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C E R T IF IC A T E
T h is p u b lic a tio n is is s u e d p u r s u a n t t o th e
p ro v is io n s o f t h e s u n d r y civ il a c t (4 1 S ta t s .
1430) a p p ro v e d M a r c h 4, 1921.
C o n te n ts
Special a rtic le s :
O rganization an d scope of vocatio n al ed u catio n in th e U n ited S ta te s_
U nem ploym ent insurance in S w itzerlan d ----------------------------------------R evenues derived u n d er S ta te lab o r laws, by E dw in E. W itte___-----U nem ploym ent an d its r e lie f :
C onference of G overn o rs’ Com m ission for S tu d y of U nem ploym ent
In s u ra n c e ________________________________ ,--------------------------------V ocational education as a m eans to relieve u n em p lo y m en t--------------Seasonal em ploym en t during v acatio n periods in E n g la n d ---------------E m ploym ent co n d itio n s:
E m p lo y m e n t in C in c in n a ti in M ay, 1 9 3 1 __________________________
U nem ploym ent in Philadelphia, April, 1931________________________
U nem ploym ent in foreign co u n tries______________
Ja p a n — E m ploym ent, end of 1930------------------ -------------------------------In su ra n c e and benefit p la n s :
,
U nem ploym ent benefit p lan of C anadian K odak C o-----------------------P resen t s ta tu s of in d u stria l m u tu a l benefit associations-------------------In d u stria l an d lab o r co n d itio n s:
R estriction of o u tp u t b y unorganized w orkers______________________
G row th of strip* coal m ining, a n d its effect on la b o r------------------------F ederal C ouncil on P ersonnel A d m in istra tio n ______________________
A nnual m eeting of G o v ern m en tal Officials in In d u s try --------------------Brazil— Field of w ork of D e p a rtm e n t of L a b o r_____________________
G reat B ritain — Studies of absenteeism in coal m in es-----------------------H ealth and in d u stria l h y g ie n e :
In te rn a tio n a l T yp o g rap h ic al U nion m o rta lity , 1930, by F rederick L.
H offm an________________________________________________________
D anger of delayed developm ent of pneum oconiosis_________________
A w indow less fa c to ry _____________________________________________
Labor law s an d court decisio n s:
New Jersey-—In ju ry in course of illegal em ploym ent n o t com pensableSouth C arolina— R ailroad n o t negligent in m ain ta in in g sem aphore
_________________
near tr a c k ________________________________ _
Labor aw ards and decisio n s:
R ecent decisions of In d u stria l Com m ission of C o lo rad o ----------------------Labor organizations:
O rganization of b o ard of tra d e claim s for ad ju stin g ju risd ictio n al
disputes in th e building tra d e s __________________________________
W orkers’ education an d train in g :
R ecom m endations on v o cational guidance ad o p te d by W hite H ouse
C onference_______________________________________________________
A pplication of in d u stria l psychology to th e b lin d ___________________
C ooperation:
C ooperative provision of m edical a n d h e a lth service-----------------------Ita ly — C ooperative lab o r societies___________________________________
P eru— C om pulsory ag ric u ltu ra l cooperative societies_______________
Soviet U nion— W om en in th e cooperative m o v em en t_________________
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IV
CONTENTS
In d u strial d is p u te s :
Strikes a n d lockouts in th e U n ited S tates in M ay, 1931____________
C onciliation w ork of th e D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r in M ay, 1931_______
G reat B ritain a n d N o rth e rn Ire la n d — In d u stria l disputes in 1930___
Labor tu rn o v er:
L abor tu rn o v e r in A m erican factories, M ay, 1931__________________
H ousing:
B uilding p erm its in p rincipal cities, M ay, 1931_____________________
Wages and h o u rs of la b o r:
R ecen t changes in w ages a n d h o u rs of la b o r________________________
W ages in th e tex tile in d u stry of certain E u ro p ean co u n trie s________
W orking ho u rs a n d lab o r costs of p ro d u ctio n in E u ro p ean coal m ines,
1929------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------G reat B ritain —
F arm w orkers’ w ages_______________
A verage w eekly earnings of coal m in e rs__________________ ______
Ita ly — W ages of w oodw orkers in N o v a ra ___________________________
T rend of em ploym en t:
S um m ary for M ay, 1931___________________________________________
E m p lo y m en t in selected m a n u fa c tu rin g in d u stries in M ay, 1931____
E m ploym ent in n o n m an u factu rin g in d u stries in M ay, 1931_________
E m p lo y m en t in building c o n stru ctio n in M ay, 1931________________
E m p lo y m en t on C lass I steam railro a d s in th e U n ited S ta te s _______
C hanges in em plo y m en t a n d p ay rolls in various S ta te s_____________
W holesale an d re ta il p ric e s :
R etail prices of food in M ay, 1931____________________*____________
R etail prices of coal in M ay, 1931_________________________________
C om parison of retail-p rice changes in th e U n ite d S ta te s a n d in foreign
countries________________________________________________________
Index n um bers of w holesale prices in M ay, 1931___________________
C anada— C osts of m ak in g a n d selling b read in C anada, 1929_______
Im m igration an d em ig ratio n :
S tatistics of im m ig ratio n for April, 1931____________________________
C anada— Im m ig ratio n , 1930-31____________________________________
D irecto ries:
L abor offices in th e U n ited S tates an d in foreign co u n tries___________
Publications relatin g to la b o r :
Official— U n ited S ta te s____________________________________________
Official— Foreign co u n trie s________________________________________
Unofficial_________________________________________________________
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T h is Issu e in B rie f
The Swiss system of unemployment insurance dates from 1924,
although previous to that time a few local experiments had been made
along this line. As Switzerland is a federated State of 25 Cantons,
each of which has the right to legislate upon all questions not expressly
reserved to the Confederation, the various Cantons have been allowed
much latitude in putting the insurance into effect. The participation
of the Federal Government is limited to the extension of subsidies to
Cantons fulfilling certain minimum conditions. While most of the
Cantons have made unemployment insurance compulsory for factory
workers, insurance for nearly all other classes of labor is voluntary,
and in a few Cantons insurance is optional with all classes of workers.
In 1929 there were in Switzerland 175 unemployment insurance funds
of all types, with a combined membership of 292,999. Page 20.
A widespread practice of restriction of output by unorganized workers
was revealed by a recent study of the subject. The study was made from
first-hand observations by the director of the Springfield, Ohio,
Chamber of Commerce, who obtained jobs in various lines of work for
the purpose. The ways in which restriction was practiced ranged
from a careful slowing down of effort to planned waste of time by
inefficient methods, dawdling, going over and over the same piece of
work, etc. The reasons leading to the practice included the belief
that increased effort would simply result in increased demands and a
corresponding cut in rates; the belief that the less effective workers
would not be able to keep up with the increased pace, and would
therefore lose their jobs; the worker’s fear of working himself out of a
job; and, occasionally, personal grievances against the management.
Page 77.
Vocational education for both young workers and oAults is now nation
wide. This branch of public education has developed since 1917, when
the Smith-Hughes Act was passed providing Federal assistance to States
undertaking vocational training. At the end of the fiscal year 1929-30
there were 3,911 all-day vocational schools, 691 day-unit schools, 426
part-time schools, and 2,204 evening schools—a total of 7,232—which
were receiving Federal aid for instruction in agriculture. These schools
had a combined enrollment of 194,858 pupils. The federally aided
trade and industrial schools and classes numbered 2,352 and had
618,674 pupils. In addition, 82,654 persons were taking vocational
training in schools organized under approved State plans but not re
ceiving Federal aid. Page 1.
In May, 1931, approximately 18 per cent of the working population
of Cincinnati were unemployed, with an additional 19 per cent working
only part time. This was showm by a census just completed m that
city. The figures reveal that there were more than three times as
many unemployed this May as were shown by a similar census two
years ago and nearly four times as many working part time. As
compared with 1930 there were more than twice as many unemployed
and almost twice as many working part time. Page 65.
A similar census made in Philadelphia in April, 1931, showed that at
that time 25.6 per cent of the working population were wholly unemployed,
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THIS ISSUE IN BRIEF
while an additional 13.8 per cent were working part time. At the
time of a survey made in December, 1930, there were 24.9 per cent
out of work and 24 per cent employed part time, showing a decrease
in the number of part-time workers and a slight increase in the full
time employment. Page 66.
Although only a few State labor departments are entirely self-sup
porting, considerable revenues are derivedfrom the administration of some
of the labor laws. In eight States the revenues so derived amounted
to more than $100,000 in 1930, while in one of these they were more
than $1,500,000. The largest revenues in the administration of labor
laws come from the operation of the workmen’s compensation acts;
in 13 States these laws are entirely self-supporting in their operation.
In a number of States, however, such revenues are very small in amount.
It is suggested that as State labor departments are experiencing great
difficulty in obtaining sufficient funds to discharge their duties effi
ciently the finding of sources of revenue is a matter to which they
may well give attention. Page 52.
A remarkable expansion in the strip mining of bituminous coal has
taken place since before the war. In 1915, according to a recent report
of the United States Bureau of Mines, only 0.6 per cent of the total
output of bituminous coal was mined by this method; in 1928 4 per
cent was so mined. The increase has been due to the economic pres
sure of shifting prices and wage rates, as well as to technical improve
ments in mining methods. Page 85.
Figures giving the mortality among the members of the International
Typographical Union show a reduction in the mortality from pulmonary
tuberculosisfrom 1929 to 1930. During the same period there was also
a decrease in the deaths from both cancer and diabetes, while the
mortality from chronic nephritis remained practically the same.
Because of the hazard of lead poisoning in the printing trades, it is
significant that during 1930 not a single death was attributed to lead
poisoning. Page 95.
In view of the high cost of illness in this country, it would seem that the
provision of medical care offers a real opportunity for cooperative effort.
Nevertheless few cooperative groups in the United States have as yet
taken advantage of this opportunity. Many cooperative societies in
foreign countries, however, are providing medical treatment or sick
benefits, are running health camps for children and members, or are
doing sickness-prevention work of various sorts. In a few instances,
well-equipped hospitals are operated by the cooperative societies.
Page 114.
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M O N T H LY —
L AB O R R E V I E W
U. S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
V OL. 33, N O . 1
W A S H IN G T O N
JU L Y , 1931
O rg a n iz a tio n a n d S co p e of V o c a tio n a l E d u c a tio n in t h e U n ite d
S ta te s
movement for vocational education of lower
than college grade for young workers and adults has grown out
A ofNATION-WIDE
the assistance given to the States by the Federal Government
under the national vocational act of 1917 (39 Stat. 929), known
popularly as the Smith-Hughes Act.
Responding to the organized demands of trade-unions and practical
educators interested in promoting real vocational training in the public
schools, Congress created in 1914~a Federal Commission on National
Aid to Vocational Education. Under the act establishing this body
(38 Stat. 767) the President was directed to appoint nine members
“ to consider the subject of national aid for vocational education and
report their findings and recommendations not later than June 1 next. ”
President Wilson appointed four Members of Congress—Senator
Hoke Smith of Georgia, Senator Carroll S. Page of Vermont, Repre
sentative D. M. Hughes of Georgia, and Representative S. D. Fess of
Ohio—and selected the other five members of the commission largely
from organizations most interested in the movement. These mem
bers were John A. Lapp, then secretary of the Commission on Indus
trial Agricultural Education of Indiana ; Florence M. Marshall, director
of the Manhattan Trade School for Girls; Agnes Nestor, of the
American Federation of Labor; Charles A. Prosser, at that time
secretary of the National Society for the Promotion of Industrial
Education; and Charles H. Winslow, a special agent of the United
States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The commission organized on April 2, 1914, and reported on June 1
of the same year. It advised nation-wide promotion of vocational
education and recommended Federal aid to the States to that end.
Most of the program and recommendations of the commission were
later embodied in legislation introduced into the next Congress and
passed as the Smith-Hughes law, which, as set forth in its title, is “ an
act to provide for the promotion of vocational education; to provide
for cooperation with the States in the promotion of such education in
agriculture and the trades and industries; to provide for cooperation
with the States in the preparation of teachers of vocational subjects;
and to appropriate money and regulate its expenditure.
The act created its own administering agency in an independent
Government establishment known as the Federal Board for Vocational
[1]
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Education. This board is composed of seven members, four of whom
are ex officio—the Secretary of Agricuiture, the Secretary of Com
merce, the Secretary of Labor, and the United States Commissioner
of Education. One of the three “ fay” members is appointed to
represent manufacturing and commerciai interests, one the agricul
tural interests, and the third, labor.
The law which the Federal board administers provides financial aid
to the States for the promotion of vocational education in public
schools, but it limits the extent of that aid and sets forth a definite
program of cooperation to which States must subscribe in order to
benefit under the act.
The Smith-Hughes law became effective on February 23, 1917, and
by the end of the year all 48 States had accepted the principle of
Federal aid for vocational education and had organized the machinery
necessary to secure it. In March, 1924, the benefits of the vocational
education act were extended to the Territory of Hawaii, and in
February, 1929, further development of the movement was made
possible by an increased appropriation.
Vocational education, as intended by the Smith-Hughes law and as
interpreted by the Federal board, is education of lower than college
grade, under public supervision and control, designed to meet the
needs of persons over 14 years of age, the controlling purpose of
which is to fit for useful employment.
Federal aid is designed to do two things—to furnish a fund to help
pay the salaries of teachers of vocational subjects and of supervisors
and directors of agricultural subjects, and to promote and assist the
training of teachers in order to equip them to teach special subjects
in the vocational field.
This Federal fund began in 1917 as an appropriation of $500,000
“ for the purpose of cooperating with the States in paying the salaries
of teachers, supervisors or directors of agricultural subjects, ” an equal
amount “ for the purpose of cooperating with the States in paying the
salaries of teachers of trade, home economics and industrial subjects, ”
and a third appropriation of $500,000 “ for the purpose of cooperating
with the States in preparing teachers, supervisors and directors of
agricultural subjects, and teachers of trade and industrial and home
economics subjects.” By the terms of the organic act, these appro
priations increased progressively until 1926, when a maximum was
reached which was to continue “ annually thereafter.” This maxi
mum was $3,000,000 for agricultural education, $3,000,000 for trade
and industrial and home economics education, and $1,000,000 for
teacher training. However, the seventieth Congress passed a law,
approved February 5,1929, which amended the original act by increas
ing the maximum appropriation for agricultural and home economics
education, and bringing about a partial separation of work in home
economics from trade and industrial subjects. This law, “ for the
purpose of providing for the further development of vocational educa
tion,” appropriated an additional $500,000 for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1930, and for “ each year thereafter for four years a sum
exceeding by $500,000 the sum appropriated for each preceding year. ”
This amount is to be divided equally between agricultural education
and home economics education. The law of 1929 also increased from
$200,000 to $300,000 the appropriation given the Federal Board for
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[2]
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
3
Vocational Education for the administration of the national vocational
education acts.
The funds thus provided are allotted to the States quarterly on the
basis of population as shown in the latest Federal census, on condition
that the State, the local community, or both, raise an equal_amount
for the same purpose. The amount allowed each State for agricultural
education is in proportion to the relation its rural population bears
to the entire rural population of the country. A State’s share of the
fund for trade, industrial and home economics subjects is determined
by the relation its urban population bears to the entire urban popu
lation, while teacher-training funds are prorated on the basis of total
population. Federal money may be used only for part payment of
salaries of teachers of vocational subjects, and such supervisors and
directors as are specified in the law. No part of the Federal money or
of the local money matching Federal money may be spent for build
ings, maintenance, or equipment.
A State must perform certain definite acts to become and remain a
beneficiary of the national vocational education law. It must (1)
make formal acceptance of the terms of the act through its legislature;
(2) appoint or designate a State board for vocational education; (3)
submit plans, for the approval of the Federal board, outlining the
program of the State board, showing the kind of vocational education
proposed, equipment available, courses of study, methods of instruc
tion, qualifications of teachers, and the teacher-training program; (4)
report annually, through its board for vocational education, to the Fed
eral board on the work done and the money expended under the act.
As already noted, within 10 months of the passage of the SmithHughes Act, all 48 States had signified their intention to cooperate
in the movement, either through legislative enactment or executive
order, and had set up the requisite machinery.
Federal Board for Vocational Education
T h e organization of the Federal Board for Vocational Education
coincided very closely with American entry into the World War,
and the early history of the board was of necessity influenced by the
current dislocation. Within a year of its organization it was given
the responsibility of administering the law providing vocational
rehabilitation for “ disabled persons discharged from the military
or naval forces of the United States.” Before that task was trans
ferred to the Veterans’ Bureau, civilian vocational rehabilitation had
been added to the duties of the Federal board.
The administration of Federal aid in civilian rehabilitation is still
a function of the Federal board, but its machinery is so organized
that the two distinct functions—vocational education and vocational
rehabilitation—are carried on by separate divisions.
Both divisions are under the general direction of the executive
staff, which is directly responsible to the members of the board.
The executive staff consists of a director, an educational consultant,
an editor, and a chief of the research and statistical service. The
vocational education division is divided into four services, each under
the direction of a chief. These are the trade and industrial education
service, home economics education service, agricultural education
service, and commercial education service. Geographically the coun-
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
try is divided into four regions, averaging 12 States each: North
Atlantic, Southern, Central, and Pacific. Each of the services except
the commercial education service maintains a field agent in each
region. There are in addition special agents serving in a functional
capacity and devoting their time to special problems rather than to
regions. For example, a woman agent in the trade and industrial
education service specializes in problems and opportunities particu
larly affecting women and girls; and a man in the agricultural educa
tion service gives his entire efforts to promoting the Negro agricultural
schools of the South.
State Boards for Vocational Education
T h e national vocational education act requires that each State
accepting its benefits “ shall, through the legislative authority thereof,
designate or create a State board, consisting of not less than three
members, and having all necessary power to cooperate with the Fed
eral Board for Vocational Education in the administration ” of the act.
The law further provides that the State board of education or any
existing agency in control of public education in the State, may be
designated as the State board for vocational education.
In thus permitting either the creation of a special board or the
enlargement of the powers of the agency responsible for general edu
cation in a State, Congress in effect recognized the existence of a
controversial problem and passed it on to the States to meet as they
chose, at the same time taking a positive stand as far as Federal
participation was concerned. This is the problem of “ dual” or
‘‘unit ” control in the administration of vocational education. Pioneer
advocates and founders of vocational education wished to build the
new system on an entirely new foundation, contending that the plan
they had in mind could not develop properly under the guidance of
the general educator, because vocational training would always be
subordinated to formal schooling. They demanded, therefore, that
the administrative machinery be placed altogether in the hands of
those whose objective was adequate vocational training, entirely
apart from prevailing academic methods. This theory has been
vigorously opposed by school men, who have taken the position that
the organized public-school system is the proper machinery through
which to develop all phases of public education, and that a separation
of vocational education and general education would result in unde
sirable class distinctions. Congress in effect aligned the Federal
Government on the side of dual control, by establishing a separate
board to carry out the Federal program for the promotion of vocational
education, but at the same time it left the States entirely free to deter
mine their own policy.
A diversity of forms of organization has been the result. In 33
States1the State board of education has been designated as the State
board for vocational education. In most instances this has been done
without special additional administrative organization beyond the
appointment of a director of vocational education and perhaps of a
supervisory staff.
i
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, N ew Jersey,
N ew Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
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[4 ]
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
5
Several of the highly industrial States among these 33 have, how
ever, developed divisions of vocational education within the depart
ment of education, which function practically independently in their
field. This is especially true of Massachusetts, New Jersey, New
York, and Pennsylvania. The organization in Massachusetts, for
example, is that of a functional division, within the department of
education, which is in control of all matters pertaining to the adminis
tration of State and federally aided vocational training. The director
of the division is responsible to the commissioner of education and the
advisory board, but he is the executive head of the division^ the
staff of which is responsible to him. The staff consists of supervisors
in functional fields, coordinators, teacher trainers, and administrative
assistants. In some States, on the other hand, one man serves in the
dual capacity of administrative head and field supervisor of the
various activities, including teacher training. In some cases, the
official serving as director of vocational education is only a part-time
employee.
Colorado designated its State board of agriculture as the State
board for vocational education, and several other States 2 have dele
gated the authority of the State board to ex officio commissions,
which employ administrators to carry out the State programs. Illi
nois illustrates this form of organization. Its State board for voca
tional education consists of the director of registration and. education
(who serves as chairman), the superintendent of public instruction
(who is the executive officer with power to appoint), the director of
trade and commerce, the director of labor, and the director of agri
culture. The working staff is composed of a supervisor and assistant
supervisor for each of the three sections, agriculture, trade and
industry, and home economics, and an additional assistant supervisor
for the trade and industry section. Teacher training is under the
immediate direction of the board.
Seven States 3 have created special boards for vocational education
separate from other administrative agencies._ In most of these cases,
however, the State commissioner of education or superintendent of
public instruction is a member and is generally the executive officer.
Other members frequently include the presidents of the State univer
sity and the State normal school, or other representatives of those
institutions.
. . .
Wisconsin, carrying out a distinctive plan, has established its entire
vocational-training system under the direction of State and local
boards which are independent administrative bodies in complete
control of vocational education, even to the extent of exercising power
to levy taxes in its support. The membership of the State board
consists of three employers, three employees, three farmers, and two
State officials, ex officio. The ex officio members ^are the State
superintendent of education and one of the State industrial com
missioners. Community elements of employers, workers, and farmers
are similarly represented on the local boards, of which the local school
superintendent is also a member. The staff of the State organiza
tion consists of the State director of vocational education, an as
sistant director who is also State supervisor of trade and industrial
2
3
Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, and South Dakota.
Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
education, an agricultural supervisor, a home economics supervisor,
and a staff of teacher trainers consisting of one for each division
of the work, under the immediate direction of a teacher-training
supervisor.
A system of State aid for local programs of vocational education
was in operation in eight States when the national movement wras
launched. These State systems worked in much the same way
locally as the Federal system has done nationally. The States referred
to, with the year in which they began State promotion of vocational
education, are Massachusetts (1906), New York (1909), Wisconsin
(1911), and Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia (all in 1913).
State Plans
C o o p e r a t iv e relations between the Federal and the State agency
in the administration of vocational education have their foundation in
the State plan, or program, which is submitted by each State to the
Federal board for approval. This plan outlines the method by which
the State proposes to conduct its federally aided vocational education
activities and when approved, constitutes in effect a contract between
the State and the Federal Government. At first, plans were drawn
up and submitted annually. Beginning in 1922, however, a policy of
establishing a 5-year program was adopted by most States. Neces
sary amendments or revision during the 5-year period may be made in
the same manner as the original plan, that is, by action of the State
board with the approval of the Federal board.
Each State creates and is responsible for its own plan. In the
interest of uniformity, however, the Federal board issues an outline
which is widely followed and which covers the mandatory features
and the salient points involved in each educational service. These
points include the degree and kind of State supervision, the qualifica
tions and duties of supervisors; the kinds of schools and classes to be
operated, showing minimum standards of plant and equipment and
maintenance costs, course content, method of instruction and qualifi
cations of teachers in each kind of school or class and for each of the
three educational services—agricultural, trade and industry, and home
economics.
Teacher-training programs for each of the three services are also
included in the outline, showing the agencies to be used in preparing
teachers, the occupational and related-subject requirements, courses
of study and certification procedure for those preparing to teach voca
tional subjects, and special plans for improving the teaching technique
of those already in active service.
While it would be manifestly impossible to attempt the adoption
of a uniform plan applicable to all States, the Federal board has set
up minimum standards which must be met before a State plan will
be approved and aided. Any State may go as far beyond these
minimum requirements as it desires. As a matter of fact, programs
differ widely from State to State, even in relation to plans for which
Federal aid is sought, and it must be emphasized that Federal juris
diction over educational work within a State extends only to that phase
of vocational education for which the State asks and accepts a Gov
ernment subsidy. Disapproval of a State plan by the Federal board
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[6]
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
7
“ does not m ean/’ the Federal board points out, “ that the State
may not adopt the plan, but only that it may not use Federal funds
for reimbursement under the plan disapproved.”
In the carrying out of the State plan, Federal jurisdiction is still
further limited by the fact that the Federal Board for Vocational
Education and its representatives in the field deal only with the
State board for vocational education in each State. Except in the
determination of the legal aspects of cooperation, Federal authority
does not extend beyond withholding Federal money in any case of
failure to live up to the agreement implied in the State plan.
T he F ederal b o ard reserves th e rig h t, of course, to inspect from tim e to tim e
schools a n d in s titu tio n s in order to determ in e w h eth er or n o t th e S ta te is c a rry
ing o u t properly th e p lan agreed upon. T h is relatio n sh ip does n o t preclude th e
giving of advice to schools by th e F ederal bo ard or its ag en ts a t th e req u est of
S ta te boards or th e ir agen ts.4
Federally Aided Vocational Activities
T h e organization and administration of federally aided vocational
education is in all instances basically local. Federal subsidy for voca
tional training merely promotes that type of education; it does not
in any way affect local control. It does, however, tend to improve
the service in less progressive communities and States by main
taining minimum standards which must be met and adhered to before
Federal aid is granted. These minimum standards are applied to
plant and equipment as well as to course content and qualifications of
teachers, despite the fact that the Federal Government makes no
contribution to physical properties or their maintenance. The
Federal Government, through the Federal board, “ will hold State
boards responsible for determining that the plant and equipment in
the case of any school or class are, according to standards set up in
approved State plans, adequate to carry out the purpose for which the
school is established, and that the amount expended for maintenance
is sufficient to insure practical realization of standards of work pre
scribed in State plans.” 5
The actual financial contribution of the Federal Government to
vocational education is contingent upon the use of a dollar of State
or local money for each dollar of Federal money appropriated, and is
limited to the definite activities specified in the act. These activi
ties, as enumerated by the Federal board, are :
1. T eaching or supervision of ag ric u ltu ra l subjects.
2. T eaching of tra d e or in d u stria l su b jects in all-d ay schools.
3. T eaching of tra d e or in d u stria l su b jects in evening schools.
4. T eaching of tra d e o r in d u stria l su b jects in p a rt-tim e schools, including
teach in g of general co n tin u atio n su b jects in p a rt-tim e schools.
5. T eaching of hom e-econom ics su b je c ts in a ll-d ay schools.
6. T eaching of hom e-econom ics su b je c ts in evening schools.
7. T eaching of hom e-econom ics su b je c ts in p a rt-tim e schools.
8. P re p aratio n of a g ric u ltu ra l teac h ers, directo rs or supervisors.
9. P re p a ra tio n of tr a d e o r in d u stria l teachers.
10. P re p aratio n of hom e-econom ics teach ers.
Moreover, all schools and classes seeking Federal aid must be under
public supervision and control; the education they offer must be of
4 Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin No. 1 (rev. ed.), p. 11.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[7 ]
5 Idem, p. 14.
8
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
less than college grade and suited to the educational objectives of
persons over 14 years of age, and “ the controlling purpose of such
education shall be to fit for useful employment.”
The national vocational education act specifies to some extent the
provision that must be made for each of the three fields of training.
Provisions for Agricultural Education
T h e only mandatory provision in the Smith-PIughes Act governing
agricultural education is that schools shall “ provide for directed or
supervised practice in agriculture, either on a farm provided for by
the school or other farm, for at least six months per year.” According
to the Federal board’s interpretation—
D irected p ractice is t h a t p ractice w hich is done u n d er specific direction of th e
supervisor. I t im plies th e giving of definite directions by th e supervisor a n d th e
carrying o u t of such directions b y th e pupil. D irected p ractice m ore com m only
deals w ith o p erativ e train in g , a n d is a com m on form of p ractice by v o cational
pupils on school farm s.
Supervised p ractice is th a t p ractice perform ed by th e pupil m ore largely on his
own responsibility a n d over w hich th e supervisor exerts an influence a n d pow er
of approval. I t im plies th e w orking o u t of p lan s a n d th e carry in g o u t of such
plans_ b y th e pu p il u n d e r th e general guidance of th e supervisor. Supervised
practice deals w ith b o th m an ag erial a n d o p erativ e train in g , a n d is a com m on
form of p ractice by vocatio n al pupils on hom e farm s.6
Four types of school organization have been developed to meet
the needs of those interested in vocational agriculture and to carry
out the intent of the law. These are the all-day school, the dayunit school, the part-time school and the evening school. The all
day school is composed of pupils of school age and is in fact a regular
secondary school specializing in agriculture, giving not less than 90
minutes’ instruction per day in agricultural subjects in addition to
the required six months of directed or supervised practice. These
schools may be organized as departments of agriculture in the high
schools, or as separate schools. Separate agricultural schools usually
have extensive equipment in the way of buildings, farm lands, ani
mals, machinery, and the like, and as a rule have a fairly large corps
of instructors who specialize in the various branches of agriculture.
These schools as a whole teach scientific farming. Examples are the
county schools of Massachusetts and Wisconsin, the district schools
of Georgia, and the State schools of Minnesota and New York.
Day-unit schools or classes are sections of the regular schools,
usually in isolated rural districts where the number of pupils is too
small to support a full-time instructor. Pupils are organized into
classes to receive a minimum of 90 minutes a week in technical agri
culture from an itinerant instructor who also supervises their prac
tical work. Practical work under this form of organization is usually
done on the home farm.
Part-time schools or classes are operated for those who have left
school and have entered upon farm work as a vocation. Instruction
is given in short-unit courses in technical agriculture and related
subjects, and the practical farm work of the pupils is supervised by
the teacher.
Evening schools or classes are maintained for and attended by
adult farmers who desire technical and scientific instruction to supple6 Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin No. 112, pp. 4, 5.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[8]
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
9
ment their practical knowledge and experience. Although called
evening classes, they are in reality “ free time” classes which may be
held at any time most convenient for the majority of the students
enrolled. Part-time and evening classes usually extend over periods
of two hours twice a week.
Courses of study in vocational agriculture include not only practical
and technical subjects and related science, but in most cases, par
ticularly in the day schools, some instruction in farm mechanics
and the care and upkeep of farm machinery.
The number, distribution, and enrollment of each of the four types
of agricultural schools receiving Federal aid in 1930 are shown in the
following table:
T a b l e 1.—N U M B E R A N D E N R O L L M E N T OF EACH OF TH E FOUR T Y PE S OF F E D E R
ALLY A ID E D SCHOOLS A N D CLASSES T EA C H IN G VOCATIONAL A G R IC U L T U R E ,
FOR FISCAL Y E A R E N D E D JU N E 30, 1930, BY GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS
All-day
schools
Day-unit
schools
Part-time
schools
Evening
schools
Region
Num Enroll Num Enroll N um Enroll Num Enroll
ber
ment
ber ment ber ment
ber
ment
615
North Atlantic L . __________ - _________
Southern 2_________ ______________________ 1,747
C entral3___. . . ______________ _______ _ . . 1,143
406
Pacific4--- _
_____ . -
15, 290
44, 802
39, 424
14, 373
151
498
37
5
2. 016
7, 206
763
52
184
191
34
17
1,884
1,952
1,145
253
152
1,694
215
143
3,326
38, 431
17,605
6,336
1 Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Ohio, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia.
2 Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
3 Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota,
South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
4 Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Wyoming,
and Hawaii.
Provisions for Trade and Industrial Education
T h e Smith-Hughes law is quite explicit in setting forth what con
stitutes vocational education in trade and industry and in outlining
the procedure necessary to qualify for Federal subsidy in carrying
out a program of trade and industrial training. Six types of school
have been organized to meet the educational requirements of the
various groups of students. These are the evening industrial school,
three forms of part-time schools or classes (trade preparatory, trade
extension, and general continuation), the unit trade school, and the
general industrial school. The law imposes certain conditions on
each type.
The evening industrial school or class is open only to persons 16
years of age or over, and instruction therein is confined “ to that
which is supplemental to the daily employment” of the student body.
Here again the expression “ evening school” is a term in popular use
which has in fact no literal significance, as classes are organized to
coincide with the free time of the group.
An essential characteristic of the federally aided industrial class is
that the instruction must relate directly to the occupations of the
members and be supplemental to the daily employment. Hence,
they may not be used as preparation for a trade or as a means of
changing from one craft to another. A man who earns his living as a
painter may not take up automobile mechanics in a federally aided
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[9 ]
10
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
evening industrial school ; a grocery clerk would not be admitted to a
class of journeymen studying a skilled trade.
Instruction “ supplemental to daily employment” may, however,
cover either advanced occupational practice, or related subjects.
F or instance, an evening in d u stria l school fo r p lum bers or p lu m b ers’ a p p re n
tices could * * * give th ese m en in stru c tio n in plu m b in g shop p ractice;
in b lu ep rin t readin g fo r plu m b ers; in S ta te a n d local rules a n d reg u latio n s fo r
plum bing in stallatio n ; a n d in o th e r allied subjects, all related to th e plum bing
trad e.7
The grocery clerk excluded from the class in which journeymen
were increasing their knowledge and improving their skill in a trade
in which they were already engaged could, however, take up element
ary instruction in a skilled trade or a higher-grade occupation in a
part-time trade preparatory school. Schools and classes of this type
are organized for persons between the ages of 14 and 18, who have
entered upon employment, and are designed “ to lit these persons for
useful employment in a trade or industrial pursuit other than the one
in which they are employed.” In short, the objective is to afford a
way out of the blind-alley job into which children drift when they
leave school at 14 or 16. A minimum of 144 hours’ instruction in
these classes is mandatory under the law. This time is taken out of
the working day of the employed pupils and is usually divided into
four hours a week for 36 weeks. A certain amount of flexibility of
distribution is permitted however, and classes may meet eight hours
a week for 18 weeks. In special cases, the 144-hour trade prepara
tory course may be given intensively, six or eight hours a day for a
few weeks, on the “ vestibule school” plan.
The part-time trade-extension school is essentially the same type
of organization as the part-time trade preparatory school and is
maintained for the same age groups, that is, 14 to 18 years of age.
The difference lies in the fact that trade-extension courses are designed
to amplify the training of the employed minor, in the trade or indus
trial pursuit in which he is employed. Attendance upon these classes
is four or eight hours a week, during the working day.
One of th e m o st v alu ab le ty p e s of w ork w hich is o rd in arily carried on in city
tra d e schools is of th is ty p e . T h is special form of p a rt-tim e o rganization lends
itself exceedingly well to ap p ren tic e -tra in in g p ro g ram s a n d m ore especially for
ad v an ced apprentices. V ery o ften a tte n d a n c e upo n such schools o r classes is
req u ired u n d e r coo p erativ e ag reem en ts b etw een lab o r organizations a n d em
ployers an d th e schools or ap p re n tic e com m issions a n d th e school.8
When well-equipped trade schools are not available, instruction in
technical and related work may be given the trainees through a
modification of the trade-school plan.
Classes m ay m ee t a t a n y conv en ien t p o in t, as, for exam ple, in a p riv a te e stab
lish m en t w here a n in s tru c to r w hose salary is p aid from p ublic fu n d s m eets his
groups of ap p ren tices a t s ta te d in terv als. T h is ty p e of school h as been success
fully o p erated in groups of cities, w ith th e in s tru c to r spending one d a y in each of
several cities. In th is w ay i t is possible fo r a special in stru c to r of p lu m b ers’
apprentices, for exam ple, to c a rry on organized in stru c tio n w ith groups of a p p ren
tices in as m an y as five cities in a S ta te , while a n o th e r in stru c to r carries on a
sim ilar p rogram w ith groups of ap p ren tices from th e p a in tin g a n d in terior-decor
atin g tra d e , a n d a th ird in stru c to r serves th e iron m olders’ tra d e in a sim ilar
m anner.
7 Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin No. 19 (2d rev. ed.), p. 20.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 10 ]
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
11
One p a rticu lar ad v an ta g e of th is ty p e of o rg anization is th a t no large c e n tra l
tra d e school is necessary a n d th e p ro g ram can be w orked o u t w here none of th e
cities served w ould be able to su p p o rt a com prehensive u n it tra d e school offer
ing in stru ctio n in a w ide v a rie ty of tra d e s.8
Dull seasons may be utilized by organizing daily classes for inten
sive work in school for six or eight hours a day.
Another development of the part-time trade extension school is the
cooperative course, in which the student worker divides his time
equally between his job and his school work. Under this plan the
trainees generally work in pairs, and while one member of the pair is
in school the other is at work, and their positions are reversed at
the close of the period which is, as a rule, one week or two weeks.
The third form of part-time school is the general continuation
school, which is organized “ for the purpose of giving instruction of
less than college grade to persons over 14 who have entered upon
employment, which instruction shall be given in subjects to enlarge
the civic or vocational intelligence of young workers.”
In view of th e fa c t th a t th e enrollm ent in such a school m ay be expected, espe
cially w here atte n d a n c e is com pulsory b y law, to include young w orkers from a
g reat v ariety of occupations, th e p rin cip al ed u catio n al objectives are: (1) E m
ploym ent ad ju stm en t, (2) v o cational a n d ed u catio n al guidance, a n d (3) social
ad ju stm en t.
Special classes for office a n d store w orkers m ay be established in a p a rt-tim e
co ntinuation school.
V ery often th e te rm co n tin u atio n school is used in th e generic sense in desig
n atin g p a rt-tim e schools generally. E xcellent exam ples of trad e-ex ten sio n an d
trad e -p re p a ra to ry p a rt-tim e classes for specially selected groups a re often found
in p a rt-tim e schools com m only referred to as general c o n tin u atio n schools.9
Generally speaking, however, continuation schools, especially where
they are part of the compulsory school system, have scant vocational
significance. Rather they tend to carry on, during the brief four or
eight hours a week of compulsory attendance, the formal academic
work of the regular schools.
Part-time schools of all three types are given particular emphasis
in the Smith-Hughes law in the provision that “ at least one-third of
the sum appropriated to any State for the salaries of teachers of
trade, home economics, and industrial subjects shall, if expended, be
applied to part-time schools or classes.” A “ part-time” school or
class is one which is in session during the working time of its pupils,
but working time may be considered in terms of working day, week,
month, or year if the required minimum of 144 clock hours of class
instruction a year is met. The subject matter which may be given
in federally aided part-time schools is not outlined in the law, and
may be “ any subject given to enlarge the civic or vocational intelli
gence” of employed minors between 14 and 18 years of age. By a
ruling of the Federal board, States are authorized to use Federal
money for part payment of the salary of coordinators to provide
proper cooperation between school work and daily employment. The
Federal board defines a coordinator as “ the person who supervises or
correlates the class instruction and the practical experience of parttime students.”
T he duties of such coordinators shall include those of inform ing p a re n ts an d
em ployers of th e im portan ce a n d value of th e p a rt-tim e school a n d securing th e ir
8
Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin No. 17, p. 49.
63413°—31----- 2
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
'
[11]
«Idem, p. 21.
12
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
active su p p o rt an d cooperation, of stu d y in g in d u stria l conditions a n d occupa
tions, of elim inating frictio n in th e a d ju s tm e n t of hours of schooling a n d em ploy
m ent, of assisting in th e p lace m en t of pupils te m p o rarily o u t of w ork o r in tra n s
ferring th em from un d esirab le to b e tte r jobs, of follow ing u p th e pupils in th e ir
out-of-school activities, a n d of consulting w ith teac h ers a n d su pervisor or d irecto r
as to changes in th e school p ro g ram , in stru c tio n a l m a tte r, e tc .10
The unit trade school is an all-day school maintained for persons
over 14 years of age who have not yet entered employment, the
objective of which is “ to prepare individuals for advantageous en
trance with advanced standing into various stages of employment.”
Under the Smith-Hughes law these schools must be in session 30 hours
a week for 9 months in the year, and “ shall require that at least half
the time of such instruction be given to practical work on a useful or
productive basis.”
Trade schools have developed along two lines—the trade depart
ment of the regular high school, and the separate trade school. Of
the first plan the Federal board says: “ In most cases this special
form of trade school operates under a severe handicap ” and the very
real problems connected with it “ tend to make it difficult, if not im
possible, to operate an efficient unit trade course in connection with
an ordinary high school.” Among these problems are the require
ment of 30 hours a week, half of which must be given to manipula
tive work “ on a useful or productive basis.”
The separate trade school is usually established as part of a city
school system and “ in many cases it is neither an elementary school
nor a high school.” Consolidated trade schools have developed to
some extent, using the county as the unit of administration.
In Connecticut the trade schools are a State institution. There are
11 such schools, located mostly in the larger industrial cities. Local
communities provide the building, and the schools are equipped and
operated by the division of vocational education of the State depart
ment of education. “ Under the Connecticut plan any trade school
in the State is a public school for any boy in the State.”
North Dakota has carried consolidation to the point of establishing
one trade school for the entire State. This is the State School of
Science, at Wahpeton, and, according to the Federal board, “ it has
been found possible to carry on a highly efficient program of trade and
industrial education in this school, largely under the dull-seasonplan.”
The general industrial school is a unit trade school adapted to meet
the needs of cities and towns of less than 25,000 population. It is
organized and operated on the same basis as the city trade schools,
and while the same legal requirements of hours and course content
which apply to the larger unit cover the general industrial school also,
they may, under the law, be so modified by the State board for
vocational education, with the approval of the Federal board, as to
conform more closely to local conditions. One method of adjusting
to community conditions is to allow a boy to take elementary training
in more than one trade in order to increase his opportunities for em
ployment in a community in which openings are limited.
The number of federally aided trade and industrial schools and
classes of all types was 2,352 in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1930,
and their total enrollment was 422,575 males and 196,099 females.
Trades, occupations and technical subjects taught numbered 225.
10 Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin No. 1, p. 44.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[12J
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
13
Details of distribution, enrollment and Federal expenditure for the
different types of trade schools and classes in the various States in
1930 are shown in Table 2:
T a b l e 2 . —N U M B E R OF SCHOOLS, N U M B E R OF PU PIL S E N R O L L E D , A N D A M O U N T
OF F E D E R A L M O N E Y E X P E N D E D
IN D U S T R IA L SCHOOL, B Y STATES
IN
1930, IN E A CH T Y P E
Type of school
Number of pupils enrolled in—
Evening
schools
Part-time
State
Total Even
ing Trade
exten
sion
53
2
4
20
28
11
3
31
5
7
Delaware. .
Florida .
__
Georgia_____
_ ---Idaho
Illinois
Indiana___________ -
9
30
65
12
63
47
5
17
36
8
26
20
1
1
5
2
9
7
3
8
11
Iowa _.
-- Kansas
__ __ __ __
Kentucky___
_____
Louisiana
_ __
Maine
_ _ _
Maryland_______
42
34
58
8
10
30
23
25
50
3
6
11
81
1
3
3
4
11
1
3
Massachusetts.
__
Michigan . .
___ .
Minnesota
. . .
M ississippi. _____ _
Missouri __ - - - - - - - ______
Montana
91
77
16
38
45
10
18
18
7
6
20
6
11
20
1
4
4
2
Nebraska _____ Nevada
_____ __
N ew Hampshire
N ew Jersey _ _____
N ew Mexico __ _
N ew York
_____
40
16
5
84
5
127
34
10
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio _
- . . .
Oklahoma _
Oregon_______________
Pennsylvania -----
Part-time schools
Trade exten General contin
sion
uation
Male
Fe
male
Male
10
3
6
34
6
11
2, 670
302
272
9, 349
6, 588
1,988
23
55
27
1, 363
4
13
2
14
18
605
1,230
553
995
6,135
4, 724
64
1
711
15
10
7
4
2
1
8
1,300
4, 454
1,618
«2, 607
378
1, 551
351
290
32
23
3
35
5
30
16
5
3
16
2
5,635
12; 485
214
288
1,959
235
25
113
40
246
2
1
1
1, 581
' 318
1,450
81
27
24
3
38
3
1
42
3
5
5
15
1
25
7,255
800
15, 922
19
4
1, 580
451
113
5
200
40
22
232
73
2
92
14
11
58
3
2
49
11
5
22
2
1
25
6
5
44
4,294
36
10, 926
2, 752
L 162
8, 556
510
34
9
1
108
4
258
3, 012
Rhode Island
South Carolina. _ _
South Dakota
Tennessee- .
Texas
Utah
__ _ _ _
10
62
7
52
101
22
5
45
2
33
42
6
2
10
1
6
26
16
10
19
3
7
4
3
14
1,065
3, 839
206
2, 258
3, 566
237
Vermont
______
Virginia _ _ __
Washington
West Virginia __ W isconsin.. _____
.
Wvoming
Hawaii
6
42
19
19
ioT
22
13
1
24
6
14
34
16
3
4
2
1
1
26
1
3
1
10
9
1
6
4
7
149
1, 711
1, 500
L 522
13, 632
2, 008
55
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
4
All
Gen day
eral
con
tinu
ation
74
6
17
116
41
29
Alabam a.- .
Arizona
Arkansas. .
California_______
Colorado
Connecticut _____
OF T R A D E A N D
7
1
4
31
2
14
2
7
64
35
6
3
3
34
1
[ 13 ]
2,
49
782
30
231
193
294
78
201
45
259
460
Fe
male
83
33
60
4, 320 2, 306
469
452
530
38
174
34
36
3, 305
1,039
234
32
43
295
78
38
935
4, 593
354
392
58
291
192
7
477
296
65
275
571
396
89
72
563
980
182
1, 503
100
89
8
174 10, 703
64
13
18
Fe
male
82
177
34
13,170
168
82
782
175
11,575
280
501
632
405
372
644
1,588
7, 738
26
6,139
178
480
8
8
508
37
16
136
248
70
318
87
246
10, 900
3, 360
608
338
4,173
11,586
5, 664
271
585
3,148
31
57
8
257
982
Male
7, 307
9, 393
86, 054
75,147
296
227
493
865
598
162
25
3,121
2,181
60
18, 592
3,082
785
67
26, 542
385
386
1,484
625
131
1, 960
6
4,376
112
1,225
43
3, 871
208
92
150
935
637
19
179
407
219
74
14
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 3 .— N U M B E R OP SCHOOLS, N U M B E R OF PU P IL S E N R O L L E D , A N D A M O U N T
OF F E D E R A L M O N E Y E X P E N D E D IN 1930 IN E A C H T Y P E
IN D U S T R IA L SCHOOL, B Y ST A T ES—Continued.
Number of
pupils enrolled
in—
State
Alabama_______
Arizona________
Arkansas______
California______
Colorado^______
Connecticut____
358
17
173
5, 533
148
2, 580
Delaware______
Florida________
Georgia________
Idaho_________
Illinois________
Indiana___ ____
301
755
26
1,877
6,107
Iowa__________
Kansas________
Kentucky______
Louisiana______
Maine_________
Maryland_____
780
408
692
418
22
924
Massachusetts. _.
Michigan______
Minnesota_____
M ississippi____
Missouri_______
M ontana______
6, 885
1.474
2, 423
109
1,504
72
Nebraska______
Nevada________
N ew Hampshire.
N ew Jersey____
N ew Mexico___
N ew York_____
153
114
282
4, 380
22
10,160
North Carolina..
North Dakota.
Ohio__________
Oklahoma_____
Oregon________
Pennsylvania__
63
115
2, 260
257
187
6, 079
Rhode Island__
South' Carolina..
South Dakota. _.
Tennessee______
Texas......... ..........
U tah____ ______
171
482
57
257
815
Vermont_______
Virginia_______
Washington____
West Virginia__
Wisconsin_____
Wyoming______
Hawaii________
18
1,290
297
94
297
83
295
Female
Evening
schools
Trade
extension
General
continua
tion
$1, 582. 74
$2, 063. 55
3, 707. 00
23,292. 71
11,413. 34
8, 638. 92
12,720.00
367. 37
1, 777.50
3, 353. 80
12,310.49
2,481. 50
12,463. 86
5,413.34
97. 00
658. 05
3,998. 50
2,059. 65
38| 062. 28
24,730.18
8,125. 50
7, 912. 60
12, 614.91
98. 939. 76
1, 216. 28
3,487.45
8,112.14
3,101.48
5, 274. 32
2, 593. 00
10,134. 50
6, 665. 27
1, 400. 00
16, 775. 29
250. 00
10,338. 49
3, 483. 22
4,208. 33
5, 206. 02
14, 768. 00
513. 25
1, 277. 78
7, 928. 77
684.00
6,248. 65
31, 012. 67
12, 458. 75
222. 34
4, 656. 38
448. 00
8, 074. 60
1, 797. 50
890. 50
630. 00
433
2
3,454
36, 259. 50
1, 947. 00
58, 737. 67
3, 958. 63
250. 00
221
7
11,197. 49
145. 00
17,104. 93
4, 375. 75
1,613. 85
33, 861.84
3,459.00
4, 243. 60
50, 612. 39
4, 810. 37
9, 211. 86
18,939.82
3, 991.12
7, 948.16
' 369. 00
7, 902. 75
12, 442. 50
1, 020. 75
17, 956. 42
1, 488. 84
2, 977. 50
24, 525. 97
1, 300.00
5, 793. 63
5, 883.00
4, 374. 59
18, 843. 75
2, 716. 66
462. 00
5, 550. 00
8,873. 65
1,140. 00
5,491. 74
24,170. 81
723. 75
1,394. 00
91
386
58
12
135
423
301
1,273
379
296
317«
958
10
33
46
4
54
AND
Part-time schools
$11,647. 29
1,648. 50
967. 75
7, 963. 98
7,253. 75
5,214.48
35
647
TRADE
Amount of Federal expenditure for—•
All-day schools
Male
OF
All-day
schools
Total
$7, 261. 97
2, 644. 50
5, 868. 55
59, 906 66
1,159.16
19,119. 76
$22, 555. 55
8, 000. 00
6, 836. 30
103, 883. 35
20,193. 62
32, 973.16
3, 925. 21
7, 503. 72
1, 973. 58
46, 816.16
34, 704.48
10,000.00
15,849. 66
36, 427. 62
6, 514. 73
196, 282. 06
6G, 064. 26
12, 077.10
11, 450. 00
14, 283. 48
11, 050. 83
1, 766. 59
12, 460. 65
39, 005.11
21,212.14
17, 384. 96
26, 663. 64
7, 842. 81
29, 788. 73
58, 493. 88
24, 605. 33
11, 909. 50
10, 997. 24
22, 021. 80
84, 992. 54
29, 624. 00
31, 492. 67
875. 00
33, 308. 95
1, 625. 00
154, 941.09
100, 010. 00
56, 374.17
13,372. 36
67, 915. 90
2, 757. 00
1,258. 35
4,763. 64
2, 668. 74
10, 386. 61
27, 790. 88
2, 306. 00
200, 894. 63
14,987. 09
5, 096. 24
10, 386. 61
109, 993. 51
4, 503. 00
478, 369.11
1, 225.00
3.611.40
51, 819. 57
25, 060. 72
5, 690. 00
119, 512. 61
24, 996. 24
8. 000. 00
163Î 823. 99
47, 007. 82
17, 420. 71
266,786.10
7, 550. 99
2,941. 00
2, 031. 25
6,145. 65
18, 522.05
29,498. 53
16,372.16
3, 889. 09
27, 908. 83
62, 932. 53
9, 604. 72
1,800. 00
11,722.34
10,046.10
5,000. 00
8, 650. 00
30, 027. 38
34,531. 95
15, 600. 58
55, 448. 08
5, 558. 41
6, 727. 34
2, 985. 25
41,984. 50
218, 736.81
9,114. 75
44,287.10
12, 760. 98
905. 00
94,471. 83
5, 483. 00
10, 882. 93
7, 442. 01
8, 583. 97
3, 637. 76
17, 462. 85
734. 25
12,433. 52
168. 00
1, 950. 00
4, 871. 34
Provisions for Home Economics Education
A l l of the provisions and requirements of the Smith-Hughes law
dealing with trade and industrial education apply equally to home
economics education, the expression used throughout the law being
“ trade, home economics, and industrial education.” Administra-
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SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
15
tively, however, the home economics service has been separated from
trade and industrial education and made a distinct movement. Not
more than 20 per cent of the Federal funds allotted to a State may be
expended on home economics education, and one-third of the amount
expended must be devoted to part-time classes.
However, from a labor viewpoint, home economics education as
interpreted and carried out by the vocational education boards of the
States and the Federal Government is an educational movement rather
than a vocational one. This is because training for employment in
definite wage-earning occupations connected with the home is classed
as trade and industrial education and included in the work in that
field. The Federal board states the distinction thus:
W herever in stru ctio n h as for its end th e fu rth e r p re p a ra tio n of a w om an for
h er du ties as a hom e m ak er or as a household a ssista n t th is in stru c tio n belongs in
th e field of hom e econom ics a n d w ould be subsidized from t h a t p o rtio n of th e
fund. W hen, how ever, th e in stru c tio n p rep ares or fu rth e r fits a person to earn
a livelihood in som e special occupation, such as nursing, cooking, or d ressm ak
ing, i t has been held to be tra d e o r in d u stria l in stru c tio n a n d w ould be subsidized
from th e tra d e a n d in d u stria l p o rtio n of th e fu n d .11
Supervision and Teacher Training
A m o n g the methods intended by the national vocational education
act and employed by the Federal board to promote vocational educa
tion throughout the country, provisions for supervision and teacher
training are of chief importance. The fund of $1,000,000 appropri
ated for teacher training is distributed to the States on the basis of
total population, and the use of the State’s share is regulated by the
provision that not more than 60 per cent nor less than 20 per cent
shall be used in training teachers for any one of the three divisions of
vocational education. Moreover, a State must take advantage of “ at
least the minimum amount appropriated for the training of teachers”
in order to be eligible to the other benefits conferred by the act.
In agricultural education supervisors are included with teachers in
the training program.
The Smith-Hughes law requires that all organized teacher training
shall be conducted under the supervision of the State board for
vocational education, and that all educational institutions seeking
reimbursement from Federal funds for teacher training must be
under public supervision and control. State programs for training
vocational teachers are, as a rule, carried out by the State university
or the land-grant college of the State. Probably the most successful
medium is that of extension and correspondence courses conducted
by the State educational institutions, which may be utilized by the
teacher in active service as well as the preemployment trainee.
States make their own requirements for qualification and certifica
tion of teachers, but these requirements must meet the approval of
the Federal Board for Vocational Education and conform to the mini
mum standards which it imposes. These standards include a stated
number of years’ actual experience in the vocation which a person
intends to teach or to supervise.
In some States advisory committees made up of employers and
employees in specific industries or occupations have been estab11 Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin N o. 28, p. 34.
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16
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
lished in connection with the program of training teachers for those
fields.
Foreman Training
A d i s t i n c t phase of the trade and industrial teacher-training pro
gram which the Federal Board for Vocational Education has been
developing is the training of foremen and of leaders for foreman
conferences. The Federal board has ruled that foremansliip classes,
the objective of which is the improvement of foremen in the discharge
of their responsibilities, may be considered evening schools and re
imbursed from Federal funds. As a corollary, it has also ruled that
the training of teachers to conduct foremanship classes is a legitimate
part of a State teacher-training program. The method of procedure
is the holding of regional or industrial conferences of foremen, at the
request or with the cooperation of the State board for vocational
education, and of the industries or manufacturing plants concerned.
The primary aim of these conferences is the development of leaders
qualified to work with foremen and to carry out foreman-training
programs. The annual report of the Federal board for 1930 shows
that special conferences to further the development of foreman train
ing in cooperation with industry were held during 1930 in Kansas,
Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas, at the request of
those States. In that connection it is pointed out that—
E xperience h as show n t h a t in p ro p o rtio n as S ta te b o ard s fo r v o catio n al ed u ca
tion, local b o ard s of edu catio n , e d u catio n al in stitu tio n s, a n d in d u stria l o rg an iza
tions h av e developed fo rem an conference pro g ram s, d ire c t assistance from th e
F ederal b o ard in co n d u ctin g fo rem an conference w ork h as been of decreasing
im portance. C on cu rren tly w ith th e decreased d em an d fo r assistance in th is
field th e re h as been a n increased need fo r assistance in th e tra in in g of special
in stru cto rs, or forem an conference leaders, to carry on th e detailed w ork of fore
m anship tra in in g .12
Research
S t u d i e s , investigation, and research in the field of vocational edu
cation and of the means of promoting it are explicitly directed by the
Smith-Hughes law as an administrative measure. Research work on
a national scale may be done either by the Federal board directly, or
for it on a cooperative basis by the Federal department having
jurisdiction over the special field involved. Thus studies concerning
trades and industries, for example, undertaken in the interest of
trade and industrial education, “ may be made in cooperation with
or through the Department of Labor.” Investigations involving the
work of a State, or applying only to a given State, are undertaken as
a rule only at the request of that State.
Much of the research work and the published material of the Fed
eral board deals with administrative matters and teaching methods.
However, the field staff of the board has made numerous industrial
surveys in the various States preliminary to inaugurating programs,
and has done a large amount of work in occupational studies such as
job analyses and analyses of agricultural enterprises as a basis upon
which to plan courses of study. This work is generally done by the
field agents in addition to their regular duties as Federal representa
tives.
l2 Federal Board for Vocational Education, Bulletin No. 127, p. 4.
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SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
17
In the field of commercial education, the only contribution which
the Federal Government makes is in research studies and assistance
on the promotional side. Commercial education is not directly sup
ported by Federal money. That form of vocational training is,
however, included in the programs of several States, and the Federal
board has developed a unit within its staff which is active not only in
conducting needed research, but in giving service and advice in the
establishment and operation of commercial courses and in conference
work with State officials and teachers of commercial subjects. A
current study covers job analysis and terminology of the numerous
and varied occupations in ordinary commercial employment.
Other Federal Activities
R e s p o n s i b i l i t y for the administration of vocational education lies
with the local agency which is carrying out, locally, the State pro
gram. Responsibility for seeing that the program is being carried
out by each local unit lies with the State board for vocational educa
tion, through its director and supervisors. The work of the State
board is then supervised by the Federal board, through its field
agents, to insure the observance of the detailed provisions of the
Federal law. While the inspectional work of the Federal agents is
carried into the individual schools, official relations are had only with
the State boards.
Oversight of State work by Federal representatives includes an
audit of the accounts in so far as they involve Federal money.
One way of promoting and encouraging vocational education
which is systematically used by Federal field agents is the holding of
regional conferences. These are arranged to give all persons, asso
ciated with or interested in the movement, opportunity to attend
and to take part in the interchange of experiences and the develop
ment of new ideas and new methods.
State Participation
T h e extent of Federal activity in vocational education tells only a
part of the story. It has already been brought out that Federal
money is available only when it is matched by an equal amount of
money contributed by the State, the community, or both. In all
but a few States the contribution of the local units and the State is
far in excess of the amount of Federal money to which the State is
entitled under the distribution provided in the Smith-Hughes law.
F o r th e y ear 1925-26, th e ra tio of S ta te a n d local fu n d s p er F ed eral dollar
expended w as $2.54; fo r 1926-27, $2.65; fo r 1927r 28, $2.77, a n d fo r th e y e a r
1928-29, $2.99. T h e stead y increase in th is ra tio in d icates t h a t th e S ta te s a n d
local com m unities are sufficiently in te re ste d in th e d ev elo p m en t of v o catio n al
education to expend fa r m ore th a n is req u ired fo r th e ty p e of v o catio n al schools
a n d classes w hich conform to th e sta n d a rd s of ap p ro v e d S ta te p lan s. T h e ra tio
of $2.99 of S ta te a n d local m oney fo r each d ollar of F e d e ra l m oney u sed fo r th e
salaries of teac h ers is th e av erag e fo r a ll of th e S ta te s, in clu d in g th e T e rrito ry
of H aw aii, for th e fiscal y e a r 1929. T h e ra tio v aries from $7.57 fo r M assach u setts
to slightly m ore th a n $1 fo r a few of th e sm aller a n d less p o p ulous S ta te s .13
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1930, the expenditure of State
and local money for each dollar of Federal money in each branch of
vocational education was: Agriculture, $1.76; trade and industry,
$4.69; home economics, $5.47; teacher training, $1.35.____ _______
13 Federal Board for Vocational Education, thirteenth annual report, Washington, 1929, p. 6.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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18
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
A majority of the States grant State aid to local communities in
support of vocational education under a system practically the
same as that applying to Federal aid to the States. Allocation of
Federal money within the State, and its distribution to the various
branches and the different school organizations are entirely within the
province of the State agency controlling vocational education.
That the extent of vocational education in schools which are
receiving State aid, but not Federal aid, is considerable is shown by
Table 3, which, however does not include data for Massachusetts:
T a b l e 3 .— E N R O L L M E N T IN ST A T E-A ID E D V OCATIONAL SCHOOLS A N D CLASSES,
ORGANIZED U N D E R A PP R O V ED STATE PLA N S B U T N O T R E IM B U R S E D
F E D E R A L F U N D S, B Y STATES, Y E A R E N D E D JU N E 30, 1930 i
FR OM
Enrollment in nonfederally aided vocational schools and classes
Agricultural schools
Trade and industrial schools
State
Part -time
Total
E ve Partning time
Alabama ___
A r izo n a ___
Arkansas_______
362
3, 528
4,066
Colorado..
Georgia..
Idaho_____
35
4,069
29
35
Indiana. .
Kansas
Mississippi______
1, 429
3,979
3^ 480
1,279
'549
Montana . .
____
Nebraska
. .
N ew Jersey___ _ .
634
88
2, 872
N ew York _
North Carolina. .
Oklahoma..
14,122
10, 331
825
South Carolina. _
South Dakota
Texas___________
11, 500
1, 259
47
All
day
39
21
534
Eve
ning
323
1,307
Trade Generai
exten contin
uation
sion
63
All
day
46
70
29
13
323
Eve
ning
Parttime
All
day
1,255
18
836
3, 514
992
3,007
3,107
'393
3,087
31
106
634
88
1,357
13
198
380
924
8,862
9,989
62
5,260
134
208
763
11, 500
1, 259
47
Utah_____________
20
Virginia _ __ _ . 2, 513
W isconsin_______ 17,466
1,473
722
__ _ . 82, 654
3,490
722
Total
Home economics
schools
20
802
2,919
62
6, 388
244
198
2,002
377
9, 816
2,513
95
7, 719
8, 463
9,816
44, 812
1 Federal Board for Vocational Education, fourteenth annual report, 1930, p. 87.
Massachusetts and Wisconsin are outstanding examples of com
munity development of vocational education with the aid of State
money and regulation. While Federal money is used in both States,
it is applied chiefly to the organization of new programs and the
establishment of new classes, rather than to the maintenance and
development of those already operating. In Wisconsin representa
tives of employers and workers comprise the local boards of vocational
education, and in Massachusetts advisory committees “ composed of
members representing local trades, industries, and occupations” are
appointed by the board of trustees of the school.
The division of vocational education of the Massachusetts Depart
ment of Education fixes the qualifications for teachers of vocational
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[18 ]
SCOPE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES
19
subjects, and the eligibility of pupils for admission to vocational
schools. The State agency, however, does not select or appoint the
teachers or fix their salaries. That is the prerogative of the local
board of trustees. Beyond establishing uniform standards and a few
compulsory subjects, the State board does not dictate courses of study.
I t does require, however, that all courses and methods of instruction
shall be submitted for its approval. Standardized forms for records
and reports are supplied by the State for use in all State-aided schools.
Vocational schools in Wisconsin are under the control of local boards
independent of the general school administration. There are 47 city
vocational schools in the State, each giving part-time and evening
instruction. A director responsible to the local board for vocational
education is in charge of each one. Many of them are housed in
modem well-equipped buildings which have been erected for the
special purpose. In some cases old high-school buildings have been
taken over for vocational use as new high schools have been built.
The Milwaukee Vocational School, located in the center of the city,
“ is the largest building in the world built primarily for the accommo
dation of wage-earning pupils whose schooling must be secured on a
part-time basis.” 14 Its shops are thoroughly equipped and represent
practically every trade practiced in the city. In addition to voca
tional training, the school offers vocational guidance and placement,
and maintains a teacher-training department which is assisted by
State funds.
The administrative unit for vocational education in New Jersey is
the county, and the controlling medium is an independent board whose
authority includes the power to levy taxes in support of the vocational
schools. Essex County, in which Newark, New Jersey’s metropolis,
is located, has a particularly active organization and a well-developed
system of industrial training, while Atlantic County, an agricultural
area, is centering its efforts on vocational agriculture.
Comparative Cost of Vocational Education
A d d r e s s i n g the Senate recently on the subject of vocational
education, Senator Sheppard of Texas made this statement:
In 1926, th e la s t y ear fo r w hich th e United. S ta te s B u reau of E d u c a tio n has
com plete d a ta , th e re w as expended in th e U n ited S tates, including p a r t of th e
P hilippines a n d H aw aii, fo r all kin d s of ed u catio n — elem entary, high school, an d
college— m ore th a n $3,000,000,000. Of th is to ta l th e re w as expended fo r voca
tio n a l ed u catio n b y Federal, S ta te , a n d local g o vernm ents $23,181,700, o r ju s t
a fractio n less th a n n in e -te n th s of 1 p e r c e n t of th e whole. S ta te d in o th e r
te rm s th is m eans a n ex p en d itu re of only $1 for vocational ed u catio n fo r each
$100 expended fo r ed u catio n of a ll k in d s.15
Statistics reported by the Federal Board for Vocational Education
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1930, show an aggregate expenditure
of Federal, State, and local money for vocational education of
$29,909,295, divided thus: Local, $14,271,924; State, $8,233,148; Fed
eral, $7,404,223. The enrollment for the year in federally aided and
nonfederally aided vocational schools, as reported to the Federal
board, was 443,283 females and 621,020 males, a total of 1,064,303.
The number of teachers employed in federally aided schools was
24,876, of whom 17,222 were men and 7,654 were women.
14 Wisconsin. State Board of Vocational Education. Bulletin No. 13, p. 42.
16 Vocational Education in 'th e United States, presented by Mr. Sheppard. Washington, 1931.
Doc. No. 309, 71st Cong., 3d sess.)
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(S.
20
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
U n e m p lo y m e n t I n s u r a n c e in S w itz e rla n d 1
F e d e ra l S y s te m
WITZERLAND has been experimenting for many years in con
nection with matters relating to unemployment. The first en
deavors to provide useful measures against unemployment in Switzer
land are believed to have originated in 1884. At that time several
workers’ organizations created, in favor of their members, unemploy
ment insurance funds which were known locally as “ caisses d’assur
ance chômage.” These funds, which were regulated by by-laws
without supervision on the part of the State, had as their only re
sources the assessments of the insured. Neither the Confederation
nor the Cantons were interested in such measures until a later date.
In 1893 the city of Berne created a communal fund. This was fol
lowed two years later by the formation of a similar organization at
St. Gall. The experiments were not successful, largely by reason of
defective organization and ineffective control, but they served to
draw attention to the problem of insurance against unemployment.
Later the Federal Government endeavored to adopt measures
having as their object relief against unemployment and ensuing cir
cumstances. These measures took the form of the establishment of
an employment bureau which was organized upon the basis of in
surance against unemployment. The first step was the promulgation
of the Federal decree of October 29, 1909, under the terms of which
the Confederation granted subsidies to employment offices complying
with certain conditions. In this way the decree contributed to mak
ing uniform and centralizing the public service for employment.
The solution of the problem of insurance against unemployment
was delayed by the proposed elaboration of insurance measures
against sickness and accidents, and also by the World War, but the
subject came up for more serious consideration immediately following
the war, when the economic situation in most countries of Europe
was in chaos and unemployment was rife. The first steps by the
Swiss Government were taken in August, 1918, and the first measures
to relieve industrial unemployment were supported by both cantonal
and Federal authorities. The most common means of aid was legis
lation authorizing the construction of public works, but an inevitable
concomitant was the raising of construction costs to extraordinary
heights and the certainty that not all of the deserving idle were really
being aided by the expenditure of huge public funds.
The expenses involved were met by contributions by the Confedera
tion, Cantons, communes, and employers. By the end of 1924 the
cost had amounted to approximately 515,000,000 Swiss francs
($99,395,000),2 the Confederation contributing 296,000,000 francs
($57,128,000) thereof, the Cantons and communes 201,000,000
francs ($38,793,000), and private employers 18,000,000 francs
($3,474,000).
It soon became apparent to the Swiss authorities that this system
of assistance should be discontinued and it was proposed to replace
it, as soon as the abnormal conditions resulting from the war had
disappeared, by insurance against unemployment. It was believed
S
1 Report prepared by Hugh F. Ramsay, American vice consul at Zurich.
2 Conversions into United States currency on the basis of Swiss franc at par=19.3 cents.
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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
21
that such insurance would have the advantage of safeguarding the
dignity of the employee by permitting him to contribute, during
periods of employment, toward the benefits to be received during idle
ness. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that abuses are more
frequent under a system of assistance than under a system in which
the workers participate.
The conviction that an unemployment insurance system was the
best way of gathering a surplus fund to aid unemployment in times of
crisis became sufficiently strong in 1924 to result in the abandonment
of the extraordinary measures of relief in June of that year, and on
October 17, 1924, the Federal law setting up regulations for an unem
ployment insurance system on a permanent basis became effective.
Basis of System
S w it z e r l a n d is a federated State, consisting of 25 Cantons, each
of which has the right to legislate upon all questions which have not
been expressly, reserved to the Confederation. The various Cantons
therefore were permitted much latitude in the framing of regulations
for the carrying out of the insurance plans. The chief features of the
Federal law were the conditions to be fulfilled by the insurance com
panies, insurance funds, or mutual funds, in order to obtain Federal
subsidy. The Federal law, for instance, did not prescribe minimum
or maximum age limits between which insurance must be carried, nor
did it specify by classes those persons who might be required to insure
themselves. These and a number of other questions were left to the
cantonal legislatures for regulation. As a consequence, while most of
the Cantons have made unemployment insurance compulsory for
factory workers, insurance for nearly all other classes of labor is
voluntary, and in a few of the Cantons no worker is compelled to
carry the insurance. Through the system of subsidies only, the Con
federation avoided the establishment of a costly system of administra
tion, while permitting existing funds the opportunity to develop with
out unnecessary expense.
Essential Features of Law
T he subsidies provided by the law are granted only to funds devot
ing themselves solely to insurance against unemployment, and which
keep separate accounts and provide guaranties that their funds are
employed in a proper manner. The by-laws of the funds must pre
scribe exact rules governing contributions of the insured and payments
on the part of the organization. No minimum is fixed for the benefit,
but it must not exceed 60 per cent of the wages lost, insured members
with family obligations receiving 10 per cent more than those without
such obligation. The benefit may be paid only to those who are
without work through no fault of their own and who have been unable
to find employment. The insured must produce a statement from
his last employer establishing the cause of his discharge, and must,
in addition, register at the public employment exchange. In the case
of certain trades the insured may register at a private employment
office specializing in furnishing work for his trade. Benefits are pay
able only to those who have been members of a fund for at least 180
days and who have paid their contributions without interruption, and
are payable at the earliest three days after registration at the labor
exchange.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
When unemployment is the result of a strike no benefit may be
paid during the period of the strike and for at least 30 days thereafter.
Benefits are payable not to exceed 90 days in any 360 days; in times
of extraordinary depression, however, the Federal Council may extend
this period. The law also requires that the by-laws of the funds
shall provide for the withdrawal or refusal of payments to any unem
ployed individual who will not avail himself of any suitable offer of
work, or who may attempt to obtain benefits fraudulently. Finally,
the question of partial unemployment is treated, permitting payments
of benefits under certain conditions.
The Federal subsidy is fixed according to the amount of the daily
benefits paid by funds to members who qualify for relief, and amounts
to 40 per cent of the benefit paid by public funds and similar organi
zations and to 30 per cent for all others. The Federal Assembly may
temporarily increase the foregoing rates by 10 per cent at the maxi
mum. The subsidy is paid to the funds only after verification of
their annual accounts. Officials of the Federal Bureau pf Labor have
supervision over the funds and are vested with the right to examine
the accounts of all funds, public or private, at any time.
Certain other provisions of the law relate to the free transfer of
membership from fund to fund and fix a minimum of 200 members
for those funds which are to receive Federal aid.
By law, foreigners domiciled in Switzerland are placed upon the
same legal basis as Swiss citizens. However, under the unemploy
ment insurance law, the Federal Council may deny or lower the
subsidy paid to foreigners from a State which does not accord similar
treatment to unemployed people of Swiss nationality, or which does
not provide equivalent measures against unemployment. Any con
vention concluded by Switzerland with any other State, according to
the terms of which the nationals of both States are to receive insurance
against unemployment, are obligatory upon all recognized funds.
Cooperation of the Cantons
Soon after the passage of the Federal law of October 17, 1924, the
various Cantons began to legislate upon the subject. Of the 25
Cantons, all but one have passed laws based upon and supplementing
the Federal law; this Canton, Unterwalden, is an agricultural region
and no legislation on the subject is anticipated in the near future.
The basis of the cooperation offered by the Cantons in every in
stance is that of additional subsidies to either private or public
insurance funds or companies. The conditions imposed in every
Canton are practically the same as those defined by the Confederation.
The amount of subsidy granted to the funds varies from 10 to 45 per
cent of the amount of unemployment benefits paid out by the funds.
In addition, certain Cantons have assisted the setting up, by the
funds, of reserves, for periods of economic stress, and have granted
money for the establishment of such reserves. Also the cantonal
laws in certain cases made the insurance compulsory for certain
classes of labor, and created for this purpose public cantonal funds.
Others left it to the communes in the Canton to decide whether the
insurance should be compulsory or voluntary. Thus there are really
four groups of Cantons from the standpoint of the execution of the
Federal law regarding unemployment insurance:
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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UNEMPLOYMENT INSUEANCE IN SWITZEELAND
23
Group 1, comprising Cantons which have made the insurance
compulsory for all or part of their workers, or which have instituted
a public cantonal fund, and which pay subsidies to this fund as well as
to other funds which are qualified to receive the Federal subsidy.
This group includes the Cantons of Glarus, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen,
Uri, Zug, Solothurn, and Basel-Stadt.
Group 2, consisting of the Cantons which subsidize recognized
funds and allow the communes to decide as to whether the insurance
shall be compulsory. This group includes St. Gall, Lucerne, Ticino,
Vaud, Valais, Zurich, and Appenzell Outer Rhodes.
Group 3, consisting of those Cantons which subsidize recognized
funds, leaving the insurance to be sought voluntarily by the workers.
This group includes the Cantons of Aargau, Appenzell Inner Rhodes,
Basel-Land, Bern, Geneva, Grisons, Schwyz, and Thurgau.
Group 4, including the Cantons which have as yet passed no laws
on the subject of unemployment insurance. The twin Canton of
Unterwalden, with its two sections of Nidwalden and Obwalden, is
the only one in this category.
Number of Funds, and Scope of System
As a result of the legislative measures and regulations adopted in
rapid succession by the Confederation, the Cantons, and their com
munes, a large number of organizations having as their sole object
the carrying on of this type of insurance came into being. In Frenchspeaking Switzerland these are known as “ caisses de chômage,” and
in German-speaking sections as “Arbeitslosenversicherungskassen.”
These organizations are of three kinds: The public fund, set up and
administered either by a Canton or a commune; the private mutual
fund set up and administered through cooperation of employers and
workers; and the private workers’ or trade-union fund, which is
administered and financed entirely by workers’ associations.
The table below shows the distribution of the various types of
funds.
T a b l e 1 .—N U M B E R OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN S U R A N C E F U N D S OF EACH T Y PE IN
SW ITZER LAN D , 1925 TO 1929
Public
funds
Year
1925 ______________________________________________
1926______________________________________________
1927______________________________________________
1928______________________________________________
1929______________________________________________
Private
workers
18
53
65
65
65
Private
mutual
(factory)
funds
37
33
37
39
40
Total
number of
funds
5
19
57
63
70
60
105
159
167
175
The following table shows the number of members of unemploy
ment funds for the past six years:
T a b l e 2 .—N U M B E R OF PER SO N S W ITH M E M B E R S H IP IN U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN S U R
A N C E F U N D S IN SW ITZER LAN D , 1925 TO 1930
Men
Year
1925-_
1926--1927- .
1928.
1929
1930
-
_____________________
____________________________________
_____________________________________
____________________________________
-.
. __________________________
- -. _____ _________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[23]
123, 280
128,138
178, 275
195, 453
221,143
Women
26,370
37, 358
62, 627
69,194
71,856
Total
149, 650
165,496
240, 902
264, 647
292, 999
323, 754
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
24
At the end of the year 1929 it was calculated that 39.4 per cent of
all salaried workers in Switzerland who could be considered as eligible
for unemployment insurance were members of some kind of insurance
fund.
In all Cantons in which there is legislation covering unemployment
insurance any salaried individual is entitled to become a member of
an organization which would grant him the benefits of such insurance.
In addition to covering workers in factories and in the trades, and
salaried employees, insurance against unemployment may extend to
persons engaged in agriculture. The sole exclusion covers persons
working on their own account, but even such persons may insure if
their activity is of the same character as that of a salaried worker.
Contributions
T h e contributions of the workers vary according to the type of
insurance fund to which they belong, to the occupational group to
which they are assigned, and to the risk involved. For instance, a
higher rate of contribution is required in the case of road workers,
inasmuch as such work is seasonal and classified as a poor risk, whereas
a clerk in a financial institution would be considered as an unusually
good risk and would be charged a lower rate.
Contributions in almost every case are related to both wages and
earnings of the worker, and are divided into two classes. These are
as follows: Persons in class 1 (the factory system) pay from two-tenths
to three-tenths of 1 per cent, deducted from salary or wages. Class 2
has three divisions (on a wage basis); those in division (a) pay 2
francs (38.6 cents) per month, division (b) 1.50 francs (29 cents) per
month, and division (c) 1 franc (19.3 cents) per month. Thus, those
in division (a) would contribute 24 francs ($4.63) per year and would
be entitled to a benefit of 7 francs ($1.35) per day.
In Cantons in which compulsory insurance is in force there are
actually two obligatory classes: (a) All workers subject to the factory
inspection laws, and (b) those receiving from 4,000 to 6,000 francs
($772 to $1,158) per annum.
As a general rule, the insured must contribute at the rate of at
least 30 per cent of the daily benefits paid, even if the total contribu
tions to the insurance fund should exceed 70 per cent of the benefits
paid out. For example, in many Cantons the contributions are
divided as follows :
Per cent
C on fed eratio n ______________________________________________
C an to n or co m m u n e________________________________________
W orkers____________________________________________________
40
30
30
T o ta l________________________________________________ 100
The fund must place any contribution in excess of 100 per cent in
its reserve fund.
The table on the following page shows the contributions of the
Cantons to the three different types of funds, in terms of percentage.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
25
T a b l e 3 —PE R C E N T C A N T O N ’S C O N T R IB U T IO N FORM S OF TO T A L C O N T R IB U T IO N S
TO VARIOUS T Y PE S OF F U N D S
Per cent of total contribution made b y Canton
to—
Canton
Basel-Stadt...................
............... __
Geneva_________________
______. . . . _ __
______
Orisons______ __________
Glarus ................
Appenzell Outer Rhodes..
...
.....
Solothurn . . . ________ . _ _ _ ____ .
Fribourg
_____
________ _
Zurich. __ _ _ '
Thurgau.
....
Valais____ . . . .
.
................. .
Basel-Land _ . .
Zug-------------------- . -----------------------------------------------Schwyz.
___ ______________________ _____ _ . . .
Uri__________________________ __________________
Aargau
Appenzell Inner Rhodes___ . . .
....
Lucerne . . . .
..
_ ____ ____ _____ _ _ _ _
Vaud
N euchatel...
__ ________
______
Bern_______________________________ _ _ ___ ____
T icino_________________________ _______ _______
Public funds
Private work Private mutual
ers’ funds
(factory) funds
Ordi
nary
rate
Ordi
nary
rate
45
40
40
30
25-35
25
30
25
(i)
20-30
25
20
20
1 N o public fund.
20
20
20
20
20
20
10
10
Crisis
rate
35
(■)
30
30
30
20
15
45
40
30
30
25-35
25
15
25
25
2 10
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
15
15
10
10
Crisis
rate
Ordi
nary
rate
35
45
40
40
30
25-35
25
30
25
25
20-30
20
20
30
30
30
20
15
Crisis
rate
35
20
30
30
30
20
20
20
20
10
10
20
15
20
20
2 Maximum.
Period of contribution.—As already stated, the period of contribu
tion must be uninterrupted, except in case of illness or military
service. In the latter case the number of days of such illness or
military service is added to the period of 180 days required for
unemployment benefit.
Benefits
A b e n e f i t may be paid only in the case of unemployment on the
part of the worker through no fault of his own. The beneficiary
must have registered at an employment office and must show that he
has been unable to find suitable employment. A statement must be
submitted from the last employer giving the reason for the discharge
and showing the salary received by the worker.
The right to benefit starts only when the insured has become a
member of the fund and when he has paid his contributions for a
period covering 180 days. Before benefit begins there is a waiting
period of three days after his registration at the employment office,
except in case the worker has already observed a similar waiting
period during the course of the year, and has been unemployed
for at least three months.
When unemployment is the result of a collective labor dispute,
no benefit may be paid during that period or during the following
30 days. In case the worker is incapable of working, no indemnity
may be paid to him during the period of such incapacity. It may
be mentioned here that a worker incapacitated by sickness becomes
a beneficiary of the sickness insurance, which is compulsory for
many classes of labor.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
While the Federal law states that no more than 90 days’ benefit
may be paid during a period of 360 days, it also states that the
period may be extended by Federal decree. During 1930 and
1931 benefit periods have lasted as long as 210 days.
•Benefits are allotted according to a classification based upon the
wage or salary. In some Cantons the maximum is fixed, and in
such cases, irrespective of the rules of the fund, the cantonal maxi
mum can not be exceeded. However, as a rule, based on figures of
some of the largest workers’ funds, the unmarried beneficiary who
contributed the maximum of 2.10 francs (40.5 cents) per month
would be entitled to 8 francs ($1.54) per day benefit, and the married
worker, 9.60 francs ($1.85). The majority of the benefit payments
range from 6 to 7 francs ($1.16 to $1.35) per day, plus 1 franc (19.3
cents) for each child. In the textile industry the beneficiary re
ceives a minimum of 2 francs (38.6 cents) per day. In no case,
however, may the benefit exceed 50 per cent of the normal wage in
the case of an unmarried person or 60 per cent in the case of a bene
ficiary with dependents.
In case of partial unemployment, the total benefit must not exceed
80 per cent of the normal wage, including the amount actually
earned, for a married worker, nor more than 70 per cent including
the earned sum, im the case of a beneficiary with no dependents.
The right to benefits for partial unemployment ceases as soon as
the insured has received an amount equal to 90 full days’ benefits
within a period of 360 days.
If unemployment should manifestly be due to the fault of the
beneficiary, but the fault was slight, benefit may be paid at the
expiration of a period of at least’ four weeks.
If an insured worker who is receiving benefit should refuse an
offer of employment, the arbitration commission of his fund or the
labor bureau of the commune, Canton, or the Federation shall
decide whether such proposed work is suitable. In the case of
fraud no benefit shall be paid. Any member failing through his
own fault to pay such contribution as may be due shall no longer
be entitled to receive a benefit under the insurance system.
Benefit may not be granted to the following classes of workers:
(а) Any worker who does not avail himself of a suitable offer of
employment, or who fails to seek work by reason of his own fault;
(б) any worker who does not comply with the regulations of the
law or of his recognized fund; and (c) any worker who gives in
accurate or incomplete information regarding his employment
status, or who otherwise attempts to secure undue benefits.
Transjer of benefit.—Any worker who is employed may transfer
from one fund to another, whether leaving voluntarily or dropped
by a recognized fund through no fault of his own, provided he has
fulfilled his obligations to the first fund. Thereupon, the fund to
which such worker transfers must confer the same rights upon him
after a period of affiliation of four weeks, and as soon as he has
paid contributions for that period. In this case, the statutory
waiting period necessary before the benefits commence is to be
reduced by a period equal to that for which the insured has paid
contributions to the former fund; however, in no case is the fund
obliged to reduce the waiting period to less than four weeks. A
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
27
worker must be credited at the new fund in the amount paid to
the fund from which he may transfer.
No worker going from one fund to another fund may leave the
latter without having paid the total of one year’s contributions
after having enjoyed insurance benefits from the first fund.
Administration of System
F e d e r a l subsidies are granted only to unemployment funds which
have at least 200 members, except in certain cases when tl e fund is
just started. These funds, as mentioned heretofore, are of three
general classes, which are here described more in detail.
The first comprise the public funds, formed by different Cantons
or communes, sometimes having only a few members. It will be
seen by reference to Table 1 that during the past four years there
has been practically no growth in the number of these funds, as
their purely local character is a disadvantage.
The second group includes the private workers’ funds (Privat einsei
tige Kassen or Caisses Mutuelles Privées), which are funds organized
and financed by workers, and under the management of committees of
workers or hired officials. Some of these belong to trade-unions,
some to socialistic organizations, and some to organizations of a
partly social and partly religious character. Among these is the
large group, Schweizerischer Verband Evangelischer Arbeiter und
Angestellter.
The third group is that of the private mutual organizations,
usually referred to as the factory system (Privat paritätische Kassen,
or Caisses Paritaires Privées). These are operated in common by
employers and workers, each paying a contribution.
Referring again to Table 1, it will be seen that the second group
is also failing to grow in numbers, while the third group, or the
mutual societies belonging to both workers and employers—the
factory system—is growing in numbers each year. Starting in 1925
with only 5 funds, there were 70 such funds in 1929, and there are more
in existence now. Their disadvantages, however, are that they are
only local in character and that through the withdrawal or failure
of the firm the membership of the workers is also extinguished.
The number of workers insured with the public funds is, in round
figures, 15 per cent of the total, with the third group, or factory
mutuals, around 20 per cent, and with the workers’ associations, around
65 per cent or nearly twice the number insured with the other two
groups combined.
As the 1930 figures showed 323,754 insured workers, and as it is
safe to say that there are at least 800,000 workers in the country, it
will be seen that about 3 out of 8 workers enjoy this protection.
The funds are required to keep strict account of all money re
ceived and disbursed, and to submit a report annually to the Confed
eration before any subsidy may be allotted. The Federal subsidy
amounts to 40 per cent of the daily benefits in the case of the public
funds and the funds administered in common by employers and
employees, and 30 per cent of the daily benefits in the case of the
workers’ associations. The Federal Council may temporarily increase
the rate of the subsidy by a maximum of 10 per cent.
63413°—31------3
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
In the case of the mutual societies, or factory system funds (Caisses
Paritaires) contributions are deducted weekly by employers from
the wages or salaries of the employees. The payments made to the
workers’ associations are sometimes made in cash, and sometimes
in the form of stamps which are purchased either direct from the
fund or from the post office. The public funds rarely collect the
contributions from their members in cash, but use the special stamps
which are pasted on the insurance book or card.
Statistics of Operation
T he following table shows the total number of people in Switzer
land insured against unemployment in 1930, and the number of
persons who drew insurance benefits during the same period.
T a b l e 4 .—N U M B E R
IN S U R E D A N D N U M B E R OF B E N E F IC IA R IE S
E M P L O Y M E N T IN S U R A N C E F U N D S IN 1930
Total num
ber of
persons
insured
Type of fund
Public funds __
Workers’ funds
Factory funds
Total.
. . ______
_ ___________
_____
_
OF SWISS U N
Beneficiaries
Men
Women
Total
67,137
187, 644
68,973
13, 208
30,038
6,653
7,692
8,741
7,609
20,900
38, 779
14, 262
323, 754
49,899
24,042
73, 941
The total receipts and disbursements and cost of administration
in 1930 were as follows:
T a b l e 5 .— R E C E IPT S A N D D IS B U R S E M E N T S OF SWISS U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN SU R A N C E
F U N D S IN 1930
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
Receipts
Disbursements
Cost of adminis
tration
Class of funds
Swiss
currency
United
States
currency
Swiss
currency
$876, 370
2, 712, 802
525, 349
3, 843, 422
11,229,365
2,166, 508
$741, 781
2,167, 267
418,136
141, 327
223, 271
82, 485
$27, 276
43, 091
15, 920
4,114,521
17, 239, 295
3,327,184
447,083
86, 287
F ra n cs
Public funds___________________ 4, 540,779
Workers’ funds_________________ 14, 055, 967
Factory funds ___ _______
2, 722,014
T otal____________ ______
21,318, 760
United
States
currency
Swiss
currency
U nited
States
currency
F ra n cs
F ra n cs
It is the endeavor of all classes of funds to limit the cost of admin
istration to not more than 15 per cent of the paid-in contributions.
However, during prolonged periods of economic depression such as
in 1930, it is impracticable to maintain administration costs at such
a low level.
No truly accurate information in regard to surplus, deficits, etc.,
for the entire system, is available at the present time. It is believed,
however, that the unemployment insurance expenditures will amount
to 30,000,000 francs ($5,790,000) in 1931, of which the share of the
Confederation will be 12,000,000 francs ($2,316,000). In nearly all
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
29
of the Cantons, however, there are clauses in the canional laws
which call for the making up of yearly deficits in the public or private
funds by the cantonal treasury.
Attitude Toward the System
W h e n insurance against unemployment was first introduced in
Switzerland there was a certain amount of discontent and distrust
on the part of the public in view of the possibility of abuse. This
feeling was especially prevalent during the economic crisis of 19221924, when there were many people in Switzerland without employ
ment. These conditions led to the enactment of the law of October
17, 1924, which has since been interpreted by means of ordinances.
Since the enactment of the initial legislation and the systematiza
tion of the operation of the contributions and benefits, distrust has
gradually dissipated. At the present time insurance programs
against unemployment are well received on the part of the public,
employers, and employees. However, the opinion seems to prevail
that existing legislation can be improved.
The principle of government subsidy for organizations engaged in
social work is well established in Switzerland, and although various
groups are vocal in recommending changes, such changes will not be
put into effect without very careful consideration.
Further remarks concerning the attitude of various groups and
political divisions of the country are made later on in this report in
the section dealing with each Canton as a unit.
Changes Under Contemplation
R e c o m m e n d a t i o n s on the part of funds, as well as by cantonal
authorities, have been made from time to time. These include the
following: (1) More uniform regulations for the whole of Switzerland
and unification of the system; (2) greater benefits for married bene
ficiaries; (3) equalization of the Federal subsidy for all funds; (4)
extension of the period of 90 days for benefits, with a fixed limit;
and (5) an amendment which will avoid any chance of unemployed
workers’ having to accept charity.
Other recommendations have been for a single insurance fund or
company for all Switzerland, operated as a public fund. Another
would make compulsory the setting up of public insurance groups by
each Canton. Still another would make obligatory the subsidizing
of all the existing companies by the Federal Government and put
them all in the category of public organizations.
A very large workers’ fund has set out as a program the following:
The increase of the daily allowance, in case of small wages, where the
legal amount is not equal to the needs of the family; an increase in
the daily allowance according to the number of members in the
family; a regulation of the amount of subsidy paid by each Canton
to the insurance funds, so that the amount of cantonal subsidy will be
the same in each Canton; and finally the introduction of obligatory
insurance for every worker, in order to reduce the potential risk.
As a general thing, no single class except the farmers is inimical to
the principle of unemployment insurance, and even the most conserv-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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30
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
ative of employers are reported to believe that it tends to lower labor
turnover, and keeps idle workers from the temptation of crime and
revolutionary political intrigues.
Fraud and Abuses
F r a u d on the part of members of insurance groups is rare. One
of the large mutual companies, with 15,000 members, states that
fraudulent claims by members do not involve even one-half of 1 per
cent of the membership. Another, even larger, states that fraud does
not come into its statistical review at all, as attempts are very rare.
The law itself provides quite adequate measures to prevent and pun
ish fraud. Still, some of the insurance companies have adopted
checks other than those provided by the law against fraud, and main
tain special investigators.
Grievances and Disputes
G r i e v a n c e s and disputes are settled in different ways according
to cantonal regulations and the rules of the various insurance groups.
In the case of public insurance organizations, the cantonal courts (or
the cantonal legislature itself) are the high authority in case of disputed
claims or disagreements between the worker and his fund. The deci
sion of the Federal Labor Department is the supreme authority for
the entire country. The various insurance funds have in most cases
set up courts of arbitration which decide disputes between the mem
bers and the management regarding all matters except actual claims
for benefits. These claims, when disputed, are usually settled by
the cantonal labor bureaus, with the Federal Labor Bureau acting as
the appeal court. Some funds leave the settlement of all disputes to
the cantonal courts, and in some Cantons this means of arbitration is
compulsory. In these cases the cantonal court decision is final and
can definitely settle claims arising from undeserved discharge and
other administrative troubles, as well as claims for benefits which are
in dispute. The decisions of the cantonal courts are recognized by
the Federal Labor Bureau.
C a n to n of A p p en zell In n e r R h o d e s
T h is Canton by its law of December 27, 1927, obligated itself to
reimburse both public and private unemployment organizations which
are recognized by the Confederation, up to 20 per cent of the daily
benefits paid to unemployed workers.
A further provision of the law states, however, that the poor funds
of the various political districts or communes must return to the
cantonal treasury a portion of this subsidy, in case payments of
unemployment benefits are made to residents of the communes.
Although the law permits each commune to set up a public insurance
organization, none of them has as yet done so as far as could be
learned. The Canton is largely agricultural, however, and the need
for unemployment insurance is relatively very slight.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[30]
31
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
C a n to n o f A p p en zell O u te r R h o d es
T h e Canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes was the first of the two
Appenzell Cantons to enact a law based on the Federal unemploy
ment insurance measure; its law was passed April 25, 1926, and went
into effect January 1, 1927.
The Canton grants subsidies not only to the public insurance organ
izations or funds but also to private funds which are recognized by
the Federal Government. The rate of the cantonal subsidy is from
25 to 35 per cent of the benefit payments made to insured members
residing in the Canton. The cantonal legislature may also vote from
20,000 to 30,000 francs ($3,860 to $5,790) to this end, and in times
of crisis the outlay may reach 50,000 francs ($9,650). _ Any portion
of the yearly credit voted which is not needed is paid into a reserve
fund destined to be drawn on in times of extreme crisis.
Each political district or commune in the Canton is directed by the
law to set up a public insurance organization as soon as 12 or more
workers register their wish to be insured, although two or more
districts may unite in forming an insurance fund if they desire.
Each commune may make insurance obligatory for all of its workers,
or for certain classes only.
C a n to n o f A a rg a u
T h e revision of unemployment legislation by the Canton of Aargau
took place on November 4, 1926, and originally provided for an
operation period of two years. This has been extended since, and
the regulations promulgated in 1926 will be in effect until the end of
1932. Before that date it is expected that an entirely new law will be
enacted, providing for a limited liability insurance corporation,
managed by the Canton.
In the meantime the Canton is subsidizing the private insurance
groups to the extent of 20 per cent of the total benefits paid by them.
In 1926, 16 cooperative insurance groups were operating under
Federal approval in Aargau. At the end of 1927, nine groups were
receiving cantonal subsidies, and the total for the year which the
Canton contributed was 9,534 francs ($1,840). The table following
shows the number of persons covered by insurance for the years 1926,
1927, and 1928, together with the amounts paid out by the insurance
organizations:
T a b l e 6.—U N E M P L O Y M E N T B E N E F IT S PA ID IN C A N TO N OF A A R GAU, 1926 TO 1928
IConversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
Year
N um
ber of
persons
insured
Average benefit
Amount of benefits
per person
Number re
ceiving
United
United
benefits Swiss cur States cur Swiss
States
currency currency
rency
rency
F ra n c s
F ra n c s
1926 _____________________________ _____ 7,118
_____________________________ 7,582
1927
1928
___________________________ 13,097
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 31 ]
592
509
456
47, 671. 31
48,057. 06
33,298. 61
$9, 200. 56
9, 275. 01
6, 426. 63
80. 52
94.41
73. 02
$15.54
18.22
14.09
32
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C a n to n o f B a j e l -L a n d
T h e first legislation creating an unemployment insurance system
in the Canton of Basel-Land was enacted June 23, 1930, and became
effective January 1, 1931. A cantonal office for unemployment
insurance was established by the law, and provision is made for the
regulation and subsidy of certain private funds, which are allowed to
continue operations in conjunction with the cantonal office. Only
private institutions having more than 300 members can be granted a
subsidy by the Canton. There are 27 such institutions in operation
now. Compulsory unemployment insurance is established for certain
classes of workers, and it is provided that certain other classes are
not permitted to be insured.
The contribution prescribed for all classes of workers insured by the
cantonal public fund is five-tenths of 1 per cent of the wages or salary
received. Contributions are to be paid monthly in cash.
Employers of insured persons have to contribute a sum equal to
fifteen-hundredths of 1 per cent of the wages paid out to insured
persons. Government administrations and certain other classes of
employers are exempt from this provision.
The subsidy of the Canton to the cantonal public fund amounts to
25 per cent of the total sum paid out annually as benefits to members,
while for the private organizations the subsidy is 20 per cent of the
annual benefits paid out. A 10 per cent contribution is required from
the municipalities or communes.
Benefits by members may be drawn after 180 days of membership
and contribution payments. In the first year of membership benefits
pray be paid for a maximum period of 50 days. This period may be
increased by 10 days annually until the maximum of 90 days set by
Federal law is reached. The minimum benefit granted daily is 3
irancs (57.9 cents) in the case of persons without dependents, while
for persons having others to support the rate is from 5 to 7 francs
(96.5 cents to $1.35) daily.
The administration of "the cantonal public fund and the regulation
and control of the private funds are under the direction of the canton
al labor office.
The contributions of all insured persons in the Canton of Basel-Land
are deducted by employers from the wages. Employers deduct the
contributions monthly, but remit them semiannually to the labor
office, which in turn makes the distribution according to the institution
or association in which the persons concerned are insured. Accord
ing to an official of the Basel-Land Labor Office, the Canton Basel-Land
is the first in Switzerland to introduce the system of collecting contri
butions through the employer.
As in the Cantons of Basel-Stadt and Solothurn, the law provides
punishment and fines for cases of fraud committed by insured persons.
As the law has been in operation for such a short time there are no
data available as to the frequency of fraud, but as there is no city in
the Canton of more than 10,000 inhabitants, it is believed that control
will be easy, and fraud almost nonexistent.
Appeal in cases of dispute or grievances can be made to a special
commission composed of five members, two being employers, two
employees, and the fifth being the president of the cantonal supreme
court as chairman.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
132]
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
33
The total number of persons insured against unemployment in the
Canton is said to be from 18,000 to 20,000, of whom about half
are insured with the cantonal public fund. No statistics are as^ yet
available with respect to receipts and expenditures, or cost of adminis
tration. It is understood that administration expenses are borne by
the Canton independently of contributions and subsidies received.
No important changes in the system are contemplated by the legis
lative authorities, or urged by any important groups.
C a n to n of B a s e l- S t a d t
T h e first legislation of the Canton of Basel-Stadt relating to unem
ployment insurance was enacted on December 16, 1909, and became
effective May 2, 1910. This law established a cantonal office for
unemployment insurance, and provided for the regulation and sub
sidy of private unemployment insurance organizations which might
continue to operate in conjunction with the cantonal office. Unem
ployment insurance was not compulsory under this law, which remained
in force until the enactment of entirely new legislation on February 11,
1926.
The law of February 11, 1926, makes it compulsory for certain
classes of workers to be insured, either with the cantonal office, or
with officially recognized private organizations. Inhabitants of the
Canton who are capable of working, are over 16 years of age, and not
engaged in independent occupations, must be insured, with the
exception of persons in the following classes: (a) Personnel of the
Federal offices, and administrations and officials and employees of
foreign governments, as well as the permanently employed personnel
of the cantonal and municipal offices; (b) domestic and agricultural
servants; (c) home workers, persons who work by the hour or day in
households, and porters; (d) house-to-house salesmen and travelers on
commission; (e) apprentices coming under the law concerning appren
ticeship; and (J) workers whose regular income (salary, wages, regular
fixed additional sums) is in excess of 6,000 francs ($1,158) per year.
There are at present 23 officially recognized private organizations
in the Canton of Basel-Stadt which undertake unemployment insur
ance and receive cantonal and Federal subsidies in accordance with
the laws of the Federal and cantonal governments. As stated, work
ers subject to compulsory insurance may be insured by either the
cantonal institution or by one of the officially recognized private
funds. Employed persons belonging to classes exempted from com
pulsory insurance may as a rule be voluntarily insured with the
cantonal fund or with one of the private funds. The majority of the
private funds are administered jointly by employers and workers, the
employers usually paying part of the contribution p but some of the
private organizations are administered by trade-unions, and in such
cases the workers, of course, pav all the contributions.
The law of February 11, 1926, is still in force, but has been twice
amended as follows : An amendment of January 27, 1927, made certain
changes of minor importance with regard to the payment of contri
butions and conditions for granting the cantonal subsidy, and an
amendment of March 1, 1929, authorized the executive council of
the cantonal government to increase the usual rates of assistance for
certain trades and in times of economic crisis.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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34
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The cantonal subsidy for private unemployment insurance associa
tions as well as for the cantonal fund amounts to 45 per cent of the
amount paid annually as benefits. All employers in the Canton of
Basel-Stadt are requested to contribute to a so-called “ crisis fund”
two-tenths of 1 per cent of the amount of wages paid out to their
employees. This fund is not used unless the cantonal subsidy to all
of the unemployment insurance institutions, public and private,
exceeds five times the contribution of the employers.
Contributions paid by members of the cantonal insurance fund are
related to wages or earnings according to the following classification:
T a b l e 7.—C O N T R IB U TIO N S OF M E M B E R S OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN SU R A N C E F U N D
OF BA SE L-ST AD T
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
M onthly contribu
tion
Wage class
D aily wage
United
Swiss
States
currency currency
Class 1 _ _ __ __ Up to 6 francs ($1.16)
_ __ __ __________________ _
Class 2 ___ 6.Ô1 to 9 francs ($1.17-$1.74)_______________________________
Class 3 ___ _
9.01 to 12 francs ($1.75-$2.32). . ____
Class 4 ___
12.01 to 14 francs ($2.32-$2.70) __________ _
Class 5_____ __
Over 14 francs ($2.70)_____ ______
_
_ _ _
F ra n cs
0. 70
1. 00
1. 50
2. 00
2. 50
C e n ts
13. 5
19. 3
29. 0
38. 6
48.3
Persons insured by the cantonal insurance institution are en
titled to a benefit only when they have been members for a period
of 180 days and have paid their premiums for this period. The max
imum period during which members may receive benefits is 90 days
annually, but this period may be extended under exceptional condi
tions. The usual amount of daily benefit for each of the five classes
described above is as follows:
T a b l e 8 .—D A IL Y B E N E F IT S OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN S U R A N C E F U N D OF BA SEL-
ST A D T
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
Persons with
dependents
Persons without
dependents
Class
United
United
Swiss
Swiss
States currency
States
currency currency
currency
Class
Class
Class
Class
Class
F ra n c s
1_ ___ _______________ ___
2 ________________________________
3 _ __________ _______ __ _
4_______
_ ____
5 ______________________________________
i 60
5.00
5. 75
6. 50
7.00
F ra n c s
i 60
$0.97
1.11
1.25
1.35
i 50
4. 00
4. 50
5. 00
5. 50
i 50
$0. 77
.87
.97
1.06
i Per cent of wage.
There is no right to benefit under the following circumstances:
(a)
When the employee leaves his employer without definite as
surance of other work, unless he has reasons which entitle him to
leave, such as being forced to continue under conditions contrary to
the contract, or being forced to accept wages lower than those usually
paid for the specific kind of work.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 34 ]
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
35
(b) When the unemployment is due to the conduct of the insured
and dismissal is permitted according to the Federal factory law and
the cantonal laws.
(c) When unemployment is due to collective labor disputes, during
the duration of the conflict and the succeeding 30 days.
(<d) When unemployment is the consequence of sickness or accident
of the insured, during the time of invalidity.
(e) When the insured does not comply with the regulations con
cerning control.
if) When the insured refuses, without sufficient reason, to accept
work which has been offered to him, or when he can not find work due
to his own fault or negligence.
(g) When the insured knowingly makes untrue statements with
respect to the claim for insurance or the class of premium to be paid.
The administration of the cantonal unemployment insurance office
and the control of private unemployment insurance organizations are
under the direction of a bureau of the cantonal department of the
interior. A special board has been created for the supervision of
the affairs of this bureau. The bureau itself has six employees—
one manager and five clerks. The expenses of administration amount
to approximately 45,000 francs ($8,685) annually.
Contributions must be paid monthly in cash, and evidence of pay
ment is shown by stamps attached to membership books. The law
provides punishment and fines for cases of fraud committed by
insured persons. In every instance when benefit is granted, either by
the cantonal institution or by a private organization, a careful inves
tigation is made. The number of cases of fraud discovered has
averaged about 10 in each of the recent years.
Disputes and grievances are first brought before the manager of
the cantonal office and may be appealed to higher authority, eventu
ally to the executive council and the cantonal legislature.
The cantonal insurance office had 11,095 members at the end of
1929. There were on the same date 23 private organizations in the
canton, and these had 25,757 members.
According to the manager of the Basel labor office, the attitude of
employers, workers, and the public as a whole in Basel-Stadt is
generally favorable to the principle of unemployment insurance,
and to the particular system now in force. Officials of the cantonal
government, it is said, would greatly prefer a system providing for
government monopoly, because they find that private associations,
the trade-unions in particular, are in many cases too lenient in apply
ing their own, the cantonal, and the Federal regulations. I t is con
sidered unlikely, however, that proposals to establish a government
monopoly would meet with the approval of the cantonal legislature,
and even if passed by the legislature there would be still less chance
of a favorable referendum vote by the people.
Abuses under the system are few, however. As stated above, the
number of cases of fraud discovered is only about 10 annually. A
great difficulty in collecting contributions is reported; the number of
reluctant contribution payers brought before court amounts to
approximately 500 per year.
There are no important changes in the system contemplated by
the legislative authorities or urged by any important groups.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[35]
36
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C a n to n o f B e rn
U n d e r the law of May 9, 1925, and the ordinances of April 24 and
October 6, 1926, the Canton of Bern allots to public and private
unemployment insurance funds having their headquarters or branches
within the Canton a subsidy equal to 10 per cent of the benefits paid
to the unemployed domiciled in that territory, which may be increased
by a maximum of 10 per cent during a crisis. In addition, the com
mune in which the beneficiary is living must grant to the fund which
receives a subsidy from the Canton an amount equal to at least 10
per cent of the benefits paid. Several communes pay subsidies at a
higher rate. All funds are exempt from cantonal and communal
taxes.
