.2
73.0
37.1
10.2
76.3
63. 9
55.1
68.7
40.3
i 8.3
52.3
65.0
43.3
50.0
40.4
T o ta l......................................
100.0
19.6
20.6
38.2
51.0
39.5
27.3
M em phis, T e n n .
F o o d .................................................
Clothing...........................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel an d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings..........
Miscellaneous................. , ..............
36.2
16.3
13.5
5.1
4.5
24.4
20.3
27.7
(2)
26.8
25.4
16.1
22.7
38.3
8.2
23.4
30.7
20.9
28.4
66.2
23.1
34.1
53.2
28.3
38.8
77.5
35.9
49.7
67.1
38.8
7.0
59.0
66.2
105.4
53.9
43.2
i 14.2
36.1
79.7
64.5
29.9
42.9
T o ta l.....................................
100.0
18.3
23.3
35.2
46.4
39.3
26.7
M in n ea p o lis, M in n .
F o o d .................................................
C lothing...........................................
H ousing ...........................................
F uel a n d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s..........
M iscellaneous................................
35.4
15.5
16.8
6.8
4.8
20.5
17.7
33.5
hi
14.7
18.1
12.3
21.4
40.1
i 2.0
13.4
23.6
15.9
34.1
67.0
8.0
22.4
45.6
25.4
50.0
76.7
10.7
36.9
65.5
31.3
13.0
63.6
36.8
60.3
65.8
37.6
17.9
41.0
39.0
52.8
43.3
37.9
T o ta l.....................................
100.0
15.8
18.8
32.7
43.4
35.7
23.7
New O rleans, L a .
F o o d .................................................
C lothing -.........................................
H ousing ...........................................
Fuel a n d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s..........
Miscellaneous.................................
42.6
15.0
12.0
4.8
3.9
21.8
16.6
36.8
(2)
19.7
23.8
15.9
17.4
48.8
.1
20.8
30.0
17.5
21.1
83.2
10.8
24.7
57.7
35.1
28.6
94.9
12.9
36.3
75.9
42.8
10.7
69.4
39.7
41.5
63.9
57.1
1 10.7
45.0
46.7
29.2
47.7
58.2
T o ta l......................................
100.0
17.9
20.7
33.9
41.9
36.7
23.8
P ittsb u rg h , P a .
F o o d .................................................
C lothing...........................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel an d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s..........
M iscellaneous......... .......................
40.2
17.8
14.5
3.2
5.4
18.9
18.8
35.9
7.6
9.2
26.3
16.3
16.2
45.3
13.5
9.4
34.1
16.7
25.1
82.8
15.5
9.8
63.1
28.3
36.5
91.3
34.9
31.7
77.4
41.2
14.3
75.4
35.0
64.4
78.1
46.3
i 8.8
50.7
55.5
59.8
58.2
48.6
T o ta l.....................................
100.0
19.8
21.8
36.2
49.1
39.3
27.7
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 No ch ange.
1 Decrease.
[Ill 1
112
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T a b l e 3=— C H A N G E S
IN T H E
COST O F L IV IN G IN 13 C IT IE S FR O M D E C E M B E R , 1917, TO
MAY, 1921—Concluded.
R ic h m o n d , Va.
P er cent of increase from D ecember, 1917, to—
Per cent
of to tal
expendi Decem
June,
Decem
Decem
June,
May,
tu re.
ber, 1918.
1919.
1920.
ber, 1919.
ber, 1920.
1921.
Ite m of expenditure.
F o o d .................................................
C lothing...........................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel a n d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s..........
M iscellaneous..................................
41.6
15.9
10.5
5.6
4.8
21.5
20.5
33.8
1.0
11.8
26.3
9.0
20.6
42.3
3.6
11.4
28.6
13. 5
23.1
78.6
9.8
18.7
55.9
24.0
36.1
93.6
12.5
36.1
75.4
32. 4
11.9
69.0
25.9
62.2
70.0
36.0
i 7.4
43.8
29.4
47.1
48.8
38.7
T o ta l......................................
100.0
17.9
20.6
32.0
43.8
33.3
20.2
S t . L o u is , M o.
F o o d .................................................
C lothing...........................................
H ou sin g ...........................................
Fuel a n d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s..........
Miscellaneous..................................
38.5
15.0
13.4
4.9
5.6
22.6
18.0
32.4
2.7
4.8
21.8
14.5
16.1
39.3
3.8
3.7
32.5
15.7
26.2
78.1
16.8
8.2
52.9
30.3
46.2
89.7
29.8
19.6
73.1
37.6
8.8
70.0
42.4
42.6
70.2
43.2
i 10.1
43.8
52.5
30.9
43.5
42.1
T o ta l......................................
100.0
16.7
17.9
34.2
48.9
35.4
23.1
S c ra n to n , P a .
F o o d .................................................
Clothing...........................................
H ousing...........................................
Fuel a n d lig h t................................
F u rn itu re a n d fu rn ish in g s..........
M iscellaneous....... ..........................
42.6
18.4
10.9
4.6
4.9
18.5
21.3
34.4
.5
24.7
27.0
21.4
18.1
49.6
6.2
25.7
35.6
24.9
26.9
82.1
2.4
31.5
48.9
34.7
41.4
97.7
17.2
43.5
62.8
47.9
17.8
76.5
18.5
67.3
62.0
50.4
1 4.0
54.3
ix 41.5
62.8
48.6
54.6
T o ta l......................................
100.0
21.9
25.0
37.1
51.5
39.1
28.2
1 Decrease.
The following table shows the increase in the cost of living in the
U nited S tates from 1913 to May, 1921. These figures are averages
based on the prices secured in 32 cities, the results of which appear
in the preceding tables.
T a b l e 4 . —CH AN G ES IN COST O F L IV IN G IN T H E U N IT E D
ST A TES, 1913 TO M A Y , 1921.
P er cent of increase from 1913 (average) to—
Ite m of expenditure.
expendi Doc.,
Dec., Dec., Dec., Dec., June, Dec., June, Dec., May,
ture.
1914. 1915. 1916. 3917. 191S. 1919. 1919. 1920. 1920. 1921.
F o o d .............................................
Clothing......................................
H ou sin g ....................................
F uel a n d lig h t............................
F u rn itu re a n d furnishings___
M iscellaneous............................
38.2
16.6
13.4
5.3
5. 1
21.3
5.0
1.0
<M
1.0
4.0
3.0
5. C
4.7
1.5
1.0
10. 6
7.4
26.0
20.0
2.3
8. 4
27. 8
13. 3
57.0 87. 0 84.0 97.0
49.1 105. 3 114.5 168.7
.1
9.2 14. 2 25. 3
24. 1 47.9 45.6 56.8
50.6 113. 6 125. 1 16?. 5
40.5 65. 8 73. 2 90.2
T o ta l..................................
100.0
3.0
5.1
18.3
42.4
1N o change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
tH 2]
74.4
77.3
119.0 78.0
187.5 158. 5
34.9 51.1
71.9 94.9
192.7 185.4
101.4 108.2
44.7
122.6
59.0
81.6
147.7
108.8
99.3 116.5 100.4
80.4
CHANGES IN COST' OF LIVING.
113
Cost of Living in Argentina, 1910 to 1919.
H E following tables from an Argentine publication 1 give the
index num bers of the general cost of living and in food costs
in th a t country since 1910:
T
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F COST O F L IV IN G , 1910 TO 1919.
T ear.
Food.
1910...................
1911................................
1912...................
1913......................................
1914.................
1915..................................
1916..........................
1917...........................
1918.......................................
1919..............................
100
98
100
IOS
110
120
118
138
145
160
Clothing
a nd miscel
laneous.
R ent.
100
107
114
107
101
94
88
90
117
152
Total.
100
103
108
110
111
127
161
198
294
278
100
101
105
108
108
117
125
146
173
186
IN D E X N U M B ER S O F FO O D COSTS, 1910 TO 1919.
Year.
1910........................................
1911............................
.................
1912................................
1913..................................
1914............................................
1915.....................
1916........................................
1917............... ...........
1918...................
1919.......................
Meat.
100
98
102
123
127
134
142
137
147
188
...............
B read.
100
105
100
100
105
126
115
152
139
142
O ther foods.
100
102
98
100
102
105
102
128
148
153
1 R evista de Economía A rgentina. N oviem bre y Diciem bre de 1920. Buenos Aires, p. 364.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[113]
Total.
100
98
100
108
110
120
118
138
145
160
114
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Retail Prices in Finland in 1920.
CONSULAR report under date of April 12, 1921, which gives
retail prices of foodstuffs and certain other articles in Finland,
has been received by this bureau. These prices are shown in
the table below:
A
R E T A IL P R IC E S O F FO O D AN D C E R T A IN O T H E R A R T IC L E S IN H E L S IN G F O R S A N D
IN F IN L A N D AS A W H O L E IN 1920, A N D P E R C E N T O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E
IN 1920 AS C O M PA R ED W IT H 1913 A N D 1919.
[1 F inn ish m ark a t par=19.3 cents. 1 liter= 1.06 qu arts. 1 kilogram =2.2 pounds.
bushels. 1 kilo w att= 1 .3 4 horsepowers.]
Article.
U n it.
A verage
price in
Helsing
fors.
P er cent of increase
A verage price for whole ( + ) or decrease (—)
in 1920 as com
country.
pared w ith—
1913
F .m k s .
U nskim m ed milk.
Skim m ed m ilk . . .
T able b u tte r.........
Cooking b u tte r . . .
M argarine..............
L ite r ..
___ do
Kilogr a m __
F rying f a t......................
Cheese, whole f a t..........
Cheese, h alf f a t.............
Cheese, skim m ed milk.
Eggs.................................
___ d o ..
___ do...
___ do...
___ do...
T w enty.
Old potatoes..
New potatoes.
T u rn ip s ..........
C arrots............
B e e ts ..............
___ do
5 lite rs ..........
....... d o ...........
K ilo g ra m ...
........do ...........
1. 74
.53
30.73
28.55
17. 83
1919
1913
1920
F . m ks. F . m ks. F . m ks.
0.19
.09
3.03
2.57
1. 47
.70
23.37
21.74
23. 55
23. 38
17. 28
29.52
1 hectoliter=2.84
810.5
711.1
918.5
1.73
.73
30.86
28. 73
18.03
20.96
23.68
18. 75
9.29
26.13 + 1,011.9
- 2 .3
2.35
26.74
.37
2.98
2.25 +
6.99
.88
1.06
1.11
508.1
- 24.5
4.44 + 1,133.3
7.55 + 1,541.3
4.62
3. 32 + 1,176.1
3.44
- 13.1
+ 120.1
do .........
do .........
.do.........
.do.........
.do.........
3.69
7.04
5.03
3.21
.36
.46
5.11
3.43
.26
2. 72
O atm eal, rolled a n d steamed.
O atm eal, whole........................
B u ckw h eat................................
B arley groats, w hole._______
R ice.............................................
.do.
.do.
do.
do.
.do.
3.97
.44
4.31
4.21'
3.66
4.96
8.27
.35
.57
4.13
5.89
4.67 + 1,234.3
8.49 + 1,389.5
Sem olina.............................................
R ye bread, h a rd ................................
R y e bread, h a rd -ta c k ..................
R ye bread, soft, cheapest g ra d e ...
Y east bread, of m ixed flour............
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
6.99
.45
5.29
3. 51
3.75
.42
.31
.42
3.71
2. 97
3.26
7.96
4.12
6.16
3.68
4.63
6.32
.do.
do.
.do.
.do.
13.56
10.99
8.61
15.14
1.22
.90
1.64
Reindeer m eat, sm oked.
V eal....................................
Veal, m ilk fe d .................
L am b steak, fresh ..........
L am b, cured or smoked
do.
do.
.do.
do.
do.
20.00
9.0*4
14.49
13. 82
16.14
L am b, s a lte d .................
Pork, fresh, h a m ...........
P ork, cured or smoked.
Pork, s a lte d ...................
Pork, A m erican............
do.
do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
it). 39
25.14
19. 65
18. 01
-
2.3
+ 13.1
+ 44.1
+ 1,668.9
+ 1,366.7
+ 1,087.1
+ 1,002.4
+ 66.0
+ 23.9
+ 42.0
8.40
6.98
10.16
12.97
9.77 +
7.86 +
14.64 +
700.8
773.3
792.7
+ 16.3
+ 12.6
+ 44.1
.65
1.38
1.37
1.77
4.92
8.53
9.49
13.30
20.39
5.16
9.62
11.33
16.69
+
+
+
+
693.8
589.8
727.0
842.9
+ 4-
1.56
1.67
2. 43
1.64
1.55
19. 54
29. OS
19. 64
14. 32
9.64
19.46
27.09
18.09
18. 04
+
+
+
+
+
517.9
1,065.3
1,014.8
1,003.0
1,063.9
O oo ^
[ 114 ]
850.8
+ 22.1
8.71
.do.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
+ 17.
+ 4.3
+ 32.0
+ 32.2
2.62
6. 38
1.50
.90
1.07
Peas, d rie d ......................................
W heat flour, foreign, best grade.
W heat flour, d o m e stic ................
R ye flour, co m m o n ......................
R ye flour, sifte d ............................
W heat bread, soft, w ater, cheap
est grade............................... ..........
W heat bread, soft, m ilk, cheapest
grade.................................................
Beef, fresh, s te a k ..............................
Beef, fresh, soup m e a t................... .
Beef, cured or sm o k ed.........
1919
+ 12.
+19.
+25.
- 7.9
+ 26.0
RETAIL PRICES IN FINLAND.
115
R E T A IL P R IC E S O F F O O D A N D C E R T A IN O T H E R A R T IC L E S IN H E L S IN G F O R S A N D
IN F IN L A N D AS A W H O L E IN 1920, A N D P E R C E N T O F IN C R E A S E O R D E C R E A S E
IN 1920 AS C O M P A R E D W IT H 1913 A N D 1919—C oncluded.
A rticle.
U n it.
Average
price in
H elsing
fors.
P e r cent of increase
A verage price for whole ( + ) or decrease ( —)
country.
in 1920 as com
p ared w ith —
1913
Fish,
Fishj
F ish'
Fish,
Fish,
F . m ks.
1919
1920
........do ............
........do............
........do ............
10.31
6.23
6.03
13. 37
9.88
Fish, fresh, tu rb o t............................
Fish' fresh, w hite fish (one species)
F ish, fresh, s tro m m in g 1.................
Fish, fresh' salm o n...........................
Fish, salted, h e rrin g __ .
........do............
........do............
........do ...........
........do...........
____ do ___
3. 53
20.52
6.20
Fish, salted, strom m ing 1...............
Fish' salted, w hite fish“ ..................
Fish' salted, w hite fish (one spe
cies) ...................................................
Fish, salted, salm o n.........................
U nroasted coffee................................
Loaf sugar.................................. ........
........do............
........do............
3.70
13.62
........do............
........do............
........do ...........
........do............
.80
6.24
29. 86
33.36
14.22
2. 74
1.18
28.66
9.34
R ent: 2 rooms and k itc h e n ............
B irch wood, deliv ered..................... (2)..................
P in e wood, d elivered....................... (2)..................
Slab wood, deliv ered....................... (2)..................
160.00
316.67
270. 43
23.45
19.7.6
159.61
130.42
.22
1.74
Coke, from th e gas w o rk s...............
P etroleu m ...........................................
E lectricity ...........................................
Gas......... ...............................................
Men’s suits, m ade to order from
com m on wool goods.....................
H e cto liter...
L iter.............
K ilo w att___
(3) ..................
Men’s suits, ready m ade, of com
m on wool goods.............................
Men’s com m on box-leather shoes.
Cigarettes, common grade............... B o x ...............
1 A k in d of sm all herring.
1.12
.84
6. 62
5.27
1.56
1.08
9. 72
7.26
.74
.53
5.31
3. 45
.74
.45
1.48
9. 75
3.15
1.43
1.16
1919
F .m k s . F . m k s. F . m ks.
fresh, p ik e ................................
fresh, p erch ..............................
fresh cod....................................
fresh, pike-perch.....................
fresh, b re a m .............................
K ilo g ra m . . .
1913
7. 64
5. 56
4. 37
10.66
7.81
582.1
561.9
4- 583.3
+ 623.1
+ 15.4
+ 5.5
+
+
9.7
7.6
2.1
7.8
632.4
500.0
+
-
4.55
7.18
5.42 +
3.18 +
22.88
5.23 +
606.8
+ 14.9
3.13
11.07
3.07 +
11.80 +
582.2
697.3
+
1.9
6.6
+
1.6
6. 34 + 692.5
30.94
34.97 + 1,176.3
14.57 + 1,134.7
135,19
266.04 + 1,034.0
223.51 + 1,031.1
44.44
3.00 + 1,263.6
2.19
1.35
1,161.98
852.18
761.25
186.83
3.93
620.71
184.38
4.16
3 p er 4,000 cubic feet.
+
+
+ 22.0
+ 56.0
+ 66.7
+ 71.4
+ 72.4
3 P e r 1,090 cubic feet.
Cost of Living in Germany, February, 1920, to January, 1921.
H E table following, taken from the April 6, 1921, issue of W elt
wirtschaftliche Nachrichten, a weekly publication of the In sti
tu te for W orld Economics and M aritime Traffic a t Kiel, shows
cost-of-living index num bers based on the m onthly budget of a
w orkm an’s family consisting of two adults and three children aged
12, 7, and 1^ years, respectively. The budget includes expenditures
for food, fuel, lighting, and ren t (two rooms and kitchen). As it
does no t cover expenses for clothing, furniture, and miscellaneous
expenditures, the index num bers based on this budget do not indi
cate the m inimum of existence, b u t serve merely as a measure of
comparison.
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[H5i
116
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F COST O F L IV IN G F O R V A R IO U S G ER M A N C IT IE S , B Y M ON TH S,
F E B R U A R Y , 1920, TO JA N U A R Y , 1921.
[Average of O ctober, 1913, an d Jan u a ry , A pril, an d Ju ly , 1914=100.]
Feb., Mar., A pr., M ay. June, Ju ly , Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan.,
1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1920. 1921.
City.
B erlin.......................................
B re sla u ....................................
D resden....................................
F ran k fo rt on th e M ain ........
N urem berg..............................
S tu ttg a rt..................................
C h em n itz................................
D o rtm u n d ..............................
K önigsberg (P ru ssia)...........
M an n h eim ..............................
K iel...........................................
A ugsb u rg................................
Aix-la-Chapelle......................
B ru n sw ick ..............................
K arlsru h e................................
E rfu rt.......................................
L ü b e c k ....................................
G erm any, average___
625
589
607
758
534
5591
627
697
558
588
602
461
692
674
678
724
687
776
881
815
894
795
853
644
782
843
763
813
743
852
815
761
928
926
858
846 1,014 .1,046 1,005 1,015
946
579
609
729
692
663
631
739
636
674
825
689
687
891
940
880
881
777
917
894
760
928
868
851
818
719
732
725
621
697
758
691
984
919
882
756
983
659
762
861
857
826
843
660
789
705
687
647
686
832
978 1,023
886
956
865
898 1,041 1,051 . 944
808
834
902
824
762
981
956
857
965
934
933
976
951
951
989
928 1,075 1,026
953
896
791
870
871
931
778
758
811
841
934
786
838
863
916
793
798
854
622
730
752
758
842
736
778
853
830
856
946
995
818
887
782
863
810
684
808
731
924
830
888
734
837
931
953 1,034
755
814
885
874
842
951
987 1,028
921 1,005 1,037 1,094
911
735
771
832
994 1,052 1,121 1,198
897 1,001 1,061 1,126
623
741
777
836
876
842
842
795
827
872
927
895
922
973
910
857
1,032
902
877
908
985
880
1,160
1,113
954
1,219
1,110
940
916
Prices and Cost of Living in the Netherlands.
N D ER date of M arch 24, 1921, the consul general a t R otterdam
sends excerpts from a report on “ Trade and industries of the
N etherlands” from which the following are taken:
While the cost of living fell somewhat during 1920, the reduction
in prices seems to have benefited the retailer rath er than the con
sumer, the efforts of retailers and other dealers to m aintain prices
having retarded the fall in prices to the consumer.
The G overnm ent’s statistics as to the average prices of 49 articles
of general merchandise other than food products shows th a t when
compared w ith prices for the 10-year period ending in 1910 the in
crease was 166 per cent in 1916, 240 per cent in 1917, 354 per cent
in 1918, 248 per cent in 1919, and 225 per cent in 1920.
The average cost of 31 foodstuffs when compared w ith the same
base period shows an increase of 163 per cent in 1916, 213 per cent
in 1917, 238 per cent in 1918, 233 per cent in 1919, and 190 per cent
in 1920.
The average increase in the cost of both classes (general m erchan
dise and foodstuffs) in 1920 compared w ith the 10-year period was
207.5 per cent.
The general increase in building has improved the housing situation
somewhat and rents and prices of real estate have decreased.
U
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Rj.
[116]
WHOLESALE PRICES IN HEW ZEALAND.
117
Wholesale Prices and Purchasing Power of Money in New Zealand.
H E following table, taken from the Annual Business, Industrial,
and Commercial Review of New Zealand for 1920, and recently
forw arded to this bureau by the D epartm ent of Commerce,
shows the vdrolesale prices of certain commodities a t the close of each
year, 1917, 1918, 1919, and 1920.
T
W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S O P S P E C IF IE D C O M M O D ITIES IN 1917, 1918, 1919, A N D 1920.
[Conversions in to U n ite d States m oney m ad e on basis of p o u n d sterling=$4.8665; shilling=24.3 cents; a nd
penny=.2.03 cents.]
A rticle.
U n it.
A pples...........................
B arley............................
Corn................................
C orrugated sheet iron.
Fencing w ire ................
F lo u r..............................
Linseed o il...................
Linseed-oil c ak e ..........
O atm eal........................
O ats................................
Pig iro n .........................
Potatoes, w h ite...........
S a lt.................................
Sugar..............................
60-lb. c a s e ...
B u sh e l..........
....... do ............
Long to n ___
....... do............
Short t o n . . .
G allon..........
Short to n __
B u sh e l..........
Long to n ___
....... do ............
....... do ............
___ do ............
1917
1920
$2.43
1.82
1.70
374. 72
218. 99
81.16
2.92
63. 46
116.80
1.13
68.33
34. 06
72.98
107.66
$6.08
1.62
2. 12
364.99
301. 72
81.51
2.67
63. 26
170.32
1.62
77.86
51.09
73. 00
110.10
$7.73
1.64
2.06
267.66
243. 33
77.86
2. 79
85.16
164.24
1.62
80.29
68.13
48.67
116.17
$2.79
1.91
1.82
267.65
204.40
77.86
2. G7
9126.52
1.15
63.26
34.06
43. 79
231.15
1 O ut of use.
The report states th a t the cost of living increased m aterially during
1920. A t the beginning of the year it was 37.6 per cent above the
cost in 1914, and a t the end of November, 1920, the cost was 55.4
per cent higher than in 1914. The official figures given out by the
Governm ent state th a t 20s. ($4.87, par) a t the close of 1920 would
buy only as m any groceries as 10s. 3 pl. ($2.50, par), as m any
dairy products as 12s. 2fd. ($2.98, par), and as m uch m eat as
13s. 7 |d . ($3.31, par) would have bought in 1914, and th a t 20s.
would have bought no more of the average of these three groups than
11s. 8fd. ($2.85, par) would have bought in 1914.
The M onthly A bstract of Statistics of New Zealand for March,
1921, publishes a table showing the purchasing power of money, a t
retail, in th a t country for the last quarter of 1919 and for each
quarter of 1920, the figures being based on the Dominion weighted
average.
R E L A T IV E W O R T H IN T E R M S O F C O M M O D ITIES (B U T S T A T E D F O R C O N V E N IE N C E IN
T E R M S O F M O N EY ) R E P R E S E N T E D B Y 20 S H IL L IN G S FR O M Q U A R T E R TO Q U A R T E R ,
T A K IN G T H E A V E R A G E W O R T H IN JU L Y , 1914, AS B A SE = 20 S H IL L IN G S .
[1 shilling a t par=24.3 cents; 1 penny=2.03 cents.]
D airy
produce.
Q uarter ending—
Groceries.
D ecember, 1919....................................
March, 1920..................................................................................
June, 1920.....................................................................................
Septem ber, 1920................................................................
D ecem b er,1920..................................................................
s.
d.
s.
12
11
11
10
10
4J
5J
3}
3J
0i
13 11|
13 2 |
12 1
12 2f
10 H>1
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1117]
d.
Total,
3 food
groups.
M eat.
s.
d.
s.
d.
13
13
13
13
13
5|
6J
9f
7|
5
13
12
12
11
11
11
6J
34
8§
3
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
118
Changes in Cost of Living in United Kingdom.
H E American consul a t Newcastle-on-Tyne, under date of
April 21, 1921, forwards a statem ent issued by the M inistry
of Labor showing the rise and fall in the cost of living in the
U nited Kingdom, by m onths, for 1920 and until April 1, 1921. The
base figure is the prices in July, 1914, and the cost is figured on
the average level of retail prices, including food, rent, clothing, fuel,
light, and miscellaneous .items. As was the case for March, 1921,
the decrease was m ainly due to reductions in the prices of food and
clothing. Rents, light, and h eat rem ained practically a t their
form er level, and rents and coal especially have a tendency to ad
vance; the form er due to high rates, the la tte r to the coal strike and
labor costs. The table showing the rise and fall for the m onths
given above, is as follows:
T
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F COST O F L IV IN G IN U N IT E D K IN G D O M , JA N U A R Y , 1920, TO
A P R IL , 1921.
[Prices in Ju ly , 1914=100.]
Month-
1920:
Jan u a ry .
.
F e b ru a ry __ _
March__
A p ril............................
Afay ___
J u n e ..
Ju ly
In d e x
num ber.
125
130
130
132
141
150
152
Angiisfc
S ep tem b er.................
M onth.
1920—concluded:
O ctober...........................
N o v em ber......................
D ecem ber.......................
1921:
J a n u a ry ..........................
F e b ru a ry .......................
M arch..............................
A p ril...............................
Index
num ber.
164
176
169
165
151
141
133
161
I t will be noticed th a t the high-w ater m ark was reached in
November, 1920, and th a t since th a t time there has been a fall of
43 points or a retu rn to prices of the spring of 1920.
In the m ovem ent to reduce the cost of living, wages of 360,000
workpeople were affected, of whom 350,000 sustained decreases
am ounting to £60,000 ($291,990, par) weekly, and the rem ainder
an increase of £2,900 ($14,113, par) per week. The textile trades
suffered the larger proportion of the reductions.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
W AGES AND H O U R S O F LA BO R.
Average Earnings of New York State Factory Workers, May, 1921.
The earnings of factory workers in New York S tate continued to
decline from April to May. The decrease in average weekly earnings
during the m onth for the S tate as a whole was 34 cents, the average
earnings reported in May being $25.86. The reduction in weekly
earnings since last October amounts to $3.07, or 11 per cent. These
facts appear in the analysis of 1,648 May factory reports received by
the chief statistician of the New York S tate D epartm ent of Labor.
For New York City the average earnings was $27.45 in May, which
is 39 cents less than in April. The May average earnings in up-State
factories was $24.85, or 33 cents less than in the preceding m onth.
Since last November the average weekly earnings of New York City
workers has declined only $1.78, or 6 per cent, whereas the decrease
in up-State factories since last Septem ber am ounts to $4.05, or 14
per cent. The increase in earnings during the first p a rt of 1920 was
m uch greater in up-State factories than in New York City factories,
and the decline in recent m onths has been correspondingly greater.
In May the New York City average exceeded the up-State average
by $2.60.
From April to May there were further reductions in working hours
in m any factories, due to seasonal inactivity, strikes, or lack of
demand. This accounts for the larger p a rt of the decreases in
average earnings among the various industries during the m onth.
In several industries, however, plants which were on part-tim e work
in April have resumed full-time operations, resulting in greater earn
ings in May. A num ber of reductions in wage rates w ent into effect
in May, the industries m ost affected being iron and steel, stoves,
shoes, printing, salt, and starch.
Seasonal inactivity resulted in a considerable reduction in the
earnings of workers in the clothing industries from April to May.
The largest reductions reported are $4.12 in millinery and $2.25 in
women’s clothing.
The strike in the paper industry caused a decrease of $3.31 in the
average weekly earnings for May. The iron and steel, cooking and
heating apparatus, piano, leather, fur goods, miscellaneous leather,
and flour and cereals industries all showed reductions of $1 to $2 in
average weekly earnings from April to May. In each of these
industries reduced working time was reported in m any plants.
The chief gains in average earnings from April to May appear in
railw ay equipment, bakery goods, and tobacco products. In
creased working time in some plants accounts for these gains.
Compared with a year ago the average weekly earnings for all m anu
facturing industries of the S tate shows a drop of $2.59. Decreases
appear in the m ajority of industries. The largest reductions re-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1119]
119
120
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
ported are $12.74 in iron and steel, $10.43 in shipbuilding, and $7.25
in jewelry and silverware. The industries which still show greater
earnings than a year ago are railway equipm ent, fur goods, printing,
laundering, bakery goods, confections, beverages, and light and
power.
Wages in Metalliferous Mines of Slocan District, British Columbia.
H E U nited S tates consul at Fernie, British Columbia, under date
of May 7, 1921, sends the following report as to a new wage
agreement for the Slocan district:
On W ednesday, May 4, the m etalliferous miners of the Slocan
district agreed to a new wage scale, based on a reduction of 75 cents
per day from the previous scale for all classes of mine and mill labor,
and also a new rate for board, which was reduced from $1.50 per day
to $1.25. The agreem ent w ent into effect May 6.
In detail the new scale is as follows :
T
W A G E SCALE OE M E T A L M IN E R S IN SLOCAN D IS T R IC T , B R IT IS H C O LU M B IA , E F
F E C T IV E M AY 6, 1921.
O ccupation.
Mine work:
M iners.......................................................
Miinkers ................................................
Tim barmen
Tim ber m en ’s helpers............................
C arpenters _.
‘Rlaeksmitbs _
B lacksm iths’ helpers............................
Com pressor m an ; steam
Compressor m enj other th a n s te a m ..
T ram w ay operators, h ead en d ...........
Mule drivers, und erg ro u n d.................
B rakem en on m ule tra in s ...................
Team sters................................................
Common lab o rers...................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
R ate
p er day.
$4.50
4.00
5.00
4.50
5.50
5.00
4.50
5.00
4.50
5.00
4.50
4.00
5.00
4.00
O ccupation.
R ate
per day.
Mill work:
Jig m e n .....................................................
Cable m e n .............. .................................
F lo tation m e n .........................................
Roll m en...................................................
Crusher m e n ............................................
Common laborers...................................
C arp enters...............................................
R epair m e n .............................................
R epair m en’s helpers............................
$5.00
4.50
4.50
4.00
4.00
4.00
5.50
5.50
4.50
bei>8 a
■*w
[120]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR,
121
Wages in Various Occupations in Plymouth, England.
RECEN T consular report received by this bureau gives the
wages paid in 1914 and 1921 for certain occupations in Ply
m outh, England. The 1921 wages are those current on
March 7. The figures are shown in the table below:
A
W A G ES P A ID IN C E R T A IN S P E C IF IE D O C CU PA TIO N S IN P L Y M O U T H , E N G L A N D , IN
1914 AN D IN 1921.
[Pound a t p a r = $4.8665; shilling=24.3 cents; penny=2.03 cents.]
W ages p aid in specified
occupations in —
W ages p aid in specified
occupations in —
O ccupation.
1914
O ccupation.
1921
1914
P er week.
P er hour.
B uilding trades:
M asons..........................
B ricklayers...................
C arp en ters....................
P la ste re rs......................
S laters............................
P lu m b ers......................
P a in te rs ........................
M asons’ la b o re rs..
B ricklayers’ laborers..
Plasterers’ la b o re rs..
F u rn itu re m anufacturing:
Jo in e rs...........................
C a b in e tm a k e rs...........
P olish ers.......................
U pholsterers................
A utom obile m an u factu r
ing:
W orkshop fo rem en .. .
Skilled m echanics___
Joiners (body buildm g ) .............................
E ng in eers.....................
s.
d.
9
9
9
9
9
9
7J
6
6
0
' 8
7
7
7
s.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
10
10
10
3
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
d.
1 2
1 0
2 0
1 10
0)
1 0
1 101
1 101
Per week.
A utom obile m an u factu r
ing—Concluded.
Garage m an ag ers........
30 0
3 25 0
T ax i d riv e rs.................
B ookbinding:
32 0
F in ish ers.......................
32 0
B in d ers..........................
Folders, pagers, a n d
sew e rs4. ..................... 12-15 0
Meat m arkets:
B utchers, d ep artm en t
heads, m anagers,
a n d b u y e rs 5.............
(6)
34 0
B ranch m a n a g ers5__
26 0
A ssista n ts.....................
2 40
40
0
0
93
93
6 |
6 !
40
0 !
(7)
85
50-75
0 i
0
1 N ot reported.
2 A nd bonus.
2 A nd commission.
* W om en: scale applies only to those over 18 years
of age.
6 Shops of one large local concern only.
6 £260 p er y e ar.
7 £ 550 p e r year.
8 Scale of N atio n al U nion of Clerks, b u t in force
only w herelarge n um bers of clerks are employed.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1921
M otion-picture theaters:
M anagers.......................
M achine operators___
A tte n d a n ts, m ale........
A tte n d a n ts, fe m a le ...
C lerks:8
Ju n io r clerks—
Age 16 years..............
Age 17 y ears.............
Age 18 y ears.............
Age 19 y ears.............
Age 20 y e ars.............
Age 21 y ears.............
G eneral clerks..............
Senior a n d chief clerks
A griculture:
Forem en, dairy farm s.
Forem en, cattle farm s
F o rem en .......................
Laborers........................
M ineral w ater in d u stry :
B o ttle rs.........................
B ottle w a sh e rs............
V an m en ................... .
P rin tin g trades:
Linotype o p erators. . .
L ith o g rap h ers..............
Com positors.................
Store employees:
B ranch m anagers........
F loorw alkers................
Clerks, m a le .................
Clerks, fem ale..............
B uyers a n d departm e n t m an agers........
C ashiers.........................
Street railw ays:
In sp ecto rs.....................
M otorm en.....................
C onductors...................
E lectricians..................
Mechanics (car builders)..........................
C lerks.....................
s. d .
70
50
25
15
0
0
0
0
s. d.
100 0
70 0
35 0
20 0
30
35
42
50
60
70
85-110
110-140
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
30 0
30 0
30 0
(•)
62-75
51
70-100
46
0
0
0
0
io 27 0
10 21 0
U25 0
61
61
12 60
0
0
0
34 0
34 0
32 0
90
97
88
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
85-130
95
52-75
3L-47
0
0
0
0
(1S)
13-17 0
(M)
34-47
0
27-31
26
21
«
0
0
0
8J
75-81
68-70
64
0
0
0
11
is 7f
20-40 0
(16)
70-100
(1 )
(!)
(1 )
(i)
(n
G)
42-50
35-38
8-27
2J-20
15 i
0
9 Various rates.
101916, m in im um rates.
111916, m in im um rates; a nd commission for
e m p ty bo ttles collected.
12 A nd commission for e m pty bottles collected.
13 £ 234 to £260 p er year.
14 £280 to £650 per year.
15 P er hour.
16 Is. lid . to 2s. §d. per hour.
[ 121]
122
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Wages in Germany, 1920, Compared with Prewar Wages.
Nachrichten, a weekly publica
tion of the In stitu te for WTorld Economics and M aritime
Traffic a t Kiel { I n s t i t u t f ü r W e ltw ir ts c h a ft u n d S e e v e r k e h r ) ,
in its issue of April 6, 1921, publishes a set of com parative statistical
tables on wages in Germ any in prew ar tim es and in 1920, which are
reproduced in four tables. The d a ta contained in Tables 1, 2, and 4
are based on investigations made by the German N ational Statistical
Office { S ta tis tis c h e s R e i c h s a m t ) , while those contained in Table 3 are
based on an investigation made by the Chamber of Commerce of
Düsseldorf. They are the latest available wage d a ta from Germany.
In Table 1 are shown the average hourly wage rates or earnings
for representative occupations in the building trades, the iron and
steel and m etalw orking industries, and the textile, woodworking, and
clothing industries prevailing in various large cities in February, 1920,
as compared w ith prew ar wage rates.
e l t w ir t s c h a f t l ic h e
W
T
a b l e 1 — A V E R A G E H O U R L Y W A G ES IN G ER M A N Y , F E B R U A R Y , 1920, AS C O M PA R ED
W IT H P R E W A R R A T E S , B Y IN D U S T R Y G R O U PS, O C CU PA TIO N S, A N D L O C A L IT IE S.
[1 m ark, a t par=23.S cents.]
B u ild in g trades.
A verage ra te per hour.
Locality.
M arch, 1913.
F eb ru ary , 1920.
Index, F ebruary, 1920.
(March, 1913=100.)
L abor
C arpen Labor
Carpen L abor
Masons. Carpen
ters.
ers. Masons. ters.
ers. Masons. ters.
ers.
M arks.
M arks.
B erlin ...........................
H a m b u rg .................
Cologne...............
M unich.................
L eipzig.......................
D resd en ...............
B reslau.........................
E ssen...................
Frankfort-on-the-M ain..
D üsseldorf............... .
N urem b erg ___
H an o v er__
S tu ttg a r t..........
C hem nitz___
D o rtm u n d __
M agdeburg................................
K önigsberg..............................
M annheim .................
E r fu rt.....................
K a tto w itz .............
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
0.80
.85
.66
.67
.72
.67
.60
.61
.63
.66
.63
.69
.62
.58
.61
.60
.61
.62
.60
.60
M arks.
0.80
.85
.71
.67
.72
.67
.60
.61
.63
.66
.63
.69
.62
.58
.61
.60
.60
.68
.59
.60
0.55
.65
.56
.55
.57
.56
.45
.51
.53
.56
.51
.57
.48
.48
.51
.47
.44
.47
.50
.39
3. 98
4. 22
3. 96
3. 26
3. 43
3. 40
3. 35
3. 81
3. 64
4.04
3.38
3.24
3. 41
3.58
3. 86
3. 44
3. 85
3. 73
3. 27
3.08
4. 02
4. 34
3.96
3. 08
3. 41
3. 53
3. 52
3. 90
3.65
4.25
2. 83
3.36
3.29
3.55
3. 84
3.59
3. 11
3. 87
3.29
3.08
3. 68
4.08
3.69
2. 73
3. 02
3. 18
2. 60
3. 43
3. 55
3. 73
3. 04
2.84
2. 89
3. 42
3. 50
2. 72
2. 62
3. 53
3. 16
2. 42
497
496
600
486
476
507
558
625
578
612
537
470
550
617
633
573
631
602
545
513
503
510
557
460
474
527
587
639
580
644
449
487
531
612
630
598
518
569
558
513
669
628
659
496
530
568
578
673
670
666
596
498
602
713
686
579
595
751
632
621
A verage.................
. 65
.66
.52
3.60
3. 57
3. 19
554
541
. 613
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[122]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
123
T able 1 .—A V E R A G E H O U R L Y W A G E S IN G E R M A N Y , F E B R U A R Y , 1920, AS C O M PA R E D
W IT H P R E W A R R A T E S , B Y IN D U S T R Y G R O U P S , O C C U PA T IO N S .AND L O C A L IT IE S —
C ontinued.
Ir o n a n d steel a n d m eta l w o rk in g in d u stries.
Average rate p er hour.
Index, F ebruary, 1920.
(July, 1914= 100.)
Ju ly , 1914.
Feb ru ary , 1920.
Locality.
Ma
chin
ists.
Ma
chine L abor
ers.
han d s.
Ma
chin
ists.
Ma
abor
chine L ers.
h ands.
Ma
chin
ists.
Ma
abor
chine L ers.
han d s.
M aries.
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
M a rks.
M a rks.
B e rlin ..........................................
H am b u rg ....................................
Cologne.......................................
M unich........................................
D resden......................................
B reslau........................................
E ssen .....................................
Frankfort-on-the-M ain...........
D üsseldorf.....................
N urem berg ................................
H anover...........
S tu ttg a r t...........................
C hem nitz..........
M agdeburg................................
S te ttin .........................
M annheim ...............
K iel................
H a lle ....................................
C assel..............
H agen (W estp h alia)...............
0. 75
.80
.66
.60
.55
.55
.67
.71
.68
.50
.65
.57
.60
.55
.56
.65
.66
.65
.65
.52
0.57
.50
.50
.45
.50
.50
.60
.56
.63
.40
.60
.53
.50
.46
.50
.55
.56
.50
.60
.35
0.52
.45
.45
.35
.30
.35
. ‘15
.40
.35
.30
.30
.42
.30
.39
.38
.45
.46
.40
.40
.30
3. 61
3. 37
3.85
3.63
3.66
2.69
3. 78
3.64
4.08
3.91
3.17
3.99
3.31
2. 94
3. 37
4. 50
3.52
2. 53
3.49
3. 38
3.28
3.20
3. 65
3.44
3.12
2. 51
3.80
3. 35
3.74
3. 74
3.05
3. 51
3.13
2. 75
3.56
3. 92
3. 25
2. 51
3.16
3. 04
3. 12
3. 02
3.37
3. 12
3.03
2.42
3.42
3.14
3.58
3.49
3.09
3.24
3. 22
2. 66
3.14
3.93
3.18
2. 08
3.19
2.95
481
421
583
605
665
489
564
513
600
782
438
700
552
535
602
692
533
389
537
650
575
640
730
764
624
502
633
598
594
935
508
662
626
598
712
713
580
502
527
869
600
072
749
891
1,010
691
760
785
1,023
1,058
1,030
771
1,073
682
826
873
691
520
798
983
A verage...........................
.63
.52
.39
3. 52
3. 29
3.12
559
633
800
Textile industry.
Average h o u rly earnings (piecework).
Locality.
F irst q u arter, 1913.
Spin
ners.
Index, F ebruary, 1920.
(F irst quarter 1913=100.)
F ebruary, 1920.
W eav W eav
ers,
ers,
m ale. female.
Spin
ners.
W eav W eav
ers,
ers,
male. female.
Spin
ners.
W eav W eav
ers,
ers,
male. female.
M arks.
M arks.
M a rks.
M arks.
M arks.
M a rks.
B erlin ........................................
Leipzig........................................
H aim v er.................................
S tu ttg a r t....................................
C hem nitz....................................
B re m e n .....................................
C assel..........................................
B a rm e n ......................................
A ugsburg....................................
C refeld........................................
P la u e n ........................................
G örlitz............
Bielefeld......... ............................
G era.............................................
C o ttb u s.......................................
H of...............................................
G u b e n ........................................
Forst.............................................
C rim m itschau...........................
M eerane......................................
Göppin g en.................................
Langen bielau............................
Reichen bach (Silesia).............
L ö rra ch ......................................
0.54
.52
0.58
.56
.43
.39
.51
0.29
.24
.27
.28
.26
3.91
3.45
2.95
2.24
1. 77
2.64
2.36
.30
1 3.32
3.03
2. 51
2. 72
3.10
2. 37
3.19
1. 58
2.35
2.71
2. 94
2.92
3. 25
3.52
2.93
2. 73
2.63
2.26
2.26
2. 48
798
.35
.39
.38
.52
.41
.42
.52
.45
.40
.41
.39
.30
.29
.39
.39
.33
.42
.27
.28
.35
4.39
2. 73
i 2. 00
4.14
3. 81
i 1.98
3.49
4.33
3. 70
3. 91
3. 57
2. 25
3.15
3.18
3.38
3.12
3.34
3.82
3.13
2. ,84
3. 53
2.60
2.48
2.88
717
097
1062
747
440
918
833
902
931
687
500
787
776
887
1040
1152
979
803
861
840
963
886
823
A verage...........................
.43
.41
.28
3.14
3.24
2.61
730
790
.45
.41
.47
.42
.52
.40
.29
.41
.43
.32
.34
.33
. 22
.35
.29
.31
.29
.26
.32
.30
.23
.27
.20
.20
.31
1 Tim e rate.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 123 ]
3. 55
1 2. 23
13.14
3.35
1 4.00
■3.65
1 3.32
13.06
2.15
3.80
13.26
2.25
724
663
789
544
668
702
765
741
927
75S
757
488
1017
933
656
943
908
750
989
697
967
718
671
934
948
1007
1250
1100
977
1187
974
1130
1130
800
932
124
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
T a b l e 1 .—A V E R A G E H O U R L Y W A G E S IN G ER M A N Y , F E B R U A R Y , 1920, AS C O M PA R ED
W IT H P R E W A R
T IE S—Concluded.
R A T E S , B Y IN D U S T R Y
G ROU PS,
O C CU PA T IO N S, A N D
LOCA LI-
W oodw orking in d u stry .
Index, February, 1920.
A verage ra te per hour.
Locality.
Nov.,
1911.
Joiners.
B erlin .........................................
H am b u rg ....................................
Cologne.......................................
Leipzig........................................
D resd en ......................................
B reslau.......................................
Frankfort-on-the-M ain...........
N urem berg................................
S tu ttg a r t....................................
K önigsberg................................
Nov.,
1912.
Nov.,
1913.
Nov.,
1911=
100.
F ebruary, 1920.
tru
T u rn Inmsent
ers. makers. Joiners.
tru
T u rn Inmsent
ers. makers. Joiners.
M a rks.
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
0.73
.71
.61
.60
.50
.49
.58
.52
.53
.47
0.66
.61
.57
.54
.41
.46
0. 71
.76
5.10
4.57
4.76
3.83
3. 81
3.28
4.20
3.90
3. 96
3.49
4.56
5.04
5.04
.48
.60
.67
.62
.51
.60
.50
.50
.37
3.99
3.82
2. 54
4.38
4.32
2.63
3.64
3. 53
4. 03
3.97
699
644
780
638
762
669
724
750
747
743
Nov.,
1912=
100.
N ov.,
1913=
100.
tru
T u rn Inmsent
ers. makers.
691
710
663
700
707
552
654
697
516
607
735
672
602
C lo th in g in d u stry .
Average ra te per hour.
1912.
F ebruary, 1920.
Index, February, 1920.
(1912== 100.)
Locality.
C ustom tailors.
Men’s.
B erlin ..............................
H am b u rg ........................
Cologne............................
M unich............................
D resden...........................
Frankfort-on-the-M ain.
D ü s s e ld o r f .................
N urem berg.....................
H an o v er..........................
S tu ttg a r t.........................
C hem nitz........................
D o rtm u n d ......................
M agdeburg.....................
S te ttin .............................
M annheim ......................
K ie l..................................
Bielefeld..........................
Ladies’.
M en’s.
Custom tailors.
L adies’.
M arks.
M a rks.
M arks.
M a rks.
0. 62
.58
. 50
.42
.42
.49
.56
.46
.49
.48
. 43
. 49
.47
.40
.45
.54
.40
0. 77
.68
4.42
3. 60
3.69
2. 93
3. 30
3.84
4. 25
3.34
3. 27
3. 59
3.10
4.33
3. 21
3.40
2.64
4.17
3.56
3. 20
3.43
.66
.67
.73
.60
.60
.62
.66
.60
.53
3. 50
3.68
5. 07
2.41
3. 32
3. 47
3. 52
3.20
Men’s.
713
621
738
698
786
784
759
726
667
748
721
908
723
660
927
659
800
Ladies’.
562
472
530
549
695
402
553
560
520
587
604
A study of the preceding table reveals the following facts:
1. Wages current in Germ any in February, 1920, show a large in
crease when compared w ith prew ar wages. In the occupations in
cluded in the table the extent of wage increases varies between a
m inimum of 289 per cent (machinists in Halle) and a m axim um of
1150 per cent (female weavers in G uben).
2. Wages in Germ any in the same industry and occupation vary
greatly from locality to locality. Thus, for instance, carpenters in
H am burg were receiving 4.34 m arks ($1.03, par) per hour in Feb-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 124 ]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
125
ruary, 1920, while in Nuremberg the corresponding rate was 2.83
m arks (67 cents, p a r); in the case of m achinists the M annheim average
rate was 4.50 m arks ($1.07, par), and the rate in Halle 2.53 m arks
(60 cents, p ar); male weavers earned 4.39 m arks ($1.04, par) per
hour in Berlin and 2.25 m arks (54 cents, par) in Görlitz. This dis
parity of wage rates from town to town is as a rule due to disparity
m the cost of living. Sometimes, however, it is due to other factors,
such as lack of organization of the workers, strong employers’ organ
izations, slackness of business in a particular branch of the industry
strongly represented in a locality, oversupply of labor, etc.
3. W age increases have been m uch m ore'intensive in the case of
unskilled labor (factory workers, helpers, laborers) than in th a t of
skilled labor. This, however, is a phenomenon not peculiar to Ger
m any, for the tendency of equalizing the wages of unskilled and
skilled labor has been universal during the last few years. In Ger
m any, however, this tendency has been .even more m arked than in
other countries. I t is due to several causes: First, the composition
of the membership of the labor organizations has undergone a great
change since the term ination of the war. While form erly the mem
bership of German labor organizations was m ostly m ade up from
among skilled workers, unskilled workers now form a large m ajority
in nearly all labor unions. I t is, therefore, only natural th a t tradeunions, _in concluding collective wage agreements— and collective
bargaining has now become the rule m Germany—have endeavored
to obtain all possible concessions for unskilled workers in the m atter
of wages. Secondly, the great m ajority of the German trade-unions
have socialistic or communistic tendencies, and it is contrary to
socialistic principles to allow differential treatm ent of skilled and
unskilled workers. Finally, all wage agreements recently concluded
have aimed a t assuring even to the unskilled worker a wage rep
resenting a m inimum of existence. Owing to the continuously in
creasing cost of living in Germany this m inim um is now very high
as compared w ith prew ar times, and, as wage disbursem ents for un
skilled labor form the greater p a rt of the costs of labor, employers
can no t afford to grant to skilled labor wage increases relatively as
high as those granted to unskilled labor.
The tendency of equalizing the wages of skilled and unskilled
workers has already produced injurious effects. Form erly, Germany
had a very large num ber of highly skilled workmen, who, by having
served three or four years as apprentices and by having attended
trade schools, knew their trade thoroughly in every detail. During
their apprenticeship term boys had to work for a nominal wage, or
for their sustenance, and were subject to strict discipline. The
prospect of receiving as journeym en m uch better rem uneration than
unskilled workers was their incentive for undergoing this training.
U nder present wage conditions this incentive is entirely lacking, and
for this reason the num ber of boys who serve an apprenticeship
term has alarmingly decreased. Boys, on leaving school, now gen
erally go into a factory where they earn relatively high wages from
the beginning, and where, after a few years’ work, their earnings are
nearly the same as those of skilled workers.
4. The wage rates of workers in the textile industry indicate th a t
the relative increase in the wages of female workers has b ien m uch
54039°—21------- 9
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 125 ]
126
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
greater than th a t in the wages of male workers. W omen’s wages
in all industry groups are stul m uch lower in Germany than those
of men, h u t there seems to be a tendency to lessen the difference in
the wages of the two sexes.
While in Table 1 the prewar rates were compared w ith rates cur
ren t in February, 1920, the rates shown in the following two tables,
2 and 3, indicate the trend of wages up to the end of 1920:
T a b l e 2 .—A V E R A G E H O U R L Y W A G E R A T E S IN T H E C H EM IC A L IN D U S T R Y IN G ER M A N Y
S P R IN G O F 1914 AN D E N D O F 1920.
[1 m ark a t par=23.8 cents.]
F our weeks’ earnings.
H o u rly wage rate.
Locality a n d class of workers.
Spring
of 1914.
End
of 1920.
M arks.
Berlin:
0.50
Factory workers, single.......................................
.50
Factory workers, m arried b u t childless..........
.72
A rtisans, single................................... - ................
.72
A rtisans, m arried b u t childless.........................
Düsseldorf:
.45
Factory w orkers, single.......................................
F actory workers, m arried b u t childless___
.45
.55
A rtisans, sin g le.....................................................
Artisans, m arried b u t childless. „,. r . _ .____
.55
Elberfeld:
.44
Factory workers, single.......................................
.44
Factory w orkers, m arried b u t childless..........
.50
A rtisans, single.....................................................
.50
A rtisans, m arried b u t childless.........................
Breslau:
.34
Factory workers, s in g le .....................................
.34
Factory workers, m arried b u t childless..........
.42
Artisans, single......................................................
A r tis a n s , m a r r ie d b u t c h il d l e s s ______________
.42
M arks.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[126]
Index
end of
Spring
1920
(sprìng of 1914.
of 1914=
100).
End
of 1920.
M a rks.
M arks.
In d e x
end of
1920
(spring
of 1914=
100).
5. 75
6. 05
6.20
6.50
1150
1210
861
903
108.00
108.00
155. 52
155.52
1,104
1,162
1,190
1,248
1020
1076
765
802
6.50
6. 75
6.90
7.15
1444
1500
1255
1300
108.00
108.00
132.00
132.00
1,248
1,296
1,325
1,373
1156
1200
1004
1040
6.30
6.70
6.50
6.90
1432
1523
1300
1380
95.00
95.00
108.00
108.00
1,210
1,286
1,248
1,325
1274
1354
1156
1227
3.90
4.05
4.80
4.95
1147
1191
1143
1179
81.60
81.60
100.80
100.80
749
778
922
950
918
953
914
942
127
WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOR.
T a b l e 3 — A V E R A G E H O U R L Y W A G E R A T E S IN V A R IO U S IN D U S T R IE S IN D Ü S S E L D O R F
G E R M A N Y , 1920.
[1 m ark a t par= 23.8 cents.]
Average hourly wages.
In d u s try and class of workers.
M u n ic ip a l w o r k e r s -1
A rtisan s.............................................
U nskilled w orkers in responsible positions...........
L aborers...............................................
Dec. 1,
1919.
Feb. 1,
1920.
June 1,
1920.
Aug. 1,
1920.
Aug. 15, Dec. 15,
1920.
1920.
M a rks.
M arks.
M a rks.
4.20
4.00
3.80
M a rks.
2.75
2.55
2.35
5. 50
5.30
5.00
M a rks.
5. 70
5. 50
5.20
6. 30
6. 00
5.50
Jan . 1,
1920.
Mar. 1,
1920.
M ay 1,
1920.
Dec. 1,
1920.
3.77
3.42
2. 50
5.40
4.13
3.66
6.40
6.13
4.26
6.94
6. 65
4.62
A pril 15, May 1,
1920.
1920.
Nov. 4,
1920.
Dec. 1,
1920.
6.80
6.90
6.30
7.00
7.10
6.50
M a rks.
6. 70
6. 40
5.90
M a n u fa c tu r e o f in s tr u m e n ts a n d tools o f p r e c isio n .3
Skilled w orkers over 25 years of age........................
Skilled w orkers over 21 years of age........................
Skilled workers over 18 years of age..................
Jan . 1,
1920.
W ood w o r k in g in d u s tr y .
Bench w orkers..............................................................
M achine h a n d s..............................................................
U nskilled w orkers........................................................
4.30
4.40
4.00
Jan,
1920.
5.60
5.70
5.20
May,
1920.
6.00
6.10
5.60
Aug.,
1920.
Ir o n . a n d m e ta l w o r k in g in d u s tr y .8
F ou n d ry workers, skilled...........................................
Boiler m ak ers................................................................
T urners...........................................................................
4.99
3. 85
4.11
9.07
7.16
7.11
9.60
7 35
7.30
1 F ro m Dec. 1,1919, to Aug. 15,1920, m unicipal w orkers received a daily bonus of 1 m ark p er child and since
A ug. 15,1920, of 1.50 m arks, a n d beginning w ith th e la tte r d a te a n additional bonus of 2 m arks per day is
p aid to heads of households or to w orkers having fam ily m em bers dependent upon them .
2 These rates include cost-of-living bonuses a n d a piecework bonus of 20 p er cent.
3 R ates are for tim e workers; pieceworkers earn from 15 to 20 p er cent m ore.
From both Tables 2 and 3 it becomes evident th a t the steady
upward m ovem ent of wages m ust have continued up to the end of 1920.
Table 2 shows th a t in the chemical industry hourly wage rates of
factory workers in Düsseldorf and Elberfeld have increased by from
1300 to 1400 per cent as compared w ith prewar rates. The weekly
earnings of these workers show a somewhat lower‘relative increase
which is probably due to the introduction of the 8-hour day. This
table, like Table 1, indicates th a t relatively the wages of artisans have
increased less th an those of unskilled workers. Another fact brought
out by Table 2 is the practice lately adopted in Germany to pay to
m arried workers a wage slightly higher than th a t paid to single
workers.
The principal fact brought out by Table 3 is the present instability
of wages in Germany. According to this table municipal workers in
Düsseldorf received five wage increases during 1920 and wood
workers four increases.
Earnings of coal miners per shift during the third quarter of 1920
as compared w ith average earnings for 1913 are shown in the following
tab le :
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[127]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
128
T a b l e 4 . — A V E R A G E E A R N IN G S P E R S H IF T O F M IN E W O R K E R S IN G ER M A N CO AL
M IN E S, T H IR D Q U A R T E R O F 1920, AS C O M PA R E D W IT H 1913.
[1 m ark a t par=23.8 cents.]
Average earnings p er shift.
Index num bers
(1913=100).
T h ird q u arter 1920.
1913
Class of m ines an d locality.
W orkers below
W orkers below
W orkers below
a n d above
an d above
an d above
L abor
Labor
L abor
ground.
ground.
ground.
ers
ers
ers
above
above
above
ground.
ground.
ground.
abor
abor
Miners. L abor
Miners. L ers.
Miners. L ers.
ers.
H a rd coal m in e s .
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
M arks.
M a rk s.
M arks.
U pper Silesia............................
Lower Silesia...........................
M ining d istrict D o rtm u n d ...
A ix-la-Chapelle.........................
Left b a n k of th e R h in e ..........
B av aria.......................................
4.85
3.84
C. 47
5.62
6.33
4.82
3.50
3.41
4.54
4.33
5.21
3.83
3.19
3.09
4.34
4.07
4.37
3.52
49.02
45.97
55.38
49. 50
58.08
39.23
38.78
43.64
42.68
37.60
42.01
31.96
36. 35
41.33
41.14
37.60
39.70
31.30
1011
1197
856
881
918
814
1108
1280
940
868
806
834
1139
1338
948
924
908
889
A verage...........................
5.32
4.14
3.76
49.53
39. 45
37.90
931
953
1008
M ining d istrict H a lle ..............
L eft b a n k of th e R h in e ..........
T h u rin g ia ..................................
4.22
4.78
4.60
3.58
4.37
3.87
3.47
3.97
3.74
41.54
53.37
50.95
39.28
48,82
39.96
39.05
53.41
39.75
984
1117
1108
1097
1117
1033
1125
1345
1063
A verage...........................
4.53
3.94
3.73
48.62
42.69
44.07
1073
1084
1182
G eneral average.............
4.93
4.04
3.75
49.08
41.07
40.99
996
1017
1093
L ig n ite m in e s .
From Table 4 it is evident th a t coal m iners’ wages were about ten
times as high during the th ird q uarter of 1920 as in 1913. Wages
of hard-coal miners in U pper and Lower Silesia underw ent a larger
relative increase th an those of miners in the R uhr Valley (mining
district D ortm und). In prew ar tim es the form er earned considerably
less th an the latte r; in 1920, however, the R uhr m iners’ wages were
only about 17 per cent higher th an those of the Silesian miners. Wages
of lignite miners, which in 1913 were also m uch lower than those of
hard-coal miners, in 1920 were nearly as high as those of the latter.
In addition to the tables showing wage rates W eltwirtschaftliche
N achrichten also" contains a table showing the trend of the cost of
living in Germ any during the year ending Jan u ary 31, 1921. This
table is reproduced on page 116 of this issue of the R e v ie w . A com
parison of this cost of living index w ith the wage indexes shown in
Tables 1 to 4 would indicate th a t on the whole wages in Germany
in 1920 increased in nearly the same ratio as the cost of living.
During the la tte r p a rt of the year the wage index is even higher
th an the cost of living index. However, when it is considered th a t
the cost of living index includes rent, which, owing to drastic legis
lation against ren t profiteering, has increased very little, and does
not include clothing and furniture, prices of which have increased
even more th an food, one m ust come to the conclusion th a t the
official cost of living index com puted by the German statistical
offices is not very well suited for a comparison with the wage index.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[128]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR,
129
Wages and Employment Among Harbor Employees in Hamburg in 1920.
CCORDING to a consular report dated April 20, 1921, received
by this bureau wages for harbor work a t the port of H am burg
greatly increased during 1920. During th a t period five in
creases in wages were granted by an arbitration com m ittee after
fruitless negotiations between the employers’ association and the
workers’ union. The following table shows the wage rates estab
lished by decision for each class of labor:
A
W A G E R A T E S E S T A B L IS H E D B Y A R B IT R A T IO N C O M M ITT EE F O R S P E C IF IE D CLASSES
O F L A B O R A T T H E P O R T O F H A M B U R G IN 1920.
[Mark a t par=23.8 cents.]
R ates of wages per d ay effective from—
O ccupation.
Nov. 1, Feb. 6, A pr. 1, M ay 16, S ept.16, Dee. 8,
1919.
1920.
1920.
1920.
1920.
1920.
Q uay w orkm en, w arehouse w orkm en, grain handlers, M a ries. M aries. M a ries. M a ries. M a r k s . M a r k s .
ship cleaners, an d m arin e hoiler cle an e rs...................... 20.60
31.00
36.20
47.00
50.00
55.00
L ighterm en, w herrym en, crane operators a n d workers,
a nd donkey m e n ..............................................................
21.60
48.00
32.00
37.20
51.00
56.00
Tallym en, boatm en, a n d m achinists in h arbor shipping 22. 60
33. 00
38. 20
49. 00
52.00
57.00
The wages of harbor workers, according to the report, now exceed
those of all other skilled and unskilled workers in the city district.