At the end of September, 1930, 39.4 per cent of the people receiving
salaries in the Canton of Bern were entitled to unemployment insur
ance. In 1929, with a total population of 706,900, there were 36,128
insured people, and of the total insured 8,448, or 23.3 per cent, re
ceived benefits aggregating 1,363,971 francs ($263,246). The average
daily benefit was 5.60 francs ($1.08), and the average period of
benefits was 29 days.
It has recently been recommended to the cantonal authorities
that a new law be enacted providing for compulsory insurance. The
Canton now_ pays nearly the lowest subsidy in the Confederation,
and it is not improbable that a new law may be enacted, whereby the
amount of the cantonal subsidy will be changed from the existing
rate of 10 per cent to 10, 15, 20, and 25 per cent, according to the
insurance risk.
City of Bern
An unemployment fund has existed in the city of Bern since 1893,
and under regulations promulgated October 2, 1925, and modified
March 11, 1927, the city grants a subsidy to public funds equal to
25 per cent of the benefits paid, which may be temporarily increased
to 35 per cent. In the case of private insurance organizations, the
city refunds to them, under certain conditions, 20 per cent of the
benefits paid, which may be increased, in time of need, to 30 per cent.
In common with nearly all other subsidy regulations, these grants
of the city are limited in duration, the maximum being 80 days for
each worker during a period of 360 days.
Funds appropriated by the city council which are not utilized
during the course of the year are transferred to a reserve, which
may be drawn upon to meet deficits or extraordinary contingencies
during periods of crisis.
Under provisions of the communal law whereby suburban com
munes may be affiliated with the fund of the City of Bern, agree
ments have already been concluded between the city of Bern and
the following communes: Belp, Bolligen, Bremgarten, Diemerswil,
Frauenkappelen, Jegenstorf,Kehrsats, Kirchlindach, Kosnitz, Mooseedorf, Munchenbuchsee, Neueneck, Stettlen, Vechingen, Wohlen, and
Zollikofen.
City of Bienne
B y a decree of June 13, 1926, the city of Bienne instituted a public
fund and provided for the granting of subsidies to private funds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[36]
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
37
The public fund receives an annual subsidy equal to 25 per cent
of the benefits paid, which during a period of crisis may be increased
to 40 per cent. The recognized private funds are entitled, under
certain conditions, to a subsidy of 20 per cent, which may be increased
to 30 per cent during periods of crisis. In the case of both private
and public funds the subsidy is granted for a maximum of 80 days of
unemployment during the course of 360 days.
As in the regulations of the city of Bern, funds which are appro
priated but not expended during any given year are placed in a
special reserve for use during periods of exceptional unemployment.
C a n to n o f F rib o u rg
U n e m p l o y m e n t insurance in the Canton of Fribourg is provided
for in the law of November 13, 1928. The cantonal subsidy is de
termined by the amount of daily benefits paid by the insurance
organizations.
In the case of public funds and insurance funds operated jointly
by employers and employees the subsidy amounts to 30 per cent of
the benefits paid, and for the other funds (those managed and financed
by trade-unions or workers) the subsidy amounts to 15 per cent of
the benefits paid.
Benefits may not be paid to insured persons who have not attained
the age of 16 years or who live outside of the Canton.
C a n to n of G en ev a
T h e first law enacted in the Canton of Geneva based upon the
Federal law of October 17, 1924, was dated September 26, 1925, and
became effective January 26, 1926. Under this law the cantonal
government pays an amount equal to 40 per cent of the total benefits
paid to persons domiciled in the Canton by those private organizations
which receive contributions and pay benefits under a system similar
to ordinary insurance.
The most recent law on the subject, dated September 27, 1930,
which was adopted by the Geneva council on the 7th and 8th of
February, 1931, to become effective on the 18th of February, 1932,
makes insurance against unemployment obligatory. Under this law
such insurance must be taken out by persons between the ages
of 18 and 65 years, who have been domiciled for at least one year in
the Canton and are working regularly for another, either with the
Geneva Cantonal Unemployment Insurance Fund (Caisse Cantonale
Genevoise d’Assurance-Chômage) or with one of the recognized private
organizations.
The status of the cantonal organizations has not yet been worked
out by the Council of States and the contributions to be paid by work
ers have not yet been decided. The administration of the cantonal
system will be under the direction of the department of hygiene.
At present there are approximately 3,500 persons covered by unemplovment insurai ce in the Canton of Geneva, of which number
3,100 are men and 400 are women.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 37 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
C a n to n o f G la ru s
U n d e r the law providing for unemployment insurance in the Canton
of Glarus, passed by the legislature May 3, 1925, put into force
January 1, 1926, and modified by order of the superior council
December 2, 1926, all workers in factories or concerns subject to the
Federal factory inspection service are required to insure themselves
against unemployment in a recognized insurance organization. This
requirement is also held to apply to workers in industries under the
jurisdiction of the cantonal laws regarding workmen’s welfare.
There is a cantonal public fund, maintained by the Federal subsidy,
the cantonal subsidy, and contributions of the workers and their
employers. The Canton grants a subsidy of 30 per cent of the amount
of benefits paid and also bears the cost of administration.
All differences between workers and their insurance organizations
are to be settled by the president of the civil court of the Canton.
All employers of labor required to be insured must pay a contri
bution equal to two-tenths of 1 per cent of their salaries. In case a
factory-system insurance fund is operated, the contributions paid to
the cantonal fund are refunded to the employers contributing to
the factory-system fund.
The contributions for the cantonal public fund are based on 2 per
cent of the yearly wages paid to insured workers. The Federal sup
port comes to 40 per cent of the yearly costs, and the cantonal support
to 30 per cent, so that the fund itself must provide 30 per cent from
the contributions.
At the end of 1930 there were 7,600 persons insured against un
employment in this Canton, 7,172 of whom belonged to classes for
which insurance is compulsory; 6,960 were members of the cantonal
organization; and 212 were in private funds.
The usual precaution of requiring a certificate from the employer
stating the cause of discharge is followed when applications for
benefits are made, and since 1926 only four cases of attempted fraud
have been discovered.
The principal classes of workers who have received benefits from
the cantonal fund are employees of cotton-spinning plants, weaving
plants, and. cotton-goods printing factories. Unemployment in these
industries is growing, and it is anticipated that the year 1931 will
see an important increase in the number of benefits paid.
During the month of January, 1931, 766 persons were receiving
benefits, amounting to 31,927.05 francs ($6,161.92) for the month
and in February the beneficiaries amounted to 1,046 and the cost
was 42,771.85 francs ($8,254.97). The payments made during the
year 1930 to unemployed workers, listed by industries, are as follows:
T able 9 . — TOTAL B E N E F IT S PA ID TO U N E M P L O Y E D W ORKERS IN C A N T O N OF
GLARUS, 1930, B Y IN D U S T R IE S
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
Swiss cur
rency
Industry
F ra n cs
Cotton spinning and w ea v in g ...
Printing on cotton and silk__
Silk weaving .
Other industries____ _________
Total . . . . . .
____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
United States
currency
51, 340. 25
81, 023. 95
7, 246. 80
11,385. 55
150,996. 55
[38]
$9,908. 67
15, 637. 62
1, 398. 63
2,197. 41
29,142. 33
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
39
The total sum was paid to 616 men, for a total of 17,299 working
days, and to 1,273 women for 24,310 working days, during which they
were unemployed.
A change in the cantonal law is anticipated for 1932, when it is
believed that compulsory insurance will be voted for all workers in
the Canton, and not simply those employed in plants which are subject
to Federal inspection.
C a n to n o f G riso n s
I n accordance with the Federal law of 1924, a cantonal law was
passed in the Canton of Grisons in 1926, creating regulations govern
ing both public and private unemployment insurance organizations.
These regulations were simple, stating only that such organizations
should be approved by the Federal insurance authorities and receive
the lawful financial support of the Federal Government. The
original law provided for a cantonal contribution of 40 per cent of the
amount of the Federal subsidy, but this was altered within the year
to provide for a cantonal contribution of 30 per cent of the insurance
benefits paid. The system is one of voluntary insurance.
At the end of the year 1930 there were 14 private insurance organi
zations operating in the Canton and having a claim on cantonal
support. No public fund has so far been organized.
No reliable figures are obtainable for the Canton as a whole concern
ing the number of insured workers and their periods of unemployment,
but the entire amount paid out by these private insurance groups dur
ing the year 1930 was not quite 30,000 francs ($5,790), of which the
Canton paid a little less than 10,000 francs ($1,930).
This Canton is largely agricultural; it is the largest of all in area,
but contains much land that is worthless for cultivation or grazing.
The great winter resorts of Arosa, St. Moritz, Davos, and Pontresina
are located in Grisons, and the income from the tourist trade is large.
No changes in the cantonal law are anticipated in the near future.
C a n to n of L u c e r n e
T h e Canton of Lucerne first took cognizance of the Federal law
regarding unemployment insurance by issuing a set of regulations to
the various district labor offices on November 25, 1925. By the end
of 1928 over 4,000 workers in the Canton had insured in private
trade-union or mutual factory-system unemployment insurance
companies or groups.
On November 25, 1929, the first comprehensive law governing
unemployment insurance was passed by the cantonal legislature.
This law made insurance of certain classes of workers in the Canton
obligatory, and the communes of the Canton in which these classes
of workers were employed were permitted to set up public insurance
funds should they so desire.
The law provides that the Canton shall subsidize both public and
private funds to the extent of 20 per cent of the benefits paid, and
requires the communes to supply a further 10 per cent. No public
funds have been organized so far, however.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 39 ]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
40
Full regulations concerning the above law were put into effect by
the legislature on May 1, 1930. These set the contributions which
workers should pay to the public funds as follows:
T a b l e 1 0 .— M O N TH LY C O N T R IB U TIO N S OF W ORKERS TO PU BLIC U N E M P L O Y M E N T
IN SU R A N C E F U N D S IN C A N TO N OF L U C E R N E
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
M onthly contri
bution
D aily wage
Class
United
Swiss
States
currency currency
F ra n c s
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
__
-- ______ -_ _ _ _ _
__
___
-- - __- _____ - ___
_ __ _
- -
U p to 5 francs (97 cen ts)... . ---------From 5 to 9 francs (97 cents to $1.74) _ _
From 9 to 13 francs ($1.74 to $2.51)... .
Over 13 francs ($2.51)...
. .
C e n ts
0. 50
1.00
1. 50
2. 00
9. 7
19. 3
29.0
38.6
Benefits for the four classes were specified as follows:
T a b l e 1 1 . — D A IL Y B E N E F IT S PA ID BY PU BLIC U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN S U R A N C E F U N D S
IN C A N TO N OF L U C E R N E
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
Workers without
dependents
Class
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
C lass4
- - _____________ __________ ______
-- —
_____ - _____
- ______
___ ____
_____ _____ _____ ______ ______- -- -________________ _______ _
_______
Workers with
dependents
Swiss
currency
United
States
currency
Swiss
currency
United
States
currency
F ra n cs
C e n ts
F ra n cs
C e n ts
2.00
3.00
4. 00
5. 00
38.6
57. 9
77. 2
96. 5
3.00
4. 50
6.00
7. 50
0. 58
.87
1. 16
1.45
The period for which benefits may be paid were set as follows: For
the first year of membership, 40 days; for the second, 50 days; for the
third, 60 days; for the fourth, 70 days; for the fifth, 80 days; for the
sixth, 90 days.
There is no cantonal public fund being operated, but the cantonal
subsidy is granted to the private funds, whether they be trade-union
or factory system.
At the end of 1928 there were 4,511 workers carried on the rolls of
the various unemployment insurance funds in the Canton, but this
number dropped to 4,508 in 1929. The private trade-union funds
are much the more popular, with 3,991 members, only 517 workers
belonging to mutual or factory-system organizations.
C a n to n of N e u c h â te l
T h e Canton of Neuchâtel passed a law on May 17, 1926, adopting
compulsory system of unemployment insurance. It provides for
subsidies to recognized funds, and imposes contributions on the part
of employers.
All persons of the ages of 16 to 60 years, of Swiss nationality and
domiciled in the Canton of Neuchâtel for at least one year, who are
a
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 40 ]
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IN SWITZERLAND
41
working regularly for one or more employers, are subject to unemploy
ment insurance. Compulsory insurance does not apply to the follow
ing classes of workers, however:
(а) Those whose total annual income exceeds 6,000 francs ($1,158),
and those who possess property exceeding 40,000 francs ($7,720)
according to tax assessments.
(б) The personnel of the Federal, cantonal, and communal adminis
trations, and of licensed transportation enterprises.
(c) Apprentices.
(d) Household domestics.
(e) Casual workers by the day or hour.
(f) Workers (not proprietors) engaged in agriculture, horticulture,
and viticulture.
(g) Seasonal workers, such as carters, road makers, drainers, fisher
men, and boatmen.
(.h) Peddlers.
All three types of insurance organizations are recognized by the
Canton, but subsidies in the case of the public funds and the factorysystem funds are 20 per cent of the benefits paid, while that to the
trade-union funds is but 15 per cent. However, the cantonal subsidy
in the case of public funds may be increased to 25 per cent, provided
the Federal Government takes similar action. In the case of the two
other types of fund the cantonal subsidy may be increased by an
amount equal to 50 per cent of the supplementary Federal subsidy.
Employers are required to contribute annually 6 francs for every
worker coming under the compulsory insurance system. If, however,
a worker is employed by more than one person or concern, each
employer must contribute annually the sum of 3 francs. The
employers’ contributions are collected by the communes and paid by
the latter into the cantonal insurance fund. The communes, however,
may require employers to collect contributions from their employees
and generally to supervise the administration of the system regarding
their own employees.
The communes of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle, which are the
principal centers for the manufacture of watches in the Canton of
Neuchâtel, also subsidize unemployment funds for benefits paid to
their inhabitants. These communes refund to the cantonal public
fund and to the factory-system funds 10 per cent of the benefits paid,
whereas 20 per cent is refunded to trade-union organizations. This is
the reverse of the policy followed by most Cantons and communes,
which grant smaller subsidies to the trade-union funds than to the
other two classes.
Certain changes have recently been made in the cantonal law, which
are not yet published, having been voted on February 27, 1931.
These relate to the by-laws of the cantonal public fund.
Contributions of insured persons are determined according to daily
wages, without distinction as to family status, and are as follows:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 41 ]
42
T able
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
1 2 —M O N TH LY
C O N T R IB U TIO N S OF IN S U R E D
NEUCHATEL
PER SO N S IN
C A N T O N OF
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
M onthly contributions
D aily wages
Up to 6 francs ($1 16)
6 to 8 francs ($1 16 to $1 54)
8 to Î0 francs ($1 54 to $1.93)
10 francs ($1 93) and over
Swiss cur
rency
United
States
currency
F ra n c s
C e n ts
1.50
1.70
2. 60
3. 20
_______ - - - _______________ -- - _____ __________ _____ _____ ____ - ____________ _ ______
________ --- _
28.9
32.8
50.2
61.8
It will be noted that these are among the highest contributions
specified by any Canton.
In case of total unemployment the maximum benefit is fixed as
follows:
T a b le 1 3 .—D A IL Y M A X IM U M B E N E F IT S U N D E R U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN S U R A N C E IN
CA N TO N OF N E U C H A T E L
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc= 19.3 cents]
Workers without
dependents
Daily wages
Up to 6 francs ($1 16) _____ ___ _
_ _ _____ _ _ 6 to 8 francs ($1.16 to $1.54) 1---------------------- ----------- 8 to 10 francs ($1.54 to $1.93) _ - ------------------------- --10 francs ($1.93) and over------------------- --------------------- --
Workers with depend
ents
Swiss
currency
United
States
currency
Swiss
currency
F ra n cs
C e n ts
F ra n cs
3.00
3. 50
4. 50
5.00
57.9
67. 5
86. 9
96. 5
3. 60
4. 80
6.00
7 00
United
States
currency
$0. 69
.92
1. 16
1. 35
The benefit may not exceed 50 per cent of the loss of normal wages
in the case of insured members without dependents, and 60 per cent
for those having dependents. Total unemployment is understood
to mean that the insured can not find work during normal hours of
labor within a period of 12 days.
Certain other changes relating to benefits and partial unemploy
ment were recently made in the cantonal law in order to make it com
ply with the Federal law.
C a n to n o f S t . G all
T h e law of the Canton of St. Gall concerning unemployment
insurance was passed by the legislature November 17, 1925, and
took effect December 21, 1925, being one of the first cantonal laws
enacted for the furtherance of the Federal law. A former cantonal
law dating from 1894 dealing with unemployment relief was repealed
at the same time.
One feature of the law is that it enables each political district of
the Canton to make insurance obligatory for all workers in the
district or commune.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[42]
UNEM PLO YM ENT IN SU R A N C E IN SW ITZERLAND
43
All workers from 16 to 60 years old, living in the commune for more
than three months, and who were not members of private or cooper
ative insurance societies at the time the law was passed, may be
compelled to take out insurance.
Each district fund is under the full control of the communal gov
ernment council (G em einderat ), with the cantonal government council
acting in an advisory capacity.
Each unemployed worker is entitled to not more than 90 days’
benefits in each 360-day year, and benefits must not amount to more
than 60 per cent of the normal wage, and for those workers who have
no dependents, 50 per cent, thus conforming to the Federal law.
The following are the means of support for the authorized insur
ance associations: Entrance fees of the insured workers and their
contributions; aid of the cantonal treasury, up to 50 per cent of the
yearly payments made to the unemployed; subsidy of the Federal
treasury; contributions of the political subdivisions or communes;
gifts and other free-will contributions and interest thereon.
Surplus moneys over the yearly needs and which have been con
tributed by the communes are used to set up a reserve fund, to be
drawn against at need.
I t has been learned that at the next session of the legislature it is
proposed to make several changes in the present law. These changes,
it is believed, will have to do primarily with the methods of financing
the system.
C a n to n o f S ch a ffh a u se n
T h e present law of the Canton of Schaffhausen governing unem
ployment insurance dates from July 9, 1928, and went into effect
April 1, 1929. The system adopted is a compulsory one, requiring
all workers who are over 18 and under 60 years of age to insure
against unemployment.
Certain exceptions to this general law are made, namely those
persons possessed of property of over 30,000 francs ($5,790), or a
yearly income of more than 6,000 francs ($1,158), as well as employees
and officials of thé Federal or cantonal Government, of foreign public
offices, and international transport concessions, such as employees of
international dining-car companies. Further exceptions are domes
tic servants, agricultural workers, foresters and apprentices, seasonal
workers, peddlers, and itinerant workers without homes.
Workers under 18 but over 16 years of age may insure voluntarily
until the age of 18 is reached.
No one may be insured in more than one fund, and if a worker does
not choose a private fund in which to insure within two months of
the date on which he is legally required to be insured, he is arbitrarily
made a member of the cantonal public group, with contributions due
for the two months in arrears.
At the time of passage of the law the Canton set up its own unem
ployment group or fund, with resources announced as being derived
from: (1) Contributions of the workers; (2) contributions of the
employers; (3) contributions of the Canton; (4) contributions of the
communes or municipalities; (5) contributions of the Federal Govern
ment; (6) a guaranty of all deficits from reserve funds or from the
cantonal treasury; (7) gifts, fines, or other sources.
63413°— 31
4
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[43]
44
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Every member of the cantonal public fund, irrespective of his
wage or family needs, pays a contribution of 50 centimes (9.65 cents)
per week. Every employer must contribute two-tenths of 1 per cent
of the total wages paid to the workers in his employ who are by law
required to be insured. However, if he contributes to a private or
mutual factory-system fund for his employees, his contribution to
the public fund is reduced by that amount.
The contribhtion of the Canton amounts to 2 francs (38.6 cents)
per year for each member of an insurance group or fund, whether it
be a private or public one. Besides this contribution per member,
the Canton is liable for all deficits incurred by the cantonal public
fund.
The district or commune must contribute 1 franc (19.3 cents) per
year for each worker liable to insurance who has his residence in that
commune.
The cantonal public fund is required to contribute, to private funds
which have been approved, subsidies amounting to 60 per cent of that
granted by the Federal Government. The subsidy of the Federal
Government can be used only for the purposes prescribed by its
regulations—that is, payment of benefits—but 30 per cent of all other
contributions are intended by the terms of the law to go into a reserve
fund set up by a gift of 100,000 francs ($19,300) from the cantonal
treasury. It is hoped that this fund will grow large enough to enable
other contributions to be reduced.
On December 31, 1929, the public fund had 5,734 members, and
the 14 approved private funds operating in the Canton had 2,922, or
a total of 8,656 members. By the end of 1930 the public fund had
grown to 6,460 members, while the private funds had only 2,803, a
total of 9,263.
No changes in the present law are contemplated.
C a n to n of S ch w y z
T h e law respecting unemployment insurance in the Canton of
Schwyz, under the Federal law of 1924 was passed by the cantonal
legislature on November 28, 1928. It provided for a subsidy of 20
per cent of the total payments to unemployed who were insured in
either public or private insurance organizations, provided these groups
also were being subsidized by the Federal Government. A provision
was also made for a possible increase in the cantonal subsidy of 10
per cent in time of need.
The first year of operation in the Canton was 1929. Eight coopera
tive groups, most of them national trade-union associations, applied
for the cantonal subsidy, and the total payments made by them to
the unemployed amounted to 12,109.35 francs ($2,337.10), of which
the Canton paid 2,421.85 francs ($467.42). Fewer than 100 persons
received payments during the year. The system is a voluntary one.
No changes in the present cantonal laws are anticipated. The
legislature appropriated 3,000 francs ($579) to cover its share of the
1929 payments, and the surplus of 578.15 francs ($111.58) was set
aside as a contribution to an emergency relief fund authorized in the
cantonal law on unemployment insurance.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
144]
UNEM PLOYM ENT IN SUR ANC E IN SWITZERLAND
45
C a n to n of S o lo th u rn
T h e law of the Canton of Solothurn relating to unemployment
insurance dated October 31, 1926, was made effective with regard to
certain sections as of January 1 , 1926, but the principal features of
the law became effective from January 1, 1927. The law is at present
in full force, and no important amendments have taken place since
its enactment. There are a few changes contemplated, however,
which would increase the amount of the contributions somewhat
and provide for a larger emergency subsidy by the Canton. The
present standard subsidy is 25 per cent, with a 10 per cent emergency
increase. It is proposed to make this emergency increase 20 per cent.
Unemployment insurance is compulsory for certain classes of
workers, and voluntary for others. It is left optional with workers,
in the case of compulsory insurance, whether they will be insured
through the cantonal unemployment insurance institution, or through
one of the officially recognized private funds. The law provides that
all inhabitants of the Canton who are between the ages of 16 and 65,
and are capable of working, and dependent upon others for employ
ment, must be insured, with the exception of the following classes of
persons :
(a) Officials and permanent workers in the administration and
establishments of the Confederation or of any of the Swiss Cantons
and municipalities.
(b) The permanent personnel of the Government licensed transpor
tation firms and of the electricity and gas works.
(c) Female household servants.
(d) All female and male workers on farms who work in this capacity
during at least six months of the year.
(e) Home workers whose home work is irregular, being on the
average less than one-third of their weekly capacity for work, and
when their earnings amount to less than 600 francs ($115.80) per year.
(/) Persons dependent upon others for employment, whose regular
yearly income is in the case of women more than 4,000 francs ($772),
and in the case of men more than 5,000 francs ($965).
(,9) Foreigners for whom the Federal subsidy is not obtainable, no
agreement being made with the country of which they are nationals.
The exemption of further groups of persons from compulsory
insurance may be made by decree of the cantonal council in such
cases where the insurance seems superfluous or impracticable.
In the Canton of Solothurn there are at present 24 officially recog
nized private organizations which undertake unemployment insur
ance. Most of these were in existence previous to the passage of the
cantonal law of 1926. They receive cantonal and Federal subsidies
in accordance with the law of the Federal Government and the can
tonal law. Some of them are factory-system funds, administered
jointly by workers and employers, while others are trade-union funds,
administered entirely by the workers who pay all the contributions.
No person may be insured by two funds at the same time, but as a
rule those persons exempt by law from compulsory insurance are per
mitted to insure themselves with either the cantonal public fund or
the private institutions.
Contributions to the cantonal insurance fund are related to wages
or earnings, according to the following classifications :
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[45]
46
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a ble
1 4 .— M ON TH LY
C O N T R IB U TIO N S TO C A N TO N A L
SOLO TH U R N
IN S U R A N C E
FUND
OF
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
M onthly contribu
tions
D aily wage
Class
United
Swiss
States
currency currency
F ra n c s
Class 1
mass 2
Class 3
Class 4
_ -
--
__ _
C e n ts
0. 50
1.00
1.50
2.00
Up to S francs (97 cents) _
From 5 to 9 francs (97 cents to $1.74) —
From 9 to 13 francs ($1.74 to $2.51)___
Over 13 francs ($2.51) __
9.7
19. 3
29. 0
38. 6
The waiting time required before benefit can be received is 180
days, in accordance with Federal law. In the first year of member
ship benefits may be drawn for 40 days, which is increased by a period
of 10 days per year, until a maximum of 90 days is reached. The
amount of benefit regularly granted daily is as follows:
T a b l e 1 5 .-D A I L Y B E N E F IT S PA ID BY C A N TO N A L F U N D OF SOLO TH U R N
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc = 19.3 cents]
Persons without de
pendents
Class
United
United
cur States
Swiss cur States
cur
cur Swiss
rency
rency
rency
rency
F ra n cs
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Persons with depend
ents
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
_________- _____________
______ _ _ ----_
_____
__
C e n ts
38.6
57.9
77.2
96.5
F ra n cs
3.00
4. 50
6.00
7.50
$0.58
.87
.97
1.45
The usual provisions regarding the refusal of benefits to workers
who are unemployed through their own fault or negligence are
enforced.
The administration of the law is by a special cantonal office created
for this purpose. There is a manager and seven clerks. The 132
municipalities or communes of the canton assist in the administration
of the law and operate branch offices for the collection of contributions
and the payment of benefits. Contributions must be paid monthly
in advance in cash, and receipt is made by placing a stamp in a mem
bership book.
Punishment and fines are provided for fraud, but no instances of
fraud were discovered in 1927, 1928, and 1929. In 1930 there were
four cases in the Canton, amounting to a total sum of 358 francs
($69.09).
_
.
.
Machinery for the adjustment of disputes and grievances is pro
vided through a special commission. Complaints and grievances on
the part of members must be presented in writing.
According to the manager of the cantonal unemployment insurance
office, the receipts and expenditures of the cantonal unemployment
insurance fund in 1930 were as follows:
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[46]
UNEM PLO YM ENT IN SUR ANC E IN SW ITZERLAND
47
T a b l e 1 6 .—R E C E IPT S A N D E X P E N D IT U R E S OF C A N TO N A L U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN
SU R A N C E F U N D OF SO LO T H U R N , 1930
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=19.3 cents]
Swiss cur
rency
Item
R e c e ip t s
F ra n cs
Interest-- .
____
__
____ . . . . . .
...
Prem ium s.._______ _____ _
___
_ _
Subsidies:
Municipal (voluntary).
_ __________ _ _
Cantonal
_
_
__ _ _
Federal _
_ _
Total
__ _
_____ ____
United
States cur
rency
__
_ _
.
___________
_ __
__
...............
__ _ .
8,000
122,000
$1,544
23, 546
26, 000
116, 000
170, 000
5,018
22, 388
32, 810
442, 000
85,306
365, 000
70, 445
77, 000
14, 861
D is b u r s e m e n t s
Benefits paid out______ . . .
_
_ __ _. ____ _____________ _ __ _
Surplus______________ ____________ ________________
___ _____
The cost of administration, amounting to approximately 42,000
francs ($8,106) annually, is borne by the cantonal government.
An attempt was made to base contributions and benefits on actua
rial calculations, such as those established by Professor Mangold of
Basel, but the present economic crisis, which has particularly affected
the watch industry, overthrew all such calculations.
C a n to n o f T h u r g a u
T h e basic law of the Canton of Thurgau was passed by the legisla
ture December 30, 1930, and adopted by popular referendum February
8, 1931. Naturally, no statistics of importance covering the Canton
have as yet been collected by the labor department, but it is estimated
that there are about 30,000 workers in the Canton who will be affected
by the law, most of whom are already insured in factory-system or
trade-union funds.
The law provides for the establishment of a public cantonal unem
ployment insurance fund. There are the usual provisions adopted by
other Cantons having compulsory insurance systems as to the classes
of workers which are exempted. The ages at which insurance must
be taken are from 16 to 65 years.
The cantonal subsidy is set at 30 per cent of the amount of benefits
paid, and can be given alike to both public and private organizations.
C a n to n of T ic in o
law of the Canton of Ticino regarding unemployment insur
ance was passed on November 25, 1929. It has the usual features
prescribed by the Federal law regarding the length of time benefits
may be paid, namely, 90 days in each 360-day period. However,
due to the existing crisis, benefits have been paid to the unemployed
in a few trades for from 120 to 150 days continuously.
The Canton has no public insurance organization of its own, but
the law provides for cantonal subsidy for all public, private, or mutual
insurance funds.
The amount of the cantonal subsidy is set at 10 per cent of the
amount paid by the funds in benefits, which may be increased in time
T
he
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[47]
48
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
of crisis to 15 per cent. To become eligible for unemployment bene
fits, members must have paid in at least 26 weekly contributions, as
specified by the Federal law.
The control of the operation of the various insurance organizations
is vested in the cantonal labor office, which has power to settle all
disputes between members and their insurance groups, and to punish
all cases of fraud. There are no changes in the law now anticipated.
There are no statistics available regarding the number of active
members of insurance groups, nor of the number who have availed
themselves of insurance benefits.
C a n to n o f U ri
T h e Canton of Uri passed its unemployment insurance law on
September 29, 1928, setting up a compulsory system similar to that
of most of the other Cantons having compulsory systems. Uri is an
agricultural Canton, and there are only about 250 workers who are
required to take out insurance. About 20 workers are now (1931)
receiving benefits, most of them weavers.
The Canton has its own public fund, and contributed 20,000 francs
($3,860) to this organization to set up a reserve fund, which it is
hoped will grow large enough to enable contributions to be reduced.
No changes in the basic law are contemplated at the present time.
C a n to n of V alais
U n e m p l o y m e n t insurance is regulated in the Canton of Valais by
the law of January 11, 1928, adopted by popular vote on March 11,
1928, and put into execution April 17, 1928.
The Canton grants to both public and private funds a maximum
subsidy of 30 per cent of the unemployment benefits paid, and to the
workers’ funds a maximum of 10 per cent.
The cantonal council votes the credit destined each year for the
subsidy to the insurance funds. If the credit is not entirely used, the
balance serves to enrich a cantonal reserve fund to be drawn against
only in time of severe crisis.
The communes, either separately or in groups, are permitted to
create public funds, and if they do so they may require the cantonal
council to decree unemployment insurance as compulsory for certain
classes of workers domiciled in the communal territory.
These communal funds are empowered to demand from each em
ployer a contribution equal to that paid by workmen employed by
them. If the worker belongs to a public fund, the employer’s con
tribution must be paid to that institution, but if the worker belongs
to a private or factory-system fund, the employer is permitted to
make his contribution to that fund.
Insurance funds of every kind are exempt from all taxes except the
cantonal real-estate taxes.
C a n to n of V au d
T h e unemployment insurance act of the Canton of Vaud was passed
on November 27, 1928, and became effective on December 28, 1928.
It does not make insurance compulsory, and in common with most of
the other voluntary types of cantonal laws, it authorized each munici
pality or commune in the Canton to pass obligatory insurance regu-
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[48]
UNEM PLO YM ENT IN SU R A N C E IN SWITZERLAND
49
lations should it so desire. To date, the only municipality which has
passed even voluntary regulations is the commune of Vevey.
Any person of Swiss nationality domiciled in the Canton for at
least a year and working for wage or salary is entitled to insurance
against unemployment after reaching the age of 16 years. The usual
exceptions to the classes which could be required by communal laws
to take out insurance are included in the law, and cover persons earn
ing more than 6,000 francs ($1,158) per year, or possessing property
amounting to 20,000 francs ($3,860) or more. Federal, cantonal, and
municipal employees, employees of licensed transportation companies
and apprentices, domestic servants, day laborers, and seasonal
workers are also excepted.
The cantonal subsidies may be granted to either public or private
insurance organizations, and are equal to 50 per cent of the Federal
subsidies, or 20 per cent of all payments made by public insurance
funds and factory-system funds, but only 15 per cent of the payments
made by trade-union funds.
The regulations concerning length of time benefits may be paid,
the percentage of the normal wage to be paid in benefits, and the
number of payments which must be made before benefits can be drawn,
are in accordance with the Federal law.
All disputes between insurance groups and their members are first
submitted to an arbitration board in the case of factory-system funds
and to a central committee in the case of trade-union funds. The
cantonal legislature has final jurisdiction over disputes of this
character.
To date there are but seven members of the only public fund in the
Canton, that of Vevey, while there are 5,564 members of trade-'
union funds and 4,402 members of factory-system funds. During the
year 1930 there were 674 cases of unemployment in which benefits
were paid for a total period of 17,448 days, or an average of 25.88
days of unemployment per person. The cost of the relief amounted
to 14,220 francs ($2,744).
No changes in the present law are contemplated, and it may be
said that the feeling in this Canton is general against any form of
compulsory unemployment insurance.
C a n to n o f Z u ric h
T h e law governing the operation of the cantonal and communal
funds in the Canton of Zurich was passed by the legislature January 30,
1928, and adopted by referendum of the voters in May of the same
year.
The principal features of the law are as follows : The Canton allows
a subsidy to both public and private funds equal to 25 per cent
of the amount paid yearly as benefits to residents of the Canton.
As a rule these payments are made annually at the end of the fiscal
year, but in case of special requests, advances for each half of a
fiscal year may be made.
No subsidies are granted except to those funds which have met
all the conditions necessary to obtain Federal aid. In addition the
cantonal legislature made some special conditions, such as the follow
ing: Members of funds who are not heads of families or who have no
dependents must pay the same contributions as members having
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
dependents, if they are in the same salary class. When the daily wage
exceeds 16 francs ($3.09) per day, whatever is in excess of this maxi
mum is not included in the basis on which benefits are paid. Deci
sions as to claims for benefits made by public funds may be reviewed
by higher communal or cantonal labor authorities, but differences
between private funds and their members must be settled by the
ordinary courts.
The different political subdivisions or communes of the Canton
may also grant subsidies, but only to those funds which have pre
viously been approved by the Canton, and all of them must be treated
on an equal basis.
Any commune may make unemployment insurance obligatory,
either for all workers, or for certain classes of workers, or for persons
whose salary does not reach a certain maximum.
Those communes introducing compulsory insurance are required,
however, either to create a public fund or to join a public fund operated
by another commune. Groups of communes are permitted to unite
for the purpose of instituting a public fund. The cost of administra
tion must in such cases be borne by all the communes on a pro rata
basis.
Employers of insured labor are required to render exact informa
tion to the funds of which their employees are members regarding
the causes of discharge, and at the same time to notify public and
private employment offices of any vacant positions they may have
to offer. They are allowed liberty to choose any applicants whom
they desire from among those who may apply for the positions.
All unemployment insurance funds recognized by the Canton are
exempt from cantonal and communal taxation.
A special fund for extraordinary crises amounting to 500,000 francs
($96,500), which is being increased by the interest thereon and
which may be further increased by additional contributions from
the Canton, has been set up. It may be drawn upon by any ap
proved fund in time of need.
Various communes have taken advantage of the law to organize
public funds. The largest is that of the city of Zurich, which is
affiliated with several communes which are in reality suburbs of the
city. The second largest communal public fund is that of the city of
Winterthur. Both of these cities grant subsidies both to their own
public funds and to private funds, varying from 30 to 50 per cent of
the yearly total benefits paid.
Exact statistics regarding the operation of the system on a cantonal
basis are not published, but certain figures in the report for 1929 (the
latest) are given below.
At the end of 1929, there were in round numbers 50,000 members
of public and private insurance groups. The number of recognized
funds in operation in the Canton was as follows:
P ublic fu n d s:
1928 ____________________
1929 _________________________________________
P riv a te tra d e -u n io n o r w orkers’ fu n d s:
1928 __________________________ ______________
1929 _________________________________________
P riv a te m u tu a i o r factory-S ystem fu n d s:
1928 _________________________________________
1929 ______________________________________ ...
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2
25
24
5
7
UN EM PLO YM ENT IN SUR ANC E IN SW ITZERLAND
51
Forty-five communes are represented in the system regularly, and
these pay subsidies as follows: 7 communes pay each 40 per cent of
the benefits; 14 pay 35 per cent; 13 pay 30 per cent; 1 pays 25 per
cent; 8 pay 20 per cent; 2 pay 15 per cent.
At the end of 1929 the capital investments and guaranties of the
various communes and the reserves of the cantonal fund itself reached
a total of 1,074,796 francs ($207,436).
C a n to n of Z u g
A n unemployment insurance law for the Canton of Zug was passed
by the legislature October 13, 1927, and put into execution January
7, 1928. Regulations for the carrying out of the law were set up on
December 16, 1929.
The carrying of unemployment insurance is obligatory for all work
ers from 16 to 65 years of age who are employed by concerns subject
to the control of the Federal factory-inspection service, and the law
has made provision for extending the compulsion to other classes of
workers should it be deemed wise.
The Canton set up its own public insurance fund, open to workers
who do not come within the classes required by law to take out insur
ance, and guaranteed to the fund 20 per cent of the yearly benefit
payments, which is automatically increased to 30 per cent in times of
need. The costs of organization and administration are also borne
by the Canton.
In connection with the cantonal public fund there is a bureau of
arbitration which has full power to regulate any disputes arising
between the fund and insured workers.
The same subsidy which is paid to the cantonal public fund is paid
to private funds of both kinds which have been recognized by the
Federal Government.
The members of the public fund must pay regularly a contribution
of 6 per cent of the normal wage. All employers of labor who are
compelled to carry insurance must pay an annual contribution of
6 francs ($1.16) for each person, whether they be insured in the
public or in private funds.
Benefits are paid for the term set forth in the Federal law, namely
90 days in each 360, and consist of 50 per cent of the daily wage in
the case of members having no dependents, and 60 per cent to those
supporting families. The highest rate of daily benefit, however, is
not to be more than 8 francs ($1.54) unless the worker has four or
more minor children, when it can be increased to 10 francs ($1.93).
The provisions for part-time unemployment benefits are the same
as those set forth in the Federal law.
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
R ev e n u e s D erived U n d e r S ta t e L a b o r L aw s
B y E d w in E . W it t e , C h ie f W isc o n s in L eg isla tiv e R e fe r e n c e L ibrary
HE term “ revenues” as here used includes all receipts other
than from general taxes, whether these receipts are appropriated
to the State labor department or used for general State purposes.
The term “ labor laws” includes all statutes which are regarded as
falling within the scope of labor legislation in such textbooks as
Principles of Labor Legislation, by Commons and Andrews. This
includes the workmen’s compensation laws, even where administered
by an industrial accident board distinct from the State labor depart
ment, and labor laws administered by departments whose main
duties are in other fields. On the other hand, little note is taken of
those activities of labor departments which in most States are per
formed by other departments, such as bakery and hotel inspection,
steamboat inspection, the licensing of various professions, the certi
fication of bedding and upholstery, and the enforcement of weights
and measures laws.
T
Sources and Amounts
W h i l e only a few labor departments are entirely self-supporting
some revenues are derived from the administration of labor laws in
most States. The table following gives the sources and amounts of
principal revenue receipts in connection with the administration of
labor laws in all States (excluding premium receipts of State funds)
for which recent information could be secured through a question
naire addressed to the labor departments or from State auditors’ or
budget reports.
PR IN C IP A L R E V E N U E R E C E IPT S FR OM STA TE LABOR LAWS
State and department
Source of revenue receipts
Arkansas: Bureau of Labor Statistics-.- Boiler inspection fees___ _ _____________
Employment agency licenses_______ ____ ___ ____
California: Department of Industrial Premium tax on State compensation insurance fund
Relations.
Employment agency licenses. _. _______________
Elevator inspection fe e s... __________ ______
Boiler inspection fees___________
_____
Fines and civil penalties . .
...
___
Sale of publications, etc__
. _____ ___ _____
Colorado: Bureau of Labor Statistics__ Employment agency licenses... _____ _ . . . _
Connecticut: Department of Labor._ ... Employm ent agency licenses and boiler inspection
fees.
Delaware: Industrial Accident B oard... Premium tax on compensation insurance companies
and seif-insured employers.
Georgia: Industrial C om m ission___
Assessment of departmental expenses to insurance
carriers and self-insured employers.
Transcripts of evidence . ___
______ _ _ ___
Idaho: Industrial Accident Board _.
Payments in fatal cases without dependents and in
alien dependency cases under compensation act.
Transcript fees_____ . .
. . . ______ ___
Illinois: Industrial Commission... . _
Employment agency licenses____ .
_ _____
Writs of certiorari, compensation cases__ . . . ____
Indiana: Industrial Board_____ ______ Annual factory registrations
Transcript fees.
__ _____. . . ________
Iowa: Employment Agency Commission. Employment agency fees______________________
Kansas: Department of Labor and In Employment agency fees____
________
dustry.
Kentucky: Workmen’s Compensation Premium tax on compensation insurance carriers
Board.
and self-insured employers.
'Year 1928.
2 Year 1929.
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Amount
(in fiscal
year 1930
unless
otherwise
specified)
$23, 221
211, 12fi
32, 990
6, 630
7,296
5, 132
4. 476
2,100
4, 027
19, 450
1 65, 795
i 421
20, 065
248
22, 500
766
2 15, 012
2 1,765
815
2 294
< 113,387
53
R E V E N U E S D ER IVED U N D E R STATE LABOR LAW S
P R IN C IP A L R E V E N U E R E C E IPT S PROM STA TE LABOR LAWS—Continued
State and department
Source of revenue receipts
Amount
(in fiscal
year 1930
unless
otherwise
specified)
Maryland:
$110, 789
Industrial Accident Commission . . Assessment administration expenses against State
fund, insurance carriers, and self-insured em
ployers.
------- ---------594
Court of Common Pleas, Depart- Employment agency licenses___
Boiler inspection fees__________________________ .
1,550
ment of Labor Statistics.
Fees for theatrical child labor permits in Baltimore..
160
Massachusetts:
27,640
Department of Industrial Accidents Reimbursement by insurance carriers for cost of
impartial medical examinations.
55,867
Department of Public Safety--------- Boiler and air tank inspection fees------- . . .
Michigan:
- ...
12, 307
Superintendent Private Employ- Private Employment agency licenses. .
ment Bureaus.
606
Public employment office fees
. _________ _
Minnesota:
Boiler inspection and engineer’s license fees ..
3 51, 649
7,125
Employment agency fees_______________ ____ ____
Mississippi:
Factory registration fees___ ._ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ ---- 3 7, 200
Bureau of Factory Inspection-----._
42, 000
Factory inspection fees _____ . . .
Employment agency licenses.. . . . ---------------------3,200
Certified bedding and upholstery____ _
_
1,500
31. 258
Montana: Industrial Accident Board--- Factory, mine, and boiler inspection fees. . .
4
61,
314
Administration
expenses
paid
from
compulsory
Nevada: Industrial Commission- _
State compensation fund.
Engineers’
and
firemen’s
licenses_____
.
.
.
.
30,854
N ew Jersey: Department of Labor.. - . .
8, 851
Boiler inspection fees------- -------------------------------Employment agency licenses_____
...
8, 575
Licenses for storage of explosives___ - - - - - ---------1,875
1,077
Building plans---------- -- -----------------------------------992
F in es.. . . . . . ---------- -. - --------------------- 13, 725
Inspection of bakeries and hotels.. . . . . . . . .
Assessment administration of compensation act on 1,431,061
New York: Department of Labor.
insurance companies and self-insured employers.
Expenses State fund paid from this fund _
_ _ 2 115,108
21,510
Boiler inspection fees----- -------------------------- . . .9,910
Licenses for st orage of ex p lo siv es_____ ______ ____
1,650
Immigrant lodging house licenses. _
.
. ____
85, 000
North Carolina: Industrial Commission. Premium tax on compensation insurance companies
and self-insured employers.
61, 282
North Dakota: Workmen’s Compensa- Administration expenses paid from compulsory State
compensation fund.
tion Bureau.
2 38,138
Ohio: Department of Industrial Rela- Boiler inspection fees______ .
52,421
Engineers’ licenses___ _ .
. . . . . . . . . --------tions.
10,100
Employment agency licenses..
.
---- -- . . . .
5,714
Licenses for storage of explosives.. .
. ----------Oregon:
Factory inspection fe e s _________ ___ .
. _
Bnrp,fl.n of Babor
33,455
4, 380
Employment agency licenses.. ---------------------------9, 540
Plumbers’ and electricians’ licenses--------------- . .
268,242
Industrial Accident Commission. _. Administration expenses paid from State compensation fund.
45,241
Pennsylvania: Department of Labor Boiler inspection fees.. -----Employment agency fees______________ . ._ -----26, 910
and industry.
16, 665
Elevator inspection fees. . _ -------- ----------- . .
Expenses of State fund paid from fund _ ...............
5, 415
Fines______________________________ __________
53,876
Certification of bedding and upholstery---------7,284
Rhode Island: Inspector of Steam Boiler inspection fees_____________ ___________
Boilers.
8,360
Employment agency fees
T p.ybs’ Bureau of Babor Statistics
135, 000
Virginia: Industrial Commission____ _ Premium tax on compensation insurance companies
and self-insured employers.
254, 974
West Virginia: Workmen’s Compensa- Administration expenses paid from State compensation fund.
tion Department.
712
__- - _
Employment agency licenses .
Wisconsin: Industrial Commission
5, 361
Boiler and elevator inspection fees________________
1,695
Licenses, dry-cleaning establishments .
1,541
Age certificates under child-labor law __________ .
1,700
Transcript fees
17, 667
Wyoming: Workmen’s Compensation Administration expenses paid from State compensation fund.
Department.
4Biennium 1926-1928.
3 Biennium 1929-30.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Revenues Under Workmen’s Compensation Acts
T h e largest revenues in the administration of labor laws are
derived under the workmen’s compensation acts. No fewer than
13 States pay all expenses connected with the administration of
compensation from revenues derived under these acts, without draw
ing upon the general funds of the State. Three States assess the
entire administration expenses to the compensation insurance carriers
and self-insured employers—Georgia and Maryland on a premium
basis and New York in proportion to their respective compensation
payments. Four States meet the expenses of their compensation
departments by premium taxes on the insurance carriers and the selfinsured employers, the rate of which is 4 per cent in Delaware, 2 per
cent in Kentucky, 2y2 per cent in North Carolina, and 2% per cent
(3% per cent prior_to July 1, 1930) in Virginia. An eighth State,
Idaho, supports its industrial accident board by requiring $1,000 to be
paid into the administration fund in all fatal cases in which there are
no dependents and one-half of the compensation benefits where the
dependents are aliens. Finally, there are five States which pay all
expenses of administering their compensation acts from the premium
income of their compulsory State compensation funds: Nevada, North
Dakota, Oregon, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
States having optional State funds invariably make these funds pay
their own special expenses, but generally do not require them to pay
any part of the general expenses of the department. Maryland and
New York, however, make their State funds pay their proportionate
part of the expenses of the administration of the compensation law,
on the same basis as insurance carriers and self-insured employers,
while California goes farther and makes the State fund pay the same
tax for general State purposes which private insurance carriers must
pay.
Other sources of revenue under compensation acts are much less
important. Many States charge fees for transcripts of testimony
and other records furnished to insurance carriers and others on their
request. Massachusetts requires the insurance companies and selfinsured employers to reimburse the industrial accident department for
the cost of impartial medical examinations in cases in which these
companies and employers are interested. Missouri authorizes
charging the cost of investigating applications for self-insurance upon
the employers filing these applications, but no such charge has ever
been collected.
Factory-Inspection Fees
F iv e
States—Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and
Oregon^—make employers pay all or a part of the cost of factory
inspection; Michigan has authorized its labor department to make
such a charge, but it has never done so. Indiana, Mississippi, and
Oregon require all factories to pay annual registration fees, graduated
in accordance with the size of the factory. Missouri and Montana
charge a similar fee whenever factories are actually inspected. As
compared with the receipts under the compensation acts, the total
amounts collected from factory inspection fees are small, but in all of
the States having such fees (except Indiana) the entire expenses of
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R E V E N U E S DERIVED U N D E R STATE LABOR LAWS
55
factory inspection are paid from such receipts. All of these laws are
old enactments, and Washington and Tennessee, which formerly had
such fees, repealed them some years ago. Recommendations for
repeal have several times been made by the Indiana Industrial Board
but have not been followed by the legislature.
t
Boiler-Inspection Fees
A m a j o r i t y of the States require all boilers to be inspected annually
or semiannually. These inspections are most commonly made by
the boiler insurance companies, which file their inspection reports
with the State department and in many States must secure licenses
(“ certificates of competency”) for all of their inspectors.
Nearly all States which require boiler inspection charge a fee for all
(uninsured) boilers inspected by State inspectors. In addition, a few
States charge fees for boilers inspected by the insurance companies
and make a charge for certificates of competency issued to insurance
company inspectors. The boiler-inspection fees charged in the
several States are as follows:
A r k a n s a s . — $3 to $7.50.
.
C a lif o r n ia . — E xtern al in sp ection , $2 to $5; intern al insp ection, $3 to $15; air-tank
in sp ection , $3.
C o lo r a d o . — $5.
C o n n e c tic u t. — E xtern al, $2.50; internal, $7.50.
M a r y l a n d . — $5, plu s 25 cen ts per horsepow er in excess of 10 horsepow er.
M a s s a c h u s e tts . — E xtern al, $2; intern al, $10; cast-iron section al boilers, $5; air-
tan k insp ection, $3; certificate of com p eten cy, $15.
M i n n e s o t a . — $3.
.
.
. . . . . . .
M o n t a n a . — Boilers in cities, $5; boilers and traction en gin es outsid e of cities, $10
for first boiler, $5 for each ad d ition al boiler.
N e w J e r s e y . — A nnual S ta te in sp ection , $6 plus expenses; reinspection during year,
$2 plus exp en ses; in sp ection b y insurance inspectors, $1.
N e w Y o r k . — E xtern al, $2; intern al, $5.
O h i o — E xtern al, $2; internal, $5; insp ection during construction, $10; ann ual
certificate for operation of insured boiler, $1; fee for exam in ation for certification
to act as boiler inspector, $10.
P e n n s y l v a n i a . — E xtern al, $2.50; internal, $6.50; ann ual certificates for operation
of boiler, $1; certificate of com p eten cy— E xam in ation fee, $15; ad d ition al fee on
passing exam in ation , $10; an n u al renew al fee, $3.
R h o d e I s l a n d . — B oilers under 3 horsepow er, $2.50; boilers of 3 horsepow er or
m ore, $5; an n u al certificate for operation of boiler, $1; certificates of com pe
te n c y — E xam in ation fee, $5; perm it fee for insp ectors w ho passed exam in ation
in an oth er S tate, $2.50.
The receipts from boiler-inspection fees are quite considerable in a
number of States, amounting, in round numbers, to $55,000 per year
in Massachusetts, $45,000 in Pennsylvania, $38,000 m Ohio, and
$25,000 in Minnesota. In most States, however, the fees collected
are not sufficient to meet all expenses of the boiler-inspection divi
sions. It is practically impossible to make the inspection of unin
sured boilers pay for itself, because these boilers are widely scattered
and generally located in out-of-the-way places. Only where a system
of licensing engineers is combined with boiler inspection, as in Minne
sota, New Jersey, and Ohio, or where a fee is charged for boilers in
spected by the insurance companies, as in New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsvlvania, and Rhode Island, is there any prospect of receipts equal
ing expenses. A charge of $1 per year for each insured boiler, col
lected either from the insurance companies, when they file their in
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
spection reports with the State department, or from the boiler owners,
for an annual certificate or license to operate their boilers, is far more
productive of revenue than even a $10 fee for the inspection of unin
sured boilers.
Other Inspection Fees
EnEVATOR-inspection fees are charged in three States. California
and Wisconsin collect fees of $3.50 and $2, respectively, for each ele
vator inspected by a State inspector. Pennsylvania charges $1 for
each certificate issued after inspection by an insurance company and
taxes each insurance inspector $10 as an examination fe3, $5 addi
tional when he receives his certificate of competency, and $3 for the
annual renewal of this certificate.
Annual licenses for the storage of explosives are required in New
Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The fees in all these States are grad
uated in accordance with the quantity of explosives stored, the mini
mum fee being $1 in New Jersey and Ohio and $5 in New York, with
$25 as the maximum fee in all three States.
Annual license fees, designed to cover costs of inspection, are
charged dry-cleaning establishments in Wisconsin, manufacturers of
bedding and upholstering in Missouri and Pennsylvania, bakeries in
New Jersey, hotels in New Jersey, and plumbers and electricians in
Oregon.
Private Employment-Agency License Fees
T h e licensing of private employment agencies is a source of revenue
to the State governments in 33 States. The annual fees charged for
such licenses are as follows:
A l a b a m a . — $5,000 (em igrant ag en ts).
A r k a n s a s . — $200.
C a l i f o r n i a .— $10 to $100.
C o lo r a d o .— $10 to $50.
C o n n e c tic u t. — $25.
G e o r g ia .— $1,000 (em igrant agents).
I l l i n o i s .— $25 to $50.
I n d i a n a .-—$ 50.
I o w a .— $5 to $500.
K a n s a s .— $10 to $25.
K e n t u c k y . — $25.
L o u i s i a n a . — $25, reg u lar offices; $500,
ag en ts w ith o u t offices.
M a in e . — $25.
M a r y l a n d .— $10.
M i c h i g a n .— $50 to
$200 (also a p e rm it
fee of $5 for em plo y m en t offices n o t
conducted for profit).
M i n n e s o t a .— $75 to $150.
M i s s o u r i .— $25 to $50.
M o n ta n a . — $5.
N e b r a s k a . — $50.
N e v a d a . — $50.
N e w J e r s e y .— $25 to $100.
N o r th C a r o lin a .— $100 to
$500, em
p lo y m en t agencies; $500 p er county,
em ig ra n t agents.
O h io . — $100.
O k la h o m a . — $50.
O r e g o n .— $50 to $250.
P e n n s y l v a n i a .— $100 to $200.
S o u th D a k o ta . — $10.
T e n n e s s e e .-—$10 to $50.
T e x a s .— $150, em ploym ent agencies;
$1,000, em ig ra n t agents.
V i r g i n i a . — $25, regular offices; $500,
agents w ith o u t offices; $5,000 per
cou n ty , em ig ra n t agents.
W est
V ir g in ia .- — $200,
em ploym ent
agencies; $5,000, em ig ra n t agents.
W i s c o n s i n .— $25 to $150.
W y o m in g .— $10 to $25.
Where a range of fees is indicated, there are different fees for differ
ent classes of agencies and for the varying sizes of cities in which they
operate. The highest fees are invariably charged agencies located in
the larger cities, and generally the agencies specializing in the betterpaid kinds of work, such as the teaching and clerical employments,
but there are some States in which the highest fees are collected from
common-labor agencies. The especially high fees charged in South
ern States to emigrant agents, who seek to take labor out of the
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R E V E N U E S DER IVED U N D E R STATE LABOR LAW S
57
State, are, of course, intended to be prohibitive rather than revenue
producing. Elsewhere the private employment-agency fees serve
both the purpose of producing revenue and that of keeping down the
number of such agencies. The latter motive appears to have become
more pronounced in recent years, as there is a distinct tendency
toward an increase in fees. More than a dozen States have increased
their private employment-agency fees within the last five years,
many of them very materially.
On the adequacy of the present fees, little statistical data are
obtainable, because only a few State labor departments have separate
private employment agency divisions. In Illinois, which has such a
division, expenses slightly exceed revenues, but no other State has
anywhere near as large a staff of employees engaged in this work.
Except for Illinois and perhaps some of the States having very low
fees, it is probable that the total fees collected exceed the costs of
regulation.
Miscellaneous Revenues
O t h e r sources of revenue in connection with the administration of
labor laws are relatively unimportant. The child labor law yields a
small sum to the labor departments of two States: Maryland, which
charges a fee for the issuance of theatrical permits in Baltimore; and
Wisconsin, which makes employers pay for age certificates issued at
their request to children above permit age.
The approval of building and ventilation plans produces over $1,000
per year in New Jersey. The approval of building plans outside of
cities having their own building inspectors is a function of the labor
departments also in a number of other States, but no charges are
made therefor, although city departments do so everywhere.
Michigan is the only State which has experimented with a charge
in connection with the services of public employment offices. In 1927
it authorized a $1 annual registration fee from applicants for work.
Very little revenue was derived from this charge and Commissioner
Brock, who seems to have been its author, explained that it was not
intended to produce revenue but to gain a better clientele for the
employment offices. His successor discontinued the charge in Janu
ary, 1931.
Finally, fines and forfeitures for violations of labor laws might be
regarded as a source of revenue derived from labor laws. Their aggre
gate amount, however, is small; in many States they do not go into
the State treasury; and in only a few States are they appropriated to
the labor departments.
Conclusions
A c o m p a r i s o n of the revenue receipts derived from the administra
tion of labor laws, as given in the table, with the corresponding table
in the earlier article on the same subject published in the Monthly
Labor Review of April, 1930, shows few new sources of revenue in
the last two years, but larger receipts from practically every source
except private employment-agency fees. The revenues derived from
the administration of labor laws pay all or a large part of the expenses
of the industrial accident boards and other labor departments in
about 15 States and amount to a substantial sum in a dozen more.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
State governments generally and State labor departments in par
ticular are experiencing great difficulty in getting sufficient funds to
discharge their functions efficiently. There is great need for increased
appropriations to the labor departments; but under existing conditions
legislatures are very reluctant to vote such increases from general
revenues. This renders timely a consideration of possible new and
supplemental sources of revenue. In the past, labor departments
have generally taken the attitude that it is no concern of theirs
where the revenues they need may come from. Theirs was the
spending of the appropriations which others were to provide. To-day
such an attitude inevitably means little or no increases, and appro
priations are perhaps the most serious limiting factor in labor law
administration. In this situation, it is clearly the duty of the labor
departments, as of other administrative departments, to consider
possibilities for deriving revenues from the laws they administer.
Discovery of sources of revenue which are equitable and productive
is almost certain to make increased appropriations easier to obtain,
even in States where under the existing budget procedure receipts
are not reappropriated. Whether the revenues from such special
sources are appropriated to the labor departments or not, the fact
that they are derived through their activities is almost certain to
make the legislature more amenable to pleas for increased appropri
ations.
Of all possible sources of revenue in labor law administration the
most productive and most easily defended proposal is the assessment
of the costs of administering the workmen’s compensation act on the
insurance carriers and self-insured employers or, in lieu thereof, the
imposition of a premium tax on compensation insurance and an
equivalent charge to the self-insured employers, the proceeds of which
go for the administration of the compensation law. The cost of ad
ministration is as much a part of the total cost of compensation as
are medical aid, indemnity, and the overhead expenses of the insur
ance carriers. Payment by the State of the cost of administration
actually amounts to a subsidy to industry at the expense of the gen
eral taxpayers.
It is true that the compensation insurance earners in most States
pay taxes in excess of the cost of administering the compensation act
and that self-insured employers pay property and in some States
income taxes. Such taxes, however, serve purposes of general State
revenue and presumably do not exact more from the insurance car
riers and self-insured employers than their fair share of the general
State expenses.
Nor will an increase in the premium taxes payable by the compen
sation insurance companies meet the situation, although it could be
made to yield as much revenue. For one, the industrial accident
boards would not get the advantage of the increased revenue and,
further, the entire burden would fall upon the insurance companies
and through them on the insured employers, while the self-insured
employers would escape paying their proportionate share of the cost
of administering the workmen’s compensation act.
. The writer would go farther and assess upon the compensation
insurance companies and the self-insured employers not merely the
costs of administering the workmen’s compensation acts but the costs
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[58]
R E V E N U E S DERIVED U N D E R STATE LABOR LAWS
59
of all accident-prevention work done by labor departments as well.
No State has done so, but the same result is produced in the compul
sory fund States which make these funds pay for the safety work
carried on by the industrial accident boards. The accident-prevention
activities of labor departments, if efficient, benefit the employers sub
ject to the compensation acts, who may well be asked to pay for this
service.
Assessing the costs of the compensation and safety departments or
divisions to the compensation insurance companies and the self-insured
employers may be thought to invite extravagance, but the opposite is
more likely to be the effect. When employers know that the adminis
tration costs are charged against them they are very apt to demand
real efficiency in labor-law administration and, if thisis not thought
sufficient protection, limits upon the total expenditures may be
inserted by law.
Assessment of the cost of accident-prevention activities on the
employers in proportion to the compensation benefits they pay seems
preferable to the imposition of factory-inspection fees. There is value
in an annual registration of all factories, but the charging of a fee
based upon the size of the factory is likely to render the labor depart
ment extremely unpopular among the employers.
Boiler and elevator inspection fees are likewise unpopular with
employers, but have the justification that they represent a highly
specialized service. Employers who do not insure their boilers or
elevators may reasonably be expected to pay the full cost of inspection ;
otherwise, they are given a special service at the expense of the tax
payers, including the owners of insured boilers who pay the full cost
of the inspection of their own boilers. If this principle is adopted, the
fees charged for the inspection of uninsured boilers will in most States
have to be materially increased, as the present fees fall far short of
covering the cost. A small fee for boilers inspected by insurance
companies can also be justified on a cost basis and has the merit of
yielding a very considerable revenue.
The charging of annual license fees to private employment agencies
is so nearly universal that it needs no defense. Such fees should as a
minimum be high enough to pay all expenses of supervision, and if
they tend to reduce the number of agencies this is clear gain.
Other sources of revenue in connection with labor-law administra
tion are less well developed and will not be further discussed. While
none is now very productive, labor departments may find some to be
advisable from every point of view. What is urged is that finding
sources of revenue is a matter of real importance, to which labor
departments may well give attention.
6.3413°—31
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[59]
UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS RELIEF
C o n fe re n c e of G o v e rn o rs ’ C o m m is s io n fo r S tu d y of U n e m p lo y
m e n t In s u r a n c e
MAY 28, 1931, the organization meeting of the Commission
for the Study of Unemployment Insurance was held in New
ONYork
City. This body was appointed as an outcome of the con
ference of seven governors which met in Albany in January of this
year at the invitation of the Governor of New York.1
Various angles of the unemployment problem and unemployment
insurance were discussed by the new commission.2 The New York
State Industrial Commissioner, in whose office the commission met,
made a brief address in which she touched upon the need for estab
lishing an unemployment insurance system responsive to the country’s
requirements and for making possible the retention of the best fea
tures of American business and industrial organization.
The seven members of the commission, all of whom were in attend
ance at this first meeting, are—
D r. Leo W olm an, of C olum bia U n iv ersity , representing G overnor R oosevelt;
A. Lincoln Filene, rep resen tin g G overnor E ly, of M assach u setts; Prof. W. M.
Leiserson, of A ntioch College, representing G overnor W hite, of Ohio; Col. C harles
■R. B lunt, com m issioner of labor, representing G overnor L arson, of N ew Jersey ;
Prof. C. A. Ivulp, of th e U n iv ersity of P en n sy lv an ia, representing G overnor
Pinchot, of P en nsy lv an ia; Prof. E lio t D. Sm ith, of Y ale U niversity, representing
G overnor Cross, of C o n n ecticu t; an d C om m issioner D aniel M cL aughlin, rep resen t
ing G overnor Case, of R hode Islan d .
Subcommittees were designated to study particular aspects of
unemployment insurance. Public hearings are to be held upon the
findings which will be submitted the latter part of this summer.
The subjects assigned to the various members of the commission
are listed below:
E ssential features of a sound u n em p lo y m en t insurance plan, A. Lincoln Filene,
Boston, an d E lio t D . S m ith, C o n n ecticu t.
C ost of various p lan s of u n em p lo y m en t insurance, Professor K ulp, P e n n
sylvania.
E u ropean experience w ith u n em p lo y m en t a n d u n em p lo y m en t insurance,
Professor Leiserson, Ohio, a n d D o cto r W olm an, N ew Y ork.
A m erican experience w ith u n em p lo y m en t a n d u n em ploym ent insurance—
(a ) Prevailing m eth o d s of dealing w ith unem ploym ent, D o cto r W olm an; ( b)
U nem ploym ent bu reau s a n d vocational edu catio n , C om m issioner B lu n t, New
Jersey, an d Professor Leiserson; (c) P revailing experim ents w ith un em p lo y m en t
insurance, D octor W olm an; (d ) Proposed un em p lo y m en t insurance bills, Professor
Leiserson a n d D octo r W olm an.
V o c a tio n a l E d u c a t io n As a M e a n s t o R elieve U n e m p lo y m e n t
HAT vocational training as carried on under the national
vocational education program can be utilized to relieve unem
T
ployment caused by the introduction of new machinery, operations,
1See Labor Review, March, 1931, p. 64.
3 N ew York Times, N ew York, M ay 29, 1931, p. 23.
60
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61
and processes in industry, is the opinion of Dr. J. C. Wright, director
of the Federal Board for Vocational Education. In expressing this
opinion, he stresses the necessity of anticipating these industrial
changes far enough in advance so that men who are destined to be
displaced by them may be retrained for other types of work. To
this end, he urges that employers and workers cooperate in keeping
vocational schools informed of new jobs for which workers should be
trained, for only in this way will the schools be able to play their part
most effectively in relieving technological unemployment.
Doctor Wright’s statement is given below:1
“ In advocating a plan of vocational training for workers displaced
by industrial changes, I am not following a theory. I can point- to
specific instances which demonstrate the feasibility of such a plan. I
wish it to be understood, also, that I am not advocating following any
set program in carrying out the plan. It is possible, for instance, for
those who have been displaced through technological changes in indus
try to be vocationally trained for other jobs through their labor unions,
in courses set up by employers or by State or local educational serv
ices, in intensive courses operated by public schools, and in special
or 'opportunity’ courses. The effectiveness of the training and not
the particular training agency is what counts.
How a Group of Truck Drivers Met a Technical Change
■ “ N o t long ago the business agent of the local union of truck
drivers in New York City was informed by the president of a large
coal company that within six months the company proposed to
change from horse-driven to motor-driven trucks. With this in
formation in hand the business agent presented the problem to the
members of the union at their next meeting. Confronted with the
possibility of losing their jobs, the members of the union purchased a
3-ton Mack truck and employed a competent instructor to teach
them how to drive motor trucks, and how to make emergency road
repairs. This instruction was given to the men during their leisure
time in the evening, and before the six months had elapsed every
one of these drivers had been able to secure his driver’s license.
“ Six months later, when the president of the company expressed
regret that it would be necessary to let off the drivers of horse-driven
trucks and employ licensed operators of motor-driven trucks, the
business agent informed him that every one of the men now in his
employ was a competent and licensed motor-truck driver. He also
called the president’s attention to the fact that these men knew the
company’s business and the company’s customers, and that they had
been found through many years of experience to be loyal to the
company’s interests—assets which new men could not possibly pos
sess. This information was all that was necessary to enable these
men to retain their jobs.
A Company Training Scheme
“ A f e w weeks ago I visited a rubber company in New England.
I found that the company had organized its own training depart
ment and that this department was responsible not only for the
1 From Federal Board for Vocational Education, press release of Mar. 4, 1931.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
training of new employees, but also for the retaining of those em
ployees whose jobs were discontinued by reason of the introduction of
new machines, processes, or methods. The training department was
kept advised of proposed changes and therefore was in a position to
transfer the employees affected by these changes to other departments,
and to train them in the new skills, operations, and technical informa
tion required by these jobs. On the occasion of my visit to this plant
I was accompanied by two representatives of the State board for
vocational education, which had been requested to assist the training
department in the training of teachers.
State Action in Averting Technological Unemployment
“ O n e of the most striking examples of the retaining for new jobs
of workers whose jobs were threatened by industrial change is re
ported from New Jersey.
“ When a large railroad company decided to electrify its tracks in
that State it faced the problem of finding competent engineers for its
electric locomotives. Instead of turning out its steam locomotive
engineers, the company, with the assistance of the State board for
vocational education, which furnished a competent instructor,
trained its locomotive engineers and firemen to be experienced electric
locomotive operators, while the electrification of its tracks was in
process. Latest reports are that this program has been carried through
satisfactorily.
The Part of the Public Schools
“ I a m informed by the State supervisor of trade-and industrial
education for the State of Michigan that when countless numbers of
machine operators were released and turned out of employment by
the manufacturers of automobiles, during the depression of 1929-30,
thousands of these unemployed came to the evening schools, and to
some extent to the day schools, for vocational training. The ma
jority of these workers had been taken into the automobile plants
with little or no previous training and, under the direction of an in
structor-foreman, had been taught to perform one or two very simple
operations in the manufacture and assembly of automobiles. When
it became necessary to reduce the force under the market conditions,
the men and women who possessed little or no skill were first to be
let out. As this fact dawned upon many of these workers, they
realized that as insurance against unemployment it would be worth
their while to go to school and equip themselves for doing more than
one simple operation.
“ During all this period of depression I am informed that there has
been a great scarcity of tool and die makers in Ohio, Michigan, and
other industrial States, and that there is also a great need for compe
tent machinists. It requires several years, however, to become a
highly skilled worker in the machinist trade, and the public schools
in Detroit and other cities found it very difficult to adjust their pro
grams to meet emergency demands in such overwhelming numbers.
Had the need for machinists been anticipated, it would have been
possible for the schools to have developed training courses and to
have put those into operation in time to meet the demand for such
workers.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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UN EM PLO YM ENT AND R ELIEF
63
Opportunity Schools
“ A n u m b e r of cities now maintain what may be called ‘opportunity
schools.’ The oldest and perhaps best organized is that located in
Denver, Colo., which has grown up under the leadership of Miss
Emily Griffith. Some 7,000 or 8,000 students attend this school
each year, and few, indeed, have come to its doors with a specific need
for training to help them get a job, keep their job, or get a better
job who have not met with a ready response on the part of the school.
A man or woman out of employment in the city of Denver can go to
this school and be given short intensive instruction under a competent
instructor for practically any new occupation.
Importance of Cooperation of Employers, Workers, and Educators
“ I c a n not emphasize too strongly the need for cooperation be
tween the vocational school authorities and employers and workers.
The province of the vocational school in relieving technological em
ployment is to retrain for new jobs those who have been thrown out
of employment. The employer can give the school authorities infor
mation on employment opportunities for which the school can train
workers and can frequently provide equipment for this training which
the school does not possess. The worker on the other hand knows
the requirements of specific occupations, information which is in
valuable to the school in setting up vocational courses. For the in
formation and assistance it needs in setting up courses, therefore, the
school must look to the employer and the employee groups.”
S e a so n a l E m p lo y m e n t D u rin g V a c a tio n P e rio d s in E n g la n d
DIFFICULT part of the work of the English employment ex
changes is supplying suitable workers for hotels, boarding
houses, shops, and other enterprises in resorts during the vacation
season. As a rule, the need can not be met in full from the immediate
neighborhood, and the exchanges are called upon to secure workers
from a distance. Formerly it was possible to supply seaside resorts
with the help they needed from near-by towns or villages, but as
motor traffic has increased, catering services have been set up in the
inland villages, so that now it is necessary to go farther afield to secure
workers for the temporary and seasonal work offered.
To meet the need a system of cooperation has been worked out
between exchanges by which the so-called “ demand” areas are linked
up with areas in which there is apt to be a supply of suitable applicants
for employment, so that engagements can be made without delay.
The Ministry of Labor Gazette, in its issue for May, 1931, gives some
details as to the work done along this line.
A
T h e arran g em en ts m ad e include v isits of th e m in istry ’s officers from th e
“ d e m a n d ” areas to specified “ s u p p ly ” areas, w here th e n a tu re of th e w ork is
explained to w orkpeople, a n d th e su p p ly a n d ty p e av ailab le a re ascertained.
E m ployers have gained confidence in engaging lab o r from o th e r d istric ts because
of th e first-h an d info rm atio n given b y th e exchanges as to th e qualifications of
w orkpeople; w hile a personal ex p lan atio n of th e general conditions of th is em ploy
m en t has encouraged ap p lican ts to come forw ard.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T he effectiveness of th e se arra n g e m e n ts is show n b y th e fact th a t 77.4 p er cent
of th e vacancies notified in 1930 w ere filled, a to ta l of 39,673 m en, boys, women,
an d girls h a v in g been p lace d in seasonal em ploym ent a t holiday reso rts during
t h a t year. T h e n u m b e r of w om en a n d girls p laced in em ploym ent during th e
y ear w as 31,439, a n in crease of 5,038 over th e n u m b er in 1929. Of th ese women
an d girls, 12,838 w ere p laced a s re sid e n t dom estics, 5,022 as n o nresident dom es
tics, 8,831 as w aitresses, 1,880 as shop a ssista n ts, a n d 2,858 in o th e r occupations.
As regards th e 8,234 m en a n d boys placed, 3,419 w en t to resid en t dom estic service,
799 to n o n resid en t dom estic service, a n d 1,435 becam e w aiters.
Not all of these workers are brought from a distance, not quite half
of the women and girls placed in 1930 having come from districts
other than those in which they took employment, but, inevitably, the
placing of the nonresident workers involves more care and responsi
bility than is required for those living near their place of employ
ment. Lists of suitable inexperienced workers who are willing to take
up this seasonal employment are prepared in advance, though it is
usually found that employers will not take inexperienced workers
until the season is well under way. The applicants are given full
information about the particular place designed for each before they
make the engagement. If necessary, they are helped to make the
trip, a portion of the fare being remitted in appropriate cases; and
welfare arrangements, which appear to be appreciated by both em
ployers and workers, are made in the areas where employment is
available. The work is growing in extent.
T he n u m b er of seasonal vacancies fo r w om en a n d girls notified to em ploym ent
exchanges during 1930 show ed a n increase of som e 5,000 over th e n u m b er in 1929;
b u t nearly 76 p e r c e n t of th e vacancies w ere sa tisfacto rily filled, as com pared
w ith 73 p e r c en t of th e low er n u m b er of vacancies av ailab le in 1929. T h e p ro
p o rtio n of a c tu a l placings to vacancies notified is affected b y th e cancellation of
vacancies b y em ployers who h a d o v e rsta te d th e ir req u irem en ts a n d b y th e failure
of num bers of ap p lican ts fo r em p lo y m en t to ta k e situ a tio n s a fte r th e ir p a rtic u la rs
h ad been su b m itte d to , a n d accep ted by, em ployers. T h e ta s k can p erh ap s b est
be m easured, how ever, by th e fa c t t h a t of 31,439 w om en a n d girls placed in
seasonal em ploym ent, 14,061 were b ro u g h t from o th e r d istricts.
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
E m p lo y m e n t in C in c in n a ti in M a y , 1931
A
CCORDING to a census made by the municipal authorities of
L Cincinnati, approximately 18 per cent of the working popula
tion in that city were unemployed in May, 1931. An additional 19
per cent were working on a part-time basis. The remainder, nearly
63 per cent, have steady full-time jobs. These are the most signifi
cant facts shown by the employment census just finished in
Cincinnati.
The census, which was made possible through the cooperation of
the board of education, and the division of public welfare for the
permanent committee on stabilizing employment, was the result of a
house-to-house survey made by the regular school census enumerators.
Each year these enumerators take a census of the children of school
age in Cincinnati. During the last three years, however, they have
also collected data on employment and unemployment. The sub
committee on fact finding of the permanent committee on stabilizing
employment was responsible for drawing up the employment schedule.
It was also responsible for assisting the enumerators in collecting the
data and tabulating the results.
The percentages of full-time and part-time workers, and of totally
unemployed persons covered by the last three censuses are shown in
the following table:
N U M B E R OP PE R SO N S IN C IN C IN N A T I E M P L O Y E D FU L L T IM E OR PA R T T IM E
A N D W HOLLY U N E M P L O Y E D , AS SHOW N B Y E M P L O Y M E N T C EN SU SE S OF 1929
1930, A N D 1931
Per cent of persons—
Month of census
EmEmployed
ployed
full time part time
M ay, 1929__________________
M ay, 1930__________________
M ay, 1931__________________
88. 56
81.89
62. 83
5. 27
9. 83
18. 85
Totally
unemployed
5. 94
8.28
18. 32
This table would indicate that even in May, 1929, when conditions
were prosperous, nearly 6 per cent of Cincinnati’s working population
were unemployed. The second census, taken a year ago, showed that
there was a considerable increase in the number of those totally un
employed and that the number of those working on a part-time basis
was almost twice as large as it had been in the same month of the
preceding year. The census this year indicates that there were
more than three times as many unemployed this May as there were
two years ago, and nearly four times as many working on a part-time
basis.
The schedule used in each of these three censuses was practically
the same, although there were minor improvements from year to year.
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MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
When an enumerator visited a home the first question asked was,
“ How many persons in this home are or would be working for wages
or a salary, if work were available?” The enumerators were in
structed not to include anyone under this question who was unem
ployed because of old age, illness, mental or physical handicaps.
It is quite probable, however, that some of those listed under this
group were actually unemployable, particularly in the first census.
Nevertheless, it was felt that the question of whether a person was
or was not actually employable ought to be left to the person in
volved rather than to the enumerator.
The second question was, “ How many of these (listed under
question No. 1) are working full time, how many are working part
time, and how many are not working at all?” The part-time worker
this year was defined as one not having a full-time job, but who was
working at least one day a week.
The census this year covered 120,726 “ employable” persons.
According to the 1930 Federal census, Cincinnati has 203,030 persons
having “ gainful occupations.” If the percentages shown in the em
ployment census taken this year were applied to the total number
shown by the Federal census, the results would show 37,212 persons
were totally unemployed and that 38,271 were working on a parttime basis. The balance of 127,547 would have steady full-time jobs.
U n e m p lo y m e n t in P h ila d e lp h ia , A p ril, 1931
HE following statement describing the results of the recent
unemployment survey of Philadelphia was issued by the Wharton
School of Finance and Commerce of the University of Pennsylvania,
which cooperated in the making of the survey:
“ From a preliminary count of a survey made in Philadelphia
during the last three weeks of April, 1931, it appears that the amount
of full-time employment had increased somewhat in that city as
compared with midwinter; and further that, generally speaking, it
had been the policy of employers to increase the working time of such
forces as were kept on the roll from part to full time employment before
hiring additional workers.
“ According to the survey estimates, 25.6 per cent or 228,000 of
Philadelphia’s wage earners were totally unemployed; an additional
13.8 per cent or 123,000 were working part time; and 60.6 per cent or
539,000 were employed full time in 'April, 1931. These estimates
are based on a preliminary hand count of a sample survey of unem
ployment made by the industrial research department of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania in cooperation with the Bureau of Compulsory
Education.
“ In the special census of unemployment taken in January, 1931,
by the United States Bureau of the Census, 23.8 per cent or 212,051
of Philadelphia’s wage earners were “ out of a job, able to work, and
looking for a job” (class A), and 3.9 per cent or 34,673 had jobs but
were on lay-off without pay, excluding those sick or voluntarily idle
(class B), making a total of 27.7 per cent or 246,724 wage earners
wholly unemployed. In December, 1930, the Metropolitan Life
Insurance Co. found in its sample survey of unemployment that
T
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EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
24.9 per cent of the wage earners were wholly unemployed and
24.0 per cent working part time.1 If these percentages may be taken
as representative of the city, it would appear that approximately
222.000 wage earners were totally unemployed and 214,000 were
employed part time in December, 1930. The results of these two
surveys and one census are summarized in the following table:
1
T a ble .— CH A N G ES IN U N E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA R T -T IM E E M P L O Y M E N T OF PH IL A
D E L P H IA W AGE E A R N E R S, D E C E M B E R , 1930, TO A PR IL, 1931
Persons totally un
employed
Persons employed part
time
Date
Number
I~)0(»0YTi]4p.r 1930
January 1931
April, 1931________________________________________
Per cent
1 220,000
246,724
1 228,000
24.9
27.7
25.6
Number
1 214,000
(2)
1 123,000
Per cent
24.0
(2)
13.8
1 Assuming that the percentages of unemployment and part-time employment in the sample surveys are
representative of the city.
2 Not released.
“A comparison of the results of these two surveys and one census
indicates that the number of wage earners totally unemployed in the
last of April, 1931, was about the same as in December, 1930, and
somewhat smaller than in January, 1931. Part-time employment
would seem to have been reduced approximately 43 per cent or to
slightly over one-half of what it amounted to in December, 1930.
Full-time employment increased from 51.1 per cent in December,
1930, to 60.6 per cent in April, 1931.
“ A considerable part of the improvement in the employment situa
tion from midwinter to April can be attributed to the usual seasonal
rise in employment. The degree of improvement does not appear
to be large enough to warrant an assumption that the cyclical unem
ployment position has been greatly improved.
Method of Making the Survey
“ A p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 per cent, or 37,635, of the families in Philadel
phia were interviewed in taking this survey of unemployment. The
families interviewed are scattered throughout the 10 school districts
in Philadelphia. These families are located in 150 school blocks
(a school block comprises several city blocks) which were selected
so as to comprise a sample representative of the city geographically
as well as economically and socially. The field work was done by
attendance officers of the Bureau of Compulsory Education and by a
selected group of unemployed. Second and third calls were made in
an attempt to interview every family in the areas surveyed. There
were a small number of families who were not available even though
second and third calls were made in the evening.
“ In order to establish the accuracy of the results, 5 per cent of all
the families interviewed by each enumerator are being reinterviewed
by other enumerators. The 5 per cent sample check on each enumera
tor was selected so as to represent both temporally and spatially all
of the work done by an enumerator.
1 For previous surveys and census of unemployment in Philadelphia, see Labor Review, Washington,
1930 (February, pp. 17-24, M ay, p. 31, July, pp. 35-37); 1931 (March, p. 54 and April, p. 40).
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[67]
68
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Results of the Preliminary Hand Count, by Districts
“ T a b l e 2 shows the results of the preliminary hand count of the
April, 1931, survey by school districts. It will be noted that the
degree of unemployment and part-time employment varies greatly
from district to district. The extent of unemployment ranges from
16.8 per cent of the wage earners in district 8 and 18.3 per cent in
district 1 to 35.7 per cent in district 3 and 31.7 per cent in district 2.
Part-time employment varies from 6.7 per cent in district 4 to 18.9
per cent in district 10.”
T a b le 2 .—SU M M A R Y T A BL E OF P R E L IM IN A R Y R E SU LT S, B Y SCHOOL D IST R IC T S
Number cov Employed full
ered
time
District
Unemployed
Section of city
Fam Wage N um
ilies earners
ber
District 1 _
District 2. _
District 3 _ _ _____ _
District 4. _ _ .
District 5__________
District 6_ ______
District 7_____
D istricts _ _ _ _ _ _
District 9_ _ _____
District 10______ _ _
Employed
part time
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
W e s t_____ __ 3.914
South_____ _ 3, 701
___ do____ _
2, 594
W est________
3,917
Central____ _ 5, 010
____do_______
2, 700
Kensington, __ 3,799
Northwest___ 4, 751
North central . 13, 714
N ortheast... _ 3,535
6,602
7,185
5, 143
7,738
9, 587
5, 508
6, 610
7, 884
5,'992
6,035
4, 526
4, 229
2,398
4, 985
5, 707
2, 906
3, 720
5, 784
3, 539
3, 610
68.6
58.9
46. 6
64.4
59.5
52.8
56. 3
73.4
59.1
59.8
864
677
911
514
1, 307
1,000
1,181
774
1,054
1, 140
13.1
9.4
17.7
6. 7
13.6
18.1
17.9
9.8
17.6
18.9
1,212
2, 279
1,834
2, 239
2.573
1, 602
1, 709
1,326
1, 399
1, 285
18.3
31.7
35.7
28.9
26.9
29.1
25.8
16.8
23.3
21. 3
37, 635
68, 284
41, 404
60.6
9,442
13.8
17, 458
25.6
Total __ _ ____
Table 3 presents a brief description of the economic, racial, and
occupational characteristics of each school district.
T a b l e 3 .— SU M M A R Y D E SC R IP T IO N OF E A CH SCHOOL D IST R IC T
District and section
Economic status
Racial characteristics
Occupations
District 1: (a) West___ __ __
(6) Southwest-..
District 2; South- _
District 3: South___ _
District 4: (a) O verbrook___
(6) W est______
District 5: C entral____
District 6: CentralDistrict 7: Kensington _
District 8: (a) Germantown..
(6) M anayunk___
District 9: (a) North central..
(6) Olney and Oak
Lane.
District 10: N ortheast..
High--------------Medium
Low to medium,
____do________
High------- ------Low to medium.
M edium . _
Low ._
Low to medium.
High__________
Low to medium.
Medium ____
High_________
N ative white- _
N ative and foreign white_.
Foreign born and colored.,
do
N ative w hite.. . .
M ixed__ _
N ative and foreign w h ite..
Foreign born and colored. _
N ative white _
____ do __
Foreign born.. . .
N ative white
_ __do___
Clerical and trade.
Industrial.
Do.
Do.
Professional and executive.
Industrial and trade.
Do.
Industrial.
Do.
Professional and executive.
Industrial and trade.
Clerical and trade.
Professional and executive.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Low to high .
M ix e d __
168]
Mixed.
69
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
In Table 4 the findings of six canvasses of unemployment in Phila
delphia are given:
T a b l e 4 .— COM PA R ISO N OF FO UR SU R V EY S A N D TWO C ENSU SE S OF U N E M P L O Y
M E N T T A K E N IN P H IL A D E L PH IA , A PR IL, 1929, TO A PR IL , 1931
Per cent Per cent
of
of
total un part-time
employ employ
ment
ment
Agency
Date
April, 1929______________________________
April 1920
April’ 1930
--- _______ ________
December, 1930
January, 1931
- - April, i 931
__ ______ ____
Industrial research department
__ do.- ________ ________________
T1nited fttat.es census
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co-------TTm‘ted States census
Industrial research department__- .
10.4
15.0
9.5
24.9
27.7
25.6
5.2
24. Ó
13.8
U n e m p lo y m e n t in F o re ig n C o u n trie s
following table gives detailed monthly statistics of unem
ployment in foreign countries, as shown in official reports,
THE
from January, 1930, to the latest available date:
S T A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN FO R E IG N C O U N TR IE S 1
Australia
Date (end of
month)
1930
January
February
March.-I . . .
April
M ay
June.. _ - --_ ..
July
August _ . .
September_____
October
November
December___ _
1931
January
__.
February
M a rch ___
M<
‘
""
Canada
Belgium
Austria
Trade-unionists
Trade-unionists Com
Unemployment insurance societies
unemployed
unemployed
pulsory
insur
ance,
Partially unem
W holly unem
number
ployed
ployed
unem
ployed
Per
Number Per cent
Number cent
in re
ceipt of
Number
Per
cent
Number
Per
cent
benefit
(2)
(2)
63,144
(2)
(2)
80, 595
(2) .
(2)
90.379
(2)
(2)
104, 951
(2)
(2)
115, 538
(2)
14. 6
18.5
20.5
23. 4
25. 8
273,197
284, 543
239, 094
192, 477
162, 678
150, 075
153,188
156,145
163. 894
192, 778
237, 745
294, 845
22, 542
16, 085
14, 030
13, 715
12,119
12,226
15, 302
17, 747
23, 693
27, 322
38, 973
63, 585
3.5
2.6
2. 2
2. 2
1.9
1.9
2.4
2.8
3.8
4.3
6. 1
9.3
25, 782
31, 222
28, 469
36, 605
38, 761
41, 336
48, 580
51, 649
61, 623
54, 804
76, 043
117,167
4.0
4.9
4.5
5.8
6.1
6.5
7.7
8.2
9.9
8. 5
12.0
17.0
22, 795
24,175
22, 912
18, 581
20, 424
21,380
18, 473
3 18, 232
3 19, 356
3 22, 403
3 28, 408
3 37, 339
10.8
11.5
10.8
9.0
10.3
10.6
9. 2
9.3
9. 4
10. 8
13.8
17.0
331, 239
334, 041
304, 084
246 845
208’852
77,181
81, 750
81, 305
11.1
11.7
11.3
112, 734
121, 906
125, 972
16. 2 3 33, 664
19.4 3 31, 617
17.7 3 32, 300
16.0
15.6
15.5
i Sources: League of Nations—M onthly Bulletin of Statistics; International Labor Office—International
Labor Review; Canada—Labor Gazette; Great Britain—Ministry of Labor Gazette; Austria—Statis
tische Nachrichten; Australia—’Quarterly Summary of Australian Statistics; Germany—Reichsarbeitsblatt, Reichs Arbeitsmarkt Anzeiger; Switzerland—Wirt. u. Social. M itteilungen, La Vie_Economique;
Poland—Wiedomosci Statystyczne; Norway—Statistiske Meddelelser; Netherlands Maandschrift;
Sweden—Sociala Meddelanden; Denmark—Statistiske Efterretninger; Finland—Bank of Finland M onthly
Bulletin; France—Bulletin du Marche du Travail; Hungary—Magyar Statisztikai Szemle; Belgium—
Revue du Travail; New Zealand—Monthly Abstract of Statistics; U. S. Department of Commerce—
Commerce Reports; and IT. S. Consular Reports.
2 N ot reported.
.
,
, . ,
.
8 Computed in the Bureau of Labor Statistics from official report covering membership of unions report
ing and per cent of unemployment.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[69 ]
70
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
ST A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN FO R E IG N C O U N TR IES—Continued
Czechoslovakia
Date (end of
month)
Danzig
(Free 1
City of)
Trade-union in
surance funds—■ N um
unemployed
ber of
in receipt of
unem
benefit
ployed
regis
tered
Per
N umber cent
Denmark
Estonia Finland
Trade-union unem Number
ployment funds— unem
unemployed
ployed
remain
ing on
live
N um Per cent register
ber
N um
ber of
unem
ployed
regis
tered
France Germany
N um
ber of Number
unem of unem
ployed
ployed
regis
in re
ceipt of
tered
benefit
1930
January, _
_ .
February, _ ,
March _ __
April _ _ __ ..
M ay..... ...........
June______ _ _
July___________
August________
September_____
October _ , ,
November_____
December______
39,199
40, 550
45, 567
42, 664
41,098
37, 853
46, 800
52, 694
57, 542
61, 213
65, 904
93, 476
3.6
3. 6
4. 0
3. 7
3.8
3.4
4. 1
4. 7
5.3
5. 5
5.9
8.3
19, 282
21, 153
20, 376
18, 371
16, 232
14, 975
15, 330
15, 687
16, 073
17, 307
20. 272
24, 429
55, 876
59, 363
47,109
33, 471
27, 966
24,807
26, 200
26, 232
27, 700
32, 880
44, 200
71,100
20.3
21.0
15. 6
11.8
9.4
8.7
9.3
9, 0
9. 0
11.4
15.3
24.6
5, 608
4, 580
3, 575
2, 227
2, 065
910
762
1, 039
1,414
3, 282
5, 675
6,163
12, 696
11, 545
10, 062
7, 274
4, 666
3, 553
4, 026
5,288
7,157
10, 279
10, 740
9,336
1, 484
1, 683
1,630
1, 203
859
1, 019
856
964
988
1,663
4,893
11,952
3, 217, 608
3,365,811
3, 040, 797
2, 786, 912
2, 634, 718
2, 640, 681
2, 765, 258
2, 883, 000
3, 004, 000
3, 252, 000
3, 683, 000
4, 384, 000
1931
January, , ___
February ............
March
April____
M’ay____ _____
104, 580
117, 450
119, 350
107, 238
9.5
10.0
10.0
8.9
27,081
28, 192
27, 070
24,186
20,686
70, 961
73, 427
67, 725
45, 698
37, 856
24. 4
25.6
23. 6
15. 9
13. 1
5, 364
4,070
3, 729
2,424
11, 706
11,557
11,491
11,584
28, 536
40, 766
50, 815
49, 958
41, 339
4, 887. 000
4, 972, 000
4, 756, 000
4, 358. 000
4,053, 000
Date (end of
month)
1930
January .
February ___ _
March______
April______
M ay___
.iune _ . _
July___________
August________
September_____
October___ _
November____
December___ _
1931
January .
_
February. _ _ _
March___ _____
April_________
M a y ______
Germany
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Trade-unionists
Compulsory insurance
W holly unem
ployed
Partially unem
ployed
N umber
unem
ployed
in receipt
Per cent of benefit
Number
Per
cent
1, 004, 787
1,076, 441
995, 972
926, 831
895, 542
896, 465
930, 777
984. 384
1,011,820
1, 061, 570
1,167, 930
(2)
22.0 501, 950
23. 5 593, 380
21. 7 576,153
20.3 553, 098
19. 5 552, 318
19. 6 578,116
20. 5 631, 903
21. 7 670, 466
22.5 677, 627
23. 6 693, 379
26. 0 721, 658
31.7
(2)
11.0
13.0
12. 6
12.1
12. 0
12. 6
13. 9
14.8
15. 1
15.4
16. 1
16.9
34. 2
34. 5
33.6
31.8
(2)
(2)
(2)
N um
ber
(2)
(2)
(2)
Temporary stop
pages
Number
Per cent Number Per cent
2, 482, 648
2, 655, 723
2, 347, 102
2, 081, 068
1, 889, 240
1, 834, 662
1, 900, 961
1,947,811
1, 965, 348
2, 071, 730
2, 353, 980
2, 822, 598
1, 183, 974
1, 211, 262
1, 284, 231
1, 309, 014
1, 339, 595
1,341, 818
1,405, 981
1.500, 990
1, 579, 708
1, 725, 731
1,836,280
1, 853, 575
9.8
10.0
10.6
10.8
* 11.1
11.1
11.6
12.4
13. 1
13.9
14. 8
14. 9
336, 474
371, 840
409, 785
451, 506
516, 303
569, 931
664,107
618, 658
608, 692
593, 223
532, 518
646, 205
2. 8
3. 1
3.4
3.8
4. 2
4. 7
5. 5
5.1
5.0
4. 8
4.3
5.3
19. 2 3, 364, 770
19. 5 3, 496, 979
18. 9 3, 240, 523
18. 1 2, 790. 112
2,507,732
2, 044, 209
2, 073, 578
2, 052, 826
2,027,896
16. 5
16. 7
16. 5
16.3
618, 633
623,844
612, 821
564, 884
5. 0
5.0
5.0
4.6
2 N ot reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Wholly unem
ployed
[70]
71
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
ST A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN
Great
Britain
Date (end of
month)
Continued
Latvia
Hungary
Irish Free State
Italy
Trade-unionists un
employed
Compulsory in
surance—unem
ployed
Number of un
employed regis
tered
Number
of persons
registered
Social-Demo
with em
cratic
ployment Chris
tian
exchanges (Buda
Per
pest) N um
cent
ber
1930
January----February...
March.........
A p r il..........
M ay.............
June.............
July______
August____
September..
October___
November..
D ecem ber..
1,491, 519
1, 539, 265
1, 677, 473
1,698, 386
1,770, 051
1,890, 575
2, Oil, 467
2, 039, 702
2,114, 955
2,200, 413
2, 274, 338
2, 392, 738
1,161
1931
January----February. ..
March____
April______
2,613, 749
2,627, 559
2, 581,030
2,531, 674
Number Per cent
20, 775
22, 9f0
25, 622
10, 022
26,167
28,681
25,413
23, 970
722,612
765, 325
707, 486
670,353
27,924
27,110
27, 545
28, 780
9,207
8, 303
8, 450
6, 390
31, 592
983
906
875
829
920
847
874
999
975
935
953
965
996
1, 042
26,191
27, 089
27, 092
27,129
19. 1
19.8
Unemployment
insurance socie
D ate (end of month) ties—unemployed
Per
cent
1930
January------February----M arch--------•April_______
M ay_______
June_______
July________
August_____
September^..
October_____
November__
December___
56, 535
50, 957
34,996
28,421
26,211
23, 678
29, 075
32, 755
35, 532
41, 088
46,807
72,191
13.9
12.5
8.6
6.9
6.3
5.5
6.7
7.6
1931
January------February___
March______
April_______
M ay-----------
103, 728
99, 753
80,525
62, 573
23.4
8.2
9.6
9.2
( 2)
(2)
23, 393
( 2)
(2)
Trade-unionists
unemployed
( 2)
4, 348
Per
cent
8.5
( 2)
(2)
5,884
10.9
(2)
( 2)
7,197
13."5
(2)
( 2)
8,119
16.5
(2)
17.7
13. 6
26, 027
"Î5.5
(2)
(2)
4 29,941
(2)
Poland
Norway
New Zealand
11.8
22. 2
(2)
(2)
(2)
Number
9, 263
8,825
6,494
3,683
1,421
779
607
573
1,470
6,058
8,608
23,185
26, 674
28, 026
24, 305
22, 825
21,887
24, 209
24,056
22, 734
19, 081
22,125
21,788
14. 5
14.8
14.6
13.7
13.6
13.0
13.2
14. 5
16. 0
16. 7
17.0
17.9
Netherlands
Par
tially
unem
ployed
Wholly
unem
ployed
Number
unem
ployed
remain
ing on
live
register
466, 231
456, 628
385,432
372, 236
367,183
322,291
342, 061
375, 548
394, 630
446, 496
534,356
642,169
21, 533
21, 309
21,016
20, 139
49, 875
18,960
19, 081
21,013
22, 252
22, 914
23, 333
24,648
1,120
Number
FO R E IG N C O U N TR IES
Trade-unionists (10
unions) unemployed
Number
7, 786
7,851
7, 503
6, 701
5,239
4, 700
4,723
5,897
7,010
8,031
9,396
11,265
Per cent
19.0
18.9
17.8
15.8
12.2
10.8
10.8
13.4
15.7
18.0
21.4
25.5
Number
Number
unem
unem
ployed
ployed re registered
maining with em
on live
ployment
register
offices
22, 549
22, 974
22, 533
19,829
16, 376
13, 939
11, 997
12, 923
17,053
20, 363
24, 544
27,157
241,974
274, 708
289, 469
271, 225
224, 914
204, 982
193,687
173, 627
170,467
165,154
209, 912
299, 797
28, 596
29,107
29, 095
28, 477
25, 206
340, 718
358, 925
372, 536
375, 317
2 N ot reported.
, ,
^
<N ew series of statistics showing unemployed registered by the employment exchanges. N ot only
workers who are wholly unemployed are included but also those who are intermittently employed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 71]
72
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
ST A T E M E N T OF U N E M P L O Y M E N T IN FO R E IG N C O U N TR IE S—Continued
Poland
Rumania
Saar Ter
ritory
Sweden
Industrial workers
Date (end of month)
Extractive and
manufacturing
industries—
wholly unem
ployed
Number
January__
February. _
M arch____
April_____
M ay_____
June_____
July______
August___
September.
October___
November.
December..
Per
cent
219, 333
251, 627
265,135
246, 670
201, 116
182, 600
170, 665
150, 650
146, 642
141,422
(2)
( 2)
January..,
February.
M arch.. . .
April____
(2)
24. 3
27.5
28. 7
27.0
23.0
21.6
20.5
18.3
17.8
17.5
Number
Manufacturing
unem
Number
industries—par
ployed
unem
tially unem
remaining
ployed
ployed
on live registered
register
Number
Per
cent
Trade-unionists
unemployed
Number
108,812
120, 058
120, 844
113, 594
104, 469
94, 375
70, 597
74, 289
74, 285
91,854
106, 835
95, 637
17.0
17.1
16.5
14. 8
23.6
23.1
12, 622
15, 588
13, 045
13,412
25, 096
22, 960
23, 236
24,209
39,110
36,147
42, 689
36, 212
82, 717
92,838
23.8
27.1
38,804
43, 270
24. 8
28.4
28. 9
26.9
24.2
22. 2
( 2)
11,307
11,949
8,882
7,522
7, 362
6, 330
7,095
7,099
7,527
9,013
12 , 110
15, 245
18, 921
20,139
18, 292
18,102
Per
cent
45, 636
45, 460
42, 278
38, 347
28, 112
28, 956
27, 170
28, 539
34, 963
43, 927
57, 070
86, 042
15. 3
22. 9
69, 437
66, 923
72, 944
19. 8
18. 4
19. 3
14. 2
13. 2
12. 5
11. 1
8. 3
8. 1
7.8
8. 1
9. 8
12. 2
Switzerland
Yugo
slavia
Unemployment funds
Date (end of month)
W holly unem
ployed
Number
1930
January__________ .________
February_______________
March_____________________
April______________________
M ay_______________________
June____ ■_____
July______________ : : : : : : : : : :
A ugust_____________________
September_________________
October____________________
November_________________
D ecem ber._________________
1931
January___________________
February_______ __________
March_______ :__________
April___________________
10, 523
9, 971
7,882
5,203
5, 356
5,368
4, 751
5, 703
7, 792
7, 399
11,666
21,400
20,551
20, 081
18, 991
10, 389
Per
cent
4.4
4. 1
Partially unem
ployed
Number
of unem
ployed
Per registered
Number
cent
6.6
10, 710
11, 445
12, 642
12, 755
13,129
17, 688
15,112
19, 441
26, 111
23, 309
25, 793
33,483
8.3
7. 9
5.4
4.0
30, 977
30,879
41, 880
27, 726
2.6
2. 1
2. 2
1. 7
1.9
2.3
2.5
3.0
4.7
4.4
4.7
4.2
5.3
5.4
5. 7
6.2
7.9
8.3
9.4
10.5
10.4
12. 5
12.2
12. 4
10.6
8, 508'
9, 437
9, 739
12,052
8, 704
6, 991
7, 236
0 , 111
5, 973
6, 609
7,219
9,989
11,903
14, 424
12, 029
11, 391
2 N ot reported.
E m p lo y m e n t in J a p a n , E n d of 1930
HE number of workers in Japan at the close of 1930, classified
by sex and employment, is shown in the following table, based
T
on a report recently published by the Japanese Bureau of Social
Affairs:1
1 International Labor Office.
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Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, M ay 25, 1931 pp 286 287
[72]
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
73
E M P L O Y M E N T STA TISTIC S FO R JA PA N , E N D OF 1930
Number of workers
Class of employment
Male
Factory:
State-.
- _ .
Municipal - - ---- -Private
_ - Total - - - - - -
_
_
Total
............. ...
108, 044
10, 098
976, 245
26, 986
1,744
.952,888
135, 030
11, 842
1,929,133
---_
1,094, 387
981,618
2,076, 005
191, 539
462, 640
1, 469,464
34. 323
44, 056
434, 975
225,862
506, 696
1, 904, 439
3, 218, 030
1, 494, 972
4, 713, 002
Mining
- - - _
Transportation and communication
____
Casual and other- _ „ .
. . . _________ _
Grand total
Female
___
______
The total number of workers—4,713,002—given in the above
tabulation is 160,079 less than the number employed at the same
period in the preceding year. The decreases for other classes of
workers at the close of 1930 as compared with 1929 are: Workers
in factories, 126,000; workers in mines, approximately 52,000; and
casual and other workers, about 7,000. There was, however, an
increase of about 25,000 workers in transportation and communication.
The shrinkage in the number of workers in factories and mines is
reported to be due to discharges “ on account of curtailment of
production, cessation of operations, closure of factories, etc., owing
to the severe depression which started in 1929 and still continues.”
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[73]
INSURANCE AND BENEFIT PLANS
U n e m p lo y m e n t B e n e fit P la n of C a n a d ia n K o d a k C o.
A
CCORDING to Industrial Canada, issue of June, 1931, pubk. Hshed by the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association, an un
employment benefit plan has recently been adopted by the Canadian
Kodak Co. (Ltd.). The plan provides that the company will start
at once to accumulate the necessary reserves with a view to being in
a position to pay benefits in 1933.
The company has, in the past, put into effect various stabilization
measures which have to a large extent taken care of ordinary periodic
unemployment. During the present depression, in addition to the
usual stabilization methods, the company has carried out as much
repair and maintenance work as possible to keep the force employed
and has engaged in building operations. When it became necessary,
however, on account of the depression to reduce output, working
hours were reduced in order to spread the work as far as possible
among the entire force, but some lay-offs were necessary.
The company believes that some plan of building up reserves to
take care of future unemployment is needed to supplement the
other methods of stabilizing employment, but is strongly in favor
of such measures being carried out voluntarily and independently
by the separate industries, and not by compulsion or governmental
insurance.
The unemployment benefit plan provides for the creation of a re
serve fund through an annual appropriation by the company. The
company will bear the entire costs of the plan except during a pro
longed period of unemployment, when an emergency may be de
clared and the fund will be supplemented by contributions of 1 per
cent of earnings from all employees not receiving benefits and in
cluding all officials. The plan, which will become effective for the
payment of benefits January 1, 1933, will be administered by a com
mittee appointed by the management. Benefits will be payable
after two continuous weeks of unemployment and will amount to
60 per cent of the average weekly earnings with a maximum of $18
per week. The maximum number of weekly benefits during any
12 consecutive months will range from 6 weeks for 1 to 1 years’
service with the company to 13 weeks for 5 years’ service and over.
Employees securing temporary work outside will be eligible for
benefits equal to the difference between the earnings on the temporary
work and the normal weekly earnings prior to unemployment.
Employees laid off for lack of work will be required to report to the
company at specified periods and to state what efforts have been
made to secure other employment.
74
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[74]
INSURANCE AND BENEFIT PLANS
75
P re s e n t S ta t u s of I n d u s tria l M u tu a l B e n e fit A s so cia tio n s
HE effect of the development of the newer agencies of relief for
employees, such as workmen’s compensation and. group insurance,
upon the activities of industrial mutual benefit associations formed
the subject of a recent study by the National Industrial Conference
Board.1
In spite of the fact that these newer forms of insurance against the
contingencies of accident, sickness, and death have had such a de
cided growth in recent years, the study showed that they have ex
erted only a slight effect upon the activities of the benefit associations.
The investigation covered 398 companies with active associations,
388 of which furnished total employment and association member
ship data. These companies employed approximately 1,119,000
workers, of whom 824,940, or about 74 per cent, were members of the
mutual benefit associations. As many of the associations covered
in the present study were included in an earlier one, it was possible
to compare present tendencies with conditions in 1922 when the
former study was made.
The mutual benefit association is designed to provide the greatest
possible protection for its members in case of sickness or accident at
the lowest possible cost, and to accomplish this purpose it is necessary
that a large proportion of the employees should be members. There
is always the danger that the older workers and those most susceptible
to illness will form too large a proportion of the membership, with the
result that premiums or dues will be disproportionately high. To
obviate this risk and also to insure the protection of all the em
ployees, some companies require membership in the association as a
condition of employment. During the past eight years there has
been evident somewhat of a trend toward compulsory membership,
although the majority of the benefit associations still do not require
it. Another method of reducing costs is the exclusion from member
ship of workers who are most liable to disability. This is done
through fixing an age limit for new members, by means of physical
examinations, and in some cases by the exclusion of certain classes of
employees who ordinarily have a higher rate of absence due to sick
ness. If no physical examination is required, the new employee
usually must sign a statement that he is in good health. The practi
cally universal provision that members lose their membership in the
association when they cease to be employed by the company arises
from the difficulty of supervising such members, the increased chances
of malingering, and the fact that usually only former employees who
are subject to disability will retain their membership.
It has appeared probable, with the rapid development of group
insurance, that the mutual benefit association would be forced to
surrender its place to the commercial insurance company, but from
the study it does not seem that this has occurred. The insurance
companies have made considerable progress in the field of industrial
life insurance, but benefit associations continue to carry the sickness
and accident risks and even where insurance companies have entered
this field the benefits provided by them supplement rather than take
the place of those provided by the association. Nothing in the
T
1 National Industrial Conference Board (Inc.).
New York, 1931.
6
63413°—31
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The present status of mutual benefit associations,
[75]
76
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
information secured in connection with the study indicates, the report
states, that mutual benefit associations are losing the important place
they have held for years in the industrial relations program, and the
fact that they have held their own “ through a period that has wit
nessed the rise and fall of a variety of industrial relations theories and
projects bears witness to their success in filling a recognized need.’’
In response to altered economic conditions there has been a general
tendency to increase benefits in those associations providing fixed
benefits, while a method of adjusting the benefits in a measure to
individual needs is found in the graduated scale based on the normal
wages or earnings.
A trend toward the contraction rather than the expansion of the
activities of benefit associations is shown, so that instead of taking a
part in the control or direction of other industrial relations activities
it is more and more becoming the practice for the associations to
confine their activities to the provision of insurance against disability.
The associations are also shown by the study to be giving increasing
consideration to the actuarial aspects of their plans, with the result
that the finances of the associations show increasing soundness.
The maintenance of a mutual benefit association is of advantage
to both the employer and the employees—to the employee through
the furnishing of direct financial assistance when it is most needed,
and to the employer through the more efficient plant operation
resulting from reduction of absences from work and relief from appeals
for assistance for disabled employees. In addition the better morale
arising from the mutuality of the enterprise has the effect of stimu
lating the feeling of plant unity and cooperation.
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[76]
INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
R e s tr ic tio n of O u tp u t b y U n o rg a n iz e d W o rk e rs
UCH has been said and written about trade-union restrictions
on output, but the possibility that unorganized workers might
deliberately arrange to keep their production down to what they
consider a safe figure seems to have been largely ignored. A study
of the subject has recently appeared, under the title ‘‘Restriction of
Output among Unorganized Workers,” giving the results of a personal
investigation made by Stanley B. Mathewson, executive director of
the Springfield, Ohio, Chamber of Commerce. On the general prin
ciple that the only way to learn the true situation was to mingle with
the workers as one of themselves, Mr. Mathewson secured employ
ment in shops and factories and made a study of what was actually
happening there.
M
T he m aterial on w hich th is stu d y is based w as o b tain ed from first-h an d o bserva
tions an d from interview s w ith ap p ro x im ately 350 w orkers a n d 65 executives.
Two h u n d red a n d tw e n ty -th re e in stan ces in w hich restric tio n was e v id en t were
recorded in detail. T h ey ra n g e d over 105 estab lish m en ts, in 47 localities, rep re
senting 25 classified in d u stries a n d 14 m iscellaneous ones.
W hile m aking his observ atio n s, th e a u th o r w orked as a laborer, m achine op era
to r, bench assem bler, conveyor assem bler, a n d skilled m echanic; a n d he lived
w ith w orking people in th e ir hom e environm ent. H e w orked a t various tim es on
d ay , aftern o o n , a n d m id n ig h t shifts. H e held 11 different jobs in tw o in d u strial
centers. R ecords of th is p a r t of th e in v estig atio n were first m ad e in th e form of
personal le tte rs to a n associate. T hese le tte rs d etailed fu ll experiences of each
w orking d ay w hile th e y w ere still fresh, re la te d conversations, a n d to ld of con
ta c ts w hich to o k place o u tsid e of w orking hours. A group of six w orkers who
cooperated in th e s tu d y m ad e a series of sim ilar special re p o rts in th e form of
personal le tte rs from o th e r in d u stria l centers.
Upon the basis of the facts thus collected, the present volume has
been prepared, consisting of two parts. The first part assembles
instances of restriction grouped according to the cause assigned by
the workers for their action, and the second, containing explanations
of restrictions and comments on the practice, includes the opinions of
managers, of an economist, and of the investigator. This section
contains chapters by William M. Leiserson, professor of economics at
Antioch College, by the president of the Dennison Manufacturing
Co., and by the president of Antioch College.
Warning as to Limitations of Study
W h i l e the investigation showed frequent instances of restricted
output, Mr. Mathewson emphasizes the fact that no attempt was
made to discover how generally restriction is practiced, and that its
existence in some cases is entirely compatible with much cheerful
overwork in others.
E v ery executive has know n w orkers who v o lu n tarily p u t in long hours of u n
paid overtim e. F req u en tly , facto ry em ployees on piecew ork o r bonus also lab o r
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77
78
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
excessively eith er to increase th e ir earnings or to m eet a facto ry em ergency.
F u rth erm o re, linem en, rep airm en , a n d o th ers often perform heroic ta sk s to restore
public service. A com plete u n d e rsta n d in g of w orkers’ a ttitu d e s should include
th is o th e r side of th e p ic tu re , w ith fu ll recognition of th e fa c t t h a t th e efforts of
wage earners m ay flu c tu a te a b o v e as well a s below th e level of a full d a y ’s w ork.
H ow ever, in th is in v estig atio n i t w as im possible to g a th e r m a te ria l fo r a com plete
picture. T h e in v e stig a to r lim ited his stu d y a n d his re p o rt to restrictio n of
o u tp u t. * * *
T his re p o rt is n o t in ten d ed to give th e im pression th a t all w orkers re stric t
o u tp u t. Since th e in v e stig a to r a n d th e group w orking w ith him were co n c e n tra t
ing on th e problem , th e y fo u n d a good m a n y instances— people usually find w h at
th e y seek. T hey realize, of course, t h a t restric tio n is n o t universal. On th e
o th er h an d , th e in vestig atio n lead s th e m to believe th a t it is p re v a le n t enough to
co n stitu te a m ajo r problem in A m erican in d u stry .
Kinds and Causes of Restriction on Output
To a large extent the first part of the volume is a case record, giving
specific instances of restriction which the author or his fellow workers
found in practice. _ (Simple neglect of duties or a mere disinclination
to effort, it is explained, were not included; only cases were considered
in which an intent to restrict was clearly evident.) The restrictions
might be brought about by the pressure of opinion in the working
group, or might be in compliance with the strong hints or direct
orders of the “ boss,” whether straw foreman, foreman or, in some
cases, even superintendent. The methods were various in the ex
treme, ranging from a careful slowing down of effort to planned waste
of time by inefficient methods of getting or removing work, dawdling
over the job, meticulous elaboration of work, interfering with the
smooth working of a machine, or even, in extreme cases, going over
and over the same piece of work, so as not to turn in too large an
amount of finished product.
Tke_ cause is apt to be complex, two or more reasons usually
operating in a given case. The most fundamental of these seems to
be a profound belief that whether time rates or piece rates prevail
increased effort will not bring a corresponding increase in returns and
may simply result in increased demands, with, in the case of piece
rates, a cut in the rates. Closely connected with this is the belief
that the increased demands may easily become too great for the slower
or less effective workers, who may lose their jobs because they can
not keep up with the new pace, so that as a matter of group solidarity
the faster worker holds himself back. A second powerful cause is the
employee’s fear of working himself out of a job, or, in the case of a
foreman, the desire to hold his group together and prevent a threat
ened lay-off. Personal grievances against the management constitute
a third cause, but this operates usually only in individual cases, not
in the group as a whole. Numerous instances of restriction are given
and in some cases are accompanied with the worker’s statement of the
circumstances which convinced him that it was not wise to put forth
his best efforts.
Restriction Under Time Rates
I t i s generally understood that time rates do not offer any special
inducement for large output, but on the face of it there seems no
special reason why they should lead to restriction. In themselves
they do not, but the employer’s attitude may produce that result.
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
79
J u s t how wage earners come to believe th a t increased o u tp u t u n d er a system
of tim e wages will go u n rew ard ed can b est be to ld in th e w ords of w orking
people them selves. Said a m an whose o ccupation was in specting roller bearings:
“ R ecently th e re h as been a big ru sh a n d p ro d u ctio n h as been p u sh ed to th e
lim it. T hey (the m anagem ent) ask ed fo r m ore p ro d u ctio n a n d m ore p roduction.
T hey w ould com e aro u n d a n d ask for a h u n d re d m ore a day , a n d ev ery tim e I
m e t th e new dem an d th e y w ould ask fo r m ore. I began to w onder w here th is
w ould sto p a n d a n old h a n d finally inform ed m e th a t it w o uldn’t. T h ey alw ays
ask for m ore, no m a tte r w h a t th e y a re gettin g . A nother th in g I discovered was
th a t if I did g et m y p ro d u ctio n u p to a ce rta in p o in t a n d th e n dro p p ed below
for an y length of tim e, th e y w ould ask m e to keep u p to th e hig h est p o in t all
th e tim e. T h ere w ere several o ld-tim ers who were g e ttin g aw ay w ith less th a n
I did, ju s t because th e y h a d n ev er done m o re .”
And a girl who w as experienced in a wide ran g e of em p lo y m en t explained:
“ I h ave learned th ro u g h sad experience t h a t th e m ore y o u r superiors find
th e y can g e t o u t of you th e m ore th e y come to expect. T h e only w ay to p ro te c t
yourself is never to w ork a t a n y th in g like full capacity. I know t h a t m ost
restrictio n is due to th e w orker’s desire to save a n d p ro te c t herself a n d n o t to
an y o th er m otive. ”
_
-
Restrictions Under Piece Rates
R ig h t l y or wrongly, the workers are thoroughly convinced that
under a piece-rate system output beyond a certain point will mean
a cut in the rate. Different firms, they believe, have different but
well-defined ideas as to what constitutes a proper day’s earnings
and will not permit materially larger earnings. Therefore when a
worker enters a new establishment, he considers it wise to find out
what the standard is and to keep within it; should he neglect to do
so, the other workers may call the matter to his attention.
M ost of th e w ork in one of th e larg est tire-b u ild in g p la n ts in th e c o u n try is
on a piece-rate basis. In one d e p a rtm e n t th e piecew orkers p ushed th e ir e a rn
ings u p to $12 a day. Said a n em ployee in th is d e p a rtm e n t: “ T he rate_ was
im m ediately cu t. Now we know t h a t th e m ax im u m p a id for th is w ork is $7
a day. I t w ould be possible for us to do m u ch m ore b u t we are careful n o t t o . ”
In a n o th e r d e p a rtm e n t th e older m en h av e learned from experience a n d th e new
w orkers from th e older m en, t h a t th e h ig h est w age th e com pany will p a y for
th e ir p a rtic u la r w ork is $9 a day. T h e ra te is 10 cen ts for each piece. “ W hen
we h av e b u ilt o u r 90 pieces, we literally qu it. E v ery new m an com ing in is
w arned n o t to produce m ore. ”
Sometimes the results of this belief are curious. Instances were
found of workers who had discovered new and better ways of doing
a job, but who carefully hid these methods from those in charge of
the work. They used them for their own benefit to get through thenset task more quickly or easily, and concealed this result by un
necessary delays, believing that if the employer knew of the better
method there would be an immediate cut in rates. Sometimes a
worker or a group of workers would produce more than enough to
earn the day’s rate, and conceal the surplus so that they might fall
back on it if some accident to the machines, poor material, or some
other cause beyond their control, slowed production so that they would
not make a full day’s wage. This was_called m akings “ bank,”
and seemed to be a fairly common practice, but it had its dangers.
A man detected in holding back finished work was apt to be discharged.
Sometimes, with surplus work on hand, a mistake might be made in
the amount turned in, with disconcerting results for the workers:
A gang of w orkers in a m achine m an u fa c tu rin g p la n t go t in to tro u b le by fail
ing to sta y w ithin th e safety zone o r lim it. T he custom in th is d e p a rtm e n t was
to keep th e inspector inform ed ju s t w h a t to rep o rt, as com pleted, a n d to hold
the excess back. One d ay th e w orkers m ade a n erro r in th e ir figures.
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T he inspector declared: “ I le t w h at th e y to ld me go thro u g h . I t w as a b o u t
5 per cen t m ore th a n th e y should h av e figured a n d th e tim e-stu d y m an cam e rig h t
in an d c u t hell o u t of th e ir rates. ”
In spite of this, th e p ractice of holding o u t w ork co n tin u ed in th is p la n t for
a num ber of years, according to th e d irecto r of a service d e p a rtm e n t.
Since a piece rate is often set on the basis of a time study of a
given operation, the workers have developed a number of protective
devices for slowing down while the study is being made, in order that
the rate set may not be lower than they consider just. When a
time study is to be made, the knowledge seems to spread rapidly
through an establishment, and the author gives several instances of
the ways in which workers hold down output during the period when
a test is either being made, or impending, so as to discourage any
lowering of the rate.
The fear of being laid off, as a cause for restricting output, was
found to be especially potent in the building and construction indus
tries, where workers are engaged for a particular piece of work and
know that as soon as that is finished they will be adrift again.
“ Desperation is the only word to describe the sentiment and the
work methods of many construction employees when the job is
nearing completion. ” It appears more or less strongly in all seasonal
industries; the workers know they can not prevent the end of the
season, but they try to put off the evil day by stringing out their
work in every possible manner.
Opinions and Explanations of Managers
I n t e r v i e w s were held with some 6 5 executives, employing over
half a million workers, in order to discuss with them cases of restric
tion in their own as well as in other organizations. The author
divides these executives into three groups. The first, comprising
about 20 per cent of the total, thought restriction was either no
problem at all, or a minor, negligible one. The second, amounting
to about 6 5 per cent, stated that restriction had formerly been prac
ticed in their establishments but, owing to certain changes, had been
reduced to a minimum or completely eliminated, while the third group
admitted or suspected its existence at times, and attached varying
degrees of importance to it. The first group generally based their
belief on the character of their employees, or on their familiarity
with the work, which would enable them to detect any slacking,
or on some similar condition. The second group believed they had
stopped restriction by some change of methods, and on inquiry it
was found that this change usually consisted in the installation of
some new system of wage payment—most frequently, the groupbonus plan.
T his p lan has spread rap id ly of late, a n d it is in terestin g to know th a t all th e
executives interview ed who use th is schem e believe it has elim in ated restrictio n ,
or has m ade such as still exists v irtu a lly innocuous. T his is surprising, for m uch
of th e case m ateria l presen ted in P a rt I was collected from p la n ts of these sam e
executives.
The executives who were convinced that such methods of wage
payment had eliminated restriction stated also that it was not the
practice in their plants to cut rates. Investigation among their
workers convinced Mr. Mathewson that the latter believed exactly
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
81
the contrary in regard to both points. On the whole, he felt that
the testimony of these executives was not well founded.
T he belief held b y executives, nam ely, t h a t various in centive-w age-paym ent
plan s te n d to lessen restric tio n w as one of th e m o st puzzling th in g s in th e whole
investigation. P erhaps, how ever, m an y of th e m an ag ers ignore re strictio n for a
reason sim ilar to th a t given b y a vice p re sid e n t a n d general m an ag e r of th e larg est
p la n t of its k in d in th e w orld. H e s ta te d t h a t in his ow n case his kick of know l
edge of an y restrictio n in his org an izatio n w as n o t th e re su lt of a n y in v estig atio n
of facts or of how a n y one system of w age p a y m e n t affected regulation, b u t of
his isolation from th e w orkers.
In some cases, however, executives admitted and justified the prac
tice of cutting rates so as to keep earnings down.
In a tte m p tin g to find o u t w hy th e p ractice of ra te c u ttin g is so com m on in
in d u stry , a n experienced executive w as asked w h a t o bjection th e r y w ould be todrill-press operators, for exam ple, earn in g all th e y could on c ertain jobs.
H e said, “ T h a t w ould never do. If drill-press o p erato rs could double th e ir
earnings on piece rates, fo r instance, th is w ould cause th e m to e arn as m uch as
toolm akers. O perating a d rill press can o rdinarily be learn ed in a sh o rt tim e,
while it tak es toolm akers y ears to learn th e ir trad es. T h e im m ed iate effect of
p erm ittin g th e less skilled w orkers to earn as m uch as th e too lm ak ers w ould be
to ta k e aw ay th e financial in cen tiv e for w orkers to learn skilled tra d e s.”
In the third group of executives, two rather unusual attitudes were
found. One manufacturer never laid off workers when work became
slack, but knew that in spite of this, restriction prevailed when work
grew scarce. This he considered natural, and pointed out that the
whole office shared in the practice.
As he p u t it, “ I le t u p on th e su p erin ten d e n t, he lets up on th e forem en, an d
th e forem en le t u p on th e m en. E v ery b o d y looks th e o th e r w ay w hen th e re are
few orders on h a n d .”
T his executive a ttrib u te d such re strictio n to th e fa c t th a t he a n d his associates
h a d a h u m an in te re st in th e w orkers a n d th e ir fam ilies, a n d t h a t th e higher
u n it cost in slack tim es w as a leg itim ate price to p ay for flu ctu atio n s in th e ir
business. A lthough he did n o t so nam e it, th e p ractice he described seems to be
a n inform al ty p e of u n e m p lo y m en t insurance.
The other unusual attitude was that of an executive who admitted
that restriction prevailed, but considered it of no importance. He
thus summarized his view:
“ Well, w h a t a b o u t restric tio n — if th e m en get o u t th e prescribed prod u ctio n
schedules? If a concern plan s to g et o u t 25,000 u n its a m o n th , purchases m aterial
for th a t nu m b er a n d th e schedule is m et, th e m en co u ld n ’t p roduce a n y m ore if
th e y w anted to. T hey w ouldn’t have a n y m aterial to w ork o n .”
The Investigator’s Inferences
As a result of the study the investigator was convinced that restric
tion is a widespread institution, deeply intrenched in the habits of
American workers, that scientific management has failed to develop
between employer and employee a spirit of confidence leading to
willing cooperation, that underwork and restriction are greater
problems than overspeeding and overwork, that managers have been
so content with the over-all results of man-hour output that only
superficial attention has been given to the workers’ contribution or
lack of contribution to the increased yield, and that the practices of
most manufacturing managements have not as yet brought the
worker to feel that he can freely give his best efforts without incurring
penalties rather than rewards.
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O ur experiences em phasize th e absence of confidence betw een p a rtie s to th e
lab o r c o n tract. W e saw m en hiding finished p ro d u c t u n d er th e ir w orkbenches,
afraid to tu r n it in ; forem en w orking a t cross purposes w ith tim e -stu d y m en a n d
show ing w orkers how to m ak e tim e stu d ies in a c c u ra te ; w orkm en killing tim e by
th e h o u r because th e d a y ’s “ lim it” h a d been reach ed ; m en a fra id to le t th e
m an ag em en t learn of im proved m eth o d s w hich th e y h a d discovered fo r th e m
selves; older w orkers te ac h in g you n g sters to keep secret from th e m an ag e m en t
th e a m o u n t th e y could co m fo rtab ly p roduce in a d ay ; m an ag e m en t try in g first
one “ w age in c e n tiv e ” p lan , th e n an o th e r, in a n effort to induce m en to do w h at
we believe th e y really w an ted to do in th e first place. T his en tire in v estig atio n
in d icated th a t m o st w orking people h a te th e whole m essy business of restrictio n
a n d especially th e com plicated system of cunning devices th e y em ploy to cover
it up.
The report brings no direct answer to the question: “ What is to be
done about it?” but suggests that the present situation between
employer and employee resembles that which existed between seller
and buyer when the maxim “ caveat emptor” prevailed, and buying
was accomplished by a process of haggling in which each party tried
to get the better of the other. A different method has been found
far more satisfactory in salesmanship; might it apply equally well to
the wage relation?
W hen progressive m erch an ts first took up such “ c ra z y ” ideas as one price,
an d “ th e custom er is alw ays rig h t,” it is safe to say th a t t h a t g en eratio n of cus
tom ers was no m ore rig h t in in d iv id u al w ays th a n th e w orker is now rig h t in his.
T he custom er cam e to be rig h t because th e m e rc h a n t lived u p to his p a r t of th e
new policy. M ay n o t th e w age w orker come to be rig h t, also, w hen th e em ployer
goes as fa r on his side as th e one-price m e rc h a n t w en t to estab lish a new re la tio n
ship w ith his custom ers? T h e m erc h a n t quickly fo u n d th e new o rd er to be
“ good business,” a n d th e experiences of those m an u fa c tu re rs who h av e sincerely
trie d to ap p ly th is idea in th e ir lab o r relatio n s fo recast th e sam e p ro b ab le resu lts
in th is field. In d u stria l good will m ay be won by em ployers who sell jo b s to
w orkers w hen th e y a d o p t th e policies th a t h av e won good will fo r u p -to -d a te
m erch an ts in selling goods to custom ers.
A minor suggestion relates to the method of setting standards of
output. It might be possible that the observation and timing should
be separated from the actual productive processes until they have
been analyzed and tested under laboratory conditions with the
cooperation of the workers.
W ould n o t th is enable m anagers to c o n tra c t w ith p ro d u ctio n w orkers for a
know n s ta n d a rd of o u tp u t a t a p red eterm in ed price? W ould it n o t go a g re a t
w ay to w ard convincing th e m th a t, like chem ical analyses, th e sta n d a rd s have
been set only a fte r carefully controlled exp erim en tatio n , a n d th a t th e w orkers
could th e re a fte r p u t fo rth every effort w ith o u t fear of p en alty ?
Economics of Restriction of Output
R e v i e w i n g the data assembled, Professor Leiserson points out
that the immediate stimuli to restricted output are of three general
kinds :
1. R a te cuts, retim in g of jobs a n d “ w ag e-in cen tiv e” plan s w hich require th e
w orker to deliver ad d itio n a l w ork a t low er ra te s of pay.
2. Lay-offs, p a rt-tim e w ork, a n d p ro tra c te d periods of unem p lo y m en t w hich
show t h a t th e m a rk e t can n o t ab so rb all th e lab o r th e w age earn ers can give.
3. U nintelligent m an ag e m en t t h a t depends fo r re su lts e ith e r upo n driving,
economic pow er an d o th e r d ic ta to ria l m ethods, or upon app eals to th e business
in terests of th e em ployees w ith o u t u n d ersta n d in g t h a t th ese a re n o t necessarily
prom oted by tu rn in g o u t m ore w ork a t low er ra te s of pay.
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Are the employees wholly wrong, he asks, in responding as they do
to these stimuli? Is not restriction of output on their part the nor
mal result of the scheme of things which fixes the price of labor in
accordance with its relative scarcity? Perhaps, he suggests, to urge
workers to turn out unlimited production is to expect them to dis
regard the profitableness of their efforts.
In v esto rs m ig h t as well be asked to fu rnish cap ital to industries regardless of
th e re tu rn , a n d m an u factu rers to keep th e ir p la n ts w orking full tim e regardless
of th e cap acity of th e ir m ark ets to absorb th e p ro d u cts a t profitable prices.
The argument against limitation of labor output, he points out, is,
basically, that restricted output increases the labor cost of commodi
ties, and therefore the price to the consumer, that this reduces the
amount of consumer goods a community can enjoy, and is in itself
an ill. “ Potentially at least, increased production means lower prices
and a larger measure of well-being for the nation as a whole.” This
view, however, he holds, loses sight of the fact that the producer, as
well as the consumer, is a part of the community and has interests
which must be protected if the community as a whole is to flourish.
I t h as becom e increasingly evident, as in th e p lig h t of th e farm ers since th e w ar,
t h a t w hen producers suffer from excessive prod u ctio n a n d low prices, th e natio n
as a w hole suffers; a n d p ublic opinion as well as th e law gradually developed a
m ore sy m p a th e tic a ttitu d e to w ard collective action of producers to a d ju s t p ro
d u ctio n to m a rk e t dem ands. * * *
In law a n d th eo ry , as well as in fact, it h as become plain th a t th e in terests of
p ro d u cers a s well as of consum ers, of sellers as well as of buyers, need to be
conserved. If th is end is to be accom plished, n eith er u nlim ited production
resu ltin g in unduly low prices n o r com binations to raise prices un d u ly can be
p erm itted . A m o d erate policy of lim itatio n of o u tp u t is to be followed, which
av o id s b o th excessively high a n d excessively low pro d u ctio n , in order th a t prices
fa ir to all m ay be m ain ta in e d a n d v iolent flu ctu atio n s avoided.
This principle of moderate regulation, Mr. Leiserson points out, is
generally admitted as desirable in industry. In proof of this he
quotes from advice and warnings issued to their members by pro
ducers’ and trade associations of various kinds, and from the “ reit
erated advice of the United States Department of Agriculture to
farmers to reduce their acreage and crops.” It can not be questioned,
he thinks, that the advice holds equally good in regard to the output
of labor; the unfortunate feature of the situation is, that since the
principle in its application to labor is not generally conceded, the
restrictions are apt to be applied more or less secretly and unintelhgently.
If, how ever, re stricte d p ro d u ctio n to co ntrol an d stabilize incom e is as neces
sary for lab o r as it is fo r business, does n o t a n in tellig en t h an d lin g of lab o r restric
tion require a sim ilar fra n k recognition of th e need a n d a fran k d eclaration of
policy a n d m ethods open to pub lic sc ru tin y a n d criticism ?
Such an attitude would call for the setting of reasonable standards
of production by open conference between workers and employers in
which the interests of both, and of the public, would be given fair
consideration. “ Give and take is needed, and open criticism and
defense and subjection to public opinion and control in the interest
of the community.”
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What Employers Can Do About It
M r . D e n n i s o n , h im s e lf th e h e a d o f a w e ll- k n o w n m a n u f a c tu r in g
c o m p a n y , a lso fe e ls t h a t th e w o r k e r w h o p r a c tic e s r e s t r ic tio n o f o u t
p u t h a s a b u n d a n t c o m p a n y in t h a t lin e o f a c tio n .
If w orkers re s tric t o u tp u t fo r fear of a d ro p in price, w orldly wise m anagers
lim it production u n d er sim ilar circum stances. T h e m e rc h a n t p ro p erly “ holds
o u t on his norm al a c tiv ity of b u ying w hen he fears a fall in price, as th e bench
w orker holds o u t on his. T h ey can find h ighly con serv ativ e san ctio n s u n d er
classical econom ics.
Nevertheless, he considers the situation serious, not so much be
cause of the actual limitation of output, although circumstances may
easily arise in which that will be of grave importance, as because of
the indirect effects. It indicates an utter lack of the confidence and
cooperation between employer and employee which is needed to make
industry what it should be. The practice usually involves cunning
and indirection, and produces a position in which the able and rapid
worker must either disregard the interests of his less effective fellows,
or else suffer a constant frustration of his own decent tendency to do
a leasonable amount of worthwhile work. How can employers
improve matters?
F irst we can set to w ork to clear aw ay th e u n d erg ro w th of secondary causes,
m ost or w hich are w o rth clearing o u t on th e ir ow n acco u n t. G rouches a n d
grievances can be red u ced by a v a rie ty of m eth o d s know n a n d a lre a d y te ste d
by personnel m anag e m en t experience. S tab ilizatio n of em p lo y m en t can be ta k e n
up as a specific an d w orthw hile p roblem , u n d e rta k in g to reduce th e a m o u n t of
flu ctu atio n in o vertim e a n d u n d ertim e, a n d in hirin g on a n d lav in g off. Sugges
tions for im proved m eth o d s can be in v ite d a n d a d e q u a te ly rew arded
Jo b
retim ing can be p ro m p tly in s titu te d w here ra te s seem low. E fforts to develop
new m ethods need n o t be d ev o ted exclusively o r to o eagerly to h ig h -ra te jo b s certain ly step s to w a rd ra te re d u ctio n should be v ery cau tio u sly ta k e n w here only
iN?,]01' w o r k e r s in a group h a v e earn ed high prem ium s. T h e long-continued
hidden losses w hich follow a c u t in ra te s can be w eighed a g a in st th e gains to be
expected from th e c u t, a n d even a g a in st th e assum ed losses of m orale arising
w here th e unskilled m a n earn s m ore th a n th e skilled. I t can be recognized th a t
th e m o st earn est v erb al g u a ra n ty ag a in st cu ttin g loses all effect as soon as a
single case can be in te rp re te d as a breach.
But it is even more important, he thinks, to close up the gap be
tween the foreman and the standard setters. The foreman must be
carefully chosen and trained to understand the purpose underlying
the job analyses and the establishment of performance standards;
he is essential to their successful carrying out, and his part must be
recognized and developed. _ The right selection of the members of
the time-study department is equally important, and selling the idea
ol the value and real meaning of this department to the workers is
essential. ^ As to the universal value of piece rates, bonus payments,
and wage incentives of various kinds, Mr. Dennison has some doubts.
Tasks and workers differ widely, and the rates which fit one situa
tion well may not answer for another. If incentive rates are used,
it should be under careful control.
enoiff N
*N es a re to be set, th e ir basic excuse m u st be th a t th e y call
lo rth from each in d iv id u a l his own p a rtic u la r m axim um , a n d th a t th is m axim um
aS am ong different individuals. T o se t a ra te a n d th e n to se t a t w ork a tra in
0± influences w hich leads alm o st every m an to p roduce th e sam e o u tp u t is to develop
a conflict w hich will som e d ay be serious. W e m u st do one th in g or th e o th e rwe can t h ave our cake a n d e a t it. A fter we se t in cen tiv e ra te s we m u st keep
free our m inds an d our subconsciousness from a n y figure like 150, or 192, or an y
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85
o th er a t w hich we begin to believe “ som ething m u st be w rong w ith t h e _r a te .”
T he penalties of free ru n n in g m ay be great, b u t th e pen alties of ra te lim ita tio n
are surely greater.
Regulation Versus Restriction
S u m m in g up the results of the study, President Morgan calls
attention to the fact that regulation of output is recognized as neces
sary to organized society. “ The Interstate Commerce Commission
refuses permission to build a new railroad where there are already
enough. The steel industry does not produce steel rails when there
is no demand.” Regulated output is needed for labor in order that
it may have security of employment, with a minimum of lay-offs or
reductions of incomes, but this regulation should be secured by intel
ligent cooperation between management and labor. The lack of
this cooperation is responsible for many of the undesirable features of
restriction, and gives an opportunity for the operation of socially
undesirable motives.
He stresses, however, the fact that the efforts of management to
prevent restriction have not been sufficiently constructive. It is
natural for every normal person to wish to have—and to know that
he has—work of significance and value, and this is too often denied
him by the conditions of modern industry.
E v ery sane w orker dem ands th a t his lab o r shall h av e significance. L e t a m an
see im p o rta n t w ork grow ing u n d e r his h an d , le t him feel_ th a t his ow n p a r t is
necessary a n d im p o rta n t, a n d you have a stro n g hold upon his lo y a lty a n d in terest.
S ubdivide his w ork so t h a t th e th rill of accom plishm ent is denied, h ide th e ends
to be achieved so t h a t he can n o t see t h a t his w ork play s a necessary p a rt in th e
whole, d eny him th e d ra m a tic a n d em otional clim axes w hich every m an craves,
a n d lim ita tio n of p ro d u ctio n becom es a n a tu ra l expression of th e sound in s tin c t to
elim inate useless effort. * * * C apable a n d responsible w orkm en like to feel
th a t th ey are players in th e gam e, n o t m erely paw ns.
G ro w th of S tr ip C oal M in in g a n d I ts E ffe ct o n L a b o r
HE growth of strip mining in the bituminous coal industry is
discussed and attention called to the chief factors that have con
T
tributed to this growth, in a paper recently published by the United
States Bureau of Mines.1 The total production of bituminous coal
from strip mines was 19,788,577 short tons in 1928, or 17 times the
tonnage (1,280,946) mined by stripping in 1914 and 7 times that mined
in 1915 (2,831,619 tons). The coal mined by stripping represented
0.6 per cent of the total bituminous product of the United States in
1915 and 4 per cent in 1928. In this same period the increase in the
per cent of total product mined by stripping in certain States was very
marked as may be seen in the following table, which shows percentages
of total product mined by stripping in 1915 and 1928 for the States
where strip mining is important, and for the country as a whole.
1 United States. Department of Commerce. Bureau of Mines. Economic paper 11: The economics
of strip coal mining, by O. E. Kiessling, F. G. Tryon, and L. Mann.
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CHANGE IN PE R C E N T OF TOTAL B IT U M IN O U S O U T PU T M IN E D B Y S T R IP P IN G FOR
¡ T ™ ! m 5 A TN D m 8 P R O D U C 1 N a FR O M S T R IP M I N E ™ ! ? I O K ™ 7 t o T E D
State
Per cent of total
output mined by
stripping
1915
United States
_
1928
17
0
11
Per cent of total
output mined by
stripping
1915
4
(>)
Missouri
North Dakota .
Kansas
State
48
46
43
1 °-6 Per cent.
Montana
1928
(2\
4
1
Ohio
Illinois
36
29
8
2
Less than 1 per cent.
In the paper under review it is brought out that the expansion in strip
mining is due to the economic pressure of shifting prices and wage
rates, as well as to technical improvements in mining methods.
During the World War, owing to the scarcity of coal, great impetus
was given to this branch of the industry. At that time strip mines in
certain localities even received somewhat higher prices for their
product than did deep mines, partly because, as new strip mines opened
the coal was offered on the open market, operators not having agreed
to supply given quantities to customers under contract. Throughout
the postwar boom period the strip-mined product continued to be sold
advantageously, and during the depression which began in 1921 and
periodically ever since 1923 has gripped the coal industry, strip-mine
owners have succeeded in so reducing their costs of production and
improving the quality of their coal as to make it possible to place their
product in competition with deep-mined coal at a somewhat lower
price.
Elements of Cost Saving
S t r i p m i n i n g has certain inherent advantages over deep mining as
regards cost saving. _ For example, the cost of mine timbering is elim
inated, ventilation is unnecessary, and larger mine cars and loco
motives _may be used in strip mines than in underground workings.
Influential also in reducing costs is the fact that only a comparatively
short time elapses between opening a strip mine and securing maximum
daily production. Once a strip mine is exhausted the operator may
salvage a large part of his investment by moving his steam shovel and
other machinery.
Labor Aspects of Strip Mining
. O f E V E N greater consequence in reducing costs is the saving of labor
m strip mines. In 1928 the average output per man per day employed
m power-equipped strip pits was 13 tons. The average in deep mines
was 4.6 tons in that year. Stated in another way, only 0.65 man
hour was required to produce a ton of coal in strip mines as against
1.75 man-hours in deep mines.
The following statement, from the report, shows the average number
of tons per man per day produced from bituminous strip mines in the
United States, by years, from 1914 to 1928.
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
Tons per
man per
day
Tons per
man per
day
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
5.
5.
6.
6.
7.
6.
7.
8.
1
9
7
6
0
4
2
3
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
8. 1
9. 3
9. 9
11. 2
11. 2
. 11. 0
.
13. 0
It will be noted that the rate of increase in output per man per day
has been greatly accelerated since 1920. This is stated to be due in
part to the inclusion of the large stripping operation in the Rosebud
field of Montana, where an average of 48 tons of coal per man per day
is mined.
Operators of power shovels in strip mines are highly skilled workers
and hence highly paid, but a good many unskilled workers are also
employed and it is reported that these men are sometimes paid less
than underground workers. It is also pointed out that the great
expansion in stripping since 1921 has come in the Mississippi Valley,
a largely unionized territory, where wages in deep mines have been
high and where, because of the high union scale, the operators have
increasingly resorted to mechanical means of mining.
It is shown that the strip mines have been relatively freer from strikes
than the deep mines, partly because in some otherwise union fields
the strip mines were on an open-shop basis and partly because in
other fields the owners frequently continued to operate on temporary
agreements, pending a settlement of the strike in the deep mines.
Improvements in Operating Efficiency
T h e g r o w t h in mine efficiency, while important in deep mines, has
been specially marked in strip mines. The rapid advancement of
technique in strip mining is attributed in some measure to the fact
that “ the strip operator has been less restrained by the hand of tradi
tion, which rests heavily on underground mining, and has been free to
mechanize as the opportunity arose.”
Important among the mechanical inventions that have inade for
greater efficiency in strip mining is the power loading machine. The
mechanized loader is now almost universally used and usually consists
of a revolving shovel that follows directly behind the stripping shovel.
Larger and more powerful shovels are now in more general use than
was true some years back. In 1915 the average tonnage of coal
handled per power shovel of all types was 164 tons, while in 1928 it
was 276 tons. Eliminating the shovels used in small pits and basing
the average upon the results obtained in the 15 largest operations, the
average tonnage of coal per shovel rose from 230 tons in 1915 to 416
in 1928. As the shovels increased in size, they were also made more
flexible in operation. In the newer pits preference for electrically
driven power shovels in place of steam shovels has also developed,
and more than one-third of the output is now stripped by electric
equipment.
Flexibility of operation has been furthered by the adoption of
crawler, or caterpillar, traction for all forms of shovels and drag lines.
By the use of caterpillar mountings it has become possible to move
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shovels into new locations in a shorter time than was formerly possible,
and in this way time lost in moving machinery is kept at a minimum!
Successful introduction of large-type drag lines has been only
slightly less spectacular than that of large shovels. The drag line
precedes the power shovel, removing the overburden or stacking the
waste so as to make way for the shovel, which then cuts the coal.
The work performed by the drag line is described as follows:
B y rem oving over a broad area roughly th e upper third eith er of th e overburden
or th e sp oil bank, th e drag lin e g rea tly increases th e stack in g range and hence th e
efficiency of th e strip p in g sh ovel; i t th u s p erm its operation under con d ition s th a t
w ould otherw ise be exceed in gly difficu lt and co stly . T h e large-typ e drag lin e
can be read ily con verted in to a sh o v el w h en ever th e engineering requirem ents of
th e particu lar operation m ak e su ch a conversion desirable.
The choice of haulage equipment, tracks, and location of tipple so
as to minimize the haul of the mined product have all been the subject
of special study, with resultant improvement. In the haulage sys
tems, as in other branches of the work connected with strip mines, an
effort has been made to use a minimum of manual labor. At present,
moving track, an operation that must be performed frequently, is
done in most pits by means of caterpillar tractors that either shove or
pull the_ track to the place where needed.
Mention should be made of the fact that the use of liquid oxygen
explosives for blasting the overburden has served to increase efficiency.
Where coal, as well as the overburden, is blasted it has been found
effective to channel the coal seam, before shooting the coal, by means
of a device similar to a coal undercutting machine. In this way the
explosive becomes more effective and a relatively larger proportion of
lump coal is obtained than is possible without resort to channeling.
Mechanical improvements have made it possible to operate at strip
mines without frequent stoppages because of weather conditions.
This has been brought about by careful planning for handling drain
age. _The fact that shovels may be used two or even three shifts a
day, if the market warrants, is another advantage. In strip mines
this may be done without seriously upsetting the life of the mining
community, because a large body of workers is not needed to keep the
mine in operation.
Other Improvements
operators have not only introduced numerous technical
improvements that make it possible to produce coal at lower cost than
has been possible in deep mines, but have also improved the quality
of their product. Adequate preparation plants have been installed in
order that the coal might be properly prepared. Advances have also
been made in cleaning the surface of the coal seam before loading.
Improvement in the inherent quality of the coal stripped has come
about because, as the coal near the surface has become exhausted, coal
under deeper cover, and therefore of better quality, has been stripped.
It is stated that “ there may be no great difference between coal
stripped from under 35 feet of cover hundreds of yards from the out
crop and coal mined from a 75-foot shaft.”
S t r ip - m in e
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INDUSTRIAL AND LABOR CONDITIONS
89
Prospects of Strip Mining
T h e stripping industry has been characterized by growing mechani
cal efficiency and better preparation. Bituminous coals of all ranks
are now produced from strip mines, and the quality of the product has
improved as the depth of cover increased. While no forecast is made,
in the paper under review, as to the growth that may be expected in
this branch of the industry, it is stated that no immediate limit to the
expansion of stripping is seen. The future of stripping is said to
depend more on the economic competition of other coals than on
physical obstacles to stripping.
F e d e ra l C o u n cil o n P e rso n n e l A d m in is tr a tio n
HE creation of a Council on Personnel Administration was
announced by President Hoover on April 27, 1931.1 This newly
appointed body is composed of the members of the Cabinet and the
heads of independent agencies. The president of the Civil Service
Commission is the chairman of the council and its director is the
director of research in personnel administration and president of the
Personnel Research Federation.
The objective of the organization is to induce an even higher class
of men and women to take up Government work, to assure them
improved facilities for development and advancement, and to elimi
nate the very great labor turnover resulting from the lack of career
opportunities and from the failure to coordinate the various services
in handling personnel problems.
The initial move in this extensive program, as developed by the
director, will be to ascertain the existing personnel practices of the
United States Government, “ to serve as a basis for improvements in
selection, flexibility of registers, announcements, transfers, promo
tions, training, and coordination of personnel activities and adminis
tration, and to indicate the extent to which the Government service
does offer or can be made to offer, partial or permanent careers.”
Expert personnel men in the Government service are to be appointed
on committees to aid in the working out of plans and conducting
projects indorsed by the council. With a view to insuring the cooper
ation of industry, organized labor, and educational institutions, several
advisory committees have been set up. Cordial approval of this
program has been expressed by Federal employees and officials, by
educational institutions preparing technicians for Government service,
and by business leaders. The findings of this investigation, the Per
sonnel Service Bulletin of May 31 states, will benefit personnel practice
not only in the Federal Government departments but also in industry
and education.
T
A n n u a l M e e tin g of G o v e rn m e n ta l O fficials in In d u s try
T
HE eighteenth annual meeting of the Association of Govern
mental Officials in Industry of the United States and Canada
convened in Boston, Mass., May 18 to 22, 1931.
1Personnel Research Federation.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Personnel Service Bulletin, N ew York, M ay, 1931,
[89]
90
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The convention was opened by Pres. W. A. Rooksbery, commis
sioner of the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Arkansas.
Charles E. Baldwin, assistant commissioner United States Bureau
of Labor Statistics, reported the status of safety codes in the various
States. A report on American Standards Association projects was
made by Cyril Ainsworth, assistant secretary American Standards
Association, of New York.
The session ol Tuesday was devoted to child labor and was presided
over by Miss Maud Swett, field director of the woman and child labor
department, Wisconsin. Anne S. Davis, director of the vocational
guidance bureau, Chicago Board of Education, cited some of the
phases of the recent White House conference on child welfare.
The subject: “ What do accident records indicate is happening to
minors under 18 employed at hazardous occupations/’ was discussed
by James E. Reagin, chief inspector, Industrial Board of Indiana.
Reports were also made by representatives regarding the extent to
which the recommendations of the White House conference have
been carried out, and also what is happening to employed children
under 18, and the measures taken to protect them by the various
States.
The Wednesday sessions were devoted to the subject of Employ
ment, with Dr. E. B. Patton, of New York, and H. C. Hudson, general
superintendent, Ontario offices, Employment Service of Canada.
The following subjects were considered by the convention : “ How to
Stabilize Employment,” presented by Edwin S. Smith, of Win. Filene
Sons Co., Boston; “ Unemployment Remedies,” by Dr. William T
Foster, of the Poliak Foundation for Economic Research; “ Employ
ment Statistics,” by Mary Van Kleeck, director of industrial studies,
Russell Sage I oundation, New T ork; “ Relief of Unemployment in the
United States and Europe,” by Mary B. Gilson, of the Industrial
Relations Counselors (Inc.), New York; and the “ Work of the Presi
dent’s Committee on Unemployment,” by Fred C. Croxton, Ohio
member of that committee.
Industiial safety was considered at the Thursday morning session,
in charge of E. Leroy Sweetser, of Massachusetts. “ Industrial Safety
by an Employer of Labor,” prepared by John F. Tinsley, vice presi
dent and general manager of the Crompton & Knowles Loom Works,
Worcester, Mass., was read by Harold L. Nickerson, assistant to the
superintendent of the same company. Mr. Janies L. Gernon, director
bureau of inspection, Department of Labor, New York, discussed the
subject “ What I Would do, Based on my Experience, to Make
Work Places Safe were I Employer or Owner.”
Mr. Lewis E. MacBrayne, general manager Massachusetts Safety
Council, explained how the Massachusetts Safety Council assists the
depaitment of labor and industries of the State. “ The Organization
and Operation of a State Factory Inspection Service” was the subject
of the paper delivered by Alfred Briggs of the American Association
loi Labor Legislation. ^The afternoon session considered the general
subject of industrial diseases. The chairman of this meeting was
John Roach, deputy commissioner of labor, New Jersey. Mr. Roach
also led in the discussion of the papers delivered by the following
speakers: Dr. W. Irving Clark, of Norton Co., Worcester, Mass.,
“ Dust Hazards and the Prevention of Injury from the Same” ; Dr.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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IN D U STR IA L AND LABOR CONDITIONS
91
Jos. C. Aub, associate professor of medicine of Harvard University,
“ Lead Poisons” ; and Dr. Leonard Greenberg, associate sanitary
engineer, United States Public Health Service, ‘‘Dangerous Chemicals. ”
The following officers were elected for the coming year:
P r e s id e n t, E. L eroy Sw eetser, com m issioner D e p a rtm e n t of L abor a n d In d u s
tries, M assachusetts.
F i r s t v ic e - p r e s id e n t, D r. E ugene B. P a tto n , directo r B ureau of S tatistics an d
In fo rm atio n , D e p a rtm e n t of L abor, New Y ork.
S e c o n d v ic e p r e s id e n t, T. E. W hitaker, com m issioner In d u s tria l Comm ission,
Georgia.
T h i r d v ic e p r e s id e n t, A. W. C raw ford, d e p u ty m inister of D e p a rtm e n t of L abor,
O ntario, C anada.
F o u r th v ic e p r e s id e n t, E d w ard F. Seiller, chief lab o r inspector, K en tu ck y .
F if th v ic e p r e s id e n t, M rs. Isabelle M. Sum m ers, directo r B ureau of W om en a n d
C hildren, N ew Jersey.
S e c r e ta r y - tr e a s u r e r , Miss Louise E. S chütz, su p e rin te n d e n t D ivision of W om en
a n d C hildren, M innesota.
It was voted to hold the 1932 meeting in Buffalo, N. Y.
The following resolutions were adopted:
P u b l i c E m p lo y m e n t O ffices
R e s o lv e d , T h a t th e association places itself on record as favoring Federal
cooperative supervision a n d financial aid in th e d ev elopm ent of S ta te em p lo y
m en t offices ra th e r th a n a n in d ep en d e n t sy stem of F ed eral e m p lo y m en t offices.
C o o p e r a tio n o n C h ild - la b o r S ta n d a r d s
R e s o lv e d , T h a t th e A ssociation of G o vernm ental Officials in In d u s try of th e
U n ited S ta te s a n d C an a d a hereby approves cooperation w ith th e com m ittee on
th e reg u latio n of th e em ploym ent of m inors in h azardous tra d e s, organized by th e
C h ild re n ’s B ureau on th e recom m endation of th e W hite H ouse conference to
collect a n d analyze inform atio n w hich m ay be used as a basis for th e fo rm ulation
of scientifically determ in ed sta n d a rd s for th e p ro tectio n of children a n d young
persons from occupation al hazard s, w hich sta n d a rd s m ay serve as a guide to th e
various S ta te s in th e revision of th e ir legislation in th is field.
T h a t th is association h ereb y goes on record as favoring such cooperation a n d
au th o rizes th e executive b o ard of th e o rganization to a p p o in t re p resen tativ es to
serve on t h a t com m ittee.
T h a t th is association also urges th e lab o r officials c o n stitu tin g its m em bership
to aid th e com m ittee by furnishing in form ation a n d in a n y o th e r w ay possible.
C o lle c tio n o f E m p l o y m e n t S t a t i s t i c s
W hereas com prehensive a n d reliable in fo rm atio n w ith reference to th e tren d s
of ■em ploym ent a n d th e earnings of w age earn ers is essential in o rd er t h a t any
m easures a d o p te d fo r th e relief of th e unem ployed, o r an y p la n fo r th e issuance
of u n em p lo y m en t insuran ce, or th e se ttin g u p of unem p lo y m en t reserve funds
m ay b e based on a full know ledge of conditions a n d sound ju d g m en t, be it
R e s o lv e d , T h a t th e A ssociation of G o v ern m en tal Officials in In d u s try of th e
U n ited S ta te s a n d C an ad a urge all S ta te b u reau s of lab o r a n d like agencies which
are n o t a lread y engaged in th e collection of pay -ro ll d a ta from rep resen tativ e
m an u factu rin g estab lish m en ts to u n d e rta k e such collection periodically a n d
sy stem atically , follow ing th e so-called “ sta n d a rd p la n ” a d o p te d by th e U nited
S ta te s B u reau of L abor S ta tistic s a n d by a n u m b er of leading in d u stria l S tates.
T h a t th e scope of such collection of p ay -ro ll d a ta be ex ten d ed to include th e
building in d u s try , w holesale a n d re ta il tra d e , p ublic utilities, ag ricu ltu re, office
em ploym ent, em ploym en t in. hotels a n d re sta u ra n ts, a n d all o th e r im p o rta n t
fields of em ploym ent.
T h a t w herever possible or expedient th e resu lts be presented, classified by sex
a n d earnings of em ployees.
T h a t efforts be m ade also to secure a n d p u b lish periodically d a ta w ith reference
to em ploym ent by govern m en tal agencies, S ta te , co u n ty , a n d m unicipal, an d
63413°—31-----7
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1911
92
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
em ploym ent on public w orks, w heth er co n stru c te d d irectly by g o vernm ental
agencies or u nder c o n tract, in ord er to determ ine th e e x te n t to w hich such public
w orks co n trib u te to a n increase in th e am o u n t of av ailab le em ploym ent.
C h ild - L a b o r R e c o m m e n d a tio n s
R e s o lv e d , T h a t th e association urge th e lab o r officials of all th e S tates to stim u
la te in terest in th e child-labor recom m endations of th e W hite H ouse conference
an d to assist in securing th e ad o p tio n of those sta n d a rd s in th e ir respective S tates.
P r o te c tio n o f M i n o r s i n V o c a tio n a l T r a i n i n g C o u r s e s
T h a t th e association in v ite th e cooperation of th e su p e rin te n d e n t’s
d ep artm en t of th e N atio n al E d u ca tio n a l A ssociation a n d of th e S ta te officials
responsible for supervision of vocatio n al a n d tra d e -tra in in g courses in o rd er to
insure a d eq u ate p ro tectio n from in d u stria l accidents for m inors in such tra in in g
courses.
R e s o lv e d ,
F ie ld of W o rk of B r a z ilia n D e p a r tm e n t of L a b o r 1
HE February 20, 1931, issue of the Brazilian newspaper O Jornal
contained an interview with Bandeira de Mello, director of the
Department of Labor of Brazil, in which he described the principal
objects of the new department.
He pointed out that all labor regulation should be based on careful
study and that the Department of Labor would make inquiries into
conditions in the various branches of industry and agriculture.
Among the problems which call for speedy solution were mentioned
hours of work, overtime, minimum wages, workmen’s compensation,
social welfare in all its aspects, trade-union reorganization, concilia
tion and arbitration boards, industrial tribunals, and the protection
of women and children. The problems of public health, industrial
safety, and social economics will be carefully studied and a factory
inspection service and a system of labor protection will be instituted,
the director said. The execution of such a program is rendered
difficult by the industrial depression, but attention was called to the
fact that the situation of the workers is ho less difficult than that of
the employers. The director concluded by saying that measures
would be found to achieve these reforms without losing sight of the
employers’ interests.
T
S tu d ie s of A b s e n te e is m in B r itis h C oal M in es
WO studies of absenteeism, one in English and the other in
Scottish coal mines, show the relationship of wages, sickness,
atmospheric conditions, and other factors to the rate of absenteeism
among both underground and surface workers.2
In the first study the data relate to the years 1927 and 1928 and
cover the absenteeism among more than 10,000 underground and 2,700
surface workers. The information on some points was comparable
with a similar study made among nearly 23,000 men in 1924-1926.
In the period covered by the more recent study the men were often
on short time and on a lower wage scale and were working underground
8 hours instead of 7% hours.
T
1 International Labor Office. Industrial and Labor Information, Geneva, Mar. 30, 1931.
2 Great Britain. Industrial Health Research Board. Two Studies of Absenteeism in Coal Mines.
London, 1931.
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1921
IN D U STR IA L AND LABOR CONDITIONS
93
The study showed that absenteeism was greatly influenced by eco
nomic conditions, for with a reduction of 32 per cent in the possible
earnings of workers at the coal face the time lost from voluntary
absenteeism was reduced one-half, while that lost by sickness was
reduced one-fourth, but absenteeism on account of accidents was
slightly increased. Among the other underground men the absentee
ism from voluntary causes, sickness, and accidents fell 38, 20, and 17
per cent, respectively, when their possible earnings were reduced 24
per cent.
In both the present study and the earlier one there was shown to be
a considerable increase of absenteeism on account of sickness when
there was a rise in temperature in the workings, and also a marked
increase in accident frequency. In both sets of figures the accident in
crease related chiefly to minor accidents, those causing less than 10 days’
disablement being three times as numerous at an underground tempera
ture of 81° as at one of 63°, but major accidents causing 60 days’
or more disability were less frequent among workers at the face at high
temperatures than at low temperatures. The increase in the number
of minor accidents with high temperatures when wages are low was
accounted for in an earlier study by the tendency of the workers to
remain away from work and draw compensation longer when earn
ings are low and irregular than would be the case if employment were
plentiful and earnings high. If a man receives a minor injury, he does
not receive compensation until the end of three days, and it appears
from the data that, either consciously or unconsciously, he is influenced
to go on compensation if his occupation is unpleasantly hot and causes
extra fatigue, with the result that his accident is then reported and
becomes a matter of record, while in the case of major accidents which
would be reported anyway there would naturally be less change in the
rates as a result of less favorable working conditions.
The pressure of economic circumstances, the report states, acts in
two diametrically opposed ways. Thus, both underground and sur
face workers who are working on short time and at a low rate of pay
show a tendency to cut down the time lost by voluntary absenteeism
and sickness absenteeism as much as possible and may to some extent
refrain from going on accident compensation, with a resulting reduc
tion in the figures for accident frequency. This point is indicated by
the data for other underground workers, but on the other hand the
data show a tendency among these workers to remain an increasing
number of days on compensation pay for each accident experienced.
No great difference between the accident rates for men in the
younger age groups was shown between the two studies, but an 18
per cent increase in the frequency rate and a 41 per cent increase in
the severity rate was shown in 1927—28 as compared with 1924-25
for workers 50 years of age and over. Increases of 9 and 30 per cent
in the frequency and severity rates, respectively, were shown for the
other underground workers 40 years of age and over. It is con
sidered that these increases may have been the result of the greater
fatigue induced by the longer working-day during 1927-28. The
increases related especially to men working at temperatures above
70°, and the accidents among the older men caused absences from
work which were, on the average, 22 per cent greater than in 1924-25.
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MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
Voluntary absenteeism seemed to be influenced by the distance
of the homes of the men from the colliery and by the distance the men
had to walk underground to reach the working place. Voluntary
absenteeism also varied more or less with the labor turnover, and the
writers concluded, therefore, “ that when the miner finds his condi
tions of life, both above ground and below ground, to suit him so well
that he does not leave his job and try for work elsewhere, he loses
but little time from voluntary absenteeism, especially if he is on short
time as in 1927-28.”
The effect of the provision of pithead baths upon absenteeism was
investigated, the data for 5,000 men employed at two collieries
before and after the introduction of the baths being compared, while
two bathless collieries employing 5,600 men were used as a control.
Although the evidence was not very conclusive, the provision of
bathing facilities did seem to be associated with a reduction in the time
lost from sickness.
In Scotland the study of the cause of the varying sickness rates in a
group of seven collieries showed that in general the atmospheric condi
tions at the collieries with the high sickness rates were not so good as
at those where the sickness rates were low, although in one district
other factors such as housing, proximity of the houses to the mine,
and the wetness of working places were also important. Comparison
of the accident rates in the Scottish and English collieries showed
that the accident frequency was lower in the Scottish mines, but that
the accident severity was exactly the same, 3.3 days being lost per
1,000 hours worked in both the English and the Scottish groups of
mines.
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HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
I n te r n a tio n a l T y p o g ra p h ic a l U n io n M o r ta lity , 1930
By
F r eder ick
L.
H o ffm a n , C o n su ltin g
I n su r a n c e C o.
S t a t is t ic ia n ,
P r u d e n t ia l
NT CONTINUATION of the annual reports on the mortality
experience of the International Typographical Union, the follow
ing statistics for the year 1930 are presented.1
Table 1, following, gives the membership from 1912 to 1930, with
the mortality from four selected causes per 100,000 exposed to risk.
I
T a b l e 1.
M O R TA L ITY
FROM FO UR
Member
ship
Year
SE L E C T E D
1912 TO 1930
Pulmonary
tuberculosis
Deaths
Rate
CAUSES PE R 100,000 M E M B E R S
Cancer
Diabetes
Nephritis
Deaths
Rate
Deaths
Rate
Deaths
Rate
1912 to 1918 L__
1919 to 1923 1____
421,100
350, 900
698
514
165.7
146.5
139
281
33.0
80.1
45
77
10.7
21.9
298
240
70 8
68.4
1925_______
1926 ____ _ __
1927._ . .
1928
_ _
1929 . .
70, 372
72, 704
74,829
75, 738
76,015
87
87
56
74
90
123.6
119. 7
74.8
97.7
118.4
66
64
83
79
94
93.8
88.0
110.9
104.3
123.7
12
15
14.
16
12
17.0
20. 6
18.7
21.1
15.8
56
38
47
38
46
79 6
52 3
62 8
50 2
60.5
369, 658
394
106.6
386
104.4
69
18.7
225
60.9
77, 507
79
101.9
90
116.1
8
10.3
44
56.8
Total, 1925 to 1929 i
1930_______
1Aggregate membership and deaths.
The table shows only slight changes in the death rates of this
group. There was a reduction in the mortality from pulmonary
tuberculosis from 90 deaths in 1929 to 79 deaths in 1930 and a
slight decrease in deaths from cancer from 94 in 1929 to 90 in 1930.
Deaths from pneumonia decreased from 109 to 92. IMortality from
chronic nephritis remained practically the same.
A
Ä
ä
T
Ä
W
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m
in Bulletin N ° - 427’ and in Labor Review’ issues of Ju ly ’
[95]
95
i m
>
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
96
The proportionate mortality for selected causes presents a some
what different picture. The following table shows the corresponding
returns on a proportionate basis for four selected causes:
T a b l e 3 —PR O PO R T IO N A T E M O R TA L ITY FR OM FO UR SE L E C T E D C AUSES, 1912 TO
1930
Pulmonary
tuberculosis
Year
Deaths
from all N um
causes
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Nephritis
Diabetes
Cancer
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
N um
ber
Per
cent
1912 to 1918 1___________________
1919 to 1923 i ______________
3, 338
3, 447
698
514
20.9
14.9
139
281
4.2
8.2
45
77
1.3
2.2
298
240
8.9
7.0
1925______________________
1926-_____________________
1927______________________
1928______________________
1929______________________
880
913
1, 002
913
1,090
87
87
56
74
90
9.9
9.5
5.6
8. 1
8.3
66
64
83
79
94
7.5
7.0
8.3
8.7
8.6
12
15
14
16
12
1.4
1.6
1.4
1.8
.1
1
56
38
47
38
46
6.4
4.2
4. 7
4.2
4.2
4, 798
394
8.2
386
8.0
69
1.4
225
4.7
1, 129
79
7.0
94
8.3
8
.7
44
3.9
Total, 1925 to 1929 L.__
1930______________________
1 Aggregate deaths.
The table shows that deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis de
clined from 8.3 per cent in 1929 to 7.0 per cent in 1930. The mor
tality from cancer declined from 8.6 per cent to 8.3 per cent. The
mortality from nephritis declined from 4.2 per cent to 3.9 per cent.
The proportionate mortality, however, is better emphasized with
reference to divisional periods of life. The following table shows the
proportionate mortality in 1930 for the four selected causes:
T a b l e 3.—PR O P O R T IO N A T E M O R T A L IT Y FROM SE L E C T E D D ISEA SES, B Y AGE
GROUPS, 1930
Age at death
20 to 24 years___
25 to 29 years____
30 to 34 years____
35 to 39 years____
40 to 44 years____
45 to 49 years___
50 to 54 years____
55 to 59 years____
60 to 64 years___
65 to 69 years____
70 to 74 years___
75 to 79 years___
80 to 84 years___
85 to 89 years___
90 years and over.
N ot reported___
Total.
Deaths
from
all
causes
8
24
32
60
51
91
100
166
175
158
114
86
37
12
3
12
Pulmonary
tuberculosis
Nuinber
1
7
9
17
8
6
11
6
5
4
1
4
Per
cent
12. 5
29. 2
28. 1
28.3
15. 7
6.6
11.0
3.6
2. 9
2. 5
0.9
4.7
' Cancer
Number
2
2
4
3
14
26
13
12
10
3
1
Per
cent
3.3
3.9
4. 4
3.0
8.4
14. 9
8.2
10.5
11.6
8. 1
8.3
Pneumonia
Number
Per
cent
2
7
7
5
7
9
19
12
10
6
7
8.3
21.9
11.7
9.8
7. 7
9. 0
11.4
6. 9
6. 3
5. 3
8. 1
1
8. 3
Nephritis
Number
Per
cent
1
12.5
2
3.3
1
4
7
7
6
2
2.0
4.4
7.0
4. 2
3.4
1.3
10
8.8
2
2.3
5.4
2
4
94
1,129
8.2
Table 4 gives the deaths from all causes by divisional periods of
life, for the calculation of specific death rates if required.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[96]
97
HEALTH AND IN D U STR IA L H Y G IEN E
T able 4 .—N U M B E R OF D E A T H S FR OM A LL C AUSES, B Y AGE GROUPS, 1925 TO 1930
Age at death
1925
15 to 19 years..
. .
______ _ _____
20 to 24 years___________________________________ __
25 to 29 y e a r s _________ ______ ______ _ _ _____
_ _ _ _ __
30 to 34 years_____ _
35 to 39 years _
__ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
40 to 44 years......
........................... ............ _ _ _ _ _
45 to 49 years _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
50 to 54years__ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _
55 to 59 years. _______ _____________ ______ _ _ _ 60 to 64 y e a r s ____
__ -- --________ ____
65 to 69 years________ ______ ___ __ ___ __ ___ _ __
70 to 74years __ _ _ _ _ _ ___ _ _____ ____ ______ _
75 to 79 years ____
___________ _
_____
80 to 84 years_____________________________________
85 to 89 y e a r s .____ _____ ___ _ _ __ ___ ___ ____ __
90 years and over.______ _
___ __
__. __ _
N ot reported..
___ _ ___ ____ ___ _ _________
Total
_ _ ___
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1
8
24
32
46
50
74
92
136
117
110
90
58
27
11
4
14
13
22
29
41
57
77
106
124
145
107
88
61
30
11
2
10
1
14
21
34
55
47
64
123
128
150
131
114
61
30
13
3
13
5
23
34
36
58
78
83
130
137
128
100
56
26
14
3
2
7
27
33
59
57
72
101
157
158
146
138
72
34
12
3
14
8
24
32
60
51
91
100
166
175
158
114
86
37
12
3
12
894
923
1,002
913
1,090
1,129
Table 5 is a tabulation of all deaths reported during the year 1930,
numbering 1,129, classified in accordance with the international
classification of causes of death. Again, it is suggestive in this con
nection that during the year under review not a single death was
attributed to lead poisoning, although it is possible that deaths due
to lead absorption have been returned under other primary causes,
particularly acute and chronic nephritis. But these show a decline
during 1930 as well as during 1929. It is also highly significant that
there was only one death from homicide and no deaths from suicide.
11
21
23
31
Influenza _
Erysipelas. _
Lethargic encephalitis
Tuberculosis of the respiratory sys
tem
38 Syphilis. _
41 Purulent infection, septicemia.
43 Cancer of the buccal ca vity. _
44 Cancer of the stomach, liver
45 Cancer of the peritoneum, intestines,
rectum _
46 Cancer of the female genital organs.
49 Cancer of other or unspecified organs.
50 Benign tumors and tumors not re
turned as malignant
51 Acute rheumatic fever
52 Chronic rheumatism, osteoarthritis,
__ __
gout.
__ ___
57 Diabetes mellitus
__
Pernicious anemia
58 b Other anemias and chlorosis __
60 Other diseases of the thyroid gland..
65 Hodgkin’s disease._ ____ _____ __
66 Alcoholism (acute or chronic)
69 Other general diseases____ _ _ ___ _
70 Encephalitis__ _
71 Meningitis
_.
_ ______ _
72 Tabes dorsalis (locomotor-ataxia)__
73 Other diseases of the spinal cord
74a Cerebral hemorrhage._ ___ ______
74b Cerebral embolism and thrombosis..
75 Paralysis without specified cause___
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1
1
7
9 17
i
2
8
1
2
6
11
3
1
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
6
~”i
5
1 1
1 1
3 2
j Unknown
to
00
| 90 and over
75 to 79
Ci
OO*
O
1
4
1
4
2
1
3
4
1
3 10 22 12
9
5
2
| 80 to 84
o
CO
70 to 74
o
to
co
o
| 65 to 69
O
55 to 59
45 to 49
35 to 39
to
CM
40 to 44
C5
cu
o
'30 to 34
Cause of death
20 to 24
1 International
| list num
ber
T able 5.—N U M B E R OF D E A T H S OF M E M B E R S OF TY PO G R A PH IC A L U N IO N , B Y CAUSE
A N D AGE G R OUP, 1930
1
3
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
i
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
3
[97]
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
4
2
1
1 2
2
6 12 11 22 10 11
2 1
1
1 1 6 11 4 5
2
1
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
98
97
99c
100a
101a
101b
102
103
105
107
109
111a
112
114
117
118a
118b
119
120b
123
124
126
128
129
131
133
135
151
153
154
155
164
175
177
179
181
182
188b
188d
194
199
201
202
205
Total __
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
_
_
1, 129
3
1
7
2
1
i 1 1
2
2 5 2 3 2
2
4 18 20 39 39 45 23 13 5
1 1 2 13 14 11 10 4
1
1
2 5 1 1 2 1
1
1
1
1
1
j
||
Unknown
85 to 89
80 to 84
75 to 79
1
70 to 74
i
65 to 69
3
60 to 64
*o
o
oto
1 55 to 59
35 to 39
1
45 to 49
General paralysis of the insane .
7 1
2
Neuralgia and neuritis.- 1
Softening of the brain. Other diseases of the nervous system
6
Angina pectoris _
_ .
-----17
Other diseases of the heart
221
1
Arteriosclerosis
__ . . . .
58
1
Other diseases of the arteries______
Embolism and thrombosis__ _ __
13
1
Diseases of the veins__
4
Hemorrhage w ithout special cause. _
Other diseases of the circulatory sys
2
tem
.
. _ - ___
Diseases of the nasal fossae and their
1
annexa
___
1
___
Acute bronchitis. _
1
Bronchitis, unspecified- Broncho-pneumonia— __
6
Lobar pneumonia
6
86
2
Pneumonia, unspecified
3
Pleurisy
Congestion and hemorrhagic infarct
2
of the lung _
- - - - 5
__
____
Asthma
_
Other diseases of the respiratory
system
2
1
Diseases of the pharynx and tonsils. _
8 1
Ulcer of the stomachOther diseases of the stomach
6
2
Diarrhea and enteritis
11 1 1
Appendicitis and t y p h lit i s .___
1
Hernia
_ _ ______
Intestinal obstruction __
4
1
Other diseases of the intestines.
8
Cirrhosis of the liver__ _ _
2
Biliary calculi
___ _
4
Other diseases of the liver _
Peritonitis without specified cause. __
4
1
Acute nephritis
43 1
Chronic nephritis.
Other diseases of the kidneys and
9
annexa _ _ __ __ ___
Diseases of the bladder
8
1
Diseases of the prostate, _
2
Gangrene__ __ _
__
1
Acute abscess..
Other diseases of the skin and an
nexa__ _
7
1
Diseases of the bones
17
Senility
1
Poisoning by food
1
Other acute accidental poisonings___
1
Accidental burns
Accidental absorption of irrespir
9
able, irritating or poisonous gas__
1
Accidental drowning
4
Automobile accidents
9
2
1
Airplane and balloon accidents
1
Excessive heat
1
Homicide by other means
Fracture (cause not specified)
6
32 1 3
Other external violence.-.
Cause of death not specified or ill124 1 5
defined.- ______ __________
tT
CO
O
©
| 40 to 44
25 to 29
20 to 24
All ages
International
list num
ber
76
82
83
84
89
90
91b
91c
92
93
95
96
Cause of death
90 and over
OF D E A T H S OF M E M B E R S OF T Y PO G R A PH IC A L U N IO N , BY
CA U SE A N D AGE GROUP, 1930—Continued
;
T a b l e 5 .—N U M B E R
i
1
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
6
1
7
1
2
3
1
2
7
1
1
2
1
3
1
6
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
2
1
3
1
1
1
i
i
1
1
3
1
1
7
7
6
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
2 10
2
2
1
1
1
4
5
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
y
1
2
2
1
1 1 1
8 18 11 10
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
2
2
2
8
8 13 10 22 18 10 15
1
4
1
3
1
1
8 24 32 60 51 91 100 166 175 158 114 86 37 12
3 12
198]
2
4
2
3
2
9
HEALTH AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE
99
D a n g e r of D elayed D ev e lo p m e n t of P n e u m o c o n io s is
HE danger of the delayed development of silicosis, either with or
without" tuberculosis 'involvement after short exposure to silica
dusts, is pointed out in an article 1 in a recent issue of the Journal of
the American Medical Association.
It has been the general conclusion that, although there is great
variation in individual susceptibility and consequently in the length
of exposure necessary to produce clinical and roentgenographic evi
dence of the existence of silicosis, it is rare for the disease to develop
in persons who have not been exposed for many years. This con
clusion is due to the fact that practically all of the studies of silicosis
have been made among groups of men still employed in dusty trades.
Such studies have shown an average duration of exposure of approxi
mately 10 years. 'Statistics of this kind, however, do not show the
late effect of short exposures, that is, among men who change to nondusty trades without having developed symptoms of the disease.
Several isolated cases of silicosis or silicosis and tuberculosis which
developed long after the original exposure ceased have been reported
by different writers, among them being a number of South African
miners, who showed no evidence of silicosis when they left work to go
to war but had definite symptoms of silicosis when they returned
several years later.
In the present article the writers report four cases of silicosis or
silicosis and tuberculosis which developed many years after exposures
which were relatively short. In the first case there had been an
exposure of only four months in drilling in a lead mine 23 years before
the appearance of symptoms which started with a slight dry cough.
Although the Rbntgenograms showed spots throughout both lungs,
there was no definite evidence of tuberculosis and many examinations
of the sputum failed to show tubercle bacilli. The rapid develop
ment of severe symptoms which included an afternoon fever, epi
gastric distress after meals, and progressive loss of weight followed a
bad cold which settled in the chest.
The second case was that of a hotel porter who had been employed
for 2 years, 16 years before the beginning of symptoms, in a foundry
in which his job was cleaning bathtubs with a sand blast. His symp
toms, which began with a slight cough, were typical of silicosis and
tuberculosis. As in the previous case an infection seemed to be the
precipitating factor. The Rontgenogram was characteristic of thirdstage pneumoconiosis and the infection was definitely tuberculous.
In the next case a laborer developed symptoms of silicosis 14 years
after an exposure of 4 years during which he had worked as a grinder
in a knife shop without taking any precautions against the dust
hazard. Since that employment he had been engaged in nondusty
work. He had been in good health throughout the years since his
first employment until he developed an acute upper respiratory infec
tion of the influenza type. This developed into an extensive bron
chitis and X rays taken at this time showed extensive pneumoconio
sis, but there was no evidence of tuberculosis. As in the other two
cases the onset of symptoms coincided with an acute respiratory
infection.
T
i The Journal of the American Medical Association, June 6,1931 (pp. 1938, 1939): “ Pneumonoconiosis, ”
by James A. Britton, M . D ., and Jerome R . Head, M . D .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[99]
100
MONTHLY l a b o r r e v i e w
The remaining case was that of a laborer who had worked as a
knife grinder on a sandstone for 10 years, after which he had been
employed in work which did not present a dust hazard. But at the
end of 10 years, during which he had shown no symptoms of silicosis,
he was exposed to a tubercular infection, the onset of his symptoms
coinciding with the infection with the tubercle bacillus.
In conclusion, the writers state that while most of the clinical and
statistical studies of silicosis have been made on persons still employed
in dusty trades, the present report of four cases of silicosis or silicosis
and tuberculosis which developed many years after the occurrence of
relatively short exposures to silica dust suggests the- necessity of
revising the opinion as to the length of exposure necessary to produce
the disease. From the history of these cases it seems evident that,
even during the course of short exposures, there may be sufficient
dust deposited in the lungs to set up a progressive'fibrosis which does
not become sufficiently extensive to produce symptoms until after the
lapse of many years. This indicates, it is believed, that the reason
that men in the work do not develop symptoms until there have been
many years of exposure is not because that length of exposure is
necessary but because it takes a long time for the disease to develop.
A W in d o w less F a c t o r y 1
new type of manufacturing building is being
the Simonds Saw & Steel Co., Fitchburg, Mass.
The building, which will take the place 'of three present factories,
will have no windows or skylights, and will be entirely lighted by
electricity which will give uniform lighting without glare throughout
the plant.
The company chose the present time to build, as the management
was convinced that the present depression had reached its lowest
point and that recovery would soon be well under way, and also for
the reason that it has always been the policy of the company to
carry out its building and expansion work when business is dull and
prices low. The present type of building was decided upon as the
result of research, which showed that in addition to providing prac
tically ideal conditions of illumination and ventilation, as well as
other features making for the health and comfort of employees, it
would increase production efficiency at least one-third.
Under ordinary factory conditions daylight provides far from
satisfactory illumination, since it is constantly changing and it is
only for short periods each day that each machine, desk, or work
bench receives the amount of illumination which enables workers to
do their best work with the least eyestrain and effort. Indoor day
light is more costly than artificial light since windows occupy valuable
wall space and increase heating cost, and their washing is a fairly
large item of expense. Artificial light, on the other hand, can be
distributed evenly and constantly, freed from glare, and given day
light color. It can even provide the ultra-violet rays which are
largely filtered out of sunlight when it passes through window glass.
A
n e n t ir e l y
l constructed by
1 Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Executives Service Bulletin, February, 1931: “ The Simonds windowless factory,” by Alvan T. Simonds and Giflord K. Simonds.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[100 ]
HEALTH AND IN D U STR IA L H YG IENE
101
The lighting system in the new Fitchburg plant is designed to give
uniform intensity of 19-foot candles on the working level, which is
about three times the intensity in most offices.
Atmospheric conditions within the plant will be regulated much
more strictly than is possible in the ordinary plant with uncon
trolled leakage of air through windows. The temperature will be
controlled between fixed limits, and every 10 minutes more than
500,000 cubic feet of washed air will be delivered throughout the
building. In hot weather the air will be cooled through evaporation,
and in cold weather it will be heated and sent through the building
by means of overhead ducts. The heating system will be regulated
by thermostatic control, and fumes, gases, and excess heat will be
removed through underground ducts.
Factory noises and vibration will be controlled or eliminated.
Walls, ceilings, and floors will be treated acoustically and large
machines and drop hammers will be isolated, and there will be silenc
ing processes for machines, embodying the same principles as Maxim
silencers in firearms. The floor will have a concrete base with an
acoustical wood block, and machinery causing noise and vibration
will be separated from the body of the floor and cushioned with cork
pads. By these methods it is expected that fully 60 per cent of the
noise will be eliminated.
The walls and ceiling will be painted in blue, green, and white,
chosen for cheerfulness or light-reflecting properties, and machinery
will be painted an orange color, as this improves the visibility of
machine parts and is thus an aid in the prevention of accidents.
The layout of the plant will provide for straight-line production,
and has been planned to keep fatigue at a minimum. All unneces
sary motions will be eliminated and the physical efforts of the work
men reduced as much as possible. Although the new factory will
provide more healthful working conditions, it is not a philanthropic
project; the whole objective is improved productivity. It is planned
to run the plant for two 8-hour shifts, which is impossible in the
ordinary daylight factory. The shifts will work from 7 a. m. to 3
p. m. and from 3 p. m. to 11 p. m., which will permit all employees
to have their recreation out of doors during the daylight and enjoy
practically normal hours of sleep at night.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[101]
LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
I n ju r y in C o u rse of Illeg al E m p lo y m e n t n o t C o m p e n s a b le in
New J e r s e y
CONTRACT to act as bartender for the unlawful sale of liquor
is an illegal contract and the employee is without the benefit of
the workmen’s compensation law, according to a recent decision of
the New Jersey Court of Common Pleas. (Snyder v. Morgan, 154
Atl. 525.)
. George E. Snyder was employed by Frank Adorgan as a bartender
in “ Kay’s Club,” which was owned and operated by Morgan. On
September 6, 1929, Snyder was hit in the face with a bottle when he
refused to serve five or six “ ruffians” who invaded the barroom
where he was emplojmd. As a result he suffered the loss of his left
eye and for this injury he filed a petition for compensation. The
petition was dismissed by the New Jersey Workmen’s Compensation
Bureau, and an appeal was taken to the Court of Common Pleas
of New Jersey.
Snyder alleged that he was employed merely to sell near beer;
however, the court found the evidence convincing that the contract
of hire was to dispense liquor in violation of the law. The court
said that such a “ contract to act as bartender for the sale of liquor
was an illegal one, and both the employer and employee were subject
to indictment and conviction for conspiracy to violate the prohibition
laws.”
The court cited the case of Hetzel v. Wasson Piston Ring Co. (98
Atl. 306), in which the court held that the workmen’s compensation
act did not apply to contracts which the legislature had already pro
hibited the parties from making. The court also quoted in part the
opinion of Chief Justice Gummere, speaking for the Court of Errors
and Appeals of New Jersey in the case of Boyle v. Van Splinter (127
Atl. 257), as follows:
A
“ I t is only in those cases w here th e c o n tra c t of hiring is valid th a t th e w ork
m en s com pensation a c t is applicable. C o n tra c ts w hich are p ro h ib ited by
express legislative en actm en ts do n o t come w ithin th e cognizance of th e b u re a u .”
. Snyder contended that he was entitled to prevail in his compensa
tion claim under Chapter 257 of the Public Laws of New Jersey, 1922.
As to this the court said: “ This act provides a right of action to any
person or to the estate^ of any decedent who sustains an injury or
damage caused by any intoxicated person or by reason of the intoxi
cation of, or the sale of any intoxicating liquor to, any person in viola
tion of law. Obviously it does not affect the workmen’s compensa
tion acts, but applies to the long and dreadful train of injuries and
damages which are likely to result either to the consumer or to inno
cent third persons from the illegal dispensation of liquor.”
The judgment of the workmen’s compensation bureau, dismissing
the petition, was therefore affirmed.
102
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[102 ]
LABOR LAWS AND COURT DECISIONS
103
R a ilro a d n o t N eg lig en t in M a in ta in in g S e m a p h o re n e a r T r a c k
in S o u th C a ro lin a
HE United States Supreme Court recently held, in a suit by an
administrator to recover for the death of a switchman under the
T
Federal employers’ liability act, that the Atlantic Coast Line Rail
road Co. was not negligent in maintaining a semaphore 4 feet 10
inches from the outer edge of the track. (Atlantic Coast Line R.
Co. v. Powe, 51 Sup. Ct. 498.)
The facts of the case showed that George A. Marshall, a switch
man, was killed when he was struck by a semaphore while on the
outside of a moving railroad car. The evidence also disclosed that
the South Carolina Railroad Commission had previously made an
order prohibiting structures nearer than 4 feet from the outer edge
of the main or side track. It was alleged by the administratoi of
the deceased employee that the railroad company was negligent m
maintaining the semaphore too near the track, and thus causing the
death of the switchman. The Supreme_ Court of South Carolina
rendered a judgment in favor of the administrator and the case was
carried to the United States Supreme Court by the railroad company,
contending there was no e vidence of its negligence and that Mai shall
should be considered to have assumed the risk of the supposed cause
of his death.
Mr. Justice Holmes, delivering the opinion of the court, said m part:
T he general principles laid dow n w ith reg ard to m ail cranes in S ou th ern Pacific
Co v B erkshire (41 Sup. C t. 162) a n d C hesapeake & Ohio R . Co. v . L eitch
(48 Sup. C t. 336) ap p ly eq u ally to sem aphores. I t is im p racticab le alw ays to
set such stru c tu re s so fa r aw ay as to leave no d anger to one leaning o u t, a n d m
dealing w ith a w ell-know n in cid en t of th e em ploym ent, a d o p ted m th e in terest
of th e p ublic a n d of th e em ployees, i t is unreasonable to th ro w th e risks oi it
u pon th o se who w ere com pelled to a d o p t it.
.
T h e sem aphore in th is in stan ce w as 4 feet 10 inches a t its base from th e o u te r
edge of th e tra c k a n d p ro b ab ly a little m ore a t 4 fe e t above th e to p of th e rail.
A n o rd e r of th e S o u th C aro lin a R ailro ad Com m ission, m ade, as i t sta te s, m
consideration of th e safety of th e public a n d em ployees of th e ro a d a n d of th e
necessity for em plovees to give a n d receive signals, provides t h a t no s tru c tu re be
allow ed n earer than' 4 feet from th e o u te r edge of th e m am o r side tra c k m easu re
m e n t being m ad e 4 fe e t ab o v e th e to p of th e rail. I t will be seen t h a t th e ra il
ro ad com pany in th is case m o re th a n com plied w ith th e order. I t is tr u e th a t
4 feet w as a m inim um distan ce, b u t i t satisfied th e req u ire m e n t of th e comm ission,
a n d i t w ould be going fa r to say t h a t th e ra ilro a d com pany w as n o t w a rra n te d in
supposing t h a t i t h a d done its d u ty , so fa r a s th e com m ission w as concerned,
w hen i t p u t th e sem aphore 4 fe e t 10 inches aw ay. M arsh all from h is previous
experience pro b ab ly knew of th e sem aphore as he w as req u ired to do b y th e rules
of d ie ro ad
I t w as show n t h a t som e o th e r sem aphores w ere fa rth e r fro m th e
tra c k , b u t th e circum stances do n o t a p p ear, a n d th e re is n o th in g to show t h a t in
th is case th e p e titio n e r could h av e m ad e th e position safer th a n it was, except by
changing th e place of th e track .
The judgment of the lower court was therefore reversed.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[103]
LABOR AWARDS AND DECISIONS
R e c e n t D ecisio n s of I n d u s tr ia l C o m m is s io n of C o lo ra d o
J o u r n e y m e n T a ilo r s
D en v er, C olo.
HE Industrial Commission of Colorado was notified by M. Binstock & Co., on November 13, 1930, that that firm had posted
in its tailor shop notice of a 10 per cent reduction in the wages of
all employees, effective in 30 days. The Journeymen Tailors’ Local
No. 3, in behalf of its members employed by the firm, protested the
wage cut and requested a hearing before the commission.
At a hearing held on December 8, 1930, the employing company
contended that it was losing money every day and that the proposed
reduction was necessary if it was to continue to cany on its business.
The union, on behalf of its members, contended that the men were
entitled to their present wage and that it was of the opinion that
the employer could continue to operate upon the same wage basis as
heretofore.
On December 15, 1930, the Industrial Commission of Colorado
rendered the following decision:
T
W hen we consider th e in d u stria l conditions in th e U nited S tates a t th is tim e
th e com m ission is of th e opinion t h a t th is is th e w rong tim e to e ith e r increase
or decrease wages a n d w ould respectfully suggest to th e em ployer as a solution
of th e problem t h a t he m a in ta in th e p re se n t w age scale a n d h av e his em ployees
w ork p a r t tim e, if i t is necessary fo r him to do so. We believe th is will be m uch
b e tte r th a n m aking a general re d u ctio n in th e wage scale a t th is tim e.
C a r p e n te r s a n d J o i n e r s — D en v er, C olo.
O n M a r c h 16, 1931, the industrial commission was notified by the
Mead & Mount Construction Co. of an intended reduction from $10
to $7 per day in the scale of wages of the carpenters employed by
it in the city of Denver. The Carpenters and Joiners’ Local No. 55
protested to the commission against the proposed reduction.
A hearing was held on April 18, 1931, at which the employer con
tended that it was necessary to reduce wages to meet the competition
of employers who are employing nonunion labor at a rate lower than
the union scale; and that the proposed reduction would reduce the
cost of building about 10 per cent, thereby materially increasing
building activity in Denver. The union stated that its members have
worked less than half time during the past 12 months and that it is
impossible for them to live decently on the amount of money they
have received. It contended that the wages paid the carpenters in
Denver is not too much for skilled labor of this kind; and that good
wages as a rule create good business conditions.
On April 22, 1931, the commission rendered the following decision:
T he com m ission is som etim es inclined to believe t h a t m an y em ployers are
tak in g ad v an ta g e of th e p re se n t depression a n d th e u n em p lo y m en t situ a tio n to
dem and a reduction in th e wages of labor.
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T he com m ission is of th e opinion th a t lab o r is n o t a com m odity like corn an d
w heat, an d wages should n o t be reg u lated alone by th e law of supply an d dem and.
A very large m a jo rity of w orkm en h av e n o th in g b u t th e ir lab o r to sell a n d we
believe t h a t every m an who gives a fair d a y ’s w ork is e n title d to a living wage.
By a living w age we m ean a wage sufficient to supply a d ecen t living for him self
and fa m ily ; enough to ed u cate his children in th e m an n er in w hich ev ery A m er
ican child should be ed u cated ; enough to secure a little pleasure in life, a n d som e
th in g left to set aside for th e d ay w hen old age com es a n d he can to il no longer.
T he com m ission is fu rth e r of th e opinion t h a t if we a re to m a in ta in th e A m eiican sta n d a rd s of living it is necessary t h a t em ployees receive a living wage— a
living wage m eans m ore for th e p ro sp erity of th is co u n try th a n large dividends
an d big b an k accounts. I t seems to th is com m ission th a t living w ages create
an increased purchasing pow er, a n d w hen lab o r is p aid a fair wage a n d can get
a d ecent living, th e co u n try is alw ays prosperous. R educing th e wages of lab o r
will delay th e re tu rn of b e tte r tim es a n d will n o t assist in a n y w ay in clearing
up th e p resen t econom ic situ atio n . W e do n o t believe th a t th is is th e tim e to
ask for reductions in wages, n o r do we believe th a t skilled lab o r of th is kind
should be required to accep t a low er wage.
Therefore, it is th e decision a n d aw ard of th is com m ission th a t th e req u est
of th e em ployer herein fo r a red u ctio n in th e wages of carp en ters from $10 per
day to $7 per day be n o t granted.
C o m m o n L a b o re rs — D en v er, C o lo.
On M a r c h 27, 1931, the L. F. Dow Co. notified the Industrial
Commission of Colorado that it would be necessary to reduce the
wages of its common labor from $5 to $4 per day. On April 2, 1931,
the secretary of Local No. 340 of the International Hod Carriers,
Building and Common Laborers wrote the commission a letter pro
testing against the wage reduction.
At the hearing held on April 17, 1931, the employer contended that
it was unable to continue to pay $5 per day to common labor and
at the same time compete with contractors duplexing nonunion labor
at a wage as low as $2.50 per day. The employees contended that
$5 per day was a living wage only if they were employed full time,
that members of their union had not been employed more than half
time during the last 12 months, and that the amount received by
them during that period had not been sufficient to provide a decent
living for a man and his family.
The decision of the commission, dated April 20, 1931, is as follows:
T his com m ission has given very careful a n d serious consideration to all th e
evidence in tro d u ced a t th is hearing. I t seem s to th is com m ission th a t every
m an who labors is e n title d to a living w age in exchange for his labor. _
I t w as s ta te d d u ring th e hearing t h a t som e of th e em ployers em ploying n o n
union lab o r p aid as low a wage as $2.50 p e r d ay for com m on labor. T h e com
m ission is of th e opinion th a t a n y em ployer who will ask, o r allow, a m an to w ork
for as low a wage as $2.50 p er d ay h as fo rg o tten som ething a b o u t h u m an rights.
M en who lab o r an d produce th e w ealth of th e N atio n are e n title d to a fair share
of t h a t w hich th e y produce; to a living wage, a t least. D uring th e p resen t
depression, w here m en are em ployed less th a n h alf tim e a n d can n o t earn a
living w age or enough to supply th e ir fam ilies w ith a decent living, a red u ctio n
in w ages w ould be u n fair a n d u n ju s t to say th e least, a n d cause m ore suffering
a n d hardship.
,
,
T herefore, it is th e a w ard a n d decision of th e com m ission th a t th e dem and
of th e above-nam ed em ployers for a decrease in wages be refused a n d th a t no
decrease in wages be g ra n te d th e em ployers a t th is tim e.
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LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
O rg a n iz a tio n of B o a rd of T r a d e C la im s fo r A d ju stin g
J u r i s d i c t io n a l D isp u te s in t h e B u ild in g T ra d e s
HE Board of Trade Claims for adjusting jurisdictional disputes
in the building trades was organized at Washington, D C on
March 3, 1931.
The following were named as members of the board to represent
the employees: M. J. McDonough, president of the building trades
department of the American Federation of Labor; John J. Hynes,
sheet-metal workers; P. J. Morrin, structural-iron workers; L. I3’
Lindeloff, painters and decorators; Arthur M. Huddell, hoisting and
portable engineers, and W. J. McSorley, lathers’ union. The fol- *
lowing were named to represent the National Association of Building
Trades Employers: O. W. Rosenthal, Chicago; David T. Riffle
Pittsburgh; C. G. Norman, New York; W. P. Carroll, Cleveland;
James J. Scully, Boston; Max Baumann, New York; and E. M.
Craig, Chicago.
The agreement establishing the board was reached after many con
ferences between representatives of the National Association of
Building Trades Employers and the building-trades division of the
American Federation of Labor. The agreement, effective to De
cember 31, 1932, contains the following preamble:
T
T he co n stru ctio n in d u stry is co n sta n tly confronted w ith m an y an d complex
problem s.
C onditions in th e in d u stry are ever changing, due to im proved a n d changing
m ethods, m aterials, engineering, design, etc.
T hese changing conditions p resen t p eculiar an d unu su al problem s to b o th
em ployer an d labor.
L abor in th e co n stru ctio n field is subdivided in to tra d e groups, each of which
has its ow n p a rtic u la r w ork to perform . T his field lab o r becomes skilled in its
p a rtic u la r class of w ork by a p p licatio n a n d stu d y .
T h e q uestion of w hich tra d e shall be charged“w ith th e responsiblity of doing
certain w ork u pon a c o n stru ctio n p ro je c t w hen new m aterials a n d m eth o d s are
p resen ted is a t tim es difficult to determ ine.
H ow ever, th e insistence by tw o or m ore tra d e s th a t th e placing of th e m aterial
or m an u factu red p ro d u ct, or t h a t th e w ork to be perform ed is p ro p erly th eirs,
an d unw illingness on th e p a r t of a n y tra d e to concede to a n o th e r th e “rig h t of
erection or in s tallatio n m akes it necessary th a t th e re be set up a trib u n a l o r board
th a t shall d eterm in e such m a tte rs a n d w hich shall also determ ine w h eth er th e
issue has alread y been disposed of by decision or otherw ise, a n d w h eth er th e re
shall be fu rth e r consideration of th e issue.
T he desire on th e p a rt of th e en tire in d u stry an d th e public th a t m eans be found
w hereby these costly a n d troublesom e q uestions m ay be am icably, econom ically
an d expeditiously disposed of t h a t c o n stru ctio n m ay proceed u n in te rru p te d ly , an d
w ith th e d istin c t u n d e rsta n d in g on th e p a r t of th e p a rtie s h ereto th a t th e re shall
be no ab an d o n m e n t of th e w ork or refusal to do th e w ork pend in g a decision to
be arriv ed a t in th e m a n n e r h erein se t fo rth , p ro m p ts us to set up a n d m ake
effective th is B oard of T ra d e Claims.
This board, which takes the place of the old National Board for
Jurisdictional Awards, abolished in 1927, is a tribunal for the adjust
ment of jurisdictional disputes between the building trades. It
comprises the executive council of the building-trades department of
the American Federation of Labor and an equal representation of
members of the National Association of Building Trades Employers.
The board will meet at least four times each year and also at the call
of the chairman, with the approval of a majority of both sides of the
board.
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LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
107
The board will hear petitions of international labor unions only, it
being stipulated in the agreement that local and sectional arguments
must be presented to the international officers for their decision on
referring the matter in dispute to the board. If the claim has not
previously been determined, the question is set for arbitration and
the parties involved are requested to appoint their respective arbi
trators; these arbitrators must select an umpire within 10 days. The
findings of the arbitrators are to be reported to the Board of Trade
Claims within 10 days after hearing the evidence and arguments.
If in the judgment of the board a decision is clear, concise, and in
line with the question as stated, the board shall approve the decision
and shall set a date upon which such decision shall become effective,
which date shall not exceed 90 days thereafter. If the board does not
accept the decision it shall immediately be sent back to the arbitra
tors for further consideration.
The plan of the board provides that if either party to the arbitra
tion fails to comply with the decisions of the board that party shall be
disciplined by its respective organization.
This agreement also provides that—In asm u ch as th e purpose of th is ag reem en t is to m a in ta in peace a n d harm o n y
in th e in d u stry in th e p ublic in te re st a n d to fo ster its econom ic w elfare, i t is
recom m ended to arch ite c ts, engineers, builders, ow ners, co n tracto rs, a n d oth ers
concerned w ith co n stru ctio n w ork t h a t th e decisions a n d findings h a n d e d dow n
by th is N a tio n al B oard of T ra d e C laim s be observed in th e d raw ing u p of specifi
cations a n d in th e m akin g of co n tracts. A s tric t observance of th is will c o n trib u te
m uch to th e ad v an cem e n t of th e in d u s try a n d will give to th e p ublic th e necessary
assurance in th eiv building o perations.
The building trades department of the American Federation of
Labor sent the following notice to all international unions affiliated
in the building trades department: “ You are informed that under the
agreement all international unions affiliated in the building trades
department must necessarily become signatories to the agreement.”
The following international unions are affiliated in the building
trades department:
In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation of H e a t an d F ro s t In su la to rs a n d A sbestos W orkers.
In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation of B ridge a n d S tru c tu ra l Iro n W orkers.
In te rn a tio n a l U nion of E le v a to r C on stru cto rs.
In te rn a tio n a l U nion of S team E ngineers.
G ran ite C u tte rs ’ In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation of A m erica.
In te rn a tio n a l H o d C arriers, B uilding a n d C om m on L a b o re rs’ U nion.
W ood, W ire a n d M etal L a th e rs ’ In te rn a tio n a l U nion.
In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation of M arble, Slate, a n d S tone Polishers, R u b b ers an d
Saw yers, T ile a n d M arble S e tte rs ’ H elpers. _
Sheet M etal W o rk ers’ In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation.
O perative P lasterers a n d C em en t F in ish e rs’ In te rn a tio n a l A ssociation.
B rotherhood of P ain te rs, D eco rato rs a n d P aperhangers.
U n ited A ssociation of Jo u rn ey m en P lu m b ers a n d S team F itte rs.
U n ited Slate, T ile a n d C om position Roofers, D am p a n d W aterp ro o f W orkers
A ssociation.
Journ ey m en Stone C u tte rs ’ A ssociation of N o rth A m erica.
In te rn a tio n a l B roth erh o o d of T eam sters, C hauffeurs, S tab lem en a n d H elpers.
The Bricklavers, Masons and Plasterers’ International Union of
America and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
America are not affiliated with the building trades department.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers refused to
become a signatory to the Board of Trade Claims agreement and
withdrew from the building trades department.
63413°— 31----- 8
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W ORKERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING
R e c o m m e n d a tio n s o n V o c a tio n a l G u id a n c e A d o p ted by W h ite
H o u se C o n fe re n c e
guidance as conducted in a few fortunate com
munities should be extended to boys and girls in all parts of the
V OCATIONAL
country, according to the Committee on Vocational Guidance and
Child Labor, of the White House Conference on Child Health and
Protection, 1930. Such guidance, the committee holds, is the only
way to reduce the human and financial losses resulting from failure
to aid pupils to make educational adjustments which will prepare
them properly for vocations harmonizing with their interests and
abilities.
The committee bases that part of its report dealing with vocational
guidance on the eight principles listed below: 1
1.
O rganization of th e school sy stem for guidance, p lacem en t a n d em p lo y m en t
supervision.
2. An ad eq u a te stu d y of th e in d iv id u al from th e developm ental sta n d p o in t.
3. Specially tra in e d v o catio n al counselors.
4. T h e aw arding of scholarships.
5.
Studies of occupational o p p o rtu n ities in th e com m unity, classes in o ccu p a
tional inform ation a n d explo rato ry courses.
6. M odification of th e curriculum to fit th e needs of th e individual.
7.
R ecognition of a n d cooperation w ith nonpublic org an izatio n s a n d special
a tte n tio n to specialized groups, such as N egroes, In d ia n s, etc.
8. Provision for research in all phases of th e w ork.
In view of these principles the committee made the following
recommendations which were adopted by the conference:2
1.
A vocation al a n d ed u catio n al guidance p ro g ram should be estab lish ed in
every com m unity, co nducted by a special d e p a rtm e n t, h ead ed by a d irecto r
who is im m ediately responsible to th e su p e rin te n d e n t of schools.
2.
As in th e case of all o th e r im p o rta n t e d u catio n al effort, it is useless to a tte m p t
to achieve resu lts w ith a n u n tra in e d sta ff; therefore, all persons engaged in coun
seling, teac h in g classes in occupational info rm atio n , ad m in isterin g scholarships,
placing children, a n d p rep arin g o ccupational studies should be specially p rep ared
fo r th e discharge of th e ir duties.
3.
In connection w ith a stu d y of th e in d iv id u al for purposes of guidance,
know ledge is necessary of b o th his p a s t a n d p resen t accom plishm ents a n d expe
rience— scholastic, social, in tellectu al, a n d personal. T o th is end cu m u lativ e
reports, w hich pro v id e a ru n n in g record of his progress th ro u g h school a n d
beyond, should be established in every school system . Psychological te s ts b o th
as a m easure of ed u catio n al ach iev em en t a n d m e n ta l cap acity p ro v id e one of th e
m ost valuable in stru m e n ts fo r ed u catio n al a n d v o cational guidance b u t such tests
co n stitu te only one fa c to r in th e stu d y of th e individual. T h ere is need fo r some
objective m easurem en t of p erso n ality tra its. T h e a d m in istra tio n of a testin g
program should be u n d e r th e d irection of a tra in e d psychologist a n d th e giving
of tests b y u n tra in e d persons, w ith o u t th is supervision, should be discouraged.
4.
Provision should be m ad e for counselors in all schools w here ed u catio n al
choices a n d th e giving of v o cational in fo rm atio n a re im p o rta n t.
5.
Provision should be m ade in every com m unity for th e giving of scholarships
to children w ho th ro u g h necessity w ould otherw ise h av e to leav e school to go to
w ork as soon as th e child la b o r law p erm itted .
1 United States Daily, Washington, Nov. 28, 1930. Supplement, Sec. II, p. 38.
2 American Federationist, Washington, M ay, 1931, pp. 640-41: “ Vocational Guidance,” by Anne S. Davis.
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W O R K ER S’ EDUCATION AND TR A INING
109
6. S tu d y of general a n d local occupations, v o cational o p p o rtu n ities a n d p ro b
lem s of th e occupational w orld should be carried on in organized classes, ta u g h t
by vocational counselors or specially tra in e d teac h ers. O ccupational p am p h lets
should be p rep ared giving in fo rm atio n to young people reg ard in g th e d uties,
conditions of work, an d p rep a ra tio n necessary for th e occupations th e y m ay
ev en tu ally enter.
7. O pportunities for a ll form s of train in g , v o cational a n d academ ic, a n d
educational experience, such as try -o u t courses, should be p rovided in increasing
num bers. Any form of vocational ed u catio n should be flexible a n d should ta k e
in to acco u n t th e rap id changes in p ro d u ctio n a n d be a d a p te d to th e v ary in g
needs of individual boys a n d girls.
8. M ore a d e q u a te facilities should be p rovided for se p arate ju n io r p lacem en t
offices u n d er th e public schools or o th e r public agencies, w here th e in te re sts an d
w elfare of th e children sta n d before all o th e r considerations.
A p p lic a tio n of I n d u s tria l P sy ch o lo g y t o t h e B lin d
HE National (British) Institute of Industrial Psychology is
studying the problem of helping the blind to become effective
members of the community.1 The first step in the investigation was
to ascertain in what occupations, other than those found in the exist
ing workshops for the blind, these handicapped persons could most
usefully be employed. The principal training institutions and work
shops for the blind in and near London were visited and the occupa
tions being carried on were studied in some detail. Later on, several
workshops in the Provinces were surveyed. In general, these shops
were primarily producing machine-knitted, goods, mats, baskets,
brushes, and other articles that the blind have been making for so
many years. Results of experiments with blind workers in other
countries were also carefully examined. The available data, however,
for the most part were not definite on such important matters as
earnings, efficiency, etc. Factories employing workers who were not
blind were then visited with a view to studying occupations which
might be filled satisfactorily by sightless persons. A list was made
of such occupations.
T h e b lin d i n telephone m a n u fa c tu re .— A. definite offer of work for
the blind‘for a brief period, on a subcontracting basis, was received
from the manager of a factory manufacturing telephones. An
experiment was made for nearly three months in employing such
workers on a repetitive process, which consisted in fastening together
a number of wires in a “ form,” so that when the form is inserted in a
certain part of the telephone, connections can immediately be made.
The wires, which are of different lengths and colors, must be passed
through holes in a special way and are then wound together with
waxed thread.
As already shown by psychological analysis, skill in the execution oi
movement depends not only upon muscular control but upon visual
control. In writing, for instance, the movements are almost auto
matic but the alignment is controlled by vision which prevents the
degeneration of the letter forms. Handwriting grows worse as a
result of blindness even when raised lines are used. Consequently,
it would seem that blind persons can acquire real skill only in work
T
1 The Journal of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology (London), April, 1931, pp. 334-343:
“ Industrial Psychology Applied to the Blind,’’ by O. B-r Fox.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
which is “ truly independent of vision in the sense that effective
substitutes for visual control can be developed.”
The experiment on “ forming” in the telephone factory fully con
firmed this conclusion. The most proficient workers were found to be
those who still had enough vision to distinguish colors and forms.
How much they used their eyes could not be determined, but their
superior output could hardly have been due to chance. It was quite
obvious that a totally blind person took more time to do the same
work than one who had some little sight, as the former had to grope
more for his material. Although groping may be considerably
reduced by special layouts and apparatus, it can not be eliminated
altogether and therefore the productivity of the blind is adversely
affected.
Manual dexterity tests for the blind.—Four tests were devised in order
to estimate manual dexterity: (1) The placing of pegs in holes in a
board; (2) a similar placing of pegs, the thumb and fingers of the pre
ferred hand being used independently in turn; (3) the threading of
nuts on small bolts (both hands); and (4) screw twisting in which
movements of the wrist are dominant.
The results of these tests, which were given in private to the blind
workers individually under the same experimental conditions, are as
follows:
(a) I n f lu e n c e o f a g e . — In straig h tfo rw a rd pegging a n d in th e assem bly of n u ts
a n d b olts th e re w as a progressive re d u ctio n in speed from th e age of a b o u t 20.
In th e screw -tw isting te s t, how ever, w ith th e exception of th e older to ta lly blind,
th e re w ere no m ark ed differences in score betw een one age gro u p a n d a n o th er.
(b) I n f lu e n c e o f v is io n . — T he difference betw een th e p a rtia lly a n d th e to ta lly
blind w as sim ilarly very m ark ed in th e p eg-board a n d n u ts a n d b o lts tests, b u t
n o t in th e screw -tw isting te st.
(c) I n f lu e n c e o f tr a d e (f o r b o th p a r t i a l l y a r id t o t a l l y b l i n d ) . — In tw o of th e te sts
th e boot-repairing group show ed a m ark ed su p erio rity to th e o th e r tra d e groups,
while th e poor perform ance of th e m a t a n d b ru sh m ak ers in all th e te sts was
o u tstanding.