I t is stated th a t form erly these b e tte r wages were in consideration
of the irregular em ploym ent provided by the shipping industry.
This irregularity of employment disappeared in the last quarter of
1920, when a great am ount of shipping was done. The average
num ber of workmen of each class employed in 1919 and 1920 and the
average num ber employed each week are shown in the following table:
A V E R A G E N U M B E R O F W O R K M E N O F EA C H CLASS E M P L O Y E D IN 1919 AN D 1920 AND
A V E R A G E N U M B E R E M P L O Y E D P E R W E E K , B Y CLASS O F W O R K P E R F O R M E D .
K ind of work.
Stevedoring.................................................................
Q uay w o rk ..................................................................
Lightering....................................................................
B unkering................................................................
S torin g ..........................................................................
W arehousing...............................................................
W orking grain............................................................
Ship a n d boiler cleaning..........................................
Cargo supervision...................................................
H a rb o r shipping.........................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Y ear.
1919
1920
1919
1920
1919
1920
1919
1920
1919
1920
1919
1920
1919
1920
1919
1920
1920
1920
[129]
N um ber
hired
perm a
n e n tly .
74
415
763
2,285
4
182
417
389
415
11
14
640
N um ber
having
w ork
cards.
1,797
2,471
319
986
404
984
204
278
90
257
8
1
43
80
572
781
160
210
N um ber
of parttim e and
unskilled
w orkers.
210
1,082
1,665
2,857
359
278
54
60
80
278
183
7
380
107
144
117
99
Average
n um ber
em ployed
each week.
664
2,090
1,964
3,772
561
913
116
160
244
675
412
337
343
in
422
549
159
640
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
130
Wages of Agricultural Workers in Italy.1
EN ER A L statistics as to wages of agricultural workers in Ita ly
are not available. Tbe only sources of inform ation on this
subject are collective agreements concluded by landow ners’
associations and organizations of agricultural workers. Some of the
provisions of these agreements which relate to wages are here repro
duced. From these it will be seen th a t wages of agricultural labor in
Ita ly vary greatly from Province to Province and even from locality
to locality within the same Province.
G
Province ol Vicenza.
A COLLECTIVE agreement concluded on May 7, 1920, by the
^ ^ agricultural associations of the province and representatives of
three labor organizations (Unione del lavoro, Camera Confederale del
Lavoro di Vicenza, and Camera, sindacale di Verona) provides the
following hourly wage rates for casual laborers (lavoratori avventizi)
for the agricultural year 1920-21 :
H O U R L Y W A G E R A T E S O F CASUAL D A Y L A B O R E R S IN T H E PR O V IN C E O F V IC E N Z A ,
A G R IC U L T U R A L Y E A R 1920-21.
[I lira a t par=19.3 cents.]
.M onth.
J a n u a ry ...
F e b ru a ry ....._ ...............................
M arch...........................................
A pril.....................
M a y ..... ......................................
J u n e ...............................................
J u lv ................................................
A ugust..... ....................................
S ep tem b er_„................................
O ctober..........................................
N ovem b er.....................................
D ecem ber......................................
Men
over 18. to
60 years
of age ..
Boys
over 16 to
18 years
of age.
Boys:
14 to 16
years of
age.
L ir e .
L ir e .
L ir e .
0.97
.97
L 12
1.12
1.27
1.27
1.27
1.27
1.12
1.12
.97
.97
1.30
1.30
1.50
1.50
1.70
1.70
1.70
1.70
1.50
1.50
1.30
1.30
0.65
.65
.75
.75
.85
.85
.85
.8 5
.75
.75
.65
.65
Girls
16 to 18
: years of
age.
L ire..
0.65
.65
.75
.75
.85
.85
.85
.85
.75
.75
.65
.65
W om en
over 18
years of
age.
D aily
hours of
labor.
L ir e .
0.78
.78
.9.0
.90
1.02
1.02
1.02
1.92
.90
.90
.78
.78
6
7
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
6
Overtim e work, which m ay not be in excess of 2 hours per day,
30 hours per m onth, or 120 hours per year, is to be compensated with
40 per cent extra pay. Sunday and holiday wmrk shall be required
only when the harvest is endangered and shall be compensated w ith
double pay. During harvest and threshing time the wages of adult
men shall be 2.75 lire (53 cents, par) per hour and each m an shall be
furnished 1) liters (1.6 quarts) of wine per day and each boy, girl, or
woman three-fourths liter (0.8 quart). For haying, workers are to
receive 25 to 30 per cent extra above the norm al rates. While
engaged in spraying vines men are to receive 1 liter (1.06 quarts) of
wine per day and women one-half liter (0.53 quart). If during the
cleaning of ditches the workers have to stand in water, 5 hours shall
be considered 8 hours’ work and be compensated as such.
1 Compiled from various issues of th e B ollettino del L avoro, 1920.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[
130 ]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
131
The rates of perm anently employed farm hands (la v o r a to r i o b lig a ti )
are to be 0.20 lira (3.9 cents, par) less per hour than those of casual
laborers.
Live-stock tenders’ (b o v a i ) wage rates vary according to the com
m une in which they are employed. The communes of the Province
are divided into four groups for this purpose. In communes of
groups 1 and 2 live-stock tenders 18 to 65 years of age are entitled to
the following compensation in kind and money per year: Seventeen
m etric centners (3,748 pounds) of maize, 3 m etric centners (661
pounds) of wheat, one-half m etric centner (110 pounds) of beans,
1 | hectoliters (159 quarts) of wine, 1,200 lire ($231.60, par) in cash,
one-fourth campo (about one-fourth acre) in plowed and seeded land.
Those employed in communes of groups 3 and 4 are entitled to
16 m etric centners (3,527 pounds) of maize, 3 m etric centners (661
pounds) of wheat, one-half m etric centner (110 pounds) of beans,
1 hectoliter (106 quarts) of wine, 1,150 lire ($221.95, par) in cash,
wood for the use of his family, gleanings according to usage, permis
sion to raise one hog, two broods of chickens (he m ay keep 8 to 15
hens); he also m ay raise silkworms and keep half the cocoons. In all
communes live-stock tenders are entitled to free housing for them
selves and their families. The num ber of animals to be cared for by
a, live-stock tender is lim ited to 10. In case of sickness among the
live stock the live-stock tender m ust keep watch for 8 nights w ithout
extra compensation; for any subsequent nights he is to be compen
sated a t the rate of 5 lire (96.5 cents, par) per night. Live-stock
tenders are entitled to 10 lire ($1.93, par) for each calf born and
weaned.
Lower Parma.
A COLLECTIVE agreement was concluded on May 25, 1920, fixing
the following hourly wage rates for day laborers :
Ordinary work:
Men...............................................................................................
Women..........................................................................................
Spraying of vines, work in water, drainage work:
Men..............................................................................................
Women..........................................................................................
Harvesting and threshing:
Men...............................................................................................
Women..........................................................................................
Lire.
2. 40
1. 60
3.20
2. 80
3.40
2. 80
H o u r s o f la b o r. —January, February, November, and December, 6
hours; March and October, 7 hours; April to September, inclusive,
8 hours.
Overtime in excess of the regular 8 hours is to be compensated
with 10 per cent extra pay for the first hour and 20 per cent for the
second hour.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[131]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
132
U pper and M iddle Parma.
O L L E C T I V E agreement concluded in May, 1920, and effective
A C until
March 31, 1921, provided the following hourly wage rates
for day laborers :
Men:
Lire.
Ordinary work.............................................................................. 2. 40
Work with power-driven machines............................................. 3. 00
Harvesting and threshing..................................................... - - - - 3. 40
Irrigation work.............................................................. .............3. 20
Spraying of vines......................................................................
3. 20
Women:
Ordinary work....................................................................- - — - 1. 65
Harvesting................... ................................................................. 2. 80
W ork in excess of 8 hours per day is to be compensated with 10
per cent extra for the first and 20 per cent for the second hour.
Sunday and holiday work is to be compensated with 50 per cent
extra pay.
Province of Cremona.
A COLLECTIVE agreement concluded on February 17, 1920,
retroactive to November 11, 1919, and effective until Novem
ber 11, 1920, was concluded between the Provincial Federation of
Landowners and the Federation of Peasants affiliated with the Cham
ber of Labor. The agreement provides the following rates of wages
and compensation in kind:
H e a d live-sto c k ten d ers. —Annual compensation— 1,537 lire ($289.57,
par) in cash, 6 hectoliters (17 bushels) of wTheat, 42 m etric centners
(9,259 pounds) of wTood.
L iv e -s to c k ten d ers. —Annual compensation— 1,300 lire ($250.90,
par) in cash, 5 hectoliters (14 bushels) of wheat, and 42 m etric cent
ners (9,259 pounds) of w ood.
F a r m h a n d s e m p lo y e d b y the y e a r. —First class, 1.10 lire (21.2 cents,
par) per hour; second class, 0.75 lira (14.5 cents, par) per hour.
Both classes receive 2 hectoliters (5.7 bushels) of wdieat and 15 m etric
centners (3,307 pounds) of wrood. For overtime and Sunday and
holiday work, 1.40 lire (27 cents, par) for all perm anently employed
farm hands.
C a su a l d a y laborers. —Men—ordinary work, 1.35 lire (26 cents, par)
er hour; spraying of vines and haying, 1,55 lire (30 cents, p a r);
arvesting of wheat, 2.20 lire (42 cents, par) (if wine and food is fur
nished, 1.40 lire (27 cents, p a r)); harvesting of oats and rye and
threshing of grain, 1.90 lire (38 cents, par). Women—haying, gath
ering of grapes, pruning, 0.65 lira (13 cents, par) per hour; all other
work, 0.90 lira (17 cents, par) per hour.
All perm anently employed farm workers are entitled to free housing
for themselves and families, a vegetable garden, hog pen, chicken
house, etc.
H o u r s o f labor. —December and January, 6 hours; from November
14 to 30 and from February 1 to 15, 7 hours; from February 15 to
November 15, 8 hours.
E
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[132]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR.
133
Province of Reggio Emilia.
A COLLECTIVE agreement concluded on February 25, 1920,
between the Farm ers’ Cooperative Association" of Reggio
Em ilia and the Provisional Federation of Agricultural W orkers pro
vides the following working conditions and wage rates for agricultural
laborers.
H o u r s o f labor .—The m aximum normal hours of labor are to be 8
per day. From November to February, inclusive, 6 hours shall rep
resent a day’s work. Overtime work in excess of the norm al 8-hour
day shall be compensated with 25 per cent extra for the first hour
and 50 per cent for subsequent hours.
W ages. —O rdinary work—men, according to zone, 1.80 to 2.20
lire (35 cents to 42 cents, par) per hour; women, 1.30 to 1.50 lire (25
cents to 29 cents, par) per hour. H arvesting, thrashing, and work
with machines—men, 2.50 to 3.00 lire (48 cents to 58 cents, p a r);
women, 2.00 to 2.20 lire (39 cents to 42 cents, par) per hour. These
rates do not include board.
Province of Ferrara.
A COLLECTIVE agreement concluded on March 6, 1920, between
the Federation of Landowners and the Chamber of Labor pro
vides the following wage and working conditions:
H o u r s o f la b o r .—Maximum daily hours, 8. For overtime, 30 per
cent extra pay.
W ages. —Live stock tender, 300 lire ($57.90, par) per m onth, and
housing and m ilk for himself and fam ily. If he has under his care a
bull, he is to receive 20 lire ($3.86, par) per m onth extra, and 1 lira
(19 cents, par) for each cow w ith calf. He also is entitled to 5 lire
(97 cents, par) for each live-born calf and to 5 lire for each weaned
calf.
Casual day laborers receive the following hourly wages for ordinary
work :
[1 lira a t par=19.3 cents.]
W ages p er hour.
M onth.
W ages p er hour.
H ours of
labor.
J a n u a ry ......................
F e b ru a ry ....................
M arch..........................
A p ril.................. ........
M ay.............................
J u n e ............................
6
6
7
8
8
8
M onth.
Men.
W om en.
L ir e .
L ir e .
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
2.00
2.00
1. 00
1. 00
1. 00
1. 00
1. 20
1.20
J u ly . . . .
A ugust .
September
October
TVo v e m be.r
D ecem ber.................
H ours of
labor.
8
8
8
7
6
6
Men.
W omen.
L ir e .
L ir e .
2.30
2.30
2.00
2.00
1. 50
1.50
P erm anently employed laborers receive 30 per cent less.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[133]
1.30
1.30
1.20
1.20
1.00
1.00
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
134
Province of Rovigo.
A COLLECTIVE agreement concluded in May, 1920, by the Provincial Association of Landowners and the Chamber of Labor
provides the following hourly wage rates for day laborers:
[1 lira a t par=19.3 cents.]
H ourly wage rates.
Men.
Zone.
M assa-B adia....................................
Lendinara-O cehiobello.................
R ovigo...............................................
C respino............................................
A d ria .................................................
A ria n o ...............................................
Loreo...............................................
W omen.
M ay 1 to
O ct. 31.
N ov. 1 to
A pr. 1.
May 1 to
Oct. 31.
N ov. 1 to
A pr. 1.
L ir e .
L ir e .
L ir e .
L ir e .
1.75
1. GO
1.50
1.85
1.85
1.60
1.90
1. 55
1. 40
1.50
1.55
1. 55
1. 40
1. 60
1.15
1. JO
1.00
1. 10
1.10
1. 20
1.10
1.10
.90
1.00
1.00
1.00
.80
1.00
Perm anently employed laborers receive, according to zone, from
10 to 20 per cent less than casual laborers, b u t are furnished housing
for themselves and their families.
Live-stock tenders (bovai and manzolai) are paid p artly in kind
and p artly in money. If the cash value of the paym ent in kind is
added to their money wages, their annual earnings total as follows in
the various zones: M assa-Badia, 2,973 lire ($573.79, par); LendinaraOcchiobello, 2,764 lire ($533.45, par); Rovigo, 2,874 lire ($554.68,
par); Crespino, 2,886.50 lire ($557.09, par); Adria, 3,001.50 lire
($579.29, par); Ariano, 2,515 lire ($485.50, par); Loreo, 3,180.50 lire
($613.84, par). In addition they receive free housing.
Province of Novara.
Q X August 14, 1920, a new collective agreement was concluded,
applicable from November 11, 1920, to Novem ber 11, 1921, to
agricultural workers who are engaged by the year. The agreement
provides th a t the daily hours of labor shall be seven from November
to F ebruary and eight from March to October. The money wage is
to be 2,000 lire ($386, par) per year. In addition, workers are to
receive certain allowances of rice, grain, wood, etc. Overtim e is to
be paid at the rate of 1.80 lire (35 cents, par) an hour, and every hour
in excess of eight is to be considered overtime. Boys of 14 are en
titled to half the above wage and boys from 15 to 17 to two-thirds.
For workers over 65 the wage is to be reduced by 20 per cent, and for
those over 70 by 30 per cent.
In case of illness no deduction is to be made from wages, unless the
worker is absent from work for more than 20 days in the year. After
th a t a deduction of 10 lire ($1.93, par) a day m ay be made. If the
cost of living increases still further, wages are to be revised quarterly
and a bonus granted. The first revision was to take place on March
11, 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[134]
135
WAGES AND HOURS OE LABOR,
Wag es and Wholesale Prices in japan.1
H E D epartm ent of Industry of Osaka has issued a report show
ing the relation of the wage m ovem ent since July, 1914, to the
variation in wholesale prices during the same period. A gen
eral idea of th e changes in wages as compared w ith increased living
costs m ay be gained from the following table, showing index num bers
of wages and wholesale prices a t different periods from July, 1914, to
June, 1920, July, 1914, being taken as the base:
T
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W A G ES A N D W H O L E S A L E P R IC E S IN JA P A N , 1914 T O 1920.
M onth a n d year.
W holesale
prices.
100
102
144
153
215
July, 1914...............................
Jan u a ry , 1915........................
J an u a ry , 1916.......................
Jan u a ry , 1917........................
J a n u a ry ’ 1918.......................
Wages.
W holesale
prices.
M onth a n d year.
100
99
104
112
133
October, 1918..................
Jan u ary , 1919.......................
December, 1919...........
M arch, 1920...................
Ju n e, 1920..............................
255
237
317
345
270
Wages.
167
171
250
273
263
In March, 1920, wholesale prices had increased 245 per cent, while
wages had increased only 173 per cent. By June, 1920, however, the
difference was m uch less m arked, owing to the general lowering of
prices, so th a t the index num bers of wholesale prices stood a t 270 and
wages a t 263.
Rates of Wages in New Zealand.
H E following statem ent of wages paid in certain occupations in
New Zealand at the close of 1920, taken from the uA nnual
Business, Industrial, and Commercial Review of New Zealand
for 1920,” was recently forwarded to this bureau by the D ep artm en t
of Commerce. Although the report does not so state, it is presum ed
th a t the rates shown have been computed on a par value basis—
£ 1 -1 4 .8 6 6 5 .
T
1 S tatistiq u e générale de la France et d u Service d ’observation des P rix .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 135 ]
B ulletin, A pril, 1921. P . 251
136
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Mi n i m u m , m a x i m u m , a n d
average rates of
t i o n s A T T H E C LO SE
w ages
in
s p e c if ie d
o ccupa
O F 1920.
IConversions in to U n ited S tates m oney m ade on basis of p o u nd s te r lin g s $4.8605; shilling=24.3 cents;
a n d penny=2.03 cents.]
O ccupation.
U n it.
B la ck sm ith ....................
......
B ricklayer-m ason......................................................................
C arp en ter.....................................................................................
Cook or b a k er..............................................................................
E lectrical w orkers......................................................................
Engineer, locom otive...............................................................
E ngineer , s ta tio n a ry .........................................................
F irem an, locom otive..........................................■.....................
Firem an, s tatio n ary ................................................................
F u rn itu re m a k e r . ..................................................................
H ostler, locom otive...................................................................
L in o ty p er___
M etal or wood w orker..............................................................
M in er.............................................................................................
Motor m echanic..........................................................................
P a in te r .......................................................................................
P la ste re r.......................................................................................
P lu m b e r.
P r in te r ..........................................................................................
Q u a rry m a n .................................................................................
Stevedore.....................................................................................
T im ekeeper.................................................................................
T rain m an , ra ilw a y ....................................................................
Y ardm an, ra ilw a y .....................................................................
Labor, u n sk ille d ......................................................................
Labor, sk illed ..............................................................................
Forem an (general ra te )............................................................
H o u r.......
. ..d o ...........
. ..d o ...........
W eek ........
H o u r.........
D a y ...........
. .d o ..........
.. .d o ...........
.d o ...........
H o u r.........
D a y ...........
W eek ___
H o u r.........
D a y ...........
H o u r.........
. . .d o ...........
. . .d o ..........
.d o ...........
W ee k ........
H o u r.........
.. .d o ...........
. . .d o ...........
D a y ...........
. .d o ...........
H o u r.........
. . . d o ...........
D a y ...........
1 A nd " fo u n d .” Out-of-tow n w ork alw ays w ith " fo u n d .”
2 H ouse w ork.
3 L inem an.
1 Shopm an.
5 Boy.
0 Y o u th .
7 M an.
3 N ight.
9 For everything n o t otherw ise classified as special rates.
10 A nd storem an.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 136 ]
M inim um .
$0.54
.58
.54
23.00
2 .54
4. 25
4.25
3. 77
3. 77
.54
5 2.06
16.05
.54
4.66
.54
.50
.56
.48
15.80
.48
.54
.48
3.65
4.01
.44
.48
4.38
Average.
$0.58
.66
.60
31.60
3 .73
4.86
4.74
4. 01
4.01
.60
6 2. 43
17.02
.60
5.56
.60
.56
.60
.54
17.02
.54
.60
.54
4.01
4.13
.48
.52
5.34
M aximum.
$0.60
!. 85
i. 73
38.93
* 1.09
6.32
5.46
4.50
4.38
.66
i 3.89
8 17.99
.66
10.46
.73
1 .60
1 .85
1 .66
8 18.58
.60
» .66
10.60
4.50
4.38
.52
.56
17.29
WAGES AND HOUES OF LABOE.
137
Recent Wage Rates in Western Australia.
OLLOW ING are the rates of wages prevailing among adults in
certain principal occupations in W estern A ustralia as shown by
recent official sources.1 Unless specifically indicated the
weekly hours of work are 48. Night, holiday, and special rates
generally are omitted.
F
R A T E S O F W A GES FO R A D U LTS IN S P E C IF IE D OCCU PA TIO N S IN W E S T E R N
A U ST R A L IA .
[1 p o u n d a t par=$4.87; 1 shilling a t par=24.3 cents; 1 p enny a t par=2.03 cents.]
O ccupation.
W eekly rate.
£
B aker ......................................
/
l «5
s.
d.
£
D aily rate.
s. d .
4 0 0
15 0 to 6 5 0
s.
b4 2 6
62 5 0
/
1
d 6
3 18 0 to
0 0
65 7 6
4 12 0
s.
16 6
o i5 0
16 0
16 6
a 15 0
«1 9
« 1 6 to 1 9
8 0 to 9 0
11 8 to 17
16
«1
«2
«1
9 0 to 11
0
0
10|
0
10!
0
6 6 to 9
13 0 to 16
10 0 to 12
13
11 0 to 13
11 6 to 15
13
7
0
0
6
6
6
6
« 1 10!
3 15 0
/
\
»11 9
«2 7 0
«1 11 0
«2 1 6
/ 2 3
«2 0!
1 W estern A ustralia. G overnm ent s tatistic ia n . Pocket y ear book, 1921. P e rth , 1921. n n . 42-45.
a Relates to Goldfields.
6 44 hours,
c H ourly rates,
d 42 hours.
« W ith board and lodging.
/ P er hour; overtim e (ordinary), 3s. 4Jd. p er hour.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
d.
>........ .............
/
l
B lacksm ith (engineering).......................
C arpenter a n d jo in e r..........
C om positor .............................
D ressm aker (factory).........
F itte r an d tu rn e r ................................
H o i c a rrie r....................................
L ab o rer (b u ild er’s)..............................
L a u n d ry em ployee...................
Linotype and m onotype o p e ra to r..............
M iner (coal).......................................
H older (m e ta l)......................................
P a in te r a n d p ap er h an g er........ . .
P la ste re r ..............................
P lu m b e r ........................................
Q u a rry m a n ...................................
R ailw ays (G overnm ent):
Cleaner (locom otive) ...........................
Engine d riv er (locomotive) ..................
Firem an (locom otive) ..................
G uard ...........................................
P o rter and sh u n te r ..................
Signalm an .....................................
S etter (b rick s) ..................................
Slaughterm an ......................................
Tarm ery employee (unskilled) ............................
T insm ith (general h a n d ) ..............................
T ram w ay s:
Conductor or m otorm an (G overnm ent) .........
Conductor or m otorm an ...................
W aiter ...............................................
W aitress ........................
W harf lab o rer .....................................
W ire-m attress m ak er ...... .................
d.
[137]
PR O D U C T IO N A ND EFFIC IEN C Y OF LA BO R.
Production Schedule of Master Plumbers’ Association of Montreal.
H E need of a suitable standard by which the value of the different
operations performed in the plumbing trade could fairly be
judged has led to the form ulation and adoption by the Master
P lum bers’ Association of M ontreal of a “ production schedule.”
This schedule fixes w hat the association “ after very full considera
tion of all the factors concerned” feels to be a fair and reasonable
standard production from journeym en plumbers and steam fitters.
The following table shows for certain operations the standard am ount
of work to be accomplished in nine hours.
T
ST A N D A R D N U M B E R O F F E E T O F P I P E TO B E E R E C T E D IN 9 H O U R S, IN
S P E C IF IE D CLASS O F W O R K .
O peration.
Size
of
pipe.
EACH
N um
ber of
feet
per 9
hours.
P l u m b i n g .1
E recting cast-iron underground drains, less digging a n d back filling.2.
E recting u p rig h t stacks of m edium soil pipe 2.
E recting m edium soil p ipe back v e n t stacks 2..............................
•Erecting w rought-iron stacks of soil pipe for D u rh am system 2.
E recting w rought-iron baek v e n t p ip e 2..........................................
E recting u p rig h t stacks of galvanized-iron w ater pipe *.
In c h e s.
3
4
5
6
8
2
3
4
5
6
8
2
3
4
4
4J
5
0
U
11
2
2i
3
3t
4
Ì
1
11
11
2
21
3
31
H o t-w a te r
h e a tin g ,3
E recting hot-w ater m ains in pairs on ceiling only 2__
4
-
50
45
40
35
2.1
70
00
50
45
35
25
70
60
50
30
27
25
20
60
55
50
45
40
37
35
100
90
75
70
60
45
40
35
30
1
1-1
14
2
90
85
70
50
40
24
3
30
25
31
4
20
1 A1] work figured on th e basis of th e w ay being clear for everything; th a t is, thim bles a nd sleeves being
sH uction 111 concrets w ork 111 concr8te construction, a n d c u ttin g being done by others w hen WOod eon2 Allowing a fitting a t an average of every 10 feet.
8 Tim e allowed includes all necessary hangers on th e basem ent ceiling, and all necessary straps and sup
ports on risers. No cu ttin g or repairing of passages of pipes included.
y
v
1
138
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[138]
PRODUCTION AND EFFICIENCY OF LABOR.
139
ST A N D A R D N U M B E R O F F E E T O F P I P E TO B E E R E C T E D IN 9 H O U R S , IN EA C H
S P E C IF IE D CLASS O F W O R K —C ontinued.
Size
of
pipe.
Operation.
N um
b e r of
feet
per 9
hours.
H o t-w a te r h e a lin g —Concluded.
E recting branches across ceiling and through ground floor w ith valve and elbow on, a t
proper height to receive ra d ia to r..........................................................
E rectin g a p air of risers from 3 to 1" 2.
E recting branches from risers to radiators, a t an average distance of 8 feet from riser,
w ith branches brought thro u g h floor a t proper height to receive elbow a nd valve for
ra d ia to r .................................... ................ .................. .......
/
S in g le - p ip e grai>ity s te a m j o b s
Erecting steam m ain on ceiling 2................................................
E recting d rip line back 2
In c h e s .
.3
i
i-i
l|
l
l-jli
2
21
3
46
<5
44
<3
65
55
40
35
25
20
3
1
li
Ù
<6
<5
*4
43
2
oi
3
3i
4
4i
5
6
li .
2
3
1
U
1i
2
2i
3
3t
4
65
55
45
40
35
32
39
25
90
80
70
05
100
90
80
75
60
55
50
45
1
H
H
2
1
lì
1|
2
1 12
•t 10
48
<6
6 20
« 18
616
612
2
2i
3
65
55
45
40
35
32
30
25
20
18
95
90
80
70
65
55
45
100
90
80
n
E recting single riser 2.
Erecting branches from risers to radiators a t an ave.rage distance of 8 feet from riser,
w ith bran ch b ro u g h t th ro u g h floor a t proper h e ig h t to receive elbow an d valve for
r a d i a t o r . , . . . ...................................................................................
S etting and connecting radiator
T w o - p ip e v a c u u m - s y s te m s te a m jo b s .
E recting pipe from to p of boiler along ceiling of b asem ent 2.
H
4
Ur ;
5
6
7
8
li.
1|
2
E recting th e corresponding retu rn lin e 2
3
3J
4
1
li
u
E recting risers 2
2 Allow ing a fittin g a t an average erf e v ery 10 feet,
* N um ber of branches.
5 Tim e ail based o n providing thim bles a n d sleeves In concrete work a n d th e cu ttin g being done b y others
in wood work.
o N um ber of radiators.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1381
140
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
S T A N D A R D N U M B E R O F F E E T O F P I P E TO B E E R E C T E D IN 9 H O U R S , IN E A C H
S P E C IF IE D CLASS O F W O R K —C oncluded.
'Rrecsting risars-
O peration.
Size
of
pipe.
T w o - p i p e v a c u u m - s y s t e m s t e a m j o b s —Concluded.
In c h e s.
....
................................................................................................................ .......
N um
ber of
feet
per 9
hours.
2
2i
3
E rectin g re tu rn risers 2...........................................................................................................................
3*
4
1
11
14
2
24
75
60
55
50
45
100
90
80
75
60
2 Allowing a fitting a t an average of ev ery 10 feet.
The table below shows the standard tim e allowed a m an and
helper for certain operations: \
ST A N D A R D T IM E A L L O W E D F O R MAN A N D H E L P E R F O R EA C H S P E C IF IE D
O P E R A T IO N .
O peration.
P lu m b in g d
Three-piece bathroom :
R oughing in , w ith all waste, h o t a n d cold w ater, an d back v e n t, com plete, using—
Cast-iron soil pipe and galvanized-iron p ip e for h o t an d cold w ater, a t a n average dis
tance of 3 feet from th e stac k ....................................................................................................
D u rh am sy ste m ..............................................................................................................................
Setting u p, using—
Enam eled-iron la v a to ry on brackets, s tan d a rd enam eled-iron b a th , a nd low-down
closet co m bination.......................................................................................................................
Porcelain pedestal lav ato ry , porcelain b a th , sip h o n W . C. w ith flushom eter v a lv e ___
E nam eled iro n fixtures, D u rh am sy stem .............................. . ................................................
Porcelain fixtures, D urham s y ste m ...........................................................................................
K itc h e n or p a n try sink:
R oughing in , w ith waste, ho t a n d cold w ater a n d back v e n t, a t an average of 10 feet from
th e u p rig h ts..........................................................................................................................................
S e t t i n g u p ............................................................................................................. ...............................
W ashtubs:
Roughing in , w ith w aste,back v en t, h o t an d cold w ater, a t a n average distance of 10 feet
from th e connections on th e d ra in ..................................................................................................
Setting u p , from th e floor lin e u p ......................................................................................................
Porcelain or enam eled-iron slop sin k on pedestal:
R oughing in , w ith w aste, h o t an d cold w ater a n d back v e n t, a t an average distance of 5
feet from th e u p rig h t stacks..............................................................................................................
Setting u p, from th e floor lin e u p ....................................................................................................
Furnace:
H o t- w a t e r h e a t in g ?
Setting sizes Nos. 1 to 4.......................................... .......................................
S etting sizes Nos. 41 to 6................................................................................
Setting sizes Nos. 6A to 8 ..............................................................................
R adiator, settin g a n d connecting, w ith a n average connection of 1 inch
A u tom atic expansion ta n k , settin g a n d connecting, co m p lete..................
N um ber of
hours (m an
and helper)
allowed.
20
30
15
30
30
30
10
5
12
10
9
5
4
6
8
H
9
T w o - p i p e v a c u u m - s y s t e m s te a m j o b s .
E recting branches from risers to radiators w ith connections brought through floor and left a t
th e proper height to receive elbows a n d valves for th e radiators w ith a n average distance of
5 feet from risers............... ...........................................................................................................................
Settin g an d connecting each ra d ia to r.........................................................................................................
Connecting in boiler room of stan d a rd outfit com prising 1 boiler feed p u m p an d receiver and 1
v acu u m p u m p w ith all necessary steam e x h au st connections, suction and discharge con
nections, a t an average distance of 20 feet from th e boiler. A verage pipes, sizes: Steam,
lin c h ; e x h au st, 11 inches; cold-w ater connections to receiver, J inch; discharge from p um p
to boiler, 11 inches; suction on v acuum p u m p , 4 in c h e s........................................ .........................
60
1 All work figured on th e basis of th e w ay being clear for everything, th a t is, thim bles and sleeves, being
provided in concrete w ork in concrete construction, an d cu ttin g being done by others w hen wood construc
tion.
2Tim e allowed includes all necessary hangers on th e basem ent ceiling, and all necessary straps and sup
ports on risers. No cu ttin g or repairing of passages of pipes included.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 140 ]
MINIMUM WAGE.
Report of California Industrial Welfare Commission, 1919-20.
H E Industrial Welfare Commission of California has issued a
prelim inary report of its proceedings for the biennial period
1919-20 under the title “ W hat California H as Done to Pro
tect its Women W orkers.” The report covers the period of high
cost of living, during which the commission advanced rates from
$10 to $13.50, then from $13.50 to $16 per week as a standard in
the attem p t to m eet the needs of the workers coming within its
purview.
Brief tables are given showing the percentage of women employed
a t different rates under the various orders in effect during the period
covered, three principal industries being included. These three
industries, laundry and dry-cleaning, m ercantile and m anufacturing,
employ 57,000 women in 3,250 establishments, being “ industries
in which women workers are concentrated in the largest employment
groups.” I t m ust be borne in m ind th a t the $10 order fixed $10 as
the m inimum for the experienced worker, learners receiving less,
the same being true for each order. Under the $10 order, in effect
in January, 1919, 14.8 per cent of the female workers in the m anu
facturing industry received less than $10, while 52.1 per cent received
$10 and less than $13.50; 10.9 per cent received over $17. Under
the $13.50 order in effect in September, 1919, a survey showed 2.2
per cent receiving less than $10, 24.8 per cent receiving $10 and less
than $13.50, and 20.8 per cent receiving over $17. A survey under
the $16 order was m ade in October, 1920, when no worker was
found receiving less than $10 and b u t 5.7 per cent receiving less
than $13.50; 46.2 per cent received over $17. I t is w orthy of note
th a t the num ber receiving over $17 was considerably larger than
the num ber receiving $16 (the statu to ry wage) and less than $17,
the percentage being 35.1.
In the laundry industry, under the $10 minimum, a survey in May,
1919, showed 5 per cent of the female workers receiving less than
$10, while 58.8 per cent received $10 and less than $13.50, 10.7 per
cent receiving over $17 at this time. Under the $13.50 order, in
August, 1919, 0.3 per cent received less than $10; 11.9 per cent, $10
and less than $13.50, and 24.3 per cent over $17. In August, 1920,
under the $16 order no one received less than $10, 2.7 per cent
received $10 and less th an $13.50, and 59.1 p e rc e n t over $17. Here
again this group is m uch larger than th a t receiving the fixed rate of
$16 and less than $17, the percentage for the group being 31.5 per
cent. In both the foregoing industries there were considerable
numbers of piece workers, all experienced piece workers being
guaranteed the minimum rate.
T
5403«.)°—21---- 10
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[141]
141
142
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
In the m ercantile industry 10 per cent of the workers were found
to be receiving less than $10 under the $10 rate in force in M arch,
1919, while 46.4 per cent received $10 and less th an $13.50, 18.7
per cent receiving over $17. Under the $13.50 order, in July, 1919,
6.3 per cent received less than $10, 18.8 per cent received $10 and less
than $13.50, and 21.8 per cent over $17. In August, 1920, under
the $16 order 0.4 per cent received less th an $10 weekly, 5.5 per cent
$10 and less th an $13.50, while 46.9 per cent received over $17.
Here again this group exceeded the minimum-wage group, $16 and
less than $17, the percentage therein being 40. Thus, while it is
true “ th a t upon the adoption of a higher m inim um wage the per
cent of women in the m inim um wage group itself is greatly increased,
showing th a t m any of the women in the lower-paid groups are raised
to the m in im u m /’ it is perfectly obvious th a t there is no restriction
in the higher-wage groups on this account, the num ber earning
over $17 being doubled or more, under each advance in the m anu
facturing and laundry industries, while it was considerably increased
also in the m ercantile industry; and as already pointed out, the group
receiving over $17 was in each case larger th an the group receiving
$16 and less th an $17, thus refuting completely any claim th a t the
m inimum either becomes the m axim um or requires the reduction
of higher-paid workers to a lower grade in order to enable employers
to advance the lower paid workers to the minimum.
Fruit and Vegetable O rder Revised— 1921.
D E A R IN G date of March 14, 1921, and effective June 21, 1921, is
■*“' a revision of the California Industrial Welfare Commission
Order No. 3, covering fru it and vegetable canning. While the time
ra te rem ains unchanged a t $16 per weds, there are certain adjust
m ents for piece workers which indicate the desire of the commission
to benefit by experience and to avoid com plaint of excessive costs
where piece rates offer opportunity for high earnings. The time
rate for m ale m inor workers is also reduced, the hourly rate being
25 cents instead of 30 cents, and the weekly m inimum $12 instead
of $14.40.
The list of fruits and vegetables for which rates are fixed is con
siderably shortened as compared w ith last year, asparagus, string
beans, plums, grapes, and the hand peeling of peaches being om itted,
subject to the rates adopted by individual establishments, which
m ust, however, yield 33J cents per hour to 50 per cent of the adult
women working in the individual establishments. This is a relaxa
tion from the test under the preceding order, when 66§ per cent of
the workers m ust earn the m inim um in order to justify its con
tinuance. R ates for cherries were unchanged, b u t for apricots the
rate per 100 pounds was reduced from 50 cents to 48, for free peaches
from 22 cents to 18, for cling peaches from 38 cents to 30, and for
pears from 62 cents to 55. For tom atoes (finished products) the
rate was reduced from 5|- cents per 12 quarts to 5 cents. A nother
relaxation which favors the employer is th a t labelers are to be counted
experienced after two weeks of em ploym ent instead of after a single
week as under the prior order. Slight changes were also m ade in
regard to records, etc., of hours of labor, b u t not affecting work
ing time.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[142]
A G R E EM EN TS.
Recent Labor Agreements and Decisions.
Railroads.
H E United States Railroad Labor Board on June 1, 1921, ren
dered a decision1 authorizing wage reductions, or fixing wage
rates, in certain occupations, on certain railroads. A supple
m entary decision2 of the board, rendered June 25, extended the terms
of this decision to virtually all roads. I t is estim ated by the board
th a t the reduction will be approxim ately 12 per cent of the present
wages. The reductions vary from 5 to 13 cents an hour and from
5 to 18 per cent.. In certain cases the entire increase granted by
the board in its decision No. 2,3 m ade in July, 1920, and retroactive
to May 1 of th a t year, is taken away.
The disputes which resulted in the decision were brought separately
to the board, the first being filed by the New York Central Railroad
Co. on M arch 19, 1921. Some of the carriers presented disputes
applicable to only a few classes of employees, others applicable to
nearly all classes. Since evidence offered in one case would be
m aterial and common to all roads the board decided on April 6 to
hear a t one time and decide in one decision, so far as possible, upon a
reasonable wage for all classes of carriers p a rty to decision No. 2,
as to whose wages there had been a dispute. April 18, 1921, was
set for the hearing, and all cases which had been filed on th a t date
were consolidated for the purpose of hearing and decision. The
decision of June 1 therefore covers only such cases as had been
brought before the board on April 18. A total of 72 independent
roads, each of which had a dispute w ith one or more of the 31 labor
organizations named, are affected by the decision. The supple
m entary decision issued June 25 included approxim ately 150 roads,
some of which filed petitions for reductions after April 18, and some
of which were parties to the original decision, b u t which returned to
ask reductions for employees n o t covered in the earlier order. The
supplem entary decision authorized reductions practically identical
w ith those of the earlier order, the only im porant changes being the
addition of rates for m arine workers in certain harbors, for dining car
and restau ran t employees, and for laundry workers and porters.
The board estim ates th a t the reduction will effect a saving to the
roads of practically $400,000,000.
Space available does n o t perm it the publication of the list of roads
named in the decision, nor the specific occupations on each road
T
1 Decision No. 117 (D ocket 3531.
2 A dden d u m No. 1 to D ecision No. 147.
3 See M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w , Septem ber, 1920, pp. 100-103; N ovem ber, 1920, p p . 85-91.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1143]
143
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
144
th at are affected. The decision, which becomes effective on Ju ly 1,
is here quoted in part:
The Labor Board decides:
1. That the rates of wages heretofore established by the authority of the United
States Railroad Labor Board, shall be decreased as hereinafter specified, and that
such decreases shall be effective as of July 1, 1921,
2. That the scope of this decision is limited to the carriers named tinder Article I
herein, to such carriers as may be included hereafter by addenda, and to the specific
classes of employees named or referred to under each particular carrier.
3. That the reduction in wages hereby authorized shall be made in accordance with
he following articles, which prescribe the regulations, designate the employees,
affected, and establish the schedules of decreases. * * *
vVrt. 11.— C lerical a n d S ta tio n Forces.
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in
connection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedule of
decreases per hour:
(N ote.—F o rclerk s w ithout previous experience hereafter entering theservice of a carrier, rates of wages
■specified in sec. 3 (b), th is article, are hereby established.)
S e c . 1. Storekeepers, assistant storekeepers, chief clerks, foremen, subforemen,
and other clerical supervisory forces................................................................. 6 cents.
S e c . 2. (a) Clerks with an experience of two (2) or more years in railroad clerical
work, or clerical work of a similar nature in other industries, or where their cumulative
experience in such clerical work is not less than two (2) years.........................6 cents.
(b)
Clerks with an experience of one (1) year and less than two (2) years in railroad
clerical work, or clerical work of a similar nature in other industries, or where their
cumulative experience in such clerical work is not less than one (1) year---- 13 cents.
S e c . 3. (a) Clerks whose experience as above defined is less than one (1)
year......................................................................................................................6-| cents.
(b) Clerks without previous experience hereafter entering the service will be paid
a monthly salary at the rate of sixty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($67.50) per month
for the first six (6) months, and seventy-seven dollars and fifty cents ($77.50) per month
for the second six (6) months.
S ec . 4. Train and engine crew callers, assistant station masters, train announcers,
gatemen, and baggage and parcel room employees (other than clerks).......... 10 cents.
S e c . 5. Janitors, elevator and telephone switchboard operators, office, station, and
warehouse watchmen, and employees engaged in assorting way bills and tickets,
operating appliances or machines for perforating, addressing envelopes, numbering
claims and other papers, gathering and distributing mail, adjusting dictaphone
cylinders, and other similar work........................................................................10 cents.
S e c . 6. Office boys, messengers, chore boys, and other employees under 18 years of
age, filling similar positions, and station attendants.......................................... 5 cents.
S e c . 7. S ta tio n , p latform , w areh ou se, transfer, d o c k , p ie r, storeroom , stock-room ,
an d tea m -tra ck fr eig h t h a n d lers or tru ck ers, an d oth ers sim ila r ly e m p lo y e d . . . 6 cen ts.
S e c . 8. The following differentials shall be maintained between truckers and the
classes named below:
(a) Sealers, scalers, and fruit and perishable inspectors, one (1) cent per hour
above truckers’ rates as established under section 7.
(b) Stowers or stevedores, callers or loaders, locators and coopers, two (2) cents
per hour above truckers’ rates as established under section 7.
The above shall not operate to decrease any existing higher differentials.
S e c . 9. All common laborers in and around stations, storehouses, and warehouses,
not otherwise provided for..................................................................................8J cents.
Art. I I I .—
M a intenance o f W ay a n d S tr u c tu r a l a n d U n skilled F orces Sp ecified .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedules of de
creases per hour:
S e c . 1. Bridge, building, painter, construction, mason and concrete, water supply,
and plumber foremen (except water supply and plumber foremen coming under the
provisions of sec. 1 of Art. IV, this decision)....................................................10 cents.
S e c . 2. A ssista n t b rid ge, b u ild in g , p a in ter, co n stru ctio n , m ason an d con crete,
w ater su p p ly , an d p lu m b er forem en , an d for coal w harf, coal c h u te , an d fe n c e gan g
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[144]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
145
foremen, pile driver, ditching and hoisting engineers and bridge inspectors (except
assistant water supply and plumber foremen coming under the provisions of sec. 1
of Art. IV, this decision)................................................................................... 10 cents.
S e c . 3. S e c tio n , tra ck an d m a in te n a n c e forem en , a n d a ssista n t se c tio n , tra ck an d
m a in te n a n c e fo r em e n .....................................................................................................................10 c e n ts.
S e c . 4. Mechanics in the maintenance of way and bridge and building departments
(except those that come under the provisions of the national agreement with the
federated shop trades)..........................................................................................10 cents.
S e c . 5. Mechanics’ helpers in the maintenance of way and bridge and building
departments (except those that come under the provisions of the national agreement
with the federated shop trades)....................................................................... 7J cents.
S e c . 6. Track laborers, and all common laborers in the maintenance of way de
partment and in and around shops and roundhouses, not otherwise provided for
herein........................................................- ........................................................ 8$ cents.
S e c . 7. Drawbridge tenders and assistants, pile-driver, ditching and hoisting fire
men, pumper engineers and pumpers, crossing watchmen or flagmen, and lamp
lighters and tenders............................................................................................. 8^ cents.
S e c . 8. Laborers employed in and around shops and roundhouses, such as engine
watchmen and wipers, fire builders, ash-pit men, flue borers, coal passers (except
those coming under theprovisions of sec. 3 of Art. VIII, this decision), coal chute
men, etc......................................................................
10 cents.
A rt.
IV.-—S h o p
E m p lo y e e s .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedules of de
creases per hour:
( N o t e . —For car cleaners rates of wages fixed by a differential shown in sec. 4, t h is
article, are hereby established.)
S e c . 1. S u p erv iso ry fo r ce s.......................................................................................................8 cen ts.
S e c . 2. M a ch in ists, b o iler m akers, b la c k sm ith s, sh e e t-m e ta l w orkers, e le c tr ic a l
workers, car m en , m old ers, cu p o la ten d ers an d core m akers, in c lu d in g th o se w ith less
th a n four y e a rs’ e x p e r ie n c e , a ll c r a f t s ...................................................................................8 c e n ts.
S e c . 3. Regular and helper apprentices and helpers, all classes....................8 cents.
S e c . 4. Gar cleaners shall be paid a rate of two (2) cents per hour above the rate
established in section 6 of Article III, this decision, for regular track laborers at points
where car cleaners are employed.
A rt.
V.— T e le g ra p h e rs,
T e le p h o n e r s , a n d A g e n ts .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedule of decreases
per hour:
S e c . 1. Telegraphers, telephone operators (except switchboard operators), agents
(except agents at small nontelegraph stations as referred to in Supplement No. 13 to
General Order No. 27, Art. IV, sec. c), agent telegraphers, agent telephoners, towermen, lever men, tower and train directors, block operators, and staff men___6 cents.
S e c . 2. Agents at small nontelegraph stations as referred to in Supplement No. 13
to General Order No. 27, Article IV, section c .................................................. 5 cents.
Art.
VI.—E n g i n e
S e r v ic e E m p lo y e e s .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedules of de
creases per mile, per hour, or per day, as the case may be:
Sec.
Class.
1.— P a s s e n g e r
S e r v ic e .
P er mile, Per day
cents.
dollars.’
Engineers and motormen........................................................................... 0. 48
Firemen (coal or oil)........................... ........................................................... 48
Helpers (electric)............................................................................................ 48
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0. 48
.48
.48
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
146
S e c . 2. — F r e ig h t S e r v ic e .
P e r mile, P er day,
cents.
dollars.
Class.
.. 0. 64
.. .64
. .64
Engineers (steam, electric, or other power)
Firemen (coal or oil)....................................
Helpers (electric).........................................
Sec. 3
— Y ard
S e r v ic e .
0. 64
.64
.64
Per
hour,
cents.
Engineers.................................................................................................................
Firemen (coal or oil)...................................................................- ..........................
Helpers (electric).....................................................................................................
S e c . 4 . — H o s tle r S e r v ic e .
^
*
*
P er
day,
dollars.
0.64
.64
.64
Outside hostlers
Inside hostlers.
Helpers.............
A rt.
V II.— T r a in
S e r v ic e E m p lo y e e s .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in
connection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedules of
decreases per mile, per day, or per month, as the case may be:
S e c . 1 . — P a s s e n g e r S e r v ic e .
Per
mile,
cents.
Class.
Conductors............................................................................ 0-4
Assistant conductors or ticket collectors............................
.4
Baggagemen handling both express and dynamo..............
.4
Baggagemen operating dynamo................................................... 4
Baggagemen handling express......................................................4
Baggagemen.........................................................................
-4
Flagmen and brakemen..................................................
.4
S e c . 2 . — S u b u r b a n S e r v ic e
Per
m onth,
dollars.
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
Per
day,
dollars.
P er
m onth,
dollars.
0 .6 0
.6 0
.6 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
1 8 .0 0
(e x c lu s iv e ).
Per
mile,
cents.
Conductors............................................................................ 0-4
Ticket collectors............................................................................4
Guards performing duties of brakemen or flagmen.....................4
S e c . 3 . — F r e ig h t S e r v ic e .
Conductors (through).....................................................
Flagmen and brakemen (through)................................
Conductors (local or way freight)..................................
Flagmen and brakemen (local or way freight).............
S e c . 4 . —•Y a r d S e r v ic e .
Per
mile,
cents.
0. 64
.64
.64
.64
Per
day,
dollars.
0.64
.64
.64
.64
Per
day,
dollars.
0.64
.64
.64
Foremen........
Helpers..........
Switch tenders
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per
day,
dollars.
0 .6 0
.6 0
.6 0
.6 0
.6 0
.6 0
.6 0
[ 146 ]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
Art. Y III .—
147
S t a tio n a r y E n g i n e ( S te a m ) a n d B o i le r R o o m E m p lo y e e s .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedules of de
creases per hour:
Sec. 1. Stationary engineers (steam)............................................................. 8cents.
Sec. 2. Stationary firemen and engine room oilers....................................... 8 cents.
Sec. 3. Boiler room water tenders and coal passers...................................... 6 cents.
Art. IX .— S i g n a l
D e p a r tm e n t E m p lo y e e s .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, use the following schedules of decreases
per hour:
Sec. 1. Signal foremen, assistant signal foremen, andsignalinspectors___ 8 cents.
Sec. 2. Leading maintainers, gang foremen, and leadingsignalmen........... 8 cents.
Sec. 3. Signalmen, assistant signalmen, signal maintainers, and assistant
signal maintainers......................................................................................... Scents.
Sec. 4. Helpers........................................................ ....................................... 6 cents.
Art. X .—
F l o a tin g E q u i p m e n t E m p lo y e e s .
For the specific classes of employees listed herein and named or referred to in con
nection with a carrier affected by this decision, the following schedules of decreased
rates of pay are established:
Sec. 1.—F e rrie s.
Class.
Per month.
Captains..................................................................................................................$200.00
Engineers............................................................................................................. 190. 00
Firemen and oilers (licensed)............................................................................. 140. 00
Firemen and oilers (unlicensed)........................................................................ 140. 00
Deck hands......................................................................................................... 125. 00
Porters.................................................................................................................. 100. 00
Sec. 2.—
T u g s a n d S te a m L ig h te r s .
Captains............................................................................................................... $200. 00
Mates and first deck hands (licensed)............................................................... 130. 00
First deck hands (unlicensed)........................................................................... 130. 00
Second deck hands............................................................................................. 125.00
Floatmen and float watchmen............................................................................ 125. 00
Engineers............................................................................................................. 190. 00
Firemen and oilers (licensed)............................................................................. 140. 00
Firemen and oilers (unlicensed)......................................................................... 140. 00
Bridgemen................ .......................................................................................... 125. 00
Sec. 3.— L ig h te r s
a n d B a r g e s.
Captains, steam hoist—single drum................................................................... $135. 00
Engineers, steam hoist—single drum................................................................. 145. 00
Captains, steam hoist—double drum................................................................. 140. 00
Engineers, steam hoist—double drum............................................................... 150. 00
Captains, derricks—under 30-ton hoist.............................
140.00
Engineer's, derricks—under 30-ton hoist............................................................ 150. 00
Captains, derricks—30-ton hoist and over......................................................... 150.00
Engineers, derricks—30-ton hoist and over....................................................... 160.00
Mates, derricks.................................................................................................... 100. 00
Captains, hand winch lighters and covered barges........................................... 130. 00
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
ri47]
148
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
S ec . A.— Lighters and Barges.
Class.
Per month.
Captains, hand hoist barges—covered lighters......................................................... $120. 00
Captains, steam hoist—single d ru m ............................................................................ 125. 00
Captains, steam hoist—double d ru m .......................................................................... 130. 00
Engineers, steam hoist—single d ru m ......................................................................... 135. 00
Engineers, steam hoist—double d ru m ....................................................................... 140. 00
S ec . 5.— New York Harbor.
Tugboats.
C aptains.............................................................................................................................. $200. 00
Pilots (P ort R eading coal-towing lin e s)..................................................................... 180. 00
E ngineers........................................................................................................................... 190. 00
A ssistant engineers (P ort R eading coal-towing lin e s)............................................ 180. 00
F irem en.............................................................................................................................. 140.00
D eckhands......................................................................................................................... 125. 00
Stew ards............................................................................................................................. 125.00
S ec . 6 — Philadelphia Harbor.
(a) Ferriesd
P ilots................................................................................................................................... $170. 30
E x tra p ilo ts....................................................................................................................... 130. 22
E ngineers........................................................................................................................... 170. 30
E x tra engineers............................................................................................................... 130. 22
F irem en .............................................................................................................................. 118. 64
W heelsm en........................................................................................................................ 110. 07
D eckhands......................................................................................................................... 107. 20
B ridgem en......................................................................................................................... 107.20
Firem en’s helpers............................................................................................................ 107. 20
(6) Tugs and Car Floats.*
C aptains............................................................................................................. - ..............$130. 96
E ngineers........................................................................................................................... 120. 16
M ates...................................................................................................................................
91. 00
F ire m e n ................................................................................................................................
90.84
D eckhands.........................................................................................................................
90. 84
F loatm en...............................................................................................................................
90.84
B ridgem en............................................................................................................................
90.84
(c)
Dredges, Floating Elevators, and Barges.
Per hour.
R unners.............................................................................................................................. $0.6975
Engineers.................................................................................................................................... 665
F ire m e n .................................................................................................................................... 5525
D eckhands..................................................................................................................................5025
M ates.......................................................................................................................................... 5625
W atchm en................................................................................................................................. 2975
(d) Floating Elevators.
E ngineers........................................................................................................................... $0. 645
F irem en .................................................................................................
5125
Marine leg te n d e rs....................................................................................................................5125
W eighers......................................................................................................................................645
A ssistant w eighers.................................................................................................................... 57
W atchm en................................................................................................................................. 3775
C arpenter.................................................................................................................................... 645
(e)
Barges.
Per month.
B argem en........................................................................................................................... $121. 52
i R a te s b a s e d on 8 h o u rs p e r d a y .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[148]
W AGE
A G REEM EN TS.
149
(/) Shore Workers.
Class.
Per hour.
S liptenders........................................................................................................................
$0. 41
Tug stew ard.......................................................................................................................
.43
Per month.
Float cap ta in s................................................................................................................... $140. 00
S ec . 7.— H ampton Roads district.
(a) Ferries.
P ilots................................................................................................................................... $195.00
F irst m ate.......................................................................................................................... 160. 00
Second m ate...........................................................................................
150.00
(b) Tugboats.
P ilots......................
$192.00
M ates................................................................................................................................... 145.00
(c) Tugboats.
Captains (d ay ).................................................................................................................. $170. 00
Captains (n ig h t)............................................................................................................... 160.00
Engineers (d ay )................................................................................................................ 170.00
Engineers (n ig h t)....................................................................................................
160.00
Per day.
D eckhands.......................................................................................................................... $4.00
F irem en..............................................................................................................................
4.00
(d)
Barges (Passenger).
Per month.
Bargem asters..................................................................................................................... $102. 00
S ec . 8— New Orleans district.
C a p ta in s............................................................................................................................... $210.00
P ilo ts.................................................................................................................................. 200.00
M ates................................................................................................................................... 120.00
Chief engineers................................................................................................................ 195.00
A ssistant engineers.......................................................................................................... 170. 00
F ire m e n ............................................................................................................................. 111.50
D eck h a n d s ....................................................................................................................... 106. 50
W ater ten d ers.................................................................................................................... 116.50
O ilers..................................................................................................................................
95.00
S ec . 9.—Natchez, Miss.
Chief m asters............................ ^..................................................................................... $185.00
M aster................................................................................................................................. 161. 80
E n g in eer............................................................................................................................ 145.00
Car c h eck er.......................................................................................................................
89.00
Per day.
F irem en .............................................................................................................................
$3. 60
Tug deck h a n d s ...............................................................................................................
3.25
Coal p asser........................................................................................................................
3.10
W atc h m an .........................................................................................................................
3.20
Per trip.
Barge deck h an d s.............................................................................................................
$0. 27
S ec . 10.—-Cairo, III.
Per month.
M aster....................................................................................................................................$220. 00
P ilo ts................................................................................................................................... 195.00
F irst en g in ee r................................................................................................................... 195. 00
Second en g in ee r.............................................................................................................. 175. 00
T hird engineer................................................................................................................. 175.00
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[149]
150
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
Class.
Per month.
F ire m e n .............................................................................................................................. $116.50
W ater te n d e rs................................................................................................................... 116.50
D e c k h a n d s ....................................................................................................................... 110.00
Coal passers....................................................................................................................... 110. 00
Cradle te n d e rs.................................................................................................................. 110.00
S ec . 11—S t. Louis, Mo.
M aster................................................................................................................................. $174. 00
F irs t en g in eer................................................................................................................... 156. 20Second en g in e e r.............................................................................................................. 138.35
T hird engineer................................................................................................................. 138. 35
M a te .................................................................................................................................... 135.00
C arpenter and w atch m a n .............................................................................................. 129. 00
Sailor and deck h a n d ..........................................
93. 20
Deck h a n d s.......................................................................................................................
84.75
F irem en ..............................................................................................................................
94.70
Sec . 12— Tennessee River.
Per day.
M aster.................................................................................................................................
$4. 56
P ilo ts..................................................................................................................................
4. 56
E n g in eers..........................................................................................................................
4. 56
M ate and c le rk .................................................................................................................
4. 56
M a te ...................................................................................................................................
4. 56
F irem en .............................................................................................................................
3.15
W atc h m en .........................................................................................................................
2. 90
D e c k h a n d s.......................................................................................................................
2.90
Per month.
C arpenters......................................................................................................................... $100.00
S ec . 13—D uluth, Minn.
M aster................................................................................................................................. $230.00
M a te .................................................................................................................................... 230.00
Chief engineer................................................................................................................... 230.00
A ssistant engineer............................................................................................................ 230.00
F irem en .............................................................................................................................. 155.00
D eck h an d s....................................................................................................................... 155.00
A rt . X I .— Other Supervisory Forces.
For th e specific classes of employees listed herein and nam ed or referred to in
connection w ith a carrier affected b y this decision, use th e following schedules of
decreases per hour:
S ec . 1. Train dispatchers.......................................................................................... 8 cents.
S ec. 2. Y ardm asters and assistant yardm asters.................................................. 8 cents.
A rt . X I I .— Miscellaneous Employees.
For th e miscellaneous classes of supervisors and employees not specifically listed
u n d er any article, nam ed in connection w ith a carrier affected b y th is decision, use
th e following rule for m aking decreases:
S ec . 1. For miscellaneous classes of supervisors and employees in th e hereinbeforenam ed departm ents properly before th e Labor Board and nam ed in connection w ith
a carrier affected b y th is decision, d ed u ct an am ount equal to th e decreases m ade
for th e respective classes to w hich th e miscellaneous classes herein referred to are
analogous.
S ec . 2. The in te n t of th is article is to extend th is decision to certain miscellaneous
classes of supervisors and employees subm itted b y th e carriers, n o t specifically listed
un d er any section in th e classified schedules of decreases, and authorize decreases
for such employees in th e same am ounts as provided in th e schedules of decreases for
analogous service.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[150]
WAGE AGREEMENTS,
151
For the specific classes of employees listed, in the following sections of this article
and named or referred to in connection with a carrier affected by this decision deduct
from the amount of increases granted since February 29, 1920, the following per cent
of such increases:
Sec. 3. Chefs in bridge and building department and chefs in extra
gangs. .................................................. _................................................. 60 per cent.
Sec. 4. (a) Restaurants.—-Managers, assistant managers, cashiers, head
waiters and head waitresses, waiters and waitresses, bus boys and scrub
girls, chefs, cooks, bakers, dishwashers, yardman, carvers and coldmeat men, vegetable man, storeroom man, linen-room man, pantry
men and pantry girls, lunch-counter clerk, houseman, housekeeper,
maids, and porters......................................... ........................................60 per cent.
(b) D ining cars.—Stewards, chefs, cooks, waiters, and buffet
porters.......................................... ...................................................60 per cent.
(c) Laundry workers— Washmen, assistant washmen, foreladies,
seamstresses, body ironers, and manglers................................................. 60 percent.
Sec. 5. Cooks in maintenance-of-way department..............................................60 percent.
Sec. 6. Cooks and campmen in extra gangs, cooks in carpenter gangs,
and cooks in Russellton Hotel............................................................... 60 per cent.
Sec. 7. Dining-car stewards.................................................................................60 percent.
Sec. 8. Stewards, cooks, waiters, and porters.................................................... 60 percent.
Sec. 9. (a) Restaurants and hotels.—-Stewards, managers, chefs, cooks,
dishwashers, pantry men, waiters, porters, bedmakers, and barbers..60 per cent.
(b) jFerry restaurants.—Stewards, chefs, cooks, waiters, porters,
and dishwashers......................................................................................... 60 percent.
(c) D ining cars.—Stewards, chefs, cooks, pantry men, waiters, bus
boys, and cabinet, buffet, and chair-car porters............................60 per cent.
(d) Miscellaneous.—Commissary helpers, laundry workers, and
chauffeurs.................................................................
69percent.
Sec. 10. (a,) Restaurants.— Managers, cooks, waiters, maids, and porters. 60 per cent.
(b) D ining cars.—Cooks and waiters..................................................60 per cent.
Sec. 11. Stewards, chefs, cooks, pantry men, and waiters.................................60 percent.
Sec. 12. Waitresses, parlor-car chefs, and porters.............................................. 60 percent.
Art. X III. — G e n e ra l
A p p lic a tio n .
The general regulations governing the application of this decision are as follows:
Sec. 1. The provisions of this decision will not apply in cases where amounts less
than thirty dollars ($30) per month are paid to individuals for special service which
takes only a part of their time from outside employment or business.
Sec. 2. Decreases specified in this decision are to be deducted on the following
basis:
(a) For employees paid by the hour, deduct the hourly decrease from the hourly
rate.
(b) For employees paid by the day, deduct eight times the hourly decrease from
the daily rate.
(e)
For employees paid by the month, deduct two hundred four (204) times the
hourly decrease from the monthly rate.
Sec. 3. The decreases in wages and the rates hereby established shall be incorporated
in and become a part of existing agreements or schedules, or future negotiated agree
ments or schedules, and shall remain in effect until or unless changed in the manner
provided by the transportation act, 1920. * * *
T he Clothing Trades.
Hat and Cap industry in New York City.
YAN MAY 21 the board of arb itratio n in the cloth b a t and cap
^
in d u stry of the city of New York announced its decision on the
controversy in th a t industry and thus term inated a period of hostility
of varying degrees of intensity which had continued since August,
1920. This board was appointed in January, 1921, to investigate
and adjust difficulties which threatened to dislocate the industry.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 5 1 ]
152
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
The trip artite board represents the interests of about 2,500 employees,
approxim ately half the workers in the New York branch of the
industry, members of the U nited Cloth H a t and Cap Makers of N orth
America, and of the employers’ association comprising a membership
of over 100. There is an im partial chairm an agreed upon by the
parties in dispute
The decision authorizes a reduction of 10 per cent from last year’s
rates of wages for all crafts, and grants 6-2- legal holidays for which
the workers are paid
The so-called “ corporation” shops, where wages, hours, and con
ditions are below standard, are virtually elim inated by the provision
th a t members of the employers’ association who find it necessary to
have work done outside their own shops shall place such work in
union shops.
General principles for the division of work during the dull season
under the week-work system are provided.
The question of establishm ent of standards of production, which
has been one of the principal points a t issue since the introduction
of week work, was deferred until more extensive investigation could
be m ade; in the m eantim e “ there is concededly a satisfactory pro
ductivity on the p a rt of the workers in the shops.”
On May 23, two days after the announcem ent of the decision, the
Jo in t Council of New York of the U nited Cloth H a t and Cap Makers
of N orth America and the Cloth H a t and Cap M anufacturers’ Asso
ciation signed an agreement fixing certain other conditions of work
for the coming year. This agreement, which goes into effect im
m ediately and term inates on June 30, 1922, provides th a t either
p a rty m ay reopen proceedings for a reconsideration of questions of
wages, standards of production, m ethods and division of work, etc.,
on Novem ber 1 , 1921. The parties to this contract agree th a t there
shall be no strike or lockout during the continuance of the agree
m ent, and th a t any controversy shall be im m ediately referred to the
m anagers of the respective organizations. A controversy which fails
of adjustm ent in this m anner is referred to a com m ittee on adjust
m ent consisting of five members, two representing the association and
two representing the union, and a chairm an agreed upon by the
four and designated for the life of the agreement.
I t is agreed th a t only union labor shall be em ployed; th a t employees
shall give three days’ notice to employers before quitting; th a t no
worker shall be discharged w ithout sufficient cause nor w ithout trial,
withholding of production to be considered one cause for dismissal.
A 44-hour week is provided for, and paym ent a t the ra te of tim e
and a half for overtime. Wages are to be paid weekly and in cash.
O ther provisions in the agreement concern the m aking up of time
lost because of breakdown of m achinery through no fau lt of the em
ployer; the transfer of workers from one departm ent to another dur
ing the dull season; the introduction of m achinery, etc. There is a
stipulation th a t union agreements w ith other employers shall provide
wages and conditions of work in no wise less th an the term s of this
agreement.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[152]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
153
Rochester Clothing Workers.
In a decision rendered May 3, Dr. W. M. Leiserson, im partial chair
m an in the Rochester clothing industry, ruled th a t there should be
no general decrease in the wages of clothing workers in the Rochester
m arket, b u t th a t all week workers in the m arket be transferred to
piecework. As a result of this decision 55 per cent, or approxim ately
7,000 workers in this m arket, are p u t on a piecework basis.
The decision also provides for a reduction in operating cost of offpressing by classifying offpressers according to output.
Following are the conclusions reached by Dr. Leiserson from the
evidence subm itted, and his decision on this im portant case:
Conclusions fro m the evidence.
A careful consideration of all these facts leads inevitably to the conclusion that
labor costs must be reduced. But at the same time the facts also show that there is
little possibility of getting any worth-while amount of cost reduction by cuts in wages.
The wage levels in the Rochester clothing industry now are below the competitive
markets, even when the recent decrease in Chicago is included. Moreover, the union
having lent its_ efforts to stabilize wages in 1919, and having been denied an increase
in 1920 by arbitration, has a right to expect that the levels of wages it helped to es
tablish and maintain on a stable basis will not he forced down at the first sign of a
break in prices. In industries where labor relations are chaotic and unregulated,
except by strikes and lockouts or dictatorship by one side or the other, there may be
some cause for forcing wages down just as arbitrarily as they were forced up. But
neither justice nor sound industrial policy can justify holding wages to reasonable
levels by arbitration machinery in the interest of industrial stability on a rising market,
and then when the market falls not using the same machinery to safeguard the workers’
standards of living.
A glance at the tables of wages given above makes it evident that the wages of
clothing workers in Rochester can not be appreciably cut without denying to many
of them proper standards of living. Thirty-four dollars a week for men and $22.50
for women are not high wages that can stand much cutting and this is all the clothing
workers average when the weeks of unempioyent with no wages are taken into account.
The week workers, who make up more than half the total, average 20 to 25 per cent
less than the pieceworkers, and their wages could hardly stand any cutting at all,
yet the labor costs of their operations are considerably higher than the costs on the
piecework operations where the earnings are greater. To cut the latter, however,
would be most unwise, because it would tend to discredit the piecework system and
thereby to increase costs.
Nevertheless there is immediate need of decreasing labor costs, for at the present
high prices of clothing employers can get little business and the workers must suffer
a great amount of unemployment. If no other method of decreasing costs can be
found, wages will have to be reduced in order that more work may be provided. This
would be better than no cut at all with a great deal of unemployment, for lower wage
rates which increase the amount of business and employment might bring greater
annual earnings.
However, aside from some peaks of wages, especially among the underpressers,
where earnings are considerably higher than the level of the market and which may
be cut without inj ury to anyone, a better method of reducing cost is available than
cutting wages. I t is possible to transfer the week workers who are paid on a time
basis, and whose unit cost of production is much higher than that of the pieceworkers,
to a basis where they, too, would be paid according to production. This would
increase production and thus result in a saving in labor cost much greater than could
be secured in any other way.
The entire problem of wage readjustment at the present time arises out of the emer
gency created by the industrial depression from which the clothing industry is suffer
ing. Something must be done to lower costs and prices in order that the industry
may revive. The interests of all concerned require that more work be offered to the
employees and this can only be done now by a sacrifice of some kind. In an emergency
of this kind the chairman would have to reduce wages even though wages were com
paratively low. Similarly, the chairman is of the opinion that the same emergency
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[153]
154
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
justifies a change in the wage payment plan from a time basis to a production basis,
although if there were no emergency, such a change might not be justified. As an
alternative therefore to a cut in wages, the chairman is of the opinion that time work
ers may properly be changed to payment by the piece.
This change from a time basis to payment according to production is. in the mind
of the chairman, the most sound method of bringing industry out of the present
depression. What is needed is lower costs and prices and at the same time increasing
purchasing power of the people. By changing from week work to payment by the
piece, the earnings of the workers would actually be increased and at the same time
the unit cost of production, as experience has amply demonstrated, would be consid
erably reduced by increased output.
Decision.
In order to secure the substantial reduction in labor costs needed and in order a,t
the same time to avoid a general reduction in the wages of the workers, the following
decision is made:
1. Employers may require workers on any operation in the coat, pants, and vest
shops and all others included under the agreement except those hereafter mentioned,
to work on a basis of measured production which fixes the unit cost per piece in line
with the existing piece rates in the market.
2. Costs in the cutting rooms appear to be on a reasonable basis and there is no
reason for changing the existing systems of payment at the present time.
3. Oppressing also requires special treatment because of special conditions affect
ing this operation. Here some lowering of labor cost is necessary. The main reason
for the comparatively high costs at the present time seems to be that all the offpressers,
whether they have had 10 years’ experience or only 1 year, are held to the one standard
of production that is fixed for the scale. For the present the only practical method
of reducing costs on this operation is to classify the pressers according to output. _It
is therefore ordered that three classes of offpressers be created immediately, with
scales, respectively, of $41 $43, and $45. Any presser who is able to maintain the
same quality of work that is fixed by the standard for $41 and can press more coats
in proportion to justify the scales of $43 and $45, shall be paid these weekly scales.
Additional classes may be created later if necessary, and, of course, those who do
not produce the standards fixed are to be paid less in accordance with tiieir produc
tion, as is now the practice in the market.
4. All the wage data submitted show that the earnings of piecework underpressers
in coat, vest, and pant s shops are far above the level of the rest of the workers. Although
this is a comparatively unskilled operation, these men earn more than many of the
skilled workers. This creates a serious and unjust inequality as well as unjustifiably
high costs for this operation. Every shop, therefore, in which the average earnings
of the underpressing sections are more than 25 per cent above the scales fixed for
week workers on the same or similar sections, shall revise its piece rates to bring them
down to between 20 per cent and 25 per cent above the weekly scales.
5. The minimum wages of $16 for learners after the six weeks’ probationary period
will not be necessary if workers are to be paid on the basis of cost per piece instead of
on a time basis. This $16 minimum is therefore abolished, but the $15 minimum
must remain, as the changes in cost of living that have so far taken place, in the opin
ion of the chairman, do not yet permit a worker to maintain self-support on less than
this amount.
6. The decision is to he immediately effective.
Hated May 3, 1921.
Men’s Clothing Workers in New York.
An. agreement between the Clothing M anufacturers’ Association of
New York (Ine.) and the Am algam ated Clothing YvTorkers of America,
signed June 2, ended the six m onths “ lockout s trik e ” in th a t indus
try. The agreement, which will extend un til June 1 , 1922, provides
th at group standards of production will be determ ined in each shop
and for each operation, by representatives of the union and the
employers.
The agreement continues the 44-hour week and provides for a
reduction of 15 per cent in wages. Cutters are exempted from the
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 154 ]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
155
wage reduction, b u t a classification of cutting-room employees is
provided. The board of arbitration is reestablished, in which is
vested the adm inistration of the new agreement. The board is to
be composed of three members—one representative of the union, one
of the association, and the third jointly elected, and known as im par
tial chairman. Dr. William M. Leiserson, who acted as im partial
chairm an under the former contract, has been elected im partial
chairm an under the new agreement.
Ladies’ Garment Workers in New York.
A tem porary agreement governing labor relations between the
Cloak, Suit and Skirt M anufacturers’ Protective Association and the
International Ladies’ Garm ent W orkers’ Union until November 1,
1921, was signed on Ju n e 3. The agreement, which calls for no
change in wages and no change in hours of work per week, makes
provision for a commission charged w ith providing means for
bringing up production to a point fair and proper to both sides.”
A pproxim ately 54,000 workers are affected.
The agreement in full follows:
(1) Both sides are in accord that it is in the interest of the industry to readjust the
same in such a manner as to enable the manufacturers to sell their product at more
attractive prices, and they therefore agree to proceed at once to the organization of a
joint commission to be composed of three members of the association and three mem
bers of the unions, whose task it shall be:
(a) To study shop and labor production records and other available data with a
view to working out measures which would tend to bring up the productivity of the
workers to a point fair and proper to both sides.
(b) The commission shall report once a month, and on November 1, 1921, it shall
make a final report of its activities and findings before a joint committee of the repre
sentatives of the association and the union, and shall accompany such report with
complete and appropriate recommendations.
(2) Until November 1, 1921, the commission shall also act as a joint appeal com
mittee and shall pass upon all complaints on the part of the employers and discharged
workers presented to it by the unions or association, arising out of any controversy or
dispute about the adequacy of productivity. In determining any case the labor
records of the workers in the shop in question shall be taken as the basis for the com
mittee’s decisions. If such records will substantiate the contention of the employer,
the action of the employer shall be sustained by the committee.
(3) Both sides agree to enforce compliance with the decisions of the joint appeal
committee.
(4) All complaints shall first he taken up by the clerks of the unions and the asso
ciation for investigation and adjudication.
Printing Trades.
New York.
IM PORTANT decisions have been made recently affecting the
printing industry in New York. Two decisions, practically iden
tical, fix wages and hours in the New York printing trades. One
affected members of the closed-shop (P rinters’ League) branch of
the Association of Em ploying Printers of New York City and Press
m en’s Union No. 51, P aper C utters’ Union No. 119. The other affected
Printing Press Feeders and A ssistants Union No. 23, Job Pressm en and
Job Press Feeders Union No. 1, and the P aper H andlers’ Union No. 1.
The decision affecting press feeders is as follows:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[155]
156
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
* * * After a careful consideration of the facts of the cost of living, of the evi
dence on the economic conditions of the industry, and of the nature of the contracts,
the conclusion of the arbitrators is that the wages of the job pressmen should be set at
$38.50, of the press assistants at $37.50, of the job press feeders at $28, and of the paper
handlers at $33, effective April 1, 1921.
For members of the union this represents a decrease of approximately 12 per cent
of their present wages. It should be observed, however, that the purchasing power
of these wages is still somewhat greater than the purchasing power of the wages at the
beginning of the contract, January 1, 1920. Thus there will have been no lowering
of the standard of living as a result of this award from the standard determined by the
contract on January 1, 1920. Furthermore, the wages of the job pressmen as set by
this decision are 103 per cent higher than their 1914 scale, while the cost of living is
only 92.9 per cent higher than in 1914. The readjusted wages of the press assistants
are 121 per cent higher than the 1914 scale; those of the job press feeders are 133
per cent higher; and the paper handlers’ wages are 106 per cent higher.
To the employers the decision means a cut in the pay roll, as made up of the members
of these unions, of approximately 12 per cent, which ought to relieve somewhat the
pressure due to the present business depression on the printing industry, which is,
from the financial point of view, adversely affected by the agreement to introduce
the 44-hour week.
In concluding these opinions, the arbitrators wish to comment particularly on the
courtesy, fairness, and fine spirit displayed alike by both the representatives of the
unions and of the league, and on their genuine and successful attempts to put the
presentation of the cases on a high scientific standard. Such an attitude promises
well for the continued cooperation of capital and labor, so necessary if there is to be
progress toward a joint sharing of responsibility and rewards.
Following is the decision affecting pressm en:
* * * the arbitrators decide that the wages of the pressmen should be set at
$46 a week, of the paper cutters at $40, and of the sheet straighteners at $35 effective
April 1, 1921.
It may be observed in the case of the unions that there has been no cut in “ real ”
wages, and that the purchasing power of their wages is as great as it was on January
1, 1920, at the beginning of the contract; their standard of living indeed is a little
higher. It may also be observed that the wages of the cutters as set by this decision
are double what they were in 1914 while the cost of living is only 92.9 per cent
higher. The wages of the pressmen as a result of this award are 84 per cent higher
than they were in 1914 while the cost of living is 92.9 per cent nigher; there is,
therefore, only nine points difference between their wage increase and the increase
in the cost of living, while at the previous arbitration readjustment there was a
difference of 15 points, and at the beginning of the present contract the difference
was 20 points.
For the employers the reduction in wage costs ought to relieve somewhat the
pressure due to the present business depression, and make the introduction of the
44-hour week less burdensome financially.
Shipping.
Engineers.
Q N June 15 the U nited States Shipping Board and the National
Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association signed an agreement
by which the union is recognized and wages and working conditions
on Governm ent vessels are fixed until December 31, 1921.
A general order of the Shipping Board, issued a t the same time,
provides th a t “ all engineers and assistant engineers who have been
employed since May 1 to take the place of striking engineers shall be
retained in their positions so long as they are efficient and qualified
to discharge their duties. No m an now employed on any Shipping
Board vessel shall be discharged to m ake room for the engineers who
have left their ships because of the recent marine labor controversy.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[156]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
157
The complete draft of the agreement governing employment of
engineers for trans-A tlantic, trans-Pacific, A tlantic, Pacific, and Gulf
Coast service follows:
Vessels are to be classed according to their “ power-tonnage,” rep
resented by gross tonnage plus indicated horsepower as given in the
“ L ist of M erchant Vessels of the U nited S tates,” as compiled by the
Commissioner of Navigation, or in other recognized m aritim e lists.
W orking R u les
and
Wa g e s .
Agreed on in comm ittee conference between the representatives of
the United States Shipping Board and National Marine Engineers’
Beneficial Association.
Class.
Single screw.
A....................................
B ........................................
C.................................................
D ................................................
E ....................................
Ovpr 20 001
12,001 to 20,000 ..
7,501 to 12.000....
5 001 tr> 7 500
_____
Twin screw.
Over 15,001.
9,001 to 15,000.
5.501 to 9,000.
3.501 to 5,500.
Below 3,501.
Engineers’ Wages.
Class.
Chief engineer...........................
First assistant engineer................
Second assistant engineer............
Third assistant engineer.............
Fourth assistant engineer.........
Junior engineer..................
A
B
C
D
$330
205
180
160
140
115
$295
200
175
155
135
$285
195
170
150
$270
190
165
145
E
$260
185
160
140
---------------------------__----------------------W o r k in g R u le s .
R u l e 1. Watch a n d w a tc h to b e m a in ta in e d on sa ilin g d a y or a t a n y o u ts id e p ort
or ports of c a ll. N o en g in eer sh a ll b e req u ired or p e r m itte d to ta k e charge of a w a tc h
u p o n le a v in g or im m e d ia te ly after le a v in g p ort, u n less h e sh a ll h a v e h a d a t le a s t 6
hou rs o il d u t y W ithin th e 12 hours im m e d ia te ly p re ce d in g tim e of sailin°-.
R u l e 2. A w o rk in g d a y a t a n y port w h ere w a tch es are b rok en sh a ll b e from 8 a m
to 5 p . m ., d u rin g w h ic h tim e one hour sh a ll b e a llo w ed for d in n er.
Note: In tropical or other ports where conditions make it desirable to make special
arrangements about working hours on account of climatic conditions, a special ar
rangement may be made which is mutually satisfactory to meet the situation.
R u l e 3. W hen a sh ip arrives in h om e p ort th e en g in e er sta n d in g th e n ig h t w a tc h
sh a ll h a v e th e n e x t d a y off.
Note For th e pu rp o se oi th ese ru les a “ h om e p o r t ” sh a ll b e con sid ered th e port
a t w h ic h sh ip p in g a rticles are o p en ed or th e port a t w h ic h crew is p a id off u p o n co m
p le tio n of th e vo y a g e.
R u l e 4. If the chief or assistant engineer is required to stay on board in any port
on Sundays or on New A ear’s Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christ
mas I ay, he shall have one full day off with pay, or be paid one day’s additional
pay, but this shall not apply to a vessel sailing on or ready to proceed on her voyage.
I t is th e in te n tio n of th is ru le th a t no w ork sh a ll b e perform ed b y th e en g in eers
e x c e p t th a t w h ic h is n ecessa ry for th e sa fe ty of th e v e sse l, boilers, or m a c h in e ry .
54039°—21-
-11
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 5 7 ]
158
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
R u l e 5. I n a ll ports of call and foreign ports, one engineer shall be required to
stay aboard at night. Engineers shall alternate and shall receive no extra compen
sation for this ‘work.
It is the intention of tins rule that no night work shall be performed by the engi
neers except for the safety of the vessel, boilers, or machinery.
R u l e 6. N o o v e rtim e sh a ll b e p erform ed a t sea e x c e p t for th e sa fety of th e v e sse l.
The following work shall be considered necessary for the safety of the vessel:
All repairs to main engines and boilers in service, feed pumps, ballast pump, fire
pump, general service pump, circulating pumps (main or auxiliary), air pumps
(main or auxiliary), sanitary pumps, fresh water pumps, ice machines, dynamos, fuel
pumps, evaporator feed pumps, ash hoists, telemotor, steering engine and gear, fuel
transfer pumps, feed heaters, fuel heaters, condensors (main or auxiliary), evapo
rators, steam and exhaust lines, ballast and bilge lines, fresh water,_sanitary and
fire lines in engine room and fire room, anchor or windlass capstans, toilets and sani
tary fittings, provided same become disabled after the commencement of the
voyage.
The following work shall not be considered necessary for the safety of the vessel:
All repairs to jacking or turning engine, deck machinery or piping, galley and fit
tings, ventilators, building racks for grate-bars, storerooms, rearranging store rooms,^
and all boiler work, not necessary for the propulsion of the ship. Rearranging of
pipes, and machinery, etc., provided, however, that on each passage the engineers
may be required to take indicator diagrams from main engines.
R u l e 7. A working day in port in excess of eight hours shall not be performed or
paid for unless the work is done by written order of the chief engineer, master, owner,
or agent of the vessel. An entry shall be made in the engine-room log book every
time an assistant engineer is required to perform overtime service, covering kind of
work, reason for same, and time started and finished. Authorized overtime to be
paid at the pro-rata rate.
R u l e 8. No engineer shall lie laid off Sundays or holidays, but, at the option of the
chief engineer, the assistants shall be granted shore liberty with pay.
R u l e 9. When in port and board is not furnished, $3 per day shall be allowed for
subsistence and $2.50 per day shall be allowed for lodging when no room is provided.
R u l e 10. Final discharge of engineers to be at port of signing on ship’s articles,
except when impracticable or through no fault of his own, or in case of sale or abandon
ment of vessel by owner at other port, in which event members are to be reimbursed
for all time and travel expenses incurred incident to return to port at wdiich articles
were signed.
In the event any question arises concerning the discharge of any engineer, he shall
have the right of appeal to the home-port engineer before final decision is rendered.
R u l e 11. This agreement to terminate December 31, 1921.
Radio Telegraphers.
An agreement between the U nited States Shipping Board and the
N ational U nited Radio Telegraphers Association, effective June 16,
1921, and to continue in effect until December 31, 1921, fixes the
following wage scale and working conditions for chief radio operators
and assistant radio operators:
P er m o n th .
Chief operators..........................................................................................
Assistant operators............................................._......... _................................
On ships carrying one operator he shall receive chief operator’s salary.
$107
85
W o r k in g R u l e s .
1. Radio men aboard ship shall receive the same consideration, accommodations,
and general treatment as is afforded officers of the ship.
2. When in port and board is not furnished, $3 per day shall be allowed for sub
sistence; $1 per dav shall be allowed for lodging when no room is provided.
3. Radio operators shall handle ail moneys taken in for the transmission of messages
in accordance with Shipping Board instructions.
4. Final discharge of radio operators to be in accordance with articles signed at
commencement of voyage, except when discharged on account of misconduct.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 5 8 ]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
159
Fishing.
Alaska Fishermen.
T 'H E Alaska Salmon Packing Co. and the Alaska Fisherm en’s Union
I have reached an agreement for the coming season of 1921.1 The
agreem ent provides for a 48-hour week and limits a day’s work to
I I hours out of the 24. Excess compensation of $0.75 per hour is
provided for overtime.
Gill-net fishermen are to receive, in addition to their regular wages
of $150 for the run and all other moneys earned under the agreement,
$0.20 for each king salmon,
cents for each red or coho salmon, 14
cents for each dog or chum salmon, and three-fourths cent for each
pink salmon caught and delivered to the company.
Beachrnen and trapm en are to receive, in addition to $150 for the
run and all other earnings provided for in the agreement, comnensation equal to the average am ount paid for salmon to all gill-net
fishermen a t the same station.
O ther men are to receive the compensation “ set opposite their
respective names on the articles,” b u t a m an w ith a fam ily dependent
upon him shall be allowed no less than $75 per m onth, payable on
the 1st of the m onth.
All money earned is to be payable in San Francisco after the return
of the expedition, except the sum of $10, which is to be paid to each
m an signing the agreement, on the homeward voyage.
Compensation is fixed for men hired in Alaska and for those re
maining in Alaska after the regular season.
Specific provisions are m ade for equipm ent of fishing b o a ts; m ain
tenance for time detained a t port of shipping; discharges; transfer of
men to other canneries; repair work; compensation for fishermen
required to work on shore; fines for failure to lay out nets, w eather
perm itting; medical and surgical attendance, etc.
Boot and Shoe Workers.
Rochester, N. Y.
Rochester Boot and Shoe M anufacturers’ Association and
me United Shoe W orkers of America, representing approxim ately
4,000 workers in the local factories, reached an agreem ent on May l i .
No change is to be made in the wage schedules, either week or piece
work, during the present season, b u t provision is made for a re
opening of the wage question in August, 1921, if either side so desires.
Provision is made for the retention of the shop com m ittee system
by which m inor disputes are now adjusted, and for a wage arbitration
board to be chosen when the wage question is again discussed. The
wage board is to be composed of five members, three of whom are to
be neutral and the other two representatives of the respective sides.
The agreem ent also calls for the appointm ent of a m ediator to be
selected by the parties to the agreement. He is given the power to
interpret the agreement and to decide any and all differences arising
under the contract th a t can not be settled between the secretary of
the m anufacturers and the business agent of the union. Fie is not
empowered to revise existing wage schedules.
1Seam an’s Jo u rn al, M ay 4,1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[159]
160
M O NTH LY LABOE EE VIEW.
Collective Wage Agreements in Italy.
S A consequence of the rapid growth of organization of labor in
Ita ly collective bargaining seems to have become the universal
m ethod in th a t country for fixing wage and working conditions.
The Bollettino del Lavoro, the official organ of the Italian M inistry
of Labor, used to publish every m onth the full te x t of the latest more
im portant agreements. Of late, however, such agreements have
become so num erous th a t the Bollettino del Lavoro has discontinued
this practice. In its issue of February, 1921, it m erely reports in
table form the principal provisions of collective agreements. Even
these tables cover so much space (nearly 40 pages) th a t they can not
be reproduced here. The agreements tabulated relate to agriculture,
m ining, woodworking, foodstuff industries, hide and leather, paper,
button, notions, precious m etals industries, stonecutting, building
trades, textile industries (silk and wool), chemical industries, printing
trades, and commercial establishm ents. Wages and working con
ditions are regulated in these agreements as follows:
W a g e s .—All the agreements tabulated, m ost of which became
effective during the last m onths of 1920 or during the first m onths of
1921, provide for substantial increases either in wage rates or costof-living bonuses or in both. This fact makes it evident th a t the
steady upward m ovem ent of wages which began in 1915 has n o t yet
come to a halt. -The wage rates shown in the tables vary greatly
from industry to industry and w ithin the same industry from locality
to locality. Agreements m aking provision for the paym ent of a
cost-of-living bonus generally contain a clause subjecting the rate of
the bonus to quarterly revision in accordance w ith the rise or fall of
the cost-of-living index computed by a specified municipal statistical
office.
H o u r s o f la b o r .—A lthough the eight-hour day has no t yet been es
tablished by law in Italy , it is apparent th a t Italian employers have
accepted the principle th a t eight hours represent a norm al day’s work,
for all collective agreements recently concluded, w ith the exception
of those relating to m ining (7 | hours for work below ground), build
ing trades (7^ hours during December), and newspaper printing
establishm ents (linotype operators, day shift, 6 hours, night shift, 5
hours; hand compositors, pressmen, press feeders, day shift, 7 hours;
night shift, 6 hours; stereo typers, day shift, 6J hours, night shift, 51hours) , provide for an 8-hour day or a 48-hour week.
O v e r tim e .—Nearly all collective agreements contain a clause making
it obligatory for workers to work overtime in cases of pressure of
work or emergency. A lim it is, however, generally fixed as to the
num ber of hours overtime th a t m ay be worked per day, week, m onth,
or year. E x tra pay for overtim e varies between 25 and 100 per cent.
As a rule, the first hour or the first two hours of overtim e are com
pensated a t a lower rate than subsequent hours. Work on Sundays
and holidays is also considered overtime work and extra compensa
tion is provided for such work.
P ie c e w o r k .—In an agreem ent covering the woodworking indus
tries workers employed a t piecework are guaranteed 20 per cent above
the m inim um wages. In agreements covering the gilding and var
nishing trade and the photo-engraving trade piecework is prohibited.
A
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[160]
WAGE AGREEMENTS.
161
V a c a tio n s — Nearly all agreements allow to m anual workers short
annual vacations (one to two weeks). In some instances these vaca
tions are granted w ith pay, in others w ithout pay. The right to an
annual vacation is generally conditioned on em ploym ent for a t least
one year in the same establishm ent.
U n ju s tifie d absence f r o m w o rk . —Quite a num ber of agreements
provide a fine for unjustified absence from work. The rates of these
fines vary between 25 and 50 per cent of the product of the hours of
absence and the hourly wage rate.
A b se n c e o w in g to sic k n e ss or m ilita r y service. —In m any agreements
is to be found a clause which assures to workers who are forced to
absent themselves owing to sickness or call for m ilitary reserve d ty,/'
reinstatem ent and preservation of seniority. Absence w ithout pay
is also generally allowed for the performance of civic duties, a tte n d
ance on arbitration boards, etc.
R e te n tio n o f p a y . —A num ber of agreements provide th a t six d ay s’,
pay m ay be w ithheld from the worker as a guaran ty for his com
pliance w ith the duties assumed in the labor contract.
S tr ik e s a n d lo cko u ts. —Nearly all agreements contain a clause p ro -’
hibiting strikes, partial interruption of work, or lockouts while con-‘
ciliation proceedings are going on, and provide for forfeiture of pay,
w ithheld in case of contravention of this prohibition.
E n g a g e m e n t o f w o rk e rs. —The m ajority of the agreements m ake it '
obligatory for the employer to hire his help through equipartisan
em ploym ent offices. A few stipulate th a t organized labor m ust be
engaged through a trade-union labor exchange. A clause generally
encountered provides th a t a newly engaged worker m ust undergo
two weeks’ trial service before being definitely engaged and assigned
to a wage class. In certain industry groups the engagem ent of a 1
worker is m ade dependent upon his passing a medical exam ination
and subm itting his birth and citizenship certificate.
D isch a rg e . —I t is generally provided th a t discharge- m ust be pre
ceded by one or two weeks’ notice. Discharge w ithout notice is to
take place only in case of serious insubordination, th eft of m aterial,
damage to m aterials or plant, etc.
S u s p e n s io n o f w o rk w ith o u t f a u l t o f the w o rk e r. —In quite a num ber
of agreements is found a clause allowing to workers full or p a rt pay
for interruptions in work caused by force m ajeure, lack of m aterials ’
or power, breakdown of m achinery, etc.
S e ttle m e n t o f d is p u te s . —Submission of labor disputes to local, pro
vincial, or national equipartisan conciliation and arbitration boards
is provided for in practically all collective agreements.
i
W orks c o u n c ih a n d w o rk e rs ’ c o m m ittee s. —Works councils (c o m m is s io n i in te rn e ) which are to represent the workers before the employer
in all m atters relating to the labor contract and settle disputes
between workers are provided for in a num ber of agreements. I t is
generally specified th a t the members of these councils or committees
shall be elected by all the adult workers (over 18 years of age) and
th a t their term of office shall be one year.
C o m p e n sa tio n i n case o f sic k n e s s or a c c id e n t. —A few agreements
m ake it obligatory for the employer to pay p a rt or full wages for a
specified period to workers who are sick or have been disabled by an
accident. O ther agreements provide th a t all fines shall go into a
workers’ benefit fund.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[161]
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D U N E M PLO Y M E N T .
Employment in Selected Industries in May, 1921.
H E Bureau of Labor Statistics received and tabulated reports
concerning the volume of em ploym ent in May, 1921, from
representative establishm ents m Î3 m anufacturing industries
and in bitum inous coal mining.
Comparing the figures of May, 1921, w ith those for identical estab
lishm ents for May, 1920, it appears th a t in 13 industries there were
decreases in the num ber of persons employed. The one industry
reporting an increase in the num ber of persons employed was cigar
m anufacturing, which shows an increase of 0.3 per cent over May,
1920. The largest decrease reported, 41 per cent, appears in car
building and repairing. Leather, paper, and automobiles show
respective decreases of 35 per cent, 34.4 per cent, and 34 per cent.
All of the 14 industries show a decrease in the to ta l am ount of the
pay roll for May, 1921, as compared w ith May, 1920. The m ost im
po rtan t percentage decrease is 56.1, which appears in iron and steel.
P aper m aking shows a decrease of 48.3 per cent, and leather a de
crease of 45 per cent.
T
C O M PA R ISO N O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN MAY, 1920 A N D 1921.
N um ber on p ay roll.
In d u stry .
Iron a n d steel.........................
A utom obile m anufacturing
Car b u ild in g a n d renairingCotton m an ufacturing..........
Cotton finishing.....................
H osiery a n d u n d e rw e ar___
W oolen....................................
S ilk ...........................................
M en's ready-m ade clothing.
L eather m anufacturing........
B oots a n d shoos.....................
P aper m ak in g .........................
Cigar m an u factu rin g ............
Coal m ining (b itu m in o u s)..
E sta b
lish
m ents
rep o rt Period of
ing for p a y roll.
May,
b o th
years.
Ill
44
60
60
17
60
51
47
43
35
85
57
56
105
i m o n th .
1 w eek . .
4 m onth.
i w eek . .
.. .d o .......
. .. d o .......
.. .d o.......
2 w eeks.
1 w eek . .
...d o .....
. ..d o .......
__do........
. ..dO.......
4 m o n th .
A m ount of p ay roll.
May,
1921.
Per
cen t of
increase
( + ) or May, 1920.
decrease
(-)•
166,296 111,123
128,982 85.159
69.577 41,038
48,875 48,348
12,497 12.423
31,512 23,502
48,339 46,465
20;645 18,957
35,298 25,695
17,307 11,247
69,873 56,788
32,574 21,366
16,563 1O', 608
26,325 22,252
-3 3 .2 $12,341,536
-3 4 ,0
4,471,040
-4 1 .0
4,371,966
- 1. i
1,044,267
- .6
295,750
649,394
-2 5 .4
-3.9
1,261,927
- 8.2
995,505
-2 7 .2
1,260,437
-3 5 .0
465,138
-1 8 .7
1,751,473
—34.4
976,203
369;542
+ .3
-1 5 .5
1,712,981
May,
1920.
Per
cent of
increase
May, 1921. ( + ) or
de
crease
(-).
$5,419,262
2,874,032
2,667,698
822,848
273,334
387,978
1,097,338
856,269
757,166
255,816
1,286,063
501,387
321,397
1,296,938
—56.1
—35.7
-3 9 .0
-2 1 .2
- 7.6
-4 0 .3
-1 3 .0
-1 4 .0
-3 9 .9
-4 5 .0
-2 6 . 6
—48.3
-1 3 .0
-2 4 .3
Comparative data for May, 1921, and April, 1921, appear in the
following table. The figures show th a t in 9 industries there was an
increase in the num ber of persons on the pay roll in May, as compared
w ith April, and in 5 a decrease. The largest increases reported are
6.8 per cent in hosiery and underw ear; 5.9 per cent in leather, and
5.7 per cent in woolen. P aper m aking shows the m ost im portant
162
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1G2]
163
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT.
percentage decrease— 12.5; while in m en’s ready-m ade clothing and
car building and repairing, respective decreases of 4.1 per cent and 3.4
per cent appear.
In comparing May, 1921, and April, 1921, 10 industries show an
increase in the am ount of money paid to employees and 4 show a
decrease. The m ost im portant increases are 9.6 per cent in auto
mobiles, 7.7 per cent in woolen, and 6.7 per cent in hosiery and under
wear. A decrease of 17.3 per cent appears in paper m aking, and one
of 14.6 per cent in m en’s ready-m ade clothing.
C O M PA R ISO N O P E M P L O Y M E N T IN ID E N T IC A L E S T A B L IS H M E N T S IN A P R IL A N D MAY
1921.
N um ber on p ay roll.
A m ount of p a y roll.
E stablishm ents
Per
Per
rep o rt Period of
cent of
cent of
ing lor p ay roll.
increase
increase
A
pril,
Mav,
A pril
1921.
1921. ( + ) or A pril, 1921. M ay, 1921. ( + ) or
and
de
deMay.
crease
crease
(-)•
(-).
In d u stry .
Iron an d ste e l.........................
A utom obile m anufacturing
Car bu ild in g a n d re p a irin g .
C otton m anufacturing..........
Cotton finishing.....................
H osiery an d u n d erw ear. . . .
W oolen....................................
S ilk ...........................................
M en’s ready-m ade clothing.
L eath er m anufacturing.......
Boots an d shoes.....................
P aper m ak in g........................
Cisrar m an u factu rin g ............
Coal m ining (b itu m in o u s)..
115
46
62
58
17
65
51
47
45
37
86
59
58
97
£ m onth.
i w eek . .
| m onth.
1 w eek ..
. .. d o .......
. .. d o .......
. ..d o .......
2 w eek s.
1 w eek ..
...d o .......
. ..d o .......
.. .do.......
.. .d o .......
i m o n th
112,713 111,101
83,556 87,266
45,554 44,027
46,590 47,532
11,986 12,423
24,642 28,316
43,978 46,465
18,564 18,957
27,226 26,098
11,330 12,000
55,430 57,432
24,630 21,555
16,612 16,873
22,815 22,459
- 1.4
+ 4.4
- 3.4
+ 2.0
+ 3.6
+ 6. 8
+ 5.7
+ 2.1
- 4.1
+ 5.9
+ 3.6
-1 2 .5
+ 1.6
-1.6
85,743,075
2,665,106
3,059,184
789,374
267,574
407,502
1,018,957
840,345
898, 620
260, 828
1,285,392
613,244
309,401
1,291,253
85,434,846
2,921,215
2,889,152
812,447
273,334
434;879
1,097,338
856,269
767;656
271,777
1,300,316
506,943
325,495
1,308,255
- 5.4
+ 9.6
- 5.6
+ 2.9
+ 2.2
+ 6.7
+ 7.7
+ 1.9
-1 4 .6
+ 4.2
+ 1.2
-1 7 .3
+ 5.2
+ 1.3
In addition to the data presented in the above tables as to the
num ber of employees on the pay roll, 86 plants in the iron and steel
industry reported 77,000 employees as actually working on the last
full day of the pay period reported for May, 1921, as against 121,381
for the reported pay-roll period in May, 1920, a decrease of 36.6 per
cent. Figures given for 83 establishm ents in the iron and steel
industry show th a t 77,138 were actually working on the last full day
of the pay period reported for May, 1921, as against 77,645 for the
period in April, 1921, a decrease of Ô.7 per cent.
Changes in Wage Rates and Per Capita Earnings.
FAURING the period April 15 to May 15 there were wage changes
^ m ade by establishm ents in 11 of the 14 industries.
Iron and steel : The entire force of three establishm ents had respec
tive wage rate decreases of 25 per cent, 18 per cent, and 16§ per cent.
In one concern practically all laborers were reduced 17|- per cent in
wages, while a 10 per cent reduction was m ade to those engaged in
other occupations. T hirty per cent of the m en in one p lan t were
reduced 15 per cent, 95 per cent of the men in a second p lan t were
reduced approxim ately 14 per cent, while in a third plan t 40 per cent
of the m en were reduced 12^ per cent. Four plants reported a de
crease of 10 per cent, affecting the entire force in two plants, 75 per
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 6 3 ]
164
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
cent of the force in the third plant, and 50 per cent of the force in the
fourth plant. A reduction of 8.9 per cent was m ade to 42 per cent of
the employees in one concern. A decrease of 8 per cent was reported
by two mills, affecting 42 per cent of the force in the first mill and 40
per cent of the force in the second mill. The entire force of another
mill was reduced
per cent in wages. In one establishm ent wages
in the h o t mill departm ent were reduced 7 per cent. Less time
was reported for this industry, due to irregular operations. The per
capita earnings for May show a decrease of 4 per cent when com
pared w ith April.
.
Automobiles: In this industry m arket conditions have improved
since April, and the per capita earnings show an increase of 4.9 per
cent, when comparing April and May figures.
Car building and repairing: All hourly men in one shop had wage
rate decreases ranging from 15 to 20 per cent. A reduction in force
was reported by several shops, and the am ount of time worked
throughout the industry as a whole was less than during the pre
ceding m onth. The per capita earnings show a decrease of 2.3 per
cent when April and May figures are compared.
Cotton m anufacturing: All employees in one establishm ent were
reduced 14 per cent in wages. W hen per capita earnings for May are
compared w ith those for April an increase of 0.9 per cent appears.
Cotton finishing: There were no wage rate changes reported for this
industry during the period in May. The per capita earnings show a
decrease of 1.4 per cent when comparing April and May figures.
Hosiery and underw ear: A decrease of about 30 per cent to 90
per cent of the force was reported by one establishm ent. All em
ployees in two mills were reduced 25 per cent in wages, while the
entire force in another mill was reduced about 19 per cenh N inety
per cent of the men in one concern were cut 11 per cent in wages.
The increase in the total am ount of pay rolls is due to more tim e being
worked during the May pay roll period, b u t the per capita earnings
show a slight decrease of 0.1 per cent.
Woolen: Increased production was reported for this industry.
W hen comparing per capita earnings for May w ith those for April an
increase of 1.9 per cent is shown.
Silk: An increase of 4 per cent, affecting 1 per cent of the employ
ees, was reported by one mill. Business conditions rem ained much
the same during May as in the preceding m onth. The per capita
earnings in May were 0.2 per cent less than in April.
Men’s ready-m ade clothing: The entire force of one plant was
reduced approxim ately 10 per cent in wages. Three establishments
reported a wage rate decrease of 8 per cent, affecting 90 per cent of
the men in the first establishm ent and 80 per cent in the second
establishm ent. The num ber affected in the third establishm ent was
n o t stated. In one concern 10 per cent of the employees were cut
8 per cent in wages, while 5 per cent of the employees were reduced
5 per cent. Owing to a depression in em ploym ent in consequence of
a seasonal decline in trade, the per capita earnings for May are 10.9
per cent less than for April.
Leather: An increase of 5 per cent was granted to 10 per cent of the
force in one tannery. A nother establishm ent gave a 2 per cent
increase to 6 per cent of the employees. A 20 per cent decrease,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[164]
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT.
165
affecting the entire force, was reported by one concern. Practically
all employees in one establishm ent were reduced 16§ per cent in
wages. All employees in one plant were reduced approxim ately 9
per cent in wages; while 75 per cent of the employees in another p lan t
were reduced 10 per cent. A decrease of 50 cents per day was m ade
to the entire force in one tannery. The per'cap ita earnings for May
show a decrease of 1.6 per cent when compared w ith the per capita
earnings for April.
Boots and shoes: A general decrease of 20 per cent was reported by
four factories. Decreases ranging from 5 to 10 per cent were m ade to
all employees in one establishm ent. The entire force in another
establishm ent was cut 8§ per cent in wages. The per capita earnings
are 2.4 per cent less for May than for April.
Paper m aking: All employees in one mill were reduced 19 per cent
in wages. A general wage rate decrease of 15 per cent was reported
by one establishm ent. Decreases ranging from
to 20 per cent
were m ade to all employees in one concern. The entire force of
another concern received decreases ranging from 10 to 15 per cent.
A decrease of approxim ately 10 per cent was m ade by three plants,
affecting the entire force in the first plant, 90 per cent of the force in
the second plant, and 85 per cent of the force in the third plant.
Owing to wage rate reductions and labor trouble in several mills the
per capita earnings have decreased 5.5 per cent since last m onth.
Cigars: A wage rate reduction of 12 per cent was m ade to 85 per
cent of the force in one establishm ent. Comparing May w ith April,
an increase of 3.5 per cent in per capita earnings is shown.
Bitum inous coal: All employees in one mine were reduced 30 per
cent in wages. Three mines reported a decrease of 20 per cent,
affecting 53 per cent of the men m the first mine, 42 per cent of the
men in the second mine, and 39 per cent of the m en in the third mine.
Although m any mines are working p a rt time, the per capita earnings
for May show an increase of 2.9 per cent over per capita earnings for
April.
irregular Employment in the Building industry.
H E housing situation has directed attention to the building
industry generally, and one result of the consideration given
it has been a greater appreciation of the p a rt which unemploy
m ent plays in increasing costs and creating wastes. The m atter
has been taken up in several different quarters of late. Secretary
Hoover, in an address before the American In stitu te of Architects,
May 12, 1921, emphasized the situation.
T
One phase that requires exhaustive study is the intermittent operation of the
industry. In my view it is the definite point where the greatest waste finds its roots
and is the largest element of high costs affecting both labor and material. I believe
that any study will show that the average employment of labor in these industries
is not over 65 per cent of their possible time. One of the reasons for the constant
drive for higher hourly wages is to maintain an adequate annual income and to offset
the loss due to intermittent occupation.1
The Senate Committee on R econstruction and Production ap
proached the question from another angle, being concerned over
1 Commerce R ep o rts, M ay 13,1921; No. 111.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[165]
166
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
the failure of the industry to a ttra c t capable men who are willing to
train themselves or to be trained into skilled, efficient workers.
The supply of such men in the building industry, according to its
report, is decreasing, and one of the causes is the irregularity of em
ploym ent which they m ust face.
In addition, however, it does appear that the building trades have exceptional
problems. Chief among these is the irregularity of the building industry. This
particularly affects the outside trades, such as bricklayers and roofers, but it affects
in animportant degree the whole industry. In certain of the trades 200 days, and even
175 days, of work per year is regarded as a normal average; but during the past several
years this normal average has been materially reduced through governmental inter
ferences and transportation difficulties. This loss of time seriously affects the worker 7s
earnings. Every worker is naturally interested primarily in his annual income,
not in his daily rate when working. Thus, the relatively high daily earnings offered
in the building trades may actually produce a smaller annual income than a lower
daily rate in factory and office work.2
I t is difficult to form an estim ate of the tim e lost b y the -workman
through irregular employment, b u t several attem pts to do so have
been made. Deducting Sundays and the seven national holidays of
the U nited States, there are 306 possible working days. Applying
to this num ber Secretary H oover’s estim ate of 65 per cent gives
about 200 days a year as the time worked. A t a recent conference
of the building industries in Canada, noted elsewhere in this issue,'5
the estim ate was p u t forward, and n o t contradicted, th a t a good
worker who “ h u stle d ” m ight get 42 weeks of employment during
the year, which, on a six-day basis, would be 252 days. In a recent
program subm itted by the Associated Building Trades to the Trades
Relation and Policies Committee of the B uilders’ Exchange in
Philadelphia,4 it is declared th a t “ m ost building trades lose from
75 to 100 working days a y e a r.” which would give a working year
of something over 200 days. The Iow a State Federation of Labor
has recently conducted a survey of the building trades in Cedar
Rapids, which included a study of the time actually worked in 1920
by 1,500 building trade employees. The average of time worked
a t their own trades was eight m onths, the range being from five
m onths for hoisting engineers to 11 m onths for sheet-m etal workers.5
The estim ated average time, therefore, of employment on which a
building worker m ay count ranges from 175 to 252 days, varying
according to the trade under consideration and the source of the
estim ate. Some confirmation of these estim ates is perhaps to be
found in the records of the days worked by 20 slate and tile roofers
in Philadelphia, as given in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w for May,
1921, page 110. For these the average num ber of days worked was
1751, and the range was from 100 to 259 days, the only ones having
as m uch as 250 days of employment being foremen, whose work
naturally is steadier th an th a t of the average workman.
Although weather conditions wore prim arily responsible for this
irregularity of employment, it is generally agreed th a t they are far
from being the only causes. Secretary Hoover gives three general
groups o f causes: (1) Seasonal and weather interruptions; (2)
strikes and jurisdictional quarrels; (3) inability of transportation to
2 66th Cong., 3d sess.; Senate R ep o rt No. 829, W ashington, 1921, p . 47.
3 S e e p . 181.
4 Q uoted in A m erican C ontractor, Ju n e 4,1921, p. 39.
5 Econom ic Survey as A pplying to th e B uilding Trades In d u s try in Cedar R apids, Iow a, p . 7.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
L166]
EM PLOY M ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT.
167
m eet the peak load. A Philadelphia architect adm its the im
portance of weather conditions, b u t adds a num ber of other factors.
_Some others are the lack of coordination of structural facilities and lack of coopera
tion between all those engaged in building. These causes are largely due to archaic
methods, poor management and scheduling of work, materials not'being available
when needed, lost time in waiting from either cause, men looking for work while
employers are looking for men, sympathetic strikes, and others.6
Other causes assigned by various speakers and writers are the
custom in regard to letting houses and apartm ents a t a certain
time of year, which brings a great demand for repair work all at
once; bad m anagem ent on the p a rt of the employer which leads to
intervals of idleness between jobs; and especially the lack of any
definite attem p t to make work continuous by taking small jobs to
till in the intervals between larger contracts, arranging as much
outdoor work for the good weather and as much indoor work for the
bad as possible, and so on.
The fact th a t the industry demands at its peak period so m any
more workers th an it can employ continuously leads to a waste of
industrial power, since all these extra workers are inevitably idle
for some considerable p a rt of the time. I t increases the cost of
building, since during the period of employment wages m ust be
higher than would be necessary if the force were reduced and all
were sure of fairly continuous employment. Moreover, the effort
to secure wages sufficiently high to m eet a y e a r’s expenses w ith from
six to ten m o n th ’s work is a fruitful cause of the labor troubles
which tie up construction and cost both the industry and the com
m unity heavily. ^B ut these wastes are not confined to the building
industry alone; Secretary Hoover points out th a t they extend to
the various industries which supply building m aterials.
Our equipment capacity for production of building materials is probably 30 per
cent higher than is necessary for it, if we could secure nearly an average demand.
For instance, our lumber mills have a capacity of above 50 to 60 billion board feet,
yet the annual production is but from 32 to 40 billion board feet. The annual capacity
of our cement mills is above 130 million barrels, but the annual production runs from
70_to 100 million barrels. The annual capacity of our brick plants is about 8 billion
bricks; the annual production is from 3J to 7 billion. There are periods when the
production of many building materials is actually suspended, just as i s labor suspended
on construction work.
Various m ethods of reducing or eliminating these wastes are sug
gested. Secretary Hoover suggests local com m unity action to estab
lish a definite repair season out of conflict w ith the season of now build
ing, local adjustm ent boards to settle general labor troubles w ithout
resort to strikes, and action by organized labor to prevent strikes
over jurisdictional disputes. A t the Canadian conference the sug
gestion was brought forward th a t the Governm ent m ight a ttem p t to
have its building work done out of season, thereby releasing men for
general work during the peak period and giving them employment
when the private employer is out of the m arket. The Senate Com
m ittee on Reconstruction and Production dwells on the hindrances to
building caused during 1920 by the transportation difficulties, and
by the high price and alleged scarcity of coal, w ith the consequent
irregularity in the supply of m aterials, and urges steps to prevent a
6
U nem ploym ent as one H old-back in th e B uilding In d u stry ; K
Dnickerbocker
.
B oyd in B ulletin of the
M aster B uild ers’ E xchange, Philadelphia, A pril, 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[167]
168
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
recurrence of such interferences. From another source comes the
suggestion of a central group or bureau which should devote itself to
the definite attem p t to regularize employment.
The group referred to should act as a central bureau through which,
voluntarily, all construction programs should be cleared, including
national, state, municipal and private work in this territory. Sugges
tions could be made for coordination of activities, allocation of m ate
rials, and reduction of estim ating costs. Local production could be
encouraged, rail hauls shortened, traffic congestion lessened, a con
sta n t labor survey could be m aintained to the advantage of employer
as well as employee, good m anagem ent promoted, efficiency encour
aged, apprentices attracted to the trades, educated and properly
trained, and increased production would result all round.7
Another proposal is made by an industrial engineer of Boston, who
draws a comparison between employment conditions existing in .the
building trades and those which form erly were practically universal
in the clothing trades. These also, h.e points out, were seasonal,
nearly half of the force were unemployed for nearly half of the year,
and the employers had no knowledge of w hat m ight fairly be expected
from a worker, w ith the natural consequence th a t wage scales were
poorly set and there was constant trouble over rates, leading to fre
quent strikes. A t present certain m anufacturers find it possible to
m aintain production a t alm ost a uniform figure throughout the year.
This has been accomplished by careful study of the work to find the
m ost economical m ethod of performing each operation and the tim e
which m ay fairly be required for each, by careful planning and
scheduling of the work so th a t delays within the factory are avoided,
and by deliberate effort to promote demand throughout the year,
instead of merely trying to m eet it as it comes of itself. Similar
methods, he considers, if applied in the building trades m ight have
similar results. Citing certain studies which he himself had m ade in
regard to bricklaying, which showed an astonishingly wide variation
in the num ber of bricks which a m an m ight reasonably be expected to
lay in a day, according to the kind of work on which he w as_engaged,
the speaker suggested th a t such studies m ight well be carried much
further.
We might take up carpentry; show how by these same means it is possible to desig
nate the time for laying floors in different sizes and shapes of rooms accurately, show
how and why it takes twice as long to fit and hang one kind of a door than another.
Similarly, we might show how even plastering can be accurately figured for different
sizes and shapes of rooms.
You may ask why studies of details, why the determination of standards will aid in
eliminating waste. It is because it will increase the initiative of the worker, it is
because it will differentiate the good man from the poor man, it is because it will
present an aim to work for, it is because, and this is perhaps the most important feature
of all, it will show up the easiest and the most economical way of doing Work and will
compel employers to take more thought of the methods of handling the work in plan
ning out the work that is to be done.
Thus, costs can and will be reduced. Thus, will be made possible, and only thus,
a gradual increase from year to year in the wages, in the number of days per year worked,
and especially in the elimination of friction which is so often caused by lack of know
ledge of facts.8
i B u lletin of th e M aster B uilders’ E xchange, Philadelphia, A pril, 1921, p . 5.
8 A ddress by Sanford E . Thom pson delivered before th e Council of th e Associated B uilding Trades,
Philadelphia; The A m erican C ontractor, M ay 28,1921, p . 20.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[168]
EM PLOYM ENT AND UNEM PLOY M ENT.
169
Employment Conditions in Illinois and Ohio.
STATEM ENT issued by the Illinois Free Em ploym ent Office
shows in a striking way the change in employment conditions in
May as compared w ith May a year ago. In May, 1920, there
were 81 persons registered for each 100 places open. In May, 1921,
220 persons were registered for each 100 places open. The statem ent
shows employment conditions not quite so favorable in May as in
March or April, b u t considerably better than in February. For each
100 places open 261 persons were registered in February, 216 in
March, and 204 in April.
The report of the Free Em ploym ent Office of Ohio for May shows
214 registrations for each 100 cases of help wanted.
A
Employment in New York State Factories in May.
M
AY employment conditions in factories in the State of New
York are set forth in a statem ent issued by the New York
D epartm ent of Labor, here quoted in p art:
Manufacturing operations in New York State continued to decline from April to
May. The May decrease in employment for the manufacturing industries as a whole
was 2 per cent. During the period from March, 1920, to May, 1921, employment in
factories has declined 27 per cent. This would indicate that the number of factory
workers employed in the State in May was at least 400,000 less than in March, 1920.
The May number of workers was slightly below that reported in January, 1915, when
employment reached its lowest level during the depression of the winter of 1914-1915.
A considerable part of the reduction in employment in May was due to strikes,
particularly in the paper and printing industries. The strike in the paper industry
has tied up a number of plants. The bookbinders’ strike in New York City continued
during May, while in up-State cities several printing establishments reported a strike.
In addition there were a few cases of labor troubles reported in other industries during
the month. In the men’s clothing industry in New York City a large number of
plants were still closed in May as a result of the labor trouble.
Among the metal industries of the State the most conspicuous reductions in em
ployment from April to May appear in the structural and architectural iron work,
machinery, automobile, railway equipment, and shipbuilding industries. The de
crease in the automobile industry, which follows a gain reported in April, is due to a
sudden curtailment of production in one large establishment. The railway equip
ment, machinery, and shipbuilding industries reported heavy reductions in employ
ment in April. Minor reductions in activity from April to May also appear in jewelry
and silverware, cutlery, and instruments and appliances. Iron and steel mills con
tinued to operate in May at the low level of activity reached in April. Little change
in working forces was reported in the sheet metal work and hardware, and cooking
and heating apparatus industries. Brass and copper factories reported a slight im
provement during the month. Since March, 1920, the number of workers employed
in the metal industries as a whole has declined 40 per cent.
The largest reduction in employment from April to May was 26 per cent in the paper
industry, due to the strike in some of the paper mills. The paper box and printing
industries showed further decreases in working forces during the month. Reduced
operations were also reported in the manufacture of paper bags, stationery, and wall
paper. Among the chemical industries lessened activity occurred in drugs and
chemicals, shoe polishes, soap and perfumes, starch, and fertilizers. The paint
industry, which has been gaining since January, showed some further improvement
in May.
The May changes in employment in the wood manufactures industries were small
decreases in the production of barrels, boxes, furniture, pencils, corks, and wall
board, and an increase in the manufacture of pianos.
The reopening of several plants and increased activity in many others account for
a further 15 per cent gain in employment during May in the brick industry. Slight
increases also occurred in the manufacture of cement and plaster and glass products.
Employment in the production of abrasives continued to decline.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[169]
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
170
Most of tlie wearing apparel industries showed gains in employment in^May. Greater
activity was reported in fur goods, boots and shoes, leather gloves, silk goods, knit
goods, men’s clothing and furnishings, and women’s furnishings. Decreases in em
ployment appear in hair goods, felt goods, women’s clothing, and millinery. The
largest reductions, which were due to the slack season, were reported in the women’s
clothing and millinery industries.
Increases in activity from April to May also occurred in tanning, rubber reclaiming,
and worsteds. Rope and twine factories reported a drop in employment during the
month.
Among the food products industries small gains in activity during May were reported
in canning, meat, and dairy products, bakery goods, and confectionery. Flour and
cereal mills and sugar refineries showed further reductions during the month. The
beverage industry reported a gain in employment, and in the tobacco industry the
recovery noted in April continued in May.
Light and power plants showed a small seasonal reduction in working forces from
April to May.
Coordinating Committee on Employment in New York City.
NE effect of the war was an increased appreciation of the loss to
the com m unity involved in unemployment. W ith a view to
m aking this greater interest effective, a num ber of organiza
tions in New York have formed a new body, to be known as the
Coordinating Committee on Em ploym ent Activities of New York
City. Em ployers’ organizations, the Central Trades and Labor
Council, the State employment and labor bureaus, the U nited States
Em ploym ent Service, noncommercial employment agencies, and
various vocational and educational associations are represented on the
new committee. The hope is th a t by uniting their activities these
organizations m ay cover the field more effectively than is done at
present, and th a t u duplication of effort, inaction, and drift m ay
give way to positive and well-coordinated com m unity action.”
The committee proposes to issue m onthly bulletins, of which two
have already appeared. The issue for April contains data on un
em ploym ent prepared by the State industrial commission. These
cover from 750 to 800 factories, and as the figures are secured from
identical establishments they form a valuable record of the fluctu
ations of employment in the city. According to these, the unem
ploym ent situation in New York has been considerably worse this
season than it was in 1914, although at th a t time the whole commu
n ity was aroused over it, while this year it has been taken very
quietly.
O
The heaviest depression in the earlier period occurred in December, 1914, when the
index figure was 91, whereas last January it was 85, and on March 31 it was 89, or
nearly two points lower than the minimum of 1914.
Attention should be called to the fact that if the index figure 91 in 1914 indicated a
serious condition, the figure 89 in 1921 indicates one that is much more grave because
of the great industrial expansion and the increase in population that has taken place
in the past six or seven years. Since the number of unemployed must naturally be
computed with reference to the maximum number of employed, the base line should
be drawn not through 1914, itself a year of marked depression, but the average maxi
mum peak of the years 1916-1920. * * * On this basis 171 per cent of the workers
employed in the factories reporting were idle on March 81, 1921.
Assuming that 45.2 per cent of the present total population in the city over 10
years of age are gainfully employed, as was the case according to the census of 1910,
and that the percentage of unemployment in the selected 750-800 factories is typical
for the whole community, there would be upward of 444,000 people out of work in
New York City at the present time. At best, this is but a general estimate because
it is based only on factory employment, but it is a matter of common knowledge that
there is widespread unemployment in other lines as well. For instance, building
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 7 0 ]
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT.
171
construction, transportation, the export trade, brokerage, and certain other commercial
activities are now at a low ebb. Moreover, it has always been assumed that the state
of the manufacturing industry serves as a fairly reliable index to general industrial
and commercial conditions.
However much the reader may see fit to discount the above estimate, it can not be
denied that the city is confronted with a serious state of unemployment. Its con
tinuation constitutes an inestimable loss to the community, both in unused productive
power and the lowering of the standard of life and general well-being that inevitably
accompany unemployment.
The organizations concerned with vocational guidance, juvenile
placement, and continuation schools, present some facts concerning
openings for young people. I t is agreed th a t it is practically impost
sible to place either boys or girls under 16 years of age, and th a t in
the few openings which can be found for them the pay is low and there
is virtually no future. Generally, the trades do not adm it boys until
they are over 16. Clerical workers m ust be from 16 to 17 years old
before they can hope for employment. Stenographers and typists
under 17 or 18 are a drug on the m arket. Those who have reached
this age are numerous, so th a t employers can set their own standards,
and they m anifest a m arked preference for applicants who have had
the equivalent of a high-school education. The following table of
prevailing wages is presented.
Beginners in the trades, $8 to $12 a week, $10 being the most common wage.
Beginners in clerical work, $10 to $12 per week.
Beginners, stenographers, $12 to $18, $15 being the most common wage.
Beginners, typists, approximately same wage as stenographers.
Experienced typists, $18 to $20.
Experienced stenographers, $20 up, $25 being the most common wage.
Report of Employment Exchanges in the United Kingdom.