Wage study.—In nearly all cases, records of wages for two years or
more were available. This made it possible to compare the average
weekly earnings for the quarter reviewed with the earnings in the
corresponding quarter a year or two years preceding. No attempt
was made to compare wages in different workshops, as conditions and
methods of payment were so varied. Within each workshop, how
ever, the investigators found it possible to compare the earning capa
city of different classes of blind persons.
In order to make comparisons the blind men were divided into two
classes, the totally blind and the partially blind; the former class
includes those who can only see enough to distinguish light and dark
(with or without the ability to name tbe primary colors) and who can
not recognize objects with certainty even when they are large. The
partially blind class is made up of the remaining blind persons whose
vision is less than 6/60 of normal.
The findings based on the wage data are:
T he figures suggest t h a t in alm o st all th e w orkshops th e m axim um earning
cap acity ten d s to fall fo r th e larg er groups, w ith in th e y ears 30 to 40. T his seems
to hold for m en an d wom en, a n d fo r p a rtia lly a n d to ta lly blind alike, b u t th e
effect m ay be obscured by differences in experience w ith in each age group. Since
th e age a t w hich th e person becom es b lind varies g reatly , th e av erag e experience
of th e age groups given does n o t alw ays increase p ro p o rtio n ately . On th e whole,
th e v ariatio n s in earnings are sm all.
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W O RK ERS’ EDUCATION AND TRAINING
111
A rearran g em en t of th e d a ta according to le n g th of experience does n o t help
greatly, since th ere are to o few cases to allow of subdivision in to groups eq u al in
b o th age a n d experience. T h ere is, how ever, a general ten d en c y fo r earning
capacity to increase during a period of 10 o r 11 y ears a n d th e re a fte r to decrease.
M uch larg er differences a re seen, how ever, w hen th e earnings of th e p a rtia lly
blind a n d th e to ta lly blind a re com pared. T h e relativ e efficiency of th ese groups
as show n b y th e wage records is su b sta n tia lly in fa v o r of th e p a rtia lly blind.
A lthough th e effects of age a n d experience are n o t w holly excluded, th e g eneral
tre n d of th e differences in earnings is u n m istak ab le. A com posite figure fo r th e
average earnings of th e p a rtia lly blind, as com pared w ith those of th e to ta lly
blind, w ould be m isleading unless th e av erag e experience of each group were
su b stan tially th e sam e a n d th e nu m b ers ap p ro x im ately equal.
Blind workers' isolation.—The blind are unconscious of many hap
penings around them and of what other workers are doing unless their
neighbors inform them. This relative isolation of sightless persons is
an outstanding peculiarity and causes delays resulting from loss of
rhythm or slowing down of the work rate.
The limited environment and lack of external stimuli tend to make
many of the blind very self-centered and to fix their attention on their
own difficulties. This brooding is frequently the cause of the many
perplexities which arise in dealing with sightless people. Solitary
rumination has a tendency to reduce the vitality of these handicapped
workers and after a time lessens their output.
Most encouraging results in breaking down the isolation of sightless
workers were obtained in the institute’s experiment in teamwork in
the basket department of a blind institution. Each member of the
team was considerably interested not only in the carrying on of the
experiment as a whole but also in each man’s work.
A fter th e first tw o days th e te a m were left from tim e to tim e to c arry on w ith o u t
supervision. E ach m an soon to o k a share in th e e x tra w ork involved in keeping
th e m aterials a n d bask ets in circulation, b u t th e efficiency of th e te a m w as hard ly
im paired th ereb y . T here seem s to be little d o u b t t h a t p a r t of th e success of th is
experim ent w as due to th e overcom ing of th e isolated in tro sp ectiv e s ta te of th e
blind. If m ore w ays of overcom ing th is re la tiv e isolation could be intro d u ced
into th e m ethods of blind w orkshops, a g re a te r cooperation a n d a m ore h ealth y
sp irit w ould prevail n o t only am o n g st th e blind them selves, b u t also in th e ir
relatio n s w ith th e ir sighted colleagues.
Subdivision of work.—It is the custom in the basket departments of
workshops for the blind for each worker to make a complete basket.
The institute, however, undertook an experiment in which four
volunteers manufactured the basket, one making the bottom, another
doing the staking and “ upsetting,” another the siding, and a fourth
the border and the foot. The institute’s investigator prepared the
material for the baskets and passed the completed parts from one
volunteer to another, as the basket makers were not working side by
side.
After due allowance was made for preparing the material and for
any aid in finishing, the output under the new scheme was found to
be 25.2 per cent in excess of that under the old plan, with a con
siderably more regular flow of production.
Teamwork versus craftsmanship.—The suggestion has been made
that teamwork may have a tendency to lessen the sense of crafts
manship among blind basket makers. Each trainee, however, must
learn the methods for making finished samples of each kind of basket
before he is regarded as proficient. As a rule, workshops have found
it both convenient and profitable to have a man specialize on several
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kinds of baskets. The number of orders in which the above-described
system of subdivision of work could be successfully operated would
not be large enough seriously to impair the sense of craftsmanship
or to interfere substantially with the worker’s ability to make several
kinds of baskets satisfactorily.
Teamwork of blind girls.—The efficiency of blind girls compared
with average factory workers employed by Cadbury Bros. (Ltd.)
was reported upon by Miss Cadbury, who stated that the output of
a team made up of two workers with normal sight and five blind girls
is 84 per cent of teams in which all the members have normal sight.
The increase in cost is about 2 per cent (girls’ wages only). When the
team has three members with normal sight and four blind girls the
production is ordinarily 91 per cent of teams with normal sight. The
cost of the mixed team in this case is about 1 per cent more (girls’
wages only). “ The blind girls earn the same amount as the sighted
teams,” Miss Cadbury reports. “ This is due to the fact that they
work only on the lighter and better-paid packings. They also receive
more assistance from the men.”
Cadbury Bros, also pay slightly more to the girls with normal sight
on the mixed teams, as they are obliged to do more to maintain the
team’s output. In other words, the responsibility for the maintenance
of the team’s efficiency is on the shoulders of the members who have
sight. In observing the team at work the institute’s investigators
saw plainly that the regular flow of packed cartons was dependent
largely upon the watchfulness of the two workers with sight who led
the team. An additional prepared carton placed at the proper time,
a set of labeled tins removed when necessary or one more package tied
up later on, of course, made a big difference not only in regulating the
run of the work but in eliminating any consciousness of strain which
might result from the blind employee’s realization that she was not
up to the mark.
This type of aid being essential when the girls are able to see a
little, the amount of assistance required when the workers are totally
blind may be readily imagined. In fact, the work being done by
the blind at Cadbury Bros, is simple and seemingly well within the
capacity ot persons who are totally blind. Speed of movement, how
ever, is the vital issue, and there is reason to doubt whether the
average totally blind person could ever work with the quickness
required.
Proportion of blind workers to supervisor with sight.—The number of
the supervisory staff with sight as compared with the number of blind
workers supervised varies greatly in different institutions. Substan
tial variations were also found in the earnings of different blind
workers. In order to ascertain whether these two types of variations
were definitely correlated with each other the institute sent a ques
tionnaire to each of the blind institutions in England. At the time
the article under review was being prepared the replies to the inquiry
were being examined to determine the effects of supervision upon
blind workers after they have become experts in their trade.
Layout of raw material.—Unless particular attention is given to
layout, blind workers inevitably waste time groping for implements
or materials. The institute has designed a rack for one basket
making department which holds the cane from which the baskets
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are made. This arrangement so facilitated the finding and with
drawal of the material that the output increased 10 per cent.
After a detailed study of the layout and operation of a knitting
factory, methods were devised by the institute to cut down waste
in time and material. A planning system was inaugurated to enable
the establishment to supply goods on the dates promised, and a
rearrangement was made which extended the available storage ac
commodation. By decreasing waste, etc., savings of more than
£1,000 ($4,867) a year were effected. Furthermore, there was an
increase in turnover of £1,350 ($6,570) per annum.
Future study.—The institute’s work for the blind can be greatly
enlarged and intensified by—
1. T he vocational selection of th e blind for train in g for specific in d u stries;
2. R esearch in to th e m eth o d s a d o p ted for train in g blind pupils in various
industries;
.
. .
3. D etailed studies of th e tra d e s followed by th e blind to elim inate w aste ol
tim e, labor, a n d m aterial, e tc .; an d
4. T raining th e blind a n d organizing th e ir em ploym ent in factories w ith th e
assistance of sighted lab o r so th a t th e y shall a tta in th e ir m axim um efficiency.
F or th is purpose m ethods m u st be in tro d u ced to secure th e cooperation of th e
em ployers an d th e m an ag em en t in these “ sig h te d ” factories.
The more highly educated blind present a rather different group of
problems. Professions and careers must be found for these people,
and a study should be made of the educational limitations resulting
from their blindness. The best vocational education methods in view
of such limitations are yet to be ascertained. Moreover, placement
methods after vocational education should also be made the subject
of investigation.
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C o o p e ra tiv e P ro v isio n of M ed ical an d H e a lth S erv ice 1
VIEW of the high cost of illness in this country it would seem
that the provision of medical care offers a real opportunity for
INcooperative
eflort. As yet, however, cooperators in the United
States seem to have taken very little advantage of this opportunity,
though there are a few scattered instances in which medical or pre
ventive work is done.
The Franklin Cooperative Creamery Association of Minneapolis,
Minn., during 1925 and 1926 operated a clinic for the children of its
members, but this was later discontinued.
The Cooperative Temperance Café, Chicago, 111., pays sick benefits
of $1 a day to any employee who is sick for more than a week.
Sick-benefit societies do, of course, partake of the cooperative
character, but can not be said to be part of the cooperative movement.
Perhaps the organization of this type which is most nearly coopera
tive in character is the Workmen’s Circle, which carries" on many
social activities on a cooperative basis. Among these are sick
benefits, operation of a tuberculosis sanitarium, and death benefits.
The New York City branch of the organization pays sick benefits
of $6 a week for a maximum of 15 weeks per year. Data supplied
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the organization show that the
sick benefit department has a membership of 57,691 persons, of whom
9,745 received benefits during the year 1930, in the amount of $357,833—or an average of about six weeks’ benefits per member. For
these benefits each member pays a fee of $5.80 per year; the amount
collected in fees in 1930 was $334,518.
There are 17,382 persons enrolled in membership with the medical
section, each of whom pays $4.80 per year, which entitles both him
self and family to service at the doctor’s office and at his own home.
The medical section also makes arrangements for consultations and
for operations by specialists at nominal fees. There is no restric
tion as to the amount of care which shall be rendered to any one
family during the course of a year. There are 43 physicians in the
New York district who work for the circle on a part-time basis, be
sides 24 specialists. The circle also operates its own health center,
in the nature of a clinic, at which nominal fees are charged.
i The data on which this article is based are from U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Coopératl0?i-vi0Ix ^ j Nv V 3v
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Special report No. 13, 1919 funpublished) and Bui No 101; Consular reports of Sept. 20, 1927 (Switzerland), and Sept. 8, 1928 (Norway)Cooperation (New York) issues of M ay and August, 1921, February, 1922, January, 1 9 2 4 , February, March’
and June, 1925, and March, 1930; International Labor Office, Cooperative Information, Nos. 50 60 91 93*
108,115, and 117; Review of International Cooperation (London), issues of May, 1929, August, 1929; International Cooperative Bulletin, July, 1923; Cooperation at Home and Abroad, by C. R. Fay; Cooperative
Democracy, by J. P. Warbasse; The Labor Movement in Post-War France, by D avid J. Saposs- La
Cooperation Beige, Oct. 15, 1929; People’s Yearbook, 1931; Cooperative Productive Review (Leicester,
England), M ay, 1930; Thei Producer (Manchester, England), M ay, 1931; Information Bulletin of Centrosoyus (Moscow), April, 1929; Verband Schweizeriseher Konsumvereine (V. S. K.), Rapports et comptes
su j h a<? lvl^e d?s organes de l ’union en 1929; La Coopération (suisse), N ov. 14, 1929, and M ay 28 1931and data supplied to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics by individual societies and organizations.
'
114
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Medicines are not furnished, but members may obtain these at
reduced rates at drug stores with which the organization has arrange
ments.
In connection with the medical service the organization maintains
a tuberculosis sanitarium at Liberty, N. Y., which can accommodate
50 patients; this sanitarium has a fully equipped hospital as well as
an ambulatorium. Members are entitled to sanitarium treatment for
nine months, at no extra charge. If the sanitarium is full, the
member receives $600 as benefits in lieu of treatment.
The member may also take out life insurance ranging from $100
to $3,000; the fee for this varies according to the age of the insured.
In some instances labor organizations have, either by themselves
or jointly with other trade-unions, taken steps to provide medical
care, without profit, to their members.
Originally established as a division of the joint board of sanitary
control in the ladies’ garment industry of New York City in 1914,
the Union Health Center became a separate organization sponsored
by nine locals of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union
early in 1919. Shortly after the end of the disastrous left-wing
strike of 1926, membership in the Health Center was opened to any
labor union in the city. Each affiliating union pays a fee which
varies according to its membership. Payment of this fee entitles its
members to medical care at nominal rates. The center not only
gives general medical care but has special clinics. It also operates a
drug department where prescriptions are filled at nominal rates. The
whole system is operated on a nonprofit basis.
Since 1926 the Cincinnati locals of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers have had a contract with a local health agency entitling
members to medical examination and treatment of minor ailments.
The preventive value of such examination has been stressed through
out. A dental service has also been installed. Another service is
that of visiting nurses.
The Chicago locals of the same union have a dental clinic in their
headquarters building.
A nonprofit health organization was formed in Los Angeles in 1929
to provide medical care for trade-unionists. This organization, the
Union Labor Benefit League, for a fee of $1.50 per month, undertakes
to provide medical examination, prescriptions, medical care, and
surgical operations, for each member and the wholly dependent
members of his family. A report to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
from the secretary of the league states that the organization in 1930
had more than 10,000 members. It is estimated by the league that
the treatments given during the first half of 1930 would, at the regular
minimum medical rates, have cost nearly $75,000 more than the
amount paid in by the members in dues.
Cooperative Provision of Medical Service Abroad
M a n y European countries have elaborate systems ol health insur
ance which provide medical treatment and sick benefits, especially
for the working class. In such cases, of course, members of coopera
tive societies are also entitled to benefits under the system and any
medical care provided by the society is in addition to the public bene-
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fits. In some cases, however, the medical care supplied by the health
insurance scheme applies only to the worker and not to his wife and
children. Therefore, notwithstanding the prevalence of health in
surance, many instances of the provision of medical care, sick benefits,
and work for the preservation of health and prevention of illness are
found in the cooperative movements of the European countries. Some
of these are discussed briefly below.
Belgium
The Belgian cooperative societies are noted for their interest in the
social life and well-being of the members. In some places the society
is the center of the social life of the community. It is characteristic
of the Belgian societies, especially the Socialist societies, that they
return no dividends on purchases; the funds are used in ways which
promote the welfare of the membership as a whole—as for sick benefits,
maternity benefits, old-age and invalidity pensions for members and
employees, for medical and nursing care, for social and recreational
purposes, etc. Some of the societies operate children’s vacation
homes whose purpose is the preservation of the health of the
members’ children. Others also provide free medical service for the
members.
The Belgian Cooperative Union reported that in 1929 it paid sick
ness and disability benefits, amounting to 1,436,288 francs ($39,929),
to 418,012 persons; 1,194 death benefits, amounting to 147,045
francs ($4,088), and pensions amounting to 1,452,361 francs ($40,376).
The cooperative society in Ghent maintains a clinic and health
department, and in Brussels the cooperators have a medical clinic
with up-to-date equipment and more than a score of doctors who work
on a salary. The clinic in 1925 had 90,000 members, of whom on an
average some 2,000 were treated each week. The rates are very low
and entitle the member not only to treatment, but to sick benefits.
There are also, in the same city, a number of cooperative drug
stores. The .first such society in Belgium was formed in Brussels in
1882. Several more, all connected with the workers’ friendly societies,
were formed some years later. From Brabant the movement spread
into Flanders and into the Liege district. Not only were independent
pharmacy societies formed, but some of the consumers’ cooperative
societies started their own cooperative drug stores. Victor Serwy
estimated that there were in 1929 about 100 of these cooperative drug
stores throughout Belgium and that the business done by them
amounted to some 12,000,000 francs ($333,600) annually.
Fay remarks that these societies “ have done a great work for
Belgian working people,” and states that they have reduced the price
of medicines by “ at least 50 per cent.”
Canada
111 the autumn of 1924 the farmers of the Edgerton District (Al
berta) formed a “ medical club” to furnish medical service to the
members. Each member paid a fee of $1.25 per month, for which
he received medical service for himself and all the members of his
family under the age of 21. The service was to include not only
general medical treatment but minor operations. For obstetrical
service and major operations an additional fee was charged.
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The club never grew very large; it never had more than 30 members.
It was in operation until about Christmas time, 1929, when it
disbanded.
Finland
The Finnish Cooperative Wholesale Society, S. O. K., has insured
its regular employees against sickness, accident, and old age. Funeral
benefits are also provided. As part of its general welfare work the
society runs a vacation home for its staff as well as similar homes for
the children of the members.
France
One of the developments by the consumers’ cooperative societies
of France has been the organization of vacations in the country and
the maintenance of children’s colonies for health and welfare purposes.
The consumers’ society of the Somme district maintains a seaside
colony which cared for 1,000 children in 1927 and some 2,000 in 1929;
each child stays two weeks and all expenses are free, including trans
portation both ways. Some of the societies make arrangements for
the children of members to spend a free vacation at the homes of
cooperators in country districts. There is also the Aerium of
L’Enfance Coopérative which is open all the year round and the
“ Happy Home” on the Island of Oleron. The cooperative society of
Lersin maintains a vacation home for children from 7 to 13 years of
The Cooperative Union of Paris operates for its members a medical,
surgical, and dental clinic; it also pays sick, maternity, and death
benefits in proportion to purchases. Five vacation colonies are
owned and run by the union, which are open to members at low rates.
Germany
The Hamburg Cooperative Society in 1918 erected a convalescent
home for the children of its members, at a cost of 1,000,000 marks.
This home accommodates free of charge some 1,000 children annually—
100 at a time—for a period of four weeks each. Similar convalescent
colonies have been opened by the Berlin Consumers’ Cooperative
Society and the Consumers’ Cooperative Society of Munchen-Sendling.
The German Cooperative Wholesale Society, on the anniversary of
the twenty-fifth year of service of its director-emeritus in 1929,
acquired a property (formerly used as a hotel) for use as a rest and
convalescent home for cooperators. The home can accommodate 110
persons at a time. A charge of 3 to 4 reichsmarks (71 to 95 cents)
per day is made.
Great Britain
The English Cooperative Wholesale Society maintains a health
insurance section “ established to administer for cooperators and
others the benefits of the [health insurance] acts.” In 1930 this
section had 280,000 members and had paid £3,103,000 ($15,100,750)
in benefits. The valuation of the society by the Government actuary
showed a surplus amounting to £742,000 ($3,610,943), which the
society has used to provide additional benefits. Thus it has pro
vided dental care, making no charge for fillings and extractions, but
charging 15 per cent of the cost of artificial teeth; convalescent home
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treatment; hospital care, up to a cost of 3s. (73 cents) a day; and
medical and surgical appliances, up to a cost of £2 ($9.73) and half
of their cost beyond that sum, subject to a total cost of £10 ($48.67);
optical examination and provision of eyeglasses at reduced rates; and
grants to needy members. The ordinary cash benefits of the national
health insurance scheme have been increased out of the society’s
funds as follows: Sick benefits, from 15s. to 20s. ($3.65 to $4.87) per
week for men and from 12s. to 15s. ($2.92 to $3.65) for women; dis
ability benefits, from 7s. 6d. to 10s. ($1.83 to $2.43) for men and from
7s. 6d. to 9s. ($1.83 to $2.19) for women.
The Ipswich Cooperative Society celebrated its seventy-fifth anni
versary in 1928 by presenting to the city a 2-story building, with
equipment, to be used as a medical dispensary for the benefit of sick
persons unable to afford necessary surgical and medical supplies.
This organization, it is reported, cared for more than 800 cases in
1928 and some 1,000 persons in 1929.
In_ some cases when the consumers’ cooperative movement has
acquired estates and farms, for agricultural purposes, the dwellings
have been used for sanitariums. The Scottish cooperative women’s
guilds have been active in behalf of convalescents and the English
guilds have a convalescent fund of their own.
The Nottingham society, which had a contract with local opticians
to examine the eyes of its members, early in 1930 decided to discon
tinue this arrangement and hire its own optician and chemist on a
salary basis. The Coventry society operates, for the benefit of its
36,600 members, four drug stores.
Hungary
In Hungary the Cooperative Union and Wholesale, Hangya, and
the Central Cooperative Credit Institute have established a 60-bed
hospital for cooperative employees. The children of employees are
received free. The action of the wholesale society in arranging for
vacations at summer resorts, either for nothing or at reduced rates,
may also be regarded as a health measure.
India
It was reported, in 1924, that cooperative societies were being
formed in Bengal for the purpose of fighting malaria. Each member
paid a monthly fee. The sums so raised were used to hire workers
to treat stagnant water with kerosène, to clear the jungles, and to fill
up the pools in the rainy season. Some of the societies also hired
physicians and maintained dispensaries.
A central society which had been formed in 1919 purchased the
drugs and other supplies for the local societies.
Italy
Some of the Italian consumers’ cooperative societies have organ
ized sanitary services, maintain seaside and mountain colonies to
which the children of members are sent for health and recreation,
and operate hospitals for the poor. The Trieste society pays the
expenses of 15 children at a time, for six months, at its tuberculosis
preventorium. At one time it sent 140 children to a seaside resort
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for a month. It was reported in 1929 that the society was planning
to establish a mountain colony. The Cooperative Alliance of Turin
maintains two children’s colonies, one at the seaside and one in the
mountains, which have taken in more than 6,000 children. A sea
side and a mountain colony are also maintained by the Milan Coopera
tive Union for the children of its members.
There are also in Italy a number of cooperative pharmacy societies.
The first of these was started in 1890 by the General Association of
Salaried Employees of Milan, for the purpose of the cooperative
purchase of pharmaceutical supplies and sanitary appliances. The
society grew rapidly and in a few months had a membership of 694
members. It is still in existence and now owns 13 of the largest
drug stores in the city, a pharmaceutical laboratory, and an analytical
laboratory. It manufactures many of the products it sells and is the
owner of a number of patents. It now has 2,600 members. It is
stated that the society has considerable effect on the level of the
local prices of drugs. One of the aims of the society is the instruction
of its members in the principles of health and sanitation. Since 1908
it has, “ with the collaboration of eminent medical men of interna
tional standing, published a theoretical and practical guide for
doctors ” ; it also edits a regular series of practical medical publications
and a monthly bulletin on the health of children.
The cooperative pharmaceutical societies of Italy are of three
kinds: Those operating drug stores for members and the public, those
run by and for a single occupational group, and those run as a special
branch of another distributive organization. Of the last-named type
are the seven drug stores of the Turin Cooperative Alliance, which
do an annual business of some 7,500,000 lire ($394,500), the People’s
Chemist Shop of Como, run by the Federation of Cooperative Socie
ties of Como, the drug store belonging to the cooperative dairy
society of Soresina, and the pharmaceutical establishment run by
the society, “ Cooperative Family,” of Avio.
Netherlands
Many of the cooperative societies of the Netherlands have a sepa
rate fund used to provide welfare benefits for the members in such
forms as sick benefits, death benefits, maternity benefits, etc.
A very good example of the services which can be rendered to
members, in the way of medical and health service, by a cooperative
society is the Yolharding Society of The Hague. This society was
founded as a consumers’ cooperative society but started a medical
section and insurance section as part of its work. In 1922 it had
48,000 persons in membership in this department. Now its regular
membership numbers 15,664, but there are some 50,000 persons
who are members of the medical and insurance department. (The
medical department serves the members of two other cooperative
societies in the city.)
The society operates an up-to-date clinic, with a 30-bed infirmary,
operating rooms, and a lying-in room. It employs 26 physicians and 6
dentists, all of whom are full-time employees except the 8 who are
specialists. Members receive free medical service, having their
choice among the society’s physicians.
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At death the society pays a benefit varying with the length of
membership in the society.
On January 17, 1930, the Netherlands sickness insurance law for
wage earners went into effect, and while the law permitted the con
tinuance of approved sick benefit societies, it is not known what
effect the new system has had upon medical service of the Volhardin0Society.
Norway
The Economist Consumers’ Association of Stavanger, Norway, sets
aside each year one-third of the net trading gain. This money is
put into a fund, called the “ assistance fund,” and is used to assist
members in times of sickness, unemployment, and other emergencies.
Soviet Union
The consumers’ cooperative movement in Russia is devoting an
increasing amount of attention to assisting women and children in
health matters and to instructing mothers in child care. The move
ment has set up a fund for the purpose, the money being raised by
deduction from the net profit and a certain percentage of the sales.
The fund is used to establish nurseries, kindergartens, and playgrounds
and to provide medical advice to mothers and children. The fund
has been in existence for some years.
In 1928, on the tenth anniversary of the first congress of peasant
and working women, the Central Cooperative Union, Centrosoyus,
established _a traveling health consultation agency. This organi
zation consists of a physician, a trained nurse, a technical assistant,
and a cooperative instructor. The little group moves from village
to village, stopping for about three months in each. At each place
the children and their mothers are given a medical examination, and
the physician gives illustrated lectures on the hygiene and care of the
chddren. Each mother is given written instructions as to what ■
measures she is ^to take. While this is going on, the cooperative
instructor is giving talks on the cooperative movement and its ad
vantages. Before leaving the village the health center starts a per
manent organization to continue its work.
The union also maintains for the benefit of its employees a 40-bed
hospital, with a staff of specialists and assistants; an analytical
laboratory; an X-ray laboratory; ambulance stations; a dental
clinic; a rest house in the suburbs of Moscow; and a sanitarium in
the Crimea. When an employee is seriously ill, the society’s physi
cians visit him at his home.
Spain
The cooperative society, La Mutualidad Obrera, in Madrid, has
since 1904 maintained a health service as one of its departments.
The society operates several clinics in different parts of the city^
each having a number of beds, an operating room, dental clinic, and a
staff of physicians and nurses. The drug store connected with each
clinic furnishes free medicine to the members.
I or the service the members pay 4%pesetas a month.
The service rendered includes medical attention, major and other
operations, medical advice, and burial. The only extra cost is for
gold teeth.
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The mutual-aid sections of the fishermen’s cooperative societies
(pósitos) pay sick and death benefits and provide medical care and
medical attendance. During the 5-year period, 1924 to 1929, such
benefits and service amounted to a value of more than $150,000.
Switzerland
For the benefit of its employees the Swiss Cooperative Union
maintains an insurance department from which it pays invalidity and
old-age benefits, as well as pensions to the dependents of deceased
employees.
The union has for some years maintained a holiday home for its
employees. In 1929 a second summer^ “ vacation colony,” for
members, was opened at Weggis. During the 28 weeks during
which the vacation home was open, 1,270 adults and 62 children
spent some time there. The colony is, owned by the union, but each
society affiliated with the union has the right to nominate a certain
number of its members for a week’s sojourn at the colony. The
entire cost of board and lodging is borne by the union, which also
refunds to the visitors the amount spent for transportation to and
from their homes. Persons not sent by member societies pay for
board and lodging at a very low rate.
Yugoslavia
One of the phases of the cooperative movement in Yugoslavia is
the cooperative hygiene societies, which provide medical treatment,
drugs, medicines, etc., and carry on general educational work in
hygiene. In 1926 there were in Yugoslavia 28 of these societies,
having a combined membership of 8,281 persons; during that year
16,819 cases received treatment.
The need for the services of these societies is revealed by a report
by a Yugoslav sociologist that in 1926, in that country 72 per cent of
the dwellings were “ damp, dark, or obstructed,” 12 per cent had.
paper (instead of glass) windows or only wooden shutters, 30 per cent
had no means of lighting their houses artificially, 38 per cent had no
beds, 20 per cent no tables or chairs, and 8 per cent had no arrange
ments for heating. Ninety-five per cent of the inhabitants had no
way of procuring pure drinking water, and 88 per cent had to go with
out medical attention when ill.
In 1929 the number of societies had risen to 48 and their member
ship to 15,372; the number of persons receiving treatment was
33,242.
C o o p e ra tiv e L a b o r S o c ie tie s in Ita ly
N FEW countries have workers’ productive societies attained any
great importance in the general cooperative movement. Italy is
one of the countries, however, in which cooperative labor societies
have attained real success. An article in the January, 1931, issue of
the Monthly Bulletin of Agricultural Economics and Sociology,
published by the International Institute of Agriculture (Rome),
contains an account of the present status of these societies in Italy.
I
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
These societies are formed mainly among navvies 1 and laborers in
the building trades, primarily to provide employment for the mem
bers and to attain working independence. These organizations take
contracts for public works, such as the construction and maintenance
of roads, bridges, and canals, and drainage, reclamation and irriga
tion of land, land improvement, etc. The maximum value of any one
society is fixed by decree at 1,000,000 lire 2 ($52,600), but several
societies may combine into a union to carry out contracts up to a
value of 5,000,000 lire ($263,000).
The societies are required to register with the local authorities, and
5 per cent of every payment for work, as it becomes due, is withheld
as a guaranty of the faithful performance of the contract. The
societies are also subject to Government supervision.
At the end of the year 1929 there were in Italy 1,301 cooperative
labor societies with a combined membership of 105,453. The
greatest development has been attained in the Province of Emilia
where there are 356 societies with 46,269 members. The Province of
Venetia has 189 societies with 16,464 members, Tuscany 124 societies
with 11,564 members, and Lombardy 102 societies with 5,713 mem
bers. In March, 1930, these local societies had formed 20 unions to
carry out the larger contracts.
The work done by certain of the societies and their unions has been
rather remarkable. Thus the union at Reggio Emilia has carried on
annually, in the Province of Parma, land-improvement works valued
at from 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 lire ($420,800 to $526,000) and has
at times given employment to as many as 2,000 workmen. The
union of the Province of Modena, formed in 1915 and including in
membership 40 societies, in 1929 carried out contracts aggregating
13,402,000 lire ($704,945), and is now employing several hundred
workers on contracts amounting to about 20,000,000 lire ($1,052,000).
The union at Grosseto, Tuscany, formed in 1921, has two sections,
dealing, respectively, with labor and agriculture. The labor section
undertakes the usual contracts for building construction and land work,
while the agricultural section carries out land improvement and cul
tivation, employing such farm labor as can be supplied by its con
stituent societies. In 1926 the section leased an estate of some 900
hectares3 (2,224 acres) which it is radically transforming. It has
dug more than 6 miles of drainage ditches and canals, sunk wells,
and built fences and shelters for the men, the livestock, and the
machinery, and has now started cultivation.
Another society, the Milan Society, is reclaiming part of the lower
basin of the Sele River, in the Province of Salerno. Originally a
“ marshy and malaria-stricken district,” the place is being rendered
healthful, and a village is being built and a wide canal constructed.
More than 400 workers are being employed on the project. Even
tually cultivation of the land will be undertaken.
The Labor Society of Ravenna Men, which has been in existence
for 56 years, is noted for the reclamation work it has done in Ostia,
Maccarese, Isola Sacra, and Camposalino in the Roman Campagna.
The land so reclaimed totals some 70,000 hectares (172,970 acres).
Statistics compiled by the National Institute of Cooperation,
quoted in the article under review, show that in 1927 these societies
1Laborers, usually engaged in work on canals, railroads, embankments, etc.
2 Conversions into United States currency on basis of lira =5.26 cents.
3 Hectare =2.471 acres,
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COOPERATION
123
carried on construction work to the value of 182,089,089 lire
($9,577,886), reclamation work to the value of 45,459,436 lire
($2,391,166), and road-maintenance work aggregating; 11,311,449
lire ($594,982).
C o m p u lso ry A g r ic u ltu r a l C o o p e ra tiv e S o c ie tie s in P e ru
HE Monthly Bulletin of Agricultural Economics and Sociology,1
in its November, 1930, issue contains a summary of a law recently
passed in Peru which makes compulsory the organization of farmers
into agricultural societies. The object is, it is stated, “ to make use
of these legally recognized agricultural organizations for guiding the
farming class toward higher voluntary forms of cooperative market
ing, amalgamation of farm undertakings, and joint contract, the rise
and development of all of which would otherwise, without this basis
of legal recognition, be much delayed. ”
Each provincial governor is directed to call together the farmers of
his Province for the purpose of organizing the societies, and when
formed the societies will be “ controlled and inspected” by the
department of agriculture and stock f a r m i n g .
No farmer will be able to “ evade the obligation” of belonging to
the society in his district, on pain of being barred from the (tax?)
exemptions granted to agriculturists and from purchasing guano for
his farming operations. Also, it is pointed out, “ only members of
these societies can in any way secure representation in the Govern
ment.”
It is stated that these societies will be “ at once political, economic,
and legal in character.” Their purposes include (1) the furthering
of advanced methods of cultivation, irrigation, etc., (2) the organi
zation of agricultural cooperation of all types and forms (including
the marketing of crops, purchase of farm machinery and supplies,
etc.), (3) the safeguarding of the members’ rights and the supervision
of the performance of their duties, and (4) the appointment of a
legal representative to represent them in all dealings with the Govern
ment on questions relating to the industry.
The members will pay monthly contributions to the society.
T
W o m e n in t h e S o v iet C o o p e ra tiv e M o v e m e n t
HE total membership of the Russian consumers’ cooperative
movement on January 1, 1931, according to the April 10, 1931,
T
issue of the Information Bulletin of Centrosoyus, reached 56,000,000
persons. Of the total number, woman members on September 1,
1930, formed 25.9 per cent, as compared with 14.39 per cent on October
1, 1928. As they have grown in numbers the woman cooperators
have also been successful in gaining increasing representation on the
boards of directors and auditing committees. In the towns, in 192930, women formed 31.1 per cent of the total membership of boards of
directors and 26.4 per cent of the membership of the auditing com
mittees; in the rural societies the proportion was 19.2 and 16.7 per
cent, respectively.
1 Part II of the International Review of Agriculture, Rome.
63413°—31----- 9
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Much propaganda work is being carried on among the workers’
wives and among the peasant women for the purpose of enlisting their
active interest in the work of the cooperative societies. In one region
the cooperative women have organized on a cooperative basis 128
creches for the care of the children of the peasant women while they
work in the fields. In another area the regional cooperative union
has organized 8 medical clinics for women, 300 “ children’s institu
tions” (including playgrounds, gardens, etc.), and 125 dressmaking
courses.
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INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
S trik e s an d L o c k o u ts in t h e U n ite d S ta te s , in M a y , 1931
ATA regarding industrial disputes in the United States for May,
1931, with comparable data for preceding months are presented
below. Disputes involving fewer than six workers and lasting less
than one day have been omitted.
Table 1 shows the number of disputes beginning in 1927, 1928,
1929, and 1930, number of workers involved and man-days lost for
these years and for each of the months—January, 1929, to May, 1931,
inclusive—as well as the number of disputes in effect at the end of
each month and the number of workers involved. The economic
loss (in man-days) involved is computed by multiplying the number
of workers affected in each dispute by the length of the dispute
measured in working-days as normally worked by the industry or
trade in question.
D
T a b l e 1 — IN D U S T R IA L D ISPU T E S B E G IN N IN G IN A N D IN E F F E C T A T E N D OF EA CH
M O N TH , JA N U A R Y , 1929, TO M A Y, 1931, A N D T O TAL N U M B E R OF D IS P U T E S , W ORK
E R S, A N D M A N -D A Y S LOST IN T H E Y E A R S 1927, 1928, 1929, A N D 1930
Number of disputes
Month and year
1927:
1928:
1929:
1930:
Beginning1 In effect
in month
at end of
month
or year
734
629
903
653
Total
Total
Total
Total
1929
January- ______ _ - _______ - _____
February.
..
. . . .
..
March__ ___ _________ ____________ .
April________________________________ .
M ay____ __________
..
-------- .
J u n e... _
_
....................................... ...
July----------------------------------------------------A ugust______________ . _______________
Septem ber... ____________ . . . . . . . . ._
October_____ __________ ______________
November.......................... ...........
December__________ . -------------------- _
1930
January___________ ____ _____________ .
February___________________ . . ------- -M arch.„
__________
. _ ______ .
April____ -- . ______________
. .
M a y ____ _ ______
. _- -- - - - - - June_______________ ________ _______
July___________________________________
A ugust____ . . . . . .- ______ ______ .
S e p te m b e r ...---- -- ------------- ---------------October_____ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -----November________ _________ ----December________________ _______ .
______________
_____ _______ .
____________ .
______________
t _____________
349,434
357,145
230, 463
158,114
37, 799,394
31, 556, 947
9, 975, 213
2, 730,368
48
54
77
117
115
73
80
78
98
69
61
33
31
35
37
53
73
57
53
43
49
31
32
21
14, 783
22,858
14, 031
32, 989
13, 668
19, 989
36,152
25, 616
20, 233
16,315
10, 443
3,386
39, 569
40, 306
40, 516
52,445
(¡4, 853
58,152
15, 589
6, 714
8,132
6,135
6,067
2,343
951, 914
926, 679
1, 074, 468
1,429, 437
1, 727, 694
1, 627, 565
1, 062, 428
358,148
244, 864
272, 018
204, 457
95, 541
45
52
49
64
66
59
78
51
72
47
44
26
21
40
38
41
29
34
30
33
44
31
29
7
9, 240
37,480
15,017
6,379
9, 329
14, Oil
14, 308
15, 902
16, 337
10, 858
4, 390
4, 863
5,316
6, 683
5,957
5, 840
4, 386
8,311
4,815
7, 131
13, 778
16,007
7, 759
5,144
184, 730
438, 570
291, 127
189, 828
185, 448
144, 117
141, 647
142, 738
208, 184
335, 916
273,608
194,455
50
52
45
66
83
20
34
27
52
71
10, 147
19,984
26, 121
25,154
28,180
2, 927
12, 512
28,139
23, 058
21, 325
1931
January_____ . . . ____
February...
.. - ...
March____ ___________
A pril1_____ ______ . -_
M a y 1_______ . .
.
.
Number of workers in
volved in disputes
Number of
man-days
lost during
Beginning
month or
In effect
in month
at end of
year
or year
month
✓
181, 031
228, 329
422, 545
778, 322
445, 384
1 Preliminary figures subject to change.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Occurrence of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
T a b l e 2 gives by industry the number of strikes beginning in
March, April, and May, 1931, and the number of workers directly
involved.
T able 3 .—IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN M A RC H , APR IL, A N D M A Y, 1931
Number of disputes begin
ning in—-
jNumbers
of workers involved
in disputes beginning in—
Industry
March
Auto, carriage, and wagon workers__ _ _
Bakers
_ _____ . . . . . _
Barbers
_.
_. __________
. _
Blick and tile workers
___________
Building trades____ _____________ ____
Chauffeurs, teamsters. . .
______ _
Clothing_____ ________________________
Food workers
Furniture. . ____
__. . .
Glassworkers. . .
_ _________
Iron and steel .
____ __ . . .
Laundry workers .
Leather__________ ___________________
Longshoremen, freight handlers.
Lumber, timber, and niillwork___
. _
M etal trades
Miners
. . . . . .
__ . . . .
Motion-picture machine operators, actors,
and theatrical workers. . . .
Printing and publishing
Stationary engineers and firemen ___
Stone _______ . . .
M unicipal workers. .
Textiles'______ _ _______ ____________
Tobacco... _ .
. . . .
Other occupations
_____
Total ___________ _____________
April
1
2
i
23
3
12
1
1
16
1
7
1
1
March
May
26
1
7
1
2
1
1
1
3
4
2
6
14
5, 800
1,406
1,033
54
35
1,310
6
717
70
75
8
1
66
45
107
1, 200
5, 211
150
438
65
1,600
500
60
400
2, 790
4
23
12
30
50
125
22,906
68
14, 700
284
6,402
1
29
11
1
1
7
1
M ay
100
16
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
April
2
6
1
2
83
12
12
80
746
34
26,121
776
100
25,154
3, 326
6, 026
9
560
28,180
Size and Duration of Industrial Disputes, by Industries
T a b l e 3 g iv e s th e n u m b e r o f in d u s tr ia l d is p u te s b e g in n in g in
M a y , 1 9 3 1 , c la s sifie d b y n u m b e r of. w o r k e r s a n d b y in d u s tr ie s .
T able 3 .—N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S B E G IN N IN G IN M A Y, 1931, C L ASSIFIED
B Y N U M B E R OF W OR K ER S A N D BY IN D U S T R IE S
Number of disputes beginning in M ay, 1931,
involving—
Industry
6 and
20 and
100 and 500 and
under 20 under 100 under 500 under
1,000
workers workers workers
workers
Bakers . . .
___
Barbers . _
..................................
Building trades .
. ____________ ____
Chauffeurs, teamsters
..
. . _________
Clothing_______ ..
. . .
Glass workers
. . . . ____
Iron and steel. . . . . . .
Leather
_
.
. _____ .
M etal trades . .
. .. .. .
M iners_______________ ______ ________
_ _____
Printing and publishing
. . . . . __ _
Municipal workers
.
___
Textiles _
_____ _____
Tobacco . . . . .
....
...................
Other occupations____ ______________ . . . . . . . _
T otal________________ ___________________
1
2
3
13
1
4
1
i
i
i
1
8
i
9
1
2
8
i
2
i
2
2
9
1
3
1
1
34
26
1,000 and
under
5,000
workers
i
i
3
2
1
2
1
4
10
In Table 4 are shown the number of industrial disputes ending in
May, 1931, by industries and classified duration.
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In d u s t r i a l d i s p u t e s
127
T able 4 .—N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D ISPU T ES E N D IN G IN M A Y, 1931, BY IN D U ST R IE S
A N D CLASSIFIED D U R A TIO N
Classified duration of strikes ending in M ay, 1931
Industry
One-half
month or
less
Over onehalf and
less than
1 month
1 month
and less
than
2 months
2 months
and less
than
3 months
Bakers______________________
Building trades______________
Chauffeurs, teamsters________
Clothing____________________
Furniture___________________
Iron and steel--------------- -------Laundry workers................„.......
Leather_____________________
Longshoremen, freight handlers
M etaltrades__------ ---------------Miners______________________
Printing and publishing--------Municipal workers___________
Textiles___________ __________
Other occupations____________
10
Total _
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Beginning in May, 1931
Silk workers, Pennsylvania.—A strike of some 3,000 silk workers
in Allentown beginning as of May 1 and affecting approximately 16
or more mills is still in progress. This was a protest strike, it is said,
against wage reductions running up to 16% per cent.
Building-trades workers.—A successful strike of 2,000 buildingtrades workers in Indianapolis, Ind., against a wage reduction of 20
per cent lasted from May 1 to May 14.
An unsuccessful strike of 1,100 building-trades workers in Youngs
town, Ohio, including carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, against
a wage reduction of $1 per day, is reported to have begun on May 1
and to have ended on May 9.
Steel workers, Ohio.—Following two wage reductions during May
amounting to 15 per cent, approximately 1,500 employees of the
Empire Steel Corporation of Mansfield struck on May 12 and May 13.
The strike ended on May 15 after the company agreed to restore the
wage scale of April 30. Some minor differences were compromised
and others deferred for later determination.
The company on May 28 went into receivership and the employees
on June 6, without the knowledge of the company officials, voted in
favor of a wage reduction of 5 per cent to be effective for 3 months.
Rubber, leather, and textile workers, Indiana.—Some 2,800 workers
of both sexes, members of Rubber Workers’ Union No. 18155 and
employed by the Mishawaka Rubber & Woolen Manufacturing Co. of
Mishawaka struck on May_ 18 because of alleged discrimination against
members of local union; installation of efficiency system, task and
bonus, reduction of wages. This strike is reported to have been
settled on June 8 by the employees’ voting to resume operations on
the company’s promise to discuss wage revision.
Municipal employees, Chicago.—A short strike of approximately
3,300 organized city employees, consisting of street cleaners, street
repair men, truck drivers, etc., in the department of public works,
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
was in effect May 21, on which date announcement was made that
preliminary negotiations had been successful, and that terms for a
permanent settlement of the dispute would be sought at a conference
to be held at the city hall on May 25. The strike, it is said, was
started by the street sweepers’ union as a protest against the mayor’s
economy program, and the other groups followed.
Pocketbook workers, New York City.—According to reports, some
2,500 pocketbook workers, members of the International Pocketbook
Workers’ Union, went on strike May 28, following the failure of
negotiations with their employers, represented by the Industrial
Council of the Leather Goods Manufacturers, for a new agreement on
wages and working conditions to take the place of the one which
expired on May 1. The main cause of the strike was the demand of
the manufacturers for a 25 per cent reduction in wages, and other
modifications, which were unacceptable to the workers, who wanted
a 40-hour week and a system of unemployment insurance. The
employers, it is said, refused arbitration. The action of the union in
calling the strike followed an alleged lockout ordered by the Industrial
Council on May 18, when work was refused to members of the union,
so that the lockout-strike began, it is understood, on the date last
mentioned.
A settlement of the strike was reached on June 10, when the workers
voted to accept a new agreement with the manufacturers, which
provides, it is said, for a 7% to 15 per cent reduction in wages, unem
ployment insurance to be supported equally by the union and the
empolyers, an increase in the number of apprentices in one branch of
the trade and allows employers to discharge 10 per cent of their
workers every six months.
Principal Strikes and Lockouts Continuing into May, 1931
Hosiery workers, Philadelphia.-—The strike which began on Feb
ruary 16 still continues in part. Press reports of June 1 stated that,
according to union officials, 21 of the open-shop mills had signed
agreements with the union since the strike began, but that the strike
was still effective in about a dozen plants and about 1,500 workers
were still out.
C o n c ilia tio n W o rk o f t h e D e p a r tm e n t of L a b o r in M a y , 1931
B y H u g h L. K e k w in , D irec to r
of
C o n c il ia t io n
HE Secretary of Labor, through the Conciliation Service, exer
cised his good offices in connection with 76 labor disputes during
May, 1931. These disputes affected a known total of 39,629 em
ployees. The table following shows the name and location of the
establishment or industry in which the dispute occurred, the nature
of the dispute (whether strike or lockout or controversy not having
reached the strike or lockout stage), the craft or trade concerned, the
cause of the dispute, its present status, the terms of settlement, the
date of beginning and ending, and the number of workers directly and
indirectly involved.
On June 1, 1931, there were 51 strikes before the department for
settlement and in addition 26 controversies which had not reached
the strike stase. The total number of cases pending was 77.
T
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LABOR D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E CO N C ILIA TIO N SE R V IC E D U R IN G T H E M O N T H OF M A Y , 1931
“Workers
involved
Duration
Company or industry, and location
Nature of
controversy
do
Craftsmen con
cerned
Tpxtilp, workprs
Plumbers - _
Cause of dispute
Wages cut 16 per cent
Renewal of agreement_____
[129]
St. Louis Public Service Co., St. Threatened S tr e e t - r a ilw a y Proposed 10 per cent wage c u t...
workers.
strike.
Louis, Mo.
Electrical workers, St. Louis, M o .. Controversy- Electrical workers.. Small contractors objected to insurance.
Wages cut 20 per cent ______
Lookout,
Building trades
Silk workprs
Asked union recognition and readjustment of wage rates.
Stroudsburg, Pa.
Stogip mokprs
Asked interpretation of agreement.
P.nilding tradp,s
Working conditions__
N . Y.
dn
Firemen
Wage cuts________________ ____
Braddock, Pa.
Asked 75 cents per hour; receiving
Poston Springfield Brick Co., ____do_____ Road pavers . .
30 to 40 cents.
Springfield, 111.
Building, Youngstown, Ohio_____ Strike_____ Building tra d es... Renewal of annual wage contract
Greenpoint Metallic Bed Co., ____d o ____ Coil assemblers___
Brooklyn, N . Y.
Printing-press maMason & Moore (Inc.), New York . __do___
chinists and helCity.
pers.
Longshoremen.
....
____do_____
M innesota-Atlantic Transit Co.,
Duluth, Minn.
Great Lakes Transit Co., Superior, ____do______ ____do........................
Wis.
Plumbers, Dayton, Ohio
Plumbers________
do
^nldi^r^’ TTorno Building, Dayton,
Ohio.
U nited States Army Post, Fort
Wayne, Mich.
iN o t reported.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
P e n d in g __
.
_____
Adjusted. Agreement renewed
for 2 years at $1.40 per hour.
Adjusted. Prevailing wage will
be paid; local labor where practicable.
Adjusted. Agreed on arbitration.
Adjusted. All union contractors
adopted new union contract.
Adjusted. Returned; no wage cut
P e n d in g ____________ 1________
___ _
do ___ _ _______
do____________________
___d o . ____
______________ _
Begin
ning
Ending
1931
M ay 1
__ do__
M ay 15
___do___
M ay
1931
3, 000
285
7
100
3, 550
Apr. 18
M ay 16
Apr. 27
M ay
1
500
M ay
M ay
M ay 14
2,000
110
1
6
M ay 1
M ay
5
___do.......
M ay
1
1,000
1, 50U
(>)
Apr. 28
Apr. 30
Adjusted. Compromised on 60 _._do___
cents per hour.
Adjusted. Carpenters accepted $1 M ay 1
per day cut.
Readjustment of piecework rates... Adjusted. Reemployed as indi- Apr. 30
viduals.
Wages cut 25 per cent; hours in- Adjusted. Continued old scale— Apr. 20
$1.25 per hour and 40-hour week.
creased from 8 to 9.
Proposed cut from 70 to 60 cents Adjusted. Accepted 5 cents per
hour cut.
per hour.
Proposed 15 per cent wage cut------ Adjusted. All returned w ith small
wage cut.
Adjusted. Agreement concluded;
Renewal of agreement; wages__
no change in wages; minor
changes.
do
S t r u c t u r a l ir o n __ do_________________________ Adjusted. Renewed last year’sagreement.
workers.
Controversy. Bricklayers........... Wages cut from $1.50 to $1.25 per Adjusted. Agreed to pay prevailing wage—$1.50 per hour.
hour.
D i Indi
rectly rectly
(')
26
400
M ay
9
1,100
2,000
M ay
4
35
315
Apr. 27
50
25
M ay 15
8
125
M ay 15
125
M ay
M ay
6
50
M ay 15
M ay 28
50
Mar. 2
M ay
25
8
IN D U STR IA L D ISP U T E S
Federal building, Lewiston, M ont. Controversy. Building trades___ Violation of prevailing wage, and
8-hour law.
Present status and terms of
settlement
2,300
to
CD
LABOR D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D BY TH E CO N C ILIA TIO N SERVICE D U R IN G T H E M O N T H OF M A Y, 1931
GO
O
Workers
involved
Duration
Company or industry, and location
Nature of
controversy
Craftsmen con
cerned
Cause of dispute
Present status and terms of
settlement
Begin
ning
[130]
Sturtevant Co., Hyde Park, M ass. _ _ __do____
Post-office building, Pittsburgh, Pa. _ __do__ _
Booth & Flinn, contractors, Pitts_do____
burgh, Pa.
South Fayette Coal Co., Union- ____d o ____
town, Pa.
Miners, Flushing, Ohio___
_ _do____
Scott’s Run Field, W. Va._
____d o ____
1931
Wages and working conditions___ Unclassified. Settled by inter- M ay 5
national union.
Cigar w o rk ers.___ Asked discharge of foreman..
Adjusted. Agreement concluded _ Mar. 15
1931
M ay 7
M ay
1
34
13
Water sanders__
M ay
8
25
100
12fi
48
14
3
M iners..
Shoe workers
Protest against low wages and conditions.
Alleged discrimination________
Unclassified. Strike call not effec- M ay 2
tive; continued without change.
Pending_________
Apr 27
Apr. 20
Apr. 27
M ay
4
M ay
M ay
do
6
Miners
M ay
2
M ay
8
200
4
M ay
1
M ay 11
40
90
M ay 11
M ay 29
5,020
M ay
9
M ay 11
60
3, 000
M ay
4
M ay 18
12
150
M ay
1
_ do
do
Wages cut 15 per cent____ ______
10 miners discharged.. _______
Wages cut; asked union wages and
recognition.
Adjusted. Compromised on 7)4
per cent cut.
Adjusted. A ll may return when
practicable.
Adjusted.
Union
agreement
signed by majority of those on
strike.
Adjusted. Laborers allowed 50
cents and mortar mixers 70 cents
per hour.
Unable to adjust. Some places
filled by new workers.
Pending___ ____________ ______
Bricklayers an d
carpenters.
Objection to laborers’ pay______
Fort Wayne Printing Co., Fort ___ do ___
Wayne, Ind.
Plym outh Quarries (Inc.), East ____d o _____
Weymouth, Mass.
Ludlow Valve Co., Troy, N . Y ____ ----- do_____
Lithographers
Refused to accept 10 per cent wage
cut.
Asked union recognition and prevailing wages.
Laborers cut from 66 to 50 cents per Adjusted. Company agreed to
hour; struck; molders refused
pay 66 cents per hour; laborers
work with nonunion men.
returned.
Proposed wage cut of $1 per day___ Adjusted. Withdrew proposal to
cut; $9 per day being paid.
Renewal of agreement_________
Adjusted. R etu rn ed w ith o u t
change; $12 per day and 40-hour
week.
W age cut ___________________
Adjusted. Accepted 12)4 -cent
cut; $1.15 per hour.
Granite cutters and
quarry workers.
M o ld e r s a n d
laborers.
Electricians, Salt Lake City, U ta h .. Controversy. E lectricia n s.____
Sheet-metal workers, Indianapolis,
Ind.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
._
350
Marble workers___ Wages cut 15 per cent; asked 8-hour Adjusted. Accepted 10 per cent
hour day and recognition of
cut and 48-hour week.
union.
Metal polishers___ Proposed 10 per cent wage cut___
Unclassified. Work sublet to
another company.
Carpenters
Violation of agreement .
. . .
Pending ______ ________
Pile drivers
___do__________ _______
_ _ _do_____________
Federal building, Toledo, Ohio____ ____do_____
Painters, Nassau and Queens Coun- Strike.
ties, N . Y.
D i Indi
rectly rectly
Painters
Controversy. Sheet-metalworkers
M ay 10
M ay
8
24
30
30
53
M ay 16
143
5
M ay 14
40
Apr. 24
M ay 12
450
Apr. 28
M ay
150
7
60
50
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
Deep Vein Coal Co., Princeton, Strike—. __
Ind.
Blum DeLuxe Cigar Co., New ------ do_____
York City.
Marmon-Hayes Automobile Co., Controversy..
Indianapolis, Ind.
Beker Friedman Co. (Inc.), Brook- Strike______
lyn, N . Y.
Excelsior Marble & Tile Works ____do___ _
(Inc.), N ew York City.
Ending
Gymnasium building, San Diego,
Calif.
Aircraft Shop, Naval Air Station,
San Diego, Calif.
Post-office building, Santa Ana,
Calif.
Elevator grain tanks, Chicago, I1L_.
Carpenters_______
___ do.................. .
Building trades___ Asked prevailing wage__________
Laborers on buildmg.
Mohican Market Co., Pittsburgh,
__ d o ___
Bakers.
Pa.
Davison Mining Co., Wilder, Tenn_ Threatened Miners
strike.
Fortress Coal & Coke Co., Wilder, ___do____ ____ do.
Tenn.
Brian H ill Collieries, Wilder, T enn. ___ d o __ _ _ ___do_
Strike_____
[131]
Udelawitz & Handelman, New
York City.
High-school building, Chicago, 111..
Knox Consolidated Coal Co., Bieknell, Ind.
Newark Evening News, Newark,
N . J.
H. Anton Bock & Co., N ew York
City.
M i Jogar Cigar Factory, N ew York
City.
Veterans’ Hospital, Gulfport, M iss. Threatened
strike.
Hospital for the Insane, Indianap Strike_____
olis, Ind.
M idway Theater, Philadelphia, Pa. Controversy.
McMullens-Leavens Shirt Co., ___ do_____
Glens Falls, N . Y.
U. S. Veterans’ Hospital, Milling
ton, N . J.
Excel Dress Co., N ew York C ity ...
1 N ot reported.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Asked prevailing wage, 97 V i cents
per hour.
Refusal to sign wage agreement___
Discharge of 10 men for union
membership.
Discharge of 80 men for union
membership.
Discharge of 50 men for union
membership.
Wages cut 20 per cent; starters
from $30 to $25, laborers to $22.50.
Asked 25 cents per hour increase__
Adjusted. Contractor agreed to
pay prevailing scale.
Pending_______________________
Objection to discrimination against Adjusted. System modified; re
instated those discharged for
members of union; installation
union membership.
of efficiency system, task and
bonus, reduction of wages.
Clothing w orkers._ Change in piecework rates_______ Pending______________ _____ ___
Employees.
Carpenters and la Asked prevailing wage__________
borers.
Miners........... ........... Asked union wages_____________
15
10
50
Mar. 4
10
150
60
75
M ay
5
M ay 11
M ay 18
4
12
M ay 10
10
125
__d o ___
80
220
__d o __
50
230
45
1,200
M ay 11
Adjusted. Returned (other terms
not reported).
50
1
_ d o ___
C1)
M ay 18
0)
June
8
2,800
100
M ay 17
Adjusted. Contractors agreed to M ay 11 M ay 12
pay prevailing wage.
Unclassified. Returned without M ay 20 M ay 25
change before commissioner’s
arrival.
Pending_____________ _____ ____ __do____
20
40
600
150
300
Adjusted. Withdrew proposal to M ay 18 M ay 18
readjust rates.
___ do____________ Readjustment of piecework rates. . Pending________ _____ ________ _ __do____
60
40
45
30
M ay 20
M ay 27
15
60
Apr. 15
M ay 11
50
25
M ay 26
5
18
382
120
20
Drivers and carriers. Wages and conditions..____ _____
Cigar makers_____
Proposed cut 50 cents per 1,000----
Cement finishers.... Working conditions--------------------
Adjusted.
ference.
Adjusted.
Strike averted in con
Union labor employed.
Hod carriers and en Nonunion labor employed........... .
gineers.
Trowel trades____ Nonunion stonemasons employed. Pending--------------- -------------------Shirt cutters_____ Proposed 10 per cent wage cut___ Adjusted. Accepted 10 per cent
cut and returned.
S t r u c t u r a l-ir o n Union men receiving $2 per hour Pending_____ _____________ ____
discharged; nonunion employed
workers.
at 1.37 H.
Dress workers____ Asked increase on $6 and $10 Adjusted. Allowed 5 cents on
and 10 cents on $10 dresses.
dresses.
M ay 22
Apr. 20
M ay 22
M ay 19
M ay 20
INDUSTRIAL D ISPUTES
Gimbel Department Store, Phila Controversy. E levator operators
delphia, Pa.
and starters.
Columbia Broadcasting System, Strike........... Plumbers________
Wayne, N . J.
Mishawaka Rubber & Woolen
Mfg. Co., Mishawaka, Ind.
Mar.
Asked prevailing wage, $8 per day;
receiving $5 to $7.
___ do_________________________
20
OS
LABOR D IS P U T E S H A N D L E D B Y T H E C O N C IL IA TIO N SER V IC E D U R IN G TH E M O N T H OF M A Y, 1931—Continued
OO
to
Workers
involved
Duration
Company or industry, and location
Nature of
controversy
Craftsmen con
cerned
Cause of dispute
Present status and terms of
settlement
Begin
ning
Irving C. Weiman (Inc.), N ew
York City.
Strike--------
City Power Bakery, Hazleton, Pa.. ----- d o ....
Dress workers.
Bakers____
Building_________
Hayes-Custer Stove Shop, Bloom
ington, 111.
Pocketbook makers, N ew York
City.
Strike_____
Stove workers____
---- do_____
Pocketbook makers
----- do.._____
..d o _____
Knitters___
Asked increase for piecework____
----- do___
Carpenters..
----- do___
Stage hands.
------ do.
------do.
1N ot reported.
Wage cut 10 cents per hour______
Adjusted. Accepted 754 to 15 per
cent wage cuts; company will
help support unemployment
insurance.
Pending_______________________
----- do_____
Building, Fort Harrison and
Indianapolis, Ind.
Fairgrounds Pavilion, Indianapolis,
Ind.
Veterans’ Hospital, Indianapolis,
Ind.
Total__________ _____ _____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Wages cut 25 per cent; asked 40hour week and unemployment
insurance.
Discrimination for union affiliation. Adjusted.
Acme-Evans job, Indianapolis, Ind. ___ do___
___ do___
June
4
24
June
2
Wages and discharges__________ _ Unable to adjust. Others em
ployed.
Wages for bricklayers, plasterers, Pending_______________________
cement finishers cut from $13 to
$9 per day.
Proposed wage cu t______________ Adjusted. Proposal withdrawn;
continued without cut.
.d o __ ____ _______
---- do________ ____ ____________
___ do___
____do.
.d o _______ _______
.do.
------do.
.d o______________
.do.
M ay 19
(>)
June 10
2,500
150
June
1
140
M ay 22
30
18
6
25
4
11
M ay 20
M ay 28
June
5
(!)
M ay 29
Apr. 28
do___
50
(i)
M ay 29
Allowed to organize__ ---d o___
Adjusted. Allowed $2.75 increase
per dozen on sports dresses.
Sym pathy with striking plumbers. Pending_______________________
___do___
M ay 28
3
7
0 ____
----- do_____ ------do_____
Building, Shreveport, La_________ Controversy. Building___
90
M ay
2
do__
.—do___ -.-d o ___
45
5
50
10
100
50
26,875 12, 754
r e v ie w
Saul Mutterpearl Factory, New
Bedford, Mass.
Universal Leather Co., Fall River,
Mass.
Gropper Sport Clothes Co., N ew
York City.
Central High Vocational School,
Erie, Pa.
Oxford Theater, Philadelphia, P a ..
M ay 25
labor
Post-office building, Decatur, I n d .. ----- do_____
D i Indi
rectly rectly
m onthly
Veterans’ Hospital, Tucson, Ariz__. Controversy. Carpenters.
Asked recognition of Needles Adjusted. Recognition not al -__do___
Trades Industrial Union; piece
lowed; some increases on piece
work rates.
work.
D ispute between unions relative Pending__ _____________________ M ay 27
to charter;
N ot paying prevailing wage______ Adjusted. Prevailing wage to be M ay 22
paid—carpenters, $8; laborers,
$3 per day.
Wage cuts.
Adjusted.
Allowed prevailing M ay 24
wage; local workers employed.
Pending_______________________ M ay 27
Ending
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
I n d u s tria l
D isp u te s in G re a t B r ita in
in 1930
an d
133
N o rth e rn
Ire la n d
HE Ministry of Labor Gazette for May, 1931, contains a review
of the industrial disputes occurring in Great Britain and Northern
Ireland in 1930, which shows that while the number of disputes
occasioning stoppages was only slightly less than in 1929, there was
a striking diminution in the number of workers involved and in the
amount of time lost. The number of disputes beginning in 1930
which caused a stoppage of work was 422, and the number of workers
directly concerned was 286,100, with 20,800 indirectly involved. In
addition, about 1,800 workers were involved, directly or indirectly,
in 8 disputes which began in 1929 and were still in progress at the
beginning of 1930. Disputes involving fewer than 10 workers and
those^ lasting less than one day are omitted from the statistics, it is
explained, except when the aggregate duration of the dispute (i. e.,
the number of workers multiplied by the number of working days,
allowing for workers replaced by others, etc.) exceeded 100 days.
Comparative figures for the two years are shown, by industries, in
the following table:
T
1.— N U M B E R OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S , W ORKERS IN V O L V E D , A N D DAYS
LOST D U R IN G 1929 A N D 1930 IN GREAT B R IT A IN A N D N O R T H E R N IR E L A N D , BY
IN D U S T R Y
T able
. 1929
Industry group
Num W orkers
ber of involved
dis
in all
putes
begun disputes
1930
Duration
(in work
ing days)
of all
disputes
N um Workers
ber of involved
dis
in all
putes
begun disputes
Duration
(in work
ing days)
of all
disputes
Coal ruining__ _
Other mining and quarrying___ . . . ._
Brick, pottery, g la s s __
.............
Iron and steel______ . . . . . . . . . . . . __
Engineering___ ___________
... _
Shipbuilding_____ _
...
Other metaL__
. . . . . . .
Cotton.
.
.
. .. .. .
Wool textile______________ __ _____ _
Other tex tile.._ ._
_ _____ _____
Clothing. ............. ...
Food, drink ,and tobacco. . . . . . . .
Woodworking, furniture, e t c ..
___. . .
Paper, printing, etc____ __________ _ .
Building, public works, contracting. ____
Transport. . . .
...
___ .
. . . ___
Commerce, distribution, and finance
Other. _.
________ . . . _ _ . . .
.
153
9
12
7
18
25
30
35
14
9
17
4
17
2
40
21
5
13
78, 500
1,200
500
3, 100
19, 900
8, 000
7, 700
392, 200
6, 800
1, 100
1, 600
100
1,400
400
3, 300
7, 200
300
500
576, 000
90, 000
6,000
56, 000
62, 000
529, 000
120, 000
6, 642, 000
106, 000
4,000
11, 000
4, 000
15, 000
20, 000
28, 000
13, 000
3,000
2, 000
150
8
7
5
11
23
31
17
7
20
21
5
23
6
47
22
5
14
148, 600
COO
600
700
800
4, 200
4, 200
2, 600
122, 200
4,000
1,400
900
3, 300
800
3,800
5, 200
3, 500
1, 300
663, 000
8,000
5, 000
9,000
8,000
15, 000
60, 000
36, 000
3, 279, 000
77, 000
10, 000
3, 000
88, 000
7, 000
46, 000
25, 000
51, 000
9, 000
T otal____________________________
431
533, 800
8,287, 000
422
308, 700
4, 399, 000
It will be noticed that while in 1929 the greatest loss of time
occurred in the cotton-textile industry, in which one dispute accounted
for over three-fourths of the total time lost, in 1930 there was com
paratively little trouble in that industry, the principal difficulties
occurring in the wool-textile and mining industries. In wool textiles,
as in cotton textiles the year before, most of the loss was due to one
dispute in which 120,000 workers were involved, while the aggregate
duration in working-days was 3,258,000.
Next to the woolen-textile industry, mining showed the greatest
degree of disturbance in 1930. By the coal mines act of 1930, hours
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[133]
134
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
were reduced from 8 to 7% a day, and disagreements arose as to the
terms of employment under the new act from December 1, onward.
At that date stoppages occurred involving about 76,000 workers in
Scotland, 6,000 in North Staffordshire, and 3,000 in Shropshire and
other districts. Temporary settlements were effected very promptly
m most cases, though in Scotland the dispute lasted for a week. The
total aggregate duration of these stoppages exceeded 440,000 working
days.
No other disputes in 1930 involved as many as 5,000 workers, but
three involved losses of between 50,000 and 70,000 working-days.
The first of these occurred in February and involved 3,250 insurance
agents, who were not satisfied with their remuneration. The general
council of the Trades Union Congress undertook to act as mediators
and effected a compromise, the agents waiving their other claims in
consideration of a guaranteed minimum rate of 50s. ($12.17) a week.
The second, which began in June, involved 1,250 upholstery workers,
who asked an advance in wages, limitation of junior labor and other
improvements in working conditions. A settlement was effected in
August, “ providing for a resumption of work at the old rate of wages
and for further consideration of the question of junior labor, the
other matters in dispute being settled provisionally.” The third
involved 620 silk knitters who ceased work in October in resistance
to a proposed reduction in wages, and remained out until February
25, 1931, when the reduction was accepted with some modifications.
Causes of Disputes
I n s o m e cases a dispute may have several causes, as, for instance,
a claim lor an increase in wages may be accompanied by a proposal
for reducing working hours. Trying in each case to attribute the
dispute to its principal cause, the ministry presents the following
table, showing the number and percentage of disputes in 1930, and
of workers directly involved in them, by the cause of dispute:
T able 2 .
CAUSES OF IN D U S T R IA L D IS P U T E S IN GREA T B R IT A IN A N D N O R T H E R N
Workers directly in
volved
Disputes
Principal cause
Number
Per cent
Wage increases _
V age decreases .
Other wage questions,, _
38
91
119
9.0
21.6
28.2
10, 600
125, 600
18, 700
3. 7
43. 9
6.5
All wage questions,_
Hours of labor,__
Employment of particular classes or persons
Other working arrangements, rules, or discinline
Trade-unionism
Other, _
248
19
79
46
28
2
58.8
4.5
18. 7
10.9
6.6
.5
154, 900
96, 700
17, 300
11, 800
5,100
300
54. 1
33.8
6. 1
4. 1
1.8
.1
422
100.00
286, 100
100.0
Total. _____
Number
Per cent
TVage questions account for more disputes than any other cause
and it is noticeable that in 1930 the most serious of these disagree
ments were in resistance to wage reductions while the efforts to secure
wage increases were responsible for only 9 per cent of the stoppages
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[134]
INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES
135
and only 3.7 per cent of the workers directly involved. Disagree
ments over hours of labor caused only a small proportion of the dis
putes but involved more workers than any other cause except wage
questions. Trade-unionism seemed an unimportant cause, both as
respects number of disputes and number of workers involved.
Results of Disputes
T he results of the disputes which began in 1930 are shown in
the following table:
T able 3 .
R ESULTS OF IN D U S T R IA L D ISPU T ES, B E G IN N IN G IN 1930IN GREAT B R IT A IN
A N D N O R T H E R N IR E L A N D
Workers directly in
volved
Disputes
Results
Number
Per cent
Number
Per cent
In favor of workers _ .
In favor of employers____
Compromised..
71
155
196
16.8
36. 7
46.5
17, 900
222, 500
45, 700
6.2
77.8
16.0
T otal_______
422
100. 00
2S6,100
100.0
Methods of Settlement
T he following table shows the num ber and percentage of dis
putes settled by each principal m ethod, w ith the num ber and pro
portion of workers directly in v o lv ed :
T a b le 4 .—M ET H O D S OP SE T T L E M E N T
Workers directly in
volved
Disputes
Method of settlement
Number
Direct negotiations...
Conciliation_____ . . .
Arbitration____ _ . . .
Return to work on employers’ terms without negotia
tions. __________
Replacement of workers...
Otherwise . . . . .
Total. . . .
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[135]
Per cent
Number
Per cent
265
39
9
62.8
9.3
2.1
173, 700
87,600
3.100
60.7
30.6
1.1
68
32
9
16.1
7.6
2.1
19,900
1.100
700
7.0
.4
.2
422
100.0
286,100
100.0
LABOR TURNOVER
L a b o r T u rn o v e r in A m e r ic a n F a c to r ie s , M a y , 1931
I
ABOR turnover rates for manufacturing as a whole and for 10
separate manufacturing industries are shown herewith.
In working turnover rates the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the
weighted arithmetic mean. The indexes for manufacturing as a whole
are compiled from reports made to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
by representative establishments in over 75 industries, employing ap
proximately 1,250,000 people. In the 10 industries for which separate
indexes are presented reports were received from representative plants
employing approximately 25 per cent of the employees as shown for
such industries by the Census of Manufactures of 1927. In the automo
tive industry schedules were received from plants employing more than
225,000 people. Firms reporting for boots and shoes employed nearly
100,000 people; those for cotton manufacturing employed approxi
mately 125,000 people; those for brick employed about 15,000 people;
those for foundry and machine shops employed nearly 175,000 people;
for furniture, about 45,000 people; iron and steel, over 225,000 people;
sawmills, approximately 65,000 people; men’s clothing, nearly 50,000
people; and slaughtering and meat packing, about 85,000 people.
•
^ s.h°w.s f°r
industries the total separation rate subdivided
into the quit, discharge, and lay-off rates, together with the accession
and net turnover rates, presented both on a monthly and an equivalent
annual basis.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
LABOR TURNOVER
T able
1.—AVER A G E
137
LABOR T U R N O V E R R A TES IN SE L E C T E D FA C TO R IES IN 75
IN D U S T R IE S
A.—M o n th ly R ates
Separation rates
Accession
rate
Month
January_______
February ____
March _______
April
__ _
M ay ___ _______
July
August.
Ortnhpr
"bJo vPTii hpr
r>pppmhpr
Average
Lay-off
Quit
Discharge
N et turn
over rate
Total
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1931
1930
1.85
1.60
1.94
2. 11
2.01
1 85
1. 35
1 40
1 50
1 29
. 90
.84
0. 74
.74
.94
1. 14
1. 12
2. 70
2. 50
2. 83
2. 57
2.68
3. 00
4. 17
3. 99
3. 14
2. 88
2. 77
2. 74
1.95
1.75
1. 75
1.96
2. 43
0.54
.62
.60
.53
.48
.46
.32
.36
.36
.32
.24
. 21
0.19
.20
.26
.31
.28
5. 09
4. 72
5. 37
5. 21
5. 17
5.31
5. 84
5. 75
5. 00
4.49
3. 91
3. 79
2.88
2. 69
2. 95
3.41
3.83
3.95
3.94
4. 15
3. 55
3. 28
2. 92
2. 51
2. 71
3. 2 !
2. 56
2. 05
2. 13
2. 97
2.82
3. 67
3.06
2. 79
3.95
3. 94
4. 15
3. 55
3. 28
2. 92
2.51
2. 71
3. 27
2. 56
2. 05
2. 13
4. 97
.43
3. 00
1 55
3. C8
1931
2.88
2.69
2.95
3.06
2. 79
3. 08
It.—E q u iv a len t A n n u a l R ates
January_______
February- -----March________
April ------- -M ay__________
Tliup
July
Nfivpmhpr
T)0PPTrihpr
A verage___
21. 8
20.9
22.8
25. 7
23. 7
22. 5
15. 9
16. 5
18 3
15 2
11 0
9.9
8. 7
9.0
11. 1
13.9
13. 2
18. 7
31.8
32.6
33. 3
31.3
31. 5
36. 5
49. 1
47. 0
38. 2
33. 9
33. 7
32. 2
35. 9
23. 0
22. 8
20. 6
23. 9
28.6
6.4
8.0
7.1
6.5
5.6
5. 6
3.8
4. 2
4.4
3.8
2.9
2. 5
5. 1
2. 2
2.6
3.1
3.8
3.3
60.0
61.5
63. 2
63. 5
60.8
64. 6
68. 8
67. 7
60. 9
52. 9
47. 6
44. 6
59. 7
33.9
35.0
34.8
41.6
45. 1
46.5
51.4
48.8
43. 2
38. 6
35. 5
29. 5
31.9
39. 8
30. 1
24. 9
25. 1
37. 1
35.0
36.8
43. 2
37. 2
32.8
46.5
51.4
48. 8
43. 2
38.6
35. 5
29. 5
31.9
. 39.8
30. 1
24. 9
25. 1
33.9
35.0
34. 8
37.2
32.8
37.1
The total separation rate for in d u stry as a whole for the month of
May was 3.83 and the accession rate was 2.79. Comparing the May,
1931, rates with those for April, 1931, there was a decrease in the quit,
discharge, and accession rates. The lay-off rate, however, showed an
increase. Comparing the May, 1931, with those for May, 1930, de
creases were shown for all classes of separation and for accessions.
In addition to the quit, discharge, lay-off, total separation, and
accession rates, the bureau presents the net turnover rate. The net
turnover rate means the rate of replacement. It is the number of
jobs that are vacated and filled per 100 employees. In a plant that is
increasing its force the net turnover rate is the same as the separation
rate, because while more people are hired than are separated from thenjobs the number hired above those leaving is due to expansion, and
can not be justly charged to turnover. On the other hand, in a plant
that is reducing its number of employees the net turnover rate is the
same as the accession rate, for while more people are separated from
the pay roll than are hired the excess of separations over accessions is
due to a reduction of force and therefore can not be logically charged
as a turnover expense.
The charts on pages 138 and 139 show in graphic form the data pre
sented in Table 1.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[137]
I N D E X E S O F A V ER A G E MONTHLY LABOR TURNOVER R A T E S , 1930 & 1931.
S E P A R A T IO N
QU
7.00
IT
L A Y -O F F .
R A TE S
D IS C H A R G E S .
TO TA L.
7.00
6 .0 0
6.00
/¡\ s!■
i
__ \ _
[138]
/
i \
5.00
V.
,1931
1930
\
\
\
\
4.00
3.00
'
A
,
V^_
4 .00
3.00
1930.
2.00
.'j
/s
/'
V
'
.
2.00
V
\
1.00
■ I9 3 T
1.00
\
1930.
193 1_
o
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0. F. M. A. FI. J. J. A. S. 0. IX. D.
J. F FI. A. FI. 0. J . A. S. 0, N D.
J . F n. A. M J. J, A. S . 0. IX. D.
fV
J. F M A. FI. J. J. A S. 0 N. D.
0
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
1930U __ J -
5.00
LABOR TURNOVER
139
Table 2 shows the quit, discharge, lay-off, accession, and net turn
over rates for automobiles, boots and shoes, cotton, foundry and
machine shops, furniture, iron and steel, sawmills, and slaughtering
and meat packing for the year 1930 and for the first five months of
1931, and for brick and men’s clothing for April and May, 1931,
presented both on a monthly and an equivalent annual basis.
63413°— 31------10
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1391
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
140
T a b l e 2 .—A V ER A G E LABOR T U R N O V E R R A TES IN SP E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S
A.—M o n th ly K ates
Separation rates
Industry and month
Quit
1930
Automobiles:
January. ___________
February___ _
...
March . . ----------------April--------------- M a y .. ______________
Jimp.
.Tilly
Alignst
October
Nnvftmbpr
T)Ap.p.mhp,r
Avcragfi
1931
2. 76 0. 54
1. 16 . 74
1.81 1.09
2. 21 1.46
2. 20 1.40
1. 59
1. 14
1. 23
1. 29
1.19
. 81
. 88
________ 1. 52
Boots and shoes:
J a n u a r y ..__________ February------------------March------ ---------------April________________
M ay_________________
June
July
August
September
October __________
November__________
December _________
Average.
________
1. 97
1.93
2. 00
2. 48
2. 06
1. 94
2. 04
2. 19
2. 01
1. 71
1. 00
1.03
1931
1930
1931
1930
2. 92
4.12
7. 76
5. 21
3. 41
9. 49
3. 85
4. 41
4. 68
3. 98
2. 34
2. 78
3. 69
3. 83
4.02
4. 77
3. 43
1930
1931
1930
0. 92 0.18
.21
.38
.39
.56
.44
.50
.39
.50
.39
.24
.38
. 33
.25
. 16
. 17
5. 81
2. 31
2. 04
1.97
5. 59
5. 90
9. 48
7. 66
7. 42
5. 39
3. 80
3. 69
2. 63
1.71
1.71
1.86
3. 07
9. 49
3. 85
4. 41
4. 68
8. 29
7. 88
10. 86
9. 27
9.04
6. 83
4. 77
4. 74
3. 35 13.50
2. 66 4. 74
3. 19 6. 92
3. 76 7. 45
4. 86 3. 98
2. 34
2. 78
3. 69
3. 83
4. 02
5. 95
3. 43
5.09
7.01
5. 22
1.23
1.27
1. 58
1. 97
1. 57
1.27
1.37
1.34
2. 13
2. 47
1. 82
1. 76
2. 84
2. 78
2. 73
4. 38
3. 88
1.88 4. 02 3. 48
1. 23 4. 00 2.81
1. 16 3. 99 3. 24
1. 53 5. 29 3.92
2. 37 5. 06 4. 43
4. 23
4. 37
5. 76
5. 30
4. 91
5. 65
5. 15
5. 97
3. 09
3. 18
2. 76
3. 19
3. 78
4. 74
4. 08
2. 99
2. 05
2. 41
3. 66
4. 48
5. 88
4. 92
4. 34
4.95
4.02
3.09
3. 18
2. 76
3. 19
3. 78
4. 37
4. 08
2. 99
2. 05
2. 41
3. 66
2. 40
4 81
3. 49
■-
3. 30
.78
.70
.65
.68
.53
. 47
. 57
. 73
. 51
.47
.27
.24
2. 07
1.98
2. 27
2. 40
2. 36
2. 06
1. 91
1. 58
1. 88
1. 41
1. 22
. 58
1.00
1.00
1.36
1.64
1. 53
1.81
1.36
1.88
1.88
1.87
1. 29
1. 11
1. 01
1.07
.85
. 66
.55
.37
.31
.50
.42
.49
. 55
.61
.66
. 86
1. 77
Average____ _______ 1.23
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
N et turnover rate
1931
1930
.40
Average____________ 1. 86
Foundries and machine
shops:
J anuary ____________
February____________
March_______________
April________________
M ay_________________
June___________ ___
July
______________
August ________ .
September. _ _ ___
October
November___ . . .
December.
. . .
Accession
rate
Total
1931
2. 92
2. 66
3. 19
3. 76
3. 41
5. 22
.....
Brick:
April
M ay ______________
Cotton manufacturing:
January_____ _____ _
February..___________
March_______________
April________________
M a y _________________
June . ___ _ . . .
July
______________
August _________ September_______
October __________ November__ ____ _
December____________
Lay-off
Discharge
.65
.60
.69
.68
.55
. 58
. 55
. 46
. 46
. 48
.35
. 24
.40
.34
.36
.43
.37
. 52
. 52
.55
.90
.96
.77
- .-
.80
.88
.80
.79
. 54
. 43
.45
.44
.47
. 22
.26
. 55
. 22
.22
.25
.36
.25
—
4. 01
8. 65
2.16
1.92
2. 20
2. 23
2. 07
2. 17
3. 34
3. 58
2. 44
2 09
2. 18
1. 92
2. 60
1.87
2. CO
2. 52
2. 30
4. 88
4. 50
5. 16
5. 31
4. 98
4. 81
5. 80
5. f 2
4. 78
3. 98
3. 75
2. 74
5. 48
11.08
8. 68
7. 89
4. 00
3. 21
3. 72
4. 59
4. 20
4.50 3. 57
3. 33 3. 91
4. 17 4. 47
4. 27 4. 69
3. 05 3. 51
3. 25
2. 47
2. 72
4. 58
4. 34
2. 93
1. 46
4. 50
3. 33
4. 17
4. 27
3 95
3. 25
2. 47
2. 72
4. 58
3. 98
2. 93
1. 46
3. 50
3. 47
2. 93
4. 39 2.96
4. 63 3. 38
3. 95 3. 08
3. 76 2. 44
3. 05
2. 26
2. 56
2. 45
2. 27
1. 85
2. 05
4.19
4. 63
3. 95
3. 76
3. 05
2. 26
2. 56
2. 45
2. 27
1. 85
2. 05
2. 36
4. 09
2. 03
3. 24
2. 87
4. 12
4. 52
4. 58
4. 08
3. 82
4. 01
2. 87
3. 10
2. 32
3. 06
2. 10 4.19 2. 87
2. 72 6. 00 3. 87
3. 29 5. 55 4. 61
4.91 6. 78 5. 93
6. 35
6. 12
5. 54
5. 33
5. 33
3. 75
3. 91
3. 57
[1401
—
5. 35
--- —3. 02
—
3. 48
2. 81
3. 24
3. 92
4. 43
5. 48
7. 89
3 02
3.
3.
3.
4.
3.
57
21
72
59
51
2. 93
2. 87
3. 38
3. 08
2. 44
—
141
LABOR TURNOVER
T a b l e 2 .—AVER A G E LABOR T U R N O V E R R A TES IN SP E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S—Contd.
A.—M o n th ly R ates—Continued
Separation rates
Industry and month
Quit
1930
Furniture:
J anuary ____________
February____________
March __
April________________
M a y ...------ --------------June
July
August
September October
November __________
December
Average________ _
Iron and steel:
Janu ary........................
February------------------March---------------------A p r il.............................
M ay_________________
June________________
July......... .........................
August _____________
Septem ber._______
October
November- ______
December___________
Average___________
1.73
1. 26
1. 44
1. 21
1. 18
1.C9
1. 03
.99
. 68
Average
Slaughtering and meat
packing:
January____ _______
February. ............... .
M arch.. __________ .
April________ . . . . . .
M ay_________________
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Average
1931
0. 55
. 57
.80
.95
1.05
1. 81
1. 91
1. 91
2. 26
2. 13
1. 87
1. 54
1.61
1. 45
1. 13
1.11
.82
1930
.64
.52
. 41
. 40
. 41
.46
. 45
. 29
. 35
.71
.72
.71
.89
.87
1. 63
.45
.34
.45
.42
.40
. 49
.24
.26
.22
. 20
. 13
. 10
.97
1. 22
1.74
1. 79
1. 73
3. 01
2.32
2. 37
2.49
2.91
2. 84
2. 72
2. 08
2. 09
2. 26
1. 70
1. 12
1.69
2. 22
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
0. 25
. 34
.37
.51
.25
.09
. 15
. 12
. 15
. 15
1930
4. 38
4. 39
4. 33
4. 50
3. 45
3. 30
3. 61
5. 92
6. 66
1. 24
1.15
1. 22
1.32
1. 71
2. 25
2. 29
2. 05
2. 18
2. 25
1. G5
2. 23
.91
.96
.86
.75
.79
. 88
.79
. 72
. 65
. 73
. 56
. 57
. 76
4. 84
3. 86
4.5 2
3.31
5.72
1. 36
1.03
1. 38
1.90
2. 16
.43
.50
.51
.46
.50
.61
.68
.37
.47
.43
Total
Accession
rate
1930
1931
1930
1931
6. 75
6. 17
6. 18
6. 11
5. C4
4. 85
5. C9
7. 20
7. 69
5. C4
4. 77
5. 69
4. 77 3. 34
7.02 2. 87
3. 82
5. 09
5. 34
7. 07
3. 72
2. 48
2. 35
5. 24
5. 51
4. 78
4. 66
3. 81
6.12
4.01
3. 50
3. 40
3. 58
4.00
4. 24
4. 61
4. 07
3.92
3. 83
3. 58
3. 19
3. 15
2. 16
1.90
2. 21
2. 94
3. 18
5.52
5. 09
4. 06
3. 88
3. 25
2. 56
2. 27
1.91
2. 32
1. 74
1. 31
1.40
1930
3. 34
2. 87
3. 82
5. 69
5. 64
4. 85
3. 72
2. 48
2. 35
1931
5. 24
4. 77
4. 78
4. 66
3. 81
4. 01
2. 52
2. 24
2. 03
1. 69
1. 57
2. 94
3. 76
N et turn
over rate
3. 50
3.40
3. 58
3. 88
3. 25
2. 56
2. 27
1.91
2. 32
1. 74
1.31
1. 40
2.16
1. 90
2.03
1. 69
1. 57
2.64
2. 20
1.46
3. 72
3. 00
3. 22
3. 10
3.22
3.00
4. 52
3. 99
3. 54
4.97
8. 10
5. 35
6. 98
6. 09
7. 64
6. 58
7. 23
7. 42
8. 02 9. 50
4. 56 8. 75
4. 56 8. 90
7. 17 10. 17
6. 43 12. 96
9. 24
10. 73
10. 03
11. 58
9. 56
9. 99
9. 74
9. 42 9. 39
6. 28 9. 11
6.81 7.91
9. 42 9. 66
8. 66 10.09
5. 85
6. 17
6. 71
6. 93
8. 32
4. 96
4. 51
9. 99 9. 39
7. 44 8. 75
7. 07 7.91
7. 21 9. 66
7. 97 10. 09
5. 85
6. 17
6. 71
6. 93
8. 32
4. 96
4. 51
9. 42
6.28
6. 81
7. 21
7. 97
6. 03
10. 10
7. 47
7. 47
6. 68
7. 70
7. 51
4. 47
4. 14
4. 59
5. 34
5. 14
3. 79
4. 67
4. 80
5. 59
4.40 9.91
6. 48 11. 03
6. 88 10. 86
5. 02 8. 13
4. 13 7.77
8. 19
8. 21
7.95
6. 70
7. 10
6. 48
7. 85
6. 30 10. 02
8. 72 7. 39
8. 66 5. 23
6.91 8. 47
5.91 9. 01
10. 34
6. 92
6. 34
7. 33
7. 62
7. 30
6.24
5. 37
8. 35
7.68
. 12
. 15
1. 18
1. 37
1. 47
.92
1.35
.96
1.Û7
.93
.95
. 72
.83
.93
1931
1. 82
1. 06
1.29
1.56
1.41
1. 42
1. 35
Lay-off
4. 50
. 31
1. 40
1. 39
3. 80
3. 39
3. 89
4.28
3. 51
2. 93
2. 68
3. 01
2. 99
2. 26
1. 93
1. 39
1931
.44
1.18
M en’s clothing:
April________________
M ay_________________
Sawmills:
January______________
February. ______ _
M arch.._ _________ _
April__ ________ _
M ay_________________
June_. _________
July
August
September _
October
November__
December
Discharge
[141]
9.50
5. 02
5. 19
6.31
6. 92
9.91
7. 39
5.23
8. 13
7. 77
8. 19
6. 92
6. 34
6. 70
7. 10
6. 48
6.24
7. 68
6. 30
5. 02
5.19
6. 31
5.91
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
142
T a b l e 3 .—AVER A G E LABOR T U R N O V E R R A TES IN SP E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S— Contd.
15.—E quivalen t A n n u a l R ates
Separation rates
Accession
rate
Industry and month
Quit
Automobiles:
January
February. . . _ ____ _
March
..
...
April________________
M ay. . ______ . . . .
June
July
August
September
October
November
December..
Average
Boots and shoes:
January__________
February___________
March_______________
April________________
M ay___________ . . . .
June_____________
J u ly ______________
August ____
September __ _ ____
October____
November______
December. . . . .
Average.. _________
1930
32. 5
15. 1
21. 3
26.9
25.9
19. 4
13. 4
14. 5
15. 7
14. 0
9.9
10. 4
6.4
9.6
12.8
17.8
16.5
10.8
5.0
6. 6
6. 1
5.9
4.7
2. 8
4. 5
4. 0
2. 9
1. 9
2. 0
2.1
2.7
4.6
5.4
4.6
68.4
30. 1
24. 0
24.0
65. 8
71. 8
111.6
90. 2
90. 3
63. 4
46. 2
43. 4
31.0 111.7
22.3 50.2
20. 1 51.9
22.6 57.0
36. 1 97.6
95.9
127.8
109. 2
110. 0
80. 3
58. 0
55. 8
39.5 158.9
34.6 61.8
37. 5 81.4
45.8 90.7
57. 2 46.8
28. 5
32. 7
43. 4
46. 6
47. 3
72. 4
40. 4
34.4 111.7
53.7 50.2
91. 3 51.9
63.4 57.0
40. 1 46.8
28. 5
32. 7
43. 4
46. 6
47. 3
58. 0
40. 4
60. 8
83. 8
62. 6
62. 6
14.9
17.9
15.8
25.9
29. 1
22. 1
20. 7
33.4
33.8
32.1
53.3
45. 7
22. 1 47.3
16.0 52. 2
13. 7 47.0
18.6 64.4
27.9 59.5
51.4
51. 4
67.8
64. 5
57. 7
68. 8
60. 6
28. 7
57. 7
23. 2 14.5
25. 2 16.6
23. 5 18.6
30. 2 24.0
24. 2 18.5
23. 6
24.0
25.8
24. 5
20. 1
12. 2
12. 1
9.2
9. 1
7.7
8.3
6.2
5.7
6. 7
8.6
6. 2
5. 5
3. 3
2.8
22.4
6.6
24.4
25. 8
26. 7
29. 2
27.8
25. 1
22. 5
18.6
22.9
16. 6
14, 8
6. 8
_. 21. 8
Foundries and machine
shops:
January___
. ...
February ____
M arch_______________
April________________
M ay------------------------June___
J u ly ....._____________
August. _ .
September. .
October _
November._ _____ _
December. _ . . . . .
17. 7
22. 1
22.9
22. 0
15. 7
13.1
11. 9
13. 0
10. 0
8. 0
6. 5
A verage...................... 14.8
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
11.8
13.0
16.0
20.0
18.0
4.4
4.0
5.9
5.1
5.8
7. 4
7. 8
7.7
7.8
8.1
8.3
6.5
7. 1
6. 5
5.4
5.6
5. 6
4. 3
2. 8
4.7
4.4
4. 2
5.2
4.4
6.3
6. 1
7.2
10.6
11.7
9. 1
ÌÓ.4
10.4
9.7
9.3
6. 6
5.1
5.3
5. 4
5. 5
2. 7
3. 1
6. 7
2. 6
2.9
2.9
4.4
2.9
48.8
101. 8
41.0
36.6
38. 2
47.7
52.2
1930
1931
1931
4. 8
1930
1931
1930
18.3
1931
N et turnover rate
Total
1931
10. 5
20.8
Cotton manufacturing:
January______________
February_____
____
March_______________
April________________
M ay_________________
June______ _. . . .
July_________________
August_____
.
. .
September___
_
October _
November__ _
December.
Lay-off
1930
Brick:
April______________
M ay_______________
A v e r a g e ..______
Discharge
70.3
40.3
37.4
33.6
37.5
46. 0
55.8
48.0
36. 4
24. 1
29. 3
43. 1
41. 8
47.1
41.8
43. 7
55.9
49.5
53.0 42.0
43.4 51.0
49.1 52.6
52.0 57. 1
46.5 41.3
39. 6
29. 1
32 0
55. 7
51. 1
35. 7
17. 2
53.0
43.4
49.1
52.0
46. 5
39. 6
29. 1
32. 0
55. 7
46. 8
35. 7
17. 2
41. 7
28. 3
56. 3
42.0
54.6
70.6
67.5
79.8
77. 3
72.1
65. 2
64. 9
62. 7
45. 6
46.1
36 0
37. 5 57.2
45.5 54. 5
56. 1 48.1
69.8 44.3
37. 1
26. 6
30. 1
29 8
26 7
22. 5
24. 1
64. 2
36. 5
42. 7
ri42i
1931
34.4
34.6
37. 5
45.8
40. 1
41.0
36.6
38. 2
47. 7
52. 2
41. 8
105. 6
92. 9
30.6 57.5
24. 4 58.6
23. 5 60. 7
30. 7 64.6
27. 1 58.7
58. 6
68. 3
66. 1
58. 2
46. 8
45.6
32. 2
27. 3
27.4
32.0
40.0
57.8
47.3
40.3
37.4
33.6
37. 5
46. 0
51. 4
48. 0
36. 4
24. 1
29. 3
43. 1
66. 7
130. 4
25.4
25.0
25.9
27. 1
24.4
26.4
39. 3
42. 1
29. 7
24. 6
26. 5
22.6
26. 5
38. 1
34.9
48. 5
55. 0
53. 9
48. 0
46. 5
47. 2
34. 9
36. 5
52. 7
76. 7
57.9
52.8
58.3
1930
34. 5
38.6
39.8
37. 5
28. 7
66 7
92.9
54.6
54.5
48.1
44.3
37. 1
26. 6
30 1
29. 8
26 7
22 5
24. 1
36.5
42.0
41.8
43.7
55.9
41.3
34 5
37. 5
39.8
37. 5
28. 7
143
LABOR TURNOVER
T a b l e 3 .—AVER A G E LABOR T U R N O V E R R A TES IN SP E C IF IE D IN D U S T R IE S —Contd.
B .—E q u iv a len t A n n u a l R ates—Continued
Separation rates
Accession
rate
Quit
Industry and month
1930
Furniture:
Tannery
Fphrnnry
]Vfaroh
April __
__
- - 21. 1
M ay_______________ - 14.8
17. 5
Tilly
14. 2
13. 9
Augn^t
13 3
12 1
Oetobpr
12. 0
November
Tlpr^Tribpr
8.0
1931
6. 5
7.4
9. 4
11.6
12.4
Tilly
Angiist
NoV^mbpr
21.3
24.9
22.5
27. 5
25. 1
22. 8
18. 1
18. 9
17. 6
13. 3
13. 5
9 7
8.4
9.4
8.4
10.8
10.2
July
Angnstf
Ppptf^Tinbpr
October
y nvp.mber
TTppp.mbp.r
Averftgo
Slaughtering and meat
packing:
January___
_____ _
February. ________ _
March. _____
__
April_______
M ay----------- ---------July
AngiisT.
ber
fw,ober
N five.m be r
TTeeember
Averfige.
5.3
4.4
5.3
5.1
4.7
6.0
2.8
3. 1
2.7
2.4
1.6
1. 2
44.7 11.4
44.2 15.9
45.8 20. 5
52. 1 21.8
41. 3 20.4
35. 7
31. 5
35. 4
36. 4
26. 6
23. 5
16. 4
13.9
17.9
17.3
11.2
15. 9
11. 7
12.6
10. 9
11. 6
8. 5
10. 1
10. 9
30. 1
12. 7
27.3 15.2
30.9 20.3
29. 3 16.6
35.4 17.3
33.4 15.9
33. 1
.24. 5
24. 6
27. 5
20.0
13. 6
19.9
26.0
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2.9
4.4
4.4
6.2
2.9
1930
53.3
51.6
52.7
53.0
40. 6
40. 2
42. 5
72.0
78.4
1.1
2.0
1.4
1.8
1.8
14.6
15.0
14.4
16. 1
20. 1
27.4
27.0
24.1
26. 3
26. 5
23. 7
26. 2
10.7
12.5
10.1
9.1
9.3
10. 7
9.3
8.5
7. 9
8. 6
6. 8
6. 7
9. 2
1931
1930
57.0
50.3
53. 2
40.3
67.3
66.4
61.7
62. 1
71.9
56.3
67.0
82.2 58. 1 40.6 56. 7
72. 5 82.6 33.8 44.8
75.2
46. 5
59.9
71.9
62.9
59.3
59. 1
86.0
43.8
59.9
30. 2
87.5
27.7
90.5
47.9
94.4
59.5
53. 7
87. 3
75. 7
-
72. 3
7.2
8.9
4.4
5.7
5. 1
78.6
100.4
88.4
54.4
48.7
55. 9
62.9
60. 5
46. 1
55. 0
58. 4
65. 8
64. 6
[143]
51.8
84. 5
81.0
61. 1
48.6
65.0
66.4
47.8
47. 2
38.3
31.2
26. 7
22.5
28.2
20. 5
15.9
16. 5
111.8
114. 1
104.8
123.8
152.5
112. 5
126. 3
118. 0
141. 0
112. 5
121. 6
114. 6
110.91
81.91
80.2
114. 7
102.0
1930
40.6
33.8
46. 5
59.9
59.3
59. 1
43.8
30. 2
27.7
29.7
29. 2
23.9
20.6
18.5
41.2
44.3
42.2
47.2
38.3
31.2
26.7
22. 5
28. 2
20. 5
15. 9
16. 5
61.7
62.1
56.3
56.7
44.8
25.5
24.8
23.9
20.6
18. 5
35. 5
39.2
35.4
39.2
36.5
110.5
118.8
93.1
117.6
118.8
71. 2
72.6
79. 0
84. 3
97. 9
60.4
53. 1
1931
47.9
35.5
45. 3
35.4
26.8
17.2
53.2
52.0
41. 7
60.5
95.3
.65. 1
82. 2
71. 7
93. 0
77. 4
88. 0
87. 3
25.5
24.8
26.0
35.7
37.4
45. 1
21.8
5.1
6.5
6.0
5.6
5.9
41.2
44.3
42.2
48.7
49.9
56. 2
47.9
46.1
46.6
42. 2
38.8
37. 1
1930
1931
1931
16.0
13.4
16.2
23. 1
25.4
N et turnover rate
Total
53.8 _____ I 73.1
1. 5
1.8
17. 0
16.4
M ay_________________
Sawmills:
January___- _______ _
February. _____ March__ ___ . .
April_______
M ay______
- -- . . .
7.8
6.1
5.0
4.7
4.8
5.6
5.3
3. 5
4. 1
1931
3. 7
19. 6
M en’s clothing:
1930
5.2
A v era g e------- -------- 14. 1
Iron and steel:
January-.
__
_ - February.- ____
March .
..............
A p r il-__- _____
M ay. ____ . . .
- -
Lay-oil
Discharge
117.6
97.0
83. 2
87.7
93.8
110.5
114. 1
93.1
117.6
118.8
71.2
72.6
79.0
84. 3
97. 9
60.4
53. 1
121. 1
89. 8
89.8
116. 3
143.8
127.8
98.9
91.4
99.7
96.7
93. 6
81. 5
83. 6
78.8
92.4
74.2 117.9
113.7 96.4
102.0 61.6
84. 1 103.1
69.6 106. 0
125.8
81. 4
74. 6
89.2
89. 7
88. 8
73.4
111.8 116.6
65.5 96.4
61.1 61.6
76.8 98.9
81.4 91.4
99. 7
81.4
74. 6
81.5
83.6
78.8
73.4
100.4
92.3
92.3
110.9
81. 9
80.2
87.7
93.8
74.2
65.5
61.1
76.8
69.6
HOUSING
B u ild in g P e r m i ts in P rin c ip a l C itie s , M a y , 1931
^TT^HE Bureau of Labor Statistics has received reports of building
X operations from 342 identical cities having a population of 25,000
or over for the months of April, 1931, and May, 1931, and from 295
identical cities for the months of May, 1930, and May, 1931.
The cost figures shown in the following tables apply to the cost of
the buildings as estimated by the prospective builders upon applying
for their permits to build. No land costs are included. Only buildings
within the corporate limits of the cities enumerated are shown.
The States of Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and
Pennsylvania, through their departments of labor, are cooperating
with the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in the collection of
these data.
Table 1 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations in 342
identical cities of the United States, by geographic divisions.
T a b l e 1 .— E ST IM A T E D
SHOW N B Y
D IV ISIO N S
COST OF N E W B U IL D IN G S IN 342 ID E N T IC A L C ITIES, AS
P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN A PR IL A N D M A Y . 1931, BY GEOGRAPHIC
N ew residential buildings
Geographic division
Estimated cost
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April, 1931 M ay, 1931 April,
1931
N ew England_________
Middle Atlantic
____
East North Central____
West North CentralSouth A tla n tic _______
South Central-- __
Mountain and Pacific.
$4,117,420 $3, 542, 050
28,815,173 21, 909, 744
7, 753, 873 6, 554, 248
2, 934,187 2, 610, 740
6, 314, 945 6, 262, 760
3, 339, 043 2,172, 665
7, 095, 359 6,439, 067
T otal____ _
60, 370, 000 19,491. 274
Per cent of change___ .
-1S.C
N ew nonresiden
tial buildings, es
timated cost
T o t a l construction
(including altera
tions and repairs),
estimated cost
May, April,1931 May, 1931 April, 1931 May, 1931
1931
816
6, 706
1, 524
713
1, 424
974
2,051
688 $3, 285,449 $4, 946,899
4,892 44, 520, £60 25, 975, 351
1,315 11,428, 472 13, 493,378
663 8, 484, 102 6, 338, 741
1,142 1,747,909 3,008, 370
752 6, 213, 852 2, 720, 000
1,919 4, 516, 763 6,957, 603
$9, 233, 636 $10, 607,852
82, 206, 684 53,901, 799
23, 757, 677 23,151,935
12, 355, 996 10,175,144
10,015,161 11, 321,401
10, 594, 384 5,766,611
13,873, 210 15,413,784
14, 208 11,371 SO, 196, 807 63,440, 342 162,036, 751 130, 398, 526
-2 0 .0
-2 0 .9
-1 9 .5
The estimated cost of all building operations for which permits were
issued during the month of May, 1931, was $130,398,526, a decrease of
19.5 per cent as compared with the estimated cost of the total building
operations for which permits were issued during the month of April,
1931. New residential buildings decreased 18.0 per cent in estimated
cost and new nonresidential buildings decreased 20.9 per cent, com
paring May permits with April permits. The new residential build
ings for which permits were issued during the month of May were
planned to provide 11,371 family dwelling units. This is a decrease
144
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[144]
145
HOUSING
of 20.0 per cent as compared with the family dwelling permits pro
vided during April.
All geographic divisions show decreases in indicated expenditures
for new residential buildings. Increases in indicated expenditures for
new nonresidential buildings were shown in the New England States,
the East North Central States, the South Atlantic States, and the
Mountain and Pacific States. Decreases were registered in the other
three geographic divisions. Increases in total construction were
registered in the New England States, the South Atlantic States, and
the Mountain and Pacific States. Each of the other four geographic
divisions registered decreases in total constructions comparing build
ing permits issued in May with those issued in April. Decreases in
the number of family dwelling units provided were shown in each of
the seven geographic divisions.
Table 2 shows the estimated cost of additions, alterations, and re
pairs as shown by permits issued together with the per cent of increase
or decrease during May, 1931, as compared with April, 1931, in 342
identical cities of the United States, by geographic divisions.
T a b l e 2 —E ST IM A T E D COST OF A D D IT IO N S, A L T E R A T IO N S, A N D R E PA IR S IN 342
ID E N T IC A L CITIES AS SHOW N B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN A P R IL A N D M A Y, 1931, BY
GEOGRAPHIC D IV ISIO N S
Estimated cost
Geographic division
Per cent of
increase or
decrease in
M ay com
pared w ith
April
April, 1931
M ay, 1931
N ew E ngland.-------------- -------M iddle Atlantic------------------------East North Central___________ —
W est North Central-------------------South Atlantic------ --------- ----------South Central---------------------------Mountain and Pacific.......................
$1,830,770
8, 871, 251
4, 575, 332
937, 707
1,952, 307
1, 041. 489
2, 261, 088
$2,118, 903
6,076, 704
3,104, 309
1, 225, 663
2,050, 271
873, 946
2, 017,114
+15.7
-3 1 . 5
-3 2 .2
+30.7
+ 5 .0
-1 6 . 1
-1 0 .8
Total_______ ______ _______
21,469, 944
17,466,910
-1 8 .6
There was a decrease of 18.6 per cent in the projected expenditures
for additions, alterations, and repairs, according to permits issued
in these 342 cities, comparing May with April. Decreases were
shown in four of the seven geographic divisions ranging from 10.8
per cent in the Mountain and Pacific States to 32.2 per cent m the
East North Central States. Increases in _the estimated cost of
repairs were shown in three geographic divisions, ranging fiom 5.0
per cent in the South Atlantic States to 30.7 per cent in the West
North Central States.