N T H E B ritish Labor Gazette for May, 1921, the operations of the
employment exchanges for the five weeks ending April 8, 1921,
are summarized as follows: The average daily num ber of appli
cations from workpeople during the five weeks was 31,845; of vacan
cies notified, 3,779; and of vacancies filled, 3,032. This means 8
applications for every vacancy and 10 applications for every vacancy
filled.
Conditions are becoming more serious, for, compared with the previous
m onth, the daily average of applications from workpeople showed an
increase of 25.1 per cent, while the daily average of vacancies notified
and vacancies filled showed decreases of 3.2 per cent and 4.3 per cent,
respectively.
The average daily num ber of applications from adults was 28,687—
21,132 men and 7,555 women. There were 3,318 average daily
vacancies reported— 1,992 men and 1,326 women. The average
num ber of positions filled daily, when compared w ith the previous
m onth, showed a decline of 8.7 per cent among men, while in the case
of women there was an increase of 7.3 per cent.
The decrease in the num ber of vacancies filled by men was common
to m ost of the principal occupations, the only im portant exception
being an increase of 8.9 per cent in the num ber of men placed in com
mercial and clerical occupations. Vacancies filled in building and
construction of works, which have increased considerably during
recent months, show a slight decrease (1.8 per cent) for the period
I
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 7 1 ]
172
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
ending April 8. In the women’s departm ent m ost occupations
showed increases, the principal being domestic service (5.9 per cent),
dress, including boots and shoes (9.7 per cent), and commercial occu
pations (10.5 per cent).
W ith reference to juveniles, 44,706 applications were received from
boys and 5,556 vacancies were notified for boys. Of the vacancies
notified 4,761, or 85.7 per cent, were filled. The num ber of appli
cations received from girls was 40,546. The num ber of vacancies
notified was 6,889, of which num ber 5,345, or 77.6 per cent, were filled.
Of the total vacancies (10,106) filled by juveniles 1,575, or 15.6 per
cent, were filled by applicants who obtained their first situation since
leaving school.
The following table shows, for men and for women, the num ber of
applications from workpeople, vacancies notified, and vacancies filled
during the five weeks ending April 8, 1921.
A PPL IC A T IO N S PR O M W O R K P E O P L E , VACA N CIES N O T IF IE D , A N D
P IL L E D D U R IN G F IV E W E E K S E N D IN G A P R . 8, 1921.
A pplications from
workpeople.
Vacancies
notified.
VACANCIES
Vacancies
filled.
G roup of trad es.1
Men.
B u ild in g ...................
Construction works
Engineering an d iron founding
Shipbuilding...................
Construction of vehicles
Miscellaneous m e ta l trades
Domestic service.................
Commercial a n d clerical.
Conveyance of m en, goods, an d messages
A griculture..........................................
Textiles.................................................
Dress (including boots a n d shoes).
Food, tobacco, d rin k , a n d lodging.
G eneral laborers.
All other tra d e s .
Total.
W omen.
63,765
9,510
114,972
12,676
41,203 ...............
3,425 ...............
75,383 8,813
6,220 45,225
10,368 9,563
61,308 6,555
4,384
407
22,609 52,954
9,084 17,920
5, 591 7,464
62,168 7.124
90,586
35; 291
570,576
203,992
Men.
9,548
17,097
2,294
2,067
136
240
844
1,948
W omen.
144
Men.
8,388
17,261
2,144
2,065
W omen.
128
110
1,266
271
489
242
11,341
3,911
132
27,284
1,343
250
256
800
3,426
470
52
1,634
203
658
1,645
1,855
1,046
220
380
179
11,040
3,622
90
15,038
1,127
221
167
527
2,129
364
54
1,105
53,795
35,791
50,816
20,905
2,101
1 Casual occupations (dock laborers an d coal laborers) are excluded from th is ta b le an d from all other
figures above. T he n u m b er of casual jobs found for w orkpeople in these occupations during th e period
was 2,071.
Volume of Employment in the United Kingdom in April, 1921
TIE following statem ent as to the condition of employment in
Great B ritain and Ireland in April, 1921, as compared w ith
March, 1921, and April, 1920, has been compiled from figures
appearing in the British Labor Gazette for May, 1921. Similar in
form ation for January was published in the April M o n t h l y R e v i e w .
A general stoppage of work at coal mines began on April 1, and was
still in progress at the end of the m onth. The cessation of work at
coal mines resulted in the closing of nearly all iron mines during April.
The num ber of employees in iron and steel works shows a decrease
of 49.2 per cent when March and April figures are compared, and the
pottery trades a decrease of 48.8 per cent. A decrease of 25.4 per
cent in the num ber employed is reported for cpiarrying. Many works
were reported to be entirely closed or working p a rt time, owing to the
shortage of fuel resulting from the labor dispute in the coal-mining
industry. Dressmaking and millinery show an increase of 3.3 per
cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[172]
EM PLOYM ENT AND U NEM PLOY M ENT.
173
VOLUM E O F E M P L O Y M E N T IN T H E U N IT E D K IN G D O M (G R E A T B R IT A IN A N D
IR E L A N D ) IN A P R IL , 1921, AS C O M PA R ED W IT H M ARCH , 1921, AN D A P R IL , 1920.
[Compiled from figures in th e L abor G azette, London, M ay, 1921.]
P er cent of
increase ( + ) or
decrease ( —) in
A pril, 1921, as
com pared w ith—
In d u s try an d basis of
com parison.
March,
1921.
Coal m ining:
Average n u m b er of days
C1)
w orked....................................
N um ber of em ployees............
(9
Iro n m ining:
A verage n u m b er of days
w orked....................................
(9
N um b er of em ployees............
(9
Q uarrying:
A verage n u m b er of days
w o rk e d .................................. 2 + 0.4
N um b er of em ployees............ -2 5 .4
Pig iron: N u m b er of furnaces in
b la s t..............................................
-9 0 .1
Iro n a n d steel works:
N um b er of em ployees............ -4 9 .2
N um b er of shifts w orked___ -4 9 .2
T in plate, steel, a n d galvanized
sheet trades: N u m b er of mills
in operation..................................
-7 4 .3
C otton trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ -1 1 .0
Earnings of em ployees..........
- 6.7
W oolen trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ -1 4 .3
Earnings of em ployees..........
-2 2 .0
W orsted trad e:
N um ber of emplojrees............ - 6.1
Earnings of em ployees..........
-1 7 .6
H osiery trade:
N um b er of em oloyees............ - 5.3
Earnings of em ployees..........
- 7.8
Ju te trad e:
N um ber of em ployees............ -1 8 .7
-1 8 .3
Earnings of em ployees..........
Linen trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ -2 3 .8
-2 4 .1
E arnings of em ployees..........
Silk trade:
N u m b er of em ployees. . . ___ — 5. 5
-1 1 .2
E arnings of em ployees..........
C arpet trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ - 2.2
-2 3 .0
E arnings of em ployees..........
Lace trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ -1 1 .3
-1 7 .2
E arnings of em ployees..........
Bleaching, p rin tin g , dyeing, a n d
finishing:
N um b er of em ployees............ - 7.8
-1 3 .0
Earnings of em ployees..........
Boot an d shoe trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ - 1.1
+ 3.1
Earnings of em ployees..........
L eather trades: N u m b er of em
- 2.5
ployees 3........................................
Tailoring trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ - 1.6
- 6.7
E arnings of em ployees..........
Shirt an d collar trade:
N um ber of em ployees............ - 6.1
-1 0 .5
E arnings of em ployees..........
In d u s try an d basis of
com parison.
A pril,
1920.
P er cent of
increase ( + ) or
decrease ( —) in
A pril, 1921, as
com pared w ith—
M arch,
1921.
(9
(9
(9
(9
-2 0 .9
-9 6 .0
—65.4
-6 9 .4
-9 3 .0
-3 5 .8
-4 7 .3
-2 7 .3
-4 8 .4
-1 4 .7
-3 9 .0
-3 1 .7
-4 4 .5
-2 8 .4
-5 5 .3
-5 3 .8
-5 9 .5
-1 4 .8
-2 9 .7
+ 0.3
-1 5 .0
-4 3 .2
-5 9 .5
-1 9 .4
-4 2 .9
-1 8 .1
-2 9 .7
-1 3 .2
-2 4 .7
-3 5 .4
O ther clothing trades:
D ressm aking an d m illi
nery —N um ber of em
ployees....................................
W holesale m antle, costum e,
blouses, etc.—N um ber of
employees—
L o n d o n ..............................
M anchester........................
Glasgow..............................
Corset trad e—N u m b e r o f
employees..............................
W oodw orking a n d furnishing:
N um ber of em ployees3 ............
B rick trade:
N um ber of em ployees............
E arnings of em ployees..........
C em ent trade:
N um ber of em ployees............
E arnings of em ployees..........
P ap er, p rinting, an d book bind
ing trades:
P a p e r trad es—
N um ber of employees
reported b y tradeunions 8...........................
N u m b er of employees
reported by employers
E arnings of employees
reported b y em ployers
P rin tin g trad es—
N um ber of employees
reported b y tradeunions 3...........................
N um ber of employees
reported b y employers
Earnings of employees
reported b y employers
Bookbinding trades—
N um ber of employees
reported b y tradeunions 3 .........................
N um ber of employees
reported b y employers
Earnings of employees
reported b y employers
P o tte ry trades:
N um ber of em ployees............
Earnings of em ployees..........
Glass trades:
N um ber of em ployees............
Earnings of em ployees..........
Food-preparation trades:
N um ber of em ployees............
Earnings of em ployees..........
D ock an d riverside labor : N u m
ber of em ployees.........................
Seamen: N um ber of em ployees. .
A pril,
1920.
+ 3.3
-1 3 .8
- 2.7
- 4.2
- 0.3
-2 3 .0
-1 8 .0
-1 8 .4
-
2.0
-1 6 .4
-
1.9
-1 0 .4
-2 4 .3
- 2 5 .3
-1 9 .2
11.1
-1 3 .9
-2 1 .0
+ 0.5
4+ 12.7
(9
(9
- 8.5
-1 6 .5
- 9.0
-2 2 .6
-
1.9
- 6.8
-
1.6
- 8.0
- 5.3
- 2.4
-
1.0
- 9.8
- 1.8
- 3.8
- 4.9
- 9.8
-4 8 .8
-5 6 .7
-4 7 .9
-5 1 .6
-2 4 .0
-2 9 .8
-4 3 .2
-4 4 .8
- • 1 .0
- 5.7
- 9.7
- 8.1
- 1.3
-2 2 .6
-2 4 .6
-1 9 .5
-1 5 .4
-2 9 .8
1 No figures available due to general stoppage of w ork a t coal m ines.
a The increase, com pared w ith a m o n th ago, is due to th e closing of some quarries w hich were formerly
w orking short tim e.
3 B ased on unem ploym ent.
<Comparison of earnings is affected b y changes in rates of wages.
6 N o report.
54039°—21-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
12
[173]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
174
Comparing April, 1921, w ith March, 1921, relative to earnings of
employees, a decrease of 56.7 per cent is shown in the potterjr trade.
Respective decreases of 29.8 per cent and 25.3 per cent appear in the
glass and brick trades, owing chiefly to the exhaustion ot coal sup
plies. An increase of 3.1 per cent is reported in the boot and shoe
trade.
A decrease of 65.4 per cent is shown in the num ber of employees
in iron and steel works, when comparing April, 1921, w ith April,
1920. A decrease of 53.8 per cent is reported in the linen trade.
A decrease of 47.9 per cent is shown in the pottery trade and one of
43.2 per cent in both the lace and the glass trades. Cement shows
an increase of 0.5 per cent and the carpet trade an increase of 0.3
per cent.
The aggregate earnings of employees in April, 1921, as compared
w ith April, 1920, show a decrease in all trades reported except cement,
which reports an increase of 12.7 per cent, caused by changes in
rates of wages. In both the linen and the lace trades, a decrease
of 59.5 per cent is reported. Ju te shows a decrease of 55.3 per cent
and pottery a decrease of 51.6 per cent. Percentage decreases of
48.4, 47.3, 44.8, and 44.5, appear in the woolen, cotton, glass and
hosiery trades, respectively.
Employment of Ex-Service Men in Great Britain.
CCORDING to the May, 1921, issue of the B ritish Labor Gazette
(p. 232) there were 24,460 ex-service men receiving industrial
^ ^ training in Great B ritain. Of these, 10,732 were receiving
this training m Government instruction factories, 5,762 at other
training centers, and 7,966 in regular workshops. Up to April 27,
1921, 4,403 apprentices had been accepted for training w ith 17,531
employers, while 2,047 had been rejected. Of those accepted,
23,587 had completed their training and 50,516 were still receiving
instruction.
I t is stated th a t in spite of the business depression m ost of the
employers have endeavored to provide continuous training; and
where this has not been possible, have made efforts to arrange for
institutional training. Apprentices who have unavoidably been
throw n out of work will be given an opportunity for an extension
of the training period to cover the lost time.
A
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[174]
HOUSING.
Building Operations in Representative Cities, 1914 to 1920.
r‘l p H E accompanying table shows the building' operations as
indicated by building perm its issued for certain representative
A
cities for the years 1914 to 1920, inclusive.
The d a ta for the years 1914 to 1919, inclusive, were collected by
the U nited States Geological Survey, D epartm ent of the Interior.
The data for 1920 were collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
From m ost of the cities the inform ation for 1920 was obtained from
the building inspectors of the different cities by correspondence.
In a num ber of instances, however, the agents of the bureau obtained
the inform ation in person, either from the tab u lated records kept in
the building inspector’s office or direct from the building perm its.
Inform ation is published only where data were obtained for the
year 1920. In a few cases inform ation was a t hand for previous
years b u t not for 1920. These cities are not included in the table.
The table shows 126 cities for which com parative figures are
given for 1919 and 1920, G reater New York being considered as one
city. Of this num ber 77 show an increase in the cost of buildings
as shown in the perm its and 49 show a decrease.
The greatest relative increase in cost of construction in 1920 over
1919 was in Charleston, S. C.—$2,352,623, or 251 per cent—while the
greatest relative decrease was in D ubuque, Iow a—$770,756, or 67
per cent.
Of the ten largest cities in the U nited States, six—New York,
Cleveland, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles—showed
a gain over 1919, while four—Chicago, Philadelphia, D etroit, and
St. Louis—showed a loss.
Reports for 119 cities are shown for each of the seven years covered
by the report. The total amount of money covered by perm its in
these 119 cities each year is as follows:
Cost s ta te d in perm its.
1914
1915
1816
1917
1918
1919
1920..
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
.............
................
..................................
$736,758,492
764,149,180
963,384,664
636,919,123
395,016,535
1,235,548,397
1,318,992,872
This shows th a t 1918 witnessed the smallest am ount of building
during the seven years covered as m easured by cost. The year 1919
showed a great revival of building, and 1920, while n o t increasing
m uch over 1919, a t least, showed no lessening of building operations.
Building inspectors in m ost of the cities covered by the report say
there is a pressing need of more dwelling houses and th a t 1921 will be
a record year for building operations of all kind.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[175]
175
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
176
For the years 1914 to 1919 the report shows indefinitely the num ber
of perm its or buildings. Some cities m ay have reported -permits,
others buildings. For 1920 both perm its and buildings are reported.
These figures as to the cost of buildings as indicated by building
perm its m ust not be interpreted as indicating the relative physical
am ount of building construction, as the cost of construction has
greatly increased between 1914 and 1920. A table of index num bers
is published by the Engineering-News Record (May 12, 1921) showing
the change in the relative cost of building construction from 1913 to
1921. The figures take into consideration the rate paid common labor
and the price m ovem ent of the three construction m aterials least
influenced by local conditions, steel, lumber, and cement. These
index num bers are as follows:
100
94
106
135
184
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
192
210
237
220
The wholesale price index num bers for building m aterial published
by the Bureau o f Labor Statistics are:
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
100
97
94
101
124
151
192
308
Index num bers showing changes in the union scale of wages per
hour as of May each year, 1913 to 1920, as compiled by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics are here given for certain building trades.
IN D E X N U M B E R S O F U N IO N SCA LES O F W A G ES P E R H O U R IN T H E B U IL D IN G T R A D E S ,
MAY 1913 TO 1920.
Trades.
B ricklayers...........................................
B uilding lab o rers.....................................
C arp en ters............................................
C em ent finishers...............................
H od c a r r ie r s .............................
Inside w irem en........................................
L a th e rs .......................................................
P a in te rs ......................................................
P la ste re rs...................................................
P lasterers’laborers..................................
P lu m b ers a n d gas fitte rs ........................
Sheet m e ta l w orkers...............................
S tru ctu ra l iro n w orkers.........................
Tile la y e rs..................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1913
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
1914
102
101
102
101
101
103
102
103
101
102
101
104
102
101
[ 176 ]
1915
103
101
103
102
102
105
103
104
101
102
102
105
102
101
1916
104
106
106
103
105
107
106
113
105
105
103
107
104
103
1917
107
117
115
109
117
114
110
117
108
112
107
112
110
108
1918
115
137
126
120
137
127
119
129
113
129
117
131
126
111
1919
128
156
146
135
160
146
132
151
131
147
133
144
143
121
1920
175
226
195
183
232
192
189
206
171
213
172
193
179
163
1
N U M B E R O F P E R M IT S IS SU E D A N D COST O F B U IL D IN G S E R E C T E D IN R E P R E S E N T A T IV E C IT IE S IN EA C H Y E A R , 1914 TO 1920.
1914
City.
Per
m its
or
build
ings.
Cost.
1915
Per
m its
or
build
ings.
Cost.
Per
m its
or
build
ings.
Cost.
$6,030,950 4,658 $12,824,536
3,570,150
2,178,585
1,477,335
833
776,884
647
739,258
3,685,663
4,589,214 2,419
1,785,802
2,144,215 1,165
' 658' 052 l ', 931
1,816,095
9,541,891 10^ 682 10,647,893
1,384,265
995,124
459
2,806,203
2,593,425 1,196
1,927,949
1,519,007 3,157
1,885,511 5,435
2,386,599
29.113,692 9,045 49,201,122
7,064,564
8,790,274 2,091
1 , 252' 440
1,133,993
586
494
396
2,274
597
2,372
1,424
217
945
2,631
4,306
4,679
1,491
'469
1,367,907
320,464
4,967,676
2,437,876
1,240,621
6'299^ 643
876,439
1,243,850
l',657; 742
1,818,736
23,294,161
4,497,983
'805; 009
11,798,000 4,749 13,737,000
4,033,115
667
3' 384' 290
3,628,760
2,334,000 1,032
3,869,655
2,005,110 1,348
544,661
375,380
464
1,474,760
613,690 2,439
772,225
3,122,750
97,291,400 10,277 112,835,150
4,068
561
794
970
313
1,877
693
4,838
10,501,000
3,146,367
2,305,483
2,647,280
481,930
754,860
3,678,735
49,167,990
10,842,895 4,262
33,108,260 11,952
7,194,240 2,117
9,151,925
30,483,750
3,915,030
245,950
3,577,849
3,506,000
4,252,000
2,640,469
39,666, 800
603,170
4,508,665
13,443,414 15,987
32,660,305 14,022
4,928,425 3,141
455,710
554
3,422,512 1,523
3', 534,620
2,648,575 2,578
1,967,817
855
32,235,540 16,489
171
970,000
2,714,464 1,963
844,308
4,293,464
4,014,590
3,375,945
51,068,310
667,108
10,223,598
5,039 $14,166,818
226
814
1,694
2 , 357
982
12,109
139
1,460
Per
m its
or
build
ings.
Cost..
1919
P er
m its
or
build
ings.
Cost.
157
615
1,524
3,001
3,977
982
245
$4,112,236
1,286,226
731,715
205; 853
3,572,086
530,661
432,249
5,390,483
440,478
722,290
607,293
1,765,172
1,704,190
3,040,913
273,803
3,457
454
481
917
234
2,722
7,014,000
2,170,368
7,727,187
1,845,067
491,326
819,100
2,529
34,792,200
3,200
8,668
1,824
4,265,635 4,734
16,385,800 12,283
3,301,220 3,436
9,058,531
47,707,975
6,345,760
140
537
1,223
1 ,960
670
7,010
67
1,243
142,800
1,668,030
3,956,990
2,595,890
4,460,566
18,226,832
273,019
2,627,814
496,065
14,695,608
3,694,720
6,779,880
5.266,185
82,995,071
1,142,114
5,453,463
2,185
1,600
' 199
471
2,044
398
1,083
ò d io
6,894 $27,219,436
2,162
2,729,553
'619
2,736,674
926
1,046,334
3,022 10,442,739
4,063,975
1,149
1920
P er
m its.
4,253
2,057
2,618
1,744
'301
1,105
2,536
4,133
6,042
1,464
606
17,574,847
1,924,050
1,801,366
1,672,031
3,885,960
23,520,855
4,846,909
1,156,088
5,886 13,033,000
3,592,534
754
1,236
3,421,270
2,018
6,039,960
416
937,399
2,161
1,600,128
1,277,432
560
6,589 104,198,850
253
1,594
1,271
3,036
1,220
2,143
257
2,066
305
2,387
4,168
6,426
685
269
876
905
1,763
544
2,037
432
7,246
239
3,306
11,320
2,822
497
348
2,569
2,045
2,903
928
19,423
216
1,968
B uild
ings.
4,253
2,057
'662
807
2,618
1,442
1,815
16,293
409
1,289
2 ,387
4,168
6,426
1,206
'685
273
4,563
876
949
1,763
544
2.037
'448
7,246
239
3,306
11,320
2,873
497
348
2,569
2,045
2,903
928
19,423
216
1,968
Cost.
$20,347,625
3,903,159
2,709,810
1,586,261
13,372,660
12,473,998
1,840,242
30; 629,' 881
3,078,949
3,079,822
1,461,394
4,276,474
28,167,668
5,287,641
1,525,659
2,515,038
13; 522; 100
5,211,216
2,792,280
3,210,449
3,290,022
2,983,320
1,999,332
84,602,650
1,528,250
10,899,085
64,198,600
10,257,170
1,611,875
514,765
13,420,742
5,882,210
7,143,220
4,318,198
77,737,165
371,358
6,989,673
177
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Per
m its
or
build
ings.
1918
HOUSING.
[177]
A kron, Ohio............. ..................... 2,092 84,030,015 2,532
A lbany, N . Y .......... ....................
424
5,084,000
677
1,910,006
A llentow n, P a .........., ..................
680
679
1,077,725
A ltoona, P a ..................................
813
828
Atlanta," G a . .......... .................... 3,146
4,564,387 2,752
A tlantic C ity, N . J ..................... 1,323
3,137,74,3 1, SOS
A ugusta, Ga............. ..................... 1,272
1,718,578 1,115
B altim ore, Md. ........................ 12,058 16,308,299 l"957
275
981,366
B ayonne, N . J ..............................
491
B erkeley, C a lif............................. 1,086
2,082,949 1,102
B ingham ton, N . Y ..................... l"621
2,225,647 1,807
B irm ingham , A la........................ 3,524
3,043,374 4,521
B oston, M ass................................ 4,247 23,187,282 6,328
B ridgeport, Conn ....................... 1,032
3,666,340 1,635
586
B rockton, Mass............................
1,215,689
553
B rookline, M ass...........................
Buffalo, N . Y ........................... 3,984 10,709,000 4, S09
6",300'l05
Cam bridge, M ass.........................
541
"627
615
C am den, N . J ............................. .
2,377,335 1,346
C anton, Ohio................................
548
1,409,345
727
480
C harleston, S. C ...........................
482,493
438
C hattanooga, T e n n ..................... 2,129
967,277 2,525
453
1,221,200
Chester, P a ....................................
295
Chicago, 111.................................... 9,938 83,261,710 10,340
Chicopee, M ass.............................
8,150,000 4,797
C incinnati, Ohio.......................... 3,600
Cleveland, O hio........................... 12,790 26,991,050 14,451
6,885,065 2,836
Colum bus, O hio.......................... 2,636
Council Bluffs, Iow a...................
315
633,320
Covington, K y .............................
335
5,093,497
D allas, T e x ................................... 1,852
0)
2,977,990 1,234
870
D ay to n , Ohio...............................
3,750,460 3", 085
Denver," Colo................................ 3,721
619
1,981,846
771
Des Moines, Iow a........................
D etro it, Mich................................ 7,844 28,207,395 8,966
1,027,600
312
83
D u b uque, Iow a...........................
2,805,223 1,816
D u lu th , M in n .............................. 1,591
Cost.
1917
1916
1914
C ity.
Cost.
P er
m its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Per
m its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Per
m its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Per
m its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Per
m its
or
buildmgs.
Cost.
970,368
1,338,934
l ' 934'297
487
458
1,540
i, 263,258
1,362,989
3,612,418
410
495
1,654
795,496
2,301,633
3,551'909
371
342
1,474
1,199,162
X, 453,642
3,749,407
258
284
1,041
886,086
1,497,627
628,121
446
833
1,269
1,493,415
5,449,372
2,255,580
743
622
1,203
773'028
2,351,535
2,181,931
1,341,318
704
259
1,743
702
681
3,692
1, 824,696
703,463
2,104,879
2,009,415
1,166,907
2,311,950
598
235
3,002
' 823
845
1,928
2,284,742
'473^203
4,733,447
3,479,531
2,127,884
' 7 7 4 , 141
440
222
1,453
569
1,132,878
467,230
2,454,805
3,329,091
1,789,612
218,664
277
175
670
329
646
548
644,496
364,546
945,453
913,124
2,267,887
6i, n o
567
342
4,772
771
2,010
5,846
1,414,591
1,065,855
13,657,424
2,228,792
18,657,654
663,013
1,982
3,618,119
1,909
2,684,037
1,748
3,519,245
1,351
1,817,165
808
1,199,985
1,808
3,784,OSS
572
1,025
273
201
183
5,693
1,269, 500
4,052,076
1,148,935
' 876', 293
1,183,261
3,802, 591
7,933,381
607
1,403
'414
195
202
4,314
6,177
1,428,950
5,575, 895
1,402,000
802,060
928,105
2,425,555
7,083,642
529
1,423
408
228
170
3,449
5 , 746
1,830,923
7,383,163
1,172, 350
1,789, 750
1,337, 570
3,086, 871
8,934i 694
437
1,082
231
196
166
2,423
5,086
2,008, 515
7,671, 616
466, 777
337, 219
853, 610
2,644, 468
7,103,102
219
808
93
170
94
2,206
4 , 308
910, 865
2,978, 561
161, 735
662, 635
208, 270
2,270, 649
4,558, 676
712
1,552
305
213
364
1,432
7, 454
2,733, 815
9,084, 340
1,324, 975
937, 688
I, 3315, 425
6,281, 306
12, 794, 556
888
1,171
1,667,470
3,826,174
640
1, 306
1,658,158
5,351,630
617
1,036
1,558,924
5,005,243
559
364
1,914,171
2,628, 283
1, 475
684
i, 145, 351
4,232, 693
2,528
1.008
3,642, 744
4,557, 951
244
737
3,253
545,257
1,110,988
10,204,970
226
748
3,517
359,015
962', 749
10,667,405
184
612
3,620
581,195
748,430
11,563,444
146
494
3,259
428, 915
1,645, 670
10,128, 450
79
260
1,910
191, 458
1,058, 016
5,649, 615
320
491
1,900
1,218, 908
1,640, 086
9,544, 925
563
408,707
069
493,044
732
46S, 771
1,091
1,271, 759
785
643, 345
1, 031
2,654, 213
225
365, 616
159
282, 640
370
1,149, 562
227
393
410
6,699
1,267
592, 405
1,355, 868
1, 210, 477
16,932, 082
1,758,080
221
342
640
6,381
1, 213
1, 852, 398
503
674
759, 172
749, 712 1,179
8,678, 862 13,209
2,017, 432 2,163
1, 738, 061
2,052, 452
2,754, 731
28, 225, 833
4,140, 714
Per
m its
or
buildings.
532
431
C1)
590
231
527
1,837
TCe/n osh a. W i s
K noxville, T e n n ..........................
Lakewood, Ohio..........................
Lancaster, P a ..............
388
689,956
428
S97,378
323
1,023,677
Trfl.n si riff M i oh
243
Lawrence, M ass...........................
458
Lincoln, N e b r..............................
L ittle Rock, A rk . .
9,979
Eos Angeles, Calif
Louisville, K y .............................. 2,306
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1,307,645
1,003,287
349
567
1,496,194
1,697,049
17,361,925
4,397,310
7, 845
2,432
11, 888, 662
4,055, 390
335
524
601
7,565
2,299
1, 516, 723
1,939,917
1,293,452
15,036,045
3,853,140
1920
P er B uild
m its. ings.
685
436
428
612
612
635
635
355
300
687
670
322
322
4,325 4,325
894
894
2,234 2,234
3,562 3,562
737
737
1,779 1,779
588
588
446
446
1,505 1,505
119
119
220
220
361
361
1,334 1,404
6,689 6,689
1, 051 1, 097
470
470
1,016 1,156
770
593
483
483
453
453
4,416 4,416
1,466 1, 466
968
991
805
805
412
391
1,270 1,332
501
501
536
536
1,803 1,803
25,555 25, 555
2, 493 2, 493
Cost.
2,935,624
1,872,233
2,835,058
2,039,500
816, 390
3,748,582
1,722, 395
10,543.575
2,929,942
10.373,229
628,608
3,279, 524
4,448, 700
1,464,356
1,454, 854
20,691, 324
726, 850
1,975, 369
3,452, 195
7, 829, 886
14,593, 762
1,133, 671
2,921,0©
7,458, 849
6,000, 000
1,396, 093
1,280, 295
13, 522, 265
2,572,774
2, 489, 041
4,338, 963
1,273, 918
2,075, 175
2,548, 991
2,110,495
3,738, 433
60,023,600
6,986, 260
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
[178]
E a s t Orange, N . ,T..
E a s t St. Louis, 111.......................
E lizabeth, N . J ............................
E l Paso, T e x ................................
E v e re tt, M ass.. .
F all R iver, Mass..........................
Fitchburg, M ass.........................
F lin t, Mich............. .....................
F o rt W ayne, I n d .........................
F o rt W orth, T e x .........................
Galveston, T ex ............................
G ary Ind
G rand R apids, Mich...................
TTn.milton Ohio
H arrisburg, P a .............................
H artford, C o n n ............................
H averhill, M ass...........................
H oboken, N . J .............................
Holyoke, M ass.............................
TTnnston Tex
Indianapolis, I n d .........................
.7q,person M i oh
Jacksonville, F la .........................
Jersey City, N . J .........................
Johnstow n P p .
Kalamazoo, Mich.........................
K ansas City, K a n s .....................
K ansas C ity, M o..........................
1919
1918
1917
1916
1915
178
N U M B E R O F P E R M IT S IS SU E D A N D COST O F B U IL D IN G S E R E C T E D IN R E P R E S E N T A T IV E C IT IE S IN EACH. Y E A R , 1914 TO 1920—C ontinued.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
633
610
138
617
339
956
773,514
2,264,637
277, 741
676,210
593,695
1,649,867
732
660
159
643
376
1,148
1,231,3l0
1,685,713
559, 842
977,134
893,985
2,598,055
831
621
232
637
341
1,106
2,617
3, 865
6,016
223
444
2,946,818
9, 882,085
15,214,525
576,000
368,900
2,303
3,882
6,831
145
544
2, 730,488
11,564,325
16,349,940
102,895
384,883
2,439
4,008
6,970
83
1,512
3,091,970 1,694
13,010,312 14,983
22,917, 290 4,992
75,390
91
444,929 1,378
2,106
1, 062
513
1,136
1,635
10,061,910
3,039, 736
1,214, 840
4,380, 842
2,948, 751
2,547
1,012
633
1,524
1,334
7,912,184
3,128, 734
1,480, 785
7,104,947
2,950,357
6,367
3,627
949
610
1,465
1,015
3,657, oiO
10,236,316
4,762, 081
1,419, 010
5,022, 556
3,117, 604
20,209 115,902,548 22,229 148,625,651
683
3,649
210
1,295
331
884
802
12,774
3,522
405
5,959
2,014,681
4, 717,5 2 0
674
3,352
1,972, 442
437
4,610, 450 1,351
856,149
320
1, 539, 640 1,083
610
4,757,511
34,694,340 13,884
18,194,182 3,916
1,145,045
519
8,334,075 4,623
1,492,973
1,520,427
706,046
670, 576
852,400
1,448,129
686
449
196
427
298
766
1,615
1,241,351
1,396,191
498,225
751, 046
521, 320
1,263,945
550
269
173
772
262
562
1,342,362
361, 670
269, 049
596, 500
400, 420
320, 862
1,059
711
3,352,710
1,949, 066
845
451
891
985, 340
713, 049
1,784, 815
2,626,855
643
11,270, 292 11,043
9,258, 365 3,695
131, 780
53
335,496
1,591, 078
6,513,096
5,395, 740
80,784
1,974
4,388
6,704
189
7,518, 950
20,006, 303
17,309,160
698, 804
584, 783
5,336, 033
976, 714
880,990
3,227, 058
1,770, 930
1,962
3,182
762
1,054
1, 758
1,065
2,159, 873
20,102, 812
7,005, 423
2, 806, 914
8,910, 917
5, 249, 092
3S4
489
1,230
823
1,036, 676
9,395, 920
3,054,161
1,254, 479
5,642, 869
2,814, 051
1, 211
1,696
352
480
928
542
16,448 42,163, 505 12,255
3,687 18,425,060 3,037
4,448 134,078,044 3,756
33, 590, 071
10,126,360
42, 738, 169
2,488
2,002
4,565, 507
1,643
3, 769, 757
4,824
1,847
2,668
2,228
1,308
674
3,683
2,712, 988
5,368, 290
526
2 ,93S
1,665,180
4,442, 520
591
2,948
2, 834,107
5,382, 160
1,166, 806
757
5,385, 005 1,454
340
1,074, 331
1,093, 881 1,164
797
4,090,645
35,010,640 13,708
14,227,020 4,175
1,557,469
576
4,895,345 4,351
2,073, 634
7,226,107
1,420, 758
2,347, 745
4,843,182
49,319,225
13,554,810
1,653,742
6,272,865
963
1,039
269
1,019
718
7,555
3,587
386
3,377
3,089, 737
7, 737, 047
1,733, 060
1, 599, 838
4,183, 574
33,050, 220
l i , 318, 502
769, 543
3,643,410
849
2, 510, 221
181
823
532
5,820
2,571
303
5,707
1,865,928
5,045,290
21, 566, 382 17,890 77, 280, 380
5, 207, 320 3, 888 23, 385, 799
17,697, 650 3,962 108, 773, 373
6, 768,138 8,910 46, 022, 687
2, 362, 514 2,840
4, 295, 268
1,458
4,059
7,968, 609
7,134, 573
1,641
1,959
390, 520
349
1,087, 540 1, 536
919
1,941,163
15,340,500 14,509
7,938,350 4,832
601,647
727
6,176,047 8,922
9,039, 633
9,022, 647
1, 790, 668
4,599, 541
7,050,048
65,088,730
14,731,616
2,062,300
9,840,725
3,589
214
65
470
1,591
3,247
6,334,900
330,270
533,900
1,148,850
3,391,571
8,733,257
3,848
165
79
494
1,710
3,391
7,023,700
219,910
420,700
1,227,160
3,244,752
9,108,333
3,661
221
103
2,080
2,155
3,136
9,248,900
436,520
339,090
1,719,675
4,927,396
9,379,447
2,881
445
41
1,471
1,558
2,288
3,817,800
1,032,479
637,700
1,276,030
4,118,688
6,739,620
2,532
442
14
1,581
949
1,361
4,963,100
374,796
95,700
793,575
1,838,614
1,949,551
3,406
562
53
2,381
2,339
3,525
8,077,200
676,300
615,925
2,268,325
8,770,452
9,641,579
1,418
531
710
9 418
2,329,978
679,755
625,574
12,885 398
1,311
0)
469
9,052
1,395,578
999,434
942,770
11,434,320
1,229
265
562
8,550
2,102,158
426,100
1,068,243
15,444,103
938
286
442
7,491
1,895,303
424,496
828,629
12,538,532
653
428
310
5,396
1,213,513
521,947
500,672
6,352,582
1,229
1,882
559
7,923
2,054,843
3,880,472
1,093,940
20.538,460
i N ot reported.
924
694
247
744
442
790
375
1,563
4,329
6,665
147
1,203
426
1,776
2,625
749
785
1,3139
1, 294
431
924
694
254
744
442
790
375
1,563
4,329
6,665
147
1,203
473
1,776
2,625
749
785
1,369
1,540
431
4,981, 375
1,026, 675
817, 581
1,420,6 5
1,149, 475
2, 612, 795
1,462, 524
6,173, 265
14, S45, 530
15,914, 825
612, 965
469,075
2,155, 50T
1,946, 228
22, 59?, 658
6,125, 704
2,572, 382
5,134, 343
10,927, 596
2,588, 852
9, 573 12, 518
1,472 1, 810
3, 976 4, 791
10,281
2,292 2.700
730
730
1,029 1,029
4,442 4,442
792
792
1,674
1,359 1, 359
328
328
1, 511 1, 511
1,040 1,040
8,653 10,003
3,989
639
639
9,988 9,988
428
428
4,023 4,073
605
605
31
31
2,494 2,564
1,722 2,038
3,322. 3,322
1,429 1,429
1,733 1,733
2,159 2,175
702
702
8,700 8.700
68,116,384
21, 492, 530
139,199, 563
42,639, 472
6, 248, 388
673, 984
4,640,592
9,401, 768
2,059, 211
8,050. 861
11,435, 970
1,594,035
3,685, 985
3,677,542
54,174,045
10,565,174
1,391,621
11,850,120
683,443
10,034,200
739,070
344,000
3,341,900
6,919,278
9,906,945
2,415,905
3,516,643
2,697,483
2,165,985
17,694,078
’SiSEISnOH
[1 7 9 ]
Lowell, M ass................................
L y n n , M ass..................................
M cKeesport, P a ..........................
Macon, G a ....................................
Malden, Mass...............................
M anchester, N . H .......................
Medford, Mass..............................
M emphis, T e n n ...........................
Milwaukee, W i s . .. .....................
M inneapolis, M in n.....................
Mobile, A la ...................................
M ontgomery, A la........................
M ount V ernon, N . Y . . .
N ashville, P e rm .........................
N ew ark, N . 1 ...............................
New Bedford, Mass....................
New B rita in , C o n n .....................
N ew H av en , C o n n ......................
New Orleans, L a . .......................
New Rochelle, N * Y ,.
New Y ork, N . Y . . *.
Borough of B rooklyn . . . . . .
Borough of B ro n x . . . . . . . . .
Borough of M a n h a tta n ___
B orough of Q ueens_ _., ..
Borough of R ic h m o n d .. . . .
N iagara P a l l s ,N . Y . . . . . . . . . . .
N oriolk, V a . . . . . . . ___. . . . . . . .
O akland, Calif.............................
Oak P a rk , 111.__
...
O klahom a C ity, O k la ...............
O m aha, N e b r...............................
Passaic, N . J ................................
P aterso n , N . l .............................
Peoria, 111....................................
¡Philadelphia.................................
¡P ittsburgh, P a ............................
P o rtla n d , Me................................
¡P ortland. O reg............................
Portsm o u th , V a.
P ro v id en c e /R . I .........................
Pueblo, Colo.................................
Q uincy, 111....................................
R eading, P a ..................................
'R ichm ond, V a .............................
R ochester, N . Y ..........................
Rockford, III..........
Sacram ento, Calif........................
Saginaw , M ich..............................
S t. Josepn, Mo..............................
S t. Louis, Mo............................ .
CO
1914
City.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1917
1918
Perm its
or
buildmgs.
Perm its
or
buildmgs.
Perm its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Perm its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Perm its
or
buildings.
Cost.
Pern u ts
or
buildmgs.
3,741
672
1,050
1,928
5,907
1,010
665
9,104
14,718,696
3,130,22 5
2,984,347
2,757,164
28,177,563
1,383,680
1,668,904
12,664,970
2,688
646
1,225
1,495
6,461
727
784
8,217
9,237,458
3,941,219
2,250,720
1,248,791
13,990,704
2,180,960
1,683,592
6,456,995
1,845
470
1,146
1,425
6,492
573
644
8,486
8,811,961
1,554,124
2,869,749
1,824,162
18,837,173
1,673,880
1,536,440
8,304,689
2,794
332
803
1,313
5,513
366
391
7,736
446
687
1,492
1,574,067
982,227
5,056,242
480
857
1,495
1,854,236
1,200,667
6,066,394
427
1,298
1.695
1,498,432
1,588,787
7,101,032
348
1,066
1.199
883,412
2,140,760
3,779,612
192
847
787
676,470
423,056
1,598,423
441
1,509
1,593
773,099
1,689,928
5,879,845
791
1,855
1,457
1,684
2 915
(!)
3,701
612
160
609
183
1,014
577
1,587
388
521
1,087
1,541,619
3,412,184
1.471,628
1,615,028
6,085,182
1,736,492
10,415,645
1,800,200
675,208
1,428,909
519,430
1,143,238
2,519,443
5,731,469
1,401,900
471,200
3,055,221
821
1,934
1,218
1,731
919,825
4,693,316
790,424
1,396,044
892
4,428
748
172
669
274
1,085
723
1,794
545
621
1,108
2,648,396
9,749,301
2,600,350
344,869
586,173
964,695
1,076,800
1,524,879
4,526,382
2,830,500
311,179
2,573,555
693
1,809
1,372
1,200
4,295
(!)
5,239
1,337
140
672
343
887
1,029
1,400,929
2,556,008
1,617,981
1,288,663
9,692,268
2,256,156
17,494,804
4,270,000
462,518
976,696
1,998,805
1,213,605
2,788,028
6,164,871
2,213,100
631,180
3,400,079
944
1,767
879
1,018
3,156
592
3,141
1,394
167
605
826
699
866
1,705
355
449
1,641
2,163,053
4,319,005
751,911
801,300
7,264,546
1,801,549
12,507,311
6,562,930
163,760
416,880
3,674,859
704,678
2,986,715
4; 838; 840
1,405,400
483,496
4,542,395
830
1,311
3,087
836
1,529
425
4,362
1,251
90
414
842
619
772
1,195
156
373
1,726
1,008,927
1.637,894
2,796,500
575,345
2,660,161
522,615
10,675,632
3,852,620
110,556
340,452
3,064,731
640,510
3,015,209
2,066,734
1,157,000
195,212
4,577,984
1,050
2,281
3,045
1,043
3,650
1,026
7,255
1,482
400
593
1,241
672
1,724,013
6,122,547
2,516,035
1,202, 534
7,899,132
3,323,053
20,665,683
4,767,867
400,459
473,780
4,849,851
834,286
2,219
469
541
2,141
5,925,164
2,713,600
652,084
6,990,089
i;si6
463
668
1,355
Cost.
7,266,706 1,977
440,872
358
2,787,925
721
906,097 1,195
15,635,319 3,688
241
718,160
1,338,671
185
6,714,315 12,016
Cost.
1920
1919
Cost.
10,152,709 4,159 19,258,733
859,440
189,546
476
4,060,321
2,319,695 1,118
2,856,015
1,602,990 1,527
7,924,319 5,363 15,163,242
1,765,995
768,675
568
426,346
381 . 1,087,950
10,876,183 12,993 15,575,590
Cost.
m itö.
2,684
671
810
2,402
5,626
508
551
9,702
2,277
'391
1,621
1,409
2,684
671
810
2,402
5,626
508
551
9,702
2,277
394
1,621
1,409
255
2,181
3,063
1,065
3,881
1,267
4,342
990
194
589
1,777
627
1,159
2,201
654
730
1,337
255
2,181
3,063
1,067
3,881
1,267
4,342
990
194
589
1,777
627
1,159
2', 201
654
730
1,337
9,282,606
547,722
3,839,353
3,442,058
26,729,992
4,020,850
3,036,334
12,630,805
5,686,200
1,389,106
3,036,334
6,675,054
2,248,464
1,601,116
6,915,680
4,677,348
2,664,392
6,732,266
6,419,850
17,892,919
3,969,090
767,709
1,081,772
3,874,963
1,359,916
3,690,994
6,748,086
4,835,800
700,571
3,295,670
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW
[180]
S t. P a u l, M in n .............................
Salem, M ass..................................
S alt Lake C ity, U ta h .................
San Diego, C alif...........................
San Francisco, C alif...................
Savannah, G a ..............................
Scranton, P a ................................
Seattle, W a sh ...............................
Shreveport, L a .............................
Somm erville, M ass.....................
Spokane, W ash............................
Springfield, M ass.........................
Stockton, C alif.............................
Superior ,’W is ...............................
Syracuse, N . Y ............................
Tacom a, W ash .............................
T am pa, F la ..................................
Toledo, O h io................................
T ren to n , N . J ...............................
W ashington, D. C .......................
W aterb u ry , Conn........................
W est H oboken, N. J ...................
W heeling, W . V a........................
W ichita, K an s..............................
W ilkes-Barre, P a ........................
W i l m i n g t o n , D el. . . .
W orcester, Mhss..........................
Y onkers, N . Y .............................
Y ork, P a .......................................
Y oungstown, O hio.....................
1916
1915
180
N U M B E R O F P E R M IT S IS SU E D A N D COST O F B U IL D IN G S E R E C T E D IN R E P R E S E N T A T IV E C IT IE S IN EA CH Y E A R , 1914 TO 1920—Concluded.
H O U SIN G .
181
Housing Conditions in Foreign Countries.
Canadian Joint Conference on Building.
CONFERENCE concerning the building industry of Canada was
recently held in O ttaw a which was of rather unusual interest
owing to the frankness of the discussions carried on, and the
sincerity of the attem pts to find a common ground from which, as a
starting point, employers and employees m ight work together for
the advancem ent of the industry. The conference was made up of
delegates representing employers and workers, and was presided over
by the m inister of labor, the Government taking an active interest
in the meeting. I t m ay be rem arked in passing th a t the occasion
furnished a striking dem onstration of the ability of the Canadian
D epartm ent of Labor not only to assist in such a conference, b u t to
report it. The conference was held from May 3 to May 6, inclusive,
and within less than two weeks from its adjournm ent the full report
of its proceedings was published and distributed.1 Employers,
employees, and the general Government were concerned in securing
the conference.
A
The conference was convened on invitation of the Government of Canada, in
accordance with a request received from the National Joint Conference Board of the
building and construction industries in Canada. Thirty-two delegates were_ in
attendance on behalf of the employers, selected by the Canadian Association of Build
ing and Construction Industries, and an equal number of delegates on behalf of the
employees, selected by the labor organizations in the building trades which are
represented on the National Joint Conference Board.
The conference had five subjects before it: (1) Existing conditions
in the industry; (2) apprenticeship and craftsm anship; (3) costs_ and
production; (4) conditions of employment; (5) developm ent of jo in t
industrial councils. Each subject was referred to a comm ittee m ade
up of equal numbers from each side, who were expected to draw up
resolutions dealing with it, and report them back for action by the
conference as a whole. On the first two topics there seemed b u t
little difference of opinion. The committee on existing conditions
in the industry brought in a report dwelling upon the shortage of
houses and the seasonal nature of the industry, and recommended
as one means of overcoming the latte r the “ system atic regulation
of public work of all kinds so th a t it m ay be let and carried on during
those periods of the year when private operations are at a m inim um .”
The committee on apprenticeship and craftsm anship presented an
elaborate plan for encouraging and regulating apprenticeship, which
will be dealt with hereafter. On the other subjects there was
considerable diversity of opinion.
1 D epartm ent of Labor, Canada. Joint Conference of th e building and construction industries in C anada.
H eld a t O ttaw a, M ay 3-6, 1921. O ttaw a, 1921. 84 pp. B ulletin No. 3. In dustrial R elations Series.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 181]
182
M O NTH LY LABOE EEVIEW.
Development of Joint Industrial Councils.
The committee on joint industrial councils presented the following
te p o rt:
(а) Your committee is of the unanimous opinion that joint industrial councils are
a benefit to the building industry as a whole.
(б) Y our com m ittee recom m ends th a t jo in t councils be formed by equal represen
tation from organized employees’ and em ployers’ associations, and th a t th ey m ay
select an in d ep en d e n t chairm an.
(c) Y our com m ittee recom mends th a t th e du ties of joint councils shall be to adjust
any grievances th a t m ay arise o u t of th e in terp re tatio n of agreem ents m ade betw een
employees and em ployers in th e affiliated trades.
(d) Y our com m ittee recom mends th a t th e D epartm ent of Labor continue to coop
erate w ith th e N ational Jo in t Council in th e formation of local joint councils and th a t
the assistance of th e d ep a rtm e n t be available for local councils.
(e) Your committee recommends that the National Joint Council consider the
advisability of applying the principles of the industrial conditions act of Manitoba
to the other Provinces of the Dominion.
In tiie discussion of this report little, if any, opposition to joint
councils appeared, but there wag considerable variance of opinion
as to their proper functions. Should they, for instance, deal with
wages? One of the employers thought decidedly they should not;
their function should be the settlem ent of disputes after wages had
been determ ined. The secretary of the Building Trades Council of
Vancouver fully agreed w ith him.
Wage and conditions must of necessity be arrived at by the organizations of master
contractors and journeymen on both sides. Therefore the work of a joint council is
not to set wages. * * * But the idea of the joint councils is to interpret the spirit
of agreements, and to continue the trades so that there will be harmony among ali
branches, so that one organization is not going out on strike at one period and another
at another period, making a continual break in the work of the building industry.
An employer from M anitoba gave some account of the working of
the industrial conditions act there, showing th a t under it the council
dealt not so much w ith wages as w ith disputes concerning discrimi
nation against workers or jurisdictional disputes between the workers
themselves. An employer from O ttaw a concurred, saying th a t an
experience of two years w ith an industrial council in th a t city had
persuaded him of its value.
Last year we bad some 16 different meetings and in that time took up 11 different
disputes, 9 of which were settled without any independent chairman whatever.
We had a chairman appointed, but he is very difficult to get at certain times; and
our men were so reasonable that when we sat down around the table and talked over
the matters in dispute we had very little difficulty in settling them. * * * In
those little disputes that are likely to arise between different trades and the employers
We found this council very beneficial indeed, In fact, on two or three different
occasions the dispute did not affect the employers at all; it was between two unions
that were employed on a building, in regard to the classes of work that should be done
by those men.
An employee delegate from Toronto differed somewhat from this
view, claiming th a t industrial councils, to be of the fullest value,
m ust take up fundam ental questions, even though these should
involve wages or conditions of employment, and pointed his m oral
by citing the experience of the Toronto joint council:
1 m ight state t h a t th e first th in g our council considered was w hat th e y could do as a
council to im prove th e conditions of all th e em ployers and w orkm en engaged in th e
building in d u stry in Toronto. T be situ atio n was fully surveyed, and we came to th e
conclusion th a t th e different trades, having separate agreem ents, i t sim ply m eant
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[182]
H O U SIN G .
183
that at the height of the building season, if any of the basic trades went out on strike,
their action would probably tie up the other trades, and also involve the employers
of those trades. The council set out, as a basic principle, that they should endeavor
to get all the agreements connected with the basic trades covered at the one period.
That proposition was submitted to the membership of the Toronto council, which
embraced all the employers’ groups within that city, and all the building trades
unions; and incidentally we also had a representative of the association of architects
as chairman of that body. Some associations were left to go into that organization
on the 1st of January. We recommended, and it was agreed in the fall of 1919, to
adopt the following:
R e c o m m e n d a tio n s .
1. That all agreements between employers and employees in the building trades
be made to expire on December 31 of each year.
2. That this method be put into operation at once, and all agreements running into
1920 to continue, but new agreements to be made this year covering the balance of
1920, and to be operative at the expiration of the present old agreements.
3. All negotiations to be started on or about September 15, and to be completed on
or before November 15 of each year.
4. In case of failure of the employers and employees to reach an agreement on or
before November 15, then the settlement will be automatically placed in the hands
of a board of arbitration.
5. The board of arbitration to consist of two members appointed by the Building
Trades League, and two by the associations of employers, these four to appoint a fifth
who wall act, as chairman of the board.
6. That the award of the board of arbitration shall be final and binding on all parties.
There was strenuous objection to binding all the trades to the 1st of January, but
the argument was used that if the agreements were fixed for January, it would tend
to open up the building operations in the city of Toronto five or six weeks earlier in
the spring. Last year was a normal year so far as the building work was concerned,
and we found that that was the way it went.
The discussion ranged widely, b u t in general the sentim ent seemed
in favor of jo in t councils so formed th a t they could handle problems
of any kind developing in the industry. The report was finally
adopted unanimously, and acting on requests m ade during the
debate, the comm ittee brought in a supplem entary report, indorsing
the N ational Jo in t Conference Board, and recommending both sides
to undertake u further consideration of such m atters relating to
finance and representation as would tend to strengthen the board.”
This also was unanim ously adopted, and approval was given to a
suggested outline of a constitution for local joint councils.
Conditions of Employment.
The following report was unanim ously adopted by the conference:
(a)
D is tr ib u tio n o f Labor.
This committee recommends that the present system of distribution of labor operated
under private and Government agencies be modified by the abolition of private
agencies, and that closer cooperation between Federal and provincial bureaus, em
ployers’ associations, and labor organizations be maintained.
We suggest that individual contractors, when requiring any additional employees,
apply for same to building trades organizations or Government bureaus in their respec
tive localities, and further, in case of application for help every assistance should be
given by labor organizations to provide same from districts where a surplus of labor
exists, and the Government transfer such employees over the Government roads
wherever possible at reduced rates.
(b ) U n e m p l o y m e n t I n s u r a n c e .
Whereas there is an acute unemployment situation in Canada at the present time,
and Federal unemployment insurance has been brought forward as a remedy:
We recommend that the National Conference on the Building Industries go on
record as being strongly opposed to unemployment insurance except as a last resort.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[183]
184
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
We strongly recommend that the Government formulate some constructive policy
to provide employment for the great mass of unemployed who are willing to work
and earn a livelihood.
(c) I n d u s tr ia l S a fe ty .
Whereas the question of the jurisdiction and operation of regulations for safety
appliances on construction work is intimately connected with the question of work
men’s compensation insurance, and in certain Provinces provincial compensation
insurance and safety laws are under the jurisdiction of the workmen’s compensation
hoards and have been found to work out satisfactorily, this committee recommends:
1. That in the Provinces where there is no provincial insurance, that the provincial
governments take over workmen’s compensation insurance and pass suitable legisla
tion to cover the question of safety appliances after the pattern of existing building
trades protection acts, and that the operation of this legislation be under the super
vision of the provincial workmen’s compensation boards;
2. We further recommend that a committee be established, with a subcommittee
in each Province, by the National Joint Conference Board, to study the question of
safety appliances in the construction industry;
3. That the National Joint Conference Board make the necessary representations
to the provincial Governments to put this resolution into operation.
The principal discussion on this report concerned unem ploym ent
insurance. The section dealing w ith this subject as a t first presented
was found unsatisfactory, and was referred back to the committee,
who later brought in the resolutions given above. The labor repre
sentatives disagreed on this topic, some holding th a t unem ploym ent
insurance was unnecessary and undesirable, th a t it would be far
better to prevent unem ploym ent than to insure against it, and th a t
the Government, by using its program for public works in such a
way as to take up slack as private em ploym ent began to lessen, could
m aterially reduce irregularity of employment, or perhaps do away w ith
it altogether. Others held th a t while the Governm ent takes its pres
ent detached attitude, there is little hope of preventing unemploy
m ent, and th a t insurance should be adopted as the next best thing.
The m inister of labor brought out the fact th a t it would take a
considerable time to get any insurance scheme into working order,
and th a t if nothing were done about it until a period of depression
set in, it would be extrem ely difficult to m ake it effective a t the time
of need. A labor delegate voiced the same idea.
Unless Governments exercise a stronger supervision, controlling the industries so
that they do to some extent coordinate their work over longer periods, and unless such
work as the Government is able to provide is given out in the slacker periods; unless
W e can revolutionize—using that word in the sense of bringing about a quick evolu
tion—unless we can revolutionize our present system, then the time for the last resort
has arrived and will have to be prepared for, with our eyes open to the fact that under
our present careless system the periods of unemployment will come on, and therefore
must be prepared for in the good times, as we can not provide for them overnight.
Costs and Production.
The report on this subject, as finally adopted, ran as follows:
(a)
F a cts i n B u il d i n g C osts.
R eso lved , That this conference agrees that the cost of a building is divided in general
under three headings:
Ter cent.
(a) Direct labor costs on the contract..................................................
(b) Materials, delivered on the contract.............................................
(c) Contractor’s overhead and profit....................................................
35
55
10
Making a total of......................................................................... 100
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1S4]
HOUSING.
185
Item (a).—The direct labor on the job needs no analysis other than to state that it
represents the wages paid to the building trades mechanics.
Item (b). The materials delivered on the job is further subdivided into labor
freight, manufacturers’ and distributors’ profit and overhead, and Government
royalties and taxes m the relative importance, as named. Beyond stating the relative
lmpoitance we do not feel further analysis is justified. We are further agreed that
these costs of niatenals, delivered on the job, are influenced in great measure bv too
much purchasing through numerous retailers.
J
Item (c).—The contractor’s overhead and profit, covers the contractor’s office
labor, maintains his plant, meets his fixed charges, and supplies net profit.
(b) Efficiency and its Relation to Production.
Resolved, 1 hat this conference agrees that the following features if properly under
stood wifi tend strongly to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
(a) Standard practice in the design of all buildings, especially in the establishment
of sizes and the working out of details; also the standardization of general conditions
and the specification of stock materials and shapes wherever possible. This is especi
ally true in the construction of small houses.
(b) Constant, steady, and interested supervision on the part of the management
and the construction superintendent.
(c) Employment of properly skilled workmen, properly skilled foremen, and the
possession-of organizing ability by the general superintendent, so as to insure the
steady flow ol the materials and the supply of proper tools and equipment.
(d) The introduction of the apprenticeship system.
(e) The extension as far as reasonably possible of the building season bv the earlv
commencement of construction.
J
(f) By the steady maximum output of the individual workman.
iuP11S ΰ-Iî ^ rei 1?e further agrees that the efficiency of the building trades workman,
ai Jioiigfi it had been publicly assailed from time to time, is to-day equal to the prewar
(c )
Hours o f Labor.
Resolved , That this conference recognizes that the greatest efficiency per hour of
the workman is attained in the 8-hour day.
Employers’ qualification: We realize that it would be difficult to make universal
the 8-hour day, and we would not look favorably upon any legislation governinohours of labor m the building trades.
&
°
Employees qualification: \\ e believe that legislation should be immediately
enacted which would establish the 8-hour dav for the building industry in
harmony with draft conventions approved at the International Labor Conference at
Washington.
(d )
Wages and their Relation to Cost o f Living.
The following resolution, prepared by the general committee of the conference
was substituted for the original report of the special committee, and was adopted
unanimously by the conference:
The general committee of this joint conference of employers and employees in the
consti uc tion Indus tries begs to report that it has had three meetings during the sessions
^ considered without hesitation some of the vital questions of our industry
with a view to aiding this conference in arriving at a satisfactory conclusion. Thè
chief questions on which no agreement has been reached at this time either in com
mittee or m the conference itself are those of wages and the methods which have been
used to obtain wage reductions.
After the most serious and careful consideration and with the full knowledge that we
are not in any sense a legislative or authorized body, but a voluntary one, and therefore
wuthout jurisdictional powers, we beg to recommend the following :
Whereas there now exists a condition of either strike or lockout in our industry
in several of our Canadian cities because of the so-called arbitrary reductions demanded
by employers; and
Wheieas this condition is the result of a general abnormal situation, over which we
could not possibly have any control ; and
Whereas the postwar unnatural high peak in cost of living and therefore in waves
was passed last year; and
°
Wheieas in many important centers throughout Canada and adjacent U. S. points
wage adjustments fi ave been reached by mutual agreements or arbitration; and
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 185 ]
186
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
Whereas the chief deterring factor which prevents a real substantial reduction in
cost of living is undoubtedly high rent; and
Whereas it is realized by us that only the building of many thousands of dwellings
can alleviate Canada’s deplorable housing shortage; and
Whereas we are as an industry to a slight degree responsible for this situation; and
Whereas it has been conclusively shown in this conference that building material
prices have already been substantially reduced; therefore, be it
R e s o lv e d by this conference, acting as individual builders and workers, and not in
our capacity as officers of any particular organization, and with the full realization that
each locality must of necessity deal with its own peculiar situation, as follows: That
in our best judgment a moderate and reasonable adjustment of wages should be agreed
upon without further delay in such large centers, where an abnormally high peak has
been reached and where no settlement has been accepted, and that such agreement
should be fixed upon for a period of 12 months; and further that we strongly urge the
immediate resumption of negotiations with a view to mutual agreement; and that
failing mutual agreement, voluntary arbitration should be entered into.
In conclusion, your general committee feels that this action will tend to stabilize
conditions by preventing an undue and abnormal drop in wages, and remove strikes,
strife and distrust, and that a new postwar normal will more speedily be determined.
The first disagreement over this report arose on the question of the
percentage which labor costs form of the total cost of a building. In
the opening speech an employer delegate laid down the proposition
th a t these am ount to 80 per cent of the whole. The direct labor
costs, he said, were 40 per cent, b u t to this m ust be added the cost
of the labor which went into the production of the materials, which
he placed a t 80 per cent of their value. H e m aintained th at since
the m aterials absorb about 50 per cent of the total cost of the build
ing, the labor factor in them would am ount to 40 per cent of the total
cost, and this, added to the direct labor cost, would make 80 per cent;
because of this dominance of labor in the costs of a building, the
solution of the building problem depends far more on the worker
than on the employer.
You have to realize that the efficiency of production and the limiting of the cost
of construction lies in your hands to the extent of 80 per cent and in our hands
to the extent of 5 or 10 per cent. That is something which we should freely discuss
and think over. If everyone understood that, I think we would be a great deal
better off. Remember that in the expenditure of $100,000 on a building you control
80 per cent.
The employee delegates would not adm it the accuracy of this
contention. W ithout stopping to inquire how the wages and effi
ciency of a lum berjack in the Northwest, or the steel worker in
D uluth ‘d ay in the h an d s” of a plum ber in Mon treed, they challenged
the figure of 80 per cent as representing the labor costs of a building.
A hot discussion raged over this point, b u t neither side had the data
necessary to prove its contention, since neither was prepared to follow
the various m aterials from their starting point, showing at each stage
of their preparation how the added value was due to the various
items of wages, salaries, profits, interest, insurance, etc. An ap
proach to this was made by an employer present in respect to lum ber
which he had recently sold at $49 per thousand feet, delivered, of
which $8 was clear profit, and who analyzed the various factors makingup the cost of $41. As given in the report, the analysis is not entirely
clear, some figures apparently having been om itted, b u t according
to his calculation, the labor cost am ounted to $29.50.
That lumber was sold to the man who was building a house for $49; $29.50 divided
by $49 gives you very close to 60 per cent as the actual labor in the lumber. Now,
we sold that lumber m competition with other lumber dealers in our district. That
means that we got all the profit that we could, and what we got is not a fictitious
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 186]
HOUSING.
187
^ ^ figure in competition; so it is fair. I think that is a concrete example
oi the proportion of labor m the lumber that is sold in the Province of Quebec to-day
N either side was fully satisfied witli this example, b u t both agreed
to the compromise represented by the section, “ Facts in Building
Costs,” in the com m ittee’s report.
. The resolutions on “ Efficiency and its relation to production” were
adopted w ithout discussion, and those on the 8-hour day evoked
only one comment, which came from a Quebec employer" who was
anxious to put himself on record as protesting against it in the name
of his city. _ In regard to the topic, “ Wages and their relation to the
cost of living,” two resolutions were presented. The employees
recommended th a t as there had never been any national standard
lor wages established during the time of increasing living costs, so
now there should be no national standard of reduction recommended,
b u t th a t any adjustm ents actually necessary “ should be arrived a t
by agreement between the employers and employees of the buildiny
trades industries m their respective localities.” The ernployers pre
sented a rath er lengthy set of resolutions, recapitulating the facts
m the building situation, ascribing the stagnation to the high costs
of building, recommending th a t every possible reduction be made
m the cost of labor and m aterials, and ending w ith a paragraph to
which the workers decidedly objected:
It has been shown that reductions of from 20 per cent to 50 per cent have already
been made in many materials, and we have endeavored by every means possible to
persuade the labor side that labor should do its share, but unsuccessfully We feel
that building trade wages, in order to conform to the reduction of materials and the
wages of workers in factory and mill, should be reduced from 10 per cent to 25 per cent
depending on conditions.
’
On the question of which of these reports should be adopted, the
debate was waged long and earnestly. Employers pointed out the
high wages received in some localities, and the relative rise in wages
as compared w ith the increase in the cost of living. Employees
cited the low wages received in other localities, and dwelt on" the
(uilerence between rates of wages and annual income in an industry
as seasonal as buifding. (In an earlier discussion, it had been brought
out th a t a building employee could not reasonably hope for more than
42 weeks’ employment in the year.) Employers pointed out th a t
the conference had already gone on record as believing th a t building
costs m ust be reduced or the deadlock could not be broken; employees
cited figures to show the actual earnings of building workers and their
relation to the cost of living. Employers reported reductions in wages
already agreed upon in various places as proof of the necessity for
such reductions generally; employees retorted th a t these facts showed
the uselessness of m aking any general recommendations, since the
situation was already adjusting itself according to local conditions.
Em ployers glanced at the desirability of the open shop; employees
dwelt upon the need for organized negotiations if working conditions
were to be tolerable and labor reasonably efficient. B ut in spite of
apparent digressions, the point at issue was clear: The employers
wanted to p u t the conference on record as favoring a general reduction
in wages; the employees were strongly opposed to any such general
recommendation, holding th a t wages varied so widely th a t adjustm ent
m ust be reached by local bodies, and th a t it would be unwise to
attem pt to standardize downward.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[187]
188
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
We have sometimes asked for uniform rates of wages and working conditions
throughout this Province, and we even wanted them all through this Dominion at
some time or other. We have been striving for this, but we have been a long time
getting the employers to see eye to eye with us, that uniform conditions in the build
ing industry are the ideal thing. We have been unable to get them to agree with
us, through their builders’ exchange or individually, to put into effect a uniform wage
in any way, either in one town or city, or throughout even smaller areas than the
Province of Ontario. That being the case, it seems unreasonable to ask this side of
the house for a uniform reduction in wage rates throughout Canada.
The disagreement between the two sides was so pronounced th a t
the conference adjourned a t nearly m idnight, apparently a t a dead
lock, bu t when it reconvened the next morning it was reported th a t
the N ational Joint Conference Board had m et in the interim and
drawn up the set of resolutions presented above under section (d),
which it offered as a substitute for the two resolutions over which
the disagreem ent had risen. On consideration, both sides found
th a t this compromise was satisfactory, and it was unanim ously
adopted.
This completed the proposed work of the conference. B ut in the
concluding addresses, references were m ade to a topic of much im
portance to the building industry both in Canada and in the United
States—the supply of money for construction purposes. An em
ployer delegate dealt m ost fully w ith this m atter, throwing upon it
the greatest share of responsibility for the stagnation in building.
If money were available we would have so much building in this country that we
could not take care of it. We could not get half enough men to construct the buildings
required. There must be some regulation, but the obstruction in the way of building
is a little too strong owing to the fact that money is not available. I t seems to me if
there is any duty a t the present moment which devolves upon our Government or
Governments, it is to inquire into the financial situation which has been created, and
which prevents the investment of money in building projects, and, if possible, see
if there is not some method which can be worked out which will make some money
available through the usual channels of this country. That is all I have to say on that
question, but I felt that I could not let this conference close without saying it.
improvement in Housing Conditions in the Netherlands.
A CCORBING to a report from the United States consul general
. iff R otterdam , D utch authorities believe th a t the housing situ
ation in Holland will soon be favorably modified. I t is anticipated
th a t in the rural districts the shortage of houses will be overcome in
a few m onths, and this in spite of the fact th a t there has been a dis
tin ct m ovem ent back to the country of people who during and since
the w ar have been employed in the cities. This m ovem ent, combined
w ith the developm ent of the housing program, has relieved the situ
ation in the cities slightly. “ R ents,” states the report, “ have fallen
in slight degree, if a t all; b u t there are now a few houses on the m arket
m ost of the time, whereas a t the close of the p ast sum m er it was prac
tically impossible to secure dwellings at any price.” The general sit
uation in the cities, however, will not improve so rapidly as in the
country, owing to the greater seriousness of the problem, and to
complications “ growing out of the labor situation, the 45-hour week,
the lack of available sites, and other sim ilar difficulties.”
The gradual overcoming of the shortage is attributed largely to the
operation of comprehensive schemes of Government aid to housing.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 188]
HOUSING.
189
Such aid was given long before the war, b u t the expenditures involved
have increased enormously in late years.
The Government expenditures in this line in 1905 amounted to FI. 46,000 ($18,400
par) for 31 houses; in 1913 the expenditures were FI. 8,437,741 ($3,375,096 par) for
3,655 houses, and in 1919 it was FI. 92,124,791 ($36,849,916, par) for 13,652 houses In
1920 the expenditures rose to about FI. 150,000,000, or $60,000,000, par.
The Governm ent has had several different m ethods of aiding in the
construction of houses, b u t the m ost generally effective, it is reported,
is one under which a subsidy is given municipalities, building soci
eties, or private persons who p u t up houses not exceeding 450 cubic
m eters m size; the subsidy is FI. 20 ($8, par per cubic foot, b u t the total
am ount m ust not exceed FI. 2,000 ($800, par) per dwelling. No re
striction is placed upon the disposition to be m ade of these dwell
ings, i. c., they m ay be sold or rented or occupied by the owner him
self, as he chooses.
A good deal, also, has been accomplished in m eeting the housing
situation by the cooperative building societies, which have not only
p u t up workm en’s dwellings, b u t have done much in the way of con
structing model tenem ent houses, and aiding in garden city plans and
suburban developments.
Housing Conditions in N ew Zealand.
A CCORDING to extracts from the Annual Business, Industrial,
and Commercial Review of New Zealand for 1920, recently for
warded to this bureau from the D epartm ent of Commerce, a t the
beginning of 1920 the outlook for the construction of homes was not
a t all favorable, although restrictions had been placed on the use
of building m aterials and on the em ploym ent of workmen on con
struction work other than the erection of buildings for residence
purposes.
E arly in the year the Governm ent organized a force and erected
workm en’s homes in the different centers, and also arranged to supply
funds for different m unicipalities a t a low rate of interest, to be used
for this purpose in the respective cities. In April, 1920, the Govern
m ent railway departm ent organized a campaign for the erection of
homes for employees, and a num ber of homes were built in towns
and cities a t the end of railwaj^ divisions.
I he cost of construction increased greatly during the year, in m any
cases being 60 to 80 per cent over prew ar prices, and in some cases
even 100 per cent. Conditions began to improve near the end of
the year.
Housing Conditions in Beirut.
rT T IE U nited States vice-consul a t B eirut reports, under date of May
6, 1921, th a t housing conditions in th a t city are becoming ex
trem ely serious. Thousands of Syrians have returned from N orth
and South America, and these, with the French arm y of occupation,
the civil officials, and European commercial travelers, tourists, and
refugees, have enormously increased the dem and for housing, while
practically no effort has been made to increase the? supply. R ents
have been advanced from 400 to 500 per cent. The Governm ent has
tried to help tenants by forbidding landlords to increase the re n t 3 of
5 4 0 3 9 ° — 2 1 ------13
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 8 9 ]
190
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
occupied property, b u t as the prohibition does not apply to vacant
property this has resulted in landlords dispossessing tenants, in order
to relet at higher rates. W orking class families are crowded together
in one or two rooms, several families sometimes living in the same
room. Hotels are few* and small, and quite unequal to the city ’s
needs. Sanitation has been neglected, and the situation from a health
standpoint, is considered dangerous.
The vice-consul suggests th a t the situation affords an opening w orth
considering for the American builder and investor. Failing such out
side effort it is not apparent w hat will be the outcome of the problem,
as little or nothing is being done to solve it.
Although the wealthy landlords of Beirut have made immense sums through specu
lation, no desire or action is shown on their part to further or encourage building, nor
is anything being done to alleviate the present situation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[190]
SERIES OF BULLETINS PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
[The publication of the annual and special reports and of the bimonthly bulletin was
discontinued in July, 1912, and since that time a bulletin has been published at irregular
intervals. Each number contains matter devoted to one of a series of general subjects. These
bulletins are numbered consecutively, beginning with No. 101, and up to No. 236 they also carry
consecutive numbers under each series. Beginning with No. 237 the serial numbering has been
discontinued. A list of the series is given below. Under each is grouped all the bulletins
which contain material relating to the subject matter of that series. A list of the reports and
bulletin of the Bureau issued prior to July 1, 1912, will be furnished on application. The
bulletins marked thus * are out of print.]
W holesale Priées.
* B ui. 114. W h o lesa le prices, 1 890 to 1912.
B ui. 149. W h o lesa le prices, 1890 to 1913.
* B ui. 173. In d ex num bers o f w h o le sa le p rices in the U n ited S ta te s and foreign
countries.
B ui. 181. W h o lesa le prices, 1 890 to 1914.
* B ui. 2 0 0 . W h o lesa le p rices 189 0 to 1915.
B ui. 226. W h o lesa le prices, 1 8 9 0 to 1916.
B ui. 269. W h olesale prices, 1890 to 1919.
B u i. 284. In d ex num bers o f w h o le sa le p rices in th e U n ited S t a t e s and fo r e ig n coun
tr ie s. [R e v isio n o f B u lle tin No. 1 7 3 .]
[I n p r e ss.]
R etail Prices and Cost of L iving.
* B ui. 105. R e ta il prices, 1890 to 1911 : P a r t I.
R e ta il prices, 189 0 to 1911 : P a r t I I — G eneral tab les.
* B ui. 106. R e ta il prices, 1890 to Jun e, 191 2 : P a r t I.
R e ta il prices, 1 8 9 0 to Jun e, 1912 : P a r t I I — G eneral tab les.
B ui. 108. R e ta il prices, 1 890 to A u gu st, 1912.
B ui. 110. R e ta il prices, 1 8 9 0 to O ctober, 1912.
B ui. 113. R e ta il prices, 1890 to D ecem ber, 1912.
B ui. 115. R e ta il prices, 1 8 9 0 to February, 1913.
* B ui. 121. S u gar prices, from refiner to consum er.
B ui. 125. R e ta il prices, 189 0 to A pril, 1913.
* B ui. 130. W h ea t a n d flour p rices, from farm er to consum er.
B ui. 132. R e ta il prices, 1 890 to Jun e, 1913.
B ui. 136. R e ta il prices, 189 0 to A u gu st, 1913.
* B ui. 138. R e ta il prices, 189 0 to O ctober, 1913.
* B ui. 140. R eta il prices, 1890 to D ecem ber, 1913.
B ui. 156. R e ta il prices. 1 907 to D ecem ber, 1914.
B ui. 164. B u tter prices, from producer to consum er.
B ui. 170. F o reig n food p rices as affected by th e w ar.
B ui. 184. R eta il prices, 1907 to June, 1915.
B ui. 197. R e ta il prices, 190 7 to D ecem ber, 1915.
B ui. 228. R e ta il prices, 1907 to D ecem ber, 1916.
B ui. 270. R e ta il prices, 1913 to 1919.
W ages and Hoars of Labor.
B ui. 116. H ours, ea rn in g s, and d u ration of em ploym en t of w age-earn in g w om en in
selected in d u str ies in th e D is tr ic t o f Colum bia.
* B ui. 118. T en -hou r m axim um w orking-day fo r w om en and you n g persons.
B ui. 119. W orking hours o f w om en in th e pea canneries o f W iscon sin .
* B ui. 128. W ages and hours o f labor in th e co tton , w oolen, and silk in d u str ies. 1890
to 1912.
* B ui. 129 W ages and hours o f labor in th e lum ber, m illw ork , and fu rn itu re in d u s
tr ie s, 1 8 9 0 to 1912.
* B ui. 131. U n ion sca le o f w a g es and hou rs o f labor, 1 9 07 to 1912.
* B ui. 134. W ages and hours o f labor in th e boot and shoe and h osiery and k n it goods
In d u stries, 1890 to 1912.
* B u i. 135. W ages and hours o f labor in th e cigar and clo th in g in d u str ies, 1911 and
1912.
B u i. 137. W ages a nd hou rs o f labor in th e b u ild in g an d rep a irin g o f steam railroad
cars, 189 0 to 1912.
B ui. 143. U n ion scale o f w ages and hou rs o f labor, M ay 15, 1913.
B ui. 146. W ages and reg u la rity o f em ploym en t and sta n d a r d iza tio n o f piece rates
in the dress and w a is t in d u str y o f N ew York C ity.
* B ui. 147. W ages and reg u la rity o f em ploym en t in th e cloak, su it, and sk irt in d u stry.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(I)
W ages and Hours of Labor-— C oncluded.
* B ui. 150. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e cotton , w oolen, and silk in d u str ies, 1907
to 1913.
B ui. 151. W ages and hours of labor in th e iron an d s te e l in d u str y in th e U n ited
S ta te s, 1907 to 1912.
B ui. 153. W ages and hours o f labor in th e lum ber, m illw ork , and fu rn itu re in d u s
tr ie s, 190 7 to 1913.
* B u i. 154. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e b oot a n d sh oe an d h o siery and under
w ear in d u stries, 1 907 to 1913.
B ui. 160. H ours, ea rn in g s, a n d co n d itio n s o f labor o f w om en in In d ia n a m ercan tile
e sta b lish m e n ts and ga rm en t fa c to r ie s.
B ui. 161. W ages and hours o f labor in th e c lo th in g and cigar in d u str ies, 1911 to
1913.
B ui. 163. W ages a nd hou rs o f labor in th e b u ild in g and rep airin g o f steam railroad
cars, 1 9 0 7 to 1913.
B ui. 168. W ages and hours o f labor in th e iron and s te e l in d u stry , 1907 to 1918.
* B ui. 171. U n io n sca le o f w a g e s and hou rs o f labor, M ay 1, 1914.
B ui. 177. W ages and hours o f labor in th e h o siery and u n derw ear in d u str y , 1907
to 1914.
B ui. 178. W ages and hours o f labor in th e boot an d shoe in d u stry, 1907 to 1914.
B u i. 187. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e m en’s c lo th in g in d u str y , 1911 to 1914.
* B ui. 190. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e co tton , w oolen, and silk in d u str ies, 1907
to 1914.
* B ui. 194. U n ion sca le o f w ages and hours o f labor, M ay 1, 1915.
B ui. 204. S tre e t r a ilw a y em ploym en t in th e U n ited S ta te s.
B ui. 214. U nion sca le o f w ages and hours of labor, M ay 15, 1916.
B ui. 218. W ages and hours o f labor in th e iron an d ste el in d u str y , 1907 to 1915.
B ui. 221. H ours, fa tig u e, and h ea lth in B ritish m u n ition fa cto ries.
B ui. 225. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e lum ber, m illw ork , and fu rn itu re in d u s
tries, 1915.
Bui. 232. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e boot a nd shoe in d u str y , 1907 to 1916.
B ui. 238. W ages and hou rs o f labor in w oolen a nd w o rsted goods m an u factu rin g,
1916.
B ui. 239. W ages and hours o f labor in c o tto n goods m a n u fa ctu rin g and finishing,
1916.
B ui. 245. U n ion sca le o f w a g es
and hours o f labor, M ay 15, 1917.
* B ui. 252. W ages and hou rs o f
labor in th e sla u g h ter in g and m eat-p ack in g
1917.
B ui. 259. U n ion sca le o f w a g es
a nd hou rs o f labor, M ay 15, 1918.
B ui. 260. W ages and hours o f
labor in th e boot an d shoe in d u str y , 1907
B ui. 261. W ages and hou rs o f labor in w oolen an d w o rsted goods m an u fa ctu rin g , 1918.
B ui. 262. W ages and hours o f labor in co tto n goods m a n u fa c tu r in g an d fin ish in g,
1918.
Bui. 265. I n d u s t r i a l s u rv e y in selected in d u str ies in th e U n ited S ta te s, 1919. P re
lim in a ry report
B ui. 274. U n ion sca le o f w a g es and hou rs o f labor, M ay 15, 1919.
B ui. 278. W ages and hou rs o f labor in th e boot a nd shoe in d u stry , 1 9 0 7 -1 9 2 0 .
B ui. 279. H ours and e a rn in g s in a n th r a cite and b itu m in ou s coal m ining.
B ui. 286. U n io n sca le o f w a g es and hou rs o f labor, M ay 15, 1920. [I n p r e ss.]
B ui. 288. W ages an d hours o f labor in co tto n goods m a n u fa ctu rin g , 1920.
[In
p re s s .]
B u i. 289. W ages and hou rs o f labor in w oolen a n d w orsted goods m an u fa ctu rin g ,
1920. [In p r e ss.]
Em ploym ent and Unem ploym ent.
* B ui. 109. S ta tis tic s o f un em p loym en t and th e w ork of em ploym en t offices.
B ui. 116. H ours, earn in gs, and d u ra tio n of em p lo y m en t o f w ag e-ea rn in g w om en in
selected in d u str ies in th e D is tr ic t o f Colum bia.
B ui. 172. U n em p lo y m en t in N ew York C ity, N. Y.
* B ui. 182. U n em p lo y m en t am ong w om en in d ep a rtm en t an d oth er r eta il sto r es of
B o sto n , M ass.
* B ui. 183. R e g u la r ity o f em ploym en t in th e w om en ’s read y-to-w ear g a rm en t in d u stries.
B ui. 192. P ro ceed in g s o f th e A m erican A sso cia tio n o f P u b lic E m p loym en t Offices.
* B ui. 195. U n em p lo y m en t in th e U n ited S ta tes.
B ui. 196. P ro ceed in g s o f th e E m ploym en t M anagers’ C onference held a t M inneapolis,
J a n u a ry , 1916.
Bui. 202. P ro ceed in g s o f th e co n feren ce o f th e Employment Managers’ Association of
B o sto n , M ass., held M ay 10, 1916.
Bui. 206. T he B r itish sy stem o f labor exch anges.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
in d u stry ,
to 1918.
Employm ent and U nem ploym ent— C oncluded.
B ui. 220. P ro ceed in g s o f th e F o u rth A nnu al M eeting o f th e A m erican A sso cia tio n of
P u blic E m p loym en t Offices, B uffalo, N. Y., J u ly 2 0 and 21, 1916.
Bui. 223. E m p loym en t o f w om en and ju v en ile s in G reat B rita in du rin g th e w ar.
• B ui. 22 7 . P ro ceed in g s o f th e E m p lo y m en t M a n a g ers’ C onference, P h ila d e lp h ia Pa
A p ril 2 an d 3, 1917.
’
’
B ui. 235. E m p lo y m en t sy stem o f th e L ake C arriers’ A ssociation .
Bui. 241. P u b lic em ploym en t offices in th e U n ited S ta tes.
B ui. 247. P ro ceed in g s o f E m p loym en t M anagers’ C onference, R och ester
N
Y
M ay 9 -1 1 , 1918.
'
’’
Women in Industry.
B ui. 116. H ours, ea rn in g s, and d u ra tio n o f em ploym en t of w age-earn in g wom en in
selected in d u str ies in th e D is tr ic t o f Colum bia.
* B ui. 117. P ro h ib itio n of n ig h t work o f y o u n g persons.
* B ui. 118. T en-hour m axim um w orking-day for w om en and yo u n g persons.
B ui. 119. W orking hours o f w om en in th e pea ca n n eries o f W iscon sin .
* B ui. 122. E m p lo y m en t o f w om en in pow er la u n d ries in M ilw aukee.
B ui. 160. H orns, ea rn in g s, and c o n d itio n s o f labor o f w om en in In d ia n a m ercan tile
e sta b lish m e n ts an d ga rm en t fa cto ries.
* B ui. 167. M inim um -w age le g isla tio n in th e U n ited S ta te s and foreign countries.
* B ui. 175. Sum m ary o f th e report on co n d itio n o f w om an an d child w age earn ers in
th e U n ited S ta tes.
* B ui. 176. E ffect o f m in im um w age d ete r m in a tio n s in Oregon.
* B ui. 180. T he boot and shoe in d u stry in M a ssa c h u setts as a v ocation f o r wom en.
* B ui. 182. U n em p lo y m en t am on g w om en in d ep a rtm en t and o th e r r eta il sto res of
B o sto n , M ass.
B ui. 193. D ressm a k in g as a trade for w om en in M a ssa ch u setts.
B ui. 215. In d u str ia l experien ce o f trad e-sch ool g irls in M assach u setts.
B ui. 21 7 . E ffect o f w orkm en’s com p en sation la w s in d im in ish in g th e n e c e s s ity of
in d u str ia l em ploym en t o f w om en and child ren.
B ui. 223. E m ploym en t o f w om en and ju v en ile s in G reat B r ita in d u rin g th e w ar.
B ui. 253. W om en in th e lead in d u stry .
Workmen s Insurance and Compensation (including law s relating thereto) •
B ui. 101. Care o f tu berculou s w age ea rn ers in G erm any.
B ui. 102. B r itish N a tio n a l In su ra n ce A ct, 1911.
B ui. 103. Sickn ess and a c cid e n t in su ra n ce la w o f S w itzerlan d .
B ui. 107. L aw r ela tin g to in su ra n ce o f sa la ried em ployees in Germ any.
* B ui. 126. W orkm en’s co m p en sa tio n la w s o f th e U n ited S ta te s and fo reig n cou n tries.
* B u i. 155. C om pensation for a c cid en ts to em p loyees o f th e U n ited S tates.
* B ui. 185. C om pensation le g is la tio n o f 1 914 and 1915.
B ui. 203. W orkm en’s com p en sation la w s o f th e U n ited S ta te s and foreign countries,
E ul. 210. P ro ceed in g s o f th e T hird A n n u al M eetin g o f th e In te r n a tio n a l A sso c ia tio n
o f In d u str ia l A ccid en t B oard s a n d C om m issions.
B ui. 212. P ro ceed in g s o f th e con feren ce on s o cia l in su ra n ce called by th e In te r
n a tio n a l A sso c ia tio n o f I n d u str ia l A ccid en t B oard s and C om m issions.
B ui. 217. E ffect o f w orkm en’s co m p en sa tio n la w s in d im in ish in g th e n e c essity of
in d u str ia l em ploym en t o f w om en a nd child ren.
B ui. 240. C om parison o f w orkm en’s co m p en sa tio n la w s o f th e U n ited S ta te s.
B ui. 243. W orkm en’s co m p en sa tio n le g is la tio n in th e U n ited S ta te s and foreign
co u n tries.
B ui. 248. P ro ceed in g s o f th e F o u rth A nnu al M eetin g o f th e In te r n a tio n a l A sso cia tio n
o f In d u str ia l A ccid en t B o a rd s and C om m issions.
B ui. 264. P ro ceed in g s o f th e F ifth A nnual M eetin g o f th e In te r n a tio n a l A sso cia tio n
o f In d u str ia l A ccid en t B o a rd s and C om m issions.
B ui. 272. W orkm en’s com p en sation le g isla tio n o f th e U n ited S ta te s and Canada
1919.
* B ui. 273. P ro ceed in g s o f the S ix th A nnu al M eetin g o f th e In te r n a tio n a l A sso c ia tio n
o f In d u str ia l A ccid en t B oard s and C om m issions.
B ui. 275. C om parison o f w ork m en ’s com p en sation la w s of th e U n ited S ta te s and
Canada.
B ui. 281. P roceed in gs o f th e S ev en th A nnu al M eeting o f th e In te r n a tio n a l A sso
c ia tio n o f In d u str ia l A ccid en t B oard s and C om m issions.
[In press.]
Industrial Accidenta and H ygiene.
B ui. 104. L ead p o iso n in g in p o tte rie s, tile w orks, and p orcelain enam eled san itary
w are fa cto ries.
B ui. 120. H y g ien e o f th e p a in te r s ’ trade.
* B ui. 127. D angers to w orkers from d u sts and fu m es, and m eth ods of p rotection .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(m )
Industrial Accidents a nd H ygiene—Concluded.
B ui. 141. L ead p o iso n in g in th e sm e ltin g and refining o f lead.
* B ui. 157. In d u str ia l a c cid en t s ta tis tic s .
B ui. 165. L ead p o iso n in g in th e m an u fa ctu re o f s to r a g e.b a tter ie s.
* B ui. 179. In d u str ia l p o iso n s used in th e rubber in d u stry.
B ui. 188. R eport o f B r itish d ep a rtm en ta l co m m ittee on th e danger in th e u se of lead
in th e p a in tin g o f bu ildin gs.
* B ui. 201. R eport o f co m m ittee on s ta tis tic s and co m p en sation in su ran ce cost o f th e
In te r n a tio n a l A sso c ia tio n o f In d u str ia l A ccid en t B oard s and Com m is
sio n s. [L im ited e d itio n .]
B ui. 205. A n th ra x as an o ccu p a tio n a l disease.
B ui. 207. C auses o f d ea th by occu pation .
B ui. 209. H y g ien e o f th e p r in tin g tra d es.
* B ui. 216. A ccid en ts and a c cid e n t p rev en tio n in m achin e bu ildin g.
B ui. 219. In d u str ia l p o iso n s used or produced in th e m a n u fa ctu re o f exp lo siv es.
B ui. 221. H ours, fa tig u e , and h e a lth in B ritish m u n ition fa c to r ie s.
B ui. 230. In d u str ia l efficiency a nd fa tig u e in B r itish m u n itio n fa cto ries.
B ui. 231. .M ortality from resp ira to ry d isea ses in d u sty trades.
* B ui. 234. S a fety m ovem en t in th e ir o n and s te el in d u stry, 1907 to 1917.
B ui. 236. E ffect of th e air ham m er on th e han d s o f sto n e c u tte r s.
B ui. 251. P r e v e n ta b le d ea th in th e co tto n m a n u fa c tu r in g in d u stry.
B ui. 253. W om en in th e lead in d u stries.
B ui. 256. A ccid en ts and a c cid en t p rev en tio n in m achin e bu ildin g.
R ev isio n of
B ui. 216.
B ui. 267. A n th ra x a s an o ccu p a tio n a l d isea se.
(R ev ised .)
B ui. 276. S ta n d a rd iza tio n o f in d u str ia l a ccid en t s ta tis tic s .
B ui. 280. In d u str ia l p o iso n in g in m a k in g coal ta r dyes and dye in term ed ia tes.
B ui. 291. Carbon m on oxide p o iso n in g .
[I n p ress.]
C onciliation and A rbitration (including strikes and lockouts).
* B ui. 124. C o n cilia tio n and a rb itra tio n in th e b u ild in g trad es o f G reater N ew York.
* B ui. 133. R eport o f th e in d u str ia l co u n cil o f th e B r itis h B oard of T rade on its in
quiry in to in d u str ia l agreem en ts.
B ui. 139. M ich igan copper d is tr ic t strike.
B ui. 144. In d u str ia l court o f th e cloak, su it, a nd sk irt Industry of N ew York C ity.
B ui. 145. C o n cilia tio n , a r b itr a tio n , a nd s a n ita tio n in th e dress and w a is t Industry of
N ew York C ity.
B ui. 191. C o llectiv e b a rg a in in g in th e a n th r a cite coal in d u stry .
* B ui. 198. C o llectiv e ag reem en ts in th e m en ’s c lo th in g in d u stry.
B ui. 233. O peration o f th e I n d u str ia l D isp u te s I n v e stig a tio n A ct of Canada.
Labor Laws of
* B ui. 111.
B ui. 112.
* B ui. 148.
* B ui. 152.
* B ui. 166.
* B ui. 169.
* B ui. 186.
* B ui. 189.
B ui. 211.
* B ui. 213.
B u i. 224.
B ui. 229.
* B u i. 244.
B ui. 246.
B ui. 257.
B ui. 258.
B ui. 2 7 7 .
B ui. 2 8 5 .
B ui. 290.
B ui. 292.
the U nited States (including decisions of courts relating to labor).
Labor le g is la tio n of 1912.
D e cisio n s of co u rts and o p in io n s a ffectin g labor, 1912.
Labor la w s o f th e U n ited S ta te s, w ith d ecision s of courts r ela tin g th ereto.
D e cisio n s o f courts an d opin ions affectin g labor, 1913.
L abor le g isla tio n o f 1914.
D eciso n s o f co u rts a ffectin g labor, 1914.
L abor le g is la tio n o f 1915.
D ecisio n s o f co u rts a ffectin g labor, 1915.
L abor la w s and th eir a d m in istr a tio n in th e P acific S ta te s.
Labor le g is la tio n o f 1916.
D e cisio n s o f courts a ffec tin g labor, 1916.
W age-paym en t le g is la tio n in th e U n ited State«.
Labor le g is la tio n o f 1917.
D e cisio n s o f co u rts a ffectin g labor, 1917.
Labor le g is la tio n o f 1918.
D e cisio n s o f co u rts and o p in io n s a ffectin g labor, 1818.
L abor le g is la tio n o f 1919.
M inim um -w age le g is la tio n in th e U n ited S ta te s.
[In p ress.]
D e cisio n s o f c o u rts and o p in io n s a ffectin g labor, 1 9 1 9 -1 9 2 0 . [In p ress.]
L abor le g is la tio n o f 1920. [In p ress.]
Foreign Labor Law*.
B ui. 142. A d m in istr a tio n o f labor la w s a nd fa c to r y in sp e c tio n in certa in E uropean
countries.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(IV)
V ocational Education.
B ui. 145. C o n cilia tio n , a r b itr a tio n , and s a n ita tio n in th e dress an d w a is t in d u stry of
N ew York City.
* B ui. 147. W ages and reg u la rity o f em ploym en t in th e cloak, su it, and sk irt in d u stry .
* B ui. 159. S h o rt-u n it courses for w a g e ea rn ers, an d a fa c to r y sch ool experim ent.
B ui. 162. V o ca tio n a l ed u cation su rv ey o f R ichm ond, Va.
B ui. 199. V o ca tio n a l ed u cation survey o f M inneapolis.
Labor as
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
Affected by th e W ar.
170. F o reig n food p rices a s affected by th e w ar.
219. In d u str ia l p o iso n s used or produced in the m an u factu re of exp lo siv e s.
221. H ours, fa tig u e , and h e a lth in B r itish m u n itio n fa cto ries.
222. W elfa re w ork in B r itish m u n itio n fa c to r ie s.
223. E m p lo y m en t o f w om en and ju v en ile s in G reat B r ita in du rin g th e w ar.
230. In d u str ia l efficiency and fa tig u e in B r itish m u n itio n fa cto ries.
237. In d u str ia l u n rest in G reat B rita in .
249. In d u str ia l h e a lth and efficiency. F in a l rep ort o f B r itis h H e a lth o f M uni
tio n W orkers C om m ittee.
B ui. 255. J o in t in d u str ia l co u n cils in G reat B rita in .
B ui. 283. H isto r y o f th e S h ip b u ild in g L abor A d ju stm e n t B oard, 1917 to 1919.
B ui. 2 8 7 . N a tio n a l W ar Labor Board.
[In p r e ss.]
M iscellaneous
* B ui. 117.
* B ui. 118.
* B ui. 123.
B ui. 158.
* B ui.
* B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
B ui.
Bui.
B ui.
B u i.
Series.
P ro h ib itio n o f n ig h t work o f y o u n g persons.
T en -hou r m axim um w orking-day for w om en and y o u n g persons.
E m p lo y ers’ w e lfa r e w ork.
G overnm ent aid to hom e o w n in g and h o u sin g of w orking people in foreign
countries.
159. S h o rt-u n it courses fo r w age earn ers, and a fa c to r y sch ool experim ent.
167. M inim um -w age le g is la tio n in th e U n ite d S ta te s and foreign countries.
170. F o reig n food p rices a s affected by th e w ar.
174. Su bject in d ex o f th e p u b lic a tio n s o f th e U n ited S ta te s B u reau o f Labor
S t a tis tic s up to M ay 1, 1915.
208. P ro fit sh a rin g in th e U n ited S ta tes.
222. W elfa re w ork in B ritish m u n itio n fa cto ries.
242. Food situ a tio n in C entral E urope, 1917.
250. W elfa re w ork for em ployees in in d u str ia l e sta b lish m e n ts in th e U n ited
S ta te s.
254. I n te r n a tio n a l la b o r le g isla tio n and th e so c ie ty o f n ation s.
263. H o u sin g by em p loyers in th e U n ited S ta tes.
266. P ro ceed in g s o f S ev en th A nnual C onvention o f G overnm ental L abor Officials
o f th e U n ited S ta te s and Canada.
268. H isto r ic a l su rv ey of in ter n a tio n a l a ctio n affectin g labor.
2 7 1 . A d u lt w ork in g-class ed u cation in G reat B rita in a n d th e U n ited S tates.
2 8 2 . M utual r elief a sso c ia tio n s a m on g G overnm ent em ployees in W ash in g
ton, D . C.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
(V )
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
D escrip tio n s o f occup ation s, prepared
for th e
U n ited
S ta te s
E m p loym en t
S erv ice,
1 9 1 8 -1 9 .
Boots and shoes, harness and saddlery, and tanning.
Cane-sugar refining and flour m ining.
Coaland water gas, pain t and varnish, paper, printing trades, and rubber goods.
Electrical manufacturing, distribution, and m aintenance.
Glass.
Hotels and restaurants.
Logging camps and sawm ills.
Medicin almanufacturing.
Metalworking, building and general construction, railroad transportation, and shipbuilding.
Mines and mining.
Office employees.
Slaughtering and m eat packing.
Street railways.
Textiles and clothing.
W ater transportation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
o
(VI)
IN D U STR IA L A C C ID EN TS AMD HYGIENE,
Metal -mine Accidents in the United States during 1919.
r T~,H E report of the United States Bureau of Mines on metal-mine
accidents in the U nited States during the calendar year 1919
(Technical Paper 286) notes a considerable decrease in the
quan tity of minerals produced, the num ber of persons employed, and
in the num ber of fatalities and injuries. The fatality rate was the
lowest on record for the industry in the U nited States, and the
injury rate was lower than for any other year since 1914. Reports
from 3,383 operators for 1919 give a total of 145,262 employees as
compared w ith 182,606 reported by 3,636 operators for 1918.
The num ber of men killed in m etal mines in 1919 was 468, and the
num ber injured was 31,506 as compared w ith 646 killed and 42,915
injured in 1918. In 1919 for each 1,000 300-day workers there wTere
3.43 fatalities and 231.18 nonfatal injuries as compared w ith 3.57 and
237.09, respectively, in 1918.
As m any of the States now have compensation laws, the bureau’s
classification of serious and slight injuries is on a 14-dav basis in
order to conform to the classification used by the States. The classi
fication of injuries includes three types, as follows:
FA T A L , S E R IO U S , A N D SL IG H T IN J U R IE S IN M E T A L M IN ES IN T H E U N IT E D S T A T E S
IN 1918 A N D 1919.
In ju ry .
1918
P er cent of
decrease.
1919
F a ta l.....................................................................................................................
646
468
Serious (tim e lost more th a n 14 days):
P erm an en t disability—
T o ta l1................................................................................................
P a rtia l2............................................................................ ................
O thers...........................................................................................................
Slight (tim e lost 1 to 14 days, inclusive).....................................................
82
640
9, 066
33,147
7
321
7,848
23, 330
88. 7
49.8
13.4
29. G
T o ta l..........................................................................................................
42, 915
31, 506
25.6
27.6
1 P erm an en t to ta l disability is loss of b o th legs or arm s, one leg and one arm , total loss of eyesight,
paralysis, or other condition perm an en tly incapacitating th e w orkm an from engaging in a gainful occu
pation.
2 P erm an en t p artial disability m eans loss of one foot, leg, hand, eye, one or more fingers, one or more
toes, any; dislocation where ligam ents are severed, or an y o th er in ju ry know n in surgery to be perm anent
pa rtia l disability.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
191
1191]
192
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW,
The following table shows the num ber of employees, the num ber of
fatalities and injuries, and the fatal and nonfatal accident rates, by
kind of mine, during 1918 and 1919:
N U M B E R E M P L O Y E D , N U M B E R K IL L E D A N D IN J U R E D , A N D F A T A L AN D N O N F A T A L
A C C ID E N T R A T E S IN M E T A L M IN E S D U R IN G 1918 A N D 1919.
K in a of m ine.
A ctive
opera
tors.
N um ber
injured
N um ber Aver
N u m (tim e
age
of m en days ber
lost
em
more
ac killed
ployed. tive.
th a n
1 day.)
N um ber
300-day
workers.
N um
ber
killed
per
1,000
300day
work
ers.
N um ber
injured
per 1,000
300-day
workers.
1918.
Copper.................................................
Gold, silver, an d miscellaneous
m e ta l................................................
Iro n ......................................................
Lead and zinc (M ississippi Valley)
N onm etallic m in e ra l.......................
524
59, 447
321
220
20, 513
63,681
3.45
322.12
2,429
176
236
271
43,643
53,665
14,004
11, 847
197
290
251
287
181
179
47
19
7,847
9,621
3, 746
1,188
42, 375
51, 878
11, 723
11, 349
4.27
3.45
3. 58
1.67
185.18
185.45
319. 54
104.69
T o ta l.........................................
3,636
182,606
297
646
42, 915
181,006
3.57
237.09
1919.
C opper.................................................
Gold, silver, a n d miscellaneous
m e ta l................................................
Iro n ......................................................
Lead an d zinc (M ississippi Valley)
N onm etallic m in e ra l.......................
410
39, 327
301
140
12, 236
39, 522
3.54
309.60
2,430
157
141
245
32,130
47,676
12, 968
13,161
267
292
252
248
126
139
45
18
5,469
9,098
3,185
1, 518
28, 590
46, 373
10, 897
10, 900
4.41
3.00
4.13
1.65
191.29
196.19
292.28
139.27
T o ta l.........................................
3,383
145, 262
281
468
31, 506
136,282
3.43
231.18
The report shows the causes of accidents in considerable detail.
Com parative data for accidents a t m etal mines, coal mines, and
quarries are given; also statistics of accidents a t m etallurgical plants
during 1919.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[192]
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE,
193
Industrial Accident Experience in the State of Washington, 1916 to
1920.
H E following table, taken from the M onthly Bulletin of the
D epartm ent of Labor and Industries of the S tate of W ashing
ton for May, 1921, shows, by industries, the total num ber of
compensable accidents occurring in th a t S tate from 1916 to 1920:
T
C O M PE N SA B L E A C CID EN TS O C CU R R IN G D U R IN G T H E 5-Y EA R P E R IO D , 1916 TO 1920, B Y
IN D U S T R IA L CLASSES.
F a ta l accidents.
In d u s try .
N onfatal accidents.
Class.
N um ber. P er cent. N um ber. P er cent.
E xcavations, sewers.........................................
Bridges, pile d riv in g ........................................
G eneral co nstruction........................................
M achine in sta lla tio n .........................................
L a n d clearing.....................................................
Streets an d highw ays.......................................
S hipbuilding.......................................................
Saw an d shingle m ill........................................
Team ing an d tru c k d riv in g ............................
D redging..............................................................
Electric p ower p la n ts .......................................
E lectric railw ay s...............................................
Telegraph a n d telep h o n e................................
Coal m in es................. ........................................
M etal m ines an d q u a rrie s ..............................
Steel works, sm elters........................................
Gas w orks............................................................
Peed m ills, w arehouses....................................
L aundries............................................................
W aterw orks........................................................
P a p e r m ills.........................................................
W oodw orking.....................................................
B uilding m a te ria ls............................................
F ish canneries....................................................
M etal w orking tra d e s .......................................
B rick an d t i l e . ...................................................
Chemicals, b o ttlin g w orks..............................
Textiles, leath ers, e tc ......................................
B akeries, f o o d stu n s..........................................
Condensed m ilk .................................................
P rin tin g ...............................................................
W harf operations..............................................
Packing houses..................................................
Cold storage, ice.................................................
T h e a te rs..............................................................
Pow der w o rk s...................................................
Creosote w orks...................................................
Elective a d o p tio n .............................................
Logging operations............................................
Unclassified.........................................................
1
2
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24
29
31
33
34
35
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
50
T o ta l.........................................................
15
17
63
18
36
40
123
247
2
7
34
23
3
169
37
12
5
14
4
5
11
15
14
8
24
4
1
3
6
3
3
10
7
2
0.866
.980
3.631
1.039
2.094
2.306
7.090
14. 236
. 116
.404
1.956
1.326
.172
9. 740
2.132
.692
.289
.807
.230
.289
.635
.865
.808
.462
1.384
.230
.059
.172
.346
.172
.172
.577
.404
.116
1
2
1
667
79
.059
.116
.059
3S. 415
4. 554
1,735
100.000
T o tal
(five
years).
279
553
2,918
655
526
1,687
7,205
18,724
161
164
273
740
106
4,017
783
1,616
157
1,097
374
151
942
2,946
274
434
4,017
261
147
379
666
446
221
1,625
844
205
18
19
33
33
13,720
0.401
.797
4.204
.944
.758
2.430
10.380
26.973
.232
.236
.393
1. 066
.153
5. 787
1.128
2.328
.226
1.580
.539
.217
1.357
4.244
.394
.625
5. 787
.376
.212
.546
.960
.642
.318
2.340
1.216
.295
. 026
.028
.048
.048
19.766
294
570
2,981
673
562
1,727
7,328
18,971
163
171
307
763
109
4,186
820
1,628
162
1,111
378
156
953
2,961
288
442
4,041
265
148
382
672
449
224
1,635
851
207
18
20
35
34
14,387
79
69,416
100. 000
71,151
Compensable accidents tabulated above......................................
Claims suspended and rejected.....................................................
71,151
47, 239
Total number of accidents reported, 1916-1920................ 118, 390
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 9 3 ]
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW,
194
A nother table is given in the same report showing the accident
experience, by causes, for the seven years from 1914 to 1920, inclusive:
C O M PE N SA B L E A C C ID E N TS O C CU R R IN G D U R IN G T H E 7-Y EA R P E R IO D , 1914 TO 1920,
B Y CA USES.
Cause of accident.
M echanical in ju ries:
Motors* engines, dynam os, etc..
Gearing, cogs, etc.”...........................................................................
Set screws............................................................................................
Shaftings.............................................................................................
B elts and n u lley s..............................................................................
Cables, chains, an d blocks............................
Conveying a n a h o istin g ..................................................................
E lev ato rs a n d lifts ...................
Cranes an d d errick s.............................„...........................................
Coupling c a r s ....................................................
.......................
T rains an d street c a rs ......................................................................
Collisions an d d erailm en ts..............................................................
H a n d cars, p u sh cars, speeders.....................................................
Coal cars, d u m p cars, e tc ................................................................
O ther railw ay causes........................................................................
Saws, pow er-d riv en ..........................................................................
Planers, jointers, e t c . ......................................................................
Log carriages.......................................................................................
L/ive rolls......................- .....................................
O ther woodworking m achines.................
A uto an d m otor tru c k .....................................................................
D rilling, m illing, boring m achines............................................
D rop an d pow er h am m ers........................ . .
Shears .
..........................................................................
E xcav atin g m ach in ery ....................................................................
Crushing m ach in ery .....................................................................
G rindstones, em ery w heels......................................................
S truck b y lever or h o o k ...........................................................
M achines, n o t otherw ise soeciiied.........................................
T otal
.....................................................................................
N onm echanical injuries:
Explosion, pow der an d gas..............................
Explosion, to ilers, steam p ip es.................................................
Steam , h o t liq u id s ............................................
M olteiunetal*............................................................................
E lec tric ity .................................................................................
F ire an d h e a t ....... ...........................................................................
F a ll from ladder, scaffold, e tc ..........................
F a ll caused b y collapse of su p p o rt.............
F a ll in openings........... ..................................
F a ll b y slipping a n d trip p in g ......................
All other falls. T.......................................................
F a ll of coal, rock, cave-ins...........................
F a ll o f p ile of m a te ria l......................................................................
FaUingTtimber an d tim b e r.............................................................
F a llin g tre e s........................................................................................
Fallin g objects n o t otherw ise specified...........................
Tool or weights d ro p p e d ..................................................
H andling tru ck s, w h eelb arro w s......................................
H an d lin g h e av y m a c h in ery ........................................
H andling lu m b e r.............................................................................
L ifting a n d p u llin g .....................................................
S tru ck in eye b y flying o b ject.......................................................
O ther flying o b j e c t s .. 7 .. 2 .............................................................
Rolling or m oving logs.............................................................
Vehicles a n d a n im als........................................................................
H a n d tools................... ......................................................................
N ails a n d sharo projections.............................................
Ax, adz, crosscut saws, e tc ...........................
Splinters, cable s t r a n d . .....................................................
Swinging objects......................................................................
D row ning, falling in w a te r..................................................
C aught betw een objects.............................................................
M iscellaneous........ I .........................................................................
U nclassified.....................................................................................
T o t a l............................................................................................
G rand to ta l..................................................................................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N onfatal.
F a ta l.
[194]
22
17
T otal.
3
797
893
95
227
777
2,432
682
190
397
383
439
435
172
614
80
4,975
'988
377
883
194
875
432
226
108
37
1
10
5
172
330
1,564
919
910
95
268
798
2,516
'686
205
417
394
546
492
174
622
100
4,988
991
381
888
194
896
432
226
108
40
56
173
340
1,569
494
19,930
20,424
110
18
608
121
579
463
248
319
2 ,640
1,082
'701
7,563
3,085
3 ,147
'562
5,538
1,972
718
139
594
465
303
335
2,748
1,097
720
7,574
3,229
3^268
502
5,582
2,249
6,831
41
21
84
4
15
20
11
107
57
2
8
20
13
3
4
5
21
2
55
16
106
15
19
11
144
121
44
277
96
2
16
67
286
26
12
9
5
10
27
98
124
67
1,793
2,292
735
'777
2,056
2,214
2,747
2,512
2', 467
2,827
3,638
1,143
2 ,876
2,840
5 958
2,763
143
1,190
1,612
73,128
93,058
P e r cent.
'777
2,056
2,216
2 ,747
2,528
2,467
2,894
3,924
1,169
2,888
2,849
5,963
2,775
170
98
1,190
l ' 736
' 67
74,926
95,350
’
0.964
.954
.099
.281
.838
2.638
.720
. 216
. 439
.413
.574
. 517
.183
.653
.104
5.231
1.040
.400
.931
.205
.940
.454
.238
.114
.041
.060
.181
.358
1.646
21. 432
.148
.623
.488
.318
.351
2.880
1. 150
.755
7.943
3. 387
3.427
.590
5. 854
2. 359
7.164
. 816
2.156
2.324
2.880
2.651
2. 588
3. 035
4.115
1.226
3. 029
2.988
6. 254
2. 901
. 178
. 102
1.248
1. 820
.069
78.568
100.000
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND H YGIENE.
195
Accidents Among Bridge and Structural-! ron Workers.
H E Industrial Accident R eport for the year 1919, issued by
Bridge and Structural Iron W orkers’ Union No. 1, Chicago,
111.,
shows th a t 158 members were injured in accidents during
1920 as compared w ith 134 in 1919.
The report includes tables showing the num ber of accidents during
each day of the week and during each working hour of the day for
the years 1916 to 1920, as follows:
T
N U M B E R A N D P E R C EN T OF A C C ID E N TS ON E A C H D A Y O F T H E W E E K .
Sunday. M onday, Tuesday. W ednesday.
Y ear.
T hurs
day.
F riday.
S atur
day.
1916 (9 m o n th s)..............................
1917...................................................
1918...................................
1919.....................................
1920........................................
4
2
5
2
2
40
23
37
32
30
27
40
26
24
32
35
40
17
17
23
24
32
19
19
25
30
31
9
19
27
22
17
22
21
18
T o ta l......................................
P er c e n t................................
15
1.8
162
20.4
149
18.7
132
16.8
119
15.0
116
14.6
100
12.7
A ttention is directed to the large proportion of accidents occurring
during the first three workdays, especially on Monday, and on
Saturday when the hours worked are only four.
N U M B E R A N D P E R C EN T O P A C C ID E N TS D U R IN G E A C H W O R K IN G H O U R .
Y ear.
F irst.
Second.
T hird.
F o u rth .
Fifth.
Sixth.
Seventh.
E ighth.
1916-17..........................
Apr.-D ec., 1917...........
1918................................
1919................................
1920................................
12
5
7
7
6
30
17
22
13
33
43
37
30
32
37
37
15
21
31
36
4
8
7
9
3
31
19
11
11
14
24
16
21
16
14
30
6
16
10
11
T o tal..................
P er c en t............
37
5.0
115
15.3
179
23.8
140
18.6
31
4.1
86
11.4
91
12.1
73
9.7
The greatest num ber of accidents occur during the third working
hour in the morning, w ith another rise in the third working hour in
the afternoon. Quoting from other studies of accidents in which
this was found to be true, the report suggests th a t this m ay be the
effect of alcohol taken on the way to work or during the lunch hour,
the greatest injury resulting about three hours later
Cost of industrial Medical Service.
recognition of the value of industrial health service,
INCREASING
the im portance of which was especially emphasized by the war,
makes a study of the cost of m aintaining such a service of much
interest. Investigators have in the past found this departm ent of
p lan t activities managed in such a haphazard way th a t it was difficult
in the m ajority of cases to secure satisfactory inform ation either as
to m aintenance costs or the extent of the services rendered. T hat
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[195]
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
196
there has been im provem ent in this respect is shown by a report of
the N ational Industrial Conference Board, which presents statistical
data for 207 companies.1 The 1919 records were used in 104 cases,
and .1920 figures were given by 99 firms, while 4 companies used
figures for 1918. In these plants a to tal of 764,827 workers were
employed, about one-fifth of whom were women.
Previous studies in a smaller num ber of plants in 1915 and 1916
had shown an average annual cost of the health service of $1.88
and $2.21 per person, respectively, while the Cleveland hospital and
health survey in 1920 showed a range from about $5 a year per
employee for a num ber of firms to $10.92 and $11.23 for two large
establishments. This present investigation shows th a t the cost
varies from $1.84 per employee in the tobacco industry to $24.40 in
the mining industry, and th a t the average for all the industries
reporting is $4.43. While the average cost has practically doubled
since 1916, it is considered a very m oderate increase in view of the
increased costs in general and also because of the greatly increased
extent of the services rendered. In m any firms where the service
was originally installed solely for the care of injuries it has been
extended to include general medical care, much preventive work,
and the provision of specialized services such as those of oculists and
dentists.
The following table shows the num ber of employees and the costs
of service for the different industries covered in the investigation.
The high rate prevailing in the m ining industry is accounted for by
the fact th a t the mines are generally located in isolated sections and
m uch fam ily work, both medical and surgical, is done by these
companies.
N U M B E R O F W O R K E R S A N D A N N U A L COSTS O F M ED IC A L D E P A R T M E N T S , B Y
IN D U S T R Y .
In d u stry .
N um ber
of p lan ts
report
ing.
A brasive..........................................................
A utom obile.....................................................
Boot a n d shoe.................................................
Chemicals an d explosives...........................
Clothing...........................................................
Electrical a p p a ra tu s.....................................
Food an d food p ro d u cts..............................
Foundry p ro d u cts.........................................
H a t m anufacturing an d fur d y ein g .........
Iron an d stee l.................................................
Leather ta n n in g a n d finishing...................
M etal m an u factu rin g ....................................
M ining..............................................................
P aper an d p u lp .............................................
P rintin g a n d publishing..............................
Public u tilities ...............................................
R ubber m an u factu rin g ................................
Shipbuilding...................................................
Sm elting an d refining..................................
S o ap ..................................................................
Textiles............................................................
Tobacco m an u factu res.................................
W oodworking.................................................
M iscellaneous..................................................
T o tal......................................................
1 N ational In d u stria l Conference B oard.
New Y ork. May, 1921. 33 p p .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N um ber of w orkers.
T otal
cost.
Male.
Fem ale.
Cost per
person.
Total.
9
3
6
2
18
2
2
8
7,613
30,128
8,761
17,313
119
80,298
27,644
4,034
4,203
99,711
7,677
180, 239
8, 518
6,166
4,687
13,511
33, 547
37, 500
10,261
3,150
29,457
7,948
625
8,472
612
2,084
6,428
3,767
503
20, 974
3,845
130
1,649
5,748
1,157
27,661
82
2,169
2,265
2,356
7,141
650
89
650
25, 591
5,632
129
11,933
8,225
32,212
15,189
21,080
622
101, 272
31,489
4,164
5, 852
105,459
8,834
207,900
8,600
8,335
6,952
15, 867
40,688
38,150
10, 350
3,800
55,048
13,580
754
20,405
$64, 810
180,215
117,644
134,494
2,918
319, 531
131,783
34,958
19,764
433,263
31, 305
780, 442
209, 873
33, 873
23,990
81,658
220,273
183, 023
87,932
12, 466
197, 792
25,040
2,593
57,396
$7. 88
5. 60
7. 75
6.38
4. 70
3.15
4. 18
8.40
3. 38
4.10
3. 54
3. 75
24.40
4.06
3. 45
5.15
5. 41
4.80
8. 41
3. 28
3. 59
1. 84
3.44
2. 81
207
631, 582
133, 245
761,827
3; 3S7; 036
4.43
5
5
5
10
2
16
6
3
3
14
6
62
4
7
4
,0
Cost of h ealth service in in d u stry .
[1 9 6 ]
Research R eport No. 37,
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND HYGIENE.
197
In the distribution of costs it was found th a t 69.5 per cent repre
sented the salaries and wages of doctors, nurses, and attendants,
while the rem ainder was charged to outside medical and hospital
service and to equipm ent and supplies.
Two hundred and forty-one physicians were employed on a full
time basis, and 175 m ore were on p a rt time, while 86 were listed as
being on call. A bout one-sixth of the plants w ith 500 to 1,000 work
ers and one-third of those having 1,000 to 2,000 employees employed a
physician on full-tim e basis, and in the 19 plants scheduled having
more than 10,000 employees there was an average of six full-tim e
physicians per plant. _ Twenty-seven firms employed 36 dentists
either on full or p a rt tim e basis, and trained nurses were employed
by practically all of the firms w ith more than 500 employees, there
being 556 employed altogether in the different industries.
The figures relating to the am ount of work done in the medical
departm ents are less satisfactory owing to the lack of a standardized
system of recording cases and the incompleteness of the records.
Many companies keep a record only of accidents which result in a
certain am ount of lost tim e and records of m edical work are frequently
unsatisfactory and incomplete. However, as reported, the new in
juries treated averaged 1.35 per employee per year, w ith an average
of 2.01 redressings, and the medical cases treated averaged 1.40 per
year for each worker employed.
Industrial Dermatosis Among Printers.
H E results of a study, by Dr. W illiam J. McConnell, of the U nited
States Public H ealth Service, of an industrial derm atosis,
called “ ink poisoning,” among printers is published in Public
H ealth R eports, May 6, 1921 (pp. 979-989).
Foreign w riters on this subject had generally a ttrib u ted the blam e
for this skin disease to the m any substitutes for and adulterants of
the pure oil of turpentine, although one w riter considered th a t p rin t
er’s ink was among the causes. Inquiries m ade of large printing
and engraving companies in this country showed th a t lesions similar
to those described by foreign w riters were prevalent among press
men, although neither oil of turpentine nor a su b stitu te was used.
The n atu re of the derm atosis is described in the rep o rt as follows:
T
The skin lesions vary from slight erythema to ulcerations, and. are located on all
regions of the forearms and hands, occasionally extending above the elbow. Some
of the lesions present a dry and scaly appearance, while others are moist and
vesicular. Some have a tendency to coalesce and spread, others are discrete. A
history of erythema followed by vesicular eruption, with itching or burning, or both,
is given by most sufferers, only a few giving a negative history in this respect.
Since processes in different printing establishm ents are practi
cally uniform the stu d y was confined to one p lan t and covered the
m ethods of plate printing, the m aterials used, and m ethods of re
moving inks from the hands and arms. A physical exam ination of
all affected workers was m ade and the inks, oils, and soaps used were
analyzed. A stu d y of the processes showed th a t the prin ter is con
stan tly in contact w ith the m aterials used and the assistants to a
somewhat less degree. Only about 10 per cent of the ink is used in
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[197]
198
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
the actual printing, the rem ainder being lost by the m ethods used in
inking and polishing the plate. Benzol is used in cleaning plates,
and the p rin te r’s assistant often keeps a cloth satu rated w ith benzol
to wipe ink from her fingers during the printing. Methods of re
moving inks were found to be very severe, including immersing the
hands and arm s in a trough of m ineral oil, using pumice stone and
fine sand m ixed w ith soap, and the use of a stiff brush and salts of
ta rta r (potassium carbonate).
An exam ination of 35 cases of dermatosis failed to show any physical
condition which m ight account for susceptibility to the trouble, since
some of those examined were in better physical condition than a group
of men who were not affected. Only one significant fact was dis
closed, and th a t was th a t all persons suffering w ith dermatosis were
found to have a skin partially or wholly devoid of natural oiliness,
while persons w ithout eruptions had oily skin.
The analyses of inks, oils, and soaps did not disclose any factors
which could satisfactorily account for the condition except the use
of benzol, which it was considered m ight cause some of the difficulty.
The use of oil in troughs was also considered unsatisfactory, although
the oil does not act as a culture medium for bacteria.
Experim ents with 11 volunteers from the Office of Industrial
Hygiene and Sanitation, 5 w ith oily skin and 6 w ith dry skin, in
which ink was applied to the arm over an area of about 9 square
inches each day for a period of from one to four weeks showed no
irritation, b u t when the ink was removed each day by the methods
in use in the p lan t one case of derm atitis and irritation in all the other
subjects having a dry skin resulted. W hen the skin was abraded
and the ink applied, it was found th a t it took longer to heal surfaces
to which green and brown inks had been applied than those where
black ink had been used. The am ount of linseed oil in the ink was
also a factor, since black inks, which have the greatest am ount of oil,
gave less trouble. The degree of dermatosis, therefore, was consid
ered to depend upon the dryness of the skin, the am ount of linseed oil
in the ink, and the m ethod of removing the ink.
The report recommends as a preventive measure the use of lanolin
or equal parts of lanolin and olive oil on the hands and arms each
time before beginning work, and for washing, a m ixture of sawdust
and liquid soap which readily removes the ink and does not injure
the skin.
For those suffering from severe skin lesions a paint made of zinc ore
(calamine and a silicate of zinc), gelatin, glycerin, and w ater was
found to have great curative value.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[198]
W O R K M EN ’S C O M PE N SA TIO N A N D SOCIAL
INSU RA NCE.
Recent Workmen’s Compensation Reports.
Wyoming.
H E workm en’s compensation law of Wyoming is administered by
tbe courts so far as awards are concerned. Insurance in an
exclusive State fund, which is administered by the S tate treas
urer, is compulsory, and this report is m ade by the workm en’s com
pensation departm ent of the treasurer’s office. I t is the fifth under
the compensation law of the State, and covers the calendar year 1920.