.. . ,
, ,,
Table 3 shows the index numbers of families provided for and the
index numbers of indicated expenditures for new residential buildings,
for new nonresidential buildings, for additions, alterations, and repairs,
and for total building operations. These indexes are worked on the
chain system, with the monthly average of 1929 equaling 100.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[145]
146
MONTHLY LABOR R E V IE W
T a b l e 3 .—IN D E X N U M B E R S OF FA M ILIE S PR O V ID E D FOR A N D OF T H E E ST IM A T E D
COST OF B U IL D IN G O PER A T IO N S AS SHO W N B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN PR IN C IP A L
CITIES OF T H E U N IT E D ST A TES, JA N U A R Y , 1930, TO M A Y , 1931, IN C L U SIV E
[M onthly average, 1929=100]
Estimated cost of—
Families
provided
for
M onth
N ew resi
dential
buildings
N ew non
residential
buddings
Additions, Total build
alterations, ing opera
and repairs
tions
1930
J a n u a ry ...___________ ______________
February_____________________ ______
March____ ______________ _____ ____
A p r il.._____________________________
M ay________________ ____________
June____ ___________ •________ _____ _
July_______________ ________________
A u g u s t .___________________________
September_______________________ October_______________ . . . ________
November____________ . . .
_______
December................................................ .
34.2
43.0
57.1
62.0
59.6
54.4
49.9
48. 7
51. 3
58. 3
52.9
45.0
29.4
34. 7
47.2
51.0
48. 5
45.1
44.1
43.4
44.4
44. 9
42. 5
37.6
64.3
51.8
87.1
100. 1
90. 7
82. 5
86.7
67.2
73.8
53. 5
54.4
64.3
55.1
57.5
77. 5
81.8
84. 5
74.6
77. 4
58.6
64. 2
58. 1
37.8
53.5
46.1
44.1
66.4
73.8
69.3
63.3
64.8
54.4
58.2
49.7
46.3
50.1
1931
January_____________________________
February__________________ _________
March______ ________ __________
A pril.. . ___________________________
M ay____ _____ ______________________
39.1
40.3
53.4
64. 6
51. 7
30.8
30.3
40. 7
48.6
39.8
43.4
43.8
76.4
73. 9
58.5
55.5
48. 6
58.0
65. 2
53.0
38.9
37.9
57.1
60.6
48.8
The index number of families provided for stands at 51.7 per cent
for the month of May, a decrease as compared with May, 1930,
O
ui
O
r
<
•o
(0
liJ
b.
Of
Of
a
>
<
Z
<
Z
<c
ui
2
3
3
5
3
3
ai
3
<
£
u
V)
u
5
o
>
o
z
a
id
D
and as compared with April, 1931. The index numbers of new resi
dential buildings, of new nonresidential buildings, of additions, alter
ations, and repairs, and of total building operations are all lower than
for May, 1930, or for April, 1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1146]
147
HOUSING
The chart on page 150 shows, in graphic form, the trend of estimated
costs of new residential buildings, of new nonresidential buildings,
and of total building operations.
Table 4 shows the dollar value of contracts let for public buildings
by the different agencies of the United States Government during
the months of April, 1931, and May, 1931, by geographic divisions.
T A BL E 4 .— C O NTRACTS LET FOR PUBLIC B U IL D IN G S B Y D IF F E R E N T A G E N C IE S
OF T H E U N IT E D STA TES G O V E R N M E N T D U R IN G A PR IL A N D M A Y , 1931, B Y GEO
GRAPHIC D IVISIONS
Geographic division
New E n g la n d __ _______ - ___
Middle Atlantic - - _______ ___
East North C e n tr a l__________
West North Central___ __ South Atlantic __ __ ______
South Central - - __
Mountain and P a c ific -________
Total _ - - ____
April, 1931
M ay, 1931
$582,288
1,168, 840
199, 958
511, 464
1,873, 931
2, 718, 846
1,144,497
$254, 712
2, 360, 803
778, 422
3,074, 500
766,017
529, 973
2,403, 626
8,199,824
10,168,053
Contracts were let for United States Government buildings during
May, 1931, to cost $10,168,053. These contracts were let by the
following Federal agencies: The United States Capitol Architect;
Office of the Quartermaster General, War Department; Bureau
of Yards and Docks, Navy Department; Supervising Architect,
Treasury Department; and the United States Veterans’ Bureau.
Whenever a contract is let by the United States Government for a
building in a city having a population of 25,000 or over, the cost is
included in the estimated cost as shown in the cities enumerated in
Table 8.
Table 5 shows the dollar value of contracts awarded by the dif
ferent State governments for public buildings during the months
of April, 1931, and May, 1931, by geographic divisions.
T a b l e 5.—CON TRA C TS A W A R D ED
FOR PU B L IC B U IL D IN G S BY T H E D IF F E R E N T
STA TE G O V E R N M E N T S D U R IN G A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931, B Y GEOGRAPHIC D IV I
SIONS
Geographic division
April, 1931
May, 1931
New E n g la n d -______ _______
Middle Atlantic____ - __ ____
East North Central____ _____
West North Central________
South A tla n tic ______________
South Central-- _________ Mountain and Pacific________
$743, 304
10,658, 763
135, 448
10,141
166, 292
15, 053
459, 421
$190,103
2, 386,498
221,624
344,560
223,100
7,497
753,114
12,188, 422
4,126, 496
Total
Contracts awarded by State governments during the month of
May, 1931, total $4,126,496. Whenever a contract is let by a State
government in a city having a population of 25,000 or over, the cost
is included in the estimated cost, as shown in the cities enumerated
in Table 8.
Table 6 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations in
295 identical cities having a population of 25,000 or over for May,
1931, and May, 1930, by geographic divisions.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[147]
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
148
T a b l e 6 .—E ST IM A T E D COST OF N E W B U IL D IN G S IN 295 ID E N T IC A L CITIES AS SHOWN
B Y PE R M IT S ISSU E D IN M A Y, 1930, A N D M A Y, 1931, B Y GEOGRAPHIC D IV ISIO N S
N ew residential buildings
Estimated cost
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
M ay,
1930
M ay,
1930
Geographic division
N ew England__________
Middle Atlantic_______
East North C en tra l____
West North Central__
South Atlantic_________
South Central
Mountain and Pacific___
May,
1S31
May,
1931
841
$4, 595, 818 $3,429, 8SC
19,199, 383 21, 789,044 4.023
14,621,062 5,896,771 2, 517
763
3, 236,400! 2, 610,800
2, 884, 204 ^6, 239, 460
601
3,858,117 2,032,420 1, 112
10,259,398 5,928,867 2, 707
N ew nonresiden
tial buildings,
estimated cost
M ay,
1930
M ay,
1931
Total construction
(including altera
tions and repairs),
estimated cost
May,
1930
M ay,
1931
660 $5, 765,163 $4, 886, 714 $12, 872, 314 $10, 412, 650
4,870 29, 649, 717 24, 351, 970 61,050,032 52,157,468
1,172 21, 348, 526 13, 253, 597 40, 651, 579 22, 069, 924
663 7,188, 691 6, 338, 741 12, 099, 249 10, 175, 144
1,129 6, 378, 763 2. 932. 096 11,845,332 11, 185, 865
699 9, 202, 975 2, 287, 503 14,425, 956 5, 132, 489
1, 796 7, 596, 206 6, 807,098 20, 709,153 14, 674, 580
T otal_____ _______ 58, 654, 382 47,927, 212 12, 564 10, 989 87,130,041 50,857, 719173, 653,615 125,808,120
—12. 5
-3 0 .2
-1 8 .3
-2 7 .6
Per cent of change
____ _______
Permits issued in the 295 identical cities, which reported for both
May, 1930, and May, 1931, showed a decrease of 27.6 per cent in
total building operations in 1931 as compared with the same month of
last year. The estimated cost of new residential buildings decreased
18.3 per cent, comparing permits issued in these two periods. The
estimated cost of new nonresidential buildings decreased 30.2 per
cent. The number of family dwelling units provided decreased 12.5
per cent, comparing permits issued in May, 1931, with those issued
in May, 1930.
Increases in indicated expenditures for new residential buildings
were shown in the Middle Atlantic States and the South Atlantic
States. All other geographic divisions showed decreases in this class
of structure.
Decreases in the projected expenditures for new nonresidential
buildings were shown in all geographic divisions. Decreases were
also shown in the indicated expenditures for total construction in each
of the seven geographic divisions.
The number of family dwellings units provided increased in the
Middle Atlantic States and the South Atlantic States. Decreases in
the number of families provided for were shown in the other five
geographic divisions.
Table 7 shows the estimated cost of additions, alterations, and
repairs as shown by permits issued, together with the per cent of de
crease in May, 1931, as compared with May, 1930.
T a b l e 7.—E ST IM A T E D COST OF A D D IT IO N S, A L T E R A T IO N S, A N D R E PA IR S IN 295
ID E N T IC A L C IT IES AS SHOW N B Y P E R M IT S ISSU E D IN M A Y, 1930, A N D M A Y , 1931,
B Y G EO GRAPHIC D IV ISIO N S
Estimated cost
Geographic division
M ay, 1930
M ay, 1931
Per cent of
change, M ay,
1931, com
pared with
M ay, 1930
N ew England_________ . . . ___
Middle Atlantic_________________
East North Central __________
W est North Central..^ . . . . _____
South Atlantic ________________
South Central__________ ______
M ountain and Pacific__________
$2, 511, 333
12, 200, 932
4, 681, 991
1, 674,158
2, 582, 365
1, 364, 864
2,853, 549
$2, 096,086
6.016, 454
2, 919, 556
1, 225, 603
2, 014, 3C9
812, 566
1, 938, 615
-1 6 .5
-50. 7
-3 7 .6
-2 6 .8
-2 2 .0
-40. 5
-3 2 .1
Total_______________________
27, 869,192
17,023,189
-3 8 .9
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1481
HOUSING
149
Projected expenditures for additions, alterations, and repairs
decreased 38.9 per cent in May, 1931, as compared with May, 1930.
Decreases were shown in each of the seven geographic divisions.
These decreases range from 16.5 per cent in the New England States
to 50.7 per cent in the Middle Atlantic States.
Table 8 shows the estimated cost of new residential buildings, of
new nonresidential buildings, and of total building operations, together
with the number of families provided for in new buildings, in 342
identical cities for April, 1931, and May, 1931. Reports were received
from 50 cities in the New England States, 70 cities in the Middle
Atlantic States, 94 cities in the East North Central States, 24 cities
in the West North Central States, 36 cities in the South Atlantic
States, 32 cities in the South Central States, and 36 cities in the
Mountain and Pacific States.
Permits were issued for the following important building projects
during the month of May: In Boston, Mass., permits were issued
for four school buildings to cost nearly $2,000,000; in Medford, Mass.,
for an institutional building to cost $400,000; in the Borough of the
Bronx, for apartment houses to cost nearly $2,300,000; in the Borough
of Brooklyn, for apartment houses to cost nearly $6,000,000; in the
Borough of Manhattan, for five office buildings to cost nearly $10,000,000; in Syracuse, N. Y., for two office buildings to cost over $900,000;
in White Plains, N. Y., for an office building to cost $2,000,000; in
Reading, Pa., for a public building to cost over $1,300,000; in Lan
sing, Mich., for an office building to cost over $500,000; in Cincin
nati, Ohio, for a new union railroad station to cost $6,000,000; in
Dayton, Ohio, for an office building to cost $1,000,000; in St. Paul,
Minn., for a municipal auditorium to cost over $1,200,000; in Balti
more, Md., for a school building to cost $675,000; in San Francisco,
Calif,for a public building to cost $1,000,000. The Supervising Archi
tect of the United States Treasury Department let a contract for a postoffice building in Kansas City, Mo., to cost nearly $3,000,000, and for
a marine hospital in Seattle, Wash., to cost over $1,200,000.
No reports were received from New London, Conn.; Taunton,
Mass.; Central Falls, R. I.; Newark and Zanesville, Ohio; University
City, Mo.; Fargo, N. Dak.; Pensacola, Fla.; Durham, N. C .; Spartan
burg, S. C.; Lynchburg, Va.; Lexington, Ky.; Jackson, Miss.;
Muskogee, Okla.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Corpus Christi and Galveston,
Tex.; and Riverside, Calif.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[149]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
150
I N D E X E S OF C O S T OF B U ILD IN G O P E R A T I O N S .
MONTHLY
AVERAGE.
NEW
00
192.9 = 100,
R E S ID E N T IA L .
100
75
75
1930
50
50
/
“ --- - -
/
/ /
193
/
“ ““
25
2.5
NEW
100
N ON R E S ID E N T IA L .
/
/ \
/
r i930
\
>
\
\ >
\
\
1
75
\
//
\
50
/
\
\
/
\
100
75
\
1
\
100
/
\
i
i
——
/
/
50
T O T in ^ IN C L U D IN G
A L T E R A T IO N S ¿ 'R E P A IR S
75
75
/
1939
s
s.
\
/
50
** 1 0 0
/ /
/ /
/ /
s
\
~—
—«f
\
\
\
\
50
/
25
DEC. .
1931
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
F/
z
<
=
eb
U l
> u
or
^ £ L
. E <
>'
£
< 3 i i
i T - 0
[150]
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25
HOUSING
151
T a b ie 8 .—E ST IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FOR W HICH P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN
PR IN C IP A L CITIES, A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931
N e w E n g la n d S ta te s
New nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated cost)
New residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
April,
1931
Connecticut:
$75, 200
Bridgeport______
38, 000
Bristol_________
Greenwich198,000
Hartford.
37, 500
Meriden- - ____
7, 750
New Britain . . .
26, 000
N ew H a v e n ____
146, 000
102, 450
N orw alk,-. „ 57, 000
Stamford_______
13, 000
Torrington_____
64, 500
Waterbury_____
Maine:
Bangor__ _____
19, 300
Lewiston. - - __
13, 000
Portland_______
55,100
Massachusetts:
28, 000
Beverly________
Boston1 _ — - 1, 069, 220
50, 700
Brockton, 73, 300
Brookline--. - 134, 400
Cambridge ___
0
Chelsea________
14, 700
C hicopee______
34, 500
E verett________
2,400
Fall River _____
0
Fitchburg______
Haverhill- ____
1,600
19, 500
Holyoke - . 7, 500
Lawrence___ _ 12,350
Low ell-.
--- __
54, 800
Lynn
_ -131,000
M alden________
113,900
Medford ______
14, 000
N ew Bedford -_
318,000
Newton - _____
51, 900
Pittsfield_______
72,100
Quincy____ ____
16,800
R ev ere-- - ___
53, 200
Salem— ---- -29, 000
Somerville--------81, 000
Springfield____ 64,800
W altham_______
97, 000
W atertown.-194,400
Worcester____
New Hampshire:
18, 000
Concord_______
24, 600
Manchester_____
Rhode Island:
82,100
Cranston ..
—
58,100
East Providence
30. 500
Newport
- - 38, 550
Pawtucket- ---228, 700
Providence — . 44, 000
Woonsocket___
T o ta l-.- -------
4,117, 420
May,
1931
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April,
1931
M ay,
1931
April,
1931
Mav,
1931
April,
1931
M ay,
1931
$191, 800
17, 700
70, 000
46, 700
18, 700
16, 000
65, 700
93, 400
90, 500
23,000
23, 200
19
7
13
8
2
2
26
15
10
5
15
46
8
8
9
4
2
12
18
17
6
6
$83,819
6,638
21,900
30, 560
13, 364
2, 300
35,100
5,128
7, 350
3, 360
42. 200
$7,800
44, 295
163, 100
308,445
5,115
267,924
132. 325
14, 475
28, 350
6, 055
13, 650
$174,169
49, 613
238, 925
126, 776
37, 643
40, 262
221, 890
179, 313
75, 500
38, 531
124, 300
$227,960
71, 052
252, 200
458, 824
34,144
301,411
261,860
118,100
155,475
32, 965
49,4C0
33, 600
9,000
32, 500
6
2
13
11
2
8
1, 550
12, 800
34, 800
7,275
1, 300
18, 005
21, 600
46, 800
117, 872
51, 775
14, 300
66, 262
30, 000
555, 100
31,000
157, 500
110,000
4,000
15, 500
12, 400
0
7, 250
2, 900
40, 000
4, 500
39, 200
85, 300
42, 600
340, 400
26, 500
239,000
90,850
55,400
22,900
33,000
10, 500
58, 200
59, 200
38,000
180, 000
5
249
7
7
29
0
5
10
1
0
1
3
1
6
11
42
21
2
39
9
21
4
8
8
20
14
21
33
6
132
7
10
2
1
5
4
0
2
2
6
1
6
17
9
89
4
24
18
11
7
6
3
14
8
8
25
4, 225
1,254, 500
34,325
13, 200
8,310
100
201, 925
169,326
12, 160
6,250
2,970
26, 550
6,050
15,185
341, 580
14, 579
13, 850
36, 975
23, 350
17, 375
27, 435
4,975
2,050
92,950
63,000
20, 075
14, 500
31, 570
4, 635
2, 386,180
20, 525
64, 260
251, 650
0
3, 650
44,650
11,300
5, 400
3,085
186, 350
21,410
8, 800
11, 075
7, 870
413,230
10, 900
23, 300
30, 875
39, 930
12,050
46, 900
23,170
80,875
5, 700
11,950
27,855
37, 725
2,671, 346
103, 025
97,885
182, 950
5,890
230, 525
209,126
23, 250
28, 325
11, 735
52,400
43,970
65, 790
428, 047
170, 809
134, 175
65, 925
359, 275
82, 790
150, 872
34, 775
167, 540
149,929
179,940
112, 225
117, 675
292, 590
41, 985
3, 683, 755
65,410
229, 260
447,035
21, 365
26, 150
70,450
34, 250
16, 390
12,165
249,175
153, 660
56, 615
118, 670
65, 895
759, 870
50, 800
297, 295
142, 240
160, 810
43,150
91, 095
50, 005
227,500
69,925
54, 755
242, 050
41, 500
44, 350
4
10
8
15
1,950
6, 345
5, 200
6,245
120,950
62, 607
49, 200
97, 633
116,100
77, 400
4, 500
75,800
159,400
0
17
10
7
8
34
6
24
15
1
14
27
0
36, 200
93,935
8,900
14, 230
255, 875
107,805
12,175
12, 385
16,150
13,140
96, 285
9, 630
122, 700
160, 760
121, 079
67,550
716,900
157, 390
137, 340
110,143
38, 415
108, 820
463, 563
19, 285
3, 542,050
—14. 0
816
688
-1 5 .7
3,285,449
4,946,899
+50.6
1 Applications filed.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
[151]
9,233, 639 10, 607,852
+14. 9
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
152
T able
8.—E ST IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FOR W HICH PE R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN
PR IN C IP A L C ITIES, A P R IL A N D M A Y , 1931—Continued
M i d d l e A t l a n t i c S ta te s
N ew nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated cost)
New residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
New Jersey:
Atlantic C ity___
B ayonne..............
Belleville_______
Bloomiield_____
Camden________
Clifton_________
East Orange___ ’
Elizabeth. _____
G arfield_______
Hoboken . _____
Irvington ______
Jersey C ity_____
Kearny...............
Montclair______
Newark________
N ew Brunswick.
O range.................
Passaic_________
Paterson_______
Perth Am boy___
Plainfield_______
Trenton......... .......
Union C ity .. . . .
West New Y ork.
New York:
A lbany--------. . .
Amsterdam_____
Auburn________
Binghamton. . . .
Buffalo. . ______
E lm ira..................
Jamestown_____
Kingston_______
Lockport_______
M ount V ernon...
Newburgh. ____
New Rochelle___
Now York City—
The Bronx L_
Brooklyn 1 . ..
M anhattan L
Queens L . . .
Richmond
Niagara Falls___
Poughkeepsie___
Rochester ______
Schenectady____
Syracuse_______
Troy______ ____
U tica_____ _____
Watertown_____
W hite Plains.......
Yonkers________
Pennsylvania:
Allentown______
Altoona________
Bethlehem______
Butler__________
Chester _______
Easton_________
Erie......... ...........
Harrisburg...........
Hazleton_______
April,
1931
M.ay,
1931
$7,84S
0
59,700
40,000
32,000
119,400
34,750
117,000
18,000
0
39,200
45, 500
18,000
308,128
303, 500
30, 500
0
0
47,725
17,000
46,150
61,000
0
6,800
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April,
1931
May,
1931
April,
1931
3
6
10
31
0
9
3
9
2
0
16
13
14
14
40
2
0
0
6
8
9
2
0
0
$1, 378
34,112
3,992
38,000
487,441
16,100
286,170
27,000
1,000
1,500
86,685
175,650
7, 755
10,270
175,188
1, 659
0
6,900
35,665
3,800
12,525
57,140
2,900
1, 500
$2,000
8,850
4,800
6,000
35, 500
10, 680
94,980
21,000
2,100
227,410
27, 540
55,611
353,645
0
123,375
6,500
0
83, 700
40, 220
2,675
9,625
38,810
21,348
0
$72,093
37, 812
70, 632
107, 000
561,126
150. 600
370, 662
144, 000
27,225
15, 695
155, 650
309,175
31,165
340, 703
868,973
54,174
35,282
66,808
141,015
27,975
69,929
197,928
27,490
19, 380
$71,319
31,100
46,155
154,000
51,920
54,600
129,838
53,000
12, 755
242,074
108,740
217,646
404,910
133,200
450,349
40,443
122,041
102,025
133,173
55,275
166,023
78,260
43, 513
3,165
19
2
0
2
118
2
1
6
2
18
4
89
112,120
4,050
584,410
16,010
355, 784
26,640
3,950
7,600
840
55,300
194,443
32,230
176,600
2, 675
3,005
7,971
492,450
4,655
2,175
2,950
1,975
40,950
126,100
14, 710
439,817
32, 800
598, 450
114, 508
1,118, 268
73, 245
39,893
46,157
11,975
538, 756
218,618
544,519
394,156
15,275
10,205
55,351
968,106
28, 090
20, S85
71, 750
11,775
269,860
151,400
980,628
April,
1931
May,
1931
$24,000
16,000
37, 000
146,000
0
38, 500
19,700
32,000
8,200
0
67, 500
58, 500
48,000
133,200
163,600
21, 533
0
0
20,800
39,000
92,400
12,100
0
0
5
0
17
7
15
27
8
39
7
0
9
10
6
17
49
4
0
0
10
4
7
4
0
1
197,500
25,100
9,000
58,300
675,600
6,400
14,000
22,000
8,500
433,500
12,000
173, 200
185,490
8,600
0
11, 300
361,300
11,000
3,500
38,000
7,800
218, 500
19,000
596,500
27
5
2
12
187
2
1
5
4
73
2
10
4,154, 752
6,906,050
1,350,000
9, 512,700
429, 300
84, 800
70,000
297, 600
40,000
142, 600
78, 700
43, 500
9,300
118,400
1, 229, 800
3,530,600
6,618,350
870,000
5,536,250
504,915
55, 300
48, 500
141, 200
60, 475
140, 000
116, 600
56,000
2,000
231, 432
446,400
1,049
1,762
306
2,333
132
18
5
19
9
25
17
10
3
11
100
65, 800
6,800
28, 500
0
2,000
26, 500
92, 600
33, 500
3, 733
26,000
37,040
68, 700
600
0
0
116, 250
41,000
7,258
10
2
4
0
1
1
19
7
1
M ay.
1931
859
612, 600 1,181,100 5,124,502 5,153, 305
1,672
905,630 8,483,000 8,370,619
753, 767
179 27, 203, 845 10,090, 880 31, 561,843 12,032, 305
1,184 1,101, 532 2, 785,981 11,879,236 8,863,080
132
531,828 1,052,387 1,049, 365 1,705, 202
17, 202
13
18. 410
151, 291
111,708
7
2,220
243, 750
84, 570
318,150
22
734,195
413, 769 1, 082,170
652,039
12
35, 975
43,105
124, 640
172, 533
27
386, 565
925,855
595, 660 1, 102, 288
12
10, 400
70, 600
123,108
199, 873
11
15, 275
3,015
132, 275
71, 090
1
3, 200
1,880
23, 420
27,101
25
28, 575 2, 007, 700
186, 800 2, 279,143
54
309, 310
233,175 1, 574, 260
752, 625
1 Applications filed.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
[152]
1
7
9
1
0
0
21
5
2
12, 950
7,139
7,050
7,050
2,125
1,317
23, 000
18, 875
194, 465
13, 950
12, 273
16, 775
3, 200
5, 850
4, 959
244, 679
8,150
69,464
91, 875
33, 610
40, 800
15, 725
15, 225
34, 162
186,472
87, 801
205,465
58, 925
61, 799
118, 575
6, 600
17, 350
9, 779
451,011
90, 450
97, 591
HOUSING
153
T a b l e 8 .— E ST IM A T E D OORT OE B U IL D IN G S FOR W HICH PE R M IT S W ER E ISSU ED IN
PR IN C IP A L CITIES, A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931—Continued
M i d d l e A t l a n t i c S t a t e s — C o n tin u ed
New nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated cost)
N ew residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
April,
1931
May,
1931
$1, 600
15, 600
20,000
18, 9C0
22, 600
0
477, 750
398, 500
28, COO
32, 500
8,137
6,000
38,100
33, 250
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April,
1931
May,
1931
$20, 500
7, 000
61, 300
20, 700
20, 300
11, 495
338, 575
251, 2C0
47,000
10, 575
6, 200
14, 500
6, 5C0
0
1
5
5
4
5
0
97
70
3
11
8
1
7
9
4
2
14
4
4
3
68
61
4
.3
4
3
2
0
T otal_________ 28, 815,173 21, 909, 744
-2 4 .0
Per cent of change
6,706
Pennsylvania—Con.
Johnstown____Lancaster_______
McKeesport____
Nanticoke______
N ew Castle_____
Norristown_____
Philadelphia____
Pittsburgh______
Reading________
Scranton_______
Wilkes-Barre___
Wilkinsburg____
Williamsport___
York___________
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
April,
1931
May,
1931
April,
1931
M ay,
1931
$5, 925
43, 370
8, 960
0
14, 580
4,023
6, 795,195
2,106, CC0
77, 333
32, 315
373, 507
4, 625
54, 638
111, 625
$6, 210
28, 400
3, 673
0
5, 770
11, 213
1, 204, 870
450, 595
1, 614, 506
215,035
6,988
3, 440
6, 024
9,505
$21, 745
82, 210
67, 239
23, 005
40, 795
13, 591
7, 628,125
2, 709,158
187, 033
108, 960
418, 491
21, 876
121, 387
196, 396
$32, 390
104, 525
96, 691
31, 595
35, 320
52, 403
1, 903, 240
1, 005,160
1, 702, 051
274. 435
38, 322
29, 900
29, 697
19, 944
4,892 44, 520, 260 25, 975, 351 82, 206, 684 53, 961, 799
-2 7 .1
-41. 7
-3 4 .4
E a s t N o r th C e n tr a l S ta te s
Illinois:
Alton__________
Aurora_________
Belleville_______
Berwyn________
Bloomington____
Chicago________
C icero_________
Danville_______
Decatur____ . . .
East St. Louis .
Elgin---------------Evanston_______
Granite C ity____
Joliet— .................
Maywood______
Moline____ ____
Oak Park_______
Peoria__________
Quincy_________
Rockford _____
Rock Island— . .
Springfield____
Waukegan______
Indiana:
Anderson.........—
East Chicago___
Elkhart________
Evansville____ _
Fort W ayne__ Gary______ ____
Hammond ____
Indianapolis____
Kokomo____ _
Lafayette_______
Marion____ ____
Michigan C ity .-.
Mishawaka_____
M uncie________
Richmond____ _
South Bend____
Terre Haute____
$16,000
23, 513
42, 500
50,800
16,000
763,800
7,000
16,900
75, 300
84, 220
52,450
61,000
4,000
46,000
5,000
20, 800
90.900
123, 700
12,800
58,900
22.000
37, 200
29, 000
$24,873
6,450
29, 400
23,000
37,000
772, 250
17, 500
8, 600
51, 700
25, 934
25, 600
61,000
2, 600
33, 500
17, 200
17,500
86, 000
121, 950
10, 750
25, 500
17, 500
60, 300
23,000
5
5
18
9
4
112
1
6
13
20
10
4
1
7
1
5
7
31
4
18
5
9
4
3
2
9
3
5
119
3
2
5
13
5
5
1
3
3
4
8
26
5
7
6
13
6
$750
315, 735
0
4, 969
155, 700
2, 683,275
2,170
0
81, 900
10,100
26, 625
339, 250
200
2, 200
3,548
5, 660
13,950
11,942
1,318
8,955
4,565
81, 250
6, 012
$5,800
238, 735
3,050
7, 299
71,000
686,870
650
850
7,800
83, 390
4,835
4, 500
6,900
800
5,179
1,604
21,460
26, 300
1,050
8,625
2, 436
10, 915
940
$30, 264
355, 752
42, 500
57, 269
176, 700
4, 233,890
20, 185
23, 303
159,150
99, 605
93, 200
625, 750
4,200
71, 800
10,848
45, 749
110,800
154, 927
16, 043
86, 415
59, 904
144, 844
49, 632
$42, 648
257, 460
34, 900
36, 359
109,000
2,030, 570
26, 662
14, 900
82, 550
130, 224
41, 542
148, 000
9,500
44, 300
26, 979
22, 111
125, 950
334, 250
19, 525
43, 995
44, 228
110, 212
38, 640
32,025
0
2,800
65,150
105,371
29,000
17, 600
271, 850
3,000
18, 600
800
2, 700
6, 500
8, 900
11,800
17, 950
0
15, 700
0
4,000
28, 575
84, 230
27,300
32, 250
124,100
0
3,600
0
800
700
6,900
17, 500
45,150
9,700
10
0
1
17
21
6
5
38
1
6
1
2
3
4
4
6
0
5
0
1
8
19
10
6
24
0
1
0
1
1
4
4
8
4
15,050
7, 742
17, 931
304, 603
518,835
4, 235
19, 478
213,086
2, 500
5,000
750
3,875
5,955
2,215
800
54,410
1,420
575
49,568
1,125
15,807
15,539
3,460
3,135
504, 929
1,600
0
595
15,995
1,615
6,930
450
37, 415
4,505
61, 565
18,119
32, 587
380,569
670, 690
54,120
43, 203
589,583
12, 981
24,600
12,085
9, 375
16,405
26,954
18, 200
92, 085
11, 982
39, 666
55, 568
19, 555
58,415
138, 743
63,020
57, 317
706, 038
9, 111
6,450
3,390
18,025
6, 865
22, 596
32, 350
102, 770
21, 790
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[153]
154
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b le 8 —E ST IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FO B W HICH PE R M IT S W ER E ISSU E D IN
P R IN C IP A L CITIES, A PR IL A N D M AY, 1931—Continued
E a s t N o r th C e n tr a l S t a t e s — C o n tin u ed
New nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated cost)
New residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
April,
1931
Michigan:
Ann Arbor_____
$76,950
14, 650
Battle C r ee k ___
Bay City --------28, 500
124,400
Dearborn_______
Detroit. ______ 1,593, 675
99, 789
Flint___________
55, 750
Grand Rapids__
0
Hamtramck—
0
Highland Park.—
Jackson________
26,400
29,600
Kalamazoo_____
Lansing ______
46, 325
18,900
M uskegon. . . . _
0
Pontiac________
2,800
Port Huron_____
31,800
Saginaw. ______
22, 750
W yandotte._ . .
Ohio:
Akron....... ............
67, 625
0
Ashtabula______
Canton________
27, 550
894,855
C in c in n a ti..___
Cleveland.. . . . .
338,500
Cleveland
95,675
H eights.______
Columbus______
235,100
D a y to n .. . _____
73,400
5,000
East Cleveland...
1,800
Elyria___ ____ _
Hamilton_______
15,400
91,000
Lakewood....... .
3,000
Lima____ ____ _
L o r a i n ..............
6, 700
M ansfield.. . . . .
71,100
0
Marion_________
Massillon_______
4, 560
M iddletown.........
1,000
10,500
Norwood_______
Portsmouth_____
0
Springfield______
26, 750
10,500
Steubenville____
129,900
Toledo_________
W arren................
47, 570
Youngstown____
41, 800
Wisconsin:
A ppleton______
27, 800
30, 400
Eau Claire______
Fond du Lac____
28, 400
43, 050
Green B ay______
43, 200
Kenosha________
M a d iso n .......... .
62,050
690, 970
Milwaukee_____
Oshkosh________
9, 800
63, 000
Racine..................
Sheboygan______
90, 700
4,000
Superior ______
35,100
West A l l i s ____
Total _______ 7, 753, 873
P e r ce n t of change
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
May,
1931
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April,
1931
April,
1931
May,
1931
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
April,
1931
May,
1931
M ay,
1931
$84, 700
6,250
20, 900
102,800
1,452,150
87,344
46,000
0
0
4,800
28, 700
26,250
10,500
2,400
1,225
27, 200
31,250
7
5
10
27
340
16
14
0
0
2
8
8
6
0
2
12
5
13 $1,408,485
2
207, 500
6
9, 635
21
96,090
303
775, 570
19
231, 209
13
25, 210
0
1, 150
0
4, 365
1
11,128
13,340
5
41,210
8
4
2, 975
1
30,100
2
7,875
9
19,504
2, 340
5
43, 650
5,000
16, 700
727, 940
255,000
12
0
4
134
59
8
1
5
128
48
128,000
280,400
149,700
0
0
3,000
129,500
0
3,800
77,100
0
0
0
33,000
0
22,500
16,000
108, 600
23,180
59, 850
17
41
21
1
2
5
17
1
2
13
0
1
1
2
0
8
4
26
9
9
28 .
47
37
0
0
1
30
0
2
14
0
0
0
6
0
4
4
26
6
10
68, 200
15, 527
14,100
68, 800
5, 200
50, 000
289, 780
24,140
0
20, 300
11,500
71, 700
7
12
9
16
5
12
136
6
11
19
1
9
11
9
3
18
1
10
59
4
0
4
3
24
6, 554, 248
-1 5 .5
1,524
$2,481 $1, 510, 244
294,520
16,000
6,060
363, 696
11,085
226,311
587, 428 2, 709,488
374,583
48,789
32,500
133, 770
400
9,935
1,700
10,190
5,815
47,611
60, 205
60,043
533,405
141, 175
251,880
35,940
37,614
8, 360
0
15, 850
38, 692
66,121
6,545
37,185
$108,384
27,300
70, 848
122, 320
2, 366, 894
168, 418
111,875
7, 630
17,450
25, 552
101, 665
564, 980
268,985
21, 105
1,225
82, 2G9
46,265
25, 336
46, 760
38,010
371, 205
198,325
77, 625
4,955
110,015
6,191, 385
290,450
357, 433
51, 662
101,450
1, 386, 700
792, 500
218, 350
12,875
136,035
7,051. 270
823, 725
24, 485
96,100
36, 404
10,675
960
4,610
17, 750
515
19, 230
2,505
3,150
93, 295
1,658
3,180
6,425
830,859
1,050
29,179
9, 755
7, 460
3,155
77,900
1,032, 840
687, 097
3,580
201, 665
3,240
1,805
12,000
15, 310
655
1,050
1,550
2,150
5,800
7,605
1,325
177, 943
2,320
162, 944
124,810
425,650
163,982
21,470
7, 640
28, 540
114, 450
9, 890
29, 760
78, 068
3,915
100,105
9,558
15, 320
9, 390
863, 329
12,000
204, 507
66, 405
174, 147
142, 605
393, 550
1, 223, 902
688,011
5, 615
213,425
137, 740
6, 265
22,195
102, 958
1,605
4, 400
10, 665
37, 700
9,000
48, 920
25, 675
328, 892
35, 210
239,109
12,315
7, 400
2,930
14, 670
7,455
35, 560
1, 448, 687
33, 825
93, 070
9,809
3,155
6,545
93, 572
13, 400
142,011
2,555
5,425
17, 224
487, 285
13, 371
61, 855
11,805
83, 065
9,870
61, 505
40, 968
49, 260
82, 975
66, 650
120, 564
2, 960, 772
50, 905
171, 860
131, 993
11, 680
49, 930
193, 417
44, 797
158, 346
87, 940
19,917
88, 654
1, 010, 258
46, 271
86,045
52, 323
101, 976
92, 955
1,315 11, 428, 472 13, 493, 378 23, 757,677 23,151, 935
-1 3 . 7
- 2 .5
+18.1
[154]
155
HOUSING
T a b l e 8 .— E ST IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FOR W H IC H P E R M IT S W E R E ISSU E D IN
PR IN C IP A L C ITIES, A PR IL A N D M A Y , 1931—Continued
W e s t N o r th C e n tr a l S ta te s
N ew nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated)
New residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
April,
1931
Iowa:
Burlington_____
Cedar Rapids___
Council Bluffs__
Davenport--------Des Moines_____
Dubuque_______
Ottumwa______
Sioux C itv______
Waterloo_______
Kansas:
Hutchinson_____
Kansas C ity____
Topeka________
W ic h ita ...............
Minnesota:
D ulu th_________
Minneapolis____
St. Paul________
Missouri:
Joplin ________
Kansas C ity____
Springfield............
St. Josep h ...........
St. Louis................
Nebraska:
Lincoln________
Omaha ______
South Dakota:
Sioux Falls_____
May,
1931
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April,
1931
April,
1931
M ay,
1931
M ay,
1931
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
April,
1931
M ay,
1931
$6,000
54, 800
29, 000
64, 200
143,350
6,000
31, 500
79, 950
41,625
$5, 700
39, 770
12,000
46, 920
80, 470
14, 517
• 50,000
67, 600
49, 400
2
20
7
20
27
2
7
25
18
4
15
6
13
20
4
10
17
15
$4,145
72, 657
17, 200
9,848
902, 985
24, 503
2,050
109,125
20, 800
$1, 400
24, 923
102,150
3, 377
63, 457
16, 624
105, 200
29,005
14, 468
$12, 695
149, 497
59, 700
109, 997
1,087, 000
42,195
41, 300
253,375
76, 725
$10, 425
97, 586
117, 450
72, 814
155, 092
42,003
260,150
120, 655
68, 743
25, 750
32,725
21, 500
74, 725
18, 700
33,000
61, 600
126,625
10
16
6
32
5
15
11
37
3, 338
221, 220
70, 720
18,375
4,605
18, 605
27, 770
19, 404
38, 949
263, 245
107, 495
124, 446
28, 555
62, 300
98,000
168,357
13,000
668, 700
516.960
49, 550
491,975
273,300
5
181
53
13
118
47
21,565
868,365
879, 595
13,190
355,025
1,857, 331
96, 363
1,707,855
1,512,455
99,333
1,009,185
2, 233, 483
14, 000
150, 500
3,800
16,000
577, 937
0
153, 000
37,000
9, 850
648,250
4
38
13
7
146
0
40
14
4
174
247,303
811, 000
18, 075
20, 980
3, 805, 257
1,650
2, 826, 880
2, 650
152,025
536, 885
270,028
1,002, 350
30, 350
48,835
4, 568, 665
5,100
3,302,150
50, 250
168, 830
1, 401, 748
83,450
154,150
39, 400
123,600
10
36
10
26
4,995
40, 617
14, 720
131, 910
98, 955
226, 947
85, 555
320,130
15,487
426, 574
197, 250
124, 565
178, 513
28
45
289,384
Total ________ 2,934,187
2,610, 740
—11.0
713
663
-7 .0
8,484,102
6,338, 741 12,355, 996 10,175,144
-1 7 .7
-2 5 .3
S o u th A t l a n t i c S ta te s
Delaware:
$310,900
$69,100
Wilmington____
District of Columbia:
Washington------- 1, 630,100 4, 265,000
Florida:
28, 250
49,850
.1acksonville____
33,050
116,750
M iam i_________
1,800
0
Orlando.........—
31, 400
26, 700
St. Petersburg. . .
500
7, 450
Tampa........... .......
Georgia:
72,600
90,825
A tlanta________
28, 250
9,858
Augusta................
10,950
6,450
Columbus.........
19, 400
7, 475
Macon_________
16,000
8, 750
Savannah..:____
Maryland:
812,000
Baltimore______ 3, 430,000
4,000
5, 400
Cumberland____
3,500
9,500
Hagerstown.........
North Carolina:
1,000
8, 500
Asheville______ _
0
133,000
C harlotte.______
33,000
7,800
Greensboro------8,500
37, 200
High Point....... .
1, 400
Raleigh________ . 1,500
0
7,000
W ilmington..
13, 815
14, 200
Winston-Salem..
63413°— 31------11
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
14
61
$15,185
$15,982
$131, 567
$368, 472
308
677
283, 425
843,673
2,363,185
5, 362, 738
16
15
0
11
8
14
15
3
4
1
10,985
32, 470
1,670
27,000
35,725
14.420
49, 800
425
5,200
50,475
121,725
239, 038
18, 370
76,300
69, 621
109, 955
207,765
18, 450
71,700
84, 511
41
6
2
11
3
31
11
5
4
6
76,183
9,638
9,225
8,335
18, 275
186, 203
6,698
1,640
100
1,215
234,012
43, 745
25,345
221,080
36, 550
334,780
42,148
19, 955
52, 509
58, 515
827
3
2
173
1
1
831, 200
2,930
6,920
1, 252, 200
1,555
50,565
4,891. 200
8, 580
16,620
2, 739, 300
6,830
55,315
5
42
2
8
1
3
3
1
0
6
4
3
0
9
17, 661
33, 525
19, 480
8,625
22,300
2, 400
24,410
165
11, 500
10, 278
10,015
1,805
1,800
175, 290
29, 586
176,971
55, 535
47, 236
25, 475
15, 400
72,452
38,012
142, 706
100,017
19, 940
14, 907
17,100
228, 000
[155]
156
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
T a b l e 8 .— E ST IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FOR W HICH P E R M IT S W ER E ISSU E D IN
PR IN C IP A L CITIES, A P R IL A N D M A Y, 1931—Continued
S o u th A t l a n t i c S t a t e s — C o n tin u ed
N ew nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated)
New residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
April,
1931
South Ca-olina:
Charleston . . . .
Columbia____ .
Greenville______
Virginia:
Newport N e w s...
Norfolk. . . . _
Petersburg____
Portsm outh...
R ichm ond.. .
Roanoke. ______
West Virginia:
Charleston_____
Clarksburg_____
Huntington_____
Parkersburg__
Wheeling ______
May,
1931
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
April,
1931
May,
1931
April,
1931
May,
1931
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
April,
1931
M ay,
1931
$9,400
41, 600
22,000
$21,000
28, 000
20, 200
4
14
3
6
16
5
$450
2,450
13, 975
$100
10,835
34)625
$19,890
54,090
42)410
$28, 465
58, 685
61,585
65,387
75, 500
1,000
15,400
122, 550
258,000
8,400
104, 800
7,000
9, 545
85,400
197, 100
13
19
2
5
24
2
4
21
3
2
24
8
17,692
18,115
865
1,070
160,150
5,725
1,838
24, 795
7,000
790
44,243
74,495
93, 808
118) 555
4,890
58, 932
307; 882
275, 974
20, 476
160) 645
19, 930
24| 395
168,080
277, 945
57,500
3, 600
5,100
4, 000
14,000
26, 500
23,000
11,900
11, 600
13,000
11
2
2
1
2
10
2
5
3
3
108,850
2,415
1,325
8,875
17,235
3,275
1,060
6,870
64,029
43, 411
173, 550
13, 365
16, 725
30, 938
58,109
196, 675
30; 325
23, 520
82j 239
7< 811
Total___
6,314, 945
Per cent of change___
6,262, 760
- 0 .8
1,424
1,142
—19.8
1,747, 909
3,008, 370 10, 015,161 11,321, 401
+72.1
+13.0
S o u th C e n tr a l S ta te s
Alabama:
Birmingham^.
$4,100
Mobile______
21, 600
Montgomery..
44,000
Arkansas:
Little R o c k ...
20, 800
Kentucky:
Ashland....... .
0
Covington___
5,000
Louisville____
144, 000
Newport_____
0
Paducah_____
3,200
Louisiana:
Baton Rouge..
6,200
Monroe_____
9,050
New Orleans____
93, 486
Shreveport___
50, 614
Oklahoma:
Enid________
9, 550
Oklahoma C ity ..
543, 750
Okmulgee____
0
Tulsa____ ____
208, 705
Tennessee:
Chattanooga...
41, 709
Knoxville_____
25,440
M em phis_____
92, 950
N ashville..........
58, 850
Texas:
Amarillo______
23,965
A ustin...... .........
142,197
Beaumont____
20, 225
Dallas________
188,195
El Paso______
117,405
Fort Worth___
163, 350
Houston______
1,168, 750
San Angelo___
10,800
San Antonio__
87, 485
Waco_________
33, 667
Wichita F a lls..
0
T otal______
Per cent of change.
3, 339,043
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$45,195
11, 400
58, 600
5
12
16
11
6
26
$284,136
11,550
7,625
$203, 647
16, 200
9, 750
$382, 518
55,154
71,265
$296,997
40, 060
83,780
35,250
8
9
36, 470
17,865
116, 465
69,627
0
8,000
103, 500
8,200
9,150
0
1
21
0
2
0
2
15
2
4
450
4, 660
300, 505
25,300
1, 550
1,400
166, 345
24, 350
1,050
6,255
6,225
21, 745
534, 395
26, 600
5,750
4,025
186,840
161.495
13, 250
16,080
20, 211
11,500
60,900
22,000
5
6
37
21
9
4
26
15
82, 325
75
2, 224, 546
5,048
6,947
1,600
54, 2,0
3,877
92,035
9 ,375
2,375,019
82,741
40, 681
17,800
192, 973
66, 936
16,000
233, 700
0
79,875
6
77
0
56
16
68
0
27
1,350
1,123, 910
150
63, 305
0
126,416
646
276, 310
12, 830
1, 708, 545
650
297, 717
16,000
404, 516
1,046
377.496
51,050
19,620
74,230
43, 300
14
11
32
20
16
9
33
20
21, 500
33, 036
52, 910
421, 965
51, 725
14, 544
159,250
45,525
89,864
72, 006
221, 000
512, 061
159, 002
39, 312
355, 220
123,195
64, 300
128,150
40, 720
156,190
59, 258
168,104
554, 200
3, 250
68, 725
18, 087
0
14
70
11
85
31
52
284
8
59
10
0
19
83
15
74
14
39
130
3
49
8
0
370, 500
75,126
68, 562
146, 590
25,895
202, 685
191, 80O
9,525
415, 520
3,733
1, 500
225, 600
10, 095
282, 085
100, 2i5
2,265
716, 6*8
149,950
250
17, 780
27, 200
0
401, 525
232, 369
109,169
527, 045
182,181
4i5, 384
1,393, 650
24, 525
544, 6a 4
63, 007
6,875
293,375
154, 430
345, 571
337,382
96,942
938, 236
733, 593
5,925
107,145
80,907
6, 774
2,172, 665
- 3 4 .9
974
752
- 2 2 .8
6,213,852
2, 720,000 10, 594, 384
—56. 2
5, 766, 611
- 4 5 .6
[156]
HOUSING
157
^Ta b l e 8 .—E ST IM A T E D COST OF B U IL D IN G S FOR W H IC H PE R M IT S W ER E ISSU E D IN
PR IN C IP A L CITIES, A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931—Continued
M o u n t a i n a n d P a c if ic S t a t e s
New nonresidential
buildings
(esti
mated)
New residential buildings
State and city
Estimated cost
April,
1931
Arizona:
$48, 690
Phoenix_____ 62,300
Tucson_________
California:
29, 800
Alameda_______
82, 750
Alhambra____
41,205
Bakersfield_____
135,
625
B er k e le y ______
70, 850
Fresno - - _____
264, 750
Glendale.. _____
Long Beach____
296, 850
Los Angeles_____ 1, 700, 864
257, 320
Oakland_______
71, 300
P a s a d e n a .,.___
176, 920
Sacramento_____
58, 5C0
San Bernardino..
217, 700
San D iego__-___
San Francisco.. _ 1, 212, 4C0
60, 3C0
San Jose________
44, 400
Santa Ana ____
131, 200
Santa M onica.. .
69, 600
___
Stockton
23, 300
Vallejo_________
Colorado:
10, 450
Colorado Springs.
828, 4C0
Denver_________
11, 500
Pueblo_________
Montana:
0
B utte_________
103, 700
Great Falls_____
N ew Mexico:
87, 800
Albuquerque___
Families pro
vided for in
new dwellings
May,
1931
April.
1931
M ay,
1931
$9, 600
15, 349
$48, 360
56, 670
$76, 577
115,380
$114, 705
127,322
5
25
9
49
12
39
91
635
56
13
37
11
80
300
8
2
17
28
2
2,110
21, 700
28, 850
11,155
11, 705
12, 065
35, 350
912, 906
604, 087
77, 595
313, 863
22, 690
287, 886
566, 384
23,155
0
29, 710
21, 090
8,006
17, 530
3, 900
2,175
23, 697
5, 345
26, 385
155, 280
660,175
693,118
77, 072
331, 460
2, 690
415,432
1, 752, 485
3, 010
12, 995
46, 460
165, 470
2,200
43, 684
110, 750
87, 015
160, 472
105, 093
283, 545
366, 745
3, 509, 653
933, 852
199, 389
532, 756
93, 687
551, 516
1, 998, 787
135, 645
51, 601
170,285
■ 103,388
42, 475
50, 382
84,875
59, 555
209, 451
75, 442
219, 885
431, 245
3, 323, 487
969, 411
307, 335
574, 952
56, 750
684, 662
2, 949, 345
61, 485
31, 459
148,120
285, 699
17, 675
5
289
6
3
96
10
21,005
204, 450
6,680
6, 920
381,900
25,387
44, 580
1,120, 450
28, 650
17, 670
888,100
64,040
0
17
1
8
9,175
20,320
17, 896
10, 570
14, 200
135, 895
24, 956
53,145
April,
1931
May,
1931
$44,805
55, 550
11
20
15
20
26, 400
75, 850
37, 900
163, 000
51,150
183, 800
236, 200
1, 869, 901
197, 971
130, 450
190, 910
45, 200
234,155
1, 046, 716
32, 3C0
6, 500
90, 550
108, 994
10, 800
7
27
15
25
17
69
105
548
64
14
32
16
56
323
13
12
31
16
5
6, 700
384,150
22,000
450
34, 200
Mav,
1931
Total construction,
including altera
tions (estimated
cost)
April,
1931
55, 500
20
17
5,804
54, 275
121,302
115,169
286, 550
31, 365
273, 650
14, 900
59
19
58
3
127, 765
86, 500
68, 290
1, 625
527, 290
129,129
439, 985
23, 391
9,000
224,350
10,300
274,240
4
58
5
95
3,500
46,214
53,150
64,786
14, 700
298,163
74,680
365,846
9,900
3,000
296, 320
104, 400
32,000
14,800
7,600
361,000
93,975
46, 500
3
1
106
24
14
5
4
113
27
20
3,000
8,670
424,699
418,175
115,550
1,385
1,405
,705,935
3,725
58,445
17,857
18, 216
994, 549
542,019
193,915
20,965
17, 560
2,266, 790
132,735
125,510
T otal------------- 7,095,359
Per cent of change
6,439,067
- 9 .2
2,051
1,919
- 6 .4
4, 516,763
Portland_______
Salem__________
Utah:
Ogden____ _____
Salt Lake C ity ...
Washington:
Bellingham_____
E verett________
Seattle ________
Spokane___ ____
Tacoma________
6,957, 603 13,873,210 15,413,784
+11.1
+54.0
H a w a ii
Honolulu
________
$170,822
P e r ce n t of change
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$146,543
—14. 2
57
96
+68.4
[157]
$255,861
$45,597
—82.2
$454, 743
$218,818
-5 1 .9
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
R e c e n t C h a n g e s in W ag es an d H o u rs of L a b o r
NFORMATION received by the bureau regarding wage changes
is presented below in two distinct groups : Part 1 relates to manu
facturing establishments that report monthly figures regarding volume
of employment, while part 2 presents data obtained from new trade
agreements and other miscellaneous sources. Although the effort is
made, it is not always possible to avoid duplication of data as between
parts 1 and 2.
I
Part 1. Wage-Rate Changes in Manufacturing Industries
Seven establishments in 6 industries reported wage-rate increases
during the month ending Ma}^ 15. These increases, averaging 3 per
cent, affected 743 employees or 49 per cent of all employees in the
establishments concerned.
Two hundred and ninety-three establishments in 46 industries re
ported wage-rate decreases during the same period. These decreases,
averaging 10.4 per cent, affected 46,377 employees or 73 per cent of all
employees in the establishments concerned.
Thirty-three of the wage-rate decreases were reported by establish
ments in the textile group of industries ; 53 of the decreases were in the
iron and steel group of industries; 60 decreases were in the lumber
group of industries; 56 decreases were in the stone-clay-glass group of
industries.
158
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[158]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
159
WAGE C H ANGES OCCURRING B E T W E E N A PR IL 15 A N D M AY 15, 1931
Per cent of increase
or decrease in
wage rate
Establishments
Number
reporting
increase
Total
or de
number crease
in
reporting
wage
rates
Industry
Employees affected
Per cent of employees
Range
Total
Average num
ber
In estab
lishments
reporting
increase or
decrease in
wage-rates
In all
estab
lish
ments
report
ing
In c r e a s e s
Baking ..................................... . .
Hosiery and knit goods.
______
Iron and steel. ................. ............
Printing, book and job
. ------Printing, newspapers .
. .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta_____
Total .
______
716
350
189
610
454
731
__ . . .
1
1
1
2
1
1
5.0
1.0
1.5
10.0-14. 0
2.3
10.0
5.0
1.0
1. 5
13.3
2.3
10.0
17
90
497
28
21
90
24
100
44
74
30
92
7
1. 0-14. 0
3.0
743
49
(i)
0)
(')
(>)
0)
0)
D e c re e ses
Slaughtering and meat packing.
Icecream . . . . . . . .
.......
Flour
-------------------. .
Baking.
________
_______
Cotton goods______ . . . . . . .
Hosiery and knit g o o d s ._______
Silk goods___ _____
.
Woolen and worsted goods
Clothing, men’s . _ _ . . .
... .
Clothing, women’s .
... _
M illinery and lace goods________
Iron and steel. -------------- . . . .
Structural ironwork
Foundry and machines-hop prod
ucts___ _ _ ---------- ------ -H ardw are... ____ ________ _ ..
Machine to o ls.. . . .
Steam fittings and steam ar.d hotwater heating apparatus
Stoves. .
. . .
Lumber, sawmills .
Lumber, millwork
. .
Furniture________________ . . . .
Boots and sh oes..
. -----Paper and pulp . _______ ______
Paper b o x e s ........... ............. ...........
Printing, book and job . . . .
Chemicals______________ .
F ertilizers..................
. ...
Petroleum refining_______ ___
Cement ___ _ _ . . . . . .
___
Brick, tile, and terra cotta______
P o tte r v _______________________
( \l a s s ___________ . _________
Stamped and enameled ware____
Brass, bronze, and copper products___________________ ____
Cigars and cigarettes __________
Automobiles___________________
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies_________________
Pianos arid organs_________ ____
Rubber boots and shoes. ______
Jew elry.____________ ________
Paint and varnish_____ . . . . .
Rubber goods, other than boots,
shoes, tires, and inner tubes .
Beet su g a r____________________
Cash registers, adding machines,
and calculating m a ch in es_____
Typewriters and supplies_______
Industry not specified 2...............
Total.
____
. . .
211
331
403
716
505
350
258
195
350
382
124
189
178
4
1
6
3
18
5.0-20. 0
10.0
10. 0-12. 5
9. 2-25. 0
7.0-15. 0
5
4. 3-15.0
3
2.5-10.0
2 10.0-12. 5
1
5.0
2
10.0
2
10. 0
4
6.0-10. 0
10
2.0-10. 0
9. 5
10.0
11.0
11.4
11.8
9.9
9.4
11.9
5.0
10.0
10.0
9.3
9.7
305
46
213
32
1,472
521
264
302
181
234
247
1, 102
1,596
31
100
68
86
28
11
95
100
100
76
89
99
84
1,077
96
151
26
4
3
5.0-25. 0
10.0
10.0
11.4
10. 0
10. 0
2. 932
1,131
546
79
92
62
105
136
684
343
447
301
361
312
610
163
207
96
111
731
115
191
82
1
5
39
12
9
2
18
7
4
3
3
2
S
45
2
1
3
5.0
10. 0-12. 5
5.0-25. 0
2.0-20. 0
5. 0-20. 0
10.0
3.5-15.0
10. 0-20. 0
7. 5-10. 0
10.0-15.0
10.0 20. 0
9.0-10. 0
10.0
10.0-20. 0
10.0-20. 0
15.0
5.0-10.0
5.0
10.3
11.6
8.0
12. 2
10.0
9.9
10.5
9. 0
10.0
13.5
9.9
10.0
11.6
11.6
15.0
8.5
91
570
6,243
309
909
61
5,201
612
458
275
162
190
1,176
2,138
127
202
574
50
71
90
77
65
25
98
95
100
17
84
20
100
76
54
100
100
162
186
213
5
3
1
5.0-14.0
3. 4-16. 7
3.0
8.3
4.9
3.0
203
247
125
52
88
18
208
63
10
157
304
3
2
1
1
8
10.0
10.0-15.0
10.0
10.0
10.0-15.0
10.0
11. 7
10.0
10.0
10. 2
1,053
46
467
149
442
68
85
65
100
100
1
1
4
1
3
80
61
2
6
5. 0-10. 0
4.0
7.6
4.0
234
195
100
58
1
8
49
17
1
1
1
15.0
10.0
10. 0
15. 0
10.0
10 0
116
397
12, 281
100
100
100
1
4
293
2.0-25. 0
10. 4
46, 377
73
1 Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
2 Industry title omitted to avoid identifying reporting company.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[150]
(')
(')
0)
(0
(1)
(')
1
1
l
1
1
2
7
2
4
2
(')
0)
(’)
(')
3
7
1
2
7
3
1
1
2
6
7
1
3
1
1
(•)
160
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
Part 2. Wage Changes Reported by Trade-Unions since March, 1931
W a g e andhour changes reported from trade-unions and other sources
since March cover a total of 30,798 workers, of whom 9,428 adopted
the 5-day week, about 1,500 of these having gone on this basis only
temporarily.
Practically all changes in wages were reductions, the most impor
tant being in the building trades, where 9,000 workers accepted reduc
tions ranging from 5 to 25 cents per hour, the next most significant
group being the potters, where about 7,000 pieceworkers took a reduc
tion of 10 per cent.
Only one of the groups—chauffeurs and teamsters—remained un
changed regarding wages.
R E C E N T W AGE C H A N G ES, BY IN D U S T R Y , OCC U PA TION , A N D LOCALITY, M A RCH
TO JU N E , 1931
Rate of wages
Industry or occupation, and locality
Date of
change
Before
change
P e r w eek
Bakery trades, Youngstown, Ohio:
Bakers______________ _ _____ _________ _ M ay
Foremen . ___________________ __ ___
_do
........
___________ .
Taxicab drivers, San Francisco, Calif . .
Truck drivers and helpers, Oakland, C a lif.._
Clothing:
Coat and pants operators, Cincinnati, Ohio..
Overall workers—
Denison, Tex., Denver, Colo., Kansas
City, Mo., Long Beach, Calif., Oakland, Calif., Omaha, Nebr., St. Paul,
M inn., and Tacoma, Wash____ _____
Before After
After change change
change
P e r w eek
$41. 00 $35. 00-$38.00
1 $38. 00—
48.00
45.00
Building trades:
Bricklayers and masons—
Boston, M ass________ _______ - ____ Apr. 1
Columbus, Ohio, and v ic in it y .___ _
do
M ay 11
Sandusky, Ohio. _ . . . ---------- . . .
Toledo, Ohio, and v icinity______ ____
M ay 1
Westerly, R. I . _______ ____ . . . . . . Ma y 20
Carpenters—
Carbondale, P a ... _________ _______
M ay 1
Louisville, K y., and vicinity. _______
0
Walla Walla, Wash___ _______ ____ M ay 1
Youngstown, Ohio
...
- do
Laborers, Santa Barbara, Calif., and vicinity. _-_do___
Painters, decorators, and paper hangers—
Baltimore, M d _________ __________ . June 26
La Crosse, W is.. . ________ ________ M ay 1
Omaha, Nebr .
___ Apr. 15
Plasterers, Toledo, Ohio . . . ____ ________ M ay 1
Plumbers—
Bishop, Corpus Christi, Kingsville, and
Ilobstown, Tex. ____ _______ _ . . .
(>)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa____ _ _ _ _____ _ M ay 12
Youngstown, Ohio
______. . . .
M ay 1
Sheet-metal workers, Indianapolis, In d ____ -__do___
Structural-iron workers, Santa Barbara,
Calif., and vicinity .
do _
All building trades workers, D ayton, Ohio... M ay 28
Chauffeurs and teamsters:
Chauffeurs, Chicago, 111
Drivers, Chicago, 111 . __
Hours per week
P e r hour
P e r hour
48
48
$1.50
1. 56M
1.50'
1.62
1.50
$1.50
1 . 56M
1. 25
1.50
1.37K
44
44
40
44
44
40
40
40
40
44
1.00
1 .12H
1.00
1.37 Y i
1.00
2 1.00
• 87K
1. 25
(>)
44
40
44
40
44
40
40
44
40
40
1.12H
1.00
1.00
1.62M
l. 18M
1.00
1.00
1.50
40
44
44
44
40
40
40
40
1. 37Y t
1.25
1. 50
1. 27y 2
1.50
1.20
1.37K
1.15
44
44
40
44
40
44
40
44
44
44
40
40
60
60
57
57
0
0)
0)
H)
0)
P e r w eek
P e r w eek
Apr. 1 $42. 00-$46. 00 $42. 00-$46. 00
do__
38. 00- 43. 00 38. 00- 43. 00
P e r day
P e r day
M ay
Apr.
1
2
3 4. 00
5$5. 50-$8. 00
4 4. 00
5$5. 50-$8. 00
GO
0 3K
60
88
Apr.
7
0
0
8 27H
«31
June 1
0
0
1 N ot reported.
2 Temporary change.
3 And 25 per cent on weekly receipts exceeding $84, night work, and $62 day work
4 And 25 per cent on weekly receipts exceeding $62, night work, and $58 day work
6 Sliding scale.
6 Per day.
7 3.3 per cent reduction.
8 Average.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
48
48
[1601
44
40
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
161
R E C E N T W AGE CHA N G ES, B Y IN D U S T R Y , OCC U PA TION , A N D LOCALITY, M A RC H
TO JU N E , 1931—Continued
Hours per week
Rate of wages
Industry or occupation, and locality
Date of
change
Before
change
P e r w eek
Clothing—Continued.
Shirt and overall makers, Indianapolis, Ind.,
and Lynchburg, Va-------------------------------
June
Lumber workers: Everett, W ash---------------- --- Apr.
1
2
Mar. 1
Mine laborers, Avella, P a---------------------------- Potters, United States-----------------------------------Printing trades:
Compositors, Big Spring, Tex.—
Newspaper, day______________________
Newspaper, night
Railway clerks, 'Baltimore, M d------- ------Textiles:
Silk weavers—
Central Falls, R. I _
Clifton, N . J_________________________
Fall River, M ass------ -------------------------Other occupations:
Janitors, Chicago, 111.—
Average rental $60 per month—
2-flat building_____________ ____ 3-flat building _______________ 4-flat building
___________
_____ _
fi-flat building
Average rental up to $35 per month, 6
flats or over
_______
Average rental $36 to $59 per month, 6
flats or over
_____________ - - __
Average rental $60 per month, 6 flats or
Apr. 16
M ay 25
P e r w eek
0
0
P e r hour
P e r hour
8 $0. 458
P e r day
Molders and coremakers, Belleville, 111— -------
Before After
After change change
change
$7. 75
P e r hour
$0. 40
0
P e r w ee k
8 $0.412
44
40
48
48
48
48
P e r day
$7. 25
P e r hour
$0. 35
(10)
0
0
P e r w eek
Mar. 9
. do____
Apr. 4
$41. CO
44. 00
$40. 00
42. 00
0
0
Apr. 21
Apr. 27
M ay 19
u $2. 35
$30. 00
u . 04R
u $2.15
$35.00
12.03M
u
u $12. 00
u 16. 50
u 19. 00
u 21. 50
48
48
48
0
0
48
48
2 40
52]^
48
58
53M
48
58
P e r m o n th
Apr. 1
_ do___
do. __
-_do__
(1)
(!)
_ do___
(1)
is 3. 60
0
0
- do___
0
is 3.75
0
0
_ do___
Average rental $121 to $150 per month,
6 flats or over---------------------------------- __.do___
0
15 3. 80
(i)
0
0
1« 7. CO
0)
0
0
0
0
0
(i)
0
0
0
(O
0
1N ot reported.
2Temporary change.
8Average.
2Piecework.
i° 10 per cent reduction.
11Per 1,000 picks.
Per yard.
1182The
rates following are about 5 per cent lower than former rates.
14Or a proportionate amount for flats renting for over $60 and up to $200 per month,
is Per flat.
is M inimum pay per flat.
W a g e s in t h e T e x tile In d u s try of C e r ta in E u ro p e a n C o u n trie s
HIS article presents the latest available data regarding wages
and hours in various branches of the textile industry in Czecho
slovakia, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The
information was supplied by the American consuls in the respective
countries.
It is seen that the normal working hours are uniformly 8 per day
and 48 hours per week; in some cases, however, the factories are not
working full time.
Wage rates vary widely from country to country.
T
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 161 ]
162
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
C z e ch o slo v a k ia
1
I n t h e Czechoslovak textile industry the wage rates are determined
by collective agreement between the employers’ associations and the
respective trade-unions.
Table 1, which follows, shows the average hourly rates in the silk,
velvet, and velveteen industry as contained in the agreement in force
between the Association of Silk Industries in Czechoslovakia and six
central labor unions.
T able
1
. — AVER A G E
H O U R LY R A TES IN SILK, V E L V E T , A N D V E L V E T E E N IN D U S T R Y
IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of Czechoslovak crown=2.96 cents]
Average hourly rate
Group 1 i
Occupation
Czecho
slovak
currency
Thread m akers,.. _____
Labelers, spinners, workmen in storehouses________
Workers on silk material, ribbons, e t c _____ _____
V orkers on velvet and velveteen _
Spooler tenders and auxiliary workers in spinning fac
tories:
Up to 20 years of age_________________________
Over 20 years of age _________________________
Cloth cleaners___ ______ ____________ .
Carpenters and locksmiths__________ _ . . .
Charwomen_______ ______
D ay laborers..
.
D ay laborers, heavy work..
. . . . .
Dyers, skilled _______
___ _
Dyers’ assistants, m e n .. . . . . . ______
Dyers’ assistants, women .
Stokers and machine operators. . . . . . . . .
C ro w n s
Group 2 2
United
States
currency
Czecho
slovak
currency
United
States
currency
C e n ts
C ro w n s
C e n ts
2. 33
2. 42
2.50
3.00
6.9
7.2
7.4
8.9
2.21
2. 30
2. 38
2.88
1.98
2.14-2. 26
1.92
2. 74-3. 50
1. 80-2. 09
1. 91-2. 27
2.43
2. 78-3.17
2.14-2.98
1.98-2. 34
2. 59-2. 90
5.9
6.3- 6. 7
5.7
8.1-10. 4
5. 3- 6. 2
5. 7- 6. 7
7.2
8. 2- 9. 4
6. 3- 8. 8
5. 9- 6. 9
7. 7- 8. 8
1.88
2.05-2.14
1.83
2. 62-3. 34
1. 71-1. 98
1.83-2.15
2. 31
2. 65-3.02
2.05-2.85
1.89-2. 22
2. 48-2. 82
6. 5
6.8
7.0
8.5
5.6
6.1-6. 3
5. 3
7.8-9.9
5.1-5.9
5.3-6. 4
6. 8
7.8-8. 9
6.1-8. 8
5. 6-6. 6
7. 3-8.4
1 Includes factories in Hradsko, Moravsky Senberk, Moravska Trebova, Sternberk, and Wigstadtl, in
the northern part of Moravia and Bohemia.
2 Includes factories in all other places than those enumerated under Group 1.
The working week is, as a rule, 48 hours.
Overtime work is paid for at the rate of time and a quarter, and
Sunday and night work at the rate of time and a half. For work on
special holidays (New Year’s, two Christmas holidays, Easter holiday,
Monday after Whitsuntide, Corpus Christi Day, All Saints Day, and
May 1) double rates are paid. Pieceworkers may not receive more
than 10 per cent increase over the wages they should receive for a
like working period when working by the hour.
Workers who are sick are entitled to 10 per cent of their wages
during the third and fourth weeks of their illness, 20 per cent during
the fifth and sixth weeks, and 30 per cent during the seventh and
eighth weeks.
Workers are entitled to receive the regular rates for absence due
to any of the following causes: Summons to appear at court, military
examination or service, voting, bringing suit before the court, sudden
sickness of parents, children, wife, or husband, births, death of hus
band or wife, or of sister or brother (provided they live in one common
1 Data for this section furnished by John W. Bailey, jr., American consul at Prague.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[162]
W AGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
163
household), or of parents or children, attendance at funerals when
authorized by the management of the concern, and weddings.
F ran ce
I n t h e textile industry in France the working hours are limited to
48 per week. This limit was set by the 8-hour law of April 23, 1919,
regulating the hours in all industries.
Lyon district 2
M o s t of the weaving of silk and velvet in the Lyon district in
France is done in the surrounding country districts. Table 2, which
follows, shows the normal hourly rates in the various occupations in
the silk industry in these country districts (the rate in the city of
Lyon are somewhat higher), and in the weaving of velvet in Lyon.
The figures for the city of Lyon apply to silk-velvet manufacturers
who also make mixtures with silk and cotton, silk and rayon, and
rayon and cotton. Cotton velvet is not produced to any extent in
the Lyon district.
While the normal hours of work are 48 per week, actually most of
the factories are working only 40 hours and, in the opinion of the
consul, many will probably soon be working as few as 32 hours.
‘The consul reports that, while no cut has yet been made in wages in
the silk industry, some firms are taking advantage of the situation
when engaging new workers, and are hiring labor at rates ranging on
an average 10 per cent under the rates given in the table.
2 Data for this section furnished by Hugh H. Watson, American consul at Lyon.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[163]
164
m o n t h l y
l a b o r
r e v ie w
T a b le 2 .—N O R M AL H O U R L Y R A TE S OF W AGES IN SILK A N D V ELV E T IN D U S T R IE S
IN TH E LY O N D IST R IC T
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of franc=3.92 cents]
S i l k w e a v in g a n d f i n i s h i n g ( c o u n tr y d i s t r i c t s )
Men
Occupation
French
currency
Weaving:
Bobbin w in d ers__________ ______ _ _ _
___
___ _ _
Reelers_____
Warpers
_ ..
_____
Weavers- ___
Loom fitters-Loom fitters’ apprentices __ ___ _ _ ________
Dyeing:
Dyers
Printers _
__
__ _ _
Finishing:
Finishers
___
Laborers- _____
_
Women
United
States cur
rency
F ra n cs
French
currency
United
States cur
rency
F ra n c s
4.00
1 1,250.00
i 700.00
$0.16
i 49. 00
t 27.44
5. 50-6.00
6.50
.22- .24
.26
4.00
1 600.00
. 16
i 23. 52
2.75
2.75
3.25
3.25
$0. 11
. 11
. 13
.13
V e lv e t w e a v in g (c i t y o f L y o n )
Preparation and weaving:
Bobbin winders.
______ ___ _
______
Reelers__________ _ ____________ _______
Warpers
__ ________ _ _ ______ _
Weavers__ ___ _
_____________ _
Stoppers..
........................ ...... ...
Burlers _ _
_ ______ . . . _______ _
Dyeing:
Dyers_________ _______ ______ ___ _ _
Laborers__________ _ _ _____ _ _ __ ___ _
Finishing:
G lazers......
...................
_ ___
Combers.
_________
____
Luster ironers _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_____
Shavers
__ _ _
____
Finishers..
_____
___ _ _
Plush finishers, _
_____
______
Folders_____ ___ _____ _ ________ _
F ra n cs
F ra n cs
5.25
3.50
$0. 21
. 14
4.50
3. 75
3.90
4.20
3. 95
4.10
.18
. 15
. 15
.17
.16
. 16
3. 30
3.15
3.15
3.50
3.40
3.00
$0. 13
.12
. 12
. 14
. 13
.12
3.10
.12
2.90
2.95
.11
. 12
2.95
.12
1 Per month.
G e rm a n y 3
W h il e during the first half of 1930, the textile workers in several
German textile districts had succeeded in enforcing wage increases,
textile wages remained stable throughout the rest of the year.
The following table shows the rates in force during January, 1931:
T a b l e 3 —R A TE S OF W AGES P E R HO U R A N D P E R W E E K IN T H E G E R M A N T E X T IL E
IN D U S T R Y , JA N U A R Y , 1931
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of pfennig=0.238 cent, mark=23.8 cents]
Rate per hour.
Sex, and type of labor
Males:
Skilled____
Unskilled____ ______ _____ ___
Females:
Skilled_________________
Unskilled _______ _ ____ _
Rate per week
German
currency
United
States
currency
German
currency
P fe n n ig s
C e n ts
M a rk s
79.4
66.7
58.1
46.9
18.9
15.8
38. 11
32. 02
$9. 07
7.62
13.8
11. 2
27. 89
22.51
6. 34
5. 36
3 Data for this section furnished by A. T. Haeberle, American consul general at Dresden.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
U64]
United
States
currency
W AGES AND H OURS OF LABOR
165
Ita ly
T h e hours o f labor in the textile industry
at 8 per day and 48 per week.
of
Italy are fixed by law
Florence 4
T h e r e is only one small establishment in the Florence consular
district which produces silk material. This establishment is in the
city of Florence and specializes in the production of artistic silk and
velvet tapestry, using designs peculiar to the ancient Florentine
patterns. It is purely art work which is produced and the output is
limited.
The factory employs at present 20 persons.
The wages paid are as follows: Male workers, from 2.50 to 3.50
lire (13-18 cents) an hour; female workers, from 1.50 to 2.50 lire (8-13
cents) an hour.
Genoa 5
T h e velvet industry, once very flourishing in Liguria, has been
steadily declining since the end of the last century, with the result
that it has now fallen into comparative insignificance. To-day only
two factories remain, one of which produces only “ patterned” velvet.
According to the best information obtainable the present annual pro
duction of velvet in Liguria is in the neighborhood of 15,000 meters.6
All except the “ patterned” velvet is made by women doing piece
work in their homes. Each worker makes from 70 to 80 centimeters
(approximately three-quarters of a yard, two feet wide) of velvet in
8 hours, which is the average working-day, earning thereby between
15 and 18 lire (from 79 to 95 cents) per day.
Venice 7
Silk and velvet industry.—Wages are fixed by a collective agreement
between the labor federation and the mill owners. The scale of basic
time rates per day is as follows:
Basic rate per day
A pprentices 8___________________________ 2 to 5 lire (11-26 cents)
O peratives w inding bobbins, p rep arin g
d istaff------------------------------------------------ 5 to 12 lire (26-63 cents)
W eavers, loom w o rk ers_________________ 5 to 17 lire (26-89 cents)
The wages for piecework are specified in the following table.
4 Data for this section furnished by .'Jpseph Emerson Haven, American consul at Florence.
6 Data for this section furnished by Cloyce K. Huston, American vice consul at Genoa.
6 Meter = 1.196 square yards.
7 Data for this section furnished by John Corrigan, American consul at Venice.
8 Period of apprenticeship is 5 years.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[165]
166
T a b l e 4.
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
PIECE R A TES IN T H E SILK A N D V E LV E T IN D U S T R Y IN V E N IC E F IX F D
BY A G R E E M E N T , A UGUST 21, 1926
'
[Conversions into United States currency on Basis of lira=5.26 cents]
Class of work Machine
Ridged____ . 1616. 80
Velvet ___
1320.80
1200.80
800. 80
800. 80
800. 40
800. 40
400. 80
400. 40
400. 80
400. 40
400. 40
Worked. . .
V elvet__ _
D o u b le cu t
velvet.
Imitation velvet.
S o lid ..
.
Color velv et...
400. 20
1760. 40
400. 80
400. 80
400. 40
400. 40
400. 20
400. 80
800. 40
Pattern quality
Basic rate
Actual wage
Mesh
per
centi Italian United Italian United
meter 1 cur States cur States
cur
cur
rency rency
rency
rency
Nap
First quality silk
__do_
Silk waste..
First qual
ity silk.
- - _do _____ _ _____ Silk w aste..
_ -_do ______________ First quality silk.
------ do. _ _____ ____ Silk w aste..
Silk w aste... ________
do
First quality silk______ ------ do . . .
____do _______________ First quality silk.
------ do________________ -----do ___
------ do . . . _ _ ______ _ Silk w aste...
Silk waste or silk with ------ do __
cloth foundation.
Silk waste or silk with
_ _do _ __
shorn f o u n d a t i o n ,
ribbed.
Cotton cloth foundation. ------ do ___
Silk waste____ . . .
do
First quality silk______ First qual
ity silk.
do
Silk w aste...
Silk waste or shorn silk, . . . .do . . . .
ribbed silk.
First quality silk____
_ _ _do
Cotton cloth foundation . .do.
First quality silk______ First quality silk.
Silk waste___ _______
Silk waste
.40 ____do
__ _____
.20 C o tto n ...!______
do
------ do
_ __
L ir e
13
12
L ir e
13.00
12.00
$0.68
.63
52.00
48. 00
$2.74
2. 52
ioM
li
6.00
6. 50
.32
.34
24.00
26.00
1.26
1. 37
li
10H
i o 'A
li
5.00
4.00
4. 25
5. 50
.26
.21
.22
.29
20.00
16. 00
17. 00
22.00
1. 05
.84
.89
1.16
ii
5. 25
4. 50
3. 75
.28
.24
.20
21.00
18. 00
15.00
1. 10
.95
.79
i o 'A 3. 50
.18
14.00
.74
ioy2 3. 50
10JÌ 8. 00
13
5. 50
.18
.42
.29
14.00
32. 00
22.00
.74
1.68
1.16
13
13
4. 50
3.50
.24
.18
18.00
14.00
.95
.74
13
3. 50
10M 3.50
13
12.00
.18
. 18
.95
14.00
14. 00
48.00
.74
. 74
2.52
10H
5.75
.30
23.00
1. 21
10H
10H
3. 75
3. 50
.20
.18
15.00
14.00
.79
.74
wy2
w y2
1 Centimeter=0.3937 inch.
Cotton industry.—The basic rates for timework are shown in Table 5.
These rates apply only to workmen of normal working efficiency.
T a b l e 5 .- T I M E R ATES IN T H E COTTON IN D U S T R Y IN V E N IC E , PE R D A Y OF 8 n O U R S
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of lira=5.26 cents]
Basic rate
Occupation and sex
United
States cur
rency
Italian
currency
3. 50-4. 50
6. 00
7. 00
8. 25
10.00
9.60
$0.18-0. 24
.32
.37
.43
.52
.50
3. 50-4. 50
6. 00
7.00
8. 00
9. 00
$0.18-0. 24
.32
.37
.42
.47
3. 50-4. 50
5.00
6. 00
. 18- . 24
.26
.32
3. 50-4. 50
5. 00
6.00
. 18- . 24
.26
.32
Italian
currency
Dyers, bleachers, etc., m ale:1
12 and under 15 years of age
15 and under 16 years of age_____
16 and under 18 years of age.
18 and under 20 years of age
20 years of age and over__ _
Weavers of Jacquard and upholstery materials
Females:
12 and under 15 years of age
15 and under 17 years of age
17 years of age and o v e r.. .
Cost-of-living bonus
LA re
United
States cur
rency
L ir e
1 Women doing the same work as males are paid at the same rate; those on other work are paid at the
rates shows under “ females.”
°
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 166]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
167
Piece rates are so adjusted as to allow the workmen to receive at
least 15 per cent more than the total basic pay (high cost of living
included).
U n ite d K in g d o m
consul reports that the cotton, rayon, and silk industries of
the United Kingdom are closely related in so far as the manufacture
of woven fabrics is concerned. Thus, with the exception of yarn
manufacture, there is no exclusive rayon industry, because nearly all
of the weaving is done by manufacturers of cotton and/or silk goods.
Furthermore, the finishing (bleaching, dyeing, printing, making up,
etc.) of these three classes of textiles is largely in the hands of several
associations. In view of these and other facts, it is practically
impossible to determine the scales of wages for what may be termed
exclusively the cotton velvet, rayon, or other textile industries.
Broadly speaking, it may be said that in the silk industry wages
are on the time-work basis, while in the cotton, cotton-velvet, and
rayon manufacturing sections there is a complicated system of piece
rates.
The hours of labor in all branches of the textile industry are, by
agreement, 48 per week, to which they were reduced from 55% on
July 13, 1919.
"
—
T
he
Cotton and Cotton Velvet (Velveteen) Industry9
to the Cotton Yearbook (Manchester), “ the system of
paying wages in the cotton industry is unique. All wages for spin
ning yard and manufacturing cloth are paid according to the amount
of production. The elaborate piece-price lists which are now in
existence have been handed down from generation to generation,
probably from the time before the factory system came into being.”
A careful study of the system indicates that one of its important
purposes is to equalize fairly the average earnings of all workers in a
particular occupational class by increasing or diminishing the rate
per unit of output in accordance with the time required for produc
tion. Thus there is only a relatively small variation in the weekly
earnings of weavers, whether they produce many yards of coarse
gray cloth or a few yards of fine velvet in a given time.
The table following shows the average earnings in the cotton
industry in England, for a 48-hour week, in 1924.
A
c c o r d in g
T a b l e 6 —AV ERAGE W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN T H E E N G LISH COTTON IN D U S T R Y IN 1924
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of £=$4.8665]
Occupation ar.d sex
All w o r k e r s . . . . . . .
_ _ _ . . ............... ......................... .
M ales»_____________________________________ _ _ __ ___ _____________ ____
Fem ales». ______ . .
____________ ___________ _ .
Spinners:
Adult piecers b.
. _ . .................
Semiskilled piecers . _ __________ . _ _
__
.
. . . . .
Unskilled piecers b _____ . _ _ __ ________ _____________________ ______
"Weavers (per loom te n d ed )___ _________________________________
...
_ ___
English
currency
£ s. d.
1 1G 0
2 7 0
1 8 3
$8. 76
11.44
6. 87
3 17 0
1 12 0
18 0
10 6
18.74
7.79
4.38
2. 56
“ The present rates are 12.5 per cent lower than the 1924 rates.
b Unskilled piecers are paid by the adult piecers.
s Data for this section furnished by Wallace E, Moessner, American vice consul at Manchester,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[167]
United
States
cur
rency
168
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
The earnings of mixers, tenters, warpers, and general laborers are
on an approximate level with those of spinners; reelers and doublers,
winders and ring spinners receive the lowest wages, or some 30 per
cent less than spinners; grinders, scutchers, twisters-in, drawers-in,
warehousemen and packers, and mechanics, usually earn slightly
more than weavers; while sizers, foremen, twiners, ball warpers,
warp dressers, enginemen, and firemen receive the highest wages paid
in the industry.
Cotton velvet or velveteen.—As an illustration of the very complicated
system of calculating weavers’ wages and to indicate the position as
regards cotton velvets, the following wage rates of weavers and
spinners in the Lancashire velveteen industry are quoted from the
“ Oldham Velvet, List.”
T he special list for w eaving co tto n velvets cam e in to op eratio n in its revised
form in O ctober, 1911. T h e basis of th is list is:
Per pound
45 to 49 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 7d.
(14. 2 cents)
50 to 54 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6 13/ w d . (13. 9 cents)
55 to 59 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6 1X/Ld. (13. 6 cents)
60 to 64 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6*K6d.
(13. 0 cents)
(12. 8 cents)
65 to 69 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6)4d.
70 to 74 inches w eaving 56s w e ft____ ______ 6%d.
(13. 0 cents)
75 to 79 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6%d.
(15. 4 cents)
80 to 84 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6Hd.
(12. 4 cents)
85 to 89 inches w eaving 56s w e ft___________ 6d.
(12. 2 cents)
T h e above list is now su b je c t to 92 x% p er cen t advance.
A llo w a n c e s f o r w e f t .— In th e ab o v e list, 56s w eft is ta k e n as th e sta n d a rd , and
Ys pen n y [0.25 cent] p e r p o u n d shall be ad d ed fo r each h an k , as th e w eft is finer,
an d d educted fo r each h a n k coarser dow n to a n d including 40s. F o r counts
coarser th a n 40s dow n to an d including 16s see th e following list.
R eed space, in w eaving 28s w eft:
Per pound
25 a n d 29 inches___________
4% d.
(9. 12 cents)
4){fjd. (8. 76 cents)
30 a n d 34 inches___________
35 a n d 39 in ch es___________
4/sd. (8. 36 cents)
40 an d 44 in ch es___________
3154od. (6. 47 cents)
45 a n d 49 inches___________
(7. 60 cents)
SH d.
50 a n d 54 in ch es___________
3% d. (7. 25 cents)
55 a n d 59 in ch es___________
3Y ied. (6. 99 cents)
3 5/ 16d . (6. 73 cents)
60 a n d 64 in ch es___________
65 an d 69 in ch es___________
3 }id .
(6. 59 cents)
70 a n d 74 in ch es___________
3}lid. (6. 33 cents)
3d.
75 an d 79 in ch es___________
(6. 08 cents)
80 an d 84 in ch es___________
2%d. (5. 81 cents)
85 an d 89 in ch es___________
2%d. (5. 58 cents)
T he foregoing list is now su b ject to 9 7 % p er c en t advance.
th e foregoing list, based on 28s w eft, % p en n y p er
pound shall be dedu cted fo r each h an k coarser, dow n to a n d including 16s;
while [the following ad d itio n s to th e ra te for 28s w eft shall be m ade]:
A llo w a n c e s f o r w e f t .— F rom
30s
32s
34s
36s
38s
Additional rate
% ed.
(0.
Ymd.
(0.
w e ft____________________________________
w eft_________________________________ _
w eft_^_______ _____________ _____________
w eft____________________________________
w eft____________________________________
%d.
Y$d.
lY w d .
39 cents)
91 cents)
(1. 25 cents)
(1. 75 cents)
(2. 16 cents)
C ounts below 16s to be p aid by m u tu a l agreem ent.
W henever th e lists are n arrow er th a n th e above tables, 3/m pen n y [0.39 cent]
per pound shall be ad d ed for each ran g e of 5 inches, a n d if broader, % pen n y
[0.25 cent] per p o und shall be ded u cted for each sim ilar range.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[168]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
169
The foregoing rates are also subject to certain additions for lost
pick; ribbed edges; superfine twill backs according to the number of
reed; velvet cords; stripes; checks; plushes; mercerized yarns; velvets
if more than 6 shafts; and Jacquard velvets.
Rayon (woven on cotton looms).—On October 7, 1925, an agreement
between cotton weavers and employers was signed to regulate the
payment of wages to those engaged in the production of all-rayon
fabrics or fabrics of cotton-rayon mixtures.
This agreement, which takes into consideration the number of
warp ends, selvedges, borders, weft, fine counts, coarse counts, pick
finding, twist, etc., is equally as complicated as the “ uniform list,”
but in general, it provides for increases per yard of output ranging
from 5 to 50 per cent on the all-cotton rates. As already men
tioned, however, the increased basic rates have little effect on actual
earnings, their object being to provide for a smaller output on account
of slower-loom operation or a smaller number of looms per weaver.
Silk Industry 9
The following tabulation shows the wages now paid to various
groups of operatives in the silk industry of the United Kingdom:
T a b l e 7.—W E EK LY WAGE R A TES IN T H E SILK IN D U S T R Y OF T H E U N IT E D KIN G D O M
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of £ = $4.8665]
Weekly wage
rates
Weekly wage
rates
Occupation
English
currency
W eavers,.
------ ------------------Weavers, hand lo o m s __
Smallware weavers: «
Timework __
Piecework __
Power loom overseers (m en)__
Power loom tadders® (24 years
of age and over)
Winders (female) °------------------Pickers (female) «_____ ______ Warpers®______________ ____ _
Twisters ®__________________
Enterers a
Machinists (making-up)
Knitters: °
Timework
Piecework
Embroiderers (timework)____
£ s . d.
2 11 0 $12. 41
14. 72
3 o 6
1 9 0
1 13 7
3 8 0
7.06
8.17
16. 55
11
8
8
11
11
11
13
6
0
0
6
6
6
17. 40
6.81
S. 81
7.66
7. 66
7. 66
8.17
1 11 0
1 16 0
1 7 6
7. 54
8. 76
6. 69
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
Occupation
United
States
cur
rency
T h r o w n o r h a r d s e c t io n
United
English States
currency cur
rency
(a d u lt s )
Throwing mill men . . . .
D oublers.. _________________ .
Reelers____ . . ......................
Parters___ . . . ____
______
Danters________ . ________ _
W inders.. . . . . . . . . . ____ _
Cleaners_____ ______ _______
£ s. d.
2 5 0 $10. 95
1 9 6
7.18
1 9 6
7. 18
1 10 6
7. 42
1 10 0
7. 30
6.81
1 8 0
1 8 0
6.81
J u n i o r s ( a l l s e c t io n s )
Beginners (age 14):
M ales____________________
Females__________________
Beginners (age 18):
M a les.. - - - - - ______
F e m a les__________ ______
Beginners (age 20):
M ales-----F em ales... _____ . - . . .
10 0
9 0
2. 43
2.19
7 0
4 0
6. 57
5.84
1 10 0
1 8 0
7.30
6.81
1
1
“Minimum; actual earnings said to average at least 10 per cent higher.
8 Data for this section furnished by Wallace E. Moessner, American vice consul at Manchester.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[169]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
170
Rayon (woven on silk looms).—The rates of wages shown in the pre
ceding table apply.
Textile dyeing industry.—Adult male timeworkers earn an average
wage of £2 5s. 4d. ($11.03) per 48-hour week, and females £1 8s. Od.
($6.81). Male apprentices receive £1 4s. Od. ($5.84). Adults receive
in addition, for overtime, from 3% to 7 pence (7 to 14 cents) per hour.
Velvet Industry 9
A t t h e present time the weaving of velvets in Great Britain is
largely centered in Oldham, the cutting in Manchester and Warring
ton, and the dyeing and finishing in and near Manchester. There
are some 30 weaving concerns in Lancashire whose principal or most
important business is the manufacture of cotton velvet and velveteen;
these companies possess some 25,000 looms, only about 9,000 of which
are “velvet” looms.
Very few velvet-weaving concerns in the United Kingdom cut, dye,
or finish their products, these processes being done by two large
associations.
Production costs.—It has been determined that the average United
Kingdom home-market wholesale value of cotton velvet during the
year 1930 was the equivalent in United States currency of 67 cents
per square yard. The following statement shows the 1930 production
cost of cotton velvet per square yard:
Cents
C ost cf y a rn ___________________________________________ • 10 27. 14
W eavers’ w ages________________________________________
10 1. 89
All o th er expenses a n d p ro fit______________ _____________
10 6. 99
W eavers’ selling p rice_______________ ______________
36. 02
C ost of—C u ttin g ___________________________________________
Stiffening__________________________________________
E n ding-m en d in g ___________________________________
D ressing, dyeing, a n d finishing_____________________
M aking -u p ___ ____________________________________
6. 72
. 54
.4 6
14. 82
1. 44
M a n u factu re r’s selling p ric e______ l ___ ________ _________
M erch an t’s p ro fit______________________________________
60. 00
7. 00
W holesale or ex p o rt p ric e _______________________________
67. 00
Wool Industry 11
A t t h e present time the wage situation in the British wooltextile industry is rather confused, because of the absence of an
agreement between the employers and employees in the largest
manufacturing district, due to a dispute last year on the question of
reductions in wages.
In the past few years rates and wages in the English and Welsh
wool-textile industry were negotiated by the National Wool (and
Allied) Textile Industrial Council, an organization composed of rep
resentatives appointed by the various employers’ federations and
employees’ trade-unions, and established in 1919 for the purpose of
8 Data for this section furnished by Wallace E . Moessner, American vice consul at Manchester.
1° Approximate.
11 Data for this section furnished by Clement S. Edwards, American consul at Bradford.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
U70]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
171
negotiating wage agreements. The national council is composed of
three district councils, representing Northern England, the West of
England, and Wales, respectively. Each district council negotiates
the wage agreement for its own area, the individual arrangements
being subject to ratification by the national council. There is also a
branch of the wool-textile industry in Scotland, but in that area wages
are arranged locally between the local employers’ federation and the
employees’ national trade-union. Of the total number of persons
employed in the British wool-textile industry, the Northern Counties
District Wool (and Allied) Textile Industrial Council represents ap
proximately 80 per cent of the employers and workpeople.
The agreement in the north of England expired on January 1, 1927,
and in October of that year the employers requested the workers to
accept a reduction in wages. Negotiations between representatives
of the two sides were prolonged for more than two years and failed
to result in an agreement. Certain employers in the heavy wool
district of Yorkshire enforced reductions on their own responsibility,
but the majority of the employers continued to negotiate as an
organized body. Owing to the failure to reach an agreement, the
Minister of Labor appointed a court of inquiry to investigate the
matters in dispute, although the findings of this court were not to
be binding upon either of the disputants. After an investigation the
court recommended that the wages of time workers should be reduced
by 9.249 per cent and those of piece workers by 8.766 per cent.
The employers accepted the recommendation and proposed a new
agreement on the basis of these reductions, but the workers refused
to allow their representatives to negotiate and a strike was declared.
Eventually the majority of the employees drifted back to their em
ployment, accepting the reductions recommended by the court of
inquiry, but in two districts where the resistance was strongest the
employers imposed reductions of only 5.8 per cent and 7.25 per cent.
As a result of the lack of unity among the workers in accepting the
proposed terms of employment, each employer made a separate agree
ment with his workpeople and there is consequently no official wage
agreement for the northern England branch of the wool-textile in
dustry. The National Association of Unions in the Textile Trade
states, however, that over 90 per cent of the employees in the northern
England branch are now working on the basis of the wages in the last
agreement reduced by the percentages recommended by the Gov
ernment court of inquiry. Although these rates are not incorporated
in an agreement between the employers and employees, they are
generally regarded as the current official rates for the chief center of
the industry. In the west of England, Wales, and Scotland, exist
ing wage rates are from 10 to 15 per cent below those now paid in the
north of England.
In both the manufacture and the dyeing of wool textiles, overtime
on any one day is paid for at the rate of time and a quarter for the
first two hours and time and a half for all hours in excess of two hours
on that day. All overtime on Saturday is paid for at the rate of time
and a half, and on Sunday at double rates.
63413"—31-----12
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1171]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
172
The following table shows the current weekly wage rates in the
manufacture of wool textiles in northern England:
T a b l e 8 .— C U R R E N T W E E K L Y W AGES IN W O O L -T E X TIL E IN D U S T R Y OP N O R T H E R N
ENGLAND
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of £ = $4.8665]
Weekly wage rates of—
Males, 21 years of age
and over
Section and occupation
United
States
currency
English
currency
R a w - w o o l s e c tio n
£ s. d.
3 2 5
2 10 7
Wool sorters_____________________
W ool warehousemen___ __________
Females, 21 years of age
and over
United
States
currency
English
currency
£
s.
d.
$16. 40
12. 31
W o o l- c o m b in g s e c tio n
D ay work:
Wool pullers-----------------------Bowl feeders______- ___ :_____
Bowl minders, w ith dryers___
Bow l minders, without dryers.
Wool dryers, hand---------------Wool dryers, machine...... .........
Makers-up_____________ ____
Breakers-off, 2 laps__________
Breakers-off, 3 laps--------------Breakers-off, 4 laps__________
W ool runners_______________
Card feeders, hand--------------------------Card jobbers, 7 or less_____ ____ ____
Card jobbers, 8 or more-------------------Backwash minders_________________
Box minders, 2 boxes------ ---------------Punch minders, 8 combs or less--------Comb minders, w ith noil, 2 combs___
Comb minders, w ithout noil, 2 combs.
Punch minders, 9 combs or more____
Finishing boxminders---------------------Card grinders, wood cards___________
Card grinders, iron cards.........................
Wool-combing overseers____________ _
Other occupations 1.............. ....................
N ight work:
Wool pullers_________ _____ _______
Bowl feeders----------------------------------B ow l minders, w ith d r y e rs..................
Bowl minders, without dryers---------Wool dryers, hand_____________ ,____
Wool dryers, machine---- ----------------Makers-up_________ ______ —..............
Breakers-off, 3 laps______________
Breakers-off, 4 laps_________________
Wool runners---------------------------------Card feeders, hand_________________
Card jobbers, 7 or less___ , ____ _____
Card jobbers, 8 or more-------------------Backwash m inders....................... ..........
Box minders, 2 boxes----------------------Punch minders, 8 combs or less______
Comb minders, w ith noil, 2 combs---Comb minders, without noil, 2 combs.
Punch minders, 9 combs or more____
Finishing boxminders______________
Other occupations............. .....................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2
7
2 7
2 10
2 10
2 9
2
7
2 6
2
2
2
10
10
10
2
0
10
4
11. 64
11.64
12.37
12.21
11.92
11.64
11. 27
6 4
7 1
7 10
11.27
11.46
11. 64
2
9
0
11.92
2
10
2
12.21
7
5
11.54
12
6
0
7
4
12.77
13.87
19.47
11.27
2
12. 21
12. 21
0
12.90
12. 69
12. 49
2
2
2 17
3 13
2
6
2 10
2 10
2 13
2
2
2 11 4
2 10 2
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 10 7
2 10 2
2 9 10
2 11 5
2 11 7
2 10 2
2 10 2
2 11 5
2 14 4
2 12 6
2 11 7
2 11 5
2 9 10
2
[1721
12
12.21
12. 13
12.13
12. 31
12. 21
12.13
12. 51
12. 55
12. 21
12 . 21
12.51
13. 22
12.77
12.55
12. 51
12.13
1 11
1 12
5
2
$7.64
7. 83
1 11
1
7.56
12 11
11 0
11 5
13 10
12 11
12 2
11 9
8.01
7. 54
7. 64
8.23
8.01
7. 83
7.73
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1. 11
1
7. 56
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
173
T a b l e 8 .—C U R R E N T W E E K L Y W AGES IN W O O L-TEX TILE IN D U S T R Y OF N O R T H E R N
E N G L A N D —Continued
Weekly wage rates of—
Males, 21 years of age
and over
Section and occupation
English
currency
United
States
currency
Females, 21 years of age
and over
English
currency
United
States
currency
Females and juveniles
of both sexes
W o r s t e d - s p in n in g s e c tio n
£
First drawers ________________________________ ____
Second drawers___ ____ _ ____________________ -Rovers and reducers___ ______ ____________________
Twisters___ - _______________ __________________
Winders__ _ ________ _ _______ _ _ ___ _____
Reelers
_______________________ _ - _______
Warpers and b ea m ers___ _ _ ___ _____ _ _ ____ __
Doffers
- - ___________ ______ ___ - ____ Spinners
___________ __________ _______
Wool warehousemen _ __________ ___ ____________
Yarn warehousemen _ __________________________ Spinning overseers. ______________________________
£ s . d.
1 6 11
1 6 1
1 5
2
1 6 1
1 4 4
1 6 11
1 9 5
1 1 6
1 3 11
s. d.
2 10
2 9
3 13
7
9
7
$6. 55
6. 35
6.12
6. 35
5. 92
6. 55
7.10
5. 23
5.82
$12.31
12.11
17.90
Females, 21 years of age
and over
W o r s t e d -w e a v in g s e c tio n
£
Warp tw iste r s________________________________ .
Warp dressers ______ ___ ___ _ _________ __ _
Weaving overseers
Scribbler’s feeders.. . _ _________________________
Weavers and other adult females___________________
3 5 10
3 5 10
3 13 7
s.
16. 02
16. 02
17.90
1
d.
9
3
3
$7.12
7.12
9
3
7.12
1 9
H e a v y - w o o le n s e c t io n
Willeyers and fe ttler s__________
_____________
Dyers _
- ____ _______ ______ _________________
Millers ________ __ _________ ___________________
Scourers
___________________________________
Finishers ______________ ______________________
Blenders
________________ _____ _____________
Bag grinders
_
_______
__ _ _______
Carbonizers
- - - - -- - __________
Pattern weavers
________ ___ ___ ___ - _________
Woolen spinners
__ _ _______
__________
Woolen beamers
__________ - _____________
Woolen warpers __
_____ ___ _ - ___ ______ - Adult males, unclassified
__ _______ _____
Weavers and other adult females__________________
2 11 9
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 9 10
2 7 10
14.60
12. 13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12.13
12. 13
11. 64
1
M e r c h a n t in g s e c tio n
All occupations:
Age 19 years
Age 20 years
Age 21 years
Age 22 years
Age 23 years
Age 24 vears
_______ - _________________
____________________________ ___
________________________________
_______________________________
___________________ __________
__ _______ _ ____________ ___
1 15
1 16
2 1
2 4
2 7
2 10
5
5
9
1
6
9
8. 62
8. 86
10.20
10.73
11. 56
12.35
Boys and youths in the wool-combing section start at £1 11s. 7d.
($7.69) per week, while in the heavy-woolen section they start at
17s. 3d. ($4.20) at 14 years of age and proceed by annual increases to
the standard of £2 9s. lOd. ($12.13) at 21 years of age.
Piecework earnings vary so greatly that it is not possible to classify
them. Every person working at piece rates is expected to earn at least
25 per cent more than the time-work rate, and in the majority of
cases scheduled piecework rates equal the appropriate time rate
plus 25 per cent of that rate.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[173]
174
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
Wool-textile dyeing.—At the present time a new agreement is being
negotiated in the wool-textile dyeing industry, which contemplates a
reduction of approximately 5.11 per cent in the wages paid during the
past few years. The negotiations have not been finally concluded,
but in view of the fact that the original request of the employers was
for a reduction of 15 per cent it is believed by local trade-union leaders
that the proposed new rates will be adopted.
The new rates proposed for all operatives in the wool-textile dyeing
industry are shown in Table 9:
T a b l e 9 . —PR O PO SED 1931 B A T E S OF W AGES IN EN G LISH W O OL-TEXTILE D Y E IN G
IN D U S T R Y
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of £ = $4.8665]
Weekly wage rates
Sex and age
English
currency
Males:
14 years of a g e .. - ___ 15 years of age___ _ . . . .
16 years o f age___ . . . .
16lA years of age ______
17 years of age____ _ _ __
I T V i years of age.
. .
18 years of a g e .. . . .
£
s.
1
1
1
1
14
16
18
0
2
5
10
United
States
cur
rency
d.
0
2
5
7
9
0
10
Weekly wage rates
$3. 41
3. 93
4. 48
5. 01
5. 54
6.08
7. 50
Sex and age
Males:
18R years of age___
19 years of ag e.. . . . .
19Y i years of age. . . . ____
20 years of age__________
2016 years of age.. .
21 years of age___ . . . .
Fem ales.. _______ _ . .
English
currency
£
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
.s. d.
11 1
15 3
17 6
19 8
1 11
7 6
7
6
United
States
cur
rency
$7. 56
8.58
9.12
11.44
10. 20
11. 56
6. 69
Piecework rates are based upon time rates, plus 25 per cent of the
appropriate rate.
Linen Industry (Northern Ireland)12
T h e table following shows the scale of wage rates in the linen
industry of Northern Ireland at the end of August, 1931. There has
been no appreciable change since that time, with the exception of a
new wage scale which came into operation March 2, 1931, reducing
the wages of weavers, winders, and kindred workers as follows:
Reduction of 7 per cent on the standard scale, equivalent to 9.7
per cent on current piece rates, and a 10 per cent reduction in the
wages of all time workers, subject to (a) a reduction of 96 cents per
week in time rates of card cutters and dressers, and of 72 cents per
week in time rates for mounters, assistant mounters, cloth passers,
winding masters, enginemen, and firemen; and (b) a reduction in
dressers' wages of 10 per cent off the set pay, of 10 per cent off piece
rates for sets up to and including 1,200, and from 1,200 upwards a
reduction of 5 per cent.
i2 Data for this section supplied b y Leonard N . Green, American consul at Belfast.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[174]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
T a b l e 1 0 .—AVER A G E W AGE R A TES IN T H E L IN E N IN D U S T R Y
175
OF N O R T H E R N
IR E L A N D , A UGUST 31, 1929
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of £=$4.8665]
Occupation and sex
Average
wage
rates
Occupation and sex
S p i n n i n g a n d p r e p a r in g s e c tio n
W e a v in g s e c tio n
P e r w eek
Flax dressers
..... _
___
Belfast district—
Females:
Spreaders, carders, and piecers. _
Rovers and drawers
Spinners .
_ _
Layers
_____ ____
____ _
Heelers
_
Doffers (preparing)_________ _
Doffers (spinning)
Other districts—
Females:
Spreaders, carders, and piecers..
Rovers and drawers.
.. .. .
Spinners.. . . . _ . . . . . ..
Layers _____ _______ _ . . .
Reelers__________ _____
Doffers (preparing)_______ . .
Doffers (spinning)____________
Average
wage
rates
$12. 96
P e r hour
$0. 11
.11
. 12
. 10
. 11
.08
.09
P e r w ee k
Tenters
____ ____. . . . . . . .
Mounters
...
. . .
._
._
Assistant mounters and cord tiers. . ..
Card cutters (when transferred to do
other work)
Y am dressers. _
....
__
Slashers
...
Cloth passers
___________
Winding masters . .
...................