This year is said to be “ the m ost successful year in the history of
our workm en’s compensation law ,” From 664 employers paying into
the fund in 1918, the num ber increased to 1,032 in 1919 and to 1,605
in 1920. The balance in the industrial accident fund increased about
$480,000 in two years, the present balance being $1,055,155.91. The
adm inistrative expense during 1920 was b u t 2.5 per cent of the total
am ount accrued to the industrial accident fund and b u t 2.9 per cent
of the sums collected from employers. As to this, the report charac
terizes the court system in use in the State as one of cheapness rather
than of economy when account is taken of the suffering to workers
and the ultim ate increased cost to the employers.
Receipts for the year totaled $554,258.47, of which $483,364.33 was
received from employers, $40,000 from State appropriations, and
$30,894.14 from interest. Disbursem ents for awards for injuries
am ounted to $233,027.71, expense of investigations $697.70, expense
of office, etc., $14,040.36, m aking a total of $247,755.77.
From April 1, 1915, when the law came into effect, to December 31,
1920, 3,769 claims have been made, of which 1,017 were during the
last year, The total am ount paid out is $627,208.40. D eath claims
during the year led to 43 original and 3 supplem ental awards, the
am ount aggregating $85,661.41, or 35.5 per cent of the total am ount
awarded from the fund. There were 7 awards for perm anent total
disability, aggregating $17,843.60, or 7.4 per cent of the total awarded.
Perm anent partial disability cases num bered 151, the awards am ount
ing to $87,171.68, or 36.2 per cent. For tem porary total disability,
618 cases, $40,904.55 was awarded, or 17 per cent of the total. Med
ical and hospital services were allowed in 189 cases, the cost being
$8,707.83, or 3.6 per cent of the total.
Details are given of allowed claims in each class of cases, w ith sum
m ary of causes of accidents producing death or each kind of disability;
also nature of injury by industry class.
The m ajor p a rt of the report is taken up w ith individual statem ents
of accounts w ith employers. Suggestions for am endm ents are made,
one directed toward removing discrim ination resulting from the use
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 199 ]
199
200
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
of the term “ except hazardous employments ” in restricting the appli
cation of the law, while others relate more to the m atter of adm inistra
tion and reporting. Stress is laid on the desirability of centralized
adm inistration, at least to the extent of allowing the treasurer to
appoint inspectors, though a new law is recommended
Nova Scotia.
‘" T H E report of the W orkm en’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia
for the year 1920 opens w ith an account of the new features of
the law of th a t Province operative for the first time in the year covered.
F irst is the am endm ent of 1919 providing for free medical aid, includ
ing surgical, hospital, and nursing services, for a period of 30 days
from the date of disability. The board has supervision over this
work, and m ay regulate charges. The cost for the year is given at
$50,789.26, to which m ust be added very considerable sums provided
by practically all coal companies and other large industrial concerns
under allowed schemes or arrangements. These have been found
unsatisfactory in large measure, and an early revision is contem plated.
The second item relates to an am endm ent of 1920, effective October
1, adding 50 per cent to the allowances for widows and children in
fatal cases. As in New Brunswick, the report for which was noted
in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w for May, 1921 (p. 141), this increase
disorganized the financial situation in a measure, and required large
additions to the reserves, and an increase in some of the insurance
rates. I t also prevented the contem plated lowering of rates in certain
industries.
The third change was an am endm ent of 1919 th a t m ade the law
applicable to workmen engaged in navigation and fishing. Two
disasters, one resulting in 22 deaths and the other in 8, occurred in
this industry during the year.
The num ber of accidents in 1920, so far as reported a t the date of
publication, am ounted to 7,116. Of these 81 were fatal, 5,374 caused
tem porary total disability, 194 perm anent disability, and 932 required
only medical aid. Five hundred and thirty-five claims were only
partially disposed of and are not classified.
Though the report is for the year 1920, the accident tables are
devoted alm ost entirely to the year 1919, showing the final disposition
of cases, the m onth of their occurrence; locality; time loss;_ average
age and wage by classes; week of term ination of tem porary disability;
nature of injury by classes; percentage of im pairm ent in perm anent
disability cases; sex and m arital condition, causes, etc. The average
time loss from tem porary disability was 27.21 days; for perm anent
partial disability, 125.46 days. The average age of workmen was
34.25 years, and the average weekly wage $18.57. Of the males
injured or killed 2,916 were married, 1,907 single, and 90 widowed.
The num ber of females was b u t 36, of whom 3 were m arried, 32 were
single, and 1 was a widow.
The principal cause of accidents, numerically, was rolling, falling,
and flying objects, which were responsible for 2,310 accidents, 19 of
which were fatal. Falls of persons came next w ith 785 accidents, of
which 11 were fatal; tools, 511, of which b u t 1 was fatal; moving
trains and vehicles, 442, of which 17 were fatal; machinery, 384, of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 200]
w o r k m en ’s compensation and social in su r a n c e .
201
which 4 were fatal; and dangerous substances as steam, electricity,
etc., 345, of which 5 were fatal. Perm anent partial disability was
caused m ost frequently by rolling, flying, and falling objects, the
num ber due to this cause being 89. M achinery and its parts came
next w ith 66 cases, moving trains and vehicles following w ith 36 cases.
The pension fund is divided into 9 classes, showing balances ranging
from $4,095.94 to $969,073,96 a t the end of the year 1920, the aggre
gate balance being $1,822,947.67. There was also a disaster reserve
of $513,898.93.
Adm inistrative expenses amounted to $105,257.41, or, deducting an
am ount charged to the Nova Scotia Accident Prevention Association,
$104,872.53, which is 8.6 per cent of the total am ount of the assess
m ents for the year. “ The board has not incurred or paid one cent for
solicitors’ services since the act came into force.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
I
[201]
LA B O R LAW S A N D DECISIONS.
Arkansas Minimum Wage Law Amended.
RECEN T act of the Legislature of Arkansas (Act No. 140)
amended the minimum wage law of the State hy giving to the
commission provided for by the original act (sec. 8) a continu
ing status and a larger membership. Instead of two women, to be
appointed apparently for the occasion, the law now provides for a
commission, to be known as an “ industrial welfare commission,” con
sisting of two men and two women. These are to be appointed, one
m an and one woman by the governor, the others by the commissioner
of labor and statistics, who is to act as chairman. Terms are two
years, “ or until their successors are appointed and qualify.”
This commission serves w ithout a salary and is not only to hold
hearings as to tem porary waivers of the nine-hour law for women, but
is also to have charge of the investigation of piecework rates, etc., as
provided for in section 9 of the act.
A
Constitutionality of the Minimum Wage Law of the District of
Columbia.
N D ER the above title an account was given in the Monthly
L abor R eview for July, 1920 (pp. 131-132) of the action of
the Supreme Court of the D istrict of Columbia in upholding
the m inimum wage law as valid legislation. Erom this decision an
appeal was taken which was decided by the Court of Appeals of the
D istrict on June 6, 1921. The case was th a t of The Children’s Hos
pital of the D istrict of Columbia v . Jesse C. Adkins et ah, as the
minimum wage board of the District. The statu te was again upheld,
one justice dissenting.
The opinion was delivered by Chief Justice Sm yth, who first set
out the principal provisions of the act, of which the announced pur
pose is “ to protect the women and minors of the D istrict from con
ditions detrim ental to their health and morals, resulting from wages
which are inadequate to m aintain decent standards of living.” As
noted in the earlier account of this case, the hospital was an employer
of a num ber of women to whom it paid wages in no instance less than
$22.50 per m onth and board, b u t contended th a t it could not pay
the wages required by the m inimum wage order “ and still conduct
the said hospital as now conducted, within its income.” Depriva
tion of property w ithout due process and interference with freedom
of contract were therefore alleged. The hospital was said not to
deny the reasonableness of the wage established by the board, b u t
to urge rather “ th a t Congress has no power to fix any wage, reason
able or unreasonable, for women and m inors.” Justice Sm yth then
U
202
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 202 ]
LABOR LAWS AND DECISIONS.
203
discussed the function of the court in passing upon the constitu
tionality of legislation, laying down the rule th a t “ every possible
presum ption is in favor of the validity of the statute, and this con
tinues until the contrary is shown beyond a rational doubt.” “ For
us the question is one of power, n o t of expediency.” I t is pointed
out th a t “ when Congress legislates for the D istrict of Columbia it
m ay exercise the police power in all its plenitude.”
(Cases cited.)
The only ground, therefore, upon which the court could review the
action of Congress would be th a t “ a sta tu te purporting to have been
enacted to protect the public health, the public morals, or the public
safety has no real or substantial relation to those objects, or is a
palpable invasion of rights secured by the fundam ental law .” (Cases
cited.)
t he first inquiry was whether or not the act has any real or sub
stantial relation to its declared object. “ For answer we m ay resort
to common knowledge.” A decision of the U nited S tates Supreme
Court was cited in which it was said to be known by everyone th a t
swamps and stagnant waters are the cause of m alarial and m alignant
fevers, so th a t the police powers m ay be legitim ately exercised in
removing such nuisances. “ I t is equally well known th a t if a
working woman does not receive a sufficient wage to supply her
with necessary food, shelter, and clothing, and she is compelled to
subsist upon less than her requirem ents demand, the result m ust be
th a t her health would be injuriously affected.”
The court then referred to the findings of the committee of Con
gress in its hearings on the bill, showing the necessity for a b e tte r
m ent of conditions if women were to be able to live in “ physical
comfort and decency.” Of 600 working women interviewed “ 45
per cent needed to receive outside assistance in order to m ake both
ends m eet.” Reference was also m ade to the legislation of various
States of the Union, Provinces of Canada, and other foreign countries
establishing a minimum wage for women “ on the theory th a t it tends
to safeguard their health.” The decisions of various S tate courts
upholding this legislation were also cited as a fact w orthy of serious
consideration; b u t apart from this it was capable of decision on
common knowledge th a t the act “ has a substantial relation to its
expressed object.”
The next question taken up was w hether or not it was invalid as
interfering w ith freedom of contract. “ T h at it does so m ust be
conceded, b u t th a t is not fatal. Every sta tu te exerting the police
power interferes with freedom of contract.” A decision of the
Supreme Court was cited in which it was said “ L iberty implies the
absence of arbitrary restraint, not im m unity from reasonable regula
tions and prohibitions imposed in the interest of the com m unity.”
S tatutes regulating the hours of labor, the sale of cigarettes, the
paym ent oi wages in store orders, the employment of women in
laundries more than 10 hours a day, and other statutes restricting
the freedom of contract have been upheld by the Supreme Court.
“ In each, of these cases the right of private contract was involved,
b u t th a t did not deter the court from sustaining the sta tu te s.”
O ther cases showed th a t “ even property m ay be destroyed w ithout
compensation through the legitim ate exercise of this power w ithout
offending against the constitutional guaranty.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[203]
204
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
“ If we m ay accept the House com m ittee’s report, an evil existed.
The workers, by reason of the law of competition, were unable to
remove it. They were compelled to subm it or go w ithout work.
Congress alone could apply the rem edy.”
Reference was m ade in the argum ent of the hospital’s attorneys to
the tendency of legislation of this type as leading to “ sovietism,
general price fixing, etc.” “ When statutes having th a t effect come
up for judgm ent we shall deal w ith them. I t is no p a rt of our duty
to engage in speculation concerning them now.” However, the
court regarded the upholding of the act as likely to have theopposite
effect since, if the Governm ent were no t able to rectify un ju st con
ditions, “ there m ight be some basis for the contention th a t a change
is necessary in our institutions; b u t w ith the recognition of the
power, virile and efficient, the contention loses all the force it m ight
otherwise have.”
The decree upholding the law was therefore affirmed in all respects,
a t the cost of the appellant.
Justice Stafford, concurring, found the argum ents adequate, b u t
said in addition “ th a t the asserted right of the employer to be served
by anyone who is willing to work for him, and a t any wage the
worker is willing to accept, m ust be subordinate to the right of the
public to see th a t those women who are obliged to work for a living
shall no t be obliged to work for less than a living.”
The dissent of Justice Van Orsdel emphasized the point th a t “ the
act under consideration is unique,” as being the first atte m p t of
Congress to fix wages in a private undertaking. The declaration by
Congress of the purpose of the act, while entitled to great respect,
was said to be “ by no means conclusive upon the court.” The
lim itations on the Constitution as to im pairing the obligations of
contracts and depriving of property w ithout due process of law were
announced, adding th a t “ if the legislature m ay break down these
constitutional lim itations by calling an act a 'h e a lth law ,’ or^ a
'public m orality law ,’ or a 'public welfare law ,’ all guaranties of the
Constitution, under the alleged exercise of the police power, m ay be
changed, modified, or totally elim inated.” The possibilities of
developm ent of the tendencies felt by Justice Van Orsdel to be in
volved in the act were further dwelt upon. “ The tendency of the
hour to socialize property rights under the subterfuge of police regu
lation is dangerous, and if continued will prove destructive of our
free institutions. I t should be remembered th a t of the three funda
m ental principles which underlie governm ent and for which govern
m ent exists— the principles of life, liberty, and property— the chief
of these is property; no t th a t any am ount of property is more valu
able than the life or liberty of the citizen, b u t the history of civiliza
tion conclusively proves th a t when the citizen is deprived of the
free use and enjoym ent of his property, anarchy and revolution
follow, and life and liberty are w ithout protection.” In another
place it was said th a t “ experience has dem onstrated th a t a fixed
m inim um wage means, in the last analysis, a fixed wage; since the
employer, being compelled to advance some to a wage higher than
their earning capacity, will, to equalize the cost of operation, lower
the wage of the more com petent to a common basis.” (As to this
statem ent see the report of the California Industrial W elfare Com-
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[204]
LABOR LAWS AND DECISIONS.
205
mission, p. 141.) Another danger pointed out was th a t of depriving
wage earners of their power to fix wages for themselves, “ the most
sacred safeguard which the Constitution offers. I t is paternalism
in the highest degree.”
For these and other reasons Justice Van Orsdel held th a t the act
was unconstitutional and void and should be so declared by the court.
This is the m ost recent of a series of six or eight decisions by S tate
courts of last resort, uniformly sustaining the constitutionality of
this type of legislation. The m ost noted of these is the earliest,
th a t of Oregon, from which an appeal was taken to the Supreme
Court of the U nited States. The decision in this case was by an
equally divided court, perm itting the decision of the S tate court in
favor of the law to stand. A t this writing it is n o t known w hether
or n o t the instan t case will be carried to the Supreme Court.
Child Labor Law of Indiana.
H E Indiana Legislature of 1921 passed a law (chap. 132) which
is, for the m ost part, a codification of its compulsory school
attendance lav/ enacted in 1913, the child labor law of 1911,
and sections of the factory inspection law of 1899 relative to the em
ploym ent of minors. Some changes in the provisions of these laws
were m ade to conform to the requirem ents of the Federal tax law
regulating the em ploym ent of children in the m anufacture of prod
ucts entering in terstate commerce. The outstanding points of the
law as it now exists are compulsory school attendance up to the age
of 16, subject to employment a t 14 if properly issued em ploym ent
certificates are secured; the provision perm itting minors under 14
to be employed in canneries during the summer m onths is repealed
to conform to the m inimum of the Federal law; the same law led
to the repeal of the provision perm itting minors between 14 and 16
to work nine hours a day on the w ritten consent of their parents,
which would conflict w ith the Federal lim itation of eight hours; so
also of the em ploym ent of minors in mines and quarries, the m ini
mum age being advanced from 14 to 16 years to comply w ith
Federal legislation. The lim itation of eight hours per day is ad
vanced to include girls to 18 years of age instead of only to 16, as
formerly, while the lim itation on night work is m ade to conform to
Federal law; i. e., between 7 p. m. and 6 a. m.
The list of machines and occupations about which minors m ay not
be employed has been extended for both the groups under 16 and
under 18 years of age, and off-bearingfrom such machines is prohibited,
as well as their operation. Minors under 18 m ay not be employed
a t any time of the year w ithout having on file the required certificate—
age certificates between 16 and 18, and em ploym ent certificates
between 14 and 16 ; if the employers request the same, age certificates
m ust also be furnished to minors between 18 and 21 years of age.
All certificates are issued by school officials—city or county super
intendents—according to the residence of the minor. Minors illegally
employed are no t covered by the compensation law, and compliance
w ith the S tate law relieves from liability to the Federal tax, as its
T
54039°—21----- 14
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[205]
206
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
provisions m eet the requirem ents of the Federal law. The enforce
m ent of the act rests w ith the industrial board of the State, depart
m ent of women and children.
Decision oi Court oi industrial Relations of Kansas in Meat Packing
Company Case.
H E decision of the Court of Industrial Relations of Kansas in
the m eat packing company case was rendered May 2, 1921,
though the com plaint was filed January 19 and answered. Ja n u
ary 28. Changes effected by legislative action were responsible for
this delay, as there was considerable change in the personnel of the
court and the working force by reason of such action.
The com plaint sets f orth th a t prior to January 1,1921, the employees,
members of a local union of m eat packers and butchers, were employed
under the term s of a collective agreement which expired on Jan u ary 1,
1921, unless renewed by the parties. The employer posted notices
th a t this contract would not be renewed for another year, and no other
contract has been entered into. A t the same time notice was given
of a reduction in wages to members of the union and other employees
in the establishm ent, as well as an abrogation of a guaranty of a t least
40 hours’ work per week and overtime for work done in excess of 8
hours in any one day. A bonus provided for by the collective agree
m ent was also taken away. The union therefore petitioned the court
to take jurisdiction and fix a fair and reasonable wage and conditions
of employment.
The answer of the packing company adm itted the existence oi the
agreement which had expired a t the date named, claimed a careful com
pliance w ith it during its term , denied any further liability thereunder,
and stated th a t the company had not been given a fair opportunity to
discuss the provisions of any new contract, “ b u t th a t the workers
presented a typew ritten contract and demanded signature w ithout
discussion.” The company announced its willingness to pay any
thing due by virtue of the former contract if ordered to do so by any
court of com petent jurisdiction, b u t alleged a loss during 1920 in ex
cess of $100,000, so th a t the former wage scale could not be continued.
I t offered its books for examination, b u t denied the jurisdiction of
the industrial court to enter any money judgm ent for past-due wages
under the term s of the old contract if any should be found.
By am endm ent the com plainants brought before the court the
conditions of woman workers, who were said to be paid a much lower
wage th an men for the same class of work, and the company in open
court consented th a t any order m ade by the court should contain a
provision th a t women and men a t the same class of work should
receive the same pay.
The establishm ent was known as an “ open shop,” and neither party
expressed any desire to change this condition. The court thereupon
proceeded to take testim ony as to the present cost of living as com
pared w ith one year ago, the evidence being conflicting. The cut
proposed by the employer am ounted to about 101 Per cent, though
it was not uniform in all lines of work. One of the principal conten-
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[206]
LABOR LAWS AND DECISIONS.
207
tions related to the 8-hour basic day. In some departm ents work
was done under conditions both disagreeable and insanitary, as work
over scalding vats, or in rooms tilled w ith steam , or occupations reauirmg special clothing to protect against blood, w ater, and steam , or at
work requiring strenuous physical effort. The plant is not a large
one, employing between 300 and 400 workers, and the workers are
frequently shifted from one job to another, the changes sometimes
calling for different rates of pay. The necessity of changing clothing
involved an outlay of the employee’s time, so th a t to do 8 hours’
work necessitated being in the p lan t from 8£ to 9 hours per day.
“ In view of all these m atters it is the opinion of the court th a t this
is an employment in which 8 hours, as a general rule, should constitute
a d ay ’s w ork.”
However, irregularity in the supply of live stock made it difficult, if
not impossible, for the company to furnish steady employment, and
avoid pressure a t a time of abundant supply. Charges and denials
were made as to the tendency of workers to slow down during the
seventh and eighth hours of the day for the purpose of getting over
tim e pay for a ninth hour. “ The evidence is so conflicting th a t the
court m ust, of course, call to its aid its general knowledge of hum an
nature. Overtime should not be considered in the light of extra pay;
th e wage should be fair on the 8-hour basic day. Overtime should
be considered as a penalty upon the company to prevent the long
hours and exhaustion of the workers. I t 'is evident, therefore, th a t
the com pany should no t be penalized when, by reason of circumstances
over which it has no control, it m ay be necessary to run the p lan t a
little longer than the 8-hour day in order to save loss which would
otherwise occur.”
The guaranty of a weekly m inimum of employment was also a
difficulty and a subject of controversy. The employees claimed th at
they were dependent upon the plant for steady employment, while
the company charged th a t some of its workers, especially its transient
workers, who rem ain w ith it for a very short time, refuse a t times to
render service when it is much desired, but if work is slow in the plant
they insist upon claiming the guaranty of 40 hours’ pay. However,
it recognized the necessity of decent support for regular workers and
announced its willingness to abide by any fair and reasonable rule
prom ulgated in the order.
The court reviewed briefly the principles upon which it acted,
commenting on the unusual and unstable business conditions of the
day, presenting its conclusions under 20 heads, the eighteenth of
which is announced as “ A F air and Reasonable Schedule of Minimum
W ages,” to be effective May 2, 1921. This schedule covers nearly
five printed pages of the report, nam ing the rate to be paid for each
process in the industry. The principle of the open shop is retained,
as is the basic 8-hour working-day, “ b u t a 9-hour day m ay be observed
not to exceed 2 days in any one week w ithout penalty.” However,
if the working hours of a week should exceed 48, all in excess of 48
should be paid for a t the rate of time and one-half, while work for
more than 8 hours on more than 2 days of the week m ust be likewise
compensated, even though the work hours of the week m ay not
am ount to 48. No weekly guaranty was called for, bu t m onthly
earnings should be made sufficient to constitute a fair wage. Notice
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 207 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
208
of unem ploym ent should be given in advance, as well as changes of
hours for beginning work. W oman workers should receive the same
wages as m en engaged on the same class and kind of work, and their
total working tim e, inclusive of overtime, should not exceed 54 hours
in any one week nor more than 9 hours in any one day.
The rates of wages were announced as “ in the opinion of the court
the equivalent in purchasing power of the wages paid under the con
tra c t of 1920,” though they showed some reduction, “ in view of the
reduction in the cost of the necessities and comforts of life.
ih e
fixing of rates is n o t to be construed as restricting or preventing the
paym ent of a higher rate. O ther provisions of the order relate to
toilets and dressing rooms, lunch rooms, days off for continuous
workers, etc.
Industrial Court Law of Kansas Held Constitutional.
ARIOUS num bers of the Monthly L abor R eview have
carried accounts of decisions under the Kansas sta tu te of
1920 (ch. 29) establishing an industrial court for the super
vision of industries and business “ directly affecting the living con
ditions of the people” or “ affected with a public interest.
In
the issue of November, 1920 (pp. 191—193), notice was taken of the
challenge of constitutionality m ade by officers of the mine workers
union, contending th a t the law was beyond the power of the legisla
ture and refusing compliance therewith. The present case came to
the supreme court of the S tate on an appeal by Alexander Howat,
president of the U nited Mine W orkers of America, D istrict No. 14,
and others, who had been adjudged guilty of contem pt of the dis
trict court for refusing to comply w ith its orders relative to com
pliance w ith the orders of the industrial court (State v . Ilow at,
decided June 11, 1921). Action was based on the charge th a t these
“ defendants were conspiring and confederating among themselves
and with others to violate the act creating the court of industrial
relations.” This conspiracy was to be effectuated by calling a gen
eral strike of mine workers, causing the production of coal to he
stopped, the defendant H ow at publicly announcing th a t he would
figh t the sta tu te with a force of 12,000 miners, regardless of con
sequences.
The effect of such conduct w ith regard to both domestic and
public undertakings was pointed out. An account of proceedings
showed the imposition of a fine for refusal to obey subpoenas, while
a tem porary injunction, subsequently m ade perm anent, was dis
regarded and punishm ent for contem pt followed, the sentence being
im prisonm ent for the period of one year and the costs of the prose
cution. The contention as to jurisdiction was decided in favor of
the court and “ if it reached a wrong conclusion, it did not forfeit
jurisdiction,” though such a contingency was not adm itted. An
m junction would lie, w ithout the statute, as for the abatem ent of
a public nuisance; and the fact th a t the act restrained would also
be a crime did not lim it the right to issue the injunction. O ther
contentions raised were b u t a renewal of those disposed of in State
V
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 208 ]
LABOR. LAWS AND DECISIONS.
Howat, 107 Kans. 423, 191 Pac. 585
R e v ie w , November, 1920, pp. 191, 192).
v.
209
(see M o n t h l y L abo r
The nature of the court of industrial relations was said to be not
th a t of a court, b u t of a board, with authority to enter orders which
are to be just, reasonable, and lawful. “ The discretion which the
court of industrial relations exercises is not judicial discretion, and
consequently does not come within the protection of the m andam us
s ta tu te ,” for which application m ust be made to the supreme court.
“ The [supreme] court acts according to the common course of judicial
procedure in actions'of m andamus. Findings showing the particulars
in which the contested order fails m ay serve as a guide in framing
a proper order, b u t the duty to fram e a proper order is legislative,
and rests w ith the court of industrial relations. ”
The next question taken up was th a t of the liberty of contract
and perm itting involuntary servitude in contravention of the four
teenth am endm ent to the Constitution of the U nited States. Va
rious cases were cited in which the serious economic results of strikes
were pointed out, including much suffering and even death. As
to the present strike order by Pres. Howat, it was said th a t the
fact th a t its execution would have caused tens of thousands of
women and children to freeze and starve “ does not appear to have
touched any sensibilities of the strike leaders.” The regulation of
business in the interest of public welfare was shown to have grown
up as a necessity in behalf of the public welfare, and the particular
provisions of the present law were discussed in their relation to
the different classes of undertakings affected by it. The law was
then declared valid and neither unlawfully restrictive of the liberty
of contract, nor leading to involuntary servitude.
The discussion is rath er lengthy, citing m any legal decisions and
economic facts, the conclusions of the court being summarized in a
syllabus prepared by it, which is as follows:
1. The State was authorized to apply for, and the court was authorized to grant,
the injunction, to avert threatened public calamities, irrespective of the State’s
ownership of property affected, and without the aid of a statute.
2. The injunction order was not forbidden by section 7149 of the General Statutes
of 1915, relating to granting injunctions in specified cases of industrial disputes.
_3. The injunction order was not invalid as an attempt to enjoin the commission of
crime.
4. The defendants were not entitled in the contempt proceeding to a trial by jury.
5. The contempt proceeding was otherwise free from irregularity.
. 6- The act creating the court of industrial relations is not void'under the constitu
tion of this State because of duality of subject, or defect of title, or because it com
mingles functions of separate departments of government, or because it attempts
to enlarge the original jurisdiction of this court.
7.
The business of producing coal in this State bears an intimate relation to the
public peace, health, and welfare, is affected with a public interest, and may be
regulated, to the end that reasonable continuity and efficiency of production may
be maintained.
_8. The act creating the court of industrial relations is a reasonable and valid exer
cise of the police power of the State over the business of producing coal, and does
not impair liberty of contract or permit involuntary servitude, contrary to the con
stitution of the United States.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[209]
210
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
Transportation Companies Handling Nonunion Goods, New York.
H E subject of the duty of employers engaged as common car
riers has been considered in cases noted in earlier num bers of
the Monthly L abor R eview (September, 1920, pp. 173, 174;
November, 1920, pp. 197-199; April, 1921, pp. 125 126). The
earliest of these (Burgess Bros. Co. v . Stew art, 184 N. Y. Supp. 199)
was before the Supreme Court of New York, special term , on a
m otion for a prelim inary injunction to restrain certain labor unions
and transportation companies from failing or 'refusing to handle
lumber delivered by the com plainant company for transportation to
other States and to foreign countries. Judge Faw cett at this time
(June, 1920) ruled in favor of the plaintiff and granted the prehminarv injunction as prayed. (See Monthly L abor R eview for Sep
tem ber, 1920, pp. 173, 174.) The defendant unions and companies
thereupon appealed to the supreme court, appellate division the
appeal resulting in the order of the lower court being affirmed (Nov.
12, 1920).
. . .
_.
...
This was a tem porary injunction, granted pendente lite, or until
the issues could be presented by the pleadings to be heard and deter
mined a t a trial. The continuance of the conditions led to an action
by the Burgess Bros. Co. asking th a t a perm anent injunction he issued.
This case, like the original proceeding, was before the supreme court,
trial term , b u t was before Judge Callaghan, who discussed the situa
tion independently of the opinion of either Judge Faw cett or of the
appellate division, reaching the conclusion th a t a perm anent injunc
tion was necessary to prevent the infliction of irreparable damage
for which no proper or adecpiate rem edy a t law was available.
The facts were practically w ithout dispute. Burgess Bros. Co.
were employers of nonunion men, and a demand was m ade th a t the
plant be unionized. This they declined to do, though m aking no
objection to the employees themselves becoming members of the
unions—the team sters’ union and the lumber handlers union. I t
appeared th a t all longshoremen, including checkers, weighers, and
freight handlers, were members of an association which supported
the team sters’ union, and unless goods were delivered by members
of the la tte r the former union would not handle them. The purpose
of the boycott established against Burgess Bros. Co. was announced
“ with commendable frankness” as being a “ fight to a f i n i s h . A s
to this Judge Callaghan said, “ I t would be strange, indeed, if the
law is so im potent as to furnish no relief from a condition forced
upon it, which if continued m ust inevitably bring financial ruin
upon the plaintiff.”
I t was urged th a t the issue of an injunction in the case wouid
violate the Federal C onstitution by imposing involuntary servitude
upon the employees of the transportation companies. T hisw as said
to be “ the purest sort of sophistry,” as there was no suggestion of
requiring the emplovees to work for these companies. “ Their right
to work for whom they please, and when they please, is inalienable,
and any judgm ent of the court to the contrary couid not stand; bu t
it would be absurd to perm it the employees to continue on a course
of conduct which makes the steam ship owners guilty of a violation of
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 210]
LABOR LAWS AND DECISIONS.
211
the statu te in discrim inating unlawfully against the shippers of
goods.”
In the case of Buyer v . Guillan, noted in November, 1920, Monthly
L abor TIeview (p. 197), a judge of the D istrict Court of the United
States declined to issue an in junction in a similar case, finding no reason
to suppose th a t the transportation company was not acting in good
faith, or th a t it did not desire to handle the merchandise offered it.
He further suggested the unreasonableness of taking such steps as
would involve the loss of its employees, who would leave the service
if required to handle nonunion goods, thus paralyzing w ater trans
portation between the points involved. Similar suggestions made in
the present case were m et by the statem ent of Judge Callaghan th a t
this record is barren of any evidence which would indicate a desire
on the p a rt of the steam ships’ representatives to receive or handle
plaintiff’s lumber. They did not discharge or reprim and any of
their employees for discrim inating against the plaintiff, b u t openly
sanctioned such condition and connived at it, on the theory, no
doubt, th a t it was b etter th a t plaintiff should suffer than th a t the
m ovem ent of freight in the port be Hied u p .’”
The various acts of the defendants, taken together, were said to
am ount to a conspiracy, the transportation companies being required
to serve the public w ithout discrimination, this obligation resting
also upon their employees who continue voluntarily in their service.
Not only did the conduct violate the criminal code, b u t the shipping
act also makes it unlawful to subject any particular person to any
undue or unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage, and requires car
riers to m aintain just and reasonable practices w ith regard to hand
ling and delivery of property. “ A carrier can not avoid this respon
sibility. I t is no answer to a charge of misconduct, am ounting to
discrimination, to say th a t the unlawful act is th a t of an employee.”
The defendants in this case had cited Judge H an d ’s decision in the
case of Buyer v . Guillan noted above, saying th a t the facts in the
present case were “ almost exactly sim ilar” to the facts in th a t case.
Judge Callaghan conceded this sim ilarity, b u t pointed out th a t
Judge H an d ’s decision had been reversed by the Circuit Court of
Appeals (261 Fed. 65, M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w , April, 1921, p. 125)
by a unanimous bench, so th a t an injunction was directed to be
issued in th a t case, as was done by Judge Callaghan in the present
instance.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LA B O R LEG ISLA TIO N IN FO R EIG N C O U N TR IES.
Employees’ Pensions in Argentina.
N A R G EN TIN E law,1 which was prom ulgated February 11,
1921, creates a national pension and subsidy fund ( C a ja
N a t i o n a l d e J u b i l a d o n e s , P e n s io n e s y S u b s i d i e s ) for the
perm anent personnel of private companies engaged in the various
lines of public service, n o t including railroads.2 Employees are con
sidered perm anent who have had more than six m onths of continuous
service with one firm. The law is m ade retroactive to Septem ber 25,
1918, in certain cases.
The capital of the fund is to be derived principally from (1) a com
pulsory deduction of 5 per cent from the wages of the employees cov
ered by the act (any portion of wages in excess of 1,000 pesos [8424.60
par] per m onth not counted) to be deducted by the employer and for
warded to the office of the fund; (2) one m onth’s pay of each of the
actual perm anent employees, payable in 36 successive m onthly install
m ents; (3) a similar paym ent for each, employee who later becomes
perm anent; (4) paym ents on account of increased wages; (5) a
m onthly contribution from the companies equal to 8 per cent of the
wages of all the perm anent employees (any portion of m onthly
wages in excess of 1,000 pesos [$424.60, par] not considered); (6) any
funds which previous to this law the companies had to contribute
for the pensioning of their personnel; and (7) a contribution from
the nation, the form and am ount of which are to be determined after
the completion of a census of employees and the establishing of a
perm anent register of employees and their families. P a rt of the funds
m ay be loaned to persons who are covered by the law and have more
than 10 years’ service, for building or buying homes. These loans
shall be secured by a first m ortgage, and m ay no t exceed 10,000 pesos
($4,246, par), the am ount to be proportioned to the borrower’s wages.
The pensions for the employees are known as ordinary, for volun
tary retirem ent, and for invalidity. The ordinary pension is granted
to those who have at least 30 years’ service and are 50 years of age.
Between the ages of 45 and 50 years an employee w ith at least 30
years’ service m ay be retired, his pension being reduced 5 per cent for
each year he lacks of being 50 years of age. The am ount is to be
calculated according to the average wages received during the last
5 years of employment. Those whose wages are 100 pesos ($42.46, par)
or less receive 95 per cent of th a t amount. For larger amounts up
to 1,000 pesos ($424.60, par) the percentage is less. Pensions in
smaller amounts are provided for those not m eeting age or service
requirem ents. Those not m eeting either requirem ent are to receive
upon retirem ent an am ount equal to the paym ents they have made
A
1 Crónica M ensual del D ep artam en to N acional del T rabajo. Buenos Aires, Marzo de 1921.
2 Pensions for employees on G overnm ent-controlled railroads were provided b y a n earlier law , passed
A pril 16, 1919.
212
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[212]
L A B O R L E G IS L A T IO N
IN
F O R E IG N
C O U N T R IE S .
213
into the fund, with interest at 5 per cent, compounded annually to date
of retirem ent. Provision is m ade for those discharged from service.
Pensions for invalidity shall be 5 p e rc e n t of the ordinary pension for
each year of service up to the maximum. Invalidity pensions are
subject to revision by the directors of the fund during the first five
years, after which they become fixed.
In case the employee dies the widow, or invalid widower, and the
children, and in lieu of these the parents are entitled to a pension.
If there are no other dependents, unm arried sisters of the deceased
are entitled to it. The am ount of the pension shall be equal to 50
per cent of the pension the decedent was receiving or would have
received. The widow shall receive half and the other half shall be
divided among the other dependents. If there are no other depend
ents the entire pension goes to the widow.
The fund is administered by a directorate consisting of a president
appointed by the Executive of the nation with the approval of
the Senate, and one representative each of the companies and of
the employees of each of the public services covered by this law,
chosen according to a specified method. B oth the president and the
directors serve for four-year terms. The president is entitled to
vote only in case of a tie.
All pensions are for life and are forfeited only for specified reasons.
They are also inalienable and m ay not be attached. Appeal m ay be
taken from the decisions of the directorate to a civil judge.
Canada.
Quebec.
'"THE Labor G azette of the D epartm ent of Labor of Canada siim1 marizes the labor legislation enacted at the recent session of
the legislature of Quebec in its issue for May, 1921. The m ost
notable law is entitled “ The Municipal Strike and Lockout A ct,”
which provides for compulsory arbitration of labor disputes affecting
employees in m unicipalities having 10 or more persons in their em
ploy. The law includes firemen, policemen, waterw orks’ employees,
and garbage men, and governs all disputes relating to wages, hours,
or dismissals on account of membership in a labor union.
Applications for arbitration m ay be made by either party, and
labor organizations m ay act through their representatives. If some
of the employees are not members, representatives m ay be chosen
by ballot. Steps m ust be taken for the creation of a board of arbi
tration w ithin five days of the receipt of an application in due form.
Boards are to consist of three members, each p arty choosing one and
the third mem ber being chosen by the other two, or, if they can not
agree, by the m inister of public works and labor. The m inister m ay
also appoint a representative for either p arty failing to designate its
choice within five days. An award m ust be rendered w ithin five
days.
The account does not state the provisions of the law as to the effect
of the award, or subsequent freedom or otherwise to engage in a
strike or lockout.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 1 3 ]
214
m o n t h l y
l a b o r
r e v ie w
.
Other laws place upon the public authorities of a m unicipality the
duty of employing a com petent person as inspector of scaffolding; and
require installation of electric lighting, heating, and power apparatus
to be approved by the inspector of public buildings, such installa
tion to be made only by or under the supervision of a licensed person,
licenses being obtainable from a board of inspectors appointed to
conduct examinations, etc.
Saskatchewan.
The session of the Saskatchewan Legislature which adjourned Sep
tem ber 15, 1920, increased the m aximum compensation for injured
workmen from $2,000 to $2,500, and also brings w ithin the act
m anual workers receiving as m uch as $2,000 per annum instead of
restricting it to those receiving less than $1,800.
The factories act was amended to raise the minimum age for the
employment of girls from 14 to 15 years.
Australia.
T TNDER the authority of the premier of New South Wales, a legis^
lative digest appears of the principal enactm ents of the Aus
tralian Parliam ent during 1920. The new labor legislation of New
South Wales has already been noted in the May Monthly L abor
R eview (pp. 148-150).
The Federal public service arbitration act of 1911 was supple
m ented by providing for the appointm ent of a special arbitrator for
a term of seven years, to carry out the adm inistration of the Com
monwealth conciliation and arbitration act. An organization dis
satisfied w ith the salaries fixed or other decision of the commissioner
m ay file its com plaint before a special arbitrator, who will then sub
m it the same to the commissioner or m inister concerned, and in the
absence of opposition the claim m ay be conceded, b u t if there is ob
jection a conference m ust precede any award.
While the foregoing law relates to public service, the industrial
peace act provides for the establishm ent of a central council and dis
trict councils representing organized employers and employees in all
classes of employment. These councils have advisory powers only,
and are to consider the causes of industrial unrest, suggest remedies,
and endeavor to promote the peaceful settlem ent of existing disputes.
The central council represents the entire Commonwealth, each State
having a district council. These councils are given a legal status,
and are to receive fees for their services. Local boards m ay also be
organized for specific districts. These tribunals are intended to sup
plem ent the arbitration court and not to supersede it. Their awards
are binding at law and have the same effect as an award of the arbi
tration court. No dispute as to which a hearing has been com
menced in court can be referred to a special tribunal.
Victoria.
Instead of requiring the appointm ent of wages boards to be initi
ated by resolutions of both houses of parliam ent, the law has been
amended so as to authorize the governor in council to appoint such
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 1 4 ]
LABOR LEGISLATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
215
boards by executive act on recommondation of the m inister of labor.
The subject of housing also received legislative attention.
South Australia.
An im portant act consolidates in one measure numerous acts re
garding industry, thus forming an industrial code. The law covers
the subject of labor disputes, wages boards, factory employment, etc.
The code not only relates to private business, b u t includes certain
employees of the Government and of m unicipal councils. A reorgani
zation of wages boards provides for a chairm an and th a t the m em ber
ship represent equally employers and employees. Parties not bound
by an award m ay apply to the courts for an order to make an existing
award applicable. Public service employees and railway employees
come under the jurisdiction of an industrial court and of industrial
boards, which supersede the wages boards for these employments. A
new body to be called a board of industry, consisting of a judge and
four commissioners representing employers and employees equally, is
to fix a living wage the same as is provided for in New South Wales
by their board of trade.
Another act strengthens the provisions for the inspection and super
vision of mines and generally gives more adequate protection to the
health and safety of persons engaged in or about mines. The work
m en’s compensation act was amended to include m anual workers
whose average wages am ount to £8 ($38.93, par) per week instead of
being restricted to those whose weekly earnings do not exceed £5
($24.33, par).
The act of this State relating to assistance in procuring homes was
also amended.
Western Australia.
The Factories and Shops Act, 1920, of this State is a consolidating
measure, repealing prior laws. The age of “ boys” is advanced to 16
years, and their hours of employment are to be the same as those
provided for women. Instead of being applicable only where there
are six persons employed, this law now applies to establishm ents in
m etropolitan districts with three employees, and in the country dis
tricts w ith four employees. The hours of labor of male workers are
lim ited to 44 per week, b u t overtime m ay be allowed in special cir
cumstances. A m inimum wage is fixed for certain trades, and the
paym ent of premiums for employment in factories is prohibited.
Certificates of employment m ust be given after the conclusion of any
period of service. Existing legislation to prevent sweating is incor
porated in the act, b u t is enlarged, and the subletting of piecework is
prohibited. The employment of young persons in dangerous or in
jurious trades is further restricted, lunch and dressing rooms m ay be
ordered where necessary, and light as well as air space m ay be reg
ulated. Wages are to be paid at least every two weeks.
The W orkm en’s Compensation Act is amended by being made
applicable to workers earning £400 ($1,946.60, par) per annum,
instead of £300 ($1,459.95, par), as formerly. The waiting time is
reduced from one week to three days, and provisions for lump-sum
settlem ents are enlarged.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 215 ]
216
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
The Industrial A rbitration Act was amended by providing th a t a
special commissioner m ay be appointed a t any time to call con
ferences for the adjustm ent of industrial disputes, even though a
strike or lockout is in actual existence; if the compulsory' conference
fails the commissioner m ay refer the m atte r in dispute to the arbi
tration court.
Queensland.
Mine regulations of this State were amended with a view to more
efficient safety provisions for the workers. The miners m ay elect
inspectors, who m ay post the results of their inspection at the en
trance to the mine; they m ay also elect two practical miners to pre
vent work from being carried on in a dangerous place until an inspec
to r’s certificate th a t it has been made safe has been issued. Statutory
inspectors are not perm itted to have any interest in mines, and are
given authority to stop the work if they consider the mine dangerous.
Clean drinking w ater m ust be supplied, means provided for extin
guishing fires in mines, and safety lamps provided for use in all coal
mines. More adequate ventilation is required. Bathroom s w ith hot
and cold shower baths m ust be installed at all mines.
Tasmania.
•
The compensation law of this State was extended to include
workers earning as much as £5 ($24.33, par) per week, the earlier
lim it being £4 ($19.47, par). Designated, occupational diseases are
made compensable, and the am ount of compensation is based upon
the earnings of the worker under the employer from whom com
pensation is recoverable.
The law is extended to cover fatal
accidents.
A wages board act canceled an amended existing law. Boards
appointed under the old law were abolished and new boards author
ized, consisting of a chairm an and an equal num ber of employees’ and
employers’ representatives. The chairm an is to vote only in case of a
tie. Wages for time and piece work, the hours of labor, overtime pay,
num ber of apprentices, and forms of apprenticeship are within the
purview of the board in any trade. The term s rem ain in force for
two years and thereafter until changed by action of the board.
Appeals m ay be taken to the supreme court only, and penalties are
imposed for strikes or lockouts organized on account of any deter
m ination.
Peruvian Woman and Child Labor L aw Amended.
A CCORDING to the June, 1921, B ulletin of the Pan American
Union (p. 628) the Peruvian law (of Nov. 25, 1918) relating to
woman and child labor was amended on March 26, 1921, to provide
th a t in establishm ents where work is not suspended on Saturday
afternoons, children under 18 years of age and women employed
therein shall not work on Mondays. The amendm ent further pro
vides th a t women and children who are discharged unjustly shall
receive two m onths’ pay.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 216 ]
LABOR LEGISLATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
217
Labor Clauses in the N ew Polish Constitution.
HTHE Official Bulletin of the International Labor Office, April 27,
1921 (pp. 18, 19) gives a sum m ary of the provisions relating to
labor protection in the constitution of the Polish Republic which was
adopted in M arch,,1921. The proposition th a t “ Labor as the prin
cipal source of the wealth of the Republic is under the special pro
tection of the S ta te ” was given as the fundam ental principle govern
ing the rights of labor, and the constitution states th a t the labor of
every citizen shall be protected by the S tate through special insurance
laws in regard to involuntary unemployment, sickness, and accident.
The protection of women and children is provided for in article 103,
which stipulates th a t special laws shall regulate the protection of
m aternity and th a t employment of children under 15 years of age for
wages shall be forbidden. Night work of women and young persons
which is of a nature likely to be injurious to health is also forbidden
in the same article, while perm anent employment of children of school
age for wages is prohibited. I t is provided th a t “ school ag e” shall
be defined by a special law.
The right of association is also guaranteed and provision is made for
the enactm ent of a special law which shall “ establish economic selfgovernm ent in spheres of economic life, particularly by chambers of
agriculture, of industry, of trades, and of wage earners, etc., com
bined in a central chamber of national economy. Laws shall regulate
the collaboration of these organs w ith the State authorities in the
control of economic affairs and in the initiation of legislation.”
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[217]
STR IK ES A ND LO C K O U TS.
Strikes and Lockouts in Poland.
H E Polish M onthly Labor Review 1 gives a report on strikes and
lockouts in Poland in the year 1920. The following table
shows the num ber of strikes and of strikers in the different
sections from April to November, 1920. The largest strikes were two
in the textile industry, which included approxim ately 40,000 and
37,000, and a one-day strike of about 48,000 miners.
T
S T R IK E S A N D LO C K O U TS IN P O L A N D , A P R IL TO N O V E M B E R , 1920.a
1920
Section.
A pril.
F orm er R ussian Poland:
S trik es.................................................................
49
S trik e rs............................................................... 55,230
Form er A u strian Poland:
S trik es.................................................................
10
S trik e rs............................................................... 1,751
Form er Prussian P o lan d :
S trik es.............................................................
2
Strikers..........................................................
2,500
Total:
S trik es.............................................................
61
S trik ers....................................................
59,481
Sep
Octo N ovem
tem ber . ber.
ber.
May.
June.
July.
50
26,965
30
10,982
4
4,673
5
682
40
63, 884
31
59,944
17
6,993
8
1,417
2
895
4
5,667
10
18,249
9
1,092
3
3,030
4
2,555
3
856
2
388
2
6,796
3
2,153
70
36,988
48
14,954
9
6,424
11
6, 737
52
88,929
43
63,189
a Strikes for A ugust no t reported.
1 L ’Office C entral de S tatistiq u e de la R épublique Polonaise.
trav ail.
218
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 218]
Janvier ,1921, p. 34. R evue mensuelle du
C O O PER A TIO N .
Scheme for Cooperative Marketing of Grain in the United States.1
A S A result of meetings held during the la tte r p a rt of April plans
have been worked out to provide for the cooperative m arketing
of grain on a national scale. These plans were form ulated
after a study of the various systems of cooperative m arketing in
operation in the United States and in Canada. H eretofore" the
American grain grower has for the most p art confined his efforts to
the local association operating a single elevator. The new plan,
using the local cooperative elevators as units, will unite all of these
into a national system, and establish term inal m arketing facilities.
U nder the scheme, which was ratified by the representatives of the
various farm ers’ organizations p r e s e n t/a national sales agency is
created, known as the United States Grain Growers (Inc.). This
agency will be a nonstock, nonprofit corporation. A stated am ount—
a t present $10—will be charged as a membership fee. Plach farm er
who becomes a mem ber of the United States Grain Growers (Inc.)
will contract to deliver all of his grain, except th a t needed for seed
and feed, to the sales agency through his local cooperative elevator.
The elevator will in turn contract to deliver all grain received by it
to points designated by the national agency. M arketing will be
done on a cost basis.
An atte m p t was made to provide for compulsory pooling of grain
by the farm ers who become members, it being argued th a t the
farm ers would have more power than if each sold as an individual.
The opponents of this feature were of the opinion th a t the tim e for
this step had not yet come. On vote, the measure was defeated.
U nder the plan as adopted the farmer m ay dispose of his grain
in any or all of three ways: (1) He m ay consign it, in carload lots,
through the local cooperative elevator to the term inal m arkets, to be
sold, on its arrival, at m arket price. (2) He m ay sell his grain to the
local cooperative elevator a t once or hold his grain in the term inal
elevators awaiting a better price. I t is pointed out th a t producers
who dispose of their grain will receive, in proportion to patronage,
any ^savings effected through this cooperative selling machinery.
(3) The grower m ay pool his crop w ith th a t of other local growers to
be sold when m arket conditions are m ost advantageous. “ Grains
th a t are pooled in this m anner will pass out of the control of the
individual producer and the grain will be sold by the directors of the
pool at the time th a t they deem m ost opportune. W hen the grain
is sold, the total receipts will be distributed among the producers on
the basis of num ber of bushels of a certain kind, variety, and grade of
products contributed to the pool.”
1 The d a ta on which this article is based were secured from th e A m erican Cooperative Journal (Chicago)
issues of March, A pril, a n d May, 1921, a n d th e N onpartisan Leader (M inneapolis), issues of A pr. 18 a nd
M ay 2,1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[219]
219
220
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
The articles of incorporation of the U nited Grain Growers (Inc.)
provide for voting units, each to consist of the members of a local
organization. Each unit shall be entitled to elect a delegate to a
congressional district convention, which in turn shall elect a delegate
to the national convention. The business of the national association
is to be carried on by 21 directors representing the different grain
districts and elected by the delegates to the national convention.
The scheme provides for the following features: (1) Branch sales
offices at im portant term inal m arkets in each natural grain district;
(2) term inal warehouses and elevators, where, pending favorable
m arket conditions, the grower m em bers’ grain can be cleaned, proc
essed, and stored; (3) an export corporation for selling to foreign
countries surplus grain not needed for domestic consumption; (4) a
finance corporation to furnish credit to growers, thus preventing the
necessity of dum ping their whole crop onto the m arket at once, with
resultant decrease in prices; and (5) a departm ent to collect infor
m ation concerning m arket conditions, world’s supply, foreign crop
conditions, and other statistics.
Development of the Farmers’ Union in the United States.
N ACCOUNT of the history and development of the farm ers’
union in the United States has recently been published by the
U niversity of K entucky.1 The Farm ers’ Educational and
Cooperative Union of America was formed in Texas in 1902 for the
purpose of bettering the condition of the American farm er and of
obtaining better prices for his crops. The union has been thus far
“ largely only an organizing or propaganda force, whose activity is
centered largely in financing and directing organizing work in different
S tates.” I t is pointed out th at, for this reason, the growth of the
union is all the more rem arkable. This growth is shown, by States, in
the table below:
A
G R O W T H O P M E M B E R S H IP O F T H E F A R M E R S ’ U N IO N , 1908-1910 TO 1917-1919, B Y ST A T E S .
Average n um ber
m em bers.
of
State.
A labam a.......................................................................................
A rizo n a........................................................................................
A rkansas......................................................................................
C alifornia.....................................................................................
Colorado.......................................................................................
F lo rid a..........................................................................................
Georgia.........................................................................................
Illin o is..........................................................................................
In d ia n a ........................................................................................
K ansas..........................................................................................
1908-1910
1917-1919
10,414
14,487
6,863
608
510
23
2,883
510
4,963
1,631
10,114
1,725
4,727
2,417
621
3,160
1,962
643
31,893
(a)
3,480
1,142
K e n tu ck y ....................................................................................
( a)
714
Id a h o ............................................................................................
13,338
103
Io w a ..............................................................................................
238
2,555
L o u isian a....................................................................................
(a)
93
M aine............................................................................................
a Figures n o t available.
1 U n iv ersity of K entucky. The Farm ers’ U nion, b y Commodore B . Fisher.
and sociology, No. 2. Lexington, March, 1920.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 220]
N um ber of union m em
bers per 10,000 agri
cultural population.
1910
1919
959
806
133
33
38
191
59
1,088
462
600
69
220
137
176
187
78
34
1,806
689
(a )
141
235
5
388
(a)
(0)
50
614
36
16
Studies in economies
221
COOPERATION.
GROW TH
O F M E M B E R S H IP
O F T H E F A R M E R S ’ U N IO N , 1908-1910 TO 1917-1919, B Y
S T A T E S —C oncluded.
A verage n u m ber
mem bers.
State.
of
1908-1910
1917-1919
M innesota.....................................................................
M ississippi...........................................................................
M issouri................................................................................
M o n tan a .............................................................................
N ebraska..............................................................................
0)
11,790
3,488
0)
0)
272
350
1,176
'470
34,374
New Mexico.................................................................
N o rth Carolina................................................................
N o rth D a k o ta .....................................................................
O h io ......................................................................................
O klahom a............................................................................
1,377
10,708
(9
4
6,179
100
10,859
1,155
2,585
'556
O re g o n .................................................................................
S outh C arolina........................................................................
S outh D ak o ta.........................................................................
Tennessee.............................................................................
1,259
2,896
(9
6,070
1,351
(1/
5,988
1,406
T e x a s.............................................................................
V irginia.................................................................................
W ashing to n ..................................................................
W y o m in g ......................................................................
10,772
2,790
4,649
0)
6,582
5,905
3,188
1,571
8 121,826
8 140,066
T o tal.......................................................................
N um ber of union m em
bers per 10,000 agri
cu ltu ral population.
1910
1919
(')
1,075
128
0)
0)
17
32
42
188
2,650
411
569
30
577
156
95
32
(9
(2)
364
281
364
(9
312
(9
292
800
67
309
205
844
189
435
579
1,444
387
312
’
(9
"
i Figures n o t available.
2 Less th a n 1.
8 These n u m b ers are n o t th e ex act to tals of th e item s show n b u t are as given in the report.
In discussing the cooperative activities of the farm ers’ union the
author divides these into cooperative selling, cooperative buying,
cooperative m anufacturing, and cooperative insurance. While the
union has undertaken some work along the last two lines, its chief
activities have been in selling and buying. In the selling field, it is
pointed out, the union has not expanded to the extent th a t one
would expect. This is due largely, the author thinks, to “ the
greater capital required, the increased chances of failure, the tend
ency tow ard disloyalty when b e tte r prices are offered elsewhere,
and the difficulty of securing real, honest managerial ability for sell
ing organizations a t prices which the farm er is willing to p ay .”
Cotton, grain, and live stock are the chief products handled by these
cooperative selling organizations.
According to the report the cooperative store is “ the m ost p o p u lar”
of the farm ers’ cooperative enterprises, because of “ the imm ediate
profits th a t are realized from cooperative buying and the meager
capital necessary to engage in such activity.”
The present tendency on the part of the union is to develop State exchanges, or
cooperative wholesale houses. * * * This venture has greatly systematized
cooperative purchasing, and it promises to become one of the most profitable coopera
tive attempts yet made. These exchanges are to be organized on a truly cooperative
basis, all local cooperative stores, buying clubs, etc., to furnish the necessary capital
and make all their purchases through it. The exchange, acting as a center for the
demands of the local stores, and receiving special quotations from manufacturers and
others, is able, by buying in larger quantities, to secure more favorable prices than
could be quoted to locals on the small orders that they would send in to the manu
facturer. These exchanges may be considered as a result of union success in different
States, but it is also true that their establishment has guaranteed a continuation of
that success, where proper regard has been given to the management and to the instal
lation of an adequate accounting system.
The study also includes a discussion of the legislative program of the
farm ers’ union.
54039°—21
-15
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1221]
IM M IGRATION.
The New Immigration Law.
H E U nited States Congress passed “ An act to lim it the immi
gration of aliens into the U nited S tates,” which was approved
by the President on May 19, 1921. Section 5 of the act states
th a t “ this act shall take effect and be in force 15 days after its
enactm ent,” exception being m ade of certain sections of the act
which covered the preparation for its adm inistration and which were
to take effect im m ediately upon the enactm ent of the law. The
approval of the act on May 19 m ade it effective, therefore, on June 3.
The act itself is as follows:
T
A n Act to L im it the Im migration of Aliens into the United States.
As used in this act—
•
The term “ United States” means the United States, and any waters, territory, or
other place subject to the jurisdiction thereof except the Canal Zone and the Philip
pine Islands; but if any alien leaves the Canal Zone or any insular possession of the
United States and attempts to enter any other place under the jurisdiction of the
United States nothing contained in this act shall be construed as permitting him to
enter under any other conditions than those applicable to all aliens.
The word “ alien” includes any person not a native-born or naturalized citizen of
the United States, but this definition shall not be held to include Indians of the United
States not taxed nor citizens of the islands under the jurisdiction of the United States.
The term “ immigration ac t” means the act of February 5, 1917, entitled “ An act
to regulate the immigration of aliens to, and the residence of aliens in, the United
States”; and the term “ immigration laws” includes such act and all laws, conven
tions, and treaties of the United States relating to the immigration, exclusion, or
expulsion of aliens.
S e c . 2. (a) That the number of aliens of any nationality who may be admitted under
the immigration laws to the United States in any fiscal year shall be limited to 3 per
centum of the number of foreign-born persons of such nationality resident in the
United States as determined by the United States census of 1910. This provision shall
not apply to the following, and they shall not be counted in reckoning any of the per
centage limits pro vided in this act: (1) Government officials, their families, attendants,
servants, and employees; (2) aliens in continuous transit through the United States;
(3) aliens lawfully admitted to the United States who later go in transit from one part
of the United States to another through foreign contiguous territory; (4) aliens visiting
the United States as tourists or temporarily for business or pleasure; (5) aliens from
countries immigration from which is regulated in accordance with treaties or agree
ments relating solely to immigration; (6) aliens from the so-called Asiatic barred zone,
as described in section 3 of the immigration act; (7) aliens who have resided con
tinuously for at least one year immediately preceding the time of their admission to the
United States in the Dominion of Canada, Newfoundland, the Republic of Cuba, the
Republic of Mexico, countries of Central or South America, or adjacent islands; or
(8) aliens under the age of 18 who are children of citizens of the United States.
(b)
For the purposes of this act nationality shall be determined by country of birth,
treating as separate countries the colonies or dependencies for which separate enumera
tion was made in the United States census of 1910.
(c)
The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Labor,
jointly, shall, as soon as feasible after the enactment of this act, prepare a statement
showing the number of persons of the various nationalities resident in the United
States as determined by the United States census of 1910, which statement shall be
the population basis for the purposes of this act. In case of changes in political
222
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[222 ]
IM M IG R A T IO N .
223
boundaries in foreign countries occurring subsequent to 1910 and resulting (1) in the
creation of new countries, the Governments of which are recognized by the United
States, or (2) in the transfer of territory from one country to another, such transfer
being recognized by the United States, such officials, jointly, shall estimate the num
ber of persons resident in the United States in 1910 who were born within the area
included in such new countries or in such territory so transferred, and revise the
population basis as to each country involved in such change of political boundary.
For the purpose of such revision and for the purposes of this act generally aliens born
in the area included in any such new country shall be considered as having been
born in such country, and aliens born in any territory so transferred shall be con
sidered as having been born in the country to which such territory was transferred.
(d)
When the maximum number of aliens of any nationality who may be admitted
in any fiscal year under this act shall have been admitted all other aliens of such na
tionality, except as otherwise provided in this act, who may apply for admission
during tbe same fiscal year shall be excluded: P r o v id e d , That the number of aliens
of any nationality who may be admitted in any month shall not exceed 20 per centum
of the total number of aliens of such nationality who are admissible in that fiscal year:
P r o v id e d f u r t h e r , That aliens returning from a temporary visit abroad, aliens who are
professional actors, artists, lecturers, singers, nurses, ministers of any religious denomi
nation, professors for colleges or seminaries, aliens belonging to any recognized learned
profession, or aliens employed as domestic servants, may, if otherwise admissible, be
admitted notwithstanding the maximum number of aliens of the same nationality
admissible in the same month or fiscal year, as the case may be, shall have entered the
United States; but aliens of the classes included in this proviso who enter the United
States before such maximum number shall have entered shall (unless excluded by
subdivision (a) from being counted) be counted in reckoning the percentage limits
proAdded in this act: P r o v id e d f u r t h e r , That in the enforcement of this act preference
shall be given so far as possible to the wives, parents, brothers, sisters, children under
18 years of age, and fiancées, (1) of citizens of the United States, (2) of aliens noAV in
the United States who have applied for citizenship in the manner proffided by law,
or (3) of persons eligible to United States citizenship who served in the military or
naA^al forces of the United States at any time between April 6, 1917, and November 11,
1918, both dates inclusive, and have been separated from such forces under honorable
conditions.
S e c . 3. That the Commissioner General of Immigration, with the approval of the
Secretary of Labor, shall, as soon as feasible after the enactment of this act, and from
time to time thereafter, prescribe rules and regulations necessary to carry the provisions
of this act into effect. He shall, as soon as feasible after the enactment of this act,
publish a statement showing the number of aliens of the various nationalities who
may be admitted to the United States between the date this act becomes effective
and the end of the current fiscal year, and on June 30 thereafter he shall publish a
statement showing the number of aliens of the various nationalities who may be ad
mitted during the ensuing fiscal year. He shall also publish monthly statements
during the time this act remains in force showing the number of aliens of each na
tionality already admitted during the then current fiscal year and the number who
may be admitted under the provisions of this act during the remainder of such year,
but when 75 per centum of the maximum number of any nationality admissible during
the fiscal year shall haAm been admitted such statements shall be issued weekly
thereafter. All statements shall be made available for general publication and shall
be mailed to all transportation companies bringing aliens to the United States who
shall request the same and shall file with the Department of Labor the address to which
such statements shall be sent. The Secretary of Labor shall also submit such state
ments to the Secretary of State, who shall transmit the information contained therein
to the proper diplomatic and consular officials of the United States, which officials
shall make the same available to persons intending to emigrate to the United States
and to others who may apply.
S e c . L That the provisions of this act are in addition to and not in substitution for
the provisions of the immigration laws.
S e c . 5. That this act shall take effect and be enforced 15 days after its enactment
(except sections 1 and 3 and subdivisions (b) and (c) of section 2, which shall take effect
immediately upon the enactment of this act), and shall continue in force until June
30, 1922, and the number of aliens of any nationality who may be admitted during the
remaining period of the current fiscal year, from the date when this act becomes
effective to June 30, shall be limited in proportion to the number admissible during
the fiscal year 1922.
Approved, May 19, 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
224
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
I t will be noted th a t the num ber of aliens of any nationality is
lim ited during any fiscal year to 3 per cent of the num ber of foreignborn persons of such nationality in the U nited States as determined
by the census of 1910, and the Secretary of State, the Secretary of
Commerce, and the Secretary of Labor are instructed jointly to
prepare a statem ent showing the num ber of persons resident in the
U nited States in 1910 of the various nationalities covered by the act
and upon which the quota for each country should be calculated.
The com m ittee appointed by the above nam ed secretaries to assist
in carrying out the provisions of this law were:
On the p a rt of the Secretary of State, H. A. MacBride, chief of
visé section, D epartm ent of S tate, and Maj. Lawrence M artin,
Division of W estern E u r o p e a n Affairs;
On the p a rt of the Secretary of Commerce, W illiam C. H unt, chief
statistician for population of the Census, and Joseph A. Hill, chief
statistician for review and results of the Census, since appointed by
President H arding as A ssistant Director of the Census.
On the p a rt of the Secretary of Labor, W. W. H usband, Commis
sioner-General of Im m igration, and E thelbert Stew art, Commissioner
of Labor Statistics.
The report of th a t comm ittee, as approved by the secretaries of
the three departm ents nam ed in the law, allocated the quota of
im m igrants th a t m ay be received from each country from June 3,
the date the law became effective, to June 30 of 1921, and also the
num ber th a t m ay be received from each country during the fiscal
year beginning Ju ly 1, 1921. As the law perm its a lim it of 20 per
cent of the annual quota to be adm itted in any one m onth until the
quota is exhausted, a third column was added showing this lim it of
permissible im m igration from each country in any one m onth. The
table showing the num ber of aliens admissible under the act from
each designated country or place of b irth is shown below.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[224]
225
IM M IG R A T IO N .
NUMBER OF ALIENS ADMISSIBLE UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ACT OF MAY 19, 1921.
Country or place of birth.
A lb a n ia ...................................................................................................................................
A u s t r ia ....................................................................................................................................
B e lg iu m ..................................................................................................................................
B u lg a ria ..................................................................................................................................
C ze c h o slo v a k ia ....................................................................................................................
D a n z ig .....................................................................................................................................
D e n m a r k ................................................................................................................................
F i n l a n d ..................................................................................................................................
F iu m e ......................................................................................................................................
F r a n c e .....................................................................................................................................
G e r m a n y ................................................................................................................................
G reece......................................................................................................................................
H u n g a r y ................................................................................................................................
I t a l y .........................................................................................................................................
J u g o s la v ia ..............................................................................................................................
L u x e m b u r g ...........................................................................................................................
N e th e r la n d s ..........................................................................................................................
N o r w a y ...................................................................................................................................
P o l a n d ....................................................................................................................................
E a s te r n G a lic ia ....................................................................................................................
P o r tu g a l (in c lu d in g A zores a n d M a d e ira I s la n d s ) ................................................
R o u m a n ia ..............................................................................................................................
R u s s ia (in c lu d in g S ib e r i a ) ..............................................................................................
S p a in ........................................................................................................................................
S w e d e n ....................................................................................................................................
S w itz e r la n d ...........................................................•..............................................................
U n ite d K in g d o m ................................................................................................................
O th e r E u r o p e (in c lu d in g A n d o rra , G ib ra lta r, L ic h te n s te in , M a lta , M onaco,
S a n M arin o , a n d Ic e la n d )...........................................................................................
A r m e n ia .................................................................................................................................
P a l e s t i n e ................................................................................................................................
S m y r n a D is tr ic t..................................................................................................................
S y r i a ........................................................................................................................................
O t h e r T u r k e y ( E u r o p e a n d A s ia )................................................................................
O th e r A sia (in c lu d in g P e rs ia a n d te rrito ry o th e r t h a n S ib e ria w h ic h is n o t
i n c l u d e d i n t h e A s ia tic b a rre d zone. P e rso n s b o rn i n S ib e ria a re
in c l u d e d i n t h e R u s s ia q u o t a ) ..................................................................................
A f r i c a ......................................................................................................................................
A u s t r a l i a ................................................................................................................................
N e w Z e a la n d ........................................................................................................................
A tla n tic Is la n d s (o th e r t h a n A zores, M ad eira, a n d is la n d s a d ja c e n t to t h e
A m e ric a n C o n tin e n ts )..................................................................................................
P a c ific Is la n d s (o th e r t h a n N ew Z e a la n d a n d is la n d s a d ja c e n t to th e
A m e ric a n C o n tin e n ts ) ..................................................................................................
T o t a l............................................................................................................................
Lim it in
Quota,
Quota, any one
Ju n e 3 to fiscal year m onth,
30,1921. 1921-22. fiscal year
1921-22.
22
571
119
23
1,095
22
433
298
5
437
5,219
252
432
3,224
491
7
276
930
1,528
451
177
569
2,627
51
1,531
287
5,923
287
7,444
1,557
301
14,269
285
5,644
3,890
71
5,692
68,039
3,286
5,635
42,021
6,405
92
3,602
12,116
20,019
5,781
2,269
7,414
34,247
663
19,956
3,745
77,206
57
1,489
311
60
2,854
57
1,129
778
14
1,138
13,608
657
1,127
8,404
1,281
18
720
2,423
4,004
1,156
454
1,483
6,849
133
3,991
749
15,441
6
122
4
34
69
16
86
1,588
56
438
905
215
17
318
11
88
181
43
6
9
21
4
78
120
271
50
16
24
54
10
12
5
60
2
22
4
27,298
355,825
71,163
I t will be noted th a t this act restricts the num ber of possible
im m igrants in the U nited States for the next two years to 355,825
per year. Of these not more than 71,163 m a y b e adm itted during
any one m onth.
The rules and regulations issued by the Commissioner-General of
Im m igration for the enforcement of this law are of such international
im portance th a t they are reproduced here in full.
Regulations fo r the Enforcement o f the A ct Approved May 19, 1921.
The provisions of the act approved May 19, 1921, are in addition to and not in sub
stitution for the provisions of laws, conventions, or treaties of the United States
relating to the immigration, exclusion, or expulsion of aliens in force and effect upon
the passage of said act.
Until the prescribed quota, monthly or otherwise, in respect of the nationals of
a given country has been reached, this act will not apply to such nationals, except
for classification purposes in reckoning percentage limits.
For the purposes of said act, place of birth shall govern, notwithstanding change
in nationalities since 1910 due to transfer of territory where birth occurred in some
other country, or the creation of a new country, unless such transfer or new country
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[225]
226
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
has not been recognized by the Government of the United States, in which latter
event such transfer, or creation of new country, shall be disregarded. To illustrate:
(1) A native of Alsace-Lorraine, regardless of claimed nationality, shall be charged
to France; (2) a native of a Baltic state (formerly a portion of Russia) the govern
ment of which has not been recognized by the Government of the United States,
shall be charged to Russia; and (3) an alien bom in what is now recognized as Poland
shall be charged to th,e quota of that country, regardless of present citizenship.
(1) Subdivision (a) of section 2 enumerates eight classes of aliens which shall be
regarded as excepted from the quota count. For the purpose, among others, of making
clearer the legislative intent with respect to several of these classes, the following
comment is offered:
. . . .
(a) Aliens in continuous transit through the United States.—Immigration officials
will exercise care to prevent an abuse of this exemption, to which end they shall,
among other things, satisfy themselves that a bona fide transit is intended and that
it is the purpose of the alien to pass by continuous journey through and out of the
United States. Aliens of this and the class referred to hereinafter in paragraph (c)
who are later found residing in the United States under circumstances indicating
abandonment of their declared purpose in entering shall be charged to the unfilled
quotas of their respective countries, to which end such cases shall be promptly
reported to the immigration official in charge at the port where entry occurred.
(b) Aliens lawfully admitted to the United States who later go in transit from one part
o f the United States to another through foreign contiguous territory.— The transit journey
herein referred to must be completed within 60 days. Departure and return may
occur through the same port. If return is_sought_ after the expiration of 60 days,
the applicant may be treated as falling within subdivision (a) of section 2 hereunder.
(c) Aliens coming to the United States as tourists or temporarily fo r business or pleas
ure.—Aliens of these classes coming for a period not to exceed six months shall be
considered exempted, within the meaning of section 2; but any such found residing
in the United States under circumstances indicating abandonment of visit shall
be reported as provided in paragraph (a) hereof.
(d) Aliens applying fo r admission from certain foreign countries follow ing a continu
ous residence o f one year or more therein.— Exemption hereunder shall not be lost merely
by reason of temporary absences of short duration from the countries and islands
referred to in the a c t.' The Bermudas and all other islands lying off the coasts of
North and South America not more distant therefrom than the Bermudas, shall be
regarded as “ adjacent islands” within the meaning of this exemption.
(2) Under the provisions of paragraph (d) of section 2 of the act, aliens of certain
enumerated classes may be admitted, in so far as the act is concerned, notwithstand
ing the quota of the particular country to which they are chargeable has been
exhausted. Aliens of said classes are, however, charged against the proper quotas
until the maximum number thereunder shall have been admitted.
(a) Aliens returning from a temporary visit abroad.—A “ temporary visit abroad,”
as contemplated by the second proviso to subdivision (d) of section 2 of the act, shall
be construed to mean an absence in any foreign country (without relinquishment
of domicile) not exceeding six months in duration. An alien who remains abroad
in excess of six months shall be presumed to have abandoned his domicile in the
United States. However, such presumption may be overcome by the production
of evidence to the contrary, satisfactory to the appropriate immigration officers.
(b) Aliens employed as domestic servants— Domestic servants,_for the purposes of
the act, are those only who have actually been employed, either in the United States
or any foreign country, in the household of the person or persons accompanying
them or to whom destined in the United States, coming for the purpose of continuing
such employment.
.
.
When the maximum number of aliens of any nationality who may be admitted
in any period under this act shall have been admitted, all other aliens of such national
ity, except as otherwise expressly provided by said act, who may apply for admission
during that period shall be referred to a board of special inquiry for appropriate action.
These regulations are effective on and after June 3, 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2261
I
C U R R E N T N O T ES O F IN T E R E S T T O LA BO R.
Railroad Telegraphers to Establish Bank.3
IT WAS decided at the triennial international convention of the
Order of R ailroad Telegraphers, which was recently held a t Savan
nah, Ga., to establish a great telegraphers’ cooperative bank a t St.
Louis. The details of the plan are to be worked out by the presi
dent, the secretary-treasurer, and the board of directors of the order.
Regulating Wage Reductions in Belgium by the Cost of Living Index.2
T H E following conditions governing the acceptance of reductions
A of wages have been defined by the central comm ittee of the
Belgian General Federation of Building, Furnishing, and Miscella
neous Industries:
There must be no reduction until the index number of the cost of living has fallen
below 400.
When the index number is between 400 and 300 wages may be reduced by 5 centimes
[1 cent, par] per hour for every fall of 10 points in the index number.
When the index number falls below 300 the wages may be reduced by 4 centimes
[0.8 of 1 cent, par] for every fall of 10 points, until 1914 prices are reached.
Wages may be reduced only on the 1st of January, 1st of April, 1st of July, and
1st of October, in order to avoid the complicated calculations which would result
from too frequent changes.
Under the above system, if we take 2.50 francs [48 cents, par] as the average hourly
wage for an index number of 400, the minimum wage rate will be about 1.20 francs
[23 cents, par] per hour when the cost of living has fallen to the 1914 figures, i. e.,
the wage rate will be higher than it was in 1914.
Should the cost of living increase instead of decreasing, wages shall be increased
by 5 centimes [1 cent, par] an hour for every 10 points or a fraction thereof in the
index number.
The m atter of wage reductions has also been discussed by the
national comm ittee of the Metal W orkers’ Federation which had
received a proposal from employers w ith reference to revising the
national convention fixing wage scales. The com m ittee decided,
however, th a t there could be no such revision until the index num
ber fell to 400.
T he 44-Hour Week.
T H E International Printing Pressmen and Assistants Union of
A N orth America publishes in its “ Forty-four-hour week Bulletin
No. 1 ” the following statem ent concerning the status of the 44-hour
week m ovement, effective May 1, 1921:
There are 121 subordinate unions reported on to date that are involved. In this
number of unions, from which we have received weekly strike lists, there are 4,300
members either on strike or locked out in the various sections of the continent.
1 L a b o r, J u n e 4, 1921, p . 3, W a s h in g to n , D . C.
2 D a ta a re from T h e E c o n o m ic R e v ie w (R e v ie w of th e F o reig n P re s s), L o n d o n , M ay 6, 1921, w h ich
re p ro d u c e d th e d a ta fro m L e P e u p le , A p r. 12,1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 227 ]
227
228
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
Establishment of a Commission of Social Reforms in Bolivia.
decree 1 of October 7, 1920, issued by the Committee of Gov
ernm ent (J u n t a d e G o b ie rn o ) of Bolivia, provides for the estab
lishm ent of a commission of social reforms to elaborate prospective
legislation regarding workmen and the Indian population, and fu r
nish inform ation to the Governm ent and the legislature on social
reforms. According to the decree each of the six universities will
choose two members of this commission and the w orkm en’s societies
will send one delegate for the capital of each of the eight departm ents.
These members will serve for a period of four years, beginning in Jan u
ary, 1921, w ithout rem uneration. They will choose a perm anent
secretary and other clerical help, who will be salaried.
Article 6 reads as follows:
Once the commission is established it will immediately begin the study of and
gradually formulate laws affecting the relations between capital and labor; industrial
accidents in general and particularly mining; hours of daily work; protection of
children and women; houses for workmen; savings banks; discharged workmen;
pensions and retirements; cooperative societies; protection of the property of the
Indians and of the Indian race; sanitary measures; organization of the penitentiary
and reformatory prisons; antialcoholism, etc. I t shall also prepare a special project
of legislation for the governing of the Indians in the country districts.
I t is stated th a t m ost of the members selected for the above com
mission are lawyers and men of recognized ability, and it is hoped
th a t this commission will prove helpful in shaping legislative
reforms.
A Workmen’s Company in Czechoslovakia.2
IT IS reported in the Economic Review (London) of May 20, 1921,2
* th a t half of the board of a company owning a sewing machine
factory in Sobeslav is made up of workm en’s representatives. The
dividend is only 6 per cent and the workmen receive 50 per cent of
the surplus. The plant was originally established on the initiative
of Czech workmen from four of the leading sewing machine works of
Vienna. The undertaking is backed by the labor members of the
Governm ent and the Zivnostenska Banka, which financed the enter
prise and has agreed to the profit-sharing feature of it. One thousand
shares of 200 crowns each ($38.60, par), the original capital, have
been taken up by the factory workmen, who have also been sub
scribing to the additional issue of 1,000,000 crowns ($193,000, par).
The factory is an up-to-date one, and its machines have been on
exhibition a t the Prague fair.
Training British Women in Domestic Crafts.
A L O N D O N correspondent to The M anchester Guardian of May 6,
1921, reports th a t the Central Committee on W om en’s Training
and Em ploym ent, which was appointed as a standing com m ittee more
than a year ago by the B ritish M inister of Labor, wdl p u t into opera1 A tr a n s la tio n of th is decree w a s fo rw a rd e d b y th e A m e ric a n c o n su l a t L a P a z u n d e r d a te of O ct. 22,
1920.
2 A n n o u n c e m e n t ta k e n fro m G a z e tte d e P ra g u e , M ar. 9, 1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 228]
CURRENT NOTES OF INTEREST TO LABOR.
229
tion a t once a scheme for giving intensive training in the domestic
arts to unemployed women between the ages of 18 and 35. The
course will cover 13 weeks and will include cookery, laundry, house
wifery, needlework, health subjects, singing, and physical exercises.
Household accounting will also be taught and a study m ade of the
household budget. I t is planned to establish training centers in
various parts of the country.
One hundred and fifty thousand pounds are available for the carry
ing out of this scheme, and it is estim ated th a t from 6,000 to 7,000
women can be trained under the present financial provision. A
m aintenance allowance of 8d. (16.2 cents, par) an hour for 30 hours
a week will be paid to students while they are in training, except to
those who are already receiving unem ploym ent benefits.
Persons desiring to engage trained students will do so through the
employment exchanges. A part from the training a t local centers,
the central comm ittee will, when necessary, grant an allowance for
suitable clothes for totally untrained women who secure domestic
positions where they will be trained by their employers in homes.
Eight-hour D ay in the Netherlands.
T H E American consul general a t R otterdam , under date of March
24, 1921, reports th a t a law establishing 45 hours per week as a
m aximum for labor w ent into effect on October 24. This law applies
to all trades and industrial establishm ents except a few engineering
trades, in which the law ’s operation is postponed for varying periods.
Strong opposition to this law has developed because of the prospects
of increased cost of production, this country having relied more on
cheap labor than on labor-saving m achinery "and tools.
Proposed Change in Spanish Workmen’s Compensation Law .
'T H E Gaceta de Madrid of March 13, 1921, contains the project of a
1 law which was authorized by royal decree to be read before the
Cortes. I t is proposed to extend to agricultural workers the existing
regulations as to workm en’s compensation for accidents, which now
apply only to industrial workers.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[229]
D IR E C T O R Y O F LA B O R O FFICIA LS IN U N ITED STA T E S
A N D CA NA D A.
(Bureaus of Labor, Employment Offices, Industrial Commissions, State Compensa
tion Insurance Funds, Compensation Commissions, Minimum Wage Boards, Fac
tory Inspection Bureaus, and Arbitration and Conciliation Boards.)
U N IT E D ST A T E S.
[Omission of salary paid a n d of e x p lan ato ry n ote indicates th a t th e bureau has received no information.]
D esignation of office an d nam e a n d address of official.
Department of Labor:
Hon. James J. Davis, Secretary................: .......................................
Hon. Edward J. Henning, Assistant Secretary................................
Address: 1712 G Street NW., Washington, D. C.
Bureau of Labor Statistics—•
Ethelbert Stewart, commissioner......................................................
Address: 1712 G Street NW., Washington, D. C.
Bureau of Immigration—
W. W. Husband, commissioner general............................................
Address: 1712 G Street NW., Washington, D. C.
Bureau of Naturalization—
Richard K. Campbell, commissioner................................................
Address: 1712 G Street NW., Washington, D. C.
Children’s Bureau—
Miss Julia C. Lathrop, chief...............................................................
Address: Twentieth Street and Virginia Avenue NW., Wash
ington, D. C.
Employment Service—
Francis I. Jones, director general......................................................
Address: Twentieth Street and Virginia Avenue NW., Wash
ington, D. 0.
Division of Conciliation—
Hugh L. Kerwin, director..................................................................
Address: 1712 G Street NW., Washington, D. C.
Women’s B u reau Miss Mary Anderson, director............................................................
Address: Twentieth Street and Virginia Avenue NW., Wash
ington, D. C.
United States Housing Corporation—
Robert Watson, director................................................................... .
Address: Homer Building, 1330 F Street NW., Washington, D. C.
United States Employees’ Compensation Commission:
John J. Keegan, chairman.................................................................
Charles H. Verrill...............................................................................
-----------------(vacancy).
S. R. Golibart, jr., secretary..............................................................
John W. Trask, medical director.......................................................
S. D. Slentz, attorney........................................................................
Robert J. Hoage, chief statistician....................................................
Address of commission: “ F ” Building, Sixth and B Streets
group, Washington, D. C.
United States Board of Mediation and Conciliation:
Martin A. Knapp, chairman..............................................................
William L. Chambers, commissioner.................................................
Whitehead Kluttz, assistant commissioner.......................................
William J. Hoover, secretary.............................................................
Address of board: 920-926 Southern Building, Washington, D. C.
Salary per
annum .
$ 12,
000
5.000
5.000
5.000
4, 000
5, 000
5.000
5, 000
5, 000
5, 000
4, 000
4, 000
3, 000
C1)
4, 000
3, 500
(2)
7, 500
5,000
3, 000
1 Medical officer of U . S. Public H e alth Service a n d receives no com pensation from the U . S. Em ployees’
C om pensation Commission.
2 Receives salary as U nited States Circuit C ourt judge, b u t no com pensation from th e B oard of Media on
a n d Conciliation.
230
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[230]
DIKECTOBY OF LABOR OFFICIALS.
231
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C ontinued.
D esignation of office an d n am e a n d address of official.
Salary per
annum .
A la b a m a .
Child Welfare Commission:
Thomas E. Kilby (ex officio), governor, chairman.
Child welfare department—
Mrs. L. B. Bush, director...................................................................
$3,000
Child labor division—
Esther Lee Rider, chief inspector.....................................
2, 400
Address of commission: Montgomery.
Compensation Commissioner:
Mrs. Marie B. Owen (ex officio), director department of archives
.
and history........................................................................ ..........................
Address: Montgomery.
United States Employment Service:
(Director not yet appointed).
A la s k a .
Territorial Mine Inspector and Ex Officio Labor Commissioner:
B. D. Stewart, Juneau....................................................
3, 000
A rizo n a .
Industrial Commission: 3
Joseph L o rd ......................................................................................
Herbert P. Hodgson..........................................................................
L. L. Henry......................................................................................
Roy H. Davidson, secretary............................................................
Address of commission: Phoenix.
State Mine Inspector:
John F. White, Phoenix..................................................................
United States Employment Service:
John D. Patty, Federal director for State, 121 N. Second Avenue,
Phoenix.........................................................................................
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
3, 000
4 400
A rk a n sa s.
Bureau of Labor and Statistics:
T. A. Wilson, commissioner, State Capitol, Little Rock..................
Boiler inspection department—
J. D. Newcomb, jr., inspector, State Capitol, Little Rock.............
Industrial welfare commission—
T. A. Wilson, commissioner, ex officio chairman.............................
Mrs. M. A. P. McCrary, Hot Springs.................................................
Mrs. J. G. Spurgeon, 712 Parker Avenue, North Little Rock.........
F. E. Bayless, Warren........................................................................
E. O. Manees, North Little Rock......................................................
Address of commission: Room 129A, State Capitol, Little Rock.
Federal-State Employment Service:
T. A. Wilson, Federal director for State, Little Rock......................
2, 400
2,500
( 5)
(5)
( 5)
( 5)
( 5)
1
California.
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
John P. McLaughlin, commissioner, 948 Market Street, San Fran
cisco.................................................................................................
Public employment bureaus—
C. B. Sexton, superintendent, 933 Mission Street, San Francisco.
Industrial Accident Commission :
Will J. French, chairman...................................................................
A. J. Pillsbury....................................................................................
A. H. Naftzger....................................................................................
4, 000
2, 700
5, 000
5, 000
5,000
3 P erm an en t injunction has been issued questioning th e co n stitu tio nality of this commission, a nd case
is aw aiting a hearing before th e suprem e court of th e State.
4 The S tate adds $2,100.
6 No salary.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
f2311
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
232
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C ontinued.
D esignation of office a n d n am e an d address of official.
Salary per
an n u m .
C a lifo r n ia —Concluded.
Industrial Accident Commission—Concluded.
II. L. White, secretary.......................................................................
Id. M. Wolfiin, superintendent of safety...........................................
Dr. M. It. Gibbons, medieal director................................................
A. E. Graupner, attorney...................................................................
F. B. Lord, manager, compensation department............_.................
Address of commission: 525 Market Street, San Francisco.
State compensation insurance fund—C. W. Fellows, manager......................................................................
Industrial Welfare Commission:
A. B. 0. Dohrman, chairman................................ - ..........................
Mrs. Katherine Philips Edson, executive commissioner.................
Walter G. Mathewson.........................................................................
Address of commission: 870 Market Street, San Francisco.
Commission of Immigration and Housing:
Simon J. Lubin, president.................................................................
Most Rev. E. J. Hanna, D. D., vice president.................................
Mrs. Frank A. Gibson.........................................................................
J. H. McBride, M. D ..........................................................................
Paul Seharrenberg, secretary.............................................................
R. Justin Miller, attorney and executive officer..............................
Address of commission: 525 Market Street, San Francisco.
United States Employment Service:
John P. McLaughlin, Federal director for State, 933 Mission Street,
San Francisco..................................................................................
$3, 600
5, 000
7 3,600
4, 000
3, 600
10,000
8 10
8 10
8 10
( 9)
( 9)
( 9)
( 9)
(9)
4, 000
1
C o lo ra d o .
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Carl S. Milliken, secretary of State and ex officio labor commissioner, Denver...................................... - - -.....................,...............
Carl DeLochte, deputy State labor commissioner and chief factory
inspector, Denver............................................................................
State free employment offices—•
Carl DeLochte, deputy State labor commissioner and chief factory
inspector, Denver............................................................................
Industrial Commission:
Joseph C. Bell, chairman...................................................................
Hiram E. Hilts...................................................................................
William I . Reilly..........................................................- ...................
H. E. Curran, secretary.....................................................................
William F. Mowry, chief of claim department................................
Address of commission: State capitol building, Denver.
State compensation insurance fund—
Thomas P. Kearney, manager........................................- .................
Minimum wage commission—■
(According to an act passed by the 1917 legislature and effective
July 20,1917, the State industrial commission performs the duties
of the minimum wage commission.)
United States Employment Service:
Carl DeLochte, Federal director for State, 305 Customs Building,
Denver.................................................. —.......................................
i P a rt tim e.
s P er diem a n d traveling expenses.
s No salary, b u t allowed expenses incurred, while com m ission is in session.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[232]
2, 500
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
3, 000
3, 000
3,000
1, 800
DIRECTORY OF LABOR OFFICIALS.
283
U N IT E D ST A T E S—Continued.
Designation of office and name and address of official.
Salary per
annum.
C o n n e c tic u t.
Department of Labor and Factory Inspection:
William S. Hyde, commissioner, Hartford.......................................
State employment offices—•
| $3,500
William S. Hyde, commissioner, Hartford........................................ J
Board of Compensation Commissioners:
Frederic M. Williams, chairman, Room 4, County Courthouse,
Waterbury......................................... .............................................
4, 500
George E. Beers, 42 Church Street, New Haven..............................
4, 500
Edward T. Buckingham, 1024 Main Street, Bridgeport..................
4, 500
George B. Chandler, 54 Church Street, Hartford.............................
4, 500
Dr. James J. Donohue, Central Building, Norwich.........................
4, 500
State Board of Mediation and Arbitration:
Edward W. Broder, Hartford.............................................................
(5)
George L. Fox, New Haven..............................................................
(5)
Patrick F. O’Mara, New Haven........................................................
( 5)
United States Employment Service:
William S. Hyde, Federal director for State, Hartford....................
1
D e la w a re .
Labor Commission:
Irving Warner, chairman................................... ................................
John II. Hickey......................................................................... ........
Thomas C. Frame, jr...........................................................................
George A. H ill....................................................................................
Miss Helen S. Garrett.........................................................................
Miss M. Edna Palmer, secretary........................................................
Address of commission: Wilmington.
Child-labor division—
Charles A. Hagner, chief, 4019 du Pont Building, Wilmington... .
Women’s labor division—•
Miss M. Edna Palmer, assistant, 4019 du Pont Building, Wilmington.
Inspector of canneries—
Dr. William R. Messick, Lewes.........................................................
Industrial Accident Board:
Vollev M. Murray, president.............................................................
Harry Mayer.......................................................................................
George W. Sparks................................................................................
Charles H. Grantland, secretary........ ...............................................
Addresses of board: State House, Dover, and Ford Building,
Wilmington.
(5)
(s )
(5)
( 5)
( 5)
100
1,80
1,00
101,0 0
2,
2,
2,
2,
500
500
500
500
District o f Columbia.
Minimum Wage Board:
Jesse C. Adkins, chairman.................................................................
John L . Newbold................................................................................
Miss Ethel M. Smith..........................................................................
Mrs. Clara Mortenson Beyer, secretary..............................................
Address of board: District Building, Washington, D. C.
( 5)
(3)
( 5)
2, 000
Florida.
Office of State Labor Inspector:
J. C. Privett, State labor inspector, Room 6, Baldwin Building,
Jacksonville.....................................................................................
United States Employment Service:
J. C. Privett, Federal director for State, 120 West Bay Street, Jack
sonville............................................................................................
5 No salary.
10And $500 for upkeep of automobile.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[233]
1, 800
1
M O N TH LY
234
LABOR
R E V IE W .
VETTED STATES—C o n tin u e d .
D e sig n a tio n of office a n d n a m e a n d a d d re ss of official.
S a la ry p e r
annum .
Georgia.
Department of Commerce and Labor:
H. M. Stanley, commissioner, Atlanta..............................................
I. L. Griffin, factory inspector, Atlanta............................................
Industrial Commission:
H. M. Stanley, chairman (ex officio)................................................
R. A. Denny, attorney general (ex officio).......................................
S. J. Slate, representing employers...................................................
W. P. Raoul, representing employees...............................................
Address of commission: Atlanta.
United States Employment Service:
H. M. Stanley, Federal director for State, 318 State Capitol, A tlanta..
$3, 600
1, 200
4.000
4.000
1
Hawaii.
Industrial Accident Boards:
County of Hawaii—
W. J. Stone, chairman, Hilo..............................................................
City and county of Honolulu (Oahu)—
* F. E. Steere, chairman, Honolulu.....................................................
County of Kauai—
J. M. Lydgate, chairman, Lihue, Kauai..........................................
County of Maui—
William A. McKay, chairman, Wailuku, Maui...............................
(n)
(u)
(“ )
(u )
Idaho.
Commissioner of Immigration, Labor, and Statistics:
0. H. Barber, Boise................................................................. ..........
Board for the adjustment of labor disputes:
W. J. McVety, chairman....................................................................
Industrial Accident Board:
George II . Fisher, chairman...............................................................
Lawrence E. Worstell.........................................................................
C. E. Duffy..........................................................................................
Jno. D. Case, secretary._......................................................................
Address of board: Boise.
State Insurance Fund:
D. W. Church, manager, Boise..........................................................
3, 600
(12)
3, 000
3, 000
3, 000
(13)
3, 600
Illin o is .
Department of Labor:
George P. Arnold, director, State Capitol, Springfield....................
Division of factory inspection—
. .
James S. Short, chief inspector, 1543 Transportation Building,
Chicago............................................................................................
Division of labor statistics—
W. C. Lewman, State superintendent of free employment offices,
State Capitol Springfield........... .....................................................
Division of private employment agencies—
John J. McKenna, chief inspector, 608 South Dearborn Street,
Chicago............................................................................................
Industrial commission—
Charles S. Andrus, chairman.............................................................
Peter J. Angsten (representing employers).......................................
Omer N. Custer (representing employers).........................................
Robert Eadie (representing employees)............................................
James A. Culp (representing employees)..........................................
11 N o sa la ry , b u t allow ed n ece ssa ry tra v e lin g e x p en se s.
12 $5 a d a y a n d n ece ssa ry ex p en se s w h e n e m p lo y e d i n la b o r a d ju s tm e n ts .
13 S a la ry fixed b y b o a rd .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[234]
5, 000
3, 000
3, 000
3, 000
5, 000
5, 000
5 .0 0 0
5 .0 0 0
5, 000
DIRECTORY OF LABOR OFFICIALS.
235
U N IT E D S T A T E S —Continued.
Salary per
an n u m .
D esignation of office a n d nam e an d address of official.
I l l i n o i s —Concluded.
Department of Labor—Concluded.
Industrial Commission—Concluded.
Albert V. Becker, security supervisor.............................................
Dr. P. B. Magnuson, medical director.............................................
Address of board: 303-318 City Hall Square Building, Chicago.
United States Employment Service:
W. C. Lewman, Federal director for State, Chicago.......................
$3, 300
(“)
1
I n d ia n a .
Industrial Board:
Samuel R. Artman, chairman..........................................................
Kenneth L. Dresser.......................................................................' _
Charles Fox.......................................................................................
Edgar A. Perkins..............................................................................
Thomas Roberts................................................................................
Edward J. Boleman, secretary......................... [ ..............................
Address of board: Room 431, Statehouse, Indianapolis.
Department of factories, buildings, and workshops—Jas. E. Reagin, chief inspector........................................................
Address of department: Room 413, Statehouse, Indianapolis.
Department of boilers—
J. F. Geiger, chief inspector.............................................................
Address of department: Room 413, Statehouse, Indianapolis.
Department of mines and mining—
Cairy Littlejohn, chief inspector......................................................
Address of department: Room 413, Statehouse, Indianapolis.
Department of women and children—
Mrs. Arthur T. Cox, director............................................................
Address of department: Room 416, Statehouse, Indianapolis.
United States Employment Service:
Fred Kleinsmith, Federal director for State, Statehouse, Indian
apolis..............................................................................................
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
2, 500
2, 000
2, 000
2 , 000
2, 000
15 250
Io w a .
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
A. L. Urick, commissioner, Des Moines............................................
Free employment bureau—
George B. Albert, clerk, Des Moines.................................................
Workmen’s Compensation Service:
A. B. Funk, industrial commissioner................................................
Ralph Young, deputy commissioner.................................................
Ray M. Spangler, secretary................................................................
Dr. Oliver J. Fay, medical counsel...................................................
Address: Statehouse, Des Moines.
United States Employment Service:
A. L. Urick, Federal director for State, 123 Courthouse, Des Moines.
3, 000
1, 800
3, 600
2, 700
2 , 000
7 1, 200
1
K a n sa s.
Department of Labor and Industry (under Court of Industrial Relations):
W. L. Huggins, presiding judge......................................................
Judge J. A. McDermott....................................................................
Judge J. H. Crawford...................................................................... .
Carl W. Moore, clerk.........................................................................
Address: Statehouse, Topeka.
1 P a rt tim e.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11 General fu n d for m edical assistance, $10,000.
[235]
ls P er m onth.
4, 500
4, 500
4, 500
2, 400
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
236
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C ontinued.
D esignation of office a n d n am e an d address of official.
Salary per
annum .
K a n s a s —Concluded.
Department of Labor and Industry—Concluded.
Free employment office—Court of Industrial Relations, Statehouse,
Topeka.
Mine Inspection Department, Court of Industrial Relations, Statehouse, Topeka.
James Sherwood, chief mine inspector............................................
Industrial Welfare Commission (under Court of Industrial Relations):
Miss Linna Bresette, director, Women’s Work, Topeka...................
United States Employment Service:
J. H. Crawford, Federal director for State, Statehouse, Topeka----
$2, 700
2.000
1
K e n tu c k y .
Department of Agriculture, Labor, and Statistics:
W. C. Hanna, commissioner, Frankfort.......................................
T. R. Stults, State labor inspector, 219 South Sixth Street, Louis
ville ................................................................................................
Mrs. Nick Denunzio, State woman labor inspector, 219 South
Sixth Street, Louisville................................................................
Workmen’s Compensation Board:
Alvis S. Bennett, chairman..............................................................
Clyde R. Levi...................................................................................
Felix S. Dumas.................................................................................
V. C. McDonald, secretary...............................................................
Address of board: Frankfort.
2, 500
1, 200
1,200
3,500
3, 500
3, 500
2, 500
L o u is ia n a .
Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics: _
Frank E. Wood, commissioner, suite 626, Maison Blanche Annex,
New Orleans..................................................................................
Office Factories Inspector of Orleans Parish:
Mrs. Martha D. Gould, factory inspector of Orleans Parish, Room
28, City Hall, New Orleans...........................................................
16 3, 000
1, 200
M a in e .
Department of Labor and Industry :
Roscoe A. Eddy, commissioner of labor, Statehouse, Augusta..
Industrial Accident Commission:
Arthur L. Thayer, chairman.......................................................
-----------------(vacancy), associate legal member.
G. Waldron Smith (ex officio) insurance commissioner............
Roscoe A. Eddy (ex officio) labor commissioner.......................
Melvin H. Simmons, clerk..........................................................
Address of commission: Augusta.
State Board of Arbitration and Conciliation:
Frank H. Ingraham, chairman, Rockland.................................
John Houston, Guilford...............................................................
E. A. Cartret, secretary, Westbrook...........................................
2, 000
3, 500
625
1, 000
2 , 000
17 5
17 5
17 5
M a r y la n d .
State Board of Labor and Statistics:
Charles J. Fox, chairman............................................................
Aquila T. Robinson.....................................................................
Louis Setlen.................................................................................
Address of board: St. Paul and Saratoga Streets, Baltimore.
w A nd traveling expenses.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
n Per day, a nd railroad fare an d expenses.
[ 236 ]
3,000
500
500
DIRECTORY OF LABOR OFFICIALS.
237
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C ontinued.
D esignation of office an d nam e an d address of official.
M a r y la n d —
Salary per
an n u m .
Concluded.
State Industrial Accident Commission:
Robert E. Lee, chairman.................................................................
Joseph B. Harrington.......................................................................
Geo. Louis Eppler............................................................................
A. E. Brown, secretary.....................................................................
Miss R. 0 . Harrison, director of claims...........................................
Dr. Robert P. Bay, chief medical examiner...................................
Address of commission: 741 Equitable Building, Baltimore.
State accident fund—
James E. Green, superintendent......................................... ...........
$6,000
5, 000
5, 000
3,000
2, 000
2, 000
3.000
M a ssa c h u setts.
Department of Labor and Industries:
E. Leroy Sweetser, commissioner....................................................
Miss Ethel M. Johnson, assistant commissioner..............................
Associate Commissioners: (Exercising also the functions formerly
vested in the Board of Conciliation and Arbitration and the
Minimum Wage Commission.)
Edward Fisher, chairman.........................................................
Herbert P. Wasgatt....................................................................
Samuel Ross...............................................................................
Division of industrial safety—
John P. Meade, director...................................................................
Division of statistics—•
Roswell F. Phelps, director.................................................... ........
Division of standards—
Francis Meredith, director...............................................................
Industrial Accident Board:
William W. Kennard, chairman......................................................
Frank J. Donahue.............................................................................
David T. Dickinson..........................................................................
Joseph A. Parks................................................................................
Chester E. Gleason........... ...............................................................
John H. Cogswell..............................................................................
Robert E. Grandfield, secretary.......................................................
Francis D. Donoghue, M. D., medical adviser...............................
Vocational training division—
Ernest L. Locke, director.................................................................
Address of board: Room 272, State House, Boston.
United States Employment Service:
E. Leroy Sweetser, Federal director for State, 473 State House,
Boston............................................................................................
7, 500
3, 000
4, 000
3, 000
3, 000
3, 000
3, 000
3, 000
5, 500
5, 000
5, 000
5, 000
5, 000
5, 000
4, 500
4, 500
3, 000
1
M ic h ig a n .
Department of Labor and Industry (successor to Industrial Accident
Board, Department of Labor, Labor Commissioner, and Industrial
Relations Commission):
James A. Kennedy, chairman.........................................................
Thomas B. G loster...........................................................................
Carl Y oung.......................................................................................
Fred S. Johnson, secretary...............................................................
Address of department: Lansing.
State Compensation Accident Fund (under Department of Insurance):
William T. Shaw, manager, Lansing.................................................
United States Employment Service:
Perry J. Ward, Federal director for State, 32 Buhl Block, Detroit..
54039°—21-----16
[237]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
3, 500
3,300
1
238
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
U N I T E D S T A T E S — Continued.
D esignation of office a n d n am e an d address of official.
Salary per
annum .
M in n e s o ta .
Industrial Commission:18
F. A. Duxbury, chairman..................................................................
J. D. Williams.....................................................................................
Henry McColl.....................................................................................
John P. Gardiner, secretary...............................................................
Address of Commission: St. Paul.
Division of accident prevention—•
F. E. Hoffman, chief, St. Paul..........................................................
Division of women and children—Louise Schütz, chief, St. Paul...........................................................
Division of boiler inspection—•
George Wilcox, chief, St. Paul..........................................................
United States Employment Service:
John P . Gardiner, Federal director for State, St. Paul....................
$4,500
4, 500
4, 500
3, 500
2, 400
1, 800
2, 400
1
M is s is s ip p i.
Department of State Factory Inspection:
A . B. Hobbs, factory inspector, Jackson...........................................
United States Employment Service:
H. M. Quinn, Federal director for State, City Hall, Meridian........
2, 400
1
M is s o u r i.
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
William H. Lewis, Commissioner, Jefferson City.............................
Department of industrial inspection—
Lee Dunlap, chief inspector, 326 Sheidley Building, Kansas C ity..
Workmen’s Compensation Commission:
(Personnel not yet announced.)
United States Employment Service:
William H. Lewis, Federal director for State, 11 North Seventh
Street, St. Louis..............................................................................
3, 500
2, 500
1
M o n ta n a .
Department of Agriculture, Labor and Industry:
Chester C. Davis, Commissioner, Helena..........................................
Industrial Accident Board:
A. E. Spriggs, chairman.....................................................................
G. P. Porter (ex officio), State auditor and commissioner of in
surance............................................................................................
Chester C. Davis (ex officio), treasurer of board and commissioner
of agriculture, labor and industry..................................................
G. G. Watt, secretary....................................................... . . ........ .
Address of board: Helena.
Bureau of Safety Inspection:
W. B. Orem, inspector, quartz mine department, B utte.................
George Griffin, inspector, coal mine department, Helena................
Richard Moran, inspector, boiler department, northern district,
Helena.............................................................................................
J. H. Bondy, inspector, boiler department, southern district.........
Floyd F. Johnson, inspector, boiler department, western district,
Butte................................................................................................
5, 000
6, 000
2, 700
2, 700
2, 700
2, 700
2, 700
2, 700
N ebraska.
Department of Labor:
Frank A. Kennedy, secretary of labor and compensation com
missioner, State Capitol, Lincoln...................................................
5, 000
18 Former board of Arbitration, Minimum Wage Commission, and Departm ent of Labor and Industries
merged in Industrial Commission Juno 1,1921.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[238]
DIRECTORY OF LABOR OFFICIALS.
239
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C ontinued.
D esignation of office an d n am e an d address of official.
Salary per
annum .
N e b r a s k a —Concluded.
Minimum Wage Commission:
(Inactive; no appropriation.)
Board of Mediation and Investigation:
(Personnel not yet announced.)
Bureau of Child Welfare (under Department of Public Welfare):
Mrs. Emily P. Hornberger, director, Lincoln'.................................
United States Employment Service:
Frank A. Kennedy, Federal director for State, State Capitol,
Lincoln...........................................................................................
$ 2 ,4 0 0
1
N evada.
Labor Commissioner’s Office:
Frank W. Ingram, labor commissioner, Carson City........................
Industrial Commission:
George D. Smith, chairman...............................................................
John M. Gray......................................................................................
Frank W. Ingram...............................................................................
Dr. Donald Maclean, chief medical adviser......................................
Address of commission: Carson City.
Inspector of Mines :
Andy J. Stinson, Carson City.............................................................
1, 500
5,
1,
1,
1,
000
800
800
800
3, 600
N e w H a m p s h ir e .
Bureau of Labor:
John S. B. Davie, labor commissioner, Concord...............................
State Board of Conciliation and Arbitration:
John H. Neal, chairman, Portsmouth...............................................
George A. Tenney (representing employers), Claremont.................
Michael F. Connelly (representing employees), Manchester............
2, 500
19 g
19 g
19 g
N e w J e rse y .
Department of Labor:
Lewis T. Bryant, commissioner.........................................................
Inspection bureau—
---------------- (vacancy), assistant commissioner.
Bureau of structural inspection—■
Charles H. Weeks, chief................................................................... .
Bureau of electrical and mechanical equipment—
Rowland H. Leveridge, chief............................................................
Bureau of hygiene and sanitation—
John Roach, chief...............................................................................
Workmen’s compensation bureau—
William E. Stubbs, deputy commissioner and secretary.................
Bureau of industrial statistics—
Lillian Erskine, chief.........................................................................
Engineers’ license, steam boiler and refrigerating plant inspection
bureau—
Joseph F. Scott, chief................................... ....................................
State employment bureau—
Russell J. Eldridge, acting director...................................................
Bureau of explosives—
Charles H. Weeks, acting chief..........................................................
Bureau of mines—•
John Roach, acting chief....................................................................
Address of department: Trenton.
United States Employment Service :
Lewis T. Bryant, Federal director for State, State Capitol, Trenton
19 Per diem and necessary expenses while actually engaged in w ork of th e board.
20 Salary included in th a t of chief of bu reau of s tru c tu ra l inspection.
21 Salary included in th a t of chief of b ureau of hygiene and sanitation.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 3 9 ]
7, 500
4, 200
3, 500
4, 200
3, 900
2, 500
3, 500
1, 800
( 20)
(21)
1
240
M ONTHLY
L A BO R R E V IE W .
U N IT E D S T A T E S —Continued.
Designation of office and name and address of official.
Salary per
annum.
N e w M e x ic o .
Mine inspector:
W. W. Risdon, Gallup........................................................................ 22 $2, 400
. .
N ew Y ork.
The industrial commissioner:
Henry D. Sayer...................................................................................
Martin H. Christo pherson, deputy commissioner.............................
Address of office of the commissioner: 124 East Twenty-eighth
Street, New York.
Industrial board—
John D. Higgins, chairman................................................................
Rosalie Loew Whitney.......................................................................
Richard H. C urran............................................................................
Clarence A. Meeker, secretary...........................................................
Address of the board: 124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New York.
Bureau of workmen’s compensation—
Stanley L. Otis, director...................................................................
Dr. Raphael Lewy, chief medical examiner.....................................
Address of bureau: .124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New York.
State Insurance fund—
Leonard W. Hatch, manager, 124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New
York.................................................................................................
Bureau of employment—■
David S. Flynn, director, 124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New
York.................................................................................................
Bureau of statistics and information—
E. B. Patton, chief statistician, Capitol, Albany, N. Y ..................
Bureau of industries and immigration—
Mrs. Marion K. Clark, chief investigator, 124 East Twenty-eighth
Street, New York............................................................................
Bureau of inspection—James L. Gernon, director, 124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New
York.................................................................................................
Bureau of women in industry—
Miss Nellie Swartz, chief, 124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New
York.................................................................................................
Bureau of industrial code—■
Richard J. Cullen, deputy commissioner..........................................
Thomas C. Eipper, deputy commissioner.........................................
Address of bureau: 124 East Twenty-eighth Street, New York.
United States Employment Service:
Henry D. Sayer, Federal director for State, 124 East Twentyeighth Street, New York.................................................................
8, 000
7, 000
8. 000
8, 000
8,000
4, 500
5, 000
6, 000
8, 000
4,500
4,500
3, 500
6, 000
3, 000
4, 000
4, 000
(6)
N o r th C a r o lin a .
Department of Labor and Printing:
M. L. Shipman, commissioner, Raleigh.........................................
United States Employment Service:
M. L. Shipman, federal director for State, Raleigh........................
4, 500
1
N o r th D a k o ta .
Department of agriculture and labor:
J. N. Hagan, commissioner, Bismarck..............................................
Workmen’s compensation bureau:
J. N. Hagan, chairman.......................................................................
S. S. McDonald...................................................................................
6 No salary.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
82 And actual and necessary transportation and traveling expenses.
[240]
3,000
(5)
2, 500
DIRECTORY OF LABOR O FFIC IA L S.
241
U N IT E D S T A T E S —C ontinued.
D esignation of office an d address of official.
N o r t h D a k o ta —Concluded.
Workmen’s compensation bureau—Concluded.
S. A. Olsness (ex-officio)...................
C. A. Spencer........................................
Philip Elliott........................................
C. A. Marr, secretary............................
Address of bureau: Bismarck.
Industrial commission : 23
Lynn J. Frazier (ex-officio), governor.........................................
William Lemke (ex-officio), attorney general.............................
J. N. Hagan (ex-officio), commissioner of agriculture and labor
Address of commission : Bismarck.
Minimum wage commission :
Hazel Farkasch, secretary, Bismarck..........................................
State-Federal Employment Service:
J. N. Hagan, Federal director for State, Bismarck.....................
Salary per
annum .
$2, 500
2, 500
2, 400
1, 800
1
O h io .
Industrial commission:
T. J. Duffy, chairman...................................................
J. D. Clark.....................................................................
Herbert L. Eliot............................................................
Robert S. Hayes, secretary...........................................
Address of commission: Columbus.
Division of workshops and factories—•
Thomas P. Kearns, chief..............................................
Fred C. Lange, director of safety.................................
Division of statistics and mediation—
George F. Miles, chief...................................................
Public employment offices—■
George F. Miles, director..............................................
Workmen’s compensation department—
H. E. Baker, director of claims................................ ,
P. F. Casey, director of actuarial department.............
L. J. O’Brien, chief auditor......................................... .
Dr. T. R. Fletcher, chief medical examiner............... .
United States Employment Service:
George F. Miles, Federal director for State, Columbus
5, 000
5, 000
5, 000
3, 000
3,000
3, 000
3, 000
2, 400
3,000
2 400
3, 600
1
O k la h o m a .
Department of Labor:
C. E. Connally, commissioner, Oklahoma City
Board of arbitration and conciliation:
C. E. Connally, commissioner of labor, chairman............................
Vacancies on this board not yet filled.
Industrial Commission:
Judge Baxter Taylor, chairman.........................................................
H. C. Myers.........................................................................................
Mrs. F. L. Roblin...............................................................................
Fay L. Riggins, secretary..................................................................
Address of commission: State Capitol, Oklahoma City.
United States Employment Service:
C. E. Connally, Federal director for State, State Capitol, Oklahoma
City..................................................................................................
2, 000
3, 000
3, 000
3, 000
1, 800
1
13 Operates and conducts all utilities and enterprises owned or adm inistered b y th e State, except those
carried on in penal, charitable, or educational in stitu tio n s.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[241]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
242
U N IT E D S T A T E S —Continued.
Designation of office and name and address of official.
Salary per
annum.
O reg o n .
Bureau of Labor:
C. H. Gram, commissioner and factory inspector, Salem................
W. H. Fitzgerland deputy commissioner, 501 Courthouse, Portland.
Board of Inspectors of Child Labor:
Stephen G. Smith, chairman, 65-67 Broadway, Portland...............
Mrs. Sarah A. Evans, Portland.........................................................
Miss Pauline Kline, Corvallis............................................................
Mrs. A. M. Grilley, Portland.............................................................
Mrs. Millie R. Trumbull, secretary, 646-648 Courthouse, Portland -.
State Industrial Accident Commission:
J. W. Ferguson, chairman..................................................................
Will T. K irk.......................................................................................
William A. Marshall...........................................................................
Dr. F. H. Thompson, medical adviser..............................................
Dr. Frank H. Shepherd, director of vocational rehabilitation........
Address of commission: Salem.
Industrial Welfare Commission:
W. L. Brewster, chairman.................................................................
Eunice L. Smith................................................................................
Amedee M. Smith..............................................................................
Mrs. Millie R. Trumbull, secretary...................................................
Address of commission: 646-648 Courthouse, Portland.
Child Welfare Commission:
William D. Wheelwright, chairman.................................................
Mrs. Henry L. Corbett.......................................................................
Mrs. Edmond C. Giltner....................................................................
Dr. Philip A. Parsons.........................................................................
Dr. James W. Rosenfeld.....................................................................
George Ehinger, executive secretary................................................
Address of commission: 514 Chamber of Commerce Building,
Portland.
United States Employment Service:
W. H. Fitzgerland, Federal director and zone clearance officer,
501 Courthouse, Portland...............................................................
$3, 000
2, 400
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
15 125
3, 600
3, 600
3, 600
3, 000
3, 600
(5)
(5)
(5)
(24)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
(5)
3, 600
1
P e n n s y lv a n ia .
Department of Labor and Industry:
Clifford B. Connelley, commissioner.................................................
Address of department: Keystone Building, Harrisburg.
1 10,000
Industrial Board—
Clifford B. Connelley, chairman....................................................... J
35 1Q
Mrs. Samuel Semple...........................................................................
25 10
Otto T. Mallery..................................................................................
25 10
James C. Cronin..................................................................................
•------— ———- (vacancy).
4, 000
Fred J . Hartman, secretary................................................................
Address of board: Keystone Building, Harrisburg.
Bureau of inspection—
5, 000
John H. Walker, chief, Keystone Building, Harrisburg...................
Division of hygiene and engineering—
5, 000
F. D. Patterson, M. D., chief, Third and North Streets, Harrisburg.
Bureau of Workmen’s compensation—5,000
W. H. Horner, director, Keystone Building, Harrisburg................
Bureau of mediation and arbitration—
4, 000
William J. Tracy, chief, Keystone Building, Harrisburg................
&No salary.
is Per month.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24 Part time; salary to be determined later,
25Per day.
[242]
D IR E C T O R Y O F L A B O R O F F I C I A L S ,
243
U N IT E D S T A T E S—Continued.
Salary per
annum .
D esignation of office a n d nam e a n d address of official.
P e n n s y lv a n ia —Concluded.
Department of Labor and Industry—Concluded.
Bureau of employment—
R. J. Peters, director, Third and North Streets, Harrisburg
Bureau of rehabilitation—
S. S. Riddle, chief, Keystone Building, Harrisburg.............
Workmen’s Compensation Board:
Harry A. Mackey, chairman...................................................
Paul W. Houck........................................................................
Benjamin Jarrett.....................................................................
Lee Solomon, secretary...........................................................
Address of board: Keystone Building, Harrisburg.
State Workmen’s Insurance Fund:
William J. Roney, manager, Harrisburg................................
$5, 000
5, 000
9, 000
8, 500
8, 500
5,000
7, 500
Philippine Islands.
Bureau of Labor (under Department of Commerce and Communications):
Faustino Aguilar, director, Manila................................................
2, 500
Porto Rico.
Department of Agriculture and Labor:
Manuel Camuñas, commissioner...........................
Bureau of Labor—
Carmelo Honoré, chief...........................................
Address of department: San Juan.
Workmen’s Relief Commission:
Luis Samalea Iglesias, chairman, attorney at law
José Coll Vidal.......................................................
Joaquin A. Becerril................................................
Carmelo Honoré, chief, bureau of labor................
Abraham Peña, attorney at law............................
Address of commission: San Juan.
5,000
2, 777. 25
3, 500
26 1 0
26 1 0
( 5)
26 ] 0
Rhode Island.
Bureau of Labor:
George H. Webb, commissioner, Statehouse, Providence...............
Office of Factory Inspectors:
J. Ellery Hudson, chief inspector, Statehouse, Providence............
Board of Labor (for the adjustment of labor disputes) :
George H. Webb, commissioner of labor, chairman.........................
William T. Murphy (representing employers)..................................
William C. Fisher (representing employers).....................................
Albert E. Hohler (representing employees)......................................
John H. Powers (representing employees)........................................
Christopher M. Dunn, deputy commissioner of labor, secretary...
' Address of board: Providence.
United States Employment Service:
George H. Webb, Federal director for State, Statehouse, Provi
dence........................................ ..............................................
5, 000
3, 000
( 5)
( 5)
( 5)
(5)
( 5)
2, 300
1
South Carolina.
Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Industries:
B. Harris, commissioner, Columbia...........................................
G. H. Lucas, factory inspector..... .............................................
I. J. Via, factory inspector.......................................................
28P er day for each meeting.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
6 No salary.
[ 243 ]
2, 500
2 , 200
2 , 000
244
M ONTHLY
LA BO R R E V IE W .
U N IT E D ST A T E S —C o n tin u e d .
S alary per
annum .
D esignation of office a n d nam e an d address official.
S o u t h C a r o lin a —Concluded.
Board of Conciliation and Arbitration:
B. E. Geer, chairman, Greenville..................................... ...............
W. H. McNairy, Chester....................................................................
H. E. Thompson, Batesburg..............................................................
27 $10
2710
27 10
S o u t h D a k o ta .
Department of Immigration :
Irwin D. Aldrich, commissioner, Pierre...........................................
United States Employment Service:
Charles McCaffree, Federal director for State, Sioux Falls..............
(28)
1
T e n n e sse e .
Department of Workshop and Factory Inspection:
M. F. Nicholson, chief inspector, 322 Seventh Avenue North, Nash
ville..................................................................................................
2, 000
T e x a s.
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Joseph S. Myers, commissioner..........................................
Woman’s division—
Mrs. Lena Gardner, chief...................................................
Address of bureau: Austin.
Industrial Accident Board:
J. H. Fowler, chairman......................................................
E. R. York..........................................................................
J. E. Proctor.......................................................................
Miss Mamie Edmonson, secretary......................................
Address of board: Austin.
3, 000
2,000
4, 000
3,000
3, 000
2, 500
U ta h .
Industrial Commission:
P. A. Thatcher, chairman....................... ..........................
0 . F. McShane.................................................. .................
William M. Knerr........................................... . . ...............
Carolyn I. Smith, secretary...............................................
Address of commission: State Capitol, Salt Lake City.
State insurance fund—C. A. Caine, manager.........................................................
4, 000
4, 000
4, 000
1, 800
3, 300
V e r m o n t.
Officer of Commissioner of Industries:
John S. Buttles, commissioner, Montpelier.
State Board of Conciliation and Arbitration:
Henry C. Brislin, Rutland..........................
George 0 . Gridley, Windsor........................
Ashley J. Goss, Danville.............................
3, 000
( 5)
V ir g in ia .
Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics:
John Hirschberg, commissioner, Richmond................
Industrial Commission:
C. A. McHugh, chairman (representing employers)...
Richard F. Beirne (representing State at large).........
C. G. Kizer (representing employees)..........................
A. C. Smith, secretary..................................................
Address of commission: Box 1794, Richmond.
6 N o salary.
27 P er day w hen in attendance, an d traveling expense ;.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[244]
3, 000
4, 200
4, 200
4, 200
3, 000
28 A ctual expenses.
D IR E C T O R Y
OF LA BO R O F F IC IA L S ,
245
U N IT E D S T A T E S —Continued.
Designation of office and name and address of official.
Salary per
annum
Washington.
Department of Labor and Industries:
Edward Clifford, commissioner..........................................................
E. S. Gill, supervisor of industrial insurance and medical aid.......
H. L. Hughes, supervisor of safety....................................................
C. H. Younger, supervisor of industrial relations.............................
Mrs. D. M. Johnson, supervisor of women in industry....................
F. W. Harris, industrial statistician..................................................
John Holland, safety engineer...........................................................
F. A. Bird, M. D., chief medical adviser.........................................
Percy Gilbert, secretary.....................................................................
Industrial welfare committee—
Edward Clifford, chairman, commissioner of labor and industries..
C. H. Younger, supervisor of industrial relations.............................
E. S. Gill, supervisor of industrial insurance and medical aid.......
F. W. Harris, industrial statistician..................................................
Mrs. D. M. Johnson, executive secretary, supervisor of women in
industry........................................................................................
Address of department: Olympia.
United States Employment Service:
William C. Carpenter, Federal director for State, 326 Federal
Building, Spokane..........................................................................
$ 6,
000
4, 200
4, 200
3, 800
3.000
3, 600
3.000
6.000
3, 000
( 5)
2,400
West Virginia.
Bureau of Labor:
George F. Daugherty, commissioner, Charleston
State Compensation Commissioner:
Lee Ott, commissioner.........................................
F. J. McAndrews, secretary.................................
R. H. Walker, chief medical examiner...............
Address: Charleston.
3, 600
6, 000
15 310
15 225
Wisconsin.
Industrial Commission:
Fred M. Wilcox, chairman................................................................
R. G. Knutson.................................................................................. .
Thomas F. Konop.............................................................................
E. E. Witte, secretary......................................................................
Safety and sanitation department—
R. McA. Keown, engineer................................................................
Workmen’s compensation department—
F. T. McCormick, chief examiner...................................................
Employment department—
Mary E. Hulbert, director................................................................
Apprenticeship department—
Walter F. Simon, acting supervisor.................................................
Women’s department—
Miss Maud Swett, director, room 809, Manufacturers’ Home Build
ing, Milwaukee....................... . .....................................................
Child labor department—
Taylor Frye, director................................................. ......................
Statistical department—
A. J. Altmeyer, statistician..............................................................
Address of commission: Madison.
United States Employment Service:
George P. Hambrecht, Federal director for State, State Capitol,
Madison..........................................................................................
6 No salary .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16 Per m onth.
[245]
5.000
5, 000
5, 000
4, 000
4, 000
3, 750
1, 740
2, 200
2,750
3.000
3, 000
1
246
M O NTH LY LABOR EE VIEW .
U N I T E D S T A T E S — Concluded.
S alary per
annum .
D esignation of office a n d nam e an d address of official.
Wyoming.
Commissioner of Labor and Statistics:
Harry C. Hoffman, commissioner, Cheyenne...................................
Workmen’s Compensation Department (under treasurer’s office):
A. D. Hoskins, State treasurer...........................................................
C. B. Morgan, deputy treasurer.........................................................
W. B. Sammon, assistant deputy......................................................
Address of department: Cheyenne.
United States Employment Service:
Harry C. Hoffman, Federal director for State, Cheyenne................
$2, 500
3, 000
2, 700
2, 400
1
C A N A D A .
1
Department of Labor:
Hon. Gideon D. Robertson, minister................................................
F. A. Ackland, deputy minister and editor of the Labor Gazette..
Gerald H. Brown, assistant deputy minister....................................
Bryce M. Stewart, director of employment service..........................
Dr. L. W. Gill, director of technical education................................
F. W. Giddens, secretary of department...........................................
Address of department: Ottawa.
$10,
6,
4,
4,
4,
3,
000
000
250
200
200
240
Alberta.