Laborers . _
Enginemen and firemen. . _______ __
Mechanics______________ . . . . . _____
$13. 92
12. 00
8.60
13. 92
13. 92
12. 96
10. 56
11. 28
8. 04
11. 28
15. 00
. 10
.10
.11
.09
. 10
.07
.08
W o rk in g H o u rs a n d L a b o r C o s ts of P r o d u c tio n in E u ro p e a n
C oal M in es, 1929
STUD Y of wages and hours of labor in 1929 in anthracite and
bituminous coal mines of Europe, made by the International
A Labor
Office, is published in the International Labor Review of that
office for May, 1931. The countries covered are Belgium, Czecho
slovakia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Poland,
and the Saar. Wherever possible, workers in supervisory and salaried
positions as well as workers in auxiliary establishments, such as coke
ovens, briquette factories, etc., were excluded; the study, therefore,
covers mainly manual workers in coal mines. For Great Britain
certain categories of workers (“ deputies” and others) covered by col
lective agreements were included, but the report states that the
inclusion of the wages of these workers had little effect on the general
averages and consequently the British figures may be regarded as
comparable with those for the other countries. The statistics for
Great Britain cover about 97 per cent of the coal industry of that
country; for Germany they relate to the three principal coal-producing
districts, which together supplied 92 per cent of the German output
in 1929. The figures for Saxony include auxiliary undertakings.
The countries represented in the report produced 92.3 per cent of
the entire output of the European coal mines in 1929. Table 1 shows
the output of coal in Europe in 1929, together with the per cent of the
total produced by each country.
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[175]
176
MONTHLY LABOE R EV IEW
T a b l e 1 — O U T PU T OF E U R O P E A N COAL M IN E S IN 1929
[Metric ton = 2,294.0 pounds]
Gross produc Per cent
tion (metric
of total
tons)
production
Country
Belgium _
Czechoslovakia. _ .
France _______ . . . _ _____ . . .
_____________
Germany__
Great Britain_____ _______ . . .
_ .
Netherlands. ___. . . . .
P o la n d ..___ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Saar__ _____________ ________
R ussia.. _______ ____ _________
Spain ____ __
Other countries________. . . . . . .
Total
______
26, 932,000
16, 752, 000
53, 736,000
163,441,000
262,045, 000
11, 575, 000
46,236, 000
13, 579, 000
40, 092,000
7, 035, 000
2,959,000
4. 2
2.6
8.3
25. 4
40.7
1.8
7.2
2. 1
6.2
1. 1
.4
644, 382, 000
100.0
As in the last previous study by the International Labor Office,
for 1927 (published in the International Labor Review for October and
December, 1929), the average labor cost per worker, as given in the
report, is based on the total labor costs, which included not only money
earnings of the workers but allowances of all kinds plus the employers’
social insurance contributions. The relative importance of the
different items making up the total labor costs in the several countries
covered by the survey is shown in Table 2. Two sets of figures arc
given, one excluding and the other including employers’ social insur
ance contributions. According to the report, the underground work
ers’ proportion of the total costs varied from about 70 to 85 per cent
and that of surface workers, from 15 to 30 per cent.
T a b l e 2 . — R ELA T IV E IM P O R T A N C E OP D IF F E R E N T IT E M S IN TOTAL LABOR COSTS
IN E U R O PE A N COAL M IN E S IN 1929
Per cent of total labor cost formed by-
Country and district
Work
men’s
insur
ance
contri
butions
Allow
ances
in cash
Other
Free or allow
cheap
ances
coal
in kind
Pay
ment
for
holi
days
Em
Total
ployers’ items
insur
other
ance
than
contri money
butions wages
Net
money
wages
E x c l u d i n g e m p lo y e r s ’ in s u r a n c e c o n t r ib u t io n s
Belgium. ______ ________
Czechoslovakia. . . . _
France
___
.
__
Germany:
Ruhr .
Upper Silesia. _ ___ __
Saxony _________ _ .
Great B rita in ...
N etherlands..
Poland. . ____
3aar__ _________ ____ ___
2. 1
6.1
5.1
2.0
2. 8
3. 2
3.9
6. 4
2.1
(!)
1. 1
9. 3
13. 2
13. 9
13. 9
2.6
6. 7
7. 7
7. 6
2. 9
2. 7
1. 2
1. 5
2. 6
2. 4
2.5
. 7'
3. 9
3. 2
(!)
(1)
(!)
1. 5
1. 7
5. 7
.3
4. 2
5. 3
6. 1
8.0
18. 7
19. 7
92. 0
81. 3
80. 2
20. 5
21. 2
20.0
6.6
15. 4
25. 1
18. 8
79. 5
78. 8
80.0
93.4
84. 6
74. 9
81. 2
4. 3
9.2
7.2
11. 9
26.1
25.4
88.1
73.9
74. 6
11.9
12.9
13.1
5.3
9.6
9.6
7.2
29.9
31.4
30.5
11. 5
23.5
32.3
24.6
70.1
6S.6
69.5
88.5
76.5
67.7
75.4
2. 3
2. 9
2.0
2. 5
2.1
25
1. 6
I n c l u d i n g e m p lo y e r s ’ in s u r a n c e c o n t r ib u t io n s
Belgium . ................. .
_ _
Czechoslovakia___ _________
France. _____ _ ______
Germany:
R u h r.. _______________
Upper Silesia.. ____
Saxony_____ __ ___
Great Britain
. ...
Netherlands. . _______ _
P o la n d ____
______
Saar__ _______
_____
2. 0
5.5
4. 8
1. 9
2.5
2.9
3. 7
5.8
1. 9
(!)
1.0
8. 6
11.7
12.1
12.0
2. 4
6. 1
7.0
7.1
2.6
2.3
1. 1
1.3
2.3
2. 1
2.4
.6
3.6
2.9
(>)
0)
(')
1.4
1.5
5. 1
#2
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
3.8
4. 7
5.7
[176]
2. 1
2. 4
1.8
2.2
1.9
2. 3
1.5
177
WAGES AND HOURS ÔE LABOR
It will be noted that the relative importance of the various items
other than money wages entering into the total labor costs varies
considerably as between countries, ranging from 6.6 per cent of the
total labor costs in Great Britain to 25.1 per cent in Poland when
employers’ social insurance contributions are excluded, and when
these are included, from 11.5 per cent in Great Britain to 32.3 per
cent in Poland. Allowances in cash (family allowances) are paid
in all of the countries except Great Britain. “ Other allowances in
kind” consist chiefly of free or cheap housing; such allowances were
particularly high in France, it is stated, because of the extension of
workers’ housing schemes in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais coal fields.
Payments for holidays are not made in Belgium, France, or Great
Britain. In Germany and the Saar the workers’ and employers’
social insurance contributions tend to be about equal, but elsewhere
the employers’ contributions form a much higher percentage of the
total labor costs than do the employees’ contributions.
Table 3 shows the average labor cost per metric ton of coal pro
duced in the different countries in 1929. The figures in this table
give the money cost in terms of Swiss francs (as converted by the
International Labor Office) and in United States currency, as well as
the relative costs in terms of index numbers. Separate averages are
presented for “ salable” coal (the product remaining after elimina
tion of waste by washing and screening) and for “ commercially
disposable” coal (the balance remaining after deducting the amount
of coal consumed by the mine and that distributed to the workers).
T a b l e 3 —AVER A G E LABOR COST PE R M E T R IC T O N OP COAL P R O D U C E D IN EU RO
P E A N COAL M IN E S IN 1929, A N D IN D E X N U M B E R S T H E R E O F
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of Swiss franc=19.3 cents]
Excluding employers’ ir. surance
contributions
Country and district
Salable coal
Swiss
cur
rency
United Swiss
cur
States
currency rency
United
States
currency
F ra n c s
F ra n c s
Belgium - _ _ _ _
Czechoslovakia
France. ___
_________
Germany:
Ruhr________ _ ______
Upper Silesia - - - - - Great Britain.
_______
Netherlands __ ____ _____
Poland_____________ . -----Saar______ __________ ___
Commercially dis
posable coal
Including employers’ insurance
contributions
Salable coal
Swiss
cur
rency
United
States
currency
Commercially dis
posable coal
Swiss
cur
rency
F ra n c s
F ra n c s
12. i 7
7. 23
11. 30
$2. 50
1.41
2. 18
14. 71
7.81
12. 66
$2. 84
1. 51
2. 44
13. 55
8.01
12. 17
$2. 62
1. 55
2. 35
15.38
8.60
13. 63
$2. 96
1.66
2. 63
9.03
6. 31
10. 31
9. 73
4. 71
11.84
1.75
1.22
2. 09
1.88
.91
2. 29
9.71
6. GO
13.42
10. 10
5. 20
13. 25
1.87
1.27
2. 59
1.95
1.00
2. 56
10. 30
7. 28
11.45
10. 74
5. 20
12. 75
1. 99
1.41
2.21
2.07
1.00
2. 40
11.03
7. 58
14. 17
11.16
5. 70
14.28
2.13
1.46
2. 73
2. 15
1.11
2. 76
In d e x n u m b e r s ( G re a t B r i t a i n = 100)
■Rfilginm
F r a n o p.
Germany:
TI nhr
TTpppr Silesia
Poland
Saar
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
United
States
currency
120
67
104
110
58
04
118
70
106
1C3
01
96
84
58
100
90
43
109
72
49
100
75
39
99
90
64
100
94
45
111
78
53
100
79
41
101
[177]
178
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
An indication of the relative efficiency of 1rbor and the differences
in natural conditions in the various countries is found in Table 4,
taken from the report, giving the average output of salable coal per
worker. A comparison of Table 4 with Table 3 shows that in the
countries where average output is very high the labor cost per unit
of production is relatively low and vice versa. For example, the
average output of salable coal per worker per year in Poland is given
as 370 metric tons and in France as 190 metric tons. The average
labor cost of producing a metric ton of salable coal in Poland (re
duced to a common currency), exclusive of the employers’ social in
surance contributions, was found to be 4.71 Swiss francs (91 cents),
as compared with 11.30 Swiss francs ($2.18) in France.
T a b l e 4 . —A V ER A G E O U T PU T OF SALABLE COAL PE R W O RKER IN E U R O P E A N COAL
M IN E S IN 1929
Average output per worker (in metric tons ')—
Country and district
Per shift
Under
ground
workers
Belgium
Czechoslovakia
F ra n ce_______ . . . Germany:
P.uhr___________________
Upper Silesia___________
Saxony---------- . --------Great B ritain..
. . _
Netherlands
_
_____ .
Poland .
Saar____________________ _
Per day
All
workers
1.315
.987
1.009
.694
1.557
1. 775
.869
1.395
1. 714
1.874
1.123
1.271
1. 377
.658
1.102
1.193
1. 264
.801
Under
ground
workers
Per year
All
workers
0. 836
1. 362
.993
0. 576
1.058
.699
1.581
1.859
.916
1.453
1.300
1.451
.697
I. 148
2. 013
1.381
Under
ground
workers
All
workers
381
266
284
190
422
485
238
348
462
534
312
350
381
183
283
324
370
223
i Metric to n = 2,204.6 pounds.
The hours of labor of underground workers as fixed either by legis
lation or by collective agreements or arbitration awards are shown
in Table 5, together with the individual time spent in the mine and
at the face, minus breaks. The International Labor Office points
out that the figures showing the time spent at the face minus breaks
are to be accepted with reservations, as “ the figures used for calcu
lating this time, namely, the total traveling time and the duration
of breaks, can not be determined with absolute accuracy. They are
generally approximate figures and must be accepted with caution;
their value naturally influences the value of the figure showing the
time spent at the face less breaks.”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[178]
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
179
T xble 5 . —HOURS OF W ORK OF U N D E R G R O U N D W ORKERS IN E U R O PE A N COAL
M IN E S, 1929
Regulation hours of work
Individual time
spent in mine
D ay or shift
Country and district
Week
Fixed by
Fixed by
Fixed collective
Fixed collective
agree
agree
D ay or
by
by
ments
ments
shift
legis or
legis
arbi
arbi lation
lation or
tration
tration
awards
awards
H.
m.
H o u rs
H.
m.
H.
m.
8
0
48
0
48
Belgium__________________
Czechoslovakia____________
France:6
Whole country 6________
Nord and Pas-de-Calais..
Lorraine_______________
Other coal fields 6______
Germany:
Ruhr__________________
Aachen________________
Upper Silesia.-___ ______
Lower Silesia___________
Saxony___ ____ _______
7
7
7
7
52
54
51
50
47 12
47 24
47 6
47 0
8
0
44 15
to
50 0
47 28
47 0
to
8 30
8 19
Great Britain.
Netherlands______________
Poland:
Upper Silesia__________
Dombrowa and Cracow
Saar__________ ___________
'»8
10
8
2
h
7 30
Week
8 30
7 30
48 12
49 0
45 0
Length of time
spent at face,
minus breaks 1
D ay or
shift
H.
m.
Week
II.
m.
6 20
3 5 36
<5 52
38 0
33 36
4 35 12
16
6
6
6
35
39
40
29
i 39 30
39 54
40 0
38 54
6 15
to
6 45
6 34
33 45
to
40 30
37 5
35 0
10 6
10
6
IS
12 6 16
6 15
3
37 48
35 46
37 30
1 Actual individual time spent in mine less total traveling time underground and breaks, but not in
cluding any other lost time or waiting period.
,
, ...
2 The hours of work fixed by collective agreement are 46 a week, with a
permanent undertaking on
the part of the workers” to work 2 additional hours on Saturday in return for special overtime pay.
3 The time for the return journey underground includes an average waiting period of 16 minutes at tne
pit bottom.
. ,
,
. ,
.,
..
4 Average waiting period of 16 minutes at pit bottom not taken into consideration.
5 Figures represent ¿iverage time spent in the mine, and time spent at face less breaks, of newers on
morning shift.
6 Weighted averages.
^
i Obtained by deducting from individual time spent in the mine only the underground traveling time
and the collective rest period, no account being taken of other time lost.
s Period calculated for each individual worker from time of entering cage to descend until time of leav
ing it after ascending. It includes both individual winding times.
9 6 hours and 10 minutes worked on Saturday.
10 4 hours and 10 minutes worked on Saturday.
11 Includes a statutory break of 30 minutes; 6 hours and 30 minutes worked on Saturday.
12 4 hours and 26 minutes worked on Saturday.
The regulation hours of work of underground workers in 1929 in
the countries listed were the same as in 1927, the date of the last
previous study by the International Labor Office. However, it is
noted that in Upper Silesia the duration of the individual shift since
April 1, 1928, has included both individual winding times instead of
only the individual descent as formerly, and that in several localities,
namely, France, the Dombrowa and Cracow coal fields in Poland,
and the Saar, there had been slight changes in the individual time
spent in the mine or at the face less breaks.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[179]
180
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
F a r m W o rk e rs ’ W ag es in G r e a t B r ita in
and hours of labor for farm workers in Great Britain
are fixed by local committees, whose decisions must be re
W AGES
viewed and approved by the agricultural wages board before they a
effective. A definite term for the operation of a given rate may be
set, but it is more common to leave the time indefinite, reviewing the
situation and issuing a new award when conditions have changed or
some other cause for alteration has arisen. If there is no special cause
of this kind, new decisions are apt to be issued in the spring or, more
often, the old decision is reaffirmed and issued as a rate for the coming
year. This process is now going on in England, and the Labor Mag
azine, in its issue for May, 1931, gives the following rates which have
been set as the minimum weekly wage1for adult unskilled laborers in
the counties named:
C heshire___________________
H erefordshire______________
L ancashire, S o u th __________
L ancashire, N o rth __________
L eicestershire______________
R u tla n d ___________________
R ad n o r an d B reco n ________
M erioneth a n d M ontgom ery
s.
37
31
33
37
34
32
31
30
d.
0
0
6
6
0
6
0
0
($9.
($7.
($8.
($9.
($8.
($7.
($7.
($7.
00)
54)
15)
12)
27)
91)
54)
40)
These rates are the same as were in force when the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries issued a report on the subject in 1928, but
in Leicestershire and Rutland the weekly hours have been increased
from 54 to 56y2for summer and in Rutland the winter hours also have
been increased from 50 to 54.
In Suffolk the minimum weekly wage for unskilled adult laborers
has just been set at 28s. ($6.81), a reduction of 2s. (49 cents), after a
bitter struggle. Under the agricultural wages act of 1924, if either
side is dissatisfied with a rate, an appeal may be made from the order
of the wages board to the Minister of Agriculture, who, if he considers
the objection valid, may refer the decision back to the board for fur
ther consideration, but this is the limit of his powers in the matter.
This course was followed in Suffolk; the workers’ representatives ap
pealed the matter to the minister, who referred it back to the board,
but according to the Manchester Guardian for May 4, after much
discussion the decision was reaffirmed.
According to the same authority, the agricultural laborers’ union
takes the matter very seriously and is declaring that for the sake of
the workers as a whole the decision must be resisted. Just what form
resistance should take has not been decided, but there is talk of ap
plying to the Government for help. A short act of Parliament, it is
suggested, might establish some impartial reviewing agency with more
power than is given to the Minister of Agriculture under the present
act.
1 Conversions into United States currency on basis of shilling= 24.33 cents; penny=2.03 cents.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
181
WAGES AND HOURS OF LABOR
A v erage W eek ly E a rn in g s of B r itis h C oal M in e rs
APRIL 28, 1931, a member of the British House of Commons
asked for a statement of the average weekly earnings of the coal
ONminers
in each of the separate districts for each of the last five yeais,
and in reply the Secretary of Mines presented a table 1 showing the
weekly cash earnings from 1925 to 1930, with the exception of 1926,
a year in which output and earnings were so affected by the prolonged
stoppage that it is usually omitted from such tabulations. It was
explained that these figures do not include the value of allowances in
kind, which during the first nine months of 1930 varied from about
5s. 4d. ($1.30) per week in Northumberland and Durham to about
2%d. (5 cents) a week in Scotland, Lancashire, Cheshire, and North
Staffordshire. For South Wales and Monmouth the figures for 1927
to 1929 relate to the years ending January, 1928, 1929, and 1930, and
those for 1930 to the nine months ending October, 1930. The 1930
average for Great Britain is provisional.
A VERAGE W E EK LY E A R N IN G S OF B R IT ISH COAL M IN E R S, 1925 TO 1930
[Conversions into United States currency on basis of £=04.8665]
District
N orthumberland--------------------------------------------------- ---------South Wales and N!nnmnnth
_____
______ Yorkshire
- ____- _____ _______ -North Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
_ _ __ _
South Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Cannock Chase, and War____
wicksbffe
- __
Lancashire Cheshire
N o rth Staffordshire
Cumberlar’d, North Wales, South Staffordshire, Shropshire,
Bristol Forest nf Dean S om erset, a n d Kent
________
Great "Rritain
________ _
1925
1927
1928
1929
1930
013.12
11.05
11. 60
' 13. C2
12. 69
12.69
$12. 75
10. 20
10.83
11.58
11. 68
11. 94
$12. 49
9. 10
9. 73
11.78
10. 54
10. 58
$12. 73
9. 37
9. 96
12. 06
11.17
11. 21
$12. 25
8. 96
9. 63
11. 50
10. 77
11.01
12.69
11. 21
11.94
10. 63
10. 30
9.71
10. 77
10.16
10.69
10. 14
11. 36
10. 97
10. 34
10. 81
10.89
12. 33
11.48
10. 65
11. C7
10. 79
W ag es of W o o d w o rk ers in N o v a ra , Ita ly
A
N AGREEMENT made between the Autonomous Fascist FedL eration of Mechanics and the Fascist Provincial Union of
Industry contains the following scale of hourly wages2 for Novara,
effective June 1, 1931:
C arv ers____________________ _____________________
F in ish ers________________________________________
C abinetm akers, carpenters, first c a te g o ry ----------- C arvers, finishers, cabinetm ak ers, carp en ters, sec
ond ca te g o ry --------------------------------------------------A pprentices-------------------------------------------------------Boys over 5 years o ld ------------------------------------------
2. 85 (15. 0 cents)
2. 75 (14. 5 cents)
2. 65 (13. 9 cents)
2. 10 (11. 0 cents)
. 90-1. 75 (4. 7-9. 2 cents)
. 30-0. 80 (1. 6-4. 2 cents)
The second category includes those who have worked at their trade
three years or less after finishing their apprenticeship period. Piece
work prices are arranged so as to give a fast worker 20 per cent in
advance of time-work prices. For overtime, 20 per cent extra is paid
for the first two hours and 30 per cent thereafter; for work at night or
on Sunday 50 per cent extra is paid.3
1 Great Britain. Parliamentary Debates, Apr. 28, 1931, p. 1463.
2 Conversions into United States currency on basis of lira=5.26 cents,
s Data are from II Lavoro Fascista (Rome), M ay 23, 1931.
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[181]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
S u m m a r y fo r M a y , 1931
MPLOYMENT and pay-roll totals both decreased 0.9 per cent
in May, 1931, as compared with April, 1931.
The industrial groups surveyed, the number of establishments
reporting in each group, the number of employees covered, and the
total pay rolls for one week, for both April and May, together with
the per cent of change in May, are shown in the following summary:
E
SU M M A R Y OP E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS, A PR IL A N D M AY, 1931
Industrial group
Establishments
Employment
April,
1931
May,'
1931
Pay roll in 1 week
Per
Per
cent of
cent of
change April, 1931 M ay, 1931 change
1. M a n u f a c t u r in g s ________ 14, 896 3, 014, 008 2, 999, 224 i - 0 .5 $72, 305,188 $71, 789, 008
2. C o a lm in in g _
. . . . 1, 505
323, 793
308, 581
- 4 .7
6, 629, 428
6, 407. 360
Anthracite . . . .
.......
160
116, 616
109, 977
-5 . 7
2, 988, 394
3, 024, 282
1, 345
Bituminous _____________
207,177
198, 604
-4 . 1
3, 641, 034
3, 383, 078
3. M etalliferous m in in g .
...
326
42, 095
41,071
- 2 .4
1, 026, 772
986,190
4. Q uarrying a n d n o n m e ta llie m in in g ______________
758
33, 226
32, 728
- 1 .5
727, 638
724, 635
5. C rude p etro leu m produ ci n g -------------------------------564
25, 474
24, 730
- 2 .9
880, 279
858, 922
fi. P u b lic u tilitie s. _________ . 12. 295
701, 643
698, 947
- 0 .4 21, 365,145 21, 281, 035
Telephone and telegraph___ 8,049
312, 337
309,991
- 0 .8
9,105, 604
9,018, 793
Power, light, and water__
3, 710
241, 943
243, 077
+ 0 .5
7, 574, 565
7, 656, 972
Electric railroad operation
and maintenance, exclusive of car shops.. ______
536
147, 363
145,879
-1 .0
4, 684,976
4, 605,270
7. T rad e_____________________ 12, 097
388, 647
387, 657
-0 . 3
9, 701, 593
9, 669, 391
Wholesale________
___ 2, 379
70, 122
69, 867
- 0 .4
2,169, 315
2,156,066
Retail___________________
9, 718
318, 525
317,790
-0 . 2
7, 532, 278
7, 513, 325
8. H o tels_____________________ 2,148
154, 776
149, 433
- 3 . 5 2 2, 489, 394 22, 426, 001
9. C a n n in g a n d preserving
821
36, 939
34, 683
-6 . 1
634, 262
622, 395
10. L a u n d ries_________________
442
37, 387
37, 309
-0 . 2
702, 743
699, 888
11. D y ein g a n d c le a n in g __ _
179
6, 601
6, 669
+ 1 .0
152, 675
153, 111
T o ta l.
_____ _ _
46, 031 4, 764, 589 4, 721, 032
- 0 . 9 116, 615,117 115, 617, 936
i - 1 .2
- 3 .3
+1-2
-7 . 1
-4 . 0
- 0 .4
- 2 .4
- 0 .4
- 1 .0
+ 1.1
- 1 .7
-0 . 3
- 0 .6
- 0 .3
-2 . 5
- 1 .9
-0 . 4
+0. 3
- 0 .9
R e c a p it u l a t io n b y G e o g r a p h ic D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
N ew England_________
M iddle Atlantic_________
East North Central______
West North Central............
South Atlantic___ _______
East South Central______
West South Central______
M ountain_______________
Pacific__________________
6, 022
506, 650
504, 249
7, 416 1,411,145 1, 390, 058
10, 012 1, 301, 388 1, 296, 542
4,838
300, 312
298, 361
4, 800
505, 955
499, 046
2, 439
198, 738
197, 653
3,425
184, 646
182, 768
1, 672
86, 859
85, 378
5,407
268,896
267, 077
- 0 .5 $12, 082, 227 $11, 978, 644
- 1 .5 36, 414,151 35, 669,844
- 0 .4 34,183, 599 34, 212,176
- 0 .6
7, 263,176
7, 265, 629
- 1 .4
9, 565,909
9, 530, 506
- 0 . 5 3,471, 587
3,413, 272
-1 .0
4, 305, 566
4, 269, 303
-1 . 7
2, 236, 369
2,181,826
- 0 .7
7,092, 533
7, 096, 736
- 0 .9
-2 .0
+0. 1
+ <+
- 0 .4
- 1 .7
- 0 .8
- 2 .4
+ 0.1
All divisions_______
46, 031 4, 784, 589 4, 721, 032
- 0 . 9 116,615,117 115, 617, 936
- 0 .9
1 V eighted per cent of change for the comhined 54 manufacturing industries, repeated from Table 2, p. 188;
the remaining per cent of change, including total, are unweighted.
2 Cash payments only; see note 3, p. 200.
3 N e w E n g l a n d : Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. M id d l e
A t l a n t i c : New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. E a s t N o r t h C e n t r a l: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio,
VVisconsm. W e s t N o r t h C e n t r a l: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South
Dakota. S o u t h A t l a n t i c : Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina,
South Carolina, \ irginia, W est Virginia. E a s t S o u t h C e n t r a l: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, T enn
essee. W e s t S o u t h C e n t r a l: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas. M o u n t a i n : Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,
Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming. P a c i f i c : California, Oregon, Washington.
4 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
182
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TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
183
The per cents of change shown for the total figures represent only
the changes in the establishments reporting, as the figures for the
several industrial groups are not weighted according to the relative
importance of each group.
Increased employment in May was shown in 2 of the 15 industrial
groups: Power, light, and water, 0.5 per cent, and dyeing and cleaning,
1.0 per cent.
Decreased employment was reported in May in the remaining 13
groups: Manufacturing, 0.5 per cent; anthracite mining, 5.7 per cent;
bituminous coal mining, 4.1 per cent; metalliferous mining, 2.4 per
cent; quarrying and nonmetallic mining, 1.5 per cent; crude petro
leum producing, 2.9 per cent; telephone and telegraph, 0.8 per cent;
electric railroads, 1.0 per cent; wholesale trade, 0.4 per cent; retail
trade, 0.2 per cent; hotels, 3.5 per cent; canning and preserving, 6.1
per cent; and laundries, 0.2 per cent.
Pay-roll totals were greater in May, as compared with April, in the
two industrial groups reporting increased employment, i. e., power,
light, and water, and dyeing and cleaning, and also in the anthracite
mining industry. The remaining 12 industrial groups reported
decreased earnings ranging from 0.3 per cent in retail trade to 7.1 per
cent in bituminous coal mining.
Each of the nine geographic divisions showed a falling off in employ
ment over the month interval, although three divisions—the East and
West North Central and Pacific—reported slight increases in pay-roll
totals during the same period.
PE R C A PITA W E EK LY E A R N IN G S IN M A Y, 1931, A N D COM PA R ISO N W ITH A PR IL ,
1931, A N D M A Y, 1930
cent of change, M ay,
Per capita Per
1931, compared with—
weekly
earnings in
M ay, 1931 April, 1931 M ay, 1930
Industrial group
1. Manufacturing.
______ _____ . . . _ . . __________
2. Coal mining:
Anthracite------_ . ------- .... . . . ---------- . . ------ ...
Bitum inous___ . . . . . . . . . . ____ _ . .
------- - . . ------ -3. Metalliferous mining__________ _____ .
------------ . . . ---4. Quarrying and nonmetallic mining .
.
----------5. Crude petroleum producing_____________ _______ ______ ____
6. Public utilities:
Telephone and telegraph---------- ------- -- _ . . . ----- -------Power, light, and water . . . .
..
...
____ .
...... ... ...................
Electric railroads..
7. Trade:
W holesale... . . . . ------- . . . . . ---- . . - - - - - - - - - . . Retail- . . . .
. . . . ------- -- - - - - - - - - - ..
8. Hotels (cash payments only) 2. --------- --------- --------------------9. Canning and p r e se r v in g .---------- -- ---- ... . - -- ------ -10. Laundries
_
_______
__
11. Dyeing and cleaning-------- ------ ------------- . . ------- -- ---------Total.
____________________
________
--
$23. 88
- 0 .7
-1 0 .0
27. 50
17.03
24.01
22.14
34. 73
+ 7 .4
- 3 .2
- 1 .7
+ 1 .0
+ 0 .4
-1 0 .0
-2 3 .0
-1 9 .2
-1 6 .3
+ 0.3
29. 09
31.50
31.57
- 0 .1
+ 0 .6
- 0 .7
30.86
23. 64
16. 23
17.95
18. 76
22. 96
- 0 .3
- 0 .1
+ 1 .2
+4. 4
-0 . 2
- 0 .7
24.49
+ (9
+ 4.1
0)
- 1 .7
- 3 .4
- 2 .7
-5 . 6
—1.8
(3)
(3)
(3)
1No change.
2The additional value of board, room, and tips can not be computed.
2Data not available.
t Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
Per capita earnings for May, 1931, given in the preceding table
must not be confused with full-time weekly rates of wages; they are
actual per capita weekly earnings computed by dividing the total
number of employees reported into the total amount of pay roll in the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[183]
184
Mo n t h l y l a b o r r e v i e w
week reported, and the “ number of employees’* includes all persons
who worked any part of the period reported—that is, part-time
workers as well as full-time workers.
Comparisons are made with per capita earnings in April, 1931, and
with May, 1930, where data are available.
For convenient reference the latest data available relating to all
employees, excluding executives and officials, on Class I railroads,
drawn from Interstate Commerce Commission reports, are shown
in the following statement. These reports are for the months of
March and April, 1931, instead of for April and May, 1931, conse
quently the figures can not be combined with those presented in the
foregoing table.
E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS, CLASS I R A ILROADS
Employment
Industry
Class I railroads-
- .
Mar. 15,
1931
Apr. 15,
1631
1, 303,463
1, 315, 371
Per
cent of
change
+ 0 .9
Amount of pay roll in
entire month
March, 1931
April, 1931
$181,744,757
$179,680, 621
Per
cent of
change
- 1 .1
The total number of employees included in this summary is 6,036,403
whose combined earnings in one week amount to approximately
$157,500,000.
1. E m p lo y m e n t in S e le c te d M a n u f a c tu r in g I n d u s trie s in
M ay , 1931
C o m p a ris o n
o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a n u f a c tu r i n g
I n d u s trie s , A p ril a n d M a y , 1931
MPLOYMENT in manufacturing industries in May, 1931, de
creased 0.5 per cent as compared with April, and pay-roll totals
decreased 1.2 per cent. These changes aie based upon returns from
13,876 identical establishments in 54 of the principal manufacturing
industries in the United States, having in May 2,858,058 employees
whose combined earnings in one week were $68,237,022.
This seasonal decrease in employment in manufacturing industries
in May is slightly less than the average decline shown by the bureau’s
indexes of employment for previous years. A falling off in employ
ment in May has been shown in six of the eight years prior to 1931,
and the decreases, with one exception, have been greater than the
decline shown in May, 1931.
The bureau’s weighted index of employment for May, 1931, is
74.1, as compared with 74.5 for April, 1931, 74.8 for March, 1931, and
87.7 for May, 1930; the index of pay-roll totals for May, 1931, is
66.6, as compared with 67.4 for April, 1931, 68.5 for March, 1931,
and 87.6 for May, 1930. The monthly average for 1926 equals 100.
Increases in both employment and earnings were shown in 5 of the
12 groups of manufacturing industries included in the bureau’s
indexes; i. e., food, lumber, stone-clay-glass, tobacco, and vehicles.
The paper group showed no change in employment and a small
decrease in pay roll from April to May, while the miscellaneous
E
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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TREND OF EM PLOYM ENT
185
group of industries reported slightly increased earnings coupled with
a decrease in employment. The remaining five groups—textiles,
iron and steel, leather, chemicals, and nonferrous metals—reported
decreased employment and pay-roll totals. An additional group,
comprising 10 industries surveyed but not yet included in the bureau’s
indexes, showed a falling off in employment with increased pay-roll
totals.
Gains in employment in May, as compared with April, were shown
in 29 of the 64 separate manufacturing industries surveyed, and
increased earnings were reported by 31 industries.
The greatest increase in employment over the month interval
was a seasonal gain of 8.0 per cent in the woolen and worsted goods
industry. Gains of over 5 per cent in employment were reported
by the ice cream, automobile tire, and chewing tobacco industries,
while the automobile, aircraft, beverage, cement, and brick industries
reported increased employment ranging from 3 to 5 per cent. The
cotton goods industry reported an increase of 2.3 per cent in number
of employees, and the slaughtering and meat-packing industry
showed a gain of 1.3 per cent.
The woolen and worsted goods industry, which reported the largest
employment gain, also showed the greatest increase in earnings,
10.7 per cent. Increases in pay-roll totals ranging from 6.8 per
cent to 5.9 per cent were shown in automobiles, automobile tires,
chewing tobacco, cement, and rayon; the ice cream, sawmill, and
carriage and wagon industries each reported gains of over 4 per cent
in earnings from April to May. Increases in pay-roll totals ranging
from 3.6 to 3.9 per cent were shown in the cigar and cigarette, rubber
boot and shoe, aircraft, paint and varnish, beet sugar, and beverage
industries.
The greatest decrease in employment in May was shown in the
fertilizer industry, which reported a seasonal loss of 37.4 per cent.
The agricultural implement industry showed 17 per cent fewer
employees in May, as compared with April; millinery and lace
goods reported a drop of 9.4 per cent, and the radio industry de
creased 7.8 per cent in employment over the month interval. Em
ployment in the piano industry declined 5.8 per cent, cane sugar
refining and women’s clothing reported 5.2 per cent fewer employees,
and silk goods and men’s clothing reported losses of over 4 per cent
in employment. The iron and steel industry reported 2.5 per cent
fewer employees, and foundry and machine shop products decreased
2 per cent in employment.
Increased employment and pay-roll totals were shown in the South
Atlantic, West South Central, Mountain, and Pacific geographic
divisions. The East and West North Central divisions reported
practically unchanged employment coupled with slightly increased
earnings, and the remaining three divisions—New England, Middle
Atlantic, and East South Central—reported decreases in both
employment and pay rolls, the greatest decrease in both items
occurring in the Middle Atlantic division.
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186
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 1 — COM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
M A N U F A C T U R IN G E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN A PR IL A N D M AY, 1931, BY IN D U S T R IE S
Industry
Estab
lish
ments
Number on pay roll
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
Per
cent of
change
Amount of pay roll
(1 week)
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
Per
cent of
change
Food a n d kindred produ cts
Slaughtering and meat
packing________________
Confectionery__________ .
Ice cream_ _ _____________
Flour ______ __________ _
B a k in g ..-.. _ ___ . . . _ .
Sugar refining, cane_____ _
2,009
219,582
222,111
(>)
$5,504,260
$5,586,107
211
333
331
403
716
15
83, 235
34, 248
12, 705
15,997
64, 349
9,048
84, 332
34.481
13,539
15, 689
65,491
8, 579
+ 1 .3
+ 0 .7
+ 6.6
- 1 .9
+ 1.8
- 5 .2
2,138,821
604,141
425,897
397, 563
1,675, 527
262, 311
2,174,930
605, 506
443, 092
395,934
1, 716,941
249, 704
+ 1.7
+ 0.2
+ 4.0
- 0 .4
+ 2.5
- 4 .8
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c ts..
Cotton goods ____________
Hosiery and knit goods___
Silk goods__________ ____
Woolen and worsted goods. .
Carpets and rugs________
Dyeing and finishing textiles_________________ . .
Clothing, men’s ___________
Shirts and collars________
Clothing, women’s . . ____
M illinery and lace goods___
2,432
505
350
258
195
30
567,965
190, 771
87, 230
55,604
51,813
18,431
568,387
195, 234
88,115
52,944
55,967
18,647
(0
+ 2 .3
+ 1 .0
- 4 .8
+ 8.0
+ 1.2
10,166,381
2, 759,960
1.459, 549
1. 016, 265
1,041, 283
404,294
9,896,775
2,803, 535
1,495,991
945, 043
1,152, 526
409,604
(i)
+ 1.6
+ 2.5
- 7 .0
+10.7
+ 1 .3
130
350
108
382
124
37,857
59, 589
17, 527
34, 252
14,891
36,962
57, 049
17,488
32, 496
13,485
- 2 .4
- 4 .3
- 0 .2
- 5 .2
- 9 .4
921,458
1, 093, 887
242,456
892, 749
334,480
861, 318
951, 881
242, 250
772, 349
262,278
- 6 .5
-1 3 .0
- 0 .1
-1 3 .5
-2 1 .6
1,977
189
45
178
551,010
226, 994
9, 772
24,081
539,051
221, 414
9,844
23, 558
(*)
- 2 .5
+ 0.7
- 2 .2
13,738,037
6, 008,801
218,673
589,641
13,067, 725
5,542, 759
209,632
590,112
(‘1
- 7 .8
- 4 .1
+0.1
1,077
96
151
196,680
27,449
23,333
192, 718
27,135
22,659
- 2 .0
- 1 .1
- 2 .9
4,820,176
553,824
573, 221
4,677,461
550,436
557, 022
- 3 .0
- 0 .6
- 2 .8
105
136
24, 794
17,907
23,979
17, 744
- 3 .3
- 0 .9
568, 785
404,916
533.471
406,832
- 6 .2
+ 0.5
L u m b er a n d its p r o d u cts___
Lumber, sawm ills________
Lumber, millwork ______
Furniture________________
1,474
684
343
447
168,323
90,883
24,642
52, 798
169,077
91,810
24,990
52,277
0)
+ 1.0
+ 1.4
- 1 .0
3, 003, 503
1,489, 028
510, 515
1,003,960
3,060,560
1,561,948
525, 073
983, 539
(>)
+ 4.2
+ 2.9
- 2 .0
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts__
Leather_________________
Boots and shoes_________
449
148
301
128,511
24, 869
103,642
125,955
24, 767
101,188
(>)
- 0 .4
- 2 .4
2,544,958
588, 563
1,956, 395
2,478,207
592.646
1,885, 561
(')
+ 0 .7
- 3 .6
Paper a n d p r in tin g _________
Paper and pulp______ _ _„
Paper boxes..................... . .
Printing, book and job____
Printing, newspapers_____
1,737
361
312
610
454
232,698
75, 014
23,695
55, 768
78, 221
232,923
75, 555
23, 539
55, 565
78, 264
(>)
+0. 7
-0 . 7
- 0 .4
+0. 1
7,245, 578
1,830, 888
522, 215
1,848,557
3,043, 918
7,20«, 552
1,826, 273
519, 860
1,813,767
3.046, 652
(>)
- 0 .3
- 0 .5
- 1 .9
+0.1
C h em icals a n d allied produ c ts _________ ____________
Chemicals______ _________
Fertilizers________________
Petroleum refining______
46«
163
207
96
103,660
36,421
16,977
50, 262
96, 769
35, 754
10,623
50, 392
(>)
- 1 .8
-3 7 .4
+ 0.3
2,844, 605
977, 524
282, 312
1. 584, 769
2,716,782
963, 207
178,199
1. 575,376
C1)
- 1 .5
-3 6 .9
- 0 .6
S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ c ts ______________________
Cement____________ . . .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta...
Pottery__________________
Glass._ _________________
1,148
111
731
115
191
111, 762
19,603
30,823
17,897
43,439
114,419
20, 263
31, 789
18, 233
44,134
(»)
+ 3.4
+ 3.1
+ 1.9
+ 1.6
2,519,839
508, 209
589, 475
401. 627
1,020, 528
2,569,508
539,611
603, 565
392, 703
1,033,629
(>)
+ 6.2
+2.4
- 2 .2
+ 1.3
244
47,198
4«, 784
(0
1,089,895
1,060,849
(>)
82
16,936
16, 628
-2 . 1
370,138
351,458
- 5 .0
162
30, 212
30,156
- 0 .2
719, 757
709, 391
- 1 .4
214
57,447
57,905
(>)
821,639
854,579
0)
28
186
8,144
49, 303
8, 641
49, 264
+6.1
124, 492
697, 147
132, 600
721, 979
+ 6.5
+ 3.6
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir
p ro d u cts __ _____ _ _____
Iron and steel_____ _
Cast-iron p ip e._______ . _
Structural-iron work____
Foundry and machine-shop
products___________ ____
Hardware_______ _________
Machine tools .
. . .
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
apparatus______________
Stoves___________________
M etal p ro d u cts, oth er th a n
iron a n d steel. _____ .
Stamped and enameled
ware___________________
Brass, bronze, and copper
products_____ ____ _____
T obacco p r o d u cts__________
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff _ . _
Cigars and cigarettes . . . . .
See footnotes at end of table.
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U86]
-
0. 1
(>)
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
187
T a b l e 1.—C OM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
M A N U F A C T U R IN G E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931, BY IN D U S T R IE S —
Continued
Estab
lishments
Industry
Number on pay roll
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
V ehicles for la n d tra n sp o r
ta t io n ______________ _____
Automobiles_____________
Carriages and wagons____
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad________
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad_________
M iscellan eou s in d u s tr ie s ___
Agricultural implem ents™
Electrical machinery, appa
ratus, and supplies_____
Pianos and organs________
Rubber boots and shoes___
Automobile tires and inner
tubes__________________
Shipbuilding_____________
T o t a l—54 in d u s t r ie s
used in c o m p u tin g
in d e x n u m b e r s o f
e m p lo y m e n t a n d pay
roll___ ______________
In d u stries added sin ce F eb
ruary, 1929, for w h ic h data
for th e in d ex -b a se year
(1926) are n o t a vailab le___
Rayon___________________
Radio___________________
Aircraft___ ____ _________
Jewelry__________________
Paint and varnish________
Rubber goods, other than
boots, shoes, tires, and in
ner tubes______________
Beet su g a r______________
Beverages_______________
Cash registers, adding ma
chines, and calculating
machines______________
Typewriters and supplies_
All in d u str ies_________
1,247
213
48
419,833
290, 590
782
425,271
299, 373
795
Per
cent of
change
Amount of pay roll
(1 week)
April, 1931
May, 1931
$12,259,493 $12,692,708
0)
+ 3 .0
8, 516, 318
9, 092, 805
+ 1 .7
15, 911
16, 602
Per
change
(0
+ 6.8
+ 4 .3
438
27,937
27, 501
- 1 .6
849, 864
831, 335
- 2 .2
548
100, 524
97, 602
- 2 .9
2, 877, 400
2, 751,966
- 4 .4
479
76
264,023
13, 678
259,406
11,358
0)
-1 7 .0
'7,056,288
297,480
7,046,670
247, 638
(>)
-1 6 .8
208
63
10
158, 590
5, 345
11, 724
155, 040
5,034
12,066
-2 .2
- 5 .8
+ 2 .9
4, 309, 941
128, 896
194, 626
4, 267, 786
111, 750
202,118
-1 .0
-1 3 .3
+ 3.8
35
87
38, 677
36, 009
40, 662
35, 246
+ 5 .1
-2 . 1
1,121,877
1, 003, 468
1, 196, 257
1, 021,121
+ 6.6
+ 1.8
13,876
2,872,012
2,858,058
(0
68, 794,476
68,237,022
1,020
18
46
39
157
304
141,996
22, 694
20, 386
7, 595
15, 451
16,857
141,166
23, 208
18, 801
7,840
14,953
17, 274
(2)
+ 2 .3
- 7 .8
+ 3 .2
- 3 .2
+ 2 .5
3,510, 712
455, 208
489, 389
251, 779
320, 521
470, 307
3,551,986
481, 917
477, 051
260, 919
305, 887
487, 134
(2)
+ 5.9
- 2 .5
+ 3.6
-4 . 6
+ 3.6
80
61
249
18, 389
2,320
11, 040
18, 503
2,383
11, 419
+ 0 .6
+ 2 .7
+ 3 .4
408,805
74, 078
336,190
411, 305
76, 922
349,458
+ 0.6
+ 3.8
+ 3 .9
49
17
17,137
10, 127
16, 814
9, 971
- 1 .9
-1 .5
484,318
220, 117
481, 100
220, 293
- 0 .7
+ 0.1
14,896
3,014,008
2,999, 224
72,305,188
71,789,008
(2)
+ 1.7
+ 1.0
$8, 010, 894
22, 122, 058
25, 030, 692
3, 882, 224
6,049, 311
1,907, 380
1,948, 114
701, 065
2,653, 450
$7, 924,331
21,407, 717
25, 218, 137'
3, 908, 548
6, 107, 919
1, 877, 229
1,956, 865
701, 148
2, 687,114
- 1 .1
- 3 .2
+ 0 .7
+ 0 .7
+ 1 .0
- 1 .0
+ 0 .4
+ (0
+ 1.3
(2)
72,305,188
71, 789,008
(2)
R e c a p itu la tio n
(2)
0)
G eog raph ic D iv isio n s
by
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION 8
New England ___
Middle Atlantic __ ____ .
East North C entral__
West North Central _ . . .
South A tla n tic.. _______ .
East South Central ..
West South Central . . . . .
Mountain . .
.
.. ...
Pacific__
_____ _
All division s________
1,686
3, 679
3, 572
1, 407
1, 837
696
825
311
883
362, 050
871, 402
950, 048
160, 372
341, 764
109, 366
88, 762
26, 792
103, 452
359, 354
858, 086
950, 018
160, 158
342, 090
109, 005
88, 784
27, 236
104, 493
14,896
3,014, 008
2,999, 224
-0 . 7
- 1 .5
~ ( 4)
-0 . 1
+ 0 .1
- 0 .3
+ (<)
1 The per cent of change has not been computed for the reason that the figures in the preceding columns
are unweighted and refer only to the establishments reporting; for the weighted per cent of change, wherein
proper allowance is made for the relative importance of the several industries, so that the figures may rep
resent all establishments of the country in the industries here represented, see Table 2.
2 The per cent of change has not been computed for the reason that the figures in the preceding columns
are unweighted and refer only to the establishments reporting.
3 See footnote 3, p. 182.
* Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
63413°—31-----13
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[187]
188
T akle
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
2 .—PE R
C E N T OF C H A N G E, A P R IE T O M A Y, 1931, 12 GROUPS OF MANUFACTURE
UNG IN D U S T R IE S A N D TO TAL OF ALL IN D U S T R IE S
[Computed from the index numbers of each group, which are obtained by weighting the index numbers
of thé several industries of the group, by the number of employees, or wages paid, in the industries]
Per cent of change,
April to May,
1931
Per cent of change,
April to May,
1931
Group
Group
Number Amount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
Number Amount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
Food and kindred products___
Textiles and their products----Iron and steel and their prod
ucts ______________________
Lumber and its products------ ,
Leather and its products_____
Paper and printing---- ----------Chemicals and allied products..
+1. 1
- 0 .4
-2 . 2
+ 0 .6
- 2 .0
(>)
- 7 .1
+1. 6
-3 . 5
- 4 .8
+ 2 .0
-2 . 5
- 0 .7
-4 . 7
Stone, clay, and glass products.Metal products, other "than iron
and steel__ -----Tobacco products
Vehicles for land transportation.
Miscellaneous industries . . .
+2. 4
+ 1.8
0.8
+ 0. 7
+ 0.1
- 2 .4
+ 4 .0
+ 1.4
Total: 54 in d u str ie s____
- 0 .5
-
-
1. 6
+ 0.1
-1.»
1 N o change.
C o m p a ris o n o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a n u f a c tu r in g
In d u s trie s , M a y , 1931, w ith M a y , 1930
T h e level of employment in manufacturing industries in May,
1931, was 15.5 per cent below the level of May, 1930, and pay-roll
totals were 24 per cent lower.
Each of the 54 industries upon which the bureau’s indexes are
based had fewer employees and smaller pay-roll totals in May, 1931,
than in May, 1930. The agricultural implement industry reported
the greatest decrease in employment over the 12-month interval,
a decline of 53.6 per cent. Machine tools reported 35.9 per cent
fewer employees, carriages and wagons, 34.1 per cent, and sawmills
a loss of 29.8 per cent in employment. Foundry and machine-shop
products reported a falling off of 26.1 per cent in number of employees
over the year period; steam railroad car shops, 25.1 per cent; brick,
tile, and terra cotta, 24.2 per cent; and structural-iron work, 24 per
cent. The automobile industry showed 18.9 per cent fewer employees
in May, 1931, than in May, 1930, the iron and steel industry reported
a drop of 18.2 per cent, and the cotton goods industry declined 5.7
per cent. The woolen and worsted goods industry reported the
smallest loss in employment over the year period, the May, 1931,
index showing a change of less than 1 per cent in number of employees
from the level of May, 1930.
Each of the nine geographic divisions showed a falling off in em
ployment and earnings in May, 1931, as compared with May, 1930;
the New England division showed the least change in number_of
employees, a decrease of 10.3 per cent; and the Mountain division
reported the largest decrease, 20.5 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 188 ]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
189
T a b l e 3 .— C OM PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C
T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , M A Y, 1931, W ITH M A Y, 1930
[The per cents of change for each of the 12 groups of industries and for the total of all industries are weighted
in the same manner as are the per cents of change in Table 2]
Per cent of
change, May,
1931, compared
with May, 1930
Per cent of
change, May,
1931, compared
with M ay, 1930
Industry
Industry
Number Amount
on pay
of pay
roll
roll
Food an d kindred p ro d u cts.
Slaughtering and meat packing__
_ __ ______ _
Confectionery__ ______
Icecream . .
__ . . .
Flour____________________
Raking.
Sugar refining, c a n e ___ .
T extiles a n d th eir p ro d u cts..
Cotton goods
. . _____
Hosiery and knit goods..
Silk goods_____ . . . .
Woolen and worsted goods..
Carpets and rugs.. . . ._ .
Dyeing and finishing textiles____
... .
Clothing, men’s __ . . _.
Shirts and collars
_____
Clothing, women’s . . . ___
M illinery and lace goods__
-6 . 7
-1 0 .9
- 5 .4
-2 . 2
-1 4 . 2
- 9 .2
- 6 .2
-1 8 .8
- 8 .3
- 9 .3
-1 6 .8
-1 4 .4
-1 0 .7
-2 2 .7
-7 . 1
- 5 .7
-9 . 5
-1 3 .9
- 0 .9
- 9 .8
-1 1 .9
- 6 .6
-1 1 .7
-2 0 .1
- 5 .5
-2 . 5
- 3 .8
- 7 .4
-8 . 1
- 5 .8
-1 4 .5
- 6 .3
-1 7 .4
-7 . 7
-16. 5
-2 7 .5
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir
products
Iron and steel____________
Cast-iron pipe.
. . .
Structural-iron work____
Foundry and machine-shop
products . . . . . ______
Hardware
...... _
Machine tools. . . . . . _. .
Steam fittings and steam
and hot-water heating
apparatus .
_____
Stoves___________________
-1 7 .6
—17.0
-3 2 . 1
—26. 5
L um b er and its p ro d u cts___
Lumber, sawmills_______
Lumber, m illw o r k .._____
Furniture. _____________
-2 5 . 4
-2 9 .8
—18.0
-1 8 .7
-37. 7
-4 4 .4
-2 9 .0
. -2 8 . 6
L eather and its p ro d u cts___
Leather .
. _____
-6 . 9
-1 0 .9
- 5 .8
-9 . 0
-13. 7
7 5
Paper an d p r in tin g ____ __
Paper and pulp _. _______
_________
Paper boxes
Printing, book and jo b .. .
Printing, newspapers
- 7 .6
-1 2 .7
- 7 .3
-9 . 2
- 1 .3
-11.
-21.
-1 0 .
-1 3 .
-3 .
—22. 4
-1 8 . 2
-1 5 .9
-2 4 .0
-3 5 4
-3 2 . 5
-25. S
-3 6 .9
-2 6 . 1
-1 7 .3
—35. 9
-38. 8
-27. 3
-4 7 .0
Number Amount
on pay of pay
roll
roll
C hem icals a n d allied prodlid s
_________________
Chemicals
Fertilizers
Petroleum refining
-1 3 . 3
—9. 6
—14.1
-1 7 .4
-1 7 .7
—13. 6
—24. 9
—20. 2
S to n e , clay, a n d glass produ cts _ _ .
C e m e n t___ _______ . . .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta.
Pottery ________ ____
Glass____________ . .
-1 7 . 7
-1 8 .8
-2 4 .2
- 5 .0
—16.1
—26 2
-2 5 .4
-3 8 .3
—9. 9
—21.4
-1 4 . 3
—21 5
M etal p rodu cts, oth er th a n
iron a n d steel
Stamped and enameled
ware
Brass, bronze, and copper
products
T obacco p ro d u cts___
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff, . _____
V ehicles for la n d tran sp orta tio n
A utom obiles.,. __________
Carriages and wagons
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad,.
_____
M iscellaneous i industries
Agricultural im plem ents..
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies
Pianos and organs
Rubber boots and sh oes.. .
Automobile tires and inner
tubes
■_ •_____
Shipbuilding
All in d u str ie s_________
6
7
1
9
5
-1 1 .3
-1 6 .1
—15.7
-2 3 .6
- 9 .5
-16. 8
- 3 .2
-1 0 .3
- 8 .5
-1 7 .8
—21. 5
-1 8 .9
—34.1
-2 7 7
-2 5 .7
-3 9 .2
—12. 2
-1 6 .5
-2 5 .1
-3 0 .9
—20 9
-5 3 .6
—30 0
-6 4 . 7
—19. 8
—17. 7
-1 8 .7
—29. 6
—34. 9
-3 9 .9
—15. 0
—16. 8
—22. 7
—23. 0
-1 5 . 5
-2 4 . 0
R e c a p it u l a t io n b y G e o g r a p h ic D iv is io n s
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION
New England________________
Middle Atlantic______________
East North Central_______ . .
West North Central__________
South Atlantic........... ..............
East South Central_______
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION—COntd.
-1 0 . 3
-1 4 . 9
-1 8 . 7
-1 6 .4
-1 1 . 1
-1 6 .7
—16. 4
-2 4 . 1
-2 7 . 5
-2 1 . 0
-1 8 . 2
-2 4 . 1
West South Central
Mountain,
Pacific, _
[1891
All d iv isio n s.,.
—19. 9
—20. 5
-1 8 . 6
. ... .
-1 5 .5
190
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
P e r C a p ita E a rn in g s in M a n u f a c tu r i n g In d u s trie s
A c t u a l per capita weekly earnings in May, 1931, for each, of the
64 manufacturing industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statis
tics, together with per cents of change in May, 1931, as compared
with April, 1931, and May, 1930, are shown in Table 4.
Per capita earnings in May, 1931, for the combined 54 chief manu
facturing industries of the United States, upon which the bureau’s
indexes of employment and pay rolls are based, were 0.7 per cent
less than in April, 1931, and 10 per cent less than in May, 1930.
The actual average per capita weekly earnings in May, 1931, for
the 54 manufacturing industries were $23.88; the average per capita
earnings for all of the 64 manufacturing industries surveyed were
$23.94.
Per capita earnings given in Table 4 must not be confused with
full-time weekly rates of wages. They are actual per capita weekly
earnings computed by dividing the total number of employees re
ported into the total amount of pay roll in the week reported, and the
“ number of employees” includes all persons who worked any part of
the period reported—that is, part-time workers as well as full-time
workers.
T a b l e 4 .—PE R CAPITA W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S IN
M A Y , 1931, A N D C O M PARISON W ITH A PR IL , 1931, A N D M A Y, 1930
Per capita
weekly
earnings
in May,
1931
Industry
Food and kindred products:
Slaughtering and meat packing______________________ . . . ._
C onfectionery______
...
_______ ____________________ _
Ice cream.. _ ____
Flour_____ . . . ____ .... . . . . . .
Baking
.....
Sugar refining, cane___ _________________________ _____ ___
Textiles and their products:
Cotton goods . .
_________ _____ _
Hosiery and knit goods. _____ . . . ____ _______ _____ . . . . .
Silk goods. . .
. ...
_
Woolen and worsted goods..'. ___________________________
_______ _ ________ . . . _______
Carpets and rugs
~
Dyeing and finishing te x tiles__
______ ____ _
. _ __
Clothing, men’s
..
. . . . . . . ___. . .
Shirts and collars. _
_ _____. . . . . . .
Clothing, women’s.
Millinery and lace goods ..
_____ ________________ . . . .
Iron and steel and their products:
Iron and steel
._
. . .
. . .
.
_____
Cast-iron pipe.
_
....
_ _ __
.
_____
Structural-iron work
. . . ________________ _ .
Foundry and machine-shop products __ ________________
Hardware
. . . . .
.
_
_ _ _ _ . _
....
Machine tools. _ ____
. . . . .
. . . . . ... .
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water heating apparatus .
Stoves. . . . . . . . . _____________________________________
Lumber and its products:
Lumber, sawmills . . . __________________ _________________
Lumber, mill work____ _ ________ _ _ . __________________
Furniture
_.
_ _________ . ________ ________________
Leather and its products:
Leather . .
_____ _______________
_ . _______
Boots and shoes. . _____ ______ _ ___________ ____________
Paper and printing:
Paper and pulp________ _______
___ _ _ __________ ____
Paper boxes. ..
. . . . __ ______ __________ _______ . .
Printing, book and job
_____ ___ ___ ____________ _
Printing, newspapers. .
_
. . . _ ______ ______________
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[190]
Per cent of change,
M ay, 1931, compared
with—
April, 1931 M ay, 1930
$25. 79
17. 56
32. 73
25. 24
26. 22
29. 11
+ 0.4
-0 . 5
-2 . 4
+ 1 .6
+0. 7
+ 0.4
-2 .
-7 .
-2
-5 .
-4 .
-4 .
8
2
9
6
7
8
14. 36
16. 98
17. 85
20. 59
21. 97
23. 30
16. 69
13. 85
23. 77
19. 45
-0 . 8
+ 1.5
-2 . 4
+2. 4
+0.1
-4 . 3
-9 . 1
+0. 1
-8 . 8
-13. 4
-0 .
-2 .
-7 .
-4 .
+7.
-3 .
-11.
+0.
-1 1
-15.
8
6
3
7
9
0
2
5
8
0
25. 03
21. 30
25. 05
24. 27
20. 29
24. 58
22. 25
22. 93
-5 . 4
-4 . 8
+2. 3
-1 . 0
+0. 5
+ 0)
-3 . 0
+ 1 .4
-17. 5
-11. 7
-17. 2
-17. 3
-12. 1
-1 7 .1
-17. 6
-11. 2
16. 90
21.01
18. 81
+3. 2
+ 1 .4
1. 1
-20. 9
-1 3 .3
-1 2 .4
23. 93
18. 63
+ 1.1
- 1 .3
- 3 .3
- 1 .9
24.17
22. 09
32. 64
38.93
- 1 .0
+0. 2
-1 . 5
+ 0.1
-10. 6
-2 . 7
-5 . 5
- 2 .1
-
191
TREND OF EM PLOYM ENT
T ab O 4 .—P E R C A PITA W E E K L Y E A R N IN G S IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S IN
M A Y, 1931, A N D C O M PARISON W ITH A PR IL , 1931, A N D M A Y , 1930—Continued
Per cent of change,
Per capita May, 1931, compared
weekly
with —
earnings
in May,
1931
April, 1931 May, 1930
Industry
Chemicals and allied products:
Chemicals____________________________ _______ ____________
Fertilizers__________________________________ ______________
Petroleum refining_________________________________________
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Cement___________________________ _______________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta__________________________________
Pottery___________________________________________________
Glass_____________________________________________________
Metal products, other than iron and steel:
Stamped and enameled ware_______________________ ____ ___
Brass, bronze, and copper products_________________________
Tobacco products:
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff_____________________
Cigars and cigarettes_______________________________________
Vehicles for land transportation:
Automob iles_—_________ _______ _______________ ___________
Carriages and wagons______________________________________
Car building and repairing, electric-railroad__________________
Car building and repairing, steam-railroad___________________
Miscellaneous industries:
Agricultural implements___________________________________
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies________________
Pianos and organs______________ _____ ______________________
Rubber boots and shoes____________________________________
Automobile tires and inner tubes___________________________
Shipbuilding______________________________________________
Industries added since February, 1929, for which data for the indexbase year (1926) are not available:
Rayon_____ _________ _______ ______ _____________ __________
Radio_______________________ _____________________________
Aircraft__________________ ____ ____________________________
Jewelry_______________ ___________________________________
Paint and varnish_________________ _______________ ________
Rubber goods, other than boots, shoes, tires and inner tubes___
Beet sugar________________________________________________
Beverages_________________________________________________
Cash registers, adding machines, and calculating machines____
Typewriters and supplies____ ___________ ___________________
2 N o change.
$26. 94
16. 77
31. 26
+ 0.4
+0. 8
- 0 .9
-4 . 6
-12. 5
- 3 .7
26. 63
18. 99
21. 54
23. 42
+ 2 .7
-0 . 7
- 4 .0
- 0 .3
- 7 .9
-1 8 .5
-5 . 1
-6 .2
21. 14
23. 52
- 3 .0
- 1 .3
-5 . 6
- 9 .5
15. 35
14. 66
+ 0 .4
+3. 7
- 5 .0
- 8 .4
30. 37
20.88
30. 23
28. 20
+3.
+2.
-0 .
-1 .
6
6
6
5
-8 . 2
- 7 .6
-5 . 1
- 7 .3
21. 80
27. 53
22. 20
16. 75
29. 42
28. 97
+ 0 .2
+ 1.3
- 8 .0
+ 0 .9
+ 1 .4
+ 3 .9
-24. 1
-1 2 .1
-21. 2
-26. 2
-9 . 1
- 7 .5
20. 77
25.37
33.28
20.46
28.20
22. 23
32.28
30. 60
28. 61
22. 09
+3. 5
+5. 7
+0. 4
- 1 .4
-3 . 5
- 8 .8
+ 2.1
-1 5 . 6
- 4 .9
- 8 .4
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(2)
+ 1. 1
+ 0.5
+1. 2
+ 1 .6
Data not available.
In d ex N u m b e rs of E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o ta ls in M a n u f a c tu rin g
In d u s trie s
T a b l e 5 shows the general index of employment m manufacturing
industries and the general index of pay-roll totals, by months, from
January, 1923, to May, 1931, together with the average indexes for
each of the years 1923 to 1930, inclusive.
Index numbers showing relatively the variation in number of per
sons employed and in pay-roll totals in each of the 54 manufacturing
industries surveyed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and in each
of the 12 groups of industries, and also general indexes for the com
bined 12 groups of industries, are shown in Table 6 for May, 1930,
and March, April, and May, 1931.
In computing the general indexes and the group indexes the index
numbers of separate industries are weighted according to the relative
importance of the industries.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[191]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
192
T able 5 .—G E N E R A L IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U
FA C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO M A Y, 1931
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
Pay-roll totals
Employment
Month
1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
106. 6 103.8 97.9 100.4
Jan
Feb___ 108.4 105. 1 99.7 101. 5
1 1 0 . 8 104. 9 100. 4 1 0 2 . 0
Mar
1 1 0 . 8 1 0 2 . 8 1 0 0 . 2 101. 0
Apr.
1 1 0 . 8 98.8 98. 9 99. 8
May
110.9 95.6 98. 0 99. 3
June
108. 5 92. 5 97.8 98. 7
108. 6 94.3 98. 9 100. 3
mo 7
QQ ¿s
D ec___ 105. 4 97.3 100.8 98! 9
Aug..
Sept
Oct
91.6
93.0
93.7
93. 3
93. 0
93. 1
Q2 2
95 ! i 93. 6
9 5 . 8 95. 0
Qf> 3 95 9
Q3 h 95 4
92. 6 9 5 .5
97.3
99.0
99. 5
98.6
97. 6
97. 0
Qfi 0
95.2
97.4
98. 6
99. 1
99. 2
98. 8
9X 2
98. 6
99. 3
98 3
94 8
91. 9
73.1 95.8 98.6 93.9 98. 0 94. £
74. 1 99. 4 103.8 99.3 1 0 2 . 2 1 0 0 . 6
74.8 104. 7 103. 0 1 0 0. 8 103. 4 1 0 2 . 0
74. 5 105. 7 101. 1 98. 3 101. 5 1 0 0 . 8
74.1 109. 4 96. 5 98. 5 99. 8 99. 8
109.3 90.8 95.7 99. 7 97.4
104. 3 84. 3 93. 5 95. 2 93.1)
103. 7 87. 2 95.4 98. 7 95.0
7 9 .9
104.4 89.8 94. 4 99. 3 94. 1
79.7
106. 8 92. 4 100. 4 1 02 . £ 95. 2
78 6
76 5
105. 4 91. 4 100. 4 99. 6 91. 6
103.2 95.7 1 0 1 . 6 99.8 93. 2
75 .1 —
90.2
90. 3
89. 8
89. 1
87. 7
85. 5
81 6
89.6 94.5 87.6 62.3
93.9 1 0 1 . 8 90. 7 67. 0
95. 2 103. 9 90.8 68 . 5
93.8 104. 6 89.8 67.4
94. 1 104. 8 87. 6 6 6 . 6
94.2 1 02 . 8 84. 1
91. 2 98. 2 75. S
94.2 1 02 . 1 73.9
95. 4 102 . 6 74.2
99. 0 102. 3 72.7
96. 1 95. 1 68.3
97.7 92.0 67.4
Av___ 108.8 98.2 99.2 100.0 90.4 93.8 97.5 83.7 174.1 104.3 94.0 97.7 100. 0 90.5 94.5 100.4 80.3 106.4
i Average for 5 months.
Following Table 6 are two charts, which represent the 54 separate
industries combined and show the course of pay-roll totals as well as
the course of employment for each month of the years 1926 to 1930,
and January to May, 1931, inclusive.
T able 6 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R
IN G IN D U S T R IE S , M A Y , 1930, A N D M A RC H , A PR IL , A N D M A Y , 1931
[M onthly average, 1926=100]
Pay-roll totals
Employment
M ay
March
April
1931
1930
1931
1930
Industry
M ay
M ay
March
April
M ay
74. 8
74. 5
74.1
87. 6
G8. 5
67. 4
66.6
Food a n d kindred produ cts
Slaughtering and meat packing-Confectionery_________ Icecream __ ______ _______ _
Flour--------- -------------------- -------Baking _
. . - -----------------Sugar refining, cane___________
94. 3
87.9
90. 2
95. 8
80.4
82. 3
76. 2
97.6
95.0
87. 7
97.8 • 90.6
97.4
82. 2
87. 0
89.4
78.1
78.5
87. 9
90.1
83.5
88. 0
90.6
78.6
83. 7
86. 3
91. 7
79:1
98.0
99. 9
80.8.
99. 3
98. 2
100. 4
102.8
80. 9
90. 2
77. 2
76.9
85. 2
88.9
84.5
85. 9
90.0
73. 2
79.4
84.4
87. 5
83.5
87. 3
91.6
73.3
82.6
84.1
89.7
79.5
T extiles a n d th eir p ro d u cts______
Cotton goods._____________
Hosiery and knit goods.-----------Silk goods. ___- . . -- ----------Woolen and worsted goods.. . .
Carpets and rugs. . . . . . .
Dyeing and finishing textiles____
Clothing, men’s ______________
Shirts and collars ------ ----------Clothing, women’s____. . .
Millinery and lace goods........ ...
85. 9
83. 9
89.9
89. 3
78. 1
86. 7
94.8
78.6
81. 5
98. 9
89.5
80. 1
77.3
80.6
80. 7
71. 7
77. 2
93. 5
76. 1
75. 1
98'. 3
84.4
79. 8
79.1
81.4
76.9
77.4
78. 2
91. 2
72.8
74.9
93. 2
76.5
78. 2
77.7
84.6
83.7
76.6
67.' 1
90. 4
61. 4
67.9
86.7
84.0
75.4
69.8
73.4
76.2
73.0
64. 6
94.5
66. 2
62.4
93.8
86.1
71.4
71.4
72.9
71.9
65.4
64.6
90.6
58.2
62.8
83.7
77.7
68.9
72.6
74.7
66.9
72.4
65.4
84.7
50.7
62.7
72.4
60.9
G eneral in d e x _________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
___
87. 7
81. n
76.8
80. 1
83.2
76.4
76. 1
95.4
77. 5
74. 2
98. 6
88.3
1192]
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
193
T a b l e 6 . —IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN M A N U F A C T U R
IN G IN D U S T R IE S , M A Y , 1930, A N D M A R C H , A PR IL , A N D M A Y , 1931—Continued
Employment
Industry
1930
M ay
Iron and steel a n d th eir p rodu cts
Iron and steel_______ _________
Cast-iron pip e.. .
__________
Structural-iron work________ .
Foundry
and machine-shop
products,. , ,
_ _ _ _ _ _ __
Hardware___
Machine tools ____________ ___
Steam fittings and steam and hotwater heating apparatus .
Stoves..........
, _ _ ________
Pay-roll totals
1931
March
April
1930
M ay
M ay
1931
March
April
M ay
90. 6
90. 7
72. 5
95.4
72. 6
76. 2
58. 5
75.4
71. 9
76. 2
60.6
74.1
70. 3
74. 2
61.0
72.5
89. 5
92.0
75.2
96.3
62. 0
67.8
54. 6
63.9
6«. 7
67.3
58. 2
60.7
57. 8
62.1
55.8
60.8
94.0
82. 2
107. 2
72.3
69. 3
72.9
70.9
68.8
70.8
69.5
68.0
68.7
92.1
73.2
102.8
59.9
55. 2
58.3
58.2
53. 6
56.1
56.4
53.2
54. 5
67.7
78.1
60. 1
64.7
57.7
65.4
55.8
64.8
61.7
68.4
47.4
50.3
44.7
50.0
41.9
50.3
L u m b er an d its produ cts
Lumber, sawmills .
Lumber, millwork__
Furniture, _________ , ______
73. 2
73. 5
68. 3
75.6
54. 1
50. 3
55. 0
63.4
54. 3
51. 1
55. 2
62. 2
54. 6
51. 6
56. 0
61. 5
72. 2
75. 2
69. 2
68.2
45 4
41.2
47.6
52.4
44 1
40. 1
47.7
49.7
45.0
41.8
49.1
48.7
L eather an d its p ro d u cts________
L ea th e r ____ . _ .
Boots and shoes____________ _
85. 8
86.8
85.6
82. 3
78.4
83.3
81. 5
77.6
82.5
79. 9
77. 3
80.6
73. 1
85.5
69.6
70. 9
73.8
70.1
68. 2
73.3
66.8
66. 5
73.8
64.4
Paper a n d p rin tin g
. „
Paper and pulp____________
Paper boxes
.
___ _
Printing, book and job .
_ __
Printing, newspapers_________
99. 6
94. 6
87.8
100.8
109.1
92. 4
82.0
81.9
93. 0
107.9
92. 0
82. 0
82. 0
91. 9
107.6
92. 0
82.6
81.4
91. 5
107.7
104. 9
96. 1
90.9
105. 6
114.3
94. 5
77. 1
83.0
94.4
110.4
93. 4
75. 5
82. 1
92.6
110.2
92.7
75.2
81.7
90.9
110.3
C h em icals a n d allied produ cts
Chemicals___________ _____
Fertilizers . _____________
Petroleum refining__________ _
93. 0
94. 0
84.9
94.5
82. 2
88. 8
93.7
71.5
80. 8
86. 6
116.4
77.9
80. 6
85. 0
72.9
78. 1
97. 0
96. 0
88.6
99.3
80. 6
87. 2
78. 3
74.8
83. 7
84. 1
105. 4
79.7
79.8
82.9
66.5
79.2
S to n e , c la y ,a n d glass produ cts
Cement. . , . .
Brick, tile, and terra cotta
Pottery ______
Glass______________________ ,
79. 1
81.4
69. 5
86.4
88.2
61. 1
60. 0
47.7
79. 1
72.2
63. (!
63. 9
51. 1
80. 6
72.9
65. 1
66. 1
52.7
82. 1
74.0
75. 5
81.9
63.9
76. 6
87.8
53. 1
53. 2
36.8
67.4
69. 1
54. 7
57. 6
38.5
70.6
68.1
55. 7
61. 1
39.4
69. 0
69.0
M etal p ro d u cts, o th er th a n iron
an d steel
Stamped and enameled ware
Brass, bronze, and copper prod
u cts,................................................
82. 1
81.5
71. 3
72.7
71. 0
73.8
70.4
72.3
78. 5
76.2
64. 0
67.3
63. 1
67.3
61. 6
63.9
82.4
70.7
69.7
69.5
79.4
62.7
61.5
60.7
91.4
85.0
82. 1
82. 7
86.9
72.4
69.5
72.3
87.4
91.9
92. 2
84.1
79. 8
82.4
84. 6
82.4
86.0
87.0
84.3
71.0
73.9
69.0
78.7
71.5
V ehicles fo r la n d tra n sp o rta tion
A utom obiles..
_ _
Carriages and w agons..
.....
Car building and repairing,
electric-railroad______
Car building and repairing,
steam-railroad____________ . . .
87. 0
97. 5
63.0
67. 8
75.2
37.9
68. 2
76.8
40.8
68. 3
79. 1
41.5
90. 7
98.9
70.1
63. 5
65. 9
40.9
64. 7
68.8
40. 9
65. 6
73.5
42.6
88.5
79.4
78.9
77.7
91.3
79.5
77.9
76.2
77.7
60.6
59.9
58.2
82.3
59.9
59.6
56.9
M iscellan eo u s in d u s tr ie s ________
Agricultural implements .
Electrical machinery, apparatus,
and supplies____ ____________
Pianos and organs______ .
Rubber boots and shoes.
Automobile tires and inner tubes
Shipbuilding________
98. 6
107. 0
79. 4
66.4
79. 3
59.9
78.0
49.7
102.8
102.8
72. 4
53.7
71. 9
43.6
72.0
36.3
105.1
47. 5
78. 1
85.3
118.0
87.0
42.4
55.8
68.3
97.6
86.2
41.5
61.7
69. 0
100.3
84.3
39. 1
63. 5
72. 5
98.2
110.9
42. 1
75.9
89.8
125.4
80.5
32.5
34.9
63.3
92.3
78.9
31.6
43.9
65. 1
94.9
78.1
27.4
45. 6
69. 4
96.6
T ob acco p r o d u cts__________
Chewing and smoking tobacco
and snuff
_____ _____ _ .
Cigars and cigarettes_________ _
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[193]
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
194
MANUFACTURING
IN D U S T R IE S .
M O NTHLY IN D E X E S , 1 9 2 6 - 1 9 3 1 .
M O U T H LY
AVERAGE.
1 9 2 6 = 100
EM PLOYM ENT.
IOS
IOS
..
1 92 6
100
100
I9 Z T
9 5 __ /
•r; r .
/
\
/
>
1 92 9
A ____
—\—
X \
S
- - 1928
90
95
—
X
v —
»930
90
" x
\
\
85
85
\
\
80
80
..' X
\
\
X
75
75
1931
X
70
70
j An.
f ib
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
,.
MAR. APR.
MAY
ju n e
JULY
[194J
AUG
•SE.PT OCT
nov
DEC
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
195
MANUFACTURING
IN D U S T R IE S .
MONTHLY INDEXES, 1926- 1931.
MONTHLY
AVERAGE:
192.6=100
105
100
95
90
65
80
75
70
65
60
JAM.
FEB.
MAR.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
APR.
M AY
JUNE JULY
AUG. SEPT OCT.
NOV.
DEC.
w
[195]
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
196
T im e W o rk ed in M a n u f a c tu r i n g I n d u s trie s in M a y , 1931
R e p o r t s as to working time of employees in May were received
from 12,187 establishments in 62 manufacturing industries. One per
cent of the establishments were idle, while employees in 60 per cent
were working full time, and employees in 39 per cent were working
part time.
Employees in the establishments in operation in May were working
an average of 90 per cent of full time, this percentage showing a
decrease of 1 per cent in average full-time operation over the month
interval.
Employees in the 39 per cent of the establishments working part
time in May were averaging 76 per cent of full-time operation.
T a b l e 7.—PR O PO R T IO N OF F U L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
BY E ST A B L ISH M E N T S R E PO R T IN G IN M A Y, 1931
Establishments
reporting
Per cent of estab Average per cent of
lishments in
full time reported
which employees
by—
worked
Industry
Total Per cent
number
idle
Food a n d kin dred p ro d u cts____________
Slaughtering and meat packing . . . -Confectionery.
______
Icecream ___ _________ . . . . ___ ___
Flour______________ ________________
Baking
............
Sugar refining, cane_____ .
. . .
1,771
183
268
276
364
666
14
T extiles a n d th eir p r o d u c t s ____________
Cotton goods _
____ _ __
Hosiery and knit goods _____________
Silk goods . . . ______
____
... .
Woolen and worsted goods_______ _ .
Carpet and rugs_______ _______ ____
D yeing and finishing textiles . ______
Clothing, men’s. . . ________________
Shirts and collars__________
... ....
Clothing, women’s. _.
__________ _
M illinery and lace goods___ ____
1,960
451
301
233
178
24
121
255
83
230
84
Iron a n d steel a n d th eir produ cts
Iron and ste el.. _____________________
Cast-iron pipe _ ______________
Structural-iron work . . .
Foundry and machine-shop products__
Hardware
Machine tools____ . . . ___ __________
Steam fittings and steam and hot-water
heating apparatus.._________________
Stoves ________ ____ ______________
1, 752
140
42
165
985
56
141
100
123
L u m b er a n d its p ro d u cts______________
Lumber, sawmills_______ _______ _
Lumber, mill work
Furniture _ _ .
______________
1,128
488
291
349
L eather a n d its p r o d u cts____ ________
Leather
_
_____ _______
Boots and shoes. _ ___________ _____ _
392
120
272
1
All oper
ating es
tablish
ments
Establish
ments
operat
ing part
time
19
22
44
18
19
7
57
96
97
91
97
95
99
86
80
88
79
84
72
80
77
67
65
63
73
67
58
63
70
66
71
63
31
34
37
24
31
42
37
27
28
23
37
93
91
91
94
91
92
94
95
94
92
77
75
76
78
81
78
78
79
83
76
77
1
30
48
29
36
29
18
19
69
45
60
63
70
82
80
79
84
69
87
79
75
75
70
66
55
79
70
70
68
2
1
20
34
78
65
74
79
67
68
2
3
46
50
41
44
52
47
59
54
85
86
86
84
73
72
77
70
58
63
55
42
37
44
91
92
91
79
79
79
3
7
2
2
(>)
Part
time
80
78
55
82
78
93
36
1
(>)
Full
time
3
2
3
6
6
1
7
12
1
(0
2
(0
0)
n5
Paper a n d p r in t in g .__
_
Paper and pulp__ ________________ .
Paper boxes . _ _______ _____ _____
Printing, book and job__. . . . . . .
Printing, newspapers_______ _________
1,399
193
259
545
402
1
5
72
55
45
74
94
27
40
55
26
6
95
91
8.9
96
99
82
78
80
84
90
C h em ica ls a n d allied p r o d u c ts... _____
Chemicals______ . . . _____________
Fertilizers
___ _ ______ _ . . . . . .
Petroleum refining. . . ______________
352
135
160
57
1
1
1
77
66
80
96
22
33
19
4
96
94
96
100
82
82
81
90
i Less than one-half of 1 per cent.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[1 9 6 ]
197
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
T a b l e 7 . -P R O PO R T IO N OF FU L L T IM E W O R K E D IN M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S
BY E ST A B L ISH M E N T S R E PO R T IN G IN M A Y , 1931—Continued
Per cent of estab Average per cent of
lishments in
full time reported
which employees
by—
worked
Establishments
reporting
Industry
Total Per cent
idle
number
S to n e , clay, a n d glass p r o d u cts.
Cement_____________________
Brick, tile, and terra cotta------P o tte r y ...------ ---------------------G lass.------ ---------------------------
734
91
416
100
127
M etal p rod u cts, o th er th a n iron an d
s te e l__________________________________
Stamped and enameled ware--------------Brass, bronze, and copper products------
209
68
141
T ob acco p ro d u cts______________________
Chewing and smoking tobacco and snuff.
Cigars and cigarettes_____________ ____
203
25
178
V ehicles for la n d tr a n sp o r ta tio n ----------Automobiles---------- --------------------------Carriages and wagons------------------------Car building and repairing, electricrailroad----------- ----------------------------Car building and repairing, steam-rail
road___________ _____ ___ ______ —
1 ,12«
169
42
M iscellan eo u s in d u s tr ie s ------ --------------Agricultural implements--------------------Electrical machinery, apparatus and
supplies___________________________
Pianos and organs----------------------------Rubber boots and shoes--------------------Automobile tires and inner tubes..........
Shipbuilding.................... .....................
420
70
In d u str ie s added in 1929 a n d 1930_.
Radio-________________________
R ayon-------------- ---------------------Aircraft_______ .-1-------------------Jewelry________________________
Paint and varnish--------------------Rubber goods, other than boots, shoes,
tires, and inner tubes----------------------Beverages----------------------------------------Cash registers, adding machines, and cal
culating machines--------------------------T otal.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Part
time
Full
time
All oper
ating es
tablish
ments
Establish
ments
operat
ing part
time
«
3
8
3
4
«1
84
56
38
78
33
13
35
59
18
91
97
91
86
95
75
77
75
76
74
1
41
59
33
58
41
67
85
90
82
74
76
73
2
39
40
39
59
60
59
87
83
87
78
71
79
5
58
49
60
41
51
36
92
91
92
81
82
77
(')
1
(>)
416
81
19
98
87
499
42
58
88
79
42
34
5«
63
88
80
78
70
29
30
33
66
78
71
66
67
34
18
87
82
84
94
97
82
73
76
83
83
741
44
15
36
124
228
73
66
67
81
37
81
27
34
33
19
63
91
94
94
95
98
82
97
79
82
84
83
72
83
70
188
63
89
37
11
93
98
80
83
81
19
97
85
«0
39
90
76
177
50
9
32
82
2
3
4
4
36
12,187
[1971
1
198
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
2. E m p lo y m e n t in N o n m a n u f a c tu r in g In d u s trie s in M ay , 1931
N THE following table the bureau presents by geographic divisions
the data for 14 nonmanufacturing industries, the totals for which
also appear in the summary of employment and pay-roll totals,
page 182.
I
1.— C O M PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N
TICAL N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931, BY
IN D U S T R IE S
T a b le
Geographic division
Estab
lish
ments
Number on pay roll
Per cent
of change
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
Amount of pay roll
(1 week)
Per cent
of change
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
A N TH R A C IT E M IN IN G
M iddle A t l a n t i c .._____
160
116, 616
109, 977
-5 . 7
$2, 988, 394
$3, 024, 282
+ 1 .2
$1, 027, 015
473, 230
68, 727
851, 962
615, 963
24, 327
291, 038
30, 816
-6 . 5
-6 . 5
-2 4 .0
- 3 .8
- 5 .8
-17. 2
-12. 7
-2 9 .1
3, 383, 078
- 7 .1
$21, 445
208, 350
159, 965
53,169
45, 060
475, 976
62, 807
$20, 529
195,122
153, 197
50, 773
36, 320
467, 703
62, 546
- 4 .3
-6 . 3
-4 . 2
-4 . 5
-1 9 .4
- 1 .7
- 0 .4
1, 026, 772
986,190
- 4 .0
B IT U M IN O U S COAL M IN IN G
Middle Atlantic_________
East North C e n tr a l___
West North Central. __ .
South Atlantic .
_
East South Central . .
West South Central. . . . .
M ountain_____
______
Pacific__
All divisions
_____
398
160
57
330
237
28
123
12
62, 652
27, 478
4,912
52, 224
42, 848
1,686
13, 814
1,563
61, 526
25,164
4,082
50, 584
41, 664
1,660
12, 418
1,506
1, 315
207,177
198, 601
- 1 .8 $1, 098, 236
-8 . 4
506, 081
-1 6 .9
90, 390
-3 . 1
885, 990
- 2 .8
653, 999
29, 369
- 1 .5
-10. 1
333, 489
- 3 .6
43, 480
- 1 .1
3, 641, 034
M ET A L LIFE R O U S M IN IN G
Middle A tlantic.-. . . ___
East North Central __ . . .
West North C entral.
East South C entral... . . .
West South Central____ . .
M ountain.. ____
_____
_____ _
Pacific .
All d ivision s. _____
7
49
57
14
61
106
32
1,092
10,607
6, 232
2,688
2, 444
16, 905
2,127
1,018
10, 463
6, 125
2,666
2, 095
16, 538
2, 166
- 6 .8
- 1 .4
-1 . 7
- 0 .8
-14. 3
-2 .2
+ 1 .8
326
42, 095
11, 071
- 2 .1
Q U A R R Y IN G A N I) N O N M ET A L LIC M IN IN G
New E ngland .______ ____
Middle A tlantic.._ ______
East North Central_______
West North Central. ______
South Atlantic. ________
East South Central _____
West South Central_______
M ountain___
... _
Pacific . . ..
All divisions
... ...
104
117
216
72
99
61
45
4
40
4, 391
6, 413
8,082
1,949
5, 422
3, 349
2, 332
60
1, 228
4, 290
6, 673
7, 744
1,986
5, 293
3,161
2, 340
96
1,145
- 2 .3
+4. 1
-4 . 2
+ 1.9
- 2 .4
-5 . 6
+0. 3
+60. 0
-6 . 8
$121, 199
156, 745
193, 532
41, 134
88, 207
43, 330
48, 003
2, 282
33, 206
$116, 400
163, 614
195, 003
42, 433
83, 814
42, 706
47, 689
2, 367
30, 609
-4 . 4
+4.8
+ 0.2
+3. 0
-5 .
-1 . 4
-0 . 7
+ 3.7
- 7 .8
758
33, 226
32, 728
-1 . 5
727, 638
724, 635
- 0 .4
CRU D E PE T R O L E U M P R O D U C IN G
Middle A tlantic. . ______
East North Central_______
West North Central.______
South Atlantic___
_ ..
East South Centr*l____ .
West South Central______
Mountain .... . . . . . __
P a c if ic ___ ____________
All division s_____ .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
43
5
23
15
5
369
20
84
785
29
114
405
212
17, 962
274
5, 693
773
28
108
416
210
17, 457
278
5, 460
-1 . 5
- 3 .4
- 5 .3
+2. 7
- 0 .9
- 2 .8
+ 1.5
-4 . 1
$19, 373
597
2,408
11,629
4,285
621,292
9,132
211, 563
$19, 025
552
2,241
11, 234
4,494
608, 487
9, 466
203, 423
- 1 .8
-7 . 5
- 6 .9
- 3 .4
+ 4.9
- 2 .1
+ 3.7
- 3 .8
561
25,171
21, 730
- 2 .9
880, 279
858, 922
- 2 .4
[198]
199
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
m ,m r f _r o M P A R IS O N OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y -R O LL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931, BY IN D U S
T R IE S—Continued
Establishments
Geographic division
Number on pay roll
Percent
)f change
Amount of pay roll
(1 week)
Per cent
if ehange
April, 1931 May, 1931
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
T EL E PH O N E A N D T E L E G R A PH
N ew England . _____ . .
Middle XtlantiC—________
East North 0 entrai ______
West North Central______
South Atlantic*
East Smith Central ______
South Central____ __
Mountain .....
Pacific____ - ............ - .............
720
1,232
1, 459
1, 370
' 560
62 i
692
482
913
27, 201
100, 491
70,841
28,857
20, 329
10,060
17, 239
7,172
30, 147
27, 406
99,666
69, 605
28, 876
20, 063
9, 963
17,121
7,214
30, 077
AH division s, .
8, »49
312, 337
309, 991
__
+ 0 .8
- 0 .8
- 1.7
+ 0 .1
- 1.3
- 1.0
- 0.7
+ 0.6
- 0.2
$868, 034
3, 270, 639
1,960, 801
724, 520
560,346
224, 249
396, 950
177, 311
922, 754
$862, 279
3,253, 701
1,914, 869
719, 673
550, 846
223, 366
391, 354
177,166
925, 539
- 0.7
- 0.5
- 2.3
—0. 7
—1. 7
—0.4
—1. 4
—0.1
+ 0.3
-
9,105, 604
9, 018, 793
*
-
0.8
1.0
PO W ER , L IG H T , AND W ATER
208
318
657
431
288
175
613
123
837
22,186
59, 100
55, 883
27,412
23, 424
6, 539
17, 753
6,103
23, 543
22, 391
60, 433
55, 575
27, 406
23, 290
6, 981
17, 360
6, 101
23, 540
+ 0 .9
+ 2.3
- 0 .6
-(0
- 0 .6
+ 6 .8
- 2 .2
-(>)
-(>)
$714, 302
1, 956,130
1,806, 458
791, 515
712, 135
163, 332
486, 686
182,973
761, 034
$714, 558
2, 000, 585
1,817, 483
802, 211
718, 277
173, 128
477,960
186,126
766,644
+(>)
+ 2.3
+ 0 .6
+1-4
+ 0.9
+ 6.0
- 1 .8
+ 1.7
+ 0 .7
3. 71«
241, 943
243, 077
+ 0 .5
7, 574, 565
7, 656, 972
+L1
N ew England __ __ _____
Middle Atlantic__________
East North Central _ _ ____
West North Central _____
South A tla n tic __ _______
East South Central______
West South Central_______
Mountain ___________
Pacific.,-------- ----------------All division s.............
ELE C T R IC R A IL R O A D S 2
New England
_________
Middle Atlantic _ _______
East North Central
_ __
West North Central. ______
Smith Atlantic__
______
East Smith Central______
West South Central_____ _
Mountain
_____
__
Pacific______________ ____
49
159
108
68
51
11
37
15
38
13, 509
37,108
44, 606
13, 402
11, 740
3,436
5,225
1,985
16, 352
13,671
37,122
43, 225
13, 295
11,660
3, 423
5, 186
2, 009
16,288
+ 1 .2
+0)
- 3 .1
- 0 .8
- 0 .7
- 0 .4
- 0 .7
+ 1 .2
- 0 .4
$484, 422
1, 215,109
1,452,970
402, 396
330, 935
93, 421
139, 525
53, 358
512, 840
$489, 548
1,189,161
1, 396,088
405, 394
328,021
94, 371
139, 298
54, 446
508, 943
+1.1
-2 . 1
- 3 .9
+ 0.7
- 0 .9
+ 1.0
- 0 .2
+ 2.0
- 0 .8
All division s__
536
147, 3G3
145, 879
- 1 .0
4, 084, 976
4, 605, 270
- 1 .7
W HOLESALE T R A D E
New England
_ ______
Middle Atlantic ________
East North Central _____
West North Central
___
Smith Atlantic _ ______
East South Central ______
West Smith Central_______
Mountain
_ _ _ .
Pacific ------------------------All divisions
___
587
308
293
223
193
65
293
80
337
13, 399
9, 333
11, 657
12, 945
3, 502
1,766
6, 038
1, 823
9, 659
13, 520
9, 321
11,697
12, 798
3,486
1,762
5, 950
1,796
9, 537
+ 0 .9
-0 . 1
+ 0 .3
- 1 .1
- 0 .5
- 0 .2
- 1 .5
-1 . 5
- 1 .3
$415, 536
309,848
üöl, 21)5
377, 341
102, 669
4/, /17
175, 213
61, 542
318,184
$417, 580
305,826
359, 646
375, 255
102, 393
47, 410
172, 4*06
60, 097
315,453
+ 0.5
- 1 .3
- 0 .4
- 0 .6
- 0 .3
- 0 .6
- 1 .6
- 2 .3
2,379
70,122
69,867
- 0 .4
2,169,315
2,156,066
- 0 .6
R E TA IL T R A D E
!
New E n g la n d ____ ____ ____
Middle Atlantic
East. North Central
West North Central
Soilth Atlantic
______
East Sonth Central ~
W as! Sonth Central _
Mountain
_
P a c ific ------------------------AH division s_____
See footnotes at end of table,
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2,378
392
2,751
696
1,064
370
237
208
1,622
51,161
79, 954
76,611
21,460
21,311
8,112
13,136
5, 269
41,511
51,436
79, 529
77,029
21,029
21, 209
8, 476
12, 848
5,046
41,188
9,718
318,525
317,790
[199]
+ 0 .5 $1, 238,662 $1, 236,108
2,053, 517
2,045, 957
- 0 .5
1,832,117
1, 849, 824
+ 0 .5
441, 340
444,192
-2 .0
468, 163
463, 703
- 0 .5
153,142
151,
127
+ 4 .5
262, 308
261, 129
- 2 .2
107, 008
114,
999
- 4 .2
959, 622
962, 685
-0 . 8
- 0 .2
+ 0.4
7,513,325
- 0 .3
- 0 .2
7,532,278
-
1.0
- 0 .6
+ 1.0
+ 1.3
+ 0.5
- 6 .9
- 0 .3
200
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
T a b l e 1 .— C O M PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN ID E N T IC A L
N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G E ST A B L ISH M E N T S IN A PR IL A N D M A Y , 1031, B Y IN D U S
T R IE S—Continued
Geographic division
Estab
lish
ments
Number on pay roll
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
Per
cent of
change
Amount of pay roll (1
week)
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
Per
cent of
change
H O TELS 8
New England ___________
Middle Atlantic _ _______
East North Central . .
West North Central______
South Atlantic
___
East South Central - - ---West South Central.Mountain _
......
Pacific____ _ ___________
All division s______
113
400
412
207
202
101
157
113
353
88,001
46,189
32, 133
15,458
16, 601
6,111
9,614
3, 588
17,081
8,206
45, 861
32, 279
15, 283
12, 167
6,240
9, 438
3,603
16,456
+ 2 .6
-0 .7
+ 0 .5
-1 .1
-2 6 .7
+ 2 .1
- 1 .8
+ 0 .4
- 3 .7
$132, 047
791, 432
552, 602
214, 383
223, 027
72, 237
125, 613
60, 023
318,030
$134, 942
794, 230
546,418
215,851
176, 246
73, 344
121, 739
60, 683
302, 548
+ 2 .2
+ 0.4
- 1 .1
+ 0.7
-2 1 .0
+ 1.5
- 3 .1
+ 1. 1
- 4 .0
2,148
154,770
149,433
- 3 .5
2,489,394
2,426,001
- 2 .5
C A N N IN G AND PR E SE R V IN G
New E n g la n d ____ _____ _
Middle Atlantic__________
East North Central ______
AVest North C e n tr a l..____
South Atlantic _ ______
East South Central . ___
West South Central
Mountain ______________
Pacific_____ ___________ .
AH division s_______
60
86
226
49
91
31
37
49
192
1,982
7,282
6,834
1, 426
3, 715
1, 304
1,017
959
12,420
1,187
7, 220
7,196
1, 554
3, 185
1, 120
1, 047
985
11, 18Ö
*821
30,939
34, 083
-4 0 .1
-0 .9
+ 5 .3
+9. 0
-1 4 .3
-1 4 .1
+ 2 .9
+ 2 .7
- 9 .9
$37, 502
151, 507
127, 715
25, 355
45,102
13, 987
5, 972
25, 108
202, 014
$22, 587
140, 236
132, 634
26, 762
38, 742
14, 201
7, 398
26, 904
212, 931
-3 9 . 8
- 7 .4
+ 3.9
+5. 5
-1 4 . i
+ 1.5
+23. 9
+ 7.2
+ 5.4
0. 1
034,202
622,395
- 1 .9
-
LA U N D R IES
New England____________
M iddle Atlantic. _______
East North Central . . . .
West North C entral... . .
South A tlantic.. . _____
East South C entral...
West South ('entrai___
_____
M o u n ta in ... .
Pacific________________
All d iv i s io n s ___ .
44
91
83
61
42
32
17
20
■52
2, 350
11,235
5, 731
4,910
4, 657
2,161
1,108
1,849
3, 386
2, 374
11,321
5,641
4,824
4,744
2,167
1,134
1,803
3, 301
+ 1 .0
+ 0 .8
- 1 .6
- 1 .8
+ 1 .9
+ 0 .3
+ 2 .3
-2 .5
- 2 .5
$47,971
229,476
111, 264
87, 990
76, 593
28, 360
15, 963
32,441
72, 685
$49, 076
231,266
109,931
85,470
76, 607
28, 252
16, 057
31, 385
71,844
+ 0.8
- 1 .2
- 2 .0
+ (i)
- 0 .4
+ 0.6
- 3 .3
- 1 .2
443
37,387
37, 309
-0 .3
702,743
699,888
- 0 .4
D Y E IN G AND CLEANING
New England____________
M iddle A tla n tic _________
East North Central _____
W est North Central . . .
South Atlantic
_____
East South C entral____ _
AVest South Central__ _
M ountain_________ .
Pacific............. .
All d i v i s i o n s . . ___
13
26
21
27
28
20
14
18
12
420
1,493
848
863
861
786
330
266
734
414
1, 532
878
837
859
815
348
255
731
- 1 .4
+ 2 .6
+ 3 .5
-3 .0
- 0 .2
+ 3 .7
+ 5 .5
- 4 .1
- 0 .4
11,658
37, 802
21, 448
19, 363
16, 262
14, 994
6, 677
6, 670
17, 801
11, 235
39,140
20, 946
18, 527
16, 282
14,893
7,095
6, 289
18, 704
- 2 .3
- 4 .3
+0.1
-0 .7
+ 6.3
-5 . 7
+ 5.1
179
0,001
0,009
+ 1 .0
152,675
153,111
+0. 3
- 3 .6
1 Less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
2
incluc*in£ car building and repairing; see manufacturing industries, p. 186 et seq.
8 The amount of pay roll given represents cash payments only; the additional value of board, room,
and tips can not be computed.
. 4Included in the total of 821 establishments reporting in M ay were 23 establishments which were closed
m April but had resumed operation in M ay arid 14 establishments which were operating in April and
reported a seasonal closing in M ay, 1931. There were also 321 additional canning establishments whose
reports were not included in the total number of reporting establishments, as the plants had been seasonally
closed for a period of 2 or more months.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 200 ]
201
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
T able
OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS IN
2—C OM PARISON
FA C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , M A Y, 1931, W ITH M A Y , 1930
Per cent of change,
M ay, 1931, com
pared with May,
1930
Per cent of change,
M ay, 1931, com
pared with M ay,
1930
Industry
Industry
Number Amount
on pay of pay roll
roll
Number Amount
on pay of pay roll
roll
Bituminous coal mining .-- _
Quarrying and nonmetallic
Crude petroleum producing
Telephone and telegraphs__ _
Power, light, and water-------
NONM ANU
—14.4
- 8 .8
-2 8 .7
—23. 0
-2 9 .8
—42. 4
-1 7 .4
-2 4 . 5
-1 2 .3
—5. 6
-3 0 .9
-2 4 .2
- 8 .8
—5. 6
Electric railroads______ ___
Wholesale trade
------Retail trade . ____
Hotels _____
- ------Canning and preserving -_ __
Laundries- . _ ------------------Dyeing and cleaning..
- 9 .8
-1 0 .0
-7 . 0
- 5 .6
-1 4 . 8
(>)
0)
-1 1 .4
-1 3 .0
—9. 6
-1 0 .9
—16.3
0)
(*)
.
i Data not available.
In d e x e s o f E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y -R o ll T o t a ls fo r N o n m a n u f a c tu r in g
In d u s trie s
T a b l e 3 shows the index numbers of employment and pay-roll
totals for anthracite, bituminous coal, and metalliferous mining,
quarrying, crude petroleum producing, telephone and telegraph,
power, light, and water, electric railroads, wholesale and retail trade,
hotels, and canning and preserving, by months, from January, 1930,
to May, 1931, with the monthly average for 1929 as 100.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 201 ]
to
T a b l e 3 .—IN D E X E S OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY-ROLL TOTALS FOR N O N M A N U F A C T U R IN G IN D U S T R IE S , JA N U A R Y , 1930, TO M A Y , 1931
o
to
[Monthly average, 1929=100]
Anthracite Bituminous Metallifer
mining
coal mining ous mining
Quarrying
and nonmetallic
mining
Crude
petroleum
producing
Telephone
and tele
graph
Power,
light, and
water
Operation
and main
tenance
of electric
railroads 1
Wholesale
trade
Retail
trade
Hotels
Canning
and pre
serving
Year and month
1930
January,. _________ . 102.1 105.8 102.5 101.4 95. 7
February____ _______ 106.9 121. 5 102.4 102. 1 92. 3
March____________
82.6 78.5 98.6 86.4 90.9
92.7
92.5
90.8
79.6
79.8
83.0
71.9
73.5
80.0
92.7
90.8
89.3
94.0 101.6 105.1
88.6 100.2 101. 9
91.3 99.4 105.8
[2021
99.6 99.7
98.8 100.4
99.7 102. 1
97. 1
95.1
94.4
97.8 100.0 100.0
95.7 98.7 98.3
95.4 97.7 99.7
98.9
94.4
93.9
99. 7 100.4 100. 3
96.0 102. 4 103. 8
95.5 102. 4 104.4
46.1
45. 7
49.7
50.3
51.5
50.8
74.8
65.7
83.0
72.6
66.9
81.5
April__________ _ _
M ay___________ _ .
June___ ___________ .
84.1
93.8
90.8
75.0
98.8
94.3
94.4
90.4
88.4
81.7
77.5
75.6
89.3
87.5
84.6
88.3
85.6
81.6
87.4
90.8
90.3
85.4
90.2
90.9
86.8
89.8
90.2
86.6
85.4
87.1
98.9 103.4 100.7 102.6
99.7 103. 2 103.4 104.5
99.8 103.4 104.6 107.8
95.2
95. 2
94.8
97.1
96.0
97.0
97.3
96.8
96.5
97.9
97.4
98.6
97.3
96. 7
93.9
97.5 100. 1 100.3
97.3 98.0 98.4
96. 8 98.0 98.1
July_________________
August... . .
September_____ . . .
91.6
80.2
93.8
84.0
78.8
91.6
88.0
89.2
90.5
68.9 80.5
71. 1 79.0
74.9 78.1
71.9
71.0
69.9
89.9
89.3
87. 7
75.5
85.8
82.5
89.9
87.7
85.0
88.5 100.0 106.6 105.9 106.7
86.0 98.8 102. 5 106.4 106. 6
84.0 96.8 102.2 105.2 106.1
95.3
92.9
91.8
95.6 96.0
92. 1 95.0
90.5 94.8
96.0
93.6
93.6
89.0
85.6
92.0
91.7 101.3
87.6 101. 5
92.4 100. 1
99.8 126.3 112. 7
98. 6 185. 7 172. 0
97.1 246.6 214.8
October . _______ . .
November___ . . . .
December_________
99.0 117.2
97.2 98.0
99. 1 100.0
91.8
92.5
92.5
79.4 77.2 68.6
79. 1 72.8 63.4
77.7 70. 1 59.9
84. 7
78.3
70. 2
79.3
66.8
59. 9
85. 2
83.6
77.4
82.6
80.0
77. 2
94.5 100.9 104.8 105.6
93.0 97.9 103.4 103. 7
91.6 101.3 103. 2 106.3
91.0 .. 88. 9
89.3 87.7
88.8 88.6
94. 2
92.6
92.0
92.9 95.5 95.1
91.0 98.4 96.8
91.3 115. 1 107.7
97.5
95. 2
93. 5
95.5 164. 7 140.0
93.6 96. 7 82. 9
91. 5 61.6 57.4
93. 4
99. 2
98. 5 103. 9
96. 1
95. 3
93.4
81. 3
83. 2
78. 0
84. 3
79. 3
87.4
85. 9
97. 9 102. 9 103. 0 104. 3
93.4
93. 5
96. 0
95.9
95. 9
96.2
1931
January______ _____
February_______ _ . . .
March_________ ._ __
90.6 89.3
89. 5 101.9
82.0 71.3
93.9
91.5
88.8
73.3
68.3
65. 2
68.3
65.3
63.5
55.0
54.6
52.8
64.4
66.6
70.0
50.4
54. 4
58. 2
74.8
73.2
72.2
71.5
70.0
73. 2
90.5
89. 2
88.6
96. 3
94.8
97.9
99.2 98.6
97.8 99. 7
96.7 102.4
86.9
86.6
86.4
85.6 89.5
87. 1 88.2
88.1 87.4
87.5
88.4
89.1
90.0
87. 1
87.8
89.4 95.0 91.0
86. 7 96.8 93. 7
87.5 2 96. 8 2 93. 4
48.9
48. 3
53.0
46.1
48. 6
5U. 3
April_________ ____ .
M a y .. . _
85.2
80.3
75.2
76.1
85.9
82.4
58.6
54. 4
63.9
62. 4
51. 4
49. 3
76.1
75.0
62.6
62.3
69.8
67.8
66.3
64. 7
88.1
87.4
95.0
94. 1
97.1
97.6
86.8
85.9
86.6 87.4
85. 1 87.1
85.2
84.7
90.1
89.9
88.3
88.0
95.9
92. 5
59.6
56.0
57.1
56. 0
A verage_______
97.6
98. 7
i N ot including electric-railroad car building and repairing; see vehicles group, manufacturing industries, p. 187
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 Revised.
89.9
87. 7
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
Em- Pay- Em- Pay- Em- Pav- Em- Pay- Em- Pav- Em- Pay- Em- Pay- Em- Pav- Em- Pay- Em- Pay- Em- Pay- Em- Payploy- roll ploy- roll ploy- roil ploy- roil ploy- roil ploy- roil ploy- roll ploy- roll ploy- roil ploy- roll ploy- roll ploy- r roll
ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals ment totals
*
203
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
E m p lo y m e n t in B u ild in g C o n s tr u c ti o n
MPLOYMENT in building construction in May, 1931, increased
4.3 per cent as compared with April, and pay-roll totals increased
2.4 per cent, according to reports received from 3,072 firms, having in
May 46,002 employees whose earnings in one week were $1,418,269.
Reports concerning employment and earnings in the building-con
struction industry are now being secured by this bureau from contrac
tors in 11 cities and their suburbs, and three cooperating State bureaus
which supply information concerning construction in their respective
States. Reports covering nine additional cities were secured by this
bureau for the pay period nearest May 15, but as comparable informa
tion for the previous month is not available, these additional cities
will not be included in the bureau’s tabulations until information for
two consecutive months is available from identical firms.
The following table shows the localities covered, the number of
identical firms reporting for both months, the number of employees
and amount of earnings for one week in April and in May, 1931,
together with the per cent of change over the month interval.
E
C O M PARISON OF E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y ROLL IN B U IL D IN G C O N ST R U C T IO N
A PR IL A N D M A Y, 1931, BY L O C A LIT Y
Locality
Atlanta
_
Dallas
_____________ - Denver
.
__ _
Des Moines
______
Minneapolis _____ - - -New Orleans
_ _______
Omaha
_ _ _ ___
______
Providence
__________ _____
St Louis
______
Seattle
-"Washington, D .C ________
Baltim ore1 _ ______________
M assachusetts1
___
W isconsin1___________ -- -Total
______ _____
N um
ber of
Number on pay roll
lishments
April, 1931 May, 1931
Per
cent of
change
Amount of pay roll
(1 week)
Per
cent of
change
April, 1931 M ay, 1931
105
96
159
51
229
107
104
221
454
173
458
69
773
73
1, 517
1,496
1,182
672
2,979
2,025
837
2, 542
4, 303
2, 642
8,236
1,901
11,286
2, 477
1,745
1,491
1,213
823
3, 293
2,289
861
2,447
4, 489
2,619
9,001
1,778
11,321
2,632
+15.0
- 0 .3
+ 2 .6
+22.5
+10. 5
+13.0
+ 2 .9
- 3 .7
+4. 3
- 0 .9
+ 9 .3
-6 . 5
+ 0 .3
+6. 2
$29,427
42, 363
33, 283
20,169
92, 574
41,452
23,449
80, 055
166,478
81,166
269, 260
42, 655
398, 426
64, 264
$35, 686
39, 320
34,192
27,165
100, 504
47, 735
23,917
77, 369
158,103
88, 878
280, 885
43, 783
376, 231
69, 501
+21. 3
- 7 .2
3,072
44, 095
46, 002
+ 4 .3
1, 385, 021
1,418, 269
+ 2.4
~\~2. 1
+34. 7
+8. 6
■piò. 2
+2. 0
—3. 4
- 5 .0
+ 3.3
+ 4 .3
+ 2.6
—5. 6
+ 8.1
1 Data collected and furnished by State bureau.
The total number of employees and earnings shown in the foregoing
building-construction report have not been included in the summary
table of all industrial groups, page 182. The significance of the trend
of employment and earnings in the building-construction industry, n
represented by these totals, would not be reflected in proportion to
the relative importance of the building industry in the combined total
of all industrial groups, due to the fact that the several industrial
groups are not weighted, and the building-construction report has not
yet attained sufficient volume to represent its proportionate part of
the summary total.
63413°— 31------14
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[203]
204
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
E m p lo y m e n t o n C lass I S te a m R a ilro a d s in t h e U n ite d S ta te s
monthly trend of employment from January, 1923, to April,
1931, on Class I railroads—that is, all roads having operating
THE
revenues of $1,000,000 or over—is shown by the index numbers pub
lished in Table 1. These index numbers are constructed from
monthly reports of the Interstate Commerce Commission, using the
monthly average for 1926 as 100.
T a b l e 1 . —IN D E X OF E M P L O Y M E N T ON CLASS I ST E A M R A IL R O A D S IN T H E U N IT E D
ST A T ES, JA N U A R Y , 1923, TO A PR IL, 1931
[M onthly average, 1926 = 100]
Month
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
January, _
______ ______
February. ____________
March
._
____________
April____ . . . __________ _
M ay _ _ _ ____________
June. .
____________
July . . . _________________
August___
________
September___ .
_______
October
. .
_______
N ovem b er____________ .
December. ______________
98.3
98.6
100. 5
102.0
105.0
107.1
108.2
109.4
107.8
107.3
105.2
99.4
96.9
97.0
97.4
98.9
99. 2
98.0
98.1
99. 0
99.7
100.8
99.0
96. 0
95.6
95.4
95.2
96.6
97.8
98.6
99. 4
99. 7
99. 9
100. 7
99.1
97. 1
95.8
96.0
96.7
98.9
100. 2
101.6
102.9
102. 7
102.8
103. 4
101. 2
98.2
95.5
95.3
95. 8
97.4
99. 4
100. 9
101.0
99. 5
99.1
98.9
95. 7
91. 9
89.3
89.0
89.9
91.7
94. 5
95. 9
95. 6
95. 7
95. 3
95. 3
92. 9
89. 7
88.2
88.9
90. 1
92.2
94. 9
96 1
96. 6
97 4
96. 8
96. 9
93.0
88. 8
86.3
85.4
85.5
87.0
88 6
86 5
84 7
83 7
82. 2
80. 4
77. 0
74. 9
73.7
72.7
72.9
73.5
104.1
98.3
97.9
100.0
97.5
92.9
93.3
83.5
'73.2
A verage .
______
1928
1929
1930
1931
1 Average for 4 months.
Table 2 shows the total number of employees on the 15th day each
of April, 1930, and March and April, 1931, and pay-roll totals for the
entire months.
In these tabulations data for the occupational group reported as
“ executives, officials, and staff assistants” are omitted.
T a b l e 3 . — E M P L O Y M E N T A N D E A R N IN G S OF RAILR O A D E M PL O Y EE S, A PR IL, 1930’
A N D M A RCH A N D A PR IL , 1931
[From monthly reports of Interstate Commerce Commission. As data for only the more important occu
pations are shown separately, the group totals are not the sum of the items under the respective groups]
Number of employees at mid
dle of month
Total earnings
Occupation
April,
1930
March,
1931
April,
1931
Professional, clerical, and general..
Clerks ______ ________ . . . . .
Stenographers and typists______
261, 208
145,872
24, 220
232, 325
127, 011
21, 703
230, 359 $38, 531, 351 $34, 512, 272 $34,109,960
125,828 20, 338, 009 17, 791, 296 17, 525, 537
21, 514
3,202,695
2,867,003
2,845,479
Maintenance of way and structures...
Laborers, extra gang and work
train. . . . . ___ . .
Laborers, track and roadway
section_________ ____________
376,604
269,047
290,569
36,020,163
25,492, 320
57,173
24, 708
31, 228
4,404, 226
1, 754,802
2, 200, 223
192,852
140, 287
153, 036
14,157, 525
9, 593, 712
10, 534,865
Maintenance of equipment and stores.
Carmen
...
. . . _____
M achinists_____ ________ _
Skilled trades helpers
Laborers (shops, engine houses,
power plants, and stores)
Common laborers (shops, engine
houses, power plants, and
stores)
_________________ .
424,047
90, 727
52, 402
93, 287
367, 593
76, 358
47, 988
80, 763
362, 654
75, 677
47,473
79, 601
58,110, 814
14,135,372
8, 606, 878
10,924, 330
47,455,024
11,016,008
7, 286, 742
8, 754,144
46, 085,439
10, 780, 323
7, 055,912
8,450,424
34, 969
30,170
29, 655
3,334, 589
2,843, 957
2, 712, 074
47, 572
39,358
38,821
3, 877,879
2, 985,670
2,925,200
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2041
April, 1930
March,
1931
April,
1931
27, 060,604
Tr
ë n d
o f
2öS
e m pl o y m e n t
TASLt; 3 .—E m p l o y m e n t a n d e a r n i n g s o e r a i l r o a d e m p l o y e e s , A p r i l ,
A N D M A R C H A N D A PR IL , 1931—Continued
Number of employees at mid
dle of month
1939,
Total earnings
Occupation
March,
1931
April,
1930
Transportation, other than train en
gines and yard.. ...............................
Station a g e n t s .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . .
Telegraphers, téléphonera, and
towermen,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Truckers (stations, -warehouses,
and platforms) _ ____
....
Crossing and bridge flagmen and
g a t e m e n ... . . . . . . . ------. . — . . .
Transportation (yard masters, switch
tenders, and hostlers) _. --------------
April,
1931
April, 1930
March,
1931
April,
1931
185, 469
28, 864
164, 788
27, 960
103, 290
27, 858
23,322,370
4,608,242
20, 909,629
4, 452,211
20,495,309
4,407,956
22, 2?0
20, 255
20,040
3,430,065
3,198, 288
3, 078,199
24, 744
24, 324
2, 873, 693
2, 288, 523
2, 253, 373
19,063
19, 001
1, 562, 514
1, 480,658
1, 474,174
BO, 319
20,031
20, 753
18, 520
18, 283
4,044, 393
3,616, 242
3,507,194
Transportation, train and engine. . . . 287, 611
32, 421
Road conductors. -------------------63,100
Road brakemen and flagmen. _ ..
48, 751
Y ard brakemen and yard helpers
Road engineers and motormen. _ 38,649
39, 163
Road firemen and helpers----------
251,195
28, 526
54, 874
42, 592
33, 719
34,652
250, 216
28, 447
54, 735
42, 616
33, 399
34,199
57,675, 905
7, 784, 747
10, 932, 443
8,411,631
10, 362, 705
7, 569, 840
49, 759, 270
6, 785, 540
9, 235, 939
7,177, 387
9,035, 912
6, 540, 947
48, 422,115
6, 640, 226
9,080, 839
6, 947, 326
8, 793, 049
6, 368, 046
All em ployees________ ___ _ 1, 555, 692 1, 303,468 1,315,371 217, 704,996 181, 744, 757 179, 6S0,621
C h a n g e s in E m p lo y m e n t a n d P a y R o lls in V a rio u s S ta t e s
HE following (lata as to changes in employment and pay rolls
have been compiled from reports received from the various State
T
labor offices:
PE R C E N T OF C H A N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY ROLLS IN SP E C IFIE D STATES
M o n th ly 'p erio d
Per cent of change,
April to M ay, 1931
Per cent of change,
April to May, 1931
State, and industry
group
State, and industry
group
Employ
ment
Pay roll
Pay roll
A rkansas—Continued
A rkansas
Auto dealers, g a r a g es.---Auto bodies, wood parts...
Bakeries and c a fé s .------Beverages------ -- ----------Brick and t ile ..
---Candy and confections___
Cooperage, heading, veneer
Cotton compresses, gins,
and products______
C oalm in es..
_______
Furniture manufacture---Flour, grain, feed, fertilizer.
Glass fa c to r ie s..----------Handles, hubs, spokes.. .
Hotels.
. ________ ____
Laundries. _____________
Lumber mills____ .
Machinery, f o u n d r ie s ,
parts, sm elters.. _ . . . .
Newspapers and printers..
Packinghouses.. . _ -----Petroleum products..........
Sand, gravel, s t o n e . ------Textile mills, garments___
Employ
ment
- 0 .5
+11.0
- 1 .6
+7.6
+ 6 .8
- 5 .4
- 4 .6
Public utilities.- . . . .
Wholesale and retail--------Miscellaneous______ _ . .
-1 8 .8
- 3 .3
0)
-1 0 .0
+ 9 .3
-1 0 .6
- 2 .5
- 2 .8
-.9
-1 4 .6
—5. 5
- 2 .9
+6. 9
+ 12.5
-1 7 .7
- 1 .3
- 1 .6
- 2 .3
+ .8
- .5
- .8
+ 9 .5
+ 3 .8
- 7 .3
- 6 .9
-. 1
—. 2
+ 1.3
+13.9
0)
Stone, clay, and glass prod
u c ts ... _ . . . --------- . . .
Metals, machinery, and
conveyances.__ _ _ _ Wood manufactures..
Leather and rubber goods.
Petroleum producing and
refining.. . . .
----Other miscellaneous chem
ical products. . . . —
Printing___
. . . ------Publishing---- . . --------Paper g o o d s... -------------Textiles___ _____ - Clothing, millinery, and
laundering........................ .
+ 1 .6
- 7 .7
+ 2.6
+ .5
- 4 .7
(■)
- 4 .7
C alifornia
i N o change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
1205]
- 6 .3
+ 1.4
-. 1
- 3 .9
+ .1
- 4 .1
March to April, 1931
+ 3.6
- 2 .2
+ 1.6
+ 1 .5
+11. 3
+• 7
+ 3.9
+13.6
- 1 .3
- 7 .7
- 1 .4
+ 2.5
+ 1.9
-j't. 5
+ 3.2
- 2 .8
+2. 9
+ 1.8
—3. 4
+ .9
+ .2
-.7
206
MONTHLY LABOE E E V IEW
P E R C E N T OP CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY ROLLS IN S P E C IF IE D ST A TES—
Continued
M o n t h l y p e r io d — C ontinued
Per cent of change,
March to April, 1931
Per cent of change,
April to May, 1931
State, and industry
group
State, and industry
group
Employ
ment
Pay roll
Employ
ment
•
C alifornia—Continued
M arylan d —Continued
Foods, beverages, and tobacco____
---Motion pictures- . ---- -Miscellaneous__ ________
+12.3
-1 6 .2
+ 4 .9
+ 5 .7
-3 1 .2
+ 2.3
All industries____ _
+ 2 .7
- 2 .6
+ 2.2
+ 4 .8
Chemicals and allied prod
ucts____ _____ _________
Stone, clay, and glass
products_____________
M etal products, other than
iron and steel__________
Tobacco products____ . . .
Transportation equipment.
Car building and repair
ing___ ________________
Miscellaneous................... .
Illinois
Stone, clay, and glass products_______________
Metals, machinery, and
conveyances.__ _____ __
Wood products___
Furs and leather goods___
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Printing and paper goods..
Textiles__________
___
Clothing and millinery----Foods, beverages, and to
bacco_________ ______
Miscellaneous____ . . .
-2 . 1
+• 6
+ 2.3
+ .5
- 2 .4
+ 1-7
- 2 .7
- 2 .0
- 2 .5
+ 1.3
- 3 .3
- 1 .9
- 2 .6
-2 8 .9
- .5
+30.8
+• 4
+44.0
All manufacturing...
- 1 .3
- 2 .7
Trade, wholesale and retail.
Services___
Public utilities. _ . _
Coal mining.
Building and contracting..
-. 5
-. 1
+ .9
-2 . 2
+29.3
+ 1 .2
+ .9
+ 7 .0
-I S . 9
+30.6
All nonmanufacturing-------------------- -.
+ .7
+ 4 .5
All industries______
-. 5
+ .2
All m anufacturing...
Retail establishments__ _
Wholesale establishments _.
Public utilities. . .
_ _.
C oalm ines. . .
Hotels______ _____
. ..
Quarries.
. .
Building construction-----Laundries. ._
____
Cleaning and dyeing es
tablishments______ ____
-1 4 .5
Pay roll
-1 6 .4
+ .3
+ .1
- 5 .0
+. 9
+3.1
-1 2 .7
- 2 .7
+22.6
- .7
- 5 .7
- 4 .2
- 3 .9
- .4
- 1 .5
-4 . 1
+ 1.7
- 1 .2
-.9
- 5 .9
+11.1
- 4 .9
-2 . 4
+ 2.7
+ .2
-1 2 .5
- 3 .4
+ 7.7
+1. 6
+ 2.5
+ 2.5
+ 8.1
1. 1
-
E m p loym en t—index
n u m b e r s (1 9 2 51927=100)
March,
1931
April,
1931
M a ssa ch u setts
April to May, 1931
Iow a
Food and kindred products.
T e x tile s __
_ . . . . .
Iron and steel works__ .
Lumber products___
Leather products.
__
Paper products, printing
and publishing..
Patent medicines, chemi
cals, and compounds _
Stone and clay products.__
Tobacco and cigars.. . .
Railway-car shops_____ _
Various industries__
All industries _ .
+ .7
+5. 3
-5 . 5
- 1 .8
-2 . 3
+ .1
—1. 3
+ 3 .7
+ .4
+ .1
+ .1
- .8
M aryland
Food products_______ . . .
Textiles----- ------------ -----Iron and steel, and their
products . . ------------- .
Lumber and its products..
Leather and its products...
Rubber tires_____ _______
Paper and printing._____
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
+■■3
+ 3 .0
- 2 .3
- 3 .8
-.3
+ 7.8
-.3
- 6 .1
- 0 .9
+ .9
+ 4 .7
+ 3 .9
-1 7 . 1
- 2 .7
Boot and shoe cut stock
and findings________ _
Boots and s h o e s ________
Bread and other bakery
products_____ ____ ____
Clothing, m en’s---------- _
Clothing, women’s____ . .
Confectionery___________
Cotton goods. . . . .
D yeing and finishing tex
tiles. . . . ._ _____ ____
Electrical machinery, apparatus, and supplies----Foundry and machineshop products_________
F u rn itu re------ -- --------Hosiery and knit goods----Leather, tanned, curried,
and finished. .
_ ----Paper and wood pulp_____
Printing and publishing. _.
Rubber footwear . . ------Rubber goods, tires, and
tubes
. . ...
_____
Silk goods____
_______
Textile machinery and
p a rts.. . . ____________
Woolen and worsted goods.
[ 206 ]
All industries_____
88.3
76.1
86.0
73.9
99.0
62.2
102. 1
88.2
53.8
99.2
62.1
99.6
84.6
59. 2
95.7
*
70.2
96.6
86.0
74.4
67.1
85.7
72.5
68.0
95.2
83.6
97.6
33.4
93.1
82.2
97.1
55.5
60.8
81.7
59.1
70.4
64.0
67.9
61.3
65.4
71.9
72.2
68.9
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
207
PER C E N T OF CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY ROLLS IN SP E C IFIE D ST A TES—
Continued
M o n th ly p e r io d — C ontinued
Per cent of change,
April to May, 1931
Per cent of change,
March to April, 1931
State, and industry
group
State, and industry
group
Employ
ment
Employ
ment
Pay roll
N ew Y ork—Continued
M ich ig a n
Paper and printing______
Chemicals and allied products_________ _________
Stone, clay, and glass
products___________
M etal products, not iron
and steel
_ _ . .
Iron and steel products
Lumber and its products.Leather and its products...
Food and kindred prodnets
Textiles and their prodnot**
Vehicles * for land transp r o ta tio n .-------------. . .
All industries
+ 0 .8
- 9 .1
- 9 .3
-2 0 .3
-2 7 .3
-4 0 .0
-1 3 .0
+ .9
+• 5
- 2 .9
-2 7 .0
-1 1 .1
- 2 .6
- 8 .5
- 2 .8
- 1 .9
- 1 .8
-2 . 0
- 2 .5
-1 6 .8
+ 1 .3
+ 2.8
+ 4 .4
- 6 .5
+ .1
+ .2
N ew Jersey
Food and kindred products
Textiles and their products
Iron and steel and their
I,umber and its products
Leather and its products
Tobacco products______ _
Paper and printing
Chemicals and allied produ c ts .. . ____ . . . Stone, clay, a n d g la s s
M etal products other than
iron and steel
---Vehicles for land transporMiscellaneous____________
- 1 .3
- 1 .0
- 9 .3
-1 0 .8
- 1 .1
+ 1.3
+ .8
- 1 .5
-.4
- 5 .9
- 4 .0
- 2 .5
+ 1.9
- .3
+ 3.7
+ 4 .0
- 1 .9
- 7 .3
+3. 5
+ 3 .0
+10.5
- .7
-1 . 7
-1 . 5
April to M ay, 1631
N ew York
+1.8
Miscellaneous
Pay roll
stone
Lime, cement, and
plaster
___ __
Brick,tile,and pottery..
Glass —
__ ____
Metals and m achinery___
Silver and jewelry. __
Brass, copper,' and
aluminum
__ __ _
Iron and steel . . . .
Structural and archi-
0
- 6 .3
-1 1 .3
+ 2.6
+ 9.4
(2)
- 1 .2
- 2 .8
+3.1
+11.3
+ .4
- 1 .2
-20. 1
- .2
+ 5 .8
+2.3
+1. 1
- 3 .4
—8.4
Sheet metal and hard-1-1. 4
+ .5
w a r e ___
_ _
Firearms, tools, and
- 1 .6
-2 . 1
cutlery------ ----------- 1
2 Change of less than one-tenth of 1 per cent.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Metals, etc.—Continued.
Cooking, heating, and
ventilating appara--------t u s ...
Machinery, including
electrical apparatus,.
Automobiles, carriages,
and airplanes___. . .
Railroad equipment
and repair..
Boat and ship building___------- -- -------Instruments and appliances . .
Wood manufactures __ . . .
Saw and planing mills.
Furniture and cabinetwork. . . . .
Pianos and other musical instruments
Furs, leather, and rubber
goods. . . . . . . ---Leather______
___
Furs and fur goods----Shoes
__ ---- . .
Other leather and canvas goods . . .
Rubber and guttapercha .
Pearl, horn, bone, etc. _
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Drugs and chemicals. .
Paints and colors------Oil products-------------Miscellaneous chemicals___
. . . -----Paper. .
Printing and paper goods..
Paper boxes and tubes.
Miscellaneous paper
goods. .
---Printing and bookTextiles..
. . _______
Silk and silk goods----Wool manufactures---Knit goods (excluding
silk).. . . ------ ------Other textiles . . __
Clothing and millinery----Men’s clothing. . .
Men’s furnishings-. . .
Women’s clothing...
Women’s underwear...
Women’s headwear---Miscellaneous sewing..
Laundering and cleaning-----------------------Food and tobacco
Flour, feed, and cereal.
Canning and preserving___ _ __ _ --Other groceries.
Meat and dairy produ c ts ... -- -Bakery products-------- 1
[207]
+ 1.0
- 3 .7
- 1 .8
+ .5
+ .6
- 2 .2
- 1 .0
+ .1
-17. 9
-2 2 .9
-2 . 6
- 2 .9
+ 3.5
—. 8
- 4 .9
+ 5.4
- 6 .4
- 9 .0
-7 . 2
-1 5 .8
—9
- 2 .7
-.9
+2.8
-.8
- 3 .3
+ 3.3
+ 6.4
-1 . 0
—15. 5
—20. 5
- 2 .0
- 3 .4
-1 . 9
- 4 .2
- 1 .6
+ .2
- 6 .8
- 2 .8
—2. 4
-1 . 8
+2.4
+ 1.0
- 2 .4
-.8
-.9
- 2 .0
- 6 .4
—1. 1
- 2 .3
—1.1
+ .1
—.8
—. 9
-.2
- 6 .2
+1.6
—1. 1
—2. 4
-l. i
-1 2 .4
+3.9
-3 . 6
+ 5.6
- 4 .0
- 7 .2
-1 0 .0
- 1 .3
-11. 2
- 4 .6
-13. 9
+18.3
+ 4.2
- 4 .2
-1 6 .8
-21. 8
- 2 .2
-2 2 .3
- 5 .4
-27. 4
+12.4
+1.5
—. 4
- 2 .0
+1.1
+2.1
+2.4
+ 7.0
- 5 .6
+9. 4
- 4 .0
- 4 .0
+1.8
—. 8
+6.4
208
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
PE R C E N T OE CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y ROLLS IN SP E C IF IE D S T A T E S -
Continued
M o n t h l y p e r io d — C ontinued
Per cent of change,
March to April, 1931
Per cent of change,
April to M ay, 1931
State, and industry
group
State, and industry
group
Employ
ment
Pay roll
N e w Y ork—Continued
R h o d e Islan d
Food and tobacco—Con.
Candy.............................
B e v e r a g e s - , , * . . . . - ..........
T o b a c c o .- - R 'ater, lig h t, a n d p o w e r .- -
All industries___
- 0 .7
+ 2 .0
+ 3 .4
- 1 .1
+ 0 .8
+ 1.7
+6.1
+ 2 .4
- 2 .1
-3 .4
-3 9 .7
-4 3 .7
Jewelry__
Metal trades____________
Textiles:
Cottons_____________
Silks_______________
Woolens.
Worsteds
Dyeing, finishing, and
bleaching.
Rubber goods
M iscellaneous.____
+ 3 .0
+33.3
(>)
-1 6 . 4
+13.9
- 3 .9
+ 2 .6
+32.1
- 1 .2
-1 4 .2
+12.4
- 1 .0
Construction:
Building
Road, bridge, sewer etc.
- 7 .1
-1 1 .6
- 6 .6
- 5 .6
- 4 .3
-1 8 .3
+ 1 .0
+ 8.3
Texas
+ 4 .0
+ 8.2
+11.3
- 8 .4
- 1 .9
+12.7
- 7 .7
- 2 .9
- 5 .8
+2.1
- 4 .9
- 4 .5
- 1 .6
- 2 .4
+ 7.5
+ .4
- 6 .7
- 2 .3
+11.1
+ 5 .0
- 6 .2
-1 1 .2
Auto and body works. . . .
Bakeries
Confectioneries
Pure food products
Ice cream factories
Flour m ills..
Ice factories
Meat packing and slaugh
tering. ..
Cotton-oil mills
Cotton compresses__ ____
M en’s clothing manu
- 1 .2
- 1 .8
- 4 .1
- 4 .2
- 3 .8
-. 1
- 2 .1
-1 0 .6
- 3 .0
- 2 .7
-3 . 5
- 3 .5
- 2 .0
+ 1 .2
- 9 .5
-1 0 .5
-1 . 4
+ 1 .2
- 3 .1
- 3 .7
+ 1.3
-.9
—5.1
-2 . 5
- 2 .0
- 1 .0
- 5 .1
- 2 .2
- 2 .5
- 6 .5
O k la h o m a
Cottonseed-oil m i l l s - - .. .. .
Food production:
B a k e r ie s ...____ Confections___
. .
Creameries and dairies.
Flourm ills . . . _
.
Ice and ice cream
Meat and poultry___
Lead and zinc:
Mines and m ills. - Smelters_____ ______
Metals and machinery:
Auto repairs, etc_____
Machine shops and
foundries. _ .
Tank construction and
erection___________
Oil industry:
Producing and gasoline
manufacture... _ . .
Refineries . _____ .
Printing: Job work___ . . .
Public utilities:
Steam-railroad shops. _
Street railw ays-. _ ._
Water, light, and power
Stone, clay, and glass:
Brick and tile. . . . ___
Cement and plaster__
Crushed stone
Glass manufacture___
Textiles and cleaning:
Textile m anufacture...
Laundries, e tc .---------Woodworking:
Sawmills___ _
Millwork, etc___- - _
All industries___
P en n sy lv a n ia
M etal products.. - - - - - - - Transportation equipment.
Textile products... . - . . .
Foods and tobacco_______
Stone, clay, and glass
products_____
Lumber products..
- Chemical products. ---- -Leather and rubber products___________________
Paper and printing---------All manufacturing...
All manufacturing.
Total .
Pay roll
- 2 .2
- 5 .5
-.1
+ 6.7
+ 3 .6
+6.1
-.9
-1 0 .4
- 1 .7
- .4 7
+3.1
+236. 2
+47.6
April to M ay, 1931
factu re
Women’s clothing manufacture
Brick, tile, and terra cotta.
Foundries and machine
shops
Structural-iron works.. . .
Railroad car shops
Electric-railway car shops.
Petroleum refining
Sawmills
Lumber mills
Furniture manufacture___
Paper-box manufacture___
(Viftmi-tevti!e mills
Cem ent, p la n ts
Commercial printing.. . .
Newspaper publishing___
Q u arry in g
P n h lie u tilitie s
Retail stores
Wholesale stores
Rotels
M iseel lan eons
1 N o change.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Employ
ment
[ 208 ]
All industries
+ 7.7
+ 1 .2
+196.1
-4 4 .8
+ 3.4
- 1 .5
+4.1
+ 3.7
-1 7 .0
- 2 .4
+ 7 .0
- 2 .4
+ 6.3
- 6 .5
- 5 .8
+ .1
- .9
-2 .0
-3 .0
+ 7 .4
+ 5 .0
- 1 .2
+ 6.3
- 5 .3
-.2
- .9
-1 7 .4
-.5
- 3 .5
- .3
-.3
- 4 .9
+ .7
209
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
PE R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY ROLLS IN SP E C IF IE D STA TES—
Continued
M o n th ly p e r io d — C ontinued
Per cent of change,
March to April, 1931
Per cent of change,
March to April, 1931
State, and industry
group
State, and industry
group
Employ
ment
Pay roll
W iscon sin
M anual
Logging............ .................. Mining:
Lead and zinc______
Iron- ------ ------ ---Stone crushing and quar
rying---------- ---------------Manufacturing:
Stone and allied in
dustries__________
M etal----------------- -Wood_______________
Rubber______
___
Leather_____ ____
Paper_____________
Textiles------ ------------Foods____ -- -- -Printing and publish
ing—
Chemicals (including
soap, glue, and ex
plosives)______ -- -
-3 9 .4
-2 9 .0
+16.1
+ .3
+22.1
- 6 .0
+24.3
+30.9
+ 8 .7
- 1 .9
- 2 .2
+ 4 .4
+ .4
+ .1
+1. 5
+ 2 .2
- 0 .5
—1. 2
- 6 .1
+13.3
+9. 9
- .4
—. 3
+ •4
- 1 .1
+ .7
+ .3
- .6
All manufacturing--.
- 4 .5
-.5
W isco n sin —Continued
M a n u a l —Continued
Construction:
Building____________
H ighway____________
Railroad____________
M a r in e d r e d g in g ,
sewer digging---------Communication:
Steam railways---------Electric railways------Express,
telephone,
telegraph--------------Light and power................
Wholesale trade-------------Hotels and restaurants----Laundering and dyeing—
Employ
ment
Pay roll
+ 10.2
+73.6
+15.2
+ 7.5
+.50.8
+ 5.3
+26.4
+52.8
+ 2.1
- 2 .4
- 2 .4
- 3 .4
1.8
- 9 .6
- 3 .8
- 1 .5
+.9
+ 5 .0
1.0
- 7 .9
- 4 .8
- 5 .5
- 6 .9
.0
+.6
-
+ 3 .3
N onm anual
M anufacturing, m i n e s ,
and quarries.....................
Construction____________
C ommunication.................
Wholesale trade-------------Retail trade—sales force
only...................... .............
Miscellaneous professional
services..................... !—
-
-.2
-. 1
+ 6 .5
-.4
+ 1.0
- 5 .0
Y e a r l y p e r io d
Em ploym ent—index
n u m b e r s (19251927 = 100)
Per cent of change,
A p r il, 1930, to
April, 1931
State, and industry group
State, and industry group
Employ
ment
April,
1930
Pay roll
C alifornia
Stone, clay, and glass prod
ucts—
Metals, machinery, and
conveyances....................
Wood m a n u fa ctu res.-----Leather and rubber goods.
Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Printing and paper goods..
Textiles
-------------------Clothing, millinery, and
laundering--------------Foods, beverages, and to
bacco ________________
Miscellaneous 3._ .................
-1 7 .8
-2 3 .8
-2 1 .4
—19. 4
-3 .0
-2 3 .8
- 6 .9
+ 1 .8
-2 7 . 3
—10. 3
—28. 5
—10. 7
—6. 3
- 4 .9
-1 1 .4
-2 2 .4
-2 3 . 5
-2 1 .3
—30. 3
All industries----------
-1 9 . 2
-2 4 . 5
Public utilities---------------Wholesale and retail--------
- 9 .6
-8 . 6
-1 0 .9
—9. 8
Illinois
Stone, clay, and glass products--- -----------------------Metals, machinery, and
conveyances----------------Wood products------------Furs and leather goods----Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Printing and paper goods..
Textiles- --------------------Clothing and millinery----Foods, beverages, and to
bacco_________________
All manufacturing...
Trade, wholesale and retail.
Public utilities ------------Coal mining-------------------Building and contracting..
All industries----------
3 Includes motion pictures.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[209]
April,
1931
85.8
65.7
105.1
63. 6
94.2
99.9
98. 2
92.0
75.8
75.5
54. 3
89. 6
86. 2
88. 3
90.9
74. 3
85.0
95.0
71.8
103. 6
70. 2
58. 7
93.8
75. 0
75.6
64.0
96. 2
85. 6
34.1
79.0
210
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IE W
PE R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PA Y ROLLS IN SP E C IFIE D STA TES—
Continued
Y e a r l y p e r io d — C o n tin u ed
State, and industry
group
Employment - in d e x n u m b e r s (1 9 2 5 1927=100)
April,
• 1930
M a ssa ch u setts
Boot and shoe cut stock
and findings___________
Boots and shoes_________
Bread and other bakery
products______________
Clothing, men’s _________
Clothing, women’s_______
Confectionery___________
Cotton g ood s.-__________
Dyeing and finishing tex
tiles__________________
Electrical machinery, ap
paratus, and supplies___
Foundry and machineshop products_________
Furniture_____ ____ _____
Hosiery and knit goods___
Leather, tanned, curried,
and finished___________
Paper and wood pu lp____
Printing and publishing....
Rubber footwear_________
Rubber goods, tires, and
tubes_________________
Silk goods_______________
Textile machinery and
parts__________________
Woolen and worsted goods.
AU industries______
M ich ig a n
Paper and printing______
Chemicals and allied prod
ucts___________________
Stone, clay, and glass prod
ucts___________________
M etal products, not iron
and steel______________
Iron and steel products___
Lumber and its products..
Leather and its products...
Food and kindred prod
ucts ___________________
Textiles and their prod
ucts___________________
Tobacco products________
Vehicles for land trans
portation______________
Miscellaneous___________
All industries______
N ew York
Stone, clay, and glass____
M iscellaneous stone
and minerals_______
Lime, cement, and
plaster_____________
Brick, tile, and pottery.
G lass...............................
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
State, and industry
group
Per cent of change,
M ay, 1930, to May,
1931.
Employ
ment
April, 1931
Pay roll
N ew Y ork—Continued
86.0
Metals and machinery___
96.6
Silver and jewelry____
87.9
73.9
Brass, copper, and alu
minum ____________
103.9
99.2
Iron and steel________
68.9
.1
Structural
and archi
99. 6
105.7
tectural iron_______
84. 6
85.9
Sheet
m
etal
and hard
59.2
67.2
ware_______________
Firearms,
tools,
and
96.6
94.8
cutlery____________
Cooking,
heating,
and
68.9
78.8
ventilating appara
tu
s_____
___________
85.7
103.7
Machinery, including
92.3
72.5
electrical apparatus._
78.0
Automobiles, carriages,
and airplanes______
97.9
93.1
R ailroad equipm ent
82.2
90. 7
and repairs________
104. 5
97. 1
Boat and ship building.
55. 5
82.6
Instruments and appli
59.1 Wood ances______________
84.5
manufactures______
91.9
70.4
Saw and planing mills.
Furniture and cabinet
61.3
82.8
work______________
65.9
65.4
Pianos, and other mu
sical instruments___
83.4
72. 2
Miscellaneous w ood. __
Furs, leather, and rubber
Per cent of change,
goods_________________
A p r il, 1930, to
Leather___ __________
April, 1931
Furs and fur goods___
Shoes_______________
Employ
Pay roll
Other leather and can
ment
vas goods__________
R u b b er and g u t ta
percha_____________
- 9 .4
-1 4 .6
Pearl, horn, bone, etc._
-1 1 .1
-2 1 .1 Chemicals, oils, paints, etc.
Drugs and chemicals. _
Paints and colors_____
-3 0 .3
-4 1 .9
Oil products_________
M
iscellaneous chem i
-1 7 .3
-2 7 . 7
cals................................
-3 2 .9
-4 1 .9
Paper___________________
-2 3 .7
-4 3 . 5
-8 .5
-1 7 .3 Printing and paper goods. _
Paper boxes and tubes.
M iscellaneous paper
-1 8 .2
-2 2 .2
goods______________
Printing and book
-1 1 .2
- 7 .9
making____________
+ 7 .6
-1 1 .2
Textiles_________________
Silk
and silk goods.......
-2 0 . 5
-3 2 . 5
Wool manufactures___
-1 7 .6
-2 3 .0
Cotton goods________
-2 0 .9
-3 2 .0
Knit goods (excluding
silk)_______________
Other te x tile s ...............
M ay, 1930, to May, 1931
Clothing and millinery___
M en’s clothing_______
-1 1 .3
M en’s furnishings____
-1 7 .8
Women’s clothing____
-1 7 .0
-2 6 .3
Women’s underwear...
Women’s headwear__
- 7 .6
-1 0 .2
Miscellaneous sewing..
- 7 .7
-1 5 .3
Laundering and clean
-1 6 .7
-1 3 .2
ing.................................
02
68.0
[210]
-2 2 .2
-1 9 . 4
-3 0 .6
-3 5 .4
-1 7 .4
-2 1 .9
-2 1 .4
-3 2 . 4
-2 3 .6
-3 4 .6
-1 4 .2
-2 1 .7
-2 1 .1
-3 3 .9
-1 6 .4
-2 9 .8
-2 0 .9
-3 1 .2
-3 2 .1
-3 8 .8
-2 4 .3
-4 1 .2
-2 8 .7
-5 1 .2
-1 8 .8
-1 8 .0
-2 0 .4
-24.1
-2 8 .9
-2 7 .3
-2 3 .7
-3 5 .0
-1 2 .8
-1 0 .2
-3 3 .8
-1 5 .9
-1 1 .1
-1 6 .5
- 5 .3
-5 .4
-1 1 .3
-2 2 .5
-1 7 .7
+ 4.7
-3 1 .1
-4 2 .6
-1 7 .0
-22. 6
-1 0 .0
-12. 3
-16. 0
- 5 .5
-2 9 .2
-3 2 .1
-1 4 .3
-1 5 .7
-1 5 .8
- 9 .1
-1 1 .0
-1 2 .7
- 7 .3
-1 0 .8
-1 7 .2
-1 9 .4
- 8 .5
-7 .4
- 9 .1
-1 1 .2
- 6 .7
-1 3 .2
-1 4 .0
- 8 .3
-.0
- 8 .4
-1 5 .4
-2 0 .7
- 1 .8
+ .7
-1 4 .8
-20. 4
- 6 .1
+1. 4
-1 3 .2
-8 .4
- 5 .1
-9 .0
-2 0 .0
-2 2 .7
-2 4 .5
-16. 5
-1 0 .9
-1 3 .7
-1 9 .9
-1 1 .3
-3 0 .9
-2 4 .7
- 2 .0
- 6 .1
211
TREND OF EMPLOYMENT
PE R C E N T OF CHA N G E IN E M P L O Y M E N T A N D PAY ROLLS IN SP E C IF IE D ST A TES—
Continued
Y e a r l y p e r io d — C ontinued
State, and industry
group
Per cent of change,
M ay, 1930, to M ay,
1931
Employ
ment
N ew Y ork—Continued
Food and tobacco__ - --Flour, feed, and cereals.
Canning and preservm g-----------------------Other groceries_______
Meat and dairy products_______________
Bakery products_____
Candy___________
Beverages____ ______
T obacco.....................Water, light, and power__
All industries____
O k la h o m a
Cottonseed-oil m i l l s _____
Food production:
Bakeries____________
C onfections... .
Creameries and dairies.
Flour m ills__________ .
Ice and ice cream ---Meat and poultry____
Lead and zinc:
M ines and m ills______
Sm elters... ----------Metals and machinery:
Auto repairs, etc_____
Machine shops and
foundries. . . . . . .
Tank construction and
erection. . . .
Oil industry:
Producing and gasoline manufacture . . .
Refineries ____. . . .
Printing: Job w ork.. . . .
Public utilities:
Steam-railroad shops. .
Street railways___
Water,
light,
and
power___
_____
Stone, clay, and glass:
Brick and tile __ . . .
Cement and plaster__
Crushed stone_____
Glass manufacture___
Textiles and cleaning:
Textile manufacture...
Laundries, etc_______
Woodworking:
Sawmills___ ______
M illwork, etc____
All industries..
P e n n sy lv a n ia
M etal products..
Transportation equipment
Textile products. . . . .
Foods and tobacco...
Stone, clay, and glass
products---- -------------Lumber products_____ .
Chemical products
.. .
Leather and rubber products__
Paper and printing. . .
All manufacturing..
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
State, and industrygroup
Per cent of change,
A p r i l , 1 9 3 0 , to
April, 1931
Employ
ment
Pay roll
Pay roll
R h o d e Islan d
-1 0 .0
- 1 .3
-1 4 .7
- 3 .1
- 7 .3
-2 3 .6
-1 3 .4
-2 4 .6
-1 6 .2
- 9 .7
+ 9 .8
-1 6 .4
+ .8
- 6 .6
-1 4 .4
-1 8 .9
-1 1 .3
- .3
-2 3 .0
- 8 .5
- 1 .4
-2 0 .7
- 6 .8
-4 2 .7
- 7 .3
+63.4
- 7 .8
-2 2 .9
-2 8 .6
- 6 .6
-1 7 .3
+ 3 .2
- 9 .6
-4 4 .6
-2 6 . 3
-1 2 .5
-3 7 .0
-1 7 .1
-5 3 .9
-4 1 .5
-1 3 .5
-3 6 .4
-3 6 .0
-4 7 .5
-3 8 .8
-3 5 .6
-2 0 . 1
-1 0 .4
-2 3 .1
-3 0 .1
-1 9 .2
-3 4 .3
-1 9 . 4
- 4 .2
-2 7 .1
+40.7
+ .8
-5 4 .4
-2 1 .5
-2 2 .7
-2 1 .9
-3 4 .5
- 9 .8
-7 .0
-2 2 .7
-2 5 .4
- 9 .2
- 5 .0
- 5 .0
-1 7 .8
Jewelry______________
Metal trades__________
Textiles:
Cottons__________
Silks_____________
W o o len s..._______
Worsteds_________
Textile finishing___
-19.2
-3 1 .9
-
+ 8 .4
- 2.8
-4.3
Total___________
Ruober goods______ _____
Miscellaneous___________
11.6
6.1
-.2
22. 2
-
-1 0 .4
All manufacturing ___
Construction:
Building------------------Road, bridge, sewer,etc.
Total............. .........
M ay, 1930, to M ay,
1931
Texas
Auto and body works-----Bakeries________________
-5 4 .4 Confectioneries__________
Pure food products---------Ice cream factories_______
-3 2 .1 Flour m ills______________
-7 3 .5 Ice factories_____________
-1 9 .6 Meat packing and slaugh
tering_________________
-2 3 .8 Cotton-oil mills__________
-2 7 .8 Cotton compresses_______
M en’s clothing manufac
-1 9 .5
ture__________________
Women’s clothing manu
-4 3 .3
facture________________
-4 1 .2 Brick, tile, and terra cotta
-3 0 .6 Foundries and machine
-3 5 .5
shops_________________
Structural-iron works___
+ 5 .2 Railroad car shops_______
-1 7 .4 Electric-railway car shops
Petroleum refining---------6 3 .9 Sawmills_______________
-4 2 .2 Lumber m ills___________
manufacture
-2 4 .5 Furniture
Paper-box manufacture...
Cotton-textile m ills_____
plants---------------3 9 .1 Cement
printing------4 9 .0 Commercial publishing.
..
-1 0 . 4 Newspaper
Quarrying______________
-1 3 .8 Public utilities--------------stores____________
-3 6 . 6 Retail
Wholesale stores________
-3 1 .4 Hotels_________________
-1 8 .4 Miscellaneous__________
-1 1 .9
All industries.
-1 2 .2
-3 1 .6
[211 ]
-3 6 .4
+58.0
-8 .9
-8 .3
+157. 2
-2 5 . 0
- 21.0
-1 8 .8
11.6
-
-1 0 .5
-2 4 .7
- 4 .1
-1 1 .4
+28.4
-2 7 .0
-4 7 .7
-1 2 .3
-3 0 .0
-8 .4
-1 6 .3
-2 5 .9
-1 7 .3
-1 3 .7
-1 .9
-1 9 .5
-5 .5
-4 .6
-4 .3
-2 4 .6
-
6.1
-4 .5
-5 .1
-2 .3
-1 4 .0
-1 2 .3
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
R e ta il P ric e s o f F o o d in M a y , 1931
following tables are compiled from simple averages of the
actual selling prices 1 received monthly by the Bureau of Labor
THE
Statistics from retail dealers.
Table 1 shows for the United States retail prices of food May 15,
1930, and April 15 and May 15, 1931, as well as the percentage
changes in the year and in the month. For example, the retail price
per quart of milk was 14.0 cents on May 15, 1930; 12.6 cents on
April 15, 1931; and 12.3 cents on May 15, 1931. These figures show
decreases of 12 per cent in the year and 2 per cent in the month.
The cost of various articles of food combined shows a decrease of
19.4 per cent May 15, 1931, as compared with May 15, 1930, and a
decrease of 2.4 per cent May 15, 1931, as compared with April 15,
1931.
T a b l e 1 .—A V ER A G E R E TA IL PR IC ES OF SP E C IF IE D FOOD A R TIC L ES A N D PE R C E N T
OF IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE M AY 15, 1931, C O M PA R ED W ITH A PR IL 15, 1931, A N D
M A Y 15, 1930
[Percentage changes of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Average retail price on—
Article
Unit
May 15,
1930
Apr. 15,
1931
M ay 15,
1931
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) M ay 15,1931,
compared with—
M ay 15,
1930
Apr. 15,
1931
—1
48. 3
40.0
—18
39.5
—1
43.0
34. 5
34.9
—20
35.6
29. 7
29.1
—2
—18
28. 7
22. 3
—3
21.7
—24
19.9
14. 5
15.1
—27
-4
36.1
29. 7
30.1
—17
+1
42.3
38.1
37. 5
-ii
-2
—1
54. 0
47. 2
—14
46. 5
35. 9
31. 3
31. 2
—13
—0. 3
37. 4
32. 6
—15
—3
31. 7
—1
31. 8
34.0
33.8
+6
12. 6
12. 3
—2
14.0
—12
9.1
—11
—3
10. 2
9. 4
46. 3
35. 2
31. 3
—32
—11
25.8
21. 2
19. 7
-2 4
-7
35.8
—6
29.3
27. 4
—23
14. 2
16. 7
13. 5
—19
—5
24. 3
-4
-0 . 4
23. 4
23. 3
24. 9
—9
33. 7
27. 4
—26
0
8. 8
—13
7.7
7.7
4.8
3.8
-2 3
-3
3.7
—4
4.8
-1 3
5. 3
4.6
8.2
-2
8.0
-8
8.7
-4
-1
9.4
9.1
9.0
1 In addition to monthly retail prices of food and coal, the bureau publishes periodically the prices of
gas and electricity for household use in each of 51 cities. At present this information is being collected
in June and December of each year.
Sirloin steak . _ . . . ____________
Round steak_____________________
Rib roast- _ . . ________ ___ ____
Chuck roast.
.
..............
Plate beef
___
Pork chops
___
Bacon, sliced. _
______________
Ham, s lic e d ___
___ ______
Lamb, leg of __
.. .
H e n s _____
____________
Salmon, red, canned. __________
Milk, fresh
Milk, evaporated .
Butter _.
01eomargarine(allbuttersubstitutes)_
C h e e se .___ . .
.
_ .
Lard ____
Vegetable lard substitute.
. .
Eggs, strictly fresh
.
_
B re a d ___
Flour____________ . . _ ________
Corn m e a l..
.
. . . . . ___
Rolled oats.. . . . . . . ________ .
C ornflakes..
______________
212
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Pound
do
do
do
do
__ do
do
_ _
_ __do
do
do
___do
Quart _
16-oz. can
Pound
do
do
do
do
Dozen
Pound
do
___ do.
_ _
____do
_ __
8-oz. pkg__ . . .
1212]
213
W HOLESALE AND RETA IL PRICES
T a b l e 1 __ AVERAGE R E TA IL PR IC ES OF SP E C IFIE D FOOD A R TIC LES A N D P E R C E N T
OF IN C R E A SE OR D E C R E A SE M A Y 15, 1931, C O M PA R ED W ITH A PR IL 15, 1931, A N D
M AY 15, 1930—Continued
Average retail price on—
Unit
Article
May 15,
1930
Apr. 15,
1931
M ay 15,
1931
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
28-oz. pkg__ __
Rounds.__ _do_
---_ _
Beans navy
- _______ __ __do_
_ __do_
---Potatoes
- ________
_ __
Onions
______
- - __ __do_
---c^bbago
- __- __ __do_
Pork flnd hpans
_ _
____ No. 2 can
do_
Corn canned
_ _ __
do
- -Pen*5 cannpd
____ __do_
_ _
Tomfltnp«; oannpd
Pound So gar
__
__do_
-___ __
Tea
__ __do
Ooffpp
___
_ ____
_________
- __ __ __do_
P hilips
Raisins
______ _ - __ -do_
Bananas
- - - ___ Dozen _
_ __do_
---Orangp-s
-- - -- _____ ___
WllPflt iWOill
Macaroni
Per cent of increase
(+ ) or decrease
( - ) M ay 15,1931,
compared with—
__ ______
_______ _
25.4
19.5
9.5
11.6
4.3
6.0
7.3
11.0
15.4
16.3
12.8
6.3
77.5
40.9
17.4
12.0
30.6
66.7
24.5
17.4
8.4
8.4
2.8
3.6
4. 1
9.7
13.9
14. 6
10.5
5.7
75.2
34.6
12. 1
11.2
27.8
33.1
24. 1
17. 1
8.3
8.2
2.8
4.6
4.1
9.4
13.6
14. 1
10.2
5.6
74. 5
33.5
12. 1
11.0
26.6
37.9
M ay 15,
1930
-5
-1 2
-1 3
-2 9
-3 5
-2 3
-4 4
-1 5
-1 2
-1 3
-2 0
-1 1
-4
-1 8
-3 0
-8
-1 3
-4 3
-1 9 .4
Apr. 15,
1931
-2
-2
-1
-2
0
+28
0
-3
-2
-3
-3
-2
-1
-3
0
—2
—4
+15
- 2 .4
Table 2 shows for the United States average retail prices of specified
food articles on May 15, 1913, and on May 15 of each year from 1925
to 1931, together with percentage changes in May of each of these
specified years compared with May, 1913. For example, the retail
price per pound of butter was 35.9 cents in May, 1913; 51.9 cents in
Mav, 1925; 50.0 cents in May, 1926; 53.4 cents in May, 1927; 54.6
cents in May, 1928; 54.5 cents in May, 1929; 46.3 cents in May,
1930; and 31.3 cents in May, 1931.
As compared with May, 1913, these figures show increases of 45
per cent in May, 1925; 39 per cent in May, 1926; 49 per cent m May,
1927; 52 per cent in May, 1928, and in May, 1929; and 29 per cent
in May, 1930. In May, 1931, there was a decrease of 13 per cent
as compared with May, 1913.
.
The cost of the various articles of food combined showed an increase
of 25.2 per cent in May, 1931, as compared with May, 1913.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 1 3 1
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
214
T a b ie 2 — AVER A G E R E T A IL PR IC ES OF S P E C IF IE D FOOD A R TIC LES A N D PER
C E N T OF IN C R E A SE M A Y 15 OF C E R T A IN SP E C IF IE D Y E A R S C O M PA R E D W ITH
M AY 15, 1913
[Percentage charges of five-tenths of 1 per cent and over are given in whole numbers]
Per cent of increase, M ay 15 of each
specified year compared with
M ay 15, 1913
Average retail prices on M ay 15—
Article
1913 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931
Sirloin steak— pound..
Round steak___do—
Rib roast______ do----Chuck roast___ do----Plate beef.-------do—
Pork chops____ do—
Bacon, sliced___do_-_
Ham, sliced----- do—
Lamb, leg of___ do___
Hens__________do----Salmon, red, canned
_____________ do__
Milk, fresh____quart
Milk, evaporated----______16-ounce can
B utter______ pound-O le o m a r g a r in e (all
butter substitutes)
___________ pound-.
Cheese________ do—
Lard__________do—
Vegetable lard sub
stitute_____ poundEggs, strictly fresh
____________ dozen.
Bread________pound.
Flour______ d o -~
Corn meal_____do—
Rolled oats____ do—
Corn flakes
__ 8-ounce package.
Wheat cereal
_ -28-ounce package.
.pound.
Macaroni.
R ice_______
Bean, n a v y .. -_-doPotatoes____ -__doOnions-------- _do.
Cabbage_______do-_.
Pork and beans
________ No. 2 can.
Peas, canned__ do—
Tomatoes, canned
________ No. 2 can.
Sugar, granulated
.poundT ea_______ ___d o ...
Coflee_____ ___do___
Prunes------- ___do___
Raisins____ ___do—
Bananas___ — dozen..
Oranges------ ___do—
as. as. as. as. as. as. as. as.
39.5
34.5
29. 1
21.7
14.5
30.1
37.5
46.5
31.2
31.7
59
58
49
37
15
72
72
99
99
71
62
61
52
40
20
93
83
109
106
85
65
66
56
46
25
74
77
111
111
73
80
82
71
65
49
69
60
92
114
70
97
102
86
89
73
80
61
106
117
90
89
94
78
78
63
73
57
102
85
68
54
55
46
35
19
44
39
74
61
43
31. 2 37.9 32. 5 35. 4 31. 3 31. 8 33.8
8.8 13.7 13.9 13.9 14.1 14.2 14.0 12.3
56
58
58
60
61
59
40
11 2 11.5 11. 5 11. 1 10. 9 10. 2 9.1
35.9 51.9 50.0 53.4 54.6 54.5 46.3 31.3
45
39
49
52
52
29
i 13
30. 0 30. 2 28.4 27.3 27. 3 25.8 19. 7
21.9 36.3 36.0 37.0 38.1 38.0 35.8 27.4
15.8 22. 6 21.5 19.0 18.1 18.4 16.7 13.5
66
43
64
36
69
20
74
15
74
16
63
25
6 i 15
49
68
85
86
48
68
85
76
28
68
67
76
43
63
70
83
47
61
52
83
28
57
45
83
25.6
22.2
20.0
16. 1
12.2
20.9
26.9
26.7
19.4
22.2
40.8
35.0
29.8
22.1
14.0
36.0
46.4
53.0
38.6
37.9
41. 5
35.8
30.4
22.5
14. 6
40.3
49.3
55.9
39.9
41.0
42.3
36.9
31.2
23.5
15.2
36.4
47.6
56.3
41.0
38.4
46. 1
40.4
34.1
26.6
18.2
35.4
43. 1
51.2
41.5
37.7
50.4
44.9
37. 2
30.4
21. 1
37.7
43.4
55. 1
42.1
42.2
48.3
43.0
35. 6
28.7
19.9
36. 1
42.3
54.0
35.9
37.4
25. 7 25. 6 25. 0 24.8 24. 9 24. 3 23. 3
26.3 39.3 38.9 33.6 37.5 38.7 33.7 24.9
5.6 9.4 t). 4 9.4 9.1 9.6 8.8 7.7
3.3 6.1 6.1 5.5 5.6 5.6 4.8 3.7
2.9 5.4 5.1 5.1 5.3 5.3 5.3 4.6
9. 3 9.1 9.0 8.9 8. S 8.7 8.0
11. 0 11.0 10.1
9. 5
9. 5
9.4
>5
38
12
59
9.0
24.6 25.4 25. 5 25. 6 25. 5 25.4 24.1
20. 5 20. 3 20.0 19. 9 19. 7 19. 5 17.1
8.6 11.0 11.7 10.6 10.0 9.7 9.5 8.3
10. 3 9. 2 9. 0 12. C 14.2 11. 6 8.2
1.6 2.7 6.0 4.5 3.3 2.7 4.3 2.8
8. 7 7. 7 8. 7 7. 6 7.4 6. C 4.6
5 6 6. 2 8.7 8.2 5. 2 7. 3 4.1
28
36
23
16
13
10
3
69
275
181
106
69
169
75
33
39
75
24
4C
71
35
42
62
33
42
64
19
43
66
17
42
37
4
37
12
12. 5 11.9 11. 6 11.4 11.9 11.0 9.4
18 1 16 5 15 6 15. 9 15.9 15. 4 13. 6
18. 5 17. 5 16.8 16. 8 16. 7 16. 3 14.1
13.8 11.9 12.1 11.6 13. 2 12.8 10.2
5.4 7.2 6.7
54.4 75.6 76.1
29.8 52.2 51.0
17
17 1
14 5 14 7
37 3 35 4
55.5 53.1
7.3
77.4
48.2
15. 4
14. 3
33. 9
49.8
7.2
77.2
49. (
13. 6
13. 6
32. 7
61.9
6.4
77.6
49.5
14.4
11. 6
31.9
41.3
6.3
77.5
40.9
17. 4
12. 0
30. 6
66.7
5.6
74.5
33.5
.1
11.0
26. 6
37. 9
12
56.9 66.7 60.8 59.2 58.6 55.2 25.2
All articles combined 2_
1 Decrease.
2 Beginning with January, 1921, index numbers showing the trend of the retail cost of food have been
composed of the articles shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted according to the consumption of the average
family. From January, 1913, to December, 1920, the index numbers included the following articles: Sir
loin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, lard, hens, Hour, corn
meal, eggs, butter, milk, bread, potatoes, sugar, cheese, rice, coffee, and tea.
Table 3 shows the trend in the retail cost of three important groups
of food commodities, viz, cereals, meats, and dairy products, by years,
from 1913 to 1930, and by months for 1929, 1930, and 1931. The
articles within these groups are as follows:
Cereals: Bread, flour, corn meal, rice, rolled oats, corn flakes,
wheat cereal, and macaroni.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[214]
215
W H OLESALE AND R E T A IL PRICES
Meats: Sirloin steak, round steak, rib roast, chuck roast, plate
beef, pork chops, bacon, ham, hens, and leg of lamb.
Dairy products: Butter, cheese, fresh milk, and evaporated milk.
T
a ble
3 .— IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E TA IL COST OF C EREALS, M EA TS, A N D D A IR Y
PR O D U C T S FOR T H E U N IT E D STA TES, 1913, TO M A Y, 1931
[Average cost in 1913=100.0]
Cereals Meats
Year and month
1913:
1914:
1915:
1916:
1917:
1918:
1919:
1920:
1921:
1922:
1923:
1924:
1925:
1926:
1927:
1928:
1929:
Average for year___
Average for year___
Average for year___
Average for year . . .
Average for year. _
Average for year___
Average for year . .
Average for year___
Average for year . . .
Average for year___
Average for year ___
Average for year___
Average for year___
Average for year
Average for year..
Average for year___
Average lor year___
February_______
A/Taroh
July
A ugust-..
.. .
..
100.0
106.7
121.6
126.8
186.5
194.3
198. 0
232.1
179.8
159.3
156.9
160.4
176.2
175.5
170. 7
167. 2
164. 1
164.1
164.1
164.1
164.1
163.5
163.0
163. 5
164. 7
100.0
103.4
99.6
108.2
137.0
172.8
184.2
185.7
158. 1
150.3
149.0
150.2
163.0
171.3
169. 9
179.2
188.4
180. 9
180.3
182.8
187.5
191.2
192.4
195. 9
196.0
Dairy
prod
ucts
Year and month
100.0
97.1
96.1
103.2
127.6
153.4
176.6
185.1
149.5
135.9
147.6
142.8
147.1
145.5
148.7
150.0
148.6
151. 9
152.6
152.4
148.9
147.5
146.8
146. 8
147.1
1929—Continued.
September.. .
October. _ ______ .
November . . . . .
December..
___
1930: Average for year___
January____ _ _ . . .
February___
M arch.. __________
April______________
M ay__________ . . .
June . . ______ .
July_______________
August______ _
Septem ber.. ______
October
. .
November__
December__________
1931:
January . _______
February
_____
March___ _______
April____ . . . ___ _
M a y .. .
___
Cereals Meats
Dairy
prod
ucts
165.2
163. 5
163.6
162. 9
158.0
162.9
161.6
160. 9
160.3
159.8
160.1
158.6
156.9
156.4
154.4
152.4
151.6
194.2
189.2
184.1
181.8
175.8
183.6
183.1
183.0
183.3
181.5
179.9
175.2
169.9
173.3
171.1
164.0
161.6
148.1
149.3
147.0
144.9
136.5
138.9
138.5
137.6
138.9
137.0
133.7
133.9
137.4
138.8
137.8
135. 3
129.8
147.1
144.6
142.4
138.9
137.7
159.5
153.4
152.5
151.4
149.3
123.6
120.2
120.5
116.5
110.3
In d e x N u m b e rs of R e ta il P r ic e s of F o o d in t h e U n ite d S ta t e s
I n T a b l e 4 index numbers are given which show the changes in
the retail prices of specified food articles, by years, for 1913 and 1920
to 1 9 3 0 , 2 by months for 1 9 3 0 and 1 93 1 . These index numbers, or
relative prices, are based on the year 1 9 1 3 as 100, and are computed
by dividing the average price of each commodity for each month and
each year by the average price of that commodity for 19 13. These
figures must be used with caution. For example, the relative price
of sirloin steak for the year 1 9 3 0 was 1 8 2 .7 , which means that the
average money price for the year 1 9 3 0 was 8 2 .7 per cent higher than
the average money price for the year 19 1 3. As compared with the
relative price, 1 9 6 .9 in 1 92 9 , the figures for 1 93 0 show a decrease of
1 4.2 points, but a decrease of 7 .2 per cent in the year.
In the last column of Table 4 are given index numbers showing
changes in the retail cost of all articles of food combined. Since
January, 1 9 2 1 , these index numbers have been computed from the
average prices of the articles of food shown in Tables 1 and 2, weighted
according to the average family consumption in 1 9 18 . (See March,
1 9 21, issue, p. 2 5 .)
Although previous to January, 1 9 2 1 , the number
of food articles varied, these index numbers have been so computed
as to be strictly comparable for the entire period. The index num
bers based on the average for the year 191 3 as 1 0 0 .0 are 1 2 4 .0 for
April, 1 9 3 1 , and 1 2 1 .0 for May, 19 3 1.
2 For index numbers of each month, January, 1913, to December, 1928, see Bulletin No. 396, pp. 44 to
61; and Bulletin No. 495, pp. 32 to 45. Index numbers for 1929 are published in each Labor Review, Feb
ruary, 1930, to February, 1931.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[215]
216
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
T able 4 —I N D E X N U M B E R S OF R E T A IL P R IC E S OF P R IN C IP A L A R T IC L E S OP FOOD
B Y Y E A R S, 1913, 1920, TO 1930, A N D B Y M O N T H S FOR 1930 A N D 1931
[Average for year 1913=100.0]
Year and
month
1913.....................
1920__________
1921__________
1922__________
1923__________
1924__________
1925__________
1920__________
1927__________
1928__________
1929__________
1930__________
January___
February^ _
March
April_____
M a y ... _
June______
July______
August___
September.
October___
Novem ber.
December..
1931:
January___
February._
March
April_____
M ay______
Sirloin Round Rib Chuck Plate Pork
steak steak roast roast
beef chops Bacon Ham
Hens
Milk Butter Cheese
100.0
172.1
152.8
147.2
153.9
155.9
159.8
162.6
167. 7
188.2
196.9
182.7
192. 9
191. 3
190.6
190.2
190.2
188. 6
182.3
175. 6
177.2
175.2
170. 5
168. 9
100.0
177.1
154.3
144.8
150.2
151. 6
155.6
159.6
166. 4
188. 3
199.1
184.8
195.5
194.2
192. 8
193.3
192.8
191.5
184.3
176.7
178.0
176.2
170. 9
169.1
100.0
167.7
147.0
139.4
143.4
145.5
149.5
153.0
158.1
176. 8
185.4
172.7
183.3
181.8
181.3
181.3
179.8
177.3
171.7
163. 1
166. 7
164.1
160.6
159.6
100.0
163.8
132.5
123. 1
126.3
130.0
135. 0
140.6
148.1
174.4
186. 9
170.0
184.4
184.4
182. 5
182.5
179.4
175.6
166.3
155. 6
160.0
158.7
154.5
153. 8
100.0
151.2
118.2
105.8
106.6
109.1
114. 1
120. 7
127.3
157.0
172. 7
155.4
172.7
171.9
170. 2
168. 6
164. 5
160. 3
149.6
138.8
142.1
142.1
139. 7
139.7
100.0
201.4
166.2
157.1
144.8
146. 7
174.3
188.1
175.2
165.7
175.7
171.0
168.1
107. 6
171.9
176.7
171.9
174.3
173.8
174.8
186.2
180.5
156.2
149.5
100.0
193.7
158.2
147.4
144.8
139.6
173.0
186. 3
174. 8
163.0
161.1
156. 7
157. 0
157.8
157.8
157.4
156.7
156. 7
156.7
155. 6
158.1
157.8
155. 9
153.0
100.0
206.3
181.4
181.4
169.1
168.4
195.5
213.4
204. 5
196. 7
204.1
198.5
199.3
200.7
201.1
200.4
200.7
200.7
200.0
198. 1
198.9
197.4
193.7
191.4
100.0
209.9
186.4
169. 0
164.3
165. 7
171.8
182.2
173.2
175. 6
186. 4
166. 7
178. 4
179.3
179. 8
179.3
175.6
167.6
161.5
158. 7
159.6
158.7
153.1
150.2
100.0
187.6
164. 0
147.2
155.1
155.1
157.3
157.3
158.4
159.6
160.7
157.3
159. 6
158.4
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157.3
157. 3
157.3
157.3
151.7
100.0
183.0
135.0
125.1
144.7
135.0
143.1
138.6
145.2
147.5
143.9
120. 4
121.9
122.7
121.9
125.6
120. 9
113.1
114. 1
123.8
127.2
124.8
118. 5
111.0
100.0
188.2
153. 9
148.9
167.0
159.7
166. 1
165. 6
170. 1
174.2
171.9
158.8
169. 2
167. 0
164. 7
162.9
162.0
157.9
155.2
153.4
154.8
154.8
152.9
150.2
167.3
161.4
158.7
157.5
155.5
168.2
161.0
157.8
156.5
154.7
159. 1
154.0
153.0
150.0
147.0
152.5
145.6
141.9
139.4
135. 6
138.0
131.4
128.1
124.8
119.8
141.9
131.4
140.0
141.4
143.3
148.9
145.2
143.0
141. 1
138.9
188.1
183.3
178.4
175.5
172.9
153.5
148.8
150.2
153.1
148.8
149.4
146.1
144.9
141. 6
138.2
98.4
94.8
97.4
91.9
81.7
145.2
141.2
137.1
132. 6
124.0
Year and month
Lard
Eggs
Bread Flour
Corn
meal
Rice
Pota Sugar
toes
1913_________________
1920_______________
1921________
1922________________
1923______________
1924____________
1925__________ _ .
1926_________
1927_____________
1928__________
1929______________
1930_______________
January
. . _ __
F ebruary_____ .
March____ _
April_______ ____
M a y ____________
June_____________
July-------------------August____
September.. _
October.
November .
December. _
1931:
January_________
February. . . . _.
March__________
April________ ___
M ay_____________
100.0
186.7
113.9
107.6
112.0
120.3
147.5
138. 6
122.2
117.7
115.8
107.6
108.9
108.2
107.0
106.3
105.7
105.1
103.2
104.4
110.8
112.0
110.8
105. 7
100.0
197.4
147.5
128.7
134.8
138.6
151.0
140.6
131.0
134.5
142. 0
118.8
160. 6
136.8
102.3
100.0
97.7
97.4
101.7
112.5
124.9
129.9
140.3
120. 6
100.0
205.4
176.8
155.4
155. 4
157. 1
167. 9
167.9
166. 1
162. 5
160. 7
155.4
158.9
157.1
157.1
157.1
157.1
157.1
157.1
155.4
155. 4
153.6
151.8
151.8
100.0
245.5
175.8
154.5
142. 4
148.5
184.8
181.8
166. 7
163. 6
154.5
142.4
154. 5
154. 5
151. 5
148.5
145.5
145.5
139.4
136. 4
133.3
130.3
127.3
124.2
100.0
216. 7
150.0
130.0
136.7
156. 7
180.0
170. 0
173.3
176.7
176. 7
176. 7
180.0
176. 7
176.7
176. 7
176. 7
176. 7
176. 7
176. 7
176.7
176.7
173. 3
173.3
100.0
200.0
109. 2
109.2
109. 2
116. 1
127. 6
133.3
123.0
114.9
111.5
109.2
110.3
110.3
109. 2
110.3
109. 2
109. 2
109.2
109.2
110.3
109.2
106.9
105.8
100.0
370. 6
182.4
164. 7
170. 6
158.8
211.8
288.2
223. 5
158.8
188.2
211.8
229. 4
229.4
229.4
241.2
252.9
247.1
194. 1
182.4
188.2
182.4
170.6
170. 6
100.0 100.0
352.7 134. 7
145. 5 128.1
132.7 125.2
183. 6 127.8
167. 3 131.4
130.9 138.8
125. 5 141.0
132.7 142. 5
1297 1 142.3
120.0 142. 6
112. 7 142.5
120.0 143.4
118.2 143.2
116.4 142.8
114.5 142.5
114.5 142.5
110. 9 143. 0
110.9 142.6
110.9 142.3
107. 3 142. 1
105.5 141.9
107.3 141.4
107.3 141.4
100.0
157.7
121.8
121.1
126.5
145.3
172.8
171.1
162.1
165.1
164. 8
136.2
147.0
143.3
140. 6
138.9
137.2
136. 2
135. 6
134. 6
132.6
131.2
129.9
129.2
100.0
203.4
153. 3
141.6
146.2
145. 9
157.4
160. 6
155.4
154.3
156.7
147.1
155.4
153. 0
150.1
151.2
150. 1
147.9
144.0
143.7
145. 6
144.4
141.4
137.2
99.4
91.8
89.9
89.9
85.4
104. 6
78.8
82.6
79.4
72.2
146. 4
142.9
141. 1
137.5
137.5
121.2
121.2
118.2
115.2
112. 1
170.0
166. 7
166. 7
163.3
153.3
102.3
102.3
98.9
9(5. 6
95.4
170.6
158. 8
158.8
164. 7
164. 7
107.3
107.3
105. 5
103. 6
101.8
126. 8
125.2
121.8
116.1
112.4
132.8
127.0
126. 4
124.0
121.0
i 22 articles in 1913-1920; 42 articles in 1921-1931.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[216]
Tea
141.0.
140. 6
139.7
138. 2
136. 9
ar
Coffee All
ticles 1
217
W HOLESALE AND RETA IL PRICES
The curve shown in the chart below pictures more readily to the
eye the changes in the cost of the food budget than do the index
numbers given in the table.
C o m p a ris o n of R e ta il F o o d C o s ts in 51 C itie s
T a b l e 5 shows for 39 cities the percentage of increase o r decrease
in the retail cost of food3 May, 1931, compared with the average
cost in the year 1913, in May, 1930, and April, 1931. For 12 other
cities comparisons are given for the 1-year and the 1-month periods;
these cities have been scheduled by the bureau at different dates since
1913. The percentage changes are based on actual retail prices
secured each month from retail dealers and on the average consump
tion of these articles in each city.4
TREND OF RETAI L PRICES OF FOOD
IS 13 = 00
Ib5
=^~r
M5
1b5
H2S
R30
—
v . s.
145
N N
H3!
125
125
105
105
JAN. FEB MAR APR MAY JUN. JUL. AU.G. SEP. OCT. NOV. DEC.
Effort has been made by the bureau each month to have all sched
ules for each city included in the average prices. For the month of
May, 99.1 per cent of all the firms supplying retail prices in the 51
cities sent in a report promptly. The following-named 39 cities had
a perfect record; that is, every merchant who is cooperating with
the bureau sent in his report in time for his prices to be included in
the city averages: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Bridge
port, Buffalo, Butte, Charleston (S. C.), Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleve
land, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fall River, Houston,
Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Louisville, Manchester,
Memphis, Milwaukee, Newark, New Haven, New Orleans, Norfolk,
Omaha, Peoria, Portland (Me.), Portland (Oreg.), Providence, Rich
mond, St. Louis, St. Paul, Savannah, Scranton, and Springfield (111.).
? For list of articles see note 2, p. 214.
4 The consumption figures used for January, 1913, to December, 1920, for each article in each city are
given in the Labor Review for November, 1918, pp. 94 and 95. The consumption figures which have been
used for each month beginning with January, 1921, are given in the Labor Review for March, 1921, p. 26.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[2 1 7 ]
218
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
TABLE 5 .— PE R C E N T A G E CHA N G E IN TH E R E TA IL COST OF FOOD IN M AY, 1931, COM
PA R E D W ITH TH E COST IN A PR IL, 1931, M AY, 1930, A N D W ITH T H E A V ER A G E COST
IN THE Y E A R 1913, BY CITIES
Percent P e r c e n ta g e d e
crease May, 1931,
age in
compared with—
crease
May,
1931, com
May,
April,
pared
1931
with 1913
1930
City
Atlanta
Baltimore
Birmingham
Boston
Bridgeport
Buffalo
Butte
Charleston, S. C
China,go
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Columbus
D allas.______
"Denver
Detroit
City
Percent P e r c e n t a g e d e
age in
crease M ay, 1931,
compared with—
crease
May,
1931, com
M ay,
April,
pared
1931
1930
with 1913
21. 2
25 5
18. 5
21. 2
17.9
18. 5
22. 2
20.2
16. 2
3.5
3.1
3.1
3.0
2.6
Minneapolis___ ._
Mobile .
NewarkNew Haven_.
N ew Orleans.
21.9
23. 7
19. 7
19. 0
18.6
18.8
19.0
1.9
.6
3.3
1.8
2.6
N ew York___ _ _
Norfolk. O m a h a ...______
Peoria______
Philadelphia. __ .
27.3
20.0
21.3
22.2
19. 6
19.5
1.0
2.9
3.8
2.2
1.7
P ittsb u r g h ____ Portland, Me . . ..
Portland, Oreg_.
Providence
Richmond___ ____
22.4
25. 1
32. 1
27.8
17. 5
. .
15.3
9. 1
23. 7
Fall River
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville______
Transas City
18. 1
15. 3
14.3
22. 6
19.2
20.1
23.9
16.8
18. 5
2.8
2.9
2.9
1.0
2.8
Rochester
____
St. Louis ..
. .
St. Paul .
___
Salt Lake C ity____
San Francisco . . .
T/ittie Book
Bos Angeles
T/onisville
1VTon eh ester
Memphis
Milwaukee
13. 2
9. 8
14. 5
20. 3
12. 2
23.7
21.8
20.6
22. 3
18. 2
22. 7
20.3
3.7
1.2
.9
1.5
2.5
1.1
Savannah.. Scranton.
. _
Seattle. _____ . . .
Springfield, 111____
Washington . -
1 Increase.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 218 ]
23.7
25.3
15.8
14.4
27.8
8.9
19.9
24.9
24.4
6.0
22.8
28.3
18.7
30.7
19.2
20.0
14.6
16.7
21.3
1.5
3.6
.9
2.6
3.9
15.8
19. 1
21. 9
23.8
16.0
1.2
4.9
2.6
6.2
1.3
18. 1
17.8
21.8
20.5
19.6
2.2
2.3
1.5
2.6
1.9
22.2
19.6
19.6
19.3
18. 4
6.2
2.5
.7
.5
.8
18.5
18.8
19.2
24.7
16.2
2.9
1.4
.2
2.8
2.6
W HOLESALE AND RETA IL PRICES
219
R e ta il P ric e s o f C o al in M a y , 1 9 3 1 1
HE following table shows the average retail prices of coal on
May 15, 1930, and April 15 and May 15, 1931, for the United
States and for each of the cities from which retail food prices have
been obtained. The prices quoted are for coal delivered to consumers,
but do not include charges for storing the coal in cellar or coal bin
where an extra handling is necessary.
In addition to the prices for Pennsylvania anthracite, prices are
shown for Colorado, Arkansas, and New Mexico anthracite in those
cities where these coals form any considerable portion of the sales
for household use.
The prices shown for bituminous coal are averages of prices of the
several kinds sold for household use.
T
AVER A G E R E TA IL PR IC E S OP COAL P E R TO N OP 2,000 PO U N D S, FOR H OUSEHOLD
USE, ON M A Y 15, 1930, A N D A PR IL 15 A N D M A Y 15, 1931
1930
1931
1930
City, and kind of coal
M ay
15
Apr.
15
1931
City, and kind of coal
May
15
Apr.
15
M ay
15
$5.05
7. 03
$5. 05
7.03
14. 56
14.44
14.00
13.88
9.08
Low volatile_________
9.25
Columbus, Ohio:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
13. 50 14.00 13. 25
High volatile_________
5. 75
5. 43
13.00 13.50 13.00
Low volatile_________
7.19
7.17
Dallas, Tex.:
7. 75
7.82
7. 61
Arkansas anthracite—Egg
13. 50 15.00
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 11.00 12.58
6.89
6. 54
6.31 Denver, Colo.:
Colorado anthracite—
Furnace, 1 and 2 mixed.
14. 75 15. 25
15. 25 14. 75 14. 75
Stove, 3 and 5 mixed. __ 14. 75 15. 25
14. 75 14. 75 14. 69
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 9. 43
9. 57
Detroit, Mich.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
14. 50 14.00 14.13
Stove__________ ___
15. 50 14. 50
14. 50 14. 00 14.13
Chestnut_____________ _ 15.00 14.50
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
13.17 12. 40 12. 60
High volatile_________
8. 05
6. 94
12.67 12.40 12. 60
9. 46
Low volatile_________
8.16
Run of mine—
11. 09 10.49 10. 49
Low volatile_________
7. 67
7.13
Fall River, Mass.:
9. 67
9. 67
9. 67
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove____ ___________
15. 75 15. 00
Chestnut. _______ _
15. 50 15.00
16.38 16.40 15. 75 Houston, Tex.:
15.93 16.30 15. 75
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 11.60 11.40
Indianapolis, Ind.:
Bituminous—
7.58
7. 93
7. 39
Prepared sizes—
10.29 11.46
9.86
High volatile_______
5. 89
5. 93
Low volatile______ _ . 7.88
9.17
7. 75
7.24
7. 75
Run of mine—
Low volatile . . .
6. 80
7.00
1 Prices of coal were formerly secured semiannually and published in the March and September
of the Labor Review. Since June, 1920, these prices have been secured and published monthly.
8. 57
United States:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v eAverage price________ $14. 65 $14. 45 $14. 22
Index (1913=100)_____ 189.6 187.0 184.0
C h e stn u tAverage price________ $14. 33 $14. 39 $14.19
Index (1913=100)_____ 181.0 181.8 179. 4
Bituminous—
Average price__________ $8. 53 $8.46 $8.04
Index (1923=100)_______ 157.0 155.8 148.0
Atlanta, Ga.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Baltimore, Md.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove______________ ___
Chestnut______________
Bituminous, run of mine—
High volatile___________
Birmingham, Ala.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Boston, Mass.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________
Chestnut______________
Bridgeport, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________
Chestnut_________ _____
Buffalo, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________
Chestnut________________
Butte, Mont.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Charleston, S. C.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes.
Chicago, 111.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________
Chestnut______________
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_______ _
Low volatile....................
Run of mine—
Low volatile_________
63413°—31----- 15
$7.12
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
$6. 66
May
15
Cincinnati, Ohio:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High v o la t ile ...______ $5. 55
Low volatile______ _
7. 53
Cleveland, Ohio:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________ 14. 85
Chestnut.................. ... . . . 14. 50
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
$0.09
[219]
5. 30
7.00
14. 50
12. 25
15. 25
15. 25
8. 47
14.50
14.50
6. 97
8.13
7.13
15. 00
15.00
10. 40
5.68
7. 75
6.65
issues
220
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
A V ERAGE R ETA IL PR IC ES OF COAL PE R TO N OF 2,000 PO U N D S, FOR H O USEHOLD
USE, ON M A Y 15, 1930, A N D A PR IL 15 A N D M A Y 15, 1931—Continued
1930
City, and kind of coal
May
15
1930
1931
Apr.
15
City, and kind of coal
M ay
15
Jacksonville, Fla.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. $14. 00 $10.00 $10. 00
Kansas City, Mo.:
Arkansas anthracite—
Furnace_______________ 11.90 12.44 11.94
12. 92 13. 50 13. 33
Stove No. 4__ . . . . . . . .
6.71
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 7.20
6. 73
Little Rock, Ark:
Arkansas anthracite—E g g .. 12. 50 13.00 13. 00
9. 39
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 9.45
9.90
Los Angeles, Calif.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 16. 50 16. 50 15. 50
Louisville, Ky.:
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
4. 93
5.03
High volatile_________ 6. 05
Low volatile
8. 31
7. 50
7. 50
Manchester, N . H.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________ 16. 00 15.50 15.50
Chestnut
. . ________ 16. 00 15. 50 15. 50
Memphis, Tenn.:
7.66
7. 02
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 7. 93
Milwaukee, Wis.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove___________ ______ 15. 75 15. 75 15. 25
Chestnut
_________
15. 30 15. 50 15. 25
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
7. 68
7. 70
7. 45
9. 54
Low volatile_________ 10. 08 10. 60
Minneapolis, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
17. 75 16. 90 17. 25
Stove------------------------Chestnut___________ . . . 17. 30 16. 90 17. 20
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
9. 61
9. 91
High volatile_________ 10. 26
Low volatile_________ 13.14 12. 63 12. 48
Mobile', Ala.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 8. 98
8.38
8.31
Newark ,N. J.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
S to v e.. .
. . -----13.40 12.70 12.81
Chestnut______________ 12. 90 12. 70 12. 81
N ew Haven, Conn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove
___
14. 40 14. 90 14. 15
Chestnut______________ 14. 40 14. 90 14. 15
N ew Orleans, La.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 9.00
8. 07
8.07
N ew York, N. Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
13. 21 12. 92 12. 96
Stove
___________
Chestnut
________ _ 12. 71 12. 92 12. 96
Norfolk, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove ._ __________ . . 13. 75 15.00 13. 50
Chestnut____________ _ 13.75 15. 00 13. 50
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
6. 50
High volatile ______
7.13
7. 38
9. 00
Low volatile________
8. 00
7. 00
Run of mine—
Low volatile______
6.50
7. 00
6. 63
Omaha, Nebr.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 9. 38
9. 45
9. 11
Peoria, 111.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 6.35
6. 33
6. 23
Philadelphia, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__ _______________ 12. 92 12. 25 12. 25
Chestnut______________ 12.44 12. 25 12. 25
M ay
15
Pittsburgh, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
$15.00
Chestnut______
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 5. 20
Portland, Me.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove__________________ 16. 32
Chestnut______________ 16. 32
Portland, Oreg.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 13.12
Providence, R. I.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_____ .'-------------- . . 115. 25
115. 25
Chestnut_________ _
Richmond, Va.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
14. 00
Stove __ _ _______
14.00
C h estn u t_________
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile_________
7. 75
Low volatile--------------- 7.86
Run of mine—
6. 75
Low volatile_____ . . .
Rochester, N . Y.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
13. 95
S t o v e __ ___ ___ - 13. 45
Chestnut . . . .
St. Louis, Mo.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
16. 25
Stove____________ 16.00
Chestnut_____
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 5. 52
St. Paul, Minn.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
Stove_________________ 17. 75
C h estn u t_____________ 17. 30
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile . . . . . . 10. 08
Low volatile__ _ . .
13.15
Salt Lake City, Utah:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 8. 38
San Franeisco, Calif.:
New Mexico anthracite—
Cerillos e g g .. ------------- 25.00
Colorado anthracite—
24. 50
Egg
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 15.88
Savannah, Ga.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 2 9.68
Scranton, Pa.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—
9. 72
Stove
_
__
Chestnut
_ _ __
9.35
Seattle, Wash.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 10. 75
Springfield, 111.:
Bituminous, prepared sizes. 4. 34
Washington, D . C.:
Pennsylvania anthracite—•
Stove
____________ . 114. 73
114. 23
Chestnut
_______
Bituminous—
Prepared sizes—
High volatile____ ____ 2 8. 21
310. 43
Low volatile_____ _
Run of mine—
M ixed_______________ 3 7. 78
1931
Apr.
15
M ay
15
$14.50 $14. 25
4. 73
4.66
15. 84
16.80
15.84
15.84
13. 21
12.82
114. 75 114. 75
>14. 75 ' 14.75
15.00
15.00
13. 50
13. 50
8. 75
9.83
7.25
7.83
7. 50
6.75
13. 38
13.38
13.50
13. 50
16. 20
15. 95
5. 86
15. 97
15.91
5.19
16. 90
16. 90
17. 25
17.25
9. 70
12. 80
9. 67
12. 52
7. 58
7.60
26. 00
25. 00
25. 50
17.00
24. 50
15.75
2 9. 62 2 9. 62
9. 30
9.28
9. 50
9. 48
10.88
10. 68
4. 34
4. 34
12. 76
12. 76
12. 92
12. 92
7. 39
9. 32
7. 36
9.25
6.98
7. 04
1 The average price of coal delivered in bins is 50 cents higher than here shown. Practically all coal is
delivered in bin.
2 All coal sold in Savannah is weighed by the city. A charge of 10 cents per ton or half ton is made. This
additional charge has been included in the above price,
3 Per ton of 2,240 pounds.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[220]
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES
221
C o m p a ris o n o f R e t a i l- P r ic e C h a n g e s in t h e U n ite d S t a t e s a n d
in F o re ig n C o u n trie s
HE principal index numbers of retail prices published by foreign
countries have been brought together with those of this bureau
in the subjoined table after having been reduced, in most cases, to a
common base, namely, 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 numbers of retail prices compiled by the
bureau, because of the fact that in numerous instances satisfactory
information for 1913 was not available. Some of the countries
shown in the table now publish index numbers of retail prices on the
July, 1914, base. In such cases, therefore, the index numbers are
reproduced as published. For other countries the index numbers
here shown have been obtained by dividing the index for each month
specified in the table by the index for July, 1914, or the nearest
period thereto as published in the original sources. As stated in the
table, the number of articles included in the index numbers for the
different countries differs widely. These results, which are designed
merely to show price trends and not actual differences in the several
countries, should not, therefore, be considered as closely comparable
with one another. In certain instances, also, the figures are not
absolutely comparable from month to month over the entire period,
owing to slight changes in the list of commodities and the localities
included on successive dates.
T
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
£221]
222
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E TA IL PR IC ES IN T H E U N IT E D STA TES A N D IN OTHER
COU N TR IES
Country___
United
States
Number of
localities...
51
Canada Belgium Czecho
slovakia
60
C o m m o d i
t i e s i n 42 foods
cluded____
D en
mark
Finland
France
(except
Paris)
France
(Paris)
Germany
100
21
320
1
71
53 foods
36 foods
13 (11
foods)
13 (11
foods)
Foods
Entire
country
59
(foods, 29 foods
29 foods 56 etc.)
Govern Central
Bureau Depart Ministry
ment
of
C o m p u t of
Bureau Ministry Ministry
of Indus Office
Labor
ment
of
Statis
Statis
ing agency. Statistics Labor try and
of
of Labor of Labor
tics
tical
D e Statistics
Labor
partment
Base-= 100__
July,
1914
July,
1914
April,
1914
July,
1914
July,
1914
1924
January.. .
A pril..
July_______
October
146
138
140
145
145
137
134
139
480
498
493
513
836
829
837
877
1925
January. . . .
A p r il.___
July_______
October____
151
148
156
158
145
142
141
147
521
506
509
533
899
901
916
875
215
1926
January____
April___. . .
July_______
October
161
159
154
157
157
153
149
147
527
529
637
705
854
832
876
888
177
1927
January____
April. _ .
July_______
October . . .
156
150
150
153
153
146
147
148
755
774
790
804
1928
January____
A p r il... . ..
July_______
October. . . .
152
149
150
153
151
146
146
152
1929
January . . .
April___
July_______
October. . . .
151
148
155
157
1930
January____
February___
March_____
A pril.. . . . .
M ay..............
Jun e... . . . .
July...........
A u g u s t.___
September.. _
October. . . .
N ovem ber...
D ecem b er...
1931
January____
F ebruary....
March_____
194
January- August,
June,
1914
1914
July,
1914
Federal
Statis
tical
Bureau
October,
1913July, 1914
1089
1035
1052
1156
i 401
' 395
i 401
i 428
376
380
360
383
127
123
126
134
1130
1137
1145
1165
i
i
'
i
442
435
451
471
408
409
421
433
137
144
154
151
159
1090
1085
1105
1126
i 503
1 523
i 610
1 647
480
503
574
624
143
142
145
145
914
923
962
907
156
152
153
152
1092
1069
1102
1156
> 586
i 572
i 553
i 526
592
580
557
520
151
150
157
152
813
807
811
834
913
905
943
907
152
152
153
146
1126
1119
1155
1183
i 522
i 530
i 536
1 562
530
532
2 111
2 115
152
151
154
152
152
148
148
157
856
860
874
894
900
901
925
879
147
150
149
146
1156
1118
1116
1137
* 3 117
3 118
3 118
3 120
2 122
2 125
2 123
2 124
153
154
156
154
152
150
147
148
147
145
141
141
142
141
138
134
160
159
157
151
151
150
147
144
140
139
138
136
895
890
879
870
867
866
869
872
874
875
872
859
872
865
853
851
852
865
886
857
839
830
818
810
145
1048
1022
1006
975
945
937
969
995
976
944
934
903
2 124
2 121
2 120
2 119
2 120
2 120
2 122
2 127
2 129
2 129
2 131
2 132
150
148
145
143
142
143
146
145
142
140
138
135
130
124
124
133
127
123
846
825
815
798
789
779
2 132
2 132
2 131
134
131
130
1 For succeeding month.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
2 In gold.
[ 222 ]
200
210
140
137
133
127
893
883
879
2 118
2 116
2 127
2 132
2 131
3 In gold; for succeeding month.
WHOLESALE AND RETA IL PRICES
223
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF R E TA IL PR IC ES IN T H E U N IT E D ST A T ES A N D IN OTHER
COU N TR IES
Country. __ Italy
Nether
lands Norway Sweden
(The
Hague)
Switzer United
King
land
dom
Number of
localities.
47
1
31
49
33
C om m od
ities in
c lu d e d ...
20
foods
and
char
coal
F oods
Foods
50 (43
foods, 7
fuel and
light)
Foods
C o m p u t
ing agen
cy—
M in
istry Central Central
of Na Bureau Bureau
tional of Sta of Sta
Econ tistics
tistics
omy
B ase=100..
1913
1921
July,
1914
Social
Board
July,
1914
630
India
(Bom
bay)
9
1
July,
1914
Austra New
lia
Zealand
30
21 foods 24 foods 17 foods
Labor
Minis
try of
Office
(revised) Labor
July,
1914
South
Africa
46 foods
and
59 foods
groceries
Office
Bureau
of Cen Labor of Cen
sus and Office sus and
Statis (revised) Statis
tics
tics
1914
July,
1914
25
July,
1914
Census
and
Statis
tics
Office
July,
1914
1924
January .
April__ __
July______
October___
527
527
538
556
1 82. 5
4 81.7
4 80.8
4 82.3
230
240
248
264
163
159
159
172
173
169
170
174
175
167
162
172
120
122
117
120
154
143
151
156
155
150
148
146
150
150
148
145
1925
January _ .
April
July______
October___
609
606
605
645
4 80. 2
4 86.7
4 81.3
4 79.3
277
276
260
228
170
170
169
166
172
169
169
168
178
170
167
172
120
124
120
119
152
153
152
148
148
152
156
157
147
149
151
155
1926
January---April-------July______
October___
658
633
645
662
4 76.6
4 80.1
4 73.5
4 75. 7
216
198
198
191
162
158
156
157
165
161
159
160
171
159
161
163
116
119
117
120
151
150
155
153
155
163
159
153
154
151
149
147
1927
January---April.. . . .
July______
October___
629
606
540
530
4 76.3
4 77.0
4 76.5
4 79.5
180
169
175
173
156
151
151
155
158
156
157
159
167
155
159
161
116
119
119
119
155
151
154
148
158
151
152
159
148
145
144
143
1928
January.
A pril... . . .
July______
October___
531
522
516
536
4 81.6
4 79.4
4 76. 2
4 75.2
170
171
173
163
153
154
157
153
159
156
157
158
162
155
157
157
119
119
116
115
151
140
143
142
154
154
152
150
147
144
147
149
1929
January---April_____
July______
October___
565
566
558
546
4 76.0
4 72.3
4 74.5
4 73.1
158
156
157
160
150
150
151
150
157
154
155
158
159
150
149
156
115
119
116
113
146
145
145
147
161
162
160
165
149
147
146
147
69.0
156
154
152
152
151
151
151
151
151
150
149
147
145
144
142
140
140
140
140
139
139
137
136
134
155
154
153
152
150
151
152
152
152
152
151
149
157
154
150
143
140
138
141
144
144
143
144
141
112
111
111
113
113
112
109
108
107
108
108
108
145
143
139
138
137
137
136
133
134
127
123
116
153
151
151
151
150
149
147
146
141
138
135
134
146
145
144
144
144
143
143
141
140
139
139
137
66.4
145
143
142
133
132
133
148
146
144
138
136
134
108
107
107
111
106
103
135
133
131
135
130
126
1930
January...
February..
M a rch ... _
April
September.
October. _
November.
December..
548
536
525
522
510
509
507
506
508
513
512
482
1931
January___
February..
M arch____
463
450
446
J u n e ..........
July
69.7
68.8
71.6
4 For second month following.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[223]
224
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
In d ex N u m b e rs o f W h o le sa le P ric e s in M a y , 1931
HE index number of wholesale prices computed by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor
T
shows a decline for May. This index number, which includes 550
commodities or price quotations weighted according to the impor
tance of each article and based on prices in 1926 as 100.0, declined
from 73.3 in April to 71.3 in May, a decrease of 2% per cent. The
purchasing power of the 1926 dollar in May was $1,403.
Farm products as a group averaged 4%per cent below April prices,
due to decreases for corn, oats, beef cattle, hogs, sheep and lambs,
poultry, eggs, cotton, alfalfa and clover hay, potatoes, and domestic
wool. Rye, wheat, onions, and oranges, on the other hand, were
higher than in the month before.
T R E N D OF WHOLE-SALE.
P R IC E S .
DEC. JAM. FEB. MAR. #APR. MAY JUME JULY AUG. ÓEPT. OCT MOV. DEC.
Among foods further price decreases were reported for butter,
cheese, fresh and cured meat, lard, dressed poultry, and sugar, re
sulting in a net decrease of 3% per cent for the group. Wheat and
rye flour and coffee averaged somewhat higher than in April.
Hides and leather products as a whole showed no change from the
April price level, advances in hides and skins being offset by declines
in leather. No change was reported for boots and shoes.
In the group of textile products further decreases are shown for
cotton goods, silk and rayon, and woolen and worsted goods, causing
a decline of 2 per cent in the group.
Anthracite coal showed a slight advance over April, while bitumi
nous coal declined. Petroleum products also declined, with lower
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[224]
WHOLESALE AND RETA IL PRICES
225
prices for fuel oil and gasoline. Coke prices remained at the April
level.
Among metals there were slight declines in certain iron and steel
products and noticeable declines in nonferrous metals, causing a
decrease in the group total.
In the building-materials group a pronounced decline is shown for
lumber, and small declines for brick, cement, and paint materials.
The group as a whole decreased 3 per cent.
Chemicals and drugs, including fertilizer materials and mixed fer
tilizers, moved downward in the month. ' Both furniture and fur
nishings in the group of house-furnishing goods showed price reces
sions in May.
In the group of miscellaneous commodities, prices of cattle feed
fell sharply, while paper, and pulp declined slightly. Prices of crude
rubber strengthened, while automobile tires were unchanged in price.
Paw materials as a whole averaged lower than in April, as did also
semimanufactured articles and finished products.
In the large group of nonagricultural commodities, including all
articles other than farm products, and among all commodities other
than farm products and foods, May prices averaged lower than those
of the month before.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[225]
226
MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
IN D E X N U M B E R S OF W HOLESALE PR IC ES B Y GROUPS A N D SU B G R O U PS OF
C O M M O DITIES
[1926=100.0]
Groups and subgroups
May, 1930 April, 1931
M ay, 1931
Purchasing
power of
the dollar,
M ay, 1931
All commodities_____________________
89.1
73.3
71.3
$1. 403
Farm products____________________ _*______
Grains_______________________________
Livestock and poultry_________________
Other farm products----------------------------
93.0
82. 1
93. 2
96. 5
70.1
59. 5
70.3
73.4
67.1
59. 6
64.1
71.5
1.490
1.678
1. 560
1.399
Foods____________________________________
Butter, cheese, and milk_______________
Meats_______ ________________________
Other foods___________________________
92. 0
92. 5
101.3
86. 3
75.6
80.9
79.9
70.9
72.9
78.4
74.4
69.7
1.372
1.276
1. 344
1.435
Hides and leather products________________
Hides and skins_______________________
Leather. ______________________________
Boots and shoes_______________________
Other leather products_________________
102. 6
96.8
104. 2
103.7
105.3
87.3
62.0
88.4
94.8
101.6
87.3
62.6
88.1
94.8
101.3
1.145
1.597
1.135
1.055
.987
Textile products__ , ______________________
Cotton goods----------- --------------------------Silk and rayon________________________
Woolen and worsted goods_____________
Other textile products_________________
84.6
90.7
70. 3
88.9
72. 1
67. 6
75.7
45. 2
77.3
55.6
66.3
73.9
44.0
76.4
55.9
1.508
1.353
2. 273
1. 309
1.789
Fuel and lighting materials________________
Anthracite coal________________________
Bituminous coal______________________
Coke_____ ____ ______________________
Gas______________________ __________
Petroleum products___________________
78.0
86.9
88.4
84.0
97.9
66. 5
61.6
86. 6
84.4
83. 7
96. 1
37.4
60.9
87.6
83.9
83.7
1.642
1.142
1.192
1.195
35.9
2.786
Metals and metal products________________
Iron and steel_________ _______________
Nonferrous metals_____________________
Agricultural im p lem en ts._____________
Automobiles______________ ___________
Other metal products_________________
96.8
92. 9
80. 6
95.0
106. 8
98.4
88.7
87.5
65. 1
94.7
98.6
95.0
87.8
87.2
60.6
94.7
98.6
94.4
1.139
1.147
1.650
1. 056
1.014
1.059
Building materials________________________
Lumber______________________________
Brick________________________________
Cement______________________________
Structural steel________________________
Paint materials_______________________
Other building materials_______________
92.9
89.7
86.4
92. 7
91.9
89.1
101.8
80.9
73.3
81.0
81.0
84.3
72.5
94.2
78.4
68.4
80.8
79.7
84.3
70.5
93.2
1.276
1.462
1.238
1. 255
1.186
1.418
1.073
Chemicals and drugs______________________
Chemicals________ ____ _______________
Drugs and pharmaceuticals____________
Fertilizer materials____________________
Mixed fertilizers_______________________
89.9
95.3
67.8
86. 5
93.6
80. 1
83.3
63.0
80.6
83.5
79.1
81.9
62.8
80.5
82.8
1.264
1.221
1. 592
1. 242
1.208
House-furnishing goods____________________
Furniture____________________________
Furnishings___________________________
96.2
96.6
95.8
90.8
95.5
86.7
89.2
93.5
85.5
1.121
1.070
1.170
Miscellaneous_____________________________
Cattle feed____________________________
Paper and pulp_______________________
Rubber______________________________
Automobile tires_______________ _______
Other miscellaneous___________________
77.5
110.3
85.6
29. 2
54. 5
107.9
63.9
81. 2
81.4
13.3
45. 7
85.9
62.8
67.9
81.3
13.7
45.7
84.9
1.592
1.473
1.230
7. 299
2.188
1.178
Raw materials____________________________
Semimanufactured articles_________________
Finished products________________________
Nonagricultural commodities______________
All commodities less farm products and foods
87.8
83.6
91.0
88. 1
87.5
68.3
71. 1
77. 1
74.3
74.2
66.5
68.9
75.1
72.6
73.2
1.504
1.451
1.332
1.377
1. 366
1 Data not yet available.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[226 ]
(0
227
WHOLESALE AND RETA IL PRICES
C o s ts of M a k in g a n d S ellin g B re a d in C a n a d a , 1929
HE following figures summarizing the costs of making and selling
bread in Canada in 1929, are taken from a report of the Dominion
Department of Labor on an “ Investigation into an alleged combine
in the bread-baking industry in Canada,” published in 1931:
T
T a b l e 1 .— SU M M A R Y OF COSTS P E R PO U N D OF M A K IN G A N D SE L LIN G B R E A D IN
C A N A D A , 1929, B Y PR O V IN C ES
Province
__________________
Mari
time
Quebec
Mani
toba
Ontario
Saskat
chewan
British
Alberta Columbia
Number of bakeries reporting.. _
9
9
55
5
15
9
17
Ingredients:
Flour_________________
Other.
................. ..............
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
2. 58
1.06
2. 48
.65
2. 39
.70
2. 43
.67
2. 30
.86
2.35
.79
2.61
.82
Total.......................... ...........
3.64
3.13
3. 09
3.10
3.16
3.14
3.43
Baking costs:
Wages. ________________ .
Wrappers and wrapping___
Other________________ . .
.83
.25
.39
.53
.20
.26
.62
. 14
.23
.65
. 11
.21
.65
.17
.43
.79
.31
.52
.98
.09
.32
..
1.47
.99
.99
.97
1.25
1.62
1.39
Delivery and sale:
Wages and commissions___
Other delivery costs_______
Advertising___________ _ .
Other selling costs. . . . . .
T otal.. ___________ ____
.93
.55
. 15
.04
1.67
1.20
.45
.07
.03
1.75
1.12
.45
. 11
.02
1.70
.83
.23
.07
.01
1.14
.62
.55
.05
.07
1. 29
.80
.98
.06
.04
1. 88
1.19
.46
.08
.04
1.77
Overhead:
Management and office____
Interest
. . . ___
Other_______ . . . _ . ____
Total.
.. . ..
.32
.05
.46
.83
.33
.07
.42
.82
.37
.04
.32
.73
.30
.08
.23
.61
.44
.09
.23
.76
.35
.04
. 13
.52
.46
. 11
.44
1.01
7. 61
6.69
6. 51
5.82
6. 46
7. 16
7.60
Total_______________
Total costs
__________
T a b l e 2 .—SU M M A R Y OF COSTS P E R PO U N D OF M A K IN G A N D SELLIN G B R E A D IN
C A N A D A , 1929, B Y T Y P E S OF B A K E R Y
Type of bakery_____ _ _ _ ____ ______________________
Number of bakeries reporting___ ____ _______ _______
Ingredients:
Flour_____________________ _______________ ____
Other______________ _________________________
Total ___________ ___________________________
Mill-con Large inde Smaller in
trolled
pendents dependents All bakeries
76
12
31
119
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
C e n ts
2.38
.78
3.16
2..39
.87
3. 26
2.58
.69
3. 27
Baking costs:
Wages ___________ ___________________ ____ Wrappers and wrapping ______________________
O ther.-________
______________________
Total __________ ________ __ : _____________ _
.59
.14
.33
1.06
.52
. 13
.39
1.04
1.02
.24
.21
1.47
.70
. 16
.31
1.17
Delivery and sale:
Wages and commissions
..........................................
Other delivery costs ......................................................
Advertising.
..................... ............................................
Other selling c o s ts ............. .................................. .........
T otal. ............... .................................................... .......
1.11
.59
.12
.04
1.86
1.16
.59
. 14
.02
1.91
.73
.23
.02
.06
1.04
1.02
.50
.10
.03
1.65
Overhead:
Management and office ___________ ____ _______
Interest_______________________________________
Other---- ----------------------- ----------------------- _ _
Total - ______________________ _______________
.45
.07
.32
.84
.31
.14
.26
.71
.25
.02
.34
.61
.38
.07
.32
.77
Total costs. ______ _ ________________________
6. 92
6. 92
6. 39
6. 78
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[227]
2. 43
.76
3.19
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
S ta t i s t ic s of I m m i g r a ti o n fo r A p ril, 1931
B y J. J. K u n n a , C h ie f S t a tistic ia n U n it e d S t a t e s B u r e a u
of
I mmigration
TOTAL or 17,759 aliens was admitted and 19,993 departed in
April, 1931, so that the alien population of the United States
A during
the month was decreased by 2,234.
Of the number admitted in April, 3,470 were immigrants or new
comers for permanent residence in this country and 14,289 were
visitors or persons passing through the country on their way else
where. Of the latter, 7,755 came for a short stay in this country and
6,534 were residents of the United States returning from a temporary
sojourn abroad. Over two-fifths (2,874) of these returning residents
make their home in New York State, 549 live in New Jersey, 467 in
Massachusetts, 521 in California, 294 in Pennsylvania, 296 in Illinois,
and 244 in Michigan.
Of the aliens who departed in April, 14,346 were classified as nonemigrants, either going abroad for a short stay or leaving after a visit
in this country. The other 5,647 of the outgoing aliens were emigrants
intending to make their future permanent residence in a foreign
country, 2,276 going to Mexico, mainly via the southern land border,
2,269 went to European countries, principally Great Britain, Italy,
France, Germany, Poland, and Yugoslavia, while 175 departed to
Canada, 431 to Asia, and 496 to the West Indies and other countries.
The principal sources from which immigration was drawn during
April were Italy, 767; Germany, 249; and Great Britain, 229. Europe
as a whole contributed 2,265 immigrants this month, Canada supplied
615, and Mexico 149. In the corresponding month a year ago,
European countries sent 15,172 immigrants, Canada 4,857, and Mexico
684.
Admission to the United States was denied to 809 aliens (624 male
and 185 female), for various causes under the immigration laws,
mainly because they failed to secure visas from American consuls.
The majority of these aliens were debarred at the international land
boundaries, 681 from Canada and 56 from Mexico having been turned
back. The other 72 (66 male and 6 female) debarred in April were
denied admission at the seaports, 40 at New York and 32 at other
ports.
During April, 1931, undesirable aliens deported from the United
States under warrant proceedings numbered 1,897. The largest
number were returned to Mexico, 803 going to that country, while 741
were sent to European countries, principally Great Britain, Italy,
Scandinavia, Yugoslavia, and Germany; 210 were sent to Canada, 76
to Asia, and 67 to other countries. Entrance without proper visa
(surreptitious entry) was the principal cause for their deportation,
662 having been expelled for this reason, while 268 were of the crim
inal and immoral classes, 384 remained here longer than permitted,
228
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[ 228 ]
229
IMMIGRATION AND EMIGRATION
and 87 were mentally or physically defective. Most of the latter
were found to be public charges in hospitals and other institutions
from causes existing prior to their entry to the United States.