Director of Labor:
John W. Mitchell, Calgary.................................................................
Government Employment Bureau:
William Carnill, Calgary, superintendent.........................................
W. G. Paterson, Edmonton, superintendent.....................................
Thos. Longworth, Lethbridge, superintendent.................................
J. W. Wright, Medicine Hat, superintendent...................................
A. A. Colquhoun, Drumheller, superintendent................................
Factory inspection:
John M. McLeod, Calgary, chief inspector........................................
Workmen’s compensation board:
John T. Stirling, chairman.................................................................
Walter F. McNeill...............................................................................
James A. Kinney................................................................................
Frederick D. Noble, secretary...........................................................
Address of board: Qu’Appelle Building, Edmonton.
2, 500
16 135
15 135
15 135
15 135
15 125
2, 200
29 250
29 200
16 350
15 275
British Columbia.
Department of Labor:
Hon. J. W. de B. Farris, minister, Victoria......................................
J. D. McNiven, deputy minister, Victoria.......................................
Robert J. Stewart, chief factories inspector, Vancouver..................
J. Peck, chief boiler inspector, Vancouver.......................................
James McGregor, chief inspector of mines, Victoria.........................
J. Muirhead, chief electrical energy inspector, Vancouver.............
Employment service—
J. H. McVety, general superintendent, Vancouver.........................
Workmen’s compensation board—
E. S. H. Winn, chairman...................................................................
Parker Williams..................................................................................
Hugh Gilmore.....................................................................................
F. W. Hinsdale, secretary..................................................................
Address of board: Board of Trade Building, Vancouver.
15 Per m o n th .
29 P er m o n th , p a rt tim e.
30 $7,500 for d u a l positions as a tto rn e y general an d m inister of labor.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[246]
(3 °)
3 ,7 2 0
2, 700
4, 200
4, 000
3 ,0 0 0
2, 700
6,
5,
5,
4,
500
000
000
200
D IR E C T O R Y
247
OF LA BO R O F F IC IA L S .
C A N A D A
—C ontinued.
D esignation of office a n d nam e a n d address of official.
Salary per
annum .
B r i t i s h C o lu m b ia —Concluded.
Department of Labor—Concluded.
Minimum wage board—
J. D. McNiven, deputy minister of labor, chairman
Mrs. Helen G. McGill...................................................
Thomas Mathews..............................................................
Miss Mabel Agnes Cameron, secretary.........................
Address of board: Parliament Buildings, Victoria.
( 5)
( 5)
( 5)
$1,800
M a n ito b a .
Bureau of Labor:
Hon. C. D. McPherson, minister of public works..............
Edward McGrath, secretary.................................................
Arthur MacNamara, chief inspector...... ...........................
Address of bureau: 332 Parliament Building, Winnipeg.
Fair wage board—
S. C. Oxton, chairman, deputy minister of public works..
J. W. Morley.........................................................................
J. A. Bonnett........................................................................
Walter Owens........................................................................
C. Hardin..............................................................................
Address of board: Winnipeg.
Minimum wage board—George N. Jackson, chairman..............................................
Mrs. Edna M. Nash..............................................................
James Winning.....................................................................
Address of board: Winnipeg.
Workmen’s compensation board—
H. G. Wilson, commissioner................................................
R. S. Ward...........................................................................
A. R. D. Patterson...............................................................
N. Fletcher, secretary.........................................................
Address of board: Winnipeg.
6, 000
3, 480
3,480
( 5)
31 10
31 10
31 10
31 10
31 10
31 10
31 10
6,000
1,000
a 1,000
a
N e w B r u n s w ic k .
Inspection of factories and hotels:
John Kenny, St. John..............................................................
Workmen’s compensation board:
J. A. Sinclair, chairman........................................................
F. C. Robinson.........................................................................
J. L. Sugrue..............................................................................
Address of board: P. O. Box 1422, St. John.
4, 500
3, 500
3, 500
N o v a S c o tia .
Factory and mines inspection (under Department of Public Works):
Hon. E. H. Armstrong, minister of public works and mines.
Hiram Donkin, deputy minister of public works and mines.
Philip Ring, factory inspector................................................
Address: Halifax.
Workmen’s compensation board :
V. J. Paton, K. C., chairman..................................................
Fred W. Armstrong..................................................................
John T. Joy..............................................................................
Address of board: Halifax.
5, 000
6 , 000
1. 900
5, 000
4, 500
4, 000
s N o salary.
3i For each meeting.
.
a P a rt tim e. A ct provides th a t for m eetings in excess of 50 a tte n d e d h y directors in a n y year, the
L ieutenant-G overnor-in-C ouncil m ay auth o rize an a d d itio n al allow ance of $15.00 p e r director for each
such a d d itio n al m eeting.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[24T]
248
M O N TH LY
LABOR
R E V IE W .
C A N A DA —C o n clu d ed .
D e sig n a tio n of office a n d n a m e a n d a d d re s s of official.
S a la ry p e r
annum .
O n ta r io .
Department of Labor:
Hon. W. It. Rollo, minister...............................................................
Inspectors—
D. M. Medcalf, chief boiler inspector................................................
James T. Burke, chief of factory, shop, and office building inspec
tor.....................................................................................................
Employment bureaus—
H. C. Hudson, general superintendent.............................................
Address of department: Parliament Buildings, Toronto.
Workmen’s compensation board:
Samuel Price, chairman.................................................................... $ 10,000
-----------------(vacancy), vice chairman.
George A. Kingston, commissioner....................................................
7,500
N. B. Wormith, secretary..................................................................
4, 800
T. Norman Dean, statistician.............................................................
4, 300
W. N. Hancock, claims officer...........................................................
4, 800
W. E. Struthers, medical officer........................................................
5, 050
D. E. Bell, medical officer..................................................................
4, 300
Address of board: Toronto.
Q uebec.
Department of Public Works and Labor:
Hon. Antonin Galipeault, minister, Quebec....................................
Inspection of industrial establishments and public buildings—
Louis Guyon, deputy minister and chief inspector, 59 Notre Dame
Street East, Montreal......................................................................
Registrars of boards of conciliation and arbitration—
G. R. Brunet, Montreal......................................................................
Felix Marios, Quebec..........................................................................
Employment bureaus—
Joseph Ainey, general superintendent, 10 St. James Street, Mont
real...................................................................................................
S a s k a tc h e w a n .
Bureau of Labor and Industries:
Thomas M. Molloy, commissioner...........................................
T. Withy, chief factory inspector............................................
E. B. Webster, chief mine inspector......................................
Address of bureau: Regina.
Government employment branch—
G. E. Tomsett, general superintendent, Regina....................
Minimum wage board—
W. F. Dunn, chairman, Moose Jaw........................................
Mrs. Austin Both well, Regina.................................................
H. Perry, Regina......................................................................
Mrs. M. I. Robertson, Saskatoon.............................................
J. F. Cairns, Saskatoon............................................................
Thomas M. Molloy, commissioner of labor, secretary, Regina.
82 S alaries u n d e rg o in g re v isio n .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[248]
( 32 )
( 32 )
(
32 )
(
32 )
(
32 )
PU B LIC A TIO N S R EL A T IN G T O LA BO R.
Official—United States.
C a l i f o r n i a .— Industrial
Welfare Commission. Preliminary report. What California
has done to protect its women workers. Sacramento, 1921. 14 pp.
For a summary of this report see pages 141 and 142 of this issue of the R e v i e w .
----- S ta te B o a rd o f E d u c a tio n . C o m m issio n er o f in d u s tr ia l a n d v o ca tio n a l education.
Report fo r the biennial period ending June 30, 1920. Sacramento , 1921. 82 pp.
Children’s Code Commission.
Topeka, 1921. 21 pp.
K a n s a s .—
Report.
Proposed child welfare legislation.
Includes recommendations on the subjects of part-time schools and children in
industry.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s . — D e p a rtm e n t o f E d u c a tio n .
P roceedings o f the S ta te conference o n
im m ig r a n t ed u ca tio n i n M assachusetts in d u stries. B o s to n , 1920. 124 p p . B u lle
tin , V ol. V , N o . 6. W hole N o . 32.
N o r t h C a r o l i n a .— State
1919-20.
Board o f Charities and Public Welfare.
[Raleigh, 1921.] 96 pp.
Biennial report,
Includes the report of the State Child Welfare Commission. During the 17 months
ending November 30, 1920, employment certificates were issued to 474 boys between
12 and 14 years of age for vacation employment. During the same period 125 age cer
tificates were issued to 102 boys and 23 girls claiming to be 14 or 16 years of age, but
whose age was doubtful. The largest numbers of vacation permits issued were for
delivery service and mercantile establishments, 241 and 135, respectively.
P e n n s y l v a n i a . — D e p a rtm e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s tr y .
tr a tio n . A n n u a l report, 1920.
N o . 3, S eries o f 1921.
B u r e a u o f M ed ia tio n a n d A r b i
H a rrisb u rg , 1921. 27 p p . B u lle tin , V ol. 8,
During the year 1920, 555 strikes were reported to the bureau of mediation and
arbitration. This is the largest number of strikes for a single year in the history of
the Commonwealth, although the number of days lost was less than in 1919. More
than 100 additional strikes were averted through the efforts of the bureau.
The following table shows the number of strikes reported and the loss involved each
year for the past five years:
Y ear.
1916.........................
1917.........................
1918.........................
1919.........................
1920.........................
N um ber
N um ber
in which
um ber m
of strikes N
ediators
reported. settled .
were
active.
316
498
317
484
655
298
410
289
472
505
200
259
162
233
436
M an days
lost.
3,574,860
1,431,328
507,937
4,665,118
3,128,291
W ages lost.
$7,814,290
4,094,769
2,212,304
13,943,502
14,514,195
The textile trades led in the number of strikes, 139 occurring in the industry in 1920,
but more days were lost through strikes in the mining industry, and a greater amount
in wages was lost in the metal trades. The following table indicates the number of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[249J
249
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
250
strikes, the number of days lost, and the amounts lost in wages in 1920 in Pennsyl
vania’s leading industries:
N um ber of M an days lost.
strikes.
In d u stry .
Wages lost.
B u ild in g.............................
Chem icals...........................
C lay......................................
Clothing..............................
F ood. .7 ..............................
L e a th e r...............................
Liquors...............................
L u m b er..............................
P a p e r...................................
T ex tiles...............................
L au n d ries...................
M etals..................................
M ines...................................
P ublic service....................
Tobacco..............................
Miscellaneous.....................
H otels..................................
Schools...... .........................
72
4
12
49
7
14
13
5
13
139
1
88
44
33
6
SO
4
1
274,751
1,508
8,760
183,118
4,881
5,1.54
11,113
38,383
4,173
338,225
1 470
912,366
1 ,12l'607
' 143' 030
4,492
74,723
'351
208
$1,484,783
7,368
37' 853
1,055,644
33,509
29, 827
52,888
205,563
27,986
1,789,013
5 000
4,753,033
3,907,249
857,345
22, 828
242,766
709
832
T o ta l............................
555
3,128,291
14,514,196
The number of employees affected by the strikes in 1920 totaled 88,988, of whom
81,947 were men and 7,041 women.
P e n n s y l v a n ia .—D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r a n d I n d u s t r y .
B u r e a u o f R e h a b ilit a tio n .
R e p o r t o f a c tiv itie s to J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 2 1 .
le tin , v o l. 8 , N o . 2 , S e r ie s o f 1 9 2 1 .
H a r r is b u r g , 1 9 2 1 .
30 p p .
P la te s .
B u l
This bureau was established by act of the State legislature in July, 1919. Direct
payment can be made from the funds appropriated for the administrative costs of the
bureau for artificial appliances for physically handicapped persons unable to purchase
them and maintenance costs not to exceed $15 per week for those needing a period of
training. Seven hundred and thirty of the 1,200 persons to whom the services of the
bureau had been offered up to January, 1921, had been registered and of these, 310
had been definitely assisted in rehabilitation and in finding employment.
T e n n e s s e e .— C h ild W e lfa r e C o m m is s io n .
C h ild w e lfa r e i n T e n n e sse e . A n i n q u i r y b y
th e N a t i o n a l C h ild L a b o r C o m m itte e f o r th e T e n n e ss e e C h ild W e lfa r e C o m m is s io n .
P u b l is h e d b y th e D e p a r tm e n t o f P u b l i c I n s t r u c t i o n .
N a s h v ille , 1 9 2 0 . 6 1 6 p p .
Gives the results of a survey of child life in Tennessee made by the National Child
Labor Committee at the invitation of the public authorities, who desired to know how
far the State was succeeding in the accepted policy of making the care of its children
a public duty, what deficiencies were to be found in the present situation, and how
these might be met. To accomplish this purpose studies were made covering the gen
eral relation of the child to the State, and the subjects of health, schools, recreation,
rural life, child labor, juvenile courts, mothers’ pensions, institutions, and home
finding.
U tah .— I n d u s t r i a l C o m m is s io n .
R e p o r t o f d e c isio n s ren d e red , J u l y 1, 1 9 1 8 , to J u n e 3 0 ,
1 9 2 0 , w ith b r ie f s u m m a r y o f l u m p - s u m s e ttle m e n ts a llo w e d a n d a ls o a s h o r t h is to r y o f
th e cases a p p e a le d to th e s u p r e m e c o u r t a n d i t s r u l i n g th e re o n . [ S a lt L a k e C ity , 19 2 1 .]
240 p p .
V ir g in ia .— I n d u s t r i a l
C o m m is s io n .
O p in io n s ,
1919.
V o l.
I.
R ic h m o n d ,
1921.
215 p p .
W yom ing .— W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a tio n D e p a r tm e n t.
e n d in g
D e ce m b e r
31,
1920.
P rogress
nu m b er.
F i f t h r e p o r t f o r the tw e lv e m o n th s
L a r a m ie , 1 9 2 1 . 166 p p .
A digest of th is report is g iv en on pages 200 to 201 of th is issue of th e R e v ie w .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[250]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
251
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— C o n g re ss. S e n a te . S e le c t C o m m itte e o n R e c o n s tr u c tio n a n d P r o
d u c tio n . ' H e a r in g s o n S . R . 3 5 0 , a u th o r iz i n g th e a p p o i n t m e n t o f a c o m m itte e to
i n q u ir e i n t o th e g e n e r a l b u ild in g s i t u a t i o n a n d to r e p o r t to th e S e n a te before D e ce m b e r
1 , 1 9 2 0 , s u c h m e a s u r e s a s m a y he d e em e d n e c e ssa ry to s t im u la te a n d f o s t e r the d e v e lo p
m e n t o f c o n s tr u c tio n w o r k i n a ll i t s f o r m s .
V o ls . 1 , 2 , a n d 3 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 .
2 3 6 1 p p . 6 6 th C o n g re ss, 3 d s e s s io n .
•
D e p a r tm e n t o f A g r ic u ltu r e . B u r e a u o f M a r k e ts .
C o o p e r a tiv e g r a in m a r k e tin g .
A c o m p a r a tiv e s tu d y o f m e th o d s i n th e U n ite d S ta te s a n d i n C a n a d a .
W a s h in a to n
A p r i l 9 , 1 9 2 1 . 21 p p .
B u lle tin N o . 937.
_A description of the organization and methods of the Canadian grain growers’ asso
ciations, especially as exemplified by the Saskatchewan Cooperative Elevator Co.
(Ltd.), and the United Grain Growers (Ltd.), as contrasted with those of American
growers’ associations. The American procedure in most cases has been the develop
ment of the local single-unit cooperative elevator, while the Canadians have estab
lished centrally controlled elevators of the line-house type. “ Because the Canadian
farmers’ companies have entered the terminal markets and in other ways have carried
their marketing activities further than have the single-unit type of farmers’ elevators
in the middle western section of the United States, some have thought that the
American farmers erred in their scheme of organization and that the Canadian type of
organization is the correct type for this country as a whole.” The author, while not
attempting to establish which is the correct type, is of the opinion that “ what may be
an excellent method for some sections and for some conditions will not always work
out successfully in other sections or when applied to other conditions, ’’ and that when
the American farmers extend their activities to terminal marketing, this extension
will be “ along lines that have a special fitness for their own peculiar needs and requirements.”
•----- D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r . B u r e a u o f L a b o r S t a tis tic s . H o u r s a n d e a r n in g s i n a n th r a
c ite a n d b i t u m i n o u s c o a l m i n i n g : A n t h r a c ite , 1 9 1 9 a n d 19 2 0 ; b itu m i n o u s , 1 919.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 . 1 1 4 p p .
W a g es a n d h o u r s o f la b o r series. B u l l e t i n N o ! 2 7 9 .
-------- — -----
W a g es a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n th e b o o t a n d shoe i n d u s tr y : 1 9 0 7 to 1920.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 . 177 p p .
W a g es a n d h o u r s o f la b o r series. B u l l e t i n N o . 2 7 8 .
-------- —
C h ild r e n ’s B u r e a u . A d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f the f i r s t F e d e ra l c h ild -la b o r la w .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 . 1 9 7 p p .
L e g a l series N o . 6. I n d u s t r i a l series N o . 6. B u r e a u
p u b lic a tio n N o . 7 8 .
An account of the administration of the Federal child-labor law which became
effective September 1, 1917, and was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
nine months later. After this decision, several Government departments tried to
secure the same degree of protection for children by inserting clauses in their contracts
stipulating that in the production of the materials contracted for the rules concerning
child labor laid down in the former Federal law should be observed. The Children’s
Bureau was intrusted with the task of seeing that these stipulations were observed
and the present report contains an account of the work along this line, as well as in
the earlier enforcement of the law. The report contains much information concerning
the condition under which the children were found working in various industries, the
steps taken by different States to enforce their own child-labor laws ,the kind of evi
dence as to age, physique, and education which should be required before permission
to work is given if the laws are to be really effective, the attitude of different com
munities toward child-labor regulation, and so on.
—------ -— —— T h e e m p lo y m e n t-c e r tific a te s y s te m . A s a fe g u a r d f o r the w o r k in g c h ild .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 .
(r e v is e d ).
13 p p .
I n d u s t r i a l series N o . 7 .
B u r e a u p u b lic a tio n N o . 56
This pamphlet is designed to show how greatly the effective administration of a
child-labor law depends on a thoroughgoing system of issuing employment certificates.
Some phases of the question discussed are the responsibility of the issuing officer,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[251]
252
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
requirements for certificates, cooperation of the issuing officer with the compulsoryschool-attendance department, daytime continuation schools, and vocational guidance
and placement bureaus.
U n i t e d S t a t e s .— D e p a r t m e n t o f L a b o r .
C h ild r e n ’s B u r e a u . P r e lim in a r y r e p o r t o f
th e c o m m itte e a p p o in te d b y th e C h ild r e n ’s B u r e a u to f o r m u l a t e s ta n d a r d s o f n o r m a l
d e v e lo p m e n t a n d s o u n d h e a lth f o r th e u s e o f p h y s ic ia n s i n e x a m in i n g c h ild r e n e n te r in g
e m p lo y m e n t a n d c h ild r e n a t w o r k .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 . 2 4 p p .
C o n fe re n c e series
N o . 4- B u r e a u p u b l i c a t i o n N o . 7 9 .
Gives a few standards of health and development for use in the employment of
children under 18 years of age, with a discussion of points to be covered and methods
to be used in physical examinations. It is recommended that the child should be
examined not only before he is permitted to take employment, but also before any
change of occupation is allowed, to make sure that he does not take up some work for
which he is physically unfit. The committee recommends that every working child
should be examined at least once a year until he reaches the age of 18, to see whether
he is progressing normally, and if not, to find and remove the cause. An appendix
contains a summary of the laws of the different States relating to physical requirements
for employment, brought up to January, 1921.
----- _----- - —— S ta te c o m m is s io n s f o r th e s tu d y a n d r e v is io n o f c h ild -w e lfa re la w s. W a sh
in g to n , 1920.
N o . 71.
43 p p .
C h ild r e n ’s y e a r f o l l o w - u p series N o . 6.
B u r e a u p u b lic a tio n
Gives an account of the growth of the movement to study and, if found necessary,
to revise, improve, and unify legislation for the protection of children, with summaries
of organization and plans of work adopted in the States undertaking the general pro
gram. Contains also an outline for an index of existing legislation affecting child
welfare, and a list of compilations and summaries of State law's on the subject.
----- D e p a r tm e n t o f the I n te r io r . B u r e a u o f M in e s . M e ta l- m in e a c c id e n ts i n the U n ite d
S ta te s d u r in g the c a le n d a r y e a r 1 9 1 9 .
f o r th e yea rs 1911 to 1 9 1 9 , in c lu s iv e .)
286.
( W ith s u p p l e m e n t a l la b o r a n d a c c id e n t ta b le s
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 2 1 . 99 p p .
T e c h n ic a l p a p e r
A digest of this report is given on pages 191 and 192 of this issue of the
M onthly
L a b o r R e v ie w .
•-----
R a i lr o a d L a b o r B o a r d . R u l e s f o r r e p o r tin g i n f o r m a t i o n o n r a ilr o a d e m p lo y e e s ,
to g e th e r w ith a c la s s ific a tio n a n d in d e x o f s te a m r a ilr o a d o c c u p a tio n s .
M a y , 1 921.
320 p p .
W a g e series, R e p o r t N o . 2 .
This report contains an occupational classification of steam railroad employees
together with forms to be used by carriers in reporting information on railroad em
ployees to the Railroad Labor Board and to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Both the forms and the classification plan were prepared by the board and approved by
the commission.
----- S h ip p in g ' B o a r d . I n d u s t r i a l R e la tio n s D iv is i o n . C o d ific a tio n o f th e S h i p b u i l d i n g
L a b o r A d j u s t m e n t B o a r d a w a rd s , d e c isio n s , a n d a u th o r iz a tio n s .
341 p p .
W a s h in g to n , 1 921.
This report, as its title indicates, consists of a compilation of the basic decisions,
authorizations, interpretations, and rates of wages made either by the Shipbuilding
Labor Adjustment Board itself or with its specific approval during the entire life of
the board. The report is divided into three parts: (1) A summary of the development
of the more important subjects affecting the board’s work; (2) codification of decisions
made by the board from August 1, 1917, to October 1, 1918; (3) annotated decisions,
amendments, and interpretations of the board made from October 1, 1918, to March
31, 1919.
This volume, together with the historical sketch of the work of the Shipbuilding
Labor Adjustment Board written by Mr. Hotchkiss and Mr. Seager, secretaries of the
board, and published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as Bulletin No. 283, gives
a complete and authoritative history of this board
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[252]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
253
Official—Foreign Countries.
A u s t r a l i a .— I n s t i t u t e o j S c ie n c e a n d I n d u s t r y . A d v is o r y c o u n c il. I n d u s t r i a l co o p era
tio n m A u s tr a lia .
M e lb o u r n e , 1 9 2 0 . 64 p p . B u l l e t i n N o . 17.
A description of the “ industrial cooperation” schemes of a number of Australian
companies. These schemes include sickness, accident, provident, and pension funds,
stores run more or less cooperatively, housing projects, profit sharing, and various
other welfare measures undertaken by the companies to make “ work more interesting
and employees more contented and happy without increasing their tasks.”
------ (W ester n A ustr a lia ). —G o v e r n m e n t S t a t is tic ia n .
P o c k e t y e a r b o o k 1921
P e r th , 1 9 2 1 . 1 0 0 p p .
’
Contains among other statistics those on employment, on wages, and retail prices
of certain commodities, 1919 and 1920. The section relating to wages is reproduced
in part on page
of this issue of the M onthly L abor R e v ie w .
B elgium .— M in i s tir e de V I n d u s t r i e d u T r a v a il e t d u R a v ita il le m e n t.
m in e s et in s p e c tio n d u tr a v a il.
B r u s s e ls , 1 9 2 1 . 77 p p .
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n des
L a s i t u a t i o n des in d u s tr i e s B e ig e s e n D é ce m b re 1 920
Something of the extent to which Belgian industries have been rehabilitated is
shown in this report. There were 3,549 establishments included in the census which
in December, 1913, employed 600,961 workers. In December, 1920, the number
employed was 576,170 or 96 per cent of the prewar figure. In the food, mining, trans
portation, and construction industries the number employed ranged from 112 to 156
per cent while other industries were below the 1913 figure, woodworking and furniture
employing but 70 per cent of the prewar personnel. It was found impossible to report
on the amount of short time in these establishments and as there is considerable partial
unemployment in the country it modifies considerably the importance of the figures
given.
------- ( P r o v in c e o f H a i n a u t ) .— C o m m is s io n a d m in is tr a t iv e de la caisse de p r é v o y a n c e
des c h a rb o n n a g e s d u c o u c h a n t de M o n s e n f a v e u r des o u v r ie r s - m i n e u r s . R a p p o r t s u r
les o p e r a tio n s de l ’a n n é e 1 9 2 0 .
M o n s , M a y , 1 9 2 1 . 19 p p .
This report of the miners’ insurance fund shows that 2,246,243 francs ($433,525, par)
were paid in pensions in the year 1920 to 6,122 pensioners of the 21 companies in
cluded in the fund. A cost of living bonus amounting to 1,277,219 francs ($246,503,
par) was also paid during the first nine months of 1920. The total number of workers
in the different mines was 39,123 and their average daily wages had increased from
12.47 francs ($2.41, par) in 1919 to 22.67 francs ($4.38, par) in 1920, or 82 per cent,
while the wages are nearly five times as great as 1913 wages, which averaged 4.77
francs ($0.92, par) per day.
C a n a d a .— D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r .
J o i n t c o n fe re n c e o f th e b u ild in g a n d c o n s tr u c tio n
in d u s tr i e s i n C a n a d a , h e ld a t O tta w a M a y 3 - 6 , 1 9 2 1 . P r o c e e d in g s is s u e d a s a s u p p l e
m e n t to th e L a b o r G a ze tte , M a y , 1 9 2 1 . 8 4 p p . B u l l e t i n N o . 3 , I n d u s t r i a l r e la tio n s
series.
A sum m ary of th e proceedings of th e conference is g iven on pages
issu e of the R e v ie w .
D e p a r tm e n t o f L a b o r .
O tta w a , 1 9 2 1 . 3 0 3 p p .
181 to 188 of this
T e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t o n la b o r o r g a n iz a tio n i n C a n a d a 1920
The subjects of this report include: The one big union, Labor and politics, Trades
and labor congress, Federations of trade-unions, Railroad brotherhood committees,
District councils, Trades and labor councils, Statistics of trade-unionists in Canada,
The labor press, and Trade-union conventions.
Data from this publication are used in the article on “ Industrial unrest in Canada”
in this issue of the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w .
54039°—21---- 17
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[253]
254
M ONTHLY
L A B OR
R E V IE W .
C a n a d a .— P r i v y C o u n c il. H o n o r a r y ;> a d v is o r y c o u n c i l f o r s c ie n tific a n d in d u s t r i a l
resea rch . A s s o c ia te c o m m itte e o n i n d u s t r i a l f a t i g u e . S u r v e y o f g e n e r a l c o n d itio n s
o f in d u s tr i a l h y g ie n e i n T o r o n to . O tta w a , 1 9 2 1 . 21 p p . R e p o r t N o . 7.
In this survey such data on working conditions were sought as would indicate the
attitude of employers toward industrial hygiene and what measures were being taken
to promote it. The data were obtained by personal visits to 76 plants,, including all
the large plants in the community and some of the smaller ones. The investigation
covered hours of work, medical service, sanitation, fatigue, occupational disease,
welfare, and time lost on account of sickness.
-—-— • ( N o v a S c o t ia ) .— F a c to r ie s In s p e c to r . A n n u a l r e p o r t f o r y e a r e n d e d S e p te m b e r 3 0 ,
1 9 20.
H a lifa x , 1 9 2 1 .
53 p p .
Reports that 1,703 accidents, 16 of which were fatal, were recorded in 1920 com
pared with 989 in 1919, with 13 fatalities. The apparent increase is said to be due to
more complete reporting, in 1920.
----- W o r k m e n ’s C o m p e n s a tio n B o a r d . R e p o r t, 1 9 2 0 . H a lifa x , 1 9 2 1 . 3 5 p p .
A digest of this report is given on pages 200 and 201 of this issue of the R e v i e w .
D e n m a r k .—I n d e n r ig s m in is te r i e t.
D a n m a r k s s o c ia l lo v g iv n in g .
C o p enhagen, 1921.
4- v o ls , i n 3 .
These volumes, published by the Ministry of Interior, aim as stated in Volume I
to give the history of Danish social legislation, its leading principles and operation.
Volume I contains discussions of laws on poor relief, old age pensions, and aid funds;
Volumes II and III, housing, tuberculosis, child-welfare, and sick-funds; and. Vol
ume IV, burial funds, accident insurance, conciliation and arbitration.
•----- S ta tis tis k e D e p a r te m e n t. S t a tis tis k e M ed d elelser. 4- R a e k k e . 5 9 . B i n d . C o p e n
hagen, 1920.
363 p p .
D a n m a rks S ta tis tik .
Statistical communications published by the Statistical Department of Denmark,
giving wages in agriculture for 1918, production statistics for 1918, house rents in cities,.
November, 1918, cattle production, July, 1919, etc.
F r a n c e .— M in is tè r e d u T r a v a il e t de la P r é v o y a n c e S o c ia le . B u l l e t i n de V in s p e c tio n
d u tr a v a il e t de V h y g iè n e in d u s tr ie lle .
V in g t- s e p tiè m e a n n é e . 1 9 1 9 . N u m é r o s
1 e t 2.. P a r is , 1 9 1 9 . 231 p p .
This report gives the discussion in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate upon
the bill for the eight-hour day which was passed in April, 1919, and the proceedings
of the commission delegated to represent France at the Washington Labor Conference.
Decrees and laws of European and American countries relating to the eight-hour day
are appended.
G e r m a n y .— R e ic h s a m t f ü r
A r b e its v e r m i ttlu n g . D ie
V e rb ä n d e der
U n te rn e h m e r,
A n g e s te llte n , A r b e ite r u n d B e a m te n i m J a h re 1 9 1 8 , m i t B e r ü c k s ic h tig u n g ih r e r
E n t w i c k l u n g i n der F o lg e z e it. B e r lin , 1 9 2 0 . 2 7 * , 77 p p . 2 2 S o n d e r h e ft z u m
R e ic h s - A r b e its b la tt.
A supplement to the German official labor gazette (R e ic h s - A r b e its b la tt) containing
detailed statistics of employers’, manual workers’, salaried employees’ and officials’
organizations in Germany for the year 1918. Summaries of these statistics have been
published in the M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v i e w of March, 1921, in an article “ Organization
of employers and workers in Germany.”
------- ( H a m b u r g ) .— S ta tis tis c h e s L a n d e s a m t.
D e r K le in w o h n u n g s m a r k t i n der S t a d t
H a m b u r g w ä h r e n d des K r ie g e s u n d s e in e m u tm a s s lic h e G e s ta ltu n g n a c h d e m K r ie g e .
H a m b u r g , 1 9 1 9 . 33 p p . S ta tis tic h e M it te il u n g e n ü b e r d e n h a m b u r g is c h e n S t a a t ,
N o . 6.
A statistical report on the state of the housing market (of small dwellings) in the city
of Hamburg during the war and its probable development in the near future. The
statistical data contained in the report show that up to the end of 1917 Hamburg had
relatively a much larger number of vacant workmen’s dwellings than any other large
city in Germany. Since 1918, however, this advantage has been entirely lost, owing
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[254]
255
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
to the entire standstill of building activities and an increased demand for small
dwellings.
G e r m a n y .—-S ta tis tis c h e s L a n d e sa m t. D ie W o h n u n g sverh a ltn isse i n der S ta d t H a m b u rg
i n den Ja h ren 1 9 1 0 bis 1 9 1 7 . H a m b u r g , 1 9 1 9 . 1 6 2 p p . S ta tis tik des ham burgischen
y
O LQ/CLi/C'S
OCOi/bCC,
This v olnmo contains very detailed statistics on housing conditions in the city of
Hamburg during the period 1910-1917.
G r e a t B r i t a i n .— B o a rd o f Trade.
U n ite d K i n g d o m , 1 9 0 5 to 1 9 1 9 .
—
S ta tis tic a l d e p a rtm e n t. S ta tis tic a l abstract fo r the
L o n d o n , 1 9 2 1 . 4 3 3 p p . C m d. 1 246.
F o re ig n Office. R e p o r t o f the co m m ittee to collect in fo r m a tio n o n R u s s ia
d o n , 1 9 2 1 . 1 6 7 p p . C m d. 1 2 4 0 .
Lon
This report upon political and economic conditions in Russia gives a sketch of the
Bolshevik movement and the events leading up to it and an account of the structure
and methods of control of the Soviet Government and its attitude toward other
countries. The economic situation is outlined, including data on the number of
workers, relative value of workers’ wages, productivity of the individual worker,
mortality among workers, and information as to food and fuel supplies and other
necessaries of life. The appendixes include data prepared by the committee on coal,
wood, oil, and railway and water transport and various translations from the Russian
of speeches and articles by communists and others.
----- N a tio n a l R e l i e f F u n d . F in a l r e p o r t, u p to 1 s t M arch, 1921 ( i n c o n t i n u a t i o n o f
C m d . 3 5 6 , 1 9 1 9 ).
L o n d o n , 1921.
22 p p .
C m d.
1272.
I n d i a .— D e p a rtm e n t o f In d u strie s.
J o u r n a l o f I n d ia n
c u tta , F eb ru a ry, 1 9 2 1 .
V o l.l, P a r ti. 1 1 1 p p .
49 p p .
----- The
J
In d u s tr ie s a n d L a b o r
Cal
C alcutta,
1 921.
B u r e a u o f L a b o r . I n d i a n f a c t o r y la w a d m in is tr a t io n .
B u l l e t i n s o f I n d i a n in d u s tr i e s a n d la b o r, N o . 8 .
W o ffin g to n labor conference.
1921.
139 p p .
Official correspondence.
C alcutta,
B u l l e t i n s o f I n d i a n in d u s tr i e s a n d la b o r, N o . 10.
Coirespondence relating to the action to be taken in India on the proposals of the
Washington labor conference.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .— T h e c o m p u ls o r y e m p lo y m e n t o f d is a b le d m e n .
A p r i l 2 5 , 1 9 2 1 . 3 4 p p . S tu d i e s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s E , N o . 2 .
G eneva,
The national plans for the employment of disabled ex-service men are given in
this bulletin for the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and France.
E n q u ir y co n cern in g the a p p lic a tio n o f the eight-hour act i n the F rench m ercantile
m a rin e . G eneva, 1 9 2 1 . 101 p p .
This report, which was made by the International Labor Office for the Joint Mari
time Commission appointed by the Genoa Conference, includes all the available
experience as to the practical workings of the French 8-hour act in the mercantile
maiine. It includes reports and documents furnished by the French Government,
and by the Central Committee of Shipowners, a report drawn up by the investigators
of the International Labor Office from oral reports made by the French engineers’,
seamen’s, and stewards’ organizations and memoranda relating to the table of duties
in force, the number of hours of overtime worked, and the manner of compensation
for definite voyages.
----- . The refo rm o f the S u p r e m e C o u n c il o f L a b o r ( C o n sig lio S u p e rio re del L a voro)
m Ita ly .
G e n e v a , A p r i l 1 4 ,1 9 2 1 .
38pp.
S t u d i e s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s B , N o . 9.
This report gives the present composition of the Supreme Council, which was
established in 1902, and the text of the bill providing for reform and reorganization
of the council, which was introduced in the Italian Parliament in November, 1920,
by the minister of labor.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[255]
256
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o r O f f i c e .— T h e r e g u la t io n o f la b o r i n a g r ic u ltu r e i n F r a n c e .
G e n e v a , A p r i l 2 3 , 1 9 2 1 . 22 p p . S t u d i e s a n d R e p o r ts , S e r ie s K , N o . 6.
This pamphlet contains the discussions of the commission appointed by the French
Ministry of Agriculture to consider the advisability of applying the 8-hour day to
agriculture.
J a p a n .— H o m e D e p a r tm e n t.
w e lfa r e w o r k i n J a p a n .
B u r e a u f o r S o c ia l W o r k .
T o k y o [1920], 3 4 p p .
P r e s e n t c o n d itio n s o f the c h ild
One chapter deals with the economic aspects of the child welfare work and con
tains extracts from the factory law concerning child labor.
----- M in i s tr y o f A g r i c u l t u r e a n d C o m m e rc e . T h ir d a n n u a l r e p o r t o f the s u p e r in te n d e n t
o f fa c to r ie s , 1 9 1 8 .
T o k io , 1 9 2 1 .
2 v o ls .
This report covers general industrial conditions in the textile, chemical, and me
chanical industries in Japan in 1918. Sections of the report relate also to working
conditions, employees and apprentices, working hours and holidays, health and
sanitation, accidents and accident prevention, sickness compensation, and miscel
laneous subjects. The second volume consists of 22 general statistical tables.
N e t h e r l a n d s .-—G e zo n d h e id s ra a d .
V e r sla g e n e n m e d ed e e U n g e n b e tre ffe n d e de v o lk s g e zo n d h e id . N o . 1 - 5 .
’s-G ra v e n h a g e , J a n u a r y - M a y , 1 9 2 1 . 5 0 p p .
This publication is issued by the office of public health of Netherlands, in collabo
ration with the State health offices, the hygienic laboratory, the national housing
commission, and the sanitary offices of the Government. Reports and laws pertain
ing to health, hygiene, sanitation, and housing are included.
N o r w a y .— R ik s fo r s ik r in g s a n s ta lte n . S j p m a n n f o r s i k r i n g e n f o r à ret 1 9 1 8 . F is k e r fo r s ik r in g e n f o r à ret 1 9 1 9 .
C h r is tia n ia , 1 9 2 1 . 3 f 1 2 , 2 8 p p . N o r g e s OJJisielle s ta ti s t i k k , V I I , 1 1 .
Covers accident insurance for seamen during 1918 and for fishermen during 1919.
-------- -—- S y k e fo r s i k r in g e n f o r à re t 1 9 1 9 . K r i s t i a n i a , 1 9 1 9 . 9 5 p p . N o r g e s O ffisie lle
S ta tis tik k , V I I .
8.
A report stating the provisions and operation of the Norwegian sickness insurance
law, which provides both compulsory and voluntary insurance. The law was amended
December 10, 1920, changing the income limit of compulsory insurance for civil
servants from 3,000 kroner ($804, par) to 6,000 kroner. The income limit for volun
tary insurance was also increased to 6,000 kroner. The new law went into effect
January 3, 1921.
----- (C h r i s t i a n i a ) . — S ta t i s t i s k e K o n t o r . S t a t i s t i s k a a r b o k , 1 9 1 9 . C h r is tia n ia , 1 9 2 1 .
x ii, 224 p p .
Statistical yearbook for the city of Christiania. Contains statistics on building and
housing conditions, prices, wages, strikes, etc., in Christiania.
S w e d e n .— S t a t i s t i s k a
x i i , 331 p p .
C e n tr a lb y r á n .
S ta tis tis k
À rsbok,
1921.
S to c k h o lm ,
1921.
Statistical yearbook of Sweden. Contains statistics on population, hygiene, agri
culture, industry, commerce, navigation, insurance, unemployment, education, etc.
U r u g u a y .— O fic in a N a c i o n a l d e l T r a b a jo .
L a c o n tr ib u c ió n de lo s g o b ie rn o s d e p a r t
a m e n ta le s a la s o lu c i ó n de lo s p r o b le m a s o b rero s. O r g a n iz a c ió n d e l m e rc a d o del
tr a b a jo . M o n te v id e o , E n e r o de 1 9 2 1 . 31 p p .
This is a memorandum of the legislative section of the National Labor Office,
making recommendations for the establishment of municipal labor exchanges in
Uruguay, which should be under the general supervision of the National Labor Office
and under the immediate supervision of a council composed of representatives of the
municipality, employees, and employers. One chapter is devoted to the experience
of foreign countries in the work of employment exchanges.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[256]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
257
Unofficial.
A merican A ssociation
R ev ie w .
for
L abor L egislation .
N e w Y o r k , J u n e , 1921.
T he A m e ric a n L abor L eg isla tio n
p p . 127-175.
This n um ber of th e A m erican Labor Legislation R eview is m ade u p of articles on
“ A ccident com pensation for m aritim e w orkers” and on “ P u b lic action to combat
u n em ploym ent.” The necessity for ad equate com pensation laws covering seamen,
longshoremen, and ship rep air m en is stressed. The hazardous n atu re of longshore
work is shown b y th e records of th e New York S tate Compensation B ureau, w here it
is found th a t one-tenth of th e accidents recorded happen to longshoremen. N early
all of th e w riters p u t th e blam e for th e unsatisfactory statu s of these workers as regards
com pensation on recent court decisions against applying th e p rinciple of State com
pensation to them and urge th e enactm ent of law s w hich w ill ad eq u ately cover those
em ployed in such work. D ifferent measures for p rev en tin g and relieving unem
ploym ent, p rin cip ally b y m eans of p ublic works, are advocated b y th e w riters on th is
subject.
A merican F ed eration
of L a b o r . Io w a branch.
E c o n o m ic s u r v e y as a p p ly in q to
the b u ild in g trades in d u s tr y i n Cedar R a p id s , Io w a . S i o u x C ity , E a r l C W ille y
secretary [1921]. 24 p p .
See page 166 of this issue of the M onthly L abor R e v ie w .
P a p ers a n d proceedings , fifte e n th
A merican S ociological S ociety .
a n n u a l m e e tin g ,
W a sh in g to n , D . C December 2 7 -2 9 , 1920. S o m e new er p ro b lem s, n a tio n a l a n d
social. Chicago, U niversity o f Chicago P ress [1921]. v i, 280 p p .
Includes papers on Relation of women to industry, and The Mexican Revolution
and the standard of living.
A n d r e w s , J ohn B .
R ed u c in g u n e m p lo y m e n t by p la n n in g p u b lic w orks. (R e
p rin ted fro m N a tio n a l M u n ic ip a l R eview , vo l. X, N o . 4, Concord, N . H ., A p r il,
19*21.} 10 'jyjy.
*
I h e author believes th a t public work should be so distrib u ted b y th e m unicipalities
as to reduce seasonal unem ploym ent and furtherm ore a reserve of public funds should
be b u ilt up for tim ely expenditure upon public works during th e great cyclical periods
of industrial depression. “ P ublic work * * * should be made to act as a sponge
absorbing in bad years as well as in slack seasons some of th e reserves of private em
ploym ent, and setting th em free again w ith th e retu rn of prosperity in private busi
ness. ”
A skw ith , L ord .
In d u s tr ia l problem s a n d d isp u tes.
London,
John
M urray
1920
x , 494 p p .
The experiences of the author as an arbitrator in many of the important strikes
and lockouts in the past 25 years and the conclusions he has reached as a result of his
relationship with employers and trade-union leaders form the basis of this book.
The theories of socialism, Marxism, syndicalism, and guild socialism are discussed
together with recent labor development and the demands of labor. The author de
plores the lack of a firm and consistent government policy, but offers nò definite
piogram foi securing better and more peaceful relations between employers and
employed.
B ridge
and
S tructural I ron W o r k e r s ’ U nion N o . 1 (C hicago ).
accident report, 1919.
Chicago, M arch, 1921.
I n d u s tr ia l
12 p p .
A summary of this report appears on page 195 of this issue of the Monthly L abor
R e v ie w .
B ureau
of
I ndustrial R esear c h .
is it g o ing?
B y S a v e l Z im a n d .
The o p en shop drive: W ho is behind i t a n d where
N e w Y o r k , 289 F o u rth A v e n u e , 1921. 61 p p .
The statem ents of representatives of em ployers’ associations, of indiv id u al em
ployers, of workers, and labor leaders make up a large p a rt of th is report on th e openshop m ovem ent. A bibliography is attached.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[257]
258
M O NTH LY LABOR REVIEW.
B ureau
op
Municipal R esearch
c lerica l w o rk e rs i n N e w
op
Y o r k C ity .
N ew Y or k .
N ew
Q u a n t i t y a n d c o st b u d g e ts f o r
Y o r k , A p r i l , 1 9 2 1 . 30 p p .
N o . 95.
Gives budgets for the so-called typical family of five, and for single men and women.
The work was undertaken ‘‘ because of the importance that properly attaches to the
cost of living in municipal salary standardization, ” and the budgets are adapted to the
level “ upon which the great low-salaried group of clerical workers are accustomed
or desire to live. ” The commodities and services considered necessary are those fixed
upon by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in its cost-of-living studies,
and the prices are those of February and March, 1921, as gathered in New York City.
The family budget is fixed at $2,263.55, the budget for the single man at $1,093.68,
and that for the single woman at $1,118.08. The family budget includes insurance
on the furniture and life insurance for the man. The budgets for the single man and
woman have no such items, but include a sum amounting to 10 per cent of the total
expenses to be put aside as savings.
B ureau
of V ocational I nformation (N ew Y ork City ). P o s itio n s o f r e s p o n s ib ility
i n d e p a r tm e n t sto re s a n d o th e r r e ta il s e llin g o r g a n iz a tio n s . A s tu d y o f o p p o r tu n itie s
f o r w o m e n . N e w Y o r k , 1 9 2 1 . 126 p p . S t u d i e s i n o c c u p a tio n , N o . 5 .
The purpose of the study is to give facts, secured by questionnaires and interviews,
concerning positions of responsibility in department stores actually held by women,
the character of the work involved in these positions, the training, experience, and
personal qualities necessary or desirable for holding such positions, methods of getting
into such positions, salaries which may be hoped for, advantages and disadvantages
of such positions, possibilities of advancement, and so on. The study is practical
and helpful.
----- W o m e n i n the la w , A n a n a ly s is o f tr a in in g , p ra ctice , a n d s a la rie d p o s itio n s .
N ew
Y o rk , 1920.
138 p p .
B u lle tin N o . 3.
Deals fully with the training required, the opportunities offered for obtaining this
training, the attitude of the courts in different States toward the admission of women
to practice law, the attitude of the profession and the public, which determines a
woman’s chance of success, the best methods of working into a practice, and the
extent to which women already in the profession have been successful.
Cl e v e l a n d
311 p p .
F o u n d a t io n .
The
C le v e la n d y e a r b o o k ,
1921.
C le v e la n d ,
O h io , 1 921.
The yearbook, covering all the activities of the city of Cleveland, has a chapter
(pp. 124-143) on organized labor for the year 1920 and the first three months of 1921.
The relations in the building trades, which have the largest body of organized workers
of any industry in the city, in the garment trades, and in the railroads are described
together with an account of the open-shop movement, the plans of the Cleveland
Chamber of Commerce, and the part taken by labor in politics and the activities of
radical organizations. The progress of the cooperative movement and the work of
the employment bureau complete the survey of the labor situation.
C o l l i n s I n d u s t r i a l C o u n c i l . H o w w e ll s h o u ld m e n be trea ted ? A d e fin ite a n s w e r
to a liv e q u e s tio n . P h ila d e lp h ia , 2 2 6 C o lu m b ia A v e . [1921], 11 p p .
A discussion of the value of good will in industry and how to gain it.
C o l l i s , E d g a r L., a n d G r e e n w o o d , M a j o r .
T h e h e a lth o f the in d u s t r i a l w o rk e r.
L o n d o n , J . a n d A . C h u r c h ill, 1 9 2 1 . x i x , 4 5 0 p p .
This very exhaustive work on industrial health problems approaches the subject
not only from the standpoint of prevention of sickness but also from the point of view
of increased vitality and physical fitness. The book opens with a historical summary
of the development of industry in England, a review of industrial legislation, and the
effects of industrial employment upon health as indicated by vital statistics. The
second part treats of fatigue, tuberculosis and industry, the increasing prevalence of
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[258]
259
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
cancer, particularly among the industrial population, cause and prevention of indus
trial accidents, and special problems relating to the employment of women. Part
three deals with sanitation, food, and lighting and their effects on the health of work
ers, and the last section with labor turnover or industrial wastage, general medical
supervision, and methods of reclaiming the disabled.
Co n fed er azio n e G e n er a le
del L avo ro . L a C onfederazione Generale del L a v o ro
n e l sessen n io 1914-1920. R a p p o r to del c o n sig lio d ire ttivo a l X ° Congresso N a
zio n a le della R esisten za V ° della C onfederazione G enerale del L a v o ro , L iv o r n o 1921.
M ila n , 1921. v ii, 139 p p .
A report of the secretary of Italian General Federation of Labor on the activities
of the federation during the period 1914-1920, made on the occasion of the fifth con
gress of the Federation of Labor. A section of the report was discussed in an
article on “ Labor unrest in Ita ly ” in the June, 1921, issue of the M onthly L abor
R e v ie w .
-------- X
° Congresso della Resistenza, V° della Confederazione Generale del Lavoro,
L iv o r n o , 1921. L e a ssicu ra zio n i
co n siltivi. M ila n , 1921. 24 p p -
sociali i n
I ta lia .
R a p p re se n ta n za
n e i corpi
A report on social insurance in Italy and proposals with respect to representation
of labor on the advisory councils of the Government.
------------L a C onferenza In te r n a zio n a le d i W a sh in g to n . M ila n , 1921. 89 p p .
A report made to the above congress on the work of the International Labor Con
ference at Washington.
— --------M od ifica zio n i a llo sta tu to confederale e s tr u ttu r a sindacale. M ila n , 1921.
16 p p .
Proposals made on the occasion of the fifth congress of the Italian General Federation
of Labor for the modification of the federation’s by-laws and organization.
— ------ R a p p o r ti in te rn a z io n a li. M ila n , 1921. 59 p p .
A report on the international relations of the Italian Federation of Labor.
------------ R e la zio n e s u i c o n s ig li d i fa b b ric a . M ila n , 1921. 36 p p .
A report on the introduction of works councils.
•----------- S o c ia lizza zio n i. M ila n , 1921. 43 p p .
Proposals with respect to the socialization of the land and of industry.
D inlocker , T. W., and W ain w r ig ht , A. W. Id len ess a n d its re la tio n to in d u s tr y .
P ittsb u rg h , In d u s tr ia l C ost A sso c ia tio n , 1921.
16 p p .
This paper is a discussion of the philosophy and classifications of idleness, points
out the source and effect on industry, and suggests methods for bringing it under
control.
G eneral F ederation
M arch 31, 1921.
of
T rade U n io n s .
L o n d o n , 1921.
E ig h ty -six th
qu a rterly
balance sheet.
8 pp.
A statement of income and expenditure for quarter ending March 31,1921, including
the total membership of each union in the federation.
I nternational A ssociation
of
P ublic E mployment S er v ic e s .
eighth a n n u a l m eetin g , S ep te m b e r 2 0 -2 2 , 1920.
secretary-treasurer, 1921. 230 p p .
N ew
P roceedings o f
Y o r k , D a v id S . F ly n n ,
An account of the meeting of the association, formerly the American Association of
Public Employment Offices, was given in the M onthly L abor R e v ie w , December,
1920, pp. 106-107.
K e n tu c k y U n iversity. The fa rm e rs ' u n io n .
i n econom ics a n d sociology, N o . 2.
L e x in g to n , M arch, 1920.
81 p p .
S tu d ie s
A sum m ary of th is stu d y is g iv en in th is issu e of th e M onthly L a bo r R e v ie w ,
pages 220 and 221.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2591
260
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW,
I nternational A ssociation
for L abor L egislation . D a n is h sectio n .
D e n tv u n g n e
U ly kk esfo rsikrin g og de p riv a te F o rsikrin g sselska b er. F oredrag i “ D a n s k F o r e n in g
f o r S o d a l p o l i t i k ” den 14 M arts 1921 a f F . Z e u th e n F u ld m a e g tig u n d e r A rbejderfo r s ik n n g s -R a a d e t. C openhagen, 1921. 34 p p . D a n s k fo r e n in g f o r S o d a l p o li t ik ,
9 H efte.
A lecture on Denmark’s compulsory accident insurance and the private insurance
companies, given by F. Zeuthen, March 14, 1921, at the meeting of the Danish Asso
ciation for Social Legislation. Supplement gives organization of accident insurance
in Norway, Sweden, Germany, England, United States, etc. This lecture appears
also in the April, 1921, issue of “ Social Forsorg,” organ for workmen’s insurance.
----------- O prettelse a f B ed riftsrra d i In d u s tr ie n . F oredrag i “ D a n s k fo r e n in g f o r S o d a l
p o l i t i k ” d en 7 D ecem ber 1920 a f J a k . K r . L in d b e rg , D ire k to r f o r A rbejds-og F a b riktilsy n e t.
C o p en hagen, 1921. 12 p p . D a n s k F o re n in g f o r S o d a lp o litik . 8. H efte.
Lecture on the establishment of works councils in industry by Jak. Kr. Lindberg,
director of factory inspection in Denmark, given at the Danish Association for
Social Legislation, December 7,1920.
L ew iso h n , S a m A .
R ecent tendencies i n b rin g in g a b o u t im p ro v e d re la tio n s betw een
em p lo yer a n d em ployee i n in d u stry . (R e p r in te d f r o m The E co n o m ic W orld, N e w
Y o r k .) 14 p p .
A paper read before the social and economic science section of the American Asso
ciation for the Advancement of Science, at Chicago, 111., December 30, 1920. The
author believes that the two outstanding developments in personnel management
that have shown the greatest promise of solving present day problems of industrial
relations are the service or industrial relations department and employee representa
tion, supplemented, however, by the right spirit in management.
Macara , S ir Charles W. I n search o f a peaceful w orld. The p ractical view s o f a
leader o f in d u stry .
M anchester [E n g la n d ], S h e rra tt & H u g h es, 1921.
812 p p .
This book contains a collection of articles and addresses on the subject of indus
trial peace. The author’s experience with the Industrial Council which was ap
pointed by the Government in 1911, his assistance in securing the establishment of
the International Institute of Agriculture, and his position as president of the Inter
national Cotton Federation form the background of experience from which he dis
cusses the means for securing industrial peace.
Manchester [E ngland ] S tatistical S ociety . T ra n sa ctio n s, 1918-19, 1919-20,
indexes.
M anchester [1920].
and
[268 p p .]
Two of the papers presented at these sessions are entitled “ Housing of the people”
and “ Self-government in industry.”
N ational A ssociation
op
Ma n u fa c tur er s .
betterm ent, health, a n d sa fe ty .
R e p o r t o f com m ittee on in d u s tr ia l
N e w Y o rk, M ay, 1921. 15 p p .
This pamphlet defends the labor policies of the association and attacks in general
those of the labor leaders of the country. The services which business corporations
render to communities and to the country are set forth in some detail.
N ational I ndustrial Conference B oard .
1914-M arch, 1921. N ew
search report N o . 36.
C hanges i n the cost o f liv in g , J u ly ,
Y o rk, 10 E a st 39th S t ., A p r i l , 1921. v iii, 28 p p . R e
The ninth report in a series on changes in the cost of living among wage earners in
the United States. The figures are general averages, broadly representative of the
country as a whole, but not necessarily applicable to individual communities. The
report shows that the cost of living fell 5.6 per cent between July, 1920, and Novem
ber, 1920, and 12.6 per cent more between November, 1920, and March, 1921, making
a total decrease of 17.5 per cent since the peak in July, 1920. The total increase from
July, 1914, to March, 1921, was 68.7 per cent. The increase for each item is shown
in the following table:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[260]
261
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR.
B u d g et item .
R elative
im p o r
tance in
fam ily
b u dget.
P e r cent
of increase
in cost,
M arch,
1921, over
Ju ly , 1914.
43.1
17.7
13.2
5.6
3.7
1.9
20.4
56
71
74
87
105
53
85
F o o d.............................
S helter.................................
Clothing.......................
F u e l an d light.................. ............
F u el..........................
L jg h t............................
Sundries.....................
All item s.................................
100.0
N ational I ndustrial Co n fer en ce B o a r d .
Y o r k , 1921.
33 p p .
P e r cent
of increase
as related
to to ta l
budget.
9 8
4.9
3.9
1.0
17.3
68.7
Cost o f health service i n in d u stry .
Research report N o . 37.
N ew
A digest of this report is given on pages 195 to 197 of this issue of the M onthly
L abor R e v ie w .
P a n -A merican F ederation
of L a b o r . R e p o r t o f the proceedings o f the th ird congress,
held i n M exico C ity, M exico, J a n u a ry 10 to 18, 1921. [W a sh in g to n , D . C ., A . F .
o f L . B u ild in g , 1921 .] 136 p p .
R a t h e n a u , W alther .
The n ew society. A u th o r iz e d tra n sla tio n by A r th u r W in d h a m .
N ew Y o r k , H a rco u rt, B race & Co., 1921. v i, 147 p p .
of
The original German edition of this book was noted in the October, 1920, number
the M onthly L abor R e v ie w , page 246.
R itscher , W olfgang .
K o a litio n e n u n d K o a litio n sre c h t i n
R eichsgew erbeordnung. S tu ttg a r t a n d B e r lin , 1917. x ix ,
V o lksw irtsch a ftlich e S tu d ie n , S tü c k 140.
D e u tsc h la n d bis zu r
307 p p . M ü n ch en er
A historical study of the development in Germany of labor combinations and the
right of combination from the fourteenth century up to the enactment of the Indus
trial Code in 1872.
R ochester B u r e a u
of Municipal R esearch (I n c .).
R e p o r t o n a p ro p o sed classifi
ca tio n o f titles a n d p o s itio n s i n the c iv il service o f the city o f Rochester, N . Y . R och
ester, December, 1920. v ii, 173 p p .
B. C ivil service reform . A reorganized c iv il service. F r o m J o u r n a l
o f the W a sh in g to n A ca d em y o f Sciences. W a sh in g to n , N ovem ber, 1920. p p .
5 3 3-558.
R o sa , E dw ard
This address, delivered in October, 1920, before the Washington Academy of Sciences,
outlines the measures which the writer from his experience as a member of the staff
of the Congressional Reclassification Commission considered to be necessary for a satis
factory reorganization of the Government service. The greatest handicaps to good ad
ministration he considers are in the laws and limitations which prevent the flexibility
which is necessary to insure proper appointments and promotions, the unequal salaries
paid in different departments for the same kind of work, the prohibition against
transfer from one department to another at a higher salary rate, requirement of three
years’ service before transfer, and the apportionment system which frequently makes
it impossible to appoint the most competent candidates. The writer advises modifi
cations or eliminations of the above provisions, an enlarged and strengthened Civil
Service Commission, greater cooperation between the commission and the depart
ments, and establishment of committees for hearing and answering employees’
complaints.
S chw eizer V er ba n d S oldatenwohl .
Schlussbericht über die T ä tig k e it des Schw eizer.
V erband S o ld a te n w o h l i n den Jahren 1914-1920. H orgen, 1921. 49 p p .
The final report of the Swiss Society for Soldiers’ Welfare on its activities during
the years 1914-1920.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[261 ]
262
M ONTHLY LABOR REVIEW.
1. Jahresbericht des schweizer Verbandes V o lksd i
H orgen, 1921. 36 p p .
S chw eizer V er ba n d V o lk sdienst .
en st f u r das Ja h r 1920.
The first annual report for the year 1920 of the Swiss Society Volksdienst, a public
welfare organization which took over the work and resources of the Swiss Society for
Soldiers’ Welfare liquidated last year.
S k a n d in a v isk e Ar b e jd er k o n g r es . P ro to c o l og B eretn in g er f r a 9 de S k a n d in a v isk e
A rbejderkongres i K o b e n h a v n den 2 1 -2 3 J a n u a r 1920.
p a g in g .
C openhagen, 1920.
V arious
Report of proceedings of the ninth Scandinavian labor congress, held at Copen
hagen January 21-23, 1920. Included are brief sketches of labor problems since
the last conference which was held in Stockholm in 1912.
U nited S tates S teel Corporation .
P rin c ip le s a n d policies, by E lb ert H . Gary.
N e w Y o rk, 71 B roadw ay, A p r i l, 1921. 22 p p .
This pamphlet contains a statement of the policy of the corporation in the manage
ment of the business in its relation to the security holders, the general public, and
the employees. The stand taken by the corporation in regard to collective bargaining
and recognition of labor unions is explained from the point of view of those in control
of its policies.
W atts , F r a n k . A n introduction to the psychological problems o f industry.
George A llen & Unwin, Ltd., 1921.
London,
240 pp.
The application of psychological principles to industrial problems to assist in their
solution the author believes is one of the most important branches of the science of
psychology and the book in the main is a study of the direct effects on the worker of
his work, viewing him as an individual apart from his social setting. The various
causes of industrial unrest and factors affecting the creative impulse in industry are
considered in detail.
W right , J. C. V o cational ed u cation i n the p u l p a n d p a p e r in d u s tr y . S co p e o f voca
tio n a l educa tio n , a n alyses o f p a y -ro ll jo b s a n d s y n o p sis o f the tex t books. (R e p r in te d
f r o m P a p e r Trade J o u r n a l.) N e w Y o r k , vo ca tio n a l education com m ittees o f the p u l p
a n d p a p e r in d u s tr y , 1921. 71 p p .
Part I deals with the importance of vocational education in the pulp and paper
industry, the occupations in the industry for which training can and should be given,
the kinds of schools or classes best suited to the purpose, and the qualifications and
training of the instructors. Part II consists of analyses of the principal jobs in the
pulp and paper industry, and Part III of a synopsis of four text books on the industry.
Y oung W om en ’s Christian A ssociation . W ar W ork C o u n cil.
m e n t. E xe cu tive a n d technical w o m e n i n in d u s tr y .
N e w Y o r k , 1920. 19 p p .
In d u s tr ia l D e p a rt
S u r v e y o f fa cto ries, 1919-1920.
This survey was undertaken jointly with the employment department of the New
York City Central Branch, Y. W. C. A., to find the extent to which women are em
ployed in executive and technical positions in factories, to evaluate their equipment
and success, and to discover present and future opportunities for the professionally
trained woman.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
@FedFRASER