The statistics covering admissions during April, 1931, show that
1,517 aliens came in under the immigration act of 1924 as immigrants
charged to the quota—1,034 as husbands, wives, and unmarried chil
dren of American citizens and 675 as natives of nonquota countries,
mainly Canada. Returning residents numbered 6,547,_ and 7,425
were tourists for business or pleasure or were simply passing through
the country on their way elsewhere. The remaining 561 were
Government officials, students, ministers, professors, and aliens to
carry on trade under existing treaty.
IN W A R D A N D OUTW ARD PA SSE N G ER M O V E M E N T FROM JULY 1, 1930, TO A PR IL
30, 1931
Outward
Inward
*
Aliens
de
de
Aliens departed
United
ported
barred
States
United
after
from
citi
States
enter
enter
zens Total ing 3
citizens Total ing i Emi Non
N on
Immi immi
Total
de
emi
Total arrived
grant grant
grant grant
parted
Aliens admitted
1930
July ______
August, .
September
October.
November
Decem ber...
1931
January... . .
February
M arch___
April______ .
16,466
19, 724
29, 359
23, 304
13, 032
9, 939
29, 789
34, 540
47,151
37, 246
22, 241
16, 378
38,822 68,611
69, 957 104,497
80, 900 128, 051
40, 702 77, 948
22, 381 44, 622
28,535 44, 913
881
837
929
854
734
' 806
4,818
5,245
5,100
5, 352
4,951
5, 450
22,588
29,166
24, 604
22, 938
19, 285
17, 603
27, 406
34,411
29, 704
28. 290
24, 236
23,053
55, 366 82, 772
88, 372 122, 783
56, 526 86, 230
32,988 61, 278
24,420 48,656
21,140 44,193
1,440
1,208
1,552
1, 526
1,405
1,377
4, 091 8, 724
3, 147 9,065
3, 577 12, 767
3,470 14, 289
12,815
12, 212
16, 344
17, 759
19,844
27, 508
34,861
28,281
32,659
39, 72C
51,205
46,040
693
689
597
809
4,397
4, 720
4, 693
5,647
17,169
16,170
12, 751
14,346
21, 566
20, 890
17,444
19,993
24,885
33,172
32, 278
24,418
1,517
1,210
1,726
1,897
13, 323
14,816
17, 792
13, 942
9,209
6, 439
T otal. __ 89,806 156,669 246,475 391, 791 638, 266
46,451
54,062
49, 722
44,411
7,829 50, 373 196, 620 246,993 393, 565 640, 558 14,858
'
1 These aliens are not included among arrivals, as they were not permitted to enter the United States.
2 These aliens are included among aliens departed, they having entered the United States, legally or
illegally, and later being deported.
I m m ig r a tio n to C a n a d a , 1 930-3 1
THE 88,223 immigrants to Canada in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1931, 27,584 were British, 24,280 were from the
OFUnited
States, 13,493 were classified as belonging to northern Euro
pean races, and 22,866 to other races. Compared with the record
for the preceding year these figures show a decrease of 46 per cent in
the total immigration, of 5,7 per cent in British immigration, of 21
per cent in the number of immigrants from the United States, of 56
per cent in the number of immigrants of northern European races,
and of 40 per cent for other races. During the fiscal year 1930-31
the number of Canadians who returned to the United States was
30,209, or 3791 more than in the preceding 12 months.
The above information and the following tables are taken from
the Canadian Labor Gazette for May, 1931:2
1 Labor Review, Washington, July, 1930, p. 236.
2 With one exception, noted above.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[229]
230
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
T a b l e 1.—IM M IG R A T IO N TO C A N A DA , BY ORIGINS, Y E A R E N D IN G M A R C H 31, 1931
Year ended Mar. 31—
Y ear ended Mar. 3 1 -
Origin
Origin
1930
British:
English___
__________
Irish______ _____ _ _
Scotch...
____
W elsh____________ _ __
Total______
United S ta tes....
__ . . . . .
... ... .
Northern European races:
Belgian____
Danish.
D utch.. _______________
Finnish_____________ .
French. . . . . .
German . . .
_ .
Icelandic. .
Norwegian.
___ _
Swedish. _
Swiss_____ _ ____ . . .
Total. .
.
_ .
Other races:
Albanian. ___ . . . . . .
Arabian___ _ .
_ ... _
Armenian_____________
Austrian. .
Bohemian. . .
_ .
Bulgarian .
Croatian___ . ______ _.
Czech__
1931
32, 278
10,159
18, 640
3,005
1930
14,662
4,233
7,872
817
64,082
27, 584
30, 727
24, 280
696
2,685
1,755
4, 565
697
14,281
6
2,256
2,918
473
255
820
344
2, 297
347
7,724
25
740
730
211
30, 332
13,493
26
7
14
437
20
296
771
434
25
2
21
' 116
11
295
482
225
Other races—Continued.
Dalmatian........... .......
East Indian________
Estonian__________
Greek_____________
Hebrew___________
Italian_____________
Japanese___________
Yugoslav__________
L ettish____________
Lithuanian________
Magyar___________
M altese___________
Montenegrin_______
Moravian_________
Negro_____________
Persian____________
Polish_____________
Portuguese_________
Rumanian_________
Russian___________
Ruthenian_________
Serbian____________
Slovak_____________
Spanish___________
Spanish American. __
Syrian___________ 1.
Turkish___________
1931
7
58
117
634
3, 544
1,277
194
921
70
964
5, 688
40
23
195
* 1
6,610
13
383
765
11,291
375
2,879
26
61
6
80
63
388
2,908
1,007
204
364
28
466
2,401
13
3
2
120
2
3,997
5
179
879
6,413
140
1,957
8
1
54
7
Total_____
38,147
22,866
Grand total.
163,288
88,223
T a b l e 2.—IM M IG R A T IO N TO CA N A DA , Y E A R E N D E D M ARC H 31, 1931, B Y SE X , OCCU
PA T IO N AL CLASS, A N D D E ST IN A T IO N
Sex, occupational class,
and destination
Via
ocean
ports
From
the
United
States
24,995
21, 752
17,196
9,322
7,025
7,933
34, 317
28, 777
25,129
63,943
24,280
88,223
Total
Sex, occupational class,
and destination
Sex
From
the
United
States
9,229
971
594
42
9,823
1,013
954
7,228
7,329
1,382
3,794
5, 361
2,336
11,022
12, 690
1,092
1,068
49
11,571
22, 330
16, 670
3,407
3, 965
3, 786
4
473
930
92
4,719
11,322
854
1,650
2,476
1,754
7
3
1,565
1,998
141
16, 290
33, 652
17, 524
5, 057
6, 441
5, 540
11
3
1
24, 280
88,223
Total
O c c u p a t io n a l s t a t u s —
M en_________________
W omen___
Children under 18____
T o ta l..
Via
ocean
ports
_.
O c c u p a t io n a l s ta tu s
Farming class:
M en. . . .
W om en..'.. _
C hild ren___ . .
Laboring class:
M e n . . ___. . .
W omen.
Children . . . _
Mechanics:
M en___ .
W omen.
Children
Trading class:
M en________
Women
Children . . .
Mining class:
Men _..
\ \ omen ___
Children. _______
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16, 702
2,879
6,612
3, 347
1,026
1,491
20,049
3,905
8,103
2, 649
517
1,053
699
186
194
3, 348
703
1, 247
3,016
1,017
754
2,048
625
411
5,064
1,642
1,165
1,538
868
462
1,799
795
428
3, 337
1, 663
890
136
14
15
47
5
6
183
19
21
Continued.
Domestic servants, female:
18 years and over...
Under 18 years____
Other classes:
M e n .. _ _
____
Women
C hild ren_______ _
D e s t in a t io n
Nova Scotia________ __
N ew Brunswick_____ _
Prince Edward Island _
Quebec____ _
______
Ontario____________ __
Manitoba__________
Saskatchewan.
. .
Alberta________
British C o lu m b ia .___
Yukon Territory___ ._
Northwest Territories .
N ot given____
______
[230]
T otal______ . . .
1
63,943
DIRECTORIES
L a b o r O ffices in t h e U n ite d S ta t e s a n d in F o re ig n C o u n trie s
(B ureaus of L abor, em ploym ent offices, in d u stria l comm issions, S ta te w o rk m en ’s
com pensation insurance funds, w orkm en’s com pensation com m issions, m in i
m um wage boards, facto ry inspection bureaus, an d a rb itra tio n an d conciliation
boards)
U n ite d S ta te s
D e p a rtm e n t of L abor:
H on. W. N. D oak, Secretary.
H on. R obe C arl W hite, T h e A ssistan t S ecretary.
H on. W . W . H u sb an d , Second A ssistant S ecretary.
B ureau of L abor S tatistics— E th e lb e rt S tew art, comm issioner.
B ureau of Im m ig ratio n — H a rry E . H ull, com m issioner general.
B ureau of N atu ralizatio n — R ay m o n d F. C rist, comm issioner.
C hildren’s B ureau— M iss G race A b b o tt, chief. A ddress: T w en tieth and
B S treets N W ., W ashington, D. C.
E m ploym ent Service— Jo h n R . A lpine, superv isin g d irector.
C onciliation Service— H ugh L. K erw in, director.
W om en’s B ureau— M iss M ary A nderson, director. A ddress: T w en tieth
a n d C S treets N W ., W ashington, D. C.
U nited S tates H ousing C orporation. A ddress: 1734 N ew Y ork A venue N W .
A ddress of a ll bureaus, except w here otherw ise noted, 1712 G S tre e t
N W ., W ashington, D. C.
U nited S tates E m ployees’ C om pensation C om m ission:
M rs. Bessie P . B rueggem an, chairm an.
H a rry B assett, comm issioner.
Jo h n M . M orin, comm issioner.
A ddress of com m ission: In v e stm e n t Building, W ashington, D. C.
B oard of M ediation:
Sam uel E . W inslow, chairm an.
G. W allace W. H anger.
E dw in P. M orrow.
Oscar B. C o lqu itt.
John W illiams.
George A. Cook, secretary.
A ddress of B oard: E arle B uilding, W ashington, D . C.
A la b a m a
C hild welfare com m ission: B. M. M iller, ex officio chairm an, governor.
C hild w elfare d e p a rtm e n t—
M rs. A. M . T u n sta ll, director.
R u th S can d rett, chief lab o r inspector.
M rs. D aisy D onovan, d e p u ty child lab o r inspector.
A ddress of com m ission: S ta te C apitol, M ontgom ery.
W orkm en’s com pensation division (under b u re a u of in su ra n c e ):
C has. C. G reer, com m issioner, ex officio su p erin te n d e n t of insurance.
F ra n k H . Spears, w orkm en’s com pensation clerk.
A ddress of division: S ta te C apitol, M ontgom ery.
B oard of coal-m ine inspectors: W. B. H illhouse, chief in spector, B irm ingham .
U n ited S ta te s E m p lo y m en t Service: R. C. C adden, S ta te director, R oom 5,
P o st Office Building, B irm ingham .
A lask a
F ederal m ine inspector: B. D . S tew art, supervising m ining engineer, U nited
S tates Geological Survey, Ju n eau .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
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232
MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
A riz o n a
In d u s tria l com m ission:
R. B. Sims, chairm an .
W. E. H u n ter.
C. W. H artm a n .
H a rry R . T ritle, secretary.
B u rt H . C linger, a tto rn e y .
W m. M . B raw ner, in d u stria l agent.
A. C. K ingsley, m edical exam iner.
A ddress of com m ission: Phoenix.
S tate inspector of m ines: T om C. F oster, Phoenix.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: H . M. W atson, S ta te director, 233 Ellis
B uilding, Phoenix.
A rk a n s a s
B ureau of lab o r an d sta tistic s:
W. A. R ooksbery, com m issioner.
E. I. M cK inley, d e p u ty com m issioner.
W. F . S harp, sta tistic ia n .
J. D. N ew com b, jr., chief boiler inspector.
In d u stria l w elfare com m ission—
W. A. R ooksbery, ex officio m em ber a n d chairm an.
M rs. F ra n k G ibb, secretary .
C laude M . B urrow .
M rs. C. H . H atfield.
E lm er G ran t.
A ddress of b u reau : S ta te C apitol, L ittle R ock.
M ine inspection d e p a rtm e n t: C laude Speegle, S ta te m ine inspector, F o rt S m ith .
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
W. H . M anville, S ta te d irector, 206 W allace B uilding, L ittle Rock.
W. A. R ooksbery, F ed eral director, R oom 326, S ta te C apitol, L ittle R ock.
C a lifo rn ia
D e p artm en t of in d u stria l relatio n s: W ill J. F rench, director.
D ivision of in d u stria l accid en ts a n d safety —
Will J. F ren ch , ch airm an of in d u stria l accid en t comm ission.
F. W. Fellows, m em ber of in d u stria l a c cid en t comm ission.
E d w ard O. Allen, m em ber of in d u stria l accid en t comm ission.
_C. H . F ry , su p e rin te n d e n t of safety.
H . L. W hite, secretary .
M. R . G ibbons, M . D ., m edical director.
A. I. T ow nsend, a tto rn e y .
S ta te com pensation insurance fu n d — F ra n k J. Creede, m anager.
D ivision of housing a n d sa n ita tio n —
R . W. K earney, chief of division.
M ost R ev. E . J. H a n n a , D. D., p resid en t com m ission of im m igration
a n d housing.
C harles C. C h ap m an , m em ber com m ission of im m igration a n d housing.
M elville D ozier, jr., m em ber com m ission of im m igration a n d housing.
J. E arle Cook, m em ber com m ission of im m ig ratio n a n d housing.
M rs. M a ttie W. R ichards, m em ber com m ission of im m igration a n d
housing.
D ivision of S ta te em p lo y m en t agencies— W. A. G ranfield, chief.
D ivision of lab o r sta tistic s a n d law enforcem ent— Jan ies W. M ullen, chief.
D ivision of in d u stria l w elfare—■
M rs. M able E . K inney, chief of division.
A. B. C. D o hrm ann, ch airm an of in d u stria l w elfare comm ission.
M rs. K ath e rin e Philips E dson, m em b er of in d u stria l w elfare com m ission.
M rs. P ark e r S. M addux, m em b er of in d u stria l w elfare com m ission.
W illiam R. K ilgore, m em b er of in d u stria l w elfare com m ission.
George D u ran d , m em ber of in d u stria l w elfare comm ission.
D ivision of in d u stria l fire safety — Ja y W. Stevens, chief, 340 P ine S treet,
San Francisco.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S ta te B uilding, San Francisco.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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d ir e c t o r ie s
of
labor
o f f ic e s
233
Department of industrial relations—Continued.
U nited S tates E m plo y m en t Service—
W alter G. M athew son, S ta te director, 219-A P o st Office Building,
San Francisco.
W. A. Granfield, F ederal director, 722 Pacific Building, San Francisco.
C o lo rad o
B ureau of labor statistics:
C harles M. A rm strong, secretary of S ta te a n d ex officio lab o r com m is
sioner.
M. H . A lexander, d e p u ty lab o r com m issioner a n d chief facto ry inspector.
A ddress of b ureau : D enver.
Industrial commission:
T hom as A nnear, chairm an.
W. H . Young.
W illiam E . R enshaw .
F eay B. S m ith, secretary.
W. L. H ogg, referee.
S tate com pensation insurance fu n d : H ow ard R edding, m anager.
C oal-m ine inspection d ep a rtm e n t: Jam es D alrym ple, chief inspector, D enver.
B ureau of m ines (m etal m ines): Jo h n T . Joyce, com m issioner, D enver.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: Q uince R ecord, S ta te director, 139 New
C ustom H ouse, D enver.
C o n n e c tic u t
Department of labor and factory inspection:
Joseph M. T one, com m issioner.
Jo h n J. B urke, d e p u ty com m issioner.
P. H . C onnolly, d e p u ty com m issioner of fa cto ry inspection.
S ta te em ploym ent offices— Joseph M. T one, com m issioner.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S ta te Office Building, H artfo rd .
B oard of com pensation com m issioners:
F rederic M. W illiams, chairm an, co u n ty courthouse, W ate rb u ry .
C harles K leiner, 151 C o u rt S treet, New H aven.
C harles E . W illiam son, 955 M ain S treet, B ridgeport.
Leo J . N oonan, 54 C hurch S treet, H artfo rd .
A lbert J. Bailey, 43 B roadw ay, N orwich.
S ta te b o ard of m ediation a n d a rb itra tio n :
Jo h n sto n e V ance, N ew B ritain .
Joseph H . Law lor, W ate rb u ry .
W alter J. C ouper, N ew H aven.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: H a rry E. M ackenzie, S ta te director, S ta te
C apitol, H artfo rd .
D elaw are
L abor com m ission:
Miss H elen S. G a rre tt, chairm an.
Jo h n H . H ickey.
Newlin T . B ooth.
T hom as C. F ram e, jr.
George A. H ill.
M iss M arguerite P ostles, secretary.
A ddress of com m ission: W ilm ington.
C hild labor division— C harles A. H agner, chief, W ilm ington.
W om en’s labor division— Miss M arguerite P ostles, a ssista n t, W ilm ington.
In d u s tria l accident bo ard :
W alter O. S tack, p resident.
R o b e rt K . Jones.
W illiam J . Swain.
Jam es B. M cM anus, secretary.
A ddress of board : D elaw are T ru s t B uilding, W ilm ington.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: F rancis E. B. M cC ann, S ta te d irector, 700
M ark et S tre e t, W ilm ington.
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MONTHLY LABOE R EV IEW
D is tr ic t of C o lu m b ia
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: A g ath a D . W ard, director, 480 In d ia n a
A venue N W ., W ashington, D . C.
F lo rid a
S tate labor inspector: Jo h n H . M ackey, Jacksonville.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: Jam es A. D avis, S ta te d irector, 230 E a st
F o rsy th S treet, Jacksonville.
G e o rg ia
D e p a rtm e n t of com m erce a n d labor:
H al M. S tanley, com m issioner.
W. E. C hristie, a ssista n t com m issioner
M rs. E d ith C oley, chief clerk.
P. T . M cC utchen, fa c to ry inspector.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: A tla n ta .
In d u stria l com m ission:
H a l M . Stanley, ch airm an (ex officio).
G eorge M. N apier, a tto rn e y general (ex officio).
M ax E. L and, rep resen tin g em ployers.
T . E. W hitak er, rep resen tin g em ployees.
C. W. R oberts, m edical director.
Sharpe Jones, se c retary -treasu rer.
E lizab eth R agland, a ssista n t secretary .
A. R . A rnau, a u d ito r a n d inspector.
H. L. S pahr, chief sta tistic ia n .
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: A tla n ta .
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
O tto P. B ading, S ta te D irector, 508 F ed eral B uilding, A tlan ta.
C ato r W oolford, F ed eral d irector, 90 Fairlie S treet, A tlan ta.
H aw aii
C i t y a n d C o u n ty o f H o n o lu lu
In d u s tria l accident bo ard :
M. M acintyre, chairm an.
A. J. C am pbell.
A. J. W irtz.
E. B. C lark.
K. B. B arnes.
A. F. Schm itz, secretary.
C o u n ty o f M a u i
In d u stria l accident b oard:
W. F. C rock ett, chairm an.
D an T . C arey.
R alp h H . W ilson.
M rs. W. W eddick.
P au l F. L ada.
M rs. F rancis S. W adsw orth, inspector a n d secretary
A ddress of b o ard : W ailuku.
C o u n ty o f H a w a i i
In d u stria l accident b o ard :
B yron K . B aird, chairm an.
O tto Rose.
Jam es W ebster.
W m, C. F oster.
D r. H . B. Elliot.
M rs. L. H azel B ayly, secretary.
A ddress of b o ard : Hilo.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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DIRECTORIES OF LABOR OFFICES
235
C o u n ty o f K a u a i
In d u s tria l accident board:
J. M. L ydgate, chairm an, Lihue.
H . H . Brodie, H anapepe.
J. B. Fernandez, jr., K ap aa.
J. P. C lapper, K ealia.
G. M. Coney, Lihue.
Id a h o
In d u s tria l accident board:
Joel Brown, chairm an.
G. W. Suppiger.
F ra n k Langley.
P. H. Q uirk, secretary.
A ddress of b o ard : Boise.
S ta te insurance fu n d : P. C. O’M alley, m anager, Boise.
In sp ecto r of m ines: S te w a rt C am pbell, Boise.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: T h o m as W. M cD onough, S ta te director,
th ird floor, Boise C ity B uilding, Boise.
Illin o is
D e p artm en t of labor:
B arney Cohen, director.
W. B. M cH enry, a ssista n t director.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S ta te C apitol, Springfield.
D ivision of facto ry inspection— W illiam H. C urran, chief inspector, 608
S outh D earb o rn S treet, Chicago.
D ivision of p riv a te em plo y m en t agencies inspection— Jo h n J. M cK enna,
chief inspector, 608 S o u th D earb o rn S treet, Chicago.
D ivision of free em ploy m en t offices— F ra n k P. U nger, S ta te su p erin ten d e n t,
S ta te C apitol, Springfield.
G eneral advisory b o ard (for Illinois free em ploym ent offices)—
B. M. Squires, chairm an.
A. H . It. A tw ood, M. D., secretary (representing em ployers).
O scar G. M ayer (representing em ployers).
Jo h n H . W alker (representing em ployees).
M iss Agnes N esto r (representing em ployees).
A ddress of bo ard : 116 N o rth D earb o rn S treet, Chicago.
In d u s tria l com m ission—
C larence S. P iggo tt, chairm an.
P e te r G rieve, jr. (representing em ployers).
H . H. W illoughby (representing em p lo y ers).
C harles F. W ills (representing em ployees).
C layton A. Pense (representing em ployees).
W alter F . R ohm , secretary .
A ddress of com m ission: 205 W est W acker D rive, Chicago.
D ivision of sta tistic s a n d research— H ow ard B. M yers, chief, 205 W est
W acker D rive, Chicago.
D e p a rtm e n t of m ines a n d m inerals:
Jo h n G. M illhouse, director, 315 E a st Cook S treet, Springfield.
P eter Joyce, assista n t director, 722 N o rth G ran d A venue w est, Springfield.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: R alp h B. Powers, S ta te director, 116 N o rth
D earborn Street, Chicago.
In d ia n a
In d u s tria l board:
Roscoe K iper, chairm an.
H a rry J. M cM illan.
W alter W. Wills.
W illiam A. F au st.
H orace G. Y ergin.
C harles A. Rockwell, secretary.
D e p a rtm e n t of factories, buildings, a n d w orkshops— Jam es E. R eagin,
chief inspector.
D e p a rtm e n t of boilers— Jam es M. W oods, chief inspector.
D e p artm en t of w om en a n d children— M rs. Jessie G rem elspacher, director.
A ddress of board: Indianapolis.
63413°—31-----16
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M ONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
D e p a rtm e n t of m ines a n d m ining— A lbert C. D ally, chief inspector, Indianapolis.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
C larence W. B aker, S ta te director, R oom 416, F ed eral B uilding, In d ia n
apolis.
W alter W. Wills, F ed eral director, R oom 404, S ta te C apitol, Indianapolis.
Iow a
B ureau of lab o r sta tistic s: A. L. U rick, C om m issioner, D es Moines.
S tate-F ed eral E m p lo y m en t Service—•
George B. A lbert, chief clerk, D es Moines.
Jo h n W. H olm es, clerk, Sioux C ity.
W orkm en’s com pensation service:
A. B. F u n k , in d u stria l com m issioner.
R alp h Y oung, d e p u ty com m issioner.
O ra W illiam s, secretary .
D r. O liver J. F a y , m edical counsel.
A ddress of service: D es Moines.
S ta te b u reau of m ines:
W. E . H olland, in sp ecto r first d istrict, C enterville.
R. T . R hys, in sp ecto r second d istrict, O ttum w a.
E d w ard Sweeney, in sp ecto r th ird d istric t, D es Moines.
W. A. Scheck, secretary , D es M oines.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
T. L. T ag g a rt, S ta te director, R oom 27, F ed eral B uilding, Sioux C ity.
H enry V. H oyer, F ed eral director, b u reau of lab o r statistics, Des Moines.
K an sas
Com m ission of lab o r a n d in d u stry :
G. C lay B aker, ch airm an .
H a rry C. B ow m an, com m issioner.
C. J. B eckm an, com m issioner.
A ddress of com m ission: S tatehouse, T opeka.
D e p a rtm e n t of w orkm en’s co m pensation—
G. C lay B aker, chairm an .
H a rry C. B ow m an, com m issioner.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S tatehouse, T opeka.
D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r—
C. J . B eckm an, F ed eral d irecto r a n d com m issioner of lab o r in charge
of facto ry a n d m ine inspection, free em ploym ent, an d w om en’s an d
children ’s division.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S tatehouse, T opeka.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
J a y M. Besore, S ta te director, R oom 300, In su ra n c e B uilding, Topeka.
C. J. B eckm an, F ed eral director, S tatehouse, T opeka.
K e n tu c k y
D e p artm en t of agricu ltu re, labor, a n d sta tistic s:
N ew ton B right, com m issioner, F ran k fo rt.
E dw ard F . Seiller, chief la b o r inspector, Louisville.
Jo h n W. R ogers, d e p u ty la b o r inspector, Louisville.
Jo h n M . H u n t, d e p u ty la b o r inspector, C ovington.
Miss Louie D u n can Brow n, d e p u ty lab o r inspector, L exington.
M rs. H allie B. W illiams, d e p u ty lab o r inspector, Louisville.
D e p a rtm e n t of m ines: Jo h n F. D aniel, chief, L exington.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard :
C lyde R . Levi, ch airm an , A shland.
C harles G orm an, m em ber, Louisville.
L u th e r C. L ittle, m em ber, M cK ee.
H . S. M cG uire, referee, L exington.
W. T . S hort, referee, R ichm ond.
J. R. H igdon, referee, O wensboro.
T. N . H azelip, referee, Louisville.
W illiam D ingus, referee, P restonsburg.
E a rl M axw ell H eav rin , secretary , F ra n k fo rt.
J. B. E versole, a c tu a ry , F ran k fo rt.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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DIRECTORIES OF LABOR OFFICES
U nited S tates E m ploym en t Service:
C ity B uilding, C en tral C ity.
237
George B aker, S ta te director, th ird floor,
L o u is ia n a
B ureau of labor an d in d u stria l statistics:
E. L. E ngerran, com m issioner.
M rs. M. V. K irby, secretary.
A ddress of b u reau : N ew Orleans.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: C harles W. Swallow, S ta te director, 521
C om m on Street, Shreveport.
M a in e
D ep artm en t of labor a n d in d u stry : C harles O. Beals, com m issioner, A ugusta.
In d u stria l accident com m ission:
D onald D. G arcelon, chairm an.
E arle L. Russell.
G ranville C. G ray.
C harles O. Beals (ex officio), com m issioner of labor.
W ilbur D. Spencer (ex officio), insurance comm issioner.
A ddress of com m ission: A ugusta.
S ta te b oard of a rb itra tio n a n d conciliation:
E dw ard F. Cowell. Berwick.
(2 vacancies.)
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
H arry T. B urr, S ta te director, R oom 59 L ibby B uilding, P o rtla n d .
C harles O. Beals, F ed eral director, S tatehouse, A ugusta.
M a ry la n d
C om m issioner of lgbor a n d sta tistic s: J. K nox Insley, M. D., 16 W est
S aratoga Street, B altim ore.
B ureau of m ines— Jo h n J. R utledge, chief m ine engineer, 22 L ig h t S treet,
B altim ore.
M ine exam ining board— Jo h n J. R utledge, chairm an, 22 L ight S treet,
B altim ore.
S ta te in d u strial accident com m ission:
R o b ert H. C arr, chairm an.
O m ar D. C rothers.
D aniel R . R andall.
A lbert E. Brow n, secretary.
M iss R. O. H arrison, directo r of claims.
R o b ert P. B ay, M. D ., chief m edical exam iner.
G ladys M. T u n stall, statistician .
S ta te accident fund—
Jam es E. Green, jr., su p erin ten d e n t.
A ddress of com m ission: 741 E q u ita b le Building, B altim ore.
U nited S tates E m ploym ent Service:
R aym ond W. B ellam y, S ta te director, 411 C ustom s H ouse, B altim ore.
J. K nox Insley, M. D., F ed eral director, 16 W est S arato g a S treet, B altim ore.
M a s s a c h u s e tts
D e p artm en t of labor a n d industries:
E. Leroy Sweetser, comm issioner.
Miss E th el M. Johnson, a ssista n t comm issioner.
A ssociate com m issioner (c o n stitu tin g th e b o ard of conciliation a n d
a rb itra tio n a n d th e m inim um wage com m ission)—
E d w ard Fisher, chairm an.
H erb ert P. W asgatt.
Sam uel Ross.
V eronica A. L ynch, secretary to th e com m issioner.
D ivision of in d u strial safety — Jo h n P. M eade, director.
D ivision of statistics (including public em ploym ent offices)— Roswell F,
Phelps, director.
D ivision of stan d ard s— F rancis M eredith, director.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r a n d in d u strie s— C o n tin u ed .
Division of m inim um wage—-Miss E th e l M. Johnson, actin g director.
In d u stria l com m ission— Leon M. L am b, secretary.
D ivision on th e necessaries of life—-Ralph W. R o b a rt, director.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S tatehouse, Boston.
D e p a rtm e n t of in d u stria l accidents:
W illiam W. K en n ard , chairm an.
A lfred B. Cenedella.
E d w ard E . C lark.
Joseph A. P arks.
C hester E . G leason.
C harles M. Stiller.
M rs. E m m a S. T o u san t.
R o b ert E . G randfield, secretary.
Francis D. D onoghue, M. D ., m edical adviser.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: S tateh o u se, Boston.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
W alter C. C onroy, S ta te director, 25 T re m o n t S treet, Boston.
E. L eroy Sw eetser, F ed eral director, 473 S tatehouse, Boston.
M ich ig a n
D e p artm en t of lab o r a n d in d u stry :
Sam uel G. B eattie, lab o r comm issioner.
Sam uel H . R hoads, chairm an, com pensation com m issioner.
Isabel Larw ill, com pensation com m issioner.
Theo. T . Jacobs, com pensation com m issioner.
Leo J. H errick, statistician .
Jo h n L. Boer, secretary.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: Lansing.
S tate accident fu n d : R oy M. W atkins, m anager, L ansing.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m e n t Service:
H enry Irv in , S ta te directo r, R oom 204, P o st Office B uilding, D etroit.
Sam uel G. B eattie, F ed eral director, S ta te C apitol, Lansing.
M in n e s o ta
In d u stria l com m ission:
J. D. W illiams, chairm an. •
H enry M cColl.
H enry M. G allagher.
F. N. G ould, secretary.
D ivision of w orkm en’s com pensation— G. E. H o ttin g er, chief.
D ivision of accid en t p rev en tio n — D av id R. H enderson, chief.
D ivision of boiler inspection— George W ilcox, chief.
D ivision of w om en a n d children— M iss Louise E. S chütz, su p erin ten d e n t.
D ivision of sta tistic s— C arl E. D ah lq u ist, chief.
A ddress of com m ission: 612 B rem er A rcade, St. Paul.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
R ichard T. Jones, S ta te d irector, R oom 304, P o st Office B uilding, M inne
apolis.
J. D. W illiams, F ederal director, 612 B rem er A rcade, St. P aul.
M ississip p i
B ureau of in d u strial hygiene a n d fa cto ry inspection:
J. W. D ugger, M. D., director.
M rs. M y rtis C lem ents, secretary.
A ddress of b u reau : P. O. Box 784, Jackson.
M isso u ri
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r a n d in d u stria l inspection: M rs. A m anda D. H argis, com
m issioner, Jefferson C ity.
W orkm en’s com pensation com m ission:
E v e rt R ichardson, chairm an.
O rin H . Shaw.
Ja y J. Jam es.
W m. T. F in d ly , secretary.
A ddress of com m ission: Jefferson C ity.
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B ureau of m ines:
F ra n k G. Fenix, chief inspector, Joplin.
John H . Boos, secretary , Jefferson C ity.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
George E. T ucker, S ta te director, 2023 M ain S treet, K an sas C ity.
A m anda D. H argis, F ed eral director, C ap ito l B uilding, Jefferson C ity.
M o n ta n a
D e p artm en t of agriculture, labor, an d in d u stry :
A. H. Stafford, comm issioner.
D ivision of labor—W a rre n W. Moses, chief.
A ddress of d ep a rtm e n t: H elena.
In d u s tria l accident board:
J. B urke C lem ents, chairm an.
G. P. P o rter, S ta te a u d ito r a n d (ex officio) com m issioner of insurance.
A. H. Stafford (ex officio), tre a su re r of th e board.
G ordon G. W a tt, secretary.
H arold 0 . M ead, chief a c c o u n tan t.
D uncan M cR ae, clerk.
B ureau of safety inspection— D u n can M cR ae, chief clerk.
A ddress of b o ard : H elena.
U nited S tates E m ploym en t Service: S tephen E ly, S ta te director, R oom 17, M on
ta n a B uilding, H elena.
N eb rask a
D e p artm en t of labor: Cecil E. M atthew s, secretary of lab o r a n d com m issioner.
B ureau of com pensation— Cecil E. M atthew s, chief.
A ddress of d ep artm e n t: S ta te C apitol, Lincoln.
U n ited S tates E m ploym en t Service: M rs. L u lah T . A ndrews, S ta te director,
R oom 528, P eters T ru s t B uilding, O m aha.
N evad a
Office of labor com m issioner: W illiam R oyle, lab o r com m issioner, C arson C ity.
In d u stria l comm ission:
D an J. Sullivan, chairm an.
W illiam Royle.
Alex L. T annahill.
V inton A. M uller, M. D., chief m edical adviser, R eno.
A ddress of com m ission: C arson C ity.
In sp ecto r of m ines: A. J. Stinson, C arson C ity.
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
Archie L. Cross, S ta te director, W ashoe C o u n ty L ib rary B uilding, R eno.
W illiam Royle, F ederal director, R oom 34, C ap ito l Building, C arson C ity .
New H a m p s h ire
B ureau of labor:
Jo h n S. B. D avie, com m issioner, Concord.
Bion L. N u ttin g , fa c to ry in spector, Concord.
H arold I. Towle, fa c to ry in spector, Laconia.
M ary R . C hagnon, fa cto ry inspector, M anchester.
S ta te b o ard of conciliation a n d a rb itra tio n :
J. R. M cL ane (representing p u b lic ), M anchester.
W alter F. D uffy (representing m an u factu rers), F ran k lin .
W illiam J. C ullen (representing lab o r), M anchester.
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
H enry A. T afe, S ta te director, R oom 218, Shea B uilding, N ashua.
John S. B. D avie, F ederal director, S ta te C apitol, Concord.
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N ew J e r s e y
D ep artm en t of lab o r: C harles R. B lu n t, com m issioner.
, B ureau of general a n d stru c tu ra l inspection a n d explosives— C harles H.
W eeks, d ep u ty com m issioner of labor.
B ureau of hygiene, sa n ita tio n , a n d m ine inspection— Jo h n R oach, d ep u ty
com m issioner of labor.
B ureau of electrical a n d m echanical eq u ip m en t— C harles H. W eeks a n d
Jo h n R oach, d e p u ty com m issioners.
B ureau of sta tistic s a n d records— Jam es A. T. G ribbin, chief.
B ureau of w om en a n d children— M rs. Isabelle M. Sum m ers, director.
B ureau of engineers’ license, steam boiler, an d refrig eratin g p la n t inspection—.
Joseph F. S co tt, chief exam iner.
B ureau of w orkm en’s co m pensation—
C harles R . B lu n t, com m issioner.
W illiam E. S tu b b s, d e p u ty com m issioner a n d secretary.
H a rry J. Goas, d e p u ty com m issioner.
C harles E . C orbin, d e p u ty com m issioner.
John J. S tah l, d e p u ty com m issioner.
D aniel A. Spair, d e p u ty com m issioner.
Jo h n W. K en t, sup erv iso r of in form al hearings.
Jo h n C. W egner, special in v estig ato r.
H a rry F. M onroe, special in v estig ato r.
F ra n k C. M obius, special in v estig ato r.
H ugh J. A rth u r, special in v estig ato r.
W illiam J. W ilkie, special in v estig ato r.
M aurice S. A vidan, M . D ., m edical adviser.
B ureau of em p lo y m en t— R ussell J. E ldridge, director.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: T ren to n .
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
P ercy L. A nderson, S ta te d irector, R oom 757,1060 B road S treet, N ew ark.
C harles R. B lu n t, F ed eral director, S tatehouse, T ren to n .
R ussell J. E ldridge, a ssista n t F ed eral director, R oom 757, 1060 B road
Street, N ew ark.
New M exico
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: M rs. E. A. P e rra u lt, S ta te d irector, C o u rt
house, A lbuquerque.
New Y o r k
D e p artm en t of labor:
Frances P erkins, in d u stria l com m issioner.
E lm er F. A ndrews, d e p u ty in d u stria l com m issioner.
M aud Sw artz, secretary .
In d u stria l b o ard —•
R ichard J. Cullen, chairm an.
Jam es S. W hipple.
E d w ard W. E dw ards.
L eonard W. H atc h .
N elle Sw artz.
D ivision of inspection— Jam es L. G ernon, director.
D ivision of w orkm en’s com pensation—
V erne A. Zim m er, director.
R ap h ael Lewy, M. D ., chief m edical exam iner.
A ddress of division: 150 L eonard S treet, New York.
D ivision of in d u stria l relatio n s— Jam es B rad y , director.
B ureau of m ed iatio n a n d a rb itra tio n — A. J. P o rte n a r, chief m ed iato r.
D ivision of em plo y m en t— F ritz K au fm an n , chief.
B ureau of aliens— Lillian R . Sire, director.
D ivision of in d u stria l codes—T hom as C. E ip p er, referee.
E d w ard E . J. Pierce, referee.
D ivision of engineering— W illiam J. P icard, chief, A lbany.
D ivision of in d u stria l hygiene— Jan ies D. H a c k e tt, director.
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D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r— C ontin u ed .
D ivision of statistics an d in form ation—
E ugene B. P a tto n , director.
S. W. Wilcox, chief sta tistic ia n , A lbany.
B ureau of w om en in in d u stry — F ried a S. M iller, director.
S tate insurance fund— C. G. Sm ith, m anager, 432 F o u rth A venue New
York.
D ivision of self-insurance— J. A. M cG inniss, director.
G eneral address of d ep a rtm e n t, except w here otherw ise n o ted : 80 C en tre
Street, New Y ork.
U nited S tates E m ploym ent Service:
__ ,
R alph H. K och, S ta te director, 15 P ine S treet, New York.
Frances Perkins, F ed eral director, 80 C en tre S treet, New h ork.
N o rth C a ro lin a
D e p a rtm e n t of labor:
F ra n k D. G rist, comm issioner, Raleigh.
D ivision of sta n d a rd s a n d inspection °— E. F. C arter, director.
In d u stria l com m ission:
M a tt H . Allen, chairm an.
J. Dewey D o rsett, representing em ployers.
T . A. W ilson, representing employees.
E. W. Price, secretary.
A ddress of com m ission: Raleigh.
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
.
N a th a n A. Gregg, S ta te director, M in t B uilding, C h arlo tte.
F ran k D. G rist, F ederal director, A g ricu ltu ra l B uilding, R aleigh.
N o rth D a k o ta
D e p a rtm e n t of ag ricu ltu re an d lab o r: Joseph A. K itch en , com m issioner, B ism arck.
W orkm en’s com pensation b u reau :
Joseph A. K itch en , chairm an.
W. C. Preckel.
S. A. Olsness.
W. H . S tu tsm an .
R. E. W enzel.
C arl E . K n u d tso n , secretary.
A ddress of b u re a u : B ism arck.
M inim um w age com m ission: Alice Angus, secretary, B ism arck.
C oal m ine inspection d e p a rtm e n t: E d w in R . R u p p , inspector, B ism arck.
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: R oland A. R ottw eiler, S ta te d irector, R oom
307, Federal building, G ran d Forks.
O hio
D e p a rtm e n t of in d u strial relatio n s: T . A. E dm ondson, director.
In d u s tria l com m ission—
W ellington T . L eonard, chairm an.
L. E. N ysew ander.
T hom as M. G regory.
T . A. E dm ondson, secretary .
D ivision of w orkm en’s com pensation—,
L loyd D. T eeters, chief a n d a ssista n t director, d e p a rtm e n t of in d u strial
relations.
(V acancy) supervisor of claims.
W. K . M errim an, a ssista n t supervisor of claims.
E v a n I. E vans, supervisor of a c tu a ria l division.
G L. C offinberry, a u d ito r a n d sta tistic ia n .
H. H . D orr, M. D ., chief m edical exam iner.
D ivision of lab o r sta tistic s a n d em p lo y m en t offices— Jo h n B. G ilbert, chief.
D ivision of safety a n d hygiene—T hom as P. K earns, su p erin ten d e n t.
C arl C. B easor, chief sta tistic ia n .
D ivision of facto ry inspection— E d g a r W. Brill, chief.
»All powers, duties, functions, and personnel of the Child Welfare Commission are transferred to this
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D e p a rtm e n t of in d u stria l relatio n s— C o n tin u ed .
D ivision of boiler inspection— C arl O. M yers, chief.
D ivision of exam iners of steam engineers— Jos. M. W irm el, chief.
D ivision of m ines— Jam es B erry, chief.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: C olum bus.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
W m. R o b in ett, S ta te director, 501 S pahr Building, Colum bus.
Jo h n B. G ilbert, F ed eral director, P u re Oil Building, C olum bus.
O k la h o m a
D e p a rtm e n t of labo r:
W. A. P a t M u rp h y , com m issioner.
Jam es H ughes, a ssista n t com m issioner.
B ureau of facto ry in spection— F red K em p, chief inspector.
D ivision of w om en a n d children in in d u stry —
Zelda H arrel, inspector.
G race C lark, inspector.
B ureau of lab o r sta tistic s— A dah E. M auldin, statistician .
B ureau of free em p lo y m en t—
O klahom a C ity office (m en’s division), J. R. M cC arty , su p erin ten d e n t.
O klahom a C ity office (w om en’s division), M rs. L. C. Pierce, superin
te n d e n t.
T u lsa office, E. N. Ellis, su p erin ten d e n t.
M uskogee office, S. A. R eed, su p erin ten d e n t.
E n id office, J. O. R oach, su p erin ten d e n t.
S ta te board of a rb itra tio n a n d conciliation—
W. A. P a t M u rp h y , chairm an.
Jam es H ughes, secretary .
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t excep tw h ere otherw ise n o ted : O k lahom a C ity .
In d u stria l com m ission:
T hom as H . D oyle, chairm an.
M a tt M cE lroy, com m issioner.
F red H . F an n in , com m issioner.
C hester N apps, secretary .
N ancy H ood, sta tistic ia n .
A ddress of com m ission, O klahom a C ity.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: W. A. P a t M u rp h y , F ed eral director,
S ta te C apitol, O klahom a C ity.
O reg o n
B ureau of labor:
C. H. G ram , com m issioner a n d fa cto ry inspector, Salem.
C arl Stoll, d e p u ty com m issioner, P o rtlan d .
S ta te w elfare com m ission:
(V acancies)
S ta te in d u stria l accid en t com m ission:
C has. T . E arly , chairm an.
A rth u r W. Law rence.
A lbert H . H u n te r.
A ndrew C. Sm ith, M. D., m edical exam iner.
A ddress of com m ission: Salem.
S tate b oard of conciliation:
W illiam L. B rew ster, chairm an, F ailing B uilding, P o rtla n d .
C harles N . R y an , 704 C ouch B uilding, P o rtlan d .
W illiam E. K im sey, secretary , 286 M ain S treet, P o rtlan d .
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m e n t Service:
E. J. S tack, S ta te d irector, 101 C ourthouse B uilding, P o rtlan d .
C. H . G ram , F ed eral director, R oom 101, C ourthouse, P o rtlan d .
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P e n n s y lv a n ia
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r an d in d u s try : D r. A. M. N o rtliru p , secretary.
In d u s tria l b oard—D r. A. M. N o rtliru p , chairm an.
A. L. L inderm an.
Jo h n A. Phillips.
George W. Fisher.
M rs. H u g h N eely Flem ing.
J. S. A rnold, secretary .
W orkm en’s in surance b o ard —■
D r. A. M . N o rth ru p , chairm an.
C harles F . A rm strong, in su ran ce com m issioner.
E d w ard M artin , S ta te treasu rer.
S ta te w orkm en’s in su ran ce fu n d — W. Ja c k S titeler, jr., m anager.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard —
A rth u r C. D ale, chairm an.
W illiam J. B urchinal.
E d w ard J. H u n te r.
D r. A. M. N o rth ru p , ex officio.
J. C. D etw eiler, secretary .
B ureau of executive— W. A. R iddle, d e p u ty secretary.
B ureau of w orkm en’s com pensation— W. H . H orner, director.
B ureau of em ploym en t— S. S. R iddle, d irector.
B ureau of in d u stria l relatio n s— A m brose L angan, director.
B ureau of in d u stria l sta n d a rd s— Jo h n C am pbell, director.
B ureau of w om en a n d children— B eatrice M cC onnell, director.
B ureau of inspection— H a rry D . Im m el, director.
B ureau of reh ab ilitatio n — H a rry T rebilcox, director.
B ureau of statistics— W illiam J . M aguire, director.
B ureau of bedding a n d u p h o lstery — M. P. F rederick, director.
B ureau of accounting — W illiam C. H alfpenny, director.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: H arrisburg.
D e p a rtm e n t of m in e s:
(3 vacancies.)
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
Lewis G. H ines, S ta te director, R oom 1005, G im bel B uilding, P h ila
delphia.
S. S. R iddle, F ed eral director, 410 S o u th Office B uilding, T h e C apitol,
H arrisburg.
P h ilip p in e Isla n d s
B ureau of lab o r (under d e p a rtm e n t of com m erce a n d co m m u n icatio n s):
H erm enegildo C ruz, director.
M odesto Joaquin , a ssista n t director.
A dm inistrative division— Lorenzo L. Z ialcita, chief clerk.
Office of th e a tto rn ey of labor—R ern a b e B utalid, a tto rn e y .
Conciliation and a rb itra tio n division— M rs. N ieves B aens del R osario, chief.
Division of inspection a n d sta tistic s— R osendo R egalado, chief.
In terislan d m igration division— G abriel A lba, com m issioner.
M arine an d em ploym en t division— Albino C. D im ayuga, chief.
A ccounting division— Ju lian Y ap, acco u n tan t.
A ddress of b u reau : M anila.
P o r to R ico
D e p a rtm e n t of labor:
Prudencio R iv era M artinez, com m issioner.
W illiam D. Lopez, a ssista n t com m issioner.
Louis V illaronga, chairm an, m ed iatio n a n d conciliation comm ission.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: San Ju a n .
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In d u stria l com m ission:
J u a n M . H errero, chairm an.
M. L eon P a rra , com m issioner.
F. P az G ranela, com m issioner.
Jo aq u in A. B ecerril, secretary.
A ddress of com m ission: San Ju a n .
R h o d e Is la n d
D ep artm en t of lab o r: D aniel F. M cL aughlin, com m issioner, Providence.
Office of facto ry insp ecto rs: J . E llery H udson, chief inspector, Providence.
B oard of lab o r (for th e a d ju s tm e n t of la b o r d is p u te s):
D aniel F . M cL aughlin, com m issioner of labor, chairm an.
E dw in O. C hase (representing em ployers).
W illiam C. F ish er (representing em ployers).
A lbert E . H o h ler (representing em ployees).
R oderick A. M cG arry (representing em ployees).
C hristoph er M . D u n n , d e p u ty com m issioner of labor, secretary .
A ddress of b o ard : Providence.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
R oderick A. M cG arry, S ta te director, R oom 225, 49 W estm in ster
S tre e t, P ro v id en ce.
D aniel F. M cL aughlin, F ed eral director, R oom 318, S ta te C apitol,
Providence.
S o u th C a ro lin a
D e p artm en t of agricu ltu re, com m erce, a n d in d u stries: J. W. Shealy, comm issioner.
L ab o r division— A. H . G ilbert, jr., chief inspector.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: C olum bia.
B oard of conciliation a n d a rb itra tio n :
Jam es C. Self, chairm an, G reenwood.
H . E . T hom pson, secretary, B atesburg.
W. H . M cN airy, Dillon.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: R . D. M cM illan, S ta te director, Florence
T ru st Building, Florence.
S o u th D a k o ta
Office of in d u strial com m issioner: D . R . P erkins, in d u stria l com m issioner, Pierre.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
C harles S. W eller, S ta te director, R oom 3, F ed eral B uilding, M itchell.
C harles M cCaffree, F ed eral director, S ta te C apitol, Pierre.
T e n n e s se e
D e p a rtm e n t of L abor:
Jam es M . Southall, com m issioner a n d S ta te fire m arshal.
A lbert M. A lexander, secretary.
D ivision of facto ry in sp ectio n — M. F . N icholson, chief inspector.
D ivision of m ines— A. W. E v an s, chief in spector, P etros.
D ivision of ho tel inspection— Sam I. B olton, inspector.
D ivision of w orkm en’s co m p e n sa tio n —-W. M. H a n n ah , su p erin te n d e n t.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t except w here otherw ise n o ted : N ashville.
U n ited S ta te s E m p lo y m en t Service: M 'ajor R o b e rt N elson C am pbell, S ta te
director, 215 P o st Office B uilding, K noxville.
Texas
B ureau of lab o r sta tistic s:
R o b ert B. G ragg, com m issioner.
M rs. L illian D avis S m ith , secretary.
M arie N ash, a ss ista n t secretary.
A ddress of b u reau : A ustin.
In d u stria l com m ission (handles in d u stria l disputes) :
C arl Pool, chairm an, Sherm an.
A. L. K insley, secretary , San A ntonio.
W. J. M oran, E l Paso.
H a rry L. Spencer, H ouston.
L. L. Shields, Colem an.
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In d u stria l accident bo ard :
E arle P. A dam s, chairm an.
Mrs. E sp a S tanford, m em ber.
H . T . K im bro, m em ber.
W. V. H ow erton, secretary.
A ddress of b o ard : A ustin.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: C ony W arren W oodm an, S ta te director,
249 W est T w elfth S treet, F o rt W orth.
U ta h
In d u s tria l com m ission:
W illiam M. K n err, ch airm an
O. F . M cShane.
H enry N . H ayes.
C arolyn I. Sm ith, secretary .
S ta te in surance fu n d — C harles A. C aine, m anager.
C oal m ine inspector— Jo h n T aylor.
A ddress of com m ission: S alt L ake C ity.
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: A. C. W ilson, S ta te d irector, 214 B oston
B uilding, S a lt L ake C ity.
V e rm o n t
Office of com m issioner of in d u stries:
C larence R . W hite, com m issioner, M ontpelier.
F red S. Pease, d e p u ty com m issioner, B urlington.
C harles A. R oot, facto ry inspector, B urlington.
U n ited S ta te s E m p lo y m en t Service:
L. L. L ane, S ta te director, F ed eral B uilding, R u tlan d .
C larence R . W hite, F ederal director, S ta te C apitol, M ontpelier.
V irg in ia
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r a n d in d u stry :
Jo h n H opkins H all, jr., com m issioner.
H . W. Furlow , assista n t com m issioner.
V irginia J . R eynolds, secretary.
D ivision of m ines— A. G. Lucas, chief.
D ivision of facto ry inspection— S. A. M inter, chief.
D ivision of w om en an d children— C arrie B. F arm er, director.
D ivision of research a n d sta tistic s— R. H . B arker, director.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: R ichm ond.
In d u stria l com m ission:
C. G. K izer, chairm an.
W. H . Nickels, jr.
P ark e P. D eans.
W. F . B ursey, secretary.
W ade M. Miles, d e p u ty com m issioner, B ristol.
F. P. E vans, statistician .
W. L. R obinson, exam iner.
A ddress of com m ission except w here otherw ise n o ted : S ta te Office
B uilding, R ichm ond.
U n ited S ta te s E m p lo y m en t Service:
_
.
W alter W. B ry an t, S ta te director, R oom 305, F ed eral B uilding, R oanoke.
Jo h n H opkins H all, jr., F ederal director, R oom 318, S ta te Office B uilding,
R ichm ond.
W a s h in g to n
D ep artm en t of lab o r an d in d u stries:
C laire B ow m an, d irector.
H . D . H ailey, secretary.
D ivision of in d u stria l insurance—
_
.
,
Jo h n Shaughnessy, supervisor of in d u stria l insurance a n d m edical aid.
L. L. G oodnow, M. D ., chief m edical adviser.
R . J. M cL ean, claim agent.
D ivision of safety—•
L. M. R ickerd, supervisor of safety.
W illiam R. Reese, m ines inspector.
George T . W ake, d e p u ty m ine inspector.
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MONTHLY LABOR R EV IEW
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r a n d in d u strie s— C o n tin u ed .
D ivision of in d u stria l relatio n s—L. M. R ickerd, supervisor of in d u stria l relations.
W illiam J . C oates, a ss ista n t sup erv iso r of in d u stria l relations.
R. M. V an D orn, in d u stria l sta tistic ia n .
M rs. G. V. H an ey , su pervisor of w om en in in d u stry .
In d u stria l w elfare com m ittee—
C laire B ow m an, d irecto r of lab o r a n d in d u stries, ch airm an .
Jo h n Shaughnessy, su pervisor of in d u stria l insurance.
L. M. R ickerd, su p erv iso r of in d u s tria l relations.
R. M. V an D orn, in d u stria l sta tistic ia n .
M rs. G. V. H an ey , su p erv iso r of w om en in in d u stry , executive secretary .
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: O lym pia.
U nited S ta te s E m p lo y m en t Service: W. C. C arp en te r, S ta te directo r, R oom 421,
F ederal B uilding, Spokane.
W e s t V irg in ia
B ureau of labor: H ow ard S. J a r re tt, com m issioner, C h arlesto n .
W orkm en’s com pen satio n d e p a rtm e n t:
Lee O tt, com m issioner.
Jo h n T . M oore, a ss ista n t to com m issioner.
C. D. S m ith, secretary .
J. E . B row n, a tto rn e y .
J. W . Sm iley, a c tu a ry .
Lewis J . F rey , sta tistic ia n .
R ussel Kessel, M . D ., chief m edical exam iner.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: C harleston.
D e p a rtm e n t of m ines: R . M. L am bie, chief, C harleston.
U nited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service:
A rth u r D, Lilly. S ta te director, R oom 304, D av id so n B uilding, C h arlesto n .
H ow ard S. J a r re tt, F ed eral director, P ublic L ib rary B uilding, C h arlesto n .
W is c o n s in
In d u stria l com m ission:
F red M . W ilcox, chairm an.
R . G. K n u tso n , com m issioner.
V oyta W rab etz, com m issioner.
A. J. A ltm eyer, secretary .
S afety a n d sa n ita tio n d e p a rtm e n t— R . M cA. K eow n, engineer.
W orkm en’s com pensation d e p a rtm e n t— F. T . M cC orm ick, H . A. N elson,
A. T . F lin t, I. M . K ittleso n , H . F. O hm , exam iners.
A pprenticeship d e p a rtm e n t— W alter F. Sim on, supervisor.
W om an an d child lab o r d e p a rtm e n t—
T ay lo r F ry e, director.
M iss M au d S w ett, field d irector, M ilw aukee.
S tatistical d e p a rtm e n t— O rrin A. F ried, sta tistic ia n .
A ddress of com m ission: M adison.
B oard of conciliation:
C hris H ochgreve, G reen B ay.
Jacob P. B euscher, M ilw aukee.
H om er W itzig, Superior.
U nited S ta te s E m p lo y m en t Service:
R oy E m pey, S ta te D irector, R oom 418, P o st Office B uilding, M ilw aukee.
R . G. K n u tso n , F ed eral director, S ta te C apitol, M adison.
H a rry L ip p a rt, a ssista n t F ed eral director, 510 E dison S treet, M ilw aukee.
W y o m in g
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r a n d sta tistic s:
W. E . Jones, com m issioner.
L. T . Cox, d e p u ty com m issioner.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: C heyenne.
C hild lab o r board:
W. E . Jones, secretary .
B. H . M cIn to sh .
W. H . H assed, M .D .
A ddress of b o ard : C heyenne.
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DIRECTORIES OF LABOR OFFICES
247
C oal-m ine inspection d e p artm e n t:
L ym an F ern, chief, R ock Springs.
D avid K . W ilson, d ep u ty , R ock Springs.
R. E . G ildroy, d ep u ty , Sheridan.
,
.
W orkm en’s com pensation d e p a rtm e n t (u n d er S ta te tre a su re r s office).
H . R. W eston, S ta te treasu rer.
C. B. M organ, d e p u ty treasu rer.
A rth u r C alverley, a ssista n t d e p u ty a n d d e p a rtm e n t m anager.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: C ap ito l B uilding, Cheyenne.
U n ited S tates E m p lo y m en t Service: Joseph F. M innick, S ta te director, 4 0 5
C on-R oy B uilding, C asper.
F o re ig n C o u n trie s
C anada
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r :
.
H on. S enator G. D. R obertson, m inister.
H . H . W ard, d e p u ty m inister.
G erald H . Brow n, a ssista n t d ep u ty m inister.
M. S. C am pbell, chief conciliation officer.
R A. Rigg, directo r of em plo y m en t service.
E . G. B lackadar, su p e rin te n d e n t of D om inion G overn m en t annu ities.
F. A. M cG regor, re g istra r of com bines in v estig atio n act.
C. W. B olton, chief of sta tistic a l branch.
F. J. P lan t, chief of lab o r intelligence branch.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: O ttaw a, O ntario.
Alberta
B ureau of labor:
W. S m itten, com m issioner of labor.
F. W. H obson, chief boiler inspector.
H . M. Bishop, chief facto ry inspector.
G. P. B arber, chief th e a te r inspector.
A. A. M illar, chief m ine inspector.
E m ploym ent service— W illiam C arnill, director.
M inim um wage board —
A. A. C arp en ter, chairm an.
W . S m itten, com m issioner of labor, secretary.
A ddress of b u reau : E dm onton.
G overnm ent em ploym ent b u reau :
W illiam C arnill, director, E dm onton.
L. J. Ricks, superin ten d e n t, C algary.
W. G. P aterson, su p erin ten d e n t, E dm onton.
A. R . R edshaw , su p erin ten d e n t, L ethbridge.
J W. W right, su p erin ten d e n t, M edicine H a t.
A. A. C olquohoun, su p erin ten d e n t, D rum heller.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard :
Alex Ross, chairm an.
W alter F. M cN eill, comm issioner.
Jam es A. K inney, comm issioner.
F rederick D . N oble, secretary.
A ddress of bo ard : Q u’Appelle B uilding, E d m o n to n .
British Columbia
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r:
. .
H on. W . A. M cK enzie, m inister.
J. D. M cN iven, d e p u ty m inister.
W T H am ilton, chief factories inspector, V ancouver.
E m ploym ent service— J. H. M cV ety, general su p erin ten d e n t, V ancouver.
M inim um w age (for females) bo ard
, .
j . d . M cN iven, d ep u ty m in ister of labor, chairm an.
Mrs. H elen G. M acGilh
T hom as M athew s.
Miss M abel Agnes C am eron, secretary.
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MONTHLY LABOR REV IEW
D e p a rtm e n t of la b o r— C on tin u ed .
H ours of w ork a n d m inim um wage (for males) b o ard —J . D. M cN iven, d e p u ty
m inister of labor, chairm an.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t except w here otherw ise n o ted : P a rlia m e n t
B uilding, V ictoria.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard :
E. S. H . W inn, K . C., chairm an.
P ark er W illiams.
H ugh B. G ilm our.
F. W. H insdale, secretary .
A ddress of b o ard : B oard of T rad e B uilding, V ancouver.
Manitoba
B ureau of labor:
W. R. C lubb, m in ister of public works.
E d w ard M cG rath , secretary.
A rth u r M acN am ara, a ssista n t d e p u ty m in ister of p ublic w orks.
F a ir w age b oard —
A rth u r M acN am ara.
J. W. M orley.
E . C laydon.
T hom as J. W illiam s.
C. J . H arding.
M inim um wage b o ard —G eorge N . Jackson, chairm an.
M rs. E d n a M. N ash.
Jam es W inning.
M rs. Jessie M aclennon.
E . R. K ennedy.
A ddress of b u reau : W innipeg.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard :
C. K. N ewcom be, com m issioner.
George E . C arp en ter, director.
J. L. M cB ride, director.
A. J. F raser, M. D ., chief m edical officer.
N icholas F letch er, secretary.
P . V. E. Jones, a ssista n t secretary.
A ddress of b o ard : W innipeg.
New Brunswick
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r: H . I. T aylor, m inister, St. George.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard :
Jo h n A. Sinclair, chairm an.
F ra n k C. R obinson, vice chairm an.
R . B. Irving, actin g comm issioner.
D e p a rtm e n t of fa cto ry inspection— Jo h n K enney, inspector.
A ddress of b o ard : St. Johns.
Nova Scotia
D e p a rtm e n t of public w orks a n d m ines:
Colonel, th e H on. G ordon S. H arrin g to n , p rem ier a n d m inister.
N o rm an M cK enzie, d e p u ty m inister.
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: H alifax.
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard :
F. L. M ilner, K . C., chairm an.
F red W . A rm strong, vice chairm an.
Jo h n T . Jo y , com m issioner.
D r. M. D . M orrison, m edical officer.
Jo h n M cK eagan, assessm ent officer.
N . M. M orison, claim s officer.
M iss M. M. S kerry, secretary .
A ddress of b o ard : H alifax.
E m p lo y m en t service:
C. J. C o tte r, su p e rin te n d e n t m en ’s division, H alifax.
M iss E ld a E . Caldw ell, su p e rin te n d e n t w om en’s division, H alifax.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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DIRECTORIES OF LABOR OFFICES
249
Ontario
D e p a rtm e n t of la b o r:
H on. J. D. M o n teith , m inister.
A. W . C raw ford, d e p u ty m inister.
D . M. M edcalf, chief in sp ecto r of steam boilers.
Jam es T . B urke, chief in sp ecto r of factories.
_
*
J. M. B row n, ch airm an , b o ard of exam iners of sta tio n a ry a n d hoisting
engineers.
,
H . C. H udson, general su p erin ten d e n t, O ntario gov ern m en t em plo y m en t
offices.
A. W. C raw ford, in sp ecto r of appren ticesh ip .
A ddress of d e p a rtm e n t: E a s t Block, P a rlia m e n t B uildings, T o ro n to .
M inim um w age b o ard :
D r. J . W . M acm illan, chairm an.
H . G. F ester.
A ddress oi oo aru : jvast Block, P a rlia m e n t B uildings, l o i onto.
W orkm en ’s com pensation b o ard :
V ictor A. Sinclair, K . C., chairm an.
H enry J. H alford, vice chairm an.
G eorge A. K ingsto n , com m issioner.
N. B. W orm ith, secretary . _
T . N o rm an D ean, sta tistic ia n .
F. W . G raham , claim s officer.
D. E . Bell, chief m edical officer.
J. M. B rem ner, m edical officer.
J. F. H azlew ood, m edical officer.
A ddress of b o ard : M etro p o litan B uilding, T oro n to .
Quebec
D e p a rtm e n t of public w orks a n d lab o r:
H on. J. N . F ran co eu r, K . C., m in ister, Quebec.
Louis G uyon, d e p u ty m in ister a n d chief in sp ecto r of in d u stria l e sta b
lishm ents a n d pu b lic buildings, 97 N o tre D am e S tre e t east, M on treal.
A lfred R o b ert, fa ir w ages officer a n d d e p u ty chief inspector, J7 N o tre
D am e S tre e t ea st, M ontreal.
M axim e M orin, K. C ., re g istra r of b o ard of conciliation a n d a rb itra tio n ,
P arliam en t B uildings, Q uebec.
.
Joseph Ainey, general su p e rin te n d e n t of p rovincial em p lo y m en t buieaus,
61 N o tre D am e S tre e t east,_ M ontreal.
W om en’s m inim um w age com m ission—
G u stav e F ran cq , ch airm an , 89 N o tre D am e S tre et east, M ontreal.
A lfred Crow e, secretary , 229 S t. P a u l S treet, Quebec.
W orkm en’s com pensation com m ission:
R o b ert T aschereau, K . C., chairm an.
Sim on L apointe, K . C.
O. E. Sharpe.
O. G. M olleur, secretary .
A ddress of com m ission: 73 G rande Allee, Quebec.
Saskatchewan
D e p a rtm e n t of railw ays, lab o r, a n d in d u stries:
H on. J. A. M erkley, m inister.
T hom as M. M olloy, d e p u ty m inister.
T hom as Inglis, chief boiler inspector.
Sam uel A. Lee, m ines inspector.
A. E. E tte r, gam e com m issioner.
G erald E . T o m se tt, g eneral su p e rin te n d e n t of em p lo y m en t service.
M iss G. H alb ert, m in im u m w age inspector.
*
i
___
'R nilrH no*
j
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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r v P C F l T i l l ,.
250
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
Minimum wage board:
A. J. W ickens, K . C., chairm an, M oose Jaw .
M rs. E th e l H enderson, Moose Jaw .
M rs. G race C han d ler, R egina.
R alp h H eseltine, R egina.
S tan ley E d w ard s, Saskatoon.
W orkm en’s com pen satio n b o ard :
N . R . C raig, ch airm an .
A ddress of b o ard : 7 F a rm e rs’ B uilding, R egina.
O th e r F o re ig n C o u n trie s
A lbania.
M inistry of P ublic W orks (address, T iran a ).
A rgen tina.
M inistry of th e In te rio r (address, B uenos A ires):
National labor department.
A ustralia.
C om m onw ealth B u reau of C ensus a n d S ta tistic s (address, M elbourne).
A ustria.
Federal Ministry of Social Administration (address, 1 Hanuschgasse 3
Vienna).
B elg iu m .
M inistry of In d u s try , L abor, a n d Social W elfare (address, 12 R u e L am berm ont, B ru ssels):
L ab o r office.
Bolivia.
N atio n al L abo r Office (address, L a P az).
M inistry of P ro m o tio n (address, L a P az).
Brazil.
M inistry of A griculture, In d u s try , a n d C om m erce (address, R io de Jan eiro ).
B ulgaria.
M inistry of C om m erce, In d u s try , a n d L ab o r (address, R ue A laninska 48
S o fia):
’
L ab o r section.
Chile.
M in istry of Social W elfare (address, S antiago).
C h in a.
M inistry of In d u stry , C om m erce, a n d L ab o r (address, N anking).
D e p a rtm e n t of la b o r.1
C olom b ia.
G eneral L abor Office:
M in istry of In d u strie s (address, B ogota).
C osta R ica.
M in istry of P u b lic W orks (address, San Jose).
C uba.
S ecretariat of A griculture, Com m erce, a n d L ab o r (address, H a b a n a ).
C zechoslovakia.
M inistry of Social W elfare 2 (address, V ald sty nsk a, 10, P rague, I I I ) .
M inistry of P ublic W orks 3 (address, P resslova, 6, P rag u e-S m ich o v ).
D en m a rk .
Social M in istry :
L abor b oard (address, 25 A m aliegade, C o p en h ag en ).
L abor an d fa c to ry in spection d e p a rtm e n t (address, 25 A m aliegade
C openh ag en ).
W orkm en’s com pensation b o ard (address, 3 K ongens N y to rv C open
hagen) .
’
^
Three sections dealing with labor organizations, labor legislation, and social welfare, respectively.
21Handles
labor relations at large.
3Labor questions relating to workers in mines; in su ran c e statistics.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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DIRECTORIES OF LABOR OFFICES
251
D o m in ica n R epublic.
Department of Agriculture and Commerce (address, San Domingo).
D u tc h E ast Indies.
D e p a rtm e n t of Ju stice (address, B ata v ia , J a v a ) :
L abor bureau.
E cuador.
M in istry of Public W elfare a n d L ab o r (address, Q uito).
E gypt.
M in istry of In terio r, C ouncil of A rb itra tio n (address, C airo).
D e p a rtm e n t of lab o r.4
E ston ia.
M inistry of E d u catio n a n d Social W elfare (address, T allinn).
F in la n d .
M inistry of Social Affairs (address, H elsingfors).
F ran ce.
M inistry of L abor an d H ygiene (address, R ue de G renelle, 127, P aris).
G erm a n y .
M inistry of L abor (address, S ch arn h o rststrasse, 35, B erlin N W ., 40).
G reat B ritain.
M inistry of L abor (address, M ontague H ouse, W hitehall, L ondon SW ., 1).
G reece.
M inistry of N atio n al E conom y (address, R ue V alaoritou, 3 A thens).
D irecto rate of lab o r a n d social welfare.
G u a tem a la .
M inistry of P ublic W orks 5 (address, G u atem ala).
M inistry of A griculture 6 (address, G u a te m a la ).
H aiti.
D e p a rtm e n t of L abor (address, P o rt au P rince).
H on d u r a s.
M inister of P ublic W orks a n d A griculture (address, T egucigalpa).
H u n g a ry .
M inistry of Social W elfare a n d L ab o r (address, K y raly i P alo ta, B u d ap est).
G overnm ent S tatistica l Office (address, I I K eleti K aro ly u tc a 5, B udapest).
In d ia.
D e p a rtm e n t of In d u strie s (address, D elhi).
L abor Office of th e G overn m en t of B om bay (address, B om bay).
Irish Free S ta te.
D e p a rtm e n t of In d u s try an d Com m erce (address, G overn m en t Building,
D ublin).
Ita ly .
M inistry of C orporatio n s (address, R om e).
Japan.
B ureau of Social Affairs (address, T okyo).
L atvia.
M in istry of P ublic W elfare (address, R iga).
L ith u a n ia .
M inistry of H om e Affairs (address, K au n as).
L u xem b u rg.
G eneral D irecto rate of A griculture, In d u stry , a n d Social W elfare (address,
L uxem burg C ity ):
D ivision of com m erce, in d u stry , a n d labor.
* Handles all matters pertaining to labor.
Handles questions relating to urban labor matters
Handles questions relating to rural labor matters.
5
6
63413°— 31-
-17
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
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MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
M exico.
D e p artm en t of In d u stry , Com m erce, a n d L ab o r (address, A venida R epública
A rgentina, num . 12, Mexico C ity).
N eth erla n d s.
M inistry of L abor, Com m erce, a n d In d u s try (address, B eznidenhout, The
H ag u e).
N ew Z ealand.
D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r (address, W ellington).
N icaragu a.
M inistry of P ublic W orks (address, M anagua).
N orw ay.
M inistry of Social Affairs (address, V iktoria terrasse, 11-13, Oslo).
Panam a.
M inistry of A griculture a n d P ublic W orks (address, P an am a).
P a ra g u a y .
M inistry of In te rio r (address, A suncion).
Persia.
M inistry of Com m erce, A griculture, a n d P ublic W orks (address, T e h e ra n ).
P eru .
M inistry of P ublic W orks (address, L im a).
P o la n d .
M inistry of L ab o r a n d Social W elfare (address, Place D om brow ski, 1,
W arsaw ).
P o rtu g a l.
M inistry of Com m erce a n d C om m unications (address, Lisbon).
R u m a n ia .
M inistry of L ab o r (address, B ucharest).
Salvador.
M inistry of th e In terio r, In d u stry , an d A griculture (address, San S alvador).
S ia m .
M inistry of Com m erce a n d C om m unications (address, B a n g k o k ):
B oard of com m ercial d evelopm ent (deals w ith lab o r m a tte rs).
S p a in .
M inistry of L ab o r (address, M adrid).
S w ed en .
M inistry of th e In te rio r, D ivision of Social Affairs (address, M v n tto rg e t 2.
S to ck h o lm ):
Social board.
Sw itzerlan d .
F ederal D e p a rtm e n t of N atio n al E conom y (address, P alais Federal, B erne):
Federal lab o r office.
T urkey.
M inistry of E conom y (address, A n k ara (A ngora), T urkey).
U n io n o f S o u th A frica.
D e p a rtm e n t of L ab o r (address, P reto ria).
U ruguay.
M inistry of In d u stries (address, M o n tev id eo ):
N atio n al lab o r office.
V enezu ela,
M inistry of A griculture, M ines, an d T rad e (address, C aracas).
Y u goslavia.
M in istry of Social Policies (address, B elgrade).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[252]
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
O fficial— U n ite d S ta t e s
I n d ia n a po l is C om mission for S ta biliza tio n of E m plo y m en t . F act - F in d
in g C om m ittee .
P r o b le m s o f u n e m p lo y m e n t i n I n d i a n a p o l i s . I n d i a n
a p o lis , N o v e m b e r , 1 9 3 0 .
27 pp.
M a ssa c h u se t t s .— D e p a rtm e n t of L abor a n d In d u stries.
R e p o r t o f a n i n v e s ti
g a tio n a s to th e c a u s e s o f e x is tin g u n e m p lo y m e n t a n d to r e m e d ie s th e re fo r .
B o s to n , 1 9 3 1 .
104 pp.
( H o u s e R e p o r t N o . 1 2 9 8 .)
T his stu d y shows th e e x te n t of un em p lo y m en t in M assachusetts, em p lo y m en t
of persons over 45 years of age, effect of consolidations a n d m ergers, rem o v al of
industries, effect of im m igratio n on surplus labor, technological un em p lo y m en t,
a n d em ploym ent of m arried women, a n d gives rem edies for unem ploym ent, a n d
recom m endations.
O h io .— In d u s tria l Com m ission. S p e c i a l B u l l e t i n N o . 2 : S t a t i s t i c a l r e p o r ts o f
i n j u r i e s to m in o r s u n d e r 1 8 y e a r s o f a g e , o c c u p a tio n a l d is e a s e c la im s , a d d i
tio n a l a w a r d c la im s .
P r e p a r e d b y th e D i v i s io n o f S a f e t y a n d H y g ie n e .
C o lu m
b u s, 1 9 3 1 . 9 6 p p .
S po k a n e C ounty [W a s h .] C o o rdination B u r e a u .
S ta te -N a tio n a l C ooper
atio n C om m ittee.
1 9 3 0 -3 1 .
E m p l o y m e n t s u r v e y i n th e P a c if ic n o r th w e s t, w i n t e r o f
S p o k a n e , W a s h ., 1 9 3 1 .
[ V a r i o u s p a g in g , m im e o g r a p h e d .]
T his re p o rt show s th e p rin cip al in d u stries of th e S ta te of W ashington, th e
nu m ber of persons engaged in each, a n d th e ac tiv itie s of th e various counties
designed to m eet th e problem s arising o u t of u n em ploym ent.
W estm or ela nd
C ounty [P a .] LTnem plo ym ent C o m m ittee .— R e p o r t to D r .
C ly d e K i n g , C h a ir m a n , P e n n s y l v a n i a U n e m p lo y m e n t C o m m itte e .
G reen sb u rg ,
P a ., F e b ru ra y 1 1 , 1 9 3 1 .
13 p p .
( M im e o g r a p h e d .)
T his stu d y show s th e dollar value of p ro jected public w ork in th e c o u n ty for
1931 a n d facts relativ e to th e business a c tiv ity in im p o rta n t in d u stria l estab lish
m ents an d centers.
U n it e d S t a t e s .— Congress. H ouse of R ep resen tativ es. R e p o r t N o . 24-53 ( 7 1 s t
C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) : R e g u la tio n o f w a g e s p a i d to e m p lo y e e s b y c o n tr a c to r s a w a r d e d
G o v e r n m e n t b u ild in g c o n tr a c ts .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
2 pp.
---------------------- C om m ittee on L abor.
R e g u la tio n o f w a g e s p a i d to e m p lo y e e s b y
c o n tr a c to r s a w a r d e d G o v e r n m e n t b u ild in g c o n tr a c ts .
H e a r in g s , 7 1 s t C o n g .,
3 d s e s s ., o n H . R . 1 6 6 1 9 , J a n u a r y 3 1 , 1 9 3 1 ,
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
22 pp.
-------------- Senate.
D o c u m e n t N o . 3 2 7 ( 7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s .) : I n j u n c t i o n s i n
la b o r d i s p u t e s ; s ta te m e n t b y H o n . H e n r i k S h i p s t e a d , to g e th e r w i t h a m e m o
r a n d u m o n th e s u b s titu te b ill b y W i n t e r S . M a r t i n .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
18 p p .
----------------------- C om m ittee on Pensions.
O ld -a g e p e n s io n s .
H e a r in g b e fo re a,
s u b c o m m itte e o f th e C o m m itte e o n P e n s i o n s , 7 1 s t C o n g ., 3 d s e s s ., o n S . 3 2 5 7 ,
a b ill to e n c o u r a g e a n d a s s i s t th e S ta te s i n p r o v id in g p e n s io n s to th e a g e d ,
F eb ru a ry 2 4, 1931.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
175 pp.
— — D e p a rtm e n t of C om m erce.
B ureau of M ines. B u l l e t i n 3 3 2 : P e r m i s s i b l e
e le c tr ic m in e l a m p s , b y L . C . I l s l e y a n d A . B . H o o k e r .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 0 .
39 pp.
T his re p o rt gives a brief acco u n t of th e in tro d u c tio n of electric lighting in
m ines, a review of th e p relim in ary a n d a p p ro v al w ork on electric m ine lam ps
up to Ju ly , 1917, w hen a previous b u lletin w as issued, a n d describes th e lam p
a p p ro v al w ork from t h a t d a te to Ju ly , 1930.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[253]
253
254
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
U n it e d S t a t e s .— D e p a rtm e n t of C om m erce, B u reau of M ines.
E c o n o m ic P a p e r
N o . 1 1 : T h e e c o n o m ic s o f s t r i p c o a l m in in g , b y 0 . E . K i e s s l i n g a n d o th e rs .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
3 2 p p . ; c h a r ts
R eview ed in th is issue.
-------------- B ureau of th e Census.
F if te e n th C e n s u s o f th e U n ite d S t a te s , 1 9 3 0 :
V o l. I .— P o p u l a t i o n ; n u m b e r a n d d i s t r i b u ti o n o f i n h a b ita n ts .
W a s h in g to n ,
1931.
1 2 6 8 p p .; m a p s.
-------------- D ivision of P ublic C onstru ctio n .
i n th e S t a t e o f O h io , 1 9 2 9 a n d 1 9 3 0 .
O r g a n iz a tio n to p r o m o te e m p lo y m e n t
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 0 .
Jf7 p p .
------ D e p a rtm e n t of L abor.
B ureau of L ab o r S tatistics. B u l l e t i n N o . 5 3 5 :
W a g e s a n d h o u r s o f la b o r i n th e s la u g h te r in g a n d m e a t- p a c k in g i n d u s t r y , 1 9 2 9 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
122 pp.
S um m ary d a ta from th is su rv ey were p u blished in th e L ab o r R eview fo r M ay,
1930 (pp. 142-155).
---------------------- B u lle tin N o . 5 3 8 : I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n o f P u b l i c E m p l o y m e n t
S e r v ic e s .
S e v e n te e n th a n n u a l m e e tin g , P h i l a d e l p h i a , P a . , S e p te m b e r 2 4 - 2 7 ,
1 9 2 9 ; E ig h te e n th a n n u a l m e e tin g , T o r o n to , C a n a d a , S e p te m b e r 9 - 1 2 , 1 9 3 0 .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
212 pp.
'—— ------------- B u lle tin N o . 5 4 2 : R e p o r t o f th e A d v is o r y C o m m itte e o n E m p l o y m e n t
S ta tis tic s .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
31 p p .
—---------- - W om en’s B ureau.
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
B u lle tin
213 pp.
N o. 85:
W ages o f w om en in
1 3 S ta te s .
D uring th e five y ears beginning early in 1920 a n d en ding in th e first p a r t of
1925, th e W om en’s B u reau carried on a n u m b er of stu d ies of w om en’s wages,
earnings, hours, a n d w orking conditions in different S ta te s, th e re su lts of which
were published in a series of bulletins. In th e p re se n t b u lletin th e b u re a u has
b ro u g h t to g eth er th e figures rela tin g to th e w ages a n d earnings of 100,967 w hite
an d 6,120 colored w om en, w orking in 1,472 p la n ts in 13 different S tates.
---------------------- B u lle tin N o . 8 6 : A c ti v i t i e s o f th e W o m e n ’s B u r e a u o f th e U n ite d
S ta te s .
W a s h in g to n , 1 9 3 1 .
15 pp.
O fficial— F o re ig n C o u n trie s
B u l g a r ia .— D irection G énérale de la S tatistiq u e.
t r a v a il d a n s
34 pp.
le R o y a u m e
de
B u lg a r ie
S t a t i s t i q u e d e s a c c id e n ts d u
p e n d a n t V année 1 9 2 7 .
S o fia , 1 9 3 0 .
T he re p o rt show s for 1927 th e n u m b er of in d u stria l accidents in B ulgaria,
by degree an d ty p e of disab ility , by in d u stry , b y cause, a n d by age a n d sex of th e
w orkers killed or in ju red , co m p arativ e figures being given in som e cases for each
y ear back to 1922.
C a n a d a .— D e p artm e n t of L abor.
I n v e s tig a tio n i n t o a n a lle g e d c o m b in e i n th e
b r e a d -b a k in g i n d u s t r y i n C a n a d a .
O tta w a , 1 9 3 1 . 5 8 p p . ; c h a r ts .
D a ta on costs of m aking a n d selling b read in C an ad a, ta k e n from th is p u b li
cation, are given in th is issue.
-------------- S e c o n d a n n u a l r e p o r t o n c o o p e r a tiv e a s s o c ia tio n s i n
O tta w a , 1 9 2 9 .
------ — —- T h ir d a n n u a l r e p o r t o n c o o p e r a tiv e a s s o c ia tio n s i n
O tta w a , 1 9 3 0 .
C anada,
1929.
C anada,
1930.
83 pp.
100 pp.
G reat B r it a in .— B oard of T rad e.
F i n a l r e p o r t o n th e th i r d c e n s u s o f p r o d u c
t io n o f th e U n ite d K i n g d o m ( 1 9 2 4 ) : T h e f o o d , d r in k , a n d to b a c c o tr a d e s a n d
th e c lo th in g tr a d e s .
L ondon, 1931.
353 pp.
------ —-— ------- T h e te x tile tr a d e s . L o n d o n , 1 9 3 0 . 2 8 5 p p .
E ach of these tw o volum es co n tain s a general re p o rt on th e respective tra d e
groups covered, w ith se p a ra te re p o rts fo r in d iv id u al tra d e s in each group con
tain in g sections on p ro d u ctio n , wages, em ploym ent, m echanical e q u ip m en t, and
tab les sum m arizing th e d a ta obtain ed .
[254]
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
255
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
G r e a t B r it a in .— H om e Office.
s u p e r v is io n i n f a c to r ie s .
W e lfa r e P a m p h le t ATo. 3 : W e lfa r e a n d w e lf a r e
L o n d o n , 1 9 3 1 . 2 5 p p . , U lu s.
A brief review of w elfare p ractices a n d facto ry regulations regarding w orking
conditions in B ritish factories.
------ In d u stria l H ealth R esearch B oard. R e p o r t N o . 6 2 : T w o s tu d ie s o f a b
s e n te e is m i n c o a l m in e s .
London, 1931.
R eview ed in th is issue.
—:—- M edical R esearch Council.
5 2 p p . ; d ia g r a m s .
R e p o r t f o r th e y e a r 1 9 2 9 - 3 0 .
London, 1931.
138 pp.
T he re p o rt contains a brief sta te m e n t of th e researches in to in d u stria l diseases
carried o u t during th e year.
------ M inistry of L abor. W o r k in g h o u r s : L e g is la tio n i n A u s t r i a , B e lg iu m ,
C z e c h o s lo v a k ia , F r a n c e , L u x e m b u r g , a n d S p a i n , a n d p r o p o s e d le g is la tio n i n
G erm a n y a n d Ita ly .
London, 1930.
192 p p.
( C m d . 3 6 4 7 .)
------ R egistry of F riendly Societies.
R e p o r t f o r th e y e a r 1 9 3 0 .
P a r t 5 : B u ild in g
s o c ie tie s — S e c tio n I , P r o c e e d in g s a n d s t a t i s t ic a l n e w s .
London, 1931.
19 p p .
I n t e r n a t io n a l L abor O f f ic e .— T h e m i n i m u m r e q u ir e m e n t o f p r o f e s s io n a l c a
p a c i t y i n th e c a s e o f c a p ta in s , n a v ig a tin g a n d e n g in e e r officers i n c h a rg e o f
w a tc h e s o n b o a r d m e r c h a n t s h i p s .
( F o u r th i te m o n a g e n d a o f I n t e r n a t i o n a l
L a b o r C o n fe r e n c e , s e c o n d d is c u s s io n , r e p o r t I V . )
G eneva, 1 9 3 1 .
106 pp.
------ P r o m o tio n o f s e a m e n ’s w e lf a r e i n p o r ts .
n a tio n a l L a b o r
171 p p .
C o n fe re n c e ,
se c o n d
( T h ir d it e m o n a g e n d a o f I n t e r
d is c u s s io n , r e p o r t I I I . )
G eneva, 1 9 3 1 .
L eague
of N a t io n s .— I n t e r n a t i o n a l h e a lth y e a r b o o k , 1 9 2 9 .
R e p o r ts o n th e p u b lic
h e a lth p r o g r e s s o f f o r t y c o u n tr ie s a n d c o lo n ie s i n 1 9 2 8 .
G en eva, 1 9 3 0 .
1 5 0 4 VV•
T he volum e includes, in a d d itio n to m aterial relativ e to public h e a lth m a tte rs
in th e different countries, d a ta on housing, in d u stria l h e a lth a n d o ccupational
diseases, a n d econom ic conditions.
------ In s titu t In te rn a tio n a l de C oopération Intellectuele. B u l l e t i n d e la C o o p é r
a tio n I n te lle c tu e lle N o . 1 , J a n u a r y , 1 9 3 1 .
P a r i s , 2 R u e d e M o n tp e n s ie r .
T his bulletin, w hich will be published m o n th ly , ta k e s th e place of th e R eview
issued by th e In te rn a tio n a l In s titu te of In te lle c tu a l C ooperation du rin g th e p a st
tw o years. T he su b ject m a tte r will include a brief su m m ary of m a tte rs of
c u rren t in tellectu al in terest; a n acco u n t of th e w ork accom plished by th e differ
e n t com m ittees of th e organization a n d of th e associations a n d organizations
collaborating w ith th e in stitu te , a n d info rm atio n upon su b jects included in th e
p ro g ram of th e in stitu te.
N e t h e r l a n d E ast I n d ie s .— D e p artem en t v an L andbouw , N ijv erh eid en H andel.
C en traa l K an to o r voor de S tatistiek . M e d e d e e lin g N o . 8 8 a : P r i j z e n , in d e x c ijf e r s e n w is s e lk o e r s e n o p J a v a , 1 9 3 0 (v o o r tz e ttin g v a n d e g e lijk n a m ig e m e d e
d e e lin g o ver 1 9 1 3 to t e n m e t 1 9 2 9 ) .
[ B a ta v ia c e n tr u m ? ] 1 9 3 1 . x v i i i p p . , m im e o
g ra p h ed .
O n tario (C a n a d a ).— D e p artm e n t of Labor.
1931.
91
E le v e n th a n n u a l r e p o r t, 1 9 3 0 .
T o ro n to ,
pp.
Includes d a ta relatin g to wages a n d hours of lab o r a n d to strikes a n d lockouts.
P o l a n d .— M inistère d u T ra v a il e t de l ’A ssistance Sociale.
a ssu ran ces
c h a r ts .
s o c ia le s
en
P o lo g n e ,
1928.
W a rsa w ,
[1 9 3 0 ? ].
I V a n n u a ir e d e s
3 3 0 p p .; m a p s,
S a sk a tc h ew a n (C a na d a ). — D e p a rtm e n t of N a tu ra l Resources.
S a s k a tc h e w a n
R e g in a , 1 9 3 0 .
R o y a l C o m m is s io n o n
2 0 6 p p . ; m a p s , c h a r ts .
I m m i g r a t io n
and
R e p o r t o f th e
S e ttle m e n t, 1 9 3 0 .
Among th e m an y recom m endations m ade by th e com m ission were th e follow ing:
T h a t in itia l efforts should be given to provide for th e settle m e n t on th e la n d of
persons a t p resen t resid en t in Saskatchew an'; th a t th e D om inion G overn m en t
should assist, to th e e x ten t of m eeting one-half of th e ir tra n sp o rta tio n expenses
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[255]
256
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
to C anada, in th e re p a tria tio n of C an ad ian s a t presen t resid en t in th e U nited
S tates, to th e respective P rovinces from w hich th e y m ig rated ; a n d th a t every
encouragem ent should be given to B ritish im m igration.
T u r k e y .— Office
C en tral
vo lu m e - —1 9 2 9 .
de
S ta tistiq u e .
I s t a n b u l, 1 9 2 9 .
A n n u a ir e
s ta tis tiq u e .
D e u x ie m e
293 pp.
T his re p o rt includes, in a d d itio n to g eneral sta tistic s, d a ta on hygiene and
social assistance in T u rk ey a n d cost of living.
---------------------- T r o is iè m e v o lu m e — 1 9 3 0 . I s t a n b u l, 1 9 3 0 .
469 pp.
T he yearbook presen ts social a n d econom ic sta tistic s fo r th e T u rk ish R epublic
for various years up to a n d including 1930.
U n o fficial
A malgamated M ea t C u tter s
and
B u tch er W orkm en
of
N orth A m er ica .
S y n o p s i s o f p r o c e e d in g s o f th ir te e n th g e n e r a l c o n v e n tio n , h e ld a t D e tr o it, M ic h .,
J U n e 9 to 1 3 , 1 9 3 0 .
C h ic a g o , 1 6 0 L a S a l l e S tr e e t, 1 9 3 0 .
93 pp.
D a ta from th is re p o rt a re given in th is issue.
D a s , R a ja n i K a n t a .
P la n t a t i o n la b o r i n I n d i a .
C a lc u tta , R . C h a tte r je e , 1 9 3 1 .
1 94 PP-
D onham , W allace B r e t t .
C o. ( I n c .) , 1 9 3 1 .
B u s in e s s
a d r if t.
N ew
Y ork,
M c G r a w -H ill B ook
165 pp.
G r e e n e , L orenzo J.,
a nd W oodson , C a rter G.
T h e N e g r o w a g e -e a r n e r .
W a s h in g to n , A s s o c i a t i o n f o r th e S t u d y o f N e g r o L i f e a n d H i s t o r y ( I n c .) , 1 5 3 8
N i n t h S tr e e t N W . , 1 9 3 0 .
3 8 8 p p . ; c h a r ts .
Sponsored b y th e A ssociation for th e S tu d y of N egro Life a n d H isto ry , th is
gives a careful, fac tu a l stu d y of th e extension of th e field of N egro em ploym ent
since th e em ancipatio n of th e race. T h e a u th o rs h a v e tra c e d th e d evelopm ent
of th e N egro as a wage earner, show ing his progress from one field to a n o th e r, th e
difficulties he h ad to overcom e, th e a ttitu d e of organized w orkers a lread y in th e
field, th e effect of racial feeling, a n d th e cu m u lativ e gains m ade. T h e purpose
h as been to show th e general tre n d , a n d th e causes un d erly in g each in d u stria l
developm ent, a n d for th is purpose recourse h as been h a d to all th e sources av a il
able for facts throw in g lig h t on changes in th e position of th e colored w orker, so
th a t th e w ork h as becom e m uch m ore th a n a m ere collection of facts a n d figures.
T he aim h a s been n o t m erely sta tistic a l b u t in te rp re ta tiv e , a n d i t is p resen ted as
a n econom ic h isto ry of th e N egro since em an cip atio n , especially as i t h as h a d a
bearing u pon a n d been affected b y th e h isto ry of all o th e r em ployees of various
races in th e country .
G u n t h e r , E r n st . S o z i a l p o l i t i k .
1930.
B e r l i n - V i e n n a , I n d u s tr ie v e r la g S p a e t h & L in d e ,
186 pp.
A tre a tise on social policy, especially in G erm any, including ch ap te rs on lab o r
p ro tectio n , hours of labor, social insurance, lab o r unions, legislation affecting
labor, etc.
H u b a c h e k , F r an k R .
T h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l it y o f s m a ll lo a n le g is la tio n .
R u s s e ll S a g e F o u n d a tio n , 1 9 3 1 .
50 pp.
N e w Y o rk ,
D iscusses th e various angles of th e question of th e c o n stitu tio n a lity of th e sm allloans law , citing cases.
I n d u st r ia l A sso ca tion , C in c in n a t i , O hio .
A s u r v e y o f p o o r r e l ie f s y s te m s a n d
c a r e p r o v id e d f o r a g e d d e p e n d e n ts i n th e S t a t e o f O h io , b y W . E . O d o m .
C in
c in n a ti, 1 9 3 0 . 1 6 p p .
2ded.
I n st it u t e
of W om en ’s P r o fessio n a l R e l a t io n s . O c c u p a tio n s f o r c o lle g e w o m e n :
A b ib lio g r a p h y [b y C h a s e G o in g W o o d h o u s e ]. S u p p l e m e n t N o . 1 , F e b r u a r y , 1 9 3 0 ,
to B u lle tin N o . 1 o f N o r th C a r o lin a C o lle g e f o r W o m e n , G r e e n s b o r o , N . C ., 8 6
p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d ; S u p p l e m e n t N o . 2 , F e b r u a r y , 1 9 3 1 , 2 2 p p . , m im e o g r a p h e d .
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[256]
257
PUBLICATIONS RELATING TO LABOR
I n t e r -A m erican C o n fe r e n c e on A g r ic u ltu r e , F o r e st r y , a n d A nim al
I n d u s t r y . U n d e r th e a u s-p ic e s o f th e U n ite d S t a t e s G o v e r n m e n t a n d th e P a n
A m e r ic a n U n io n , W a s h in g to n , D . C ., S e p te m b e r 8 - 2 0 , 1 9 3 0 .
D o c u m e n ta r y
m a te r ia l [o n th e c o n fe re n c e ].
W a s h in g to n , G o v e r n m e n t P r i n t i n g O ffice, 1 9 3 0 .
434 pp.
Contains a section on agricultural economics in which are given several papers
on cooperation as related to agriculture.
I n t e r n a t io n a l C o n fe r e n c e
of A g r icultural E conom ists . P r o c e e d in g s o f f ir s t
c o n fe re n c e , h e ld a t T o tn e s , D e v o n , E n g la n d , A u g u s t 2 6 to S e p te m b e r 6 , 1 9 2 9 .
M e n a s h a , W i s . , C o lle g ia te P r e s s , 1 9 2 9 . 3 5 7 p p . ; c h a r ts , i l l u s .
C ontains pap ers on ag ricu ltu ral cooperation in D enm ark, N orw ay, a n d F in la n d .
------ P r o c e e d in g s o f s e c o n d c o n fe re n c e , h e ld a t C o r n e ll U n iv e r s ity , I th a c a , N . Y .,
A u g u st 1 8 -2 9 , 1930.
m a p s , c h a r ts , il l u s .
M en ash a,
W i s .,
C o lle g ia te
P ress,
1930.
1079
p p .;
Includes p ap ers on farm w ages a n d wage reg u latio n in E n g lan d a n d W ales,
th e organization of w age earn ers in ag ricu ltu re, research in cooperative m ark etin g ,
relatio n of F ederal F a rm B oard to cooperative m arketing, a n d ag ric u ltu ra l cooper
a tio n in F inland, U n ited S tates, a n d C anada.
I n t e r n a t io n a l F e d e r a t io n
n a tio n a l F e d e r a tio n o f
T e s s e ls c h a d e s tr a a t, 1 9 3 1 .
of
T r ad e -U n io n s .
T r a d e -U n io n s ,
3 9 5 p p . , il l u s .
T h e a c tiv itie s o f th e I n t e r
1 9 2 7 —1 9 3 0 .
A m s t e r d a m ( W ), 31
Includes th e proceedings of th e F ifth O rd in ary C ongress of th e In te rn a tio n a l
F ed eratio n of T rade-U nions, held a t Stockholm in Ju ly , 1930, w ith various rep o rts
a n d p ap ers su b m itte d to t h a t convention. A m ong th ese docu m en ts is th e
fed eratio n ’s d ra ft social legislation program , a brief resum é of w hich was given
in th e A pril, 1931, issue of th e L ab o r Review.
L a id l e r , H arry W.
U n e m p lo y m e n t a n d i t s r e m e d ie s .
N e w Y o rk , L eagu e fo r
I n d u s t r i a l D e m o c r a c y , 1 1 2 E a s t N in e te e n th S tr e e t, 1 9 3 1 .
103 pp.
L a sk e r , B r u n o .
1931.
F i l i p i n o im m i g r a t i o n .
m a p s , illu s .
C h ic a g o ,
U n i v e r s i t y o f C h ic a g o P r e s s ,
4 4 5 P P -;
T his rep o rt, w hich is declared in th e forew ord to be a d m itte d ly incom plete on
m any phases, h as been accep ted b y th e research com m ittee of th e A m erican
council of th e In s titu te of Pacific R elatio n s as one of a n u m b er of p ublications
w hich th e com m ittee in ten d s to su b m it a t th e C hina conference of th e in s titu te
in th e fall of 1931.
L o n ig a n , E d n a .
U n e m p lo y m e n t i n N e w Y o r k C i t y .
N e w Y o r k , W e lfa r e C o u n c il
o f N e w Y o r k C ity , R esea rch B u r e a u , 1 9 3 1 . 5 6 p p .
In th is pu b licatio n th e n u m b er of unem ployed in N ew Y ork C ity is e stim ated
b y tw o m ethods, a n d b o th th e m eth o d s a n d re su lts are shown.
M a n u fa c t u r e r s A sso ciation
i n C o n n e c tic u t.
of
H a r tf o r d , 1 9 3 1 .
M a t h e w so n , S ta nley B.
N e w Y o rk , V ik in g P re s s,
C o n n ectic ut (I n c .).
R e s tr ic tio n
1931.
O ld
age d ep en d en cy
1 8 0 p p . ; c h a r t.
212
o f o u tp u t
pp.
am ong
u n o r g a n iz e d
w o rk ers.
R eview ed in th is issue.
of S e t t l e m e n t s .
U nem p lo y m en t C om m ittee. C a s e
s tu d ie s o f u n e m p lo y m e n t.
P h ila d e lp h ia , U n iv e r s ity o f P e n n s y lv a n ia P r e s s ,
1 9 3 1 . 4 1 8 p p . ( R e s e a r c h s t u d ie s X I I , I n d u s t r i a l R e s e a r c h D e p a r tm e n t, W h a r
to n S c h o o l o f F in a n c e a n d C o m m e r c e .)
N a tio na l F e d e r a tio n
T h e effects of unem p lo y m en t on 150 w orkers’ fam ilies are described in th is
volum e. In each case h isto ry th e n a tio n a lity , fam ily com position, a n d ages of
th e various m em bers of th e fam ily are show n, a n d th e economic, physical, an d
psychological effects of un em ploym ent, as well as th e pro b ab le fu tu re re su lts of
these factors, are outlined.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[257]
258
MONTHLY LABOR REVIEW
N ational I n d u st r ia l C o n fe r e n c e B oard (I n c .).
T h e p r e s e n t s ta tu s o f m u tu a l
N e w Y o r k , 2J+7 P a r k A v e n u e , 1 9 3 1 .
104 p p .
b e n e fit a s s o c ia tio n s .
R eview ed in th is issue.
------ T h e s u p p o r t o f th e a g e d : A r e v ie w o f c o n d itio n s a n d p r o p o s a ls .
24-7 P a r k A v e n u e , 1 9 3 1 .
N ew
Y o rk ,
65 pp.
------ W a g e s i n th e U n ite d S ta te s , 1 9 1 4 - 1 9 3 0 .
N ew Y ork, 2 4 7 P a rk A ven ue, 1931.
2 2 6 p p . ; c h a r ts .
T he eig h teen th volum e on w age conditions in th e U n ited S ta te s p u b lish ed by
th e N atio n al In d u s tria l C onference B oard. T h e branches of in d u s try covered
are m anufacturing, p ublic utilities, C lass I railroads, building, a n d ag ricu ltu re.
In ad d itio n to th e w age d a ta , figures are given on w orking h o u rs a n d em ploym ent.
P e n n s y l v a n ia H o u sin g
1930.
and
T ow n P l a n n in g A sso c ia t io n .
P h i l a d e l p h i a , 8 0 3 A l l m a n B u i l d i n g , [1 9 3 1 ? ].
P e r so n s , W a r r en M.
S o n s { I n c .) , 1 9 3 1 .
P ip k in , C h a r les W .
F o r e c a s tin g b u s in e s s c y c le s .
2 9 5 p p . ; c h a r ts .
S o c ia l p o l i t i c s
M a c m il l a n C o ., 1 9 3 1 . 2 v o ls .
and
m odern
R e p o r t, 1 9 2 9 a n d
2 3 p p . , illu s .
N ew
Y o rk , J o h n W ile y &
d e m o c r a c ie s .
N ew
Y o rk ,
In b o th E n g lan d a n d F ran ce, th e a u th o r holds, th e re h as been a n increasing
dem ocratic consciousness dem an d in g a lib e rty fo r th e citizen fo r w hich th e old
form s an d in stitu tio n s p ro v id ed no satisfactio n . T h e legislation on in d u stria l
a n d social questions h as g rad u ally responded to th e dem and, w orking along
different lines in th e tw o countries, influenced b y th e n a tu ra l disposition of th e
people a n d b y th e circum stances of n a tio n a l developm ent. M uch of th e progress
of th e p resen t cen tu ry is b ased u p o n th e p re p a ra tio n s m ad e b y E n g lan d a n d
F ran ce th ro u g h th e earlier d a y s to use th e m ach in ery of th e ir g o v ern m en ts to
change social a n d econom ic conditions. A histo rical su rv ey of th e p re p a ra to ry
period is followed by a review of th e legislation of th e tw e n tie th c e n tu ry dealing
w ith in d u strial an d social m a tte rs, a n d th is b y a stu d y of th e m eth o d s ad o p ted
to m ake th e legislation accom plish th e p urposes in ten d ed , or to enlarge th e p u r
pose an d a d a p t th e legislation accordingly. T h e first volum e deals w ith E ngland,
th e second w ith F rance, a n d a general su rv ey of th e p resen t situ a tio n of th e
co u n try concerned closes each volum e.
S a po ss , D avid J. T h e la b o r m o v e m e n t i n p o s tw a r F r a n c e . N e w Y o r k , C o lu m b ia
U n iv e r s ity P r e s s , 1 9 3 1 . 5 0 8 p p .
{ S o c ia l a n d e c o n o m ic s tu d ie s o f p o s tw a r
F ran ce,
V o l. I V , C o lu m b ia U n i v e r s i t y C o u n c il f o r R e s e a r c h i n th e S o c ia l
S c ie n c e s .)
T his is a n exhau stiv e stu d y of th e d evelopm ent of th e different union an d
syndical organizations in F rance, w ith p a rtic u la r reference to th e p erio d since th e
w ar. T h e re p o rt deals p a rtic u la rly w ith th e a c tu a l fu n ctio n in g of th e different
la b o r p a rtie s ra th e r th a n w ith th e th eo re tic a l a n d philosophical phases of th e
m ovem ent, a n d covers in a d d itio n th e develo p m en t of la b o r legislation, th e p o st
w ar policies of em ployers, th e cooperative m o vem ent, a n d th e political activ ities
of th e w orkers’ organizations.
V a n D r ie l , B. M . M o r t a l i t y r a te s a n d c a u s e s o f d e a th a m o n g 3 1 8 ,0 7 1 e s ta te
la b o r e r s i n S u m a t r a { D u tc h E a s t I n d ie s ) i n 1 9 3 0 .
M e d a n , S u m a tr a , 1 930.
6 4 P P -, c h a r ts .
{ M e d e d e e lin g e n v a n h e t P a th o lo g is c h L a b o r a to r iu m te M e d a n ,
S u m a tr a , N o . 9 , 1 9 3 0 .)
Wa r b u r t o n , W . H .
f o r d s h i r e p o tte r ie s .
T h e h is to r y o f tr a d e - u n io n o r g a n iz a tio n s i n th e N o r th S t a f
L o n d o n , G e o rg e A l l e n & U n w i n { L t d .) , 1 9 3 1 .
288 pp.
A description of a c e n tu ry ’s efforts to create a stab le o rganization w ith th e
capacity to n eg o tiate w ith em ployers.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
[258]
PUBLICATIO NS RELATING TO LABOR
W arren, H erbert,
and
la tio n a n d i n d u s t r y .
259
D a v id g e , W. R ., E d ito rs . D e c e n tr a liz a tio n o f p o p u
L o n d o n , P . S . K i n g & S o n ( L t d .) , 1 9 3 0 .
154- p p .
P apers b y several a u th o rs dealing w ith th e a p p licatio n of th e principles of to w n
p lanning to th e purpose of controlling th e grow th of tow ns. L arge ag g reg atio n s
of population, th e a u th o rs hold, are u n h e a lth y a n d uneconom ic, a n d in d u strie s
now located in cities should be encouraged to w ithdraw , a n d new in d u stries should
establish them selves from th e beginning in m ore su itab le locations. F o r th e
in dustries th is w ould m ean cheaper lan d a n d low er taxes; for th e w orkers, h e a lth
a n d clean an d p leasan t surroundings; w hile for th e cities it w ould m ean a d im in u
tion of congestion an d th e possibility of using th e in d u stria l sites fo r open spaces,
recreational centers, a n d th e like. V arious aspects of th e m easures needed to
m ake such decentralization possible a n d beneficial are discussed by experts in th e
different lines.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
o
[2 5 9 ]
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
@FedFRASER